As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ A respected Melbourne doctor claims a former senior manager at the prestigious Royal Australasian College of Physicians was paid off and dismissed after making a whistleblower complaint about a toxic bullying culture in the organisation. An explosive cache of whistleblower reports submitted to the corporate watchdog lays bare serious claims of bullying and inappropriate management of charitable funds in the college, amid calls for an independent inquiry into its internal processes. In the most damning allegation, Professor Paul Komesaroff who sits on the college's board of directors, alleges a former HR manager was forced out of the college after she sounded the alarm on atoxic and heavy blame culture in which scapegoats were used to take the focus away from poor leadership. "The HR manager was offered a very large settlement, many times what she would have been otherwise entitled to on elaborate conditions of absolute secrecy," documents seen by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald allege. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Fri, February 14, 2020 11:12 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20647bc76 2 World Donald-Trump,tweets,justice,Roger-Stone,legal,law Free US Attorney General William P. Barr on Thursday delivered a highly unusual public rebuke of Donald Trump, saying the president's tweets were making his job at the Justice Department "impossible." "I have a problem with some of the tweets," Barr said in an interview with ABC News, adding: "I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me." "I think it's time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases," said Barr. His interview came as Trump stands accused of interfering with the sentencing recommendation for his former advisor, Roger Stone -- prompting four Justice Department prosecutors to resign from the case this week. The outburst was all the more remarkable as Barr has emerged as a powerful defender of Trump, earning the nickname of the "president's attorney" from critics. Barr has been at the center of allegations that he decided -- allegedly under pressure from Trump -- to overrule his own prosecutors and seek a lighter prison sentence for Stone. He has previously been criticized by Democrats and legal experts for seeming to assist Trump during the independent investigation into whether the president was helped by a Russian influence campaign during the 2016 election. The two men are so close that there was immediate speculation that Barr's television interview may have been more about managing public opinion than a real outcry against Trump's alleged interference in judicial affairs. The controversy comes about a week after the Senate acquitted Trump of impeachment charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to pressure on Ukraine to announce investigations, including into Trump's political opponent Joe Biden. Another staunch Trump ally, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, supported Barr's comments about the tweets. "If the attorney general says it's getting in the way of doing his job, maybe the president should listen to the attorney general," McConnell told Fox News. White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said Trump had "full faith" in Barr. "The president wasn't bothered by the comments at all," she said in a statement. That message was amplified by Trump's National Security Advisor who insisted the president has "tremendous confidence" in Barr. "He's a fantastic member of the cabinet, he has a very strong relationship with the president," Robert O'Brien told reporters at the White House. Trump's Twitter muscle Unlike any president before him, Trump frequently uses social media to broadcast his opinions and decisions without going through traditional statements to the media. Grisham indicated that Barr's comments would not change that, referring to the White House's frequent claim that professional media organizations misrepresent Trump and therefore need to be bypassed. "President Trump uses social media very effectively to fight for the American people against injustices in our country, including the fake news," she said. Trump uses Twitter in particular to make instant, high-impact interventions, often reacting to events in real time. In the latest case, he used his Twitter pulpit to speak out in defense of veteran Republican consultant Stone. Stone was convicted in November of last year of lying to Congress, tampering with a witness and obstructing the House investigation into the Russia 2016 election affair. Trump has denied that his tweets attacking the original sentence of 87 to 108 months recommended for Stone -- and in support of Barr after it was reduced by more than half -- amounted to political interference. Chief Judge Beryl Howell, of the DC District Court in Washington that will sentence Stone, said in a statement that "public criticism or pressure is not a factor" in sentencing decisions. When asked whether he had spoken with Trump about recommendations in the Stone case, Barr replied: "Never." "I'm happy to say that in fact the president has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case," said Barr, who is due to testify next month to Congress, where Democrats have voiced deep concerns about his conduct in legal matters involving the president. In the interview, Barr said he had been "surprised" by the sentencing recommendation filed by prosecutors on Monday, and was intending to "amend and clarify" the department's position the following day -- when Trump fired off his tweet. "Once the tweet occurred the question was, '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." Asked whether he was prepared for repercussions for speaking out against Trump, Barr replied: "Of course." "I'm not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody," he said, "whether it's Congress, newspaper editorial boards or the president, I'm going to do what I think is right." When Gov. J.B. Pritzker gave his State of the State address last month, small business owners like myself heard his message loud and clear: After years of fiscal mismanagement and putting partisanship before responsible governance, Illinois is finally back on track. Whether it was passing an historic investment in our states infrastructure to rebuild the roads and bridges we all travel on every day, or bringing relief to 300,000 businesses through the phasing out of the franchise tax, last springs legislative session was a success for all Illinoisans, including our small businesses. Even raising the minimum wage to $15, which opponents of progressive policies love to attack, is a boon to business owners like myself. The additional income hardworking Illinoisans are making through an increased wage is extra money that goes directly back into our economy. Higher wages provide families increased disposable income who once didnt have it, drawing new customers into our businesses. The next step our state needs to continue on the path to success for all our residents is passing the Fair Tax in November. By only raising taxes on the wealthiest 3% of Illinoisans, the Fair Tax will ensure that 97% of residents see no income tax increase while generating approximately $3.4 billion in additional revenue for our state. While only those making more than $250,000 a year will see their taxes increase, middle and lower-income families who have shouldered the burden of our current tax system will get much-needed relief. Full disclosure: There are years where I do not make over $250,000, but over the 35 years Ive been a business owner, there are more years where I have. Paying more in taxes when youre making more than $250,000 a year is a small price to pay when you consider the positive impact that $3.4 billion in additional revenue can have on helping the middle-class customers who frequent my business, and businesses like mine, all over the state. The additional revenue the Fair Tax will generate can go a long way toward making our state a better place for everyone to live and start a business. When youre considering opening a small business, there are a number of considerations to take into account, not the least of which is where the right location to do so is. Business owners of all stripes want to start their endeavors in a stable economic environment, and for years, Illinois has been defined by uncertainty and volatility, including budget stalemates and billions of dollars in debt. The money from the Fair Tax will begin to dig our state out of its financial crisis and build a solid foundation for fiscal sustainability in Illinois. Another major concern for someone looking to start a business is whether its somewhere they want to raise their family a place where their children can get a good education that sets them up for success. And for too long, Illinois education system has not been adequately serving all of its students. In many communities, our children have been learning from outdated textbooks in crumbling schools with too-large class sizes. The Fair Tax will help address those issues. A highly educated workforce is a large incentive when business owners are choosing geography to invest in their entrepreneurial ideas. By bringing in revenue that helps Illinois meet its obligation to fund our schools, the Fair Tax will work to bring these schools up to the standards all of our children deserve, and that future employers covet. Theres a lot of misinformation out there about the Fair Tax, and unfortunately there are some within the business community who are leading these false narratives. But the fact remains that the Fair Tax will help all our residents, including the thousands of small businesses that make up the backbone of our communities. David Borris serves on the Executive Committee of the Main Street Alliance, a national business network. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 6 14.02.2020 LISTEN Ghana Post has received an Honorary Award For Quality of Service at the 40th Anniversary celebrations of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) held in Tanzania recently. The award is for designated operators that have excelled and certified by UPU on Quality of Service. This latest award comes on the back of other awards including the Best EMS Customer Care Award, Excellence in Innovation Award among others. The Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) is a specialized institution of the African Union. Its main objective is to coordinate all activities aimed at developing postal services on the African continent. Other countries who were also honoured include Kenya, Nigeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini and Ethiopia as Champion on UPU Quality of Service certification. Ghana Post has performed tremendously in the last 3 years under Managing Director James Kwofie. The company has improved in technology, innovations, services and accomplished in bringing business solutions to customers and other stakeholders all around the world. In his official address at the event, the Director-General of the Universal Postal Union Bishar A. Hussein used the occasion to congratulate the PAPU membership and the entire secretariat for the 40th milestone chalked. "Forty years is a good age to look back and reflect on what you have been able to achieve; the challenges you have faced, and the lessons learned that will help shape the future. We often say that life begins at 40. This is also true for PAPU given that the dynamics in the postal industry today will present exciting times ahead as you strive to further transform the African post," he said. The PAPU Secretary-General further hinted that the next focus for African posts should now be to develop e-commerce capabilities and integrate with other players in the value chain to achieve competitiveness in pricing and service delivery. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 (Newser) South Carolina detectives believe they've solved a cold case murder, and you might recognize the name of the alleged perpetrator. Ronald Lee Moore was mentioned in the first season of the Serial podcast as a possible suspect in the 1999 murder of Baltimore's Hae Min Leethough Adnan Syad, who maintains his innocence, was ultimately convicted. No DNA tied Moore to the case (the same is true for Syad), but police now say Moore's DNA was found on towels and other evidence from the 1996 murder of 23-year-old Shawn Marie Neal in her condo in North Myrtle Beach; that case was reopened in 2017. The convicted serial burglar from Baltimore County, Md., had no ties to the area, but police believe he may have passed through on his way to visit friends in Louisiana, where he died in prison in 2008. story continues below Moore has been blamed for hundreds of burglaries and at least one sexual assault, per WMBF. In 2013, police said his DNA had been linked to the 1999 murder of 27-year-old Annelise Hyang Suk Lee. Her body, showing signs of blunt force trauma and strangulation, was found at her apartment in a Baltimore suburb on Dec. 13, 1999, months after Hae Min Lee was found to have been strangled. Moore had been released from prison 10 days before Hae Min Lee disappeared, per WPDE. "Personally I would have loved to ask him, 'Why?'" Detective Lt. Micheal Swarthout tells WMBF of Neal's murder. "But I'm just happy that it's over." Agencies will continue to scour cold cases for any that might be attributed to Moore, per WPDE. (Read more cold cases stories.) Criticism has continued to trail the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomholes comment that nobody should be sworn in as Bayelsa governor following the Supreme Courts nullification of the election of the APC candidate, David Lyon. A new Bayelsa governor is expected to be sworn in today to take over from Seriake Dickson who is finishing his tenure. Mr Oshiomhole said Thursday that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Duoye Diris votes did not have enough spread as required by the Constitution to be elected governor. Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike said, Thursday evening, that Mr Oshiomholes remarks was capable of destabilising the country. Mr Wike, in a statement from his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, asked the federal government to warn the APC national chairman against making inflammatory remarks. Mr Wike said Mr Oshiomhole has no power to declare that Mr Diri would not be sworn in as Bayelsas governor. The federal government should warn Oshiomhole to stop making remarks that will destabilise Nigeria. What he is doing in Edo State is not proper and he should not bring it to the rest of the Niger Delta, the governor said. Who is Oshiomhole to determine who has spread in a state? Supreme Court has made a ruling. It is unfortunate for Oshiomhole to come forward to say that nobody will be sworn in. It is most unfortunate what Oshiomhole is doing because he wants to retain his position as National Chairman. APC Governors have rejected him, that is why he is struggling to prove that he is fighting for the party. He is making statements as if he owns the country. This is the same way he is carrying on in Edo State fighting the Governor. He believes that he has the forces to cause crisis. He is arrogating powers to himself, which is not good, the governor said. The PDP, in its reaction to Mr Oshiomholes comment, asked the APC national chairman to stay away from Bayelsa. UW Receives $500,000 Gift in Ada Cryptocurrency from IOHK The University of Wyoming has received a gift of $500,000 in Ada cryptocurrency from IOHK (Input Output, iohk.io), a leading international technology company. The gift supports the development of blockchain technology. The gift is the largest cryptocurrency gift to UW and is among the largest cryptocurrency gifts to a public university. UW is one of the first universities to accept cryptocurrency donations. The potential real-world applications of blockchain are limitless, and IOHKs donation of $500,000 to the University of Wyomings Blockchain Research and Development Lab will go some way in helping to realize that potential -- and also help to bolster Wyomings burgeoning blockchain revolution at large, says Charles Hoskinson, IOHK founder and CEO. The Wyoming Blockchain Task Forces supportive business environment is what led IOHK to choose to invest here. The IOHK gift is being doubled to $1 million by state matching funds and, as part of the legislative match, the university is providing additional supporting funds. The University of Wyoming is proud to be at the forefront of blockchain research and education, and we are grateful for this significant financial contribution from IOHK, says UW Acting President Neil Theobald. This support will help us continue to move forward in a very exciting and promising field of innovation and discovery. The gift will support the UWYO-IOHK Advanced Blockchain Research and Development Laboratory, which will be housed in UWs Secure Systems Collaborative (www.uwyo.edu/s2c) along with CEDAR, UWs Cybersecurity Education and Research center. The College of Engineering and Applied Science warmly embraces this new collaborative relationship with IOHK, says the colleges interim dean, Cameron Wright. This gift will enable students and faculty across multiple departments in the college to work together with IOHK to push the envelope on blockchain technology, including software, hardware and new blockchain applications. In this UW lab, faculty members and graduate students will develop practical hardware and software applications of blockchain technology in the real-world use cases of cryptography, authentication, supply chain management, cryptocurrency and smart contracts. Blockchain is a breakthrough in database technology for storing information -- a secure digital ledger for smart contracts and cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin and Ada, IOHKs digital currency. This innovative technology is revolutionizing industries such as banking, law, identity and chain of custody. The lab will take advantage of UWs existing expertise in blockchain, including Professor James Caldwell and Assistant Professor Mike Borowczak, who will be co-directors of the Advanced Blockchain Research and Development Laboratory, as well as Philip Schlump. It will expand that expertise with visiting faculty and masters, Ph.D. and postdoctoral students. This funding and partnership between IOHK and UW provide an unprecedented opportunity for the university and the state of Wyoming to establish ourselves on the leading edge of blockchain technology, Caldwell says. IOHK is building the blockchain of the future and has done so with a team of exceptional computer scientists from around the world. The UW Department of Computer Science is very pleased to have this opportunity to collaborate in building the future and to apply the technology right here in Wyoming. This new endeavor enables UW to recruit and produce professional computer scientists, engineers, researchers and leaders with a unique set of core competencies related to the effective deployment of secure distributed systems, Borowczak says. From market analysis to fundamental secure hardware architecture and development to algorithmic and contract design to end-user implementations, our students, faculty and researchers will be positioned to define and solve the next generation of blockchain-related challenges as a result of this mutually beneficial partnership with IOHK. UWs departments of Computer Science, and Electrical and Computer Engineering are working to establish the university as a leader in blockchain education, research and applications. Based in Denver, Hoskinson has said he feels a moral obligation to Wyoming: His father is a physician in Gillette, and he would like to give back to the state. Hoskinson also was a guest speaker at the 2019 UW Hackathon. Founded in 2015 by Hoskinson and Jeremy Wood, IOHK is committed to using peer-to-peer innovations to provide financial services to the 3 billion people who dont have them. Wyoming blockchain legislation in 2018 and 2019 -- with more proposed in 2020 -- has established the state as a leader at the international forefront of this new technology, which promises to dramatically affect the lives of individual citizens, business practices, the day-to-day processes of government, and international trade and relations. UW alumna Caitlin Long has been leading the charge in supporting Wyomings blockchain initiatives. Long is a 22-year Wall Street veteran who has been active in Bitcoin and blockchain since 2012. She was a member of the Wyoming Blockchain Task Force. It is wonderful for UW and IOHK to partner for blockchain research, as the IOHK team is highly academically focused, Long says. What an honor that they selected UW. The legislation puts Wyoming in the unique position of being a focus of the international community of blockchain technologists. As a direct result of the legislation, a number of blockchain companies have shown significant interest in locating in or relocating to Wyoming. The gift announcement took place today (Friday) at UWs Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. Speakers included Hoskinson, Theobald and Wright. . , " ". , - . , ... (CNN) And you thought your worst first date story was bad. A Massachusetts woman became an unexpected getaway driver after a man she met on a dating app robbed a bank on their first date. Christopher Castillo, the unnamed woman's would-be Robin Hood, plead guilty this week to armed robbery and three counts of assault and battery on a police officer all committed on their first date on December 5, 2016 according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office. Castillo was sentenced to three years in state prison for the robbery, plus two years in the Bristol County House of Corrections for violently struggling against and spitting on police who tried to subdue him, according to the district attorney's office. The woman wasn't charged the "worst date ever" story was enough punishment. How her worst first date began It all started, the woman told police, when she picked up Castillo from his parents' home in Chepachet, Rhode Island, and drove him 30 minutes east toward North Attleboro, Massachusetts. She said he drank wine in the passenger seat of her Nissan Maxima (which is also illegal, but he wasn't charged for that one). The two had never met in person before that fateful day in 2016, she told police. So why would she think anything was wrong when he told her to pull over as they approached a bank? He got out of her car and left her there alone for a few minutes. Then, suddenly, he came running back, sweating with sunglasses, a hat, a gun and $1,000 cash in hand, the woman said. "F**king go," he told her. She "panicked," she told police, so she did as she was told. Her date told bank teller he was 'really hurting' The district attorney's office fills in the blanks on what happened while he was inside the bank. Castillo walked into the Bristol County Savings Bank branch in North Attleboro and showed a bank teller a gun. He demanded $1,000 and said he needed it badly he was "really hurting," he told the teller. The teller handed him the money, then he ran back out to his date's Maxima and ordered her to step on it. His accidental accomplice obeyed at first, but once she spotted flashing sirens from North Attleboro Police cruisers on their tail, she immediately pulled over and walked away from the car. Castillo stayed inside and ducked from police. Police pulled Castillo out of his hapless date's car as he "violently struggled," spit on them and told them his gun wasn't loaded, according to the district attorney's office. After he was subdued and handcuffed, police searched the car and found a .44 caliber handgun an antique belonging to Castillo's stepfather and the hat and sunglasses that matched the description of what the robber was wearing. Oh, and that $1,000 police found that in Castillo's wallet. Years after the date from hell, Castillo ended up sentenced to five years of incarceration. His date got off without a charge and probably with a healthy skepticism toward online dating. ST. LOUIS, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Post Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:POST) (the Company or Post) today announced it intends to redeem 100%, or $1,000.0 million aggregate principal amount, of the outstanding 5.50% senior notes due March 2025 (CUSIP 737446AL8 and U7318UAK8) (the Notes) on March 2, 2020 (the redemption date). The Notes will be redeemed at a redemption price of 104.125% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. Beginning on the redemption date, the Notes will no longer be deemed outstanding and interest will no longer accrue on such securities. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, is the trustee for the Notes. The Companys redemption of the Notes is subject to the satisfaction or waiver, in its discretion, of the condition that it receive proceeds from its previously announced private offering of $1,250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.625% senior notes due 2030 on terms satisfactory to the Company, in its sole discretion, generating net proceeds in an amount that is sufficient to effect the redemption of the Notes and the payment of any fees and expenses incurred in connection with the offering and the redemption. About Post Holdings, Inc. Post Holdings, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a consumer packaged goods holding company operating in the center-of-the-store, refrigerated, foodservice, food ingredient and convenient nutrition food categories. Through its Post Consumer Brands business, Post is a leader in the North American ready-to-eat cereal category offering a broad portfolio including recognized brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats, Pebbles, Great Grains and Malt-O-Meal bag cereal. Post also is a leader in the United Kingdom ready-to-eat cereal category with the iconic Weetabix brand. As a leader in refrigerated foods, Post delivers innovative, value-added egg and refrigerated potato products to the foodservice channel and the retail refrigerated side dish category, offering side dishes and egg, sausage and cheese products through the Bob Evans, Simply Potatoes, Bettern Eggs and Crystal Farms brands. Posts publicly-traded subsidiary BellRing Brands, Inc. is a holding company operating in the global convenient nutrition category through its primary brands of Premier Protein, Dymatize and PowerBar. Post participates in the private brand food category through its investment with third parties in 8th Avenue Food & Provisions, Inc., a leading, private brand centric, consumer products holding company. For more information, visit www.postholdings.com. Contact: Investor Relations Matt Mainer matt.mainer@postholdings.com (314) 644-7618 If there's one thing that Fox Business Network host Lou Dobbs absolutely cannot stand, it is criticism of President Donald Trump from other Republicans. Hours after Attorney General William Barr criticized Trump's tweet about Roger Stone's sentence recommendation and claimed it made it "impossible" to do his job, Dobbs kicked off his Thursday night broadcast by railing against the attorney general for not getting "what this president has gone through." The Malian army on Thursday returned to Kidal, a former rebel-held town that had become a symbol of the country's strife-torn north, commanders there said. The arrival of Malian troops in Kidal is considered a step towards the government reasserting control over its vast and often lawless territory as it battles a jihadist insurgency. A detachment "has returned to the base in Kidal... Everything has really gone well," one told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. The commander said "around 300" Malian troops had entered the town, with an escort of UN peacekeepers. His account was confirmed by a commander there with MINUSMA, the UN operation in Mali. Separatist Tuareg rebels captured much of northern Mali, including Kidal, in 2012. But the war was then commandeered by jihadists, who have extended their insurgency to the centre of the country, and also across Mali's borders to Burkina Faso and Niger. Thousands of soldiers and civilians have died in the conflict, which Mali has struggled to contain even with the help of thousands of foreign troops. Large swathes of the country lie outside of state control. In 2015, the rebels signed a peace agreement with the government, although the accord was fragile and the issue of Kidal was especially delicate. Deployment of the troops ends a years-long absence, boosting the government at a time when it has opened the door to talks with jihadists. MINUSMA said in a statement on Thursday that the return of soldiers to the former rebel town was a "major achievement". The deployment had been announced on Monday by President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. In an interview with French media, he said the army was en route towards the town and was expected to reach it on Friday. Rebel negotiations Malian soldiers had not set foot in Kida since 2014 and they had suffered a bitter defeat at the hands of rebels. The city has since been under the control of the Coordination of Movements of Azawad (CMA), a mostly Tuareg alliance of armed rebel groups. The CMA and several other rebel groups signed a peace accord with the government in Bamako in 2015. Among other things, the pact provided for former rebels to join the army, which would eventually return north. Tuaregs fighters of the Coordination of Movements of the Azawad (CMA) are expected to intergrate into Mali's army as part of a peace deal. By STRINGER (AFP) Working out the specifics of returning to Kidal has taken years, however. The various groups involved reached an agreement on how it would work several weeks ago. Of the 428 troops meant to return to the town under that deal, a third were to be Malian regular soldiers, a third CMA fighters, and another third former rebels from other groups. Yvan Guichaoua, a researcher at the University of Kent, said pulling off the return was a significant step forward. "Many symbolic obstacles need to be removed to create the minimum cohesion required to form a viable anti-terrorist front," he said. "The return of forces to Kidal provided for in the peace agreement was one of those obstacles." The peace deal has caused tension in some quarters. Mali's neighbouring governments are often wary of former rebel groups, for example, suspecting them of cooperating with jihadists. They view Kidal as a rear base for Islamist militants. Malian army units returning to the city are so-called "reconstituted" ones, comprised of regulars and former rebels who joined the military after the 2015 peace accord. Other such units are expected to deploy in northern Malian cities such as Menaka, Gao and Timbuktu. Dublin, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Publishing for the PreK-12 Market 2019-2020" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Publishing for the PreK-12 Market 2019-2020 addresses the opportunities in the Prek-12 school market and the strategies at work in the industry that provides instructional materials to schools. The report defines the major segments of instructional materials industry - core basal curriculum, courseware, state-level tests, digital supplements, print supplements, manipulatives, trade books, video and classroom magazines - and sizes the individual segments and the overall instructional materials industry. Publishing for the PreK-12 Market 2019-2020 provides the most up-to-date data on enrollment and policy changes at the state and federal levels that are reshaping the school landscape in which publishers and providers of instructional resources are competing. Other topics in Publishing for the PreK-12 Market 2019-2020 include: Drivers of and challenges to growth by segment - including cyclical nature of instructional materials adoption, incursions by OER, and where start-up ventures are focusing their energies Latest enrollment and market data for public, private, charter schools students and those attending home schools and virtual schools Up-to-date policy initiatives at the state and federal levels Trends in state and federal funding for education The pace of the uptake of courseware and digital supplements in schools Trends in mergers and acquisitions in the educational publishing/ed-tech industry Exclusive 2018 instructional materials adoption data Competitive analyses of 13 leading publishers: Cambium Learning Group, Cengage (National Geographic Learning), Discovery Education, Goodheart-Willcox, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, K12 Inc., McGraw-Hill Education, Pearson, Renaissance, Rosetta Stone, Scholastic, School Specialty, and Scientific Learning Market segment projections through 2022 Key Topics Covered: 1 Methodology 2 Executive Summary 3 Industry Size and Structure Instructional Materials Sales Dip Down in 2018 Digital Media Captures 59% Share in 2018 Competitive Landscape 4 Enrollment & Demographics Public School Enrollment on the Rise Enrollment Patterns Vary Across the States Number of Schools and Districts Private Enrollment Less than 10% of Total More Charter Schools, More Charter Enrollment Homeschool Enrollment Trends Virtual School Enrollment Grows at Slower Pace Graduation Rates on the Rise Students in Poverty are Target for Vendors Serving English-Language Learners Special Needs Students Get Services State-Funded PreK Enrollment Up Budget & Policy Education Evolution Trump Education Plans ESSA Era Advances Federal Funding Rises Title I's 50 Largest Allocations Federal Fiscal 2020 Funding Debated E-Rate Supports Classroom Connectivity State Education Policy Impact State Education Funding Overview State Fiscal 2019 Budgets Support K-12 State Funding Supports Preschool Education Opportunities Come Across the States for Fiscal 2020 Core Basal Curriculum & Adoptions Segment Size Core Basal Preference Changing Structure of Core Basal Spending by Discipline Adoption States and Open Territories Looking Ahead to 2019 and Beyond Digital Instructional Materials: Courseware, Supplements, Video Subject Areas Ripe for Digital Curriculum Promise of Technology Courseware Use Grows Table Estimated and Projected Sales of Courseware ($ in millions) Digital Supplements Provide More Options More Video Used Market Trends & Industry Outlook Introduction Fluid Educational Goals Shifting Competitive Industry Forces Outlook Company Profiles Cambium Learning Group Cengage (National Geographic Learning) Discovery Education Goodheart-Willcox Houghton Mifflin Harcourt K12 Inc. McGraw-Hill Education Pearson Renaissance Rosetta Stone Scholastic School Specialty Scientific Learning For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1sm2un About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. (L-R) FBI Director James Comey, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and Central Intellegence Agency Director John Brennan, prepare to testify before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on Feb. 25, 2016. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Durham Reportedly Investigating Whether CIA Withheld Information From FBI in Russia Probe News Analysis U.S. Attorney John Durham, tasked to look into the origins of the FBIs Crossfire Hurricane investigation, is now investigating CIA resistance to sharing Russian secrets, according to a Feb. 13 report in The New York Times. According to the article, 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 resultand was nefariously trying to keep other agencies from seeing the full picture lest they interfere with that goal. Additionally, Durham is reportedly looking into whether and how information from foreign governments or the C.I.A. played any role in stoking suspicions at the F.B.I. about Trump campaign links to Russia. It had previously been reported that Durham was expected to seek an interview with Brennan as well as former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, following an expansion of his investigation. Brennans Role in Disseminating Foreign Intelligence In late 2015, Britains Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) was involved in collecting information regarding then-candidate Donald Trump and transmitting it to the United States. The GCHQ is the UK equivalent of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). Brennan appears to have played an instrumental role in passing on unofficial foreign intelligenceprimarily from the UK, but also from other Five Eyes members, such as Australiato the FBI. Brennan stated that during a May 23, 2017, congressional testimony: I made sure that anything that was involving U.S. persons, including anything involving the individuals involved in the Trump campaign, was shared with the [FBI], Brennan said in his testimony. Brennan also stated that it was his intelligence that helped establish the FBI investigation: I was aware of intelligence and information about contacts between Russian officials and U.S. persons that raised concerns in my mind about whether or not those individuals were cooperating with the Russians, either in a witting or unwitting fashion, and it served as the basis for the FBI investigation to determine whether such collusion [or] cooperation occurred, Brennan said. According to The NY Times, one area of specific focus for Durham is the Intelligence Community Assessment, or ICA, which was the last of three reports produced by Brennan and Clapper and was released on Jan. 6, 2017. The final report, Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent U.S. Elections, significantly propelled the allegation that Trump had colluded with Russia into the public sphere. Notably, Adm. Mike Rogers, who at the time was director of the National Security Agency, publicly dissented from the findings of the ICA, assigning it only a moderate confidence level. Justice Department (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz recently determined that, despite repeated assurances by members of the Intelligence Community to the contrary, unverified information from Steeles dossierreferring to the opposition research paid for by Hillary Clintons campaign and the Democratic National Committeewas used in an interagency assessment of Russian interference in the U.S. 2016 elections. Horowitz did note that the CIA was somewhat reluctant to include Christopher Steeles reporting in their assessments but that the FBI, including [Director James] Comey and [Deputy Director Andrew] McCabe, sought to include the reporting in the ICA [intelligence community assessment]. While Brennan has publicly denied using the dossier for the ICA, he did attach a two-page summary of the dossier to the intelligence community assessment that he, along with Clapper and Comey, delivered to President Barack Obama on Jan. 5, 2017. According to Horowitz, former FBI Director James Comey said that Brennan and Clapper thought it was important enough and consistent enough that it ought to be part of the package in some way, and so they had come up with this idea to make an [appendix]. Brennan has claimed that he didnt see the dossier until later in 2016. He also stated in his congressional testimony that the CIA didnt rely on the Steele dossier and that it was not in any way used as a basis for the intelligence community assessment that was done. However, this claim was countered during the July 16, 2018, testimony of former FBI lawyer Lisa Page, when the following discussion took place regarding Brennans August 2016 briefing of then-Sen. Harry Reid: Rep. Mark Meadows: We have documents that would suggest that in that briefing the dossier was mentioned to Harry Reid and then, obviously, were going to have to have conversations. Does that surprise you that Director Brennan would be aware of [the dossier]? Lisa Page: Yes, sir. Because with all due honesty, if Director Brennan so we got that information from our source, right? The FBI got this information from our source. If the CIA had another source of that information, I am neither aware of that nor did the CIA provide it to us if they did. The Russian Source The NY Times notes that over the last several months, Durham and his team have examined emails among a small group of intelligence analysts from multiple agencies, including the C.I.A., F.B.I., and National Security Agency, who worked together to assess the Russian operation. Durham has reportedly interviewed these analysts and has specifically focused on information that the CIA reportedly attempted to withhold from other agenciesincluding the identity and placement of a CIA source inside the Kremlin. The article noted that intelligence analysts at the NSA wanted to know more about the identity and placement of a specific Russian source, in order to weigh the credibility of his information. But, according to the article, the CIA was initially reluctant to share details about the Russians identity but eventually relented. Information about the alleged Russian CIA spy was first reported in September 2019 by the NY Times and was the focus of an article by The Epoch Times. The New York Times noted in the article that the source was outside of Mr. Putins inner circle, but saw him regularly and had access to high-level Kremlin decision-making easily making the source one of the agencys most valuable assets. But the article also noted that there were some doubts within the CIA. Following the refusal of extraction in late 2016, some officials within the CIA wondered whether the informant had been turned and had become a double agent, secretly betraying his American handlers. The CIAs Russian source was apparently highly regarded by Brennan, who felt the identity of the source was so important that, according to the NY Times article, he kept information from the operative out of President Barack Obamas daily brief in 2016. Instead, Mr. Brennan sent separate intelligence reports, many based on the sources information, in special sealed envelopes to the Oval Office, according to the article. But the nature of the source raises some significant questions. If, for example, the source was indeed so highly placed, why then was the United States so seemingly ill-informed regarding many of Russias foreign policy actions, particularly in Syria or Crimea, when Russia forcibly annexed the peninsula from Ukraine? And if this asset was indeed so highly placed, how is it that Russia was able to hack the DNCs servers and extract their emails without the CIAs advance knowledge of the alleged Russian activities? A June 2017 article from The Washington Post had previously touched on the existence of a Russian source, noting that Brennan had received an intelligence bombshell, a report drawn from sourcing deep inside the Russian government that detailed Russian President Vladimir Putins direct involvement in a cyber campaign to disrupt and discredit the U.S. presidential race. The Post noted that the intelligence captured Putins specific instructions on the operations audacious objectivesdefeat or at least damage the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, and help elect her opponent, Donald Trump. This was the same information that Brennan reportedly conveyed in special sealed envelopes to the Oval Office. However, as the Post noted, despite the intelligence the CIA had produced, other agencies were slower to endorse a conclusion that Putin was personally directing the operation and wanted to help Trump. There is another significant problem, as well. The Mueller report, after two lengthy years of investigation, concluded there was no evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia, thereby proving a key part of the alleged Russian activities incorrect. Did CIA Withhold Information From FBI? Another reported area of focus for Durham is regarding the raw information that was in the CIAs possession. Although it isnt entirely clear what this information is, it appears there was some disagreement over whether the CIA needed to filter the data to mask names and other identifying details about Americans and American organizations before handing the information to analysts at the National Security Agency (NSA). The CIA was reportedly arguing in favor of masking, a restriction that would have made analysis difficult for NSA analysts. Unmasking rules permit exceptions in cases where the identities are necessary to understand the information. The disagreement between the CIA and NSA analysts over the need to mask names seems potentially suspect and event-specific, given the reported level of unmaskings that took place during the latter portion of the Obama administration. This was documented in a July 27, 2017, letter sent by then-House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) to then-Director of National Intelligence, Dan Coats, noting current and former government officials had easy access to U.S. person information and that it is possible that they used this information to achieve partisan political purposes, including the selective, anonymous leaking of such information. Nunes continued, The Committee also understands that Obama-era officials sought the identities of Trump transition officials within intelligence reports. However, there was no meaningful explanation offered by these officials as to why they needed or how they would use this U.S. person information, and thus, the Committee is left with the impression that these officials may have used this information for improper purposes, including the possibility of leaking. In addition to the disagreements regarding unmaskings, there were reportedly some internal conflicts over access to unclassified emails of American officials that the Russian government had previously hacked, including at the White House and State Department. It isnt clear if thats a reference to either the DNC server or emails from the private email server that Clinton utilized while at the State Department. The NY Times also reported that a foreign ally of the United States had obtained its own copy of the stolen messages and provided drives with another reproduction of them to the United States government. The FBI wanted to examine these emails, which reportedly included emails from Obama, along with some members of Congress. According to the article, Obamas White House counsel, W. Neil Eggleston, decided that investigators should not open the drives, citing executive privilege and the possibility of a separation-of-powers uproar if the F.B.I. sifted through lawmakers private messages. Several messages sent by former FBI agent Peter Strzok, who was part of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, appear to hint at some inter-agency conflict. In December of 2016, Strzok sent a text to former FBI lawyer Lisa Page that read, Think our sisters have begun leaking like mad. Scorned and worried, and political, theyre kicking into overdrive. In April 2017, Strzok again made a potential reference to the CIA in an email, noting, Im beginning to think the agency got info a lot earlier than we thought and hasnt shared it completely with us. Might explain all these weird/seemingly incorrect leads all these media folks have. Would also highlight agency as source of some of the leaks. Durhams Investigation Moves Forward According to an Oct. 19, 2019, NY Times article, Durham has already interviewed about two dozen former and current F.B.I. officials and the number of interviews shows that Mr. Durhams review is further along than previously known. The paper also reported that Durhams efforts were being aided by two former senior F.B.I. agents who were assisting with the review. In addition to the dozens of FBI interviews, Durhams investigative team has also reportedly questioned officials in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, although Clapper doesnt appear to have been among those interviewed. Reportedly, FBI agents who worked on the Mueller investigation along with CIA agents involved in the Crossfire Hurricane investigation are also among those recently interviewed by Durham. The most recent article from the NY Times notes that Durham has also interviewed around a half-dozen current and former officials and analysts at the National Security Agency, including its former director, the retired Adm. Michael S. Rogers, last summer and again last fall. According to a Dec. 20, 2019, article from The Intercept, Rogers has met with Durham on multiple occasions. The Intercept noted that while the substance of those meetings is not clear, Rogers has cooperated voluntarily. The number of interviews conducted, as well as the widening scope, suggests that Durham has been gathering all available facts, evidence, and data prior to approaching central figures such as Brennan and Clapper in his inquiry. Company announcement No. 5/2020 14 February 2020 The Annual General Meeting of Netcompany Group A/S will be held on Wednesday, 11 March 2020, at 16:00 (CET), at Moltkes Pal, Dronningens Tvrgade 2, DK-1302 Copenhagen, Denmark. The notice to convene the Annual General Meeting, including appendix 1 (Description of the candidates for the Board of Directors) is enclosed. Further information about the Annual General Meeting is available at https://www.netcompany.com/int/Investor-Relations/General-meetings Additional information For additional information, please contact Netcompany Group A/S Thomas Johansen, CFO Tine Kosmider Boye, General Counsel +45 51 19 32 24 +45 24 91 75 33 Attachments Chinese pharmaceutical firm WuXi Biologics, whose campus is in Dundalk, county Louth, has suspended employee travel to and from China as a result of the Coronavirus. They said the temporary travel ban, which has been in place since late January, was put in place, to prioritise the health, safety and wellbeing of its employees. In 2018 the company announced a 325m investment on its BioPharma facility in Dundalk which is set to become the largest contract manufacturing single-use biologics production facility in the World. 400 positions will be created in WuXi Biologics operation and another 200 in WuXi Vaccines, which was announced last year. Currently some 100 people are employed directly by WuXi Biologics and around 1200 are working on site construction. In a statement about the virus, the company said the temporary travel ban, will continue until further notice pending guidance from the World Health Organisation and international health agencies that normal business travel can safely resume. Employees, partners and clients who need interactive engagement within WuXis business operations are recommended to conduct meetings by means of video conferences or teleconferences. WuXis Dundalk Campus has established rigorous monitoring of international staff travel in order to monitor the global situation, to avoid unnecessary travel and to discuss anything that the business can do to mitigate against the risk of corona virus contact. WuXi has three sites in China and said it has a team of more than 240 scientists working closely with global organizations to develop and manufacture multiple neutralizing antibodies to potentially treat the virus infection." (Newser) Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey says she has helped correct the "inequity of the past" by wiping out 66,000 marijuana convictions. A motion signed by LA County Superior Court Judge Sam Ohta this week erases 62,000 felony convictions from as far back as 1961, when possession of even small amounts of marijuana was a felony in California, and around 4,000 misdemeanor convictions, CBS reports. Those eligible to have their convictions for selling, cultivating, and transporting pot erased include people under 21 or over 50, people who have not been convicted of other crimes in the last 10 years, and those who have successfully completed probation. story continues below Reform advocates say minorities were disproportionately targeted by law enforcement, leading to convictions that made it harder for people from those communities to find jobs or housing, the Los Angeles Times reports. Some 22,000 of those cleared this week no longer have any felony convictions on their records. The dismissal of convictions "will bring much-needed relief to communities of color that disproportionately suffered the unjust consequences of our nations drug laws," Lacey said in a statement. Nonprofit tech group Code for America helped LA County authorities identify cases eligible to be dismissed under the California law that legalized marijuana in 2016. (Read more marijuana stories.) Death toll in China's coronavirus epidemic has gone up to 1,483 with Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak, reporting 116 new fatalities, the country's health officials said on Friday. The hard-hit province reported 4,823 new confirmed cases on Thursday, the provincial health commission said. The new cases included 3,095 clinically diagnosed ones which have been considered as confirmed, state run Xinhua news agency reported. The latest report brought the total confirmed cases in the province to 51,986, the report said. The new cases have pushed the number of infections in the country to 64,627 in total. The National Health Commission has not yet announced the nationwide figures. 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 On Thursday the commission had announced 254 fatalities as authorities adopted a new diagnosis method amid concerns. Of the total deaths, 242 were from Hubei province and 12 from other provinces. The World Health Organization on Thursday had said that a sharp rise in reported COVID-19, (official name for coronavirus) cases in China was due to a change in counting methods and it did not represent a big shift in the epidemic. "This does not represent a significant change in the trajectory of the outbreak," Michael Ryan, head of WHO's health emergencies programme told a press conference in Geneva. "We're not dealing, from what we understand, with a spike in cases of 14,000 on one day," he said. "This increase that you've all seen in the last 24 hours is largely, in part, down to a change in how the cases are being reported," he said. Ryan also said that he expected members of a WHO-led international mission to arrive in China over the weekend. A 15-member advance WHO team already reached China on Monday. A sense of hard-earned joy coursed through a Rutherford County courtroom earlier this month at the scene of a unique adoption hearing. Friends and family who a dozen years before had been united in grief following the senseless murder of Melissa Atkin, were united once more, but this time in celebration. It was January 15, what would have been Melissas 49th birthday, and Melissas son, Lucas, was finally being adopted. Presiding over the hearing was Senior Judge Don Ash, the same man who, in 2008, sentenced Lucass biological father to life in prison for the first-degree murder of Melissa. Lucas had lived with his maternal grandparents, Linda and Douglas Atkin, since that time. He turned 18 in December 2019 and decided that he finally wanted to change his full name, Lucas Scott Reynolds, to Lucas Reynolds Atkin. We were already a family, but he didnt want to carry his dads name; he wanted his moms name to honor her, Linda, 79, explained. When she called the familys attorney, Mitchell Shannon, to inquire about how to go about it, she was told another possibility was in reach now that Lucas was an adult. He said, Hey have you ever thought of adoption?, and I said, Yes, for years, Linda remembered. He said, You can do it now. And were off to the races. Shannon asked the family if they had a preference for which judge should handle the adoption. Id love Judge Ash, Linda recalled. She had been consistently impressed with him during the long, hard days of the 2008 trial. Judge Ash, he was so good, she said. He was so thorough. He made everybody at ease. It couldnt have been better I dont think, and not just because we won. I dont mean it that way. There was order in his court, and he was very kind about it. For the situation we were in, and we were all a mess, his control was helpful. At the time of the trial, Judge Ash was still a Circuit Court judge, a position he held for 18 years. For the past 8 years, he has been a Senior Judge, meaning he travels around the state hearing a variety of cases on assignment. Shannon got in touch with him, and Judge Ash agreed to hear the case if the Tennessee Supreme Court would assign him to it. He contacted Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeff Bivin, who agreed. The family asked if the hearing could take place on Jan. 15, Melissas birthday. Judge Ash said he was honored to receive the request and was happy to participate in the trial. People need to see hope, he said in court. They need to see grace. They need to see good things happen sometimes, and this is a good thing. That sentiment was certainly shared by those family members and friends in attendance, all of whom saw the adoption as a hugely positive milestone. Marcia Kautz first met Melissa, or Missy as many called her, in 1989, and they quickly became best friends. When Lucas was born, Melissa asked Marcia to be his godmother. Im ecstatic for Lucas and for the Atkin family, she said. Its been a long time coming. Theyve filled that role for the last 12 years and to have it be official is really wonderful to see. Some of those in attendance were people who had first met the family in a professional capacity, often under sad circumstances, but who had been drawn into the orbit of warmth and love that surrounds the Atkins. One of those people is Detective Ralph Mayercik, one of the original detectives assigned to investigate Melissas murder. I had the unfortunate job of having to work the criminal case, he said at the hearing. I have come to love this family like my own mom and dad. Lucas, Im very proud of you, very proud. This day is long overdue. Part of the reason so many referred to the adoption as a long time coming or long overdue is because Linda and Douglas had wanted to formally adopt Lucas for years, but had run into legal obstacles related to the biological fathers parental rights. They were told, for instance, that Lucass biological father would have the right to attend any parental termination hearing in person. Lucas had not seen his biological father since he was charged with his mothers murder, and Linda and Douglas did not want to put him through that process. They were also told that Lucas could be called to testify if they followed through with their efforts. They were concerned about this boys well-being, Shannon explained. The last thing they wanted to do was parade him up in front of court. He was a little kid and would have been terrified, Douglas said. Once a person turns 18, though, a parent cannot object to a petition to terminate parental rights. Thus, the decision to go forward so soon after Lucass 18th birthday. For Lucas, the day in court was gratifying and a bit overwhelming. I wasnt expecting this many people, but it felt like a rush, he said. Its hard to describe. I was excited, nervous, happy that its over. Im happy that it went through. Im kind of relieved that it all worked out. Now that it had all worked out, Lucas would soon be stepping outside the courtroom and into a new reality. That new reality was referred to during the hearing by his Uncle Larry. Im the oldest son of Doug and Linda, and Lukes oldest brother now, Larry Atkin said to laughter. Lucas is not so sure if hell start calling his one-time uncles his brothers or his one-time grandparents mom and dad right away, but he is sure that the name change and the adoption are more than just formalities. I wanted to finally be part of their family legally, he said. I just dont know how to describe it. No one is more pleased that this dream has at last been realized than Linda. Sitting in the back of the courtroom after the hearing is over, she talks about the process of watching Lucas grow from a young boy to a young man, about what she has lost and what she has gained. Hes a joy, and he makes us laugh, she said. He even dusts. Were blessed. We lost something beyond belief, but we were given something the same way. At one point, Lindas friend of 67 years, Molly Whinnery, comes over and the two begin to talk. When Melissa was a young girl she was like the daughter that Molly did not have. Today was euphoric, Molly said. Thats a really good word, Linda said. Im thrilled to be here today, Molly said. It uplifted our heart. You know what its done? Linda asked. Its finished it. It will never go away. It will never make it better. But it finished it. While this one journey may have come to an end, a new one is just beginning. Lucas will be graduating from high school soon and entering adulthood, a whole life with a new name ahead of him. Judge Ash said he was pretty sure that your moms smiling down at us knowing that youve turned out to be an amazing young man and knowing that these two people stood in the gap for you when you needed somebody to do that. When Joe Biden kicked off his South Carolina campaign Tuesday, he could not resist a dig at how New Hampshire and Iowa, two small states, devoured so much political attention. "Not half the nation, not a quarter of the nation, not 10%: Two!" Biden said. "Where I come from, that's the opening bell!" He wasn't wrong. Thanks to the ongoing disaster in Iowa, no candidate got the one-two punch of early wins that could have clarified who was leading this race. But early-state momentum is a creation of media coverage and donors, not a reflection of the primary process itself. After Iowa and New Hampshire, Democratic voters have assigned just 65 of the 3,979 pledged delegates needed to pick a nominee, about 1.6% of the total. The former vice president is not the only Democrat talking about a long primary. Every campaign has planned for this. Some (Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg) have made hires already for a post-February battle; some have been making stops in later states, in case they get there. If they do, they are in for nearly four months of campaigning across bigger, more expensive and, in most cases, more diverse states than they'll have competed for up to now. - Feb. 22 The Nevada caucuses will take place, with virtually all votes cast on that day. It's a semi-closed process, with voting open to only Democrats, but any Nevadan is allowed to become a registered Democrat during the sign-in. The prize: 36 delegates, 13 of them assigned according to the statewide vote and the rest assigned according to the vote in Nevada's four congressional districts. Three of those districts touch Las Vegas and are controlled by Democrats; they get six delegates each. The 1st Congressional District, held by Republican Rep. Mark Amodei, covers most of northern Nevada and gets five. After this vote, the party will have assigned 101 pledged delegates, or 2.5% of the total. - Feb. 29: The South Carolina primary will be held, with 54 delegates assigned, and the first real discrepancies in the delegate hunt. The state's seven districts range from the safely Democratic 6th, which gets eight delegates, and the strongly Republican 3rd, which gets just three delegates. That matters. Four years ago, Sanders won 29% of the vote in the 3rd District but 17% in the 6th District. He got the same haul, one delegate, from each district; Hillary Clinton got two delegates from the 3rd District, and seven delegates from the 6th. South Carolina's is also the first of 19 primaries with no party registration, allowing even Republicans (who could not vote in the New Hampshire primary) to cross over; it's one of several states with no competing Republican primary. When it's over, Democrats will have assigned 155 delegates, or 3.9 percent of the total. - March 3: It's Super Tuesday, the first of several, though this is the one with the biggest prizes. A whopping 1,344 delegates will be elected on that day: 52 in Alabama, 31 in Arkansas, six in American Samoa, 415 in California, 67 in Colorado, 24 in Maine, 91 in Massachusetts, 75 in Minnesota, 110 in North Carolina, 37 in Oklahoma, 64 in Tennessee, 228 in Texas, 29 in Utah, 16 in Vermont and 99 in Virginia. These electorates, to put it mildly, will be wildly different. In five states (Alabama, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia, and Vermont), there is no party registration. In seven states (Arkansas, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah), independent or unenrolled voters can pick any primary they want. In five states (California, Maine, North Carolina, Vermont, Utah), voters can register at the polls. In several, such as Colorado and California, most of the voting will take place via mail, before any traditional poll-closing time. And in one state (Texas), district delegates are assigned by state Senate districts, not federal congressional districts, with variance in delegate totals from two to 10. The Super Tuesday calendar changes every year as states jostle to go first or bet that moving down the calendar will make them more relevant. Four years ago, Georgia had moved up the schedule, while North Carolina and California hadn't. The resulting shift has given more Latino and Asian voters a Super Tuesday ballot this year, while slightly reducing the proportion of black voters. After this, the Democrats will have assigned 1,499 delegates, or 37.7% of the total. But in some places, especially California, a long vote count will delay the delegate totals for weeks. - March 10: It's Super Tuesday II, with less at stake: 20 delegates in Idaho, 125 in Michigan, 36 in Mississippi, 68 in Missouri, 14 in North Dakota and 89 in Washington, for a total of 352 delegates. The expatriate members of Democrats Abroad will be finishing their count, too, for 13 more delegates. Whenever it's finished, there will be 1,864 delegates chosen, or 46.8 percent of the total. - March 14: The Northern Mariana Islands will elect six delegates. No offense, but nobody calls this one Super Tuesday. It'll bump the total to 1,871 delegates, or 47% of the total. I'm mostly interested to see when cable news starts its live coverage that day. - March 17: After Super Tuesday III, most of the Democratic electorate will have voted, and most of the party's delegates will have been selected. At stake: 67 delegates in Arizona, 219 in Florida, 155 in Illinois, and 136 in Ohio, for 577 total. Every one of those states is big and expensive, and every one has early voting - so early, in fact, that it's common for candidates who've dropped out to get tens of thousands of votes in these states. The total after this day: 2,447 delegates, or 61.5% overall. - March 24: Just one state, Georgia, will vote on this date; a snafu pushed it past Super Tuesday. It's worth 105 delegates, pushing the Democrats up to 2,552 total delegates and 64.1% of the total. But the move came relatively late in the primary process, and Democrats have already spent more time competing for Georgia than they have in other post-Super Tuesday states. - March 29: There are 51 delegates at play in Puerto Rico, which has gotten Democrats' campaign attention far more than in prior years. That'll move the party up to 2,603 delegates, and 65.4% of the total. - April 4: Usually referred to as Super Saturday, this will see 107 delegates get parceled out across smaller (with one exception) and (with one exception) less Democratic states: 15 in Alaska, 24 in Hawaii, 54 in Louisiana, and 14 in Wyoming. That'll get Democrats to more than two-thirds of all delegates: 2,710, and 68.1% of the total. - April 7: For the umpteenth time, Wisconsin gets a primary date all to itself, and 84 delegates. That pushes the total to 2,794, and 70.2%, before the longest gap of the primary season, three whole weeks. - April 28: The last truly massive delegate haul can be called Super Tuesday IV, but it's usually given the name of the train that connects each state: the Acela Primary. There will be 663 delegates assigned across the Mid-Atlantic and New England: 60 in Connecticut, 21 in Delaware, 96 in Maryland, 274 in New York, 186 in Pennsylvania and 26 in Rhode Island. This will also be the first presidential primary since New York slightly relaxed its voter registration law, which previously required voters to sign up with a party six months before its primary. The new total: 3,457 delegates, or 86.9%. By this point in 2016, it was clear that Hillary Clinton would have the most delegates heading into the Democratic convention. A likely delegate leader could be even clearer in 2020; California's earlier primary removes one of the biggest prizes. - May 2: Just 46 delegates will be assigned on this Saturday: seven in Guam, 39 in Kansas. That gets us to 3,503 delegates and 88% of the total. - May 5: The 82 delegates of Indiana, another semi-open state (where independents can vote), gets Democrats up to 90.1 percent, or 3,585 delegates total. - May 12: Just two primaries in very different states where Democrats are in the minority: 29 delegates in Nebraska, 28 in West Virginia. That'll make it 3,642 delegates and 91.5% of the total. - May 19: The split-screen primaries of Kentucky (54 delegates) and Oregon (61 delegates) will be held, with very different rules; most of Oregon's mail vote will have been cast. The primary is 94.4% finished, with 3,757 delegates chosen. - June 2: Unless this is a truly razor-thin race, the primary will be more or less over, with voters picking 20 delegates in the District of Columbia, 19 in Montana, 126 in New Jersey, 34 in New Mexico, and 16 in South Dakota. That's 215 delegates overall, getting the Democrats to 3,972, with just seven left in a weekend contest in the Virgin Islands. We know when these delegates will be picked, but we don't know how many candidates will still be competing for them. That matters. In 2008 and 2016, the last Democratic contests that went all the way to the final primary, the field had winnowed down to two candidates before Super Tuesday. Every state and district delegate split went two ways. But if three or more candidates are in the race, the delegate hunt will grow far more complicated. In some districts, one or more candidates may fall below the 15% threshold, making it possible for a stronger candidate to get every available delegate. In other districts, a candidate glut could prevent a front-runner from winning decisively, increasing the odds that no candidate will have a majority or strong plurality. When all that is over, the next fixed date for Democrats is July 13, the start of the national convention in Milwaukee. Historically, the party has held meetings before that to determine convention rules, delegate challenges and other problems that arise in close primaries. This year, if there is no consensus nominee, the Democrats will go to a second ballot and 771 unpledged superdelegates will be empowered to pick a nominee. Massachusetts entire Congressional delegation including presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren blasted federal housing officials Friday for failing to seek enough money to find and remove radioactive gas from public housing. The delegation of 11 Democratic lawmakers excoriated the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in response to OregonLives recent investigative report, Cancer Cloud. Massachusetts, a radon hot zone, was among the places where testing by MassLives newsroom turned up radon in public housing. In a letter to Housing Secretary Ben Carson, the federal lawmakers said HUDs response to the investigation was inadequate. HUD for the first time requested money in its budget for radon testing and mitigation in public housing, but asked this week for only $5 million. Citing OregonLives reporting, the lawmakers said the proposed funding is not nearly enough. If housing authorities are not given both funding and guidance, Americans living in federally subsidized housing will be disproportionately at risk for radon exposure, the letter reads. By choosing not to enforce radon testing and mitigation at the local level, HUD is disproportionately harming lower-income Americans who do not have the ability to move. The Massachusetts voices bring to 25 the number of federal lawmakers who have pressured HUD and local housing authorities to act on the newsrooms findings. Among Massachusetts delegation, only U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern had previously weighed in on the newsrooms investigation. Federal lawmakers from Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon and Pennsylvania have now called for action or funding in response to Cancer Cloud. The investigation found that HUD has failed to protect public housing tenants from exposure to radon despite a 1988 mandate from Congress. HUD does not require radon testing in public housing and only began strongly encouraging it in 2013. Exposure to radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in America, estimated to kill 21,000 people annually. OregonLive surveyed 64 housing authorities across the country and found that fewer than one in three could produce testing records. Some agencies that conducted testing didnt fix units with problems, leaving tenants to breath radioactive air. HUD has repeatedly tried to deflect blame to local housing authorities. Hours after the investigation published online in November, the agency sent an email reminder to every housing authority in the country about the importance of testing. Quite frankly, the Massachusetts officials wrote in their letter Friday, an email will not suffice. The lawmakers, including Warren, the states senior senator, said they believe HUD is directly responsible for protecting Americans in public housing and must take action. Numerous counties across eastern Massachusetts are at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys highest classification for radon risk. The government estimates that a typical home in these areas will have 4 or more picocuries of radiation per liter of air -- the point at which the EPA recommends installing a specialized radon removal system. Yet the newsrooms investigation found that Massachusetts housing authorities have a pronounced problem addressing radon. Of the seven agencies contacted by the newsroom, five conducted no testing. One claimed to have tested but could not produce records. The only agency with testing results, in Cambridge, Mass., found high radon in some units. OregonLive also partnered with MassLive.com, and reporters conducted radon testing in public housing owned by the Worcester Housing Authority, which had not previously checked. That limited sampling produced a test result showing high radon in one unit that was used an in-home day care. Alex Corrales, the housing authority executive director, initially told OregonLive that he didnt plan to test that specific unit but would consider if wider testing was warranted. Asked last week what steps the housing authority has since taken, or whether a decision to test had been made, Corrales said he had no update to share. Related Content: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez suggested that a President Bernie Sanders would compromise on Medicare-for-All, one of the top issues that separates him from the more moderate Democratic hopefuls. 'A president cant wave a magic wand and pass any legislation they want,' the New York Democrat and Sanders supporter told HuffPost this week, adding that she thought voters realized the reality of there begin an 'inherent check' on the president's power called Congress. But with a Republicans in the Senate pulling the country to the right, AOC argued that Democrats should pick a lefty to counterweight their actions. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left) told HuffPost this week that Sen. Bernie Sanders (right) would compromise on Medicare-for-All if he was blocked by a right-leaning Congress as president 'The worst case scenario?' Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told the news site. 'We compromise deeply and we end up getting a public option,' she said Sen. Bernie Sanders (right) has come under attack by other Democrats, including former Vice President Joe Biden (left), for not budging on wanting to pass Medicare-for-All 'The worst case scenario?' she mused. 'We compromise deeply and we end up getting a public option,' she said. 'Is that a nightmare? I don't think so,' the freshman congresswoman added. Sanders' unwavering support for Medicare-for-All has been used to characterize him as being out of touch or extreme. But it's also helped him attract such a following that he now looks like the frontrunner for the nomination. He was helped by Ocasio-Cortez's endorsement, which came the same night he returned to the Democratic debate stage following recovery from a heart attack. Since then, AOC has campaigned for the senator in her hometown of New York, as well as Iowa, California and Nevada. She opened for the senator on Monday night at his final New Hampshire rally before the next night's primary, which Sanders won. There, she opined that the 78-year-old Sanders represented the future. 'There are two paths we can take - one is a nomination that brings us back to business as usual, but business as usual was not working for working people,' she said on the campus of the University of New Hampshire. 'Or we can choose to move forward.' 'And as someone who has been told to go back, I'm going to tell you, we're moving forward,' she shouted, with the crowd cheering back. Ocasio-Cortez included Medicare-for-All in her definition of 'forward.' 'Forward to a multi-racial democracy, forward to guaranteed healthcare, forward to a living wage, forward to fighting for our neighbors, forward for indigenous rights and honoring sovereignty. Forward! Forward! Forward! That's where we're going to go,' she yelled. 'We're not going back to the days where people had to hide, we're not going back to the days where people had to worry, we're not going back to the days where people had to worry - we're not going back, we're going to forward,' she continued. 'And with that, I am so excited to bring you the candidate that will get us there,' she said. 'Senator Bernard Sanders!' Speaker of the House of Represenatives Nancy Pelosi speaks during a discussion at the Munich Security Conference on February 14, 2020 in Munich, Germany. "If you want to build a collective conscience of values and respect for human rights and the rest, don't go near Huawei and instead, let's internationalize and build something together that will be about freedom of information," she added. "This is the most insidious form of aggression, to have that line of communication, 5G, dominated by an autocratic government that does not share our values," Pelosi, D-Calif., told an audience at the Munich Security Conference. Her comments come after the Justice Department brought new charges against Huawei , accusing it of racketeering and plotting to steal trade secrets from U.S. companies. MUNICH U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday warned nations against doing business with Chinese telecom giant Huawei and called on other nations to work with the U.S. as the globe races to develop 5G networks. Pelosi's hard stance against Huawei represents one of her few areas of agreement with President Donald Trump. The Trump administration is working to isolate Huawei from developing a larger foothold in U.S. partner countries. The administration has specifically worked to keep members of the "five eyes" intelligence-sharing group the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand from working with Huawei. Last month, the Trump administration expressed disappointment after the U.K. announced it would allow Huawei to have limited access to some British 5G mobile networks. "The United States is disappointed by the U.K.'s decision," a senior Trump administration official wrote in a Jan. 28 emailed statement to CNBC. The official added that the Trump administration will work "with the U.K. on a way forward that results in the exclusion of untrusted vendor components from 5G networks." U.S. officials have long complained that Chinese intellectual property theft has cost the economy billions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs and that it threatens national security. China maintains that it does not engage in intellectual property theft. "I've been tracking China for 30 years on trade, intellectual property and the rest of it, and I tell you unequivocally, without any hesitation: Be very careful ... unless you want to end up with a society like China or an economy like China, which is not in the free enterprise mode," Pelosi said, reiterating that countries need to work with the U.S. on 5G development. A White House official told a small group of reporters on the sidelines of the Munich forum that the U.S. wants to develop partnerships with the telecom industry in order to counter Huawei's offerings. Robert Blair, White House special representative for international telecommunications policy, also called on the U.K. to take a "hard look" at its decision to use Huawei equipment. Vice President Mike Pence told CNBC last week that London's decision could jeopardize trade talks between the U.K. and the United States. "We're anxious to build our economic ties, but we have made it clear to Prime Minister [Boris] Johnson and to officials in the U.K., that as we expand opportunities to build out 5G across this country ... we want to see our companies meet the needs in the United States and U.K. and among all our allies without the compromise of privacy and the compromise of security that necessarily comes with Huawei and control by the Chinese Communist Party," Pence told CNBC's Wilfred Frost. Read more: Vice President Pence: 'We'll see' if UK decision on Huawei is a deal breaker for a trade pact When asked about the issue by CNBC on his first day as secretary of Defense, Mark Esper said he was "very concerned about Chinese technology getting into our systems or the systems of our allies." "Huawei is the poster child right now for that," Esper said, adding that the U.S. trade war with China is as much about national security as it is about the economy. In 2018, the Pentagon halted sales of Huawei and ZTE mobile phones and modems on military bases around the world, citing potential security risks. Huawei and ZTE have previously denied allegations that their products are used to spy on Americans. RAY BROOK A New York City duo with property in Thurman may be on the hook for more than $1.5 million in fines and could be required to dismantle their rental lodgeafter the Adirondack Park Agency cited them with numerous alleged violations dating back to 2017. The Brampton retreat owner James John McDonald and business partner Jeffrey Lee appeared before the agency board on Thursday for a rare, full APA board enforcement hearing, only the second in at least 14 years. The property is near the Hudson River and advertised as an upstate New York retreat for New York City dwellers. It has hosted yoga workshops, weddings, company retreats and summer getaways. There is the original single-family dwelling, a barn, a yoga deck, a second single-family dwelling that the new owners built, two smaller existing cabins built prior to APAs regulations and allowed only for personal use, an Airstream trailer, a glamping tent, a camper van, an outhouse and a large staircase. McDonald and Lee also cut down multiple trees, which they claimed on Thursday was for installing a new leach field, but instead was advertised on social media as a games lawn. Jennifer Hubbard, senior attorney for the APA, spent the first part of this week's hearing detailing agency staffs three-year effort to work with McDonald and Lee. The partners are advertising The Brampton, Hubbard said, on the premise of experiencing the natural character of the Adirondacks, the very thing the APAs regulations intend to protect. Respondents have not, however, operated their business complying with the rules designed to protect the environment, Hubbard said. After 20 phone calls, three visits to the Warren County site, one meeting at the APA offices, four staff letters and three proposed and subsequently ignored settlements, Hubbard recommended the Manhattan men get the maximum fine of $1.548 million for the 1,032 days since the first written staff letter was sent outlining the violations. The fine combines violations of two actsthe Adirondack Park Agency Act and the Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers System Act because the structures are under the APAs jurisdiction. Other agencies are investigating the property including the state Department of Health for an improper wastewater treatment system. An on-site cesspool and its leach field are within 100 feet of the propertys water supply. In a phone call on Tuesday, Lee told Adirondack Explorer that he didnt believe the enforcement hearing was a serious thing at all. Simply put, they want us to do A, B, C and D, Lee had said. Our engineer didnt get back to them in time, therefore they got a little upset, and then I guess, this is the next step. Theyre governmental employees. I dont feel that they could care less what happens really. Maybe they feel like again, a year ago, we were in violation of three things. When we didnt correct those violations in time, we were in violation of 50 things. Four violations for non-permitted structures more than doubled over the years as McDonald and Lee continued to place more rental cottages and trailers on the land, agency records show. As Hubbard laid out the agencys case, she showed social media posts advertising specific cottages for rent that McDonald and Lee had assured agency staff just days before were only for personal use. During the showing of the social media posts, both McDonald and Lee looked down at their notes and grinned. But when it was time for them to take the stand, McDonald and Lee apologized for their ignorance about the Adirondack Park Agencys rules and regulations and blamed an engineer that they had never officially hired for the lack of communication with agency staff. The two also felt Hubbard had mischaracterized them. I do disagree on the point that we havent made any attempt to try and get the place into code, McDonald said. Firstly, to everyone on the board, he continued, Im truly sorry that this has caused a lot of effort and stress to individuals. Lee said that from the beginning he and McDonald hired a contractor to get the property in compliance with APA regulations. They had bought the property without knowing the existing house on the parcel was already illegal because the prior owner had built it without the proper permits. But when questioned by members of the agency board, Lee admitted that they had never signed a contract for services with the engineer. Lee and McDonald said their ignorance wasnt an excuse, and McDonald suggested he would take a course on APA regulations. According to their rental website, McDonald is a hedge fund manager on Wall Street and Lee works in real estate. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. McDonald bought the approximately 12 acres in the southeastern Adirondacks in 2015 and established it as a tourist accommodation. The Brampton has its own website, but is also featured on Airbnb and other online rental platforms. With a four-night minimum stay on Airbnb, a cleaning fee and service fee, The Brampton was raking in about $6,360 per stay during peak summer season. Weddings start at $10,000 and McDonald and Lee have said they can accommodate up to 100 guests. Corporate retreats start at $3,000 per night. Hubbard showed an advertisement for a yoga retreat planned for this fall, advertising some of the illegal structures as places to stay. Following yet another interaction where McDonald and Lee were reminded of the violations, they posted a social media advertisement featuring one of the illegal structures that said we cant stop adding fun places to sleep at Brampton village. Despite what staff have found advertised online, Lee was firm that most of the cottages had not been rented and that he lived in one and stored his personal belongings in another. The two also argued that they were not making as much money on the property as it seemed, and they had invested a lot of money in engineers and trying to get into compliance. From the minute we encountered you guys, we have been doing everything we can to be in compliance, Lee said. There are certain things, like the Instagram stuff, I agree, we should probably not be putting those things on Instagram. Lee smiled and shrugged, then added, Were going to stop. Board member John Ernst said everything McDonald and Lee did appeared to be piecemealsuch as adding a trailer even after they knew they were in violation. It gives an appearance that isnt good, Ernst said. Lynne Mahoney, a representative from the Department of State, asked for verification that McDonald and Lee had never signed or returned any of the three settlement agreements APA sent. Hubbard said they had not. The agency board met in executive session following the hearing and took no action after. The agency planned to hold another executive session on Friday. It was not clear when the board will have a decision. This article originally appeared on AdirondackExplorer.org, a nonprofit news magazine covering the Adirondack Park. SEATTLE -- A Customs and Border Protection memo obtained by The Associated Press confirms that bus companies such as Greyhound do not have to allow Border Patrol agents on board to conduct routine checks for illegal immigrants, which is contrary to the companys long insistence that it has no choice but to do so. When contacted by the AP about the memo, Greyhound reiterated that it does not consent to the searches, but refused to say whether it would prohibit agents from boarding its buses. Greyhound, the nations largest bus carrier, has faced pressure from the American Civil Liberties Union, immigrant rights activists and Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson to stop allowing sweeps on buses within 100 miles of an international border or coastline. Among those arrested last year was Portland comedian Mohanad Elshieky, who was removed from a Greyhound bus in Washington as he returned home from a performance. Elshieky, a Libyan citizen who was granted asylum in the U.S., said he was detained for 20 minutes, even though he had two forms of identification showing that he was in the country legally. Elshiekys attorneys said they were filing a federal lawsuit Friday for false arrest. Critics say the practice is intimidating and discriminatory and has become more common under President Donald Trump. Border Patrol arrests videotaped by other passengers have sparked criticism, and Greyhound faces a lawsuit in California alleging that it violated consumer protection laws by facilitating raids. Some other bus companies, including Jefferson Lines, which operates in 14 states, and MTRWestern, which operates in the Pacific Northwest, have made clear that they do not consent agents boarding buses. The memo obtained by the AP was dated Jan. 28, addressed to all chief patrol agents and signed by then-Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost just before she retired. It confirms the legal position that Greyhounds critics have taken: that the Constitutions Fourth Amendment prevents agents from boarding buses and questioning passengers without a warrant or the consent of the company. When transportation checks occur on a bus at non-checkpoint locations, the agent must demonstrate that he or she gained access to the bus with the consent of the companys owner or one of the companys employees, the memo states. An agents actions while on the bus "would not cause a reasonable person to believe that he or she is unable to terminate the encounter with the agent. Border Patrol officials have previously said agents do seek the consent of the bus driver before boarding and questioning passengers. Bill Kingsford, the operations officer for the Border Patrols Spokane sector in Washington, said Thursday that before the memo he had never seen that policy in writing. In response to criticism over the past two years, Greyhound has said that it does not support or consent to the bus searches, but that federal law left it no choice. The company said the immigration sweeps make for delays, missed buses and unhappy customers. Greyhounds parent company, FirstGroup PLC, said last summer: We are required by federal law to comply with the requests of federal agents. To suggest we have lawful choice in the matter is tendentious and false. Greyhound said that it appreciated the Border Patrol clarifying its policy. We were unaware of USBPs memo clarifying their practices regarding transportation and bus check operations, the company said. We are pleased there appears to be greater context about these practices as we have publicly stated we do not consent to these searches and maintain that position." The statement said it would continue to request guidance from the Border Patrol. "Our goal is to ensure that our passengers and drivers feel safe and secure when riding with us, and well continue to make that our top priority. Advocates said the memo could give them additional leverage. This puts the pressure on Greyhound, said Matt Adams, legal director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. Are you going to stand up and protect your customers or are you going to collaborate with the government and turn over your passengers to the Border Patrol? ACLU chapters in 10 states California, Washington, Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Michigan, Florida, Maine, Texas and Arizona wrote to Greyhound in 2018 to express their concern with passengers being pulled off buses and arrested. In several cases, they said, it appeared passengers had been singled out and questioned based on having dark skin or foreign accents. The Border Patrol denies that, saying all passengers are questioned. Greyhound must take a firm stance issue a public statement, add signage to buses and stations, train and empower employees, etc. to make it abundantly clear that the company as a whole does not consent to these searches, said Andrea Flores, deputy director of policy at the ACLU's Equality Division. The Border Patrol says the bus checks are an important way to find undocumented immigrants, human trafficking or drug smuggling. The memo said agents can still observe passengers boarding and exiting buses and question them outside the buses. Washingtons states Democratic attorney general has threatened legal action, saying that Greyhounds acquiescence to the Border Patrol causes travel delays as well as alarm and confusion for patrons in potential violation of state consumer protection law. He asked Greyhound last year to take several steps, including posting stickers on its buses notifying the Border Patrol that it does not consent to searches, but the company has so far declined to do so. Other bus companies contacted by the attorney general's office have placed stickers on their doors noting that the company does not consent to searches or have given drivers placards to hand to agents explaining the refusal. This memo is consistent with what my office has been saying all along to Greyhound," Ferguson said in a statement. "Unfortunately, Greyhound continues to demonstrate indifference to the legal rights of its customers. If Greyhound refuses to recognize their legal obligations, then we will be forced to take action. Under then-President Barack Obama, Customs and Border Protection in late 2011 began cutting back on so-called transportation checks, especially along the U.S.-Canada border, amid criticism that it amounted to racial profiling. The agency told agents to keep away from bus and train stations entirely unless they had actionable intelligence about someone who had recently entered the country illegally. It also said such operations had to be cleared with Border Patrol headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Trump administration returned authority to the chief agents in each Border Patrol sector to approve the operations, and they have been on the rise, the agency says. The agency has especially faced criticism for conducting the checks on buses far from the border. In Spokane, just under 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Canada, arrests at the city's bus depot rose from 35 in 2017 to 84 last year, according to data obtained by the University of Washington's Center for Human Rights. Bus routes there run east and west and don't cross the border. -- The Associated Press Motorbike taxi driver charged with attempted murder after attacking Norwegian tourist with scythe PHUKET: A motorbike taxi rider in Ao Nang, Krabi, across Phang Nga Bay from Phuket, has been charged with attempted murder after he attacked a Norwegian tourist with a scythe, leaving the tourist with a wound that took 30 stitches to close. tourismtransportSafetyviolencecrimepolice By The Phuket News Friday 14 February 2020, 04:28PM Motorbike taxi driver 21-year-old Kiattisak Nui Boonrabiap was arrested at his familys home in Ao Nang on Wednesday (Feb 12). Photo: Ao Nang Police Kiattisak kept the scythe on the roof of the motorbikes passenger cab. Photo: Ao Nang Police Motorbike taxi driver 21-year-old Kiattisak Nui Boonrabiap was arrested at his familys home in Ao Nang on Wednesday (Feb 12). Photo: Ao Nang Police Motorbike taxi driver 21-year-old Kiattisak Nui Boonrabiap was arrested at his familys home in Ao Nang on Wednesday (Feb 12). Photo: Ao Nang Police The motorbike taxi driver is also facing drug charges after testing positive for meth use. Ao Nang Police Chief Col Aphichart Jinapen confirmed to The Phuket News today that the motorbike taxi rider, 21-year-old Kiattisak Nui Boonrabiap, was arrested at his familys home in Ao Nang at 12:20pm Wednesday (Feb 12). Col Aphichart explained that Norwegian tourist Ole Kristan Krogh, 31, and his friend reported the attack to Ao Nang Police at 1:40am on Feb 2. Ready to go home after a night out, Mr Krogh and his friend called a motorbike taxi with a sidecar for passengers to take them to their hotel in Soi Ao Nang 15, but the driver took them to a different hotel with a similar name, Col Aphichart said. The tourists explained that that it was not their hotel, and the driver dropped them off in front of a Thai restaurant near Avani Aonang Cliff Krabi Resort, where an argument later ensued, he said. The argument became a fight, during which Kiattisak swung a 70cm scythe at Mr Kroghs head, but Mr Krogh blocked the blade with his right forearm, Col Aphichart explained. Even after this, Kiattisak asked Mr Krogh for B200 as the fare. Mr Krogh gave it to him and walked back to his hotel, where staff administered first aid to his wound and call a local hospital ambulance for him. The wound required 30 stitches, Col Aphichart added. Through CCTV, police tracked down Kiattisak to his house in Ao Nang. The officers obtained a warrant for Kiattisaks arrest, issued by Krabi Provincial Court on Feb 11. Officers moved in and placed Kiattisak under arrest the next day, he said. At the house officers found the scythe used in the attack, as well as the motorbike taxi vest and jacket he wore that night to identify him, Col Aphichart noted. After his arrest, Kiattisak confessed that he did not know where the tourists hotel was, so he took them to a restaurant. The tourist wanted to pay only B100 for the fare, leading to the argument, Col Aphichart said. Kiattisak was furious and used the scythe, which was kept on the roof of his motorbikes passenger cab, to attack him, then the tourists gave him B200, he added. Kiattisak was also subjected to a urine test for drug use, which tested positive for meth, Col Aphichart said. Kiattisak had been charged with attempted murder and possession of a Category 1 drug, Col Aphichart said confirmed. The AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu on Friday presented a populist budget, the last full- fledged exercise in its present regime ahead of the Assembly elections next year with a Rs 59,346 crore fiscal deficit and is set to borrow Rs 59,209 crore. The outstanding debt will be Rs 4,56,660.99 crore constituting 21.83 per cent of GSDP in 2020-21. The Chief Minister K Palaniswami-led government, which has been implementing a slew of welfare schemes announced a Special Purpose Vehicle to finance and manage the popular state-run, low cost food chain 'Amma Unavagam' and made a provision of Rs 100 crore for the purpose. The government which provides free rice for ration card holders provided Rs 6,500 crore for food subsidy. Supply of toor dal and edible oil at subsidised rates will be continued in 2020-21 as well. While agriculture saw an allocation of Rs 11,894.48 crore, fisheries got Rs 1,229.85 crore. As many as 7.41 lakh acres will be covered under micro irrigation with an enhanced outlay of Rs 1,844.97 crore. A total crop loan of Rs 11,000 crore will be disbursed by cooperative institutions and a provision of Rs 200 crore has been made to provide full interest waiver for prompt repayment of loans. Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who holds the finance portfolio presented the budget and this is the 10th time he is tabling the annual financial statement. His budget address stretched to about three hours and 15 minutes and is seen as among the lengthiest in Tamil Nadu. The budget speech was peppered with references to late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's name and her initiatives and Leader of Opposition M K Stalin sat through the address. "Despite the many fiscal constraints, Tamil Nadu remains steadfast in adhering to fiscal discipline and has maintained key fiscal ratios including the fiscal deficit and the debt to GSDP ratio within the prescribed norms," he said. On flagship welfare initiatives like free distribution of milch cows, goats and sheep, the Minister said in 2018-19 the livestock sector accounted for 5.83 per cent of the State Gross Value Added and the fisheries sector for a further 0.47 per cent. In 2016-17, the livestock sector surpassed the share of the agriculture sector in Gross State Value Added at constant prices and has maintained the position in 2017-18 and 2018-19. "This reflects the success of the flagship initiatives launched by late Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa for the free distribution of milch animals... and the fodder development programme. This also demonstrates that growing incomes are causing changes in food preferences to protein rich foods like milk, milk products eggs and meat." The government allocated Rs 4,315.21 crore for social security pension covering 1.73 lakh new beneficiaries and Rs 250 crore for accident-cum-life insurance scheme for Below Poverty Line families. To finance the fiscal deficit, the government plans to raise Rs 59,209.30 crore as net debt against the overall permissible borrowing limit of Rs 62,757.80 crore, Panneerselvam said in his budget address. While revenue deficit stood at Rs 21,617.64 crore, the revenue expenditure has been projected at Rs 2,40,992.78 crore. Significantly, the government set apart Rs 4,265.56 crore to help State-run electricity generation and distribution behemoth TANGEDCO overcome losses and allocated Rs 20,115.58 crore for the energy sector. "The government is committed to funding 50 per cent of the losses incurred by TANGEDCO in the previous year and in the budget estimates 2020-21, Rs 4,265.56 crore has been provided for this purpose," the Minister said. Noting that Tamil Nadu has "withstood fierce economic headwinds" seen at the global and national level, he said in 2019-20 growth is projected to be 7.27 per cent, higher than the projected all India growth rate of 5 per cent. "We expect an even stronger growth performance in 2020-21." The State's economy grew at 8.17 per cent in 2018-19 and at the national level, the growth estimates for 2019-20 were revised downwards at 5 per cent. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Syracuse, N.Y. Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has another former mayor of a small town in his corner. John Sullivan is a former mayor of Oswego and a former chairman of the New York State Democratic Party. This year, Sullivan is also one of seven delegates for Buttigieg in New Yorks April 28 presidential primary. Because Im a mayor, I get what hes saying, Sullivan said. People at the local level are problem solvers because theres no one else to pass the baton to. You learn to work with people, and you get the job done. If Buttigieg wins enough votes in Central New Yorks 24th Congressional District, the delegates would represent him at the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee in July. That would make it the third Democratic National Convention for Sullivan, who turns 73 at the end of February. His first was as a delegate for George McGovern in 1972. The second time was in 1996 for Bill Clinton. New York is a key state in the Democratic presidential race because it has been allotted 278 delegates to the national convention in Milwaukee, the second highest total of any state. California will have 415 delegates. Heres a closer look at Buttigiegs six other delegates from Central New York: Lisa M. Sacco, 46, of Camillus, is Assemblywoman Pam Hunters chief of staff. (Hunter is also the chairwoman of the Onondaga County Democratic Committee.) Sacco was a delegate for Hillary Clinton in 2016. Sacco said shes supporting Buttigieg because hes a fresh face. Hes middle of the road, and a little more moderate than other Democratic contenders, she said. Jimmy Monto, 45 of Syracuse, serves on several boards in the Syracuse area. Hes on the Syracuse Public Arts Commission and the Greater Syracuse Land Banks Citizens Advisory Board. Hes president of the Eastwood Neighborhood Association and board President of Tomorrows Neighborhoods Today. Hes also the secretary of the Onondaga County Democratic Committee. Monto said hed back any Democrat who runs against President Donald Trump. At this point, its Pete, he said. Monto and his husband live in Eastwood. Phil Precourt, 44, of Lyons, is a special education teacher. This is my first venture into anything political beyond voting, he said. Precourt says hes inspired to get involved by Buttigiegs stances on Medicare for all who want it, public education and support for the LGBTQ community. Precourt served as the district captain, coordinating the collection of signatures needed to get Buttigieg on New Yorks presidential primary ballot. Paul F. Lynch, 57, of Syracuse, calls himself a complete novice when it comes to politics. I just thought in the current political climate I wanted to try to make a change, he said. He works at Le Moyne College. Hes supporting Buttigieg for reasons similar to the other delegate candidates. He thinks Buttigieg is a refreshing change from the usual, with a fresh outlook and level-headed ideas." The two others are: Ramona Ann McConnell and M. Rita Tickle. READ MORE: Meet Joe Bidens delegates from Central New York. Meet Bernie Sanders delegates from Central New York. Meet Elizabeth Warrens delegates from Central New York. 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. OTTAWA - Global health law experts say dozens of countries including the United States and Australia are breaking international law by imposing travel restrictions during the novel coronavirus outbreak. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In this Friday, Feb 7, 2020 photo, people arrive from Wuhan, China, aboard a chartered Boeing 747 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas. (Billy Calzada/The San Antonio Express-News via AP) OTTAWA - Global health law experts say dozens of countries including the United States and Australia are breaking international law by imposing travel restrictions during the novel coronavirus outbreak. In a commentary published in The Lancet medical journal, 16 health law scholars argue that the restrictions on travellers who've been in China, the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak, are driven by "fear, misinformation, racism and xenophobia," rather than science. And they say those are a violation of the International Health Regulations, legally binding rules meant to ensure that countries don't take needless measures to control the spread of an infectious disease that end up harming people or discouraging countries from reporting new public health risks. The World Health Organization has advised against travel restrictions during the COVID-19 outbreak on the grounds that they do more harm than good. Yet Steven Hoffman, senior author of The Lancet commentary and a professor at York University's faculty of health, says 72 countries have imposed restrictions anyway. And two-thirds of those countries have not reported their actions to the WHO, which in itself is another violation of international law. "Responses that are anchored in fear, misinformation, racism and xenophobia will not save us from outbreaks like COVID-19," the scholars argue. "Upholding the rule of international law is needed now more than ever." In the short term, the scholars argue that travel restrictions prevent needed supplies from getting into regions affected by an outbreak, slow the international public health response, "stigmatize entire populations and disproportionately harm the most vulnerable among us." Over the longer term, the restrictions encourage other countries to similarly ignore international law during future outbreaks. "Effective global governance is not possible when countries cannot depend on each other to comply with international agreements." In an interview from Geneva, where he is working with the WHO on the international response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Hoffman praised Canada for not imposing any travel restrictions on people coming from China. "It's probably very hard for the Canadian government to resist calls for things like travel restrictions, which Canadians see other countries doing. Yet it's so important that we do and that we maintain the current evidence-based approach that the government is taking," Hoffman said. "It kind of makes me proud that my country is doing it right." By contrast, Hoffman said the U.S. and Australia are prime examples of countries that are breaking international law. The U.S. has banned entry to foreign nationals who have been in China in the previous 14 days. U.S. nationals and residents who've been in China's Hubei province are subject to mandatory quarantine while those who've visited other areas in China must return to the U.S. only through specified ports where they will undergo health screening and face self-isolation. Australia has banned entry to visitors who have transited through or been in China on or after Feb. 1. Australian nationals and residents who've been in China must self-isolate for 14 days. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2020. (Bloomberg) -- U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi backed President Donald Trumps assessment of the threat posed by countries using Huawei Technologies Co. equipment to build 5G networks, a rare moment of bipartisan agreement after the bitter fight over impeachment. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Pelosi warned European allies that it would be dangerous to allow a company with connections to the Chinese government to build global information networks, echoing some of the points the administration has been trying to drive home with American partners. Nations cannot cede telecommunications infrastructure to China for financial expediency, Pelosi said. Speaking about Chinese President Xi Jinping, she said such an ill-conceived concession will only embolden Xi as he undermines democratic values, human rights, economic independence and national security. The strong words from a Democratic Party leader offered a point of accordance with the president the week after the Republican-led Senate acquitted him on the Houses two articles of impeachment. Joining with the president in identifying a common threat could be a useful political pivot for Pelosi as her House members prepare to run for re-election in a political environment mostly defined by divisions. In terms of some of these issues like Huawei, we have bi-partisan agreement on that, Pelosi said. I always say to members: dont be against something because President Trump might be for it. If there happens to be collateral benefit so be it, and lets all share in the responsibility to do something and the credit when we get it done. Dont Go With Huawei The Trump administration has lobbied European allies to reject Huawei equipment as they invest in the next generation of technology. Pelosi said Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. agree that Huawei poses a threat to democratic values. If you want a free flow of information, if you want to build a collective conscience of values and respect for human rights, dont go with Huawei, Pelosi said. The U.K. and the European Union introduced policies last month that allow Huaweis partial participation in next-generation wireless networks. Trump responded by berating U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, having spent months trying to persuade the British government not to allow the Chinese company to take a role in fast 5G networks. German officials have also grappled with where to draw the line on using Huawei equipment. Allowing the Sinification of 5G would be to choose autocracy over democracy, Pelosi said in Munich. We must instead move to an internationalization of digital infrastructure that does not enable an autocracy. We must invest in other viable options that will take is into the future while preserving our values and institutions. Pelosi said most insidious form of aggression is for a country like China to infiltrate technology infrastructure with a company dominated by an autocratic government that does not share our values. The California Democrat urged European leaders to plan for the next generation of technology by building something together that will be about freedom of information. I tell you, unequivocally and without any hesitation, Pelosi said of Huawei technology, be very careful when you go down this path unless you want to end up with a society like China. --With assistance from Todd Shields. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. This is just a partial list of our daily duties, Guernsey said. Our county assessor has stated that this bill would impact her office significantly. She would have to keep all positions to continue to do the work efficiently, with the need of having satellite offices or keeping some of the township offices open. WASHINGTON - The muddled Democratic presidential contest is raising jitters among some in the party that their House majority and chances of taking the Senate could be at risk in 2020. The rise of Bernie Sanders to the top after the New Hampshire primary and the Iowa caucuses, and him supplanting former Vice President Joe Biden as front-runner in national polls, has particularly unsettled some of the Democrats running in heavily Republican areas. They say the Vermont senator's embrace of what he calls democratic socialism and promise of a "Medicare for all" system to replace private insurance will motivate President Donald Trump's voters and turn off the moderates they need to win reelection. "I've said quite clearly that I would prefer for there to be a moderate at the top of the ticket," said New York Rep. Anthony Brindisi, who ousted a Republican in 2018 and represents the most pro-Trump district of any first-term Democrat. "I would say the voters in New Hampshire felt the same way." Although Sanders narrowly won Tuesday's primary in New Hampshire with 25.7% of the vote, the two runners up, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar running as centrist candidates, garnered a total of 44%. ADVERTISEMENT Democrats claimed the House majority in 2018 primarily by combining voter anger over Trump with a moderate message. Brindisi's upstate New York district is one of 31 that voted for Trump in 2016 and were won by Democrats two years later. In the Senate, Democrats are targeting more than half a dozen vulnerable GOP-held seats. But Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton won just two of those states in 2016: Colorado and Maine. Trump won the key battleground states of Arizona, North Carolina and Iowa. The swing-district Democrats who've backed a candidate for the party's nomination are mostly split between Biden and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who isn't competing in the first four contests but is spending millions to make his mark in the Super Tuesday round of primaries on March 3. (Bloomberg is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News.) Sanders has the endorsement of many of the Democratic Party's progressive stars, including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represent solidly Democratic districts. Democratic leaders in Congress, who have not embraced any of Sanders's more left-leaning policy initiatives, have been trying to tamp down talk of anxiety or panic within the party ranks. "Just because some people may be speaking out about not liking one candidate or the other - that's the Democratic way, that's politics. It's a messy business," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said this week. "We're calm, we're cool, we're collected." Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said that as the primaries play out "Democrats will be strongly united." ADVERTISEMENT That hasn't stopped the chatter in Congress. "I think Sanders is a problem for some moderates. There's no question about it because I hear the talk around," Democratic Rep. Al Lawson, who represents a safe Florida district, said. Allies of Sanders dismiss the angst as part of winnowing process in the primaries. They say that if the goal is defeating Trump, the party will coalesce around the nominee. "There will always be concerns about party unity no matter who it is," Ocasio-Cortez said. "Like, if Klobuchar or whomever were the front-runner right now, there would be a lot of stress as to whether progressives would unify" behind her. Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Sanders supporter and co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said Democrats repeatedly make the mistake of picking moderate candidates who end up alienating the more liberal base of the party and losing the election. "We can't keep doing the same thing and expect a different result," Jayapal said. "We are in this situation because we did not expand the electorate and nominate someone the voters actually trust." Sanders maintains a loyal base of supporters and has a proven ability to bring out youthful and working-class voters. Also, polls show him performing about as well as moderates Biden and Bloomberg in head-to-head match-ups against Trump. Four years ago, establishment Republicans had similar concerns about their prospects in congressional races when it became clear that Trump would be their nominee. They still emerged with control of the House and Senate despite a net loss of two Senate seats and six House seats. ADVERTISEMENT As he attempts to claw his way back into contention, Biden has tried to stoke the concerns about the effect of a Sanders nomination on House and Senate races. "Elected officials across the country understand that there would be down-ballot carnage for the Democratic Party if we nominated the wrong person," Biden said this week on ABC's "The View." "And if Bernie Sanders was at the top of the ticket, we would be in jeopardy of losing the House. We would not get the Senate back." Republicans have been eager to stoke the divisions. "He's a socialist who would destroy the economy," Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, who is up for reelection in November, said. "I think he helps everyone up and down the ticket," she said of GOP candidates. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California on Thursday also goaded Democrats over Sanders. "Think about what would be his Cabinet - AOC? Tlaib? Omar?" he said referring to Ocasio-Cortez, Michigan's Rashida Tlaib and Minnesota's Ilhan Omar, the self-described squad of first-term progressives who have been particular targets of Trump and Republicans. Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama, the most-vulnerable Senate Democrat on the ballot this fall, was an early Biden backer and said having Sanders atop the ticket could be problematic in races like his. The moderate wing "is where I think most of the Democratic Party is across the country," he said. But Jones and other Democrats are also saying they will be patient while the race plays out. "I just think all this front-runner stuff - we're now on our third front-runner - we'll just have to wait and see," said Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, which is holding a Feb. 29 primary that will help define the race. --- (Jennifer Epstein contributed to this report.) --- (c)2020 Bloomberg News Visit Bloomberg News at www.bloomberg.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. VANCOUVER, B.C., Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Restructur Advisors, a partnership of experienced executives, is pleased to announce the launch of the first advisory firm focused on restructuring and turnarounds of distressed companies in the cannabis and cannabinoid sector. Restructur Advisors was created to help preserve and even create value for shareholders and creditors in companies facing financial distress, insolvency, compliance failures, and/or complex litigation. The cannabis/cannabinoid industry is facing an unprecedented collapse in company valuations as the sector transitions from the pre-legalization hype to valuations based on operational excellence and realized revenue growth. This challenge is compounded by a number of factors including: (i) significant compliance obligations, (ii) an inability to access traditional banking services, (iii) continued competition from the illegal market, (iv) inexperienced management and directors, and (v) the ongoing stigma of illegality (in the U.S.). The valuation collapse and challenges outlined above have made raising equity capital very difficult, creating a wave of financial distress as companies run short of operating capital, debt instruments come due and cannot be refinanced, or in the worst case, a company faces regulatory action for compliance breaches. Many analysts are now predicting 2020 will see a number of cannabis companies defaulting on debts, trying to restructure, entering bankruptcy, and even facing shareholder litigation. When faced with financial distress, the unique operating dynamic and challenges inherent in the cannabis/cannabinoid industry mean that typical restructuring and turnaround advisors are not well positioned to assist. Distressed companies in the sector often face unique challenges in terms of obtaining rescue financing, asset transfers, and regulatory compliance. While Canada is beginning to see the use of restructuring legislation (Companies Creditors Arrangement Act) to address financial distress, companies in the U.S. cannot access traditional federal restructuring legislation, specifically Chapter 11 for restructuring and Chapter 15 for recognition of foreign restructurings. This compounds the difficulty around U.S. companies in financial distress or Canadian companies with U.S. assets. "In the face of the ongoing shakeout in the cannabis sector in North America, many management teams and Boards of Directors are increasingly faced with tough decisions and increased risk of liability," said Restructur Advisor's Managing Partner, Blair Jordan. "What is unique about our team is that we combine operational and capital markets experience with some of the only executives in North America who have actually been through a court-protected cannabis company restructuring." About Restructur Advisors Restructur Advisors (www.restructuradvisors.com) is the first restructuring and turnaround advisory firm dedicated solely to the global cannabis and cannabinoid industry. The firm, based in Vancouver, Canada, is comprised of impartial, experienced financial and operational restructuring experts with real cannabis industry expertise. Clients are both insiders such as management, directors, committee members, and more as well as external stakeholders such as independent committee members, creditors, debt holders, shareholders, and regulators Restructur Advisors provides corporate and stakeholder strategic advice, interim and turnaround leadership, and transactional services alongside, and in tandem with, the other service providers working with distressed clients such as accounting firms, law firms, and investment banks. For more information, please contact: Blair Jordan Managing Partner 778.899.6281 [email protected] SOURCE Restructur Advisors Related Links http://www.restructuradvisors.com Valerie Jarrett, a longtime adviser to former President Barack Obama, says Michael Bloomberg 'needs to do a lot more than just apologize' for his past support of controversial stop-and-frisk policing. The 2020 presidential hopeful's campaign has been dogged by the issue after a video resurfaced last week in which he adamantly defended use of stop-and-frisk in minority communities in 2015. Jarrett revealed in a CBS This Morning interview on Thursday that she recently participated in call with Bloomberg and African American business leaders, who confronted the former New York City mayor about the issue. 'We were very concerned about the impact that had on so many black families right here in New York,' she said. 'He apologized as he had done publicly, and he said look, he inherited it, it got way out of control on his watch, and then he reduced it dramatically.' Jarrett said she encouraged Bloomberg's campaign to do more than just apologize for the policy, which saw hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers stopped and searched by police without warrants, with blacks and Latinos disproportionately targeted. 'One of the things I recommended is, why don't you sit down with some of the families who were impacted by it?' she said. 'And look, even families who weren't impacted were worried about what would happen to their son, and so I think there's a lot more conversation to be had.' Valerie Jarrett, a longtime adviser to former President Barack Obama, discussed Michael Bloomberg's past support for stop-and-frisk policing on CBS This Morning on Thursday Bloomberg's presidential campaign has been dogged by the issue after a video resurfaced last week in which he adamantly defended use of stop-and-frisk in minority communities in 2015. He has since apologized for his remarks, but Jarrett said he 'needs to do a lot more' Bloomberg's record on stop-and-frisk was thrust to the forefront of his presidential bid last week when the video emerged in which he defended the tough police tactic in a 2015 speech to the Aspen Institute. On the tape he is heard saying that the way to bring down murder rates is to 'put a lot of cops' in minority neighborhoods because that's where 'all the crime is'. After the video emerged, Bloomberg sought to blunt any political fallout by saying the remarks 'do not reflect my commitment to criminal justice reform and racial equity'. But the audio of his Aspen speech highlights his embrace of the policy just a few years ago and suggests he was aware of the disproportionate impact of stop and frisk on minorities. Bloomberg says that '95 percent' of murders and murder victims are young male minorities and that 'you can just take the description, Xerox it and pass it out to all the cops'. He acknowledges that focusing police forces in minority neighborhoods means minorities are disproportionately arrested for marijuana possession but dismisses that as a necessary consequence. 'Why do we do it? Because that's where all the crime is,' Bloomberg said. And to 'get the guns out of the kids' hands,' Bloomberg says, police must 'throw 'em against the wall and frisk 'em.' 'And they say, 'Oh, I don't want that. I don't wanna get caught.' So they don't bring the gun,' he says. According to a report in the Aspen Times that year, Bloomberg blocked the release of video of the Aspen Institute appearance. But the Aspen Times reporter uploaded what appears to be the full audio online, and it drew renewed attention on February 10 after podcaster Benjamin Dixon circulated it on Twitter. Bloomberg's record on stop-and-frisk was thrust to the forefront of his presidential bid last week when the video emerged in which he defended the tough police tactic in a 2015 speech to the Aspen Institute In his statement the following day, Bloomberg noted that he 'inherited the practice of stop and frisk' from Rudy Giuliani's administration and said that by the time he left office at the end of 2013, he had significantly reduced its use. He added: 'I should have done it faster and sooner.' But stop and frisk expanded dramatically on Bloomberg's watch, reaching a peak in 2011 when over 685,000 people were stopped, according to data from the American Civil Liberties Union. While its use declined significantly after that, Bloomberg stood by the program even in the face of widespread criticism and legal challenges. Bloomberg has since distanced himself from the policy since launching his presidential campaign as part of a broader strategy aimed at appealing to minority voters. He's also acknowledged his own white privilege and released policies focused on issues central to some African American communities, like black homeownership and maternal mortality rates. But the comments gave Bloomberg's political rivals an opportunity to pounce. Activist Tom Steyer, who has since dropped out of the race, called the comments 'extremely disturbing'. 'The racist stereotypes he uses have no place today, and anyone running for the presidential nomination should disavow them,' Steyer said. Former Vice President Joe Biden's top adviser, Symone Sanders, called the comments 'sad and despicable', and said he 'will have to answer for these comments'. And President Donald Trump, who himself has supported stop-and-frisk policies, sent out a tweet with a clip of the audio, declaring: 'WOW, BLOOMBERG IS A TOTAL RACIST.' The attack comes weeks before the South Carolina primary, where black voters will make up a substantial share of the electorate. Bloomberg is skipping the first four contests Trump later deleted the tweet, but in impromptu remarks to reporters in the Oval Office later Tuesday, he dismissed Bloomberg's apology for supporting stop and frisk as 'disingenuous'. The racism charge is noteworthy coming from Trump, who himself has long defended the tactic. In an October 2018 speech to the International Association of Police Chiefs, Trump touted its use in New York under then-Mayor Giuliani, now his personal attorney, and urged Chicago to adopt it. And in 2013, he defended both the tactic and Bloomberg's police commissioner, tweeting: 'Stop and frisk works. Instead of criticizing @NY_POLICE Chief Ray Kelly, New Yorkers should be thanking him for keeping NY safe.' The attacks on Bloomberg reflect a growing concern about the billionaire's candidacy. Indeed, Bloomberg focused the bulk of his statement on Trump, arguing that the president's attack 'reflects his fear over the growing strength of my campaign'. February 11, head of the Servant of the People faction Davyd Arahamia announced that he would agree to let water into annexed Crimea in exchange for returning Donbas February 11, head of the Servant of the People faction Davyd Arahamia announced that he would agree to let water into annexed Crimea in exchange for returning Donbas. The scandal was not expected to wait long. The news from the peninsula, where the occupying authorities say that they have drinking water for a maximum of 90-100 days, has added some heat to it. Arakhamia apologized for her words, but this did not stop the whirlpool of the water scandal. Water curtain Ukraine provided up to 85% of Crimea's freshwater needs through the North Crimean Canal, connecting the main channel of Dnipro with the peninsula. Water supplies were cut off after the Russian annexation of the peninsula in 2014. North Crimean Canal At the end of 2015, due to lack of water, so-called head of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov declared a wartime regime and demanded the forcible withdrawal of wells with drinking water from private enterprises. Already in April 2017, the occupation authorities announced that the peninsula was 100% provided with water, however, Krym.Realii outlet wrote that this information was untrue. According to the media, Crimea did not find an alternative to the supply of Dnipro water, except for large-scale pumping of groundwater. In June 2019, Borys Babin, the former representative of the President of Ukraine in Crimea, said that the Russian Federation even offered bribes to restore water supply to Crimea. Statements from Kyiv The first statement from representatives of the new government on this topic came at the end of January 2020, when MP from the Servant of the People party Yuriy Aristov said that Ukraine was considering the option of selling water to Crimea. There was an idea to sell water. The Israelis actually sell water to a warring country, they earn money on this. So we had an idea, for example, to sell water to Russia, Aristov said. Russia appreciated such an idea. The statement is sound. We said from the very beginning that we were ready to pay for this water. But no arguments were accepted, Vladimir Dzhabarov, member of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, noted. Mustafa Dzhemilev For his part, leader of the Crimean Tatar people MP from Poroshenkos party Mustafa Dzhemilev said that Kyiv would not allow Dnipro to enter Crimea after the de-occupation of the peninsula. Of course, Crimea suffers from a shortage of water, in the steppe part it is already a disaster for agriculture. We will supply water, surely, but only after the liberation of Crimea from the invaders, Dzhemilev stated. He recalled that in accordance with the 1949 Geneva Convention, all responsibility for the situation of people in the occupied territory rests with the occupying country. As a result, Aristov had to make excuses, he specified that it was just an idea, and now this issue was not discussed. Davyd Arakhamia The author of another resonant statement was Davyd Arahamia, who stated that he would agree to let water into Crimea in exchange for concessions from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Donbas. In particular, MP was asked to express a personal position on the situation in which Putin would offer to make concessions in Donbas in exchange for Ukraines supply of water to Crimea. "I will consider this (resumption of water supply, - ed.) a sufficient compromise. I would go for that. Because citizens of Ukraine in Crimea will use water in one way or another... If this is an exchange that they leave with everyone with our armed formations in Rostov, and we are establishing full control over our border and for this we need to supply water to Crimea, I would definitely go for that, "said Arakhamia. In response to this statement, leader of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Refat Chubarov, accused Arakhamia of trading in Ukrainian territory and emphasized that letting water into Crimea means surrendering to the Russian Federation half a million Crimean Tatars. Refat Chubarov Open source Refat Chubarov For his part, the deputy chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Ilmi Umerov, called for an end to "playing with fire." "Davyd, ask yourself the question: how will it be written in the agreement on the supply of water to Crimea? Does Ukraine supply water to the 83rd region of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Crimea? This is a direct recognition of Russia's jurisdiction in the Crimea... Our task is to make Crimea an unbearable, expensive burden for Russia. And Ukraine, under the leadership of your party, is always trying to please the aggressor," Umerov believes. The Kremlin responded to the statement of Arakhamia. So, Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Crimea cannot be the object of any exchange. Is Crimea water-out zone? Reports of serious water shortages on the peninsula began to appear in January 2019. As Kerch.FM wrote, the North Crimean Canal in the Kerch area has become shallow. The fact that more recently there was much more water can be judged by the marks on the posts and poles, where algae got tangled at the previous level. The tensest situation has developed in Simferopol, where, according to the head of the Moscow State Committee for Water Management and Land Reclamation of Crimea Igor Weil, there is a maximum of 90-100 days of drinking water left. February 5, Russian head of Simferopols administration, Olena Protsenko, said that residents of Simferopol would receive hot water supply only on weekends. And while the occupation authorities say that there are no problems with water, in the churches of the annexed Crimea they pray for water, Krym.Realii reports. Cayce Department of Public Safety/Twitter Six-year-old Faye Swetlik was found dead on Thursday, three days after she vanished from her front yard in Cayce, South Carolina. In a Thursday press conference, Chief Byron Snellgrove of the Cayce Department of Public Safety said her body was found somewhere in the Churchill Heights neighborhood where she lived. Officials are now treating the case as a homicide, but Snellgrove said no arrests have been made. No other details about Swetliks death were shared. It is with extremely heavy hearts that we are announcing that we have found the body, that the coroner has identified as Faye Marie Swetlik, Snellgrove said, choking up as he broke the news. Swetlik was last seen by her family at 3:45 p.m. Monday, when she was playing in her front yard after school. Her family reported her missing at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, and officials released surveillance video of Swetlik getting off the school bus on Monday, minutes before she went missing. In addition to finding Swetliks body, Snellgrove said a body of a male was also found in the neighborhood, but it remains unclear if the two cases are related. No other details about the mans body were released, but Snellgrove said there was no danger to the community at this time. Authorities had been searching Swetliks neighborhood since Monday night, talking to neighbors and locking down the area. On Tuesday, officials said there were no indications that Swetlik was abducted, and they were considering the possibility that she walked off and fell somewhere. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. The Financial Ombudsman Service received 3,500 complaints a week about mis-sold payment protection insurance in the last three months of last year, new figures revealed. It said it received 41,500 complaints about PPI between October and December, 72 per cent more than it received in the three months beforehand. Overall, PPI made up almost half the 83,754 new complaints received by the ombudsman in the last three months of 2019. The final deadline for those who felt they were mis-sold PPI to complain to the seller was 29 August, but claimants turned down or unhappy can appeal to the FOS. The deadline for new complaints about PPI was 29 August last year, but people were still able to take complaints to the ombudsman after this date Caroline Wayman, the chief executive of the FOS, said: 'There has never been another complaints issue on the same scale as PPI, and the volumes of complaints made to financial businesses around the deadline last August were truly unprecedented. 'We know that it's taking businesses a while to respond to all the complaints made around the deadline, but wed encourage you to wait for their response if possible. 'If you need help more urgently, or youre unhappy with the final response you get from the business, get in contact with the ombudsman service and we'll see if we can help.' It revealed it had now received more than 2million complaints about PPI. While the deadline for submitting new claims was the end of August, the PPI gravy train appears set to continue for a little while yet as banks and lenders continue to work their way through the mountain of claims. Some 384.6million was paid out to claimants in the first month after the deadline, according to the latest figures from the Financial Conduct Authority. More than 37billion in mis-sold premiums and compensatory interest has been repaid since January 2011, with the FOS upholding 17 per cent of complaints in the last three months of 2019. PPI is Britain's most expensive financial mis-selling scandal, with an estimated 64million PPI policies sold until the mid-2000s, often tacked onto personal loans and credit cards. The policies were designed to cover the cost in case people ever missed payments, but they were frequently worthless. Banks have paid out millions, with many seeing their profits hit by having to set aside money to pay back claimants. Lloyds Banking Group, which is made up of Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, announced last October it had to set aside a total 21.9billion to compensate mis-sold customers. The bank's profits were almost wiped out by a rush of claims in the run-up to the deadline. Other banks hit by late claims include Barclays, RBS, HSBC and Santander, with the four collectively paying out more than 2.77billion over the summer. The governors of the six states of the South-west on Thursday announced that the Amotekun security initiative will no longer be regional but state-based. The announcement was made after the governors met with the Inspector-General Police, Mohammed Adamu, at the Lagos State House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. The Operation Amotekun bill scaled second reading in the Houses of Assembly in Ondo and Oyo states. The draft bill was also ratified in Osogbo by the Osun State Executive Council just as the Ogun State House Assembly has equally confirmed receipt of the draft bill from the executive. At the meeting on Thursday was Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo State governor and Chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State. Other governors in the region were represented by deputy governors Rauf Olaniyan (Oyo); Noimot Salako-Oyedele (Ogun); Benedict Alabi (Osun) and Bisi Egbeyemi (Ekiti). Also present at the meeting were commissioners of police, attorneys-general and commissioners for justice from the six states, representatives of other security agencies, monarchs, and representatives of Community Development Committees (CDCs). Controversial Initiative On January 9, governors of the six states in the southwest launched Operation Amotekun, a security formation aimed at enhancing security in the region. Since its announcement, the initiative has triggered controversy across the country. Shortly after its launch, the Nigerian government, in its reaction, described the initiative as illegal. The bottom line is that the current Nigerian constitution does not accommodate formation of regional security architecture. This is a fact which is undisputable and undeniable, a statement by Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation, said at the time. The governors would later meet Mr Malami and the parties agreed to give legal backing to the initiative. The Truce On Thursday, Messrs Akeredolu and Adamu briefed reporters at the end of the meeting, stressing that the initiative is a community policing strategy to tackle crime in Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Ekiti states. They, however, agreed that it will not be a regional outfit as earlier conceived, but state-based. 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, Mr Akeredolu said on Thursday, adding that stakeholders have now agreed to embrace community policing in its entirety. 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. But, I can assure you that we are on the same page in respect of this. Mr Akeredolu assured that Southwest governors will not compromise on security of lives and properties in the region, adding that It is time to face the truth, which is community policing, because of the peculiarity of every state. The governor noted that what is being done is a replica of what obtains in advanced countries and it is time to embrace it because of numerous security challenges, which has overstretched the conventional police. This is something of great importance to all of us, something we cannot pretend about, we must be honest with ourselves. All of us agree that we are facing security challenges, the National Assembly, the President, nobody is happy with the way things are going, we must have a rethink about central police, there is too much on the IGs table. Buttressing Mr Akeredolus statement, the police boss explained that every state, right now, has one form of security outfit or the other working with security agencies to fight crime and criminality. Community policing is infused into all the existing states security structures. What we have concluded is what the chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum has explained. 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. And it is not different from what has been existing before. Every state is having its own structure and it is agreed that this structure they are creating, the community policing strategy is infused into it. So, policing the community will be the initiative of the community. The public is the police and the police are the public. So, everybody must be involved. Advertisements 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. Mr Adamu explained further that community policing is partnership and the new initiative will be done in partnership with the police to deal with crime-related challenges. He said: Therefore, any structure brought by any state government that is geared towards assisting and collaborating with security agencies to suppress crimes we will all participate, be it in training or deployment all geared towards dealing with crimes and criminality. Earlier in January, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, opposed the stance of Mr Malami that the Amotekun initiative was illegal. Since Amotekun is not an outfit set up by south west governors to harass or intimidate political opponents it cannot be prohibited under section 227 or any other provision of the Constitution. In other words, the Constitution has not prohibited the establishment of security outfits for the defence of the people of Nigeria, the lawyer said. Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/14/2020 -- Advance Market Analytics released a new market study on Global Shaving Cream Market with 100+ market data Tables, Pie Chat, Graphs & Figures spread through Pages and easy to understand detailed analysis. At present, the market is developing its presence. The Research report presents a complete assessment of the Market and contains a future trend, current growth factors, attentive opinions, facts, and industry validated market data. The research study provides estimates for Global Shaving Cream Forecast till 2025*. Some are the key players taken under coverage for this study are Gillette (United States), Beiersdorf (Germany), Unilever (United Kingdom), L'Oreal (France), Colgate-Palmolive (United States), Energizer Holdings (United States), Godrej (India), Johnson & Johnson (United States), Perio (United States), Super-Max (Dubai) and Taylor of Old Bond Street (United Kingdom). Shaving cream, or shave cream, or shaving foam is referred to as a frothy cosmetic cream which is applied to body hair, usually on facial hair, to facilitate the shaving. The use of cream achieves three kinds of effects, swells keratin, lubricates the cutting process, and desensitizes the skin. Shaving creams basically consist of an emulsion of soaps, oils, or surfactants, and water. Blades with the polymeric coating reduces need for the shaving creams. The market of the Shaving Cream is increasing due to the rising awareness among the youth in the rising population base, while there is rapidly changing in the style so ongoing styling can replace the market at any point. Free Sample Report + All Related Graphs & Charts @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/36104-global-shaving-cream-market Market Trend - FMCG Giants Are Betting On Start-Ups - Endorsement Of Brands By Celebrities - Shift From Unisex Products To Gender-Specific Products Market Drivers - Increasing Rural Penetration - Rising Youth Population Base Opportunities - Continuous Product Innovation And Diversification - Increasing The Availability Of Foreign Brands Through E-Commerce Restraints - Inflammatory Problems And The Allergic Reaction Can Lower The Market Growth - Increasing Price Can Harm The Market Challenges - Slowdown In World Economic Growth - Changing Ongoing Style Can Replace The Market Growth Important Features that are under offering & key highlights of the report: 1) What all companies are currently profiled in the report? Following are list of players that are currently profiled in the the report Gillette (United States), Beiersdorf (Germany), Unilever (United Kingdom), L'Oreal (France), Colgate-Palmolive (United States), Energizer Holdings (United States), Godrej (India), Johnson & Johnson (United States), Perio (United States), Super-Max (Dubai) and Taylor of Old Bond Street (United Kingdom)" ** List of companies mentioned may vary in the final report subject to Name Change / Merger etc. 2) Can we add or profiled new company as per our need? Yes, we can add or profile new company as per client need in the report. Final confirmation to be provided by research team depending upon the difficulty of survey. ** Data availability will be confirmed by research in case of privately held company. Upto 3 players can be added at no added cost. 3) Can we get more level of segmentation to meet our market intelligence objective? Yes it can be provided, however ETA would vary and final confirmation would be given only after checking data in data repository. 4) Can inclusion of additional Segmentation / Market breakdown is possible? Yes, inclusion of additional segmentation / Market breakdown is possible subject to data availability and difficulty of survey. However a detailed requirement needs to be shared with our research before giving final confirmation to client. ** Depending upon the requirement the deliverable time and quote will vary. Enquire for customization in Report @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/36104-global-shaving-cream-market To comprehend Global Shaving Cream market dynamics in the world mainly, the worldwide Global Shaving Cream market is analyzed across major global regions. AMA also provides customized specific regional and country-level reports for the following areas. - North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico. - South & Central America: Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. - Middle East & Africa: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey, Egypt and South Africa. - Europe: UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Russia. - Asia-Pacific: India, China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia. Buy Full Copy Global Shaving Cream Report 2018 @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/buy-now?format=1&report=36104 Major Highlights of TOC: Chapter One: Market Overview Chapter Two: Executive Summary ---------- Free of Cost Chapter Three: Market Dynamics ------ USD400 Market Drivers, Market Challenges, Market Trends, Restraints & Opportunities Chapter Four: Market Factor Analysis ------ USD400 Supply/Value Chain, Porters Five Forces, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent & Trademark Analysis, Bargain Power Chapter Five: Global Shaving Cream, by Market Segmentation and Geography (value, volume**) (2013-2018) ------ USD1400 Global Shaving Cream Type (Pre-shave Cream, Aftershave Cream), Application (Household, Hotel, Commercial, Others), Distribution Channel (Hypermarkets/Supermarkets, Drugstores, Online Retails, Independent Retailers and Discounters, Other) Global Shaving Cream Region North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Nordic, Others) Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, Australia, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Middle East & Africa, Others) Chapter Six: Global Shaving Cream - Manufacturers/Players Analysis ------ USD1200 Competitive Landscape, Comparative Market Share Analysis (2017-2018), Peer Group Analysis (2018), BCG Matrix, Company Profile, Product/Service Offering Matrix Chapter Seven: Global Shaving Cream, by Market Segmentation and Region (value, volume**) (2019-2024) ------ USD1400 ------ Sections same as Chapter Five ------ Chapter Eight: Company profiles / Competitive Landscape [12 Players] ------ USD1250 Chapter Nine: Methodology/Research Approach, Data Source, Disclaimer ** If applicable Browse for Full Report at @: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/36104-global-shaving-cream-market Actual Numbers & In-Depth Analysis, Business opportunities, Market Size Estimation Available in Full Report. AMA also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research according to clientele objectives. Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report like North America, Europe or Asia. 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. A Syrian government helicopter has been shot down over Idlib for the second time in four days, rebel forces said today. The Syrian National Coalition shared footage of a burning helicopter crashing to the ground in a shoot-down which killed both pilots on board. The rebels claimed that the Assad regime's helicopter had been bombing civilian homes before it was shot down west of Aleppo. Assad's government later acknowledged the shoot-down and said the helicopter had been hit by a 'hostile missile'. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights alleged that the helicopter was shot down by rebel-backing Syrian forces, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility. Soldiers stand over the burning wreckage of a Syrian government helicopter that was shot down over Idlib province this morning. It is the second to be downed in four days Assad's government later acknowledged the shoot-down and said the helicopter had been hit by a 'hostile misile' The war monitor said the helicopter had crashed in the countryside in north-west Syria, where Assad's forces have been staging a weeks-long offensive against the rebels. The footage published by the Syrian National Coalition showed the helicopter coming down behind a building at the side of a road. A second regime aircraft returned to Hamah Military Airport after hearing what had happened to the helicopter, Turkey's state-owned Anadolu agency said. Similarly, a rebel military source said pro-Assad Russian jets had been targeting areas in the countryside earlier on Friday, but later evacuated back to the city. On Tuesday, rebels shot down a separate helicopter in the same region, killing the two crew members on board in a fiery crash. A charred part of a helicopter - which appears to be a piece of the tail - is shown above lying in a field in Idlib province, the last rebel stronghold A second Syrian government helicopter has been shot down in four days (the first of the two, on Tuesday, is pictured) Syrian troops have been on the offensive for weeks in Idlib province, which is the last stronghold of the anti-Assad rebels. Assad's forces are now securing areas along a key highway they seized from jihadists and allied rebels this week. On Friday, they pushed west of the M5 motorway which connects Syria's four largest cities and is economically vital for the government. In an attempt to consolidate a 'security belt' around the road, they seized a key base on Friday that they had lost to rebels in 2012, the Observatory said. The Russian-backed offensive has triggered the largest wave of displacement in the nine-year conflict, with 800,000 people fleeing since December, according to the United Nations. Syrians were seen rushing to support Turkish troops in Idlib province today after the country deployed equipment and troops to the region in an attempt to halt Assad's military advances The burning helicopter falls from the sky in footage published by the Syrian rebels today Tuesday's attack came a day after five Turkish soldiers were killed in a government attack - prompting Ankara to retaliate with strikes on 115 government positions. On Wednesday, Erdogan threatened to strike Syrian regime forces 'everywhere' if his soldiers were harmed. Turkey fears an influx of displaced people across its border with Syria and has boosted its own military presence in the region. Russia, which supports Assad, has accused Turkey of flouting agreements it made with Moscow. Opposition fighters say Syria and Russia have adopted a 'scorched earth campaign' that drove them from areas along the highway. The footage published by the Syrian National Coalition showed it coming down some way behind a building at the side of a road This footage was published by Syria's opposition forces today as they announced that they had shot down a helicopter belonging to the Assad regime Activists say Russian warplanes were behind an airstrike on the main hospital in Ariha village in late January that killed at least 10 people. Moscow denies this. The shrinking rebel pocket is home to some three million people, nearly half of whom have already been displaced from other parts of the country. It is dominated by jihadists of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance and their rebel allies. Over the past few years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has given fans some of the most epic films in history, such as "Avengers: Endgame" and "Spider-Man: Far From Home" to name a few. If you think that the media franchise could not get any better, then think again, as this year MCU will have its very own and first-ever gay superhero. Would not it be lively to tell your grandkids in the future that the first-ever gay superhero was introduced in your generation? The year 2020 is indeed the beginning of a new era, and the universe is ready for it. Marvel fans belonging in the LGBTQ+ community can finally rejoice, as they now have their representation in the character of Phastos. This new development was confirmed by "Eternals" actor Haaz Sleiman. During an interview with NewNowNext, the 43-year-old Lebanese-American actor discussed his character in the openly-gay superhero movie "Eternals." He revealed that he would play the role of Phastos' husband. "I just shot a Marvel film with the first openly gay superhero, The Eternals. I'm married to the gay superhero Phastos," Sleiman said. "We represent a gay family and have a child." While Sleiman failed to say the name of his character, he gladly named the actor who will have a huge responsibility of playing the first-ever gay superhero. It is no other than Brian Tyree Henry, who is famous for his role as "Paper Boi: in the FX hit comedy-drama series "Atlanta." Meanwhile, Sleiman is in the mood to give juicy deets about the film. When asked if fans can expect the movie to feature Marvel's first on-screen gay kiss, the actor responded with a resounding "Oh, yeah! Absolutely!" "And it's a beautiful, very moving kiss. Everyone cried on set," he added. Speaking about the first gay superhero kiss, Sleiman did not forget to credit the beautiful scene to his on-screen partner, Henry. "For me, it's very important to show how loving and beautiful a queer family can be. Brian Tyree Henry is such a tremendous actor and brought so much beauty into this part," Sleiman added. The "Dorfman in Love" actor also shared how he saw a child's heart in Henry's eyes while working with him. "I think it's important for the world to be reminded that we in the queer community were all children at one point," Sleiman said. "We forget that because we're always depicted as sexual or rebellious. We forget to connect on that human part." "Eternals" movie is expected to hit the theaters this year. Aside from the much-anticipated character of Phastos, the film will also introduce a whole new team of MCU superheroes played by a star-studded cast, including Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek. Apart from "Eternals," MCU is also set to release Scarlet Johansson's "Black Widow" in cinemas this year. Get ready, Marvel fans! This will be a fun 2020! Angered by the gruesome and dastardly treatment, resulting to the death of late Nurse Ruth Ama Eshun of the Sewua Health Centre, Parliament has called for swift justice, and intensified investigation to bring the perpetrators to book. The late nurse, 30, a married woman, and mother of three children, was reportedly robbed, raped and killed and left in a pool of blood on Monday, February 3, 2020 by unknown assailants at Ayuom in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region. Reports indicated that Ruth was spotted leaving Sewua Health Centre located in the Bosomtwe District in the Ashanti Region, where she worked at about 1500 hours on Monday, February 3, 2020. Her family and neighbors became alarmed after she failed to return home later that day and was reported missing by her worried husband. She was, however, discovered lifeless the following morning at about 100 metres from her home. The crime scene later set ablaze by unknown assailants, of whom one person has been arrested. The House, in contributions by members after statements by Dr Kwabena Twum-Nuamah, Chairman of Parliament Committee of Health and MP for Berekum East; and Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Ranaking Member of the Health Committee and MP for Juaboso recounted the paramount role of community health nurses in deprived areas of Ghana, calling for the swift response to bring the malefactors to book. According to Dr Twum-Nuamah, the hearts of the staff of the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association,the Ministry of Health and the entire nation were broken for the Nurses murder; making it more challenging to achieve Universal Health Coverage as the incident would cause health workers not to accept postings to deprived areas. He called on the State to assuage the fears of health workers by apprehending the perpetrators and making them face the full force of the law. Additionally, the House should invite the Minister of Interior to brief the House on security arrangements for health workers, especially for those in deprived area, the MP urged, and further appealed to the Chiefs and People in the area to volunteer vital information to apprehend killers. Mr Speaker, just as the blood of Abel cried for justice from the Almighty God after he was murdered by his brother Cain, so the blood of our departed colleague cries for justice from her country Ghana. The State should not fail her. Mr Akandoh, quoting English poet and playwright William Shakespeare described the death as murder most foul, strange and unnatural. He observed that the huge amount of state resources pumped into the training of health workers by successive governments, adding that the nation desperately needed more of such health workers. Nurse Ruth Ama Eshun is already gone, but she cannot be denied justice, Mr Akandoh said. Other contributions that came from Mr James Agalga, a former Deputy Minister of the Interior; Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie , MP Effiduase/Asokore; Ms Laadi Ayamba, MP for Pusiga praised community health nurses for their contribution to health delivery. They condoled with the bereaved family and called for swift justice for the late Nurse Ruth Ama Eshun. What we seek is justice, and it must be swift, Dr Afriyie said. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. 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. A bill championed by legislators and student advocates aimed at creating a statewide sexual misconduct climate survey for all Connecticut colleges is drawing opposition from several of the states schools for its broad mandates and lack of flexibility. The act, announced Thursday at a press conference in Hartford, would also mandate that when reporting alleged assault, stalking or violence, students would not face disciplinary action for violating school policies, including those related to alcohol, drugs or other banned substances, as long as that violation did not put another persons health or safety at risk. A survey of 33 colleges from the American Association of Universities released in October found that 13 percent of students reported non-consensual sexual conduct, either by physical force or inability to consent, since they began college. Women and transgender, genderqueer and non-binary students reported significantly higher rates than men. The act is intended to get the best information we can from students about what theyre experiencing on college campuses, so we can continually assess our own guidelines, Rep. Gregg Haddad, D-Mansfield, said. And we can also work to lower the barriers to reporting sexual assault, intimate partner violence and sexual harassment on college campuses. Three other Democratic legislators spoke in support of the bill, as well as Sen. Tony Hwang, R-Fairfield. SB 19 creates a tool that measures how students perceive prevention efforts and the prevalence of sexual misconduct on their campuses. This understanding can only aid in ongoing prevention and response efforts, said Bridget Koestner, Campus Services Coordinator for the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence. The organization also supports the amnesty provision, because it ensures that students will have the confidence to report if they do not fear disciplinary action from the university or college, she said. Alison Hagani, a student at Brandeis University who is from Connecticut, told legislators at a public hearing that her school started conducting climate surveys in 2015, and has since been able to adjust their sexual assault prevention and response programs based on the responses. We use the results to better direct our services, said Hagani, who is the Connecticut Director of Advocacy for the Every Voice Coalition, a Massachusetts student organization that advocated for the bill. Representatives of the states two largest institutions, UConn and Yale, testified against a uniform statewide survey, calling for giving colleges more flexibility and autonomy. No single instrument is appropriate for every school, Lily Svenson, Director of Yales Office of Institutional Research, said. Yale currently conducts a climate survey every four years, most recently in 2019. Instead of a task force creating the survey, she recommended that the group develop guiding principles and provide a road map for institutions to choose their own surveys and analyze the results, Svenson said. UConn, which is in agreement with Yale on the issue, has previously attempted to design its own climate survey, but ultimately decided to use one that had already been externally created and validated, said Professor Jennifer Dineen, director of the schools graduate program in survey research. That effort entailed a significant cost in terms of personnel, time and resources, she said. We are concerned about the existing language that mandates one specific survey tool be designed for all institutions, which are diverse in size, scope and mission, Jennifer Widness, President of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, said in written testimony. Yale, UConn and CCIC all advocated in favor of surveying students every four years, rather than every two years, as is currently proposed in the bill. Widness raised similar concerns about the broad amnesty provision, writing that some of our member institutions have concerns with the breadth of the provision laid out in this bill, the lack of discretion it gives institutions for extenuating circumstances and the notion of having this concept mandated in statute in the form prescribed. Currently, colleges have the freedom to set their own policies for amnesty when adjudicating sexual misconduct cases. We do know theres a relationship between concern about drug and alcohol use as a potential barrier to reporting sexual misconduct, UConn Title IX Coordinator Elizabeth Conklin said. Thats well-established in national research and our own climate surveys bear that out. She said the university has a long-standing practice, under our Good Samaritan statement, of not pursuing any sort of disciplinary action for sort of minor alcohol and other drug violations, from folks who are reporting sexual misconduct or participating as witnesses. The language currently proposed in the law is slightly broader than what most schools currently have, Conklin said. Thats a conversation were engaging in, to ensure that the law isnt too broad or too narrow, she said. Under Yale Universitys policy, any student who reports in good faith that they witnessed or were the victim of sexual misconduct will not face disciplinary charges for being under the influence of alcohol or prohibited substances at the time of the incident. Svenson and Dr. Stephanie Spangler, Yales Title IX Coordinator, said in their written testimony that the university is continuing to assess its own policy to determine whether the potential for discipline resulting from other types of coincident conduct may pose a barrier to reporting. However, until that more specific information is available, we recommend avoiding the inclusion of the general and broad amnesty provision suggested in SB 19, they wrote. Liz.Teitz@hearstmediact.com 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. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., speaks during the Higher Education Forum College Costs & Debt in the 2020 Elections on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, at the University of New Hampshire in Concord, N.H. He withdrew from the race five days later after a disappointing finish in the state's primary. Every day at 7 a.m., Diana and Allan Chow wake up on a cruise ship. One hour later, people come to their door and drop off food for breakfast. About 15 minutes later, different people arrive to leave drinks. Every time Allan Chow opens the door and comes in contact with another person outside their room on the Diamond Princess in Japan, he meets them with a mask, chats a little, shuts the door and goes directly to the bathroom to wash his hands. Every second day, passengers on the quarantined ship are allowed to leave their cabin for one hour, as long as they havent been coughing, he told the Star in an interview Friday. The condition is almost like youre in a jail cell. Youre not allowed to go anywhere, youre not allowed to talk to anyone, and basically you are isolated, he said. Thats it. We are confined to our own bedroom. The Scarborough couple, along with the other 3,500-plus travellers, have been stuck aboard the cruise ship which has been docked in Yokohama. The cruise set sail on Jan. 20, but has been in quarantine since Feb. 4 after a passenger, who disembarked from the cruise in Hong Kong, had contracted the new coronavirus. The 14-day quarantine is expected to end Feb. 19. Between bits of sleep, watching TV, talking to relatives, and reading news about the virus named COVID-19 around the world, Chow said she and her family are just trying to stay calm. Nothing can cheer us up sitting in this room, she said. Theres no level of comfort that Diamond Princess can give us to make us be more comfortable. They said cleaners have stopped cleaning, but sheets and towels are delivered. The couple spend much of their time wiping down the surfaces of everything in their room. Because there are so many people on board, theres only a certain time of the day that passengers can leave their room. So what they have done is done a schedule that they will say cabin, what level, what cabin number, from what to what can go at this time for an hour, and then you have to return by say 11 oclock, she said. She said they are afraid to go out for a walk, even when they are allowed to. My husband and I afraid to leave our cabin because we are afraid that the germs are not clear and floating outside the hallway, she said. My husband and I are afraid to go for a walk and if were unfortunate to get infected, then our chance of leaving Japan is slim. Japan (which hosts the 2020 summer Olympics starting July 24) is worried the virus might spread in the country if the passengers are allowed to disembark. But some aboard the ship believe that keeping the passengers onboard puts them more at risk of getting the virus and are urging Ottawa to step in to help. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said the government is monitoring the well-being of the 285 Canadians onboard the ship. Twelve Canadians have contracted the virus and have been moved to Japanese health facilities, Champagne said, noting that at least three required to be sent to hospital. Champagne said Canadian health workers are assisting in Japan. In total, 218 people have tested positive for the disease, making the cruise ship the biggest concentration of confirmed cases outside of mainland China, according to the World Health Organization. Allan Chow said he and his wife have been in contact with Scarborough-Agincourt MP Jean Yip. For Allan Chow, the bar has been set on how Canada should be handling their emergency situation. If the Trudeau government can send a plane to Wuhan to pick up all these people from there, he said, they can do the same thing for us. Champagne said emergency response teams and consular officials are in Japan to make sure Canadians are receiving the help they need, dispatching health officials to Japan to co-ordinate with local public health authorities. 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. Correction Feb. 14, 2020: This article was edited from a previous version to update an incorrect headline that referred to the cruise ship as Japanese. With files from The Canadian Press David Venn is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @davidvenn_ Ilya Banares is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @ilyaoverseas Read more about: There were not any U.S. media backlash against the decision of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to step down as senior members of the royal family. Settling into their new life in Canada to raise their child and away from the spotlight, Americans were most of the time sympathetic to the couple. Americans understood that they needed time and space because Markle was American. However, one journalist -- together with the rest of the other media members and royal fans -- have turned their backs on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Put simply, they were not happy about the two attending a JP Morgan event last week and rubbing elbows with billionaires instead of focusing on their charities. Prince Harry and Meghan were criticized for selling their goods and services "to the highest bidder," which has been even more highlighted when a video of Prince Harry pleading the Disney CEO to hire his wife to become a voiceover actress re-surfaced recently. Maureen Callahan of the New York Post made her readers realize that perhaps for appearances' sake, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should have held out a little longer. But they did not. In her opinion-article entitled "It didn't take long for Harry and Meghan to prove they are hypocrites," she called the royals a bunch of "freeloaders." She said they are cashing in on their royal identity without having to perform duties required for them to do and be criticized for not even pretending to live up to their green credentials. "And since decamping Britain, they've been freeloading, staying indefinitely at a $14 million Vancouver mansion and Serena Williams' Palm Beach estate during a recent trip to Florida," Callahan wrote. Callahan then mentioned what she felt about Prince Harry allegedly cashing in millions to talk about someone's death, particularly his mother, Princess Diana, who died when the Prince was only 12 years old. "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," the journalist wrote. Speaking about Princess Diana's work to change the public's attitude toward AIDS, Callahan stated how the princess used her profile to fuel important activism. "She was doing things no royal had ever done - handhold and hug and kiss those dying from the disease." Callahan also mentioned that the late Princess of Wales would never exploit her royal credentials to make a profitable brand like SussexRoyal. "SussexRoyal?! Diana would never." For her, Prince Harry is just another "hustler" wanting to make a "buck." She added that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex showed "no scruples, no self-awareness, and no shame," quickly running away from their royal duties because they could not handle it. In addition, Columnist Piers Morgan wrote on The Daily Mail that Prince Harry wants to "become a royal Kardashian" while keeping his wife happy. Morgan wrote that while the readers thought that a $500,000 star-studded baby shower in NY and $3 million in refurbishing a house were inappropriate, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were busy urging people on their Twitter account to pay more attention to poor people. Morgan was the first to slam the Duke and Duchess' appearance at the JP Morgan summit in an article. He said that while the couple claimed they quit the royal family for "peace, privacy and time," they just wanted the "freedom to exploit Diana's death for millions of dollars from environment-destroying bankers." Vincentians of all ages and walks of life turned out to pay their respects to Nurse Arianna. Inset: Adrianna Taylor-Israel. A Memorial Service was held last Wednesday at the R.C. St. Marys Cathedral, for Cuban-born nurse Adrianna Taylor-Israel. Taylor-Israel was shot in the yard of the St. Martins Secondary School, on Thursday 30th January, just after school was dismissed at 3pm. She had gone to the school to pick up the elder of her two sons. She died an hour or so after arriving at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, where she was assigned. Her husband of 15 years, 57-year-old Civil Servant Mitchell Israel, has been charged for her murder. There was, as expected, an outpouring of grief at Wednesdays Memorial, interspersed with a number of tributes. The SVG Association of Cuban Residents, in their statement, said that the deceased pledged allegiance to her adopted homeland as she did to her own country, Cuba. She was recognized for her love of music and dancing, and was willing to go the extra mile. "She was a loving and protective mother, totally committed to her two boys, said a representative from the Association, who added that her prayer and her hope were that "Ariannas death would serve as a wake-up call in this community .. to those who are suffering in silence. A call to stand, a call to speak and a call to act. Other tributes came from the SVG Nurses Association of which Taylor-Israel was an active member, and the Starlift Steel Orchestra to which the deceaseds two sons were affiliated. A number of Ministers of Government were in attendance, but Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves was noticeably absent. He did, however, have a statement delivered on his behalf by his wife Eloise. In it he said, inter alia, that Arianna was a distinguished member of the nursing profession, a magnificent mother, a devoted and loyal spouse, and an exceptional human being whose violent death shocked the nation; that he first got to know Taylor in December, 2001 shortly after she and other Cuban nurses arrived in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on a two-year assignment; that she fell in love with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and worked tirelessly for the Vincentian people, and also fell in love with a Vincentian man whom she eventually married; that he will never forget Arianna. The Prime Minister expressed condolences on behalf of the government and people of SVG. Scripture readings at the Service were done by Ariannas close friend Deirdre Millington-Myers and by Dr. Aimee Mercedes Duharte Taylor, sister. Taylor-Israels body was expected to be cremated. The Supreme Court on Friday sought response from the Jammu and Kashmir administration on a plea filed by Sara Abdullah Pilot challenging the detention of her brother and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah under the Public Safety Act. A bench of justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee issued notice to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Pilot's plea and posted the matter for further hearing on March 2. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Pilot, told the apex court that it is a habeas corpus petition and Omar has been kept in detention since August 4 last year. Habeas corpus is a writ seeking production of person, who has allegedly been in illegal detention, before a court. "He was in detention under section 107 of the CrPC. Now, he has been detained under the PSA," Sibal said. To this, the bench asked him, "What are the grounds of detention? Let us see." Sibal referred to the dossier handed over to Omar by the Superintendent of Police and said the grounds of detention are already mentioned there. He said the dossier claimed that Omar has been detained under the PSA to avoid statements by the political leader, prevent violence and maintenance of law and order. "Has any petition been filed in the Jammu and Kashmir high court by anybody on your behalf? Verify whether anything is pending there," the bench told Sibal and asked him to file an affidavit in this regard. The senior advocate told the court that nobody has filed anything in the high court on their behalf and the bench can record his statement on this. "No counter affidavit is required in the matter as grounds of detention are already there," he said. After issuing notice, the bench said the matter will be heard after three weeks. Sibal urged the court that the matter be heard next week as it is a habeas corpus petition concerning liberty of an individual. When Sibal said that it would delay the matter, the bench said, "You have waited for so long. Wait for 15more days. Sibal said there was no delay on their part as Omar was in detention since August last year. "She (Sara) has not waited for one year. He was in detention. He is now in preventive detention under the PSA. Kindly have it next week. It is a fresh detention order," he said. To this, the bench said, "It can't be heard overnight. Sorry." While talking to reporters after the hearing, Pilot said all Kashmiris should have the same rights as other citizens of the country. She said she was hopeful of an early hearing as it was "a habeas corpus case and the relief would be sooner". She said that she and her family had full faith in the justice system. "We are here because we want all Kashmiris should have the same rights as the citizens of India and we are waiting for that day," she said and did not take any further questions from journalists. Pilot had on February 10 approached the apex court challenging her brother's detention under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, saying the order was "manifestly illegal" and there was no question of him being a "threat to the maintenance of public order". The plea sought quashing of the February 5 order detaining Omar, who was chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir from 2009-14, under the PSA and also 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". The plea said that on the intervening night of August 4-5, 2019, Omar 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 it. 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 claim 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, 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. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jess Eva broke down in tears on live radio on Friday, after discovering that she had allowed her children to swim in contaminated river water. She insisted on Triple M's Moonman in the Morning that the Parramatta River was safe to swim in, but experts at the Sydney Environmental and Soil Laboratory (SESL) say otherwise. SESL announced on Friday that the Parramatta River has unsafe amounts of enterococci, a fecal bacteria that can cause cholera. 'We've been swimming in feces!' Jess Eva (pictured) broke down in tears on live radio on Friday, after discovering that she had allowed her children to swim in contaminated river water The former Block contestant, 35, said that locals had told her the river was safe to swim in, despite never seeing anybody else in the water. 'We've got some news for you, Jess. We've taken a sample of the Parramatta River, where you go swimming outside your house with your children,' radio host Lawrence Mooney said. 'We've got the results back from [the] SESL treatment lab in Thornleigh. They did a complete environmental assessment and found abnormally high levels of enterococci.' Big mistake: The former Block contestant, 35, said that locals had told her the Parramatta River was safe to swim in, despite never seeing anybody else in the water 'Now this means that, Jess, you and your children are swimming in an unsafe amount of fecal bacteria,' he added. Lawrence went on to explain that the fecal bacteria, which could be 'human or animal', has reached 'unsafe' levels. 'SESL has officially recommended no one swim in the Parramatta river whatsoever,' he told listeners. Wake up call: Triple M host Lawrence Mooney (pictured) told Jess that the Sydney Environmental and Soil Laboratory (SESL) had found unsafe amounts of enterococci, a fecal bacteria that can cause cholera, in the Parramatta River 'Why aren't there signs?' Jess asked, as she broke down in tears. 'Well you can make one up yourself,' Lawrence replied. He continued: 'The scientists have expressed how dangerous it is for children and elderly people as their immune systems are more likely to be compromised by this bacteria.' Horrifying discovery: 'Why aren't there signs?' Jess asked, as she broke down in tears Lawrence jokingly warned Jess that he would be alerting child safety authorities. 'Well, we are going to be speaking to DOCS and have your children taken off you!' he said, clearly enjoying the moment. 'Swimming in the river, it's not life threatening, but it is possible you could contract cholera. Cholera is a devastating, horrific disease.' Terrifying: Jess unwittingly exposed her children to cholera by allowing them to swim in the Parramatta River He added that cholera can result in 'sunken eyes, decreased skin elasticity and wrinkling of the hands and feet'. 'It's basically an infection of the small intestine that kills you through dehydration,' he said, as a tearful Jess listened in shock. 'We've been swimming in feces...' she wept. Triple M's Sydney lineup: Jess (centre) is pictured with her Moonman in the Morning co-hosts Chris Page (left) and Lawrence Mooney (right) While her children haven't experienced any health problems, Jess' colleagues begged her to keep them out of the water. Lawrence joked that SESL's results mean it's 'safer to go to our toilets here on a Monday morning' than it is to swim in the Parramatta River. 'Why don't you take a dump in the bath, put them in that?' he concluded. (Bloomberg) -- Parasite director Bong Joon Ho is getting support from unexpected quarters in the wake of the films historic Academy Awards triumph: South Korean conservatives. Since Bong became the first director of a foreign-language film to hoist a Best Picture Oscar on Sunday, conservative politicians have been rushing to lionize the filmmaker. One candidate seeking election in the countrys upcoming parliamentary election has proposed naming a street after Bong and erecting statues to him and his characters. Another proposed building a film museum in his hometown. The calls are surprising if only because theyre coming from members of South Koreas opposition Liberty Korea Party, the successor group that backed former President Park Geun-hye. Parks staff maintained a blacklist that denied state funding to artists such as Bong and more than 9,000 other cultural figures critical of the government. The attempt to capitalize on Parasites groundbreaking Oscars success highlights a problem facing the LKP as it attempts to take the National Assembly back from President Moon Jae-ins Democratic Party in the April general elections. A recent Korea Gallup poll showed 31% of the voters were undecided while 36% supported the ruling Democratic Party and 20% for the Liberty Korea Party, which voters historically associate with the pro-conglomerate policies widely blamed for the social inequality given global exposure by Bongs film. Class and Inequality Parasite tells the story of the poor Kim family whose son Ki-wu gets a job teaching English to the daughter of a tech executive named Park Dong-ik. The rest of the family then scheme to secure jobs in the wealthy household by inflating their qualifications and pretending theyre not related. Concerns with class and inequality fueled mass protests in 2016 that led to Park Geun-hyes impeachment and subsequent ouster and propelled Moon into power the next year. While Moons administration has since been hit by its own corruption scandals, allegations that the Park administration excluded artists including Bong from state funding complicate any opposition hopes of scoring points from his victory. Story continues Bong was among 9,473 artists and cultural figures blacklisted for voicing criticism of how the administration handled the Sewol ferry sinking in 2014, according to South Koreas culture ministry. Also on the list was CJ Groups Miky Lee, a relentless advocate for Bong who shared the Oscar stage Sunday and who the Park administration pressured the company to demote. That hasnt stopped LPK candidates from trying to leverage Bongs status as a symbol of South Korean soft power. Kwak Sang-do, who was once Parks senior presidential secretary for civil affairs and later served on the National Assemblys cultural committee, pledged to expand cultural facilities in Bongs hometown of Daegu. Act of Desperation Another conservative candidate, Bae Young-shik, suggested erecting a statue of Bong, naming a street after him, as well as restoring his birth home. The U.S., Russia, and Europe do not hold back on investing to honor their artists, politicians, academics, and scientists by making streets and erecting statues, Bae told the DongA Ilbo newspaper. We must support making Bongs national contributions known all over the nationwide and worldwide. Still, its unclear how many points such proposals will score with voters. This is an act of desperation by the South Korean conservatives, cultural critic Chin Jung-kwon wrote on Facebook. They are trying to free-ride on director Bong Joon Hos glorious victory -- thats some gall. To contact the reporter on this story: Jihye Lee in Seoul at jlee2352@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Niluksi Koswanage at nkoswanage@bloomberg.net, Brendan Scott, Peter Pae 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. US President Donald Trump on his maiden trip to India will meet the country's top business leaders here on February 25, in a bid to push for deeper trade and business relations between the two nations, sources said on Friday. A CEO's Round-table will be organised to facilitate a meeting between the US President and corporate honchos from the world's fifth-largest economy in the national capital. Senior bureaucrats are also expected to attend the meeting, besides top executives from American corporations. Billionaires including Reliance Industries CMD Mukesh Ambani, Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, Larsen and Toubro Chairman A M Naik and Biocon CMD Kiran Mazumdar Shaw are expected to attend the round-table meeting with Trump, one of the sources said adding that the US Embassy in New Delhi is coordinating the event while the list of attendees has been shared with the White House for clearance. The Confederation of Indian Industry and US-India business bodies have suggested the names of Indian executives for the Trump meeting, which are being reviewed currently, another source said. Microsoft Corp has announced that its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Satya Nadella will also visit India later this month. While the company confirmed the visit of the top executive, it did not give details about his itinerary. At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump is slated to travel to India on February 24 and 25. Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' on Friday visited the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati and urged its students and researchers to convert India to a strong and vibrant nation in the world. The minister asked the IIT students to give priority to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative and focus on innovation and research. Pokhriyal dedicated to the nation some of the technologies developed at the IIT Guwahati. The technologies include a method to remove fluoride, iron, arsenic and microorganisms from contaminated drinking water; a non-invasive therapeutic option for treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and an affordable milk testing kit. The minister inaugurated the newly constructed Estate Building and the NRL Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Materials and visited its various laboratories. In another programme, Pokhriyal interacted with school students and aksed them to prepare themselves for a strong tomorrow by contributing to the nation's development. Interacting with 1,200 students from various schools of Guwahati during a 'Yuva Sambaad' session organized by the Central Board of Secondary (CBSE), he asked them to have patience while staying focused to achieve success in life. The Union minister told them that India is a nation enriched with knowledge from ancient times and known globally as a country of rich heritage and culture. Terming students as "warriors of the nation", he urged them to contribute to the nation's development. Pokhriyal also replied to many of the students' queries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sugar Land police believe a man shot and killed his wife and 11-year-old son Tuesday before driving to San Marcos, where he assaulted his adult daughter and fatally shot himself outside a business elsewhere in Guadalupe County, police said Thursday. Richard James Logan, 53, and Diana Lynn Logan, 48, had lived with the child in 85200 block of Evening Light Drive. Early Tuesday, at 6:30 a.m., Guadalupe County authorities informed Sugar Land police that they found Richard Logan's body outside a business, dead from what appeared to be suicide. Sugar Land officers throughout the morning tried to enter the home on Evening Light to notify the family about the man's death. They couldn't get inside until 1 p.m., when a family friend called a neighbor to open the door, police said. They found the woman and child's body inside. Police said Thursday they believe Richard Logan drove to San Marcos and physically assaulted his adult daughter, who attends college there. The assault was not reported to police. Richard Logan reportedly shot himself at another location in the county, but Sugar Land police could not provide an exact spot. The gun recovered at the scene of his death is believed to be the same one used to kill his wife and son, police said. Forensic tests are pending. Logan worked as the Chief Executive Officer for Attack Poverty, a nonprofit created in 2011 that offers community programs such as home repair initiatives, ESL classes and job readiness training. "The Attack Poverty family is in shock to learn of the tragedy involving our Chief Executive Officer, Richard Logan and his family," according to a notice at the top of the company's website. "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." Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com Jammu, Feb 14 : As part of a pre-event activity for the upcoming J&K Global Investors Summit-2020 to be held in Srinagar and Jammu, road shows have been scheduled from February 17 onwards in major cities across the country. Each road show will focus on showcasing the specific sectors for seeking investments in J&K. J&K Chief Secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam on Friday chaired the second apex committee meeting to review the preparations for the event. The road shows will be held in Bengaluru and Kolkata on February 17, Mumbai on February 21, Hyderabad on March 2, Chennai on March 5 and Ahmedabad on March 9. Senior officials and dignitaries will preside over the pre-event functions slated during the road shows to set the stage for the main summit. International road shows are also being planned to attract foreign investment. Besides, mini conclaves will be held at Srinagar and Jammu in March. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with interested investors will also form a part of the road shows and the main summit. While reviewing the preparedness of various pre-event activities, the Chief Secretary laid emphasis on ensuring participation of major industry players for enhanced awareness among investors to project J&K as an investment friendly region. Subrahmanyam said the summit will prove to be a gala event and will be a determining factor in ushering J&K as an industrial hub. CAIRO Following President Donald Trumps rollout Jan. 28 of the US peace plan known as the deal of the century, Cairo has geared up to join the ensuing negotiations and talks. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held a meeting at Al-Ittihadiyah Palace Feb. 1 to discuss the plan. During the meeting, Sisi confidently stressed Egypts support of the Palestinian issue and of the establishment of an independent state in the occupied Palestinian territories as per international legitimacy. Sisi said there is no alternative to direct negotiations between the parties to the conflict in order to reach a settlement. In turn, Abbas expressed his appreciation of Egypts sincere efforts and endeavors in supporting the Palestinian issue, praising Cairos historical and unchanging role in this direction. In a meeting of the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah Jan. 28, following the announcement of Washingtons deal, Abbas announced his rejection of the plan, calling it the slap of the century, saying he refuses to take part in any negotiations that are based on it. In the same vein, during its emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo Feb. 1, the Arab League also rejected Trumps deal, stating it will not lead to a just peace agreement. Palestinians reject the current situation because it does not fulfill their aspirations and effectively places them under occupation, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said. In a Jan. 28 statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry called on Palestinians and Israelis to carefully consider the US plan to achieve peace and open channels of dialogue so as to resume negotiations under US auspices, in a bid to reach an agreement that would live up to the aspirations and hopes of both sides. Egypts first response to the deal seemed somehow contradictory to its official stance on the Palestinian struggle. Cairo did not explicitly call for negotiations on the basis of the deal of the century, but rather for a careful study of the plan followed by direct negotiations. The presidential statement and the foreign ministers speech at the Arab League clearly show that any negotiations called upon by Egypt should be based on an Arab vision and according to international legitimacy, Ahmad Youssef Ahmad, a professor of politics at Cairo University and former dean of the Institute of Arab Research and Studies, told Al-Monitor. During the Arab League Foreign Ministers emergency meeting, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry delivered a speech reiterating Cairos unwavering support for the just Palestinian cause and the legitimate Palestinian leadership. Shoukry insisted on the need to establish peace and reach a settlement that would restore all the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The first statement of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry was kind of confusing and incomplete as it failed to stress the right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. It did not clearly reject the US deal but rather called on both sides to carefully study it and later engage in direct negotiations. This is not a problem because negotiations have always been Egypts approach to the issue. But the statement that was disclosed to the public did not stress Egypts stance on the need to establish an independent state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, Ahmad explained. Rakha Hassan, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, told Al-Monitor via phone that Shoukrys speech at the Arab League meeting, in which he affirmed the right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state, is more reflective of the official Egyptian position on the Palestinian issue than the previous Egyptian statement that was issued right after the announcement of the deal of the century. The position of Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon on the Palestinian issue has a security association, given that Israel is an expansionist state located on the borders of these countries, he added. Hassan explained that said countries are preoccupied with their internal and domestic struggles, which caused them to be less invested in the Palestinian issue as a priority matter in the past recent period, allowing other countries such as the United States to have a bigger role to this effect. During its meeting Feb. 3 in Jeddah, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation announced its total rejection of Washingtons peace plan, which Palestinians consider to be aimed at denying all their legitimate rights and ending their cause. Tariq Fahmy, a professor of politics at Cairo University, told Al-Monitor that Egypts stance on the deal of the century is very important and the meeting between Sisi and Abbas was good Cairo relayed the message that it will stand by the Palestinian negotiators before the United Nations. Fahmy said Jordan and Egypt share the same stance on the Palestinian issue and Palestinians need Cairos experience when it comes to negotiations, suggesting the need for an Arab peace plan to be negotiated as an alternative to the US deal. Egypt plays a vital role in supporting the Palestinian cause and sponsoring the Palestinian talks, which have been held repeatedly in Cairo since November 2002, in a bid to achieve reconciliation between the Palestinian factions. This is in addition to Egypts financial and humanitarian support for Palestinians, according to the Egypt State Information Service. Meanwhile, Mustafa Kamel al-Sayed, a professor at the American University in Cairo, told Al-Monitor that Egypt did not reject Trumps plan outright because it attaches major importance to its relations with the United States, especially since the latter has played a major role in mediating with Ethiopia to solve the Renaissance Dam issue. The Egyptian government did not object to the US plan, but in its Foreign Ministrys statement it called on both sides of the conflict to study it carefully, he added. We believe that the negotiation process with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs should be maintained because it is an exceptional format where Russia, the United States, and France cooperate. It is thanks to this cooperation that the relative stability of the region has been maintained for over 25 years. Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this yesterday at the discussion that was held at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung) in Berlin. As for the EU assistance to these talks to achieve a resolution to the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) conflict, Pashinyan said: "It is said that there are problems with the status of Karabakh, and that is why EU human rights institutions, civil society institutions abstain from cooperation. Does anyone say that the issue of protection and development of human rights of the people living in Karabakh does not fit into the context of human rights protection, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press? This is a very strange position, and I hope that, yes, EU countries can assist this process. " Pashinyan emphasized that democracy is one of the most important components for resolving the Karabakh conflict. "It is democracy that will bring about the resolution of conflicts in the region, as it happened in Europe," the Armenian Prime Minister said. It is a product of democracy that the President of Armenia can say that, yes, the settlement of the issue must be acceptable to the peoples of Armenia, Karabakh, and Azerbaijan. Why doesn't Azerbaijan make such a logical statement? " Referring to the remark by an Azerbaijani journalist that he is originally from Jabrayil but cannot go to his home, Nikol Pashinyan responded: You know, there is a Shahumyan region where Armenians lived until 1990. Today thousands of residents of Shahumyan cannot go to their home because Shahumyan was subjected to ethnic cleansing. The situation we have today, the status quo that exists today, is just the result of one thing: the Armenians of Karabakh wanted and want to defend their right to live." A 60-year old villager was killed and four others were injured on Friday when Pakistan army engaged in heavy mortar shelling and firing on civilian areas and forward posts along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said. Pakistan army targeted civilians when they were heading towards a mosque to offer Friday prayers in Shahpur hamlet along the Line of Control (Loc), they said. Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire and launched mortar shells and fired from small arms on villages and forward posts along the LoC in Shahpur and Kerni areas of the district, the officials said. They used 120 mm mortars to target villages, the officials added. A mortar shell exploded near a mosque, killing one civilian and injuring four others, they said. The officials said Indian Army guarding the borderline retaliated befittingly to the Pakistani shelling. The exchange of fire was going on when the reports last came in, they said. The deceased was identified as Badar Din of Shahpur, the officials said, adding two among the injured were identified as Mohmmad Shabir (32) and Imtaiz Ahmed (33). The injured have been shifted to the district hospital, they said. Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, Rahul Yadav and SSP Ramesh Angral visited the hospital Poonch and met the injured persons undergoing treatment there. Yadav announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh to the family of the deceased and Rs 5,000 each to the injured persons out of the Red Cross, a statement issued said. A soldier was killed and three others were injured on Saturday last when Pakistani army violated the ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing of small arms and mortar shelling along the LoC in Poonch district, the officials said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 20 times, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry on Feb. 14. 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 districts. 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 districts. Gopal Krishna Madhav, the officer on special duty (OSD) to Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, moved a Delhi court Friday seeking bail in a bribery case alleging that the CBI has failed to gather evidence against him and was pressuring him to sign blank papers to implicate senior GST officials. Madhav was produced before Special Judge Santosh Snehi Mann after expiry of his CBI custody. The court, which remanded him in judicial custody for 14 days, would hear his bail plea on February 15. The court also sent co-accused Dheeraj Gupta, arrested in the case, to judicial custody till February 28. The CBI had earlier told the court that it has a long list of transporters who were reportedly asked to pay bribe to get GST exemption. According to the CBI, Madhav, posted in the GST department of Delhi government, was arrested on the basis of the information provided by a middleman, who allegedly collected bribes from transporters on his behalf. Madhav, who joined the service as Head Clerk in August 2003 in the Education Department, has posted as officer on special duty (OSD) in Sisodia's office since 2015, the agency said. In his bail plea, filed through advocate S S Pandey, Madhav has alleged that he was arrested on the basis of a "botched up" investigation. The petition stated that it was a "clear case of victimization and over enthusiasm of the CBI officials clearly indicating gross abuse of power to harass a public servant which only indicated complete ignorance of the law, guidelines, rulings and their manual for the steps required before arresting a public servant or such action has been taken with extraneous reasons just a day before the Delhi Assembly elections held on February 8". "The applicant (Madhav) had heard about Dheeraj Gupta to be an informer giving real-time information of the defaulters moving within the jurisdiction of Delhi, GSTO, out of several informers of this kind. The applicant had no idea of the motive of such informers and he did not have any past acquaintance with Gupta. "The CBI, in utter disregard to the procedural safeguards in place as well as in gross violation of his basic fundamental right, has illegally arrested him and for more than a week he is being pressurized to sign blank papers or implicate his superior officers by keeping him in its custody only to present a distorted factual position about the actual events in desperation having failed to gather any evidence to even prima facie connect the applicant with alleged demand as well as acceptance," the plea alleged. It further alleged the CBI was trying to find a "face saving excuse" to avoid the consequences they should face for such "malicious prosecution" by trying to increase the scope in "desperation" by bringing senior officials of the Delhi government in its fold. "It is clear case of the complainant running an illegal syndicate in connivance with the other like-minded elements to evade GST and having confronted with a situation where Madhav was found to be unrelenting to oblige him in such illegal design, a conspiracy was hatched using mindless compliant prosecution agency so that he is uprooted before he settles in his appointment and impedes such illegal activities causing loss to the exchequer," the plea claimed. The case was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by one Joginder Singh, who alleged that Gupta collected about Rs 2 lakh from him for release of one of his vehicles which was impounded by the GST department. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said that Investigation Agency (NIA) failed to nab the culprits of Pulwama terror attack even after a year. She also accused the investigation agency of sheltering suspended Jammu and Kashmir DSP Davinder Singh who was arrested on charges of trying to assist terrorists to travel outside the Union Territory. "No surprises that a year post-Pulwama attack, NIA failed to nab culprits. The same agency is now sheltering it's pawn Davinder Singh who was caught with militants," Mufti tweeted. On February 6, Mufti and Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah were booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Both former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers were detained after the government abrogated Article 370 last year. In December of that year, NC leader Farooq Abdullah's detention was extended for three more months under the PSA. On February 14 last year, around 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives when a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a CRPF convoy on Srinagar-Jammu highway. Nationwide protests erupted against the dastardly terror attack even as the country bid goodbye to its bravehearts. Leaders across the party lines and civil society condemned the attack and called for an appropriate response. Days after the attack, the Indian Air Force on February 26 carried out multiple aerial strikes at JeM terror camps in Pakistan's Balakot, killing a "large number" of terrorists and destroying their infrastructure. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), under the deployment and leadership of the General Secretary Xi Jinping, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government has led the Chinese people in making all-out efforts to fight the epidemic. China has taken the most comprehensive and stringent prevention and control measures to resolutely contain the spread of the virus, effectively protecting the health and safety of the Chinese people as well as people around the world and making important contributions to global public health. Chinas efforts have been highly commended and supported by countries around the world, the WHO and other international organizations. The international community is fully confident in Chinas ability to fight the epidemic in an effective and determined way. Over the past few days, the South African political parties, government, business community, universities and people from all walks of life have all given the thumbs-up to China. They have highly appreciated Chinas extraordinary measures to combat the epidemic, shown firm understanding and support for China and expressed willingness to join hands with China to prevail over the epidemic. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa conveyed condolences and expressed support for Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government and people. He said that South Africa fully understands and highly appreciates the unremitting efforts made by the Chinese government and people to combat the epidemic. He expressed thanks to China for taking care of South African students and nationals in China. South Africa firmly supports China in winning the battle against the epidemic. South Africas ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), and its coalition ally South African Communist Party (SACP) both issued statements in appreciation of Chinas sense of responsibility and supported Chinas efforts to combat the NCP. Chinas swift response and its construction of two specialized hospitals in record time once again speaks volumes about Chinas capability to overcome challenges and the vision of Chinese leadership. The ANC is more confident that China will soon win the battle. As a progressive force, the ANC will always stand and fight side by side with China. South African Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize issued three statements commending Chinas effective control and prevention efforts, which have yielded positive results, and stressed that the SA government does not recommend imposing travel and trade restrictions against China. Leading officials from DIRCO, DTI, South African Revenue Service and other departments have also expressed their admiration for Chinas decisive measures and achievements in fighting the epidemic and expressed their willingness to join hands with China to defeat it. The mayor of Cape Town sent a letter to express his sincere condolences and firm support for China, and wished for an early victory over the epidemic. As Chinese students studying in South Africa will soon return to SA, the Department of Higher Education and Training, the South African International Education Association, and the Association of South African Universities spoke highly of Chinas measures and achievements in epidemic prevention and control, and in response to Chinas initiative, informed the relevant universities to take effective measures at the earliest possible time to protect Chinese students and scholars in South Africa, as well as the Mandarin teachers and volunteers at the Confucius Institutes and classrooms, so as to prevent the epidemic from spreading to South Africa. A number of South African universities and scholars expressed their firm support for China to get through this period of difficulty. Our hearts are always with the Chinese people at this challenging time. We believe that China will win the battle against the epidemic! Look at the determination of the Chinese government. Look at the actions taken by the Chinese government. All of these things are the source of the worlds confidence! The list of touching stories goes on and on. South Africas U-mask company has donated masks to China; drone lighting technology developed by South African scientists provided assistance for the construction of the specialized hospital in Wuhan; a South African doctor named Dr Brett Singh was at the forefront of the fight against the epidemic in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, and a number of schools in South Africa donated medical supplies to China. Go China! China will win! Our friends in South Africa have given the Chinese government and people not only strong support and medical supplies, but also solidarity and strength, as well as strong confidence and firm support. This is a vivid reflection of the friendship and brotherhood between China and South Africa, who will always stand together through thick and thin and offer mutual support in times of adversity. The 17-year-old student, whom the Tribune is not naming because she is a minor, told the Tribune that the teacher approached her during an assembly at the end of January, first asking her if her legs were broken. When the student, a senior, told him that she chose to remain seated because of her beliefs, the teacher got offended," interrupted her and made the remark about her Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Friday said he would help Pakistan stay off FATF blacklist at a meeting of a global finance watchdog, a move he suggested would counter 'political pressure' from Islamabads critics Islamabad: Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan on Friday said he would help Pakistan stay off a terrorism financing blacklist at a meeting of a global finance watchdog, a move he suggested would counter political pressure from Islamabads critics. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which tackles money laundering, told Islamabad late last year that it could face blacklisting if it continued to apply inadequate controls over terrorism financing. The FATF is meeting next week in France, and support from Turkey and longtime allies like China, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia could help Pakistan remain off the blacklist. A minimum of three votes are required for any country to escape the blacklisting. If it joined the blacklist alongside Iran and North Korea, Islamabad would face sanctions and economic setbacks at a time when its economy is struggling with a balance of payment crisis. We will be supporting Pakistan at the Financial Action Task Force meetings, where Pakistan is subject to political pressure, Erdogan told Pakistans parliament a day after he arrived in Islamabad. Notwithstanding India's objection, Erdogan once again raked up the Kashmir issue, vowing that Ankara will support Pakistan's stand as it is a matter of concern to both the countries. Voicing his country's support to Pakistan's stand on the Kashmir issue, he said it can be resolved not through conflict or oppression but on the basis of justice and fairness. "Our Kashmiri brothers and sisters have suffered from inconveniences for decades and these sufferings have become graver due to unilateral steps taken in recent times," Erdogan said, apparently referring to India revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August last year. "Today, the issue of Kashmir is as close to us as it is to you (Pakistanis). "Such a solution (on the basis of justice and fairness) will serve the interests of all parties concerned. Turkey will continue to stand by justice, peace and dialogue in the resolution of the Kashmir issue," the president said. The Turkish president, in his address, likened the "struggle" of the Kashmiris with that of his country in the World War I against foreign domination. Drawing comparison with the battle of Gallipoli which was fought in Turkey between the Allied Powers and the Ottoman Empire in which over two lakh troops were killed on the both sides, Erdogan said "there is no difference between Gallipoli and Kashmir". "Turkey will continue to raise its voice against the oppression," he told Pakistani lawmakers in his address to the National Assembly and Senate, which was his record fourth address to the Pakistani Parliament over the years. In September last year, Erdogan raised the Kashmir issue during his address at the United Nations General Assembly. Reacting to his remarks in the UN, India said it "deeply regrets" the statement of Turkey on the Kashmir issue, and termed it an internal matter. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar called upon Turkey to have a proper understanding of the situation in Kashmir before making further comments. India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status on 5 August. Reacting to India's move, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties with New Delhi and expelled the Indian High Commissioner. India has always maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is its integral part and ruled out any third party mediation, including either from the UN or the US, saying it is a bilateral issue with Pakistan. The FATF already has Pakistan on its grey-list of countries with inadequate controls over curbing money laundering and terrorism financing. But its arch-rival India, which came close to war with its nuclear-armed neighbour last year, wants Pakistan blacklisted. Of 40 recommendations made by the watchdog, Pakistan had fully complied with only one, largely complied with nine, partially complied with 26, and totally missed four parameters, which were mandatory if Islamabad wanted to be removed from the grey-list, a review by the group last year said. The FATF says Pakistan should adequately identify, assess and understand risks associated with militant groups operating in Pakistan such as Islamic State group, al-Qaeda, Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which continue to raise funds openly. Pakistan says it has made a significant improvement on the requirements since the last review. Islamabad says it has seized the groups assets and put the militants on trials, like the entire leadership of the JuD, including its chief Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks in India, which killed 166 people. In a move praised by Washington as an important step forward, Saeed was jailed for 11 years on Wednesday on terrorism financing charges. Pakistan remained committed to the earliest completion of its FATF action plan, Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar tweeted on Wednesday. With inputs from agencies Last week, as Susan Collins, the Republican senator from Maine, prepared to acquit President Trump in his impeachment trial, she told CBS News that he had learned a pretty big lesson. Surely he would start behaving better. Fast forward ten days, and its clear that impeachment did teach Trump a lesson: that he can break the rules with impunity. After firing officials who testified against him in the impeachment hearings, Trump intervened in the sentencing of Roger Stone, his consigliere. Stone faces jail time for crimes exposed during Robert Muellers Russia investigationincluding obstruction, making false statements, and telling a potential witness against him to prepare to die. On Tuesday, Trump tweeted that Stones proposed sentenceseven to nine yearswas horrible and very unfair; afterward, we learned that the Justice Department overruled its prosecutors by requesting a more lenient punishment. The department insisted that it reached its decision before Trump tweeted. Still, it was hard to avoid the conclusion that justice had been politicized and undermined. Four career prosecutors quit Stones case. One resigned from the Justice Department altogether. ICYMI: In Georgia, a small-town newspaper owner takes on a goliath waste company William Barr, who runs the Justice Department, found himself in the eye of the storm. Yesterday, he tried to squirm out of it. In an interview with Pierre Thomas, of ABC News, Barr said that the Stone decision was made in good faith and accused Trump of unhelpfully confusing matters. 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, Barr said. Im not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody, he added. Whether its Congress, newspaper editorial boards, or the presidentIm going to do what I think is right. I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me. Last night, his words spun through the news cycle. As the New York Times noted, Barrs language echoed the independent tone hed struck in his confirmation hearing, and he mentioned the hearing to Thomas on at least five occasions. (The Senate confirmed Barr as attorney general a year ago to the day.) During that hearing, Barr insisted that he would never shill for Trump. The press, noting his old establishment ties and perhaps wanting to believe him, echoed that message, credulously, across coverage. Barr, we were told, was a stalwart, a straight-shooter, a principled institutionalist. On CNN, Chris Cuomo said that, on balance, the hearing had been bad for Trump because Barr had communicated a rigid sense of independence. Since then, however, Barrs reputation has gone rapidly downhill. Thats been due, in no small part, to his handling of the Mueller report. Barr briefed its topline findings weeks before he made it publicly available; when the report circulated, it became clear that Barrs summary had been misleading. In the press, Barr, the independent lawman, was gone. Now he was Barr, the toadying suck-up who may as well be Trumps personal lawyer. Barrs ABC interview, it seems, was an effort to wind back the clock. Did it work? News stories in the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal credited him, respectively, with a remarkable rebuke and striking criticism of the president. Barr, the Times added, had publicly challenged Mr. Trump in a way that no sitting cabinet member has. Elsewhere, however, skepticism of Barrs motives abounded. On CNN, Cuomowho changed his tune on Barr during the Mueller episodesaid the interview was a slap right in Trumps piehole but that he suspected it was a ploy to distract the media with the drama while ignoring the fact of the Stone case. (Cuomo and others suggested that Trump may have authorized Barrs criticismsTrumps response to them, that they didnt bother him, was suspicious, they said, since Trump isnt typically sanguine about expressions of disloyalty. Reporting in the Times and the Post seems to contradict this theory.) In a tweet, Ari Melber, chief legal correspondent at MSNBC, offered a pithy rewording of what Barr said: I stand by intervening to help a convicted Trump adviser, but I wish Trump did not admit what we are doing on Twitter. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Given Barrs record as attorney general, skepticism is healthy. But the framing of Barr as Trumps lapdog risks obscuring a much more important fact. Barr is probably being truthful when he says hes doing what he thinks is rightbecause, on available evidence, the subservience of the Justice Department to the will and power of the president is what he thinks is right. Barr believes in the centralization of presidential powerjust to the point, critics say, where the president is effectively above the law. Barr reached that view independently of Trump. A year ago, when the Senate voted to confirm Barr, his views were hardly a secret; we just chose not to emphasize them. Since then, a succession of magazine articlesin the New Yorker, New York magazine, Vanity Fair, and elsewherehave elucidated his troubling judicial philosophy. (In a provocative essay for the New York Review of Books, Tamsin Shaw compared Barr to Carl Schmitt, the Crown Jurist of Nazi Germany.) But day-to-day reporting still tends to overlook it, or to mention it only in passing. Thats regrettable, since Barrs conception of the presidency will likely have consequences that outlast Trump. If those views take hold, we will have lost what was won in the Revolutionwe will have a chief executive who is more powerful than the king, Laurence Tribe, a law professor at Harvard, told the New Yorker. That will be a disaster for the survival of the Republic. Below, more on the Trump administration and justice: Investigating the investigators: Last year, Barr authorized an investigation into the origins of the Mueller probe. Michael Horowitz, the Justice Departments inspector general, already concluded a similar review, and found that Muellers efforts were legitimate; its hard to see how a fair-minded assessment would disagree. Barr, however, has publicly criticized Horowitzs work. Yesterday, the Times reported that Barrs investigators appear to be hunting for a basis to accuse Obama-era intelligence officials of hiding evidence or manipulating analysis of Russian election meddling. Last year, Barr authorized an investigation into the origins of the Mueller probe. Michael Horowitz, the Justice Departments inspector general, already concluded a similar review, and found that Muellers efforts were legitimate; its hard to see how a fair-minded assessment would disagree. Barr, however, has publicly criticized Horowitzs work. Yesterday, the Times reported that Barrs investigators appear to be hunting for a basis to accuse Obama-era intelligence officials of hiding evidence or manipulating analysis of Russian election meddling. Where theres a shill, theres a way: On Wednesday, Tucker Carlson argued, on his Fox News show, that Trump should pardon Stone. In the Post, Erik Wemple accused Carlson of shilling for Stone, with whom he has personal ties. Watching the segment, Wemple wrote, it was difficult to avoid the sense that hes just trying to get a friend out of a bind. On Wednesday, Tucker Carlson argued, on his Fox News show, that Trump should pardon Stone. In the Post, Erik Wemple accused Carlson of shilling for Stone, with whom he has personal ties. Watching the segment, Wemple wrote, it was difficult to avoid the sense that hes just trying to get a friend out of a bind. In other abuse-of-power news: Yesterday, a federal judge ordered a halt to a cloud-computing contract tendered by the Pentagon in order to allow Amazon to challenge it in court. The government had awarded the contract to Microsoft; Amazon alleges that Trumps hatred of its owner, Jeff Bezos, who also owns the Post, factored into that decision. Yesterday, a federal judge ordered a halt to a cloud-computing contract tendered by the Pentagon in order to allow Amazon to challenge it in court. The government had awarded the contract to Microsoft; Amazon alleges that Trumps hatred of its owner, Jeff Bezos, who also owns the Post, factored into that decision. Restoring Hope: Hope Hicks is returning to the White House, two years after leaving and taking an executive role at Fox. Hicks, who previously served as Trumps communications director, will not be involved on the media side; instead, shell work as an aide to Jared Kushner. Other notable stories: ICYMI: Why did Matt Drudge turn on Donald Trump? Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop. Israeli attack kills 7 in Damascus Since the outbreak of the Syria conflict in early 2011, Israel has occasionally struck positions inside the war-torn country. Israeli bombing of the Syrian capital Damascus overnight Thursday into Friday led to the killing of seven people, including four Iranian officers, a Syrian observatory center said. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported, quoting local sources, that the bombing killed three members of the Syrian regime, including two officers, and four Iranians. 4 IRANIANS WERE AMONG THE DEAD It added that Israeli missiles targeted the Damascus International Airport area. The group also said the attacks took place after the arrival of a cargo plane to the targeted area, adding that it is unclear whether the plane arrived from Iran or from another area inside Syrian territory." Syrian official news agency SANA reported late on Thursday that the army's air defenses "intercepted hostile targets in the airspace of Damascus." Citing a military source, SANA added that "at 23.45 p.m. [2145GMT] on Thursday, the army observed hostile missiles coming from over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, and immediately the army air defenses intercepted and downed a number of them before they reach their targets." "The hostile missiles came from over the occupied Syrian Golan," it added, referring to the Israeli warplanes. Israeli officials, however, have yet to officially claim responsibility for the reported strike. A bill that would allow counties to extend the effective length of an optional 1-cent, county-wide sales tax colloquially known as the fifth penny tax passed an introductory vote Tuesday in the House, a significant step in a yearslong process to increase revenues for local governments. The 42-17 affirmative vote advances legislation to allow county governments to ask their residents for a sales tax increase by up to a penny if the residents of the county have already passed their own penny tax. Currently, two-thirds of the municipalities in a county have to approve of a county-wide tax before the tax can be instituted. This legislation would reduce that threshold to 50 percent, which would break down the current interplay between larger communities and smaller communities, who could be seen as holding larger communities hostage to avoid paying higher taxes for projects they may not directly benefit from. While supported by municipalities and counties alike, the bill had its opponents. Rep. Scott Clem, R-Gillette, suggested he would be in favor of the effort if it did away with the states current direct distribution model which municipalities have consistently opposed in several years of discussions on similar legislation. Rep. Dan Laursen, R-Powell, meanwhile argued the legislation could cause a rift between counties and municipalities or even two communities a fear that groups like the Wyoming Association of Municipalities and the Wyoming County Commissioners Association have worked to ease in their work on the bill throughout the interim. Passage of the bill has been outlined as a primary legislative priority for multiple municipalities across the state. While city officials arent counting their chickens yet, they say getting over this first hurdle is a good omen. We appreciate the opportunity to have the discussion, Casper City Manager Carter Napier said. Given that this conversation has been a near-constant in the Legislature, Napier said he knows the bill will be up against the same arguments made in previous years about who should have taxing authority and how cities, towns and counties co-exist. Still, Napier said he thinks this year those concerns may be mitigated because of the collective effort thats gone into the legislation. Legislators have asked municipalities to compromise on a solution to the issue of municipalities not having enough means of generating revenue. This is that effort, Napier said. Indeed, both the Wyoming Association of Municipalities and the Wyoming County Commissioners Association are in support. Cheyenne Mayor Marian Orr is also a staunch advocate of the bill, saying that what helps Cheyenne helps the whole state. A very strong and vibrant Cheyenne is a very strong and vibrant Wyoming, she said, because no matter what, 4 cents of every dollar spent in the city still goes back to the state. Orr also touched on one of the concerns Clem raised regarding direct distribution. While municipalities are unsupportive of losing any amount of direct distribution money from the state, Orr said giving municipalities an avenue to raise their own revenue could eventually put cities in a position to no longer rely on that direct distribution money. It also gives cities a better chance to advocate for themselves, she said. By putting limitations on a community at the state level, it really hampers what each community wants their city to look like, she said. Its not just large cities that are in favor of the bill, either. Jennifer Sorenson, mayor of Evansville, a town of less than 3,000 people adjacent to Casper, said the bill could actually give her residents a louder voice in decision-making. Because part of the legislation would reduce the threshold of voters needed to pass a penny tax, she said it gives Evansville voters more weight in decision-making. We do need that help, she said. We dont have a lot of revenue-generating things out there. Not all small municipalities are in favor of every aspect of the legislation, however. Seth Coleman, mayor of Mills, another small town adjacent to Casper, said hes wary of the proposal. He said he worried that changing the voting threshold from two-thirds to half of county voters would take decision-making authority away from residents. He also worried about how equitable the bill is. Coleman used Natrona County as an example. While Caspers population makes up the majority of the countys population, there are a handful of small towns surrounding the city. Coleman made the point that because of how close those towns are to Casper, small-town residents are still spending money and contributing to the citys sales tax collection. If Casper is the only municipality that could reap the benefits from that spending, Coleman said he didnt think that was equitable. As for how the legislation could work in practice, the city of Casper provided one example: Casper is looking to build a new police department headquarters, a project consultants have estimated will cost at least $35 million. Napier has suggested putting the project up for a vote the next time county residents go to the ballot to vote on 1-cent sales tax projects. The issue, however, is that county residents who dont live in Casper may not feel they benefit from the Casper Police Department and so may vote against the tax. With this legislation, if the city received permission from the county to do so, even if county residents didnt approve a 1-cent tax for the project, the city would still have an avenue for Casper residents to vote to support the tax. Napier said he knows the bill isnt a panacea for every municipality, but at least having a conversation on the issue moves the needle forward. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 9 Sad 2 Angry 12 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Nick Reynolds Politics Reporter Nick Reynolds covers state politics and policy. A native of Central New York, he has spent his career covering governments big and small, and several Congressional campaigns. He graduated from the State University of New York at Brockport in 2015. Follow Nick Reynolds Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today CHARLESTON, S.C. - While not technically a campaign visit, Vice-President Mike Pence on Thursday made a trip to South Carolina an opportunity to rail on Democrats for their failed attempt to oust President Donald Trump from office and for having difficulty tabulating results following last weeks Iowa caucuses. President Donald Trump was acquitted forever, Pence said to cheers and applause at a dinner in his honour at The Citadel military college, referencing the Senate impeachment trial. Pence also took the opportunity to criticize House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for ripping up her copy of Trumps State of the Union remarks, musing, I didnt know if shed ripped up the State of the Union speech or the Constitution. Pences visit comes amid a whirlwind of political attention on South Carolina, which holds its Democratic presidential primary on Feb. 29. On Wednesday, Trump said he would probably hold a campaign rally in the state, as he has done in other early voting states, including Iowa and New Hampshire. Next week, hes slated to travel to Nevada, which holds its caucuses Feb. 22. Citing cost savings and high levels of support for Trump in the state, South Carolinas Republican Party in September opted not to hold a primary this year, a move thats not unusual for the party of the White House incumbent seeking reelection. But the effort has also helped Trump consolidate his support as Democrats have worked to winnow their large candidate field. There is no party registration in South Carolina, meaning that Republicans would be free to cross over and vote in the Democratic primary. Some Republican groups in the conservative state have said they are trying to organize efforts to encourage Republicans to vote for progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders, angling to take support away from former Vice-President Joe Biden, a moderate who has traditionally led support in the state. In his dinner remarks, Pence poked fun at the slow count of votes in the Iowa caucuses. Friday, while the Democrats were still counting votes in Iowa, we were counting 225,000 new jobs in the month of January, he said. How about that? Pence visited The Citadel to receive the Nathan Hale Patriot Award from the Republican Society, which gave the honour to Trump in 2015 before he was president and to former White House adviser Steve Bannon in 2018. In remarks earlier Thursday, he told about 2,000 Citadel cadets that he had never had the opportunity to serve himself but urged them to lead from within. Be a leader. Be men and women of integrity. People follow leaders they trust, Pence said. To lead others, you must lead yourself first. Be an example to those around you. Cadets from The Citadel are not obligated to join the U.S. armed forces, although many do. For those who take the oath, Pence thanked cadets for being willing to serve and pledged to support them. You will have a commander in chief who will always have your back, Pence said. Earlier Thursday, Pence spoke at a fundraising luncheon in Columbia that was closed to the media, raising about $1.5 million, according to his office. On his way to The Citadel, Pence stopped at a downtown Charleston florist to pick up a Valentines Day bouquet for his wife, Karen. ___ Meg Kinnard can be reached at https://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. #Ultimo. Juzgado de Corte Nacional de Justicia Penal Especializada ordena 24 meses de prision preventiva contra exalcalde de Lima Luis Castaneda Lossio, en proceso por presuntos sobornos de empresas OAS y Odebrect para favorecerlos con licitacion de obras publicas. pic.twitter.com/jQImn8UNIA Researchers traveled to Antarctica to study starving penguins Yang Liu and Vikrant Shah/Northeastern University Researchers from Northeastern and Stony Brook universities traveled to Antarctica to study chinstrap penguins. As temperatures continue to increase, the krill that chinstrap penguins feed on are moving south to colder waters that are out of their reach, research showed. Other species of penguins, that feed on more than krill, are surviving. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Antarctica is warming and penguins are starving. Researchers from Northeastern and Stony Brook universities are using drones and a machine learning program to measure the losses. Scientists suspect that the population of chinstrap penguins that live off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula is dwindling because the krill they enjoy eating are moving south to colder waters out of their reach. The Antarctic Peninsula is one of the fastest-warming parts of the world. Most of the glaciers in that region are retreating quickly. Here are six photos from the research expedition. Northeastern University doctoral student Yang Liu is studying the penguin population on Elephant Island, Northeastern University doctoral student Yang Liu Vikrant Shah/Northeastern University Liu is among a team of researchers from Northeastern and Stony Brook universities studying the chinstrap penguin population on Elephant Island, which is about 150 miles off the Antarctic peninsula. "For sites which are too large for manual penguin counting, we use the machine learning program to count the penguins automatically," Liu reported back to Northeastern University. The researchers sailed aboard the Greenpeace vessel Esperanza. The view from the Greenpeace vessel Esperanza in Antarctica Vikrant Shah and Yang Liu/Northeastern University The researchers are a part of a scientific expedition that has sailed on the Greenpeace vessel Esperanza from Ushuaia, on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of Argentina to Elephant Island, Vikrant Shah, who is assisting with the research, reported to his university. They took a dinghy from the ship to Elephant Island. Story continues Researchers studying penguins in Antarctica Vikrant Shah and Yang Liu/Northeastern University The Esperanza remained anchored a safe distance from the underwater rock formations near Elephant Island. Researchers took a dinghy the rest of the way. The chinstrap penguin population is declining. Chinstrap penguins Antarctica Vikrant Shah and Yang Liu/Northeastern University The chinstraps on Elephant Island haven't been counted since 1971. Researchers believe that half of the population that was once there is now gone. The observations are similar to the falling numbers of chinstrap penguins in other parts of the continent, according to the researchers. As chinstraps decline, the gentoo penguin population increases. Researchers studying penguins Vikrant Shah and Yang Liu/Northeastern University While researchers have found the chinstrap population on the decline, the population of gentoo penguins on Elephant Island is on the rise. Scientists believe that warmer temperatures allow gentoo penguins, which feed on more than just krill, to thrive farther south, Vikrant Shah reported to Northeastern University. Feb. 6 might have been the hottest day on record in Antarctica. Chinstrap penguins on Elephant Island Vikrant Shah and Yang Liu/Northeastern University Elephant Island is dry and frigid, researchers reported. Other than a special species of grass, nothing grows there. The terrain is frozen, steep and mountainous, researchers reported back. On February 6, a weather research station on Seymour Island in the Antarctic Peninsula registered at nearly 70 degrees, The Washington Post reported. The World Meteorological Organization is reviewing that reading to see whether it qualifies as the continent's hottest temperature on record. Read the original article on Insider Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 13, 2020 | 07:41 PM | PADUCAH Several Paducah churches have come together to sponsor a 5K "fun run" to raise money for a special school in Tanzania.The 'Extra Mile 5K' is a community-wide event taking place Saturday, March 7 from 9:30 am to 12 pm at Noble Park in Paducah. The event is being sponsored by several Paducah churches, including Heartland Baptist, Rosebower Baptist, East Baptist, Olivet Baptist, and Twelve Oaks Baptist.Proceeds from the event will benefit students at the Paducah Hill Side High School in Morogoro, Tanzania and the ministries of Pastor Alex Mgwelele of Morogoro. Pastor Alex, as he is better known, began his ministry in the 1990's with Morogoro Baptist Church.The connection to Paducah started in 2000 when members of an area church went on a mission trip to Morogoro."It blossomed from there," said Kelly Hudspeth, a representative from Heartland Baptist Church. "We now have several churches that send mission teams over to work at the school, to work in the community."Pastor Alex leads a local congregation and runs three preschools in Morogoro, as well as Paducah Hill Side High School. The high school was named after Paducah because of the overwhelming support from the community. Three hundred students are housed, fed and educated at the school.On average, people in Tanzania walk two miles a day. Five kilometers is approximately three miles, one mile more than that average."That's why we're calling it 'The Extra Mile'," said Hudspeth.You can "go the extra mile" by joining the 5K Saturday, March 7. Your $25 donation includes a t-shirt to be given out the day of the event. Sign-in and registration begins at 9:30 am at Pavilion 19 in Noble Park. The 5K will kick off at 10 am.For more information about the event, or to preregister, click the links below. On the Net: But lately, Mr. Griveauxs campaign in Paris had been performing poorly, with polls showing him trailing Ms. Hidalgo and the candidate of the right, Rachida Dati. In the French news media, Mr. Griveaux was criticized for seeming distant and arrogant, even though he tried to capitalize on his status as a young married father of three. Mr. Macrons attempt to intercede in his favor ended in failure last month, when he tried to persuade the dissident Republic on the Move candidate Cedric Villani, a prominent mathematician-turned-politician, to leave the mayors race. Mr. Villani was kicked out of the party after rebuffing Mr. Macrons efforts, which was seen as a humiliation for the president. In France, unlike in the United States, the private lives of politicians and candidates are widely seen as being out of bounds in elections, and the publication of the videos was swiftly and widely condemned. Mr. Macrons interior minister and close ally Christophe Castaner quickly said that the online publication of the video should obviously be prosecuted. Mr. Pavlensky could face up to two years in prison and be fined up to 60,000 euros if he is convicted of publishing the videos. Under French law, it is illegal to publish or share sexual images or videos online of someone without their consent. It was not clear how he had obtained the videos, which purport to show a private text conversation that included sexual videos sent from Mr. Griveaux to an unidentified woman. Mr. Pavlensky, who received asylum in France in 2017 after criticizing the Russian state, could not immediately be reached for comment. A grim-looking Mr. Griveaux responded to the release of the messages in a video statement on Friday morning, saying, It has gone too far. He did not explicitly refer to the videos, but said that for the past year his family had been subjected to defamatory statements, lies, anonymous attacks, the disclosure of stolen private conversations, as well as death threats. What is the Skullbreaker Challenge? It possibly originated from South America It's dangerous and people have been getting hurt And more parents are posting warnings about the challenge online. One school in USA has already issued a warning Are kids in Singapore doing it? I'm not sure if it has arrived in Singapore yet so I'm doing this post to create awareness among the parents here. Do share it with fellow parents and especially your kids. Let them know how extremely dangerous AND potentially fatal the challenge can be. One can hit the tailbone and be paralysed for life... or worse, hit the head and die. To put it simply, this is just plain dumb on so many levels because people could hurt themselves really bad. And that's not funny at all. UPDATE: TOUCH Cyber Wellness has shared some pretty good tips on how parents should engage their kids about this challenge: HERE. You can read the orignal post Parents, take heed - there's a new trend going viral on TikTok and it is extremely dangerous and potentially lethal! Named the, the consequence is exactly as the name implies... you may end up with a broken skull or spine.Also known as the "jump trip prank," the challenge involves three persons who stand in a line and jump. When the middle person's feet leave the ground, the people on the side kick their feet out from under them, often leading to the middle person falling backward and possibly smacking their back and/or head on the ground.The Skullbreaker challenge appears to have originated in South America, possibly Venezuela, and has since made its way to USA. There are no official numbers of kids who have gotten hurt but there have been news reports about teens getting seriously hurt Actually, one doesn't need official numbers to see how dangerous the act can be. A parent in Arizona shared a public Facebook post warning that her son had been injured when doing the challenge.A School in Missouri has also posting a warning regarding the challenge.----- The entire board of the Cesar Academy, which awards France's equivalent of the Oscars, resigned Thursday just two weeks ahead of its gala ceremony after more than 200 actors, producers, directors and movie personalities demanded "profound reform". The academy had come under fire after Roman Polanski's new film "An Officer and a Spy" topped the list of nominations for this year's Cesar awards, which will be handed out on February 28. Polanski has been wanted in the US for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl since 1978 and is persona non grata in Hollywood. "To honour those men and women who made cinema happen in 2019, to find calm and ensure that the festival of film remains just that, a festival, the board... has unanimously decided to resign," the academy said in a statement. "This collective decision will allow complete renewal of the board," it added. A general meeting will be held after the upcoming awards ceremony to elect a new board and management who will work on implementing reforms and modernisation, it said. More than 200 actors, producers, directors and movie personalities denounced the "dysfunction" at the academy and "opaqueness" in its accounts, in an open letter on Wednesday. They also complained that the founding statutes of the Cesars had not changed in a long time and that the academy's nearly 5,000 members do not get a vote or a say in its decisions. The academy's board in response said it would ask the National Centre for Cinema, a culture ministry agency, to appoint a mediator to oversee "deep reform" of its statutes and governance. The academy had previously announced measures to boost female representation in its membership and representation. The inclusion of Polanski's film on the Cesars' shortlist was condemned by France's equality minister, women's groups and film critics, but the Cesar Academy said it could not be expected to take "moral positions" when evaluating films. A number of French feminist groups have urged Cesar voters to snub Polanski's film, titled "J'accuse" in France, and called for a protest outside the award ceremony, which is to be held in Paris's Salle Pleyel auditorium. "When we mobilise, things happen!", feminist collective Nous Toutes (All Of Us) wrote on Twitter. Another group, Osez Le Feminisme (Dare Feminism), said: "Imagine what's next. A new voting panel without male self-confidence, opacity and sexism. Will we finally stop applauding rapists and paedophiles on the run?" Update: Mary Lou McDonald has said it would be "farcical" to suggest that a Fine Gael - Fianna Fail government represents the change people voted for. The Sinn Fein President has hit out at what she called the "old boys club" for excluding her from government formation talks. It comes after both parties said they would not go into government with Sinn Fein. Ms McDonald said they are not respecting what the electorate voted for, saying: "Any suggestion that Fine Gael and Fianna Fail together represents change is farcical, transparently farcical. "I think it is actually quite disgraceful that the old boys club of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael believe that they can set aside the democratic mandate of Sinn Fein." Policy issues pushing Fianna Fail and Fine Gael together and away from Sinn Fein The two main parties have made it clear that policy differences with Sinn Fein mean it is unlikely that they will be able to form a government with them. Fianna Fail's Dara Calleary. Fianna Fail's Dara Calleary said his party leader Micheal Martin would meet Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald but was very clear that they wouldnt go into a coalition together. Policy issues are too incompatible between the parties and Fianna Fail was unified on the stance, he said. Mr Calleary said Fianna Fail had other issues with Sinn Fein in terms of the way the party is run as well as policy differences. There are too many bridges, he added. Mr Calleary said Fianna Fail will make an approach to Fine Gael at some stage, adding that the outgoing government party has yet to meet as a parliamentary party. That meeting is to take place on Monday. In the meantime, Fianna Fail is establishing its negotiating team and reaching out to other like-minded parties, he said. Meanwhile, Fine Gael Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys said there is no point talking to Sinn Fein because both parties wouldnt be able to agree a programme for government. The policies of both parties are absolutely miles apart, she said. It is up to those who won the election to form a government and, in this case, Sinn Fein won the popular vote and Fianna Fail won the most seats, Ms Humphreys said. The Cavan Monaghan TD declined to rule out going into government with Fianna Fail or agreeing to a confidence and supply arrangement propping up Fianna Fail ahead of her partys parliamentary meeting after the weekend. Earlier: Sinn Fein still awaiting 'formal response' but Fianna Fail snub 'smacks of arrogance', says O Broin Sinn Fein has admitted it cannot form a stable government without either Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, who it accuses of arrogance and recklessness for refusing to talk to the party about a coalition. Eoin O Broin, one of Sinn Fein's government formation negotiators, said Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin is doing the most irresponsible thing by snubbing Sinn Fein's voters and suggesting a new grand coalition government that was rejected at the ballot box. Asked how Sinn Fein can form a government without either Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, he said: You cant. Mr O Broin said: The most irresponsible thing to do is what Micheal Martin has said - to say he wont talk to a party that now represents 24% of the electorate. Hes talking about putting back in power the government that has just been booted out of power and he is threatening another election at a time when the public want politicians to do their job, form a government for change and start fixing the problems that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael created through four years of bad government. Mr OBroin said political parties refusing to talk to others and who are threatening elections dont just smack of arrogance but I actually think there is a certain recklessness. People cant wait for the housing and health crisis to be resolved, he told RTEs Morning Ireland. It is very clear that the only stable government is going to involve two of the larger parties, he added. Despite huge policy differences between Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail, the only responsible thing to do for any party is to sit down with and to talk with all other parties, Mr O Broin said. The Dublin Mid-West TD said Sinn Fein was still awaiting a formal response from Mr Martin ruling out coalition talks, but suggested the Fianna Fail leader may yet change his mind. If last week Micheal Martin was saying he wasnt going to talk to Fine Gael and this week he saying he is, then very clearly Micheal Martin changes his mind on these matters, he added. Earlier: Sinn Fein: Fianna Fail 'displaying a certain immaturity' By Digital Desk Talks aimed at putting together a government will continue today. People Before Profit will meet the Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and Rise TD Paul Murphy, to try to form an alliance. Yesterday, Fianna Fail ruled out going into government with Sinn Fein, but said it would talk to Fine Gael. Micheal Martin has refused to rule out a second general election as the parties scramble to find a working majority. Following a meeting with Deputy Martin last night, the Social Democrats said: We had a cordial and respectful conversation but our concern is it didnt sound a lot like change. Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny is calling on Fianna Fail to reconsider its stance on working with his party. Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny. Mr Kenny said: "It's displaying a certain immaturity on behalf of Fianna Fail in that they need to grow up and recognise that there has been an election, that they and fine Gael both lost quite a number of seats. "Other parties gained seats and the parties that gained seats are parties that were seeking a different way of doing business and a different type of government and a changed government." He said they have displayed a "certain disregard for the opinions and the views of the general public out there. Fianna Fail needs to sit up and listen and be prepared to accept that they will have to be part of providing at least some sense of hope for people out there who want a change. On Friday when the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) held the wreath-laying ceremony at CRPF campus in Kashmir's Lethpora to remember their fallen compatriots and mark the first anniversary of Pulwama Attack, there was a special guest at the event. ANI Umesh Gopinath Jadhav, a musician from Maharashtra had spent the better part of 2019 traveling across the country meeting the families of all the 40 CRPF men killed in the biggest of its kind attack on Indian forces. He had also collected soil from outside the homes and placed it into an urn. After travelling over 61,000 km long journey across India to meet families of the 40 jawans and collecting soil from their homes, on Friday, Jadav present the urn at the memorial column at the Lethpora camp. ANI On Friday, a martyrs column dedicated to the memory of those jawans who laid down their lives in the line of duty was inaugurated at a 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 inscribed on it, a blood donation camp will be also be held at Letpora, Special DG, North Zone, CRPF Zulfiqar Hasan told IANS. In fact, Jadav was the only guest at the ceremony for which even the families of the martyrs were not invited as there would be private ceremonies held at their residences. ANI "I'm proud that I met all the families of Pulwama martyrs, and sought their blessings. Parents lost their son, wives lost their husbands, children lost their fathers, friends lost their friends. I collected soil from their houses and their cremation grounds," Umesh Gopinath Jadhav said after the ceremony. Jadav, a musician by profession, and based in Bengaluru was on his way back home after a musical even in Ajmer on February 14 when he saw the news about the attack on the CRPF convoy. Jadav said the attack was so shocking and he could not sleep for days, thinking about the families who lost their loved ones. That is how he decided to do something for the martyrs and took a one-man journey on April 9, Valours Day, from Bengaluru across 16 states meeting families of all the 40 martyrs. Jadhav, who owns a music school and an event management company said he is hoping to raise Rs 50,000 for each of the martyrs families. Trudeau to Tell Security Conference That Global Economic Security Is Critical OTTAWACanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will address the Munich Security Conference on Friday and urge global leaders to accept that a changing world requires more effort to bring economic prosperity for all. Trudeaus speech comes after he spent the last week in Africa and Kuwait, where he said several times that improving access to education and providing hope for young people will go a long way to keeping youth from turning to militancy. It also comes after what he has called a tumultuous month for the globe, with the rise of tensions between the United States and Iran in early January, the downing of a Ukrainian jetliner by an Iranian missile and the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus. World Health Organization director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said this week the coronavirus, called COVID-19, is public enemy No. 1, with a potentially bigger impact than any act of terrorism. Before delivering his speech, Trudeau meets with a U.S. congressional delegation led by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), as well as the prime ministers of Niger and Albania and the president of Kazakhstan. Trudeau is continuing Canadas campaign for votes for a temporary seat on the powerful United Nations Security Council. His trip to Africa was planned in large part to help that campaign and he met more than a dozen African leaders over the last week. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a file photo. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Only one, President Macky Sall of Senegal, publicly pledged to support Canada as it competes with Norway and Ireland for two available seats. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne is also set to sit down during the conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, five weeks after 176 people were killed, including 57 Canadians, when Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by an Iranian missile. Canada is growing increasingly frustrated with Irans refusal to allow the flights black boxes to be sent to France to be analyzed. Champagne said last week Iran does not have the technology, but France does and the technology is not portable. Champagne will be at the conference for the full three days. He is also meeting today with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. The conference theme this year is westlessness a term coined to describe a crumbling of the knowledge of what defines the western world, and what role it will play in global security amid the rising influence of the non-western world. An evangelical Christian preacher has been heckled by marchers after interrupting a gay pride parade. Torch of Christ Ministries leader Phillip Blair turned up with a megaphone at the Auckland Pride rally on February 8, and accused attendees of 'celebrating sin'. Days later he filmed himself trying to discuss sex and drunkenness with a 16-year-old girl before her mother intervened and told him to mind his own business. 'You are celebrating sin - you are celebrating debauchery, you must repent,' Mr Blair (right) told rallygoers Phillip Blair (Pictured) of Torch of Christ Ministries began preaching through a microphone at Auckland Pride rally on February 8 Mr Blair first filmed himself preaching at pride marchers at Auckland Pride Festival's OurMarch, which celebrates New Zealand's Gay Liberation Front. The disgruntled crowd then surrounded Mr Blair, chanting 'get out' and 'we're here, we're queer, get used to it'. 'You are celebrating sin - you are celebrating debauchery, you must repent,' Mr Blair told rallygoers. 'Repent Auckland, repent for your sin - you are living in a celebration of your sin.' 'My friends, I bless you in the name of Jesus but I also have to say the truth.' After almost 20 minutes Mr Blair continued preaching nearby after and his followers started praying after police told them to move on. 'That is not appropriate - we are here to feel free and safe,' someone in a pink shirt said early on. An OurPride attendee used their megaphone to chant 'we're here, we're queer, get used to it' in the face of the evangelical US preacher Torch of Christ Ministry's second video shows Mr Blair ask a 16-year-old girl for an 'intelligent discussion' about drinking and sex. 'What happens if you practice a lifestyle of drunkenness, what happens long-term?' Blair asked the youngster, before her mother stepped in to her defense. 'Mate she's sixteen, so she doesn't go out drinking and she doesn't need these conversations,' her mother replies. Mr Blair then went on to say the 16-year-old watches worse things than their conversation on TikTok and says his public harassment was 'an intelligent conversation' before he called the mum a 'hypocrite' and walks away. 'This goes against my faith, you are imposing on my faith and this goes against me, you are taking away my rights,' Blair replied, speaking over the woman. 'You are using your body in a way that's unnatural,' he said. 'Jesus is not a hippy, Jesus would not be happy here.' Infamous Christian evangelical Phillip Blair (pictured: head facing away) is told to leave the area by police after disrupting a Pride March in Auckland on February 8 Mr Blair's Torch of Christ Ministries website claims that he and his church have 'committed' to 'taking the light of Christ into all dark places.' He has appeared at LGBTQI+ marches and rallies in New Zealand, Australia, and the US. The group also claims to be 'changing the world one soul at a time by bringing the light of Jesus Christ into all dark places'. In 2019 Mr Blair was told to 'shut up' by commuters on a Sydney train to a chorus of cheers from the carriage. Mr Blair has been contacted by Daily Mail Australia for comment. The Left parties will stage a protest against United States President Donald Trump's maiden visit to India scheduled for later this month. Trump will pay a two-day state visit to India from February 24 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India-Marxist will stage a protest against Donald Trump's visit to the country. The agitation is likely to take place on February 24," said CPI General Secretary D Raja. "Left parties are of the view that people should express their strong opposition to Donald Trump when he is visiting India and there are several reasons to oppose his visit. India, instead of pursuing an independent foreign policy, is succumbing to the pressure of the US on every issue," he said. "India is becoming subservient to the Americas imperious power and we cannot agree to this. We cannot keep quiet on such matters. I think many other political parties, civil societies, organisations and individuals will express their protest. Even the All India Peace and Solidarity organisation is considering giving a call for protest," Raja further said. During the visit, Trump, who will be accompanied by US 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". Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 22:01:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The strategic highway linking Syrian capital Damascus in the south with Aleppo province in the north has become fully secure, state news agency SANA reported on Friday. The highway has become secure after the Syrian army recaptured all areas surrounding the road, said SANA. The road fell under the government control on Feb. 11 but the official announcement came on Friday after the army secured more rebel-held areas near the road in both Idlib and Aleppo provinces in northern Syria. The achievement marks the full control over the highway for the first time since 2012 after it was cut off by the rebels in Idlib and southern Aleppo during the crisis. 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 with the first between Damascus and Hama province in central Syria and 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 as well as military supplies. Chief of the Security Service of Ukraine Ivan Bakanov and Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine Claude Wild discussed possibilities for further security cooperation. For Ukraine, further support from the international community in the issues of strengthening sanctions against Russia over the illegal annexation of Crimea and military conflict in eastern Ukraine is extremely important, Bakanov said at the meeting, the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine reports. Special attention was paid to the adoption of the new Law On Security Service of Ukraine" during the meeting. The parties mentioned that the adoption of the document is a key step in the reforming, but positive changes in the activities of the Service should not depend solely on the legislative nuances. "Not expecting the new law, we are changing the approaches to the activities of the Service right now: we elaborate new organizational structure of the Security Service of Ukraine, adopt the experience of foreign partners in professional personnel effective management," Ivan Bakanov said. Ambassador Claude Wild said in response: "We hope for further cooperation between Switzerland and Ukraine in all relevant issues within our bilateral cooperation." According to Mr. Ambassador, such cooperation will enable the Service to counteract the challenges of national and international security more effectively. l New images have been published showing waterboarding and other abuse and torture carried by the CIA on an alleged al-qaeda prisoner- actions prohibited by UN agreements and the Geneva Conventions. That hand sketches by Abu Zubaydah, a Pakistani arrested in 2002 and handed over to the US, show him being being beaten, forced to lie in a coffin-like box filled with water and water-boarded, a form of simulated drowning. Zubaydah, who is of around 40 prisoners still being held at Guantanamo Bay, the controversial, secretive prison located on the tip of Cuba, says he been tortured at various locations, including at so-called black sites, operated by the CIA in countries such as Poland and Thailand as part of the war on terror. The current head of the Central Intelligence Agency, Gina Haspel, oversaw one such site where torture was carried out. Its absolutely brutal, Charles Church, one of Zubaydahs lawyers, said of the treatment shown in images, published by CNN. Guantanamo Bay detainee illustrates torture he faced at US black site Show all 8 1 /8 Guantanamo Bay detainee illustrates torture he faced at US black site Guantanamo Bay detainee illustrates torture he faced at US black site A Guantanamo Bay detainee illustrates the torture he faced in US custody. The graphic illustrations show the various forms of torture Abu Zubaydah said he experienced at a US black site in Thailand. Abu Zubaydah, Courtesy Professor Mark P. Denbeaux, Seton Hall University School of Law Guantanamo Bay detainee illustrates torture he faced at US black site The detainee was tied up in painful positions. Mr Zubaydah illustrated multiple examples of the ways he was forced to suffer while chained and tied in painful positions. Abu Zubaydah, Courtesy Professor Mark P. Denbeaux, Seton Hall University School of Law Guantanamo Bay detainee illustrates torture he faced at US black site He was confined to a small box. Unable to stand or sit up straight, Mr Zubaydah described being forced to crawl into a box for endless hours while in the fetal position. Abu Zubaydah, Courtesy Professor Mark P. Denbeaux, Seton Hall University School of Law Guantanamo Bay detainee illustrates torture he faced at US black site Mr Zubaydah suffered through "walling" according to his illustrations The "walling" process involves slamming a detainee's head against the wall. Mr Zubaydah said he was slapped and dragged across the floor by a towel. Abu Zubaydah, Courtesy Professor Mark P. Denbeaux, Seton Hall University School of Law Guantanamo Bay detainee illustrates torture he faced at US black site Officials waterboarded the detainee 83 times. Mr Zubaydah told his lawyers: "They kept pouring water and concentrating on my nose and my mouth until I really felt I was drowning and my chest was just about to explode from the lack of oxygen. Abu Zubaydah, Courtesy Professor Mark P. Denbeaux, Seton Hall University School of Law Guantanamo Bay detainee illustrates torture he faced at US black site Mr Zubaydah shows how he was forced to stand. With his hands tied high above his head, the detainee was forced to endure long hours while standing on his tiptoes. Abu Zubaydah, Courtesy Professor Mark P. Denbeaux, Seton Hall University School of Law Guantanamo Bay detainee illustrates torture he faced at US black site He also faced significant sleep deprivation. Officials doused the detainee with water and forced him to stay awake for prolonged hours, according to his statements and illustrations. Abu Zubaydah, Courtesy Professor Mark P. Denbeaux, Seton Hall University School of Law Guantanamo Bay detainee illustrates torture he faced at US black site The detainee was not provided proper hygiene. On top of the "enhanced interrogation" techniques Mr Zubaydah endured, he was also forced to defecate in a bin underneath him in a small box, or at other times as he was strapped to a chair. Abu Zubaydah, Courtesy Professor Mark P. Denbeaux, Seton Hall University School of Law He told The Independent: For the first four or so years, he was held in these black sites, and he was tortured for a lot of that time. In 2014, the US Senate released a report on the years of torture carried out by CIA officers and civilian contractors, purportedly to extract information from the prisoners. It said officials had lied about what was being done, and its effectiveness. The use of the CIAs enhanced interrogation techniques was not an effective means of obtaining accurate information or gaining detainee cooperation, said the report, released amid opposition from the administration of Barack Obama. The interrogations of CIA detainees were brutal and far worse than the CIA represented to policymakers and others. After Mr Obama was elected to the White House in 2008, he banned the use of such techniques. By contrast, Donald Trump has defended the use of torture. David Gauke: Britain may not challenge Trump decision to send ISIS 'Beatles' to Guantanamo Bay Dont tell me it doesnt work torture works, MrTrump said while campaigning in 2016. Okay, folks? You know, half these guys say Torture doesnt work. Believe me, it works. Okay. Mr Church said he met with Zubaydah last week at Guantanamo, where the prisoner was questioned by members of the periodic review board, a group of officials from the defence and intelligence agencies who determine whether a prisoner should remain at the jail. Mr Church said he was prevented from describing what he said to the board, or the nature of his conversations with Zubaydah. However, he said: I can tell you this if Zubayday were to be released today, I think he would do very well. A number of prisoners produce art and drawings, some of which has made its way to the outside world. In 2017, the authorities were accused of censorship after they banned the transfer of such works, after a number were displayed in a New York gallery. The images showed included scenes of torture, including a painting by Ahmed Rabbani, who says he is a Karachi taxi driver but whom the US authorities say was linked to al-qaeda. He was held for 545 days at the notorious Dark Prison, or Salt Pit, in Kabul. Rabbani was tortured and interrogated, including by use of as medieval form of torture, known to the Inquisition as the strappado. They took me to a room and hung me by my hand to an iron shackle where my toes hardly touched the ground, Rabbani told his lawyers. They removed the mask away from my face and left me hanging from one hand, naked, thirsty, and hungry. The CIA did mot respond to enquiries on Thursday. Pressed by senators during her confirmation hearing in May 2018, Ms Haspel said the torture programme she oversaw did damage to our officers and our standing in the world. This is not the first time that art work by Abu Zubaydah. considered a high-value prisoner by the authorities, has been seen by the public. Last year, the New York Times published a series of drawings that are to be part of a 61-page report, How America Tortures, by lawyer, Mark Denbeaux, a professor at the Seton Hall University School of Law in Newark The article noted: He has never been charged with a crime, and documents released through the courts show that military prosecutors have no plans to do so. Two days after Concordia University-Portland announced the 115-year-old institution will close in May, its sister school in Minnesota is planning to accept students from the Portland colleges popular nursing program. Concordia University-St. Paul officials announced theyre working on a program that would allow Portland-based nursing students to graduate on time and remain in Portland. The program, which would require regulatory and accreditation approval, would also be open for future students, according to a press release. We were deeply saddened that a sister Concordia institution will have to close its doors, said Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, president of Concordia University-St. Paul, a 127-year-old liberal arts college. In such situations, he said, students are always the top priority, and we quickly realized we were in a position to provide a solution for hundreds of students from our sister university who feel called to serve in the health care field. St. Paul officials said the goal would be for Portland students to remain on the same timetable theyd expected. They also said theyd welcome any students Concordia University-Portland had accepted for future terms. The Portland and St. Paul schools are a part of The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod, though each school is independent and secures its own accreditation, leadership and faculty. -- The Oregonian/OregonLive politics team BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 Trend: Mrs. Khanim Ibrahimova, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality if Liechtenstein, met with Isabelle Moret, the President of the National Council of the Swiss Confederation. The National Council is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland and the President of the National Council is considered the highest ranking representative of the Swiss federal state. The ties of cooperation between the Azerbaijani and Switzerland parliaments were highly appreciated, as well as the views on the prospects for further cooperation were exchanged during the meeting. Ambassador Ibrahimova noted the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation on development of the Swiss-Azerbaijani relations, and highly appreciated the recent visit of Jean-Rene Furney, the President of the upper house of the Federal Assembly to Baku. She also mentioned the fact that Swiss Azerbaijani Parliamentary Friendship Group is one of the few friendship groups in the National Council. Ambassador Ibrahimova thanked for the opportunity for the first time ever presentation by herself planning during the March session of the Parliament about Azerbaijan. It will be an important event, since the parliamentarians will receive the necessary information directly from the Ambassador. Khanim Ibrahimova informed her counterpart about the parliamentary elections that were held in Azerbaijan on February 9 and called it as a new manifestation of democracy in the country. She noted that over 1,300 candidates had never previously participated in the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan. International organizations have shown tremendous interest in these elections About 900 international observers arrived in the country and new parliament is composed of 20 percent women. The sides also discussed bilateral economic and political relations between Azerbaijan and Switzerland, structural reforms carried out in Azerbaijan under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, and exchanged views on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Referring to the international reputation of Azerbaijan, Ibrahimova noted that Azerbaijan is chairing organizations such as the Non-Aligned Movement and GUAM. Isabelle Moret expressed her satisfaction with the achievements of Azerbaijan and wished her success in future. NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The global raised access floor market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 2% during the period 20192025. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05862342/?utm_source=PRN The usage of raised access flooring technology is increasing due to the growth in the construction market. The optimal use of floor space is one of the primary reasons for the growth of this technology. The increase in building permits for private residential houses and the growth of commercial construction are key factors influencing the market significantly. The demand for raised access floor is also stemming from retrofit projects, which is expected to aid the global raised access floor market during the forecast period. The increase in the number of data center projects is another contributor to the market growth. The US, China, Germany, India, Japan, UK, and Singapore were the most preferred locations for the development of hyperscale data centers in 2019. More than 70 hyperscale data centers were opened or under construction in 2019. Moreover, the US alone is likely to add around 30 hyperscale data center facilities by 2023. For instance, GIGA Data Centers opened a 60 MW data center facility in North Carolina, the US in 2019. Apple announced its plan to invest $10 billion in data centers across the US in the next five years in December 2018. Hence, increased investments from hyperscale service providers are expected to benefit raised access flooring manufacturers. The following factors are likely to contribute to the growth of the raised access floor market during the forecast period: 5G Deployment to Increase Edge Data Center Investments Rise of Industry 4.0 Growth in Infrastructure at Airports Growth in the Construction Sector Increasing Construction of Hyperscale Data Centers The study considers the present scenario of the raised access floor 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. Raised Access Floor Market: Segmentation This research report includes detailed segmentation by type, end-user, and geography. Steel-based raised access floor is witnessing major demand as it offers high durability and can accommodate major types of floor finishing. The market for steel-based panels is leading as the availability of steel as raw material is in abundance. The demand for steel panels is expected to grow further as they are the first choice among first-time users. The segment is also growing because steel panels prevent deformation, thereby easing calibration. The demand from renovation construction is also high for steel panel flooring. However, the volatility in steel is a restraining factor for the market. The US government's decision to impose a tariff of 25% and 10% on steel and aluminum, respectively, sourced from China is likely to hamper the growth of the steel concretes. The raised access floor technology is finding increasing application in data centers across the world. The increasing internet penetration in countries such as the US and Canada is growing. This rate is likely to increase further as the adoption of smartphones and handheld connected devices is increasing, thereby increasing data consumption. The data growth is also attributed to technological advancements in the past decade, such as cloud computing, big data, and the internet of things (IoT). Hence, the increased data consumption is leading to development data centers, which, in turn, increase the demand for raised access floors. Commercial office real estate remains a major construction activity in the overall urban development. The growth in office spaces has increased globally, with some regions exhibiting rapid progress on account of their economic growth. For instance, in India, during H1 2019, the office space leasing crossed 30 million square feet, which was an increase of around 40% than 2018. The increasing need for office spaces with low maintenance cost and highly sustainable facilities is expected to increase the demand for raised access floor during the forecast period. Market Segmentation by Type Steel Concrete Calcium Sulfate Board Chipboard Core Others Market Segmentation by End-user Data Centers Commercial Buildings Office Workplaces Command Centers Others Insights by Geography A large part of demand in North America comes from new construction projects that are expected to drive the market. The demand for raised access floor in the region is driven by the massive size of end-user industries such as data centers; commercial enterprises such as retail, semiconductor, aerospace; and sizeable public utility centers. The region stands as a leader in innovative manufacturing practices, reinforced by comprehensive product development with an emphasis on energy-efficiency, reduced lifecycle costs, and sustainability. The growth in the general commercial construction demand and the high availability of low-cost labor has boosted the growth in the APAC region. The major drivers in the APAC region include the growth of data centers market on account of the growing number of internet users, the increased use of social media, and high smartphone penetration, the increased adoption of public cloud and hybrid cloud services, and the need for enterprises to migrate from server rooms to data centers. The European market for raised access floor is strong in Western Europe, where the data center footprint is high, especially in the Netherlands, the UK, France, and Germany. The market in Southern Europe is expected to grow steadily. The construction market in Europe is more agile in adopting new technologies than the US. Office spaces, utility centers, and commercial buildings in key cities with high construction activities make use of floor panels. The European region has a significant number of trade agreements that favor trade liberalization and help seamless sourcing, with reduced complexity with respect to duties and taxes on floor panels, and floor finishes products. Market Segmentation by Geography North America o US o Canada Europe o France o Germany o UK o Italy o Spain APAC o China o Japan o South Korea o India o Australia MEA o South Africa o Turkey o Saudi Arabia o Israel Latin America o Mexico o Brazil o Colombia o Chile Insights by Vendors The global raised access floor market is highly fragmented, with no major vendors having a significant share. The market is characterized by vendors that are application-specific, product-specific, or multiple-service providers at any point in time. The selection criteria mainly depend on access to raw material, pricing models, and portfolios. The competitive landscape of the industry is scattered across different geographical regions and flooring type variations. The market is divided into developing and developed regions, with a high variation in the demand and supply ratio. The market is in a nascent stage of growth. The growth is expected to be majorly driven by data centers and office spaces. The competition is currently stiff in the data center and workspace segments, as several companies are looking to gain the first-mover advantage. Key Vendors Lindner Group Knauf Exyte Technologies Gamma Industries Everest Industries Limited Eurodek Comey JVP Kingspan United Office Systems Pvt. Ltd AET Building Products Pvt. Ltd. Haworth Polygroup Bathgate Flooring Mero Tsk Jansen Access Floor Porcelanosa Lenzlinger Veitchi Flooring CBI Europe Akdag S. W ASP Access Floors Huatong Xinli Flooring Key Market Insights The analysis of the global raised access floor market provides sizing and growth opportunities for the forecast period 20202025. 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 raised access floor market. Offers an exhaustive summary of the vendor landscape, competitive analysis, and key strategies to gain competitive advantage. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05862342/?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. __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links www.reportlinker.com 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. UT Health San Antonio will oversee a new statewide program to expand access to medication for people struggling with opioid addiction. A large portion of $7.2 million provided by the state will go directly to treatment by covering the cost of medicine for indigent patients and associated expenses. Our goal is to increase accessibility so people can get treated, respond to this lifesaving treatment and do well, said Jennifer Sharpe Potter, a psychiatry professor and vice dean for research at the Long School of Medicine who is heading up the program. It joins a growing national movement to shift the mindset about addiction and treat it as a medical condition rather than a behavioral problem. The program, called the Texas Medication for Opioid Use Disorder initiative, will support a network of medical providers and expand education about prescribing naltrexone and buprenorphine, medications that are effective in treating opioid addiction. It will not cover methadone, another medication used to treat opioid use disorder that is more strictly regulated by the federal government. The money was awarded under a Texas Health and Human Services Commission contract. On ExpressNews.com: In a downtown NICU, cuddling volunteers are vital in comforting babies exposed to drugs Potter already leads GetWaivered Texas, which helps medical providers obtain a federal waiver to prescribe buprenorphine, a requirement that can limit the medicines availability to patients. Since GetWaivered Texas began in March, it has trained 680 doctors. The new program is a natural outgrowth of that training effort, Potter said, building on the expanded capability of doctors across the state to treat this type of addiction. The new funding will more directly assist patients, Potter said, especially those who have few other options for treatment if they dont qualify for the states Medicaid program. It will also prioritize rural communities, she added, which often do not have the resources or infrastructure of clinical programs as in large cities such as San Antonio. To be effective, we have to save people, save their lives, she said. We actually have to convince them to consider treatment as a possibility. Over the past few years, UT Health San Antonios medical and nursing schools have partnered with county and city leaders to create a number of programs designed to mitigate harm from the opioid epidemic, efforts that have garnered statewide recognition. The health institution has already received millions of dollars in grants and other revenue. On ExpressNews.com: UT Health San Antonio nursing school gets millions more to fight opioid problem Those efforts have included establishing a long-awaited needle exchange program in Bexar County, the creation of a transitional house for mothers recovering from addiction and their children, and training for civilians and first responders on the use of naloxone, an overdose reversal nasal spray. Potter said she recognizes that its a lot of trust that the state has put in us. What you can see is the state really carving out the full continuum of public health interventions that were going to need to address this, she said. Lauren Caruba covers health care and medicine in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | lcaruba@express-news.net | Twitter: @LaurenCaruba New Delhi, Feb 14 : In a major decision, the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi facilitated way to give ownership rights to more than 40 lakh citizens residing in 1,731 unauthorised colonies in Delhi. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on Friday handed over conveyance deed to 34 applicants under the Pradhan Mantri Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana (PM-UDAY). According to Hardeep Puri, Minister of State (Independent/Charge), Housing and Urban Affairs Housing now, these beneficiaries would be eligible to avail the bank loans. Since 11 years, the scheme was hanging in the air but now these people will become real owner of the house. And, in further six months the work will be completed, he said. Briefing media after distribution of deeds, nearly 151 conveyance deeds have been issued so far, the Minister said, adding that around 2.15 lakh people have applied online for registration. Further a mechanism will be devised for simplified registration process. Terming the process a mammoth task, Singh said, Vice Chairperson, DDA has been requested to prepare control norms, including making layouts in this regard. With an aim of providing ease of living to the people living in unauthorised colonies in Delhi. He also added that distribution of deeds had nothing to do with the Delhi elections. The money collected from the stamp duty and conveyance deed would be put aside for a special development fund and to be utilised for the development of social infrastructure in these colonies, said the Minister. It is to be noted that around 40 lakh people reside in unauthorised colonies located on private or public land in Delhi. Properties, whether in the form of plot of land or built up space are generally held through General Power of Attorney (GPA), Will, Agreement to Sale, Payment and Possession documents. Talking to one of the benificiaries, Rohit, a resident of Chattarpur said till now our land on which I was residing was not being registered by registration authorities and thereby the residents do not have any title documents in respect of such properties and the Banks and financial institutions do not extend any credit facilities in respect of said properties. But now my 226 square yards land on which my house is built, I will be able to avail bank loans. As I have my registry for which I paid Rs 21,900 as conveyance deed and one per cent to sub-registrar office. DDA has been authorised as the nodal agency for this work. The exercise of delineation of boundaries is being carried out by DDA with the assistance of Survey of India (SOI) and Revenue Department, GNCTD. More than 500 Clusters have been delineated, said DDA Vice Chairmen Tarun Kapoor. DDA has developed an online portal for inviting claims, objections from RWAs and Federation of RWAs on the delineated boundaries with the help of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). DDA has also requested MeitY to develop an e-portal where residents of UCs can apply for the ownership rights, he said. Beneficiaries are applying for the ownership rights only through prescribed online system developed by DDA. The applicants have to attach the requisite documents such as General Power of Attorney, Agreement to Sell, Payment and possession Documents, Site Plan and GPS Data with the application, he added. Overall, one third of the benificiaries are women in the Pradhan Mantri Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana (PM-UDAY) according to MoHUA sources. 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. U.S. Admiral James G Foggo (R), Commander of the NATO Trident Juncture exercise speaks during a ceremony to mark the end of NATO exercise Trident Juncture at the Vaernes airport in Stjoerdal, Norway, on Nov. 7, 2018. (Ole Martin Wold / AFP via Getty Images) Army Revives V Corps to Reinforce European Allies Countering Russias New Missiles That Breach INF Treaty The U.S. Army announced on Tuesday that it would re-establish after seven years of inactivity an additional corps headquarters called Fifth Corps (V Corps) in Fort Knox, Kentucky. The goal is to support a command post in Europe on a rotational basis, according to a U.S. Army press statement. Approximately 635 soldiers will be stationed at Fort Knox, and 200 (about company size) of them will take turns to rotate in Europe where they will support a new operational command post yet to be established, the statement said. The Department of Defense is in the process of rebuilding American forces in Europe to face growing threats from Russia, according to Military.com. This Aug. 18, 2010 image provided by the U.S. Army shows the Chaffee Gate entrance to Fort Knox. (AP Photo/US Army) The Fifth Corps, originally established in 1918, fought in France during World War I and participated in the D-Day invasion during World War II, thus contributing to the liberation of Europe. It also served during the Cold War. After the fall of the Iron Curtain, the Corp operated in the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan until 2013, when it was dismantled, according to the Army website. The activation of an additional Corps headquarters, [scheduled for fall 2020] provides the needed level of command and control focused on synchronizing U.S. Army, allied, and partner nation tactical formations operating in Europe. It will enhance U.S. Army Europe and U.S. European Command to ensure security in the region, said Gen. James McConville, Chief of Staff of the Army in the statement announcing the activation of V Corps headquarters. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told KFVS 12 in a statement that establishing the new corps headquarters was urgently needed to fulfill National Defense Strategy requirements and support U.S. forces and operations in Europe. McConnell, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) welcomed the establishment. The location of the new command post in Europe is not yet decided. The headquarters would be established in the United States, and we would send forward whats called the tactical control headquarters, to Poland or any other country, depending on what makes most sense, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said at the press conference after the NATO defense ministerial meeting on Feb.12. Journalists and military attaches attend a news briefing, organized by Russian defense and foreign ministries and dedicated to cruise missile systems including SSC-8/9M729 model, at Patriot Expocentre near Moscow, Russia January 23, 2019. (Maxim Shemetov/Reuters) Russias Nuclear-Tipped Cruise Missiles Breach INF Treaty The challenge posed by the new land-attack cruise missile system developed by Russia called SSC-8 was discussed at the meeting of NATO Defense Ministers on Fab 13 in Brussels, Belgium. NATO Allies agreed during the meeting that the development and deployment of SSC-8 nuclear-tipped missiles with a range of around 12001600 miles (2,0002,500 km) is a breach of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF treaty), and led to the demise of the INF Treaty last year, said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at a press conference after the ministerial meeting. INF treaty signed by Russia and the United States in 1987, prohibits the development of ground-launched missiles with ranges between 300 to 3,400 miles (500 to 5,500 km). Russias violation of the treaty led the United States to withdraw from it in 2019. We will look at what more needs to be done to improve the readiness of our forces. To move them rapidly, and to sustain them, Stoltenberg said. In response to the demise of the INF treaty, NATO has implemented the biggest reinforcement of our collective defense since the end of the Cold War, Stoltenberg said. The measures implemented include the deployment of combat-ready troops on the eastern flank of the Alliance, and increasing defense spending to invest in new high-end capabilities, as well as adapting military exercises, he said. However, we will not mirror what Russia does. We have no intention to deploy new land-based nuclear-missiles in Europe. Stoltenberg said. Defense ministers would like to pursue new arms control initiatives to prevent an arms race, especially of nuclear weapons, said Stoltenberg. We have to make sure that we have credible deterrence and defense also without the INF Treaty, he added. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 02:48:48|Editor: yan Video Player Close ATHENS, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Despite recent financial woes, Greeks did not miss the opportunity to celebrate love on Feb. 14, Valentine's Day. Local media cited a survey showing that spending on gifts for the day has increased by 181.5 percent over the course of three years (2017-2019). Citing figures from a survey carried out in 53 countries for MasterCard and released on Thursday, the local news portal in.gr reported that although the volume of card transactions for romantic Greeks is not as big as in other countries, even during the debt crisis, which started in 2009, they did not miss the chance to express their feelings to their loved ones. According to a similar study conducted in 2018, Greeks spent on average 74 euros (80 U.S. dollars) on Valentine's Day presents. "Despite the crisis in Greece in recent years, sales did not suffer dramatically. Each one of us tries to show his/her feelings by purchasing at least one flower," florist Manos Vassilakis told Xinhua in central Athens on Friday. Pavlos, 18, was one of his customers, who purchased a red rose for his significant other. "I usually buy small gifts, usually a flower. I don't believe in Saint Valentine really. I believe that love exists every day," he said. For those who opted for something different than the classic flowers or chocolate boxes, this year one of the city's museums, the Museum of Cycladic Art, offers plenty of ideas throughout February. "We wanted this February to be colored in red. This month we asked them (artists cooperating with the museum) to create red objects," Thecla Fountou, head of the museum's shop, told Xinhua on Friday. Under red balloons, visitors were admiring heart-shaped tea or coffee mugs and books celebrating love. "We have many sources of inspiration. (You will see) jewelry with poems by (Ancient Greek poet) Sappho, words explaining love, various objects, books. There are marvelous editions of love poems," Fountou explained. (1 euro = 1.08 U.S dollars) HARTFORD A judge said Friday an attorney accused of sexually assaulting his wife has been offered a deal thats pending discussions in the Jennifer Dulos homicide case. Kent Mawhinney, who is accused of helping Fotis Dulos in the death and disappearance of his estranged wife, has been offered a plea deal in the sexual assault and violation of a protective order cases related to alleged incidents involving his own wife, Judge Laura F. Baldini said. The terms of the potential deal were not revealed in court and the judge said it could be held up pending discussions in the Jennifer Dulos case. It was the first time the two cases were mentioned together. Wearing a tan prison-issued jumpsuit with his hands and ankles cuffed, Mawhinney appeared in state Superior Court in Hartford Friday for the first time since he was arraigned last month in Stamford on a conspiracy to commit murder charge in the Dulos case. Mawhinney is being held on $2 million bond and is next scheduled to appear for the charges related to his estranged wife on April 23. The woman reported to police in January 2019 that Mawhinney sexually assaulted her as payment for allowing her to live in his home as the two were divorcing, according to his arrest report. Baldini agreed to set Mawhinney's bond at $500 in the two cases so that he could receive credit for any jail time served. He previously was free on bond prior to his arrest on the conspiracy to commit murder charge. Mawhinney has requested an extension in the divorce case to May 14 so he can respond to 103 questions and 25 document requests made by his wifes Stamford attorney, Zenas Zelotes. Mawhinneys motion seeking the extension states he is incarcerated and does not have access to any records. Mawhinney was charged in January 2019 by South Windsor police with spousal sexual assault, disorderly conduct and second-degree unlawful restraint. Mawhinney was then charged in June with violating of a protective order after his estranged wife reported to police a series of incidents involving Fotis Dulos that occurred in the days before Jennifer Dulos went missing. READ MORE: Lawyer: Was my client the wife that survived? Jennifer Dulos was last seen on a neighbors security camera returning to her New Canaan home after dropping off her five children at a nearby school around 8 a.m. May 24. Police believe her estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, was lying in wait and attacked her in the garage of the Welles Lane home, according to arrest warrants. Fotis Dulos is considered a close friend and former client of Mawhinney, who represented him in a $2.5 million lawsuit filed by Jennifer Dulos mother, Gloria Farber. Mawhinney is accused of conspiracy in the Jennifer Dulos case by attempting to provide an alibi for Fotis Dulos on the morning of the incident and was also linked to what a witness described as a human grave at an East Granby gun club, according to his arrest warrant. According to the warrant, Mawhinneys cellphone pinged off a tower near the Windsor Rod & Gun Club around 11 p.m. on May 31 hours after police visited Fotis Dulos Farmington home and conducted an intense search in Hartford where they say clothing and other items were found in the trash containing Jennifer Dulos blood. The next day, Fotis Dulos and his former girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, were arrested on tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution charges. Dulos, 52, was additionally charged Jan. 7 with felony murder, murder and kidnapping in his estranged wifes homicide. Troconis, 45, and Mawhinney, 54, were charged the same day with conspiracy to commit murder. Since Fotis Dulos died Jan. 30 from an apparent suicide, the dynamic of the prosecutions case has changed, shifting the focus to Mawhinney and Troconis, who pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit murder last week. Mawhinney has not entered a plea and is next scheduled to appear in the case on Feb. 20. Mawhinney was considered a flight risk after he tried to avoid being arrested and was eventually taken into custody at gunpoint in Tolland. Mawhinney lost custody of his children from a previous marriage and had his license to practice law suspended because he was unable to serve his clients while incarcerated. In Mawhinneys June arrest warrant, police said his wife believed Fotis Dulos was working with her husband to get rid of her. She stated that she believed that Mawhinney wanted her dead, police said in the arrest warrant. According to the womans affidavit in a court filing for a restraining order against Mawhinney, Fotis Dulos first contacted her on May 16 and then reached out several more times before arranging to meet at a bar on May 19. The woman refused Fotis Dulos offer to come back to his Farmington home, where he said she and Mawhinney could use a room to be intimate, the affidavit said. The woman said her last conversation with Fotis Dulos, whom she had only met once before in her husbands office in 2014, occurred on May 22 two days before Jennifer Dulos vanished, according to court documents. Around the same time, two members of the Windsor Rod & Gun Club discovered a large hole near the woods on the 25-acre property that Mawhinney helped acquire more than a decade ago, according to his arrest warrant in Jennifer Dulos homicide. In early June, one of the men noticed the hole was gone, covered as neat as a pin with leaves and sticks, the warrant said. When state police searched the property in August, no human remains were found. Defense Ministry confirms Armenian side has 2 victims Satanovsky on sending Armenian servicemen to Kazakhstan Unofficial data: 2 servicemen killed as a result of Azerbaijan provocation CSTO and Kazakh Defense Ministry developing plan WHO thinks it's too early to consider COVID-19 pandemic European Commission to require Poland to pay fine of nearly EUR 70 million White House announces $308 million humanitarian aid for Afghanistan Erdogan angry at minister after efforts to strengthen lira failed Armenian FM has phone call with US Assistant Secretary of State India imposes one-week quarantine even for vaccinated tourists Armenian ex-president expresses condolences on poet Razmik Davoyan's death Traction Programme to showcase 8 startups during the Digital Demo Day Azerbaijan uses artillery and UAVs, 3 Armenian soldiers wounded 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 Mumbai, Feb 14 : Displaying strains in the Maha Vikas Aghadi, Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar expressed his displeasure over Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's move to hand over the politically sensitive Elgar Parishad - Koregaon-Bhima case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). "Law and order is a state subject. It is not proper to encroach upon the rights of the state. Maharashtra's support to the move is also unfair," Pawar said in a media interaction. This is the first instance wherein Pawar - the architect of the MVA alliance of Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress - has taken public stance opposing the CM in the fledgling 75-day old government. The 79-year old leader's annoyance came after a Pune Sessions Court transferred the case to the NIA and directed all accused to be produced before the Special NIA Court in Mumbai on February 28 where the matter will be heard henceforth. NCP leader and state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had said yesterday that the CM had used his discretionary powers to effect the takeover from Pune Police to the NIA though the Centre should have first discussed the matter with the state. After initial resistance, the state government came around to the view that it had no objections to the transfer of the case to the NIA, as dictated by the Centre last month. The Centre's move came barely a couple of days after Pawar had written to the CM to set up a Special Investigation Team to re-investigate the case including the role of the Pune Police, while several NCP and Congress leaders have termed the entire case as fabricated and the Centre's move as 'unconstitutional'. After Pawar's letter, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar had convened a meeting of the home department and others to review the status of the case, and immediately thereafter, the Centre decided to hand it over to the NIA on Jan. 25. Later today, the Bombay High Court rejected the anticipatory bail applications of two activists and accused in the case - Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde - but gave them four weeks protection to file an appeal in the Supreme Court. The case dates back to the Dec. 31, 2017 Elgar Parishad in Pune, followed by the caste riots next day, Jan. 1, 2018 in Koregaon-Bhima, and subsequently the nationwide swoop on over a dozen activists in June-August 2018. The activists and intellectuals were charged with harbouring Maoist links, indulging in anti-national activities, planning to create political disturbances, preparing to wage a war against India, conspiring to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi and plotting to overthrow the government. Read on for the most recent top news you may have missed in Houston. Mayor Sylvester Turner officially endorses Mike Bloomberg for president Read the full story on KPRC2 / Click2Houston. Suspect sketch released in murder of Houston father in front of his son Read the full story on KHOU 11 News. Video shows suspect snatch woman's purse as she was leaving Alief-area bank Read the full story on KHOU 11 News. Dementia patient hasn't been seen since getting on METRO train in Medical Center Read the full story on KHOU 11 News. Houston Astros admit that stealing signs really worked: 'It was definitely an advantage' Read the full story on USA TODAY. 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. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has officially weighed in on the 2020 presidential race. Houston police on Thursday released video and a sketch of suspects wanted in the fatal shooting of a man last month. Houston police released surveillance video of a purse snatching in Alief with the hopes someone recognizes the truck or suspect involved. Houston police are asking the public to keep an eye out for a man missing from the Medical Center-Museum District area. 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. Grave issues on criminalisation of politics The SC verdict on ensuring parties disclose criminal antecedents of candidates comes in the wake of 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. (Bloomberg) -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization pledged to expand its training mission in Iraq as a quick initial response to U.S. President Donald Trumps call for the alliance to play a bigger role in the Middle East. NATO defense ministers decided to increase its 500-strong Iraqi operation by shifting personnel deployed for the much bigger U.S.-led international coalition to fight terrorism in the country. This will consist of taking on some of the global coalitions current training activities, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels on Wednesday after chairing the first part of a meeting of the alliances defense chiefs. Ministers also agreed to explore what more we can do beyond this first step. Trump stoked speculation about a bigger NATO footprint in the Middle East a month ago after Iran carried out attacks in Iraq on two bases used by American troops as retaliation for a U.S. airstrike that killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad. Trump said the scope of NATO should be increased in the region to tackle terrorist threats. When campaigning for office in 2016, Trump vowed to get the U.S. out of what he called endless wars. Yet heading into the 2020 election, he has sent more than 15,000 American troops to the Mideast since May to pressure Iran. NATO has run a training mission in Iraq since late 2018 aimed at supporting Iraqi forces and preventing the re-emergence of Islamic State. The alliance suspended the mission on Jan. 6 as a result of the heightened U.S.-Iran tensions and security risks in the region. Stoltenberg declined to comment Wednesday on how much bigger the operation may become, saying the defense ministers took a decision in principle and then we will continue to work on the details and the numbers and exactly what kinds of activities. The plan to enlarge the mission will require the support of the Iraqi government, a tricky domestic political task after the countrys parliament last month urged the expulsion of foreign troops. Stoltenberg has been in touch with senior Iraqi authorities to pave the way for the bigger NATO operation. Story continues Everything we do in Iraq will be in close coordination and with the consent of the Iraqi government, he said. We have a very good and constructive dialog. NATO officials aim to weigh over the coming weeks and months what additional activities could be undertaken in the Middle East and in North Africa. To contact the reporters on this story: Jonathan Stearns in Brussels at jstearns2@bloomberg.net;Glen Carey in Brussels at gcarey8@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Ben Sills at bsills@bloomberg.net, ;Bill Faries at wfaries@bloomberg.net, Caroline Alexander, Larry Liebert 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. The family of a New Jersey prison inmate who died by suicide in 2009 after he was allegedly humiliated and encouraged to kill himself when he sought mental health help has settled a lawsuit for more than $304,000, according to court documents. Robert Alex Mullin Jr., 29, died in his cell at South Woods State Prison in Cumberland County on Jan. 17, 2009, according to the federal lawsuit filed by his family. Mullin was an addict with a history of attempts to harm himself and had been identified by a social worker as a mental health special needs inmate, according to the suit. But the prison staff did not do enough to supervise Mullin and one corrections officer berated him when he sought assistance, according to the suit. New Jersey agreed last year to pay $304,419.25 to Mullins estate in a settlement first reported by open public records advocate John Paff on his website. The state did not admit any wrongdoing in the settlement. The suit alleged that a prison nurse failed to write up a suicide assessment despite knowledge of Mullins history. State prison policy required high levels of monitoring for inmates such as Mullin, including checking at 15-minute intervals or constant observation, according to the suit. In addition, corrections officers assigned to Mullins unit ignored his request for mental health treatment, according to the suit. Other inmates reported that Mullins banged on his cell and told an officer he wanted to kill himself but was ignored and humiliated by one of the corrections officers, according to the suit. Shut up. You might as well kill yourself," the corrections officer said according to the suit. There (is) no psych available, so I guess you have to kill yourself. Two inmates said they overheard the officer say, If you want to kill yourself, kill yourself, the suit states. Robert Mullin, who went by Alex, was one of Joan Mullins two children and a 1998 graduate of Eastern High School in Voorhees, according to his obituary. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. As Gov. Phil Murphy continues to deal with allegations that his 2017 campaign was a toxic workplace environment for women, a Republican seeking to oust the governor in next years election has unveiled a policy aiming to prevent and respond to any discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in his campaign. Former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, the only declared candidate in the 2021 race for New Jersey governor, announced Tuesday hes named former state Sen. Diane Allen to oversee the effort. The people of New Jersey need not another black eye, Ciattarelli said during a news conference at the Statehouse in Trenton. They deserve a gubernatorial campaign and an administration that sets the highest standards of competence and professionalism. The times demand this, he added. Ciattarelli also said he will not hold campaign workers to non-disclosure agreements of any kind another issue for which Murphy has faced criticism. Murphy, a Democrat, has said NDAs are common in politics to prevent leaking campaign strategy. But a former campaign official, Julie Roginsky, repeatedly said the governors campaign attorneys were keeping her from publicly discussing allegations about a toxic work environment. Murphy released a statement saying all who worked on his campaign were free to speak after Roginsky went public with her accusations last month. In my opinion, theres no need for them in political campaigns, Ciattarelli said. If any candidate feels they need an NDA, I would suggest theyre picking the wrong people to work on their campaign team. But Ciattarelli demurred when he was asked if President Donald Trump, a Republican, should follow his example and refuse to have workers sign NDAs. Trump has been criticized for using gag orders. Im here to talk about my campaign, said Ciattarelli, who said last month he supports Trump. Certainly, every campaign is different. Murphy on Tuesday apologized to those we failed after months of allegations, some anonymous, against his campaign staff. He also vowed that any future campaign hes a part of will lead the nation in progressive workforce policies and be a model of a respectful workplace." But Ciattarelli noted that aides who have been accused of helping create the toxic environment are still employed in Murphys administration or remain advisers to the governor. I think anyone who has created a toxic work environment, anyone whos violated someone else, should be fired," Ciattarelli said. Caitlin Mota, a spokesman for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, responded by criticizing Ciattarrelli for failing to help change the culture in Trenton during his eight years in the Assembly. Instead of doing anything to support women, he fully embraced Chris Christies misogynistic agenda instead, Mota said in reference to Murphys Republican predecessor. "When Christie gutted funding for Planned Parenthood, verbally abused female legislators, teachers and union members and vetoed equal pay legislation, Ciattarelli didnt bother to stop him. Republican insider Ciattarelli can call himself an ally to women now all he wants, but his record in Trenton tells a far different story. Hours after Ciattarellis news conference Thursday, Murphy released new plans to re-evaluate its current workplace standards and training in the state government to better protect employees from harassment. There has been a renewed focus in recent months on how women are treated in New Jersey politics, after a Dec. 29 report from NJ Advance Media in which numerous women working in the field detailed how they had been harassed or sexually assaulted. Ciattarellis new policy says his campaign will not tolerate harassment or discrimination verbal, physical, or visual from anyone associated with it, including employees, consultants, and volunteers. That includes harassment or discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, religion, age, or sexual orientation, according to the police. Under the policy, anyone with a complaint can speak privately to Allen, who will will then work with campaign lawyers to launch an investigation and make a recommendation to Ciattarelli. Ciattarelli said picking Allen to oversee this underscores how serious it is, saying her reputation is beyond reproach. She has been an outstanding role model, particularly for women, he said. "She has never been afraid to stand up, to be heard, and to fight for what is right including her own rights. Allen retired from the state Senate in 2018 after serving in the Legislature for 22 years She was previously a television anchor for NBC and CBS affiliates in Philadelphia. She filed a discrimination lawsuit against CBS after her anchoring duties were changed, alleging sexism and ageism. The suit was later settled out of court. I know what its like to work in a toxic workplace," Allen said Thursday. "I would never want anybody to have to do that. And I will do my best to make sure that doesnt exist and that any issues that people have in this campaign will be quickly dealt with so that people can go on to be the best they can be. Ciattarelli last month launched his second straight campaign for the Republican nomination for governor. He lost his partys 2017 primary to then-Lt. Gov. Kim Guadango, who went on to lose to Murphy in the general election. If Ciattarelli wins next years Republican primary, he will likely face Murphy, who has hinted he will run for re-election (though he could face a Democratic primary challenge first). Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Almost 9-year-long armed conflict in Syria has gained a new round. Armed clashes between the Syrian forces and the Turkish army occurred against the backdrop of the fighting in the province of Idlib The almost 9-year-long armed conflict in Syria has gained a new round. Armed clashes between the Syrian forces and the Turkish army occurred against the backdrop of the fighting in the province of Idlib - the last bastion of the anti-Assad opposition. Syrian troops, with Russia's support from the air, have been attacking the provinces of Idlib and Aleppo, controlled by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the National Liberation Front, for many years now. The troops of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad carried out shelling of these territories on February 10, and the Turkish military, who are there by agreement with Russia, were hit. Not without the dead. In response, the Turks staged a massive shelling. Killed over 100 Syrian militaries. Assads troops continue the offensive and surrounded some of the observation posts of the Turkish military. Turkey brings armored vehicles and multiple launch rocket systems to Idlib province. According to various sources, it deployed from 2,000 to 5,000 troops there as reinforcements. Erdogan promised to open fire on Assads troops and anyone else if shelling of the Turkish militarys positions in Idlib continues. There is no consensus on who is responsible for deepening the crisis. Ankara accuses Moscow and Damascus of violating the agreements in Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana) in 2017, according to which a de-escalation zone was created in Idlib province, partly in Latakia, Aleppo, Hama, and the Sochi agreement in 2018 heavy weapons by the parties to the conflict 15-20 km from the contact line. According to the agreements, the Turkish military assumed the role of guarantors of the peace process. Russia blames Turkey for all the sins, which supposedly allowed this crisis to happen, since it did not separate the radical Islamists Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from the militants of the National Liberation Front and the civilian population, according to the agreements in Sochi in 2018, supplied Assads opponents with weapons, ammunition, and armored vehicles. Damascus and Moscow are confident that Turkey-sponsored militants were the first to launch an offensive. The situation in northwestern Syria remains explosive and could lead to unpredictable consequences. Turkish position No matter how Damascus and Moscow want to regain control over the entire territory of Syria, Ankara is not going to leave the provinces of Idlib and Aleppo. These lands have been of interest to Turkish authorities since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire since they were part of the Aleppo province. The first president of Turkey, Kemal Ataturk, advocated the inclusion of the territories of Idlib and Aleppo in Turkey in the early 20s, but then France insisted on the annexation of these territories to its Syrian mandate. Taking advantage of military-political instability, Turkey, under the pretext of security zones and de-escalation, managed to regain control over part of its territories of interest. Putin ceded these lands to Erdogan in 2018, approving the introduction of the Turkish military in order to establish bilateral relations between Russia and Turkey. It is unlikely that then anyone would ask Assads regime about this. Thanks to its participation in the Syrian conflict, Turkey was able to establish control over the territories adjacent to its border. At the end of last year, the Turkish military occupied the bordering northeastern lands of Syrian Kurdistan. Turkey occupies areas of Idlib, which have not yet managed to capture the Syrian and Russian military. Among the representatives of the military and political elite of Turkey, expansionist sentiments reign. Erdogans coalition partner in parliament, the head of the far-right Nationalist Party, Devlet Bahceli, said Turkey would be safe only when its troops entered Damascus. The threat of force is Turkeys long-established technique in relations with Syria. Pan-Turkism, neo-Ottomanism, flirting with Islamists in Middle Eastern countries are the priorities of the foreign policy of the Erdogan regime, which seeks to strengthen influence in countries that were formerly part of the Ottoman Empire. Turkey can use the occupied territories of Syria in order to resettle part of the refugees. The capture of Idlib by Assads troops with the support of Russia is not beneficial for Turkey because new waves of refugees will rush into Turkey and with them motley Islamic extremists. It is one thing to use Syrian fighters as cannon fodder for military operations against the Kurds or send them to help the government of Fayez Sarraj in Libya. Russian-Turkish misunderstanding Russian President Vladimir Putin and Recep Erdogan have discussed the Idlib problem many times (the last time was February 12), but they cannot come to any concrete solution. Sochi and Astana agreements on de-escalation in Idlib were never implemented, the ceasefire is not respected. Moscow does not make concessions to Ankara in Idlib, so as not to spoil relations with Damascus and Tehran. The Assad regime is the backbone of Russian influence in the Middle East. Assad is Irans closest ally whose confrontation with America intersects with the Kremlins desire to reduce US influence in the region and fill the vacuum. Iran perceives Turkey as a competitor for regional leadership, despite the fact that the Turks willingly bought Persian oil. In the battles for Idlib on the side of Assads troops, up to 800 militants of the Iranian-sponsored Shiite group Fatemiyun take part. In 2017-18, Moscow gave Idlib to Turkey for temporary use, and now it is taking it back in order to contribute to the full restoration of the territorial integrity of Syria. Even after the incident with the death of the Turkish military, Assads troops continue the offensive. They captured the highway connecting Aleppo with Hama, Homs, and Damascus. Idlib is the last bastion of the anti-Assad opposition, with which Assad is not going to share power. Putin and Assad underestimated Erdogan, hoped that the Turkish troops themselves would leave Idlib. Apparently, the Kremlin was confident that the Turkish authorities would not spoil relations with Russia because of a piece of land. At the same time, the Turks are perplexed about why Russia is ready to exchange a rather effective partnership with Ankara for the Assad regime, which is in international isolation. Even US President Donald Trump, with whom Erdogan has a lot of problematic issues, went to meet him, withdrew American troops from the territories of Syrian Kurds of interest to Turkey and limited himself to protecting oil fields in eastern Syria. At the dawn of a new crisis An increase in the degree of tension in Idlib once again confirms that the alliance between Turkey and Russia is situational, but not strategic since their interests in the Middle East do not coincide. If hostilities continue between the Turkish and Syrian military, then relations between Russia and Turkey will face a new crisis. A similar precedent already took place at the end of 2015, when Turkey shot down the Russian Su-24 front-line bomber, which violated its airspace. Then Putin imposed a ban on the supply of food and agricultural products from Turkey to Russia, ordered to cancel tourist tours to Turkish resorts. Now the situation is a mirror. The Turkish military died. Realizing that without the help of Russia, Assads regime does not make unnecessary gestures, Turkey may resort to pressure measures to force the Kremlin to reconsider its priorities in Syria. Alternatively, the Turks may block the supply of natural gas through the TurkStream gas pipeline, which Gazprom launched last month, freeze the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant by Rosatom, and terminate cooperation in the supply of Russian weapons. To play on the nerves of the Russians, the Turks can conduct a situational rapprochement with the United States. Washington is already trying to capitalize on the contradictions between Ankara and Moscow over Idlib. The US State Department sent to Turkey Special Representative for Syria James Jeffrey to discuss the response to the shelling of Syrian troops. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo supported the Turkish military, called on Russia and the Assad regime to stop the attack on Idlib. In Russia, there were even versions that Erdogan went into a confrontation with Assad's troops under the influence of the United States. The Americans want to create the ground for normalizing relations with Turkey and achieve its rejection of the S-400 missile defense systems acquired from Russia, the cessation of interference in the civil war in Syria, the Blue Motherland doctrine and the appropriation of vast Mediterranean waters, and not impede the use of the American military base Incirlik. Erdogan is unlikely to take such steps, given the ambition to turn Turkey into a self-sufficient center of power in the Middle East. The maximum that he is interested in from the Americans is defrosting the supply of American F-35 multi-functional fighters. Turkey will not return to the wake of US foreign policy under the current leadership. Current events in Idlib make it clear that Erdogan has no real allies, and he is not ready to make serious concessions to the United States and Russia. 2020 has put sustainability on the path from buzzword to absolute necessity (better late than never, it seems). As mounting pressure is rightfully placed on the beauty industry, weve ditched microbeads, swapped cotton pads for Makeup Erasers, and put the humble shampoo bar back on our radar. But is there another yet another eco-faux pas thats going over or perhaps on our heads? With the global wig and hair-extension market estimated to be worth over $10 billion by 2023, its no surprise that the demand for synthetic hair has risen exponentially in recent years. The considerably lower price point and versatility, coupled with ethical issues surrounding human hair harvesting, have made it an obvious choice for many. Environmentally, however, synthetic hair plays a rather sinister role: Its essentially composed of ultra-fine strands of plastic, and the petrochemical-derived materials such as polyester, acrylic, and PVC are not biodegradable. This means that they ultimately end up in landfills and contribute further to our global waste problem. To an outsider, the solution might seem simple: Who needs wigs, anyway? But for some of the people who wear them, wigs are everything for cancer patients, for people living with alopecia, and for many women in the natural hair community who choose to wear protective styles. Taking care of your natural hair is the most sustainable option, but protective styling is paramount, particularly in cold weather, braiding specialist Afi Emily Attipoe explains. Some hairstyles work better with synthetic hair due to its texture, variety, and ability to mimic Afro hair. For some, its a matter of personal style; the noncommittal nature and ease of a wig allows wearers to experiment with their hair. Amber Rose Theron, a self-described synthetic-wig hoarder, enjoys being able to create a whole new look. Having dabbled with fake hair since her early teens, she says, My natural hair can be inconsistent. Wearing wigs allows me to have more control. In an effort to reduce, reuse, and recycle, Amber regularly brings her wigs back to life using DIY techniques shes seen on YouTube but she says that shes unaware of how to properly dispose of synthetic hair. Story continues This is echoed by many synthetic wig wearers whether theyre shopping to cover up hair loss due to a medical condition or, like Theron, just to switch it up. Despite the lifespan of synthetic hair being far shorter than that of human hair, best disposal practice is widely unknown; often there are no instructions on the packaging at all. Regulations are needed on all hair products, synthetic or real, Beth Summers, co-director of Womens Environmental Network (WEN), says. A fair-trade and transparent supply chain with proper health and safety legislation for the manufacture, use, and disposal of synthetic hair is required. Driving down the price of sustainable options might not be possible or desirable, potentially leading to the unethical exploitation of vulnerable women. Beth Summers, co-director, Womens Environmental Network London-based hair-extensions expert Vicky Demetriou agrees with the need for clarity on the issue, and highlights that thorough research is vital because, as she points out, synthetic options may be presented as being more sustainable as human hair. Demetriou, who works mainly with human hair, says that her clientele is becoming more environmentally aware. My main tip is to buy what you really want to wear and keep it, she says. Going real is a fantastic investment because hair is your biggest accessory and the planet is your home, but there is a massive demand for synthetic options. Provided you buy something you love and can rewear, it is a great conscious purchase. Pricing is far too often the biggest barrier to sustainability, forcing people to make unsustainable choices. Theron, for example, cant spend more than $50 on a wig she would love an ethically-sourced natural human hair wig, but its out of her budget. The relatively high price of sustainable options is often because the plastic version has an unrealistically low price that doesnt take into account the true costs such as the chemical, pollution, waste, and health impacts created through manufacturing, use, or at disposal, Summers says. Conscious consumers are therefore stuck with a choice between economically cheap yet environmentally costly synthetic hair, and less affordable natural hair that bears its own environmental weight. Additionally, Summer says, Driving down the price of sustainable options might not be possible or desirable, potentially leading to the unethical exploitation of vulnerable women. A leading synthetic-hair innovation will soon be more widely available: Raw Society Hair has created the worlds first 100% compostable braiding hair extension using banana fiber extracted from the stem of banana trees. As the stem purely connects the fruit and the tree, it is a natural byproduct of farming; using it in this way gives it purpose, saves land use, and provides farmers with additional income. The brand is owned by Welsh sisters Cherry and Crystal Hinam, who emigrated to Australia in 2017 and have career backgrounds in human hair extensions and graphic design respectively. We receive the raw product from Uganda. It arrives yellow in color, curly, and frizzy, Cherry explains. We then color and style it until it is ready to be used. Not only can the hair be reused, but it can also be curled and straightened. With plans to sell direct-to-consumer as well as to businesses, the sisters are also about to launch a zero range, where color is applied without water or heat and is 100% natural. Wig banks are also cropping up more and more, providing another way to reuse synthetic wigs. Catering for those with hair loss who are also financially limited, community-driven companies such as Simply Wigs in the UK take donations of used wigs, which they then wash and recondition before reselling. As the war on plastic intensifies, a sustainable synthetic hair solution is still quite challenging to find. While we wait for innovation to arrive, the only thing we can really control is our individual efforts. The best way to shop sustainably is, of course, not to shop at all, but this is often idealistic. So whether its switching to human hair or reusing synthetic hairpieces, small changes like learning to take better care of synthetic hair, or being mindful of when, where, and how we dispose of our wigs are the best place to start. This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK. Related Content: Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here? 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. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden met with an adorable admirer on Thursday: a little girl with brain cancer. The 42-year-old, who is heir apparent to the Swedish throne, invited seven-year-old Emilia to Royal Palace in Stockholm, where the pair chatted about what it's really like to be a princess. Emilia, who has a rare brain tumor called ependymoma, loves all things royal and expressed that her biggest wish was to meet the princess. So sweet! Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden met with an adorable admirer on Thursday: a seven-year-old girl with brain cancer Enchanted: Emilia, who has a rare brain tumor called ependymoma, loves all things royal and expressed that her biggest wish was to meet the princess Tea for two: The meet-and-greet was set up by Min Stora Dag, which plans special days for kids with critical illnesses The meet-and-greet was set up by Min Stora Dag, which means 'My Special Day' in Swedish. The organization 'makes a difference for children and adolescents with critical illnesses and diagnoses' by gibing them 'a Special Day that gives extra strength and happiness in a tough everyday life.' For Emilia, the most special thing she could imagine was meeting Victoria, the eldest child of King Carl XVI Gustaf. 'I wanted to ask Crown Princess Victoria what it feels like to be a real princess and if she also has a hard time in life sometimes, even though she is a princess,' the little girl said, according to Min Stora Dag. The two did chat, and Princess Victoria told Emilia how she needs a lot of hairpins to keep her tiara on her head, and that it is important to be careful when going down the stairs to the Nobel Prize banquet in long dress. Pretty dresses: For Emilia, the most special thing she could imagine was meeting Victoria, the eldest child of King Carl XVI Gustaf Sittin' pretty: In addition to talking, Emilia, her sister Maja, and her parents had tea at the palace, and Emilia and Maja got to play in the glamorous home So exciting! Pictures show the happy little girl beaming throughout the visit Emilia, who lives over 400 miles from Stockholn in a town called Trelleborg, loves to watch the Nobel dinner on TV and see the royals in their pretty dresses. The little girl also had her own pretty dress for the occasion, wearing a purple number nearly identical to a blue dress worn by her sister. In addition to talking, Emilia, her sister Maja, and her parents had tea at the palace, and Emilia and Maja got to play in the glamorous home. They spent an hour together before Princess Victoria surprised Emilia with one last treat: a horse-drawn carriage ride from the King's court stall through Stockholm. Pictures show the happy little girl beaming throughout the visit. Horsing around: They spent an hour together before Princess Victoria surprised Emilia, who likes horses with one last treat What a ride! They took a horse-drawn carriage ride from the King's court stall through Stockholm Earlier this week, Crown Princess Victoria shared two new family portraits ahead of her daughter Princess Estelle's eighth birthday later this month. Princess Estelle gazed out from between her mother and father Prince Daniel in the snaps. Her brother Prince Oscar, who will turn four in March, grinned beside her in the photograph, which was taken by Anna-Lena Ahlstrom. The blonde-haired youngster was a picture-perfect princess in a navy bow, which kept her tresses away from her face. She also wore a navy dress. In a second photograph, Princess Estelle, who is second in line to the throne, is pictured sitting alone with her hair neatly styled over one shoulder. Say cheese! The princess shared new family portraits ahead of daughter Princess Estelle's eighth birthday this month (pictured with her husband Prince Daniel and son Prince Oscar Cute: In a second photograph, Princess Estelle, who is second in line to the throne, is pictured sitting alone with her hair neatly styled over one shoulder Days before the portraits were released, Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel announced the establishment of a royal foundation in their daughter's name to 'promote cultural activities' and celebrate art. Princess Estelle's Cultural Foundation will 'emphasize the importance of art and culture to an open and modern society.' The foundation, which was established last year, was unveiled by the Swedish Royal Family's official Instagram account. The announcement said that the foundation's first project is 'part of the quest to make contemporary art accessible to a wide audience.' The Princess Estelle Cultural Foundation will be chaired by Johan Ericsson, with Prince Daniel on the board alongside Elin Annwall, the director of operations at The Crown Princess Couple's Foundation; Lena Josefsson, chairman of the Friends of the Modern Museum; and Staffan Larsson, governor of the Court at the Royal Palace. Charitable: Princess Estelle's Cultural Foundation will 'emphasize the importance of art and culture to an open and modern society' In a press release, business manager of the foundation Sara Sandstrom Nilsson said: 'We want to make contemporary art available and to present sculpture at Djurgarden is ideal from an introductory and interesting perspective. 'It is an open space that is easy to visit, no entrance fees are charged and no prior knowledge is required. The hope is that the art experiences will lead to many unexpected conversations and generally increased curiosity for culture'. According to Royal Central, the Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel hope to promote cultural life in Sweden and 'actualize this and show long-term ambitions through the creation of Princess Estelles Cultural Foundation'. The activities of the Cultural Foundation will be financed through private donations, the Royal Court confirmed. (ANSA) - Cagliari, February 14 - Air Italy's liquidators told managers on Friday that the procedure to make the airline's 1,450 employees redundant has been launched, in a conference call conducted from Olbia and Milan Malpensa airports. The redundancy letters for Italy's second-biggest airline will be sent within days, they said. The liquidators added, however, that they intended to take action to support the income of the people made redundant. They also said that "all possible sales of company branches that include the possible maintenance of all or some of the jobs will be taken into consideration". On Tuesday Air Italy's stakeholders, Alisarda and Qatar Airways, said via the AQA Holding company that they had decided to put the airline into liquidation and stop operating due to persistent conditions of difficulty on the market. Air Italy is estimated to have made a loss of 230 million euros in 2019. The government is said to be irritated at the way the issue has been handled. Transport Minister Paola De Micheli summoned the company's liquidators on Wednesday and told them to "explore alternative paths to liquidation that can give the best protection possible to workers and ensure flights continue". Senators Concerned Over Home Healthcare in Underserved Communities Washington At present, the home healthcare sector cannot meet the needs of elderly citizens, especially in rural communities. This shortage requires swift action from Congress as the demand for home health care services is projected to increase as the U.S. population ages and people live longer. Lawmakers must solve a few key issues so the home healthcare industry can meet the growing demand for home health care, especially in small towns. Some of the issues include funding (cuts to Medicaid), antiquated provisions written into the benefits, and attracting qualified healthcare workers to rural communities. In rural areas, which tend to have a higher elderly population, and isolated settings, home health care workers can be a lifeline for those elderly residents. Francis Adams, a veteran home care healthcare worker in rural Pennsylvania who testified at the Senate Aging Committee hearing Wednesday, said he is concerned about the shortage of home healthcare workers in the United States and works overtime because of the shortage in his community. Adams told the committee that many of the elderly in his community have to cut corners to make up for the losses to their Medicare benefits. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and a majority leader of the U.S. Senate Aging Committee said, home health care services help patients avoid more costly hospital visits and nursing homes, it saves Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers millions of dollars each year and allows seniors to age in the comfort and security of their own homes. Senator Collins introduced the Home Health Payment Innovation Act, this legislation aims to prevent further payment rate cuts. The measure would provide flexibility in waiving the homebound requirement for services. As home health agencies are adjusting to the new payment system, I believe that Congress should revisit the rural add-on payment. A well-targeted rural add-on payment is especially needed now. And it is needed to compensate home health agencies that are operating in vast rural areas, such as northern Maine, where they have to drive long distances between patients, Collins said. An add-on is a three percent payment modifier to reimbursements for services provided in rural and underserved areas. Rural agencies face higher overhead expenses through factors such as increased travel time between patient visits and demands for extra staff, so the add-on becomes crucial to running their services. Another bill introduced by Collins, meant to remove obstacles to seniors receiving home health care, is the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act. This legislation has bipartisan support in the Senate and aims to improve the access Medicare recipients have to home health care by allowing physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to order home health care services (not just physicians). Medicare covers a wide range of home care services including skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, medical social services, and home health aide care. According to a 2014 U.S. census report, Between 2012 and 2050, the United States will experience considerable growth in its older population. In 2050, the population aged 65 and over is projected to be 83.7 million, almost double 2012. The forecast growth of the older population in the United States will present challenges to congress and programs, such as Social Security, Medicare and healthcare providers. We know from research that people who live along that stretch of roadand along rural roads across the countryare more likely to be older, to be sicker and to be less well-off than their peers. And, as a result, they require more health care services, Senator Bob Casey (D-Penn.) said. We must invest in home health care. The senator introduced, the Home and Community-Based Services Infrastructure Improvement Act (HCBS). This bill would provide Medicaid grants to states to support existing service providers and encourage the creation of new delivery systems to meet the needs of older adults and people with disabilities. The HCBS funding could be used to improve infrastructure like housing, transportation, expand counseling and employment for those with disabilities and increase wages for home health care workers. Currently, low wages (a median wage of $11.57 per hour), lack of benefits and basic protections, and isolation contribute to a critical shortage of home care workers. National workforce turnover rates were as high as 60 percent in 2014. According to PHI, a workforce research and data center in New York City, the U.S. needs to attract one million more workers to the home care industry by 2028 to meet the increasing demand. Adams believes that the government needs to improve pay, medical coverage and career opportunities for home care workers so more people will be willing to do this demanding but important work. A lot of the tasks I do in home care are physicalbathing, cooking meals, cleaning, helping clients go to the bathroom, driving them to and from appointments, helping them get in and out of bedbut its the emotional connection that really makes an impact, said Adams. Adams said that often, a home healthcare worker is the only person that a patient will see for weeks at a time. Senator Casey told the committee that his legislation aims to get services to those elderly that need it the most, My bill aims to change thatto make home-based care and services a reality for all who need it. An investment in home care is an investment in the future of rural America WASHINGTON During the impeachment inquiry, U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., made a plan. After the impeachment proceedings ended, they would travel to Ukraine together again to see the countrys president and reiterate American support for the former Soviet nation, Murphy said. On Friday, Murphy, Johnson and Sen. John Barasso, R-Wyo. met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kiev. We are here together because there is no difference between us or between Republicans and Democrats in Congress in our support for Ukraine, for our support for continued funding for Ukraine to defend itself, and our continued support for reform, Murphy said. The trip is the first by members of Congress to Ukraine since the impeachment inquiry. Murphy and Johnson also met with Zelenskiy weeks before the impeachment inquiry started in September. Murphy said Thursday he would deliver a two-part message to Zelenskiy: Ukraine has bipartisan support from Congress and ignore any further requests from the presidents personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, or his associates, to deliver political information to Trump. Zelenskiy gave the senators a list of new ways for Congress to help Ukraine, Murphy tweeted. Before departing for Kiev, Murphy predicted the trip could set up a bipartisan effort to increase U.S. aid to Ukraine. I think one of the things Sen. Johnson and I will talk about is whether theres an appetite here to increase the amount of assistance that we give Ukraine, Murphy said Thursday. I think we should. Murphy, Johnson and Zelenskiy will also speak together on a panel in Munich, Germany on Saturday at the citys annual global security conference. There are things that the senators decided not to ask Zelenskiy, they said. Murphy did not plan on asking Zelenskiy for information about Giulianis activities in Ukraine, he said Thursday. In addition to earlier trips, Giuliani traveled to Ukraine in December to interview Ukrainians for a documentary intended to debunk claims that Trump pressured Ukraine for information about his political rival, the former vice president Joseph R. Biden, and his son Hunter Biden, who served on the board of a Ukrainian energy firm. I dont know that I will be asking for information, but I will remind President Zelenskiy that reportedly Rudy Giuliani is still skulking around Ukraine and it is still important for Ukraine to stay clear of the U.S. electoral process, Murphy said. By now, I trust that Zelenskiys instinct is to stay out of American politics. For his part, Johnson said he would not seek information about Hunter Bidens work in Ukraine, although Republicans have concerns that the vice presidents son was working for a corrupt company called Burisma. Im not doing any investigating there whatsoever, other than just the standard questions weve been asking all along, Johnson said Thursday. The reason we are talking about corruption (and) rule of law is because thats what Ukraine has to improve on to get the type of foreign investment so that it can prosper. Its just table stakes. Ukraines not unique here. This is the legacy of any nation under the Soviet orbit. Murphy added that the Trump administration needs to appoint a new U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and a new special envoy to Ukraine. He recommended Trump invite Zelenskiy for a White House meeting something that was reportedly sought by Ukraine and used by Trump as leverage to push for information although Trump and Zelenskiy met at the United Nations in New York on Sept. 25. Ukraine has received bipartisan support from Congress as the nation seeking to distance itself from Russia and stall Russian encroachment on its territories. Many lawmakers view bolstering Ukraine and thus curbing Russian influence as a way to protect U.S. national security. Americans are also interested in fostering democracy and combating corruption in Ukraine. U.S. military aid to Ukraine was at the crux of the impeachment inquiry after the Trump administration, in July 2019, put an unexplained hold on millions in aid appropriated by Congress, while Trump and his associates used official and unofficial channels to get information about the Bidens. While Republicans and Democrats disagreed over whether to remove Trump from office over the act, members of both parties said the conduct was inappropriate. When Murphy and Johnson met with Zelenskiy on Sept. 5, Zelenskiy was concerned about when he would receive his aid. The aid was released to Ukraine on Sept. 11. House Democrats launched their impeachment inquiry Sept. 24. Murphy also met with six Ukrainian parliamentarians in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 25, an aide said. Murphy described his September trip to Ukraine in a lengthy letter to the House Intelligence Committee in November. Johnson also wrote a similar letter, but the two senators disagreed over whether Zelenskiy was feeling pressure from the U.S. to hand over politically damaging information to Trump. The Friday trip was Murphy and Johnsons fourth joint visit to Ukraine, and Murphys sixth journey to Ukraine. Were going to be very supportive on a bipartisan fashion, Johnson said. Were going to have bipartisan curiosity in terms of what reforms they have put in place, how are they working, how is the new prosecutor general. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4, a member of the House Intelligence Committee that investigated the Trump-Ukraine matter, said I think [Murphy] will and should deliver a message that we are 100 percent supportive of Ukraines efforts to be free from Russian attack. Himes will also be in Munich Saturday for the global security conference with a delegation of House members, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Another House Intelligence member, Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, urged the senators to discuss cyber-warfare with Ukraine. I hope theyre going to talk about electronic warfare because we are seeing the Russians utilizing their latest and greatest in electronic warfare in the conflict regions in eastern Ukraine, Hurd said. Those are the wave of the future. Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jim Risch, R-Idaho, said Thursday despite the impeachment inquiry, Congresss concerns with Ukraine are the same they were a year ago. We were concerned about the corruption in their country, Risch said. Thats the conversation we were having with them then. It really hasnt change much. Risch declined to say whether Barasso, Johnson and Murphy should discuss the role of Giuliani in Ukraine with Zelenskiy. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., a member of the House Foreign Relations Committee, said the senators should address it. I hope they will make it clear to him that it is not appropriate ever for a foreign government to interfere in an American presidential election and that includes assisting a campaign, Cicilline said. And finally if receives additional pressure to do so that he should let us know. Hurd said he thinks Zelenskiy knows to stay focused on official folks. emilie.munson@hearstdc.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson Proper structures must be instituted to ... Shanghai (Gasgoo)- In January, automakers in China sold a total of 1,606,668 locally-produced PVs (hereby referring to cars, MPVs, SUVs and minibuses), a year-on-year decrease of 21.6% and a month-on-month drop of 27.3%, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Clearly, the Spring Festival holiday and the outbreak of the new coronavirus infection, the two reasons we have highlighted for several times, should be blamed for the PV sales downturn as well. Compared to the year-ago period, both MPV and minibus sectors posted decrease of over 30% in wholesale volume. Besides, the sales of cars and SUVs also represented downturn movement of 25.9% and 14.1%. Amid the overall downturn, there were few automakers achieving growth, according to the CPCA. FAW-Volkswagen was honored the champion by Jan. PV wholesale volume, followed by SAIC-GM and SAIC Volkswagen. Notably, SAIC-GM moved up to the runner-up place from the sixth in December 2019. The other two automakers that sold over 100,000 PVs were Geely Auto and Dongfeng Nissan. Two joint ventures of Toyota and Dongfeng Honda were ranked from sixth to eighth. All of them were not on the top 10 list for the previous month. In addition, Great Wall Motor and Changan Automobile had their rankings unchanged. As of retail sales, China's PV market suffered a year-on-year decline of 21.6%. Much of the blame has been laid on the Lunar New Year holiday. The coronavirus epidemic further worsened the situation. The CPCA said the SUV deliveries in Jan. shrank 17.1% from a year ago, of which the number of A-segment SUVs fell 17%, while the B segment gained an increase of 6%. Retailing 817,971 units, the car sector faced a drop of 23.7% last month. However, the deliveries of premium cars roughly remained flat over the prior-year period. You won't miss the meat at all in all these hearty and flavoursome dishes, in our second extract from the new vegetarian cookbook by Prue Leith and her chef niece Peta... This zesty raspberry-filled pavlova will leave the taste buds tingling for more I first had pavlova in South Africa, made with banana and mango delicious. The original pavlova is said to have been invented to honour the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova in New Zealand or Australia (both countries claim the honour) and contained pineapple and passion fruit. Certainly, any fruit at all works. Serves 6 For the meringue 3 large egg whites 240g (8oz) caster sugar 10g (oz) cornflour 1tsp white wine vinegar For the lemon curd 1 large egg Juice of 1 lemon 40g (1oz) caster sugar 35g (1oz) unsalted butter, at room temperature For the blackberry compote 500g (1lb 2oz) blackberries 3tbsp caster sugar For the cream layer 400ml (14fl oz) double cream 2tbsp limoncello Candied lemon peel, to garnish (optional) Preheat the oven to 120C/fan 100C/gas . Line a baking tray with baking parchment. Start by making the meringue. Put the egg whites, caster sugar and cornflour in a clean bowl and whisk with an electric mixer on medium speed. Meanwhile, bring 2tbsp water and the white wine vinegar to the boil in the smallest pan you have. Tip the boiling liquid onto the mixing whites, then increase the speed and whisk for 10-15 minutes, until the meringue is thick and glossy and forms stiff peaks when the whisk is lifted. Tip the meringue onto the lined baking sheet and use the back of a spoon to spread it out into a circle roughly 23cm across, thinner in the middle, and thicker around the rim. Bake in the middle of the oven for 1 hour, or until it feels set and dry. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on the sheet. To make the lemon curd, break the egg into a small saucepan and whisk until the yolk and white are evenly combined, then add all the other ingredients to the pan and set over a medium heat. Stir briskly as the butter melts and the curd comes to the boil, then immediately remove from the heat by this time it will be thickened. Pass through a fine sieve. Tip If you are pressed for time when making this, you could use lemon curd from a jar instead of making your own version from scratch. Advertisement To make the blackberry compote, put a third of the blackberries and all the sugar in a small saucepan with a tiny splash of water. Use a fork to mash the berries, then set it over a medium heat and, stirring frequently, bring it to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the compote is syrupy and the blackberries have all broken down completely. Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool. Whisk the double cream in a bowl until it is thickened enough to just hold its shape be careful not to over-whip it. Add the limoncello to taste you may prefer more or less than 2tbsp and stir. Spread a layer of the curd over the pavlova, then pile the whipped cream on top of it. Toss the remaining fresh blackberries in the blackberry compote, then spoon them all over the cream. Finally, garnish with thin strips of candied lemon peel (if using). Serve immediately. Extracted from The Vegetarian Kitchen by Prue Leith & Peta Leith, published by Bluebird on 20 February, 25. Prue Leith and Peta Leith. To order a copy for 17.99 go to mailshop.co.uk or call 01603 648155. P&P free. Offer valid until 31 March, 2020 Check with your state or national associations. Many state boards of accountancy and state C.P.A. societies maintain online directories of members or can provide a list of tax pros in your area when asked. Not every C.P.A. prepares taxes, so you may need to do some research online or call to see if the people on your list provide the type of tax services you need. E.A.s are federally licensed tax practitioners who are authorized to advise, represent, and prepare tax returns for individuals and businesses. The National Association of Enrolled Agents (N.A.E.A.) maintains a directory of E.A.s. You can search the directory by location, specialties, language, experience, and more. Consider free tax-preparation resources. If you make less than $56,000 per year or are age 60 and older, you may want to look into having your tax return prepared through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (T.C.E.) programs. These programs are sponsored by the I.R.S. and staffed by volunteers trained to provide basic tax-prep services to the public free of charge. If you qualify, use the VITA/T.C.E. locator tool to find a provider near you. According to the I.R.S., most VITA and T.C.E. sites wont appear in your search results until about three weeks before theyre scheduled to open. If you search for a site outside of mid-January through April, you may have a difficult time finding one near you. Once you find a location, check out the I.R.S.s list of what to bring to your tax appointment before you go. Step 2: Narrow down your options Once youve made a list of potential tax preparers near you, its time to zero in on whos best. Heres what to do: Verify their credentials. If you got the tax preparers name from the I.R.S., your state board of accountancy, a state C.P.A. society, or the NAEA, their credentials are most likely legitimate. However, if you got the name through a referral, its a good idea to find out whether the person holds the certifications they claim to have. Ireland continues to be the worst performer in Europe when it comes to using renewable energy for home heating. New figures from Eurostat show that the country is joint bottom of the renewable energy chart with The Netherlands with just 6%. Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Article body Scott Kramer offers Auburn University students much more than a chance to study abroad and earn class credit. He offers them a chance to transform their lives and the lives of others. I think most people have a big heartto serve and help others, said Kramer. A lot of times they just dont know how. We provide that with these service learning classes. Kramer, the Atlanta BSCI Alumni Professor, has been part of the faculty in the McWhorter School of Building Science in Auburns College of Architecture, Design and Construction for 27 years, but its his outreach work in the last decade that has gotten him noticed by colleagues and students alike. University officials noticed, too, recognizing him in 2019 with the Auburn University Award for Excellence in Faculty Outreach. The award honors the engagement of exemplary faculty members and demonstrates the tremendous impact outreach has on our community, state, nation and beyond. For the last 10 years, Kramer has been taking students to Quito, Ecuador, for a weeks worth of service learning. I explain service learning to students in three parts, he said. Its one-third a church mission trip, one-third a study abroad and one-third a Habitat [for Humanity] house because we are going to serve others, its an international trip and we are actually building something, like an afterschool program, a daycare center or affordable housing. Students opt for this tripit is not a required classbut it is so popular, Kramer maintains a waiting list. He started going twice a year in 2015 to accommodate the student demand and do more for some of the poorest communities in South America. Students dont shy away from the intense physical labor required to complete the building projects. Everythingincluding pouring concreteis done by hand, without the aid of power tools or heavy equipment. It doesnt deter Kramer either. This may not be where he expected his career to go, but it is right where he wants it to be. Finding Auburn Kramers high school counselor in Pennsylvania suggested he study civil engineering in college. When he started at Penn State University, he was the first person in his extended family to go to college. His friends were at Auburn, though, and they tried hard to recruit him to the Plains. Kramer recalled getting off the interstate and seeing cows on both sides of the roadway. He had thought he took a wrong turn until he saw the university and fell in love. Kramer stayed at Auburn long enough to earn two degreesa Bachelor of Science in civil engineering in 1982 and Master of Science in civil engineering in 1983. He would earn a doctorate in learning design and technology from Purdue University in 2003. After Auburn, Kramer worked in Dallas for nine years, building skyscrapers, hospitals and corporate office buildings. He then served as a visiting assistant professor at Ferris State University in Michigan for a year before he found his way back to the Plains. Kramers tenure at Auburn has been long, considering almost half of the current faculty in the School of Building Science are his former students. Finding a mission Until 2010, Kramer devoted most of his work at Auburn to project management research, but that changed when he met Kathy Jo Ellison, the EAMC/Dr. Bill Lazenby Endowed Professor in the School of Nursing. Ellison had been taking nursing students to Quito with Servants in Faith and Technology, or SIFAT, a Lineville, Alabama-based nonprofit Christian organization, and she wanted Kramer to join. While Ellison and nursing students tended to the health care of women and children in the community, Kramer and his students would create a new building. To call that first trip life-changing for Kramer would be an understatement. Seeing people living in such poor conditions literally drew him to tears. More importantly, it opened his heart to the service of others. Kramer didnt have millions of dollars to cure the extreme poverty, but he did have access to resources and students who could make a difference. Ever since then, Kramer has been finding similar projects around the world, including building sustainable communities in Haiti with But God Ministries, conducting sustainable housing design in Panama with Auburn United Methodist Church and adapting a tube-steel house design in Cuba with Third Lens Ministries. He will travel to Ghana, Africa, this spring for his newest service learning class. Kramer has accepted the fact that he is now synonymous with service learning, but he admitted, It wasnt my plan to begin with. I really wasnt looking for it. It kind of found me. It meshes my love of travel, especially international travel, my love of designing and building and my love of serving others and helping students have a heart for serving others. Next steps Kramer turns 60 in 2020, but shows no signs of slowing down. He works long hours between teaching, research and outreach, but his passion for building projects and service keep him going. Its one of those common phrases, but Kramer said its true: You always get more back than what you give. You hope you make a difference in a students life, whatever you teach, he said. With something like this where youre actually going out of the country, serving others and seeing abject poverty, you hope you are making a difference. A few years ago Kramer started asking students who went to Ecuador to write a reflection paper on the experience. He regrets not asking it of the students who have made the trip from the beginning because students often call serving those in Quito the most significant thing theyve ever done in their life. I have never ever had a student say I wish I hadnt done this, or this was a waste of time, Kramer said. Thats my reward. Thats impactful learning. The Philippines on Friday lifted a coronavirus travel ban on Taiwan after Taipei threatened retaliation. Taiwan had hit out at countries that "confuse" it with China and included it in travel restrictions for Chinese territories against the virus that has claimed nearly 1,400 lives. Taiwan foreign ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou told reporters earlier Friday the island had drawn up certain "response measures" while waiting for a reply to its demand to lift the travel ban. President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman Salvador Panelo later announced in Manila the immediate lifting of the travel ban on Taiwan. Health Secretary Francisco Duque cited "the absence of local transmission" of the virus there and the "relatively low volume of travellers from Taiwan to Manila". Some 150,000 Filipinos work in Taiwan, enjoying visa-free entry that reports said could have been withdrawn in retaliation. Beijing views self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to eventually take the island, by force if necessary. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Now a new game is underway. And officials in Central Asia, like many of their counterparts around the world, are hedging their bets when it comes to aligning with Washington or Beijing. "I'd like to once again note that we want to see Central Asia as a region of stable development, prosperity and cooperation," said Abdulaziz Kamilov, the foreign minister of Uzbekistan. "And we would really not like to feel on ourselves unfavorable political consequences in relation to some competition in our region between large powers." The US State Department released a Central Asia strategy document February 5 that said the top priority was to "support and strengthen the sovereignty and independence of the Central Asian states" a reference to warding off the influence of China and Russia. It is a tough mission for the United States. The nations are in China's and Russia's backyards, and there have been decades of close interactions among them. Xi has made multiple state visits to the countries since he took power in 2012, most recently last year. The Trump administration has hit major setbacks in its attempts to build a global coalition against projects by the Chinese government and by Chinese companies. In fact, Britain said on January 28 that it would not ban technology made by Huawei, a Chinese telecom giant, from its high-speed 5G wireless network, despite intense pressure from US officials. Loading Pompeo made London his first stop on a recent six-day trip to Europe and Central Asia, and he said there on January 30 that the Chinese Communist Party was "the central threat of our times." The next day, he spoke about China with leaders in Ukraine. But words go only so far. The Americans fail to present an economical alternative to Huawei. And the Trump administration is discovering that its belligerent approach toward allies has a cost when it comes to China strategy. Withdrawing from the global Paris climate agreement and the landmark Iran nuclear deal, starting trade conflicts with friendly governments and berating members of NATO make those nations less likely to listen to Washington's entreaties on China. A recent policy report on China by the Centre for a New American Security said "critical areas of US policy remain inconsistent, uncoordinated, under-resourced and to be blunt uncompetitive and counterproductive to advancing US values and interests." The United States did not pursue serious partnerships in Central Asia until after the September 11, 2001, attacks, when the Pentagon needed regional bases for the war in Afghanistan. China has taken a different approach. Beijing said it will help build up the region under what it calls the Silk Road Economic Belt, which is part of the larger Belt and Road Initiative, a blanket term for global infrastructure projects that, according to Beijing, amount to $US1 trillion ($1.489 trillion) of investment. The Trump administration said the projects are potential debt traps, but many countries have embraced them. The economic liberalisation of Uzbekistan under Mirziyoyev, who took power in 2016 after the death of a longtime dictator, has resulted in greater trade with China. The city walls of Khiva in Uzbekistan. Credit:iStock China is Uzbekistan's largest trading partner, and trade totalled almost $US6.3 billion in 2018, a nearly 50 per cent increase from 2017, according to Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency. Chinese goods, including Huawei devices, are everywhere in Samarkand, Bukhara, Tashkent and other Uzbek cities. Uzbekistan is also committing to being part of rail and road networks that China is building across Central Asia. Since 2001, China has worked with Central and South Asian nations as well as Russia in a multilateral group, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, to address security issues. China's People's Liberation Army has gained a new foothold in the region, in the form of a base in Tajikistan's Pamir Mountains. For at least three years, Chinese troops have quietly kept watch from two dozen buildings and lookout towers near the Tajik-Chinese border and the remote Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan. Tashkent TV Tower in the capital. Credit:iStockphoto The Afghan corridor is a strategic strip of land whose borders were drawn by Britain and Russia during the original Great Game as a buffer zone. The United States had hundreds of troops at an air base in Uzbekistan that it operated with the Uzbeks. But it wants to move the relationship well beyond the military. I sometimes quip that I am half of a white evangelical; that is, I am half-white, not half-evangelical. But the joke points to a greater complexity. I am half-Japanese, but my faith has largely been shaped by culturally white institutions, many within a broadly evangelical orbit. And even though I come from this white evangelical world, I find it increasingly difficult to understand. Im not the only one. Despite recent important books like John Feas Believe Me and Thomas Kidds Who Is an Evangelical?, the meaning of evangelical continues to befuddle religious and nonreligious alike. Around the globe, evangelicalism connotes a subset of Protestant Christianity that prioritizes Scripture, discipleship, and public expression of faith, as reflected in movements like the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization and the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. These global movements did not emerge in a vacuum, and some of them import norms that are more Western than Christian. But global evangelicalism differs from the way the label is now understood in the US, as a synonym for white conservative Christians who are increasingly defined by their views about President Trump. These Christianswhether in urban or rural settingstend to be isolated in largely white neighborhoods, workplaces, churches, and schools. Not all of them, to be sure. But most. And this insularity often undercuts their own interests and their witness to the watching world. White evangelicals are losing touch with broad segments of this country (and with the global church) that are increasingly nonwhite. In this cultural context, the meaning of evangelicalism has also become more political than theological. The political dimensions have always been thereits not quite right to intimate that evangelicalism recently transform[ed] from a theological position to a racial and political one. Rather, as theologian Lesslie Newbigin has written, Christianity as a social phenomenon has always and necessarily been conditioned as to its outward form by other social facts. In the United States, the religion practiced by many white evangelicals has always been racial and political as well as theological, even if the relative intensity of each of these dimensions has varied over time. But today, the political dimension is particularly acute. It manifests in three categories of white evangelicals: Trump critics, pragmatists, and Trump lovers. Make America Christian Again We often hear about the 81 percent of white evangelical voters who voted for Trump, but the 19 percent remainderincluding Republican never Trumpers, Democrats, and third-party votersis not a rounding error. These are the critics, and they include millions of voters, far more than all Jewish and Muslim voters combined. Beyond the 19 percent remainder, the critics also include a portion of white evangelicals who did not vote in the 2016 presidential election and who are therefore excluded from frequently cited polling numbers. Given what we know about generational differences, the percentage of critics among white evangelicals is likely to increaseif they continue to identify as evangelicals at all. And then there is the 81 percent. They are in all likelihood committed, churchgoing Christians, and their support for Trump remains strong. We can sort this group into the Trump lovers and the pragmatists. The lovers believe Trump is the man God appointed to restore the country to its purportedly Christian roots. They celebrate the president through an almost Christological lens, from the Thomas Kinkadestyle paintings of Trump in messianic settings to the choir of First Baptist Dallas performing a hymn called Make America Great Again. The pragmatists may not like the president, but they see him as their only option, pitted against a Democratic Party that they view as opposed to their values. The most pragmatic among them may be hoping for Trumps political demise and the quick rise of a successor. The pragmatists are not entirely misguided in betting on Trump, who has delivered some of their key policy objectives. Not the rhetorical ploys to repeal the Johnson Amendment or end the war on Christmas. Nor the executive orders on issues ranging from public funding of religious nonprofits to transgender bathroomswhich will be undone with a pen stroke by the next Democratic White House. But Trumps success with the Supreme Court and other judicial appointments will have much longer staying power. And for some pragmatists, that success more than validates their Faustian bargain. Another reason that many pragmatists are sticking with Trump is that Democrats have not reached out to them. On policy matters, no Democratic candidate has expressed interest in compromise legislation to address tensions between LGBT rights and religious freedom. Or take abortion. With Joe Bidens switch on the Hyde Amendment, none of the leading Democratic candidates supports restrictions on federal funding for abortion. Nor has the rhetoric been helpfultoo many prominent Democrats show disdain rather than empathy for white evangelicals. But the relational insularity runs both ways. Many lovers and pragmatists resonate with the promise to Make America Great Again. For them, this past greatness is not just economic, militarily, or culturalit is theological. America was once great because it was moral, a city on a hill blessed by God. These longings for the past produce current laments about a post-Christian America in which Christians are the new minority. They reveal just how out of touch many white evangelicals are with the world around them. And, truth be told, this detachment characterizes not only the lovers and the pragmatists but also many of the critics. Trapped in insular language The phrase post-Christian implies that there was an earlier era when this country was Christian. It is one thing to acknowledge that Western political theory and jurisprudence are heavily informed by Christian thought, or that many of Americas founders were themselves Christians. But those are far different claims than suggesting that the United States was ever a Christian nation. The land of the free obliterated Native Americans, enslaved African Americans, and imprisoned Japanese Americans. The home of the brave bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killed tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians, and waterboarded its captives. There is much to commend about this country, but there is also much to lament. Too many popular evangelical narratives omit indispensable parts of our story. And the stories we tell about our history shape how we see ourselves and how we engage with the world around us. Consider the belief that Christians are the new minority. This claim only works by ignoring much smaller minority demographics. Recent polls suggest that white evangelicals comprise roughly a quarter of the population. By comparison, 2 percent of the country is Jewish, and 1 percent is Muslim. Second, even if white evangelicals continue to decrease in number, this does not make them minorities in the same way as historically disadvantaged groups. Generations of systemic advantages in housing, education, and employment mean that it will be a long time before a minority of white evangelicalsor white Americans more generallyconfronts challenges similar to those faced by racial minorities, sexual minorities, and other maligned groups. Article continues below The insular language of white evangelicals is exacerbated by a heightened aversion to terms that almost everyone else in the country does recognize and understand. The term sexual minorities in the last paragraph is one of them. Other examples include social justice and structural racism. White evangelicals who embrace labels like post-Christian and the new minority while being suspicious of terms like social justice and structural racism will continue to alienate themselves from much of the rest of societyincluding fellow conservative believers, like black Christians, Catholics (especially nonwhite Catholics), Mormons, conservative Muslims, and Orthodox Jews. Ideas like social justice may sound off-putting as sound bites on Fox News, but they flow out of important and careful arguments like those found in Bryan Stevensons Just Mercy, Jemar Tisbys The Color of Compromise, and Tim Kellers Generous Justice. The white evangelical echo chamber is further hardened by conservative media. Too often, stories in evangelical circles suffer from the same kinds of caricatures, fearmongering, and lack of charity that Christians are quick to call out in the liberal media. At their worst, these stories perpetuate harmful distortions about Muslims, immigrants, and others. And the same algorithms and clickbait driving partisanship outside of the church are shaping hearts and minds inside of its walls with every retweet, Instagram like, and Facebook share. A broad, engaging evangelical witness It doesnt have to be this way. I have spent the past few years speaking across the country to groups of people of all faiths and no faith. And I have encountered kind and hopeful people in all of these places. Some of these hopeful people are Christians, especially younger Christians. But too often, the white evangelical narrative I encounter is driven more by fear and anxiety than by the hope and confidence of the gospel. And the world is watching. What can you do if you find yourself surrounded more by anxiety than hope? Let me offer three suggestions. First, pay more attention to your words. Stop saying youre living in a post-Christian country or that you are the new minority. These assertions generate antagonism rather than empathy. Similarly, take care in how you describe others. Invoking tropes like social justice warriors or the gay agenda assumes the same kinds of stereotypes that you dont want people using against you. And invoking these tropes ignores the commandment to love others and treat them as individual image-bearers. By all means, speak truth and critique bad arguments and unjust policies. But dont settle for lazy generalities and ad hominem attacks. Second, diversify your personal networks. This wont always be easy or obvious everywhere, but if you look closely, youll find people who, at the very least, think differently than you do. Some of you will need to risk finding your first cross-racial friendship. That might mean going to nonwhite spaces and institutions to learn and to experience the discomfort of a cultural baseline that is not your own. You should also diversify the leadership of your institutions. Who is in the room determines which questions get asked, and white evangelical institutions will not escape their insularity without greater racial diversity in circles of power. Article continues below Third, show up and take risks. If you want to be known as a pro-life people, advocate for all stages of life. Speak out about dehumanizing and family-separating policies like immigration detention centers and mass incarceration with the same fervor you have for religious freedom and opposition to abortion. Risk uncertain and messy relationships with your neighbors to help repair the social fabric. Step outside of your comfort zones and partner in common-ground causes with progressive and mainline Christians, with people of other faiths, and with nonbelievers. Defend the rights of Muslim Americans, Jewish Americans, and Americans of no faith. Stand up against bullying of LGBT people. Look for opportunities to seek counsel from and promote women rather than avoiding them because of the Billy Graham Rule or the Mike Pence Rule. None of these opportunities threatens your faith. But they all require rethinking the assumptions that come from cultural, racial, and relational insularity. Will these suggestions win you political favor? Maybe not. But, frankly, political expediency matters far less than the faithful witness of the church. And these suggestions will help you toward a more faithful witness by lessening your insularity. They will lead to less fear and more hope. They will move you closer toward the example of Jesus, who stepped into messy and uncertain spaces with people who were different from him. And that seems worth doing regardless of what is to come in this worldbecause it is what the gospel asks of those whose citizenship lies in heaven and who believe that he who conquered death will prevail over all other earthly challenges as well. John Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis and co-editor (with Timothy Keller) of the forthcoming book Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference (Thomas Nelson). STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Eight police officers were honored for their work and courage while protecting Staten Islanders during the Police Officer of the Month award ceremony on Thursday. The officers were recognized for a variety of acts: One fought the violent flames of a burning car while trying to save its passengers; two other colleagues protected a woman after a man allegedly threatened her with a gun; and a group from the Auto Larceny Unit cracked down on a string of car thefts targeting food deliverymen. The ceremony is co-sponsored by the Police Department and the Staten Island Advance and is held quarterly at the newspapers offices in Grasmere. Our officers do such fantastic work each and every day. One of the greatest things I get to do is to recognize the great work thats done and make sure that their stories get told each and every day," said Assistant Chief Kenneth Corey, the NYPD borough commander. Its really no coincidence that Staten Island had this 11% reduction in crime last year. Its really a testament to all of the great police work that gets done each and every day here in Staten Island." A STRING OF CAR THEFTS TARGETING FOOD DELIVERYMEN Sgt. Joseph Marcello and Police Officers Vincent Gambino, Steven Merolla, Dustin Levi and Michael Devito of the Staten Island Auto Larceny Unit successfully put an end to a string of car thefts within the 120th and 122nd precincts, police said. Cops had previously responded to two incidents where someone ordered Chinese food and when the delivery man arrived at the location and exited the car with the engine still running, a perpetrator would enter the vehicle and drive off, police said. On Oct. 1, at 8:05 p.m. a gray Toyota with Pennsylvania plates that was suspected in the previous incidents crossed the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, police said. Believing that this vehicle and the perpetrators were about to steal more vehicles utilizing the same method of operandi the Auto Larceny team deployed to the Verrazzano Bridge and tactfully waited, said a police release. About 40 minutes after, a white Lexus was stolen in Meiers Corners, according to police. Shortly after, police observed the gray Toyota and the white Lexus following each other driving on the Verrazzano toward Brooklyn and cops started following them without lights or sirens, according to police. We quickly did our investigative work and decided that these guys are gonna hit again so they stood up on the bridge and within 30 minutes it happened in the 121," said Lt. Gregory Bardash. "They came in, they placed the order, they stole the car then crossed the bridge. The Staten Island officers worked with officers from the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn in order to shut down the eastbound Belt Parkway in order to slow down traffic and apprehend the people in the vehicles, which both exited at Pennsylvania Avenue. After seeing the police car blocking part of the ramp, the driver of the white Lexus panicked and hit the light pole while the one behind the wheel of the Toyota re-entered the Belt Parkway, but was apprehended shortly after, police said. Overall police arrested three juveniles, who were not Staten Island residents, all with lengthy criminal records, according to police. Upon searching them, police also found stolen credit cards and key fobs, cops said. "We really cant highlight cases like this one enough where we have a very small number of people who just commit crime after crime after crime and they are gonna keep doing it until they get caught, Corey said. Gambino was awarded Police Officer of the Month" honors in October of 2018. Marcello was awarded Police Officer of the Month twice before in November 2010 and in May 2016. COP TRIES TO SAVE MAN FROM BURNING CAR On Nov. 23, Police Officer Joseph Wall of the 122nd Precinct risked his life in an attempt to save an unconscious man who was trapped in his vehicle after his car crashed into a tree on Mill Road in Oakwood. Wall is no stranger to rescues, as he has conducted several before, said Deputy Inspector Melissa Eger, the commanding officer of the 122nd Precinct. He is very humble and very quiet, Eger said. He is an excellent officer and he is a hero. At around 8:28 p.m. emergency units received a call for a crash with two people trapped in a burning car after the vehicle collided against a tree. Inside the car there was a semi-conscious woman and an unconscious man. With the fire spreading quickly toward the drivers side of the vehicle, fighting back the intense heat and thick smoke, Wall used his baton to break the rear drivers side window and removed the passenger and then the driver, police said. A civilian helped the officer take the man, later identified as Joseph Starita, 34, out of the car. Starita, of New Dorp Beach, died two days lated; he suffered an apparent medical episode that likely caused the crash. Officer Walls actions that night afforded his family some extra time to spend with their loved one, Eger said. Wall was awarded Police Officer of the Month numerous times before, and he was honored with four other officers as 2017 Police Officer of the Year for saving New Dorp residents who were trapped in a burning building. "People spend their whole lives wondering whether or not they made a difference, and thats a question he never has to ask himself, said Corey. HE ALLEGEDLY THREATENED WOMAN WITH A GUN On Dec. 16, Officers Adam Aliotta and Matthew Shostak of the 121st Precinct responded to a call of a dispute with a firearm after a woman called 911 and said a man displayed a silver gun a threatened her inside her Mariners Harbor home, police said. When police arrived on the scene, Aliotta and Shostak met with the woman and entered the home and found the man walking out of the bathroom, according to police. Upon searching the bathroom, police found a .25-caliber handgun and arrested the man, who had a lengthy criminal record with 28 prior arrests, including five for robbery, one for felony assault and one for burglary, police said. They have the work ethic and the dedication to Staten Island and my precinct, said Capt. Bruce Ceparano, the commanding officer of the 121st Precinct. Ashwood offers everything from high school diplomas to doctoral degrees based on life experience. Its websites homepage states: No Need to Take Admission Exams, No Need To Study, Get Life Experience College Degree for What You Already Know! Sisk told the Bristol Herald Courier on Thursday that he sought the degree from Ashwood because he was then a coin appraiser. He said hes had no contact with Ashwood since 2004, and he now wonders whether he was tricked. In many ways, I feel Ive been a victim, he said. The schools director said he didnt include the Ashwood doctorate on his resume because its not relevant to the position, and he added that he has never represented himself as having a doctorate in education. His hesitancy to respond to community concerns, he said, was because he did not want to give credence to any claims that he was not qualified as director of schools. I have tremendous respect for individuals who go for a doctorate in a regionally accredited program, Sisk said. I apologize if they feel I have belittled them. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} San Jose, California, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Splashtop Inc., the worldwide leader in remote access, collaboration, and remote support solutions, is extending free remote access to businesses and individuals in countries impacted by the Coronavirus. Residents of Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau who sign up for a free trial of Splashtop Business Access will receive an extended 60-day free trial so they can work remotely during the outbreak. Residents of other countries will receive 7 days free. Additional information is available at: https://www.splashtop.com/free-remote-access-work-from-home-coronavirus (English) and https://www.splashtop.com/cn/free-remote-access-work-from-home-coronavirus (Chinese). In Hong Kong, Civil servants, bank staff, lawyers, and a host of other private-sector employees were asked to work from home to minimize the threat of the virus. Other organizations and businesses are following this trend. Working from home requires a variety of tools to share screens, manages schedules/tasks, and share data such as documents an infrastructure that many businesses lack. To help areas affected by the Coronavirus, Splashtop is offering its business remote access solutions free for 60 days, both for businesses and civilians located in Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau. Splashtop Business Access allows users to connect to Windows PCs and Macs from their smartphone, tablet, or another computer Just as if they were sitting in front of their work computer. Splashtop Business Access also gives remote access to drag and drop file transfer, and screen sharing. "We are deeply concerned about the health of our employees, friends, and families in Asia. That is why we are making our technology available to those affected by this terrible disease. We hope and encourage other vendors in our industry will do the same. We pray that this outbreak will be contained soon." - Mark Lee, CEO of Splashtop About Splashtop Based in Silicon Valley, Splashtop Inc. delivers the best value and best-in-class remote computer access and collaboration solutions. Splashtop remote desktop services enable people to access their apps and data from any device, anywhere. Splashtop remote support services enable IT and MSPs to support computers, mobile, industrial equipment, and the Internet of things (IoT). Splashtop on-demand support solutions enable support and help desk teams to remotely access computers as well as iOS and Android devices to provide support. Splashtop collaboration services, including Mirroring360 and Classroom, enable effective screen sharing, one-to-many, across devices. More than 20 million users enjoy Splashtop products. Learn more at https://www.splashtop.com. A body found in an abandoned building in Southeast Texas was identified Tuesday as that of an Alexandria, La., woman. The body of Courtney Megan Coco, 19, was found Monday. Neither Alexandria police nor Texas investigators know why Coco was in Texas. They also are unsure of where she was killed and how she died. An autopsy conducted Tuesday came back negative for a cause of death, Chambers County, Texas, Sheriff's Det. David Rabalais said. There was no trauma to Coco's body, he added. Texas officials are awaiting toxicology reports, which can take three to four weeks to complete. Detectives also are waiting to determine if Coco was sexually assaulted. Detectives are continuing to search for Coco's missing vehicle _ a 1999 green Pontiac Bonneville. Family and friends, when contacted Tuesday, declined to comment. Alexandria Senior High Principal Joe Moreau said that Coco worked in the school's office her senior year. He described her as quiet, shy and polite. She graduated in 2003. "She was a real sweet little girl," Moreau said. "My heart just breaks." Coco was last seen Friday when she ate a meal with her mother, Rabalais said. Coco was not registered as a student anywhere nearby, and Rabalais said he was told she recently had quit a job. Detectives are hoping residents can help trace Coco's whereabouts before her death, said Alexandria police Sgt. Clifford Gatlin. Two Alexandria city police detectives went to Texas on Tuesday to help identify Coco and to assist with the investigation. The Chambers County Sheriff's Office and Texas Rangers are handling the case, but if investigators determine her death occurred in Alexandria, city police there will take over the case. No one has reported seeing anything at the abandoned building, Rabalais said. The site was intended as a business, but construction stalled after the owner died. A man driving a backhoe past the unfinished building noticed Coco's partially clad body. Investigators suspect she had been dead three days to five days, because there were signs of decomposition. The time of her death was not released Tuesday. Information from: Alexandria Daily Town Talk, http://www.thetowntalk.com 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. NIA files chargesheet against 7 Khalistani terrorists in case of extortion in Punjab How this ISIS operative from Mangaluru lured her victims and converted them to Islam Pune session court transfers hearings of Elgar Parishad case to NIA court India oi-Mousumi Dash Pune, Feb 14: A Pune sessions court on Friday allowed the transfer of the politically sensitive Bhima Koregaon case to an NIA court in Mumbai after Uddhav Thackeray-led-Maharashtra government gave a nod by giving 'No Objection' to the NIA taking over the probe. However, on Friday, the session court said that it did not have the power to continue with the Bhima Koregaon case although the government had not given a filed No Objection Certificate (NOC). Besides this, the session court has aslo directed all accused of the politically sensitive case to be present on February 28, before the federal agency NIA court in Mumbai. On January 1, 2018, Koregaon-Bhima in Pune district boiled up triggering massive violence in the area, during Dalit groups were celebrating 200 years of a British-era battle. Then Pune police had filed cases against the activists and intellectuals who gave alleged inflammatory speeches at Elgar Parishad gathering, held at Shaniwarwada in Pune on December 31, 2017, a day before the violence. Maharashtra govt irked as NIA takes over Bhima Koregaon case The critics have accused then BJP government led by Devendra Fadnavis, of jailing activists opposed to its ideology and branding them as "Urban Naxals". Last week, the NIA filed an application before a sessions court in Pune, seeking transfer of the case, seized data, court records and proceedings to the special NIA court in Mumbai. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, February 14, 2020, 21:16 [IST] Forget counting sheep. If you really want a good night's sleep, all you may need is your romantic partner's favorite T-shirt wrapped around your pillow. New research accepted for publication in the journal Psychological Science suggests that the scent of a romantic partner can improve your quality of sleep. This is true regardless of whether or not you are consciously aware that the scent is even present. A growing body of evidence has shown that close relationships are essential to our health and well being. But far less is known about the role of scent in relationships and social support processes. The current study provides new evidence that the mere scent of a romantic partner improves sleep efficiency." Frances Chen, a researcher at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and co-author on the paper Previous research has shown that romantic relationships and close physical contact can provide many physical and mental benefits, including aiding in a good night's sleep. Other research has shown that scents can have profound and evocative effects on the brain. What has not yet been clearly demonstrated is a direct connection between the two. Chen and graduate student Marlise Hofer set out to investigate this intersection and to understand how romance, scent, and sleep interact. Chen and Hofer began their research by asking one member of a heterosexual couple in a long-term (three or more months) relationship to wear a plain cotton T-shirt for 24 hours. During this time, the wearer was to avoid typical scent-producing behaviors, like eating spicy food or doing vigorous exercise. They were also told to avoid perfume, cologne, and antiperspirants. The T-shirt was then hermetically sealed and frozen. Afterward, the second member of the couple was given two identical shirts, one previously worn by their partner and another that either had been previously worn by a stranger or was scent free. When a participant used their partner's worn, scent-bearing T-shirt as a pillowcase, they experienced an average of over nine additional minutes of sleep per night. This equates to more than one hour of additional sleep per week, achieved without spending any more time in bed. The increase was due to participants sleeping more efficiently, meaning they spent less time tossing and turning. Sleep efficiency was measured using a wrist-worn sleep monitor that tracked movement throughout the night. Participants also gave self-reported measures of sleep quality each morning, which increased on nights they thought they were sleeping with their partner's scent. "The effect we observed in our study was similar in magnitude to that reported for melatonin supplements--a commonly used sleep aid. The findings suggest that the scent of our loved ones can affect our health in powerful ways," noted Hofer. This research suggests that simple strategies such as taking a partner's scarf or shirt along when traveling may have measurable effects on our sleep. Future research might determine if the scent of a romantic partner has additional health benefits beyond the domains of stress and sleep. "These findings reveal that--whether or not we are aware of it--a fascinating world of communication is happening right under our noses!" concludes Hofer. A doctor at a hospital in the western Japanese prefecture of Wakayama has tested positive for the new coronavirus. The prefectural government has asked the hospital to stop accepting new patients. It will ask all inpatients to undergo testing and stay at the hospital. Officials say the surgeon is in his 50s, and works at Saiseikai Arida Hospital in the town of Yuasa. He lives in the city of Wakayama. The officials say the doctor developed a fever and became fatigued on January 31. He later showed symptoms of pneumonia. He was hospitalized on Monday and tested positive for the virus on Thursday. They say the doctor is now at a different medical facility. The officials say the doctor was seeing patients during his usual shifts from February 3 through February 5. But he took leave to rest at home from February 6. They say he did not travel to China during the two weeks before showing symptoms. They have not confirmed whether he had any direct contact with anyone from China during the period. The officials say three other people associated with Arida Hospital are complaining of pneumonia-like symptoms. It is not clear whether they have been infected with the virus. The hospital plans to set up a special section for people who have started coughing or have other symptoms after recently visiting the hospital. Pope Francis receives in audience President Janos Ader of the Republic of Hungary. By Vatican News Pope Francis and Janos Ader, President of Hungary, looked ahead to the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress scheduled to take place in Budapest next September, during a private audience in the Vatican. A Holy See Press Office statement said talks between the Pope and the President took place in the Secretariat of State on Friday morning. As well as focusing on the Eucharistic Congress, they expressed appreciation for the good bilateral relations existing between their States, recalling the centenary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Hungary and the thirtieth anniversary of their re-establishment. They also shared opinions regarding topics such as social justice, the reception of migrants, promotion of the family, safeguarding creation, the present and the future of Europe. President Ader subsequently, met Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the Under-Secretary for Relations with States, Monsignor Miroslaw Wachowski. ST. PAUL, Minn. - Gov. Tim Walz and LGBTQ activists rallied at the state capitol on Friday to demand that the Republican-controlled Minnesota Senate pass a ban on conversion therapy for minors, a discredited practice that seeks to turn gay people straight. The proposal passed the Democratic-controlled House last year but an effort to amend it onto a larger bill on the Senate floor by Sen. Scott Dibble failed late in the session. The Minneapolis Democrat, who is openly gay, said he plans to reintroduce it this year, though he acknowledged in an interview that enacting it will be an uphill fight. But he has an ally in the Democratic governor. Walz pointed out to a crowd of about 100 people in the Capitol rotunda that 19 other states have enacted conversion therapy bans, most recently conservative Utah last month, while a Republican-controlled legislative committee in Oklahoma approved a ban Wednesday. The idea that this absolutely discredited, Byzantine, torturous way of telling our children they are not who they are has got to end and will end, Walz said. Roger Sanchez, an activist with the LGBTQ civil rights group OutFront Minnesota, described himself as a survivor of conversion therapy. He said he grew up thinking there was something wrong with him because he was gay, so he consented when people he trusted proposed conversion therapy. He said he still suffers nightmares because of it. I was brainwashed to believe that being LGBTQ was wrong. My rainbow at that time was drained of its colour. I smiled but inside I was dying, Sanchez said. However, in college I connected with LGBTQ-affirming students. I realized I wasnt alone in my struggle. They are the ones who helped me accept myself. The American Psychological Association says conversion therapy is not based in science and is harmful to mental health. Sue Abderholden, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said she attended the rally because being LGBTQ is not a mental illness, and you cant provide therapy to something that isnt an illness. Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, a conservative Christian from Nisswa, did not immediately respond to messages via his spokeswoman seeking comment on whether the Senate might consider the bill this year. The Senate voted down a ban on a party-line vote last May, with Republicans arguing that it was matter of religious freedom. After that, the Star Tribune revealed that Gazelkas adult daughter, Genna Gazelka, came out as a lesbian as a teen and now identifies as bi-gender. Genna Gazelka was upset with the vote and told the newspaper that conversion therapy is tantamount to torture. Dibble said in an interview that he plans to ask the Senate leadership to allow hearings on his bill. He said a number of his Republican colleagues in the Senate want to vote yes. He named Sens. Scott Jensen, of Chaska, and Eric Pratt, of Prior Lake, as Republicans hes working with who could vote for it if they had the chance. Republicans hold just a narrow three-vote majority in the Senate, but Dibble said getting the bill to the floor for a vote would require some creative thinking. Were working together on finding a path to get to yes, he said. The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday (14 February) rejected the plea by mobile carriers seeking more time to settle adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) fell 9.89% to Rs 3.28. Vodafone Idea slumped 8.93% to Rs 4.08. Bharti Airtel jumped 3.40% to Rs 558.15. SC directed telecom providers to pay their AGR dues to department of telecommunications (DoT) by the next court hearing on 17 March 2020. A bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra, Abdul Nazeer and M R Shah had assembled today to hear a batch of fresh petitions filed by telecom companies seeking more time for payment of AGR dues. The court made scathing observations on the conduct of the telecom companies as well as the DoT for ignoring its 24 October verdict that had directed the firm to pay AGR dues to DoT by 23 January 2020. According to media reports, Vodafone Idea and Airtel owe Rs 1.47 lakh crore to DoT. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A bar cooler is not necessarily the place for fungus experiments. At a Northwest Side bar this week, city health inspectors spotted "rust and other mold" growing in stagnant water inside a beef cooler. They also observed an employee fail to wash their hands when changing tasks and raw onions placed on a "wet dirty floor." Those violations earned the eatery the lowest score on this week's roundup. LAST WEEK'S INSPECTIONS: 'Infestation of roaches': S.A. steakhouse cited by inspectors Elsewhere, inspectors witnessed an employee at a chain restaurant on Broadway cut bananas with their bare hands. There were several dead roaches throughout the establishment. A famed dance hall also landed on the list, for "mold-like substances" in an ice machine and large amounts of water on the floor. A total of 13 eateries failed to score an "A" during inspections by the city's Metropolitan Health District. Click through the gallery above for a look at the violations spotted by inspectors this week. Restaurants are graded on a 100-point system where "100" is a perfect score, and demerits are based upon the number of violations found during a regular food establishment inspection. There are three categories of demerits and each is assigned a demerit score between 1 and 3 points, according to the health division. If you have questions about inspections or complaints about a food establishment, contact the Metropolitan Health District office by calling 3-1-1 or 210-207-6000. Be prepared to provide the name, location, date of incident and details of the incident. The Tax Appeals Commission has dismissed an appeal by a retail bank that it could use its trading losses to write off a tax bill for almost 1.5m on rental income from repossessed properties. The unidentified bank had challenged an assessment by Revenue for tax of 1,489,195 for the period 2011-2013 on rental income of repossessed properties after borrowers had defaulted on their mortgage repayments. The TAC heard that the bank had calculated the taxes due on such rental income but had sought to shelter its liability using its own trading losses from banking for the relevant years. However, Revenue notified the bank that the liability on the rental income was not corporation tax and therefore it could not claim tax relief in respect of its trading losses. Irelands main banks including AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB have avoided paying corporation tax in recent years and will for many more years to come because of their ability to continue to write off losses made during the economic crash against their profits. The TAC said the main issue in dispute between the bank and Revenue was the interpretation and application of various sections of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The bank claimed the legislation allowed certain trading losses to reduce relevant corporation tax. It maintained it was liable for corporation tax on such rental income in its own right rather than in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of borrowers. It also maintained the phrase liability to tax which is contained in various sections of the legislation was ambiguous and did not provide for legal certainty. However, Revenue claimed the legislation was never intended to allow relief for a banks own trading losses where it was merely acting as a collection agent. It pointed out the bank had lent money to individuals or companies who had fallen into arrears and it became a mortgagee in possession of properties or appointed a receiver in order to enforce its security over the underlying debt. The rents collected by the banks as a mortgagee in possession through a receiver do not constitute its profits for the purposes of the Taxes Consolidation Act, Revenue said. TAC commissioner, Conor Kennedy, acknowledged the unusual wording of Section 96 (3) of the Act contained a certain peculiarity whereby the tax on the rental income of a mortgagee is calculated on the borrowers circumstances. While ruling that Revenues tax demand for 1,489,195 should stand, Mr Kennedy observed that there was criticism that part of the legislation relating to the calculation of tax from such rental income was unworkable both legally and practically. Juan Mercado NAPLES, Fla. A former assistant Florida state attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit was arrested Tuesday in Miami after being accused of offering help on a criminal case in exchange for sex. Juan Mercado, 29, was booked into Miami-Dade Jail after officers from the police department acted on a warrant for his arrest on bribery charges. An investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement found that Mercado engaged in a sexual relationship with a woman in exchange for helping her with a domestic battery case, according to an FDLE news release. Mercado had worked out of the state attorney's office in Charlotte County. The 20th Judicial Circuit covers Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. Samantha Syoen, communications director for the State Attorney's Office of the 20th Judicial Circuit, said Mercado was employed from May 22, 2017, until his resignation on Feb. 5, 2019. Gov. Ron DeSantis assigned the State Attorney's Office for the 12th Judicial Circuit to investigate and potentially prosecute the case on April 5 after 20th Judicial Circuit state's attorney Amira Fox voluntarily disqualified herself and requested the case be reassigned. The executive assignment was set to expire in two months. Mercado was said to have offered to "make her case go away" in exchange for sex. He was not the prosecutor of record in the woman's case but was shown to have accessed records and provided information and advice to her. Syoen said she could not comment on what happened to the woman's case due to Mercado's pending case. Miami-Dade's jail log shows Mercado has posted bond. The bond amount was not immediately available. Follow Devan Patel on Twitter: @DevanJPatel This article originally appeared on Naples: Former Florida state attorney accused of bribing woman to have sex New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a plea of the association of automobile dealers seeking one-month extension of the April 1, 2020, deadline to sell Bharat Stage-IV compliant vehicles across the country. The Centre in 2016 announced India would skip the BS-V norms altogether and transition to BS-VI norms by 2020. In October 2018, the apex court said Bharat Stage-IV vehicle will not be sold or registered in the country from April 1, 2020. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta declined to extend the deadline for even a day. The counsel representing Federation of Automobile Dealers Association submitted that a dealer would face extreme difficulty with the unsold inventory of BS-IV compliant vehicles after the top court order comes into force. The lawyer also cited the slowdown in the automobile industry and urged the court to extend the deadline by a month. "Kindly allow us to sell BS-IV vehicles to clear the stock", contended the lawyer. The bench replied the order in this matter was passed nearly 18 months ago; and the production of the BS-IV should have been managed in the backdrop of this order. The counsel for the automobile dealers urged the court to consider this as a "mercy plea". The court simply said "No". In the October 2018 order, the apex court observed that any extension in this case would further worsen the health of the citizens, as the pollution levels have become critical. Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms are standards instituted by the government to regulate output of air pollutants from motor vehicles. Since April 2017, the BS-IV norms have been enforced across the country. 14.02.2020 LISTEN The Leadership of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) has expressed disappointment about the attitude exhibited by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), United Front Party (UFP) as well as the Eagle Party (EP) at the just ended Inter-Party Advisory Committee held at the premises of the Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission on Thursday, February 13, 2020, invited representatives of various Political Parties as well as their IT personnel to discuss issues concerning the New Voters Register. To the dismay of the representatives of the LPG present at the meeting, the NDC and its affiliate Political Parties boycotted the meeting with Baba Jamal of the NDC, assaulting and threatening the Director of Elections and Operations of the LPG, Mr. Jerry A. Owusu, on their way out, a situation we consider very unfortunate and an affront to democracy in Ghana. According to him, should the LPG support the compilation of the New Voters Register, the NDC would ensure that the exercise would not take place adding that Mr. Jerry A. Owusu would live to regret speaking in favour of the exercise. Despite the action by the NDC, PNC, and UFP, the meeting went ahead with representatives of the other political parties who have accepted the ECs decision to compile a new register. The three parties claimed the agenda for the meeting was to discuss the challenges with the Biometric Voters Register (BVR) and Biometric Verification Devices (BVD) but it turned out the EC had a different agenda. The EC, it said rather went ahead to discuss with them modalities on how to compile a new voters register which they have opposed. The Director of IT of the NDC, Kwame Osei Prempeh, told our correspondent that information available to them suggested that the distribution for the BVDs and the BVRs will take 83 days, claiming it would thus not be possible for the EC to even start the registration on April 18 as announced. The Commission took the decision to acquire a new Biometric Voter Management Solution for the upcoming general elections based on the advice of its IT team and external consultants. The two concluded it would be prudent to acquire a new system rather than refurbish the current system. It is important to note that the equipment that the entire voter management system runs on, from enrolment, duplication, adjudication to voters verification is obsolete and no longer supported by their Original Equipment Manufacturers, the EC claimed earlier this year. Despite criticism and resistance against the compilation of a new voters register, the EC has said it would go ahead with the registration exercise. The Director of Operations and Elections of the LPG, Mr. Jerry A. Owusu indicated that the LPG believes in the Electoral Commission and would, therefore, go all out to support the process. The former Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery along the Schuykill, near Passyunk Ave. in South Philadelphia as seen by drone, in Philadelphia, January 9, 2020. Read more A Chicago-based redevelopment firm is about to make its mark on Philadelphia. On Thursday, a federal bankruptcy judge confirmed the $252 million sale of the sprawling shuttered South Philadelphia refinery site to Hilco Redevelopment Partners, a firm which has 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. Hilco was selected from more than a dozen companies that lobbied for the refinerys 1,300 acres, Philadelphias largest available commercial real estate parcel. The firm, which has experience repurposing old industrial properties for new uses elsewhere, has vowed to move quickly to clean up the heavily contaminated site of South Phillys 150-year-old petroleum refinery. While formalized plans for the land have not been made available, city officials have called the new prospects for the refinery site exciting, as the property will be less-dependent upon a single industry that can fall prey to boom-and-bust cycles. Currently, Hilco in a joint venture with another development company is redeveloping the former Sparrows Point steel mill in Baltimore, a 3,100-acre waterfront site, into an industrial site called Tradepoint Atlantic. The mixed-use sites warehouse tenants include Amazon.com, Under Armour Inc., FedEx, Volkswagen and Harley-Davidson. The firm is also revamping several old power plant sites, including the proposed L Street Station waterfront property in South Boston. The reimagined site of the former power station will feature housing, retail spaces, a hotel, and space for the arts, according to the companys vision for the land. Last year, Hilco bought two closed coal plants in New Jersey with plans to redevelop them into industrial ventures. In Philadelphia, the less-intensive industrial use of the massive fuel complex comes as welcome news to environmental and community activists, who have long rallied against the oil refinery. The site, which has been used for refining oil since the 1860s, will first need extensive environmental remediation before construction takes place. READ MORE: Cleanup at South Philly refinery must tackle decades of chemicals READ MORE: Contamination from Philadelphia refinery that exploded could pollute New Jersey groundwater. Heres how. However, its still possible that Hilco could lease some part of the refinery site to operate as a fuel-production facility. The massive June 2019 fire at the complex left one of its two refineries undamaged. Staff writer Andrew Maykuth contributed to this article. This story was modified Feb. 14 to add information that Hilco formed a joint venture with another company to develop the Baltimore project. National Park of American Samoa Quarter The United States Mint (Mint) today officially launched the America the Beautiful Quarters Program coin honoring the National Park of American Samoa. This is the first release of 2020, and the 51st coin overall in the program. The reverse (tails) of the quarter depicts a Samoan fruit bat mother hanging in a tree with her pup, evoking the remarkable care and energy that this species puts into their offspring. The design is intended to promote awareness of the species threatened status due to habitat loss and commercial hunting. The National Park of American Samoa is the only park that is home to the Samoan fruit bat. Inscriptions on the coin are NATIONAL PARK, AMERICAN SAMOA, 2020, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. During his remarks, Mint Director David J. Ryder spoke about the significance of the new quarter design: The National Park of American Samoa quarter serves as a symbol of conservation and care. Just as the mother fruit bat nurtures and protects her pup right here in the park, the people and villages of American Samoa work together to safeguard these protected resources. Additional participants included Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale; Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen; Fiu Saelua, chief of staff of the governors office, who also served as master of ceremonies; Stanley Austin, Regional Director of the National Park Services Pacific West Region; and Scott Burch, Superintendent of the National Park of American Samoa. The Mint released collectible rolls and bags of National Park of American Samoa quarters on February 3. These products can be purchased online at catalog.usmint.gov/coin-programs/america-the-beautiful-quarters-program/ or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). The America the Beautiful Quarters Program is a 12-year initiative that honors 56 national parks and other national sites authorized by Public Law 110-456. Each year of the program, the public has seen five new national sites depicted on the reverses (tails sides) of the America the Beautiful Quarters coins, with a final coin scheduled for release in 2021. The Mint is issuing these quarters in the order in which the national sites were officially established. About the United States Mint Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nations sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: # # # United States Mint Connecting America through Coins live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Dr Reddys Laboratories used to rely heavily on exports markets, especially distributor-led markets like US and Europe. The drug maker allotted much of its capital on those markets, where entry barriers are high due to stringent regulatory expectations. But once it got a foothold, Dr Reddys reaped rich dividends as these markets follow generic substitution model, where it doesn't require huge investments on branding, promotion and distribution. The success in export markets meant Dr Reddy's did not push enough in a branded generics market such as India. However, with pricing pressure in US market on account of consolidation in trade channels, competition and regulatory uncertainties, Dr Reddy's had to re-calibrate its strategy. The company began shifted its focus to the domestic branded formulation market. The complexity of the domestic market is huge. It is a branded generics market, where hundreds of companies deploy thousands of marketing representatives to push their brands to doctors. Given much of the spend on medicines in India is out-of-pocket, the market is price sensitive, in addition to government drug price controls. But once brands are established its much more stable and sustained market. As per their website, the company has a portfolio of over 300 brands spanning gastroenterology, oncology, pain management, cardiovascular, dermatology, urology, nephrology, rheumatology and diabetes. And while it employs a sales force of 5,000 people to push these brands, only seven, including legacy brands such as Omez, Nise, Stamlo, and Razo among others have made it to top-300. But Dr Reddy's was never spoken in the same breath as some of its peers such as Sun Pharma Zydus Cadila among others, who all have get more than one-fourth of their revenues from Indian market. In contrast Dr Reddy's gets about 17 percent of its sales from Indian market. Domestic formulation business contributed Rs 2,620 crore of Dr Reddy's Rs 15,385 crore revenues in FY19. The company admits this, and it did try to boost its presence in the Indian market. Some years ago, the company undertook a major restructuring of its domestic formulation business, recalibrated focus from acute to chronic, and acquired a portfolio of drugs from Brussels-based UCB in April 2015. Analysts say unlike previous attempts, Dr Reddys is making more concerted effort to expand in India and it had already started showing results. The company is growing almost double the growth of Indian pharmaceutical market (IPM). Over the last few quarters - 19.1 growth versus 9.8 percent for IPM, April-December 2019, said HDFC Securities in its latest report. Dr. Reddys with 2.4 percent market share ranks 14 in India. "The measures undertaken to revive growth like focus on core brands, MR productivity, and differentiated launches are bearing fruits," HDFC Securities report said. But organic expansion wouldn't be enough to break into top -10. Realising this the company earlier this week announced the acquisition of select divisions of branded generic business of Wockhardt in India and few international territories of Nepal, SriLanka, Bhutan and Maldives. The portfolio includes 62 products and its line extensions largely in acute therapeutic areas. The acquisition also includes field force and a manufacturing plant in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh. This acquisition would take India contribution to Dr Reddy's total sales to more than 20 percent from 17 percent currently. Ranking-wise, it will help Dr Reddy's to jump two places. Dr Reddy's paid Rs 1850 crores or 3.8x of the revenues that the Wockhardt acquired business is generating. The acquired portfolio includes high growth therapy areas with brands such as Practin (antihistamine), Zedex (cough syrup), Bro-zedex(cough syrup), Tryptomer (migraine) and Biovac (vaccine). But analysts say Dr Reddys can do much more to unlock value of the portfolio than Wockhardt. The sales of acquired portfolio declined 15 percent to Rs 377 core in nine months FY20, as Wockhardt wasnt able to allocate capital given its precarious balance sheet, which Dr Reddys can do better. "Wockhardt's current EBITDA margin profile is quite subdued while balance sheet is stretched on account of high debt. Meanwhile, the company has kept a control on its SG&A expenses, which has trended down from 18 percent to 16 percent of sales over FY17-19. We suspect Wockhardts India sales have suffered as management resorted to aggressive cost control," said Ambit Capital in its report. Analyst expect Dr. Reddys to revive the growth of the acquired portfolio with improved serviceability of the products and increased spend on sales and promotion. "DRL's acquisition of Wockhardts key India brands is a step towards further de-risking the financial profile of the company. Domestic sales contribution goes up to 21 percent of overall top-line in FY22 vs. 12% in FY15), while we estimate EV contribution at 25 percent," the Ambit report said. By PTI NEW DELHI: Preparations are afoot at the historic Ramlila Maidan here for the swearing-in ceremony of Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi chief minister for the third successive term on Sunday. The ground, which served as the battleground for the 51-year-old bureaucrat-turned-politician during the Anna Hazare-led India Against Corruption movement, is getting decked up and workers are busy making arrangements. In a near-repeat performance of 2015, the Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party retained power with a scintillating win in the just-concluded Delhi Assembly polls, dealing a body blow to the main rival BJP and completely decimating the Congress in a keenly-watched battle that took place in the midst of anti-CAA protests. As AAP bagged 62 out of the 70 seats, leaders cutting across party lines, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi (Congress), Sharad Pawar (NCP), Mamata Banerjee (TMC), Naveen Patnaik (BJD) and MK Stalin (DMK) had congratulated Kejriwal for the historic victory. The Delhi government, North Delhi Municipal Corporation, which owns the Maidan, and Public Works Department are working in tandem to make the venue ready for the occasion. "We had levelled the ground during the PM's event that took place recently. So, other groundwork needs to be done. We have handed over the charge to the Delhi government and its PWD is making other necessary arrangements," a senior NDMC official said. Toilet blocks already are in place in and around the Maidan. Arrangements for other sanitation facilities like mobile toilets are being done, he said. Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai will visit the Ramlila Maidan on Saturday to assess the preparations for the event, officials said. The sprawling ground, where socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan had addressed a massive gathering during the 'Total Revolution' movement in the 1970s, has a capacity of about 1.25 lakh people. Sources said, besides seating arrangements, there will be an arrangement made for people to stand. AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday had extended an invitation to Delhiites to attend his oath-taking ceremony to "bless their son". "Delhiites, your son is going to take the oath of Delhi chief minister for the third time. You must come to bless your son. Sunday, February 16, 10 am, Ramlila Maidan," Kejriwal had tweeted in Hindi. In 2015 too, Kejriwal's oath-taking ceremony had taken place at Ramlila Maidan. It was held on February 14, coinciding with the Valentine's Day. In 2013 after his party's first poll victory, the swearing-in ceremony was again held at the same venue. Over a lakh people had attended the 2013 swearing-in ceremony on December 29. "The PWD will also start decorating the dais and the venue with potted flowers, the NDMC official added. The AAP in 2015 had stunned its opponents with a massive win in the assembly polls, clinching 67 seats in the 70-member Delhi Assembly. Kejriwal repeated his triumph in the high-profile New Delhi constituency by handing a crushing defeat to Bharatiya Janata Party's Sunil Kumar Yadav by a huge margin of 21,697 votes. The historic venue is once again set to reverberate with the sounds of people hailing Kejriwal and his resurgent party. February 14 : Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit has always been able to impress her fans and other fashionistas with her stylish choices. She undeniably looks breathtaking in the traditional Indian Sari and this time, the Dhak Dhak actress gives us one more reason why we can drape our curves in a sari this Valentines Day! She had worn this choice for the trailer launch of the film Guns of Banaras. Though not part of the film, she wanted to support the co-producer of the film, Mr. Rakesh Nath. He had played a pivotal role in shaping her film career as her manager. In the film, his son Karann Nathh is the lead actor. Watch the video Her message on Instagram was simple and a perfect slice of her deepest happiness for the entire team, It was such a pleasure to be at the trailer launch of Guns Of Banaras. Congratulations to Rikkuji and my best wishes to @karannathofficial and the entire team. Wishing this movie the best and hope it's a stunning success. All About her Saree: The gorgeous actress wore a Desi chiffon sari that had pastel-colored prints all over. The lightweight sari was elegant and pretty simple for the event, but she looked graceful in it. The six yards of drape came out with no glitz or sequin work but had some delicate thread works along with its powder pink border. She paired the look with elegant, royal choices of jewelry. She wore a pearl- diamond set of bracelets on her hands, and chunky drop earrings that were a blend of sapphires, emeralds, and pearls. This was matched up with the soft hues of the saree. The Kalank actress tied her tresses into a low ponytail, drew the perfect cat eye makeup and went for a brown palette lipstick. ATLANTA A Georgia woman evicted for inviting a black family to her house for playdates with her children will be paid $150,000 by her former landlords to settle a discrimination lawsuit. Victoria Sutton filed the complaint in July against Patricia and Allen McCoy of Calhoun, Georgia. Sutton said the couple made racist statements and threatened to physically harm her if she contested the eviction. My landlords behavior was not just immoral, it was also illegal, Sutton said in a statement. Im glad to see the McCoys are being held accountable and hope this settlement brings us one step closer to creating a more just society where people of all races can live together without fear. Sutton's attorney, Brian Corman, said the McCoys acknowledged they used racial slurs before evicting Sutton and apologized to her. But when reached by telephone Thursday afternoon, Patricia McCoy said the settlement "was reached for her (Sutton's) lies and thats all Ive got to say. She then hung up. Corman said the eviction violated the Civil Rights Act and the Georgia Fair Housing Act, which prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants and their guests on the basis of race. Both Sutton and the McCoys are white. Its the kind of case that many people might think would have happened generations ago," Corman said. But it really shows how persistent racial intolerance has been in the country." According to the complaint, Sutton in September 2018 invited her black co-worker and his 5-year-old son over to her house to play with her two daughters, ages 2 and 9. Sutton had been renting the house in Adairsville, Georgia, about 60 miles northwest of Atlanta, for about a year. After the visit, Allen McCoy knocked on Sutton's door, called her a "n----- lover" and said she had two weeks to move out, the lawsuit alleged. Sutton later called the McCoys and recorded the phone conversation with Patricia McCoy. I dont want them in my property. Maybe you like black dogs, but I dont," she said on the call, according to the lawsuit. "So just get your stuff and get out. Story continues Sutton was served an eviction notice the following day and appeared in court Oct. 4, 2018. During the hearing, Patricia McCoy said destruction of property was the reason for eviction, though Sutton argued there was no damage. About two months later, Sutton and her family moved out of the house. Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia also represented Sutton in the case. Almost 60 years ago, Dr. King dreamed aloud of little girls and boys playing together without regard to the color of their skin, ACLU of Georgia staff attorney Kosha Tucker said. Were inspired by people who courageously fight for whats fair and just so that all children can live in the America that Dr. King dreamed of. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Georgia woman evicted after black family visits settles suit for $150k Paul Parker had been fighting fires for days when he became so famous for his acrid view of Prime Minister Scott Morrison that strangers all across Australia decided he deserved a beer and a bar tab without end. Exhausted and emotional, Parker, from the tiny riverside village of Nelligen on the NSW South Coast, gained national notoriety in early January when he roared in a fire truck towards a TV camera crew, hung out the window and unloaded an expletive-laden tirade aimed at the Prime Minister. Parker's furious opinion that Morrison was failing volunteer firefighters went viral on social media, and now he won't need to pay for a beer at his local pub, Nelligen's Steampacket Hotel, for a very long time. "Pretty much every day someone comes in and puts their money down, telling us to buy a few beers for that bloke who got stuck into the Prime Minister," says the licensee of the Steampacket Hotel, Joel Alvey. Its true that actor Robert De Niros father was born and raised in Syracuse. Its also true that the actor played the title character in Martin Scorseses recent film, The Irishman. Its not true that De Niro will be honored at this years Syracuse St. Patricks Parade. That tale, apparently first reported at IrishCentral.com last month, could be called a bit of blarney. Syracuse St. Patricks Parade committee president Janet Higgins uses another term. Its shenanigans, said Higgins, who admits her inbox has been full of messages about the report. She says the committee has not discussed honoring De Niro and has no such plans. IrishCentral, a New York City digital media site that covers Irish and Irish-American issues, reported the story Jan. 24 under the headline: Robert De Niro could be honored at Syracuse St. Patricks Day Parade. The story, which has been picked up and re-posted on sites like Pinterest, traces the idea to a Boston-based genealogist, Jim McNiff. IrishCentral reported that McNiff talked to an unidentified person on the Syracuse parade committee about honoring the actor. Thats news to Higgins. This has taken on a life of its own," she said. Syracuse St. Patricks parade team kicks off anti-hunger project It is known that the actors father, Robert De Niro Sr., was born and raised in Syracuse. But the senior De Niro, who became a noted abstract painter, left Syracuse in his teens to pursue a career in art, according to his biography. He met his wife, Virginia Admiral, at an artists colony in Provincetown Mass. Their son, the actor, was born in New York City in 1943. Shortly after the birth, the elder DeNiro left the family. He struggled throughout his life to hide his homosexuality. In 2014, the actor produced a documentary about his father called Remembering the artist: Robert De Niro Sr., The film traced the elder De Niros time in Central New York and addresses his homosexuality. McNiff, who specializes in tracing the ancestry of celebrities, has done some work on De Niros geneaology, particularly the Irish side of the family. According to a report in the Irish Echo, the actors grandmother, Helen OReilley, grew up on Tipperary Hill and lived for a time on both Tompkins Street and Bryant Avenue. She later married Italian immigrant Henry De Niro, and they lived on Syracuses North Side. Robert De Niro Sr. was one of their children. IrishEcho.com, another Irish-American site, has also reported on McNiffs research into De Niros Irish and Syracuse ancestry, in a piece headlined A Syracuse Tale. The Irish Sun, meanwhile, has reported that De Niro has tried in vain to learn more about his own Irish ancestry. Robert De Niro is well known for roles in movies like The Godfather, Part II and Raging Bull, each of which earned him an Oscar. Hes also known for the Meet the Parents series and several films made by his friend and frequent collaborator, director Martin Scorsese. The Irishman, released on Netflix last fall, was a best picture nominee at the recent Academy. De Niro has also been a frequent guest on Saturday Night Live, where in the last few years he he has often portrayed Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller in sketches that spoof the investigation into President Donald Trump. The Onondaga Historical Association posted a picture of De Niro as a child wearing a Syracuse T-shirt to mark the actors 74th birthday in 2017. Happy Birthday to Robert De Niro, who turns 74 today. Here's De Niro at 7 years old wearing a #Syracuse shirt. pic.twitter.com/eu7BOZlAyt OHA (@OnondagaHisAssn) August 17, 2017 Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. 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. 1. Attorney General William Barr is tightening control over politically sensitive investigations. A day after declaring his departments independence from President Trump, Mr. Barr, above in September, has assigned outside prosecutors to scrutinize the handling of national security cases including a review of the case against Michael Flynn, Mr. Trumps former national security adviser. Federal prosecutors have recommended that Mr. Flynn be sentenced to up to six months in prison for lying to investigators in the Russia inquiry; Mr. Flynn has in turn sought to withdraw his guilty plea. In a move that appeared to cut the other way, the Justice Department said it would not charge Andrew McCabe, a former senior F.B.I. official who has been a target of Mr. Trump, with lying to investigators. The following is a letter written by the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) addressed to members of the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) who are holding their national conference this weekend in Chicago. * * * Dear members of the Young Democratic Socialists of America, We are writing to you on behalf of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, the youth movement of the Socialist Equality Party. The SEP is the US section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, which publishes the World Socialist Web Site. You are attending this conference because you want to fight for socialism. The question is: What is socialism and how can it be achieved? The dangers that we confront are enormous. The Trump presidency is a right-wing authoritarian regime, with distinctly fascist characteristics. Capitalism in the 2020s means a future of inequality, world war, mass shootings and climate disaster. Socialists know that addressing these problems means a total rehaul of the economic system of world capitalism. This would involve the confiscation of trillions of dollars in wealth from the ruling class and the reorganization of the economy to meet human need, not profit. Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Democratic Socialists of America say it is possible to fight for socialism from within the Democratic Party. Such a political program is not real socialism and can lead only to disaster. The Democratic Party is the oldest capitalist political party in the world. Founded in 1828, it carries in its political DNA all of the American ruling classs great crimes. This was the party of the southern slaveowners before the Civil War, of the forced removal and massacre of Native Americans, of Jim Crow segregation and of the anti-Chinese and anti-Japanese restrictions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is the party that jailed socialists and immigrants during World War I and dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the conclusion of World War II. The Democratic Party launched and sustained the Korean War and Vietnam War, ended welfare as we know it, supported the hyper-criminalization of nonviolent drug use, voted for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, passed the PATRIOT Act, kept Guantanamo Bay open, and bailed out the banks after the market crash of 2007-08. Bernie Sanders is far from the first to claim it is possible to reform this party, which is controlled from top to bottom by finance capital, the military and the intelligence agencies. Throughout US history, when mass anger against inequality and war have threatened to explode, reformers have come forward to lie to the leftward-moving masses, telling them they must not turn toward independent, revolutionary socialism, but must rather exert all their energy trying to change the Democratic Party. Each failed effort at reform has paved the way for the Democrats next crimes. It is for this reason that the party has earned the designation as the graveyard of social movements. Todays Democratic Party has facilitated Donald Trumps most reactionary policies, voting for his military budgets and agreeing to allocate billions of dollars to fund his attack on immigrants at the US-Mexico border. The Democrats impeachment effort gave the green light to Trumps fascist policies while focusing entirely on the claim that Trump is not aggressive enough against Russia. Sanders won the popular vote in Iowa and New Hampshire (despite interference from the DNC) because of growing opposition to Trump and the right-wing, pro-corporate Democratic Party. This has produced many worried articles in the corporate media over the growing popularity of socialism. To the ruling class, Sanders is a known entity. He has been in Congress for 30 years and has caucused as a member of the Democratic Party. He voted for the war in Serbia, the war in Afghanistan and for some of the worst anti-immigrant measures in the 1990s. In 2016, Sanders told his supporters to vote for Hillary Clinton, who embodies Wall Street and the military-industrial complex. In recent weeks he has again urged his supporters to vote for whichever Democrat wins the nomination, as though a Biden or Bloomberg presidency will advance the cause of socialism! What the ruling class does fear, however, is that the growing opposition to capitalism will develop on an independent, revolutionary basis in the working class. Sanders serves to contain this opposition and, in his words, take discontented youth and bring them into the Democratic Party. The attendees of the YDSA conference want to take action in the fight for socialism. Goodurgent action is required to save the planet from capitalist barbarism. But action that ends up strengthening the Democratic Party is worse than useless and will only create cynicism and disillusionment. Instead of helping Sanders save the Democratic Party, the IYSSE and SEP appeal to you: take action by supporting real socialist candidates in the 2020 elections, Joseph Kishore for president and Norissa Santa Cruz for vice president. Our campaign recognizes that the fight for socialism means turning toward the working class, the chief progressive social force under capitalism. This class, comprised of billions of people in every country, has the power to transform the world. Awakening the tremendous political energy of this social force requires educating workers and dispelling the lies of the corporate media. Fighting for socialism means making workers aware of their common class interests, giving them an understanding of the nature of capitalist society, and explaining the role of the state, the police, the courts and the political parties of the different factions of the capitalist class. For 150 years, the socialist movement has fought to introduce into the working class the highest level of understanding of the history and the lessons of the class struggle to develop a revolutionary strategy and fight for the unification of the working class on this basis. Leon Trotsky, the great revolutionary who led the Russian Revolution alongside Vladimir Lenin and then led the struggle against the degeneration of the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin, explained: History is no indulgent, soft mother who will protect the working class: she is a wicked stepmother who will teach the workers through bloody experience how they must attain their aims... The working class needs not the universal forgiveness that Tolstoy preached, but hard tempering, intransigence, profound conviction that without struggle for every step, every inch of the road leading to betterment of its life, without constant, irreconcilable harsh struggle, and without organization of this struggle, there can be no salvation and liberation. YDSA members: Take up the fight within your organization for genuinely revolutionary socialist politics. Repudiate the DSA's support for the Democratic Party and reject the policies of the Sanders campaign. Take up the study of genuine, scientific socialism and of the history of the class struggle. Join our fight for world socialist revolution! Recommended readings: The New York Times 1619 project: A racialist falsification of US and world history Despite the pretense of establishing the United States true foundation, the New York Times 1619 Project is a politically motivated falsification of history. Its aim is to create a historical narrative that legitimizes the effort of the Democratic Party to construct an electoral coalition based on the prioritizing of personal identitiesi.e., gender, sexual preference, ethnicity, and, above all, race. The 1619 Project and the falsification of history: An analysis of the New York Times reply to five historians This pamphlet presents a Marxist analysis of the reply by Jake Silverstein, editor of the New York Times Magazine, to five prominent historians who requested that the Times correct historical falsifications upon which the Times 1619 Project is based. The Political Lessons of the 2016 Bernie Sanders Campaign: What the WSWS Said As the articles collected in the new pamphlet demonstrate, the WSWS warned that Sanders was not the voice of working class opposition, but rather the response of forces within the ruling class to the dangerous growth of this opposition. This analysis covers the period from Sanders official announcement in the spring of 2015 to his ignominious endorsement of Hillary Clinton at the Democratic National Convention. The Russian Revolution and the Unfinished Twentieth Century Over hundred years after the outbreak of World War I and the Russian Revolution, none of the problems of the 20th centurydevastating wars, economic crises, social inequality, and the threat of dictatorshiphave been solved. In fact, they are posed even more sharply today. The Frankfurt School, Postmodernism and the Politics of the Pseudo-Left: A Marxist Critique Trade union OGBL announed earlier this Friday that the first meeting with the national conciliation service failed to lead to a "notable result." The trade unions representing the employees of the International School of Luxembourg met with representatives of the school management and the national conciliation service last Thursday. ISL labour dispute continues - employees hit picket line in front of Ministry of Labour The discussions between employer and union groups lasted two and half hours but did not lead to a "notable result," OGBL said in a press release. According to OBGL, the union representatives "were astonished to hear that the last employer proposal for a new faculty scale, from November 2019, was no longer on the table. Furthermore, the employer stated that the first proposal, dating from May 2018, which introduced a separate scale for future teachers was the only one to be considered." A proposal that was submitted in May 2018 had included improved early career wages at the expense of the career itself, as OBGL explained, "would increase in the number of years to arrive at the same end of career salary." The yearly average increase would consequently decrease from 3.02% to 2.04%. According to OGBL, the first proposal was not part of the dossier submitted to the conciliation service. The representatives of the school reportedly also said on Thursday that they themselves did not consider their November 2019 proposal to be legitimate, explaining that it had been the result of a lack of options after the unions rejected their proposal to introduce a two-tiered system in May 2018. OGBL also explained that the employer party refused to accept the proposal to reduce expenses, increase income, or review tuition fees. The trade unions hope to find an agreement with the employer when the negotiations continue on 27 February. There will not be further pickets until then. If no agreement will be found by 4 June, either party may declare non-conciliation, which would open the right to strike. London businessman Tony Camoccio, 51, claim he is being falsely accused of sexual assault after patting a security guard on the back at Hurghada Airport (Picture: PA/Change.org) Thousands of people have signed a petition for a British businessman who has allegedly been arrested in Egypt after patting a male airport security guard on the back. Friends of Tony Camoccio claim the father-of-four is being falsely accused of sexual assault after the alleged incident at Hurghada International Airport on February 8. The 51-year-old was returning from a holiday with his wife and a group of friends when the incident reportedly happened at an airport checkpoint. Mr Camoccio, who has visited Egypt several times before, is believed to currently be in police custody in Hurghada. An online petition has been set up on change.org calling for Mr Camoccio to be released and by Friday had reached nearly 4,000 signatures. A petition to free Tony Camoccio has gained nearly 4,000 signatures (Picture: Change.org) A statement on the petition website reads: At customs in Hurghada airport on his outbound journey, 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. READ MORE 'CHINO' nickname was the trigger for Sajid Javid's resignation as Chancellor Coronavirus: UK government says flights from China still allowed as UK cases rise to 9 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. His basic human rights were being abused and these are false accusations. Radha Stirling, chief executive of human rights organisation Detained In Dubai, said authorities had extended Mr Camoccios 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. The Foreign Office has said it is in contact with the family and the authorities in Egypt. -An insiders guide to Margate- VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AgraFlora Organics International Inc. (AgraFlora or the Company) (CSE: AGRA) (Frankfurt: PU31) (OTCPK: AGFAF), a growth oriented and diversified international cannabis company, is pleased to announce the Company has taken steps to accelerate the market growth of Whole Hemp Health, a proprietary line of hemp-derived cosmetic products developed/owned/manufactured by Canutra Naturals Ltd. (Canutra), a wholly owned subsidiary of AgraFlora. The Company, via Canutra, has engaged Gatekeeper Growth Partners (Gatekeeper), an elite performance-marketing firm, to assist Canutra in driving the growth of its Whole Hemp Health products on online marketplaces such as Amazon. Pursuant to a definitive agreement entered into between Canutra and Gatekeeper, Gatekeeper will deploy a proven arsenal of digital marketing tools to acquire new customers for Whole Hemp Health with the primary goal of accelerating growth through online and direct-to-consumer channels. This includes supporting the current Whole Hemp Health sales force with a proprietary suite of marketing technologies, including data-driven advertising campaigns that have a proven track record of driving conversions and sales for wellness products. In particular, the Company will leverage Gatekeepers strong knowledge of and history of success on the Amazon platform, as well as other ecommerce marketplaces. "We are pleased that we conform with Gatekeepers strict product criteria and to be selected as a partner to their proven sales model, which de-risks our online advertising strategy," stated Canutra CEO Tony Harris. "Gatekeeper only selects a few clients per year to partner with, and it is a testament to the quality and market potential of our products that they have chosen to work with Whole Hemp Health." "Gatekeeper Growth Partners has a very select roster of clients. Our focus is on partnering with quality brands ready for explosive online sales growth. We are excited to be working with a leading brand such as Whole Hemp Health in the emerging natural luxury wellness vertical. Our team speaks the language of conversion and sales, not clicks and impressions, and we look forward to a long, growth-oriented partnership with the forward-thinking Canutra Naturals team," says Brian MacKay, Managing Partner of Gatekeeper Growth Partners. About Canutra Naturals Ltd. Canutra Naturals Ltd. is a hemp technology company and part of the AgraFlora group of companies. It is dedicated to developing health and wellness products from the whole hemp plant through Canutra Farms, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canutra. Canutra Farms owns a 76-acre, organic friendly parcel of unzoned agricultural land in Kent County, NB. Canutra Farms is equipped with over 17,500 square feet of commercial-grade labs and facilities built to strict industrial specifications across 10 separate structures. Canutra possesses its own proprietary hemp blend, a cornerstone for its ongoing research and development initiatives. Canutra was awarded an industrial hemp license for the farm by Health Canada in 2017 and a cannabis research license in 2018. About AgraFlora Organics International Inc. AgraFlora Organics International Inc. is a leading cannabis company building shareholder value through the development of revenue generating operating assets in the global cannabis industry. AgraFlora is focused primarily on the Canadian cannabis industry, the worlds most advanced and regulated legal cannabis market. Flagship Canadian assets include: Edibles & Infusions, a fully automated manufacturing facility in Winnipeg, MB, for white-label and consumer branded edible production; Propagation Services Canada, a large-scale commercial greenhouse in Delta, BC, focused on reshaping the Canadian flower market with high-potency, low cost cannabis flower; and AAA Heidelberg, a craft focused cannabis producer in London, ON. In addition, AgraFloras wholly owned subsidiary, Farmako GmbH, is scaling towards its goal of being Europes leading distributor of medical cannabis. Farmako currently has active distribution operations in Germany and expects to commence active operations in the United Kingdom in 2020. For more information please visit: https://agraflora.com/. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brandon Boddy Chairman & CEO T: (604) 398-3147 For additional information: AgraFlora Organics International Inc. Tim McNulty E: ir@agraflora.com T: (800) 783-6056 For French inquiries: Remy Scalabrini, Maricom Inc. E: rs@maricom.ca T: (888) 585-MARI 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 Dubai, Feb 14 : An Indian man who came to Dubai on a visit visa, killed his wife over suspicion that she was cheating on him, the Court of First Instance here has heard. According to public prosecution records, the 44-year-old Indian man, who is standing trial on a premeditated murder charge, went to his wife's workplace in Al Quoz industrial area on September 9 2019, where he killed her, the Khaleej Times reported on Friday. In his confession during police interrogation and public prosecution investigation, he recounted how he and his wife had a heated argument on that day. Prior to that, he asked the victim's boss at the office that why the latter had sent him a message, telling him that his wife was cheating on him with another man. When they went outside the office, his wife, who was then very upset, blamed him for his behaviour, telling him that he embarrassed her in front of the manager. He then took out a knife and stabbed her three times, killing her on the spot. A police lieutenant, who reported to the crime scene, said: "The woman was lying lifeless between the cars in the parking lot. She had deep stab wounds in her abdomen and left thigh. The crime weapon was found near her body." The couple had two daughters in India. The victim had come to the UAE about one year earlier. She had been sharing accommodation with a female colleague while her husband was staying in Al Musaffah, Abu Dhabi. They've been married for nearly fifteen years but it's clear sparks still fly between Hollywood heavy-hitters Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. The lovebirds celebrated Valentine's Day in adorable fashion on Friday, stepping out at Dolly Parton's theme park Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. On Friday, the Grammy-winning country crooner, 52, posted a sweet Instagram snap of himself and Nicole, 52, posing under a log heart at the iconic resort. Adorable! Nicole Kidman (right) and Keith Urban (left) celebrated Valentine's Day on Friday at Dolly Parton's iconic Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, sharing the above snap to Instagram 'Happy Valentine's Day!' Keith captioned the snap, alongside a few spicy emojis including flames, kissing lips and a heart emoji. In the heart-warming photo, the couple are bundled up in parkas and cosy hats, as they braved the winter chill for their rendezvous at Dolly's famous resort. Nicole and Keith have been enjoying some down time at their home in Nashville, Tennessee the past few weeks. Cute! 'Happy Valentine's Day!' Keith captioned the snap, alongside a few spicy emojis including flames, kissing lips and a heart emoji Laying low: Nicole and Keith opted to skip the Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, instead deciding to watch Hollyowod's night of nights from their ranch in Nashville The duo opted to skip the 2020 Academy Awards in Los Angeles last week, deciding to watch from home with their young daughters, Sunday Rose, 12, and Faith Margaret, 10. 'We made a big game out of it, Nic and I and the two kids,' Keith revealed during a media session prior to his All for the Hall concert in Nashville, on February 10. 'We had a sheet each and we had to fill it all in before the thing started, and obviously a lot of the categories none of us have a clue, we just pick at random.' Venture: In 1986, music icon and Tennessee native, Dolly Parton, 74, (pictured) opened Dollywood revealing she wanted to create something that 'would bring a lot of jobs in the area' In 1986, music icon and Tennessee native, Dolly Parton, opened Dollywood, with the sole aim of giving back to the community that raised her. She said at the time: 'When I made it big, I wanted to do something great, something that would bring a lot jobs into this area.' It comes after Forbes released a list of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood, with Nicole coming in at number four on the list, raking in a cool $34million, thanks to her iconic roles as Celeste Wright in Big Little Lies. It was one in a litany of cases in which Burge and his midnight crew of detectives who worked under him have been accused of torturing or abusing dozens of mostly African American men into confessing to killings in the 1970s and 80s. The scandal has stained the citys reputation and cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars in settlements, legal fees and other compensation to victims. A body found in South Carolina is that of missing 6-year-old Faye Swetlik, the coroner confirmed on Thursday. Swetlik went missing outside her home three days ago. "It is with extremely heavy hearts that we are announcing that we have found the body that the coroner has identified as Faye Marie Swetlik. We are now treating this case as a homicide," an emotional Cayce Public Safety Director Byron Snellgrove said at a news conference Thursday afternoon. "As this community has been working hard to find Faye, and bring her home safely, we wanted you to know as soon as possible," he said. He also announced that a second body was found during the course of the investigation in the same neighborhood. He said it is not clear whether the two deaths are connected. The body was identified as a male, but authorities have not released the age or identity. "That investigation has just begun," he said. Snellgrove said investigators believe there is no danger to the community. No arrests have been made in the case. faye2.png Faye Swetlik Family photo Law enforcement swarmed the neighborhood where Swetlik disappeared shortly before the news conference on Thursday, CBS affiliate WCSC reports. Snellgrove said "several developments" had been made in the case since a press briefing was held earlier on Thursday. "You need to know that this is a fluid investigation and that we are working diligently on it." Swetlik was last seen playing in the front yard of her home on Monday afternoon at approximately 3:45 p.m. after surveillance footage showed her getting off the school bus. A little over an hour later, at approximately 5 p.m., her family called 911 when they could not find her in the immediate area. Director Byron Snellgrove just updated community and media that the body of Faye Swetlik has been found. Now begins the investigation into her homicide and the Cayce Department of Public Safety, along with local, state and federal law enforcement partners, will continue to work together to bring this case to a close. If you have any information that would assist in our investigation the #FayeSwetlik hotline is still operational and our is ongoing. 1-803-205-4444 #PrayforFaye Story continues Posted by Cayce Department of Public Safety on Thursday, February 13, 2020 The school where Faye was a first-grader said it would have counselors on hand to assist grieving students, teachers and staff. "We are heart-broken with news of the death of Faye Swetlik, a first-grade student at Springdale Elementary, who went missing earlier this week. When the school community experiences a tragedy like the loss of a child, it deeply affects all of us," the school said in a statement. Michael Bloomberg targeting young voters with memes Whistleblower says Olympic Committee needs to do more to address mental health Attorney General Barr says Trump's tweets about DOJ "make it impossible for me to do my job" MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI As many as 20,000 patients in Muskegon County, many of them with low income, would be without a health care provider if Muskegon Family Care in Muskegon closes its doors. Concerned Muskegon Family Care patients have begun calling for help from Hackley Community Care, the communitys other large medical and dental clinic, but it is not equipped to handle the influx, said HCC Chief Executive Officer Linda Juarez. Were trying to manage the chaos right now, Juarez said. MLive was unable to contact anyone at Muskegon Family Care, and a post on its Facebook page said it was experiencing phone problems due to a very large call volume. Juarez said she tried reaching out to Muskegon Family Care numerous times as rumors of its financial difficulties began surfacing a few weeks ago. She said she hasnt heard back from Muskegon Family Care administration, but learned of the clinics apparent planned closing after staff there began receiving emails on Friday, Feb. 14, telling them they would no longer have jobs. We want to be part of the solution, but you cannot do this overnight, Juarez said of helping displaced patients. Juarez added that she heard a transition plan was being developed. Dori Peters, spokeswoman for Public Health Muskegon County, said leadership there has heard the clinic is closing but havent received anything official. Muskegon Family Care, 2201 S. Getty in Muskegon Heights, provides medical and dental care primarily to Medicaid-eligible patients and is associated with a medical clinic that dates back to 1973. It has operated on an approximately $20 million budget, according to its 2018 audit. Among it services are medical, dental, mental and behavior health, pharmacy and womens care. In 2018, it had 20,670 patients, according to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administrations Bureau of Primary Health. Nearly 79 percent of those patients were at or below the poverty level, and more than 13,000 were eligible for Medicaid, according to the Bureau of Primary Health. The closure of the clinic would be a second blow to women, particularly those who are low income, as it comes on the heels of the departure of Planned Parenthood in July 2019 after it lost its space at Public Health Muskegon County. Juarez said shes particularly concerned about pregnant women, and said local emergency departments will likely see a large increase in people seeking care. People will fall through the cracks, she said. They just will. Jane Johnson, director of Muskegon County Department of Health and Human Services, said she too had heard that Muskegon Family Cares was experiencing challenges. I think as a community well come together to determine how well address needs, Johnson said. "Thats the commitment we would make -- that we would figure it out. Muskegon Family Care previously operated as Mercy General Health Care and prior to that was the Koinonia Medical Clinic. A federal audit found significant deficiencies in 2017. Details were not immediately available. However, Muskegon Family Cares own audit did not find anything significant, but rather one material weakness that year. Also in 2017, the federal Bureau of Primary Health Care conducted a multi-day onsite review of Muskegon Family Cares operations to determine its compliance with regulations, Scott Kodish, spokesman for the Health Resources and Services Administration, told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle in an email in January. He added that Muskegon Family Care currently has no conditions on their grant. Muskegon Family Care has previously been in trouble with the federal government, which determined it had not properly tracked federal funding and failed to comply with its own bylaws from 2010-2014, according to documents obtained by the Muskegon Chronicle in 2014. Some of the requirements Muskegon Family Care failed to meet were related to staffing, board authority, fiscal management and contractual agreements. Some of the lapses noted included paying a volunteer board member stipend and consulting fees, planning and implementing a celebrity fundraiser that caused the health center to lose several thousand dollars, purchasing personal items using a company credit card and issuing tuition funds to Muskegon Family Care CEO Sheila Bridges that exceeded the amount allowed by the clinic's reimbursement program. In 2014, a Fire Shelia (sic) Bridges (Muskegon Family Care) private Facebook group was created to keep communication between all individuals who are seeking justice for the numerous wrongdoings that have been occurring at Muskegon Family Care. Those injustices allegedly created by Bridges and other named administrators were listed as misappropriation of funds, inappropriate denial of patients and intimidation of staff. Bridges was CEO until recently, and the clinic has been run by an interim administrator, according to the Muskegon Family Care website. Read more: Federal review finds Muskegon Family Care didnt properly track federal funds Findings from federal review of Muskegon Family Care Planned Parenthoods eviction stirs debate over Muskegon Countys family-planning Tension has risen to the crescendo in Bayelsa State as aggrieved Bayelsans and APC supporters embarked on massive protest following IN... Tension has risen to the crescendo in Bayelsa State as aggrieved Bayelsans and APC supporters embarked on massive protest following INECs declaration of PDP Douye Diri as the states governor-elect. Hundreds of angry youths and women, Friday trooped to major streets of Yenagoa, protesting the Supreme Court verdict that sacked the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the November 16 gubernatorial election. They set the PDPs Secretariat in the State ablaze. The Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC), had declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Douye Diri, winner of the Bayelsa governorship election after series of meeting with stakeholders at the commissions headquarters in Abuja. The declaration followed an earlier verdict nullifying the election of David Lyon and his Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo by the apex court. The protesting youths and women drawn from the eight Local Government Areas of the state started their peaceful rally from Tombia roundabout, and terminated at the Bayelsa state INEC office, chanting No David Lyon, No Governor. The protesters were armed with APC flags, brooms of all sizes, and placards with different inscriptions, David Lyon is the choice of the masses, Judiciary does not mean well for our state, we cant suffer another 4 years again, we voted for the people we trusted, Dont stop our Messiah. S ome of the governments property reportedly destroyed by the protesters, they were mostly up in flames, with heavy security presence to deter the protesters from further actions. ome of the governments property reportedly destroyed by the protesters, they were mostly up in flames, with heavy security presence to deter the protesters from further actions. The four security post of the State high court was razed in fire; the Yenagoa secretariat was also destroyed with all the billboards having the PDP candidate. The state PDP secretariat was partly razed. The Joint military and police patrol in the Yenagoa city, helped in salvaging further attacks on properties, and also the government house. One of the women leaders, Madam Normy, who was visibly angry, said we cant continue to suffer in our state for another eight years under one man who doesnt care about an ordinary man in the state. Look at what the civil servants are suffering despite their right to salary. Some have not had their salaries since December not to talk about January. The pensioners were dieing while waiting for their entitlement. According to a party stalwart, Comrade Richman Alabo, we are protesting the injustice happening in our state, the people of the state have spoken in one voice, why should the court decide otherwise. Alabo said, He is a man of the people, we will continue our protest if the right things are not done. He has come to save us as our Messiah. Look at the vision of the new government led by David Lyon, we are ready to die for him. 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. 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 trans-ferred the Elgar Parishad probe from Pune Police to the NIA. The case is related to speeches at Elgar conclave in 2017 SRINAGAR: Pakistani troops on Friday (February 14, 2020 ) violated ceasefire along the Line of Control on in Poonch and Kerni sectors of Jammu and Kashmir. The latest incident of ceasefire violations took place around 12.30 noon, evoking a strong response from the Indian Army. A heavy exchange of fire from both sides is currently underway. However, there are no reports of any casualty so far. More details are awaited. Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. An engineer from Daraa was tortured to death by the regime in Sadnaya Military Prison, after a year and two months of incarceration reports Jesr. Engineer Rateb Osman al-Jabawi, from the city of Jassem north of Daraa, has been martyred under torture in a regime prison. The website Horan Free Media reported that the Jabawi family had received a notice of his death on Tuesday, a year and two months after he was incarcerated in the Sadnaya Military Prison in the Damascus countryside. The group said Jabawis arrest by Assad forces had come after he was summoned to the headquarters of the Cultural Center in the town of Jassem in December 2018. Prior to his arrest by Assads forces, Jabawi had suffered from a number of chronic diseases such as a weak heart and other conditions. Jabawi was born in 1973 and studied medical equipment engineering and worked as president of the local council in Jassem before the Assad regime took control of Daraa province in July 2018. 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. Australian universities hope the one-week extension of the travel ban on Chinese international students is a sign they will soon be allowed back into the country, amid fears Canada and the UK are poised to steal a larger share of the lucrative market. The head of Australia's top university peak body also said the sector was not overexposed to the Chinese market, as the industry moved to limit the potential $3 billion fallout from the coronavirus outbreak. Universities Australia CEO Catriona Jackson said universities had now made contact with almost all of the students still stuck in China. Credit:Eamon Gallagher The University of Sydney deputy vice-chancellor of education, Professor Pip Pattison, told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age the government's decision to review the travel ban weekly rather than fortnightly had raised hopes of an end to the crisis. "We are hoping that the weekly decision meant there's a chance that the bans might be safely lifted sooner rather than later," she said. "If that's not the case, I think we probably would have preferred a clearer decision. We are very hopeful that's what it signals." 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe L ondon doctors are using artificial intelligence to predict which patients with chest pains are at greatest risk of death. A trial at Barts Heart Centre, in Smithfield, and the Royal Free Hospital, in Hampstead, found that poor blood flow was a strong predictor of heart attack, stroke and heart failure. Doctors used computer programs to analyse images of the heart from more than 1,000 patients and cross-referenced the scans with their health over the next two years. The computers were taught to search for indicators of future adverse cardiovascular outcomes and are now used in a real-time basis to help doctors identify who is most at risk. This ensures that patients in need of treatment receive medication to improve blood flow or undergo procedures such as stenting to open blocked heart valves. These better predictions ultimately lead to better patient care, as well as giving us new insights into how the heart works Blood flow is the amount of blood that gets to the heart. Heart attacks happen when the amount of blood is reduced or stopped. Dr Kristopher Knott, from Barts Health NHS Trust and UCL, told the Standard: We found that the likelihood of one of these adverse events was significantly higher when the blood flow was low. The calculations were happening as the patients were being scanned, and the results were immediately delivered to doctors. As poor blood flow is treatable, these better predictions ultimately lead to better patient care, as well as giving us new insights into how the heart works. Heart disease is the leading global cause of death. Reduced blood flow is a common symptom of many heart conditions. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance scans are available but, up until now, the images have been incredibly difficult to analyse. Todays study, funded by the British Heart Foundation and published in the journal Circulation, is the first to show how AI can instantly and accurately measure blood flow better than a doctor. Takeo Nakajima - Chief representative Japan External Trade Organization Hanoi Office Currently, Japanese businesspeople are refraining from non-urgent business trips within the region. Large events and gatherings may be cancelled or postponed to avoid the spread of the epidemic. Our organisation is planning to receive many business people and government delegations from Japan in February and March. Therefore, we actively engage in communicating with partners about how to safely handle the events in co-ordination with instructions by the Vietnamese and Japanese authorities. We do not have any information about shifting investment from Vietnam to other countries because not only Vietnam but Japan and most of the ASEAN members including Thailand and Malaysia are affected by the nCoV at the same magnitude. We would see even more companies in China accelerate shifting production capabilities to Vietnam. Containing an epidemic is difficult in an open and globalised society. If a country mishandles the situation, the worst could happen. In this sense, the Vietnamese government so far has been quick and decisive in introducing strict enforcement measures against the spread. However, we have seen more negative development among the Japanese business community over the last week, though it is still too early to see real business setbacks caused by the epidemic. China, Vietnam, and Japan are strong trade and investment partners, and any incident like this may cause damage to the free flow of goods, services, and people in this area. Tourism is one of the hardest-hit industries, and the trade, transportation, and agriculture also could face negative effects of the epidemic. Meanwhile, healthcare services, hygiene goods manufacturers, and remote digital services may receive more business orders. Nicolas Audier Chairman European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam The European business community is monitoring the coronavirus carefully and is taking simple, sensible precautions as advised by the World Health Organization (WHO). While the virus is fairly concerning, the number of cases in Vietnam is still low, and we have not seen a knock-on effect on European business sentiment in Vietnam. EuroCham has shared the advice of the WHO with its membership to ensure all European enterprises and their employees understand the simple steps to prevent the spread of germs The next stage for the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will be up for a vote next week, and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will decide whether or not to ratify the deal. We are hopeful to see a positive outcome. A delegation of our chamber has been in Brussels for nearly a month, attending various meetings before and after the vote of the European Parliaments Committee on International Trade where the EVFTA hopefully overcomes its penultimate hurdle. The delegation will also travel to Strasbourg next week for this final step, to meet with MEPs ahead of the vote and urge them to ratify this historic FTA. Our chamber has supported the EVFTA ever since negotiations first began, and has promoted this deal in Europe and throughout Vietnam. In our view, the coronavirus outbreak will have no effect at all on the outcome of the vote. While the economic benefits of the EVFTA are undisputed, we know that some MEPs have reservations around areas such as social and labour rights. We hope to persuade them that the EVFTA will accelerate Vietnams progress in these areas, and urge them to vote convincingly in favour of the deal to recognise Vietnams strong record of reforms over the last few decades. Adam Sitkoff - Executive director American Chamber of Commerce Hanoi The ongoing virus outbreak in China has led to the largest quarantine in human history. This is an evolving situation, and additional time is needed to adequately assess the threat. This could go either way - turning out to be a lot of mild infections that dont require much medical attention, or it could turn out to be a very serious problem. For the economy - both here in Vietnam and around the region - this is already a serious problem which goes far beyond the immediately vulnerable travel and tourism sectors. Travel and supply chain disruptions will impact many business sectors. The ripple effects of the outbreak will cause changes in employment, wages, consumer confidence, and even monetary policy. Businesses are working hard to mitigate the negative effects of the virus outbreak, but we are still in the early days of this unfortunate situation. I have not seen any shifts in investment to other countries. The epidemic is a serious concern to many US investors, and is affecting travel, events, and life around the world. However, it is not a problem that is specific to Vietnam. This is a worldwide problem. The global business community is watching closely to see how things will turn out. The best thing for Vietnam to do is to take this public health issue seriously, act transparently, and continue to take the necessary steps to isolate and prevent widespread transmission of the virus, as well as to remain committed to economic reforms that improve the business climate for investment in Vietnam. There are already tens of thousands of people infected with the virus as the official number of cases. The main concern is the transmission from person-to-person. When that occurs in large numbers, the situation becomes more serious and dangerous, especially in places like Vietnam that have weaker healthcare systems. US companies are prepared to respond quickly to the fast-changing situation, and are focused on maintaining safe workplaces and business operations during this disruption, as well as taking care of their team members and customers. Again, this is an evolving situation and there is cause for concern. However, it is important that people act logically, reasonably, and make decisions based on facts and necessity. Shanmuga Retman - Vice chairman Singaporean Business Association in Vietnam During this period businesses must focus on their long-term growth plans. The current crisis is only a glitch and we have already faced many challenges within Asia over the recent years. Tourism is bracing itself for possible cancellations of events and tour groups if the situation intensifies in the coming months. We continue to receive trade facilitation inquiries from across Asia, including from Singaporean clients, for market expansion and acquisition opportunities in Vietnam. We are currently reviewing the establishment of a green bank, an innovation valley, and a greenfield hospital project all of which are essential infrastructure projects in Vietnam, regardless of the virus outbreak in China. Singapores tourism industry is expected to see a decline in arrivals from China, which make up 20 per cent of the total inbound market. The country continues to look towards Vietnam as an attractive destination and source market for inbound tourism. The launch of the Singapore Vietnam Business Council shows that both countries are deepening their relationships across public and private sectors. Hong Sun - Vice chairman Korean Chamber of Business in Vietnam China is Vietnams key trading partner. Thus, the epidemic is causing big impacts on Vietnams exports to its neighbour, especially in agro-forestry-fishery. Moreover, imports of materials for textile and garments as well as electronic spare parts are also being affected. Service sectors such as tourism and hospitality are being hit. So far, many South Korean groups have cancelled trips to Vietnam. However, the outbreak does not affect the overall investment sentiment among South Korean businesses in Vietnam. Despite the serious development of the epidemic, South Korean enterprises will continue their investment plans in Vietnam. They are keeping their eyes open and intensifying protective measures. At the same time, they are seeking to stabilise operations, while continuing to seek new opportunities. We are hoping that Vietnam will soon halt the outbreak and continue facilitating a business environment that will guarantee rapid socio-economic development. Vijayawada: The startling revelation by the Income-Tax department about the siphoning of monies to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore in a case involving the former personal secretary of Telugu Desam supremo N. Chandrabau Naidu has led to an intense, and bitter, war of words between leaders of the YSR Congress and the principal Opposition, Telugu Desam. The ruling party pressed into service seven ministers and 10 legislators, besides two MPs, with a sole agenda of attacking Naidu and Nara Lokesh, his son and TD party general secretary. The YSRC questioned the silence of Mr Naidu on the raids and wondered how much more corrupt money would be unearthed if preliminary estimates itself revealed fraud of Rs 2,000 crore. YSRC favours raids on Naidu YSRC ministers suggested raids on Opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidus house to get unearth the scandal related to his former personal secretarys wealth. Raids on Chandrababu Naidus houses would bring out more skeletons, said K. Kannababu, agriculture minister, who demanded an immediate inquiry by the Enforcement Directorate into the assets of the TD chief. Leading the counterattack, Mr Lokesh sought to turn the tables against Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who said, Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy former said sees corruption in everyone else, because he himself is highly corrupt. In a tweet, Mr Loksh sought to clarify that the press release from the Income Tax department talked only about irregularities by infrastructure companies, whereas the ruling YSRC party was indulging in false propaganda by linking the raids to his party. It is but natural that a person who spent 16 months in jail wishes everyone else to undergo imprisonment but we dont invite such a situation, Mr Lokesh said. The TD also sought to distance itself from Mr Naidus former aide Srinivas, with party senior leaders claiming that neither Mr Naidu nor his son have anything to do with Srinivass actions. On the contrary, we have already exposed Mr Jagan Mohan Reddys corruption and are ready to prove that he, and his aides, bought 39,935 acres of land in and around Visakhapatnam district, alleged P Anuradha, TD official spokesperson. YSR Congress leaders alleged that the father-son duo had amassed wealth through corrupt means in the execution of Polavaram, Pattiseema and other projects. Terming Pawan Kalyan as a TD partner, they questioned the silence of the Jana Sena chief on the I-T raids. The exposure in the I-T raids are the tip of the iceberg. It is high time Mr Naidu makes an announcement on raids conducted on his former PS and infra companies owned by the Kadapa district TD president, Botsa Satyanarayana, municipal minister, said. Ministers Balineni Srinivas Reddy, Avanti Srinivas, S B Amjad Bhasha, deputy chief minister, Ch Sriranganatha Raju and D Krishna Das addressed press conferences in different places and demanded immediate action against Mr Naidu. The fomer CM did not allow the CBI into the state fearing exposure of corrupt practices, Vellampalli Srinivas, endowments minister, said. The TD too organised media interactions with several senior leaders, including former minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, MLAs Nimmala Rama Naidu, K Achennaidu and DB Veeranjaneya Swamy and others. 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The firm has offices in Texas and Illinois and can be found online at www.yourmesotheliomalawfirm.com or https://www.shraderlaw.com/. SOURCE Shrader & Associates, L.L.P. Related Links https://www.shraderlaw.com/ Presidential Decree No. 112 dated 13 February 2020 appointed First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Andrei Belousov the Chairman of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Organizing Committee. The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is an annual event held since 1997. Since 2006, it has been held under the auspices of the President of the Russian Federation. The Forum is a platform for discussing Russian and global economic agenda. In 2019, 19 thousand people from 145 countries attended SPIEF. The next SPIEF will take place on 36 June 2020. Official SPIEF website: forumspb.com The Roscongress Foundation is a socially oriented non-financial development institution and a major organizer of international conventions, exhibitions, and public events. The Foundation was established in 2007 with the aim of facilitating the development of Russias economic potential, promoting its national interests, and strengthening the countrys image. One of the roles of the Foundation is to comprehensively evaluate, analyse, and cover issues on the Russian and global economic agendas. It also offers administrative services, provides promotional support for business projects and attracting investment, and helps foster social entrepreneurship and charitable initiatives. Each year, the Foundations events draw participants from 208 countries and territories, with more than 15,000 media representatives working on-site at Roscongress various venues. The Foundation benefits from analytical and professional expertise provided by 2,500 people working in Russia and abroad. In addition, it works in close cooperation with economic partners; industrialists and entrepreneurs unions; and financial, etc. Jill Karnicki, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer House District 138 has been represented by Republican Dwayne Bohac since 2003, but the political currents could be changing and Democrats have a strong chance of picking up the seat in the fall. Last time, Bohac won his seat by just 47 votes and hes not running again. That means the district, which has the Addicks Reservoir at its center and includes Bear Creek neighborhoods and parts of Spring Branch, is wide open. Democratic primary voters have two strong candidates to choose from. Akilah Bacy, 34, has strong, on-the-ground experience that speaks to her passion and smarts. Josh Wallenstein, 44, has proven his commitment to improving education and other vital local issues. Its a close decision, but we feel that a vote for Akilah is the best choice for Democrats in this district. LAKEWOOD, Colo., Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FirstBank, one of the nations largest privately held banks with a focus on banking for good, announced the grand opening of its Multicultural Banking Center at 550 S. Wadsworth Blvd. in Lakewood. This represents FirstBanks longstanding commitment to empowering diverse groups (watch the banks newly released Diversity and Inclusion video). The new Multicultural Banking Center will serve as a hub for all 119 FirstBank locations, including the banks Asian and Spanish Banking Centers, where customers can receive banking services in their preferred language and with an understanding of their culture. At FirstBank, diversity and inclusion arent just buzzwords theyre core company values, said Amber Hills, Lakewood Market President who oversees the companys multicultural efforts. Were committed to meeting the unique needs of our customers, and celebrating the cultures that comprise and enrich the communities we serve. The new Center will also create opportunities for various businesses, nonprofits, and community members to attend networking events, financial literacy classes, collaborate on community projects, and more. Additionally, and as part of its multicultural initiative, FirstBank will continue hiring and retaining talent that speaks Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Ethiopian dialects. Its also further engaging Spanish, Black/African American and Asian communities through educational offerings, events and sponsorships, which include supporting organizations such as the African Leadership Group, Mexican Cultural Center and Asian Chamber of Commerce, to name a few. FirstBank was recently recognized as a corporate diversity champion by the Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado, a leader in diversity and inclusion by the Mortgage Bankers Association, and was the recipient of Colorado Womens Chamber of Commerce Champions of Change award for driving women and people of color forward. The bank maintains an inclusive board of directors that reflects the diversity of both its employees and customers. Over half of FirstBanks management roles from assistant manager through executive management are occupied by women. And nearly 40 percent of the banks employee population represent different races, ethnicities, military statuses and abilities. About FirstBank FirstBank began providing banking services in Colorado in 1963. Today, the bank maintains more than $19 billion in assets and operates more than 115 branch locations across Colorado, Arizona and California. FirstBank offers a variety of checking accounts, savings accounts, home equity loans, mortgages, and a full range of commercial banking services, including financing, treasury management and deposit accounts. Since 2000, FirstBank has been recognized as a leader in corporate philanthropy, contributing more than $65 million and thousands of volunteer hours to charitable organizations. The company is also unique in that a large portion of its stock is owned by management and employees, giving all employees a financial stake in the banks success through its Employee Stock Ownership Program. For more information, visit www.efirstbank.com. ### Attachments CONROE Wally Wilkerson looked down as his political foe praised him, incorrectly declaring the Montgomery County Republican Party meeting to be the last that Wilkerson would preside over as chairman. Thank you for all your service, sir, said Jon Bouche, a tea party-backed candidate running to succeed him. It was a charged moment. Wilkerson, 89, has chaired the county GOP for 56 years. He is retiring not because he wants to, but because Bouche and others stripped him of power, causing a split between those loyal to the longtime chairman and those who oppose him. Wilkerson is slight, with a strained but firm voice. He hates to see his party at war. Still, he spent the meeting standing stubbornly in front of the dais, rather than sit with those who helped bring on his decision not to seek another term. Its Republicans against Republicans, Wilkerson said. This divide moderates vs. tea party, establishment vs. grassroots colors the end of Wilkersons widely admired run transforming the Houston-area suburb into a conservative stronghold. As Texas becomes more diverse and counties such as nearby Fort Bend lean blue, Montgomery County Republicans are determined to keep their county of 600,000 bright red. Some argue for adhering more strictly to tea-party principles. Others back Wilkersons more inclusive approach. Their split reflects the broader conservative conflict seen between those who cheer on President Donald Trumps in-your-face rhetoric and those who miss George H.W. Bushs decorum. Profile: 'King Wally' reigns in Montgomery County Republican circles On March 3, Republican primary voters will choose between Bouche, a 54-year-old real estate agent, and 44-year-old Bryan Christ, an IT consultant backed by Wilkerson. Whoever wins takes over a party so at odds that each side files its own financial reports. We have to modernize this party, Bouche says. For Wilkerson, its perhaps one last big fight. If it aint broke, dont fix it, Wilkerson says. Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Wilkerson began his career as a family doctor in Conroe in 1958, before The Woodlands existed, and the county population was less than 30,000. Dwight Eisenhowers 1952 presidential bid drew Wilkerson into politics. After the founder of the countys GOP moved, Wilkerson in 1964 became chairman. He liked the idea of limited government. Voters deserved a choice, he believed. Wilkerson recruited candidates, encouraging them to meet people face-to-face. He remembers telling one he couldnt win unless he knocked on so many doors that he wore holes in his shoes. Change came slowly. A Republican first won county office in 1978, two years before Ronald Reagan would lead the party to sweeping victories. By Wilkersons count, Republican candidates in Montgomery County have won every contested race there since 1994. As political strategist Karl Rove saw it, Wilkerson led the county GOPs rise, helping George W. Bush that year get elected. King Wally, Rove nicknamed him. In the office, Dr. Wallys Wall of Memories chronicles the success, and thousands of pieces of political memorabilia are archived in the back. Without him, I dont think there would be the Republican Party that we have today, supporter Dorothy Woodall says. Another fan, Charlie Parada, called the operation a well-oiled machine. Then came the opposition: Reagan Reed, 23, became a party precinct chair in 2016. He respects Wilkerson, he said, but he didnt think anyone should be in charge for that long, with such a top-down approach. So Reed and a small group outlined a new party structure, drawing from a Travis County strategy used to oust a controversial party chair. They brought a copy to the headquarters that Wilkerson set up decades ago to give credibility early on to the group, which he jokes was so tiny it could have met in a phone booth. Reading the document, Wilkerson felt surprised. He thought they were letting their emotions get the better of them. Youre going to divide the party, he recalled saying. Theres no question about it. Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer To build the party, Wilkerson said, he subscribed to the so-called Reagan philosophy that anyone who agreed to 80 percent of the platform could be a Republican. He didnt take seriously the more strict tea party perspective, opponents say. Precinct Chair Brian Crumby, 62, felt Wilkerson and the party treated him like a right-wing radical, he said. You just walk in and you can feel the rejection. The tea party had emerged across the country after Barack Obama became president. It caught on in Montgomery County, where a campaign rally for candidate Trump in 2016 drew a boisterous, overflow crowd. More people were riled up over principles that defined their lives such as the Constitution and biblical values said Betty Anderson, 72, a precinct chair. She credited Trump with giving them hope. In 2018, tea party-backed state Sen. Mark Keough defeated incumbent Craig Doyal to become county judge. Wilkerson staved off a closely watched challenge from another tea party favorite. There were more hurdles ahead. In a spirited meeting on June 26, 2018, precinct chairs voted 39-32 to adopt the new bylaws. The party would be run by a steering committee that would include Wilkerson as a single member. He didnt buy their argument that it was about modernizing and decentralizing; he thought it was about control. These bylaws were designed for one thing, Wilkerson said before the vote, to overturn the results of a county chairman election. The victory horrified backers of Dr. Wally, as he is known. While opponents thought him dictatorial, supporters thought he was treated in an unkind way. Ive never seen him get angry with anyone; Ive never seen him treat anyone with anything less than respect, said Alice Melancon, a supporter. For him to be going out like this, with this hanging over him, I think is just so unfair. Wilkerson said he felt the party was doing so well it turned on itself. This happened in other counties, he knew; the Republican party chair in Galveston resigned under similar pressure around the same time. That didnt mean Wilkerson was giving up. Hed worked too hard to let his party end up in shambles, he thought. Wilkerson dug in. He challenged the bylaws, but the Republican Party of Texas upheld them. The county party gave him back some control; he refused to turn over the bank account. Karen Warren, Staff / Houston Chronicle John Wertz, treasurer of the restructured party, which raised its own funds, thought Wilkersons behavior fueled the divide. They kind of whine about it and say that were trying to split the party, he said. Were like, Guys, get on board here. Every morning, Wilkerson walks with his wife, Neddie Jane, then heads to the party office. He chats with those who stop by, including, recently, a man in a Trump train cap who picked up a Trump yard sign. The man lamented Hillary Clinton was not in prison. Wilkerson, his lips often drawn in a thin smile, showed no opinion. Wilkerson talked on a recent Thursday on the phone at his desk, where papers pile high and Fox News streamed updates of Trumps acquittal by the Republican-led Senate. A stuffed elephant one of many hes collected stretched over the monitor. That evening, he planned to attend a candidates forum. Womens groups such as the one hosting the event expect him, but, in a break from a previous no-endorsement policy, he also went to campaign for Christ. If Christ is elected, Wilkerson plans to carry on his party work. Christ is optimistic he can heal the group through sheer will. I think its just the spirit of openness that theyre wanting, he said, so I think you can get there. Wilkerson arrived to the crowded forum in time to hear his name announced. Attendees ate red-and-blue star-shaped cookies. Charlie Parada, one of Wilkersons defenders, wore a T-shirt that read, United Were Red Divided Were Blue. Parada hoped everyone would remember the good Wilkerson had done more than the recent power struggle. Im not a runner, Wilkerson has said. Im a fighter, too. From the back of the room, he raised his hand to wave. Emily Foxhall is the Texas Storyteller for the Houston Chronicle. Read her on our free site, chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | emily.foxhall@chron.com | Twitter: emfoxhall emily.foxhall@chron.com The funds earlier had invested in firms that went bankrupt or are being investigated or whose founders have fled India. A new innovation makes it possible, for the first time, to quantitatively assess children's spontaneous movement in the natural environment. Researchers have developed a smart jumpsuit, or a garment that accurately measures the spontaneous and voluntary movement of infants from the age of five months. Details on their motility help in assessing abnormal neurological development, among other things. The study on the smart jumpsuit and the related analysis method applied to 7-month-old infants was published in the Scientific Reports journal. In the future, the jumpsuit can also be used to study older children. The assessment of spontaneous and voluntary movements is part of the neurological examination of infants. Previously, the quantitative tracking of children's spontaneous motility in the natural environment has not been possible. Instead, children have been primarily qualitatively assessed at the physician's or physiotherapist's practice, which requires taking into account the fact that the infant's behaviour in the practice setting does not necessarily entirely match that seen at home. "The smart jumpsuit provides us with the first opportunity to quantify infants' spontaneous and voluntary movements outside the laboratory. The child can be sent back home with the suit for the rest of the day. The next day, it will be returned to the hospital where the results will then be processed," explains Sampsa Vanhatalo, professor of clinical neurophysiology at the University of Helsinki. Vanhatalo says that the new analysis method quantifies infant motility as reliably as a human being would be able to do by viewing a video recording. After the measurement, the infant's actual movements and physical positions will be known to the second, after which computational measures can be applied to the data. "This is a revolutionary step forward. The measurements provide a tool to detect the precise variation in motility from the age of five months, something which medical smart clothes have not been able to do until now." Neurological abnormalities should be detected early on The data gleaned by the smart jumpsuit is valuable, since the detection of abnormalities in the neurological development of infants at an early stage enables early support. Brain plasticity is at its strongest in early childhood, and is benefited by measures supporting development, which are targeted at recurring everyday activities. At least 5% of Finnish children suffer from problems associated with language development, attention regulation and motor development. Often, such problems overlap. The pathogenic mechanisms underlying developmental disorders are complex, but preterm birth, perinatal brain damage and the lack of early care, as well as insufficient stimulation in the growth environment aggravate the risk of developmental problems. According to Leena Haataja, professor of paediatric neurology, developmental disorders in today's pressure-dominated world pose a considerable risk that can lead to learning difficulties and obstacles in the competition for education and jobs. Furthermore, they are a risk factor associated with exclusion from contemporary society. "The early identification of developmental disorders and support for infants' everyday functional capacity in interaction with the family and the growth environment constitute a significant factor on the level of individuals, families and society," Haataja notes. In the future, the smart jumpsuit can be used for the objective measurement of how various therapies and treatments affect children's development. "This is the million-dollar question in Western healthcare. In addition, we may be able to quantify how early motor development associates with later cognitive development," Vanhatalo says. ### The smart jumpsuit was developed under the Rhythms in Infant Brain (RIB) project, part of the Health from Science (TERVA) programme funded by the Academy of Finland, the Foundation for Pediatric Research and the Finnish Brain Foundation. The multidisciplinary research group, which operates in the New Children's Hospital, is headed by neurophysiologist Sampsa Vanhatalo and paediatric neurologist Leena Haataja. In addition to physicians, the group comprises psychologists, physiotherapists, nurses and engineers. The textile and usability design of the smart jumpsuit was coordinated by researcher Elina Ilen, while researchers Manu Airaksinen and Okko Rasanen from Aalto University were in charge of AI analyses. The project utilised the Movesense sensor, an open-source device developed in Finland by Suunto, and a mobile application developed by the German company Kaasa. For almost two weeks, 34-year-old Chen Qiushi filmed in and around Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the coronavirus outbreak. Chen took videos of people who had died from the virus, now called COVID-19. His camera also recorded images of those sickened and awaiting treatment at busy hospitals. With each online post, Chen looked increasingly tired. He was no longer the energetic young man who went to Wuhan to tell its citizens stories. Then last week, the Chinese lawyer-turned-activist disappeared. Chen Qiushi was one of the best-known pioneers in a small movement that is fighting the ruling Communist Partys control on information. With smartphones and social media, these citizen-journalists are telling their stories and the stories of others in Wuhan and nearby communities. This unofficial form of storytelling has never happened before in any other major disease outbreak or disaster in China. And, it is presenting a major test for the Communist Party. The party has controlled the countrys news and information since taking power in 1949. Its very different from anything we have witnessed, said Maria Repnikova, who studies Chinese media. She is a communications professor at Georgia State University in the United States. Never have so many Chinese, including victims and health care workers, used their phones to televise their experiences of a disaster, she said. That is partly because the more than 50 million people locked down in cities are really anxious and bored and their lives have pretty much stopped, Repnikova said. State media praise the Communist Partys efforts to build new hospitals and increase production of face masks to guard against infection. Yet media reports have yet to provide details on the conditions that are driving these efforts. But Chen Quishi did. He showed the sick filling hospital hallways and the struggles of locals to get treatment. In one video taken outside a train station, Chen said, Why am I here? I have stated that its my duty to be a citizen-journalist. What sort of journalist are you if you dont dare rush to the front line of a disaster? A video published on January 25 showed what Chen said was a body left under a cloth outside an emergency room. Inside another hospital, he filmed video of a dead man still sitting in a wheelchair, his head hanging down and his face colorless. Whats wrong with him? he asked a woman who was holding the man up. He has already passed, she answered. Chens posts and vlogs, or video blogs, have been played millions of times. They have also received attention from Chinese police. In one video posted near the end of his first week in Wuhan, Chen said police had called him, wanting to know where he was, and questioned his parents. I am scared, he said. I have the virus in front of me, and on my back, I have the legal and administrative power of China. His voice shook with emotion and tears formed in his eyes. He promised to continue what he was doing as long as I am alive in this city. Even death doesnt scare me! he said. So you think Im scared of the Communist Party? Last week, Chen stopped posting videos. His mother broke the silence with her own video post last Friday. She said he was unreachable and appealed for help in finding him. Later that day, his friend and well-known mixed martial artist Xu Xiaodong said in a live YouTube broadcast that Chen had been forcibly quarantined for 14 days. He said Chen had been healthy and showed no signs of infection. Dont believe rumors, dont spread rumors The death of a Wuhan doctor last week increased attention on earlier efforts to suppress free speech. Police had accused Dr. Li Wenliang of spreading false information after he voiced concern in December about the outbreak. He later died of the virus. His death led to extreme sadness -- along with public anger at officials for how he had been treated. Wuhan police sent an Associated Press request for comment to local officials in Hubei Province. But repeated telephone calls to the Hubei foreign affairs office went unanswered. Instead, a recorded message said: Dont believe rumors, dont spread rumors. Migrant worker Gao Fei was detained after criticizing Chinese President Xi Jinping over the coronavirus outbreak. Gao said that the doctors death and Chens disappearance should be a wake-up call for the Chinese people. The number one reason our government couldnt control this is because they always conceal the truth and block information from citizens, he said. Gao praised Chens bravery and push for social progress. Hes the backbone of China, he said. Im Ashley Thompson. And I'm John Russell. The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story outbreak - n. a sudden start or increase of fighting or disease post - n. a piece of wood or metal that is set in an upright position into or on the ground especially as a support or marker pioneer - n. a person who helps create or develop new ideas, methods, etc. often + in lock down - phrasal verb. to prevent people from entering or leaving an area anxious - adj. afraid or nervous especially about what may happen scared - adj. afraid of something quarantine - n. to keep (a person or animal) away from others to prevent a disease from spreading rumor - n. information or a story that is passed from person to person but has not been proven to be true conceal - v. to keep (something) secret Follow us on call drops no coercive steps against telecos till jan 6 says trai New Delhi: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today told the Delhi High Court that no coercive steps would be taken against telecom companies till the next date of hearing on January 6 for not complying with the call drop compensation norms. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) P S Narasimha made the submission before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath which listed the pleas of cellular operators challenging the call drop regulations for further hearing on January 6. The ASG, however, made it clear that the regulations would come into force from January 1 as was decided. The operators have sought quashing of TRAI's October 16 ruling mandating service providers to pay subscribers Re 1 per call drop experienced on their network, subject to a cap of three a day. Besides Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India (AUSPI) and 21 telecom operators, including Vodafone, Bharti Airtel and Reliance have said that the decision has been taken knowing fully well that laws of physics make it impossible to provide a hundred per cent call drop-free network. Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the cellular operators, told the court that the penalty was being levied without considering the infrastructure problems faced by the companies. He said if the companies did not comply with the regulations from January 1, 2016, then they feared their licences might be cancelled for breach of licence condition. He said TRAI was "playing to the galleries" by bringing out the regulations and was not concerned that the telecom companies have inadequate spectrum, not enough towers and the towers they have, are operated at one-tenth their levels to reduce radiation. All these factors and network congestion lead to call drops, he said. Latest Business News Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 00:49:37|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Concerted efforts have been urged against the ongoing desert locust outbreak that wreaked havoc across countries in the Horn of Africa and beyond, in which Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya being the most affected countries. The latest call was made by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), which, in its latest report, said that "Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan and, most recently Uganda and Tanzania, are faced with a desert locust outbreak, with Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya most affected." Noting that aerial and ground control measures are ongoing, the ECHO said in its latest situation report issued on Friday stressed that the ongoing control measures "are insufficient to contain the outbreak." It also stressed that the desert locust breeding that affected Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and Red Sea area is mainly attributed to the above-average rainy season that created favorable conditions for locust infestation. According to the ECHO, more than 10 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan, who are already severely food insecure, are located in areas currently affected by the desert locust infestation. "With the new cropping season coinciding with new hopper bands, the outbreak risks potentially destroying livelihoods and increasing food insecurity in Eastern Africa, which is still recovering from a severe drought and floods," the statement read. It also noted that further 3.24 million severely food insecure people in Uganda and South Sudan are also under threat due to the ongoing desert locust breeding. Amid growing desert locust-inflicted food insecurity concern across Horn of Africa countries, mainly Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, international organizations as well as experts and policymakers are presently calling the international community to exert concerted efforts to contend the dangerous pest. On Wednesday, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had also 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 on 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 had 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. 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 romantic Air Force pilot launched an engagement ring more than 90,000ft into the atmosphere to propose to his girlfriend in astonishing footage. Stuart Shippee, from Missouri, and his partner Marie Lisman had planned to send a 13th Bomb Squadron challenge coin soaring through the sky attached to a weather balloon with some friends. But moments before the balloon took flight, Mr Shippee replaced the medallion with an imitation engagement ring he hoped his now-fiancee would find on the balloon's return to the ground. Mr Shippee, a B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber pilot from the 393rd Bomb Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base, said he had to rely on both his air engineering degree and pilot training to pull off the impressive stunt. Stuart Shippee, from Missouri, launches an imitation engagement ring more than 90,000ft into the atmosphere to propose to his girlfriend Marie Lisman He had launched coins into the air on a few previous occasions until he felt confident enough to attempt the proposal - but he only had one shot to get it right as Ms Lisman was just in town for the weekend. He told the Whiteman Air Force Base website: 'It was on my mind for a while so I wasn't sure if I would be gutsy enough to do it. Eventually, I went for it. 'If anything went wrong, the whole thing would fail.' Mr Shippee told Ms Lisman he would attach a coin to the weather balloon with a video camera placed to record its journey through the atmosphere. The pair and some friends wait for the weather balloon to take flight - with Ms Lisman unaware a military challenge coin she thought was attached to had been swapped for a ring The balloon soars into the sky from the Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri with green fields seen disappearing into the distance below In footage from the flight, the pilot is seen quickly swapping the coin for a imitation ring - rather than the real thing - when his girlfriend isn't watching. The balloon then begins to soar through the sky with Ms Lisman seen standing just behind a shot of the ring as the group disappear into the distance. It continues to climb higher, and make its way through the atmosphere, until the ring is seen spinning above a layer of clouds with beautiful blue skies in the distance. Not long after, it soars more than 90,000ft high - with deep space seen hovering above the curvature of the Earth in the astonishing footage. It soon climbs to 90,000ft above the ground with deep space seen hovering above the curvature of the Earth The ring falls to the ground in a cornfield which Mr Shippee and Ms Lisman find thanks to GPS attached to the balloon payload As Ms Lisman excitedly locates the payload, her boyfriend appears behind her with the real engagement ring in hand The weather balloon then spins wildly before it bursts and the ring plummets back to the ground - where an excited Ms Lisman finds it in a cornfield thanks to GPS attached to the box. As she views the fallen balloon, her boyfriend takes to one knee behind her with the real engagement ring and she eventually spots the placeholder attached to the payload. Mr Shippee is then seen celebrating the success of his proposal, which took place last August, in the clip which recently emerged online. 'When I first picked up the balloon payload I did not see the imitation ring until I looked down and Stuart was on his knee,' said Ms Lisman. 'I was speechless! After the long day and difficult search for the payload I was very happy to have the ending be so special.' Experts from India and abroad will deliberate on the strengths of the traditional medicine system and the challenges it faces at a three-day conference from February 15 here. The 7th International Congress of the Society for Ethnopharmacology (SFEC 2020), to be inaugurated by Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik, will be attended by more than 2,000 experts and representatives from the industry. Organised by Jamia Hamdard University, Delhi, the experts will dwell upon and endorse the scientific validation of regional traditional medicines and their use in the world besides deliberating on their regulatory aspects. The mega event is being supported by the Ministry of AYUSH and Department of Biotechnology among others. On the occasion, Naik will also felicitate outstanding achievers for their contribution to the sector. The SFE - Herbal Industry Leader Award - 2020 will be conferred upon K K Sharma, founder of AIMIL Pharmaceuticals (India) for his contribution in the field of herbal drugs as an industrialist, while the SFE Lifetime Achievement award will be given to Dr Nitya Anand in recognition to his role in discovering, designing and development of herbal medicines. Similarly, the award for Outstanding International Ethnopharmacologist - 2020 will be given to Dr Roy Upton, founder of American Herbal Pharmacopoeia. "Traditional medicine knowledge often gets lost while passing through generations and preserving it could be the key to address the current medical challenges," Dr Sayeed Ahmed, organising secretary of SFEC 2020 said. One of the key attractions of the event will be a Health Mela where visitors will be able to avail free consultation related to their health problems from Ayurveda vaidyas, hakeems and other health experts representing the traditional medicine systems. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WSJ will interview Democratic presidential candidates about how to improve America's infrastructure at the Moving America Forward forum in Las Vegas on Feb. 16. WSJ's Gerald F. Seib previews three topics the forum will address with the candidates. St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC) commemorated an important milestone in the Companys history. On that day in 2007, VINLEC officially took ownership of the state of the art, modern, Lowmans Bay Power Plant. The construction of the Lowmans Bay facility was part of the Companys Generation Expansion Project and was financed by the Caribbean Development Bank, the European Investment Bank and VINLEC. The expansion of the 33kV Transmission system was the other component of the project. VINLECs acquisition of the plant came after a four-year project procurement and implementation period. The projects contractor was MAN Diesel Canada Ltd. Upon completion of the phase one of the Generation Expansion project, the Lowmans Bay Power Plant had a generating capacity of 8.7 megawatts (MW) and provided just over 30 percent of power on mainland, St. Vincent. Over the past thirteen years, there have been major transformations and one the major accomplishments at the facility was the completion of phase two, which saw the installation of two additional generating units and other auxillaries. This phase, executed to meet growing electricity demands, was managed by an in-house team and executed by MAN Diesel Canada Ltd. Presently, the Plant has 17.4 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity and there are four medium-speed diesel power MAN 9L 32/40 engines in the Power House. The Station now provides between 60-65 percent of power generated in St. Vincent. Plant Engineer, Mr. Mark Lulley has been working at this since the inception of the project. Mr. Lulley says he is honoured to be a part of this important phase in VINLECs history and noted his pleasure with the advancement at the Lowmans Bay Plant over the years. He said that the Plant is one of the most advanced in the region and the operations are in keeping with international standards. Training, according to Lulley, continues to be an area of priority. He noted that the Company provided in-house and external training opportunities for staff over the years and that in the early years of operations he spent extensive hours in the engine room providing training. Mr. Lulley noted that developing the capacity has reduced the Companys dependency on external contractors to execute work and that this brought financial benefits to VINLEC. He said that his staff complement of thirty-eight, which includes mechanical, electrical and operations personnel, are well equipped to take care of the facility. Meanwhile, Senior Generation Engineer, Mr. Augustus Ambrose is confident that the Lowmans Bay facility has positively impacted the quality of service delivered to customers as it relates to reliability and quality. He said for quality assurance purposes across the Company, emphasis is placed on preventative maintenance. He noted that the Company continues to examine the area of renewable energy with a view to increasing the penetration of renewable energy sources in electricity generation. He outlined several projects within the last year namely, the Union Island Solar Project, the Cane Hall Engineering Solar car port and the Mayreau Microgrid project. Mr. Ambrose said that the Mayreau project is in its final stage and that he anticipates power will be supplied to the island using that system by the end of February. The Lowmans Bay site also houses a small solar farm. The solar farm was commissioned in November 2014 and has a total capacity of 350 kilowatts (kW). Mayor Bloomberg could have saved himself this apology if he had just listened to the police officers on the street. We said in the early 2000s that the quota-driven emphasis on street stops was polluting the relationship between cops and our communities. His administrations misguided policy inspired an anti-police movement that has made cops the target of hatred and violence, and stripped away many of the tools we had used to keep New Yorkers safe. HAMDEN After residents waited an hour in the Hamden Middle School cafeteria for town leaders to show up for a planned equity meeting, the mayor canceled it. The Hamden Equity & Inclusivity Task Force was supposed to happen Thursday night and be an opportunity for the community to provide input on how the town can tackle racism, bias, inequity and exclusion. Mayor Curt B. Leng established the task force in response to the communitys dissapointment and frustration that a biracial student was cast as a slave in a class play at West Woods Elementary School. People attending the meeting received a notice that it was cancelled around 6:45, Leng said. A statement was released to media close to 9:30 p.m. Thursday saying the cancellation had only been communicated internally to the task force stakeholders. Leng said several of the stakeholders who will be members of the panel werent available to meet Thursday. Unfortunately, the rescheduling was not released publicly, only internally, and that was my fault, he said in a statement. Please accept my sincere apologies for dropping the ball. News outlets reported some of the task force members did attend the meeting but werent aware of the rescheduling, either. The remainder of Lengs statement read: I considered rushing over to the location myself to be a listener, but the true intention of launching this priority initiative is to have the major institutions, organizations and educators we have engaged, who have graciously agreed to be active participants and have something special to bring to the table, work collaboratively on these important matters with the entire community. If most of the Task Force is not at the meeting, and it wasnt posted for all the public to know, we just couldnt hold the first Task Force Meeting tonight in a meaningful way. I take responsibility for the mistake and I apologize to anyone inconvenienced. I do want to give you an update of the very meaningful discussions and work that has been occurring since before the effort was even announced. I hope this demonstrates the effort were taking, the opportunity we have to work together, and how many individuals are committed to doing so. Specifically, Ive been actively engaged in organizing and participating in meetings and conversations with Quinnipiac University leaders and educators, members of Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut (CONECT), the Chair of Racial & Ethnic Disparities Committee, the President and Education Committee Chair of the Greater New Haven Chapter of the NAACP, the founder of the Born Rich Foundation, Hamden Elected and Appointed Officials, an Education Specialist from the Capital Region Education Council (CREC), local and regional Educators, Hamden Commission Members and much more. I specifically mention this extensive list because this work is a top Hamden priority and I dont want anyone to think that this effort is being taken lightly because of todays mistake. As a result of the work and dialogue over the last week, we have developed a more comprehensive process and schedule, which will include series of facilitated meetings, training sessions, professional development efforts, community listening gatherings, community conversations, working committees and more. I am confident that this will ultimately lead to more meaningful results, and I am thankful for the input and time that has been graciously given by many and the ideas that have been shared thus far. The dates and locations for the first 1-2 months of the Task Forces efforts is being finalized for publication very shortly, with the goals of maximum public participation. Expect to see this schedule within days. I would like to again apologize for the mistake, take ownership of it, and invite everyone to attend the first official Hamden Equity & Inclusivity Task Force Meeting. The meeting was rescheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, at Hamden High School in room C-107. I very much look forward to engaging with you all at the next meeting, and I promise you will be pleased with the dialogue we will share, and the results we will attain, together as One Hamden, Leng said. She's set to welcome her third child any day now. And Nicole Trunfio, 33, looked ready to pop as she took her children - Zion, four, and daughter Gia, one - out for frozen yoghurt in Los Angeles on Thursday. The mother-of-two was positively radiant as she proudly showed off baby bump in a all-in-one from her new maternity range, Bumpsuit. Ready to pop! Nicole Trunfio showed off her huge baby bump in a revealing all-in-one from her new maternity range as she took her children out for frozen yoghurt in Los Angeles on Thursday The one piece sat tightly across her growing belly and slender legs. She teamed the outfit with a beige coat and a pair of comfortable white sneakers. The brunette beauty accessorised with a Gucci handbag and a pair of designer shades, while her raven locks fell around her shoulders in natural waves. When Nicole and her brood arrived at the eatery, the mother-of-two lifted her daughter Gia to help her put toppings on her icy treat. Any day now: Nicole is set to welcome her third child any day now Meanwhile, Nicole recently said that even with three little ones in tow, she's already thinking about expanding her brood further with husband Gary Clark Jr. The Australian supermodel - whose maternity range is released this month - told Daily Mail Australia she would absolutely 'have more babies' - despite facing an 'incredibly difficult' third pregnancy. 'With Bumpsuit around, yes, I would have more babies!' she said, revealing she's never felt 'sexier or more confident' than when sporting the skintight ensemble. After suffering from hyperthyroidism - which occurs when a woman's thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine - Nicole added that the last few weeks have been exhausting. The condition can accelerate the body's metabolism, causing a rapid or irregular heartbeat or unintentional weight loss. Revealing: The mother-of-two was positively radiant as she proudly showed off baby bump in a all-in-one from her new maternity range, Bumpsuit When asked about the difficulty of her third pregnancy, Nicole continued: 'The last few weeks have been so crazy, but exciting - what with all the events, and launching a new business. 'I need to put my feet up, but with two babies and two businesses.... that won't happen.' But it appears her son Zionand daughter Gia can't wait for the new arrival - with Nicole adding: 'They are so excited. It could be any day now!' 'We have been throwing names around, but nothing has really stuck yet - I guess we will know once we meet.' Nicole has kept herself very busy this pregnancy, with the launch of her maternity clothing range - which she promises will be the 'most comfortable piece of clothing for your lady bumps'. Of her creation, she said: 'Bumpsuit was born out of pure need. I never felt comfortable during my first two pregnancies, and I wanted to wear something that didn't restrict my mid section at any point. New business: Nicole's new maternity range is released this month. She wore a grey version of her 'bumpsuit' earlier this week 'I always felt like that gave me really bad acid reflux, and make me just feel uncomfortable all round. I also never found maternity options that suited my style and didn't make me feel like a "Mum". 'I wanted to maintain my identity but still have that comfort throughout each trimester. I have honestly never felt so stylish, and sexy and confident during a pregnancy.' She continued: 'Bottom line - I wanted something that was comfortable most importantly, that was stylish, and that was easy to put together.' She adds that women have already messaged her saying they believe the outfit is a 'valid reason for them to get pregnant again'. Los Angeles, Feb 14 : Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan haven't been invited to fellow "American Idol" judge Katy Perry's upcoming wedding. Perry got engaged to actor Orlando Bloom last year and is now looking forward to the couple's big day, as she told host Jimmy Kimmel on Wednesday, reports aceshowbiz.com. Asked whether she would be inviting Richie and Bryan, to her wedding, Perry said: "I can't afford them!" She added: "Umm, no... But you know what, it's so funny, I'm actually not a Bridezilla, I call myself a Bridechilla. I'm kinda chill but I am one of those girls where I got engaged February 14th and then I booked the place February 19th. I took it very seriously!" Asked whether Luke and Richie would sing on her big day, she said: "Like I said, I can't afford them. I mean, no. Look, they have a lot of work to do, you know while I'm out getting married -- again." Katy was previously married to British comedian Russell Brand while Bloom shares a six-year-old son with his former wife, model Miranda Kerr. MILLBRAE (BCN) Police are investigating a suspicious incident involving a high school student that occurred Thursday in Millbrae. On Thursday at 8:25 a.m., a 17-year-old high school student was walking to school when a man driving an older model sedan approached the student, according to the Millbrae Police Bureau. Deputies said the man stopped the vehicle near the student, honked the horn and motioned for the student to approach the car. The student approached the car, but turned around and immediately walked home when the student realized the man was a stranger. Deputies said the driver did not say anything to the student. The driver is described as an Asian man, about 40 to 50 years old and with short dark hair. He was driving an older model brown or orange four-door sedan. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Millbrae police at (650) 259-2300 or the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office's Anonymous Tip Line at 1-800-547-2700. 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. Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont for the Democratic presidential nomination. Credit... Karsten Moran for The New York Times [February 14, 2020] Wolters Kluwer Lien Solutions Triumphs in Finance Monthly Awards Wolters Kluwer's Lien Solutions business has won four major accolades from Finance Monthly magazine. The awards, all decided by an independent editorial panel, recognize the company's leadership, as well as its leading technology solutions. Finance Monthly is a global publication from the Universal Media stable, providing news, comment and analysis, distributed to more than 195,000 people each month. Raja Sengupta, Executive Vice President & General Manager of Wolters Kluwer Lien Solutions, has been named as one of the publication's Game Changers for 2020. According to Finance Monthly's editors, recipients of these awards help "to shape and transform the corporate landscapea Game Changer introduces new ways of working and new methodologies that can revolutionize business and transform the customer experience." Meanwhile, Suzanne Konstance, Vice President of Product Management and Marketing for Wolters Kluwer Lien Solutions, has been honored with inclusion in the magazine's Women in Finance Awards series. "The finance experts which feature in this year's edition of the Finance Monthly Women in Finance Awards are women who consistently go above and beyond of what is expected of them, despite the challenges which the industry poses," the magazine notes. Finance Monthly has also recognized the product superiority of the company's technology solutions. Both iLien Motor Vehicle and Portfolio Sync have been named "Product of the Year" in the magazine's hotly contested FinTech Awards, 2020. iLien Motor Vehicle delivers a single point of management for processing and managing motor vehicle titles. It helps automate, streamline and connect lenders' organizational workflows, improving the vehicle titling proces and the ongoing management of vehicle titles. Supported by Lien Solutions' extensive experience in commercial lien management, the solution simplifies vehicle lien and title management for vehicle and equipment lenders. Portfolio Sync is a first-of-its-kind automated lien management solution designed for lenders and financers who use multiple methods to submit Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. Overlooked or incorrect filings can lead to vulnerabilities; Portfolio Sync provides full visibility into a lender's lien portfolio, identifies potential issues that may require action to maintain and protect security interests and allows the lender to take any actions needed all from one powerful dashboard. Wolters Kluwer Lien Solutions, part of Wolters Kluwer's Governance, Risk & Compliance division, won a record 14 awards in 2019. This market-leading company provides award-winning solutions for lenders, including its flagship iLien offering, which gives lenders the ability to conduct public record searches, retrieve and view Uniform Commercial Code and corporate records, create filings, and manage their entire lending portfolio. iLien offers comprehensive analytics, reporting, real-time debtor monitoring and lien auto-continuation capabilities, improving lenders' ability to holistically view lien portfolios, help them mitigate risk, and improve the quality and efficiency of their operations. About Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) is a division of Wolters Kluwer, which provides legal and banking professionals with solutions to ensure compliance with ever-changing regulatory and legal obligations, manage risk, increase efficiency, and produce better business outcomes. GRC offers a portfolio of technology-enabled expert services and solutions focused on legal entity compliance, legal operations management, banking product compliance, and banking regulatory compliance. Wolters Kluwer (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. Wolters Kluwer reported 2018 annual revenues of 4.3 billion. The company, headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs 18,600 people worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005008/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Jose K Joseph By Express News Service TIRUCHY: Air India Express (AIE) is expecting to make a profit of Rs 500 crore this financial year, according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) K Shyam Sundar. He was speaking in Tiruchy while announcing new destinations for the airline from the city. The Air India subsidiary on Thursday announced direct flights to Doha, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi from Tiruchy. We are planning to start operations to Abu Dhabi, Doha and Delhi from March 28. In a week, we would have four flights to Abu Dhabi and three flights to Doha, said the CEO. Currently, AIE operates flights to Dubai, Sharjah and Singapore from the city. Officials said the airline is getting good traffic with its existing operations from Tiruchy. Officials said the airline would have daily flights between New Delhi and Tiruchy via Madurai next month. We have four weekly non-stop flights between Delhi and Madurai. We have decided to extend the service of this flight to Tiruchy. Therefore, the Delhi-Tiruchy flight would be via Madurai, said Sundar. Officials said the low-cost carrier made a record profit in 2019-20. The airline earned revenue of Rs 3,124.34 crore in the first six months of 2019-20. This is about 75 per cent of total revenue last fiscal. The half-yearly net profit of the current fiscal was Rs 679.8 crore, against Rs177.3 crore during the same period last year. During 2018-18, our revenue was Rs 4,171.5 crore and net profit Rs 168.5 crore. This financial year, we are expecting operational revenue of Rs 5,000 crore, he said. Focus on short-haul trips Officials said AIE is more interested in operating to international destinations within a distance of four-and-a-half hours. We operate a fleet of 25 Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft. So, we prefer international destinations within four-and-a-half hours. Though Tiruchy-Kuwait is a profitable, travel time is about five hours, said Sundar. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Almost a third of Australia's Chinese students could be lost to other countries if the coronavirus travel ban remains in place. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday extended a travel ban stopping people from China entering Australia. It means that 100,000 international students are unable to attend Australia's universities. Nearly one third of those stuck in China and will look to other places to go to university, a survey conducted by the Education Consultants Association of Australia found. Almost a third of Australia's international students could be lost to other countries if the coronavirus travel ban remains in place from China. Pictured: people in Sydney wearing face masks in January following news about the coronavirus outbreak Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday extended a travel ban by another week for people travelling to Australia from China Of 16,000 students surveyed, 32 per cent said they would enroll in another country if they could not complete the first semester of 2020 in Australia, SBS reported. Canada and UK have no travel bans in place. Universities and the $37.9billion higher education industry could be thrown into chaos if the international students are unable to return in time for the semester. China, Australia's biggest trading partner, is the No.1 source of international students, who contribute $12billion a year to the economy. They made up 38.3 per cent of foreign education enrollments in 2018, with Department of Education figures showing 152,591 were studying in Australia. Some Australian universities have already delayed the start of the semester due to the coronavirus, but international students could look elsewhere. When asked where they would redirect their studies, 58 per cent of students chose the UK, 31 per cent chose Canada and six per cent picked the US. Foreign travellers who have recently left or passed through mainland China are currently banned from entering our shores. Pictured are visitors arriving in Brosbane before the ban was implemented. The study, conducted between February 5 and February 9 on WeChat, surveyed 73 per cent of students who had already been studying in Australia. With classes set to resume in March there are still 100,000 students stuck in China. Group of Eight (Go8) chief executive Vicki Thomson said the findings are concerning as major competitors, the UK and Canada, did not have travel bans. 'This could be a lost opportunity,' she said. Up to 100,000 international students will be unable to return to Australia in time for the start of semester if the travel ban is extended Ms Thomson said the loss of students could result in a loss of $3billion in fees instantly if Chinese students don't come to Australia. Federal education Minister Dan Tehan acknowledged extended bans could cause a major disruption. 'It's very much wait and see what happens,' Mr Tehan told Sky News on Sunday. 'But my hope is that we will see some sort of a breakthrough and we will be able to get students here for the first semester, but we will have to wait and see.' The Department of Justice is dropping its criminal investigation of former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe without bringing charges, it announced on Friday. McCabe's attorneys received a phone call and a letter from the US Attorney's Office in DC on Friday announcing the declination. "We write to inform you that, after careful consideration, the Government has decided not to pursue criminal charges against your client, Andrew G. McCabe, arising from the referral" made by the Inspector General's office to investigate his behavior, the DC US Attorney's Office wrote. McCabe's attorneys released the letter on Friday. "Based on the totality of the circumstances and all of the information known to the Government at this time, we consider the matter closed." A spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment. A White House official said President Donald Trump was angered federal prosecutors' decision not to pursue charges against McCabe. "To have this horrific black cloud that's been hanging over me and my family for almost the last two years, to have that finally lifted... it's a relief that I'm not sure I can really explain to you adequately. It's just a very emotional moment for my whole family," McCabe told CNN's Brianna Keilar on Friday. Despite saying he was happy with the conclusion, McCabe called it an "absolute disgrace" that the DOJ and US attorney's office took two years before they "finally drew the obvious conclusion." McCabe, who is a CNN contributor, has been perceived by President Donald Trump as one of his foes for his work on the early Russia investigation for the FBI. The Justice Department previously appeared to be nearing a grand jury indictment of McCabe last fall after top officials rejected a private attempt by McCabe's lawyers to appeal any coming prosecution. The investigation then fell silent, with McCabe's attorneys trying to get answers for months about its status. Even a federal judge attempted to force the Justice Department to give McCabe and the public an update on the investigation's status. The Justice Department refused to do so, and the judge warned the prosecutors the case was beginning to look like Trump was putting his political influence on it. 'Difficult matter' Court documents released shortly after the decision became public on Friday shed even more light on how the investigation dragged out for months. In July 2019, a prosecutor handling the McCabe investigation told a federal judge in a confidential hearing that "there are some minor investigative steps that have been taken recently and are continuing to be taken." "However, it is fair to say that we are more in a decisional phase than what we would traditionally call an investigative phase," public corruption prosecutor J.P. Cooney of the DC US Attorney's Office said, according to transcripts of hearing and other court records. Cooney told the judge more than seven months ago that his office was "nearing a decision, but for me to put a date on that is very difficult." He then suggested they'd decide what to do about McCabe by September. In early September, Cooney was back before the judge, Reggie Walton of the US District Court in DC. The prosecutor told Walton a public decision on the McCabe investigation and release of information about it were coming "literally within days." By the end of September, Cooney was admitting to the judge his previous timeline was incorrect. He told Walton it was "an exceedingly difficult matter and situation." "I don't get it," the judge responded in the closed late September hearing. "I understand there are political implications and other implications involved in reference to whether you go forward." Walton then zeroed in on the lack of public closure regarding the investigation, comparing Trump's approach to a "banana republic." "Because the public is listening to what's going on, and I don't think people like the fact that you got somebody at the top basically trying to dictate whether somebody should be prosecuted," the judge said. "I just think it's a banana republic when we go down that road and we have those type of statements being made that are conceivably even if not influencing the ultimate decision, I think there are a lot of people on the outside who perceive that there is undue inappropriate pressure being brought to bear." Week of decisions The announcement on Friday comes at the end of a bruising week for the Justice Department and especially its prosecutors in DC, after the President publicly pressured them toward his political wishes. The Justice Department had four prosecutors in its DC US Attorney's Office quit the criminal case against Roger Stone, after departmental leadership forced the office to lessen the sentencing recommendation for Stone, a longtime ally of the President. On Thursday, Attorney General William Barr criticized the President's tweets about ongoing cases while defending his decision to go easier on Stone in advance of his sentencing. McCabe has found himself a target of investigators and Republicans, including Trump, since 2016, when he authorized a leak to a then-Wall Street Journal reporter about a conversation he had endorsing the investigation of the Clinton Foundation. The Justice Department's independent inspector general, who looked into the incident, found McCabe had lacked candor on four occasions when he spoke to investigators about the leak. The inspector general then referred the matter to the FBI. McCabe is also suing the Justice Department and FBI after he was fired last spring, and he has accused the President of politically retaliating against him. This story has been updated with additional developments Friday. MEXICO CITY - The bodies of eight slain men were found in southern Michoacan state Friday the same day President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador visited the state to celebrate the opening of another National Guard installation there. Authorities said the shooting deaths happened in Huetamo, roughly 250 miles (400 kilometres) southeast of Jiquilpan, where the president celebrated the guards new deployment on Valentines Day. The men had all been shot high-powered weapons, official said. A stolen SUV was also found at the scene. No further details were released by investigators. Mexico is experiencing record-levels of homicides since Lopez Obrador took office Dec. 1, 2018, after campaigning on a hugs not bullets platform that rejected prior government efforts to stem violence. Michoacan is one of the deadliest Mexican states. Last week, gunmen killed three boys, a teenager and five others who were playing video games at an arcade in Uruapan, another dangerous city in the state where drug organizations are battling for territory. At the celebration Friday for the National Guards latest installation in Michoacan, the president doubled down on his philosophy, saying the country must address the roots of violence first, like creating more jobs with better pay and seeing justice through. You cant confront evil with evil, he said. The National Guard now has 22 outposts in Michoacan, Lopez Obrador said. The president created the guard to combat violence, although thousands of its agents have been given the task of immigration enforcement across the country. We are committed to guaranteeing peace and tranquility in our country, he said. There were a reported 35,588 homicides in Mexico last year, the most since comparable records began to be kept in the 1990s, though the rate of increase was far lower than in previous years. Since then-President Felipe Calderon launched a militarized anti-drug offensive beginning in late 2006, annual killings have more than tripled in the country. New Delhi, Feb 14 : Budget carrier SpiceJet on Friday said that it has decided to temporarily suspend its daily Delhi-Hong Kong passenger flight service due to the ongoing Coronavirus epidemic. The airline will suspend its flight services from New Delhi to Hong Kong from February 16 to 29. In the wake of rising toll from Coronavirus in the Chinese city of Wuhan and infections spreading fast both inside China and outside, many airlines have suspended their flights to and from the virus-hit country. Earlier, Air India had suspended its flights to Shanghai and Hong Kong. It has temporarily stopped taking bookings for these flights. Another domestic carrier, IndiGo, has also suspended its flights to Chengdu and Guangzhou in China and Hong Kong. The novel Coronavirus originated in Wuhan at the end of 2019. The overall death toll due to Coronavirus increased to 1,380 in China at the end of last Thursday, with 63,851 confirmed cases. The new virus, which is of the same genre as SARS which broke out in 2003 has spread at a much faster pace, was first reported in the WHO Disease Outbreak news on January 5. It has progressively spread across many countries from its epicentre in Wuhan. In a bid to curb the spread of the virus, Chinese authorities have closed transportation services across many parts of the country, including Wuhan. CAIRO - Egypt's House Speaker Ali Abdel Aal ''categorically rejects the statements of European Parliament President'' David Sassoli on the arrest of Egyptian Bologna university student Patrick George Zaky, calling it in a statement an ''unacceptable interference in domestic affairs and an attack against the Egyptian judicial system'', Mena news agency reported Friday. Addressing European lawmakers in Strasbourg on Wednesday, Sassoli had requested Zaky's immediate release, reminding ''Egyptian authorities that the EU is influenced in its relations with third countries by the respect of human rights''. In the statement, Abdel Aal added that ''such unjustified and unacceptable statements don't encourage dialogue between the two parliamentary institutions''. According to Aal, moreover, Sassoli's statements are based on ''false information released by organizations without credibility and that do not refer to clear evidence''. Postgrad student Patrick George Zaky ''enjoys full rights, like others arrested, without any discrimination'' said Abdel Aal. He noted that the arrest of the researcher was on the basis of judicial decisions made ''by the general prosecutor in September 2019 and the man was arrested February 8, 2020 on his arrival in the country coming from Italy''. Postgrad student Patrick George Zaky ''enjoys full rights, like others arrested, without any discrimination'' said Abdel Aal. He noted that the arrest of the researcher was on the basis of judicial decisions made ''by the general prosecutor in September 2019 and the man was arrested February 8, 2020 on his arrival in the country coming from Italy''. Pro-Zaky activists claim Egypt is 'trying to scare' ''The statements on external interference are nothing more than nationalist propaganda to scare Egyptians and stop them from reporting the crimes of the Egyptian state,'' activists supporting Patrick George Zaky told ANSA on Friday. The reaction was to a statement issued earlier in the day by the speaker of the Egyptian parliament, Ali Abdel Aal. Aal had said that comments on the case by EU Parliament Speaker David Sassoli in support of the researcher arrested earlier this month on his arrival in Cairo were ''unacceptable''. ''Egypt is a state that has co-signed several human rights agreements and this, automatically, puts it under the supervision of other signatories of these accords,'' added the activists of an official solidarity campaign for Zaky. New Delhi, Feb 14 : Terming the relation between BIMSTEC countries much beyond the diplomatic relations, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, G.Kishan Reddy on Friday said that the ties can be used to combat the drug trafficking. Reddy was addressing a conference here on combating drug trafficking for The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) partner nations. BIMSTEC is an international organisation of seven nations of South Asia and Southeast Asia, housing 1.5 billion people. "The issues of terrorism and drug trafficking have increased manifold through the maritime route and this makes the coordination among these nation all the important," Reddy said. "The menace of Drug trafficking can be controlled only by the concerted efforts of the affected nations by sharing experiences and information," he added. Talking about the steps taken by Government of India in combating drug trafficking Reddy said that the Government has laid down a well thought out strategy to increase coordination among the agencies of the Centre as well as States. "The Home Ministry has established a joint coordination committee to increase surveillance over drug trafficking," Reddy said. This is a live blog. Please check back for updates. Total confirmed cases: More than 64,000 Total deaths: At least 1,380 5:40 pm: How hospitals are preparing in the US Officials from both the CDC and WHO told reporters that they were concerned about the number of health workers who become ill as coronavirus spread. Currently, no health workers in the U.S. have contracted the virus. Dr. Bernard Camins, medical director for infection prevention at Mount Sinai hospital, joins "Closing Bell" to talk about how medical facilities are preparing for coronavirus in the U.S. Cheddar Berk 4:59 pm: 20% of S&P 500 companies have already warned investors coronavirus impact Nearly one in five S&P 500 companies have said China's virulent coronavirus will impact their revenues or profits, underscoring the far-reaching toll the disease is expected to take on businesses around the world. A CNBC analysis of more than 180 earnings transcripts and other corporate releases since the beginning of 2020 showed a high level of concern. Above is a list of companies that have made comments. Three hundred ninety-two of the 500 S&P components have reported fourth-quarter earnings as of Friday. Franck 4:35 pm: Stocks post a gain for the week, shrugging off earlier virus fears Stocks were little changed on Friday, but notched a gain for the week, as Wall Street digested the latest batch of consumer data and earnings. Earlier in the week, a spike in new virus cases sparked a selloff, but the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.6% and 1%, respectively, this week. The Nasdaq gained 2.2%. Both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq closed Friday at record highs. "Given the uncertainty about how long the COVID-19 crisis will play out, investors are tending to stick with prior winners and those that are less exposed to Asian economies," strategists at MRB Partners said in a note. "This is why select growth stocks, especially in the U.S., have been bid up so aggressively in absolute and, especially, relative terms." Imbert 3:32 pm: Mapping where the new cases are The number of reported coronavirus cases continued to grow, with about 1,400 people dead and some 64,000 people around the world sickened, the vast majority in mainland China, researchers at Johns Hopkins said late Thursday. CNBC's interactive map helps track where the cases are spreading. Schoen, Lovelace 3:03 pm: US health officials will check patients with flu-like symptoms for coronavirus U.S. health officials will monitor people with flu-like symptoms for the coronavirus in five cities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. The five labs are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago and New York City, but the agency hopes to expand the monitoring nationwide. Feuer 2:30 pm: Tech companies met with WHO on how to stop the spread of coronavirus misinformation WHO hosted a meeting on Thursday at Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., to discuss how to tamp down on the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus. Other companies at the meeting, according to two people familiar with the matter, included representatives from Amazon, Twilio, Dropbox, Alphabet's Google, Verizon, Salesforce, Twitter and YouTube. Some of the priorities that tech companies have outlined in recent weeks include efforts to work with third-party fact checkers and public health organizations. Farr 2:25 pm: Coronavirus could cause companies to rethink relationship with China, strategist says Companies that have manufacturing presences in China may have a fresh reason to consider moving it from the country, Wolfe Research tech strategist Steven Milunovich told CNBC. Milunovich, a veteran IT hardware analyst, said he believed the coronavirus coupled with tensions highlighted during U.S.-China trade war could have "longer-term impacts" even after it is well contained. He said on "The Exchange," "As a U.S. company, you've got think about, do I just want to become less dependent on China for demand and supply chains?" Stankiewicz 1:57 pm: Coronavirus does little to rattle the markets A rising death toll from the coronavirus in China did little to rattle markets on Friday. Stocks were down slightly in the afternoon, but still headed for solid weekly gains, as Wall Street digested the latest batch of consumer data and earnings. China's National Health Commission on Friday reported an additional 121 deaths nationwide, with 5,090 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Imbert 1:21 pm: CDC concerned with report of infected health workers in China A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official said the notice from China's National Health Commission about 1,716 health workers infected with the coronavirus was "concerning." Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters during a press briefing that there are currently no U.S. health workers infected with the virus. She also reiterated the possibility of community spread in the United States. Lovelace A CDC worker marks the tube after collecting biomaterial from a suspected 2019-nCoV patient for nucleic acid tests in a hotel for isolated people in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province Tuesday, Feb. 04, 2020. Barcroft Media | Getty Images 1:00 pm: Fallout from the outbreak hits European auto plants, GM truck production threatened Automakers working to restart manufacturing in China amid the coronavirus outbreak are trying to prevent operations elsewhere from being affected by supply shortages. Fiat Chrysler was the first to say it planned to halt operations at its factory in Serbia due to a lack of parts from China because of the virus. General Motors is closely monitoring the supply chain for its highly profitable truck production in North American, but said it doesn't see an impact yet. The United Auto Workers said disruption was a possibility. Ford is working on a tiered schedule to restart plants in China. Honda expects workers to return on Feb. 24. Nissan and Toyota expect to restart factories this week and next. Wayland 12:45 pm: Egypt confirms first case, says affected person is foreigner Egypt confirmed its first coronavirus case and said the affected person was a foreigner who had been put into isolation at hospital. The health ministry said in a statement that it had immediately informed WHO and had taken all necessary preventative measures. It did not give the nationality of the affected person or any other details. Reuters 12:11 pm: Chinese official to travel to Germany to discuss outbreak Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to Germany this weekend to discuss the deadly outbreak among other national security issues. Wang is slated to give a keynote speech at the annual Munich Security Conference. Since the deadly outbreak, Wang is the first Chinese senior official to travel overseas. His trip comes as White House officials express doubts about the information coming out of China. Macias 12:00 pm: CureVac CEO: We expect to have coronavirus vaccine in trials soon CureVac CEO Daniel Menichella said the company aims to have its coronavirus vaccine in phase one clinical trials by early summer. "Our technology is very, very fast," he said. The German-based pharmaceutical company partnered with the Norwegian Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to create a vaccine and received an $8 million grant, he said. Bursztynsky 11:55 am: WHO and China investigate health workers infected with virus World health officials are working with Chinese authorities to determine when the 1,716 health workers in the country were infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus. It appears infections among medical workers peaked in mid-January and has "rapidly" decreased since, 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. "This may reflect increased levels of training, increased levels of protection and increased levels of awareness." Lovelace 11:26 am: Cramer hears business leaders are 'personally worried' about coronavirus exposure CNBC's Jim Cramer said business leaders he has spoken to are deeply worried about the coronavirus outbreak, citing as evidence the cancellation of the Mobile World Congress. "The people I know who were supposed to go there, it was kind of like a cruise I'm not going there. I'm not going to risk going to Barcelona," he said on "Squawk on the Street." Cramer said the MWC cancellation shows how executives are viewing the situation with regards to their own health, not just the welfare of their employees. "That has not been the story. Now we're at the, 'I don't want to get hurt [phase].'" Stankiewicz 11:11 am: Newell Brands says China factories are seeing delay startup, goods moving slow Newell Brands, which makes Sharpie pens, Crock-Pots and Coleman coolers, is experiencing delayed startups in its China factories and slower movements of its goods because of travel checkpoints and restrictions from the coronavirus, CFO Christopher Peterson said during the company's fourth-quarter earnings call. The company is assuming a 1% hit on first-quarter sales from the outbreak, mostly affecting its appliance, cookware and outdoor and recreation businesses. China is Newell's largest sourcing partner, with about 40% to 50% of its products being sourced there, according to Peterson. Newell stock is currently up 4%. Miller 10:44 am: WHO reveals details on its mission to China Director-general of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a news briefing he expects the WHO-led mission to China to arrive over the weekend. The team will include 12 international and WHO experts, Tedros said, as well as the same number of Chinese counterparts, though he did not identify individual members. He said the experts will visit three provinces to observe on-the-ground response efforts, but did not say if the mission will visit the epicenter of the outbreak, the city of Wuhan in Hubei province. "The goal of the joint mission is to rapidly inform the next steps in the COVID-19 response and preparedness activities in China and globally," he said. Feuer 10:14 am: Beijing authorities issue self-quarantine order for returning residents Beijing officials charged with responding to the virus issued an order for all those returning to Beijing to remain in quarantine at home for 14 days, Chinese state media The People's Daily reported. Those who refuse to quarantine themselves or follow the official rules on virus containment will be punished according to law, the newspaper said in a post on Chinese social media site Weibo. Feuer 10:00 am: WHO holds briefing on coronavirus World Health Organization officials are holding a press conference to update the public on the coronavirus outbreak, which has killed more people than the 2003 SARS epidemic. Feuer 9:03 am: Virus risk to US is 'very low,' but that could change 'rapidly,' Azar says The American public's risk of getting infected with the new coronavirus is "very low" but that could change "rapidly," Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told CNBC. "We're deploying the full force of the U.S. government to protect the health and safety of the American people," Azar said. Health officials have confirmed 15 U.S. cases of COVID-19. Azar said people can protect themselves from the virus by washing their hands with soap and water, avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Lovelace 8:48 am: Drugmaker says outbreak will likely continue for a few months and drag on its revenue Drugmaker AstraZeneca said it has seen no impact from the coronavirus, but it assumes it's just a matter of time. The company expects the outbreak will continue for a few more months. Depending on the severity of the outbreak, revenue will grow by a high-single digit to low double-digit percentage this year, while earnings per share will rise by a mid- to-high-teens percentage. The company's stock was down 2% in premarket trading. Miller 8:20 am: IMF chief says next two weeks will be critical for China The next two weeks will be crucial in determining the economic impact of the coronavirus, says International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. In that time, factories are due to reopen in China, which would give a "better understanding on the resilience of China and on that basis, the spillover for the rest of the world," Georgieva said. She said the IMF was also watching how the new coronavirus was spreading outside of China, stating that it was "not a major issue for now" but if it spreads into "weak health system countries, for example in Africa" that may change. McKeever 7:20 am: Businesses in China try to return to work Two weeks after the Lunar New Year holiday was originally supposed to end, Chinese businesses are still hobbling as the country deals with disruptions from a highly contagious virus. The new coronavirus that began to grab national attention in mid-January has killed more than 1,300 people in mainland China. More than half of the provinces delayed the resumption of work from the first week of February by at least a week in an effort to keep people from interacting and spreading the virus. In many places, businesses were scheduled to resume work last Monday, but a variety of data indicates progress has been slow as the virus remains an unresolved concern. Many local governments have also imposed strict restrictions on entering certain areas and requiring quarantines of at least two weeks for people who have returned from out of town. Cheng 7:10 am: Hong Kong pledges $3.2 billion to contain virus Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Friday pledged handouts totaling $3.2 billion to the Hospital Authority and businesses grappling with the coronavirus outbreak that has piled further pressure on the city's battered economy. Lam said the government would provide $605 million to the Hospital Authority in addition to a series of one-off payments to retailers and others impacted by the outbreak. Hong Kong has 56 confirmed cases of the virus, including one death. The package will need to be approved by the city's Legislative Council. Reuters 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 6:30 am: China's Xi says country must fix loopholes exposed during coronavirus outbreak Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the ruling Communist Party to repair loopholes and weaknesses exposed during the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reported Friday, citing state television. His comments came shortly after China's National Health Commission reported an additional 121 deaths nationwide, with 5,090 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The flu-like COVID-19 virus was found to have killed a total of 1,380 people in mainland China as of Thursday evening after the health commission said it had removed 108 deaths from the total figure due to a double-count in Hubei province the epicenter of the outbreak. It is the second day in a row that the province made significant changes to its count, fueling doubts many have about the accuracy of China's tally. The White House does "not have high confidence in the information coming out of China," a senior U.S. administration official told CNBC on Thursday. 5:50 am: China's top auto industry body reportedly expects auto sales to tumble more than 10% in the first half of 2020 Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor War of words broke out between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress on the first anniversary of Pulwama attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed last year. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi opened the attack by posing three questions to the BJP-led central government as he paid homage to Pulwama martyrs. Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? he said on Twitter. Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? pic.twitter.com/KZLbdOkLK5 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 14, 2020 The ruling partys stinging response came almost immediately after Gandhis controversial tweet. Shame on you, said BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao. When nation is paying homage to martyrs of dastardly Pulwama attack, @RahulGandhi, a known sympathizer of LeT & Jaish-e-Mohammad, chooses to target not just the government but security forces as well. Rahul will never question real culprit, Pakistan..., Rao said on Twitter. When nation is paying homage to martyrs of dastardly Pulwama attack, @RahulGandhi, a known sympathizer of LeT & Jaish-e-Mohammad, chooses to target not just the government but security forces as well. Rahul will never question real culprit Pakistan. Shame on you Rahul! @INCIndia https://t.co/5M7dcWcxXU GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) February 14, 2020 At a press conference hours later, Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill accused the BJP government of being is silent about the big intelligence failure and security lapse that led to the attack. BJP is the first to claim credit for national security but when there is a national security and intelligence failure, BJP remains mum. We have been posing questions to the BJP for the past one year in national interest, he said. This is an insult to martyrs who sacrificed their life for the country. Congress has done this in past as well and people taught them a lesson for this blunder. Such remarks by Rahul Gandhi help Pakistan counter India on international platforms, said BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor demanded that the results of the Pulwama attack investigation be made public, Why has the report of the Pulwama attack not been made public? he tweeted. On its official handle, the Congress said that the government has completely forgotten about the Pulwama martyrs families. After the election speeches and photo-ops, the BJP govt has completely forgotten about the families of the martyrs, the Congress said on Twitter. After the election speeches & photo-ops the BJP govt has completely forgotten about the families of the martyrs. They promised them jobs & compensation, yet 1 year after the attack the families are forced to beg the govt for what is owed to them. #BJPFailsPulwamaMartyrs pic.twitter.com/4FesT7MmxW Congress (@INCIndia) February 14, 2020 Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi called Congress a history-sheeter party. Congress is a history-sheeter party who always politicised issues related to national and security issues. They are questioning Indias surgical and Balakot strikes on Pakistan to wipe out terrorists, Naqvi told news agency ANI. He also said that Congress speaks the language of Pakistan. On February 14, 2019, 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed when a jeep laden with explosives hit a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway at Lethpora in Pulwama. The jeep was driven by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 01:50:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 children were killed in a fire at an orphanage in an area near the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, local officials reported on Friday. Two children were "completely burned" in their rooms when the fire broke out on Thursday night and another thirteen died from respiratory problems in the hospital, Raymonde Jean Antoine, a local judge told reporters. The injured children were in very critical situation when they were sent to the local hospital, their breathing was very week, the judge added. The fire spread through the first floor of the building, leaving a bedroom and other rooms charred, but the smoke also affected the second floor, where the rest of the children's rooms are located, according to the judge. The orphanage had a capacity for 66 children and is located in Kenscoff, a commune in the foothills of a mountain range some 10 kilometers to the southeast of the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Heavy rains help firefighters take control of fires that have raged across Australia since September. Fires across Australias most populous state have been contained for the first time in nearly six months, authorities said on Friday, as heavy rains aid firefighters and boost some dam levels to their highest in nearly two years. Australia has been battling hundreds of blazes since September in an unusually prolonged summer wildfire season that was fuelled by three years of drought, which experts have attributed to climate change. Aided by storms that lashed Australias east coast earlier this week, the New South Wales (NSW) Rural Fire Service (RFS) said 24 blazes remain alight across the state, though all are now under control. After whats been a truly devastating fire season for both firefighters and residents who suffered through so much this season, all fires are now contained in New South Wales. Which is great news, Rob Rogers, NSW RFS deputy commissioner, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Almost 150 fires The current situation is a far cry from the peak of the crisis in early January when NSW firefighters were battling almost 150 fires that produced a fire front about 6,000 kilometres (3,700 miles) long. Blazes across the country have razed nearly 12 million hectares (29.7 million acres) of tinder-dry bushland, killing 33 people and an estimated one billion native animals, since September. The fires destroyed thousands of homes and prompted mass evacuations of both locals and tourists under apocalyptic-like red skies during Australias peak summer holiday period. As well as aiding firefighting efforts, the deluge of rains has boosted dam levels across NSW, home to more than seven million people. With little rain for three years, some parts of the state had less than a years worth of drinking water left, forcing some authorities to begin to truck in expensive freshwater from other parts of the country. But nearly 400mm (15.8 inches) of rain fell in the Sydney area and surrounding areas. The Warragamba Dam, which supplies about four-fifths of Sydneys water, is now 76.5 percent full up more than a third in just the last week and the highest level since April 2018. Further rains are also expected to arrive over the coming days, with more than 50mm (two inches) of moisture across the state over the next five days. Hamilton County Collegiate High Preview Night at Chattanooga State for prospective students and their parents to learn more about Collegiate High will be Thursday, Feb. 27, from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Center for Advanced Technology (CAT), room 30. Collegiate High faculty, staff, and students will answer questions and discuss their personal experiences at Collegiate High. All are welcome to attend. Topics to be covered include a history of Collegiate High, alignment of high school and dual enrollment curriculum, the application process, cost and available financial assistance, student academic support, and other perks and benefits of being a Collegiate High student. Collegiate High students own bragging rights to several notable statistics: 27 average ACT score 93% college-going rate 35% of the 2017 senior class earned a general transfer associate degree 99% attendance rate 6-year Tennessee Reward School for performance Amid concerns raised by architects and activists over the government's revamp plan for the Central Vista in the national capital, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday said there has been "total transparency" in the project and the architect chosen for the job had consulted multiple town planners and experts for it. He was responding to queries from reporters over two petitions filed by activists in the Delhi High Court and concerns raised by many other heritage and architecture experts on the proposed revamp. "There has been total transparency in the project. Bimal Patel had held a meeting with editors and town planner earlier, and after that many others, and every other town planner in town. Then there was a meeting with journalists later," the minister said. Puri said one of the concerns raised by a few people is that heritage buildings are going to be torn down. "We have shown exactly that every iconic heritage building will be exactly where it is," the Union minister of Housing and Urban Affairs said. Gujarat-based architecture firm HCP Designs had won the consultancy bid for the Centre's ambitious project to redevelop the Central Vista. HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt Ltd, based in Ahmedabad, is led by architect Bimal Patel and has developed several projects, including the Sabarmati Riverfront Development where Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held a mammoth event to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. Asked about other concerns raised by activists that the revamp project will "take away a lot of public space", Puri said, "public space will in fact increase". The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) is likely to be shifted from its current location as part of the Modi government's ambitious project to redevelop the Central Vista - the nation's power corridor - in Lutyens' Delhi, sources had earlier said. Asked about the IGNCA, he said, "A grander mega cultural centre will be built as part of the new project". It will be world-class infrastructure like Sydney Opera House and other such iconic buildings globally are, he said. "So, for the Central Vista project, the amount of consultation we have done... Bimal Patel has met every conceivable town planner, architect. I have chaired meetings, the secretary has," he said. So, that doesn't mean "we are going to allow our project to be derailed," he added. The Union minister said, by 2030, 600 million people will be living in urban areas. "You cannot rebuild spaces without complete adherence to ecological and sustainable norms," he said when asked about the ecological impact of the project. The revamp also envisages a new triangular Parliament building, with seating capacity for 900 to 1,200 MPs, that is targeted to be constructed by August, 2022 when the country will be celebrating its 75th Independence Day. The common Central Secretariat is likely to be built by 2024. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Hadley police are responding to a written bomb threat that was reported to Michael E. Smith Middle Schools administration Friday morning. Police report that classes have been ordered to shelter in place at the school until officials conclude a thorough search of the building. An automatic call was sent out to parents and families of the students. Today a written bomb threat was reported to the administration at the middle school. Police and fire department officials responded quickly and determined it was a low-level threat. Classes are in a shelter in place until officials conclude a thorough search of the building. An early dismissal will not occur. Please do not contact the school since learning is in session. There is no imminent danger per the police, the message said. Holly Willoughby led the glamour as she attended a Prince's Trust event at Kensington Palace alongside Geri Horner and Rod Stewart on Thursday. The This Morning presenter and Prince's Trust patron, 39, looked incredible in a black and pink off-the-shoulder gown as she posed with Geri, 47, her husband Christian Horner, 47, rocker Rod, 75, his wife Penny Lancaster, 48, Holly's husband Dan Baldwin, 45, and Ronnie Wood's wife Sally, 42. Holly finished her look by styling her signature blonde locks into a glamorous blow-dried hairdo, she added a slick of make-up to enhance her pretty features. Star-studded: (L-R) Rod Stewart, Penny Lancaster, Geri Horner, Sally Wood, Holly Willoughby, Dan Baldwin and Christian Horner attended a Prince's Trust event on Thursday Geri went for a bridal inspired look in a white strapless gown with a daring thigh-split, paired with a matching capped sleeve jacket. The Spice Girl added extra glamour with a string of pearls, with her auburn tresses swept into an elegant chignon. Model Penny opted for a metallic gold ballgown with a high-neck which flattered her statuesque figure, teamed with a furry black jacket. Sally, who is married to Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie, looked sensational in a gold bejewelled ballgown with an elegant tiered lace skirt as she posed next to Holly. Line-up: Geri, 47, went for a bridal inspired look in a white strapless gown paired with a matching capped sleeve jacket as she posed with Rod and husband Christian Regal: The Spice Girl added extra glamour with a string of pearls, with her auburn tresses swept into an elegant chignon Her brunette locks were pulled into a coiffed updo with curly strands framing her immaculately made-up face. Rod, Redbull racing guru Christian, and TV producer Dan opted for classic black suits as they joined the group. Christian and Rod later joined forces for a fun video, as they danced together with Rod appearing to plant a kiss on the hunk in the snaps captioned: 'Do ya think I'm sexy?' The charity was founded by the Prince of Wales in 1976 and helps vulnerable young people aged 11-30, who are unemployed or struggling at school, to transform their lives. Fun: Christian and Rod later joined forces for a fun video, as they danced together Pals: Rod and Christian looked dapper as they danced at the star-studded soiree Banter: Rod looked in good spirits as he danced for the hilarious video filmed by Geri Holly's appearance comes after she suffered a hilarious faux pas during Wednesday's episode of This Morning, after she covered her teeth in chocolate during a baking segment. The TV presenter was making some Valentine's Day treats with co-host Phillip Schofield and chocolatier Paul A Young when the mishap occurred. Holly appeared to be in a playful mood as she smothered her teeth with the sweet sauce, before flashing a huge grin for the camera. The star was excited about the smell of chocolate in the studio as they prepared to make chocolate pinatas as a treat ahead of the romantic occasion. While Pal whisked a bowl of chocolate, Holly picked up a spoon as she asked to try some, saying: 'I just want a little bit'. However when trying the chocolate, Holly appeared to misjudge where her mouth was and smothered her teeth with the chocolate-covered spoon. Her co-host Phillip Schofield gasped at the gaffe before covering his mouth in shock, quipping: 'Straight down the dentist then?' Holly made the best of an embarrassing studio, and rather than being left red-faced she poked fun at the situation and covered her face with more chocolate. She then pulled a series of seductive poses as she laughed: 'Happy Valentine's Day!' Romance scammers are fleecing vulnerable Australian women out of millions of dollars by pretending to be US soldiers or heartbroken widowers looking for love. In a Valentine's Day warning issued by the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre (CSCRC), chief executive Rachael Falk said Australians had lost $60.5 million to romance fraud in 2018, up from $42 million the year before. 'What we know is that many offenders will also take on the identity of military personnel usually from the USA, or say they are widowed with children, and working overseas,' she told Daily Mail Australia. Romance scammers are pretending to be US military personnel to appeal to Australian victims. Experts say people are attracted to those in uniform like those above (stock photo), plus it also gives the scammer an excuse to contact their victim at odd hours CSCRC Senior Research Fellow Cassandra Cross military profiles were popular with scammers who use psychologically abusive tactics including gaslighting and isolation to target vulnerable older singles. 'I think it works because people are attracted to people in uniform and the social capital of people working in the military works within the desires of those looking for a relationship,' she said. Dr Cross said the scammers can then contact people at any time of the day or night because they 'work in the military'. 'They can link news articles as a means of going offline for days or weeks or request money because colleagues died during an operation. The military profile works on victims.' Love frauds don't just use dating apps like Tinder (pictured). The ACCC warns scammers are increasingly trawling for victims on Instagram, Facebook and Google Hangouts, or finding victims through online games such as Words with Friends and Scrabble Romance fraud was the second highest category of financial loss trailing only investment fraud, the agency said. People aged over 45 lose the most money with women more likely to be targeted. Research shows the nasty online lotharios try to socially isolate their victims by removing them from their family and close friends. Dr Cross said they will add an air of secrecy to the relationship, telling their targets not to talk to friends and family about it. 'It can be quite awkward for older people to discuss dating someone so it works in favour of the offender by isolating a victim off a dating website and onto another platform which isn't regulated.' 'This way they are able to groom and work out the vulnerabilities and target in the appropriate way.' Dr Cross said perpetrators will also gaslight the victim if questioned, by throwing the question back in their face saying: 'if you loved me, you wouldn't question me'. Australia's consumer watchdog the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said dating scams made up one fifth of all losses reported to Scamwatch last year with almost 4000 complaints costing victims more than $28.6 million. The powerful dream of being in a loving relationship is enough to lure lonely people to send money to scammers. People aged 45 to 64 suffered most romance scam losses in 2019 While the gender breakdown of those hit was fairly even with 54.9 per cent of love scams reported by women and 43.3 per cent by men, women were still the biggest losers making up 75 per cent of the total monetary losses reported at $21.5 million. One woman told Consumer Affairs Victoria she had been conned out of $340,000 by a love rat who befriended her on Facebook Messenger then presented her a bogus investment scheme. Another woman was conned by an African lothario into unknowingly smuggling drugs from Cambodia. Yoshe Taylor, 47, met South African businessman 'Precious' through the dating app Tagged. LOVE SCAMS - Almost 4000 love scams reported to ACCC's Scamwatch in 2019 - Men and women aged 45 to 64 were most affected - Women suffered 75% of all losses - Dating apps like Tinder and Match.com are not the only sources of victims - Scammers use Google Hangouts, Facebook and Instagram to trawl for victims who never searched for love - Online games such as Words with Friends and Scrabble are a new hunting ground - 31.4% of scams were on social media and online forums - Instagram was the source of 8.8% of reports while Facebook had the highest losses at 7.3% of the total - Most losses were via bank transfer, then iTunes, Steam and Google Play gift cards - Scammers create a fake persona and encourage the victim to fall in love, called 'catfishing' - They rapidly progress to 'love bombing' their victim, saying they want to be together - A complicated story emerges for why they can't meet, or why they need money - NEVER give out your financial details online or to a new romantic partner - NEVER send intimate photos or use webcams in an intimate setting (it can be used to blackmail you later) - NEVER agree to carry packages internationally or to transfer money for someone else Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Advertisement Her internet boyfriend then offered to fly her to Cambodia to meet in person, so - on the promise of finding love - she went. Instead she spent six years in one of Cambodia's worst prisons, having falling victim to 24-year-old Nigerian scammer Precious Chineme Nwoko - a member of a huge international drug syndicate. Heartbreaking stories from dozens of romance scam survivors, both men and women, can be found on non-profit organisation Romance Scam Survivor's webpage. One woman wrote that she fell for a scam after her husband of 25 years dumped her for a much younger woman. Devastated after the divorce and having to move states, she joined a dating site and was contacted by a handsome 65-year-old man who said he was an engineer from Sydney. He said he had to go to Malaysia to work on a railway bridge project for the Malaysian government. After a few months he said his wallet was stolen and asked for $15,000, which she sent. Later he asked her to sell her cottage and send him the money due to problems with the workers. Luckily she refused. She realised it was a scam when his 'solicitor' asked her to tape $200,000 to her body and fly it to her paramour in Malaysia. The ACCC said scammers were increasingly targeting those who hadn't even joined a dating site looking for love. The highest losses after conventional dating websites such as Tinder or Match.com came from romance scammers trawling Instagram and Facebook. Last year the ACCC said a new trend had emerged with scammers turning to apps like Google Hangouts, or finding victims through online games such as Words with Friends and Scrabble. ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said an increasing number of reports coming from these emerging websites and apps. 'Romance scams are particularly devastating because not only are there financial losses, but there is also an emotional toll for the victim, which can have lasting psychological impacts on people,' Ms Rickard said. Being love scammed is emotionally devastating. Help is available at LifeAfterScams.org Australia's consumer watchdog the ACCC received almost 4000 complaints last year with many originating from people who had not gone to a dating service to seek love The ACCC found people using these apps were having their hearts broken Scammers will typically create a persona then try to make their target fall in love with the fake. They will then quickly say they are in love with their victim. There will often be complicated stories about why they can't meet in person, and then about why they need money. If the victim sends any money, the scammer will ask for more Ms Rickard said. If they don't, the scammer may become aggressive or use guilt to manipulate them. Ms Rickards warned people not to give out their personal information including financial details. 'And don't share intimate photos or use webcams in an intimate setting,' she said. 'Don't agree to carry packages internationally or agree to transfer money for someone else as you may be inadvertently committing a crime.' 'If you become concerned by the conversation, such as if the person is asking for 'favours' or money, cease communication,' she said. The ACCC reported that older people looking for love were the most vulnerable with 1470 reports out of the total of almost 4000 coming from people aged 45 to 64, who suffered more than $18 million in total losses. Those aged 45 to 64 suffered 63 per cent of all romance scam losses in 2019. The majority of money was lost when the victim gave it by bank transfer, totalling 33.8 per cent or almost $9.7 million. Other payment methods included iTunes, Steam and Google Play gift cards, which totalled $8.8 million or 30.8 per cent of all losses, the ACCC said. Get this newsletter in your inbox Monday-Friday by signing up at subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters. Top stories for Friday, Feb. 14 Gus Chan, The Plain Dealer FRACKING WASTE: A chemical waste landfill near the Columbia Gorge has been accepting thousands of tons of radioactive fracking waste from North Dakota in violation of Oregon regulations. Oregon Department of Energy officials issued a notice of violation to Chemical Waste Managements landfill near the small town of Arlington on Thursday. Pictured is an oil rig in an area where hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is done . (Gus Chan/Advance Local) ROGUE ARREST: The lawyer for an African American man arrested in a disturbing case of retaliation and racism was incensed this week when Portland police released a related report that hed never seen before. Meanwhile, West Linn City Council members said Thursday they were shocked to read about the case, saying a briefing earlier this week about the citys $600,000 settlement in the case revealed scant information. TRAVEL OREGON: Pay for the director and other managers of Oregons travel bureau is among the highest of any state agency, even though Travel Oregons top brass oversee a much smaller staff and budget. Since 2012, managers salaries ballooned by 76 percent, according to a state audit released Thursday. CAP-AND-TRADE: Democrats made last-minute changes to their controversial climate change policy Thursday before voting it out of committee along party lines amid strenuous objections from Republicans in the Senate and a walkout in a House committee. Senate Bill 1530, also known as the cap-and-trade bill, now moves to the Joint Ways and Means committee. You can now subscribe for free to our 2020 Oregon Legislature newsletter. CONCORDIA CLOSURE: Concordia University students walked out of their classes Thursday to protest a recent decision to close the 115-year-old institution this spring. Officials at a sister school in Minnesota, Concordia University-St. Paul, said theyre working on a program that would allow Portland-based nursing students to graduate on time and remain in Portland. Meanwhile, some are asking: Did Concordia get shut down because it was too progressive on gay rights? JEREMY CHRISTIAN TRIAL: Prosecutors on Thursday played a cellphone video showing Jeremy Christian yelling about stabbing people the night before he knifed three men on a MAX train, killing two. Also Thursday, an expert witness for the prosecution testified that Christian has shown a high level of explicit bias that aligns with white supremacist beliefs. Keep up with the trial at oregonlive.com/crime, by subscribing to our free email newsletter, or via podcast or your digital assistant of choice. Snap of the day Jayati Ramakrishnan SUBURBAN SWEETS: The baked goods at Beavertons La Rose Patisserie, one of a dozen delicious bakeries in the Portland suburbs that we visited, are as pleasing to look at as they are to eat. For more food and dining news from around Portland, sign up for our free weekly Foodies newsletter. (Jayati Ramakrishnan/Staff) More news Portland food cart owner involved in 2018 bias incident faces new racism allegations Class-action complaint alleges Oregon company defrauded baseball card collectors The Portland mansion Beverly Cleary called haunted is for sale at $5 million They wanted free Dutch Bros. coffee so this pair forged $2,500 in punch cards New Independence Hotel is the perfect place for a Valentines getaway: Gerry Franks picks Throwback summer: 8 nostalgic music acts are coming to Portland Find more at oregonlive.com Weather and traffic Expect rain in Portland before noon Friday and then a mostly cloudy afternoon. High 50, low 41. Get the latest forecast at oregonlive.com/weather Stay up to date on traffic conditions at oregonlive.com/commuting Advice Ask Amy: May-December green card romance has friends worried Dear Abby: Is elderly aunts mail being withheld by her son? Dear Annie: Telling a parent whos lost a child to get over it is not helpful Find more, including todays horoscope, at oregonlive.com Todays comics Click here to see today's comics Todays obituaries Click here to find area deaths reported recently Today in history In 1859: Oregon was admitted to the Union as the 33rd state. In 1929: The St. Valentines Day Massacre took place in a Chicago garage as seven rivals of Al Capones gang were gunned down. In 2018: A gunman identified as a former student opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, killing 17 people in the nations deadliest school shooting since the attack in Newtown, Connecticut, more than five years earlier. Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Janet D.: The soap and water was a good idea, but if its the smell youre after, you would be better off by mixing a solution of 50 percent white vinegar with 50 percent water and about four drops of liquid detergent. This is an easy and simple method of eliminating odors. Youll find more hints like this in my pamphlet Heloises Fantabulous Vinegar Hints and More. To receive a copy, send $5, along with a stamped (70 cents), self-addressed, long envelope, to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Or you can order it online at Heloise.com. FYI: To help eliminate cooking odors, add some cinnamon to a pan of water and vinegar on the stove and boil to fill your home with a lovely scent. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, February 13, 2020 Facebook is urging a federal judge to dismiss news anchor Karen Hepp's lawsuit alleging that the social networking platform infringed her right to control the use of her image by hosting dating ads with a photo of her. In papers filed this week, Facebook argues that it didn't create the content, and therefore isn't legally responsible for it. Hepp did not allege that Facebook created or authored the advertisement, nor could she, Facebook writes in a motion to dismiss filed with U.S. District Court Judge in John Younge in Philadelphia. This glaring omission alone is fatal to Plaintiffs claims against Facebook. The company adds that the ad it allegedly ran promotes the dating service FirstMet, and displays the word sponsored, which indicates it is a third partys ad. advertisement advertisement The lawsuit dates to last September, when Hepp alleged that a security photo of her taken at a New York City convenience store was being used in ads on Facebook for dating sites. Hepp also sued other companies that allegedly displayed the photo -- including Imgur, Reddit, Giphy. She said the image was being displayed in a sexualized context on those other sites. On Imgur, for instance, the image allegedly appears under the heading milf -- a term her complaint defines as a derogatory and degrading slang acronym that refers to a sexually attractive woman with young children. Her complaint claims that the companies violated Pennsylvania's right of publicity law, which allows people to control the commercial use of their names and likenesses. Facebook argues it's immune from liability due to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which generally provides that web platforms aren't legally responsible for content uploaded by third parties. The social networking platform additionally argues the lawsuit should be dismissed because Pennsylvania's right of publicity law only imposes liability on companies that know they are misappropriating someone's image. Plaintiff fails to allege that Facebook had actual knowledge that her photo was used in the advertisement without her consent, the company writes. Reddit and Giphy filed separate papers urging Younge to dismiss the lawsuits against them, arguing they are protected by the Communications Decency Act. Reddit also contends that Hepp's petition was filed after the two-year statute of limitations had passed. The company argues that Hepp's complaint against it centers on a post that linked to an Imgur image uploaded on December 13, 2015 -- more than two years before Hepp brought suit. Giphy, which operates a platform that allows people to search a database of images, adds that it lacks the kinds of connections with Pennsylvania that would justify a lawsuit in that locale. A HARARE man, who was reported missing on Monday, was grisly murdered and his body was thrown in a trench near a maize field in Avonlea. Claudius Nyanga, who was taxi driver on the Vaya platform, went missing around 8pm on Monday while he was on his way to fetch his client in Msasa Park. His body was found close to his neighbourhood late on Wednesday afternoon. On Wednesday there had been reports that his Honda Fit (AEJ5112) had been spotted in Epworth and crime experts suspect that the murderers either reside there or frequent the area. While the Honda Fit had a tracking device, it failed to work at the crucial moment when the deceaseds client, who was waiting, contacted the family to check on his whereabouts. In a statement posted on Twitter, the Zimbabwe Republic Police said: A taxi driver who went missing on 10/2/20 was found dead in a shallow well on 12/2/20 in Emerald Hill, Harare. His hands were tied with shoes laces & he had injuries on the right side of his head. The light green Honda Fit vehicle, registration number AEJ-5112 is still missing. The case is being investigated. Nyangas son, Alfred, told H-Metro that the family was alarmed of their fathers disappearance after his client told them that he had not arrived to pick him up. This client is like family to us and baba vanogara vachimutakura saka ndiye akatozofona kuti mdhara havasati vasvika then we started calling him but number yavo yairamba until the next morning when we reported the case ku police. We looked for my father everywhere kuma hospitals, mortuary muma streets even pama shops but hatina kuvawana until hanzvadzi yamhamha found leads on babas disappearance kuGreencroft. I was heartbroken seeing my old man in a terrible state dumbu ranga rava kutozvimba mudhara looked so lifeless ndakarwadziwa ndanga ndisati ndamboona baba vakaita seizvozvo, narrated Alfred. Claudius second son Tendai told H-Metro that he was very saddened by his fathers death and he was aggrieved by the vehicle tracking system that failed to help them locate their fathers car. Im really hurt nemafiro ababa, ndiri kubatikana ne Econet. We paid for the car tracker but haina kuti batsira they kept telling to us kuti their server was down. Zvinorwadza kuti we paid for the tracker when the car was registered for VAYA asi hazvina kubatsira, he said. Munyaradzi Dondo who resides in Greencroft close to where Nyangas body was found said that this was a second case in the same area where a taxi driver was murdered and thrown in the drain. This is the second time we are having a case like this, hatina kana noise yatakanzwa on Monday night or anything suspicious even Tuesday yacho but we were shocked when we received a message in our neighbourhood WhatsApp group of the missing man, he said. Mourners gathered at his homestead in Bluffhill described Claudius as a loving and generous man who had a heart for everyone. Tarasikirwa zvikuru as Catholic society yepa Mabelreign; baba vanga vane rudo iavava and he was a devoted Catholic vachishandira Mwari nemazvo. Saka church yedu ichambodzokera sure chaizvo tarasikirwa nemunhu aibata basa guru, said Mbuya Mushanga Claudius churchmate. Another mourner interviewed by H-Metro described Nyanga as a hardworking man who did everything in his power to get a living. Mudhara uyu aisava neusimbe, his nickname was doctor because he was a doctor for everything. Aishanda and aisazeza basa. He was an inspiration to everyone especially the young generation through his hard work and commitment, he said. Members of the Philippine military's bomb squad prepare to detonate explosives recovered from the ruins of the southern city of Marawi, Sept. 28, 2019. Security forces have killed a suspected bomb expert working for local militants affiliated with the Islamic State group in the southern Philippines, the military said Friday. The suspect, identified as Katato Samad, was killed following a clash Wednesday in a remote village of Pikit, a town in North Cotabato province, Lt. Col. Niel Roldan, the local army commander, told reporters. Our [soldiers] were responding to reports of armed men sightings, but were attacked along the way, Roldan said, adding that a brief firefight killed Samad, whose body was taken by his colleagues. Troops later recovered homemade bomb components, ammunition and a motorbike at the site. Samad was a key member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and had been linked to a series of bomb attacks that damaged power transmission lines in the region five years ago, Roldan said. Roldan said Samad was the head of BIFFs special-operations group that deals with production of homemade bombs. Earlier this week, three BIFF gunmen surrendered and turned over their weapons to the military in Pikit, officials said. The BIFF is a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), once the countrys largest Muslim separatist group, which signed a peace deal with Manila in 2014 to end their rebellion of more than three decades. The MILF now controls an autonomous region in Mindanao, where Muslims form a large minority. The Philippine military has recovered black Islamic State (IS) flags from suspected camps of the BIFF during recent security raids in the region, officials said. The BIFF did not join other pro-IS militants in taking over the southern city of Marawi in 2017. However, BIFF members launched deadly diversionary attacks elsewhere in the Philippine south to divert military attention from Marawi, authorities said. The five-month Marawi siege and an ensuing battle with government forces killed 1,200 people, most of them militants, including fighters from Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Pulwama, a year gone: When Operation Bandar at Balakot shook Pakistan India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 14: It has been a year since the ghastly Pulwama attack took place in which 40 CRPF jawans were martyred. While this attack was a major wake up call for India, what followed was an act at Balakot, which woke Pakistan up. The statement was a strong one by India to avenge the Pulwama attack that was carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammad. The Indian Air Force hit the JeM's training facility at Balakot in which several terrorists training for fidayeen attacks were killed. Popularly known as the Balakot air strike, this operation was code named "Operation Bandar." The name Bandar which means monkey was taken to maintain utmost secrecy. While there was no specific reason to chose this name, monkeys have had an important place in Indian culture. In the Ramayana, Lord Ram's most trusted lieutenant Lord Hanuman destroys the entire capital of Lanka. 2 terrorists shot dead in encounters in Pulwama Sources tell OneIndia that another reason behind the name was to make it look like a routine and small time affair. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEB 14th, 2020 One of the key ingredients of this strike was the utmost secrecy that was maintained in the run up to the operation. The Indian Air Force (IAF) had done a detailed assessment of both positives and negatives of the Balakot air strike. The report deals with various aspects of the strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist camp at Balakot, despite Pakistan being on very high alert. One of the key aspects listed in the report is about the strategic surprise. It says that the strategic surprise was so complete that Pakistan scrambled its jets only after the Mirage-2000s delivered the weapons package and turned back. Another major positive was the accuracy of the intelligence and the target selection. The proficiency and the skill of the pilots' part of the mission has been listed as top class and they would be rewarded for the same. Balakot: Delivering a double whammy to Pak and avenging, Kandahar and Pulwama The high level of secrecy maintained during the mission also finds a mention. 6,000 men and officers were involved in the operation and there was absolutely no leakage. Speaking more about the element of surprise, the IAF said that the Russian Su-30s flying towards the JeM's headquarters at Bahawalpur forced Pakistan to divert its resources and other capabilities in a separate sector. During the strike, the IAF used Spice 200 precision guided munitions to hit the target. Five of the six designated targets were hit at the Jaish-e-Mohammad training facility in Balakot. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) New York, United States Fri, February 14, 2020 08:08 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20646f8df 2 Lifestyle New-York-Fashion-Week,fashion-week,fashion,New-York-City,united-states,Michael-Kors,Rodarte Free From Michael Kors' snug knitwear to Rodarte's nod to Count Dracula, AFP wraps up the latest highlights from New York Fashion Week, which ends on Wednesday. Chic wool Michael Kors reminded everyone to stay warm during the winter months with a "cozy glamor" 2020 collection on Wednesday that mixed comfort with chic. Thick knitted sweaters, cashmere ribbed turtlenecks and herringbone tweed skirts evoked curling up beside a log cabin fire with a mug of hot cocoa. Languid silhouettes, ponchos, mufflers and flat riding boots all featured as the 60-year-old US designer mixed town and country feels. Canadian country music star Orville Peck played live, and actresses Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Blake Lively sat front row at the show, which took place in the American Stock Exchange. Read also: Carolina Herrera brightens up NY Fashion Week... and the world Rodarte Sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy had brought their label Rodarte to New York Fashion Week just once since September 2016, opting instead to showcase in Paris and Los Angeles. On Monday, they were back, reminding everyone that -- along with Marc Jacobs -- they are arguably the closest thing the United States has to haute couture. At St. Bartholomew's Church, the Mulleavys put on a masterful show imbued with the solemnity of the venue that added a Gothic touch and a wink in the direction of Count Dracula. Embroidered crystals, pearls, flowers, hand-painted elements and sequins added a finesse that is sometimes hard to find in ready-to-wear collections. Black lipstick and embroidered cobwebs recalled Dracula and the Gothic style. The parade started "in a very innocent place," with a 1940s polka dot dress worn by supermodel Bella Hadid, and then journeyed "into the unknown," Kate Mulleavy told reporters afterwards. "I like the idea of something seeming very sweet and not necessarily being sweet," she added. Read also: Somber start to Fashion Week for Chinese label amid virus fears 'Misfits, dreamers' Singapore-born and Nepal-raised designer Prabal Gurung paid tribute to his adopted home of New York with a show on the 65th floor of the famed Rockefeller Center late Tuesday. From eclectic dresses paired with boas and stoles to animal print trousers and thick jackets with white feathers, the collection reflected the mish-mash that is America's largest city. "Tonight I pay tribute to all of you, New Yorkers by name or soul, a cocktail of eight million people," 40-year-old Gurung wrote in the collection notes. "The daring. The misfits. The free. The beautiful, bold, impossible dreamers." One of the brightest, most interesting and most visited Moscow exhibitions of recent years, 'Impressionism and Spanish Art' ended its run at the Museum of Russian Impressionism. The first large-scale exhibition of Spanish art of the 19th and 20th centuries in Russia was held from October 10 to January 26. It was comprised of more than 50 paintings, sculptures and drawings by 18 Spanish artists: Joaquin Sorolla, Ignacio Zuloaga, Ramon Casas and other artists. Art critic and exhibition organizer Maria Moroz told about the development of Spanish art from Goya to Picasso and how Spanish artists adapted to new art. "At this exhibition, we wanted to separate these two phenomena and talk generally about Spanish impressionism and other artists working in Spain at the turn of the century, in the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century. We know Spanish art well, but only certain names, like Velazquez, El Greco, Zurbaran, Ribera, Francisco Goya, then some kind of lacuna, and then Picasso and Dali. Here we actually respond to this request of what happened then, why we do not remember these names now, despite the fact that they were popular back then. Many artists in Spain have learned what impressionism is mainly because they visit Paris. They represent a whole new stage in Spanish art," Moroz said. Mariano Fortuny's Street in Granatello, Portici (1874) The exhibition presents Mariano Fortuny's works, who was incredibly popular not only in Spain, but throughout the world. He became famous not as an impressionist, but as an Orientalist painter. Ramon Casas' Open Air Interior (1892) "One of the first communities of Spanish artists were close friends Ramon Casas and Santiago Rusinol. They leave for France very early, when they were only 15 years old, they shared an apartment. The artists painted very interesting atypical stories: when you look at their Impressionism variations, you see mother-of-pearl gray effects.When they returned to Spain, they completely abandoned impressionism, started to create posters, billboards posters inspired by Lautrec or Alphonse Mucha. They went beyond impressionism. Santiago Rusinol's Erik Satie Playing the Harmonium (1891) Next to them is another group of friends, Isidre Nonell and Ricard Canals, who also came to France. Isidre was a very popular artist in Paris due to the Spanish theme and expressive language: he chose virtually neon colors, which is unconventional for pastel impressionism. Isidre Nonels' Arenys de Mar Beach (1891) Ricard Canals' Valle de Boi (1896) Aureliano de Beruete y Moret's South view of Toledo from Los Cigarrales (1895) Artist Aureliano de Beruete was one of the first artists to claim the role of landscape in Spanish art. Joaquin Sorolla's Children at the beach, Valencia (1899) One of the headliners of the exhibition is Joaquin Sorolla. This is the most popular artist of them. He was supported by Spanish society in the U.S., his exhibitions were organized in different cities of the U.S. and Europe. He won the Grand Prix at the Paris Universal Exposition in 1900. Ignacio Zuloaga's Charles Morice and his wife (1896) Ignacio Zuloaga was also a Catalan artist. He did not become a part of impressionism, he did not even try it. He was fond of El Greco's art and believed that he rediscovers it. He really did a lot to bring his name back to the history of Spanish art. Joaquin Mir's The Abyss, Majorca (1901-1904) Joaquim Mir stands out among other artists for his performance technique. His paintings rather were not impressionist, because impressionists use short strokes, and he worked with a large format canvas. He made his painting with a stain. He had never been to France and painted Spain, which was actively changing at that time," Moroz said. Mariano Pidelaserra's Portrait of Emili Fontbona, Paris (19001901) Artist Mariano Pidelaserra is a pure example of impressionism. "Basically, these artists were known precisely in Spain, but their paintings are in U.S. collections, in the collections of Brussels. They tried new techniques, they developed in France and Spain, but you cant call them revolutionaries. Its a search for the way, determination of who we are. The exhibition was successful, because its access to the European stage, its cooperation with a number of Spanish museums. We plan to further develop in this direction. We bring back a forgotten history with this exhibition," Daria Moroz said. WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Thursday defended the Pentagon's effort to strip Stars and Stripes of all of its federal funding as part of its fiscal year 2021 budget request, telling reporters in Brussels that the independent news organization is not a priority. "So, we trimmed the support for Stars and Stripes because we need to invest that money, as we did with many, many other programs, into higher-priority issues," Esper said during a news conference at NATO headquarters. He listed space, nuclear programs, hypersonic missiles and "a variety of systems" as places the money -- slightly more than $15.5 million -- could be reinvested in the $705.4 billion Defense Department spending proposal. Pentagon officials acknowledged Wednesday for the first time that the budget proposal completely cuts the subsidy that the department provides Stars and Stripes to print and distribute newspapers to troops deployed around the world, including remote and often-dangerous locations in places such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Stars and Stripes receives about $8.7 million annually in operations and maintenance funds and about $6.9 million in contingency operations funds, said Marine Lt. Col. Chris Logan, a spokesman for Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist. The cut to Stars and Stripes' annual Pentagon subsidy equals about half of the news organization's annual funds to pay expenses. Stars and Stripes' remaining money comes from sales, subscriptions and advertising. Pentagon officials confirmed Monday that the budget request would cut at least some funding to Stars and Stripes, but they declined to provide monetary figures attached to the proposal. Stars and Stripes' leadership was informed of the proposed cuts by Pentagon leadership also Monday, after The Wall Street Journal reported the news organization was eyed for a funding reduction. Stars and Stripes first appeared during the Civil War, and it has been published continuously since World War II. It produces daily newspapers for U.S. military troops around the world and operates a website that is updated with news 24 hours per day. Though it is part of the Pentagon's Defense Media Agency, Stripes retains its editorial independence and is congressionally mandated to be governed by First Amendment principles. In Logan's statement Wednesday, he acknowledged Stars and Stripes' value during its seven decades of continuous service to the U.S. military community. "Their hard work and dedication in reporting on issues that matter the most to the military community continues to be of value," he said. "However, as we look forward to the current budget proposal and beyond, the DOD must prioritize spending to support our warfighters in the most critical areas of need. Therefore, the department has made the difficult decision that, beginning in fiscal year 2021, it will no longer provide appropriated funds to Stars and Stripes." Related: DoD Budget Proposal Cuts All Funding to Stars And Stripes; Lawmakers Back Newspaper The news organization's value to American troops has been proven, said Ernie Gates, Stars and Stripes' ombudsman. He said the newspaper not only provides service members "a little piece of home" or a "welcome diversion" from tough missions, but it also provides independent, free-flowing information that they need to exercise their rights as Americans. The proposal has received pushback from varying directions, including a former commander, lawmakers and a key journalism advocacy-and-education organization, the Society of Professional Journalists. SPJ called on Esper to rethink the funding cut to Stars and Stripes, which it said would be "a huge disservice to the men and women who serve our country" who rely on the physical newspaper in areas where they cannot access the internet. "Since it was first published during the Civil War, Stars and Stripes has been a balanced and objective source of information for members of the military," SPJ National President Patricia Gallagher Newberry said Wednesday in the statement. "Its ability to inform troops about issues important to them must not be hindered." Military veteran lawmakers Rep. Gil Cisneros, D-Calif., and Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., tweeted their support for Stars and Stripes this week. "Stars & Stripes was a link to home when I was in Iraq and Okinawa," wrote Gallego, a Marine veteran. "It's an A+ indie take on everyday DoD news, f*** ups, and Administration & General Officer BS. No wonder this President wants to cut it. He's got a fight on his hands." Cisneros, a Navy veteran, wrote Stars and Stripes "provides a crucial voice on the DOD, VA, and other military matters." "We need their reporting," he tweeted. Other members of Congress reached this week for comment said they needed to take a close look at budget documents before speaking. One member expected to be briefed on the Stars and Stripes funding proposal this week. In an email, a former top commander of American and NATO troops in Europe defended Stars and Stripes. "Every day in my office as commander [of] U.S. European Command, I would read Stars and Stripes," said retired Navy Adm. James Stavridis, who served as EUCOM chief and NATO Supreme Allied Command from 2009 to 2013. "It was an invaluable, unbiased, and highly professional source of information which was critical to me in my role overseeing U.S. military throughout Europe." --Stars and Stripes reporters Slobodan Lekic and John Vandiver contributed to this report. Read more: US Service Member Dies in Non-Combat Incident in Djibouti SHIPPAGAN, N.B. - New Brunswick's governing Progressive Conservatives saw their deputy premier quit in protest over health-care reforms Friday, leaving the minority government in the precarious position of facing a confidence vote or possibly calling an early election. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. New Brunswick Progressive Conservative MLA Robert Gauvin is sworn in as Deputy Premier, Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, Minister responsible for La Francophonie at the New Brunswick Legislature in Fredericton on November 9, 2018. New Brunswick deputy premier Robert Gauvin has announced he is quitting the governing Progressive Conservatives in protest over health-care reforms. Gauvin told constituents in his riding of Shippagan-Lameque-Miscou he will sit as an Independent, dealing a blow to the minority government of Premier Blaine Higgs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/James West SHIPPAGAN, N.B. - New Brunswick's governing Progressive Conservatives saw their deputy premier quit in protest over health-care reforms Friday, leaving the minority government in the precarious position of facing a confidence vote or possibly calling an early election. Robert Gauvin told constituents in his riding of Shippagan-Lameque-Miscou he will sit as an Independent, dealing a blow to the minority government of Premier Blaine Higgs. "If I don't feel the premier is protecting citizens ... I have to do something," Gauvin said. Gauvin's announcement, which drew applause from his supporters, follows the government's decision this week to close emergency rooms overnight in six community hospitals in the province. His departure leaves the Tories and Liberals tied with 20 seats in the legislature. The Green party and the People's Alliance have three each, Gauvin is the lone Independent and two seats are vacant. Both the Greens and Liberals have said they are prepared to defeat the government on a confidence motion. "It's unacceptable that the government is treating people like statistics, like chess pieces," Green Leader David Coon said Friday. "It's heartless and at the same time undermining rural regions of this province. We're going to lose nurses and doctors to Nova Scotia and Maine." Gauvin is the second Tory MLA to denounce the ER closures, after Bruce Northrup said Thursday he cannot support the move but intends to continue supporting the government in other areas. Premier Blaine Higgs faced reporters Friday afternoon and said he doesn't feel good about the position he's in. "But my resolve has not changed," he said. "Doing the right thing sometimes comes at a cost. You either get it done or people don't accept it." Higgs said he would meet with his caucus to decide how to proceed, including the possibility of taking the province to the polls. "It's very much a possibility," he said. "This puts a new situation in what we have. We are feeling very good about the budget that is coming forward. We feel very good about what our citizens will see in primary care and the changes in access to care." Donald Wright, a political scientist at the University of New Brunswick, said that as a cabinet minister, Gauvin had few options after publicly denouncing the health-care changes. "It was either be fired or resign. He had put the premier in an impossible situation," Wright said. "A cabinet minister can disagree at the cabinet table and they can have fierce disagreements at the cabinet table, but the second they leave that cabinet room they must toe the line, because they are the government and speak for the government." Wright said Higgs' style has been to govern as if he had a majority. Higgs has said his government is convinced it is doing the right thing to ensure the sustainability of the province's health-care system. The government says resources diverted from the overnight shift will shore up daytime services, enhance mental health services and allow for more long-term chronic care beds. But Gauvin, who was the only francophone member of the Tory caucus, said people from rural communities across the province urged him to take a stand. "This reform is an attack on the rural nature of New Brunswick," he said. The six communities that will lose their emergency rooms from midnight to 8 a.m., effective March 11, are Sussex, Sackville, Perth-Andover, Ste-Anne-de-Kent, Caraquet and Grand Falls. Wright said New Brunswickers will likely be going to the polls sooner than expected. People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin, whose party had previously committed to supporting the Tories on confidence votes, said he's not ruling out a vote of non-confidence now. "I think right now the writing is on the wall, and it's up to the premier now to make that decision," Austin said. "Closing emergency rooms has a big impact on people in rural areas. What's the backup plan?" The Higgs government is set to bring in a provincial budget on March 10, and Higgs must announce dates for two byelections by March 11. The earliest the Opposition could call for a specific non-confidence vote on the health reforms would be March 19, while a confidence vote on the budget would be March 20. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2020. Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Anil Chauhan said on Friday that insurgency is on a decline in the Northeast and expressed hope that the situation will further improve in the future. Overall, militancy-related incidents have declined by about 12 per cent and the arc of violence in the entire Northeast has shrunk primarily to an area which is the tri- junction between Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and north Nagaland, the officer said. "In the hinterland, the situation is under control and we are confident that things will only improve in the future," General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Eastern Command, Lt Gen Chauhan said. Speaking to reporters after the 'Defence Investiture Ceremony 2020' at Command headquarter Fort Willaim here, he said that 40 per cent of last year's violence occurred in this area at the tri-junction. "In Nagaland, the government is engaging with the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) and NSCN(I-M) and hopefully, there will be a positive outcome of these talks," Lt Gen Chauhan said. He said that the agreement between factions of the NDFB, the ABSU, the Assam government and the Centre is a welcome step and may be seen as a precursor to a lasting solution in the state. The officer said that with the insurgency level having gone down in the Northeast, the focus of the Eastern Command has shifted towards non-combat operations. A large number of civil-military projects have been taken up by the Army, which includes infrastructure development, setting up of medical camps and national integration. He said that with the betterment in the situation, troops are being sent to barracks in Karbi Anglong and the Army is also contemplating withdrawing some of its forces from the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts in Assam. The GOC-in-C said that along the northern borders, activities of both the Indian and Chinese forces are relatively less with the winters having set in, and peace is being maintained along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Chauhan said that about 133 individuals in the Indian Army were conferred gallantry awards this year. Of the individual gallantry awards given this year, approximately 96 per cent are for operations in Jammu and Kashmir and about 4 per cent for operations in the Northeast. In the Eastern Command, most of the distinguished service awards were given for operations and administrative efficiency either along the LAC or in the hinterland for counter-insurgency operations. "Of the individual gallantry awards given in the Eastern Command, 37 per cent were for distinguished service along the LAC and 47 per cent for operations in the hinterland," he said. As far as the unit citations are concerned, altogether 22 awards were given, including the Chief of Army Staff's citation and Army Commander's citation, he said. These include 10 units that got citations for operations along the Line of Actual Control, while 8 units got it for operations in the hinterland for counter-insurgency operations. Two units got it for infrastructure development, which were done mainly along the Chinese border, he said. "While the grant of these awards is not a reflection of the security situation either on the LAC or in the hinterland, but this gives some indication as to where the priorities lie," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Created and consolidated at a time of enormous upheaval during two world wars, the Commonwealth was a means for Britain to bind together its former colonial territories to promote peace and maintain the standing of the British Empire. Consisting of 54 countries across all continents, one has to ask whether it is still fit for purpose in the 21st century? The ongoing turmoil within the Commonwealth's governing body is not a good sign. Australia, New Zealand and Britain have all refused to hand over millions of dollars in funding to the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat after a damning investigation into a decision by its head, Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, exposed deep governance problems inside the body. 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. Her supporters defend her with claims she is being targeted for cutting jobs in the secretariat by 20 per cent in response to a shrinking budget. Loading But the forces trying to push her out are growing. When Britain polled leaders of the Commonwealth whether Baroness Scotland's term of office should be extended for a second four-year term to be decided in Rwanda in June it was revealed that a clear majority wanted her kicked out. Britain is reportedly negotiating with other countries to select a rival candidate if she does not step down. WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EST Thursday, Feb. 20, to discuss select science investigations launching on the next SpaceX commercial resupply flight to the International Space Station. Audio of the teleconference will stream live online at: https://www.nasa.gov/live SpaceX is targeting 1:45 a.m. Monday, March 2, for the launch of its Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. To participate in the teleconference, media must contact Kathryn Hambleton at 202-358-1100 or kathryn.ham[email protected] by 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, for dial-in information. Participants in the briefing will be: Jennifer Buchli , deputy chief scientist for NASA's International Space Station Program Science Office, who will share an overview of the research being conducted aboard the space station and how it benefits exploration and humanity , deputy chief scientist for NASA's International Space Station Program Science Office, who will share an overview of the research being conducted aboard the space station and how it benefits exploration and humanity Michael Roberts , interim chief scientist for the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory, who will discuss the lab's work in advancing science in space, and in developing partnerships that drive industrialization through microgravity research. , interim chief scientist for the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory, who will discuss the lab's work in advancing science in space, and in developing partnerships that drive industrialization through microgravity research. Boris Khusid , professor of chemical and materials engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology , and principal investigator for ACE-T-Ellipsoids, who will discuss the study of colloids small particles suspended within a fluid in microgravity for insight into particle density and behavior important for use in 3D printing , professor of chemical and materials engineering at the , and principal investigator for ACE-T-Ellipsoids, who will discuss the study of colloids small particles suspended within a fluid in microgravity for insight into particle density and behavior important for use in 3D printing Chunhui Xu , associate professor at Emory University School of Medicine , and principal investigator, and collaborator Kevin Maher , professor at Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta , will discuss the Generation of Cardiomyocytes from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (MVP Cell-03) experiment, a study on the generation of specialized heart muscle cells for use in research and clinical applications. , associate professor at , and principal investigator, and collaborator , professor at and Children's Healthcare of , will discuss the Generation of Cardiomyocytes from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (MVP Cell-03) experiment, a study on the generation of specialized heart muscle cells for use in research and clinical applications. Aaron Beeler , professor of medicinal chemistry at Boston University , and principal investigator of Flow Chemistry in Microgravity, which will study the effects of microgravity on chemical reactions, as a first step toward on-demand chemical synthesis on the space station. , professor of medicinal chemistry at , and principal investigator of Flow Chemistry in Microgravity, which will study the effects of microgravity on chemical reactions, as a first step toward on-demand chemical synthesis on the space station. Paul Patton , senior manager, front end innovation and regulatory for Delta Faucet, and principal investigator of the Droplet Formation Study, which evaluates water droplet formation and water flow of Delta Faucet's H2Okinetic showerhead technology. , senior manager, front end innovation and regulatory for Delta Faucet, and principal investigator of the Droplet Formation Study, which evaluates water droplet formation and water flow of Delta Faucet's H2Okinetic showerhead technology. Siegfried Monser , of Airbus, who will discuss Bartolomeo, a new commercial research platform from ESA (European Space Agency), set to be installed on the exterior of the orbiting laboratory. SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft also will carry crew supplies and hardware to the orbiting laboratory to support the Expedition 62 and 63 crew for the 20th mission under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract. The space station is a convergence of science, technology, and human innovation that demonstrates new technologies and enables research not possible on Earth. The orbiting laboratory has been occupied continuously since November 2000. In that time, 239 people, and a variety of international and commercial spacecraft, have visited the orbiting laboratory. The space station remains the springboard to NASA's next great leap in exploration, including future human missions to the Moon and eventually to Mars. For launch countdown coverage, NASA's launch blog, and more information about the mission, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/spacex SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a lower courts ruling striking down work rules for Medicaid recipients in Arkansas, casting more doubt over broader Trump administration efforts to require poor people to work, volunteer or train for a job as a condition of getting government health coverage. A three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found that approval of the Arkansas work requirement by the health and human services secretary, Alex M. Azar, was arbitrary and capricious because it did not address how the program would promote the objective of Medicaid as defined under federal law: providing health coverage to the poor. The means that Congress selected to achieve the objectives of Medicaid was to provide health care coverage to populations that otherwise could not afford it, Judge David Sentelle, a Reagan appointee, wrote in the ruling. Importantly, the Secretary disregarded this statutory purpose in his analysis. Concurring were Judges Cornelia Pillard, an Obama appointee, and Harry Edwards, a Carter appointee. It was not immediately clear whether the Trump administration would appeal to the Supreme Court. In a statement about the ruling, a spokesman for Seema Verma, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, said the agency is reviewing and evaluating the opinion and determining next steps. Shaheen Borna provided by Ball State University A professor at Ball State University called police on a black student Sultan Benson in January for refusing to change seats in class. When police arrived, students came to Benson's defense. Benson agreed to leave the classroom. On Wednesday, the university announced that the professor, Shaheen Borna, is not returning to teach. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. A professor at Ball State University who called police on a black student will not return to teach for the rest of the semester. Shaheen Borna, a Ball State marketing professor who joined faculty in 1983, came under fire in January after he called police on college senior Sultan "Mufasa" Benson for refusing to change seats during class. "Dr. Borna will not be teaching classes for the remainder of the semester," Kathy Wolf, a spokeswoman for Ball State, said in a statement to Insider. "This decision is in the best interest of Dr. Borna and the University," According to the Ball State Daily News, On Jan. 21 Benson was directed to sit in an open seat rather than his typical spot in Borna's marketing class. During class a student sitting near the front of the room left, so Borna requested Benson move to that seat. Benson refused because he was charging his laptop, so Borna gave him the ultimatum to move seats or leave class. When he refused, the professor called the police. The incident was caught on video and Benson's classmates can be heard defending him when police arrived. Some staff and students were upset by the actions of the professor and staged a walkout a few weeks later. Benson told his college paper that he was afraid when police were called because he is a large black man from Chicago. "I'm from the south side of Chicago. I wasn't supposed to make it to college if [I'm] being honest," he told the paper. "I made it to college, and I got the police called on me for being in the classroom ...You don't know what's going to happen in that 20 seconds. If I hadn't kept my composure, I could've been riddled with bullets, tased, beat down, handcuffed there's no telling." Story continues Attempts to reach Benson and Borna were unsuccessful Thursday. "The Dean of the Miller College of Business, in consultation with the Provost, made this decision to ensure that we provide continuity in the curriculum, eliminate any unnecessary distractions, and help our students complete the appropriate course expectations," Wolf's statement to Insider said. Borna sent an emailed apology to Benson after the incident. "As a professor at Ball State University, it is my responsibility to ensure that you and all of my students receive an excellent educational experience," he said in the email, according to the Ball State Daily News. "I am sorry that my actions today did not contribute to that." Read the original article on Insider We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 11:00:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BERLIN, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- China and the European Union (EU) have agreed to strive to finish the talks on a China-EU investment agreement and initiate feasibility study on a free trade deal as part of key agendas for this year, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday. [February 14, 2020] Financial Services Forum to Be Held in March 2020 in San Juan Financial Services and Insurance will lead the conversation in the 2020 Financial Services Forum to be held in San Juan, on March 18 and 19 at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel. The two-day conference will feature local and international speakers, and will focus on the benefits of the Island as a destination for business, covering Puerto Rico's fast-growing international financial services sector and the latest developments in Banking, Insurance and Specialty Financial Services. The conference, sponsored and presented by the Puerto Rico International Insurers Association (PRIIA) and Puerto Rico International Banking Association (PRIBA), has already confirmed top industry experts, including Craig Lemasters, CEO of GXC and renowned public speaker, Agnes Suarez, GM at AIG, John Fitzpatrick, from New York's AIG office, Walter Keenan CEO at Advantage Insurance, Alberto Baco, former Secretary of Economic Development, Ken Kotch, Principal at Ryan, and Mark Jacobs, CEO at Captive Alternatives, among others. Experts will cover topics on Alternative Investment Management, Captive Insurance, Cryptocurrency, Exchanges and Custodians, Famil Office Administration, Private Placement Life Insurance and Reinsurance, plus BSA/AML Compliance, with CPE credits available, Correspondent Banking, Mortgage Servicing, Payments and Processing, and Trade Finance. "We have been committed in helping the Puerto Rico International Insurer's Center since PRIIA inception in 2015. The Puerto Rico Financial Service Forum will showcase Puerto Rico as a world class International Financial Center with Law 399 and 273 as its pillars," expressed Hugo Cordova, President of PRIIA. The Financial Services Forum has also included Speed Networking dynamics where participants will be able to have brief 15-20 minute chats with speakers and/or other attendees, running parallel to the plenary conferences. Puerto Rico, with more than 400 captive insurance companies, is the third largest in all Latin America, and already a well-respected domicile. This 2-day conference will cover incentives laws applying to financial and insurance companies - Acts 273, 399- plus other advantages the Island has to offer, and its regulatory perspective. "PRIBA, with members that operate in Puerto Rico under both Law 52 of 1989 and Law 273 of 2012 is similarly committed to promoting Puerto Rico and look forward to the Puerto Rico Financial Services Forum as the vehicle to showcase all the benefits the island has to offer to financial services practitioners," finalized Eduardo Colon, president of PRIBA. For additional information and registration for the Financial Services Forum, visit www.priia.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005448/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The mission of ACT Uganda, a 501(3)c registered non-profit operating since 2006, is to promote self-development of the communities of Muko Sub-County, Uganda. But, as so many Midland volunteers have discovered, the benefits run both ways. Becoming involved in ACT to help our brothers and sisters across the ocean provides an opportunity for Midlanders to learn more about the world at large, develops empathy and self-awareness, teaches us about the level of our privilege, and what it means to think beyond ourselves. There are over 250 volunteers in the Midland area performing a variety of roles and encompassing individuals of all ages, from all walks of life. Volunteering for ACT comes in many forms: If you like to sew, there are opportunities to create beautiful handcrafts from Ugandan fabrics that are then sold to support ACT's six programs. These volunteers sew individually in their own homes, but also get together periodically for "sew-ins." Patterns and material are provided; you just need to bring your sewing capabilities and a big heart. The U.S. sewing volunteers also create videos of sewing patterns to send to the Ugandan artisans so they can learn new patterns. Our goal is to have every item sewn by the handcrafters in Uganda. If you like to gather together with friends, you can host a Uniquely Uganda and U Handcraft Party to support ACT's efforts. Think along the lines of a home party (Origami Owl, Pampered Chef, etc.). The party is held at our Midland store or in your home and 100% of the proceeds from purchases of the beautiful handcrafted baskets, jewelry, and other handcraft items will benefit our friends in Muko Sub County, Uganda. As a hostess you would only need to invite your friends and provide snacks and beverages of your choice. ACT will provide the rest: invitations, a brief presentation, and a sales person. As an added benefit, the hostess will receive a Uniquely Uganda gift certificate equal to $3 per each guest (for example, if you have 10 guests at your party, you will receive a gift certificate worth $30). It's a great opportunity to get together with friends, while also providing support and love to others! Maybe your neighbors, book club, Bible Study Group, Women's Church Group, etc. would enjoy this. If you like retail, volunteer to work at one of the many art fairs that ACT participates in each year, including the Midland Center for the Arts Summer and Winter art fairs, many church alternative gift fairs, and the Winter Market at the Dow Diamond. Or, volunteer to fulfill orders for shipping and/or tagging new items from Uganda at the storefront. If you like to shop, visit our new online store (actuganda.org/shopping-categories-1)! Your purchase provides hope for many in Uganda. You can also schedule a private shopping appointment at our store in Midland. Shopping is by appointment only (email Beth Martin at bethmartin60@gmail.com). If you enjoy technology, there is always a need for individuals who can help with our website, our online store, and efficient use of up-to-date marketing tools. Our website has recently been updated by some very dedicated individuals -- check it out at www.actuganda.org/. There are also over 60 people in Midland who have chosen to support an orphan in Muko Sub-County to attend school. Their $40/month sponsorship not only provides hope for a future by providing an education, but also provides the benefit of a loving and caring relationship that is uplifting to both the sponsor here in Midland and the student in Muko. Another option to support a young person is to contribute to the Empowerment Scholarship Fund at Muko High School which ACT administers. This scholarship allows deserving students to attend high school who otherwise could not afford it. If you like to travel, join one of our annual Travel Teams to work shoulder-to-shoulder with our Ugandan partners. If you enjoy organizing and decision-making, and are interested in a specific area or discipline, you can join one of our seven teams: 1. MukoHOPE Team (Helping Orphans Prosper and Endure) meets monthly or so to manage the orphan sponsorship program, recruitment of sponsors, Life Pathways program, and the Maverick Scholarship. Email Karen Viele at Ksmov3@gmail.com. 2. HANDS Team (Helping Agricultural New Development and Sustainability) meets monthly to manage the agriculture program in conjunction with the HANDS Team in Muko Sub County, promoting and supporting education and the advancement of successful and sustainable agricultural projects. Email Dave Molzahn at dcmolzahn@aol.com. 3. Communications Team meets monthly to provide clear, accessible, and current communication through social media and email. Email Diane Busch at buschdm@gmail.com. 4. The Resource Development Team writes grants and oversees fundraising activities such as ACT's Trivia Night Fundraisers. Email Suzanne Greenberg at sgreenberg3720@gmail.com. 5. HEAL Team (Health is Elemental to All Life) provides resources and expertise to help ACT Health Promotion Workers in Muko Sub County set priorities and carry out health and social action plans. Email Sue Waechter at waechtersue@gmail.com. 6. TEACH Team (Targeting Educational Achievement for CHildren) meets about once per month to discuss the administration of Muko High School and consider how the Ugandans can make it a model school in Uganda. Email Dave Viele at viele.david@yahoo.com. 7. Muko Empowerment Program (MEP) Team meets a couple of times a year to ensure viable markets and inventory for the sale of the handcrafts from Muko. Volunteering never just benefits the recipient - the volunteer's life is always enriched as well. We hope you take some time to visit our website (www.actuganda.org/) to learn more and find that special volunteer opportunity that is waiting for you! We look forward to working with you! This piece was penned by Diane Bush as part of the Daily News' Community Connections initiative. SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (via Blockchain Wire) CoinAgenda (www.coinagenda.com), the premier global conference series for connecting blockchain and cryptocurrency investors with startups since 2014, has announced its fourth annual CoinAgenda Caribbean event happening in Puerto Rico February 26-27, 2020. CoinAgenda will be held at Piloto 151 in historic Old San Juan. Tickets, including discounted rates for Puerto Rico residents, are now available through www.coinagenda.com. Speakers include: Brock Pierce, Co-Founder of EOS Alliance, Blockchain Capital, Tether, and Mastercoin Shawn Owen, Founder of SALT Lending and EQUA Start Irina Linchfield, Founder of BlockchainCubed Jacob Farber, Partner at Ouroboros LLP Melissa Jun Rowley, Award-Winning Speaker, Writer and Presenter Cyril Meduna, President and Managing Director at Advent-Morro Equity Partners Giovanni Mendez, Blockchain Tax Attorney, Global Economic Optimization Brian Bourgerie, Founder at InvestingBlock Sean Walsh, CEO at HyperBlock CoinAgenda Caribbean 2020 will discuss legal, regulatory and jurisdictional issues involved with starting and investing in blockchain companies, with a special focus on Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. In between the days content and in partnership with BitAngels (https://www.bitangels.network/), up to 20 companies (a mix of angel and VC investments as well as tokens trading on exchanges) will pitch in a Demo Day environment. The day will conclude with a cocktail party at an exclusive venue. Blockchain companies seeking equity investment or with tokens trading on exchanges are invited to apply to pitch here. If selected, there is no cost for companies to pitch, and presenters will receive a complimentary ticket to CoinAgenda. Past pitch competition winners include Aeternity, Bancor, Omega One, SALT Lending, and Qtum, which each went on to raise millions in investment. CoinAgenda Caribbean conference sessions will focus on connecting investors, traders, family offices, funds, and entrepreneurs to explore topics including: Blockchain investment as the bitcoin halving approaches Blockchain economic development in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico as a global crypto-friendly banking center The brave new world of decentralized finance (aka DeFi) Legal and regulatory issues for blockchain companies and investors. With bitcoin prices up more than 40 percent in the first six weeks of 2020, investors are beginning to position themselves for the next bull market, which has historically run up right after the bitcoin halving event that happens every four years - and will occur this year in May, said Michael Terpin, Founder and CEO of CoinAgenda. Unlike four years ago, the blockchain economy includes so much more than just bitcoin, and this conference lets attendees meet global experts and entrepreneurs in an intimate environment where they can both learn and network one-on-one with world-class industry leaders. Since 2014, CoinAgenda has hosted events across North America, Europe, and Asia. To learn more about speaking or sponsoring CoinAgenda Caribbean, please visit www.coinagenda.com. Special rates are available for residents of Puerto Rico. To purchase a ticket, click here. ABOUT COINAGENDA CoinAgenda is the premier global conference series for connecting blockchain and cryptocurrency investors with startups since 2014. To learn more about speaking, sponsoring, or attending CoinAgenda, please visit https://coinagenda.com/. CONTACT: contact@coinagenda.com Connect with CoinAgenda: Twitter Facebook Telegram A California man wrongly convicted of murder finally walked out of prison a free man Thursday as police name the new murder suspect who was identified on a genealogy site through newly tested DNA. Ricky Davis, 54, 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 was tearfully reunited with family and friends on Thursday after a judge threw out his second-degree murder conviction in an emotional court hearing in Placerville. Ricky Davis (right) smiled as he finally walked out of prison a free man Thursday after serving 14 years for a murder he did not commit. The new suspect Michael Green (left) was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Roseville It was revealed that police had tracked down and arrested the 'real killer' by running the suspect's DNA profile through genealogy websites. 'I'm not telling you that we can't prove it, I'm telling you Ricky Davis was wrongfully convicted,' said El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson in a press conference Thursday. Davis kisses his mother Maureen Klein in an emotional reunion as he finally walks free Davis told CBS News just after his release that he was 'just glad to be out' and that he had 'missed so many things I can't even tell you' The judge told him he was entitled to seek compensation after he spent 14 years behind bars while the killer walked free The innocent man was seen smiling about his newfound freedom and holding up a black sweatshirt emblazoned with the Innocence Project logo as he walked out of El Dorado County jail Thursday afternoon surrounded by his family and friends, footage from Fox 40 revealed. Davis told CBS News just after his release that he was 'just glad to be out' and that he had 'missed so many things I can't even tell you.' 'I've forgotten more things than I even remember,' he said. 'I miss this beautiful country. I miss the trees. I miss everything. I miss fresh air. You know you can never make up for it. I realize that you just pick up the pieces and move forward, and make the best of what's left.' Davis's freedom comes as authorities confirmed they had arrested the new murder suspect, 51-year-old Michael Green, Tuesday afternoon in Roseville. 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. 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 innocent man was seen smiling about his newfound freedom and holding up a black sweatshirt emblazoned with the Innocence Project logo as he walked out of El Dorado County jail Thursday afternoon Davis was surrounded by his family and friends 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 walked free Thursday 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 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 a male, now known to be Green, on the victim's nightgown and under her fingernails '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 stepped out of jail a few hours later flanked by his family and friends. 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 else's 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 don't 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 was 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.' Authorities said 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 and only the second in this country where investigative genetic genealogy has not only led to the freeing on an individual from prison for a crime he did not commit but the identification of the true source,' said Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert. 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 JUNEAU, Alaska - In Alaska politics, House and Senate majorities drive the legislative agenda and confer upon their members key committee positions with an agreement they will all vote together on the budget and often procedural matters. But some Republican lawmakers, including at least two in the GOP-led Senate majority, say that system is flawed even un-American, as Palmer Sen. Shelley Hughes described it and should be scrapped. They say it forces support of legislation before its drafted. But Senate leaders say without so-called binding caucuses, legislative sessions could be never-ending. They say lawmakers voluntarily agree to be part of a majority, and can leave the caucus any time they want. Its not the Hotel California, Senate Finance Committee Co-chair Natasha von Imhof, an Anchorage Republican, said. Binding caucuses arent new in Alaska, and legislators have gotten kicked out of majorities for running afoul of the rules, or, in some cases, exiled themselves to vote as they wished. There are other states with different systems: Colorados constitution, for example, bars anyone in a party caucus from requiring a yes or no vote on any bill, appointment, veto or other measure in the Legislature. In Ohio, committee chairs serve at the will of the House speaker or Senate president or minority leader, and have lost their positions for actions the respective leader might see as insubordination. In the interest of passing a budget, current Alaska Senate majority members agree to participate in crafting a spending plan and voting for it, Senate President Cathy Giessel has said. Being in the majority has perks, such as committee chairmanships or additional staff. Three senators whose actions last July Giessel said were at odds with the caucus agreement Hughes and Sens. Mike Shower of Wasilla and Lora Reinbold of Eagle River lost key positions in a committee shakeup last month. Reinbold had voted against a bill aimed at largely restoring vetoes made by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. The bill also included funding for an Alaska Permanent Fund dividend check of about $1,600 for residents. Shower and Hughes were shown as excused on the final vote. All three supported a larger dividend in line with a long-standing formula many legislators see as unsustainable. Shower, who introduced a bill and proposed constitutional amendment seeking to bar binding caucuses, said Thursday he had voted for versions of the operating and capital budgets and protested the July vote. He said he and Hughes figured theyd be called in and forced to vote but instead were excused. He said this isnt about Senate leadership. It is about the process, the structure that is in place that were trying to make better, Shower said. Why does somebody have to promise more, if theyre in a Republican majority, than just agreeing to the principles and then we work together as a team to find solutions? said Shower, who didnt initially join a caucus after being appointed to the Senate in 2018. He said if he leaves the caucus, other Republicans could leave, too, and Republicans could join with Democrats to form a new majority. I dont necessarily want to cause that to happen, he said. He said his decision on a budget will be based on facts and whether he thinks it is a good one. Sen. John Coghill, a North Pole Republican, said caucus members give their word that theyre willing to work with a team. He said last month he didnt see the committee changes as punishment but a consequence of you not being able to hold up what you thought you would be able to do. ___ Associated Press reporters Jim Anderson in Denver and Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. German investors are interested in entering the Ukrainian market but they need to be confident of the possibility to protect their investments in Ukraine. "Today they talk about [investment] nanny, and earlier Klitschko talked about bodyguards. Our investors don't need nannies or bodyguards. They need independent courts. There are already two thousand German firms here, and they work successfully. And they can get good signals that something is happening here and you need to come here," German Ambassador to Ukraine Anka Feldhusen said in an interview with Hromadske. The diplomat noted that President Zelensky often said that investors needed to come to the Ukrainian market now that there were niches for investment, "and that's right." According to her, German investors are really interested in this, but everyone waits what will happen further, for example, with the judicial reform. "It is very important for investors to be able to defend their interests in the courts. This is the first point. The second point is the overall macroeconomic indicators," the German ambassador said. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky promised to provide investors that would bring $100 million or more to Ukraine with an investment nanny - a manager who speaks five languages and works with an investor 24/7. ol The ceremony was held on the eve of the Day of commemoration of participants of war activities on the territories of other states President of Ukraine honors memory of Ukrainians killed in Afghanistan Office of the President of Ukraine President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky participated in a memorial ceremony near the Memorial Complex to Ukrainian citizens who died in Afghanistan. The press service of the President's Office reports on its Telegram channel. "On the eve of the Day of commemoration of participants of war activities on the territories of other states, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky paid tribute to the Ukrainians who died during the war in Afghanistan," the statement reads. The ceremony also included soldiers of the honor guard. The memory of the dead was honored with flowers and a moment of silence. It is worth noting that the Day of commemoration of participants of war activities on the territories of other states is traditionally celebrated on February 15. As we reported earlier, on January 29, Ukraine commemorates the heroes of the Battle of Kruty. The battle took place on Jan. 29, 1918, when a 400 soldiers unit of the Ukrainian forces (300 of them were students) briefly halted the advance of a 4,000 Red Army under Mikhail Muravyov marching towards Kyiv. This was part of the Ukrainian Revolution 1918 when Ukraine was fighting for its existence against Soviets and Royalists. More than half of the Ukrainian soldiers perished in the unequal battle. Kafeel Khan was suspended and arrested for alleged negligence after over 60 children died at the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur in August 2017 Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh police has slapped the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against doctor Kafeel Khan, who is in jail for allegedly making a speech at the Aligarh Muslim University against the new Citizenship law. "NSA has been slapped on Dr Kafeel. He will remain in jail," Aligarh Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Akash Kulhari to PTI over phone. Khan is presently lodged in Mathura jail despite being granted bail in connection with a speech against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at the AMU last December. Khan was suspended and arrested for alleged negligence after over 60 children died at the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur in August 2017. A Perth woman says her elderly father has contracted coronavirus on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship off Japan and is being removed from the vessel. Marcelly, who didn't give her surname, told ABC radio a doctor told her father Val on Friday morning he had tested positive to the virus and would be taken to hospital. Her mother Iris returned a negative result and remains on the ship. The Diamond Princess cruise ship has docked at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan as infected travelers are quarantined Reports reveal that 218 passengers on the vessel have tested positive for the coronavirus, including an elderly man from Perth, while more than 3500 passengers and crew are still on board They had both boarded in Perth in 'fantastic health'. 'He's actually feeling really good - that's the strangeness about this situation,' she said. 'A lot of the crew have also fallen ill that are preparing the food so there are people saying it may be coming from the food, but again there's nothing conclusive. 'My mum and dad both had a bit of mild gastro.' She said her biggest worry was staying in contact with her father as he does not have a mobile phone. Confirmation is being sought from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. People in protective clothing headed toward the ship as passengers fear crew who prepare the food on board are responsible for the transferal of the disease The Delhi High Court will on Monday hear a plea seeking a court-monitored CBI probe into the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at Delhi University's all-women Gargi College last week New Delhi: The Delhi High Court will on Monday hear a plea seeking a court-monitored CBI probe into the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at Delhi University's all-women Gargi College last week. The plea was mentioned on Friday for urgent hearing before a bench of Justices GS Sistani and C Hari Shankar which said it will be listed for 17 February. Advocate and petitioner M L Sharma said nothing had been done till now. Police registered the FIR on 9 February and arrested 10 people just two days ago, he said. When the bench asked what was the urgency, the counsel there was apprehension the evidence could be destroyed. The plea was filed on Thursday, hours after the Supreme Court declined to entertain the petition and asked the petitioner to move the high court. Sharma has sought the preservation of all video recordings and CCTV camera footage of the college campus in his plea. The plea has also sought the arrest of people behind the "planned criminal conspiracy". Ten people, between the ages of 18 and 25 years, were arrested by police on 12 February in connection with the incident. On 6 February, a group of men broke into the Gargi College during the festival 'Reverie' and allegedly groped, harassed and molested the students who claimed that security officials stood watching. 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. "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 6 February, neither principal nor other state authorities tried to stop and arrest the accused persons," Sharma's PIL claimed. The petition added 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. 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). If you ask any performer, they do it for the love of Elvis, to keep his memory alive, he said. So its more or less a tribute to someone that we all immensely love, Tirrito said. Thats why we dont like to say impersonators, its tribute artist. ETA is our short nickname for everybody Elvis Tribute Artists. PERKINSTON, Mississippi -- After top 10 finishes the last two years, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College has ascended to the top spot in an annual ranking of the most military-friendly community colleges in the nation. MGCCC was ranked number one on the 2020-21 Military Friendly Schools list for the nations largest community college. The list, now in its 10th year, sets the standard for higher education institutions to provide the best opportunities for veterans and their spouses. "It is our privilege to serve the men and women in the countrys military and we are thrilled that MGCCC has been ranked as the best community college for our military families, said MGCCC president Mary Graham. The college has had a strong relationship with the military for many years and values the opportunity to have a presence at all of the military installations on the Coast. Institutions of higher learning are required to complete an extensive survey covering 10 indicators of success, including support for student veterans, graduation rates and employment outcomes. Only those institutions landing in the top 15 percent are included on the list. MGCCC was ranked in six different categories, exceeding standards by more than 55 percent on Academic Policies & Compliance, Admissions & Orientation, Culture & Commitment, Graduation & Career, and Military Student Support & Retention. MGCCC provides a wide variety of service to active-duty military and veterans, including assisting military students in scheduling courses around temporary duty assignments, as well as deployments. The colleges withdrawal policy ensures military students avoid hardships when called into active duty. In addition, the college provides military base campus representatives to assist with priority registration, degree evaluations and book service. MGCCC also provides a VA school certifying official to meet the needs of veterans, military spouses and dependents. Enrollment specialists at MGCCC campus locations coordinate the review of transfer/military credits. Active duty personnel and veterans also receive in-state tuition. For more information on the rankings, visit www.militaryfriendly.com. Josephine Skriver attends the debut of Victoria's Secret's new fall collection at Natick Mall on August 17, 2019 in Natick, Massachusetts. Talks to sell L Brands' Victoria's Secret brand to private equity firm Sycamore Partners will spill into next week, as the complex deal structure creates headaches for its advisors, people familiar with the situation said. L Brands had hoped to complete a deal by the end of this week, people familiar with the situation previously said. The company is now aiming to announce a deal as soon as Tuesday, people familiar with the matter said. They spoke on terms of anonymity because the deal talks are confidential. Sycamore is simultaneously exploring an acquisition of L Brands' Victoria's Secret brand and, separately, a private investment in public equity, or PIPE, into L Brands, to address the parent company's debt load, the people familiar said. The two are focused primarily on the sale of Victoria's Secret, which they hope to get done with or without a PIPE. The delay highlights the pressure L Brands is under as it grapples with a heavy debt load and the sluggish Victoria's Secret brand. Those business challenges have been exacerbated amid scrutiny of L Brands Chairman and CEO Les Wexner and his ties to the late sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein. Wexner is in talks to step down as CEO as part of the deal, one of the people familiar with the situation said. Wexner's dual role as chairman and CEO came under fire last year, when activist firm Barington Capital disclosed a stake in L Brands. Barington Capital criticized the L Brands board for its close social ties and pushed the company to split its Victoria's Secret and the stronger-performing Bath & Body Works businesses. L Brands and Barington reached a truce last year that added the investment firm as a special advisor and two new directors to its board. The truce is set to expire this month. L Brands had total debt of roughly $9 billion as of October 2019, according to FactSet. It has a market capitalization of $6.7 billion. Sycamore has invested in public companies before. The investment firm in 2014 offered up a $150 million credit facility for then publicly traded company Aeropostale. The investment later put the two at odds, when Aeropostale accused Sycamore of helping to drive the company into bankruptcy. A bankruptcy judge ultimately took Sycamore's side in the dispute. A deal price for Victoria's Secret could not be immediately determined, but analysts at MKM Partners earlier this week estimated a sale of the lingerie retailer could fetch $2 billion to $3.4 billion. The company generates roughly $7 billion in sales, a little more than half of L Brands' business, according to FactSet. L Brands and Sycamore declined to comment. Joe Biden on Thursday defended his son, Hunter Biden, saying he was a good guy who has done nothing but good things his whole life even after he was made to pay child support to a stripper he impregnated out of wedlock. Last month, Hunter Biden agreed to pay child support to an Arkansas woman, Lunden Roberts, who was a stripper at a Washington, DC, club that he frequented. In November, DNA testing proved Biden, 49, as the father of Roberts' child, after she filed a paternity suit in May 2019 in Independence County, Arkansas. Roberts gave birth to the child in August 2018. Hunter Biden is a newlywed, having recently married 33-year-old Melissa Cohen Biden. The couple tied the knot less than a week after they first met. He left his first wife Kathleen the mother of his three daughters in 2016 after 22 years of marriage and moved in with Hallie Biden, the widow of his elder brother Beau, who died from brain cancer the previous year. The former vice president also said on Thursday that he still considers Lindsey Graham a friend even though the Republican senator has led calls to investigate his son, Hunter. Former Vice President Joe Biden appeared on The View on Thursday alongside his wife Jill Biden to discuss the election as well as President Trump's impeachment He ran a food program WFP USA, a whole range of things, the Democratic presidential candidate told The View on Thursday when asked about his son. But look, its what it is. We knew [the presidential race] was going to be ugly. Biden said it was a disappointment that Graham supports investigations into his son Hunters Ukraine dealings. I dont know what happened [to him], Biden said of the Republican from South Carolina who has been one of President Trumps stalwart allies on Capitol Hill. During his appearance on The View on Thursday, Biden drew a distinction between Graham and the late Senator John McCain, the father of View co-host Meghan McCain. Lindsey and John McCain and I were friends, Biden said. The Democratic presidential candidate recalled that when he was chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, both Graham and McCain would tag along on trips abroad. John and I would argue like hell, Biden said. We would go at each other but John was a completely, thoroughly, honorable, decent man. When View co-host Joy Behar suggested that Graham was pursuing investigation into Hunter Biden because he wants to win [the election] in South Carolina, Biden responded: I think thats it, but it even surprises me. Biden then added: Look, some things you have to do arent worth the job. The vice president sighed in resignation, said it is what it is though he added that theres nothing there, a reference to alleged wrongdoing by his son. Biden then alluded to President Trumps impeachment, saying: [T]his is all to try make it sound like Trump had some rationale for doing what he did. Trump was impeached after he asked Ukraine to investigate Hunter Bidens links to a Ukrainian gas company that named him to the board of directors while his father was vice president. The president used military aid to Ukraine as leverage, according to current and former aides. Joe Biden defended his son, Hunter Biden, saying he was a good guy who has done nothing but good things his whole life.' He violated the Constitution, Biden told The View on Thursday. 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. Biden revisited the issue of Graham, saying: It is hurtful, particularly when guys like Lindsey Graham, who is a friend of mine, do these things. When Behar asked Biden if Graham was still a friend, he responded: I plan on being president. Presidents cant hold grudges. Biden added: You gotta heal. You gotta heal the country. Graham doesn't appear to be letting up in his quest to see the Bidens investigated. He took a hit at the press Sunday, claiming media outlets didn't scrutinize Joe and Hunter Biden enough for potential corruption in Ukraine. 'I just think the media's so in the tank over this issue, it makes me sick to my stomach,' Graham told CBS's Face the Nation, adding that the concerns about the Bidens are 'legitimate' and the media isn't 'taking it seriously.' Joe Biden said on Thursday it was a 'disappointment' that his friend, Senator Lindsey Graham (above), was still pushing for investigations into Hunter Biden Claims against the duo came in the midst of the impeachment proceedings, when Donald Trump urged his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate the Bidens business dealings there. Graham, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has pledged to investigate the Bidens now that the president has been acquitted in his impeachment trial. The South Carolina Republican specifically called out the network he was appearing on Sunday morning, claiming no one there was reporting on the issue. 'Nobody's investigating it,' Graham said of the media. 'CBS hasn't sent one reporter.' 'To Ukraine? Yes we did,' CBS News' Margaret Brennan asserted. 'Yeah. I don't think you take it seriously,' he said. Before the interview with the Trump-ally aired Sunday morning, Trump tweeted that the network would try to deter him from investigating the Bidens. 'DeFace the Nation will tell @LindseyGrahamSC that he must start up Judiciary and not stop until the job is done. Clean up D.C. now, last chance!' he demanded, using a nickname for the network's show. Hunter Biden accepted a board position with Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings in 2014 while his father was serving as vice president. And at one point Biden ousted a prosecutor that was investigating the company. Hunter Biden (seen right with his father in January 2010) was named to the board of a Ukrainian gas company while Joe Biden was leading US foreign policy on Ukraine as Barack Obama's vice president Hunter stopped working there in 2019. Trump said he called Ukraine to make sure that the Bidens were not involved in any corruption situations in the Eastern European country, claiming it was his duty as president to weed that out. His call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, was reported by a whistle-blower and ultimately thrust the president into the impeachment proceedings. Trump maintains the call was 'perfect' and points often for lawmakers to read the transcript of the conversation. The president has called for the Bidens to testify in regards to their business in Ukraine. Democrats claimed in their impeachment investigation at the end of last year that Trump was attempting to interfere in the 2020 elections by harming political rival Joe Biden in requesting a probe into potential corruption. Trump was acquitted from the two articles abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in the Republican-majority Senate last week. CALGARY, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian Pacific's (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Keith Creel, will address investor conferences in Miami, Fla. Feb. 19, 2020 - Barclays Industrial Select Conference at 2:25 p.m. eastern time - Barclays Industrial Select Conference at Feb. 20, 2020 - Citi 2020 Global Industrials Conference at 9:30 a.m. eastern time CP will provide access to live audio webcasts for both engagements at investor.cpr.ca. Replays will also be available following the conclusion of the event. About Canadian Pacific Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts. CP provides North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP. CP-IR SOURCE Canadian Pacific Related Links www.cpr.ca Chinese paramilitary police officers wearing protective gears transfer pails of disinfectant in Yunmeng county, outside Xiaogan City in China's central Hubei province on Feb. 12, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Experts Sound the Alarm Over North Korea Coronavirus Cases North Korea, which shares a lengthy border with virus epicenter China, has not yet reported a single case of coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, but experts have sounded the alarm. Despite no confirmed cases, state-run media have mentioned a fight against COVID-19, saying the regime is implementing a propaganda project. Through the national hygiene propaganda project system, data related to the prevention of communicable diseases [will be] distributed to the central and provinces in a timely manner, and sent to the broadcasting networks in the country for intensive propaganda, said a state news report. North Korea also announced it would extend a quarantine for suspected cases to 30 days for the time being. Some South Korean news outlets, including the Chosun Ilbo paper, reported that the virus has already spread into the reclusive nation, coming through gaps in its border with China. There have been suspected cases quarantined in Musan that include locals smuggling between the country and China. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the Third Enlarged Meeting of the Seventh Central Military Commission of the Workers Party of Korea in this undated photo released by North Koreas Korean Central News Agency on Dec. 22, 2019. (KCNA via Reuters) Experts Raise Alarm Experts have worried that the country, one of the poorest in the world, could be ravaged by COVID-19 due to a lack of medical supplies. Theres not enough medicine for the country. Im really concerned about them facing an outbreak, Nagi Shafik, a former consultant at the World Health Organization who had worked in Pyongyang, told Business Insider. It will be dangerous for themit could go everywhere. Elaborating further, Shafik told the South China Morning Post that the countrys health care system and hospitals are devoid of the most basic treatments for any sort of medical problem. This includes items like antibiotics, any sort of preventative care are unheard of in the countryside or rural areas and only reserved for the party elite in Pyongyang, he said. Whats more, one researcher said North Korea likely isnt reporting the true scope of its COVID-19 outbreak. There is no way that North Korea is not being impacted by the coronavirusthey are clearly lying as they dont want to show any weakness or that there is any threat to the regime, Harry Kazianis, director of Korean Studies at the Center for National Interest, told Fox News this week. Considering how there are many porous sections of the North Korea-China borderand how the Kim regime depends on illegal trade to surviveit is clear the virus has come to North Korea. North Korea, meanwhile, has banned all tourists and cut off transportation with China in an attempt to curb the spread of the illness. However, Kazianis said such actions could actually exacerbate the problem. The real danger is if the situation were to spiral out of control and some sort of government collapse occurred, he told Fox News. While I would say the chances are remote, this is the real danger that we must worry about when it comes to North Korea. If the Kim regime did collapse, from coronavirus or something else, who controls their nuclear weapons? What about their chemical or biological weapons? Who feeds the 25 million North Koreans? The International Federation of Red Cross told news outlets this week that North Korea urgently needs coronavirus testing kits and protective gear. We must act now, the group said, according to VOA. On Jan. 30, UPI reported there was at least one coronavirus case in Yanbian, an ethnic Korean region located near the border. The United States said it is ready to assist North Korea in curbing an outbreak of coronavirus, according to a spokesperson. We strongly support and encourage the work of U.S. and international aid and health organizations to counter and contain the spread of coronavirus in the DPRK, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement, referring to North Koreas official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. The United States is ready and prepared to expeditiously facilitate the approval of assistance from these organizations. Hyderabad: Hundreds of highly trained personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have started arriving in Srinagar and will gradually take over the security of the hyper sensitive Srinagar airport from February 15. The move will see the end of Jammu and Kashmir police from airport duties. The urgency for the CISF take over arose after the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) administration wrote to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to take over the security of the airport at the earliest. This was in the following of the arrest of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Davinder Singh who was posted in the anti-hijacking squad in Srinagar airport. He was caught while ferrying top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Naveed Ahmed Shah alias Babu in Qazigund in the second week of January. Sources in the J&K administration supervising the CISF takeover told Deccan Chronicle that the CISF personnel have started arriving in Srinagar and the remaining personnel will be reach there shortly. The formal takeover will commence on February 15 and will be completed within a week from then. Presently, the internal security of the airports is jointly handled by the J&K police and the CRPF personnel. But once the CISF takes over, the CRPF will secure only the outer areas of the airport. Sources said that the accommodation for the women personnel of the CISF, who will be posted at the Srinagar airport, is being finalised and should be done within a week, after which they will start arriving. Over the last one month, the CISF headquarters in New Delhi has been struggling to gather 800-odd personnel to be posted at Srinagar airport, which is high on the radar of various terror outfits operating in the Kashmir valley. Sources said that the personnel have been drawn from various places and it was only after obtaining their willingness to work in Srinagar that they were posted at the airport. In fact, after the abrogation of Article 370, there has been excessive deployment of CISF for law and order duties. This deployment too has been downsized to enable personnel to be posted at the airport, they said. It is learnt that though the union home minister Amit Shah wanted the CISF to take over the security of both Jammu and Srinagar airports by February 1, which could not happen due to shortage of manpower. The CISF deployment for Jammu airport is expected a little longer. With Srinagar airport high on the target of terrorists, the personnel have been trained in anti-hijacking and anti-sabotage operations. They are also getting trained in use of bomb disposal equipment and other special equipment, which Srinagar airport is already equipped with, sources said. WASHINGTON Army Sec. Ryan McCarthy said Friday that Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the former National Security Council staffer who testified in President Donald Trump's impeachment inquiry, is not under investigation, a stance seemingly at odds with the White House. Trump directed his wrath at Vindman after the Ukraine expert testified before Congress about concerns with Trump's phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. That conversation triggered Trump's impeachment. Last week, Trump tweeted that he had ousted Vindman, whom he described as "insubordinate." On Tuesday, Trump continued to rail against Vindman, saying that he "did a lot of bad things" and that the military would review his performance. That does not appear to be the case, according to McCarthy, the Army's senior civilian official. "There is no investigation into him," McCarthy said. What did he say?: Takeaways from Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman's impeachment testimony Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a Ukraine expert for the National Security Council, testifies on Nov. 19, 2019, before the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. McCarthy told an audience at the National Press Club Friday that Vindman will complete an interim assignment before he enrolls at a senior service war college. The military sends its promising officers to schools such as the Army's War College to prepare them for promotion to more senior posts. Vindman's interim job will be in the Washington, D.C.-area, according to a Defense Department official who was not authorized to speak publicly about personnel matters. Vindman, along with other White House staffers, listened to Trumps July 25 call with Zelensky. Vindman reported his concerns to the council's top lawyer about Trump demanding investigations of former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Post-impeachment: Clinton was 'humbled.' Trump unloaded on a 'phony, rotten deal.' Meet the witnesses: Who were the witnesses in the impeachment inquiry, and what did they say? I did not think it was proper to demand that a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen, and I was worried about the implications for the U.S. governments support of Ukraine, Vindman said. "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see where the gain would be for the president in investigating the son of a political opponent." After his acquittal in the Senate, Trump fired Vindman and his twin brother Yevgeny, another Army officer on the national security staff. He also fired the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, who also had testified in the impeachment inquiry. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alexander Vindman not under investigation despite Trump's assertion 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. An inmate-on-inmate stabbing, a fire started by a prisoner and a correctional officer being assaulted: These incidents, all reported this week, were just three of the 600 emergencies reported at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center this past year, according to the prisons director. Stephen Kenneway, superintendent of the maximum-security prison in Lancaster, detailed the violence during a hearing Thursday afternoon in Suffolk Superior Court in Boston regarding a civil lawsuit brought forth by inmates who say they were attacked by a tactical team at the facility and had access to their attorneys as well as legal materials limited. Kenneway, who was appointed to his position in February 2019, said there have been four lockdowns and more than 300 assaults at the facility since he became superintendent. Other reported emergencies have included inmate beatings, stabbings, fires and roughly 240 cases of self-injurious behavior, according to him. Eighty-seven assaults on staff members have also been reported in the past year. I was threatened to be stabbed in the neck, said Kenneway, adding that the prison houses some of the worst inmates the state confines. Several inmates at the prison were evacuated from their rooms Tuesday after a prisoner threw urine in the face of a correction officer, assaulted her and then started a fire with a battery in his cell. Kenneway said one inmate stabbed another prisoner on Wednesday as well. On Jan. 10, the facility was placed on lockdown for more than three weeks after 23 inmates viciously assaulted four correction officers, the superintendent said. The attack, which sent two of the guards to the hospital, was gang-related and deliberately planned. Inmates also tried to take one of the officers hostage by dragging him into a cell, but he broke free. The superintendent had not seen an attack with the level of intensity and planning as last months in more than 30 years, Kenneway said. Inmates continue to plan attacks on employees at the facility, he added. Threats of assault, hostage-taking, rape and murder were made to staff after the prison was locked down. To prevent future attacks, the superintendent said, multiple prisoners were transferred to other facilities, while other inmates were screened to determine appropriate housing placements within Souza-Baranowski. Those with serious disciplinary infractions were moved to seven blocks on the north side of the facility, and prisoners without infractions were kept on the south side, according to court documents from the Massachusetts Department of Correction. I had a deep concern for everyone in the facility, Kenneway said during the hearing. During the lockdown, contact between attorneys and inmates was suspended. Non-contact visits were reinstated on Jan. 17, while full visitation rights were returned on Jan. 24, according to the superintendent. Kenneway said he did not want to allow one-on-one contact until he was certain the hostage threat was resolved. It was during the lockdown, inmates alleged, that a special operations tactical team at Souza-Baranowski isolated, punched and tased inmates in retaliation for the Jan. 10 attack. Others reported they were bitten by dogs. The prisoners have said they were not involved with the assault on the correction officers. Inmate Robert Silva-Prentice, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, alleged roughly a dozen correction officers entered his cell last month, beat him and took his legal paperwork. State legislators who have visited Souza-Baranowski in the past several weeks have also raised concerns surrounding hygiene, inmate safety and public health. Prisoners property, including legal documents, were removed starting Jan. 21 during a search for drugs, weapons and other contraband but were returned four days later, the superintendent said. Limitations remained, though, as inmates on the north side of the prison are not allowed as many belongings as those on the south side. Prisoners are also only allowed to have one cubic foot of legal material in their possession. When cross examined by Victoria Kelleher, one of the attorneys suing on behalf of the inmates, Kenneway confirmed that video surveillance may exist of the tactical teams multi-day search, though he has not looked at the footage, according to him. The superintendent has reviewed some general surveillance footage of the inside of the facility, but that does not include video of the cells, he said. The inmate telephone system was turned off for two weeks after the Jan. 10 attack as well. DOC said prisoners ability to email and access physical mail was not affected. Kelleher pointed out at the hearing that mailing services were limited, though, as prisoners could not buy stamps nor access the facilitys mail kiosk during the lockdown. DOC has called the prisoners claims of not being allowed to contact their attorneys, access legal materials or telephones moot," because the services have been resumed. The agency urged denial of injunctive relief to the three inmates named in the lawsuit. During the hearing, Kenneway told Kelleher that correctional staff do not have a set schedule for when they allow visitation rights to be reinstated following a lockdown, and he said no records exist of how long attorney visits were suspended in previous lockdowns. Its up to the discretion of administrative officials, who look at safety issues after prison emergencies. Its my right to do so, the superintendent said. The hearing is expected to resume Wednesday morning. Related Content: There are few more beloved statewide institutions in New Jersey than Wawa, in part because of its versatility. Its a gas station. Its a convenience store. Its a sub shop. Its whatever you need it to be, really. But do we need it to be a burger joint? The Pennsylvania-based company recently launched a pilot program at six locations serving burgers, chicken sandwiches and waffle fries. None of the participating locations are known to be in New Jersey, but a Wawa in Horsham, Pa., about 30 miles north of Philadelphia, is taking part. So I made the trip across the Delaware to try the burger. After all, its almost Presidents Day and this is why George Washington braved the icy waters, right? While GWs trek helped win our countrys independence, my stomach felt like it lost a war after this journey. It pains me to say, but I hope Wawas burgers never make it to New Jersey. Wawa making a bad food item is kind of like when your favorite actor swings and misses in a big role, or when Bruce Springsteen releases a dud of an album. Its kind of hard to be critical of something we love so much and has given us so much joy and satisfaction over the years. But Wawa, I respect you too much to lie to you, so Im just gonna keep it real. Those burgers arent good. Those chicken sandwiches really arent good. And the fries are meh at best. The trial program offers up eight different styles of burger (classic cheese, bacon cheese, American, BBQ, smokey chipotle, Southwest, French Onion and spicy cherry pepper relish) and seven styles of chicken sandwiches (classic, deluxe, BBQ, cajun, buffalo, club and bacon ranch) as well as the option to customize both with seemingly every topping in the Wawa hoagie arsenal. I went with the classic version for each sandwich, and both had me wishing we had gotten more toppings to hide the lackluster patties. The classic cheeseburger at Wawa. (Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) The classic cheeseburger tastes more like a salisbury steak from a TV dinner than a burger, with a limp, textureless and woefully flavored patty. The cheese was basically plastic and the garlic aioli was utterly bland. The bun was fine, but when the bread is the star of a burger, you know youre in trouble. Yet somehow, the chicken sandwich was miles worse. If Wawa had entered into the great chicken sandwich wars of 2019, it would have been a massacre. While Chick-fil-A and Popeyes serve up juicy, tender chicken, Wawas is rubbery and completely unappetizing. I hardly got through a single bite. The chicken sandwich at Wawa. (Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) The waffle fries were about as good as the ones you get from the frozen food section of a grocery store and heat up in the oven. Lacking seasoning, lacking crispness. All around blah. Look Wawa, we admire the fact that you refuse to rest on your laurels and continue to churn out new foods. Your smoothies are surprisingly good! Your quesadillas arent half bad! And your club sandwiches are an elevated version of the classic hoagies weve all come to know and love. But uh, were gonna pretend this trial run never happened and leave the burgers to McDonalds, okay? Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. 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. Law enforcement patrolling the northwest Houston area are reporting several burglary rings known to go after motor vehicles in the Willowbrook Mall parking lot and Gleannloch Farms. Officers with the Houston Police Department and Harris County Precinct 4 Constables Office spoke about their efforts to thwart groups committing burglary during the Feb. 14 meeting of the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce Safety and Security Task Force. The officers discussed the difficulty of keeping arrested parties from returning to commit the same crimes after paying cheaper bond due to the bond reform passed last year and championed by members of Harris County Commissioners Court. Related: Willowbrook is hub for vehicle burglaries, says local law enforcement Gleannloch Farms Pct. 4 constables are working to halt a burglary ring that is targeting vehicles and homes in Gleannloch Farms. About three days (Feb. 12) ago they stole a pickup truck and ran through the CVS in an attempt to take the ATM machine, Lt. Jose Garza with the Pct. 4 Constables Office said. It appears to be the same five or six males that weve been posting on our social media. Were actually reaching out with all of the ISDs right now because they look to be somewhere in the high school age, 15 to 20 years old. Garza said Pct. 4 constables have still shots of the incident from security camera footage caught by special operations officers. He said the group has not been identified, but are expected to be coming from the same neighborhood. Theyve managed to steal the same truck twice and use the same truck twice to commit their crimes, Garza said. Its an older ladys truck that ... twice now in about two and a half weeks theyve stolen her truck and this time they used it to go through the CVS. I bet you they caused $200,000 worth of damage to that CVS. Garza said the group is estimated to be five to six males. Undercover operators are currently working to find the perpetrators. Willowbrook Mall Willowbrook Mall is still having issues with burglary of motor vehicles, or BMVs, in the parking lot as well as shoplifting within the stores. Steve Spears, commander with HPD, said his team worked on sting operations to catch shoplifters during the previous holiday season. HPD officers worked with Willowbrook Mall loss prevention staff to coordinate catching both first-time and chronic shoplifters in the act. The first time we did it we got about six or seven people, he said. The second time we did it within six hours we arrested 12 active shoplifters. It was really successful. Loss prevention guys will tell you they get ate up all the time with this and theres not enough resources and it causes all of us some problems because this leads to higher costs for everything. BMVs are still a consistent issue for the parking lot. Spears and other law enforcement stressed that citizens do their best to hide their belongings in parking lots, especially mall and gym parking lots. Spears and Garza both agreed that low bond rates allowing offenders to get out of jail causes some offenders to resume crime immediately. Spears said his team has caught several rings of burglars, but they made bail within two days and continued committing burglaries. Spears said he understands low-cost bonds helping poor people who are arrested to get out of jail, but said it can be counterproductive when it comes to repeat offenders. Theyre released on bond very soon afterwards, he said. The public needs to realize these are frequent fliers and they continually come back. chevall.pryce@chron.com T he Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly axing up to 15 UK staff members and closing their Buckingham Palace office following their move to North America. Harry and Meghan are said to have told their team in person last month that they would be losing their jobs after announcing their decision to step down as senior royals. It is understood that one or two of those working for the pair would be given new roles elsewhere in the royal household but that most are now negotiating redundancy packages. The reported decision comes after the duke and duchesss Frogmore Cottage staff were set to be redeployed as the couple prepared to start a new life in Canada. Meghan and Harry are set to close their Buckingham Palace office, it has been reported / REUTERS Buckingham Palace said it would not comment but a source told the Mail that there would be some redundancies. However, they added that the details were yet to be finalised. It is believed that the redundancies will be concluded by the time Harry and Meghans move to step down as senior royals is formally concluded, after their final official duties. The Sussexes are now living in Canada with their baby son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor as they prepare to drop their HRH styles and quit the monarchy in favour of financial freedom. They had initially hoped for a dual role, supporting the Queen, the Commonwealth and Harry's military associations, but the idea was deemed unworkable. Buckingham Palace has said the Sussexes' new life away from royal duties will begin in the spring of this year. The couple reportedly increased security at their rented mansion in North Saanich, Vancouver Island, earlier this month. It followed a survey finding more than three quarters of Canadians feel their country should not foot the couple's security bill. Canadians Don't Want To Pay For Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Security Costs Last week, during the Sussexes' first event since announcing they will leave the royal family, Harry revealed he has been in therapy for the past few years coping with the loss of his mother. He told a JP Morgan-sponsored alternative investment summit in Florida he did not want his wife and son to experience what he went through when younger. It is not known if the duke was paid for the appearance but it was speculated he could have received a fee worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Contributed Photo / Torrington Police Department TORRINGTON A New Milford man is the subject of an untimely death investigation in Torrington after he was found unresponsive Friday afternoon, police officials said. Around 1:30 p.m., Torrington police officers were called to the area of 101 Litchfield St. for a report of an unresponsive male victim. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Budi Sutrisno (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 07:33 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20646b0ed 1 National coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,evacuees,Natuna,quarantine,Muhadjir-Effendy Free The government has said the 238 Indonesian citizens evacuated from Wuhan and surrounding areas of Hubei province, China, will be able to leave the quarantine area in Natuna, Riau Islands, if they remain healthy until the end the of the 14-day observation period on Saturday. Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said on Thursday the ministry and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) had finalized plans to release the evacuees once the observation period ended. Following the two-week observation period, we will return them [to their respective hometowns] as they remain healthy, Muhadjir said in a statement. The government evacuated 238 Indonesian citizens from Wuhan and surrounding areas of Hubei on Feb. 2 following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. They were immediately airlifted to Natuna Island after landing at Hang Nadim Airport in Batam for quarantine. The ministrys public health improvement coordination undersecretary Agus Suprapto said a total of 47 officers and health workers in the quarantine area would also be sent back to their respective hometowns in 29 provinces across the country. Most of the evacuees are from East Java, Agus said. What needs to be asserted is all of them are in good health. Read also: Govt looks for free flights to transport quarantined citizens from Natuna to home towns In response to calls for the observation period to be extended to 24 days, BNPB head Doni Monardo said he would continue to coordinate with the Health Ministry, which is coordinating with the World Health Organization (WHO). Many have argued a 24-day quarantine would be more reliable than 14 days. As for now, the WHO still maintains there is a 14-day incubation period [for COVID-19]. However, this doesnt rule out the possibility of changing the policy if there are other dynamics. We will continue coordinating with various agencies, including the BNPB, the health ministry and the military, Doni said. The former military general added that the Indonesian Military (TNI) would prepare four airplanes to depart from Natuna for Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The BNPB has booked commercial plane tickets for the evacuees to return to their hometowns. The government will also assist those who want to remain overnight in Jakarta by providing accommodation and transportation. This way, they will not face much trouble getting back home, Doni said. Read also: Indonesia readies plans for post-quarantine period: Health Ministry The Executive Office of the President confirmed the observation period would end on Saturday. There will be no formal event upon the release of the evacuees, the offices undersecretary for political information and communication, Juri Ardiantoro, said on Thursday, as quoted by Antara news agency. Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto said the evacuees relatives would also be allowed to pick them up in Natuna. TNI commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto and National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis visited residents of Kampung Tua Penagi and Kampung Pering Bandarsyah in Natuna on Thursday. Apart from inspecting health posts in the area, they also provided basic aid to residents living around the quarantine area on the island. Hadi said residents near the quarantine area, located at the hangar of the Raden Sadjad Airport in Natuna, were in good health. Wed also like to motivate soldiers working on the humanitarian mission, Hadi said. (hol) Jefferson County law firms representing clients impacted by the Nov. 27 explosion at TPC Group in Port Neches are fighting a motion by the company they say could move their civil claims cases to another jurisdiction. The company, represented by Baker Botts, filed a motion in January to pause all court activities involving the case and move it to a multidistrict litigation court that could decide which district court the case should be heard in. Representatives for Brent Coon and Associates, Provost Umphrey and Ferguson Law Firm all filed their own responses to the motion in the following days, arguing the case should remain in Jefferson County, where the incident occurred and the affected residents live. Mark Sparks, a partner in the Ferguson Law Firm, said the motion could stall activities in the case, including more inspections of the site, for months while the courts decide how to act. Its really an unfortunate turn, he said. The bottom line is it seems they desperately want to leave Jefferson County. Sparks said lawyers and experts from Ferguson have been on two reviews of the plant site so far but havent been able to look at damage or blast debris in any substantial way. TPC Group lawyers have not argued that the company wouldnt be able to get a fair trial in Jefferson County. Rather, Baker Botts attorney Russell Lewis described the companys motion means to simplify the process Plaintiffs obtained temporary restraining orders in five casesincluding four orders in Jefferson County and one in Harris Countythat imposed differing requirements on the TPC Defendants, representatives for TPC Group wrote in the brief. While TPC has complied with all court orders, the pursuit by 5 different plaintiffs counsel in two counties of varying forms of injunction orders underscores the need for a more orderly process, Lewis said in a prepared statement. The three Jefferson County firms challenge that claim. I pointed out there is nothing inconsistent in the restraining order, Sparks said. The inconsistent part would be two different judges that are ordering two different things. There is none of that here. Other lawyers pointed out the efforts that their own firms and others outside of the county have taken to consolidate cases and work to make the process run more smoothly. Representatives for TPC Group could file a reply brief to the court as soon as Monday, according to the company. jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/jdickjournalism I was talking to my Polish buyer the other day when the topic of wages came up. The only reason I'm able to sell flowers to Poland is that it's still far too cold for them to have anything resembling a daffodil blooming cheaply and cheerfully out in a field at this time of year. God bless the warm wet Irish climate! Without the climatic advantage we wouldn't have a hope of competing with Polish growers. My buyer tells me that the minimum wage there is 600 a month, which works out at less than 4 per hour. He winced when I told him that our minimum wage went up again on February 1 to 10.10 per hour. This is the fifth increase in the last four years, bringing the cost of employing somebody at that rate up to over 12 per hour when employer's PRSI and holiday pay are factored in. Wrong But it would be wrong to expect anyone to work for less than this in 2020 when the price of a cup of coffee is equivalent to at least 15 minutes' labour. If you're feeling sorry for my flower pickers, spare a thought for your average suckler farmer. Only 11pc of them are making the minimum wage, according to Teagasc's National Farm Survey data. It's not stated that bluntly in the press release. Instead they explain that for a farm to be 'viable' it needs to be paying the minimum wage along with returning 5pc on the stock and machinery. Note that 5pc return would barely cover the cost of borrowing for machinery or stock, and it allows nothing for the money tied up in the asset value of the land. So when the data says that only 11pc of cattle rearing systems are viable you can take it that 89pc of suckler farmers aren't earning a minimum wage for their time spent farming. And if the minimum wage is increasing and returns in beef are static or falling, more and more cattle farms will be pushed into the unviable bracket. This is a stark backdrop to a recent Oxfam report on the super-wealthy of the world, which listed 17 Irish billionaires - among them the beef processing kingpins, the Goodmans, who have seen their wealth quadruple in the last decade to make them the fourth wealthiest family in Ireland. Larry Goodman's business empire worth 2.6bn has been built on the profits accumulated from the beef sector. The economists among you will point out that wealth and income aren't the same thing, but even on a strict income basis, the estimated 170m profit reported by Goodman's in 2018 is still a million miles away from the minimum wage. And it's an infinitely better return on the assets than any than beef farm I've been on. Is it just me that gets annoyed by the fact that the disparity in returns is so vast that the suppliers in the sector - the farmers - are now totally dependent on State subsidies to keep them afloat? Exacerbating the situation is the bonkers tax system that the world has sleep-walked its way into. Warren Buffett was one of the first billionaires to openly admit that he is often taxed at a lower rate than the secretaries who work for him. Part of the reason for this is that the world's richest people are able to afford to squirrel away wealth in labyrinthine off-shore tax havens. This allows the gap between the haves and the have-nots to grow to the point where the planet's 2,153 billionaires have more than the combined wealth of 4,600,000,000 of the global population. In an era when we are all supposed to be aiming for sustainability, this growing inequality is going to blow up in everybody's face sooner rather than later. The protests by frustrated and disheartened Irish beef farmers were only a localised warm-up act when you think of the big picture. Although I'm convinced that their protests were totally misdirected, I entirely empathise with the deep-seated resentment welling up in farmers who feel they are heading for penury in order to feather the beds of the ultra-wealthy. At the rate they are going, they might even be better off picking daffodils. The US can supply energy to India as much as it wants as there is a much greater potential between the two countries in the key sector, a top White House official has said ahead of President Donald Trump's maiden visit to the country Washington: The US can supply energy to India as much as it wants as there is a much greater potential between the two countries in the key sector, a top White House official has said ahead of President Donald Trump's maiden visit to the country. Talks are going on between India and the US on a trade deal, Larry Kudlow, economic advisor to President Donald Trump, told reporters at the White House on Thursday when asked about the progress on a trade deal ahead of the presidential visit. 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. Ahead of his visit, the two countries are eyeing to finalise a raft of mega defence deals including procurement of a batch of military helicopters by Indian Navy from American defence major Lockheed Martin at a cost of USD 2.6 billion. Responding to a question on the increase in export of energy to India, Kudlow said there is much greater potential. "Could be, hope so. Let's remove all the barriers. They (Indians) need energy. We have energy. "When we had our bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Modi, I said, you give me a number (to export energy from the US to India) and I'll meet it," Kudlow said. In the last few years, America's export of energy to India increased from zero to USD 8 billion last year and this year it is expected to increase to USD 10 billion. "Our energy trade touched close to USD 8 billion last year. Mind you, this was zero, a few years ago," India's new ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said in his remarks at a reception hosted in his honour by the US India Business Council. "In fact in 2013, I testified before the House Energy Committee advocating US energy exports to India. In 2017, our leadership decided to elevate our energy partnership to a strategic energy partnership," Sandhu said. According to the US State Department, US energy exports are an important area of growth in the trade relationship. In 2018, India purchased 48.2 million barrels of US crude oil, a significant increase from 9.6 million in 2017. India and the US have established a Strategic Energy Partnership (SEP) replacing the erstwhile Energy Dialogue. This was done during the last meeting held in New Delhi on April 17, 2018 between Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and US Secretary for Energy Rick Perry. The SEP has four primary pillars of cooperation -- Oil and Gas; Power and Energy Efficiency; Renewable Energy and Sustainable Growth; and Coal. As a first step, they also announced the establishment of US-India Natural Gas Task Force to support India's vision for natural gas. The two sides also reaffirmed their strong commitment to early and full implementation of the civil nuclear energy partnership, including the Westinghouse civil nuclear project in Kovvada. As India prepares to receive Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, US defence major Boeing indicated that it was considering to offer its F-15EX Eagle fighter jets to Indian Air Force. The company has already sought a licence from the US authorities for its possible export to India, eyeing a USD 18 billion contract by the IAF to procure 114 fighter jets. Government and industry sources said the two sides are likely to finalise the USD 2.6 billion deal under which the US will supply 24 multi-role MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters to India. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 18:02:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson Friday slammed Taiwan politician Yu Shyi-Kun for hyping up "Taiwan independence" and spreading a "political virus" amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said Yu's erroneous remarks advocating "Taiwan independence" have undermined cross-Strait relations and once again exposed the illusion of a tiny number of people on the island to bank on the epidemic to seek independence. Instead of protecting the lives, safety and common interests of people across the Taiwan Strait, these people are spreading a "political virus," trying to provoke confrontation and impede on the reciprocal care and help between people across the strait, Ma said, adding that they have lost their basic conscience and their deeds are disgraceful. Stressing that the so-called "Taiwan independence" will only bring disasters to people in the island, Ma said some Taiwan politicians who act against the trend of times and ignore the benefits and safety of Taiwan compatriots are doomed to face a fiasco. One of the lawsuits was brought by the family of Josh Pinkard, who was one of the employees killed in the shooting, and another was filed by the family of Clayton Parks, another employee killed. The third lawsuit was brought by the family of Vicente Juarez, who was also killed, and two witnesses, Gregory Sims and Billy Dancy Jr. Violence between rival gangs is spreading outside the Bay of Plenty after a Christchurch tattoo parlour linked to international bikie gang the Mongols MC has been rammed by a stolen ute. The blue ute was driven through the front of King of Ink on Linwood Ave, Linwood, about 4.20am on Friday, causing significant damage to the business. It followed a suspected arson at Bristol Barbers on Wainoni Rd, Wainoni, about 45 minutes earlier. It is unclear if the two incidents are linked. There is a heavy police presence at both scenes, Stuff is reporting. The incidents come at a time when gang tensions in other parts of the country, particularly the Bay of Plenty, have reached boiling point. The scene of the Hairini shooting. Image John Borren/SunLive. Mongols members are believed to have been involved in a shooting late last month that left a Mongrel Mob-linked property in Tauranga riddled with bullets. The attack was thought to be in response to the arson of a Mongols-linked barber shop, Faded N Bladed. The Faded N Bladed barber shop after the fire. Image Daniel Hines/SunLive. Police are also investigating a gang-linked double homicide near Tauranga. A 43-year- old and 32-year-old man were shot dead at a property in Ormsby Lane, Omanawa, on Tuesday. The 43-year-old owned the property and the 32-year-old is allegedly linked to the Head Hunters gang. On Thursday night, police shot dead a suspect in the killings after he fired at officers when they tried to stop a vehicle he was in. The scene of the fatal shooting. Image: Daniel Hines/SunLive. The apparent attack on the Christchurch tattoo parlour comes less than a month after senior members of the Mongols, including national president Jim Thacker, travelled to the city and started a new chapter of the gang. Former members of the Hells Angels are involved with the chapter. A woman connected to one of those men is the owner of King of Ink Ltd, the company that owns the tattoo parlour. She declined to comment when approached today. Nothing appeared to have been taken from either business, a police spokeswoman says. The Mongols, whose patch depicts Genghis Khan on a motorcycle, was founded in the United States 50 years ago and describes itself as the "baddest and fastest growing club in the world". The first New Zealand chapter of the gang was set up in the Bay of Plenty last year. Jim, 28, a former president of a Bandidos chapter in Queensland, is among hundreds of hardened criminals, known as 501s, deported to New Zealand since 2014 changes to Australian immigration law. The arrival of the 501s, named after the character section their visas were cancelled under, has radically changed New Zealand's gang landscape. New groups, most notably the Comanchero MC and Mongols, have established and, according to police data, gang membership increased nearly 50 per cent in the four years to June last year. The US-based Mongols are the self-proclaimed baddest bikie gang in the world. Image: Simon Alekna. At the end of August, the national gang register carried the names of 71 of the 501s. Police previously said many of the deported gang members were powerful and influential figures in the Australian underworld who brought with them professionalism, a new flashy image and significant international connections. There were concerns the arrival of the new international gangs known for their propensity for violence, particularly their use of guns would lead to clashes as rival groups like the Mongrel Mob tried to protect their turf. The Hells Angels' Christchurch-based branch, Quake City, recently disbanded. The group moved out of its Maunsell St headquarters, which was later sold, in October last year. In recent times, the Christchurch gang scene has been dominated by the King Cobras, Tribesmen and Mongrel Mob. In 2017, police froze hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of assets belonging to the Head Hunters then one of the major players in the city's underworld including the gang's Sockburn headquarters. Court proceedings in relation to that action are ongoing. Blair Ensor and Sam Sherwood/Stuff. General Motors and the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM) are moving quickly to push through another pro-company contract at GMs manufacturing complex in Silao, Mexico. The factory, which employs 6,000 workers who build the top selling Silverado and Sierra pickup models, has been the site of growing rank-and-file opposition to GM and the CTM. Under the terms of the recent labor reform, enacted by the government of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) and his Morena party, over 500,000 collective agreements in Mexico need to be re-certified by a new federal labor board by May 2023. In order for the contracts to be legally sanctioned, the unions must first get at least 30 percent of the workers at each workplace to vote to acknowledge the union as their bargaining representative. So far, 86 trade unions have carried this out. The CTM has long functioned as a corporatist tool of transnational corporations like GM, which routinely sign protection contracts with the gangster-ridden union to enforce low wages and sweatshop conditions. After last years wave of wildcat strikes by maquiladora workers in Matamoros, which erupted in opposition to the CTM, the AMLO government is moving quickly to provide a democratic veneer to the unions. The labor reforms were also demanded under the new trade deal with the United States and Canada (USMCA). The Trump administration and the US and Canadian trade unions that backed the trade agreement fear that the contagion of class struggle in Mexico will spread to the US and Canada. Three of the Silao Seven At the GM Silao complex, the CTM carried out a union certification vote last week to elect a Contract Revision Committee from 57 candidates it selected behind the backs of workers. Then, it placed their names and pictures on posters at the plant under the words free, secret, personal and direct elections, the same wording required by the labor reform. Workers at the plant, who are remaining anonymous to protect themselves from company and union retribution, told the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter that most candidates were union delegates themselves and that very few are rank-and-file workers. One worker identified the candidate Maria Guadalupe Perez Garcia as the niece of one of the union officials. During the voting, several workers said that they saw union delegates stuffing stacks of filled ballots into the voting boxes, with one worker stating unequivocally, those elections were rigged. The CTM announced the results last weekend and workers have noted that only two or three people who were elected are not tied to the trade union. Even those have already sold out, they told the Autoworker Newsletter. One of the elected representatives, Maria Teresa Rangel, explained on social media that the delegates and union officials met on Monday and Wednesday and talks with management would start on February 17. Describing what the CTM officials said, Rangel said, We discussed the labor reform being updated, that we need to be up to speed about what is happening with the government because those are arguments that need to be raised with management, and we must have good arguments about demanding more. The claim that the labor reforms strengthen the hands of workers against GM and other transnational giants is a fraud. Whether the government is trying to refurbish the image of the CTM, the Revolutionary Federation of Workers and Peasants (CROC) and other discredited unions or promote supposedly independent unions aligned with the US AFL-CIO, the aim of the AMLO administration to defuse the ticking bomb of working class opposition to his governments program of attracting foreign investment with cheap labor and the suppression of strikes. As Debate columnist Dario Celis Estrada wrote, The Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador regime will have to dance at the beat of its commercial partners and as proof, regarding trade unions, the party is only getting started. AMLO, who was elected in 2018, came out of the ranks of the oligarchic Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)which held uninterrupted power from the time of its founding in 1929 until 2000to provide a left cover to the capitalist state. He was eagerly supported by figures like Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim and Larry Fink, whose BlackRock firm is one of the largest shareholders of GM. The USMCA trade deal, which was passed with bipartisan support in the US and the backing of the AFL-CIO, aimed at strengthening the position of American imperialism against the growing challenge by China. With a mounting slowdown of the world economy and an intense struggle erupting in the global auto industry over domination of the future electric and autonomous vehicle markets, it is imperative that US-based transnationals squeeze the Mexican working class even more brutally. At the GM Silao complex, a group of rank-and-file workers named Generating Movement campaigned against the sham vote of the CTM and called for workers to organize independently. During the 40-day national strike at GMs US operations last year, the group actively opposed speed-ups and mandatory overtime to support the strike, leading GM and the CTM to single out and fire the courageous workers. Fearing that opposition would spread to other plants, GM shut down the Silao plant for several weeks while keeping its other Mexican plants running. After the United Auto Workers (UAW) isolated and betrayed the strike in the United States, GM has gone on the offensive against workers in Canada, the United States and Mexico, including plant closures, firing militant and senior workers and imposing forced overtime, seven-day weeks and 12-hour shifts. The company made a particular example of the Silao workers, fearing above all a rebellion against the unions in the US, Canada and Mexico that have long peddled nationalist poison to divide workers and the growing efforts of North American workers to coordinate their resistance across all borders. The Silao workers told the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter that management told workers during a plant meeting on February 5 that they will not get their yearly bonuses, normally paid to workers in May, because of the cost of the US strike. This provoked widespread anger with workers posting messages on social media calling for collective action. We must organize a strike. I hope that the entire GM complex unites now. We already have the example to follow in the United States, wrote a one worker. Debunking AMLOs claims that the labor reforms will provide workers with greater protections, Israel Cervantes, the elected spokesman of the Generating Movement group, told the Autoworker Newsletter that the Guanajuato human rights director, Lucila Gallegos, dismissed the workers complaints about their unjustified termination and sent them to the new federal labor board. I went last week to the Federal Conciliation and Arbitration Board N. 28 to ask about registering a trade union and about our complaints against violations of workers rights and they refused to give me an answer, Cervantes said. The response he said was just like before the labor reform. Its the same, he said, as not going [to the arbitration board] at all. Cervantes also explained that the New Workers Central branch at Guanajuato, which is led by the Electricians Union (SME) and is partnered with AMLOs Morena party and the US AFL-CIO, has sought to lure his group into joining their trade union to compete for the contract. The workers have taken the principled decision to reject this. Just like the CTM, the so-called independent unions uphold national divisions and subordinate the interests of workers to the capitalist system and the ruthless drive by the transnational corporations to find the cheapest source of labor and the highest profits. The defense of capitalism is incompatible with securing jobs, decent wages and other social rights. That is why workers in Silao, across Mexico, the US and Canada must build rank-and-file factory committees, independent of the pro-capitalist and nationalist unions. Factory committees must counter-pose the needs and social rights of workers to the dictates of the corporations and their trade union accomplices and link together the struggle of workers across North America and the world to secure workers independent interests. The development of a such a counteroffensive by the working class must be fused with an international socialist program and leadership, independent of the entire trade union apparatus and all pro-capitalist parties. Recent changes in the tax laws eliminating or curtailing some long-time deductions and credits could turn ordinary taxpayers into inadvertent tax cheats if they are not careful. "Tax law is so complex nowadays, you often don't know what you don't know," New Jersey tax attorney Brad Paladini said in an interview with CNBC's "American Greed." The term "tax cheat" brings to mind infamous felons like Al Capone, whose decade-long reign of murder and mayhem ended in 1931 only after the feds managed to prove he evaded $250,000 in taxes. Or New York hotelier Leona Helmsley, who once famously declared that "only the little people pay taxes," only to wind up in prison for failing to pay hers. Or even MTV "Jersey Shore" star Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, accused of failing to report millions of dollars in income for things like product endorsements and personal appearances. For Sorrentino, flouting the tax law was no accident. "In 2011, I can tell you that he did not file a tax return at all," IRS special agent Cheryl Matejicka told "American Greed." Sorrentino recently completed an eight-month federal prison sentence after pleading guilty in 2018 to a single count of tax evasion. He paid a $10,000 fine and $123,000 in restitution. Of course, the same laws and penalties that ensnared Sorrentino and others also apply to everyone else, which is why Paladini believes most taxpayers should not try to do their taxes on their own. "My best piece of advice is to find a good CPA to help you prepare the tax return. Don't try to prepare it yourself," he said. And make sure it is someone who is not a pushover when it comes to deductions and tax-avoidance strategies. "You've got to find somebody who's willing to tell you, 'no'," he said. Changing times The recent changes include the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act the biggest overhaul of the tax code in more than 30 years which went into effect in 2018. Among the side effects of the new law were drastic changes in the refunds for millions of taxpayers last year, prompting many to adjust their withholding for 2019. Now, the IRS is urging those taxpayers and everyone else to revisit their withholding even if they recently did so. The agency offers an online tool to help you calibrate your withholding. "A Paycheck Checkup can help you see if you're withholding the right amount of tax from your paycheck. Too little could mean an unexpected tax bill or penalty," the IRS website warns. In exchange for tax cuts on individuals and corporations, the law eliminated some popular tax breaks. Gone is the personal exemption of $4,050 per person. Also gone: deductions for moving expenses, and for most employee business expenses including the home-office deduction. Theft and casualty losses are no longer deductible unless they are the result of a disaster declared by the president. The law also got rid of the deduction for interest on most home equity debt. You can still take a deduction for mortgage interest, but for loans taken out after December 2017 the deduction is limited to the interest on $750,000 in debt. And in one of its most controversial features, the law caps the deduction for state and local taxes at $10,000. Taxpayers can avoid the uncertainty about what is and is not deductible and possibly save time and money by taking the standard deduction instead of itemizing their deductions. For the 2019 tax year, the standard deduction rises to $12,200 for an individual taxpayer, or $24,400 for a married couple filing jointly. But Paladini noted that for some people, taking the standard deduction could mean leaving some money on the table. "If you, let's say, own a big home and pay a lot of interest on it, that would be someone who would benefit from itemizing your deductions," he said. "If you have a lot of medical expenses as well, you may benefit from, from itemizing." Lawmakers saw the increased standard deduction as a way to simplify the tax code, since fewer taxpayers would need to go to the trouble of itemizing. But for many taxpayers, the change means they must calculate their taxes both ways, while taking care not to become an inadvertent tax cheat by claiming deductions that are no longer allowed. State of conflict In many cases, a perfectly legitimate federal tax strategy can put you at odds with your state's laws. One example is health care. The new federal tax law effectively ended the individual mandate under the Affordable Care Act by eliminating the tax penalty for those who go without health insurance. But in response, several states have passed individual mandates of their own with penalties that can be as high as the cost of insurance coverage. In New Jersey and the District of Columbia, the mandates went into effect in 2019. In California, Rhode Island and Vermont, they took effect this year. They join Massachusetts, which has had an individual mandate since 2007. Other states could follow. A more recent change involves 529 college savings plans, which allow parents to invest money toward their children's education, then withdraw the proceeds tax-free for qualified expenses such as tuition and room and board. A provision in the Secure Act, the retirement savings law passed by Congress late last year, for the first time allows tax-free withdrawals from 529 plans to pay down student loans. But most states have not yet followed suit, which means you could take out money that is free of federal taxes, only to get hit with a state tax penalty. Paladini said it may make sense to wait to use 529 money for student loan payments until the state tax implications become clearer. "Oftentimes it takes state legislatures a year or two to kind of catch up with the federal, but a lot of the times they will implement what's done on the federal side. So, if you give it time, maybe a year or two, you could get the state benefit as well," he said. Child's play Another area where taxpayers can get into trouble involves dependents. The new tax law cracked down on parents who shelter investment income from taxes by putting it into their children's names. Now, a child's unearned income above certain levels may be taxed at the highest marginal rate 37% even if the parents' tax bracket is lower. The Secure Act provided some relief from this change if certain conditions apply. Consult your tax professional. Another potential parent trap is the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is supposed to provide relief for lower- and middle-income taxpayers. For 2019, the EITC tops out at $6,557 for a taxpayer with three or more dependents who earns less than $50,162 per year ($55,952 for a married couple filing jointly). But because the amount of the credit is tied to the taxpayer's income and number of dependents, Paladini said it is ripe for abuse. "What happens is, somebody will go to an unscrupulous tax preparer and that tax preparer will basically try to game the system," he said. "So, if you're not making enough money, they will basically put phantom income on your return to make it look like you're making more money than you really are to try to maximize that credit. Or, if you are making too much money, they will perhaps leave off some of the income, again to try to maximize the credit." Some preparers will even falsify dependents in order to maximize the credits. Paladini warned that the IRS looks closely at year-to-year changes in dependents. "The IRS will kind of say, 'That seems weird that this person was claimed for one year and no other year,' or it's a different last name or whatever reason they have to kind of suspect it," he said. If you are planning to claim the EITC, do not fudge the numbers. And if you are using a paid preparer, make certain he or she signs the return, so you are not left holding the bag for any discrepancies. "Oftentimes what they will do is, they will stamp the return as 'self-prepared,' making it look to the IRS like you actually prepared the tax return, when, in fact, you went to a professional to have it prepared for you," Paladini said. The gig is up Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 11:02:47|Editor: zyl Video Player Close CANBERRA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Australian researchers have developed a camera to conduct health checks on exotic wildlife without anesthetic, according to a pilot study undertaken by the University of South Australia (UniSA) researchers at Adelaide Zoo. They found that filming animals including tigers and lions at high resolution offers another way for veterinarians to check their breathing rate or pulse. The team filmed nine exotic species at the zoo, including a giant panda, an African lion, an orangutan, a kangaroo and a Sumatran tiger, for three minutes from up to 40 meters away. The vets were able to detect tiny movements in the chest cavity from the footage that indicate heart and breathing rates. "The study was done without any physical contact with the animals and without disrupting their daily routine," study leader Javaan Chahl, a remote sensing engineer from UniSA said in a media release. "Until now, monitoring vital signs of wild animals has used specialised equipment and usually required disturbing them or their environment. "We showed through this experiment that digital cameras can successfully extract cardiopulmonary signals from the animals in a zoo setting. "The technique needs refining and more validation, but it demonstrates that wild animals can be remotely monitored for signs of poor health, allowing for earlier detection of illness and fewer unconscious trips to the vet." Previously the only way to assess such animals' general wellbeing was by first knocking them out with anesthetic, a process that can be stressful and disorienting for the animals. Ian Smith, the head veterinarian at Adelaide Zoo, said that the study was "very promising" as a tool for monitoring animals both in a zoo setting and in open range and wild settings. They've both dated Hollywood hunk Jake Gyllenhaal. But Reese Witherspoon and Taylor Swift don't just share a taste in men, but also a mutual appreciation of film, with the 43-year-old Wild actress praising the 30-year-old songstress' Netflix documentary Miss Americana on Thursday. 'Watching @taylorswift13 new doc #MissAmericana, so many incredible moments, but my favorite is watching her face light up when she writes songs,' tweeted the Academy Award winner. She's a fan: Reese Witherspoon [pictured] and Taylor Swift don't just share a taste in men, but also a mutual appreciation of film, with the 43-year-old Wild actress praising the 30-year-old songstress' Netflix documentary Miss Americana on Thursday 'Catchy melodies, Thoughtful lyrics, incredible hooks. So great to see her songwriting skills in action,' concluded the Legally Blonde star. The high praise coincided with a sighting of Witherspoon indulging in some retail therapy in Brentwood. The mother-of-three was loaded up with shopping bags from the outing, including from clothing outlet James Perse. Reese went casual in Mother jeans and a black sweater as she made her way home with her bounty, purchased just ahead of Valentines Day. High praise: 'Watching @taylorswift13 new doc #MissAmericana, so many incredible moments, but my favorite is watching her face light up when she writes songs,' tweeted the Academy Award winner Shop till you drop: The high praise coincided with a sighting of Witherspoon indulging in some retail therapy in Brentwood Witherspoon has a daughter Ava, 20, and son Deacon, 17, with ex-husband and actor Ryan Phillippe, whom she divorced back in 2007 after about seven years of marriage. She and new husband Jim Toth started dating in 2010, and went on to tie-the-knot in March 2011, they welcomed son Tennessee in 2012. Toth is a talent agent and co-head of motion picture talent at Creative Artists Agency, where Witherspoon is a client. For her next project, the actress will to star alongside Kerry Washington in the drama series, Little Fires Everywhere, which is slated to premiere on Hulu on March 18. Way back when: Taylor Swift [L] and Reese have a shared dating history, having both dated Hollywood hunk Jake Gyllenhaal A SAD-BJP delegation on Friday called on Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore urging him to ask the state government to withdraw its fresh affidavit from the apex court in which it has said it has no objection to Haryana having a separate gurdwara management body. A joint delegation of led by SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and state's senior BJP leader Madan Mohan Mittal also demanded a high-level judicial inquiry to expose the conspiracy of the state's Congress government to jeopardise the interest of the Sikh community and the apex body for the management of Sikh shrines (the SGPC). Talking to reporters later outside the Punjab Raj Bhawan, Badal accused the Amarinder Singh-led Congress government of conspiring to weaken Sikh institutions including the SGPC by supporting the idea of a separate Gurdwara body for Haryana. He demanded immediate withdrawal of the additional affidavit filed by the state government in the apex court in this regard. The SGPC manages Sikh shrines in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. In 2014, the Haryana Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee was notified for managing Sikh shrines in the state, prompting the then SAD-BJP government to oppose the move in the Supreme Court. The SAD said the affidavit was "legally and constitutionally weird" as it was directly opposite to the state government's earlier affidavit, which had opposed a separate religious body in Haryana. Badal told reporters that during the then B S Hooda-led Congress government in Haryana, an attempt was made to interfere in the Sikh affairs by proposing the idea of a separate Sikh body in the state. Terming the Punjab state government's stance on the issue of a separate Gurdwara management body for Haryana as the "biggest betrayal" against the interest of Punjab and Sikh community, SAD president alleged that Amarinder Singh government, by filing a fresh affidavit in the Supreme court, has changed Punjab's stance on this very sensitive issue at the behest of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Telecom companies faced the ire of Supreme Court on Friday over non-payment of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues. An apex court bench, comprising Justice Arun Mishra, Justice S Abdul Nazeer and Justice MR Shah, noted that the "companies have violated the order passed by this court in pith and substance" by not paying their AGR dues. The bench also initiated contempt proceedings against a desk officer who passed a 'no coercive action' order against telcos if they fail to pay the dues within the stipulated time frame. The Supreme Court was hearing pleas by telecom companies, including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Tata Teleservices, seeking a new schedule of payment of statutory dues to the tune of Rs 1.47 lakh crore. The top court has already turned down their request for relief in the AGR case. Justice Arun Mishra, who led the bench, said he was anguished over the turn of events in the matter. He was elevated to the position of Supreme Court Judge on July 7, 2014. Before that, he had worked as the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court and Rajasthan High Court. Earlier, he was the Administrative Judge of Madhya Pradesh High Court. According to the Supreme Court website, he decided around 97,000 cases as Judge of these three high courts. ALSO READ:What's next for Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel after Supreme Court's AGR blow? On the same day as the hearing on telcos' AGR plea, Justice Mishra heard the plea by auto dealers' association, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations, seeking an extension on the deadline for sale of BS-IV compliant vehicles. He, along with Justice Deepak Gupta, ruled that the deadline will not be extended by "even one day". Justice Mishra was also part of the division bench that issued notice to the Jammu and Kashmir administration over the detention of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah under the Public Safety Act (PSA). The notice was issued in response to a habeas corpus plea by Sara Abdullah Pilot, sister of Omar Abdullah. Justice S Abdul Nazeer, another judge on the bench hearing the AGR case, was elevated to the Supreme Court from Karnataka High Court on February 17, 2017. He was on the 5-member Constitution Bench that delivered the historic judgement on Ayodhya land dispute in November last year. The unanimous verdict gave the possession of the disputed 2.77-acre land to the deity Ram Lalla. ALSO READ:AGR case: DoT withdraws 'no-coercive action' order against telcos after SC slams dept Justice Nazeer was also part of the Supreme Court bench that held the practice of 'triple talaq' among Muslims illegal and unconstitutional. In the 3:2 verdict, he was part of the minority verdict, along with then Chief Justice of India JS Khehar. Justice Nazeer was also part of Supreme Court's nine-member bench in August 2017 that declared the right to privacy as a fundamental right. Justice Mukeshkumar Rasikbhai Shah, the third judge on the bench hearing telcos' AGR pleas, was elevated to the Supreme Court on November 2, 2018. Earlier he was the Chief Justice of Patna High Court. ALSO READ:Infographic: Can telcos survive Rs 93,000 crore AGR blow? By: WCTV Eyewitness News February 14, 2020 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) says it found a missing 78-year-old man around 3 p.m. Thursday. He had gone missing around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday when he went to harvest fiddler crabs, according to deputies. The sheriff's office says the family members found his vehicle at Hagen's Cove Thursday morning before they alerted law enforcement about his disappearance. Teams from TCSO, Florida Fish and Wildlife, Taylor CI K-9 and the county's community emergency response team helped in the search. The 78-year-old man was found safe and has been reunited with his family. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Reuters) Fri, February 14, 2020 22:03 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2064a63ec 2 Entertainment The-Rolling-Stones,Bill-Wyman,music,Britain,auction Free Former Rolling Stones bass guitarist Bill Wyman is selling off part of his vast archive of music memorabilia, including the 1962 amplifier that helped him clinch his audition for the British rock band. Wyman, 83, who quit the Stones in 1993, is auctioning more than 1,000 items from a personal collection of instruments, stage clothes and Rolling Stones memorabilia that forms one of the biggest archives of the band's more than 50-year career, Julien's Auctions said on Thursday. "Collecting and archiving has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life and will undoubtedly be one of my legacies," Wyman said in a statement. One of the most interesting items in the May 29-31 auction in Beverly Hills is the 1962 Vox AC30 amplifier that then 26-year-old Wyman brought to his audition for the Rolling Stones at a London pub in 1962. According to Wyman, band members Keith Richards and Mick Jagger were impressed with the amp. "They had horrible amps so they were very happy about that. I bought a round of drinks for everyone and offered cigarettes and of course they jumped immediately because they all smoked but couldn't afford them," Wyman recalled in a 2008 interview. Read also: Start Me Up: The Stones set to launch tour after Jagger surgery The amp carries a pre-sale estimate of $80,000 - $100,000. Wyman, who now plays with the blues band Rhythm Kings, is also selling off several of his guitars, including a 1969 Fender Mustang bass that he played at concerts and on Stones recordings in 1969 and 1970 that is expected to sell for up to $500,000. Other items include a gold and black satin outfit Wyman wore onstage in the 1970s, a 1965 London concert program from one of the few shows the Rolling Stones played with the Beatles, early recording contracts and other promotional materials. A portion of the auction proceeds will go to the Macmillan Cancer Support, the British-based youth charity Prince's Trust and the Central Caribbean Marine Institute. Some of the items will go on public display at the Museum of Style Icons in Ireland from March 10-April 20, and in Beverly Hills immediately before the May auction. Far From Home unveils the first gameplay teaser for their sci-fi, action-survival game coming to Steam Early Access in 2022 and later to consoles. TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY, ONT.Waiting. Wondering. Waiting. And wondering. More than a week into a rail blockade in support of Wetsuweten chiefs in British Columbia that has strangled commerce and passenger traffic across all of Eastern Canada, it still isnt clear when or how the standoff will end. Talks with Ontario Provincial Police continue, while the federal Indigenous services minister has offered to meet with leaders wherever they want to discuss the situation. And on a snowy country road outside Marysville, Ont. on Thursday, the small encampment at the centre of it all settled into strained normalcy. Activists who call themselves protectors against colonialism milled about the tents and stacked wooden pallets of their camp on the south side of desolate Canadian National rail tracks that usually carry freight and passenger trains through the area with great frequency. Every so often, a car pulled up to drop off supplies at the camp, or pick up some activists and drop others off to man the site. And all the while, on the other side of the tracks, reporters with cameras and notepads waited for something to happen, glancing north up the road at an idle cluster of police cruisers. It was just one of the demonstrations that Indigenous peoples and climate activists have staged across the country in recent days, after Mounties stormed a barricade in northern B.C. to clear out Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs and their supporters who were blocking construction of the $6.6-billion Coastal GasLink pipeline. Facing subsequent blockades of traffic and the shipment of goods in major cities and at rail lines and ports across the country, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B.C. Premier John Horgan separately agreed Thursday to send cabinet emissaries to meet with Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs and members of the Gitxsan nation. In a letter to Simogyet Spookw, a Gitxsan chief, Trudeau wrote that the federal government will take part in a meeting to discuss the current situation and to seek a process that avoids such situations in the future. At the same time, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller wrote to three Indigenous leaders in Ontario including two from Tyendinaga territory to offer a meeting this Saturday to discuss their blockade south of Hwy. 401 between Kingston and Toronto. Miller agreed to discuss relations between the Mohawk nation and the federal government, and asked for the protest camp along the tracks to be struck. My request, that I ask you kindly to consider, is to discontinue the protest and barricade of the train tracks as soon as practicable, Miller wrote in the letter he posted online after sending it Wednesday night. As you well know, this is a highly volatile situation and the safety of all involved is of the utmost importance to me. 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, he wrote. Chief Don Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte confirmed he received Millers letter. In a phone interview, he welcomed the offer to discuss the situation but said he doesnt expect the two camps along the rail tracks in his community to be taken down before the meeting. Well see what the meeting brings, Maracle said. Weve had productive conversations with the activists and we want to keep the discussions going in a positive tone. Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald acknowledged in a statement to the Star that she also received Millers letter, and said she is cautiously optimistic he can help secure peace in the Tyendinaga territory. We have learned from the past and recognize that it is through dialogue and respectful conversation that we will resolve these issues and remain respectful of First Nations rights, sovereignty, communities and governance systems, Archibald said. At Queens Park, Ontario Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford called on Ottawa to play a bigger role in ending the blockade. CN Rail announced Thursday that it will shut down its entire network in Eastern Canada, forcing Via Rail to suspend all passenger service. Cancellations in recent days have affected tens of thousands of passengers and stopped more than 400 train shipments, according to VIA and CN. We would like to see a more prominent position from the federal government on this because the issues that underpin this are serious national questions, Rickford told reporters Thursday. We believe if that can happen in a timely manner well have a peaceful resolution to this situation. Rickford added he is pleased tempers have not flared along the tracks despite growing tensions over blocked passenger and freight trains and the impact on the economy. Its remained peaceful and wed like to see it continue to be that way, he said. With the authority of a court order to clear the encampment, the OPP had cruisers near the Tyendinaga encampment again Thursday but made no move toward the blockade during the hours in which a Star reporter was there. OPP spokesperson Bill Dickson said Thursday that the situation remained unchanged from the police perspective. There are negotiations ongoing, he said. We are standing by, monitoring the situation. On Wyman Rd., where the main encampment was set up Feb. 6, activists stood in a tight group next to a parked snowplow as a Mohawk flag tied to the upturned rail crossing gate flapped in the blowing snow. Alternately incommunicative and affable, the group of mostly men huddled in thick jackets and at one point strung up a large red banner on the side of a parked trailer that read, Stop colonialism. They received visitors throughout the day, mostly well-wishers from nearby towns carrying bottles of water, snacks and other supplies. Jocelyn Wabano-Iahtail came looking for reporters. Her main point of contention was the use of the term protester to describe people at the camp, who prefer to be referred to as protectors. As one woman put it to the Star, Were not protesting against the system, were trying to protect ourselves from the system meaning to protect their Mohawk nation and land against a government seen as a colonial trespasser that is stealing resources for its own enrichment. Wabano-Iahtail, who said that as a Cree pipe-carrier she has an obligation to speak out against injustice, enumerated similar grievances. She said the demonstration at the rail line was about much more than the gas pipeline project being contested in B.C., describing the ongoing relationship between Indigenous peoples and so-called Canada as broken by centuries of genocide. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission that studied the legacy of residential schools concluded the system that removed Indigenous children from their families and communities was cultural genocide. The final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls determined centuries of actions and failures amount to genocide a finding that Trudeau said the government accepts. This is impacting all the original nations of Turtle Island, she said, referring to Indigenous nations across the country. Were home, and were not going anywhere. And no longer will we be oppressed, no longer will we be subjugated, no longer will we be dehumanized, no longer will you terrorize us for free. Thats not happening anymore. Then she walked over to join the protectors in the camp. As darkness fell, there was no sign their position would change. With files from Tonda MacCharles, Rob Ferguson and the Canadian Press Read more about: When Idaho state education leaders pitched a social-emotional learning proposal to lawmakers this week, one member of the states House Education Committee compared the plan to the dystopian behavior control in the futuristic novel Brave New World. Others said its parents jobnot schools' to help children develop self-control and relationship skills. Some were skeptical, noting that social-emotional learning is part of a national movement being embraced in schools across the country, which they considered problematic. And, as Idaho Ed News first reported, some walked out of the hearing altogether. Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra told Education Week Thursday that she was puzzled by the response, especially since the budget presentation focused largely on helping teachers work with students whove been exposed to trauma. We want to make sure we are connecting parents and students and teachers with the right tools and the right resources to get them the help that they need, Ybarra said. I dont think there is any other way to talk about this. It is not a blue issue. It is not a red issue. The reception Idaho leaders faced is a slice of pushback that occasionally bubbles up around the country as interest grows in social-emotional learning efforts. Ybarra, an elected Republican, said shes learned since the meeting that some lawmakers had circulated materials from the Massachusetts-based Pioneer Institute, which is known for its opposition to the Common Core State Standards . That organization refers to SEL as a new-age nanny state. At the hearing Tuesday, Idaho Rep. Tony Wisniewski, a Republican, asked his fellow committee members to remember their own childhood experiences. Think about the school environment that we had, Wisniewski, says in a recording of the hearing, and the respect that we had for teachers and other students. And the discipline that was enforced not only by the teachers but by our parents, who, if they found out we were misbehaving in school, would undoubtedly support the teachers and take us to the woodshed if necessary. ... Now we jump forward to the 2020s. To me ... it appears we are trying to get the collective behavioral approach that was depicted in Brave New World. SEL is an education approach that emphasizes direct instruction of skills like how to resolve conflicts and understand differing points of view, changing school policies to be more developmentally sensitive, and working with family and community partners to meet students non-academic needs. As schools become more interested in nurturing childrens social and emotional skills and creating better learning environments, states have also gotten on board. Theyve helped vet social-emotional learning programs programs, theyve charted out developmentally sensitive benchmarks that show what qualities like social awareness look like at different grade levels, and theyve offered teacher professional development in whole child approaches to education. Those efforts are often well-received in many areas. But theyve also faced resistence reminiscent of some other contentious education policy debates over issues like state standards (one Idaho lawmaker even raised the common core in this weeks discussion of SEL). At the heart of the arguments over SEL are common questions: What is the role of education? How should schools define success? What does good character look like? Who should be allowed to define it? Those questions are often intensified by skepticism of national education movements. In 2016, for example, Tennessee quickly pulled out of a multi-state collaborative organized by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, or CASEL, less than a month after joining the effort. The U-turn followed posts by bloggers who alleged the federal government wanted to track and monitor students feelings and questions by state lawmakers about the value of collaborating with other states. Idahos Social-Emotional Learning Plan Ybarra and Eric Studebaker, director of student engagement and safety coordination at the Idaho education department, had pitched a budget request to the House education committee Tuesday: $1 million in new funding to help develop and deliver statewide professional development for educators and administrators in social-emotional learning. The training would start with a cohort of districts and charter schools that would be selected after a voluntary application process. Among the things the training would address: How to identify evidence-based SEL programs, how to assess a school or districts readiness to implement those programs, and how to help teachers recognize students emotional struggles and address misbehavior. The proposal was developed at the recommendation of a state task force and cosigned in the governors budget request. And it was tied into conversations about student safety that followed high-profile school shootings in 2018, Ybarra told Education Week. This is really all about creating the best conditions in a learning environment to support students so they can be successful, Ybarra told lawmakers Tuesday. Its a conversation thats at the forefront across the nation. And theres growing recognition that we need to make sure that students develop the self awareness, problem-solving skills, and impulse control needed to overcome the challenges so that they can thrive. Teachers have asked for help addressing disruptive student behaviors that may be tied to issues like traumatic experiences, she said. Idaho has one of the nations highest suicide rates, and about 22 percent of the states high school students reported suicidal thoughts on a 2019 survey, Ybarra and Studebaker noted. They also cited recent emotional testimony by state teacher of the year Stacie Lawler about school mental health efforts and her own sons struggles with suicidal thoughts. Rather than imposing a uniform training on schools, state leaders want to allow them to voluntarily select their own approaches, giving them the training necessary to select and implement programs effectively, Studebaker said. The environment for kids is changing, he said. Our classrooms nationwide are seeing common behavioral issues. But how this funding request seeks to address this problem will be uniquely Idaho. But many Republican committee members seemed to approach the proposal with a defensive tone, asking whether the state had already invested enough in school counselors and other well-being efforts, and questioning the evidence Studebaker presented that connected strong SEL skills in early childhood to better outcomes later in life. One lawmaker said it was troubling that schools would try to measure students social and emotional skills at all. (This is a debated issue , even among SEL advocates who say such measurements shouldnt be used for high-stakes purposes like grades and teacher evaluation.) How much time are we actually talking about [for SEL] as opposed to time for what we think education really should be? You know: reading, writing, arithmetic, Rep. Barbara Ehardt, a Republican, asked. When were talking social emotional, were talking about more time spent in an area ... that really is a role that should be dealt with in the home. But others, including committee Chairman Rep. Lance Clow, a Republican, and Rep. Steve Berch, a Democrat, defended the proposal. I am not interested in building a bridge to the mythical 1950s where every parent was Ward and June Cleaver, Berch said. The experience that we on the committee had as students is not the reality in todays classroom. He listed trends like growing rates of teen suicide and depression, concerns about the effects of social media, and other stressors. Were talking about disruptive behaviors that are not expellable and affect everyone else in the classroom, Berch said. And simply wishing that some parents raise their children better is not a solution. In a Wednesday meeting, Clow said that it would be wrong to conclude that all of the committee members who walked out of the hearing did so out of protest. Some just had other hearings and issues to attend to, he said. Common Pushback to State Social-Emotional Learning Plans Idahos efforts sit in a national landscape of SEL adoption, propelled in part by a consensus among some education researchers that schools need to be more sensitive to students social and emotional development. As states SEL efforts grow, usually following more intensive work by their own districts, leaders report they need help addressing skepticism, busting myths, and making their case to the general public, CASEL reported in a 2018 look at its state efforts. Some states have encountered pockets of political resistance to having schools involved in SEL at all, CASEL reports. Opponents of SEL often say it is the primary responsibility of families. These communication challenges can be successfully weathered. Critical to success is deep listening to understand concerns of the community, as well as a clear plan for communicating with and engaging stakeholders. The plan should identify key goals and audiences, clarify key messages, and prioritize key strategies for sharing those messages. A few common concerns: The CASEL report also acknowledges confusing language around SEL, which is referred to by a range of names, including character education, soft skills, 21st century skills, and grit. Programs may vary significantly in focus and scope, and different educators discuss SEL differently, sometimes depending on the school context. Its sometimes billed as an intervention that reduces misbehavior, which may give the perception that it is for a small pool of students. At other times, its billed as a way to prepare all students for jobs in a changing economy. Some conservative critics of SEL say an emphasis on tolerance may threaten to counter messages students receive at home about issues like gender, which may be grounded in their families religious beliefs. And some have raised questions about assessing and tracking students SEL competancies, which not all schools do. Can such qualities be reliably measured? Will children be treated differently because of the results? Will the data affect their permanent record ? While some SEL critics reject the notion that it has some sort of devious undercurrent, they question whether the programs are really effective and whether schools have the capacity to properly put SEL strategies into place. (More on that debate here. ) There are also some interesting tensions in the debates. Some lawmakers reject SEL in favor of developing character, but some in the education field say those two concepts are often very similar in practice. The confusing language and diffuse media environment may lead some lawmakers to talk past each other in these debates. Policymakers across the political spectrum have responded to school safety debates after shootings in places like Parkland, Fla., by calling for efforts to address isolated students, to identify potentially threatening behavior, and to respond to students mental health needs. Proponents of SEL say their strategies can help meet those mandates, but they still face resistance, sometimes from the same lawmakers who called for that approach to safety. As social-emotional learning efforts continue to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see how leaders and educators take on the challenge of addressing concerns and misconceptions about the work. Ybarras request for SEL funding is still on the table. It will be considered by a joint appropriations committee in the coming weeks. Photo: Getty Follow us on Twitter @PoliticsK12 . And follow the Politics K-12 reporters @EvieBlad @Daarel and @AndrewUjifusa . The mother of the victim in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case was at the Supreme Court for the hearing of convict Vinay Sharmas petition. (PTI) New Delhi: The Supreme Court today dismissed a petition filed by one of the convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case. Convict Vinay Sharma had contended that the president had not applied his mind while rejecting his mercy petition. The court dismissed that suggestion, saying that "when the highest constitutional authority, upon perusal of various documents, has taken a decision to reject the mercy petition, it cannot be contended that it did not apply its mind to the documents." But the long-drawn saga of the Nirbhaya case is not about to come to a conclusion yet. Vinay Sharma is only the second of the four convicts in the case to challenge the president's rejection of their mercy plea. One other convict, Mukesh Kumar (32), tried and failed to get the court to second guess the president. A third convict, Akshay Kumar (31) has had his mercy petition rejected but he has not petitioned the Supreme Court yet. It is very likely he will do so. Then there is the fourth convict, Pawan Gupta (25). He has not yet filed a curative petition in the Supreme Court, the last legal remedy available to him against his conviction. Once he exhausts that option, he can still petition the president for mercy. The question arises whether the four convicts cannot be hanged individually. They cannot be. The Delhi High Court has ruled that all the four convicts have to hanged together. Donald Trump with Rudy Giuliani. President Donald Trump now admits he sent his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine to dig up dirt on 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter, a central part of Trumps impeachment. Trump on Thursday explained why he chose to use Rudy in an interview for Fox News host Geraldo Riveras podcast, perhaps feeling at ease after being acquitted by the Republican-led Senate earlier this month. Was it strange to send Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine, your personal lawyer? Are you sorry you did that? Rivera asked Trump. No, not at all, Trump said. Heres my choice: I deal with the Comeys of the world, or I deal with Rudy, he continued, referring to former FBI Director James Comey, whom he fired in 2017 after the FBI began investigating his 2016 campaign. The investigation mushroomed into special counsel Robert Muellers probe of Russian election interference. Trump said he has a very bad taste for US intelligence officials because of Muellers investigation, so he chose Giuliani to do his bidding. So when you tell me, why did I use Rudy? And one of the things about Rudy, number one, he was the best prosecutor, you know, one of the best prosecutors, and the best mayor, Trump told Rivera. But also, other presidents had them. FDR had a lawyer who was practically, you know, was totally involved with government. Eisenhower had a lawyer. They all had lawyers. In November, Trump denied that he sent Giuliani to Ukraine, despite congressional testimony from multiple witnesses, including career diplomats and government officials, who said Giuliani met with and pressured Ukrainian officials as part of Trumps plot to coerce a foreign government into aiding his reelection. No, I didnt direct him, but he is a warrior, he is a warrior, Trump said in an interview on former Fox News host Bill OReillys radio show, when asked if he instructed Giuliani to do anything in Ukraine. But... Continue reading on HuffPost King Mohammed VI chaired on Thursday in the province of Chtouka Ait Baha, Agadir region, a ceremony setting out new strategies for the development of the sectors of agriculture and forestry to enable the Kingdom take up future socioeconomic and global warming challenges. Speaking during the ceremony, attended by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, Minister of agriculture Aziz Akhannouch shed light on the new strategies Generation Green 2020-2030 and Forests of Morocco, developed in line with royal guidance calling for the creation of jobs, income generating activities in rural areas and for the emergence of an agricultural middle class. The new farming strategy builds on achievements accomplished by Green Morocco Plan which boosted agricultural exports, investments, created more job openings, improved resilience of agriculture against droughts and contributed to the expansion of small and medium agribusiness, said Akhannouch. The new strategy will help create, in ten years, 350,000 jobs for young people, a new generation of middle class farmers (between 350,000 to 400,000 households) and a new generation of young entrepreneurs (through exploitation of one million ha), explained the minister. This ambitious plan, which requires a 2.5 pc annual budget increase starting 2020, seeks to bolster farming exports (up to $6 billion) and agricultural GDP (to $25 billion) by 2030, he said. Regarding the new forest strategy, the minister stressed the importance of the countrys forests, which stretch over 9 million ha, highlighting their environmental, economic and social role. This inclusive strategy aims, by 2030, to repopulate 133,000 ha of forests, create 27,500 additional direct jobs, increase annual income of the production chains and ecotourism to about $515,000. To reach these goals, the new strategy will associate the local communities in forests management, set up modern forest nurseries, a pole of training & research, a Water & Forest Agency and a Nature Conservation Agency. The two new strategies will be implemented nationwide starting 2020, according to the specificities and assets of each region, and in coordination with all stakeholders, stressed Akhannouch. Afterwards, the Sovereign launched planting operation of 100 ha with Argan trees in the commune of Imi Mqouren. This project is part of a $2.5 million program to plant Argan trees in the province of Chtouka Ait Baha over 1,250 ha. The Monarch also launched on this occasion the construction works of an irrigation network from the Agadir desalination plant to be operational in 2021. Egypt's health ministry on Friday announced the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus in Africa. The sufferer was not Egyptian, the ministry said in a statement, without specifying the nationality. "The ministry has taken preventative measures and is monitoring the patient... who is stable," said health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed. Egyptian authorities had notified the World Health Organization and the patient been placed in quarantined isolation in hospital. The death toll from the epidemic virus has neared 1,400 cases, almost exclusively in China where it was first identified. Deep trade links with China and often overstretched healthcare systems have raised concerns about the capacity of African countries to respond to an outbreak. Earlier this month, Egypt suspended all flights on its national carrier to China. They will remain grounded until the end of the month. Three hundred and one Egyptians were evacuated from Wuhan, epicentre of the virus in China, and have remained in quarantine for 14 days. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Commission For Women chief Swati Maliwal (in green sweater) addresses students during a protest at Gargi College in New Delhi on Monday. File Photo. New Delhi: A Delhi court on Friday granted bail to 10 people, who were arrested in connection with the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at Gargi College, on an amount of Rs 10,000 each. Earlier on Thursday, the 10 were produced at Saket district court where the magistrate sent them to Tihar Jail under judicial custody for 14 days. Delhi Police on Monday received a complaint from Gargi College against the alleged sexual harassment of female students by a number of unidentified men during their annual cultural fest on February 6. A case was registered at Hauz Khas Police Station and several teams were constituted to investigate the matter. The police have been looking into available evidence and visited various sites in NCR for the identification of suspects. Police also 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. By Trend The results of the voting at 74th Lankaran constituency 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. 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. As a result, the election results in the 74th Lankaran constituency were cancelled. Hadi Rajabli was the leading candidate in this constituency. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz KAMPALA The Rwanda government has deported Ugandan IT expert Ivan Peter Egessa two months after he was arrested and detained in Kigali. Rwanda intelligence officials on Thursday, February 13, 2020, drove Egessa to the Ugandan border at Mirama Hills in Ntungamo district with an order declaring him an unwanted immigrant. Take note that you are declared a prohibited immigrant in Rwanda within the meaning of articles 12 and 15 of the law N 57/2018 of 13/08/2018 on immigration and emigration in Rwanda, a deportation order issued by Francois Regis Gatarayiha, Rwandas Director General of Immigration and Emigration, read in part. Egessa, a software engineer, went missing on December 8 last year in Kigali, with his family saying they had tried and failed to locate him through the Rwandan authorities. The Uganda government in January filed a formal complaint to Rwanda over his disappearance. However, Kigali did not respond. The disappearance of Egessa in Rwanda came at a time when relations between countries are frosty amid accusations and counter accusations of illegal detention of either countrys citizens by the respective security agencies. The frosty relations escalated in February 2019 when Rwanda closed its border with Uganda. Several efforts to resolve the fallout are yet to yield fruit. Several Ugandans who have crossed the border to Rwanda have been shot dead by Rwandan security forces on accusations of unauthorised entry. Related BRUSSELS - Giving new impulse to European enlargement policies and to the prospect of western Balkan countries in joining the Union are the objectives pursued in inviting the leaders of six western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Serbia) to an informal summit on Sunday with the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. After three postponements over the last two years, in the coming weeks the leaders of the 27 members will have to decide on the start of adhesion talks with Albania and North Macedonia. A green light could come at a summit of EU leaders scheduled at the end of March, if the enlargement reform proposed by the European Commission last week will convince the most recalcitrant countries (including France, the Netherlands and Denmark). The race towards the start of negotiations for Tirana and Skopje starts Sunday. The informal summit of Balkan leaders, summoned by Michel, will begin at 7:30 pm and will be followed on Monday by a meeting of European foreign ministers who will also discuss the Union's enlargement policies. Before the start of talks, scheduled at 9:30 am, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio will meet with Albanian Premier Edi Rama to stress Italy's support to the country. In the afternoon, a donor conference organized by the EU to help Albania in its post-quake reconstruction efforts will begin. Di Maio will attend together with representatives of member States and delegations of non-EU countries and international institutions including the United Nations and the World Bank. Why it matters: Anyone who has been an active internet user for an extended period has likely dealt with criticism of some sort, but companies and business owners tend to get the worst of it. Whether openly hostile or merely critical, negative reviews for products and services are the norm, and tech companies have made it easier than ever for users to share their opinions. However, opting to do so might just land you in hot water in some circumstances, as one anonymous Google user is about to learn. A dentist based out of Melbourne, Australia, has managed to convince a federal judge to order Google to "unmask" the individual behind a negative review left on his business' Google page. The dentist, Matthew Kabbabe, claims the three-month-old review in question is the only negative one his business has received to date. "I believe it is extremely unfair that people are allowed to anonymously attack honest, hardworking small businesses," Kabbabe said in a statement to ABC. The anonymous reviewer (who goes by the username "CBsm 23") could have information like his IP address, phone number, and full name divulged if Google complies with the judge's order. Kabbabe, and his lawyer Mark Stanarevic, feel the negative review constitutes defamation. Stanarevic says his client has lost "thousands" of dollars in business due to the criticism. For our part, we were unable to find CBsm 23's review anywhere on Dr. Kabbabe's "Asprodontics" Google page. There are 28 reviews in total, and all of them give Asprodontics a full five-star rating (though, somehow, the practice has a 4.9/5 overall score). It's possible that the individual pulled the review in response to this legal action, but we cannot say for sure. Either way, it's somewhat difficult to believe that a single negative review (out of at least 29) would be enough to negatively impact any business -- especially an otherwise well-respected dentistry practice -- to a meaningful degree. With that said, we're not business or legal experts, so we'll leave all final judgement to the courts. Image credit: Shutterstock (2). U.S. government debt yields slipped on Friday after the U.S. government said that last month's clothing sales represented the largest month-over-month decrease since March 2009. The Commerce Department said on Friday that retail sales excluding automobiles, gas, building materials and food services were unchanged last month while data for December was revised downward to show so-called core sales up 0.2% instead of the 0.5% jump previously reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast core retail sales rising 0.3% last month. The lackluster retail data was enough to kindle modest unease on Wall Street before the opening of trade, with the yield on the 10-year Treasury note slipping to 1.58%. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond fell to 2.034% while the 2-year yield receded to 1.426%. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico An online scam that targeted Puerto Rican agencies attempted to steal more than $4 million, police said Thursday, deepening concerns about the management of local government finances during an economic crisis. Authorities have frozen at least $2.9 million, said an official who was not authorized to comment on the case and requested anonymity. The government has not said how much money was seized by the hacker. The scam began when someone hacked into the computer of a finance worker at the islands Employee Retirement System in December, said Jose Ayala, director of the fraud unit within the bank robbery division. The hacker then posed as the female employee and sent emails to various government agencies alleging a change in bank accounts, he told The Associated Press. Two agencies fell victim to the scam in recent months: Puerto Ricos Industrial Development Company sent $63,000 in December and more than $2.6 million in January, while the islands Tourism Company sent $1.5 million in January to fraudulent accounts on the U.S. mainland, he said. Puerto Rico government officials realized what had happened when the finance worker at the Employee Retirement System called the agencies and said she had not received any payments and officials responded they had already sent them. Thats when they call us and all hell breaks loose, Ayala said. El Nuevo Dia, a Puerto Rico daily newspaper, had reported the $1.5 million payment that the tourism company had made. The other payment became public late Wednesday through a police report. Ayala said no other government agencies have reported a loss as a result of the scam. He said the FBI is investigating how the computer at the Employee Retirement System got hacked. On Thursday, legislators demanded a probe as government officials declined to provide further information, citing an ongoing investigation. The government of Puerto Rico is in a serious fiscal crisis. It doesnt have enough money to fulfill its obligations, said Puerto Rico Rep. Ramon Luis Cruz, who filed legislation seeking an investigation. Its truly absurd and unsustainable to have such a shallow and vague explanation. Incidents in which hackers spoof or compromise an email account from a legitimate person or company are common in the public and private sector, said Meredith Ward, policy and research director at the National Association of State Chief Information Officers. It can be compared to knocking on the door, she said. Happens every day, but entry isnt always gained. Around the same time the Puerto Rico incident occurred last month, a school district in Manor, Texas, reported an email phishing scam that resulted in the loss of $2.3 million. Meanwhile, officials in Griffin, Georgia, reported a loss of more than $800,000 last year after receiving an email requesting an account change. More than 23,700 business email compromises, as such scams are known, were reported on the U.S. mainland last year, with total adjusted losses of more than $1.7 billion, according to the FBI. A special FBI team said it helped recover more than $300 million stolen in that type of scheme last year. Manuel Laboy, executive director of Puerto Ricos Industrial Development Company, told the AP that the agency is trying to recover the money. Tourism spokeswoman Yolanda Rosaly referred questions to the governor, whose office said local and federal authorities were working on the case and that it cannot provide comment until the investigation is complete. Puerto Rican Rep. Jesus Manuel Ortiz said the lack of information is unacceptable. There are a lot of questions that have not been answered, he said. The government has to explain what happened. JACKSON, Miss. - As the Justice Department investigates deaths and violence in the Mississippi prison system, one inmate had to wait about a month to get a cast on his arm that was broken during a prison riot, people close to the injured man say. They said Wesley Clayton only got help after people persuaded a legislator to intervene on his behalf. The state Department of Corrections will not answer questions about Claytons situation. For privacy reasons, the department is unable to discuss an inmates medical condition, department spokeswoman Grace Simmons Fisher wrote Thursday in response to an email from The Associated Press. The Justice Department announced Feb. 5 that its civil rights division was opening an investigation of Mississippi prisons after a string of inmate deaths. At least 16 inmates have died in the states prisons since late December. Most of them died at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, and many were killed during outbursts of violence that also left an undisclosed number of inmates injured. Clayton, 44, is in Parchman. He told relatives that the big bone in his lower left arm was broken during riots and that he was given an injection for pain but his bone was not set in a cast, said Sherren Smith of Meridian, the mother of Claytons children. Smith and Claytons sister, Stephanie Truman of Meridian, were among the people who attended a Mississippi legislative hearing Thursday at the state capitol to protest prison conditions. They took turns holding a poster with enlarged photos of Claytons broken arm. Smith said although shes no longer in a relationship with Clayton, their children were upset about their fathers injury. She said she made multiple calls to Parchman and to the Department of Corrections during the past month trying to get a physician to see Clayton and set the broken bone. I said, Maam, please have some mercy. This is somebodys child, Smith said, recounting her conversation with one Parchman employee. Smith said Clayton was taken to get his arm in a cast Wednesday after she contacted Democratic state Rep. Charles Young Jr. of Meridian. Department of Corrections records show Clayton is serving 35 years for four convictions, including armed robbery in Jones County and grand larceny in Lauderdale County. His tentative release date is in 2025. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2020) - GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. (TSXV: SPOT) ("GoldSpot" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Pacton Gold Inc. ("Pacton") has extended its contract with GoldSpot, AI-leaders in exploration. Pacton is currently drilling targets, some of which were delineated by GoldSpot in 2019. As a result of the extension, Pacton will continue to benefit from GoldSpot's use of machine learning analysis on available data to help target drilling and refine advanced exploration efforts on Pacton's Red Lake properties. Pacton Executive Chairman Dale Ginn states, "GoldSpot continues to support Pacton Gold by providing its expertise in both conventional geoscience and advanced artificial intelligence, and we appreciate their strategy of investing in the companies they work with. Field and AI work to date has assisted greatly in prioritizing high probability targets and has enabled us to rapidly move to the drilling stage. Our geology team is looking forward to further input from GoldSpot, especially in anticipation of drill results and the upcoming field season." Machine Learning Improving the Efficiency of Field Investigations GoldSpot employed several techniques to achieve success in field investigations in 2019. Some of these include: Remote targeting of prospective areas Remote rock-type mapping Outcrop finding GoldSpot Identifies Highly Prospective Areas GoldSpot employed a multi-stage approach to identifying the most prospective areas in Pacton's 143 km2 Red Lake property holdings. To optimize a short field season, GoldSpot identified areas within this large property to focus exploration activities. Great Bear's Dixie Property lies immediately to the southeast of Pacton's Main Claim block (Figure 1). GoldSpot focussed on finding the extension of the heavily and broadly mineralized LP Fault zone that hosts the Rimini Zone mineralization. Tracing the LP Structure through Pacton's property GoldSpot's expert geophysicists traced the significant LP fault from the Dixie property through Pacton's South and Main Claim blocks. Figure 1 illustrates the interpreted trace of the LP Structure and two interpreted subsidiary structures to the north through Pacton's properties. GoldSpot considers all three structures prospective. This structural corridor represents nearly 20 km2. Figure 1 - Trace of the LP Structure through Pacton Gold's property (Red Lake, Ontario). To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5844/52441_98927b6f64344887_001full.jpg Tracing Alteration To further refine the area of investigation, GoldSpot used multiple coincident signals associated with silicification to home in on zones of alteration. Areas of subtle low magnetic signal adjacent to the LP and splay structures were identified. Silicification can result in localized magnetic destruction. Figure 2: Zones of subtle low magnetic signal adjacent to or within interpreted structures. To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5844/52441_98927b6f64344887_003full.jpg Spatially unbiased evaluation of magnetic survey data using machine processing to reveal magnetic lows too subtle of a human (biased) evaluation. Similar to step 1 this process is used to identify zones where silicification may have resulted in localized zones of magnetic destruction in host rocks. After the processing, small linear trends of weak magnetic lows were identified. Figure 3 shows the machine-based thresholding product with the identified magnetic low trends. Figure 3: The spatial product of machine-based thresholding applied to magnetic survey data and the trends of linear weak magnetic lows it revealed. To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5844/52441_98927b6f64344887_004full.jpg Linear zones of slightly elevated topography. Silicification can result in the hardening of a host rock resulting in a positive weathering effect. Detailed Lidar data was used to identify linear zones of subtle (less than 1 m) elevation increase relative to the surrounding land. Figure 3 illustrates areas of slightly elevated topography adjacent to or within faults. Figure 4: Zones of elevated topography adjacent to or within interpreted structures plotted on Lidar image. To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5844/52441_98927b6f64344887_005full.jpg The combination of these three targeting products further focussed exploration efforts on Pacton's Main Red Lake property. Areas where the LP fault extension and its splays coincide with topographic highs and zones of subtle magnetic lows identified by both a geophysicist and by machine learning technology are considered most prospective for silica-sericite alteration associated with gold mineralization (Figure 5). Figure 5: Combined inputs of alteration targeting. Zones of overlap of all features are most prospective. To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5844/52441_98927b6f64344887_006full.jpg GoldSpot geologists visited one of these target areas on the final two days of fieldwork in 2019. Intense silica-sericite and quartz stockwork alteration types (Photos 1 and 2) were discovered in an area approximately 400 m by 125 m where silica/silica-sericite alteration was predicted (Figure 6). Photo 1 (Left): Pervasive silica-sericite alteration. Photo 2 (Right): Quartz stockwork veins. To view an enhanced version of Photo 1 and 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5844/52441_98927b6f64344887_007full.jpg Figure 6: Alteration target areas with identified zone of silica (quartz stockwork veins) and silica-sericite alteration shown as golden rectangle. To view an enhanced version of Figure 6, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5844/52441_98927b6f64344887_008full.jpg This successful proof-of-concept has given renewed impetus to test this discovered alteration zone associated with the LP Fault extension. Only one of the significant overlapping targets was visited. This leaves several areas of high potential targets for ground-truthing and discovery in the 2020 field season. GoldSpot Conducts Remote Rock-type Mapping Because certain rock-types are particularly prospective, GoldSpot has developed machine learning algorithms that can use existing geophysical data to remotely identify these prospective rock-types. In the main Red Lake gold camp (mines including Red Lake, Madsen, Williams, Cochenour, etc.) the interface of 'mafic' and 'ultramafic' rocks, combined with structural factors (F2 closures and faults) and zones of quartz-carbonate alteration are considered prospective. GoldSpot applied a combination of machine-assisted learning and insights from both geophysicist and geologist to Pacton's NE Block of claims. A significantly refined geology map resulted (Figure 7). Of particular note are: Previously unmapped ultramafic units (confirmed in historic drilling) An apparent fold interference pattern (F1 - F2 interference) of the mafic-ultramafic contacts Areas of relatively low-magnetic signal within the ultramafic unit that are interpreted as alteration zones. These three features identified in GoldSpot's remote rock-type mapping correspond to the ingredients that characterise the high-grade gold mineralization of the main Red Lake gold camp. Figure 7 - Enhancement of the geological map through remote rock-type mapping. To view an enhanced version of Figure 7, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5844/52441_98927b6f64344887_009full.jpg Machine Learning Used as an Outcrop Finding Tool GoldSpot used a proprietary, outcrop-finding, machine learning tool to help its field mapping geologists by reducing their daily traverse preparation work. This tool uses available satellite imagery and topographic information to predict where bedrock exposures are likely to be found. When working in the remote, glaciated, boreal forest geologists plan traverses that are designed to optimize the likelihood of finding outcrop. To do this a detailed analysis of images of the terrain are scrutinized and interpreted to identify likely outcrop areas. This can be an onerous and painstaking undertaking when done manually. GoldSpot's tool automates the process and generates outcrop probability maps for large areas in minutes. This tool was used to predict outcrops with great success on both the Main and NE blocks geological field work saving the geologists time in the office and in the bush. The technical information in this press release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) and reviewed and approved by Lindsay Hall, professional geoscientist (APGO # 0891), a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101. About GoldSpot Discoveries GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. (TSXV: SPOT) is a Canadian technology company transforming a traditional industry using artificial intelligence and machine learning. As the first publicly-traded AI company in mineral exploration, GoldSpot Discoveries uses machine learning as a powerful extension of geological brainpower to unlock deep value in data. In addition to service offerings and strategic investments, GoldSpot has developed a first of its kind AI driven trading platform giving investors a new way to play the mining space. For further information please contact: Denis Laviolette, President, CEO and Director GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. 647-992-9837 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) 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/52441 Moneypenny named as finalist in 2020 St David Awards This article is old - Published: Friday, Feb 14th, 2020 One of Wrexhams biggest companies has been named among the finalists of the 2020 St David Awards by the First Minister. The national awards celebrate the extraordinary achievements of the people of Wales in categories including bravery; culture; business; innovation, science and technology; sport and young person, as well as two new categories: community spirit, and humanitarian. Moneypenny, a call-handling services to other businesses based on the Western Gateway in Wrexham, has been shortlisted alongside four other organisations across Wales within the business category. The company employs around 650 people at its purpose-built headquarters and is committed to having one of the best workplaces in the UK. This commitment has earned them a place on the Sunday Times list of Best Business to Work For, for nearly 10 years. Last summer Moneypenny co-founder, Rachel Clacher, was awarded a CBE in the Queens Honours List for her contribution to business and the community. Announcing the finalists, the First Minister said: I am honoured to name the 2020 St David Awards finalists what an inspiring group of people we are lucky to have living and working in Wales. The awards are a celebration of the people who make Wales a better place to live. Each of the finalists have made a big difference, from saving a life, to overcoming adversity, inspiring others, or supporting a community. Every single one of our St David Awards finalists are truly exceptional and a credit to our nation. I look forward to celebrating their achievements at the awards ceremony on Thursday 19 March. The final award, the First Ministers Special Award, is chosen by the First Minister and the winner will be announced at the ceremony in March. President Donald Trump admitted sending his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine despite staunch denials during the impeachment inquiry. Trump was asked on Geraldo Rivera's podcast Thursday, 'Was it strange to send Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine, your personal lawyer? Are you sorry you did that?' 'No, not at all,' the president replied. 'Here's my choice: I deal with the Comeys of the world, or I deal with Rudy.' Trump previously denied that he had asked the former New York Mayor to 'do anything' or 'put heat' on the Ukraine. 'No, I didn't direct him, but he's a warrior.' Trump told former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly in November. President Donald Trump said he wasn't 'at all' sorry about sending his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani Targets: Hunter Biden's role on the board of Ukrainian energy firm Burisma has been used as a weapon against his father, Joe, who is now struggling in the 2020 Democratic race Trump said to Geraldo yesterday that the Russia probe left him with 'very bad taste' of the U.S. intelligence community, so he deployed Giuliani. He added: 'Other presidents had [lawyers]. FDR had a lawyer who was practically, you know, was totally involved with government. Eisenhower had a lawyer. They all had lawyers.' American diplomats and national security officials testified during the impeachment saga that Giuliani orchestrated a pressure campaign to get the Ukrainian president to investigate the Bidens. Giuliani's name was also mentioned by Trump in his phone call to President Volodymyr Zelensky which was at the center of the Democrats' case. Trump reiterated Thursday that this was 'a perfect call.' Trump also continued to slam the Justice Department's treatment of Roger Stone in the interview with Geraldo, further setting up a collision course with Attorney General William Barr. Shortly after that interview, Barr used a separate sit-down with ABC News to say the president's tweets 'make it impossible for me to do my job.' 'What they did to Roger Stone was a disgrace,' Trump told Rivera. He said of the prosecutors who resigned in protest: 'I don't think they quit the case. ... 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. Barr made his extraordinary comments to ABC news amid a furore 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 Democrats have demanded more information about Barr's intervention in the case of Stone, a longtime confidant of the president who was convicted in November. Stone was found guilty of obstruction of justice, lying to Congress and witness tampering during the Russia probe. Barr this week overruled prosecutors who had recommended Stone be sentenced to seven to nine years in prison. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticised Barr on Thursday, calling him one of Trump's 'henchmen.' 'The attorney general has stooped to such levels,' Mr Pelosi said. 'What a sad disappointment. The American people deserve better.' Barr also said, however, that his decision to undo the sentencing recommendation was made before Mr Trump tweeted about it. Despite his criticism of the president, he also said Trump had not asked him to intervene in any cases. MoneyTV with Donald Baillargeon television program, Copyright MMXX, all rights reserved. MoneyTV does not provide an analysis of companies' financial positions and is not soliciting to purchase or sell securities of the companies, nor are we offering a recommendation of featured companies or their stocks. Information discussed herein has been provided by the companies and should be verified independently with the companies and a securities analyst. MoneyTV provides companies a 3 to 4 month corporate profile with multiple appearances for a cash fee of $6,950.00 to $11,995.00, does not accept company stock as payment for services, does not hold any positions, options or warrants in featured companies. The information herein is not an endorsement by Donald Baillargeon, the producer, publisher or parent company of MoneyTV. 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. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, on Sept. 25, 2019. (Reuters/Carlo Allegri) Australia PM Says to Replace Failing Indigenous Policy Australia is on track to meet just two of its targets aimed at improving the lives of its Indigenous people, including increasing life expectancy and improving literacy, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday. In 2007, Australia introduced seven targets designed to address inequalities that see the countrys 700,000 Indigenous people track near the bottom of its 25 million citizens in almost every economic and social indicator. But Morrison said Australias government is policy is failing and will be replaced. We perpetuated an ingrained way of thinking passed down over two centuries and more, and it was the belief that we knew better than our Indigenous peoples. We dont, Morrison told Australias Parliament. We also thought we understood their problems better than they did. We dont. They live them. We must see the gap we wish to close, not from our viewpoints, but from the viewpoint of Indigenous Australians. Morrison said new Indigenous polices will be designed following consultation with its first people, with whom Australia has struggled to reconcile following hundreds of years of brutal segregation. Indigenous Australians arrived on the continent at least 50,000 years before British colonists but are not recognized in the national constitution. According to the annual report, literacy rates for Indigenous students are 20% are behind the national benchmark, child mortality is more than double that for non-Indigenous children, while unemployment in the Indigenous population is more than 25% higher than the rest of the country. There is more than just a gap, it is a chasm, a gaping wound on the soul of our nation, said Pat Turner, chief executive officer at the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. Collectively, we need to call this out, be truthful about the failure of governments and how we got here, so that we can chart a new and honest way forward. By Colin Packham Police officers in protective gear waiting to evacuate residents from a public-housing building in Hong Kong earlier this week amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. Reuters President Donald Trump's top economic adviser says China isn't being open with the US about the coronavirus, suggesting China is not being "honest with us." Larry Kudlow told reporters on Thursday the US was "a little disappointed in the lack of transparency coming from the Chinese" and "I don't know what their motives are," according to The Guardian. His comments come after Hubei, the province at the center of the outbreak, on Thursday changed the way it counted infection cases leading to a huge 15,000-person spike in recorded cases overnight. On Friday, China also removed more than 100 deaths, citing duplicated figures adding to suspicion over the way it's recording infections. Multiple researchers have long suggested a higher infection count. At the same time, the World Health Organization has praised China's efforts and relative transparency. Beijing covered up many cases during the 2003 SARS outbreak. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. A top White House official has suggested China is not being "honest with us" and has "motives" in how it shares information about the deadly coronavirus, as Beijing continues to face suspicion on the way it counts infection cases. "We are a little disappointed that we haven't been invited in and we're a little disappointed in the lack of transparency coming from the Chinese," Larry Kudlow told reporters Thursday, according to The Guardian. Kudlow as director of the US National Economic Council is one of President Donald Trump's top negotiators in trade talks with China. He said Chinese President Xi Jinping previously told Trump that he would accept help from the US but that so far "they won't let us." "I don't know what their motives are. I do know that apparently more and more people are suffering over there," Kudlow said, according to The Guardian. "Is the Politburo really being honest with us?" Story continues Larry Kudlow, the top economic adviser to President Donald Trump. Carolyn Kaster/AP Images The virus, which emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December, has now killed at least 1,380 people and infected more than 63,000 people in China alone, according to government figures. Suspicion has swirled over the way China has responded to the virus and how it compiles its figures, recently heightened by the way some authorities have changed their reporting methods. Such change caused the number of new cases to jump by 15,000 on Thursday, making it the largest single-day increase since the outbreak began. Kudlow also mentioned the change Thursday, saying, according to Reuters, that the numbers were "jumping around" and that "there was some surprise." An exhibition center converted into a hospital in Wuhan on February 5. STR/AFP/Getty Images The director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also said the agency had offered to help China with the virus as early as January 6 but had not heard back. "There's a lot of information we don't know that's why I offered to provide assistance, direct assistance, and send our CDC folks over there back on January 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," Dr. Robert Redfield told CNN on Wednesday. "That letter has not been responded to yet by the official Chinese government," he said. "We do believe that we're the best in the world in this space and we're ready to help and assist them, but they're an independent nation that has to make that decision that they're going to invite us in." The coronavirus, which has spread to at least 25 other countries, has become an international crisis. Suspicion hangs over China's figures, but the WHO has praised the country's response The figures being reported by China had already been treated with suspicion for weeks after multiple researchers suggested the number of infected should be much higher. These doubts were heightened Thursday after China's Hubei province which is home to Wuhan changed its method of diagnosis to include people who were found to have signs of pneumonia during CT scans. This caused 15,000 new cases to be recorded within 24 hours becoming the largest single-day jump in cases since the outbreak began. A man disinfecting a woman arriving at a hotel accommodating isolated people in Wuhan on February 3. Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images And on Friday, China's National Health Commission said it had removed 108 people from the death count "because of duplicated Hubei province statistics," according to a translation by CNBC. Another unnamed Chinese province near Russia also cut its number of confirmed cases earlier this week, deciding that people who tested positive for the coronavirus but did not show symptoms did not count, according to The New York Times. These revisions come as part of China's medical systems become overwhelmed and some areas report a shortage of virus-testing kits. Multiple studies have also suggested the number of infected should be much higher. They include: Research suggesting that a host of symptoms had been overlooked and that there were actually eight times as many cases as had been reported. A scientific model suggesting the number of infections was actually 10 times the official number near the end of January, about one month into the outbreak. Other research suggesting that China does not have the capacity to properly test enough people in Wuhan for the virus and that there are actually 19 times as many people infected as what is recorded. Chinese authorities also targeted medical professionals and journalists who warned about the virus in its early days. Chinese President Xi Jinping in Paris on March 26. Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Kerry Brown, a China expert at King's College London, told The New York Times after Hubei province shared its diagnosis method that "It's pretty clear that there is an issue with trust about whatever the Chinese government comes out with at the moment." "That may be terribly unfair," he said. But "to redefine things even legitimately at a moment like this is always going to be a presentational challenge, because people are going to be very sensitive, and they're going to suspect there's another agenda." The World Health Organization, however, has praised China's relative transparency and efforts to fight the coronavirus spread. It said last month that China had agreed to allow global health experts into the country, and the organization has also sent a delegation to the country. "We appreciate the seriousness with which China is taking this outbreak, especially the commitment from top leadership, and the transparency they have demonstrated, including sharing data and genetic sequence of the virus," the WHO's director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also said in January. The World Health Organization assembly in Geneva in May 2008. FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images China has also shared the draft genome of the coronavirus, allowing it to be studied with researchers around the world. Its response to this coronavirus outbreak has been deemed far more open compared with its response to the SARS outbreak in the early 2000s. China tried to cover up and deny that outbreak, which went on to kill more than 770 people around the world. Read the original article on Business Insider The state has approved a grant of more than a quarter-million dollars to help San Antonio address youth homelessness. The City Council accepted the $268,670 grant from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs this week. Homelessness is a very complex and complicated issue, it has a lot of different areas and one of the gaps we see is with homeless youth and we need to make sure we are doing our part to closing all our gaps, Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran said. I think this funding is going to help our agencies and the city to help find those homeless youth, to connect them into our systems that maybe they are not at right now. The city said the primary use of the funds will include case management, street outreach, emergency shelter and transitional living for unaccompanied homeless youth and homeless young adults 24 years of age and younger, the ordinance approving and accepting the grant states. The 2019 Point-in-Time Count, which occurs on a single night each year in January by the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless, reported there were 2,872 homeless people in the San Antonio area last year. Of those, 523 were 18 or younger. On ExpressNews.com: Volunteers spread out across San Antonio area to count homeless in streets, under bridges, in shelters Most of them had some kind of temporary shelter 383, according to the count while 135 were in transitional housing and five had no shelter. In addition, there were 128 homeless people that were between ages 18 and 24. While looking at addressing homeless youth, that can be everyone from possibly getting someone out of foster care, that can be those young people who are maybe couch surfing, Viagran said. We need to use the resources we have to get to those homeless youth. Its probably more prevalent than people realize. The Point-in-Time Count report notes that adolescence and young adulthood are crucial windows of development. One day of housing instability and the associated stress represents a missed opportunity to foster healthy development and transitions to productive adulthood, the report asserts. The grant funds will go to the Thrive Youth Center, Roy Maas Youth Alternatives and Alamo Colleges District to provide services to youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Youth experiencing homelessness have a different subset of needs compared to the general homeless population because of their limited experience using essential independent living skills, paying for transportation, gaining employment, or managing finances, the Point-in-Time Count report states. The report goes on to say that young people who are homeless are more likely to engage in high-risk behavior than those whose housing situation is stable. The grant is in addition to the $877,656 general set-aside allocation which is currently designated to Haven for Hope to serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Eight other Texas cities also received grants from the state agency. sara.cline@express-news.net On Thursday night the rocket attacked the US military base in Kirkuk, a remote area of Iraq. However, no casualties were reported. Iraqi and US security sources say this is the first attack on a K-1 base since December 27. On December 27, 30 consecutive rockets were fired and an American contractor was killed. The US accused Katib Hezbollah of this attack. Qatib Hezbollah is a section of the Iraqi army that is believed to be close to Iran. After this, the US, in retaliation, killed 25 fighters of Qatib Hezbollah. After this, he killed Qasim Sulemani, the military general of Iran. For your information, let us tell you that despite all the warnings of the US, attacks on its bases in Iraq have not stopped. A few days ago, several rockets were fired near the US Embassy in Baghdad. The sounds of the blasts were heard from the western bank of the Tigris River where embassies of many countries were located. A security source had said that three high-altitude rockets fell in the high-security zone, while another source said five rockets were attacked by Katyusha rockets in the area. In a campaign last month, the US targeted General Suleimani with his MQ-9 Reaper drone when his convoy was heading into Baghdad. After the assassination of General, a situation like war had arisen between Iran and America. Iran targeted two US military bases in Iraq in retaliation and threatened to target the United Arab Emirates' Dubai and Israel's Hafia on receiving a response from the US. Also Read: 1716 Chinese Medical Staff infected with Corona Virus Will Microsoft CEO 'Satya Nadella' visit to India be successful? After Kasim Sulemani's death, NATO takes important steps about security Nature started to extinguish the fire of Australia's forests It's hard to tell whether the apparent tension between President Trump and Attorney General Bill Barr is real or a way to create the appearance of some separation between Barr and Trump on the subject of Roger Stone. The facts are straightforward but still open to interpretation. Bob Mueller and his bad boys went after Roger Stone with a level of ferocity far in excess of any wrongdoing Stone had allegedly committed. Although Stone is a nonviolent first-time offender who allegedly committed a crime that is the norm in Washington, D.C. (lying to Congress, something James Clapper, for example, did with impunity), Mueller's team arranged for a pre-dawn SWAT-style raid on Stone to arrest him, complete with a conveniently present CNN team; a multi-pronged indictment; a jury foreman who openly despised Trump and everyone around him; and a shopped judge who loathes Trump, too. At the end of the day, Mueller's prosecutors got Stone convicted on seven counts, including lying to Congress, obstructing an official proceeding, and witness-tampering (that is, threats to a potential witness who found Stone's angry fulminations laughable). Then, the Mueller gang went in for the kill, demanding that Stone, who is now 67, be sentenced to seven to nine years in prison. This excessive demand can only stem from malevolence and the need to send a warning to Trump associates, akin to the mafia promising a few broken kneecaps for people who don't play along. Immediately after the prosecutors made their sentencing demand, Trump tweeted out that the sentencing request was corrupt and evil, as well as taking swipes at the judge and the prosecutors: 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 Is this the Judge that put Paul Manafort in SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, something that not even mobster Al Capone had to endure? How did she treat Crooked Hillary Clinton? Just asking! https://t.co/Fe7XkepJNN Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020 Who are the four prosecutors (Mueller people?) who cut and ran after being exposed for recommending a ridiculous 9 year prison sentence to a man that got caught up in an investigation that was illegal, the Mueller Scam, and shouldnt ever even have started? 13 Angry Democrats? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020 At roughly the same time, the Justice Department intervened to ask the court not to consider the specific request for seven to ten years. Instead, it gave the judge more leeway by recommending only an unspecified term as the judge saw fit. Democrats predictably exploded, accusing Trump of interfering with justice. On Thusday night, Barr seemed to side with the Democrats. Although he stated strongly that Trump "never asked me to do anything in a criminal case," he added that the president's tweets "make it impossible for me to do my job." Trump's spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, responded, saying Trump "wasn't bothered" by Barr's critique: 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 fake news. The President has full faith and confidence in Attorney General Barr to do his job and uphold the law. Trump is right not to be bothered. First, Bill Barr is his employee, so Trump can interfere up to a point, although it's not necessarily a good idea to do so. Second, becoming president does not mean that Trump has fewer rights than the ordinary citizen. The judicial system is a co-equal branch, and if he thinks a judge is misbehaving, he may say so. After all, judges have the protection of lifetime appointments, so Trump poses no threat to a judge by criticizing the judge's performance. In any event, it's entirely possible that, rather than being at odds with each other, Barr and Trump are acting out a little charade to emphasize Barr's undoubted independence. Trump, more than any president before him, understands narrative and dramatic tension. If the press won't give that narrative to him, he needs to create it on his own, and this seeming tiff is one way to do it. SUGAR LAND, Texas - Police are trying to determine why a former pastor from the Houston area fatally shot his wife and 11-year-old son, tried to strangle his daughter, then killed himself. Richard Logan, 53, killed 48-year-old Diana Logan and their son, Aaron, at their home in Sugar Land on Tuesday, police said. He then drove about 160 miles (260 kilometres) to San Marcos, where his adult daughter attends college, and attempted to strangle her, police said. Were not sure why he disengaged and left, said Sugar Land police spokesman Doug Adolph. Logan then shot himself at TAS Environmental Service, a consulting company, just south of San Marcos. Police at the scene recovered the same gun used to kill Logans wife and son. Police didnt immediately know what connection, if any, Logan had with the business. An investigation is ongoing. Rodolph said detectives havent identified Logans motive in the killings. The former pastor founded Attack Poverty, a non-profit that connects people with jobs, education, medical care and spiritual outlets in underserved communities. He posted frequently on social media about his non-profits initiatives and his family. The Logans deaths shook their community. I think I share with everybody who knew the Logans a real sense of shock that this was so unpredictable, Pastor Patrick Kelley at River Pointe Church said at a news conference Wednesday. And we knew the Logans very very well, and something like this is just something you cannot predict or foresee. The non-profit Logan ran issued a statement, reiterating the shock waves the familys deaths have sent through its community. The Attack Poverty family is in shock to learn of the tragedy involving our Chief Executive Officer, Richard Logan, and his family. We are co-operating with investigators and waiting for more information as we try to process this loss with our staff, volunteers and community. A memorial service will be held at River Pointe Church in Richmond, Texas, Monday at 2 p.m. Just you watch: By the time Election Day rolls around in November, liberal columnists will be telling us that Bernie Sanders is the real conservative in the presidential race. Many among the centerleft commentariat are struggling to come to terms with the likelihood that the Democratic Party will nominate an authoritarian leftist for president. A lot of this anxiety is, no doubt, driven by recent polls that find a majority of Americans are more open to voting for a non-binary Martian atheist than for a socialist. Others, however, have begun reinventing Sanders, who, they now contend, isnt actually a socialist socialist, because hell never send you to die in an icy gulag and few of his policy ideas will ever come to fruition. Matt Fuller over at Huffington Post posits that moderates shouldnt be too scared of a Sanders presidency when all Republicans and most Democrats in Congress publicly oppose Medicare for All. Really? The signature policy idea championed by a major partys leading presidential contender is so unpopular that the majority of elected officials cant publicly support it, and that should reassure moderates? Vote Bernie: Hes got tremendously unpopular positions that will never pass! Youll notice, no doubt, that Fuller is careful to say elected officials only publicly oppose socialistic ideas, which usually intimates that some might personally desire a federally run health-care system. Its just a matter of time before they evolve to the enlightened position, no doubt. Bernie, whom we must now take seriously but not literally, is just a step in the right direction. Paul Krugman is more straightforward in his latest column, Bernie Sanders Isnt a Socialist. The real problem, contends the New York Times pundit, is that the man who once rolled with the Trotskyite Socialist Workers Party and defended a slew of Marxist dictators throughout the Cold War merely brands himself a socialist, thus handing Republicans a potent line of attack. Story continues After spending a few sentences scolding conservatives for having smeared his favored policy programs as socialism over the years, Krugman laments that Bernie plays right into the hands of these disreputable, smarmy, dishonest Republicans. They were right, though, werent they, all those hyperbolic conservatives who warned that corroding economic freedom would lead here? The Democratic Party is on the verge of nominating a man who wants to incrementally abolish capitalism. This time, Im sure, itll be done right. Only a few years ago, liberal pundits such as Jonathan Chait, now nervously writing about a Sanders nomination, were dismissing the notion that the Democratic Party was moving hard to the left. Like it or not, many of Donald Trumps policy positions if not his disposition would be at least recognizable to a mainstream Reagan-era conservative audience. Bernie makes Barack Obama, the most left-wing president of the modern era, seem like a neoliberal shill. So the question is: Why would Bernie spend 55 years calling himself a socialist if he was not? Krugman theorizes that its just personal branding, with a dash of glee at shocking the bourgeoisie. Though youre sure this will be the most mind-blowingly absurd statement in the piece, Krugman later takes his game to another level by arguing that Sanders isnt a genuine socialist because he doesnt want to nationalize major industries or replace markets with central planning. First of all, doesnt want and cant are very different things. Bernie wants to nationalize industry, or has a history of saying he does, anyway. I know this because in the 1970s, he proudly proclaimed that he favored the public ownership of utilities, banks and major industries. Has anyone asked him if hes changed his mind since then? Krugman, and others, keep making the false claim that Sanders merely wants to emulate the systems in Scandinavian nations, which have strong private sectors propping up generous welfare programs. But the problem isnt just that Sanders history suggest otherwise; its that he openly argues for effectively nationalizing two major sectors of the economy health care and energy, both of which have played a big role in driving growth right now. For that matter, there arent many economic activities that he doesnt want the federal government centrally planning. Enacting massive regulatory schemes that dictate what you can buy and what you can sell and how much you can sell it for is as good as controlling the means of production. Krugman is right that Sanders couldnt be Hugo Chavez who his top speechwriter, also probably not a real socialist, once claimed had created an economic miracle in Venezuela even if he wanted to in his heart of hearts. We still function under a system that protects individual freedom, which remains the core idea of the American Founding even if its under increasing threat. But whether or not he could get away with enacting them, no amount of spin or revisionist history is going to make Sanderss proposals any less radical. More from National Review Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 15:44:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao on Thursday rejected the criticism the government has received over the creation of the new National Amazon Council, saying "no one loses power" though they are not part of the council. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro signed a decree to create the new council on Tuesday, which will be under the supervision of the office of the vice president, and will be in charge of organizing inter-ministerial actions for the "protection, defense and sustainable development" of the Amazon Rainforest region. There used to be an Amazon Council created in 1995. It was attached to the Environment Ministry and formed by several government offices, as well as governors from the states in the Amazon Rainforest region. With the newly-signed decree, the new council does not have the participation of the governors of these states and consists only of 14 cabinet members, leading to criticism from both local administrations and environmental organizations. These bodies voiced that the government is centralizing issues related to the Amazon region and alienating state administrations which can give a local perspective to those matters. In response, Mourao said that governors will be consulted and "no one loses power" even though they are not part of the council. "I will go from state to state to hear the governors," Mourao said. "The council's major job is to coordinate the actions of different ministries for the protection, preservation and sustainable development of the Amazon region." Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun state on Friday presented N1.2 billion bonds to retirees in the state. Mr Oyetola, who used the occasion of 2020 Cultural Day celebration to make the presentation in Osogbo, said the bonds were for the payment of terminal benefit of some retired workers under the contributory Pension Scheme. The governor said that the government would continue to bring smiles to the faces of all categories of workers in the state. He expressed deep appreciation to workers for their commitment and dedication to service and assured them of government continued support. Mr Oyetola described the pensioners as a significant population and elder citizens, who had contributed significantly and meritoriously to the upliftment of the state. He said: Your welfare is of paramount importance to us and that is why, even in the face of limited resources, we have lived up to our word to pay your gratuity and pension as retired workers and the salaries of the serving workers. About two days ago, we released the sum of N50 million for the payment of gratuities of retired workers under the old Pension Scheme. Today, we are here to further fulfill our promise to enhance your welfare. We shall release the sum of N550 million for the payment of terminal benefits of some retired workers under the Contributory Pension Scheme. As well as another sum of N647 million under the Scheme for retired Local Government Employees and Elementary School Teachers in the state. Speaking on the significance of the 2020 Cultural Day, the governor said his administration dedicated adire wears (the traditional attire) to commemorate the day. Earlier in his remarks, the Head of Service, Festus Olowogboyega, commended the governor for redefining the civil service and for making life worthwhile for the workers in the state. Mr Olowogboyega commended the government for giving priority to the welfare of pensioners whose footprints had served as inspiration to active workers in the state civil service. (NAN) A Muslim woman's Sharia marriage to a property developer in a London restaurant 22 years ago was not valid under English law, senior judges ruled today. Nasreen Akhter only has a 'limited' claim to his cash, property and pensions and is not entitled to any maintenance from her Muslim husband Mohammed Shabaz Khan. Mrs Akhter wanted a divorce from her husband Mohammed Shabaz Khan who she married in a religious 'nikah' ceremony carried out by an imam in 1998. But in a landmark ruling in London today three judges including Britain's top family judge, Master of the Rolls Sir Terence Etherton, said the English courts did not recognise their Sharia marriage because it 'had no legal effect'. The judgment means Mrs Akhtar is powerless to claim significant sums of money or property from Mr Khan in the same way a legally married spouse can because they did not also have a legal civil ceremony as well. Mrs Akhter is expected to appeal to the Supreme Court in a case that has major implications for people of other faiths including Hindus and Sikhs. Leading family law barrister Camini Kumar told MailOnline even though they have four children and lived together for almost two decades she will have 'limited' claims to his assets. She said: 'The judgment confirms that when their relationship breaks down these women cannot make the financial claims against their husband that they would be entitled to if they had married in a qualifying ceremony. They are to be treated as any other cohabiting couple in the eyes of the family court.' Nasreen Akhter wanted a divorce from her husband Mohammed Shabaz Khan (both pictured in 2018) who she married in a religious 'nikah' ceremony in 1998 - today the Court of Appeal ruled they can't divorce because they were never legally married She added: 'There are some women who are married in Islamic ceremonies who believe they are married not only in the eyes of their communities but also under the law. There are others who participate in Islamic ceremonies relying on their husband's promise that there will be a civil registration afterwards which then never materialises'. What is Sharia law? Islamic legal system largely drawn from the Koran Essentially Islam's legal system, Sharia governs all aspects of the observant Muslim's life, and is drawn largely from the Koran- the Islamic sacred book - as well as the hadiths, which are the actions attributed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. As well as marriage and finances, Sharia law encompasses everyday rules around things like hygiene and dress codes. Although there are Sharia councils and tribunals operating in the UK, they are not courts of law, and their rulings are based purely on religion. They cannot overrule regular law courts, but Muslims will often seek the assistance of a Muslim council in resolving marital or financial disputes. Many Muslim couples do not follow Islamic ceremonies with civil marriages a requirement generated by the 1949 Marriage Act. Today's ruling reinforces the need for a civil ceremony to ensure couples are legally married. Advertisement Ms Kumar added she could try to be the beneficial owner of any of Mr Khan's property including the family home, but says it's a 'minefield'. The warring estranged couple went to the High Court in 2018 after Mrs Akhtar petitioned for divorce after their relationship broke down in 2016. The couple, both of Pakistani heritage, chose to marry at a restaurant in Southall, west London, in a religious ceremony carried out by an imam with 150 family and friends as guests. Mrs Akhter, who is a solicitor, also wanted a civil ceremony but claimed her husband refused when they lived together in Pinner, Middlesex. She told the High Court that Mr Khan had become her 'husband' and he had considered her his 'wife'. 'From my limited understanding of Islam at the time it did comply with all the requirements,' she said. She added 'I saw him as my husband. There was no question in my mind at all. He always introduced me as his wife'. But Mr Khan had argued she couldn't have a divorce on the basis that they are 'not legally married' in the first place because they are married 'under Sharia law only'. The High Court ruled two years ago that Mrs Akhtar was right and their union should be recognised because their vows had similar expectations of a British marriage contract. But today the Court of Appeal overturned the decision and said the wedding was 'a non-qualifying ceremony' because it was not performed in a building registered for weddings, no certificates had been issued and no registrar was present - meaning the marriage was 'invalid'. Charles Hale QC of 4PB who represented Mrs Akhter, said: 'Thousands of women, usually Muslim women believe that they lawfully marry in this country each year by undertaking a religious ceremony only. Many of them do not know in fact that, no matter how many people attend, no matter how public an expression of the marital contract, that they are not in fact lawfully married in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. 'This means that many have absolutely no rights at the end of what they believe to be their 'marriage'. No rights to assets in the husband's sole name, and no rights to maintenance, even if, as with Mrs Akhter, they were married for 18 years'. Britain's top family judge, Master of the Rolls Sir Terence Etherton, pictured today delivering the judgment, said the English courts did not recognise their Sharia marriage because it 'had no legal effect' Overturning his ruling, the Court of Appeal found that 'no marriage ceremony took place in respect of which a decree of nullity could be granted'. Master of the Rolls Sir Terence Etherton, who considered the case with two other judges, said the 1998 Nikah was a 'non-qualifying' ceremony. Announcing the court's decision, he said: 'The parties were not marrying 'under the provisions' of English law. 'The ceremony was not performed in a registered building. Moreover, no notice had been given to the superintendent registrar, no certificates had been issued, and no registrar or authorised person was present at the ceremony. 'Further, the parties knew that the ceremony had no legal effect and that they would need to undertake another ceremony that did comply with the relevant requirements in order to be validly married. 'The determination of whether a marriage is void or not cannot, in the court's view, be dependent on future events, such as the intention to undertake another ceremony or whether there are children.' Sir Terence added: 'With respect to the judge, who was clearly seeking a route which he understandably believed would lead to a fair outcome for (Ms Akhter), that is to say the ability to make an application for financial remedies for herself, we do not consider that his approach can withstand analysis. 'The difficulty with the judge's approach is that ... at no time did the parties in fact seek to effect a legal marriage.' Having reached a settlement, neither Ms Akhter nor Mr Khan played any part in the Court of Appeal proceedings, and the appeal was brought by the Attorney General. The death toll from China's virus epidemic neared 1,400 on Friday with six medical workers among the victims, underscoring the country's struggle to contain a deepening health crisis. Nearly 64,000 people are now recorded as having fallen ill from the virus in China, with officials revealing that 1,716 health workers had been infected as of Tuesday. The grim figures come a week after grief and public anger erupted over the death of a whistleblowing doctor who had been reprimanded and silenced by police after raising the alarm about the virus in December. The scale of the epidemic swelled this week after authorities in central Hubei province, the epicentre of the crisis, changed their criteria for counting cases, adding thousands of new patients to their tally. The health emergency in China has caused fears of further global contagion, with more than two dozen countries reporting hundreds of cases among them. Egypt reported its first case on Friday, the first in Africa. Three people have died outside mainland China. The majority of cases of infections among health workers was in Hubei's capital, Wuhan, where many have lacked proper masks and gear to protect themselves in hospitals dealing with a deluge of patients. "Our understanding is that the cases among health workers peaked in the third and fourth week of January," said Michael Ryan, head of the World Health Organization's health emergencies programme. Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Friday, Ryan added that there had been a "rapid fall-off" in such cases over the last two weeks. After the death of whistleblower Li Wenliang, a 34-year-old ophthalmologist in Wuhan, 10 academics circulated an open letter calling for political reform and freedom of speech in the Communist-ruled country. Under criticism over the handling of the crisis, the Communist Party sacked two top-ranking officials in Hubei, replacing them with senior cadres with security backgrounds. Battling the epidemic is a "big test for the country's governance system and governance ability," Chinese President Xi Jinping said as he chaired a political meeting on government reforms, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The outbreak has exposed "shortcomings," Xi acknowledged, adding that China needed to reform its public health and epidemic prevention and control systems. - New count - Authorities in Hubei had on Thursday started counting patients who were "clinically diagnosed" via lung imaging, in addition to those who undergo lab tests. The revision added nearly 15,000 patients to Hubei's count in a single day, with officials explaining that past cases were included. On Friday, Hubei's health commission said another 116 people had died and more than 4,800 new cases were reported. Of those cases, more than 3,000 were "clinically diagnosed". The WHO said the numbers included cases going back weeks. The sharp one-day increase "does not represent a significant change in the trajectory of the outbreak," said Ryan. The move will ensure patients get treated as early as possible, instead of having to wait for laboratory tests, health officials said. "There have been some backlogs in testing and this is also going to help in ensuring that people get adequate care," Ryan said. The National Health Commission said the new criteria would only apply to Hubei. The commission reported five other deaths and 217 new cases elsewhere in China, as the number of new patients outside Hubei fell for a 10th straight day. It also disclosed a statistical error, saying it removed 108 previous deaths in Hubei that had been double-counted. The nationwide toll still rose to 1,380. Authorities have placed some 56 million people in Hubei under quarantine since late last month, in an unprecedented effort to stop the virus from spreading. Some cities in Hubei tightened restrictions this week, sealing off neighbourhoods in what they liken to "war-time" measures. - US criticism - While the WHO has praised China's handling of the epidemic -- in contrast to its cover-up of the SARS outbreak in 2002-2003 -- a top White House official on Thursday said Beijing should be more open. "We're a little disappointed in the lack of transparency coming from the Chinese," Larry Kudlow, the director of the National Economic Council, told reporters. Kudlow said Xi had assured President Donald Trump that Beijing would accept US help, but "they won't let us". Kudlow's comments contrasted with Trump's apparent confidence in China -- he told a radio show that Xi is "extremely capable" and that the US was "working with them" and "sending a lot of people". And in the sports world, European Tour chiefs have postponed the Maybank Championship in Malaysia and the China Open in Shenzhen -- the latest events to fall victim to the outbreak. A chemical waste landfill near the Columbia Gorge has been accepting hundreds of tons of radioactive fracking waste from North Dakota in violation of Oregon regulations. Oregon Department of Energy officials issued a notice of violation to Chemical Waste Managements landfill near the small town of Arlington on Thursday for accepting a total of 2 million pounds of Bakken oil field waste that was delivered by rail in 2016, 2017 and 2019. With landfill officials permission, Oilfield Waste Logistics of Culbertson, Mont., dumped the waste, some of which registered radium at 300 times the states limits. On average, the waste registered radium at 140 picocuries per gram, according to Jeff Burright, a state nuclear waste remediation specialist. The states maximum level for waste stored at Arlington is 5 picocuries, he said. Energy Department regulators said the landfill wont be fined for accepting the radioactive waste because they believe landfill operators misunderstood state guidelines and werent aware of the violations, said Ken Niles, assistant director for nuclear safety. He said the agency can only fine companies ranging from $60 to $500 a day under certain circumstances. Fines can be levied if a violator had previously been notified of a violation and repeated it or did something similar. The department also fines companies for willful violations or violations that result in significant adverse impacts to humans or the environment. Niles said none of those issues applied in the case of Chemical Waste Management. That could change if something were to change in our knowledge, Niles said. But the company has been taking this very seriously. They have been very cooperative and want to do the right thing. Regulators said they determined the biggest risks would be if the waste were ingested or inhaled, if people faced direct exposure or if it emitted radon. Currently, Burright said, the state does not believe those issues are a risk because of how the waste is stored on the 1,300-acre landfill, including being covered by at least 10 feet of other material. Burright said that employees at the landfill avoided direct exposure because they work in pressurized cabins and when theyre outside, rely on oxygen masks. Landfill operators did not respond to requests for more information made by phone and email around 5 p.m. Thursday. The landfill, which has not accepted another load of Bakken oil field runoff since September 2019, must now create a risk assessment and action plan to address the violation. If the energy department receives enough feedback on the documents, Niles said, the agency could hold a public meeting to accept comments. Dan Serres of Columbia Riverkeeper said his groups will be pushing for such a meeting and calling on state leaders to address how Oregon became a fracking dumping ground. The big question now is what happens to this waste that has been illegally dumped in Oregon? Do they have to clean up this mess they created by accepting this waste from North Dakota? Serres said. The level and scale of this infraction is alarming and galling. Regulators said landfill officials didnt properly check state guidelines. Instead, Niles said, the landfill operators relied on their customers assurances that the level of radioactivity met state standards. After receiving a tip from a caller in North Dakota, Oregon regulators discovered the violation after checking data provided by the landfill as well as from the state of North Dakota. Oilfield Waste Logistics, which touts on its website We make compliance easy!, erroneously cited Oregon rules and landfill operators referred to the wrong state standards for waste containing radium, regulators said. We dont know if it was intentional or accidental, Niles said, adding that the state nuclear waste rules are complicated. They could have misunderstood. The state is considering whether to issue a notice of violation to the Montana company. Oilfield Waste Logistics also did not respond to requests for comment Thursday evening. Oregon regulators said it has become increasingly difficult to find places to dump fracking waste that comes from North Dakota, New Mexico and elsewhere. The Arlington landfill, which accepts about 20 million pounds of hazardous chemical waste a month, is among only a dozen sites nationwide that can accept certain types of such waste, they said. Oregon doesnt have any other locations that would accept it, regulators said, and several other states are seeking to enact limits on the waste similar to Oregons. Its unclear which route the waste took to come to Oregon. The energy department officials said they werent sure how it arrived in Arlington and added that the radioactivity levels did not require special warnings on train cars. -- Laura Gunderson; lgunderson@oregonian.com; @lgunderson Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Bengaluru, Feb 14 : A school head mistress and a student's mother in Karnataka's Bidar who have been charged with sedition were granted bail on Friday after 14 days in custody, a police official said. "I have just received a phone call that the two women received bail. We are still awaiting documents from the court," Bidar's Superintendent of Police D. L. Nagesh told IANS. Fareeda Begum, 50, the head mistress of the Shaheen Group of Institutions school and Nazbunnisa, 36, a parent of one of the students in the anti-CAA play, in which the minor students allegedly abused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were arrested on January 30. The police acted on a complaint from eleesh Rakshyal. The play enacted by minor school children on January 21, according to former SP Sreedhara, had abusive language against Modi, and claiming that Muslims were being thrown out of India and openly called for the defiance of the law. Six children who acted in the play were below 10 years of age, and rehearsed the play for 10 days. With its head office at Shaheen Nagar in Bidar and managed by the Allama Iqbal Educational Society, the Shaheen Group of Institutions runs a string of institutes from kindergarten to undergraduation. LONDON, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GCW Global Customised Wealth, the global investment management firm, announced that Svetlana Bryzgalova has joined the firm as Senior Adviser. Professor Bryzgalova will work with the investment team to apply advanced techniques in empirical finance to investment selection, asset allocation and portfolio construction, as well as advise on risk analysis and valuation issues. GCW, which now has personnel in London, San Francisco and New York, works with international clients and invests globally, offering individuals comprehensive wealth management services. David Bizer, Managing Partner at GCW, commented, "We are excited to enhance our senior leadership team here in London with such a leading expert in finance. Professor Bryzgalova has outstanding expertise that enhances our ability to deliver exceptional investment services to our clients." Professor Bryzgalova is an Assistant Professor of Finance at London Business School. Her research focuses on the quantitative aspects of empirical asset pricing and applies advanced techniques developed in econometrics, machine learning, computer science and data science fields to improve the understanding of financial markets. She earned her Ph.D. in Economics from London School of Economics in 2015, and was Assistant Professor of Finance at the Stanford Graduate School of Business before returning to London in 2018. Professor Bryzgalova added, "I am thrilled to be able to contribute my research on markets to the problem-solving culture at GCW, a firm that shares my passion that the careful study of finance is a continuous improvement project." About GCW Global Customised Wealth GCW Global Customised Wealth provides sophisticated individuals and select institutions with comprehensive investment management solutions. GCW constructs customised portfolios tailored to each client's objectives and needs, taking into consideration all assets and liabilities (including those not managed by GCW), and overlaying optimal currency exposure to correspond with the global lives our clients lead. GCW's clients seek investment opportunities that extend beyond their personal networks, that are transparent and do not suffer from conflicts of interest. GCW works with international clients, invests globally and is headquartered in London with teams in London, New York and the San Francisco area. SOURCE GCW Global Customised Wealth The team's wave buoy was located directly offshore from that buried swimming pool. Despite being weighed down by a 100-kilogram anchor, the buoy was dragged a couple of hundred metres offshore during last weekend's storm. It briefly stopped sending data to the satellite - something it is programmed to do every quarter hour - but "then it popped back online, saying, 'hi, I'm fine and I'm recording'", Turner says. "Now we've got this fabulous direct comparison [with inshore data] that we can use." Coastal erosion at Collaroy-Narrabeen, as seen on Friday. Credit:Nick Moir The science of waves is both elegant and complex - which is why there are no early alerts for beach erosion but there are for riverine flooding or tsunami warnings. For instance, the bureau collects data for waves in deep waters that have long been used by commercial and recreational shipping. As part of this project, the agency has been developing and trialling methods to predict how these waves will behave when they reach the shore. "One of the things that we're heavily focused on this year is evaluating how good - that is how reliable - that [forecasting] is," Turner says. Loading Turner's UNSW colleague Mitchell Harley says an accurate warning system would need to anticipate many factors, such as the wave intensity, including the length between waves, known as the wave period. It would also need to forecast the height of the waves, including how they coincide with the tides. The duration of the storm event that is generating the extra swell, and the direction the waves approach the beach all play roles in how much impact there will be on the coast. During last week's storm, waves reached 6.2 metres off Sydney but may only reach a maximum of 3.4 metres this weekend, Harley says. Unlike a week ago, the waves won't be riding on a spring tide and that alone will trim heights by about 40 centimetres at the peak. As bad as last weekend's battering was, it lasted about two days, shorter than the more destructive 2016 event which hammered the coast at Collaroy and elsewhere along the coast for about a day longer. It was also more easterly (rather than coming in with the more northerly tack), which also curbed the resulting erosion. Principal research scientist at the bureau Diana Greenslade says her agency has developed a high-resolution wave model that provides improved forecasts close to the shore. "The existing operational wave model provides model output at around 10 kilometre spatial resolution," she says. "This research model provides output at around 250 metres resolution near the shore." That finer detail will enable users to see clearly how waves will impact on the coastline in very specific locations, such expected conditions at the north end of a beach compared with the south end. Sea foam whipped up by the strong surf inundates properties along Collaroy on Sydney's northern beaches on Monday. Credit:Nick Moir The modelling capability is running in research mode at the moment, so is not operational. The model outputs will be assessed against near-shore wave buoy measurements to further tune the performance of the model. For the past century or longer, councils and home owners have built most of their infrastructure and houses in locations shielded by southerly headlands. These tend to be vulnerable to storms coming in from elsewhere. Over time, climate change will add to the challenges for coastal communities everywhere. Sea levels have been rising at 3 millimetres annually in recent decades - something the warning system is designed to include. "The system would be underpinned by wave, tide and storm surge forecasts that are based around mean sea level, so any sea level change would be implicitly included," Greenslade says. Coastal erosion at Collaroy-Narrabeen after this week's storm left vertical drops known as scarps. Credit:Nick Moir Helpful for this weekend, the cyclonic remnant of Uesi will also move away from the NSW coast faster than earlier predicted and is not as intense as feared. Still, one difference from a week ago will be longer wave periods - 15 seconds as compared with 12 seconds - meaning the waves can travel further up the beach. "They might lap at the edges of some beachfront properties at the two high tides," Harley says. "This is very unlikely to cause erosion or undermining of these properties though." Improved computer modelling is one area where the science is advancing. Arguably more crucial, though, are the gains in high-resolution satellite imaging that can adjust predictions according to the ever-changing shape of the coastline. That's particularly true of the popular sandy beaches along southern and eastern Australia. Out west, the issues are slightly different. The Leeuwin Current flowing southwards along the Western Australian coastline can vary, dropping sea levels by as much as 30 centimetres. Lots of offshore reefs also moderate wave behaviour. Taylor hopes to have key erosion hotspots understood and modelled, first in Australia, over coming years with the potential to take the service international in the longer term. "What we need is the observations on the ground of the actual erosion that occurs during the storms that we monitor," he says. "So our effort over the past 10 days has been making sure we quantify the impact of the event we had last weekend and are ready for the one this weekend, so that we can use it for the modelling." To assist that effort, researchers flew a laser scanner known as LIDAR between Sydney and the Central Coast, taking in places such as Macmasters Beach, to get a regional perspective of the damage. One reason eastern Australia ended 2019 in a severe drought was the absence of east coast lows last year or other big storms for a while. It also meant beaches were full going into the recent storms. "It's been a relatively quiet period," Turner says, with "the sand buffer" wider than usual - at least until a week ago. Harley says places such as Stockton, in Newcastle, may be more at risk this weekend, even with a less intense event expected "because there is no protective buffer from any increase in waves". Cabins, a restaurant and other assets were all "teetering on the edge", forcing the local council to take steps to protect what's left of the shore, he says. Vanessa Hill, a resident at Collaroy, says she would be keen to know in advance what was headed her way. For people that dont have a wall, they could sand-bag ... it would help us prepare, Hill says as waves crash into the seawall not far from her home on Friday. Nearby resident Gary Silk was supportive too, saying that being forewarned could give homeowners time to put up protective structures in areas along the beach identified as most vulnerable. Loading Silk's house was one of those to suffer considerable damage in 2016 and he has since led efforts to build a more permanent protective seawall. Still, if you just put a few sandbags down and thats it, its not really going to be useful, he says. Mayor of the Northern Beaches Council Michael Regan welcomed efforts to develop erosion alerts. "An early forecast tool would help us gain a better understanding of the amount of sand that would be removed - the level of erosion - at specific locations," Regan says. "This would assist in prioritising emergency response and communicating potential impacts to residents ahead of a forecast storm." The council is as versed as any in the "wars of the seawalls". Residents who almost lost their homes in the 2016 storm have been battling ever since to get approval for a permanent rocky revetment - or seawall - to ward off future erosion. One delay has been securing funding, with the residents required to pay 80 per cent of the cost, while the council and the state government will chip in 10 per cent each. Coastal engineer Angus Gordon has first-hand experience of the value of knowing how bad coastal erosion can get. During the 2016 strike, Gordon was the first to warn authorities of the impending damage to gas, water and sewage pipes running under the dunes at Collaroy. Eleven people were arrested on Friday after clashes broke out between two groups in Mangta village here in Kanpur Dehat district, police said. According to media reports, the two groups allegedly clashed during the 'Bhim Shobha Yatra', which was being taken out after the culmination of 'Bhim Katha', organised by members of the Scheduled Caste community. "After culmination of 'Bhim Katha', which started on February 8, members of the Dalit community took out 'Bhim Shobha Yatra' in the village on Thursday.Both the communities entered into an altercation after a minor youth allegedly tore the poster of Dr B R Ambedkar. Both the groups also started pelting stones at each other, injuring 25 persons," Additional Superintendent of Police, Anup Kumar, said. Superintendent of Police (Kanpur Dehat), Anurag Vats, said minor children belonging to the upper cast tore poster of Dr B R Ambedkar that led to a clash between the two groups. Twenty-five people, who sustained injuries during the incident, were admitted to the Ursula Horsman Memorial (UHM) hospital in Kanpur, the SP said, adding that eight of them were discharged while the condition of the others was stated to be stable. "We have registered FIRs against men of upper caste following complaint of one Amit Kumar," Vats said, adding that the FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the SC/ST Act. Police said they nabbed 11 people, who were sent to jail on Friday evening, in connection with the incident. Reacting to the incident, Congress general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh East, Priyanka Gandhi, tweeted in Hindi, "In Mangta village of Kanpur Dehat, Dalits reciting Bhim Katha were attacked by bullies. Several people are hospitalised." "Be it Shabbirpur or Mangta incident, the BJP government did not listen to the victims' families. The BJP has attacked the Constitution and now the attacks are even happening on recitation of Babasaheb story," she alleged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Facebook announced Friday that it will allow social media influencers to post sponsored content for U.S. political campaigns and will not count such content as political ads. Facebook previously prohibited political candidates from running branded content campaigns on its platform, but no longer under the new guidelines. Influencers must disclose who paid for the branded content campaigns, but the content will not be logged in Facebooks advertising library since the social media giant does not profit from it. An exception would be if the post creator pays to boost their posts, in which case Facebook will count them as ads. We believe its important people know when theyre seeing paid content on our platforms, a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the company has heard from multiple campaigns and now agrees there is a place for branded content in political discussion on our platforms. Were allowing US-based political candidates to work with creators to run this content, provided the political candidates are authorized and the creators disclose any paid partnerships through our branded content tools, the spokesperson said. The move comes after Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg ran a branded content campaign this week using several popular meme accounts on Instagram, which is owned by Facebook. Can you make a viral meme to let the younger demographic know Im the cool candidate? one of the sponsored posts read, showing Bloomberg talking to an influencer. Critics of the campaigns social media influencer content strategy noted that the Bloomberg meme posts were not labeled clearly enough as sponsored, an issue Facebooks new policies aim to correct. However, Facebooks announcement that it will not log sponsored influencer content in its public ad library, which currently has stricter requirements for the disclosure of political ads, has rankled critics of Facebooks transparency polices, who argue it will muddy the waters further as far as what is an ad and what is not. Story continues Rival Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren, who has accused Bloomberg of using his large fortune to buy the election, panned the companys decision. Refusing to catalogue paid political ads because the Bloomberg campaign found a workaround means there will be less transparency for the content he is paying to promote, Warren wrote in a Friday tweet. Mike Bloomberg cannot be allowed to buy an election with zero accountability. Last year, Facebook touted the ad library as a step towards creating a new standard of transparency and authenticity for advertising. A representative for the Bloomberg campaign said the former New York City mayors meme campaign aims to compete with President Trumps powerful digital operation. While a meme strategy may be new to presidential politics, were betting it will be an effective component to reach people where they are, the campaign spokesperson said. More from National Review Will always be with you to fight injustice: Rahul Gandhi to media Pulwama: Rahul Gandhi raises voice, questions Who in BJP is held accountable for attack? India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, Feb 14: While the nation remembers the martyrs of Pulwama on the first anniversary of the terror attack on Friday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government as he raised a couple of questions about the investigation. Taking to Twitter, after paying tributes to Pulwama martyrs, the Congress leader questioned about the outcome of the investigation and who all in the Centre have been held accountable for such security lapse. "Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: Who benefitted the most from the attack? What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack?" Rahul Gandhi questioned on Twitter. Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? pic.twitter.com/KZLbdOkLK5 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 14, 2020 It was on this day in 2019 a suicide bomber from a terror outfit attacked and killed as many as 40 brave CRPF personnel in Pulwama. Delhi Results 2020: Trends suggest Congress scores a duck; Gandhi era to be ruled out in Delhi? The nation watched this incident with shock and horror. However, India decided to pay Pakistan back. The Indian agencies zeroed in on the Balakot training facility of the Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pakistan and eliminated as many as 350 terrorists. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, February 14, 2020, 10:26 [IST] Local organizations came together to bring awareness and ideas to empower Michigan residents to achieve financial stability. The Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Summit took place this week in Curtiss Hall at Saginaw Valley State University. Hosted by 211 Northeast Michigan, United Ways across the Great Lakes Bay Region, Consumers Energy and the East Michigan Council of Governments, the ALICE Summit focused on topics surrounding the many hardworking families who face challenges around housing, child care, food, technology, health care and transportation. "We are excited to help people understand the very specific needs and concerns of ALICE because it will make a difference in the way our region becomes successful," said Dr. Kelley Peatross, 211 Northeast Michigan board member and community affairs regional manager for Consumers Energy. According to the 2019 ALICE Report by the Michigan Association of United Ways, 1.66 million households -- 43% of Michigan's population -- are part of the ALICE population. "Through the ALICE Report, Michigan's United Ways are banding together to bring to light the issues hardworking Michigan residents face every day," said Mike Larson, CEO Michigan Association of United Ways. "Through this summit, we hope to engage community leaders, policy makers and business leaders alike to chart a path forward. ALICE is a vital part of every community, and our success as a state depends on the success of ALICE households." Michigan's Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II was one of multiple speakers from across the state lending their voice to the conversation. Key points of discussion at the ALICE Summit included: Defining who is ALICE. Explaining why ALICE persists in a stronger economy. Sharing how many are taking action to address ALICE. Brainstorming how communities can collaborate to support ALICE. Attendees also participated in an online Cost of Living simulation to experience the tough choices many families must make every day. Two inaugural ALICE Hero Awards were also celebrated, honoring the work of Consumers Energy and Vantage Plastics. Carolyn Bloodworth from the Consumers Energy Foundation championed the ALICE project and was instrumental in bringing the groundbreaking ALICE report to the state of Michigan. "Through the ALICE Project, Carolyn has provided a new lens for viewing financial struggle and the true magnitude of need community-by-community," said Nancy Lindman, nominator and director of public policy and partnerships for the Michigan Association of United Ways. "Her visionary leadership on the ALICE project is helping others to do what they can to make Michigan a great place to work and raise a family." Vantage Plastics is a small company with a big heart to support the issues facing their employees including their health, their needs and their families. "Even before the first ALICE report was published, Vantage Plastics recognized the issues faced by their employees and the need to provide resources for their workforce," said Jane Fitzpatrick, nominator and program manager with the East Michigan Council of Governments. Over 180 nonprofit, foundation and government leaders attended the ALICE summit. To learn more about ALICE, visit uwmich.org/alice 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 The department of telecommunications (DoT) has withdrawn an order asking for no coercive action against telecom companies defaulting on payment of statutory dues after the Supreme Court on Friday took a strong view of non-compliance of its judgment. News agency Press Trust of India quoted unnamed sources as saying that DoT withdrew its order earlier on Friday. The departments move came after a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court blasted the companies, as well as the government, over the non-payment of dues running into thousands of crores of rupees after its verdict last year on the interpretation of the adjusted gross revenue (AGR). What is happening in this country? We want to use very harsh words because this is complete nonsense... Is there any law left in the country? the bench led by Justice Arun Mishra had asked. The ruling in October last year had come at the end of a 14-year-long legal battle that required telecom companies to pay the government Rs 92,000 crore. It held that companies could not exclude their non-telecom revenue to calculate the fee to be paid to the exchequer. The top court had set a January 23 deadline for the companies to clear the outstanding dues. Telecom companies including Airtel and Vodafone Idea approached the top court on Friday to ask the bench to modify this direction. The bench also summoned top officials of the telecom firms to explain why contempt proceedings shouldnt be initiated against them for non-compliance. It was particularly upset with a telecom official who, it said, had effectively stopped the implementation of the top courts verdict. A desk officer is sitting in appeal over our orders, Justice Arun Mishra said, referring to an official who issued the notification allowing a delay in payment of the dues, effectively keeping the Supreme Court judgment in abeyance. All these companies havent even paid a single penny and your officer has the audacity to stay the order... Does the Supreme Court have no value? This is the outcome of money power, Justice Mishra said. Please ask the desk officer to withdraw that DoT order or he will go behind the bars by evening. We have to take action against him. The officer should understand where they should stop... It is clear contempt, it said. The bench had on January 16 rejected review petitions filed by telecom forms on the verdict that required them to clear their dues by January 23. It had upheld the AGR definition formulated by the DoT and said the nature of objections raised by the telecom service providers was frivolous. Fort Lauderdale, FL, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Veritas Farms, Inc. (OTCQB: VFRM) (Veritas Farms or the Company), a vertically integrated agribusiness focused on the production of full spectrum hemp oil products with naturally occurring cannabinoids, is pleased to announce its presence at the annual USA CBD Expo which is being held in Las Vegas, Nevada from February 13-15. The Expo will afford the Company to meet and speak with numerous retailers and distributors about carrying Veritas Farms products. Attendees will also have the opportunity to sample our products, including our recently launched Veritas Pets product line. The USA CBD Expo is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center which will host over 300 vendors and more than 500 industry leading brands all under one roof. Approximately 40 speakers will be discussing all aspects of CBD and Hemp while the vendors will be displaying the largest selection of CBD and Hemp products along with new and innovative services for the industry. The USA CBD Expo can greatly benefit companies that are looking to highlight their product and or services to a large buyer driven audience. Alexander Salgado, CEO and co-founder of Veritas Farms, stated, We are happy to have a booth set up at the USA CBD Expo and we plan to target a new audience and expand our product reach over the next couple days. We will have many of our Veritas Farm products on display such as the Veritas Pets line, our Veritas Beauty products and Zen Rollers. Exhibitors from every facet of the CBD industry will be at this Expo and we believe that our attendance will be highly beneficial to our business. More information on the USA CBD Expo can be found here: https://usacbdexpo.com/lasvegas For more information on Veritas Farms, visit the Company's website www.theveritasfarms.com About Veritas Farms, Inc. Veritas Farms, Inc. (OTCQB: VFRM) is a vertically integrated agribusiness focused on producing superior quality, whole plant, full spectrum hemp oils and extracts containing naturally occurring cannabinoids. The Company currently owns and operates a 140-acre farm and production facilities in Pueblo, Colorado, and is registered with the Colorado Department of Agriculture to grow industrial hemp. The Company markets and sells products under its Veritas Farms brand and manufactures private label products for a number of leading distributors and retailers. Veritas Farms brand full spectrum hemp oil products include vegan capsules, tinctures, formulations for sublingual applications and infused edibles, lotions, salves, and oral syringes in a variety of size formats and flavors. All Veritas Farms brand products are third-party laboratory tested for strength and purity. The Company files periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be viewed at www.sec.gov . Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including those with respect to the Company's mission statement and growth strategy, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company's management believes that such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that such expectations are, or will be, correct. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's future results to differ materially from those anticipated. Potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which the Company operates; the uncertainty of regulatory requirements and approvals; and the ability to obtain necessary financing on acceptable terms or at all. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update any of the information contained or referenced in this press release. Veritas Farms, Inc. - Investor Contact 833-691-4367 (#3) ir@theveritasfarms.com Houston ISD trustees kept hopes alive for a November bond election during Thursday nights board meeting, voting to approve spending on a facilities assessment that must be completed before asking residents to provide tax dollars for campus and security upgrades. Board members voted 6-3 to spend up to $5 million on the assessment, which will document the conditions of HISDs aging schools, space needs for campuses and demographic trends in the district. District officials said they will use the assessment to guide the creation of any bond proposals, which remain in the early stages of development. In other business, trustees voted 7-1 to reinstate the districts contract with Teach For America and rejected a request to authorize up to $3 million in spending on metal detectors. HISD administrators are working toward asking voters to approve a potential $2 billion-plus bond during Novembers presidential election, arguing the districts crumbling campuses need immediate upgrades instead of costly, short-term fixes. About half of the districts campus buildings evaluated in a 2016 facilities assessment were deemed in critical condition. Board members must still vote later this year on whether to place a bond package on the November ballot. HISD administrators have suggested the board could delay a bond election until 2021 if voters appear unlikely to support a package or more time is needed to craft a proposal. This is not passing a bond, HISD Board President Sue Deigaard. This is part of the initial step to move in that direction, so we know the assessment of our facilities currently, in alignment with the academic needs and vision that will be created by (trustees and Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan). Trustees and administrators who backed the assessment argued the analysis will provide vital information needed to create an accurate and updated picture of the districts facilities needs. HISD last commissioned a facilities assessment in 2016, but the work only documented building conditions, with no alignment to academic and space needs. Three trustees voted against the bond Judith Cruz, Dani Hernandez and Elizabeth Santos amid questions about timing of the assessment. Board members and Lathan have not held extensive discussions about their detailed vision for the district since January, when four new trustees joined the nine-member board. In addition, public trust in the district has waned over the past two years following extensive in-fighting, as well as the possible ouster of elected trustees due to multiple findings of misconduct by board members and chronically low ratings of Wheatley High School. It feels rushed, and I want to make sure were doing this the best way possible, Cruz said. The vote came after nearly 20 students, parents and educators spoke in favor of rebuilding crumbling schools, describing outdated facilities that disappoint children and scare away prospective families. Eric Cervantes, a fifth-grader at HISDs Jefferson Elementary School, said he has found mold, rats, sewage and failing heaters at the northside school, which was built in 1950. Erics principal, Lilly Rincon, echoed her students account of dilapidated facilities, declaring that the campus reached its tear-down point 20 years ago. Its like an abandoned warehouse, Eric said. But theres a lot of love inside. Prior to the assessment vote, trustees emphatically agreed to allow Teach For America to restart placing its corps members in the district, one year after board members unexpectedly voted to end the districts contract with the nonprofit. Teach For America identifies, trains and supports high-performing college graduates who want to work in high-poverty campuses but lack a teaching background. Weve helped HISD fill vacancies in hard-to-staff schools and classrooms, and many of our teachers continue to play leadership roles across the district, said Tiffany Cuellar Needham, executive director of Teach For America Houston. Board members voted 4-4 last year on renewing Teach For Americas contract, falling short of the majority needed to continue the agreement. Opponents of the renewal argued Teach For Americas educators leave the district at unacceptable rates and carry unnecessary costs. However, two opponents lost their re-election bids in November 2019 and one trustee did not seek re-election. Trustees also halted the administrations request for authority to spend money on metal detectors for middle and high schools across the district. Administrators are considering the use of metal detectors following last months fatal shooting of a student apparently accidental at Bellaire High School. Lathan said she has not yet decided whether to install metal detectors, prompting board members to question why administrators needed authorization before security plans were finalized. jacob.carpenter@chron.com Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan has said that the central government should bring an ordinance to rectify the Supreme Courts recent decision on SC/ST reservation in jobs, according to news agency PTI. All issues important for SCs/STs should be placed in Constitutions Ninth Schedule to insulate them from judicial review, he told the news agency. He said the government was also mulling filing a review against the Supreme Court decision and was taking legal opinion on it. The review petition is there, but the matter will again go to court, it has to be looked at whether it will be successful or not. So, in my opinion the easiest way is to issue an ordinance and make an amendment in the Constitution, said Paswan. Paswans Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) had opposed the Supreme Courts February 7 verdict. The LJP does not agree with this decision of the Supreme Court...The party demands that the Union government take immediate measures to ensure that the reservation provision continues in jobs and promotion in the same they have been so far, LJP president Chirag Paswan had said on Twitter. He had too demanded that the issue should be put under the Ninth Schedule. A law under Ninth Schedule is supposed to be immune from judicial review and cannot be challenged in the courts, though this position has been disputed after a 2007 Supreme Court judgement. The Supreme Court had said in a judgment that the government is not bound to provide reservation for appointments and promotions to public posts, and courts cannot give directions compelling states to reserve jobs or positions for SCs and STs. It had also said that an individual does not have a fundamental right to claim reservation, and it is for the government to decide whether reservations are required in appointments and promotions. The ruling by a bench of justices L Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta came while dealing with pleas on the Uttarakhand governments September 2012 decision to fill up all posts in public services in the state without providing reservations to SCs and STs. A huge row had broken out both inside and outside Parliament over the Supreme Court ruling with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleging that it was in the DNA of the BJP and the RSS to try and erase the quota system, and the government saying appropriate steps will be taken in the matter that was being discussed at the highest level. An ordinance can be brought when Parliament is not in session. The ordinance has a shelf life of six months. Once a session begins it has to be converted into a law within six weeks, or else it lapses. Every year, HelloGiggles publishes the Beauty Crush Awardsa list of the best skincare, makeup, nail, and hair products on the market. With so many creams and hairsprays and eyeshadows out there, how do we determine whats really the best? Well, for starters, we tap the minds of some of the most highly respected experts out there to make sure our product picks are top-notch. For this years Beauty Crush Awards, we interviewed dermatologists, makeup artists, celebrity hairstylists, HelloGiggles columnists, and several beauty editors from some of our sister brands. Heres whos who. Dermatologists 1Dendy Engelman Dendy Engelman Dendy Engelman, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and nationally acclaimed surgeon and dermatologist. She is widely celebrated for her expertise in neurotoxins, injectable fillers, and chemical peels, and she provides a wide range of treatments including fat removal, mole excision, Ohs surgery, and skin cancer treatment. Dr. Engelmans educational background includes a double major in psychology and French from Wofford College in South Carolina, and as a student at the Medical University of South Carolina, she earned the Presidential Scholar award and the Humanism in Medicine Scholarship for her efforts in establishing and running free medical care clinics in Charleston and Haiti. 2Kavita Mariwalla Kavita Mariwalla Kavita Mariwalla, M.D., is a nationally recognized leader in dermatology and dermatologic surgery, whose expertise is in the areas of anti-aging procedures and skin cancer treatment. Prior to starting her own private practice, Dr. Mariwalla was the Director of Cutaneous Oncology at St. LukesRoosevelt and Beth Israel Medical Centers in New York. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Womens Dermatologic Society and American Society for Dermatologic Surgery in the past and is a three-time recipient of the ASDS Presidents Award for outstanding contributions to the field of dermatologic surgery. Dr. Mariwalla earned her degree in medicine at the Yale School of Medicine where she also completed her dermatology residency and fellowship training. Story continues 3Tiffany Libby Tiffany Libby Tiffany J. Libby, M.D., FAAD FACMS is a board-certified dermatologist and dual fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon and cosmetic dermatologic surgeon at Brown University. Dr. Libby specializes in skin cancer, Mohs micrographic surgery, and cosmetic dermatology. She completed an accelerated 7-year combined B.S./M.D. program with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (formerly UMDNJ) and graduated with top academic honors. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), and American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS). 4Deanne Robinson Deanne Mraz Robinson Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist with award-winning experience in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. Along with her extensive experience in dermatology, Dr. Robinson is active in academia and clinical researchshe was an investigator in research trials for Latisse and Kybella. She received her BAS and M.D. from The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and went on to complete her dermatology residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Most recently Dr. Mraz Robinson served as Director of the Body Sculpting Center at Connecticut Dermatology Group. Hairstylists 1Kendall Dorsey Kendall Dorsey With nearly 15 years of beauty know-how under his belt, Kendall Dorseys background in hair instruction sets him apart in all aspects of his artistry. His hair-cutting techniques, color application, and wig care have struck a chord with the public and beauty world, making him one of the most sought after hairdressers in his field. With clients such as Solange, Lizzo, Usher, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj and nearly every It girl on the scene, Dorsey has captivated the industry. 2Patrick Kyle Patrick Kyle Patrick Kyle began his career in hair at an early age when his mom asked him to french braid her hair. After receiving a Bachelor in Fine Arts from The University of Oklahoma, he began focusing on his career in hair in NYC. His pursuits led him to his first salon job with Serge Normant at John Frieda and assisting celebrity stylist Mark Townsend. Currently, he styles at his studio and regularly works with celebrities such as Rachel Brosnahan, Chloe Bennet, Margaret Qualley, Zara Larsson, and Kim Petras. HelloGiggles Columnists 1Mika Robinson Mika Robinson Mika Robinson is an NYC-based writer and HelloGiggles columnist who has a passion for sharing hard-hitting stories, sometimes with a bit of comedic relief. Her monthly column, Shades of Melanin, unpacks some of the many issues that women of color experience in the beauty community, such as why many retailers dont sell dark foundation shades in-store. 2Jessica Yarbrough Jessica Yarbrough Jessica L. Yarbrough is a beauty writer based in Savannah, GA and a monthly columnist for HelloGiggles. Her column, Clean, Green, and In Between explores green beauty, eco-friendly beauty, clean beauty, and natural beauty. Her work focuses on natural, holistic, and sustainable skincare and has appeared in Vogue, BAZAAR, New York Magazines The Cut, Fashionista.com, and more. 3Blake Newby Blake Newby Blake Newby is the author behind HelloGiggles monthly column The Curl Corner. In it, she celebrates the versatility of textured tresses and covers everything from how to properly style your coils to how to protect them, and includes tons of expert input on curl patterns of all types. Her work also appears in The Zoe Report and The Revelist. Makeup Artists 1Tee Chavez Tee Chavez Tanya Tee Chavez is a NYC-based makeup artist who comes from a long lineage of performers and artist. She spent lots of time backstage as a kid in the 1980s, where she was enamored by all the glamour and bright colors. Her experience in color, make up, and aesthetics run the gamut from the studio to the runway with such luxury brands as Chanel, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, and Tom Ford. 2Meredith Baraf Meredith Baraf Meredith Barafs approach to makeup derives from her simple belief that beauty precedes innovation. As an artist, she is a favorite among celebrities, models, fashion houses and photographers, not only for her gentle and generous nature, but for her inspired ability to reveal each of her subjects unique beauty while expressing mood and meaning in their eyes. Beauty Editors 1Kayla Greaves Kayla Greaves Kayla Greaves is an award-winning journalist who currently holds the position of Senior Beauty Editor at InStyle.com. She was previously the Fashion & Beauty Features editor at Bustle and a Lifestyle Editor at The Huffington Post. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Teen Vogue, ELLE, and more. She received a Bachelor of Arts in communications from McMaster University and graduated with honors. 2Lisa DeSantis Lisa DeSantis Lisa DeSantis is the Deputy Beauty Director of Real Simple and Health magazines. She has also held positions at FITNESS and Allure, and has over six years of experience in the beauty industry. DeSantis received a Bachelor of Science in design and merchandising from Drexel University. 3Ursula Carranza Ursula Carranza With over 22 years of experience under her belt, Ursula Carranza has made a name for herself in the Latinx community as a beauty expert. She is currently the Fashion and Beauty Director of People en Espanol magazine and makes regular television appearances on the brands People VIP segment. Carranza received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Boston University and her Master of Science in journalism from Columbia University and Universitat de Barcelona. Maharashtra minister and state Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat on Friday alleged that the RSS is trying to induct people as its volunteers by "intruding" into schools, colleges and university campuses. Seeking an inquiry into it, Thorat said the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress will not tolerate the "RSS-BJP agenda" on campuses. Thorat was referring to 'Knowing RSS', a special lecture to be given by All India Sampark Pramukh of RSS, Aniruddha Deshpande, in Pune on Saturday for the students of journalism in Pune. The event has been organised by the Vishwa Samvad Kendra (VSK), the media wing of the RSS. Thorat tweeted a photo of the notice issued by the Department of Communication and Journalism of the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) to its students, in which it said that the organisers have requested it to send its students for the lecture. "Since it is within the framework of our fourth semester syllabus, the same has been included in our weekly schedule," the department notice read. In his tweet, Thorat said, "The swayamsevaks from RSS have been made a part of educational institutes in the state with blessings of the previous BJP led government. They are now campaigning inside varsity campuses." "Rather than focusing on giving quality education, they are trying to induct more people as their swayamsevaks by intruding schools, colleges and varsity campuses. This is serious and an inquiry has to be conducted," he added. The senior Congress leader said he has spoken to state Higher and Technical Minister Uday Samant and requested a probe and action against the offenders. "The Maha Vikas Aghadi government will not tolerate RSS BJP agenda in campuses," he said in another tweet. Recently, the Mumbai University (MU) had called off midway its two-day training workshop meant for its senior officials being held at RSS-affiliated Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini at Uttan near Mumbai, apparently after a Congress leader objected to it saying the institute did not have expertise. Congress leader and former Lok Sabha member from Maharashtra, Rajeev Satav, had objected to the training session and raised the issue with the Higher and Technical Minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australians who have battled raging bushfires and devastating floods are now bracing for an invasion of snakes due to heavy rainfall. Snakes have been spotted in sheltering near houses and high in trees on the Gold Coast after the area was hit with torrential rain. Queensland Police issued a warning on Friday urging people not to walk through long grass because of the slithering creatures. Australians who have battled raging bushfires and devastating floods are now being told to be on alert for snakes with an infestation expected because of heavy rainfall Queensland Police issued a warning on Friday urging people not to walk through long grass because of the slithering creatures 'With snakes currently on the move avoid walking through long grass, wear sturdy enclosed shoes and ensure you have quick access to a quality compression bandage,' the tweet read. Snake catcher Tony Harrison warned those living in areas of flooding need to be on alert that more snakes could be lingering nearby. 'Any snakes that live under a rock or a hollow log or a slab, whatever it might be, that's now two metres under water, clearly isn't going to be there,' he told the Gold Coast Bulletin. Mr Harrison said snaked would have likely left any body of water for higher ground, like trees and hills. 'If your house is on a hill that's flooded all the way around, you can just about guarantee the snakes are at your house,' he said. The snake catcher has had to refuse customers because there is no way he can get out to them in the current flood conditions. A woman called him from Canungra with a snake in her house, but he had to decline the job because the only way to get to her was by boat. The snake catcher has had to refuse customers because there is no way he can get out to them in the current flood conditions Another woman in Merrimac called saying she had seen a snake for three days but had no idea where it was. 'I said, "there are 200 roads on the Gold Coast flooded, it took me one hour and 25 minutes from Yatala to Logan Village.When you do know where it is give me a call",' Mr Harrison said. Northern NSW and southern Queensland have experienced the 'wettest week in decades', according to meteorologists. Wild weather caused by category-two Tropical Cyclone Uesi soaked Queensland and submerged many areas in floodwaters. 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. This week Bernie Sanders, fresh from his victory in the Democratic primary in New Hampshire, was attacked by a vampire squid. Or rather he was attacked by the former boss of that Wall Street banking vampire squid (thats how it was described by Rolling Stone magazine) known as Goldman Sachs. Lloyd Blankfein, a registered Democrat supporter, tweeted that: Sanders is just as polarizing as Trump AND hell ruin our economy. Sanders was unphased. Let me see, a billionaire executive on Wall Street doesnt like me, he told CNN. Hmm, I am shocked by that. But is Blankfein right? Would the Vermont senator ruin the US economy if he won the White House? 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 What are Sanders economic policies? His website lists a host of objectives such as free-at-the-point-of-use healthcare for all, a jobs guarantee, a cancellation of student debts, a wealth tax on the richest 0.1 per cent and a major investment in public housing and green energy. Wealth taxes? Free health care? A jobs guarantee? Isnt that socialism? Well, Sanders is perfectly happy to describe himself as a socialist. But while policies such as free universal healthcare are seen as extreme in the US they are perfectly ordinary in Europe. The higher tax and spending proposed by Sanders would also not be out of place on the other side of the Atlantic. The economist Paul Krugman says Sanders is better described as a European-style social democrat rather than a socialist, not least because Sanders isnt proposing to nationalise private industries. OK, but would this ruin the American economy? Given similar policies have not ruined European economies its hard to see why, prima facie, why they would prove so destructive in the US. The French economist Thomas Piketty even argues Sanders policies could be beneficial to the US economy by raising the countrys growth rate, and says that his wealth distribution policies tap into an older tradition of American policymaking. Remember that the US is actually the country that invented progressive taxation of income and wealth in the 20th century, Piketty points out. Others have described Sanders as a New Dealer, referring to the progressive economic policies put in place by former Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt in the wake of the Great Depression of the 1930s. So why are people describing Sanders as dangerous? A cynic would say its because they dont personally want to pay more tax. But it may also be that the genuinely fear Sanders policies, even if they are in the mainstream of the European tradition, will do damage in the US context. Or they may be assuming that Sanders, if he won power, would pursue policies that go much further than those he has proposed, with the 78-year-old proving more radical in office, perhaps like Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. Against this, though, is the institutional fact that US presidents are constrained by Congress in what policies they can enact. Sanders might be in favour of relatively radical redistribution, but thats not true of the wider Democratic party. Even some of Sanders rivals for the Democratic nomination, such as Pete Buttigieg, are critical of his policies such as the $15 federal minimum wage. Thats why many analysts even those who support the principle of medicare-for-all think there is little chance he could actually deliver it, even if he won power. And while some financiers are sounding the alarm, others are more sanguine. Another Wall Street Bank, JPMorgan, recently told its clients that, even if Sanders were elected, we put the probability of major changes like medicare-for-all or a wealth tax at less than 5 percent. All of which raises a question: is the risk less that Sanders ruins the US economy than that he disappoints his supporters? R oyal Bank of Scotland is to change its name to NatWest plc in a major shake up, the company has announced. The Edinburgh-based bank, which owns RBS, NatWest and Ulster Bank, said the move was because 80 per cent of customers bank with the NatWest brand, rather than through RBS branches The name-change will come into effect later this year and will not impact on customers or staff, the bank said. In a statement on the lenders website, CEO Alison Rose said: Today marks the start of a new era for our bank as we announce our new purpose - to champion potential, helping people, families and businesses to thrive. The bank said most customers bank through Natwest / Getty The way people live their lives has changed. And their expectations of companies are changing too; looking for us to deliver not only financial performance but a positive contribution to society; benefitting customers and communities as well as shareholders. The future of this bank depends on us successfully delivering on both. I am hugely excited about the opportunities that lie ahead of us. She added in a video message: Were building a bank that is fit for the future and there to support our customers right the way through their lives. Alison Rose was appointed CEO in November 2019 / RBS via REUTERS It comes as the bank also announced plans to hand over 600 million to the government which owns 62 per cent of the bank in dividend payments, as it hit a pretax profit of 4.23 billion last year. The payment will be made as part of a normal 3p dividend and a special dividend of 5p per share, as bosses said its preferred measure return on tangible equity hit 9.4 per cent. The next step, according to Ms Rose, is to create a purpose-led bank, aligning executive pay with a range of targets linked to long-term bonuses. The targets include creating 50,000 new businesses by 2023, helping to create 500,000 jobs. RBS added that this would include 75 per cent jobs outside London, 60 per cent women, 20 per cent BAME and 10 per centsocial purpose. Bosses also said they want to teach customers how to save and have a climate positive operation by 2025, with a halving the climate impact of financing activity. RBS also wants to ensure 50 per cent of its mortgage book is comprised of properties with an energy efficiency rating of at least C by 2030. On the decision to change its name, chairman Howard Davies said: The board has decided that it is the right time to align the parent name with the brand under which the great majority of our business is delivered. RBS remains keen to shake off its past, and this is the latest cosmetic change made by bosses to remove the stigma attached to the bank nearly collapsing during the financial crisis. T he enthusiasm of London schools for tackling the problem of pupil exclusions is illustrated today by the impressive levels of interest shown for obtaining funding from the 1 million pot generated by The Excluded campaign, run by this newspaper since the start of this year. The money, generously donated by the John Lyons Charity and the tech entrepreneur Martin Moshal, will be used to develop on-site inclusion units in schools so that disruptive pupils can be reformed in their school, rather than being excluded, as happens too often at present. The aim is to prevent them being exposed to the perils resulting from exclusion, which can include being targeted for recruitment by gangs and the accompanying risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of knife crime. We are delighted, therefore, that 57 London schools have applied for a grant from our fund to help them set up an inclusion unit in a commendable display of their commitment to helping the capitals most troubled youngsters. Their applications will now be assessed before a decision is made in April as to which schools will receive the 150,000 apiece, over three years, that will go to each one that is successful. We hope that the long-term benefits will be considerable for the pupils who attend once the new units are operating. Success will also be good for London more broadly and its pleasing that, as Dr Lynne Guyton, the chief executive of the John Lyons Charity says, so many headteachers are looking to find alternative open-minded approaches to the simpler, but more harmful, option of throwing problematic pupils out. Its an example that must be followed elsewhere too. Not every school has a site that can accommodate a dedicated inclusion unit of the types that will be staffed through our campaign funding. Others may feel they are doing enough already to avoid exclusions. But as the links between exclusion, involvement in crime and blighted life-chances become ever clearer, every school must strive hard to keep pupils in class. A coronavirus warning There is a worrying warning today from the grassroots lobbying group The Doctors Association UK that Londons hospitals are not as well prepared for tackling coronavirus as they need to be if levels of infection escalate. The organisation says it has received testimony from medical professionals in hospitals in this city about a lack of basic supplies including masks in at least one case and repeatedly changing instructions that sometimes conflict. Such accounts contrast with official reassurances that extensive planning is in place to cope with any surge in the disease, which has so far resulted in only nine confirmed cases of infection in this country, including one at Westminster. We hope therefore that todays warning proves to be unfounded or even better untested but it would, nonetheless, be wise for ministers to heed the alert and double check their preparations. The death toll from the virus is rising in China and the risk it poses means theres no room for complacency. Making fashion green Gary Rhodes was filming a show in Dubai at the time of his death. (ITV) A new documentary on the late Gary Rhodes will feature unseen footage of the star in the programme he was filming at the time of his death. The celebrity chef died of a subdural haematoma in Dubai last November at the age of 59. The tribute programme, Gary Rhodes: The First Rockstar Chef, will look into his career, his distinctive spiky hairstyle and his personal life as well as feature reflections from other famous faces including Sir Alex Ferguson, Cheryl Baker, Ainsley Harriott and Gordon Ramsay. Read more: Reverend Richard Coles received Valentine's card from late partner In the documentary, set to air on ITV on Saturday, Ramsay says: Behind all that facade, behind all that character was a real genius of a chef. Chef Gary Rhodes photographed at the Hyatt Regency in Delhi. (Photo by Pradeep Gaur/Mint via Getty Images) He opened the door for so many of us to prove that you can be talented in your restaurant and on TV and thats the difference he was the real deal," he adds. Never-before-seen footage of the series on Middle Eastern cuisine Rhodes was working on before his passing will be shown as well as archive footage. The show will also hear from Gary's sons Sam and George who discuss the origins of their father's passion for food. Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson (left) tosses a pancake at the opening of the Manchester United restaurant, cheered on by chef Gary Rhodes (right) (Photo by Peter Wilcock/EMPICS via Getty Images) Rhodes was with his wife Jennie on the evening of his passing and died with her by his side. He had relocated to the United Arab Emirates in 2001 and opened a steakhouse restaurant called Rhodes Twenty10 in a Dubai Marina resort. Gary Rhodes: The First Rockstar Chef is set to air on Saturday 15 February at 11.40am on ITV. "We can't even buy vegetables or meat and are subsisting on canned food and instant noodles we brought from Korea," one staffer said. "We are avoiding taxis or public transport and are taking turns driving each other to work." On Monday, 27 Kolmar staff there resumed their work even as all restaurants are closed and store shelves were emptied long ago. Cosmetics manufacturer Kolmar Korea has a factory in Wuxi near Shanghai, around 700 km from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak and considered at greater risk than Beijing or Guangzhou, which are over 1,000 km away. But only absolutely necessary Korean personnel have returned to China to man offices and factories there. According to Justice Ministry data, 27,050 Koreans left for China from Feb. 1 to 11, a mere fifth of the numbers in the same period of 2019. Korean companies in China reopened early this week after closing down due to the new coronavirus outbreak which coincided with the Lunar New Year holiday. Korean expats say every day is a struggle to survive. The biggest difficulty they face is buying face masks. One 31-year-old staffer at a trading company in Dalian said, "Online and offline stores have all run out of face masks." One person can buy only up to five face masks so they have to reuse them. Some expats have been unable to return to their homes in China due to restrictions on movement. Apartments are preventing unregistered cars and outsiders from entering and expats returning from abroad fall into this category, they say. "Some people have not been able to unpack their bags since they returned and are staying at the homes of their coworkers," an expat said. The coronavirus outbreak has brought about other changes. Expats are leaving thermostats off for fear that the virus could creep in through the ducts and keep their thick coats on in the office. "We used to eat together in the company cafeteria, but we eat by ourselves at our own desks," another expat said. "We also had two or three meetings a day with our subcontractors, but now that's all done via conference call and we even talk to our colleagues in the same office on messenger." Korean expats are also afraid of damaging their health with the poor nutrition and wide fluctuations in daytime and nighttime temperatures. Those who catch a cold or develop stomach problems cannot go to hospital due to the virus. One expat in Guangzhou said, "I forgot to bring enough medicine when I left Korea." Many Korean companies in China have problems with their Chinese workers being unable to return to work. The Chinese government imposed a two-week ban on workers returning from out of town. A staffer at a Korean car parts maker in Suzhou said, "Around 20 Korean workers returned to work after the Lunar New Year, but only 300 out of 1,500 Chinese workers have come back. Korean managers are doing the work of four or five employees in crisis-management mode." See Full Image Gallery >> The Pagani Imola, a track-focused version of the Pagani Huayra, first broke cover in September, 2019, at an event, but official information was nowhere to be found. It took a few months, but today, Pagani released the first batch of real images and gave fans the specs they've been waiting for. With a pre-tax price tag of $5.4 million by today's conversion rates, the Imola will be limited to only five examples, and Pagani says every car is already spoken for. The car is named for the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari racetrack in Imola, Italy, outside Bologna. There, the car logged roughly 3,728 miles during testing and validation, which the company says was the most severe tuning process ever conducted for a Pagani vehicle. Immediately noticeable are the car's aerodynamics and fierce looks. A rear spine gives the Imola a new technical profile, several new deflectors and inlets interrupt any hope for smooth lines, and the rear could double as a geometric abstract drawing. Founder and Chief Designer of Pagani Automobili Horacio Pagani even admitted in the press release, "We cant say that its an elegant car. We wanted an efficient vehicle." Pagani bills the coupe as a technology test lab for its entire operation. Some of the innovations have already been applied to the Huayra Roadster BC, while others will be implemented in future vehicles. As with any high-performance vehicle, the focus was on weight savings, a balance between feel and control, and power. To increase rigidity and strength while keeping weight at bay, Pagani reformulated its Carbo-Titanium HP62 G2 and Carbo-Triax HP62 used in the monocoque. The Imola introduces Acquarello Light, a new painting process that saves 11 pounds, and the car was built with roughly 770 forged or CNC-machined components. All said, Pagani claims the Imola weighs 2,747 pounds, slightly heavier than the 2,685-pound Huayra BC coupe but significantly lighter than the 2,976-pound regular Huayra coupe. Story continues Under the hood, the Imola has a 5,980-cc Mercedes-AMG twin-turbo V12 that makes a claimed 827 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque. It works with an Xtrac 7-speed transverse automatic transmission, a triple-disc clutch, and an electro-mechanical differential. That output, which represents increases from the BC Roadster's 791 horsepower and 774 lb-ft of torque, is sent to the rear wheels. Pagani redesigned the suspension for better power transfer and reduced brake dive, and the Imola has a new Smart Gas system. Basically, the engine, differential, transmission, and suspension talk to each other and work together to reduce shift times and sharpen driving feel. The system has interconnected electronically controlled dampers that change ride height depending on the driving characteristics. This is in addition to an active aerodynamic system that was introduced on the original Huayra. Additionally, the Imola has a custom carbon-ceramic Brembo braking system with six-piston monoblock calipers up front and four-piston monoblock calipers in the rear. Twenty-inch wheels up front and 21-inch wheels in the rear are wrapped with bespoke Pirelli Trofeo R rubber. For Pagani, the man, the Imola circuit was a no-brainer when it came to testing, as the track's history is equally as important as its racing characteristics. Imola is a sacred place for car enthusiasts," he says in the release. "Its a fast, difficult, technical circuit that has always separated the wheat from the chaff, in terms of both men and machines. A circuit that has made the fastest drivers faster, one that has given rise to fierce duels between opponents and gentlemen, and where the sweetest victories and bitterest tragedies have been witnessed. A circuit in the Motor Valley of Emilia Romagna. A place that has given so much to the automotive industry. That has given so much to Pagani. The Imola circuit became a second home while the car was being developed. This is why project code PS-01 was dubbed Pagani Imola, as a tribute to the track where the vehicle was created and which is part of its identity." February 4, 2020 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada The International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752 held its fifth meeting yesterday by teleconference. The participants were representatives of: Canada Afghanistan Sweden Ukraine United Kingdom All countries used the opportunity to update on their respective repatriation processes. Importantly, they agreed on the need for continued pressure to secure closure, accountability, transparency and justice for the victims of flight PS752. All countries are concerned with Irans failure to release the black boxes. Annex 13 to the Convention on Civil Aviation requires this take place without delay. Iran must release the black boxes immediately as a demonstration of continued willingness to have a full and transparent account of this event. Minister Champagne shared with the group that he had made an official approach to the International Civil Aviation Organization on this matter with Transport Minister Marc Garneau last Friday. Furthermore, all participants are committed to finding common ground on legal options for negotiations with Iran regarding its responsibility in this act in order to bring justice, including equal compensation to the families of the victims of flight PS752. ROME, Ga. - Bond was denied Friday for two Georgia men who authorities say are linked to a violent white supremacist group known as The Base. Floyd County Superior Court Judge Jack Niedrach denied bond for 19-year-old Jacob Kaderli of Dacula and 25-year-old Michael Helterbrand of Dalton, the Rome News-Tribune reported. The two men are charged, along with 22-year-old Luke Lane of Silver Creek, with conspiring to kill members of a militant anti-fascist group and participating in a criminal gang. An attorney for Lane filed a motion seeking bond late Thursday, but no bond had been set for him yet, the newspaper reported. The Base, a collective of hardcore neo-Nazis that operate as a paramilitary organization, has proclaimed war against minority communities within the United States and abroad, the FBI has said. Unlike other extremist groups, its not focused on promulgating propaganda instead the group aims to bring together highly skilled members to train them for acts of violence. Organizers of The Base recruit fellow white supremacists online particularly seeking out veterans because of their military training use encrypted chat rooms and train members in military-style camps in the woods, according to experts who track extremist groups. The group, which has the motto learn, train, fight, brings together white supremacists with varying ideologies. Police confirmed last month that the three Georgia men linked to The Base were arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and participating in a criminal street gang. Authorities said the men planned to kill a married couple who were anti-fascist protesters part of the Antifa movement and believed killing the couple would send a message to enemies of The Base. The arrest of the three men was announced a day after three other members of the group were arrested on federal charges in Maryland and Delaware. Prosecutors said during Fridays hearing that they are exploring additional charges against the three, the newspaper reported. The giants of aviation left the Singapore Airshow with little to brag about, but someone ended up with one of the hottest deals in town: A couple of boxes of hand sanitizers. Alarm over the novel coronavirus outbreak has led to panic-buying of unlikely hot commodities, from toilet paper and instant noodles to soap and even condoms, which people have been using as makeshift finger protectors safe texts and all that. Bosses at one US aerospace company were befuddled when they arrived at their corporate booth on Thursday morning to find it had been liberated of hand sanitizers. ... School pupils could be forced to return home Monday lunchtime due to strike action Henry Bloom Noble Primary School in Douglas is one of the schools affected by Monday's 'action short of strike action'. School pupils could be forced with no option but to return home from school on Monday (24th) lunchtime due to 'action short of strike action' from teachers. The National Association of Headteachers and the National Association of Schoolmasters / Union of Women Teachers have announced that there will be disruption on Monday 24th February to schools across the Island. It's following ongoing disputes between the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), the NAHT, NASUWT and the Department of Education Sport and Culture over teacher's pay. Advice has been issued to parents from numerous schools, including St Ninian's High School, Ballakermeen, Ramsey Grammar School and Henry Bloom Noble Primary School. Henry Bloom Noble Primary said in their letter to parents: 'At present, senior leadership teams are still voluntarily covering lunchtimes, however, if the action escalates and this cover is removed, parents will probably be asked to take children home for lunch for health and safety reasons.' Onchan Primary has sent out a letter to parents informing them that their Year 6 pupils will no longer be able to have their weekly swimming lesson due to the ongoing industrial action from 24th February. The school said that although the public was told the action would not impact on pupils learning, Year 6 will no longer have access to their lesson whilst years 3 to 5 will. Will this affect you? Wed like to hear from parents for their views - get involved on our Facebook page or email news@energyfm.net. New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Indian chemical industry requires $75-100 billion to double its size to a $300 billion sector by 2025, according to the Indian Chemical Council. In a statement, the industry body said that the current turnover of the chemical industry in the country is $150 billion, which is estimated to reach $300 billion by 2025, which would help India become a $7 trillion economy by 2030. As per the Indian Chemical Council's vision for the sector, digitalisation, global mergers and acquisitions, and focus on downstream specialty chemicals would be the key trends in the industry. Vijay Sankar, President, Indian Chemical Council said: "It is now imperative to create a new ecosystem for the Indian chemical industry moving closer to customer needs with collaboration and convergence as the new mantra of growth." As per the council, the chemical industry is growing at 100 basis points faster than India's GDP, making it an important sector to propel the growth of the nation's economy. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised three questioned as he paid tributes to the martyrs of Pulwama attack. Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? Gandhi said on Twitter on Friday. Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? pic.twitter.com/KZLbdOkLK5 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 14, 2020 Gandhi had initially expressed solidarity with the government and the security forces after the attack in February last year. The entire Opposition stands united with the security forces and the government, Gandhi had said in the aftermath of the attack. But in subsequent months, as Lok Sabha election drew near, he stepped campaign against the prime minister and the BJP-led NDA governments policy to deal with terrorism. Also Watch l President Kovind, PM Modi & others pay tributes to Pulwama martyrs India is marking the first anniversary of the Pulwama attack, the deadliest in decades on security forces in the region, by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) on February 14, 2019. At least 40 CRPF jawans were killed after the convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2,500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar, in the attack. Following the dastardly attack, India launched extensive diplomatic efforts to get Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist, which finally became a reality on May 1 last year when China lifted its technical hold on a proposal introduced by the US, the UK, and France in the 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council. Around 12 days after the terror attack, in the wee hours of February 26, Indian Air Force (IAF) jets bombed the JeM camp in Balakot, in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The decision to carry out air strikes was taken within 24 hours of the Pulwama attack, with the government giving the Air Force 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. Job Title: IGA Social Worker Organisation: Dwelling Places (DP) Reports to: Rebuild Program Manager Duty Station: All over Uganda, Uganda About US: Dwelling Places (DP) is a registered Christian Non-Governmental Organization which specialises in the rescue, rehabilitation, reconciliation, resettlement and follow-up of children living on the streets. The overall objective of DP is to have a society where every child has a chest to rest their head on and a place to call home. Job Summary: The IGA Social Worker will be supporting implementation of the income generating activities in line with donor requirements and Dwelling Places Strategy. The incumbent will provide ongoing support for the beneficiaries (Children, Youth and their Families) to enable sustainable resettlement and successful exit Key Duties and Responsibilities: IGA and Mentorship responsibilities Facilitate and oversee economic strengthening activities at the specific centres including IGAs, VSLAs and corresponding monthly progress reports. Prepare weekly and monthly individual work plans of the IGA team and submit to the manager for approval and implementation. Work closely with Field officers in tracking of all the Dwelling Places beneficiaires ascertaining status reports on individual child progress. Enhance school and other institutional partnership to enable girls progression and attendance. Participate in training involving parents and children in the corresponding Centres. Profile and document success stories as obtained from the project beneficiaries. Work with VSLA leadership in planning for the categories of girls and families that may include teenage mothers, girls in vocational training and those in mainstream schooling. Provision of emotional, social and moral support to girls and families so that they can understand the benefit of education. Work with girls and families to identify and address the particular background issues that are causing the girls to drop out of school. Encourage families to set goals for their childrens education and ensure that families offer the right career guidance and counselling for girls. Help families to plan more carefully with their households income budgets, join village saving and loan schemes as a strategy for meeting the needs of their households. Work with the leadership of the VSLA to link the group to the sub county. Submit monthly reports to contact persons. Work closely with Field officers in tracking of the 9890 project beneficiaries ascertaining status reports on individual child progress. Facilitate and oversee economic strengthening activities at the specific centres including IGAs, VSLAs and corresponding monthly progress reports. Ensuring child protection strengthening at the centre, community and family levels. Enhance school and other institutional partnership to enable childrens progression and attendance. Participate in training involving parents and children in the corresponding Centres. Profile and document success stories as obtained from the project beneficiaries. Work with VSLA leadership in planning for the categories of girls that include teenage mothers, vocational girls and those in mainstream schooling. Any other duties as may be assigned by the line manager Related Responsibilities Read the files of the referred children to familiarize yourself with their cases. Accompany the children during resettlement to be introduced to the family as a social worker in charge of ongoing support. Plan and budget for the children and their families in ongoing support Develop a follow up schedule for the FEP children youth and their families and conduct quarterly visits to monitor their welfare and progress. Fill the child index forms (CSI) for all the children followed up Sensitize and encourage parents to take the lead in following up their childrens progress in school, attending class & visitation days, taking children and picking them from school Prepare monthly requisition for the FEP activities in line with the approved budget Remind parents to bring their children to Dwelling Places offices for letter writing, collecting their gifts every school holiday and bringing their school reports Collect circulars from parents and ensure they are submitted to the finance office in a timely manner. Organize and conduct child protection training for the children, youth and parents and involve local leaders Participate in the planning and implementation of the annual children and youth camps Participate in the bi-annual beneficiary analysis to determine the level of support for the children and families in FEP Recommend parents and children able to support themselves for exit and ensure sustainable exits Review the family support plans and update the childrens files weekly Write and submit weekly progress reports to the Rebuild Program Manager by the end of business Friday. Monitor your budget and account for all funds received within the stipulated time in the finance manual. Conduct individual and group counseling for the children and families on the ongoing support. Liaise with the CSP officer to ensure all children have sponsors in their areas of need Supervise the volunteers assigned to FEP and ensure efficiency and effectiveness in performance Plan and conduct mentorship for the children and families in FEP Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The applicant must hold a Degree in Social Work or Social Sciences or a related field Two years of work experience preferably in an NGO setting Good interpersonal skills; able to relate to all levels of management and staff Excellent written and verbal communication skills Excellent organizational and time-management skills Proficient skills in Microsoft Office Ability to manage files and filing systems Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills, good judgment & strong focus Born again Christian How to Apply: All candidates should send a pastors letter, LC1 Letter, two passport size photos to deliver applications to: Dwelling Places Head Office Off Nalukolongo Masaka Road Near Mutundwe Police Station or email hr.dwellingplaces@gmail.com or call 0312-513701 between 8:30AM-5:00PM Monday to Friday. Deadline: 13th March 2020 by 5:00PM Note: Only successful candidates will be contacted. For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, speaks on the first day of the 56th Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb.14, 2020. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP) Pelosi Urges Countries to Steer Clear of Huawei for 5G MUNICHU.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appealed on Feb. 14 to an audience in Germany for countries to steer clear of Chinese tech giant Huawei as they build their next-generation cellular networks, adding her voice to pressure from the Trump administration. China is seeking to export its digital autocracy through its telecommunication giant Huawei, Pelosi said during an appearance at the Munich Security Conference, an annual gathering of foreign and security leaders from around the world. Nations cannot cede our telecommunication infrastructure to China for financial expediency, Pelosi said. Such an ill-conceived concession would only embolden Xi (Jinping) as he undermines democratic values, human rights, economic independence and national security. Chinese domination of 5G would be to choose autocracy over democracy, the speaker said. We must instead move to an internationalization. Pelosis remarks underlined bipartisan suspicion of Huawei in the United States. The Trump administration has raised national security concerns about Huawei, the worlds largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer, and is lobbying Western allies to bar the company from wireless, high-speed networks. Trump administration officials, including Cabinet secretaries, say Huawei can give the Chinese regime backdoor access to data, allegations the company rejects. The United States has been trying to have European nations ban the gear from next-generation cellular networks, but countries are shying away from banning it altogether. 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. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper are also at the Munich conference. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, a Republican, emphasized broad agreement in the United States that Huawei technology is a threat to the United States and, we really think, to world order. Nancy Pelosi and Donald Trump are probably not going to have many dinners together but, if you ask them about British purchase of Huawei, theyll give you the same answer, Graham said. We owe it to the world, all of us do, to give you an alternativewe just cant say no forever to 5G, he added. But we are very firm in our commitment, Republicans and Democrats, that if you go down the Huawei road, youre going to burn a lot of bridges. By Geir Moulson (Natural News) Earlier this week, Americans who have watched associates of President Donald Trump and members of his 2016 campaign mauled by the deep state that continues to this day to try to get rid of him were appalled again to learn that the federal prosecutors in Roger Stones case were recommending he get nearly a decade in prison. According to reports, the four prosecutors who handled the Stone case filed papers with the federal court handling it, informing the judge they were leaving it. One of them quit the Justice Department; another was a prosecutor who worked for special counsel Robert Mueller. Muellers team was the one that brought the charges against Stone in the first place. No bias there. As noted by Breitbart News John Nolte, Stone was found guilty of lying to Congress something ranking Obama administration intelligence officials did regularly interfering with a House investigation into the Russian collusion hoax, and witness tampering. The witness tampering allegation related to Stones intimidation of talk radio host Randy Credico who has essentially laughed off the allegation. He said, I never in any way felt that Stone himself posed a physical threat to me or my dog. Hardly. Stone is 70 years old and no master at Ju Jitsu or MMA. But the four prosecutors actually recommended that Stone be imprisoned for between seven and nine years. As Nolte notes, its an absurd amount of time: Seven to nine years for obstructing a witch hunt, for lying to Congress, something you never see prosecuted despite a multitude of transgressors, and for tampering with a witness who says he wasnt really tampered with. An injustice if there ever was one. And the Trump administration, as well as the president himself, wouldnt stand for it. So Attorney General William Barr intervened; the Justice Department refiled a sentencing recommendation that was for far less time, and now the judge, Amy Berman Jackson, will have to decide. Thank the good Lord they have resigned Now, despite what you may think of Stone, the fact that hes going to jail and these politically tainted prosecutors were trying to put him away for what may effectively be the remainder of his useful life is a crime in and of itself. Recall that, for instance, none of these fools raised a finger, let alone an eyebrow, when former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper lied to Congress in front of the entire world. Not only wasnt he charged for that crime, he wasnt even fired by President Obama. Nolte noted further: Hey, Im no Roger Stone fan, and it actually sounds like he deserves some prison time, but there are murderers and rapists and child molesters who dont serve seven to nine years. This sentencing recommendation is not only outrageous, its a retaliatory and partisan abuse of power on behalf of four utterly corrupt and inhumane prosecutors. Thank the Good Lord they have resigned. There arent many federal positions that hold as much power as a federal prosecutor, so its good that these partisan hacks have moved on. But this federal prosecutorial abuse is nothing new. Sidney Powell, a former federal prosecutor-turned-whistleblower, has seen it for years. Powell, currently the lead attorney representing another mightily abused Trump official, retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, the presidents first national security adviser, has long criticized the Justice Department and in particular prosecutors who worked for Mueller, including lead attorney Andrew Weissman. In taking Flynns case, she told Politico, I dont know how, but I can read the way these particular government lawyers say things to know that they are lying and hiding things. And I knew as soon as I started hearing and seeing what was going on with General Flynn that he had been set up. Roger Stone deserves better and so do the American people. Sources include: Politico.com Breitbart.com NewsTarget.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 22:26:43|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Farmer Fu Zongyong (R) and a staff of local government count ducks at Shuangjing village of Yufengshan Town in Yubei District of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Feb. 14, 2020. Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, Fu Zongyong, a poverty-striken farmer has been unable to sell his ducks due to the closing of live poultry markets. Local authorities sent staff to help him with quarantine and sales of ducks to ensure his income during the battle against the epidemic. (Xinhua/Tang Yi) Crowds turned out Friday in Milford for the opening of a newly redesigned Dunkin. The restaurant offered free coffee for a year to the first 100 people in line, but the restaurants focus was on the new amenities. The newly remodeled next generation coffee shop includes a tap system serving eight consistently cold beverages such as coffees, iced teas, cold brew coffee and nitro infused cold brew coffee, according to Dunkin, plus new design elements. But Dunkin is only the latest fast food chain to remodel. Here are six restaurant chains that have tried to add fancy to fast food. 1. Taco Bell Taco Bell may have been the first chain to announce a redesign, with an emphasis on design. The chain actually debuted four new designs, intended for different settings. The California Sol design, for example, celebrates the active outdoor California lifestyle, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor. For urban environments, the urban edge design is a slightly more elevated Taco Bell look. The Modern Explorer incorporates an open kitchen concept so diners can watch your food being prepared right in front of you. 2. McDonalds McDonalds announced plans to invest $6 billion in a nationwide remodel, intending to at least modernize all of its locations across the country. The initiative was named Experience of the Future. In addition to several redesign options being rolled out, plans included self-order kiosks and parking spots designed for curbside pickup. The shift got started in 2018 with a remodel of McDonalds Chicago flagship store. This re-imagined location reflects our global commitment to elevate the customer experience through more modern restaurant designs and conveniences and positively impact our local communities and planet, the company said then. McDonalds restaurants in Japan included an open kitchen design in an effort to win back trust, Business Insider reported, after a human tooth was allegedly found in a meal. 3. Panera Paneras makeover plans were called Panera 2.0, as FastCasual.com reported. Brian Backer, Subways director of enterprise architecture, said during a panel discussion that We are extremely innovative and we launched Panera 2.0 in an effort to identify the friction and make it easier than ever for the consumer to access our product. Plans include self-ordering kiosks and improvements to pickup and mobile ordering. 4. KFC Kentucky Fried Chicken called in the services of a design firm, FRCH NELSON, which lists Disney, McDonalds, Whole Foods and Target among its customers. The new design was intended to modernize the look of the chain, to compete with Chick-fil-A, which has been expanding across the country, as Business Insider reported. 5. Subway The sandwich giant recently reportedly cut more than 300 jobs from its Milford headquarters, which followed a 2017 redesign effort called Fast Forward. Among the redesign elements included self-ordering kiosks and a new look. Its more than a remodel, Don Fertman, chief development officer at Subway, told nrn.com. Its a total refresh: The decor package, the overall improvement of the entire dining experience. Were incorporating our digital footprint, changing how we present our vegetables and our breads, and how we present the entire experience to Subway customers. 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... 'Felt bad': Mamata Banerjee on not being invited to E-W Metro launch India oi-PTI Kolkata, Feb 14: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday took umbrage at not being invited to the inauguration of the East-West Metro corridor, asserting that her team had to "shed tears" to sanction the project when she was the railway minister. The first phase of the East-West corridor of the mass rapid transport network was flagged off by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday, but the TMC gave the event a miss after Banerjee's name did not feature in the list of invitees. "We had worked hard for the East-West Metro project. We had to literally shed tears for it (approval). I felt bad as I was not even informed about the inauguration," Banerjee said in the state assembly. She was the railway minister from 2009-2011. Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal flags off East-West Metro corridor in Kolkata today The first phase of the metro project connects a 4.88- km stretch between Sector V of Salt Lake -- the IT hub of the city -- with Salt Lake Stadium. Criticising the opposition parties in West Bengal for spreading "political pollution", the chief minister slammed the CPI(M) and Congress for "politically surrendering" before the BJP. "The more the Congress inches closer to the CPI(M), the more it will lose its prominence. Wherever religional parties are strong, the Congress literally doesn't have any existence," she said. Banerjee also said she will write to other chief ministers, urging them to not conduct the NPR exercise, as it is a "prelude" to the NRC. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, February 14, 2020, 15:01 [IST] New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Finance Ministry will soon move a Cabinet note seeking approval to set up the Credit Guarantee Enhancement Corporation Fund in partnership with government bodies including LIC, IIFCL, PFC and REC as well other companies soon for enhancing sources of capital for infrastructure financing. "The Credit Guarantee Enhancement Corporation Fund is being set up as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) with partnership of IIFCL, LIC, PFC, REC and similar other companies. A CCEA note in this regard is under process", official sources said adding inter-ministerial consultations are over. Department of Economic Affairs will move the note for CCEA (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs). The existing infra financing government-anchored agency is National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) , India's first sovereign wealth fund that was set up in February 2015. NIIF is a fund manager that seeks to create long-term value for domestic and international investors seeking to invest in energy, transportation, urban infrastructure and other infrastructure-related sectors in India. The Credit Guarantee Enhancement Corporation Fund was Budget announcement of the current fiscal. The regulations have been notified by the RBI, was announced to be set up in 2019-20. When set up, it may have an authorised capital of Rs 20,000 crore and will provide guarantee to bonds issued by completed projects. The fund would be set up to increase sources of capital for infrastructure financing. To support the funding of infrastructure pipeline over the next five years that would require Rs 103 lakh crore, the government has provided about Rs 22,000 crore as equity support to two government-owned infrastructure financing agencies, which will help them mobilise Rs 1 lakh crore. In the Budget 20202-21, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced, that "This would cater for equity support to Infrastructure Finance Companies such as India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL) and a subsidiary of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). They would leverage it, as permissible, to create financing pipeline of more than Rs 1 lakh crore. This would create a major source of long-term debt for infrastructure projects and fulfill a long-awaited requirement." India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL) is a wholly-owned government company to provide long term finance to viable infrastructure projects through the Scheme for Financing Viable Infrastructure Projects. IIFCL has been registered as a NBFC-ND-IFC with RBI since September 2013. In December last year , Cabinet had approved infusing additional Rs 5,300 crore capital into IIFCL through recapitalisation bonds in the current fiscal year. Roads, railways, gas grids and power generation remain on top of the government agenda for infrastructure. (Anjana Das can be contacted at anjana.d@ians.in) Members of the Network of Thai People in Eight Mekong Provinces hold placards outside the Supreme Administrative Court in Thailand after submitting evidence of the impact of Laos' Xayaburi dam, Feb. 14, 2019. A group of concerned Thai citizens Friday submitted additional evidence regarding the impact of Laos Xayaburi dam to the Thai Supreme Administrative court, describing damage to fisheries and dramatic changes to an ecosystem that sustains millions of lives. In an ongoing lawsuit concerning Laos first of five planned large-scale Mekong river dams, the Network of Thai People in Eight Mekong Provinces is challenging the legitimacy of a power purchase agreement between Laos and Thailand, saying that the project has failed to properly assess the environmental impact of the dam in Thailand. The submission of additional evidence comes after half a year of project operations. During this period, downstream of the dam, stretches of the Mekong in seven Thai provinces experienced sharp and unusual water fluctuations, and clear blue water a phenomenon that signals an absence of the nutrients and sediment that are critical to aquatic lives, fisheries, and agriculture in the lower Mekong basin, said the International Rivers NGO in a press statement about the submission. The timing and location of the dramatic ecosystem changes indicate that they are linked to the operations of the Xayaburi dam, the statement said. The impact was observed in parts of Thailands Loei province, as well as in Nong Kai, Bung Kan, Nakorn Phnom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchatani provinces. The rise and fall of the river is not normal anymore. The rapid fluctuations of the river is impacting on aquatic ecosystems and fisheries, Channarong Wongla, one of the plaintiffs from Loei province, was quoted as saying in the statement. I am worried that fisheries, which are important for our food and income, will continue to decline. In addition to submitting the evidence, the Network is also asking the court to suspend the Power Purchase agreement until their evidence can be properly assessed. Om Boun, the chairwoman of the Network, said on Friday that the group has been observing the impact of the dam during its past eight years of construction and that a previous petition letter was ignored. We sent a petition letter to the high court eight years ago and court has made no decision yet, and nothing has been done, Om told Radio Free Asia, an online news service affiliated with BenarNews, Our concern is that impact from Xayabury dam in the last eight years is [observably] enormous in year 2019 and 2020. Thats why we came back to submit [our evidence] again in order to make the court come up with a decision on what they are going to do, she said. We urge them to make decision for us and for our people. Problems that we are concerned about are happening right now. We also worry that if the dam breaks, the court can help us. So thats why we are here, said the chairwoman. Laos has built dozens of hydropower dams on the Mekong and its tributaries in its quest to become the battery of Southeast Asia, exporting the electricity they generate to other countries in the region, and is preparing to build scores more dams in the years ahead. Though the Lao government sees power generation as a way to boost the countrys economy, the projects are controversial because of their environmental impact, displacement of villagers, and questionable financial arrangements. Reported by Radio Free Asia, an online news service affiliated with BenarNews. Xerox Names Joanne Collins Smee as Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial, SMB and Channels Officer Xerox Holdings Corporation (NYSE: XRX) announced today the appointment of Joanne Collins Smee as executive vice president and chief commercial, SMB and channels officer. In this newly created role, she reports to John Visentin, vice chairman and CEO of Xerox. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005320/en/ Joanne Collins Smee, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial, SMB and Channels Officer, Xerox (Photo: Business Wire) "Joanne is a proven business leader and technologist. Under her leadership, Xerox has made progress growing our software business and introducing a new line of digital services," said Visentin. "To further support Xerox's growth, Joanne and her team will focus on delivering innovative and faster-to-market workplace solutions for small to midsize businesses (SMB) and channel partners." Collins Smee joined Xerox in September 2018 as chief commercial officer and has spearheaded the development of Xerox's software and services strategy. She also will lead Xerox Business Solutions, the company's unit focused on serving the SMB, and U.S. channel partners. Before joining Xerox, she led Technology Tansformation Services for the U.S. federal government and spent more than 25 years at IBM (News - Alert) in global executive roles, spanning client sales, support and delivery of technical products and services. "We see the fast-growing SMB market and indirect channels as major plays for Xerox. Customers are seeking new workplace solutions that make their every day work better. We've invested in new offerings that address these needs, enabling both Xerox and partners to capitalize on this growth opportunity," said Collins Smee. About Xerox Xerox Holdings Corporation (NYSE: XRX) makes every day work better. We are a workplace technology company building and integrating software and hardware for enterprises large and small. As customers seek to manage information across digital and physical platforms, Xerox delivers a seamless, secure and sustainable experience. Whether inventing the copier, Ethernet, the laser printer or more, Xerox has long defined the modern work experience. Learn how that innovation continues at xerox.com. Note: To receive RSS news feeds, visit https://www.news.xerox.com. For open commentary, industry perspectives and views, visit http://twitter.com/xerox, http://www.facebook.com/XeroxCorp, https://www.instagram.com/xerox/, http://www.linkedin.com/company/xerox, http://www.youtube.com/XeroxCorp. Xerox is a trademark of Xerox in the United States and/or other countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005320/en/ Rick Guest/Interscope RecordsThe Who played a pair of intimate acoustic shows Wednesday night at the Pryzm nightclub in the London suburb of Kingston upon Thames in honor of the 50th anniversary of the band's classic concert album Live at Leeds. During the gigs, the U.K. rock legends also played two songs from their 2019 studio album, WHO, live for the very first time: "Break the News" and "She Rocked My World." You can check out fan-shot video of both performances on YouTube. "Break the News" was written by longtime Who touring guitarist Simon Townshend, the younger brother of lead guitarist and main songwriter, Pete Townshend. While introducing the tune, frontman Roger Daltrey told the crowd, "Simon is such a great songwriter. For years he's done his songs at my solo shows, but it's great to find a song that actually fits on a Who album." Since Roger still isn't that familiar with the tune, he used lyric sheets to sing it, but flubbed it anyway; the band ended up having to start it a second time. "She Rocked My World" was written by Pete, who explained hat it begins with the same flamenco-style chords he used for the 1967 Who song "Tattoo." The band will play two more shows at the Pryzm club on Friday, February 14, which marks the 50th anniversary of the concert at the University of Leeds that was recorded for the Live at Leeds album. The Who then will have about a month off before launching a 2020 U.K. tour leg that kicks off March 16 in Manchester and runs through an April 8 concert in London. A U.S. trek follows, beginning with an April 21 show in Hollywood, Florida. Check out the band's full itinerary at TheWho.com. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. New Delhi, Feb 14 : Chief Minister-elect Arvind Kejriwal has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seven Lok Sabha MPs from Delhi and eight newly elected BJP MLAs to his swearing-in ceremony on Sunday. Speaking to IANS, Delhi chief of the Aam Aadmi Party Gopal Rai on Friday said the invite has been sent to all the people of Delhi, including the elected representatives. Kejriwal will take oath as Delhi Chief Minister for the third time along with his cabinet at Ramlila Maidan at 10 a.m. on Sunday. AAP has bagged 62 of the 70 seats here, while BJP got eight. "All seven Delhi Lok Sabha MPs and eight newly elected BJP MLAs have been invited for the oath-taking ceremony," Rai told IANS, adding the event is for whole of Delhi, including the elected members. No political leaders from outside has been invited for the ceremony, Rai said. "The people of Delhi gave us this mandate and they are our priority." However, Modi will not be in the city that day, as he will be visiting his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi to inaugurate various projects, as per his schedule. Kejriwal on Thursday had urged the common man of Delhi to attend his oath-taking ceremony. A royal fan who sent a birthday card to Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has been left baffled by a reply, saying that the future queen does not share autographs or photos. Posting on Instagram, royal enthusiast Katherine from Germany, who has run an Instagram account documenting her correspondence with royal since June 2019, shared a picture of a 'strange' reply she received from the Danish household. The response read: 'Her Royal Highness does not comply with requests for autographs or photos on grounds of principle.' Katherine wrote on her account katsroyalletters: 'Strange reply from the Danish royal family. Didn't ask for an autograph or a picture.' Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has said that she does not share autographs or photos with fans on the 'grounds of principle' After she was sent a birthday card by the German royal blogger Katherine, it was revealed that the Crown Princess Mary of Denmark does not share autographs or photos with fans The Instagram user, who has run the Instagram account katsroyalletters since June 2019, said she did not ask for an autograph or a picture Katherine had written to Crown Princess Mary of Denmark to wish her well on her 48th birthday, which fell on 5 February. 'I sent a card on the occasion of the birthday of Crown Princess Mary and got this back,' she explained. 'Didn't ask for an autograph or a picture (I never do except for the one time I wrote a letter to Sarah, Duchess of York). Weird....' The letter, which was sent from the Amalienborg palace in Copenhagen, Denmark, read: 'Thank you for the interest your letter to Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess. The Australian-born royal recently celebrated her 48th birthday by releasing a new portrait of herself donning a navy blue wrap dress by Issa London 'However, Her Royal Highness does not comply with requests for autographs or photos on grounds of principle.' Denmark's royal household marked the mother-of-four's birthday by releasing a new portrait of her in a navy blue wrap dress by Issa London, very similar to the one worn by Kate Middleton for her engagement photos. The portrait, which also showed the royal sporting aquamarine diamond drop earrings and an Orit Elhanati necklace, was taken by Copenhagen-based photographer Daniel Stjerne. The stunning image was later shared on the palace's Instagram page with the caption: 'Her Royal Majesty the Crown Princess has a birthday and turns today 48 years old'. The princess (with husband Prince Frederick and children) is mother to Prince Christian, 14, Princess Isabella, 12, Prince Vincent, nine, and Princess Josephine, also nine Later during the day the royal, who is mother to Prince Christian, 14, Princess Isabella, 12, Prince Vincent, nine, and Princess Josephine, also nine, was seen on the piste in Verbier with husband Crown Prince Frederik and friends. Prince Frederick first met Mary, who was born in Tasmania, in a Sydney bar before she decided to move to the northern hemisphere to be with the Danish royal. In December, in a candid interview with Australian Women's Weekly, the Crown Princess revealed that moving to the other side of the world was difficult. She said: 'I did experience a feeling of loneliness - short-term - when I first moved to Denmark,' she told the magazine. 'Moving to Denmark was a huge change in my life - a new culture, new language, new friends, and another way of life.' 'So, I see it as quite natural that at times I felt quite alone or a little bit like I was on the outside looking in.' The Iraqi parliament, under public pressure from months of widespread protests, has passed a new electoral law that still leaves protesters and parties representing Kurds and Sunni Arab areas far from satisfied. The law has yet to reach the president's desk to be ratified. However, it's not just the new law, approved Dec. 24 by the Iraqi federal parliament, that has ignited disputes between political parties, but also a controversial addendum relating to the organization of electoral districts. The redistricting proposals and the provision allowing for voters to select individuals rather than slates of candidates were considered victories for Iraqs vast protest movement, in which more than 600 people have been killed and upward of 23,000 injured in the pursuit of political change. Yet the protesters still have some issues with it, including how district winners would divvy up votes. However, it appears that the countrys major political parties, which initially opposed some of the bill's proposals while it was being considered, have shifted in stance after drafting the additional clause. The addendum would divide Iraqs 18 provinces into numerous electoral jurisdictions, with one parliamentarian to be elected for each 100,000 people. Areas with smaller populations would be integrated into districts within the same province. Like the existing law, the new one would designate quotas for women and religious minorities. According to the Iraqi Constitution, parliament is obliged to send the approved law to the president for ratification, though it doesn't designate a specific time frame for doing so. After receiving the law, the president has 15 days to contest it and return it to parliament; otherwise, the law is considered ratified. In discussions with Al-Monitor, three parliament members confirmed the law hasn't been sent yet to President Barham Salih. Raad al-Dahlaki, a representative of the National Coalition from Diyala province, attributed the delay to legislative holidays, which started Jan. 20 and last about one month. Some parties namely Kurdish and Sunni groups still disagree over the division of electoral districts, but Dahlaki appeared confident that those differences won't hold up the bill. Countering this view, Raed Fahmy, a representative of the Alliance Toward Reform and secretary of the Central Committee of the Iraqi Communist Party (a secular alliance with the Sadrist movement), said, There is an ongoing dispute over the addendum to the new election law. As Fahmy explained to Al-Monitor, There is discussion among politicians that dividing the electoral districts will significantly work to the detriment of around 20% of voters, especially in disputed areas between the federal government and Kurdistan regions. Fahmy also indicated another problem: "A large number of the districts created after the occupation of Baghdad in April 2003 did not have administrative boundaries, while there are districts remaining whose borders overlap. He explained, The majority of the parties are aware of these problems and that the way the law was passed [intentionally] aims to present obstacles to the early election process demanded by the protesters. He said the law was passed without due deliberation and without consulting the protesters. Demonstrations in Baghdad, as well as in central and southern Iraq, have called for the formation of a transitional government to lead the staging of early elections, which haven't been scheduled yet. Iraq's parliament was elected in May 2018 for four years. However, Fahmy claimed, Large political parties, especially those with armed factions, will use the law in their own interest to garner votes in rural areas. Some parties will exercise their tribal links to benefit candidates and as political currency to win over the voters, alongside the threat of force by armed factions. He added, There are major objections to the law in its current form, with many of its provisions subject to appeal in the federal court. Ahmad Hama Rasheed, a representative of the Kurdistan Islamic Group from Sulaimaniyah province, made similar observations regarding the disputes. As he explained, The clause has not resolved the issues that many parties objected to. Rasheed told Al-Monitor, The addendum and the law are still subject to discussion and the law will not be sent to the presidency before an agreement is reached between the various blocs and political parties. He added, "The law can be sent through consensus among the largest parliamentary blocs." He noted, "Both the new law and its added clause are tailored to suit the larger parties. One parliamentarian from a small party from the Kurdistan region, who spoke with Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, noted, Large parties can comfortably secure their seats through the new law, while smaller parties must forge alliances among themselves to obtain parliamentary seats, according to vote-counting under the new law. Regarding the loss of votes, Rasheed similarly concluded that merging the small districts will squander the votes of smaller parties, while filtering candidates for clans who do not represent the broader interests of their districts residents in the federal parliament. Either way, the Kurdish parliament member and representatives of five other small Kurdish parties have resolved to align under the banner of "Group 15," or "G15," excluding the large Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, with the intention of challenging the new election law in federal court. In reality, the disagreement among parties that has foiled the law's ratification so far will ultimately postpone early elections significantly, despite the inflamed public's demand that it be implemented without delay. FREDERICTON, New Brunswick, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New Brunswick Lumber Producers (NBLP) represent 95% of the softwood lumber produced in the province, including 15 manufacturing plants with over 2000 direct jobs in rural New Brunswick. Currently, the majority of NBLP members are paying a crippling duty of over 20% on exports to the United States. A severe disadvantage for producers that have long been recognized as operators within a free and fair trade forest system. It is very difficult to resolve our lumber dispute until the trilateral United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is ratified by the House of Commons in Ottawa. We are urgently calling on all parties in Parliament to work together next week to ratify this important trade agreement. Ratification will not only lead to bigger markets for Canada but may allow for a final settlement of the softwood lumber dispute and more opportunity for lumber producers in rural New Brunswick. Media Contact Jerome Pelletier Chair, NB Lumber Producers 506.333.2761 Citywide, Chinatown, Embarcadero, Financial District, Tenderloin Photo: Ferry Building/Facebook Here's the latest in SF food news. In this edition, the Ferry Building adds a new "First Thursdays" event with drinks and discounts; La Cocina hosts dinners to raise money for its forthcoming food hall; and Chinatown gets a new late-night eatery. Events Embarcadero Ferry Building's Third Thursdays (1 Ferry Building) The Ferry Building. | Photo: Alisa Scerrato/Hoodline A number of SF institutions have started throwing Thursday-night events to draw crowds at off-hours, including the Exploratorium and the California Academy of Sciences. Now, the Ferry Building has joined the fray. Starting this coming Thursday, February 20, the Ferry Building will host Third Thursdays" on, as the name suggests, the third Thursday of every month. The event kicks off at 6 p.m., and many of the building's shops and restaurants, which normally close at 7, will stay open until 9 p.m. for the occasion. The event will feature live music from Luminescent Grand and their LED piano, performances by Oakland teen dance group TURFinc, and interactive art installations from ArtIsMobilUS. Several vendors will also be featuring special deals on food and drinks, including half-off bottles of wine at MarketBar, sundae specials at Humphry Slocombe and a slice of lemon pie with a glass of prosecco for $13 at Frog Hollow Farm Cafe. Visit Third Thursdays' Facebook event page for more information on all the deals. Citywide La Cocina's Week of Women in Food (Citywide) Momos at Bini's Kitchen. | Photo: Angelina Hong La Cocina, San Francisco's culinary incubator for immigrants and women of color, is bringing back its annual Week of Women in Food from March 2-8. The event features seven nights of special dinners and cocktail parties, each teaming up a pair or trio of La Cocina graduates at one of their restaurants, or at another notable local restaurant. One chef featured each night will be a future tenant at La Cocina's upcoming Tenderloin food hall, set to open later this year. Story continues The team-ups include Binita Pradhan (of Nepalese eatery Bini's Kitchen) with the staff of Moroccan restaurant Mourad; a Mexican dinner from chefs Dilsa Lugo (Los Cilantros) and Veronica Salazar (El Huarache Loco); and a collaboration between Senegalese chef Nafy Flatley (Teranga) and Indian-American chef Preeti Mistry (formerly of Juhu Beach Club) at Almanac Beer Co. Each event is ticketed, with prices ranging from $45-100. Proceeds will support La Cocina's incubator program and the food hall. Openings Chinatown Taishan Cuisine (781 Broadway) Photo: Albertino M./Hoodline Tipline Tipster Al M. has informed us that Taishan Cuisine has softly opened at 718 Broadway. As the name suggests, Taishan Cuisine specializes in food from a region in China's Guangdong province, which is similar to Cantonese fare but has more of an emphasis on steamed and braised dishes. The menu features appetizers such as wontons and fried fish balls, as well as larger dishes such as braised lamb or beef stew, braised pig feet, and steamed vermicelli with shrimp. It's a good spot for night owls: hours are 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily. Thanks to tipster Al M. If you've seen something new (or closing) in the neighborhood, text your tips and photos to (415) 200-3233, or email tips@hoodline.com. If we use your info in a story, we'll give you credit When it comes to pulling off the grandest of grand romantic gestures for Valentines Day, Lonnie Anderson is an undisputed star. You remember Anderson, the South Valley man who wears his heart on his sleeve for his wife of 19 years, Anne Bolger-Witherspoon. Last year, for example, that heart was a 100-pound pink pinata one made from refrigerator boxes covered with 300 sheets of tissue paper and dangled from a crane parked near their home off Bridge and Goff SW. Over the years, Anderson, who owns a graphic design firm, has also painted a giant Sweetheart candy imprinted with Annes name on a building, spelled out an e.e. cummings poem with 6,500 pebbles, threw a private prom, crafted cardboard flowers taller than a house, used industrial-strength projectors to cast images of affection for Anne on the side of a building and rented a working carousel for his lady love to ride in their front yard. His super-sized Valentines surprises have been featured in this column over the years and in other publications and across social media. I have become slightly famous around the world for my valentines, he said. This year, you might say Andersons annual display of affection was out of this world. On an enchanted evening this week, he feted Anne with a galactic treat by serving her dinner under the stars those stars aligned in a special constellation projected overhead at the planetarium in the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Days before the big night Wednesday, he explained his plan: I have a box of stardust with glowing orbs that I will give to her so she can make a wish. If everything goes as it should, my wifes name will then appear in the millions of stars on the dome of planetarium. And very quietly, we will play Frank Sinatras version of Fly Me to the Moon. Kind of makes convenience store roses and a box of Brachs look pretty blase, doesnt it? Anderson also presented Anne with a note written to her by retired NASA astronaut Terry Virts. A longer shot as in about 220 miles overhead was his hope that by the time dinner was served he could secure a love note transmitted to Anne from European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano, who is orbiting the Earth on the International Space Station. That, he said, was not to be this time. But hes been working on this part of the project for five years, so whats another year? This stellar show stopper of a valentine was inspired by youngest daughter Cheyenne Anderson, 12, who served the dinner to her mother under the stars. Both my daughters Cheyenne and Hawthorn have helped me since they were very young, he said. Like every Valentines Day project hes done over the past 25 years, Anderson estimates that the cost for his space-themed lovefest is about equal to the price of a fancy dinner for two and a bouquet of roses. Thats in part because most of the people who help him pull off his projects offer their services at no or low cost just to be part of the love. This year, for example, hes enlisted the help of the museum space science director James Greenhouse, who gave the go-ahead for the Valentines project. Software developer Simone Seagle and museum technology director Geoff Skelton reprogrammed the code that makes the planetarium stars align just so. Anderson reminds us that his love for love was inspired by his grandmother, who every Feb. 14 wistfully watched her fellow waitresses gush over gifts from their husbands or boyfriends while she received nothing, her husband not a believer in public displays of affection of any sort. Anderson said he vowed that Anne would never feel unloved like his grandmother did. And he also vowed to publicly share his Valentines Day extravaganzas as a way to spread good news and cheer to his South Valley community and, now, to infinity and beyond. There is always so much negative news coming out of the South Valley where I live that I had hoped this might inspire others to do something beautiful for the ones they love, he said. This Valentines Day, may you be inspired to reach for the stars and for the ones who make your heart soar. UpFront is a front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to Joline at 823-3603, jkrueger@abqjournal.com or follow her on Twitter @jolinegkg. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor. WINSTED The American Mural Project is hosting an Open Mill event Sunday, offering the public a chance to see the mural installation progress. Tours are offered at noon 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., lasting approximately 45 minutes each, at AMPs location, 90 Whiting Street in Winsted. As AMP is not open to the public, this event provides a first-hand sneak peek into the installation process before it is complete, which is anticipated to be in the next two years. Open Mill visits include an overview of founder and artistic director Ellen Griesediecks inspiration for the mural, as well as AMPs current and future plans for the mural, education programs, and expansion. Through staff-guided tours, visitors will learn about the murals tribute to American workers, the people depicted in the mural, and why the subjects were chosen. Tours also provide an opportunity to hear stories about the represented workers and to ask questions. Although there is much more of the mural to be installed, the recent huge step in the process has transformed this amazing space in a way that cant be described, said Amy Wynn, executive director of the American Mural Project. Pictures do not do it justice. Seeing it in person is the only way to experience the full effect, scale, and artistry unfolding. Limited registrations are available; previous Open Mill tours sold out well in advance. Minimum suggested donation of $5/person is strongly encouraged. As a nonprofit organization readying to open to the public, AMP relies on donations to fund all events and programs. AMP merchandise, including one-of-a-kind hand-painted t-shirts and hoodies, will be available for purchase. To reserve a space or for more information, please visit https://www.americanmuralproject.org/events or call 860-379-3006. As the mural installation progresses, additional Open Mill events will be scheduled throughout 2020. Launched in 2002 by artist Ellen Griesedieck, the American Mural Project (AMP) is creating the largest indoor collaborative artwork in the worlda mural 120 feet long, 48 feet high, and up to ten feet deep. The mural is a tribute to American workers and highlights what has defined the country over the last century. It seeks to inspire, to educate, to invite collaboration, and to reveal to people of all ages the many contributions they can make to American culture. Nothing like it exists in the world. More than 15,000 children and adults have helped create pieces of the mural, which will be housed in two former mill buildings on Whiting Street in Winsted, Connecticut. Scope Construction finished renovations on the mural building in fall 2018, and the lengthy process of assembling and installing the mural is now underway. Programming is currently offered for schools and teachers, after-school partnerships, summer enrichment camps, and an apprentice-style internship program. Lead funding for the American Mural Project has been provided by the Newmans Own Foundation, Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, and the Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Recent additional support has been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Connecticut Community Foundation, the Maximilian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation, Eversource Foundation, and Northwest Community Bank. Picocuries are a measure of radioactivity and the state's maximum level for waste stored at the landfill is 5 picocuries. The state's Energy Department regulators said the landfill won't be fined for accepting the radioactive waste because officials believe landfill operators misunderstood state guidelines and were unaware of the violations. Environmental advocates plan to pressure state leaders to determine how how Oregon became "a fracking dumping ground," said Dan Serres, conservation director of the Columbia Riverkeeper group that lobbies to protect the river and its water quality. "The big question now is what happens to this waste that has been illegally dumped in Oregon? Do they have to clean up this mess they created by accepting this waste from North Dakota?" Serres said. "The level and scale of this infraction is alarming and galling." Ken Niles, the state energy department's assistant director for nuclear safety, said the agency can only fine companies - ranging from $60 to $500 a day - under certain circumstances. A professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology warns that Nova Scotia's plan to switch from oil to wood for heating some public buildings will only speed up climate change, but the province is confident in the approach it is taking. John Sterman, director of MIT's Sloan Sustainability Initiative, analyzed carbon emissions from burning wood for heat and energy, and found it's as bad as burning coal, 30 per cent higher than burning fuel oil and 80 per cent higher than natural gas. "Turns out that wood and coal have about the same amount of carbon per unit of useful energy in them, but burning wood is less efficient," Sterman told CBC's Information Morning. MIT Sloan School of Management Sterman said burning biomass releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere right away, while it takes decades for enough trees to grow to offset those emissions. "When we started our research on this because the climate situation is so dire, I sincerely hoped that wood would prove to be part of the solution for the climate crisis, but unfortunately we have to be true to the science, and it just doesn't work out," he said. Last week, the province announced it was converting six public buildings from using furnace oil to wood heat in an effort to use renewables from private woodlots and reduce Nova Scotia's carbon footprint. It has identified 100 buildings that would be good candidates for converting to this type of heating. But while Sterman cautions governments against assuming biomass is a carbon-neutral solution, Nova Scotia's minister of Lands and Forestry said the professor's calculations don't take everything into account. 'A decisive decade' Sterman's research, published in Environmental Research Letters, looked at forests in the eastern U.S. that supply wood pellets to the U.K. He calculated the "payback" time for these forests compared to the emissions from burning coal. "If you replant the forest or allow the forest you've harvested to regrow and that's a big if it will take 50 to well over 100 years to pay back that carbon, even if the wood that you've burned is displacing coal or fuel oil," he said. Story continues Sterman argues that every time someone switches from coal or oil to wood, "they're making climate change worse" during "a decisive decade." Countries have committed to keeping global temperature rise below 2 C above pre-industrial levels. "We've simply waited so long that we have to make large emissions cuts as fast as possible," Sterman said. He said simply planting more trees isn't the answer because "plantations don't have the carbon density of a natural forest." Plantations with a single species of tree also typically use herbicides and pesticides, he said. "Planting trees is always a good thing to do, but it's illusory to believe that planting trees can substitute for reducing our fossil fuel emissions," he said. Waste wood already cut, says minister Biomass is seen by many as a green alternative to burning coal and oil. Europe, where biofuels have been deemed carbon neutral, is now accepting huge quantities of woodchips from the U.S. and Canada. Exploring the use of heating fuelled by low-grade wood was one of the recommendations in University of King's College president Bill Lahey's review on forestry practices in Nova Scotia. Iain Rankin, minister of Lands and Forestry, said burning low-grade wood that's already been cut is better than using oil that's shipped to Nova Scotia from overseas. "I believe that this is a better alternative, and I think Nova Scotians will see that," he told CBC's Information Morning. Craig Paisley/CBC Rankin said biomass furnaces in the six buildings that are part of the province's pilot project are over 90 per cent efficient. "If you're using material that is largely waste from material that's being thinned off of woodlots, and you have a highly efficient system, the conclusions that we have seen so far is there are net carbon benefits," he said. Finding markets for woodchips Woodchips for the six biomass projects will come from private woodlots, Rankin said. "It reduces the risk of some of these landowners, say, converting their forest to another type of land use, whether it be agricultural or development, because that would be more harmful for the environment and deplete the carbon stocks that we have in the province," he said. He added that the province is also looking for new markets for woodchips from sawmills following Northern Pulp's closure. Sterman said his research doesn't mean governments should continue to rely on coal and oil, but what's really needed is a commitment to build energy-efficient buildings. "We have technologies ready to go today that can cut our greenhouse gas emissions and still provide us with what we need to generate that warmth, make sure the lights stay on," he said. Rankin said he's open to reading Sterman's research and having Nova Scotia's science peer reviewed. MORE TOP STORIES The vice-chancellor of Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University(CBPBU), Debkumar Mukhopadhyay Friday said that he is yet to get any showcause letter from the chancellor for not inviting him to the annual convocation. The convocation was held at the university campus at Coochbehar in north Bengal on Friday. This is for the third time after Calcutta University and Jadavpur University that the governor has not been invited to a convocation programme though he is the chancellor. Mukhopadhyay told reporters on the sidelines of the convocation that he is yet to receive the showcause from the chancellor and he will "certainly respond" when he does. He had said on Wednesday that an invitation had been mailed to Raj Bhavan and would find out why it did not reach the governor. The Raj Bhavan had said in a note on Thursday, "Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has invoked the process for consideration of removal of CBPBU VC Debkumar Mukhopadhyay." In a notice mailed and couriered to the VC, the governor had 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 to the higher education department. Dhankhar had on Wednesday expressed his dismay over not being invited to it. He had said that he has the "right to preside" over Friday's convocation. State Higher Education Minister Partha Chatterjee could not be reached for comment. Dhankhar, who has been locked in a series of run-ins with the TMC government over a number of issues, had on several occasions in the past expressed unhappiness at the government's "ill-treatment" meted out to him. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The regional supervising coroner has announced a rare discretionary inquest into the death of Devon Freeman, a Hamilton teen whose body was discovered seven months after he was reported missing, on the very grounds of the group home where he had been last seen. The 16-year-old, still hanging in a tree no more than 35 metres from the back of the Flamborough house, was discovered after kids outside tossed a ball into the wooded area April 12, 2018. For his grandmother, Pam Freeman, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, of which Devon was a member, the announcement brings them a step closer to fully understanding what happened to Devon. It is also the hope to see recommendations that lead to meaningful changes to help vulnerable children especially those with mental health issues in care. Pam and the First Nation formally requested an inquest in December. In this case, the inquest was not mandatory, but at the discretion of the coroner; there are less than a handful of discretionary inquests a year in Ontario. On Thursday afternoon, Dr. Karen Schiff, regional supervising coroner for west region, Hamilton office, announced an inquest will be held. Now, Pam finds herself facing a mix of emotions happiness, pride and a little surprise, but also anxiety about what the inquest process will look like. Shes worried about what people at those agencies tied to Devons death will say and whether they will try to upset or discredit her. Ive fought a lot of battles, she said. Shannon Crate, Devons child and family services worker and representative of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nations, echoed this mix of emotions and slight weariness to trust this colonial process. Im really happy that theyre going to go ahead, but at the same time its such a hard thing to keep open ... its all so raw, especially for Pam, she said. Ultimately she hopes this is a learning experience for all. Its not just about the particular agencies involved Hamilton police, Hamilton Childrens Aid Society, Lynwood Charlton Centre its about agencies responsible for child welfare in any community in the province. We all just have to be brave and honest and move forward, she said. The case has been extensively covered by The Spectator, from the time Devon was considered a missing person, to the discovery of his body, to the familys decision to push for an inquest. At the time of his death, Devon was in the care of Hamilton Childrens Aid Society Pam had agreed to sign over custody at the assurance that the child welfare agency could get him the help he needed. They placed Devon at Lynwood Charlton Centres Flamborough site, an eight-bed facility that sits in a rural area on Collinson Road. Devon was unhappy there and a frequent runaway, a factor family and advocates say meant no one properly looked for him when he disappeared. They have been told that no one saw Devon when he left the home on Sept. 6, 2017, after an angry outburst. There was never a ground search. Pam had raised Devon and his two older sisters for most of their life, when their mom struggled with addiction and after her death when Devon was six years old. Devon was eventually diagnosed with ADHD, oppositional defiance disorder, anxiety and PTSD. All the work I put in and the book (of my life) wasnt supposed to end this way, she said, reflecting on all the years she spent advocating for Devon and trying to find the right treatment. One key question that Pam raised was around confidentiality in the child welfare system. This confidentiality is meant to protect children, but too often its used as a shield that stops agencies from sharing information. Crate agreed: The ones not sharing information are the ones with the power and the privilege. Years ago, Crate said an elder of th First Nation told her there was no word in their language for confidentiality. His response was what do you have to hide? Several months before he disappeared, Devon confided in staff at Lynwood that he had attempted to hang himself but was cut down by a friend. Yet that information was never shared with Pam, the First Nation or police. This shocking revelation was only uncovered when Sarah Clarke, the lawyer representing the First Nation, requested records from Hamilton CAS. Crate didnt know Devon was unhappy. Had she been informed by Hamilton Childrens Aid, she could have entered into an Indigenous alternative dispute resolution process. The First Nation was never told he was missing until Crate learned of his death. Pam now questions whether he was actually getting any treatment. Its one of the questions she wants answered at the inquest. Throughout most of his life, people were dismissive of Devon and his feelings. There was nobody he could go to for help except me, Pam said. There are few discretionary inquests called each year. Most of the inquests in Ontario are mandatory, such as when someone dies suddenly in custody. In Ontario, there are about 17,000 death investigations every year, but typically fewer than 45 inquests. An inquest is a courtlike process presided over by a coroner, with a jury that hears from witnesses. The point is not to find fault or blame, but to answer questions about how a person died. The jury can also make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future. Any recommendations made are non-binding, but the agencies named have to formally respond within six months. According to statistics from the Office of the Chief Coroner, there were a total of 35 inquests in 2018. Of those, 31 were mandatory and four were discretionary. Between 2013 and 2018, there were just two to four discretionary inquests per year. Discretionary inquests are the exception not the rule, said Pams lawyer, Justin Safayeni, adding that they are really, really over the moon to find out that Devons death will be examined. I think from our perspective the key objective here is not only just to figure out in better detail what happened in Devons case ... but really to examine the case with a view to making changes so that this never happens to another kid in care in Ontario, he said. One of the biggest hurdles for those involved in Devons case was to convince the coroner that an inquest was needed, despite multiple past calls for inquests into deaths of children in the care of childrens aid and a recent expert panel review of 12 deaths of children, including Indigenous children, who died by suicide while in care. Im really proud of the work weve done to get it this far and ... Im sad that its necessary, Clarke said. She also knows there is a lot of work ahead, not just at the inquest, but after the inquest to make sure any recommendations are put into action. Multiple First Nation and child welfare groups have expressed support for the inquest. Hamilton police Chief Eric Girt wrote a letter of support and Lynwood passed a resolution saying it would fully participate. No dates have been set. Hemant Bedekar, executive director, Maharashtra chapter, Bamboo Society of India (BSI), the organisation which has organised the bamboo festival, in an interview emphasised on the importance of the woody grass as not only economically beneficial, but also eco-friendly. The specialty of the festival This is the first time in Maharashtra that Pune is hosting a bamboo festival featuring 45 stalls which have a variety of products to display from furniture, huts, decorative and essential products like bamboo soap and bamboo rice. Prior to this Kerala has been hosting a similar festival for the past ten years and now we, Bamboo society of India plan to do it as an annual thing. Bamboo is often used in making smaller artifacts like lamps and decorative. How can it be expanded more? Bamboo is the fastest growing grass and can be harvested annually. It is also the best replacement for wood as it is stronger when processed and can last for almost 25-30 years. It can be used to make almost 1,500 products and it also helps in percolation of water and prevent soil erosion which is why now farmers in Marathwada and Vidharbha are also opting for bamboo farming. What is the purpose of the exhibition? The purpose of the exhibition is to bridge the gap between farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs. The exhibition will also work to bring forward products from across the state on public display. There are many curious people who are coming and inquiring about bamboo and its uses. Most of them were surprised to know the uses of bamboo. This exhibition will also clear the lack of awareness. Most of the bamboo comes from the east and north east India from states like Assam, Bengal and Manipur. How important is Maharashtras contribution to Bamboo production in the country? You would be surprised to know that in the past four years Maharashtra has planted 25 thousand acres of bamboo. Sahyadri and Vidharbha are leading in bamboo plantation, while Kahndesh and Marathwada are also picking up because the plant does not demand a lot of water. Philadelphia Police are investigating the death of a 28-year-old man while in custody Wednesday, Feb. 12. The man apparently had experienced a drug overdose in the parking lot of this Rite Aid at 4600 block of North Broad Street in Logan and was given naloxone by a pharmacist before officers arrived, police said. He became agitated and, while struggling with officers who tried to handcuff him, was struck in the face and head with a closed fist, police said. He died on the way to the hospital. Read more A Philadelphia police officer who punched a man apparently overdosing on drugs Wednesday minutes before the man died en route to a hospital was wearing a body camera that captured the blow on video, a police spokesperson said Friday. Inspector Sekou Kinebrew said the footage was a key part of the ongoing investigation into the incident in a Rite Aid store parking lot in Logan. Police have said the officer, an 11-year-veteran assigned to the 35th District, punched the 28-year-old in the head while he and other officers tried to restrain the man as he grew increasingly agitated, and began screaming and striking parked cars. Kinebrew declined to release the footage, citing the investigation. He said the departments Officer Involved Shooting unit, which investigates all deaths in police custody, is seeking additional video of the struggle, possibly from surveillance cameras or witnesses. Many other questions remained Friday, including the name of the victim, which police were declining to release because the cause and manner of death had not been determined. The Medical Examiners Office also declined to identify the man, saying its investigation was ongoing. Police also have not released the identity of the officer who threw the punch. Kinebrew said the officer is 31 years old and was placed on administrative duty in the wake of the incident. The episode happened three days after new Commissioner Danielle Outlaw took over the 6,500-member department. In a statement Thursday, Outlaw said the department would conduct a thorough, complete, and objective investigation. Police said that about 5:18 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to the Rite Aid on the 4600 block of North Broad Street for a report of a hospital case. A crowd had gathered around the man, who police said was shirtless and lying on the ground between two parked cars. Kinebrew said the officers were told that a pharmacist had already given the man naloxone, a drug that helps treat opioid overdoses. The man became animated, police said, then began screaming largely unintelligibly and striking the cars and the ground. Officers tried to restrain the man by placing him in handcuffs, and Kinebrew said he was partially cuffed when the officer punched him in the head. Police said officers put the handcuffed man into a Fire Department medic van. While en route to the hospital, police said, he became unresponsive, and he was declared dead at Einstein Medical Center at 5:58 p.m. Kinebrew said the circumstances surrounding the officers punch were part of the departments investigation. Department directives say that officers are permitted to use moderate force such as physical control holds if someone is resisting an officers commands by pushing or pulling away, locking arms, or tightening of the body. In addition to interviewing Democratic primary voters leaving the polls in New Hampshire on Tuesday, CBS News polled Republicans, too. As expected, President Trump overwhelmingly won the Republican primary, and those who came out to vote were strong supporters. Trump vs. the Republican Party Support for the president among New Hampshire Republican primary voters runs deep. When they were asked whether they feel more allegiance to the Republican Party or to Donald Trump, a majority (55%) picked Trump. Even among those who said they feel more allegiance to the Republican Party, most of them more than 7 in 10 voted for Mr. Trump. The president did get somewhat less support among Republican primary voters who said they didn't support him for the nomination in 2016, but most (62%) of that group cast their vote for him as well. 304-allegiance-gop.png While the Democratic and Republican primary contests were different in nature (one competitive, one largely not), here's a look at the diverging views held by New Hampshire Democratic and Republican primary voters as they left the polls. Views of the Trump administration There is little middle ground when it comes to overall feelings about the Trump administration. Most New Hampshire Democratic primary voters expressed anger toward the administration, while most Republicans expressed enthusiasm. The few who felt dissatisfied or angry about the Trump administration did not vote for the president on Tuesday; most backed former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld. This small group that was dissatisfied or angry represented just one in 10 Republican primary voters. 301-enthus-angry.png Personal finances and the economy On the economic front, New Hampshire Republicans were more positive than Democrats about their own family's financial situation. The number of New Hampshire Republicans who said they are getting ahead financially (42%) more than doubled since 2016 (19%). This percentage increased among Democrats, too, but by just six points, to 21%. Story continues Looking at voters across each party, those without a college degree were a bit less positive about their finances than those with a college degree, although not overwhelmingly so. 302-get-ahead.png The impact of impeachment New Hampshire Republican and Democratic primary voters see the impact of impeachment on the president's reelection chances differently. Most Republicans said it has helped Mr. Trump's reelection chances. Most Democrats disagree, but they don't widely see impeachment as something that has hurt the president politically 6 in 10 said his impeachment hasn't made a difference regarding his reelection chances. Just under a quarter said it has hurt his chances. 303-impeach-impact.png Sanders shifts attention to Nevada as Bloomberg campaigns in Super Tuesday states January 2020 was hottest on record, while Antarctica is warmer than it's ever been Daily Trail Markers: Culinary union not to endorse a candidate; Trump and Bloomberg swap insults BarcelonaThe Prison Oversight Judge has dealt a blow to the Public Prosecutor's Office. The High Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) announced this Tuesday that the Prison Oversight Judge has granted the President of Omnium, Jordi Cuixart, the 72-hour leave he had requested, in spite of opposition from the Public Prosecutor. The judge argued that the pro-independence leader had already served "a quarter of his sentence before 14 January 2020". In other words, "before the Parole Board proposed the permit", and that he has shown "good conduct". According to the judge, these are the two requirements referred to in prison regulations governing prison leave, and which Lledoners prison officials consider to have been met. The Prison Oversight Judge was not involved in granting Cuixarts first leave of absence, which allowed him to leave prison for 48 hours on 16 January, since such permits are issued directly by prison Parole Boards without the involvement of a court. When he requested a 72-hour permit, however, the Public Prosecutor took the opportunity to ask the judge to deny the request. The prosecutors main argument was that the Omnium leader had not acknowledged the "gravity" of the crimes for which he received a nine-year prison sentence and that he has failed to show regret". The Public Prosecutor also took into account the fact that Cuixart did not undertake a specific treatment program for the crimes he committed. In her ruling, Judge Maria Jesus Arnau states that prison regulations do not impose on the offender the obligation to show regret or plead guilty" and adds that Cuixart cannot be expected to undergo a specific program "to change his political views". As a result, the judge took the phrase "Well do it again", which Cuixart uttered during the trial, "as an expression of his ideological/political thinking". The judge stressed the fact that Cuixarts words, in keeping with the prison psychologist's report, "at no time refer to a tumultuous uprising, as set forth in the facts of the Supreme Courts judgment. Instead, it refers to the desire to continue to exercise the right to decide on the situation in Catalonia in a peaceful, non-violent manner". For this reason, Judge Arnau goes on to criticize the Public Prosecutors Office for solely basing its arguments on the words the defendant used in court, which also appear in the title of the book he has written, while "failing to examine the contents of the book, or other statements he made, which appear in the prison psychologists report. No obligation to show regret The judge stresses that offenders are not required to show remorse in order to be granted leave. According to the judge, "Cuixart acknowledges the fact that he engaged in the acts of which he was accused, but he disagrees with their legal classification. He does not show regret and continues to proclaim his innocence, which is without a doubt a legitimate point of view and decision, since prison regulations do not impose any obligation on offenders to show regret, plead guilty or cease to proclaim their innocence". In his closing statement, Judge Maria Jesus Arnau strongly criticised the Prosecutor's Offices request not to grant Cuixart his three-day leave: "He is under the jurisdiction of the prison authorities, meaning the criminal conviction cannot be expected to extend to the inmate's prison itinerary, hindering and preventing the possible granting of ordinary leave, other penitentiary benefits and progressive changes to their classification, although it appears as if the Prosecutors Office has forgotten this fact". In rejecting the Prosecutors appeal, the judge goes on to say that, "Such obstacles, without sufficient motivation, would be contrary to our legal system and to prison rules in particular". Referring to the Supreme Court's ruling against the independence leaders, the judge writes that "it does not imply that the offender has to serve half of their sentence before becoming eligible to being classified as a level-three prisoner" and, accordingly, it does not place "limitations or conditions on the possible granting of ordinary leave permits". The possibility of an appeal The judge's decision is not final and may be appealed by the Prosecutor's Office. The argument put forward by the judges ruling, however, could be repeated in the coming weeks, as the same judge has another case from the Prison Oversight Prosecutor opposing the 72-hour leave requested by Jordi Sanchez, the former president of the ANC. The prosecutor is employing the same arguments it used in its frustrated attempt to oppose Cuixarts three-day leave: a lack of "regret", while failing to understand the "gravity" of the crimes he has committed or to participate in a specific program of treatment. In Sanchezs case, the prosecutor even argues that it was necessary for him to participate in a program "which helps him to understand that in order to legitimately achieve the ends he espouses, within the Spanish Constitution, there is no other way than amending the law through the legal means set forth by the law itself, and that everyone must abide by said laws, the Criminal Code in particular". The Chief Judge of Prison Oversight Court Number 5 will also be responsible for hearing the Lledoners Prison Parole Boards proposal with regard to the application of article 100.2 of the prison regulations which allows Sanchez and Cuixart to leave prison to engage in paid and voluntary work three and five days a week, respectively. In this instance, unlike the 72-hour permit, which Sanchez and Cuixart will not be able to enjoy until a firm court decision authorizes it, the leave can be granted even if a judge has not authorised them. In fact, for the time being the Prosecutor's Office has yet to issue a report in which it declares its position on the matter, based on which the judge will have to issue a ruling. (Alliance News) - Katoro Gold PLC on Friday reaffirmed its belief a deal will be reached to sell its two gold projects in Tanzania. Katoro has the Imweru and Lubando exploration sites in the north of the country. In August, a term sheet was signed with Lake Victoria Goldfields Ltd which would see LVG pay up to USD1.0 million in cash and a 1.5% net smelter royalty for the projects. Since then, LVG has received extensions to complete the deal, but in November Katoro decided not to extend the exclusivity agreement. Katoro on Friday said "good" progress has been made with LVG, and is hopeful a deal can be reached. It did, however, stress there is no guarantee. If an agreement is reached between Katoro and LVG, it would require approval from Katoro's shareholders. Power Metal Resources PLC, an AIM resource company with a 5.6% stake in Katoro, noted Katoro's statement on Friday. Elsewhere, Katoro also owns the Haneti polymetallic project in the centre of Tanzania. The project potentially holds nickel, platinum group metals, copper, gold, lithium, and rare earth metals. Katoro is currently planning drilling at Haneti, but is exploring funding options to allow this. "The recent feedback received at the Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town, South Africa in early February included considerable interest in large-scale nickel exploration projects from mid-tier and tier one mining companies and demonstrated to the board the strategic value of Haneti," said Katoro. Katoro was 0.3% lower on Friday morning in London at 3.44 pence a share. Power Metal Resources was 3.3% higher at 0.39p. At the end of January, Katoro announced a new joint venture with South Africa's Blyvoor Gold which will see them process tailings from six dams, giving Katoro the chance for near-term revenue. By George Collard; georgecollard@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 17:14:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WELLINGTON, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Higher prices for meat, poultry, and fish contributed to a 3.5-percent increase in food prices in New Zealand for the year ended January 2020, the largest annual rise in more than eight years, New Zealand's statistics department Stats NZ said on Friday. Decreased pork production in China during 2019 has increased export demand for New Zealand meat products, pushing prices up, consumer prices manager Sarah Johnson said in a statement. "Meat, poultry, and fish prices have increased 6 percent in the year. Restaurant and ready-to-eat meals increased 3.4 percent, while fruit and vegetable prices were up 2.7 percent," Johnson said. These increases were partly offset by decreasing prices for iceberg lettuce, onions, and honey, he said. The overall annual increase in food prices is the largest since September 2011, when prices increased 4.7 percent, statistics showed. "We often see food prices rise in January following falls in December, as items go off Christmas specials," Johnson said. FEBRUARY 14, 2020 Whether theyve demonstrated profound leadership, outstanding commitment or taken the initiative, now is the time to recognize a UTSA faculty or staff member for going beyond the extra mile. Nominations will close in just one weekFriday, Feb. 21 (with the exception of the Diversity Award)for an employee to have the opportunity to earn a University Excellence Award. Those who exemplify emerging leadership, dynamic leadership, teamwork, extraordinary initiative and overall excellence can earn five of the University Excellence Awards while the Howe Service Award is presented to a faculty or staff for exemplary dedication to undergraduate students. Staff, faculty and students also have the chance to earn one of the Presidents Distinguished Diversity Awards. Recipients of the 2020 University Excellence Awards will be recognized at a ceremony on April 21, 2020. Learn more about the University Excellence Awards and how to nominate an employee. Every day we have staff and faculty who go above and beyond for our university and students, UTSA President Taylor Eighmy said. Our annual University Excellence Awards is a wonderful occasion to formally recognize and honor Roadrunners who exhibit a remarkable commitment to service and excellence at UTSA. Nominations are now being accepted in seven categories: Rising Star Award (staff nominations accepted; $1,000 prize) The recipient of the Rising Star Award is a new employee who has made significant contributions throughout the year to his or her area or the university community. Leadership Award (staff nominations accepted; $1,000 prize) The Leadership Award recognizes someone who has promoted departmental and university mission and goals through job performance. Team Spirit Award (staff nominations accepted; $1,000 prize) The recipient of this award showcases the ability to foster collaboration, communication and cooperation among colleagues internal or external to their department. Extra Mile Award (staff nominations accepted; $1,000 prize) The Extra Mile Award recognizes an employee who goes above and beyond to contribute to the success of UTSA through his or her outstanding contributions at work. Order of the Roadrunner Award (staff nominations accepted; $1,000 prize) The Order of the Roadrunner Award, which is the highest honor a UTSA staff member can receive, is given for exemplary service and commitment to UTSA. Richard S. Howe Excellence in Service to Undergraduate Students Award (staff and faculty nominations accepted; up to $2,000 prize) This award was established in 2002 and named in honor of longtime engineering professor Richard S. Howe. Faculty and staff members are awarded this honor for their outstanding commitment towards UTSA undergraduates. Presidents Distinguished Diversity Award (faculty, staff and student nominations accepted; $500 and $1,000 prizes) The Presidents Distinguished Diversity Award is bestowed up faculty, staff and students whose work has helped the UTSA community think about and practice diversity and inclusion in creative and collaborative ways. What makes the proposed listing of LIC a landmark decision in the history of the corporation? How can the government use the global oil price drop to its advantage? Who should get the flak for hiring the wrong CEO? Alokananda Chakraborty sums up. Instead of a turn towards protectionism, which does not augur well for a sustainable recovery, the government should continue to push reforms to improve the ease of doing business, argues our top edit. Click here to read... India no longer has to hoard its foreign exchange. Certainly, the individual limits on the ... Nyingchi, a popular tourist city in Tibet, has stopped thousands of tourists from visiting the remote region due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus epidemic that has hit China. Tourism is one the main source of revenue for picturesque Himalayan region. The death toll in China's novel coronavirus outbreak has spiked to nearly 1,500 with 121 new fatalities reported mostly from the worst-affected Hubei province while the confirmed cases of infection jumped to nearly 65,000, according to the health officials. Tibet has activated an emergency response and warned that the outbreak of the disease could be much worse due to the plateau's low oxygen concentration and limited medical resources, the state-run Xinhua agency reported. Also, under a new regulation of the city's disease control headquarters, all the passengers arriving in Tibet must go through 14 days of medical observation and quarantine. The city's transportation sector has since dissuaded 41 tourist groups from entering and cancelled three tourist charter flights involving about 5,000 tourists, the report said. "The Nyingchi airport also sent notices to 3,276 passengers on 59 flights and persuaded 771 to drop their travel plans and another 31 to return after landing," the report said. Tibet currently has no new confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases for 15 days. "We will continue to discourage unnecessary travel to curb the spread of epidemic on the plateau through aircraft," said Liu Lisha, a ground service deputy manager at the airport. Tibet earlier reported one case of coronavirus and the patient has been discharged after the treatment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One year after Nigel Jones began working on Calabash, which will be the first Bay Area food business to bring together Afro-Caribbean, Malaysian and Persian flavors, the Oakland project finally has an opening date. Jones told The Chronicle he hopes to open the restaurant and marketplace by late April. Located at the Alta Waverly luxury housing complex at 2302 Valdez St., the business is slated to be an anchor of the propertys street-level retail offerings. Everything is coming together they way we want. Its just taking some time and patience, Jones said. Were spending time getting to know the area and the market. There has never been anything like what were doing, so we want to be sure were taking the right steps. The Calabash name is a reference to a tropical tree that produces large, round gourds which can be eaten or, in some cases, used to make plates, bowls and eating utensils. Russell Yip / The Chronicle 2015 Joining Jones in the Oakland project is Malaysian chef Azalina Eusope, the chef-owner of Mahila in San Franciscos Noe Valley neighborhood and Azalinas in the Twitter building. Eusope is also planning to open a Azalinas location in the Tenderloin, which will serve Malaysian fare like chicken curry made with coconut milk and mint. Also involved in the Calabash venture is Iranian chef Hanif Sadr, who runs Komaaj, a pop-up restaurant and catering company in Berkeley specializing in Northern Iranian flavors think Caspian white fish and roe served with green garlic, sour orange juice and pomegranate seeds. So how will a project work with three chefs in the kitchen? First, the kitchen will have to be large, Jones said. Construction is set to begin on the restaurant in the coming week. In terms of the diner experience, Calabash will have one menu that spans the course of the day, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner options from the individual cuisines. This will not be fusion food. You know how some restaurants have the little pepper next to an item to tell you if its spicy? I think we may put something next to each dish to show the diner whether its Jamaican or Iranian or Malaysian, Jones said. Calabash will have a counter-service area, a butcher space, an area with packaged meals, as well as a full bar with cocktails, beers and wines selected by the chefs, Jones said. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Jones said he sees Calabash as a stage on which three chefs can showcase styles of cooking and cultural flavors they believe are missing from the Bay Area dining scene. Its going to be educational. You can eat and learn about cultures that dont get enough representation out here, Jones said. Calabash is going to be something special. Celeste Noche / Special to The Chronicle 2019 Calabash: Opens in April. 2302 Valdez St., Oakland. Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @JustMrPhillips The expected visit of US Trade Representative this month, ahead of the two-day official tour of US President Donald Trump, to discuss a limited trade package with India is unlikely, an official said. "Lighthizer was supposed to hold discussions with commerce ministry team but as of now, he is not coming," the official said. The visit of USTR assumed significance as Indian and US officials are engaged in talks for a limited trade deal. However, the official said that as of now, there is no clarity if the trade pact will be signed during Trump's visit here, which will start from February 24. Multiple rounds of talks have taken place between Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Lighthizer in the past few weeks over telephone. The two countries are negotiating a trade package to iron out certain issues and promote two-way commerce. India is demanding exemption from high duties imposed by the US on certain steel and aluminium products, resumption of export benefits to certain domestic products under their Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), and greater market access for its products from sectors such as agriculture, automobile, automobile components and engineering. On the other hand, the US wants greater market access for its farm and manufacturing products, dairy items, medical devices, and data localisation, apart from cut on import duties on some information and communication technology (ICT) products. The US has also raised concerns over high trade deficit with India. In 2018-19, India's exports to the US stood at $52.4 billion, while imports were $35.5 billion. Trade deficit dipped from $21.3 billion in 2017-18 to $16.9 billion in 2018-19. India received FDI worth $3.13 billion from the US in 2018-19, higher than $2 billion in 2017-18. U.S. President Donald Trump has never been a fan of the World Trade Organization. For years Trump has called the Geneva-based body the worst trade deal ever largely because he believes the WTO helped China gain a competitive advantage over the U.S. and precipitated the loss of thousands of American jobs. Trumps trade chief, Robert Lighthizer, supports this view and has expertly poked at the organizations weaknesses. Under Lighthizers stewardship the U.S. has: Imposed hundreds of billions of dollars worth of unilateral tariffs against China Exploited the WTOs national security loophole to levy duties on steel and aluminum Paralyzed the WTO appellate body, which can no longer resolve trade disputes Collectively, these actions have thrust the WTO into the most acute existential crisis of its 25-year history. But Trump may not be finished yet. As Bloomberg reported this month, U.S. officials are now mulling Americas withdrawal from the WTO Government Procurement Agreement a global trade alliance covering government contract opportunities worth $1.7 trillion (U.S.). U.S. withdrawal from the pact would effectively block most foreign, non-defence contractors from bidding on American public tenders. In turn, a wide range of U.S. businesses would lose access to a nearly $900-billion procurement marketplace offered by the GPAs other 47 members. Perhaps an even bigger blow would be a plan Trump insiders are said to be mulling to reset American tariff commitments at the WTO by increasing the tariff ceilings or bound rates agreed to by previous administrations. The move stems from the Trump administrations long-held frustration with the WTOs principle of most-favoured-nation (MFN) nondiscrimination, which requires members to offer the same tariff rates equally to all of the organizations 164 members. In essence, MFN is the cornerstone of the WTO and undermining it risks tipping over the entire ant farm. President Trump sees it only as a constraint on his ability to strike quick-and-dirty deals, said Chad Bown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. But take away MFN, and suddenly the entirety of benefits that the WTO provides begins to unravel, including those that Americans have enjoyed for decades. On one hand, these kinds of salvos against faceless bureaucrats in Geneva will be an easy sell at home for Trumps core voters during an election year. But defenders of the rules-based global trading system say dismantling it would cause a severe shock to the American economy. They argue that despite its flaws, the WTO provides businesses with the certainty to trade and expand their operations internationally. Ultimately, the results are robust export industries that create good jobs, and for consumers, diverse and low-cost products moving around the world. Of the changes Trump is considering, John Murphy, the senior vice-president for international policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said: This could be a real case of youre gonna miss me when Im gone. Read more about: Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg accepts that global tax reforms mean it may have to pay more taxes in different countries, excerpts of a speech he is due to deliver in Germany on Saturday show. Cross-border tax rules are set to be rewritten after 137 states sought last month to avoid a new trade war over the global multiplication of taxes on digital services, prompted by some countries preparing to go it alone. "I understand that there's frustration about how tech companies are taxed in Europe. We also want tax reform and Im glad the OECD is looking at this," Zuckerberg is expected to tell the Munich Security Conference. "We want the OECD process to succeed so that we have a stable and reliable system going forward. And we accept that may mean we have to pay more tax and pay it in different places under a new framework," he added. Amazon, Facebook and Google have strained existing rules because they are able to book profits in low-tax countries like Ireland, no matter where their customers are. Government officials agreed last month to negotiate new rules for where tax should be paid and what share of profit should be taxed, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said. A growing number of countries are preparing national digital taxes in the absence of a major redrafting of the rules, despite Washington's threat of retaliatory trade tariffs because it sees such levies as discriminatory against big U.S tech groups. Zuckerberg's speech excerpts gave no further details on tax rates. Facebook says it pays all the tax it should and that this has averaged more than 20% over the last five years. In Britain, Facebook paid just 28.5 million pounds in corporation tax in 2018, despite generating a record 1.65 billion pounds in British sales, media reports said. Tax officials have only a few months ahead of an early July deadline they set for a deal on the complex technical parameters. They aim to reach a full deal by the end of 2020. During his visit to Europe, Zuckerberg is due to meet the EU's digital and industry chiefs on Monday. That comes two days before European Competition and Digital Commissioner Margrethe Vestager and Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton are set to announce the creation of a single European data market aimed at challenging the dominance of U.S. tech giants such as Facebook, Google and Amazon. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie Flowers were supposed to be substitution crops for coca. The flower industry is booming but so is coca production. Suesca, Colombia Rose farms in Colombias high-reaching savannas were all action weeks before Valentines Day. Farmers wound through long rows of rose bushes, clipping deep red flowers and adding them to a large stack of roses swaddled in their arms like babies. Men pushed carts brimming with boxes of red, pink, yellow and white blossoms out of giant greenhouses and into the hands of production teams. Workers picked through the roses at a rapid pace, trimming, plucking, sorting and bundling each flower into luscious bouquets that in 48 hours would land in supermarkets across the United States. For flower producers in the South American country, the holiday is less a day of love, and more a three-week sprint to the finish. Rose farmer Marta Isabel Beltra, 45, clips and collects flowers in Suesca, Colombia [Megan Janetsky] Colombia is the second-biggest exporter of flowers in the world, after the Netherlands. Cut flowers are one of the countrys biggest exports alongside coffee, petroleum, coal and precious materials. This year, Colombia expects to export more than $1.5bn in flowers about 660 million blossoms according to data from Colombian Association of Flower Exporters (Asocolflores). The vast majority arrive in the US, Colombias biggest trade partner. February 14, Valentines Day, is the most important day for Colombian flower growers like Fantasy Farms, a farm in the highlands near the countrys capital Bogota. The day alone makes up 20 percent of their annual sales, said Dora Chriva, director of operations at the farm. Right now, we say that were 24/7, Chriva said, as flower farmers mill by. It is a crucial day for growers, though Colombian culture does not even celebrate the holiday. The Valentines Day celebration requires extra work, Chriva said. The volume of flowers that you have for this celebration occupies a bit more than your established schedule We work really hard for nearly three weeks in production for the day of love. But flower trade only took off in the South American country in the 1990s, and the growth of the trade, while benefitting the economy and job market, did not have all of its intended effects. A substitute for coca? In the 1990s, Colombian drug cartels relied on the cultivation of the coca plant to fuel their cocaine empire and the Colombian government and US were looking for ways to curb drug production. To offer incentives for alternative crops, the US under the administration of President George HW Bush passed the Andean Trade Preference Act in 1991, which dropped duties on agricultural products like flowers for Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Colombias economy needed to diversify away from illicit economies, mostly centred around narco-trafficking, said Sergio Guzman, director of Colombia Risk Analysis. The idea from the United States and Colombian governments was to form a series of agricultural products that could diversify Colombias economy and drive it away from a coca-centred economy. In 2002, then-President George W Bush took it a step further, replacing the trade deal with the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, which pushed countries like Colombia to cooperate with so-called war on drugs counter-narcotic efforts. Colombia used an aggressive aerial fumigation programme, spraying those crops with glyphosate, a chemical thought to cause cancer. Between the early 1990s and 2015, when the fumigation practice was suspended, US pilots and Colombian police sprayed 4.4 million acres (17.8 million hectares) of Colombia with the chemical. While the effort nearly eradicated coca production, the method was deeply controversial. At the same time, the government promoted legal alternatives like flowers and coffee. A pink ready-to-pick Valentines Day rose is pictured inside a greenhouse in Suesca, Colombia [Megan Janetsky/Al Jazeera] Flower exports steadily grew after 1991. Between 2001 and 2020, flower exports from Colombia shot up from $630m annually to an estimated $1.5bn, Ascolflores data shows. Today, about 80 percent of the flowers lining US market shelves come from Colombia. But even as the flower industry bloomed, roses and other crops could not fill the cocas gap, analysts say. You have to understand the issue with the drug war and, in part, the cocaine production in Colombia is that the demand is very inflexible, Guzman said. There is an inelastic demand for drugs. Cocaine production continues to soar in Colombia, hitting a record high in 2017. After US President Donald Trump threatened to cut off Colombia from aid and decertify the country as a partner on its war on drugs, the Duque government announced it intended to resume aerial fumigation. While coca was grown in remote regions, the flowers needed to be grown in towns like Suesca, where they could be transported in little more than an hour to export in Bogotas international airport. Instead of becoming a substitute, Guzman said roses and carnations instead became an alternative, creating a new industry in the South American country, but failing to combat Colombias multi-billion dollar cocaine trade. Begging us to export them Still, the country and its residents have benefitted from the flower market boom. In the country with high unemployment and informal employment rates, the industry created 140,000 formal jobs for Colombians. On average, flower workers earn just a little over Colombias minimum wage, around $290 a month, however. Colombian President Ivan Duque said Tuesday that the country hopes to double flower exports to $3bn by 2030 by expanding to markets in Asia and Latin America. Yenny Alexandra Velasquez, 23, was among throngs of rose farmers picking through stacks of red roses in one of Fantasy Farms 30 greenhouses. Rose farmer Yenny Alexandra Velasquez, 23, sorts through flowers in Suesca, Colombia [Megan Janetsky/Al Jazeera] The farm is tucked in savannas of her home of Suesca, Colombia. The towns temperate climate offers the perfect conditions for the cultivations to flourish. Flower growing had been in the young Colombian farmers family for generations. Practically all of my family has dedicated ourselves to this, Velasquez said, clipping flower stems as she spoke. My mom, my dad, my grandma, my aunts and uncles. Since I can remember, theyve been cutting. But when Velasquez was a child, she remembered it was just a few small farms speckling the rolling hillsides. Today, those farms have been replaced by miles of greenhouses like those at Fantasy Farms. While Colombia produces 1,600 different kinds of flowers, roses have become the bread-and-butter of exports. Velasquez said the job offered her an opportunity to save money to attend university and provide for her three-year-old daughter. I havent had the chance to study, she said. So meanwhile I am working here to earn money to pay for my education. Farm workers in Suesca, Colombia, sort through and bundle roses to export to the United States [Megan Janetsky/Al Jazeera] The growth of the flower market was clear as farmers geared up for Valentines Day this year. Salsa music echoed through production chains as roses were vigorously packed and sent down a conveyer belt, and through the greenhouses where farmers like Velasquez examined blossoms with a trained eye. (You know the flower is perfect) from the tips, the tip should be just a little open, she said, peering down at a bundle of flawless-looking flowers, the deep red petals still sealed together like an envelope. Right now, they are begging us to export them. 14.02.2020 LISTEN Nigerias ruling class has presented the nation with a number of issues around which the Nigerian Left can build an agenda of political engagement for the year 2020, or which, to use an old journalistic expression, the Left can use as pegs to construct an agenda of close and integrated engagement with the rulers for the year 2020 and beyond. The rulers of Nigeria regularly oblige us in this way. This time around, the issues on the table and on display include the movement of Nigerias presidency in 2023; the politics generated by the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Operation Omotekun; the 50th anniversary of the end of the Civil War; and the integrity and status of the electoral process in the struggle for political power. To these four issues we may now add: the enduring and the deteriorating human condition in Nigeria; and the permanent issue: the need for the class struggle of the working and toiling people against exploitation and oppression to continue in all circumstances created by the ruling class. As a preliminary issue, we may pose this double question: Who are the Nigerian Left and what do they want? This question is necessary, at this historical juncture, in this age of the Internet, Fake News and high-tech infiltration, for self-clarification, proper self-identification, politically useful separation of allies and potential allies from opponents and adversaries and for what modern social work and its lexicon have taught us to call focusing. The ancillary question of what aspects of this double-question should be asked and debated openly and publicly and those to be treated privately or even secretly is a practical one that should be left like that. The ruling class and the state know, worship and practise this art of separation very well. The Nigerian Left may be defined and identified as an aggregate of Nigerias revolutionary Marxists, revolutionary socialists and the large non-homogeneous group that may together be described as radical pro-people democrats. I propose that an adherent of any ideological or political tendency that cannot find accommodation in the family sketched above may, indeed, be a potential ally, but she or he cannot be described as belonging in the Nigerian Left. In particular, any Nigerian progressive that cannot, in addition, be described as a radical pro-people democrat cannot be a Nigerian Leftist in this period. What Nigerian Leftists want is implicit in the first sentence of this paragraph: Popular Power, Popular Democracy, Socialism. For completeness and avoidance of doubt, a progressive in politics has been generally and safely described long ago by a Nigerian Leftist as anyone who believes in the possibility and desirability of progress where progress is identified as the socio-economic and moral improvement of the human condition which predicates on a high optimism about the human nature. Such a Nigerian may indeed be a good person. But the point I am making here is that anyone answering to this description of a Nigerian progressive but who cannot be politically described as a pro-people radical democrat cannot be a Nigerian Leftist in this particularly bad state of the Nigerian masses and the Nigerian nation. Going back to the six issues listed above, we note that the first four are issues generated, formulated and presented to the nation by the ruling class in the course of their internal struggle for power, or for favourable balance of power or for hegemony. The last two issues, and similar ones, on the other hand, are those generated and continuously reproduced and presented by Nigerias ruling class, as a ruling class, in the course of their rule and administration. The issues are tied up with and inseparable from the class interests of the ruling class. Put differently, the suffering of the masses spring from the rulers pursuit of their class interests, a continuous and life-saving engagement for them. The struggle against it, practically and ideologically, must therefore be permanent. The Nigerian Left cannot conjure issues from the clouds. It should start from what is concretely given, and proceed from there. An enduring elementary political lesson but one that, for its ordinariness and simplicity, is often taken for granted is that to seriously and effectively engage the Nigerian ruling class, we have to continuously observe and study it not in its idleness but in its activity, including its politics. It is this observation and study that leads us to establish another elementary fact, namely, that the Nigerian ruling class is not homogeneous, that it is divided into segments, groupings, fractions, factions, tendencies and, finally, political forces and power blocs. I have written on the last category political forces and power blocs for at least 25 years, and my knowledge and position on the subject have developed over the years. This time around I shall try to avoid disquisitions, except to make five points. One: Power blocs and political forces, in the context of my writings, are groupings in the Nigerian ruling class, not from outside of it. Two: The reality of power blocs transcends the current electoral divisions into APC, PDP, etc. Three: All power blocs are political forces; but not all political forces are power blocs. Four: Power blocs and political forces are not exclusively regional, ethnic or religious groupings; but they have strong regional and ethnic and, sometimes religious components or overtones. And finally, the critical difference: Five: Power blocs are those political forces that are capable of pushing for power or for retention of power (not just office) in Nigeria as a whole. In the face of these divisions in Nigerias ruling class, in addition to the formal electoral divisions, it is the task of the Nigerian Left to strive to credibly claim and demonstrate that it is the only ideological and political movement against exploitation and oppression and for genuine democracy and national unity. And to do this is to strive to show that all the ruling class formations and tendencies have certain common attributes that are fundamentally anti-democratic, anti-people and self-serving. We may now, by means of posing questions, attempt to illustrate our propositions: What political forces are currently perceived as the decisive forces in the debate on the movement of the presidency in 2023? Are they APC or PDP forces, or satellite forces, or Left forces? Or, are they simply ethnic forces? Who are the dominant forces in the controversy over Operation Amotekun? Are they APC or PDP forces? Or, are they simply ethnic forces? Which of the well-known ruling class positions on Restructuring is unconditionally supportable by the Nigerian Left? Which strategic political demand the presidency, restructuring, referendum, etc, in the South-East segment of Nigerias ruling class is unconditionally supportable by the Nigerian Left? The Nigerian Left must be able to answer that none of the ruling class positions on the current major issues before the nation is unconditionally supportable because all of them leave out the class question, the popular-democratic question and the specific interests of the working and toiling masses of Nigeria. On the other hand, are the questions and controversies trivial? Are they irrelevant? If they are neither trivial nor irrelevant, does the fact that they have attracted responses from the masses, or even from Left elements, indicate a line of march to us? If the Marxist segment of the Nigerian Left cannot answer these questions without equivocation, then we should all go back to the theory of hegemony. In conclusion, I propose that only the Nigerian Left can answer the questions posed above without equivocation and then re-pose current questions, including those of Movement of the presidency in 2023, Operation Amotekun, Restructuring, National Security, etc, in the interest of the masses and in the true interest of the nation. Madunagu, Mathematician And Journalist, Writes From Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. CHINA remains the top import source market of Cebu, accounting for most of the foreign cargoes that arrived in the province in January 2020. During the month, imports from China reached a total of 16,992.50 tons, the highest among foreign shipments. Cebu was mostly buying chemicals, fresh fruits, wooden products, used engines, malts, furniture, papers and plywoods from China, Cebu Port Authority data obtained by SunStar Cebu showed. The United States and Japan were the next biggest sources of imports to Cebu in January, with shipments totaling 5,145 tons each. Imports from Japan were chemicals, fabrics, accessories, papers, used engines, wires and wooden products. The goods Cebu was buying from the US were furniture, fresh fruits, machines and chemicals, among others. In 2019, Chinese imports dominated the cargoes arriving at the Port of Cebu, with shipments totaling 260,268.92 tons. Last year, most of the products Cebu bought from China were construction materials, fresh fruits, assorted foodstuff, fabrics, accessories, frozen meats, steel products, plywoods, feeds, wooden products, malts and trucks. Conrado Abarintos, collection chief at the Bureau of Customs in Cebu, earlier said China accounts for more than 50 percent of customs duties the government collects from imports to Cebu. He was hoping the novel coronavirus outbreak that was first reported in China in December 2019 wont impact trade activity with the worlds second biggest economy. The Philippine government earlier said its ports remain open to all ships, even those from China, in order not to disrupt the cargo supply chain, but the crew of vessels arriving from the novel coronavirus-hit nation will be barred from disembarking. All foreigners traveling from China and its two special administrative regionsHong Kong and Macauare currently barred from entering the Philippines amid a fast-spreading Covid-19 outbreak that has already killed over a thousand people in China. Story continues Despite precautionary measures being implemented, Philippine ports are conducting business as usual. Aside from imports, the Cebu International Port also serves as a feeder port that sends exports from Cebu to its trading partners globally. The feeder vessels tranship these goods from the main export hubs such as Shanghai, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong where they are moved from the feeder vessels to larger container ships which are bound for the US, Europe, China and other destinations, said Fred Escalona, executive director at the Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport) in Cebu. According to Escalona, products that exit Cebu are mostly tiles, construction materials, steel coils, furniture, electronics, foodstuff, fresh fruits and fresh garlic. Cebus main transshipment points for China are Hong Kong and Shanghai, he said. These goods are then delivered to various destinations in China by different transportation modes, the Philexport official said. In this Jan. 23, 2020, photo provided by the Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his speech at the San Isidro Central School during the distribution of benefits to former rebels in Leyte province, southern Philippines. (Karl Norman Alonzo/Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division via AP) TAIPEI/MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte rejected on Thursday Taiwan's appeal to lift a ban on its citizens visiting the country, saying his primary concern was the safety of Filipinos. Taiwan said it was considering countermeasures if the Philippines did not lift the ban it imposed this week to contain the spread of the coronavirus, but Duterte said the restriction stays "until the danger persists". "My primary concern is the health and safety of our countrymen", Duterte was quoted by his spokesman, Salvador Panelo, as saying. Taiwan is governed entirely separately from China, but Beijing claims the island as its own and the World Health Organization (WHO) clubs its virus cases in the category for China, which has led some countries to impose the same restrictions on Taiwanese as on Chinese citizens. More than 115,000 Philippine citizens live and work in Taiwan, mainly in factories and employed as household help. The Philippines' decision to include Taiwan as part of a ban on people from China visiting the country had "nothing to do with" the One China policy, Panelo said, quoting Duterte. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou told reporters in Taipei that Taiwan had a planned response if the Philippines maintained its ban, but she declined to elaborate, saying a decision was awaited from the Philippines government. "We will continue to communicate with the Philippines and explain that this is a one-sided and wrong decision by the Philippines' health ministry, which has already affected the relationship between the two countries of Taiwan and the Philippines," Ou said. Taiwan and the Philippines have close economic and cultural ties, but no formal diplomatic relations, as the Philippines, like most countries, only recognises the government in Beijing, and not in Taipei. Taiwan has repeatedly complained that, with its 18 virus cases compared with some 60,000 in China, it is unfair for the WHO to lump them together with China and mislead other countries into believing Taiwan faces an equally dire epidemic. (Reporting by Fabian Hamacher and Karen Lema; Writing by Ben Blanchard and Karen Lema; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Gareth Jones) The Midland Area Community Foundation has awarded Coleman Community Schools a $15,000 grant to purchase classroom audio enhancement systems for the entire Coleman Elementary School. "This award has moved us ahead of schedule in being able to better support our K-6 students and our elementary staff," said Jennifer McCormack, superintendent at Coleman Community Schools. She noted the audio systems will allow conversation and sound to be equally distributed across the classroom, which is especially important for those with speech and language impairments, attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity disorder, limited vocabulary, hearing disorders or illness. "With better distribution of the sound, students hear the material better and are more likely to engage with the lesson and participate, classroom interaction improves and discipline issues decrease, distributed sound lowers stress and creates a calmer learning environment, test scores are shown to improve from 7-10 percentage points and Virtual Field Trips become more effective, allowing students to interact with, for instance, an author in Australia or zookeepers at the Toledo Zoo without ever leaving their classrooms," McCormack stated. Alysia Christy, director of community impact at the Midland Area Community Foundation, said the foundation is really excited to support Coleman Community Schools in its endeavor to purchase and utilize classroom audio enhancement systems within its K-6 elementary classrooms. "The research of educational benefit to students learning through the system is clear," Christy said. "We are looking forward to Coleman Community Schools' ability to provide new strategies to enhance students' learning and educational experiences through the use of technological enhancements within their classrooms." The Midland Area Community Foundation provides philanthropic leadership to strengthen our community by fostering collaboration and giving today and in the future. Global pharmaceutical companies may not see enough profitability from developing a Covid-19 vaccine. Work to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus is continuing While the world worries about the spread of the deadly coronavirus, now known as Covid-19, one would expect the major pharmaceutical firms to make millions, even billions, by rushing to develop a vaccine. But in reality, this is not the case. While the global vaccine market is expected to grow to $60bn (46bn) this year, big profits are not guaranteed. ''Successfully developing a preventive vaccine or treatment for a public health crisis is difficult. It typically takes a lot of time and money," says US-based Brad Loncar, a biotechnology investor and chief executive of Loncar Investments. "There is typically little money in it for companies that do successfully develop something, not the billions that some investors mistakenly expect." The global vaccines industry is dominated by big players such as Pfizer, Merck, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Sanofi, and Johnson & Johnson. Worldwide sales of vaccines totalled $54bn last year, and have almost doubled since 2014, according to data analysts Statista. Driving this growth is the increase of infectious diseases like influenza, swine flu, hepatitis and Ebola. "One would think that the industry has the reserves to jump at this challenge. But none of the four top vaccine companies has shown significant interest," says Dr Ellen 't Hoen, director at medicines law and policy at University Medical Center Groningen in Amsterdam. Outside of the big firms, there are a handful of smaller pharma companies pushing to find a vaccine for the deadly Covid-19 outbreak, which has already claimed more than 1,000 lives. Gilead, a US biotech business that makes anti-HIV drugs, has announced it will trial its drug Remdesivir. Meanwhile Kaletra, a combination of two anti-HIV drugs from pharma group AbbVie is being trialled on patients in China. Both trials are based on existing medicines. "A large company like Gilead or AbbVie will be able to use an existing medicine against this as a therapeutic treatment, but it's unlikely to be much of a needle mover from a stock market perspective for a large company like that," adds Mr Loncar. For Covid-19, charitable donations are being used to spark pharma companies into action to find a vaccine. One of the leading players is a not-for-profit organisation called the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). CEPI co-founders include the governments of Norway and India, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Wellcome Trust. CEPI is supporting vaccine development programmes by Inovio Pharmaceuticals and Moderna. Among the big pharma companies, GSK has agreed to make its technology available to the CEPI to help it create a medicine against Covid-19. Vaccines often require lengthy testing on thousands of people before they are allowed to be sold. But in 2002 and 2003, the Sars outbreak came and went before a vaccine could be produced. In fact, there is still no protective vaccine for Sars available. Regarding Ebola, the first vaccine was produced by Merck, and successfully deployed in Guinea, west Africa, in 2015. At the time it was an unlicensed drug, yet it was rolled out in the country for "compassionate use" after the authorisation of the Guinean government. Merck's vaccine was not given regulatory approval in the US until last year. Another Ebola vaccine by Johnson & Johnson was made available from 2019 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ronald Klain served as the US Ebola response coordinator in 2014-15. "I don't work for the companies, I'm not like a drug company fan," Mr Klain told a panel last week hosted by not-for-profit think-tank Aspen Institute, "but there's no question that a lot of them lost a lot of money trying to produce an Ebola vaccine." A key reason why vaccines often have to wait years before they are given regulatory approval is the potential for side effects. These can also happen even when a drug has been approved. During the 2009-10 swine flu pandemic, six million people were given the Pandemrix vaccine made by GlaxoSmithKline. However, it was subsequently withdrawn from sale after it was discovered to cause narcolepsy in some people. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes people to fall asleep numerous times a day. Also speaking at last week's Aspen Institute event, Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said no major pharmaceutical company has come forward to say it would manufacture a vaccine for Covid-19. He called it "very difficult and very frustrating". "Companies that have the skill to be able to do it are not going to just sit around and have a warm facility, ready to go for when you need it," Dr Fauci said. Dr Fauci added that it would be at least one year before a Covid-19 vaccine would be available. That timeline assumes a large pharma manufacturer steps up to help make the product. The World Health Organization (WHO) hopes a vaccine will be ready within 18 months. Pharma companies have responded to previous public health crises by developing vaccines, only to have those crises fade, and to be left with significant research and development costs. "When we were doing this with Ebola, it was a major vaccine company that got burned who's now pulling out of that," says Dr Fauci. "It is going to be a challenge to be able to get a major company to do that." Mr Loncar sums up the mentality of the big pharma firms when he said "most companies and investors are not in these things for the long haul". BBC Srinagar, Feb 14 : Commemorating 40 of its men martyred in the terror attack in Pulwama district a year ago, the Central Reserve Police Force on Friday renewed its resolve to weed out militancy from Jammu & Kashmir. Speaking on the first anniversary of the terror attack at Lethpora in Pulwama, 25 kms from Srinagar, CRPF Special Director General Zulfikhar Hassan said that all terror outfits operating in Kashmir have since been decimated. "Terrorists are on the backfoot, we hope the coming days will be peaceful," Hassan said. He said that Indian security forces had made concerted efforts against terrorism after the Pulwama attack. The main terrorists involved were neutralised and those who supported them to carry out the attack were arrested, Hassan said. "Investigations into the terror attack are on in the right direction. We have made huge progress," the officer said. He asserted that the bereaved families were most important for the CRPF. Earlier, a solemn ceremony was held at Lethpora to remember the martyred CRPF jawans. Senior officers and jawans commemorated their martyred colleagues with moist eyes and paid floral tributes to them. A memorial wall dedicated to the fallen jawans was also inaugurated, apart from a blood donation camp on the spot. "We are sad today that these jawans are not with us. But we are also happy that those who carried out this cowardly attack have been eliminated," said Sanjay Kumar Rai, a CRPF jawan, present at the ceremony. "We want to give out a message to the bereaved families that the killers of your children have been punished," he said. Meanwhile, a special guest was present at the ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the 40 CRPF men killed in Pulwama attack on February 14, 2019. Umesh Jadhav, 40, from Bangalore travelled 61,000 kilometres covering 16 states to meet with each of the families of the CRPF jawans killed in the Pulwama attack. He spent time with families of each of the jawans who laid down their lives. He has collected soil from the homes of each of the jawans who died in the attack and brought it back in a metal pot and placed it in front of the memorial wall with names of the dead CRPF jawans inaugurated at Pulwama. "This is a mark of respect for the martyred CRPF jawans," Jadhav said. He said he has no financers and sponsors and it is his way of showing respect for the deceased jawans. "India stands with them, this is my message to the armed forces of the country," Jadhav said. "This is my small effort to show respect for the martyrs." He said CRPF supported him all through his mission with documents and details of all the martyred jawans. "I want to show the respect that a common man has for the security forces," he said. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Proposals to improve protection for jaguars, elephants, sharks and other species will be on the agenda as the 13th Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) begins on Monday (17) in Gandhinagar, India. The ability of many migratory animals to survive across their range will be affected by decisions taken at the meeting by attending government representatives of most of the 130 member parties. The conference is scheduled to run until next Saturday (22). Matt Collis, Director, International Policy, of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and head of IFAW's delegation at CMS, said: "Habitat loss and other human-made threats, as well as lack of consistent national legislative protection for many species which cross national boundaries, has decimated some animal populations which are now at a tipping point for future survival. CMS offers a unique opportunity to ensure we step up to protect these animals across their range states and the place they call home. It is vital that countries seize this opportunity to safeguard some of our most vulnerable species." Jaguars will be prominent on the agenda at CoP13, with a proposal to list them on both appendices of CMS to increase protections across their range, which covers 19 states. Urgent action is vital with 40% of jaguar habitat having been lost over the last 100 years. Further destruction of habitat and critical migratory corridors likely poses the greatest threat to the survival of the iconic species. While the jaguar is classed as 'Near Threatened' globally, 13 range states have declared the jaguar to be 'Endangered', four 'Vulnerable', while two have already suffered local extinctions. Co-proposed by six countries in Latin America, this is the highest ever number of co-proponents for a proposal at CMS, excluding those sponsored collectively by all EU member states. This demonstrates the strength of regional support for this flagship species. Collis added: "IFAW is strongly supportive of the proposal to list the jaguar and therefore provide vital protection for this animal which is emblematic of the problems facing many migratory species. An Appendix I and II listing will encourage greater regional cooperation, particularly for management of transboundary populations, maintenance or creation of key migratory corridors for isolated populations and prevent further jaguar habitat loss and population declines. "It is critical that CMS puts these safeguards in place for this species - the largest native cat in the Americas if we are to help sustain it in both the shorter and longer term." The mainland Asian elephant has been proposed for listing for the first time by host country India. Classified as 'Endangered' by the IUCN, Asian elephants suffer threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal killing for ivory and other products or in retaliation due to human-elephant conflict, or deaths through contact with human infrastructure, such as collisions with trains. "The inclusion of Asian elephants under CMS can be the catalyst for a regional agreement by Asian elephant range states, where CMS member and non-member states can take collective actions to protect the many populations of Asian elephant that are transboundary," said Collis. Also proposed for listing is the oceanic whitetip shark, once considered one of the most common tropical sharks in the world, but now one of the most endangered sharks in the ocean. Its drastic decline is due in part to overfishing, particularly for the lucrative shark fin soup trade, which has decimated populations throughout its range. With its Red List status updated last December to critically endangered, its losses average a shocking 98-100% worldwide. Collis added: "Although it can't be legally caught or retained by most international and regional fisheries management organisations, this species may still go extinct because of its depleted population. Its status and the threat of imminent extinction shows the urgent need for better global protection." Other key species which will be considered for action to protect them include the giraffe, undergoing a 'silent extinction' as numbers have plummeted by up to 40% over the last 30 years, as well as guitarfish and wedgefish (the most endangered group of sharks) and African carnivores, including the highly trafficked cheetah. IFAW works in more than 40 countries, to rescue and protect animals and their habitats, for a world where animals and people can thrive together. A team of IFAW experts will be attending CMS CoP13 and are available for interview throughout. For more information or to arrange interviews with IFAW experts please contact Clare Sterling on mobile +44 (0)7917 507717 or email [email protected]. Skype interviews can be arranged on request. CMS information and documents are available here: https://www.cms.int/en/cop13 IFAW will be tweeting updates from the proceedings via various accounts including @Action4IFAW http://twitter.com/action4ifaw Images and footage will be available for media use About the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) - The International Fund for Animal Welfare is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we're up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organisations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org SOURCE International Fund for Animal Welfare Related Links http://www.ifaw.org The union representing Qantas pilots has warned the airline that a plan to hire new flight crew for the London-Sydney nonstop could "damage the airline for many years to come". The Australian airlines Project Sunrise is aimed at launching the worlds longest flight. The plan is to use Airbus A350 jets, which Qantas does not currently fly, to link Heathrow with Kingsford-Smith airport in Sydney. The distance is 10,573 miles, more than 1,000 miles longer than the current longest flight, between Singapore and New York. The project is not covered by existing agreements with the Australian & International Pilots Association (AIPA), the union representing flight crew working for Qantas Group. The Australian airline has warned existing pilots that unless they make concessions to cut costs on future ultra-long-haul flights, it will set up a separate operation and recruit new flight crew on less favourable terms. The union said the plan was not acceptable to a majority of our members and warned there is currently no legal basis for the planned flights to operate. World's safest airlines 2020 Show all 20 1 /20 World's safest airlines 2020 World's safest airlines 2020 Qantas Check up: the Qantas fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft are being examined Qantas World's safest airlines 2020 Air New Zealand Air New Zealand Getty Images World's safest airlines 2020 Eva Air Eva Air Getty Images World's safest airlines 2020 Etihad Etihad Getty Images World's safest airlines 2020 Qatar Airways Qatar Airways Heathrow Airport World's safest airlines 2020 Singapore Airlines Singapore Airlines Getty World's safest airlines 2020 Emirates Emirates AFP/Getty World's safest airlines 2020 Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines Getty Images World's safest airlines 2020 Cathay Pacific Cathay Pacific Getty World's safest airlines 2020 Virgin Australia Virgin Australia Getty Images World's safest airlines 2020 Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian Airlines World's safest airlines 2020 Virgin Atlantic Virgin Atlantic Virgin Atlantic World's safest airlines 2020 TAP Portugal TAP Portugal Getty Images World's safest airlines 2020 SAS SAS AFP/Getty World's safest airlines 2020 Royal Jordanian Royal Jordanian Bjorn Strey/Wikimedia World's safest airlines 2020 SWISS SWISS Getty Images World's safest airlines 2020 Finnair Finnair Getty World's safest airlines 2020 Lufthansa Lufthansa Reuters World's safest airlines 2020 Aer Lingus Aer Lingus AFP/Getty World's safest airlines 2020 KLM KLM Getty The airline and AIPA have been in talks on the issue for six months. The biggest stumbling block is the airlines proposed pay rates for future second officers. These are more junior pilots deployed on flights too long to be operated by a captain and first officer alone. Qantas claims paying the second officers less than at present is a major contributor to making the Sunrise business case stack up. Tino La Spina, chief executive of Qantas International, said: Weve had extensive discussions with AIPA for months and months and while they have told us they dont like whats on offer, they havent put forward a proposal of their own." He warned the pilots union that, if no deal is reached, the airline will operate Project Sunrise flights through a new lower-pay unit to make the service financially viable. Mr La Spina said: We have a good deal on the table for our long-haul pilots, with pay increases and promotional opportunities. Weve structured it so their take home pay is not negatively impacted. The reality is we are running out of time to keep our aircraft delivery slots with Airbus. If we cant reach agreement with the union soon, well be putting the offer directly to our pilots so they can have their say. Flight crew will be asked to vote in March, before the airline is expected to announce its decision. If pilots vote against the agreement, the airline says it will be left with no viable option than to employ pilots to operate Airbus A350s for Project Sunrise through a new entity. But Mark Sedgwick, president of AIPA, said: The announcement by Qantas that it was prepared to use an external workforce to engage in ultra-long range flying if it could not reach agreement with AIPA is not acceptable to a majority of our members. He warned the plan risks damaging pilot engagement and would potentially damage the airline for many years to come. Mr Sedgwick said: Qantas claims that it has been flexible in its approach to these negotiations but the productivity targets that it is asking pilots to agree to has remained absolutely fixed. Current restrictions on pilot duty hours means there is no legal basis for Qantas Project Sunrise proposal to operate. In 2019 Qantas conducted a series of what it called research flights nonstop from New York and London to Sydney. The airline has operated nonstop flights between Heathrow and Perth since 2018. Routes from London to Brisbane and Melbourne are also being considered as part of Project Sunrise. Frankfurt and Paris may also be connected nonstop with Sydney. Gen X women who feel like they have been given the world are crushed by the burden of having to carry it, and are ashamed by the sense of failure when they inevitably cant. And while Calhoun acknowledges that the complaints of Gen X women, with all our education and choices, might be dismissed as #firstworldproblems she makes a compelling case that this is no trifling matter. As Ada Calhoun puts it in Why We Cant Sleep: Womens New Midlife Crisis, If you said you wanted to be a nurse, everyone would say, Why not a doctor? Life for Generation X women, those born between the early 1960s to late 1970s, can be categorised as overpromising and underdelivering. We were the first generation where having it all was not only presented as a possibility, but a requirement. Through meticulous research and poignant and relatable interviews, Calhoun paints a disturbing picture of Gen X women strung out by the desire and expectation of performing as well as men in a workplace that is equal on paper, but not in reality. All the while Gen X women are doing almost as much domestic work as their mothers and their male partners are only doing slightly more than their fathers. At the same time we are trying to live up to a standard of parenting that is far more intense, conscious and scrutinised than any previous generation. A working mother in 2000 spent just as much time interacting with her children as a stay-at-home mother in 1975, writes Calhoun. And still we are wracked with guilt for not being present enough. Delaying the decision to have children until later in life and with ageing parents, Gen X women do double-time caring for the young and the old at the same time. All the while, like other women, they are required to defy the ravages of ageing and get a beach body for summer. Things dont get much better as we approach menopause. We must minimise our struggles and suffer in silence lest we give people ammunition to accuse women of being too hormonal and volatile to be trusted to be leaders in business, government and the community. Growth in Germany came to a halt in the last quarter of 2019 as consumers became more cautious about spending, leaving the economy vulnerable as it begins to feel the effects of the coronavirus outbreak in China. Economic growth in Germany was zero from October through December, the Federal Statistics Office said on Friday, down from 0.2 percent growth in the previous quarter. The chances that Germany will bounce back during the current quarter are slim because of the coronavirus outbreak in China, which has hobbled one of Germanys most important customers and suppliers. Disruptions caused by the outbreak are becoming more visible in Europe. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said Friday that it had stopped production at a factory in Serbia because of shortages of parts made in China. The shutdown, apparently the first by a carmaker in Europe, will add to concerns that the coronavirus could sap what little growth the Continent has been able to muster recently. Nearly 1,500 passengers on board MS Westerdam allowed to disembark in Cambodia after five countries deny the ship entry. Hong Kong The fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak has upended dream vacations for thousands of sea-faring passengers. The 2,257 passengers and crew abroad MS Westerdam heaved a sigh of relief when they finally saw land from their cabin windows and were able to set foot in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Their cruise liner had been marooned for days after five countries denied it entry, fearing that somebody on board the ship may be infected. On Friday, the passengers were welcomed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who handed out flowers to welcome them. Though no one has shown any symptoms of the coronavirus, the Westerdams crew and passengers went through a health screening at the port. Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Sen welcomes the passengers and crew of MS Westerdam on Friday in Sihanoukville [Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters] Following the Philippines, Taiwan and Hong Kong, Japan became the latest country to deny entry to all international cruise ships. Tokyos scramble to close its ports came on the heels of a surge in confirmed cases on board the cruise ship Diamond Princess, which is currently under quarantine and docked in Yokohama. On Thursday, Japans health officials confirmed 218 passengers and crew, as well as one quarantine officer, have been infected making it the largest cluster of infections outside China, the source of the COVID19 outbreak. Floating petri dish Much like the virus, the fear that any cruise ship can be a floating petri dish has also been spreading. However, health experts said ships can be safer than aircraft. Cruise ships are much less a risk than, for example, planes for global spread of a virus, said Dr Marc-Alain Widdowson, director of the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, told Al Jazeera. This is because ships are usually at sea for several days, so this gives time for symptoms to show in people incubating the disease. However, the length of a sea voyage and contained nature of a ship do present other risks. If someone does fall sick, it is possible to confine them to cabins, but the ship facilities are often not equipped to deal with many severe illnesses at a time. If someone is very sick on the sea, it is difficult to evacuate them, Widdowson added. Therefore, a cruise ship is a place for viruses and other microbes to rapidly spread. The MS Westerdam has already been barred twice from disembarking in Manila last week and Taiwan on Monday [File: Becky Bohrer/AP] Originally scheduled for a two-week turnaround in Yokohama on February 15 in lieu of a return to Shanghai the Westerdam, operated by Holland American Lines, last docked in Hong Kong on February 1, receiving 800 more passengers. After that, the Dutch-flagged luxury liner was barred from docking in Manila in the Philippines, Kaohsiung in Taiwan, and, despite a request by the US State Department, the American territory of Guam. Malaysia and Thailand also turned it away. @HALcruises made a big mistake taking us into Hong Kong given the situation, passenger Stephen Hansen, of Vancouver, Canada, posted on social media. But Hanson was satisfied by the operators handling of the marine mishap and the promise of full refund. It all depends upon what risk and crisis management plan the cruise line had in place, and what criteria were used to justify the decision to take on more passengers, said John Ap, a tourism management professor at Macao Institute for Tourism Studies. Health scare Unlike Hansen, passengers of another cruise were less lucky with getting their money back. Cruise liner Norwegian Jade, which was scheduled to board in Hong Kong, switched port to Singapore. The operator, Norwegian Cruise Line, refused to offer a refund to customers who cancelled, according to US media reports. Since February 6, Hong Kong government officials have ordered closed both of the citys cruise terminals, after the World Dream cruise ship docked with nearly 4,000 passengers and crew requiring quarantine. Passengers of the World Dream ship disembark on Sunday in Hong Kong after testing negative for coronavirus [Jerome Favre/EPA] Emergency response kicked into high gear after the ships operator revealed that after dropping off eight mainland Chinese passengers later found to be infected, the ship made four trips between Hong Kong and Vietnam. In response to the outbreak, Cruise Lines International Association whose member lines make up more than 90 percent of ocean-going cruise capacity worldwide, issued new policies requiring pre-boarding screening. It has also barred anyone who has travelled from or transited via China, including Hong Kong and Macau, two weeks before departure or has been in close contact with anyone visiting the aforementioned places. But even long after disembarking, cruise passengers may still cause a health scare. Last Saturday, SuperStar Aquarius was allowed back berthing at its home port of Keelung near Taipei. The ship was exempted from Taiwans ban as 90 percent of the 1,750 passengers are from the island. Even though no infected cases were found, the passengers have been asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. But one wayward passenger flouted the order and took a dip in a fitness club pool the day after. The club has voluntarily closed its doors to disinfect its facilities. The current rush to close ports in Asia follows a ban on all cruise ships entering South Pacific Islands which has been in place since late January. Several Caribbean ports turned away German cruise ship AIDA Perla because some passengers were showing signs of suspected coronavirus infections. All this followed an initial false alarm on January 30, when nearly 6,000 passengers and crew members were kept on board the Costa Smeralda cruise ship in Italy while officials investigated a potential coronavirus case of a 54-year-old Chinese passenger who showed flu-like symptoms. The tests turned out to be negative. SBC pastors threaten boycott over inclusion of female teaching pastor Hosanna Wong at conference Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Organizers of the Southern Baptist Convention's Pastors' Conference are facing backlash from some SBC pastors who've reportedly threatened to boycott the conference over the inclusion of female teaching pastor and spoken word artist Hosanna Wong in the lineup of featured guests. Wong is a network associate teaching pastor at the Chula Vista campus of the multisite EastLake Church in the San Diego, California. She is expected to appear at the conference in her capacity as a spoken word artists but some SBC leaders, such as Sam Bunnell, pastor of worship and discipleship at South Reno Baptist in Nevada, have raised concerns about her planned appearance at the pastors' conference on June 7-8 in advice of the SBC's Annual Meeting that same week in Orlando, Florida. The last thing I want to do is sow discord in the body of Christ. And I do not believe I'm doing so. I must, however, question @PastorDavidUth on @SBCPastorsConf including @waynecordeiro & Hosanna Wong. This does not represent the majority of the SBC. We will fight for right, Bunnell noted in a statement on Twitter. Dwight McKissic, senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, was quick to point out, however, that: A teaching pastor is not the lead pastor. If Phoebe could be entrusted to deliver the Roman epistle to the church at Rome, & the church be told to receive her in the Lord...and assist her, ...then the pastors conference can receive Hosanna Wong. Churches are autonomous. Michael Frost, a missiologist and theologian who founded the Tinsley Institute at Morling College in Australia asked his nearly 9,000 followers on Twitter to pray for Wong as he outlined efforts by objecting pastors to get Wong removed from the lineup. This is Hosanna Wong, the teaching pastor at EastLake Church. She was invited to speak at the SBCs Pastors Conference, but SBC pastors have written a letter of protest, demanding that she repent, and threatening to withhold all funding until she is disinvited. Pray for her, he said. Frost also noted in a similar message to his more than 17,000 followers on Facebook that the pastors planned to organize a boycott of the event if Wong isnt disinvited and it set off a firestorm of comments with many objecting to the negative reaction to Wong. David Clemons, an instructor at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, argued, however, that the objecting pastors are acting on a valid interpretation of Scripture. You can disagree with them, certainly. You can call them sexists. You can call them hypocrites and Im sure some of them are, but by reading most of the comments on this thread it looks as if there is absolutely no appreciation where theyre coming from. "Theyre not just making this up from thin air. The SBC like many Protestant American denominations are theologically evangelical. Im sure many of you are aware, one notable trait of evangelicalism is a deep respect for a more literal reading of the scriptures. The key verse these guys are looking to is 1 Timothy 2:12-15, he wrote in response to Frosts call. True, there are some evangelicals who have female pastors because they interpret this verse a different way but I applaud anyone who sincerely wrestles with the scriptures and seeks to make her or his life conform to them even if I disagree with their interpretation. "I respect their desire to live their lives in obedience to the Bible. If youre a person of faith and you have a high regard for the scriptures (I know not everyone is or does. Im not talking to those people. Im talking to those who do), then disagree with them all you want. Tell them their interpretation of the Bible is wrong, but at least meet them where they areat a starting place that deeply respects the scriptures, he added. Frost argued, however, that seeking to boycott the event over a theological disagreement smacked of sexism and hard-heartedness. I appreciate where theyre coming from. I have colleagues who agree with them on the interpretation of those passages. But my colleagues know that it is legitimate to hold to the egalitarian position and they would NEVER boycott an event simply because a female teaching pastor was one of the presenters. I think theyve gone beyond mere complementarianism to hard-heartedness and, yes, sexism, he replied to Clemons. Conference president and Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Orlando David Uth told the Baptist Press that the speakers and music performers confirmed for conference have good relationships with his church. He also noted that Wong would not be preaching at the event. "She's not preaching. She's not coming as a preacher. She's coming as a musical artist, Uth told the publication. "My goal, my prayer was that we could open ourselves up to hear from people that maybe were good friends of ours, but not in our Southern Baptist Convention," he said. "I feel like they have a message for us. I feel like God wants to speak to us through them. So my goal and my hope was that we could hear their message, we could learn from them, and we could embrace it." He further explained that his staff is monitoring social media to determine if Wongs presence at the conference would put her in any danger. "If we sense that it is going to be an environment that's not going to be helpful to her, or it's going to be in some way hurtful, I would not risk that for anything. She is a precious lady. She and her husband do a great work in San Francisco, Uth said. Lawyer, former gymnast and outspoken abuse survivor Rachael Denhollander also threw her support behind Wong in an extended statement on Twitter, in which she called out SBC pastors for treating their position on women in ministry more seriously than sexual abuse. Popular Bible teacher and author Beth Moore who has come under similar criticism from SBC leaders for being an outspoken woman in ministry also appeared to support Denhollanders response to the uproar over Wongs inclusion. And then theres what goes on away from the official table after they whistle for the attack dogs, which, of course, they are doing: relentless social media harassment, bullying, lying about & slandering the woman. Its so sinful. And all in the name of Scripture, Moore wrote on Twitter. I want nothing more to do with it. But I am going to have a dang hard time staying silent if they look like they are going to put Hosanna through anything similar to what others of us have endured over these people. Shes not preaching at it, for crying out loud, she added. KALAMAZOO, MI Rick Omilians story goes something like this. In 1999, his stepdaughter Maggie Wardle was a sophomore at Kalamazoo College who had recently cut ties with an ex-boyfriend. The ex-boyfriend, Neenef Odah, saw Maggie at the colleges homecoming dance with her new boyfriend. Odah then invited Maggie over to his dorm room to talk about it. He pulled out a hunting rifle he had purchased weeks before. He shot Maggie with it and then turned the gun on himself. Neither survived. For the past 20 years, Omilian has been dealing with that loss. This Sunday, Feb. 16, he and his wife Martha Omilian, Maggies mother, will join many other survivors at Galilee Baptist Church in Kalamazoo for the sixth annual Service of Remembrance for Victims of Gun Violence. The service is not just for people that are survivors, but also for the community to come out and show support, Rick Omilian said. "As a survivor, I can tell you its hard to think that people want to remember your loved one year after year and there needs to be a time and a space for survivors and family members to talk about their loved ones if they want. Its also really important to have other community members there in support too. Omilian said about 50 survivors showed up at last years event. They brought photos of their loved ones and shared stories. They sat together. And they prayed together. Grief, especially this kind of grief, you have to be ready to tell your story, sometimes people just come to stand, he said. But we can all stand together. "Whether survivors or observers, no matter our concerns, we can stand together and we can work together to change things for the better. And because we care about each other, we have to do something. Its not political. Its practical. While all were not a result of gun violence, data compiled by MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette showed that Kalamazoo County averaged 11.6 homicides per year over the past decade. That number was up from an average of 8.4 homicides per year the decade prior. Between 2013-17, an average of 36,383 people died by guns each year in America, according to statistics provided by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Michigan has accounted for an average of 1,163 of those deaths on an annual basis. The states death rate of 11.6 gun deaths per 100,000 people ranks 29th nationally. Sundays vigil is hosted by a group of partner organizations with the common goal of ending gun violence. Those groups include the Coalition for Common Ground, Interfaith Strategy for Advocacy & Action in the Community (ISAAC), Metropolitan Kalamazoo Branch of the NAACP and Kalamazoo Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, the latter of which is part of the national nonprofit, Everytown for Gun Safety. The big message is that theres always somebody to help, Omilian said. "You may think that youre alone or that its something you should be ashamed of. A lot of these people who will be there understand the complexities of gun violence and domestic violence and there are a lot of things that go on in Kalamazoo that were all working on. Were all working together and trying to figure out what to do about gun violence prevention and the trauma that leads to gun violence and other violence. Anybody that is involved in relationships or complicated living situations that are dangerous needs to reach out and get help. These organizations can help. Omilian serves as a membership leader for Kalamazoo Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. The organization is involved with working on legislative action to reduce gun violence, speaks out at schools and helps to organize grassroots community events such as Sundays vigil, Omilian said. The vigil begins at 4 p.m. and is open to all. Galilee Baptist Church is located at 1216 N. Westnedge Ave. in Kalamazoo. Galilee Baptist Church Elder Tamara Scott will serve as keynote speaker. Also on MLive: Unraveling what went so tragically wrong: Lessons from tragedy still resonate at Kalamazoo College New book examines 1999 murder-suicide on Kalamazoo College campus Kalamazoo Countys 13 homicides in 2019 just above decade average Young father killed by gunman sacrificed himself for wife and child, family says Iain Dale presents the evening show on LBC Radio and is a commentator for CNN. It seems that the estimable Editor of this fine organ was the only one to foresee the departure of Sajid Javid as chancellor. Thats why hes on the big bucks. Clearly, Boris Johnson and his team thought that Sajid Javid would cave just as all the other Ministers did who have been threatened with losing their special advisors. This is one of those occasions where its entirely possible to see both sides of the argument. If I had been Javid, Id like to think Id have done the same thing. But on the other hand, and from Number Tens point of view, they want to avoid the Prime Minister-Chancellor rows that have bedevilled various administrations over the years. We remember the TeeBeeGeeBees of the Tony Blair government. Some of us recall how Margaret Thatchers government was partially destroyed by the breakdown between her and her chancellor, Nigel Lawson, over the role of Sir Alan Walters. And we remember the fallout between Theresa May and her advisers and Philip Hammond and his. So I get it. I really do. But of course the writeups in all the papers this morning are no doubt all about how Dominic Cummings has triumphed over Javid and his supposed ally, Carrie Symonds. The pundits will be using phrases like Classic Dom. Iain Martin from Reaction commented in a tweet yesterday afternoon that, in the latest piece of reshuffle news, Boris Johnson has accepted the role of deputy prime minister. Lols. The new Number 10 /Treasury liaison unit needs to be staffed very carefully, mindful of the fact that the new Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, cannot be allowed to be portrayed as a supplicant. I hope its headed up by Eddie Lister. Hes a natural conciliator. The success of this cabinet will depend in large part on which ministers can pull alongside Michael Gove and earn the description of being transformational. They all have the opportunity to do it, but which are most likely to succeed? I have very high hopes of Alok Sharma, the new Business Secretary. He comes into the department with very little baggage and the full backing of the Prime Minister. Brandon Lewis in Northern Ireland has a huge opportunity to build on Julian Smiths legacy. Sometimes it pays to be in the right place at the right time. Lewis is a natural coalition builder, and I suspect Northern Ireland will take to him in a way that it hasnt with some others. Grant Shapps is building a very positive reputation at Transport and the fate of the Government will depend in some part on his ability to juggle the various transport priorities. George Eustice at DEFRA has a huge opportunity to make a big impact, but needs to look to Gove as his example. He transformed that department. But it is Therese Coffey and Matt Hancock, survivors of the shuffle, who have the biggest opportunities to be transformational Coffey in the field of universal credit and Hancock on social care. I wish them all luck. Reshuffles are a time when old scores can be settled, not just by the Prime Minister of the day, but also by his advisers and by other ministers. Some sackings appear at first sight utterly incomprehensible, but dig a little deeper and theres always a reason. Take the case of Nus Ghani, a Transport Minister until yesterday, She was one of the few Jeremy Hunt supporters to survive the cull in when Boris Johnson appointed his first government in July. It could be that she crept under the wire and no one had spotted her support for Hunt. Unlikely, though. So was her dismissal because she was an incompetent minister? My friends in the Transport sector thought she was rather good in dealing with them in the maritime and aviation sectors. It is possible, I suppose, that a senior Minister put the black spot on her (and indeed on another Transport junior minister, George Freeman). All in all, it seems very odd to sack a young, BAME minister who has done nothing obviously wrong. But thats politics, I suppose. With the departure of Esther McVey, we are now on our tenth housing minister in ten years. Im sorry to see her leave government, but the appointment was never going to work. For someone who had been a full Cabinet member to later be appointed as number two to the Cabinets youngest minister was always going to be a tough ask. Housing is one of the most important jobs in government, and merits a full cabinet position on its own. Chris Pincher, the new Housing Minister, must stay in the post for the rest of this Parliament. Its the only way that a housing strategy can be implemented properly. Can you imagine any politician other than Rory Stewart getting away with using a campaign hashtag #comekipwithme? Hes asking Londoners to let him sleep overnight in their homes. That way, he says, he can really find out what they think. Hes done it before. During his 21 month trek across Afghanistan, he stayed with 500 different families. Apparently, more than 500 people have offered to put him up for the night and chew his ear. I interviewed him about it on Tuesday, when he recounted his visit to Lorraine in Newham last week. He sat up there late into the night, sitting on the floor in his pyjamas chatting away. Woah. Not weird at all The London mayoral campaign hasnt really sprung into life yet, possibly because everyone believes that Sadiq Khan will romp to victory. Given Labours travails at the moment, this ought not to be the case, and you can bet your bottom dollar his campaign will hardly mention Labour. At least, thats if his campaign team have any sense. Unfortunately for the Conservatives, Shaun Bailey, the Tory candidate shows no sign of making any breakthrough whatsoever, and with Stewarts intervention its difficult to see how he can win. In this Oct. 24, 2019, photo, released by the U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Airmen check their manifest for military equipment to be loaded onto a cargo plane at Kobani Landing Zone (KLZ), Syria. The 225,000 American troops stationed worldwide could be impacted by the Trump Administration's proposed cuts to the International Affairs Budget. Read more The United States is facing unprecedented threats to our national security simply look at mounting tensions with Iran and North Korea, growing power competition with Russia and China, and rising fears of a new global pandemic. These threats dont just jeopardize our security they could disrupt our economy and upset stability around the world. To confront this wave of threats, America must work to ensure were ready to meet them with all capabilities at our disposal something both of us understand, one as an Iraqi combat veteran and former top Pentagon official, the other as Pennsylvanias governor in the wake of 9/11, charged with deploying new security measures. While we both attest that the might of the U.S. military is unmatched, the burden of protecting our nation cannot rest solely on the shoulders of the 225,000 American troops stationed worldwide. Thats where our diplomatic corps and development experts come in. Consider, for example, the overwhelming success of the Marshall Plan, a U.S. effort to rebuild a war-torn Europe after World War II. Through a unique combination of aid, diplomatic efforts, and the American-backed security promise of NATO, Europe transformed into Americas most important trading partner and the largest source of foreign investment. These successes did not happen overnight. They were made possible by consistent collaboration between Americas military and civilian efforts toward the same goal: fostering the stability necessary for prosperity around the world, to ensure security here at home. While were fortunate to have Americas best and brightest working together to protect our country, they cannot confront the ever-evolving challenges to our national security without the proper resources. For the fourth straight year, the Trump administration has requested drastic cuts to the international affairs budget this time by nearly a quarter. This small portion of the federal budget funds agencies like the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) that drive American diplomacy and foreign assistance programs. This would be a mistake, making the United States less equipped to protect the American people and U.S. interests abroad. Worse, our economy would take a hit too bad news especially for Pennsylvania, which in 2018 exported more than $41 billion in goods and in 2016 saw exports create an estimated 177,000 jobs. Eliminating some of these efforts would not only shut out U.S. businesses from key markets around the world, particularly emerging economies across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. It would also undo much of the progress made to establish Pennsylvania as a player in the global marketplace. Not to mention, it would present opportunities for our adversaries to swoop in and fill the void of our absence. The prime example is China. Increasingly emboldened, China is driving some developing nations into unsustainable debt and then translating those obligations into exclusive access for Chinese interests and Chinese businesses. Just look at Sri Lanka, where in 2018 China leveraged the countrys debt in exchange for a 99-year lease to access a strategic port near Hambantota. And theyre not backing down. The Chinese are pushing development aid, trade agreements, and investments all over the world, fueled by their ambitious $1 trillion Belt and Road initiative. The Chinese have also doubled their diplomacy spending over the last six years, surpassing the United States in another key measure of global influence: the number of diplomatic outposts. To an outside observer, it looks as if America is falling behind while China races ahead. Now is not the time for America to step back from the world. At this crucial budgetary moment, we need leaders who understand the value of these programs for the safety of our families, the prosperity of our communities, and the future of our country. As former elected officials for Pennsylvania, we are delighted that so many congressional members in the Philadelphia area have consistently spoken in support of these programs, including Reps. Chrissy Houlahan and Brian Fitzpatrick. We encourage all members of the Pennsylvania congressional delegation from both sides of the aisle to do the same. Patrick Murphy is an Iraqi War veteran who served as the under secretary of the Army (2016-17) and U.S. representative from Pennsylvanias 8th District (2007-11). Mark Schweiker served as the 44th governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (2001-03). Both are cochairs for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalitions Pennsylvania Advisory Committee. Covid 19 in India: Himachal Pradesh becomes first state to fully vaccinate adult population in country Himachal Pradesh cabinet expansion likely before budget session: CM Jai Ram Thakur India oi-PTI Dharamshala, Feb 14: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday said cabinet expansion in the state to fill vacant posts is likely before the budget session of the Assembly. The session will begin from February 25 and Thakur will present his third state budget on March 6. Addressing a press conference in Nurpur, the chief minister said the Assembly Speaker will be elected as well on February 26. A new Speaker needs to be elected after Rajeev Bindal resigned from the post to become the president of the BJP state unit. The expansion of the cabinet will be done to fill two ministerial berths, which have been lying vacant for several months. Anil Sharma, who was the Power minister, had to resign after his son Aashray contested on a Congress ticket from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat during general elections last year. Kishan Kapoor, who was the Dharamshala MLA and Civil Supplies minister, had resigned from the post after he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kangra. Responding to a question on the state's financial condition, the chief minister claimed that the Congress is responsible for the poor economic condition in the state. To increase the revenue of the government, Thakur said the departments of tourism, mining and GST are working towards effectively implementing the rules. Work is being done to implement new policies to increase the state's revenue, he said pointing out that Kangra district will be included in the Central government's Rs 2,400 crore horticulture project. Himachal Pradesh TET result update Stressing that tourism is the main priority of his government, Thakur said emphasis will be on strengthening roads and airways with steps being taken to develop new tourist places in the state. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, February 14, 2020, 17:44 [IST] A digital billboard in the Shibuya area of Tokyo conveys Japan's support to China on Monday in the fight against the virus. XINHUA Poetry, calligraphy showcase bonds as Tokyo reaches out to offer assistance When American writer Patrick Rothfuss said, "Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts," he might not have imagined that some words would be powerful enough, even after 1,000 years, to produce tears. But that has happened recently as China fights the novel coronavirus. Many sayings circulating recently on Chinese social media have one thing in common: They were written in Chinese and printed on packages donated to China by Japan. Among them, one saying, written about 1,300 years ago by a Japanese prince, was sent to Wuhan, Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak, together with masks and infrared thermometers. It read: "Even though the landscapes are diverse, we share the wind and moon under the same sky." Chen Wan, who works in the international office of Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, said, "Tears welled up in my eyes when I saw the words on the package." Chen, who regularly deals with the Japanese in the course of her work, said she is very grateful for Japan's help. "These words have greatly encouraged Wuhan's people. China and Japan both have Confucian cultural origins, and some things that the Japanese have done have made me feel Wuhan is not alone in this fight, and that we will eventually conquer this epidemic because we are protected by love and friendship." Helping those facing hardship can come in many forms, something that Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, might well have had in mind when he made a plea for global cooperation at a forum about the novel coronavirus in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday. The serious measures that China is taking in Wuhan and other cities against the virus call for countries to show solidarity with China, Tedros said. "It's a test of political solidaritywhether the world can come together to fight a common enemy that does not respect borders or ideologies," he said. "It's a test of financial solidaritywhether the world will invest now in fighting this outbreak, or pay more later to deal with its consequences. And it's a test of scientific solidaritywill the world come together to find shared answers to shared problems?" For the first time since Jan. 27, when the Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced five state residents had been tested for the new coronavirus from China, no test results are pending, health officials said Wednesday. Of 15 people tested for the virus in Wisconsin, all have been negative except for a Dane County resident who last week was reported to have the virus, the state health department said. Additional people who traveled to China or came into contact with an infected person and developed symptoms could still require testing, and officials said last week they wouldnt be surprised if Wisconsin sees more positive cases. But as of Wednesday, no suspect cases were awaiting test results. Thursday will mark two weeks since Jan. 30, when the Dane County person was evaluated and tested at UW Hospitals emergency room before beginning isolation at home. The person returned to Dane County Regional Airport that day after traveling to Beijing and immediately went to the ER, officials said. Health officials have said the new coronavirus, now called COVID-19, appears to have an incubation period of two to 14 days. If that is accurate, people who were in close contact with the Dane County case before the persons isolation began would be expected to have developed symptoms. Since COVID-19 emerged late last year in Wuhan, China, more than 45,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths have been reported, mainly in China but also in two dozen other countries. Meanwhile, seasonal influenza activity remains high in most of the United States, including Wisconsin, which has reported 30 deaths from flu since October. Flu vaccine is still available to protect against flu. Otherwise, the best way to prevent COVID-19, flu and other respiratory illnesses is summed up on the state health departments website: Wash your hands, cover your coughs, and if you are sick stay home. Bexar County is receiving the last of the $61.3 million it advanced to improve the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River, just in time to use the money to finish out San Pedro Creek. The $26 million final installment in federal reimbursements was included in the Army Corps of Engineers 2020 work plan. Since the reimbursements already have been allocated to fund flood control enhancement and beautification of the historic creek, the latest installment could ensure completion of the project, which has been billed as a boon to downtown revitalization but criticized by some as wasteful. This $26 million really helps fulfill the funding commitment that would be needed for those final phases, said Suzanne Scott, general manager of the San Antonio River Authority, project manager of the county-funded creek project. On ExpressNews.com: Creek project to include interactive art installation The reimbursement also is good news for the West Side because SARA and the countys federal delegation can now focus on securing federal funding for ecosystem restoration projects on Alazan, Apache and Martinez creeks, officials said. In 2011, a local Westside Creeks Restoration Project plan developed through a community involvement process led by SARA envisioned nearly $250 million in environmental restoration and trails for those three creeks. But Scott said local leaders wanted to secure full reimbursement on the Mission Reach before shifting the focus to the West Side creeks. Itll put the spotlight now on getting Westside Creeks restoration done, to improve water and air quality, natural habitats and the creeks stability during heavy rains, she said. The Army Corps of Engineers, which traditionally has focused on flood control and navigation, has been impressed with the Mission Reach and other urban ecosystem restoration projects, Scott said. So now, theyre motivated and wanting to look at West Side creeks as the next big effort, she added. The county had advanced the $61.3 million to cover part of the federal share of the $271 million Mission Reach project, completed in 2013, to get it built faster and at a lower cost. All of the $35 million in federal funds already reimbursed have been spent or programmed for the first four segments of the six-phase, 2.2-mile San Pedro Creek project. County Judge Nelson Wolff said the allocation allows the project to continue south of Alamo Street. He credited SARA and U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, with securing language in an appropriations bill for the county to be reimbursed. So here we are, seven years later after the Mission Reach, and were getting those funds back. Its something we never really counted on getting. We hoped we would, he said. Wolff has said San Pedro Creek will be nicer than the River Walk, an engaging public space to complement public and private investment downtown, including a new federal courthouse, a restored Alameda Theater, new offices and studio space for Texas Public Radio, and an expanded University of Texas at San Antonio Downtown Campus. While upstream segments in the core of downtown include outdoor performance venues, public art and historic interpretation stations, officials have said downstream areas will provide a more natural look and fewer costly amenities. The northernmost first phase of the San Pedro Culture Park, completed at $55.7 million, opened in May 2018. Work is underway on a second segment budgeted at $74.7 million, including $14 million in reimbursed federal funds. That segment, from Houston to Nueva streets, is set for completion by mid-2021. County commissioners approved a nearly $86 million budget in June for the next two segments downstream. SARA and the projects design team had cut the original budgeted cost of those two segments by about $30 million, replacing retaining walls with sloping green spaces and limiting paseos to one side of the creek in some sections. But Commissioners Kevin Wolff and Tommy Calvert urged SARA in June to keep working to secure the federal reimbursements on the Mission Reach, to help fund the creek project. Calvert has said hes worried that the project could drain the countys ability to borrow money through tax-exempt bonds for flood control in neighborhoods. On ExpressNews.com: San Pedro Creek project called costly but worthwhile The creek also has been an issue in the March 3 Democratic primary featuring Precinct 2 Commissioner Justin Rodriguez, who assumed office last year as an appointee. His challenger, Queta Rodriguez, has called the project excessive, particularly when planned improvements on the West Side creeks and other basic needs are unfunded. Weve spent millions of dollars on special projects like the San Pedro Creek when that funding couldve been taken to maybe help some people and leverage more dollars toward affordable housing, keeping people in their homes, Queta Rodriguez told the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board last month. Commissioner Rodriguez said he has made it a priority since taking office to see the long-planned creek project through. Ultimately, when we look at the returns on economic development from that project, the returns on properties and houses saved from flood control, I think it will be judged as a successful project, he said. Jerry Geyer, chairman of the San Pedro Creek Subcommittee, an advisory panel on projects related to the Westside Creeks Restoration Project, said some people are anxious for work on the West Side creeks to begin. I wouldnt call it tension, but people have built up expectations for it on the West Side, Geyer said. 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 On Thursday, attorney general William Barr made an uncharacteristic criticism of Donald Trump. In an interview with ABC News, Barr said, "I think its time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases." Barr was referring to Trump inserting himself into the case against Roger Stone, who was found guilty of witness tampering in Robert Mueller's investigation into Trump's potential abuse of power. Trump was furious at federal prosecutors' suggested sentence of seven to nine years, tweeting that it was "horrible and very unfair" and "miscarriage of justice." The DOJ then contradicted the proposed sentence, suggesting it was far too harsh and prompting four of the prosecutors on the case to quit in frustration. Barr has since taken over the case, but speaking to ABC News he said that Trump was making his job "impossible" with his tweets. "I'm not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody," Barr said, adding, "whether it's Congress, newspaper editorial boards, or the president." Fox News anchor Lou Dobbs, one of the network's biggest Trump supporters, thought that criticism was outrageous. He said he was "disappointed" in Barr, adding, "I have to say thisits a damn shame when he doesnt get what this president has gone through and what the American people have gone through, and what his charge is as attorney general." And what exactly is that charge, as Dobbs sees it? "Where the hell are the charges against the politically corrupt deep state within the Justice Department, the FBI, and why in the hell arent we hearing apologies from someone in that rancid corrupt department about what they permitted?!" This isn't the the first time Dobbs and other Fox News personalities have turned on an insufficiently loyal Trump appointee. Fox News went after former contributor John Bolton, who served as Trump's national security adviser. After news leaked that Bolton's memoir included damning information about Trump trying to blackmail Ukraine, Dobbs called Bolton "a tool for the left," and Laura Ingraham called him "another think tank-type trying to cash in on his time at the White House." Story continues Dobbs's diatribe aside, Barr has consistently defended far-reaching and unfettered executive branch power since his time in the Ronald Reagan White House. When he joined the Department of Justice under the first George Bush, Barr sent an unsolicited 10-page memo to top lawyers throughout the executive branch urging them to fight any effort by Congress to limit the White House's power. "Only by consistently and forcefully resisting such congressional incursions can executive branch prerogatives be preserved," he wrote. In June 2018, he wrote another memo to then-deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, claiming that Trump can't be charged with obstruction of justice based on the Mueller investigation because a president has "complete authority to start or stop a law enforcement proceeding." It's something of a contrast with Barr's predecessor, Jeff Sessions, who was an early supporter of Trump but still recused himself from overseeing Mueller's investigation. That earned him Trump's fury for what he perceived as Sessions's lack of willingness to protect him. "This is a terrible situation and Attorney General Jeff Sessions should stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now, before it continues to stain our country any further, Trump, who frequently insulted Sessions, wrote in 2018. On Friday morning, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said that Trump took no issue with Barr's criticism. In a statement, she wrote, "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." The Bittersweet Bounty Of Greenland's First Spring Michael Paterniti travels to the forefront of climate change and gets a taste of the complex future of a planet in flux. As Greenland's massive ice sheet melts at an alarming rate due to global warming, its citizensand especially its chefsare enjoying some unanticipated benefits. Originally Appeared on GQ Bangladesh: Protecting our rivers and waterbodies for a sustainable future by ASM Abdul Baten February 14,2020 | Source: The Daily Star Bangladesh is truly a riverine as well as a maritime country, which is situated at the largest delta containing the finest mangrove and longest continuous sea beach in the world. Most of the rivers in Bangladesh are either tributaries or distributaries of the Ganges, or the Brahmaputra, or the Meghna River. Both the density of population and density of rivers/rivulets per square km are among the highest in the world if we consider all listed rivers and streams. Our ancestors were immensely dependent on the resources of the rivers and water bodies of the country. We still depend on the rivers for our living and communication. The sweet water fish in our rivers and water bodies are among the best in the world, which have kept our lives moving as the bulk of the protein comes from these marine creatures. To feed our huge population and minimise the cost of living we need to nurture the rivers and water bodies. As a citizen of a littoral state, we feel proud to have the advantage of getting invaluable benefits from hundreds of rivers and innumerable water bodies. Rivers are also an integral part of the major communication links, which is not fully exploited though, from seaports to upstream inside the mainland. To use the rivers and water bodies sustainably we need to protect these invaluable natural gifts from all sorts of wrongdoings. People damage rivers knowingly or unknowingly to obtain short term benefits, which should not happen. Existing laws are at times not very effective because the intentions of stakeholders and their cohorts are often misguided by corrupt practices. With the advancement of modern science and technology, there are different means available for the surveillance of natural resources. With the digital revolution in Bangladesh, we need to develop and make the best use of newly available technologies to monitor rivers, quality of river water flowing from outside and within the country, and water bodies, continuously so that none can harm these valuable assets and we keep them safe for future generations' sustainable use. We still do not have a comprehensive river protection law in Bangladesh, and the country is not a signatory of international River Law Conventions either. The United Nations drafted the document on the Law of Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, commonly referred to as the UN Watercourses Convention in 1997, to help conserve and manage water resources for present and future generations. From the time of its drafting, the Convention took 17 years to enter into force on August 17, 2014. The treaty has been ratified by just 36 states or so. The majority of countries, especially the key ones, remain outside its scope. The convention, however, is regarded as an important step in establishing international law governing water. Article 7 of the document titled, "Obligation not to cause significant harm," requires that member states "in utilising an international watercourse in their territories take all appropriate measures to prevent the causing of significant harm to other watercourse states" and compensate sharing states for any such harm. This part of the law is particularly important for a geographically disadvantaged country like Bangladesh to get a share of international river waters. In Bangladesh, we already have a national water policy, but we need proper law to streamline the use of water resources and ensure their protection from pollution. The law needs to cater to provisions to safeguard rivers from pollution, illegal occupation, preventing industrial wastes and maintenance management and coordination process among the different stakeholders of rivers. Law may also include provisions for maintaining water quality. A question may arise who would check the quality of water coming across the border? This matter needs to be addressed by the concerned ministry. We have 54 transboundary rivers with India and three with Myanmar. Among these, only the Ganges water-sharing treaty has been signed with India. Teesta water sharing is still pending, and the rest are under process. The whole country is waiting to see what comes next. History says Joint River Commission officials have not been successful in most of the cases over several decades. Many experts and civil society members opine to resolve these through international laws as has been done in case of delimitation of maritime boundaries between Bangladesh and neighbouring countries. The source of surface water in Bangladesh is the rainfall the country records and the stream flow coming in from outside the country. The surface water resource of this country is very much essential for its people and animals, aquatic flora and fauna, navigation, agriculture, etc. It is also necessary for keeping alive the distributaries in the delta, and maintaining the brackish water ecosystem along the sea, on an annual cycle. Unfortunately, the knowledge of preserving surface water for use is missing in our society, which is very common in developed countries. In Malaysia, approval of a plan for building construction is not given in towns unless they have reservoir tanks underground for rainwater collection. In Bangladesh, we still are waiting to see similar instructions from the concerned authority. If we had such orders, probably city centres would have been saved from water logging with little rainfall. Surface water storage is important not only in cities but also in rural areas. The rivers and wetlands in Bangladesh are the major reservoirs for the storage of surface water. The wetlands, called the "beels" and "haors" are depressions caused by shifting of river courses, tectonic activities, etc. over ages. Many rivers have flood plains over the countryside and those go underwater during the monsoon and the floods. Among the closed water bodies, the "baors" lay mostly in south-western Bangladesh. These are horseshoe lakes formed by the dead courses of rivers. However, the traditional surface water storage mechanisms all over the country are the ponds. Local Government and Rural Engineering Department (LGED) has schemes to create and maintain such water bodies. All these water areas must be standardised, modelled and monitored area wise through digital mapping and monitoring systems as is done in the Netherland or some other countries who have achieved excellence in water management. There are different stakeholders for the management of rivers and water bodies. The organisations which are major stakeholders are the Water Development Board (WDB), Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Department of Environment, Water Resources Planning Organization, LGED, Divisional and District Commissioners, Upazila Nirbahi Officer, and respective ministries. Every organisation needs to work out their respective capacities and capabilities, but central coordination is vital for implementing the ultimate national policies. In the case of river and water body management, duplication of initiatives or efforts would cause unnecessary waste of funding. The Ganges Barrage project is another idea being floated as has been discussed on several occasions in seminars and workshops. The barrage would store excess water for use during the dry season. This would require detailed planning, time and huge funding. Navigation through the Sundarbans is another issue discussed at different forums. Any kind of oil spill, as had happened in the past, is dangerous. We need to have our safety mechanism in place. Ecology is important not only for Bangladesh but also for others. There is a special arrangement to look after the activities of the routes and meet navigational requirements like dredging, signals, pilot station and other formal arrangements. Ghasiakhali was the main channel of communication between Bangladesh and India. The Sundarbans channel was used due to the temporary disruption of that channel. Capital dredging of Ghasiakhali Channel by Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority is in operation and the Sundarbans channel is almost closed, which has been a good example of effective channel dredging. The National River Conservation Commission (NRCC)by Act No, XXIX of 2013; S.R.O. No. 28-Law/2017, was established on July 22, 2013. The objectives of the Commission were prevention of illegal occupation of rivers, pollution of water and environment, pollution of rivers caused by industrial factories, illegal constructions and various irregularities and ensuring multidimensional use of rivers for socio-economic development. Their activities also include the restoration of the normal flow of rivers, proper maintenance thereof and making them navigable. Ideally, such guidelines would have been good enough to maintain the rivers if the concerned teams were given enough authority and instruments. A short visit at any river port in Bangladesh and one can see how non-compliance of laws has visible symptoms of deleterious effects in the environment. Rivers have become a dumping ground for all kinds of polythene, industrial wastes containing poisonous chemicals and related items which are harmful to fish and humans. Although in 2002, Bangladesh became the first country in the world to ban thinner plastic bags, after 17 years, it appears that the ban is not truly in force. This culture is dangerous for the future as microplastics are continuously being absorbed by different marine species, which are ultimately consumed by humans and this can cause fatal diseases. Moreover, industrial wastes are regularly discharged into water bodies which are killing our rivers. Rampant use of riverbanks has distorted the quality of rivers. Occasionally BIWTA undertakes drives (vide Port Act 1908), but the leaders at local areas do not always cooperate. As a result, the repetition of violations continues once the monitoring agencies leave. There is purported to be some sort of misunderstanding about the sharing of responsibilities between BIWTA and the NRCC, which must be resolved at the earliest making national interest the top priority. Currently, river ports are not maintained with any standard which may attract tourists coming from outside the country. There are 32 river ports in Bangladesh, and the major ports are always congested and most of these have no standard sanitary facilities, no waiting rooms, no ticketing for vessels in advance at the jetty for travellers. There are no proper landing areas and pontoons which are user-friendly as the vessels come to the pontoon heading bows (nose). We need to maintain river ports efficiently to make the rivers more attractive. Physically challenged personnel find it difficult to board the vessels. If the ports are maintained well with all modern amenities and cleanliness and digital informatics as part of the government's drive to make things digital, rivers would be able to attract more tourists and this would contribute to the overall development of the river-based socio-economy of the country. A Korean case on river/water sharing is brought here, which may give new lessons to the world. The Imjin River (site of two major battles) or (Rimjin River in North Korea) is the seventh largest river in Korea. It flows from north to south, crossing the Demilitarised Zone and joining the Han River downstream of Seoul, near the Yellow Sea. Recently the two Koreans, despite having prolonged strained relations with the flexing of muscle, have agreed to carry out joint surveys with high-level civil-military experts and scientists/surveyors for equitable sharing of resources. Once the survey is complete, the two sides plan to prove navigational information (charts) to ensure free travel by civilian vessels. Joint usage of properties would produce a number of different effects, as they feel the common areas are suitable for the pursuit of multiple projects including aggregate extraction, tourism/recreation, and ecological preservation. These are good lessons for people of our areas who have been at the back foot to have the best use of natural resources. A recent historic ruling from the High Court to give legal rights to all the rivers in Bangladesh has been remarkable. The High Court has accorded the Turag river the status of "legal person" to save it from encroachment and said that the status would be applicable for all the rivers across the country. Interventions of the High Court on law enforcing matters for river conservation definitely will have a positive impact. We feel a stronger law and their implementation are urgent to safeguard our valuable natural resources. Development of human resources in general and experts and skilled human resources in particular arguably are the most important areas where we lack the most. We need a master plan to develop the right kind of professionals on water management. We need to educate students on the potential of our natural resources, and we need to nurture experts on rivers, dredgers, water and river management. Concerned universities and institutions are producing graduates; but are the graduates ready to work on our fields and are the stakeholders ready to accept them? We need to make an assessment of these areas and fundamental research with appropriate funding should be conducted. Without real research with dedicated nationals it is difficult to draw effective policies and rules. Rivers are a part and parcel of our lives and we need to look after rivers' health and hygiene. To do that we have to follow the existing instructions and set new applicable laws and abide by those sincerely. International conventions adopted by successful leading nations should be considered for adoption. Quality of water in water bodies, rivers and rivulets at sensitive spots should be monitored through modern gadgets and digital technology so that harmful objects do not pollute our water. Appropriate legal measures should be taken against the violators of rules. We need to educate our people at all levels to safeguard our national water bodies and endeavours be made to develop our own experts including scientists who would be responsible for managing and protecting our rivers and water bodies for a sustainable future. 2020 / thedailystar.net Nevada Democrats say they will have access to a paper trail, through the reporting sheets that all precinct leaders are required to complete, in the event that the online transmission goes haywire. Such redundancies were built into the process from the beginning, the state party has maintained, though they have taken on new salience in light of the technology glitch that threw off the transmission of results in Iowa. Centenarian Alice Frank Stock, now living in Bristol, spent more than a decade living in the same apartment block as Adolf Hitler when she was young. (SWNS) A Jewish woman living in Britain has turned 101 and revealed she once lived next door to Adolf Hitler before he came into power. Alice Frank Stock spent years living in the same apartment block as the future dictator while growing up in Germany during the 1920s and 30s. The centenarian and her family lived on Prinzregentplatz in Munich, just doors away from the Nazi leader - and would sometimes see Hitler being rushed into the building by SS guards. But she said Hitler was mostly unseen by her and her family, who were later forced to leave Germany just days before the outbreak of World War Two due to the threat posed to the Jewish people. 14 Prinzregent Platz, Munich, Frank Stock lived as a child. She said she would see Hitler being rushed into the building by SS guards - most likely fearful of an assassination attempt. (SWNS) The pensioner was sent to study in Lausanne in Switzerland aged 17 before moving to London in 1937, where she was reunited with her parents. Now living in a care home in Bristol, Frank-Stock said: "We lived in a house - a big house - and there were two entrances. One was our apartment, number 14 - the other was either number 13 or 15. Thats where Hitler lived. Hitlers niece Geli Raubal committed suicide in Hitlers apartment in 1931 aged 23. The exact nature of their relationship is contentious, and it is rumoured the pair were in a romantic relationship despite a 19-year age gap. Frank Stock pictured in 1936. Now 101-years-old, her family lived on Prinzregentplatz in Munich - just doors away from the future dictator. (SWNS) But the Centenarian says she once saw a coffin being carried out of Hitler's apartment - which she and others speculated could have been the body of Geli who had shot herself. "We heard many [rumours], from the cook and others. We saw a coffin being carried out of the entrance. I think a niece of Hitlers was living there and then she died, she continued. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Stunning Google Earth View images show our planet at its most spectacular Government says flights from China still allowed as UK cases rise to 9 Sajid Javid quit because he didn't want to 'rock the boat' "There was speculation of how and when she died. I think there was truth in it that the coffin was carried out and in it was a woman. But there was no confirmation ever - and you couldnt talk openly. Story continues Frank Stock- who was born Augsburg in 1918, said the fear of retribution was strong even at the early stage of Hitler's career. She said: "We had a wonderful cook who was elderly and very Catholic - and very anti-Hitler. Once she went out and saw a photo of Hitler hanging on the wall and she said: Yes he should be hanged, the scoundrel - but not like this! Alice Frank Stock's parents, August and Valerie, pictured in 1930. (SWNS) "I said: Youll get us all into a concentration camp. When asked what she would say to Hitler now, Alice said: "I wouldnt want to talk to him because my feelings would be too strong - I couldnt." Hitler remained the property until 1934 and moved after becoming German Chancellor. Newark, NJ, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As per the report published by Fior Markets, the global self-adhesive labels market is expected to grow from USD 29.42 billion in 2017 to USD 46.19 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 5.80% during the forecast period from 2018-2025. The self-adhesive labels market is growing at robust growth rate, owing to its ease of access, increasing demand from e commerce industry, and rising consumer awareness about information of the product on packaging. The rise of e commerce has increased demand for packaging, which uses self-adhesive labels. E commerce has gained the considerable interest among the consumer, owing to its various advantages. E commerce industry is rising very rapidly across the globe, which is providing many potential opportunities for the vendors of self-adhesive labels in the upcoming years. Self-adhesive labels are special type of labels that are made by using pressure sensitive adhesives. Thus, they only require the pressure of a finger or hand to be applied onto a surface. In other words they are self-adhesives. Self-adhesive labels generally contain important information such as barcode, product description, expiry date, tracking code of the product. Thus global increase in trade and as well as rising consumption of pharmaceuticals, FMCG and consumer goods is anticipated to fuel the increase in demand for the self-adhesive labels. Global self-adhesive labels market is expected to witness rapid growth over the forecast period, owing to increasing demand from various end user industries. In addition to this, emergence of ecommerce industry and development of newer innovative labels is driving the global demand for self-adhesive labels. Whereas high investment cost, cost effectiveness of wet glue labels as well as increasing preference for directly print on the packaging are projected to hamper the market growth over the forecast period. DOWNLOAD FREE SAMPLE REPORT AT https://www.fiormarkets.com/report-detail/375919/request-sample Key players operating in the global self-adhesive labels market include are Avery Dennison, CCL Industries, Constantia Flexibles Group, UPM-Kymmene, Multi-Color Corporation, Coveris holdings S.A., Fuji Seal International, Huhtamaki, LINTEC, and Torraspapel Adestor, ETIS, Flexibles Group GmbH, Muroll GmbH, Royston Labels Ltd., and S&K LABEL among others. To enhance their market position in the global self-adhesive labels market, the key players are now focusing on adopting the strategies such as recent developments, product innovation, joint venture, mergers & acquisitions, collaborations, and partnership. To effectively compete and help the consumers differentiate between the products firms are increasingly launching innovative products. For instance in 2016, Constantia Flexibles group announced its collaboration with Thinfilm, to deliver pressure sensitive labels utilizing Thinfilms NFC OpenSense technology to leading brands within the beverages industries for consumer engagement and mobile marketing applications. In October 2019, Avery Dennison announced the launch of new label adhesive technology called Surfas, rPE and rPET liner with ORUS, a one-roll unique service programme, more than 30% recycled PET bottle content, and a digital inkjet portfolio. In February 2017, CCL Industries Inc. announced the binding agreement to acquire a 70% stake in privately owned Super Label Mfg. Co. ("Super Label"), based in Mumbai, India, to enter into the Indian market. Release liner segment held the largest market share of 56.19% in 2017 Type segment is divided in to release liner, linerless. Release liner segment emerged as the largest segment with a 56.19% share of market revenue in 2017. Release liners can be cut be cut in any shape and are easy to apply over the packaging surface. Permanent segment is anticipated to progress at the highest CAGR of 8.07% over the forecast period Nature type segment is categorised into permanent, removable and repositionable. Permanent segment is anticipated to progress at the highest CAGR of 8.07% over the forecast period. Ability of permanent labels to remain stuck on the uneven surface and their durability are the main drivers that are expected to drive this increase in demand. Flexography held the largest market share and valued at USD 7.98 billion in 2017 Printing technology is segmented into digital printing flexography, lithography, screen printing, gravure, letterpress, and offset. Flexography segment to dominate the market with USD 7.98 billion revenue in 2017. Ability to print on various types of surface, print durability and consistency in printing patterns are the main factors that are boosting this increase in demand. Food and beverages segment held the largest market share of 32.61% in 2017 Application segment is divided into consumer durables, pharmaceuticals, food & beverages, home & personal care products, retail labels and others. Food and beverages segment emerged as the leader in global self-adhesive labels market with a 32.61% share of revenue in 2017. This rise in demand can be attributed to increasing consumption of packaged food as well as fruits and vegetables across the globe. These labels help in identifying source, ingredients, quantity, and best before date of the labelled product. Browse full report with TOC at https://www.fiormarkets.com/report/global-self-adhesive-labels-market-by-type-release-liner-375919.html Regional Segment Analysis of the Self-Adhesive Labels 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. Africa. Rising demand for food and beverages, consumer durables, pharmaceuticals as well as personal care products steered Asia Pacific region to emerge as the global leader in self-adhesive labels market with USD 11.30 billion revenue in 2017. Moreover, the growth of e commerce industry, specifically in the China and India, further boosting the growth of market in the region. About the report: The global self-adhesive labels market is analysed on the basis of value (USD Billion), volume (Million Sq. Meters), imports (Million Sq. Meters) and exports (Million Sq. Meters). 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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Contact Us Avinash D Head of Business Development Phone: +1-201-465-4211 Email: sales@fiormarkets.com Web: www.fiormarkets.com To Read Top Industries Reports, Visit our Affiliated Website: https://www.mrinsights.biz/ Related Reports Global Flat Glass Market - https://www.fiormarkets.com/report/global-flat-glass-market-by-technology-float-rolled-367088.html Global Gas-Insulated Substation Market - https://www.fiormarkets.com/report/global-gas-insulated-substation-market-by-voltage-medium-voltage-367089.html Global Carbon Fiber Prepreg Market - https://www.fiormarkets.com/report/global-carbon-fiber-prepreg-market-by-resin-type-367090.html Global Ferrite Market - https://www.fiormarkets.com/report/global-ferrite-market-by-type-hard-soft-application-367091.html 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 Nirbhaya Case: Supreme Court rejects Vinay Sharma's plea challenging mercy plea rejection India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, Feb 14: Supreme Court on Friday rejected a plea, filed by Vinay Sharma, a convict who was involved in the Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case challenging the rejection of mercy plea by the President of India. The Supreme Court also said in its order, that the medical reports suggested that the convict is psychologically fit and his medical condition is stable. The Apex Court dismissed his petition, finding it lack of merit. Earlier, Vinay Sharma had claimed in the Supreme Court that the President had not considered his "mental stability" that he suffered due to torture in jail while rejecting his mercy petition. However, the centre denied Sharma's claims and said that he was "fit and of sound mind". The Supreme Court also said that the materials, that included Vinay Sharma's medical report, was placed before the President who applied his mind in rejection of mercy plea. Vinay Sharma through his lawyer had made a last-ditch effort on Thursday 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 and developed mental illness. The Centre opposed convicts' 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 AS Bopanna had reserved its order on Sharma's plea challenging the rejection of his mercy petition by President. Talks on the future relationship between the UK and EU will formally start at the beginning of March and opening exchanges will have an important impact on Pound Sterling sentiment. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told EU MEPs this week that the EU is seeking a unique and unprecedented deal. "We will enter these negotiations with the highest ambition because good old friends like the UK and us shouldn't settle for less,". She also said, however, that the UK would have to accept a "level playing field" on rules and standards. EU Brexit chief negotiator Michel Barnier inevitably took a tough tone with comments that; the UK to have "no illusion" about the future of its financial services sector which won't enjoy special treatment. According to Barnier, "there will not be general, open-ended, ongoing equivalence in financial services," In a speech this month, UK Prime Minister Johnson was adamant there was "no need" for a free-trade deal to involve accepting EU rules on competition, subsidies, social protection or the environment. Clearly these is a strong economic incentive for both sides to reach a deal as quickly as possible, especially as the Chinese coronavirus will pose an additional threat to global trade. Political tensions will, however, inevitably be very high and could easily swamp rational economic considerations. For Sterling markets it will be very important whether the UK adopts a relatively low-profile tone or looks to whip up UK public opinion in an attempt to gain concessions. According to an ING report this week, there is some early evidence that public interest in Brexit news is falling. It makes reference to a Populus survey which stated that less than 20% of the public noticed news stories about Brexit during January, even in the week where the UK left the EU. In contrast, at the height of tensions last year this figure was above 85%. If the level of public interest remains lower and the talks are engaged at a technical level, the risk of turbulence in financial markets will be lower. In contrast, an overtly political stance with provocative media headlines would pose a greater risk to markets and Sterling. Fishing talks will be a key element Fishing will be a crucial negotiating area, especially as it is a key symbol of national sovereignty. According to ING; the UK will, in theory, regain control of its fishing waters, or its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as it is officially known, once the transition period ends. This includes the rich fishing grounds that extend a couple of hundred miles off the coast of Scotland. EU nations currently have shared access to each others waters, with the exception of an exclusion zone around a countrys coastline. Fish landings are limited by quotas to help sustain stocks. Brussels is keen to maintain the status quo as part of the future relationship. Without a free-trade agreement, the EU would most likely impose its most favoured nation tariff of up to 20%. For mackerel, tariffs when added to costs set to be added by new health certification requirements and customs processes at the UK-EU border, could be seriously damaging to the industry Nevertheless, the report goes on to say that fishing may prove to be less contentious than it first seems. While it is an issue that cuts deep into the Brexit divide, access to overseas markets is critical for the British fishing industry. The UK exports most of what it catches, and imports the majority of what it eat including over 50% of cod. In essence, therefore, it is in the interest of both sides to reach a deal if political posturing can be overcome. ING concludes; we, therefore, suspect a deal on fishing is possible, albeit maybe not by the end of June as the end EU envisages. Ultimately it is a question of finding a quota-split, and way of managing them over time. If fishing can be resolved, there would be greater optimism over wider negotiations. According to ING; There are though some reasons to believe a free-trade agreement is possible this year. Trade experts generally believe a bare-bones FTA covering goods is just about feasible, assuming the UK makes concessions. BEIJING, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Vinnie Apicella, a former Forbes journalist and current China-based expat's bold new book aims to promote greater understanding between the dominant world superpower and China, a new challenger. Ten years in the making, Escape from America tells the story of a disgruntled American's unlikely journey to China, documenting triumphs and struggles before lifting the lid off society's ills and ultimately presenting a better way forward. Escape from America Book Cover Intended for a broad audience, anyone with an interest to truly "know" America and better understand its people, or who wishes to see the "real" China beyond the dazzling skyscrapers and city lights can learn something; anyone not satisfied with the status quo will be inspired. Opting for objectivity over accolades, both countries are placed under the microscope revealing keen insights in a BS-free context that few foreign writers might venture to try. Beijing-based IT professional Ting Dong shares: "As someone who's never been to America, I always wonder is it really free and prosperous? Or is it a problematic place filled with prejudice and violence? Do Americans really know China or do they still have impressions from 30 years ago? I found out from reading this book. More importantly, I know more about my own country!" About the book's pointed title, the author himself reveals: "Many writers write to inform; I write to inform and incite. I want to incite a reaction out of each and every reader with this book. Do I hate America? No. Am I dissatisfied? Yes. I want to change people's perception and persuade them to think critically, whatever their background. I present the plain truth in the pages of this work; anything less would come across as fake and dilute the intended impact." Though readers will find a balanced mix of both praise and criticism toward both countriesthings that could likely incur the wrath of some and appreciation from others, everything comes from a place of honesty and astute observation, with the desired effect to educate and enrich. "Sometimes we have to ruffle a few feathers to make people think; and then, to eventually make change happen if change can lead the way toward a brighter future," he concludes. The book is available on Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play and other popular online retailers. About the author Vinnie Apicella is an American with 15 years' experience in China. As a resident of Beijing, he teaches English, writing, and business, and provides education consulting services through his recently launched startup Shanghai EDGE Consulting: www.edgestudentsuccess.com For more information on Escape from America, visit: https://www.edgestudentsuccess.com/about/escape-from-america/ Contact Vinnie Apicella 215-550-3781 [email protected] SOURCE Vinnie Apicella Dublin, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "World - Coconut (Copra) Oil - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global coconut oil market revenue amounted to $5.9B in 2018, going down by -3.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, coconut oil consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the market value increased by 18% year-to-year. Global coconut oil consumption peaked at $6.1B in 2017, and then declined slightly in the following year. Data Coverage Coconut Oil Market Volume and Value Per Capita Consumption Forecast of the Market Dynamics in the Medium Term Global Coconut Oil Production, Split by Region and Country Global Coconut Oil Trade (Exports and Imports) Producer, Export and Import Prices for Coconut Oil Coconut Oil Market Trends, Drivers and Restraints Key Market Players and Their Profiles Consumption by Country The countries with the highest volumes of coconut oil consumption in 2018 were the U.S. (507K tonnes), Indonesia (443K tonnes) and India (385K tonnes), with a combined 38% share of global consumption. The Philippines, Germany, the Netherlands, Viet Nam, China, Malaysia, Mexico and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%. From 2011 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of coconut oil consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Malaysia, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. In value terms, India ($1B), the U.S. ($638M) and Indonesia ($545M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2018, together accounting for 37% of the global market. These countries were followed by Mexico, the Philippines, Germany, the Netherlands, Viet Nam, Malaysia, China and South Korea, which together accounted for a further 33%. In 2018, the highest levels of coconut oil per capita consumption was registered in the Netherlands (10,511 kg per 1000 persons), followed by Malaysia (4,269 kg per 1000 persons), the Philippines (2,639 kg per 1000 persons) and Germany (2,237 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of coconut oil was estimated at 457 kg per 1000 persons. From 2011 to 2018, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the coconut oil per capita consumption in the Netherlands totaled +2.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Malaysia (+8.6% per year) and the Philippines (-6.2% per year). Market Forecast 2019-2025 The coconut oil market is expected to start a downward consumption trend over the next seven years. The performance of the market is forecast to decrease slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of -1.3% for the seven-year period from 2018 to 2025, which is projected to depress the market volume to 3.2M tonnes by the end of 2025. Production 2007-2018 Global coconut oil production stood at 3.2M tonnes in 2018, remaining constant against the previous year. Overall, coconut oil production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 6.2% y-o-y. Global coconut oil production peaked at 3.3M tonnes in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2018, production stood at a somewhat lower figure. In value terms, coconut oil production stood at $5.2B in 2018 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, coconut oil production continues to indicate a measured deduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when production volume increased by 31% y-o-y. Global coconut oil production peaked at $6.1B in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2018, production failed to regain its momentum. Production by Country The countries with the highest volumes of coconut oil production in 2018 were the Philippines (1.2M tonnes), Indonesia (885K tonnes) and India (390K tonnes), with a combined 76% share of global production. Viet Nam, Mexico, Malaysia and Cote d'Ivoire lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 12%. From 2011 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of coconut oil production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Cote d'Ivoire, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. Exports 2007-2018 In 2018, approx. 1.9M tonnes of coconut (copra) oil were exported worldwide; shrinking by -3.8% against the previous year. Overall, coconut oil exports continue to indicate a slight curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2012 with an increase of 7.7% y-o-y. Over the period under review, global coconut oil exports attained their peak figure at 2.2M tonnes in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure. In value terms, coconut oil exports amounted to $2.6B in 2018. Over the period under review, coconut oil exports continue to indicate a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when Exports increased by 31% year-to-year. Global exports peaked at $3.4B in 2017, and then declined slightly in the following year. Exports by Country In 2018, the Philippines (916K tonnes) was the main exporter of coconut (copra) oil, comprising 49% of total exports. Indonesia (457K tonnes) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 25% share, followed by the Netherlands (11%) and Malaysia (6.6%). The Philippines experienced a relatively flat trend pattern of coconut (copra) oil exports. At the same time, the Netherlands (+1.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter in the world, with a CAGR of +1.0% from 2011-2018. By contrast, Malaysia (-2.3%) and Indonesia (-3.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The Philippines (+3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Indonesia saw its share reduced by -6.1% from 2011 to 2018, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period. In value terms, the Philippines ($1.2B) remains the largest coconut oil supplier worldwide, comprising 45% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Indonesia ($570M), with a 22% share of global exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 12% share. From 2011 to 2018, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the Philippines totaled -2.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Indonesia (-6.9% per year) and the Netherlands (-1.2% per year). Export Prices by Country The average coconut oil export price stood at $1,425 per tonne in 2018, reducing by -18.2% against the previous year. Overall, the coconut oil export price continues to indicate a temperate reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices for coconut (copra) oil reached their peak figure at $1,742 per tonne in 2017, and then declined slightly in the following year. Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in the Netherlands ($1,591 per tonne) and Malaysia ($1,319 per tonne), while Indonesia ($1,247 per tonne) and the Philippines ($1,296 per tonne) were amongst the lowest. From 2011 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands, while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures. Imports 2007-2018 In 2018, the global coconut oil imports amounted to 2.1M tonnes, surging by 8.4% against the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2011 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations over the period under review. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2012 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 2.4M tonnes in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, imports remained at a lower figure. In value terms, coconut oil imports amounted to $2.9B in 2018. Over the period under review, coconut oil imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $3.6B in 2017, and then declined slightly in the following year. Imports by Country The U.S. (528K tonnes) and the Netherlands (378K tonnes) were the key importers of coconut (copra) oil in 2018, amounting to approx. 25% and 18% of total imports, respectively. Germany (198K tonnes) held a 9.3% share (based on tonnes) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Malaysia (9.1%) and China (6.7%). The following importers - South Korea (58K tonnes), Spain (55K tonnes), Italy (54K tonnes), Belgium (48K tonnes), Japan (40K tonnes) and Singapore (38K tonnes) - together made up 14% of total imports. From 2011 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Spain, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. In value terms, the largest coconut oil-importing markets worldwide were the U.S. ($649M), the Netherlands ($464M) and Germany ($277M), together accounting for 49% of global imports. Among the main importing countries, Germany experienced the highest rates of growth with regard to imports, over the last seven years, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. Import Prices by Country The average coconut oil import price stood at $1,342 per tonne in 2018, going down by -25.9% against the previous year. In general, the coconut oil import price continues to indicate a temperate decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average import price increased by 35% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the average import prices for coconut (copra) oil reached their maximum at $1,811 per tonne in 2017, and then declined slightly in the following year. Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Belgium ($1,543 per tonne), while Malaysia ($1,028 per tonne) was amongst the lowest. From 2011 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany, while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the global coconut oil market. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2025. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pjisg2 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 08:01:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Crew members stand beside the trucks loaded with food and medical materials during a ceremony before their departure for Hubei Province at Haidong toll station on the Qinghai-Tibet Expressway, northwest China's Qinghai Province, Feb. 13, 2020. A total of 19 trucks fully loaded with food and medical materials worth 12.26 million yuan (about 1.76 million U.S. dollars) left Qinghai for Hubei Province on Thursday. (Xinhua/Zhao Yuhe) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 02:29:47|Editor: zyl Video Player Close Greece's Minister of Rural Development and Food Makis Voridis speaks during a press conference in Athens, Greece, on Feb. 14, 2020. The European Investment Bank (EIB) will channel billions of euros this year to Greece to assist the recovery of its economy, the lender's president Werner Hoyer told Xinhua here on Friday. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) ATHENS, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The European Investment Bank (EIB) will channel billions of euros this year to Greece to assist the recovery of its economy, the lender's president Werner Hoyer told Xinhua here on Friday. Last year the EIB committed funds of 2 billion euros (2.2 billion U.S. dollars) to credit lines for various projects in Greece, and the lender is about to sustain its contribution this year. "We will not go below this level, as Greece has a high level of ambition," Hoyer, who is on a two-day visit in Athens, told Xinhua following a press conference with Greece's Minister of Rural Development and Food Makis Voridis. "In a country like Greece, a lot of transformation has to be done, a lot of old legacy problems have to be resolved, that's our priority," he said. "Innovation is one of the issues that are pretty close to my heart, so we have the objectives of climate action, innovation, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and development," he added. The EIB signed on Friday in Athens three funding agreements with local banks and the country's power utility. The fund, totaling 300 million euros, will support Greece's agriculture, agribusiness and decarbonization. The lender aims to "make agriculture more attractive to younger people" and promote green energy infrastructure projects as "we are the climate bank of the European Union," Hoyer said at the press conference. (1 euro = 1.08 U.S. dollars) Hong Kong: Malicious behaviour condemned The Hospital Authority today seriously condemned the repeated malicious behaviour of those who damaged the Mrs Wu York Yu General Out-patient Clinic in Wo Yi Hop Road, Tsuen Wan. It said the clinic was damaged in an arson attack this morning, following another such attack on February 8. It pointed out that such behaviour would affect the safety of healthcare staff and patients. The authority said it has stepped up security at the clinic and referred the incident to Police. This story has been published on: 2020-02-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. A branch of Royal Bank of Scotland. (PA) Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS.L) nearly doubled annual profits for the second year in a row on Friday, as new chief executive Alison Rose announced a sweeping new strategy and plans to rename the bank. RBS reported a 27% rise in pre-tax operating profit for 2019 to 4.2bn ($5.48bn), and a 93% rise in profit attributable to shareholders to 3.1bn. Both measures were well ahead of what analysts had been forecasting. The strong profit growth shows continued momentum at the state-owned lender. RBS turned its first profit in a decade in 2017, before doubling profits in 2018. The bank remains 62% owned by the UK government after being bailed out at the height of the financial crisis. Total income rose almost 6% in 2019 to 14.2bn, which was also ahead of forecasts. RBS bounced back from a poor third quarter to post a profit of 1.4bn in the final three months of the year, ahead of expectations. The bank had suffered an unexpected loss in the third quarter, after a spike in PPI claims and a slump at its trading division, Natwest Markets. RBS on Friday proposed a final dividend of 3p per share and a special dividend of 8p per share, taking the total return to shareholder over the last 12 months to 2.7bn. A purpose-led bank Newly installed RBS chief executive Alison Rose. (Dominic Lipinski/PA) These results are a reminder of the strong foundations we have built, Rose said in a statement. Our profits are up, our capital position remains strong and this year we will have returned a further 2.7bn to our shareholders. But our performance doesnt yet match the potential that exists in this bank. We can deliver so much more. Rose announced a sweeping new strategy for the bank alongside the results, aimed at building a purpose-led institution. RBS will aim to support the creation of 50,000 new businesses by 2023, focusing on female and ethnic minority-background entrepreneurs based outside of London. The bank will also aim to help 2 million people start saving by 2023. Read more: New RBS boss Alison Rose to plot fresh path for the bank Story continues Rose, who became CEO in November, also wants the bank to take a leading role tackling climate change. The bank pledged to become climate neutral by 2025 and to at least halve the climate impact of its lending, as well as increase funding for sustainability initiatives to 20bn. RBS will also stop lending to oil and gas majors and companies that earn more than 15% of cash from coal, unless all have a transition plan in-line with the 2015 Paris Agreement. Mortgage lending will also be tied to goals around the sustainability of properties. Re-named NatWest Group Workers unwrap a NatWest Bank sign before it is erected at 250 Bishopsgate in London, on 7 October, 2017. (Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP) Executive pay at the bank will be tied to these goals to avoid them becoming soft targets. The way people live their lives has changed, Rose said. And their expectations of companies are changing too; looking for us to deliver not only financial performance but a positive contribution to society; benefitting customers and communities as well as shareholders. The future of this bank depends on us successfully delivering on both. As part of the strategy rethink, RBS will also ditch its name and rebrand as NatWest Group. The company has been transitioning away from the RBS brand for several years in a bid to distance itself from the banks financial crisis legacy. Customers will see no change to products or services as a result of this change and will continue to be served through the brands they recognise today, chairman Howard Davies said in a statement. RBS also announced a shake-up of at its new digital banks, which were launched last year to compete with startup rivals. Mark Bailie, the CEO of consumer bank Bo, is leaving with immediate effect, just three months after the banks launch. Marieke Flament, who runs RBSs startup small business bank Mettle, will takeover and run both digital banking businesses. RBS results come a day after rival Barclays posted better-than-expected full-year results. Those numbers were overshadowed by news Barclays CEO Jes Staley was being investigated over his relationship with disgraced former financier Jeffrey Epstein. On Feb. 14, 1920, Carrie Chapman Catt, American womens suffrage leader, founded the League of Women Voters. Today, the league celebrates its 100th birthday. Six months before the 19th Amendment was ratified, the suffragists who shared bold vision, personal courage, relentless tenacity and unwavering commitment wanted to ensure that their lessons were not forgotten. The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan grassroots organization, was designed to help women carry out their new responsibility as voters. As the womens movement was taking shape in the 1800s, women worked and lobbied for various rights the right to an education, the right to speak in public, the right to sign a contract or to have custody of their children in the case of divorce. However, the visionaries understood these rights were ephemeral without elective franchise, and that all other rights were within their reach with the franchise. The path to obtaining political expression and participation for women was a long and difficult one. Many of those who led the struggle, like Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady, never lived to see their goals reached or their dreams become reality. Generations of women kept up the struggle. The suffragists placed their faith in the power of the grassroots. The struggle took place through major wars and countless administrations. These women led a 72-year battle to change the Constitution. The immensity of their achievement with the ratification of the 19th Amendment made history in 1920. As Robert Cooney, director of the Woman Suffrage Media Project, noted, Had the suffrage movement not been so ignored by historians, women like Lucretia Mott, Carrie Chapman Catt and Alice Paul would be as familiar to most Americans as Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt or Martin Luther King. The suffrage movement was not just about gaining the right to vote for women. It was an effort to make our democratic system serve all citizens. How could we call ourselves a democracy when half the population was excluded from participating in the electoral process? One hundred years ago, women couldnt vote in federal elections. They couldnt hold public office. They couldnt serve on juries. They had no political voice. Women were denied their citizenship. The suffragists changed all that. In 1916, only 18 million Americans had voted. In 1920, 30 million Americans voted. And since its inception in 1920, the League of Women Voters has continued to encourage informed and active participation of citizens, help build inclusive democracy and remove barriers to voting. According to the Center for American Women and Politics, Rutgers University, women vote in higher numbers than men and have done so in every election since 1964. In 2016, 9.9 million more women than men voted. It also noted that women have voted at higher rates than men since 1980. In 2016, 63.3 percent of eligible female adults went to the polls, compared to 59.3 percent of eligible male adults. And yet, in spite of this historic opening up of the political process, many Americans today think their votes dont matter. The energy, optimism and trust of the suffragists mark a stark contrast to the prevailing political climate. The San Antonio league accepts this challenge and is leading a Voter Education Outreach campaign to give voters the information and tools they need to help them make voting a habit and a second nature. Early voting for the presidential primary starts Tuesday. The leagues nonpartisan Voters Guide is available in San Antonio public libraries for voters to get information about candidates and make informed choices. The Voters Guide includes responses directly from candidates to questions on important issues posed by the league, along with other important election-related information. The electronic Voters Guide can be accessed at vote411.org and includes responses to additional questions not included in the printed version. Businesses and other organizations are encouraged to provide the link to the electronic Voters Guide www.vote411.org to their employees to encourage civic engagement. Celebration of the 100th birthday of the league today and the passage of the 19th Amendment later this year should serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring debt we owe the suffragists. Let us pay tribute to the great and glorious achievement of those who came before us by picking up where they left off and by believing, as they believed, that we can make the system work for all Americans. Vote and encourage others to vote. A shrinking electorate is a threat to democracy. As Susan B. Anthony said, Someone struggled for your right to vote. Use it. Madhu Sridhar is president of the League of Women Voters of the San Antonio Area. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 17:21:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Jiang Li BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- As China is going all out to fight the novel coronavirus epidemic, it is sad to see that some are trying to use the human rights card to stigmatize the country's prevention and control measures. Some human rights groups, like Amnesty International, smeared China's quarantine measures as "arbitrary detentions" that have kept people as "prisoners" in their homes. It is true that Beijing has taken the most comprehensive, rigorous and thorough prevention and control measures, but only to contain the spread of the deadly virus. Locking down a city like Wuhan that hosts a population of 11 million is in every way a tough decision to make. Thanks to the sacrifice of Wuhan people, the outbreak has been largely confined to Hubei Province, of which Wuhan is the capital. For millions of responsible Chinese, they prefer to staying home, or in the rhetoric of those human rights groups, "imprisoning themselves," which is not only good for their own health, but also reduces risks for others. There are people who don't understand this, including those human rights groups. To save lives of many more others, compulsory quarantine measures are nothing but necessary. As a result of China's efforts, the epidemic has been effectively prevented from spreading to other countries, with infections outside China amounting to less than one percent of those inside China so far. It is fair to say that China deserves credit for its quarantine measures, instead of slandering. To ensure that those under self-quarantine can go on with their daily lives, local communities and authorities across China have ensured easy access to the delivery of groceries and other essentials at residents' doorsteps. Meanwhile, working from home has allowed people's work lives to function in a semi-normal fashion. Meanwhile, to make sure that the general public, both at home and abroad, are informed on the epidemic, the Chinese government is also communicating in a highly transparent manner via means like daily press briefings attended by senior officials and medical experts, and sharing information with governments of other countries. For quite a long time, some Western governments, rights groups and media outlets have gotten used to lecturing China over so-called human rights issues. They have from time to time tried to use human rights as an excuse to smear China. However, such accusations at this critical time are even more irresponsible, and offend those in all corners of China who are working around the clock to save lives and try to end the epidemic as soon as possible. Over the past four decades since its reform and opening-up, China has achieved tremendous progress in protecting and promoting human rights. This year, the country is going to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and eliminate extreme poverty within its borders. That goal, once achieved, will be a milestone in the world's history of the human rights cause. And even the current hardship will not delay the Chinese people's pursuit of a better life. As of now, the epidemic is still raging, affecting the lives of many. Those prejudiced people should take off their colored lenses and switch to a more objective and truth-based perspective on China's efforts. China Hobbles Efforts Toward COVID-19 Virus Vaccine Regime is withholding, skewing crucial data about the coronavirus Commentary As the threat of an emerging pandemic grows, medical experts are already predicting that COVID-19, the new coronavirus, will likely reach every nation on the planet. They also warn that the longer the outbreak continues, the higher the risk 1there is for a global pandemic that could threaten millions of lives. A Mutating Threat to Humanity In other words, the longer the virus goes unchecked, the more difficult it will become to find a vaccine. The reasoning is simple but devastating. Like a flu virus, COVID-19 has the ability to rapidly change its formthis is known as the mutation rate. As mutations occur, new strains of the COVID-19 virus can develop over time. Those new strains would be both familiar with the human immune system and yet foreign to the human immune system at the same time. The process is deadly logical. As the virus infects victims, it gathers more information about the human immune system. The virus then mutates so that it becomes more adaptable to the immune systems of new victims. That adaptation process makes the virus even more deadly. In fact, more than 20 strains of the virus have been found in infected people. Thats why and how COVID-19 can potentially become even more contagious and with higher fatality rates than the current strain. Plus, with an asymptomatic incubation period of up to 24 days, the potential for a greater and deadlier pandemic is all but assured. Time, therefore, is not on our side. Politicizing the Outbreak The world may be facing a global threat that should neither be ignored nor politicized. And yet, thats exactly whats happening. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is making the search for a cure to the COVID-19 virus more difficult than it already is or needs to be. For one, even though the disease has become an outbreak in a matter of weeks, Beijing is still withholding critical information from its own people as well as the rest of the world. As Jennifer Nuzzo from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security recently pointed out, As countries are trying to develop their own control strategies, they are looking for evidence of whether the situation in China is getting worse or better. However, with Beijing manipulating the numbers of both infected and fatalities, no one can say for certain if the disease has slowed, as the Chinese authorities contend. It may simply be one more false effort to save face. Needless to say, it is vitally important that all information about the virus itself as well as the status of the outbreak be made available to the proper and most capable medical authorities around the world. But information gaps persist. Researchers are still unclear on the contagion levelknown as the R0 rateof COVID-19 due to incomplete information. Data gaps in information from Chinese authorities also make it difficult to get an accurate model of the outbreak, which would help predict the spread of the disease going forward. Getting Almost the Best Help? On a positive note, Beijing has finally invited scientists and doctors from the World Health Organization (WHO) to China to help solve this very urgent situation. And yet, for more than a month, China refused the offer by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help with the outbreak. Why exclude one of the most knowledgeable resources on the planet? Does the CCP fear that it will appear incompetent? Too late. That fact spread quicker than the virus. The CCPs political pride is not only a main cause of the spread of the disease, but also a luxury that neither China nor the rest of the world can afford. More Unknowns As it currently stands, much of the information from the CCP leadership and health authorities is incomplete, confusing, or contradictory. For example, Chinese authorities have lately suggested that countries resume air travel to China and claimed that they are getting ahead of the outbreak. But given the deteriorating situation on the ground, and Beijings dissembling, how could anyone know or believe anything that the CCP says, to be true? For instance, it isnt known whether COVID-19 is a seasonal virus, more active in winter than in warmer months, or not. If it is, that would give the scientific community more time. But no one yet knows. Another theory postulates that men are more susceptible to the virus. Is that because more men in China smoke? Thats one possibility, but it remains unverified. Or more importantly, is the virus a product of bioengineering, or did it come from wild animals kept in the open market in Wuhan? If the former, a vaccine may already exist or partially exist within that same Chinese laboratory. In either case, correct information would be helpful. But there doesnt seem to be any definitive answers to these and many other questions coming from Beijing. As former CDC chief Tom Frieden noted recently, We still dont have very basic information. If we are going to get ahead of this disease, if we want to minimize the potential suffering and tragedy caused by the expanding COVID-19 outbreak, the one thing that must not be quarantined is information. Everything about it, from its origins to its mutations to studying survivors immune systems, must be made available. Fortunately, there is some good news. Biolabs and pharmaceutical companies around the world are working together, sharing information, to develop a vaccine. The CCP should follow their example. James Gorrie is a writer and speaker based in Southern California. He is the author of The China Crisis. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. By Laman Ismayilova Love has no boundaries. If two people love each other, nothing is impossible. Every February 14, couples across the globe honor their sweethearts. Flowers, chocolate, dinner and champagne all enhance the romance of the day. The celebration has a tear dropping story behind it. In the middle ages, Valentines Day was a day to commemorate the acts of Valentinus. Emperor Claudius II decided to outlaw marriage as he believed that it distracted soldiers. Despite the emperors orders, St. Valentine began to secretly arrange marriages before soldiers went off to war.There, St. Valentine fell in love with a blind girl who happened to be the jailers daughter and sent her a love letter signed "from your Valentine" on February 14th, the day of his execution, as a goodbye... If you still feel "butterflies" in your stomach, take a look at some Valentine's Day facts. Why so sweet? The chocolate looks feels and tastes heavenly. Ever wonder why we eat chocolate on Valentine's Day? Richard and George Cadbury are the two men who made Valentines Day so sweet and delicious. The English chocolate-making family produced the first Valentines Day candy box. Richard Cadbury decorated a heart-shaped candy box with a painting of his young daughter holding a kitten in her arms. In a short time, the Cadbury Valentines day had turned into one of the best occasion to offer heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. The exchange of chocolates between a man and a woman was one of the best ways to express feelings. In addition, people knew to use chocolate for seduction. It's been said that certain compounds in cacao can have an aphrodisiac effect. Perhaps that's why chocolate is such a popular Valentine's Day. Cupid...shoot the arrow! Cupid, a sweet baby with wings, a bow and arrow has a great power to make people fall in love. His gold and iron arrows are known to arouse passion or heartbreak. In Roman mythology, Cupid is the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Between 14th and 17th centuries, many artists created their art works that showed Cupid as a baby angel. In the late 1800s, baby angel began to appear on Valentines Day cards. Today, Cupid is seen as one of the most iconic symbols of love and romance. Be my Valentine! Valentine's Day is known for exchanging cards. The oldest record of a Valentine was a poem written by a French medieval duke named Charles to his spouse in 1415. Charles wrote to his lover while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London at just 21 years old. During his twenty-four year captivity, he composed over five hundred poems. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards. The ribbon that adorns modern-day Valentines, is rooted in the Middle Ages. When knights competed in tournaments, their sweethearts often gave them ribbons for good luck. Roses are red... Roses are red. Violets are blue. If I could pick anyone. I would pick you! There is nothing quite like the fragrance of flowers in full bloom. Those wishing to turn their feelings into a blossoming love delight their sweethearts with beautiful red roses. Over 50 million roses are given for Valentines Day each year. Why roses are so popular on Valentine's Day? In Greek mythology, rose bushes grew from the ground through Aphrodites tears and the blood of her lover, Adonis. For this reason red rose is the symbol of Valentines Day. The tradition of giving Valentines Day flowers dates back to the late 17th century. In Persia, King Charles II was interested in a unique form of artthe language of flowers, focused on expressing feelings without uttering any words at all. Romeo and Juliet The romantic play, "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, is probably one of the most well-known love stories of all times. This may sound strange but Juliet still receives letters on Valentine's Day each year. Over 1,000 cards are sent to the Italian city of Verona addressed to Juliet. The Casa di Giulietta or Juliet's House Giulietta has become a magnet for lovers around the world. Those wishing to express all their feelings can write directly on the special walls of the courtyard or leave a message on paper and stick it to the wall. There is an official Juliets Club responsible for answering these letters. St Valentine's Day is an annual festival to celebrate romantic love but don't forget to appreciate those you love daily, not once a year. You deserve someone who loves you with every single beat of his heart! --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The president and CEO of Sandia Area Federal Credit Union is retiring after more than 40 years in the industry. The credit union announced Friday that president and CEO Scott H. Connely is planning to retire April 1. The companys board of directors has named Paula J. Peknik as the new president and CEO, according to a news release from the credit union. Connely began his career in the credit union industry in 1979 at Tulsa Teachers Credit Union in Oklahoma, the release said. He ultimately joined Sandia Area in October 1995. Since Connelys joined the organization, the credit unions assets have grown from $79 million to $770 million, and membership has increased to nearly 70,000 members, the release said. Supreme Court judge, Justice R Banumathi fainted during the hearing of 2012 Delhi gang rape case on Friday. The judge soon regained consciousness and was escorted out of the court. The incident happened while the court was hearing Centres plea seeking the apex courts permission for separate executions of the four convicts in a challenge to the Delhi High Courts decision against it. All the four convicts, except for one, have exhausted all their legal remedies and a deadline given to the convicts to use all their legal options by the Delhi High Court has passed. The Delhi High Court on February 5 granted a weeks time to the four convicts to avail of all legal remedies available to them and said that the convicts cannot be hanged separately since they were convicted for the same crime. The Bench was dictating the order adjourning the case when Justice Banumathi fainted. News agency PTI said she was taken on a wheelchair for medical treatment. Justice A S Bopanna, while rising, said that the order in the matter will be passed in-chamber. Supreme Court had earlier in the day dismissed a petition by one of the four convicts, Vinay Sharma, challenging the dismissal of his mercy petition by President Ram Nath Kovind. Supreme Court cited medical reports to say that Vinay was psychologically fit and his medical condition was stable. On February 1, President Ram Nath Kovind had rejected the mercy petition of Vinay Sharma in the case. The mercy petitions of convicts Akshay Thakur and Mukesh Singh have also been rejected. A Delhi Court had issued a death warrant against the four convicts -- Vinay Sharma, Akshay Thakur, Pawan Gupta, and Mukesh Singh -- on January 7 and they were scheduled to be executed on January 22 at Tihar Jail. Later, the execution was suspended indefinitely by a Delhi court. The case pertains to the gang-rape and brutalizing 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. The woman had died at a Singapore hospital a few days later.. By Saqib Iqbal Ahmed and Uday Sampath Kumar NEW YORK/BENGALURU (Reuters) - The rapid spread of the coronavirus disease is taking a toll on the $46 billion global ocean cruise industry. Dominated by three U.S.-listed companies, Carnival Corp , Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings , the industry is under sharp scrutiny following the virus outbreak that has left one ship quarantined in Asia. Many see Asia as a potential growth area for cruise tourism: 39 cruise brands were active in Asian waters last year, deploying a total of 79 ships, according to trade group Cruise Lines International Association. The long-term impact of the virus on the industry is unclear and some analysts have cautioned investors against dumping cruise stocks. "We remind investors not to hit the panic button, as in the year following SARS, H1N1, and Zika, Carnival and Royal both posted positive as-reported yield growth, conveying the resilience of demand across the industry," Morningstar analysts said in a recent note. Authorities on Friday reported 5,090 new coronavirus cases in mainland China and 120 additional deaths. Cases now total 63,851, with 1,380 fatalities. Royal Caribbean Cruises on Thursday cancelled 18 cruises in Southeast Asia after calling off eight trips to China last week. It joined industry leader Carnival in warning that full-year earnings would be hit by the epidemic. Cruise liners in the Asia-Pacific region: https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/13/2091/2059/cruise%20ships.png The big three of the cruise industry - Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line - have nearly 200 ships in their global fleet. Norwegian declined to comment on the long-term impact of the virus on its business. Carnival and Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to requests for comment. U.S.-listed cruise companies: https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/13/2092/2060/Pasted%20Image.jpg Story continues Each of these companies garner a major portion of its annual revenue from the region. China, in particular, has grown as a cruise market in recent years because of its large middle-class population and expanding international tourism. Cruise companies - Asian exposure: https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/13/2144/2112/Pasted%20Image.jpg Carnival, which considers China its most significant long-term growth opportunity in Asia, has been in the eye of the coronavirus storm. Carnival's Diamond Princess has remained docked in Yokohama, Japan, since Feb. 3 after a man who disembarked in Hong Kong was diagnosed with the virus. With 218 passengers and crew infected, the British-flagged ship has the biggest cluster of infected people outside China. Another Carnival ship, the MS Westerdam, found itself stuck at sea for about two weeks after several Asian countries barred it from docking at their ports. The ship finally docked in Cambodia. Carnival has already suspended cruise operations at ports in China. The company estimated its 2020 earnings would drop 55 cents to 65 cents per share if it was forced suspend operations in the rest of Asia. The virus scare has hit shares of all cruise liner companies in recent months. Cruise ship company shares: https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/13/2090/2058/Pasted%20Image.jpg Cruise ships, which bring large numbers of people together in crowded, semi-enclosed environments, can sometimes facilitate the spread of contagious diseases such as norovirus and other gastrointestinal illnesses. The average age of a cruise ship customer as of 2018 was 46.7 years, according to Cruise Lines International Association. The average age of the people who have contracted the coronavirus is 55.5 years, according to a study of 99 patients at a single hospital in Wuhan, China, from Jan. 1-20, as reported in the Lancet medical journal. (Reporting by Saqib Iqbal Ahmed, additional reporting by Uday Sampath Kumar in Bengaluru; editing by Megan Davies, Ira Iosebashvili and Richard Chang) China reveals massive toll of coronavirus on health workers originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Chinese health officials have revealed for the first time the number of frontline workers who have been infected by the novel coronavirus. Zeng Yixin, vice minister of China's National Health Commission, told reporters Friday that 1,716 medical workers have tested positive for the newly discovered virus, known officially as COVID-19, and six of them have died. Most of the workers were in Hubei, the province at the center of the outbreak since the first coronavirus cases emerged in its capital, Wuhan, back in December. "At present, the duties of medical workers at the front are indeed extremely heavy," Zeng said at a press conference Friday. "Their working and resting circumstances are limited, the psychological pressures are great and the risk of infection is high." PHOTO: Director of the Center for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Dr. Nancy Messonnier speaks about the public health response to the outbreak of the coronavirus during a news conference in Washington, Jan. 28, 2020. (Amanda Voisard/Reuters, FILE) "This is a critical piece of information, because health workers are the glue that holds the health system and outbreak response together," Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, said during a Friday news conference in Geneva. MORE: 15th novel coronavirus patient reported in the US A team of international experts, led by the WHO, will convene in China this weekend and work with local scientists to investigate the outbreak. Americans should prepare for the possibility of community spread of COVID-19 while "hoping with the measures we've taken, we'll be able to prevent it," Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said Friday at a news conference. MORE: Here are the coronavirus symptoms to watch out for amid outbreak To that end, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tapping into existing influenza surveillance systems to create an early warning system for novel coronvirus. The program will start in public health labs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago and New York City until a national coronavirus surveillance system is established. Story continues "We have an early warning system, in the event that the virus is spreading unbeknownst to us or individuals or presenting with symptoms without a China connection," Alex Azar, the secretary of health and human services, told ABC News. "We don't have an epidemiological reason to believe that that is the case, but we are on guard." If that early warning system is triggered, the country's response strategy will change and could include mitigation strategies, such as social distancing, school closings, canceling mass gatherings, telemedicine, teleworking and teleschooling. MORE: PHOTOS: Coronavirus outbreak sparks global health emergency So far there are only 15 cases confirmed in the United States, according to the CDC. The patients are in Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. All but two of the U.S. cases are linked to travel to Wuhan, China. While there have been a few reports of disease transmission among people who were asymptomatic, "we do not believe these last two forms of transmission are the main drivers of spread," Messonnier said. As of Friday, there were 63,851 reports of confirmed cases and 1,380 deaths on the Chinese mainland. More than 81% of the confirmed infections were reported in Hubei province. There were another 81 reports of confirmed cases in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions as well as Taiwan province, and one death in Hong Kong, according to the National Health Commission. PHOTO: This photo taken on Feb. 13, 2020 in Nanchang, China, shows a train attendant gesturing to medical staff leaving for Wuhan, the epicenter of a novel coronavirus outbreak. (Str/AFP via Getty Images) Hubei province reported a nearly tenfold increase in cases on Thursday morning after health officials applied new methodology to how cases are categorized. The Health Commission of Hubei Province explained in a press release that the record spike was due to a change in how cases are diagnosed and counted, with the total number of confirmed cases now including "clinically diagnosed cases," or patients who showed symptoms of the disease and were diagnosed through CT scans of the lungs, for instance, but have not yet had laboratory testing. The expanded criteria is meant to ensure "that patients can receive standardized treatment according to confirmed cases as early as possible to further improve the success rate of treatment," the commission said. MORE: Food prices skyrocket in China amid coronavirus outbreak Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Program, said at a press conference Thursday that the overnight increase in cases from China shouldn't be considered a spike since they are being retrospectively reported. "We need to be cautious when drawing conclusions from daily reported numbers," Ryan told reporters. "We need to be very careful when reporting any extremes." PHOTO: A medical worker puts on a protective suit before entering a sports center which has been converted into a makeshift hospital to treat patients of the novel coronavirus, in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, Feb. 12, 2020. (Stringer/Reuters) There are at least 447 cases confirmed in 24 other countries, according to the WHO, which has declared the outbreak a global health emergency. There's been one death in Japan and one in the Philippines, bringing the global death toll to three. MORE: Here are the coronavirus symptoms to watch out for amid outbreak COVID-19 causes symptoms similar to pneumonia, ranging from mild, such as a slight cough, to more severe, including fever and difficulty breathing, according to the CDC. There is no vaccine yet for the virus, nor any known effective therapeutics. PHOTO: A doctor disinfects a room for medical staff with sanitizing equipment at a community health service center in the Qingshan district of Wuhan, Hubei province, China, Feb. 10, 2020. (China Daily/Reuters) Meanwhile, a cruise ship quarantined at sea in Japan has become the largest center of infection of anywhere outside China. Since the Diamond Princess arrived at the Japanese port of Yokohama on Feb. 3, at least 218 people on board have tested positive for the new coronavirus. At least one quarantine officer has also been infected, according to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, which is leading and coordinating the public health response on board. All those infected with the disease on the Diamond Princess have been brought ashore for treatment, while the other passengers have been confined to their rooms on board as the ship remains quarantined at sea. However, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced Thursday its plans for a voluntary disembarkation of guests to complete their quarantine period at a shoreside facility. A spokesperson for Princess Cruises, which operates the ship, said "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." "According to officials, guests in the first group will be tested for the 2019 novel coronavirus," the cruise line spokesperson said in a statement Thursday. "If the test is positive, they will be transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and isolation. If the test is negative, they will be given the option to leave the ship and be transported to a quarantine housing facility." All guests aboard the Diamond Princess "remain welcome to stay on board through the end of the quarantine period," the spokesperson added. Earlier in the week, the spokesperson told ABC News that 23 Americans were among those who had tested positive for COVID-19. It's unclear whether any additional U.S. citizens have been infected since then. Approximately half of all people who were onboard the Diamond Princess are from Japan, while more than 400 passengers are from the United States, according to the cruise line spokesperson. PHOTO: A bus with a driver wearing full protective gear departs from the dockside next to the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which has thousands of people quarantined on board due to fears of the new coronavirus, in Yokohama port, Japan, on Feb. 14, 2020. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images) In a video message posted online Wednesday, Dr. Grant Tarling, chief medical officer for Princess Cruises, revealed that the original case was a guest who had traveled on the Diamond Princess from Yokohama to Hong Kong between Jan.20 and Jan. 25 was diagnosed with COVID-19 in a Hong Kong hospital on Feb. 1, six days after leaving the ship. "The guest did not report any illness to the medical center while on board," Tarling said. "On learning this information from the Hong Kong health authorities, we immediately worked with the Japanese Ministry of Health who quickly developed a response plan. All guests and crew were evaluated for symptoms of the illness and the first batch of several hundred laboratory samples was taken from individuals with symptoms or suspected to have been exposed to the virus. We were advised that a number of those tests came back positive and the ship was placed under quarantine on Feb. 5, and since then, the Japanese Ministry of Health has continued to test people with symptoms and other risk factors." "I understand you may be very anxious when you hear more confirmed cases," he added. "However, health authorities expected additional cases to be identified given the original case likely exposed others and their close contacts between January 20 and February 4." Tarling said most cases on board have "mild to moderate symptoms, like a common cold or flu, and some have no symptoms." More severe symptoms have been seen among a small number of individuals, typically those with pre-existing medical conditions. "The World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control believe that the virus spreads mostly from direct person-to-person contact with ill people, such as when they are coughing and sneezing," he said. "These health authorities state there is no current evidence the illness spreads through the air ventilation systems. However, in an abundance of caution, we have maximized fresh air into all cabins. " MORE: What life is like under novel coronavirus quarantine Japanese health officials have advised that the 14-day quarantine period will end on Feb. 19, according to Tarling. "However, as the situation is evolving daily," he added, "we do not know at this time what measures, if any, will be required before or after that date." Natalie Costa, the cruise director aboard the Diamond Princess, posted a video message online Thursday, saying, "We are all hanging in there, doing fine and keeping together as a big family." "A lot of questions coming in about what we're doing during the day," Costa continued. "It changes, changes from hour to hour. We're manning the photos were getting deliveries out, different games and puzzles." "Wherever we're required," she added, "that is where we are." ABC News' Karson Yiu and Christine Theodorou contributed to this report. He erred by driving away from the scene of an accident, yet the accident in question his own car was struck from behind, but barely hard enough to leave a dent was not serious. He erred twice more, and no doubt irritated the police officers, by pulling over and then driving away again when they approached with guns drawn. But even if the Park Police officers, who received word of the accident through a dispatcher, believed he had been at fault in the collision, since when would a fender bender, or leaving the scene of a minor accident, constitute a clear and immediate threat to public safety that would justify a police chase? Answer: It wouldnt. Counties across Maryland have been struggling with school construction needs for a long time, said House Majority Leader Eric G. Luedtke (D-Montgomery), who noted during the House debate that his son attends a school that was built for 500 students but has an 800-student population. This is the single largest investment in school construction in the states history, and it sends a message to our kids that we care about them. UK's new finance minister was by Boris Johnson's side as the Prime Minister chaired his first meeting at 10 Downing Street in London on Friday after a major reshuffle that has thrown up the most Indian-looking Cabinet in Britain's history. Priti Patel, who held on to her job as Home Secretary, had made history as the senior-most Indian-origin Cabinet minister to be appointed by Johnson in July last year. That tally has now changed with not one but two of the senior-most posts in the Cabinet occupied by Indian-origin politicians. Besides the 39-year-old Sunak occupying the second-highest political office and Gujarati-origin Patel in charge of the Home Office, India-born Alok Sharma takes charge as business minister and Goan-origin Suella Braverman becomes the government's lawyer in chief as the new Attorney General. "Great to speak to HM Treasury [UK Treasury Department] this morning about our shared mission to unite and level up the country. Now down to work," said Sunak, just before attending his maiden Cabinet meeting as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Sunak, the son-in-law of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, will not only be Johnson's next-door neighbour at No. 11 Downing Street but also be seen by his side as a regular double-act as the UK Prime Minister brought the economic advisers usually split across No. 10 and 11 Downing under the prime ministerial purview. In what has been dubbed a "power grab" by some experts, this was the main reason behind Sunak's predecessor Pakistan-origin Sajid Javid the first British Asian to hold the post announcing his shock resignation as Chancellor. "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," said Sunak, who was until recently Javid's junior in the Treasury Department as Chief Secretary. His appointment has been widely welcomed, with the Pound Sterling rallying to a two-month high following the announcement. "He's someone who understands the financial and professional services sector, and has a real grasp of the issues we're facing. His experience will help him retain the good relations and trust which the sector has enjoyed with HM Treasury," said Catherine McGuinness, Policy Chair of the City of London Corporation in charge of the financial hub of the UK capital. Opening Friday's Cabinet meeting, Johnson congratulated those present on "achieving or retaining" their Cabinet jobs and called on his new team to get on with the "basic work" of improving lives and spreading opportunity. "We have to repay the trust of people who voted for us in huge numbers in December and who look forward to us delivering," said Johnson, in reference to his overwhelming win in the 2019 General Election. It remains unconfirmed whether the March 11 date for the Budget will be met after the unexpected exit of Javid, who left with a parting shot in his resignation letter against Johnson's controversial aide Dominic Cummings. "I believe it is important as leaders to have trusted teams that reflect the character and integrity that you would wish to be associated with," he said, in reference to a demand linked with Cummings for him to sack all his special advisers in exchange for holding on to his job as Chancellor. The shake-up in government this week is being widely seen as Johnson's decisive move to surround himself with ministers who will follow his brief. Suella Braverman, a staunch Brexiteer who has been critical of judges' decisions on legislation related to the UK's exit from the European Union (EU), has been brought in as Attorney General to initiate judicial reforms that the UK Prime Minister is keen to put in place. Braverman, born Suella Fernandes, is only the second female to occupy the important office and is on record as being critical of the judiciary exercising too much power over politics. The Cambridge University graduate, who has practised as a barrister in the English courts for many years, is expected to trigger a new balance between the legislative and judiciary. Meanwhile, Sharma will be playing an active role as Secretary for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as well as his additional role as President of the COP26 United Nations climate conference in Scotland later this year. A failed Gold Coast hedge fund director gifted his son luxury cars and a Rolex watch before the alleged Ponzi scheme collapsed owing $25 million. The Goldsky Global Access Fund was forced into liquidation in 2018 amid allegations sole director Ken Grace was using investors' funds for himself. Goldsky founder Ken Grace outside the Federal Court. Credit:Jono Searle Former Olympic swimmer Sam Riley and Olympic cyclist Robbie McEwen are among a long list of investors owed money by the former car dealer, who enjoyed a lavish lifestyle before the fund went bust. This included renting a luxury Sydney Harbour home with its own skippered motorboat "so he could clear his head" in the months before the collapse. A bill to adopt community policing into the constitution scaled second reading in the Senate on Thursday. The bill, which was first read last November, seeks to repeal the Nigeria Police Act Cap P19 Laws of the Federation, 2004 and to enact the Nigeria Police Act, 2019. The same bill was introduced in the eighth Senate but could not complete the legislative process before the last Senate was dissolved. Reintroduced again, with adjustments from the last version, the legislation seeks to shift from the traditional police system to a community-participatory policing, where citizens in their respective communities are brought closer to the police in the prevention, detection and resolving of crimes. This aside, if signed into law, the tenure of the office of inspector-general of police would be upped to five years. Sponsor of the bill, Halliru Jika (APC, Bauchi) said this amendment was imperative because since 1999, there have been 10 IGPs, including the present one. This is an average of 2 years per IGP. Provisions relating to the removal of a serving IGP are so crucial, that they have also been inserted in this new bill. In reality though, there have been 11 IGPs since 1999. Citing the 2019 Global Peace Index (GPI), which places Nigeria 148th among the 163 least peaceful countries of the world, Mr Jika said the recurrent deficiencies in the structure, training and welfare of the police force was as a result of the outdated legislation that guides policing in Nigeria. The present Police Act is not only fraught with deficiencies, but strangely, the major organisation, duties, and powers of the Nigeria Police Force, as encapsulated in the present Act, have largely remained as set out in the 1943 Police Act, Mr Jika said of the existing law. It is the recognition of the inherent shortcomings in the extant Police Act and the seemingly intractable challenge of insecurity in our country that has necessitated the proposed repeal of the extant Act and the enactment of a new one in its place, in consonance with the dictates of international best practices and the realities of present-day Nigeria. Mr Jika also argued that the newly passed Police Trust Fund Act may not achieve the level of effectiveness desired, except his proposition follows suit. South-west governors recently set up a regional security outfit, Amotekun, to combat rising crimes in their states. This set them on a collision course with the federal government which said the outfit was illegal. The federal government has since soft-pedalled as the governors have set up the legislative framework for the establishment of Amotekun via their respective states assemblies. Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) There has been a major backlash over the behaviour of opposition lawmakers who disrupted President Cyril Ramaphosas State of the Nation address on Thursday night Click here to read the full article. Stand down from red alert! Star Trek: Picard seems to have course corrected from its lackluster first three episodes in the engaging adventure that is Absolute Candor. At last, this show is no longer just a talky chamber drama with characters doing little more than speaking to each other while sitting in chairs of various comfort levels. More from IndieWire Intriguingly, each of the previous three episodes had multiple credited writers, while this one only had one: showrunner Michael Chabon. It feels like a more coherent effort as well, suggesting that some editing might have been done to the previous episodes to make sure all the table-setting that was necessary for this plot to kick into gear had really been done. Also back behind the camera? Jonathan Frakes! Number One himself and beloved director of Star Trek: First Contact (and slightly less beloved director of Star Trek: Insurrection.) Actually, Insurrection is an underrated gem, and while some accuse that film of being merely a two-part TV episode put on the big screen, this writer says thats a virtue, not a drawback. Insurrection comes to mind at the beginning of Absolute Candor as were introduced to Vashti, a Beta Quadrant planet that Frakes chooses to introduce to us much like the Baku planet in the 1998 film. Kids are playing, vendors are selling food, the kids make mischief on said vendors, its all relatively low-tech. Vashti is a planet set aside for a Romulan relocation colony. And into its midst Picard beams himself, wearing a Panama hat. This was 14 years ago, and right before the supernova was to hit. Combined with the beautiful production design earth-tone colors in the architecture, red leaves blowing in the wind, all warmly backlit this is the kind of cinematic feast Next Gen could never have delivered. Story continues Picard visits an order of Romulan nun-warriors called the Koat Milat their leader, Zani (Amirah Vann), has been instrumental in the relocation efforts and has taken in a young orphan named Elnor, whos bonded with Picard. The good admiral gives him a copy of Alexandre Dumas The Three Musketeers, which he promises to read to him, then shows him some fencing moves. Frakes seems to have gotten a looser performance out of Stewart here. Surely hes not going to disappear from the life of this boy, lacking any other male role model, for the next 14 years, right? Wrong! Cut to the present, and Picard wants to make a stop at Vashti on their way to Freecloud to find Bruce Maddox. But sadly, not to check in on Elnor. It seems he thought the Koat Milat would find a home for him, and that would be that. He wants to go back to Vashti because the Koat Milat are the most skilled hand-to-hand combatants hes ever seen, and he thinks his quest meets just the right criterion to be judged worthy for one of them to join his crew. Oddly, Picard explains all this on La Sirenas holodeck, where hes created an exact simulation of his French chateau. He really has become a homebody. And he has yet another hologram of Captain Rios, this one an Emergency Hospitality Hologram, to truly make him feel at home. Dr. Jurati (Alison Pill) probably likes the Bourdeaux setting for the discussion: Space turns out to be super boring. Go figure. And the only holos Rios has aboard to watch are Klingon operas. (Who doesnt want to hear the long story of how that came to be?) Anyway, Raffis upset about Picards choice to go to Vashti. Its apparently a super dangerous area these days. Just pulling all support for a few hundred thousand refugees can do that. Apparently, a Romulan pirate who commandeered an old Original Series era Bird of Prey has even been raiding shipping in the area. Picard explains that they need a Koat Milat warrior for whatever is ahead. But beware! They are enemies of the secretive TalShiar, and different from much of Romulan society, because not only do they believe in keeping secrets, they believe only in communicating with absolute candor. No ego-saving white lies here. Anyone else think the way of absolute candor sounds potentially annoying? Jurati asks. That candor is important for Picard to hear. But he gets another wake up call even before reuniting with Zani and the Koat Milat. The authorities on Vashti that control its planetary shield wont even let him beam down. Of course, they relent soon enough, but when he materializes right where he did 14 years before, no one seems to care about his presence. Those who do later only care because they resent him, but his initial glimpse of the settlement shows a group of people who have moved on. Maybe theyre not better off without Picard, but theyve survived. And its another questioning moment for our legendary character: Is he needed, really? Is there still value in being a hero, if no one recognizes youre a hero? Of course the answer to the second question is yes even if the answer to the first is a bit more unclear. Even if Picard never asked to be celebrated the fact that he simply has been so much means that to be met with indifference has to be a shock. Picard meets Zani again, who reinforces his feeling of inadequacy with her absolute candor. Is Picard really that different from Starfleet? Because he basically abandoned the Romulan rescue effort too and decided to save no one when he realized he couldnt save them all. I let the perfect become the enemy of the good, he admits. Good, this is healthy! Were asking tough questions of this character rather than just having a number of angry women yell at him, like in the three previous episodes. (Really, what was that all about?) Guess who should still be living there with the Koat Milat? Elnor! Now a grown man and fully trained in the monastic groups warrior ways, though, as a man, he can never truly become part of the Koat Milat. Picard tells Elnor about his quest. The young Romulan says he remembers the stories his one-time mentor told him about Data. He even remembered Data had an orange cat Spot! Stewarts moment of fond recollection there: Thats right! was so natural, and his best acting of this series to date. But Elnor feels like Picard abandoned him too and so, when asked Will you bind your sword to my quest? Elnor answers with a firm no. Meanwhile, back at the Borg Cube words that, thus far, have meant momentum killing scenes are ahead. But not this time! Not that there were a ton of developments on the cube with Soji (Isa Briones) and Narek (Harry Treadaway), but these moments this time were exceptionally well crafted, straddling the line between camp and glory in a way that felt uniquely Trek. Soji was watching an old holo interview with Ramdha, the one-time Romulan mythology scholar who was assimilated by the Borg and attacked her in the previous episode for being The Destroyer. Turns out in that interview Ramdha elaborates on what this whole thing with the Destroyer is about: apparently on the Day of Annihilation, the demons will unshackle their chains and answer the call of The Destroyer. Spooky. I felt seen, Soji says to Narek about Ramdha calling her that, even though she didnt like what Ramdha saw in her. Narek is getting closer to figuring out exactly what Sojis deal is. Clearly she was never programmed to know her true origins. But maybe theyd come out at a moment she feels fun and free? He takes her to a corridor that apparently has a frictionless floor they can use to slide on. Its a silly moment, but oddly beautiful: its like Bob Cratchit sliding on the street ice in A Christmas Carol. And Jeff Russos music, lush strings with a bit of organ to give it grandeur, made it rather magical. All the better for Narek to use this romantic moment to kiss Soji and get inside her head: he tells her there was no record of her passage to this cube. And he has no response when she asks if he thinks shes lying. Buzzkill. Narissa continues to get Lannister-level inappropriate with her brother when grilling him about his progress with Soji. I assume shes anatomically correct? could very much cause one to throw up in their mouth a little, especially after shes just creepily caressed his beard while he slept. This is as overripe a display of sexuality weve seen in Star Trek since Kiras Mirror Universe counterpart on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and I. Am. Here. For. It. Narek counters that they cant kill Soji until they have found if other synths like her are still active elsewhere maybe there were more than just these two sisters? Perhaps, especially since someone must have sent her to this Borg Cube for a specific purpose, for intentions unknown even to Soji. What could that purpose be? Narissa clutches Narek by the throat and gets her brother to reveal the robot girl told him shes The Destroyer. But how will she become that? Back on Vashti, Picard waits around as the only human at a Romulan bar until his window for transport opens. It doesnt go well. An ex-Senator accosts him for abandoning them. And Elnor shows up so Picard doesnt have to duel the heavy. A spurt of green blood later, and its over: Elnor has joined his quest. They beam up and Picard tells the rest of the crew that their mission has met the Koat Milats criterion for one of them to join up: its a lost cause. And its almost a lost cause from the start, because that pirate with the Romulan Bird of Prey shows up and fires on them. Its a sticky spot for sure and so welcome to see our first space battle in this time period! but another ship comes to their rescue and blasts off one of that Bird of Preys nacelles. It suspiciously looks like the Delta Flyer from Star Trek: Voyager but 20 or so years evolved. Their savior is about to smash against the planetary shield, when Picard, getting fully back into bridge commander mode, has that person beamed over: its Seven of Nine! Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero-One! (Jeri Ryan.) Seven of Nine is one person who might actually be able to spill the beans on what the Romulans want with Borg technology and how Soji might fit into this whole thing! But of course she doesnt actually say anything here. Dialogue will have to wait for next week. That is one cliffhanger worthy of the name, though. And a fine way to end this best-to-date episode of Picard. Were hungry for more. GRADE: B+ Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. At what could end up being the last time the Alabama State Board of Education met together as an elected body, one board member said hell likely pursue legal action if a constitutional amendment to remove them is approved by voters on March 3. If Im a constitutional officer elected to serve through 2022, state school board member Dr. Wayne Reynolds said, and theres a constitutional amendment that says Im removed, and the Governor chooses not to appoint me, that is a point that I would litigate. During todays board work session in Montgomery, Reynolds directed state Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey to obtain a legal opinion as to what changes occur immediately should voters approve Amendment One, which would abolish the elected state school board and replace them with commission members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The subject of the March 3 vote almost didnt come up during Thursdays meeting and subsequent work session until board members were discussing a future date for a board retreat. I may not be on the board next month, Reynolds said. Board member Jackie Zeigler, who was leading the discussion, tried to shush Reynolds to keep him from bringing it up. But Reynolds, who was elected in 2018 to represent portions of north and northwest Alabama continued. The 500-pound gorilla in the room that we dont talk about is the Constitutional Amendment, said Reynolds. The concern is immediate, and its now. We cant put it off another month. Stephanie Bell, who was been on the board for nearly 25 years and represents portions of central Alabama, said the full impact has not been considered by lawmakers who voted for the amendment in May without reading it. I think there will be chaos as a result, Bell said. And if you think we already have problems in education, theyre going to be much greater. The move to an appointed board is championed by Gov. Kay Ivey and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, who sponsored the measure in 2019. Alabama is one of seven states that elect state school board members. If voters approve the amendment, current state school board members will be replaced as soon as new commissioners are appointed. Marsh said Alabamas low rankings on national tests, turnover in the position of state superintendent, and other problems demonstrate the need for a new approach to education governance. Bell asked whether the U.S. Justice Department needs to weigh in, given that the change will impact voters and representation. With the history in this state, Bell said, it is very short-sighted to even think about disenfranchising voters, period. Under the proposed amendment, the membership of the appointed commission would reflect the geographical, gender and racial diversity of the students enrolled in K-12 education in Alabama. As enrollment stands currently, three of the nine commission members would be black. Currently, two of the eight school board members are black. Though Reynolds and Bell were the only board members engaged in the discussion during the work session, board Vice President Jeff Newman, who presided over Thursdays meeting in Iveys absence, told AL.com he is adamantly opposed to the amendment. Im not giving up my vote to anybody. Prior to the work session, Mackey told AL.com hes working hard to keep the looming vote from distracting from the daily work of the department. There certainly is some anxiety around the department, Mackey said, about if we wake up on March 4th and we dont have a board and we dont have a superintendent in charge, then whats going to happen. Related: Alabama state superintendents performance above average, school board says The amendment also converts the state superintendent to the state Secretary of Education. The Secretary would be appointed by the commission and confirmed by the Senate. Newman said he is also concerned about how that Secretary would be chosen, because it could mean that someone without any education experience could be the head of education in Alabama. Newman, who is not running for re-election in 2020, served as the elected Superintendent in Lamar County schools prior to his election to the state school board in 2012. So his opposition to the amendment isnt about saving his place on the board, he said. If I felt in any way that this would be the best thing for the kids in Alabama," Newman said, "I would fully support it, but I dont. She took the ninth spot on Forbes' list of highest-paid actresses for 2019, earning a cool $23 million. And on Thursday, Charlize Theron got to enjoy some down time from the rigors of her A-list career when she headed out for a lunch date at a popular sushi restaurant in Los Angeles. The South African native, 44, was spotted moments after she finished up her meal and headed outside to pick up her car from the valet. Shining star: Charlize Theron, 44, was spotted picking up her car from the valet at a popular sushi restaurant in Los Angeles on Thursday Oozing casual rocker chic, the Oscar-winning actress showed off her 5ft 10in statuesque figure in skin-tight black pleather Robert Graham pants as she waited patiently at the valet booth. She matched it with a black hoodie, white Adidas sneakers, large rimmed sunglasses and a stylish black purse over her right shoulder. Like more recent times, Theron had her dyed platinum blonde tresses cut short with a part on the left. Statuesque: The Oscar-winning actress showed off her 5ft 10in figure in black skin-tight pleather Robert Graham pants and a black hoodie Theron has two new films on the horizon that includes F9, the ninth installment in the Fast & Furious franchise, starring Vin Diesel, and many of the other familiar characters fans have gotten to know and love. The acclaimed actress is also playing the lead role of Andromache Of Scythia in the the upcoming action film The Old Guard, which is based on the comic book of the same name. Most recently Theron was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her role as Megyn Kelly in biographical drama, Bombshell. Leggy display: Theron was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar at the 92nd Academy Awards for her role in Bombshell Theron first gained worldwide prominence with roles in The Devil's Advocate (1997), Mighty Joe Young (1998) and The Cider House Rules (1999). She shot to superstar status when she won a Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal as serial killer Aileen Wuormos in Monster (2003), which made her the first South African to win the honor. As a result, she became one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood, commending more than $10 million a film, a figure that has continued to climb in subsequent years. Another Oscar nomination followed when she played a sexually abused woman seeking justice in the drama film North Country (2005). Theron has also had a number of lucrative endorsement deals that have included being the face of Christian Dior's perfume J'Adore and Raymond Weil watches. The Australian Border Force has swooped on a Perth couple alleged to be key players in a suspected sex racket. A warrant was executed at the pairs Balga home on Thursday, where officers found more than 500 SIM cards alleged to have been used to sell sexual services which involved the exploitation of foreign workers. The 25-year-old woman is led away by ABF officers. Credit:ABF Media A 25-year-old woman and her 26-year-old partner were both arrested during the investigation and the ABF later confirmed the Malaysian couple would be placed in an immigration detention centre. Neither had a valid visa, and acting ABF field operations commander Sally McAuliffe said both would face deportation from Australia. / -- School of Law and Juridical Sciences, APU, Pasighat conducted a program on financial educational program by SEBI, SBI and an awareness program by Art of Living recently. The purpose of the seminar was to interact with the students about roles and responsibilities of SEBI in the capital market and also about carrier opportunities at SEBI. It was headed by the prominent person from SEBI, Miss Amoni Diru, BA.L.L.B. 2nd Semester, School of Law and Juridical Sciences, who welcomed all the guests and started with a brief introduction about SEBI, she further added, "We are very pleased to have such capable members of this esteemed organization with us today who chose our university for such a good cause." Prof. Major Ashok Kumar, Vice Chancellor of APU welcomed the Chief Guest, Mr. Kennedy Rina, Asst. Manager of SEBI from Guwahati and felicitated him with a token of love. Financial educational awareness program was delivered by esteemed guest Mr. Kennedy who started with an introduction on SEBI and the established surveillance system for monitoring the trading activities in the capital markets and also interacted with the students of law. He said, "Security market is an important part of financial market and there are primary and secondary market relating to share market. The role of SEBI is to make regulations circular and guidelines for the participants of SEBI." He also discussed about recruitment at SEBI and encouraged the students to apply at their organization. Mr. Kennedy Rina explained the significance of SEBI to the students and also encouraged them to prepare for various competitive examination to get engaged with some of the government bodies / companies. Mr. Rajesh Todi, Chief Manager of SBI, Pasighat branch gave some information regarding recruitment of junior associate at SBI and encouraged all the students to avail the opportunities of jobs in bank and also shared his experience in the banking life. Sharing his experience Mr. Rajesh Todi said he served 20 years in bank. Mr. Shivjeet and his team will start a yoga workshop from 25th feb to 28 the Feb, 2020 in the APU campus for students and for staff members. The Art of Living team will be conducting a Yoga workshop in the APU campus for all the students and staff members from 25th to 28th february 2020. A program on Financial and the Awareness program was organized successfully by School of Law and Juridical Sciences, APU, Pasighat. The dignitaries present were Prof.(Major) Ashok Kumar, Vice Chancellor of APU, Dr.Rajesh Arora, CEO of APU, Dr. Baharul Islam (HOD) Law, and other faculties and students of APU. All the dignitaries shared their valuable knowledge and experience. At the end, Miss Amoni Diru proposed a vote of thanks to the invited guest for visiting the institute and explaining various important aspects to the students about SEBI. It was overall an enlightening and informative programme held in APU campus, Pasighat. About Apex Professional University Apex Professional University (APU) has been established by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh as a Statutory University under the public private partnership (PPP) scheme in accordance with the provisions contained in section 2(f) of University Grant Commission Act, 1956 and empowered to award degrees in terms of section 22 of UGC Act, 1956. APEX Professional University is also recognized by the Bar Council of India (BCI), National Council for Teacher (NCTE), Council of Architecture (COA) and Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) for various Degree and Diploma Programs. Apex Professional University is a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), ASSOCHAM and Quality Council of India. Forbes Magazine has recognized Apex Professional University (APU) as a "Great Indian Institute" and has been acknowledged as "Best Brand" by Economic Times. The University has initiated the process of its accreditation by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). Apex Professional University has established an Institute of Indian Knowledge (IIK) as a Centre of Excellence to research, standardize and validate ancient Indian Sciences. IIK conducts courses in Indian System of Architecture (Vastu Shastra), Indian Metaphysical System (Shad Darshana) and Indian System of Healing (Siddha, Ayurveda & Yoga) that equips the students to address the issues of the present world in a rationalized manner. For more details about APU, visit: http://www.apexuniversity.edu.in https://www.facebook.com/apexuniversity/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8DEslSNZ4AawA9JgLNTeRw Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1011744/Apex_Professional_University_Logo.jpg Photo:https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1090603/Event_at_APU. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the sun rose over San Antonio on Feb. 18, 1861, scores of secessionists surrounded the United States arsenal that was housed in the most famous structure in all of Texas. The commander of the Department of Texas was ready and willing to oblige his friends, but the Texans were in too much of an all-fired hurry to waste time asking for what they could simply take. A veteran of the Mexican War as well as a southern soul mate, Gen. David E. Twiggs desired only that the transfer be orderly and dignified. The previous December the 71 year old soldier had, in fact, foreseen the inevitable breakup of the Union. The week before South Carolina took its leave, Twiggs requested written instructions from his superior in the likelihood Texas followed the example of the Palmetto State. Gen. Winfield Scott complained in his brief reply that he could not get a straight answer out of the president or the war department. He wished Twiggs luck and advised him to use his best judgment. But the secretary of war interpreted the sincere appeal for guidance as a symptom of subversive sympathies. He instantly called for replacing Twiggs with a die-hard that would resist any attempted take-over regardless of the consequences. Fortunately events moved far too fast for that rash order to be carried out. Enough blood would be shed in the war to come without needlessly sacrificing more lives in a useless dress rehearsal in Texas. On paper Twiggs appeared to have sufficient forces to keep the Confederates at bay. A tenth of the entire U.S. Army, almost three thousand troops, was stationed in Texas. But only 160 were based in San Antonio, site of the federal arsenal, while the rest were scattered from the Red River to the Rio Grande. Even though the secessionists asked him to vacate the premises in early February shortly after the adoption of the ordinance of withdrawal, Twiggs presumed no action would be taken before Texans voted in the statewide referendum scheduled for Feb. 23. He did not understand that the election was merely a rubber-stamp formality. Revered Ranger Ben McCulloch issued a clandestine call to arms, and hundreds answered by hurriedly converging on San Antonio. In the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 18, several hundred volunteers silently encircled the Lone Star shrine converted into a munitions dump. Each and every one prayed that the small garrison inside those hallowed walls would give up without a fight. No clear-headed Texan wanted to trade places with Santa Anna and fire upon the Alamo. At sunrise a spokesman approached the arsenal under a flag of truce. He exchanged pleasantries with the young officer in charge before politely pointing out the silhouetted sharpshooters who had him squarely in their sights. The frightened lieutenant surrendered on the spot. At his headquarters on the outskirts of San Antonio, Twiggs enjoyed a leisurely breakfast blissfully unaware of the dangerous drama unfolding in town. Strategically placed Confederates had intercepted the messenger sent to bring him the bad tidings. Following a rigid routine shaped by 50 years of military service, Twiggs slowly dressed. Finally passing his own strict inspection, the elderly general summoned his carriage. Rounding a bend in the road, Twiggs nearly ran over two shaggy pedestrians. Before he could reprimand the strangers for their bad manners, they produced shotguns and announced he was under arrest. Twiggs was escorted under guard to the Grand Plaza, where the militiamen had gathered after the successful seizure of the arsenal. The crowd parted to reveal the old Ranger, who greeted the general with a perfunctory nod. Ben McCulloch! shouted Twiggs on the verge of losing his composure. You have treated me most shamefully, ruining my reputation as a military man, and I am now too old to reestablish it! Taken aback by the harsh but undeniably accurate accusation, McCulloch carefully chose his words. I am serving my state, the State of Texas, sir. Tears streamed down his face as Twiggs moaned, But you, sir, without papers, without notice have assembled a mob and forced me to terms. Suddenly the aged general broke down under the strain of the public humiliation and wept uncontrollably. At that awkward and painful moment, the embarrassed Texans felt more like bullies than conquering heroes. In the eerie silence that fell over the throng, a single thought raced through their troubled minds. What kind of war had they gotten themselves into? Bartee welcomes your comments and questions at barteehaile@gmail.com or P.O. Box 130011, Spring, TX 77393. TEL AVIV (JTA)President Donald Trumps Middle East peace plan will probably not achieve its stated goal of bringing peace between Israel and the Palestinians, but it might just bring about peace between Israel and more of its Arab neighbors. Heres why. Over the past several years, Israel has become an appealing partner to Arab states for two main reasons. Ever since the revolutions known as the Arab Spring toppled several regimes and undermined and threatened the stability of others, Israels stability in the region has become ever more apparent. Moreover, as Arab countries in the Gulf increasingly came to perceive Iran as a threat, Israels stability, military power and political will to limit Irans power became ever more attractive to those states. So behind the scenes, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states grew closer, sharing intelligence and cooperating on security to confront Iran. Precarious ties with Jordan and Egypt were further cemented by the joint battle against ISIS and, more long-term, by the discovery and mining of substantial gas reserves on Israels Mediterranean coast. As all of this cooperation became more visible, these Arab countries had to find a way to do so without appearing to abandon the Palestinian cause altogether. It is easy to dismiss the concerns of non-democratic regimes and argue that they can pursue their economic and security interests with utter disregard for how the public views them. But this opinion betrays a misunderstanding of the extent to which even non-democratic regimes have to navigate public opinion to ensure their continued survival. In fact, for many decades, the positive sentiment in the Arab world towards the Palestinians and the negative one towards Israel was actually used by many regimes to deflect anger away from their own shortcomings. The dramatic events of the Arab Spring made it ever more necessary for Arab regimes to remain attuned to public sentiment for their survival, but it also began to change that sentiment, as publics increasingly focused on domestic demands. This means that while empathy for the Palestinian cause remains strong across the Arab world, it is no longer uniform, and in some places it is fraying. There is growing evidence of decreased willingness to place the Palestinian cause above domestic Arab interests. Voices that in the past would have never been heard in the Arab world now appear on local Arab television and social media, questioning why their countries continue to hitch their wagons to the Palestinians, who are prone to rejecting compromise. In some cases, these voices even express open support for Israel. In the past, Palestinians could generally count on the Arab countriesnot just to openly fight wars for their cause, as they did in 1948 and 1967, but to stand firmly behind them, accepting what the Palestinians accept and rejecting what the Palestinians reject. This is no longer the case. So although the Palestinians were still able to rally the Arab Leaguea group of Arab countries, which is already a shadow of its former powerful selfto join in their rejection of Trumps plan, their isolation in the Arab world is growing more apparent. This is the most important aspect, and the greatest news, to come out of the plans introduction. Not only does the plan reflect the political preferences of the vast majority of Israels Jewswith the Likud, Blue and White and Israel Beiteinu parties endorsing the planbut it has been cautiously welcomed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar as at least a legitimate basis for negotiations. It also makes vital regional cooperation more likely to continue and strengthen over time. Israel, for its part, must endorse and adopt the plan in its entirety if it is to serve as a framework that enables the Gulf countries to pursue ever closer cooperation with Israel. It is crucial that even if Israel ultimately annexes the territory designated for Israel in the plan, it does so while making it clear that the remaining territory, assigned in the plan to a Palestinian state, would not be annexed and will be kept for a future Palestinian state. It is tempting to ridicule the American presidents vision, but the plan does offer the prospect of greater peace and prosperity for those countries in the Arab world who accept that Israel and the sovereign Jews have come back to their ancient homeland to stay. Einat Wilf is a former Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset for Independence and the Labor Party. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media or the Heritage Florida Jewish News. Kanpur: The verdict in the Behmai massacre case, in which 20 people were killed allegedly by bandit Phoolan Devi's gang in 1981, which was supposed to be delivered on January 6, has been postponed again with the next hearing listed for February 26. The date for pronouncing the verdict on the role of the four surviving accused in the case that shook the country nearly four decades ago could not be fixed on Wednesday in the absence of the original case diary (CD), District Government Counsel (criminal) Raju Porwal said. The court has listed the case on February 26 with strict instructions to the office staff and the police to trace the original CD and place it before the court, Porwal said. It has also made it clear that it will hear the arguments over the missing case diary first before listing the case for pronouncing of judgement. Porwal said the superintendent of police of Kanpur Dehat has made a written request to the special judge (UP dacoity-affected area), seeking more time to present the CD. Considering the request, the judge has given time till February 26 to search for the missing CD and place it before the court, he said. Earlier, special judge Sudhir Kumar had pulled up a court official after noticing the absence of the original CD while delivering the judgement in the case on January 18. The court had expressed disappointment over the matter. It had postponed the case from January 24 to January 30 and then to February 12 as the CD could not be traced. The court has also issued a notice to the session clerk concerned for the missing case diary, Porwal said. The court was expected to pronounce its verdict on the role of the four surviving accused Posha, Bhikha, Vishwanath and Shyambabu. Posha is still in prison, while Bhikha, Vishwanath and Shyambabu are out on bail. February 1, 2020 Ottawa, Ontario Global Affairs Canada The Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, the Honourable Mary Ng, will travel to South Africa, Kenya, and Ethiopia from February 4th to 10th to meet with business leaders, civil society and our African partners to advance common goals. Canada is committed to working closely with African nations to find new opportunities for our businesses to grow sustainably and responsibly, and to create good middle-class jobs for the people in our countries. Minister Ng will travel first to South Africa where she will participate in the Mining Indaba Conference. She will highlight the sectors significant collaboration with governments and local communities to develop natural resources in a way that promotes economic growth, reduces poverty, meets the highest environmental standards and respects human rights. Minister Ng will then travel to Kenya and Ethiopia where she will lead a delegation of Canadian clean tech companies, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and producers to meet with local businesses and industry leaders to discuss clean growth opportunities for all three of our countries. In Ethiopia, Minister Ng will join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to promote trade and investment, and unlock new opportunities for people and businesses in Canada and around the world. Throughout the visit, Minister Ng will continue to advocate the importance of deepening Canadas trade relationships with this diverse and dynamic continent to foster economic prosperity for all. The US military has been given an executive order to prepare for the possibility of a coronavirus pandemic. Navy and Marine Corps have been instructed to set their pandemic plans in motion and quarantine any service men or women who have been in mainland China since February 2. Commanders are now reviewing their plans for containing the disease in the event that it breaks out among military personnel and to play a role, if necessary, in help authorities contain the disease in the general public in the US and abroad. However, in no way 'does the planning indicate a greater likelihood of an event developing,' Navy Lt Commander Mike Hatfield told the Military Times. 'As military professionals, planning for a range of contingencies is something we owe the American people.' It comes as the number of American cases rose to 15 on Thursday, with the most recent three patients being people who had been quarantined on military bases after evacuation from Wuhan. March Air Reserve Base began running drills to prepare for coronavirus before evacuees were quarantined there. Now, the Department of Defense has told the Marine Corps and Navy to prepare for a 'coronavirus pandemic' The Trump administration has been aggressive in tackling the outbreak via travel restrictions and broadly praised China's response, although economic adviser Larry Kudlow criticized China's lack of transparency after it reported a 14,000 spike in cases on Thursday. The military is now bracing for a pandemic in much the same way that global public health officials are and have been doing. Priorities include making sure that their plans for response are up-to-date and well fit to handle this particular outbreak. Marines are further expected to 'prepare for potential outbreaks of [COVID-19]' and be equipped to 'mitigate, respond and recover from the effects in order to maintain force readiness.' The memo is not so much a call to arms as a notice to do preemptive checks to ensure readiness. It could prove important, however. The military has experience coordinating complex logistic responses, which may be required enforce quarantines and allocate resources. Because the military has outposts around the globe, its members may also become important to mounting consistent global defenses against a pandemic. 'We coordinate with other combatant commands to assess potential impacts in the event of a pandemic and we ensure the US military is poised to respond as required,' Hatfield said in a statement. '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.' For the time being, however, the primary directive is to check the travel history of service men and women and move anyone who has been to China since February 2 to containment, in temporary lodges on bases. These are the same measures currently applied to more than 600 civilians who have returned from Wuhan on evacuation flights and are currently housed in quarantine on air force and marine bases in California, Nebraska and Texas, the latter of which confirmed its first coronavirus patient Thursday. Days before the first evacuees from Wuhan arrived at March Air Reserve Base to be quarantined, troops there were put through the paces of training for CBRNE Last week, the Department of Defense also announced that it had expanded quarantine designation to 11 more bases, in case an outbreak did 'take a foot hold in the US,' as the CDC warned it could do on Wednesday, and more people had to be put in isolation. BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - The Department of Justice has charged Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei and its American subsidiaries with racketeering conspiracy and a decades-long plan to steal trade secrets and other sophisticated technology from U.S. firms. A 16-count superseding indictment filed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, charges Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. and U.S. subsidiaries with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Besides Huawei, charges have also been framed against Huawei Device Co. Ltd., Huawei Device USA Inc., Futurewei Technologies Inc. and Skycom Tech Co. Ltd. as well as Huawei's Chief Financial Officer Wanzhou Meng. Meng is currently in the custody of Canadian Government. The daughter of the Chinese conglomerate's founder, Meng is facing extradition to the United States in a previous case. The lawsuit claims that the U.S. government's investigation has found decades-long efforts by Huawei and its subsidiaries, both in the U.S. and in China, to misappropriate intellectual property, including from six U.S. technology companies, in an effort to grow and operate Huawei's business. The misappropriated intellectual property included trade secret information and copyrighted works, such as source code and user manuals for internet routers, antenna technology and robot testing technology. Huawei, Huawei USA and Futurewei allegedly agreed to reinvest the proceeds of this racketeering activity in Huawei's worldwide business, including in the United States. As part of the scheme, Huawei offered bonus to employees who obtained confidential information from competitors. Huawei obtained intellectual property relating to internet router source code, cellular antenna technology and robotics, DOJ said in a press release. By doing so, the world's largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer was able to drastically cut its research and development costs and associated delays, giving the company a significant and unfair competitive advantage, according to DOJ. The superseding indictment also includes new allegations about Huawei and its subsidiaries' involvement in business and technology projects in countries subject to U.S. sanctions, such as Iran and North Korea. The Department of Justice officials say internal Huawei documents referred to these countries using code names. The code 'A2' referred to Iran, and 'A9' referred to North Korea. Huawei employees also allegedly lied about Huawei's relationship to Skycom, falsely asserting it was not a subsidiary of the company. Huawei denies the U.S. charges. As the government's investigation is ongoing, the Department of Justice urged people with knowledge of misconduct by Huawei, its subsidiaries, employees or agents to contact the FBI's New York Field Office at 1-800-CALL-FBI. The Congress had warned last year that Chinese telecom companies like Huawei and ZTE present serious threats to the national security of the United States and its allies. Huawei was banned from buying components and technology from U.S. firms without prior approval from the U.S. government. Many US partners and allies are considering relying on these Chinese telecommunications companies to build their 5G networks, even after the U.S. government called on these countries to abandon utilizing Huawei and ZTE. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Love Island's Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury showcased their love with an extravagant display to celebrate Valentine's Day on Friday. Tommy, 20, surprised his girlfriend, 20, by decorating a suite at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Hyde Park, London, after spending the morning at The Lanesborough for breakfast. Taking to Instagram, Molly-Mae shared a series of photos from her romantic treat which showed a photo of Tommy laying on a sofa surrounded by a huge balloon display and an extravagant bouquet of roses. Love: Love Island's Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury showcased their love with an extravagant display to celebrate Valentine's Day on Friday Alongside the photos, she wrote: 'No words for this human. I love you.' The couple also shared a series of snaps on their Instagram Stories which revealed that no corner of the room was left untouched by red rose petals or foil balloon displays. Along one side of the hotel room, individual balloon displays were spaced out along the floor, with rose petals scattered upon every surface. Roses are red: Tommy, 20, surprised his girlfriend, 20, by decorating a suite at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Hyde Park, London, after spending the morning at The Lanesborough for breakfast Not even the bathroom had been able to escape the love bomb with various balloon displays filling the space. Tommy also shared a video which encapsulated the extent of the grand gesture, that involved a sea of balloons that hovered above the bed and the words 'I love you' mapped out with rose petals. One snap showed the blonde beauty posing beside a grand bouquet of red roses as she put on her best pouting display for the camera. Sweet: Tommy also shared a video which encapsulated the extent of the grand gesture, that involved a sea of balloons that hovered above the bed and the words 'I love you' mapped out with rose petals Wow: Tommy didn't hold back when it came to decorating the hotel room for the annual celebration The loved-up couple met on last year's season of Love Island and have been smitten ever since. The happy couple were recently reunited after Molly-Mae had spent some time in LA for her work with clothing brand PrettyLittleThing. Taking to Instagram Stories, Tommy documented their reunion with several sweet posts. Celebration: Not even the bathroom had been able to escape the love bomb with various balloon displays filing the space Cute: Along one side of the hotel room, individual balloon displays were spaced out along the floor, with rose petals scattered upon every surface Getaway: The loved up reunion followed a a romantic holiday in December, which saw the couple enjoy some quality time in the Maldives (pictured in January) One showed the couple cosied up as he penned 'reunited' followed by a red heart emoji on the clip. While a different update saw Molly with her white hood up as she playfully posed for the camera and he zoomed in, he captioned it: 'Back with my egg,' followed by a red heart emoji. The loved up reunion followed a a romantic holiday in December, which saw the couple enjoy some quality time in the Maldives. Wow: Also heading out on Friday night was Love Island star Laura Anderson who looked sensational in a plunging yellow silk corset top Kelly Air Force Base put food on the table when David Marquez was growing up on the Southeast Side, as it did for a lot of other San Antonians now in middle age. His parents were civilian Air Force employees. His father did logistics, and his mother was a secretary. As a young adult, Marquez also worked at the base as a machine tool operator for an aircraft-engine maintenance and repair company at Port San Antonio, which some old-timers still refer to as Kelly. Back then, he needed the focus. I was lost, said Marquez, 56. I was an underachiever in high school. Its hard to imagine him as the kid asleep in the back row of study hall. The Marquez of today, Bexar Countys executive director of economic and community development, is soft-spoken, thoughtful and a fastidious dresser. He channeled his wilder impulses into tinkering with his Honda CB motorcycle until he sold it five years ago. He still sings and plays guitar in a group at Calvary Chapel of San Antonio. After finishing East Central High School, he held down a job at an auto parts store for a while. Then his mom told him to apply for a two-year apprenticeship at Kelly. His parents wanted him to have a job like theirs, one that would give him the means to buy a house and raise a family. Marquez complied. Starting in 1986, he went to class two days a week, worked in the shop the other three and got paid for five. After completing the program, he tooled parts for Rolls-Royce T-56 plane engines and gearboxes for another five years. But he realized along the way that he wanted a college education. He left Kelly and enrolled at Texas State University in San Marcos, where he earned a bachelors of applied arts and sciences degree in 1996. He moved on to Trinity University for his masters in urban administration. Hes been with the county since 1997. Marquez has had a hand in most of the areas major corporate relocations and expansions over the last two decades. That includes Toyotas decision in 2003 to build a truck plant on the South Side, and Navistars commitment in September to assemble commercial trucks in San Antonio. The Illinois-based manufacturer plans to build a $250-million plant between Toyotas facility and Mitchell Lake, and hire 600 workers. The Navistar news arrived the same week Toyota said it would spend $391 million to expand and update its local operation. For all the fascination with tech, its manufacturing thats having its day in San Antonio. Employment growth in the sector, at 5 percent, was second only to construction last year. That was despite the drag of tariffs and worries that the economy would take a turn for the worse. 2019 was a better year than most for manufacturing, but the longer haul has been outstanding. Plant operators have hired as many people as San Antonios tight labor market which includes a lot of low-skilled workers would allow. Between 2009 and 2019, area factory jobs increased 23.1 percent a rate of 2.1 percent per year, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. One way to measure manufacturings rowdy growth is through its share of the metro areas gross domestic product, the value of all goods and services made here. Manufacturing grew 151 percent between 2008 and 2018, hitting $12.7 billion, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The San Antonio regions overall GDP gain during the same period was 68 percent, which is great except when you compare it to what happened with factory production. Its the classic 15-year overnight success, Marquez said. Its pretty amazing. And yet... Creeping automation gets a lot of the credit for the jump in productivity. More robots on the factory floor, keeping their shiny heads down and biding their time, are always watching for their big opportunity to do a Robo-Spartacus. By one estimate, 60 percent of manufacturing jobs are vulnerable to automation. Thats part of the reason I recoiled at Mayor Ron Nirenbergs comment after the Navistar announcement that vehicle assembly would create San Antonios jobs of the future. Marquez didnt see it the way I did. In his view, people who worry about factory jobs going extinct dont really understand modern manufacturing. Somebody still has to build stuff, though they may use a ton of automation to do it, he said. Im bullish about manufacturing jobs. Theyre a sustainable, upwardly-mobile career pathway for a lot of people. His old machinist job, he noted, still exists at Port San Antonio. But even if a treacherous automaton had wormed its way into that position, a human would have to program, monitor and maintain the thing. And increasingly collaborative robots, known as cobots, perform tasks in tandem with flesh-and-blood workers. Marquez sees manufacturing work as a solid match for San Antonios workforce, whose participants generally have less education and fewer technical skills than their counterparts in most other major metros. Blue-collar laborers clearly need more training than they used to certificates for some jobs, associates degrees for others and apprenticeships like the one Marquez took advantage of. Thats where workforce development programs such as SA Works and TxFAME come in. The skills gap is a global problem, said Romanita Matta-Barrera, head of SA Works, an arm of the San Antionio Economic Development Foundation. We work directly with manufacturing employers and education providers to (develop) training, up-skilling and education programs that give people the skills they need to fill jobs now and in the future. Automation is pushing the industry to address how it re-skills and up-skills workers, she said. Bottom line, Marquez and other officials are zeroing in on skills training because the money is decent, at least for workers who arent interested in pursuing a four-year college degree. The median annual pay for a factory job in San Antonio was $45,900 last year, beating the national median of $43,500. These are not dead-end jobs, he said. Ill take his word for that. greg.jefferson@express-news.net An angry mob in Ngaa-ini village, Maragua lynched a former convict after he allegedly attempted to rape his mother. Samuel Makumi, 28, a known criminal in the area, reportedly tried to rape his 50-year-old mother on Tuesday night, two weeks after he was released from prison. Residents said the woman raised an alarm after her son grabbed her and tried to remove her clothes. She was rescued by locals who executed mob justice, killing the suspect. On Wednesday after he returned home his mother raised alarm and public descended on the suspect with crude weapons. His body was set ablaze by the locals, said Patrick Mwangi, a resident in Maragua Ridge village. Locals said the deceased had been imprisoned more than three times. Last week, he allegedly threatened to kill his brother after he demanded to establish reasons why Makumi broke into the family store and stole three bags of maize. The deceaseds body was moved to Maragua district mortuary for preservation. Muranga South Deputy Police Commander Ms Dorothy Gaitenga warned the public against taking law into their hands. She also urged community leaders to educate the young on traditions, in efforts to reduce sexual assaults. Police ID Second Body Found in Faye Swetlik Case, Seek More Information Officials identified a man who was found dead near the body of missing 6-year-old South Carolina girl Faye Swetlik, saying he was her 30-year-old neighbor. The body of Coty Scott Taylor and the girls death are linked, Sergeant Evan Antley said at a press conference on Friday. Antley said Taylor was not a relative and was not a friend of the Swetlik family, according to CBS News. Further details about Taylors death will be provided after an autopsy scheduled for this weekend is performed, said Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher, who officially identified his body. Fayes body was found on Thursday just days after she had been reported missing in Cayce, South Carolina, said officials. We narrowed down an area that we felt, as an investigative team, that we needed to go back to and look for more evidence, Antley said. After she was discovered, Taylor was found dead in his home in Picadilly Square by police. The girls body was discovered in a wooded area, WNBC reported. Antley added that there are no suspects, and detectives arent looking for any persons of interest in the case, according to the local station. This is a fluid situation, and were working diligently on it, said Byron Snelgrove, the director of public safety for the town, as reported by ABC11. Antley said that while Taylor had no criminal history, he is calling for more information about Coty Taylor starting at 3:44 Monday afternoon up until the time we found his body. Faye Marie Swetlik in another family photo released by officials. Police said her death is being treated as a homicide. (Cayce Department of Public Safety) During a press conference on Thursday, Chief Byron Snellgrove said his office is treating Fayes death as a homicide. At this time no arrests have been made, Snellgrove said, reported CNN. Officials said she was last seen playing in her familys front yard after taking a bus home from school on Monday. It prompted nationwide attention while hundreds of investigators and officers carried out a search. Vice President Mike Pence commented on the girls death while he made an appearance at South Carolina military college The Citadel. Allow me to address an issue that I know is on the hearts of people all across South Carolina today. 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, Pence said on Thursday. Antley told CNN that around 3:45 p.m. on Monday, her family noticed the girl was missing. Police were called at 5 p.m. According to local media, surveillance cameras captured her leaving the bus wearing a T-shirt with the word Peace on it. When she walks into a room she brightens it up. Everyone loves Faye, Snellgrove told reporters. Faye loves dresses, fancy shoes, spending time with her family, cats, and playing outside. A downtown Bismarck mural created by local artist Shane Balkowitsch was vandalized Thursday, a day after he canceled plans for a mural of Swedish teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg due to threats of boycotts and talk of possible vandalism against the business where it would have been displayed. Meanwhile, the Thunberg mural was on the verge of finding a home across the state in Fargo. Balkowitsch's mural "Liberty Trudges Through Injustice" in the alley next to Capital Gallery was egged. The mural depicting Lady Liberty was inspired by the painting at the Louvre "Liberty Leading the People" by Eugene Delacroix. "The fact that it's Lady Liberty being smeared, it seems poignant and telling," Balkowitsch said. "These are First Amendment things, freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of the arts." Police were notified and officers investigated the scene, Officer Lynn Wanner said. She had no immediate information on whether there were any suspects. The mural is an aluminum panel with a layer of varnish. Balkowitsch said he won't know until it's cleaned whether there is permanent damage. Cleaning was planned Friday, when the weather was forecast to warm. Balkowitsch specializes in a form of glass plate photography that dates more than 150 years. He had planned a mural of Thunberg on an exterior wall of Brick Oven Bakery. The plan drew hundreds of negative comments on social media, some referencing possible boycotts and vandalism. Balkowitsch, who had planned the mural as a celebration of art and not as a political statement about fossil fuels, pulled his application with the city Wednesday, saying he didn't want to see a business threatened due to his work. Balkowitsch uses a photography method known as wet plate collodion" that involves wetting glass with various chemicals before inserting the plate into a camera and then developing the photo. His art is displayed in places ranging from the Smithsonian Institution to the Library of Congress to the Swedish History Museum. The image of Thunberg, titled "Standing for Us All," is one he preserved when she visited the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in October. Former Fargo city commissioner and deputy mayor Mike Williams said he is leading an effort to buy the mural for an undisclosed price and bring it to that city. He said it will be a team effort involving himself, his wife, Susan, and "contributions from the community." "We've identified a couple of potential sites; we'll seal the deal either tonight or tomorrow," he said Thursday afternoon. "It's a real opportunity. It will be nice to have this grassroots effort to find a nice spot for a nice piece of art." Williams, an insurance company risk manager who is concerned about climate change, is bringing the mural to Fargo not to make a point but to boost public art and expression, he said. He is not worried that the mural might be controversial or a target for vandals. "Public art and freedom of expression is part of what we celebrate as a country," he said. "We've had public art (vandalism) issues before. It always can be a challenge. You just keep putting it back up." Balkowitsch said he is pleased the mural is finding a home. "Within 24 hours of us losing this piece here in Bismarck, Fargo is going to rectify that matter," he said. Reach Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com. Love 5 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 20 Angry 26 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WASHINGTON Gov. Andrew Cuomo and President Trump failed to resolve their differences Thursday in a White House meeting about the administrations decision to prevent New Yorkers from enrolling in trusted traveler programs. But after days of escalating rhetoric between the two leaders, Trump and Cuomo agreed to keep talking and try to find a solution. The president said that this is an issue he wants to work on and that he would follow up with the governor next week, Cuomo communications director Dani Lever said in a statement. The White House meeting took place a week after the Trump administration said it would immediately bar New Yorkers from enrolling in trusted traveler programs including Global Entry. The programs allow vetted travelers to avoid long lines for security screening at international airports and at border crossings with Canada and Mexico. Trump blamed the ban on New Yorks new law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses, while barring federal immigration agents from accessing state motor vehicle records. Cuomo called the decision political retribution. The Department of Homeland Security said the state law endangers public safety by making it tougher for immigration and border agents to confirm an ID, check for fugitive warrants or see if a person has a criminal record. In the meeting Thursday, Cuomo reiterated that he would allow federal officials to access DMV records only for those who apply to one of the trusted traveler programs, Lever said. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said the meeting with Cuomo was productive and that New York and federal officials will to try to find a compromise. New York is the only state that restricts CBP (Customers and Border Protection) access to their data across the board from law enforcement, customs, trade and travel facilitation purposes, Wolf said in a statement after the meeting. Despite that, we will continue discussions with the state of New York to find a mutually agreeable solution. Before Thursdays meeting, Trump criticized Cuomo on Twitter and insulted the governors brother. Im seeing Governor Cuomo today at The White House, Trump tweeted. He must understand that National Security far exceeds politics. New York must stop all of its unnecessary lawsuits & harassment, start cleaning itself up, and lowering taxes. Build relationships, but dont bring Fredo! Trump has used the name Fredo, one of the Corleone brothers in The Godfather, to mock Cuomos bother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo. Read more Whos affected by Trumps crackdown on NYs trusted travelers Cuomo: NY will give feds access to some DMV records to end Trumps Global Entry ban Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 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. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Washington, D.C., February 14, 2020 The New York Police Department should not use anti-terror laws in an attempt to access journalists data, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 9, 2019, the NYPD issued a subpoena to Twitter requesting private data connected to the account of Tina Moore, the bureau chief of police coverage for the New York Post, a local daily, according to a report published yesterday by paper. The police department withdrew the subpoena on February 12 after being contacted by the newspapers lawyers, according to that report. According to a copy of the subpoena posted on the New York Posts website, the department requested the data under the authority of the USA Patriot Act, a post-9/11 anti-terrorism law. Using the Patriot Act to subpoena a journalists social media data is not only a gross overstep by the New York Police Department, it is reminiscent of how countries without democratic safeguards use anti-terrorism laws to dampen or retaliate against critical journalism, said CPJ Advocacy Director Courtney Radsch. Police should respect reporters right to keep source information private, rather than subpoenaing tech companies to gain information on journalists and their sources and methods. The subpoena requested that Twitter turn over connection logs, the IP address history, and other information concerning Moores account from October 9 to 14, 2019. During that time, Moore tweeted crime scene photos that the New York Post said appear to be at the center of the NYPD subpoena. In an email to CPJ, NYPD spokesperson Sergeant Jessica McRorie said that the department was conducting an investigation to identify the person who leaked crime scene photos. Tina Moore was never the focus of our investigation. McRorie declined to answer questions about the use of the Patriot Act or the press freedom implications of the subpoena. Ian Plunkett, director of global policy communications at Twitter, told CPJ in an email that, per the companys legal guidelines, Twitter may notify users of a legal request pertaining to their accounts. He confirmed that Twitter did not comply with the NYPD subpoena. Anti-terror legislation is used around the world to surveil, jail, and threaten journalists; in 2019, anti-terror legislation was used against journalists in Turkey, India, Russia, Nigeria, and Nicaragua. NEW YORKA lawyer for Harvey Weinstein told jurors Thursday that he was the victim of an overzealous prosecution and that prosecutors were acting like moviemakers, inventing an alternative world in which women are not responsible for their own behaviour. During a five-hour closing argument, the lawyer, Donna Rotunno, argued that Weinsteins accusers had chosen to engage in consensual and often transactional relationships with him to advance their own careers. Rotunno said prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorneys Office had woven a sinister tale during Weinsteins rape trial, depicting him as a monster and his accusers as innocent, passive victims. But, she asserted, the prosecution lacked the evidence to prove it. In their story, they have created a universe that strips adult women of common sense, autonomy and responsibility, she said. 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. Weinstein, 67, a former powerhouse producer in Hollywood, has pleaded not guilty to five felony charges, including rape, criminal sexual assault and predatory sexual assault. Prosecutors will present closing remarks Friday. The jury of seven men and five women will begin deliberating Tuesday. For a month, Weinstein listened as six women took the stand and testified that he had sexually assaulted them. He declined to testify himself. 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 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 behaviour, even though their allegations are too old to be charged as crimes under New York state law. 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. Four days since officials announced the surprise closure of Concordia University-Portland, the cause of the shutdown remains something of a mystery. Clearly it was about money. But was it also about gay rights? Indeed, Concordia was suffering significant financial problems. Declining enrollment had created cash flow issues. But in November, the universitys conservative parent organization threw the local operation a $4 million lifeline and took a series of other steps to strengthen the schools balance sheet. The support came with a major caveat, however: The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod wouldnt help out again unless the Portland school addressed its campus resource center that supports students who are gay, lesbian, trans, queer and nonbinary. Barely two months after receiving approval for the financial support, Concordia announced its Board of Regents had voted to close anyway. Its unclear whether the issues with the resource center weighed into the boards vote. Political issues had divided Concordia with its conservative religious parent for years. Synod officials had been deeply unhappy with the relatively liberal Concordia University-Portlands decision to allow the resource center to open on campus in 2018. At a Nov. 3 meeting of the synods board of directors in Houston, they passed a resolution stating they were determined to withhold further financial assistance until the university has substantively addressed the issues regarding the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center and brought its articles and bylaws back into conformity with the requirements of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The synod is vehemently anti-gay rights, arguing homosexuality is a sinful distortion of His desire that one man and one woman live together in marriage as husband and wife. God, the synod states on its website, categorically prohibits homosexuality. Compare that to the language from Concordias administration when the school opened the resource center: We look forward to furthering Concordias commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, fulfilling our ongoing mission to prepare leaders for the transformation of society, wrote then-President Charles Schlimpert. He also announced plans for additional steps, including dedicating a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and training faculty, staff and administration to support them. He also pledged to meet in person with all members of the schools Queer Straight Alliance and to re-open discussion of the club and events policy. While Concordia Portland may have been more progressive than its parent organization, it too could be an intolerant place according to students and former students. Students fought for years to form a LGBTQ club on campus and to stage social events. They managed to form a Gay-Straight Alliance, only to have their charter revoked by the administration. Hannah Stalter, a Concordia junior, said the schools policy was that all clubs and events must be in accordance with the LCMS Doctrine. The doctrine, coincidentally, states that homosexuality and homosexual behaviors are a sin, Stalter said. Always, there was tension between students demanding recognition and rights and the conservative leadership in Missouri with the administration in Portland going back and forth between the two camps. The administration later allowed a new Gender & Sexuality Resource Center to operate out of a small office upstairs from the cafeteria. Andrew Perry, a 21-year-old junior from San Jose, said it was well known on campus that LGBTQ issues had become a divisive issue between Concordia and its parent organization. Im a Christian, I actually grew up in the Lutheran church, Perry said. I can see how their conservative values have hurt people. In the recent years, theres been conflict in that area. Im not sure how thats affected the decision to close this campus. Stalter and Perry protested the closure with about 100 other students, teachers and neighbors Thursday morning. Stalter said she feels duped by the colleges assurances that it was on solid financial footing. In February last year, students became alarmed when Concordia closed its college of arts and sciences. The administration told them to relax, everything was fine. Then, one year later, they tell us, sorry, you cant graduate, Stalter said. They have not been transparent with us. In fact, an independent audit in 2018 was somewhat reassuring. Enrollment and revenue were down, but the auditing firm Moss Adams reported there was no reason to doubt that Concordia was a going concern. You have to get to Note No. 22 accompanying the financial statement to read the first real hint of financial distress: Unrestricted net assets had decreased, leading to a cash flow problem. The university is also currently operating under significantly tightened expense controls, reducing both personnel and non-personnel costs, the audit stated. Turnover has been high in the Concordia management. The college is on its third president since 2018. It has also lost senior financial managers, admission and financial aid officials and others. By fall of 2019, the schools financial condition had further deteriorated requiring a major restructuring of its debt. Minutes from the synods Board of Directors meeting in November revealed that Concordia defaulted on certain bond covenants with Key Bank and with the Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Issuing bonds is a common way for governments and non-profit institutions like colleges to raise cash. In this case, Key Bank had purchased the bonds from Concordia, and the college still owed the bank a principal balance of $5.2 million. The extension fund stepped in and agreed to buy the Concordia bonds from the bank. The synod also agreed to extend a $4 million supplemental line of credit of to the college. The new money would be available to Concordia through November 2020, according to the meeting minutes. In return, the minutes note, Concordia had created a detailed financial recovery plan that included numerous cost-saving contingencies. Concordia anticipates a full recovery, the minutes said. It was at this same meeting, that the synod board passed the resolution to demand that Concordia address its resource center issues. If Concordia didnt get in line, the resolution stated, the synod will not again approve any financial action for the benefit of the university. Thirteen weeks later, Concordia announced it would close permanently in May. Concordia spokeswoman Liz Loulan declined comment and steered inquiries to synod officials. Bonnie Parker, with the synod communications office, referred reporters to Loulan. These are trying times, and we ask for the prayers of all as we seek to move forward according to the will of God, said the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, president of the synod. I thank the people of Concordia, Portland, who have worked tirelessly to fulfill their vocations of love to their Lord and their neighbor. Gods plans are not always our plans, and His ways are beyond our searching out. Not for the first time, Dr. Godwin Frdiay (inset), Leader of the Opposition, has chastised the government for what he sees as their lack of care and attention for the Ottley Hall Marina and Shipyard. The Ottley Hall Marina and Shipyard cannot succeed under this administration. So said Leader of the Opposition Dr Godwin Friday as he made his contribution to the Budget Debate last week Tuesday. In his 2020 Budget presentation, Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves said that government had made a number of diligent efforts, with local and foreign investors, to optimize the potential of the Marina and Shipyard, but the results were suboptimal. The Minister did, however, recognize that the facility can maximize its economic and developmental impact if it is well run as private sector entity. Discussions, he said, were currently in train with one such private entity. But according to the Leader of the Opposition, the facility did not function anymore, and he accused the Unity Labour Party (ULP) led administration of destroying the facility. "They mash it up! Dr. Friday lamented. "The comments made by Minister Gonsalves amounted to him paying lip service, they were very vague, and there was no allocation in the budget for work to be done to the facility, Dr, Friday added. "It makes me angry to see that you can take a public facility that was so vilified but had so much potential, to leave it to rot and rust, Dr. Friday said, adding that the facility could be used to train and employ young people with high skilled jobs. However, he continued with his lamentation, "Right now, the facility was nothing. Services that local boats and other marine operators need, they now have to journey to other places to receive, when they could have gotten them at the Ottley Hall Marina. "Nobody seems to care. But I care because I know that it can provide jobs for young people, Friday said. In a report to Parliament last year, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves disclosed that the dry dock of the facility was damaged in September last year. Brampton, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2020) - Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. (CSE: SNA) (CSE: SNA.CN) ("Star or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that creditors have accepted the Corporation's formal Proposal to settle outstanding debts. As a result of today's meeting, the Proposal Trustee will seek Court approval of the Proposal, which, if approved, will remove approximately $3.3 million in debt from the Corporation's balance sheet. This process was commenced by the former CEO of the Corporation, Mr. Viraf S. Kapadia, immediately prior to a Special Meeting of Shareholders held December 11, 2019. Immediately after the meeting, Star's new Board of Directors terminated Mr. Kapadia as CEO and appointed Mr. Peter M. Clausi as Interim CEO. The Corporation can see no reasonable explanation for Mr. Kapadia to have commenced the process other than to advance his self-interests at the expense of the Corporation. In this process, Mr. Kapadia alleged he was an unsecured creditor of the Corporation mainly in respect of a claim for more than $2,100,000 for accrued and unpaid salary ("Related Party Debt"). However, the Proposal Trustee did not permit Mr. Kapadia to vote his claimed debt on the basis that Mr. Kapadia was a non-arm's length party pursuant to Canada's Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Mr. Kapadia had actually wanted to vote against the Proposal and sought to bankrupt the Corporation with the effect of destroying all shareholder value. Instead, Mr. Kapadia will receive approximately $55,000 as an unsecured creditor. His alleged secured debt of some $67,000 has yet to be proven and remains an unresolved issue. Mr. Clausi said, "We are very pleased by today's supportive vote in favour of acceptance of our proposal. I want to assure all concerned parties, staff, trade partners, customers and investors that everyone at Star was confident that today's vote would be positive and we are all excited about getting down to the hard work ahead. Star has a bright future and having this process settled will allow everyone here to concentrate on the important things." While Mr. Kapadia has the right to appeal today's decision, the Corporation believes his chances of success on appeal are minimal. In related news, Star previously brought a motion in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice - Commercial List to enforce the settlement reached with Mr. Kapadia on January 22, 2020. Mr. Kapadia has denied the existence of such a settlement. A significant portion of that settlement involved the Related Party Debt referred to above. Since the Related Party Debt has been extinguished by today's creditor meeting, the settlement has become moot and, therefore, Star reports that it has abandoned its motion to enforce the settlement. About Star Navigation: Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. owns the exclusive worldwide license to its proprietary, patented In-flight Safety Monitoring System, STAR-ISMS , the heart of the STAR-A.D.S. and of the STAR-ISAMM / STAR-LSAMM Systems. Its real-time capability of tracking performance trends and predicting incident-occurrence enhances aviation safety and improves fleet management while reducing costs for the operator. Star's M.M.I. Division designs and manufactures high performance, mission critical, flight deck flat panel displays for defence and commercial aviation industries worldwide. These displays are found on aircraft and simulators, from C-130 aircraft, to Sikorsky and Agusta Westland helicopters, as examples. Stars' subsidiary, Star-Isoneo Inc., is a specialised software firm, developing complex solutions in engineering, simulation and development for Canadian customers. Star-Isoneo works closely with Star in the development of the Company's MEDEVAC (STAR-ISAMM and STAR-LSAMM ) applications of the patented STAR-A.D.S. technology, and on its current R&D program with Bombardier. Certain statements contained in this Release constitute forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "expected", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Star or its management or board are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect Star's current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Mr. Viraf Kapadia's outstanding litigation and the process initiated by Mr. Kapadia for his personal interests under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act are risks to Star. Many other factors could cause Star's actual performance or achievements to vary from those described herein. Should one or more of these factors or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Star does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. 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 the content of this release. Please visit www.star-navigation.com or contact Mr. Peter Clausi, Interim CEO at 1 416 252-2889 Ext. 230, or 1 416 890 1232 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52473 LGDs will continue to be an option for consumers, from the high-quality bridal market to the fashion market Richard Garard is a founding member of the International Grown Diamond Association, which was established in 2016. He serves on the Executive Committee of IGDA as President and Secretary General. IGDA was created to represent, promote and... Everything is design and design is everything Born in the Basra pearls family, the first private jewelers to royal families, Ashraf Motiwala is the fourth generation to carry forward the legacy of A S Motiwala. Spearheading the prestigious family legacy, Ashraf Motiwala felt the need to breathe... Typical Jeweller is the initiative to promote the Russian jewellery industry Typical Jeweller is one of the largest websites on the Russian Internet for the new generation jewellers. The total audience, including social media, is over 100,000 people per month. Every day, the latest news from the jewellery industry, educational... Johan Erikson: Demand for Natural Diamonds will always remain strong First Element is a fully independent Diamond Services Company registered in Belgium and South Africa which has become one of the premier diamond valuing, marketing and cleaning companies in the industry. First Element is committed to providing a world-class... Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday paid his tribute to the 40 CRPF personnel who were killed in the ghastly Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14 last year. "A soulful tribute to the soldiers who were martyred on this day in the terrorist attack in Pulwama," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid their homage to personnel and said that "the country will never forget them and their sacrifice." However, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned who has been held accountable for the "security lapses" and also asked about the outcome of the inquiry into the attack. It was around 3:00 pm on this day last year, when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist rammed a vehicle carrying explosives into the Central Reserve Police Force (CPRF) convoy on Srinagar-Jammu highway.Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy was targeted by the suicide bomber of Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pulwama district.Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after the convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2,500 CRPF personnel were traveling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack.Nationwide protests erupted against the dastardly terror attack even as the country bid goodbye to its bravehearts. Leaders across the party lines and civil society condemned the attack and called for an appropriate response.Days after the attack, the Indian Air Force on February 26 carried out multiple aerial strikes at JeM terror camps in Pakistan's Balakot, killing a "large number" of terrorists and destroying their infrastructure. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) This content is expired! Unfortunely this content is expired and cannot be viewed anymore; if You are the owner of this content please login to our Website, go to our access panel and enable this content again. Theres a paper sign on a concrete pillar outside of Oaklands MacArthur BART Station that has a drawing of Nia Wilsons face. The image is faded, and the papers edges are ripped as though someone unsuccessfully tried to pull it down. Each time I see whats left of the sign, I think about the days and weeks after Wilson, 18, was stabbed to death by John Lee Cowell. Then the rallies and candlelight vigils at the station seemed endless. New balloons and artwork and even some personal notes covered the sidewalk each day. People who didnt know Wilson would cry or pray or simply hug near her makeshift memorial by the stations entrance. The grief felt permanent. Until it didnt. And thats what scares me. Black people like myself can remember how, in the immediate aftermath, we felt Wilsons death would change Bay Area culture forever. It had to. And Wilsons stabbing has continued to spur much-needed conversations about race relations in a changing region. Her case remains in court, where recently questions of a racial motive Cowell reportedly called a black woman a n later that day were raised. Before Wilson, we felt the same way about Mario Woods and Oscar Grant. Grant was killed by BART police in Oakland in 2009, and his death made folks discuss unconscious bias in policing, especially on public transportation. Woods, who died of 20 gunshots fired by San Francisco police officers, was a rallying cry in 2015 for Black Lives Matter. But as the Bay Areas African Americans the people most affected both socially and emotionally by these tragedies move away, the Bay Area populace can begin to see Wilson, Woods and Grant as just faces on posters, murals and pins. Thats what I fear: Wilsons death being frozen in time, eventually nothing more than a notable, horrible moment in 2018. But time wont diminish the permanent mark on the collective conscience of black residents. Perhaps its the reason we unintentionally vault the families of these victims into roles as leaders, whether they want those roles or not. Since they were closest to the pain, we assume they can help us heal. It often works. After Mike Brown, 18, was shot to death by a police officer in Ferguson, Mo., in 2014, his parents became national activists. To this day they continue to amplify their voices through media like the New York Times. Grants family helped create a police citizen review board for BART, established a foundation and is working to create a nationwide network of families affected by such violence. Ansar Muhammad, Wilsons father, was placed on such a prominent pedestal after his daughters death. But he prefers to work in the trenches on a local level. I knew this before meeting him for the first time last year in East Oaklands Eastmont Town Center a chance encounter as I talked with residents about a fast-food restaurant they saw as a blight on the neighborhood. Muhammad was introduced to me as Wilsons father, first, but then as the voice residents find when they want to improve their predominantly African American neighborhood. Muhammad, who isnt one for media coverage, smiled and nodded. We didnt talk about his daughter, instead focusing on the fast-food business, which he said was attracting crime to the area. If it was up to me, we would run places like that out of here, he said. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. We parted ways after a few minutes, and I watched as he was stopped multiple times by other community members before leaving the mall. What his daughter came to represent in death a call for justice and social change Muhammad is attempting to re-create in life. Black families like his tackle this arduous task without complaining. The Bay Areas black population will continue to watch the Cowell trial, at which Cowell on Tuesday admitted to stabbing Wilson and her sister. He also said he believed Wilson and her sisters were aliens and part of a gang that had kidnapped his grandmother. The trials outcome will surely be another social flash point. There will be more necessary and hard discussions about social realities here. For the Wilson and Woods and Grant families, the least we can do is carry on this dialogue with the same energy as when each death first struck us. The faded Nia Wilson poster at MacArthur BART reminds me that this dialogue too may fade. But we as a Bay Area community, not just black people, owe Wilson more. Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JustMrPhillips Entrepreneurs discuss ideas at a startup convention in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen. Investment in Vietnamese tech startups last year exceeded that experienced in Singapore for the first time to rank second in Southeast Asia. Total investment in Vietnam reached $741 million, compared to Singapores $693 million and Thailands $135 million, according to Singapore-based venture capital firm Cento Ventures. Indonesia topped the chart in six countries studied at $2.38 billion. Vietnams value surged 2.5 times over 2018, with the number of deals nearly doubling from 50 to 90. Most notable deals include payment app VNPAY raising $300 million from Japan-based Softbank Vision Fund and Singapore-based sovereign wealth fund GIC. Another e-payment app Momo pulled in about $100 million from American private equity company Warburg Pincus. The countrys share of investment value in the region also jumped from 4 percent in 2015 to 18 percent last year, compared to Indonesias 59 percent, Singapores 17 percent and Thailands 3 percent. Cento Ventures data shows Vietnam has one company, gaming firm VNG Corporation, valued above $1 billion, and at least 13 startups over $100 million including e-commerce player Tiki, e-wallet Momo and ride-hailing Be. The Vietnamese government in recent years has encouraged entrepreneurship and wants the private sector to drive economic growth. The number of newly established businesses in the country hit a new record at 138,100 last year, up 5.2 percent year-on-year, according to General Statistics Office. Regional data for 2019 showed sales in Tesla's biggest market, the US, fell by 15 per cent. Meanwhile, the full cash flow statement confirmed that $US204 million of fourth-quarter cash from operations was largely a mix of foreign-exchange gains and amortisation and write-down effects. As I wrote here, along with a positive swing in working capital and sales of regulatory credits, those "other" items contributed more than half of Tesla's free cash flow in the quarter. The 10-K itself contained several interesting details. There was a reference to a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission seeking information on unspecified contracts and financing arrangements. It's been a busy morning for the electric-vehicle phenomenon. Not long after Tesla filed its 10-K annual report, the company announced it would sell up to $US2.3 billion ($3.4 billion) worth of new equity , with CEO Elon Musk and director Ellison indicating their "preliminary interest" in buying $US10 million and $US1 million worth, respectively. If it involves a flurry of announcements, filings, subpoena disclosures, a stock with Lebowski levels of insouciance, a surprise equity raise and Larry Ellison backing up the truck, then we must be talking about Tesla. Let's stay with free cash flow. Another item in the 10-K was Tesla's capital expenditure guidance. This is notable because management was unusually reticent on that item when it announced year-end results about two weeks ago, telling investors and analysts to wait for the filing. It is also notable because the new guidance implies a jump of somewhere between 88 per cent and 164 per cent this year - and maybe staying there through 2022. One of the strange things about Tesla is that its valuation and ambitious narrative are pure growth-stock stuff, but its capex in 2019 was more like that of an old car business. At 62 per cent, its ratio of capex to depreciation wasn't much different from the 54 per cent reported by General Motors. Now it seems as if Tesla will make up for that and then some. Plotting the new guidance versus consensus forecasts shows just how much last year stood out in this regard. Tesla shares have soared in 2020. Credit:Bloomberg The final capex bill for 2019 was $US1.3 billion. That's about $US1.2 billion lower than the original guidance given a year ago. Meanwhile, Tesla's free cash flow in 2019 was $US1.1 billion. Which brings us back to the surprise equity raise. It's a surprise because, about two weeks ago, Musk answered a question on this very subject by saying "it doesn't make sense to raise money because we expect to generate cash despite this growth level." It's also a surprise because Tesla had $US6.3 billion of cash and equivalents on its balance sheet at the end of December. Plus, the company expects "positive quarterly free cash flow going forward, with possible temporary exceptions." Certainly, current consensus forecasts for free cash flow imply Tesla could absorb the jump in capex without resort to new financing. What's the collective noun for interior designers? A Compendium of Collective Nouns suggests "a tantrum of decorators". So rude! Most decorators are perfectly well-behaved human beings. "A swatch of interior designers" sounds much nicer. In that case, I've just been introduced to a swatch of interior designers at The Design Seeker, Suzie McAdam's new showroom in Monkstown, Co Dublin. "It used to be just me and one other," says McAdam. "Now there are seven of us!" That's six interior designers and one financial manager to put manners on them. These days, it's hard to throw a rock in some parts of South Dublin without putting it through the window of an interior design showroom. Ten years ago, they were few and far between. Interior designers operated out of their own back bedrooms or studio spaces cluttered with piles of samples. Now, sleek and stylish showrooms are popping up like mushrooms wherever there's a market for their services. Expand Close The Design Seeker Hideout design by Front for Gebruder Thonet Vienna / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Design Seeker Hideout design by Front for Gebruder Thonet Vienna Most interior design showrooms combine an element of display, an element of retail, and a sliding scale of design services. As a client, you can get a flavour of the designer's style and the brands they like to work with, but the main thing you're buying is expertise. For clients, it's easier to get a sense of someone's work from a room set than from a mood board or an Instagram account. For interior designers, showrooms are a welcome source of employment. Flashback to 2008 when I first met Suzie McAdam. She was an interior architecture student in DIT where I was lecturing in design history. Thankfully, I didn't put her off. Neither did the lack of employment prospects when she graduated at the height of the recession. At that stage, the college was producing a fresh crop of interior design graduates every year and it felt as though we, the lecturers, were bringing them to a high place and pushing them off a cliff. The recession was tough on everyone, but the interior design industry really took a pounding. There was nowhere for them to go. McAdam was one of the tough ones. Briefly, she went to work abroad. Then she set up on her own. Her studio flourished, undertaking between seven and 10 projects a year, all of them major renovations. "We didn't have the capacity for smaller projects," she says. "It seemed mad to be turning people away, but if it wasn't a full-scale renovation, we just had to say no." At the same time, her blog 'The Design Seeker', was attracting attention. McAdam has a unique talent for hunting down interesting items and putting them together in a way that makes sense. Let's call her the sniffer dog of Irish interiors. Her aesthetic is hard to describe. The Americans might call it 'transitional', meaning a blend of vintage elements with new, but there's more to it than that. Expand Close Fritz Hansen furniture from Lost Weekend / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fritz Hansen furniture from Lost Weekend "To me, design is about finding individual pieces, silhouettes and shapes that transform a space, and building on that with colour and texture," she explains. "It's also about not being defined by any particular period." I suggest that The Design Seeker is more about a methodology rather than a look. "Yes," she says. "Exactly that." Here's how it works. You can either book a free appointment at The Design Seeker with a junior designer or pay 300 for a consultation with one of the senior designers. For the latter, you'd expect to come out with a plan for decorating and furnishing a room, mainly with items from the showroom. What's on view is a carefully curated selection of a much wider range, with many options in fabric and wallpaper. Brands include Jonathan Adler, Gebruder Thonet Vienna, Ingo Maurer and Magic Circus, along with vintage items. None of it is cheap. The Rendez-Vous sofa from Saba Italia - a super-cool modular design that won an Archiproduct Design Award in 2019 - costs 4,066. The delectable Flying Flames chandelier from Ingo Maurer, for example, costs 4,724. It actually does look like floating candles. McAdam says that it reminds her of Hogwarts. "There's some fabulous design going on in Ireland," says Mary Ryder, interior designer. It's less than a year since she opened her showroom, Curated, in Sandyford with business partners Michelle Hetherington (architect) and David Clarke (quantity surveyor). Having a showroom has enabled her to bring in European furniture brands, the like of which are rarely seen in Ireland. Like The Design Seeker, her approach is based on a method rather than a look. "It's very curated," she says. "We don't really have our own aesthetic, we create a bespoke look and we take a layered, nuanced approach. Your room should never look like you went out and bought it all in the one showroom. I can spot that at 50 paces and we strive not to do that here." Other interior design showrooms predate the recession. Survivors and thrivers include Lost Weekend in Dun Laoghaire and Ventura Design, which opened its Blanchardstown showroom in 2012. Since then, Ventura has opened showrooms in Deansgrange and, more recently, London. The company now employs 50 people, including 12 interior designers. You can walk in and have a look around or book a consultation with an interior designer. Expand Close Ventura Design showroom / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ventura Design showroom "People like to see what they're buying," says Arlene McIntyre of Ventura. "It's the same as in the supermarket. People still pick up an apple and sniff it!" All of Ventura's furniture is made in Ireland and most of it is bespoke, but the showroom will give you a general idea of the quality and the style, which McIntyre describes as "classic, contemporary, timeless, and comfortable - it's very important to me that a home doesn't look like in a nightclub". Prices for interior design consultancy seem to be consistent across the board, although packages vary in detail, but the brands stocked by The Design Seeker, Curated, Lost Weekend and Ventura are often pricey. It's quality stuff, but out of range for many. More accessible alternatives include CA Interior Design Consultancy Studio, which opened in Portobello in 2019. Consultancy packages start at 250, but some of their furniture is relatively affordable. The trick, as always, is to talk to people. Find out what they're offering, if you like their style, and what aspect of it you can afford. There's no point in getting excited about a sofa from The Design Seeker when you can only afford a cushion but, then again, a good cushion can go a long way. See thedesignseeker.com, ventura.ie, cadesign.ie, curated.ie, lostweekend.ie. Plainview Rotary Club members delivered handmade Valentines to two local assisted living facilities this week. Residents of Prairie House Living Center and Plainview Healthcare Center were chosen to be recipients of this inaugural service project. Rotary tries to conduct regular service projects the group came up with this idea for this quarters activity. The act falls in line with the Rotary mission service above self and its goals to improve life around the community, a Rotarian told The Herald. Three is finally starting to roll out its 5G service. The decision comes after a delay because of a number of issues that kept the network from rolling out the faster internet service. It had been supposed to arrive i 2019, but had to be pushed back. It means that it is the last of the major networks to introduce the new wireless internet technology for its customers. Three will give people access to the 5G network for free, so long as they have a phone capable of accessing it. The telecommunications company has now revealed that its 5G offering will be available on mobiles in 65 locations from the end of February, including London, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Coventry and Nottingham. 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 The company first made its 5G available to homes in August, as a broadband service across parts of London. To mark the expansion to smartphones, Three has partnered with the Central Saint Martins art school to create an immersive 5G experience for London Fashion Week, using spatial audio, haptic feedback, a 46 metre projection the length of the runway, and an array of aromas. The finale will culminate in an empty catwalk, with a 5G-fuelled digital version of model Adwoa Aboah, who will walk out in the last outfit of the show. "Today we are celebrating what is possible through 5G with a showcase of our ultra-fast 5G capabilities marking the next step in our 5G journey," Three chief executive Dave Dyson said. "5G is set to change the world for all of us and we can't wait for our customers to start experiencing it." Rivals EE launched their 5G offering to smartphones in May, followed by Vodafone in July and O2 in October. Additional reporting by agencies I do believe we woke up the children. You think the Flower Children of the 1960s were revolutionary? Just wait! Full confession. Outside of wearing bell-bottom pants and trying marijuana once, I was not a flower child. My first vote for a president was in 1968, and I voted for Nixon. When fellow friends and professors marched against the Vietnam War after Kent State, I joined in. But during that entire day, I was more scared than passionate. Looking back, I wish I had done more. Been more. But it was not who I was at the time. I wasnt much of an activist in the following years. Despite my friends urging, I didnt vote for the Equal Rights Amendment. I laughed it off with a popular excuse at the time: I like men holding doors open for me. And I decided that Nixon was guilty later than most of my friends, not believing that the president of our country could be involved in such a cover-up. I still am not an organizer or a marcher. I attended Womens March in Orlando, armed with great signs and more passion. When one of the speakers began lambasting the Israeli occupation of Palestine, however, I vowed never to go to another event held by that group. I have passed up other opportunities for public protests, including those organized to support immigrants and decry gun violence. That is why I am so in awe of the recent rise of our youth, specifically the March For Our Lives organizers and Time Magazines Person of the Year Greta Thunberg. Parkland, Florida, the sight of the Margaret Stoneman Douglas High School shootings, is less than 200 miles from us. Like the rest of the country, I followed the news with fear and anger. Would this be another instance where victims and survivors were offered thoughts and prayers but no change in the lax gun laws that precipitated this event? Would anyone stand up to the National Rifle Association and the many politicians who not only accepted their money but also bowed to their demands? The answer was a resounding yes. The leaders of the grassroots movement were not adults, but MSD students who survived the shooting that killed 18 people, including the friends of the organizers. Their reaction was immediate. David Hogg, a senior and the news director for the schools news station, channeled his fury while in lockdown by taking notes and interviewing fellow students huddled around him. Less than 10 hours later, he handed his footage to Laura Ingraham on her prime-time Fox news show. Bristling at Ingrahams platitudinous, (Our emotions are with you,) anger spilled out. I dont want this to be another mass shooting... something that people forget. And in what would be the first call to action, Hogg stated the need to go to your congressmen. On March 24, 2018, less than seven weeks after the shooting, March for Our Lives, a student-led demonstration in support of legislation to prevent gun violence in the United States took place in Washington, D.C., with over 880 sibling events throughout the United States and the world. Turn out was estimated to be between 1.2 and 2 million, making it one of the largest protests in American history. While MFOL was organizing against gun violence in the United States, a 15-year-girl in Sweden was watching and wondering if she could possibly do the same to save the planet. Thunberg was 11 years old when her primary-school teacher showed a video on the effects of a warming world. That event, initially causing her an endless sadness, inspired her to start a one-girl campaign to pressure the Swedish government to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. On Aug. 20, 2018, Thunberg settled in a spot across the street of the Swedish parliament building. She was armed with a sign that read Student Strike for the climate and a flyer that explained her purpose. It included the admonition: Since you adults dont give a damn about my future, I wont either. She sat alone on Day One. But a person joined her on Day Two, and a few others on Day Three and so on. By September she had enough support to limit her strike, which she named Fridays for Future, to one day a week. By the end of the year, she had been joined by tens of thousands of students across Europe. By fall 2019, Thunberg had been joined by millions across the world. In her speech in front of the UN General Assembly in September 2019, Thunberg, like David Hoggs before her, expressed her anger and disgust. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth, she stated. How dare you! Her wish to follow in the footsteps of the activists from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School had been realized. In this past year, what Time called the power of youth protests spread to include Hong Kong, Iraq, and Lebanon. And November elections in Virginia, in which Democrats took control of both houses, was propelled by a younger, more diverse and more liberal Democrat base that supported gun control, womens rights and clean energy. Adults didnt take care of these problems, said then 17-year-old Jaclyn Corin, the chief organizer of Washington, D.C., event, so we have to take care of them. As an adult who feels strongly that the need for Tikkun Olam, leaving the world a better place, I believe that the battles for which the youth are fighting should also be taken up by all of us. Maybe it is time for those who were flower children, or flower children fails, need to get on board. Abraham Joshua Heschel, reflecting on his participation in the 20th century civil rights movement, stated, When I marched in Selma my feet were praying. I am no longer the young girl who stood on the sidelines. Like many of todays youth, I am passionate about issues that impact all of us: Gun violence. Climate Change. Immigration policies. Womens rights. As we head to the Nov. 3, 2020, elections, I will be calling my legislators, writing my columns and letters to the editors, and joining people of all ages to effect change. And who knows? Maybe, like Greta and Dave and Jaclyn and Rabbi Heschel, I will start praying with my feet. The youth have taken the lead. It is our responsibility to them to follow. Marilyn Cohen Shapiro, a resident of Kissimmee, Fla., is a regular contributor to the (Capital Region N.Y.) Jewish World and the Orlando Heritage Florida Jewish News. For Immediate Release Chicago, IL February 14, 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: BP plc BP, Royal Dutch Shell plc RDS.A, Repsol, S.A. REPYY, Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM and Chevron Corporation CVX. Here are highlights from Thursdays Analyst Blog: BP to Cut Emissions to Zero by 2050: U.S. Firms to Follow Suit? BP plc recently announced a plan of reducing net carbon emissions to zero by 2050 or sooner. The move, which complies with the Paris Agreement climate goals, marks a significant initiative in the oil and gas industry. The company also targets to reduce carbon intensity of its products. BPs Plans BPs new CEO Bernard Looney, who took over from Bob Dudley a week ago, revealed plans to halve carbon intensity of its products by 2050 or sooner. The company intends to install methane measurement at major hydrocarbon processing sites within the next three years. This will enable the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company to reduce methane intensity from its operations by 50%. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Moreover, to achieve environment targets, it plans to boost the proportion of investments in non-hydrocarbon businesses over time. Last year, BP expanded the low-carbon business by increasing ownership in the solar joint venture, Lightsource BP, to 50%. Also, it formed the new biofuels and biopower joint venture, BP Bunge Bioenergia, in Brazil. Additionally, it plans to stop corporate reputation advertising and divert spending toward promoting carbon-reduction policies. Notably, alongside its environmental efforts, the company remains focused on increasing sustainable free cash flow and boosting shareholder returns in the long run. It continues to slash debt, maintain capital discipline and increase cost efficiencies. The company is on track to achieve its 2021 free cash flow targets. To deliver its climate goals, the company is reorganizing its units that include Production & Operations, Customers & Products, Gas & Low Carbon Energy, and Innovation & Engineering. Story continues Where Do Other Energy Majors Stand? BP is following the path of Royal Dutch Shell plc and Repsol, S.A. to offset the carbon impact from fossil fuels. While the investment community in the energy industry is pushing the companies to enhance environment-friendly activities, BPs move is likely to put more pressure on them to work harder to meet the Paris Agreement climate goals. The move is expected to put U.S. energy majors like Exxon Mobil Corporation and Chevron Corporation in a tough spot. These companies are under pressure to put in more efforts to reduce emissions and make investment strategies accordingly. So far, energy companies in the United States have just pledged to cut greenhouse gases from their own operations. Reaction from Climate Activists The climate groups welcomed this move from the British energy giant. However, there are doubts regarding how the company is shifting focus from fossil fuels in reality. While BPs targets are in line with climate change goals, activists are keen on watching the companys investment proportion in hydrocarbon and green energy sources. Moreover, they require a much more detailed map for the transformation from BP. Per analysts at Bernstein, BP had allocated only 3.2% of its budget toward renewable energy last year, lower than the industry average of 7.4%. Importantly, the climate change activists and investors are hoping for similar commitments from other energy mammoths like ExxonMobil and Chevron. This will likely put them in a tough spot, given the fact that the pro-environment investors hold a significant amount of investment funds. 5 Stocks Set to Double Each was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth. Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >> Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@zacks.com https://www.zacks.com 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. 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 Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Chevron Corporation (CVX) : Free Stock Analysis Report BP p.l.c. (BP) : Free Stock Analysis Report Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS.A) : Free Stock Analysis Report Repsol SA (REPYY) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. PRISTINA -- Serbian and Kosovar officials have signed a deal to restore a railway link between Belgrade and Pristina and to connect the two capitals with a highway in a step toward normalizing bilateral relations. The signing ceremony occurred on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on February 14 in the presence of the Serbian and Kosovar presidents, Aleksandar Vucic and Hashim Thaci, as well as U.S. special envoy for Serbia and Kosovo Richard Grenell, who also serves as U.S. ambassador to Germany. The move comes after the two sides last month signed an agreement on the resumption of commercial flights between Serbia and Kosovo that were halted two decades ago, when the 1998-99 Kosovo conflict escalated. "Another milestone!" Thaci tweeted after the Munich signing ceremony, calling the agreement a "great step" toward reaching a final deal on normalizing relations between Belgrade and Pristina. The Kosovar leader also told RFE/RL he believed that Belgrade and Pristina could reach such a deal this year. Relations between Pristina and Belgrade have remained strained since the Kosovo war, which claimed more than 10,000 lives and left over 1 million people homeless. Serbia continues to consider its former province part of its territory, although its independence, declared in 2008, has been recognized by about 100 countries, including the United States. Talks on normalizing diplomatic relations were derailed in November 2018 by Pristina's imposition of 100 percent tariffs on Serbian goods and services in response to Belgrade's continued lobbying for countries to reverse their recognition of Kosovo. After the signing ceremony in Munich, Thaci and Vucic thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his leadership. "We feel that this will bring us a better future and that we will ensure peace for decades to come," the Serbian leader wrote on Twitter. Grenell hailed Thaci and Vucic for their goodwill, saying, "What I talked to the presidents about is trying as much as possible to concentrate on economic development, jobs for the future." "I have to say that from the very beginning both presidents have agreed that that is the focus -- how do we move forward on economic development," he added. In his interview with RFE/RL, Thaci said economic development and job creation was what the peoples of Kosovo, Serbia, and the entire Western Balkans "need." Currently, there is train link between a small city in central Serbia to a northern Kosovo town. Most people travel by car and bus on poorly maintained roads across the border. With reporting by Rikard Jozwiak in Munich Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Mumbai, Feb 14 : The Bombay High Court on Friday declined to grant anticipatory bail to activists Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde, who are accused in the Elgar Parishad case. Rejecting their pre-arrest bail applications, Justice P. D. Naik said that there is "prima facie evidence to show complicity of both accused in the case". However, he allowed them four weeks' protection from arrest to enable them to file an appeal in the Supreme Court. After going through the evidence including letters allegedly between the accused, the court said that Teltumbde, Navlakha and other co-accused like Surendra Gadling, Sudhar Bharadwaj and Rona Wilson had direct access to and links with the top leaders of the banned CPI-Maoist, while Teltumbde had received funds from them. The development came on a day when a Pune sessions court transferred the Elgar Parishad - Koregaon-Bhima case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has ordered all accused to be produced before the Special NIA Court in Mumbai on February 28. The duo - Navlakha and Teltumbde - were among around a dozen activists nabbed by Pune Police in June-August 2018 in connection with the Elgar Parishad of Pune on December 31, 2017 followed by the caste violence that erupted in Koregaon-Bhima village on January 1, 2018. The Pune police had said that "inflammatory and provocative statements and speeches" at the Elgar Parishad conference - supported by Maoist groups - were the trigger for the next day's caste violence in Koregaon-Bhima. The two accused had approached the Pune sessions court for anticipatory bail, but after it was rejected, moved the Bombay High Court in November which granted them interim protection in December till the disposal of their pre-arrest bail applications. All the accused activists were charged with carrying out anti-national activities, plans to create political disturbances, waging a war against India, conspiring to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi and overthrowing the government. Advertisement Rishi Sunak was all smiles this morning as Boris Johnson gathered his new-look Cabinet in Number 10 and vowed to deliver on the 'people's priorities' following a brutal reshuffle. The new Chancellor was beaming as he sat next to the Prime Minister despite the fact that yesterday he saw his boss Sajid Javid purged from the government. Mr Johnson started the meeting by congratulating his team of senior ministers for making the cut before warning them: We are here to deliver for the people of this country who elected us to serve them. The peoples government has to get on with delivering the peoples priorities and in the next few years we must get on with our basic work and you know what it is. We are going to cut crime, we are going to cut homelessness, we are going to tackle waiting lists in our NHS and how many hospitals are we going to build? The Cabinet then replied in unison 'forty' as the PM proceeded to conduct further rounds of call and response on other Tory manifesto pledges. The meeting in Downing Street came after a day of high drama which left Westminster stunned as Mr Javid's unexpected resignation totally disrupted the PM's plans for a smooth reshuffle. Mr Javid chose to walk away from the government rather than accept a demand from Mr Johnson's strategy chief Dominic Cummings to sack all of his aides and replace them with advisers chosen by Number 10. His departure opened the way for Mr Sunak, 39, to be handed the second most powerful job in government having previously served as Mr Javid's deputy as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Mr Javid accused Mr Johnson of setting conditions 'any self-respecting minister' would reject - a thinly veiled swipe at his successor. The move was seen as a power grab by Mr Cummings with Mr Sunak reportedly immediately under pressure from Number 10 to tear up his predecessor's tight spending rules and allow Mr Johnson to splash the cash at the next Budget. But the elevation of Mr Sunak has cast doubt on whether that Budget, currently scheduled for March 11, will go ahead amid speculation it could be delayed. Downing Street refused to guarantee the date with a spokesman saying only that 'extensive preparations have already been carried out for the Budget and they will continue at pace'. Meanwhile, accusations of a power grab were likely to grow after it emerged that Downing Street immediately moved some of its troops into the Treasury last night to help Mr Sunak. Boris Johnson convened his Cabinet in Number 10 this morning as he told his ministers they must now deliver on the 'people's priorities' Mr Johnson yesterday conducted a brutal reshuffle which saw him sack numerous senior ministers and promote a wave of Tory loyalists. 1) Minister without Portfolio Amanda Milling 2) Welsh Secretary Simon Hart 3) Education Secretary Gavin Williamson 4) Trade Secretary Liz Truss 5) Health Secretary Matt Hancock 6) Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill 7) Prime Minister Boris Johnson 8) Chancellor Rishi Sunak 9) Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey 10) Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick 11) Transport Secretary Grant Shapps 12) Scottish Secretary Alister Jack 13) Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden 14) Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay 15) Chief Whip Mark Spencer 16) Attorney General Suella Braverman 17)Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg 18) International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan 19) Leader of the House of Lords Baroness Evans 20) Business Secretary Alok Sharma 21) Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove 22) Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab 23) Home Secretary Priti Patel 24) Defence Secretary Ben Wallace 25) Justice Secretary Robert Buckland 26) Environment Secretary George Eustice 27) Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis The shake-up saw Sajid Javid, pictured leaving his London home this morning, quit the government as he refused a demand from Dominic Cummings to sack all of his aides Mr Cummings appeared to be in good spirits as he was photographed leaving his London home this morning. The PM's top adviser declined to answer questions Rishi Sunak today addressed Treasury staff as he embarked on his first full day as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak sticks to Sajid Javid's call for ministers to find 5% in savings in first day as Chancellor Rishi Sunak has reiterated a call made by his predecessor as chancellor Sajid Javid for ministers to identify five per cent of budget savings at their respective departments. Mr Sunak is under pressure to loosen the government purse strings after taking over from his old boss. But a drive to ensure taxpayers' money is being spent as effectively as possible will be continued on his watch. The Prime Minister's spokesman said the matter had been raised at this morning's meeting of the reshuffled Cabinet. The Chancellor reminded all ministers that their departments needed to find five per cent of savings so money could be reprioritised on other priorities,' he said. Today marked Mr Sunak's first full day as Chancellor and he addressed Treasury staff to set out his vision for the department. Advertisement That came ahead of the creation of a 'joint' economic unit in the coming days which will be based across Number 10 and the Treasury and will be tasked with making key decisions, changing a power dynamic in Whitehall which has existed for decades. Numerous other senior figures also left the government yesterday as Mr Johnson wielded the axe. Julian Smith was unceremoniously dumped as Northern Ireland secretary just weeks after brokering a deal which restored the power-sharing administration at Stormont. Andrea Leadsom was sacked as business secretary, Theresa Villiers lost her job as environment secretary and Geoffrey Cox was removed from his post as attorney general. Esther McVey lost her role as housing minister, and the total number of women attending Cabinet fell from eight to seven - while the total number of ministers attending shrank from 32 to 26. But there were a series of promotions for Tory MPs loyal to Mr Johnson. Alok Sharma was promoted from international development to become the new Business Secretary and he will also be minister for the COP26 UN climate summit, which is due to take place in Glasgow in November. 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 Anne-Marie Trevelyan joined the Cabinet as International Development Secretary, having previously been a defence minister. Oliver Dowden became a full Cabinet member as Culture Secretary, having previously attended the meetings as paymaster general, and George Eustice was promoted to Environment Secretary from his previous more junior role in the same department. Brandon Lewis was appointed as Northern Ireland Secretary, while former Brexit minister Suella Braverman returned to the Government as Attorney General. Ex-Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay has replaced Mr Sunak as Treasury Chief Secretary. Amanda Milling was made Conservative Party chairman - a role in which she will attend Cabinet as a minister without portfolio. Former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt returned to government as Paymaster General based in the Cabinet Office. Mr Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel today briefed the Cabinet on the UK's new immigration system as ministers rubberstamped the proposed blueprint. The PM told his top team that the planned points-based immigration system 'would be simpler and fairer and would not discriminate between countries' but will 'return control' to the British people. It is thought the new rules could reduce the number of low-skilled migrant workers from European Union countries by up to 90,000 a year. Under existing rules workers from the EU and European Economic Area countries can come to the UK to live or work without a visa. EU freedom of movement to the UK is due to end at the conclusion of the Brexit transition period in December with the new system rolled out at the start of 2021. Details of the system are expected to be published in the coming weeks. It is expected to close the route for low-skilled migrants though short-term visas will be considered for occupations experiencing shortages. Meanwhile, Mr Javid's war of words with the new look government and the PM continued this morning when he was asked if he had a message for Mr Johnson. Mr Sunak, pictured right arriving in Downing Street this morning, replaced Mr Javid as Chancellor while Stephen Barclay returned to Cabinet as Chief Secretary to the Treasury Suella Braverman, pictured left, and Anne-Marie Trevelyan, pictured right, were both promoted to the Cabinet yesterday Matt Hancock, pictured in Downing Street this morning, and Michael Gove were among a raft of senior ministers who were kept in their existing roles in the Cabinet Ex-Tory Cabinet minister Rory Stewart tweeted a picture of Theresa May's final cabinet and pointed out that the vast majority were no longer in government Leading ally of PM quits government after being asked to give up Northern Powerhouse role Jake Berry, a long-standing ally of Boris Johnson, has left the government after being asked to give up his role as Northern Powerhouse minister. Mr Berry said he had been offered another ministerial position which would have required 'substantial amounts' of foreign travel. But the Tory MP for Rossendale and Darwen has three children under the age of three and declined the offer on the grounds that 'family will always come first'. He will now return to the backbenches. A successor for Mr Berry is yet to be announced by Number 10. Advertisement Leaving his London home, Mr Javid replied with a smile: 'Happy Valentine's Day.' Mr Johnson reportedly moved to bring the Treasury to heel at the reshuffle due to fears that he and Mr Javid could end up like Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. The later years of the New Labour governments were dominated by the fractious relationship between Mr Blair and Mr Brown and Mr Johnson apparently did not want to repeat history. Instead he wants to mimic the more harmonious relationship between David Cameron and George Osborne during their time in power. One Number 10 source told The Telegraph: 'The PM says the model for success is watertight cooperation between Number 10 and 11, like Dave and George, not a Tony and Gordon situation. 'That has long been the belief. It's all about delivery, the best way to deliver on the promises we made to this country.' Plans to extend the Mountain Valley Pipeline 75 miles into North Carolina moved forward Friday, even as the initial project remains mired in legal and regulatory challenges. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission concluded that while there would be some environmental damage caused by building the so-called MVP Southgate, it could be minimized to less than significant levels. An environmental impact statement released by FERC is a major step forward for the pipeline, which would originate at Mountain Valleys terminus in Chatham, head southwest through Pittsylvania County and cross into North Carolina, extending to Alamance County near Burlington. We look forward to safely and responsibly providing the reliable access to natural gas needed for home and business use across the region, MVP Southgate spokesman Shawn Day said. Construction of the $468 million project is expected to start this year, Day said. Completion is targeted for 2021. In open houses and public hearings, many people spoke of widespread problems with muddy runoff from construction sites of Mountain Valley, which is seeking to regain suspended federal permits that have caused a lull in construction of the 303-mile pipeline. Even when faced with a climate emergency, FERC continues to award new permits to polluters who cannot adhere to the erosion and sedimentation requirements of their current plans for the mainline Mountain Valley Pipeline, Russell Chisholm, co-chair of the Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights Coalition, said in a statement Friday.. But FERC said the same problems are not expected with the pipeline extension. Because 2018 was an unusual year yielding record breaking precipitation amounts and given the flatter terrain where the Southgate Project would be constructed, we do not anticipate [it] would experience the same issues with erosion and sediment control, the more than 1,000-page report stated. The buried pipe will be either 24 or 16 inches in diameter, smaller than the 42-inch diameter Mountain Valley Pipeline, which has required cutting trees and digging trenches on steep mountain slopes through Southwest Virginia. About half of MVP Southgate will be built along existing rights of way established for a different natural gas pipeline and a power transmission line. The most common concern raised to FERC was whether the pipeline is needed. That will be determined later by the presidentially appointed members of the commission, who must find that the project is in the public convenience and necessity before issuing a permit that would allow construction to begin. Residents along the pipelines route have also voiced fears of noise and air pollution from a 29,000-horsepower compressor station to be built near Chatham, which will be used to move gas at high pressure through the pipeline. EQM Midstream and NextEra U.S. Gas Assets, two of the five partners in the Mountain Valley Pipeline, are the primary partners in building its extension. When the project was announced in 2018, the lead customer was PSNC Energy, a local distribution company that planned to expand a system that served more than 563,000 customers in central North Carolina. Dominion Energy, which is one of the partners in the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, acquired the company in 2019. Now known as Dominion Energy North Carolina, the company remains contracted to receive about 80% of the pipelines gas. Meanwhile, Mountain Valleys efforts to regain three sets of suspended federal permits for the original pipeline project hit another snag this week. FERC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been expected on Monday to complete their reconsideration of the pipelines impact on threatened or endangered species. That process began last year, after a coalition of environmental groups claimed in a lawsuit that clearing trees would harm the Indiana and northern long-eared bats, and that digging trenches would dump sediment into streams and rivers populated by the Roanoke logperch and the candy darter. In a Feb. 7 letter to FERC, the Fish and Wildlife Service said the review will not be completed until March 26. Restoration of a second set of federal permits, for the pipeline to cross more than 1,000 streams and wetlands in West Virginia and Virginia, will likely not happen until the endangered species questions are resolved, according to Height Capital Markets, an investment banking firm in Washington, D.C., that has been following the project. A third approval, for the pipeline to pass through the Jefferson National Forest, is on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether the Atlantic Coast Pipeline should be allowed to cross the Appalachian Trail, a case that could also affect Mountain Valley. Despite the delays, Mountain Valley spokeswoman Natalie Cox said the pipeline is still expected to be completed by the end of the year. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Attorney General William Barr listens as President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks and signs the Operation Lady Justice Executive Order to address the issue of missing and murdered Native Americans in the Oval Office at the White House on Tuesday, Nov 26, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump tweeted Friday that he has the "legal right" to meddle in court cases handled by the Department of Justice, a day after Attorney General William Barr said in an extraordinary national television interview that the president's tweets "make it impossible for me to do my job." Trump, in direct response to his administration's top law enforcement official, challenged Barr's assertion that he will not be "bullied" by anyone. Trump said that while he could interfere in the department's criminal cases, he has "so far chosen not to!" Trump TWEET The Justice Department declined to comment on the president's tweet. The rebuke on Twitter marks the president's first response to Barr's stunning interview with ABC News on Thursday. Barr has come under intense criticism in the days since he pushed federal prosecutors to revise their sentencing recommendation for Roger Stone, a longtime friend of the president. On Monday, the prosecutors recommended that a judge in Washington district court sentence Stone to up to nine years in prison for crimes related to lying to Congress about his contacts with WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential election. The proposed sentence fell in line with federal sentencing guidelines; defense attorneys argued that Stone should receive probation. After the sentencing memo was filed, Trump took to Twitter in the middle of the night Tuesday to blast the recommendation as a "disgrace," adding, "Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice!" Hours after that, the Justice Department filed a new sentencing suggestion, calling for Stone to receive "far less" time in prison. 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 afterward. TWEET Barr and his department claim that the decision to amend Stone's sentencing recommendation came prior to Trump's attacks on social media. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for the department's internal watchdog to investigate the matter. On Friday morning, Trump zeroed in on Barr's insistence that "the president has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case." "This doesn't mean that I do not have, as President, the legal right to do so," Trump wrote in response. "I do, but I have so far chosen not to!" Barr had recently asked the president in private to stop sending public statements that made his life more difficult, a source familiar with the events told NBC News. Despite the dramatic public rift between the two, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Trump, who famously demands loyalty from associates, "wasn't bothered" by Barr's comments to ABC. Even some Republicans have criticized Trump's attacks on the prosecutors in Stone's case. In an interview on Fox, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday: "The president made a great choice when he picked Bill Barr to be the attorney general. I think the president should listen to his advice." Stone, 67, was convicted in November of crimes related to lying to Congress about his contacts with WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential election, as well as to pressuring an associate, comedian Randy Credico, to corroborate his false claims. WikiLeaks during the 2016 campaign published emails that had been stolen by Russian agents from John Podesta, the campaign chief for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, and from the Democratic National Committee. Former Trump campaign official Rick Gates testified at Stone's trial that Trump had a phone call with Stone about WikiLeaks during the campaign. Gates' account contrasts with Trump's claim in November 2018 that he did not recall speaking to Stone about WikiLeaks. Gates said that less than a minute after finishing a July 2016 call from Stone, Trump indicated that "more information would be coming" from Wikileaks. Stone is set to be sentenced Feb. 20 in U.S. District Court in Washington. 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. The presidents paid special attention to the release of Ukrainian citizens. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has had a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss the implementation of the agreements reached during the Normandy Four summit in Paris on December 9, 2019, as well as preparations for another meeting of the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany. Read alsoNo new prisoner swap deal with Ukraine so far, Russian ombudsperson says The presidents paid special attention to the release of Ukrainian citizens held in the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea, as well as in the Russian Federation, according to the Ukrainian president's press service. The officials agreed on the need to intensify work within the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk to implement the agreements reached. As UNIAN reported earlier, on February 11, Zelensky and German Chancellor Angela Merkel also discussed by phone the implementation of the agreements reached at the Normandy summit. India and Portugal on Friday signed seven agreements to boost cooperation in a range of areas after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa held extensive talks. The pacts provide for cooperation in areas of investment, transport, ports, culture and industrial and intellectual property rights. Portugal is an important country for India in Southern Europe, and bilateral ties have witnessed a steady progress in the last 15 years. In October 2005, Portugal extradited Abu Salem and Monica Bedi to face terror charges. Prime Minister Modi visited Portugal in June 2017 during which 11 agreements were signed covering a large number of areas including space, avoidance of double taxation, nano-technology, biotechnology and higher education. Sousa arrived here on Thursday night on a four-day visit, his first to India. The last visit by a Portuguese President to India was in 2007. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation. Officials said the talks covered entire expanse of bilateral ties including in areas of trade, investment and education. In the morning, the Portuguese president was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The pacts signed after Modi-Sousa talks included a joint declaration a bilateral mobility partnership and another on maritime transport. President Ram Nath Kovind will meet the visiting president on Friday evening and host a banquet in his honour. Sousa will also travel to Maharashtra and Goa during his visit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Photograph: Cliff Owen/AP The Roger Stone case has been thrown into further discord after Donald Trump seized on the news that the jury foreperson in Stones trial is a former Democratic candidate for Congress. Trump complained on Twitter that Tomeka Hart, a former Memphis city schools board president who identified herself as the foreperson in a Facebook post on Wednesday, had significant bias. Related: Controversy rages over Trump interference in Roger Stone case live updates Add that to everything else, and this is not looking good for the Justice Department, Trump said. The revelation comes as controversy rages in Washington over the resignation of four career prosecutors who had recommended Stone serve a seven-to-nine-year prison term and the apparent justice department acquiescence to Trumps appeals to reduce it. Stone was convicted in November on seven counts of lying to Congress, witness- tampering and obstruction of justice over his involvement involving hacked Democratic emails during the 2016 presidential election. In her Facebook post, Hart, the lead juror in Stones trial, said that after the resignations she cant keep quiet any longer. She wrote: 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. The post, and Harts confirmation of authorship, was first reported in the Daily Memphian. Hart, a program officer at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, wrote: But I cant 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. Previous social media posts of Harts showed she mentioned Stones dramatic arrest before being seated on the jury, and called the president and his supporters racist. The posts were immediately seized on by conservative media outlets such as Fox News and rightwing activists. Lawyers have warned that the politicization of the Stone case, and the direct interference of the US attorney general, William Barr, in an individual sentencing decision by his departments own career professionals, amounts to a threat to the rule of law. Story continues This is a crisis of credibility, Sasha Samberg-Champion, a former federal appellate attorney now with Relman Colfax, told the Guardian. Nobody knows whether decisions are being made based on the facts and the law, or whether they are based on a political whim. Before Barr called for Stones sentencing recommendations to be reduced, Trump posted a tweet that called the original sentencing proposal for Stone horrible. Trump later congratulated Barr on taking charge of a case that was totally out of control. With the rise of the gig economy, it's easier than ever to either make extra money or work on something you're passionate about. If one of your passions happens to be photostaking or editing themyou've got lots of options for jumping in, including starting your own business. Seriously. Even with no prior experience, you can follow your creative dreams with this 10-course Side Photography Business Bundle. Most Americans have reported getting into the side hustle game, earning over $8000 a year on average. There's no better moment to dive in, especially since it's so easy to learn in your spare time with this 300-lesson course bundle that covers everything from how to start a business to shooting and editing photos to marketing yourself and more. Leverage the information in this bundle, presented by professionals who are teachers, photo retouchers and editors, and Photoshop masters, and you'll learn essential skills for any budding photographer including camera basics like focus, white balance, flash, creative filters, and burst mode, plus deep dives for Canon and Nikon models. 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How Delta will cut its carbon footprint Ed Bastian, Delta Air Lines C.E.O., will announce this morning an ambitious plan to become the first U.S. airline to go carbon neutral. The company pledges to spend at least $1 billion over the next decade to buy emission offsets and invest in more efficient planes, new fuel sources and carbon-capture technologies. The bulk of its money is most likely going toward offsets, because the industry will be reliant on fossil fuels for the foreseeable future. (After all, Elon Musk hasnt proposed building electric planes just yet.) Andrews take: This is a huge step that will probably generate public good will for Delta and put pressure on other airlines, many of which probably cant afford similar programs. But the sustainability of buying offsets for a decade is an open question. Also, what constitutes an offset and how to measure and meaningfully track their progress will be a challenge. And what happens when the economy sags, or Mr. Bastian is no longer C.E.O.? Will the program survive? ALTON During 2019, Senior Services Plus Foster Grandparents tutored and mentored more than 400 children in Madison, Jersey, Macoupin, and Clinton counties. Grandparents spent more than 51,000 hours helping children and youth build skills such as language, literacy, mathematics and social and emotional development. A total of 2,500 volunteer hours were dedicated to in-service training where grandparents learned new ways to nurture children, as well as many local senior resources available for a better quality of life. Currently, there are 83 grandparents serving in the program. Barbara Crowder, known to many as Granny, shares her time and talents with the children and staff at the Madison Student Support Center. Staff have commended her for her unselfishness and caring attitude that she often passes on to the students she serves. At Alton High School, Lonetta Edwards known at the school as Ms. Jodie has been honored for her exceptional volunteer service. Two female students who were childhood friends had not spoken to one another for a year. Staff and administration tried several times to resolve the issue, with no success. Edwards mediated the young ladies that they became friends again and saved a friendship. Lubertha Boyd is an exceptional volunteer. Riverbend Head Start Essic Robinson partners with LUME Institute/St. Louis. She has been complimented for the emotional connections Boyd has made with the children in the classroom. Cathy Jones is beginning her third school year at the on-site day care at the Scott Bibb Center, a branch of Lewis and Clark Community College. She has gone above and beyond her regular duties to provide extra care of a 2-year-old girl in the center. In order to provide optimal community support, The Foster Grandparent Program is required to have at least 75% of volunteers in education-focused work sites with clearly defined performance measures and coordinating outcomes and outputs. The program pays an hourly stipend to those who live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. All volunteers must submit to and pass Illinois, NSOPW and FBI fingerprint background checks. They also much commit to a minimum of 15 volunteer service hours per week. There are no educational requirements for volunteers, but they must have a desire to work with children in a mentor-tutor relationship. Volunteers are placed in appropriate mentor-tutor positions based on skill level, location and age preference. For more details, call Rose Glassbrenner at 618-463-0067 or complete an application at Senior Services Plus, 2603 N. Rodgers in Alton. DIY SOS is calling for help with a build in Annacotty, Limerick. The show's presenter, Baz Ashymawy, took to Facebook to call for help laying down floors. Baz and his team are in Limerick to help transform 13-year-old Amy Mulcahys Annacotty home. Amy was left brain-damaged following a rowing accident in early 2019, and her family will be the second family to feature on the show. Speaking on Facebook, Baz said: I got some beautiful, but I've got no one to lay them down. I need floorers really bad. I need painters all for this weekend. We run out of time and I need your help so if you can get in contact with DIY SOS Limerick or you can contact me on any social media anything like that would be very appreciated. You are legends. Following Amys accident in February 2019, her family were given little hope of her recovery, with doctors informing the Mulcahys that their daughter would never see, speak or walk again. Despite this, Amy has defied the odds set against her and regained her sight and her speech and is determined to walk, though she lost some use of her limbs from the waist down and now uses a wheelchair. Due to this, Amy cant access the upstairs of the house, and the family sitting room has had to become Amys bedroom. Amy also currently lives without ready-access to a bathroom. Amys parents and all the family desperately want Amy to have the space to live with dignity at home and try to continue her rehabilitation, but right now they feel the house is making that impossible. The familys hopes are for a small extension to the back of the house to try and give Amy some dignity with a downstairs bedroom and wet room and of course an accessible space where she can also have her privacy when needed and live as normal a life as possible. DIY SOS is still calling on the invaluable help of trades people and suppliers in the community, in the county of Limerick, and right around Munster and Ireland to come together to make this happen. To get involved, please email your details to diysoslimerick@motive.ie or call 01 5313306. Military medics airlifted by the transport aircraft Y-20 of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force arrive at Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, Feb 13, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua] By Zhao Lei The People's Liberation Army conducted a massive transport operation on Thursday to send military medics to Wuhan, capital of Hubei province and epicenter of the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak, to help fight the epidemic. The PLA Air Force used six Y-20, three Il-76 and two Y-9 transport aircraft to carry 1,400 medics and medical supplies from seven cities, including Urumqi, Shenyang and Chengdu. They landed at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport. This is believed to be the largest civilian-linked operation of the Air Force's transport fleet and also marked the first civilian-related deployment of the domestically developed Y-20, one of the world's largest strategic heavy-lift transport planes. The medics form part of the third group of medical personnel from the PLA and the People's Armed Police Force to assist in Wuhan's fight against novel coronavirus pneumonia. They are tasked with treating infected patients at two local hospitals, according to a statement from the military. Another 1,200 medics, the remainder of the third group, will be sent to Wuhan in coming days according to the needs of local hospitals, including temporary hospitals built for the outbreak, the statement said. The deployment of the third group was approved by President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, it said. Two earlier groups of medics, totaling 1,400 members, have been working at a local temporary hospital for more than 10 days. The planes involved in Thursday's mission are from two transport divisions of the PLA Air Forceone in the PLA Central Theater Command and another in the PLA Western Theater Command. Du Baolin, commander of the division in the PLA Western Theater Command, told Xinhua News Agency that the operation was carried out on short notice and was an opportunity to examine the Air Force's strategic transportation capability. Wang Yanan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said that compared with civilian transport aircraft, the military's heavy-lift planes enable the government to transport large medical devices more quickly and conveniently. "This operation could also serve to verify and improve the Air Force's capabilities to mobilize mobile units, organize large-scale, sophisticated deployment and provide logistics support to such tasks," he added. Developed by Aviation Industry Corp of China, the biggest contractor for the PLA Air Force, the Y-20 made its maiden flight in January 2013, and deliveries to the Air Force began in July 2016. The colossal jet, with a maximum takeoff weight of around 200 metric tons, can transport cargo and personnel over long distances in a variety of weather conditions, according to the Air Force. On Feb 2, the Air Force arranged eight Il-76s to carry 795 medical personnel from the armed forces and 58 tons of equipment and materials to Wuhan. An Alabama state lawmaker has introduced a bill imposing restrictions on the reproductive rights of men as a statement against abortion restrictions. Representative Rolanda Hollis, a Democrat from Birmingham, proposed a law that would require men to obtain a vasectomy within one month of their 50th birthday or the birth of their third biological child, whichever occurs first. Men would also be required to pay for the procedure out of their own pockets. Under existing law, there are no restrictions on the reproductive rights of men, the bill reads. The Vasectomy bill is to help with the reproductive system. This is to neutralize the abortion ban bill, Hollis wrote in a tweet. The responsibility is not always on the women. It takes 2 to tangle. This will help prevent pregnancy as well as abortion of unwanted children. Hollis was referring to Alabamas near-total ban on abortions, which was scheduled to take effect in November but was struck down by a federal court the month before. The Human Life Protection Act bans almost all abortions, including in cases of rape and incest, and includes and exception only for when the mothers life is in danger. Supporters of the ban said their goal was that court challenges of the law would lead the case to the newly conservative majority on the Supreme Court, which could use it to reconsider Roe vs. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court case that legalized abortion nationwide, and Planned Parenthood vs. Casey, which upheld the right to abortion. As we have stated before, the states objective is to advance our case to the U.S. Supreme Court where Alabama intends to prove the two cases were wrongly decided and that the Constitution does not prohibit states from protecting unborn children from abortion, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a statement. More from National Review Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 01:15:40|Editor: yan Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 children were killed in a fire at an orphanage in an area near the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, local officials reported on Friday. Entergy Corporation ETR is set to release fourth-quarter and 2019 results on Feb 19, before the opening bell. In the last reported quarter, the company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 9.09%. Moreover, Entergy has a four-quarter positive earnings surprise of 4.79% on average. Lets see how things have shaped up prior to this announcement. Factors to Consider The majority of Entergys service territories witnessed below normal temperature in the months of October and November, while in December its service area witnessed above normal winter. This indicates that weather may not have contributed much to the companys fourth-quarter revenues. The companys Arkansas Nuclear Ones Unit 1 returned to service on Nov 20, following the completion of its 28th successful refueling and maintenance outage, which started on Oct 5. Notably, the plants Unit 2 continued operating during the Unit 1 refueling outage. Following Unit 1s return to service, power supply to Entergys customers in the second half of the soon-to-be-reported quarter increased. We expect the upcoming results to reflect the effects of this units return to service. Entergy Corporation Price and EPS Surprise Entergy Corporation Price and EPS Surprise Entergy Corporation price-eps-surprise | Entergy Corporation Quote However, the company had to bear outage related expenses, following the Tropical Storm Olga that hit Louisiana in October 2019. This is likely to have pushed up Entergys quarterly expenses for restoring power and other associated restructuring costs, thereby affecting its quarterly bottom line. On a brighter note, Entergys subsidiary closed its purchase of the 810-megawatt Choctaw County Generating Station in October. We expect positive synergies to benefit the companys fourth-quarter results. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Entergys fourth-quarter earnings, pegged at 66 cents per share, indicates an improvement of 10% from the year-ago quarter. Story continues Earnings Whispers Our proven model doesnt conclusively predict an earnings beat for Entergy this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. But thats not the case here. Earnings ESP: The companys Earnings ESP is 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Zacks Rank: Entergy carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Stocks to Consider Here are a few players from the Utilities sector that have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in the to-be-reported quarter. Ameren Corp AEE has an Earnings ESP of +2.73% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is set to announce fourth-quarter 2019 earnings on Feb 26. The AES Corp AES has an Earnings ESP of +0.76% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company will announce fourth-quarter 2019 earnings on Feb 28. CenterPoint Energy CNP has an Earnings ESP of +1.09% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company will announce fourth-quarter 2019 earnings on Feb 27. Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside? Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana. Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look. See the pot trades we're targeting>> 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 Ameren Corporation (AEE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Entergy Corporation (ETR) : Free Stock Analysis Report CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) : Free Stock Analysis Report The AES Corporation (AES) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Days before the deal was reached to restore power-sharing at Stormont, Julian Smith vented his frustration at the lack of progress paralysing the negotiations. "We've been f***ing about at this far too long," he told the politicians in front of him. Dynamic, blunt, yet sensitive when he had to be, the outgoing secretary of state impressed all shades of political opinion here, and that's no mean feat. The parties may not have agreed with everything he said, but they all respected him. He didn't have a hard act to follow. The hapless Karen Bradley was unanimously regarded as a disaster. Smith learnt from her mistakes. He employed two twenty-something special advisers, Ross Easton and Lilah Howson-Smith. Whereas Bradley dealt with the media from a defensive position, team Smith adopted a positive and proactive approach from the get-go. If he was trying to get hold of a politician, he would stun civil servants by putting on his coat and setting off to find them, rather than waiting for officials to make the phone calls. On other occasions, he would head down for lunch to the canteen in Parliament Buildings where MLAs and journalists ate, which was almost unheard of for a secretary of state. He first met former Irish foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney at a very formal event in Hillsborough Castle surrounded by officials from both sides. As business concluded, he turned to Coveney and asked "Will we go to the pub?" and they sauntered down to the Hillside in the village. From that ice-breaking moment, the two men built a strong relationship which paved the way for New Decade, New Approach. Smith may have lacked ministerial experience when he came here, but his time as Commons chief whip meant he possessed the crucial skill of building relationships and deals. Managing 300-plus MPs helped him handle Northern Ireland's recalcitrant politicians. Smith was a pragmatist, not an ideologue. He was no DUP stooge despite that party's confidence-and-supply agreement with the Tories being in place when he was appointed last July. He had been instrumental in helping abortion and same-sex marriage amendments through the House of Commons last summer. Smith spent more time in Northern Ireland than many of his predecessors. His wife and daughter would stay with him in the flat in Hillsborough Castle. Weekends included visiting the Clip 'n Climb adventure centre in Dundonald. Government sources dismiss speculation that plans in New Decade, New Approach to address legacy within the next 100 days - unpopular with many Tories - sealed Smith's fate. Instead, they point to a Brexit-related tweet which was interpreted as a put-down of Dominic Cummings in October. Aside from restoring devolution, Smith will be remembered most for his work in helping victims of historical institutional abuse. He fast-tracked legislation to compensate them and held a reception for them in Hillsborough Castle last month. Victim Margaret McGuckin said: "I never met anybody like him. My experience means a lack of trust for the authorities is inbred in me. We were let down by so many other officials and secretaries of state. "Within minutes of meeting Julian Smith, I knew he was a good one. You always feel these Government people are looking down on you. With him, I felt we were on the same level, or even that he looked up to us a bit. "I called him Mr Darcy because he reminded me of that character in the Bridget Jones movies. "He was warm, sincere and a wee bit shy. Just a perfect gentleman." New Secretary of State Brandon Lewis has big boots to fill. Its a lovely day job to have and still be working on your craft, said Ursula, who left this month for San Francisco, where shes rehearsing Toni Stone, a co-production between A.C.T. and Arena Stage that runs March 5-29 in California before beginning a five-week run in the District on April 23. The level of honesty and simplicity that happens behind the microphone in the booth has made me aware of how much I get away with on the stage and on camera. Zelensky meets with representatives of Ukraine's leading business associations 15:03, 14.02.20 1360 The president suggested holding such meetings on a monthly basis. OTTAWAJustin Trudeau faces a restive country enduring protests and rail blockades over a proposed B.C. pipeline. Yet another energy project threatens to deepen his political woes and could put him offside with his own MPs. In the words of one Liberal MP, the looming decision by the federal cabinet whether to OK the Teck Resources Frontier oilsands project is a no win for the prime minister. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, who backs the $21-billion project, has declared it a litmus test of Ottawas new post-election focus on the economic woes facing the West. Yet those opposing the development hold it up as a different test, of the environmental credentials of the Liberal government and their commitment to combat climate change, as championed in the election campaign just last fall. Theres another worrisome dynamic for the prime minister approving the project would almost certainly roil relations with a sizable number of Liberal MPs concerned that such a decision would undermine the partys environmental agenda. There is an animus in the caucus where they are a bit exercised about this. Its primarily on environmental grounds that we are being hypocrites, one Ontario Liberal MP told the Star this week. Theres very little upside and a whole bunch of downside, said the MP, who spoke on background because he was discussing caucus matters. The proposed project was the topic of a lively discussion at a recent meeting of Liberal MPs. There was debate about its economic benefits and whether it would deliver the promised jobs, according to one MP at the meeting. Some weighed the potential political fallout, saying that approval would risk alienating Liberal supporters. Some questioned whether it would even become a reality, given current depressed oil prices. Some Liberal MPs argue that theyve already made one big political concession with the governments 2018 purchase of the Trans Mountain pipeline project, a move made to ensure its expansion. Just last week, Finance Minister Bill Morneau was forced to defend the merits of the project following news that the expansion cost had ballooned to $12.6 billion. Quebec MP Joel Lightbound told reporters that its fundamental that Canada achieve the greenhouse gas targets set in Paris, though he added it wasnt meant as a comment on this specific project. Toronto MP Adam Vaughan has given strong hints that hes opposed to the project, saying he has significant concerns about its impacts. Weve made commitments on climate change. Weve got commitments to our children on climate change. We have action to take on climate change. Its been too slow coming and so on that front I think Ive become, if anything, even a stronger environmentalist, Vaughan told reporters before Parliament rose for its February break. I think you can tell where I stand on the project. The Ontario MP who spoke on background said that Trudeau has to take all those views into consideration, especially in a minority Parliament. I dont think he has any choice. Its a difficult decision, its a political decision and he has to keep caucus a lot happier than he used to, he said. If people dont feel that theyve been consulted and listened to, that will create other difficulties for him, he said. The proposed oilsands mine in northeast Alberta would produce some 3.2 billion barrels of bitumen over its projected 40-year lifespan. A joint Alberta-federal review endorsed the project but cautioned that it would have significant adverse impacts on the natural environment and would be a large producer of greenhouse gases that could hinder Canadas ability to meet its targets. Although we find that there will be significant adverse project and cumulative effects on certain environmental components and Indigenous communities we consider these effects to be justified and that the Frontier project is in the public interest, the review said. Those benefits include thousands of jobs to build the facility and then operate it along with the $70.5 billion in taxes and royalties its forecast to produce for federal, provincial and municipal coffers. But there are serious political considerations for Trudeau if cabinet rejects the project, a decision that could further inflame already heightened tensions with Western Canada. The Liberals were shut out of Alberta and Saskatchewan in the October election, prompting Trudeau to make healing regional rifts a post-election focus. Toronto MP Chrystia Freeland was named intergovernmental affairs minister and made deputy prime minister as a show of the governments high-level commitment to national unity issues and navigating energy and climate change issues. Winnipeg MP Jim Carr, a former minister of natural resources, was made special representative for the Prairies. Hes called the Teck Frontier proposal an important project. Were spending a lot of time talking to people and listening to people and looking at the very important balance between environmental stewardship and Indigenous partnerships and economic growth, he told reporters earlier this month. In a Feb. 5 letter to Trudeau, the Alberta premier argued the merits of the Teck Frontier project, called for its timely approval and warned that a negative decision would have a chilling effect on energy development. And he warned that rejection could raise roiling Western alienation to a boiling point. A decision is due by the end of February. The issue has been debated at a cabinet committee and is expected to go to a full meeting of cabinet in the coming weeks. Trudeau is not blind to the risk that a yes decision could put him at odds with Liberal MPs, said one official. You have to listen to caucus. These are the values why people decided to run and won on If you listen to those values, its hard to say yes, said one official, who spoke on background because he wasnt not authorized to speak publicly on the issue. Cabinet could approve the project but such a decision would require stringent measures imposed on the proponent, like those laid out by Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson this week, the official said. It would also require commitments by the province of Alberta on the climate change front, like what Kenney proposed with his pledge to cap emissions at 100 megatonnes a year. In his letter, Kenney offered Trudeau an olive branch, saying that Alberta stands willing to work with Ottawa on climate change. We do not dispute the need to reduce emissions, the premier wrote. Theres concern in government circles that whatever the decision, the fallout will distract from the Liberals climate-change agenda. Were concerned that the noise it will create will take momentum away from the climate progress we are making, said the official. Read more about: SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICOAs if Puerto Ricans needed another reason to worry about where their tax money was going, a senior official told police Wednesday that the islands government had unwittingly handed over $2.6 million to thieves after being fooled by a bogus email message. And it wasnt the first time. Ruben Rivera, finance director of the government-sponsored Puerto Rico Industrial Development Co., said in the police report that the email message contained instructions to transfer money intended for the public pension system to a different bank account than had been used before. Rivera said his office sent the money to a foreign account Jan. 17. Whose bank account that was, and what happened to the money, is under investigation. Police said the email had been disguised to seem as if it had been sent by a government employee who handles pension fund transfers. We think that the hacker might have breached the system through the retirement agency, said Jose Ayala, director of the bank robbery division of the islands police force. The theft was discovered when the pension-system employee called to ask why the money had never arrived. Similar attacks, known as business email compromises, have grown increasingly common across the country in recent years, often targeting municipalities. A school district in Manor, Texas, said it lost $2.3 million to a similar fraud in January, The Associated Press reported. Ayala said the development company, known as PRIDCO, had apparently been tricked out of another $63,000 the same way in recent months and that another government entity, Puerto Rico Tourism Co., had been fooled into transferring $1.5 million. He said the cases had been handed over to federal officials and were no longer under his jurisdiction. Osvaldo Soto, the islands public affairs secretary, said the government had been working with federal law enforcement agencies as well as those on the island since Jan. 23 to investigate the frauds, which he said had also affected the islands Roads and Transportation Authority and Commerce and Exports Agency. Special resources have been assigned to the investigation, Soto said. He said the thefts did not threaten the pension systems ability to issue benefit checks, at least for now. People with pensions will continue to receive their payments as per usual without any irregularities, he said. Manuel Laboy, the islands secretary of economic development and commerce and the head of PRIDCO, said the development agency was trying to recover the $2.6 million, the AP reported. Laboys office said in a statement that he would hold a news conference Friday. The incidents have come to light at a time when public trust in Puerto Ricos financially strapped government is already very low. There have been dozens of street protests on the island since the summer, when millions of residents took to the streets to demand the resignation of Gov. Ricardo Rossello, whose administration was mired in scandal. We believe there is a lack of competence and neglect from the government, said Federico Torres Montalvo, 74, a top public-sector labour leader. Any embezzlement is the governments fault. I heard that the governor assured that the pensions will not be affected by this, but right now, people have very little confidence in government institutions. Aury Curbelo, an information technology expert and a professor at the University of Puerto Rico, said the situation spoke to a lack of cybersecurity training in government offices. Training is forgotten because it costs, Curbelo said. Hospitals have to have them because they have to comply with regulations. Government agencies have no regulations. A spokeswoman for the island governments information technology office did not respond to requests for comment. An Australian television personality has thrown his hat in the ring to help capture a giant Indonesian crocodile and remove a motorcycle tyre stuck around its neck. Matt Wright, host of National Geographic's "Monster Croc Wrangler" show, was on the island of Sulawesi Thursday with a team using traps baited with duck, a drone and even a harpoon in a bid to reel in the reptile. "It (the harpoon) doesn't hurt the crocodile," the croc wrangler told reporters Thursday in the city of Palu. "It just goes in a little bit. It's like getting your ears pierced." Wright told more than 200,000 followers on Instagram that the team had trapped a smaller croc on Wednesday "training for the main event". But catching the bigger beast was a challenge, he said, because of the tough environment and the fact that it wasn't hungry due to ample food in the river. "If we don't get him this trip with me over here, the boys will keep the trap set. They'll keep trying," Wright said. "We might not catch him in two days... but eventually we should catch him." Wright, joined by fellow Australian crocodile wrangler Chris Wilson, is working with the local conservation agency, which has struggled for years to rescue the croc. The animal made headlines last month after a competition was rolled out offering punters an unspecified financial reward for any brave individual who captures the four metre (13-foot) beast. Officials later called off the contest and said they would redouble efforts to free the croc from its rubber vice, which conservationists feared could endanger the croc's safety. Thousands of curious spectators who have turned up to watch may be thwarting rescue efforts, Wilson said. "It's very cunning and it's very smart," he said. "He knows people, so he's scared of people. When you try and get close to him, he just gets underwater." strs/pb/ Prepare yourselves for a special Valentine's Day treat, straight from the Broadway cast of Dear Evan Hansen. Jordan Fisher, who recently assumed the role of Evan Hansen on Broadway, joined his costar Gabrielle Carrubba to shoot a romantic video of the duet, "If I Could Tell Her." Spend the rest of your February 14 watching this brand-new music video, featuring the dreamiest Evan Hansen you're likely to see in this lifetime. The Supreme Court on Friday fixed the matter pertaining to the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the central government and NCT of Delhi (through Lieutenant Governor) against the judgement of the Delhi High Court in the matter of 2012 gang-rape case for further hearing at 3 pm on February 20. A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice R Banumathi and also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and Ashok Bhushan, fixed the matter for further hearing. The Centre had moved the top court after the Delhi High Court had rejected its petition. The trial court has fixed the matter for February 17 at 2 pm, we are of the view that these petitions be taken up thereafter, the Supreme Court observed today. "List these special leave petitions on 20th February 2020 at 3.00 p.m. We make it clear that the pendency of these petitions may not be treated as an impediment for the Trial Court to consider the matter on its own merits," the apex court said. Earlier today, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition of Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder convict Vinay Kumar Sharma challenging the rejection of mercy petition by President Ram Nath Kovind. The Supreme Court also said in its order that the medical reports stated that Vinay is psychologically fit and his medical condition is stable. The apex court dismissed his petition, finding it devoid of merit. Vinay Sharma, one of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape case, had filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court challenging the rejection of his mercy petition by the President of India. On February 1, President Ram Nath Kovind had rejected the mercy petition of Vinay Sharma in the case. The mercy petitions of convicts Akshay Thakur and Mukesh Singh have also been rejected. The Delhi High Court on February 5 granted a week's time to the four convicts to avail of all legal remedies available to them and said that the convicts cannot be hanged separately since they were convicted for the same crime. A Delhi Court had issued a death warrant against the four convicts -- Vinay Sharma, Akshay Thakur, Pawan Gupta, and Mukesh Singh -- on January 7 and they were scheduled to be executed on January 22 at Tihar Jail. Later, the execution was suspended indefinitely by a Delhi court. The case pertains to the gang-rape and brutalizing 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. The woman had 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.) Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah on Thursday said that a controversial slogan and statements made in the run-up to the February 8 Delhi Assembly elections may have caused the party dear. "We stick to our stand on the Shaheen Bagh protests (against the CAA). However, slogan like 'Desh ke gaddaron ko' and statements like 'India vs Pakistan' (contest on the polling day) should not have been made. Our performance may have suffered because of this," Shah said at the Times Now Summit in New Delhi. It was at a public rally addressed by Union Minister Anurag Thakur in Delhi that the controversial slogan was raised, which brought him censure from the Election Commission of India. Asserting that people were entitled to protest democratically, Shah claimed that constroversial statements were made at the Shaheen Bagh protest site. As for arrested Jawaharlal Nehru University student Sharjeel Imam, the Home Minister said: "He spoke about shutting Assam. We have shut him in a jail instead." He said that the Ministry of Home Affairs was looking into possible links between the Popular Front of India and Shaheen Bagh protesters. Shah also said that the police crackdown at the Jamia Millia Islamia in December last year wasn't on students but "those who burnt buses" in violence outside the campus. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - A fire swept through a Haitian childrens home run by a Pennsylvania-based religious non-profit group, killing 15 children, officials said Friday. Rose-Marie Louis, a child-care worker at the home, told The Associated Press that the fire began around 9 p.m. Thursday and firefighters took about 90 minutes to arrive. The orphanage had been using candles for light due to problems with its generator and inverter, she said. About half of those who died were babies or toddlers and the others were roughly 10 or 11 years old, Louis said. Late Friday afternoon, police raided another home also run by the Church of Bible Understanding and took away several dozen children in a bus over protests from employees. The fire happened at the groups orphanage in the Kenscoff area outside Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital. It could have been me, said Renadin Mondeline, a 22-year-old who lived in the home with her son, now 6, for about two years until she started making enough money as a street vendor to start renting her own place to live last year. These little girls inside were just like my baby. Rescue workers arrived at the scene on motorcycles and didnt have bottled oxygen or the ambulances needed to transport the children to the hospital, said Jean-Francois Robenty, a civil protection official. They could have been saved, he said. We didnt have the equipment to save their lives. The Associated Press has reported on a long-standing series of problems at the two childrens homes run by the Church of Bible Understanding. We are aware of the fire in the childrens home in Haiti, said Temi J. Sacks, a spokesman for the group, which is based in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It would be irresponsible for us to comment until after all the facts are in. The Church of Bible Understanding lost accreditation for its homes after a series of inspections beginning in November 2012. Haitian inspectors faulted the group for overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and not having enough adequately trained staff. Members of the religious group were selling expensive vintage building fixtures like banisters and chandeliers at high-end stores in New York and Los Angeles and using a portion of the profits to fund the homes. The Associated Press made an unannounced visit to the groups two homes, holding a total of 120 kids, in 2013 and found bunk beds with faded and worn mattresses crowded into dirty rooms. Sour air wafted through the bathrooms and stairwells. Rooms were dark and spartan, lacking comforts or decoration. The Church of Bible Understanding operates two homes for nearly 200 children in Haiti as part of a Christian training program, according to its most recent non-profit organization filing. It has operated in the country since 1977. It identifies the homes as orphanages but it is common in Haiti for impoverished parents to place children in residential care centres, where they receive lodging and widely varying education for several years but are not technically orphans. We take in children who are in desperate situations, the organization says in its tax filing for 2017, the most recent year available. Many of them were very close to death when we took them in. The non-profit reported revenue of $6.6 million and expenses of $2.2 million for the year. ___ Associated Press journalists Evens Sanon reported this story in Port-au-Prince, AP writer Michael Weissenstein reported from Havana and AP writer Ben Fox reported from Washington. New York Politicians Lied and Their 'Gun-Control' Laws Failed Again By Rob Morse. February 12, 2020 Original Source New York politicians said we would be safe. Democrats told us to register our guns so the criminals would be disarmed. New York Democrats said we needed to have fewer cartridges in our guns so the bad guys couldnt hurt us. Last week, a convicted felon shot police officers in New York City. We were told this couldnt happen because of New Yorks strict gun laws. Clearly, the Democrats lied to us. If it could happen to the police, then it could happen to any of us. It isnt the tool that does harm, it is the evil person who kills with any tool he wants to use. We were fools to believe the old lies, and wed be bigger fools to believe the New York politicians now. New York Democrats passed the SAFE act in 2013. This 'gun control' legislation was passed in the middle of the night because it was emergency legislation that we needed desperately to insure public safety. The legislation outlawed many handguns and long guns. The law limited the number of cartridges honest gun owners could carry in their guns. It required a background check before law abiding individuals could transfer a gun or buy ammunition. Provisions in the SAFE act meant honest gun owners could be disarmed if someone questioned their mental health. Democrats said that would keep us safe. It didnt work at all. Disarming the good guys doesnt stop the bad guys. Last week, a convicted felon got a gun. The felon attacked police officers several times. The criminal had a previous conviction in 2002 after he shot and tried to kill a man, carjacked a woman, and then shot at police. He was arrested again in 2018 for driving while intoxicated. The criminal was out on parole when he shot a police officer in the head, another officer in the arm, and then attacked a police station. Criminals dont obey our laws and the police cant keep us safe. In New York City, criminals get guns in a few minutes on the street while honest gun owners need months or years to receive government permission to own a gun. It turns out that criminals dont care about New York gun laws any more than they are stopped by laws against assault and murder. Criminals use any weapon they want and carry it anywhere they want. Criminals dont care who we are. If thugs would attack the cops, then we are not safe. That means we should protect ourselves, but New Yorks gun-control laws makes that difficult if not impossible for law abiding citizens. Disarming the good guys puts all of us in greater danger rather than making us safer. That is the opposite of what we were promised. Is that failure of gun-control an accident, or were these laws designed to fail? Was this failure part of a larger plan? Democrats in New York condemned honest police officers and released repeat criminals. Democrat politicians made it harder for honest citizens to defend themselves in public. Now, the thugs shoot cops, and crime soars. In the face of this new violence, will Democrat politicians then demand complete gun confiscation from honest citizens to stop the unprecedented levels of public violence they created? That is another prescription for failure.. for deadly failure. That idea sounds crazy to me, but we let New York politicians lie to us before. New York Democrats might get away with their lies again.. if we let them. Our future, like our familys safety, lies in our hands. Tell your politicians to repeal these failed laws. ~_~_ Sources- https://www.foxnews.com/us/bronx-attacks-on-nypd-likely-to-further-inflame-tensions-between-cops-de-blasios-city-hall https://abcnews.go.com/US/nypd-cop-shot-head-neck-attempt-assassinate-police/story?id=68860069 https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/two-new-york-cops-shot-in-attack-on-bronx-police-station-vehicle/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/02/08/thailand-soldier-terminal-21-mall-shooting-rampage-korat/4700184002/ https://apnews.com/4bc2296db89a22c7c313f717ce76ff6f https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NY_SAFE_Act Back to Top AustCyber has revealed details of 13 out of the 17 projects selected for the second round of its projects fund, first announced in June 2019. Last year, the Australian government released the $8.5 million in funding to assist the cyber security industry to upskill and expand. On offer was $100,000 to $3 million in matching funds for eligible projects. The field of applications for this round of AustCybers Projects Fund was highly competitive and covered a wide range of areas of cyber capability, AustCyber CEO Michelle Price said. The recipients were selected through a robust process supported by industry experts, who helped us with the tough job of narrowing down which applications would receive funding. Projects are addressing six of the 10 sector challenges identified in AustCybers Cyber Security Sector Competitiveness Plan 2019. Three projects build on completed projects from round one, including Quad IQs development of an intelligent trust evaluation system to reduce time spent on security vetting; Lociis platform which fragments, encrypts and shards user biometrics across multiple trusted servers so that no single entity has access to a users complete biometric vector; and Fifth Domain's virtualised learning platform that supports individual lab training. Those projects received $300,000, $950,000 and $987,741, respectively. Locii will deliver its project in partnership with LaavaID, Macquarie Bank, Nu Mobile and the Australian Finance Group (AFG). Alpha Betas interactive heat map of demand and supply for cyber security jobs received industry funding of $610,430 and matching funds from AustCyber. Two projects are being led by graduates of CyRises accelerator program and have female founders. Cynch Security aims to deliver and study the impacts of cyber risk interventions by applying the Cynch Cyber Fitness platform to tailor programs for small or micro businesses, while Serinus Security aims to develop a threat analytics platform focused on insights into safe Wi-Fi areas and identify malicious Wi-Fi trends and behaviours globally. Penten will provide fly-away kits to a pilot group of regional SMEs and academia so they can access their own classified IT networks on a scalable, multi-tenant service. The Penten initiative had the largest amount of industry funding $2.2 million and will be getting $800,000 from AustCyber. Amplify Intelligence and Gallaghers cyber safety service will be trialled by 100 small businesses to measure cyber risks derived from critical datasets from both an external and internal view of their risks. AARNet, which will contribute with $1.2 million and get $555,000 from the fund, is developing a security operations centre service to help institutions monitor, detect and respond to cyber threats. Airlock Digital is commoditising application whitelisting to managed service providers and smaller businesses, building on their existing enterprise-grade product. Kortek, Telstra and Intellidesign are working together to deliver a highly secure internet of things platform to give stakeholders advanced control over the security and interoperability of their distributed networks through a combination of industrially robust hardware and a programmable operating system that make it possible to securely integrate endpoint devices into any cloud. The industry funding for the project is $1.3 million and it will recieve $926,123 from the federal fund. Responsight and McGrathNicol are developing a system for forensic data collection, investigations and early warning risk analytics based on behavioural activity profiling; and WorldStack, Penten and TSS Cyber are working together to accelerate joint development of a prototype to address the challenge of data breach detection and bring the solution to market through a customer trial. The projects fund is a three-year initiative, with the $8.5 million second round of federal funding to be used over the next two years. In total the projects funded by the initiative are worth more than $35 million, according to the government. These projects offer a range of innovative, cyber security solutions that will help grow our national cyber security expertise, create more jobs and position Australia as a global leader in this rapidly evolving sector, minister for industry, science and technology Karen Andrews said. AustCyber said it will provide information on the other four projects shortly. WINCHESTER BAY, Ore. A teenager in the coastal Oregon town of Winchester Bay was arrested on Thursday after repeatedly firing a semi-automatic rifle in his family's home, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Deputies headed to the 73000-block of Highway 101 shortly after 9 p.m. after getting a report that a 17-year-old boy was "shooting a gun inside a home following a disturbance." After arriving at the home, officers from multiple agencies took the teen into custody just before 10 p.m. without any issues. An investigation of the incident found that the teen had gotten upset with his mother "over his cell phone," the Sheriff's Office said. He then tried to attack his mother, but was stopped when his father intervened. "Following the assault, the teen retrieved an AR-15 rifle and began to fire it multiple times inside the home causing a significant amount of damage," the Sheriff's Office said. "At one point, he pointed the firearm at his father, but did not fire it." No one was injured during the struggle and gunfire, according to the Sheriff's Office. The teen was taken to the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Facility and faces charges for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Pointing a Firearm at Another, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, two counts of Menacing, and Assault in the Fourth Degree. Washington, D.C., Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New Civil Liberties Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit public- interest litigation group, filed a petition for rehearing en banc in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in the case of Christopher M. Gibson v. SEC. Mr. Gibsons case against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is disturbingly similar to scores of cases where that agency insists on putting people through pointless administrative proceedings before unconstitutional administrative law judges (ALJs) that are destined to be vacated. NCLA believes the Eleventh Circuit panel erred in concluding the district court lacked jurisdiction to hear Mr. Gibsons objections to the SECs second unconstitutional hearing in his case. As NCLAs petition shows, the U.S. Supreme Courts 2018 decision in Lucia v. SEC held that the SECs ALJs are officers of the United States. As such, NCLA argues, the ALJs may not enjoy more than one layer of for-cause tenure protection. Lucia clarified that defendants have a right not to be tried in front of constitutionally defective ALJs. Hence, federal district courts must have jurisdiction to decide before an administrative hearing takes place whether an ALJ has the proper constitutional authority to hear the case. Mr. Gibsons case is one of more than one-hundred invalid SEC hearings nullified following the Lucia v. SEC decision. In 2014 the SEC entered a formal order of investigation of Gibson that focused on trading activities. An ALJ found him in violation of securities laws in a 2017 hearing. Gibson filed a petition for review of that decision which sat undecided before the Commission for over two years. In June 2018, the Supreme Courts decision in Lucia v. SEC vacated the ALJs initial decision. Rather than retry Gibson before the Commission itself, the SEC subjected him to a second hearing before another constitutionally defective ALJ. This time, the problem is that the ALJ enjoys multiple layers of removal protection. Under an earlier precedent called Free Enterprise Fund v. Public Co. Accounting Oversight Board, the Supreme Court made clear that officers of the U.S. may not be insulated from removal by more than one layer of tenure protection without running afoul of the clause in Article II of the Constitution that requires the President to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed. Free Enterprise Fund also squarely held that district court jurisdiction exists under the very statutory provision at issue in Mr. Gibsons case. NCLA also represents Michelle Cochran in her Fifth Circuit case against the SEC for trying to force her to appear before another invalid ALJ. NCLA released the following statements: The SEC has defied the Supreme Courts instruction to give Mr. Gibson a new hearing before a properly appointed official. This circuit should rehear the case en banc and rein in a lawless and defiant agency and course correct the law of this circuit. Peggy Little, Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA NCLA will not rest until the courts recognize the injustice of the SECs administrative law judges and the costly, life-altering, business and reputation destroying proceedings before these ALJs who preside in violation of the Constitutionas the Government itself admits. Jessica Thompson, Litigation Counsel, NCLA ABOUT NCLA NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights organization founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights. For more information visit us online: NCLAlegal.org. A toddler who uses a wheelchair was left stunned during a trip to Target after seeing a poster that featured a boy just like him. One-year-old Oliver Garza-Pena of Peoria, Arizona doesnt always get to see kids like him. The tot, who has caudal regression syndrome, relies on a wheelchair to get around and will never be able to bend his legs or walk, his mom Demi Garza-Pena tells PEOPLE. We found out about his condition when I was 18 weeks pregnant. His spine didnt develop [and] because of that, his spinal cord and internal organs were affected, Demi, 26, says. He sees kids all the time, and hes always watching them run around. It wasnt until earlier this month that everything changed for little Oliver. Demi shares that on Feb. 4, she and Oliver took a trip to Target and I wasnt really paying attention and he stopped his wheelchair and he flipped it around and looked at the poster, and once I saw what was going I was taken aback by it. Demi says Oliver completely stopped in his tracks, looking up in awe at an ad that showed a little boy smiling widely in a wheelchair. It was extremely heartwarming to see him relate to someone on a poster, hes hardly 2 years old. We dont get to see that kind of stuff out there. Its the kind of role models these kids need. We just really valued that moment, Demi tells PEOPLE. Oliver and Demi Garza-Pena | Demi Garza-Pena When Demi called out to Oliver, she says he didnt even respond. The tot was so focused on the ad that he didnt move. When I explained that the boy had a chair like him, he got all excited. He did a little giggle, Demi says. Moved by her sons adoration for the ad, Demi shared a photo of the moment on Olivers Facebook, which she uses to talk about her sons condition and promote inclusivity and awareness. RELATED: Young Thug Brings Sick 14-Year-Old Fan Onstage at Concert See the Sweet Meet and Greet Photos Story continues Soon, the photo went viral, with people identifying the little boy in the ad as 10-year-old Colton Robinson from West Springfield, Massachusetts. People began saying, Thats Colton! and brought us together and now me and the mom are talking day and night, and we share stories, Demi shares. Coltons mom Ashley Robinson was also floored by the reaction. Ashley, 39, tells PEOPLE that Colton, who has spina bifida, got into modeling back in 2014 and has done work for Toys R Us, Tommy Hilfiger and of course Target. Spina bifida is a condition in which a babys spinal cord fails to develop properly. Colton Robinson | courtesy Ashley Robinson Towards the end of last year the shoot happened, Ashley tells PEOPLE of Coltons Target ad. We were sitting at home and Coltons school nurse came across the post on this support page and was like, Oh my God! I know that little boy.' His nurse then reached out and told her about Oliver. Demi messaged me that same night and I told her, Your post has me crying.' Ashley explains that she knew Coltons ad would be in Target, but didnt know which Target, so the post came as a big surprise. Hes been talking about it, Ashley says of Colton. Hes really enjoyed knowing that someones been looking up to him and knowing that he can be a role model. When doing the photo shoot, we dont really think about how other families will feel. So, for me it was the first time I saw a reaction. It was emotional and beautiful. RELATED: Ms. Wheelchair USA 2019 Winner Brittany Hawley: My Pain Is Driving Me To Be Who I Want To Be Although they have bonded through the experience, the boys have yet to meet. Were having a lot of fun connecting and its really special that Colton needed someone to look up to him and Oliver needed someone to look up to, Demi says. Soon, however, Demi hopes the boys will cross paths. We do hope our paths cross. One day we want the boys to play and race down the street together, Demi says adding that she and Ashley have made a lifelong friendship over this. A major fraud scam involving claims to be from Amazon Prime was exposed by detectives today who warned the public that the conmen were operating country-wide with one victim losing all their life savings. Police believe that the telephone scam has already netted the unknown gang more than 1 million. Several of the latest victims to be contacted claiming that they have been duped into paying an Amazon Prime subscription live in Bedfordshire and today police in the county issued an urgent warning to the public. A 2019 file photo shows a picture of one of Amazon's German distribution centres. According to police, Bedfordshire residents are being duped by a scam which masks itself behind cancelling a subscription to Amazon Prime The method behind the Amazon Prime scam The unsuspecting victim receives an automated phone message, claiming that they've been charged for taking out a subscription for Amazon's Prime service. The message tells the victim to press '1' on their phone, which they say will cancel the transaction. On pressing '1', the victim is redirected to a fraudster posing as a Amazon customer service representative. After schmoozing the victim, the criminals tell the victim to download software, which provides remote computer access, including personal and financial details. Fraudsters have also tried to offer a refund for an unauthorised transaction on Amazon to gain access to the sensitive information. Advertisement A spokesman for Bedfordshire Police said: 'We are issuing a fraud warning after a number of Bedfordshire residents fell victim to a scam, with one losing their entire life savings. 'Action Fraud has reported that the scam was first reported in October 2019 and since has cost the victims more than 1 million. 'The scam is carried out by phone call, with the victim receiving an automated phone message that they have been charged for an Amazon Prime subscription. They are subsequently instructed to 'press 1' to cancel the transaction. When they do this, they are directed to a fraudster posing as an Amazon customer service representative. 'The fraudster advises the victim that their subscription was purchased fraudulently and that remote access to their computer is required in order to fix a security flaw that will prevent it from reoccurring. 'The unsuspecting victim then downloads software which grants the scammers remote access to their computer, including personal and financial information. 'Other variants of the crime involve fraudsters stating that the recipient is eligible for a refund for an unauthorised transaction on their Amazon account. 'Bedfordshire Police would like to advise all residents to stay alert to this sophisticated scam and follow Action Fraud advice to stay safe.' Fraud Action advises people who receive a call requesting remote access to their computer to contact them on 0300 123 2040 (stock image) That advice spells out: Personal information - always question uninvited approaches in case it's a scam. Instead, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number. Try using a different phone line if possible or wait for a period of time as scammers have a way to stay on the line. Stay in control - have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for personal or financial information. It's easy to feel embarrassed when faced with unexpected or complex conversations. But it's fine to stop the discussion if you do not feel in control of it. Remote access - never install any software or visit a website as a result of a cold call. Unsolicited requests for remote access to your computer should always raise a red flag. Bedfordshire Police Cyber Security Advisor Sean O'Neil said: 'We would like to ask our residents to remain vigilant to any unsolicited calls. Make sure that you share this advice with your friends and family and speak to your elderly family members. 'Remember to always protect your personal information and never grant remote access to your computer or phone to anyone who contacts you first.. Remember, if you have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, report it to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040.' Its still in the mandate letters that Justin Trudeau has been giving to cabinet ministers since he was elected in 2015: There remains no more important relationship to me and to Canada than the one with Indigenous peoples. Substitute the word impossible for important and that sentence adequately sums up where that relationship appears to stand this week. Trudeau is not the first Canadian prime minister to be met with massive roadblocks literal and figurative in his relations with Indigenous people, but he is the most heavily invested. Sometime in the distant future, when hes reflecting on his legacy, Trudeau will no doubt reflect on whether the investment was worth it. This very week, though, with escalating Indigenous protests and a new class action lawsuit launched on Wednesday by the Assembly of First Nations, has provided a vivid illustration of how mere political good will has been insufficient in the immediate term. So too, more worryingly, is the rule of law. Protests, like strikes, are meant to be disruptive and inconvenient, even to innocent bystanders. People get that. Parents in Ontario, for instance, are being currently tested by teachers strikes across the province. The nation-wide outbreak of Indigenous protests in support of Wet'suwet'en pipeline opponents in B.C., however, is stretching the limits not just of patience and good will, but of the law as well. This is a moment, no question, that places the best of Canadian-Indigenous intentions on a collision course with raw reality. The most striking statements against the protests have come from some of the voices most inclined toward reconciliation, certainly at the political level. They are cloaking their words in respect, but with an unmistakable edge of frustration not far beneath. Peaceful demonstration is fundamental to our success as a democracy, B.C. Premier John Horgan declared on Wednesday, a day after protests put his speech from the throne in turmoil at the provincial legislature. 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 value of Canadians, is just plain wrong. Monitoring the escalating chaos from his travels in Africa, Trudeau 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. Perhaps the most searing appeal came from within the Tyendinaga community near Belleville, where the protests have stopped train traffic for nearly a week now. Im never in favour of First Nations being forced to do anything, whether it be historically or ordered by white court or police, Tyendinaga Mohawk police Chief Jason Brant said Wednesday morning, reading from carefully prepared remarks. But, Brant said, the point has been made tenfold. He implored his fellow community members to go home, for the sake of friends and neighbours suffering because of these protests. There have been a few rounds of layoffs, that I am aware of, because of the stoppage, Brant said. I understand that the fat cats of CN are losing millions and millions. Its now filtered down the working people; people living paycheque to paycheque are now being affected. The mention of fat cats, whether Brant intended it or not, cast the disruptions in a wider light not just of Canadian-Indigenous relations, but of class conflict, too. Thats a very familiar theme in contemporary politics, where all federal parties regularly compete over who hates rich people the most. This is where Trudeaus most important relationship gets complicated, maybe hopelessly so. It is not just about historic reconciliation. Its also about economic circumstances, resource development versus the environment, and the populism arising from economic inequality some of the most vexing, conflict-laden issues facing the federal government. Throw in contempt for the law and its easy to see why what looked important in 2015 can look impossible in 2020. Prime ministerial intentions only become a reality with the backing of the Canadian public. Four years ago, Trudeau was applauded for putting so much on the line when it came to fixing a notoriously difficult-to-fix file for every government since Confederation. Would he be similarly applauded today, with the costs rising and the payout highly in doubt? The ever-more-pressing question is not whether Trudeau will rethink his investment in his most important relationship in future, but whether events this week are making Canadians reconsider it, too right now. Correction, Feb. 12, 2020: This article has been amended from a previous version that misspelled Police Chief Jason Brant's surname as Bryant. Susan Delacourt is a columnist covering national politics based in Ottawa. Reach her via email: sdelacourt@thestar.ca or follow her on Twitter: @susandelacourt Read more about: A proposal to allow private interests to take 49-year leases at Sydney Harbour Federation Trust landmarks such as Cockatoo Island would amount to "de facto privatisation", federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese claims. Mr Albanese, whose electorate includes the island, was responding to a proposal submitted by the trust to an independent review commissioned by federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley. Cockatoo Island on Sydney Harbour. The trust argues that it faces "financial and operational headwinds" and that about $300 million, as The Sydney Morning Herald revealed in December, is needed to fully rehabilitate former Defence sites. These include Commonwealth-owned harbourside gems such as Headland Park at Mosman, the former Platypus submarine base at North Sydney, the Woolwich dock and parklands, and the North Head sanctuary. 7.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and a group of Senate Democrats have introduced a bill that would block funding for Trumps meddling at the DOJ. Warren tweeted: I'm leading a bill with @ChrisVanHollen, @maziehirono, & @SenMarkey to deny funding for Trump's DOJ appointees to interfere in matters related to Trump, his family, or his campaign associates. No money for corrupt appointees to meddle on behalf of the President or his buddies. pic.twitter.com/SEhXeWU1K0 Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 14, 2020 Sen. Warren suggested blocking the funding as an option during a recent interview on MSNBC, 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. Warren and her fellow Democratic Senators arent sitting around and waiting for the presidential election to fix things. With the Senate in the middle of a budget fight, Warrens bill stands a better chance of being included in the final DOJ budget package than through the usual legislative process. Republicans will still try to shoot it down, but Democrats are trying to act to end Trumps corruption of the DOJ. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ishika Mookerjee and David Ramli (Bloomberg) Singapore Fri, February 14, 2020 10:34 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206477cd0 2 Business Singapore,fund-manager,asset-management,law,financial-market,finance,Luxembourg,Cayman-Islands Free Singapore wants some of the worlds biggest money managers to call its tropical shores home. In January, the city-state rolled out a new corporate structure designed to make it more attractive for international firms to domicile funds in the nation. The law, known as the Variable Capital Companies Act, makes it easier for overseas and domestic entities to register funds in Singapore if they have a locally based fund manager. One of Asias major financial centers, Singapore expanded its assets under management by 5.4 percent to S$3.4 trillion (US$2.5 trillion) in 2018, the lafinantest central bank data show. But much of that is held in vehicles registered abroad -- think Luxembourg, the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. By having more funds domiciled in Singapore, the government hopes to not only attract more cash, but also jobs in the legal and accounting sectors. It could also reduce the economys reliance on more volatile sectors such as trade. Globally, there were some $74 trillion of assets under management in 2018, according to Boston Consulting Group Inc. The new VCC structure strengthens Singapores competitiveness in the arms race in fund structures, said Mathew Kathayanat, head of product and strategy for Asia Pacific at Bank of New York Mellon Corp.s asset-servicing arm. Interest has come from firms in China and India to Switzerland and the US, he said. Reminiscent of structures that already exist in Luxembourg and the Cayman Islands, Singapores new rules allow asset managers to use a single locally incorporated structure to hold a pool of assets and multiple sub-funds. This umbrella structure can house both traditional and alternative strategies and means a single set of service providers, financial statements and board of directors are required for multiple sub-funds, reducing costs. Firms will be allowed to use both Singapore and international accounting standards and be eligible to access the nations network of more than 70 double-tax agreements. Its a step up from the previous system, where investment managers typically needed to incorporate special purpose vehicles for each fund. The city-states tax incentives and rule of law could one day help the nations funds market grow into a global powerhouse. VCC is potentially a game changer in Singapore, Tony Lewis, head of HSBC Securities Services, said. Mindful Wealth Pte, a $600 million asset manager, is one convert, electing to re-domicile one of its funds from the Bahamas to Singapore. Chief Executive Officer Marco Frangi said that as Asias increasingly wealthy citizens look to invest globally, few jurisdictions will be able to match the size, proximity and reputation of the new Singapore system. Fund hubs in Asia arent as well known and used by financial investors compared with other jurisdictions, Frangi said. We believe in the medium term, this vehicle will be more popular. Other financial institutions have adopted a wait-and-see approach. The VCCs launch followed a test pilot that involved 18 fund houses and multifamily offices. Noticeably absent were giants like Morgan Stanley and Fidelity Investments. While the structure is the final missing piece of the investment funds puzzle in Singapore, it will take longer for global asset managers to look beyond their own shores, said Tan Woon Hum, a partner at Singapore law firm Shook Lin & Bok. Relocating an existing fund in the Cayman Islands or Luxembourg to Singapore would also be quite difficult, said Bharat Joshi, an investment director at PT Aberdeen Standard Investments Indonesia. To introduce a whole new structure will take a lot of education for clients, he said. Luxembourg, with around $4.7 trillion of assets under management, has long been a destination of choice for funds of BlackRock Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Amundi SA. The country has a global market share of around 62 percent of cross-border investment funds, according to estimates from Luxembourg for Finance, a government-backed agency tasked with developing the financial center. Everybody is trying to up their game. As long as its a fair competition, were very happy to be taken on, Luxembourg for Finance CEO Nicolas Mackel said. While the onshoring of investment structures has been a trend over the past two years, there are only a few credible solutions -- Luxembourg, Ireland and then Singapore, he said. MUNICH - The federal Liberal government will "have the votes" to ensure North America's new trade deal becomes the law of the land, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday before championing Canada's fight against mounting protectionism and the erosion of rules-based global institutions. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, second from left, meets with United States Senator Lindsey Graham, second from right, at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick MUNICH - The federal Liberal government will "have the votes" to ensure North America's new trade deal becomes the law of the land, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday before championing Canada's fight against mounting protectionism and the erosion of rules-based global institutions. Trudeau, in Germany for the Munich Security Conference, assured U.S. lawmakers that the House of Commons will vote on the newly negotiated U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement "in the coming weeks." Once approved, the signatories have three months to negotiate the regulations governing the deal before it goes into effect, likely this summer. "Good outcome, you think?" asked Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a member of the Senate committee on foreign relations and a close confidant of Donald Trump who led a bipartisan delegation to the conference comprising members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. "Excellent outcome," Trudeau replied. "We're very confident we have the votes." Hours later, though he didn't mention the U.S. or its president by name, Trudeau tacitly acknowledged the seismic effect of Trump's elbows-up approach to trade and foreign policy a scorched-earth, America-First style he suggested has helped to undermine the rules-based international order. "We live in a world in which more leaders are challenging long-standing principles of international relations. Protectionism is on the rise, trade is being weaponized, the benefits of democratic governance are being questioned," Trudeau told an audience of world leaders. Canada's ongoing efforts to enshrine principles like environmental protection, labour standards and Indigenous rights in its trade agreements have helped to ensure that globalization doesn't continue to alienate people around the world who feel left behind by the march of progress, he said. Indeed, Trudeau added, the country might not have been able to successfully negotiate deals like the USMCA, the Canada-EU trade agreement and the Trans Pacific Partnership making it the only G7 nation with a free-trade agreement with every other G7 partner had it not been for its willingness to defend such principles. "Had we chosen to ignore the very real concerns of people across the political spectrum on free trade and globalization, we might not have preferential access to two-thirds of the global economy today." Trudeau also sang the praises of a Canadian-led effort to spearhead badly needed reforms at the World Trade Organization, one of the rules-based pillars that has been under sustained attack from the Trump administration, which deems it arbitrary and unfair. Since long before Trump, the U.S. has been blocking the appointment of U.S. judges to the WTO's appellate body, making it impossible to adjudicate disagreements. A contingent of WTO members known as the Ottawa Group is focused on finding ways to resurrect the organization's dispute-settlement process and keep disagreements from escalating, fix the negotiating and rule-making functions and modernize how its committees operate. "Canada," Trudeau said, "will continue to step up at a time when others may be stepping away." The USMCA implementation bill currently before the House of Commons, introduced last month by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, is expected to pass. That is in spite of the Liberal government's minority status and a lack of enthusiasm on the part of the New Democrats, who have asked for a thorough review of the agreement, and the outright opposition of the Bloc Quebecois. The Opposition Conservatives, while loathe to give political succour to Trudeau's Liberals, are expected to grudgingly support the deal in the name of Canada's economic interests a position some of their provincial political allies endorsed wholeheartedly last week during a goodwill mission in Washington. "This is not the time to play politics," implored Ontario Premier Doug Ford. "Let's get this deal signed." On Friday, Trudeau assured members of Congress not especially familiar with Canada's political dynamics that ratification was only a matter of time. "Our parliamentary system is a little ... I won't say a little more complex than you guys," Trudeau joked with Graham at the start of the meeting. "It works fine, we just normally start after you guys finish your processes." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2020. Yulia Mendel blamed the Ukrainian medium for releasing what she called a fake piece of information about the meeting of two officials Open source Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky did not meet with Russian Secretary of Security Council Nikolai Patrushev in Mascat. Yulia Mendel, the Ukrainian leader's press secretary posted that on Facebook. "It's hard to deny that someone works as a dentist, someone has brothers, someone goes to Moscow, some Russian officials go to Oman, some of modern politicians knew other politicians before they even came to power or worked somewhere else. It's difficult to compose these, concluding that the President made arrangements with a Russian official behind the society's back (...) They actually never met or spoken before", Mendel said. Previously, reporters of Schemes project released research, in which they claimed that Patrushev and Zelensky met in Oman. Chief of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak condemned the story, calling it a lie. 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. While taking part in UNSC debate, India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador K Nagaraj Naidu on Thursday cautioned against the involvement of external actors in the internal or quasi-internal conflicts of states United Nations: India has cautioned against the involvement of external actors in the internal or quasi-internal conflicts of states as they have become more frequent and entailed an increased level of coercion. Speaking at the UN Security Council (UNSC) Open Debate on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace Transitional Justice in conflict and post-conflict situations', India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador K Nagaraj Naidu on Thursday said that transitional justice approaches emerged and developed following military dictatorships, apartheid, and post-Cold War theatres. "Transitional justice approaches emerged and developed following military dictatorships, apartheid, and post-Cold War theatres when there was an increasing international consensus that transitional justice measures were needed to deal with past human rights abuses," Naidu said. "If transitional justice is conceived merely as a band-aid that can be applied to past harms during some unspecified and limited period of transition', without any suggestion that it is attached to some deeper change in the society, it is unlikely that these measures will have any transformational capacity, he said. Naidu cautioned against the involvement of external actors in the internal or quasi-internal conflicts of states. "The involvement of external actors in the internal or quasi-internal conflicts of states have not only become more frequent, but has also entailed increased levels of coercion, and state-building activities that are at odds with the traditional concepts of sovereignty," he said. He said effective transitional justice is not solely a question of whether there should be a domestic or international trial, or a truth commission versus an international trial, or a cultural alternative as opposed to a traditional trial. The question is: What is beneficial to the people whose lives have been disrupted or even destroyed by the perpetrators of violence? he asked. Naidu noted that too often, the international community adopts a technocratic, one-size-fits-all approach that can be damaging. Transitional justice has become steeped in western liberalism, often appearing as distant and remote to those who actually need it most. Rebuilding social capital and livelihood systems is harder than restoring infrastructures and institutions," Naidu said. "It involves redefining relationships, promoting public deliberation, creating a healthy civil society, facilitating the healing process, as well as making institutions both trustworthy and effectively trusted, he added. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet told the Security Council that for countries to move forward after conflict or mass atrocities, suffering must be acknowledged and justice served. 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," he said. "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, she said, speaking from Geneva via teleconference," he added. While I was still working at Uber, facing constant mistreatment, Id made a habit of reading a famous passage by Marcus Aurelius on the way to the North Berkeley BART station each day, to prepare myself for what Id encounter at the office: Say to yourself first thing in the morning: Today I shall meet people who are meddling, ungrateful, aggressive, treacherous, malicious, unsocial. All this has afflicted them though their ignorance of true good and true evil. But I have seen the nature of good is what is right, and the nature of evil what is wrong. On particularly tough days, Id turn to the words of Fred Rogers: Try your best to make goodness attractive. Thats one of the toughest assignments youll ever be given. Id remind myself that even though goodness was considered a vice at Uber, and aggression considered a virtue, I had to hold on to my own values. Sitting in front of my laptop that day, I remembered these words and those of other philosophers Aristotle, Plato, Epictetus, Seneca, Immanuel Kant searching for insight into how to do the right thing and, most important, how to know what was right. There was only one conclusion: Telling the story of my time at Uber was the right thing to do, regardless of the consequences. And so I wrote the blog post. I knew my tone had to be measured, balanced and detached. I made sure that every single sentence was something I could back up with extensive written documentation. Then I pressed publish. Within half an hour, the post was picked up by almost every major media outlet. Everything went haywire: My phone crashed and restarted itself over and over again, unable to withstand the barrage of notifications. My inbox was filled with requests from television stations, magazines and newspapers around the world. So was my voice mail. Once he was able to get through, my stepfather called, frantic. A television producer had told him that I was in an emergency, and that they needed to contact me immediately; thinking that I had been hurt or was in trouble, hed given them my phone number. Many of my friends and relatives texted me, confused, because reporters were calling them and asking for information about me and what Id written. It didnt take very long for Uber to discover what Id done, either: Travis Kalanick, then the chief executive of Uber, posted a link to my blog post on Twitter, saying Whats described here is abhorrent & against everything we believe in. Anyone who behaves this way or thinks this is OK will be fired; Uber hired Eric Holder, the former U.S. attorney general, to run an investigation into my claims and Ubers culture. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Julia Dewey, a second year medical student and volunteer with JeffVotes, hands Ruth Edwards an absentee ballot at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Thursday, October 31, 2019. Read more HARRISBURG, Pa. California billionaire Tom Steyer is the first Democratic presidential candidate to file signatures to get on Pennsylvanias primary ballot, according to information from the state election office Friday. The other campaigns have through 5 p.m. on Tuesday to file 2,000 signatures of voters who are registered Democrats to get on Pennsylvania's April 28 primary ballot. Pennsylvania is a late primary state, but nonetheless could be important if the eventual nominee remains in doubt past March since Pennsylvania has the sixth-most delegates in the Democratic primary. Pennsylvania is seen as friendly territory for former Vice President Joe Biden, who has his campaign headquarters in Philadelphia and long political relationships in Pennsylvania after living for decades just across the border in Wilmington, Delaware, as that state's longtime senator. However, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders made several visits to Pennsylvania last year and built a volunteer network in his first campaign in 2016. Meanwhile, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is spending millions of dollars on TV ads and campaign staff in Pennsylvania, and is known for funding antigun violence groups in the state and successful advocacy efforts for a soda tax in Philadelphia. The Steyer-funded NextGen America political action committee is active in Pennsylvania, committing millions of dollars to register younger voters. IDF commanders and soldiers from the pursuit of the assailant who committed the shooting attack at "HaParsa" Junction. Feb. 6, 2020. (JNS)-The quick succession of Palestinian attacks on Israeli security forces in the past 24 hours appears to be a chain reaction of unorganized incidents, each one forming the "inspiration" for the next attacker and each attack forming a link in the terrorist chain. The goal of Israel's security forces now is to cut that chain and freeze the momentum of incidents before they snowball into a wider wave of violence that will be far more difficult to control. In a joint operation launched by the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, security forces on Thursday evening apprehended the Palestinian car-ramming attacker who injured 12 Golani Brigade infantry soldiers in Jerusalem, one of them seriously. The injured include one lone soldier from the United States. Meanwhile, tensions in the West Bank city of Jenin remain extremely high a day after Israeli security forces entered the city to demolish the home of a terrorist who took part in a deadly attack in 2018. The IDF units ran into a major Palestinian riot in the city, with attackers hurling IEDs and firebombs, and gunmen launching sniper attack on soldiers, who returned fire. Such scenes have not been seen in Jenin for a long time and may signal a new level of escalation. Two Palestinians were killed during the clashes, one of them a member of the Palestinian Authority security forces. That will put a further strain on the ability of the IDF and the P.A. to maintain security coordination-a coordination that has served the security interests of both sides well for years against the common enemy: Hamas. After a situation assessment, the IDF's senior command decided to inject backup forces into the West Bank to increase the army's ability to immediately respond to incidents and deter potential attackers. At the same time, the army is also seeking to minimize disruption to the fabric of life of ordinary Palestinians. This effort, to isolate the incidents, is aimed at preventing the wider Palestinian public from getting pulled into the violence. Roughly 150,000 Palestinians work in the State of Israel and in Israeli settlements, with each one supporting entire families and households. This contributes greatly to economic stability and a higher standard of life. In general, the IDF has been working hard in recent years to boost the Palestinian economy, supporting the creation of industrial zones and removing as many impediments as possible for travel. The relatively good economic situation of many West Bank Palestinians has been a key stabilizing force. Maintaining this situation and preventing deterioration require a delicate balancing act. It entails responding firmly to terrorism while avoiding wider disruption to the Palestinian economy and fabric of life; this is the IDF's strategy going forward. This balance is reflected in comments made by IDF Spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus on Thursday, who said that the military "does not seek escalation, but it will maintain security and seek to apprehend perpetrators." However, this mission will be made more difficult by the seething Palestinian anger at the Trump administration's new Mideast peace plan, and the widespread anger at what Palestinians see as Israel's intention to annex territory. The political arguments over the so-called "deal of the century" cannot ignore the fact that Washington's proposals were always going to be viewed as a pro-Israeli plan in Palestinian eyes. A few 'matches' can spark a fire Still, it's far from inevitable that this anger must somehow result in a third intifada. The very fact that the Palestinians of the West Bank have much to lose and have little interest in paying personal costs, like the people of Gaza do for Hamas's wars against Israel, improves Israel's chances of being able to contain the latest flare-up. So far, there appears to be no visible guiding hand behind this escalation. Incidents such as the significant riot in Hebron that broke out Wednesday, which saw one Palestinian youth who hurled a firebomb killed in clashes with the IDF, appear to be spontaneous, although social media is helping to fan the flames. The incidents underline the highly flammable nature of the arena and demonstrate how easily a few "matches" can spark a fire. The IDF's effectiveness as "firefighters" who arrive to put out the flames and stop them from spreading will be put the test in the coming days, including during the sensitive Islamic Friday prayers. Meanwhile, in Gaza, a visible guiding hand is at work escalating the situation. Overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, terrorists fired three mortars into southern Israeli territory, triggering alerts, but failing to cause casualties. Hamas has signaled to smaller Gazan armed factions that they are free to fire such projectiles. Hamas operatives have also been directly behind the ongoing launching of explosive balloons in the direction of Israeli villages and towns in recent days-all part of an effort to extort the Israeli government into further concessions in ceasefire negotiations. The Israeli Air Force struck two Hamas military assets in Gaza in retaliation, and IDF officials are warning that Israel will not tolerate such attacks. Since March 2018, Hamas's game plan has been to engage in controlled escalations in Gaza to pressure the Israeli government to lift security restrictions on Gaza. Hamas has been able to calculate with a high degree of accuracy has far it can go without sparking a war. Yet if warnings coming out of Israel are an indication, it's very close to the red line. As a result, both Palestinian arenas are tense going into the weekend, but neither has so far gone past the point of no return. (Editors Note: Dr. Wayne Shearer, 95, is a retired optometrist and retired colonel from the U.S. Air Force Reserve now living in Hixson. In his early 90s, he decided to sit down and write from memory and a few records he still possesses his recollections of going through Army Air Corps pilot training at several bases in the United States during World War II. A lifelong writer, he wanted to pen them as he remembered them happening at the time. He also recreates now-lost letters as best as he recalls writing them and references newspaper articles he collected at the time and still possesses. This is the 33rd in a series of regular excerpts from his as yet unpublished book, Under This Arch.) * * * * * Setting: Eagle Pass, Texas, Army Air Field July 9, 1944: Today, an AT-6 towed the target as four of us went up; each of us in an AT-6 with a .30-caliber machine gun mounted on the nose and shot at the target. This is the real thing. After target practice at the skeet range several times, weve been looking forward to actually flying gunnery missions, shooting at a towed aerial target.Today, an AT-6 towed the target as four of us went up; each of us in an AT-6 with a .30-caliber machine gun mounted on the nose and shot at the target. This is the real thing. The different airplanes had different colored bullets firing at the same target, so it was simple to determine what each cadets score was. The armorers had used a different color of paint in brushing the paintbrush over each ammo belt before loading. Each bullet hole had the paint color of the cadets ammo. The four of us were following the leaders rectangular pattern 1,000 feet above the tow target plane. As the tow plane came towards us, wed make a diving turn to the target for 90-degree deflection shots. It was out of range quickly. In the descending turn, I was carefully avoiding the tow target as I flew under it. I climbed back in the pattern for my turn again. After landing and looking at the target hits, we all did about the same. This makes us feel more like being a pursuit pilot is closer after this enjoyable gunnery flight of almost three hours. The Time-Picayune, in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Monday, July 10, 1944, read: REDS WITHIN 85 MILES OF GERMANY. A soviet communique said the Red Army today captured Lida, a railway junction 50 miles south of doomed Wilno, and took more than 1,200 other towns on the central front as the Germans fell back in disorder across old Poland and Lithuania in a military collapse that was growing more disastrous by the hour. Other headlines from that days paper: CRUSH SAIPAN ORGANIZED RESISTANCE. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz announced today, Our forces have completed the conquest of Saipan at the crossroads of Japans Pacific supply lines. The cost to Japan is at least 58 ships, 900 planes and the lives of more than 11,500 of her soldiers in this Southern Miarianas Islands 4 weeks campaign. July 13, 1944: When I first started pilot training, I wanted to decorate the nose of my fighter plane but that wont happen since well all be Replacement Pilots (R.P.s) on someone elses airplane. We may not even end up as pursuit fighter pilots because of the decreased need for single engine pilots. Latrine rumor says that some in the previous classes went into C-47, B-24 co-pilot, glider pilot, etc., training as well as P-40, P-47, etc., transition. The P.T. instructors dont care how hot this Texas sun gets or how close we are to graduation because the physical routine continues daily. In our flying practices at times were pulling against gravity and being in top physical condition is necessary. Ground school continues with a slight feeling of a let up. The Mobile Press Register, Mobile, Alabama, on Sunday, July 16, 1944, read: REDS WITHIN 8 MILES OF PRUSSIA. The Russians announced Saturday night sweeping gains on the north central Nieman River front, outflanking the German fortress of Grodno and reaching within 8 miles of the Suwalki border of East Prussia. Other headlines from that days paper: JAPS SAY YANKS DOWNED IN B-29 RAIDS EXECUTED. A Japanese propaganda broadcast from Singapore to American forces in the Southwest Pacific said Saturday that an unstated number of United States airmen from Superfortresses, which raided Japan and bailed out to meet with the same fate meted out to the raiders of Tokyo some two years ago by being beheaded. STUNTING FLIER GETS LIFE TERM. Confinement for hard labor was ordered by a court-martial board Saturday for 2nd Lt. Howard Stittsworth, 21-year-old pilot from Luke Field, Arizona, for decapitating a motorist with his wingtip of his ground-skimming training airplane. WORLDS LARGEST BOMBER FACTORY CLOSED BY STRIKE. July 17, 1944: Today (Monday), Bill and I flew some three-plane formation take-offs and landings with our instructor in the lead plane. I later did some rolls, chandelles, etc., to my hearts contentment. Now with less than 3 weeks to go until graduation, were counting off the days and feeling too cocky. We think the washing machine has taken all of the cadets that cant fly the military way, and have been eliminated from 44-G unless someone goofs up badly. Weve been told many times that flying is a dangerous job and thats why we receive flight pay. At the evening cadet mess, Jerome said he was assigned to do acrobatics today and return to the field. On final approach, when he pulled back the throttle, it jammed at 1100 R.P.M and he needed to get the power lower. In trying to land easing back on the stick, the plane only started to climb due to the R.P.M. He tried a second time with the same result, so he climbed to 3,500 feet and told the tower operator of his problem. His instructor talked to him, saying to climb to 5,500 feet, circle, burn off the gas supply and jump out. Jerome circled at 5,500 feet, still trying to get the throttle unjammed with no luck. He didnt want to bail out and called the tower again, asking about coming in as in a power on landing, but cut the engine off as he passed over the fence, making a dead-stick landing. His instructor approved it. He cut the ignition switch off at the fence and rolled down the runway. He turned the engine on, racing closer to the parking ramps and once more turned it off. He said that was a scary end to a flight! The New Orleans Item, on Tuesday, July 18, 1944, announced: NAVY SHIPS EXPLODE. Two Navy ammunition ships exploding last night with earth-shaking roars, killed from 200 to 650 men, injuring hundreds of others, leveled the Port Chicago depot dock area and inflected immense damage in war-booming Port Chicago 35 miles from San Francisco. Other headlines from that days paper: TOJO LOSES KEY JOB. The Tokyo radio announced today that Premier General Hideki Tojo has been removed as chief of the Japanese general staff. The loss of Saipan was admitted today. WALLACE SEEMS OUT; V.P. SCRAMBLE IS ON. July 20, 1944: Four of us flew a gunnery mission and are feeling more and more like Hot Pilots (H.P.s), which is not good. If you get too cocky, thats when you mess up and wash out. There is more conversation about flying daytime cross-country navigation flights next week. They will be longer than the short night cross-country flights were. The Eagle Pass News Guide on Friday, July 21, 1944, stated: F.D.R. NOMINATED FOR FOURTH TERM. Thirty-three regular Texas delegates walked out of the Democratic convention Thursday in Chicago after Southern delegates seeking to wring concessions to their viewpoint were defeated on every point. Other headlines from that days paper: 3 DRIVES OPENED AS BRITISH MAUL FOE BELOW CAEN. HITLER ORDERS PURGE OF EX-ARMY OFFICERS FOR PLOT ON HIS LIFE. The San Antonio Evening News on Saturday, July 22, 1944, said: TRUMAN CHOSEN BY DEMOCRATS. The 1944 Democratic National Convention adjourned Friday night in Chicago after naming Senator Harry S Truman of Missouri to be FDRs running mate on the second ballot. Other headlines from that days paper: YANKEE FORCES INVADING GUAM GET FIRM HOLD. TOMMIES REPULSE NAZI TANK DRIVE ON CAEN SALIENT. July 22, 1944: The headline news these days is about President Roosevelt running for a fourth term with an unknown senator from Missouri as his vice president running mate. I had a Link trainer hourly session before some solo practicing. While in the Ready Room waiting to be assigned an airplane to fly, some of us couldnt help but overhear several instructors standing nearby. They were in a jolly mood and were discussing two other instructors. The story was that the two instructors went up together in an AT-6 to see which of the two was the smoothest in doing acrobatics. They were doing fine until the pilot in the back seat thought his friend in the front seat had taken control of the plane but didnt verify. They were around 9,000 feet altitude with a high R.P.M. setting. Suddenly, the airplane went into a tight spiral with the airspeed indicator needle at the red line marker. Even though the G forces were pulling on him, the rear seat pilot grabbed the mike and yelled, What the hell are you doing? In answer, the front seat pilot quickly pulled the stick back. Both pilots heard a loud splintering crack and the guy in the backseat said his friend in the front seat disappeared. He pulled out of the dive! Upon landing, the front seat pilot was still in the plane but was below the molded plywood seat that hed gone through. The aluminum wings of the AT-6 had a definite upward bend. They said, That plane will never fly again. That was a close call! The Mobile Press Register in Mobile, Alabama, on July 23, 1944, said: ALLIES GAIN IN NORMANDY MUD. Allied Supreme Headquarters reported that, despite mud from two days of torrential rain, which bogged down fighting along much of the Normandy front Saturday, Allied forces, after repulsing several German counter attacks, struck out in two sectors, making substantial gains and capturing at least three more villages. Other headlines from that days paper: TANKS LEAD YANK DRIVES TO TAKE GUAM FROM JAPS. Tank-led U.S. Marines and Army infantry are driving two spearheads into the foothills back of Apra Harbor, enveloping their major goal of Guam, Western Pacific dispatches reported Saturday. THREE ARMY FLIERS DIE IN CRACKUP IN GEORGIA. Turner Field, Albany, Georgia, announced that two lieutenants and an aviation cadet were killed Saturday when two airplanes collided. * * * * * To see the previous entry in this series, read here. * * * * * Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th February 2020 Charlotte Caldwell pictured with her son Billy at the High Court in Belfast where they are continuing their legal case to secure medicinal cannabis for his epilepsy. See copy by Alan Erwin. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 14th February 2020 Charlotte Caldwell pictured with her son Billy at the High Court in Belfast where they are continuing their legal case to secure medicinal cannabis for his epilepsy. See copy by Alan Erwin. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Charlotte Caldwell pictured with her son Billy at the High Court in Belfast where they are continuing their legal case to secure medicinal cannabis for his epilepsy. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye The mother of a severely epileptic boy has secured a major breakthrough in her High Court battle to obtain medicinal cannabis for him on the NHS. A judge was told today that a London-based paediatric neurologist is prepared to write the prescription for Co Tyrone teenager Billy Caldwell - if his trust gives him the green light. Lawyers for the Health and Social Care Board also confirmed it will fund the treatment if the doctor receives permission. Mrs Justice Keegan said her role has now "largely and happily been overtaken by progress on the ground". Even though final approval still needs to be obtained, Billy's mother, Charlotte Caldwell, expressed hope that an end to her campaign is now in sight. Outside court she said: "This is a massive step forward for us. "It looks like Billy is now going to be allowed to get his prescription back. For the first time it seems there's no blockage there." In November 2018 the rules were relaxed to allow some cannabis-derived medicines to be prescribed to patients in the UK by specialist doctors in limited circumstances. It followed the high-profile case of the Caldwells, who had cannabis oil brought back from Canada confiscated at London's Heathrow Airport. Billy was then admitted to hospital after suffering seizures. Despite the new guidelines, access to treatment has remained uncertain. Although the Canadian manufacturers of the product provided it to Billy free of charge, his family feared those arrangements could not continue long-term. Mrs Caldwell brought a case against the Health and Social Care Board over an alleged failure to take a decision on the medication. She wanted a declaration that a GP or clinician can lawfully write prescriptions for cannabis-based treatment under the direction of an expert in epilepsy diagnosis and management. Other experts have already provided an opinion on the benefits of the treatment for Billy. At a previous hearing the judge expressed bafflement that no solution has been found. But today counsel for Mrs Caldwell, Monye Anyadike-Danes QC, revealed that a consultant paediatric neurologist will now write the prescription if his trust gives authorisation and the Health Board in Northern Ireland provides funding. "All that's missing is the doctor to be told he can do that. That seems to be the only impediment," she said. Listing the case for a final outcome in May, Mrs Justice Keegan told the parties: "If you have resolved the matter (by then) you don't need to come to court, and I would encourage that." Outside court Mrs Caldwell's solicitor, Anurag Deb of KRW Law, said he hoped no further hearings will be required. He added: "This is as close as we have got to a serious resolution for Billy." The United States on Friday banned the entry of Sri Lanka's army chief Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva over credible war crime charges of gross violations of human rights, in particular extrajudicial killings during the final phase of Sri Lanka's civil war in 2009. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the allegations of gross human rights violations against Silva, documented by the United Nations and other organisations, are serious and credible. His designation underscores the importance we place on human rights in Sri Lanka and globally, our concern over impunity for human rights violations and abuses, as well as our support for promoting accountability for those who engage in such acts, he said. Silva, 55, was appointed as the Sri Lankan Army Commander last year and previously headed the Army's 58th Division in the final battle against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels of the civil war in 2009. His brigade was accused of attacking civilians, hospitals and stopping humanitarian supplies to trapped Tamil civilians. Silva's name was mentioned in the resolution passed by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2013, alleging rights abuses by the Sri Lankan Army The Sri Lanka Army has denied the alleged rights abuses. After the brutal civil war ended, Silva served in New York as Sri Lanka's Deputy Permanent Representative at the UN Mission. According to a United Nations report, some 45,000 Tamil civilians were killed in the last months of the war alone. The ban imposed on Silva's entry to the US are under Section 7031 (c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. The acts provide that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that foreign officials have been involved in a gross violation of human rights or significant corruption, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States. The law also requires the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate such officials and their immediate family members. In addition to the public designation of Shavendra Silva, the Department is also designating his immediate family members, Pompeo said in a statement. Pompeo urged the Sri Lankan government to promote human rights, hold accountable individuals responsible for war crimes and human rights violations, advance security sector reform, and uphold its other commitments to pursue justice and reconciliation. Noting that the administration deeply values its partnership with the Sri Lankan government and the long-standing democratic tradition it shares with the nation's people, Pompeo said the US remains committed to strengthening the bilateral relationship with Sri Lanka and helping reshape its security forces to tackle current and emerging threats. "Security cooperation will continue to emphasise respect for human rights as a fundamental component of our training, assistance, and engagements," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 35-year-old wanted criminal, who had jumped parole nine years ago, while serving a life sentence for two murders in Haryana, was arrested by the Faridabad Police from the Gujarat border in the wee hours of Friday, the police said. The police said he had opened a tea stall and was living with a woman he had eloped with in 2011. According to the police, a reward of 50,000 had also been announced for information leading to his arrest and he was identified as Ramesh, alias Pappan. KK Rao, Faridabads commissioner of police, said that Pappan had been convicted in two murder cases. One of the murders took place in Gurugram and the other in Faridabad. Ramesh, along with a friend, Rajendra, alias Pateela, had murdered an acquaintance from Uttar Pradesh in Faridabads Ballabhgarh area, by smothering him to death, following a tiff on November 11, 2002, he said. An FIR had been registered under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the case at Ballabhgarh police station In 2003, he, along with Pateela and a common friend, Sanjay Kumar, on the day of the crime, were drinking at Kumars place. Three of them entered into an argument and during the altercation, Ramesh took out a countrymade pistol and shot Kumar dead. Ramesh and Pateela fled the crime scene before the police arrived. Kumar was rushed to a private hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. A case of murder under sections 302 and 34 of the IPC was registered at the City police station, Rao said. He was convicted in both the cases and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, after serving eight years in prison, he had escaped while he was out on 28-day parole in 2011. Ramesh, while out on parole, met his friends wife and eloped with her to Sirohi, at Gujrat border. A case, in this regard, has been registered against him in Palwals city police station, said police. Rao said they have three teams working on tracking wanted criminals and the officers were tipped off last week about his presence in Sirohi. Two teams were sent, who based on a combination of human intelligence and technological surveillance, nabbed him. The police were stationed in the area on Abu Road in Sirohi, Rajasthan, for three days and were conducting reconnaissance in plain clothes. It seems he has stopped criminal activities and was running a tea vend along with the woman, he said. During questioning, he said that he had eloped with a widowed woman from Palwal. Initially, he had robbed a few people for initial expenses and then started working as a labourer. After two years, he started a tea vend, said Rao. The accused was produced before the court on Friday and was sent to judicial custody, said police. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON CHICAGO Twice defeated in the Illinois Supreme Court, advocates for stripping lawmakers of the power to draw legislative district boundaries are making a push to put a proposed amendment to the state constitution on the November ballot before the lines are set for another decade. While the previous efforts aimed to get the issue on the ballot through petition-driven citizen initiatives, the latest attempt is backed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers who hope to gather enough support from colleagues to get the question on the fall ballot. A proposed state constitutional amendment filed Wednesday in the Illinois House and an identical version to be filed in the Senate would put the power to redraw legislative maps in the hands of an independent, citizen-led commission. Similar measures are introduced perennially in Springfield but routinely fail to gain the three-fifths majorities needed in each chamber to be placed on the ballot. Politicians picking their voters clearly is the epitome of a conflict of interest, said Madeleine Doubek, the executive director of CHANGE Illinois, a nonpartisan organization that advocates for redistricting reform. When politicians are protected by rigged maps, some of them come to believe they can act with impunity. Redistricting occurs every 10 years after the U.S. census to account for changes in population, with the next map set to be drawn in 2021. This spring is the last chance for Illinois legislators to put the question to voters before new maps are drawn. Under the Illinois Constitution, legislative district boundaries are determined by the General Assembly, often behind closed doors. The introduction of the proposed amendment comes two weeks after some legislators criticized Gov. J.B. Pritzker for not discussing the issue in his State of the State address. Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons. Pritzker, who supported taking lawmakers out of the redistricting process when campaigning for governor, has said hell veto any partisan map that reaches his desk. Thats little comfort to Republican lawmakers, who note the Democratic supermajorities in the House and Senate could override his veto. The state Supreme Court struck down previous petition-driven attempts to change the constitution, saying they failed the limited test for getting a citizen initiative on the ballot to alter the document. Those rulings have basically determined that only lawmakers themselves can change the method for redrawing legislative districts, which would run counter to the self-interest of legislators. Absent the amendment going through, the next redrawing in 2021 would be done by Democrats, who control the governors office and the legislature, and can approve a new map through legislation without any Republican input. House Speaker Michael Madigan, who holds significant control over the map-drawing process and also chairs the state Democratic Party, opposed a proposed referendum in 2016 on the grounds that it could harm minority representation in the General Assembly. Backers of the latest plan say its language mirrors state and federal voting rights laws. Democratic Sen. Melinda Bush of Grayslake, one of the Senate sponsors of the proposal, said its up to rank-and-file lawmakers to put pressure on leaders to make sure the measure is called for a vote. I believe that if we have a mass of legislators that want this amendment to move forward and be on the ballot, that thats the way that leaders are going to pay attention, know were serious, Bush said. It has to be bipartisan. The proposal, co-sponsored in the Senate by Republican Sen. John Curran of Woodridge, would create a 17-person commission, to be appointed by the state Supreme Courts chief justice and the most senior justice of a different political party. The commission would consist of three nonpartisan members and 14 partisan members, split equally between the two parties. The proposed constitutional amendment would tackle gerrymandering -- the process by which politicians draw districts to their political advantage -- by requiring 11 of the 17 commissioners to approve the redrawn maps. Amid an ongoing federal corruption probe that has resulted in criminal charges against three current and former state lawmakers, the time is ripe for giving voters a say in the redistricting process, supporters say. They argue that allowing the party in power to draw safe districts allows incumbents to become entrenched and stifles competition. If you want to root out corruption in this state, this is the place where we need to start, said Republican Sen. Dan McConchie of Lake Zurich. A poll last year from Southern Illinois Universitys Paul Simon Public Policy Institute found 67% of Illinois voters supported putting redistricting in the hands of an independent commission instead of the legislature. The poll of 1,000 voters was conducted March 11-17 for the Simon Institute and had a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points. The sample results skewed to a majority of male voters, and the results were not weighted to reflect the states racial or ethnic voting population. Lawmakers have until May 3 to approve the proposed amendment. If the proposal makes it to the ballot, it would need approval from 60% of those voting on the question or a majority of those voting in the election to be adopted. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Economy Minister Diane Dodds has said there is a new spirit of cooperation in the Assembly to deal with Brexit - which she said is her top priority in office. The Upper Bann MLA said she believed parties were now focused on working together to make sure Northern Ireland was well-placed for the future under the protocol to the Brexit withdrawal agreement. "I have found within the Assembly and the Executive that there is this kind of professional workman-like attitude to getting on with the job and making sure Northern Ireland's priorities are represented. Of course, the issues for Northern Ireland are very, very many," she said. "We need to make sure we get that unfettered access to the Great Britain market. We need to make sure that goods coming from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are not restricted because of bureaucracy." She welcomed a deal yesterday between Airbus and Bombardier, with the European aerospace giant buying out Bombardier's stake in the A220 jet programme, which started out as the C Series. "We will be keeping a very tight eye on it to make sure the Belfast workforce and plant is secured, although it's not just about the plant but all the additional companies which feed into it," she said. "At the moment Airbus seem to have opened up the market and stabilised the whole process. That is hugely important for Belfast." She also welcomed the approach taken by the new owner of Wrightbus in Ballymena. "It's early days but they seem to be ramping up employment, looking for new opportunities, and new orders have come on board," she added. "That's very significant and very important for Ballymena and manufacturing in Northern Ireland in general." But the former MEP said she is yet to have "direct access" to its new owner Bamford Bus Company or Infrastrata plc, which now owns Harland & Wolff. "I've been in this post for four weeks. Some of those have also been spent winding up in the European Parliament," she said. "I intend to be out and about talking to and encouraging business and working with business to maximise the opportunities that we have." She said her 11-year stint as an MEP had helped her get to know all parts of Northern Ireland. "We want to see prosperity dispersed right throughout Northern Ireland and because of being an MEP, I've had a lot of contacts with the Chambers and business organisations reflecting the whole of Northern Ireland and that is really important," she said. Asked whether the DUP has regrets about backing Brexit - amid the prospect of rising prices in Northern Ireland and checks on goods coming in and out of the province - she said: "Well, you know, I sometimes think we have moved on. "So, I view your choice in terms of Brexit, whether leave or remain, as your democratic choice to make. But the conversation now is that Brexit is a fact and has happened. "Northern Ireland as part of the UK has left the EU and we need to see everyone working together to make sure we maximise opportunities, that we look at how we can get the protocol operated for Northern Ireland in the best way possible." "While the process of leaving the EU might have obsessed me in my last job, the actual process of making sure Northern Ireland is properly placed within UK trade deals and within the GB market, that NI firms can trade within the GB market and that they have what we define as what the PM calls unfettered access, now obsesses me. She said the protocol contained "difficult" elements. Earlier this week, Invest NI director Donal Durkan told the Assembly committee which scrutinises the work of Mrs Dodds' department that Northern Ireland firms sending goods to Great Britain could face a customs form with 31 entries at a cost of 55 per form. Mrs Dodds said: "The Government talks about unfettered access and the lightest touch regulation that they can give us. "Now there is a job of work to do within Executive and Assembly and wider business community to make sure we have that unfettered access and we can have that lightest touch bureaucracy that we possibly can. "Those are the things that are difficult for Northern Ireland within the protocol and we must make sure that they are minimised in every way that we can. "There is a mood in the Assembly to make sure those things happen and in the Executive. There is good cooperation on those issues across the parties." The minister also said she did not want to completely rule out the prospect of a lower rate of corporation tax. And she added airline connectivity was crucial, including connectivity around Europe. "As MEP I used to travel from Strasbourg to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to Dublin, so connectivity to those really important European hubs would be a really brilliant thing for Northern Ireland," she said. Standalone net profit soared 38.4% to Rs 473.02 crore in Q4 December 2019 (Q4 FY20) as against Rs 341.76 crore reported in Q4 December 2018 (Q4 FY19). Net sales jumped 8.8% year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 3,130.74 crore in Q4 FY20. The Q4 figures were declared after trading hours yesterday, 13 February 2020. Profit before tax surged 17.7% to Rs 614.62 crore Y-o-Y. Current tax expenses slumped 21.8% to Rs 144.41 crore during the period under review. In Q4 FY19, total sales increased 8.8%. Domestic sales increased 10% through a combination of volume & mix. Export sales dropped 9. 7% due to lower exports of coffee to Turkey. The company's net profit rose 22.6% to Rs 1,969.55 crore on 9.6% increase in net sales to Rs 12,295.27 crore in the year ended December 2019 over the year ended December 2018. In the year ended December 2019, total sales and domestic sales increased by 9.6% and 10.9% respectively. Domestic sales growth is broad based largely driven by volume & mix. Export sales decreased by 9.9% due to lower exports of coffee to Turkey. The board recommended a final dividend of Rs 61 per equity share. Commenting on the results, Suresh Narayanan, chairman and managing director, Nestle India said, "we have delivered broad based volume and mix led growth. This is a trend we have demonstrated consistently in recent years. Maggi Noodles, Kitkat, Nestle Munch, Ceregrow, Maggi Masala-ae-Magic, Nescafe RTD and Nangrow delivered strong performances during the year. The trend of higher commodity prices witnessed in recent quarters is likely to continue in the near future." Nestle India operates in the Food segment. The firm food business incorporates product groups, which include milk products and nutrition, beverages, prepared dishes and cooking aids, and chocolate and confectionery. Shares of Nestle India rose 0.56% to Rs 16,509 on BSE. The scrip hovered in the range of Rs 16,753.45 to Rs 16,415.15. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rishi Sunak, a 39-year-old high-flying business investor who only entered politics five years ago, has enjoyed a rapid rise to become Britain's new finance minister, RFI reports. Sunak entered parliament in 2015 and got his foot on the most junior rung of government in January 2018 -- and was still there just over six months ago. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, after taking office in July last year, promoted Sunak to chief secretary to the Treasury, number two in the finance ministry. He was therefore the obvious person to turn to after Sajid Javid sensationally walked out as finance minister during Johnson's government reshuffle on Thursday in a row over advisors. Sunak is privately wealthy through his business career and is probably better-known in India than in Britain through his wife Akshata. She is the daughter of Indian business magnate Narayana Murthy, the billionaire co-founder of Infosys, India's second-largest IT outsourcing firm. Sunak is Britain's first Hindu chancellor of the exchequer, and swore his oath of allegiance in parliament on the Bhagavad Gita. He is also the first person born in the 1980s to hold one of the so-called four great offices of state: prime minister, finance minister, foreign secretary and interior minister. He misses out Image Daniel and Michael. Credit... Michael Gold And a story about making your home a new home, together: After we moved from Hong Kong, his home, to San Francisco, my home, Daniel drifts uneasily. The buildings arent tall enough; the Muni isnt fast enough; the Chinese food isnt Chinese enough. Theres better char siu here than in any other Western city, I object, as he blanches at my restaurant suggestions. Acceptance builds slowly: first at a hole-in-the-wall in Chinatown, followed by a space-warp into Kowloon at a Cantonese cafe in Sunset. This place is really authentic, he beams over satay beef macaroni soup and French toast. Even the rain outside feels like an authentic Pearl River Delta deluge. Michael Gold, 35, San Francisco Image Claire Modie and Andrew at Disneyland, where they met. Credit... Claire Modie A tale about meeting a stranger at the happiest place on earth: Andrew and I met at a Disneyland Annual Passholders Meet-up, outside the Jungle Cruise. Neither of us were looking to date anyone, just to make friends. We were lined up by chance to sit side-by-side on Space Mountain that day. Our lives have been exciting ever since. Weve weathered excellent days and health hardships over our many years together now, and we love each other more than ever. Although we dont have Disneyland Annual Passes anymore, Disneyland will always hold a special place in our hearts, because it brought two unlikely strangers together, first as friends, then into love. Claire Modie, 49, Manhattan Beach Image Jea-Hyoun Kim and Charles Feng on the Stanford campus. Credit... Jea-Hyoun Kim And finally, a love story, told from both sides, about reconnecting in an unexpected place: I met Jea as a freshman at Stanford. I thought she was cute, but lacked the moxie to ask her out. Then she started dating some other guy. A decade later, we were doctors-in-training at U.C. Davis. I was at the clinic when I randomly bumped into her. She was there as a patient, nervous that she might have thyroid cancer. We made awkward small talk before the nurse ushered her away. My moxie consisted of messaging her on Facebook. Fortunately, she returned my message. Even more fortunately, the thyroid ultrasound was negative. Weve been married for four years. Charles Feng, 37, Sunnyvale In a clinic at U.C. Davis in Sacramento, I thought I would be diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He was there signing paperwork for his patient. He immediately recognized me, saying, Remember me from Stanford? I couldnt recall what classes we might have taken together 10 years earlier. I dont remember my response perhaps just an icy stare? Turns out, I did not have cancer. Before I could write an email apologizing for my curtness, a message on Facebook asked me to dinner. Two years later, we were married at Stanford, and were forever grateful to Mark Zuckerberg. Jea-Hyoun Kim, 37, Sunnyvale On This Day The Day When Ho Chi Minh Visited Myanmar Ho Chi Minh delivers an address during his visit to Myanmar in 1958. Yangon On this day 62 years ago, Ho Chi Minh, the president of North Vietnam, arrived in Yangon (then Rangoon) on an official goodwill visit. On Feb. 14, 1958, President Mahn Win Maung, Prime Minister U Nu and Thakhin Kodaw Hmaing, the father of Myanmars peace movement, welcomed him at Mingaladon Airport. The Vietnamese revolutionary icon met the press the following day. In his four-day visit, Ho visited the parliament and City Hall in Yangon, and also traveled to Taunggyi and Inle Lake in Shan State. He also received an honorary doctorate in law at Rangoon Universitys Convocation Hall. In his autobiography, Saturday Born, U Nu details his 1954 visit to Vietnam. He wrote: I asked during a chit-chat with President Ho how many children he had. He replied with a smile that he has many, and all the people in the country are his children. When Ho died in September 1969, U Nu was in exile in London after leaving the country in April that year in opposition to the military dictator U Ne Wins government. He sent a wreath to the Vietnamese diplomatic residence in London. He also wrote a letter of condolence to Prime Minister Pham Van Dong. Myanmar was among the first countries to establish relations with North Vietnam, officially the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. In 1947, Vietnam set up its first liaison office in Yangon. In 1948, the two sides agreed to upgrade the liaison office to the Office of Information and Propaganda and, in 1957, it was transformed into the Consulate General. On May 28, 1975, the two countries officially established diplomatic relations and set up embassies. During Hos visit, Myanmar expressed its support for the unification of Vietnam under the Geneva Agreement. Bilateral relations remain strong today. You may also like these stories: The Day Myanmars Wartime Puppet Leader Crashed in Vietnam The Day Dag Hammarskjold Visited Myanmar The art of love: 14 works that make our hearts beat faster From Cupid to Kahlo to Keats the artworks and objects that encapsulate the power of love 1 Claudio Corsi Specialist, Ancient Art & Antiquities Cupid, the son of Venus, is the ultimate poster boy for Valentines Day. This Roman marble figure, dating to the 1st century AD, is modelled after a Greek bronze original made by the Greek sculptor Lysippos in the 4th century BC, and depicts the young god of love in the act of restringing his famous bow. It is an image filled with anticipation: for whom is his next irresistible arrow destined? For me this artwork is testimony to our enduring fascination with the invincible, inscrutable power of love. 2 Harry Seymour Contributor, Christies.com A Foregone Conclusion (1885) by Lawrence Alma Tadema shows a Victorian courtship ritual set in the Classical world. As a young suitor climbs a set of marble stairs towards his lover and her attendant, he nervously fingers an engagement ring. The title of the work, however, lets the audience know the proposal will have a happy outcome. Lawrence Alma Tadema, A Foregone Conclusion, 1885. Oil paint on wood, 42 x 20 in (62 x 52.5 cm). Photo: Tate The picture was commissioned by Sir Henry Tate, founder of the eponymous gallery in London, as a wedding present for his second wife Amy Hislop. In her will she gifted it back it to the institution that bears his name. 3 Stephen Jones Associate Vice President, Post-War & Contemporary Art For centuries artists have sought to venerate the act of falling in love, but Felix Gonzalez-Torres Untitled (Perfect Lovers) from 1991, is one of the few works that seeks to represent love in all its imperfect glory. Felix Gonzalez-Torres, "Untitled" (Perfect Lovers), 1991. Wall clocks and paint on wall. Overall dimensions vary with installation. Clocks: 14 inches diameter each (original size); 28 inches width overall. Felix Gonzalez-Torres. Courtesy of The Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation. Digital image: The Museum of Modern Art, New York/Scala, Florence Initially set to the same time, these two identical inexpensive battery-powered clocks will over time fall out of sequence, before eventually being reset and coming back into alignment again. A poignant and powerful metaphor not only for the passing of time, but also for the often imperfect, yet enduring nature of love. 4 Alastair Smart Associate Editor, Christies.com Gustav Klimt was one of arts great sensualists, and few pictures express the rapturous union of two people quite like his painting, The Kiss. Gustav Klimt (1862-1918), The Kiss, 1907-08. Oil on canvas, 180 x 180 cm. Osterreichische Galerie Belvedere, Vienna, Austria. Photo: Bridgeman Images A man and woman are wrapped in a richly-embellished, gold robe. She seems to be kneeling, he seems to bend his head to kiss her though its near-impossible to tell where her body ends and his begins. In an oft-quoted remark, Klimt said that all art is erotic. No painting sums this up better than The Kiss. 5 Milo Dickinson Head of Department, Early European Sculpture & Works of Art I discovered one of the most touching relics of love a few years ago when I walked into the great gothic fortress of Chichester Cathedral, near Englands south coast. There lies Richard Fitzwilliam and his wife Eleanor, side by side, his right hand ungloved and lightly resting in hers, bonded together in this stone tomb for eternity. The tomb of Richard Fitzwilliam and his wife Eleanor. Photo courtesy Ash Mills and Chichester Cathedral I later found out that the monument inspired a poem by Philip Larkin, with the immortal final line, What will survive of us is love. 6 Jessica Lack Contributing Editor, Christies.com As a kid I liked Valentines Day, not because I was in love, necessarily, but because I liked the redness of it, the American Pop artist Jim Dine once explained. In the 1960s he began looking for a way to create a self-portrait without painting his likeness. He wanted a shape that symbolised his creativity and passion: a template for my emotions. Jim Dine (b. 1935), The Beast, 1999. 48 x 48 in (121.9 x 121.9 cm). Sold for $137,500 on 27 September 2018 at Christies in New York. Artwork: Jim Dine / ARS, NY and DACS, London 2020 Dine chose a heart, and for more than half a century, this endlessly prolific artist has portrayed the shape in numerous ways. The Beast (1999), is a gutsy version, vibrantly red and pulsating with life. 7 Mark Wiltshire Associate Specialist, Books & Manuscripts A thing of beauty is a joy for ever, begins John Keatss Endymion, a poem about the journey to win the love of the moon goddess Cynthia. This first-edition copy, published in London in 1818, is itself a thing of remarkable beauty. It shines in a spectacular binding by T.J. Cobden-Sanderson, the foremost English bookbinder of the late-19th century, whose design of gilt moons and hearts reflects the central theme of love in this Romantic poets finest love poem. 8 Tessa Lord Associate Director, Post-War & Contemporary Art Freuds portraits of Lady Caroline Blackwood are some of the most intimate and moving depictions of an intense young love affair. Freud created various portraits throughout their relationship from 1950 until they separated in 1956, and although the portraits were at one stage thought aggressive, almost brutal in the way that they made a young girl seem older, they have since come to be seen as among the artists most tender and beautiful works. Lucian Freud (1922-2011), Girl Reading, 1952. Oil on copper. 5 x 8 in (15.2 x 20.3 cm). Private Collection. The Lucian Freud Archive / Bridgeman Images I love the idea of a young Freud and Lady Caroline Blackwood meeting at a formal ball, and shortly after, Caroline moving into Freuds studio in West London. In 1952 they eloped to Paris, living for a year at the Hotel la Louisiane. It was during this time that Freud created some of his most delicate portraits, including Girl Reading a private moment of reflection, captured in a way that only a loved one could. 9 Rebecca Ross Specialist, Watches This Patek Philippe enamel dome clock tells the story of Endymion, a handsome young shepherd prince who is adored by the moon goddess, Selene [also known as Cynthia]. One panel shows Cupid striking an arrow towards the couple in an evening setting. The young prince has been cast into eternal sleep by Selene so that she can kiss him every night without being seen. Patek Philippe. A fine and unique gilt brass and cloisonne enamel solar-powered desk clock, signed by Marie-Francoise Martin. Sold for $106,000 on 13 June 2018 at Christies in New York Most of these solar-clocks were commissioned by their owners to represent certain stories or their favourite motifs in this case, bewitching love. 10 Lucy Scovell Editor, Christies.com Locked in a tender embrace, this young female couple are seemingly oblivious to the clamour of the outside world. Painted by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1892, it is one of a series of four beguiling pictures depicting lesbian lovers in bed. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901), Au lit: Le baiser, 1892. Oil on board, 17 x 23 in (45.5 x 58.5 cm). Private Collection. Lautrec was fascinated with Pariss demi-monde, painting as many as 70 pictures of prostitutes. For me this is one of Lautrecs most sensual, as it beautifully captures a forbidden love. 11 Virgilio Garza Senior Vice President, Latin American Art I think this picture brilliantly represents the complex love between Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Painted shortly after the couples first marriage, Kahlos wedding portrait is a love letter to her husband, and Diego appears as a towering giant; a genius holding his palette and wearing the high-waisted pants and jacket that he donned as a militant uniform. Frida Kahlo, Frida and Diego Rivera, 1931. Oil on canvas. 39 x 31 in (100 x 78.9 cm). San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), CA, USA. Artwork Banco de Mexico Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F. / DACS 2020. Photo: Bridgeman Images The couples bond is represented by the gesture of their two hands, yet their clasp is tentative, suggesting the problematic nature of their relationship. In the picture Frida is seemingly content to play the role of the adoring wife, and while her dainty figure and diminutive feet suggest vulnerability, ultimately, as always, she was fully in control of her narrative. 12 Bruno Claessens European Head of Department, African & Oceanic Art Its very rare to encounter such an affectionate and intimate scene in Congolese art. These figures, with their hands resting on each others shoulders, make a beautiful couple, expressing feelings of unity and harmony. Congolese couple, Democratic Republic of Congo. Height: 21 cm (8 in). Sold for 212,500 on 10 April 2019 at Christies in Paris This type of Congolese sculpture was associated with the Lemba society, and celebrates their view of stable marriage as a requirement for a successful life. 13 Rebecca Jones Head of Sale, Photographs Peter Hujar met poet and visual artist David Wojnarowicz in 1980, a year before he made this portrait in his East Village studio. When I look at this picture, which was recently on show at the Jeu de Paume in Paris, I see the love between two people, both estranged from their birth families, left to build their own families within their marginalised community. Peter Hujar: David Wojnarowicz Reclining (II), 1981. Vintage gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 in (50.8 40.6 cm). Courtesy Peter Hujar Archive, Pace/MacGill Gallery, and Fraenkel Gallery Wojnarowicz was diagnosed with AIDS shortly after Hujars own AIDS-related death in 1987. In an interview Wojnarowicz once said, Everything I made, I made for Peter. Sign up today Christies Online Magazine delivers our best features, videos, and auction news to your inbox every week Subscribe 14 Arne Everwijn Senior Specialist, 19th Century European Art My wife and I had a rather prophetic encounter with one particular painting in 2012 when we were in Switzerland and went to visit the Fondation Pierre Gianadda in Martigny. There, in a corner, was a picture by Vincent van Gogh, that had such a strange draw for us. My wife even posed with it for a photo. Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), Le Bebe Marcelle Roulin. Oil on canvas. 14 by 9 in (36 by 25 cm). Private collection Anand Mahindra was overjoyed after a Mahindra car was spotted in Chile's Atacama Desert by a senior bureaucrat, who was himself on his way to Antarctica. The Mahindra Group Chairman on Friday posted a tweet where he shared his delight. READ: Auto Expo 2020: Mahindra Unveils 'India's Most Affordable Electric Car' EKUV100 At 8.25L 'Maha spotting' A sighting! Or maybe I should term it a Maha sighting since it came from Bhushan Gagrani, IAS, Secretary to CM of Maharashtra. Bhushans the cool dude with the backpack. Hes en route to Antarctica in the Atacama Desert in Chile where he excitedly ran into a familiar vehicle! pic.twitter.com/gRR1qNt2i3 anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) February 14, 2020 Senior Maharashtra government official and Secretary to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Bhushan Gagrani is currently travelling to Antarctica, and during his travels, he spotted a Mahindra XUV in the Atacama Desert in Chile. Mahindra posted pictures of Gagrani spotting the car on Twitter and said that it was a 'Maha spotting.' READ: Anand Mahindra Shares Motivational Quote On Twitter, Netizens Say 'never Quit' dear sir, i have been to Chile and there are so many XUV500 there. I spoke to them about the feedback and they said its an excellent vehicle.They are very happy with it .Felt So proud that moment.My dream car XUV500 . Wish to have it soon. SandeepSh (@Sandyshofficial) February 14, 2020 Replying to Mahindra's tweet, another user said that he had been to Chile and had spotted multiple XUVs in the country. Mahindra is active on Twitter and often posts shares pictures and clips of Mahindra cars from across India and rest of India. This #RepublicDay, watch @MahindraBolero in an all new avatar as it would be seen rolling in Lucknow #parade as Mahila PRV (Police Response Vehicle) of @112UttarPradesh. #Bolero from @MahindraRise are deployed by @Uppolice all over UP for #emergency response service in state. pic.twitter.com/Yb1Aa31wtk SP Shukla (@Prakashukla) January 26, 2020 A sighting! Coincidentally, looking at this post while in transit in Dubai. Which middle eastern country were these pics taken in Mukund? And I like the sign Made in India put up by our team. But perhaps we can say Made in IndiaWith Pride! https://t.co/kDwoNnBBZs anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 25, 2020 READ: Google's Superbowl Ad Strikes A Chord With Netizens, Gets Anand Mahindra Emotional READ: 'Samosas Now, Not Hamburgers': Anand Mahindra Quips As Arvind Krishna Becomes CEO Of IBM A man who shot an innocent bystander in the chest when he fired a shotgun in a west Dublin breaker's yard has been jailed for five years. James Gallagher (33) of Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm and recklessly discharging a firearm at Cullen's Yard, Greenhill Road, Walkinstown on August 4, 2018. Garda Aidan Devenney told Diana Stuart BL, prosecuting, that John O'Connor was at the scrapyard to buy car parts when he saw a man holding a single-barrel shotgun. This man discharged the gun. O'Connor didn't realise he had been shot but he was knocked to the ground after receiving multiple gunshot pellet wounds. Gallagher and another man left the scene on foot and a witness then saw a car driving away at speed. Mr O'Connor was not the intended target of the discharged shotgun, the garda said. The victim rang for an ambulance and was brought to Tallaght Hospital. Another man also received minor injuries but did not need to attend hospital. The firearm was never found. Gda Devenney said the shooting related to the sale of a red Seat Ibiza the day before and that CCTV had identified Gallagher at this incident. Gardai also recovered a pair of discarded tracksuit bottoms that contained a phone linked to Gallagher. Gallagher has 42 previous convictions, including convictions for theft, criminal damage, possession of drugs for sale or supply and road traffic offences. He has two children. Ciaran O'Loughlin SC, defending, said that his client was one of eight children and had left school at 14 and taken up work. He said Gallagher had begun to use heroin at an early age, but had since become clean of drugs. He said his client was "deeply sorry and apologetic" for this crimes. Judge Elma Sheahan said the reckless firing of a shotgun in a public place was egregious and unacceptable. She noted Gallagher has made significant and successful efforts to get clean of drug addiction. She imposed a number of concurrent sentences, resulting in an operative sentence of five years. The sentence runs from December 4, 2018 when Gallagher went into custody. LIFT visa requirements for Trinidad and Tobago citizens who want to travel to Canada. This was the request made by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley when he joined regional leaders in Barbados yesterday for the 31st Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom). Buddhist rebels and army deny they were behind artillery fire that hit a primary school in Rakhine state. At least 19 children were wounded in Myanmars Rakhine state when a primary school was hit by the shelling that the army and rebels have refused to take responsibility for. Clashes between government troops and Buddhist rebels, who have been fighting for greater autonomy for the impoverished region, have intensified since December 2018 displacing tens of thousands of people. The armed rebellion by the Arakan Army has brought new chaos to the region from where more than 730,000 majority-Muslim Rohingya fled a brutal military crackdown in 2017. Artillery fire hit the school in Khamwe Chaung village in Buthidaung township on Thursday morning, Tun Aung Thein, a local member of parliament, told Reuters News Agency by telephone. He said he did not know who was responsible. According to the health department, 19 students are injured and one is seriously injured, the legislator said. 190317102309634 A military spokesman put the number of wounded at 20 and blamed the rebels for the attack. We medically treated the students at the nearby military post and sent five to the hospital, Brigadier-General Zaw Min Tun told Reuters by phone. Teacher Thar Aye Maung from Khamwe village told AFP news agency by phone how his school was hit on 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 ethnic and religious groups. The fighting was about three kilometres (two miles) away from the village, he added. We thought the shells couldnt reach our school. A spokesman for the Arakan Army, denied its fighters were responsible, saying they did not have such artillery and blamed government troops. Misery for many The British embassy in Myanmar issued a statement urging an end to the violence, which follows the reinstatement last week of an internet shutdown in the region. The increased violence in Rakhine state over the past few days is causing misery for many of the people living there, said Dan Chugg, British ambassador to Myanmar. Todays reported shelling of a school on Myanmars Childrens Day, following recent deaths of women and children, highlights the impact this is having on innocent people. The statement urged all sides to do their utmost to protect civilians and called on the government to lift the internet restrictions. A months-long internet blackout in four Rakhine townships including Buthidaung and one in neighbouring Chin state had been lifted in September as peace talks sought to end clashes. Officials cited security requirements and public interest for the reinstatement. An infographic on how the conoravirus has effected the economy in Vietnam Vietnam has drawn up scenarios for economic growth and business activities in Vietnam amid the impact of the coronavirus. 55 per cent of the companies have already put in place their own measures in preparation to the increasing risk of coronavirus. 47 per cent have banned staff from travelling to China, while 38 per cent have restricted the number of staff travelling on business to the country. 38 per cent of German companies have drafted bans regarding incoming visitors from China. 41 per cent of them refuse to receive foreign visitors who travelled to China recently. For other foreign visitors, German companies still keep their doors open (52 per cent). 38 per cent of German companies have restricted travel to other foreign countries affected by the virus. About the effects of the measures taken by the Vietnamese government to restrict the spread of the virus in Vietnam, 44 per cent of German companies thought they are timely and represent their interests. 36 per cent of them confirmed that those measures supported them to some extent. Moreover, German companies in Vietnam offered several comments, suggestions, and solutions to AHK Vietnam, GBA Vietnam, and the Vietnamese government. They would like to receive updated information, facts, and figures on the effects of coronavirus on the Vietnamese economy. Many of them expressed their expectations that the epidemic is controlled promptly in Vietnam. According to Vietnams Ministry of Planning and Investment, up until last year, German financiers supported the country with nearly $2.1 billion of foreign direct investment in 349 projects. Currently, German investment enjoys a great reputation in Vietnam and is welcomed by the government as well as local businesses. In the first 11 months of 2019, there were 33 German-invested projects in several sectors, from trade and consulting services to chemical production. Many long-term investors such as Bosch and Siemens expanded their investment capital in Vietnam and act as typical examples of successful German investment. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Turkeys export of defense industry products to Pakistan increased 154 times in January 2020 compared to the same month of 2019, exceeding $1 million, Turkeys Ministry of Trade told Trend on Feb. 14. In January 2020, Turkey's export to Pakistan dropped by 27.32 percent compared to January 2019, amounting to $31.1 million. In this month, export of Turkeys defense industry products dropped by 4.3 percent, amounting to $166.9 million, or 1.1 percent of countrys total export. In 2019, trade turnover between Turkey and Pakistan exceeded $803.2 million. Turkeys foreign trade turnover in 2019 amounted to over $374.2 billion. Turkey's export increased by 2.1 percent in 2019 and amounted to $171.5 billion compared to 2018. In the meantime, Turkey's import dropped by 9.1 percent and amounted to $202.7 billion. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Take a look at some of the biggest movers in the premarket: Newell Brands (NWL) The consumer products company reported quarterly earnings of 42 cents per share, 3 cents a share above estimates. Revenue also beat forecasts, however its full-year guidance was largely below estimates and it predicts core sales flat to down 2% for 2020. Canopy Growth (CGC) The Canadian cannabis producer lost 35 cents (Canadian) per share for its latest quarter, less than the 50 cents a share loss that analysts were expecting. Revenue exceeded analysts' forecasts. Canopy Growth said it saw strong demand in the recreational market as well as increasing market share in the medical market. Its results are also boosting the shares of competitors like Aurora Cannabis (ACB) and Tilray (TLRY). Tesla (TSLA) The automaker's newly announced secondary stock offering of 2.65 million shares was priced at $767 per share, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Mattel (MAT) Mattel reported quarterly earnings of 11 cents per share, well above the penny a share consensus estimate. The toy maker's revenue came in just below Wall Street forecasts. Mattel benefited from the impact of a cost-cutting program, even though holiday sales were pressured by strong competition from rival Hasbro (HAS). Expedia (EXPE) Expedia came in 5 cents a share above estimates, with quarterly earnings of $1.24 per share. The travel website operator's revenue was essentially in line with forecasts. Expedia is not providing a full-year outlook, due to uncertainties over how the coronavirus outbreak will affect its results. Roku (ROKU) Roku lost 13 cents per share for its latest quarter, a penny a share less than expected. Its sales exceeded analysts' forecasts. The streaming video device maker also gave a full-year revenue forecast largely above current consensus as it benefits from the introduction of new streaming services. Pinterest (PINS) Pinterest shares are under pressure following news that Facebook (FB) has released a competing app called "Hobbi." Pinterest told CNBC that Hobbi appears to be just a photo-saving app that does not offer the capabilities that its own app does. Nvidia (NVDA) Nvidia beat estimates by 22 cents a share, with quarterly profit of $1.89 per share. The graphics chip maker's revenue also beat forecasts and the company gave an upbeat current-quarter forecast, as it continues to see strong demand from cloud computing companies. Yelp (YELP) Yelp missed estimates by 2 cents a share, with quarterly profit of 24 cents per share. The consumer review website operator also reported revenue that fell short of analysts' forecasts. Yelp's bottom line was impacted by increased spending on marketing. Yelp also added $250 million to its share buyback program and named David Schwarzbach as its new chief financial officer. EBay (EBAY) EBay expanded its planned 2020 stock buyback program to $4.5 billion from the prior $1.5 billion. The e-commerce platform also forecast better than expected current-quarter profit. Royal Caribbean (RCL) Royal Caribbean canceled 18 cruises in Southeast Asia and warned that the coronavirus outbreak would impact its full-year results. The cruise line operator said the newly announced cancellations would cut full-year earnings per share by 65 cents, and that if all Asian sailings are canceled through the end of April, earnings would be reduced by another 55 cents per share. Royal Caribbean had previously forecast adjusted 2020 earnings of $10.40 to $10.70 per share. GoDaddy (GDDY) GoDaddy reported quarterly earnings of 34 cents per share, 3 cents a share above estimates. The website hosting company's revenue also came in above analysts' expectations, boosted by an increase in revenue per user. (Photo : Screenshot from: Jpost Official Website) (Photo : Screenshot from: New York Times Official Website) (Photo : Screenshot from: Nieman Lab Official Website) Hubei province, also known as the 'Epicenter' of the Coronavirus epidemic, is now being closely observed by the Chinese authorities who are now taking a more high-tech approach in doing so. Citizens are now being tracked everywhere they go by sending text messages to a specific hotline, letting the officials know about their whereabouts. What does texting this hotline do? In order to keep track of people exposed to the virus, China has now opted to use both technology and policing to observe movements of citizens who may or may not have visited Hubei province. There are three state-run telecommunications firms in which mobile phone users in China get their cell phone service from, and it has been announced that a new feature for subscribers has been added wherein citizens can now send messages to a hotline that can bring about a list of various provinces they have visited recently. Chinese companies expressed uneasiness, and even uncomfortable with this newly implemented rule, fearing that sharing location data with local officials might get leaked or sold. The caution has been thrown by China Mobile, advising people to use the data cautiously as these only indicate where the phone has gone through and not the owner itself, with no difference between people who visited a province shortly, and those who spent a long period there. Read Also: [BREAKING] AIRBORNE CORONAVIRUS CONFIRMED: MWC 2020 in Serious Jeopardy How does this affect the Technology Business? Taking a look at the technological side of this whole Coronavirus outbreak, tech companies can definitely feel the impact as some of them have been starting to close down various stores, offices, including factories all over China. Not to mention the restrictiveness each employee has been given from unnecessary in and out of the country travels. These are all expected to have a long-term effect, at least until Mar. 1, wherein province and district officials are advising companies not to open. As these are all just temporary closures, major companies that have announced its shut down include Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Tesla, and Google. Amazon has yet to announce office closures in several different parts of China, such as Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Facebook, not having any offices in China, has advised employees not to take unnecessary travels to the country. Production shortages and launch delays have also been expected as factory workers for companies like Apple, are unlikely to resume work due to the outbreak and are now facing delays on multiple products such as iPhones and AirPods. Other major companies are in similar situations, including ASUS and Tesla. Chinese brands are also experiencing production delays like Oppo, Xiaomi, Lenovo, and Huawei. It is also known that some of these companies that rely on components from Hubei will most likely be the most affected by all these temporary shutdowns caused by the virus. Read Also: Coronavirus is Airborne, So What? MWC 2020 Will Go On Despite Various Tech Giants Backing Out With regards to the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, multiple tech companies have also withdrawn their attendance. These are Sony, Amazon, Nvidia, LG Electronics, ZTE, and Ericsson, who all want to avoid potential risks with the Coronavirus outbreak is still ongoing, though while the World Health Organization has upgraded the virus' status to a global health emergency, it is not recommended canceling the MWC. Read Also: U.S Postal Service Confirms 'No Import Ban' on Chinese Products Amid Coronavirus Spread 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Related Ethiopia approves controversial law curbing hate speech Ethiopia's election board on Friday set a date of Aug. 29 for parliamentary elections that will be a first test of voter support for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has eased political restrictions since he took office in 2018. The date is two weeks later than the electoral board had previously indicated, on account of weather. "Looking at parts of the country which will be affected by the rainy season, pushing the schedule a little further will ease our burden," board chairwoman Birtukan Mideksa said at a conference on election preparations taking place in Addis Ababa. Less areas will have rain compare at the end of the month, she said. Ethiopia's 109 million people are experiencing unprecedented political and economic change, but Abiy's reforms have also unleashed ethnic rivalries that have spilled into violence. Plans to hold the parliament and regional council elections in May were postponed as neither authorities nor parties would be ready, Mideksa said in January. Ethiopia has had regular parliamentary elections since the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) took power in 1991 but, with one exception, none were competitive. Abiy, who won the Nobel Peace Prize last year for his efforts at reconciliation with Ethiopia's neighbour and longtime foe Eritrea, has promised that this year's vote will be free and fair. Search Keywords: Short link: Washington, Feb 15 : US President Donald Trump has tweeted he has "the legal right" to intervene in criminal cases after his attorney general complained White House tweets were making his job "impossible". In his post, Trump also denied he had ever meddled in any cases, the BBC reported on Friday. America's top law officer William Barr on Thursday asked Trump to stop his tweets, saying he would not be bullied. Barr spoke out after Trump renewed his attack on the criminal trial of his ex-adviser, Roger Stone. Prosecutors had recommended Stone serve a stiff sentence, but Trump tweeted that was unfair. On Friday morning, Trump ignored the attorney general's plea to stop tweeting. It is legally ambiguous whether the US president has the authority to order the attorney general to open or shut a case. The Department of Justice has been meant to operate without political interference since the Watergate scandal of the 1970s. Trump has previously called for investigations into perceived enemies, such as former FBI Director James Comey and former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. On Friday, McCabe's lawyers announced the justice department had closed its criminal inquiry into whether their client had lied to investigators about leaks to the media. The New York Times meanwhile reported Barr had appointed outside prosecutors to review the case against another Trump ally, Michael Flynn. Flynn, who was Trump's first national security adviser, previously pleaded guilty to lying to investigators in a federal inquiry, but later withdrew co-operation and is in the midst of trying to recant his plea. Barr said on Thursday that Trump "undercuts" him by tweeting, making it "impossible for me to do my job". "I think it's time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases," Barr told ABC News. "I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me," he added. Australian public health experts will be sent to Yokohama, Japan, where more than 200 Australians are quarantined on the docked Diamond Princess, amid concerns the cruise ship could be incubating the coronavirus. At least 12 Australians are among the 218 passengers to have tested positive to the virus, known as COVID-19, aboard the ship, which is transferring those diagnosed to medical facilities on the mainland where they remain in isolation. There are concerns for those on the Diamond Princess cruise ship as coronavirus cases mount. Credit:Getty The virus has now killed 1486 people and infected 65,183, in figures updated after China's Hubei provincial government confirmed a further 116 deaths and 14823 infections. Asked if the ship could be "acting as an incubator" for the coronavirus, Australia's chief medical officer Brendan Murphy said on Thursday evening the government was alert to the possibility Australians trapped on the quarantined ship may be at risk. As India marks the first anniversary of the Pulwama attack today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah paid tributes to the martyrs. Remembering the fallen @crpfindia personnel who were martyred during the dastardly attack in Pulwama(J&K) on this day in 2019. India will never forget their sacrifice. Entire nation stands united against terrorism and we are committed to continue our fight against this menace, Singh said on Twitter. Remembering the fallen @crpfindia personnel who were martyred during the dastardly attack in Pulwama(J&K) on this day in 2019. India will never forget their sacrifice. Entire nation stands united against terrorism and we are committed to continue our fight against this menace. Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 14, 2020 I pay homage to the martyrs of Pulwama attack. India will forever be grateful of our bravehearts and their families who made supreme sacrifice for the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland, Shah tweeted. I pay homage to the martyrs of Pulwama attack. India will forever be grateful of our bravehearts and their families who made supreme sacrifice for the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland. Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 14, 2020 Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy was targeted by the suicide bomber of Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on February 14, 2019. Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after the attack. Leaders across the party lines condemned the attack and called for an appropriate response. I feel the same fire in my heart thats raging inside you, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on February 17, days after the attack. The response came in the form of the unprecedented air action against the Jaish-e-Mohammeds facility at Balakot. The decision to carry out air strikes was taken within 24 hours of the Pulwama attack, with the government giving the Air Force 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. United Nations and several countries from across the globe condemned the Pulwama terror attack and extended their support to India in the fight against terrorism. Buoyed by the success of the party in the Delhi polls, the Punjab unit of the Aam Aadmi Party on Friday said Arvind Kejriwal's development model will work in the next assembly elections in the state and oust the Congress from power. After chairing a meeting of party legislators here, Punjab AAP president Harpal Singh Cheema said the landslide victory of the AAP in Delhi will have an impact on the next assembly polls in Punjab. "Kejriwal's development model will work in the state in the next polls," he said. Assembly polls in Punjab are to be held in 2022. Hitting out at the BJP for running a "divisive campaign" in the run up to the Delhi Assembly polls, Cheema said the saffron party "under a conspiracy gave hate speeches" in rallies but its "design" was rejected by the people. He said the AAP's victory in Delhi is a "win of development agenda over communal and divisive politics" and a "tight slap" on the face of the BJP. Kejriwal-led AAP won 62 seats in the 70-member Delhi Assembly, while the BJP bagged the remaining eight seats. The Congress drew a blank for the second consecutive time. Cheema claimed that the Congress will meet the same fate in the Punjab polls like in Delhi. "People in Punjab have already rejected the SAD and the BJP for growing seeds of mafias and due to incidents of desecration of holy book during their regime," he said. Cheema also hit out at the Amarinder Singh government for not giving any relief to consumers from the "costly power" tariffs. He said the AAP workers will snap power supply at Singh's private residence at Patiala followed by disconnecting electricity supply at residences of Congress MPs and MLAs. The meeting of the AAP's Punjab unit also chalked out the strategy of the party in the forthcoming budget session. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Even before a commune in the northern Vietnamese province of Vinh Phuc was shut off from the outside world, villagers struggled to cope with the reality that a handful of their neighbors had been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), out of Vietnams 16 confirmed cases. Vinh Phuc is struggling with its new 'reputation' as the epicenter of the COVID-19 epidemic in Vietnam as news continues spreading that 11 out of the countrys 16 diagnosed cases hail from the province. Three of the infected patients in Vinh Phuc have recovered so far while the remaining continue their battle against the virus. Six of Vinh Phucs COVID-19 patients reside in Son Loi, a commune of 10,600 people in Binh Xuyen District that has been sealed off for 20 days from Wednesday for quarantine. Before the lockdown, Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspapers reporters made it to Ai Van, a small village in Son Loi, to see first-hand how villagers are coping with the uncertainty of life in the now-quarantined commune. An empty street in Ai Van Village in Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam is seen in this photo taken on February 11, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre According to the Ministry of Health, Ai Van Village is home to a three-month-old baby girl who was confirmed as Vietnams 15th and youngest COVID-19 patient on Tuesday, allegedly having contracted the virus from her grandmother. Authorities suspect the grandmother had been in close contact with N.T.D., a 23-year-old woman recently returning to Vietnam after attending a vocational training seminar in the central Chinese city of Wuhan - ground zero for the COVID-19 outbreak. D. was confirmed to be infected on January 30, after having interacted with many family members and neighbors between her arrival on January 17 and her hospitalization on January 25. A banner with messages about COVID-19 prevention is hung in Ai Van Village, Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam in this photo taken on February 11, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre From the villages entrance, loudspeakers were blasting radio broadcasts providing updates on the COVID-19 epidemic. Warnings printed on red-and-yellow banners calling on residents to seek immediate medical care upon any sign of pneumonia-like symptoms were hung on most street corners inside the village. It was rare to spot villagers without face masks. The general atmosphere was tense even before the lockdown, as businesses had been closed for weeks and only a few eateries were still welcoming guests. Pham Van Bon, a neighbor of a family in Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam with four members already infected with the novel coronavirus, is photographed wearing a face mask on February 11, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre At first, everyone was anxious out of fear that the virus could be transmitted through the air, said Pham Van Bon, a 53-year-old neighbor of N.T.D. But doctors came to the village and said it can only be transmitted between humans through respiratory droplets from infected people as they breathe, cough, or sneeze. According to 51-year-old Tran Thi Chung, her children, who work at local factories, are on temporary leave due to COVID-19. Having recently ordered boxes of face masks from the south, Chung said her only wish was that pharmacies would restock their supplies of face masks, a hope that will not likely come to fruition amid the nationwide face mask shortage. Nguyen Van Huu, a steel factory worker, feeds his children at their home in Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam as he is under home quarantine on his companys request in this photo taken on February 11, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Nguyen Van Quyen, a police officer stationed at a checkpoint at an entrance to Son Loi Commune, said that similar checkpoints had been established at all entrances to the commune and were in operation 24 hours a day. On-duty officers were tasked with measuring the body temperature of people who entered and exited the commune, instructing people on how to wear face masks, and noting down the names of those who failed to do so. A man has his body temperature checked by a police officer at a checkpoint set up at an entrance to Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam in this photo taken on February 11, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre The novel coronavirus disease, officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday, has killed 1,383 people and infected over 64,400 globally since it first surfaced in the Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei Province 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. They were all treated for free. A resident burns rubbish in Ai Van Village, Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam in this photo taken on February 11, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre A house in Ai Van Village, Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam is locked from the outside as its residents has been relocated to a quarantine zone in this photo taken on February 11, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre A banner featuring guidance on COVID-19 prevention is hung in Ai Van Village, Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam in this photo taken on February 11, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Pham Thi Trang, a resident in Ai Van Village, Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam, sprinkles calcium hydroxide in front of her house for disinfection on February 11, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre An empty street in Ai Van Village, Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam is seen in this photo taken on February 11, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Residues of calcium hydroxide used for disinfection are seen on plants in Ai Van Village, Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam in this photo taken on February 11, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre A resident buys groceries at a vegetable stand owned by Nguyen Thi Thang in Ai Van Village, Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Nguyen Van Hung, a resident in Ai Van Village, Son Loi Commune, Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam, is photographed wearing a face mask on February 11, 2020. Hung, whose family business has been affected by COVID-19, says he is concerned about not having enough face masks. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has criticised what she described as the "old boys' club of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael" after they have both refused to enter government talks with her party. Fianna Fail agreed not to go into coalition with Sinn Fein following a four-hour meeting of its parliamentary party on Thursday. The decision is likely to stop Sinn Fein entering power, as their leader Mary Lou McDonald said forming a coalition without them or Fine Gael would be "very, very tricky". Ms McDonald said: "Any suggestion that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael together suggest change is farcical - transparently farcical. "I think it is actually quite disgraceful that the old boys' club of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael believe that they can set aside the democratic mandate of Sinn Fein and the electorate." She said it would be unthinkable for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to be in power for another five years. McDonald said she accepts her number one option for a purely left-wing government is off the table. But she insisted there are still strong numbers for a very strong government of change to avoid the traditional scenario of a big monster party with a small party tacked on. The numbers now are such that I accept that we cant do a government now, she said, at a lunchtime rally by striking community employment supervisors who are demanding a pension. My number one option I guess is off the table. Whats not off the table is the real prospect, possibility, that we can deliver a government thats not like the governments of the past, where you had a big monster party and some small party tacked on. And a government that has Sinn Fein in it and a government that most importantly, above all of that, a government that actually is responsive to working people. She said other people had a very good day out at the polls, including the Social Democrats, the Greens, and progressive-minded independents. So all of the ingredients are there to create this government for change, she said. We can do it alright. She said the worst possible outcome would be five more years of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. That to me is just unthinkable, she said. She said that was not what people voted for and people were crystal clear that they wanted change. The maths are difficult in the Dail, thats for sure, but there is still a critical mass of TDs that are elected, like the Sinn Fein TDs, on an agenda of change and delivering on housing, on cutting rents and freezing them, on getting the pension age back to 65. So we can still craft a government that can do all of these things. Whats happened now, it seems to me is that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael want it all their own way again and they want to push out the alternative, they want to exclude us. And I for the life of me, I cannot fathom how anybody would think it a good idea to have five more years of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. That is not the view of the electorate or the general public. This isnt about me personally even, or my chances, this is about actually having a government that can deliver properly for people. Thats the issue here. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have had it their own way for almost a century and the idea of more of the same, I think would actually cause great anger amongst the people and the electorate. Meanwhile, Eoin O Broin said that even if all of the newly elected "progressive left" TDs were on board with a Sinn Fein led left-wing government, there still would not be enough to make up a cabinet. Asked how Sinn Fein can form a government without either Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, he replied: You cant. "If you listen to what Mary Lou said in the last two days, it's very clear that the only stable government is going to involve two of the larger parties and that's why Mary Lou wrote to Micheal Martin the evening before yesterday to seek initial discussion with him," he said. Read More "Our preference was to have a government of the left without Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, but from Tuesday morning, once you could see the shape of the Oireachtas, the broad progressive left has about 66 TDs and that's never going to be enough for a government. "In real terms that means we need to talk to one of the larger parties to see if either one of those wants to participate in that government." Fine Gael has been consistent since the election was called that they would not talk to Sinn Fein about forming a government. Fianna Fail was also adamant that they would not form a government with Sinn Fein but as the campaign progressed, Micheal Martin's stance began to soften. A number of Fianna Fail sources also said they would be open to enter talks with Sinn Fein, however, after first Fianna Fail's parliamentary meeting after the election, the party's leader hardened his stance again. Mr Martin said that his party were united "in relation to Sinn Fein" in that "people felt the economic platform that Sinn Fein put forward was irreconcilable with Fianna Fail, particularly on the enterprise agenda and sustainability part." Mr O Broin agreed that "there are huge policy differences" between the parties but said he would still be willing to work with Fianna Fail and wouldn't rule out Micheal Martin changing his mind again. Expand Close Dublin Mid-West TD Eoin O Broin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dublin Mid-West TD Eoin O Broin He did, however, criticise the Cork TD for the inconsistency in his stance on a coalition, and the threat it poses of another election. "The only responsible thing to do for any party is to sit down and talk to all to talk resolve those issues and deliver a government to the people that delivers real change on the issues of importance to the electorate," he said. "We are waiting for a formal response from Micheal Martin. Micheal Martin over the last number of days has said various things and there isn't a clarity. "This is a man that said during the general election that he wouldn't talk to Fine Gael either, yet yesterday he suggested that he's going to put Leo Varadkar back into office and give us the same kind of government as the last four years. "If last week Micheal Martin was saying that he isn't going to go into talks with Fine Gael and this week he says he is, then very clearly Micheal Martin changes his mind on these matters. "Political parties who are saying they won't talk to others, who are threatening elections, don't just smack of arrogance, but I actually think it's reckless. The 4,000 children in emergency accommodation can't wait for this government to be formed. It needs to happen as quickly as possible." The Dublin Mid-West TD said that his party are talking to the Green Party, the Social Democrats, and "other progressive TDs". He said that Mary Lou McDonald will decide whether to write to Fine Gael in the coming days, a party who, despite consistent resistance from whom, he would still consider forming government with as strongly as he would Fianna Fail. Phnom Penh, Feb 14 : Passengers of a cruise ship that had been denied entry into several countries over fears that the people on board were infected with the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19), disembarked in Cambodia on Friday after authorities confirmed they were healthy. The Westerdam, of the Holland America Line shipping company, docked at the Sihanoukville port, a day after it anchored off the coast, reports Efe news. "The first passengers are off the Westerdam and headed home. We're happy to greet them as they step onto dry land. Thank you to the government of Cambodia who helped this happen," the US embassy said in a tweet. Holland America said it obtained permission to disembark the 1,455 passengers and 802 crew after 20 blood samples were tested to be negative after being examined on Thursday in a Phnom Penh laboratory. "We are pleased with the successful resolution of this challenging journey that was complicated by unfounded fears stemming from erroneous information with respect to the medical condition of Westerdam's guests and crew," the shipping company said in a statement. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen received the first passengers on the pier, who were presented with flowers and 'krama', a traditional Cambodian handkerchief. Hun Sen told the media that he authorized the arrival of the ship in Cambodia at the request of the US embassy and that he would have done so even if some passengers had tested positive for COVID-19. The ship, which departed on February 1 from Hong Kong, was scheduled to arrive on Saturday in the Japanese city of Yokohama, but authorities denied entry after a person on board showed symptoms of being infected with the illness. Cambodia authorized the ship's arrival to its territory on Wednesday after it had been rejected by Taiwan, the Philippines, Guam and Thailand. Among the passengers are 651 Americans, 127 Britons, 91 Dutch and 57 Germans, as well as travelers from more than 30 countries, including Spain (seven), Argentina (five), Brazil (five), Ecuador (five), Mexico (five) and Chile (three). The Westerdam's incident comes as Japanese authorities have quarantined another cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, in Yokohama with at least 218 of its 3,700 people on board having tested positive for COVID-19. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Distinguished Programs has promoted Jack Madsen to the role of regional sales executive. In his new role, Madsen will consult with retail agents and brokers across all of Distinguished Programs insurance products and services, covering the Pacific Northwest, including Nevada, Alaska and Hawaii. Madsen has more than two decades of experience as a sales professional, with more than 10 of those years in insurance. Prior to his role with Distinguished Programs, Madsen was a sales executive for Fulcrum Insurance Programs. Fulcrum Insurance was acquired by Distinguished Programs in 2015. Distinguished Programs is a national insurance program manager providing insurance programs to brokers and agents. Transportation: UrbanFootprint can analyze the existing conditions of a transportation network, but the company is developing a way to analyze hypotheticals. For example, what would be the impacts to traffic, the environment and the power grid if a city or micromobility provider added a new transit hub to a particular neighborhood? Master planning and urban design: The company intends to scale the product to a finer degree of detail than parcel-level, incorporating more detailed master plans and the ability to construct hypotheticals about distributing parcel uses across a map. AI: DiStefano said the company is hiring field experts to boost the accuracy, breadth and depth of their core data offerings. Energy and mobility: DiStefano said Pacific Gas & Electric just started using UrbanFootprint to analyze fire risk and the impacts of heat waves on their infrastructure, and that will be an area of interest for the company moving forward. Anticipating the need for both private- and public-sector urban developers to plan for large-scale challenges in the near future, the California-based UrbanFootprint has raised $11.5 million in investment capital.The company, which was established in 2014 and launched its eponymous platform in spring 2018, announced the Series A funding in a news release this week.UrbanFootprint bills itself as the ultimate tool to understand cities, a suite of software modules that compile data about people, zoning laws, environmental conditions and infrastructure, then apply AI to produce insights developers can use to make decisions. The idea behind UrbanFootprint, as described in the news release, is to help businesses plan their expansions, governments decide where to devote resources, and for both to understand what kind of economic, social and environmental impacts their projects will have.Co-founder and CEO Joe DiStefano said the funding will go toward improving the platform in four key areas:PG&Es Climate Resilience Chief Heather Rock said in a statement that her team is using UrbanFootprint to build a more resilient power system.We are using forward-looking climate data to better inform how we plan and protect our infrastructure, employees, customers and communities, the statement said. UrbanFootprint is an important partner to us as we seek data and tools that allow us to assess and mitigate these risks in a thoughtful way.Describing the imminent need for data-driven urban planning, DiStefano mentioned looming issues like climate change, housing affordability, water use and evolving transportation infrastructure. He said energy companies will be key players in climate change, and its not enough to merely assess, for instance, which substations might fail if a heat wave prompts everyone to turn on their air conditioners. Which stations are powering the most vulnerable populations whose lives would be at risk in a failure?DiStefano pointed out that as renewable energies become more widely used, cities will also need to know where and how to deploy electric vehicle infrastructure. And if urbanization continues as expected a United Nations report in 2018 projected that two-thirds of the worlds population will live in urban areas by 2050 affordable housing development will only grow more urget.Being able to inform, at scale, where and how there are opportunities for housing, and what the impacts of placing housing in one place or another are thats huge, DiStefano said. And how do we build resilient from the get-go, as opposed to simply adapt to (problems as they arise)? We need to do our best not to place additional population and jobs at risk. Adding real clarity to that conversation is something we can help with.DiStefano said government planners will be important parts of that conversation, but about 60 percent of UrbanFootprints customers are private-sector planners, architects and developers who work with government, and those will be just as critical.If we can impact the way that the PG&Es, the mobility companies and the real-estate sector behave within urban environments, that will have an outsized impact on the ultimate sustainability and quality of life within those environments, he said.UrbanFootprints lead investor for this funding round was California-based Valo Ventures, with other funding from prior investor Social Capital and a new partner, Radicle Impact. Tipping has reached a tipping point. Many travelers say they're tired of shelling out gratuities to everyone they meet hotel concierges, luggage porters, tour guides and, of course, restaurant servers. Enough is enough. They do not tip anymore. The changes are happening slowly. Travelers say the ever-present tip jars and outstretched hands leave them confused and frustrated. Gradually, consumers are easing up on gratuities and businesses are moving away from compensating staff with tips. Never-tippers might be thought of as rude, but one thing is clear: They are the future. Tipping may be on the way out. Why travelers do not tip anymore "I am beginning to wonder if tipping is right," says Barbara Howell, a frequent air traveler and registered nurse from Carpinteria, California. She says travelers should tip when they receive outstanding service, not to subsidize the salaries of service employees. Ed Horenburger, a retired printer from Philadelphia, says he tries to avoid tipping situations altogether. "Sometimes, I go to a convenience store for just coffee or to McDonalds for lunch just to avoid the issue," he says. Frequent travelers such as Nick Brennan agree. "Tipping is illogical, archaic and irrational," he says. On a visit to Las Vegas, his sit-down restaurant slipped a laminated card in his menu soliciting a 15% to 20% tip. The notification, left for the benefit of international travelers such as Brennan, infuriated him. "Why don't we tip the cashier at Costco while we're at it? Or the bank teller? Or the American Eagle sales associate?" says Brennan, who runs a technology company in the U.K. But doesn't everyone tip? Actually, no. A survey by Dynata, a data and marketing services firm, found only 37% of people reported that they always or frequently tip at fast-casual restaurants. Almost 60% of Uber riders never tip, and those who tip leave an average of $3, according to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Story continues What created the 'do not tip' movement? Birmingham's La Strada Dolci e Caffe is rebranding as La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar while converting all of its wage workers to salaried employees and removing the tip line from customers' bills. Old habits die hard. Carol Sadowski, a retired secretary from Plantation, Florida, says she tips at full-service restaurants, but at cafes and places with counter service, she refuses to tip. She stopped frequenting her local Chinese restaurant when it imposed a $5 delivery fee. Sadowski says she used to tip her driver generously to cover his costs, but the new fee plus the expectation of a gratuity feels like a money-grab to her. "More and more, I see people looking to be tipped for everything," she says. "I just don't get it. Why don't restaurants just pay a decent wage and charge accordingly, rather than depending on customers to make up the difference?" Some are. Last fall, La Strada Italian Kitchen + Bar in suburban Detroit transitioned to a salaried server program. Owner and executive chef Zharko Palushaj says he researched best practices around the world and concluded that the American system didn't work. Palushaj says he believes the industry is moving toward salaried servers. Tip-heavy businesses expect you to bring cash Many hair salons no longer permit customers to put their stylist's tip on their credit card payment, forcing them to bring cash, use an ATM or send their gratuity via a smartphone app. Many travelers are afraid to admit they've stopped tipping. Privately, they tell me they stopped handing out dollar bills like Halloween candy because tipping is out of control. Tip jars are everywhere even in laundromats. When you don't fill the jar, employees glare at you. In some tip-heavy businesses such as hair or nail salons, you're not even allowed to include the worker's tip in your credit card payment. Instead, you're required to bring the tip in cash, use an on-site ATM to withdraw it (which the business can profit from by charging you a fee) or use an app such as Venmo or Apple Cash to send it directly to the hairdresser or nail technician. Even when a credit card slip or tip jar doesn't overtly demand a gratuity, you might have to deal with signs guilting you into leaving money. My least favorite is a picture of Jesus captioned, "I saw that tip you left." Come on. The members of the "do not tip" movement say they want to pay their servers and tour guides a fair wage. But for them, this isn't about workers' pay. It's about honesty. If a business advertises a product or service at one price, the customer should be able to pay that price, period. If businesses expect a 20% tip, why not just raise the price by 20%? Don't try to guilt someone into paying more, they say. Ready to stop leaving tips? Service employees ought to be paid a living wage and shouldn't have to rely on generosity or guilt to make ends meet. Reality check: Refusing to tip is sometimes a breach of etiquette. At least that's according to etiquette experts such as Nick Leighton, who co-hosts the podcast "Were You Raised By Wolves?" "We have a tipping culture and tradition, and so if you're a never-tipper visiting a restaurant within our boundaries and refuse to tip, you are, by definition, rude," he explains. Is the system fair if it pays service workers poverty wages and expects them to make up the difference with tips? "We could debate that," he says. There's a gray area for tipping, even among experts. Should you tip your Starbucks barista? How about your hotel housekeeper? When is it optional and where is it required? I'm a little confused, too. The system is unfair to both travelers and employees, and it needs to change. Service employees ought to be paid a living wage and not rely on your generosity or guilt to make ends meet. Unfortunately, it may be that the only way to change the situation is if enough people stop tipping. Places that should ban tip jars Should customers be expected to tip at a coffee shop or restaurant where they're served at the counter rather than waited on at a table? Coffee shops. Customers have long puzzled over the presence of tip jars at cafes that serve drinks over the counter. What, exactly, are they tipping for? Who knows? Grocery stores. What are you tipping for at the checkout register? The employees are doing their job, and they get a salary. "Free" shuttle buses. Drivers are salaried workers. Unless they go above and beyond (say, helping you load your luggage), you shouldn't be expected to tip. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tipping while traveling: Why gratuities may be going out of style The Uttar Pradesh Police has slapped the stringent Security Act (NSA) against Dr Kafeel Khan, who is in jail for allegedly delivering a speech at the Aligarh Muslim University against the amended Dr Khan is lodged in Mathura jail despite a bail granted to him in connection with the speech in December. "NSA has been slapped against Dr He will remain in jail," Aligarh SSP Akash Kulhari told PTI. The NSA allows preventive detention for months if the authorities are satisfied that the person is a threat to security or law and order. Dr Khan was arrested by the UP Special Task Force from Mumbai on January 29 in connection with the speech he had delivered during an anti-CAA protest at Aligarh Muslim University on December 12. A case was registered against him at the Civil Lines police station in Aligarh on the charge of promoting enmity between different religions. After his arrest, Dr Khan was brought to Aligarh and then immediately shifted to the district jail in neighbouring Mathura. This was done as a precautionary measure in view of the anti-CAA protests at the AMU campus and at Eidgah grounds in the old quarters of the city. Dr Khan's presence in Aligarh jail could have worsened the law-and-order situation in the city, the police had said. The doctor was earlier arrested for his alleged role in the death of over 60 children within an week at the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur in August 2017. Short supply of oxygen at the children's ward was blamed at that time for the deaths. About two years later, a state government probe cleared Khan of all major charges, prompting him to seek an apology from the Yogi Adityanath government. In a recent Texas Lyceum poll of the 12 candidates running for the 2020 Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Texas, the leader was Dont Know with 19 percent. None of the Above was a close second at 17 percent. The volatile Democratic presidential primary and the impeachment and Senate trial of President Donald Trump have overshadowed the race to challenge Sen. John Cornyn in the general election. Technically, we are getting ahead of ourselves. Cornyn has a handful of primary challengers, but he has a strong conservative record and carries significant authority in the Senate. We recommend John Cornyn in the Republican primary. As for the Democrats, those aforementioned polling numbers reflect a lack of statewide familiarity, not the considerable talent among the top tier candidates. That top tier includes former Congressman and gubernatorial nominee Chris Bell; retired decorated Air Force helicopter pilot MJ Hegar; labor organizer Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez; and state Sen. Royce West. All are talented and substantive candidates. Hegar and Ramirez represent a new generation of leadership that includes more young people, women and people of color. As does Amanda Edwards, the former Houston City Council member we recommend as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate. The charismatic 38-year-old Edwards, a municipal finance attorney, is a rising Democratic star with an array of gifts that would make her a formidable challenger to Cornyn. She has an impressive depth of a wide range of issues, is thoughtful about governing and being a servant-leader, can connect with people across all lines, and is fearless in calling out Cornyn for what she says is his lack of accessibility and communication with constituents. If elected, Edwards would be the first African American to serve in the Senate from Texas. The Houston native is a graduate of Emory University, where she was student body president and worked in six neighborhood development corporations in Atlanta. After graduating from Harvard Law School, she clerked for a federal judge in New Orleans and, in response to the lingering trauma of Hurricane Katrina, started Project NOW, the New Orleans Writing Project, a program to help youth empower themselves and their community through writing. Her municipal finance practice in Houston involved tax-exempt bond financing, public-private partnerships, community development and nonprofit organizations. In 2015, her first political race, Edwards ran for an at-large Houston City Council seat and demonstrated her ability to appeal to different constituencies. Not only did she win, but she received more votes than any other candidate on the ballot, including Sylvester Turner, who was elected mayor. On the council, Edwards showed leadership on issues such as public transit and leading the Mayors Technology & Innovation Task Force to boost the citys innovation and startup economy. When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017, she organized volunteers to provide ongoing relief efforts. Edwards approach to governing and problem-solving isnt ideological but pragmatic. For example, while at Harvard Law School, she worked with professor Elizabeth Warren, but she doesnt support Medicare for All. She prefers building on the Affordable Care Act, providing a public option and encouraging more states, including Texas, to expand Medicaid. Her goal on all policies is to focus on the progress that can be made. Cornyn is less polarizing than his colleague, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. And Cornyn has a long record of accomplishments, including passage of criminal justice reform in the First Step Act; renewal of the Debbie Smith Act, which provides rape kit funding; and securing funds for a new federal courthouse here in San Antonio. But after the last race between Cruz and Beto ORourke, Democrats sense opportunity. Edwards is confident she can inspire and build a coalition of communities of color, young people and the persuadable voters who went for ORourke. If she can and her talents appear immense a race between Cornyn and Edwards would be one of the most compelling in the nation. [February 14, 2020] SinglePoint Featured in Ludlow Research Report Initiates Coverage and Raises Near Term Share Price Target Range Due to Move into Solar Sector Text SinglePoint to 37284 to Receive Corporate Updates Text Solar to 37284 for Industry Updates PHOENIX, AZ, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE SinglePoint, Inc. (OTC: SING) shares research report from Ludlow Research. Key reasons for upgrade: Projected Revenue Growth from Solar Operations Expansion of Solar Operations to New States Bullish Regulatory Outlook for Solar in US Election Catalyst for Solar Stocks Potential Chart Breakout Under $0.01 Visit https://ludlowresearch.com/reports to view the full report. Message and data rates may apply. By opting into our text or email programs you may receive up to 1 communication per day containing industry updates and/or corporate updates relating to SinglePoint and its subsidiaries. About SinglePoint, Inc. Founded in 2011, SinglePoint, Inc. (SING) invests in and acquires brands and companies that will benefit from injection of growth capital and the sales and marketing expertise of SinglePoint.The company portfolio currently includes solar, hemp and technology applications. SinglePoint is working to grow the company to a multinational brand. Connect on social media at: https://www.facebook.com/SinglePointMobile https://twitter.com/_SinglePoint https://www.linkedin.com/company/singlepoint https://www.youtube.com/user/SinglePointMobile For more information visit: www.SinglePoint.com Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the Company, 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. Technical complications, which may arise, could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The Company undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. Corporate Communication SinglePoint Inc. 888-OTC-SING [email protected] www.singlepoint.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Attorney General William Barr is ordering a re-examination of several high-profile cases, including that of former national security adviser Michael Flynn, US officials briefed on the matter say, in a move that could bring fresh scrutiny of the political motives behind actions at the Justice Department. US Attorney Jeffrey Jensen of St. Louis has been tasked with taking a second look at some aspects of the sensitive cases, one of the officials said. It was not clear which other cases were under review, and what form the reviews had taken. Jensen is working together with Brandon Van Grack -- the former prosecutor who led the case against Flynn in former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation -- to review the case, according to a Justice Department official. It's possible that if the department continues to fight Flynn's attempts to withdraw his guilty plea, Van Grack could be a witness on the circumstances of his plea deal, according to several people familiar with the case. The revelation, first reported by The New York Times, comes days after Barr's Justice Department undercut career prosecutors in the case of Donald Trump confidant Roger Stone to recommend a reduced sentence. The decision led four federal prosecutors to quit the case and invited fresh questions about the impartiality of Barr's Justice Department from political matters. On Wednesday, CNN reported that Barr had also been pressing for a sentence for Flynn that would spare him from prison. Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general who served as Trump's first national security adviser and resigned a month into the new administration, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in 2017 to charges that he lied to the FBI about a conversation he had with the then-ambassador to Russia. The aftermath of the conversation, including Trump's encouragement of then-FBI Director James Comey to go easy on Flynn, led to the eventual appointment of Mueller. In recent months, Flynn changed lawyers and has waged a campaign to portray himself as a victim of malicious prosecutors. He is asking a judge to dismiss his case or allow him to change his guilty plea to not guilty. Flynn's new legal counsel has argued in court filings that the former national security adviser was ambushed in the January 2017 interview in an instance that was part of a larger pattern of abuses by the FBI. But a federal judge has rejected that claim and been harshly critical of Flynn's tactics. The prospect of the Justice Department putting new scrutiny on the case would be a victory for Flynn and his legal team. It is also certain to please the President, who has maintained sympathy for his former aide and regularly claimed that cases emanating from the Mueller investigation were unjust. Amid the fallout, Barr sought to distance himself from Trump's political pressure, giving an interview to ABC News on Thursday in which he issued a rare rebuke of the President's social media commentary on the Justice Department while defending his decision to go easier on Stone in advance of his sentencing. Justice Department prosecutors in the Flynn case, from both the DC US Attorney's Office and department headquarters, have recently suggested in filings that they are gearing up to counter Flynn's attempts to get out of his charge and smear the prosecutors. But typically that could be handled by another prosecutor in the Washington area. Jensen, a former FBI agent who went on to serve as a federal prosecutor in the office he now leads, was nominated by Trump in 2017 and was confirmed later that year in the Senate. Last year, Barr turned to another US attorney, John Durham of Connecticut, to review the origins of the Russia investigation. That has since turned into a criminal probe, and is said to be examining elements of the US intelligence agencies' role in the Russia investigation. This story has been update to include more background information. A California man who spent 14 years in prison after being wrongly convicted in the killing of his roommate was exonerated Thursday after prosecutors found new DNA evidence that led to a new suspect. Ricky Davis' murder conviction was thrown out during an emotional court hearing in Placerville, about 45 miles east of Sacramento. He was released Thursday afternoon after paperwork was completed. Advertisement Crossrail is finally starting to take shape after 11 years and costs spiralling more than 2billion over budget in a lesson for big rail projects as HS2 continues to be dogged by delays. Workers were seen putting the finishing touches to station at Liverpool Street, Farringdon and Paddington along the 73-mile line today - although it is not expected to open until 'summer 2021'. It comes as the 18billion project's deputy chief Chris Sexton, who was paid 230,707 in 2017/18, is replaced by former HS2 phase one managing director Jim Crawford, who was paid 393,000 while working on the national rail project which has seen estimated costs balloon to more than 88billion. The Crossrail line - which will be named the Elizabeth line in the Queen's honour - was expected to open in December 2018 after costing the public 15.9billion. However, continued delays and cancellations have repeatedly forced back the completion date and driven up costs. When open, the line will run underneath London between Berkshire and Essex. The HS2 rail project, which was first proposed by the Cameron government, was given the green light by Boris Johnson's government on Tuesday. Its first phase is not expected to open until 2028. Crossrail workers pictured putting the finishing touches to the new station at Liverpool Street as the line begins to take shape Pictured above are escalators on the new line. It was meant to open in December 2018 but constant delays have seen this pushed back to as late as summer 2021 New platform for Crossrail at Farringdon station (above). The beleaguered project has been plagued by spiralling costs A worker pictured walking through a Crossrail tunnel at Liverpool Street station. The line is not meant to open until 2021 A sign for Crossrail - which will be named the Elizabeth line in the Queen's honour - pictured after being unveiled for the line's stop in Paddington. It runs underneath London between Berkshire and Essex Four escalators for the new line pictured at Liverpool Street station as a worker checks electrics at the station A construction team worker peaks through the barrier at the new Crossrail Liverpool Street station A corridor for use by commuters has its electrics checked (left) and a grill is installed on a station platform (right) at Liverpool Street station. The 73-mile line was initially planned to open in December 2018 Men pictured hard at work at the new platform for Liverpool Street - which won't open until Summer 2021 Workers are shown here gradually removing wooden protectors from the new escalators at the entrance to Liverpool Street New Delhi: Annual pilgrimage for holy cave shrine of Amarnath will commence from on June 23 and conclude on 3rd August. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), on Friday (February 14) presided over the 37th Board Meeting held at Raj Bhavan, Jammu, according to the shrine board "The board decided that a 42-day yatra would commence on 23rd June, 2020, an auspicious day of Jagan Nath Rath Yatra as per Hindu calendar, and conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) on 3rd August, 2020," Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), Bipul Pathak said in Jammu. The registration for the 42-day-long yatra will begin from April 1. This year's pilgrimage will be longer by two days against the last year's 40 days. The pilgrimage in South Kashmir Himalayas had a duration of 60 days in 2018. Considering the success of the pilot project of online registration of limited number of yatris in 2019, the board decided to increase the quota of online registration, a spokesman of the board said. No person below the age of 13 years and above the age of 75 years shall be permitted to undertake the pilgrimage, the board spokesman said. On August 2, 2019, the Jammu and Kashmir administration had issued a security advisory asking Amarnath pilgrims and tourists to leave Kashmir as soon as possible, citing terror threat in the Valley. The advisory was issued just before the Centre announced the nullification of Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into Union Territories on August 5. Notably, an awareness campaign would be launched in cooperation with the Information Ministry. All the details relating to the Yatra would be placed on the Board`s official website- www.Shriamarnathjishrine.com. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) The Philippines on Friday lifted its travel ban on Taiwan -- a step welcomed by tourism officials as it minimizes the impact of the coronavirus scare on the tourist industry. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases decided to lift the travel restrictions effective immediately because of strict measures being undertaken by Taiwan to contain the spread of the new coronavirus or COVID-19. The government this week included Taiwan in the travel ban ordered on Feb. 2 by President Rodrigo Duterte on China and its administrative regions Hong Kong and Macau to contain the spread of the virus. DOH Spokesperson Eric Domingo on Monday announced Taiwan was being included in the travel ban as the World Health Organization considers it a part of China. The Philippines follows a One-China policy that recognizes Beijng and limits dealings with Taiwan to economic and cultural ties. READ: Taiwan included in coronavirus travel ban DOH The lifting of Taiwan travel ban helps PH tourism The ban drew criticisms including from Taipei, which said it was considering countermeasures if the Philippines did not lift the ban. Taiwan is a self-governed island that China considers as its province. Taiwan is the countrys fifth largest tourist source market, boasting a double-digit increase of 35.01 percent for its 327, 273 arrivals from January to November in 2019, according to the Department of Tourism. The lifting of the travel ban on Taiwan is highly assuring and we hope that the nCov crisis would soon be resolved, worldwide. Ultimately, the recovery of all affected countries is a universal prayer, especially that tourism is an inclusive and sustainable business for and of the people, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat said in a statement Friday. The government has put in place all preventive and precautionary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, the statement added. It said guidelines in handling guests are being implemented in hotels and resorts around the country and facilities are equipped with infrared thermometers and more hand sanitizers. DOT said the tourism sector has rallied behind it to soften the impact on inbound tourism by creating a program offering value-added tour packages, discounted accommodation rates, and marked-down prices for domestic flights. Filipino workers also appealed earlier to Duterte to lift the ban, with those in the Philippines expressing fears they would lose the jobs waiting for them in Taiwan. The remaining travel ban restricts the entry of foreign nationals coming directly from China, Hong Kong and Macau and those with travel history to those areas in the last 14 days. Filipinos and holders of permanent resident visas are allowed entry but have to undergo 14 days of mandatory quarantine. Flights to the areas by local airlines have also been canceled. TDP parliamentarian Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop "in the larger public interest" Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy's moves to have three state capitals and dissolve the Legislative Council. In a letter to Modi, Kumar said Reddy's decision to have three capitals -- at Amaravati (legislative capitial), Visakhapatnam (executive capital) and Kurnool (judicial capital) -- would bring "undesirable consequences" in the country. He alleged that the AP government was not allowing the Legislative Council chairman to discharge his constitutional functions and sought for formulation of a national policy on legislative councils. "In view of the undesirable consequences for the country of the move for multiple capitals by the AP government and issues involved in the matter of dissolution of AP legislative council, I appeal to your good self to have the matters examined in detail and do the needful to prevent the same in the larger public interest," the Rajya Sabha member said in his letter. Kumar described Reddy's move to have three capitals as "illogical and ill-considered" and said it would lead to serious implications. He also alleged that the chief minister and the AP government were "insensitive" to the series of silent and peaceful protests being held by the residents of Amaravati region for the past two months against the three-capital plan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Department for Education has provided over 144m to the Irish language sector in the last five years, it has been revealed. The figures came to light following an Assembly written question from TUV leader Jim Allister. In response to his question the department revealed that 144,351,854 had been spent on Irish medium education from 2015/16 to 2019/20. The figures for 2019/20 include allocations to date and are subject to change. Mr Allister said the money put to bed the idea of the Irish language sector in Northern Ireland being any kind of "poor relation" when it comes to funding. However, Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta (CnaG), which promotes Irish language medium education and schools in Northern Ireland, said Irish language schools were still being left behind when compared with their English counterparts. A CnaG spokesperson said that it costs just 116 more per year to educate children through Irish medium than the English system and that this made up 0.1% of the overall education budget in Northern Ireland. The highest spend came in 2017/18 when the Department for Education provided 32,347,139 to the Irish language sector, with the lowest being the 26,618,522 committed for 2019/20. There are currently over 40 Irish medium schools in Northern Ireland at primary and post-primary level. Irish language provision has been a controversial topic in Northern Ireland in recent years. Stormont collapsed in January 2017 partly due to the withdrawal of funding from the Liofa Irish language bursary scheme. Expand Close Jim Allister / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jim Allister Sinn Fein refused to return to Stormont without a standalone Irish Language Act in place. The New Decade New Approach deal, agreed last month to restore the Stormont institutions, includes a number of measures to promote the Irish language, including the appointment of an Irish language commissioner, however the deal falls short of a standalone act. Mr Allister said that the funding given the schools was "very generous" and rejected claims the language was underfunded. In light of the fact that for years we have been fed propaganda about alleged discrimination against Irish speakers these figures will doubtless come as shock to anyone who gave any credit to the claims," the North Antrim MLA said. In truth the Irish language sector is in receipt of very generous sums of public money. Over 144 million in the past five years. These figures should put to bed the idea that Irish is the poor relation when it comes to public funding in Northern Ireland. It also strengthens the case against the Irish Language legislation proposed by Mrs Foster and Ms ONeill. There is no basis on which to warrant further endless squander on Irish when essential public services are under serious pressure. SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone rejected Mr Allister's comments, saying that whether children were educated through the English or Irish mediums their education would still have to be paid for by the department. "Whether they are educated in English or Irish it will still have to be paid for by the public purse," the fluent Irish speaker said. "When you look at the education crisis we have at the minute I don't think there is a school in the country that would accept they get too much money. "I think Jim Allister should go and visit some of these Irish language schools and then see if he still thinks they are being over-funded." The CnaG spokesperson that Irish medium schools had to go through the same development process as any other school before being approved. "For people asking why we need further funding, at present 60% of Irish medium schools are housed in non-permanent buildings," the spokesperson said. "We are the fastest growing education sector at present, we have no assessment tools and no learning support centres. "There is a complete lack of teaching and learning resources at all levels." San Diego, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gustavo Balderas, superintendent of Eugene School District 4J in Eugene, Ore., has been named the 2020 AASA National Superintendent of the Year. Todays announcement came at the National Conference on Education, hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association. VIDEO: Gustavo Balderas remarks following the announcement. Regarded as the most comprehensive professional learning and networking event for school superintendents and administrators, this event is addressing the most critical issues affecting public education today including equity in education, social and emotional learning, personalizing education, early learning, technology, school safety and administration and leadership. The other National Superintendent of the Year finalists were: It is truly an honor to serve in the role of superintendent of the Eugene Public Schools. I am blessed to be in my community, said Balderas as a 2020 National Superintendent of the Year finalist. Seeing that kids are succeeding because of the changes were making drives me. We, as leaders, need to be champions for our profession. Education is the backbone to our democracy. Balderas became the districts 23rd superintendent in 2015. His career highlights include improving equity and cultural proficiency in the states K12 instruction through the Oregon Leadership Network and the Oregon State Action for Educational Leadership Project, and developing equity systems around instruction, student behavior and hiring practices in the school districts where he has worked. He is a founding member and past president of the Oregon Association of Latino Administrators, and currently serves as the northwest regional representative and treasurer for the National Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents. Now in its 33rd year, the National Superintendent of the Year program, co-sponsored by AASA, AIG Retirement Services and First Student, celebrates the contributions and leadership of public school superintendents. Gustavo Balderas demonstrates the highest standards when it comes to leading a school district and working to building a lasting future for students, said Paul G. Osland, president, First Student. Superintendents play an integral role in our public schools as well as the communities in which theyre located. Gustavo exemplifies the importance of todays announcement as we work to create new beginnings for our young learners in school districts large and small. We are thrilled to partner with AASA in this program. On behalf of public education and the more than 50 million students learning and growing in our public schools, it is truly an honor to congratulate Gustavo Balderas for being named the 2020 National Superintendent of the Year, said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, AASA. We truly appreciate the tremendous work he is doing to promote academic achievement in Eugene School District and beyond. It is also an honor to congratulate our three other finalists, Samantha Fuhrey, Michael Nagler and Jeffery Smith. These individuals are all champions for children. I thank AIG Retirement Services and First Student for supporting our program. Members of the 2020 AASA National Superintendent of the Year Award Blue Ribbon Selection Committee include: Rich Bagin, executive director, National School Public Relations Association, Rockville, Md. executive director, National School Public Relations Association, Rockville, Md. Wanda Cook-Robinson (former National Superintendent of the Year finalist, 2013), superintendent, Oakland Schools, Waterford, Mich. (former National Superintendent of the Year finalist, 2013), superintendent, Oakland Schools, Waterford, Mich. Tom Gentzel , executive director and CEO, National School Boards Association, Alexandria, Va. , executive director and CEO, National School Boards Association, Alexandria, Va. Patricia Neudecker (past AASA president), director, School Leadership Programs, Alverno College, Milwaukee, Wis. (past AASA president), director, School Leadership Programs, Alverno College, Milwaukee, Wis. Darline Robles, professor, Clinical Education , University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif. professor, Clinical Education University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif. Thomas Tucker, 2016 National Superintendent of the Year, superintendent, Douglas County School District, Castle Rock, Colo. The AASA National Superintendent of the Year program is open to all U.S. superintendents who plan to continue in the profession. The program also honors Canadian and other international school superintendents. The applicants were measured against the following criteria: Leadership for learning creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in the school system; Communication strength in both personal and organizational communication; Professionalism constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team; and Community involvement active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national and international issues. A $10,000 college scholarship will be presented in the name of the 2020 AASA National Superintendent of the Year to a student in the high school from which the superintendent graduated, or the school now serving the same area. For more information about the program, contact Jennifer Rooney, AASA director, meetings and awards, at jrooney@aasa.org. Click here to access a list of the AASA 2020 State Superintendents of the Year. For more information about the National Conference on Education, access AASAs Conference Daily Online. ### About AIG Retirement Services For more than half a century, AIG Retirement Services has served as a leading defined contribution retirement plan provider for tax-exempt and public sector employers, including K-12, higher education, healthcare, government, religious, charitable and other nonprofit organizations. AIG Retirement Services has more than $100 billion in total assets under administration, managing thousands of plans serving approximately 1.8 million participants. It includes the VALIC family of companies: The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, VALIC Financial Advisors, Inc. and VALIC Retirement Services Company. Additional information can be found at www.aig.com/RetirementServices. About First Student As the leading school transportation solutions provider in North America, First Student strives to provide the best start and finish to every school day. First Student completes five million student journeys each day, moving more passengers than all U.S. airlines combined. With a team of highly-trained drivers and the industrys strongest safety record, First Student delivers reliable, quality services including full-service transportation and management, special-needs transportation, route optimization and scheduling, maintenance and charter services for 1,100 school district contracts. For more information, please visit http://www.firststudentinc.com/. About AASA AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASAs mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org. Attachment ***SPOILERS AHEAD*** The first trailer for Stranger Things' fourth season is here. And the 50-second teaser has fans talking as the fate of series favorite Jim Hopper is revealed. Though audiences saw the Indiana cop obliterated during last season's finale, the trailer - titled From Russia With Love - shows Hopper alive but far, far from home. The brief clip begins with a snowy scene, which zooms in to show people laboring away at a Siberian work camp. One of the prisoners: none other than our hero, Jim Hopper, played by David Harbour. Alive and... not so well: David Harbour will be coming back for season four of Stranger Things Fans already had a hint that Harbour was coming back to the Netflix series. In a secret post-credits scene from last season's finale, Russian-speaking guards watched over a prisoner, cryptically referred to as 'the American.' Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers shared the teaser with some season four details, promising danger, horror and excitement. Long distance: The Indiana cop is seen in Siberia in the clip - aptly titled From Russia With Love Hard labor: Hopper is revealed to be alive - but a continent away being held at a Russian work camp Cliffhanger: Fans already had a hint that David Harbour's character was coming back to the Netflix series from last season's secret post-credit scene 'We're excited to officially confirm that production on Stranger Things 4 is now underway. 'And even more excited to announce the return of Hopper!' 'Although it's not all good news for our "American"; he is imprisoned far from home in the snowy wasteland of Kamchatka, where he will face dangers both human...and other. All American: In a secret post-credits scene from last season's finale, guards watched over a prisoner, cryptically referred to as 'the American' What's in store: Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers (above January 19) shared the teaser with some season four details, promising danger, horror and excitement 'Meanwhile, back in the states, a new horror is beginning to surface, something long buried, something that connects everything. 'Season 4 is shaping up to be the biggest and most frightening season yet, and we cannot wait for everyone to see more. In the meantime -- pray for the American.' Stranger Things season four has yet to reveal a release date, but they have teased episode one's title: The Hellfire Club. An armed forces tribunal has come down hard on the Indian Navy for arbitrarily denying promotion to an officer posted on board nuclear submarine INS Chakra, and ordered it to elevate him to rank of a Captain though he has already taken premature retirement from the service. The Navy was also directed to pay financial dues to Commander SS Luthra who was among a select group of officers selected to serve on board India's nuclear submarines after lengthy training in Russia, officials said. In 2017, the tribunal imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on a Vice-Admiral for indulging in nepotism by pushing for his son-in-law's promotion while deliberately scuttling elevation of Luthra. The Vice Admiral, then serving as the Navy's inspector-general of nuclear safety, was the senior-most reviewing officer to assess performance of those deployed on board the nuclear submarines. "Finally justice has been given to the officer. The tribunal issued order to accord him the rank of the Captain from the day his batch-mates were given promotion in 2014," Advocate Ankur Chhibber, who fought the case for Luthra, told PTI. When contacted, a Navy official said the order of the tribunal is being examined. Luthra had taken premature retirement on April 17, 2017. According to Luthra's compalint, the Vice Admiral manipulated the system to performance appraisal system to favour his son-in-law. In May, 2018, a special promotion board constituted following an order in the case by the tribunal had also rejected Luthra's promotion. "The applicant is entitled for empanelment for promotion and will be promoted notionally and granted the substantive rank of Captain from the original date of his batch. He will be entitled to pay accordingly till the date of retirement and thereafter to pension and all terminal benefits in his enhanced rank (Captain)," the tribunal said. It ordered the Navy to pay his dues within a period of four months. In its order, the tribunal severely criticised the Navy for arbitrarily and discriminatorily denying promotion to Luthra. "The tribunal is duty bound not only to protest a person from being subjected to violation of law, but to advance justice and not to thwart it," the order by the principal bench of the tribunal said. "Clearly, arbitrariness, contrary to the policy and against the principles of natural justice, is writ large in the Special Review Board and therefore, it is liable to be set aside," it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Boris Johnsons cabinet ministers are no strangers to verbal contortion in the face of awkward questioning over his decision making. So his former Northern Ireland secretary will at least have been well-prepared for the grilling he faced from a schoolchild some 24 hours after being sacked by the PM in Thursdays dramatic cabinet reshuffle. Julian Smith has been lauded for self-effacing humour in relating the awkward encounter at a school in his constituency of Skipton and Ripon on Friday. During the visit, a child asked him if he knew Boris Johnson. When Mr Smith replied that he did, the child said: Wow. When did you last meet him? Er, yesterday, came the response from Mr Smith, who had last been seen exiting the Commons shortly after being sacked by Mr Johnson. 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 youngster was not done yet, however, adding: Really! How was it? Er, er, er ... Great, it was just great, Mr Smith described himself as saying. While Sajid Javids shock resignation dominated headlines in Thursdays reshuffle, of all the ministers given marching orders it was arguably the departure of Mr Smith voted Minister of the Year by The Spectator only two weeks before that inspired the most notable plaudits for his efforts while in office. Mr Smith won fans among both unionists and nationalists during his eight months in the role, as he helped to restore power-sharing to Stormont and navigated perilous obstacles on the governments route to drafting a Brexit withdrawal agreement. His departure, which was widely attributed to his dissent over the prospects of a no-deal Brexit, dismayed the Irish prime minister, Leo Varadkar, who described him as one of Britains finest politicians of our time, while Northern Irelands first minister, Arlene Foster, praised his dedication to the role. Mr Smith was not the only former minister facing awkward exchanges on the morning after the reshuffle. When asked by reporters outside his home whether he had a message for the prime minister, the only sentiments that outgoing chancellor Sajid Javid could muster for his former Downing Street neighbour were: Happy Valentines Day. A family accused child sex crimes at a circus school including bizarre blood rituals have more than 100 charges against them dropped. Seven people were charged in 2018 over 115 allegations of sexual abuse at the Katoomba school located in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. They were Paul Cook, 54, his sister Theresa Cook, 60, her daughters Yyani Cook-Williams, 35, and Clarissa Meredith, 25, two other women, aged 22 and 19, and a man, 20. The alleged offences involved three boys under the age of ten between 2014 and 2016 and include allegations of rape, assault and kidnapping. Therese's daughter Yyani-Rose Cook-Williams, 35, was accused of 'inciting' a boy to rape another little boy on Anzac Day in 2016 Therese Cook (pictured after an accident) 60, who ran the circus school in Katoomba since 2009, had been accused of being the leader of the alleged sex ring It was also alleged the family took part in 'blood rituals', sticking needles in a person's eye, and tongue biting, and that some boys were allegedly filmed to create pornographic material. All charges against them were dropped on Friday at Penrith Local Court. Outside court, the family's defence lawyer Bryan Wrench said the prosecution's case was weak. 'Crucial evidence had been overlooked and the police had 'no leg to stand on', he told AAP. Mr Wrench said his clients were innocent and the family would finally be reunited after their bail conditions during the two-year long court case prohibited them from communicating. He said four of the accused have spent 206 days behind bars and three children spent four months in jail. 'It was 'probably one of the greatest miscarriages of justice this state has seen,' he told 9News . 'It was totally concocted, we are totally innocent, and it's been total vindication today. 'It's been a saga, it's finally over, it's been two years since they have seen their family and today will be reunited.' NSW Police said it will review the court's decision. 'The NSW Police Force notes the withdrawal of all charges against seven people, including four women, two men, and a teenage girl at Penrith Local Court today,' it said. 'It remains the strong recommendation of the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad that the matters proceed before the court and a review has been requested.' The family is alleged to have lived together in two homesteads on a dilapidated rural property on the outer reaches of Sydney. Police alleged Therese Cook had been the ringleader and organised the 'systemic rape and detention of the boys' which included getting her daughters to participate in the alleged assaults. She was charged with 43 offences - the most of any of those accused - including aggravated assault of a child, sexual intercourse with a child under 10 and holding children against their will. The alleged sexual offences were said to have taken place in Parramatta, Leura, Lawson, Mount Victoria and at the family-run Katoomba circus school (pictured) Her brother was accused of filming at least one encounter on his mobile phone and three counts of aggravated sexual assault in company. Cook-Williams was accused of 'inciting' a boy to rape another little boy on Anzac Day in 2016 and raping both of the little boys in company with her mother. Meredith, Cook's adopted daughter, was charged with rape, assaulting two of the boys and depriving a boy of his liberty. They all plead not guilty. In March last year, Mr Wrench told the court one of the alleged victims had penned a letter to his mother admitting the allegations were fabricated but the mother had hidden it from investigators. UNION CITY (BCN) Police in Union City say they will announce a "significant update" on Friday morning about the investigation into the slayings of two boys last fall outside a local school. Sean Withington, 14, and Kevin Hernandez, 11, were gunned down about 1:30 p.m. Nov. 23 while they were inside a van in the parking lot of Searles Elementary School on Sherman Drive. Police haven't said what news will be released Friday, but advised they would provide photographs of suspects, and evidence that includes guns and drugs. The department has spent "countless hours and resources to bring justice to the families of the victims and closure to the community," police said in a news release. The press conference is set 10:30 a.m. in the City Council chambers, 34009 Alvarado Niles Road, in Union City. Speakers will include Union City Police Chief Jared Rinetti, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Alameda County Chief Assistant District Attorney Kevin Dunleavy and Union City Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci. 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. Advertisement Remarkable rare photos documenting Sir Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica more than 100 years ago have emerged for sale for 40,000. The 1914-17 expedition is remembered for one of the greatest feats of human endurance after the party became stranded for 18 months in freezing conditions. Photographer Frank Hurley captured the reality of everyday life after their ship Endurance became stuck in ice, with one image showing Shackleton setting off in a desperate attempt to get help for his crew. The expedition ship became trapped in pack ice and eventually sank in November 1915 - 10 months after it arrived in Antartica. Pictures taken by photographer Frank Hurley of Sir Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica are up for sale for 40,000. Included in the collection is one snap of the explorer setting off from Elephant Island in 1916 in a desperate attempt to reach civilisation and get help for the remaining crew after their ship Endurance sunk into ice After months spent in makeshift camps as the ice drifted northwards, the men took to lifeboats to reach the inhospitable and uninhabited Elephant Island. In April 1916 Shackleton and five others made an 800-mile open-boat journey in the hope of reaching South Georgia and organising the rescue of the stranded 22 man crew. The men left behind were not recovered until August 30, 1916, after a rescue ship reached them. The expedition's official photographer Mr Hurley captured life on board the stricken vessel and the ship's final hours before it was crushed. He also photographed the momentous moment Shackleton's party embarked on the rowing boat and set off on the perilous mission. He made presentation albums when he eventually returned to Britain and one was given to King George V. The snaps reveal everyday life for the crew after their ship became stuck and eventually sank on November 21 1915. The crew can be seen preparing to drag three lifeboats from Endurance over the treacherous sea ice in an attempt to find open water Australian Mr Hurley (left with his camera while on the ice) made presentation albums of the snaps he managed to capture while on the expedition when he eventually returned to Britain and one was given to King George V. Pictured right are several dogs watching the Endurance once the ice had crushed it When the crew abandoned their ship, Mr Hurley was forced to destroy 400 plates to lessen the load and of the 120 plates that were carried to safety, 79 were used to produce the carbon prints in the presentation albums. Pictured is a man in front of the Hamburg glacier in Moraine Fjord, south Georgia Seven of them are believed to survive today including the one for sale that has been owned by a private collector for over 40 years. The presentation album, titled 'Hurley's Photographs of Scenes and Incidents in Connection with the Happenings to the Weddell Sea Party', is going under the hammer with auctioneers Bonhams. Mr Hurley joined the Shackleton expedition as the official photographer in 1914, having gained experience with Douglas Mawson's 1911-14 Australasian Antarctic Expedition. After Endurance became immobilised in the frozen Weddell Sea, he photographed the daily life of the crew as they awaited developments. One photo shows the resilient crew sheltering in the ship and reading books to pass the time. The men had not yet lost their humour despite their ordeal as it has the witty caption 'a morning at the Ritz'. One of Mr Hurley's snaps show the ship encountering floating ice which it would later be trapped by. He joined the expedition as the official photographer after gaining experience with Douglas Mawson's 1911-14 Australasian Antarctic Expedition Despite the bitter conditions, Mr Hurley's pictures show how the crew banded together and tried to make the best of their situation. This picture of the men sheltering in the hull over the winter of 1915 was captioned 'a morning at the Ritz' After Endurance became immobilised in the frozen Weddell Sea, he photographed the daily life of the crew as they awaited developments. Pictured are three members of the crew looking south across the frozen sea in January 1915 Another shows the crew with pick axes trying forlornly to cut the ship out of the pack ice. It was hoped that seasonal weather changes would warm the sea sufficiently to allow the ship to float free, but before this could happen Endurance buckled under the pressure of the ice. Hurley spent the last three days of the ship's life photographing the unfolding drama from every angle. The unavoidable decision to abandon ship presented Hurley with an unenviable task. With a long march ahead into an uncertain future, weight was at a premium and he was forced to destroy 400 plates to lessen the load. Of the 120 plates that were carried to safety, 79 were used to produce the carbon prints in the presentation album. Hurley later used the material to produce a documentary film, South, in 1919. The photo album, comprising 79 prints, is being sold by a private collector who has owned them for 40 years. When the Endurance (pictured through the ice) became stuck, Shackleton and five others decided to make a 800-mile open-boat journey in the hope of reaching South Georgia and organising the rescue of the stranded 22 crew members A VOYAGE OF ENDURANCE Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, from 1914 to 1917, was an attempt to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent. The expedition left England in August 1914, and sailed via Buenos Aires and South Georgia before departing for the Antarctic on December 5. But early in the journey the ship and its 28-man crew became trapped in the pack ice of the Weddell Sea. It drifted northward throughout the Antarctic winter of 1915 and was crushed and sank on November 21 1915, stranding the crew on the ice. After months spent in makeshift camps on the ice, the party took to three lifeboats to reach the inhospitable and uninhabited Elephant Island. Shackleton and five others made an 800-mile open boat journey in the tiny James Caird boat to reach South Georgia, crossing the island on foot to raise the alarm, before returning to rescue those still stranded. The final members of the crew were finally rescued in August 1916, after a 22-month fight for their lives. Advertisement As well as his work in the Antarctic, Mr Hurley produced many memorable images as an photographer with the Australian forces during both World Wars (pictured is a glacier berg during the Shackleton expedition) Of the seven complete albums that exist, one is in the Royal Collection, one at Dulwich College and others in private collections. Matthew Haley, head of books, manuscripts and photographs at Bonhams, said: 'The fate of Endurance and the crew's astonishing and tortuous journey back against all the odds is rightly seen as a testament to the human spirit under extreme pressure. 'Hurley's images convey the terrible situation in which the men found themselves, and have come to define the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration as it drew to a close. 'They chart the expedition from beginning to end, as Endeavour gets trapped in the pack ice. 'One of the photos shows the moment the boat launches en route to South Georgia with Shackleton and his small party on board. The pictures now up for sale are one of the seven complete albums that exist. One of these is in the Royal Collection, one is at Dulwich College and others are in private collections. Pictured is Mr Hurley's snap of De Geer glacier on South Georgia A map shows the journey taken by the crew. After leaving the UK and sailing to Antarctica via Buenos Aires and South Georgia Island they became trapped in the Weddell Sea. Shackleton and five others then made a 800-mile journey to get help 'It is special for an album of Hurley's photos to come to light and only six other albums are known of. 'The albums were made up on their return to England with one presented to the King and important people in the expedition. Unfortunately, we don't know who this one was presented to.' Described by Shackleton as the 'Last Great Journey', English explorer Sir Vivian Fuchs' 12 man party, which was supported by Everest conqueror Sir Edmund Hillary, finally achieved the Trans-Atlantic crossing in 1958. They set off from the Filchner Ice Shelf on November 24, 1957, and arrived in McMurdo Sound after an epic 2,158 mile, 99 day voyage on March 2, 1958. Hurley (1885-1962) was one of Australia's greatest photographic pioneers. As well as his work in the Antarctic, he produced many memorable images as an official photographer with the Australian forces during both World Wars. The sale takes place on February 26. UK rapper Stormzy is rescheduling his Asia tour over coronavirus concerns. (Photo: AFP) British grime star Stormzy said on Thursday (Feb 13) 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. Tesco 'unlawfully' stopped rival supermarkets opening up near some of its stores for 'up to a decade', the competition watchdog said today. Britain's biggest supermarket is said to have prevented landlords from letting properties to other supermarkets for years by having 'exclusivity arrangements' in place, despite a ban on the practice being introduced in 2010. This may have reduced competition and lowered choice, leaving shoppers worse off, the Competition and Markets Authority said. Tesco found that there were problems in 23 of its 5,354 land agreements The CMA first found out about the breach in 2018, when it asked Tesco to review all of its land agreements. Tesco's review revealed that some 20 of these agreements - all for smaller Tesco Express stores - had been under 'exclusive' terms for over five years. It means that Tesco had 'exclusive rights' to be selling groceries in the area and that other supermarkets could not open nearby. Another three stores had 'restrictive covenants' - despite the 2020 ban - prohibiting a piece of land from being used for a supermarket. The ban was put in place in 2010 to stop grocery retailers benefiting from long exclusivity arrangements and restrictive covenants. 'It's unacceptable that Tesco had these unlawful restrictions in place for up to a decade,' said Andrea Gomes da Silva, the CMA's executive director of markets and mergers. 'By making it harder for other supermarkets to open stores next to its branches, shoppers could have lost out.' However, the watchdog stopped short of fining Tesco because it is unable to do so under current rules and called on the Government for more powers. 'In the future, we want the ability to fine businesses if we find that they are in breach of our orders,' da Silva added. In a letter to outgoing Tesco boss Dave Lewis, Ms da Silva said that for a company of its scale and resources, Tesco had shown 'significant shortcomings'. The supermarket, which has 3,787 stores across the UK and Ireland, blamed its mistakes on advisers it no longer works with. Tesco said: 'We do not use restrictive property agreements. However, in a small number of historic cases between 2010-15, administrative errors by former advisers meant that our internal processes were not followed correctly.' 'As the CMA recognises, we have worked collaboratively in resolving this, and our voluntary review of 5,354 land deals found isolated issues in just 0.4 per cent of these. We have since strengthened our controls and training, and are releasing the affected parties from all non-compliant terms.' The CMA said it has now written to Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, M&S and the Co-op to demand proof they have not committed similar breaches. It will consider taking action against Tesco and other supermarkets if any are not compliant. The Health Ministry on Friday shared a note written by a Chinese who has been quarantined in Maharashtras Pune over suspicion of contracting the deadly coronavirus. Caring for all! Thoughts of a Chinese national who was isolated in Naidu hospital in Pune on exhibiting symptoms of #COVID19, the ministry said on Twitter. In the note, the Chinese national said, It was all of a sudden that I have been sent here and I was quite nervous because of the facility and luggage problems. However, everyone was quite helpful in their special time for Chinese people. Everything is quite well managed include buying food/ cleaning service. Even though its an isolation but it does not feel so, the note, written on February 11, further said. It ended with a thank you note for those who have been looking after the person. So again thanks everyone - doctors and nurses and other staff, the note said. Caring for all! Thoughts of a Chinese national who was isolated in Naidu hospital in Pune on exhibiting symptoms of #COVID19.#HealthForAll#HelpingAll pic.twitter.com/gj9ns7Ay2a Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) February 14, 2020 The health ministry has not revealed the identity of the person who wrote the note. A 31-year-old Chinese national was admitted to Punes Naidu Hospital last week after he vomited twice on board a Delhi-Pune Air India flight. The Chinese national had a travel history to China and was immediately quarantined. Union health minister Harsh Vardhan had said on Thursday that the Prime Ministers Office (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. Nearly 65,000 people in China are now infected with coronavirus, which has now been officially named Covid-19 by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The disease is said to have emerged from a seafood and meat market in the provincial capital of Wuhan in December. It has now spread to more than two dozen countries, killed at least three outside the Chinese mainland and infected nearly 450 globally. India has strongly registered its protest after a ceasefire violation by Pakistan on Friday killed one civilian and injured three others along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. In a note of protest to Pakistan High Commission, the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the "indiscriminate and deliberate firing of heavy calibre weapons including artillery and mortars" in which Pakistani forces targetted civilian areas. The note said such targetting of civilians areas is against all "established humanitarian norms and professional military conduct". The incident took place in Shahpur sector of the district in the afternoon. The deceased has been identified as Badar Din, aged around 55 years, son of Abdullah of Shahpur. The injured were admitted to a hospital for treatment. The Poonch district police chief, SSP Ramesh Kumar Angral said, Some people were on their way to a mosque in Shahpur to offer Namaz (Friday prayers) when a Pakistani shell exploded near them. A man was killed and three others were injured. The SSP informed that the Pakistan shelling didnt hit the mosque. India while asking Islamabad to investigate "heinous acts" of targeting innocent civilians, called it to instruct its forces to "desist from such acts immediately." It also raised its concern regarding Pakistani support to cross border infiltration of terrorists, "including through covering fire". Pakistan forces have carried out more than 497 unprovoked ceasefire violations so far in 2020. YEREVAN. Hraparak daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: RA Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Suren Papikyan, who is also chairman of the ruling Civil Contract Party board and now head of the "Yes" campaign headquarters in the constitutional referendum, is one of the people with the most positive image in this government. However, it turns out that he has edited his biography and hidden some unpleasant pages from the public. For example, he concealed that he was once charged under a criminal article and was even convicted and imprisoned. According to our information, during the military service, he stabbed his commander, and a criminal case was launched on that occasion. On March 27, 2006, he was sentenced to 2 years and 3 months in prison, (...) on February 23, 2007, he was released on amnesty. This conviction seems to have been terminated, so it has no bearing on his holding office. However, it is noteworthy that this fact was concealed from the biography. This fact becomes particularly noteworthy against the background of the authorities' fight against the army and criminal subculture. How can people who have stabbed people in the army call on the soldiers to show high awareness and abstain from boy settling of scores?" Israel ordered on Thursday natural gas production at the huge offshore Leviathan field be reduced by around 40 percent after a fault was detected in a subsea pipeline leading to the wells, the energy ministry said. There wasnt any damage to the platform and associated facilities, nor any leak into the sea, the ministry added, as carried by the Jerusalem Post. After the fault was discovered, the energy ministry told the operator of the platform, U.S.-based Noble Energy, to cut the volumes of natural gas production by 40 percent. Production will be allowed to increase only after all necessary tests are successfully completed, the ministry said. Leviathan has just begun production and the fault discovered on Thursday was the second malfunction on the site this week. Early on Tuesday, a power outage led to the burning off of gas, and operations were suspended for several hours. There is no connection between the glitch on Tuesday and the fault discovered on Thursday, the Israeli energy ministry said. Leviathandiscovered in 2010together with other fields discovered offshore Israel in the past decade such as Tamar, Karish, and Tanin, is expected to help Israel become energy independent. A senior official at Noble Energy said at the beginning of December that Leviathan was set to begin gas supply to the local market within three weeks and to start exports to Egypt and Jordan shortly after that, in a major milestone for the energy landscape in Israel and the Eastern Mediterranean. Noble Energy announced first gas at Leviathan on December 31, when J. Keith Elliott, Senior Vice President, Offshore, said: Leviathan natural gas provides redundancy in supply domestically and helps transition Israel to become a significant exporter of energy to regional and global customers for the first time. Israeli natural gas exports to Egypt started in the middle of January. This move also allows Israel to export some of its natural gas to Europe through Egypt's LNG facilities, and promote Egypt's status as a regional gas hub, the Israeli energy ministry said in mid-January. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Chinas highest-flying technology startups are struggling to stay afloat after the coronavirus outbreak threatened to paralyze critical venture capital funding. Investment in an industry that runs on face-to-face contact and gut instinct has fallen off a cliff since the epidemic erupted in January. Venture capital funds slashed startup investment by 60 per cent in January from a year ago, London-based consultancy Preqin estimates. Thats because angel investors and venture capitalists accustomed to road-testing new technology or grilling entrepreneurs in person now shun interaction and work from home. Chinas tech industry which prides itself on honing online communications from social media to mobile payments is thus ironically stumbling thanks to the lack of the most basic forms of human contact. If the situation persists and there are few signs that stringent nationwide quarantine measures will unwind soon that jeopardizes a swath of the millions of startups that collectively represent an important growth driver for the worlds second-largest economy. Its a double-whammy for an industry that in 2019 grappled with volatile capital, a slowing economy and U.S.-Chinese tensions. As an entrepreneur who went through SARS in 2003, I fully understand the challenges entrepreneurs face, Neil Shen, the founding partner of Sequoia Capital China, said in a statement. We will fully stand by to provide help and support to the companies we backed in any way possible, said Shen, regarded by many as one of the countrys most prominent tech investors. A backlash against Chinas tech champions in 2019 had begun damping a decade or more of go-go optimism and investment that fuelled one of the fastest and largest creations of wealth the world has seen. Trade curbs imposed by Washington soured investor interest, suppressing deal flow. On a global stage, WeWorks implosion fanned caution around potentially overblown tech valuations. The euphoria that created more than 100 unicorns, or billion-dollar firms, in China dissipated toward the end of last year. The outbreak was the last thing Chinas tech sector needed. This hasnt been the start to the year of the rat that China was hoping for, said Ee Fai Kam, head of Preqin Asian operations, adding that the setback is coming on the back of a bruising 2019 when trade and tech tensions with the U.S. caused investors to exercise an abundance of caution. Following the Lunar New Year break, some of the countrys most prolific investors including those at Matrix Capital and Genesis Capital confined themselves to home, calling off meetings and mothballing visits to companies. A lot of our projects require on-site due diligence and we are wary to push forward deals without it, explained Snow Hua, a managing partner at Cherubic Ventures. Others are trying to engage and mitigate the damage to their existing portfolio companies through virtual conference calls. Sequoia China is planning to organize two investment sessions for early-stage startups via the conferencing service Zoom. As of Wednesday, investors from more than 50 venture capital houses had signed up. At the same time, red-hot sectors from artificial intelligence to ride-hailing and online property are reeling. On Thursday, Chinas largest company by market value, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., warned of a significant hit to revenue growth in the March quarter from an epidemic thats wreaking havoc across broad swathes of the Chinese economy. Didis daily active users fell 54.1 per cent on Jan. 27 compared with Jan. 16, before the Lunar New Year break, according to data compiled by Aurora Mobile Ltd. Even those benefiting from a short-term spike in orders such as online grocery delivery firms are wary of longer-term fallout. 58 Home, the maid and home-maintenance service owned by a Chinese Craigslist equivalent, is said to have delayed its planned U.S. initial public offering after the coronavirus outbreak crippled customer demand. Others such as Uber-backed Didi Chuxing or rental startup Danke may begin to suffer as the capital winter drags on. Its going to be a tremendous challenge for a lot of startups, said Wang Jun, chief financial officer for fresh produce delivery firm Missfresh. Its winter time for capital flow, and companies need to produce blood on their own to become cash-positive. Read more about: By Peter Nurse Investing.com - Oil prices pushed higher Friday, bouncing after recent hefty losses, amid hope that major oil producers will cut global supply further, and as officials tried to play down a big jump in China's count of patients and victims this week. By 9:00 AM ET (1400 GMT), U.S. crude futures were 1% higher at $51.91 a barrel, while futures in U.K. Brent, the global crude benchmark, were up 1.4% at $57.15 a barrel. The oil complex is heading towards its first positive week in the last six, after absorbing three big downgrades to 2020 global demand in the past week. News surrounding the Covid-19 virus outbreak continues to keep markets on edge, and Chinas Hubei province, the region at the epicenter of the coronavirus, reported almost 5,000 new cases. This suggests the surge to nearly 15,000 reported a day earlier was down to a new method for counting infections, and thus, as the World Health Organization said, not necessarily the "tip of an iceberg" of a wider epidemic. The International Energy Agency, the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries have all slashed their forecasts for global oil demand in the first two quarters of 2020 in their monthly reports published this week. OPEC, which represents the oil producers, sees the smallest effect. It lowered its 2020 demand forecast for its crude by 200,000 barrels per day, citing worries about the coronavirus outbreak in China, the worlds biggest oil importer. The news prompted expectations the producer group could cut output further. Indeed, the so-called OPEC+ group of producers is expected to cut output by an additional 600,000 barrels per day at its next meeting in March to trim some oversupply in the market and support prices. Rystad Energy, a Norwegian independent upstream oil and gas analysis and consulting company, has its doubts as to whether this will be enough to sustain even the current move higher. Story continues Such a cut may "not be enough to fill the demand gap now exacerbated by the coronavirus," Rystad Energys Senior Vice President and Head of Oil Markets Bjornar Tonhaugen said in a statement late Thursday. "The economic shut-down in China will cause the largest negative oil demand shock since 2008," he added. In addition to the virus, oil markets are still contending with unseasonably warm weather across the northern hemisphere. Last month was the warmest January on record, dealing a further blow to demand for heating oil, natural gas and coal from the U.S. to Europe and Russia. In addition to the virus, oil markets are still contending with unseasonably warm weather across the northern hemisphere. Last month was the warmest January on record, dealing a further blow to demand for heating oil, natural gas and coal from the U.S. to Europe and Russia. Related Articles Total considers stopping fuel oil sales for power: CEO Indonesia aims to plug skills shortage in booming tech sector Coronavirus scare leaves China's empty restaurants selling off stocks DALLAS, Feb. 12, 2020 -- Seizures may be linked to a higher risk of death or disability in adults who have had a severe ischemic stroke, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2020 - Feb. 19-21 in Los Angeles, a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science of stroke and brain health. Ischemic stroke occurs when blood vessels leading to the brain are blocked. Seizures are abnormal brain activity that may cause uncontrollable shaking movements, loss of consciousness and confusion. Ischemic stroke patients who had seizures within seven days after their stroke were at higher risk of seizure recurrence and of being diagnosed with epilepsy. "In the United States, stroke is the most common cause of epilepsy in adults. In Mexico, stroke is now the leading cause of epilepsy in adults as well," said Erwin Chiquete, M.D., Ph.D., lead study author and a neurologist and researcher at The Salvador Zubiran National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition in Mexico City. "However, we suspect that seizures and epilepsy in stroke patients are still under-recognized by physicians." In this study, researchers identified risk factors that predict the possibility of developing seizures or epilepsy (recurring seizures) following a severe stroke, and then assessed the impact of post-stroke seizures on death or disability up to one year after stroke. Researchers analyzed electronic medical records data of 1,246 hospital patients without epilepsy upon admission, aged 18 to 94 (85% over age 40) and treated for acute ischemic stroke in 59 centers located in Mexico. After following the patients for 12 months, researchers found: 8% of stroke survivors suffered acute seizures within a week of their stroke, and almost 5% of these patients had at least one more seizure during the 12-month follow-up period. Patients 18 to 40 years old were the most vulnerable group of stroke survivors. More than 13% of these patients developed recurrent seizures and were diagnosed with epilepsy. Patients younger than 65 were 69% more likely to develop seizures than older patients. The larger the injury to the brain from the stroke, the greater the likelihood of having a seizure. The odds of developing seizures were more than two times higher in people with severe brain injury from stroke and in those who had a second stroke. Those who developed acute seizures were 37% more likely to die or develop physical and/or mental disabilities within one year following their stroke. Other factors that significantly increased risk of death or disability included being over age 65, severity of stroke, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. "We think that the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke and controlling seizures with anti-epileptic medication during the twelve months after stroke are very important to prevent death and to decrease disability," Chiquete said. "Our research suggests that severe ischemic stroke can cause epilepsy in a higher percentage of patients than we originally thought or has been shown in previous studies." ### Co-authors are Guillermo Ramirez-Garcia, M.D.; Valeria Sandoval-Rodriguez, M.D.; Fernando Flores-Silva, M.D., M.Sc.; Jose L. Ruiz-Sandoval, M.D.; and Carlos Cantu-Brito, M.D., Ph.D. The authors report no disclosures. The study was funded in part by Sanofi Mexico. Additional Resources: Available animation and images may be downloaded from the right column of the release link (click through thumbnails to select). https://newsroom.heart.org/news/developing-seizures-after-stroke-may-increase-risk-of-death-disability?preview=484fd81c932fc5b2ee95b45bbce11e95 Spanish Release Controlling Post Stroke Seizures What is brain health? ASA Stroke Connection: Seizures after stroke For more news at ASA International Stroke Conference 2020, follow us on Twitter @HeartNews #ISC20. Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Stroke Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect Association policy or position. The Association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/aha-financial-information. The American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference (ISC) is the world's premier meeting dedicated to the science of stroke and brain health. ISC 2020 will be held February 19-21 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California. The 2 -day conference features more than 1,600 compelling scientific presentations in 21 categories that emphasize basic, clinical and translational science for health care professionals and researchers. These science and other clinical presentations will provide attendees with a better understanding of stroke and brain health to help improve prevention, treatment and outcomes for the more than 800,000 Americans who have a stroke each year. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the U.S. Worldwide, cerebrovascular accidents (stroke) are the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability, according to the World Health Organization. Engage in the International Stroke Conference on social media via #ISC20. About the American Stroke Association The American Stroke Association is a relentless force for a world with fewer strokes and longer, healthier lives. We team with millions of volunteers and donors to ensure equitable health and stroke care in all communities. We work to prevent, treat and beat stroke by funding innovative research, fighting for the public's health, and providing lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based association was created in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit strokeassociation.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Turkey will send additional troops to Idlib, northwestern Syria, for the sake of a durable cease-fire, Turkeys defense minister said Thursday, Anadolu agency reports. We are sending additional troops to enable a permanent cease-fire, we are going to control the field, Hulusi Akar told reporters after a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels. Force will be used against those who do not comply with the cease-fire, including radicals, and all measures will be taken, he added. By Abdul Kerimkhanov The volume of Azerbaijans defence-related imports from Turkey surged 39.85 percent year-on-year in January-February to $88,675,000, the Turkish Ministry of Trade told local media. In December 2019, export of Turkish defence industry goods to Azerbaijan also increased by 103.03 percent, amounting to $52.672 million. Overall, in December 2019, Turkeys defence-related exports worldwide grew by 1.9 percent compared to $288,660,000 million. It should be noted that Turkey exported defence-related products worth $2,74 billion in January-December 2019. Earlier President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey will strengthen the defense industry and become one of the world leaders in the production of defense products. Azerbaijan and Turkey have stepped up military cooperation in the recent years. The two countries armies conduct military exercises with the aim of developing coordination between the armed forces. The joint exercises held in May 2017, brought together 1,000 military personnel, 80 tanks and armored vehicles, 60 cannons and mortars, 12 attack and transport helicopters Mi-35 and Mi-17 and air defense systems. Azerbaijan has been actively strengthening its armed forces in recent years. It's army is equipped with modern weapons from the best manufacturers. Azerbaijan ranked 23rd globally for the volume of imports of weapons in 2014-2018. The country spent $22,7bn on defence-related products in 2009-2016, thereby becoming Europes largest weapons importer, according to Bloomberg. Azerbaijan has the strongest army in the South Caucasus, according to Global Fire Power ranking 2020. The country ranked 64th among 138 countries considered for the annual Global Fire Power review this year. Azerbaijani Armed Forces have three branches: the Azerbaijani Land Forces, the Azerbaijani Air and Air Defence Force, and the Azerbaijani Navy. Associated forces include the Azerbaijani National Guard, the Internal Troops of Azerbaijan, and the State Border Service, which can be involved in state defense under certain circumstances. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The Delhi High Court on Friday immediately sent match-fixing accused Sanjeev Chawla into judicial custody in Tihar jail till further orders. Justice Anu Malhotra announced the order after observing the terms of the letter of Home Affairs and Chawla's counsel submitted that the government has assured UK court that he will be kept in Tihar Jail during his trial in India during Chawla's extradition proceedings. Chawla, who was allegedly involved in a match-fixing racket that was busted by Delhi Police in 2000 and extradited to India yesterday, has challenged the custodial remand given by Delhi court. The High Court also issued notice to the Centre on Chawla's plea and listed the matter for further hearing on February 19. Chawla moved the Delhi High Court challenging the Delhi's Patiala House Court which sent him to 12-day police custody and seeking a direction that he should be remanded to the custody of Tihar Jail. Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa, appearing for Sanjeev Chawla, told the Delhi High Court that the government has assured UK court during his extradition proceedings that he will be kept in Tihar Jail while facing trial in India. But the moment Chawla was brought to India, an application was filed, contrary to their assurance to the British government and police sought Chawla's police custody. Pahwa also told the court that charge-sheet has been filed naming Chawla in this case in 2013 and the trial court has taken cognisance of the charge-sheet. He further said that Chawla was called to India for facing trial in the case. The petitioner told the High Court that the police custody of the petitioner is "wholly illegal and unlawful". The petition said that in pursuance of the non-bailable Warrants dated 27.02.2015 and in pursuance of Red Corner Notice, Chawla was arrested by the local police authorities in the UK. "That on the basis of the arrest warrant dated 27.02.2015 issued by the magistrate court, which was executed in London, the petitioner was produced before the concerned court in London wherein 2016 petitioner was granted bail. The petitioner continued to be on bail," it said. "On the basis of execution of the warrants of arrest, extradition proceedings were initiated against the Petitioner. In the extradition proceedings, the Courts in London were informed that the investigation against the petitioner is complete and charge-sheet has already been filed," it added. Chawla in his petition said that he is a British and added that diplomatic assurances dated were given by the Government of India to the UK Government. "The said assurances are the sovereign assurances given by the Government of India and are binding upon the Government of India Courts and State Enforcing Agencies inasmuch as the guarantees and assurances are the basis of extradition. The said assurances in unambiguous terms stated that the Petitioner during his detention in pre-trial and post-conviction will be kept at Tihar Jail," the petition read. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 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. By Express News Service BENGALURU: A dispute between two people over a piece of land has rendered around 30 families homeless at Munnekolala near Marathahalli in Mahadevapura zone. Those who lost their homes alleged that local goons came on Thursday morning and demolished their houses even as they were inside. During the demolition, the goons misbehaved with them and manhandled them, leaving a six-month-old child injured, they alleged. The angry and scared dwellers have sought the help of the Marathahalli police. Ravi, a labour contractor (thekedar) and resident of the place said that a group of locals surrounded the area with three earthmovers and started demolishing the shelters. When we asked for a reason, they said that the landowner had told them to get the area cleared. We said that we had been staying here for years and had been paying rent on time, but they did not listen. So we called the police. But, by that time, 30 homes were already demolished and our belongings were thrown in the open drains and strewn everywhere, he said. Children of labourers whose homes were destroyed walk through the remains of their belongings at Munnekolala near Marathahalli, on Thursday. (Photo | Meghana Sastry, EPS) Some dwellers blamed their predicament on the government, stating that they may have been mistaken for illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. We are not illegal Bangladeshis, we are from Odisha. I have a rent agreement also. Earlier, when properties were demolished, the police and corporation were asked to intervene, but here we have been left homeless and helpless, said Hussain, one of the residents. Kajal, Niranajan, the mother of the injured child, is worried because even her husband is in the police station. Zia Nomani from the NGO Swaraj India said this seemed to be a tussle between two people who were claiming ownership of the land. He said that apart from the residents filing an FIR, the NGO and Narayan Gowda, the owner of the land, had also filed FIRs. Eyewitnesses have also identified the people who had come to demolish the properties, he said. Sheds were for labourers, claims contractor However, Naveen Kumar, the other claimant to the land, told reporters that a group of locals had come to his house on Wednesday and assaulted and threatened his family. On Thursday morning, they came with three earthmovers and demolished the sheds. The land belongs to my grandfather who passed away in 1985, and all documents have been given to BBMP to transfer the land to my name. It was done a few months ago. I was shocked to see the demolition and assault on workers. When I asked the group to show the documents, they threatened me with dire consequences. I have now sought police protection. Kumar, a civil contractor, further said, I had put up some temporary sheds for the labourers 15 years ago. They are from Odisha, Bihar and West Bengal. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials claimed they had no role in the demolition and said they were unaware of the incident. However, they said that the matter will be looked into. A senior police officer from Whitefiled sub-division said based on a complaint by Naveen Kumar, ten locals Sandeep, Nagesh, Vikki, Dileep, Saleem, Maishawak, Mahendran, Srinivas, Karthik and Basavaraj have been arrested. Three earthmovers and two bikes have also been seized. Boris Johnson is understood to have cancelled plans for a spring visit to the US amid tensions with Donald Trump about the decision to allow Chinese firm Huawei to play a role in the UKs 5G network. Downing Street denied that the prime minister had been forced to delay the trip because of the Huawei decision, which reportedly sent Mr Trump into a furious rage during a telephone call with Mr Johnson. The prime minister was expected to travel to Washington at the beginning of the year for a high-profile meeting with the president as focus shifts to securing a lucrative post-Brexit trade deal with the US. But the trip is understood to have been pushed back to June to coincide with a meeting of G7 leaders at Camp David in Maryland. The US president was said to be apoplectic with rage over Mr Johnsons refusal to ban Huawei, which Washington believes could pose a security threat due to the firms relationship with the Chinese government. Huawei has strongly denied the allegations. Tensions also remain over Washingtons refusal to extradite the wife of a US diplomat, Anne Sacoolas, who is accused of involvement in the death of British teenager Harry Dunne. Downing Street insisted the prime minister was focused on delivering his domestic agenda, with sources saying he had asked for foreign travel to be reduced. Using a Lord of the Rings analogy, a senior Downing Street figure told The Sun: Levelling up the country, making the streets safe and sorting out the NHS is why the PM won the election. When the Eye of Sauron is off the Whitehall machine, things stop working. Asked if the visit had been delayed due to the Huawei decision, a spokesperson for the prime minister said: The PM looks forward to visiting the US and will remain in touch with the administration. I will add, he is currently focused on driving through the governments ambitious domestic agenda and on levelling up across the country to deliver for the people of Britain. The spokesperson said the UK continues to have an excellent relationship with the US, when asked if the prime minister was not welcome in Washington. 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 Asked what a delay meant for US-UK trade talks, the spokesperson said: Both we and the US have been clear of our intention to secure a free trade deal. Work on that as weve set out in the house a week or so ago is ready and can start. One official who was briefed on the contents of the call between the prime minister and president, which took place on 28 January, told the Financial Times that Mr Trump was apoplectic with rage. Another said the call was very difficult and the presidents tone had taken British officials aback. BERLIN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Since 2018 the number of Armenian citizens seeking status in the EU territory has reduced by more than a double, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a meeting in the Berlin Friedrich Ebert Foundation when asked about the reforms impact on the emigration pace. The number of persons from Armenia seeking status in the EU has dropped nearly 60%. And since 2018 we have significant positive dynamics in the arrival and departure indicators of Armenian citizens. Particularly, in 2019 the number of citizens who entered our country is 10,000 more, Pashinyan said. Pashinyan noted that prices in the Armenian real estate market have grown and the mortgage loan volumes show doubling paces of growth compared to 2017. He expressed hope that this process will continue. I would really like to say that emigration from Armenia has stopped, but I can say that it is stopping. The figures show this, Pashinyan said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan Romania's acting Defence Minister Nicolae Ciuca had a bilateral meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Zahorodnyuk, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Friday, to underscore the significant progress recorded in the Romanian-Ukrainian defence co-operation, as well as favorable prospects for its further development, with an emphasis on increasing interoperability by joint participation in different multinational military exercises. According to a statement released by the Romanian Defence Ministry (MApN), the two dignitaries analysed recent regional security developments and actual ways of co-operation for the implementation of the NATO Security Package for an increase in the Black Sea security adopted in Washington in April 2019.Both sides voiced interest in intensifying joint actions in order to ensure a stable climate in the extended Black Sea region, attaching particular importance to European security.Ciuca also recommended strengthening Ukraine's co-operation with NATO and the EU, as well as enhancing the specific tools for the NATO partners, while welcoming the progress made with training and developing the capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces.The officials highlighted the good level of co-operation under NATO and EU projects, especially for the implementation of the initiatives included in NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine. Advertisement A whale has died after it became stranded on a Cornish beach despite rescuers desperate attempts to save the 'malnourished' titan's life. The 60-foot-long fin whale was 'really thin' when it washed up at Nare Point, Lizard Peninsula, today and had wounds across its body. Experts said it was likely the whale had not eaten for some time before it was beached. It was found by volunteers carrying out a beach clean search today, and was pronounced dead at 3.45pm. It had become beached following storm Ciara, which battered the UK coastline. Heartbreaking video from the scene captures the stranded whale as it desperately moves from side to side while pinned onto rocks on the beach. The fin whale (pictured) was discovered by volunteers carrying out a beach clean at Nare Point on the Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall, today following the recent storms The beached fin whale is pictured above. The 60-foot-long titan also had wounds running across its body Rescuers throw bags filled with seawater across the fin whale - also known as a herring whale or razorback whale - as they attempt to save the mammal. The British Divers Marine Life Rescue, BDMLR, had warned that the whale was unlikely to survive its stranding when they arrived at the scene this afternoon. Experts had also advised members of the public not to attempt to return the mammal to the sea by themselves. Julia Cable, national coordinator at BDMLR, told MailOnline the whale was 'emaciated' and appeared to be 'very unwell' when it was stranded on the Cornish coastline. 'It's emaciated. It's terribly thin. It's in a terrible nutritional state,' she said. 'It's obviously not fed for a long time.' She also said that the wounds on the whale were likely down to its stranding, although this will need to be confirmed by a post-mortem. 'It's hard to tell right now but (the wounds) are likely to be consistent with live stranding on rocks. As you can see, there's some jagged substrate there. All the time it was moving around it would have been injuring itself on the rocks.' The whale was stranded following recent storms. A rescuer is pictured throwing water onto the desperate animal above A fin whale was also found beached at Carolyn Bay in St Austell, Cornwall, in August 2012. Rescuers decided to put the leviathan, which also had several wounds, down as it was 'clearly sick' and shouldn't be returned to the ocean Fin whales are the second largest whales in the ocean and, when they strand, rescuers find it virtually impossible to get them back into the water until the tide comes in. This whale was reported to the BDMLR at 2pm this afternoon after a boat going past spotted the animal stranded on a private beach. An area co-ordinator and vet set off to the location, which has no vehicle access, and pronounced the animal dead shortly after arrival. 'There were unconfirmed reports of somebody seeing a whale yesterday', said Julia, 'So one had been seen 24 hours before but it wasn't really moving'. 'They're not common in these waters at all. We don't get fin whales stranding in the UK - it's very unusual. 'Either this animal was sick and has gone off course or the animal was weak anyway and could have been pushed out of its habitat and ended up here. It's highly likely that a sick animal has been caught out.' The fin whale was found stranded on Nare Point, Lizard Peninsula, by a beach cleaning group this morning A fin whale pictured in the ocean. The species is typically found around the Gulf of California, the Coral Triangle or the Arctic and is thought to rarely venture into UK waters A post-mortem will be carried out on the corpse over the weekend by the Cetacean Stranding Investigation Program to find out why the whale died. A 65-foot-long fin whale also washed up on the beach at Carolyn Bay, Cornwall, in 2012. It was also 'incredibly undernourished', wounded and suffering from a high breathing rate. Rescuers put the whale down as they said it had 'no hope' of surviving and it was the kindest thing to do. Fin whales - which are the second largest whale on the planet - are typically found in the Gulf of California, the Coral Triangle or the Arctic. By Jung Min-ho Two Peruvians have been detained in Spain after allegedly stealing 24 million won ($20,000) in cash from a casino in Korea. Jeongseon Police Station said Thursday that the suspects a man, 45, and a woman, 32 were expected to be extradited soon, after allegedly opening a slot machine cash box to steal the money at Kangwon Land on Feb. 7. It is unclear how this was done. Their alleged accomplice a Hong Kong man in his 30s is still on the run. The three entered Korea on Feb. 6 with fake passports. Only a few hours after the alleged theft, the two Peruvians boarded a flight to Bangkok. They then took another flight that made a stopover at Doha, Qatar, before arriving in Madrid, where they were detained. Police said that by then they had asked Interpol to issue a red note detention order for the suspects. President Trump is on a firing and a hiring spree, as he aims to rid the government of 'never-Trumpers' and bring back aides he's most comfortable with. The news broke Thursday that former White House Communications Director Hope Hicks would be returning to the West Wing in coming weeks, this time working under Jared Kushner as a counselor to the president. Then Axios reported that John McEntee, Trump's former 'body man' who was canned after he couldn't get a security clearance due to a gambling problem, is expected to take over the Presidential Personnel Office. More firings are also expected. 'Administration officials tell Axios Trump feels hes surrounded by snakes and wants to clear out all the disloyal people,' Axios said. The newly emboldened President Trump is trying to get rid of the 'snakes' within the U.S. government, according to Axios, by hiring back trusted aides who have caused him problems in the past Among those aides is President Trump's former body man John McEntee, who was fired from the White House in March 2018 as the Secret Service was investigating him for financial problems related to gambling and his tax filings President Trump is also bringing Hope Hicks (left) back into the fold, this time as a counselor to the president working under Jared Kushner (right). Hicks left the administration in the wake of her boyfriend Rob Porter being fired over domestic abuse allegations made by two ex-wives A week ago, Trump started cleaning house of individuals who testified before House committees, which led to his impeachment. He removed Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman - and Vindman's twin brother Yevgeny. Both brothers did work for the National Security Council. Trump also ousted E.U. Amb. Gordon Sondland, who also testified. Sondland was a Trump political donor before being appointed to the European Union diplomatic post. Trump has been emboldened by the U.S. Senate's decision to acquit him on the two articles of impeachment approved by the House in December. Hicks and McEntee both left the White House in 2018 and, at the time, were politically problematic employees for the president. Hicks had become romantically involved with Staff Secretary Rob Porter, who was accused by both of his ex-wives of abusive behavior. He was fired by the White House in early February 2018 once those allegations were reported on by DailyMail.com. Porter's first wife Colbie Holderness told DailyMail.com that Porter choked her and punched her in the face and had given her a black eye, of which there was photographic evidence. 'It was not hard enough for me to pass out, but it was scary, humiliating and dehumanizing,' she said of the injury Porter had inflicted her with. Porter's second wife Jennifer Willoughby told DailyMail.com Porter had called her a f***ing bitch. On one occasion, he grabbed her naked out of the shower. During the height of the scandal, Hicks had helped then Chief of Staff John Kelly craft a statement in defense of Porter, a move that 'deeply frustrated' other staffers, according to Vanity Fair, who viewed Kelly's defense of Porter poorly. 'It's beyond disbelief. Everyone is trying to figure out why Kelly is leading the charage to save him,' one aide told the magazine. Kelly described Porter as a 'man of true integrity and honor' and a 'trusted professional.' McEntee was fired and removed from the White House in March 2018 with the Wall Street Journal reporting that the dismissal was due to the aide having financial problems related to online gamling and his tax filings. McEntee was being investigated by the Secret Service for these issues when he was let go, the Journal said. DailyMail.com reported that McEntee was gambling in real life too. As he would spend time at the MGM National Harbor casino, located just down the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., in Oxon Hill, Maryland. There, McEntee blew $250,000 on roulette. The Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA) recently honored Marcia Marien, CPA of Middletown, and Vanessa Rossitto, CPA of East Haddam, for Distinguished Service at the organizations first-ever CTCPA Womens Awards Breakfast held recently at the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. Marien is the Finance Director/Comptroller for the Town of Brookfield. Rossitto is a partner and Industry Leader, Government Services Group at Blumshapiro, West Hartford. According to CTCPA Executive Director Bonnie Stewart, the CPA society created the awards program To recognize the many contributions that CPA women professionals are making in Connecticut. As the first female executive director of the CTCPA, I have a personal perspective on diversity, Ms. Stewart commented. Diversity does not merely tolerate our differences; diversity celebrates our differences, she noted. With a membership of more than 6,000 in public practice, business and industry, government, and education, the CTCPAs mission is to advocate on behalf of the accounting profession, foster a professional community among CPAs, and provide professional development opportunities for CPAs in Connecticut. Enrollment open for Kates Camp for Kids OLD SAYBROOK The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (the Kate) is now registering for the Kates Camp for Kids spring 2020 mini-musical, Bugz, for children ages 5-10. Rehearsals will be held from 4-5:30 p.m., March 11-April 29. The performance for friends and family will be held April 29, on stage at The Kate. The performance is free and open to the public. Kates Camp for Kids is a comprehensive arts program that focuses on nurturing childrens creative potential through the arts. In the summer, this state-licensed camp brings together professional teaching artists from throughout the region to the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. Designed for boys and girls ages 5 to 10 years old, Kates Camp is filled with music, dance, art, and theater and each session culminates in a performance for family and friends! A diverse range of activities is offered on a rotating basis to ensure a fresh experience for even the most frequent camper. The Kates Camp for Kids fall and spring musicals give campers a year-round opportunity to participate in this popular program! Registration for the summer session of Kates Camp for Kids will open in early March. The summer session will offer five week-long sessions from July 6-Aug. 7. And, Summer Spotlight will return for its second year at the Kate as an arts intensive that delves into the technical aspects of producing a show for kids age 11-13. For information and to register, visit www.thekate.org or call 860-510-0473 ext. 214. Plans under way for spring book sale HADDAM The Friends of Brainerd Memorial Library is holding its spring book sale April 3-6. Hours are Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., with a book and bake sale on Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays sale will offer special prices from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The Book sale will begin on Friday, April 3rd at 10am until 6. The Book and Bake sale will continue on Saturday, April 4th until 4pm. On Monday, April 6th remaining items will be offered at special prices from 10am - 8pm. The Friends always accept books and DVDs, but ask patrons help contribute to the sale by bringing down their donations throughout the winter. Only gently used books in good condition will be accepted. The Friends of BML also invite the public to visit the Book Nook, behind the non-fiction section of the library at 920 Saybrook Road, Haddam. Monthly sales of DVDs, CDs, paperbacks and a large selection of hardcover fiction and non-fiction are arranged by author and subject. There are always special items for purchase, like DVD TV series, unique books, and BML merchandise. The Book Nook is open during library hours and takes cash, checks, plastic, and PayPal. Friends funds support library programs and events, and materials, technology, and furnishing purchases. The Friends will also require the assistance of some teens and adults to move books for the sale; email Robbie at rmarshall@brainerdlibrary.org to sign up. Volunteers are always needed. The Friends get together on Thursday mornings and for a monthly meeting. Stop in or contact us to join. http://www.brainerdlibrary.lioninc.org/friends Cinder + Salt accepting clothing donations MIDDLETOWN Cinder + Salt in Middletown, which makes eco-friendly apparel is giving back to its local community by receiving donations of used cold-weather gear including coats, boots, socks, and much more from their customers and neighbors. In 2019, ccording to the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness in Middletown, 38 veterans were identified in an emergency homeless shelter: 13 were unsheltered. Also, 5,054 youth under the age of 25 were estimated to be homeless or unstably housed, including 254 counted as literally homeless. The number of homeless in the Middletown area has certainly decreased over the years but Cinder + Salts founder, Rachel DeCavage, recognizes the need to provide these individuals with the resources they need to survive the winter season. We had a dozen overstock hoodies we weren't using so we put them in the store with a sign that said, Are you cold? If so, please have a sweatshirt. Once word spread around town & got to those most affected by winter's cold, we literally had a line of people waiting outside our door one morning. It was a moment our entire staff realized that there are a lot of people in this neighborhood who could use some help, and it doesn't take much to make a difference. We decided to start a "Share the Warmth" campaign for the rest of the winter, said DeCavage. For those who are interested in donating winter gear, stop by Cinder + Salts storefront located at 520 Main St. Follow Cinder + Salt online at www.cinderandsalt.com, and on Facebook and Instagram. (Alliance News) - Bahamas Petroleum Co has raised GBP700,000 after a fund was set up to give local investors the chance to play a part in the company. The Bahamian incorporated mutual fund was set up late in 2019, for the sole purposes of allowing investors in the Bahamas a chance to buy shares in Bahamas Petroleum which has a "nationally significant" project in the country. The fund opened to subscriptions on January 6 at a price of 2 pence pence per share, the same price UK investors were given in an open offer and placing in November. Between opening and closing on Wednesday this week, with the deadline extended from last Friday, investors subscribed for shares worth approximately GBP700,000, meaning Bahamas Petroleum will now issue 35.3 million shares to the fund. Bahamas Petroleum noted the 2p price is well below its current share price, so it will not be accepting any further subscriptions at that price. An issue price for subscriptions will be fixed for a March 31 subscription at 3.35p, Bahamas Petroleum's closing price on Tuesday in London. Bahamas Petroleum shares were flat on Friday morning in London at 3.30p each. "The mutual fund initiative was set up with the straightforward goal of allowing Bahamian investors the opportunity to invest in the outcome of our potentially transformational exploration well, targeting 770 million to 1.44 billion barrels of oil, which is to be drilled in the first half of 2020. An opportunity they would otherwise have effectively been precluded from," said Bahamas Petroleum Chief Executive Simon Potter. "Further, by offering this opportunity at a subscription price of 2p, potential Bahamian investors have been extended this opportunity under the same conditions as had recently applied to UK investors alike. Accordingly, the fund has and will continue to accomplish its objective, in creating a vehicle through which Bahamian investors can, should they so wish, participate now or in future in the fortunes of the company." "I would emphasise for all shareholders' benefit that any funds raised from the fund initiative, now and in the future, will be additive to our existing financial resources but are not essential to meeting the estimated costs of drilling, for which costs we have been implementing a staged, coordinated funding strategy, as previously communicated to the market," Potter continued. By George Collard; georgecollard@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. O ne of those lucky people who knew exactly what she wanted to do pretty much from birth, Bridges work fizzes with the passion and knowledge of a lifelong devotee to her craft. You can see the clear influence of her mothers stack of 1980s Vogues in the sharp angles, bold colours and strident confidence; she counts the legends Tim Walker, Miles Aldridge and Eugene Souleiman among her collaborators. When was your big break? I was living in Shoreditch and got on the number 55 bus. I had crazy make-up on, orange hair, glitter eyebrows and loads of blusher. Two guys were staring. I was very close to saying, What the f*** are you looking at? They got off the bus and one of them handed me a note that said, Hi, Id like to take your portrait it was Tim Walker. He took my photo for i-D magazine it gave me the confidence to leave my job at MAC and start freelancing. Why London? London is the one city in the world where you can express yourself - thats why I still live here. Which song would you take to the grave with you? Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode or I Ran by A Flock of Seagulls. Very Eighties. Which book most inspires what you do? One of my prize possessions is a book about tribes in Papua New Guinea. I searched for it for a long time and found it at Comptoir de IImage, a great bookshop on Rue de Sevigne in Paris, which is just a man and piles and piles of disorganised books. How the tribes-people express themselves, what they can do in the middle of nowhere with materials, colours and textures. You dont need a bloody make-up kit and ten cases rolling around. Replica magazine How did you get into make-up? Through my Mum. She always had a full face of make-up on everyday. Id rummage in her bag and go in her Chanel and Dior eyeshadows. She had a lot of magazines around the house, Vogues from the Eighties, and I was instantly attracted to the make-up. At the age of ten I told my Mum and Dad I wanted to be a make-up artist. And they were always very supportive. I went to Manchester for two years and studied for a HND course in make-up, prosthetics and wig making. The second I finished that, I moved to London. I was a party girl and made friends with lots of people in Shoreditch. We went to Boombox and Ponystep and thats where I met [the fashion designer] Charles Jeffrey. At the time everyone was expressing themselves through clothes and hair and make-up. I wore crazy make-up everyday, I walked the streets during the daytime with glitter eyebrows. What's your USP? I like to think Im fearless when it comes to make-up. I like to create super bold, unique looks and Im not scared to use different mediums. Picasso is an inspiration for me, I know its a bit of a cliche, and I also love Marlene Dumas. Love magazine's 10th anniversary What has been your pinch-me moment? Working with Tim [Walker] on his V&A exhibition. We did a shoot based around Audrey Beardsley with Katy England and Malcom Edwards, which didnt feel real. There is nothing that can compare with working with Tim - the way his mind works, the way he wants to push his shoots. He loves make-up and Im never scared to push it with him. What has been your pinch-me moment? Doing an Italian Vogue front cover beauty story with Miles Aldridge. Growing up Italian Vogue was such a huge influence and it is the epitome of where all makeup artists want to be. Also, I took a picture of Tim [Walker] taking a photo of James Crewe on a shoot in Dorset, and then it ended up being blown up and being used as the exit photo in Tims V&A exhibition. I went to the opening with my Mum. Who would you most like to collaborate with? West Side Story says dancer Amar Ramasar will remain in the show for the duration of his contract. Photo: Hiroyuki Ito/Getty Images In advance of its Broadway opening on February 20, West Side Story has released a statement of support regarding its most controversial cast member, Amar Ramasar. Ramasar, who plays Bernardo in Ivo van Hoves reimagined production of the Bernstein classic, is currently a principal dancer for the New York City Ballet, having been reinstated following a dismissal for sharing nude photos of other female dancers without their consent. Alexandra Waterbury an NYCB dancer whose photos were shared by another male dancer in the company recently held a protest outside the Broadway Theatre. A petition calling for Ramasars removal has garnered tens of thousands of signatures. (It was started by a Northeastern University student, Megan Rabin, who was motivated because it just felt like no one was doing anything.) According to the statement, the production is behind Ramasar 100 percent and has not and will not consider removing him from the cast. It notes that the NYCB is a different workplace with no affiliation with West Side Story. Ramasar is described as a valued colleague who is performing brilliantly. From West Side Story management: The management of West Side Story stands, as it always has stood, with Amar Ramasar. While we support the right of assembly enjoyed by the protestors, the alleged incident took place in a different workplace the New York City Ballet which has no affiliation of any kind with West Side Story, and the dispute in question has been both fully adjudicated and definitively concluded according to the specific rules of that workplace, as mandated by the union that represents the parties involved in that incident. Mr. Ramasar is a principal dancer in good standing at the New York City Ballet. He is also a member in good standing of both AGMA (representing the company of NYCB) and Actors Equity Association (representing the company of West Side Story). There is zero consideration being given to his potentially being terminated from this workplace, as there has been no transgression of any kind, ever, in this workplace. The West Side Story Company does not as a practice terminate employees without cause. There is no cause here. The West Side Story Companys relationship to Mr. Ramasar is completely private to that company and exists solely between Mr. Ramasar and his fellow company members. He is a valued colleague who was hired to play a principal role in this production, which he is doing brilliantly, and which he will continue to do for the entire unabated length of his agreement. In September 2018, Ramasar was dismissed from the NYCB after Waterbury filed a suit against him as well as her former boyfriend, Chase Finlay, and another NYCB member, Zachary Catazaro for sharing nude photos. (The lawsuit accused Finlay of sending nude photos of Waterbury to Ramasar. It claimed Catazaro had exchanged different images with Finlay.) Finlay voluntarily resigned prior to Ramasar and Catazaros firings. The American Guild of Musical Artists contested these removals and, following an arbitration, Ramasar was eventually reinstated pending mandatory counseling. Catazaro was also cleared, but declined to return to the company. Following the statement from the shows management, Waterbury, Rabin, and Change.org (the site that hosts the removal petition) released a joint statement. It calls Ramasars behavior vile and says the lack of legal obligation does not nullify West Side Storys moral obligation to keep abusers off their stage. From Change. The statement released by West Side Story today demonstrates that the production cares more about money and talent than the safety of its performers. Amar Ramasars behavior at City Ballet was vile yet West Side Story chose to hire him anyway. Just because the production is not legally obligated to fire him doesnt eliminate their moral obligation to keep abusers off the stage. Ramasar shared explicit photos of fellow ballerinas without their consent. His behavior was disgusting, damaging and unlawful. We stand outside your theatre chanting because we have been told that Broadway is a safe, inclusive space. But with this production, Scott Rudin and his team have set a precedent that talent justifies abuse and thats not something we intend to be quiet about. We will continue to enjoy our right to assembly, and look forward to educating patrons about the sexual predator in your show again on opening night. Update February 14, 9:oo a.m.: This piece has been updated to include a modified statement from West Side Story. An earlier statement, given exclusively to Playbill, said the company of the show stands with Ramasar. The amended statement, provided by the shows press agents, now says the shows management stands with Ramasar. Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung spoke to Vietnam News Agency about his ministry's achievements in 2019 and measures it plans to implement to reach its goals in 2020. Workers at China-invested Texhong textile manufacturing plant in Thai Binh City, the northern province of Thai Binh. Can you tell us about the ministry's main achievements in 2019? Last year, the industry made great efforts to achieve targets in strengthening institutional building, renovating and improving the quality of vocational education, and forming a synchronous and healthy labour market. The ministry also focused on caring for those who contributed to the national revolution and protecting and educating children. The ministry completed all 196 tasks with three very basic targets assigned by the National Assembly, namely poverty reduction, human resource training, and unemployment reduction. In 2019, the ministry submitted the amended Labour Code to the National Assembly, which was approved last November. In doing so we created a new mindset, orientation, and management method for labour market development. In addition, the ministry completed all the projects and programmes set by the Government. The poverty rate fell by almost 4 percentage points. Based on the three criteria evaluated by the United Nations, the poverty rate was only 1.45 per cent. This was a spectacular success for Vietnam. The ministry also helped solve accommodation issues for people who contributed to the national revolution, with 95 per cent now securely housed under the Prime Minister's Decision 22. More than 1,000 martyrs who sacrificed their lives, mainly during the resistance war against the French, were recognised. The labour market also made outstanding progress. The ministry advised the Government to organise a forum to improve the quality of Vietnam's human resources as well as productivity. In terms of employment, the unemployment rate now stands at only 2.2 per cent, and dropped to 1.98 per cent on average last year. Of that, urban unemployment stands at 3 per cent. Last year, the country sent 152,000 people to work abroad. This is the highest figure in many years. It is worth mentioning that many are potential labour markets that offer high incomes as well as skills and knowledge. Other areas such as social protection, childcare, gender equality and prevention of social evils were also addressed. The implementation of some new laws remains slow due to a lack of guidance. What measures will the ministry take to ensure the implementation of the new Labour Code when it comes into effect in 2021? The approval of the new Labour Code is a very smart, long-term and strategic decision made by the Party and State. Under the new law, the retirement age as well as wages have been adjusted to adapt to new challenges. The law will change two very important things: labour standards and labour relations. The ministry has drafted decrees to implement the Labour Code, and they have been approved by the Government. On January 1, 2021 when the Labour Code takes effect, 14 decrees, one Prime Minister's decision and eight ministries circulars to guide the implementation of the law will be effective. With the motto "leaving no one behind", how will the ministry reduce poverty? Although poverty reduction has improved in recent years, the task still poses many challenges. The fight to reduce poverty will become increasingly difficult. We must drastically and consistently fight against it as only sustainable poverty reduction can help improve people's lives and reduce the rich-poor divide. With that motto, we definitely need a new mindset this year. First of all, a new poverty line for the 2021 - 2025 period must be built on the basis of income, sanitation, clean water supply, information and education. We need to work on three fundamental issues. Firstly, we must develop a national programme on sustainable poverty reduction and new rural construction for people in poor and remote areas. Secondly, we must provide conditional support not subsidies and favourable mechanisms for people who are capable of escaping poverty. We have witnessed many examples of this. Thirdly, we will offer social support to disadvantaged people, and create policies for them to enjoy more social welfare. I believe the poverty reduction programme will be more effective in 2020 while we will be promoting new rural area construction and improving people's lives. What solutions will the ministry apply to improve the quality of labour exports? Labour co-operation between Vietnam and other countries has been quite diverse, improving incomes to enhance the quality of human resources and foreign language training. We have reduced exports of manual labourers and started to pay attention to skilled workers. I have been working with the Department of Overseas Labor Management on this issue. The ministry will work with embassies, agencies and unions of other countries as well as Vietnamese business organisations to select potential labour markets that ensure workers' rights and offer chances of advancing language skills and careers. Priority will be given to Europe and Japan. In addition, the ministry will co-ordinate with domestic and foreign businesses to focus on training labourers before they go to work abroad and policies to welcome them back to the country to start their own businesses. VNS Vietnam expects to create 1.5 million jobs in 2020 The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs has set a target to generate jobs for 1.5 million workers, and help some 100,000 labourers to find jobs through the National Employment Fund in 2020. Releasing potential of quality labour The Fourth Industrial Revolution brings not only new issues, but also possibilities for Vietnams education and training sector to improve its quality in order to overcome the thirst for high-level labour. (Natural News) There was a time when walking around with deodorant-free and even unwashed armpits was quite normal. In fact, deodorants were a commercial failure when they were first launched in the late 1800s, with people believing that bathing regularly, avoiding exercise, staying out of the sun and covering themselves in perfume were the best ways to avoid smelly pits. It was only after advertising campaigns that were both harsh and faintly threatening were unleashed on the American public in the early 1920s, that deodorant sales picked up and then boomed until they grew into the multi-billion-dollar market that they are today. But the market is always changing, and recent research by the organization YouGov indicates that young people are more concerned about products being natural, authentic, organic and chemical-free than they are in smelling great. In fact, close to half (40 percent) of 18- to 24-year-olds surveyed admitted foregoing deodorant use altogether, along with 31 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds and 22 percent of 35- to 44-year-olds. It was only in the over 45 age group that the vast majority (84 percent) said that they use deodorant regularly. (Related: Aluminum salts found in popular antiperspirant products cause tumor growth.) Youre a pretty girl, Mary, but you smell! The obsession with hiding how we really smell took off in earnest after marketing campaigns by unscrupulous advertising executives basically shamed people into imagining that they would be unpopular unless they used deodorant. For example, a campaign by infamous copy writer James Young warned young women that if they did not wear deodorant they would repel men, never find love and end up as spinsters. As reported by the U.K.s Daily Mail, a quite condescending and threatening 1937 Mum advert warned: Youre a pretty girl, Mary, and youre smart about most things but youre just a bit stupid about yourself. You love a good timebut you seldom have one. Evening after evening you sit at home alone. Youve met several grand men who seemed interested at first. They took you out onceand that was that. There are so many pretty Marys in the world who never seem to sense the real reason for their aloneness. In this smart modern age, its against the code for a girl (or a man either) to carry the repellent odor of underarm perspiration on clothing and person. Its a fault which never fails to carry its own punishmentunpopularity. While advertising campaigns directed at women focused mainly on their romantic prospects, those aimed at men, particularly during the Great Depression years, threatened that they would never find jobs again unless they hid their natural odors by coating their armpits in deodorant. The chemicals lurking in your deodorant While many so-called experts would argue otherwise, several studies have linked the use of deodorants in particular, antiperspirants to the development of cancer. Harmful chemicals are easily absorbed through the skin, and deodorants are jam-packed with such chemicals. Natural News previously reported: Aluminum compounds used in deodorant to prevent our pores from sweating can interfere with the bodys natural sex hormones. This may cause breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men, as well as increase the risk for Alzheimers disease in both sexes. And sweating actually serves some useful purposes, including clearing the complexion, lowering body temperature and warding off sickness. Fortunately, a younger, smarter generation of consumers has realized that advertising is often nothing but a pack of lies, and these young people are making their own decisions about what personal care products to use, based not on slogans or threats, but on the impact of these products on their health and on the environment. Learn more about the dangers of aluminum in deodorant at Aluminum.news. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk Today.YouGov.com SmithsonianMag.com NaturalNews.com The Supreme Court made it clear on Friday that pendency of the Centre's plea, seeking separate execution of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, will not come in the way of trial court's issuing fresh date for their hanging. Since no pleas of the convicts are pending before the apex court and the mercy petitions of three of them have been rejected by the President -- while the fourth one has chosen not file clemency plea yet, the trial court can issue fresh date of execution, it said. A bench of Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and A S Bopanna listed the Centre's plea against the Delhi High Court order, which had refused to set aside the stay on execution of the four convicts, on February 17. "We make it clear that the pendency of these petitions may not be treated as an impediment for the trial court to consider the matter on its own merits," the bench said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said the trial court on February 13 had adjourned the plea of Tihar authorities seeking fresh date for execution of the convicts for February 17, while noticing the fact that a petition challenging the rejection of the mercy petition of Vinay Sharma is pending in apex court. The bench said Sharma plea has been dismissed today and the trial court can proceed in the matter. Mehta said that three convicts -- Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Vinay Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31) -- have exhausted their constitutional remedy with the filing of mercy petitions. He said the fourth convict Pawan Gupta (25) has till now neither filed a curative petition nor the mercy petition. Mehta said he anticipates that on February 17, when the matter will come up before the trial court, another writ petition will be filed in apex court. To this, the bench said that no one can compel anyone to avail of the remedies. Mehta said, "Article 21 (right to life) is a very valuable right but it cannot be allowed to be used as a weapon to defeat the hands of justice". The bench said that since trial court has listed the matter for February 17, it would be better that this court wait for the outcome. It listed the matter for further hearing on February 20. On February 13, the apex court had appointed senior advocate Anjana Prakash to represent one of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya case who was unrepresented after dropping his earlier lawyer. The top court had asked all the condemned prisoners to file their replies on Centre's plea. 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 top court had earlier 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 had on January 31 stayed "till further orders" execution of the four convicts on the ground that they are yet to avail of all their legal remedies. Two death warrants have been stayed so far in the case. The Delhi High Court has said that all the four convicts in the Nirbhaya case have to hanged together and not separately. 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 gang raped 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.) A desperate evacuation has been ordered after a dam failed in southern Queensland and threatened communities living downstream. The 3.5 metre hole in the Bolzan Quarry Dam was spotted by a resident on Friday afternoon and emergency repairs failed to fix the problem. Residents in 250 homes in low-lying parts of Talgai were ordered to immediately evacuate via 5000 text messages and social media posts. 'The land is really flat so the water will just go out over that land and by the time it has got a bit downstream, it will have dissipated,' Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie told the Chronicle late on Friday night. A desperate evacuation has been ordered after a dam failed in southern Queensland and threatened communities living downstream The 3.5 metre hole in the Bolzan Quarry Dam was spotted by a resident on Friday afternoon and emergency repairs failed to fix the problem 'I have confidence in the people who live there. This is their land, they know what happens and they will do the right thing and know where to go.' The mayor said an engineer will be sent to inspect the damage at first light on Saturday. Meanwhile, showers and thunderstorms are expected to break a severe heatwave that has gripped much of northern Queensland. Forecasters say sweltering conditions that have set in everywhere north of Longreach will peak on Saturday and ease from Sunday, while the rest of the state gets some much needed sunshine. Temperatures in Townsville, Ayr and Woolshed were well into the 30s on Friday. Days of downpours in the southeast corner have led to flooding that is yet to subside. 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. On Thursday, Gold Coast residents were urged to move to higher ground as a torrential downpour swept away cars and flooded roads. Pictured: Emergency crews at Talgai as residents are told to evacuate Residents in 250 homes in low-lying parts of Talgai were ordered to immediately evacuate via 5000 text messages and social media posts Pictured: The text message residents at Talgai were sent on Friday night Footage posted on social media showed ferocious rapids running down the road at Tamborine Mountain, with a wall of water inundating shops. 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. The Bureau of Meteorology says there's a medium chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms for the area over the weekend, but nothing like the deluge seen earlier in the week. It is expected to warm up, with Brisbane city tipped to hit 32C. Footage posted on social media showed ferocious rapids running down the road at Tamborine Mountain, with a wall of water inundating shops Hazardous surf that has drawn surfers and onlookers to the Gold Coast was also due to settle overnight on Friday. In Victoria, the fire-ravaged north-east of the state is forecast to be battered by severe thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon, potentially bringing flash flooding. The forecast comes after storms lashed Melbourne's outer east and south-east on Friday, leading to flash flooding, fallen trees and cutting power to thousands of people. Parts of Gippsland and the La Trobe Valley were also soaked by the storms from Friday afternoon. The greatest rainfall totals were at Thorpdale in Gippsland and Cardinia in Melbourne's southeast, which had both received 63mm by 9pm. Pictured: Bolzan Quarry Dam in southern Queensland on Saturday The SES fielded 550 requests for help by 9.30pm with 175 of them for flooding, 156 for building damage and 180 for trees that had come down. Their busiest unit was in southeastern Narre Warren, which dealt with 88 requests. The conditions caused havoc for the city's power networks, with AusNet reporting about 12,000 of its customers were without power about 4pm. That figure was down to 6000 by 8.30pm and the company hoped to have power back for all of those customers by midnight. PowerCor reported more than 9000 customers without power at 7pm, which was down to 2500 by 8.30pm. Its crews planned to work through the night to restore power to those who had lost it due to issues such as fallen trees and bark. The wet conditions may stick around until about 9am on Saturday in Melbourne but are expected to weaken as they continue moving east. In Victoria, the fire-ravaged north-east of the state is forecast to be battered by severe thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon, potentially bringing flash flooding Nonetheless, Victoria's northeast is forecast to experience severe thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon which may bring very heavy rainfall, large hail and damaging winds. A Bureau of Meteorology thunderstorm warning remained in place for parts of East Gippsland, the Mallee, Northern Country and North East districts at 9.30pm on Friday. Rain in the northeast could help temper bushfires still burning in the region. 'I think there will be some assistance - it is still hit and miss, so not a widespread rainfall event, but it will help generally,' Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michael Efron told AAP. 'That heavy rainfall actually could be a concern though in terms of flash flooding and landslides, just given the lack of education in those areas.' Analysis banner Business Insider Trump Merkel Reuters Trump's repeated threats to the United States' European allies to fall into line with US policy on Huawei are failing. The United Kingdom last month backed a deal with the Chinese telecoms company despite a furious call to prime minister Boris Johnson from the president. Now the German government is also preparing to rule out a ban on Huawei. Other European leaders are set to follow their lead and defy Trump after the president failed to follow-through on his threats to the UK. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. In recent months Trump has issued a series of threats to European allies which were designed to force them into following his administration's ban on the Chinese telecoms company Huawei. However, the threats, which included a plan to withdraw from the US intelligence-sharing relationship with the United Kingdom, appear to have failed, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreeing a deal with Huawei anyway. Trump reportedly reacted with rage to Johnson's decision and slammed down the phone on the prime minister in a call last month. However, far from fearing a similar reaction from Trump, other European countries are now moving to take a very similar position to Johnson. This week Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats backed a positions paper which ruled out an outright ban on Huawei. Christian Democrat sources told Reuters that party leaders decided against backing an outright ban on the company because: "state actors with sufficient resources can infiltrate the network of any equipment maker." The paper added that: "the use of strong cryptography and end-to-end encryption can secure confidentiality in communication and the exchange of data." Other European leaders are also set to follow the UK's lead in backing Huawei, Politico reported last month. The development has prompted former Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich to label Trump's failure to persuade allies on Huawei as "the biggest strategic defeat for the United States since the early days of World War II." Story continues "I think people have got to wake up and understand this is a huge failure of our government bureaucracies to respond to a challenge we've seen coming," he told the BBC. Trump is failing to follow-through on his threats Boris Johnson Trump Getty Germany's move towards backing Huawei comes after Trump failed to follow-through on his threats to the UK. Trump and his allies had warned the UK that the future of its intelligence-sharing relationship with the US would be at risk if it took the "momentous decision" to allow the Chinese telecoms company a role in the UK's communications infrastructure. A delegation of US government officials warned their counterparts in advance of Johnson's decision that "Donald Trump is watching closely." However, speaking at an event in London after Johnson backed Huawei, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the so-called Five Eyes relationship would remain, despite Johnson's decision to do a deal with Huawei. "That relationship is deep, it is strong, it will remain," he said, speaking alongside UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. Pompeo said that while Chinese Communist Party remained "the central threat of our time," and the deal with the UK risked handing them a "front door" to Western communications, he said that the US would find a way to make the relationship work. "I am very confident that our two nations will find a way to work together to resolve this difference," Pompeo told the event, hosted by the UK think-tank Policy Exchange. Read the original article on Business Insider 14.02.2020 LISTEN A young startup business leader Justice Offei Jnr has been appointed the Country Director at GEM in Ghana. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) is owned by the Global Entrepreneurial Research Association (GERA), headquartered in the UK. Initiated in 1997 as a partnership between London Business School and Babson College. The GEM research project is an annual assessment of the national level of entrepreneurial activity. GEM is the largest ongoing study of entrepreneurial dynamics in the world with a total estimated global budget of nearly USD $8 million. Countries are able to compare their levels with other economies around the world and the recommended policies to increase effective business start-ups through this project because of its harmonized assessment of the level of the national entrepreneurial activities. Justice Offei Jnr made the headlines in 2018 as the first young Ghanaian entrepreneur to initiate the Advocacy for the Ghana Startup Act with the Africa Entrepreneur Dialogue (AFED). Justice Offei Jr was appointed by GEM in November 2019 as the Country Director with a tough assignment of setting up the GEM in Ghana on behalf of GEM Global. GEM has engaged closely with major international institutions such as the World Bank, World Economic Forum, United Nations and the European Commission, collaborating on reports, presenting at events and providing expert advice. In the USA, the GEM report is regularly consulted by White House officials, and the team has provided testimony to the United States House of Representatives Committee on Small Business. As of March 2019, there are 71 National Teams in the GEM consortium. Justice has made intrepid steps with his team to unlock Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as the academic lead institution for GEM Ghana, promising more potential partnership after his appointment. Justice is quoted as saying Ghana and most African countries lack consistent and reliable national data source on entrepreneurship and that said GEM Data will be a very good tool of reference for policymakers, educators, entrepreneurs, academic institutions and relating stakeholders He has acknowledged GEM Ghana will need more support from corporate Ghana especially sponsoring organizations to support their annual budget. ---citinewsroom WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Confucius Institute U.S. Center announced today a program to offer translation services and language resources free of charge to medical facilities across the United States. This endeavor seeks to address the need of those in the medical community to understand potential cultural differences in response to the growing demand for global collaboration in addressing the spread of the coronavirus. "As a community of Chinese language learners, educators, and professionals, the coronavirus outbreak hits close to home," said Gao Qing, Executive Director of the Confucius Institute U.S. Center. "With bilingual expertise and a global educational network, including a number of medical schools around the world, we recognize we are in a unique position to offer support," he said. At a recent press conference in Washington, DC, Anne Schuchat, Principal Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control, addressed the role organizations like Confucius Institutes can play during this global health crisis. "The communication aspects of an emerging infection are really critical to both understand concerns and communicate effectively to the different groups." She pointed out that understanding the global communication challenges and cultural differences of an emerging infection is critical. "Obviously," she said, "this outbreak is occurring in the context of not just 24/7 news but of social media, on a level probably many of us couldn't imagine when we were dealing with SARS in 2003." Schuchat emphasized that getting accurate information through trusted channels is important to affected individuals and groups as well as communities who risk marginalization due to the spread of misinformation. "We know that in many outbreaks, different populations become stigmatized, and that's a thing we're already worried about here in the U.S. and around the world--somebody coming back from this community or that community may be treated differently when they try to reenter their school or workplace, and businesses in a certain neighborhood might be boycotted. So, I think the language and cultural competency of an organization like yours can be an asset to this type of response." The Confucius Institute U.S. Center is a nonprofit organization that supports the teaching of Chinese language and culture in the United States and fosters educational exchanges between China and the United States. Media Contact: Erik Eging, [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Confucius Institute U.S. Center Related Links https://www.ciuscenter.org Beijing: China's leaders expanded a mass roundup of people possibly sickened with the coronavirus on Thursday, widening their dragnet well beyond the epicentre of the outbreak to at least two more cities in what the government has called a "wartime" campaign to stamp out the epidemic. A man rides a motorcycle in an empty business street in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. Credit:Getty But the campaign, first announced last week in the city of Wuhan, already has been marred by chaotic conditions that have isolated vulnerable patients without adequate care and, in some cases, left them alone to die. The expansion of the decree to "round up everyone who should be rounded up" in the Wuhan area of central China has deepened the nation's anxiety. In their zeal to execute the edict, officials in Wuhan, a metropolis of 11 million, have haphazardly seized patients who have not yet tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus, in some cases herding them onto buses with no protective measures where they risked infection from others, their relatives said. The leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has tendered an apology for threatening to go after the children of the Abia State police commissioner, Ene Okon, should there be any killings at the funeral of his parents on Friday. Nnamdi Kanu made the threat while responding to the warning of CP Ene Okon that if IPOB members were seen anywhere around the burial venue, the police would scatter the funeral. In a statement on his Twitter page, Nnamdi Kanu apologised and withdrew his threat against the children of the Abia commissioner. The IPOB leader stated that the anger of the security siege in his community coupled with the outburst of the Abia CP against the burial made him issue the threat. Kanu noted despite the fact he is in the mourning period, he went too far, stressing that children should always be left out. This Friday, mourners in Biafra will come together to attend the funeral for my beloved parents, Eze Israel Okwu Kanu and Ugoeze Sally Nmenme Kanu. During this time of mourning, the Indigenous People of Biafra are living in a constant state of fear. The Abia State Commissioner of Police is threatening to disrupt the funeral and there continues to be a large military presence in the area, which has a history of inflicting violence against the IPOB. This has caused a range of emotions for me. I have now gone from an extreme sense of sadness after losing both of my parents, to an extreme sense of anger knowing that the mourners are in grave danger. In this time of immense grieving and anger, I made threats against the children of the Police Commissioner and other Nigerian officials on my radio programmme, Radio Biafra. This was wrong and I sincerely apologize. Children should always be off-limits. It was my intention to bring global awareness to the threats and imminent danger the Government has placed on my family and community in hopes that shining a global spotlight on the actions of the Government will prevent them from inciting violence against my people. In doing so, I went too far. It is my great hope that the Indigenous People of Biafra can mourn in peace on Friday and can live in peace every single day forward. KanyiDaily had reported that Nnamdi Kanus father, Eze Okwu Kanu, who is the traditional ruler of Afara Ukwu Umuahia community in Abia State, and his wife, Ugoeze Sally Kanu, will be buried on February 14, 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday led the nation in paying tribute to the 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel killed in a terror attack in Pulwama a year ago and said India will never forget their martyrdom. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, ministers Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani and Hardeep Puri as well as Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal were among those who remembered those killed when a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel was attacked on February 14 last year. Modi said the slain security personnel were "exceptional individuals" who devoted their lives to serving and protecting the nation. "Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom," Modi tweeted. A year ago, Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Adeel Ahmed Dar, driving an explosive-laden car, blew himself next to a convoy of security vehicles on the Jammu-Srinagar highway at Lethpora in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, killing 40 Central Reserve Police Force troopers. A memorial will be inaugurated at the Lethpora camp on Friday, a top official said. The names of all the 40 personnel along with their pictures will be part of the memorial along with the CRPF motto Seva and Nishtha' (Service and Loyalty). Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Mohammed Salim demanded justice and asked how 80 kg of RDX had crossed the international border. "We don't need a memorial to remind us of our incompetence. The only thing we need to know is how 80kg of RDX got past the international borders to the 'most militarised zone on earth' & exploded in Pulwama. Justice for Pulwama Attack needs to be done," Salim said on Twitter. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the country was united in its fight against terrorism. "Remembering the fallen @crpfindia personnel who were martyred during the dastardly attack in Pulwama(J&K) on this day in 2019. India will never forget their sacrifice. Entire nation stands united against terrorism and we are committed to continue our fight against this menace," he said. Union minister Smriti Irani, said she salutes the "brave sons of mother India". "On the first anniversary of the dastardly Pulwama terror attack, I join the nation in paying homage to the sacrifice of our soldiers," said her colleague Hardeep Puri. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal called the personnel martyrs and offered them his "heartfelt homage". Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda also hailed the sacrifice of the CRPF personnel. "India will always remember their martyrdom. We should all unite to completely end terrorism from its very roots," he said on Twitter. "Serving in the military changes you. The shades and degrees of change vary for everyone, but no one is ever the same as... China's Premier Li Keqiang (L) gestures during a visit to a construction site of a new hospital being built to treat patients of a deadly virus outbreak in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province, Jan. 27, 2020. As China's government battles the coronavirus and urges businesses to get back to work, it is setting a tough task for energy markets by calling for contingency plans in case production resumes with full force. The spread of the outbreak during the Lunar New Year holiday caught China's economic planners by surprise, leaving them to deal with energy supply disruptions at a time when the epidemic was taking hold. At a meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Feb. 6, the leading group of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee appointed to cope with the crisis called for both energy production and precautions to prevent infections among workers. The government's focus on energy also reflected two separate concerns. In the short term, local energy supplies to deal with the crisis have been running low due to transport curbs and fear of contagion, while longer term problems with supplies could hamper an economic recovery. "Contingency plans will be made to ensure the supply of coal, electricity, oil and gas in case the intensive resumption of production should lead to their short supply in some regions or periods of time or the surge of prices," the group said in a statement reported by the official English-language China Daily. At the same time, companies were "encouraged to find ways to decrease the population density in workplaces and adopt shift work operation to ensure full production," the statement said. The leading group's directive followed similar guidance from the National Energy Administration (NEA), calling for stepped up energy supplies to homes, hospitals and stricken regions. "Coal industry officials at the various production centers have been urged to strictly supervise the production process and ensure that there are no coronavirus outbreaks at mines under their jurisdiction," the NEA said. "Local coal industry departments should guarantee stable supplies through strengthened internal management while protecting workers' health," the agency was quoted as saying. But it was unclear how the coal companies could increase production without exposing miners to additional risks. More complications have emerged as the government tries to ensure adequate energy flows to stricken areas where economic activity has stalled while longer-term plans for a recovery face the question of when it will come. "I assume they are concerned that there might be short-term shortages of coal, if the economy recovers quickly as the virus presumably recedes," said Mikkal Herberg, energy security research director for the Seattle-based National Bureau of Asian Research. "This is a profound challenge for the regime of President Xi Jinping, so I assume they would be extremely aggressive in ensuring supplies ramp back up in time," Herberg said. Clouded by uncertainty The international effects of the sudden disruptions from the COVID-19 virus in the world's leading energy consumer could also last for some time. All estimates of the economic impact of the epidemic are clouded by uncertainty. "The working assumption in China seems to be, at the time of writing, that the virus will peak in mid-February and will be brought under control in March, allowing activity to return to normal in April," the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (OIES) said in a report released this week. Price distortions in energy markets have been dramatic, further complicating the outlook for China's emergency and longer-term plans. The country's power producers have been whipsawed by conflicting signals during the epidemic. The early effect of the crisis was a slump in demand. "Electricity demand, already weakening through 2019, is on the ropes," said an analysis by the international consultancy Wood Mackenzie last week. While factories across China closed as a result of the holidays and the infections, the effect on demand in virus-hit Hubei province was particularly severe. "By the end of January, peak power load in Hubei province dropped to 22.5 gigawatts, some 21 percent lower than planned," said Wood Mackenzie. But power shortages became apparent by Feb. 4, when the official Xinhua news agency reported that the reservoir of the Three Gorges Dam had increased outflows to compensate for reduced coal inventories and power generation in Hubei. The NEA also designated the industrial northeast region and the city cluster of Beijing, Tianjin and Tangshan as priority areas for more coal and power supplies, suggesting that shortages were widespread. Officials were instructed to ensure smooth traffic flow between regions by road and rail. This week, the Ministry of Transport ordered local authorities not to block expressways, highways or rural roads because of contagion fears. But on Wednesday, Xinhua reported that two township-level CPC chiefs in Hubei were sacked for failing to enforce strict traffic controls. In addition to such contradictory signs within China, major coal exporters are likely to face difficulties in meeting demand due to shipping backups, distribution hurdles and quarantine restrictions, a Reuters commentary said. Before the outbreak, the country appeared to be well stocked with coal, considering that the economic growth rate dropped to 6.1 percent in 2019, the slowest pace in 29 years. China's coal production rose 4.2 percent last year to 3.75 billion metric tons, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported. Coal imports of 300 million tons climbed 6.3 percent, according to Xinhua, while the growth of power consumption dropped to 4.5 percent from 8.5 percent a year before. A Chinese worker welds a liquefied natural gas tank at a factory in Nantong, eastern China's Jiangsu province, March 14, 2019. Credit: AFP Impacts on oil and gas The epidemic has also played havoc with the international oil market. At the start of this week, world oil prices fell more than 20 percent from their recent peak in January to a 13-month low as Chinese demand plunged, Reuters said. On Feb. 2, Bloomberg News estimated that China's oil demand had dropped by 3 million barrels per day (bpd), calling it "the largest demand shock the oil market has suffered since the global financial crisis of 2008 to 2009." The estimate may represent the worst case for oil markets as a result of the crisis. In its report this week, the OIES said the impact on China's oil demand could reach 3 million to 4 million bpd in early February, leading to a fall of at least 500,000 bpd in the first quarter from a year earlier. It added that China's refiners are set to cut production runs by as much as 2 million to 3 million bpd in February and March. China's demand for natural gas is also expected to plummet. In January, even before the epidemic was taken into account, state-owned China National Oil Corp. (CNPC) projected that growth in 2020 would set the slowest pace in four years. Since then, predictions particularly for liquefied natural gas (LNG) have turned decidedly dismal. On Feb. 6, The Wall Street Journal reported that LNG prices for the Asian spot market had fallen to an all-time low of U.S. $3 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) from well above $5 per mmBtu in mid-January. Earlier this month, Chinese LNG buyers contacted by Reuters said they were considering whether to delay incoming LNG cargoes or cancel them altogether by declaring force majeure, an internationally recognized exemption from contract commitments in case of uncontrollable events. As China's demand weakens, foreign gas producers have been following the economic effects of the epidemic anxiously. "The temporary cancellation of contracts would create new headaches for LNG suppliers, who are already grappling with record low prices in Asia following a mild winter and growing output from projects in the U.S. and Australia," the Financial Times said. That report has sparked concern in Russia after it invested U.S. $55 billion (383 billion yuan) in its 3,000- kilometer (1,864-mile) Power of Siberia pipeline, which began pumping gas into China less than two months ago. On Feb. 5, Interfax quoted an unidentified gas industry source as saying that China had not asked Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom to alter its schedule of pipeline deliveries. There had been "no such initiatives regarding long-term pipeline contracts as of today," the source said. Bioengineers from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, have developed a prototype patch that does the same job as crucial aspects of heart tissue. Their patch withstands the mechanical demands and mimics the electrical signalling properties that allow our hearts to pump blood rhythmically round our bodies. Their work essentially takes us one step closer to a functional design that could mend a broken heart. One in six men and one in seven women in the EU will suffer a heart attack at some point in their lives. Worldwide, heart disease kills more women and men - regardless of race, than any other disease. Cardiac patches lined with heart cells can be applied surgically to restore heart tissue in patients who have had damaged tissue removed after a heart attack and to repair congenital heart defects in infants and children. Ultimately, though, the goal is to create cell-free patches that can restore the synchronous beating of the heart cells, without impairing the heart muscle movement. The bioengineers report their work, which takes us one step closer to such a reality, in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. Michael Monaghan, ussher assistant professor in biomedical engineering at Trinity, and senior author on the paper, said: Despite some advances in the field, heart disease still places a huge burden on our healthcare systems and the life quality of patients worldwide. It affects all of us either directly or indirectly through family and friends. As a result, researchers are continuously looking to develop new treatments which can include stem cell treatments, biomaterial gel injections and assistive devices. Ours is one of few studies that looks at a traditional material, and through effective design allows us to mimic the direction-dependent mechanical movement of the heart, which can be sustained repeatably. This was achieved through a novel method called 'melt electrowriting' and through close collaboration with the suppliers located nationally we were able to customise the process to fit our design needs." This work was performed in the Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, based in the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute in collaboration with Spraybase, a subsidiary of Avectas Ltd. It was funded by Enterprise Ireland through the Innovation Partnership Program (IPP). Dr Gillian Hendy, director of Spraybase is a co-author on the paper. Dr Hendy commended the team at Trinity on the work completed and advancements made on the Spraybase Melt Electrowriting (MEW) System. The success achieved by the team highlights the potential applications of this novel technology in the cardiac field and succinctly captures the benefits of industry and academic collaboration, through platforms such as the IPP. Engineering replacement materials for heart tissue is challenging since it is an organ that is constantly moving and contracting. The mechanical demands of heart muscle (myocardium) cannot be met using polyester-based thermoplastic polymers, which are predominantly the approved options for biomedical applications. However, the functionality of thermoplastic polymers could be leveraged by its structural geometry. The bioengineers then set about making a patch that could control the expansion of a material in multiple directions and tune this using an engineering design approach. The patches were manufactured via melt electrowriting - a core technology of Spraybase - which is reproducible, accurate, and scalable. The patches were also coated with the electroconductive polymer polypyrrole to provide electrical conductivity while maintaining cell compatibility. The patch withstood repeated stretching, which is a dominant concern for cardiac biomaterials, and showed good elasticity, to accurately mimic that key property of heart muscle. Professor Monaghan added: Essentially, our material addresses a lot of requirements. The bulk material is currently approved for medical device use, the design accommodates the movement of the pumping heart, and has been functionalized to accommodate signaling between isolated contractile tissues. This study currently reports the development of our method and design, but we are now looking forward to furthering the next generation of designs and materials with the eventual aim of applying this patch as a therapy for a heart attack." Dr. Dinorath Olvera, Trinity, first author on the paper, added: Our electroconductive patches support electrical conduction between biological tissue in an ex vivo model. These results therefore represent a significant step towards generating a bioengineered patch capable of recapitulating aspects of heart tissue - namely its mechanical movement and electrical signaling." West Australian universities are facing significant financial risk as international fee-paying students are impacted by an extended travel ban designed to control the spread of coronavirus, an education union president warns. It was announced on Thursday that foreign nationals who had recently been in mainland China would not be able to enter Australia for a further week from Saturday. WA universities are putting measures in place to prepare for a shortfall in international students able to start semester one due to the travel ban. Credit:Getty Even if affected students returned to Perth before semester one started, they would be unable to attend universities until they have self-isolated for 14 days, as required by the federal government. Ahead of the travel ban extension, National Tertiary Education Union president Alison Barnes warned the states five universities that coronavirus represented not only a new public health challenge but also posed a financial risk to the tertiary education sector. Google will be compelled to hand over data to a Melbourne dentist to help identify the person behind a negative online review of his business, which allegedly damaged his practice and health, after a Federal Court ruling. Matthew Kabbabe wants to identify the anonymous reviewer, who posted under the pseudonym "CBsm 23", to pursue them for defamation. Google has been asked to hand over identifying information about the anonymous reviewer. Credit:AFP In the online review, posted a few months ago, CBsm 23 claimed a procedure was not "done properly" at Dr Kabbabe's Northcote dental clinic and was a "complete waste of time". The reviewer also warned other patients to "STAY AWAY", accusing the dentist of having "never done this before" and making the procedure "extremely awkward and uncomfortable". live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak which has claimed over 1,300 lives in little over a month has disrupted output of Indian automotive companies, however, there has been no shutdown in production yet. But, Motherson Sumi and Bharat Forge, Indias biggest auto parts suppliers with direct and indirect exposure to China, cautioned that if production in China does not restart in the near future, it will impact their operations. The segment has been able to hang on as global demand for new vehicles has slowed down the pace of parts procurement - most of which come from China. Also, several automakers and their Level 1 suppliers were carrying multi-week inventory in anticipation of the shutdown of factories due to the Chinese New Year celebrations. "We have spoken to our customers and everybody in the US and Europe have four to six weeks of inventory. So as long as the plants start producing again within four to six weeks there should not be a major impact on the global automotive production," Amit Kalyani, Deputy Managing Director of Bharat Forge said. Kalyani was speaking to analysts post the announcement of the company's December quarter (Q3) results. 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 Motherson Sumi, the Delhi-based auto parts heavyweight, on the other hand, has 14 subsidiary companies controlling multiple factories in China as of the previous financial year. So far none of its factories has shuttered due to the virus outbreak, senior executives of the company informed. "Some suppliers have issued force majeure letters in North America and in some other regions, but that was because they didn't know if their plants will really open on February 10," Pankaj K Mital, Motherson Sumi Systems, COO & Whole-Time Director said. "Some plants in China have opened and are being monitored by the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) because they have a few Tier 2 and 3 supply bases, and raw materials or electronic parts coming in overall. So yes, they have given notices to the OEMs. Motherson has not got any," Mital added. The joint venture between Tata Motors' luxury brand Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Chery Automobiles, which runs an assembly plant in China has decided to delay re-opening it after it was shut for New Year celebrations. But not before warning that the epidemic will disrupt global supply chains. "Close to 30 percent of the global supply chain for manufactured goods comes out of China and about 20 percent of manufactured goods are purchased by China. A 30-45 day stop makes quite a big impact," Kalyani noted. Home-grown utility vehicle specialist Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has also warned about the need for appealing to the Supreme Court (SC) seeking an extension of the deadline to exhaust the soon-to-be outdated Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) stock if production is not restored in China at the earliest. M&M imports a critical component - the electronic control unit (ECU) from China. If ECU supplies remain disrupted M&M will be saddled with an unliquidated inventory of 3,000 BS-IV vehicles ahead of the April 1 deadline for implementation of new BS-VI norms. Technavio has been monitoring the automotive LED lighting market and it is poised to grow by USD 4.73 billion during 2019-2023, progressing at a CAGR of 10% 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/20200214005196/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled global automotive LED lighting market 2019-2023 (Graphic: Business Wire) Use of LEDs in automotive intelligence lighting system applications has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, adoption of laser lighting in automobiles might hamper market growth. Request a free sample report Automotive LED Lighting Market 2019-2023: Segmentation Automotive LED Lighting Market is segmented as below: Application Exterior Lighting Interior Lighting Vehicle type Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles 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=IRTNTR32155 Automotive LED Lighting 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 automotive LED lighting market report covers the following areas: Automotive LED Lighting Market Size Automotive LED Lighting Market Trends Automotive LED Lighting Market Industry Analysis This study identifies growing popularity of adaptive lighting systems as one of the prime reasons driving the automotive LED lighting market growth during the next few years. Automotive LED Lighting Market 2019-2023: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the automotive LED lighting market, including some of the vendors such as Hella GmbH Co. KGaA, Hyundai Mobis Co. Ltd., KOITO Manufacturing Co. Ltd., LG Electronics Inc., Magna International Inc., Magneti Marelli SpA, OSRAM GmbH, Stanley Electric Co. Ltd., Valeo SA and Varroc Group. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the automotive LED lighting 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 Automotive LED Lighting Market 2019-2023: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2019-2023 Detailed information on factors that will assist automotive LED lighting market growth during the next five years Estimation of the automotive LED lighting market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the automotive LED lighting market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of automotive LED lighting 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/20200214005196/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ (Bloomberg Opinion) -- Latin Americas war on corruption is something to celebrate. In the last few years, 11 presidents have either been driven from office or forced to answer in courts of law for crooked dealings. In a virtuous feedback loop, citizen outrage over official transgressors has emboldened the call for integrity in government. For a region that has winked at scoundrels, this is remarkable. So, too, is the shift in the public conversation, which suddenly is all about transparency, due diligence, open government and corporate accountability. Yet that progress has also brought something of a whiplash. Brazilian lawmakers on February 5 reinstated a shady colleague whose mandate had been suspended last year by the Supreme Court. Perus ethically challenged congress defied President Martin Vizcarra by stonewalling his anti-corruption reforms and then attempted to stack the Constitutional Tribunal with friendly judges. Vizcarra responded by dissolving congress. Colombians twice came up short on anti-corruption reform, first in a landmark 2018 referendum that failed to garner enough votes, and again last September when congress voted down the same measures. Transparency International has found that despite the civic revolt for clean government, most Latin Americans believe that corruption remains unabated. The pushback is most blatant in Central America, where a barnacled elite in politics and business has defied investigators and courts. Guatemalas government shut down its pioneering independent team of investigators, the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), last September. Three months later, Honduras declined to renew the mandate for the analogous Mission to Support the Fight Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH). The collapse of both missions raises tough questions for champions of clean government: How to pursue criminal networks in societies where public sentiment is willing but institutions are weak? And what happens when those least interested in the letter of the law sit in the highest offices? Story continues Both concerns had earlier driven Honduras and Guatemala to launch their signature anti-impunity initiatives, albeit a decade apart. CICIG dates to 2006, when the Guatemalan government tasked the United Nations to create an independent commission to take down criminal gangs and shadow security groups implicated in human rights violations during the drawn-out civil war. As peace and democracy evolved, the panel shifted its focus to corrupt networks operating within the state. Its findings led to the purge of hundreds of crooked cops and the conviction of scores of high-profile officials. The commission worked closely with the chronically underfunded Guatemalan prosecutors to expose a customs fraud network and bring down the vice president and eventually President Otto Perez Molina. Inspired by Guatemalas investigators, Honduras announced its own investigative panel in 2016 to tackle political corruption. Although MACCIH operated with less clout and autonomy than CICIG, and under the auspices of the more congenial Organization of American States, its investigators went on to expose entrenched corruption schemes, including an embezzlement ring at the heart of the Honduran congress although lawmakers maneuvered to smother the scandal by taking over the investigation. Investigators in Honduras and Guatemala hit a wall when their corruption probes reached the presidential palaces. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales escalated his war with CICIG after the panel helped national prosecutors bring charges of fraud against Moraless brother and son, and later accused Morales himself of illegal campaign financing. The backlash in Honduras came shortly after President Juan Orlando Hernandez saw dozens of his associates and cabinet officials fall under the scrutiny of MACCIH, and his own brother accused (and later convicted) in the U.S. for being a large-scale drug trafficker. Speculation is rife over why, despite massive popular support, the maverick crime-busters came up short. One theory, popular in high office, is that the impunity sleuths succumbed to and even welcomed mission creep. In their defense, CICIGs investigators noted that the civil war thugs it originally targeted had reinvented themselves in peacetime as political grifters, shielded by sitting authorities. Another complaint had it that prosecutors overreached, essentially becoming avengers. While Guatemalas imported prosecutors were not empowered to prosecute cases or make arrests, they enjoyed operational independence and tremendous discretion to launch investigations and collect evidence. Their accountability to international donors and sponsors CICIG to the United Nations and MACCIH to the Organization of American States rather than national authority gave offended parties an excuse to invoke that old Latin American chestnut, the threat to national sovereignty. Like many lousy explanations, each of these arguments also has some truth to it. CICIG arguably made unnecessary enemies by overplaying its hand. It also may have failed at political branding by neglecting to convert popular applause into strategic alliances to continue its mission. Justice by parachute is risky business as risky as it is necessary in countries where the rule of law is the law of those who rule. Now that Honduras and Guatemala have cashiered their imported sheriffs, the legacy of these unfinished anti-impunity missions is unclear. One hopeful development is that the rot at the top appears to have strengthened resolve down below. The public is now fully aware of the mechanisms of illegal campaign finance, corruption involving nongovernment actors, and how contracts can be thrown and subverted, said American University professor Charles Call, who has studied CICIGs rise and fall. Despite their ignominious dismissal, CICIG and MACCIH left a wider footprint, inspiring El Salavadoran President Nayib Bukele and Ecuadors Lenin Moreno to create their own similar panels. Less encouragingly, crooked operators may now feel emboldened. After the Constitutional Court disqualified the candidacy of the graft-busting former attorney general Thelma Adana, Guatemalas presidential runoff last year came down to a contest between two candidates clouded by corruption scandals. It shows how difficult it is to create the rule of law, in places penetrated by illicit networks and deep corruption in the state, Call added. Theres real concern that ongoing cases will be rolled back and that a backlash will follow. It could be a heyday for corruption in the next couple of years. Perhaps its no coincidence that as perceptions of corruption have risen, faith in Latin American democracy has waned. That backsliding is bad for more than just the two troubled Central American nations. While Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has spun fighting corruption into a policy headline, he also has downgraded oversight, overlooked graft in high office and attacked the media. Nor did Bukele do his bold, anti-graft reform agenda any favors by dispatching the armed forces into the chambers of El Salvadors contrarian congress. Menacing democracy is no way to root out bad actors at the top. Its hardly news that criminal violence and blighted economies drain wealth and stunt opportunities at home. Corruptions toll may be less obvious, yet it too fuels the exodus by stunting development, bilking public coffers and forcing people to deal with crooked cops, impartial justice or bureaucrats on the take. Central America forfeits up to $13 billion a year to graft and tax evasion. Not long ago, Washington understood the connection, and committed funds, advisers and diplomatic backing to Central America. You need to build institutions to fortify governments, including a strong judiciary to go after corruption, said Giancarlo Morelli, who watches Central America for the Economist Intelligence Unit. The key ally in this effort has always been the international community, especially the United States until now. Under Trump, the U.S.s southern gaze has drifted from building institutions to raising walls and concertina wire. That shift has not been lost on Honduras and Guatemala, whose governments won Washingtons blessings for endorsing a harder line on migration and drugs, even as they sabotaged the international graft-busters. (It didnt hurt that Guatemala became the first nation to follow Trump in switching its Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.) All that good will to gringos wont curb the bandits in power anymore than it will deter those heading north to seek haven from their criminal web. In this way, the collapse of the integrity agenda in Central America is also a U.S. scourge in the making. To contact the author of this story: Mac Margolis at mmargolis14@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Gibney at avalbrun@bloomberg.net This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners. Mac Margolis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Latin and South America. He was a reporter for Newsweek and is the author of The Last New World: The Conquest of the Amazon Frontier. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. New Delhi: CISF personnel recover 40,000 Saudi Riyal from the false cavity of a passenger's backpack and another 70,000 Saudi Riyal recovered from his check-in luggage at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Feb 13, 2020. (Photo: IANS Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: 40,000 Saudi Riyal worth 20.90 lakh Indian Rupees were recovered from the false cavity of a passenger's backpack by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) surveillance and intelligence staff at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airpo Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: 40,000 Saudi Riyal worth 20.90 lakh Indian Rupees were recovered from the false cavity of a passenger's backpack by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) surveillance and intelligence staff at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airpo Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: 40,000 Saudi Riyal worth 20.90 lakh Indian Rupees were recovered from the false cavity of a passenger's backpack by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) surveillance and intelligence staff at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airpo Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in the early hours of Friday seized foreign currency worth Rs 21 lakh at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in the capital, an officer said here. According to a CISF officer, after observing a passenger moving around suspiciously in the check-in area of the airport Terminal-3, he was intercepted and, on inquiry, revealed his identify as an Indian national, Afzal Ahmad, bound for Dubai by an Air India flight. During the pre-embarkation security check through the X-ray machine in Security Hold Area (SHA), the CISF personnel noticed something suspicious inside the passenger's backpack, the physical checking of which revealed 40,000 Saudi Riyal concealed under the false back of the backpack. The passenger's checked-in baggage was also brought back for thorough checking which revealed another 70,000 Saudia Riyal concealed under the false bottom of his suitcase. Ahmad could not produce any valid document to account for the cash, the officer said. The approximate exchange value of the recovered 1,10,000 Saudi Riyal is Rs 20.90 lakh. The passenger, along with the recovered currency, was later handed over to the IGIA Customs officials for further action in the matter, the officer added. Boris Johnson, like Trump, is a phony populist. His political stepping stone to the position of PM was Brexit. He is a British blue blood raised au pair in the bucolic English countryside. Johnson identifies as a conservative but holds mandatory liberal social beliefs, including thesacred touchstone, LGBT rights (above and beyond the natural rights every human on the planet is born with). Boris Johnson: "Today, we announce a new programme to purge online harms form the internet and to invest massively in youth clubs." #QueensSpeech LBC (@LBC) October 14, 2019 Enacting a statutory duty of care to protect children from online harms must be Boris Johnsons "utmost priority, says the NSPCC. Reporting by Charles Hymas for the telegraph. #staysafeonline #privacy #data #nspcc #parentsecure #onlinesafety ParentSecure (@SecureParent) October 8, 2019 The political class in the United Kingdom is serious about fully eliminating natural rights. The British state plans to squash the right of the British people to speak their minds, an effort headed up by a woman who has not held a real job her entire life. Dame Melanie Dawes is a career civil servant so valuable to the state she was awarded the Honorable Order of the Bath, a prize lorded over by the Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. She was recently appointed boss at the UK telecoms regulator Ofcom and will preside over the organizations Online Harms legislation designed to strip not only Brits of the right to disagree with the state but billions of people abroad as the law will punish social media giants for allowing the politically and socially incorrect to post online. The control freaks in Parliament are slavering in anticipation over the effort to make sure Britsor anyone else on social mediatow the line. This interim report on the Online Harms white paper is a good start but we need to get to the full response and the draft Bill yet. Government also promised pre-legislative scrutiny last year. Will this still happen? https://t.co/R9U4wDIVm6 Darren Jones MP (@darrenpjones) February 12, 2020 Mark Zuckerberg and the other social media billionaires realize allowing free speech on their platforms will result in the state stealing their moneyor even throwing them in prisonand they will shut down any and all accounts not following Ofcoms new rules. Oomph. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, et al social media bosses will be held personally liable for online harms and could be prosecuted if they breach their duty of care says https://t.co/LPARUeAjnp Jason Kint (@jason_kint) February 6, 2020 Naturally, this effort to shut down political opposition is masquerading as a noble effort to protect the children. The BBC, a long-standing propaganda conduit established by Royal Charter, reported on Wednesday: Ofcom will have the power to make tech firms responsible for protecting people from harmful content such as violence, terrorism, cyber-bullying and child abuseand platforms will need to ensure that content is removed quickly. Once upon a time, it was the responsibility of parents to shield and protect their children from harmful content, now that responsibility has been taken up by the state and a legion of bureaucrats, dames, sirs, baronesses, lords, and associated honorable control freaks and sociopaths in the upper echelon of the British government. The connected effort to silence the plebs and commoners is marching under a banner calling for protecting the children (state sociopaths love this memeonly criminals oppose protecting the children). Julian Knight, chair elect of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee which scrutinises social media companies, called for a muscular approach to regulation. That means more than a hefty fineit means having the clout to disrupt the activities of businesses that fail to comply, and ultimately, the threat of a prison sentence for breaking the law, he said. In a statement, Facebook said it had long called for new regulation, and said it was looking forward to carrying on the discussion with the government and wider industry. Ah, yes, the muscular approach, the same approach used to punish Julian Assange for the crime of exposing the murderous character of the USG. He is being tortured and systematically reprogrammed in the UKs Belmarsh prison. Other states are in the process of sanitizing the internet, making sure fact-checking the stream of lies and misinformation put out by various ministries of truth will no longer be tolerated. Germany introduced the NetzDG Law in 2018, which states that social media platforms with more than two million registered German users have to review and remove illegal content within 24 hours of being posted or face fines of up to 50m (42m). Australia passed the Sharing of Abhorrent Violent Material Act in April 2019, introducing criminal penalties for social media companies, possible jail sentences for tech executives for up to three years and financial penalties worth up to 10% of a companys global turnover. China blocks many western tech giants including Twitter, Google and Facebook, and the state monitors Chinese social apps for politically sensitive content. Indeed, Chinathe largest and most successful authoritarian state in the worldis the model for not only the end of open and free internet but for the establishment of a police and surveillance state as well. David Rockefeller loved Maos approach to controlling the people. Yesterday the Committee's Chair-elect @GregClarkMP welcomed the Governments decision to appoint Ofcom to regulate social media companies on online harms a measure the last Committee recommended as part of it's 2019 Report on the Impact of social media on young peoples health. pic.twitter.com/ltqXDMSDB6 Science and Technology Committee (@CommonsSTC) February 14, 2020 There is no more serious risk to young peoples health than the state itselfits wars, its rigged financial and political structures, and myriad other serious social and environmental issues created and exacerbated by self-serving sociopaths who claim to be civil servants rather than self-seeking water carriers for a parasitical and violent state. SACRAMENTO California law enforcement agencies may not be doing enough to protect the data they collect through license plate-tracking technology that police throughout the state use. State Auditor Elaine Howle released a review Thursday of the Marin County Sheriffs Office and three other law enforcement agencies that concluded they had risked individuals privacy by providing indiscriminate access to their collections of millions of images of license plates and not properly ensuring the security of the databases. The audit examined the policies of the Fresno and Los Angeles police departments and the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office, in addition to the Marin sheriff, and found they fell short of state privacy requirements. The report also raised the possibility that the problems are widespread. The auditors office surveyed nearly 400 police and sheriffs departments across California and determined that almost 70% use or plan to use a license plate-tracking system. We are concerned that the policy deficiencies we found are not limited to the agencies we reviewed, and thus law enforcement agencies of all types may benefit from guidance to improve their policies, the audit said. State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, who requested the audit, said he planned to introduce legislation that would incorporate its recommendations about limiting how long agencies can hold on to license plate data and with whom they can share it. He said the report was horrifying because it showed that law enforcement is engaging in mass surveillance without justification and is indifferent to how the system is ripe for abuse. If law enforcement is going to use this technology, it needs to be extremely focused and extremely conscious of personal privacy, Wiener said. The systems, known as automatic license plate readers, use cameras mounted on fixed objects and police cars to take pictures of license plates. Software extracts the plate numbers from those images and alerts officers when it identifies a match on a stored list of vehicles of interest, including stolen cars and those associated with wanted criminals and missing persons. Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union have raised objections that these systems allow law enforcement to track peoples movement in detail, which could inhibit free speech and association. Media reports have also identified instances when officers misused the data to monitor ex-spouses and neighbors. A 2015 state law required law enforcement agencies to adopt privacy policies for license plate tracking, describing who can use the data, how long they keep the information and how they protect and monitor their systems. But the audit determined that the Marin and Sacramento counties sheriffs offices and the Fresno police did not clearly specify who had access to their systems and how to destroy data. The Los Angeles Police Department had no policy at all. Three of the departments, including the Marin sheriff, also had data-sharing agreements with hundreds of other law enforcement organizations across the country. The auditor found no evidence that they always ensured those organizations were public agencies that had a compelling need for the images. None conducted audits of the searches in its systems to make sure they were appropriate. The agencies have left their systems open to abuse by neglecting to institute sufficient oversight, the audit concluded. The audit questioned the security of the cloud services used to store the license plate images and the length of time that agencies were keeping the pictures as long as five years in the Los Angeles Police Department. A data breach would broadly affect people not involved in any criminal activity. The Los Angeles Police Department database, for example, contained 320 million images, only 400,000 of which were for plate numbers considered vehicles of interest. The license plate numbers were connected to personal information such as names, addresses and dates of birth. While some of the law enforcement agencies reviewed by the auditors office agreed to change their policies in response to the report, the Marin County Sheriffs Office largely dismissed its conclusions. In a letter, Deputy County Counsel Kerry Gerchow said Marin County contracted for its license plate-tracking system with a third-party vendor that used secure servers and allowed access only to credentialed law enforcement officers. Gerchow said the Marin County Sheriffs Offices policy of retaining images for two years was based on the statute of limitations for most crimes in the state of California. It would be impossible to develop a more detailed policy, Gerchow said, because investigators could not know when an image might prove useful to a case. Alexei Koseff is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @akoseff Man arrested after gunshots fired in central Bangkok, no injuries BANGKOK: Dozens of gunshots were fired from a sports clothing shop on Chula 10 Road in Bangkoks Pathumwan district on this morning (Feb 14). crimepolice By Bangkok Post Friday 14 February 2020, 02:07PM Gunshots were fired from the shop where the black pickup truck is parked. Photo: Piyachart Maeikaew / Bangkok Post Police stand guard at the back door of the clothing shop after persuading the man to stop firing his gun, in Pathumwan district late this morning (Feb 14). Photo: Piyachart Maikaew / Bangkok Post Police at the scene where dozens of gunshots were fired from a garment shop on Chula 10 in Pathumwan district, Bangkok, this morning (Feb 14). Photo: Piyachart Maikaew / Bangkok Post Police cordoned off the area, which is not far from the Royal Thai Police Office in the same district. Media reported that a man began firing shots out of his shop around 4am. A witness said he was sitting nearby with friends when he heard shots from the rooftop of the two-storey shop. One shot was fired in the direction of his group, which immediately dispersed. Police said a man aged about 40 was firing shots into the air. They eventually calmed him down and at 10:40am he was taken to Pathumwan Police Station. They quoted the man as saying that he was stressed out by family problems. No one was injured. Read original story here. New Delhi, Feb 14 : Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Friday urged the country's scientific community to focus upon improving the productivity of small and marginal farmers. Addressing the 58th convocation of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Naidu opined that high yielding, disease-resistant and nutrient-rich varieties of crops, are the need of the hour. "A country like India cannot depend on imported food security. We need homegrown, protein-rich food to meet the needs of the burgeoning population," he added. The Vice President asked institutions like IARI to utilise technological advancements to improve the life of farmers and ensure that their research reaches the farm. He told them to serve the nation through scientific advancements and innovations in agriculture. "The small and marginal farmers are the most vulnerable and their welfare must be accorded the highest priority," he added. Lauding the central government for honouring 12 farmers with the Padma Shri, for their path-breaking innovations in agriculture, Naidu said that such recognitions will boost their morale. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Kailash Choudhary, among others were present at the event. The Vice President presented degrees and medals to IARI students who completed M.Sc and Ph.D. A total of 243 students were awarded degrees at the convocation. In liberal San Francisco, you might think sticky fingers at the public library would pull Barack Obama's "The Audacity of Hope" off the shelves. Nope. The books that mostly commonly go missing and are assumed to be stolen at the San Francisco Public Library are written by a conservative radio host who was among the first to endorse Donald Trump in the 2016 election. "The one author our head of collections has to check regularly and purchase new copies of our books by Michael Savage," library spokesperson Kate Patterson wrote in an email. "We check once a year to see if all the copies are gone and reorder. We have moved to e-book for most of them, so we can ensure copies are around. The main title that disappears quickly is 'Liberalism Is A Mental Disorder.'" Released in April 2005, 'Liberalism is a Mental Disorder' was on the New York Times best-seller list for three weeks and "attacks the insanities and inanities of extreme leftist thought." The SF Public Library hasn't tracked exactly how many of this particular title or all of Savage's books have been lost, but "we have found that his political titles go missing more often," Patterson said. The cost of Savage's stolen books to the library is unknown as the system collects only general numbers on missing titles. The library's overall collection budget in the last fiscal year was $15.87 million and the cost of replacing items, including damaged copies of adult fiction and nonfiction, was approximately $79,350. Among its 28 branches, the San Francisco library makes 2.75 million items on its shelves available for the public to check out. In general, the subject genres that most commonly go missing are "paranormal" and "conspiracy theories." San Francisco isn't alone in this. In Susan Orlean's new book "The Library Book," it's revealed titles by conspiracy theorists are also stolen the most at the Los Angeles Public Library. Savage himself has been called a conspiracy theorist by publications like the Washington Post and the Guardian. ALSO: What one woman learned working at every library in San Francisco Savage, who broadcasts his daily show from a Marin home overlooking San Francisco Bay, was surprised by the news. "What an honor," he said with a laugh. Savage grew up with liberal Russian immigrant parents in the Bronx and earned a Ph.D. at UC Berkeley. He went on to become a conservative political commentator and host of "The Savage Nation," earning more than 11 million listeners with his nationalist beliefs, including his staunch stance against immigration. Savage was banned from visiting the European Union in 2009 for his comments on immigration and Islam. Savage has written 28 books, from "The Political Zoo" to "Stop Mass Hysteria." He's baffled by why his 2006 title "Liberalism Is A Mental Disorder" is popular with book thieves but thinks maybe the provocative title has something to do with it. "Who is stealing it?" he wondered. "Is it people who are poor who agree with my message and want it, or is it people taking it out and trashing it to throw it away?" While Savage doesn't endorse stealing books from libraries, he wishes Bay Area residents who lean liberal would read his writings. "I think they need an alternative viewpoint in that the entire media is skewed one way," said Savage. "Its a one-party state. Its a one-media state. I dont think any rational liberal wants to live in an autocracy. We know what the left thinks in San Francisco. Do we know what the rational educated right thinks?" For those who listen to conservative radio, it's perhaps no surprise to hear Savage bring up this perceived media bias, a common refrain on his talk show. It's a narrative put forward and perpetuated by many conservative figures, especially President Trump and his allies, to discredit unfavorable coverage. As for the library, they don't know why his book goes missing either. "Your guess is as good as ours," Patterson said. Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com. New Delhi, Feb 14 : Sluggish global and local economic conditions continued to dent India's external merchandise trade, as both exports and imports inched lower in January. The data furnished by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry showed on Friday that India's exports fell by 1.66 per cent in January on a year-on-year basis to $25.97 billion from $26.41 billion reported for the corresponding period of the previous year. Similarly, on a sequential basis, exports were lower than $27.36 billion worth of merchandise that were shipped out in December. "Cumulative value of exports for April-January 2019-20 was $265.26 billion as against $270.49 billion during April-January 2018-19, registering a negative growth of (-) 1.93 per cent in dollar terms," the ministry said in a statement. "Non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in January 2020 were $19.79 billion, as compared to $19.94 billion in January 2019, exhibiting a negative growth of (-) 0.78 per cent," it added. As per the data, imports declined by 0.75 per cent to $41.14 billion in January from $41.46 billion reported for the corresponding month of 2019. "Cumulative value of imports for the period April-January 2019-20 was $398.53 billion, as against $433.77 billion during April-January 2018-19, registering a negative growth of (-)8.12 per cent in dollar terms. Oil imports in January 2020 were $12.97 billion, which was 15.27 per cent higher in dollar terms, compared to $11.25 billion in January 2019," the statement said. However, non-oil imports in January 2020 were estimated at $28.17 billion, which was 6.72 per cent lower in dollar terms, compared to $30.20 billion reported for the corresponding month of the previous year. "Non-oil and non-gold imports were $26.59 billion in January 2020, recording a negative growth of (-)4.66 per cent, as compared to non-oil and non-gold imports of $27.89 billion in January 2019," the statement said. Consequently, the trade deficit widened to (-)$15.17 billion from (-)$15.05 billion reported in January 2019. The trade deficit in December 2019 had narrowed to $11.25 billion as against the deficit of $14.49 billion in the corresponding period of 2018. CHICAGO - A suburban Chicago high school student was released from a southern Illinois immigrant detention centre with supporters planning to continue a fight against her deportation to Honduras. Meydi Guzman, 18, was granted bond Wednesday from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. Sara Huser, Guzmans Crystal Lake High School counsellor, posted the $2,000 bond and has offered to take in Guzman while she is free. Guzmans release Thursday means returning to school and possibly staying on track for graduation. I am really happy and thankful for all the people who helped me, she said. Guzmans attorneys said she and her father fled Honduras in 2018 after a group of gang members sexually assaulted her. Guzman granted attorneys Kevin Bruning and Nathan Reyes permission to share her story. Guzman and her father, Fabio Guzman-Reyes, were stopped by border patrol agents after wading across the Rio Grande River and released on their promise to attend court hearings. The pair missed a Feb. 28, 2019 hearing in Chicago, due to a possible mix-up in scheduling paperwork, according to Reyes and Bruning. Their case was continued to Oct. 16, when they returned to court and were arrested. Reyes and Bruning have filed a petition for asylum on Guzmans behalf and asked that a judge dismiss the order for Guzmans deportation. The Chicago Tribune reports that the father is being held at an ICE facility in Kankakee. Latest News CoreLogic data shows new listings on the rise in early 2022 First data of the year suggests supply is already entering back into the market, cooling hot property market Business NSW calls for support as pandemic bites Staff shortages and customer falls causing severe problems in recovery SMEs using the ATO as a bank by not paying tax commitments on time face new risks, national business funder Scottish Pacific has warned. Many business owners are still unaware of laws passed late last year that would allow the ATO to reveal SMEs tax debt to credit reporting bureaus, according to Scottish Pacific senior executive Wayne Smith. He said trusted advisors, accountants and brokers play a key role in making business owners aware of the implications. Based on the new rules, the ATO can report an SME to credit rating agencies if the business owes over $100,000 in tax; has an ABN; is over 90 days in arrears; lacks or is not negotiating a payment arrangement. The new law provides businesses with even more incentives not to rack up debts with the ATO, said Smith. Traditionally, many SMEs have used the ATO almost like a line of credit by not paying their commitments on time, he said Its not the best option but if a business is tight for cash, they often make a decision to pay other creditors and delay paying the ATO, thinking they will eventually put a payment arrangement in place. This action will now likely have an adverse impact on credit ratings and credit insurance limits, making it harder to maintain or extend credit terms with suppliers, he added. Reining in leniency Based on Scottish Pacifics most recent SME Growth Index, research revealed that 27.8% of SMEs said being prompt in meeting tax payments would create cash flow difficulties for their business. According to Smith, during the GFC years, the ATO showed leniency in allowing businesses to run up tax obligations because they didnt want to be looked upon as the reason SMEs went out of business in a tough economic environment. The leniency is now being systematically reined in. Years ago, the ATO had one blunt instrument if you dont meet obligations and there was no payment arrangement in place, the only option was to wind up the business, said Smith. Then the Directors Penalty Notice was introduced, effectively making directors personally liable for unauthorised company tax debts. Now, with this new initiative, the message is clear: the ATO is no longer prepared to be viewed as a line of credit. He added, With forecasts for a poor economic outlook in 2020, if ever there was a time to make sure you have a sustainable funding structure in place for your business, that time is now. Smith encouraged business owners to take the post-Christmas, pre-February BAS time as an opportunity to evaluate their cash flow management and working capital arrangements, as well as to consult their broker or funder, whether it be bank or non-bank, to determine the most appropriate form of funding for their business situation. Cash flow solution: Invoice finance According to Smith, invoice finance is one funding option that works for many Australian and New Zealand SMEs. Also known as debtor finance, invoice finance offers a credit line linked to and secured by outstanding accounts receivable. Businesses can use this funding as needed or as a long-term working capital solution. Invoice finance provides a stand-alone facility that can sit alongside other business borrowings such as overdrafts, term loans and asset finance, said Smith. As your business grows, the facility youve put in place grows with it, and unlike a traditional bank overdraft there is generally no need for real estate security, he added. There are no capital repayment requirements, and the facility helps you grow your business and increase purchasing power through improved cash flow. Get ready, Star Wars fans, because theres yet another reason to plan a vacation at Walt Disney World assuming you can figure out how to get your lightsaber through airport security. Thats because the parks brand new, fully immersive resort will start taking reservations later this year, Disney announced in a blog post earlier this month. The hotel, officially called Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, opens for guests starting in 2021. Basically, the resort is as close as Star Wars fans can get to living in a galaxy far, far away complete with space view windows, lightsaber training sessions and a lounge full of intergalactic drinks and games. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a completely new type of experience, Ann Morrow Johnson, executive producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, wrote in the blog post. Youre going to live onboard a star cruiser and you can get wrapped up in the larger Star Wars story. The experience, which lasts just two nights, brings visitors aboard The Halcyon, a massive, lookalike star cruiser masquerading as a hotel. Guests even travel to the resort via launch pods, according to the Walt Disney World site. This is a small capsule where you will then simulate the experience of blasting off into space, Johnson said in an accompanying video detailing the project. Johnson goes on to say that upon arriving, Everything in the spaceship wants to reinforce that feeling of youre on a star cruiser, in a galaxy far, far away. The ship comes complete with a bridge and engine rooms to explore, plus an atrium where passengers can interact with crew members resembling Star Wars characters. The hotels 2021 opening will arrive less than two years after Disney opened its Star Wars-themed park, Galaxys Edge at both Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California. Both parks, which began welcoming visitors last year, feature a life-size Millenium Falcon, interactive rides and lots of blue milk. Following the Pulwama attack, India had launched extensive diplomatic efforts to get JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist, which finally became a reality on 1 May, 2019 India geared up to pay tribute to over 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel on Friday by dedicating a martyr's column to the memory of the jawans who lost their lives in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on 14 February, 2019. The CRPF will pay homage to those 40 martyrs by organising a "wreath-laying" ceremony at Lethpora Camp to mark their first death anniversary on Friday. "We salute our brothers who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation in Pulwama. Indebted, we stand with the families of our valiant martyrs, the CRPF tweeted. " , " WE DID NOT FORGET, WE DID NOT FORGIVE: We salute our brothers who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation in Pulwama. Indebted, we stand with the families of our valiant martyrs. pic.twitter.com/GfzzLuTl7R CRPF (@crpfindia) February 13, 2020 Jammu and Kashmir: Tributes being paid to the 40 CRPF jawans who lost their lives in #PulwamaAttack last year, at the memorial at CRPF's Lethpora camp, in Srinagar. pic.twitter.com/9aAxF5cbhE ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2020 Lauding the martyrs for devoting their lives to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to the CRPF jawans who were killed when their convoy was targeted by a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit. "Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom," tweeted Modi. Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2020 Union Minister Amit Shah paid homage to the slain soldiers and said India "will forever be grateful to our bravehearts and and their families" for their sacrifice. I pay homage to the martyrs of Pulwama attack. India will forever be grateful of our bravehearts and their families who made supreme sacrifice for the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland. Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 14, 2020 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the "dastardly" act and said that the nation would never forget the sacrifice of the CRPF personnel "Remembering the fallen CRPF personnel who were martyred during the dastardly attack in Pulwama on this day in 2019. India will never forget their sacrifice," Singh tweeted. He said that the entire country stands united against terrorism and "everyone is committed to continue fight against this menace". At least 40 CRPF jawans were killed after the convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2,500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack. Following the attack, India had launched extensive diplomatic efforts to get JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist, which finally became a reality on 1 May, 2019, when China lifted its technical hold on a proposal introduced by the US, the UK, and France in the 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council. Around 12 days after the terror attack, in the wee hours of 26 February, Indian Air Force (IAF) jets bombed the JeM camp in Balakot, in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. A day later on 27 February, IAF foiled an attempt by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to strike at military installations in Jammu and Kashmir. In the aerial skirmish, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman piloting a MiG-21 Bison aircraft shot down a much-advanced F-16 of PAF. However, his aircraft was also hit and upon ejection, his parachute landed in PoK, where he was taken captive by the Pakistani Army. Under international pressure, Pakistan released the IAF pilot two days later, who returned to his country. With inputs from PTI FILE PHOTO: Nigerian military prepare to cordon the area where a man was killed by suspected militants during an attack around Polo area of Maiduguri ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's military burned down villages and forcibly displaced hundreds of people in its fight against Islamist insurgents in the country's northeast, rights group Amnesty International alleged on Friday. Nigeria's military, which has frequently been accused of human rights abuses in its decade-long fight against Boko Haram and more recently Islamic State's West African branch, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Previous allegations have sparked investigations by the International Criminal Court in the Hague and hampered Nigeria's ability to purchase arms, a source of frustration for its military's leaders. However, convictions of soldiers have been rare and the military has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. In the latest allegations, Amnesty said Nigerian soldiers razed three villages after forcing hundreds of men and women to leave their homes in the northeastern state of Borno in January. The human rights group said it interviewed 12 victims and reviewed satellite images that showed several large fires in the area and almost every structure razed. Residents described soldiers going house to house and rounding people up, then making them walk to a main road and board trucks, it said. "We saw our houses go into flames," a woman of around 70 told Amnesty. "We all started crying." The trucks took more than 400 people to a camp for people displaced by the conflict in Maiduguri, the main city in the region. "These brazen acts of razing entire villages, deliberately destroying civilian homes and forcibly displacing their inhabitants with no imperative military grounds, should be investigated as possible war crimes," said Osai Ojigho, director for Amnesty International Nigeria, in Friday's statement detailing the group's investigation. Soldiers also detained six men, beating some of them, and held them for almost a month before releasing them without charge on Jan. 30, Amnesty said. Story continues It cited Nigerian Army statements from the time that said six Boko Haram suspects had been captured and hundreds of captives freed from the militants. "They say they saved us from Boko Haram, but it's a lie," said one man aged roughly 65, according to Amnesty. "Boko Haram isn't coming to our village." Amnesty's report was published as the military struggles to contain the insurgencies, particularly Islamic State. Last July, troops began to withdraw to larger garrisons, dubbed "super camps", from smaller bases that were frequently overrun with heavy loss of lives. That has left the military on the defensive and the insurgents able to roam across large swathes of territory and carry out attacks, often on civilians, with few repercussions. (Reporting by Paul Carsten; Additional reporting by Camillus Eboh; Editing by Alexis Akwagyiram and Daniel Wallis) Our Divisions Copyright 2021-22 DB Corp ltd., All Rights Reserved This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics. The British scientist leading the fight against coronavirus admitted last night that predictions of 400,000 UK deaths are 'not absurd'. Professor Neil Ferguson, of the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, revealed that 'this is the one I'm scared of' when asked about the killer coronavirus, which is causing increasing alarm all over the country. However, he insisted he was not predicting 400,000 deaths, but was warning that the figure 'is possible'. He said he would 'prefer to be accused of overreacting than under reacting'. Research indicates that 60 per cent of Britons could be affected by the virus, formally known as COVID-19. Speaking to Channel 4 News in Coronavirus: Is Britain Ready, Professor Ferguson added: 'Our best estimates at the moment is that maybe one per cent of people who get infected might die.' It comes as it was revealed that the government is working on the assumption that half of the population will be infected with the virus, which could reach every part of Britain within months. This would force intensive care units to make 'hard choices' about prioritising who to treat. Scientist Professor Neil Ferguson, of the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, said 60 per cent of Britons could 'potentially' be affected by the virus, formally known as COVID-19 A couple wear protective masks as they walk along the Thames embankment in London Professor Ferguson was asked on a Channel 4 program, entitled Coronavirus: Is Britain Ready?, last night whether 400,000 people could die and replied: 'Potentially. Given we know a lot about how these viruses are spread we have lots of data from past epidemics. 'Given how transmissible this virus appears to be and that fact that at least all adults can be infected, we have much less data in children, then 60 percent is a reasonable figure. 'Within the first 12 months or so. What we dont know at the moment is if everybody infected. What proportion might die and what are the risk groups? Our best estimates at the moment is that maybe 1 per cent of people who get infected might die.' 'I would much prefer to be accused of overreacting than under reacting. This virus is the one which probably concerns me the most out of everything I've worked on.' It comes as: The global death toll from coronavirus hit 1,500 and the number infected passed 66,000. Brits are growing increasingly alarmed with daily delays at Heathrow airport as passengers are checked and several surgeries forced to close. Yesterday, passengers endured hours of misery at Heathrow Airport when up to eight planes were put on lockdown over coronavirus fears MailOnline understands a British Airways flight from Kuala Lumpur was held up on the tarmac for two hours when it landed at 6.45am Yesterday afternoon two MPs went into 'self-isolation' after going to a Westminster bus conference that was attended by one of the UK's nine coronavirus patients In Portsmouth, a doctor's surgery was closed for deep cleaning after a suspected case of coronavirus was identified. Staff in hazmat suits were said to have got on board the British Airways flight from Kuala Lumpur this morning (thought to be pictured) and set up a privacy tent around an unwell family before evacuating everyone off the plane row by row A passenger who flew with Emirates into Johannesburg, South Africa, said army officials came on board and tested each individuals temperature Labour MP Alex Sobel announced his decision on Twitter, revealing he has cancelled upcoming engagements as a precaution after going to the QEII Centre on February 6. The party's MP for Nottingham South, Lilian Greenwood, also announced on Twitter that she had cancelled upcoming engagements in order to self-isolate at home The virus-carrier was reportedly one of 250 delegates at the UK Bus Summit at the QEII Centre on February 6 (Boris Johnson 's Buses Minister, Baroness Vere of Norbiton speaks at the summit) London's Heathrow and Gatwick are the only two UK airports which still have direct flights from China landing none are being operated by British airlines Labour MPs Lilian Greenwood and Alex Sobel both announced their decisions on Twitter and said they had cancelled upcoming engagements as a precaution. The Westminster bus conference at the QEII Centre on February 6 was just a stone's throw from Parliament. The virus-carrier was one of 250 delegates at the UK Bus Summit, whose star speaker was Boris Johnson's Buses Minister, Baroness Vere of Norbiton. MailOnline understands the coronavirus patient who attended the conference was not the most recent case. REVEALED: THE BRITONS INFECTED WITH CORONAVIRUS - AND WHERE ARE THEY BEING TREATED? Cases in the UK and where they are being cared for: Newcastle: Two Chinese nationals who came to the UK with coronavirus and fell ill while at a hotel in York. One is a student in the city and another is a relative. They were the first two cases on British soil and were confirmed on January 31. They are being treated at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary. 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 is thought to be at the Royal Free in Camden. Four 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 are all being treated in London. 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 and 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. Total in UK hospitals: Nine patients. Six Britons and three Chinese nationals 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 are 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 are all in a French hospital with three unnamed others. Japan: A British man on board a cruise ship docked at a port in Japan tested positive for coronavirus, Princess Cruises said. Alan Steele, from Wolverhampton, posted on Facebook that he had been diagnosed with the virus. Steele said he was not showing any symptoms but was being taken to hospital. He was on his honeymoon. Two more Britons have since tested positive for on a quarantined cruise ship. Total: Nine Advertisement That case put London on red alert after the capital's first confirmed patient took herself to A&E in an Uber on Sunday and walked into a public area of Lewisham Hospital going against strict advice to stay at home and ring NHS 111. Two healthcare workers who came into contact with the Chinese woman at the hospital have been told to self-isolate and the taxi driver's account has been temporarily suspended. The woman, who contracted coronavirus in China, 'self-presented' at Lewisham Hospital before being sent home to await the results of tests. She was rushed to St Thomas's on Wednesday after her test results returned positive. She is believed to live with family in London and thought to be in her late 20s or early 30s. Official advice from PHE states that anyone who suspects they have coronavirus should stay at home, call NHS 111 and await transport to the nearest hospital assessment pod. The Chinese patient was the first case in London and doctors are worried that the disease's emergence in the capital will lead to it spreading quickly. Amid fears of the virus in the capital, people have been avoiding Chinatown in Soho. The normally-bustling tourist hotspot were eerily deserted last night, with restaurants left empty just weeks after Chinese new Year. In Portsmouth, a doctor's surgery was closed for deep cleaning after a suspected case of coronavirus was identified. A patient said they were among several who were all told they had to leave Kingston Crescent Surgery in Portsmouth, Hampshire, at 4.30pm due to an 'emergency'. It is understood a woman who had recently flown into Gatwick was the cause of the alert and she has now gone to hospital to undergo tests. A doctor from the GP practice said they were following Public Health England guidance and had transferred patient care elsewhere while cleaning is carried out at the site. Dr Sarah Swindells, from the surgery, said: 'We have closed with a suspected case of coronavirus; we're following Public Health England guidance and are in contact with them and NHS England. 'This is evolving minute by minute for us but at the moment it's just a suspected case. 'We have transferred care elsewhere so patients will be taken care of.' The closure of the surgery in the North End area of the city was announced on the Portsdown Group Practice website. The statement read: 'Due to coronavirus our Kingston Crescent Surgery is closed for deep cleaning until further notice.' Patient care will now be carried out at Cosham Park House until the surgery is deemed suitable for reopening. Elsewhere, two GP surgeries were closed after patients with suspicious symptoms turned up unannounced. The Ritchie Street Health Centre in Islington, north London, posted a message on its website stating it would be closed until today 'due to the coronavirus'. However it has emerged that no patients or staff at the practice have tested positive for the virus - and it remains unclear why management took the decision to shut. NHS officials say the move may have been precautionary after a patient was tested for the virus after turning up at the practice with symptoms. The Ferns Medical Practice in Farnham, Surrey, said that it was undertaking a deep clean after a patient had come in after visiting 'one of the affected coronavirus areas'. Patients were told they had to leave Kingston Crescent Surgery because of an emergency London's Chinatown stands eerily deserted as thousands of revellers keep their distance from the tourist spot as coronavirus panic sweeps the UK The normally-busy restaurants are empty just weeks after Chinese New Year after Britain's ninth confirmed case of the virus, a woman who travelled from China, became the first in the capital Meanwhile, a British couple stuck onboard a cruise ship quarantined off the coast of Japan appealed to billionaire Richard Branson for help. David Abel made the appeal during a Facebook live video in which he asked the Virgin boss to charter a special plane to fly all the British passengers home to carry out their quarantine. He added despite being a 'staunch Tory' he had 'no confidence' in Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Mr Abel said: 'When he (Johnson) just says 'keep calm, don't panic' - I'd like to see you in this situation, mate. I really would.' He has become an unlikely celebrity due to his videos and he and his wife Sally have featured in news outlets across the world. Abel made the appeal during a Facebook live video in which he asked the Virgin boss to charter a special plane to fly all the British passengers back to the UK to carry out their quarantine In the wake of his viral fame he said was now 'appealing to one man'. 'So, Richard Branson, I want to ask you a question, pal,' he said in a video posted on Valentine's Day. 'If you and your family were in this situation, what would you do? And please don't say 'chill out, stay calm', that's not what we want to hear. 'I'm asking, what would it cost to hire one of your smaller planes, put all the Brits onboard, no flight attendants, packaged food? 'Take us to Brize Norton, take us straight into the medical facility and let us do our quarantine there by people who can speak our language.' Some 2,512 people in Britain have been tested since last month. Patients with suspected coronavirus have swabs taken of their nose and throat which are sent to one of 12 labs across the UK. Results usually come back within 48 hours although they can be turned around in 24 hours and the NHS can test a maximum of 1,000 patients in a day. A woman wears a protective mask as she holds flowers given to her on Valentine's Day in Beijing, China China has reported another sharp rise in the number of people infected with the killer coronavirus, with the death toll now nearing 1,400. Pictured: Woman wears a protective mask in Beijing Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said officials were hoping to delay the spread of the coronavirus in this country until the summer. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Delay is the next stage of what we need to do because if we are going to get an outbreak in the UK this is an if, not a when but if we do, putting it back in time into the summer period, away from winter pressures on the NHS, buying us a bit more time to understand the virus better... is a big advantage.' He added that while it was 'highly likely' the UK would see more cases, the disease could be 'dampened' as the weather got warmer. The head of the NHS, Simon Stevens, said that to contain the spread many more patients would need to self-isolate at home if they had suspicious symptoms. It was also announced yesterday that the illness has now spread to Egypt, with authorities saying a 'foreigner' is infected. The health ministry said in a statement that it had immediately informed the World Health Organization and had taken all necessary preventative measures. It did not give the nationality of the affected person or any other details. The individual has been placed in quarantine. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has said that hand dryers and UV lamps won't kill the coronavirus. Debunking 10 of the biggest myths surrounding the outbreak, the board of top health officials also said eating garlic will not protect you. While some bogus 'cures' aren't harmful, others are potentially dangerous, like drinking bleach or dousing the body with alcohol spray. There is also no evidence the coronavirus was engineered in a lab, according to scientists. Conspiracy theories spreading online have claimed that the virus, which has claimed 1,500 lives, was made as a biological weapon and released by accident. These were made stronger by the revelation that the Chinese government runs a secretive virus laboratory in Wuhan, the city at the centre of the outbreak. But scientists who have studied the structure of the virus in detail say there is nothing about it which suggests it has been edited by humans or machines. Beijing has also ordered anyone returning to the city to be quarantined for 14 days or risk punishment in a bid to contain coronavirus. Residents were told to either 'self quarantine or go to designated venues to quarantine' when they returned to the Chinese capital which is home to more than 20 million people. JOSEPH PREZIOSO / AFP via Getty Images The two front-runners in the early primary campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination will be in Northern California over the next few days, looking to attract votes in a state where balloting is already under way. Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., will hold a town hall meeting in downtown Sacramentos Cesar Chavez Plaza, 910 I St., starting at 4 p.m. Friday. Melbourne had the worst air quality in the world on January 14 this year due to bushfire smoke. Credit:Jason South Melbourne City Council - which once aimed to produce zero emissions in the CBD and surrounding suburbs by this year - is now considering whether to endorse this as a target in two decades time. The municipality had one of the highest emissions in the world on a per capita basis in 2017, according to a council report, largely due to CBD office buildings powered by brown-coal fired power stations. On Tuesday night it will consider endorsing a new target for zero emissions by 2040 and fast-tracking initiatives to reduce carbon emissions - including delivering 44 kilometres of bike lanes in four years rather than 10. But Lord Mayor Sally Capp has warned the council "can't do the heavy lifting alone" and called for state and federal governments to take greater action. The IMF in January lowered India's economic growth estimate for the current fiscal to 4.8 percent Washington: India urgently needs more ambitious structural and financial sector reform measures and a medium-term fiscal consolidation strategy due to the rising debt levels, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Thursday. Responding to a question on the recent Budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, IMF Spokesperson Gerry Rice said that there is a weaker economic environment in India. "While the Budget touches on ongoing sectoral efforts, there remains an urgent need for more ambitious structural and financial sector reform measures and a medium-term fiscal consolidation strategy, anchored in tangible revenue and expenditure measures, especially given rising debt levels, Rice told reporters. "The environment is weaker than we had forecast earlier, that a more accumulative fiscal stance, this year, is appropriate, so that more accumulative fiscal stance in the budget, we think, is appropriate, he said. But, over the medium term, to be looking at a fiscal consolidation strategy, Rice said. The IMF in January lowered India's economic growth estimate for the current fiscal to 4.8 percent. A man in his 50s has died after falling into a swollen river in Tollymore Forest Park on Thursday. It's believed he was trying to rescue a pet dog . A second man was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for treatment, but his condition is understood not to be life-threatening. A spokesman for the NI Ambulance Service said they had been called to the incident just after 2pm on Thursday afternoon. "We sent two crews to the incident, and the charity air ambulance was also deployed," the spokesman said "but despite our best efforts the man 's life could not be saved." Police said the man's death was not being treated as suspicious. SDLP MLA for South Down, Colin McGrath said he was 'saddened ' by news of the man's death in the park. We have been very saddened to hear news today that a gentleman has lost his life in Tollymore Forest Park. he told the Belfast Telegraph "My sincere sympathies and I am sure those of everyone across South Down go out to the bereaved family and friends at this time". Local Mournes councillor Laura Devlin added We are all devastated in the Newcastle area to hear this news this evening. "A day that should have been a happy one with a walk in nature has ended so tragically. It is heartbreaking." the SDLP representative said. From the time that dinosaur fossils were first discovered, these creatures have fascinated scientists and laypeople alike. In the academic world, their remains provide important clues into the prehistoric world; in popular culture, dinosaurs have inspired blockbuster hits, such as Jurassic Park and King Kong. Now, a research team headed by Professor Hagit Affek at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Institute of Earth Sciences has unlocked a mystery that has stymied researchers for decades: How did dinosaurs regulate their body temperatures? Were they warm-blooded or cold-blooded? Affek's study, published today in Science Advances, relies on a novel method to measure historical temperatures. Called clumped isotope geochemistry, this method analyzes chemical bonds among heavy isotopes in calcium carbonate minerals--the main ingredient in egg shells. This allows scientists to calculate both the temperature at which the minerals formed and the body temperature of the mother that laid the egg. Affek and her team applied this method to fossilized eggs from three distinct dinosaur species along the evolutionary path from reptile to bird and found that their body temperature ranged from 35-40 degrees Celsius. However, this bit of information still did not answer the question as to whether dinosaurs were endothermic or exothermic, meaning, did they generate their own body heat or get warm from the sun and their environment? "The global climate during the dinosaur era was significantly warmer than it is today. For this reason, measuring only the body temperatures of dinosaurs who lived near the equator wouldn't tell us whether they were endo- or exothermic because their body temperature may simply have been a cold-blooded response to the hot climates they lived in," shared Affek. To address this issue, her team focused on dinosaurs that lived in high latitudes like Alberta, Canada--far enough north to ensure that their warm body temperatures were the result of an internal, metabolic warming process rather than merely reflecting the climate around them. To verify their hypothesis, Affek and her team needed to determine the environmental temperature in Alberta back when dinosaurs lived. They accomplished this by applying their isotope method to mollusk shells that lived in Alberta alongside the dinosaurs. Since mollusks are cold-blooded creatures, they reflect the ambient climate of the time. The mollusks' body temperature measured 26C and showed that the dinosaurs living in Alberta were endothermic; otherwise, they could not have maintained a body temperature of 35-40C. As dinosaurs evolved, they moved from lizard-like (cold-blooded) characteristics to avian (warm-blooded) ones. "We believe that this transformation happened very early on in dinosaurs' evolution since the Mayasaura eggs--a lizard-like dinosaur species that we tested--were already able to self-regulate their body temperature, just like their warm-blooded, bird-like cousins, the Torrdons," explained Affek. The fact that both of these species, located at opposite ends of the dinosaur evolutionary tree, had body temperatures higher than those of their environment means that both had the ability to warm themselves. Either way, Mother of Dragons, if your baby is showing a fever of 41 degrees, it's time to call the doctor. ### It was out of a combination of anxiety and idealism that, following Stones conviction, Credico wrote to the judge in the case, asking that she show Stone mercy. I dont want to see a guy go to prison because of me, its going to be on my conscience, plus its going to anger a lot of people out there who called me a rat, he told me. Now, because of that letter, Credico finds himself near the center of the unfolding scandal over Donald Trump and Attorney General Bill Barrs intervention in Stones sentencing. His words are being used by Trump allies to argue that the prosecutors in the Stone case went overboard. Unfortunately, theyre exploiting it for their own agenda, he said of his letter. Judicial Watch announced it received 676 pages of records from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) showing that the agency paid thousands of dollars to a California-based firm to purchase organs from aborted human fetuses to create humanized mice for HIV research. The records show that NIH paid at least $18,100 between December 2016 and August 2018 to Advanced Bioscience Resources (ABR) for livers and thymuses from second trimester aborted fetuses. They include at least 26 such purchases from ABR by Dr. Kim Hasenkrug, senior investigator at the NIH lab in Hamilton, Montana. Purchase orders associated with the transactions state: These tissues, liver and thymus, are required [by] Ron Messer for ongoing studies of HIV in the Hasenkrug Lab. Our mice will be ready for reconstitution soon. Beginning with a December 21, 2016, payment to ABR and running through April 2018, the records show that a fetal liver and thymus set costs $680, and payment was due upon receipt. On May 23, 2018, the cost increased to $750. The records also include Tissue Acquisition Invoices and sales receipts issued by ABR. Payment was made by credit card. Judicial Watch received the records through a March 2019 lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services for all contracts and related documentation between the FDA and Advanced Bioscience Resources (ABR) for the provision of human fetal tissue to be used in humanized mice research (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department Health and Human Services (No. 1:19-cv-00876)). ABR has been the subject of criminal referrals from House and Senate committees investigating whether Planned Parenthood or any other entity was illegally profiting from the handling of fetal tissue from aborted babies. Federal law regulates the purchase and acceptance of human fetal tissue for research purposes. It is unlawful to knowingly transfer fetal tissue for profit. According to the records, agency officials concluded in March 2018 that: Federal regulations for the protection of human subjects do not apply to above named activity. The records include a November 2009 Request for Review of Research Activity Involving Human Subjects with the protocol title Study of HIV infection and vaccine protection in mice reconstituted with a human immune system that describes the development of a cohort of humanized mice using human fetal tissue: Recent reports have demonstrated that immunodeficient mice reconstituted with 17-19 week old human fetal tissue develop a human immune system and are susceptible to HIV infection and disease. The goal of this project proposal is to create such humanized mice to study the role of immune cell subsets and virus-neutralizing antibodies in vaccine protection. The experiments will entail the development of a cohort of mice all reconstituted with the same human cells so as to be histocompatible. This will require transplantation of the mice with 1 mm3 pieces of fetal thymus as well as reconstitution with stem cells isolated from cord blood and liver. Once the humanized mice have been established some will be vaccinated to prime distinct subsets of immune cells. Immune cell subsets from vaccinated mice will be adoptively transferred into naive mice, which will then be infected with HIV to test the antiviral activity of the immune cells. The goal of these experiments is to establish correlates of immunity against HIV. In an Overview provided by Advanced Bioscience Resources, the firm describes itself as a non-profit corporate foundation which is devoted to providing services in connection with the procurement of human organs and tissues for medical and scientific research. In Hasenkrugs November 2009 Request for Review of Research Activity Involving Human Subjects he is asked: Where are the subjects of this research activity located? Hasenkrug answers: The material for this research is obtained from natural or induced abortions from females in California. Another question is: Has the research activity that you are proposing in this form been approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) elsewhere? Hasenkrug answers: No IRB review of the research activity has taken place. The records include a November 2009 email from the deputy director of the Office of Human Subject Research (OHSR) in Bethesda, MD, to Hasenkrug at the NIH lab, approving his research project and instructing him: Provide documentation that you will not seek the identity of the subjects who have provided the samples you will receive as well as documentation from ABR that under no circumstances will the identity or link to the identifiers of the subjects be released to you. The signature block concluding the email includes the phrase: The NIH is committed to maintaining the highest stands for the protection of human subjects. The Advanced Bioscience Resources Tissue Acquisition Invoices show: On December 21, 2016, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by credit card on January 10, 2017. The justification states: These tissues, liver and thymus, are required [by] Ron Messer for ongoing studies of HIV in Hasenkrug Lab. Our mice will be ready for reconstitution soon. On January 25, 2017, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card in February 2017. On February 8, 2017, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card on February 15, 2017. On March 9, 2017, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card on March 24, 2017. On March 30, 2017, ABR provided a second trimester thymus and liver to Hasenkrugs lab at no charge due to a delivery delay. The parts were needed by March 17, 2017 and NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was to have been charged $680 but the parts werent delivered until April 19, 2017. On April 20, 2017, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card in May 2017. On May 17, 2017, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card on May 19, 2017. On June 28, 2017, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were received on May 30, 2017. On July 5, 2017, a redacted NIH employee placed an order for a second trimester liver and thymus on behalf of Ron Messer. NIH redacted the price from the email, citing confidential commercial information. However, the $680 price is included in the purchase order. The tissues were delivered on August 21, 2017. On August 10, 2017, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card in September 2017. On August 24, 2017, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card in September 2017. On September 21, 2017, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card in October 2017. On October 5, 2017, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card on October 24, 2017. On October 26, 2017, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card in November 2017. On December 13, 2017, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by credit card on December 22, 2017. On January 3, 2018, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card on January 11, 2018. On January 25, 2018, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card on January 30, 2018. On February 7, 2018, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card on February 16, 2018. On March 1, 2018, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card on March 16, 2018. April 4, 2018, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $680 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card on April 18, 2018. On May 23, 2018, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $750 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card in June 2018. On May 31, 2018, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $750 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa card on June 26, 2018. On June 27, 2018, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $750 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by credit card and delivered on July 10, 2018. On August 15, 2018, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $750 for a second trimester thymus and liver, which were paid for by Visa and delivered on August 23, 2018. On August 10, 2018, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs ordered a second trimester liver and thymus and paid $750 by credit card. They were to be delivered on September 10, 2018. On September 6, 2018, NIHs Rocky Mountain Labs was billed $750 for a second trimester liver and thymus, which was paid for by Visa on September 14, 2018. These records detailing the federal governments purchases of organs of aborted fetuses are the most disturbing Ive ever seen in all my time at Judicial Watch, said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. Every responsible official in government from President Trump to HHS Secretary Azar should investigate and stop the trafficking of organs of aborted unborn human beings for taxpayer-funded Frankenstein-type experimentation. ALBANY The SUNY Administration Building in downtown Albany will be renamed the H. Carl McCall SUNY Building in the honor of the former New York State comptroller who served as the public university system's long-time chairman, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Friday. McCall was also awarded the Governors Medal of Public Service for his nearly 50-year career in public service, including stints as a state legislator and ambassador to the United Nations, during a reception at the Executive Mansion attended by members and guests of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus. Carl McCall is a friend and a true public servant who has graced this great state with more than 50 years of distinguished service and leadership, and all New Yorkers are better off for it, Cuomo said in a statement. While his achievements are beyond count, his legacy will be as a champion for those in need, and for helping restore faith in the ability of government to make a positive difference in peoples lives. McCall began his public service career as a state Senator representing Harlem and other parts of Manhattan and later became the first African American elected to statewide office as comptroller. Andrew Cuomo and McCall were briefly political rivals vying for the Democratic nomination in the 2002 New York governor's race to unseat Gov. George Pataki in his bid for a third term. Cuomo dropped out just a week before the September primary and backed McCall, but Pataki defeated McCall and Independence Party candidate Tom Golisano in the general election that November. Most recently, as chairman of the SUNY Board of Trustees, McCall worked to keep tuition affordable and provide access to a high-quality education at SUNY for thousands of New Yorkers. Under his leadership, SUNY instituted the first Office of Diversity and Inclusion and system-wide diversity policy, expanded Educational Opportunity Programs, implemented measures to prevent sexual assault on college campuses, ended the criminal conviction disclosure on SUNY applications, and launched a system-wide initiative to increase the number of underrepresented faculty. It has been my honor to be one of many sources of leadership and influence to provide more for New Yorkers, particularly by expanding opportunities for all students to get a higher education, and I am humbled by the Governors acknowledgment and celebration of my work, McCall said. Know that my accomplishments were in partnership with the Governor, the Legislature, SUNY Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, and many officials over my years of public service. And, it is also the result of feedback from the people I have served, especially the students I have seen achieve a better life through their own hard work and desire to do more. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The breathtaking structure at the intersection of Broadway and State Street as known as SUNY Plaza was built between 1914 and 1918. It was designed by Marcus T. Reynolds, one of the most notable Albany architects of the time. The Flemish gothic design was inspired by the Cloth Hall, a commercial building in Ypres, Belgium where Reynolds had spent time. The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building was designed more than 100 years ago to reflect the states history at the time, and today with the governors action, it will be known to all as a visible reminder of one of the most transformative leaders in our time," SUNY Chairman Dr. Merryl H. Tisch said in a statement. "Carl McCall is everyones champion, and he continually sets the example for what can be achieved through education, and what can be done by serving our nation and our citizens. SUNY Chancellor Kristina M Johnson said McCall once told her that "education is the only way for individuals to create a better life for them(selves) and their family. "His words and lifes own purpose continue to be a daily inspiration to me and everyone he meets. His deep commitment to equality, diversity and access to education for all New Yorks students, especially those from underserved areas is unmatched," Johnson said. The Governors Medal of Public Service reads: "Presented with respect and gratitude for the decades of leadership, wisdom, and moral clarity that you have provided to the people of New York, and around the world. NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With 2019 firmly behind us, Noya Fields Family Funds (www.noyafieldsfamily.org) provides its first annual discussion of activities and accomplishments from the previous year. "For the past few years we've issued occasional press releases as a way to highlight organizations that we've supported and projects that we've undertaken. We have by no means reported on every action taken or grant given, in some cases for the sake of brevity, but in others because projects take on a life of their own. Having substantially expanded over the past three years we thought it might be helpful and informative to begin providing an end of year summary of accomplishments," Co-Founder Ken Fields said. Fields Continued "In March of 2018 we announced a program to provide grants to educational and cultural institutions for renewable energy installations, at the time we provided funding to the Indian Mountain School in Connecticut that satisfied the down payment for a roughly 375 kw solar pv system for the school. Construction has been completed and the system is now up and running." "This past fall we celebrated the 25th year anniversary of Suited For Success / Dress For Success Miami as a platinum sponsor. The event was held at Jungle Island with over 350 guests in attendance supporting the programs that empower men, women, youth and veterans to economic self-sufficiency." "We were incredibly excited to participate in and see the expansion of the Grist Docs Program, in particular the publication of the investigation in to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the accompanying short film." "We expanded our initial grants program with our first grant to GreenWave in support of 3D restorative ocean farming. At the close of the year we had pending grants under review to Sunrise Movement and Mother Jones." "Looking forward, this spring we have plans to participate in a handful of reforestation and tree planting projects." About Noya Fields Family Funds: The Noya Fields Family group of charitable funds support through direct grants and strategic partnerships a wide range of philanthropic endeavors focusing generally, but by no means exclusively, on the environment, basic human civil liberties, education and the arts. The funds are jointly managed by Ken Fields and Nikki Noya Fields. Media Contact Ken Fields [email protected] 917-975-3345 SOURCE Noya Fields Family Fund The M14 is one of the worst DMRs in history, and should have never been adopted by the military. That's a powerful statement, but a mostly objective one. While the M14's design originated from what General Patton dubbed "The greatest battle implement ever devised" the M1 Garand by the 1950s it was already outdated. Military small arms development had seen unparalleled growth throughout World War II and this growth continued into the Cold War. Private 1st Class Carlos Rivera, a squad designated marksman with Alpha Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, scans his sector while providing security in the district of Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, July 30, 2012. (Photo: US Army) Experience in WWII and the frozen hell of Korea hammered home the importance of increased firepower without sacrificing range, reliability or power. Hundreds of soldiers reported the smaller M1 Carbine and its light .30-caliber cartridge were ineffective against winter-coat-wearing Chinese and Korean human wave attacks, but the .30-06 M1 never suffered this problem. Interestingly, post-war investigations suggested the M1 Carbine's light weight and high cyclic rate of fire were more responsible for this lack of stopping power than the cartridge itself meaning, most soldiers simply missed their targets because of the gun's recoil. This is a lesson the Army forgot when it pressed a select-fire .308 rifle into service only a few years later. Enter, the M14. The one thing the M14 has going for it, is its method of operation. It's a long-stroke, piston-driven action that's very similar to the most prolific, assault rifle in history: the AK-47. Like the AK, the M14's action can tolerate debris and fouling better than the direct-impingement M16. While the rifle's hard-hitting 7.62x51mm NATO round is vastly superior to the M16's 5.56mm at defeating light cover and the dense foliage found in South East Asian jungles, it also makes the rifle very tough to control. On a side note, carrying a combat load of 7.62 isn't much fun, and doesn't offer the average infantryman nearly as much firepower as the same weight in 5.56 rounds. But that's not what makes the M14 so awful. It's the design itself especially for the role it has been shoehorned into: the Designated Marskman Rifle. The vaunted DMR bridges the gap between the M4 and dedicated sniping weapon systems like the M24. Infantrymen from every branch fielding a DMR in combat have nothing but praise for the guns' performance in the vast expanses of Iraq and Afghanistan. So, if soldiers love the gun, it must be pretty decent, right? Sure, so long as the rifle is clamped into a very heavy, expensive chassis and the soldier carrying it never drops it, or touches the handguards. Seriously, disturbing the gun's bedding the way it's glued into a stock doesn't just shift point of impact, it reduces overall accuracy. Therein lies the biggest problem with the M14: accurizing the rifle and holding on to that accuracy. Accuracy is a measure of consistency when it comes to rifles. Given that a DMR must, by definition, extend the effective range of a squad, its DMR needs to reliably hit targets beyond the reach of the infantryman's standard rifle or carbine. Yet, according to military standards, acceptable accuracy from the M14 is 5.5 inches at 100 yards a full inch larger than the M16's standards. While the M14's 7.62mm round is great for this, the gun is not. Camp Perry shooters have long since abandoned the M14 because of the difficulty in accurizing the rifle compared to the M16 and they aren't alone. The Army noticed the problems and prohibitive costs associated with maintaining M14s in country, which lead to the solicitation of a replacement rifle to meet new specifications for the Semi-Automatic Sniper System program. Funny thing, the Army decided the M16 was more accurate, and more easily tuned into a sniper rifle except for the caliber. Which is why the M14 EBR's replacement, the Mk-11, is built off an AR-10: the 7.62 big brother of the M16. Cpl. Scott P. Ruggio, scout sniper, Scout Sniper platoon, Headquarters and Support Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires his MK-11 sniper rifle in the first stage of a three-day platoon competition in Djibouti March 25. (Photo: US Marine Corps) In all fairness, the Global War on Terror presented a combat theater the U.S. military wasn't prepared to fight in. Plus, the M14 wasn't meant to be a sniper or DMR platform when it was developed in the 1950s. Even still, Armalite had been producing civilian and military AR-10 rifles since the late 1950s, and could have just as easily been pressed into service. Better yet, since the AR-10 shares it's method of operation with the M16, advancements on one could likely be applied to the other. And, the guns shares the same manual of arms, so no additional training is required for soldiers transitioning from one to the other. MORE POSTS FROM WE ARE THE MIGHTY: 7 of the best Vietnam TV shows and movies, ranked 7 dumb things troops do the first week home after a deployment Watch this soldier pull off the ultimate homecoming surprise at the State of the Union We Are The Mighty (WATM) celebrates service with stories that inspire. WATM is made in Hollywood by veterans. It's military life presented like never before. Check it out at We Are the Mighty. All charter flights from Russia to China have been stopped as of February 14 due to the spread of the coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Before the move on February 14, Russian authorities had allowed charter flights that were bringing Russian citizens back from China. All regularly scheduled flights from across Russia to China were stopped on February 1, except for some flights operated by state carrier Aeroflot, Air China, Hainan Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, which are running routes through an isolated terminal in Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport. Russia has brought home hundreds of its citizens from China since the coronavirus outbreak in emerged in December in Wuhan, capital of the central province of Hubei. On February 14, the Russian Embassy in Cambodia said that eight Russian passengers from the Westerdam cruise ship that has been turned away from ports around Asia over coronavirus concerns and is now anchored in the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville, will be repatriated on February 15 at the expense of the tour company. Chinese officials on February 14 said that the death toll from the coronavirus in the country was 1,380, with 63,851 confirmed cases. Based on reporting by RBK and TASS Graham Wants Interviews With 17 DOJ, FBI Officials Over FISA Abuse Case The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), said he will seek testimony from the FBI and Department of Justice officials who were involved in the investigation into Russian election interference in the wake of an inspector generals report that detailed numerous errors in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrant to surveil former Trump aide Carter Page. Graham sent a letter (pdf) to Attorney General William Barr Friday asking that he make 17 officials available for interviews in front of his panel. As you are aware, the committee is continuing to investigate matters related to the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations handling of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, including the application for, and renewals of, a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act [FISA] warrant on Carter Page, he wrote in the letter. Many of the officials are only identified by their titles, but some were identified, including Bruce Ohr, the Associate Deputy Attorney General and former director of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. President Donald Trump has made references to Ohr on Twitter, alleging he was part of a scam and witch hunt to undermine his presidency. His committee will additionally be directly contacting former Department officials to schedule transcribed interviews, Graham wrote. It also names Special Agent Stephen Laycock, Special Agent Jennifer Boone, General Counsel of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Dana Boente, and more. Earlier in the week, Graham told CBS News that he is working to obtain private depositions from former FBI Director James Comey, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, and former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Current FBI Director Christopher Wray, who wasnt involved in the Page FISA warrants, might also testify, he said. Im going to get to the bottom of the FISA work process because it was an abuse of power of the Department of Justice, the FBI, Graham told CBS. During the interview, he said he can promise the president and your viewers that Im going to call witnesses. The Justice Department also recently found that two of the surveillance warrants were not valid and are under review. The FISA court also found that the DOJ also found there was insufficient predication to establish probable cause to believe that [Carter] Page was acting as an agent of a foreign power. The Department of Justices Inspector General Michael Horowitz, in a lengthy report released in December, concluded that at least 17 significant errors and omissions were found in the FISA applications to surveil page between 2016 and 2017. Carter Page on May 29, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) In the same report, Horowitz found the FISA filings used information from an unverified dossier compiled by British ex-spy Christopher Steele, who was hired by opposition research firm Fusion GPS. The firm was hired by Hillary Clintons campaign and the Democratic National Committee in 2016 via a law firm. Wray touched on the issue last week in the House, describing the recent findings as utterly unacceptable and that his agency has accepted every finding in the inspector generals report, including some that are extremely painful to us as an institution. Following the FBI chiefs testimony, President Trump drew attention to the testimony in a Twitter post by writing Wray just admitted that the FISA Warrants and [surveillance] of my campaign were illegal before adding that special counsel Robert Muellers report and allegations about Russian election interference were a fixed hoax. Graham made similar pledges to call the officials who signed off on the FISA warrants in late December about a week after Horowitzs report was published. Were going to look long and hard at FISA abuse, he said, adding that Im looking at [FBI Director] Christopher Wray to fire somebody at the FBI. He then added that somebody needs to go to jail, and Im looking at [U.S. Attorney John Durham] to hold people criminally accountable for the laws they broke. Former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey leaves the Rayburn House Office Building after testifying to the House Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform committees on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 7, 2018. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Comey last year told reporters that he was seven layers removed from the operation to surveil Page, and before that, he defended the FBIs usage of the FISA courts during the investigation into Trumps campaign. But, in the December interview, he made an about-face when Horowitz published his findings. Hes right, I was wrong, Comey told Fox News Sunday at the time the FBIs handling of the warrant application before, adding that I was overconfident as director in our procedures. Grahams recent comments to CBS come as the DOJ dropped a separate case against McCabe after allegations that he may have lied to investigators. Based on the totality of the circumstances and all of the information known to the government at this time, read a letter from U.S. Attorney General Timothy Shea, we consider this matter closed. Now, according to the officials, no charges will be brought against him based on the facts underlying the Office of the Inspector Generals April 2018 report. There were no Ukraine army casualties in the past day. Russia's hybrid military forces on Thursday mounted six attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. Read alsoRussian police free 'Black Lenin' media "The armed forces of the Russian Federation violated the ceasefire six times on February 13," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on February 14, 2020. The enemy opened fire from a proscribed 82mm mortar, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and rifles. Under attack were Ukrainian positions near the villages of Lebedynske, Berezove, Slavne, Novomykhailivka, Novoluhanske, and Novotoshkivske. There were no Ukraine army casualties in the past day. "Since Friday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near Novoluhanske, using an 82mm mortar, a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher, a heavy machine gun, and rifles," the update said. No Ukrainian army casualties registered on Friday have been reported yet. MISSOULA - Every social network has its fake news. And in animal communication networks, even birds discern the trustworthiness of their neighbors, a study from the University of Montana suggests. The study, recently published in the top science journal Nature, is the culmination of decades' worth of research from UM alumni Nora Carlson and Chris Templeton and UM Professor Erick Greene in the College of Humanities and Sciences. It sheds a new light on bird social networks. "This is the first time people have shown that nuthatches are paying attention to the source of information, and that influences the signal they produce and send along," Greene said. Carlson, Templeton and Greene shared an interest in trying to crack the Rosetta Stone of how birds communicate and collected bird calls over the years. Each bird species has a song, usually sung by the males, for "letting the babes know 'here I am,'" Greene said, as well as staking out real estate. Their loud and complex calls usually ring out during breeding season. But for warning calls, each sound stands for a specific threat, such as "snake on the ground," "flying hawk" and "perched hawk." The calls convey the present danger level and specific information. They also are heard by all species in the woods in a vast communication network that sets them on high alert. "Everybody is listening to everybody else in the woods," Greene said. In the study, Greene and his researchers wanted to determine how black-capped chickadees and red-breasted nuthatches encode information in their calls. In bird communication, a high-pitched "seet" from a chickadee indicates a flying hawk and causes a strong reaction - other birds go silent, look up and then dive in the bushes. Alarm calls can travel quickly through the woods. Greene said in previous experiments they clocked the speed of the calls at 100 miles per hour, which he likens to the bow wave on a ship. "Sometimes birds in the woods know five minutes before a hawk gets there," Greene said. A harsh, intensified "mobbing call" drives birds from all species to flock together to harass the predator. When the predator hears the mobbing call, it usually has to fly a lot farther to hunt, so the call is very effective. "The owl is sitting in the tree, going, 'Oh crap!" Greene said. Greene calls it "social media networks - the original tweeting." For the study with chickadees and nuthatches, the researchers focused on direct information - something a bird sees or hears firsthand - versus indirect information, which is gained through the bird social network and could be a false alarm. "In a way, it kind of has to do with fake news, because if you get information through social media, but you haven't verified it, and you retweet it or pass it along, that's how fake news starts," Greene said. Nuthatches and chickadees share the same predators: the great-horned owl and the pygmy owl. To the small birds, the pygmy owl is more dangerous than a great-horned owl due to its smaller turning radius, which allows it to chase prey better. "If you are eating something that's almost as big as you are, it's worth it to go after it," Greene said. Using speakers in the woods, the researchers played the chickadee's warning call for the low-threat great-horned owl and the higher-threat pygmy owl to nuthatches. The calls varied by threat level - great-horned owl versus pygmy owl - and whether they were direct (from the predators themselves) or indirect (from the chickadees). What they discovered about the nuthatches was surprising. Direct information caused the nuthatches to vary their calls according to the high threat and the low threat. But the chickadee's alarm call about both predators elicited only a generic, intermediate call from the nuthatch, regardless of the threat level. Greene said the research points to the nuthatch's ability to make sophisticated decisions about stimuli in their environment and avoid spreading "fake news" before they confirm a predator for themselves. "You gotta take your hat off to them," Greene said. "There's a lot of intelligence there." The research, conducted by Carlson, Templeton and Greene around Montana and Washington throughout the years, wasn't without challenges. Most of the set up happened during winter, and nuthatches had to be isolated from chickadees to ensure the warning calls were not a response to witnessing chickadees going crazy. Often a chickadee would appear after everything was set up, and the researchers had to take everything down and try a new location. "It's quite hard to find nuthatches without chickadees somewhere in the area," Greene said. "That was the most difficult part - to find these conditions out in the wild." But the results were worth the work. Greene said the nuthatch study ultimately helps researchers better understand how animal communication networks work and how different species decode information, encode info and pass it along. "We kind of wish people behaved like nuthatches," Greene said. ### Read more about the study in National Geographic at https://on.natgeo.com/3bAGO61. Carlson earned her undergraduate degree in wildlife biology from UM in 2012 and a doctorate from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She resides at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior at Germany with a globally prestigious Marie Curie Research Fellowship. Templeton received a graduate degree in organismal biology and ecology from UM in 2002 and also researched bioacoustics at St. Andrews. He works as a professor at Pacific University in Portland. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC on Friday the company is going "fully carbon neutral" starting March 1. "It's a big challenge and it's a big commitment," Bastian said on "Squawk Box." Delta is committing at least $1 billion over the next decade to reduce environmental impact, focusing on clean technological investments for engines and carbon removal, he added. "There's no greater challenge that I know of that we need to be investing in and innovating in as environmental sustainability," he said. The company, which has made environmentally conscious moves in the past, will still rely on jet fuel. "We will continue to use jet fuel for as far as the eye can see," Bastian said. "We'll be investing in technologies to reduce the impact of jet fuel, but I don't ever see a future where we'll eliminate jet fuel from our footprint." President Donald Trump doesnt seem to be making the job any easier for Attorney General William Barr, one of his fiercest allies, who told ABC Thursday that he wont be bullied by anyone when it came to Justice Department matters. On Friday, the president ignored his attorney generals public request to stop tweeting about the Justice Department, saying he had the legal right to ask the agency to intervene in a criminal case, but hes so far chosen not to. The President has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case. A.G. Barr This doesnt mean that I do not have, as President, the legal right to do so, I do, but I have so far chosen not to! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 14, 2020 Trumps Friday morning tweet came just hours after Barr said in a striking interview with ABC News that the presidents tweets were making it impossible to do his job, especially following the departments bungled handling of the sentencing recommendation for Trump ally and confidant Roger Stone. Trump, in his tweet, also left open the possibility that he would ask Barr for something in a criminal matter in the future. As president, Trump technically has the right to compel the Justice Department to investigate as an executive branch agency. But historically, when it comes to decisions on criminal investigations and prosecutions, Justice has functioned as an independent agency, unmoved and unbound by political sway. And that reputation is important to Barr, as he made clear in the interview. Im happy to say that, in fact, the president has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case, Barr told ABC. However, to have public statements and tweets made about the department, about our people ... 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. The attorney general had repeatedly shared the same sentiment in private conversations with the president in recent weeks, telling Trump he was frustrated with the presidents public comments and tweets about Justice Department cases, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss the private conversations. Barr was directly asked whether he believed Trump had the authority to direct him to open an investigation. Terrorism or fraud by a bank or something like that where hes concerned about something, he can certainly say I think someone should look into that. Thats perfectly appropriate, Barr said. If he were to say, you know, go investigate somebody because - and you sense its because theyre a political opponent, then an attorney general shouldnt carry that out, wouldnt carry that out. Trump has publicly and privately raged about payback in the form of investigations against his perceived enemies, including former FBI Director James Comey, former FBI Director Andrew McCabe, and hes also pressed for investigations into political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter, especially following Trumps impeachment acquittal over a phone call where he asked Ukraines leaders to investigate the Bidens. An administration official acknowledged there had been some tension between Trump and Barr in recent weeks, but Trump still has confidence in Barr and believes he is a far better attorney general than Jeff Sessions, who drew Trumps ire after removing himself from the Russia investigation because of his previous work with the Trump campaign. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal deliberations and private conversations, said Trump also knows it would be risky to remove Barr ahead of the 2020 election and that it is highly unlikely he could find a replacement for Barr before then. Officials in the attorney generals office gave the White House a readout of the interview after it was taped but before it aired on ABCs website, the person familiar with the matter said. After the interview Thursday evening, the White House offered a tempered response that Trump wasnt bothered by the comments at all and he has the right, just like any American citizen, to publicly offer his opinions. But the president on Friday quoted one of Barrs comments in the interview: The President has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case. A.G. Barr and then Trump added in his tweet This doesnt mean that I do not have, as President, the legal right to do so, I do, but I have so far chosen not to! Earlier this week, the Justice Department overruled its own prosecutors who had recommended in a court filing that Trumps 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 didnt offer an amended number. The entire trial team quit the case after the amended filing, one quit the DOJ altogether. And Barr faced intense criticism over the decision because it came just hours after Trump tweeted his displeasure about 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. Hes scheduled to be sentenced next week. Barr himself has been under fire for the reversal. Still, it was a highly unusual move for a member of the Cabinet to publicly criticize the president especially a Trump loyalist who shares the presidents views on expansive executive powers. Thursdays comment served as a defense of his own integrity an effort to salvage his own reputation and that of the Department of Justice by publicly rebuking the president hes propped up from Day One of his tenure. The remarks, made so quickly after the decision to back away from the sentencing recommendation, suggested Barr was aware the reversal had chipped away at the departments historic reputation for independence from political sway. But he stopped short of acknowledging wrongdoing by anyone. House Democrats frustrated over the Senates acquittal of Trump want answers from Barr about what they see as his efforts to politicize federal law enforcement. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said earlier this week that Barr will testify before the panel Mar. 31 and that lawmakers will ask him about his involvement in the Stone case. Barr said Trumps tweets created perception problems for the department that called into question its independence, but he denied there was any order from Trump and said Trumps tweets did not factor into the decision. 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. Barr joined a roster of high-level aides who have publicly criticized Trump, though the rest left the job first. 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. And 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. By Trend Mrs. Khanim Ibrahimova, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality if Liechtenstein, met with Isabelle Moret, the President of the National Council of the Swiss Confederation. The National Council is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland and the President of the National Council is considered the highest ranking representative of the Swiss federal state. The ties of cooperation between the Azerbaijani and Switzerland parliaments were highly appreciated, as well as the views on the prospects for further cooperation were exchanged during the meeting. Ambassador Ibrahimova noted the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation on development of the Swiss-Azerbaijani relations, and highly appreciated the recent visit of Jean-Rene Furney, the President of the upper house of the Federal Assembly to Baku. She also mentioned the fact that Swiss Azerbaijani Parliamentary Friendship Group is one of the few friendship groups in the National Council. Ambassador Ibrahimova thanked for the opportunity for the first time ever presentation by herself planning during the March session of the Parliament about Azerbaijan. It will be an important event, since the parliamentarians will receive the necessary information directly from the Ambassador. Khanim Ibrahimova informed her counterpart about the parliamentary elections that were held in Azerbaijan on February 9 and called it as a new manifestation of democracy in the country. She noted that over 1,300 candidates had never previously participated in the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan. International organizations have shown tremendous interest in these elections About 900 international observers arrived in the country and new parliament is composed of 20 percent women. The sides also discussed bilateral economic and political relations between Azerbaijan and Switzerland, structural reforms carried out in Azerbaijan under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, and exchanged views on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Referring to the international reputation of Azerbaijan, Ibrahimova noted that Azerbaijan is chairing organizations such as the Non-Aligned Movement and GUAM. Isabelle Moret expressed her satisfaction with the achievements of Azerbaijan and wished her success in future. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz It had been co-authored by Russia. A so-called Donbas settlement plan has been removed from the site of the Munich Security Conference, which offered 12 steps to achieve peace in eastern Ukraine and which a group of U.S. experts and diplomats said used "Kremlin-friendly" terms. Also, the notion was deleted from the site, stating the plan had been co-authored and supported by the Munich Security Conference, European Pravda reports. There have been no reports yet to explain the move. As reported earlier, 12 steps to achieve peace in Donbas were put forward today in a so-called settlement plan announced at the Munich Security Conference. The document notes that three Ukrainian experts took part in its development, all of whom are known for their cooperation with Russia and taking into account Russia's interests: Vasyl Filipchuk, Oleksandr Chaliy, and Oleksiy Semeniy. Read alsoZelensky brings "fresh energy" to peace efforts in Donbas: Munich Security Conference report Conference leader Wolfgang Ischinger earlier said the West should cooperate with Russia, despite the Kremlin's numerous violations of international law. Some steps, proposed by the mentioned plan "echo Kremlin negotiating proposals or disinformation themes," the Atlantic Council earlier said in a statement. "More importantly, the document describes the problem to be resolved in Kremlin-friendly terms, perhaps in order to persuade members of the Russian elite to sign," the statement said. Open source Law enforcement authorities prevented the contract murder of an employee of the National Academy of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), as her ex-husband wanted to kill her. The SBU press service reported that. According to investigators, the former husband of an employee of the Service Academy was looking for a killer to assassinate her. Meanwhile, legal disputes continue regarding the determination of the place of residence of the common child and the payment of alimony. Law enforcement authorities conducted an imitation of the disappearance and murder of the victim in Kyiv, after which they informed the customer about her execution. He estimated the life of his wife at 1,000 U.S. dollars. SBU employees detained the ex-husband immediately after transferring the last amount of funds for the job done in one of the district centers of Kirovohrad region, central Ukraine. "Within the framework of the initiated criminal proceedings, the issue of declaring a report of suspicion of a crime under paragraph 11 of Part 2 of Article 115 (contract murder) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is being resolved," the message said. The suspect faces ten to fifteen years in prison or the life imprisonment. As we reported before, Ukraine's former Deputy Minister for Occupied Territories Yuriy Grymchak should stay under 24-hour house arrest until April 13, 2020, according to the decision of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court. German airline giant Lufthansa said Friday it would prolong its suspension of flights to the Chinese mainland until March 28 over the novel coronavirus COVID-19. "The Lufthansa Group has now decided to cancel the flights of Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian Airlines from/to Beijing and Shanghai until the end of the winter timetable on 28 March" rather than 29 February, the group said in a statement. Lufthansa flights to Nanjing, Shenyang and Qingdao were already cancelled until the same date. Meanwhile the group will respond to reduced demand for Hong Kong flights by cancelling some flights by flagship carrier Lufthansa and using smaller planes on Swiss connections. Passengers whose flight has been cancelled can change their booking at no charge or receive a full refund, Lufthansa said. On Thursday, UN body the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) estimated almost 20 million fewer passengers would travel to and from China in the first quarter compared with expectations, costing the airline industry up to USD 5 billion in revenue worldwide. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A surfer is in hospital after the jet ski that rescued him from a violent swell was hit by two waves, tossing him into the air. Canadian-born big wave surfer Alex Botelho was tossed around in the powerful surf off the central coast of Portugal before support staff rescued him. He got into trouble in a big swell when, following a wipeout, he was rescued by his partner Hugo Vau on a jet ski, the Guardian said. With both men on board, they were unable to outrun a wall of white water rushing up behind them before the craft was hit by another wave from the front. He was competing in the Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge, held in an area which sees some of the biggest waves in the world. Video of the incident shows around a dozen people drag an unconscious Mr Botelho out of the water and onto the beach, where he was put on a backboard and taken to an ambulance. The World Surf League (WSL) said in a statement: "Big wave surfer Alex Botelho was involved in a very serious incident during the Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge. "He was rushed to the hospital and we now have an update on his condition. Currently, he is stable and conscious. He will stay at the hospital for further evaluation. "A heartfelt thank you to the safety and medical teams for their quick response. We are wishing Alex a full and speedy recovery." Nic Von Rupp, another big wave surfer, said it was difficult to watch, saying what happened to his "brother" was "heartbreaking". The former fishing village has been a hot spot for big wave surfing since 2011, when Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara set a world record for the biggest wave ever surfed at 78 feet (23.77 metres). That was beaten in 2017 by Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa, who rode an 80 foot (24.38m) wave, again at Nazare. Waves there reached an average of 45 feet (14m) on Tuesday, the WSL estimated, helped by storms out in the ocean and light winds, calling conditions "exceptional". The monstrous swells are increased by an underwater canyon three miles (5km) deep which ends where the North Atlantic meets the shoreline. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak informed the G7 ambassadors about the situation in Donbas and further actions within the framework of the Minsk process. Andriy Yermak thanked the diplomats and their countries for supporting Ukraine and expressed hope for further fruitful cooperation. The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine informed of the situation in Donbas and further steps within the framework of the Minsk process, the press service of the Head of State reports. According to the Head of the President's Office, the Normandy format summit in Paris was quite successful as it resulted in 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 towards peace. 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. He assured that the pace of work on the lists and the return of Ukrainians would not be slowed down. The Head of the President's Office also said that one of three areas for the new disengagement had been practically agreed during the recent meeting in Minsk. At the same time, he said, the Ukrainian party strives to speed up the process as much as possible. 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. 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, the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine told the G7 ambassadors. ol (TMU) The U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) has stressed in its latest report that hacktivists and public disclosure organizations like WikiLeaks pose a significant threat similar to that of Islamic State and Al-Qaeda terrorists, as well as Russia, Iran, and China. Ideologically motivated entities such as hacktivists, leaktivists, and public disclosure organizations pose significant threats to the U.S. at the same level as non-state terrorist organizations, according to the report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligences biannual National Counterintelligence Strategy. Although the report fails to mention WikiLeaks by name, it references unauthorized disclosures of US cyber tools and public disclosure organizations. In others words, the CIA hacking tools released under Vault 7 and Vault 8 and the NSA surveillance dragnet revealed by whistleblower Edward Snowden. In 2017, the U.S. Senate considered a bill that would have classified WikiLeaks as a non-state hostile intelligence service bundled as part of the 2018 Intelligence Authorization Act. Presumably, that classification would authorize the use of force against WikiLeaks. Those same words were echoed by former CIA director and current Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during the same year. Its time to call out WikiLeaks for what it really is: A non-state hostile intelligence service often abetted by state actors like Russia, Pompeo said at the time. The NCSC argues that leaks open up new opportunities for adversaries to use information as a strategic resource in achieving their economic security aims, and exert leverage over their competitors. The report also insinuates that emerging technologies like AI, encryption, and the Internet of Things will benefit U.S. adversaries more than the U.S. The United States is facing increasingly aggressive and complex threats from foreign intelligence services, as well as state and non-state actors, said William Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. The NCSC also indicated that Russia and China are using all instruments of national power to target the United States. Cuba, Iran, and North Korea were referred to as significant threats on the same level as terrorists, hacktivists, and transnational criminal organizations. This comes as WikiLeaks founder and journalist Julian Assange is set to face trial for extradition on February 24 for publishing documents that exposed corruption and U.S. war crimes. Protests are planned all over the world as the future of press freedom lies in the outcome of just one mans case. Extradite Julian Assange & the UK extradites our rights: freedom of the press, rule of law, human rights Join the global protest on day 1 of the extradition hearing. More info+event pages: https://t.co/I8AXRKeJUq Update of the updated map: #FreeAssange #DontExtraditeAssange pic.twitter.com/0uNS0Qp2wE Bean (@SomersetBean) February 10, 2020 Last year in April, Assange was dragged out of the Ecuadorian Embassy in violation of 2 UN rulings following the withdrawal of his asylum status by the Ecuadorian government. Assange faces 175 years in the United States if convicted of exposing war crimes and various corruption within the United States, 17 charges of which are under the Espionage Act. In total, Assange faces 18 charges including an absurd charge under the CFAA for computer hacking by helping his source, Chelsea Manning, protect herself against being discovered to leak him information. We are now watching as not only our press freedoms are eroded but those who seek to expose corruption are being labeled as terrorists. If it was Mian Musharraf in 2002, it was Kabristan-Shamshan in Uttar Pradesh, followed by tukde-tukde and Shaheen Bagh Modi ruled Gujarat for over 13 years and helmed the state through three Assembly elections with each one of them targeting the Congress, which ruled the Centre and was the main opposition in the state, as anti-Gujarat and pro-Muslim. Modi was portrayed as the quintessential Hindu hriday-samrat who was being targetted by Pakistan based terror groups ,the messiah of development who had turned Gujarat into a model state and was the subject of angst and envy- After Modi took over at the Centre in 2014 with Amit Shah as his party president, majoritarian politics has been the centre-piece of every election whether state or central. If it was Mian Musharraf in 2002, it has been the tukde-tukde gang thereafter or the Kabristan-Shamshan issue raked up in Uttar Pradesh elections 2017 and now Shaheen Bagh in the ensuing Delhi polls. What is the intended implication of union minister Anurag Thakurs missive that invited a shoot the traitors chant except to widen the communal chasm for electoral advantage. BJP MP from West Delhi, Parvesh Sahib Singh, even did away with the fig leaf of a pretense altogether as he warned people that those gathering at Shaheen Bagh in South-East Delhi will enter your houses, rape sisters and daughters and kill them. It was a reckless communal pitch that was taken to a crescendo by the BJP in the Delhi Assembly election. Since December 2018, the BJP has been vanquished in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, outmaneuvered in Maharashtra, is hanging onto the coattails of the Janayak Janta Party (JJP) to retain power in Haryana and has now been roundly thrashed in Delhi. Predictably repetitive, it is just not yielding the desired dividend, at least not in state elections. Clearly, cleaving communities and hawking hatred on the streets for petty poll gains is a dangerous game with frightening national repercussions. Those who seek a place in history should well remember that the distance between a victor and a villain is just a shred of time! --- *Senior journalist based in Gujarat. Blog: Wordsmiths & Newsplumbers A cleaving campaign in such a context is when the majority community -- through direct or indirect methods-is suggestively led to believe of an enhanced threat from a minority. The political objective is to unite a religious majority under the shadow of a perceived threat to vote a party on religion, caste or creed considerations.Modi ruled Gujarat for over 13 years and helmed the state through three Assembly elections with each one of them targeting the Congress, which ruled the Centre and was the main opposition in the state, as anti-Gujarat and pro-Muslim.Modi was portrayed as the quintessential Hindu hriday-samrat who was being targetted by Pakistan based terror groups ,the messiah of development who had turned Gujarat into a model state and was the subject of angst and envy-After Modi took over at the Centre in 2014 with Amit Shah as his party president, majoritarian politics has been the centre-piece of every election whether state or central. If it was Mian Musharraf in 2002, it has been the tukde-tukde gang thereafter or the Kabristan-Shamshan issue raked up in Uttar Pradesh elections 2017 and now Shaheen Bagh in the ensuing Delhi polls.What is the intended implication of union minister Anurag Thakurs missive that invited a shoot the traitors chant except to widen the communal chasm for electoral advantage. BJP MP from West Delhi, Parvesh Sahib Singh, even did away with the fig leaf of a pretense altogether as he warned people that those gathering at Shaheen Bagh in South-East Delhi will enter your houses, rape sisters and daughters and kill them.It was a reckless communal pitch that was taken to a crescendo by the BJP in the Delhi Assembly election.Since December 2018, the BJP has been vanquished in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, outmaneuvered in Maharashtra, is hanging onto the coattails of the Janayak Janta Party (JJP) to retain power in Haryana and has now been roundly thrashed in Delhi. Predictably repetitive, it is just not yielding the desired dividend, at least not in state elections.Clearly, cleaving communities and hawking hatred on the streets for petty poll gains is a dangerous game with frightening national repercussions. Those who seek a place in history should well remember that the distance between a victor and a villain is just a shred of time!--- History repeats itself -- first as a mistake, second time as stupidity and thereafter as a tragedy -- invariably with lethal costs.It began in 2002 as an experiment in crass communal cleaving to win elections in Gujarat and has endured up to February 2020 as the BJP pulled out all stops in ethnic animosity to wrest Indias capital, Delhi from the Aam Admi Party (AAP) only to fall flat on its face. A recap would be in order. If AAP chief minister Arvind Kejriwal sought votes for his work, BJP toiled to unseat him through a vicious witch-hunt. The Prime Minister termed the ongoing Shaheen Bagh protests in Delhi a proliferating mindset which needed to be checked.His Home Minister Amit Shah wanted voters pressing the saffron button so hard that those protesting the CAA (Citizens Amendment Act) and NRC (National Register of Citizens) scamper home by counting evening.Again, Union minister Prakash Javdekar termed Kejriwal a terrorist and BJPs Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath named Pakistan 8 times in 48 seconds during his Delhi election rally.When a debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser. Poison dripped every time the countrys rulers opened their mouth seeking to equate Muslims with Pakistanis and hindus or any other who voiced support as anti-national.The violence at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Jamia Millia Islamia, both central universities, was used to queer the pitch as hotbed of anti-national activities.The entire exercise was aimed at communal polarization for electoral gains.The answer to the bang-bang campaign came in the results on February 11 with just one resounding thud from the people of Delhi. BJP was washed away-a mere 8 seats to the AAPs 62 in a 70-member Delhi Vidhan Sabha -- and their voluble leaders left tongue-tied, Shah included. The Congress blanked out again.Narratives may be pliable but facts are stubborn. The propagation of communal polarization as a poll strategy was initiated by chief minister Narendra Modi in 2002 in Gujarat and continues unchanged through numerous elections countrywide as he navigates his second term as Prime Minister.The state has been the crucible of many political experiments from Mahatma Gandhis non-violent Dandi salt satyagraha in March 1930 to the Navnirman students agitation in 1974 and Narendra Modis Gujarat Gaurav yatra in 2002.Gandhis civil disobedience movement which commenced from the Sabarmati ashram in Ahmedabad to Dandi in South Gujarat created the building blocks for the countrys eventual independence from British rule in 1947.The Navnirman andolan (reconstruction stir) of 1974, termed as a crusade against corruption led to the fall of the Chimanbhai Patel-led Congress government and found echoes in the national movement led by Sarvodaya leader Jayprakash Narayan which installed the first non-Congress government in India led by another Gujarati, Morarji Desai in 1977.Ironically, Chimanbhai Patel who had been expelled from the Congress returned as chief minister heading a Janata Dal-BJP coalition government (so much for BJP's corruption crusade).The state became the harbinger of another political experiment after Narendra Modi took over as the chief minister in 2001.The statewide communal riots, that followed the 2002 Godhra train carnage left over a thousand people dead, a majority of them from the minority community.However, in the Gujarat Gaurav yatra, taken out through the state, the target may have been the then Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf (Mian Musharraf) but the imagery sought to be evoked was focused nearer home.Similarly the name of the then chief election commissioner James Michael Lyngdoh would be spelled out in full to evoke Christian camaraderie with Congress President Sonia Gandhi whose Italian origins were also marked out for special mention. Minority bashing stood turned into a potent, poll campaign tool.The 2002 Gujarat State Assembly election was the first example of a cleaving poll campaign-it now goes by the name of majoritarian politics- undertaken by chief minister Modi and reaped handsome results .BJP steamrollered to 127 of the total 182 seats in the Gujarat state Assembly with Congress reduced to 51, Janata Dal (United) 2 and independents 2. Thereafter it evolved into a signature tune of the party under Modi-Shah leadership, unrecognizably distant from the Jan Sangh-BJP of the Atal Vajpayee era. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is working to tighten rules to prevent its pilots from leaving the service and joining private airlines that offer better salary and perquisites, two people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity. Some measures are being implemented to arrest the trend of pilots quitting the air force and taking up well-paying flying jobs outside, said one of the two, an air force officer. IAF is also refining its human resource policies to address the aspirations of its pilots by taking several steps, including giving them greater clarity about their career prospects in service, the second person, a government official, said. Hindustan Times couldnt ascertain the exact changes being contemplated but learns that they will be made shortly, and could involve cooling-off periods and changes in pension plans. The changes are likely to be controversial. If we are not able to retain talent, the service suffers. We cannot allow that to happen. It may cause some resentment but we have to see whats good for the service. If someone has pressing reasons, those cases can be looked into separately, the first person said. While most pilots usually look at leaving the IAF after being overlooked for promotion, there have been cases of people putting in their papers before reaching that stage. A middle-rung IAF pilot earning up to 2 lakh a month could land a salary that is four times higher as captain in a private airline. Most pilots quit service after being overlooked for promotion and completing 20 years of service, which entitles them to a pension. The IAF way of life is very good and apart from the salary, there are several intangible benefits. But my work load is far less as a private airlines pilot and theres nothing to complain about the remuneration. As captain, I am responsible for everything after the aircraft door closes and once it opens, my job is over, said an IAF officer who recently quit service and took up a job in a private airlines. The officer asked not to be named. The first person said that there have been quite a few instances of air force pilots leaving to join private airlines in recent years but couldnt put a number to this. Experts said it was critical for the IAF to retain talent. A pilot gets into operational flying after training for almost 250 to 300 hours in different aircraft. That costs a lot of money. You cannot afford to let trained people go. Other global air forces are also struggling with same issues, said Air Marshal KK Nohwar (retd), director general, Centre for Air Power Studies. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rahul Singh Rahul Singh covers military affairs. He has been a journalist for 18 years. ...view detail Rodney Ray, pictured here at what is now the former site of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery site, has lived near the refinery all his life, worked in it for a few years, and has health problems. Read more Sylvia Bennett, 76, has been praying while walking the streets in the Grays Ferry neighborhood she has lived in most of her life. Two of her daughters have cancer, a granddaughter has asthma, and though there is no definitive proof, she insists these illnesses, and those of her neighbors, were caused by living so close to the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery. Theres a difference in the odor here, she said. She would beg God for clean air so her family and friends could live. You gave it to us, give it back to us, she would pray. Take this silent killer away. Her prayers were answered Thursday when a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge approved the sale of the complex to a firm that says it will transform the real estate into a mixed-use industrial site. This is a blessing, said Bennett, who is a member of Philly Thrive, an advocacy group that has spoken out about refinery-related health concerns. "I could dance all over the street. The refinery has been shut down since a June fire triggered multiple explosions and released deadly chemicals into the air, including more than 3,000 pounds of hydrofluoric acid, which can destroy deep tissue layers and bone, and can cause potentially deadly lung injuries. READ MORE: 6 things to know about the future of the South Philly refinery site Many residents had long feared a disaster triggered by the largest oil refinery on the East Coast sitting in their backyards. Some considered leaving the neighborhood but said they couldnt afford to. READ MORE: Blocks away from South Philly refinery explosion, residents saw what looked almost like a nuclear disaster A month after the explosion, Philadelphia Energy Solutions, which owned the refinery complex, declared bankruptcy. This weeks sale to Hilco Redevelopment Partners, which plans to demolish the refinery, has brought residents hope. READ MORE: Their timeline is aggressive: Hilco plans to clean up polluted South Philly refinery site, city says Rodney Ray, 61, said he used to work in the refinery as a laborer, climbing into the oil tanks with a cloth mask to build scaffolding on the inside. At 55, he said, he had to go on disability because of congestive heart failure. He still lives near his former workplace, the place he believes is the reason he has trouble breathing today. The refinery sits right on top of us and has been sitting on top of us all my life, said Ray, also a member of Philly Thrive. He was glad to hear of the refinerys sale to Hilco because, he said, I wouldnt want this to happen to nobody else. The refinery was Philadelphias single-largest source of local air pollution, even before the explosion, according to a 2017 report from the citys Office of Sustainability. Federal data also pegged the refinery, which processed 335,000 barrels of crude oil a day, as the citys top emitter. Newer resident Nancy Shapiro, 71, who has lived in the neighborhood about six years, said she had not been worried about pollution. Her corner home has a fenced-in yard with two apple trees, a peach tree, three walnut trees, and lilac bushes. Everything grows, she said. She knew what she was risking when she moved in, she said, and is just glad the site will be used for something. I realize I live at ground zero, she said. When I moved in I said OK, if the refinery dont get me, the gas plant might.' READ MORE: Refinery explosion: How Philly dodged a catastrophe For longtime Grays Ferry residents, the fight against the refinery has spanned generations. Its like Im waking up from a nightmare, said Jeanette Miller, 63, a Philly Thrive member who has lived in the neighborhood all her life and suffers from chronic bronchitis. Were finally being heard. Now our kids are going to live without having to worry about diseases, without their lungs being polluted, the water being messed up. Charles Reeves, 61, said his father was advocating for the refinery to close in the 1970s. But as a child, Reeves said, he didnt understand. He used to play in the Schuylkill, where the refinery sits along, not knowing it could be hazardous. READ MORE: For South Philly residents, new report on refinery explosion prompts more health worries Many of his children and grandchildren have eczema and asthma, and he had his prostate removed from cancer, which he thinks refinery-related pollution caused. He is now a community leader, president of the Tasker-Morris Neighbors Association, and has been waiting for this change. While this makes him hopeful for future generations, he says it is too late for him and others like him who have already been sick. Were grandparents, he said. The fight is over for us. Inquiring into the February 8 building collapse on the Kharar-Landran road, that claimed the life of a JCB operator, Kharar sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Himanshu Jain has indicted both the builder and the contractor for negligence. Jain on Friday submitted his seven-page report to Mohali deputy commissioner (DC) Girish Dayalan, with recommendation of legal action against builder Parveen Kumar and contractor Pankaj Kumar. I have got the copy of the report. It will be submitted to the chief ministers office for further action. An FIR is already registered against the duo, who will be arrested soon, DC Dayalan said. COLLAPSE CLAIMED JCB OPERATORS LIFE On February 8, a three-storey building had collapsed at Sante Majra village on the Kharar-Landran road, killing a JCB driver, Harvinder Singh, alias Baboo. The collapsed building housed the office of Ambika Infrastructure, a real estate development firm, owned by Parveen Kumar, the managing director of Ambika Group. Parveen also owns the adjoining plot, where he planned to set up a hotel and even shift his office. Harvinder, working for the contractor, was excavating earth on the hotel site. He had accidentally hit the foundation of the other building, which came crashing down in no time. Three other people who were trapped under the debris were rescued, but Harvinder could not survive. The Kharar municipal council has since cancelled the building plan permission for the hotel site, as digging was being done beyond the permissible limit. BUILDER, CONTRACTOR AT LARGE Six days after the Mohali police booked the contractor and builder for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, the accused remain out of polices grasp. Kharar (Sadar) SHO Amandeep Singh said, We are regularly conducting raids at their houses, but they remain locked. Their mobile phones are also switched off. FINDINGS OF THE REPORT Basement was dug up beyond permissible limit and sanctioned depth, which exposed the foundation of the adjacent three-storey building, leading to the collapse Kharar municipal council was not informed about digging One of the two mobile towers on the building was installed without the civic bodys permission. Notice was also issued to the builder regarding the illegal mobile tower. Though the builder and the contractor are blaming each other for digging of the basement, both are responsible for the incident, which led to death of one person. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON At an election rally in 2016, Donald Trump, then the Republican presidential nominee, pitched himself to an audience comprising Indian Americans as a true friend they will have in the White House if he was elected. In 2019, he repeated that pitch at a rally several times larger. Expect a variation of this exhortation during his visit to India. No other American president has courted Indian Americans as assiduously as Trump. Indian Americans account for 1% of the population, but punch far above their weight in education, professional standing and wealth. The community has grown politically ambitious in recent years, which is acknowledged by both Republicans and Democrats. Bobby Jindal and Nikki Haley rose through the ranks of the Republican Party to become governors the only two Indian Americans ever elected to the top job in the US and Jindal went on to seek the presidential nomination. On the Democratic side, Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamurthi, Pramila Jayapal and Kamala Harris became members the US Congress. But both parties have tended to treat Indian Americans as part of a larger Asian American constituency. Trump, however, has wooed Indian Americans as Indian Americans, and not a part of the larger Asian American entity. Whether by design or chance, with the 2016 rally in Edison, a New Jersey city packed with Indian immigrants, he became the first presidential nominee of a major political party to pitch exclusively to Indian Americans. It had no immediate impact 55% of Indian Americans who voted in the 2016 election held very unfavorable to somewhat unfavorable view of Trump, according to a survey of Asian Americans. And only 16% of them said they had voted for Trump. But Trumps low haul was still 3 percentage points more than John McCains, the Republican nominee who lost to Barack Obama in 2008. Was that progress? Perhaps not. But Trump might be tapping into the communitys desire to be counted as a whole, and not a part of a whole. There is also a growing disillusionment in the Democratic Party with the Narendra Modi government over Kashmir and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. This may give Trump an opportunity. A resolution moved by Democratic congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, an Indian American, to condemn the restrictions in Kashmir and the treatment of minorities, has garnered the support of 60 members of the House of Representatives, with several Democrats among them. And those aligned with the BJP, have declared Jayapal as an adversary. This is an opportunity for Trump , and he will not miss it. According to people familiar with the planning of the trip, the president has asked for a Howdy Modikind of event during his visit. For those who ask why should he care about a tiny minority of 1%, Indian Americans were, and continue to be, a factor in the changing demographics and politics of states driven by immigrants. And every state counts. Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton in 2016 by millions, but won the White House in winner-takes-all count of states. The views expressed are personal SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Shorenstein Properties LLC ("Shorenstein"), an owner and operator of high-quality office, residential and mixed-use properties across the U.S., today announced the sale of Santa Clara Towers to an undisclosed institutional investor. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Prominently located along Highway 101 in the Golden Triangle submarket of Santa Clara, the more than 445,000 square-foot property comprises twin Class A office towers capable of accommodating a range of full floor and multi-tenant configurations. Santa Clara Towers offers convenient access to Route 237 and Interstate 880 and is in close proximity to major hotels, universities and San Jose International Airport. "We are excited to have reached this agreement for the sale of Santa Clara Towers," said Jed Brush, Senior Vice President at Shorenstein. "I am confident that under new ownership, Santa Clara Towers will continue to attract a diverse mix of tenants who seek a Class A office experience in the heart of Silicon Valley." Shorenstein's Ninth Fund initially acquired the mezzanine loan on Santa Clara Towers from Lehman Brothers in 2008, and then through a deed in lieu of a foreclosure transaction assumed ownership of the property in 2010. Shorenstein has invested capital to make a number of enhancements to the property, including a full lobby renovation at Tower II, new corridor lighting and elevator finish upgrades. These improvements accompany a strong suite of onsite amenities such as a newly renovated fitness center, indoor pool, spacious parking structure and the iconic Birk's Restaurant, among others. Russell Ingrum, Joe Moriarty, Scott Prosser and Jack DePuy with CBRE represented Shorenstein in the transaction. About Shorenstein Properties LLC Founded in 1924, Shorenstein Properties LLC is a privately-owned, real estate firm that owns and operates high-quality office, residential and mixed-use properties across the U.S., with offices in San Francisco and New York. Since 1992, Shorenstein has sponsored twelve closed-end investment funds with total equity commitments of $8.8 billion, of which Shorenstein committed $723.5 million. The firm uses its integrated investment and operating capabilities to take advantage of opportunities that, at the particular time in the investment cycle, offer the most attractive returns. Investments have included ground-up developments, asset repositioning and stabilized assets; investment structures have included asset acquisitions, mezzanine loans, preferred equity investments and structured joint ventures. These funds have invested in properties totaling 67 million square feet in transactions with a gross investment value in excess of $16 billion. About CBRE Group, Inc. CBRE Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2018 revenue). The company has more than 90,000 employees (excluding affiliates) and serves real estate investors and occupiers through more than 480 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CBRE offers a broad range of integrated services, including facilities, transaction and project management; property management; investment management; appraisal and valuation; property leasing; strategic consulting; property sales; mortgage services and development services. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com. Media Contact Shorenstein Jon Keehner / Jed Repko / Julie Oakes / Jack Kelleher Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher 212.355.4449 / 415.869.3950 SOURCE Shorenstein Properties LLC ALS Information Filter by Category All Company Announcement - General Additional Listing AIM Admission AIM Notice Base Rate Change Block Listing Interim Review Capital Reorganisation Change of Name Conversion of Securities Drilling/Production Report Final Announcement Released Geographical Distribution Intention to Float Issue of Debt Issue of Equity Joint Venture Net Asset Value Portfolio Update Price Monitoring Extension Product Launch Publication of a Prospectus Publication of Final Terms Research Update Restoration Rights Issue Stabilisation Notice Statement Suspension Tender Offer Trading Statement Treasury Stock All Mergers, Acquisitions and Disposals Acquisition Merger Form 8 (DD) Form 8 (OPD) Form 8.3 Form 8.5 (EPT/NON-RI) Form 8.5 (EPT/RI) Form 8.6 Rule 2.9 Announcement Offer By Offer For Offer Update All Results and Trading Reports 1st Quarter Results 3rd Quarter Results AGM Statement Annual Report Final Results Half-year Report Notice of Results Result of AGM Result of EGM Result of Equity Issue Result of General Meeting Result of Tender Offer Syndicate Results All Dividends Dividend Declaration Dividend Currency Election All Executive Changes Directorate Change Change of Adviser Change of Registered Office All Directors' Dealings Director/PDMR Shareholding All Advance Notice of Results Notice of AGM Notice of GM Notice of EGM Notice of Results All Non-Regulatory News All Transaction in Own Shares All Holding(s) in Company Total Voting Rights Notification of Major Holdings New Delhi, Feb 14 : Supply chain of auto components could be impacted, if the coronavirus outbreak extends, a brokerage report said on Friday. According to Emkay Global Financial Services, India OEMs source a small portion of the component requirements from Chinese vendors. "Components are mainly electronic parts such as PCBs, Sensors, ECUs, Fuel systems, EV components, etc, and are supplied from production sites such as Guangdong, Yangtze River delta, Sichuan and Shaanxi, which are away from the Epicenter," the report said. "Although Chinese suppliers represent only a part of the supplies and other sources exist, there could be delays in the activation of alternative supply-chains and increase in costs for Indian OEMs, at least in the near term, in our view." On the flip side, the report said that global commodity correction could be positive for battery, tyre companies. "In the near term, the reduction in 'Lead' prices can positively support margins for battery companies... even after assuming 75 per cent pass-through in replacement and industrial segments," the report said. "Meanwhile, tyre companies... can benefit from a reduction in the prices of crude derivatives by up to 60 bps, after assuming 75 per cent pass-through in the replacement segment. An increase in steel prices could marginally impact the margins for CV and tractor OEMs, while the impact is expected to be more than offset by lower 'Aluminum' prices for 2W OEMs." The novel coronavirus originated in Wuhan at the end of 2019. The overall death toll due to coronavirus increased to 1,380 in China at the end of last Thursday, with 63,851 confirmed cases. The new virus, which is of the same genre as SARS which broke out in 2003 but has spread at a much faster pace, was first reported in the WHO Disease Outbreak news on January 5. It has progressively spread across many countries from its epicentre in Wuhan. In a bid to curb the spread of the virus, Chinese authorities have closed transportation services across many parts of the country, including Wuhan. Many factories producing auto parts, electronics components and even activated pharmaceutical ingredients have been shut to contain the spread of the virus. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) China on Friday said it appreciates Indias offer of help to fight the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, soon after it blanked out New Delhi from an official list it released naming the 57 countries, which have either sent assistance or even offered aid to Beijing to contain the epidemic. The puzzling lack of a clear acknowledgment from Beijing, and sending out a mixed message instead, comes in the backdrop of a letter written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Xi Jinping where the Indian leader offered assistance to China. At an online briefing on Friday afternoon, the Chinese foreign ministry released the 57-country list comprising 33 countries that had given medical supplies, 17, which had offered to provide the same and seven more that had offered money and material aid. The list also named international organisations, which had donated supplies. The list was updated as of 12 noon Friday, the ministry said, profusely thanking the donor countries. India wasnt named among those 57 countries. In a written response to questions from HT hours later, the ministry said something else. Well, almost. After the outbreak of the new coronary pneumonia, President Xi Jinping received a letter of condolence from Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. State councilor and foreign minister Wang Yi had a telephone conversation with Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar, the brief statement in Chinese said. The Indian side highly appreciated the strong measures taken by the Chinese government to deal with the epidemic. China appreciates Indias willingness to provide support and help to China in the fight against the epidemic, the statement added. The foreign ministry response didnt address a direct question from HT: Why wasnt Indias name not on the list of the 57 countries? Details of Modis offer arent public but it is learnt that India has reiterated it through a formal written note indicating Indias intention to send an aircraft load of assistance. Details, its learnt, are being worked out for an Indian air force aircraft with medical supplies to fly to China next week. Official sources in Beijing had confirmed earlier this week that one of the two Air India aircraft deployed to evacuate Indians from Hubei and Wuhan, the province and city worst hit by the escalating epidemic, in early February had carried dozens of boxes of supplies. Beijing hadnt acknowledged that either. Indias name wasnt in the list of 21 countries the foreign ministry had released on February 6, naming the nations that had donated epidemic prevention supplies. Its not clear whether Beijings lack of acknowledgement is the symptom of seemingly sour bilateral ties. However, Chinese state media have lately carried articles and opinion pieces criticising India in the context of the outbreak. The nationalistic tabloid, Global Times, which is affiliated to the Communist Party of Chinas mouthpiece, Peoples Daily recently carried a report accusing Indian hackers of targetting Chinese medical institutions during the ongoing health crisis. Another opinion piece in the same tabloid pointed out Indias ban on the export of medical protective clothing after the epidemic broke out in China, and how New Delhi suspended e-visas for the Chinese. The opinion piece didnt mention that India had subsequently waived the ban specifically for a handful of China-based importers to purchase the same from Indian companies. [February 14, 2020] AvalonBay Communities Announces 2020 Annual Meeting Details AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC. (NYSE: AVB) announced today that its 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 8:00 A.M. local time. Stockholders of record of the Company's Common Stock as of the close of business on March 16, 2020 are entitled to vote at and attend the Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held at the Company's offices at 4040 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203, or at such other date, time and place as may be fixed by the Chairman of the Board. About AvalonBay Communities, Inc. As of December 31, 2019, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 297 apartment communities containin 86,846 apartment homes in 11 states and the District of Columbia, of which 22 communities were under development and two communities were under redevelopment. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas primarily in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and the Northern and Southern California regions of the United States. More information may be found on the Company's website at http://www.avalonbay.com. Copyright 2020 AvalonBay Communities, Inc. All Rights Reserved View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005046/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Curious just how far your dollar goes in Houston? We've rounded up the latest places for rent via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to hunting down affordable apartments in Houston if you've got a budget of up to $1,000/month. Read on for the listings. (Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.) 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. 8410 W. Bartell Drive (South Main) Listed at $903/month, this 974-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is located at 8410 W. Bartell Drive. In the unit, you can anticipate a dishwasher, hardwood flooring and a fireplace. Amenities offered in the building include secured entry. Pet owners, take heed: This rental is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. Expect a $250 pet fee. According to Walk Score, this location is somewhat walkable, isn't particularly bikeable and has some transit options. (See the complete listing here.) 1520 Enclave Parkway (Eldridge / West Oaks) Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom apartment located at 1520 Enclave Parkway. It's listed for $904/month for its 883 square feet. When it comes to building amenities, anticipate secured entry and on-site laundry. The apartment also comes with a dishwasher, a walk-in closet and a fireplace. Pet owners, take heed: The rental is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. Expect a $500 pet deposit. Walk Score indicates that this location is car-dependent, is fairly bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here.) 2816 Greenridge Drive (Mid West) Here's a 672-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 2816 Greenridge Drive that's going for $905/month. In the unit, the listing promises a mix of hardwood floors and carpeting, a dishwasher and a walk-in closet. Amenities offered in the building include secured entry and assigned parking. Pet lovers are in luck: This rental is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. Be prepared for a broker's fee equal to one month's rent. According to Walk Score, the surrounding area is quite walkable, is bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options. (See the full listing here.) 1001 E. 40th St. (Independence Heights) Next, check out this one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo that's located at 1001 E. 40th St. It's also listed for $905/month. The building boasts a swimming pool. The unit also includes hardwood flooring. For those with furry friends in tow, this property is pet-friendly. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. According to Walk Score's assessment, the area around this address is car-dependent, is bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options. (Check out the complete listing here.) 14300 Briar Forest Drive (Eldridge / West Oaks) Located at 14300 Briar Forest Drive, here's a 775-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment that's listed for $909/month. Amenities offered in the building include a swimming pool and a gym. For those with furry friends in tow, this property is pet-friendly. The listing specifies a $99 administrative fee. Walk Score indicates that the area around this address is car-dependent, is somewhat bikeable and has some transit options. (See the complete listing here.) This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Additionally, read on for five marketing tips for real estate agents to showcase local market expertise. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. The number of women in the Cabinet has fallen, while half of Johnsons top team went to either Oxford or Cambridge. Sajid Javid quit as the United Kingdoms chancellor of the exchequer after Prime Minister Boris Johnson set conditions any self-respecting minister would reject, he said, as several senior heads rolled in a dramatic Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday. The prime minister ordered Javid to fire his closest aides and replace them with advisers chosen by 10 Downing Street if he wanted to remain in his post conditions he said he was unable to accept. Javid chose to quit instead, and was replaced by his former deputy at the Treasury, Rishi Sunak, in the biggest shock of Johnsons shake-up of his ministerial team. Speaking outside his home, Javid told reporters: I was unable to accept those conditions and I do not believe any self-respecting minister would accept those conditions. And in his resignation letter, he told Johnson he believed it was important as leaders to have trusted teams that reflect the character and integrity that you would wish to be associated with. It has been a privilege to serve as Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Prime Minister & government will continue to have my full support from the backbenches. pic.twitter.com/cFo0fuaqv2 Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) February 13, 2020 The bombshell less than a month before the budget is announced follows tensions between the ex-chancellor and the PMs chief adviser, Dominic Cummings. In August, Cummings had fired Javids aide Sonia Khan and it appears Number 10 wanted to go further in keeping a closer eye on him. Downing Street refused to guarantee that next months budget would go ahead as scheduled, with a spokesman saying only that extensive preparations have already been carried out for the budget and they will continue at pace. 200131211418625 Javids departure came after: Julian Smith was unceremoniously dumped as Northern Ireland secretary Andrea Leadsom was sacked as business secretary Theresa Villiers lost her job as environment secretary Geoffrey Cox was sacked as attorney general Esther McVey lost her job as housing minister Along with the ministerial exits, the reshuffle which Downing Street insiders had predicted would be conventional before the row with Javid included promotions for MPs who are highly rated by Number 10. Alok Sharma was promoted from international development to become the new business secretary, and he will also be minister for the COP26 United Nations climate summit, due to take place in Glasgow in November. 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. 200107073426944 George Eustice was promoted to environment secretary from his previous role in the same department. Brandon Lewis was appointed as Northern Ireland secretary. Former Brexit minister Suella Braverman returns to the government as attorney general. Ex-Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay replaces Sunak as treasury chief secretary. Amanda Milling was made Conservative Party chairman a role in which she will attend Cabinet as a minister without portfolio. Former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt will return to government as paymaster general in the Cabinet office. Most of the key players, including Home Secretary Priti Patel, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove, retained their positions. Until Javids exit, the most surprising move by the prime minister had been the sacking of Smith just weeks after brokering the deal that restored the power-sharing administration in Northern Ireland. Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar said Smith was one of Britains finest politicians of our time. Speculation about Smiths 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 Johnson and Number 10 had not been kept informed of the process and details of the deal. Today's findings underline how unevenly spread the opportunities are to enter the elites, and this is something Boris Johnson must address. Sir Peter Lampl, Sutton Trust Although female ministers were axed in the reshuffle, Downing Street indicated there would not be a reduction in the number of women around the Cabinet table. Former culture secretary Baroness Nicky Morgan had already said she was leaving her role, while Leadsom, Villiers and McVey were all sacked. Out of 26 ministers attending the meeting of the PMs top team, just seven are women down from eight and there are fewer women in the most senior roles. This equates to women filling 27 percent of Cabinet positions. Meanwhile, analysis by the Sutton Trust suggested almost two-thirds of the Cabinet (62 percent) attended independent schools more than twice the proportion of Theresa Mays 2016 cabinet. 190719165610761 The education charity said 31 percent of Johnsons new Cabinet went to a comprehensive school up from 27 percent in 2019, while eight percent attended a grammar school. Half of the Cabinet studied at the universities of Oxford or Cambridge, compared to 27 percent of all Conservative MPs. Sir Peter Lampl, founder and chairman of the Sutton Trust, said: Decembers election led to a seismic shift in the political landscape. The falling of the red wall means Conservative MPs now represent a much more diverse range of constituencies than before, with constituents from many different socioeconomic backgrounds. Yet in terms of educational background, the make-up of Johnsons cabinet is still over 60 percent from independent schools. Todays findings underline how unevenly spread the opportunities are to enter the elites and this is something Boris Johnson must address. Ajeem Ahamed (65) was on Thursday caught for allegedly carrying seven pieces of elephant tusk worth almost 1.3 crore in the clandestine market. He has been sent to 14-day-custody by a court in West Bengals Siliguri on Friday. Ajeem a resident of Assam was arrested from a train at New Jalpaiguri station by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) when he was allegedly trying to smuggle the tusk from Assam to Varanasi. The seized seven pieces of tusk weighed around 13 kg. A DRI official said, The man was arrested and the wildlife items seized after they got specific information. After the man was apprehended, he was taken to the DRI office here where he and his belongings were thoroughly checked, said Tridip Saha the lawyer representing the DRI. It is believed that the tusk belonged to an elephant that was killed in Assam. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Election season is a welcome opportunity to once again call on changing the Texas Railroad Commissions name. The agency has nothing to do with rail, and everything to do with regulating the oil and gas industry. Efforts to change the name to reflect this reality have failed in the past, but a switch to something like the Texas Oil and Gas Commission or the Texas Energy Commission sure would clear up a lot of confusion. We cant fault voters for thinking railroad commissioner candidates want to oversee railroads. But this misunderstanding undercuts the importance of the agency. Regulation of the oil and gas industry has major implications for the Texas economy and the environment. Four Democrats and two Republicans are running for railroad commissioner this election. On the Republican side, we recommend incumbent Ryan Sitton, an engineer with decades of oil and gas experience and an impressive level of expertise. In the Democratic race, we recommend Chrysta Castaneda, an engineer and attorney who specializes in the oil and gas sector. While both candidates have markedly different views about the regulatory role of government, and even the major issues facing the oil and gas industry, they share an abundance of technical expertise, which is so critical for this position. Sitton faces a challenge from James Jim Wright, a rancher who also owns energy services businesses and is a former bull rider. Our efforts to speak with Wright about his candidacy were unsuccessful. Sitton has earned the support of Republican voters during his term on the Railroad Commission. He has been a voice for transparency at the agency, appropriately raising questions in 2017 to fellow Commissioner Christi Craddick about the ouster of the agencys director following a private meeting with her. Sitton comes from the industry, and he generally espouses a light touch when it comes to regulation, but in an interview he told us, If someone is not following the rules, we need to be aggressive. Also, and importantly, he favors a name change for the agency. So does Castaneda, a supremely qualified candidate in the Democratic field. This is a crowded primary. It includes former state Rep. Roberto Alonzo, an attorney with no oil and gas experience who told us he was running for this office because he believes a Democrat has a chance statewide this year. Also in the mix are Kelly Stone, an educator and environmental activist, and Mark Watson, a Dallas attorney. None can match Castanedas expertise. She speaks articulately about curbing flaring by converting natural gas to electricity. She speaks with urgency about the need for better data to locate and plug abandoned wells, and believes fees should be raised on industry to better fund the agency and its oversight mission. Likewise, she supports better oversight of pipelines, and she, too, thinks the agencys name should be changed. Indian fast-casual restaurant Curry Up Now has entered the New Jersey market with a spot in Hoboken and has plans to open another four locations. The franchise will open a restaurant in Newark this spring at 58 Halsey Street. The Hoboken restaurant is located at 91 Washington St., and its the franchises first spot east of Atlanta. Curry Up Now is exploring locations in Central and North Jersey for its other three restaurants, a spokeswoman told NJ Advance Media. The Hoboken restaurant opening is especially exciting for us, as it marks Curry Up Nows debut on the East Coast, co-owner Rana Kapoor said in a statement. Pritesh [Benjamin, the New Jersey franchisee] has been a great partner for us so far, and we are excited to continue growing with him as we open Hoboken, Newark, and at least three more restaurants across New Jersey." RELATED: 4 Levels Of Burritos: Amateur to Food Scientist Curry Up Nows menu gives traditional Indian food an interesting twist. Dishes are converted into street-food concepts such as tikka masala burritos, deconstructed samosas and Indian-style tacos. The franchise is celebrating its opening in Hoboken by offering free burritos and bowls to the first 100 patrons on Feb. 25. Curry Up Nows other restaurants are located in California, Georgia and Utah. The franchise landed a spot on Zagats list of 12 Contemporary Indian Restaurants to Try in the SF Bay Area in 2017. Founded in 2009, Curry Up Now began as a food truck. Its owned by husband and wife duo Akash and Rana Kapoor. Nicolette Accardi can be reached at naccardi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter: @N_Accardi. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips MORE RETAIL AND SHOPPING COVERAGE: Presidents Day 2020 sales: Top deals on home goods, decor and appliances Macys to close 125 stores over the next 3 years Kmart to close another store, only 4 will remain in N.J. Joe Raedle/Getty Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg said in 2018 that raising taxes on poor people was a good thing, and that taking money from the rich was a bigger problem than income inequality. The billionaire former New York City mayor has emphasized the need to tackle economic inequality as part of his election platform, listing tax policy and economic justice for black America as two key pillars of his election platform. He has also vowed to raise high income tax rates, impose a new tax on billionaires like himself, create jobs and generational wealth for Black Americans, and close tax loopholes used by the rich. Just last week, he wrote a New York Times opinion piece headlined Fixing Inequality is My Priority. But comments he made at a high-powered Washington summit in 2018 run counter to those goals and could end up complicating Bloombergs efforts to sell himself to Democratic voters. I think income inequality is a very big problem. But the bigger problem is, you can take money from the rich and move it over to the poor. If you do it too much then the rich stop producing and everybody loses, he told International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde during a Q&A at the IMFs Spring Meeting. The comments were part of a lengthy response to a question about where future jobs will come from in the age of artificial intelligence. Bloomberg said policies like minimum wages hikes and taxes on the wealthy were impediments to job creation. The problem is the poor want more than a handout, they want the dignity of a job, they want to be able to go home and say, I am contributing to my family and so you've got to create jobs and jobs that they thinkand probably aremeaningful, Bloomberg said. The first thing to do is to get rid of some of these impediments to job creation. Julie Wood, a spokeswoman for Bloombergs campaign, didnt clarify the comments but pointed to Bloombergs record as mayor, which included raising taxes on the wealthy and keeping poverty rates stable. Story continues Everyone in this race says they want to fight income inequality, but Mike Bloomberg is the candidate who has actually done it, she said. Mayor Michael Bloomberg On The NRAs Nightmare Nation But Frank Clemente, executive director for the Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund, a non-profit group advocating for tax system reform, said that while hed been initially encouraged by Bloombergs $5 trillion tax platform, the unearthed comments suggested he is now paying lip service with his vow to go after billionaires. If hes going to be successful in connecting with Democratic voters and with Trump voters too, who are hurting financially, he has to talk straight to people in a way that connects with the daily struggles that they have and not give technocratic answers, Clemente said. During the Q&A with Lagarde, Bloomberg also defended his record on taxation policies as mayor of New York City, arguing that some specific, regressive taxes that he put in place were morally defensible because they compelled poor people to adopt healthier habits, like drinking less soda. Some people say, well, taxes are regressive. But in this case, yes they are. That's the good thing about them because the problem is in people that don't have a lot of money. And so, higher taxes should have a bigger impact on their behavior and how they deal with themselves, he said. So, I listen to people saying, Oh we don't want to tax the poor. Well, we want the poor to live longer so that they can get an education and enjoy life. Bloomberg said lawmakers shouldnt pander to those people and should instead raise taxes on sugary drinks, for example, because its a major contributor to obesity. Soda taxes have been a flop in some major cities, criticized for raising the price of groceries and hitting lower income groups harder. In 2014, New Yorks highest state court rejected Bloombergs attempted partial ban. Grover Norquist, head of the conservative Americans For Tax Reform, called Bloomberg an old school progressive who liked to bully poor people about their habits that he disapproves of. He sees himself in a superior positionhe knows better than you how you should lead your life, he said. Bloombergs presidential run has been steadily attracting support from African-American leaders and moderate Democrats for its mix of political moderation alongside progressive action on climate change, gun laws, and public health. But his campaign has been marred by the discovery of damning comments. He said in 2015 that police target minority neighborhoods because thats where all the crime is. And he appeared to rationalize Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine in a 2015 address to the Aspen Institute. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The Target Audience Of Shubh Mangal Zyaada Saavdhan Are Homophobic People, Says Ayushmann Khurrana The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers, on Thursday, gathered at Kranti Park, Borivali and surrounded the labourers residing in a slum. Party workers branded them as illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and checked their identification documents with the help of police. However, the labourers were found to be the residents of West Bengal. MNS leader Prasad Kulapkar said, We found their activities suspicious and hence informed the police. We accompanied the police to check the credentials of these people, said Kulapkar. However, he added, MNS feels that they have forged documents to obtain the Aadhar card. He said that it was ironical that the contractor did not inform the local police when he brought these people to work in Maharashtra. Samajwadi Party legislator Rais Shaikh has demanded action against MNS activists. They want to disrupt communal harmony and immediate action needs to be taken, said Shaikh. Similar is the stance of Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant who said that Thackeray is driving the BJP agenda. No one wants illegal Pakistani and Bangladeshi immigrants, but this is not the way to deal with the matter. It is a clear case of acting on behalf of the BJP and trying to communalize the society, said Sawant. The Borivali police have issued a notice to Kupalpar and MNS workers and have warned them against any misadventure. Senior inspector Laxman Dumbre said that strict legal action will be taken if the MNS leaders and workers indulge in branding people as Bangladeshis and create tensions and disharmony in the society. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to members of caucus on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Jan. 23, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld) No Quick Fix for Pipeline Protests, Says Trudeau Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says there are no easy answers to the dispute over a British Columbia pipeline project that has sparked Indigenous protests at vital rail links across Canada. In his most extensive public comments since anti-pipeline protests began affecting freight and passenger rail traffic across Canada last week, Trudeau said on Feb. 14 that the path forward is fraught with challenges and obstacles to overcome. You need to know we have failed our Indigenous peoples over generations, over centuries. And there is no quick fix to it, Trudeau said, adding that all parties must move towards reconciliation. We also are, obviously, a country of laws. And making sure that those laws are enforced, even as there is, of course, freedom to demonstrate free and to protest, he said. Getting that balance right and wrapping it up in the path forward is really important. Transport Minister Marc Garneau said freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest are among the most cherished of rights, but added he is deeply concerned about the disruption of rail services. There is a risk of seeing the disruptions merely as interference with the operations of profit-making companies, but they affect all Canadians, he said at a news conference Feb. 14 in Toronto, where he was meeting his provincial and territorial counterparts. But it is about peoples jobs and livelihoods and about the transport of key supplies like food, propane, heating oil and chemicals for water treatment, agricultural products for export, and so many other products, he said. Garneau stressed that he hopes there will be peaceful resolutions to the blockade disputes. He was to meet representatives of national Indigenous organizations to discuss a way forward. Tensions could heat up Feb. 14, with the added threat of activists planning to shut down government offices in British Columbias capital. Protests continue as political leaders look to negotiate solutions, while business leaders, opposition politicians, and ordinary people call for immediate action to end the disruptions, which have already seen more than 80 arrests. Trudeau and B.C. Premier John Horgan spoke on Feb. 13 about the need to work together to resolve the pipeline tensions that have resulted in solidarity blockades in Ontario, Manitoba, and B.C. British Columbia Premier John Horgan speaks with Alberta Premier Jason Kenney following a closing news conference at a meeting of Canadas Premiers in Saskatoon, Sask., on July 11, 2019. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press) Indigenous leaders in B.C.s northwest have invited federal and provincial politicians to meetings to find solutions, and said they would ensure a blockade of a Canadian National Railway track near New Hazelton, B.C., would come down during talks. CN spokesman Jonathan Abecassis confirmed Friday morning the New Hazelton blockade had been lifted. The railway said Feb. 13 it was starting a progressive shutdown in the East, while Via Rail cancelled all service on CN tracks in Canada. The blockades began last week after RCMP enforced an injunction against Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs and their supporters, who were blocking construction of the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline, a key part of the $40 billion LNG Canada export project. Horgan has rejected calls from the Opposition Liberals to seek immediate injunctions to end the blockades and protests in B.C. We cant just use force, he said in the legislature. It needs to be dealt with by cooperation, by consultation, by discussion so that we can all move forward. Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson said Horgan was taking an entirely passive approach in the face of implacable protesters who are intent on shutting down constituency services, shutting down the universities, shutting down our transportation arteries. The issues going on right now, these days, in Canada are pitting Indigenous Peoples and concerns about the environment against economic development, Trudeau said. But, of course, there are lots of Indigenous Peoples who want economic development. They just need to want to see this being done in the right way, and in a way that is respectful and partnership. Groups including Grain Growers of Canada, Forest Products Association of Canada, and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters have said rail delays caused by the blockades are hurting their members and the economy. Protesters and counter-protesters gather during the Convoy for Canada demonstration on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, on Feb. 19, 2019. (Lars Hagberg/AFP via Getty Images) Teamsters Canada, the countrys largest union in the transportation sector, called on the federal government to intervene. The union warned the impasse could put up to 6,000 employees at CN and other rail companies out of work. Protesters have threatened to block government buildings in Victoria on Feb. 14, but late Feb. 13 a B.C. Supreme Court judge granted an injunction against further blockades at the legislature. Coastal GasLink has signed agreements with all 20 elected band councils along the pipeline route. However, Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs assert title to a vast 22,000-square-kilometre area and say band councils only have authority over reserve lands. More than two dozen people have been arrested in the pipeline construction area near Houston, B.C., by RCMP enforcing an injunction order. Vancouver Police arrested more than 50 people this week enforcing an injunction order against people blocking access to Vancouver area ports. By Mia Rabson and Dirk Meissner Nirbhaya: Justice Banumathi faints in SC while adjourning Centres plea India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, Feb 14: Justice R Banumathi on Friday fainted during the hearing in 2012 Delhi gang-rape case in Supreme Court. She was hearing the submissions made by the Centre on separate execution of convicts in the case. It is reportedly said that she was escorted to her chamber immediately after she fainted during the hearing. Justice Banumathi was taken on a wheelchair for medical treatment. The hearing was adjourned till next week after the incident. The bench has adjourned the case and said the order will be released later. Justice A S Bopanna, while rising, said that the order in the matter will be passed in-chamber. Justice Ashok Bhushan was also part of the three-judge bench hearing the matter. Washington, D.C., Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Math and Science Initiative has received a planning grant from the Fund II Foundation to design UTeach STEM teacher preparation programs at up to 15 historically black colleges and universities in six states and the District of Columbia. The Dallas-based non-profit has partnered with UNCF (United Negro College Fund) to support the universities as they design their programs. NMSI and UNCF are nationally recognized leaders in the advancement of American education, said Fund II Foundation Board President Robert F. Smith. I look forward to supporting them to develop strong programs that meet the unique needs of students at HBCUs. Im also excited to see how this new work allows more young people to reach their highest potential in their personal lives, professions and communities. NMSI, UNCF and the UTeach Institute are working with academic leaders at potential program schools. Those institutions include Alabama State University, Bowie State University, Claflin University Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Jackson State University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T University, Prairie View A&M University, South Carolina State University, Spelman College, Talladega College, Tougaloo College and Tuskegee University. The institutions that move forward with the program will work with the program team to design their new STEM teacher preparation programs. The new programs will be based on UTeach, a renowned university-based STEM teacher preparation program founded at The University of Texas at Austin. Since 2009, NMSI has worked with the UTeach Institute to expand the program, which provides math and science undergraduates at 45 universities with teaching skills, classroom experience and continuing support in their early teaching careers. UTeach teachers average longer classroom careers than graduates of other teacher preparation programs, and nearly 70 percent of UTeach graduates teach in Title 1 schools. Based on standardized testing, their students perform as if they had almost six extra months of science and four extra months of math instruction. Addressing STEM teacher shortages and ensuring that all students benefit from teachers of diverse backgrounds is critical and core to NMSIs mission, said NMSI CEO Bernard A. Harris, Jr. Expanding the UTeach program to HBCUs will benefit students across the nation. The initiative comes just after passage of the FUTURE Act, providing permanent federal funding for HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions and providing significant STEM-focused funding for those schools. Among African Americans, HBCUs graduate 40 percent of engineers, providing a pipeline to competitive jobs for students and a diversity pipeline for industry, said U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL). Just last month, Congress made a big investment in our students futures by passing $255 million in annual, permanent HBCU funding into law. But, of course, Congress cannot do it alone. I am thankful to Robert Smith, Fund II Foundation, NMSI and UNCF for their ongoing commitment to ensure Alabamas HBCU students are prepared for jobs of the future, specifically STEM teaching jobs. I look forward to seeing which Alabama institutions receive this investment. A 2017 study from the IZA Institute of Labor Economics found that having at least one African American teacher in third through fifth grades increased African American students interest in attending college by 29 percent and reduced the probability of dropping out of high school for male African American students from very low-income families by 39 percent. Research clearly shows the powerful impact black teachers have on black students. HBCUs already are punching above their weight in the production of STEM graduates generating 24 percent of the STEM bachelors degrees earned annually by African Americans, said Dr. Michael Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. The nation continues to have incredible need for math and science teachers of color, and students of color deserve to have educators who look like them. ### In an age of Section 377, a colonial-era law that criminalised consensual adult same-sex relationships till it was read down in 2018, few dared to live and love as openly as Wendell Rodricks and his partner, Jerome Marrel, did. The duo began to stay together in the 1990s, in Goa. They signed the Pacte Civile de Solidarite, a French civil solidarity pact that offers legal status to same-sex couples, in 2002. The 1990s and first decade of the new millennium were violent years for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities. Brutality at the hands of police on account of the law, and by birth families on account of social opprobrium and lack of understanding was de rigueur, forcing LGBT persons to lead dual lives and hide their sexuality. But thanks to Rodricks and his partner, a whole generation of queers was able to grow up with a template that not only normalised their desires, but also offered hope of a similar loving partnership. Rodricks was a trailblazer at his work too. He often attributed his success as a fashion designer to his partner, but his own passion for sustainability and style was unmistakable. Rodricks challenged boundaries even in fashion, breathing couture into the quotidian. He created a line of resort-wear; he even designed the navy blue and white Goa Police uniform in the late 1990s, as well as stylish jackets for the Enforcement Directorate. A few years ago, he started a project to revive the Kunbi, a sari worn by tribal women in Goa before the Portuguese arrived. But this was not mere nostalgic traditionalism. Rodricks infused the sari with his own contemporary design sensibility, and it found great favour among collectors. His was an idiom that emerged from the state of Goa that he made his home in the early 1990s. His passion project, Moda Goa, which is slated to open this year, was a museum of design and couture with more than a hat tip to Goas heritage. Already, the museum has hundreds of artefacts some dating back to the 7th century that document Goan costumes, design and lifestyle through the generations. It is housed in a heritage structure, built in the 16th and added to between the 18th and 19th centuries. History, Rodricks understood, was a meeting point for those willing to observe and learn, and he couldnt wait to open a world class museum on fashion in the small Goan village where he and Jerome lived. Indeed, his is a legacy that will live on. The experience of resistance is a shared one one that cuts across language and region. A plurality of defiant voices would only reinforce the solidarity that is at the centre of such resistance, by helping people both express and hear it in new ways that channel their anger and frustration, telling them that they are not alone in this. Learning about marginalised traditions and offering them representation also ties in to the broader inclusiveness, progressiveness, and opposition to homogenisation that the anti-CAA movement stands for. On 17 December, students at IIT Kanpur who were protesting the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) recited the famous Urdu poem by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, 'Hum Dekhenge', in solidarity with the students of Delhis Jamia Millia Islamia University, who had been subjected to police action. Two days later, following a recommendation made by a faculty member, IIT-K instituted a panel to assess whether the Faiz poem was anti Hindu. Reports of the setting up of this panel were met with widespread condemnation and derision. Much of the commentary on this issue revolved around the specifics of the poem, or Faizs larger body of work. This served to spur a newfound interest in the poetry of Faiz, introducing it to those otherwise unfamiliar with it, including in regions where Urdu is not a commonly used literary language. The poem has been translated into and recited at anti-CAA protests in various languages, including Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. Make no mistake this controversy is not so much about Faiz as it is about language and identity. Poetry is heavily charged with symbolism and is open to interpretation almost by definition, meaning that anyone can plausibly interpret a poem through the prism of their own biases. A consensus seems to have emerged that an attack on Urdus identity is best combated by showcasing its inclusive ideals, and its value in civil society. It is hardly surprising that an Urdu poem has yet again landed in controversy. Language, along with many other markers of identity, have increasingly been subject to a process of communalisation in the last few years. In November last year, protests broke out at Banaras Hindu University over the appointment of a Muslim Sanskrit teacher, ignoring the languages rich literary tradition that has historically also included Muslim voices. While it is encouraging that Faiz's poetry is being revisited, even reinterpreted in defiance of its demonisation, the fact remains that Urdu has always received significant public visibility a product of its close ties to Delhi, the center of Indian political power. This is not a privilege afforded to many other languages. *** As we push back against the communalisation of popular languages, it is doubly important to be cognizant of traditions that are not so much in the public eye. These languages lack the privilege granted to literary Urdu, both in its reach and the defence it receives, but can greatly broaden our perspectives and range of sentiments on the very process and mechanism of oppression. The experience of resistance is a shared one one that cuts across language and region. A plurality of defiant voices would only reinforce the solidarity that is at the centre of such resistance, by helping people both express and hear it in new ways that channel their anger and frustration, telling them that they are not alone in this. More than ever before, it has become important to give marginalised voices and their traditions of resistance a seat at the table. Learning about these traditions and offering them representation also ties in to the broader inclusiveness, progressiveness, and opposition to homogenisation that the anti-CAA movement stands for. The obvious candidates here would be non-literary language varieties, including ones spoken by Adivasi communities. Adivasi communities have long histories of marginalisation, struggles that have found a place in their oral traditions. Even within otherwise written languages, traditions specific to marginalised communities, like Dalit literature in Marathi and Tamil miner songs from the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), offer new ways in which we can voice and articulate dissent, and even conceptualise oppression. Speakers of Gondi, spoken across much of Central India, chronicle the changing fortunes of their homeland and their community through folk songs that are widely sung and passed down. These include folk songs in praise of Pravir Chandra Bhanj Deo of Bastar, an Adivasi MP who fought for his communitys rights, killed by State violence. In Keralas Wayanad, local Adivasi communities were subject to brutal exploitation by non-tribal landowners from Kerala and Karnataka, and turned to the Ramayana to reshape and redefine the Sanskrit epic to give themselves a sense of place and shared identity rooted in their surroundings, in rejection of the identities imposed on them by landowners. In Nizam-era Telangana, harsh feudal conditions made possible by the vetti or forced labour system bled the land and its peasants dry. During the Communist-led Telangana Revolt (1947-48), peasants rallied and attacked their landlords, issuing a challenge to the very legitimacy of the Nizams despotic rule. Telugu songs were an important medium through which such ideas were shared, and populations mobilised. To the West of Wayanad, the Mappila community of Malabar repeatedly rose in revolt against the British. Local poets composed folk songs in Arabi Malayalam, a heavily Arabised register of Malayalam used by the community for written purposes. An important genre of Arabi Malayalam literature called padappattu, literally war songs, was developed to pay tribute to skirmishes and armed struggles against the British by local heroes. In Karnatakas primarily Tamil Dalit mining belt of KGF, local miners sang Tamil songs of the hardships they faced under an oppressive capitalist system that was more than willing to sacrifice labour for profit. Historian Janaki Nair records many of these songs in her book Miners and Millhands. In the 1960s, Bombay saw the emergence of many works of Marathi literature by Dalit writers, who sought to develop their own literary norms and aesthetics, reusing and even rejecting established conventions to tell their stories. These works formed a veritable outpouring of Dalit assertion and brought their lived experiences into the public sphere, challenging their erasure. However, reading about these traditions and their expressions of dissent serves no purpose if we see them merely as tokens of identity, divorcing them from the very conditions that led to their emergence. Nor is it enough to merely boost these voices, to borrow a term from influencer-speak. The marginalisation of these traditions is more multidimensional in that many carry the burden of low socio-linguistic prestige and institutional neglect, unlike literary Urdu, an elite tradition. For example, although Gondi is spoken by around three million Adivasis across large parts of Central India, it is not official in any of the districts it is spoken in, nor do schools teach it to its own native speakers. Similarly, though the Telangana Revolts struggle against feudalism and an exploitative capitalist structure echoes the modern States renewed greed to hand over its resources and land to oligarchs without any regard for the people whose lives depend on them, it finds scant mention in our history books. Arabi Malayalam is dying a slow death, as precious few can read and understand its traditional poetry, and its large corpus of printed texts lies in personal libraries and archives. Protest songs by Dalits and workers do not enjoy the same visibility or prestige that more established traditions do, and are not included in larger, more definitive canons as readily as more traditional genres. Their inclusion is solely at the discretion of the arbiters of mainstream tastes. Many Adivasi languages are seeing citizen-led initiatives to reclaim their linguistic identity and adapt them to a rapidly modernising digital world, and when the time comes, they will require support from outside their own communities, visibility in the public sphere and in the government. Those of us committed to listening to and learning from these voices bear a responsibility to recognise and address the roots of their dissent, the issues they face today, and very importantly, their systemic linguistic and literary exclusion. After all, to stifle a language and its literary traditions is to stifle its very voice including its many articulations of resistance. Any argument in favor of inclusivity should be committed to an openness to a true plurality of voices; highlighting the role one specific language plays in articulating Indias identity goes directly against this. To put it another way, the fight against silencing dissent should not just be met with more volume, but also with more voices. Karthik Malli is a freelance journalist who writes on the intersection between language, history, and culture Photo: The Canadian Press Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says there are no easy answers to the dispute over a British Columbia pipeline project that has sparked Indigenous protests at vital rail links across Canada. In his most extensive public comments since anti-pipeline protests began affecting freight and passenger rail traffic across Canada last week, Trudeau said Friday that the path forward is "fraught with challenges and obstacles to overcome." "You need to know we have failed our Indigenous peoples over generations, over centuries. And there is no quick fix to it," Trudeau said, adding that all parties must move towards reconciliation. "We also are, obviously, a country of laws. And making sure that those laws are enforced, even as there is, of course, freedom to demonstrate free and to protest," he said. "Getting that balance right and wrapping it up in the path forward ... is really important." Tensions could heat up today, with the added threat of activists planning to shut down government offices in British Columbia's capital. Protests continue as political leaders look to negotiate solutions, while business leaders, opposition politicians and ordinary people call for immediate action to end the disruptions, which have already seen more than 80 arrests. Trudeau and B.C. Premier John Horgan spoke Thursday about the need to work together to resolve the pipeline tensions that have resulted in solidarity blockades in Ontario, Manitoba and B.C. Indigenous leaders in B.C.'s northwest have invited federal and provincial politicians to meetings to find solutions, and said they would ensure a blockade of a Canadian National Railway track near New Hazelton, B.C., would come down during talks. CN spokesman Jonathan Abecassis confirmed Friday morning the New Hazelton blockade had been lifted. The railway said Thursday it was starting a progressive shutdown in the East, while Via Rail cancelled all service on CN tracks in Canada. The coronavirus outbreak could leave the world economy in its worst state since the global financial crisis, with economic activity tipped to shrink through the first quarter of the year as manufacturing and travel falters. With the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicting the first drop in global oil demand in a decade, analysts downgraded their expectations for the global and Australian economies as the fallout from the virus becomes clearer. There are new warnings the coronavirus outbreak will see the global economy contract through the March quarter of this year, the worst performance since the depths of the global financial crisis. Credit:Getty Global growth had been tipped to lift this year, partly due to an easing of the US-China trade war and the resolution of Britain's Brexit vote. But Capital Economics said it now appeared global growth would suffer a sharp slowdown in the first three months of 2020, driven by the virus outbreak. HONG KONG The beige van squatted outside of a Wuhan hospital, its side and back doors ajar. Fang Bin, a local clothing salesman, peered inside as he walked past. He groaned: So many dead. He counted five, six, seven, eight body bags. This is too many. That moment, in a 40-minute video about the coronavirus outbreak that has devastated China, propelled Mr. Fang to internet fame. Then, less than two weeks later, he disappeared. Days earlier, another prominent video blogger in Wuhan, Chen Qiushi, had also gone missing. Mr. Chens friends and family said they believed he had been forcibly quarantined. Before their disappearances, Mr. Fang and Mr. Chen had recorded dozens of videos from Wuhan, streaming unfiltered and often heartbreaking images from the center of the outbreak. Long lines outside hospitals. Feeble patients. Agonized relatives. Shoppers are seen by a deserted Los Angeles Chinatown as most stay away due to fear of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, epidemic after the US has now 15 confirmed cases, in Los Angeles, California, on Feb. 13, 2020. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images) US Will Test People With Flu-Like Symptoms for New Coronavirus The United States will start testing people in five cities who are showing flu-like symptoms for the new coronavirus COVID-19, a top Centers for Disease Control (CDC) official said on Friday. CDC has begun working with five public health labs across the U.S. to tap into their ability to conduct community-based influenza surveillance, so that we can begin testing people with flu-like symptoms for novel coronavirus, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters in a phone call. The cities are Los Angeles and San Francisco in California, Seattle in Washington state, Chicago in Illinois, and New York City. More sites will be announced in the coming weeks. The same labs that are testing for influenza in the United States will test samples that turn up negative for the flu for the virus. Testing previously only took place among those who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19coughing, fever, and respiratory issuesand who have been to places where the outbreak is spreading or had contact with confirmed or suspected cases. French lab scientists in hazmat gear inserting liquid in test tube manipulate potentially infected patient samples at Pasteur Institute in Paris, on Feb. 6, 2020. (Francois Mori/AP Photo) The laboratories doing the testing will be leveraging existing influenza and viral respiratory surveillance systems to monitor people for flu-like symptoms, the director said. Authorities have a good head start on the new virus because of planning for previous outbreaks, especially influenza, she said. This is an extra layer of our response that will help us detect if and when this virus is spreading in the community, Messonnier said. All of our efforts now are to prevent the sustained spread of the virus in our community, but we need to be prepared for the possibility that it will spread. Results from the surveillance would be an early warning signal to trigger a change in the official response strategy, she said. No cases of COVID-19 have been detected in any of the cities so far except for Chicago, where a woman who traveled to China tested positive last month. Her husband later tested positive in one of the only two cases in the United States that came from person-to-person transmission. Fifteen patients have tested positive in the country. The majority are located in California, with cases also confirmed in Washington state, Arizona, Illinois, Texas, and Massachusetts. Three of the cases are among the people evacuated from Wuhan, the epicenter of the new virus. A Chinese woman wears a protective mask and face shield as she rides the subway during rush hour in Beijing, China on Feb. 14, 2020. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) Messonnier said that some spread of the new virus may happen before people show symptoms. Studies and reports from multiple countries indicate the virus can be transmitted by people not showing symptoms, a phenomenon known as asymptomatic spread. The spread is compatible with what health experts know about other respiratory viruses, including the flu, or influenza. Asymptomatic transmission or contact transmission, defined as transmission through touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes or the mouth, are not the main drivers of the spread, Messonnier said. She said the virus primarily spreads from person-to-person through close contacts, or within six feet, through respiratory droplets from an infected person coughing or sneezing. The announcement was originally made the previous day with few details. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, testifying to Congress in Washington, said that the CDC had begun working with health departments in five cities to use its flu surveillance network to test individuals with flu-like symptoms. 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. Sanders has said one of his first acts as president would be to push for legalizing marijuana in all 50 states. And, like Foxx, he has pushed for criminal bond reform; during Friday nights debate in New Hampshire he called for an end to the cash bail system that leaves hundreds of suspects accused in nonviolent and otherwise low-level crimes languishing in jail because they cant pay the few hundred dollars to bond out before trial. Australias largest bank, CBA, has today cut fixed rate home loans by up to 0.50 per cent. Commonwealth Bank has slashed all its investment fixed rates, as well as its 1, 4 and 5 year fixed owner-occupier mortgage rates. The biggest cuts are to the 4- and 5-year fixed investment interest-only loans, which have dropped by 0.50 per cent. RateCity.com.au research shows 30 lenders have cut fixed rates this year, including Suncorp, Westpac and Bankwest. As a result of todays changes, CBA now has the lowest 1-year fixed rate out of the big four banks and equal lowest 4- and 5-year fixed rate for owner-occupiers. RateCity.com.au research director Sally Tindall said the Commonwealth Bank was cutting fixed rates to stay competitive. With fixed rates now as low as 2.50 per cent, banks are being forced to take the knife to their home loan rates to attract new business, she said. CBAs decision to cut all investor fixed rates is a sign it wants them back on the books." Since the APRA caps on investors and interest-only lending have been scrapped, banks have been increasingly shaving investor rates." Although fixed rate cuts are often a sign of an imminent RBA cut, these latest changes could be more about CBA drumming up new business," she concluded. With reductions for accepting responsibility for the offense and cooperating with the government, Sun faces a potential prison sentence of 46 months, though under the plea deal he could move for a shorter sentence and the court may impose a sentence below the cap. Sun was arrested in Tucson shortly after the initial indictment was issued and was ordered detained pending trial. He pleaded not guilty to all of the governments charges at his initial arraignment in March 2019. Under questioning by the judge in court on Friday, Sun agreed the government could prove that he carried his company laptop to China and it contained restricted information in one file, identified in the plea agreement as a users guide to a component of Raytheons Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). A naturalized U.S. citizen, Sun worked as an electrical engineer for Raytheon from 2009 until he was terminated in January 2019. Sun, who had secret security clearance, allegedly took his company-owned HP laptop with him on a trip that included travel to China in December 2018, even though he had been specifically told not to do so because it contained sensitive, export-controlled information. Big-city mayors and several Assembly members got their first good look Thursday at Gov. Gavin Newsoms proposal to create a system of regional administrators to oversee $750 million in new homeless funding, and they didnt like it. Newsoms plan is largely unformed and being introduced far in advance of the mid-June deadline for the state to pass its budget. But the mere mention of regional administrators an idea lambasted as inefficient this week by the state Legislative Analysts Office raised hackles at an informational hearing in San Francisco of a California Assembly budget subcommittee. All the mayors and almost all of the subcommittee members said they appreciate the new homeless program money Newsom proposed for the coming years budget, which would be at least $100 million more than last year, but not the extra buffer between state coffers and local programs. Currently, homeless funding from the state is handed out to cities and counties, which then use it in governmental and nonprofit programs, and there is a growing call among elected leaders and managers around California to cooperate more regionally on homelessness. But this concept doesnt seem to be helpful, most of those at the hearing said. Kevin Fagan / The Chronicle Layering more bureaucracy and bypassing cities and counties is counterproductive, San Francisco Mayor London Breed told the committee. Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said designating regional administrators would be disruptive, and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said it would be impractical because cities are most accountable to the residents for homelessness, not regional administrators. Representatives of Los Angeles city and county homeless programs concurred with the mayors. The only person in state or local government at the hearing who liked the plan for administrators was Jennifer Troia, a deputy director at the state Department of Social Services which would appoint the administrators of the $750 million. She noted that Newsoms plan is still in such early stages that the exact regions havent been delineated, and the administrators who would oversee and hand out the state funding to cities and counties have not been picked. The administrators would probably be chosen from governmental or nonprofit programs, she said, and would have to be familiar with homeless-aid dynamics. We believe the regional approach will maximize the resources, she said, noting that homelessness is a statewide problem that transcends county and city borders. She said the intention would be to cooperate with cities and counties, capitalizing on their knowledge of the local problems. In some ways, we are not creating something new (with the administrators) so much as adding another configuration, she told the subcommittee. The latest one-night tallies indicate California has more than 151,000 people experiencing homelessness, the most of any state, and a 16% increase over 2018. 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. Newsom has made regional cooperation a focus of his approach to homelessness in the state. After the subcommittee hearing Thursday, his press secretary, Jesse Melgar, reacted with a statement saying, Simply repeating the same responses of the past will only produce the same results - and thats unacceptable. The Governor has given the Legislature a comprehensive proposal that provides a record commitment of state resources to support more stable housing, Melgar wrote. It calls for linking these resources with a range of services that can significantly help people out of homelessness or keep them from becoming homeless. And, importantly, it calls for greater coordination between all levels of government. We look forward to working with the Legislature to advance this new strategy and achieve much greater progress on this critical issue. Three of the four subcommittee members said they dont like the regional administrators idea, and the fourth Assemblyman Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield didnt express a preference. Having unnamed regional bureaucrats be in charge of homeless funding doesnt sound like a good idea to me, said Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, chairman of the subcommittee. But that having been said, I think we had a really robust discussion. Well see where it leads. Kevin Fagan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kfagan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KevinChron A Richmond woman feared that suspected serial rapist Brandon Carter accused of breaking into her home in September 2011 would strike again and hurt more women. Terrified, and in tears, she started praying, the woman testified at Carters trial. The man then bolted. She was devastated Thursday to learn Carter was again accused of opportunistic crimes against women, this time with investigators linking him to a recent spate of Houston sexual assaults where the victims were stalked, attacked and forced to clean themselves of possible evidence. I did everything in my power to prevent it from happening to someone else, said the woman, who the Chronicle is not identifying. My heart goes out to those women who are going to have to go through this. Fort Bend County investigators suspected Carter was behind the 2011 break-in at her home, less than a half-mile from where his mother lived. He was charged in 2012 with burglary of a habitation with the intent to commit rape. But a mistrial was declared with a hung jury and another judge later dismissed a second go at the case. Carter was arrested Wednesday and charged with debit card abuse and two counts of aggravated sexual assault involving two accusers. Charges stemming from a third womans accusation have not yet been filed. Hes is in the Harris County Jail on a combined $225,000 bond and slated to appear in court Feb. 25. Authorities believe Carter methodically stalked his victims and waited for them to be alone. During one of Carters trials, former Fort Bend County Sheriffs Office detective Tommy Thompson testified that he suspected the attacker followed a similar pattern. I believe that the person who did this possibly lived in the area and had been watching her because she lived alone, said Thompson, now a Katy ISD instructor. When he was in the house, a typical burglar, if caught, would run off. This person ran after her, meaning that he probably knew that she lived alone and there as not a husband or a boyfriend waiting in the bedroom. The woman lived alone and often jogged around the neighborhood, Thompson said. He believes that is how her attacker picked her. Domino of dismissals At the time of the Fort Bend County incident, court records show Carter had been out on a $30,000 bond in Harris County for a month. In May 2011, Harris County Sheriffs Office arrested him on suspicion of attempted sexual assault a third-degree felony after a woman said he forced his way into her apartment and tried sexually assaulting her. Carter was also accused of placing his hands around her neck, court records show. Had the Harris County case proceeded, and Carter convicted, he would have faced two to 10 years in prison. The case, however, was complicated by Carters Fort Bend County arrest, his Houston attorney, Helen Simotas, said in court documents. Both incidents, she noted, were similar. It was the Assistant District Attorneys position that if charges were to be filed in Fort Bend County, the case in Harris County might be resolved or dismissed, Simotas wrote, adding that the Richmond allegation would have an extraneous offense had her case gone to trial. The Fort Bend County charges were filed in 2012 and the Harris County District Attorneys Office ultimately decided in 2013 to have their case dismissed, according to court papers. Carters Fort Bend County defense attorney, Chris Hesse, attributed the jurys indecisiveness in the first trial to the lack of physical evidence and the questionable use of photo arrays. When the Fort County District Attorneys Office tried to prosecute Carter again, Judge James H. Shoemake granted a motion to suppress and the case was dismissed. They probably should have prosecuted him in Harris County, Hesse said, adding that he thought both cases were problematic. Thompson suggested there was not one person to blame for the lack of a conviction. Hes one of them that should have been put away and then this wouldnt have happen, Thompson said. The whole system didnt work effectively in his case. Another break-in Kafena Lloyd wants to move back to Houston, but the screams she woke to one night in July 2017 are stopping her. Her adult niece came face-to-face with Carter in their hallway as she was taking her young son to the bathroom. He had a hammer in one hand, and a gun in the other, Lloyd said. Who are you, what are you doing? We do not have men in here, she recalled her niece crying out. He went running, said Lloyd, who now lives in Florida. My daughter called the cops and they caught him at the gate. The startling confrontation led to Carter being charged with felony burglary of a habitation, court records show. He narrowly missed a trial because of a last-minute offer of time served on a misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty in January 2019 to a downgraded charge of criminal trespass and was freed that week after already spending more than 540 days behind bars. Within months, Houston police investigators believe his hunt for prospective victims started again. He is accused of sexually assaulting women in June and December of that year, and most recently in January. News of Carters latest arrest flustered Lloyd. I was shocked to my bones. I didnt even know he was out, she said. nicole.hensley@chron.com NASA shortlists missions to map the surface of Venus, identify gases in its atmosphere, look for an ocean on Triton, and hunt for magma flows on Io. The four shortlisted projects will each get a $3 million NASA grant for a 9 month feasibility study before two will become actual missions and go to space. The missions are part of the NASA's Discovery Program that invites scientists and engineers to form a team to design a planetary science project NASA says the goal of the program is to 'transform our understanding of some of the solar system's most active and complex worlds'. The four shortlisted missions are called DAVINCI+, Io Volcano Observer, TRIDENT and VERITAS with two going to Venus and two to the gas giants. NASA shortlists missions to map the surface of Venus, identify gases in its atmosphere, look for an ocean on Triton, and hunt for magma flows on Io The NASA Discovery Program aims to provide opportunities for smaller scale planetary science missions and has been doing so since 1992. 'Exploring any one of these celestial bodies will help unlock the secrets of how it, and others like it, came to be in the cosmos,' said NASA's Thomas Zurbuchen. At the end of the nine month studies NASA will continue development of up to two of the shortlisted missions towards flight. DAVINCI+ and VERITAS would be the first NASA missions to study Venus in more than 30 years - the last was Pioneer 2 in 1978. Each project can cost no more than $450 million and are designed to act as smaller compliments to the larger New Frontiers and Solar System Exploration missions. TRIDENT is only possible under the budget available because NASA will now allow scientists to propose plutonium power generators on Discovery-class robes. This opens up the outer solar system as the probes will be able to go fast enough to reach the planets in a shorter time. Current Discovery Program missions include the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter studying the Moon and InSight, designed to study the interior structure of Mars. One of the most notable Discovery projects is probably the Kepler space telescope that helped astronomers discover more than 2,600 exoplanets. Two of the four will see NASA head to Venus, one to study the atmosphere, the other its surface. The others will go to Jupiter's moon Io and Neptune's moon Triton. DAVINCI+ Possibly a case of an acronym in search of a name - it's called the 'Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging Plus.' Two of the missions will visit Venus to find out how it's atmosphere formed and what is happening on the surface of Earth's sister planet DAVINCI+ would analyse the atmosphere of Venus to understand how it formed, evolved and to determine whether it ever had an ocean. It would plunge through the inhospitable atmosphere to measure its composition as far down as the surface. The instruments would be housed within a purpose-built descent sphere to protect them from the intense high pressure environment of Venus. The + in DAVINCI+ refers to the imaging component of the mission, which includes cameras on the descent sphere and orbiter designed to map surface rock-type. 'Results from DAVINCI+ have the potential to reshape our understanding of terrestrial planet formation in our solar system and beyond,' the team said. James Garvin of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, will lead this project. Io Volcano Observer (IVO) This project, known as the Io Volcano Observer, would explore Jupiters moon, Io, to learn how tidal forces shape planetary bodies. Io is covered in active volcanoes and has the youngest surface in the solar system due to its continued activity. The mission will look for lava flows Io is heated by the constant crush of Jupiters gravity and is the most volcanically active body in the solar system. Little is known about it's specific characteristics, such as whether a magma ocean exists in its interior so the team want to use close-in flybys to assess how magma is generated and erupted on the moon. 'The missions results could revolutionise our understanding of the formation and evolution of rocky, terrestrial bodies, as well as icy ocean worlds in our solar system, and extrasolar planets across the universe.' It's being led by Alfred McEwen of the University of Arizona in Tucson. TRIDENT Trident would explore Triton, a unique and highly active icy moon of Neptune, to get a deeper understanding of potentially habitable world's in the outer solar system. Triton is the largest moon of the Ice Giant Neptune and has the second youngest surface in the solar system due to its active resurfacing. The mission will look for a subsurface ocean NASAs Voyager 2 mission showed that Triton has active resurfacing - generating the second youngest surface in the solar system after Io. It also has the potential for erupting plumes and an atmosphere, according to the team behind the project, led by Louise Prockter of the Lunar and Planetary Instutite. It also has an ionosphere that can create organic snow and the potential for an interior ocean, making Triton is an exciting exploration target. Using a single fly-by, Trident would map Triton, characterise active processes, and determine whether the predicted subsurface ocean exists. VERITAS Another project with an acronym hunting for a name - it is called the 'Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy'. The second of two Venus missions will map the surface of the entire planet and discover whether it has plate tectonics and volcanism VERITAS is the second of two Venus missions and would see the first map created of the surface of the planet to determine its geologic history. The team want to understand why Venus developed so differently than the Earth. Orbiting Venus with a synthetic aperture radar, it would chart surface elevations over nearly the entire planet to create three-dimensional reconstructions of topography. It would aim to confirm whether processes, such as plate tectonics and volcanism, are still active on Venus. VERITAS would also map infrared emissions from the surface to map Venus geology, which is largely unknown. Suzanne Smrekar of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, is the lead investigator on this project. The concepts were chosen from proposals submitted in 2019 as part of the 9th Discovery Program competition. Established in 1992, NASAs Discovery Program has supported the development and implementation of over 20 missions and instruments sent to space. The last round of Discovery missions were selected in 2017 and focus on exploring asteroids - they launch in 2021 and 2022. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 01:01:57|Editor: zyl Video Player Close A Turkish tank is seen in Reyhanli district of Hatay, Turkey, on Feb. 14, 2020. Turkey has poured in the last few days thousands of troops and convoys of military vehicles across the border, including tanks, armored personnel carriers and radar equipment in order to bolster its 12 observation posts. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) by Burak Akinci ANKARA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- In response to the ongoing Russian-backed Syrian attacks in Idlib, Turkey has shifted its strategy by increasing its military presence in the northern province of Syria to push Damascus to abide by Russian-Turkish agreements, experts said. "Turkey will strike Syrian forces anywhere" if one more Turkish soldier is hurt and could use air power, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday in Ankara, in reaction to the killing of 13 Turkish military personnel by Syrian shelling in two separate attacks this month in Idlib, the last rebel-held stronghold in Syria. Turkey has poured in the last few days thousands of troops and convoys of military vehicles across the border into Idlib, including tanks, armored personnel carriers and radar equipment in order to bolster its 12 observation posts. "Following the Syrian regime's attacks that killed Turkish soldiers, Turkey has moved from a diplomatic strategy aiming to protect de-escalation agreements to a military strategy of increasing its boots in Idlib," said Oytun Orhan, a senior analyst at the Ankara-based think tank Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Ankara and Moscow agreed in September 2018 to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone where acts of aggression are expressly prohibited. "Turkey wants Damascus, and also Moscow, to understand that it means business and will not back down to provocative attacks. This is a power struggle that Ankara absolutely wants to win," Orhan noted. "It is a question of prestige. Turkey doesn't want to lose its gains on the ground in Syria and aims to keep its troops in Idlib at any cost. That is why so many troops have been dispatched there in recent days," he said. Nevertheless, the Turkish expert saw a low risk of an all-out confrontation between Ankara and Damascus despite the recent mutual attacks from both sides. With backing from Russia, the Syrian troops have been on the offensive for weeks in Idlib and parts of nearby Aleppo. "The current situation in Idlib poses a threat to the civilians in the enclave and the security of Turkey which hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees," Serkan Demirtas, a political analyst, told Xinhua, adding the Turkish position in Idlib is also supported by its NATO ally, the United States which has dispatched its Syria Special Envoy James Jeffrey to the Turkish capital. "Further escalation will only lead to more displaced persons and could spark a new refugee influx toward Europe and elsewhere via Turkey," said Demirtas, urging the international community to take immediate action to support Turkey by increasing pressure on Russia and Syria. The number of Turkish soldiers in Idlib has now reached some 9,000, with one armored brigade, two mechanized infantry brigades and a special forces team equipped with several howitzers and rocket launchers, said Metin Gurcan, a military expert, in a press article. Turkey, however, doesn't have airspace control in Idlib, which adds to the military threat it's forces there are facing, according to observers. Erdogan has set the end of February as the deadline for a return to stability in Idlib, while Ankara is testing the possibility of a new summit between Russia, Iran and Turkey to speed up the political process before (Syrian President) Assad's forces reach Idlib's center. "Nobody wants a war between Turkey and Syria. However, this can only be prevented through a solid stance by all parties concerned. Turkey should not be left alone against the Syrian attacks and growing humanitarian tragedy," Demirtas told Xinhua. Chinas leaders expanded a mass roundup of people possibly sickened with the coronavirus Thursday, widening their dragnet well beyond the epicenter of the outbreak to at least two more cities in what the government has called a wartime campaign to stamp out the epidemic. But the campaign, first announced last week in the city of Wuhan, already has been marred by chaotic conditions that have isolated vulnerable patients without adequate care and, in some cases, left them alone to die. The expansion of the decree to round up everyone who should be rounded up in the Wuhan area of central China has deepened the nations anxiety. In their zeal to execute the edict, officials in Wuhan, a metropolis of 11 million, have haphazardly seized patients who have not yet tested positive for the coronavirus, in some cases herding them onto buses with no protective measures where they risked infection from others, their relatives said. After that, patients have been sent to makeshift medical facilities that dont provide the support they need to recover. With little to no dedicated medical staff on hand to help, some patients die. A sudden spike in new cases could make the situation worse. Officials in Hubei province announced Thursday that they had expanded the criteria for counting new infections to include diagnoses by doctors based on a chest scan and symptoms, rather than a more complicated test. The tally from the outbreak surged as a result, with the province adding nearly 15,000 cases and 242 deaths in a single day. The surge continued Friday when Hubei officials disclosed about 4,800 new cases and 112 additional deaths. In other developments Thursday: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States said a person under quarantine at a military base in San Antonio had tested positive for the virus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the U.S. to 15. In Japan, health officials announced the first death from the virus in the country, a woman in her 80s in Kanagawa prefecture, which includes Yokohama, where more than 200 passengers on a quarantined cruise ship have been infected by the coronavirus. Hundreds of cruise ship passengers long stranded at sea by virus fears cheered as they finally disembarked Friday and were welcomed to Cambodia by the nations authoritarian leader, who handed them flowers. Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed to let the Westerdam dock at the port of Sihanoukville after Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines had barred the ship earlier. 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. Beijing announced that both Wuhan and Hubeis provincial Communist Party chiefs were fired and replaced with officials known for stability maintenance and closely allied with President Xi Jinping, the Los Angeles Times reported. A John Hopkins University database showed a worldwide total of 64,437 infections and 1,383 deaths. Amy Qin is a New York Times writer. THE HAGUE/ PHILIPSBURG:--- This week the St. Maarten delegation, consisting of Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs, Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion, and their advisory staff are in the Netherlands taking part in several meetings. We are here to make connections aimed at improving the working relationship within the Dutch Kingdom based upon mutual respect and understanding in the best interest of the people of St. Maarten, stated Prime Minister Jacobs. Prime Minister Jacobs stated that meetings were held on a technical level with technical representatives from the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations (BZK). Additionally, the St. Maarten delegation met with the Minister of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations, Raymond Knops. In-depth discussions were held between both parties pertaining to the 2018 and 2019 liquidity support. More specifically, St. Maartens position regarding the conditionality of pension reform, to acquire liquidity support for 2019 and the remainder of liquidity support for 2018, was shared. Weve shared with Minister Knops, that we find it very unreasonable that pension reform is a condition for liquidity support as this topic is an extremely sensitive topic all over the world. Additionally, it is also clear that the people of St. Maarten, including the unions and the members of parliament still have great concerns where the draft pension reform law is concerned. Prime Minister Jacobs stated. During both meetings, the Minister of Finance Adwell Irion informed the Minister of Interior and Kingdom Relations, Raymond Knops and the technical representatives of the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations (BZK) concerning the Committee for Financial Supervision (CFT) advices which were also discussed which supports St. Maartens need for the promised liquidity support of 2018 and 2019. The St. Maarten delegation also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Stef Blok, to discuss research related to visum policies in the Caribbean. They also met with our Dutch Caribbean counterparts in that context in preparation for this discussion in the Kingdom Council of Ministers. Additionally, the St. Maarten delegation paid a courtesy visit to the representative of St. Maarten Mrs. Maria van der Sluijs-Plantz and support staff. Courtesy visits were also paid to the Vice-President of the Council of State Thom de Graaf, Chairman of the Second Chamber Jan Anthonie Bruijn, as well as the Chairman of the Committee for Kingdom Relations of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Jan Paternotte. During these visits, the delegation touched on the dispute regulation for St. Maarten. In these meetings, St. Maarten saw communication, representation and her input in decisions related to St. Maarten. Ways in which these may be improved is also being highlighted. The delegation is working towards making sure St. Maartens voice is heard in the plenary sessions of the First Chamber as it pertains to the discussions on the dispute regulation, said Prime Minister Jacobs. Prime Minister Jacobs, represented St. Maarten in the Kingdom Council of Ministers this morning together with Minister Plenipotentiary Rene Violenus on the agenda point of the agreed upon 2018 and 2019 liquidity support for St. Maarten. After Ministerial Consultation held this morning prior to the Kingdom Council of Ministers meeting, parties were able to reach a consensus regarding liquidity support in keeping with the various the Committee for Financial Supervision (CFT) advice which stated that a liquidity norm of two months reserve should be maintained. This was later confirmed and established in the Kingdom Council of Ministers meeting. We look forward to more positive meetings in culmination of this week in the Netherlands. Minister Plenipotentiary Rene Violenus and his cabinet have diligently made a lot of preparation for these meetings and they have taken part in the meetings as well. We look forward to the Minister Plenipotentiary and his staff continuing to represent St. Maarten at a high level in the years to come, concluded Prime Minister Jacobs. The Ministers will complete their trip in the evening meeting with some St. Maartens students and other St. Maarteners via a reception organized by the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague. Photo: The Canadian Press Ten women have filed a class-action lawsuit against Canadian clothing mogul Peter Nygard accusing him of sexual assault and sex trafficking. Nygard allegedly lured young women to his mansion in the Bahamas under false pretences of modelling opportunities in order to sexually assault them, according to the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The women who filed the lawsuit, which says they are not named out of concerns for their safety and privacy, are said to have been between the ages of 14 and 29 when the alleged incidents occurred. Nygard's lawyer Jay Prober denies the allegations. "It's a lawsuit which contains nothing but false allegations," he said, adding "we will defend the claim vigorously." None of the claims has been proven in court and no criminal charges have been filed. The lawsuit lists Nygard, who is chairman and founder of private fashion company Nygard International, as well as privately held Nygard Inc., Nygard International Partnerships, and Nygard Holdings Ltd. as defendants. It alleges he and these companies "using interstate and foreign commerce, recruited, lured and enticed young, impressionable and often impoverished children and women, with cash payments and false promises of lucrative modeling opportunities to assault, rape, and sodomize them." The lawsuit accuses Nygard of drugging several of the women when they did not comply with his demands for sex. The lawsuit also alleges that company resources were used to run the sex trafficking venture. The company did not immediately reply to a request for comment. President Donald Trump praised Travis Rankins (pictured) in his State of the Union address earlier this month, describing how the veteran turned his life around thanks to a construction job at a company using the administration's 'Opportunity Zone' tax breaks targeting poor neighborhoods Tony Rankins, a formerly homeless, drug-addicted Army veteran, got a standing ovation at the State of the Union after President Donald Trump described how he turned his life around thanks to a construction job at a company using the administration's 'Opportunity Zone' tax breaks targeting poor neighborhoods. But that's not completely true. Rankins, who indeed moved out of his car and into an apartment since landing a job refurbishing a Nashville hotel two years ago, doesn't work at a site taking advantage of the breaks and never has done so. In fact, he started that job four months before the Treasury Department published its final list of neighborhoods eligible for the breaks. And the hotel where he worked couldn't benefit even now because it's an area that didn't make the cut. In an interview with The Associated Press, Rankins said he always considered the job that launched him on his new life two years ago to be in an Opportunity Zone and was honored to be invited by the White House to the State of the Union, with a prime seat in the balcony next to Ivanka Trump. 'After struggling with drug addiction, Tony lost his job, his house and his family. He was homeless. But then Tony found a construction company that invests in Opportunity Zones,' the president said in his February 4 speech. 'He is now a top tradesman, drug-free, reunited with his family.' Days later, Trump doubled down on the Rankins story in a speech on his economic initiatives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and invited him up to say a few words. 'First of all, I would like to thank the president for signing this bill, because without it I wouldn't be standing here before you right now,' Rankins said. Rankins (center) received a standing ovation after Trump's speech (pictured). It was later revealed that the president was incorrect when he claimed that Rankins turned his life around because of the Trump administration's tax break program 'After struggling with drug addiction, Tony lost his job, his house and his family. He was homeless. But then Tony found a construction company that invests in Opportunity Zones,' the president said in his February 4 speech (pictured). 'He is now a top tradesman, drug-free, reunited with his family' Trump also praised Rankins' employer, R Investments, for 'working to help 200 people rise out of homelessness every year by investing in opportunity zones.' That is also not quite true. CEO Travis Steffens said he has hired hundreds of homeless to work at the 400 buildings the company has owned over the years, taking advantage of various tax breaks. But when it comes to Trump's Opportunity Zone breaks, he said, the company has only one building tapping the program now, a warehouse in Cincinnati where no one seems to be working, homeless or otherwise. 'We've not really worked there,' Rankins said, 'but we've stored things over there.' Steffens suggested that when Trump said R Investments was helping 200 people rise out of homelessness he was referring to the number the company hopes to teach construction skills to at the warehouse once it has been converted to a training academy. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Rankins, an ex-felon and veteran who served in Afghanistan and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, now works at another R Investments building in Cincinnati that is in an Opportunity Zone but has not used the tax breaks. He will start working at the warehouse next month, his first job at a site using the breaks. That hasn't stopped the Trump administration and its allies from taking credit for Rankins' turnaround. Rankins 'made an incredible comeback thanks to Opportunity Zone investments!' the White House tweeted. The official GOP twitter account said the story shows 'how an opportunity zone in Cincinnati has given him a second chance.' Ivanka Trump told her Twitter followers: 'Through grit and perseverance, he secured a job (created in an opportunity zone) and is now thriving.' Days after the State of the Union address, Trump doubled down on the Rankins story in a speech on his economic initiatives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and invited him up to say a few words (pictured). 'First of all, I would like to thank the president for signing this bill, because without it I wouldn't be standing here before you right now,' Rankins said Rankins (front left) said he was honored to attend the State of the Union, where he was seated next to Ivanka Trump (center) and Jared Kushner (right) Rankins smiled as Ivanka and the rest of the SOTU audience applauded him The Opportunity Zone program passed as part of Trump's 2017 tax overhaul offers investors big savings in capital gains taxes if they put money into nearly 8,000 poor neighborhoods designated by the Treasury Department as neglected and needing the help. Trump has touted the program in several speeches as an example of how he is helping struggling African-Americans. Critics say that too many neighborhoods getting the break were already gentrifying and that investors are likely to pour even more money into them, bypassing the poor, black communities that the program is partly intended to help. But backers note that the final rules governing the program were only released in December and say it is too early to judge. R Investments CEO Steffens said he was contacted by the Trump administration after speaking on an opportunity zone panel last year. Steffens said he has provided jobs to a lot of homeless people over the last 14 years, as many as 100 in a single year, inspired by his parents' example when he was growing up. 'My dad would give his last dollar to make sure that a mom and her kids had a meal,' Steffens said. He 'taught me at young age, there's no such thing as a self-made man.' After the Cincinnati training academy, Steffens said he plans to open ones in the New Orleans and Miami areas, too. He said he is also close to closing a deal to buy a hotel in Charlotte in an Opportunity Zone. He said he also hopes to find land in Opportunity Zones to place hundreds of 'tiny homes' that students will build as part of their training. Rankins, an ex-felon and veteran who served in Afghanistan and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, now works at another R Investments building in Cincinnati that is in an Opportunity Zone but has not used the tax breaks. He will start working at the warehouse next month, his first job at a site using the breaks Steffens said he is not used to being in the national spotlight - he was invited to the State of the Union and the Charlotte speech, too - and is worried that it now can turn against him and the homeless he is trying to help. '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.' As it turns out, there is a tax break that Steffens has tapped to employ homeless and others like Rankins. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit gives as much as $10,000 in tax credits to employers who hire homeless and others with difficulty finding jobs. That benefit was passed in 1996 when Bill Clinton was president. The Rankins story was one of several State of the Union introductions that appeared to be overtures to black voters, and the second to be shown to be less than truthful. Trump dramatically announced that a Philadelphia fourth-grader, Janiyah Davis, would be getting a scholarship that would allow her to transfer from a 'failing government' school to a charter school of her choice. But The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that she had already been attending a charter school for months and that students there don't have to pay tuition. As for Rankins, his feelings for the president haven't changed just because he may not be the ideal Opportunity Zone hero. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Munich on February 16 on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, "such meeting will take place", Interfax reported. Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry noted a rise in tensions in the Idlib de-escalation zone in the past few weeks. The Russian and Turkish military attempted to establish a ceasefire in the region, however, terrorist attacks persisted. As a result, military specialists from Russia and Turkey were killed, TASS recalls. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse ended a four-day trip to India on Tuesday. It was the third visit to New Delhi by leading figures of the Colombo government in the three months since the election of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse. Mahinda Rajapaksa, prime minister of Sri Lanka [Credit: Wikimedia Commons] Three days after Gotabhaya Rajapakse won the election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his foreign affairs minister, S. Jaishankar, to invite the Sri Lankan leader to visit New Delhi. Gotabhaya Rajapakse responded with a two-day tour in late November. In early January, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena also travelled to India for talks. The trips are part of the ongoing diplomatic efforts of the US and India to prevent the new Sri Lanka government developing close relations with China. Washington and New Delhi are determined to counteract Beijings influence on the strategically-located island nation that straddles key Indian Ocean sea lanes stretching from Africa and West Asia to the Malacca Straits in the east. During the January 2015 presidential elections, India backed the US regime-change operation to oust Mahinda Rajapakse as president and replace him with Maithripala Sirisena. While the US and India supported Sri Lankas war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, and Colombos repressive authoritarian methods, they were hostile to Rajapakses close relations with China. While former President Rajapakse later claimed some Indian intelligence officials and foreign countries worked against him, he never publicly named them. Following his elevation into the presidency, Sirisena, with the assistance of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, quickly brought Colombos foreign policy into line with US and Indian geo-strategic demands and integrated the countrys armed forces with the US Pacific Command and its military planning against China. Likewise, the Modi government, and the former Congress administration, systematically transformed India into a frontline state in Americas increasingly provocative operations against China. Washington is prepared to wage war against Beijing in an attempt to block its rise as an economic and geostrategic competitor. Although the Sirisena and Wickremesinghe administration broke apart in 2018, Washington and New Delhi are determined to deepen their political and military relations with Colombo. No significant agreement was signed between Colombo and New Delhi during Prime Minister Mahindas recent visit, but Modi made clear that his government is watching. After his discussions with the Sri Lankan prime minister, Modi declared: Stability, security and prosperity in Sri Lanka are in Indias interest, but also in the interest of the entire Indian Ocean Region. He asserted that India was a trusted partner in Sri Lankas development. Modi reiterated what he said to President Gotabhaya Rajapakse: that he was confident Colombo would fulfill the expectations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and respect within a united Sri Lanka. India wants Sri Lanka to establish a limited power-sharing operation with the Tamil elite. New Delhi has little concern for the democratic rights of the Tamil masses, who suffered bloody repression during Colombos 30-year war. It hopes, however, that a power-sharing arrangement will assist India to influence Sri Lankan affairs and garner political support amongst the Tamil Nadu masses in India. The Indian media, keen to know where the new Colombo government stands in relation to China, closely questioned Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse Referring to major power alignments in the Indian Ocean, the Hindustan Times asked: Theres the Quad on the one hand, and big powers, such as China and Russia, on the other. Will Sri Lanka join the Quad if asked? The Quad or Quadrilateral is a military strategic anti-China alliance led by the US and involving Japan, Australia and India. Rajapakse dodged the question, claiming that the issue has not yet come up for discussion but we would have to talk it out among ourselves first, and if we want to do it. Rajapakse was also asked whether he shared the view that Chinas Belt and Road Initiative [BRI] was a debt-trap development. Beijings ambitious BRI transport project is aimed at linking China via land and sea across Eurasia and enhancing its position on the world stage. The debt trap claim is propaganda from the US, the European powers and India which are campaigning against BRI. Rajapakse answered: Sri Lanka has received a lot of benefits from being part of BRI. By the way, let me remind youour external debt towards China is only 12 percent of our overall external debt. Anxious not to annoy Beijing, Rajapakse, who heads a cash-strapped government that continues to seek assistance from China and elsewhere, said that Colombo had not defaulted on its loans. He added: We used whatever money we took from them to build infrastructure. Rajapakse has requested a moratorium on repayment of loans from India, which are currently about $900 million. Last month Ajit Doval, Indias cabinet-ranked National Security Advisor, visited Colombo for discussions with President Rajapakse. Following their meetings Rajapakse posted a T witter message in which said that there had been a s trengthening of bilateral cooperation on national security, intelligence sharing, maritime security & fostering of regional collaboration. Doval pledged $US 50 million in military assistance to Sri Lanka and discussed the establishment of up a mariti me research coordination centre. Before Dovals trip, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi toured Sri Lanka to meet with the p resident and other political leaders. Yi issued a statement which declared: As Sri Lankas strategic partner, China will continue to stand by Sri Lankas interests. We will not allow any outside influences to interfere with matters that are essentially internal concerns of Sri Lanka. Last month high-level US officials also visited Sri Lanka to deliver a warning to the new government from US President Donald Trump. His message demanded commitment and interest in furthering and deepening [its] partnership. The delegation included Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice Wells and Director for South and Central Asia on the US National Security Council, Liza Curtis. These developments point to the advanced stage of the geopolitical tensions between the US and India on one hand, and China on the other, which are driving towards a catastrophic war between these nuclear-armed powers. The US and India have made it clear to President Gotabhaya Rajapakses government that it must toe the US and Indias anti-China line. Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - Tunisia and Rwanda have signed a deal on air services to allow for the free movement of people between their countries, the Tunisian ministry of foreign affairs said here Friday in a statement After the surgery, surrounded by his crying family, he said he felt 'stupid' David's condition was likely a result of smoking cigarettes, doctors said A hard-hitting NHS documentary showed a critically-ill man with barely ten minutes to live rushed in for surgery without saying goodbye to his family. David, 74, was on the brink of death due to a burst aneurysm in his stomach when he was rushed to The Royal Hospital in Liverpool. The condition, which mainly affects men over 65, often shows no symptoms until it is too late, causing catastrophic internal bleeding. There was no time to spare for the father-of-three, and his family were barred from seeing him before he went under the knife. To add to the chaos, 11 of the 12 operating theatres at The Royal were shut for the day because a major merging operation was underway with another hospital in the city. David, whose second name has not been revealed, was one of the very few squeezed into the busy schedule because his survival odds were so low. After making it through the procedure, doctors warned David his condition was likely a result of smoking cigarettes - which he admitted made him feel 'stupid'. The NHS says that eight in every 10 people who have a burst abdominal aortic aneurysm either die before arriving at hospital or during surgery. Free screening is offered to men when they turn 65. But one in five men fail to go. A hard-hitting NHS documentary airing tonight shows how a critically-ill man with barely ten minutes to live rushed in for surgery without saying goodbye to his family. David, 74, (pictured) was on the brink of death due to a burst aneurysm in his stomach There was no time to spare for David's family to see him before he was given anaesthesia. He went under the knife in emergency circumstances (pictured) To add to the chaos, 11 of the 12 operating theatres at The Royal were shut for the day because a major merging operation was underway with another hospital in the city Last night's episode was the first of the fifth series of BBC Two's Hospital, telling the emotional stories of NHS patients. The award-winning programme follows day-to day-life of six NHS Trusts across Liverpool, with a catchment area covering more than 2.5million people. Two hospitals are being merged, involving equipment being transferred from The Royal Liverpool five miles across the city to Aintree University Hospital. The big moving day had been planned for six months, and had never been done before. It came at a time when both hospitals were at full capacity during the winter months. A&E was over-flowing and emergencies were still arriving needing life-saving surgery. As part of the moving strategy, operating theatres at The Royal were closed for 24 hours, affecting around 40-50 patients that day. One theatre stayed open for urgent operations - which is where David arrived with just a 50/50 chance of survival. David, a cab driver, had been suffering with abdominal pains - a sign of an enlarging or bursting abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). An AAA is a bulge in the main blood vessel, called the aorta, that runs from the heart, through the chest and to the stomach. It grows slowly and if not spotted early on, can be fatal. Often likened by doctors to 'a blowout in a car tyre', it causes lethal internal bleeding within minutes. As David is wheeled into surgery, he is told there is no time to waste. Bringing family members in would only add to the chaos. As David is wheeled into surgery, he is told there is no time to waste (pictured). Bringing family members in would only add to the chaos, and he is given anaesthesia David said: 'They said if I had come in 25 minutes later I probably wouldn't have made it' WHO IS AT RISK OF AN AAA? People at a higher risk of getting an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) include: Men aged 65 or over AAAs are up to six times more common in men than women, and the risk of getting one goes up as you get older People who smoke if you smoke or used to smoke, you're up to 15 times more likely to get an AAA People with high blood pressure high blood pressure can double your risk of getting an AAA People with a parent, sibling or child with an AAA you're about four times more likely to get an AAA if a close relative has had one Source: NHS Advertisement Francesco Torella, the consultant vascular surgeon, began surgery immediately. He clamped the artery, cutting blood supply to the lower body. Then he repaired the anuerysm, removing a large blood clot. After the surgery, David said: 'I've never been to hospital since I was six. Then I'm going into a major trauma unit not knowing what's happening to me. 'The anaesthetist, Maria, said, "don't worry, we'll get this done". 'The next thing, I come to with all sorts of tubes down my throat and my family around me crying. 'They [the doctors] said if I had come in 25 minutes later I probably wouldn't have made it.' David was told smoking was likely the cause of his AAA - the habit raises the risk by 15 times, according to the NHS. David said: 'When I realise what I'd gone through, it didn't scare me, it terrified me. 'You look at your family and realise what you've done to them through your stupidity, through your lifestyle.' AAAs are up to six times more common in men than women, and the risk of getting one goes up as you get older. In England, screening for AAAs is offered to men during the year they turn 65. But thousands don't go. Some 81 per cent of men invited for the screening were tested in the year 2018/2019, according to Public Health England. That means one in five fail to turn up. BBC's Hospital also followed one of the sickest patients at The Royal on their moving day; Blessing, a mother-of-one. The 27-year-old is ill with the chronic autoimmune condition lupus. It causes inflammation and damage to organs, and Blessing has kidney failure. She's on immunosuppressants to treat lupus, making her immune system weaker. But she developed a knee infection, which her body was too weak to fight. She was feared to be on the brink of sepsis, when the body's immune system attacks it's own tissue in response to an infection. Dr Anijeet, the consultant nephrologist, said: 'Blessing's infection of the knee could potentially cause sepsis affecting all organs. The potential risk is the patient will die.' One of the sickest patients at The Royal on their moving day was Blessing, a mother-of-one Blessing is feared to be on the brink of sepsis, when the body's immune system attacks it's own tissue in response to an infection. She needed urgent surgery Queen, Blessing's mother, said: 'It's so hard for a mother when your child is in pain and you can't help' Blessing needed urgent keyhole surgery to wash away the infection in her knee. But all the necessary equipment was five miles away at Aintree. She was too sick to be moved across Liverpool, so surgeons made the decision to operate without state-of-the-art equipment. Instead, they used traditional syringes and pumped six litres of saline into her knee. They operated 'blind' because they had no arthroscope - a tool with a camera on the end which would be inserted into the knee. Queen, Blessing's mother, said: 'If I cry, it won't resolve the problem. So I try to stay storng, even though in my head I am melting away. 'You have the questions;' "why her? Why couldn't it be me?" She's so good, supportive and hard working.' The operation was a success. But Blessing suffered fluid on the lungs and her lupus flared up as a result. Her heart is now under immense strain from the inflammation caused by her lupus. Queen said: 'It's so hard for a mother when your child is in pain and you can't help.' Hospital is next on BBC Two Thursday February 20, at 9pm. Gao Yang, an employee of the industrial center of Swiss power and automation group ABB in Xiamen, began workday at 8:00 a.m. as usual, but she did not take a commuter bus to the office. Instead, she works from home. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the State Council, or China's cabinet, extended this year's Lunar New Year public holiday an extra three days to Feb. 2, while factories in many Chinese provinces set the date of production resumption on Feb. 10. In the city of Xiamen, a coastal business hub in eastern China's Fujian Province, lots of foreign-funded enterprises including ABB's Xiamen industrial center resumed business on Monday. The center covers ABB's businesses in research and development, manufacturing, engineering, sales and services. It also covers the management of its supply chain in China. Gao, who engages in marketing communication, continues to work at home since she started her telework on Feb. 3. "It doesn't make a big difference for me to work from home or at the office. I suppose it is a flexible way to solve the problem during the epidemic control period," Gao said. According to the company, 70 percent of the staff had returned to work. By the end of the month, over 95 percent of their employees will resume work. The ABB Xiamen center has taken a variety of measures to prevent the transmission of the virus, such as establishing a workers' information registration platform, checking body temperatures every day and disinfecting work areas. However, the epidemic outbreak has hampered transportation in some areas and led to delayed mechanic parts supply and increasing supply chain cost. "We have launched an emergency plan to mobilize the global resources of ABB to reduce the influence to a minimum. We will also cooperate with our suppliers and partners to share the information and resources," said James Zhao, senior vice president of ABB China Ltd. "In the battle against the virus, we further experienced the convenience of telework," he said. "ABB's digital solutions and technologies also show their prowess in various industries." Yamaha Motor Solutions Co., Ltd. Xiamen, a Japanese-funded enterprise, had 85 percent of workforce resume operation. The company's business covers more than 10 countries and regions including China and Japan. "In the emergency period, we strictly follow the prevention requirements and make full use of online work platform and video conferences to accomplish remote collaboration and reduce business trips and people-to-people contact," said Zhao Fujun, general manager of the company. Zhao predicted that the epidemic would have a great influence on the company's business in the first quarter, "because we will lose some opportunities to negotiate with foreign clients face to face," he said. Zhao said the company will seize the chance to improve its product portfolio, speed up efforts to establish a cost-effective automation research institute and launch services related to safe production and management. Alu Rehab Xiamen Ltd, a Norway-funded company producing multifunctional wheelchairs, resumed operation on Monday despite challenges. "First of all, we have been closed longer than expected, and we need to ship goods out to get money in, so we count each day. Secondly, we are depending on our suppliers getting back to work so we can get the parts needed," the company's general manager Jan Laegaard Broni said. However, he is confident that once the situation is back to normal, they can make up for most of what they "lost" in this period. In many other coastal cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou and Qingdao, foreign-funded enterprises are also gradually resuming their businesses, with difficulties and confidence. According to a random sampling survey taken Tuesday by the Shanghai Association of Foreign Investment, among the 54 foreign-funded enterprises, over 50 percent had already resumed operations and more than 30 percent had partially resumed work. The Ministry of Commerce issued a circular Monday urging local authorities to provide better services for foreign-funded enterprises amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. In Xiamen, the local government took many effective measures to help enterprises resume operation, such as the online job-hunting registration platform for both employers and employees and free charter buses to pick up workers in other cities in Fujian. "The supporting policies have boosted the confidence of local enterprises," said James Zhao. "The coronavirus outbreak will not change the fundamentals or the growing trend of China's economy." Maldives and Seychelles announce a major joint marine research expedition to explore and conserve the Indian Ocean February 14,2020 | Source: State House Midnight Zone is a 35-day mission to support the sustainable governance of the Seychelles and Maldivian ocean including the protection of 629,000 km2. A team of 50 international scientists, technicians, media and crew will be carrying out research to gather critical data to define conservation and management priorities and the designation of Marine Protected Areas. The expedition starts in Seychelles on March 16th 2020. Research is focussed on seamounts in the Midnight Zone. The Midnight Zone describes ocean depths between 1000metres and 4000metres. Whilst biomass peaks in surface waters, biodiversity peaks within the Midnight Zone. The expedition will undertake the first research of seamounts in this area of the Indian Ocean. With high levels of biological endemism, seamounts are often described as undersea Galapagoses, home to species found nowhere else on the planet. A healthy planet needs a healthy ocean. The time to act is now. Seychelles is committed to ocean conservation and by the end of March, we will have 30% of our waters established as protected areas. Seychelles are demonstrating the scientific and economic case for sustainable ocean management and protection and we are delighted that other nations, like the Maldives, are taking leadership said President Danny Faure of Seychelles. The ocean is a key part of each Maldivian. 71% rely on the ocean for their primary source of income. We have committed to a 5-year initiative to advance ocean protection and sustainably develop the blue economy. This expedition will help us establish the long-term sustainability of our economic growth, livelihoods and jobs through establishing marine protected areas to build ocean resilience said President Ibrahim Mohamid Solih of Maldives. To support a healthy, resilient and prosperous ocean, scientists are calling for 30% of the ocean to be protected. Currently, only 2% is strongly protected and 8% is designated for protection. First Descent: Midnight Zone is one of a series of expeditions that Nekton, a UK charitable research institute, are carrying out across the Indian Ocean documenting changes beneath the waves in a bid to catalyse 30% protection by 2030. Having so recently had the pleasure of welcoming Maldives back into the Commonwealth family, it is very satisfying that our partnership with Nekton will support Maldives and Seychelles in fulfilling their commitment to ocean sustainability. Seychelles is our Commonwealth Blue Charter champion for marine protection, and by safeguarding 30% of its waters for conservation it sets a fine example which we hope will be followed by other countries. This mission is a very practical expression of how Commonwealth Blue Charter values in action are leading to enhanced protection in the Indian Ocean, and to improving ocean health more generally for our planet, said Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland. The Indian Ocean is the least explored and least protected ocean. It is already home to nearly 2.7 billion people and by 2050 it will be home to half of the worlds population. How the Indian Ocean changes, will profoundly affect the lives and livelihoods of billions of people, explained Oliver Steeds, Nekton Mission Director. The Indian Ocean Dipole, a climate phenomenon similar to El Nino, magnifies the impact of climate change. It increases the frequency, intensity and impact of extreme climate events throughout the region. Over the past 12months these have included the bushfires in Australia, cyclone Idai in Mozambique, major flooding in Indonesia and India and drought in Southern Africa, where the Victoria Falls has been reduced to a trickle. The joint Seychelles-Maldives Expedition is led by scientists from Nekton and the University of Oxford working with, and on behalf of the Governments of Seychelles and the Maldives. Scientists from Seychelles and the Maldives will be participating throughout the mission. Dr Lucy Woodall, Nektons Principal Scientist, University of Oxford said: Seamounts have high levels of biological diversity and biomass with a complex mosaic of habitats. They provide stepping stones between coastal areas that can act as nurseries for juvenile fish and are highly productive fishing grounds. Dr. Woodall added, Seamounts are poorly studied across the globe but are being increasingly impacted by human activities as technology allows exploitation of ocean resources at greater depths and distances from land. Every day, as the sun sets, animals rise from the deep ocean to feed. As the run rises, they descend. This is the Vertical Migration, the largest migration on Earth. Every night, they draw carbon from the surface, into the depths, into the Midnight Zone, the largest carbon store on our planet, explained Sheena Talma, Seychellois marine scientist, one of Seychelles first Aquanauts and the expeditions Science Programme Manager. The expedition will be using the worlds most advanced deep diving submersible alongside a dozen research tools including landers, sampling, sensor and mapping technology. In August 2019, the submersible Limiting Factor built by Triton Submarines, completed the world's first manned exploration of the deepest point in each of the five oceans (Five Deeps), and is the only human occupied vessel that can visit any place in our oceans. The expeditions Mothership, DSSV Pressure Drop, and submersible have just completed sea trials in the Mediterranean before beginning the journey towards Seychelles. First Descent Midnight Zone is supported by Nektons unique alliance of business, governments, academia and civil society uniting behind a common purpose to explore and conserve the ocean. The Maldives leg of the expedition is being undertaken to support Maldives Blue Prosperity, in partnership with the Blue Prosperity Coalition. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 15:35:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- China has developed convalescent plasma to treat patients who are infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to the China National Biotec Group. The company said they have collected plasma from some recovered patients to prepare therapeutic products including convalescent plasma and immune globulin. After strict blood biosafety tests, virus inactivation and antiviral activity tests, they have successfully developed convalescent plasma for clinical treatment and have used it to treat critically ill patients. The company has set up a team to use special equipment to collect plasma from recovered patients in Wuhan since Jan. 20. Three critically ill patients in a hospital in the Jiangxia District of Wuhan received convalescent plasma treatment on Feb. 8. Currently, more than 10 critically ill patients have received the treatment, the company said. According to clinical results, 12 to 24 hours after the patients received the treatment, they have shown improved clinical symptoms, with main inflammatory indexes decreased significantly and some key indexes such as blood oxygen saturation improving comprehensively. Experts said that based on the clinical pathological process, most of the cured patients will produce specific antibodies against the virus in their bodies, which can help kill the virus. The convalescent plasma-derived therapeutic product is made from the plasma donated by cured patients after virus inactivation and detection of multiple pathogenic microorganisms. Convalescent plasma therapy may be an effective way to reduce the mortality rate of critically ill patients, according to experts. The collection, preparation and test process of the convalescent plasma is safe, mature and takes a short time, according to the company. The company and the Wuhan Blood Center have issued a proposal, calling on cured patients to donate plasma to help other patients who are still in danger. Convalescent plasma is listed as a therapeutic method in the fifth edition of the COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment plan issued by the National Health Commission. Zhang Dingyu, head of Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, also said Thursday that initial results have indicated the effectiveness of plasma transfusion in curing patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. Getty Images The Illinois Department of Agriculture is reminding farm workers to stay safe and around grain bins especially at a time wet crops could mean having to do more work in bins. The year after a wet crop season in 2009 was the most hazardous on record for grain bin accidents, with 59 entrapments and 26 deaths nationwide, according to Purdue University statistics. The first Hindu temple in the UAE's capital Abu Dhabi witnessed a major construction milestone as the first concrete pouring ceremony for its raft foundation took place here, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Swaminarayan temple of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sansth (BAPS) temple in 2018 via video conferencing from the Dubai Opera House. Pujya Brahmavihari Swami and Pujya Akshaymunidas Swami held special prayers for the project in the presence of Pavan Kapoor, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE and Vipul, the Consul General of India to Dubai, Omar Al-Muthanna, CEO of the Community Development Authority and Mohandass Saini, CEO of Shapoorji Pallonji. During the ceremony, Pujya Brahmavihari Swami said: "Today we are embarking upon the unique Mandir raft which is built using a combination of ancient technology with modern instrumentation." "This could not have been possible without the grace of god, the complete support of the community and the love of everyone present here today," he said. "All I can say is that I have to give credit to my predecessor who supported this initiative and most of all the UAE government to take this enormous and very generous decision not just to donate the land but to give the first license to the temple," Ambassador Kapoor said. Al-Muthanna said positive individuals irrespective of their religion are an asset for any community. "We want to make sure we have selected the right partner; today is an excellent example that we have selected the right partner BAPS," he said. Attendees were ushered to the construction site where the ceremony began with prayers followed by them witnessing the first layer of fly-ash concrete mix being poured. The ceremony marked a single pour of 3,000 cubic metres of the concrete mix, which is made up of 55 percent fly ash, making the temple foundation green compared to most concrete mixtures used across the world. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Child Protection Officer (CPiE MRM), Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar Organization: Unicef Country: Myanmar Field location: Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar Office: Unicef in Nay Pyi Taw Closing date: Monday, 17 February 2020 Child Protection Officer (CPiE/MRM), NO2, Fixed Term, Nay Pyi Taw #100591 (Open to Myanmar Nationals Only) Job no: 529552 Position type: Fixed Term Appointment Location: Myanmar Division/Equivalent: Bangkok (EAPRO), Thailand School/Unit: Myanmar Department/Office: Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar Categories: NO-2 UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending childrens rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential - to the benefit of a better world. For every child, a good start and hope The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does A in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to childrens rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life A in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions A her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a societys most disadvantaged citizens A addressing inequity A not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. How can you make a difference? The Child Protection Officer based in Naypyitaw reports to the Child Protection Specialist for supervision. The Child Protection Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for child protection programmes/projects within the Country Programme from development planning to delivery of results. H/She prepares, executes, manages, and implements a variety of technical and administrative programme tasks to facilitate programme development, implementation, programme progress monitoring, evaluating and reporting. Key functions and accountabilities of the position (detailed job description attached): - Support to programme development and planning Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results Technical and operational support to programme implementation Networking and partnership building Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building Detail job description can be accessed here; 100591_CP Off_NO2_NPT_JD.pdf To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have... A university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field. A minimum of two years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection related areas is required. Tags child protection development planning human rights international law knowledge management programme implementation programme management social development Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset. Relevant experience in programme development in child protection related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset. Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN Language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset For every Child, you demonstrate... UNICEFs core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. The technical competencies required for this post are.... Formulating strategies and concepts (I) Analyzing (II) Applying technical expertise (II) Learning and Researching (II) Planning and Organizing (II) View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Remarks: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. Advertised: Feb 03 2020 Myanmar Standard Time Application close: Feb 17 2020 Myanmar Standard Time NORWALK Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred early Friday morning at Chick-fil-A. The popular fast food restaurant, located at 467 Connecticut Ave., was held up around 7 a.m. Friday, according to police. Police believe more than one person was involved in the robbery, according to Lt. Tom Mattera, commander of the Norwalk Detective Bureau. The Detective Bureau has taken over this investigation and are actively looking in to the case, police spokesman Lt. Jared Zwickler said. Detectives ask that anyone with information, or anyone who noticed suspicious activity in the area Friday morning, contact them at 203-854-3011 or anonymously at 203-854-3011. The Durans Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss Emmanuel Macrons speech where the French President unveiled his nuclear doctrine advocating for a more coordinated European Union defence strategy in which France, the EUs only post-Brexit nuclear power, and its arsenal holding a central role. Macron warned all those in attendance that the European Union cannot remain spectators in the nuclear arms race. Via France24 In a much anticipated speech to military officers graduating in Paris, Macron called on EU member states to play a more direct role in halting a new nuclear arms race, saying they cannot remain spectators against a threat to the continents collective security. In the absence of a legal framework, they could rapidly face a new race for conventional weapons, even nuclear weapons, on their own soil, said Macron. Setting out his countrys nuclear strategy in a bid to show leadership a week after nuclear-armed Britain officially exited the EU, Macron highlighted how France sees its nuclear weapons as a deterrent against attacks from belligerent foes. Macrons speech comes at a time when long-standing accords on limiting the growth of nuclear arsenals appear increasingly at risk. The US and Russia have abandoned the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, each blaming the other for breaching its limits, and Washington is threatening to quit the New START arms reduction treaty when it expires next year. Add to that Chinas bid for global sway, there is a strong need for Europe to ensure it does not find itself in the middle of a Cold War-style standoff which could jeopardise the peace obtained after so many tragedies on our continent, Macron said. He warned of the possibility of a pure and unrestrained military and nuclear competition, the likes of which we havent seen since the end of the 1960s. The vital interests of France now have a European dimension, said Macron, circling back to his central message of a need for a more coordinated European defence policy. European nations should also insist on being signatories of any new deal to limit the development of new intermediate-range weapons, he noted. Let us be clear: if negotiations and a more comprehensive treaty are possible Europeans must be stakeholders and signatories, because its our territory that is most at risk. Waning US engagement and NATO brain death Fridays speech was part of Macrons long-running push for a stronger European defence, as US President Donald Trump has pulled away from European allies and admonished other NATO members for not paying more for their own protection. Macron himself ruffled feathers last year when he noted that the lack of US leadership is causing the brain death of the military alliance. EN DIRECT | Discours du President @EmmanuelMacron sur la strategie de defense et de dissuasion depuis lEcole militaire. https://t.co/PfYQShLHV2 Elysee (@Elysee) February 7, 2020 Reduced number of warheads and disarmament France has already reduced the number of its warheads to under 300, Macron said, giving it the legitimacy to demand concrete moves from other nuclear powers toward global disarmament that is gradual, credible and can be verified. But he stopped short of offering to share Frances nuclear deterrence capabilities, a pillar of its security strategy since implemented by Charles de Gaulle in the 1960s. Germany in particular remains strongly opposed to atomic weapons, although a leader in Chancellor Angela Merkels party, Johann Wadephul, said this week that Paris should consider putting its arsenal under the auspices of the EU or NATO. Macron invited European partners to engage in a strategic dialogue on the deterrent role of Frances nuclear capacity as the country embarks on a costly modernisation of its arsenal. Our independence in terms of decision-making is fully compatible with an unshakeable solidarity with our European partners, Macron said. Macron also warned of the need for a greater capacity for autonomous action by Europeans, who must step up their military spending. Why are they not ready to make defence a budget priority and make the necessary sacrifices, even as the risks are growing? Macron asked. Restore trust with Russia His speech came as a diplomatic freeze between the EU and Russia since Moscows annexation of Crimea from Ukraine has rekindled fears of fresh conflict along Europes eastern flank. France has broken with some EU nations by recently reaching out to restore dialogue with President Vladimir Putin, who controls the worlds largest nuclear arsenal. There can be no defence and security project for European citizens without a political vision that seeks to progressively restore trust with Russia, Macron said. We cannot accept the current situation, where the chasm deepens and talks diminish even as the security issues that need to be addressed with Moscow are multiplying. Macron did not specify whether Britain, Europes other nuclear power, should be part of the deeper EU cooperation now that is has quit the bloc. But he noted that since 1995, France and the United Kingdom have stated clearly there is no situation in which a threat to ones vital interests would not also be a threat to the others. Brexit doesnt change this at all. Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and Block Island are classic New England islands. Framed by white sand beaches, these photogenic locations are dotted with Victorian architecture and Federal-style brick mansions built by sea captains and industrialists who profited from the once-thriving whaling trade. Lighthouses, dramatic bluffs and windswept dunes complete the alluring picture that keeps tourists coming every spring, summer and fall. A Victorian cast-iron hitching post on a quiet street in Nantucket. sbossert As there are no bridges to these islands, most visitors use the ferry service that runs throughout the day, taking one to two hours each way. Some also fly. And a handful get there by small cruise ships. Small-ship cruises are a convenient way to sample New England's enchanting islands. It eliminates the hassle of making round-trip ferry or flight reservations, which are often difficult to get in high season. Serving as both transport and hotel, small-ship cruises under 200 passengers or so are nimble enough to slip into picturesque yacht harbors and narrow channels, and dock or moor right in the heart of town. Islands and ports to see Nantucket is ringed by beaches, and its small cobblestone streets and early 19th-century architecture helped make the entire island a National Historic Landmark District. is ringed by beaches, and its small cobblestone streets and early 19th-century architecture helped make the entire island a National Historic Landmark District. Martha's Vineyard is beloved for its frilly, gingerbread-style Victorian cottages in Oak Bluffs as well as the dramatic headlands of Aquinnah. Gingerbread trim on a house in Martha's Vineyard. Ted Scull Block Island is known for its grand sea-facing Victorian-era hotels, such as The Atlantic Inn. is known for its grand sea-facing Victorian-era hotels, such as The Atlantic Inn. New Bedford was once the whaling capital of the world and the inspiration behind Herman Melville's classic American novel, Moby Dick, published in 1841. was once the whaling capital of the world and the inspiration behind Herman Melville's classic American novel, Moby Dick, published in 1841. Newport is famous for its extravagant Gilded Age mansions, some of which are open for touring. is famous for its extravagant Gilded Age mansions, some of which are open for touring. Bristol was the home of the Herreshoff shipyard that produced eight America's Cup yachts; today there's a marine museum that explores the history of boat building in the area. Seeing New England by small ship There are two cruise lines that spend a good part of each year cruising New England and its offshore islands American Cruise Lines and Blount Small Ship Adventures. American Cruise Lines is a US-owned, operated and crewed company with a fleet of 13 small, modern ships, including the 100-passenger American Star and 175-passenger American Constitution. The company's seven-night New England islands cruises start (and end) in Providence, Rhode Island. The itinerary includes stops at New Bedford, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Block Island in Massachusetts; and Newport and Bristol in Rhode Island. American Cruise Lines serve regional cuisine, such as whole steamed lobsters and Cape Cod lobster pot pie. Courtesy of American Cruise Lines Cabins are spacious at 200 to 450 square feet, and most have balconies. Six roomy cabins are designed for single occupancy, a rarity in the cruise world. There is an onboard historian/naturalist and perks like a putting green and gym equipment on the sun deck. Fares start at $4,140 per person and include most guided excursions and cocktail hour in the evening, plus beer and wine at lunch and dinner. "There is nothing like island hopping in New England," said Charles B. Robertson, the company's vice president. "Only a smaller ship can truly deliver the experience of coming into Nantucket Harbor, Great Salt Pond or Vineyard Haven." Meanwhile, Blount Small Ship Adventures has a pair of US-flagged, 84-passenger ships the Grande Caribe and Grande Mariner which are homey yet utilitarian. Cabins are compact, a point reflected in the cruises' lower price. The overall vibe is casual, and the ships employ a BYOB policy. Free house beer and wine are available at lunch and dinner. The Grand Caribe navigates through Cape Cod Sound and Boston Harbor. Courtesy of Blount Small Ship Adventures Many are attracted to Blount for its legacy. Founded in 1966 by entrepreneur and inventor Luther Blount and still family-owned and operated today the company thrives on its heritage as an innovative boat builder and pioneer of coastal and inland cruises. The boats navigate waterways and visit places many other boats cannot. The line's six-night "Islands of New England" itinerary cruises between New York and Boston and starts at $2,259 per person, stopping at Block Island, Newport, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and Plymouth. Seeing New England by large ship Ships that aren't registered in the United States and instead fly a foreign flag are subject to cabotage laws that require them to call, or stop, at a foreign port when sailing between two U.S. ports. For New England cruises, this often means a stop in Canada. As a result, several ships stop on one or two New England islands as part of fall foliage cruises (mostly to and from Boston, New York or Montreal) or when en route to Iceland or Europe. Many are too large to dock and instead anchor offshore and shuttle passengers to town in tenders. Mansion tours are popular in Newport, Rhode Island. shunyufan The all-suite, all-inclusive luxury 490-passenger Regent Seven Seas Navigator includes a stop at Martha's Vineyard on a 15-night cruise between New York and Reykjavik in June 2020, starting at $8,599 per person. Starting late August of this year, Norwegian Cruise Lines' 2,394-passenger Norwegian Gem will run a seven-night New England cruise out of Boston, which includes stops at Martha's Vineyard and Newport. Rates start at $972 per person for an inside cabin. The Cliffs at Gay Head, Martha's Vineyard. kickstand In 2021, Victory Cruise Lines' 202-passenger Victory I will begin seven-night cruises from St. John (Canada) to Boston, making stops at Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. These cruises start at $4,999 per person, and include a pre-cruise hotel night, daily excursions and alcoholic drinks. Tips Beaches along the NSW coast have been closed until Sunday because of powerful surf generated by an ex-tropical cyclone in the Tasman Sea, potentially worsening erosion on beaches hardest hit by last week's storms. Forecasters were predicting swells of three to four metres for Sydney's coastline as the remnants of cyclone Uesi makes its way south after passing near Lord Howe Island. A surfer takes advantage of a large swell at Collaroy Beach on Friday. Credit:Nick Moir The Bureau of Meteorology issued a hazard surf warning stretching from Byron to Eden near the Victorian border for Friday and Saturday. Activities to be avoided include swimming, boating and rock fishing. The prospect of large amounts of debris in the water prompted beach closures from Byron to Mollymook in the south. Samsung board chairman Lee Sang-hoon has resigned almost two months after he was found guilty on charges of union sabotage. Lee Sang-hoon was appointed as board chairman of Samsung Electronics two years ago in a move aimed to increase transparency at the company by splitting the CEO and chairman roles. Lee Sang-hoon was sentenced to a year and a half in prison last December on charges that he violated labor laws. Samsung's high-level execs have found themselves in hot water with the authorities lately. Jay Y. Lee, Samsung's de-facto head, was found guilty of perjury, embezzlement and bribery in 2017, for which he served a short stint in prison, and is currently awaiting a retrial. Samsung VP Kang Kyung-hoon has been sentenced to 16 months in prison on charges of union interference. Lee Sang-hoon, Samsung's now-former chairman, has also been involved in more than one instance of convictions and subsequent pardons. Source Veteran character actor Ron Haddrick, who had a long career in Australian screen & stage, has died, aged 90. He died on February 11th according to Wikipedia. He enjoyed a long career on stage, screen and radio in Australia, starting with the Tivoli Theatre in Adelaide in the 1940s. During five seasons in Stratford-upon-Avon he performed with Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, John Gielgud, Peggy Ashcroft and Michael Redgrave, before the Old Tote Theatre Company in Sydney. He also performed roles with Sydney Theatre Company, State Theatre Company of South Australia, Queensland Theatre Company and Nimrod Theatre Company. Haddrick made an early television appearance in the 1960 television play Close to the Roof and had his first starring TV role as Dr. William Redfern in The Outcasts, later appearing as the alien Adam Suisse in 1964s childrens science fiction series The Stranger. iview has recently given the series some retro love. His TV credits are many including Certain Women, Heartbreak High, Farscape, The Lost Islands, Cloudstreet, Underbelly, All Saints, Rake, The Informant, The Alice, Water Rats, Dogwoman, Home & Away, GP, Sons and Daughters, Mother & Son, Quigley Down Under, A Country Practice, Homicide, Riptide, Hunter. In 2012 he received the Equity Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2013 he was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia medal. Haddrick, who represented South Australia three times in the Sheffield Shield from 1951 1953, is also father to screenwriter Greg Haddrick. Source: Wikipedia, IMDb, Televisionau.com Cystic fibrosis affects about 75,000-100,000 people globally A team of researchers at Stanford University has used the gene editing tool commonly known as CRISPR to repair the gene that causes cystic fibrosis in airway stem cells, which they say is a critical step to develop a gene therapy for the disorder. The researchers showed that the repaired airway stem cells could give rise to other airway cells and could produce functional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein, which is faulty in cystic fibrosis patients. The study represents a proof of concept for the repair of genes that cause airway disorders. A study describing these results was published online in Cell Stem Cell on December 12, 2019. Postdoctoral scholar Sriram Vaidyanathan, PhD is the first co-lead author and Matthew Porteus, MD, PhD, professor of pediatrics is the lead co-senior author. Other co-lead authors include Ameen Salahudeen, MD, PhD, Zachary Sellers, MD, PhD, Dawn Bravo PhD. Other co-senior authors include Tushar Desai, MD, Jayakar Nayak, MD, PhD and Calvin Kuo MD,PhD. A devastating childhood disease: Cystic fibrosis affects about 75,000-100,000 people globally. CF patients suffer from chronic lung infections that eventually cause lung failure and death. In addition, patients may also suffer from problems in several other organs. CF patients have an average life expectancy of about 40 years. CF is a fatal disease caused by mutations in a single gene (the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)). The CFTR gene encodes an ion channel that transports chloride in cells that express the gene. In CF patients, the channel is non-functional and chloride transport is blocked. This results in a build-up of thick mucus in the airways and also results in damage to other organs such as the pancreas. The quest for a cure: Gene therapy has been attempted to treat several genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia over the past two decades with some individual successes. The discovery of CRISPR enabled the precise manipulation of genes and made it feasible to develop gene therapies for many more diseases. CRISPR was most readily applied to develop cures for blood disorders such as sickle cell disease because of our increased familiarity with blood stem cells and our ability to readily culture and transplant them into patients. Indeed, the first clinical trials to test the use of CRISPR to treat sickle cell disease, a blood disorder, have already started even though the technology is relatively new. Although CF was one of the first diseases for which gene therapy was attempted, attempts have been unsuccessful so far. The development of CRISPR renewed hopes for a gene therapy for CF. The application of CRISPR to treat lung disorders such as CF was challenging because methods to apply CRISPR to effectively edit airway stem cells had not been developed. The team consisting of Dr. Vaidyanathan, Dr. Porteus and colleagues have developed a method to correct one CF causing mutation (DF508) which affects over 70% of patients in the US and Europe. This publication describes the correction of a commonly observed CF causing mutation with efficiencies over >40% in airway stem cells. This is over a 100-fold improvement over previous work correcting the same mutations in other cell types and makes it possible to correct CF causing mutations in a clinically applicable manner. Further work is necessary to perfect the transplantation of edited airway stem cells in the airways to develop a durable treatment for CF. It's not like we weren't warned. Over the course of President Trump's impeachment trial, Democrats warned the Republican-controlled Senate that acquitting Trump would mean he had successfully stymied most attempts to subject him or his administration to even a modicum of Congressional oversight. They warned that an acquittal would embolden him to finally exert full control over the entirety of the executive branch; norms, customs or guardrails be damned. That's exactly what Americans have seen in the days since Senate Republicans (minus Utah's Mitt Romney) voted to absolve him of responsibility for his attempt to blackmail a foreign government. According to several people closest to the President, he has internalized the exact lesson that Democrats feared he would, and for some time now has been intent on using the flexibility provided him by his acquittal and a compliant cohort of aides to begin settling scores. That process began almost immediately last Friday, with two of the witnesses who testified during the House's impeachment inquiry Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland and Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman being among the first to feel his wrath. While Sondland, a licensed pilot, had the option of departing Brussels in his own jet after being told of his recall, Vindman's exit provided him no such dignity. Just one day after Trump invoked his name during an hour-long, grievance-filled rant in the East Room, Vindman and his brother Evgeny were all but defenestrated from their offices at the National Security Council, where Alexander had been Trump's top Ukraine advisor, and Evgeny, a lawyer, had been an NSC ethics expert. Trump's national security adviser, Ambassador Robert O'Brien, tried explaining away the Vindman brothers' removal as part of a reorganization of the NSC which will remove most, if not all, career professionals in favor of ideologically friendly political appointees. The process of revenge also began to play out against Trump's former home of New York State, which saw its residents' access to the Department of Homeland Security's Trusted Traveler programs revoked. That was apparently in retaliation for the state government's decision to deny immigration officials access to a database of driver licenses which included those soon to be issued to undocumented immigrants under a new program. After leaked documents showed that the decision to rescind New Yorkers' access to Trusted Traveler programs was part of a plan to "punish" states with insufficiently anti-immigrant policies, the President on Thursday abandoned any pretense of a policy rationale for the move ahead of a meeting with Governor Andrew Cuomo. In a Thursday morning tweet, Trump appeared to explicitly condition the restoration of New Yorkers access to the DHS programs with the cessation of lawsuits against and investigations into his administration and family business. This, despite the fact that such actions are conducted by the office of New York State Attorney General Latisha James, rather than Governor Cuomo. That wasn't even the only governmental muscle he has been trying to flex for his own ends this week, much of which he has spent trying to keep his longtime on-again-off-again political consultant, Roger Stone, out of prison. A Washington DC jury had convicted Stone, a self-described "dirty trickster" with a long history in GOP politics, on charges that he'd obstructed a congressional inquiry into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, as well as threatened a witness (and his dog), just days before the House voted to impeach Trump. While the president had mostly kept mum about the case since then, that changed on Monday when federal prosecutors including one prosecutor who'd worked on former FBI Director Robert Mueller's team asked a federal judge to hand down a sentence of seven to nine years against Stone. This was well within the federal guidelines for such offenses, though Trump made it clear he was not pleased. Taking to his Twitter account, Trump declared: "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! By Tuesday evening, the head of the criminal division in the DC US Attorney's Office had submitted a revised recommendation for "far less" than the seven to nine year range, and all four of the career prosecutors who'd worked on the case had resigned in protest. Trump went even further on Thursday by calling for Stone to be granted a new trial after it was reported that the foreperson of Stone's jury who'd been deemed acceptable by Stone's lawyers had run for office as a Democrat in 2012. This prompted a pair of unprecedented rebukes from both Attorney General William Barr and the chief judge of the US District Court for the District of Columbia, Beryl Howell. In an interview with ABC News, Barr said the President's tweets made it impossible for him to do his job, while Howell's extraordinary statement stressed that public criticism or pressure is not a factor in sentencing. And while Barr claimed that that the President has never asked him to ease up on Stone or interfere in any other case and White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement late Thursday that Trump wasn't bothered by Barr's remarks the pattern at work is one that has been on full display since his earliest days in office. Since the day Mueller was appointed as a special prosecutor to investigate possible ties between Trump's campaign and Russia, Trump has frequently ranted about how the only crimes committed with any nexus to the 2016 election are those committed "on the other side". But for scholars who study the authoritarian regimes for which the 45th President has repeatedly expressed admiration, Trump's intervention in the Stone case represents a troubling milestone. "The United States looks to be moving in the direction of Hungary or Poland, with the justice system starting to become a tool under the power of the executive branch that is being used for partisan ends," said Jason Stanley, a Yale University philosophy professor who studies authoritarian politics. "Republicans have shown no interest in sharing power or having a multi-party democracy, they've shown no interest in the rule of law," he added, because a guiding concept of the Republican style of politics perfected by Trump is a wholesale rejection of the Democratic Party as a legitimate expression of voters' political will. The way Republicans see it, he explained, the only real Americans are the ones who vote for them. It's a path Republicans have been on since 1990, when Newt Gingrich and GOP consultant Frank Luntz began teaching Republicans to describe Democrats as sick, corrupt, anti-American traitors whose every exercise of power is an abuse. "It's one party rule, and one party rule is a form of authoritarianism. Trump is a symptom of that," he said. "We're so far beyond democratic practice when people are talking about purely partisan judges, and when the Justice Department is being run by the President of the United States, we're talking about a monarchy or something like it." Another scholar of authoritarianism, New York University's Ruth Ben-Ghiat, said Trump's co-opting of the Justice Department is typical of a democracy falling under the control of a dictator. "You see this in authoritarian states those in important positions like the attorney general or equivalent end up spending a lot of their time on the personal vendettas of their leader," she said, offering the example of Barr's recent trip to Italy to pressure Italian security services into providing information that would help discredit the Mueller investigation. "Inevitably, the people who last in the cabinet of an authoritarian leader are people who end up doing his personal-slash-official business, because you can no longer separate the two." Ben-Ghiat said the way Trump's cabinet and congressional Republicans have adapted to him is a textbook example of "personalist rule." Everyone Trump has fired or forced out Show all 13 1 /13 Everyone Trump has fired or forced out Everyone Trump has fired or forced out John Bolton Trump claimed to have fired Bolton, his national security adviser, while Bolton claimed he offered to resign. An anonymous White House source that Bolton's departure came as a result of the national security adviser working too independently of the president AFP/Getty Everyone Trump has fired or forced out Anthony Scaramucci Scaramucci lasted only six days in his role as Trump's communications director before being fired by John Kelly, the incoming chief of staff Getty Everyone Trump has fired or forced out Rick Perry Rick Perry announced his resignation just as he became embroiled in the president's impeachment scandal. The White House said Mr Perry was asked by Donald Trump to work with Rudy GIuliani in regards to Ukraine. AP Everyone Trump has fired or forced out Rex Tillerson Tillerson, Trump's first secretary of state, was fired after a series of clashes with the president over policy Getty Everyone Trump has fired or forced out James Mattis Mattis served as secretary of defense from the beginning of Trump's administration until retiring on 1 January 2019. However, the president later claimed that he had "essentially fired" Mattis Getty Everyone Trump has fired or forced out James Comey Comey was fired as director of the FBI early in Trump's presidency after serving in the role for four years prior. His dismissal is widely thought to have been related to the Russia investigation Getty Everyone Trump has fired or forced out Reince Priebus Priebus, Trump's first chief of staff, was forced out after six tumultuous months AFP/Getty Everyone Trump has fired or forced out David Shulkin Veterans affairs secretary Shulkin claims that he was fired, the White House claims that he resigned Getty Everyone Trump has fired or forced out John Kelly Kelly, Trump's second chief of staff, was forced out after 17 months in office. His departure was a confused affair though it is clear that Trump wanted Kelly out AFP/Getty Everyone Trump has fired or forced out Michael Flynn Flynn lasted 24 days as Trump's national security adviser before being fired for lying to the FBI Getty Everyone Trump has fired or forced out Lee Cisna Cisna served as director of citizen and immigration services between October 2017 and June 2019 before being asked to resign amid a major personnel change in the department of homeland security Everyone Trump has fired or forced out Madeline Westerhout Westerhout served as Trump's personal assistant after leaking private information about his family AFP/Getty Everyone Trump has fired or forced out Mira Ricardel Ricardel was forced out of her role as Deputy National Security Advisor after first lady Melania Trump publicly called for her to be fired "This is a perfect example of when these men come to office and there is no longer a separation between their private profit and public office," she explained, with various "lackeys" like Barr doing things that make it difficult to tell where the Justice Department's business ends and Trump's personal business begins. And even though there is a presidential election in nine months, Ben-Ghiat said Republicans will continue to enable Trump's whims and act as if there will never again be a Democratic president, because the endgame involves Trump and his allies protecting themselves by staying in power. "They're all complicit and they have to work to make sure the system doesn't fall down because they all see that they're going to be punished if he gets out of office and their gravy train ends," she said. "They don't have any interest in multi-party democracy anymore. The [Republican] party culture has shifted and it's now an authoritarian style party." When asked what he believed the end of the path Republicans are on has in store, Stanley replied: "It ends with many terms of Trump family rule." "He's creating a bond of loyalty with the Trump name, and what you see all the Trumps talking about [on TV and at campaign events] is that kind of authoritarian dynasty," he said. "He's giving the Republican party complete power over everything they want. Their voters have this authoritarian bond with Trump, who's using fear of immigrants, white nationalism, anti-intellectualism, and the anti-media stuff to create paranoia and present himself as the protector of the people, and he's representing his family as the dynasty that will rule the United States," he said. "This could be our last free election." An Australian television personality has joined a bid to help capture a giant Indonesian crocodile and remove a motorcycle tyre stuck around its neck, as per reports. Matt Wright, host of National Geographic's Monster Croc Wrangler show was on the island of Sulawesi on February 13 with its team all prepared to save the tyre-tied reptile. Wright told his 2,00,000 followers on Instagram that he along with his team had trapped a smaller crocodile on February 12 "training for the main event". He added that catching the bigger beast was a challenge because of the tough environment and the main fact was it wasn't hungry due to plenty amount of food in the river. READ: Indonesia: Authorities Cancel Contest For Removing Tyre Off Crocodile's Neck Wright accompanied by fellow wrangler Wright was accompanied by fellow Australian crocodile wrangler Chris Wilson, who has been working with local conservation agency and struggled for years to rescue the crocodile. It came to light last month after a competition was called on offering persons an unspecified financial reward for any individual who captures the 13-foot crocodile. The officials reportedly called off the contest later and said that it would redouble efforts to free the crocodile from the tyre which the conservationists feared could endanger the croc's safety. Wilson said that thousands of enthusiast spectators have turned up to watch the rescue efforts. READ: Rare Fossil Of Bone-crushing Reptile Related To Modern Crocodiles Found In Brazil Video sparked worries A video had also surfaced on the internet where the reptile can be seen gasping for air. The video had sparked worries that the tyre was choking the reptile to death. After the most recent sighting of the crocodile, the governor of the province instructed his resource-strapped conservation agency to figure a way out that puts an end to years of failure. Hence, the idea of the contest was born. Previously, the agency had offered few details on the reward, or how some outsiders could pull off the task. The agency's chief has reportedly said that cash for the rescuer will come out of his own pocket. He also issued a warning that they were not calling on amateurs to hunt down the reptile, but are looking for people with a background in wildlife rescue and a sense of conservation. READ: WATCH: Hungry Leopard Steals Food From The Jaws Of A Huge Crocodile READ: Australian Man Rescued Alive, Weeks After Missing In Crocodile Infested Forest Twenty-five people were injured in clashes that broke out between two groups in Mangta village here in Kanpur Dehat district, police said on Friday. Eleven people were arrested after the violence on Thursday during the 'Bhim Shobha Yatra' taken out by members of the Scheduled Caste community after the Bhim Katha, which began on February 8. "Both the communities entered into an altercation after a minor youth allegedly tore a poster of Dr B R Ambedkar. Both the groups also started pelting stones at each other, injuring 25 people," Additional Superintendent of Police, Anup Kumar, said. Superintendent of Police (Kanpur Dehat), Anurag Vats, said minor children belonging to the upper cast tore a poster of Dr B R Ambedkar that led to clashes between the two groups. Twenty-five people, who sustained injuries during the incident, were admitted to the Ursula Horsman Memorial (UHM) hospital in Kanpur, the SP said, adding that eight of them were discharged while the condition of the others was stated to be stable. "We have registered FIRs against men of upper caste following complaint of one Amit Kumar," Vats said, adding that the FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the SC/ST Act. Police said they nabbed 11 people, who were sent to jail on Friday evening, in connection with the incident. Reacting to the incident, Congress general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh East, Priyanka Gandhi, tweeted in Hindi, "In Mangta village of Kanpur Dehat, Dalits reciting Bhim Katha were attacked by bullies. Several people are hospitalised." "Be it Shabbirpur or Mangta incident, the BJP government did not listen to the victims' families. The BJP has attacked the Constitution and now the attacks are even happening on recitation of Babasaheb story," she alleged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai, Feb 14 : Rapper-songwriter Naved Shaikh, aka Naezy, who recently released his new album "Maghreb", said that the only love song the album has -- "Pyaar hai" -- is meant to express his thoughts on love. " 'Pyaar hai' is a song which is a bit unique. It is different from the rest of the songs in my album. It's a first of its kind song by me. My fans have not seen this side of me and through 'Pyaar hai' I have created a lighthearted love song. The song has stood out for whoever has heard the album. For Valentine's Day, I wanted to express the definition of love in my way and the track adds the right flavour in this love season," the rapper said. In the track, Naezy talks about a girl who just can't seem to get out of his head, and how he eventually expresses his feelings to her in his unique style. Naezy rose to fame singing "Aafat!" and also "Mere gully mein" in the film "Gully Boy". Latest updates on Valentine's Day 2020 A Michigan woman has slammed her local bank after a teller called the police when she wouldn't remove a surgical mask which she says she was wearing to protect against deadly coronavirus. Amanda Ulmen, from Dearborn, Michigan, entered a Key Bank on Monday wearing a black face mask decorated with an image of sharp white teeth. She says she has a medical condition that leaves her with a weakened immune system, and was taking precautions against the virus by wearing the mask. She claims to have been a client of the bank for five years and that she is known to employees so did not understand why they would ask her to remove the protective mask before serving her, despite the bank responding that it was due to a protection policy. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Amanda Ulmen claims she wears the black mask decorated with a smile of sharp white teeth to protect against the coronavirus because she has a weakened immune system In a video taken by her boyfriend, Ulmen is seen waiting calmly for police to arrive after a teller pressed the panic button when she refused to remove the mask and the bank is locked down Video also shows Ulmen speaking with the police who were called after she refused to uncover her face. She claims she is traumatized by the incident and police should not have been called Ulmen claims that she often wears a surgical mask because of her concerns about colds and flu that have been heightened this year because of the spread and rising deaths associated with the coronavirus. 'I do (get sick) every year. I do catch - if it's influenza A, B, strep throat - when I heard everything about the coronavirus it scared me,' she said. The Michigan women is now upset because she feels her trip to a local bank should not have resulted in her speaking to police, claiming that it was all because she refused to remove her mask when asked to do so by a teller. 'All I want to do is protect myself with the mask and I'm a criminal,' she told Fox 2. 'I was scared and traumatized. 'She jumps on the phone after she pushes this button - which I assume is the panic button - and I hear this giant locking sound.' After the teller pressed the button, Ulmen was locked inside the bank and forced to wait until the police arrived. The mask worn by Ulmen is not believed to have much benefit against the coronavirus, according to medical experts who claim they are only really useful in a clinical setting Police are shown in the video arriving to Key Bank, who claim the teller called the police as part of a protection policy for employees that requires customers to remove their masks Ulmen's boyfriend recorded the whole incident on his phone. In the video, she can be seen standing calmly in the middle of the locked bank and then being taken outside to speak to the police officers by their car before being allowed to leave. Ulmen told Fox 2 that she used to wear more traditional surgical masks but switched to the new black brand decorated with sharp white teeth because they are more eco-friendly and can be rewashed and reused. She also claims that nobody in the bank mentioned anything about the design or feeling scared or intimidated by the mask but kept repeating that it was about their protection. 'Nothing about the design, absolutely nothing about freaking them out and anything,' she said. 'They kept saying that it was from their protection. And I don't understand what my mask has to do with their protection.' Dearborn Key Bank where Ulmen was locked in until police arrived after she refused to take off her surgical mask because she fears the coronavirus when requested to do so by a teller Ulmen has refused to accept Key Bank's explanation and says she will be closing her account This was the second time in a month, however, that a teller had refused to serve Ulmen because of a surgical mask covering the face of herself or a person with her, meaning she was previously aware that this was the bank policy. Last month, she was involved in a similar incident when a teller asked her to remove the mask her ten-year-old son was wearing before she would be served. Ulmen said that her son was sick so she brought him back out to the car before returning to the bank. Key Bank responded to the incident with a statement reiterating that the request to remove the mask was due to a bank policy. 'We regret any inconvenience caused, but it is bank policy to request brief removal of anything blocking the face for the safety of our employees and clients,' it said. Ulmen has said that following her conversation with the police, however, the bank's statement does not suffice and she will now be closing her account with them. 'Key Bank cannot get away with treating customers this way; you can't lock your customers in a bank,' she said. While Chinese authorities have encouraged people to wear surgical masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, medical experts claim that there is little evidence to prove their effectiveness in the real world. 'Face masks play a very important role in clinical settings, such as hospital,' Dr Jake Dunning, of Public Health England (PHE), told The Sun. 'However, there is very little evidence of widespread benefit from their use outside of these clinical settings.' The Friday rejected the plea filed by an association of automobile dealers seeking extension of the April 1, 2020 deadline by one more month to sell Bharat Stage-IV norms compliant vehicles across the country. The apex court had on October 24, 2018 said no Bharat Stage-IV vehicle would be sold or registered in India from April 1, 2020. Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms are standards instituted by the government to regulate output of air pollutants from motor vehicles. The BS-IV norms have been enforced across the country since April, 2017. In 2016, the Centre had announced that India would skip the BS-V norms altogether and adopt BS-VI norms by 2020. The plea filed by the association came up for hearing on Friday before a bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta which made it clear that the apex court would not extend the deadline even for a day. The counsel appearing for the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association told the bench that the apex court's order would come into force on April 1, 2020 but dealers would face the issue of unsold inventory of BS-IV compliant vehicles. "Up to March 31, 2020, we can sell it (BS-IV vehicles). We should be given one more month's time," the lawyer said, adding, "There is slowdown in the automobile industry. Kindly allow us to sell BS-IV vehicles to clear the stock." The bench, while referring to the prayer made in the application filed by the association, said the order was passed by the apex court one and half years ago. "You should not have produced BS-IV vehicles after that. Even after filing this application, you have produced these vehicles," the bench said. "The application is dismissed," the bench said, adding, "We will not give even one day". When the association's counsel urged the court that their application was like a "mercy plea", the bench said, "No". In its October 2018 order, the top court had said that any extension of time in introducing new emission norms would adversely impact the health of citizens as the pollution has reached an "alarming and critical" level. It had said there cannot be any compromise on the health of citizens which has to take precedence over the "greed" of a few automobile manufacturers who want to stretch the time-line to make a "little more money". The court had passed the order in 2018 while deciding the issue of whether BS-IV compliant vehicles should be permitted to be sold in India after March 31, 2020. By Colin Packham and Paulina Duran SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian health officials tested a passenger onboard a cruise ship docked in Sydney harbour for a "respiratory illness" on Friday, causing passengers to fret about the potential of another shipboard outbreak of the coronavirus. The New South Wales state government said health officials boarded the Norwegian Jewel shortly after it docked in Sydney on Friday from a tour around New Zealand to undertake a routine assessment of passengers arriving from overseas. "There were three routine medical transfers, none related to respiratory illness," the NSW Health Ministry said in an emailed statement. "One person has been tested for respiratory illness on board with results expected this afternoon." The health ministry did not specify the nature of the respiratory illness, or specifically rule out the coronavirus. Test results were expected later on Friday, officials said, without providing detail on whether the passenger was taken to hospital. None of the passengers had been in China in the previous 14 days and there was no outbreak of any disease on board, officials added. Norwegian Cruise Line said a "thorough inspection and rigorous cleaning and disinfection of the ship and terminal were conducted" when it docked in Sydney. The presence of Australian health officials on the ship caused concern among staff and passengers, amid initial erroneous reports of a confirmed coronavirus case. The largest outbreak of the coronavirus outside China has been on the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan, where thousands of passengers have been quarantined on board for days. Another cruise ship, the MS Westerdam, finally docked in Cambodia on Friday after being denied entry by five countries. Angela Driskell, from Indiana in the United States, said passengers disembarking in Sydney were delayed by three hours. "They said that Australian health department needed to be able to clear the ship and that they were taking a look at any passengers that had any symptoms at all of respiratory issues," Andrea Driskell told Reuters outside the Sydney terminal. Story continues Australia, which has been on heightened alert for the coronavirus after 15 people contracted the virus after arriving from China, has temporarily banned the entry of foreign nationals who have travelled through mainland China. A cruise security staff member, who declined to be named, said: "This virus is causing havoc, we just want people to be safe." (Reporting by Colin Packham and Paulina Duran in Sydney; additional reporting by Swati Pandey, Jonathan Barrett and Renju Jose; editing by Jane Wardell) A west Belfast family who were preparing to bury a loved one were wrongly informed that a stranger had been buried in a relative's grave. Belfast City Council has apologised to the family after one of its officials incorrectly informed them that they could not bury their relative alongside their mother. The family was wrongly told that there was an additional person interred in the same plot since 1933. A grieving family member spoke of her loved ones' trauma at being informed of this as they prepared to lay to rest her sister-in-law - her brother's wife. The woman told the Andersonstown News: "My brother insisted they insisted that this was a new plot, only opened in 1993 when his mother-in-law died but the 'spokesperson' in City Hall was also insistent that they were right and their records are never wrong." She added that her brother quickly realised that it was implausible that this could be the case, given his mother-in-law was interred in a grave which was less than 30 years old. The woman added: "My poor, grieving brother who had just lost his wife just hours before was left totally wrung out and traumatised. I was the same. "No apology from City Hall whatsoever, just a bit of a 'd'oh' moment and 'oh human error' - not good enough." The error comes after the council was forced to issue a statement of apology to another west Belfast family after mistakenly writing to a dead woman asking her to carry out repairs to her own headstone. The lady, who passed away in 2011, was buried in Belfast City Cemetery next to her husband. Belfast City Council sent the letter to the family home asking the deceased to "contact a monumental sculptor" to "make the memorial safe". The council has also since apologised in relation to the latest incident. A spokesperson said: "We are sincerely sorry for any distress caused to the family. When the family approached us, they didn't have a grave number but informed us the grave was in City Cemetery. "When we checked our records, three people had been buried in the grave at City Cemetery. It later transpired that the correct grave which belonged to the family of the deceased was actually in Glenalina Cemetery, which is adjoining. "We appreciate the immense pressure on families when arranging the burial of a loved one and apologise for any upset that was caused by council during this difficult process." It may have taken him 30 minutes, but a Texas teen from a small town about 44 miles southwest of Houston came up with the biggest catch of his life. Jack Pytel, an 18-year-old from Needville, recently caught what he called a "powerful" 7-foot, 190-pound alligator gar Feb. 1 at a creek near the Brazos River in Fort Bend County. Gardai in Laois and Offaly have shared a poem for Valentine's Day to warn of romance scammers. The day of romance is also a target for online criminals the Garda division report, with advice on what to be aware of. "Roses are red, Violets are blue, Be careful online, They could be scamming you!" "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. Sydney, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just released, this edition of Paul Budde Communications focus report on Bangladesh outlines the major developments and key aspects in the telecoms markets. Click here to access the report : https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Bangladesh-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses Bangladesh ranks among the most densely populated countries globally. However, economic constraints over the last few decades has resulted in under-investment in network infrastructure, with the result that the country has an under-developed fixed-line market, with the fixed-line penetration rate being the lowest in South Asia. Related to the poor fixed-line infrastructure is the very low fixed broadband penetration rate, a situation compounded by the preference among consumers to adopt mobile broadband solutions for their data needs. To address these shortcomings the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the revival of the NGN modernisation project to be undertaken by Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL). In the years to 2024 steady growth is expected to arise from these efforts. Bangladeshs mobile market is also relatively under-developed, though it has experienced strong growth over the last six years. Operators have trialled 5G and the BTRC is expected to auction spectrum for 5G services before the end of 2020, aiming to provide national 5G coverage by 2026. Slow to moderate mobile subscriber growth is predicted in coming years, with constraints to stronger growth coming from intense local competition and from additional taxes in the national budget which are expected to dampen consumer use of services. Bangladesh has also seen a very rapid increase in mobile broadband penetration over the past five years, though it remains well below most other Asian countries. Growth is being driven by a rising number of mobile subscribers able to access faster download speeds on LTE networks. An unprecedented level of investment among telcos during 2018 and 2019 extended the footprint of LTE infrastructure and laid the groundwork for operators to launch 5G services from 2021. Key Developments: The mobile market has seen significant market consolidation over the past few years. The first test run of 5G technology in Bangladesh took place in Dhaka. The BTRC issued a directive on allowing IoT for smart buildings and automation industries. Overall fixed line penetration dropped slightly from 2013 to 2018. Strong growth is of mobile broadband subscribers is predicted over the next five years. Companies mentioned in this report: Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL); Grameenphone; CityCell (PBTL); Banglalink; Robi; Teletalk; Airtel Bangladesh; Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL). Table of Contents Key Statistics Regional Asian Market Comparison Country overview Telecommunications Market Market overview Background Regulatory environment Regulatory authorities Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications & Information Technology Fixed-line developments 2001 Telecommunications Act 2006 Information and Communication Technology Act 2010 Telecommunication (Amendment) Act 2012 Competition Act Expanded Licensing Regime Infrastructure Sharing Directives on Service and Tariffs 2015 Unified mobile operator licence Mobile network developments Surcharge on mobile usage 2019 budget proposal for the telecom sector SIM registration Spectrum Mobile Number Portability (MNP) Licensing Mobile market Mobile statistics Mobile broadband Mobile infrastructure 5G 4G 3G Major mobile operators Grameenphone Banglalink Robi Teletalk Historic - CityCell Fixed-line broadband market Background Broadband statistics Fixed broadband service providers Overview Fixed-line broadband technologies Fibre-To-The-Premises (FttP) Fixed-wireless WiMAX and fixed-wireless broadband rollouts Wi-Fi Fixed network operators Telecommunications infrastructure Overview of the national telecom network Fibre networks Next Generation Networks (NGNs) National Internet Exchange (NIX) Licenses Grameen Telecoms Village Project International infrastructure Satellite Submarine International gateways Smart infrastructure IoT (Internet of Things) Digital Economy Digital Bangladesh 2021 e-Payments e-Commerce m-Commerce Appendix Historic data Related reports List of Tables Table 1 Top Level Country Statistics and Telco Authorities 2019 (e) Table 2 Key Metrics - Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in services - 2019 - 2024 Table 3 Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2009 2024 Table 4 Growth in mobile market revenue 2013 2019 Table 5 Growth in investment (CAPEX) by mobile operators 2013 2018 Table 6 Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2009 2024 Table 7 Percentage of the population covered by mobile infrastructure by technology 2019 (e) Table 8 Mobile subscriber market share by operator 2019 Table 9 Mobile operators by system Table 10 Growth in the number of Grameenphones mobile subscribers 2009 2019 Table 11 Development of Grameenphones mobile service revenue 2013 2019 Table 12 Development of Grameenphones blended mobile ARPU 2013 2019 Table 13 Development of Grameenphones capex (excluding license fees) 2013 2019 Table 14 Change in the number of Banglalinks mobile subscribers 2009 2019 Table 15 Development of Banglalinks mobile revenue 2013 2019 Table 16 Development in Banglalinks capex 2015 2019 Table 17 Growth in the number of Robis mobile subscribers 2009 2019 Table 18 Development of Robis revenue 2013 2019 Table 19 Change in Robis blended ARPU 2013 2019 Table 20 Development of Robis capex 2013 2019 Table 21 Change in the number of Teletalks mobile subscribers 2005 2019 Table 22 Growth in the number of fixed broadband subscribers 2009 2024 Table 23 Decline in the number of WiMAX subscribers 2012 2019 Table 24 Change in the number of fixed lines and penetration 2009 2024 Table 25 Growth in the number of Village Phones 1998; 2003; 2005 2016; 2019 Table 26 Growth in international internet bandwidth 2007 2018 Table 27 Lit/Equipped international bandwidth capacity 2015 2019 Table 28 Historic - Mobile subscribers 1996 2005 Table 29 Historic - Grameenphone mobile subscribers 1998 2009 Table 30 Historic - Banglalink mobile subscribers 2002 2009 Table 31 Historic - Robi Axiata mobile subscribers 2005 2009 Table 32 Historic - Airtel Bangladesh subscribers 2007 2017 Table 33 Historic - CityCell mobile subscribers 1999 2015 Table 34 Historic Total international internet bandwidth 1998 2006 Table 35 Historic - FttP broadband subscribers 2009 2016 Table 36 Historic - Fixed-line subscribers by operator 2010 2011; 2013 2015 Table 37 Historic - BTCL fixed-line subscribers 2010 2016 Table 38 Historic - fixed-line subscribers and penetration 1995 2008 Table 39 Historic - Bangladesh optical fibre network 2016 List of Charts Chart 1 Asian Telecoms Maturity Index by Market Category Chart 2 Asian Telecoms Maturity Index vs GDP per Capita Chart 3 Telecoms Maturity Index Central Asia Chart 4 Mobile, mobile broadband and fixed broadband penetration 2019; 2024 Chart 5 Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2009 2024 Chart 6 Growth in mobile market revenue 2013 2019 Chart 7 Growth in telecom market revenue 2013 2019 Chart 8 Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2009 2024 Chart 9 Growth in the number of Grameenphones mobile subscribers 2009 2019 Chart 10 Development of Grameenphones mobile service revenue 2013 2019 Chart 11 Development of Grameenphones blended mobile ARPU 2013 2019 Chart 12 Development of Grameenphones capex (excluding license fees) 2013 2019 Chart 13 Change in the number of Banglalinks mobile subscribers 2009 2019 Chart 14 Development of Banglalinks mobile revenue 2013 2019 Chart 15 Development in Banglalinks capex 2015 2019 Chart 16 Growth in the number of Robis mobile subscribers 2009 2019 Chart 17 Development of Robis mobile revenue 2013 2019 Chart 18 Change in Robis blended ARPU 2013 2019 Chart 19 Development of Robis capex 2013 2019 Chart 20 Change in the number of Teletalks mobile subscribers 2005 2019 Chart 21 Growth in the number of fixed broadband subscribers 2009 2024 Chart 22 Decline in the number of WiMAX subscribers 2012 2019 Chart 23 Change in the number of fixed lines and penetration 2009 2024 List of Exhibits Exhibit 1 Key Market Characteristics by Market Segment Exhibit 2 Central Asia -Key Characteristics of Telecoms Markets by Country Exhibit 3 Mobile operators in Bangladesh Exhibit 4 Licensed wireless broadband access (WBA) operators in Bangladesh Click here to access the report : https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Bangladesh-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses GUADALAJARA, Mexico, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V., (NYSE: PAC; BMV: GAP) (the Company or GAP) announced today that it successfully completed the issuance of 30 million long-term bond certificates in Mexico (Certificados Bursatiles) at a nominal value of Ps. 100 each (one hundred pesos 00/100), for a total value of Ps. 3.0 billion. The bond certificates were issued in accordance with the following terms: 30 million bond certificates were issued under the ticker symbol GAP20, at a nominal value of Ps. 100 (one hundred pesos 00/100) each, for a total value of Ps. 3.0 billion (three billion pesos 00/100); Interest will be payable every 28 days at a variable rate of TIIE-28 plus 17 basis points; and Principal will be due at maturity on February 6, 2025. Proceeds from the issuance will be allocated to: Payment of the bond certificates under the ticker symbol GAP15 issued on February 20, 2015 with maturity on February 14, 2020 for an amount of Ps. 2.2 billion. Initiate the investments set forth in the Companys Master Development Plan for 2020 for an amount of Ps. 800 million. This issuance was oversubscribed by over 5 times. With this issuance, the Company reaches a total of Ps. 15.0 billion long-term bond certificates issued in the Mexican capital markets and concludes the 5-year program authorized by the Mexican Banking and Securities Commission (Comision Nacional Bancaria y de Valores). Company Description Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (GAP) operates 12 airports throughout Mexicos Pacific region, including the major cities of Guadalajara and Tijuana, the four tourist destinations of Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, La Paz and Manzanillo, and six other mid-sized cities: Hermosillo, Guanajuato, Morelia, Aguascalientes, Mexicali and Los Mochis. In February 2006, GAPs shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PAC and on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GAP. In April 2015, GAP acquired 100% of Desarrollo de Concesiones Aeroportuarias, S.L., which owns a majority stake in MBJ Airports Limited, a company operating Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. In October 2018, GAP entered into a concession agreement for the operation of the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica. In October 2018, GAP entered into a concession agreement for the operation of the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica and took control of the operation in October 2019. This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on managements current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, plans and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. In accordance with Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and article 42 of the Ley del Mercado de Valores, GAP has implemented a whistleblower program, which allows complainants to anonymously and confidentially report suspected activities that may involve criminal conduct or violations. The telephone number in Mexico, facilitated by a third party that is in charge of collecting these complaints, is 01 800 563 00 47. The web site is www.lineadedenuncia.com/gap. GAPs Audit Committee will be notified of all complaints for immediate investigation. (Natural News) Over the last two weeks, I have repeatedly warned that the nCoV coronavirus strain is right now being harvested by enemies of America (North Korea, Iran, China, etc.) and readied for deployment as a weapon system against the United States of America. Until today, I seem to have been the only person in the world who dared point out the obvious. But now, the executive director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, speaking at a Senate Home Security committee just yesterday, confirmed this obvious point, saying, We have to plan for the possibility that we have thousands of cases. His name is Asha George, and he was one of five experts who testified before the U.S. Senate, reports The Epoch Times. Another expert was former FDA director Scott Gottlieb, who warned that unrestrained immigration would bring the virus to America: 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. Gottlieb also added that because the virus spread during its asymptomatic incubation phase, airport screening is only catching 1 out of every 4 infections. This means airport screening, just as we have repeated warned here, is largely just security theater. U.S. military Northern Command issues executive order to prepare the military for a global coronavirus pandemic In addition to various U.S. officials warning the Senate about the coming wave of coronavirus infections, the United States military, Northern Command, just issued an executive order commanding troops to initiate military pandemic plans, according to an article published in MilitaryTimes.com. The plans, include ordering commanders to prepare for widespread outbreaks and confining service members with a history of travel to China, reports Military Times: The Navy and Marine Corps messages, issued Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, reference an executive order directing U.S. Northern Command to implement the Department of Defense Global Campaign plan for Pandemic Influenza and Infectious Diseases 3551-13. The document serves as the Pentagons blueprint for planning and preparing for widespread dispersion of influenza and previously unknown diseases. U.S. Northern Command said Wednesday it was directed the Joint Staff Feb. 1 to commence prudent planning in their assigned role synchronizing the departments plans for pandemic flu and disease. The global pandemic just got militarized, in other words. China just essentially declared military martial law and activated a full military response against the coronavirus pandemic Making things even more interesting, Chinas CDC just issued a series of military orders that essentially place the entire nation under military martial law. Detailed in this executive order released by the Chinese government, Chinas new wartime declaration calls on biological weapons laboratories in China to put an end to pathogenic samples being stolen, leaked or lost. Much of Chinas declaration centers around wartime commands that demand absolute loyalty and zero errors in logistics and control of local regions. Heres a rough translation from one of the directives (directive five): The current situation of epidemic prevention and control is extremely serious, the responsibility of prevention and control is heavier than that of Mount Tai. With the coming battle, all Party branches should think and launch, unite the masses and commit fully to the role of battle fortress; cadres at all levels should lead by example, dare to take on the role and give full commitment to the leading role; and each Party member should rush forward, shoulder the heavy burden, and give full commitment to the role of pioneer and model. All Party branches, branches and cadres at all levels should earnestly fulfill their main responsibilities, and the disciplinary committee shall fulfill its supervisory responsibilities to ensure the smooth flow of decrees and the prohibition of the operation. If you can make any sense of that, you might fit in well with a communist society, which at its core is rooted in total insanity and delusion. In fact, the very structure of communism makes society highly vulnerable to pandemics, since no truth tellers are allowed to warn anyone about the outbreak. Censorship gets people killed, both in communist China and in the USA where the evil tech giants are also complicit in covering up the truth about the coronavirus pandemic. Bottom line: Governments of the world know this is going global and they are activating their military forces to be prepared for anything So, as is now becoming rather obvious, the coronavirus pandemic is going global. Every nation thats paying attention is ordering its military to activate pandemic readiness measures. U.S. military commanders and national defense experts are already well aware that the coronavirus will inevitably be deployed against the United States of America as a biological weapon. They are also aware that deliberate contamination efforts cannot be stopped in any way whatsoever. There is no defense against an infected person covertly entering the USA and walking around a city, infecting public surfaces and shared air in public transport vessels such as trains or subways. This means America will almost certainly find itself in a rapidly worsening pandemic situation in the coming months, and medical martial law will no doubt be declared in the USA as well. Expect full-blown quarantines, gunpoint arrests of suspected carriers, the complete revocation of all civil rights (including the Second Amendment, if they can get away with it) and mandatory coronavirus vaccines once commercial availability is met. In other words, America will sooner or later be turned into a medical police state, and everybody at the highest levels of the government, the CDC and the military is already fully aware of this. Just like in China, quarantine death camps will be called hospitals, too. No one in a position of power will admit the truth, because the public cant handle the truth As all this is unfolding at the highest levels, the public is being kept in the dark so that they dont panic by learning the truth. Were basically in a situation where a metaphorical 100-mile wide asteroid is plunging toward New York City at a relative velocity of 10,000 m/s, and the impact is triple confirmed but nobody in the government wants to alarm the public, since its pointless to warn people about an event of such magnitude. (That would be a planetary extinction event.) The coronavirus wont cause mass extinction, but it could very easily cause devastating, even catastrophic disruptions to human-driven economies, resulting in waves of death, chaos and instability that threaten the very existence of ruling governments. Once the full impact of the virus becomes realized, todays delusional stock market bubble will absolutely implode, and thats a result the Trump administration doesnt want to see happen, at least not before the election. Things are about to get very interesting, in other words. Plus, its an election year, and thats when the party in power wants to project the illusion that everythings awesome. Truth be told, everything isnt awesome. In fact, its downright apocalyptic to anyone who can do the math and see where this is going. Just remember, we told you first. Now everybody else in the establishment media is catching up, as usual. If you want to stay ahead of the sheeple, read NaturalNews.com to get the news today that the rest of the media will finally come to realize two weeks later. The Naveen Patnaik government has proposed to sanction 100 hostels with an accommodation capacity for 10,000 OBC as well as SEBC students to access higher education in 14 major urban educational hubs of the state. Making this announcement in his speech on the first day of the Budget session in Odisha Assembly, Governor Ganeshi Lal said his government has adopted a holistic and integrated approach for development of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, other backward castes and minorities with special focus on social, economic, education, health and livelihood sectors. Officials of State SC/ST and Backward class department said the hostels will house 5,000 boys and girls each drawn from higher secondary students belonging to the other backward classes and socially and educationally backward classes. Students from the OBC and SEBC communities with income of parents less than 1 lakh per annum would be eligible for hostel accommodation. Each of the hostels would have 100 seats. These hostels will be opened in 14 major educational centres of the state including Bhubaneswar at an outlay of 185 crore. The announcement came days after the State government announced setting up of an OBC Commission under the chairmanship of a former judge of Orissa High Court. The commission would examine requests of inclusion of any backward caste in the OBC list and recommend suitable reservation for them in government jobs as well as educational institutions. The State government last month requested the Centre to do a separate census of OBC and SEBC people along with the general census next year. The State government said the census of OBCs would enable it to accelerate the pace of development of these communities leading to inclusive growth with greater momentum. As we are commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhis birthday, this will be a fitting tribute to his idea of India guided by his talisman in which the welfare of the poorest and the weakest becomes the core objective of the State, the State government said in its resolution. However, the ministry of home affairs turned down the request. Analysts say the push for hostels for OBC students and separate census is a concerted attempt to harvest the votes of numerically superior community in the State. As per a conservative estimate, at least 54 per cent of the population in Odisha belong to OBC. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Who wouldnt want a free ride? Earlier this week, Brooklyn Councilman Mark Treyger introduced a non-binding resolution in the City Council, calling on the MTA to eliminate bus and subway fares year-round. In a state budget approaching $180 billion, why isnt mass transit free?" Treyger asked. In a budget of $180 billion, no one should go to jail over $2.75 just like no one goes to jail for skipping an EZ Pass toll. Lets help people get where they deserve to be. Treyger claims that the implementation of a free transit system would have a substantial impact on poverty, income inequality and climate change, referring to the resolution as a real opportunity to reimagine mass transit in New York. The resolution cites a worldwide movement toward free public transit, with 97 cities and towns around the globe offering such programs. In U.S. cities that have experimented with the idea -- like Lawrence, Mass., Kansas City, Mo., and Olympia, Wash. -- it has often been framed in the context of economic equity, noting that bus ridership is typically higher for lower-income residents, placing an additional financial burden on those already stretched thin for cash. Treyger has not specified how the MTA would supplement the revenue lost from fare elimination, but claimed that adequate funding is available if allocated correctly. It would force state leaders to budget more responsibly around priorities such as transportation rather than raid transportation funds, he said. The MTA, however, claims that with the agency already operating under severe financial constraints, alternative funding streams would need to be clearly identified in order for such a proposal to be deemed realistic. Farebox revenue from subways and buses delivers more than $4.8 billion annually and accounts for a significant portion of the MTAs operating budget, which is already strained to the bone. Any serious proposal on this matter would have identified alternate sources of funding for the system that serves as the lifeblood of New York citys economy. The Fair Fares program provides access to half-price metro cards for New Yorkers who cannot afford to pay the fare, and we encourage a faster enrollment process from the City," said MTA Communications Director Tim Minton. ODDOS PROPOSAL FOR FREE SIM SERVICE While citywide implementation of free bus and subway service may be a bit far-fetched, one Staten Island elected official has suggested a smaller, borough-specific pilot program that could benefit workers who endure one of the citys most grueling commutes. Borough President James Oddo is asking the MTA to consider launching a one-year pilot program, offering free rides on Staten Islands SIM express bus system to reduce congestion by incentivizing mass transit use. Lets try it for a year. Lets see what the impact is on ridership. Lets see what the impact is in terms of getting cars off the road. Ultimately, if you are going to break the car culture, youre going to have to reach into your pocket as a government and underwrite mass transit service to make up for it, Oddo said. The borough president began floating the idea on Twitter in mid-January, though he admitted his initial statements were a bit tongue-in-cheek, directed at city officials hell-bent on breaking the car culture in New York City. The intent of the original tweets was a bit more snarky in nature and a little sarcastic in that it was directed to the folks who want to break the car culture," Oddo said. I get it. I understand that. But in places like Staten Island, you cant just break the car culture and leave us with nothing in the middle of a transit desert. The MTA commended the borough presidents efforts to get more Staten Islanders out of their cars and onto buses, expressing a willingness to consider such a program, should funding be made available. I appreciate my friend the borough president for keeping a focus on encouraging more people to ride our buses. Were always happy to work with our partners to get more people in public transportation," said former MTA NYCT President Andy Byford. Although the original tweets were sent with a tinge of sarcasm, Oddo began seriously contemplating the idea when considering the traffic implications of the looming rehabilitation of a crucial portion of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE), a project he said he fears will result in a Traffic Armageddon. The farcical nature of this idea begins to fall away when you ponder the BQE project, said Oddo. Theyre going to move that highway from three lanes of 10 feet to two lanes of 12 feet and theyll argue that theyll be more efficient. I say good luck with that. So what starts out as kind of a farcical idea to make a bigger point becomes a little bit more real when you start thinking how were going to get people out of their cars... One way or another, you are going to have to incentivize people to take mass transit, the borough president continued. In 2018, the Staten Island express bus network serviced 8,861,648 customers at a fare rate of $6.50 per ride, generating $57,600,712 in revenue. At the current express bus fare of $6.75, the same ridership numbers would have generated $59,816,124. Annual ridership numbers for 2019 have not yet been made available by the MTA. By Anshuman Daga SINGAPORE, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Indonesia's Lion Air will decide by the end of the month when to proceed with its planned initial public offering (IPO) in the face of reduced investor appetite for the sector because of the coronavirus outbreak, said sources close to the matter. Banks involved in the expected $500 million IPO of one of Asia's largest budget airlines have completed investor presentations in Singapore, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Europe and the United States, the sources said. "People like the Indonesian market and the story of investing in a fast-growing airline, but the question is more about timing," said one source who declined to be identified because he is not authorised to speak to the media. Sources had previously said that Lion Air could launch the IPO as early as March. Lion Air is part of the Lion Air Group, which has airline joint ventures in Malaysia and Thailand and also operates airports in Indonesia as well as aircraft maintenance facilities. The pre-marketing for the IPO included a combination of face-to-face meetings and phone calls because travel was restricted owing to the coronavirus, sources said. The outbreak of the flu-like virus has killed more than 1,300 people in China and spread to more than two dozen countries, leading to cancellations of thousands of flights to and from mainland China. "This is a bigger-picture decision on what has to be done. When the entire airline sector is challenged, it's not a helpful backdrop for the IPO," said one source. BNP Paribas and Morgan Stanley are the international banks leading the deal. Both banks and Lion Air declined to comment. The carrier, which has 112 planes, plans to use proceeds from the IPO to fund longer-term leases more akin to owning planes, as well as general operations. Lion Air has large outstanding orders for new jets from both Boeing and Airbus. Reuters reported last week that the spread of the coronavirus had put key meetings and roadshows on hold and several auctions of assets were facing delays or reassessments. Lion Air, which vies with state-run airline Garuda Indonesia for dominance in its home market, has been seeking to win over investors for more than a year since the fatal crash of one of its Boeing 737 MAX jets. (Reporting by Anshuman Daga Editing by David Goodman) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 07:36:27|Editor: ZD Video Player Close OTTAWA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Via Rail announced suspension of its passenger train service cross Canada Thursday afternoon as indigenous protesters continue blocking the country's railway transportation networks. The company said that it has no other option than to cancel all train service effective immediately. "We understand the impact this unfortunate situation has on our passengers and regret the significant inconvenience this is causing to their travel," it said in a statement. The announcement came as CN Rail, the country's largest railway, is "initiating a progressive and orderly shutdown of its Eastern Canadian network" because the indigenous protesters near Belleville in Ontario province have refused to dismantle their blockade. Protesters have blocked rail traffic across the country, including the busy corridor between Toronto-Montreal and Ottawa-Toronto as they are against the Coastal GasLink pipeline project that crosses the traditional territory of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation in British Columbia province. The protests began last week after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police enforced a court injunction against Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs and their supporters. They have halted construction of the pipeline, a major piece of a Canada liquefied natural gas export project worth 40 billion Canadian dollars (about 30 billion U.S. dollars). The railway shutdown is expected to affect the transport of food and consumer items, grain, de-icing fluid for airports, construction materials, propane supplies and natural resources like lumber, aluminum and coal in the country. Businessman Gagik Tsarukians Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) on Friday questioned the legality of an upcoming referendum on constitutional changes sought by the countrys leadership and said it will avoid any involvement in the process. Former President Serzh Sarkisians Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) likewise announced that it will not actively campaign against the proposed changes despite considering them unconstitutional and undemocratic. The draft amendments to the Armenian constitution call for the dismissal of seven of the nine members of the current Constitutional Court accused by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian of being linked to the countrys corrupt former regime. The Armenian parliament controlled by Pashinians My Step bloc decided last week to put them on a referendum amid serious procedural violations alleged by opposition lawmakers. Some of them said the amendments also run counter to other articles of the constitution. The BHK, which has the second largest group in the parliament, said after a meeting of its governing body that the government push to replace the high court judges is questionable in terms of legality. In a statement, it said Tsarukians party will therefore not participate in the process of holding a referendum on the constitutional changes. It is evident that right from the beginning of the process the authorities moved the issue from the legal to political plane, turning it into a destructive black-and-white confrontation, said the statement. For the BHK, the practice of spreading divisions within the society and building barricades has always been unacceptable. The Bright Armenia Party (LHK), the second opposition force represented in the current parliament, went farther earlier this week, calling the referendum scheduled for April 5 completely illegal. But it too decided not to officially campaign for a No vote. The former ruling HHK, which has repeatedly voiced support for Constitutional Court Chairman Hrayr Tovmasian and the six other judges, branded the upcoming vote unconstitutional, anti-legal and undemocratic. The sole purpose of this adventure is to form a rubber-stamp Constitutional Court, read a statement released by the HHK leadership on Friday. It said the party will not join in the referendum campaign. Alen Simonian, a senior member of Pashinians bloc, shrugged off the HHKs decision, saying that Sarkisians party is not a major political force anymore. He also claimed: Its clear that some forces are trying and will try to sabotage the referendum process openly or in a covert way. Speaking during a working visit to Germany on Thursday, Pashinian defended his administrations efforts to replace the Constitutional Court judges. In a fresh jibe at Tovmasian, he charged that Armenias high court has been occupied and turned into a partisan structure. We cannot tolerate this situation, he said. [Pashinians] statement has nothing to do with reality, countered LHK leader Edmon Marukian. I dont think that people in Germany are not aware of that. Marukian also dismissed Pashinians claim that the Constitutional Court is obstructing institutional reforms planned by his government. Give me an example of a single reform that has been scuttled by the court, he told reporters. There is no reform. Taiwan: The coronavirus epidemic has taken a severe toll on Chinese health workers, infecting 1716 and killing six, with numbers expected to rise, Communist Party officials have said. The stark admission by Zeng Yixin, China's National Health Commission vice-minister, comes amid repeated calls from hospitals for more protective equipment, particularly in Hubei province - the region at the centre of the epidemic. Medical workers check on the conditions of patients in Jinyintan Hospital, designated for critical COVID-19 patients, in Wuhan. Credit:AP The majority of infected medical staff - 1102 - work in Wuhan, where doctors have been forced to reuse the same equipment due to shortages in masks and bodysuits. Another 400 have been infected elsewhere in Hubei province. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), said the data was "a critical piece of information, because health workers are the glue that holds an outbreak response together". Its Friday, and Valentines Day, so youd think that if a film-maker released the dampest of squibs on such a day, it would still pack the cinema halls. So for the makers of the Kannada new release Gentleman, it must have been crushing to find audiences staying away from their film, especially after it had received good reviews. Unable to digest the audience indifference to their film, they decided to protest. The films production team all changed their Twitter DPs to black, tweeter bitter tweets, and started a hashtag #GentlemanBlackDay to deplore the indifference to good Kannada cinema. Nothing like thats ever happened. Normally, when a film bombs, the first response of a production team is to go into denial, or generate a few friendly reviews saying what a wonderful movie it is, and so on. But whod go into an outright sulk, deploring the poor taste of audiences? "Why is the audience not responding to good films? It is not just my film I am talking about. Gentleman has been appreciated by everyone who has watched it. But where are the audiences in the theatres? said Guru Deshpande, the film-maker. Why are there not enough people going to the theatres? Is it a crime to make good films in Kannada," he asked. To anyone who is not a Kannadiga, Guru Deshpandes anguish may seem odd, even comical. But theres more to it. Kannada films, unlike any of the other southern film industries, do command the capital of their own state. In any state, the capital city is the biggest market for that states film industry, be it Mumbai, Chennai, or Hyderabad. Not so in Bengaluru. Kannada cinema is distinctly a poor cousin there. It was perhaps not coincidental that just the day before Gentlemans producers went public with their anger/anguish, Kannada organizations saw a shut down they called, to demand jobs for Kannadigas in the private sector, fizzle out. The simple fact is, Kannada cinema is effectively shut out of the film distribution scene in Bengaluru. Even if you wanted to watch Gentleman, where would you have, if most of the big screens in the big multiplexes are taken by Bollywood and Tollywood blockbusters? Check out this tweet posted by a Twitter user: Last week #LoveMocktail, this week #Gentleman & #Dia. All these films opened up with positive response but when and where to watch? Weekly 8 kannada films are releasing & films released in last week are hardly retaining 2-3 theaters in entire KA. What is the use? Multiplex scene One look at the theatre list and it's easy to see that most theatres in Bengaluru are playing non-Kannada movies. In fact trade analysts argue that Mahesh Babu and Rajinikanth movies make more money in Karnataka than in their home state where the language is spoken. While Kannadigas flock to movies in other languages, the same is not true for Kannada movies in other states. It's not often that one gets to watch a Kannada movie in Hyderabad. Prasads Imax features Malayalam films regularly, and even the odd Nepali one, but never Kannada. Having said that, Kannada audiences may still be in the grip of old stereotypes. Just as its difficult for a director to cross over from one genre to another, its difficult for an actor to shake off his popular image and don a new one Gentleman, a thriller, stars Prajwal Devraj, son of a veteran Kannada actor who played villain roles before becoming a lead actor. If you look at Bollywood, children of villains have gone on to become lead actors. Shakti Kapoor's daughter Shraddha, Sunil Shetty's kid Athiya or even Chunky Panday's daughter Ananya. These three actresses are now among the most sought-after to play leading ladies in Bollywood movies. With just 2-3 movies to their credit, they have become a force to reckon with in the industry. They even give big names like Deepika and Priyanka a run for their money. In Telugu, there are second-generation actors who have carved a niche for themselves. Tollywood has Chiranjeevi's son Ram Charan, Nagarjuna's son Chaitanya Akkineni and NTR's grandson Jr NTR who are all doing well. But critics say that's because they all hail from film families and have solid support. Some allege nepotism in Tollywood, but that's a debate for another day. On the other hand, there are actors like Vijay Deverakonda who came out of nowhere and established himself as one of the most bankable stars. So, even though Telugu film buffs love star kids, they don't necessarily ignore talented actors. Lineage matters But Kannada cinema is another story altogether. It wouldn't be wrong to say that Gandhinagar is ruled by Sandalwood's first familyRajkumar's sons Shivarajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar are big names. But yes there are actors like Sudeep, Darshan who have also made it big. Most of their movies do well and they boast of a huge fan following on social media too. So more or less they have made a place for themselves. Then there is Golden Star Ganesh who graduated from TV host and comedy actor to a hero. But there is a general tendency among Kannadigas to give Kannada movies a royal ignore. The kind of apnapan that Tamilians feel about their state or Marathis feel about Maharashtra is certainly missing. So, even though Bangalore is well developed with a great culture way beyond any other Tier I capital city, the reception that a Kannada movie or any activity related to Kannada gets is anything but encouraging. If this be the plight in the capital city, then one can well imagine the kind of response a movie might get in B and C centres. Bengalurus population is highly educated thanks to the presence of some great educational institutions. And the theatre scene is picking up in Karnataka ever since Arundhati Nag set up Ranga Shankara. The culture scene too is good with respect to music and dance but when it comes to Kannada movies, we have a long way to go. Sri Lanka arrested a former ambassador to Russia after he was extradited from Dubai Friday to face money laundering charges over a controversial MiG aircraft purchase, police said. Udayanga Weeratunga was taken before a magistrate in Colombo who remanded him in custody till Monday pending a further hearing. Police in a statement said Weeratunga, who is also closely related to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's family, was arrested in connection with an investigation into the Sri Lankan military's 2006 purchase of four second-hand MiG-27 aircraft from Ukraine. There had been an international warrant for his arrest. At the time of the purchase, President Rajapaksa was the secretary to the ministry of defence. Weeratunga was Sri Lanka's ambassador to Russia from 2006 till former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's election defeat in January 2015. The MiG-27 ground attack aircraft formed part of the military's armoury in crushing separatist Tamil Tiger rebels and ending the island's 37-year-long ethnic war by May 2009. Weeratunga has been accused of kickbacks in the aircraft deal, but he has denied any wrongdoing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two weeks after Benjamin Netanyahu stood beside President Donald Trump at the unveiling of the US peace plan, it turns out that none other than Blue and White Party chair Benny Gantz gave him the greatest election gift of all. The announcement didnt break the deadlock in the polls, as Netanyahu was hoping. The good news came from an entirely unexpected direction. It happened at an election rally on Feb. 11, when Gantz disavowed any potential ties with the Joint List and said that it would not be a part of any government he forms. It only served to expand the emerging gap between him and the party he needs to recommend him to the president to form the next government. After two elections in the past year, Gantz has learned to be a disciplined campaigner. The distance that he is now putting between himself and the Joint list is all part of a tactical move cooked up by his advisers. They are working under the assumption that once the leftist parties joined together as the Labor-Gesher-Meretz list, there is no longer any risk of the center-left bloc losing votes. This new alliance is sure to pass the Knesset entry threshold and the Blue and White Party is now free to appeal to soft-right voters. They hope that the two or three seats from the soft right that they now hold will not return to Netanyahus embrace after the release of the Trump peace plan, which is a dream deal to the Israeli right. The party understands that it must keep this electorate at all costs, even if it means disavowing the Joint List, which includes Knesset member Heba Yazbak. This is why they also supported disqualifying her from running, thus pleasing the right while angering the Joint List. The Joint List cannot be part of any government I form. The Joint Arab List and I are deeply divided on the diplomatic, national and security concerns of the State of Israel. My disputes with that partys leadership over national and security issues alone are deep, sharp and irreconcilable, Gantz tweeted Feb. 11. This is a dramatic statement from someone who embraced the leaders of the Joint List as recently as last September, conferred with them and managed to get most of the partys Knesset members to recommend him as their candidate to form the next government. At the time, Joint List chair Ayman Odeh considered it to be a historic event and a refreshing example of cooperation that fostered a mood of hope. It now seems that this brief thaw between a center-left Zionist party and the Joint List is over. It means that Gantz would encounter difficulties forming a majority coalition after the March 2 elections, thus probably offering Netanyahu at least a few more months as prime minister. On the morning of the day Gantz dismissed the Joint List, Odeh gave a dramatic interview to Army Radio. It may have been one of the most important interviews of the entire election season. In it, he attacked Blue and White's behavior over the last two weeks, particularly for the support of senior party leaders for the Trump peace plan. He then demanded that Gantz renounce the plan, making it a condition for his partys support, saying, If we dont hear Gantz make a very sharp statement in opposition to the idea of transfer and annexation, we will not recommend him under any circumstances. Odeh also stated unequivocally that there is no chance of him supporting a government that includes Liberman. We will not support any government in which Liberman is a member. We dont mean anyone but Netanyahu. We are opposed to the path taken by Netanyahu and the right. We want to replace that entire path, he said. Odeh left no room for doubt on wether he will abstain. No, he declared. We will vote against it. When asked if he realizes that by doing this, he would be preventing Gantz from becoming prime minister, Odeh still would not walk back his statement. We can reach 61 seats without Liberman. There is no way that we would support a government with Liberman and there is no way we would support Gantz, given the positions he has taken over the last two weeks. Based on these statements by Gantz and Odeh, it seems Gantz is drifting further away from the prime ministers office. Compounded by the rhetoric of Yisrael Beiteinu chair Avigdor Liberman, who takes every opportunity to call Arab Knesset members supporters of terrorism and a fifth column, Israel faces an even more aggressive campaign than last election's. Any movement by the Joint List and Blue and White closer to one another have now come to a crashing halt. It looks like more Knesset members will recommend Netanyahu to the president than will recommend Gantz, so even if Blue and White has two or three more seats, Netanyahu will likely be one tasked with forming a government if the Supreme Court doesnt intervene first and disqualify him over his indictment. After the second round of elections, Gantz was very close to becoming prime minister. Back then, Blue and White took a serious look at the possibility of forming a minority government with outside support from the Joint List and with Liberman abstaining. Such a situation would have guaranteed Gantz a majority vote even without 61 seats for his coalition. Given Odehs statements this week, however, it looks like the Joint List is taking a tougher stance this time. Spokespeople for the Blue and White Party as well as Liberman often claim in interviews and statements that there will not be a fourth round of elections, and that a Zionist government will be formed without Netanyahu. Such statements are nothing more than a combination of wishful thinking and psychological warfare. They are based on the assumption that Netanyahus bloc will fall apart after the election, that Yamina (or at least part of the party) and maybe even one of the ultra-Orthodox parties will join them, or that the Likud will replace Netanyahu. But such a picture is not realistic. First of all, Netanyahus position in the Likud is stable and there is no chance of him being deposed. Furthermore, while the anti-Netanyahu camp is far from united, with many irreconcilable differences between the various factions, as Gantz himself admits, the center-right bloc is very solid and unified. Furthermore, none of the squabbles between Netanyahu and Yaminas Naftali Bennett have long-term political repercussions. Yamina will not recommend Gantz even if Netanyahu has been toying with the party and has grown his own at its expense. Furthermore, the ultra-Orthodox parties will go with Netanyahu freely and willingly. It is a balance of terror. We have no choice. What do you want us to do, form a government with Liberman? an ultra-Orthodox minister commented to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. Ninety-nine percent of our electorate wants Netanyahu to be prime minister. We are with him." The Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini has asked the leadership of Parliament to summon the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, over the failing fight against illegal mining. According to him, the call for the House to be briefed on the matter is crucial especially at a time when there is the issue of missing excavators. Given the report that we are getting in the media and the concerns that people are raising as far as this fight is concerned, it is important because we all know how relevant the successful campaign is to our very existence. Mr. Speaker I will plead with the Majority Leader to if possible make space for the Minister of Environment and Science to brief the nation on the successes chalked as far as the fight against illegal mining is concerned to put at ease the minds of people who genuinely supported the campaign over the reports that we have been hearing of recently. Most recently, the inability of the government to account for hundreds of seized excavators has sparked allegations of state complicity in illegal mining. In addition to the current controversy over the excavators, the Concerned Small Scale Miners Association has called for accounts of gold seized from illegal miners. The leadership of the Association has also said it will petition President Nana Akufo-Addo to widen the probe into the alleged corruption that accompanied the crackdown on illegal mining. It wants a probe into the whereabouts of gold that were seized from illegal small scale miners. Action so far So far, six persons have been arrested in connection with the missing excavators. They have all been granted bail . The six include the suspended First Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party in the Central Region, Horace Ekow Ewusi. They have been cautioned with the offence of stealing and abetment to stealing. According to the CID, the five others arrested individuals are alleged accomplices of Ekow Ewusi, who was contracted to take custody of the seized equipment. Background The controversy began when the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng said most of the excavators that were seized from illegal miners had vanished. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng subsequently wrote a letter to the Police CID to investigate Horace Ekow Ewusi over his alleged involvement in the missing earth-moving equipment. Ekow Ewusi was contracted by the government to cart excavators and other vehicles and pieces of equipment seized by the anti-illegal mining task force to designated areas for safekeeping. citinewsroom Storyful Supporters of world No.1 Novak Djokovic gathered outside a courthouse in Melbourne on January 10 as the player appealed against his deportation from Australia in the hope of staying to play in the Australian Open.According to court filings, Djokovics lawyers say he was granted a visa on November 18. An exemption certificate was issued by Tennis Australias chief medical officer on December 30, they said.The hearing on Monday was due to start at the Federal Circuit and Family Court at 10am but was delayed multiple times due to technical issues. According to local reports, Judge Anthony Kelly said a professor and an eminently qualified physician have produced and provided to the applicant a medical exemption.Further to that, that medical exemption and the basis on which it was given was separately given by a further independent expert specialist panel, established by the Victorian state government. And that document was in the hands of the delegate.And the point Im somewhat agitated about is, was what more could this man have done? Judge Kelly asked.Footage by Slobodan Bendjo shows fans waving Serbian flags and dancing outside the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Melbourne. Credit: Slobodan Bendjo via Storyful Dublin, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Erectile Dysfunction - Pipeline Review, H1 2020" drug pipelines has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Erectile Dysfunction - Pipeline Review, H1 2020 provides comprehensive information on the therapeutics under development for Erectile Dysfunction (Male Health), complete with analysis by stage of development, drug target, mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type. The guide covers the descriptive pharmacological action of the therapeutics, its complete research and development history and latest news and press releases. The pipeline guide also reviews of key players involved in therapeutic development for Erectile Dysfunction and features dormant and discontinued projects. The guide covers therapeutics under Development by Companies /Universities /Institutes, the molecules developed by Companies in Pre-Registration, Filing rejected/Withdrawn, Phase III, Phase II, Phase I, Preclinical, Discovery and Unknown stages are 2, 3, 3, 3, 7, 13, 1 and 3 respectively. Similarly, the Universities portfolio in Phase II and Preclinical stages comprises 1 and 2 molecules, respectively. The pipeline guide helps in identifying and tracking emerging players in the market and their portfolios, enhances decision making capabilities and helps to create effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage. Report Scope The pipeline guide provides a snapshot of the global therapeutic landscape of Erectile Dysfunction (Male Health). The pipeline guide reviews pipeline therapeutics for Erectile Dysfunction (Male Health) by companies and universities/research institutes based on information derived from company and industry-specific sources. The pipeline guide covers pipeline products based on several stages of development ranging from pre-registration till discovery and undisclosed stages. The pipeline guide features descriptive drug profiles for the pipeline products which comprise, product description, descriptive licensing and collaboration details, R&D brief, MoA & other developmental activities. The pipeline guide reviews key companies involved in Erectile Dysfunction (Male Health) therapeutics and enlists all their major and minor projects. The pipeline guide evaluates Erectile Dysfunction (Male Health) therapeutics based on mechanism of action (MoA), drug target, route of administration (RoA) and molecule type. The pipeline guide encapsulates all the dormant and discontinued pipeline projects. The pipeline guide reviews latest news related to pipeline therapeutics for Erectile Dysfunction (Male Health). Reasons to Buy Procure strategically important competitor information, analysis, and insights to formulate effective R&D strategies. Recognize emerging players with potentially strong product portfolio and create effective counter-strategies to gain competitive advantage. Find and recognize significant and varied types of therapeutics under development for Erectile Dysfunction (Male Health). Classify potential new clients or partners in the target demographic. Develop tactical initiatives by understanding the focus areas of leading companies. Plan mergers and acquisitions meritoriously by identifying key players and it's most promising pipeline therapeutics. Formulate corrective measures for pipeline projects by understanding Erectile Dysfunction (Male Health) pipeline depth and focus of Indication therapeutics. Develop and design in-licensing and out-licensing strategies by identifying prospective partners with the most attractive projects to enhance and expand business potential and Scope. Adjust the therapeutic portfolio by recognizing discontinued projects and understand from the know-how what drove them from pipeline. Key Topics Covered Introduction Report Coverage Erectile Dysfunction Overview Therapeutics Development Pipeline Overview Pipeline by Companies Pipeline by Universities/Institutes Products under Development by Companies Products under Development by Universities/Institutes Therapeutics Assessment Assessment by Target Assessment by Mechanism of Action Assessment by Route of Administration Assessment by Molecule Type Companies Involved in Therapeutics Development AnyGen Co Ltd Aprogen Inc Aquestive Therapeutics Inc Astellas Pharma Inc Biozeus Pharmaceutical SA Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd CardioVascular BioTherapeutics Inc Cure Pharmaceutical Inc Dicot AB Druggability Technologies Holdings Ltd Fabre-Kramer Pharmaceuticals Inc Futura Medical Plc Hemostemix Inc Humanetics Corp ILGEN Inc Initiator Pharma AS IntelGenx Corp Karessa Pharma Holding AB Mezzion Pharma Co Ltd MicroCures Inc Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp MyX Therapeutics Inc NAL Pharmaceuticals Ltd Pharmicell Co Ltd Saniona AB Seelos Therapeutics, Inc. SK Chemicals Co Ltd Suda Pharmaceuticals Ltd Targazyme Inc Techfields Pharma Co Ltd Tritech Biopharmaceuticals Co Ltd Veru Inc XuanZhu Pharma Co Ltd Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group Drug Profiles finasteride + tadalafil ACP-01 AGM-175 Dormant Projects Discontinued Products Product Development Milestones Featured News & Press Releases For more information about this drug pipelines report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ubjy4n Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. MIAMI, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- LIQ liquid treats has launched as the industry-disrupting new product for dogs and cats. Aimed at improving the lives of pets inside and out, LIQ is a low calorie and interactive way to treat your pets. With four healthy recipes and a bottle designed to massage pets, LIQ lives up to its mission: Love on the Inside. Love on the Outside. The innovative and interactive way to treat your pet! LIQ is the dream of the Founder and President, Lili, who has spent her life dedicated to animal rescue and welfare. "Ever since I was a child, I've had a deep love for animals, and with it came my desire to protect the ones in need," says Lili. "Almost like a dream, I imagined how nice it would be to be able to invent a liquid treat for them that nobody had ever thought of." Proceeds from every purchase of LIQ will go to support animal charities and further Lili's goal of building better lives for pets. With this launch, LIQ has transformed the treating experience into a bonding moment with pets while delivering functional ingredients to help them thrive. And all LIQ treats are low calorie to help support weight management. LIQ is sure to be the healthy liquid treat pets will love. ABOUT LIQ: LIQ is a natural pet treat company based in Miami, FL. All LIQ products are manufactured in the US, using only the highest quality ingredients sourced from around the world. LIQ is committed to improving the lives of pets through the treats they create and the animal charities they support. LINKS TO LIQ Website: www.liq.pet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liqpets Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liqpets YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKSOM50n-KrSNihSuiyiNOA Media Contact: Chris Mayor Phone: 305-720-3575 Email: [email protected] Related Images liq-liquid-treat-for-dogs-cats.jpg LIQ Liquid Treat for Dogs & Cats The innovative and interactive way to treat your pet! Related Links Facebook Instagram Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSjFgQOybo4 SOURCE LIQ USA Related Links http://www.liq.pet Somalia is now eligible to receive debt forgiveness under a special program to help the poorest nations, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund announced Thursday in a joint statement. Facing a debt load that measured $5.3 billion at the end of 2018, the country needs to complete more steps before reducing the debt, but IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva called the decision "historic." "It provides a clear recognition of Somalia's sustained commitment to key economic and financial reforms under consecutive staff-monitored programs with the IMF," she said in a statement. "Helping Somalia achieve debt relief and unlock access to the needed resources to increase growth and reduce poverty is a key priority for the IMF." The executive boards of the two Washington-based crisis lenders approved the East African nation's eligibility under the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, which is a key step to winning debt relief. World Bank President David Malpass praised Somalia's government "for embracing important reforms that can do much to encourage sustainable poverty reduction." According to World Bank criteria, Somalia is one of the poorest countries on the planet, with a GDP per capita of less than $995 a year. The country must continue to have "satisfactory" performance under an IMF monitored economic program, and pay arrears to multilateral creditors or agree a strategy to clear them, the statement said. To date, debt relief packages under the HIPC initiative have been approved for 36 countries, including 30 in Africa. The IMF resumed technical assistance to Somalia in 2016. According to NGOs, most of Somalia's debt is the result of investments made before the 1990s which have since been destroyed in whole or in part as a result of conflict. They are among a new array of famous faces looking for love on the new series of Celebs Go Dating. And Olivia Bentley and Joshua Ritchie put on a very cosy display as they frolicked on the beach in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday. The Made In Chelsea star, 24, looked incredible in a tiny black bikini as she splashed around in the surf. Fun in the sun: Olivia Bentley and Joshua Ritchie put on a very cosy display as they frolicked on the beach in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday Wow: The Made In Chelsea star, 24, looked incredible in a tiny black bikini as she splashed around in the surf The scanty top displayed her taut midriff and teased a glimpse of her cleavage while a pair of matching high rise bottoms drew the eye to her honed legs and pert derriere. Her caramel tresses were styled sleek and straight while her pretty features were enhanced with fluttery lashes, peachy blush and taupe lipstick. The star accessorised with a pair of glittering gold shell earrings. The star was joined by Charlotte Crosby's hunky ex Joshua Ritchie, 25, who showcased his muscular physique in a pair of patterned swimming shorts. Playful: The star was joined by Charlotte Crosby's hunky ex Joshua Ritchie, 25, who showcased his muscular physique in a pair of patterned swimming shorts Toned: The scanty top displayed her taut midriff and teased a glimpse of her cleavage while a pair of matching high rise bottoms drew the eye to her honed legs and pert derriere Cheeky: Her caramel tresses were styled sleek and straight while her pretty features were enhanced with fluttery lashes, peachy blush and taupe lipstick Chatty: The pair looked in great spirits as they larked about on the sand Wow factor: Olivia showed off her bronzed physique as she enjoyed a dip The pair looked close as they chased each other around the sea and joked together, with Olivia flirtatiously pushing Joshua into the sea. The pair are currently shooting the reality show in the Dominican Republic's Punta Cuna. Olivia and Joshua join Alison Hammond, TOWIE's James Lock, soap star Dean Gaffney, and Malique Thompson-Dwyer. The agencys trusted and skillful dating experts Anna Williamson and Paul C Brunson will also return to give the celebrities a lesson in love. Looking for love: The pair looked to be bonding up a storm as they chatted Work it: Olivia looked sensational as she showed off her taut abs and pert derriere Fun: Olivia showed off her fun side as she chased Joshua around the beach Beach babe: Olivia looked sensational in her tiny bikini on the beach Making a splash: Olivia looked toned as she frolicked in the sea with Josh Wow: The blonde beauty showed off her toned frame as she ran into the waves With their acclaimed expertise on relationships and dating etiquette, the dating agents will have no qualms in telling the celebrities where they are going wrong in the dating department. As always junior Client Coordinator and celeb confidante Tom Read Wilson will be ready and waiting for the celebs to divulge all, offering a comforting shoulder to cry on when things go wrong and a warm, lingering embrace to help celebrate a dating triumph when things go right. On her quest for love, Amy Childs enthused: 'I cant wait to walk through those famous agency doors and find out who Anna and Paul have lined up for me! 'I havent been on a proper date in ages, so Im excited - and nervous! - to see what happens. Ive been a huge fan of Celebs Go Dating for years - so to join the agency really is a dream come true, and hopefully itll help me find The One!' Peachy: The star flashed her pert derriere in the tiny bottoms as she enjoyed the day Gorgeous: Olivia displayed her taut midriff as she chatted with Joshua Happy: Olivia looked delighted to be spending the day with Josh on the beach Beauty: The star looked sensational as she took in the scenic views Glow: Olivia was every inch the beach babe as she sunned herself in the Dominican Republic Washboard: The star flaunted her impossibly honed abs as she chatted on the beach U.S. senators are concerned Russia and China may outpace Washington in developing hypersonic weapons. In a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Thursday with top defense officials, lawmakers expressed concern about the weapons that fly at five times the speed of sound, or Mach 5, Voice of America reports. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut called the hypersonic weapons a game-changer. Independent Senator Angus King of Maine called them a nightmare weapon for aircraft carriers. It sounds to me as if hypersonic weapons and other future weapons have been more advanced by other countries such as China, even Russia coming back into the scene in a real aggressive way are we going to deter them from moving forward? asked Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Testifying before the committee, Admiral Charles Richard, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, admitted to the ongoing competition. But he sought to reassure the senators that the U.S. has the necessary deterrence capabilities. I am confident that this nation has the ability to produce the capabilities we have to have, he said. And for deterrence, again, the basic equation hasnt changed. Can I deny you your aim, or can I impose a cost on you that is greater than what you see? I can do that if necessary. Richard added that the U.S. maintains conventional superiority over Russia and China while maintaining strategic deterrence. Phoenix-area car shoppers can save on Honda-brand favorites at Earnhardt Honda in February 2020 during the dealership's Trade, Save and Drive Sales Event. To help Valley of the Sun car shoppers find a Honda car, truck or crossover to fit their budget, Earnhardt Honda is hosting the Trade, Save and Drive Sales Event. Honda-brand savings available at the dealership will focus on many popular models at the dealership that include the Honda CR-V, Honda Pilot and Honda Civic. Families who qualify for financing via Honda Financial Services and are interested in a 2019 Honda CR-V may find the right fit at Earnhardt Honda. Drivers can lease a 2019 Honda CR-V CVT LX 2WD with a 36-month contract that includes $2,699 due at signing*. Individuals who prefer to finance a Honda CR-V may be eligible for a 2.9 percent Annual Percentage Rate with a 60-month contract**. Current Honda CR-V lease and finance incentives are available until March 2. Drivers drawn to the 2020 Honda Pilot SUV will find many affordable lease and finance options at the dealership. Individuals that qualify, will have the opportunity to lease a 2020 Honda Pilot 2WD LX 6-Speed Auto for 36 months with a $2,999 down payment***. In addition to budget-friendly lease incentives, Earnhardt Honda is offering 2.9 percent APR for 60 months for buyers that qualify with Honda Financial Services. Potential owners who would love to drive away in a 2019 Honda Civic Sedan LX CVT can sign a 36-month lease with $2,199 due at signing and $189 per month*****. Finance rates for the Honda Civic Sedan are available as low as 1.9 percent with a 36-month obligation. Earnhardt Honda Trade, Save and Drive incentives are available until March 2. Individuals who would like to save on a brand-new Honda car, truck or crossover may find the deal they are looking for at Earnhardt Honda. To learn more about available incentives, potential owners can visit the dealership online at http://www.earnhardthonda.com. Those who prefer a more personal interaction can contact the dealership directly by calling 623-934-5211. *Closed-end lease for 2019 CR-V Continuously Variable Transmission 2WD LX available through 03/02/2020, to approved lessees by Honda Financial Services. MSRP $25,570.00 (includes destination; excludes tax, title, license, registration, options, insurance). Actual net capitalized cost $22,243.60. Total monthly payments $8,964.00. Option to purchase at lease end $14,063.50. Lessee responsible for maintenance, excessive wear/tear and up to 20/mi. over 12,000 miles/year. Dealer participation may affect actual payment. Dealer sets actual prices. See participating dealers for details. **Special APR offer is valid on new and unregistered 2019 CR-V Models from January 7, 2020, through March 2, 2020, to well-qualified buyers on approved credit by Honda Financial Services through participating dealers. Must take new retail delivery on vehicle from dealer stock by March 2, 2020. Not all buyers may qualify. Higher rates apply for buyers with lower credit ratings. Example for 2018 CR-V LX: 2.9% for 60 months financing at $17.94 a month for every $1,000.00 financed. Dealers set actual prices. See your Honda dealer for details. ***Closed end lease for 2020 Pilot 2WD LX (YF5H1LEW) available from January 7, 2020 through March 2, 2020, to well-qualified lessees approved by Honda Financial Services. Not all lessees will qualify. Higher lease rates apply for lessees with lower credit ratings. MSRP $32,770.00 (includes destination, excludes tax, license, title, registration, documentation fees, options, insurance and the like). Actual net capitalized cost $27,791.12. Net capitalized cost includes $595 acquisition fee. Dealer contribution may vary and could affect actual lease payment. Total monthly payments $10,764. Option to purchase at lease end $19,334.30. Must take new retail delivery on vehicle from dealer stock by March 2, 2020. Lessee responsible for maintenance, excessive wear/tear, and 15/mile over 12,000 miles/year for vehicles with MSRP less than $30,000, and 20/mile over 12,000 miles/year for vehicles with MSRP of $30,000 or more. See your Honda dealer for complete details. ****Special APR offer valid on new and unregistered 2019 Pilot Models from January 7, 2020, through March 2, 2020, to well qualified buyers on approved credit by Honda Financial Services through participating dealers. Must take new retail delivery on vehicle from dealer stock by March 2, 2020. Not all buyers may qualify. Higher rates apply for buyers with lower credit ratings. Example for 2019 Pilot: 2.9% for 60 months financing at $17.94 a month for every $1,000.00 financed. Dealers set actual prices. See your Honda dealer for details. *****Closed end lease for 2019 Civic Sedan CVT LX (FC2F6KEW) available from January 7, 2020, through March 2, 2020, to well-qualified lessees approved by Honda Financial Services. Not all lessees will qualify. Higher lease rates apply for lessees with lower credit ratings. MSRP $21,305.00 (includes destination, excludes tax, license, title, registration, documentation fees, options, insurance and the like). Actual net capitalized cost $17,778.38. Net capitalized cost includes $595 acquisition fee. Dealer contribution may vary and could affect actual lease payment. Total monthly payments $6,804.00. Option to purchase at lease end $11,717.75. Must take new retail delivery on vehicle from dealer stock by March 2, 2020. Lessee responsible for maintenance, excessive wear/tear, and 15/mile over 12,000 miles/year for vehicles with MSRP less than $30,000, and 20/mile over 12,000 miles/year for vehicles with MSRP of $30,000 or more. See your Honda dealer for complete details. Syrian air defences intercepted missiles over the capital Damascus on Thursday, state media reported, without specifying the source of the attack. "Our air defences intercepted hostile targets over the skies of Damascus," state agency SANA said. It said the "missiles were launched from over the occupied Golan Heights". Several missiles were intercepted before they could reach their targets, it added. A Syrian army source quoted by SANA said the attack took place at 11:45 pm (9:45 GMT), when an AFP correspondent in Damascus heard large blasts. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed the attack on Israel, which has not claimed responsibility. The Britain-based monitor said the attack targeted Iran-backed militias near the capital. It said some missiles hit their intended targets, which included a weapons depot near the airport. Israel has repeatedly bombed Iranian-backed militia targets in Syria, saying its goal was to end Tehran's military presence in the country. Earlier this month,Israeli air strikes killed 23 Syrian and foreign fighters in Syria. Three Iranians and seven Tehran-backed foreign fighters were among those killed in the February 6 raids, according to the Observatory. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto signed a comprehensive strategic development agreement with his Rwandan counterpart Vincent Biruta. Szijjarto said the agreement will aid developments improving the quality of life in the Sub-Saharan country and so contribute to decreasing emigration from the region. The development projects will also provide Hungarian companies with economic opportunities. Szijjarto said Hungarian companies will have a 50 million dollar tied aid credit to implement developments in the country. Szijjarto cited a Hungarian-Rwandan poultry company as an example of cooperation. Hungarian companies will also provide border protection technology and equipment, and produce IDs and passports, he said. Hungary is also investing in and providing trainers for setting up a Rwandan cyber security institute, and Hungarian Eximbank is opening a 33 million dollar credit line for Hungarian companies working in health care and water management in Rwanda. Hungary offers twenty state-funded grants for Rwandan students to Hungarian universities, starting from September, Szijjarto said. He noted that this was the first meeting of Hungarian and Rwandan foreign ministers, and said Rwanda has become a country worth cooperating with. Its 2019 growth is estimated to be in the double digits, he said, and its political and economic stability is attractive to a growing number of foreign investors. Biruta said at the press conference that Rwanda is doing its best to create a good environment for foreign investors. He welcomed the opportunity to meet leaders of the Hungarian companies wishing to invest in the country and thanked Hungary for the grants offered. Africa needs investment and trade incentives instead of aid, Biruta said. MTI Photo: Illyes Tibor Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. What does Prince Andrew find so attractive about foreign billionaires who own Caribbean mansions? With the Jeffrey Epstein scandal still casting its ugly shadow, the Queen's second son may now face the fallout from a second deeply unedifying legal case involving one of his wealthy acquaintances. His name is Peter Nygard. He is a leathery 78-year-old Canadian fashion tycoon, famed for his ultra-flamboyant dress sense and the hedonistic lifestyle he has for years pursued at a 'private luxury resort' he owns in the Bahamas. Called Nygard Cay, it is built on a 4.5-acre patch of the island of New Providence which he bought in 1987 and spent a decade turning into what he later described as a 'dream home', with 150,000 sq ft of Mayan-themed buildings, stretching over a dozen 'cabana-style' residences designed for holding lavish parties. Peter Nygard is a 78-year-old Canadian fashion tycoon, famed for his ultra-flamboyant dress sense and the hedonistic lifestyle he has for years pursued at a 'private luxury resort' he owns in the Bahamas. Pictured: Actress Suelyn Medeiros and Peter Nygard arrive at a fashion event The buildings include a casino, a disco hut (with cameras beneath the dance floor, reportedly to shoot images of revellers from below), a glass ceiling weighing 45 tons and the world's largest sauna, a 6,000 sq ft A-frame lodge made from 2ft-thick Canadian pine logs. In the grounds there is a helipad, fake volcanoes that belch dry ice, a flock of peacocks, stone cobras which hiss steam at sunset, 60ft towers festooned with hundreds of flaming torches (lit nightly by staff), and giant statues of nude women, purportedly modelled on the owner's former girlfriends. Andrew visited in early 2000, around the time of his 40th birthday. By then he had been divorced for four years and, with his Royal Navy career drawing to a close, was in the first throes of a midlife crisis that would also see him pursue an ill-fated friendship with Epstein, whose own private Caribbean island subsequently dubbed 'paedo island' after disturbing revelations about the financier he had visited the summer before. Like Epstein, Nygard moved in colourful circles. The father of at least seven children by four women, he was at the time dating former Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith, and had for years entertained famous chums at Nygard Cay. Prince Andrew visited tycoon Peter Nygard (pictured together) with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and their two daughters at his lavish estate in the Bahamas in 2000 The prince and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson stayed at Nygard Cay, near Nassau, with daughters Beatrice and Eugenie (pictured with Nygard) His personal website boasts that guests ranged from pop royalty (Michael Jackson, Lenny Kravitz) to Hollywood A-listers (Robert DeNiro, Sylvester Stallone, Jessica Alba, Zoe Saldana, Sean Connery) to the former U.S. President George H. W. Bush and several members of the Kennedy clan. None of these high-profile chums, many of whom are pictured on Nygard's website, seemed unduly bothered that their host had in recent years settled widely reported sexual harassment cases against three women who worked for his clothing company. Andrew, who visited with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and their two daughters, was also untroubled by that pressing fact. The visit to Nygard's home did not, of course, feature in the Court Circular. Instead, details were disclosed by the billionaire in an interview with Canada's National Post newspaper shortly afterwards, when he waxed lyrical about how excited it had made his elderly mother, who was also in residence there. 'Last week was a big week for her,' he said. 'On Monday, George Bush came over to my house, and then on Thursday, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew came over.' In fact, Nygard recorded Andrew's visit for posterity. A photograph shows them wandering together on the sand, with the Prince wearing boat shoes and matching blue shorts and shirt. Other royal guests of Nygard over the years have included Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Princess Michael of Kent, while he has also pursued a doubtless lucrative business relationship with Cherie Blair. All of which provides an intriguing, not to mention potentially explosive, backdrop to a truly extraordinary legal action that was launched in New York this week. On Thursday, lawyers acting for ten unidentified women filed a class-action lawsuit claiming that Nygard's Bahamian mansion, where so many celebrities and a handful of royals partook of his hospitality, was a den of iniquity where countless underage girls were routinely abused. The allegations are all vigorously denied by Nygard (pictured) and his spokesman derided them yesterday as 'completely false' and 'without foundation' Nygard founded clothing producer Nygard International and is known as an eccentric playboy The 99-page document says the well-connected tycoon used his wealth and status to systematically 'groom and entice underage girls' into a globetrotting harem, where they would be paid cash and promised 'lucrative modelling opportunities', after which he would 'assault, rape and sodomise them'. The allegations are all vigorously denied by Nygard, whose spokesman derided them yesterday as 'completely false' and 'without foundation', saying the tycoon 'looks forward to fully exposing this scam and once and for all clearing his name'. But for their part, Nygard's accusers, who are demanding a jury trial on multiple abuse and sex-trafficking charges, insist he would instruct employees to 'procure' young girls, largely from poor neighbourhoods of New Providence, to attend events at the mansion. He would then, the accusers say, take them to what he called 'pamper parties', where they were 'plied with drugs and alcohol', then violently assaulted. Other alleged abuse occurred on yachts and at properties in Nygard's portfolio of luxury residences, which stretches to Florida, California and New York. In one of the cases, Nygard is accused of showing a 14-year-old girl vile 'pornography' before raping her, 'causing extraordinary pain and trauma'. She claims to have been paid cash from Nygard's company funds in return. Another accuser says she was 15 when Nygard invited her to a bedroom in his Bahamian mansion during a 'pamper party', ostensibly to smoke marijuana. She claims he 'asked her...' to perform a depraved sex act. When she refused, she says he 'attempted to sodomise' her and 'then raped her vaginally'. Several others allege they were drugged by Nygard before being raped and assaulted. With the Jeffrey Epstein scandal still casting its ugly shadow, the Queen's second son (pictured alongside ex-wife Sarah Ferguson) may now face the fallout from a second deeply unedifying legal case involving one of his wealthy acquaintances One 14-year-old local claims he gave her three pills before raping her when she was unconscious. The next day he allegedly paid her $5,000. Another, who was 17, says Nygard made a drink that made her feel 'nauseated and very sleepy'. She says she recalls Nygard 'asking to urinate in her mouth' but has no memory of what happened next. The lawsuit claims that when she woke up 'there was blood in the back of her underwear... Nygard gave her $550 in U.S. currency and sent her away'. It should be stressed that lawyers and a spokesman for Nygard have described each and every charge in the lawsuit as false. His lawyer, Jay Prober, told newspapers in Canada, where he currently resides, that the claims are 'vigorously denied'. Neither have any of the complainants, who are now aged between 18 and 36, implicated any celebrity friends who visited Nygard's Bahamian home in the alleged abuse. I can reveal, however, that this isn't the only lawsuit Prince Andrew's billionaire acquaintance faces. Last month, lawyers acting for two more women filed separate lawsuits against him at the Superior Court of California, in Los Angeles. The mansion includes an area on stilts that leads out over the sea. It is allegedly the scene of where Nygard plied teenage girls with drink and drunks before raping them One, Maridel Carbuccia, claims in a 32-page document that she was repeatedly abused, sexually harassed, groped and on one occasion drugged and sexually assaulted during almost three years in his employment. This lawsuit claims that Carbuccia, who was married with a young son, moved to Los Angeles in late 2015 after landing a job helping to run a medical cannabis farm that Nygard was setting up on a 50,000 sq ft site in the hills above Malibu. Trouble began shortly afterwards, it claims, when the billionaire 'unexpectedly grabbed her buttocks', leaving her 'shocked and upset'. Then, in April 2016, she says he turned up to a one-on-one meeting at the Los Angeles mansion 'completely naked' and again propositioned her. Later that day, the lawsuit further alleges, he 'gave a drink which she consumed', only to rapidly begin to pass out. As she was losing consciousness, she claims, her employer 'led her to his bedroom'. The next day 'when she awoke, she saw her own blood on her skin and clothes and it was apparent that while she was unconscious, Nygard had sexually assaulted her'. At one point, the lawsuit alleges, Nygard decided that her professional duties should also include acting as his 'house manager'. This role, she claims, included inviting large numbers of women, including prostitutes, to attend 'pamper parties' where he would 'get a good look at them and select those whom he would pay for sex'. The Mayan-style property boasts 12 cabanas, an aquarium, helipad and casino Nygard has lived on the islands since 1987, and owns a Mayan-themed mansion compound Carbuccia eventually left his employment in August 2018. She is now suing for damages on nine separate grounds, including battery, sexual battery, breach of contract, fraud and unpaid wages, and has demanded a jury trial. Her attorney is Gloria Allred, a famed Hollywood lawyer whose recent work has included representing victims of Jeffrey Epstein. Nygard has yet to submit a formal response. His attorney did not respond to requests to comment on this particular case. The second woman, known only as 'Jane Doe', is a resident of Houston in Texas. In nine-page complaint, she has alleged that Nygard 'repeatedly had sexual intercourse with her at his home' in Los Angeles in October 2012, when he was 71 and she was 'a minor under 18 years old' (California's age of consent). 'Nygard was fully aware of [her] age, yet repeatedly had sexual intercourse with her at his home. Nygard did not allow [her] to leave his residence without his permission,' the document claims. The lawsuit further alleges that, in the ensuing weeks, Nygard trafficked her to China and New York on his private jet. 'While in New York, Nygard invited [her] to a "club" without informing her of the full nature of the club. Nygard took [her] to a "swingers club" and instructed her to have sex with an individual so Nygard could trade and have sex with the individual's partner,' it claims. He then supposedly took her to Fort Lauderdale in Florida 'and continued to have sex with [her] while she was a minor'. 'Jane Doe' is suing for damages on nine counts, including battery, sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, harassment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Her lawyers are also demanding a jury trial. Again, Nygard has yet to submit a formal response and, like any defendant in a case that has yet to be tested in court, should be considered innocent until proven otherwise. The businessman, who grew up in relative poverty, certainly has a compelling rags-to-riches story. His empire controls several of Canada's most successful womenswear brands and he travels in a private jet that has 'Peter Nygard N-Force' painted on the outside and reportedly features a stripper's pole inside. However, claims of impropriety (always vehemently denied and never proven) have frequently interrupted his trajectory. In 1980, he was charged with raping an 18-year-old girl, only for charges to be dropped after she suddenly decided not to testify. He later alleged that the police had shown 'poor judgment' in investigating the case. In the 1990s, three separate women who worked in his office filed sexual harassment complaints with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, which he settled. One, a 27-year-old travel co-ordinator, claimed she 'repeatedly brushed off Mr Nygard's touches and sexual advances' in the workplace. Another, a 39-year-old communications manager, said that, when called into Nygard's office, she would 'find him in a state of undress (pants open, no shirt) or with his hands down the front of his pants, fondling himself'. She also claimed he once added 'naked swimming' to the agenda of a business meeting and that, in the Bahamas, 'frequently was grabbing himself (wearing a very small bathing suit)'. At the time, Mr Nygard's lawyer claimed the women filed complaints in order to get better severance payments from the firm, saying it settled to avoid litigation costs. He also faced a sexual harassment suit in 1996 from a Los Angeles employee who claimed that, against her wishes, 'she spent the night in Peter Nygard's bed and engaged in sexual intercourse with him'. She later rejected his advances, she claims, and was eventually fired. This case was later dismissed. Again, it is worth noting that none of the above incidents appear to have prevented Prince Andrew bringing his two daughters and ex-wife on that 2000 visit to Nygard Cay. In 2008, another woman a former girlfriend filed a lawsuit against Nygard in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging that he had slammed a bedroom door shut on her hand. Again, the case was settled and Nygard denies any wrongdoing. Then, in 2010, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation put out a Panorama-style documentary about Nygard, focusing on alleged sex abuse and harassment of former employees. It quoted a former stewardess on his private plane who alleged that on one journey during which Nygard was accompanied by a troupe of topless women he lost his temper with staff, shouting: 'You are nothing! You are garbage! I am God!' The programme also alleged that Nygard had engaged in 'inappropriate sexual contact' with a young woman who had been brought to his home in 2003 from the Dominican Republic. Nygard vehemently denied that either incident had happened, and sued to stop the documentary being broadcast. When that failed, he filed a criminal complaint against the journalists who made it before suing CBC for defamation. Eight years later, that case is still wending its way through the Canadian court system. But perhaps the most high-profile, and certainly the most bizarre legal tussle to involve Nygard, is a dispute with his next-door neighbour in the Bahamas, a New York hedge fund boss called Louis Bacon. This started in the mid-Noughties as a somewhat petty dispute over car parking on an access road to their properties, along with noise from Nygard's late- night parties, but has snowballed into an avalanche of litigation which has seen at least 18 lawsuits filed in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. In 2016, Cherie Blair who rarely seems to meet a foreign billionaire she won't take paid work from played a curious cameo in their battle. The Wall Street Journal revealed that her law firm, Omnia, had been hired to try to dig up dirt on Bacon. She proceeded to contact a British former employee of Bacon's hedge fund called Julian Rifat, who had been jailed for insider dealing, with a view to persuading him to tell the U.S. authorities about alleged wrongdoing at Bacon's firm. After several meetings, the plan seems to have been abandoned. Hostilities between Nygard and Bacon reached a peak, of sorts, last January when a court in the Bahamas issued a warrant for Nygard's arrest on contempt of court charges related to a case involving claims that Nygard illegally dredged sand from the sea floor to enlarge the size of his private beach. He has been unable to visit the Bahamas since, and in November was sentenced to jail time in absentia. A spokesman branded that decision 'unfair, unreasonable and unnecessary' and vowed to appeal. In New York, meanwhile, lawyers for Nygard recently filed a lawsuit claiming Bacon was attempting to 'bring down' their client by persuading various women to provide the New York Times with 'false information' regarding his conduct towards them. This is the only Nygard lawsuit against Bacon that has not been struck out or withdrawn. Yesterday, Nygard's attorneys were once more blaming Bacon for their woes, claiming that the latest ugly lawsuit stemmed from their seemingly endless battle and is 'just the latest in a ten-plus-year string of attempts to try to destroy the reputation of a man through false statements'. Doubtless the American courts will eventually decide whether that claim holds merit. In the meantime, Prince Andrew, Cherie Blair and every celebrity who partied at the billionaire's lavish mansion will surely be watching with bated breath. Prince Andrew's Bahamas visit to SECOND tycoon facing child sex claims: Duke, Sarah Ferguson and daughters stayed with clothing exec Peter Nygard who is accused of raping teenagers after luring them to his mansion and plying them with wine and drugs A tycoon with links to Prince Andrew has been accused of raping teenagers he lured to his Bahamas mansion. Peter Nygard, 78, allegedly told girls as young as 14 he could make them models before raping them and forcing them into performing 'deviant acts'. Andrew visited Nygard at his lavish estate in 2000, after the Canadian fashion designer had agreed out-of-court settlements with three employees who accused him of sexual harassment. The prince and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson stayed at Nygard Cay, near Nassau, with daughters Beatrice and Eugenie. The new case threatens further embarrassment for Andrew, who stepped back from public life last year following a backlash over his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Prince Andrew visited tycoon Peter Nygard (pictured together) at his lavish estate in the Bahamas in 2000 The prince and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson stayed at Nygard Cay, near Nassau, with daughters Beatrice and Eugenie (pictured with Nygard) According to a 99-page lawsuit filed against him in New York, Nygard used his ten-bedroom mansion to host 'pamper parties' for teenage girls recruited at shopping malls and fashion events. He and his employees told the girls they could be fashion models, but then plied them with wine and drugs before Nygard allegedly raped them. Three alleged victims were 14-year-old virgins and said they felt scared and humiliated by the attacks, which left one needing medical treatment. The case has been brought on behalf of ten women who allege they were raped by Nygard. Eight were teenage girls and two were adult employees on the Nassau estate. Lawyers said Nygard, who is worth an estimated 690million, ran a 'decades-long sex trafficking scheme' that destroyed innocent lives. They said he used his company's private jet, dubbed 'N-Force', to take his victims with him on visits to London, Germany, Italy and China, and treated them as his 'personal servants'. Lawyers said Nygard, who is worth an estimated 690million, ran a 'decades-long sex trafficking scheme' that destroyed innocent lives. Pictured: His lavish Nygard Cay estate Two yachts were allegedy used to transport drugs and liquor for the parties and Nygard was said to keep a database of 7,500 potential victims. The case has parallels with some of the accusations against Epstein, who used his private jet, known as the Lolita Express, to traffic young women and girls. One Epstein victim, Virginia Roberts, claims she was trafficked to London and forced to have sex with Prince Andrew when she when she was 17. Andrew has repeatedly denied her account and he is not involved in the Nygard lawsuit. A spokesman for Nygard said the allegations were 'completely false, without foundation and are vigorously denied'. Sonoma County sheriff's deputies arrested a Santa Rosa man Thursday on suspicion of stealing a vehicle and possessing a stolen vehicle. A sheriff's deputy spotted a Pontiac Vibe in the 300 block of Sebastopol Road that was reported stolen in Santa Rosa on Feb. 5, sheriff's Sgt. Juan Valencia said. The deputy followed the Pontiac east on Sebastopol Road and the driver, identified as Kirk Williams, 43, of Santa Rosa, allegedly failed to yield to a traffic stop. Williams then drove onto Roberts Avenue and onto the Joe Rodota Trail to escape the deputy, Valencia alleged. Williams stopped at the northern end of the trail where it meets Santa Rosa Creek and apparently ran from the Pontiac. Valencia said Williams jumped a fence and ran north along the railroad tracks toward Third Street in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa police surrounded the area and found Williams allegedly hiding in the creek. He was arrested and booked in the county jail on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, failing to yield and a misdemeanor arrest warrant for DUI and resisting arrest. 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 Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday allowed a 12 year-old rape victim to get her 19-week-and-six-day pregnancy terminated. A single HC bench of Justice Subodh Abhyankar said since the girl is 12 years old and is a minor, she is not capable of giving consent for sexual intercourse, therefore, termination of pregnancy can be considered as pregnancy is arising out of rape. "The pregnancy is of 19 weeks and 6 days, which is within the legal limit for termination of pregnancy according to Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act," the order read. The court issued the directive after taking on record the report of her medical examination of February 13, 2020 carried out by a team of three doctors of Jabalpur's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Hospital and Medical College. The court ordered that the foetus be sent to the forensic laboratory for DNA testing, the petitioner's counsel BS Thakur said. The girl's mother had filed a petition for termination of the pregnancy, Thakur said. The pregnancy was revealed when the girl underwent a medical examination after she complained of abdomen pain on February 4, 2020. The girl's parents then lodged a complaint with the police against the unknown rapist, the counsel said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 5-year-old Georgia boy is being honored Friday for helping save his entire family from a fire that destroyed their house, firefighters said. Noah Woods woke up to flames in his bedroom on Sunday, the Bartow County Fire Department said on Facebook, and located the only exit: a window. Then he picked up his 2-year-old sister and escaped out the window with the family dog. He ran next door to wake up his uncle, who then alerted the other six family members, the department said. "I picked Lily up, got to the window with Lily, got the dog and got out," Noah told local station WSB-TV. "That's it." Everyone survived and the majority received treatment for smoke inhalation and minor burns. "We've seen children alert their families before," Fire Chief Dwayne Jamison told CNN. "But for a 5-year-old to be alert enough to do this . . . that's pretty extraordinary." This photo from the Bartow County Fire Department in Georgia shows Noah Woods, 5, who is credited for saving his family from a house fire on Feb. 9, 2020. 'Heroic' act: Twin girls, 4, free themselves from car crash that killed their father Noah's grandfather, David Woods, started a GoFundMe to raise money to rebuild the home because the fire left it uninhabitable. An overloaded electrical circuit in Noah's bedroom started the blaze, Jamison told CNN. The family plans to stay at a motel or rent a small house in the meantime, Woods said. "We thank God for our Noah and his heroic actions," Woods wrote. "By the grace of God, all nine of our loved ones were able to get out of our home. If it wasn't for Noah, we may not be here today." The fire department plans to present the boy with a lifesaving award and recognize him as an honorary county firefighter on Friday. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boy saves sister from house fire, alerts his Georgia family The Indian stock market is trading at the low point of the day with Sensex falling 220.33 points, or 0.53 percent, to 41239.46, and the Nifty shedding 69.50 points at 12105.20. Auto, FMCG, metals and PSU banks are the top losers with the indices down over a percent each. The top losers from the auto space included Eicher Motors which has shed over 3 percent. It was trading with volumes of 2,741 shares, compared to its five day average of 3,713 shares, a decrease of -26.17 percent. According to Citi, the recent volume trajectory and tepid demand lead it to trim volume and margin expectations. The research house believes that RE will continue to dominate the premium cruiser segment. The other losers included Hero MotoCorp, Mahindra & Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki. Godrej Industries, down 5 percent followed by Emami down 2 percent and United Spirits are the top losers from the FMCG space. The top losers from the metal space included Hindustan Copper, NMDC, SAIL, MOIL, Tata Steel, NALCO, Jindal Steel and Power and JSW Steel. The share price of Vodafone Idea crashed 23 percent after the Supreme Court (SC) rapped the telecom companies for non-payment of dues. The stock was trading with volumes of 155,053,091 shares, compared to its five day average of 31,401,368 shares, an increase of 393.78 percent. SpiceJet share price spiked over 7 percent after the company reported a 21 percent jump in its Q3FY20 consolidated net profit at Rs 77.9 crore against Rs 64.4 crore in the same quarter last fiscal. Revenue of the company was up 46.9 percent at Rs 3,656.3 crore against Rs 2,488.5 crore. The stock was trading with volumes of 2,617,909 shares, compared to its five day average of 271,459 shares, an increase of 864.38 percent. Igarashi Motors India share price jumped 12 percent and was trading with volumes of 209,314 shares, compared to its five day average of 9,564 shares, an increase of 2,088.52 percent. The share price of Page Industries Limited was down 5 percent after the company reported a sharp 500 basis points decline in operating profit margins in December quarter (Q3FY20), due to higher expenses. The stock was trading with volumes of 9,430 shares, compared to its five day average of 804 shares, an increase of 1,072.59 percent. "PAGE reported a disappointing set of numbers on both volumes and earnings, with EBITDA declining 16 percent YoY in Q3FY20," said brokerage firm Motilal Oswal Financial Services. The brokerages said it has a neutral call on the stock with a target price of Rs 22,250- which is a 5 percent downside from the current market price of Rs 23,528 - and said the stock's valuation is expensive. : The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are their own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. A mother-of-two who called a transgender woman a 'pig in a wig' has been convicted of sending offensive tweets as protestors assembled outside court. Kate Scottow, 39, was today found guilty of persistently making use of a public communications network to cause annoyance, inconvenience, and anxiety to Stephanie Hayden, 48, between September 2018 and last May. The 'radical feminist' was accused of deliberately 'misgendering' Ms Hayden by referring to her as 'he' or 'him' during a period of 'significant online abuse'. Ms Scottow had been arrested by police officers last year at her home in Pirton near Hitchin, Hertfordshire, in front of her daughter, 10, and son, 20 months. Though Ms Scottow's lawyer Diana Wilson claimed that Ms Hayden was a 'serial complainant' with past convictions, and had benefitted from an alleged police failure to investigate the case properly, the judge found Ms Scottow guilty. Kate Scottow (pictured) was today found guilty of persistently making use of a public communications network to cause annoyance, inconvenience, and anxiety to transgender woman Stephanie Hayden between September 2018 and last May District Judge Margaret Dodd told Ms Scottow that she made deliberate and persistent use of male pronouns, and had caused Ms Hayden 'needless anxiety'. In a statement, Ms Hayden said: 'Today there are no winners. While I am satisfied with the outcome of the criminal prosecution, the fact remains that it should not have been necessary to ever complain to the police in the first place. 'Abusing and smearing transgender people online must stop.' She added: 'Today's verdict demonstrates that such conduct has consequences that are potentially life-changing. I now wish to move on. 'With this in mind I wish Mrs Scottow all the best for the future and hope that she will learn from this experience.' Trumpeting her Gender Recognition Certificate, Ms Hayden (pictured) told the court how Ms Scottow was bound by law to refer to her as a woman. She argued that the defendant was guilty of 'harassment' and had 'misgendered' her just 'to annoy people like me' Scottow's supporters gathered outside St Albans Magistrates' Court to protest the verdict, chanting 'pig in a wig' and 'he's a man - go on prosecute me' This comes as a High Court judge today ruled that a former officer's tweets were lawful, and police had breached his right to free expression by behaving like 'the Stasi' when they turned up at his work to brand his tweeting a 'hate incident'. Harry Miller, 54, had been told by police at work that the 30 'transphobic' messages he had tweeted or retweeted were being recorded as a 'hate incident'. Businessman's 'transphobic' tweet was LAWFUL and police breached his right to freedom of expression by behaving like 'the STASI' when they turned up at his work to brand it a 'hate incident', judge rules By Joe Middleton for MailOnline A former officer's 'transphobic' tweets were lawful and police breached his right to freedom of expression by behaving like 'the Stasi' when they turned up at his work to brand it a 'hate incident', a judge has ruled. Harry Miller, 54, who founded the campaign group Fair Cop, after speaking with an officer in a Tesco car park, said the police's actions had a 'substantial chilling effect' on his right to free speech. The married father-of-four, who is from Lincolnshire, claims an officer told him that he had not committed a crime, but that the 30 messages he had tweeted or retweeted was being recorded as a 'hate incident'. The complaint was received by Scotland Yard from a 'victim' who then in turn asked Humberside Police to interview Mr Miller after tracing him to his plant and machinery business. Announcing the court's decision, Mr Justice Julian Knowles said Mr Miller's tweets were 'lawful' and that the effect of the police turning up at Mr Miller's place of work 'because of his political opinions must not be underestimated'. He said: 'I find the combination of the police visiting the claimant's place of work, and their subsequent statements in relation to the possibility of prosecution, were a disproportionate interference with the claimant's right to freedom of expression because of their potential chilling effect.' The College of Policing's guidance defines a hate incident as 'any non-crime incident which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender'. In a ruling on Friday, the High Court in London found Humberside Police's actions were a 'disproportionate interference' with Mr Miller's right to freedom of expression. But Mr Justice Julian Knowles rejected a wider challenge to the lawfulness of the College of Police guidance, ruling that it 'serves legitimate purposes and is not disproportionate'. Rules surrounding 'hate incidents' are set out in guidance written up by the College of Policing. It defines a hate incident as 'any non-crime incident which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender'. This differs from a hate crime, which is a criminal offence. The definition of a hate crime, according to the guidance is: 'Any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender.' Advertisement But the judge ruled that his tweets were 'lawful', slamming police for acting like the Stasi, and warned: 'We have never lived in an Orwellian society.' Whereas Mr Miller celebrated on the steps of the High Court today, Ms Scottow was found guilty of sending offensive tweets. Her supporters today gathered outside St Albans Magistrates' Court to protest the verdict, chanting 'pig in a wig' and 'he's a man - go on prosecute me'. Holding banners which read 'we love free speech', the mob tied scarves in the Suffragettes' purple, green, and white to lampposts outside the courthouse. Ms Hayden argued the defendant was guilty of 'harassment' and had 'misgendered' her 'to annoy people like me', adding: 'It's calculated to violate my dignity as a woman.' Trumpeting her Gender Recognition Certificate, the complainant told the court how Ms Scottow was bound by law to refer to her as a woman. Ms Scottow was handed a two-year conditional discharge, and was ordered by the court to pay 1,000 compensation within six months. The judge said: 'Stephanie Hayden described to the court the vicious comments. Article 10 accepts freedom of expression however I do not find your comments to be part of that debate. 'I take the view it was unkind and abusive. I find you were well aware of what you were doing. You do not deny the comments. You started the tweets, you could have stopped them. Little on the internet remains a secret. You caused needless annoyance and anxiety. 'You said in your evidence that you knew it would get to Stephanie. 'It was not just the content but also the choice of one of the usernames was to deliberately annoy her.' She added: 'You felt able to make personal and offensive comments about her. It was abuse for the sake of it. 'Your comments contributed nothing to a debate. We teach children to be kind to each other and not to call each other names in the playground.' Ms Hayden was not in court today to hear the judge's verdict. Giving evidence, Ms Hayden had complained that Ms Scottow was an Internet troll who had set up multiple Twitter accounts to 'abuse' her. Despite organising for a 'compromise' agreement' following aspersions that were cast by Ms Scottow of Ms Hayden being 'racist', the 'abuse' persisted. When she discovered that a second Twitter account had been set up, from which the mother-of-two 'misgendered' the 'pig in a wig', Ms Hayden reported the incident to police. An arrest was made at Ms Scottow's home, where the suspect was then taken to Hatfield Police Station for questioning seven hours later. The court heard how Ms Scottow, in her police interview, admitted to being 'immature' to Ms Hayden, and knew that her tweets would 'get to Stephanie'. She added: 'I think it was not a nice thing to do but it is something I did. I think it is because I felt I was harassed, I was feeling I was bullied. 'I reacted in an immature and petty way.' Ms Scottow's defence, Ms Wilson, had previously told the court how the transgender woman had been before criminal courts on 11 occasions for 21 offences, and had spent six months in prison for obtaining property deception. Her points were dismissed by Ms Hayden as 'tittle tattle brought up to smear me'. The complainant had also faced questions over whether tweets that she had sent a black person, which have been since deleted, were 'racist'. She denied any wrongdoing, objected to the use of the term outright, and instead claimed that she was being harassed by a person 'purporting to be black'. Today, Ms Wilson made an abuse of process argument, claiming police had launched a one-sided investigation relying on Ms Hayden's testimony. After the verdict, she told the court: 'She has ongoing anxiety. This lady is profoundly affected. She did not believe she was committing an offence. 'She has come off Twitter and is not engaging in these matter.' It is understood that Ms Scottow is considering an appeal. This case is the latest in a series of rulings by British judges on transgender issues. Last December, an employment judge ruled that the Centre for Global Development (CGD) think-tank was right to sack visiting fellow Maya Forstater for expressing 'gender-critical comments' that were 'not worthy of respect in a democratic society'. Ms Forstater's contract with the institute had been discontinued after she was accused of using 'offensive and exclusionary' anti-trans language on Twitter. Opposing Government proposals to make an amendment to the Gender Recognition Act that would allow transgender people to self-assign their own gender, Ms Forstater claimed that sex, unlike gender, was a 'biological fact, and is immutable'. Taking the CGD to tribunal, though, Judge James Taylor ruled that her own view did not 'have the protected characteristic of philosophical belief'. The judge declared that Ms Forstater's 'absolutist' view was 'incompatible with human dignity and fundamental rights of others' in his 26-page summary. He concluded: 'The Claimant [Ms Forstater] is absolutist in her view of sex and it is a core component of her belief that she will refer to a person by the sex she considered appropriate even if it violates their dignity and/or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. 'The approach is not worthy of respect in a democratic society.' TEHRAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th February, 2020) Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held a rare meeting on Friday with Canada's prime minister, Justin Trudeau, one month after a Ukrainian plane crashed near Tehran, killing everyone on board, including Canadians, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said. According to the ministry, talks between the two high-level officials took place on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC), which began earlier in the day and will conclude on Sunday. The ministry said that Zarif also met with Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne. Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed near Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport minutes after takeoff on January 8. The crash took the lives of all 176 passengers and crew members on board, among them citizens of Ukraine, Iran, Canada, Afghanistan, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Several days later, the Iranian military admitted to unintentionally shooting down the jetliner, having confused it with a hostile cruise missile. GMATE1 wrote: Are the rules concerning ambiguity strictly grammatical, or do they also take the logical meaning into account? theoretically in practice Karl eats more potatoes than fish. Karl eats more seaweed than fish. GMAT Tutor in Montreal If you are looking for online GMAT math tutoring, or if you are interested in buying my advanced Quant books and problem sets, please contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com Signature Read More Perhaps someone who thinks more about grammatical rules will give you a more precise answer, but I'd look at it this way:- whether there mightbe ambiguity is purely a grammatical issue. If comparison words are omitted, in theory, a comparison might be ambiguous.- whether that ambiguity matters, so whether we need to fix anything, is a purely semantic (meaning-based) issue that has nothing to do with grammar rules.So if you saw a sentence like:then, in theory, the comparison is ambiguous (are we comparing how many potatoes Karl eats with how much fish he eats, or are we comparing how many potatoes Karl eats and how many potatoes fish eat?), but since, at least as far as I'm aware, fish don't eat potatoes, there's only one reasonable way to interpret the sentence as written. There's no reason to care about the ambiguity, and the original sentence is fine. Instead though, if the sentence readthen there might be some reason to care about the ambiguity, because it's possible fish do eat seaweed (I don't know what fish eat), so then I'd think it best not to omit the comparison words -- I'd prefer the sentence say "Karl eats more seaweed than he eats fish" or something like that, if that's the intended meaning.In general, any time in a GMAT SC question I noticed a comparison that omitted comparison words, I'd always ask whether the comparison was open to two different interpretations, just because if that issue is potentially present in an actual SC question, it's very likely relevant. And if I wasn't sure, I'd err on the side of clarity over concision: if a comparison might be ambiguous (but you aren't sure one way or the other), and one answer choice resolves that ambiguity, I'd pick that over the shorter answer that omits the clarifying words._________________ That which a person did not burn for in his young days, he will not easily work for as a man, Christopher Arndt Bruun wrote. The idea was to create in the mind of the student a sense of wider circles of belonging from family to town to nation and an eagerness to assume shared responsibility for the whole. The Nordic educators also worked hard to develop the students internal awareness. That is to say, they helped students see the forces always roiling inside the self the emotions, cravings, wounds and desires. If you could see those forces and their interplay, as if from the outside, you could be their master and not their slave. Their intuition was that as people grow, they have the ability to go through developmental phases, to see themselves and the world through ever more complex lenses. A young child may blindly obey authority Mom, Dad, teacher. Then she internalizes and conforms to the norms of the group. Then she learns to create her own norms based on her own values. Then she learns to see herself as a node in a network of selves and thus learns mutuality and holistic thinking. The purpose of bildung is to help people move through the uncomfortable transitions between each way of seeing. That educational push seems to have had a lasting influence on the culture. Whether in Stockholm or Minneapolis, Scandinavians have a tendency to joke about the way their sense of responsibility is always nagging at them. They have the lowest rates of corruption in the world. They have a distinctive sense of the relationship between personal freedom and communal responsibility. High social trust doesnt just happen. It results when people are spontaneously responsible for one another in the daily interactions of life, when the institutions of society function well. In the U.S., social trust has been on the decline for decades. If the children of privilege get to go to the best schools, theres not going to be much social mutuality. If those schools do not instill a love of nation, theres not going to be much shared responsibility. Turkish-backed Syrian rebels shot down a government helicopter west of Aleppo in Syria's northwestern Idlib region, where violence and displacement has spiked in recent weeks, Turkish and Syrian state media said on Friday. A rebel military source and eyewitnesses told Reuters Russian jets had been targeting areas in the countryside west of Aleppo earlier on Friday, but they evacuated back to the city after the helicopter was downed. "One of our military helicopters was hit by an enemy missile in the western countryside of Aleppo...where armed terrorist organisations supported by Turkey are deployed, and this led to the fall of the helicopter and death of its crew," Syrian state news agency SANA cited a military source as saying. Turkey's military has sent additional arms and troops to Idlib, on its southern border, to confront a push by Russia-backed Syrian government forces to retake the country's last major rebel stronghold after nearly nine years of war. The Syrian Observatory war monitor said on Friday that Turkey had deployed around 6,500 soldiers to reinforce existing units in northwest Syria, as well as some 1,900 military vehicles since early February. The helicopter was struck as it flew over the front lines after leaving Aleppo, which is controlled by the government, Turkish state-owned Anadolu news agency said. Rebels downed another government helicopter on Tuesday near the town of Nairab, to the south. Syrian state-run al-Ikhbariya TV meanwhile broadcast what it said was its crew driving for the first time into Aleppo via the M5 international highway that has been a focal point of President Bashar al-Assad's latest military campaign. Ikhbariya said the Damascus to Aleppo roadway that runs through Idlib province was fully under the control of Syria's army. Search Keywords: Short link: Hyderabad: The Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government has reportedly started making fresh efforts to secure the inter-cadre deputation of Telangana state cadre IPS officer Stephen Ravindra to Andhra Pradesh to post him as the state Intelligence chief. Though AP Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy took up the matter personally with Union home minister Amit Shah last year, and his administration followed-up with the Centre, the proposal was neither given the go-ahead nor rejected as officials in the Union home ministry were of the view that it was not in accordance with the All India Service rules. However, renewed efforts have begun once again to get Mr Ravindra, a 1999 batch IPS officer presently posted as Inspector-General, West Zone, in Telangana state. Highly placed sources told Deccan Chronicle that during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday and with Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday, the AP Chief Minister, besides discussing various other issues concerning the state, is understood to have broached the topic of Mr Ravindras inter-cadre deputation. He reportedly reminded them that even the Telangana state government had given its no-objection to Mr Ravindras request for inter-cadre deputation. Though it is not known whether or not the Chief Minister was given any assurance, sources insisted that the home ministry would consider the fresh request with an open mind, more so as the Chief Minister is keen on having Mr Ravindra as his eyes and ears. Presently, another IPS officer, Mr Manish Kumar Sinha, is IG, Intelligence in AP. It was Mr Reddy who had hand-picked Mr Ravindra for the key post soon after the YSR Congress stormed to power last year. Mr Reddys friendly ties with Telangana state Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao ensured that the TS government quickly gave a no-objection. Once the matter reached the Union home ministry in June last year, there was no word on whether or not it would approve Mr Ravindras deputation. Subsequently, the matter went into cold storage. For Mr Ravindra, it turned out to be a major embarrassment as he had taken a months leave and was camping in Vijayawada, waiting for the Centres nod. He kept extending his leave and spent more than 45 days in the AP capital waiting for the orders. Thereafter, he was forced to return to Telangana state. Sources said that the Centre did not entertain the request of the AP Government last year on the grounds that it could set a precedent and would come in handy for other bureaucrats seeking inter-cadre deputation. It remains to be seen whether the renewed efforts by the AP government will yield results. Vanessa Feltz has slammed Prince Harry for being paid a rumoured 750,000 to speak at a JP Morgan summit in Miami. The TV personality, 57, from London appeared alongside broadcaster Jamie East , 45, on ITV's This Morning to speak to Ruth and Eamonn Holmes about Harry and Meghan's bid to take the financial burden from British taxpayers and become independent. Addressing his recent keynote speech on Thursday night, which saw Harry, 35, bravely telling American bankers he has been in therapy for seven years to cope with loss of his mother, Vanessa slammed the move. She argued that personalities shouldn't receive a fee for 'charity type work', as Eamonn agreed. Vanessa Feltz has slammed Prince Harry for being paid a rumoured 750,000 to speak at a JP Morgan summit in Miami The TV personality, 57, from London appeared alongside broadcaster Jamie East , 45, on ITV's This Morning to speak to Ruth and Eamonn Holmes about Harry and Meghan's (seen last month) bid to take the financial burden from British taxpayers and become independent Vanessa said: 'I think some people are asking how much his emotional baggage is really for sale? How much are you really going to bare your breast and stand on podiums and take home a cheque for saying how terrible you felt when your mother passed away?. 'Obviously he's allowed to talk about it and we want people to talk about mental health and bereavement, but for a fee? Does that feel right?' Eamonn added: 'I don't think anyone should do any charity type work for a fee. 'What we don't want is hypocrisy. Now we've got them on the circuit with Harry getting 750,000 for talking about his emotional wellbeing'. Addressing his recent keynote speech on Thursday night, which saw Harry, 35, bravely telling American bankers he has been in therapy for seven years to cope with loss of his mother, Vanessa slammed the move But addressing today's reports that the Sussexes' staff have been made redundant amid their move to Canada, Jamie defended them and said: 'I'm not quite sure what we expected them to do. They've gone to Canada - what are their staff going to be doing? 'They can't do right for doing wrong. They're either told off for being stuck up or too regal. Would we rather have this or Kate and William?'. Last week an expert claimed the couple, who left the royal family three weeks ago for Canada in search of a private life, would have been 'extremely well paid for the gig in Miami'. Vanessa argued that personalities shouldn't receive a fee for 'charity type work', as Eamonn agreed Eamonn added: 'I don't think anyone should do any charity type work for a fee Ronn Torossian, CEO of New York-based firm 5W Public Relations, said he expects the couple to have made between $500,000 and $1million (387,000 and 775,000) from the appearance. Today it was reported that Harry and Meghan are thought to be axing 15 staff and closing their Buckingham Palace office. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly broke the news to their team in person in January following the announcement that they were stepping down as senior working royals. While one or two may be absorbed back into the royal household, most are now negotiating redundancy packages. President Moon Jae-in wants to meet his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump in late March, just ahead of the general election on April 15. It would be their first meeting in the six months since they sat down in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last September. "Cheong Wa Dae has recently sounded out the possibility of a summit with Trump through various channels," a government source here said Thursday. "Cheong Wa Dae keeps trying, though it's unlikely that they will meet given Trump's busy schedule in his own presidential campaign." Kim Hyun-chong, the deputy national security adviser, and other presidential officials have visited Washington in recent weeks. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will also push for the summit when she meets U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Munich Security Conference on Friday through Sunday. Cheong Wa Dae hopes that the two leaders could meet to lock in agreements on cost-sharing for the upkeep of the U.S. Forces Korea and the revision of missile guidelines for South Korea. The cost-sharing negotiations are in limbo due to exorbitant U.S. demands for an increase in Seoul's share, and the guideline revision is in the final stage. But the main reason seems to be that Moon wants to boost his approval ratings ahead of the general election. "Summit diplomacy tends to drive up the approval ratings of both the president and the ruling party," a diplomatic source said. "It seems that Cheong Wa Dae is now seeking another summit with Trump because Chinese President Xi Jinping is not going to visit South Korea any time soon due to the coronavirus outbreak.' Perhaps Moon also wants to refocus Trump's attention on North Korea after Trump effectively disbanded his North Korea negotiating team. If youve been waiting for the deal of a lifetime before going on vacation this is for you. In honor of leap year, the global tour operator Friendly Planet Travel is offering vacation-goers the opportunity to book a trip by plopping down just a $29 deposit now through Feb. 29. Guests then simply pay the rest later. The deal allows guests to secure a spot on one of Friendly Planet Travels small group tours to destinations like Egypt, Kenya, Turkey, Peru, Morocco, and more. For example, in Egypt, guests can hop on an 11-day cruise down the Nile, which includes stops in Cairo, Luxor, Esna, Kom Ombo, Aswan, and a return journey to Cairo. All this begins at $2,749 and includes flights to and from JFK airport in New York, meals, excursions, transportation, guides, and more. Not sure about a guided tour? Read up on one of the many five-star reviews of this trip alone: Everything was first class from beginning to end. The accommodations were wonderful, the tour guide was extremely competent, and our egyptologist, Amani, was amazing. It was a bucket list trip that did not disappoint! I would recommend this trip by Friendly Planet to anyone. Or, guests can choose to put down a $29 deposit for a small group tour through Peru. That 10-day journey includes stops in Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Puno, and Machu Picchu. That trip goes for $3,699 and again includes flights from Miami, as well as all transfers, most meals, excursions, local guides, and more. Amazing is an apt description! Excellent itinerary and knowledgeable guides, one traveler wrote about this trip. Outstanding hotels, several had spas onsite. Peru is a super destination for history lovers and scenery fans alike. Friendly people too. Machu Picchu is more impressive than pictures. Check out all of Friendly Planets offerings and put down just $29 for the adventure of a lifetime now. Because these deals likely wont be back until 2024. Over the course of his presidency, there have been myriad warnings about Donald Trump's authoritarian tendencies. He has played to the fears of his critics by blowing past the republic's increasingly creaky system of checks and balances. And with the aid of a right-wing echo chamber, he has pushed forward a narrative that conflates national interest with his personal gain, patriotism with unflinching loyalty to the occupant of the Oval Office. As Trump embarks on a reelection campaign and basks in the aftermath of the Senate impeachment trial - in which, thanks to a Republican Party wholly captured by Trumpism, acquittal was seemingly always a fait accompli - he is adding to the strains on America's polarized democracy. His calls this week for prosecutions of his perceived enemies and public attacks on federal judges and prosecutors involved in cases against his allies were so abnormal that it led to an unlikely rebuke from Attorney General William Barr, a Cabinet official largely viewed by Trump's opponents as shamefully acquiescent. The Washington Post's White House reporters described a president "simmering with rage, fixated on exacting revenge against those he feels betrayed him and insulated by a compliant Republican Party." He is willing to test the rule of law even further and is comfortable doing so, they reported, "to the point of feeling untouchable." "If a president can meddle in a criminal case to help a friend, then there's nothing that keeps him from meddling to harm someone he thinks is his enemy," Joyce White Vance, a former U.S. attorney, told The Washington Post in a Feb. 12 story. "That means that a president is fully above the law in the most dangerous kind of way. This is how democracies die." The president's demagoguery has left a deep mark on American society. A Post investigation published Feb. 13 sifted through 28,000 reports of bullying in U.S. schools and found hundreds of incidents in which Trump-inspired rhetoric was used to harass children, especially students from Hispanic, black or Muslim backgrounds. "Since Trump's rise to the nation's highest office, his inflammatory language - often condemned as racist and xenophobic - has seeped into schools across America," The Post reported. "Many bullies now target other children differently than they used to, with kids as young as 6 mimicking the president's insults and the cruel way he delivers them." This unsettling trend speaks of a deeper malaise and entrenched divisions. David Roberts at Vox argued that the United States is in the grips of an "epistemic" crisis: A decades-long right-wing project to create its own media bubble cemented a polarized political reality in which rival camps can't even agree on the facts of their disagreements. "That is what a tribalist like Trump wants: for communication and compromise across tribal lines to become impossible, so that loyalty becomes the only measure and everything is reduced to pure struggle for dominance," Roberts wrote. Lawmakers are still trying to check Trump's power. On Thursday, every Democratic senator and eight Republicans in the Senate passed a resolution to curb Trump's ability to order future strikes against Iran. But Trump is almost certain to veto the latest effort by Congress to assert its oversight authority over an emboldened executive. Former Trump administration officials have emerged in public to criticize the president's behavior and policies, including former White House chief of staff John Kelly on Wednesday. Myriad Republican politicians and operatives in private bemoan Trump's hold on the party, but few are willing to risk overt dissent. Those who do are dragged through the coals by Trump and his loyalists. "The Republican Party is betraying democracy, and these are historical times," Jason Stanley, a Yale philosophy professor and author of "How Fascism Works," told Business Insider. "The Republican Party has shown that it has no interest in multi-party democracy. . . . They are much more concerned with power, with consolidating power." The ruling party's cynicism has engendered visions on the left of its wholesale defeat. "The Republican Party is now a reliable opponent of equality and a malignant force in American life - a cancer within a patient in denial about the nature and severity of her condition," wrote the New Republic's Osita Nwanevu. "It should be not only defeated but destroyed - vanquished from the American political scene with a finality that can only be assured not by electoral politics or structural reforms alone, but by a moral crusade." This is, of course, hardly the first time the United States has been so divided. An important piece in the New Yorker by Harvard historian Jill Lepore examined the sense of democratic crisis that was felt by many Americans in the 1930s. She details the astonishing New Deal-era civic engagement that took place in response, the profusion of debates, publicly backed artistic projects, town halls and radio shows that drew in millions around the country. "Our wisdom or ignorance stands in the way of our accepting the totalitarian assumption of Omniscience," the historian Charles Beard argued at the time, when explaining how Americans would resist the pull of communism or fascism. "And to this extent it contributes to the continuance of the arguing, debating, never-settling-anything-finally methods of political democracy." There's plenty of arguing now in America, but it's hard to see any glimmers of civic reconciliation. _ _ _ Tharoor writes about foreign affairs for The Washington Post. He previously was a senior editor and correspondent at Time magazine, based first in Hong Kong and later in New York. Based in Shenyang, Liaoning province, the Italian American writer had on Feb 5 written a commentary on the social networking site about the global reactions to China during the ongoing novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak. The article, titled Something's Not Right Here Folks, delves into the overreaction of some Western governments, the discrimination against Chinese people and Western media coverage that discredits the Chinese government's efforts in controlling the epidemic. Cavolo also compares China's response to the novel coronavirus epidemic with the 2009 H1N1 pandemic in the United States, and highlights the contrasting reactions to the two health crises. An excerpt of his article, which has since been viewed more than a million times, reads, "During 2009 H1N1 outbreak, I don't recall xenophobic anti-America attacks across the globe, do you? Do you recall it took six months for the United States to declare a national emergency? Did any government from the onset in April 2009 through the end in April 2010, including the month of June, when H1N1 was declared an international emergency global pandemic, then send out a notice to its citizens that they should leave the US? Close their borders to American travelers? Nope, not a peep." In an interview with China Daily on Wednesday, Cavolo explained what compelled him to write the post. "Every country is great, and every country has problems, but when we read major headlines in the West, we find these negative slams, these negative biases. ... I felt tired of it, so I wrote the article, " he said. "Surely enough, I struck a nerve in the hearts of people." Cavolo said that the majority of the comments on his post have been "super supportive", noting that many people agree with him. Maria Vesterlund, a former General Electric senior supply chain manager who is based in Shanghai, is among those who share the sentiment. "We moved to Shanghai last year in August and now sadly face the same media pollution of gossips and panic information spread. ... I hear friends telling me they don't go to the local Chinese restaurants in Munich or Frankfurtafraid of the coronavirus," she wrote in her comment on Cavolo's post. "We stay here and do not run away. ... We feel with the people here, locals and expats who suffer the consequences, closing their shops, missing their incomes for living, staying home for weeks, not meeting friends, missing all the joy of lifeto support the stop of spread around." Born in Yonkers, New York, Cavolo moved to China in 1999 and worked as a consultant for various companies before starting his own business in public relations. He has written two books on China's economic boom and lived in several cities across the country, including Chengdu in Sichuan province, Hangzhou in Zhejiang province and Shanghai. He currently resides in Shenyang, his wife's hometown. While Cavolo noted that China's management of the SARS epidemic in 2003 was not ideal, he pointed out that the authorities have learned from past experience and have responded better to the current crisis. "Chinese media have been talking more and more about problems happening in the society, and problems of the government are discussed on the news," he added. "Such things are not being suppressed, which was what the West accuses China of. Such accusations are not sensible and have to stop." Cavolo said that it is important for people to empathize with the Chinese at this point in time and to seek to uplift their spirits as they work to combat the virus. He also expressed confidence that the epidemic will pass by the time spring arrives. "I think I will play the piano and do a victory concert in spring," he said. "There will be victory concerts all over the country, and we will have a great time and things will be even better than people expect. Wuhan, stay strong! China, stay strong!" he said. Video credits Reporter: Xing Yi Video editors: Gao Wenxuan, Jiang Yijing Subtitles: Ma Chi, Li Danqing Coordinator: Wang Chengmeng Presenters: Zhang Chunyan, Wang Jianfen Supervisor: Han Lei Producer: Wang Hao SOURCE China Daily New Delhi, Feb 14 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath met party's interim chief Sonia Gandhi in Delhi on Friday in the wake of many leaders questioning the implementation of the party's manifesto in the state. "I have met the party president and discussed how much the government in the state has been able to fulfil the Vachan Patra (manifesto)," Kamal Nath said. Senior party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia has spoken about party's seriousness on fulfilling the promises made to the people of Madhya Pradesh. "If the Congress makes a promise, then it will fulfil it. Otherwise, we'll come on roads." Nath denied that the meeting was called for a discussion on Rajya Sabha polls or state cabinet expansion. A few state Congress leaders have of late demanded that the party stick to the promises made in the manifesto. State Minister Govind Singh recently said at a public function that lack of funds was the reason why some promises have not been fulfilled. [February 13, 2020] Big Data Exchange (BDx) Announces Construction of Nanjing Data Center HONG KONG, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- BDx announced the construction of its newest data center in Nanjing, China this week, set to launch June 2020. Including facilities currently being acquired, BDx will have eight data centers in cities across two continents, including Nanjing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Singapore and London. Once live, the Nanjing data center will connect to the BDx Global Operating Platform (BGOP) with its unique, fully redundant command and control systems. Using the BDx Single Pane portal, a customer in Nanjing can interconnect across the BDx cluster as well as to public clouds and third-party data centers with one click. The BDx Global Operating Platform allows local teams to leverage automated modules and offers customers smart hands in Nanjing and every other facility patched into the BGOP. In addition to serving the local industry, this facility will allow Chinese OTTs colocating in Nanjing to access overseas eyeballs from wherever BDx has a data Center or a PoP (Point of Presence). "Our new Nanjing data center is strategically located in the geographic center of the newly defined Yangtze River Delta, China's richest reion and the country's biggest import and export base," said Bill Gao, Executive Vice President & CEO for BDx China. "Its location and connectivity help BDx form a network hub designed to meet rising internet and cloud exchange demands from international and domestic customers." With 3,800 racks available, this facility is ideal for local organizations, Chinese OTTs and overseas companies looking to house their IT infrastructures in China. "We are pleased to present this latest addition to the growing global BDx platform," said David Kim, Executive Vice President & Head of Global Operations for BDx. "This Tier 3, purpose-built facility features a state-of-the-art network, power and environmental infrastructure, and security systems. It will be managed by our global service operations center and customer success teams and follows the highest standards of reliability, security and redundancy." About BDx Big Data Exchange (BDx) is a content exchange platform with data centers throughout Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore and the U.K. Its unique hybrid cloud, connectivity and colocation solutions offer unparalleled security and reliability for the IT infrastructure of its global clientele. As a carrier-neutral provider, BDx creates a secure hybrid ecosystem with its BDx Federated SDN, BDx Armour, and BDx Single Pane offerings, providing connectivity solutions across Asia and the U.K. By using BDx automated modules, BDx is able to provide customers with a level of customization that rivals competitors in efficiency and cost, offering them the ability to manage physical racks with the same ease as working in public clouds. To learn more, visit www.bdxworld.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Media Contact: Jaymie Scotto & Associates (JSA) [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1090215/BDx_Data_Centers_Nanjing_China.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1086297/BDx_Logo.jpg SOURCE BDx Data Centers [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan ministry of foreign affairs of the government of national accord (GNA) Thursday called on the UN Security Council to demand accountability from the perpetrators of the violation of the ceasefire in Libya, after several missiles and shells were dropped on several Tripoli districts, killing a woman and wounding three others Corporate Canada is getting increasingly frustrated by protests that have paralyzed parts of the countrys biggest railway, with one business chief calling on the government to end the eco-terrorism. Demonstrators have been disrupting railroads and other infrastructure across Canada for more than a week to protest TC Energy Corp.s planned $6.6 billion Coastal GasLink pipeline. The conduit would carry natural gas from Western Alberta to Kitimat, British Columbia, where the gas will be turned into LNG for export. Chief executive officers at Magna International Inc. and the Mullen Group Ltd. condemned the protests on Canadian National Railway Co. lines which are stymieing shipments of grain, propane, lumber and consumer goods. This is a good case of insanity, Magnas Don Walker said in an interview with BNN Bloomberg on Thursday. The protests are a very bad situation that hurts Canadian business and its perceived competitiveness on a global scale. Mullen Group CEO Murray Mullen called the disruptions a form of eco-terrorism on the oilfield services groups quarterly earnings call. Mullen said the government should do something to ease the tensions before the economy is affected by the disruption in the supply chain. Calls to the Okotoks, Alberta-based companys main office line were not returned. Potential layoffs CN Rail said Thursday that it has been forced to start the shutdown of its operations in eastern Canada. Over 400 trains have been cancelled in the past week and this may lead to temporary job cuts soon, the company said in a statement. This situation is regrettable for its impact on the economy and on our railroaders as these protests are unrelated to CNs activities, and beyond our control, said Jean-Jacques Ruest, chief executive office of the railway, said in a statement. The protesters are supporting some members of the Wetsuweten Nation, an Indigenous group which claims control over territory the pipeline would cross. Other members of the group are in favour of the project. Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller asked the protesters to end the disruption. My request, that I ask you kindly to consider, is to discontinue the protest and barricade of the train tracks as soon as practicable, he said in an email, which he posted to Facebook on Thursday. Miller also asked to meet with the First Nations group. Respectful dialogue Earlier this week Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the intensifying protests are of concern and added that his government will be engaging with ministers to look at next possible steps. 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. The protests are putting Trudeau in a bind. He got elected last year partly on a platform to reduce Canadas carbon output and improve the environment but his government also bought another pipeline to help ease bottlenecks that are cutting the price of the countrys crude. On Thursday, CN Rail spokesman Jonathan Abecassis said by phone that a disruption west of Winnipeg was disbanded. That demonstration, had affected traffic between western and eastern Canada and south into the U.S. This is a second hit to CN Rail in three months after a worker strike in November also halted shipments. Proponents vs. opponents While two in five Canadians say they support the protesters, a slight majority support the Coastal GasLink project itself, according to a poll conducted by the Angus Reid Institute. In each case, whether its the protesters or the pipeline, Canadians are divided into two sizable groups on each side of the issue, the report said. Still, Canadians are mostly confident that the Coastal GasLink pipeline will be completed, according to the survey. About 57 per cent believe that while it will take longer to build, it will still be completed and 34 per cent have full confidence that it will go ahead regardless. Crude-by-rail At least three Eastern Canadian refineries supplied by CNs rail network have been cut off from crude-by-rail shipments on the system. The refineries account for about a third of the countrys refining capacity and include Irving Oil Corp.s Saint John plant in New Brunswick, Canadas biggest, Valero Energy Corp.s Quebec City refinery and Suncor Energy Inc.s Montreal plant. Valero and Irving didnt respond to emails seeking comment. We are closely monitoring the situation and are currently exploring alternate methods of distribution and have put measures in place to manage inventory, a Suncor spokeswoman said. We continue to take steps to mitigate any potential impacts. (Adds measures planned elsewhere, new cases, deaths in Hubei) * Those who refuse will be punished, state-backed daily says * Hubei reports 2,420 new cases, 139 more deaths on Friday * Cities, offices and factories still struggling with restrictions * Graphics on the outbreak https://tmsnrt.rs/2GVwIyw By Kevin Yao BEIJING, Feb 14 (Reuters) - People returning to the Chinese capital Beijing from extended holidays on Friday were ordered to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine to help prevent spread of the new coronavirus, as hard-hit Hubei province reported more than 2,400 new cases. The official Beijing Daily newspaper said people failing to obey would be punished but it was not immediately clear how that would be enforced, or whether the restrictions would apply to non-residents of Beijing or foreigners arriving from abroad. "From now on, all those who have returned to Beijing should stay at home or submit to group observation for 14 days after arriving," read the notice from Beijing's virus prevention working group cited by the Beijing Daily. "Those who refuse to accept home or centralised observation and other prevention and control measures will be held accountable under law," it said. Stricter containment measures were planned elsewhere as well. Honghu city in Hubei province imposed a "wartime" lock-down beginning on Friday, with strict management of entry into housing compounds and villages, according to an official social media account of the local police, China's CCTV reported. Hubei officials said there were 2,420 new cases on Friday and 139 more deaths. A top Chinese official, in an interview with Reuters, acknowledged that coronavirus was a huge challenge, but defended Beijing's management of the epidemic and lashed out at the "overreaction" of some countries. State Councillor Wang Yi, who also serves as China's foreign minister, said China has taken decisive measures to fight the epidemic, many going beyond international health regulations and World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Story continues "Through our efforts the epidemic is overall under control," he said. China is struggling to get the world's second largest economy going after the annual Lunar New Year holiday, which was extended by 10 days to help contain the highly contagious virus. Including the latest numbers from Hubei at the epicenter of the outbreak, the total number of cases in mainland China now exceeds 66,000, with more than 1,500 deaths. The figures show no sign that the outbreak is nearing a peak, said Adam Kamradt-Scott, an infectious diseases expert at the Centre for International Security Studies at the University of Sydney. With 500 million people already affected by movement and travel restrictions, President Xi Jinping warned top officials last week that efforts to contain the virus had gone too far and were threatening the economy, sources said. In Beijing and the business hub Shanghai, streets and subways remain largely deserted with many shops and restaurants empty or shut. Government employee Jin Yang, 28, made it to his Beijing office and found it "anything but normal." Canteen lunches are banned in favour of boxed meals eaten at desks. Meetings are held online, not in person. Employees must wear masks all day and report their temperature twice a day as fever is one of the virus' main symptoms. Outside mainland China, there have been nearly 450 cases in some 24 countries and territories, and three deaths. Japan confirmed its first coronavirus death on Thursday. One person has died in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines. WUHAN'S SELF-HELP Wuhan, the central Chinese city of 11 million people where the outbreak began, has been hardest hit by the virus. With all public transport, taxis and ride-hailing services shut down in the city, volunteer drivers are responding to requests on ad hoc messaging groups to ferry medical staff and others in vital jobs to and from work, risking their own health. Others work round the clock to find accommodation for medical workers in hotels that have volunteered rooms. "Everyone in our group has such a strong sense of mission," said 53-year-old Chen Hui, who runs one of the ad hoc ride services. The virus is killing around 2% of those infected, but has spread faster than other respiratory viruses that emerged this century. A WHO-led joint mission with China will start its outbreak investigation work this weekend, focusing on how the new coronavirus is spreading and its severity, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. The mission will also seek more details on how, where and when the more than 1,700 healthworkers infected contracted the new virus, WHO officials said. The mission will also look into what "information is needed so that the world can use this window of opportunity to prepare health systems and workers for possible outbreaks," Tedros said. SLOWDOWN Economists polled by Reuters said China's economic downturn would be short-lived if the outbreak was contained, but expected this quarter would show China's slowest growth rate since the global financial crisis. The Chinese carmakers' association said auto sales in China were likely to slide more than 10% in the first half of the year because of the epidemic. Vietnam has imposed a 20-day quarantine on Son Loi, a rural community outside Hanoi where 11 of the country's 16 coronavirus cases are located, two local officials said. The virus is taking its toll on the $46 billion global ocean cruise industry. The biggest cluster of infections outside China has been on a cruise liner quarantined in a Japanese port, with 218 people on board infected and taken to hospital. On Friday, some passengers were allowed to disembark to complete their quarantine on shore. (Reporting by Yilei Sun, Huizhong Wu, Vincent Lee, Brenda Goh, Gabriel Crossley, Kevin Yao, Cheng Leng and David Stanway in Beijing; Prak Chan Thul in Sihanoukville; Hideyuki Sano in Tokyo; Colin Packham and Paulina Duran in Sydney; Uday Sampath in Bengaluru; Ryan Woo and Alessandra Galloni in Berlin; Writing by Lincoln Feast, Kevin Liffey and Bill Berkrot Editing by Philippa Fletcher, Timothy Heritage and Sonya Hepinstall) 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. Action is needed to limit disease risks caused by tourists viewing mountain gorillas." Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, CEO of Conservation Through Public Health and a co-author on the study 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." Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis today met with the Swedish Ambassador to Athens, Charlotte Sammelin. The subject of the meeting was bilateral cooperation with Sweden on exchange of know-how and adoption of best practices for dealing with climate change, protecting the environment and promoting the circular economy. The talks focused on sustainable development. Specifically, the two sides put forward their proposals for circular economy actions, maritime spatial planning and related prospects for cooperation. Mr. Varvitsiotis expressed his increased interest in the issue, stressing that the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU promoted maritime spatial planning during his time as Minister of Shipping. Finally, the Alternate Minister accepted the Swedish sides proposal to hold a workshop at the University of Stockholm this spring, with the participation of Greek and Swedish academics, in preparation for the collaboration between the two sides. Velcro, the social media rosella, is my kind of bird. He flies around spreading joy, stealing sunflower seeds, sounding like a ringtone, and occasionally landing on some unsuspecting passer-bys head, posts teacher Suzanne Wild on Facebook of her familys free-wheeling pet. He is not lost. He does not need to be rescued. Hes just living his best life Barely a day passes without fresh news of Velcros exploits around the Redcliffe Peninsula on Brisbanes northern fringe, where he flits from home to home. The feisty little parrots fame grew recently when, after a brief morning visit to his official home with the Wild family at seaside Woody Point, Velcro turned up later the same day at a house in Burpengary more than 20 kilometres inland. The owners had recognised Velcro from the community Facebook site. Illustration by Simon Letch. Credit: Who is this rainbow-hued marvel? Id hoped for a personal introduction, but when I arrive at the Wild residence, the bird of the moment is busy elsewhere. He just does what he likes these days, shrugs Suzanne, who no longer bothers retrieving Velcro from his various hangouts. My main role now is just to manage his Facebook page [Velcros Journey, 495 followers]. The saga began last summer when Wild, her husband, Jacob, and their two young sons were given a bald eastern rosella chick by a relative whod found him squeaking piteously beneath a gum tree. Never keen on cages, the couple named the foundling Velcro (because of how he clung to them) and let him develop his flair for aerobatics inside their home. The first time he escaped, the family thought hed gone for good: We all had a big cry then, later that day, he was back, screeching for his dinner. And thats been the pattern ever since. This week, news also emerged that Harry had been in talks with another major U.S. investment bank, Goldman Sachs. The theory, put forward by a top U.K. public relations expert, is that the duke would line himself up to be a speaker for the banks Talks at GS series, videotaped conversations with celebrities who are considered to be leading thinkers who can share insights and ideas shaping the world. The talks are not paid but the exposure can lead to other corporate deals and work as brand ambassadors, the public relations expert said. New Delhi, Feb 14 : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will on Tuesday assess the impact of Coronavirus, presently endemic in China, on Indian trade and industry, the Finance Ministry said on Friday. The Finance Minister would be meeting industry associations on Tuesday along with Secretaries in the Ministry, the ministry said in a tweet, retweeted by her. Sitharaman has cancelled her engagements in Bengaluru scheduled on Tuesday for the meet but her programmes in Hyderabad and Bengaluru on Sunday and Monday respectively remain as scheduled, the tweets said. While so far the potential loss to India from Coronavirus has not been assessed by the government, India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) recently said it does not expect the outbreak to materially affect Indian corporates' supply chains in the near term, provided it remains contained in the Hubei province. In case the virus is transmitted over the next three to four months, the extent of supply chain disruptions globally could be higher than that during the 2003 SARS outbreak. The quantum of impact on sectors would be contingent on the nature of business activity and the nature of linkages the rest of the world has with mainland China. Coronavirus outbreak is an opportunity for India to expand exports, Chief Economic Advisor Krishnamurthy Subramanian said recently. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) PHILADELPHIA The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis its worst blood shortage in more than a decade. Dangerously low blood supply levels are posing a concerning risk to patient care and forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become [] MIDDLETOWN Mercy High School has earned the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles. Schools honored with the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded young womens access to AP computer science courses, according to a press release. Out of the 20,000 institutions that offer AP courses, 818 achieved this important result during the 2018-19 school year nearly 20 percent more than the 685 schools recognized last year. In 2019, Mercy was one of 639 recognized in the category of AP Computer Science Principles. An additional 36 schools received the award for both CSP and CSA, the release added. Were proud to see the creativity, commitment, and enthusiasm our female students have demonstrated in their study of AP Computer Science Principles, President Mary McCarthy said in a prepared statement. As educators and administrators, we believe a STEM education plays a critical role in fostering a lifelong relationship with learning and setting our female students on a path to success in a 21st-century workforce. Schools receiving the award have achieved either 50 percent or higher female representation in either or both of the AP computer science courses, or the percentage of female computer science examinees meets or exceeds that of the schools female population. Mercy is empowering young women to see themselves as creators, innovators, and problem-solvers, Stefanie Sanford, College Board global policy chief, said in a statement. We hope to see even more high schools inspire female students to harness the potential of an AP computer science education. The introduction of AP Computer Science Principles in 2016 was the largest course launch in AP Program history. In 2019, nearly 100,000 students took the AP CSP exam, more than doubling participation in three years. During that time, the number of female AP CSP students has far outpaced overall growth, with an increase of 136 percent. Providing female students with access to computer science courses is necessary to ensuring gender parity in high-paying technology jobs and to drive innovation, creativity, and competition. A 2014 Google study found that women are more likely to pursue computer science if they are given the opportunity to explore it in high school, according to Mercy. This is the second year in a row that Mercy received the AP CSP Award. In 2018, the school also received the AP CSA Award. Beds and tables that disappear into ceilings. Lobby consoles that let residents use facial recognition to enter their condo buildings. Apps that alert you when packages are delivered to your building. Sensors that detect water leaks. Theyre all part of the new smart technology that condos across the city and country are using to make life more efficient for residents. All very futuristic. Some of it similar to the kind of technology that Sidewalk Labs says it would feature if given the go-ahead to launch its Quayside smart-city project on Torontos waterfront. But does this technology, meant to make our home lives easier, help or hurt us? There are experts who welcome the technology, saying it helps residents better manage their busy lives. But others say some of the devices raise concerns about privacy and consent, arguing the technology can be intrusive and residents may not be able to opt-out if, for example, they are economically vulnerable and have limited choices when it comes to living in a building that uses smart tech. Sidewalk Labs, a Manhattan-based urban innovation firm and sister company of Google, recently invested in Ori, a Boston-based start-up that specializes in robotic furniture for homes. Using a device on a wall, residents can push a button that moves furniture out of the way to create more space. Wed like to use this here (at Quayside), says Keerthana Rang, a spokesperson for Sidewalk Labs, the firm that wants to build a tech-based district in Toronto that would feature data-collecting sensors, wood buildings and self-driving cars, among other innovations. Waterfront Toronto, a tri-government agency, has until May 20 to approve or reject the Quayside project. Sidewalk Labs decided to invest in Ori this past fall (Swedish furniture maker Ikea has also formed a partnership with Ori) because space will be an issue in some of the condo units Sidewalk hopes to build at Quayside, their spokesperson says. Were looking at a range of housing sizes. Forty per cent of the units will be family sized, but the rest will be one bedrooms and studios. How do we make use of small spaces? This product could help (address) that, Rang said in an interview. Sidewalk Labs has also had discussions with several firms operating in Canada that specialize in smart technology for highrise buildings. One of them, Canadian-owned and operated 1Valet, which has offices in Gatineau, Que., and Toronto, integrates and connects smart technology in buildings. Founder and president Jean-Pierre Poulin established the business after determining operators of big buildings were slow to adopt technologies that could bring about efficiencies. Among the many products 1Valet produces is a smart console for building lobbies that features a large touchscreen that uses facial recognition technology. Residents have to take pictures of their face in advance. The photos are entered into the system and when the resident shows up at a later time the system scans their face to match the photo. One building in Ottawa already has the technology. Everything uses bank-level encryption. These are peoples homes, where they go at the end of the day to feel safe. So we didnt want to create this (system) without that being top of mind, company spokesperson Hugo Moreira says. Individuals concerned about having their images stored in a database can opt out of the system and use a fob, the company says. (Sidewalk Labs has said it doesnt intend to use facial recognition.) 1Valet also produces portals for property managers, where the latter can operate a building off site. A buildings HVAC system, boilers, water temperature all of these systems and more can be put on a laptop dashboard that allows the property manager to monitor them. Notification alerts can tell the manager when something goes wrong, such as a boiler overheating. Package delivery for residents has also been made easier through 1Valet. Once a package arrives in the building, a resident receives an alert on a cellphone app. The resident goes to the room in the building where the package is stored in a secure locker. Using a QR code the resident virtually signs for the package and the storage door automatically opens. In Toronto, the average building gets 120 packages a day delivered this process eliminates a lot of steps, says Serge Perras, director of integration for 1Valet. Other companies operating in Canada, including Markham-based SmartOne Solutions and Building Link Canada, a satellite of a New York-based company, offer similar smart-tech solutions based on artificial intelligence, cloud-based technology and mobile apps. Hundreds of buildings in the Greater Toronto Area and Canada have been turning to this technology, operators say. The devices are popular in other parts of the world, particularly South Korea. The highrise at 10 York St. in Toronto was one of the first in the GTA to be embedded with smart technology, including a wall pad in condo units that gives residents a security alarm, the ability to communicate with their concierge and cameras that link to entrances to the building. Residents can capture images of these areas. Ted Maulucci, co-founder and president of SmartOne Solutions, which installed their smart community system at 10 York, says he doesnt consider the technology invasive. Say your parents are living in your condo and they are older, we can pair your phone to their suite. We have a smoke detector and a leak detector. You can see when theyve burned something in the kitchen. You can tell if there is a leak. Are they OK? You can see a light went on. Theres a motion detector. SmartOne, alone, says they have smart tech in 10,000 units in more than 30 buildings in the GTA. The key to using this technology is thinking about privacy every step of the way, Maulucci says. So I dont store someones date of birth because I dont need it. The last name and date of birth creates identity. If theres a need to store something that creates identity you encrypt it, Maulucci says, adding, You need to be thoughtful, smart and do your due diligence when it comes to dealing with identity. His firm is working with the University of Ottawa on data privacy issues and embracing the concept of privacy by design a system developed by former Ontario information and privacy commissioner Ann Cavoukian, which calls for privacy to be prioritized at every step of the engineering process. Were very aware of this issue (privacy) and have the right people behind it, Maulucci says. But Brenda McPhail, director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Associations privacy, technology and surveillance project, says she has concerns about the wide array of smart applications increasingly being embedded in buildings. It is those technologies that collect either personal information, like facial recognition, or information about how we behave in our homes and offices, like waste or power sensors, that raise the biggest issues, she says. Its obvious why facial recognition is a privacy issue it essentially turns our face into a fingerprint that can be read remotely, matched to other photos of us remotely, and potentially used for secondary purposes that extend far beyond just telling the door to open for us in a building lobby, she says. She went on to say it might be less obvious why behavioural information is a privacy concern if its just indicating when lights are turned on, for example, in what room, at what time. But when that information is being collected in a granular way about the place we live, its absolutely personal information about how we use the space in our homes, and it carries with it a big question about how that information might be used. Will the building of the future penalize us if we leave lights on when we go out? McPhail says. Her other concern is consent. What options do people have to meaningfully consent to the use of such technologies that are built into the infrastructure? Different people may well have very different vulnerabilities to the kinds of pervasive monitoring such products are capable of, she went on to say. Its very different to embed such sensors in an expensive condo and an affordable housing complex because of the degree of genuine choice individuals have about opting into the built-in monitoring embedded in the buildings, she says. However, Erin Bury, a technology expert and entrepreneur who is CEO of an online estate planning startup in Toronto, says as a longtime condo resident she appreciates any technology that helps her stay connected and helps her manage daily life in the building. Im moving into a new building in a few weeks, and am hoping they use something like Bazinga, which is more user-friendly and reflective of the digital-savvy residents that make up Torontos condos. I say when it comes to condo tech, the more smart tech the better, Bury says. Bazinga is condo management software with numerous functions. For example, it allows users to create a private social network with fellow residents in a building, book amenity rooms and use a cellphone to receive urgent updates and alerts from management. Smart technology is also useful, proponents say, for building maintenance issues such as water leaks. Leak detection is a significant ongoing issue for building operators, says Nicholas Gill, director of marketing and sales for Building Link Canada. In the highrise condo market, its almost at crisis proportions. The number of condos and other buildings leaking in Toronto from taps left on, to water main leaks, we understand this, Gill says. The company has sensors that can pinpoint where the leaks are. Data collected from the sensors can also be tracked using analytics. We can look at analytics and we can say that a building had 42 leaks in the last 12 months. That kind of data starts flowing and providing directions to go in terms of how we need to approach and mitigate these issues, Gill says, noting that leaks can impact insurance premiums, for example. Building operators are relying more heavily on companies like ours to create more efficiencies by providing more data from sensors and software so the (operators) can make better decisions, Gill says. Read more about: At the end of January 2020 Poland became the latest export customer for the F-35 stealth fighter. Poland ordered 32 F-35A land-based versions for $4.6 billion, with the possibility of later increasing that to 48. The current order comes to $144 million per aircraft but the deal includes training of pilots and ground personnel as well as maintenance equipment, tech support and logistical infrastructure. Delivery will begin in 2024 and continue until 2030 with 4-6 aircraft arriving each year. The first six Polish F-35As will be based in the United States for several years for use in training the first 24 Polish pilots and 90 maintainers. The first Polish F-35A squadron should be combat-ready by 2026. Poland originally wanted 64 F-35s but budget constraints cut that number in half. The Polish air force currently has 28 MiG-29s, 32 Su-22 fighter-bombers and 48 F-16s. Poland will spend over $200 million to upgrade several bases F-35As will operate from. These are bases that the Russian built MiG-29s and Su-22s currently use, but these aircraft will be retired as the F-35As arrive. The Russian aircraft are old and Poland had to decide if they would be replaced by more F-16s or a more modern aircraft like the F-35A. This led to some history-minded Poles noting that by obtaining F-35s it would be the first time in history that Poland had more advanced combat aircraft than Germany. Most European nations are buying locally made jets, mainly the Eurofighter, Rafale or Gripen. None of these are stealthy and are more comparable to late model F-16s, F-15s and F-18s. Britain bought F-35Bs for its navy but still used Eurofighters for the Royal Air Force. Currently, Britain, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Italy and Netherlands are F-35 customers. Turkey was one customer that was recently banned from receiving F-35s because of security concerns, like buying Russian air defense systems and similar hostile behavior for a NATO member. Greece, Romania and Spain are considering the F-35. Elsewhere Canada, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Australia are all buying F-35s. Several of those countries are, like the United States and Britain, buying F-35Bs to operate from carriers. In the case of Japan and South Korea, the carriers are actually amphibious ships or slightly larger Japanese destroyer helicopter carriers. New or prospective customers for the F-35 are attracted by the enthusiasm of those who have flown the F-35. There are only about a 500 F-35 pilots (and about ten times as many maintainers who keep h F-35s ready to fly) now but that number is rapidly increasing and they all confirm that the F-35 is not just a modern stealth aircraft but incorporates software and a degree of built-in automation that produces a spectacular, easy to use and very effective pilot experience. The F-35 has a large number of sensors (receivers for electronic signals, six cameras and a very capable radar) and the fusion of all that data and presentation to the pilot based on the current situation is impressive and makes the F-35 much easier to fly, despite all the additional capabilities it has. This sort of thing is not a new idea. By the 1990s it was recognized that this new technology (called data fusion) would be a key capability for combat aircraft as well as ships and ground forces. Put simply, it's all about taking real-time vidcam, radar and sensor data plus other information about the battlefield situation (all sorts of databases and reports), and combining it to provide commanders with a better understanding of current operations, preferably in real-time if you are a fighter pilot. Pilots agree that the heart of the F-35 superior capabilities is its software along with the digital communications with other aircraft and troops on the ground. The F-35 is apparently the best working example of this so far and what is learned from the F-35 software has become the basis for updated software for older aircraft. But beyond the data fusion, and automatic sharing with other aircraft or systems on the ground, the pilots were impressed about how effective the pilot assistant software was. This is another concept that has been around for decades and more frequently installed in new aircraft. These minor advances get reported but never make headlines. But given the F-35s' stealth, maneuverability and sensor/data fusion, most pilots quickly become enthusiastic proponents of the aircraft. The F-35 software is more complex and omnipresent throughout the aircraft than in any previous warplane. Because of that, it requires a major effort to implement and test any software changes. So some major upgrades are needed in how F-35 software changes are made and how quickly. In wartime this would be essential as otherwise vulnerable aircraft would be grounded when needed most. As of early 2020 over 500 F-35s have been delivered, mostly to the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps. In 2018 alone 133 were delivered and that is expected to rise to 141 in 2020 with additional slight increases in annual deliveries until 2023. By the end of 2020 about 650 F-35s will be in service. Over 4,000 F-35s are expected to be delivered by the mid-2030s with more than 70 percent going to the United States. The 31 ton F-35 is armed with an internal 25mm cannon and, before the SDB (GPS guided Small Diameter Bomb) arrived, four internal air-to-air missiles (or two missiles and two smart bombs) plus four external smart bombs and two missiles. A new bomb rack allows the F-35 to carry eight SDBs internally. All sensors are carried internally and max weapon load is 6.8 tons. The aircraft is very stealthy when just carrying internal weapons. Currently, there are orders for nearly 3,000 F-35s. Most of these (1,700) are F-35As for the U.S. Air Force and 500 to foreign customers. Most of the 540 vertical takeoff F-35Bs on order are for the U.S. Marine Corps and all of the 340 F-35Cs (aircraft carrier version) are for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The F-35B costs about $135 million each and the F-35C about $120 million. This is more than the $90 million F-35A partly because many more F-35As are being built and carrier versions have to be ruggedized to handle the harsh treatment received when it makes a carrier landing. The air force would call such an event a hard landing and pull the aircraft out of service for a thorough checkup for damage. The F-35C is built to regularly survive those hard landings, as well as constant exposure to corrosive salt water. The F-35B makes gentler landings and can take off like a helicopter thanks to the special engine exhaust system that puts the propulsive jet exhaust under the aircraft. Prices on F-35s are declining as production increases with the F-35A getting as low as $80 million each in a few years. In 2001 the U.S. believed 5,100 F-35s would be sold but the rising costs and increasing delays drove that down to 3,100 by 2013 and 2,500 by 2018. Now that some F-35s are actually in service (F-35As and 35Bs) and getting good reviews from users, sales are increasing. Or maybe not, because there is a lot still to be discovered about how well the F-35 will do in comparison to the many F-16s, F-15s, F-18s and AV-8s it will replace. The F-35C was supposed to enter service in 2018 but that didnt happen until January 2020. That has no impact on foreign sales because few, if any, were ever expected for the F-35C. Shares of two out of three telecom companies were trading higher ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on the telecos' plea on AGR-related dues scheduled for today. Vodafone Idea surged 12.05% to Rs 5.02 while Bharti Airtel rose 0.82% to Rs 544.20. Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) fell 3.30% to Rs 3.52. The Supreme Court will hear fresh pleas of telecom firms, including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Tata Teleservices, seeking a new schedule of payment of statutory dues to the tune of Rs 1.47 lakh crore to the Department of Telecommunications. A bench of justices Arun Mishra, S Abdul Nazeer and M R Shah will hear a batch of petitions filed by telecom companies in open court. The pleas filed by Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel, and Tata Teleservices have sought more time for payment of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) related dues. The telecom companies want to negotiate a fresh payment schedule with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), which has issued demand notices to them. The Supreme Court on January 21 agreed to hear the modification plea filed by telecom operators on giving them more time to pay off adjusted gross revenue (AGR) related dues. The development will allow telecom operators to negotiate a sustainable payment schedule for AGR dues. The Cellular Operators Association of India had earlier sought a 14-year period to pay off these dues. Earlier on 16 January, the apex court had dismissed review petitions of telecom firms seeking review of its earlier order asking them to pay Rs 1.47 lakh crore in statutory dues by January 23, saying it did not find any "justifiable reason" to entertain them. The Supreme Court in October 2019 had ruled in favor of the government on the AGR (adjusted gross revenue) issue, with grave revenue implications to the tune of over Rs 92,000 crore for the ailing telecom sector. AGR is the basis on which DoT calculates levies payable by operators. Telecom operators are liable to pay around 3-5% and 8% of the AGR as spectrum usage charges and licence fees, respectively, to DoT. Telcos argued that AGR should comprise revenue from telecom services, but DoT insisting that AGR should include all revenue earned by an operator, including that from non-core telecom operations. The apex court upheld the definition of AGR provided by DoT, putting an end to a 14-year old legal battle between telecom operators and the government. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 'If the envoys are satisfied, it will either mean they are naive or that they are not serious about their trip, which they probably regard as some kind of a picnic, a much-needed break from their dreary routine in Delhi,' notes Amulya Ganguli. Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: Security personnel maintain a vigil as foreign ambassadors take a cruise on Srinagar's scenic Dal Lake. Winter is not the best time to go to Kashmir. But if you are being given a free ride by the government, why blame the cold? It is odd, however, that the government is choosing the wintry months to escort the foreign ambassadors around the Union territory. There have been two such groups in recent months which have gone to what the Mughals called a heaven on earth. Is winter the chosen season for the junkets to ensure that the visitors will ascribe the largely deserted streets to the weather? In any event, as the envoys enjoy their shikara rides on the picturesque Dal lake, taking pictures of the surroundings, attending sumptuous meals and conversing with the lieutenant governor and the army top brass, is there anyone among them who will wonder about the unreality of it all? For, if their intention is to ascertain the reality of the conditions in Kashmir, they are likely to fail. Instead, they will get a distorted picture which the authorities will try to pass off as the real one. Since the envoys are on a closely monitored tour, they will not meet any of the locals on their own: Only those who have been carefully chosen by the government after being vetted for their reliability. They also probably know the consequences of deviating from the script in their conversations. It is because the envoys will not be allowed to go out without a police escort to talk with the locals that some of them had opted out of an earlier guided tour. If the subsequent trippers have been less squeamish, it is presumably because they do not want to let go of the opportunity of an all-expenses paid trip even if the reports which they will submit to their respective governments afterwards will not tell the truth about the situation in Kashmir. It is unclear of what use such reports will be to anyone. When the government escorted the East European members of the European parliament to Kashmir, one of them had said that the Indian MPs should also be allowed to visit the Union territory. The government did not take that advice. Nor has it cared to release any of the three jailed former chief ministers and a number of activists apparently because they pose a grave danger to Kashmir and the nation. The envoys, of course, will not be allowed to meet any of them. The answers they will get if they ask about them are known -- that these are dangerous people whose place is behind bars. For how long? That depends on whether they give a written undertaking that they will not say anything, let alone indulge in political activity, if they are let off. If the envoys are satisfied with the response, it will either mean that they are naive or that they are not serious about their trip, which they probably regard as some kind of a picnic, a much-needed break from their dreary routine in Delhi. In either case, it will underline their lack of professionalism. Any report which they send back home will be fit for the wastepaper basket. Amulya Ganguli is a writer on current affairs Dublin, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Sous Vide Machine Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2020 - 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global sous vide machine market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 27% during the period 2019-2025. Key Market Insights The analysis of the global sous vide machine market provides market sizing and growth opportunities for the forecast period 2020-2025. Offers market sizing and growth prospects of the market for the forecast period 2020-2025. Provides comprehensive insights on the latest industry trends, market forecast, and growth drivers in the market. Includes a detailed analysis of market growth drivers, challenges, and investment opportunities. Delivers a complete overview of market segments and the regional outlook of the market. Offers an exhaustive summary of the vendor landscape, competitive analysis, and key market strategies to gain a competitive advantage in the market. With advancements in food technology, several restaurant operators are emphasizing on the usage of sous vide machines in their outlets as they offer excellent results, thereby attracting a high number of consumers. It is one of the modernized cooking techniques. Sous vide processes help in cooking the food with incomparable texture and taste. The food prepared through this technology retains all its nutritional value along with natural sensory qualities. Further, factors such as consistency, precision, and food quality these processes offer are expected to affect the demand for sous vide processes among consumers favorably. Several restaurants follow the conventional mode of cooking, such as sauting, grilling, steaming or boiling, roasting, or baking. However, with advances in technology and innovations in the food processing segments, especially restaurants, several advanced technologies, and equipment are gaining prominence. Moreover, changing consumer lifestyles are also propelling the demand for new techniques in the food processing segment. Hence, the adoption of new methods of food processing is expected to open avenues for sous vide machine demand in the market. Market Dynamics Growth Enablers Operational and Nutritional Benefits of Sous Vide Safety and Quality of Sous Vide Products Growing Restaurant Industry Growth Restraints Staffing Challenges in the Restaurant Kitchens Threats of Sous Vide in an Unregulated Environment Commoditization and Cheap Pricing of China-built Sous Vide Machines Opportunities and Trends Dynamic Choices Towards Latest Food Processing Techniques Technological Innovations Marketing and Advertising of the Sous Vide Products Sous Vide Machine Market: Segmentation The market research report includes detailed segmentation by product, application, distribution channels, and geography. Immersion circulators are expected to witness growth as they enable smart cooking via interactive applications. These machines are witnessing a widespread usage in the residential sector since they eliminate overcooking and undercooking chances, thereby offering an edge-to-edge perfection in food preparation. Moreover, these appliances come in simple designs, with steady grips, which ease their handling. In terms of holding capacities, immersion circulators are more flexible than water ovens. The application of these appliances has increased at homes as they help to reduce cooking anxiety levels among consumers along with food safety. With advances in technology, premium brand vendors have started to offer enhanced features. The sous vide machine is built-in with precision technology and Bluetooth connectivity, which can be operated remotely with the help of an application. The water ovens segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. With increasing upgrades, sous vide machines are not only becoming convenient but are also preferred by homeowners. However, the availability of certain features, including safety, precise, and well-engineered designs, set these appliances apart. The popularity of sous vide cooking to prepare several food products and dishes among commercial and household segments is gaining traction. This type of cooking is increasing in popularity among restaurant owners and chefs due to the consistency and energy-efficiency this method offers. Major restaurants are emphasizing on procuring advanced and innovative cooking solutions to increase their profitability and reachability. The high emphasis of vendors to launch feature-rich products is expected to increase market competitiveness. Besides, manufacturers are offering products, which are time and cost-saving, thereby enabling productivity gains. Further, safety features such as chances of risk of contamination and reduction in the risk of occurrence of airborne diseases is anticipated to increase its usage over the forecast period. The industrial sous vide method involves cooking food under vacuum in airtight plastic pouches submerged in a water bath/cook tank. The increased focus on nutritional value, quality, and convenience among consumers is drive the growth of this segment. Hence, vendors are increasingly focusing on the adoption of solutions and technologies that cater to changing consumer preferences. Vendors are introducing appliances, which offer excellent cooking experience and comfort. North America is expected to witness significant growth in the industrial segment as restaurants are emphasizing technology/digital investments as well as analytics to attract and engage consumers in a personalized manner, thereby increasing the dining frequency, loyalty, and satisfaction. Sous vide machines are majorly delivered via distribution channels such as manufacturers, dealers & distributors, retailers, and online modes. In the distribution channel process, manufacturers sell products to retailers, which are further expected to sell the same to consumers in the market. To gain a competitive edge, manufacturers are expected to evolve their business practices and strategies. Prominent vendors are striving to understand megatrends, affecting the sous vide machine market. Retail companies emphasize on strong distribution channels for their businesses. Insights by Geography In high-end restaurants in Europe, chefs are showing a significant inclination toward high accurate temperature control during cooking to maintain flavors, texture, and quality alike. With the inclusion of sous vide technology, restaurant chefs are gaining all these benefits, thereby providing enhanced and superior quality food products to customers. The expansion of high-end restaurants across the region and the need to cater to changing consumer preferences are expected to favorably affect the sales of sous vide equipment during the forecast period. Shifting preferences from traditional manual appliances towards automated equipment or technically advanced equipment or tools in Latin America is expected to open opportunities for sous vide manufacturers in the market. The growing demand for high-quality food products with consistency in nutritional value is expected to favorably impact the overall sales of sous machines in the region. The growing usage of technologically advanced products is likely to influence the demand for commercial sous vide machine in the MEA region. With the increasing health consciousness, consumers are likely to opt for foods, which are healthier and perfect in taste. Key Vendor Analysis The global sous vide machine market is highly concentrated due to the presence of several local and global players in the market. The competition is intense among the market players in the different regions of the world. The rapidly changing technological scenario could adversely affect vendors as customers expect continual innovations and upgrades in the domain. Manufacturers emphasize on identifying market opportunities to increase productivity and efficiently use capital resources. The present scenario is driving vendors to alter and refine their unique value proposition. One of the key strategies implemented by market players includes the introduction of differentiated products and solutions for application segments. Hence, companies strive to offer differentiated channels for distribution. Major manufacturers are offering and expanding the product lineup with the launch of innovative techniques, thereby gaining an edge over their competitors. With increasing technological innovations among players, the competition is expected to intensify in the product segment. The growing trend for efficient utilization of capital resources is likely to gain significance. Key competitive factors include reliability and quality, product innovation, product support, pricing, warranty, distribution, financing options, and shelf space. Key Vendors DC Norris & Company Electrolux Breville Other Prominent Vendors Calvetti Culinary Creations CASO Design C&T Design and Equipment Clifton at Home Cuisine Solutions Dover Duravant Eades Appliance Technology Gourmia Grant Creative Cuisine Hamilton Beach Brands JBT Julabo Kitchen Gizmo Metos Manufacturing Nomiku Oliso Plascon Group Russell Hobbs Sammic Stanley Black & Decker Storebound SugarCreek Taurus Group Tribest VacMaster For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1qjw0d Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. The National Commission for Women has ordered an inquiry into stripping of female college students in Gujarat to check if they were menstruating. A panel of the womens rights body has also been directed to meet the victim students. Over 60 undergraduate hostellers were lined up in the restroom and forced to remove their undergarments to prove they were not menstruating at the Sahjanand Girls Institute College in Gujarats Kutch. The NCW has sought an explanation from the officials in charge of the institute, namely, trustee Pravin Pindora and the principal Rita Raniga. The womens body said the institute had indulged in a shameful exercise. Kutch University in-charge Vice Chancellor and the Gujarat police chief have also been asked to file a report to the commission. NCW has also appraised the Kutch University in-charge Vice Chancellor Darshna Dholakia and the DGP of Gujurat, Shivanand Jha (IPS) to look into the matter thoroughly and report to the Commission at the earliest on their action taken report, the NCW statement said. Several women students protested outside the college on Friday against the stripping and the controversial hostel rule barring girls from staying in their rooms when they are menstruating. The college is run by Hindu sect Swaminarayan and the hostel rules dictate that menstruating women students stay in the basement area, away from the kitchen and the place of worship. The dean of Shree Sahajanand Girls Institute said the girls were not forced to take off their undergarments. The matter is related to the hostel. It has nothing to do with the university or college. Everything happened with girls permission, nobody was forced for it. Nobody touched them, said Darshana Dholakia as per a news agency. She added that an inquiry by the institutes administrative committee had been ordered and action could be taken against the staff behind the checks. College trustee Pravin Pindoria said the girls were told about the hostel rules before they took admission, said a news agency. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Democratic Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren is being criticised for saying she accepted a donation from a student with only $6 in the bank. In an interview with an international media outlet, Warren reportedly said that she was still able to count on a dedicated following as the campaign heads towards Nevada and South Carolina. She further started giving a description of a recent donor and said that a young woman told her that she was a 'broke' college student with a lot of loan debt. She further explained that the college student said that she had six dollars in her bank account out of which she gave three dollars to Warren's campaign to keep her running. Warren added that she got to stay in the fight because of the people counting on her. However, Warren even tweeted the video from the interview on Twitter which backfired as she received a lot of criticism from internet users. Several netizens even asked her why she accepted the money. A young girl came up to me tonight and said, Im a broke college student with a lot of student loan debt. I checked and I have $6 in the bankso I just gave $3 to keep you in this fight. Were staying in this fight for the people who are counting on us. pic.twitter.com/AetWhpTJqT Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) February 12, 2020 READ: Warren Says Her Campaign Is Just Getting Started 'Shame on you' One Twitter user wrote, Thats what socialism does. It takes half of the money from people who hardly have any, to begin with, and gives it to those who dont deserve it. Another said, Quit taking $$$ from broke college kids. You aren't going to win and she could have used that $3 towards her debt. Maybe offer an economics class since that student doesn't realize their money is going to fuel your private jet rides. I dont believe a word of this story but if it did happen, shame on you for not giving her her money back. She has no business wasting money on campaigns with six dollars to her name, wrote another. READ: Elizabeth Warren Compares Mike Pence To 'a Dog' At A Rally In New Hampshire You took $3 from a broke student. Nice. That $3 isn't going to make or break you. It will however cause the student not to eat one day. I would have given her the money back and not tweeted about this. But that's none of my business. This reads like a losing tweet. pic.twitter.com/WcZJTQKxI7 Salem (@LilBwadey) February 12, 2020 Elizabeth Warren took 3 dollars from a college student who admitted to having just 6 dollars in her bank account I wonder if Senator Warren will put that towards her $871,000 private jet bill she racked up in 2019 pic.twitter.com/4UUGl9JNfq Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 12, 2020 READ: Nevada Union Warns Members Of Sanders, Warren Health Plans Aren't you suppose to redistribute the wealthy's wealth to the poor? Why didn't you write a check immediately & give her $100k? You keep saying that we, the taxpayer should eliminate student loan debt. Instead you took half of what she had left & said thanks. Money > Mouth Nevada Caucus Winner Rick Lee (@LeftysFear) February 12, 2020 You took her $3 - knowing she had only $6 & youre proud of that ? And this woman must have gotten her degree in economics from BU with Aoc. Just so many bad choices in one post Lilly@muttrescue (@justme_lilly) February 12, 2020 READ: To Win New Hampshire, Warren Has To Go Through Sanders Three, the cellular carrier in the UK, is rolling out 5G networks just ahead of the launch of Apples next-generation iPhones. The Cupertino-based firms upcoming smartphones are expected to feature 5G connectivity. Threes 5G mobile network will be launched by the end of this month in select cities and areas in the UK. The carrier had already launched 5G networks for home broadband connections in the country, but it said that it needed more time to launch 5G mobile networks as it needed to do some extra work on all the elements and things like cloud core. The companys 5G network will be rolled out in major markets such as Birmingham, Glasgow, and London. The service will be available in 25 cities and towns, extending the service to 80% of the country by the end of 2021. Unlike its competitors such as BTs EE, Three said that it would not cap 5G speeds and there would be no extra costs for all its users: contract, SIM-only, and PAYG (pay as you go). Three UKs Chief Executive Dave Dyson said that the company will be ready for we are prepped and ready for that critical inflection point, about the impending launch of 5G iPhones. Users on the network can also fully utilize faster data download and upload speeds on the recently launched Galaxy S20 series of smartphones. Historically, Three had lagged in terms of airwaves compared to its rivals. However, the British carrier, owned by Hong Kongs Hutchison, said that it holds more 5G spectrum than any of its competitors. It is the only carrier with 100MHz of 5G spectrum, which is required to meet the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standard for a 5G network rollout. Apples upcoming three high-end smartphones would be launched in both 4G and 5G variants, to suit different markets. The company will reportedly launch a 6.1-inch iPhone with an LCD display, a 6.1-inch iPhone with an OLED screen, and a 6.7-inch iPhone with an OLED screen. 5G variants of new iPhones are expected to support mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G networks. [Via Reuters The deep integration of the BDS system and 5G will bring unprecedented changes to the life of ordinary people. Photo via Beidou.gov.cn The integrated application project encompassing "5G + BeiDou high-precision positioning" in the field of side slope monitoring has recently started becoming a reality in south Chinas Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued 5G licenses for commercial use in June 2019, marking China's official entry into the 5G era. Meanwhile, China will finish the construction of the BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3), with another two geostationary orbit satellites to be launched before June 2020. The chief designer of the BDS system said, "The integration of BeiDou and 5G will give full play to the natural characteristics of the BDS system and help us to realize in-depth applications of the BDS system in the information field." The basic technologies and theories related to the integration of 5G and BeiDou are already in place and have entered a phase of standardization. Over time, applications will be rolled out, according to Wan Yi, deputy director of the institute of technology and standards under the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology. Once 5G and BDS systems are integrated, they will also empower each other. Liu Yunjie, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, once pointed out that 5G will be the core infrastructure of the intelligent era, and it is characterized by having "extremely high-speed information transfer capacity while also boasting extremely low latency." For Liu, 5G can provide basic support for future applications such as virtual reality, intelligent manufacturing, and self-driving. But to achieve these applications, it is evident that 5G alone will not suffice. Liu Jingnan said that new infrastructure is required, including technology such as the Beidou global navigation satellite system. The BDS system can realize precise synchronization of global time, and can furthermore assign biological intelligence navigation, positioning/timing with machinery as well as network environments through 5G frequencies across large swaths of land or even the entire planet. Beidou and 5G empower each other and enhance each other in ways that bring about five capabilities: perception, learning, cognition, decision-making as well as regulation. As a result, widely or even globally distributed physical devices can possess integrated functions of computing, communication, remote cooperation, precision control and autonomy on the basis of perception. "We believe that the integration of BeiDou and 5G will bring about new kinds of business and moreover, a new model, which will play a greater role in future new technologies such as smart cities, smart manufacturing, smart families, smart agriculture and so on," BDS system spokesperson Ran Chengqi said. Of course, there is still a standardization process that needs to be complete to achieve the integration of 5G and Beidou. Wan Yi believes that the entire process will take about two years. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 00:58:38|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Feb.14 (Xinhua)-- The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) announced on Friday it has fixed Aug. 29 for key national elections to elect parliamentary and regional assemblies' representatives. NEBE had previously tentatively proposed the voting day to be Aug.10. The announcement was made by Birukan Midkesa, Chairperson of NEBE during a discussion with various political parties, and civil society organizations. Mideksa said the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia will work with the Ethiopia National Metrology Agency to mitigate the effects of the rainy season on the logistics holding the vote. Ethiopia experiences annual rainy season from early June up to early September. The last parliamentary and regional assemblies' elections were held in May 2015. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 15:01:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah (L, Back), general supervisor of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), and Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chen Weiqing (R, back) attend the signing ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 13, 2020. Several international companies will join the KSRelief to provide China with medical equipment and supplies to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. The contracts signed between the companies and the KSRelief on Thursday include the provision of 1,159 medical devices, 300,000 N95-standard masks, 1,000 protective suits and other important materials that are used in such crisis, following Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's recent directives. (Xinhua/Tu Yifan) by Xinhua writer Tu Yifan RIYADH, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Several international companies will join the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) to provide China with medical equipment and supplies to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. The contracts signed between the companies and the KSRelief on Thursday include the provision of 1,159 medical devices, 300,000 N95-standard masks, 1,000 protective suits and other important materials that are used in such crisis, following Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's recent directives. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, general supervisor of KSRelief, said King Salman's immediate response reflects the strong relationship and the depth of historical friendship between Saudi Arabia and China. "Saudi Arabia is always aiming to support stability and sustainable development in the world," Al-Rabeeah said, noting that the idea shows the Kingdom's pioneering humanitarian role in fighting crisis facing other countries and communities. China is a friend of Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi side is looking to give all their support to China and hopes it will help the people in China, Dr. Salah Al Mazroui, assistant KSRelief general supervisor, told Xinhua. The timely aid will surely help the medical staff and people in Wuhan and other affected areas, which reflects the sincere friendship of the Saudi government and people towards the Chinese government and people, Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chen Weiqing said when attending the ceremony. Chen stressed that public health security bears on the shared future of mankind in the era of globalization, and the strong measures taken by China are not only to protect the lives and health of the Chinese citizens, but also a contribution to ensuring world public health security. Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics is among the international companies that inked the contracts with KSRelief. Willian Yan, Mindray's general manager, told Xinhua that they responded to this aid project "in the first place." "We did our best to finalize the items and quantity of the delivery within a very short period and provide equipment that is urgently needed in critical care, such as ventilators, defibrillators and infusion pumps. This is also our responsibility as a company to the country and the people," Yan said. Before the signing ceremony, a video recorded by the Chinese embassy and Chinese companies in the Kingdom was presented, in which they thanked Saudi Arabia for providing medical assistance to confront the epidemic. The Chinese side also prepared two traditional calligraphy works as a gift to Al-Rabeeah. With the firm support of the friends in Saudi Arabia and all over the world, we will win the final battle against the epidemic, Chen said. "There is always a kind of support that moves us," he said. China's space program has quietly begun preparations to launch a new range of Long March rockets to boost its space capabilities and carry out major projects. The new Long March launch vehicles are designed to support the construction of the country's planned space station, the launch of large communication satellites and, possibly, attempt Falcon 9-style vertical landings. This activity follows the dramatic and successful return-to-flight of the country's largest rocket , the Long March 5, in late December 2019. Related: Photos of China's new spacecraft to take astronauts to the moon A still from an animation of China's new Long March 8 rocket making a Falcon 9-style landing back on Earth. (Image credit: An image from an image of China's Long March 8 rocket launching. ) Preparations for the first mission with one of the new Long March 7A rockets are already underway. In early January , Yuanwang-21 , a specially designed cargo vessel, headed to Tianjin, a northern port city where some of China's Long March rockets are manufactured. Yuanwang-21 collected what is expected to be the first Long March 7A rocket, a version of the 3.5-meter-diameter Long March 7 rocket that launched China's Tianzhou-1 cargo spacecraft in 2017. While the first Long March 7 rockets launched to low Earth orbit (LEO), the new Long March 7A rocket will be capable of launching spacecraft to higher orbits. The Long March 7A is modified with an extra third rocket stage of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen from the older Long March 3B, allowing it to lift payloads of between 5.5 and 7 metric tons into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). In geostationary orbits, satellites can stay fixed over a point on Earth as the planet rotates. These orbits are useful for television and other communications satellites, weather-monitoring satellites and early-warning satellites that can detect the telltale signs of ballistic missile launches. The components of this new launch vehicle are now at the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan island in the South China Sea, where they will undergo vertical integration in preparation for launch. The rocket will likely launch from coastal Wenchang around March (as it will need to lift off ahead of the Long March 5B launch in April), with the payload to be the mysterious new technology verification satellite-6. Notably, the rocket could be used as a replacement for the Long March 3B, which currently launches from Xichang, which is situated deep inland and often threatens settlements downrange . New rocket, new crewed spacecraft The first Long March 5B rocket, a new version of the huge Long March 5 , which is designed to launch modules of the Chinese Space Station into LEO, has also just arrived at Wenchang. First up however it will be used to test out a new spacecraft for Chinas astronauts. The flight will carry : China's next-generation spacecraft for human spaceflight . The uncrewed flight of the as-yet-unnamed 21.6-ton spacecraft will test its performance in orbit, as well as how it fares during high-speed reentry, parachute deployment, landing and recovery. This new spacecraft will allow China to launch six astronauts and reduce costs because it is partially reusable and, like NASA's Orion spacecraft, which will allow crewed missions to travel to locations like the moon, Mars and deep space. The new launcher has just passed a round of testing and is ready for its mission, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). Cargo ships Yuanwang 21 and 22 delivered the components of the Long March 5B on Feb. 6, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC), the country's main space contractor. The payload for this mission is additionally notable. "The launch of Long March 5B will unveil a new chapter of China's manned space exploration," Yu Miao, head of the Beijing Institute of Space Science and Technology Information under CASC, told state media . The first launch of the Long March 5B, which is 53.7 meters long (176 feet), 5 meters (5 feet) in diameter and 849 metric tons (936 U.S. tons) in weight, is set for mid- to late April 2020. If this launch is successful, China will then be able to prepare to launch the first module of the Chinese Space Station. The module, the 22.5-metric-ton "Tianhe" core module, could then launch on the second Long March 5B as soon as early 2021. Before this flight, China is expected to launch its 2020 Mars orbiter and rover mission and the Chang'e-5 lunar sample return missions, both on standard Long March 5 rockets from Wenchang. Long March 8 liftoff (and landing) Another new launch vehicle developed by CASC that will be ready for its first flight in 2020 is the Long March 8 rocket. The first Long March 8 launch will be China's first attempt at launching and landing the first stage of an orbital rocket and if it's successful, it would be only the second country to demonstrate such capabilities. This is the Long March 8, China's first attempt at Falcon 9-style vertical takeoff, vertical landing orbital launcher. Familiar grid fins & landing legs, but notably side boosters still attached. It is to have a test launch in 2020. Media source: https://t.co/VMUVO00o95 pic.twitter.com/k7zyFy86SBJanuary 19, 2020 See more Animated footage of the new launcher shows grid fins and landing legs similar to the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which continues to seamlessly land back on Earth. However, different from the Falcon 9, the Long March 8 will apparently attempt to land with side boosters still attached. The Long March 8 is designed to launch around 4.5 tons of cargo to an altitude of TK feet (700 kilometers) to a sun-synchronous orbit, filling a gap in current Chinese capabilities. Wu Yitian, deputy chief engineer of Long March 8 carrier rocket, told CCTV that the launcher is designed to be cost-effective. "We want it to be a vital new force and the main force to compete in the commercial rocket market at home and abroad," Wu said. In the future, new Chinese launchers will be tested by commercial partners . Three solid propellant rockets Jielong-2 from China Rocket Co. Ltd., the Kuaizhou-11 rocket developed by defense contractor CASIC and the Ceres-1 of private firm Galactic Energy are set to liftoff for the first time in 2020. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Former Member of Parliament (MP) for La Dadekotopon constituency in the Greater Accra region, Nii Amasah Namoale says there is nothing new in Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumias presentation at the Town Hall meeting in Kumasi. According to him the Vice President lied about the Agriculture sector. He said all that he said about improved seed supply and fertilizer application are all nothing new and in existence already. . . everything he said is being done already by the Ministry of Agric since the time Nii Amasah Namoale was working at the Ministry of Agric . . . those who gather information should tell him the truth , he said on Peace FMs 'The Platform' programme. Watch video below Vice President 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 among other things noted that about 78% of the current government's manifesto promises have been fulfilled.Notwithstanding the difficult economy we inherited, we had to get on with it and start to fix the problems. We were cognisant of our many promises. In fact, at the direction of President Akufo-Addo, we put together a dashboard of manifesto promises immediately after we were declared winners of the 2016 election, and before we were sworn into office. We have been using this dashboard to track our manifesto promises since, the Vice-President revealed." Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video As the nation remembers martyrs on the first anniversary of the dastardly attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama on February 14, 2019, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the BJP government, saying the nation needed to ask some "straight questions" over who in the BJP was responsible for the security lapses. Remembering the 40 CRPF jawans who were killed in the Pulwama attack, Rahul said alleged somebody in the BJP government could have possibly benefitted from the attack. Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? pic.twitter.com/KZLbdOkLK5 - Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 14, 2020 Other political leaders also paid homage to the martyrs. Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot commemorated the Pulwama attack. I salute the valour of our brave jawans, who were martyred in #Pulwama in a horrific terror attack one year back. We shall remain indebted to their sacrifice forever. #PulwamaAttack - Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) February 14, 2020 INC spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill also took to his Twitter, saying the BJP had been shedding "fake tears" since the Pulwama attack happened. BJP sheds crocodile tears for our brave soldiers-1yr since #PulwamaAttack wife of Jawan Kaushal Kumar Rawat is yet to receive promised help from Govt,she says no one listens,mantris came for funeral but now no one helps! Is this how #BJP honors sacrifice? https://t.co/CqBfDCnptB - Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) February 14, 2020 Former CPI (M) MP from Calcutta and CPI (M) Politburo member Mohammad Salim said a memorial wasn't needed for reminding "us of our incompetence". We dont need a memorial to remind us of our incompetence. The only thing we need to know is how 80kg of RDX got past the international borders to the 'most militarised zone on earth' & exploded in #Pulwama. Justice for #PulwamaAttack needs to be done. https://t.co/s2lcDNEkBU - Md Salim (@salimdotcomrade) February 14, 2020 Union Minister for Defense Rajnath Singh said India would never forget the sacrifice of our martyrs. He said India as a nation was committed to continue the fight against terrorism. Remembering the fallen @crpfindia personnel who were martyred during the dastardly attack in Pulwama(J&K) on this day in 2019. India will never forget their sacrifice. Entire nation stands united against terrorism and we are committed to continue our fight against this menace. - Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 14, 2020 On February 14, 2019, 40 CRPF jawans were killed after a suicide bomber attacked their convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu highway located in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack was the worst and the most gruesome-ever terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir since the spiral of violence and extremism in 1989. The terrorist who took the responsibility for this attack belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammad. The Pakistan-based terror outfit also made and shared a video clip of the suicide bomber. The terror outfit headed by Maulana Masood Azhar also carried out the Parliament attack in 2001 and also the attack on army camps in Uri in 2016. Also read: A year since Pulwama: India pays homage to bravehearts; a look back at dastardly attack that shook India The viral outbreak of coronavirus, which originated in China, has infected more than 60,000 people globally. One of the countries which dealing with the outbreak is Singapore and it has reported 50 cases of the virus, till now. To detect and contain the spread of coronavirus, the government has stepped in to take essential measures. Alongside, from common citizens to healthcare professionals, everyone is trying to help in their own ways to restrict the spread. Amidst these, a Valentines Day note by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has captured peoples attention and is now receiving lots of appreciation. At the wee hours of February 14, Loong shared a Facebook post along with a handwritten note. In the note he thanked the doctors, nurses, and the healthcare workers for their tireless efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak. Happy Valentines Day to a very special group of people, going above and beyond the call of duty to keep us all safe and well, and to keep Singapore going! he wrote in the caption. Heres what the prime minister posted: Since being shared, the post has received an overflow of responses from people. While some thanked the healthcare professionals, others applauded the gesture of the prime minister. The most meaningful way of celebrating 2020 valentine day. Deepest appreciation and salute to the medical personals who have done their best to fight against the COVID-19, wrote a Facebook user. Thank you to all health care staff, Singapore is proud of your hard work and dedication despite the threat of Covid 19, commented another. Salute to all everyone who have stand up for us. How we not stand up for you when you all steering the ships. A lot of love and we fight on as one United Singapore, wrote a third. What do you think of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loongs Valentines Day note? SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Frozen and refrigerated goods are beginning to spoil as the virus roils the global shipping trade, US exporters say. Ships carrying refrigerated cargo containers of chicken from the United States to mainland China are being diverted to ports in Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to a US poultry export trade group. The virus, which is causing havoc in the global container shipping trade, is keeping consumers and workers at home in China, delaying purchases at stores and restaurants and slowing the unloading of products at ports. Chinese ports have run out of space for refrigerated containers, which must be plugged into electrical outlets once they are offloaded to keep frozen meat and other food products cold, Jim Sumner, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, told Reuters news agency on Thursday. Frozen and refrigerated product is starting to spoil because of the lack of available power, a manager for a Los Angeles port terminal operator said. The delays come as China was poised to increase US beef and poultry imports after the Phase 1 trade deal announced last month. US poultry exporters are being told by freight, port and government officials that shipments of medical supplies and pork needed to bolster Chinas reserves are being allowed in, Sumner said. Everything else is being considered not a priority and is not allowed entry, he said. China is basically shut down right now. Tyson Foods has not redirected any of its current chicken products from their intended destinations, and has restarted all its operations, the company said in an emailed statement. We are actively assessing what this outbreak may mean for our global business and preparing for the possibility of any impact. Maryland-based Perdue Farms Inc told Reuters that it does have orders on the books and is monitoring the ports situation. An estimated 300 to 400 refrigerated poultry containers currently in transit are being diverted. About 80 percent of the product is chicken feet, while the remainder is chicken meat and turkey products, Sumner said. Beijing lifted a nearly-five year ban on US poultry imports last November, driven by an unprecedented shortage of meat in China after African swine fever killed millions of pigs in the pork-loving country. It promised to be a lucrative market, particularly for chicken feet. Typically, US processors sell them to rendering plants or pet food companies for an average of 5 cents a pound, Sumner said. The average price of chicken feet sold to China is 90 cents a pound, he said. The economic squeeze to US chicken exporters could be significant, as companies can rack up storage fees on delayed shipments, Sumner said. "Norway's Got Talent" winner Angelina Jordan paid tribute to the one and only Elton John during her final performance on Monday night's episode of "America's Got Talent: The Champions." The teenager wore a marigold blazer and wide-legged patterned pants while belting out Elton's song, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." With just piano accompaniment, Angelina Jordan sang the song's opening verse and the chorus while incorporating a flourish of her own. She managed to make it hypnotic for the new generation, transforming the classic song into a torchy ballad. All the judges raved about it. Heidi Klum chose Jordan as her Golden Buzzer act. After her final's performance, Heidi raved: "You make your Golden Buzzer mama so proud. I can feel it all the way down into my bones that you are a superstar in the making!" Howie Mandel, meanwhile, believes that Jordan is truly a champion and worthy of winning the show, saying, "One word comes to mind when I listen to you, and that's hypnotic." Alesha Dixon remarked that Jordan was "like an old soul trapped in a young person's body. It was gorgeous." Simon Cowell, who always has the all-important last word, said he loved how the teen took a risk and that he would remember her performance for "years and years and years to come." "You didn't do what other people would normally do in this situation. You took that old song, but you made it sound current, relevant. You've made this final way, way better because you've set a real standard here," Cowell furthered. With Simon saying that the 13-year-old Norwegian teenager setting the bar, it is safe to say that she has a good chance to win "America's Got Talent: The Champions." Since the show has uploaded her performance on their official YouTube page, the video has now collected millions of views. The winner of "The Champions" -- determined by the superfans voting on their favorite -- will be announced next Monda, Feb. 17. Aside from Angelina Jordan, she is joined by nine other acts. However, there are certain acts that stood out on Monday's episode. Duo Transcend has really upped their game by performing an act where they are blindfolded. In their performance, Mary Wolfe-Nielsen stood on Tyce Nielsen's shoulder and then stepped off. Mandel said it was "the best performance" they have ever seen. Boogie Storm's performance is fun, but it is nothing memorable. Mandel said he was not impressed and thought there was no real message to their performance. Dixon said their dance was not the best, while Cowell still gave them a standing ovation. The Silhouettes shocked everybody with their presentation of a household that lost their home. Dixon teared up and said it was beautiful, while Cowell said their performance was not as good as their previous one. Hans performed Cowell's "favorite song" and later transitioned to J. Lo's "Let's Get Loud." Cowell did not hold back with his criticism, saying that it was pure torture. Tyler Butler Figueroa had a magnificent performance with his violin, the "Hallelujah." Klum was wowed at how he could hold his own on the stage. V. Unbeatable, meanwhile, is considered to be unmatched. They are always dancing and continues to be top-notch, even tossing a young boy onto a bike during their final performance. Mandel, who gave the groupd his Golden Buzzer, bowed down to them and said he believes the team is the "best act ever to grace the AGT stage." When Abigail Arias was sworn into the Freeport Police Department as an honorary officer last year, the 7-year-old inspired people from across the country for her bravery while fighting a rare kidney cancer known as Wilms Tumor. Arias was sworn into the department Feb. 7, 2019 in a touching ceremony that went viral online and inspired as many as 20 other agencies to honor her as well, including the Texas Rangers and Secret Service, the Houston Chronicle reported. The same guy who helped lose $60 billion in the Enron debacle is at it again. This time, instead of electricity and money, hes set his sights much higher: putting our physical safety at risk by upending the criminal justice system. Enron billionaire John Arnold claims to have cooked up a mathematical formula that can somehow predict whether a given criminal suspect will abscond or commit another crime in other words, Arnold wants to play a game of Russian roulette, but the gun is always pointed at your head, not his. In his own words, Arnold claims to have analyzed the data to determine which factors were most predictive of the likelihood a person will fail to appear at future court appearances or will commit a new crime or a new violent crime while awaiting trial. Arnold calls his wonderful new toy a public safety assessment tool. It ought to be called hug-a-thug. Were sure Arnold picked up a lot of things as the boy wonder behind the Enron crash things like how to draw the biggest bonus in Enrons history even as the company is just days before bankruptcy. What he didnt learn was how to predict criminals behavior. Law enforcement professionals with years of experience are better equipped at determining criminal behavior than an algorithm. We can hold law enforcement professionals accountable for their failures, we cannot hold algorithms accountable when they err. We spent a combined more than 60 years in local and state law enforcement and were elected sheriff a combined seven times. We didnt learn much about trading energy futures in all that time, but we did learn that nobody and no mathematical formula can predict whether a given criminal defendant will abscond or commit new crimes. Want proof? Talk to the family of Edward French, who was shot to death in San Francisco by a killer who had been locked away for firearms charges and parole violations until Arnolds public safety assessment tool put him back on the streets. Just five days later, French was shot to death. Spend a few minutes with June Rodgers of Millville, New Jersey. Her son, 26-year-old Christian Rodgers, was shot to death by a man who had been released just four days before on felony weapons charges all because Arnolds black box made a miscalculation. New Jersey now effectively prohibits cash bail in virtually every case: defendants are either kept in custody until trial or they are released from custody. No bail is involved, although judges can still impose other conditions on release, such as requiring defendants to wear GPS ankle monitors or making them report periodically to a court officer. Nevertheless, instead of applying their years of personal and professional experience to the unique facts of every case, New Jersey judges are now being compelled to use a computer-generated mathematical algorithm Arnolds public safety assessment score to decide whether a criminal defendant is to stay in custody or walk free. After her sons killing, June Rodgers rightly blamed Arnolds algorithm for Christians death. She sued Arnold, former governor Chris Christie and other state officials, charging that the criminal justice changes they implemented were responsible for her sons murder. Two states and 29 metropolitan areas including Chicago, Houston, Phoenix and San Francisco have adopted Arnolds public safety assessment tool, and the results have been disastrous. In New Orleans, officer Chad Clark was shot during a six-minute gun battle with two suspects whom Arnolds public safety assessment tool had determined to be of minimal risk to the community. After New Mexico adopted Arnolds public safety assessment tool, then-governor Susana Martinez took the extraordinary step of warning Utah against it. Martinez cautioned policymakers in her neighboring state to be very skeptical of voices calling for misleading devices that would result in letting dangerous criminals back out on the street to terrorize communities. Pre-trial release determinations are complicated and fraught with danger to the public. They are difficult decisions best made on a case-by-case evaluation of all the evidence and circumstances by an experienced judge who has heard arguments on all sides. You cant leave those decisions to a mathematical formula. To Enron billionaire John Arnold, the goal of the criminal justice system is to ensure that criminals should be released with the least restrictive conditions as safely possible. To Americas sheriffs, it is public safety not the release of alleged criminals that must be the priority. David Clarke is the former sheriff of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, and Bob White is the former sheriff of Pasco County, Florida. They wrote the for InsideSources.com. It happened again. According to the Washington Examiner: A 34-year-old antifa supporter is facing charges for allegedly assaulting a teen fan of President Trump. Patrick Bradley of Windham, New Hampshire, allegedly assaulted three supporters of Trump after voting in the state Democratic primary on Tuesday, according to NBC Boston. Police say Bradley walked by a Trump campaign tent and "slapped a 15-year-old juvenile across the face." Two adults attempted to defend the boy, and police say Bradley attacked them, as well. A review of Bradley's Facebook page conducted by the Post Millennial revealed that the 34-year-old is an avid supporter of antifa. Bradley shared a number of memes supporting antifa and communism on his page. He also defended the group, which is known for violent attacks on journalists and others at their rallies. This is just the latest of a string of violent incidents against Trump supporters within the past week. There's a climate of political violence against Trump-supporters, and the press is giving it little more than disjointed and cursory coverage at best, if not ignoring it entirely. It was there from the start, yet it has extended ever since a Bernie Bro shot and nearly killed a group of GOP congressional leaders on a softball field in Alexandria, Virginia in 2017. At the time, it was dismissed as an anomaly. But these anomalies keep happening, and now the rate is accelerating clearly a sign of a bigger problem. This week, there was also this incident in Jacksonville, as reported by The Federalist: One man was arrested after allegedly driving his van through a Republican voter registration booth on Saturday afternoon at a shopping center in Jacksonville, Florida. According to the Republican Party of Duval County, no one was injured, and volunteers "narrowly avoided" the assault. The motive? The Washington Times has the motive: The Florida man charged with driving his van into a GOP voter registration tent told police that he doesn't like President Trump and wanted to "take a stand." Gregory Timm, 27, showed police cellphone videos that he recorded of the incident in a mall parking lot in east Jacksonville, in which six Republican volunteers and Trump supporters narrowly escaped injury. In this violent incident, the man wasn't even a cheerleader for Trump as he got hit; he was just mistaken for one, according to this report in the New York Post: A retired NYPD detective says a woman punched him in the face in Nashville over the weekend because his hat looked like a MAGA cap. Staten Island resident Daniel Sprague told the Post he was celebrating his 50th birthday with his wife and friends at The Stage on Broadway on Friday when he was assaulted by a woman he didn't know. "I was outside with my friends when some grabbed me from behind, spun me around and punched me in the face," said Sprague, who retired from the NYPD in 2009. "At first I thought it was a friend until I got hit. I couldn't believe someone could get that upset." In reality, his cap was emblazoned with the words "Make Fifty Great Again" while his shirt was decorated with an American flag that read "Making America Great Since 1970." There was also this note the light hand of criminal justice, letting this beast who attempted to destroy the right to democratic participation, out on the streets scot-free: EUREKA, Calif. A man arrested on a slew of charges, including attempted arson of the Republican Party of Humboldt headquarters, is back out on the street after spending only a day in jail before posting bail. On Saturday Feb. 8, at about 4:53 a.m., officers with the Eureka Police Department responded to the office on 5th Street for the report of a man smashing the windows. The witness gave a description of the suspect and said he was last seen riding a bicycle toward the bay. Meanwhile, two weeks ago, another Sanders-supporter rammed through checkpoints to barrel through to President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, using her car as a weapon: [Hana] Roemhild's act represented some kind of derangement at work, possibly drug derangement, but also Trump derangement. Her still-open Facebook page is loaded with pictures of pink pussy hats, "not my president" drivel, anti-Trump caricatures, and the pro-Bernie posts. Last year, there was the brutal beating of the Manhattan art galleryowner who was beaten black and blue for walking to Chinatown with his MAGA hat on. As with so many of these cases, the cops dismissed it as isolated and unimportant. The conservative press is paying attention, but the nets and mainstream media continue to ignore this shocking pattern of political violence. Ever see one of these violent incidents on an Axios news summary? Ever seen an editorial of outrage in the Washington Post over the leftist cult of violence? Nobody's being asked to answer for this climate of violence that is clearly real and growing, amounting to a threat on our democracy. Democrats love to speak of "threats to democracy" in reference to President Trump, but rest assured, the real ones are in the leftist thugs attempting to turn the U.S. into a Venezuelan-style hellhole where violence rules the day. As Don Trump. Jr. noted: Why is no one covering the act of political terrorism on Trump supporters simply registering voters? If the shoe was on the other foot it would be the biggest story of the month! Media/Dems bordering on complicit with their total silence on these attacks! pic.twitter.com/Ujbyn7Z5k5 Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 11, 2020 Worse still, they blame Trump for the violence something that dates back to 2016. Even more disgusting, as demonstrated by Joe Biden, they wink, wink, encourage it. In the Bernie Sanders campaign, there's apparently an entire cult of violence. It's not just in the fact that a Bernie Sanders campaign volunteer was last seen attempting to murder House Republican leader Steve Scalise in 2017, but in a recent undercover tape from James O'Keefe, showing a Bernie supporter discussing his violent totalitarian plans for the U.S. (not admitted in public) should Sanders get elected. I wrote about that here: ...James O'Keefe released an undercover video of a top-line paid Iowa staffer, Kyle Jurek, praising gulags, re-education camps, burning cities, beaten cops, and killing anyone who resists the "revolution" as the plan all along. Worse still, he said the Bernie campaign was loaded with such people, and Bernie's moderate claims were a mask. So much for Bernie's rebranding bid. The press is refusing to cover it. The cops are refusing to investigate and enforce. The laws are letting them off anyway. The Democrats are denying so much as a problem -- in Sanders' case, his nasty little thug operative in Iowa is still on the job. It's as if a whole universe of incompetence and malevolence is conspiring against Trump supporters. President Trump has his bag of snakes to deal with among the Obama holdovers in the White House. But Trump supporters have their own physical attacks to deal with. Something is very wrong in this political climate, which is seeing ever stronger and more frequent physical attacks, with little recourse for the victims. Two more seeds crashed out of the USD 162,500 Bengaluru Open here on Friday with Italian Julian Ocleppo and Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi ousting their fancied opponents in the quarterfinals. The 22-year-old Ocleppo knocked out 13th seeded Ilya Ivashka of Belarus 7-6(4), 6-7(3), 6-4 in a three-setter that lasted two hours and 40 minutes. Another seed bit the dust in the form of number three Yuichi Sugita of Japan who went down to the unseeded Bonzi 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6. Bonzi will next meet second seed Stefano Travaglia of Italy who overcame a stiff challenge from 11th seed Blaz Rola of Slovakia before prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in one hour and 56 minutes. Ocleppo faces another stiff hurdle in the semifinals where he is pitted against fourth seed James Duckworth of Australia who overcame ninth seed Thomas Fabbiano of Italy 6-7(5), 6-0, 6-2. Ocleppo was down 2-5 in the opening set after he got broken early in the second game. However, he came back strongly to win three games on the trot to tie at 5-5 and take the set into a tie-breaker, which he won. "My comeback in the first set was very crucial because the match could have ended by the second set," said Ocleppo. After the opponents had traded a break each in the 3rd and 4th games, Ocleppo lost the tie-break even as he had two break points. A stiff battle ensued in the decider with none giving their rival an inch. The Italian, who was on a break point in the ninth game, hit an awesome down the line shot to surge 5-4 ahead. "That was my best shot of the match today and it was very crucial," said the winner who held on to his serve to win the match. "I know Ivashka very well both personally and about his game. It is tough to return his serves and he is a very good player who could have won this tournament. I served very well today and once I got used to returning, it became a little easy. I am doubly happy to have beaten him," said Ocleppo. Meanwhile, a clinic for juniors was held were around 40 children attended the session with leading pro Niki Ponnappa giving them tips. Their joy doubled when their idol Leader Paes too joined them. Results: Singles (Quarterfinals) Julian Ocleppo (ITA) bt [13] Ilya Ivashka (BLR) 7-6(4), 6-7(3), 6-4; [4] James Duckworth (AUS) bt [9] Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 6-7(5), 6-0, 6-2; [2] Stefano Travaglia (ITA) bt [11] Blaz Rola (SLO) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2; Benjamin Bonzi (FRA) bt [3] Yuichi Sugita (JPN) 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-4Doubles (Semifinals)Matthew Ebden (AUS) / Leander Paes (IND) Vs. [2] Jonathan Erlich (ISR) / Andrei Vasilevski (BLR)Saketh Myneni (IND) / Matt Reid (AUS Vs. [4] Purav Raja (IND) / Ramkumar Ramanathan (IND). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 46-year-old man, who has rescued more than 50,000 snakes and other animals from human habitats, is battling for his life in a hospital in Keralas Thiruvananthapuram after he was bitten by a viper on Thursday while trying to save it. Friends of Vava Suresh said he was bitten by the pit viper on his middle finger as he was trying to pull it out of a well in Pathanapuram in Kollam district. He was rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram and is in an intensive care unit or ICU. The hospitals superintendent, Dr MS Sharmad, said Suresh has been administered an anti-venom and will be under observation for at least 72 hours. Doctors fear the anti-venom injected on Suresh, who has been bitten many times in the past, will have a minimal impact now. His kidneys, liver and other organs have already been damaged after the many doses of anti-venom and doctors had even warned him on several occasions about the danger. The hospital was forced to issue a news bulletin after nature-lovers and green activists flooded it with inquiries about Suresh. They believe he will survive again. Suresh had admitted in a recent interview that he has bitten at least 300 times. He had rescued a 16-foot king cobra on January 29 from the hut of an estate worker in Bonacaud in Thiruvananthapuramhis 179th rescue of the worlds most venomous snake. A king cobra rarely bites but its venom can kill a human being in minutes. When Prince Charles visited the state in 2013 he expressed his desire to meet the avid nature-lover. Even an elephant dies within half an hour of a king cobra bite. Then how did you rescue so many king cobras? You are a living wonder, Prince Charles had said after meeting him. In 2005, he lost his index finger due to a cobra bite and later lost the movement of his right wrist after another attack. His skin is torn on both legs but he continued to devote his life to his reptilian friends. A living encyclopaedia on snakes, Suresh was offered a government job 10 years ago but he declined it saying he would not be able to devote his time to his first love. His thatched two-room dwelling in Thiruvananthapuram houses many injured snakes, which he treats before releasing them in the wild. He has said snakes are most misunderstood creatures in the world. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ramesh Babu Ramesh Babu is HTs bureau chief in Kerala, with about three decades of experience in journalism. ...view detail A young visitor looks at glove puppets made and donated by Xu Zhuchu, an artist in Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, on display at the National Art Museum of China in mid-January. [For China Dailyv/Jiang Dong] The National Art Museum of China dedicates an exhibition to donated works. The prominent oil painter Jin Shangyi donated 35 of his works to the National Art Museum of China at the opening of his third solo exhibition there in April. Jin, 86, says the reason behind his donation is simple. "I think an art museum is the best destination for my work." The artist had donated 39 of his paintings to the Beijing museum in 2008. He says he hopes the donations will boost the profile of the National Art Museum and strengthen the landscape of public art institutions in China. A diverse art collection is important to a public museum. Opened in 1963 in Beijing's central area, the National Art Museum has assembled some 110,000 works of art and craft, among which more than 30,000 are from around 12,000 donors from home and abroad, including artists, their families and private collectors. Museum director Wu Weishan says the donations enrich the museum's collection hierarchies of classic Chinese paintings and 20th-century Chinese art, and meanwhile provide home audiences a glimpse of international modern art. Over the years the National Art Museum has mounted exhibitions to show selected works from the donations. Camel, a sculpture by Hsiung Ping-ming [For China Daily] On January 19, it unveiled an ongoing exhibition of donated works on an unprecedented scale, of which more than 800 artworks occupy 19 of its 21 exhibition rooms and outdoor space. Titled A Tribute to Donors, the exhibition that runs through March 28 presents the richness and diversity of the art and crafts the museum has received over nearly six decades, ranging from paintings, sculptures, calligraphy and lithography works, to photos, comics and folk art such as nianhua, the Chinese New Year posters, clay figurines and toys. Jin's oil painting, Bada Shanren, which he donated to the museum in 2008, is also on show. The portrait depicts Zhu Da, a master artist who lived in 17th-century China. The work adopts the composition of classic Chinese ink painting to deliver an unworldly feeling and indicates a state of seclusion in which Zhu, better known by the pseudonym, Bada Shanren, mostly lived through his life. Like many other public institutions in China, the National Art Museum is temporarily shut because of the coronavirus outbreak, but information on the exhibits of the show can be found on its website and WeChat account. Two years before it officially opened to the public, the museum received its first donation that included 116 paintings by the late painter Chen Shuren from his widow, Ju Ruowen. Chen, who learned painting in China and Japan, is recognized as one of the three leading figures of the Lingnan School of Painting that emerged and progressed in Guangdong Province in the 20th century. Paintings by Chen from this donation are on show at A Tribute to Donors. Among significant donations to the museum over recent years are three bronze sculptures made by the late Chinese-French artist Hsiung Ping-ming in 2016. They were donated by C.N. Yang, the Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist, and his wife, Weng Fan. The fathers of Hsiung and Yang were both noted mathematicians teaching at Tsinghua University in the late 1920s. Yang saw Hsiung as one of his close friends. They were also neighbors for eight years. Hsiung studied philosophy at university in China and went to France to study aesthetics and sculpture in 1947. After graduation, he stayed in Europe to teach Chinese culture and started a calligraphy course in a college there. He also sculpted, drew, painted and exhibited widely. Bada Shanren, an oil painting by Jin Shangyi, is on display at A Tribute to Donors. [For China Daily] Yang said at the donation ceremony in 2016 that Hsiung found a distinctive approach to sculpture by cutting iron into small pieces and forging them back to depict different subjects, "and the spaces between plates also constitute part of the work." He recalls a bust of Hsiung's mother made by the artist. "I felt not only did Hsiung create a sculpture of his mother. Also, he presented a collective image of all the mothers in the world." The donated sculptures were on show at The Journey of Defining Yourself, an exhibition to review Hsiung's accomplishments, held at the National Art Museum in January. Also on display were 104 works received from Hsiung's widow, Xiong Bing'an. Selected works from the two donations are seen at A Tribute to Donors. "Hsiung's work delivers a philosophical touch and reflects the spirit of a scholarly artist," says Wu, the museum director. "What Yang gifted to the museum was a friendship that spanned some seven decades." Wu says those who donate to the museum to share their collections of art with a wider audience are "great people," especially in a time when the art market is booming in China. The four children of the late novelist Lao She and his wife, painter Hu Xieqing, donated dozens of classic Chinese paintings and calligraphy works collected by their parents to the National Art Museum in 2015. The couple was on good terms with many artists and were themselves discerning collectors. Their assembly of artworks feature prominent artists such as Wu Changshuo, Qi Baishi and Fu Baoshi, and some of that can also be viewed at A Tribute to Donors. The National Art Museum also does tours of its collections in other Chinese cities and abroad. Master artist Wu Guanzhong held four solo exhibitions at the museum earlier. After his death in 2010, the museum mounted two more shows in his memory. He donated 46 of his paintings to the museum. Besides rotating the works on its exhibition calendar, the museum transports them outside. In September, the Yixing Art Museum in Jiangsu Province presented his works to commemorate his centennial. Yixing, a city known for its quality clay used in making Chinese teapots, is where the artist was born and raised. Last year, the Beijing museum showed 36 paintings and sculptures in its collection at the China Cultural Center in Paris. It featured nearly 20 leading Chinese artists who studied in France in the 1920s, '30s and '40s. Part of the collection was donated. (Source: China Daily) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Mexico City, February 14, 2020 Mexican authorities must immediately and transparently investigate attacks by police on reporters covering a protest in Ciudad Isla, Veracruz state, on February 11, and guarantee the journalists safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. According to news reports and journalists CPJ spoke with on February 12 and 13, members of the Fuerza Civil, a Veracruz state police force, hurled death threats at Julia Santin and Brigido Lopez, founders and reporters of news website Los Llanos del Sotaviento, as well as Edna Lopez of news website A Titulo Personal. Policemen also subjected Alberto Carmona, a reporter for daily newspaper El Pinero de la Cuenca, to beatings, while Sergio Herrera of Radio Mezkla 104.7 FM and news website Valor Noticias and Cesar Estrada of daily newspaper Noreste were briefly detained, according to the journalists and news reports. The use of disproportionate and indiscriminate force by police against reporters covering protests in Veracruz is unacceptable if Mexico wants to guarantee freedom of the press, said Jan-Albert Hootsen, CPJs Mexico representative. Both federal and Veracruz state authorities must ensure that reporters can do their job without fear of falling victim to violence. According to the reporters CPJ spoke with, the events occurred shortly after a group of several dozen protesters gathered outside a Federal Police compound near Ciudad Isla, where a local contingent of the Fuerza Civil is also stationed. The protesters demanded answers from the Fuerza Civil to accusations that members of the police force were involved in the recent sexual abuse of a local youth, as well as the alleged forced disappearance of a local youth, the reporters said. The reporters told CPJ that although the commanding officer of the Federal Police at the compound attempted to establish a dialogue between the protesters and the Fuerza Civil, members of the latter group opened fire at the crowd after several people attempted to enter the compound, after which panic ensued and the crowd dispersed. The attacks on the reporters occurred at approximately 4:00 pm, shortly after Fuerza Civil members opened fire with live ammunition on the crowd, according to the news reports and the journalists CPJ spoke with. The attacks started when a patrol car of the Fuerza Civil arrived. The policemen first fired into the air, but later opened fire on the crowd, Brigido Lopez, of Los Llanos del Sotaviento, told CPJ. We started running. One policeman caught up with me and kicked me in the legs. Carmona, of El Pinero de la Cuenca, told CPJ that he was threatened and beaten by police officers after he tried to flee when the gunfire broke out. An elderly gentleman opened the door to his home when we were running and allowed us to hide in his home, he said. But Fuerza Civil policemen were scouring the area for protesters, and kicked in the door of the residence. I was kicked to the ground and handcuffed. They later dragged me outside and covered my face with my t-shirt so I couldnt see the bodies of protesters who were hit by gunfire. Outside, a few meters from the house I was hiding in, they pushed me to my knees and started beating me, he said, adding. They said they were going to kill me. According to the reporters CPJ spoke with, all journalists present at the protest clearly identified themselves as members of the press. I was wearing a jacket with the word Prensa on it and had my credentials with me, Edna Lopez of A Titulo Personal told CPJ. There was no way they could have mistaken us for protesters. Lopez told CPJ a Fuerza Civil policeman held a gun to her head and threatened her, while she was documenting the protest and the violence in a live broadcast on Facebook. During the attacks, several reporters, including Alberto Carmona, managed to reach the Veracruz State Commission for Attention to and Protection of Journalists (CEAPP), an autonomous state government agency, by telephone. After a lawyer of the CEAPP arrived at the scene, the Fuerza Civil released Carmona. Another journalist, Cesar Estrada of newspaper Noreste, who CPJ was unable to locate, was released several hours later. Israel Hernandez, an official of the CEAPP, told CPJ on February 14 that his institution is providing legal support to the journalists. Both Hernandez and the reporters confirmed that the reporters will likely report the events next week to the office of the Federal Special Prosecutor for Attention to Crimes Committed against Freedom of Expression (FEADLE), which operates under the auspices of the federal Attorney Generals office. In an initial response to the events to news website AVC Noticias, Veracruz state Secretary of Government Eric Cisneros accused the reporters, who have all covered events in the region for years, of having been recruited by the crowd to document the protest. Conversely, Hugo Gutierrez Maldonado, the Veracruz state secretary of public security, released a short video statement published on his Twitter account on February 13 in which he acknowledged the events and the attacks on the reporters. He added that state authorities are investigating the Fuerza Civil to determine which members of the police force were involved in the attacks. No one picked up phone calls made by CPJ on February 12 and 13 to reach a spokesperson for the Veracruz Public Security Secretariat and for the office of Eric Cisneros. Mexico is the deadliest country in the Western Hemisphere for journalists. According to CPJ research, at least five reporters were murdered in 2019 in direct retaliation for their work. CPJ is investigating another six killings to determine the motive. On January 7, the body of radio station manager Fidel Avila was found in Michoacan state. The World Health Organization on Friday defended China following US claims of a lack of transparency in Beijing's response to the new outbreak. Larry Kudlow, head of the US National Economic Council, had said on Thursday: "We're a little disappointed in the lack of transparency coming from the Chinese". Kudlow also said that Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured US President Donald Trump that Beijing would accept US help, but "they won't let us". But Michael Ryan, head of WHO's health emergencies programme, listed various ways in which he said China had collaborated with the community. "From our perspective, we have a government that's cooperating with us... I'm finding it hard to square that with Mr Kudlow's comments," Ryan told reporters in Geneva. "But everyone is entitled to their opinion and everyone is entitled to suggest evidence for their opinion," he said. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Beijing has had an "open and transparent attitude" with the global community since the start of the epidemic, and maintained close communication and exchanged epidemic information with the US side in a "timely manner". Ryan also told reporters that there may be US experts among the 12 members of a WHO-led mission to China that is expected to begin over the weekend. Asked whether there had been any mistakes made by Chinese authorities in their response to the outbreak, Ryan said: "It's not the time for us to start public recrimination." "China and the rest of the world... will learn and I hope implement the lessons of this. One of the tragedies of global response and public health response in general has been that we don't tend to learn the lessons," he said. "Everyone needs to focus on performance now, and they need to focus on getting the job done and the last thing you tell someone that needs to get a job done is that you didn't do your job last week or the week before," he said. "We will wait for any forensic investigation of this response until we've achieved further success in containing this virus we hope," he added. Bharti on Friday offered the Department of Telecom to pay Rs 10,000 crore by February 20 and the rest of the dues before the next date of hearing on the case in the Supreme Court. After facing ire of the Supreme Court, the Department of Telecom on Friday directed all telecom operators to clear their dues by the end of the day. "Nevertheless, in compliance with the judgement of the Hon'ble Supreme Court and their direction today, we shall deposit a sum of Rs 10,000 crore (on account) by 20th February, 2020, on behalf of the Bharti Group companies," said in a letter to Member (Finance) at the DoT. owes nearly Rs 35,586 crore, including licence fee and spectrum usage charge, to the government. Airtel said that as directed by the Member (Finance), the company is in the process of completing the self assessment exercises. "You will appreciate this is a complicated process, covering 22 circles, multiple licenses and a substantial period of time and hence, is time consuming," the letter said. Telecom operators were required to clear their dues by January 23 as per the apex court judgement of October 24, 2019 in the matter. The top court of the country has directed the managing directors and directors of telcos and other firms to explain why contempt action be not taken against them for non-compliance of its order to pay (AGR) of Rs 1.47 lakh crore to the Department of Telecommunications. An industry survey of tourism businesses reveals the devastating impact of the Chinese travel ban to Australia as a result of the new coronavirus with some companies facing closure and others laying off staff. One NSW business said it has lost $9 million, while one estimate puts the nationwide loss in tourism revenue at more than $2 billion. Tourists brave the wet weather at the Three Sisters, Katoomba on Thursday. Credit:Wolter Peeters The survey by the Australian Tourism Export Council found 91 per cent of the 100 or so members who responded had experienced cancellations from international clients as a direct result of the coronavirus. About 85 per cent said their forward bookings were being negatively affected Several businesses reported losses in excess of $1 million with cancellations stretching out to at least May. About 33 per cent said they had received cancellations from markets other than China as a result of the outbreak of the disease. KAMPALA The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Betty Aol Ocan has advised the Ministry of Education and Sports, National Curriculum Development Center (NCDC) and Finance Ministry heed to Parliaments decision of halting the implementation of the new curriculum saying it was in good faith. Ms. Aol in an interview MPs needed had raised serious concerns that needed to be addressed from the curriculum is implemented. There is a need to first consult all the stakeholders comprehensively because we dont see the reason why the government is rushing to implement it when they are not ready. If you want to build a firm house, you dont put a weak foundation but a strong one so that it does not collapse, she noted. The LoP said that if the government wants to have quality in education then it should conduct thorough research from the levels to accommodate all views. Members of Parliament on Education Committee members of the education committee raised a concern over the issue saying the teachers were not given enough skills to implement the curriculum. Parliament had halted the implementation of the new curriculum, but the government after a crisis meeting held at State House cleared it, causing a massive uproar in the corridors of Parliament. Grace Baguma the Director National Curriculum Development Centre said MPs should back off the new curriculum saying Parliament can only support the ministry in its bid to implement it. The new curriculum had been scheduled to start this school term. The ministry has earmarked UGX143 billion to conduct training and create awareness of the controversial program. Related The square on which the Russian embassy stands will be renamed to honour Boris Nemtsov, killed near the Kremlin in 2015. Prague, Czech Republic The Czech capital risks angering the Kremlin with plans to rename a public square after murdered Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov. The change of name at Pod Kastany Namesti (Under the Chestnuts Square) in Prague will do little to improve recently strained relations with Moscow. The square, in reality little more than a tree-lined road junction in the leafy Prague 6 suburb, hosts the Russian embassy. The move extends a series of controversies spurred by officials in the Czech capital that appear designed to reassert the EU member states pro-Western foreign policy orientation, in opposition to efforts by populists to pull the country closer to countries like Russia and China. This is in line with the Czech tradition of respect for human rights, Pragues mayor Zdenek Hrib told Al Jazeera, referring to the foreign policy stance developed under the Czech Republics first president, Vaclav Havel. The three opposition parties that control Prague city council have indicated they will all support the name change in a vote on February 24. A ceremony is arranged for three days later the fifth anniversary of Nemtsovs assassination. Hrib says the former politicians daughter, Zhanna, will attend. 191203194345906 Nemstov, a former deputy prime minister under Boris Yeltsin, was a staunch critic of Vladimir Putins administration. He was shot while crossing a bridge close to the Kremlin walls on February 27, 2015. Five Chechens were jailed for carrying out the contract killing by a Moscow court in 2017. However, the identity of who commissioned the attack remains unknown. Russian opposition figures allege the Kremlin was involved. Hrib says Prague was joining an international initiative. Streets around Russian embassies in Washington, Kyiv and Vilnius have also adopted Nemtsovs name, sparking anger in Moscow. Prague also plans to name an approach to the square through an adjacent park after Anna Politkovskaya, a high-profile journalist and critic of the Kremlin who was assassinated as she entered her Moscow apartment building in 2006. The Russian embassy in Prague did not respond to a request for comment. Bozos The proposed name changes are the latest jolt in relations between the two countries, which have been tested by various parts of the Czech political establishment in recent months. Moscow reacted with fury last year to a decision by Ondrej Kolar, the mayor of Prague 6, to move a statue of a Red Army general out of the district. In comments to Al Jazeera, Kolar said the Russian embassy had orchestrated protests from local far-right and far-left groups. His family is still under police protection following threats. The Czech Republic is believed to be a regional hub for Russian intelligence Prague Security Studies Institute In November, the Russian foreign ministry noted yet another truly horrible report from Prague, and slammed plans by the mayor of Reporyje district to build a monument to the controversial Vlasov Army, a World War II military unit made up of Russian defectors, as the criminal rewriting of history. Meanwhile, Czech security services (BIS) have issued increasingly urgent warnings that the threat from Russian and Chinese espionage and hybrid warfare operations is rising. The Czech Republic is believed to be a regional hub for Russian intelligence, state analysts at the Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI) reported. Intelligence personnel represent around one-third of the embassy staff, in addition to those without diplomatic cover. The Czech foreign ministry has also risked Russias wrath by asking the embassy to reduce its headcount. The giant neo-Baroque villa in the Bubenec diplomatic district reportedly houses more staff than its counterpart in London. These controversies are seen as part of a wider pushback against an alternative foreign policy crafted by outspoken populist president Milos Zeman. Alongside a penchant for crude attacks on immigrants, Islam and liberals, the septuagenarian head of state has long sought to expand the powers of his largely ceremonial office. In particular, Zeman has worked to replace Havels foreign policy legacy with a more pragmatic approach. He has sought closer ties with authoritarian regimes to the east, including Russia and China, often in contrast to official government policy, which follows the lines set by the European Union and NATO. President Zeman has repeatedly called for the lifting of economic sanctions against Russia, note the PSSI analysts. Among his closest allies and supporters are entrepreneurs with well-established ties to Russian businessmen and diplomats. In reaction to the security services warnings on Russia and China, Zeman called the BIS security agents bozos. Russophobia However, since Hribs election as Prague mayor in November 2018, relations with China have gone backwards. Pragues refusal to recognise the one China policy has provoked cultural and economic sanctions from Beijing. The city administrations proposal to honour Politkovskaya appears particularly pointed. In a meeting with Putin in 2015, Zeman joked that journalists should be liquidated, a comment that appeared to make the Russian president uncomfortable. Zeman was quick to slam the plans to rename the square. His spokesman accused Prague officials of abusing Nemtsovs name. Members of fringe political parties including the nationalist Tricolor and far-right SPD also condemned the move. Hrib insisted, however, that Mr Nemtsovs daughter has requested the change and will come to the ceremony, so I dont think anyone can suggest any misuse of the name. He added that the Russian ambassador had also been invited, although he had not yet responded. I think all Russians should be happy that were honouring their former deputy prime minister, the mayor declared. However, Hrib skirted questions regarding the potential effects on foreign relations, as well as accusations that his run-ins with Russia and China could be motivated by self-promotion. A senior official at the foreign ministry, speaking on condition of anonymity, complained that the recent spats have complicated international relations, and criticised both local politicians trying to raise their profile, and the trolling of government foreign policy by the presidential office. However, the source also suggested that Russia was an enthusiastic participant in such shenanigans. With an eye on debates over EU sanctions against Moscow, there are always attempts to create disunity, he said, adding that the controversies in Prague only help the Kremlins propaganda machine justify its criticism of the West and claims of Russophobia. Its important to show the Russians that we are an emancipated country, adds Kolar, who will attend the ceremony on February 27. However, Im afraid that this renaming will only help Zeman and his boys spread their pro-Russian propaganda further in the Czech regions. BROSSARD, Quebec, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DIAGNOS Inc. (DIAGNOS or the Corporation) (TSX Venture: ADK) (OTCQB: DGNOF), a leader in early detection of critical health issues through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), announces today the issuance of 2,222,222 common shares of the Corporation (each a Share), at a deemed price of $0.18 per Share, in settlement for an outstanding unsecured loan of $400,000. Satisfying this outstanding indebtedness with shares was undertaken in order to preserve the Corporations cash for operational purposes. The holder of the loan eligible to receive common shares as part of the shares for debt transaction is considered a related party of the Corporation within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The shares for debt transaction is exempt from the valuation requirement and the minority approval requirement prescribed in MI 61-101 based on the fact that the fair market value of the related party participation in the shares for debt transaction does not exceed 25% of the Corporations market capitalization. Shares issued as part of the shares for debt transaction are subject to a statutory four-month hold period until June 15th, 2020. The issuance of shares is subject to receipt of all required approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, as well as the execution of formal documentation. All monies quoted in this press release shall be stated and paid in lawful money of Canada. About DIAGNOS DIAGNOS is a publicly-traded Canadian corporation with a mission of early detection of critical health issues through the use of its Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool CARA (Computer Assisted Retina Analysis). CARA is a tele-ophthalmology platform that integrates with existing equipment (hardware and software) and processes at the point of care. CARAs Artificial Intelligence image enhancement algorithms make standard retinal images sharper, clearer and easier to read. CARA is accessible securely over the internet, and is compatible with all recognized image formats and brands of fundus cameras, and is EMR compatible. CARA is a cost-effective tool for screening large numbers of patients in real-time and has been cleared for commercialization by several regulatory authorities such as Health Canada, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union. Additional information is available at www.diagnos.com and www.sedar.com. This news release contains forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements. DIAGNOS disclaims any intention or obligation to publically update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The federal government says efforts are in place to improve visibility at Murtala Muhammaed International Airport in Lagos. Hadi S... The federal government says efforts are in place to improve visibility at Murtala Muhammaed International Airport in Lagos. Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, said this while responding to the inability of some flights to land or take off from the countrys busiest airport due to poor visibility. He said diverting flights to Ghana was purely the decision of the airlines as such could have been diverted to Abuja. In a statement issued on Thursday, Sirika said the federal government had procured equipment that allows for the lowest visibility landing but the malfunctioning of some components delayed the installation. He said Nigerian authorities are committed to the safety of passengers and would keep improving on facilities at the airports. The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has noted, with great concern, the experiences of air travellers to and from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos regarding flight diversions and, in many cases, outright cancellations, which have been occasioned by highly inclement weather conditions, the statement read. While these developments are greatly regretted, we wish to let the public know that the authorities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos were in the process of replacing the old Category 2 Instrument Landing Systems with the newly procured Category 3 system that allows for the lowest visibility landing. Unfortunately, there was a malfunctioning of certain components, which, coupled with the unforeseen weather conditions, made landing at the airport difficult. The procurement of the Category 3 Instrument landing System is in pursuance of the desire of the Federal Government to ensure the safety of air passengers by ensuring that airplanes can land with almost zero visibility. We wish to assure the public and the airlines, that efforts are on to return the system to full working condition and that normalcy of operations will be re-established in due course. On the diversion of incoming international flights to neighbouring countries, he said: We wish to reiterate that the decisions are purely those of the airlines which we have no control over. However, it should be noted that those flights could, and should have been rerouted to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja which is shorter or equidistant from Lagos to the foreign airports to which some of the flights have been diverted. In recognition of Abuja as an alternate airport, Qatar airlines has applied to divert its flights to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, to which the Minister granted immediate approval. It is left to be seen why some others decided to divert to another country. BETHEL, Alaska - Taxi companies in an Alaska city have decided to stop accepting Medicaid vouchers for payment. Taxis are a main form of transportation for people who travel to Bethel from area communities for healthcare appointments, KYUK-AM reported Thursday. Mitchell Forbes, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation director of communications, confirmed that all of Bethels cab companies have decided not to accept Medicaid vouchers. Just in Bethels case, there was the one vendor who is accepting the transportation vouchers, Forbes said. They are no longer accepting that voucher. The corporation was informed last week by Kusko Cab owner Naim Shabani that the Medicaid vouchers were too expensive. Medicaids growing list of regulations was the main reason the company decided to stop accepting vouchers that cover the cost of a ride in the southwest Alaska city on the Kuskokwim River. Kusko Cab was losing money on the vouchers because of the amount of work required to ensure the company followed regulations, Shabani said. Theres a roughly 100-page handbook on being a Medicaid transportation provider, Shabani said. Kusko Cab is one of three taxi companies in Bethel and Shabani said the other companies are following Kuskos lead. A call to another company, Alaska Cab, was not immediately returned. The corporation is compensating by offering more shuttle services to Medicaid patients instead of vouchers to hotels where they stay, as well as adding hours to its airport shuttle service for all patients. Medicaid patients will continue to receive their full benefits, Forbes said. Dozens of elite business leaders have joined Mike Bloomberg's "army" of surrogates in a bid to help him win the Democratic presidential nomination. The leaders have signed onto a group called the Committee for Mike, whose organizers call on participants to publicly endorse Bloomberg's campaign, push their networks to vote for him, appear at events and potentially attend briefings with Bloomberg himself, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter. Several of the people in the surrogate program have known Bloomberg for years. Former Morgan Stanley CEO John Mack, for instance, is on the Bloomberg Philanthropies board of directors. Bloomberg once called former American Express CEO Ken Chenault, another member of the program, a "friend" in a 2013 interview with New York Magazine. CNBC acquired a partial list of surrogates from these people, who declined to be named due to the decisions having been made in private. Since Bloomberg, who has a net worth of about $60 billion, is self-funding his campaign, the support from these business leaders could take money off the board for other Democratic candidates. Some of these supporters have donated to rival campaigns, such as former Vice President Joe Biden's and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg's. "I am fully committed to Mike," Mack told CNBC. Mack was on a guest list for a fundraising event featuring former Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday but he noted he did not go to the gathering because of his support for Bloomberg. The development comes as Bloomberg surges in polls while one-time front-runner Biden sinks. Since Bloomberg jumped into the primary race in November, he has jumped from seventh place to third, according to a Real Clear Politics polling average. Meanwhile, Biden has dropped into second behind Sen. Bernie Sanders. Biden placed fourth in the Iowa caucuses and fifth in the New Hampshire primary. He is seeking to rebound with decisive wins in Nevada and South Carolina, which hold their nominating contests later this month. Bloomberg himself won't be on any state ballot until Super Tuesday, March 3, when delegate-rich states like Texas and California hold their primaries. Others in the Bloomberg surrogate group include Susan Rockefeller, Loews CEO James Tisch, BET co-founder Sheila Johnson and Ariel Investments co-CEO Mellody Hobson, who is married to "Star Wars" creator George Lucas. John Rogers, the other CEO of Ariel, is also part of the organization and has publicly acknowledged that he is supporting Bloomberg after he previously backed Sen. Kamala Harris, who withdrew from the race in December. Rogers reportedly attended a Bloomberg rally in Chicago in early February as the billionaire former New York mayor opened campaign offices throughout the state. Beth Dozoretz, a former campaign aide to Hillary Clinton who was also once finance chair of the Democratic National Committee, is also part of the program. Committee member Gilbert Garcia, a managing partner at a Texas-based asset management firm, said he first got to know Bloomberg at a 2015 New York award ceremony where he, Bloomberg and other business leaders were honored for their work helping young people develop a career on Wall Street. Garcia explained in an interview that the committee was the equivalent to Bloomberg's "ground troops" who "are going to be the one out there, in the day to day trenches for him." "I've been listening to the calls, I talk to a lot of the senior staff and at the end of the day, when he is in Dallas, I call my contacts to go show. When he is going to Houston, I tell my contacts to go," he said. "This committee is essentially his army and they are all top-notch players." 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 14/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A truck with flags and posters stand near the closed train tracks on ninth day of the train blockade in Tyendinaga, near Belleville, Ont., on Friday Feb. 14, 2020, the protest is in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs opposed to the LNG pipeline in northern British Columbia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg Here is the latest news on protests across Canada over a natural-gas pipeline project in British Columbia: Edmonton police say two people were taken into custody during a protest at 109th Street and Jasper Avenue in the city. No other details were released by police, who had asked drivers to avoid the area and find alternate routes. The Mohawk Nation says its members have agreed to meet with federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller on Saturday morning at a blockade on Tyendinaga Mohawk territory near Belleville, Ont., which is now in its ninth day. Miller says he has agreed to be present at the CN Rail crossing in the area. Toronto police have shut down a major downtown intersection due to a protest in support of Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs in northern B.C. Police say on Twitter that the intersection of Yonge and Dundas streets is closed due to a demonstration. Police are warning drivers to expect delays. A small group of people from the Mikmaq territory of Listuguj in Quebec continue to block a rail line in their community. Eric Dube, president of the affected railway, says the blockade that began Monday is costing his company about $15,000 a day in lost revenue. Dube said he spoke to protesters Wednesday and they said they are there for the long haul in support of the hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation in northern B.C. Peter Arsenault, the director of public security for Listuguj, says his department has no plan to remove the "small occupancy" of people from his community camping by the rail line. He says the police force doesn't want to escalate things and won't attempt to remove the protesters without permission from the band council. The community is about 525 kilometres northwest of Quebec City by the New Brunswick border Victoria police say "peaceful" demonstrations at B.C. government offices in the city appear to be wrapping up this afternoon. Activists planned to shut down government offices in British Columbia's capital. However, protesters numbered only in the dozens by midday. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said the blockades and subsequent rail shutdown is "becoming a very serious threat" to the Canadian economy. Speaking in Edmonton, Kennedy says Canada produces commodities that are shipped via rail. He says trains are being shut down "because some angry fringe groups are ignoring the democratically expressed wishes of every First Nation in northern British Columbia." Kenney says it is up Justin Trudeau to decide how to resolve the dispute when he was asked if he had any advice for the prime minister. Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau says Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer's suggestion of ordering police to end rail line blockades across the country is unhelpful. Scheer wants the prime minister to order the public safety minister to tell RCMP detachments to end blockades by supporters of Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs opposed to construction of a natural gas pipeline through their territories in northwestern B.C. But Garneau is dismissing Scheer's remarks. "This is a complex situation and I think that that does not indicate an understanding of the situation," he said. Anti-pipeline protesters are outside government offices in Victoria, but no one appears to be prevented from entering buildings. Groups of demonstrators, numbering between 20 and 100, surround several buildings. The scene is much different from Tuesday outside the B.C. legislature when hundreds blocked entrances to the building, chanting "shame" and "shut down Canada." About 20 people near the steps of the government's Ministry of Finance building, right across the street from the legislature, are waving at passing motorists, many of whom are honking their car horns in support. Roughly two dozen demonstrators outside the government building housing the ministries of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, are offering coffee and snacks to passersby. Canada's largest propane supplier predicts critical shortages of the fuel in central and eastern Canadian markets as a suspension of service on sections of Canadian National tracks continues. Superior Propane says in a statement released today that the supply shortages will "affect its customers and the entirety of the industry." Greg McCamus, president of Superior Propane, says the company is unable to move rail cars of propane to supply Central and Eastern Canada and customers who rely on the fuel to heat and power their homes, businesses, farms, hospitals and more will see shortages "in the coming days." The email says Superior is prioritizing essential service and consumer needs but will be forced to curtail deliveries if railway blockades aren't lifted quickly. All CN service east of Toronto has been suspended and McCamus says the company is working around-the-clock to increase propane delivery by road but will soon be unable to keep up with capacity. He calls on all levels of government to ensure resumption of rail operations and avoid supply shortages. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has no plans to order the RCMP to end the blockades of vital rail links across the country. Speaking in Munich, where he's attending a global security conference, Trudeau brushed off demands made in Ottawa earlier in the day by Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer. Trudeau says "we are not the kind of country where politicians get to tell the police what to do in operational matters." Scheer wants Trudeau to order the public safety minister to tell RCMP detachments to end blockades by supporters of Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs opposed to construction of a natural gas pipeline through their territories in northwestern B.C. Trudeau said Canada has failed Indigenous Peoples for generations and there is no quick fix to problems that have sparked the latest disputes. --- Anti-pipeline protests that have shut down Via Rail operations in some parts of Canada are not affecting operations on two lines in Manitoba and Ontario. Via says it is still operating on a line owned by Hudson Bay Railway between The Pas and Churchill in northern Manitoba, as well as one owned by Canadian Pacific Railway in northern Ontario between Sudbury and White River. Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister has criticized the blockades and says his government will seek injunctions against any more that might be erected in the province. One blockade was set up for 24 hours this week west of Winnipeg, and protesters are threatening more action in the days to come. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer says it's time for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to order the RCMP to end "illegal" blockades of vital rail links. During a speech in Ottawa, Scheer called on Trudeau to order the public safety minister to use his authority under the RCMP Act to end blockades by supporters of Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs who are fighting to stop construction of the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline across their traditional territories in B.C. Scheer says the demonstrations are harming the Canadian economy and disrupting the livelihoods of farmers and small-business owners. He criticized Trudeau, saying the prime minister has refused to use the term "illegal." Trudeau said earlier in the day that there are "no easy answers" to the dispute and Canada isn't a country where politicians tell the police how to conduct their operations A blockade of rail tracks near Vancouver that paralyzed a key commuter rail service early today has been lifted. TransLink, which manages operation of the West Coast Express commuter train between Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, says in an email that CP Rail advises the tracks will be in service in time for the homeward commute. Regular afternoon trips from Vancouver east to Mission are now scheduled. The train carries about 5,000 commuters daily and many of them were stranded in the downtown core Thursday afternoon when opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline set up a camp on tracks just east of Vancouver. About 50 demonstrators have gathered outside at least one government building in downtown Victoria as supporters of Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs vow to shut down all government offices in the city until noon today. Banner-carrying protesters sang and chanted whenever a passing car's horn honked, but they were not blocking the doors. Earlier in the morning, demonstrators held a brief prayer in the downtown core asking for safety for all involved and a voicing hope that their actions would "open the hearts and minds" of politicians and the public. The provincial government obtained an injunction Thursday against any further blockades of entrances to the legislature in a bid to prevent protests similar to the one that delayed the throne speech earlier in the week, but few if any pipeline opponents had gathered on the legislature lawns early today. (The Canadian Press, CFAX) A handful of protesters, many bundled warmly to fend off the -18C chill, milled around blocked train tracks near Belleville, Ont., this morning Two trucks were parked alongside the tracks and a banner reading "Stop Colonization" hung beside a pickup truck and camper. Protesters have refused to talk to media and asked reporters to stay hundreds of metres back from the rail lines along a snowy stretch of tracks through the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. CN and Via Rail have suspended operations on large sections of their networks in response to blockades, such as the one in the Belleville area, and an injunction was granted to remove protesters. Officers in two Ontario Provincial Police cruisers were keeping watch over the demonstration, but were even further from the scene than the media. Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau says freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest are among the most cherished of rights. But he says he is "deeply concerned" about the disruption of rail services by demonstrators supporting a fight against a pipeline being built across Indigenous territory in B.C. Speaking in Toronto, Garneau says the disruptions affect all Canadians. He says the protests affect jobs, livelihoods and the transport of key supplies like food, propane, heating oil, chemicals for water treatment, farming products for export and much more. The minister says he hopes there will be peaceful resolution to the blockade disputes. The Mohawk chief who governs the area near a rail blockade in eastern Ontario said he's pleased to see B.C. officials will meet with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs. Tyendinaga Chief Donald Maracle says the blockade near Belleville was not initiated by his council but has remained peaceful and people are waiting to see what the government's response will be. He says this is a time of passion but says it's time for "patience and calm and dialogue." An injunction has been granted to remove protesters from the Belleville-area blockade. The demonstration has caused CN and Via Rail to shut vast portions of their networks. A spokesman for Canadian National confirms a rail blockade that has halted train traffic to and from the Port of Prince Rupert has been lifted. First Nations leaders raised the possibility Thursday that the four-day blockade could be lifted if federal and provincial politicians agreed to meet to discuss solutions to the ongoing dispute over construction of a natural gas pipeline through Wet'suwet'en traditional territories in northwestern B.C. All parties have agreed to that meeting, although a date must still be arranged. Jonathan Abecassis with CN says the blockade was removed overnight. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada has failed Indigenous peoples for generations and there is no quick fix to issues sparked by construction of a natural gas pipeline on Wet'suwet'en traditional territories in British Columbia. He says Canada is a country of laws and those laws must be enforced, but "getting the balance right" is important. The prime minister called on all parties to move toward reconciliation. Trudeau is in Munich today at a security conference This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14. 2020 Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 00:49:38|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- A lockdown at a high school in southeastern U.S. state Florida was lifted Friday morning after authorities found a student with a weapon, the authorities said. Police "secured the student and the weapon," Michael Lawrence, a spokesman for Seminole County Public Schools, told CNN. All the students and faculty at the Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, Florida, are safe, he said. The school was put on lockdown earlier Friday morning so authorities could investigate a threat on social media, the school previously tweeted. Altamonte Springs is about 11 miles north of Orlando. The lockdown came on the two-year anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which claimed 17 lives. 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. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. In 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. The Goa Mining People's Front (GMPF) on Friday urged the Centre and the Pramod Sawant-led government in the state to provide a lasting solution to the mining impasse here. The mining sector in Goa came to a standstill in March, 2018 after the Supreme Court quashed 88 leases and banned extraction of iron ore. Addressing a press conference, GMPF chief Puti Goankar said, "The economic condition of the people is very bad and falling revenue of the state government is hurting development in Goa. Mining dependents appeal to the judiciary, state government and Centre for their urgent intervention to enable lasting solution for the resumption of mining activities." He also lashed out at NGO Goa Foundation whose case in the apex court led to the mining ban. He hoped the judiciary would give a decision that will protect interests and livelihood of the people of the state as far as mining is concerned. "The people's patience is running out due to to their pathetic economic condition," he claimed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The immediate past Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, has sued his successor, Seyi Makinde, over the revocation of his landed property at Agodi Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ibadan. Also sued alongside the governor are the states Attorney General, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. The former governor is also claiming N15 million from the defendants being the cost of the action, including the expenses incurred to file each of the cases, and his attorneys professional fees. The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, February 12, at the High Court of Justice of Oyo State in the Ibadan Judicial Division, by a former Attorney General of the State, Ojo Adebayo. The matter involves the revocation of a property owned by Mr Ajimobi in Agodi, Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ibadan, to which the former governor has filed four suits numbered; I/183/2020, I/184/2020, I/185/2020 and I/186/2020 at the State High Court. Mr Ajimobi in the document before the court, is contesting the basis of the notice which was sent by the state government on January 31, 2020. The letter entitled, Notice of intention to revoke interest on portion of state land at Agodi government reservation area, Ibadan, was sent by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. Mr Ajimobi is seeking an order of perpetual injunction, stopping the state government from revoking the property with a Certificate of Right of Occupancy dated February 6, 2019 and registered as No. 56 at Page 56 in Volume 3771 of the Lands Registry Office. He seeks an order of injunction against the defendants, their servants, agents and privies, to stop the listed persons from restraining any developmental work, or causing disturbance on the said property, describing the revocation as unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and one not borne of good intention. According to Mr Ajimobi, the land in dispute was donated to him by Alhaji Alao, and was acquired by him by the virtue of Statutory Right of Occupancy dated February 10, 2009 and registered as No. 35 at Page 35 in Volume 3556 of the Lands Registry Office, Ibadan. The donor was said to have enjoyed undisturbed possession of the land before donating it to the claimant. It was also merged with the property registered as No. 16 at Page 16 in Volume 3714 of the Lands Registry Office, Ibadan, and was fenced round for the development of guest chalets, church, mosque, recreation areas and the country home of the former Governor. According to the documents, the former Governor has not breached any of the contracts running on the land. In the lawsuit, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development were accused of forcibly entering, trespassing and breaking into Mr Ajimobis landed property on October 17, 2019. The main gate of the property was allegedly destroyed, the doors of all the rooms in the property were smashed, and several valuable building materials in the property were also allegedly destroyed. All these, according to the lawsuit, were perpetuated by officials of the ministry, armed police men and suspected political thugs of the Oyo State Governor. In what was described as an act of trespassing, the former governor said he has since lodged a complaint with the police, and the individuals involved are being investigated. The police had also reportedly interrogated the commissioner for lands, who is the 3rd defendant, and his cohorts, and according to the lawsuit, was accompanied to Abuja by an official from the office of the attorney-general. States reaction Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Taiwo Adisa, in a statement said that the government revoked the parcels of land in Agodi and Jericho due to alteration of land use. The revocation order, which was dated February 10, 2020, indicated that the affected plots of land were revoked for overriding public interest and for the use of the State Government. Seyi Makinde, Oyo State Governor [PHOTO CREDIT: @seyiamakinde] Notice is hereby given to members of the public that by virtue of powers conferred on the Executive Governor of Oyo State under the provisions of Section 28, of the Land Use Act, Cap LS, No. 18 of the Law of Federation of Nigeria, 2004, the under-listed plots of land located within the Agodi Government Reservation Area in Ibadan are hereby revoked by the Oyo State Government for overriding public interest absolutely and in particular for the use of the State Government. The affected parcels of land include Quarter 361 with adjoining Plots B and C, totalling 23,627sqm (about 48 plots); Quarters 371 and 372, totalling 9,875.002sqm; Plot 138 Magazine Road, Jericho, Ibadan with a total area of 2,990.638sqm; Block 1, Plot 1 and 2 Mammy Market, Agodi GRA, Ibadan; Block 2 Plot1, Agodi GRA; Block 2 Plot 2 and Block 3 Plot 3, also in Agodi GRA, Ibadan. Advertisements Quarter 361, which originally sits on 1,477 Hectares of land used to house the Governors Guest House since the days of Western Region. The current owner prior to the revocation had, however, added the Governments Protocol Quarters which sits on 2,279 sqm and another government property which sits on 6,565 sqm. That brings the current size of the land in the custody of the owner of Quarter 361 to a total of 23,627sqm. The Quarter was initially acquired by a former Governor of the State and revoked by his successor, who thereafter allocated the same to a top Ibadan businessman. The businessman had in turn, registered a Deed of Gift with the States Land Registry to indicate that he had given out the land to another former Governor of the state. Quarters 371 and 372 were also revoked in overriding public interest having violated the original Land Use. The same is true of Plot 138 Magazine Road, Jericho, Ibadan, which originally belongs to the Water Corporation of the State but was assigned to a private company by a past administration. The parcels of land located in the area known as Mammy Market, housing Block 1, plot 1 and 2, Block2 plot 1, Block2 plot 2 and 3 and Block 3 plot 3 were revoked for violating the one man, one plot principle guaranteed by the Land Use Act, 1978 as well as the approved Land Use when it was turned to commercial residential use, whereas the plots of land were given out for private residential purposes. They were supposed to be owner-occupier but they are not, the official said. A woman has been left with horrific facial injuries after she was assaulted and robbed while on her way to catch a train. The 50-year-old was walking to Kingswood Railway Station in Sydney's west about 5.15am on Wednesday when she was set upon by two strangers. The men struck the woman in the face leaving her with gruesome injuries to her face. The men struck the woman in the face leaving her with gruesome injuries on her face and bruised eyes, scars and lumps to her forehead and chin. Her backpack with her wallet and phone inside was stolen by the two attackers as they fled the scene. The scared woman made her way back home and was taken to Nepean Hospital by her partner where she was treated for her injuries. She has since been released. NSW Police have now released CCTV images of two men who they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries. One man is shown wearing a black shirt, blue shorts, a black cap, and white sneakers. The second man is shown wearing a blue 'Puma' t-shirt, black shorts, a black cap, black sneakers, and is carry a black shoulder bag. Both men had bicycles with them. NSW Police investigators have now released CCTV images of two men who they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries School Eco Council hope their environmental work will encourage others to make lifestyle changes This article is old - Published: Friday, Feb 14th, 2020 Members of an Eco Council at a local primary school are hoping their environmental work will encourage others to step up and make small changes in their own lives too. The group at Borras Park Community Primary School Eco Council consists of pupils from Early Years all the way up to Year 6, and they meet regularly throughout the term to develop and enhance their action plan. The school has been taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint for many years, leading to them being awarded the prestigious Platinum Flag by Eco Schools Wales during the summer term of 2018. The award is the highest possible one available to schools and is only given for ten-plus years of continued environmental work. To continue with their work, members of the Eco Council have unveiled five key aims as part of their action plan. These include:- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle as much as possible Lessen the amount of non-renewable energy the school uses To develop new international links To continue to be a carbon neutral school and inspire other schools to follow To use Ecosia.org as the default search engine in school (Ecosia use their profits to plant trees in areas of the world most affected by deforestation) Seven-year-old Alessia said: I like being on the Eco Council because its important to learn about environmental matters. Year 3 are also learning about climate change for our topic this term. We need to learn what we can do to stop our planet getting any warmer. As part of its ongoing efforts to becoming more environmentally friendly, last year the school become carbon neutral for the first time. The school achieved this by calculating its carbon emissions and then offset these by helping to fund green projects on the UNs Carbon Offset platform (offset.climateneutralnow.org) Borras Park CP is also a member of the One World international group of schools that aims to make children more globally competent. Robert Stock teaches a Year 3 class at Borras Park CP, and theyre currently studying the topic Climate Action, which they are working on alongside other One World schools. Mr Stock added: Our sustained work over the last decade has led to us being awarded the prestigious Eco Schools Platinum Flag. Were also a member of the One World program, which is a global network of educators and pupils working together to make our pupils more globally competent. As a Platinum Flag school, we now annually attend the Wales National Eco Council meeting alongside the other Platinum Flag schools. Were extremely proud of our pupils work on environmental matters. We have an extremely active Eco Council that act as leaders and inspire their peers to be more environmentally friendly. He added: Our school has a One World after school club, led by our headteacher, Mr Nicholson. Children who attend are referred to as Agents of Change and they connect and collaborate with other One World clubs around the World and discuss global issues. Myself and Mr Nicholson attended One World Week in New York in November 2019. We worked alongside teachers from around the world at a series of workshops on the teaching of global competence and planned a shared topic for our school to work on during the spring term. Hubballi : , Feb 14 (IANS) Karnataka would significantly contribute towards making India a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said here on Friday. "Our state has the ability to contribute to the country's economic growth for achieving the $5 trillion GDP target by 2024-25, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisioned," the Chief Minister said at the Invest Karnataka 2020 meet here. Inaugurating the day-long investors' meet to attract investments and create jobs in the state's northwest and northern regions, Yediyurappa said his government would provide time bound approvals for ease of doing business. "The Karnataka Land Reforms Act will be amended in the ensuing budget session to fast track the approvals in 30 days," he asserted. If clearances for land acquisition and conversion are not provided in a month, the investment proposal will be deemed approved under the new law, reiterated the Chief Minister. Noting that the southern state was rich in natural and human resources, especially in high-technology and skilled workforce, Yediyurappa said investment opportunities were plenty in aerospace, automobiles, machine tools, electric vehicles and bio-technology besides information technology. "About 40 global firms expressed interest to invest in our state at a roadshow we held at Davos in Switzerland on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) meet on January 23," he recalled. Under the new industrial policy, the state government will set up clusters to make toys at Koppal, textiles at Bellari, solar equipment at Kalaburagi and farm machinery at Bidar. "We are committed to make north Karnataka a power house of industries for the development of the region, with Hubballi-Dharwad as the growth hub," Yediyurappa added. State Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar said the presence of about 1,000 investors-cum-industrialists from across the country and overseas was a testimony to the potential of the region for huge investments and job creation. "As a major destination for investments in the country, Karnataka is chosen by global companies to set up their operations due to our investor-friendly policies and ease of doing business terms," said Shettar, who hails from Hubballi. Though metropolitan areas are growth engines, Shettar said investments in cities and towns across the state would ensure regional competitiveness and uniform development. "We are creating an ecosystem in tier II and tier III cities with land banks and regional connectivity for industrial development," Shettar said. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers D.V. Sadananda Gowda and Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi, who hail from the southern state, also participated in the meet. What just happened? Federal authorities have shut down the first cryptocurrency mixer, after they found it was the go-to service for criminals on the dark web. This means that those who have legally sound reasons for privacy in their crypto transactions need to look into other options, as any other cryptocurrency mixers are bound to be suspected of similar money-laundering activities. When it comes to cryptocurrency, there's a big group of users who are deeply invested in the ecosystem for its potential to act as an alternative financial platform to banks. However, cryptocurrencies often attract criminals, who want to use them to conduct transactions that fly under the radar of the authorities. Today, an Ohio man was arrested for operating a "Bitcoin mixer" on the dark web, which was essentially a cryptocurrency laundering service. Federal authorities have charged Larry Harmon for "tumbling" no less than $300 million worth of Bitcoin through an unlicensed service called Helix, which is known to have partnered with dark web marketplace Alphabay that was shut down in 2017. Between 2014 and 2017, Harmon took funds from various people, split them into many small parts and moved them in various wallets. From there, the funds would get reassembled into the original amount in a different Bitcoin wallet, a process that in theory should have concealed the origin of 350,000 Bitcoin used by criminals. The problem with that thinking is the Bitcoin blockchain is much more transparent than you'd think, and while tracing transactions isn't necessarily easy, all of them are permanently stored in the Bitcoin network. Some alternatives to Bitcoin that focus on privacy are Monero and Zcash, but even those can still be tracked through clever means. There are companies like Chainalysis that make it their mission to make it easy to link digital identities -- which are random-looking strings of characters -- to the people that use them. Another is CipherTrace, which have even gone as far as infecting their own systems with ransomware in order to trace the Bitcoin used in paying cybercriminals. DC Attorney Timothy Shea noted that "For those who seek to use Darknet-based cryptocurrency tumblers, these charges should serve as a reminder that law enforcement, through its partnerships and collaboration, will uncover illegal activity and charge those responsible for unlawful acts." Just two months ago the DOJ arrested four men involved in a $722 million cryptocurrency fraud, so even if your intention is to invest in the ecosystem as a way to make additional income, it's not always a good idea. Cryptocurrencies are likely to become important financial instruments in the future, but in the meantime they're a multi-billion dollar playground for thieves, fraudsters, and criminals looking to conceal their activities. Fla. county agrees to let atheists give invocations; pays $490K in legal settlement Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Florida county will now allow atheists to give invocations at the start of government meetings and was ordered to pay $490,000 as part of a recently agreed upon legal settlement. The Brevard County Board of Commissioners reached a settlement with a group of plaintiffs who were prohibited from giving invocations at the meeting. The plaintiffs will now be allowed to give invocations, according to an announcement by Americans United for Separation of Church & State. The county will also dole out $430,000 in court costs and legal fees, as well as $60,000 in damages to the plaintiffs. Alex J. Luchenitser, associate legal director for Americans United who helped represent the plaintiffs, supported the settlement. This settlement protects the religious freedom of everyone in Brevard County. No one should be excluded from participating in local government because of their beliefs about religion, said Luchenitser in a statement released Tuesday. In 2014, David Williamson of the Central Florida Freethought Community and other leaders asked to do an invocation at the beginning of the Brevard County Commissioners meeting. In response, Brevard Commissioners unanimously approved a measure banning atheist invocations from opening their public meetings. Brevard County Chair Mary Bolin Lewis told Williamson that he could offer an atheist invocation during the public comments section of the meeting. "The prayer is delivered during the ceremonial portion of the county's meeting, and typically invokes guidance for the County Commission from the highest spiritual authority, a higher authority which a substantial body of Brevard constituents believe to exist," wrote Lewis at the time. "The invocation is also meant to lend gravity to the occasion, to reflect values long part of the county's heritage, and to acknowledge the place religion holds in the lives of many private citizens in Brevard County." Williamson and other plaintiffs sued the county in 2015, being represented by Americans United, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and the American Civil Liberties Union. In September 2017, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida ruled against the county and in July of last year, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit also ruled against the invocation policy. Circuit Judge Stanley Marcus authored the opinion, arguing that although Brevard County was allowed to have sectarian invocations, they could not exclude certain groups from giving them. Brevard County has selected invocation speakers in a way that favors certain monotheistic religions and categorically excludes from consideration other religions solely based on their belief systems. Brevard Countys process of selecting invocation speakers thus runs afoul of the Establishment Clause, Marcus wrote in his decision last year. Secular humanists are far from the only group viewed with disfavor some of the Commissioners and former Commissioners have testified unambiguously that they would not allow deists, Wiccans, Rastafarians, or, for that matter, polytheists to deliver prayers, and that they would have to think long and hard before inviting a Hindu, a Sikh, or a follower of a Native American religion. Reliance Jio became one of the most sought after telecom brand in India soon after its inception. Be it their affordable tariff plans or internet connectivity, the Reliance Jio has struck the right chords with the audience. Now, the latest TRAI data reveals that Jio has the best download speed amongst the other telecom giants such as Vodafone Idea, Airtel and BSNL. As per the latest TRAI data, Reliance Jio has topped the average 4G download speed rankings with 20.9 megabits per second (Mbps) speed whereas Vodafone has led the chart in terms of 4G upload speed in January. The report states that Jio's speed was almost three times higher than its rival Bharti Airtel. The TRAI data revealed that the Bharti Airtel had an average 4G download speed of 7.9 Mbps, while Vodafone's speed is slightly lesser with 7.6 Mbps and Idea lags behind with 6.5 Mbps. Although Vodafone and Idea are not separate entities anymore, TRAI has measured their performances separately. Vodafone, which came in third in the download speed, has topped the rankings in the 4G upload speed. Its data speed was 6 Mbps, followed by Idea with 5.6 Mbps, Airtel 3.8 Mbps and Reliance Jio 3.8 Mbps. The download speed is determined by how fast you can access websites, apps and other content on the internet while the upload speed is all about how fast you can share your content such as email, messages, photos etc. On another note, Reliance's JioFiber became the fastest broadband operator and reclaimed the lost spot in Netflix ISP Speed Index in the month of January 2020. Earlier, Mumbai-based 7 Star Digital topped the Netflix ISP Speed Index. For the unversed, the Netflix ISP index measures the prime time Netflix performance. The data for January states that JioFiber had a hassle-free Netflix streaming experience, followed by 7 Star Digital. Reliance Jio is quite a leader in almost every segment they have ventured into. They currently have over 370 million subscribers. Although the prices of prepaid plans were increased in December, there was no decrease in the number of subscribers. Jio still offers the most affordable tariff plans if compared to the other two telecom giants Vodafone and Airtel. It was hailed for its impeccable network availability in difficult areas. On February 14, in the framework of the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zahorodniuk held a meeting with Romanian Minister of National Defense Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca. According to the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the parties focused on the Black Sea region security. "Zahorodniuk stressed the importance of cooperation at the level of naval forces and the strengthening of joint efforts with partners in the Eastern European region in order to ensure stability in the Black Sea," the statement reads. The ministers discussed the promising areas of cooperation, including the future signing of an agreement on military-technical cooperation between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Romania, as well as the exchange of information on situational awareness in air and maritime domains. The parties also expressed concern about the destabilization activities of the Russian Federation in the Black and Azov Seas, as well as further militarization of the illegally occupied Crimean peninsula. Among other important aspects, the ministers stressed the need for continued bilateral cooperation, participation in joint multinational exercises and cooperation in the framework of multinational engineer battalion TYSA. ish Ryan Dionne held the emotionally distraught woman down and Keith Turner kneed her repeatedly in the head and back, according to witnesses to the brutal daytime assault. The two men then allegedly dragged their victim across a long field and a pavilion her head bobbing off the ground, her eyes rolled back in her head as they ordered potential witnesses: Look away! Look Away! Keith Turner Some did as they were told. But others looked on. Now they are telling their stories as part of a lawsuit that seeks to recover money for Cheryl Weimar, 51, who is paralyzed from the neck down as a result of the Aug. 21, 2019, attack. But because it happened at Lowell Correctional Institution and Weimar was an inmate, afforded few rights and little dignity, and Dionne and Turner were staff members, the alleged attackers have not been charged with a crime, and one of them remains on staff, his salary covered by the taxpayers of Florida. That would be Ryan Dionne. Ryan Dionne Keith Turner, 34, who had achieved the rank of lieutenant despite a sordid track record of complaints alleging he brutalized inmates at the womens prison and coerced them into performing sex acts, was dismissed only after being accused of molesting underage victims away from the job. Both men are subjects of an ongoing criminal investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Prison system spokeswoman Michelle Glady said the Department of Corrections doesnt comment on litigation or personnel matters, but that the prison system does not tolerate brutalizing inmates. When alleged assaults by prison staff are investigated as possible crimes, the inquiry can drag on for months only to lead in many cases to no charges. One remedy is a civil suit, but as that plods through the courts, taxpayers pay the salary of the alleged abuser or abusers. Deposed as part of the lawsuit, which names them individually and the Department of Corrections as defendants, both men repeatedly invoked their Fifth Amendment right to say nothing. Story continues According to the lawsuit, Dionne stated privately after the assault that he beat [Plaintiff] stupid because she couldnt clean a toilet. After witnessing the officers drag the lady through the compound, I and others thought the lady was dead, Brittany Flutie Davis, a former Lowell inmate, said in a sworn statement. Cheryl A. Weimar in her prison mug shot, before she was beaten and nearly killed by staff members at Lowell Correctional Institution. Davis was one of four women who recently gave similar statements about the day Weimar who has a history of mental illness and suffered from a bad back and hip was beaten by the corrections officers. Lawyer Ryan Andrews filed the federal civil rights lawsuit in September on behalf of Weimar. In the past week, Andrews filed three separate motions asking a judge for summary judgment against the two guards, Turner and Dionne, and a motion seeking partial summary judgment against the Florida Department of Corrections. Andrews said he hopes that Weimar, who is now a quadriplegic, will get the care she needs. The indisputable evidence establishes that defendant Dionne violated plaintiffs Eighth Amendment right to be free from cruel and unusual punishments by using excessive force on plaintiff, causing her to suffer severe and permanent injuries, Andrews wrote in the motion. Weimar, who was incarcerated in 2016 on a domestic violence-related charge, was tasked with cleaning the toilet in a dorm and told guards she couldnt do it because of her hip condition. The officers ignored Weimars declaration of a mental health emergency and began beating her, the Miami Herald was told. Cheryl Weimar was severely beaten by two officers at Lowell Correctional Institution, leaving her paralyzed from the neck down. Andrews included recent depositions of both corrections officers. Neither answered any of Andrews detailed questions, some as benign as whether they had given a deposition before. Many of the questions called for yes/no answers. A sample: Andrews: Do you currently work for the Florida Dionne: Im asserting my Fifth Amendment right. Andrews: Did you have any physical interactions with Cheryl Weimar? Dionne: Im asserting my Fifth Amendment right. But the women of Lowell didnt hold back. One woman the Herald is not naming her because she is currently incarcerated said she heard Turner say to Dion Lets go take care of this, after another staffer, an officer Baez, called for help over the radio. As they were dragging her, her feet and knees [were] hitting the ground, and the tops of her feet dragging on the ground behind her, she said. Later that day, she said, Baez told her and another woman That lady didnt deserve that. Davis went on to say that inmates were threatened by officers with months of confinement, a highly restrictive and undesirable form of isolation, if they told a state lawmaker visiting the compound what they had seen. She also said Turner had a reputation on the compound for sexually abusing female inmates. It was also rumored that he contracted and continued to spread the sexually transmitted disease herpes to many of his female inmate victims, she said, adding hed often threatened punishment. If you refused to take care of him, which meant oral or regular sex, he d threaten to put you under investigation and take your gain time. Some of the girls were so desperate to not lose their gain time they would have sexual intercourse with Lt. Turner. Gain time is time shaved off a sentence for good behavior. Department of Corrections Secretary Mark Inch, quoted six months after the incident, said the department has processes in place to identify, report, investigate, terminate and arrest, as applicable, those who violate our standards of professional conduct. I have made it very clear that we have zero tolerance for abuse and have taken swift action to hold correctional officers accountable, when we have substantiated evidence against a staff member for misconduct, he said in a statement. We will continue to fully cooperate in FDLEs open and active case and will exercise the patience necessary to get all of the facts. If any individual is found to have acted outside their authorities, we will take action against them. In 2015, the Herald published the investigative series Beyond Punishment, which explored cruel conditions Lowell inmates had to endure. Miami Herald staff writer Ben Conarck contributed to this report. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. VALLEY COTTAGE, N.Y. (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The latest market research report by Future Market Insights on the IBC rental business includes global industry analysis 20142018, and opportunity assessment 20192029. The report studies the IBC rental business and provides critical insights for the forecast period 20192029. As per the findings of the report, the global IBC rental business is projected to experience significant growth over the forecast period, due to various driving factors such as the growing demand from low-capital end-users and stringent shipping and storing regulations. The global IBC rental business is estimated to be valued at ~ US$ 1 Bn in 2019, projecting a CAGR of ~ 5% during the period of 2019-2029. The growth of the IBC rental business is remarkably driven by increasing demand from small to middle-scale chemical companies. The IBC rental business is expected to witness a steady growth rate in the foreseeable future, owing to the growth of the global chemical industry. In addition, continued urbanization in the developing economies of South and East Asia has increased the demand for chemical which is expected to directly impact the growth of the IBC rental business. Europe to Remain as Dominating Market Region throughout the Forecast Period The IBC rental business is closely related to the export activities and manufacturing of chemical and value-added products of different countries. The domestic production of end user in different regions are estimated to be a key factor in analyzing the leading end-use industries for the IBC rental services. Europe is expected to dominate the regional market in terms of demand, owing to its established export business. In 2018, Europe contributed nearly 40% of the total global export of chemical products. The Benelux and Germany are estimated to account cumulatively 1/3 of market share in the European IBC rental business. South Asia is anticipated to witness a fast-paced growth, owing to government policies to increase the export of chemical products from ASEAN regions and India. Temperature-controlled IBCs to Gain Traction in Coming Years The global market of IBC rental business has been segmented in terms of material type, product type, content, capacity, end use, and regions. The regions are segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, East Asia, South Asia, and Middle East & Africa. By product type, carbon steel IBC is generally preferred in the IBC rental business. In terms of value, stainless steel IBC is estimated to be the leading product in the market. The reusability and secure handling of hazardous and flammable products are critical features, due to which steel IBCs are highly used in IBC rental business. By content, shipping and storing of liquid are the main applications of rental IBCs. The higher safety, filling, and dispensing offered by IBCs are expected to prove itself as great packaging formant for industrial products packaging. By capacity type, the IBCs with the capacity of 1,001-1,500 liters are estimated to be prominent in the global IBC rental business, owing to the specific standard size mentioned by regulatory authorities. By end use, the industrial chemicals segment is leading for IBC rental business. The food & beverages segment is projected to be an emerging segment for IBC rental business, due to estimated increment in export volume based on previous five-year trade. IBC Rental Business: Market Vendor Insights The report highlights some of the market players, who have recognized themselves as leaders in the global IBC rental business. Some of the global key players in the IBC rental business profiled in report are Good Pack Ltd., Hoover Ferguson Group, Arlington Packaging (Rental) Limited, Precision IBC, Inc., Hoyer Group, Metano IBC Services, Inc., CMO Enterprises, Inc., Mitchell Container Services, Inc., Global Packaging Services (GPS), Brambles Limited, Envirotainer AB, Americold, HCS (Hawman Container Services), SCHAFER WERKE GmbH, and TPS Rental Systems. Some of the IBC manufacturers are also showing interest to enter in IBC rental business owing to high-profit opportunity in renting, cleaning, and maintaining services of IBCs. It will show remarkable increment in the volume of rental IBCs in the global fleet. Press Release Source: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/09/12/1914728/0/en/IBC-Rental-Business-Market-is-projected-to-grow-at-a-CAGR-of-5-during-the-forecast-period-of-2019-to-2029-Future-Market-Insights.html Related Press Release: About Us Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends. Contact Us Mr. Abhishek Budholiya 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 T (UK): +44(0)20-7692-8790 Sales: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Press Office: Press@futuremarketinsights.com Both Zoe Kravitz and her mom, Lisa Bonet, were in High Fidelity, only 20 years apart. Bonet was in the 2000 movie adaptation of Nick Hornbys book. Kravitz stars in Hulus streaming series update of it, as the lead character Rob. Rob was originally a man in Hornbys book and John Cusack played him in the movie. Zoe Kravitz | Phillip Caruso/Hulu Kravitz is Rob, the record store owner and DJ who uses music to cope with her breakups. Rob analyzes her five most significant breakups to find out what shes doing wrong in relationships. In the movie, Bonet played a love interest for Rob. Kravitz was on a Television Critics Association panel discussing her new show. High Fidelity is now streaming on Hulu. First, Zoe Kravitz talked to Nick Hornby about High Fidelity Any adaptation, let alone a gender flipped one, goes back to the original author. Kravitz said Hornbys reaction was the most important, and now hes a producer on the Hulu incarnation of High Fidelity. I didnt talk to John Cusack, Kravitz said. I talked to [the films director] Stpehen Frears a bit and I talked to Nick Hornby a lot. He was a producer on the show and me and him would exchange playlists and talk constantly. We became very close over the process. To me, obviously, we wouldnt be here without him so having his blessing and his input was really important to me. Zoe Kravitz wasnt on the set of Lisa Bonets High Fidelity Born in 1988, Kravitz would have been 11 when Bonet filmed High Fidelity. She was not joining her mother on movie sets at that age. No, I didnt go, Kravitz said. It was in Chicago. I think I was in school here in L.A. and I probably stayed with my grandmother or something, but I remember her going to shoot it. Lisa Bonet was mellow about the new High Fidelity When Kravitz got the Hulu High Fidelity show, she and Bonet did not make too big a deal about it, but Bonet was supportive. Zoe Kravitz | Phillip Caruso/Hulu No, we didnt talk about it so much, Kravitz said. She loved making the movie. She loves the movie. Im a huge fan of the movie as well and I think we just both thought it was just a cool thing that was happening, but we didnt talk about it too much. Zoe Kravitz made her own Rob Even though Robs love life is in the same state and her obsession with music remains, Kravitz had a lot of room to make Rob her own. Another way she made Rob distinct was in how she dresses in 2020. Zoe Kravitz | Phillip Caruso/Hulu TORONTO, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bragg Gaming Group Inc. (TSXV: BRAG, OTC: BRGGF) (Group), the rapid growth B2B gaming technology platform, aggregator and services provider, today provided a business update, preliminary 2019 financial results, and a 2020 financial outlook. Preliminary 2019 Financial Performance The Group expects revenue to be approximately EUR 26m for 2019, coming in at the high end of market expectations and representing growth of over 37% as compared to 2018 on a pro forma basis, if Oryx had been a part of the Group for all of 2018. The Groups Clean EBITDA1 of EUR 1.4m, will be positive for the first time. Management attributes the growth to: The core casino aggregator platform performing extremely well in sales processes facilitated by rapid integrations; Successful notable new client wins, including Unibet, Betsson, Leo Vegas, BetClic & Mr Green, among others; Stabilisation and growth of key German revenues following renewal of licenses in the middle of the year; and Exceptional growth of regulated revenues, including Columbia through its agreement with FullReto.co, Romania, Sweden and Croatia. The Group will be changing its reporting currency to EUR, as opposed to CAD, effective 1 Jan 2020. EUR is the main revenue generator and cost base of the Group and thus a more representative indicator of its performance and current standing. 2020 Financial Outlook The Group forecasts revenue for 2020 to be in the range of EUR 35-38m (2019: EUR 26m), an increase of up to 48% on 2019 with Clean EBITDA for 2020 of EUR 5.5m (2019: EUR 1.4m), a larger increase due to continuing improvements in cost efficiency as the Group continues to scale. Group revenue and EBITDA are ahead of forecast for January 2020. Recent news from the German market, which represents around 40% of Group revenue, shows a positive outlook for a potential breakthrough in German regulations. All 16 autonomous Lander (States) have agreed in principle to allow federal casino and poker provisions. The Group has not included any positive impact of these regulations into financial forecasts at this time whilst it awaits further developments. However, management believes the risk against German revenues to be materially reduced and hence a likely positive impact on overall business. Business Advancements Contingent Consideration and Financing As part of the 2018 Oryx acquisition by the Group, the Group is accountable for earn-out related, contingent consideration, due to Oryxs vendor, KAVO Holdings. Management is engaged in amicable discussions with the vendor to restructure the original terms, potentially accelerating the entire earn out due or adapting the current payment terms with both sides committed to finding a long-term solution that will support and accelerate Oryxs growth while sustaining shareholder value. To that end, the Group is working with a third-party investment bank and financial partners to support further evaluation of its options. Dominic Mansour, CEO of Bragg, stated, We have fostered a great relationship with the Oryx team throughout 2019 and will continue to work together to ensure the Group continues along a path towards long-term growth. We are exceptionally well positioned in a lucrative industry and we believe that the current valuation does not reflect the potential of the Group and are together working on finding a solution. GMS Strategic Review In August 2019, the Group announced a strategic review of their Online Media Division, including their GiveMeSport and GiveMeBet assets. The Group concluded the third-party led review in January 2020, in line with their initial timeline, and is pleased to announce that it is currently in an exclusivity period with a preferred partner for the sale of the business. The Group aims to finalize and close this transaction by the end of 1Q20 and will provide further updates to the market when possible. I am very pleased with the immense progress weve made throughout 2019 and with our position looking into 2020, stated Dominic Mansour, CEO of Bragg. We are keen to capitalize on the strong growth in the gaming industry and are focused on continually improving our B2B operations by building new relationships with large operators across Europe, Latin America and the United States, as well as partnering with notable industry players who complement our offering. We have an exciting 1Q20 ahead with several important announcements in the pipeline, and I look forward to updating the investment community as we continue to execute on our strategy. About Bragg Gaming Group Bragg Gaming Group Inc. (TSXV:BRAG, OTC:BRGGF) is a next generation gaming group with cutting-edge technology, leading brands and world-class management expertise, developing into a global gaming force. Formed by a team of gaming industry experts, Braggs main portfolio is ORYX Gaming , an innovative B2B gaming technology platform and casino content aggregator. Through this brand and targeted acquisitions, Bragg is focused on becoming a leader within the evolving global gaming industry. Learn more at https://www.bragg.games . For Bragg Gaming Group, contact: Yaniv Spielberg, CSO, Bragg Gaming Group +1-647-800-2282 info@bragg.games For media enquiries or interviews, please contact: Lina Sennevall, Square in the Air lina@squareintheair.com For investor inquiries, please contact: Tim Dawson, Bragg Gaming Group +1-289-276-1167 tim@bragg.games For US investor inquiries, please contact: Laine Yonker, Edison Group +1-646-653-7035 lyonker@edisongroup.com _________________________ Australia Says Extended China Travel Ban in National Interest Amid COVID-19 Outbreak Australia defended its decision to bar people from entering the country from mainland China until at least Feb. 22 amid the COVID-19 outbreak, saying the measure was implemented in the countrys best interest. After the extended travel restriction was announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday, the Chinese Embassy in Canberra in a statement expressed its deep regret and dissatisfaction at the federal governments extreme decision. It urged the government to lift the ban as soon as possible, calling the measures an overreaction, as the World Health Organization (WHO) has not recommended travel or trade restrictions on China. The entry restrictions on foreign nationals who have recently traveled to mainland China were due to be lifted on Saturday, Feb. 15. However, Morrison said the country would extend the ban for at least a further week to protect Australians amid the coronavirus outbreak. As always, our priority is to keep Australians safe, Morrison said in a statement. On Friday, federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg said that although the ongoing travel restrictions are having a negative effect on the economy, the decision was based on the best possible medical advice, reported 7 News. Our first obligation is to act in the national interest, he told reporters. More than 100,000 international students stranded in China have been unable to begin their university classes in Australia this term, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp., sparking concern within the education sector. Australias Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said that while he understood Beijings concerns, the country must prioritize the health of its citizens. 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. An exception for the travel ban includes Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family membersspouses, legal guardians and dependents only. However, all travelers among this group will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival to Australia. Morrison said the decision was made after the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee advised that the coronavirus outbreak in mainland China had not improved in the past two weeks. The restrictions will be reviewed again in one week. There is continuing and concerning growth of cases and mortality in Hubei province and further, though slower, growth in other regions of mainland China, he said in a news release. Nine of the 15 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Australia are in stable condition and six have been cleared. Morrison added that the introduction of the border measures in Australiaamong other arrangementshas proven effective in preventing the spread of the disease. No cases of coronavirus infection have been detected since Australia put in place its travel ban on Feb. 1, he said. No Australians quarantined at Christmas Island or Darwin have tested positive for the disease, AAP reported. The first group of evacuees flown out from Wuhanthe epicenter of the outbreakis expected to return home on Monday, Feb. 17. An increasing number of countries have introduced some form of travel restrictions on passengers who have visited mainland China, as cases have been confirmed in roughly two dozen countries and the death toll continues to rise. On the relatively rare occasions when disaster forces K-12 schools to close for a prolonged period of time, e-learning has helped fill the gap in instruction. Asian countries affected by the SARS outbreak in 2003 turned to virtual instruction . When Hurricane Katrina battered New Orleans in 2005, Louisiana Virtual School expanded its capacity to meet students needs. Sixth-to-12th-grade students who lost their homes to Hurricane Sandy in 2012 kept learning thanks to New York states e-learning platform and donated e-learning program licenses from several companies. The coronavirus outbreak this year has prompted similar action in China and Hong Kong, where schools are closed until at least next month amid concerns over a disease that has claimed more than 1,300 lives and affected more than 60,000 people worldwide . Several private companies have begun helping schools offer virtual instruction to students, and Chinas Ministry of Education next week will begin uploading K-12 courses to a national online database. Only 15 cases have been reported in the U.S., and officials are urging Americans not to panic. Hospitals are stockpiling resources in case the threat worsens. But the threat of school closures stateside inevitably looms. Schools across the U.S. use virtual learning for more common occurrences like flu-related absences or inclement weather. Twelve states currently have explicit policies for e-learning days, which means theyre prepared to take students online in the event of a snow day or other emergency, according to a report from the Digital Learning Collaborative . Districts in several other states without formal policies have also experimented with taking students online when circumstances necessitate, according to the Collaborative report. K12, Inc., one of the nations largest for-profit online education partners for K-12 schools, has developed protocols for dealing with a sudden surge of e-learning needs during previous incidents like flooding in Baton Rouge, La., and Houston, according to Karen Ghidotti, the companys senior vice president of customer experience. Schools offering online education to students in a situation like a coronavirus outbreak need to keep in mind that students might be unusually distressed, Ghidotti said. A very solid and consistent learning experience is essential so that students who might have a sick family member or otherwise fear catching the disease have a steady academic presence they can rely on. Ghidottis team also urges school partners to keep parents and students clearly informed of the e-learning options: how to access them, how they work, whats expected from them. On the companys end, an emergency situation generally prompts contact with local officials and sometimes involves lifting existing caps on the number of students who can enroll in an online charter offering, she said. Schools without built-in online protocols have options to quickly stand up e-learning too. Several schools in China and Hong Kong reached out in recent days to Century Tech, a U.K.-based technology company that offers a learning platform powered by artificial intelligence. The companys customer success teams jumped into action to quickly onboard students and assign courses. We can get schools up and running in about three hours, said Charles Wood, the companys head of international. The Century Tech platform identifies topics students are struggling to grasp and offers them lessons accordingly. Teachers can track students progress and intervene when necessary. Schools that designate a single project leader to serve as an intermediary between the company and parents and students have been most successful, according to Wood. Wood also recommends that teachers set aside specific times to interact via virtual conference with parents and students to address misconceptions about the platform, and to suggest techniques students can use to break up their time in front of a screen. How many hours are you spending in front of a screen, reading a book, interacting with your siblings or parents? Wood said. It can come from the schools giving clear directions to parents. But it needs to come from the parents too, in a way thats empowering the students to think about self-regulation. Image: Yuncheng, Shanxi, China: A teacher uses a multi-media network education system because of the novel coronavirus pneumonia. (Credit: TPG via ZUMA Press) The suspect in a robbery one week ago outside a Hoover store was captured in north Alabama and is now again behind bars. Gerald Geralmee Varise, a 28-year-old convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history, was arrested by Huntsville police on Thursday. Hoover police on Friday announced formal charges against Madison man for third-degree robbery and criminal use of a chemical spray. The incident happened at 3:38 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, in the Target parking lot on Grove Boulevard. Hoover police Lt. Keith Czeskleba said the teen told police he was sitting in his mothers vehicle when he was approached by a black male. The suspect reached into the victims vehicle and attempted to take an undetermined amount of cash from a purse. When the victim tried to stop the theft, he was sprayed with pepper spray by the suspect. After taking property from the victim, the suspect now identified as Varise - fled the area in a white, four-door passenger car driven by another male. The victim was treated at the scene for exposure to pepper spray by Hoover Fire medics. Court records show Varise has had multiple felony arrests in recent years. In 2013, he pleaded guilty to robbery and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to theft of property and third-degree robbery. In that case, he got 120 months in prison. Mr. Varise is yet another individual who has an extensive criminal history that includes previous robberies. Hes already been to prison twice and was paroled just last year, said Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector. Its apparent that the mere possibility of returning to prison a third time has not deterred him from committing additional crimes. Rector said police expect other area law enforcement agencies to have an interest in him, now that his identity is known. Authorities have not yet announced the arrest of a second suspect. This case also represents the continued importance of, and power of social media, Rector said. Within 24 hours of the surveillance image being posted, an Alabama State Trooper was able to provide our investigators with a positive identification of this suspect. Varise was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Friday afternoon His current bonds total $30,000. 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. 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 From The Epoch Times Rockville, MD, USA, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) will host its annual European conference, newly dubbed Euro Convergence 2020, in Brussels, 1113 May, at the Radisson Blu. The event will draw a broad range of professionals and regulators concerned with the regulation of medical devices, medicines and other healthcare products, and take place just two weeks before the planned implementation of the EUs extensive overhaul of its rules governing devices, the Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR). While much attention has been focused on the new requirements of the EU MDR and device companies readiness as the 26 May implementation deadline approaches, another major change also is on the horizon. The EU In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (EU IVDR) is set to go into effect in May 2022, and although the deadline is more than two years away and there are fewer IVD manufacturers than device makers, the regulation will bring even more sweeping changes regulated companies must comply with. Expert speakers at Euro Convergence 2020 will cover the most critical issues not only for medical devices and IVDs, but also for pharmaceutical products in Europe. Each area has its own dedicated program track with 24 sessions on device-related topics, 20 on pharmaceuticals and 11 covering IVDs. See the full, interactive agenda. With the European regulatory community facing so many wide-ranging changes and so much uncertainty, Euro Convergence 2020 is an important opportunity to connect, discuss and exchange ideas and information, said RAPS Executive Director Paul Brooks. This is an incredibly supportive community, and I believe we are all on this journey together. RAPS, a global organization headquartered in the US, also holds the largest annual gathering of the regulatory profession, the RAPS Convergence. The Europe-based conference was re-established last year as an additional annual gathering specifically for European professionals as RAPS membership in Europe continues to grow. This year, it has been re-branded as Euro Convergence, strengthening the connection between the two complimentary events. The conference agenda will be updated as additional speakers are confirmed. For those who need more in-depth guidance on several specific key topics, including IVDR and clinical studies in postmarket clinical follow-up, five pre-conference workshops will be held immediately prior the main conference. Reporters, bloggers and other members of the media who wish to cover all or part of the RAPS EuroConvergence should contact Zachary Brousseau, senior manager, communications, RAPS, at zbrousseau@raps.org. About RAPS The Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) is the largest global organization of and for those involved with the regulation of healthcare and related products, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biologics and nutritional products. Founded in 1976, RAPS helped establish the regulatory profession and continues to actively support the professional and lead the profession as a neutral, non-lobbying nonprofit organization. RAPS offers education and training, professional standards, publications, research, knowledge sharing, networking, career development opportunities and other valuable resources, including Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC), the only post-academic professional credential to recognize regulatory excellence. RAPS is headquartered in suburban Washington, DC, with chapters and affiliates worldwide. www.RAPS.org ### Attachments New Delhi, Feb 14 : The India embassy in Japan on Friday said that third Indian national had been tested positive for novel coronavirus or COVID 19 on-board the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess. The embassy tweeted: "Update (as on 14 Feb 2020) On #Indian Nationals On-Board the Quarantined Cruise Ship #DiamondPrincess at #Japan" and attached the health bulletin in the tweet, Which said: "As of 14 February 2020, altogether 218 people have tested positive for COVID-19,including 3 (three) Indian crew members. All 2018 people including Indian nationals have been taken to hospitals for further treatment and quarantine." According to the embassy no other Indian national on board the cruise ship has developed any symptoms of the infection. All three Indians, who have tested positive for the disease, have been contacted by the embassy of India in Tokyo and are under treatment at the medical facilities. "Their health conditions have been confirmed to be stable and improving," said the embassy in the health bulletin. The embassy said that it was constantly in touch with the Japanese authorities to ensure the well being of all the Indian nationals on board the ship, who in response confirmed that they had been following the designated health protocols. The embassy also said that it reached out to the Indian nationals including both crew members and passengers through emails and telephone calls and explained to them about the quarantine regulations of Japanese authorities. According to the embassy, all of them responded to have understood. The India embassy in Japan also said that they were constantly in touch with the ship management company and the employer of the six passengers for appropriate facilitation. Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday said two Indian crew members have tested positive for Coronavirus. On Wednesday, an Indian crew member Anbalagan hailing from Tamil Nadu in a WhatsApp video had 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) Posted on Thursday, February 13, 2020 School of Music students and professors at Texas A&M University-Kingsville are once again earning international recognition. The trombone choir, led by Dr. Oscar Diaz and assisted by Dr. Megan Boutin, was named the Second Runner-up in the Emory Remington Competition, which is one of several competitions held by the International Trombone Association. For the Texas A&M-Kingsville Select Trombone Ensemble to place second runner-up is a huge accomplishment, Diaz said. Not only because this competition is truly at the highest international level, but it is also incredibly significant for the university to place so well because many of the other ensembles that competed, which (A&M-Kingsville) placed above, are recognized as truly some of the best trombone studios in the world. Diaz said the association is the most significant and important organization for professional, collegiate, and amateur trombonists all over the world. The Remington Competition is named after a major figure in trombone pedagogy, Emory Remington, who taught at the Eastman School of Music for about 50 years. Each year, ensembles from around the world submit recordings which are then judged and ranked, with the top honors being Winner, First Runner-up, Second Runner-up, and Honorable Mention. Diaz submitted recordings of two required pieces chosen by the ITA committee. Eight of the top players participated in one piece and 16 top players for the other piece. This is a major factor in attracting the best professionals to visit and perform at Texas A&M-Kingsville, as well as a major factor in attracting and recruiting students to audition for the trombone studio, Diaz said. This is a huge boost to our newly-named School of Music to have such a high placement for one of our studios. When students choose which music school to attend, seeing major accomplishments and placement in this competition is a big factor in attracting them. In the past, the Texas A&M-Kingsville trombone choir has been awarded an Honorable Mention award. Students who competed include Jesse Atkinson of Rio Hondo; Ronald Brown of Nacogdoches, Amanda Esteves of Cedar Park; Carlos D. Garcia of Rio Grande City; Carlos J. Garcia of Brownsville; Joey Guerra of Brownsville; Abel Garza of Harlingen; Matthew Gallegos of Alice; Jesus Ibarra of McAllen; Reynol Martinez of Eagle Pass; Jorge Rodriguez of Brownsville; Patrick Schmidt of Brownsville; Marco Villarreal of Brownsville; Jose Astorga of Brownsville; Marcos Cuellar of Laredo; Eric Garcia of Houston. MONTE ALTO, Texas - A Texas man accused of hanging a small puppy by the neck from a tree and posting a video on Facebook told deputies that he was acting out of boredom, a sheriff said. Claudio Gomez, 21, of Monte Alto, Texas, was being held Friday in the Hidalgo County Jail, charged with torturing a non-livestock animal, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison. Bond was set at $10,000. Sheriffs Sgt. Frank Medrano said deputies traced the video to Gomez, who Medrano says admitted to hanging the dog. Gomez was arrested on Wednesday. Medrano said authorities later found the puppy dead. Rubio Salinas, Gomezs attorney, declined to comment on the case until he could confer with his client. Monte Alto is an unincorporated community of about 2,100 residents 20 miles (33 kilometres) northeast of McAllen. Ukraine also would like to participate in the Alliances mission in Iraq Ukraines Defense Minister Andriy Zahorodniuk and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg Ukraine's Defense Ministry The soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will participate in the renewed mission of NATO in Iraq as TSN reported citing Defense Minister of Ukraine Andriy Zahorodniuk. We clearly stated that we will. The possibility of it is quite high. All countries, which have something to do with it, stated that they support it. For us, it is strategically important. We are interested in our participation in the great number of programs with NATO, Zahorodniuk said. The desire of Ukraine to join the future mission in Iraq is spotted in the document signed by NATO. According to the Defense Ministry, the minister at the session of training and advisory NATO Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan stated that Ukraine will continue to support the efforts of coalition troops in the peace settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan by a diplomatic way. Zahorodniuk supposed that more resources will be deployed to Iraq as the extension of the mission in Afghanistan is not supposed. NATO states have not decided yet when the mission in Iraq would be restored. Earlier, Defense Minister Andriy Zahorodniuk stated that he expects that in October 2020 Ukraine will join the NATO Enhanced Opportunity Plan. KYODO NEWS - Feb 14, 2020 - 13:05 | All, Japan A Japanese court sentenced Friday a 57-year-old man to 18 months in prison, suspended for four years, over an incident last April in which knives were left on Prince Hisahito's classroom desk at a Tokyo junior high school. Kaoru Hasegawa, a resident of Kyoto, admitted to trespassing and other charges during the first hearing of his case at the Tokyo District Court last month and offered an apology, saying his actions were "reckless" and "unforgivable" without making any reference to his feelings about Japan's imperial system. (Ochanomizu University Junior High School) The 13-year-old prince, the nephew of Emperor Naruhito, 59, is the second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne after his father Crown Prince Fumihito, 54. According to the ruling, Hasegawa trespassed into Ochanomizu University Junior High School disguised as a contractor on April 26 after cutting the cable of a security camera installed on the premises of the university with pruning shears. He was carrying two knives with blades around 11 centimeters in length. On the same day, a teacher found the two knives attached to a metal pole with duct tape and placed across the prince's desk and the one next to it. The prince and his classmates were not in the classroom at the time. In handing down the sentence, which was in line with prosecutors' demands, Presiding Judge Hideo Nirei said Hasegawa committed the crime "based on a self-righteous desire to draw public attention" and that his actions "caused great anxiety to school officials and significant social impact." However, the judge said a suspended sentence was given because he has shown remorse. Since the incident, which occurred days before the emperor's ascension to the throne on May 1 and shocked the Imperial Household Agency and police with its brazenness, authorities and the school operator have tightened security in the area, beefing up camera surveillance and patrols at the school, according to imperial house sources. Five-time Olympian Mary Hanna is looking to sell her Bellarine home and equestrian training centre. The 80 Scotchmans Road lifestyle property is for sale through an expressions of interest campaign closing March 1. Hanna, born Mary Sutherland, and her husband Rob Hanna, are seeking $7 million to $7.7 million for the holding. Set on 24 ha, the property includes indoor horse-training spaces, staff accommodation, 13 stables and 13 paddocks with post and rail fencing. The main house comes with four bedrooms and four bathrooms as well as a number of other luxuries including a pool, cellar and separate self contained apartment. The granite residence holds views over The Heads, Melbourne, Geelong and the You Yangs. Charles Stewart Real Estates Andrew Rice is handling the sale. He told RealEstate.com.au it would be up there as one of the best properties on the Bellarine (Peninsula). He said a mix of wealthy individuals, international buyers and business owners would consider the home. It is located 25 minutes from Geelong, 10 minutes from Drysdale and its just under 10 minutes to Portarlington. Update: Universities that are raising rents for on-campus accommodation have said the rises are due to the refurbishment and upgrade of their student residencies. In a statement, DCU said it has an ongoing refurbishment investment programme in its student residences. It said it has spent 3.8m on the programme with a further 1.6m earmarked for the latest round of refurbishments. It noted that it has to invest in the accommodation with its own funds as the Government has not made any grants available for accommodation. It said its accommodation won awards for Best Value for Money and Best University Halls last year. The University operates the best value and lowest priced on-campus student accommodation in Dublin, priced significantly below the prices charged by private sector operators within the vicinity of DCU, it said. DCU Students Union condemns DCUs 4% increase in on-campus accommodation. pic.twitter.com/yPmN9C6DTl DCU Students' Union (@DCUSU) February 13, 2020 In a statement, DCU Students Union said it was outraged at the hikes. Union president Christine Farrell said students are already under huge financial burdens in the midst of the accommodation crisis. She said some students are "facing long commutes from places like Belfast and the west of Ireland. I can only imagine how many more will be joining them on hours-long commutes from around the country simply to educate themselves, something which is an absolute right and not a privilege of those more fortunate. The University of Limerick said it has spent 20m on refurbishment and upgrade costs across its accommodation in the past five years. It said it is introducing a new twin room option for next year which will add 630 beds to the 2,850 already available on-campus. The twin room option will cost between 2,800 and 4,250 for the 37-week school year. NUI Galway said the rises were due to increasing operating costs, significant investment upgrades and development of new accommodation. Meanwhile, UCD has decided to increase rents by the maximum 4% each year for the next three years amounting to 12% rise by 2022. Here's the lowdown on @ucddublin rents... UCD Management have, without consultation with or forewarning to students, decided to increase on-campus accommodation rents by just over 12% by 2022. (1/11) RTs appreciated Vive la revolution #NotABusiness #RetractThe4pct UCD Students' Union (@UCDSU) February 10, 2020 'They are already enormously high' - Students hit out at universities' rent increases Universities are raising rents for on-campus accommodation this September. Rents for student accommodation at DCU, UCD and NUI Galway will be increased by the maximum legal limit of 4%. The cap was applied to student apartments last August to ensure rent predictability in the sector, in the same way as it does in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZ). As campus accommodation rates for 2020-21 are finalised, most universities have also confirmed increases hitting the legal limit, the Irish Independent reports. UL's rents are going up by between 3.5% to 4%, with Maynooth University is raising them by 3%. Craig McHugh, Vice President of the Dublin region for the USI, said student accommodation is too expensive. Mr McHugh said: "If we're looking at student accommodation, particularly around Dublin, we're looking at 8,000 to 11,000 per year, so already they are enormously high." Commenting on the rising rent prices, Threshold's John-Mark McCafferty said: "The colleges are aware of the acute financial pressure students are under and the lack of housing options available to them. According to reports, students in Limerick will pay between 2,800 and 4,250 for a shared room, which is greater than market rents in the area. "Students renting a room in one of Trinity Colleges city centre campuses could pay as much as 7,500 per academic year. Unbelievable as it may seem there is better value for money in the private market. "House shares can be found on the open market for less than that offered by these universities. There are private rooms available to rent in Limerick for 2,600 and for 4,300 in Dublin per academic year. "High rents, and possible ongoing increases, are a barrier to accessing education. Those considering their CAO applications at present may think twice about their choices and future career opportunities as a result. As such, there is no justification for these high rents and the increases. The Company Received a $0.0125 Price Target from Goldman Research Which Initiated Coverage on February 13th PLAYA VISTA, CA, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE American Premium Water Corporation (OTC: HIPH) (the Company) announces that it will be launching new 100mg CBD shots at the USA CBD Expo, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, February 13th-15th, which is the nations largest CBD expo. Company sales representatives will be providing samples to distributors and retailers at the event. They will also be selling the new 20mg flavored water that the Company recently launched. The shots utilize the Companys proprietary Hydro Nanotechnology and will be marketed under the Better than Oil slogan. American Premium Water Corporation CEO Ryan Fishoff stated, I am happy to announce the launch of our 100mg shots. This product was developed in coordination with feedback from retailers and distributors that we have been engaged with. This is a product category that has very little competition; we anticipate being able to scale very quickly. Our Hydro Nanotechnology allows for the creation of a potent product that will allow consumers to quickly feel the effects of the CBD. Utilizing the Companys Hydro-Nano technology, this product will deliver CBD into the bloodstream much more efficiently than CBD hemp oils and tinctures, without the unfavorable taste associated with those products. The shot will be priced at $3.49, modestly priced above 5-Hour energy and other 2oz energy shots. The 100mg 2oz product will be marketed as Chill Shots. This product is tailor made for the convenience store channel, like 7-Eleven where we currently have a distribution relationship. Retailers like them have shown a willingness to be progressive when it comes to ingestible CBD products. The higher margins from lower shipping costs of the smaller shot units is another aspect that makes this product attractive to the Company. Along with our flavored CBD water, which was well received at the Super Bowl events, I am fairly confident that we will have a successful show. While I wish I could be in Vegas with the team, I am quite confident they will do a great job marketing and selling our new products. The Company has many exciting developments on the horizon, and I look forward to giving an update to shareholders about the results from the show and some of the other things that we have in the pipeline, concluded Mr. Fishoff Goldman Research initiated coverage of the Company on February 13th, 2020, giving a $0.0125 price target. To read the full report, click here LALPINA CBD water can be purchased online at: https://www.singleseed.com/product/lalpina-cbd-water-6-pack/ LYNKS Pet CBD Water can be purchased online at: https://www.singleseed.com/product/lynks-cbd-pet-water-6-pack/ Vanexxe can be purchased on Amazon here About American Premium Water Corp. American Premium Water (OTC: HIPH) is a diversified luxury consumer products company focused on businesses in the health and beauty and biotech sectors. The company is focused on harnessing the powers of Nanotechnologies paired without cannabidiol (CBD) to treat health disorders and enhance quality of life. The companys portfolio includes the LALPINA Hydro and LALPINA CBD brands (www.lalpinahydrocbd.com), Gents (www.gentsco.com), Vanexxe (www.vanexxe.com) and plant + body essentials (www.plantbodyessentials.com). American Premium Water strives in providing only the highest quality hemp derived CBD sources for its products, with quality control being one of our first and foremost focuses. The Company aims for this standard not only for compliance reasons but also to provide our customers with the highest quality product possible. Safe Harbor Notice Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). American Premium Water Corporation cautions that statements made in this news release constitute forward-looking statements and makes no guarantee of future performance. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the time statements are made. These statements may address issues that involve significant risks, uncertainties, estimates, and assumptions made by management. Actual results could differ materially from current projections or implied results. American Premium Water Corporation undertakes no obligation to revise these statements following the date of this news release. Additional details of the Company's business can be found in its public disclosures as a reporting issuer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") EDGAR database. This press release is issued on behalf of the Board of Directors of American Premium Water Corporation The newly certified Holocaust educators spent a week training at Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, representing the first time that Yad Vashem has gathered a group of campus leaders for an intensive training, February 2020. (JNS)-Some 30 campus Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries concluded an eight-day training program at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, learning cutting-edge, relevant and effective tools that will allow them to teach about the Holocaust and the growing problem of Holocaust denial. Equally important was guidance on how to grapple with and counter increasing instances of anti-Semitism on college campuses. The emissaries hailed from campuses in North America, Australia and Austria, including Dartmouth College in New Hampshire; Princeton University in Jew Jersey; the University of Melbourne in Australia; the Lauder Business School in Vienna; and York University in the United Kingdom. The newly certified Holocaust educators spent last week training at Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust (Yad Vashem), representing the first time that Yad Vashem has gathered a group of campus leaders for an intensive training. Rabbi Yisroel Bernath, who co-directs the Chabad center at Concordia University in Montreal with his wife, Sara, called the experience "eye-opening and transformative," and found meaning in "finding the humanity" within the Holocaust, which he said provides a new way to make sense and connect to tragedy. For students who find it difficult to connect to the Holocaust and its lessons, he said "it is important, now more than ever, to have the right narrative." "There is an unspoken myth that young Jews are interested in the Holocaust," he told JNS, noting that on his Canadian campus, it was like "pulling teeth" to get students to attend a survivors' testimony, perhaps because his campus "prides itself on being an activist university where BDS is passed as much as the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem is Jewish." Sara Bernath left with the understanding of "how precious our heritage is." Dalia Kulek, co-director at the University of Hartford-Rohr Chabad House in Connecticut with her husband, Rabbi Yosef Kulek, told JNS that the entire week was an "aha moment." As a non-Ashkenazi Jew (her father is from Kurdistan and her mother is from Mexico), she said she didn't learn much about the Holocaust growing up. As the number of survivors diminishes, she told JNS that "we need people to tell their story and do something to draw them in." "I am already planning classes," she said. Through the partnership between Yad Vashem and Chabad on Campus, said Rabbi Moshe Cohn, head of the Jewish World section at Yad Vashem, "thousands and thousands of young people will be exposed to Holocaust education with accurate history and proper pedagogy." The "net gain for the Jewish people" will "connect young people to their history and increase involvement with the Jewish community," Cohn told JNS, voicing his hope that this seminar will be replicated with other campus groups. 'Integrity, respect and understanding' According to Rabbi Yossy Gordon, executive vice president of Chabad on Campus International, the importance of such a partnership lies in today's distancing of young people from the Holocaust, and at the same time, the growing acceptance of anti-Semitism in the world. "If we do nothing, the distant memory of the Holocaust will fade further and so will the opportunity for young people to embrace their Yiddishkeit, which would be a terrible crime," Gordon told JNS. With recourses and teaching materials that preserve the memory of those murdered with "integrity, respect and understanding," the partnership with Yad Vashem, said Gordon, was "the way to go." Esti Hecht, co-director of Chabad at American University in Washington, D.C., with her husband, Rabbi Yehoshua Hecht, said that while "Holocaust education is equally important now as it was before, fewer people are in a position to educate, so educating the educators is more important now." On campus, she told JNS, Holocaust education has the potential to build empathy towards the Jewish community and help prevent anti-Semitism. Through the partnership between Yad Vashem and Chabad on Campus, said Rabbi Moshe Cohn, head of the Jewish World section at Yad Vashem, "thousands and thousands of young people will be exposed to Holocaust education with accurate history and proper pedagogy." Hecht reflected on a particularly meaningful moment during the week; after she heard from a Holocaust survivor who was her son's age during the years of World War II, she video-chatted with one of her sons, who had just received his first chumash (a printed Torah) in a school-wide ceremony. "I was overwhelmed by the juxtaposition. Here I was with a child survivor who was forced to pretend to be Christian in order to survive-and very few children his age survived," she said. "The Nazis tried to exterminate the Jewish people with a 90 percent success rate in many countries, but as I saw my child and 30 others in his school with strong Jewish identities, I understood that ultimately, the Nazis failed." "I am going home with a greater appreciation of what we have Jewishly," she continued. "The Nazis took away the gift of marking time, celebrating birthdays, holidays and praying, which takes away the ability to take stock of who you are. Now, we are in a position where we can celebrate." "That understanding will be integrated into my work back on campus," she said, "adding another level of depth and appreciation." Chandigarh, Feb 14 : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal on Friday accused the Congress government in Punjab of conspiring to weaken Sikh institutions, including the SGPC, by supporting the idea of a separate gurdwara body for Haryana. Addressing the media outside the Punjab Raj Bhavan here, the SAD President said that during the rule of the Bhupinder Singh Hooda government in Haryana in the past, an attempt was made to interfere in the Sikh affairs by proposing the separate Sikh body in the neighbouring state. "But then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured us that no such attempt will be entertained as he understood the sensitivities involved because his ancestors had also made great sacrifices for the establishment of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee," he said. Later, however, Singh showed his helplessness as Congress chief Sonia Gandhi decided to constitute a separate Sikh body for Haryana, the Akali leader claimed. Earlier, a joint delegation of the SAD and the Bharatiya Janata Party led by Sukhbir Badal and Madan Mohan Mittal met Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore and requested him to direct the state government to immediately withdraw the additional affidavit filed by it in the Supreme Court. The affidavit supports the Haryana government by saying that the Haryana Assembly is competent to enact a law on the lines of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925. It also demanded a high-level judicial inquiry into what the delegation called "expose the conspiracy of the Congress government" to jeopardise the interests of the Sikh community and the SGPC which manages various Sikh shrines. The delegation also urged the Governor to direct the Punjab government to immediately register a criminal case against its Minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar, and Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon and Manjinder Singh Dhillon in connection with the death of former sarpanch Surjit Singh, a prime witness in the Behbal Kalan firing incident. They also demanded Kangar and Dhillon's removal from their posts in the government. Mittal said that not providing protection to a prime witness in a very important case proved the mala-fide intent of the Congress government. "Instead of protecting the witness, Congress Ministers harassed and humiliated the witness with the sole aim of protecting the culprits. This is unwarranted," he added. The Social Democratic Party (PSD) believes that the National Institute of Statistics (INS) release regarding the economic growth of 4.1 percent in 2019 confirms the good results recorded by Romania during the Social-Democrat governance, and the political crisis created by "the obsession for early elections" of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and that of President Klaus Iohannis "might determine Romania's entry into recession" during 2020. "The Social Democratic Party believes that Friday's release of the National Institute of Statistics regarding the economic growth of 4.1 percent in 2019 confirms the good economic results registered by Romania during the PSD governance. According to the data available published by EUROSTAT , our country ranks 2nd in the EU ranking regarding the economic growth rate in 2019. On the other hand, there are serious reasons to ask ourselves whether 2019 will also be Romania's last year of economic growth? After the PNL came to power, several macro-economic indicators have suddenly deteriorated, and the political crisis created by PNL's and President Iohannis's obsession for early elections might determine Romania's entry into recession in 2020," a PSD release sent to AGERPRES informs.The Social-Democrats also maintained that, in the last two months of the previous year, under the PNL governance, "there was a true debauchery of public expenses (9 million in addition), in the context of the sudden drop of budget revenues (from +12.4 percent in the first 10 months to -5 percent after the PNL Government came to power)", and within the 3 months of governance, the PNL borrowed "10 million euro, four times more than the PSD.""Because of that, the PNL Government increased the budget deficit in 2019 from 2.8 percent to 4.6 percent, exceeding the acceptable threshold of 3 percent and, thus, determining Romania's entry into the excessive deficit procedure. Last, but not least, the freezing of pensions and salaries, and the irresponsible statements of the Finance Minister regarding a possible economic crisis acted as a handbrake which suddenly slowed down Romania's economic growth. At the same time, two main engines of the Romanian economy have stopped: industry, which registers massive decreases and agriculture, affected by the lack of measures from the government to compensate the losses of farmers due to this year's atypical winter. In this economic context marked by uncertainties and imbalances, the only motivation that can be behind the PNL's obsession to trigger early elections is to get the citizens' vote before the austerity comes. Early elections = Austerity," the PSD release argues.The Romanian economy slowed down to 4.1 percent last year, after 4.4 percent in 2018 and 7.1 percent in 2017, show flash estimates released by the National Institute of Statistics on Friday.The GDP advance in Q4 2019 from the previous quarter was 1.5 percent, while growth in the third quarter was 0.6 percent QoQ.Compared to the similar period of 2018, economic growth was 4.3 percent as unadjusted series and 4.2 percent as seasonally adjusted series.In November 2019 the National Strategy and Prognosis Commission revised downwards its estimates for the 2019 economic growth to near 4 percent from 5.5 percent in its Spring Forecast, taking into account the sectoral statistical data of the national accounts available for H1 2019. New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday filed a charge sheet against Hyderabad based businessman Sathish Babu Sana in connection with its money laundering probe involving controversial meat exporter Moin Akhtar Qureshi, officials at the agency said on condition of anonymity. Sana was arrested by the ED on July 26 last year after it found that he purchased shares worth Rs 50 lakh of a company linked to Qureshi. The agency claimed that this was done using money that was laundered. The businessman was earlier made a witness in the money-laundering case but he turned an accused last year. ED informed a court last year that after his questioning, Sana was taken into custody as he was not cooperating in the probe. It is suspected that the amount Rs 50 lakh paid by him through shares was a bribe to settle a case. The Central Bureau of Investigations erstwhile Special Investigation Team (SIT), under then Special Director Rakesh Asthana, had recommended Sanas arrest in its own case against Moin Qureshi and others. However, in dramatic turn of events in October 2018, then CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma registered a case of corruption against Rakesh Asthana and his subordinates, based on Sanas complaint. It was alleged that bribes were paid to Asthana and others through two Dubai based persons. Rakesh Asthana also alleged that Alok Verma received a bribe from Sana . The matter reached the Central Vigilance Commission, which initiated an inquiry into the charges and counter-charges. The CVC order dated October 23, 2018, divested Alok Verma of his powers as CBI director under the Prevention of Corruption Act, pending inquiry. Rakesh Asthana was also stripped of his responsibilities. Alok Verma was removed from the post of CBI director in January 2019 by a high powered committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier this week, CBI filed a charge sheet in the case giving a clean chit to Asthana and DSP Devender Kumar, who was also named in FIR. Asthana and Verma have declined comment on the matter while Sanas lawyer also was not available for his comments. Although theyre intended to keep students and staff safe from an intruder, the Pennsylvania State Education Association believes the use of active shooter drills when unannounced should end. The union representing 187,000 teachers and other school employees, joined the nations two largest teachers unions the American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association which earlier this week said they agreed with Everytown For Gun Safetys findings on active shooter drills. All said the drills are terrifying many students and staff. "Many students experience traumatic events in their lives from bullying or neighborhood violence to unstable home life or homelessness to the disastrous impacts of addiction, PSEA spokesman Chris Lilienthal said. "School leaders should absolutely be mindful of students experiences and their wellbeing when conducting any type of safety drill. Administrators, teachers, and staff have all expressed concerns about the potentially harmful long-term impact the drills will have on them and their students, he said. A drill should never simulate or mimic an actual shooting incident, according to PSEA. When a drill is necessary, a school district should inform parents, students, and staff of its pending status so that everyone can have a clear sense of what will happen," Lilienthal said. "Never should an active shooter drill be conducted in a way that traumatizes kids, leaving them unable to focus in school or feeling anxious when they go home, Lilienthal said. ALICE Training Institute mostly agrees with Everytown for Gun Safetys recently released report, CEO Jean-Paul Guilbault said. The company, which has worked with more than 5,500 school districts, said drills should be catered to the age and cognitive level of those involved in it. "ALICE is extremely supportive of giving parents and students advance notice, tracking with data, considering the holistic person, and ensuring every drill is catered to the individuals age and ability, Guilbault said. "However, we believe that, when done appropriately, drills that simulate an event and allow students to practice their options, whether that be lockdown or evacuation, are the most effective ways to keep children safe. These issues are ever-evolving, and we applaud Everytown and its partners for issuing this important research. Most school shootings last for two minutes or less and nearly half of the events studied end within a minute, according to a recent study published by The U.S. Secret Service. "That means it is up to us to keep ourselves safe for those seconds that will feel as slow as a lifetime, Guilbault said. "We drill so everyone has a plan when faced with danger, to give people a chance at survival. Brendan King, chief executive officer and founder of Crisis Consultant Group, said his organization has worked with a variety of organizations. His companys mission is to provide effective training that can be "completed using announced, realistic drills, and exercises. Unannounced drills can cause immense amounts of fear and potential trauma, King said. We want to empower everyone on the scene to run, hide, fight in a real emergency. Also, should locations use an unannounced method over and over, it may actually desensitize responses for a potentially real event. FILE - In this Friday June 9, 2017 file photo, students are led out of school as members of the Fountain Police Department take part in an Active Shooter Response Training exercise at Fountain Middle School in Fountain, Colo. (Dougal Brownlie/The Gazette via AP, File)AP A handful of central Pennsylvania school district officials said they dont share their emergency preparedness strategies, which might or might not include active shooter drills. Central Dauphin School District does not use unannounced active shooter drills, district spokeswoman Shannon Leib said. The school district, on a monthly basis, complies with Pennsylvanias Act 44. The act requires schools to have safety plans in place using different methods of emergency preparedness. "We conduct administrative, fire and intruder drills and feel that is sufficient, she said. Details of the schools plan are not available because its too risky to share them, Leib said. Officials at Cumberland Valley School District, as well as Harrisburg School District, also said they are in compliance with state law and are not at liberty to discuss emergency preparedness plans. Act 44 requires school districts to annually conduct school security drills, but it does not explicitly require active shooter drills, said Pennsylvania Department of Education spokesman Eric Levis. State guidelines do require school administrators to provide advance notice to parents and guardians, according to state law. "Schools develop safety plans in consultation with their locally elected school boards, local law enforcement, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and Pennsylvania State Police based on each districts specific needs, he said. According to a Federal Bureau of Investigation study, there were 277 active shooter incidents in the United States from 2000 to 2018 that killed or wounded 2,440 people. There were 77 incidents between 2016 and 2018. The FBI reports that 42 percent occurred in business environments and 39 percent in public locations such as schools, health care facilities and government offices. 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. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has sounded the alarm about the negative impact of the war in Libya on civilians, the victims who are paying a high price with the deterioration of their living conditions It learnt that Mr Nadda has directed partys Delhi unit to prepare itself for a bipolar contest in the national capital in future polls. New Delhi: Two days after facing humiliating defeat in the Delhi Assembly polls, BJP president J.P. Nadda, on Thursday, held a review meeting with partys city unit president Manoj Tiwari to analyse the poll results. BJPs national general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santosh was also present in the meeting. Mr Nadda asked Mr Tiwari to submit a detailed report citing reasons for partys humiliating defeat by next week. It learnt that Mr Nadda has directed partys Delhi unit to prepare itself for a bipolar contest in the national capital in future polls. According to sources, in the meeting it was felt that though BJPs vote share, along with that of its allies, increased by eight per cent which is remarkable but the contest became bipolar costing the party. It also felt that in future, Congress should be treated as a non entity. We believed that Congress heavyweights contesting in about a dozen seats can make the contest triangular, which ultimately benefits us. But except the Gandhi Nagar Assembly seat, none of these Congress heavyweights were able to make their presence felt. It was discussed that all the future contests will be bipolar and we must focus on our strength and try to increase our vote share by over 50 per cent, said a party insider, adding that it was observed that the party fought the February 8 election with its full strength and reached the electorate across the city. For preparing detailed report to find out reasons of defeat, Mr Tiwari has called seven meetings at the partys state unit on Friday. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 19:52:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on Feb. 14, 2020 shows a delivery robot in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province. Two delivery robots are transformed to deliver lunch and dinner for employees at the enterprises which have resumed production inside an economic and technological development zone in Changsha. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge) Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) - The Coalition Vivre Ensemble (CVE-Negro African movement) Thursday warned against repeated discriminatory measures targeting black people in the country, a statement released here said Atlanta, GA, February 14, 2020 The Specialty Property team at Blue River Underwriters will host an informative webinar on the real estate investor property insurance market and other commercial excess and surplus property coverages for interested agents and brokers. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, February 18 from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time and attendees need to register in advance here. The Real Estate Investor Property Program is a competitive non-admitted property and general liability package program that is specifically designed for residential property portfolios comprised of one- to four-unit family dwellings. It is available nationwide for diverse investors. Further information on the Real Estate Investor program can be found here. Four experienced property underwriters on the webinar will take questions and share a range of excess and surplus commercial property insurance coverage solutions available to agents including authority to underwrite high limits, flexible deductibles, no total insured value restrictions, and wind-deductible buy backs. The program appetite includes vacant properties, residential facilities, retail centers, warehouses, distributors, and coastal properties. The Blue River Underwriters presenting are: Michael Marks VP, Underwriter VP, Underwriter Stephen Manahan VP, Underwriter VP, Underwriter Jamey Schoenhard Underwriter Underwriter JD Skelton Underwriter For immediate inquiries, please email success@blueriveruw.com. For additional insurance program offerings and submission requirements, please visit the website here. BLUE RIVER UNDERWRITERS is a national program administrator with managing general underwriting and managing general agent authority for several programs with top-rated international carriers. The team partners with select retail and wholesale insurance agents to deliver industry and risk insights and solutions for diverse insureds from Investor Property to Contractors to Outdoors entities. Blue River Underwriters continues to build its reputation for quality coverage, competitive rates, and unparalleled service with ten offices nationwide and is a part of the Breckenridge Insurance Group. BRECKENRIDGE INSURANCE GROUP, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is an international specialty wholesale insurance broker, program manager, managing general agent (MGA) and insurance services provider. The company offers access to diverse range of commercial insurance and financial services products to businesses and professional services firms in a variety of industries. The company serves independent insurance agents, brokers, and financial institutions nationally by way of Blue River Underwriters, OSC, Breckenridge Insurance Services brokerage and contract binding group and Southeastern Underwriters, Inc. For more information, please visit WWW.BRECKGRP.COM or call 855.728.8822. CA Insurance License #0G13592 Media Contact: Caren Henry chenry@breckgrp.com 267.961.8252 Topics Agencies Underwriting Property Insurance Wholesale Training Development In Nov. 2018, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) moved to revoke the license of a California winery accused of breaking Oregons wine labeling laws. Fourteen months later, Rutherford-based Copper Cane Wines & Provisions is still selling their wines in Oregon. The question is: why? The charges stem primarily from Copper Cane's stating or implying a more specific geographical origin than just "Oregon" for their Elouan and Willametter wines. Although these wines are made with grapes Copper Cane buys from Oregon growers, the wines are made at facilities in California. Consequently, Oregon law prohibits Copper Cane from mentioning or even alluding to specific American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) such as the Willamette Valley on their labels, packaging or marketing materials. The OLCC claims the harsh penalty is justified by "Copper Cane's repeated failure to comply with laws and rules, the intentionality of Copper Cane's actions, the volume of unlawful products sold within the State of Oregon, and the number of violations committed by Copper Cane, which indicate a disregard for the law." The decision was heralded by those who believed Copper Cane was illegally capitalizing on the reputation of Oregon's AVAs. "I applaud OLCC Director Steve Marks for his action to uphold the integrity of our laws and Oregon wine industry. As a result of his unlawful acts, Joe Wagner will no longer be able to sell his wine in Oregon," Oregon State Representative David Gomberg stated in a press release dated Nov. 26, 2018. Joseph "Joe" Wagner is Copper Cane's owner. Gomberg described the license revocation as "unprecedented," adding in his press release, "Copper Cane claims they were simply engaged in 'fanciful' marketing. But the State of Oregon has determined that they crossed the line from fanciful to fraudulent and that they cannot sell low-priced California counterfeits here and masquerade them as quality Oregon wines." Copper Cane requested a hearing in front of an administrative judge to contest the license revocation. OLCC public affairs specialist Matthew Van Sickle confirmed the hearing was "timely requested" before the Dec. 20, 2018, deadline set by the OLCC. The hearing has not happened. According to Jim Blumling, Copper Cane's vice president of operations, their last official contact with the OLCC was late spring of 2019. "We haven't received any indication there will be an administrative hearing," Joe Wagner said in a telephone conversation. In January 2019, the OLCC allowed Copper Cane to its license to ship wine to Oregon. "Entities are allowed to operate pending the outcome of a contested case," Van Sickle says. When asked about the cause of the delay for Copper Cane's hearing, Van Sickle claimed that "due to heavy workloads, a hearing has not been scheduled or held." Is the delay due to workforce or resource shortages at the OLCC? "No, this is mostly due to the case volume and workload of the Administrative Law Judges," Van Sickle said in an email. This backlog was news to John Mann, the chief administrative law judge for Oregon's Office of Administrative Hearings. "We don't have any significant backlog for hearing cases from regulatory agencies," Mann said in a telephone conversation. "It's fairly common for a hearing to be held within a month or two of notification unless it's an emergency suspension hearing where time is critical. A significant delay might indicate some behind the scenes negotiations or discussions are taking place." J. Kevin Shuba, the vice-chair of the Office of Administrative Hearings Oversight Committee, thinks a 14-month delay for a hearing of this nature is "unusual." According to Shuba, "I read the attached notice, and it's not that complicated. The notice proposes very specific facts and penalties. Further, it was issued in 2018. The Oregon circuit courts, albeit a different branch of government than the State's Office of Administrative Hearings, have a guideline where they endeavor to try all matters before 12 months have elapsed (except for exceptional or complex matters). This notice would likely be considered a simple, not complex, matter in circuit court." In a later email, Van Sickle clarified his previous statement: "Yes, the OLCC has a case workload too, but not so much due to staffing issues. Some cases like this just take a bit of time to work through." For now, Copper Cane's fate hangs in regulatory limbo. "We were painted as bad guys. But at the end of the day, what's important is we are now in compliance and still selling wine in Oregon and elsewhere," Wagner says. Does the OLCC still believe Copper Cane should lose their license? "We can't comment on the ongoing case," Van Sickel says. The question now is when and how will the case finally be resolved? -- Michael Alberty writes about wine for The Oregonian/OregonLive. He can be reached at malberty0@gmail.com. To read more of his coverage, go to oregonlive.com/wine. Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Credit: ABC/Lorenzo BevilaquaFormer first lady Michelle Obama continues to exude black excellence though it's been years since she's left the White House. She's done worldwide community service, been part of speaking engagements with Oprah Winfrey and even won a Grammy for the audiobook version of her best-selling memoir, Becoming. That's why it comes as no surprise that a second school is being named after Mrs. Obama. Thanks to a unanimous vote and a letter of support from the school's students, parents and members of the PTA, Woodrow Wilson Elementary in Richmond, CA will be renamed Michelle Obama Elementary School. Everyone including teachers, staff and students are enthusiastically looking forward to the school's name change and remodel for the 2020-2021 school year. "I'll walk in a little taller, a little ready to work harder," fourth grade teacher Marcella Johnson tells ABC affiliate KGO-TV. "I mean we already work hard because we love our students and our parents, but it is real motivating. I mean we had a choice and we chose Michelle Obama." PTA President Maisha Cole and the rest of the students are excited, hoping Mrs. Obama will attend the ribbon- cutting ceremony in August. "I mean, I am putting out all the positive energy in the universe to get her out here," she said. The other school named after Michelle Obama is located in Panorama City, CA. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Harris County Attorney Vince Ryans decision to spend millions of dollars and waste precious legal resources to prolong the defense of an unconstitutional bail system raises serious questions about his judgment. That Ryan still contends that the bail process was constitutional demands change. This is a large part of why we recommend civil litigation attorney Christian Menefee in the March 3 Democratic primary for the job Ryan has held since 2008. We were also impressed by promises made by Menefee, 31, to bring added energy and fresh perspective to the part of the job that goes beyond serving as a lawyer to county officials and judges. The county attorney also is responsible for using civil enforcement to protect neighborhoods, clean up the environment and shut down illegal enterprises. We need a relentless advocate whos going to fight for the people of Harris County, all the people, Menefee said in an interview with the Chronicle Editorial Board. The county spent more than $9 million in fighting to preserve a bail system that federal District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal found violated equal protection and due process rights. Menefee, who has not held public office, and fellow Democratic challenger Ben Rose say that Ryan was too focused on defending the judges and the status quo instead of taking a stand against an immoral system. I have great respect for Judge Rosenthal, but her finding of an unconstitutional system was, quite frankly, not something we agreed with, Ryan told the Editorial Board, a stand that puts him in conflict with the courts and a growing body of legal reformers locally and across the country. Ryans office has been widely praised for its work on environmental issues, but Menefee said there is more to be done. Menefee said he will beef up the offices environmental law section, which currently has four lawyers devoted full-time, to go after companies that pollute or mishandle dangerous materials by working with state, local and federal agencies. A Houston native, Menefee served as an intern in the Harris County Public Defenders office, began his legal practice at Norton Rose Fulbright and is now a litigator with Kirkland & Ellis. He has worked with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Texas Appleseed, and served on the Houston Independent Police Advisory Board. Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe This Valentine's Day, a Southern California officiant is offering $14 weddings at his Long Beach chapel for happy couples looking to tie the knot. Alan Katz is "not that crusty, old guy standing up there," he told LAist. Instead, his weddings are "a fun approach where I make people laugh, and where I make the guests laugh." To give you a taste of the kind of humor you may be in for: "We do take walk-ins. Not Christopher, though." (Get it? Because Christopher Walken.) In addition to running the Cute Little Wedding Chapel in Long Beach, Alan Katz runs Great Officiants, an event planning service that specializes in marriage ceremonies. (Courtesy Alan Katz) From 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Valentine's Day, couples may show up to the Cute Little Wedding Chapel in Long Beach to declare their love for each other. And for real, you and your significant other can walk in and have your ceremony on the spot -- or you can call ahead to see if there are scheduled time slots still open. To qualify for the $14 deal, couples must have their marriage license in hand and limit their guests to four people. Katz can also issue marriage licenses on the day of the wedding, as well as accommodate larger crowds at an extra cost. ELSEWHERE... At county offices, officials are anticipating a bigger-than-usual influx of happy couples on Valentine's Day -- after all, the holiday falls on a Friday this year. And it's a three-day weekend for those who have President's Day off on Monday. "I wouldn't be surprised to see more people turn out than in the previous two years," said Mike Sanchez, public information office for the L.A. County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's office. The county conducted 284 marriage ceremonies on Valentine's Day in 2018 and 233 marriages on Valentine's Day 2019, Sanchez said. All L.A. County offices are open for marriage ceremonies on Fridays, but the Norwalk office is the only one that will accept same-day ceremonies. Licenses in L.A. County cost $91, and ceremonies cost $35. In Orange County, Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen told LAist he wants to break the county record for the number of couples married in a day. The current record was set five years ago when 266 couples tied the knot on Feb. 14, 2015. To contribute to this year's excitement, Snoopy -- yes, the cartoon beagle and Knott's Berry Farm mascot -- will be at two Orange County office locations to hand out roses. Expect to see him at the North County Branch Office in Anaheim from 10-11:30 a.m., and at the Old County Santa Ana Courthouse from 1-2:30 p.m. Wild Wing, the Anaheim Ducks mascot, will also be at the North County Branch Office in Anaheim from noon to 1 p.m., Nguyen said. In Orange County, marriage licenses cost $61, and a civil ceremony costs $28. And for couples looking for an even more unique wedding date than Valentine's Day, Nguyen and his staff will perform marriage ceremonies on Saturday, Feb. 29 -- Leap Day. More than 150 appointments for marriage ceremonies have already been made for that day. "I think people are going, 'hey, we don't have to celebrate for four years,'" Nguyen said. LONDON, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Forecasts by Component (Hardware and Software), by Sector (Commercial and Defence), by Airport Type (Greenfield and Brownfield) and by Geographical Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and South America). Plus, Analysis of the Leading Players in the Market Space FAA spending $36 billion to upgrade air traffic control system Inmarsat signs agreement to start commercial flight trials of Iris air traffic modernisation programme Logicalis lands mega air traffic computer deal Finmeccanica announces contracts worth around 120 million for Air Traffic Control Management systems Qatar Civil Aviation Authority awards air traffic control tower simulator contract to Micro Nav These are just some of the business-critical headlines that have surfaced about your industry in the past few years. How are you, and your company, reacting to news such as this? By ordering and reading our new report today, you will be fully informed and ready to act. What does the future hold for the Air Traffic Control Equipment market? Visiongain's new study supplies the answer to you and provides it to you NOW. In this new, 254-page report, you will receive over 250 tables and charts as well as independent, impartial and objective analysis. By ordering and reading this report today, you will be given: A concise and comprehensive analysis of the Air Traffic Control Equipment market from 2020 to 2030. An understanding of not only the financial prospects of the ATC Equipment industry but also the growth potential of several submarkets including different component, sector, and airport types. An informed forecast of the sales of 14 countries United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, China, India, Australasia, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and 'GCC countries'. A description of the main drivers and restraints that are affecting the development of the ATC Equipment market. Profiles of the key players in the industry as well as up-to-date information on the latest financial performances and R&D expenses. To request sample pages from this report please contact Sara Peerun at [email protected] or refer to our website: https://www.visiongain.com/report/air-traffic-control-equipment-market-report-2020-2030/#download_sampe_div Predictions for the global market and submarkets what's possible? Along with an evaluation of the current level of international investment in the Air Traffic Control Equipment market, this Visiongain report provides measured forecasts for four submarkets covering the period 2020 to 2030. Air Traffic Control Equipment Market by Component, 2020-2030 Hardware Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030: Communication Equipment Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Navigation Equipment Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Surveillance Equipment Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Software Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Air Traffic Control Equipment Market by Sector, 2020-2030 Commercial Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Defence Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Air Traffic Control Equipment Market by Airport Type, 2020-2030 Greenfield Airports Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Brownfield Airports Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Air Traffic Control Equipment Market by Region & Country, 2020-2030 North America Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030: United States Canada Rest of North America Europe Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030: United Kingdom Germany Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030: Japan China India Australasia Rest of Asia-Pacific Middle East & Africa Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030: South Africa GCC Countries Rest of MEA South America Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030: Brazil Argentina Rest of South America To request a report overview of this report please contact Sara Peerun at [email protected] or refer to our website: https://www.visiongain.com/report/air-traffic-control-equipment-market-report-2020-2030/ Did you know that we also offer a report add-on service? Email [email protected] to discuss any customized research needs you may have. Companies covered in the report include: Abu Dhabi Airport Company (ADAC) ACSS Aeron Aeronautical and General Instruments Limited Air Navigation Service of Czech Republic Air Services Australia Air Traffic and Navigation Services SOC Limited (ATNS). Airbus ProSky Airservices Altran Amor Group ATC ATOS SE Avianca AviBit Air Traffic Solutions BAE Systems Barco NV Bayanat Engineering Biz Logicalis Boeing Co. CAE USA UFA CASA Cobham Plc COMMS UK Limited Comsoft Copperchase Limited Delair Air Traffic Systems GmbH DFS ENAV Envision Etihad Airways Exelis Inc Finmeccanica Frequentis GA Electronic Garmin General Dynamics Harris Corporation Hensoldt Honeywell International Indra Sistemas SA Intelcan Jeppesen KMI Lockheed Martin National Air Traffic Services Nav Canada Naviair Northrop Grumman Systems One Network Enterprises Park Air PASSUR QuoVadis Rockwell Collins ARINC Rohde & Schwarz Saab AB Searidge Technologies SENEAM Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Thales SA United Technologies Corporation (UTC) US Air Force US Department of Defense Organisations Mentioned Agency for Air Navigation Security in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB) Airports Authority of India (AAI) Airservices Australia Airways New Zealand Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) Canadian ANSP Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Department for Transport (DfT) Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) Direction des Services de la Navigation Aerienne (DSNA) Ente Nazionale di Assistenza al Volo (ENAV) EUROCONTROL European ANSP European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Federal Ministry of Transport Federal Public Service (FPS) General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Indian Ocean Strategic Partnership to Reduce Emissions (INSPIRE) Indonesia Infrastructure Initiative (IndII) International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Italian ANSP Mexican ANSP NATS NAV Canada Naviair Denmark Skyguide Switzerland South African ANSP FIFA Nigeria Air Traffic Controllers Association Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS) Dubai Civil Aviation Authority Departamento de Controle de Espaco Aereo (DECEA). Comissao de Implantacao do Sistema de Controle do Espaco Aereo (CISCEA) To see a report overview please e-mail Sara Peerun on [email protected] Related reports: Air Traffic Control Training Simulator Market Report 2020-2030 Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) Market Report 2020-2030 Air Traffic Management Market Report 2020-2030 Aircraft Engine Machined Parts Market Report 2020-2030 SOURCE Visiongain NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Minuteman Press International , the worlds leading design, printing, and marketing franchise, is announcing the availability of new and established franchise opportunities across New Jersey. The franchisor is sharing unique insights and paths to entrepreneurship from new local area franchisees in Newark, Jersey City, Westfield, and Wall. New and existing franchises are available in NJ at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com . It is always exciting to welcome new franchisees to the Minuteman Press family right here in New Jersey, says Jim Galasso, Minuteman Press International Regional Vice President. We have the unique ability to offer an opportunity for people from all walks of life and varying careers to realize their dream of owning their own business without having to do it alone. We are proud to provide all of our franchisees in New Jersey and across our system with everything from training and marketing to software and ongoing local support. US Army Veteran Ken Tays Buys an Established Business in Newark, NJ US Army Veteran Ken Tays is the new owner of the long-established Minuteman Press franchise in Newark, NJ . Ken took over the successful business from Holly Kaplansky, who retired after owning and operating Minuteman Press in Newark for 15 years. Ken served for 11 years in the Army and then earned his degree in financial services. Ken says, I worked as a Federal Bank Regulator for 12 years and then entered the private sector working for companies like PwC and Citibank. I decided to research franchise opportunities because I wanted to be my own boss. After doing his due diligence and reviewing many different franchises over a number of months, Ken decided that Minuteman Press was the right fit for him. He explains, At its core, Minuteman Press International is a family-owned business. I went out to Long Island and CEO Bob Titus talked to me for an hour and a half. I was looking for a printing franchise that had that family-like atmosphere and wasnt so corporate. The other franchises I looked into just didnt have that same feel to them where I felt comfortable like I did with Minuteman Press. Ken continues, Another aspect I really like about Minuteman Press is they dont have a heavy hand on each business where they are dictating everything. I feel like this is my business and yet they provide me with that security blanket of local support and guidance . I have no printing experience and the training and ongoing assistance from Jim Galasso and the local field staff here in Newark really helps me. I know I can contact anyone in the company and they will respond and be there without breathing down my neck all the time. He adds, I also have to mention the monthly royalty cap they have in place as well as the Minuteman Press FLEX software. The royalty cap is huge because unlike other franchises Minuteman Press is set up where they want us to succeed but they arent chasing after every dollar because they dont take any royalties above that cap. FLEX was a huge selling point that drove me to own this business because the software makes it easy to manage everything and it contains so many features I can use for pricing, order tracking, and marketing. Speaking of marketing, Ken leaves no stone unturned and uses all of the tools made available to him by Minuteman Press to promote his products and services. The overall approach is that we want to market through every channel we possibly can and create that awareness of who we are and what we can do to help. We do face-to-face direct marketing, email campaigns, phone calls, flyers, direct mail, and utilize internet marketing programs. We have a content marketing calendar that lays out what we want to do each month. He further explains, We have a one-page calendar featuring the Minuteman Press logo and contact information. I ask my employees, What do you think this means? I then tell them that the purpose of this calendar is to put us right in front of our clients every single day. When it comes to print, this will resonate with them. We advertise to them every day, and they dont even see it as advertising because its a useful item for them to keep handy. When asked about the rewards of owning his own business, Kens first inclination is to say, Work life balance. That is something I feel like I have even though I am working hard and always on. I love the challenge of running my own business and being responsible for everything. I spent a lot of time in corporate America making money for other people and I wanted to do this. There are ups and downs but its on my time. Kens advice for others who are looking into business ownership or franchising is, I would say that I looked at a lot of businesses. Find something that is a good fit for you, and find a franchisor that has what youre looking for. I spent several months doing my due diligence, and once you make that decision, you have to be committed. Former NYC Bank VP Adnan Siddiqi Opens Minuteman Press Franchise in Jersey City, NJ Adnan Siddiqi opened his new Minuteman Press franchise in Jersey City, NJ in March 2018. For over 15 years, Adnan worked as a VP for a New York City bank and specialized in Trade Technology. He says, After the 2008 financial crisis, most of my time ended up being negotiating outsourcing contracts with vendors and training teams in low-cost locations around the world. Eventually I saw the writing on the wall and decided to go on my own, where I can build something and interact with my team in-person. Adnan highlights three key items that really appealed to him about Minuteman Press in Jersey City. He says, I chose the Minuteman Press franchise because there is a cap on royalties and I liked their products and services. There is a significant depth of products that I can potentially use to grow my business. For example, people have grown successful small businesses focusing on promotional items. He continues, The third reason I chose Minuteman Press is because I figured that given the density of businesses in this area and my background in IT, I could leverage some of my skills in technology platforms and build volume in this commoditized business of printing. I have total control of budget allocation and I can adjust my resourcing and plans rapidly, as I see fit, based on data. I am very pleased with the growth I have seen so far in my two years in this business. One way that Adnan has grown his small business in Jersey City is by simply going out there and marketing while reminding his clients the value of the local, human connection. He states, People love the personal touch. I have dozens of customers who were using online printing companies and now switched over to us because of the personal service that we provide. Adnan concludes, Minuteman Press is a good franchise business to own. Corporate provides ample training and support to owners and helps us with marketing. Their proprietary FLEX software is a really mature and top-notch product in this space. Father and Son Jim & Seamus Mooney Make a Dynamic Marketing and Operations Team with Minuteman Press Franchise in Westfield, NJ Together, Jim and Seamus Mooney run their Minuteman Press franchise in Westfield, NJ . Jims professional background includes managing strategic marketing for multi-unit franchise brands across various industries. Jim says, As the majority of my career was spent in franchise marketing, I am a true believer in franchising. Because I worked in advertising agencies where we had production and graphic design capabilities, I was very comfortable buying this business. Jim continues, I look at Minuteman Press as an ad agency for other businesses in Westfield. My career skills match up really well with what we are doing, and I am proud of our capabilities as well as the infrastructure we have in place being part of the Minuteman Press franchise family. Speaking of family, while Jim concentrates on marketing the business, his son Seamus handles the bulk of the operations. Jim says, Seamus is fantastic as our Director of Operations and I couldnt do this without him. Were a good team because we complement each others skills. Our Graphic Designer, John, has been with us since day one and hes also an invaluable part of our team. One of the biggest reasons Jim decided to own a Minuteman Press franchise is because of his extensive marketing background as well as the ability to capitalize on the wide variety of products and services such as direct mail. Jim explains, Direct mail is really a great service avenue for us. With my marketing background, I love that I am able to use direct mail and help my clients. We now process requests for Every Door Direct Mail almost every day at this point. Jim adds, Simply put, direct mail is something that we can do and love doing for our customers. I love that we can remove the burdens on their end and handle everything from design through delivery. We have also started utilizing Minuteman Press Xpress Ads via EDDM, and it sold out because our clients see the value of reaching their customers via direct mail. In addition to direct mail, Jim and his team at Minuteman Press in Westfield handle all kinds of orders for booklets, promotional products, apparel, trade show displays, and more. Jim says, Its incredible to have the ability to help my clients market their businesses and look at the smiles on their faces when I make deliveries. I love seeing their reactions to the quality of what we produce for them. The satisfaction of delivering that final printed order and getting praised for its quality means the world to me. Jim has grown his business through networking with a heavy focus on community involvement as he is an active member of multiple Chambers of Commerce. He also appreciates being able to put his own stamp on the local Westfield community through his business. He says, We have a lot of pride when we see our work displayed or distributed in the community storefronts, window signage, direct mail, brochures, business cards its always great to get kudos from happy clients. One specific example that comes to mind is an auto company who was referred to Jim and Seamus by another satisfied client. The auto company is starting to get into trade shows. We are now fulfilling their order for a step and repeat banner, retractable banner, table throw, and postcards. Minuteman Press in Westfield is also finding their niche with real estate-related industries and non-profit organizations. Jim says, Of course, we love working with all of our clients in every industry. My advice to any small business owner is to work the business every day. Were constantly out there networking and building trust while delivering them quality products. Thats how we are building ourselves and I love helping other businesses do the same. How else does Minuteman Press International support Jim and Seamus while they grow? Jim answers, We are huge fans of the FLEX software. Its easy for us to track works in progress, manage workflow, and track our sales. He concludes, The franchise support from Minuteman Press on all fronts has been great. If we need them, they are always there, and that is a real benefit of franchising with Minuteman Press. Tom Conner Transitions from Real Estate to Printing in Wall Township, NJ Tom Conner bought his Minuteman Press franchise in Wall Township, NJ that was established for approximately 30 years. He says, I have grown my business at this point predominately by communicating regularly with our current customers, increasing our internet presence, expanding and offering quality products and services, and networking. He continues, I purchased the business in June 2018. Previously, the store offered basic printing as well as promotional products and wasnt taking full advantage of the product and service lines that Minuteman Press offers. Since I have acquired the store, my goal has been to accommodate all of our clients' needs. I want to be able to be a one-stop shop where they are able to get their printing, promotional products, apparel and direct mail needs met in one place. Tom adds, Everyone that comes to our store knows that we care about their products and what their needs are. Our centers sales are up on average 35-40% from 2018, so I think we are offering what the consumer wants. Because of my past career, I consider everyone a client not just a customer. We look out for their needs. Prior to franchising with Minuteman Press, Tom spent time in the restaurant, retail, and real estate industries. He also served as a Lieutenant in his local fire department as well as an EMT for 13 years. I looked at a number of businesses that I felt that I could run well. I came across Minuteman Press, and as I looked at it more and more, I realized it was a great fit. I felt that I was going to get a great deal of support from the franchisor, I felt that I had a fair amount of knowledge of basic printing from my career in real estate, and I liked having a business that had normal business hours, something I had never really had before in my life. Read more about Tom Conners decision to buy an established Minuteman Press franchise. About Minuteman Press International Minuteman Press International is the number one rated business marketing and printing franchise that offers world class training and unparalleled ongoing local support. At Minuteman Press, We Are The Modern Printing Industry providing high quality products and services that meet the needs of today's business professionals and go way beyond ink on paper. Today, our centers offer innovative branding solutions and produce custom designs, promotional products, branded apparel, direct mail marketing, large format printing (banners and posters), signs and graphics, and much more. Prior experience is not necessary to own and operate a successful Minuteman Press franchise. Learn more about Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and access franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact: Minuteman Press International Franchise Opportunities, 1-800-645-3006 https://minutemanpressfranchise.com or Media Inquiries: cbiscuiti@mpihq.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/62d94477-48e9-448d-b426-2773b2ba5cb7 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives in Africa this weekend as the first US cabinet official to visit in more than 18 months, and he is certain to face questions about the US military's future on the continent and new US visa restrictions against millions of Africans. Pompeo is visiting Senegal, Angola and Ethiopia as the Trump administration tries to counter the growing interest of China, Russia and other global powers in Africa and its booming young population of more than 1.2 billion. His visit comes as the US military considers reducing its presence in West Africa's Sahel region while extremists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group expand their reach, killings hundreds of civilians. Pompeo last year said the Sahel should be the next focus of the global coalition against IS outside the group's core region. In one surprising case an al-Qaida-linked group, JNIM, and an IS-linked group, The Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, are cooperating, something the commander of Special Operations Command Africa told reporters he hasn't seen before. It's largely due to personal connections but that's an interesting phenomenon that we're watching, Brig. Gen. Dagvin Anderson said Thursday. Also raising concerns is the Trump administration's announcement last month that it will no longer be issuing immigrant visas to citizens of Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation with an estimated 200 million people and a large, often high-achieving diaspora. New visa restrictions also were imposed on Eritrea, Tanzania and Sudan. This is the challenge Pompeo's facing in Africa, explaining the contradictory messages out of Washington," Mike O'Hanlon, director of the Brookings Africa Security Initiative, said in a briefing this week. Some African leaders have bristled at what they perceive as the Trump administration's us or them narrative around China and Russia, especially after President Donald Trump made derogatory comments about Africa. Other leaders have said competition is welcome if it brings more investment to the continent. O'Hanlon said most African leaders are pragmatic and very keen to work with the US and if offered a White House meeting, they would take it. Pompeo will meet with the countries' leaders and businesspeople. His first stop in long-stable Senegal is aimed at solidifying ties with the one West African Sahel country that has avoided the extremist attacks that target Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The US military this month holds its annual Flintlock exercises in Senegal and neighboring Mauritania to help train regional armies to counter extremism. There are signs, though, that U.S. military interest could be waning. Late last year the US switched to a strategy of merely trying to contain extremist groups in the Sahel instead of weakening them, according to a new report by the Pentagon inspector general. Meanwhile the US has begun replacing some combat troops in Africa with military trainers. Worried French officials have lobbied the U.S. not to reduce its presence in the Sahel, where France's largest overseas military operation leads the fight against extremists and is adding hundreds of troops. A senior State Department official insisted, however, that the military issue is separate from Pompeo's visit. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with department protocol, referred questions to the Pentagon. An awful lot of the security programs that we conduct in the Sahel are actually paid for by US State Department funds, the official said. We absolutely plan to continue those programs." After Senegal, Pompeo will stop next week in Angola, an oil-rich but largely impoverished country where President Joao Lourenco is making strides against corruption, including actions against close relatives of the former leader. Then Pompeo heads to Ethiopia, Africa's second-most populous nation with more than 100 million people and the headquarters of the African Union. Ethiopia, a key U.S. security ally in the Horn of Africa, has undergone dramatic political reforms since Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018. The loosening of repressive measures has been exploited by some with long-held grievances, leading to sometimes violent ethnic tensions that threaten a national election later this year. Even Abiy's close advisers acknowledge the challenges ahead. This election is not just a normal election, it's actually a referendum on whether to live together or not, Lencho Bati, a senior foreign policy adviser, told an audience at the United States Institute of Peace on Thursday. He noted that Ethiopia, a country of more than 80 ethnic groups, is a fragmented society and highly politicised," and he called on the opposition to practice civil Ethiopia, I would argue, is the most important country on the continent today," Witney Schneidman, a former deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs, told a Brookings Institution briefing this week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - It's time to get "Freezin' for a Reason." Saturday, hundreds of people will be taking a leap into chilly waters for the 2020 Polar Plunge. This year's plunge will be at Purdue's Lambert Fieldhouse. Money raised will go to Special Olympics Indiana. A portion of the money also helps local Special Olympics teams with everything from uniforms and equipment to training costs. Purdue Polar Plunge Chair Lynne Noble says watching the event is part of the fun. "It's just a fun event to see." Lynne told News 18. "Nobody jumps into that water without screaming and yelling and laughing and smiling a lot. So it's fun to see the reactions of everyone as they go in and come out." Registration will be open Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. You can still register before the event by clicking here. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. The Turkish authorities have strengthened security measures of the Russian Embassy in Ankara after Ambassador Alexei Yerkhov began receiving threats over the escalation of the situation in Idlib, Syria, TASS reported. A Russian diplomat in Turkey told TASS that the Turkish government ramped up security for the diplomatic mission after the latters request. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Mayor Quinton Lucas is serious about his campaign promise to pardon thousands of non-violent offenders in Kansas City, Missouri, who have been convicted of marijuana possession or paraphernalia. "I think, frankly, this is just us carrying it out probably three years too late," Lucas said. Choosing a novel way to draw attention to the plight of the city's crumbling heritage, a group of residents Friday celebrated Valentine's Day by hugging pillars of the centuries-old Patna Collectorate here, which is facing demolition. Among those who chose to spend a date with the centuries-old Collectorate included a US-educated lawyer, a young poet and a few other residents of the city. "It is sad that a historic building like Patna Collectorate is facing demolition," said Kumar Shanu, a lawyer at the Patna High Court. "We wanted to highlight the issue and so chose to spend time with the collectorate. We should celebrate our heritage and not demolish it. All world-class cities preserve their built heritage while building new things. As youth we must come forward to protect our legacy," he said. Shanu, 26, who returned to India late last year after completing his masters in law from the prestigious Tufts University in the US, said he was in the neighbouring town of Barh for some work but came back in the evening to mark the day in a special way. The call to celebrate Valentine's Day 'with' the Patna Collectorate was given by 'Save Historic Patna Collectorate', a civil society-led movement for historic preservation in Bihar. Anchit Pandey, a young poet based here, went to the collectorate during the late afternoon and took photographs and selfies. "A city's identity is not made by its fancy malls and glitzy showrooms, but its old buildings, which carry within their walls the layers of history of the city and our heritage," Pandey said. "Unlike London, New York and Venice or even Delhi or Bombay, it is sad that our Patna and its heritage buildings have not been romanced that way. Youths like us should come forward and contribute towards heritage preservation. Government should be wiser and not think of demolishing it at all, rather, reuse these buildings as libraries, museums, cafes or art galleries," he said. Heritage lovers went to the collectorate and hugged pillars of the Dutch-era Record Room and took pictures with the buildings in the backdrop. Many even came after dark to mark Valentine's Day with meaningful action. Located near the Gandhi Maidan, the collectorate includes a portion built by the Dutch in the late 16th century. It also comprises the District Board Patna building, set up in 1938 by the British. The centuries-old Patna Collectorate is endowed with high ceilings, huge doors and hanging skylights, and is one of the last surviving signatures of Dutch architecture in the Bihar capital whose fate currently hangs in the balance. After hearing two PILs filed by the Indian National Trust for Art and Culture (INTACH), the Patna High Court last September stayed the proposed demolition of the government complex while restraining the state authorities from "causing any harm to the collectorate building until further orders", bringing some relief to the heritage lovers. In 2016, the Patna Chapter of INTACH had sent a strongly-worded petition to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to immediately scrap the impending demolition plan, saying it would set a "very bad precedent and further jeopardise the fate of other heritage buildings in the city and eventually in the state". Soon after the proposed demolition in 2016, the then Dutch Ambassador Alphonsus Stoelinga and London-based Gandhi Foundation had appealed to spare the demolition of the collectorate, where parts of the Oscar-winning film 'Gandhi' were shot. Some iconic scenes in the Richard Attenborough movie were filmed at the collectorate, whose Dutch-era Record Room was shown as Motihari jail while British-built DM Office building was shown as a court in the film. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Persons holding peaceful protests against a particular law cannot be termed as traitors or anti-nationals, the Bombay High Court said while granting permission to a few people to sit on an indefinite protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Beed district. The Aurangabad bench of HC on Thursday noted that the petitioner and his companions only want to hold a peaceful agitation to show their protest. A division bench of Justices T V Nalavade and M G Sewlikar was hearing a petition filed by one Iftekhar Shaikh challenging a January 31, 2020 order passed by a magistrate and a January 21, 2020 order of the police refusing them permission to sit on an indefinite protest at Old Idgah Maidan in Majalgaon in Beed district against the CAA. "This court wants to express that such persons cannot be called as traitors, anti-nationals only because they want to oppose one law. It will be act of protest and only against the government for the reason of CAA," the court said in its order. The bench noted the orders passed by the magistrate and police were only because the petitioner and his companions wanted to agitate against CAA. It said, presently, such agitations were going on everywhere and there was no whisper of agitations of other nature in this region. "We must keep in mind we are a democratic republic country and our Constitution has given us rule of law and not rule of majority. When such act (CAA) is made, some people may be of a particular religion like Muslims may feel that it is against their interest and such act needs to be opposed," the bench said in its order. It noted that it is the duty of the government to approach such persons, have talks with them and try to convince them. "India got freedom due to agitations which were non- violent and this path of non-violence is followed by the people of this country till date. We are fortunate that most people of this country still believe in non-violence," the bench said. "In the British period, our ancestors fought for freedom and also for human rights, and due to the philosophy behind the agitations, we created our Constitution. It can be said that it is unfortunate but the people are required to agitate against their own government now but only on that ground the agitation cannot be suppressed," it added. The bench held that orders passed by the magistrate and the police were illegal and needed to be quashed and set aside. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The telecom department on Friday ordered phone companies to clear their dues by midnight after the Supreme Court threatened a government official with contempt proceedings for not enforcing the top courts October verdict. The news of the new midnight deadline came soon after the telecom department cancelled an order issued in January that barred officials from taking coercive action against the firms. The 23 January order, issued by a desk officer at the ministry, had angered three Supreme Court judges who summoned top executives of the telecom companies and the telecom department on the next date of hearing. A desk officer in the government stays a Supreme Court order...Is there any law left in the country?, the bench led by Justice Arun Mishra said. The government, which did not want officials to take any coercive action in light of the financial stress in the telecom sector, had reversed its first order soon after. A few hours later, it issued the second order. With reference to subject cited above, you are hereby directed to make the payment of outstanding dues of LF and SUC (license fee and spectrum usage charges) by 14.02.2020, 11.59 pm positively, the second telecom order to phone companies said. In October last year, the top court had ended a 14-year-long legal battle to rule in favour of the government which had insisted that companies could not exclude non-telecom revenue to calculate the fee to be paid to the exchequer. This implied that the license fee and spectrum usage charges would be calculated on the amount earned from all business dealings, including handset sales and other income. The companies had argued the fee should be based on income from only their telecoms business. The outstanding amount from phone companies, according to the new calculation, comes to about Rs 92,000 crore (or US $1 2.89 billion). The payments to be made by the companies include Rs 53,000 crore by Vodafone Idea, Rs 35,500 crore by Bharti Airtel and Rs 14,000 crore by the now defunct Tata Teleservices. Shares in Vodafone Idea, in which Britains Vodafone Group owns a sizable stake, closed down 24.4% after the order, as the companys future is in doubt with Vodafone Group having said it has no plans to commit any more equity into India. Shares in Bharti Airtel rose 4.64% on Friday, as many expect it will be able to pay off the dues and survive, leaving it and Jio with an opportunity to potentially capture market share and enjoy an effective duopoly in the sector. US President Donald Trump has said he may discontinue the practice of officials listening in on his phone calls with foreign leaders, after he was impeached for one of them and nearly got removed from office. Thats what theyve done over the years when you call a foreign leader, people listen, Trump said to a radio host in an interview Thursday, when asked why so many people listened in on his calls to foreign leaders. I may end the practice entirely, I may end it entirely, he added. Democrat-led House of Representatives initiated an impeachment inquiry against Trump last September based on concerns raised by a whistleblower who had reported being concerned about what the person had heard about the presidents call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on July 25. The whistleblower only had second-hand knowledge of the call. But there were plenty of other White House and National Security Council officials who had been tasked to listen in as a matter of practice. Among them were NSCs expert on Ukraine Lt Col Alexander Vindman and the vice-presidents national security aide Jennifer Williams, both of whom testified before the House intelligence committee during the impeachment inquiry and said they had found the presidents conversation inappropriate and concerning. Trump had pressed Zelensky in that call to investigate former Vice-President Joe Biden, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination to contest against Trump in November, and his son Hunter Biden who had held a lucrative position on the board of a Ukrainian gas company during his father tenure. Trump had been had held up $391 million in military aid to Ukraine and a White House meeting with the president to force the issue. Though Trump insisted the call was perfect, the House impeached him last December for abusing the powers of his office for personal benefit and obstruction of congresss investigation into it. The Republican-led senate voted to proposal to remove him from office and acquitted him of both charges in earlier this month. Barrs fails to bar Trumps tweeting In a rare public rebuke of the president, Attorney General William Barr on Thursday told an interviewer that Trumps tweeting made it impossible for me to do my job. He was referring to the case of Roger Stone, a long-time confidant of the president. The department of justice had recommended a lesser sentence for him than the one submitted earlier by the cases prosecutors, shortly after Trump had complained about it. I think its time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases, Barr said. Trump ignored the rebuke and was back at it Friday morning sating he had the legal right to intervene in criminal cases as president and that he hasnt done so yet. Forward-looking: There has been plenty of experimentation in the film industry in recent years. Hardcore Henry, for example, was shot entirely from a first-person point of view. 1917 is made to look like two continuous shots. And soon, there will be a blockbuster-level film shot in the vertical format. Deadline reports that prolific Russian producer and director Timur Bekmambetov is working on a new flick thatll be presented as a vertical video you know, like a clip shot on your smartphone when holding it vertically rather than horizontally. V2. Escape from Hell, will tell the story of a captured Soviet pilot that leads a daring escape from a German concentration camp during the Second World War. Vertical videos have been the bane of many for years yet despite the critics, theyve picked up momentum among social media users and on video sharing sites like YouTube. With a major motion picture now in the works, it looks like the technique is here to stay. This wont be the filmmakers first foray into vertical videos. Bekmambetov, who served as a producer on the aforementioned Hardcore Henry, also shot a miniseries for Snapchat that was shot exclusively in the vertical format. Visually, the film is built around a personthis is a story about a man standing up and straightening his shoulders in spite of the circumstances. And about a rescue plane soaring up into the sky, Bekmambetov said. Filming is expected to start in Russia next week with plans to launch early next year. When President travels to India this month to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two leaders will outline an ambitious vision for the next chapter of the "natural alliance" between the two countries, according to a top American diplomat. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will pay a state visit to India on February 24 and 25 at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, it was announced this week. In addition to New Delhi, Trump will also visit Ahmedabad to address a joint public meeting with Modi at a newly-built stadium. Commenting on Trump's maiden visit to India, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Alice G Wells, said the US president and prime minister Modi enjoyed a very special rapport. "President Trump is eager to travel to India to make his mark on this very important relationship," she said on Thursday at a reception hosted by US India Business Council in honour of the new Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu. "We are approaching an important inflection point in the US-India relationship," Wells said. "When President Trump and Prime Minister Modi meet later this month in front of thousands of roaring fans, they're going to outline an ambitious vision for the next chapter of this natural alliance," Wells said. She reminded the American business community that it was two decades ago that the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee described India and the US as "natural allies". "This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Prime Minister Vajpayee's historic visit to Washington during which he invoked that famous phrase, natural allies. We have come such a long way over the last two decades and are turning that vision into a reality," Wells said. Ambassador Sandhu also described the upcoming trip of President Trump as historic. "Within 10 days, we will witness the historic visit of President of United States to India. This visit will help to solidify our partnership across all spheres," he said. India-US partnership, he said, is between people of the two countries and not just two governments. The strong and enduring bonds between the American and Indian people have been the foundation of our relationship, he said. "During the forthcoming visit of President Trump, you will witness the warmth of Indian people for the United States," Sandhu said. Democratic Party Senator Mark Warner, who co-chairs the Senate Indian Caucus, also spoke on the occasion. Cyril Abiteboul has denied that Renault is behind schedule with its 2020 car. Heads were scratching this week when team figures and the world's media assembled in Paris for the 'launch' event - but the actual 2020 car was missing. Boss Abiteboul explained that because the car was being assembled, he did not want to present a "fake" or "show" car to the media instead. "I am a little frustrated when I see these comments from people who try to interpret on social media a car that does not correspond to the actual car," he said. "I don't want to fool anyone. People deserve not to get false information presented to them. So we decided not to unveil a fake car." Some, however, interpreted the absence of an actual car or even an official 2020 livery as a sign either of disorganisation or that Renault has fallen behind with its preparations. "If anything, we are much more on schedule than we were last year. You may remember that I told you back then (in 2019) that we were running late," Abiteboul said. "That probably influenced our (lack of) reliability in the first races, because when you are late, you can only try to jump on a train that is moving. But this year, we are ahead of our schedule," the Frenchman added. Renault has made no secret of the fact that it will turn its attention towards 2021 as soon as possible this year. But Abiteboul says that should not be interpreted as news that the 2020 car is basically the same as last year's. "This year we took a slightly different approach," he admitted. "The rules are stable, which gives us a fantastic opportunity to keep some elements of the (2019) car that do not affect the performance. "But that doesn't mean that it's the same car as last year - that wouldn't look very good. But we focused on the performance areas and that allows us to put more effort into 2021, so we decided to do it. "We'll see whether it will work out on Saturday in Melbourne," Abiteboul said. (GMM) By Raymond Lesniak New Jersey continues to lead the nation in the rate of foreclosed homes and is doing nothing about it. Foreclosed homes present major problems in neighborhoods. They bring down property values, attract vandalism and are a haven for drug transactions. Yet, legislation I sponsored three times over the years that got through both houses and to Gov. Chris Christies desk was vetoed three times. The last time Christie vetoed it, he remarked, Tell Lesniak the third time isnt a charm. Kevin Walsh, associate director of the Fair Share Housing Center, recently nominated by Gov. Phil Murphy to become the states controller, called Christies veto short-sighted. The governor doesnt care about New Jerseys foreclosure problem. He would rather people lose their homes than sign a sensible bill that would cost the state nothing. My response to Governor Christie was, The foreclosure crisis that has plagued New Jersey isnt getting better, its getting worse. We not only have the highest rate of mortgage foreclosures in the nation, this is the only state that the foreclosure rate increased during the most recent three-month period. This ongoing crisis is both a symptom and a cause of a struggling state economy. It was both a housing failure and an economic failure under Governor Christie. His indifference to the economic crisis dragged down our recovery, which in turn depressed home values and allowed vandalism and crime to spread in neighborhoods with empty homes. Three times we sent Christie legislation to help resolve this issue and three times he turned his back on the problem by repeatedly vetoing the Residential Foreclosure bill. Its tragically obvious that the mortgage crisis wont correct itself and it is equally obvious that the states economy is chronically impaired. But all is not lost. Senators Nilsa Cruz-Perez and Troy Singleton have legislation similar to the bill that Christie passed on three times. It would authorize the Housing and Mortgage Housing Agency (HFMA) to facilitate the conversion of abandoned foreclosed homes into affordable housing for our residents. HMFA would use municipal and state funds available for affordable housing. A great way to accomplish two policy objectives at the same time. Money allocated for affordable housing would be used to stop foreclosures and those properties, in turn, would be used as affordable housing. Legislation drafted previously by Sen. Joseph M. Kyrillos Jr. and myself would then provide tax incentives to close any financing gap to purchase these homes, which have made a negative impact on communities throughout the state. The solution for New Jerseys highest in the nation foreclosure problem is already there, staring us in the face. Raymond (Ray) Lesniak served in the State Senate from 1983 to 2018 and in the General Assembly from 1978 to 1983. 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. Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe A new civil lawsuit filed Thursday against religious leader and self-proclaimed "Apostle" of La Luz Del Mundo, Naason Joaquin Garcia, contains shocking allegations of abuse. The filing, made in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, came as the religious group is holding its "Holy Supper" event at the Pomona Fairplex, attended by thousands. It also comes more than eight months since Garcia, the Mexico-based megachurch's religious leader, was arrested in Los Angeles on dozens of felony child rape and human trafficking charges. He has been held without bail in downtown L.A.'s Men's Central Jail since then, after the court refused to grant bail citing him as a high-flight risk. The lawsuit filed by Sochil Martin, a former Luz Del Mundo member, marks the first time a former La Luz Del Mundo church member has spoken openly about abuse allegations. Martin's lawyers held a news conference Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles to detail her claims against the religious organization, Garcia and other top leaders of the organization. The 34-year-old woman says she grew up deep in La Luz Del Mundo, primarily attending the flagship temple in East L.A. Martin says she was groomed as a child, beaten, forced to work for no pay for the church's communications department, and raped dozens of times over two decades by 'The Apostle' Naason Joaquin Garcia and his father, Samuel Joaquin Flores. Martin's complaint alleges a ring of child sexual slavery and financial manipulation within the church and points fingers at Naason Joaquin Garcia's family members and La Luz Del Mundo bishops, many of whom are based in Southern California. "For nearly 22 years, I was made to work for, travel for, lie for and give my body to an organization who saw me as nothing more than a source of profit and sexual pleasure," Martin told reporters gathered at the offices of Greenberg Gross in downtown Los Angeles Thursday. "Hundreds, if not thousands of other children before me and after me suffered the same fate." Church officials rejected Martin's account Thursday morning. "I think it's just a ploy for attention," said Jack Freeman, La Luz Del Mundo's U.S. spokesman and minister of its temple in Redlands. "It's hatred being manifested towards the Church to disrupt our biggest and holiest event." Freeman told LAist he hadn't read the complaint, but confirmed that Martin was a former church member who had once worked for La Luz Del Mundo's communications arm, Berea International USA. Jack Freeman is the U.S. spokesman for La Luz Del Mundo and a minister at the religious group's Redlands Temple. (Chava Sanchez/ LAist) WHAT IS LA LUZ DEL MUNDO? La Luz Del Mundo (full name "Church of the Living God, Pillar and Ground of the Truth, The Light of the World") was founded in Guadalajara in the 1920s by Naason Joaquin Garcia's grandfather Eusebio Joaquin Gonzalez, the church's first self-proclaimed apostle. La Luz Del Mundo is Mexico's second-largest religious movement, after the Catholic Church. It's a Protestant Christian religious movement that considers itself a restoration of early Christian church. The Light of The World reports 1,500 temples in 58 countries and between 1 and 5 million members worldwide. It has a big presence in California, with more than 50 temples, including churches in East L.A. and Pasadena. People congregate in front of the La Luz Del Mundo (The Light of the World) Church in Los Angeles, California, on June 5, 2019. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images) Joaquin Garcia's father, Samuel Joaquin Flores, led the church from 1964 until 2014.He was the subject of sexual abuse allegations in 1997, but never faced criminal charges. La Luz traditions are unfamiliar to many in the U.S. Churches offer three prayer services each day. Male and female worshippers sit on opposite sides of churches. Women wear long skirts and cover their heads with lace veils. Church members aren't supposed to drink, smoke or gamble. The church does not celebrate Christmas or Easter. As a minority religion in heavily Catholic Mexico, La Luz Del Mundo members have faced some marginalization and persecution. Women praying at Holy Supper event in Pomona on Thursday. (Chava Sanchez / LAist) WHAT IS THE HOLY SUPPER? This event is the U.S. twist on the group's annual Santa Cena gathering at the church's historic headquarters in Guadalajara -- which draws hundreds of thousands of the church's millions of members every August in honor of the founding apostle's birthday. It's a sacred rite and ritual for Luz Del Mundo members. Several cups filled with wine (or grape juice) are shared among their thousands of members. This U.S. version was first held here in 2018, to signal the church's growing role in the U.S. under Naason Joaquin Garcia's leadership. The ritual itself is scheduled to take place Friday evening, in part commemorating the former apostle Samuel Joaquin Flores' birthday. "It's a moment of spiritual renewal where we are able to break bread, drink wine and regain our connection with God and Jesus Christ," said Genesis Coronado, a spokesperson providing a tour of the Pomona Fairplex. "As humans, we have moments of sin, and this event allows us to reconcile with God." Church officials estimated more than 10,000 members showed up to celebrate in Pomona. There are five more sites around the country, including San Diego, Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas and Wanshington D.C. Men gather at La Luz Del Mundo's Holy Supper event in Pomona on Thursday. (Chava Sanchez/ LAist) NEW ALLEGATIONS FROM 'THE INNER-CIRCLE' Sochil Martin is stepping forward and alleging years of abuse and manipulation growing up deep inside the religious group's flagship church in East L.A,, where the jailed church leader and self-proclaimed "Apostle" of the religious movement was once a pastor. In her civil complaint, Martin says she was trafficked throughout the U.S. and Mexico, beaten and raped dozens of times and even forced to have sex with children -- all to satisfy the desires of "the two Apostles," Naason Joaquin Garcia, and his father Samuel Joaquin Flores. Martin also claims that since age 16, La Luz Del Mundo's senior leaders forced her to do more than 30,000 hours of unpaid work for the church's communications arm, International Berea USA. which is run out of East L.A. and was established by Naason Joaquin Garcia in 2009. Martin alleges church leaders used their positions of power to benefit from her trafficking and unpaid labor. She named 12 additional people in the lawsuit, including several bishops in La Luz Del Mundo, some of Martin's former bosses at the Church's communications department and Naason Joaquin Garcia's family members. READ THE FULL LAWSUIT She alleges a widespread culture of coercion and control inside the organization. Martin says countless members have been forced to work for LDM. The complaint claims most of the employees at Berea International were unpaid. "For far too many La Luz Del Mundo members, everything they have is taken by LLDM. Every dollar they make goes to La Luz Del Mundo because they truly believe their money will be used to do the work of God on Earth," Martin said. "But all the hard-earned money goes to making Naason and his enablers rich." Martin claims, on one occasion, LDM members in Southern California were encouraged to donate gold jewelry and heirlooms to the Apostle, which were melted down and used to paint the molding on his new home in Los Angeles. She says members are pressured to give whatever they have to the Church, including homes, which are then either used by the Apostle's family or rented out to other LDM members for revenue. "As thousands gather to celebrate the Holy Supper, Naason's followers will call me a liar and coerce members into giving their last pennies into helping Naason fight me and people like me," Martin said. Martin says cash donated at La Luz del Mundo's temples feeds Naason Joaquin Garcia's lavish lifestyle. According to the complaint, Naason Joaquin Garcia owns two private ranches in Redlands and South Texas, which house exotic animals and vintage cars. Sochil left the Church in 2016. Since 2018, She's been working with authorities to help investigate and prosecute La Luz Del Mundo's leaders. WHAT'S HAPPENED IN COURT SO FAR? Naason Joaquin Garcia and several co-conspirators were arrested last June and charged with dozens of felonies in a case filed by California Department of Justice. Garcia was first held on record high bail in L.A. county, and now without bail oncharges involve three girls and one young woman in L.A. county in recent years. Garcia had denied the charges. The case has been dragging in the pre-trial phase since Naason Joaquin Garcia's dramatic arrest at LAX, at least in part because the child victims in the case were guaranteed anonymity when they reported alleged abuse to California Attorney General Xavier Becerra's office. Naason Joaquin Garcia, the leader of the Church of the Light of the World, walking among his parishioners in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Ulisese Ruiz/AFP/Getty Images) But the civil case filed today is the first where a former member of the church is publicly accusing La Luz Del Mundo and its leadership of manipulation and sex abuse. Sochil's attorneys, from Greenberg Gross and Jeff Anderson & Associates, said they hoped more victims will come forward. Church officials and active members maintain the innocence and righteousness of their leader and Apostle. Spokesman Jack Freeman says despite the new allegations, the Holy Supper is going on as planned and has already resulted in hundreds of baptisms around the U.S. Paediatrician Dr Kafeel Khan, who was arrested for allegedly delivering an inflammatory speech during a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), has been charged under the stringent National Security Act or NSA. Ashutosh Dwivedi, Superintendent of Police (Crime), said that Aligarh district magistrate has imposed NSA against Khan. Under the NSA, the government can keep a person under detention for extended period, if the authorities are satisfied that the person is a threat to national security. Dr Khan was arrested last month from the Mumbai airport for his speech at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in December last year on CAA. A case had been registered against him for promoting enmity between different religions for that speech. We got to know on Friday morning that NSA has been slapped on Kafeel and now he will not be coming out of jail soon. This is simply unacceptable. He is being targeted at the behest of the state government, said his brother Adeel Khan. Also Watch l Gorakhpur doctor Kafeel Khan arrested in Mumbai over anti-CAA speech Questioning the imposition of NSA, Khans brother Adeel cited a 1985 ruling by the Supreme Court to claim that the stringent act cant be slapped against a person who has already been granted bail. Dr Khan was granted bail on Monday after furnishing a bail bond of 60,000, but he has not been released from Mathura jail where he is presently lodged. Khans family had approached the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court in Aligarh over the delay in his release despite getting bail. After his arrest in Mumbai, Khan was brought to Aligarh, from where he was immediately shifted to the district jail in neighbouring Mathura. Dr Khan hit the headlines after the death of 60 children in a Gorakhpur hospital in September 2017 allegedly due to disruption in oxygen supply over unpaid bills to the vendor. He was suspended and spent more than seven months in jail before being released in April 2018. Patrik Mathews is scheduled to appear back in U.S. federal court next week to be arraigned on the latest criminal charges laid against the neo-Nazi recruiter and disgraced Canadian reservist. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/2/2020 (696 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Patrik Mathews is scheduled to appear back in U.S. federal court next week to be arraigned on the latest criminal charges laid against the neo-Nazi recruiter and disgraced Canadian reservist. Mathews, 27, is set for a hearing in Greenbelt, Md. Tuesday, where hell face the firearm and obstruction of justice charges two grand juries indicted him on late last month. Those charges are in addition to two felony firearm charges the FBI laid following his arrest by U.S. law enforcement Jan. 16. In total, the Canadian faces seven criminal charges in connection with his alleged efforts to plan a terror attack he hoped would help spark a "violent revolution for the white race." He remains in custody after Judge Timothy J. Sullivanwho he is set to appear before again next weekdenied him bail Jan. 22, calling him a dangerous individual motivated by a dangerous worldview. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 60 years in U.S. prison. Also scheduled to appear in U.S. court Feb 18 are his co-accused: Brian Lemley Jr., 33, and William Bilbrough IV, 19. The three men were arrested by the FBI in Delaware and Maryland last month. The arrests came during a nationwide crackdown on the Base, a violent-neo-Nazi paramilitary group. Other members of the organization remain at large, and its possible the FBI continues to investigate. In recent weeks, the FBI has signaled it has elevated racially-motivated extremism to a "national threat priority." On Feb. 5, FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, explaining the steps the agency has taken to crack down on far-right and white supremacist extremists. Wray said that by classifying racially-motivated extremism as a "national threat priority," it put those individuals and organizations on the same playing field as "ISIS" when it comes to the amount of resources the agency will throw at them. "Were particularly focused on domestic terrorism, especially racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists," said Wray. "Not only is the terror threat diverse, its unrelenting." The Winnipeg Free Press exposed Mathews as a neo-Nazi recruiter and active combat engineer in the Canadian Armed Forces in August 2019, following a month-long undercover investigation. 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. Hours after being outed by the Free Press, the RCMP raided Mathews home in Beausejour and seized several firearms. After being briefly taken into custody, he was released without charge. Soon after, Mathews vanished, abandoning his truck near the U.S.-Canada border. Hes alleged to have linked-up with neo-Nazi comrades in the U.S. and begun planning murders and terror attacks while stockpiling guns and ammunition. Over the course of several months, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives tracked Mathews and other alleged members of the Base, deploying a variety of counter- terrorism investigative techniques. Mathews is one of eight members of the Base who have been arrested by U.S. authorities in recent months. ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe A new coronavirus has taken a growing toll of Chinese health workers on the front line of the fight to stop it, a top official said on Friday, as authorities reported more than 5,000 new cases, including more than 120 deaths. Policymakers pledged to do more to stimulate economies hit by the virus, helping Asian stock markets edge higher, with Chinese shares headed for their first weekly gain in four. China's National Health Commission said it had recorded 121 new deaths and 5,090 new coronavirus cases on the mainland on Thursday, taking the total number of infected to 63,851. Some 55,748 people are being treated, while 1,380 people have died of the virus that emerged in December in Wuhan, capital of the central province of Hubei, in December. The latest toll takes account of some deaths that had been double counted in Hubei, the commission said. The Chinese health commission vice minister, Zeng Yixin, said 1,716 health workers had been infected and six had died as of Tuesday, with the number of infected staff rising. "The duties of medical workers at the front are indeed extremely heavy; their working and resting circumstances are limited, the psychological pressures are great, and the risk of infection is high," Zeng told a news conference. Chinese officials and hospitals have repeatedly spoken of a shortage of protective equipment, including face masks. The new figures for total infections gave no sign the outbreak was nearing a peak, said Adam Kamradt-Scott, an infectious diseases expert at the Centre for International Security Studies at the University of Sydney. "Based on the current trend in confirmed cases, this appears to be a clear indication that while the Chinese authorities are doing their best to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the fairly drastic measures they have implemented to date would appear to have been too little, too late," he said. Chinese scientists are testing two antiviral drugs and preliminary results are due in weeks, while the head of a Wuhan hospital said plasma infusions from recovered patients had shown some encouraging preliminary results. Cambodian welcome While the vast majority of infections and deaths have been in China, in particular Hubei, there have been nearly 450 cases in some 24 countries and territories outside mainland China, and three deaths. Japan confirmed its first coronavirus death on Thursday - a woman in her 80s living in Kanagawa, near Tokyo. One person has died in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines. The biggest cluster of infections outside China has been on a cruise liner quarantined in a Japanese port, with 218 people on board confirmed as infected and taken off to hospital. On Friday, some of the ship's passengers were allowed to disembark - with priority for older passengers confined to windowless cabins - and complete their quarantine on shore. There was good news for passengers on another cruise ship that was finally allowed to dock in Cambodia after being rejected by five countries over fears of the virus, even though no cases were reported on board. The MS Westerdam, carrying 1,455 passengers and 802 crew, docked in Sihanoukville port late on Thursday. It had anchored offshore earlier to allow Cambodian officials to board and collect samples from passengers with any signs of illness. Prime Minister Hun Sen greeted the passengers with handshakes and bouquets of roses as they stepped off the ship and boarded a bus. "My wife and I gave him some chocolates as a show of our appreciation," Lou Poandel, a tourist from New Jersey, told Reuters after meeting the Cambodian leader. Separately, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd said it had cancelled 18 cruises in southeast Asia and joined larger rival Carnival Corp in warning that its full-year earnings would be hit by the coronavirus outbreak. Lower expectations In Singapore, which reported its biggest jump in cases to date on Thursday - up eight to 58 - health authorities were scrambling to find "patient zero" - the person who carried the disease into a company meeting last month, setting off a chain of infections linked to five other countries. A surge in China's reported cases on Thursday reflected a decision by authorities to reclassify suspected cases as confirmed by using patients' chest scans, and did not necessarily indicate a wider epidemic, the World Health Organization said. Economists are scaling back growth expectations for the world's second-largest economy as they assess the impact of the outbreak. After an extended Lunar New Year holiday, many migrant workers may still be stuck in hometowns far from factories. Analysts at investment bank Nomura estimated only about 21% had returned by Thursday. China's economy will grow at its slowest rate since the global financial crisis this quarter, according to a Reuters poll of economists who said the downturn would be short-lived if the outbreak is contained. Search Keywords: Short link: A Lakewood driver was indicted Wednesday in a hit-and-run that killed a 20-year-old Baltimore man, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said. Mashon Wilson, 29, allegedly fled the scene of an accident on Nov. 25, 2018, near West County Line Road and Cedar Road after a Chevrolet Suburban collided with his Nissan Sentra around 7 a.m., authorities said. The Suburban then struck a tree, and a passenger, Yechiel Yitzchak Finegold, was pronounced dead on scene, police said. Later that day, police tracked the Sentra to Wilsons Lynn Court home. Wilson had been traveling with two women, Shayna Lee, 49 and Iyanna Hall, 30, both of Lakewood at the time of the crash. Initially, the women told police that Lee was responsible for the accident, but, prosecutors said, it was ultimately determined that Wilson was the driver. Wilson is charged with causing a death while driving with a suspended license and leaving the scene of a fatal motor-vehicle accident, the prosecutors office said. Lee and Hall both face charges of hindering apprehension and prosecution. Wilson has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since Feb. 6 on burglary and theft charges unrelated to the hit-and-run, according to jail records. He was arrested in connection to a pair of burglaries at a private school earlier this month, in which he is accused of stealing $400, and a Lakewood office in December, police said last week. Officers conducted a search of his home and seized 23 Samsung tablets and cash, Lakewood police said. Avalon Zoppo may be reached at azoppo2@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AvalonZoppo. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Dhaka, Feb 14 : Another two Bangladeshi migrant workers in Singapore have been infected with the deadly coronavirus, bringing the number of patients from the South Asian nation in the island state to four, a media report said on Friday. The two new Bangladeshi patients, aged 30 and 37, are linked to a worksite in Seletar Aerospace Heights, bdnews24 said in the report citing Singapore-based The Straits Times newspaper as saying. The worksite is now linked to a cluster of four cases, all of whom are Bangladesh nationals. They are among total 58 coronavirus patients in Singapore. None of the new cases has recent travel history to China, according to the The Straits Times. The infected persons were all currently warded in isolation rooms at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, it added. Meanwhile, Bangladesh has brought back 312 of its nationals from Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, bdnews24 reported. The government has also scrapped its plans to evacuate 172 others from the locked down Chinese cities due to the authorities' failure to arrange any flight. But none of the Bangladeshis in or from China have tested positive. So far, Bangladesh has no confirmed case in the country. In South Asia, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka have reported cases. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) The American public has only become aware of threats against the pangolin in the last decade or so, Zeigler said. But the animals popularity appears to have soared in that time, with dozens of YouTube videos of the mysterious creature getting hundreds of thousands of page views. A pangolin debuted in a 2016 episode of the PBS cartoon Wild Kratts, rescued by the shows protagonists before nearly becoming an ingredient in a health food smoothie. A military search team found the bodies of all 12 servicemen who were killed when their helicopter crashed in the mountains of Indonesias Papua province eight months ago, the army said Friday, amid insurgents claims that they shot it down. The army pinpointed the wreckage of the Russian-made Mi-17 from the air Monday, photographing the debris field strewn along steep and rugged terrain at an elevation of 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) in Oskop district, after area residents had located the crash site. The search team reached the site on Thursday after walking for five hours from their base camp in the Mandala mountain range, the military said in a statement. Twelve people, including the crew, were aboard the chopper that went missing in late June. Tomorrow (Saturday) we will start evacuating the remains. The team will carry them to a location that can be reached by our helicopter, the head of the search team, Col. Binsar Panjaitan, said in the statement, adding that bad weather on Friday hampered an immediate evacuation of the bodies. The army helicopter lost radio contact with ground control minutes after taking off on a flight to carry supplies and troops from Oksibil district in Pegunungan Bintang regency to Sentani, near the provincial capital Jayapura, on June 28, 2019. Military officials said the cause of the crash was still not yet known, while declining to comment on recent claims by the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) separatist rebel group that they had downed the big helicopter. Sebby Sambom, a spokesman for the rebels, told reporters earlier that they found the choppers wreckage on Feb. 4 and their forces had seized weapons from the crash site. Dax Sianturi, a commander and spokesman for the Indonesian military in Papua, on Friday denied the rebels claims that they had looted weapons from among the dead soldiers. According to information from local figures, the weapons are mostly likely being kept by villagers in a nearby village not far from the crash site, Sianturi told BenarNews via a text message. Nine of the bodies of the dozen dead soldiers were identified by the nametags on their uniforms, Sianturi said, according to the Associated Press. An aerial photo shows the wreckage of a Russian-made Mi-17 Indonesian Army helicopter that crashed in Pegunungan Bintang Regency in Papua province, Feb. 10, 2020. [Handout/Papua Region Military Command Information Bureau] In other news out of Papua, a military tribunal this week sentenced an Indonesian soldier to life in prison after convicting him on charges of selling ammunition to the rebels. The army serviceman, Wahyu Insyafiadi, received the sentence for selling 2,600 pieces of ammo, including bullets, to the rebel side, Agence France-Presse reported Friday. Two other military personnel received jail sentences of 15 years and 30 months, respectively, for their roles in the ammunition sales, according to AFP. The Papua region, which makes up the Indonesian half of New Guinea island, was formally incorporated into Indonesia in 1969, after a U.N.-administered ballot known as the Act of Free Choice. Many Papuans and rights groups said the vote was a sham because it involved only 1,000 people. The Papua region, as it is known, has since been the scene of a low-level separatist insurgency. The region at the far eastern end of Indonesia is made up of Papua and West Papua provinces. Air transport is vital in the largely jungle-clad region due to its limited road networks. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. New Delhi: Antarctica island has recorded the highest temperature that exceeded 20C for the first time on February 9. Researchers have logged a temperature of 20.75C on an island off the coast of the peninsula. Brazilian scientist Carlos Schaefer told AFP that they had "never seen a temperature this high in Antarctica". He, however, said that the temperature logged on was just one reading and not part of a long-term data set. However, the news that the icy continent is now recording temperatures in the relatively balmy 20s is likely to further fuel fears about warming of the planet. The reading was reportedly taken at Seymour Island, part of a chain off the peninsula that curves out from the northern tip of Antarctica. The island is home to Argentina's Marambio research base. Carlos Schaefer, who is a soil scientist, said that the reading was taken as part of a 20-year-old research project on the impact of climate change on the region's permafrost, adding that the previous high was in the 19s. He further told AFP, "We can't use this to anticipate climatic changes in the future. It's a data point," adding "It's simply a signal that something different is happening in that area." The news came a week after Argentina's National Meteorological Service (NMS) recorded the hottest day on record for Argentine Antarctica: 18.3 degrees Celsius at midday at the Esperanza base, located near the tip of the Antarctic peninsula. The previous record stood at 17.5 degrees on March 24, 2015, said NMS, which has been recording Antarctic temperatures since 1961. After weeks of assessing concerns about the placement of wiring bundles in 737 Max airplanes, Boeing has submitted its initial recommendation to the FAA for how to resolve the issue. Sources say Boeing believes it does not need to modify the wiring bundles nor move their location within the plane. Technical staff with the FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency have raised questions about the potential for the wiring bundles to short-circuit. In a worst-case scenario that could lead to a crash if pilots did not handle the situation correctly. Boeing declined to comment on the exact recommendation made for resolving the issue. "Safety continues to be the FAA's top priority," the FAA said in a statement. "We will rigorously evaluate Boeing's proposal to address a recently discovered wiring issue with the 737 MAX. The manufacturer must demonstrate compliance with all certification standards. As we have said in the past, the aircraft will be cleared for return to passenger service only after the FAA is satisfied that all safety-related issues are addressed." FAA Administrator Steve Dickson and his staff will review Boeing's proposal and discuss it with engineers before issuing a decision on what should happen next. Earlier this month in London, Dickson told reporters he expected to make a decision on the wiring issue within the next few weeks. Boeing said any modifications that may be needed for Max wiring bundles will not change the company's estimate for the plane returning to service by the middle of the year. The 737 Max has been grounded since 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. While regulators and Boeing work on resolving the remaining issues with the Max that still need to be fixed, United Airlines has pushed back the date when it expects to put the planes back into service. United said it has pulled the Max from its schedule until Sept. 4. On Thursday, Southwest Airlines, which operates more Max planes than any other airline, announced it will not be flying the plane until Aug. 10. GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer As the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady has a level of influence that the state of Texas and the 8th Congressional District cannot afford to lose. That is why we recommend that Republican voters support Brady in the March 3 primary. Exhibit No. 1 is Bradys role in crafting the recent United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement to replace NAFTA. The new deal was crucial for Texas, which exported $109.7 billion in goods to Mexico last year and $27.4 billion to Canada. Combined, that relationship adds up to more than 40 percent of all Texas exports, accounts for 15.6 percent of GDP and supports more than 900,000 jobs in the state. Yearly trade between Houston and Mexico alone tops $20 billion. Brady, 64, was a key negotiator and adviser to the president in getting the deal through. Research Trades PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-14 19:55:34 Press Information Research Trades Office No.10, Wing C, Rajhans, Baner, Pune-45, India Nitin Business Development 91 7507349866 email https://www.researchtrades.com/checkout/1818936 # 637 Words Office No.10, Wing C, Rajhans, Baner, Pune-45, IndiaBusiness Development91 7507349866 Automotive Flex Fuel Engine Market studies record 2019 gives certain records of primary players like producers, suppliers, vendors, traders, clients, traders and and so on. Automotive Flex Fuel Engine Market report offers a professional and deep evaluation on the prevailing country of Automotive Flex Fuel Engine 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 Flex Fuel Engine 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 Flex Fuel Engine Market dynamics takes a critical examine the business regulatory framework, technological advances in related industries, and the strategic avenues.The report mainly studies the size, recent trends and development status of the Automotive Flex Fuel Engine market, as well as investment opportunities, government policy, market dynamics (drivers, restraints, opportunities), supply chain and competitive landscape. Technological innovation and advancement will further optimize the performance of the product, making it more widely used in downstream applications. Moreover, Porter's Five Forces Analysis (potential entrants, suppliers, substitutes, buyers, industry competitors) provides crucial information for knowing the Automotive Flex Fuel Engine market.Request for Sample Report with Toc@ https://www.researchtrades.com/request-sample/1818936 Major players in the global Automotive Flex Fuel Engine market include:Volkswagen,AUDI,Honda Motor Co. Ltd.General Motors Company,Volvo Cars,Toyota Motor Corporation,Ford Motor Company,Nissan,Motor Co. Ltd.,Mitsubishi Motors Corporation,Fiat Chrysler AutomobilesOn the basis of types, the Automotive Flex Fuel Engine market is primarily split into:Compact-Size,Full-Size,OthersOn the basis of applications, the market covers:Passenger Car,Commercial Vehicle*Chapter 1 provides an overview of Automotive Flex Fuel Engine market, containing global revenue, global production, sales, and CAGR. The forecast and analysis of Automotive Flex Fuel Engine market by type, application, and region are also presented in this chapter.*Chapter 2 is about the market landscape and major players. It provides competitive situation and market concentration status along with the basic information of these players.*Chapter 3 provides a full-scale analysis of major players in Automotive Flex Fuel Engine industry. The basic information, as well as the profiles, applications and specifications of products market performance along with Business Overview are offered.*Chapter 4 gives a worldwide view of Automotive Flex Fuel Engine market. It includes production, market share revenue, price, and the growth rate by type.*Chapter 5 focuses on the application of Automotive Flex Fuel Engine, by analyzing the consumption and its growth rate of each application.*Chapter 6 is about production, consumption, export, and import of Automotive Flex Fuel Engine in each region.*Chapter 7 pays attention to the production, revenue, price and gross margin of Automotive Flex Fuel Engine in markets of different regions. The analysis on production, revenue, price and gross margin of the global market is covered in this part.*Chapter 8 concentrates on manufacturing analysis, including key raw material analysis, cost structure analysis and process analysis, making up a comprehensive analysis of manufacturing cost.*Chapter 9 introduces the industrial chain of Automotive Flex Fuel Engine. Industrial chain analysis, raw material sources and downstream buyers are analyzed in this chapter.*Chapter 10 provides clear insights into market dynamics.*Chapter 11 prospects the whole Automotive Flex Fuel Engine market, including the global production and revenue forecast, regional forecast. It also foresees the Automotive Flex Fuel Engine market by type and application.*Chapter 12 concludes the research findings and refines all the highlights of the study.*Chapter 13 introduces the research methodology and sources of research data for your understanding.Contact Us+1 6269994607 (US) +91 7507349866 (IND)Email id : sales@ researchtrades.com Website: www.researchtrades.com The Supreme Court Friday directed the Centre and the Assam government to file a fresh report with regard to the status of release of Bangladeshi migrants in detention centres as per its earlier order New Delhi: The Supreme Court Friday directed the Centre and the Assam government to file a fresh report with regard to the status of release of Bangladeshi migrants in detention centres as per its earlier order. A bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde was apprised by advocate Prashant Bhushan that over 300 people were in detention for over three years, while more than 700 had been detained for over one year. The apex court posted the matter for hearing in the third week of March after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought time. The top court in May last year had ordered that illegal foreigners in Assam who have completed more than three years in detention may be released after they provide biometric details in a secured database. It had also directed them to furnish a bond of Rs 1 lakh with two Indian sureties and give details of address of stay after release. The top court had also agreed that the Assam government should be given some more time to indicate the progress made on the diplomatic level, among others, with regard to deportation of declared foreigners and setting up of additional foreigners' tribunals. It had also directed the state government to place on record a detailed scheme, in consultation with the Gauhati High Court (on the administrative side), with regard to the constitution of foreigners' tribunals, including the appointment of members, staff, etc. The said details shall be placed on record as soon as possible and if required, the state will be at liberty to make a mention of the matter before the vacation bench, the apex court had said. It had earlier asked the Assam government to work on the modalities of setting up around 1,000 foreigners' tribunals for speedy disposal of cases related to illegal immigrants. Janet Tobkin Conley picked up her phone last summer and called a real estate agent 3,000 miles away from her rural Maine home. She was inquiring about a one-story, 676-square-foot cabin just outside the Bar M Ranch some 30 miles east of Pendleton. She wanted the cabin, nestled in Oregons Blue Mountains along the Umatilla River, to be her final home. Tobkin Conley bought the home without hesitation or a walkthrough. Shed seen it before. The 62-year-old didnt even get to enjoy her cabin for a full year. Neighbors and search and rescue crews found Tobkin Conleys body Sunday, not far from her cabin, on the Bar M Ranch. According to family, she was wearing a backpack and had her disabled pet pigeon, Memaloose, in a carrier as she tried to escape the rising waters and get to higher ground. Tobkin Conleys is the only known death from the widespread floods that ravaged portions of rural Umatilla County last week, wiping out local roads, damaging state highways and briefly closing Interstate 84 throughout the region. Dozens of families were evacuated, lives upended. The county sheriffs office did not respond to requests for comment regarding her death. The state medical examiners office declined to comment. For friends, family and loved ones, the tragedy is a devastating blow thats difficult to understand. They say Tobkin Conley, a longtime environmental advocate and grant writer who volunteered her time to fight for Oregons national wonders for years, knew that remote area of Oregon extremely well and was comfortable and well-equipped to hunker down in uncomfortable conditions. She had just been in Vancouver visiting her younger sister, Linda Swift, earlier in the week when she saw a gap in the weather and headed for home Feb. 4. She knew how to survive, Swift said. She had water, grains, and supplies like prepackaged salmon. According to the sheriffs office, Tobkin Conley told neighbors Feb. 6 that she wanted to stay in her home despite the rising waters. She made it out of the house but was swept away. Swift said the torrent of snowmelt had carved a trench in the road, and there was three feet of deep, surging water to wade through. I think things just happened quicker than she could possibly imagine, Mark Conley, her older brother, said of the waters and melting snow. Jerry Baker, the real estate agent who sold her the cabin, was also a lifelong friend. Bakers family owned the Bar M Ranch for 65 years, and Tobkin Conley and her family visited there for decades. She just loved it there, Baker said. She had lifelong love affair with the Bar M Ranch. Baker said it was a pleasure to help his friend -- with whom he spent summers catching frogs and snakes and swimming in the Umatilla as kids -- buy her dream cabin. When she called me, he said, it was just like old times. Baker said. Lets do it, he said of the sale. In interviews with friends and family, a common theme emerged: Shed been in Maine for more than two decades, but Oregon was where she belonged. She was finally home, Conley said. She was extraordinarily happy, he said, there was a bounce in her voice, a voice I forgot from decades before. Family and friends said her legacy will be one of profound kindness to friends, family and injured birds and geese that she fostered for years at her New England home, but also tireless philanthropy and a volunteer spirit. She led a grassroots effort to name a trail circling central Oregons Sparks Lake for Ray Atkeson, a renowned landscape photographer and close friend. She was also one of the leading figures behind a nonprofit group, Friends of Mt. Hood, that emerged in the early 1990s to battle the Mt. Hood Meadows ski areas proposed massive expansion there. Oregon was always in her heart, said Mark Tobkin, her ex-husband. Janet Tobkin Conley pictured in a photo provided by family. She died in rural Oregon amid February floods on the Umatilla River. OREGON GIRL Tobkin Conley was born and raised in Portland, the third of Robert and Nancys four children. It was an idyllic childhood. The family ranch-style home in Oak Grove had a view to the east of Mount Hood, a filbert orchard in the foreground. Robert, a physician, was an avid hiker, skier and camper. He took us into the wilds of Oregon all the time, Mark Conley said. We learned to love the beauty of Oregon. The family traveled internationally, too, setting sail on cruises to Africa, the Panama Canal, and parts unknown. Nancy was a former assistant to Arthur Andersen, the namesake of the Chicago accounting juggernaut. Janet took from her an elegance and a style. Three months ago, Mark Conley and Janet took a weeklong trans-Atlantic cruise aboard a luxury oceanliner. She liked to put on some elegant clothes every now and then and live it up, Conley said. But the Bar M Ranch, that spectacular and rugged slice of heaven east of Pendleton, was always close to the familys heart. Her dads greatest pleasure was standing in that river all day, said Baker. Its why last April, the siblings chose the ranch as the best place for a family reunion. It was already a challenging year. The oldest Conley sibling, Terry, died. Months later, Linda Swifts 8-year-old granddaughter, Aliyah, who was particularly close with Tobkin Conley, died of a rare brain cancer. Family time was sacred. So when Linda saw the For Sale sign, she nudged her sister. Janet, thatd be perfect for you, Swift said. Mount Hood in July 2018. Tobkin Conley used to hike up onto the mountain and camp, and she advocated for wilderness protections later in her life.Mark Graves/Staff GRANT WRITING Tobkin Conley seemed to spend her youth on the go. She raced bicycles at the Alpenrose Velodrome, the now-defunct Portland dairy. The siblings recall an early 20-something Janet would ride 110 miles per day, from her home to Mt. Hood Community College for classes and back to train for her races. She got into rowing, too, racing once at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Around that time, Janet was living in a small home near what was then Eastmoreland General Hospital, now Reed College. Mark Tobkin recalled he was walking by one day and a young woman asked if he wanted a strawberry. We just hit it off, Tobkin said. They became friends and eventually were married for 16 years. Tobkin described young Janet as a tireless athlete who was perpetually in motion and seemed to be happy all the time. She was a gourmet cook and baker, he said. She worked, briefly, as a part-time energy consultant. But much of her time and energy, family said, was on advocating for the environment. In 1988, Mt. Hood Meadows was proposing a massive expansion, including up to 1,500 rooms and more than 700 acre expansion into sensitive terrain. It was a controversial plan and eventually was scuttled. Tobkin Conley threw herself into the fight against the resort expansion. We will appeal any amount of overnight housing, she said in a June 1990 interview with The Oregonian. There is a broad constituency opposed to this, and we are carrying the message of our state. Karl Anuta, an attorney who represented the nascent association during those days and has continued on to be on its board of directors, says Tobkin Conley was involved from the beginning. She isnt mentioned on the nonprofits website, but early media coverage refers to her as a founder or cofounder. She was very focused and driven to try and protect Mt. Hood, Anuta recalled. She was very energetic and devoted an incredible amount of time and resources to the project, he added, more than probably any person. During that same time, Tobkin Conley became friends with Ray Atkeson, Oregons photographer laureate at the time, who chronicled the states natural beauty for some 60 years. Before Atkeson died in 1990, Tobkin Conley said it was imperative he pick a scenic place to honor his legacy so others wouldnt do it for him. He settled on Sparks Lake, a stunning Cascade mountain lake west of Bend that was one of Atkesons favorite hidden gems. Tobkin Conley dedicated about four years of her life to getting a trail constructed there to honor her friend. The Oregonians Jonathan Nicholas chronicled the saga starting in the early 1990s. She set up a P.O. Box and started making connections to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the effort. When I didnt know what I was doing, she told the paper, I relied on guts and intuition. Nicholas described her effort as the essential spirit of Oregon. Tobkin recalled the event to commemorate the roughly 4-mile loop trail occurred on a rainy weekend. The Tobkins and Mark Conley camped at the mountain lake the night before. After the celebration, when everyone had left, Tobkin recalled walking the trail with Janet. This is your accomplishment, he told her. Its really something to be admired. The view from the Ray Atkeson memorial trail at Sparks Lake in central Oregon. BACK HOME Shortly after, in 1996, the couple moved across the country to Maine. Mark Conley said his sister moved to Maine for her husband, and to be supportive, but it was a challenge. It was a huge sacrifice to give up Oregon, Conley said. Her love for Oregon was so deep. The marriage ended, but the couple remained close friends. Mark Tobkin remarried, and he said Janet was a dear friend to his new wife as well. Shes left a lot of emptiness in both of us, he said, She had a great deal of influence on our lives, and you dont realize it until someone is gone like that. Linda Swift said shell miss her sister for too many reasons to count she planned ahead for everything, having a five-year plan she executed to perfection. In the grief of the past week, she is trying to find solace in the fact that Janet did try to escape, and she wasnt found dead in her cabin. She was on her way to higher ground when she was swept away. Its why the family worked with the sheriffs office to show potential trails where Janet might have hiked. Its why the initial news release offered a tone of optimism, citing her experience as a hiker. Swift said Tobkin Conley, who didnt have children, was particularly close with her daughter, Chloe, and son, Lauren. Conley said his sister deeply loved the Umatilla River specifically, and if she had a choice, shed have preferred not to deteriorate over many years from cancer or other ailments. She much wouldve preferred going quick, he said, riding the river with her beloved bird. He also recalled a visit to Maine in 2015, when Tobkin awoke to recount a poem shed conjured in her sleep. She called it Epitaph. He wrote it down: goodbye my farm with honk of goose bobcat, loon, deer and moose lady slipper butterflies peaceful night of fireflies. He thought it was gorgeous. -- Andrew Theen; atheen@oregonian.com; 503-294-4026; @andrewtheen Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Employees wear protective face masks at a pharmacy in Beijing on Feb. 1, 2020. (NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images) Reliance on China for Medicine Is a Security Threat to US Military and Public, Says Congressman WASHINGTONThe coronavirus outbreak has disrupted the U.S. pharmaceutical industrys global supply chain that is largely dependent on China, calling attention to a dangerous level of dependence by the United States on this global competitor. China is the dominant supplier of thousands of medicines found in U.S. homes and hospitals, from antibiotics to chemotherapies, from HIV/AIDS drugs to antidepressants to painkillers. This makes the United States vulnerable to supply chain disruptions arising from the coronavirus (officially known as COVID-19) outbreak in China, which has alarmed Congress and the White House. The increasing dominance of Beijing in the manufacturing of medicine poses a national security threat to the United States, Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) told The Epoch Times. We are totally dependent on Chinacertainly the American military is, the American public equally so, he said. That is not a good thing to have any country really dominating and having a monopoly on a key, in this case, drug or set of drugs that are essential to maintain human life. The United States is heavily dependent on either drugs that are sourced from China, or drugs made from ingredients manufactured in China. Crucial medical drugs outsourced from China include penicillin, heparin, and medications essential for surgeries. Beijing could easily leverage this dependence to gain military, economic, or political advantage over the United States. To address this issue, Garamendi and Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) introduced in October 2019 a bipartisan bill, Pharmaceutical Independence Long-Term Readiness Reform Act. The bill would require the Pentagon to assess the threat posed by the dependence on China and to only purchase U.S.-made ingredients, medicines, and vaccines for the military. The Chinese regime is the major developer of generic drugs (prescription drugs that have gone off-patent), which accounts for nearly 90 percent of pharmaceuticals. Although the bill only protects service members, Garamendi believes it will help revive the U.S. industrial base to produce generic medicines and antibiotics domestically, since the military is a significant purchaser of pharmaceuticals. We want the Pentagon to buy American-made drugs, which creates a market for American manufacturers to invest and to produce the necessary drugs. Supply Disruptions The COVID-19 outbreak, which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan and has rapidly spread across China, is expected to hit Chinas economy. To contain the virus, many local governments in China have halted factory activities, impacting the pharmaceutical and other industries. At the same time, the country faces its own shortages of medical supplies and equipment needed to treat and test for the virus. The United States dependence on China for medicine has been a problem for years, and the coronavirus outbreak has exacerbated the problem, according to Rosemary Gibson, a senior advisor at the Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute, and co-author of China RX: Exposing the Risks of Americas Dependence on China for Medicine. Its unbelievably worse if we have an outbreak here in the United States, she told The Epoch Times. China supplies thousands of ingredients used to make essential medicines, she said, including those to help care for people who have COVID-19. Im hearing privately that some companies are not getting products [from China], Gibson said. And many health care organizations in the United States are preparing for supply disruptions. Due to the outbreak, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled its inspectors and staff from China. This would create a quality problem for drugs that are being imported from China, Gibson said. Beijings Made in China 2025 strategy has clearly laid out plans to dominate and control certain key sectors globally, including the pharmaceutical industry. Through massive government subsidies and a large pool of talented chemists, China has managed to advance its capability in this sector and drive Western manufacturers out of the market. We have essentially allowed the Chinese to weaponize their pharmaceutical industry against the United States, Hartzler said in a statement. This is a very real issue with grave concernsnot only for our national security, but for the health of all Americans. The White House has also sounded alarms about Chinas dominance in the global supply chain of generic drugs. White House trade advisor Peter Navarro said on Feb. 12 that the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak was a wake-up call for the United States to reduce its dependence on China. Navarro, in an interview with The Financial Times, said the United States needs to examine its reliance on imported drugs, face masks, and vaccines and get production back onshore. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Feb. 6 wrote (pdf) to Stephen Hahn, commissioner of the FDA, asking if the agency had the necessary tools to ensure the safety and supply of pharmaceuticals, food, and medical supplies imported from China. Cathy He contributed to this report. Polarized is a weekly series featuring Americans from all 50 states sharing their views on the 2020 elections. Click here if you would like to be a part of this project In many ways, Tim Miller is a man standing alone on an island. He lives in Oakland, California, and jokes about being a rare breed in the area despite seemingly blending in to the west coast lifestyle. I think there are four Republicans in my precinct, he says while laughing. Im a pretty unusual cat around here. But Miller isnt just any Republican: Hes a Never Trumper (actually, his Twitter bio says "#neverfreakingevertrump"), who was at the front of the pack in rejecting the reality TV star and real estate mogul when he sought the Republican nomination during the 2016 elections. Miller has worked on campaigns led by establishment Republicans like John McCain, Jon Huntsman and, most recently, Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor who ran against Trump in the 2016 primaries. He later served as a senior adviser and spokesperson for Our Principles PAC, a group that tried to prevent Trump from getting the Republican Partys 2016 nomination. When it was clear their efforts had failed, Miller says he was one of just two people with the group who did not go on to support Trump in the 2016 election. In a recent interview with The Independent, Miller describes how his life was massively impacted by Trumps shocking electoral upset against Hillary Clinton. It really caused me to have a massive re-prioritization of what I think is important both in politics and in my career, he says. I dont really care about the top tax bracket rate anymore, Miller continues. I care much more about protecting and maintaining our pluralistic society, making sure people of all races arent discriminated against, making sure we dont have an unlawful, bigoted president which I didnt even realize was something that needed to be on the list for a while. (Photo courtesy Tim Miller (Photo courtesy Tim Miller) Miller feels he was forced to abandon his past life in Washington after the 2016 elections, leaving behind the successful Republican opposition research firm he helped start called America Rising. I left and walked away from it for nothing, because I just couldnt support Donald Trump, he says. On the surface, one might never assume Miller was a career Republican operative. In California fashion, he scooters to his work-share office and spends his days helping people with their problems or writing anti-Trump screeds for the web. His husband works in government relations for a food company, and he has a young child who has him up early most mornings. Miller now works as an independent communications consultant while helping anti-Trump Republicans campaign in 2020, and is a contributor to a conservative site called The Bulwark. He has also taken on advocacy projects for people he says have been impacted by Trumps policies, most recently writing about Omar Ameen, an Iraqi refugee he says has been falsely accused of being a member of Isis. Miller wouldnt tell me who he supports in the 2020 Democratic primaries, if there is anyone at all. I dont want to give anyone in particular the kiss of death by having the Republican campaign operative endorse them in the primary, he says, but I changed my registration so I could participate and support whoever I think at the time is more electable and able to beat Donald Trump. He says the most important issue facing the country this election cycle is getting rid of Donald Trump, and he fears the Democratic powers that pay lip service to that arent particularly acting like they believe it, and might be possibly putting us in a situation where hes well-positioned to be re-elected. But dont get him started about the punditry class and their hot takes on electability. Theres a conventional wisdom on Twitter and among left-wing pundits that swing voters are dead and the only way to win the election is to jack up the base, he says. That just could not be more wrong. Every single study, every single piece of research, every single data-point points to that being incorrect. He cites the elections of John Bel Edwards, the anti-choice Democrat who was elected governor of Louisiana, and Andy Beshear, the moderate Democrat who was elected governor of Kentucky, adding: I dont see how you can look at those results and not recognize there was a massive number of Donald Trump voters who crossed over to vote for Democrats. That said, he thinks someone like Bernie Sanders could conceivably win the Democratic nomination and the presidency though voting for the Vermont Senator would be a tough pill to swallow. 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 I think Donald Trump demonstrated that there are a lot of voters out there who are not served by the political process, who can come out of the woodworks for the right candidate, he says. There are way more white working class voters that dont vote than there are black voters or young liberals thats also something people need to be mindful about when thinking of electability. Miller explains that he will eventually vote for whoever wins the Democratic nomination and yes, that means even Sanders. I think a Bernie Sanders presidency would impact my partisan-lean quite a bit. But the downside risk of Donald Trump is just astoundingly great, he says. The worst case scenario in a Trump presidency is far worse than the worst case scenario for any of the other alternatives. While it may seem Miller is a dying breed, he has hope others will one day join his minuscule, tiny group on an island. The basic fundamental values the country was started on freedom of religion, speech, pluralism these kind of classic liberal values have brought unprecedented freedoms and economic opportunities to people the world over, he says. There has been more progress in the last 300 years underpinned by those values than there was in the centuries before, so I think those values will come back into fashion at some point. He adds: Im not too optimistic that point is any time soon within the Republican party. Inside Hook Fox has reportedly picked up a pilot from The Bold Type creator Sarah Watson about a group of students working on a shot-for-shot remake of beloved 80s classic The Goonies. As Variety notes, In the untitled project, Stella Cooper returns to her distressed automotive hometown to substitute teach after failing to make it in New York and carrying a heavy secret. She finds inspiration, hope, and ultimately salvation when she agrees to help three students who are pursuing their filmmaking dreams by putting on an impossibly ambitious shot-for-shot remake of one of the students favorite movies, The Goonies. At a time when Unity Center for Behavioral Health says that a backlog of psychiatric patients seeking treatment is causing a public health crisis, a health care company is offering to an additional 100-bed facility in the Portland area. Yet Unity officials have signaled they plan to oppose Universal Health Services bid for state approval. Three years ago, the Oregon Health Authority denied Universal Healths application as Unity prepared to open its doors for the first time. State health officials said the four hospital systems that created Unity had successfully argued that their joint venture would meet the Portland metro regions need for more inpatient beds. That has not happened. In fact, many say the problem has gotten worse. If the state approves Universal Healths application, it would be the first open acknowledgment that opening Unity hasnt done enough. Unity leaders maintain that its current troubles dont mean the Portland area needs more places to help people in distress. Unity instead says the problem is the Oregon State Hospital, which has mostly cut off admissions from anyone who isnt charged with a crime. The patients the state turns away are now staying at Unity longer than expected. We believe there is already enough inpatient capacity at the acute care level in the state of Oregon, if the flow of civilly committed patients is remedied, said Brian Terrett, spokesman for Legacy Health, which owns and operates Unity. Legacy Health is not alone in its opposition to Universal Healths request. Other hospital systems and some mental health advocates are critical of the proposal. However, Legacys opposition comes as it seeks more money from the state to prop up its finances. Unity says it is hemorrhaging money while caring for some of the states sickest patients and needs additional state general fund dollars to stay afloat. Universal Health argues it can ease Unitys strain. Nothing would help the Unity Center more than opening our facility, getting it approved and taking some of the full pressure and burden of responsibility that they are currently struggling with, said Ron Escarda, Universal Health Services group director for the northwest region. A history in Oregon Universal Health can claim experience in this area. One of the largest behavioral health providers in the country, it also operates facilities in the United Kingdom. It recently expanded in Washington and currently provides care at one Oregon location: Cedar Hills Hospital in Southwest Portland. Cedar Hills opened in 2008 with 36 beds. Two years later, officials expanded to 78 beds, then to 89, and then 94. Each time, the facility hit 80% to 90% capacity immediately, according to the company, and remains in that range. In 2019, Cedar Hills fielded 11,000 calls from patients or hospitals looking for a spot. But only about 3,500 were able to get into Cedar Hills, which tries to only admit patients who fit the services they provide. We know that there are people being boarded in emergency rooms, said Michael Sorensen, Cedar Hills director of business development. We know that on a daily basis we have people call and we dont have a bed for them. When the state in 2017 denied Universal Healths application to open a second Oregon facility, in Wilsonville, officials cited Unity 13 times. The health authority said the proposed new Universal Health facility might create too much competition for Unity, which was about to open, to thrive. Universal Health promised to raise private capital to build the $50 million facility. Officials wrote that Universals business plan is solid, but said it could hurt existing providers. They said a new player in the market could potentially divert patients who have private insurance, and thus a better reimbursement rate for care, as well as take state funds and Medicaid dollars from other hospitals. The states denial also said that Unitys new-to-Oregon psychiatric emergency room was likely the future of behavioral health care facilities, whereas Universal Health was proposing a model similar to what already existed in the market a redundancy of services. The opening of the Unity Center in Portland, with a psychiatric emergency department will alleviate the need for transfers to a new inpatient psychiatric facility, health officials wrote in the denial. Since then, Unity has gone through a state and federal patient safety investigation that for months forced Unity to turn away almost all new patients. Now, the hospital is in a financial crisis and asking for additional state funds to remain open, saying the Portland facility has nearly quadrupled projected annual losses. Part of the blame, Unity officials say, falls on a patient backlog. People who need an inpatient bed are waiting for hours and days in recliners in Unitys psychiatric ER. The 107 inpatient beds are full because the Oregon State Hospital cannot accept new patients and there are too few community-based treatment options to accept them. Similar problems, differing finances Universal Health faces some of the same problems. Like Unity, Cedar Hills officials say they have a larger than usual percentage of patients waiting for placement at the Oregon State Hospital. Cedar Hills had 22 patients waiting -- 23% of their beds. A top Unity executive said that 25 people were being held there at one of the highest points. And the average length of stay at Cedar Hills has increased. During a recent tour of the facility, 16 of the most acute patients were waiting more than 30 days to move to the state hospital or a similar treatment program, with some up to 60 days. Thats been the new average for a few years as demand has increased, Sorensen said on a recent tour of the facility. For the whole hospital, which includes people who are receiving lower levels of care as they detox from drugs and alcohol, the average stay is eight days. We dont have enough services across the spectrum, but we especially dont have enough of at the acute levels, he said, standing in the hallway of Cedar Hills as staff moved through sets of locking doors. But unlike Unity, Universal Health says its in the financial position to ease those problems. Universal Healths Cedar Hills location is the states only for-profit behavioral health hospital and the vast majority of patients have private insurance. That is partly because Cedar Hills cannot be paid for Medicaid patients, which make up about half of the people in the Portland area who need mental health services. Yet, health laws require Cedar Hills to admit any patient that fits their treatment portfolio, regardless of ability to pay. The company has been forced to build a business model that assumes it will lose money serving patients who cannot pay for care, which happens whenever Unity is full and transfers Medicaid patients to Cedar Hills. The hospital provided 2,500 days of uncompensated care to patients last year, Sorensen said. Cedar Hills would like to recoup some of that money. It doesnt have a contract with coordinated care organization Health Share, which provides mental health benefits to most people on the Oregon Health Plan and mainly contracts with Unity. Sorensen said Cedar Hills would gladly take in more Medicaid patients and is aggressively pursuing a contract with Health Share. Those efforts so far have been rebuffed. And the state says, you have to eat it, Sorensen said. But in the meantime, Universal Health officials say that their business model is working fine, even when the company is providing free care. Next steps Whether Universal Health will be allowed to open a facility in Wilsonville wont be known for months, at least. The Oregon Health Authority has asked the company additional questions and is awaiting response. Once the application is completed, the state has 90 days to rule. Health authority officials declined to comment while the application is open. A key opponent to Universal Healths previous application, the Service Employees International Union, hasnt weighed in, though they opposed the application last time. The Oregon chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness, a powerful advocacy group, has sought state approval to weigh in on the application. Providence and Willamette Valley Medical Center have also asked to submit input on the application. Last time, they opposed the facility. Some of their concerns echoed Legacys spokesman, who said the state should focus on expanding services and facilities for people who are no longer in crisis but still need consistent mental health care. Legacy refused to answer questions about whether their opposition was rooted in financial concerns. Jason Renaud and other advocates for people with mental illness also want the state to provide more services outside of just inpatient hospitals. They also remain critical of Universal Healths current lack of Medicaid ties. But when it comes to Unity, Renaud acknowledged many people leave the facility only to go back to the same unstable circumstances they were in before, which exacerbates their mental illness until it is severe enough to `land back in Unity. Maybe one of the things Unity has taught us is that we dont just need Unity, Renaud said. We maybe need two or three of them. -- Molly Harbarger mharbarger@oregonian.com | 503-294-5923 | @MollyHarbarger Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Agricultural crops dispersed across Eurasia more than five millennia ago, causing significant cultural change in human populations across the ancient world. New discoveries in the Altai Mountains illustrate that this process occurred earlier than believed Most people are familiar with the historical Silk Road, but fewer people realize that the exchange of items, ideas, technology, and human genes through the mountain valleys of Central Asia started almost three millennia before organized trade networks formed. These pre-Silk Road exchange routes played an important role in shaping human cultural developments across Europe and Asia, and facilitated the dispersal of technologies such as horse breeding and metal smelting into East Asia. One of the most impactful effects of this process of ancient cultural dispersal was the westward spread of northeast Asian crops and the eastward spread of southwest Asian crops. However, until the past few years, a lack of archaeobotanical studies in Central Asia left a dearth of data relating to when and how this process occurred. This new study, led by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, provides details of recently recovered ancient grains from the far northern regions of Inner Asia. Radiocarbon dating shows that the grains include the oldest examples of wheat and barley ever recovered this far north in Asia, pushing back the dates for early farming in the region by at least a millenium. These are also the earliest domesticated plants reported from the northern half of Central Asia, the core of the ancient exchange corridor. This study pulls together sedimentary pollen and ancient wood charcoal data with archaeobotanical remains from the Tiangtian archaeological site in the Chinese Altai Mountains to reveal how humans cultivated crops at such northern latitudes. This study illustrates how adaptable ancient crop plants were to new ecological constraints and how human cultural practices allowed people to survive in unpredictable environments. The Northern Dispersal of Cereal Grains The ancient relatives of wheat and barley plants evolved to grow in the warm and dry climate of the eastern Mediterranean and southwest Asia. However, this study illustrates that ancient peoples were cultivating these grasses over five and a half thousand kilometers to the northeast of where they originally evolved to grow. In this study, Dr. Xinying Zhou and his colleagues integrate paleoenvironmental proxies to determine how extreme the ecology was around the archaeological cave site of Tangtian more than five millennia ago, at the time of its occupation. The site is located high in the Altai Mountains on a cold,dry landscape today; however, the study shows that the ecological setting around the site was slightly warmer and more humid at the time when people lived in and around this cave. The slightly warmer regional conditions were likely the result of shifting air masses bringing warmer, wetter air from the south. In addition to early farmers using a specific regional climate pocket to grow crops in North Asia, analysis showed that the crops they grew evolved to survive in such northern regions. The results of this study provide scholars with evidence for when certain evolutionary changes in these grasses occurred, including changes in the programed reliance of day length, which signals to the plant when to flower, and a greater resistance to cold climates. The Trans-Eurasian Exchange and Crop Dispersal The ancient dispersal of crops across Inner Asia has received a lot of attention from biologists and archaeologists in recent years; as Dr. Spengler, one of the study's lead authors, discusses in his recent book Fruit from the Sands, these ancient exchange routes shaped the course of human history. The mingling of crops originating from opposite ends of Asia resulted in the crop-rotation cycles that fueled demographic growth and led to imperial formation. East Asian millets would become one of the most important crops in ancient Europe and wheat would become one of the most important crops in East Asia by the Han Dynasty. While the long tradition of rice cultivation in East Asia made rice a staple of the Asian kitchen, Chinese cuisine would be unrecognizable without wheat-based food items like steamed buns, dumplings, and noodles. The discovery that these plants dispersed across Eurasia earlier than previously understood will have lasting impacts on the study of cultivation and labor practices in ancient Eurasia, as well as the history cultural contact and shifts in culinary systems throughout time. These new discoveries provide reason to question these views, and seem to suggest that mixed small-scale human populations made major contributions to world history through migration and cultural and technological exchange. "This study not only presents the earliest dates for domesticated grains in far North Asia," says Professor Xiaoqiang Li, director of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, "it represents the earliest beginning of a trans-Eurasian exchange that would eventually develop into the great Silk Road". Dr. Xinying Zhou, who headed the study and directs a research team at the IVPP in Beijing, emphasizes that "this discovery is a testament to human ingenuity and the amazing coevolutionary bond between people and the plants that they maintain in their cultivated fields." ### Title: 5200-year-old cereal grains from the eastern Altai Mountains predate the trans-Eurasian crop exchange Authors: Xinying Zhou, Jianjun Yu, Robert Nicolas Spengler, Hui Shen, Keliang Zhao, Junyi Ge, Yige Bao, Junchi Liu, Qingjiang Yang, Guanhan Chen, Peter Weiming Jia, and Xiaoqiang Li Publication: Nature Plants DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-019-0581-y Media Contacts: Xinying Zhou Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Beijing, 100044, CHINA Phone: +86 0 10 88369179 Email: Robert N. Spengler III Director of the Paleoethnobotanical Laboratories Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History Department of Archaeology Kahlaische Str. 10 07745 Jena GERMANY Phone: +1(716) 860-6038 Email: spengler@shh.mpg.de Website: robertnspengler.com AJ Zeilstra / Petra Mader (Regarding the press release and embargos) Public Relations & Press Office Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History Kahlaische Str. 10 07745 Jena GERMANY Phone: +49 (0) 3641 686-950 / 960 Email: presse@shh.mpg.de Protests spread across Canada to support Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs who say they were not consulted on a pipeline. Montreal, Canada Canada is facing a national crisis. That was how Sophia Sidarous, a young Indigenous organiser and member of Metepenagiag First Nation in New Brunswick, described the feeling this week, as people across Canada came out to support members of the Wetsuweten Nation who were forced off their traditional lands. Sidarous was among about two dozen people who occupied the Ottawa office of Canadas minister of justice and attorney general, David Lametti, on Monday in solidarity with Wetsuweten land defenders opposed to a pipeline project on their territory in northern British Columbia (BC). We just wanted to remind him that he has certain obligations to fulfil, Sidarous told Al Jazeera in a phone interview, including upholding human rights [and] upholding a nation-to-nation relationship, which does not mean you have to bulldoze people over in order to get a project in. Federal police (RCMP) officers earlier this month evicted members of the Wetsuweten Nation from their traditional territories, where they had set up camps to try to stop construction on the Coastal GasLink project. Supporters of the Wetsuweten nation, who oppose the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline, protest outside the provincial headquarters of the RCMP in Surrey, BC [Jesse Winter/Reuters] The Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs, who hold authority over 22,000sq kilometres (8,494sq miles) of land, said they never consented to the 670km (416-mile) pipeline, which will cut across that area to transport natural gas from northeast BC to a terminal near the town of Kitimat. The BC Supreme Court in December granted Coastal GasLink an injunction to continue building the pipeline and the company said it has reached agreements with 20 First Nations band councils along the route. The province also says the project has the necessary permits to move forward. This project is proceeding and the rule of law needs to prevail in BC, Premier John Horgan said last month. The hereditary chiefs argue that the band councils only hold limited authority over what happens on reserves, the First Nations communities established under Canadas Indian Act, while they hold decision-making power over the nations traditional territory. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 1997 that the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs never ceded authority over their lands. What Sophia and across the world.] More than two dozen Wetsuweten land defenders and their supporters were arrested, APTN reported, in separate RCMP raids on a forestry road where camps and blockades had been erected to impede construction on the pipeline. When we see elders being disrespected by foreign entities like pipeline companies and when we see the Canadian government not respecting Indigenous peoples rights, well that doesnt really fly with us, said Sidarous. What you do to one Indigenous person or one Indigenous nation affects all Indigenous peoples across Canada, across Turtle Island [North America] and across the world. Solidarity actions Sidarous is one of many Indigenous people across Canada who have organised actions in solidarity with the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs and land defenders. Rallies, sit-ins and blockades have been organised in provinces from coast to coast to demand that RCMP officers leave Wetsuweten territory and that both the federal and BC provincial governments respect Indigenous sovereignty and rights. In BC, people blocked access to the Port of Vancouver late last week and police arrested 43 people on Monday when they refused to clear the area. Traffic has also been temporarily halted in downtown Vancouver and on a bridge leading into the city, while Indigenous peoples and their supporters also blocked access into the provincial legislature in Victoria on Tuesday. Natalie Knight, a Yurok and Navajo organiser based in Vancouver, was among dozens of people who occupied the office of BC Attorney General David Eby on Thursday morning. Knight told Al Jazeera in a telephone interview from the sit-in that people were calling on Eby to respect Wetsuweten law and uphold the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), among other demands. Supporters of the Wetsuweten nation protest by blocking a road outside the provincial headquarters of the RCMP in Surrey, BC [Jesse Winter/Reuters] Passed into law in BC in November 2019, UNDRIP states that Indigenous peoples should have free, prior and informed consent on matters that affect their rights, including resource development projects like the Coastal GasLink. This moment is a moment to take action and express our dissent, said Knight. She said many people have rallied around the Wetsuweten because their struggle touches on deeper issues such as Indigenous land rights and sovereignty, and continuing colonialism in Canada. People are really coming together, and community is being built in an incredible way on the streets, she added. Railways blocked Major railways have been blocked in solidarity with the Wetsuweten, as well. On Thursday afternoon, Via Rail Canada the countrys passenger rail company announced it was cancelling service along its network effective immediately and until further notice. Via Rail operates more than 500 trains per week across 12,500km (7,767 miles), the company says. Service had been suspended along the popular Toronto-Montreal line as a result of a blockade in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory in Ontario. More than 250 trains and over 42,000 passengers had been affected, CBC News reported earlier this week, while industry experts said millions of dollars have been lost due to the stoppage. Similar blockades also were erected in northern BC and in Manitoba, a province in central Canada. The Gidimten Access Point, a blockade and camp erected by members of the Wetsuweten Nations Gidimten clan, welcomed the news of the Via Rail shutdown on Thursday. Canada is officially shutting down! We are so grateful for all the actions of solidarity, the group wrote on Facebook. Keep up the pressure! We want the RCMP and CGL off our yintah [land]! We will not stop until they are. South of Montreal in the province of Quebec, a Canadian Pacific Railway line has also been forced to stop operating after people from the Kahnawake Mohawk First Nation set up a blockade on their territory in solidarity with the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs and land defenders. On Thursday morning, four people huddled around a fire next to the Kahnawake blockade. A plastic chair sat atop a large pile of snow set on the train tracks behind them. RCMP OFF Wetsuweten LAND read a cardboard sign leaning up against a snowbank next to the bright red flag of the Mohawk Warrior Society. NO PIPELINE! read another. Signs from Kahnawake, a Mohawk First Nation, where people have set up a blockade [Jillian Kestler DAmours/Al Jazeera] People at the blockade did not answer Al Jazeeras requests for comment. Were fighting so they can live in a country with free people and clean water. Were fighting for life, James Nolan, who was at the site this week, told The Montreal Gazette newspaper. In the nearby town of Delson, Quebec, a railway station on the affected line was empty on Thursday. Service interrupted due to a protest near the train tracks, read a message in French displayed on a screen on the train platform. Its incredibly inspiring and powerful to watch because this is the greatest display of sovereignty since Standing Rock, said Catie Galbraith, 19, referring to the Indigenous-led movement in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline project in the United States. It feels as though we have reached a turning point, that Indigenous peoples are more powerful than weve ever been and were fighting back in a way thats more effective than its ever been. It just feels like were on the verge of a real shift. Galbraith, a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and co-chair of the Indigenous Student Alliance at McGill University in Montreal, helped organise a sit-in last Friday and a demonstration on Monday at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus constituency office in the city. About 30 people participated in the sit-in, she said, while a few hundred people took part in the demonstration. There was just kind of a feeling of having to do something, Galbraith told Al Jazeera. People were especially moved to act because a member of the Indigenous community at McGill was arrested at one of the Wetsuweten camps. It hit very close to home, she added. Not standing down On Wednesday, Horgan, the BC premier, criticised the recent Wetsuweten solidarity rally in Victoria. It was unacceptable to me and I know its unacceptable to a vast majority of British Columbians, said Horgan about the participants who blocked staff from entering the provincial legislature. Peaceful demonstration is fundamental to our success as a democracy, but to have a group of people say to others, You are not legitimate. You are not allowed in here. You are somehow a sell-out to the values of Canadians, is just plain wrong, he said. Late on Thursday, the BC Supreme Court issued an injunction giving the authorities the power to arrest anyone impeding the work of the legislature or blocking access to the buildings. People will be picketing BC government offices on Friday to show continued support for the Wetsuweten. Supporters of the Wetsuweten nation Indigenous group who oppose the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline, protest outside the provincial headquarters of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Surrey, British Columbia [Jesse Winter/Reuters] Trudeau addressed the demonstrations this week, saying that while he respected peoples right to protest peacefully, Canada is also a country of the rule of law. We need to make sure those laws are respected. That is why I am encouraging all parties to dialogue to resolve this as quickly as possible, the prime minister, who had promised to make reconciliation with Indigenous peoples a top priority, told reporters. Meanwhile, federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller on Thursday offered to meet some of the protest leaders if they promised to discontinue their railway blockades. But Knight said she and others were undeterred as their demands had not been met. In the same spirit of the [Wetsuweten] hereditary chiefs not standing down, not being bullied by the RCMP we will do the same in the streets here in Vancouver. We are not standing down. Phuket street racers busted PHUKET: Wichit Police have confirmed the arrest of street racing gang of 12 youths and one adult who were taken into custody in a raid near the Dowroong intersection south of Phuket Town last Sunday (Feb 9). transportcrimepolice By Khunanya Wanchanwet Friday 14 February 2020, 11:51AM The street-rqacing gang was busted at 1:30am last Sunday (Feb 9). Photos: Wichit Police Our officers had received periodic complaints about this gang. All police stations in Phuket were alerted to keep an eye out for the gang and worked together to catch them, explained Col Sujin Nilabodi. Officers tasked with tracking down the gang were aware that the gang often met near Saphan Hin Park, and traveled to Kathu and Chalong, he said. They were eventually arrested in front of Toyota Pearl Phuket, nearby Dowroong Intersection in Wichit, at 1:30am last Sunday, Col Sujin added. As the officers moved in, many of the gang moved to escape, but police managed to take into custody 12 teens nine young men and three young women and one adult, he said. Four of the males arrested tested positive for meth use, Col Sijin noted, adding that officers seized seven motorcycles in making the arrests. All 13 are one facing charges of illegal street racing and operating modified vehicles, Col Sujin confirmed. The youths are being charged through the Phuket Juvenile and Family Court, while the adult is being charged through the Phuket Provincial Court, he added. They were all fined, and police also called their parents so they could acknowledge that their children were charged, he said. We are still waiting for more comprehensive tests to confirm the drug tests results for the four who tested positive for meth use, Col Sujin added. The police officers at Wichit Police Station are stepping up their efforts to prevent teenagers taking part in street racing. There will be police checkpoints in areas where they are known to gather, we will keep checking CCTV footage in the area, and we will take steps to meet parents of at-risk teens every day, he said. Right now, Phuket doesnt have big street-racing gangs that close roads like they do in Bangkok, but there are groups of teenagers who do up their motorbikes with modifications and disturb the peace, he said. The Goods and Services Tax arrears due from the Centre to Tamil Nadu currently stands at Rs 12,263 crore, State Finance Secretary S Krishnan said. "We have received some arrears over the last two weeks. The current outstanding amount is Rs 12,263 crore," he told reporters on Friday. Listing some salient features of the budget presented by Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, he said the state has pegged its own tax revenue to grow by 10.52 per cent to reach Rs 1.33 lakh crore in the revised budget estimates for 2020-21. "It is a realistic target. There were times when tax revenue grew by more than 12 per cent..this time we have moderated to a nominal tax growth rate," he said. According to the budget, the State's Own Tax Revenue is estimated to be Rs 1,20,809.3 crore for 2019-20. The State's Own Tax Revenue is estimated to increase to Rs 1,33,530.30 crore in budget estimates for 2020-21, Krishnan said. For 2021-22, he said the own tax revenue was estimated at Rs 1,52,270.66 crore and for 2022-23, Rs 1,73,664.49 crore. To a query on revenue from the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), which sells liquor through its retail outlets, the Finance Secretary said it was expected to be around Rs 30,000 crore for 2019-20. Asked about increase in liquor prices, he said it was expected to mop up an additional Rs 2,000 crore to the exchequer. On funds allocated under the State Disaster Management Fund, he said the Centre has increased its share to Rs 1,360 crore from the earlier Rs 825 crore. "We have intimated that it will not be sufficient. But we expect there will be additional allocation under the 15th Finance Commission," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australian fires 'contained' for first time in New South Wales (CNN) 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. A company has designed a split quilt cover system for couples who don't like sharing the duvet. Ervet Bedding promises a perfect night's sleep for both people in the relationship, thanks to a magnetic centre seam that allows you to turn one quilt cover into two. Each side of the duvet can be customised to suit your personal preference of blanket weight and temperature. But the good news for the house proud is that the covers will still look identical when joined together at the magnetic seam. Ervet Bedding promises a perfect night's sleep for both people in the relationship, thanks to a magnetic centre seam that allows you to turn one quilt cover into two (pictured) A Split-Duvet Bundle starts at $269 and comes complete with the split-duvet cover and comforter insert set. Reviews online are glowing for the novel idea, with many describing it as a 'quality product'. 'My husband said after a few nights: It's amazing that the blanket is both cool and warm at the same time?!' one reviewer posted. Each side of the duvet can be customised to suit your personal preference of comforter weight and temperature (pictured) 'We were both using our own blankets, I would double mine up and sleep inside like a burrito. 'It's nice to be able to find him under the covers now without having to emerge from my exclusive comforter cocoon.' Another reviewer praised the fact that the blanket is made from 'great quality fabrics' and has improved their sleep tenfold. 'Loving the two duvet system. Now it's difficult to sleep in hotels that don't have two duvets. I'm converted,' someone wrote. Reviews online are glowing for the novel idea, with many describing it as a 'quality product' (pictured) Ervet is an American company that was originally launched on Kickstarter in 2008. Mel and Reid said they were a couple who just 'couldn't agree on bedding' - and so they took matters into their own hands and designed their dream solution. After Ervet covers received almost $100,000 in funding, the brand launched a website where they now sell hundreds of products every week. 'The Ervet system has changed the way we sleep and the way we buy bedding,' the founders wrote on their website. Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's decision allowing National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take over the probe into the Elgar Parishad case from the state police has invited criticism from NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. The NCP supremo on Friday (February 14) expressed his unhappiness on Thackeray's decision on a day when a Pune court passed an order to transfer the Elgar Parishad case to a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai. The court also said that the order of investigation by the central agency cannot be said to be illegal or improper. Talking to reporters in Kolhapur, Sharad Pawar said, "It was not right for the Centre to hand over the investigation into the case to the NIA. But it was even more wrong for the state government to support the transfer of the case" as the law and order was the state subject. The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave held at Shaniwarwada in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claimed, triggered violence near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in the district the next day. The Pune police, which claimed the conclave was backed by Maoists, 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, during the probe. These nine activists are currently in jail. The NIA had booked 11 people in the case. The Bombay High Court refused to grant anticipatory bail to civil rights activists Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde in the Elgar Parishad case. Pawar said that the conduct of the police and the state home department officials handling the case was objectionable, adding that the NIA was entrusted the case at a time when the process of setting up an Special Investigation Team(SIT) was initiated by the state government. He said, "Meetings took place between 9 am and 11 am (in Mumbai) and the Centre took the decision (to hand over the case to the NIA) at 3 pm (on January 25)," adding it was not right for the Centre to encroach upon the rights of the state on law and order issue. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is a key constituent of the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government which also includes the Congress. NCP leader Anil Deshmukh is the home minister. The government was formed on November 28, 2019. On Thursday, Deshmukh said that Uddhav Thackeray had overruled him on the probe in the case. "State agencies were investigating the case, but the Centre handed over the investigation to the NIA. As Home Minister, my stand was that the Centre should have taken the state government into confidence before taking the decision," he said, adding "We were putting up our stand in the court in this direction. The chief minister has the right to overrule my stand." Initially, the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government had criticised the Centre's move to hand over the case to the NIA. Deshmukh had then publicly expressed disapproval of the Centre's move and termed it as against the Constitution. (With Agency Inputs) The Delhi High Court will on Monday hear a plea seeking a court-monitored CBI probe into the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at Delhi University's all-women Gargi College last week. The plea was mentioned on Friday for urgent hearing before a bench of Justices G S Sistani and C Hari Shankar which said it will be listed for February 17. Advocate and petitioner M L Sharma said nothing had been done till now. Police registered the FIR on February 9 and arrested 10 people just two days ago, he said. When the bench asked what was the urgency, the counsel there was apprehension the evidence could be destroyed. The plea was filed on Thursday, hours after the Supreme Court declined to entertain the petition and asked the petitioner to move the high court. Sharma has sought the preservation of all video recordings and CCTV camera footage of the college campus in his plea. The plea has also sought the arrest of people behind the "planned criminal conspiracy". Ten people, between the ages of 18 and 25 years, were arrested by police on February 12 in connection with the incident. On February 6, a group of men broke into the Gargi College during the festival 'Reverie' and allegedly groped, harassed and molested the students who claimed that security officials stood watching. 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. "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," Sharma's PIL claimed. The petition added 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. 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.) MDC-Alliance vice national chair Job Sikhala was yesterday acquitted on subversion charges by Masvingo High Court Judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze, with lawyers describing the decision as a sign that the rule of law was alive and well in Zimbabwe. The delivery of the judgment was stopped briefly after tear smoke engulfed the courtroom. Police used teargas to disperse MDC-A supporters gathered outside the court chanting slogans. Some shops briefly closed after MDC-A members started stoning car windows. Justice Mawadze also upheld Sikhalas application for exception to the charge, saying it was meritorious. He upheld Sikhalas not guilty plea he had entered earlier on, ruling that it would be a sad day for the countrys jurisprudence if a person is charged on the basis of semantics. Justice Mawadze said the basis of the charges was Sikhalas statement that was taken out of context. The State put a spin to the alleged utterances by the accused. The statements should prima facie speak for themselves. The State used a wrong approach. Mr Zvekare proffered his own subjective interpretation but the charge has to be clear if accused is to have a fair trial. Commenting on the judgment, Mr Joel Mambara, a lawyer, said Zimbabwe had always demonstrated that there was rule of law. Rule of law is an elusive concept. When justice is in your favour, there is rule of law. When you are properly tried and found guilty, there is no rule of law, he said. One is confounded when each time the beneficiaries of the rule of law shout the loudest that there is no rule of law. This is done ostensibly to entrench their positions and to win donor sympathy. Justice has not only been always done, it has been seen to be done. Sikhalas matter is a living example. Veteran lawyer Mr Tinomudaishe Chinyoka said the prosecution was always doomed from day one. PARIS - Paris mayoral candidate of the Republique En Marche (Republic on the Move) party under president Emmanuel Macron, Benjamin Griveaux, withdrew from the race on Friday after a sex video featuring him was leaked. The municipal elections will be held in March. Griveaux lashed out at the ''vile attacks'' in a short statement declaring that he was pulling out of the race. "A website and social networks have launched vile attacks concerning my private life. My family does not deserve this. No one should ever be subjected to such abuse," Griveaux said, noting that he did not intend to continue to expose his family to 'no-holds-barred' attacks. Griveaux added that ''this is going too far'' and that his priority remained his family, no matter what the decision might cost him. "For more than a year, my family and I have been subjected to defamatory remarks, lies, rumours, anonymous attacks, the revelation of stolen private conversations and death threats," he said. ''As if this was not enough, yesterday a new level was reached," said Griveaux. The 42-year-old former Socialist was one of the first supporters of the movement that in 2017 led to Macron becoming president but saw his chance to become mayor significantly lowered after a move by Cedric Villani, the other 'dissident' candidate of the same party that split pro-Macron voters into two. Municipal elections are held in France in two rounds: March 15 and 22. According to a Odoxa-CGI poll conducted for Le Figaro, Griveaux was in third position with 16% after incumbent socialist mayor Anne Hidalgo (23%) and Republicains candidate Rachida Dati (20%). His withdrawal from the race is a blow to Macron, who was strongly supporting his candidature. The video was leaked by Russian dissident artist Piotr Pavlenski, who said that he had got it from a 'source' that was involved with Griveaux and that he had put it online to 'denounce the hypocrisy' of the politician, leading to angry reactions on the French political scene. Villani called it a ''threat to democracy'' and many said it was an example of ''mudslinging'' in a ''disturbing environment''. Hidalgo called for ''respect for the private life'' of politicians and France Insoumise party leader Jean-Luc Melenchon said that ''we reject the voyeuristic shipwreck of the country's public life. No, these blows are not allowed''. Excited passengers disembark from the MS Westerdam cruise ship after being stranded for two weeks, now docked in Sihanoukville, Cambodia on Feb. 14, 2020. (Paula Bronstein/Getty Images) Westerdam Cruise Ship Rejected by Five Countries Docks in Cambodia Holland Americas Westerdam cruise ship, after being refused by five countries, docked at a port in Cambodia on Thursday night, according to the cruise operator. The Cambodian health agency said that 20 samples taken on the ship were confirmed negative for coronavirus, or COVID-19, the company said, reiterating that there were never any suspected cases of the virus onboard the vessel. The Khmer Times, an English-language publication, reported that the passengers could disembark on Friday. About 420 passengers will leave from Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh International Airport to their home countries, Preah Sihanouk deputy provincial governor Mang Sineth told the news outlet. We also extend our deepest gratitude to President Trump, Cambodias Honorable Prime Minister Hun Sen, Canadian Foreign Minister Champagne, elected officials across the country and other countries for helping bring the passengers home, said CEO Stein Kruse in a statement. Kruse noted the incident has been a terrible and unfortunate misunderstanding that has impacted 2,257 people on board following unfounded fears stemming from erroneous information about there being guests with COVID-19 on the ship. The vessel was denied entry at ports in Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand, and the U.S. territory of Guam, prompting fears that the Westerdam would run out of supplies. 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) This morning, just seeing land was such a breathtaking moment, passenger Angela Jones told Reuters when she disembarked. I thought: is this real? The Westerdam, run by the U.S.-based Holland America Line, departed Hong Kong with 1,455 passengers and 802 crew on board. The cruise was slated to run for two weeks. Holland America has stated that a full refund will be offered to passengers on the Westerdam, and flights back home will also be covered by the firm. When Thai authorities rejected the ship, some passengers on the Westerdam began writing to President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and other U.S. officials on Twitter. Mr. President I am on the Westerdam ship floating in the China sea. I am an American. No country including Guam will allow us to dock, wrote one. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last week weighed in on the refusal to allow the Westerdam to dock, saying that he received reports of a passenger with COVID-19 on board. The cruise ship Diamond Princess, where dozens of passengers were tested positive for coronavirus, is seen at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan, on Feb. 10, 2020. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters) Based on the immigration control law, we will refuse non-Japanese on the ship entry, unless there are exceptional reasons, Abe said, according to public broadcaster NHK. The ship was originally slated to disembark in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Feb. 15. Yokohama is where Princess Cruises Diamond Princess is currently being held in quarantine after it was discovered that a man from Hong Kong was confirmed to have contracted the illness. More than 200 people so far have been infected, said Japanese health officials earlier this week, making it the highest concentration of COVID-19 cases outside of mainland China, where the virus is believed to have originated. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on February 14, asked who benefitted the most from the Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel had been killed in 2019. In a tweet on the first anniversary of the attack, Rahul Gandhi posted a tweet remembering the 40 CRPF personnel martyred in the attack. On February 14 last year, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. Forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in the attack. Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed the responsibility for the attack. Gandhi also questioned about the outcome of the inquiry into the attack. Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? pic.twitter.com/KZLbdOkLK5 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 14, 2020 Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, he asked, Who in the BJP government has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? BJP spokesperson Meenakashi Lekhi called the words used by Rahul Gandhi in his tweet "appalling", according to News18 alerts. In response to Gandhi's questions about the accountability of the Pulwama attack, Lekhi asked: "First Congress needs to tell us who benefited from Indira Gandhi's death? Who benefited from Rajiv Gandhi's death?" Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy also reacted on Rahul Gandhi's tweet, saying he has insulted security forces by commenting on them, according to news agency ANI. "Did surgical strike or airstrike ever take place under Congress rule? For the first time, Pakistan is afraid of us," Reddy was quoted as saying. A memorial to the 40 CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack will be inaugurated at the Lethpora camp on February 14, 2020. The Ukrainian leader laid flowers to the monument. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has paid tribute to Ukrainians fallen during the Soviet-Afghan war. On the eve of Memorial Day to commemorate the military personnel who died while serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the territory of other states, the Ukrainian president participated in a commemorative event near the Memorial Complex to Ukrainian citizens fallen in Afghanistan, according to the president's press service. Read alsoZelensky to attend Munich Security Conference 2020 Together with soldiers of the honor guard, Zelensky laid flowers to the monument that is part of the Memorial. Those present honored the memory of the fallen citizens of Ukraine with a moment of silence. Ukraine marks the Day of Honoring the Memory of Participants in Combat Actions in Territories of Other States (Memorial Day) on February 15. It was introduced in 2004 to commemorate the anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. More than 3,000 Ukrainians were killed and over 8,000 were injured during the Soviet-Afghan war (1979-1989); 72 people are considered missing or captured. On Memorial Day, Ukraine also commemorates those who took part in other wars military personnel who participated in international operations in Chile, Spain, Egypt, Vietnam, Ethiopia, on the island of Cuba and other "hot spots" in the world. They announced their split on Wednesday after quietly separating five months ago. And as Michael and Kyly Clarke prepare for a $40 million divorce, photographs of the pair in happier times have resurfaced. On Valentine's Day last year, the couple packed on the PDA as they enjoyed a romantic day on a yacht together, with Michael even gifting the brunette beauty a red rose. The way they were: Heartbreaking photos from a year ago show Michael Clarke kissing his now estranged wife Kyly and giving her a rose on Valentine's Day before their shock split In the pictures, the pair look smitten as they kiss and hold hands after a day on Sydney Harbour. Former model Kyly, 38, couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she carried her single red rose. She looked chic during the outing in a white T-shirt and a denim skirt, and carried a Louis Vuitton handbag. Loved-up: In the pictures, the pair look smitten as they kiss and hold hands after a day on Sydney Harbour So happy: Former model Kyly, 38, couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she carried her single red rose Sadly, the pair announced their separation on Wednesday after seven years of marriage. They split five months ago, but kept it under wraps. In a joint statement, Kyly and Michael said it was 'amicable' decision and 'the best course' for their four-year-old daughter, Kelsey Lee. The news came as a surprise to many, as Kyly had told Daily Mail Australia in January 2019: 'We're not, never were and never will be splitting.' Just eight months later, Michael reportedly moved out of their $12million marital home in Vaucluse, Sydney. He is now living at his apartment in Bondi Beach. Shock split: Sadly, the pair announced their separation on Wednesday after seven years of marriage. They split five months ago, but kept it under wraps. Pictured with daughter Kelsey Lee The Clarkes, both 38, have already agreed terms on their divorce, as well as arrangements to co-parent their daughter. 'After living apart for some time, we have made the difficult decision to separate as a couple amicably,' the statement issued to The Australian's Media Diary read. 'With the greatest of respect for each other, we've come to the mutual conclusion that this is the best course for us to take while committed to the co-parenting of our daughter.' Defiant: The news came as a surprise to many, as Kyly had told Daily Mail Australia in January 2019: 'We're not, never were and never will be splitting' Meanwhile on Friday, Kyly broke her silence on the split and told Daily Mail Australia outside a gym in Sydney's Bondi that she's doing fine following the separation. When asked how she was coping, Kyly said: 'Of course I am [okay]!' Kyly had just finished her morning workout when she spoke to Daily Mail Australia and was not wearing her wedding ring. She also said that the pair's four-year-old daughter, Kelsey Lee, 'is doing amazing'. Keeping her head up: Meanwhile on Friday, Kyly broke her silence on the split and told Daily Mail Australia outside a gym in Sydney's Bondi that she's doing fine following the separation But when asked if she and Michael, also 38, would be attending his personal assistant Sasha Armstrong's upcoming wedding, Kyly shrugged before saying she 'wanted privacy'. 'We said everything we wanted to say in our statement,' she added firmly. Sasha had made headlines in November 2018 when she was photographed in a bikini while sailing on a yacht with her employer. It was reported by Woman's Day at the time that Kyly had been 'upset' by the photos. But it turned out to just be a work trip and nothing more, as Sasha is set to marry her fiance, Tyler Robinson, in six weeks' time. PALMER Two residents and their two dogs safely escaped after a fire broke out in their Bondsville home Thursday night. Bondsville Assistant Fire Chief Paul Sigovitch told Western Mass News firefighters rescued two cats from the burning home on Jim Ash Road and gave them oxygen. The fire broke out in a front bedroom and was reported about 5:30 p.m. It remains under investigation by state police attached to the state fire marshals office. The Western Massachusetts Chapter of the American Red Cross is aiding those displaced. Western Mass News is television partner to The Republican and MassLive.com. This is a developing story. Additional information will be posted as soon as it is available. PORTLAND - A Board of Education member has raised questions about whether or not people are attending Portland schools who dont live in town. Board member David Murphy raised the issued during this weeks board meeting, questioning whether some people are taking advantage of the town. Murphy said he was concerned, Because everything is a cost. Superintendent of Schools Philip B. OReilly said he understood Murphys concerns. Whats more, OReilly said, This is an issue that occurs every year. And, he acknowledged, it can be one of the more challenging issues we have to address. But, OReilly added, Its not something that weve had to deal with on a regular basis. At times, we have had to decline entrance to some people, he said. On occasion, OReilly said he has also had security guards determine where a student is living. But those are isolated cases, he said. Were not following people around, he said. While Murphy was concerned there might be people who are cheating the town, OReilly said the reality is exactly the opposite. What we do have is people who ask how they can get their children enrolled in the Portland school system, he said. We do regularly get questions about that. And the answer to the question is a very simple one, he explained. To enroll their children in Portland schools, out-of-town residents would have to pay the $16,101 per student tuition. The fact that people from other towns want to get their children into the Portland school system is a measure of its growing reputation, OReilly said. The towns school district included two elementary schools for students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, an intermediate school for grades five and six, and the middle/high school serves grades seventh through twelfth grades. It serves 1,330 students, with 11 teachers, according to publicschoolreview.com. Before coming to Portland in 2014, OReilly was superintendent in New Hartford. When I was in New Hartford, I had quite a few people who did take me up on paying the tuition to get their children into our schools. Upset over his poor financial condition, a middle aged man allegedly committed suicide after killing his wife and two teenage children in Nachni Kuan locality of Adampur area in Varanasi early on Friday, police said. While the body of the man, 45, was found hanging from the ceiling, the body of his wife, 42, lay on the ground. His son, 17, and daughter, 15, were found dead on the bed in another room, they added. A suicide note was also recovered from the spot which revealed the familys poor financial condition, the police said. Inspector general (IG) of police Vijay Singh Meena and senior superintendent of police (SSP) Prabhakar Chaudhary visited the spot after getting information. Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide. But thorough investigation is being done. Forensic team has also visited the spot and collected evidence, the IG said. It appears that the children, whose bodies were found on the bed, had consumed sleeping pills or some other substance, and later, they were strangulated before the couple committed suicide, he added. SSP Prabhakar Chaudhary said investigation was under way and the bodies had been sent for post-mortem examination. As per the police, the man dealt in assembling fan parts and had suffered loss in his business. Before taking the extreme step, he made a call to police on 112, telling them that he had killed his wife and children and was going to commit suicide, said a senior police officer. The police rushed to the spot after getting the call but it was too late by the time they reached. The mans father, who lives on the ground floor of his house, opened the door when the police reached there. He said his son and his family lived on first floor of the house. When police reached the first floor, they found the section where the family lived locked from inside and had to break open the door, police said. (With agency inputs) Bhuj: In a shocking incident, as many as 60 girl students of the Shree Sahajanand Girls Institute (SSGI) in Gujarat's Bhuj were asked to remove their innerwear to prove that they were not menstruating. The National Commission for Women took suo moto cognisance of the incident as reported by the media and set up an inquiry team to visit and speak to the students at the institute in Bhuj. While, the Gujarat State Women Commission (GSWC) ordered the State police to carry out a probe regarding the incident. It has been reported that the principal, a teacher and a lady staff of the instutute removed the clothes of all the girl students to check which of the girls were menstruating. When the students objected to the strip search, they were told that they will be expuled from the hostel if they do not comply. According to the rule of Swami Narayan sect, menstruating girls are served food separately and are also seated separately from the rest of the students. The search was done to check if the students were hiding the fact that were menstruating. Earlier, the trustees of the institute met with mediapersons and claimed that an internal investigation was being conducted to look into the incident. Stringent action will be taken against the culprits keeping the future of the students in mind, and also taking into consideration the humiliation that the girls had to face. Further, they said that the principal had confessed to having committed the act and also issued an apology. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) State volcanologists downgraded Taal Volcano's alert status to Level 2 or decreased unrest on Friday. The Philippine Institute of Vocanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it was lowered from Alert Level 3 after three weeks because there have been less frequent volcanic earthquake activity and it is emitting weaker steam-laden plumes. The weak steam and gas emissions at the main crater of Taal shows there is a decrease in magmatic unrest, Philvolcs said "DOST-PHIVOLCS is lowering the alert status of Taal Volcano from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2 to reflect the overall decreasing trend in the level of monitoring parameters," it said in an advisory. State volcanologists cautioned the public that lowering of the alert level does not mean that Taal's unrest has completely stopped or that the threat of an eruption has disappeared. It warned sudden steam-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall can occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island. PHIVOLVS said the alert may be raised again to Level 3 if there is a pronounced change that forewarns a potential eruption. On January 12, Taal Volcano reached Alert Level 4, only one level away from the alert issued when a hazardous eruption is ongoing. The restive volcano emitted steam- and magma-laden plumes. It displaced thousands of residents due to the threat of an explosive eruption. Military and police officials also began a total lockdown of all 199 barangays and 15 municipalities and cities in Batangas and Cavite which were marked as vulnerable to base surges and volcanic tsunami. The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) held a Presidential Town Hall in Las Vegas on Thursday night, featuring several 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. They included Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Senator Amy Klobuchar and billionaire Tom Steyer. Senator Bernie Sanders addressed the town hall via video. Buttigieg pointed out the difference between Sanders' health care plan, known as "Medicare for All" and Buttigieg's idea, which, he explained, would make a public health care option available for those who want it. Buttigieg took the side of Nevada's influential Culinary Union, a 60,000-member group made up of housekeepers, porters, bartenders and more who keep Las Vegas glitzy casinos humming. Over the last two weeks, the union has distributed leaflets to members in the employee dining halls at casinos warning that Medicare for All plans espoused by Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren would threaten union members' health care. Senator Amy Klobuchar spoke about her role in negotiating comprehensive immigration reform in the U.S. Senate, and said that as president, she is convinced she could complete a deal that would provide a path to citizenship for immigrants who entered the United States illegally as well as "Dreamers," who were brought to the U.S. as children. Klobuchar also said she would bring down the price of prescription drugs by allowing in less expensive medications from other countries such as Canada. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday reiterated his country's support to Pakistan on its stance on the Kashmir matter. Addressing a joint session of Parliament in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, Erdogan said that "the issue of Kashmir is as close to us as it is to you", according to Pakistani media Dawn. This is the second time that Erdogan has raked up the issue of Kashmir. Earlier, on October 2019 Erdogan had openly raised the Kashmir issue at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Turkey had alleged widespread human rights violations by India during his speech at the UNGA. In his speech, Erdogan had raised the issue of UN resolutions on Kashmir and alleged that "eight million people are stuck" in Kashmir due to revocation of special status. On Friday, Erdogan stated that the Kashmir issue can be resolved on the basis of justice and fairness and not through oppression or conflict. "Turkey will continue to stand by justice, peace and dialogue in the resolution of the Kashmir issue," Dawn quoted him as saying. "There is no change in our stance on Kashmir. We can never forget the sacrifices of our brothers. From Istanbul to Karachi, we can never forget the sacrifices of our brothers. Pakistan's troubles, problem, success and failures are the same as ours. We will continue to support Pakistan on all front," said Erdogan. In 2019, India had slammed the statement, with the MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar asking Turkey "to get a proper understanding of the situation on the ground" before making statements on the Kashmir issue which is "completely internal to India". Extending its support to Pakistan ahead of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary meet Erdogan said, "We acknowledge Pakistan's contribution to fighting terror. It has been affected by the fight on terrorism in the region. Despite all the pressures, we assure that we will support Pakistan in FATF." The FATF meeting will take place in France's Paris on February 16 (Sunday). TROY Students from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are pushing back against legislation to expand the capabilities and authority of the campus' Public Safety officers. The bill introduced by Sen Neil Breslin, D-Bethlehem, and Assemblyman John McDonald, D-Cohoes, at the request of Troy school's administrators was intended to take the pressure off of the chronically short-staffed Troy Police Department and address the campus' growing mental health needs, according to lawmakers and RPI officials. "Specifically, this designation would enable public safety officers to be more responsive during mental health interventions on campus by allowing them to transport individuals in need of emergency services to healthcare facilities," RPI spokesman Reeve Hamilton said. "Peace officer status also helps these officers gain access to state and national crime data, expediting their investigations and enhancing their overall effectiveness." Peace officers undergo additional training and have the authority to conduct searches and make arrests when constitutionally allowed. The RPI bill specifies that the campus officers will not be armed. RPI security staff has had to respond to several incidents involving firearms in the last year. In May, an international student was detained and expelled for attempting to purchase a weapon. In October, the Troy campus was flooded with police officers chasing down a man wanted for murder who abandoned his car and fled on foot through the RPI campus. The Times Union was notified of student opposition to the measure by an anonymous tipster who pointed to a Reddit thread which encouraged students to call their local officials. Commenters cited recent clashes between student activists and public safety officers as a cause for concern. In one high-profile incident, campus officers forced students off a sidewalk for handing out flyers that were critical of the administration. "I guess this is mostly bc of the protests, but it's prolly also [RPI President Shirley Jackson] seeing an opportunity to exert more control over campus, on a whole, and to prevent stuff like us handing out flyers off campus ...The culture of fear, man. It's real and it manages to worsen every year," one Reddit user wrote. Three RPI students who stopped by McDonald's office on Wednesday told the Cohoes Democrat they feared the legislation will empower campus safety personnel to search students without cause or use excessive force. "The bill's not going anywhere until we have consensus," McDonald said he told the students. "To be honest, the Assembly has not been very excited to grant peace officer status ... it's a very heavy lift and if there's opposition, there will be no lift at all." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Students said they have contacted the New York Civil Liberties Union and Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), which has repeatedly included RPI on its list of Americas "10 Worst Colleges for Free Speech." In January, RPI became the second institution to be awarded FIRE's Lifetime Censorship Award. The Troy school earned the recognition for "its brazen, years-long record of censoring its students and its total disinterest in protecting the very student rights that it promises," according to FIRE's announcement. College and universities in the region have varying levels of security and it's not uncommon for educational institutions to lobby the Legislature for "peace officer" status for their safety staff, according to Breslin. Union College in Schenectady, which enrolls 2,150 students, has a 30-member security team of which 10 have peace officer status. University at Albany's police department, which oversees a student body of more than 18,000 students, has had full police power since the late 1990s. The campus also has about a dozen Security Services Assistants on campus with no sworn status. "Why we don't have something uniform is beyond me," Breslin said. Hong Kong: Giving false health info illegal (To watch the video with sign language interpretation, click here.) The Hospital Authority today reminded the public that providing false information to health officers is a criminal offence. The authority's Chief Manager (Patient Safety & Risk Management) Dr Sara Ho issued the reminder during a press conference this afternoon. Dr Ho said the Prevention & Control of Disease (Disclosure of Information) Regulation came into effect on February 8. Based on this regulation, doctors of public hospitals may require a person to give any information that is relevant to their handling of the public health emergency, such as travel history. Any person who provides any information that is false or misleading may commit a criminal offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is imprisonment for six months and a fine of $10,000. Dr Ho also recommended that people who travelled to the Mainland in the past 14 days should stay at home. She added that if these people have medical appointments, they can call specialist out-patient clinics for rescheduling or drug refilling. This is for the good of public health in terms of both controlling the disease from spreading and also the health of our healthcare professionals. This story has been published on: 2020-02-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. A Wuhan doctor who attempted to warn the public about a potential new coronavirus outbreak died on Friday from the infection, as the number of virus-related deaths continued to rise taking the total in China to more than 600. As of Friday morning, number of confirmed cases globally stood at 31,420, with more than 31,000 of those in mainland China. The number of cases in China grew by 3,143, or around 11%, on the previous day. That is a drop in the percentage increase, which had been around 15% every other day this week. In total there have been 638 deaths, all but two of which were in mainland China, with one in the Philippines and one in Hong Kong. Li Wenliang, 34, was a Wuhan doctor who was widely hailed as a hero after it emerged he was targeted by police for spreading "rumors" about the virus, when he was in fact sharing accurate information to try and raise the alarm. Speaking to CNN this week from his hospital bed, Li said that "I only wanted to remind my university classmates to be careful." At the time he was warning about a SARS-like virus spreading in the city, officials were still downplaying the outbreak and its danger. Wuhan Central Hospital, where Li worked as an ophthalmologist, announced his death in the early hours of Friday morning local time, leading to an outpouring of grief and anger online. This was made worse by initial confusion as state media first published then retracted reports of his death, leading to allegations they were trying to cover it up or control the story. "I knew you would post this in the middle of the night," read one popular post on Weibo, one of China's largest social media platforms. "You think we've all gone to sleep? No. We haven't." Another said that "countless young people will mature overnight after today: the world is not as beautiful as we imagined. Are you angry? If any of us here is fortunate enough to speak up for the public in the future, please make sure you remember tonight's anger." On Friday, China's National Supervisory Commission, the country's top anti-corruption agency, announced in a statement that it would send a team to Wuhan to investigate Li's death, "in response to issues raised by the masses." The short statement did not elaborate on the nature of the "issues" raised. 'No deserters' The anger over Li's death comes as the Chinese authorities signaled an escalation in how they control the virus, after an initial lockdown of Wuhan and neighboring cities failed to contain the outbreak within Hubei province. Speaking in Wuhan on Thursday, Sun Chunlan, one of China's vice premiers and member of the Politburo, said that every household must be checked and anyone with symptoms sent to one of dozens of newly designated quarantine centers. "There can be no deserters in a time of war," she said. "They will be nailed to the pillar of historical shame forever." As of Thursday, 132 quarantine centers have been established across the city, Hu Lishan, Wuhan deputy Party secretary, told reporters. They include a converted conference and exhibition center, and a building complex with the awkward name "Wuhan Living Room." There are around 12,500 beds in the quarantine centers, Hu said, though he warned the city was running short of space in hospitals, with only 400 or so of the 8,500 beds across 28 coronavirus-designated hospitals available. "To be honest, we did not do well enough in some areas and we need to do better," Hu said. Several purpose-built hospitals have gone into action in Wuhan, built in less than a week by teams working around the clock, but they have not been enough to alleviate demand. Thousands of medical personnel have also been sent to the city to help with relief efforts. Economic fears Chinese state news agency Xinhua said in a commentary Thursday that for a nation, "the greatest glory consists not in never falling, but rising when it falls." The commentary continued, "while the virus battle continues, normal social and economic operations are being restored. People are on their way back to work after the Spring Festival holiday. Some are wearing masks, and some are working at home to prevent infections. Many years later, it will become an unforgettable memory for the Chinese." The country's Ministry of Commerce encouraged supermarkets and grocery stores to resume operations Thursday, as the economic and societal toll of having much of the country on voluntary or mandatory quarantine began to take its toll. Businesses have also been asked to "resume operation in an orderly manner while continuing to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak." The economic shocks from the virus -- and the prolonged shutdown of many factories and businesses across China -- are being felt worldwide, with ramifications for the global oil industry and automakers. Hong Kong in particular is feeling the pain from the virus outbreak. The semi-autonomous Chinese city was already in a technical recession due to the US-China trade war and over six months of protests, and a massive drop in tourists and business due to the outbreak has further pushed down the economy. Cruise ships quarantined With more than two dozen countries reporting cases of the virus, there is an ongoing global race to contain it. The World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday it was convening a global research and innovation forum to mobilize international action in response to the outbreak. "Harnessing the power of science is critical for bringing this outbreak under control," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "There are questions we need answers to, and tools we need developed as quickly as possible. WHO is playing an important coordinating role by bringing the scientific community together to identify research priorities and accelerate progress." Some people at the frontline of the outbreak are the thousands currently holed up on two cruise ships in Japan and Hong Kong, on which all passengers and crew are being tested for the virus. As of Friday morning, there were an additional 41 cases confirmed on the Diamond Princess, a cruise ship currently docked in Yokohama, south of Tokyo. That brings the total number of cases to 61, from 273 passengers and crew tested, or 22%, raising concerns of a major outbreak on board. Another cruise ship in Hong Kong is awaiting test results with 1,800 passengers stuck after it was revealed that passengers from the previous voyage became infected. Cruise ships can become hotbeds for viral infections, typically norovirus and other gastrointestinal bugs -- this time last year, a cruise in the Caribbean had to return to port early after more than 400 passengers got sick. "Commercial maritime travel is characterized by the movement of large numbers of people in closed and semi-closed settings," according to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). "Like other close-contact environments, these settings can facilitate the transmission of influenza viruses and other respiratory viruses from person to person through droplet spread or potentially through contact with contaminated surfaces." Yogi Adityanath government is planning to put in place a high-end CCTV surveillance system at Ram Janmabhoomi complex. The cost of the system is estimated to be Rs 18 crore. The state government invited bids on Thursday for the surveillance project aimed to cover the entire area. The UP home department wants this system to be in place by the next three months, as mentioned in a report in The Economic Times. The work could reportedly be awarded by the end of the next month. Construction of Ram Mandir is likely to kickstart with a symbolic ceremony on Ram Navami, April 2. The entire 67.7 acre complex will be handed over to the new Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust. This trust will construct the temple along with facilities like parking amenities for pilgrims, arrangements for parikrama, kitchens, gaushalas, exhibitions, museums, and resting places. The construction will be overseen by UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam on behalf of the state government and carried out under heavy security cover comprising the existing force at the site, the CRPF, and UP Police. The CCTV system will assist in the surveillance of the area. Apart from these security measures, the 'red zone' of the complex will also feature a command and control room with video walls that can monitor 50 screens at the same time. Live feed from the CCTVs will be monitored 24/7 in the 'red zone' of the complex. The CCTV system, according to the daily, is expected to come equipped with a facial recognition system and access to criminal details. The CCTV will generate alarms if any camera is tampered or obstructed with and it will also be connected with a public address system to raise alarms. Also read: Ram Mandir trust receives cabinet nod; to have full authority on temple construction Also read: Uttar Pradesh and Centre in discussion to establish airport in Ayodhya: Hardeep Puri Also read: Ayodhya set to develop into a far bigger tourism destination after SC verdict The Supreme Court on Friday completely lifted the ban on construction activities in Delhi-NCR. The order passed by the Court on December 9 last month which had barred construction activities during night from 6 pm to 6 am was recalled today by a Bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta. The court had imposed a complete ban on construction activities in Delhi-NCR on November 4, 2019. This was after taking into account the drastic deterioration in air quality in and around the national capital. This order was modified on December 9 after the central pollution control board informed the court that the ban can be partially lifted. The court, agreed to the same and had permitted construction during day time while the ban continued on night time construction activities. Recall the order of November 4, the bench said today. He joined the cast of Home and Away as Nikau Parata earlier this month. But his new role didn't come without worry for Kawakawa Fox-Reo, who on Saturday revealed he feared he was too 'skinny' to join the cast - who film the majority of scenes in nothing but swimwear. Speaking to Sydney Confidential, Kawakawa, 22, admitted he was 'worried about what people would say' regarding his body before filming commenced six months ago. Opening up: Home and Away newbie Kawakawa Fox-Reo (right) opened up about his body insecurities after joining the cast earlier this month. Pictured with fellow new castmates Ethan Browne (far left) and Rob Kipa-Williams (centre) 'I have always been a skinny kid,' he told the publication. 'I was self conscious about how skinny I was.' However, upon taking the role, Kawakawa - who moved from New Zealand to Australia to star on the popular soap - said he learned to 'get over himself' during filming, a move which has boosted his confidence greatly. 'I've learned to love myself. When you love yourself enough, who cares what anybody else thinks,' he added. 'I've learned to love myself. When you love yourself enough, who cares what anybody else thinks,' Kawakawa added Kawana joined the cast alongside fellow New Zealand actors Ethan Browne and Rob Kipa-Williams. Rob plays the role of Ari Parata - and will do so for the next three years - alongside his on-screen brother Tane, played by Ethan, and nephew Nikau played by Kawakawa. Ari made his first appearance on the show playing a hero, when the local hospital was locked down during a siege in the 2019 season finale. Meet the new Home and Away hunks: Kawakawa (centre) was joined by Ethan (right) and Rob (left) as Summer Bay's newest arrivals in January Prior to his show debut, Ethan described his character as a 'mischief maker, the cheeky brother and quite free-spirited.' Ethan went on to say that his character is however 'family-orientated' and wants to ensure he keeps his brother and nephew together. Home and Away continues Monday at 7pm on Channel Seven (Alliance News) - Ascent Resources PLC on Friday proposed a share consolidation, to turn every 100 shares into one share as it announced its intent to raise GBP800,000 through the placing of 16 million shares at a post-consolidation price of 5.0 pence each. The placing is equivalent to 1.6 billion shares at 0.05p each pre-consolidation. The stock was trading 34% lower at 0.062 pence each. The oil & gas exploration company said it is proposing the share re-organisation as it considers the move to be in the best interests of the company's long-term development. Following the consolidation, Ascent will have 30.2 million shares in issue. Following the consolidation and admission of the placing shares, the Ascent's total issued share capital will comprise 46.2 million shares. The London-based company also said Chair Louis Castro and Finance Director Colin Hutchinson will step down at the next general meeting. No reason was given for their resignation. James Parson is proposed to join as executive chair. Parsons is currently executive chair of Regency Mines PLC and non-executive chair of gas exploration company Echo Energy PLC and Coro Energy PLC. Ascent has also proposed that Ewen Ainsworth and Leonardo Salvadori join the company as independent non-executive directors. Ainsworth is currently a non-executive director at Regency Mines and chief executive of consultancy & investment company Discovery Energy Ltd. He is also non-executive chair at Nostra Terra Oil and Gas Company PLC. Salvadori is currently managing director for Coro Energy in Italy and has over 35 years of operational and technical oil and gas experience, Ascent said. Separately, Ascent confirmed it has cancelled its existing Equity Sharing Agreement with RiverFort Global Opportunities PCC Ltd. The outstanding USD421,943 loan with Riverfort has been re-negotiated to a two-year coupon free bullet with conversion rights for the lender at 0.075 pence per share, Ascent said. The 43 million warrants initially to be awarded to Riverfort, as announced in September will no longer be awarded. By Ife Taiwo; ifetaiwo@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Low wages for emergency medical services workers and cops are driving away experienced first responders and creating a dangerous situation for city residents, union leaders and politicians warn. Vincent Variale, the president of the Uniformed EMS Officers Union, said the FDNY is suffering a high turnover for EMS workers, mostly caused by a low starting salary. When EMS first responders are paid less than what it costs to live in the city they serve, it impacts the morale, Variale said. Ironically, one of the reasons the de Blasio Administration says they cant fix this problem is that it will cost too much. An FDNY EMS officers salary starts at $33,320, about $16 per hour, reaching $47,685 after five years in the department, according to publicly-available data. In addition, union leaders argue that the amount of work has increased every year. In 2019 alone, FDNY EMS responded to 1,531,870 medical emergencies about 4,197 calls a day or 175 calls per hour, according to FDNY data. What is the value of expertise, longevity and experience of EMS personnel responding to the public when they need life-saving services? Variale added. Oren Barzilay, the president of the Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics & Fire Inspectors union, said that currently 75% of the workforce has less than five years of experience. We have wonderful recruits who come here to start their medical careers and simply cannot afford to stay. They cannot afford the rent, taxes, cost of commuting on the lowest wage scale imaginable in the entire medical industry, Barzilay said. New York City leaders must put an end to this horrible brain drain that is clearly dangerous to human life. Ultimately, the Mayors Office of Labor Relations has the last word on how and when to raise EMT salaries. Laura Feyer, a deputy press secretary at the mayors office, said that the salary for FDNY EMS personnel is competitive with salaries in the private sector, adding that salaries and benefits are both better overall for FDNY EMTs and paramedics when compared to their private sector counterparts. No administration has done more to bring workers to the table. The work of our Emergency Medical Services professionals is crucial to the safety of New Yorkers and we are proud of all that they do, Feyer said. As we have in the past, we will work with the union to reach a deal that is fair for both their members and New York City taxpayers. Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore), the chair of the New York City Council Fire & Emergency Management Committee, presided over a Council meeting on Jan. 28 during which multiple EMS union leaders testified. The administration struggled to answer basic questions, Borelli told the Advance about the meeting. Borelli added the high turnover in the department is causing a shortage of personnel, which forces those who do remain in the department to work extremely long hours of overtime. We lose people after we have spent time and money training them, Borelli said. The demand for additional tours keeps growing as a lot of private hospitals slowly cease operating their own ambulances and FDNY EMS has to cover those routes, Borelli explained in a phone interview. There is more than likelihood that when you call an ambulance and an FDNY ambulance pulls up its going to be someone with less than one year experience, Borelli said. Like any other job, experience leads to a better outcome. POLICE OFFICERS TOO? FDNY EMS salaries are not the only ones leaders consider to be too low. On Feb. 3, 23 state senators, including Diane Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn), co-signed a letter addressed to Mayor Bill de Blasio asking him to significantly raising the salaries of New York City police officers. For as long as I have been involved with the Municipal Labor Movement and the legislature the pay disparity that NYC Police experience has been a problem, Savino told the Advance. A problem that was exasperated by the 1995-2001 Economic Agreement that cut starting salaries for NYC employees. We need to catch up to the rest of the state and make sure our members are properly compensated. The starting salary for an NYPD officer is $42,500 and could reach $85,292 after about five years in the department, according publicly-available data. The men and women who ensure the safety of our great city deserve more than below market-rate wages, the letter reads. These pay inequities are particularly unjust given the increase in responsibilities that police officers have taken on. They have, time and again, risen to the occasion when asked to counter terrorism, battle the opioid epidemic, respond to active shooters, and a variety of other crises that arise in the modern era. In Nassau County, police officers salaries start at $38,479, but jump to $52,059 within the first year, according to the Nassau Police Department data. Officers in Suffolk County receive a starting salary of $42,000, while officers in the Yonkers receive a starting salary between $39,449 and $47,586. Different and possibly higher salaries in neighboring departments can cause NYPD officers to move from one force to the other. This leads to increasingly severe attrition, as officers flee in droves to take jobs in other municipal or state-level forces that pay more, the letter states. It is unreasonable and unfair to expect the men and women of the NYPD to continue putting their lives on the line day after day for such subpar pay. Police Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch told the Advance the union applauds the senators who co-signed the letter. They know how much safe streets mean to their constituents, and they dont want to see the NYPD hamstrung by below-market police salaries that make it difficult to recruit and retain the Finest, Lynch said in a written statement. "Nearly all of New York Citys local elected officials City Council members, Assembly members and state senators are united in demanding an end to the police pay gap. Once again, the de Blasio administration is not listening to the voices of regular New Yorkers. The stringent National Security Act (NSA) has been slapped on Dr Kafeel Khan, who is lodged in Mathura jail, in connection with his anti-CAA speech at the Aligarh Muslim University. Khan was arrested by the UP Special Task Force from Mumbai on January 29 for allegedly promoting enmity between different religions through the speech he had delivered during a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at AMU on December 12. "NSA has been slapped on Dr Kafeel. He will remain in jail," Aligarh Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Akash Kulhari to PTI over phone. In Aligarh, District Magistrate Chandra Bhushan Singh told reporters that Kafeel Khan's speech at AMU was instrumental in triggering violent incidents at the university on December 13 and 15. "We had apprehensions that after his release on bail, Dr Kafeel Khan would have caused more law and order issues in the state," the district magistrate said. Criticising his detention under the stringent law, Khan's brother Adil Khan said the government wanted him to "remain quiet". The NSA allows preventive detention for several months if the authorities believe the person is a threat to national security or law and order. Kafeel Khan is currently lodged in Mathura jail depsite bail granted to him by a court in the case, registered against him at the Civil Lines police station in Aligarh for promoting enmity between different religions. Adil Khan said, "The government is trying to silence my brother. A few days ago, during a programme on a TV channel, he had revealed that at BRD Medical College (Gorakhpur), many children are dying daily but the government is hiding the facts and data." "The (Mathura) jail was about to release him on Friday at 6 am. My brother Kashif along with the lawyer reached the jail but by 9 am police presence at the jail was increased and we were told verbally by jail authorities that the NSA has been invoked on him," Adil Khan said. After his arrest in Mumbai, Kafeel Khan was brought to Aligarh, from where he was immediately shifted to the district jail in neighbouring Mathura. According to the police, this was done as a precautionary measure in view of the anti-CAA protests on the AMU campus and at the Eidgah grounds in the old city. Police had said that Kafeel Khan's presence in the Aligarh jail could have worsened the law and order situation in the city. The doctor was earlier arrested for his alleged role in the death of over 60 children in one week at the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur in August 2017. Short supply of oxygen at the children's ward was blamed at that time for the deaths. About two years later, a state government probe cleared Kafeel Khan of all major charges, prompting him to seek an apology from the Yogi Adityanath government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) HOUSTON, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Targa Resources Partners LP (Targa Resources Partners or the Partnership) (NYSE: NGLS PR A) announced its monthly distribution on the Partnerships 9.00% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units ("Series A Preferred Units") for February 2020. Targa Resources Partners LP announced today that the board of directors of its general partner has declared a monthly cash distribution of 18.75 per Series A Preferred Unit, or $2.25 per Series A Preferred Unit on an annualized basis, for February 2020. This cash distribution will be paid March 16, 2020 on all outstanding Series A Preferred Units to holders of record as of the close of business on February 28, 2020. About Targa Resources Partners LP Targa Resources Partners LP is a Delaware limited partnership formed in October 2006 by its parent, Targa Resources Corp. (TRC or the Company), to own, operate, acquire and develop a diversified portfolio of complementary midstream energy assets. On February 17, 2016 TRC completed the acquisition of all outstanding common units of the Partnership. Targa Resources Corp. is a leading provider of midstream services and is one of the largest independent midstream energy companies in North America. Targa owns, operates, acquires and develops a diversified portfolio of complementary midstream energy assets. The Company is primarily engaged in the business of: gathering, compressing, treating, processing, transporting and selling natural gas; transporting, storing, fractionating, treating and selling NGLs and NGL products, including services to LPG exporters; and gathering, storing, terminaling and selling crude oil. The principal executive offices of Targa Resources Partners LP are located at 811 Louisiana, Suite 2100, Houston, TX 77002 and their telephone number is 713-584-1000. For more information, please visit our website at www.targaresources.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that the Partnership expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, factors and risks, many of which are outside the Partnerships control, which could cause results to differ materially from those expected by management of the Partnership. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, weather, political, economic and market conditions, including a decline in the price and market demand for natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil, the timing and success of business development efforts; and other uncertainties. These and other applicable uncertainties, factors and risks are described more fully in the Partnership's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Partnership does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This release is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b). Brokers and nominees should treat one hundred percent (100.0%) of Targa Resources Partners LPs distributions to foreign investors as being attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, Targa Resources Partners LPs distributions to foreign investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate. Contact the Company's investor relations department by email at InvestorRelations@targaresources.com or by phone at (713) 584-1133. Sanjay Lad Senior Director, Finance & Investor Relations Jennifer Kneale Chief Financial Officer By PTI NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Friday directed the Centre and the Assam government to file a fresh report with regard to the status of release of Bangladeshi migrants in detention centres as per its earlier order. A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde was apprised by advocate Prashant Bhushan that over 300 people were in detention for over three years, while more than 700 had been detained for over one year. The apex court posted the matter for hearing in the third week of March after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought time. The top court in May last year had ordered that illegal foreigners in Assam who have completed more than three years in detention may be released after they provide biometric details in a secured database. It had also directed them to furnish a bond of Rs 1 lakh with two Indian sureties and give details of the address of stay after release. The top court had also agreed that the Assam government should be given some more time to indicate the progress made on the diplomatic level, among others, with regard to deportation of declared foreigners and setting up of additional foreigners' tribunals. It had also directed the state government to place on record a detailed scheme, in consultation with the Gauhati High Court (on the administrative side), with regard to the constitution of foreigners' tribunals, including the appointment of members, staff, etc. The said details shall be placed on record as soon as possible and if required, the state will be at liberty to make a mention of the matter before the vacation bench, the apex court had said. It had earlier asked the Assam government to work on the modalities of setting up around 1,000 foreigners' tribunals for speedy disposal of cases related to illegal immigrants. WASHINGTON (JTA)-Sen. Elizabeth Warren indicated she would skip the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC's conference next month and did not push back against questionable assertions about the lobby from a questioner at a campaign event in New Hampshire. In a sign of how the lobby has become a political lightning rod for Democrats, Warren answered "yeah" when asked if she was planning to skip the conference in Washington in March. "I'm an American Jew and I'm terrified by the unholy alliance that AIPAC is forming with Islamophobes and anti-Semites and white nationalists and no Democrat should legitimize that kind of bigotry by attending their annual policy conference," a woman attending a town hall with Warren in Derry, New Hampshire said Thursday. "And I'm really grateful that you skipped the AIPAC conference last year and so my question is if you'll join me in committing to skip the AIPAC conference this March." The Jewish anti-occupation group IfNotNow said that the questioner, identified as Sarah O'Connor, was acting on its behalf. A spokesman for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee would not comment. In a joint statement released Friday with three other progressive groups-Indivisible, MoveOn, and the Working Families Party-IfNotNow echoed the language O'Connor used with Warren and said it was launching a campaign, #SkipAIPAC, to pressure other candidates not to attend the conference. "Israel's decades-long occupation has eroded the bipartisan consensus on Israel and AIPAC, in a last-ditch effort to maintain influence, now anchors an unholy alliance with antisemites, Islamophobes and white nationalists," IfNotNow co-founder Emily Mayer said. "This unholy alliance shields the Israeli government from any consequences for its actions and pushes for a blank check that has had disastrous effects for both Palestinians and Israelis. No Democrat should give AIPAC political cover with their presence." O'Connor pressed Warren further on whether she would ask other candidates to join her in boycotting the event, a fixture of the Washington political calendar that has long drawn a healthy representation from both of the major political parties. Warren did not answer, saying instead that she is committed to a two-state solution and to being a "good ally" to both Israel and the Palestinians. "We're not doing that if we keep standing with one party and saying, 'We're on your side, we're going to give all the things you asked for,' for all kinds of political reasons domestically here and domestically in Israel," she said. AIPAC traditionally invites presidential candidates to address its annual March gathering in election years. A boycott of the conference by Democratic candidates would signal how toxic the group has become among the party's progressives, for whom Warren is a flag bearer. So far no other candidate has yet committed either way, but Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Warren's rival to lead the party's progressive wing, has said he has "no objection" to going. Warren, who has also said she may leverage aid to pressure Israel into concessions, drew immediate censure for the not confronting O'Connor on her questionable claims. "As the 2020 Dems get more & more anti-Israel, will any of them stand up and condemn comments like these?" Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said on Twitter. "Directly? Or are they too scared of the angry anti-Semitic Left?" The American Jewish Committee noted that like Warren, AIPAC is committed to the two-state solution. "AIPAC is a pro-Israel voice that agrees with you (and us) about the need for a two-state solution negotiated by both sides," AJC said on Twitter. "We hope you find an opportunity to clarify that you do not agree with the questioner's baseless and offensive characterization of the organization." AIPAC did not invite any presidential candidate to its conference last year, although MoveOn got traction by claiming that the candidates' non-attendance was a results of its call to boycott the conference. AIPAC does not invite presidential candidates to speak in non-election years. AIPAC has taken pains in the past to distance itself from members and allies who have attacked minorities. The lobby also has dedicated staff who work on deepening the group's ties to progressives. The IfNotNow statement cited several examples in support of its claim that AIPAC has forged an "unholy alliance" with racists and bigots. The group faulted AIPAC for its alliance with Christian Zionist pastor John Hagee, who in the 1990s said that Adolf Hitler was part of God's plan because his actions helped lead to the state of Israel. Hagee long ago apologized for the remarks. Also named was Steve Emerson, a terrorism expert who has made several appearances at AIPAC conferences, most recently in 2016. Liberal groups have described him as anti-Muslim for exaggerating the threat of radical Islam. Emerson has been widely mocked in European media for describing some European cities as off-limits to non-Muslims. Cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr is using the protests in Iraq to consolidate his power and project himself as the leader of the countrys Shias Shia cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr has fought his way to power from the streets since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 to become one of Iraqs most popular and polarising political leaders and a tough guy who claims to protect the countrys national interests. His nationalist politics and his efforts to portray a strong image of his Sadrist Movement appear to have played well among the countrys Shia majority, particularly among disfranchised youth and in Baghdads low-income suburbs and Iraqs southern cities. Since he emerged as the biggest winner in Iraqs 2018 parliamentary elections, Al-Sadr has been basking in the glow of the international media as the countrys rising political leader and its best hope for much-awaited reforms. He has even been seen as leading the movement against Irans increasing influence in Iraq. Yet, a closer look at the Al-Sadr phenomenon shows that its high tide has been ebbing since the start of the largely Shia anti-establishment protests that broke out in Iraq in October after the leaderless protesters refused to align their mass movement with the volatile cleric. The protesters even appealed to Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, Iraqs most prominent Shia leader, for support and protection after Al-Sadrs followers attacked their sit-ins in Baghdads Tahrir Square and several other southern cities. At least eight protesters were killed and 52 were wounded in the holy southern city of Najaf last week after Al-Sadrs followers stormed a protest site and fired live rounds. Three others were killed in the southern city of Nassiriyah in similar attacks, while many protesters were injured in similar attacks in Baghdad and Kerbala. The question now is what Al-Sadrs new bid to deliberately polarise the Iraqi Shia community and fire up his political base says about his strategy to position himself as the most powerful Shia leader in Iraq in the face of fierce competition and even opposition from other Shia factions. After enjoying remarkable political success for many years by convincing many Iraqi Shias that he was the answer to their woes, Al-Sadr is now facing a difficult test of leadership that could determine his political future. He has long been viewed as an unpredictable and enigmatic warlord who led an insurgency against US forces following the ouster of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. His militia, the Jaish Al-Mahdi, or Army of Al-Mahdi, became prominent when it organised a revolt against the US forces and the US-backed government in the cities of Baghdad, Basra, Najaf and Kerbala that was later crushed by US troops. The group expanded further in 2006 at the height of the sectarian violence that took place in Iraq in the wake of the bombing of a Shia holy shrine in Samarra and frequent attacks by the Al-Qaeda terror group. The Jaish Al-Mahdi positioned itself as a guarantor of security for Iraqs Shias. The militia controlled large areas of Baghdad and other Shia-populated cities, while increasingly appealing to the disenfranchised and low-income Shia population. Iraqs continued political and sectarian conflicts helped to transform the Sadrist Movement into a mass movement that resorted to demagogic gambits in a bid to attract attention from mainstream Shias. Over the years, Al-Sadr remained active in politics, using his followers to make up a crucial swing vote in Iraqs parliamentary elections and carving his way slowly but surely to power and the control of Iraq. Al-Sadr scored a major victory in ousting former Iraqi prime minister Nouri Al-Maliki in 2014, refusing pressure from Iran to continue supporting him for a third term in office. By forcing Al-Maliki, the head of Iraqs Islamic Daawa Party, to step down, Al-Sadr succeeded in getting rid of a main rival. Al-Sadr further assumed a paramount role in Iraqs politics when his political bloc won the countrys parliamentary elections in 2018, putting him in a position to have a strong say in policymaking. His Saroon electoral list captured 54 parliamentary seats in the 329-member assembly. As the biggest winner in the 2018 elections, Al-Sadr began to take centre stage in Iraqs politics, reinventing himself from being a radical cleric and the leader of a sectarian militia to finding a position as a more pragmatic political leader. He also successfully recast himself as a nationalist leader heading a coalition of Iraqi secularists and communists that campaigned on a non-confessional platform and promises to rebuild the Iraqi state on a civic and democratic basis and promote anti-corruption policies. Since Al-Sadr set a nationalist agenda for his bloc, he was able to capitalise on growing resentment at Irans increasing interference in Iraq. He displayed a willingness to stand up to Irans influence and contain its proxies, which he referred to as insolent militias. He also expanded his once uniquely anti-American focus to include diatribes against Iran. He has built bridges with close American allies in the Arab world, including Crown-Prince Mohamed Bin Salman of Saudi Arabia. All this was part of a remarkable comeback for Al-Sadr, who for years had been sidelined as a hardline and unpredictable maverick, a radical cleric and a sectarian militia chief. Instead, he suddenly became a nationalist leader, a populist politician and even Iraqs saviour. Yet, many Iraqis remained unconvinced that Al-Sadrs new look would be there to stay. They believed that Al-Sadr would always have a coup in mind that could keep him in power and expand his authority among top Iraqi leaders. That moment came with the outbreak of the popular protests in Iraq last October, when Al-Sadr tried to tighten his grip and to establish his leadership of the Iraqi Shias. Al-Sadr sided with the anti-government protesters and backed the demonstrators demands for the removal of Iraqs ruling elite and the overhaul of its dysfunctional political system. However, many protesters believed that Al-Sadr was trying to ride the uprising in order to control the protest movement. They opposed him, like the rest of the Shia political class, seeing him as responsible for the miserable state of affairs that has paralysed Iraq and put its future in question. The assessment that Al-Sadr was only a political opportunist fast gained ground when he turned against the protesters and demanded an end to the uprising, supporting his blocs nomination of Mohamed Tawfik Allawi as the countrys new prime minister. When the protesters refused the nomination, Al-Sadr sent his blue hats supporters to help the security forces brutally crack down on the protesters and clear roads blocked during the months of sit-ins. The results were a bloodbath in Najaf and several other cities. Al-Sadrs dramatic u-turn came after the US killed Irans most powerful military commander Qassem Suleimani and pro-Iran Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis in an air strike in Iraq on 3 January. Whether he was working closely with Iran or acted to fill a leadership gap, Al-Sadr seized the opportunity to contain the uprising in a bid to achieve his long-sought strategic goal to be the supreme leader of Iraqs Shias. A further blow to Al-Sadrs ambitions came when Al-Sistani condemned the attacks on the peaceful protesters and reiterated his support for their demands. The protesters were energised by Al-Sistanis support, and the anti-government uprising continued, with the demonstrators now also directing their ire towards Al-Sadr. Many other Iraqis also saw Al-Sadrs efforts to crush the protests and realign his movement with Iran as demeaning. The backlash was immediate, and it surpassed the outpouring of grief, anger and determination by the protesters. There was widespread condemnation of the violence used by Al-Sadrs followers against the protesters. Al-Sadrs image now is that of a hypocrite who is seen as being hardly different from the incumbent Shia politicians he has long claimed to challenge. Instead, he is simply seen as being yet another cynical member of the Shia elite club. Al-Sadrs popularity has started to unravel, and his image as a nationalist leader has begun to wane. His followers crackdown using unbridled force against the protesters has exposed the deep flaws in Al-Sadrs leadership. The fallout from Al-Sadrs coup attempt has been grim. Were free-and-fair elections to be held again today in Iraq, his Sadrist Movement would hardly enjoy the staggering victory it saw in the last elections. *A version of this article appears in print in the 13 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Total Uganda and National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) have launched their partnership in hosting the 20th African Water Association (AfWA) Congress and Exhibition at the Total Head Office on plot 4 8th street. The bi-annual congress held by the African Water Association as part of a mechanism to enhance exchange of ideas and seek for innovative solutions related to the water and sanitation sector. Stories Continues after ad The Congress is organised by AfWA in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Environment and National Water and Sewerage Corporation on behalf of the Government of Uganda. The AfWA Congress which will be officiated over by the President of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, will focus on the new breakthrough solutions and innovations to address the current water and sanitation challenges in Africa. It will be held at the Kampala Serena Hotel from 24th -27th February under the theme; Breaking New Grounds to Accelerate Access to Water and Sanitation for all in Africa. Total Uganda has contributed $25,000 towards the activities and preparations of the AfWA Congress and will be hosting various activities for over 2,000 delegates and exhibitors. Speaking during the launch, Mr Obi IMEMBA, Total Ugandas Managing Director said; The importance of water and sanitation cannot be overemphasized. Total Uganda is guided by its goals to improve water and sanitation as a top priority in the communities we operate in. Our partnership with NWSC shows our commitment to enhance the lives of people in our communities and ensure sustainable development. One of our main key focus areas is environmental sustainability and we believe that through our efforts, we can turn water and sanitation into a critical line of defence against climate change. Eng. Silver Mugisha, the Managing Director of NWSC said ; said This partnership with Total goes to show that the concern in ensuring that theres clean safe water for all is not only a government concern but that shared by the private sector too. This makes the drive to achieve the sustainable development goals come 2030 even more attainable. In the past, Total Uganda has been at the forefront of promoting health and sanitation in its areas of operation with donations to boost the fight against cholera in Hoima and Bulisa, aiding community health through donations of garbage bunkers and bins to Pakwach and Anaka towns and the rehabilitation of sanitary blocks destroyed by a storm at Kirama primary school in Bulisa district. 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. Have a tip? Tell us.nj.com/tips TRIANGLE, Va. - The National Museum of the Marine Corps in northern Virginia is marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. The museum along Interstate 95 in Triangle is hosting a series of events and displays the weekend of Feb. 22. Medal of Honor recipient Hershel Woody Williams will share his memories of Iwo Jima during a presentaion on Feb. 22. The next day will feature an Iwo Jima-themed Family Day, and a concert by the Marine Band. The 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima is best known for the photo by The Associated Press Joe Rosenthal showing six Marines raising the U.S. flag over Mount Suribachi. The flag captured in Rosenthals image is on display at the museum. During the commemoration of the anniversary, the museum is displaying an additional flag that was raised over Iwo Jima before Rosenthal took his photo. The Gold Coast Seaway has recorded its wettest month on record after a days-long drenching that has already pushed several other south-east Queensland sites past their own February records. Heavy rain eased off into Thursday night after causing torrents on Mount Tamborine streets and sparking major flood warnings for Scenic Rim and coastal rivers. Attention now turns to mopping up with more than a dozen south-east schools closed to due flooding or the many related road disruptions and a search still under way for a woman feared swept away on the Gold Coast hinterland. The recent downpour has also seen the federal government extend natural disaster status for the flooding, which has also hit NSW to the Tweed Shire council region. Newly appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to the State of Qatar Andrii Kuzmenko presented copies of credentials to State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar H.E. Soltan Al Muraikhi, the press service of the Embassy of Ukraine in Qatar has reported. "After the official ceremony the parties discussed issues of further development and deepening of Ukrainian-Qatari relations," the statement reads. The Qatari official wished the ambassador of Ukraine every success in fulfilling his important mission in the State and assured him of providing all support to upgrade bilateral relations between the two friendly countries to closer cooperation in various fields. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Kuzmenko as Ukraine's ambassador to the State of Qatar on December 19, 2019. ish A window cleaner who says he gave away his dead brother's 400,000 fortune to the poor faces jail in a court war with his empty-handed relatives. Peter Ivory, 58, claims to have travelled the UK with a bag of 150,000 in cash giving handouts to 'hard-working poor and homeless people'. His sibling Mick Ivory, 61, died in November 2018 without a will and Peter says while on his deathbed, Mick made him promise not to let the rest of their family 'get their hands on his hard-earned money'. The tube driver's estate, which included money from the sale of his home in Butter Hill, Wallington, Surrey, came to 414,000 and totalled 367,000 after expenses. Peter Ivory, 58, (pictured with his wife Jackie) says he gave away his late brother Mick's 400,000 fortune by handing out cash to the homeless around the UK after he promised not to let their other siblings get the money. He now faces jail if he cannot explain where it has gone Peter is also said to have received his brother's beloved Lurcher dog Lady and a collection of rare Osmond Family memorabilia, accumulated by his wife Pat, an avid fan, who died four years before Mick. Peter, who lawyers say received all the fortune, told London's High Court he passed the memorabilia on to the Osmonds fanclub and is looking after the dog himself. But he has given away the 367,000 that was left after expenses, saying he took 150,000 out of the bank and travelled the country with a bag of cash. Peter says he distributed this money to 'a couple of hundred people,' including strangers and the homeless. Peter is now at war in court with his two surviving brothers, Alan and John, and his nephew Michael, who say Mick's wealth should have been split between them all. Judge Paul Teverson heard that when Mick died without making a will, Peter handled his affairs and arranged the sale of the his house. Now other brothers Alan and John Ivory along with nephew Michael (pictured) say they are entitled to share of late tube driver Mick's fortune. Mick died in November 2018 without a will Peter claims Mick made him promise, while on his deathbed, not to let the rest of the family 'get their hands on his hard-earned money' (pictured left is Alan and right John in undated photographs) Under normal intestacy laws, which apply when someone dies without a will, Alan, John and Michael expected to share the money equally with Peter as Mick's surviving next of kin. But Peter says Mick made him promise not to let the rest of his family 'get their hands on his hard-earned money'. Peter told the judge he has splashed much of his dead brother's cash on helping out the poor and homeless, saying: 'There's no money left now'. And he is determined that the rest of the family - including his two surviving brothers Alan and John - should inherit nothing, insisting Mick wanted it that way. His defence to his nephew and brothers' claim to share of the estate is based on the legal concept of 'donatio mortis causa' meaning a gift given by a sick person close to death. He says his brother's deathbed orders meant he was gifted the estate before Mick died, leaving nothing in the pot to divide. As well as money from the Surrey home and his brother's dog, Peter also received a collection of rare Osmond Family memorabilia, accumulated by Mick's wife Pat (pictured with Jimmy Osmond) who died four years before Mick. He is said to have given these items to a fanclub He told the High Court: 'Mick told me to keep it all and, if I couldn't keep it, to give it away. His whole plan was to make sure they didn't get it.' He then withdrew 150,000 in cash from the bank for this purpose, Peter added outside court, travelling from his home in Hendon as far afield as Cambridge with his wife Jackie to bail out beggars on the street. He said: 'There were a couple of hundred people. I put 150,000 in cash in a bag. It doesn't take long to give it away.' His wife Jackie said outside court that they also helped a friend go on holiday and gave money to a school. She said: 'Peter took out 150,000 in cash and gave the money away over the course of one month, including to homeless people with their dogs in Cambridge. 'There are a lot of homeless people in Cambridge he was literally giving 50 notes to. There are three or four homeless people around where we live as well and he gave them a lot. 'He gave some to dog charities, as Mick and Pat loved dogs as they had no children.' When Peter's siblings began challenging him about Mick's estate, he wrote back to his brother, Alan, in June last year, explaining Mick's alleged wishes, the court heard. He wrote that when Mick was dying he made him promise three things: to care for his beloved dog, Lady, to ensure Pat's treasured collection of Osmond memorabilia went to a good home, and to make sure Alan did not receive a penny of his fortune. To fulfill his brother's wishes, Peter claimed that he took 150,000 in cash around the UK and handed it out to homeless people in cities such as Cambridge. His wife Jackie said money was also donated to a school and dog charity (Mick is pictured with his wife Pat at their wedding) London's High Court heard how Peter said in a letter that Mick (pictured middle in an undated picture) 'could not bear the thought' of Alan's wife having access to the money he was leaving He told Alan in the letter that Mick 'could not bear the thought' of Alan's wife having access to the money he was leaving. Peter also wrote that Mick had also 'made me promise not to give his well-earned money (to) the rest of the family.' 'So instead I have given it to hard-working poor and homeless people, so there is no money left and you must do what you think is morally right like I have done by respecting his wishes,' the letter concluded. 'They want the money and they think I want it, but I don't give a monkey's about the money,' Peter told the court. 'Can you tell the court in writing where the money went?' asked the judge. He replied: 'I can tell you how I distributed it. All the money has been distributed according to Mick's wishes and there is no money left. 'I was trying to do what Mick wanted me to do,' he told the judge, adding that he and his wife, Jackie, had also helped care for Mick when he was dying. Peter said: 'He trusted me with everything. He made me promise to look after Pat's Osmond family memorabilia and I gave it all to the Osmond fan club.' Setting out Peter's case, Judge Teverson said: 'Peter told his solicitors that the claimants (his brothers and nephew) would get what they deserved which was nothing. 'Giving them money from the estate would have gone against Mick's intention and Peter would be breaching his duty if he did not carry out the deceased's wishes. 'Peter has been trying to ensure that the claimants never receive a penny from the estate, Mick's dying wishes were thus carried out by Peter. ' Judge Teverson added: 'Peter has denied retaining any money for himself. He says Mick made him promise to prevent other family members getting their hands on his hard-earned money. He would have preferred that Peter just give the money away.' But Simon Douglas - representing Alan, John and Michael - said Peter had presented no evidence about Mick's alleged dying wishes. 'Nor is there any evidence that Peter has complied with his wishes other than his assertion in his witness statement that he has given the money away,' he said. 'If he has given it away to homeless and hard-working people, he should be in a position to give specific names of people he gave the money to, and provide receipts. 'He has done neither, all we have is a single item stating: "I gave the money away".' Peter has admitted receiving 414,000 worth of assets from Mick's estate, said the barrister. After a brief hearing, Judge Teverson adjourned the case, ordering that Peter Ivory give a full account of the money he has distributed. Commenting on Peter's claims that he had given the money away: 'This is not a small sum of money, it is not the type of amount one could expect to see distributed in notes on the street to needy people. 'The claimants are entitled to know what happened to the money. The court will not be satisfied by saying that the estate has simply been given away. I want to know where the money has gone.' The judge attached a penal notice to his order, meaning Peter Ivory could face a jail term if he fails to obey it. 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 there...this 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, a subsidiary of the UAE-based Etisalat telecom company, and South Africa-based MTN, respectively. [Police have] been checking who I've 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 2019--Gidado Yushau and Alfred Olufemi--were 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 don't 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 kidnappers...we 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 scary...its difficult to predict how far these guys will go. By Jonathan Rozen/CPJ Senior Africa Researcher After 44 years of selling Harley-Davidsons and other bikes on Melbourne's popular motorcycle strip at the top end of Elizabeth Street, retailer Peter Stevens is on the move. The motorcycle vendor has sold its premises, a 900 square metre collection of Elizabeth Street shopfronts, to Chinese-backed developer Longriver Group for $31.5 million. Changing usage and demographics were behind Peter Stevens decision to sell. Credit:Dominic O'Brien The three shopfronts stretch from 337 to 347 Elizabeth Street with laneway access behind. Peter Stevens managing director Paul Chiodo said "changing usage and demographics" were behind the company's decision to sell. Powerful thunderstorms bringing hailstone and high winds are set to batter Victoria tonight amid warnings of flash flooding. A low-pressure system has moved south after leaving record-breaking rainfall in New South Wales, causing a severe thunderstorm warning for Victoria. Some storms moved through Melbourne about 2.30pm with more storms out to the west of the city threatening to hit on Friday night. 'A line of thunderstorms remains to the west and could impact the Melbourne area later,' the Bureau of Meteorology wrote on Twitter. The storms moved through Melbourne about 2.30pm with more storms out to the west of the city threatening impact on Friday night The high-pressure system has moved south after leaving record-breaking rainfall in New South Wales, causing a severe thunderstorm warning for Victoria Thunderstorms were detected near Croydon, Ringwood, the area northwest of Werribee, KooWeeRup, Bacchus Marsh and St Andrews about 2:40pm on Friday. An hour later, they had hit Kilmore, with the Bureau of Meteorology saying the conditions are moving east to southeast. She Oaks near Geelong has also recorded 54mm of rain within about 50 minutes. The bureau issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Melbourne's outer east, along with parts of the inner east and the city's north. 'Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones are likely,' the warning read. The State Emergency Service urged people to remain alert, particularly those in fire-affected areas where heavy rain could pose the risk of landslides and debris strewn across roads. 'Flash floods can happen quickly, without warning and it is important to never enter or drive through flood waters, as it can take just 15cm of water to float a car,' SES State Agency Commander David Baker said. The highest rainfall hit Cardinia, south-east of Melbourne, with the area receiving 63mm since 9am. Powerful thunderstorms have battered Victoria causing flash flooding, huge hailstones and winds with residents warned to remain vigilant Thunderstorms were detected near Croydon, Ringwood, the area northwest of Werribee, KooWeeRup, Bacchus Marsh and St Andrews about 2:40pm on Friday Water engulfed the underground carpark of Eastlands Shopping Centre in Ringwood and thousands of homes have been left without power. Images posted to social media show water flowing into one of the entries to the carpark. Alanna Koutoukidis, from Huxtaburger Eastland, told the Herald Sun the 'wind was literally blowing the rain sideways'. Homes in Croydon South, North Ringwood and Ringwood East were left without power after storms tore through the area. BOM Senior Forecaster Michael Efron said more rain and possible storms were expected to hit the state into the evening. 'There will be a bit of break before future showers and storms move through during the evening so there's more to come,' he said. The bureau issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Melbourne's outer east, along with parts of the inner east and the city's north One man took to Reddit to post a picture putting his car under his verandah to spare it from being impacted by the hail Ringwood Secondary College geography teacher Brendan Ricci told the ABC hail began to fall about 2.30 and described the wind as 'howling'. 'It was like being in the middle of a tropical storm really, because the winds were howling. We certainly had squalls that you could see where the wind was often horizontal,' he said. He said the rain was so heavy it felt as if he were in the middle of a 'severe storm cell'. BOM said Ringwood has so far received 39mm of rain throughout the day, with 23mm falling in just one hour. As of 6pm Friday much of the storms had eased but BOM had warned there could be more throughout the night before easing on Saturday morning. The temperature is in the low 20s across most of Victoria, while the humidity is extremely high. Water engulfed the underground carpark of Eastlands Shopping Centre in Ringwood and thousands of homes have been left without power New Delhi, Feb 14 : As people are celebrating Valentine's Day on Friday by sending messages of love and affection to their loved ones and Delhi Airport too joined the celebration. The Delhi International Airport took to Twitter to have a mushy and 'punny' tweets for Indigo, Air India, Spicejet, Vistara Airlines and even Delhi Duty Free in the spirit of Valentine's Day. It started with IndiGo after the official account of Delhi International Airport took to the social media site to tweet a love-filled post for IndiGo and wrote, "Hey @IndiGo6E, promise me you'll never run away from my runway! #DELlovesYou #ValentinesDay2020" To which IndiGo replied, "@delhiairport Oh darling, your love brings me back on-time, every time! #DELlovesYou #ValentinesDay2020 #LetsIndiGo" This was not it, as the two official accounts teased each others by sharing their future plans together as Delhi Airport tweeted, "My love, @IndiGo6e, we have so many future planes together! #DELlovesYou #ValentinesDay2020." To this Indigo replied: @delhiairport Whenever you say that "kuch kuch hota hai" #DELlovesYou #ValentinesDay2020 #LetsIndiGo." This continued with a few more replies after which the Delhi Airport moved to wish Air India on Valentine's Day. Delhi Airport wrote, "Hey @airindiain, you'll always be my love at first flight! #DELlovesYou #ValentinesDay2020." In reply Air India tweeted, "@delhiairport...It feels great to have a special place in your hub. #ValentinesDay2020 #DELlovesYou" To which Delhi Airport wrote, "I love how you are so plane and simple. #DELlovesYou #ValentinesDay2020" They also shared sweet messages with Delhi duty free, Spice jet and Vistara. In a cheesy conversations with Vistara, the Delhi Airport wrote, "Hey @airvistara, its valentines day, want to continue flying higher with us? #DELlovesYou #ValentinesDay2020." To which Vistara replied, "@DelhiAirport, cheesy but landed well, just like all our aircraft thanks to you #DELlovesYou #ValentinesDay2020." The Delhi Airport responded, "Why thank you, we get this new feeling with you and it never gets old, runway with me? #DELlovesYou #ValentinesDay2020" Moving to Spicejet, Delhi Airport shared a cute message for the airline and wrote, "Hey @flyspicejet, love how you turn my hub red, hot and spicy! #DELlovesYou #ValentinesDay2020." To which Spicejet replied, "You're always in our Dil, Dilli!@DelhiAirport" After which the Delhi Airport responded, "Keep it spicy! #DELlovesYou." To Delhi Duty Free, Delhi Airport shared this mushy message and tweeted, "@DelhiDutyFree...Love the way how everyone mingles with you so well, while they shop smiles and collect happiness. #DELlovesYou #ValentinesDay2020" Delhi Duty Free then acknowledged the love from the Delhi Airport and wrote, "@DelhiAirport...If love is in the Air, it has to be you." To which Delhi Airport replied, "Your words smell so good. We promise you to always enjoy the (retail) space that you are in." The conversations grabbed the attention of social media users and Twitterati have flooded the social media with their reactions. A user wrote, "Awww! Love birds...Keep flying high in love and make us fly high too." A post read, "@DelhiAirport you just broke the Old Lady's heart by showing love to @IndiGo6E." A user remarked, "Who says that the love is in the air, it is on the Runway as well. keep this love #Forever" Latest updates on Valentine's Day 2020 Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Friday defended his decision to divert billions of dollars in funding for Navy and Air Force aircraft and other military programs to help pay for President Trumps promised wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. Esper was asked by a reporter about criticism from Democrats and Republicans in Congress, including Rep. Mac Thornberry, a Republican from Texas, who called the diversion of funds contrary to the constitutional authority of Congress. Border security is national security, Esper said, and national security is our mission. Esper spoke on the sidelines of an international security conference in Munich. The Pentagon announced Thursday that Esper approved shifting $3.8 billion in funds that Congress had previously authorized for F-35 fighter aircraft and other military programs. The money is being diverted to help the Department of Homeland Security build portions of the border wall. The Pentagon indicated that more such actions could be coming to provide additional funding for Trumps signature campaign promise. The action drew sharp rebukes from Democrats as well as Republicans. Todays reprogramming request confirms once again that the President is obsessed with fulfilling a campaign promise at the expense of our national security, said Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the Democratic chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. This administration has already stolen billions from the Department of Defense in order to begin building the presidents vanity wall. Last year, despite congressional opposition, Trump faced no consequences when making similar transfers by canceling or postponing dozens of military construction projects to free up $3.6 billion. In reaction to Thursdays Pentagon announcement, Thornberry, the top Republican on the committee and a supporter of wall construction, said that while the administrations constitutional role is to recommend how tax dollars are spent, final choices are made by Congress. Trump, while campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, repeatedly promised that Mexico would pay for the wall, but has Mexico refused. Robert Burns is an Associated Press writer. A pack of African wild dogs killed 16 animals at a UK safari park after escaping from their compound through a gate which had been damaged by Storm Ciara. Twelve dogs entered a neighbouring enclosure at West Midland Safari Park in the early hours of 9 February as the UK was hit by high winds and heavy rainfall. Staff were left extremely saddened by the loss of six Persian fallow deer and 10 Barbary sheep. At no point was there a risk to public safety and there was no danger of any animals escaping the parks perimeter fencing, a spokeswoman for the safari park said. The wild dogs entered the neighbouring compound through a gated entrance which had been damaged in the storm which hit Worcestershire earlier that morning. World's most endangered animals Show all 17 1 /17 World's most endangered animals World's most endangered animals Amur Leopard Endemic to the far east of Russia, the Amur Leopard has a population of around 84 and is critically endangered. Here follows every species that the WWF lists as critically endangered. Getty World's most endangered animals Sumatran Elephant The Sumatran elephant population now stands at only 2400-2800 Getty World's most endangered animals Yangtze Finless Porpoise Endemic to China's Yangtze River, the Yangtze finless porpoise has an estimated population of 1000-1800 Kenichi Nobusue World's most endangered animals South China Tiger When discovered in the 1950s, the South China tiger population was estimated to be 4000, by 1996 it was estimated to be only 30-80. Scientists consider the tiger to be "functionally extinct" as one has not been sighted for over 25 years World's most endangered animals Sumatran Orangutan The Sumatran orangutan was once found across the island of Sumatra and even further south on Java. Today it is found only in the island's north and its population stands at 14,613 Getty World's most endangered animals Western Lowland Gorilla Though it is the most populous of all gorilla subspecies, the western lowland gorilla is still critically endangered and its population has declined by 60% in the last quarter century Getty World's most endangered animals Sumatran Rhinoceros The Sumatran rhinoceros is the smallest of the surviving rhinoceros species. Only 80 are known to be living today. The last male Sumatran rhino in Malaysia died on 28 May 2019 Willem V Strien World's most endangered animals Sumatran Tiger There are fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers left today. They are severely threatened by deforestation and poaching Getty World's most endangered animals Eastern Lowland Gorilla Half of the rainforest of the Democratic Republic of Congo in which these gorillas live has been destroyed the past 50 years. There were 17,000 Eastern Lowland gorillas in the 1990s but scientists estimate their population has declined by over 50% since then Getty World's most endangered animals Vaquita The world's rarest marine animal has a population of only 30. They were discovered in 1958 and are endemic to Mexico's Gulf of California Paula Olson / NOAA World's most endangered animals Javan Rhino The most threatened of all rhino species, there are only an estimated 58-68 Javan rhinos left Reuters World's most endangered animals Saola The saola was first sighted in 1992, being the first large mammal to be discovered in over 50 years. Scientists have only sighted saola in the wild four times and it is considered critically endangered World's most endangered animals Malayan Tiger The Malayan Tiger population now stands at only 250-300 Getty World's most endangered animals Hawksbill Turtle The population of the Hawksbill Turtle has declined by more than 80% in the last century. They are threatened by black market poachers who kill them for their shell Getty World's most endangered animals Black Rhino The population of the black rhino dropped by 98% in the years 1960-1995 due to poaching, it stands today at around 5000 Getty World's most endangered animals Cross River Gorilla The population of the Cross River gorilla has been damaged by deforestation and poaching, it now stands at 200-300 Julie Langford World's most endangered animals Bornean Orangutan The population of the Bornean orangutan has been reduced by over 50% in the past 60 years, now standing at around 104,700. Their habitat has been reduced by at least 50% in the 21st century Getty Given their personal attachment to our animals, our staff are extremely saddened by the incident. The spokeswoman said the wild dogs were returned to their compound unharmed. With Storm Dennis set to bring more bad weather to the UK on Saturday, staff at West Midland Safari Park will be closely monitoring the situation to avoid a repeat of last weekends incident. We are aware of the current weather warnings in place for this weekend and will monitor this closely, making our decisions, as always, in the best interests of our animals and public safety, the spokeswoman added. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the African wild dog is one of the worlds most endangered mammals, with only about 1,400 left in the wild. The largest populations remain in southern Africa and the southern part of east Africa. The predator, which gathers in packs, hunts species such as gazelles and can run at speeds of more than 44mph. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday visit Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency, and inaugurate 34 development projects worth about Rs 1,000 crore, while also flagging off the Mahakaal Express to link Varanasi, Ujjain and Omkareshwar, and dedicating to the nation the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Memorial Centre. During the day-long visit, the Prime Minister will also unveil a 63-foot statue of Deendayal Upadhyaya. This will be the largest statue of the leader in the country. More than 200 artisans were working day and night for the last one year to complete the statue, the Prime Ministers Office said. At a public function, PM Modi will dedicate to the nation 34 projects that will include a 430-bed superspeciality government hospital at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and a 74-bed psychiatry hospital at the varsity. The superspeciality hospital, built at a cost of Rs 164 crore, will aid about 200 million people from seven neighbouring states and Nepal. Modi laid the foundation of the facility in December, 2016. The Mahakaal Express, which the PM will flag off through video link, will connect the three jyotirling pilgrim centres of Varanasi, Ujjain and Omkareshwar. This will be the first overnight-journey private train in the country, the government said. Of the 34 projects scheduled to be inaugurated on Sunday, 16 are related to the construction of roads at a cost of about Rs 240 crore. The PM will also lay the foundations of 14 development projects in his parliamentary constituency. These are estimated to be worth about Rs 200 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate development projects worth Rs 1,000 crore to the nation and will lay the foundation of projects worth Rs 200 crore during his visit to Varanasi on February 16. All preparations regarding the visit have been completed, Varanasi divisional commissioner Deepak Agarwal said. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to participate in the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Shri Jagadguru Vishwaradhya Gurukul. He is scheduled to release the translated version of the Shri Siddhant Shikhamani Granth in 19 languages and a related mobile app. The PM will also inaugurate the Centre for Vedic Research at BHU. The centre has been developed to preserve Indias culture and heritage, conduct multidisciplinary research and spread awareness. The Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Kashi region spokesperson Navratan Rathi said: Party workers will give a rousing welcome to PM Modi in Varanasi. According to an official in Varanasi, the PM will address a public rally and inaugurate the Chowkaghat-Lehartara overbridge in the city. Modi will also inaugurate the two-day Kashi Ek, Roop Anek exhibition at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Hastakala Sankul. There, he will interact with buyers and artisans from different countries including the US, England and Australia. Kashi Ek Roop Anek will showcase products from more than 100 artisans from all over UP. (With inputs by Sudhir Kumar in Varanasi) A juvenile who fled to Armenia after punching a man with brass knuckles during a road rage incident on January 1, in Los Angeles, leaving the man in a coma, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, authorities said Thursday, Los Angeles Times reported. Three men began following the victims vehicle in the evening of January 1. When they stopped a dispute quickly erupted. One of the suspects punched the victim once in the head, causing the victim to fall to the ground unconscious, The suspects fled the scene, while the man was hospitalized. He has been unconscious so far. LAPD worked with the FBI, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Interpol and the Los Angeles County district attorneys office to bring the juvenile back to the United States. Another suspect, identified by the LAPD as Robert Hovhannisyan, was not returned from Armenia by law enforcement because he did not assault the driver, according to the LAPD. LAPD had said earlier that it was looking for 3 Armenians involved in the attack. BAMAKO, Mali - Gunmen killed at least 21 people early Friday in central Mali in a village that suffered a massive attack last year, the government said. The gunmen attacked the village of Ogossagou in the Bankass circle in the central Mopti region, the government said. The attackers burned homes and looted livestock, it said. Malis government condemned the attack, saying it will investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice. The U.N. mission in Mali said it sent a quick reaction force to the village, where several were also wounded. It also provided air support to prevent further attacks and evacuate the wounded, it said. The head of the U.N. mission in Mali, Mahamat Saleh Annadif, said he was shocked and outraged by the attack. At a time when we were receiving positive developments from the north of the country, what is happening in the centre is appalling. I strongly condemn it. There is an urgent need to break the spiral of violence in this region, he said. The Peuhl organization in Mali, known as Tabital Pulaku, blamed members of the Dogon militia. In March, more than 150 civilians were killed in the same village in an attack also blamed on the Dogon militiamen. More than 450 civilians were killed in central Mali last year by armed groups, making it the deadliest year in the region since the countrys crisis began in 2012, according to Human Rights Watch. Ethnic clashes have been ongoing and exploited by Islamic extremists who have been recruiting men from the Peuhl ethnic group to their cause. Dogon militias have also arisen and are accused of supporting Malis military crackdown on jihadis. Sawyer Spielberg has hit the big screen, making his debut in horror movie Honeydew. The 27-year-old son of movie director Steven Spielberg stars alongside Malin Barr and Barbara Kingsley in the New England-set horror. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, sales company Yellow Veil Pictures is presenting the movie to buyers at the European Film Market in Berlin next week. Horror flick: Sawyer Spielberg stars in his debut feature film Honeydew alongside Malin Barr (pictured) and Barbara Kingsley Big screen debut: The 27-year-old son of movie director Steven Spielberg stars alongside Malin Barr and Barbara Kingsley in the New England-set horror From director Devereux Milburn, the movie is described as a 'feverish horror' set in New England, where strange cravings and hallucinations befall a young couple after seeking shelter in the home of an aging farmer and her peculiar son. Sawyer is Steven and wife Kate Capshaw's youngest son. Sawyer made a brief appearance in his father's 2017 movie The Post and has also tried his hand at directing with a video short titled Breathe in 2016. Yellow Veil Pictures co-founder Justin Timms said: 'We are thrilled to introduce Devereux Milburns vision to the market at this years EFM, Hollywood family: Steven and Kate, who married in 1991, have seven children in total. They are pictured with Sawyer and daughter Destry in 2017 'With shades of De Palmas frenetic editing and sound design brought into a modern context, Honeydew immerses you in a nightmare that is sure to satisfy all cravings for a fresh, stylish backwoods horror.' Milburn added: 'Im so excited to team up with YVP, and for the opportunity to find a wider audience for this modern-day Hansel and Gretel story. This piece, in all of its darkness and absurdity, is one that is truly close to my heart and reflective of a real human dilemma, and I can't wait for people to eat it up.' Steven and Kate, who married in 1991, have seven children in total, including two adopted children; Theo, 31 and Mikaela, 23. They share Jessica Capshaw, 40, and Max Spielberg, 31, from previous relationships and Sasha, 29, Sawyer, 27 and Destry, 23, together. This is a fly-tipping site so horrendous it can be seen by satellites in space. The 'dumping ground' in Edgware, north London, has been piled so high it can be spotted on Google Maps' satellite view. The site is strewn with old appliances, furniture and countless pieces of litter. Residents have called it a 'disgrace' and urged Barnet council to address the issue. Ann Mroz, who lives nearby, said: 'It's shameful. We should be looking to smarten up the area, not destroy it.' The 'dumping ground' in Edgware, north London, has been piled so high it can be spotted on Google Maps' satellite view The piles of rubbish reportedly began to appear in October when travellers set up camp on the land. Dr Matthew Offord, MP for the Hendon constituency, visited the area and said he raised the issue with the Environment Agency. But when the Daily Mail visited the site last week, the rubbish was still there. After learning this, Dr Offord said he is 'disappointed' and will contact the agency again. A spokesman for the council said it had begun legal proceedings against the owners, Milegate Ltd, after they failed to clear the rubbish. The piles of rubbish reportedly began to appear in October when travellers set up camp on the land The company and their director David Nourani pleaded guilty to breaching a untidy land notice at Willesden Magistrates' Court this week. Mr Nourani was fined 3,900 and the company was ordered to pay 4,100, both within 56 days. A spokesman for Milegate Ltd said: 'We have cleared it many times but people keep dumping rubbish. The council and police aren't helping.' Washington The Senate voted Thursday to require President Donald Trump to seek congressional authorization before taking further military action against Iran, as Democrats joined forces with eight Republicans to try to rein in the president's war-making powers weeks after he escalated hostilities with Tehran. The bipartisan vote, 55-45, amounted to a rare attempt by the Senate to restrain Trump's authority 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 Trump. The House passed a similar measure last month on a nearly party-line vote that also fell well short of the two-thirds margin. Still, indignant at the administration's handling of a drone strike in Iraq last month that killed a top Iranian official an unusually large number of Senate Republicans crossed party lines in an attempt to claw back Congress's authority to weigh in on matters of war and peace. "After many decades of abdicating responsibility under presidents of both parties it is time for Congress to take this so very seriously," Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. and the lead sponsor of the measure, said. Kaine drafted the resolution in early January as tensions ratcheted up with Iran after the strike in Baghdad that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iran's most important general. Because such measures enjoy special procedures under the 1973 War Powers Act, the Republican-controlled Senate was required to consider it. In briefings with Trump's national security team after the strike on the Iranian general, lawmakers in both parties, already angry that the administration had not consulted with them before the operation, complained that top officials demeaned and dismissed them in briefings for questioning the president's strategy. Both Republicans and Democrats who sponsored the resolution insisted the measure was not intended to tie Trump's hands but to reassert Congress' constitutional prerogatives on matters of war. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Trump viewed the resolution as a personal affront, and Wednesday urged Republicans to reject it, framing the measure as a dangerous show of timidity and an attempt by Democrats to "embarrass the Republican Party." A small group of moderate and libertarian-minded Republicans who were rankled by the administration's handling of the Soleimani strike supported the measure, insisting that it was both morally and constitutionally necessary. Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky, who have advocated disengaging U.S. troops from prolonged military conflicts abroad, were infuriated by a contentious congressional briefing delivered last month by Trump's top national security advisers on the operation. They complained that administration officials had been unwilling to engage in a genuine discussion about a possible military escalation in the Middle East. They were joined by six other Republicans: Sens. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Todd Young of Indiana. In December 2015, Gambias president Yahya Jammeh declared the small West African country of 2 million people an Islamic state. The news was particularly disturbing for the little over 130,000 Christian population. At the time, it wasnt clear if the republican constitution would be removed and if the secular nature of the state and its courts would be changed. Jammeh had created a religious image for himself. He walked around with what appeared to be a Quran and Muslim prayer bids. He surrounded himself with clerics trained in Saudi Arabia. But for his critics, religion was nothing more than a tool for political control. Philip Saine, a member of the Gambian Christian Council whose book Challenges of Gambian Churches During Yahya Jammehs Era was admitted into evidence by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) testified before the TRRC that after Jammehs 2015 declaration Gambian Christians made efforts to dissuade the president from turning the country into an Islamic State. Their goal was to seek clarification on what the declaration meant for the Christian faith. But Jammeh refused to meet with Christian leaders who would later get a letter from him saying that his declaration was not negotiable but that the rights of Christians would be respected. This did little in allaying their fears. Expelling people for their religious belief Jammeh ruled the Gambia for 22 years until January 2017. And it isnt only Christians who claim to have been oppressed under his rule. Some of the victimized faith groups are Muslims who belonged to a different sect than Jammehs Saudi-trained clerics sitting at the countrys Supreme Islamic Council. Under Jammeh, the Council had much influence. Jammeh needed the Council to control the 90% Muslim population. And the Councils members needed his protection to strengthen their control over the society. Ndigal is one of the Muslim minority faith groups that claimed they suffered state oppression. They are followers of cleric Muhamadou Habibou Secka who later came to be known as Ndigal, a wollof word for divine revelation. The faith group started in Kerr Mot Ali, a settlement in Gambias Central River Region, about 4 hours drive from Banjul, the capital. In 2002, Muhamadou Habibou Secka and his followers said to be about 5000 people stopped the five daily prayers ritual Muslims do. That was the beginning of their trouble with the state, testified Yunusha Ceesay, a member of Ndigal. Jammeh and the Supreme Islamic Council would not have it. The government said that the followers of Ndigal have forcedly closed the village mosque, preventing people from praying there. For the authorities, Ndigals reported claims to be God was offensive to public morality and public order. The former governor of the region Ganyie Touray told the TRRC that he received an executive order to reopen the mosque and expel the followers of Ndigal from the Gambia. This took place in January 2009 with the help of paramilitary forces, he said. Did you care to find out about the authority on which that executive order was based? asked the TRRC lead counsel Essa Faal. This came from the Office of the President and it was signed by the secretary general. It was for me to take action. What am I going to ask about? You believe it was lawful to expel people out of their village because of their religious belief? What I believed is that what they were doing was not in line with Islam and the laws of this country. I think you and I and other Muslims would agree that what they were doing was not in line with Islam but it is not about you and I. The question is: Do you think it is right to expel people from their own country because of their religious belief? Those who gave the instructions are the ones who know the law. I am not a lawyer and I do not know the law. Mr Touray, you were the governor. Yes, that is true. So, your ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Yes, that is true. And even you as a person, do you believe that it is right to expel people from their own homes simply because of their religious belief? That is unlawful. Therefore, do you believe what you did was unlawful? I do not believe what I did was unlawful. I was given an instruction and I carried it out. You have just accepted that what you were told to do was unlawful. Yes, to forcefully expel someone from his residence. There are procedures to observe. But you carried out that order, didnt you? Yes, I did. So you therefore agree that you implemented an unlawful order? But for me, the actions were given to me by people I took authority from explained the former governor. Ndigals religious leader Habibou Secka was threatened and arrested but he refused to bow to state authorities. He died in 2007. On October 12, 2017, nine months after Jammeh had fled the Gambia, the countrys High Court ruled that the actions of the state against Ndigal were illegal and ordered the followers of the sect to return to their settlement. Tensions with the Supreme Islamic Council There has been brewing tension between religious traditionalists and the Saudi-trained clerics who controlled the Supreme Islamic Council. While the traditionalists were in control of most religious schools in the country, the clerics who controlled the Council tended to have the backing of the state. Former Imam of the State House Imam Abdoulie Fatty who is currently the Councils secretary general would use the pulpit, the state television and the radio to attack the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, a Muslim sect that the Saudi-trained clerics say are not Muslims. On 23 June 1997, we sent a letter to the Office of President Yahya Jammeh complaining about the attack made by Imam Fatty on our sect but we were never replied by Jammeh, testified Baba Trawalley, leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Gambia. We cannot be part of a political council [the Supreme Islamic Council] that only came into existence in 1992 while our Jamaat came into existence in 1889. We are not expected to beg to be part of the Council. We can only be a member if we are officially invited, Trawalley said.When conflict arose between the traditionalist clerics and the Council, Jammeh took sides in favour of the Council. Imam Ba Kawsu Fofana, who was a fearless critic of Yahya Jammeh during his regime, directly accused the Supreme Islamic Council of being responsible for his arrest and subsequent torture in 2012. Mustapha K. Darboe Imam Ba Kawsu Fofana was a fearless critic of Jammeh. The owner of a Quranic memorization school, Kawsu was arrested several times by state agents, leading to the closing down of his school. In 2012, he was arrested and held incommunicado for nine days during which he was reportedly tortured. He then fled the country for Casamance, in the south of Senegal, where he lived until 2015 when he was allowed to return. Kawsu directly blamed the Supreme Council for his arrest. Both the President of the Council Imam Momodou Lamin Touray and its secretary general Imam Abdoulie Fatty have provided the TRRC with written statements. When public hearings resume on February 17 it may be their turn to respond to their critics. Anand Singh (File Photo) Kamlendra Kanwar Karnataka politics has touched a new low with all pretences of a model conduct or propriety being thrown to the winds. When it comes to such issues, the difference between one party and another is that between tweedledom and tweedledee. Nothing brings out the cynical disregard for principles better than the case of Anand Singh, the Vijaynagara MLA, who, until recently, was with the Congress and has now switched camps to the BJP in a blatant show of rank opportunism. The starkness of Singhs greed for power is borne out by the manner in which he bargained with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to become the forest minister. Singh, in his election affidavit, has claimed that he has about 15 cases against him, some of which are under the Karnataka Forests Act. This was a clear case of conflict of interest but Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, who had earlier allotted Singh the food and civil supplies portfolio, was pressurised to assign Singh the forest department, probably after the Vijaynagara MLA threatened to withdraw support to precariously-balanced BJP government in Karnataka. It appears that Yediyurappa was unprepared to risk the life of his government and chose the easy way out. Last month, a Hindu seer had warned Yediyurappa of consequences if the sentiments of the numerically-strong Lingayat caste were not factored in. The reference in effect was to inducting a legislator as a minister in Yediyurappas Cabinet. At that point, the Chief Minister had threatened to quit in a weak show of bravado. This development in Karnataka is a reflection of the decadence that has permeated the party. It is also reported that though the party leadership delayed, it finally approved the names for Yediyurappas Cabinet expansion. Whether Singhs name raised eyebrows or not is difficult to say, but the fact remains that the high command chose to go ahead with it. Without any doubt, such a decision bodes ill for the national party. The BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda, must realise that such acts are distancing the people from the BJP, and are doing great damage to the partys anti-corruption image and its credibility of being a party with a difference. After a big win in the general elections in 2019, the party has already lost elections in three states, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Delhi. With assembly elections to Bihar later this year, and in West Bengal among other states in 2021, the BJP must introspect and change if it has to bounce back into public favour. Singh was arrested in 2015 by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Karnataka Lokayukta on charges of illegal iron ore transportation. In 2013, he was arrested in connection with the alleged illegal export of iron ore from Belekeri port. In the latter case he was acquitted in September 2019. According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), the proportion of legislators in Parliament and assemblies with criminal cases against them has been rising over the years. If in 2009 it was 15 percent of Parliament, in 2014 it went up to 17 percent, and in 2019 it became 19 percent. This clearly demonstrates the enormity of the problem of criminalisation of politics in India. An estimated 13 percent of the candidates who contested the election in 2019 were accused of heinous crimes that included murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, rape and other crimes against women. Yet, political parties have shunned initiatives to reform the system to exclude those with criminal background from contesting elections. Despite entreaties by the Election Commission of India and by public bodies and individuals, there is no serious effort to exclude those charged with crimes from contesting elections. As the nation on Friday commemorated the 40 CRPF men martyred in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir a year ago, the Congress lashed out at the BJP government alleging that the saffron party has been politicising the issue of the martyred troopers and has forgotten the families of the slain jawans. The Congress also demanded that the Pulwama investigation be made public. Taking to Twitter, the party said, "After the election speeches and photo-ops, the BJP govt has completely forgotten about the families of the martyrs." "They promised them jobs & compensation, yet 1 year after the attack the families are forced to beg the govt for what is owed to them," the Congress said while highlighting the plight of the families whose sons were martyred in Pulwama. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor demanded that the results of the Pulwama attack investigation be made public, "Why has the report of the Pulwama attack not been made public?" he tweeted. He wrote "I salute the martyrs, mourn with their families and thank the soldiers who take risks every day to keep our country safe but India should not wait any more for accountability. Has there been a serious investigation into what happened? "Do the people of India not deserve answers? Is the BJP govt suppressing the report in order to hide their failures?" he questioned. "Who was responsible? Who is accountable for decisions that left 40 jawans vulnerable?" The Congress leader alleged that the BJP cloaks itself in the Tricolour as a shield against all criticism. "But patriotism is a faith, not an alibi. Govts are not absolved from taking responsibility for what happens on their watch." he said. Students across the three central universities in the capital celebrated Valentines Day on Friday by declaring their love for the Constitution and India. The gatherings in Jamia Millia Islamia, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University come amid the ongoing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act led by students. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap visited Jamia Millia Islamia on Friday and asked protesters to continue with their protests with a smile. Addressing the crowd, he said, Continue your struggle with a smile no matter how much they provoke you because they dont understand the language of empathy and love. These peaceful protests scare them. Kashyap, who has shown solidarity towards the anti-CAA protests on Twitter, said, I have come here for the first time but I read the stories and watch videos about Jamia. Many people are supporting you silently even if they are not able to come here. When questioned if these were Bollywood celebrities, Kashyap said, They are from all over the world, including Bollywood. The 47-year-old filmmaker asked protesters to be patient as the fight to reclaim the constitution and the country is going to be a long one. In another part of the capital, stand-up comics and artists including Ratna Pathak Shah, Varun Grover, and Aditi Mittal gathered in JNU to comment on the ongoing protests in the country and other issues, including the universitys hostel fee hike agitation. It is good to remind oneself of the ideals we grew up with. The protests do that as well, apart from talking about the troubles in the country, said Shah, who recited the piece Hindustan Chhod Do by Ismat Chughtai. In Delhi University, members of different students outfits came together under the banner of Young India and led a rally to spread love in the time of hatred as a part of their event Love is the revolution. They expressed solidarity with students of Gargi College who were allegedly harassed by outsiders on February 6 in their college. No Puja at Hindu Meanwhile, Delhi Universitys Hindu College on Friday abstained from the customary Virgin Tree Puja, which is organised every year on February 14, the college said. Principal Anju Shrivastava said after consultation with students, the college decided to transform the event into an inclusive one and avoid objectification of women. Some students, however, claimed that a group of students did conduct a puja. There was a commotion when someone tried to take off posters from the tree. It is during this time the puja was done. We only got to know later in the evening. We are planning to approach the administration and ask for an action against this, said Anna TM, an undergraduate student. Principal Shrivastava said nothing was conveyed to her about the puja. Fuel Your Pipeline. Close More Deals. Our full-service marketing programs deliver sales-ready leads. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee! Learn more The American Civil Liberties Union earlier this week criticized facial recognition tool developer Clearview for making misleading claims about the accuracy of its product. Clearview apparently has been telling law enforcement agencies that its technology underwent accuracy testing modeled on the ACLUs 2018 test of Amazons Rekognition facial recognition tool. For that test, the ACLU simulated the way law enforcement used Rekognition in the field, matching photos of all 535 members of the United States Congress against a database it built of 25,000 publicly available mugshots of arrestees. Rekognition incorrectly matched 28 lawmakers with arrestees photos. The false matches disproportionately featured lawmakers of color. Clearviews Test Examined Clearviews accuracy test reportedly compared headshots from all 535 members of Congress, all 119 members of the California State Legislature, and 180 members of the Texas State Legislature against its database. Clearview has a database of about 2.8 billion faces scraped from various social media and other public Internet websites. Clearviews test couldnt be more different from the ACLUs work, and leaves crucial questions unanswered, wrote Jacob Snow, a technology and civil liberties attorney at the ACLU. Rather than searching for lawmakers against a database of arrest photos, Clearview apparently searched its own shadily assembled database of photos. The companys accuracy test report, dated October 2019, was signed by three people: Jonathan Lippmann, chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 2009-2015; Nicholas Cassimatis, formerly head of the Intelligence Innovation Lab at Samsung Research America; and Aaron Renn, an urban policy analyst who formerly was a partner at Accenture. The three rated Clearview 100 percent accurate. However, none of them has expertise in facial recognition. There is no indication that Clearview submitted its product to rigorous testing, the ACLUs Snow maintained. An algorithms accuracy is likely to be reduced in the real world because of photo quality, lighting, user bias and other factors. Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but this is flattery we can do without, Snow wrote.If Clearview is so desperate to begin salvaging its reputation, it should stop manufacturing endorsements and start deleting the billions of photos that make up its database, switch off its servers, and get out of the surveillance business altogether. A D V E R T I S E M E N T Bad Buzz Clearview has generated considerable controversy with its ad campaigns and claims: It claims to have helped the New York Police Department arrest suspects in at least two cases, which the NYPD denies; Clearviews claims to have a thousand or so police forces using its application have not been substantiated; Twitter, Google, Facebook, YouTube, Venmo and LinkedIn have written the company demanding it stop scraping photos from their platforms; Concerns about Clearviews technology led EPIC and other organizations to write the Privacy and Civil Liberties Board demanding the suspension of facial recognition systems pending further review; The Electronic Frontier Foundation has called for comprehensive federal privacy legislation around data collection; Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., has written Clearview demanding information about its marketing to law enforcement agencies considering its technology; and A lawsuit seeking class action status has been filed in an Illinois court alleging Clearviews product breaches the states Biometric Information. Privacy Act (BISA). Breaching BISA cost Facebook a US$550 million fine, a record for any privacy lawsuit. Clearview appears to be extremely dishonest with their claims and, as a company, they are untrusted, observed Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. Given that, you cant really trust how good the tool is, he told TechNewsWorld. So youll take a lot of heat deploying it and then, if it doesnt work, youll look like an idiot. That could be a career ender for those involved. Appropriate Use of Tech The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation has ruled that its Next Generation Identification System (NGI) is exempt from one or more provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974. That is one of the reasons facial recognition raises concerns. Another is that some schools have begun using facial recognition systems. Everybodys concerned that the unrestricted use of facial recognition could be detrimental to personal freedom, said Mike Jude, research director at IDC. Clearview is currently not regulated and, obviously, has a powerful incentive to promote the use of facial recognition, he told TechNewsWorld. False positives are always an issue, Jude noted. Facial recognition is not foolproof. Its simply a case of garbage photos in, garbage identifications out. However, the technology can be a very valuable tool in various areas, including retail, depending on how it is used, he said. A D V E R T I S E M E N T It would be unfortunate if we tossed the baby out with the bath water, said Jude. There will probably be laws that seek to control the use of facial recognition. The European Union, which initially considered a five-year ban on facial recognition in public places, instead decided to let member states deal with the issue. French and Swedish data protection authorities have ruled out using facial recognition software in schools. In the UK, police use the technology, which they have deployed in London. In China, registering for a mobile phone service requires a face scan. Meanwhile, India is preparing to install a nationwide facial recognition system. In the U.S., Oregon, New Hampshire and California have banned the technology, but only in police bodycams. Several cities, including San Francisco and Oakland, ban it altogether. Facial recognition is coming whether we like it or not, Enderle predicted. This means there needs to be more focus on improving the training sets, and putting in place rules about where and when these tools can be used. S enior military figures are growing concerned that Britain has no defence against ballistic and hypersonic missiles that could take out key sites. Sources revealed to the Standard that a war-gaming exercise by a senior general concluded that targets including airfields and control centres could be destroyed within hours by a foreign power using conventional warheads. One such scenario might arise if Russia tried to annex territory from an ally of Britain and used missile strikes to stop the UK and other states from responding until it was too late. Only the Aster missile system on Type 45 destroyers could stop missiles that might accelerate to 5km a second, but the destroyers have a full-time role protecting the UKs two aircraft carriers. Lord West, the former chief of naval staff, pictured, said: It is a very real threat and a genuine concern to those who want to maintain our defences. Lord West of Spithead, former head of the Royal Navy / PA The range at which these weapons are fired is well beyond the range that the excellent Typhoon aircraft can operate. Dr Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, said the Ministry of Defences traditional approach is to assume long-range ballistic missiles are tipped with WMD [weapons of mass destruction], which are dealt with by the nuclear deterrent. However, there is a recognition that a power such as Russia might use conventionally tipped ballistic missiles to weaken our ability to respond in a crisis. The Russian general staff is known to have drawn up a 30-day victory strategy for a month of chaos in which its army might grab territory and dig in. Some MoD experts believe Moscow would not launch conventional missiles because Britain could respond in kind. Hindi News Local Jharkhand Ranchi CID ADG Anurag Gupta Suspended, Accused Of Working For BJP In Rajya Sabha Elections , 2 - 2016 1990 . 1990 2016 29 2018 171 171 2016 2017 13 2017 - 26 26 - , , WASHINGTON - Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said Friday there is no investigation into the Army officer who until last week worked at the White House National Security Council and was a key witness in the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. McCarthy said Lt. Col. Alex Vindman has been moved to a short-term assignment at Army headquarters until he starts a regularly scheduled stint at a military college later this year. McCarthys comments at the National Press Club appeared to put an end to any debate about potential punishment of the officer, who came under fire for raising concerns about Trumps July phone call with Ukraines president. Trump on Tuesday suggested the Pentagon should review Vindmans conduct and said any potential disciplinary action would be up to the military. He said military officials can handle him any way they want, but added that the military would certainly take a look at his conduct. Vindman was detailed by the Pentagon to the White House and testified before the House impeachment panel that Trump inappropriately pushed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate former Vice-President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Last week, just two days after the Senate acquitted Trump on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges, Vindman was ousted from his NSC job. His twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, who worked as an ethics lawyer at the NSC, also was removed from his job and was re-assigned to the Army General Counsels Office. Vindman also got support from Trumps former chief of staff earlier this week. John Kelly, a retired four-star Marine general, said that Vindman did exactly as he was trained by raising concerns to his superiors after hearing questionable comments from Trump, according to a report by The Atlantic magazine. Trump on Thursday lashed out against former White House chief of staff John Kelly for being disloyal after he came to the defence of the 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. McCarthy did not provide details about Vindmans new assignment. Its routine for up-and-coming officers to go to war college or another advanced school when they are lieutenant colonels, as part of the process for likely promotion to higher rank. Two people have been charged over the shooting of a Sunbury kebab shop owner who was ambushed as he returned home from a family friend's wedding last weekend. Grandfather Yusuf Kucukbas, the long-time owner of Cheeky Kebabs, was with his wife when he was shot outside their Belleview Drive house just after 1am on Saturday. Sunbury kebab shop owner Yusuf Kucukbas. Credit:Suppled Mr Kucukbas, 57, had just parked his car and was approaching his front door when he was blasted with a shotgun at close range by a masked gunman. The grandfather has since had leg surgery and remains in a stable condition at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. The Japan share market finished lower for straight session on Friday, 14 February 2020, as risk-off selloff continued on tracking weak lead from Wall Street overnight and on news of further coronavirus infections in Japan, including the first fatal case. At closing bell, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average declined 140.14 points, or 0.59%, to 23,687.59, while the broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange dropped 10.21 points, or 0.6%, at 1,702.87. Investor sentiment was dampened by the health ministry's announcement Thursday that a Japanese woman in her 80s who died was later found to have the virus, becoming Japan's first confirmed COVID-19 fatality. Investors continued to watch for developments on the coronavirus outbreak following Thursday's spike in the number of cases reported after Hubei changed the way cases are diagnosed. On Friday, the province reported an additional 116 deaths and 4,823 new confirmed cases as of the end of Feb. 13. Nissan tumbled 9.64% as the automaker's operating profit for April-December 2019 and operating profit outlook for the full year ending next month fell short of the market consensus. The company cut its annual operating income forecast by more than 40%. Beverage maker Asahi Group dropped 1.88%. Its lower-than-expected operating profit and net profit for the full year to December caused disappointment. Silicon wafer producer Sumco jumped 6.86% thanks to its better-than-expected operating profit for the year to December. Shares of Japan's Toshiba jumped 2.27% despite posting a 145.626 billion yen loss attributable to shareholders of the company ($1.326 billion) in the nine months ended Dec. 31. ECONOMIC NEWS: Japan Tertiary Industry Activity Falls 0.2% On Month In December- Japan's tertiary industry activity index fell 0.2 percent month-on-month in December, data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed on Friday. Among the major industries, transport and postal activities, wholesale trade, business services, finance and insurance, goods rental business, and electricity, gas, heat supply, water supply declined in December. Meanwhile, retail trade, living and amusement-related services, medical, health care and welfare, information and communication industry, and real estate business increased. On a yearly basis, the tertiary industry activity declined 0.8 percent in December CURRENCY NEWS: The Japanese yen, often viewed as a safe-haven currency in times of economic uncertainty, appreciated against a basket of currencies. The Japanese yen traded at 109.78 per dollar after seeing levels around 109.9 yesterday. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SALEM, Ore. Service members from two Oregon Army National Guard units received awards from Governor Kate Brown this week for their work rescuing people stranded by rampant flooding in northeastern Oregon. National Guard flight crews rescued and flew to safety 54 people, 10 dogs, one cat, and one rabbit from areas submerged by flood waters over the past week. Three Guard helicopters went into Umatilla County, where the flooding was at its worst, to support search and rescue operations. Two were Pendleton-based CH-47 Chinooks, while a third was an HH-60M Medevac Black Hawk from Salem. They rescued five people on the first evening they arrived. "I couldn't be more proud of your Oregon National Guard members and their efforts supporting flooding this month," said Major General Michael Stencel, Adjutant General forOrego. "They truly embody our core values of Character, Competence, Courage and Commitment, while demonstrating that we truly are part of our communities." RELATED: Eastern Oregon begins recovery as flood waters recede, one woman reported dead Governor Brown visited the units involved in both Salem and Pendleton this week to reward the service members involved for their efforts. "These Oregon National Guard Members took part in the largest search and rescue operation in Oregon's history," said Stephen Bomar, Director of Public Affairs, Oregon Military Department, "They did an amazing job supporting the community and saving lives." In Salem, eight members of G. Company, 1-189 Aviation were awarded the Oregon Meritorious Service medal, as well as seven members of Detachment 1 B., 1-168 Aviation from Pendleton. Three members of Detachment 1 B. received the Oregon Commendation Medal. The Oregon Military Department said that the state Office of Emergency Management was essential with search and rescue coordination efforts, as well as providing inter-agency coordination to support sustained operations throughout. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category VLV features bands and fans from over 30 countries around the globe who come to experience Rockabilly & Original 50s Music , a Classic Car Show , Burlesque Events, Vintage Fashion Show, Dance Lessons and Competition , Tiki Pool Parties, Swimsuit Contests , Pin-Up Beauty Academy, Pin-Up Contest, over 120 Vendors , a Bowling event , Tattoo Lounge and more. Some of VLV 23's attractions: Royal Crown Revue, JD McPherson, The Rhythm Shakers and The Polecats at the Car Show on Saturday, April 11th. Filmmaker and comedian John Waters will host the VLV Burlesque Showcase Friday Apr 10th at 8 :30 p.m. in the Orleans Arena. Other bands of interest this year: High Noon, Mike Sanchez, Big Sandy & Flyrite Boys, Marcel Bontempi, and many more, including international Rockabilly bands from the UK, Germany, Indonesia, Hungary, Brazil, Mexico, Australia and Canada, some of whom have never played the U.S.! The Original Stars of Rock n Roll Show is a popular attraction for fans, featuring legendary musical acts from the 50s. The Viva Las Vegas Car Show is one of the largest Classic Car shows in North America, featuring over 800 vintage cars, (pre-1964), as well as famous movie cars, a Pin-up Contest, and 5 bands. One day tickets are available for the car show. Location: The Orleans Hotel and Casino, 4500 West Tropicana Avenue, Las Vegas. Tickets are available for the event until they sell out. Passes for the 4-day festival event have sold out in advance 11 years in a row. VLV works with several other hotels to provide discounts to accommodate the fans traveling from far and wide. SOURCE Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend Related Links http://www.vivalasvegas.net While a section claimed Mrs Gandhi would remain as interim president, another said Rahul Gandhi might make a comeback at the plenary. New Delhi: Grappling with leadership issues at the helm after its rout in last years Lok Sabha polls, the Congress is likely to hold an AICC plenary in Udaipur, Rajasthan, in Aprils first week. Sources said the one-day plenary may address the need for a full-time president and organisational changes within the party. The exact date would be decided at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee to be called soon, the sources said, adding it can be anytime after the end of the Budget Session, which will be on till April 3. It may be recalled that Rahul Gandhi had resigned as Congress president, taking moral responsibility for the defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, after which the party remained headless for the next two months. After that, former party chief and former UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had taken over as interim president. While a section claimed Mrs Gandhi would remain as interim president, another said Rahul Gandhi might make a comeback at the plenary. However, Mr Gandhi has himself distanced himself from any such possibility. He also said the Congress should look beyond the Gandhi family for a president. After Mr Gandhis resignation as party chief, an all-out war had erupted within the party between the old guard and the new guard, and Mrs Gandhis taking over as the interim chief was meant to be a peace-making exercise. Recently, however, Mr Gandhi has begun an outreach to the nationsyouth through a series of rallies on economic issues and unemployment, the first of which was held in Jaipur on January 28. Besides the issue of the presidents position, the plenary may also decide to make some radical changes in the organisational structure. The demand and need for an overall organisational restructuring comes amid the huge drubbing the party got in the Delhi Assembly elections, where its voteshare plunged to a mere four per cent. With a single day off, you can end up with a four-day weekend this March. Here's how you can make the most of it. If you, like us, have any intentions of escaping the madness of the city over the Holi weekend youre in luck because here are the places where you can get away to over the weekend from Delhi. Dehradun (return tickets start at Rs 5,058) Head over to the hills to escape the Delhi pollution; your lungs will thank you for that. You could always stay around in Dehradun itself or simply take the cab and head over to Mussoorie and check into the spectacular JW Marriott for a relaxing weekend. Photograph: Md Amir Salmani / Pexels Lucknow (return tickets start at Rs 5,643) The galauti kebabs are enough reason for you to head down to Lucknow but the capital of Uttar Pradesh has much to offer in the history department too. Consider one of the many heritage walks being offered in the city and explore, not just the buildings but also, the many textile arts and the cuisine of the city of Nawabs. Photograph: Shiv S Tripathi / Flickr Khajuraho (return tickets start at Rs 8,984) The temples of Khajuraho should keep you busy for a day but once youre done with the erotic temple art, there are several places where you can get away to. Shop for saris in Chanderi (about five hours away from Khajuraho) explore the forts of Reva (about three hours away), visit the natural reserves of Panna (some 90 minutes away) or pay your respects to the queen in Jhansi (about three hours away). Theres a lot you can take away from this particular weekend trip so plan well. Photograph: Christopher Voitus / Creative Commons Kathmandu (return tickets start at Rs 9,781) With Vistara now flying to Kathmandu every day, the Nepali capital is more accessible than ever before. Walk around the city and explore the Kathmandu Darbar Square, visit the home of Nepals living goddess pay your respects at the Boudha Stupa and the Pasupatinath Temple or simply go shopping. Kathmandu has much to offer, especially for a long weekend. Photograph: Rajesh Maharjan / Pixabay Story continues Istanbul (return tickets start at Rs 23,862) The fares may be much steeper than the rest of the getaways listed here but youre unlikely to forget your trip to Istanbul. Its the city where the old meets the new, where cultures of two continents come together and where every lane and building has a story to tell. Istanbul was once the centre of the known world and has the ability to hold your attention for a long weekend no matter if you love history or food or indeed partying. Photograph: Benh LIEU SONG / Creative Commons 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: Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Lifestyle's newsletter. Northrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/14/2020 -- The increasing adoption of mesh in hernia repair surgeries, rising geriatric population, new product developments, and efficient reimbursement systems in developed countries are the major factors driving the growth of the hernia repair market. The hernia repair market is projected to reach USD 4.75 billion by 2023 from USD 4.09 billion in 2018, at a CAGR of 3.0%. The hernia mesh segment is further categorized on the basis of type and surgery. On the basis of type, this market is segmented into the synthetic and biologic mesh. In 2018, the biologic mesh segment is expected to register the highest growth rate in the hernia mesh market. The increasing number of clinical trials to establish safety and the benefits of biologic meshes coupled with technological advancements to reduce 'could be' issues with this mesh are some of the factors triggering the growth of this segment. The hernia mesh fixators market is segmented into sutures, tack applicators, and glue applicators. Among these, sutures are the most common type of mesh fixator, followed by tack applicators. However, due to the higher price of tacks, the tack applicators segment is expected to account for the largest share in the mesh fixators market in 2018. While the rising adoption of surgical glue as mesh fixators makes glue applicators the fastest growing segment in the mesh fixators market. Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=203245450 Geographical Region Covered Geographically, the global hernia repair market is segmented into four major regions, namely, North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW). In 2017, North America was the largest market for hernia mesh devices. The large share of North America in this market can be attributed to the strong demand for and adoption of hernia repair in the US. The adoption of hernia mesh devices, particularly biologic mesh devices, is the highest in the US. As these devices are priced at a premium, their high demand is resulting in large revenue generation for companies operating in the US. In addition, the majority of prominent market players operate in the North American market owing to which the access to new and advanced hernia repair is high in this regional market. Also, other factors such as the presence of a large pool of hernia patients and an efficient and favorable healthcare system are supporting the growth of the hernia repair market in North America. Request for Sample Pages @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=203245450 Leading Companies The major players in the hernia repair market profiled in this report are Covidien Plc (Medtronic Plc) (Ireland), Ethicon (Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.) (US), B. Braun Melsungen AG (Germany), C.R. Bard (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (US), W. L. Gore & Associates (US), LifeCell Corporation (Allergan) (Ireland), Maquet (Getinge AB) (Sweden), Cook Medical (US), and Integra Lifesciences (US). Other players include DIPROMED (Italy), FEG Textiltechnik mbH (Germany), Cousin Biotech (France), Herniamesh (Italy), Aspide Medical (France), TransEasy Medical (China), and Via Surgical (Israel). 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. 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Contact: Mr. Shelly Singh MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: 1-888-600-6441 sales@marketsandmarkets.com Academics at UCL have identified 18 reasons why megaprojects such as HS2 and Crossrail often fail, as well as 54 preventative solutions Academics at UCL have identified 18 reasons why megaprojects such as HS2 and Crossrail often fail, as well as 54 preventative solutions. For the first time, academics developed a systematic literature review of the causes and cures of poor megaproject performance. They identified six key themes and looked at areas where a project might fail, analysing the problems and solutions. The study, published in Project Management Journal, found that no isolated factor can account for the poor performance of megaprojects. Instead, the paper is the first to identify several causes and suggest a systemic approach to enhance understanding of megaprojects. The team list the six themes as decision-making behaviour; strategy, governance and procurement; risk and uncertainty; leadership and capable teams; stakeholder engagement and management; supply chain integration and coordination. They were found to be all of equal importance when analysing why such projects seem doomed to fail. Lead researcher Dr Juliano Denicol (UCL School of Construction & Project Management) said: "Considering the importance of megaprojects to the global economy, we aimed to deepen and extend our understanding of the causes and cures of poor megaproject performance. "We have emphasised the solutions rather than problems, in an attempt to shape the academic conversation to a more positive discourse and connect with the needs of senior managers delivering megaprojects." Megaprojects, such as the construction of airports, transport lines including railways and motorways, power plants and aerospace projects, typically cost more than US$1 billion. They are difficult to manage due to their scale, high levels of complexity and substantial impact on communities, the environment and state governments. Academics analysed over 6,000 academic summaries and filtered these down to 86 papers which were fully analysed. The findings were presented, assessed and verified in two workshops involving academics and senior practitioners from UK megaprojects including Crossrail, Thames Tideway Tunnel, High Speed Two and Hinkley Point C. The team has set a research agenda and proposed five future avenues to advance the successful delivery of megaprojects. These are: Designing the system architecture; bridging the gap with manufacturing; building and leading collaborations; engaging institutions and communities; decomposing and integrating the supply chain. Some of the largest global megaprojects include the world's biggest airport; which is the recently completed Daxing International Airport in Beijing, the world's longest rail tunnel - the Gotthard base tunnel - in Switzerland; California's High Speed Rail which connects eight of the 10 largest cities in the state; London's Crossrail, which will add 10% capacity to central London's rail network and High Speed 2, currently the biggest megaproject in Europe. The research was supported by the Project Management Institute. Mark Thurston, CEO of HS2 Ltd, said: "We at HS2 were pleased to contribute to what is an impressive and exhaustive piece of research into the world of megaprojects, covering both the practical and academic arenas. But what is really crucial is it has concluded on some key themes that those of us who wrestle with these challenges every day can apply as a useful guide to help drive success, something that both the profession and wider society will benefit from." Sue Kershaw, President of the Association for Project Management (APM), KPMG Managing Director, Major Projects Advisory, said: "This is an excellent piece of research on a subject that needs close attention: why megaprojects underperform. The findings are neatly themed and the proposals that future research should be more systemic is welcome." Professor Peter Hansford, Honorary Professor of UCL and former Chief Construction Adviser for the UK Government, said: "The success of megaprojects is vital to economies across the world. But all too frequently, they fail to satisfy their objectives in material respects - sometimes with very serious social and economic consequences. It is therefore of urgent importance to understand why megaprojects underperform and what needs to be done to prevent them doing so. This systematic literature review points the way to answering these crucial questions and proposes a clear research agenda to inform future megaproject success. It is an impressive piece of work." ### LEASING Caringbah Danish Pty Ltd has leased a 645 sq m industrial property to scaffolding and access solutions company, Site-Wide Labour Services. The landholding at 52 Woodfield Boulevard features a light industrial yard. CBREs Nick Zenonos and Nathan Egan negotiated the one-year lease, with a one-year option, at $80 per square metre. The Bathla Group has expanded its operations with the lease of a second premises in Sydneys west. Blacktown One of western Sydneys leading construction companies, the Bathla Group, has taken a three-year lease on 3 Augusta Street for a gross rent of $300,000, plus GST. The agreement on the 4,500 sq m site includes an additional three-year option, to accompany the existing base it owns in the nearby Girraween. A 2,000 sq m, freestanding building with access via three rollers doors comes with an expansive yard and easy access to the Great Western Highway, M7 and M4. CBREs Matthew Alessi and Brendan Wein managed the campaign with James Reeves from Knight Frank. We are just back from a couple of weeks with the ITLUS (Irish Tillage and Land Use Society) in Australia. The biggest thing I took from the tour was that farming isn't easy anywhere. Where we are looking for less rain, parts of Australia haven't had any decent amount of rain for years. They have to stay within water quotas and pay for most of their water. Yet I found the Australian farmers extremely optimistic. They were very quick to change crops when one wasn't working. They would rip out a crop of low-profit sugar cane. Then they would invest heavily in irrigation and plant nut trees. Everything, including borrowing, was on a huge scale. It really did us good to visit such positive farmers during our dark wet winter. We are also members of four other farmers groups. It's great to get different opinions and views. January is the time of the year to get together and look to the future, be it with a foreign study tour, discussion group or tillage conference. Some are more traditional discussion groups and we get to talk out what's happening and where we have gone right/wrong. Others are looking more to the future and outside Ireland for solutions, and they try to work out where we are going as an industry and what are the changes coming down the line and how can we work with them High on the agenda is the loss of Bravo and maybe Glyphosate in the future. What do we need to change? Looking at the bigger picture, the power of social media over the last few years has been enormous. Previously, if someone disagreed with something they saw or read, they would discuss it with those around them - now you can talk to the whole world from the phone in your hand. It is very powerful and has had a huge impact on our industry without most of us realising. Agriculture and farming had been seen in a very positive light up until recently. That has changed. Now all you have to do is put up a picture of a sprayer or a dairy bull calf and you could get a torrent of abuse. I have tried and failed to explain to many non-farmers about all the good we do, but they only want to hear about the tiny minority they have heard about on social media that give us all a bad name. The young environmental activist Greta Thunberg has been going around the world explaining that we need to change our behaviour and eating habits to save the planet as our climate changes. Her message is clear - listen to the scientists. Yet when we try and say the same in agriculture, we get told that what's on social media is more important. This makes it much more difficult for politicians to make decisions. Do they trust the science or vote with what's popular? Another debate raging on social media is whether organic farming is so much better, for human health and the environment. I'm not an environmentalist or nutritionist, so I stay out of that debate but again, when I tried to explain to non-farmers that you can't just become an organic farmer overnight, they don't believe me. You have to apply to become organic and most farmers don't get accepted. I think this year it was as low as 25pc that made the cut. It then takes years to change over. The odds are higher of being accepted into organic if you are tillage farming, but it's not guaranteed. There is still a shortage of organic feed for organic animals here in Ireland. And I am told that in some other sections of organic production, farmers are struggling to sell their products. Philip and Helen Harris are tillage farmers in Co Kildare. Follow them on twitter P&H Harris @kildarefarmer DENVER, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifetime Windows & Siding is proud to announce that the company has been recognized as the #1 dealer of Infinity from Marvin window and door products in the U.S. Lifetime is also the #1 dealer of James Hardie siding products in the Western U.S. Lifetime Windows & Siding Dan Marvin, President of Infinity from Marvin, and Tom Goldsmith, the Director of Sales and Marketing, presented Lifetime with six awards at the Executive Forum meeting on Jan. 15. In addition to achieving the top sales position, Lifetime Director of Sales Dave Thomas was recognized as Infinity's top salesperson in 2019. Headquartered in Denver with a showroom in Phoenix, Lifetime was founded by Peter Svedin and Jason Lewis in 2009. The company has been a dealer of Infinity products for over five years. Lifetime generated sales of $25 million in 2019, a 30% increase over 2018. The company's steady growth has not gone unnoticed. ColoradoBIZ magazine recognized Lifetime as a Top Colorado company in 2019 and the Denver Business Journal ranked the company as one of Colorado's fastest-growing companies in 2018. Lifetime CEO Peter Svedin said, "Lifetime is extremely proud to be an Infinity from Marvin dealer. We are fortunate to represent the best fiberglass window and door products in the country. Infinity products are an excellent fit for Colorado residents because they hold up incredibly well under our extreme weather conditions. Our goal in 2020 is to keep our sales momentum going. We're confident that we can do that working in partnership with the industry leaders at Infinity from Marvin." ABOUT LIFETIME WINDOWS & SIDING Lifetime Windows & Siding is Denver's most trusted window and siding company. The company is a proud dealer of Infinity from Marvin windows and James Hardie siding, both leaders in their respective categories. Lifetime offers the industry's only true lifetime warranty, which covers service and labor and is transferable from one owner to the next. Lifetime is endorsed by Dave Logan, former Bronco player and founder of Team Dave Logan, and Susie Wargin, Denver real estate expert and local media personality. The company is an official sponsor of the Colorado Rockies. For more information, please visit www.lifetimewindowscolorado.com or call 303-934-4508. Related Images image1.jpg Related Links Lifetime Windows & Siding SOURCE Lifetime Windows & Siding Related Links http://www.lifetimewindowscolorado.com She fled to the United States in 2018 with her father from Honduras after gang members made death threats against their family, according to attorneys. The pair settled in Crystal Lake until the missed court date last February, and an order of removal was filed for their deportation. They went to court days later and learned the hearing was rescheduled for October. At that hearing, they were separated and taken into ICE custody. Patna: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajiv Ranjan, in the wake of the party's embarrassing defeat in the Delhi election where it lost to Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) 62-8, took a shot at party's favorite punching bag Rahul Gandhi saying the Congress leader was in love with Pakistan as displayed by him over and over again. Speaking at a press conference in Patna on Thursday, the former Janata Dal-U leader who ditched his party to join the saffron party in 2015, said that 'Pakistan's Poster Boy' Rahul Gandhi's love for Pakistan was not a secret and once again, he had proven that, for the sake of power, he would not hesitate in kowtowing to India's rogue neighbor. Ranjan was referring to a tweet by Gandhi in which he used a map of India that shows Kashmir as part of Pakistan and not of India. "Gandhi should apologize to India for showing Kashmir as part of Pakistan," he said. The BJP leader further said that though Gandhi eventually took down the offensive tweet after a massive blowback, it did not erase the fact that the Congress leader was sympathetic to Pakistan and showed no loyalty to India whatsoever. "This is not the first time Rahul Gandhi has proven that he favors Pakistan over India; he has repeatedly shown his liking for Pakistan. And his close associate Shashi Tharoor is also just like him," he said. As noted, Rajiv Ranjan, a JD-U legislator from Islampur in Nalanda district, left Nitish Kumar's party and joined the BJP just days ahead of 2015 Bihar Assembly polls. He was inducted into the party by party former state chief Mangal Pandey. This is an opinion column. It probably wont surprise anyone that the folks at BamaCarry and I have some clear disagreements on some fundamental issues. I care more about the 1st Amendment. They care more about the 2nd. They believe most anyone should be able to carry a weapon most anywhere they please. I think that toting a weapon around wherever you go is a bunch of macho cowboy nonsense thats more likely to get yourself killed than it is to save your life. They believe a gun is the best way to defend your rights. I believe if you need a weapon to defend your rights, youve already lost them. But well set all that aside for another day. Because if theres one thing the folks that BamaCarry and I can agree on, its that they have a right to public records. Just like you. Just like me. Alabamas Open Records Act says every citizen is entitled to inspect public records and take copies upon request. But as the folks at BamaCarry have now learned, its never so simple. The gun rights group is now suing the City of Sumiton for public records it requested but never received. Heres how this thing started. Sumiton, in Walker County, is home of the Frog Festival. Held on the first Saturday of every October, its an event for arts and crafts, music, food, and Im guessing theres something about frogs, as Ive never been. But theres one thing you couldnt find at the Frog Festival the last couple of years guns. The event organizers posted signs at the gates saying no guns were allowed, and the BamaCarry folks, who are sensitive about such things, made a fuss about it. They suspected that the city has leased public property to Frog Festival vendors in an attempt to get around state laws that allow people to carry weapons in public. To test their theory, BamaCarry submitted a public records request to Sumiton. The group asked for all records of leases related to the Frog Festival and minutes of meetings where the Frog Festival came up, among other documents. BamaCarry asked to see these records first in October. When the city didnt respond, the group asked again in January, according to the lawsuit. Again, silence. So now BamaCarry is suing. This case shows several of the weaknesses in Alabamas Open Records Act. First, the law does not set out a timetable by which public officials must respond to requests. Other states have them. But not Alabama. Instead, our law says the government must respond in a reasonable amount of time. Too often, local governments and state agencies interpret reasonable to mean not until youve paid a lawyer to sue us. Now, there is a court precedent that says, if the government denies a request and the requestor wins in court, the plaintiff can get their legal fees back. But The folks on the other side long ago figured out that works only if theres a denial. But if they simply ignore the request, theres less risk the government will have to pay. The plaintiffs might have to eat those legal costs sometimes tens of thousands of dollars, to get something thats supposed to be free. And let me tell the folks at BamaCarry what to expect next. Now that theyve sued, Sumiton might relent. But if this fight gets to court, Sumiton will argue that this is anyones fault but theirs, that the request was too broad or too narrow or too voluminous or too burdensome. Defendants in these cases argue in court like John Belushi at the end of The Blues Brothers. I didnt have enough money for cab fare. My tux didnt come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. There was an earthquake! A terrible flood! Locusts! It wasnt my fault, swear to Gaaaaahhhd! And after that, and a few thousand dollars of legal expenses, you might get what youre looking for. But there could be a better way if a rewrite of the Open Records Act passes. State Sen. Cam Ward has filed a bill to rewrite law and cure these problems. That rewrite sets timetables by which state and local governments must respond to requests. And if a government ignores or denies a request, the new law creates a Public Records Counselor who can hear appeals and enforce the law. Appeals would cost $100, not the tens of thousands in legal fees. There are lobbyists hired by counties, municipalities and school boards who are resistant to this bill. These special interests paid with your tax dollars are quietly fighting this bill behind the scenes. But, theres an opportunity for folks to have their voices heard. Ward has scheduled a committee hearing for the bill, February 25, at 1 p.m. BamaCarry is no stranger to the Alabama State House. It has spoken out for the rights of gun owners there before. If it wants to defend the open carry rights of its members, it has an opportunity to stand up for open government, too. Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for the Alabama Media Group. You can follow his work on his Facebook page, The War on Dumb. And on Twitter. And on Instagram. See more columns and videos by Kyle Whitmire Massachusetts entire Congressional delegation including presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren blasted federal housing officials Friday for failing to seek enough money to find and remove radioactive gas from public housing. The delegation of 11 Democratic lawmakers excoriated the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in response to The Oregonian/OregonLives recent investigative report, Cancer Cloud. Massachusetts, a radon hot zone, was among the places where testing by the newsroom and its partners turned up radon in public housing. In a letter to Housing Secretary Ben Carson, the federal lawmakers said HUDs response to the investigation was inadequate. HUD for the first time requested money in its budget for radon testing and mitigation in public housing, but asked this week for only $5 million. Citing The Oregonian/OregonLives reporting, the lawmakers said the proposed funding is not nearly enough. If housing authorities are not given both funding and guidance, Americans living in federally subsidized housing will be disproportionately at risk for radon exposure, the letter reads. By choosing not to enforce radon testing and mitigation at the local level, HUD is disproportionately harming lower income Americans who do not have the ability to move. The Massachusetts voices bring to 25 the number of federal lawmakers who have pressured HUD and local housing authorities to act on the newsrooms findings. Among Massachusetts delegation, only U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern had previously weighed in on the newsrooms investigation. Federal lawmakers from Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon and Pennsylvania have now called for action or funding in response to Cancer Cloud. The investigation found that HUD has failed to protect public housing tenants from exposure to radon despite a 1988 mandate from Congress. HUD does not require radon testing in public housing and only began strongly encouraging it in 2013. Exposure to radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in America, estimated to kill 21,000 people annually. The Oregonian/OregonLive surveyed 64 housing authorities across the country and found that fewer than one in three could produce testing records. Some agencies that conducted testing didnt fix units with problems, leaving tenants to breath radioactive air. HUD has repeatedly tried to deflect blame to local housing authorities. Hours after the investigation published online in November, the agency sent an email reminder to every housing authority in the country about the importance of testing. Quite frankly, the Massachusetts officials wrote in their letter Friday, an email will not suffice. The lawmakers, including Warren, the states senior senator, said they believe HUD is directly responsible for protecting Americans in public housing and must take action. Numerous counties across eastern Massachusetts are at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys highest classification for radon risk. The government estimates that a typical home in these areas will have 4 or more picocuries of radiation per liter of air -- the point at which the EPA recommends installing a specialized radon removal system. Yet the newsrooms investigation found that Massachusetts housing authorities have a pronounced problem addressing radon. Of the seven agencies contacted by the newsroom, five conducted no testing. One claimed to have tested but could not produce records. The only agency with testing results, in Cambridge, Mass., found high radon in some units. The Oregonian/OregonLive also partnered with MassLive.com, and reporters conducted radon testing in public housing owned by the Worcester Housing Authority, which had not previously checked. That limited sampling produced a test result showing high radon in one unit that was used an in-home day care. Alex Corrales, the housing authority executive director, initially told The Oregonian/OregonLive that he didnt plan to test that specific unit but would consider if wider testing was warranted. Asked last week what steps the housing authority has since taken, or whether a decision to test had been made, Corrales said he had no update to share. -- Brad Schmidt; bschmidt@oregonian.com; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. When it comes to regional cuisine around the United States, food from Louisiana may just have some of the boldest and most distinctive flavors. Were not just talking about Cajun and Creole cuisine, which use the Holy Trinity of onions, bell peppers and celery, fresh shellfish and rich roux that stew for hours. Were also talking about poboys, muffaletta, beignets and all of those delicious dishes youll find in New Orleans. Fortunately, you dont have to travel all the way to Louisiana to try the states signature cuisine these recipes will allow you to make them in the comfort of your own home. Julian Smith's sacking after just 204 days as Northern Ireland secretary yesterday could be followed by Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney's departure in the coming weeks. This will deliver a fresh start - as they're fond of saying in Northern Ireland - when it comes to the two figures in both governments who will be responsible for ensuring that power-sharing endures after it was finally put back together last month. The identity of the person on the Irish Government side who will succeed Mr Coveney is still far from being determined. Boris Johnson has appointed his ally Brandon Lewis, a former Tory party chair and security minister, to succeed Mr Smith. He has previously visited the Border and met businesses in Belfast over their concerns about Brexit. Expand Close Tanaiste Simon Coveney. Photo: Conor McCabe / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tanaiste Simon Coveney. Photo: Conor McCabe For the time being Mr Lewis will work with Mr Coveney who remains in his position, albeit on a caretaker basis until a new government is formed. It is conceivable that the Fine Gael deputy leader could return to the role in the next government if his party is involved. No one in Ireland argues he has done a bad job over the last three years. He forged a strong relationship with Mr Smith over the past eight months as they worked with the Northern Ireland parties to deliver a deal that both men announced late on a chilly January night outside Stormont. The five parties had little choice but to endorse what the two men put forward following a three-year hiatus that had infuriated voters north of the Border. Their hand was strengthened by the DUP's diminished role in Westminster where Boris Johnson's super majority meant the unionists' confidence and supply deal with the Tories was dead. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein was keen to get back to business at Stormont and show it could govern - a task it may now also undertake in the Republic following a stunning General Election victory. But Mr Smith's solid work was never going to save him. His unceremonious sacking by Mr Johnson yesterday morning was a result of Conservative Party internal politics and the Tories' desire to pursue a harder line on legacy issues. The party's general election manifesto pledged to protect UK armed forces veterans from legal action. Having trailed this on the front of the Tory-supporting 'Daily Telegraph' in the middle of the election campaign, Mr Johnson has little choice but to follow through on the promise. But the new Stormont deal hammered out by Mr Smith proposes to press ahead with measures to deal with legacy issues, including criminal investigations and potential prosecutions of British military personnel involved in The Troubles. In the hours leading up to Mr Smith's departure there were briefings from the PM's camp which claimed Mr Smith had not kept Downing Street informed of the process and details of the deal. This was dismissed as "absolute crap" by Mr Smith's allies. His departure was lamented in Dublin where Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pointedly tweeted: "In 8 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 Britain's finest politicians of our time. Thank you." Mr Coveney thanked Mr Smith "for your trust, friendship and courage". The strictures of their offices prevented them from being as forthright as former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who said it was "sour grapes" because of the job he had done for Theresa May, whom he served as chief whip when she tried and failed to get Brexit done. "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," he told RTE Radio. Even Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald appeared concerned at the sacking of Mr Smith, saying it could be "the British state rowing back on dealing with issues of legacy". "It does help if you have some level of continuity in terms of the person you are dealing with," she said. It's far cry from how Sinn Fein has spoken of previous occupants of the office - most-recently the gaffe-prone Karen Bradley. Perhaps because it could yet end up working with Mr Smith's successor North and south. An internal investigation found that a Toms River middle school teacher had no intention of offending or degrading students when he had them reenact a plantation scene as part of a lesson on the horrors of slavery. The district has concluded its investigation into a complaint alleging that an Intermediate East eighth-grade social studies lesson on slavery was degrading to students, read a statement released by the Toms River Regional School District on Friday. We have determined that it was not teacher Lawrence Cuneos intention to offend his students," the statement added. "Rather, the purpose of the instruction was that this appalling but nevertheless real facet of our nations history more fully resonate with students. Aside from teaching history, Cuneo is the mayor of the Borough of Pine Beach. The reenactment, in which students role-played slaves picking cotton while the teacher imitated the sound of a whip cracking, came to light earlier this week, after a student had called the school principal to complain on Monday, when the student also posted about it on social media, according to district officials. Word of the districts conclusions comes as support for Cuneo grows, at least on a Change.org petition, which had attracted more than 2,300 signatures as of midday Friday, some appearing to be from students, following its launch three days earlier. But not every reaction to the incident has been supportive of Cuneo. When informed of the incident by a reporter this week, Ocean County-Lakewood NAACP President Fred Rush said the reenactment was inappropriate regardless of the educational intent, and regardless of the race of the students or the teacher involved. Cuneo and the student who complained are white. Cuneo, who has not responded to requests for comment from NJ Advance Media, told radio station New Jersey 101.5 that the lesson was meant to show students how degrading and despicable slavery was. The district has not said whether any action had been taken against Cuneo, or even whether he remained in the classroom this week, though the mayors office in Pine Beach said on Friday and earlier in the week that he was unavailable because he was working in the district. The statement clearing Cuneo of any ill intentions did say that district staff were reexamining the slavery curriculum. District leaders, curriculum directors, and teachers, including Mr. Cuneo, are working together to revisit the delivery of instruction to ensure it meets the needs, and accounts for the sensitivities, of all students, the statement read. The district maintains that all personnel matters remain confidential. To help districts and individual teachers develop their own lesson plans on slavery, a state panel known as the Amistad Commission offers curriculum resources, a summer institute for teachers and other programs, along with recommendations for appropriate books for students. Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. A research conducted by two biologists from the University of California, Los Angeles, has revealed that a ghost population of ancient humans inhabited in West Africa nearly half a million years ago. Scientists are of the opinion that traces of the genes of these mysterious population can still be found in people, reported CNN. The researchers made this discovery while analysing a set of west African genome, wherein one-fifth of their DNA seemed to belong to missing relatives. Based on this finding, they arrived at the idea that aeons ago, west Africans must have interbred with a population of archaic human we are yet to learn about. This phenomenon that mirrors the ancient European interbreeding with Neanderthals, must have taken place tens of thousands of years ago. The study published in the journal Science Advances mentions that this ancient ghost population possibly diverged from modern humans much before the Neanderthals disbanded. The researchers -- Arun Durvasula and Sriram Sankararaman say they might have drifted away sometime between 3,60,000 to one million years ago. They also claimed that two to 19 percent of the DNA from modern West Africans come from this ghost population, just like Neanderthal DNA exists in modern European humans and Denisovan DNA is found in Oceanic populations. The researchers studied the genome maps of West African ethnic population hailing from three countries, namely Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and the Gambia. A total of 405 West African genomes were compared with that of Neanderthal and Denisovan genomes to find out if they interbred with the unknown hominin (ghost population). 'We would try our best that the temple structure becomes visible in the next two years.' IMAGE: A model of the proposed Ram temple in Ayodhya. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters Kameshwar Chaupal wanted to pursue an academic career after completing his post graduation and joined a college in Bihar's Madhubani district in the early 1980s. After he encountered a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh pracharak, he joined the RSS. Chaupal left his teaching job and joined the RSS as a wholetimer. Later, he was deputed to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Last week, Chaupal was appointed a member of the the Shri Ramjanmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra, the 15- member trust which will oversee construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Chaupal is the only Dalit and only political leader in the trust. Chaupal spent many years working as a Vishwa Hindu Parishad wholetimer in undivided Bihar, mainly in the tribal-dominated rural areas that are now located in present day Jharkhand. On November 9, 1989, he laid the first brick for the foundation of the proposed Ram temple in Ayodhya. Later, Chaupal was asked to join the BJP and contested the 1991 Lok Sabha election from the Rosera reserved seat in Bihar. He was defeated by Ram Vilas Paswan, currently a member of Narendra Damodardas Modi's Cabinet. He contested the 1995 and 2000 Bihar assembly elections from the Bakhri reserved seat, but was defeated. After unsuccessfully contested elections thrice, he was twice elected a member of Bihar's legislative council. He contested the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Supaul, but was defeated by Congress candidate Ranjeeta Ranjan, Chaupal, 65, belongs to Bihar's Chaupal Dalit community. He was born in a poor family in a remote village in flood-prone Supaul district. Upbeat and confident that the Ram temple construction will commence on Ramnavmi in early April, Chaupal spoke to Rediff.com Contributor Imran Khan at his home in Patna, ahead of the first meeting of the trust on February 19. You are the only Dalit member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra, you are also the only political leader in the trust. Can you tell why the government chose you? It was a moment of good luck when I was informed that I was chosen a member of this trust. I have been associated with the movement for construction of the Ram temple for 36 years and was chosen by Hindu sants to lay the first brick for construction of the temple in 1989. I am the only Dalit in the trust and I was chosen by Prime Minister Narendra (Damodardas) Modi and Union Home Minister Amit (Anilchandra) Shah. There is no denying the fact that I am the only political leader who is a member of the trust. I am an active BJP leader. Being Hindu is the first and primary condition for becoming a member of the trust. It is true to some extent that my Dalit background helped me become a member. It mainly contributed to my entry in the trust. Apart from this, my commitment and devotion for the construction of the temple were also taken into consideration. Look, I am an accidental politician because I was and I am more interested to devote my life in the service of the marginalised as an RSS pracharak. My interest was not in politics. I am not fit for politics, but when I was asked by the RSS to join active politics in the early 1990s, I had to do it. Till 1991, I was working as a wholetimer of the VHP and never thought that one day I would join the BJP and become a leader. Did you expect after you performed the shilanyas for the Ram temple 30 years ago that the temple would become a reality in your lifetime? Certainly not. I never thought it would be possible in my lifetime, but I was hopeful that one day a temple would be constructed in Ayodhya. There was a time when so-called historians and intellectuals were not ready to accept Lord Ram as a historical figure. He was described as a mythological hero and they rejected the idea of his birthplace in Ayodhya. Now even the Supreme Court has accepted it and things have been cleared for construction of the temple. I was 35 when I laid the first brick on November 9, 1989 during the shilanyas. I was then working in Bihar's Gaya district as a VHP wholetimer. I was part of the first yatra in Sitamarhi district, consider the birthplace of Sita, to mobilise support for the Ram temple. This took place in the mid 1980s, during the initial days of the movement for construction of the temple Ahead of the shilanyas I collected bricks from thousands of people in Gaya and arrived in Ayodhya to contribute as a kar sevak without knowing that I would become part of a historic moment when VHP leader Ashok Singhal chose me for the shilanyas. IMAGE: Kameshwar Chaupal. Photograph: Imran Khan Why was L K Advani, who led the Ram temple movement from the late 1980s till a decade ago, not made a member of this trust? If Advaniji was made a member of the trust, an unnecessary controversy would have cropped up because Advanjiji is an accused in the case related to the Babri Masjid demolition. Advaniji was kept away from the trust rightly by those who decided to ensure no further dispute or controversy for construction of the temple. Who will fund the temple construction? Money for construction of the temple would come from society. Each person in each village and town will donate. The trust has to come out with solid management to collect money full of transparency. Transparency in the matter of fund collection is a must. Will construction of the temple start this year? It is my wish that construction of the temple should start as soon as possible. It is likely to commence in early April. We would try our best that the temple structure becomes visible in the next two years. Prayers would start as soon as possible for devotees. It is God's work. I am confident that it will be done. We want that the foundation for the construction of the temple should be laid by Prime Minister Modi, the way President Rajendra Prasad laid the foundation stone of the Somnath temple. CITY HALL -- The Islands Democratic Party boss Assemblyman Michael Cusick has endorsed former Mayor Michael Bloomberg for president, making him the third borough lawmaker to throw their support behind the former mayor in his White House bid. "As mayor of New York, Mike Bloomberg created 400,000 new jobs, helped Staten Island create one of the largest parks in the city on the former Freshkills landfill, and restored confidence in our city following the September 11th attacks," said Cusick. "As president, Mike will ensure our children will have a viable future through environmental stewardship and a commitment to smart economic development. I know we can count on Mike to tackle our biggest problems, which is why he has my support during this competitive race, Cusick continued. In the last month, Rep. Max Rose, state Sen. Diane Savino and a number of other New York lawmakers have also endorsed the former mayor. Cusicks endorsement comes as Bloomberg recently came under fire for defending the controversial stop-and-frisk policy in remarks he made in 2015 at the Aspen Institute that were leaked this week. 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 can be heard saying. They are male, minorities, 16 to 25. When Bloomberg was elected to his first term as mayor in 2002, he garnered 77 percent of the boroughs vote, owing his citywide victory largely to Staten Island voters. Bloomberg backed Roses predecessor former Republican Rep. Daniel Donovan in his unsuccessful 2010 bid for state attorney general. In 2018, Bloomberg also donated $5,400, the maximum amount for individual donors, to Donovans congressional bid in the lead up to the Republican primary where the former Island congressman faced off against ex-GOP Rep. Michael Grimm. The billionaire has presented himself as a centrist candidate but has faced criticism for some of the positions he held when he was the citys mayor, the stop-and-frisk program and the push to ban large-sized sugary drinks. Bloomberg attempted to address the stop-and-frisk concerns during a campaign speech in Brooklyn last year. I was wrong, Bloomberg said before the Christian Cultural Center, a predominantly black megachurch. And I am sorry. The former mayor paid a visit to the Island in early December to attend the Iron Hills Civic Associations annual holiday dinner at the Richmond County Country Club. Like Mike, Assembly member Cusick is a proven leader on energy and voting reform, two issues important to Americans across the country, said John Calvelli, the state director of Bloombergs 2020 campaign. He has been an agent of transformative change in the New York State Assembly and, with his help, we will be able to reach even more voters on Staten Island. We are proud to welcome Assembly member Cusick to the campaign and will use his support to continue to spread Mikes message throughout his district and beyond. FOLLOW SYDNEY KASHIWAGI ON TWITTER. Cyber Chasse Inc is one of the growing cyber security firms in U.S. Being in the industry for a pretty long time, they have seen a steady growth since inception. The company is investing significantly in further growth from increased hiring to training programs and staffing solutions. In the coming years, the company expects to add new entities and enhance its service offerings to job seekers and employers. Cyber Chasse Staffing, head quartered in Florida offers a wide range of workforce solutions that include contract staffing, online training, placement assistance and more. They provide the right talent at any level at the right time to the companies. Anil Jayaprakash, Director of Cyber Chasse Staffing says, Business is not run by one person, its done by a team of highly skilled people. They work with the aim of providing stellar professionals to exceed the expectations of the clients. A top-notch service is offered by a team of experienced recruiters who goes an extra mile to bring the right candidate from across the globe. Ivin, CEO of Cyber Chasse said, We value all our clients irrespective of their business or organization size. We believe they can grow exponentially at any point of time with the right candidate. I am honored to have led Cyber Chasse for the last 2 years. We have successfully integrated two proud cultures this year while maintaining the annual growth. In all that we have accomplished till date, Ananya Banerjee, Talent Management Director, has been one of the leaders driving our success and whose leadership will take us to greater heights." Cyber Chasse Staffing also takes an extra effort of training the candidates before recruiting them to ensure that the candidates possess the required knowledge. They provide flexible staffing solutions to meet the temporary or permanent staffing requirement of organizations of all sizes. Anil Jayaprakash said he was happy with the progress in the last two years. Our team have done a tremendous job of building a leading staffing firm across the booming technologies like Cyber Security, Splunk, CyberArk, etc. With the continued leadership and support of the team of Cyber Chasse, we expect to continue our growth and success. About Cyber Chasse Staffing Cyber Chasse Staffing is the growing cyber security staffing firms in the USA that help companies to hire the best talent in the industry. They follow unique strategies to recruit the qualified professionals who are crucial for achieving a business goal. They provide quality talents at any level on any platform at any time. About Cyber Chasse Cyber Chasse is a cyber security firm located in Florida that provides a wide range of cyber security services. They strive to keep on top of the latest security trends and proactively suggest customized solutions to empower its clients IT infrastructure. or more information, go to https://cyberchasse.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cyberchasse/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cyber-chasse-inc/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/cyber_chasse?lang=en Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cyberchasse/ Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be celebrating Valentines Day away from the royal spotlight. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently staying in a fancy home on Vancouver Island following their dramatic exit from the royal family in January. While we probably wont see Harry and Meghan step out in public anytime soon, inside sources say that Harry will be putting his culinary skills to the test this Valentines Day. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | Chris Jackson/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle enjoy a quieter life in Canada Harry and Meghan have spent the past few months in Canada as they look to lead a more private life following Megxit. Although it still isnt clear if the couple plans on making Canada their second home, a source claims that they are loving the area. The insider revealed that Harry could not be happier with his decision to step down as a senior member of the royal family. Meghan reportedly feels the same way and loves not being the center of attention in London. "They are enjoying living a quiet life. They go for long walks, they do yoga, and Meghan cooks. They are real homebodies who love to chill out with Archie and the dogs. Harry doesn't care about the titles," said a source close to the couple. #sussexsquad https://t.co/kBZJjkGfaM Duchess Blanche Devereaux (@shynews1) February 5, 2020 The source added that Prince Harry and Meghan enjoy going on long walks on Vancouver Island and love that they are not constantly being bothered by the paparazzi. One of Harry and Meghans favorite things to do in Canada is go on long walks in the woods with Archie and their dogs without being disturbed. Its a lifestyle Harrys never experienced before, and hes loving every minute of it, a source claimed. Without the fear of being hounded by the British tabloids, Harry and Meghan can also raise their son, Archie Harrison, in peace. How does Meghan Markle feel about Valentines Day? Prince Harry and Meghan have not commented on the reports surrounding their new life in Canada. They also have not announced what they plan on doing for Valentines Day, though an old blog post of Meghan sheds some light on how she feels about the romantic holiday. Writing for her old blog, The Tig, Meghan revealed that she is a major sucker for Valentines Day. Without fail, every February 14th, I wake up feeling like Im immersed in a Robert Doisneau photo, waiting with bated breath to be dipped into a kiss, she wrote. This is all happening in black and white, of course. Meghan Markle once described her ideal Valentines Day, and it could reveal how she and Harry will spend it this year https://t.co/6pl3ETtWTK The Sun (@TheSun) February 12, 2020 Meghan added that she is not a big fan of expensive gifts on Valentines Day. Instead, the former Suits star loves more subtle displays of affection, such as a short love note, a flower, or even breakfast in bed. There is no telling what Prince Harry has planned for Valentines Day in 2020, but a source claims that he will be putting his culinary skills to the test which sounds like something Meghan is going to love. Prince Harry plans a romantic dinner for Meghan Markle Although Harry and Meghan are loving their time in Canada, they are not planning on going out on the town for Valentines Day. According to Closer Weekly, a source says that the Sussexes are planning on staying inside over the holiday and keeping things very private. Harry and Meghan are planning to have a low-key Valentines Day in Vancouver, the insider shared. That doesnt mean it wont be special though. Meghans been giving Harry cooking lessons and hes planning to put his culinary skills to the test by whipping up a pot roast dinner. Queen Elizabeth Requests Meghan Markle, Prince Harry & Baby Archie's Return to U.K. for Royal Event https://t.co/0ia1oD19sb People (@people) February 9, 2020 The insider went on to reveal that Prince Harry will be creating a romantic atmosphere to go along with his dinner. The kitchen at the home they are staying in is reportedly very nice, and Harry plans on taking full advantage of the setting. Unfortunately, fans probably wont get a glimpse of the dinner unless Harry and Meghan share some photos on social media. With the two wanting to live a quieter life, the chances of that happening are slim. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle protect Archie While we wait to learn more about Harry and Meghans sweet Valentines Day plans, the two have been keeping busy raising their son, Archie. Archie is only a few months away from his first birthday, and the Sussexes are reportedly happy that they dont have to protect him anymore from the stress that comes with being a part of the royal family. Meghan and Prince Harry have been very protective of Archies privacy over the past year. That will likely continue as the couple sets down roots in North America, though their exit has also opened up some new opportunities for Archie as he gets older. Archie, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Eight-Month-Old, Just Saw Snow for the First Time https://t.co/HkjOVO2dwO https://t.co/9GdyT6S4me The Royal Baby (@ARoyalBaby) February 13, 2020 When they were living in England, sources say that Meghan was planning on homeschooling Archie to keep him out of the spotlight. But now that they are no longer members of the royal family, Meghan wants to put Archie in a nursery. But now theyve moved to Canada, theyre planning to send Archie to nursery once hes old enough. Meghan thinks its important for her little boy to interact with other kids, an insider stated. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, of course, have not commented on the reports surrounding Archie. Their exit from the royal family is expected to become official this spring, though they might return to the UK for one last royal engagement before then. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2020) - Backstageplay Inc. (TSXV: BP) (FSE: DOZB) (OTC Pink: PRYNF) (the "Company") announces that in accordance with the Company's Articles, its Board of Directors has authorized the implementation of a share consolidation of the Company's common shares on the basis of two (2) pre-consolidation common shares for one (1) post-consolidated common share (the "Consolidation"). The Consolidation will provide the Company with a better capital structure in order to attract financing and other transaction-based opportunities. The Consolidation is subject to regulatory approval. The approximately 26,693,373 common shares of the Company currently outstanding will be reduced to approximately 13,346,686 common shares. No fractional shares will be issued. Any fractional shares resulting from the consolidation of the Common Shares shall be converted such that each fractional Common Share remaining after conversion that is less than one-half of a Common Share be cancelled and each fractional Common Share that is at least one-half of a Common Share be changed to one whole Common Share. The exact number of post-consolidated common shares will vary depending on the treatment of fractional shares, which will occur when each shareholder's holdings in the Company are consolidated. Outstanding stock options and warrants would similarly be adjusted by the consolidation ratio. The Company will not be changing its name or trading symbol in connection with the Consolidation. The Common Shares will continue to be traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the Company's current name and under its current stock symbol "BP" on a post-consolidated basis. The Company will provide further details of the regulatory approval process in due course. This news release was prepared on behalf of the Board of Directors. The Company also announced that it will complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"), pursuant to which the Company will issue up to 2,500,000 common shares (the "Shares") at $0.10 per Share (on a post-consolidation basis) for gross proceeds of up to $250,000. All securities sold in the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and a day from the date of issuance. The Company may pay a finder's fee on the Offering within the maximum amount permitted by the policies of the TSXV exchange. The Company may complete multiple closings of the Offering, as subscriptions are received. Each closing is subject to a number of conditions, including receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals. The total proceeds from the Offering will be used for general corporate working capital. Finally, the Company announced that that it has approved the grant of 1,000,000 stock options to directors and officers at an exercise price of $0.10 per share (all on a post-consolidated basis), all of which have been made in accordance with the Company's 10% rolling stock option plan, which received shareholder approval at the Company's most recent annual general meeting. There is no material fact or material change related to the Company that has not been generally disclosed. The Offering remains subject to exchange approval. Please visit our corporate website at www.backstageplay.com. For further information please contact: Scott White, CEO +1 (416) 704-6611 swhite@backstageplay.com Sean Hodgins, CFO +1 (778) 318 1514 sean@tandemig.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 release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52445 Governments were on Thursday urged to do more to protect children from the effects of war and serious violence, after a new report suggested record numbers were living in a conflict zone. Save the Children said wars were becoming more dangerous for children, with youngsters facing an increased risk of death and injury, being recruited by armed groups or sexual abuse. "It's staggering that the world stands by while children are targeted with impunity," the charity's chief executive Inger Ashing said in a statement to accompany the report. "Since 2005, at least 95,000 children were recorded to have been killed or maimed, tens of thousands of children abducted, and millions of children denied access to education or health services after their hospitals were attacked." Ashing warned that "the destruction of children's lives" will continue if nothing is done and those responsible for crimes are not brought to account. - Record numbers - The report said nearly one in six children around the world -- some 415 million children -- were living in a conflict zone in 2018, more than double the figure recorded in 1995. Incidents of "grave violations" against them had risen by 170 percent since 2010, the "Stop the War on Children" study found. African children were the worst affected, with 170 million living in war zones, although a higher proportion were hit in the Middle East, where almost one in three were surrounded by conflict. The report also found record numbers of children being subjected to grave violations: killing and maiming; recruitment by armed forces; abduction; attacks on schools or hospitals; denial of humanitarian access; and rape and other forms of sexual violence. For individual countries, the situation was worst in Afghanistan followed by Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq and Mali. Different threats faced by boys and girls was analysed for the first time. "Girls are at far higher risk of sexual and other forms of gender-based violence, including child, early and forced marriage," the study found. "Boys are much more likely to be exposed to killing and maiming, abductions and recruitment," it added. - Kidnapping, child soldiers - Victims from both genders recounted their experiences in the report, including Samira, a 15-year-old Yazidi girl from Iraq who is mother to a two-year-old child. She was kidnapped with her mother and sisters in 2016, kept in captivity and sold to at least three people who beat and sexually assaulted her. She was then forced into marriage with an Islamic State fighter and gave birth, returning home while her child remained under the care of authorities in Syria. "I would prefer to stay in slavery and live in camps my whole life rather than leave my child," she was quoted as saying. "I did not want to leave her to live without (her) mother or to live the life that I lived. I wanted to give her the rights that I have been denied as a child." Another recounted how a young boy called Peter was recruited by an armed group in South Sudan before escaping to Uganda. "They gave us weapons for shooting," he said. "They trained you how to load a gun, how to put in the bullet and release the trigger for the gun to shoot. "My heart was happy when I arrived in Uganda," he added. "I saw schools and hospitals. I was excited and said, 'this is the place where you can at least study and get medication whenever you are sick'." Five-year-old Mariam receives treatment at a hospital in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province in 2019 Graphic charting children affected by deadly conflict, according to a new report released by Save the Children. The bodies of nine civilians, children and adults, killed in an air strike in Syria's rebel-held northern Aleppo province on February 3, 2020 UNITED NATIONS Some 250 million children live in countries affected by conflict, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the U.N. Security Council this week. And he said 2018 saw more than 12,000 children killed or injured as a result of those conflicts, the highest number since 1996. Speaking on the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, the U.N. chief said children below age 18 constitute more than 50% of the population of most countries affected by war, and are among the most vulnerable, unable to protect themselves from its impact. Guterres said more than 24,000 violations against children were documented and verified in 2018, up from 21,000 in 2017. He said global campaigns, including Children, Not Soldiers and the new Act to Protect have helped get out the message that children should never be used in conflict, but the figures continue to rise. The secretary-general urged all countries to take concrete actions to make the protection of children affected by conflict a priority. The Security Council approved a presidential statement launching new guidance for mediators that aims to ensure that childrens needs and rights are considered during all phases of conflict from prevention to mediation, peace negotiations and post-conflict recovery. Jo Becker, addressing the council on behalf of the Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict, which is a global network of organizations devoted to protecting the rights of these children, said that in reality, peace agreements that address child protection are still rare. She said the Watchlist conducted an analysis of cease-fire and peace agreements going back to 1999, and of 445 documents, fewer than 18% included child protection provisions. Edith M. Lederer is an Associated Press writer. Never, ever forget... "Atrocious" isn't a harsh enough word to describe the Holocaust! I read the following recently and pass it along to you: "In his remarks at the opening back in October, PROKOPIOS PAVLOPOULOS, president of the Hellenic Republic, noted that at a time when admirers of Nazism and fascism are emerging again in Europe, the need to remember that the Holocaust was the most atrocious crime against humanity is critical. President Pavlopoulos highlighted the need to remember, for the sake of humanity, that the Holocaust was the most atrocious crime of all because it insulted human existence itself and totally discredited the value of human life and individual freedom and dignity. The once large, vibrant and active Jewish community of Thessaloniki was almost totally wiped out by the atrocities of the Nazi forces and their collaborators during the dark years of World War II. 'It can never happen again, at any cost,' Pavlopoulos declared, adding his hope that the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki will serve as a beacon for the fulfillment of the self-evident and permanent duty to remember those crimes against humanity. DAVID SALTIEL, the president of the Jewish community of Thessaloniki, expressed his appreciation to the president, adding 'We consider your presence here another contribution of the Greek State and of you personally against anti-Semitism in an international environment that tends to forget the atrocities of the past.' Saltiel is also the president of the WJC affiliate Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece. The Jewish Pavilion... The Jewish Pavilion claims to "enrich the lives of residents in elder-care communities." I know this to be a true fact! They are a bridge from our Jewish community here in Central Florida to scores and scores of seniors living in independent assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, and rehab facilities. They and their staff and volunteers keep Jewish culture alive, celebrating holidays and events. To learn more about the Jewish Pavilion or to donate to their enriching programs, phone 407-678-9363. I promised to repeat this event... It's happening tonight and so well-worth repeating. Tonight, Feb. 14th at 7:30 p.m., a Scout Shabbat, hosted by Temple Israel will take place at 50 South Moss Road, Winter Springs. All scouts, their families and friends in Central Florida are welcome to celebrate with Troop 641 and Pack 641 on their 40th anniversary. To RSVP and for more information, phone 407-647-3055. The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando... Attention Jewish women! The night of Thursday, Feb. 27, hundreds of Central Florida Jewish women will gather at Congregation Ohev Shalom for Choices, Orlando's largest women's social gathering of the year! Since 1994, Choices has been a showcase for women's philanthropy in the Central Florida Jewish community. It's a gala event where women celebrate, socialize and inspire, all in support of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. This year's guest speaker (who also inspired the theme) is best-selling author JANICE KAPLAN whose latest book, "The Genius of Women," will be released this month. At Choices you will get to hear Janice speak about some of the extraordinary women who have helped to forge the path we all are on today. "The Genius of Women" will change the way you look at women's achievements. (P.S.-Janice has received raves for her inspiring, funny and energetic talks!) (I like "funny." I want to attend!) The event is scheduled from 5:30 until 9 p.m. For further information, phone 407-298-4650. Just saying... One of the reasons I love my profession as a vocalist is that many of the songs I sing were written by Jewish composers and lyricists. Here's another (I just found out about and since his birthday is tomorrow, I thought I would mention it!) Harold Arlen, who wrote too many familiar hit songs to list (including "Over the Rainbow"), was born Hyman Arluck, a talented Jewish mensch! A PJ Library event... Symphony Storytime Series, "Hansel and Gretel" will be performed at the Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Avenue, Orlando. on Feb. 23rd. This is a public event by the PJ Library of Greater Orlando. The times are from 1:40 p.m. until 3:30pm. For tickets JCC39ers Cinema Sundays... On Feb. 16th in the Maitland JCC Senior Lounge, beginning at 2 pm., "Operation Finale" will be shown, starring Oscar Isaac and Ben Kingsley. Refreshments are available. JCC39ers Terrific Thursdays... On Feb. 20th, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with "Bring Your Own Lunch." Yiddish Circle with VICTOR and BATYA GRANATSTEIN, starting at 1 p.m. One for the road... Irving arrives home from work one evening and noticing that his daughter Sharon is nowhere to be seen says to his wife, Rebecca, "Nu? So where's Sharon?" "She's in her bedroom," replies Rebecca, abruptly. "We had another argument." Irving goes upstairs to see whether he can sort things out. "What's the matter, Sharon?" he asks. Harold Arlen "It's mommy, dad," replies Sharon. "She keeps on and on at me for not being married already. All she does is kvetch and kvetch. It's driving me crazy. I just won't rush into marriage until I find someone really special. Please talk to her, dad." "I'll do my best," replies Irving. "I'll mention our little conversation to mommy as soon as the right moment comes along." "Thanks dad," says Sharon. That night, when they're in bed, Rebecca says to Irving, "So what did our daughter have to say to you earlier?" "She said you're always on her back about her not being married," Irving replies. "I think you should leave her alone. She's still only 21 and she's waiting until the right man comes along." "Why should she have to wait for the right man?" says Rebecca. "I didn't when I got married." (Oy vay! Enough said!) Review at a glance I s Kevin Parker, AKA Tame Impala, stuck in the past or moving on? On The Slow Rush, the answer is both. Its a dazzling, dizzying voyage of retrofuturism, giddy with optimism, yet troubled by gnawing regret. Some things have certainly been abandoned barely an echo of his early psych-rock remains. Instead, the Aussie forges deep, technicolour grooves, powered by hip-hop, funk and disco, with flickers of acid house and tropicalia. The layered synths are often subtle, sometimes fierce. Opening track One More Year is a heady swirl of choppy psychedelia, dark disco, piano house and bongos. Initially its bewildering, but with patience, it becomes sublime. That musical conviction stays strong throughout. Lyrically, though, hes conflicted. On Instant Destiny, he revels in getting a tattoo of his lovers name, but on Is It True, he falters: I tell her Im in love with her/But how can I know Ill always be? Posthumous Forgiveness deals with a late, estranged father. Parker chastises his selfishness, and then after a thrashing catharsis of metallic synths tenderly accepts those failings: Wanna play you all my songs/Hear your voice sing along. Parker is clearly still working it all out, but with this release, he has taken a superbly assured forward step. LONDON When we first see him, Mr. Knightley is completely naked. Later, Emma Woodhouse warms her exposed backside by a roaring fire. In the couples climactic romantic scene, blood gushes from Emmas nose. In moments like these, the new film adaptation of Jane Austens Emma, which opens in British theaters on Friday, seems like a bold departure from its restrained source. The list of names involved in the film is a directory of buzzy millennial talent, suggesting a 21st-century take on the 1815 novel. And the trailer echoes recent spiky, comic period dramas like The Favourite. But this new version of Austens frequently adapted work is, in fact, a rather faithful and straightforward adaptation. With a screenplay by the novelist Eleanor Catton, the youngest winner of the Booker Prize, this is the feature film debut for Autumn de Wilde, whos previously shot an album cover for The White Stripes and a music video for Florence and the Machine. The soundtrack is by Isobel Waller-Bridge, who also wrote the ecclesiastical choral score for the second season of her sister Phoebes show Fleabag. The worlds largest species of cave fish measuring over 40cm or around one and a half feet in length have been found inside a remote cave in Meghalayas Jaintia Hills. Details of the find have been published in an article by four researchers in the November 2019 issue of Cave and Karst Science, a journal published by the British Cave Research Association. The fish, related to the Golden Mahseer but has no eyes and is white due to lack of melanin pigmentation, was found in a cave located in a remote and densely forested area in Jaintia Hills region of Meghalaya by a team of international and local researchers in February last year. There are 250 known species of fish found under the earths surface. As they live in a nutrient-limited environment most of these species are small195 of them have a mean length of 8.5cm. The only two species, which exceed 30cm, are eel-like and have very thin bodies. It has always been assumed that cave fishes exceeding 350mm (35cm) would be most unlikely on resource grounds but this has now been shown to be spectacularly wrong, said the article. The fish discovered in Meghalaya in February 2019 is not only substantially longer than the longest previously known species but is considerably more bulky with a body mass likely to exceed that of the next largest cave fish by at least an order of magnitude, it added. Meghalaya has an elaborate and extensive network of caves. Several international and Indian researchers have been mapping the caves since 1992 in association with Meghalaya Adventurers Association and the latest find is part of that project. The researchers had found a similar fish in 1998 as well, inside a cave located 8km away from the present location, but they were not able to take clear photos or capture the fish back then. Many of the fish were found in small pools located deep inside the cave. There was evidence that the caves get flooded during the rainy season. Researchers believe the fish is bulky in size due to large and regular food supply, with surface vegetation entering the cave through the entrance shaft on rainy seasons. There appeared to be hundreds of similar fish in the cave. When first encountered the fish appeared unresponsive to light, although they did react to the water disturbance created by the cavers wading through the pools, the article said. Although it seems that they were initially unresponsive to light, they are certainly able to perceive light, it added noting that the fishes initially showed no reaction to light for the first time but moved away when torchlight was shone on them again later. The researchers stated that the Meghalaya cave fish is a close anatomical match to Tor putitora (Golden Mahseer), which is found widely in the area. But it is highly likely that genetically they are somewhat different from this species as a result of isolated evolution (it lacks eyes and melanin pigmentation). The fish discovered in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya in February 2019 is by far the largest troglobitic fish yet known, and is nearly 5 times the mean length (85 mm/8.5 cm) of all known subterranean fishes to date, the article concluded. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utpal Parashar Utpal is an assistant editor based in Guwahati. He covers all eight states of North-East and was previously based in Kathmandu, Dehradun and Delhi with Hindustan Times . ...view detail The man known as Philly Jesus is suing the city and police over a December incident at Christmas Village in Center City where he claims his First Amendment and other rights were violated. Michael Grant, 33, initially entered his complaint with Philadelphias federal court last week, but was unable to pay the $400 filing fee. As Grants attorney, Vicki Piontek, wrote in the complaint, her client is homeless and without a regular source of income. A judge waived that filing fee, court records show, allowing Grants case to proceed. According to the complaint, police arrested Grant at Christmas Village on Dec. 21, allegedly in retaliation for the exercise of his First Amendment rights. Grant, the suit claims, was preaching peacefully at the annual holiday market, and had placed a basket for donations. Grant says in the complaint that he was holding a sign that read something to the effect of, If you die, are you going to Heaven? Find out here. The sign allegedly got the attention of an unknown Philadelphia police officer, who approached Grant and glared at the sign with disapproval before telling him to leave the area and stop preaching. Grant says in the suit that he asserted his right to remain in the area and to evangelize and to exercise his First Amendment rights in the space. Two police officers then allegedly dragged [Grant] across the street, where he says he was handcuffed and held for about a half-hour. Grants complaint claims he was later issued a citation for failure to disperse. The incident, Grants suit claims, caused him to sustain pain and emotional distress, financial losses, and a violation to his right to freedom of expression and freedom of religion. He is seeking unspecified damages. Grant is a recovering heroin addict who began walking the streets of Philadelphia while dressed as Jesus in 2014. He made headlines in 2016, when he was found guilty of defiant trespass after he refused to leave a Center City Apple store. Grants attorney in that case, Brian Zeiger, said the street preacher believed he was being asked to leave the store because of his expression of his religious beliefs, and that his protestations would be covered under the First Amendment, according to an Inquirer report. I forgive them for trespassing against me, Grant said at the time. The city declined to comment further. Gardai are appealing for witnesses in relation to a single vehicle collision that occurred in the Rathmacullig area of Ballygarvan, Co Cork today. Gardai were called to the scene of a single vehicle collision in which a car had struck a wall. From fighting terrorists in Kashmir to guarding VIPs, performing riot control and poll duty, the Central Reserve Police Force performs a range of functions in addition to its two most important duties: guarding the countrys borders and dealing with its internal security. From fighting terrorists in Kashmir to guarding VIPs, performing riot control and poll duty, the Central Reserve Police Force performs a range of functions.. The CRPF fields its personnel in the two most stressful outposts manned by a paramilitary force: shoulder to shoulder with India Army jawans who are responsible for the land borders along the Line of Control with Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control with China in the hostile terrain of Jammu and Kashmir while leading the charge against deadly and brutal Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in east and central India with some support from the local police. With 239 battalions and various other establishments, the CRPF is considered India's largest paramilitary force and has a sanctioned strength of more than three lakh personnel as of 2017. And yet the force has often complained of step-motherly treatment from the government compared to the Indian Army. Pulwama investigation Take for example, the Pulwama investigation. A year has passed since 40 CRPF personnel were killed in an attack in Pulwama but the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is yet to trace the source of explosives used by the car-borne suicide bomber. A report in The Hindu states that the case is riddled with unanswered questions and loopholes because the intensity of the blast blew apart any tangile evidence that is usually needed to trace back links in such cases, while all accused have been killed. This mean that the leads have gone dead and the kin of Pulwama victims may never get the full story. Overworked and underpaid The Ministry of Home Affairs has admitted that CRPF personnel are deployed for prolonged durations, almost 90 percent of the time, in remote/inaccessible/inhospitable areas (LWE, North East and Jammu and Kashmir). CRPF personnel have to work 12 to 14 hours a day without any compensation for working beyond the standard eight hours. More than 80 percent of CRPF personnel cannot avail holidays and Sundays. And despite serving in such harsh conditions, some are paid as little as Rs 12,000 per month. As pointed out in a previous article, a significant pay gap exists between the personnel of the CAPF and Indian Army. While the transport allowance (Rs 1,800) and remote hardship allowance (Rs 6,930) are the same for the two forces at the rank of havaldar, the ration money given to a CAPF jawan is taxable but is tax free for an army soldier. The pension a CAPF jawan receives is dependent on the contributions he makes to the pension fund, while army jawans receive OROP (One Rank, One Pension). BSF jawans are also not entitled to House Rent Allowance in their home towns and have much less access to family accommodation as compared to their counterparts in the army.s Severe staff shortage According to a report in The Print, Central Armed Police Force's strength in comparison to the army remains at 85 percent, despite these forces being entrusted a wider range of duties than the army. The CRPF is in fact dealing with massive dearth of resources as its top posts remain vacant while the lower posts suffer high attrition rates. A parliamentary committee report on Ministry of Home Affairs noted in December 2018 that 17 out of 19 posts, ie, approximately 90 percent of the posts at DIG level are lying vacant in CRPF. The committee also expressed concerns that a huge number of post around 54,953 in Constable (GD) cadre are also lying vacant. The report also talks about high attrition rates as jawans are proceeding on voluntary retirement and resignation due to harsh job conditions and low morale. "The committee is dismayed to observe that the housing satisfaction level in the CRPF is just 11.83 percent which is the lowest amongst the CAPFs. Even after completion of 12,014 quarters that are under construction, the housing satisfaction level will rise only to 15.77 percent which unfortunately would continue to remain the lowest in all the CAPFs. The committee feels that such a poor level of housing satisfaction level could be one of the major reasons for high attrition rate in the force." The report also pointed out that the government has admitted that due to short-staffing and various other concerns, the MHA is forced to deploy units that are still under training, which hampers the skill development and training process of the CRPF. The committee strongly advised against this, stating that it could lead to excessive pressure on personnel who have not yet been fully prepared for their responsibilities. "Moreover, almost 98 percent of training companies remain deployed on various short term law and order assignments across the country. The states remain over dependent on the force for law and order problems, which results in high demand for their deployment due to various reasons. No CRPF battalion is presently designated for the purpose of providing rest and recuperation. This continuous deployment of training companies affects the overall operational efficiency of the force, besides denying troops the much wanted training and rest and recuperation," the report states. The committee also pointed out massive delays in granting due promotions to CRPF personnel. "The committee feels that not being given adequate career progression opportunities acts as a highly de-motivating factor for the personnel." "The committee is of the considered view that the CRPF personnel, who are facing excessive stagnation in their career growth, must be provided certain special incentives to keep their morale high" High-pressure jobs According to the data provided by MHA, since 2014, more jawans died of heart attack than were killed in action. This indicates that the medical facilities provided to the personnel are neither adequate nor up to the mark. It also signifies stress due to continuous deployment in stressful situations and difficult terrain and irregular eating/sleeping cycles. As an earlier Firstpost piece points out, the kin of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans killed in Pulwama believe that the government needs to come up with a quantitative policy to end the discrimination against paramilitary forces, especially as they are also given the task of tackling conflict in insurgency-hit areas and all border states. Thousands of widows of soldiers who served the Central Paramilitary Forces (CPF) are battling tremendous odds to keep their hearths burning. Although the strength of the CPF has risen steadily so much so that the CRPF today is three lakh-strong widows of CPF troopers killed in action believe that authorities don't pay as much attention to their needs as they do to address the concerns of widows of the armed forces. Widows of CPF troops complain that while the insurance cover provided to a paramilitary trooper works out to around Rs 20 lakh, that given to a jawan of the armed forces is around Rs 37.5 lakh. They are also not entitled to many of the benefits extended to army men killed in the field because paramilitary personnel are not accorded the status of a martyr. Until these changes are made, the foundations of the pillar of India's security system will remain under threat of crumbling. A move by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to pardon thousands of prisoners is being seen as a goodwill gesture to the countrys one-year-old protest movement Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune pardoned more than 6,000 prisoners last Thursday, extending a process of clemency that started earlier this year and interpreted as a goodwill gesture by the authorities to help establish dialogue with the countrys protest movement. Before he was elected in December, Tebboune said he had no plans to interfere with the judicial process to release prisoners, including those arrested from the pro-democracy protest movement, the hirak. But earlier this year Tebboune released 3,471 prisoners, which when added to those released last week brings the total number up to 10,000, an unprecedented figure in Algeria. The hirak movement will see its first anniversary on 22 February, and there has been no sign that it will end its weekly Tuesday and Friday protests any time soon. Tebboune was elected in a controversial election late last year that was held despite its rejection by the protest movement, which has been demanding radical change in the ruling system. Tebboune, 74, a former prime minister, received 58.15 per cent of the vote in an election marked by a voter turnout of 40 per cent, lower than in previous elections. His legitimacy has been questioned, as rights groups contested the votes official numbers, saying the polling stations were empty on the day of the elections and the real turnout was a fraction of that figure. The current protests in Algeria were triggered early last year by then-president Abdelaziz Bouteflikas plans to run for a fifth term in office despite having suffered a stroke that had prevented him from appearing in public since 2013. He was eventually pressured by Military Chief of Staff Ahmed Gaid Saleh to step down last April, a development that did not sway the protesters, who continued to demand the removal of the countrys entire ruling class. Until his sudden death on 23 December, days after Tebbounes election, Saleh had emerged as Algerias de facto leader, filling a power vacuum and giving the already powerful military establishment in Algeria more political latitude than has been seen in decades. Saleh criticised the largely leaderless hirak, which soon became the target of security raids with dozens arrested or facing trial. These raids have continued since Salehs death and Tebbounes election. Many protesters remain in detention facing charges based on their participation in peaceful protests or making criticisms of the authorities after 70 activists were provisionally released in January. Instead of freeing everyone detained for peaceful protesting, the authorities have continued arresting and detaining people for their peaceful activism, said Eric Goldstein, acting Middle East and North Africa director at the US rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW). Offers of dialogue lose credibility when you are locking people up simply for going onto the streets to disagree with you. At least one prominent Algerian journalist has been arrested and threatened with prosecution, HRW said. The authorities charged him with insulting the president of the republic and harming state security over Facebook posts mocking Tebboune. Several prominent leaders of the hirak also remain in detention. During Salehs de facto rule, the Algerian authorities initiated an anti-corruption campaign against symbols of Bouteflikas former regime, including his brother Said, 62, and former spy chief Mohamed Lamine Mediene, 60, among others. On Monday, an Algerian military court upheld 15-year prison sentences handed down against both men who have been convicted of conspiracy against the state. Said, arrested last May along with Mediene and left-wing politician Louisa Hanoun, had long been seen as the power behind his brothers presidency, particularly after he suffered a stroke in 2013. The defendants were accused of having met in March 2019 in an attempt to derail plans by Saleh to force Bouteflikas departure. Said Bouteflika had allegedly wanted the intelligence chiefs to dismiss Saleh instead. Hanouns original sentence of 15 years was reduced to three and was ordered by the court to be released. In January, Tebboune formed an expert committee to draft constitutional reforms intended to address the hiraks pro-democracy demands that will eventually be put to a popular vote. However, the past year of intense and regular protests with few outcomes might eventually compel the leaderless movement to organise and work on a formal political platform for the first time. On his way to attend a conference organised by hirak activists to mark its first anniversary, Algerian journalist Al-Kadi Ihsane tweeted that the hirak is not only Friday and Tuesday marches; it is also great organisational efforts to give a political context to the change that the people demand. *A version of this article appears in print in the 13 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: DANBURY The case of a Ridgefield man accused of shooting a Waterbury teen during a 2017 botched car robbery outside his home is set to resume in two weeks. Mauro Tropeano, 35, is facing second-degree assault, sale of illegal drugs, illegal discharge of a firearm and interfering with an officer charges following an aborted car theft at his home the night of June 5, 2017, that left a 15-year-old from Waterbury with a bullet lodged in her back. Tropeanos attorney, Eugene Riccio, said his clients Hulda Lane home was invaded by a gang of at least five marauders intent on continuing their crime spree in multiple towns in western Connecticut that night. After twice entering his property and motor vehicle, the thieves commandeered Mr. Tropeanos car, which contained valuable personal property, and crashed it in his front yard, he said. Riccio said Tropeano is a licensed gun-owner with no criminal records, who responded appropriately under the dangerous circumstances. After stealing some of Mr. Tropeanos personal property, the thieves fled in a car they had previously stolen from another town [and] continued their criminal onslaught, which included stealing cars and property from homeowners at night in other Connecticut towns, Riccio said. According to the affidavit for Tropeanos arrest, the teen girl who was shot told police she had driven to Ridgefield in a stolen Kia Sorento with a group of friends with the intent of stealing cars. While the group was attempting to drive off with a Range Rover parked in the driveway of Tropeanos home, Tropeano came out and fired three shots. One of the bullets passed through the rear of the Kia and struck her in the back, the girl told police. She was later admitted to Waterbury Hospital, where doctors were unable to remove the bullet. In a police interview shortly after the shooting, Tropeano denied having fired a weapon during the attempted robbery, but declined to have his hands tested for gunpowder residue. A search of Tropeanos home turned up three spent shell casings that matched the caliber of a Glock handgun in Tropeanos home, as well as seven vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana, steroids in injectable and pill form, and more than $28,000 in cash. Police also seized two guns, including the Glock with a mounted flashlight, were also seized. Tropeano who owns Stanziatos Wood Fired Pizza in Danbury later admitted firing the Glock that night, claiming self-defense. The teen girl Tropeano shot filed a lawsuit against him a month after the incident, accusing him of negligent and intentional assault, as well as reckless and wanton misconduct. The lawsuit, however, was dismissed in September 2018 after she failed to appear for a status conference. Tropeano has pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled to appear Feb. 25 in state Superior Court in Danbury. A court in Bidar in north Karnataka on Friday granted bail to a parent and the headmistress of a school, arrested in a sedition case for their alleged involvement in staging a drama portraying Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a poor light in connection with CAA and NRC. Bengaluru: A court in Bidar in north Karnataka on Friday granted bail to a parent and the headmistress of a school, arrested in a sedition case for their alleged involvement in staging a drama portraying Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a poor light in connection with CAA and NRC. A principal district and sessions court judge granted conditional bail to Nazbunnisa (parent) and Fareeda Begum (headmistress) who were arrested on 30 January. The bail was granted upon executing a personal bond for Rs 1 lakh with two sureties for the like sum, official sources said. The bail conditions include that the accused should appear before the Investigating Officer as and when called upon and extend cooperation in the probe, not try to tamper with evidence and appear before the court concerned on all dates of the hearing, unless prevented by any genuine cause. The drama was staged by students of the fourth, fifth and sixth standards on 21 January. A seditioncase was later booked by police against the school management, along with other sections of IPC on 26 January based on a complaint from social worker Neelesh Rakshyal. The play uploaded on social media had gone viral. Officials had earlier said the utterances against Modi was not part of the original script, but the mother of the sixth standard student allegedly incorporated them during practice and the teacher allowed it to be part of the drama. The complainant alleged that the school authorities 'used' the students to perform a drama where they "abused" Modi in the context of the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens. The management tried to create 'fear' among the Muslims that they would have to leave the country if the CAA and NRC are implemented, Rakshyal had said. Police had earlier come in for for criticism from some quarters for questioning thechildren in connection with the case, in uniform. Welcoming the Supreme Court's decision of requiring all political parties to publish details of criminal cases against candidates in parliamentary and Assembly elections, RJD leader Manoj Jha has said that politicians speaking the language of hate must also be held equally responsible. "I cent percent agree with the Supreme Court. Several steps are required to be taken for making politics transparent. Those who speak the language of hatred are equally culprits," Jha told ANI on Thursday. "But it must be taken into account that cases are slammed against people just because of 'dharna'. People are tagged as urban Naxal and put behind bars. Those who eulogise Godse and insult Gandhi are equally responsible," he said. On Thursday, 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 the 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.) By Andrew P. Napolitano The Framers conferred, as against the Government, the right to be let alone the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by civilized men. Justice Louis Brandeis (1856-1941) February 13, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - While we were all consumed by impeachment, a pernicious piece of legislation was slowly and silently making its way through Congress. It is a renewal of Section 215 of the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act of 2001 has three sections that are scheduled to expire on March 15. One of those sections is the infamous 215, which authorizes the federal government to capture without a warrant all records of all people in America held by third parties. Do we really want the federal government to spy without warrants? How can Congress, which has sworn to preserve, protect and defend the U.S. Constitution, legislate such a blatant violation of it? Here is the backstory. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter After the Constitution was ratified in 1789, it was soon amended to recognize the existence of natural rights and to keep the government from interfering with them. As Justice Louis Brandeis wrote 140 years afterward, the most comprehensive of those rights was the right to be let alone, which today we call privacy. To secure that right, the Fourth Amendment was ratified. The purpose of the Fourth Amendment was to prevent the government from utilizing general warrants and to require judicially authorized search warrants issued under narrow circumstances. James Madison, who drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, shared the hatred that colonists-turned-Americans had for general warrants. A general warrant was a document issued by a secret court in London authorizing the bearer of the document, usually a British soldier or intelligence agent, to search wherever he wished and to seize whatever he found. The applicant for the warrant needed to demonstrate to the court only that the warrant was intended to unearth something that the government wanted. Because these warrants did not specify the object of the search, there was no limit to them. Hence Madisons language in the Fourth Amendment preserving privacy but permitting the government to invade it only upon a showing, under oath, of probable cause of crime, and then requiring the warrant to specify in writing the place to be searched or the person or thing to be seized. After 9/11, in the collective spirit of fear, timidity and subservience to the presidency, and in utter disregard for its members oaths to uphold the Constitution, Congress enacted the Patriot Act. It permits one federal agent to authorize another federal agent to search and seize whatever the latter wishes to look at and capture so long as it is in the possession of third-party financial institutions. Over the years, the definition of financial institution has been radically expanded by both legislation and presidential executive orders so as to include nearly every conceivable entity that has any records about any person in America from banks to hospitals to lawyers to merchants to credit card issuers to telecoms and computer service providers and even the post office. At the same time that the Patriot Act was being expanded, the National Security Agency Americas 60,000-person strong domestic spy apparatus was not even pretending to follow legislation. We know from Edward Snowdens revelations which have never been disputed by the government that since 2003, the NSA has captured not only the records of Americans held by third parties but also the records of every keystroke touched by every person in America and every telephone call transmitted over fiber optic cable. That includes every email, text message and piece of data even what was deleted. This warrantless mass surveillance continues today unabated. Also unabated and equally unlawful and unconstitutional is the governments use of cell towers as monitors of movement. Whenever anyone travels with a mobile device in the United States, the nearest cell tower picks up signals from the mobile device, even turned off. The government, which either owns the cell towers or under Section 215 captures all the data the towers amass, can effectively follow any person with a mobile device in real-time. How does the government get away with this? The feds have labored mightily to keep all of these constitutional violations as far from judicial scrutiny as they can. They rightly fear they know that all of this violates the Fourth Amendment. If their nefarious behavior, which we know they have used on the president of the United States and on the U.S. Supreme Court, comes under judicial scrutiny, the feds will argue that the Fourth Amendment only pertains to criminal prosecutions and not to domestic spying; thus, they can ignore it when they spy. They have made up this argument out of thin air. There is neither a hint in the language of the amendment nor a whiff in its history to support that argument. Has the government lost sight of our birthright? It is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness not to mention getting into Heaven. How can we do any of this if the government we have hired to preserve our liberty is surreptitiously destroying it? Brandeis language about being let alone was written in 1928, in a dissent to a Supreme Court opinion that failed to recognize the right to privacy. Today, his dissent is the law of the land, but the feds ignore it. He wrote that there is more to life than owning material goods. There is the fulfillment of spiritual, intellectual and cultural goals and the achievement of intimate aspirations, none of which are the governments business. Why do we permit the government to assault our most basic freedoms, under the law or under the table? Andrew P. Napolitano, a former judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, is an analyst for the Fox News Channel. He has written seven books on the U.S. Constitution. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, which hosts the annual CPAC conference, tweeted that he was disinviting Mitt Romney from the confab this year because he could not guarantee his physical safety after the senator voted to convict Donald Trump in the impeachment trial. A number of commentators on the left have responded to this by dismissing CPAC attendees as a bunch of brown shirts. I dont think thats right. I spoke at CPAC in 2018 and courted trouble by criticizing both Roy Moore and Donald Trump for their documented histories of sexual misconduct, as well as CPAC itself for inviting the niece of Marine Le Pen, Marion Marechal Le Pen, a right-wing nativist from France. I was jeered; its true. So what? Ive been booed before (though, admittedly, not before a conservative audience). I didnt feel threatened or intimidated. Some in the crowd even offered a thumbs up. It was Schlapp, observing from a control room, who apparently decided to have me ushered out by beefy guards. Thus was born the Charen had to be escorted out of CPAC under guard story. It occurs to me, now that Schlapp is playing the bullyboy with Mitt Romney, that he enjoys the whiff of menace. It is he, not the audience, that is dangerous. But, of course, when leaders stir grievances and hint that mob violence is possible, they tend to get the followers they deserve. Schlapp is representative of the bully chic that has come into fashion in Trumps party. Senator Martha McSally snapped at a CNN reporter, calling him a liberal hack. Anyone can lose ones cool, but instead of apologizing when the moment passed, McSally used her lapse of manners as a publicity opportunity on Fox News and was fundraising off it before you could say Trumpian. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, who graduated first in his class at West Point and served honorably as a tank platoon leader in the U.S. Army, has sniffed the air and decided that behaving completely unprofessionally is fine if you are subjected to tough questions from reporters. When Mary Louise Kelly of NPR asked whether he had stood up for Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, Pompeo surrendered to his inner toddler. He ended the interview abruptly. Not content with that, he then called Kelly into his private office and screamed at her, demanding, Do you think Americans care about f- Ukraine? That alone would have been bad enough. But Pompeo wasnt finished. Calling an assistant, he asked for an unmarked map of the world and then challenged Kelly to identify Ukraine. She did. Nevertheless, Pompeo put out the story that she had pointed to Bangladesh. Okay. Kelly has a masters degree in European studies from Cambridge, and has reported from Ukraine. You decide. But why does the Secretary of State keep unmarked world maps in his office anyway? Wonder how it would go if he challenged his boss to point out key sites? Members of Congress loyal to Trump seem to take notes from mob movies. When former Trump lawyer/fixer Michael Cohen was preparing to testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Rep. Matt Gaetz tweeted out a threat: Hey @MichaelCohen212 Do your wife & father-in-law know about your girlfriends? Maybe tonight would be a good time for that chat. I wonder if shell remain faithful when youre in prison. Shes about to learn a lot. During the presidents impeachment trial, Senator Rand Paul repeatedly attempted to get the Chief Justice of the United States to read aloud the alleged name of the whistleblower. When Justice Roberts demurred, Rand Paul pronounced it himself on the Senate floor. Whistleblowers are shielded from retaliation by law, and under the circumstances, with death threats flying, revealing his or her identity could be called retaliation. In any case, its a thuggish message to any future whistleblowers: Nice career youve got there, be a shame if anything were to happen to it. Never to be outdone, the first son was ready with a cloddish put-down of Mitt Romney. Photoshopping the senator in ill-fitting jeans, Donald Trump Jr. sneered, Mom jeans, because youre a p. Trump Jr. comes by his loutishness honestly. For the rest, its a gang symbol. Mona Charen is a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 President Donald Trump (C) walks with then-Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) (L), and Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) (R) as he arrives at the Capitol on March 26, 2019. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) McConnell: Trump Should Listen to Barrs Advice Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said that if Attorney General William Barr believes President Donald Trumps Twitter posts are interfering in investigations, he should heed his advice. The president made a great choice when he picked Bill Barr to be the attorney general, McConnell said on Thursday night following an interview that Barr gave. I think the president should listen to his advice. Barr told ABC News on Thursday that Trumps public comments about cases, including one involving former adviser Roger Stone, make it impossible for me to do my job and urged the president to stop posting on Twitter about certain matters. I think that if the attorney general says [tweeting] is getting in the way of doing his job, then maybe the president should listen to the attorney general, McConnell told Fox News. In his interview, Barr said that Trump has not asked him to do anything on any certain criminal cases since he was appointed. Hours after Barrs remarks, Trump said he has the legal right to intervene in criminal cases, but he added: I have so far chosen not to! This week, the Department of Justice intervened in the sentencing of Stone, who had been convicted of lying to Congress, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors said he should serve between seven and nine years in prison, but the agencys top officials made a decision to reduce it. Attorney General William Barr speaks at the National Sheriffs Association conference in Washington on Feb. 10, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Trump, in a series of posts on social media and comments to the media, said the sentencing was unfair and horrible. In the aftermath, four prosecutors involved left the stone case. Barr 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. Democrats in Congress have seized on the intervention in the Stone case as well as Trumps public remarks, saying that an investigation is warranted. The House Judiciary Committee confirmed that Barr will now testify in front of the panel on March 31. Both Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called for investigations into Barr and the Department of Justice. White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham responded to Barrs ABC News interview and said Trump has full faith and confidence in the attorney generals abilities. The president wasnt bothered by the comments at all and he has the right, just like any American citizen, to publicly offer his opinions, Grisham said, adding that Trump has to use social media to put out his message in light of fake news being published by legacy media outlets. McConnells remarks echo those made by a number of GOP senators, including Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). I dont think he should be commenting on cases in the system, I dont think thats appropriate, Graham told reporters. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Kate Kelland (Reuters) London Fri, February 14, 2020 17:04 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206497b9e 2 Health fake-news,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,health,COVID-19 Free The rise of "fake news" - including misinformation and inaccurate advice on social media - could make disease outbreaks such as the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic currently spreading in China worse, according to research published on Friday. In an analysis of how the spread of misinformation affects the spread of disease, scientists at Britain's East Anglia University (UEA) said any successful efforts to stop people sharing fake news could help save lives. "When it comes to COVID-19, there has been a lot of speculation, misinformation and fake news circulating on the internet about how the virus originated, what causes it and how it is spread," said Paul Hunter, a UEA professor of medicine who co-led the study. "Misinformation means that bad advice can circulate very quickly and it can change human behaviour to take greater risks," he added. Read also: Coronavirus 'fake news' network busted in Hungary In their research, Hunter's team focused on three other infectious diseases - flu, monkeypox and norovirus but said their findings could also be useful for dealing with the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. "Fake news is manufactured with no respect for accuracy, and is often based on conspiracy theories," Hunter said. For the studies - published on Friday in separate peer-reviewed journals - the researchers created theoretical simulations of outbreaks of norovirus, flu and monkeypox. Their models took into account studies of real behavior, how different diseases are spread, incubation periods and recovery times, and the speed and frequency of social media posting and real-life information sharing. They also took into account how lower trust in authorities is linked to tendency to believe conspiracies, how people interact in "information bubbles" online, and the fact that "worryingly, people are more likely to share bad advice on social media than good advice from trusted sources," Hunter said. The researchers found that a 10% reduction in the amount of harmful advice being circulated has a mitigating impact on the severity of an outbreak, while making 20% of a population unable to share harmful advice has the same positive effect. American teen pop sensation Billie Eilish, fresh off her big Grammy Awards victory and an Oscar night performance, has released her much-anticipated official theme song to the forthcoming James Bond film No Time to Die. The four-minute ballad, a haunting song of betrayal and despair co-written by Eilish and her older brother, Finneas, and performed to an orchestral arrangement, was posted on Thursday to YouTube and various music streaming sites. The recording, itself titled No Time to Die, was produced by Finneas with a musical arrangement by Hans Zimmer and Matt Dunkley. The track, released by Eilishs Interscope Records/Darkroom label, includes veteran British session musician Johnny Marr on guitar. Eilish, 18, becomes the youngest artist ever to write and record a James Bond theme song, following in the footsteps of such stars as Adele, Madonna and Paul McCartney. The songs foreboding lyrics more than suggest a romance that meets with a decidedly unhappy ending, as Eilish sings in a chorus: Fool me once, fool me twice/Are you death or paradise? Now youll never see me cry/Theres just no time to die. The movie No Time to Die, the 25th title in the James Bond motion picture franchise, is due to arrive in theatres in April, with Daniel Craig resuming his title role as the British secret agent for a fifth and final time. Eilish is slated to perform the theme song live for the first time at the Brit Awards in London February 18, ahead of the March 9 launch of her North American arena tour, Interscope said in a statement. Also read: Irrfan, waiting for you: Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoors heartfelt messages after Angrezi Medium video She had widely been expected to debut the Bond single at the Academy Awards show on Sunday, but she sang the Beatles Yesterday during the telecasts in memoriam segment instead. Two weeks earlier Eilish swept the Grammys by taking the four top prizes best album, best record, song of the year and best new artist becoming only the second musician to win all four categories on the same night. Eilish wrote and recorded most of her debut studio album When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? with her brother, Finneas, 22, in the small bedroom of their Los Angeles-area home. The album, including such hits as When the Partys Over, Everything I Wanted and Bad Guy, ranked as the No 1 album of 2019. Follow @htshowbiz for more During the meeting that lasted 30 minutes, the President had invited Singh to Rashtrapati Bhawan. BHUBANESWAR: In December 2019, President Ram Nath Kovind had a pleasant experience while attending the platinum jubilee celebrations of Utkal University in Bhubaneswar. He could recognise his long-time friend Birabhadra Singh sitting quietly in the audience. He asked his officers to arrange a meeting after the celebrations. During the meeting that lasted 30 minutes, the President had invited Singh to Rashtrapati Bhawan. President Kovind kept his word and played host to Mr Singh and family who visited the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on February 4. Mr Singhs happiness knew no limits when he narrated his feelings to media persons here on Thursday about his recent meeting with Mr Kovind which lasted over 30 minutes. Recalling the moments of his meeting, Mr Singh said President Kovind told my children that I know your father and recognised him from his Pagdi at Utkal University, Bhubaneswar. I knew him (Singh) by heart since the time we were together. Birabhadra Singh and President Kovind were Rajya Sabha members from 2001 to 2005. TUSTIN, Calif. Authorities Wednesday arrested a man on suspicion of setting a fire that tore through a Southern California apartment building, gutting dozens of apartments, collapsing the roof and displacing about 100 tenants. Patrick Andrew Ceniceros, 59, of Tustin was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of arson, Tustin police Lt. Andrew Birozy said. Just thank God that were not booking him for murder given the potentially deadly blaze, he added. It wasnt immediately clear whether Ceniceros had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Two people suffered smoke inhalation as flames raged through a two-story building in the Chatham Village apartment complex at about 3 a.m., the Orange County Fire Authority said. Residents said police officers pounded on doors and told people there was a fire. We were sleeping, you know, it was in the middle of the night. Out of nowhere this loud noise of knocking _ boom, boom, boom on the door. `Get out, the apartments on fire, resident Heidi Murillo told KABC-TV. We didnt take anything with us, Liliana Ojeda told The Orange County Register. It was all so fast. The roof collapsed 25 minutes into the fire. No first responders were injured. About 120 firefighters put out the blaze after five hours and 38 of the 40 apartments burned, authorities said. About 100 people were displaced, and many huddled in blankets in the pre-dawn cold. One person was unaccounted for but was later located, KCBS-TV reported. American Red Cross volunteers set up a care center for the displaced residents. Birozy said Ceniceros was arrested after he came to the front counter of the police station and offered to speak to detectives. He just showed up saying he wanted to talk to us, Birozy said. He made some incriminating statements that led us to believe he was involved in arson at that complex. Ceniceros had some connection to the building but it wasnt immediately clear whether he was a resident, Birozy added. There was no immediate word on the motive, he said. About the photo: In this image provided by KABC-TV, firefighters try to put out hotspots after a fire raged through an apartment complex on Wednesday in Tustin, Calif. The blaze was reported in a one two-story building in the Chatham Village apartment complex around 3 a.m. and the roof collapsed 25 minutes later. More than 100 firefighters battled the fire and none were injured. (KABC-TV via AP) Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. (TNS) Less than five weeks before Floridas March presidential primary, the Department of Homeland Security is investigating a previously unreported cyberattack on Palm Beach Countys elections office, according to Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link.Link, who was appointed last year by the governor to oversee the countys beleaguered elections department , said she contacted the FBI in November after a veteran IT employee told her that the office had been infected by a ransomware virus only a few weeks prior to the 2016 election. The virus was not publicly disclosed in 2016.Link said the FBI referred her to DHS, which sent a team of a half-dozen employees to her office late last month to do a deep dive into her departments network. She said a report of their findings and recommendations is expected shortly.Weve had the top experts in the country here and they spent a lot of time with our system. When we get the report, well be able to take care of everything we can take care of, Link said in an interview Thursday. I wanted this done before March if at all possible.Floridas presidential primary is March 17. Hundreds of thousands of mail ballots have already been sent to voters.Link says shes confident that Palm Beach Countys elections are secure given months of work with state and federal cybersecurity experts in efforts unrelated to the 2016 infection. But the revelation that the office had been infected by a virus and that no one was told about it for three years is raising alarms in a state that was heavily targeted in 2016 by Russian hackers attempting to tamper with U.S. elections.U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, tweeted Thursday that hes reached out to the FBI about the reported intrusion. U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, an Orlando Democrat who has filed a bill that would create greater transparency around election-related cyberattacks , said Links troubling story reinforces the need for government to quickly alert the public to hacking attempts.It should not have taken the public this long to find out about this intrusion, she said.Link said she first became aware last fall that the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office had been hit with a ransomware attack. She says she learned of the incident from a top technology employee while interviewing him to see if he was capable of filling in for her former IT director, whod been fired following a scuffle with investigators looking into whether hed possessed child pornography. Link said the employee, Ed Sacerio, mentioned that he was unsure what ever came of a ransomware attack around Sept. 14, 2016, that had alarmed elections office workers and sent them scrambling to unplug computers. According to Link, multiple employees, including fired former IT director Jeff Darter, confirmed that a virus either began encrypting files or changing file names, and that text boxes began popping up demanding cash payments in exchange for the release of files.She said she was told the compromised files were mostly Microsoft Word and Excel files. Nobody has reported it had anything to do with voter files, she said.Sacerio told her that employees had printed out reams of code to try to document the attack. She said he later found the box full of paper in her former IT directors office. She said she doesnt believe anyone reported the incident or documented it internally.When I learned about it and I called the state Division of Elections and I called the FBI and my contact at Homeland Security, none of them were aware of it, Link said. And, in my conversation with our IT director, he did indicate, to his knowledge, that it hadnt been reported.Susan Bucher, the former supervisor of elections in Palm Beach County who was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis following a problem-plagued 2018 election recount, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that she would swear on a stack of Bibles that her office was not the subject of a cyberattack.But Link said she sent the box of printed-out code to the FBI, which informed her office that it appeared theyd been infected by a ZEPTO virus . The virus, deployed by hackers seeking a ransom, scrambles files and renames them .zepto until a decryption key is deployed.The town of Palm Beach was infected with ransomware in 2016. Other municipalities, including Key Biscayne, were hit in 2019.Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee said Thursday that her office had not been told of the ransomware attack in Palm Beach County in 2016.The FBI declined to comment. The Department of Homeland Security referred the Miami Herald to Palm Beach County.Tammy Jones, the head of the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections, said its not that surprising that a cyberattack would have gone unreported in 2016. The states local elections officials became aware that summer that hackers were attempting to gain access into elections networks, but protocols for what to do and who to alert in case of a breach were less clear than they are today, she said.Its just a known fact [now] that you report it Jones said. There was nobody to report it to in 2016.But Ion Sancho, a former Leon County elections supervisor who has been brought in as an expert witness in recent elections-related court cases, said the apparent decision not to report the ransomware attack threatens the credibility of elections. He noted that the FBI kept confidential that two of Floridas elections offices had been breached until Special Counsel Robert Mueller detailed that information in his report last year into elections interference.The FBI has since confirmed the breaches, but did not publicly disclose which two Florida elections offices were hit in 2016 a lingering issue that Sancho said is causing unease and uncertainty.In order to not start a panic, you need accurate and truthful information, Sancho said. We need to make the information public and explain what safeguards were taken and what the ramifications might or might not be. Honesty is always the best policy. If the supervisor of elections loses credibility ... it could contribute to loss of faith in the process.Lee, the secretary of state, said through a spokesman that the state is committed to secure elections and noted the hiring of five cybersecurity navigators to help the states 67 elections departments. She said an elections-specific risk assessment has been conducted in every office, and the state has previously touted the widespread use of a new system that detects attempted cyberattacks.The department is working with each supervisor of elections to address any weaknesses or vulnerabilities that are identified in their county prior to the 2020 elections, she said.Link, who revealed the cyberattack Wednesday during an interview with the Palm Beach Post editorial board, said shes positive that her office is not compromised as a result of the ransomware. She said the elections department has been working for months with the states cybernavigators, and there have been no indications that her office is compromised.She said her office had also worked with the FBI and DHS before the ransomware attack was disclosed to her.We wanted to really be very secure. Understanding that sometimes viruses are attached to different types of things and can live in your system and hide there and be reactivated, we wanted to have somebody who really understood what they were doing come do this for us, she said. Thats what this last step is. A shortage of face masks has prompted all kinds of Chinese companies from carmakers to smartphone manufacturers to start making their own to help combat the novel coronavirus epidemic. 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) Data from Tianyancha, an enterprise data platform, shows that over 3,000 companies in the country have changed their business registration information, and included production of masks, protective clothing, disinfectant liquid and medical apparatus and instruments into their business scope since January. Auto companies including BYD Co. and SAIC-GM-Wuling, a General Motors Co. venture in China, have reconfigured production lines to churn out masks. Smartphone manufacturer OPPO and iPhone assembler Foxcoon have also joined the fray. BYD announced it would start mass-producing masks and disinfectant liquid by Feb. 17. The company will produce 5 million masks and 50,000 bottles of disinfectant liquid per day by the end of the month. SAIC-GM-Wuling said it has built 14 production lines with a daily capacity of 1.7 million masks, including four lines for the N95-type masks urgently needed in hospitals and 10 for ordinary medical masks. Foxconns daily mask production output is expected to reach 2 million by the end of the month. The company will first provide these products to its roughly 1 million workers. Some companies move toward manufacturing medical protective supplies including masks is also a strategy aimed at seizing new market opportunities and realize their transformation, said Zhao Ping, director of the international trade research department under the Academy of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. In fact, some industries are facing increasing downward pressure, Zhao noted, adding that the great demand for masks amid the epidemic presents a new opportunity for many auto makers, as the growth rate of passenger vehicle sales in China was -9.8 percent last year. Two builders have each been jailed for eight years after swindling a Second World War veteran out of his home and savings in a 1.1million scam. Tony Casey, 34, and John O'Connor, 37, were behind a complex 12-year conspiracy to take over the Wandsworth, London home of Henry Bennett. Grooming Mr Bennett to take over the house in which he had lived all his life for a fraction of its value, they defrauded the veteran of more than 1.1million. Casey and O'Connor pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud part-way through their trial, and were sentenced last week at Kingston Crown Court. It is believed they were employed by the pensioner, who paid them 32,500 from his bank in 2003, in the years before his death in 2016, aged 88. Tony Casey (left) and John O'Connor (right) were behind a complex 12-year conspiracy to take over the Wandsworth, London home of Henry Bennett Mr Bennett is believed to have first met the greedy duo when he had building work completed, as bank statements showed unexplained large withdrawals between May and August 2003 of between 2,500 and 5,000, the court heard (pictured, Casey) Mr Bennett is believed to have first met the greedy duo when he had building work completed, as bank statements showed unexplained large withdrawals between May and August 2003 of between 2,500 and 5,000, the court heard. Neighbours told police of the suspicious way in which Casey or his associates would take their vulnerable and unsuspecting victim to the bank. In 2008, a relative of O'Connor bought the freehold for the extremely low value of 20,000, at a time when Mr Bennett's property was worth 500,000. A company owned by the rogue builder provided the funds and helped sign the property over to his brother Jeremiah before ownership was transferred to Casey. Now 'landlord' Casey, from Hertfordshire, put the property up for sale in June 2015 for 949,000, making Mr Bennett a sitting tenant without a home phone. Two weeks after the victim's death in March 2016, heartless Casey arranged for the cheapest cremation that he could find, the court heard. Casey posed as the war veteran's grandson to deal with probate, meaning he would be entitled to take control of his assets (pictured, Mr Bennett's home in Earlsfield) He posed as the war veteran's grandson to deal with probate, meaning he would be entitled to take control of his assets. Casey instructed a solicitor to sell the Brookwood Road house, and revoke a lease-for-life agreed with the victim as a sitting tenant. In January 2017, a female relative contacted police after sending the victim a Christmas card that was returned to her and discovering his house was for sale. 'I found out the house was on the market and I was shocked and surprised and very curious,' Ms Sutton told the jury. 'It was very upsetting the cremation had taken place and the ashes were still with the funeral directors.' Casey was interviewed at Sutton Police Station in September 2017 but when asked to prove he was the grandson of the victim, he refused and left. The Met Police continued to investigate and Casey was charged with fraud by false representation in August 2018. O'Connor of Kent, whose support was integral to the fraud, was charged with the same offence in January 2019. DC Cowlin of the force called the incident 'a truly horrible, calculated and predatory fraud' in which a 'vulnerable elderly man' had been 'groomed'. She added: 'Had it not been for a family member contacting the police, then Casey and O'Connor might very well have got away with this crime. 'Although this investigation has taken years to complete, it was so worth it to see these two men behind bars.' The relationship between India and the United States the two largest democracies of the world is seen as the most transformational one in the current era, New Delhi's top envoy to the US has said. "Today, the US-India relationship, is being seen, as the most transformational relationship of our times," India's new Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu said in his address to a gathering of American business community at a reception hosted in his honour by US India Business Council (USIBC) on Thursday. "The relationship has enjoyed strong bipartisan support in the United States. This is an affirmation of our shared values, of our common commitment to democracy and pluralism," he said. Sandhu said the economic partnership between the two countries has grown from strength-to-strength over the years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set an ambitious target to make India a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024 and the US is a preferred partner in that endeavour, he added. "Bilateral trade is growing at 10 per cent on a year-to-year basis and has reached USD 160 billion in 2019. Two-way investment between India and US reached USD 60 billion in 2018," he said. "More than 2000 US companies have a presence in India. Over 200 Indian companies have invested USD 18 billion in the US creating more than 100,000 direct jobs," he added. Sandhu said that USIBC under its president Nisha Desai Biswal has become a prominent powerhouse in the India-US policy sphere. "She is a close friend, and true partner for India - one whom I have had the pleasure to have worked closely with from the Hill to Foggy Bottom," he said. Biswal as the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia during the Obama Administration played a key role in strengthening India-US relationship. "She is also, without a doubt, one of the most recognizable faces of the United States in India," he said. "But even as we celebrate the progress we have made, Nisha and I would agree that our task remains unfinished that the business of this extraordinary partnership between India and the United States is very much a work in progress," Sandhu said. Business, industry, academia, think tanks, civil society, and media all play an important role in building India-US relationship, he noted. It is in this context that USIBC is an important player as a strong bridge-builder, and a force multiplier; but most importantly as a mirror that reflects the expectations of the people, he said. USIBC's role remains integral to the success of both governments, the ambassador said. Meanwhile, Biswal said Sandhu has been part of this "US-India story". This is Sandhu's fourth stint in the US as an Indian diplomat, which includes two previous postings in Washington DC and one at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Alice G Wells said: "Ambassador Sandhu is a seasoned veteran of Washington and a true friend of the US-India partnership." Under Biswal, USIBC is playing an indispensable role in building the private sector linkages that are so vital to this relationship, Wells said. Many of the US-India milestones achieved in recent years are due in no small part because of Biswal's efforts, Wells said. For many companies, the H-1B visa program has been a valuable source for IT talent. The program, which awards 85,000 visas to foreign workers each spring based on a lottery system, has also been met with controversy, not just as a perceived means for replacing American workers but also for the administrative burden of its process, which has had a limiting effect on which companies apply. But in 2019, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) overhauled the H-1B visa lottery process, promising an easier-to-use, streamlined application process including an online portal. That electronic registration tool, however, was delayed for testing. The pilot program finally wrapped up in December 2019, and the electronic system is now ready for the FY 2021 lottery. The USCIS sees the electronic registration process not only reducing paperwork and data exchange but also providing cost savings to employers petitioning for H-1B visas. Employers and those working on their behalf, such as legal professionals, will now complete a simplified registration process that requires only basic information about the employer and each requested worker. Theres a $10 application fee for each petition filed, and employers can submit up to 250 petitions. Initial registration for the FY 2021 cap will open at noon Eastern on March 1, 2020 and run through noon Eastern on March 20, 2020. USCIS will then determine whether enough registrants have been filed to fill the cap, or if the number of pre-registrations exceeds the maximum number of H-1B visas available, in which case the random selection process will be necessary. Only those with selected registrations will then be eligible to file full petitions for the H-1B visas. Prospective petitioners and their representatives may create accounts beginning February 24, 2020 and register throughout this period. Selections will take place after the initial registration period closes, so there is no requirement to register on March 1, according to USCIS. The new process and electronic portal have the potential to greatly impact the level and breadth of sponsorship for H-1B visas, experts say. If this works as advertised, Im all for it, says Punam Singh Rogers, a business immigration attorney with Constagny, Brooks, Smith & Prophete. Rogers, who works with U.S. employers to design and implement immigration strategies, believes the new process and portal will increase the number of employers submitting petitions to sponsor talent, because of the low fee and ease of application. I think were going to see a very high number this year. At $10 a pop and the fact that you dont have to gather all the information up front some of our clients are already saying theyll be taking advantage of that, she says. Previously, companies were required to submit a complete application on behalf of foreign nationals they wanted to sponsor and pay the entire application fee. That process often took the better part of a year, and cost more than $2,000 per applicant, not to mention the additional costs of hiring legal professionals to assist with the process. Now, Rogers says, theres a limited amount of information required: legal company name, the companys business, EIN, address, as well as the authorized representative/signatory of the companys full name, title, phone number and address. Once that information is submitted, companies can add information for each beneficiary, referring to potential H-1B visa holders the company wants to sponsor. USCIS asks for the beneficiarys legal name, male/female gender (only options available), date of birth, country of birth, country of citizenship, passport number and whether they currently hold a U.S. masters degree. Based on this, [the USCIS will] see if theyve filled the cap. If they have, by March 20, theyll shut down the registration, Rogers says. If not, theyll keep it open, and then theyll do the lottery selection between March 21 and 31, and announce selections April 1. At that point, companies have ninety days to submit their workers full application. The changes may spur many more companies to apply to sponsor workers, Rogers says, especially smaller organizations that previously couldnt afford the up-front costs and other overhead. We may see companies doing their own registration now, honestly, because its simplified and much less expensive up front, Rogers says. Then, if they get selected, they could designate an attorney to help. Impact on advanced degree holders An increased number of applications could impact the percentage of H-1B workers who hold masters degrees from U.S. schools, Rogers adds. In 2019, USCIS changed the selection process for H-1B visa applicants to increase the number of selected workers who hold masters degrees from U.S. schools. Rather than split H-1B applications into two pools, with applicants with undergraduate degrees vying for 65,000 visas and those with advanced degrees vying for the 20,000 remaining, applicants will be combined into a single pool, from which 65,000 visas will be drawn by lottery, with the USCIS selecting 20,000 workers for the advanced degree exemption from the applications left over. There could be an influx of applications that could impact the percentage of those applicants with masters degrees. That could be an unintended consequence, she says. The previous change to increase the number of foreign national talent with masters degrees aimed to bring more highly skilled talent to the U.S., says Richard Burke, president and CEO of Envoy Global, a global talent acquisition firm. This is great for companies who want to increase the percentage of people with advanced degrees, but not so great if youre an InfoSys or a Cognizant or another giant IT firm like that whos hiring mostly people with undergraduate degrees, Burke says. It remains to be seen whether the increased volume of applicants predicted by the simplified registration and low application fee will negate last years change. A Hanoi court Thursday sentenced Tran Van Phuong, 31, to 12 years and six months in prison for brokering six kidney trades. Tran Van Phuong (in blue) stands trial in Hanoi for brokering kidney trades, February 13, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Hoa. The indictment said that a difficult life pushed Phuong to go to Cambodia and sell one of his kidneys. Upon returning to Vietnam, he learned that there were many kidney failure patients who wanted to buy kidneys for transplant as well as many poor people who were willing to sell their kidneys for money. This prompted him to organize a kidney brokering ring. Between April and September 2018, Phuong used a Facebook account under the name "Tran Bui" with his phone number to look for kidney sellers under the guise of needing kidney donors. Those wanting to sell their kidneys were taken to one of two houses on Giai Phong and Dinh Cong Thuong streets in the capital city, where they were fed and looked after. Under the agreement between Phuong and the sellers, the latter would be paid VND240-320 million ($10,300-13,700) per kidney. Once Phuong found a suitable kidney failure patient, he would sell the kidneys for VND320-450 million each and pocket the difference. In total, Phuong successfully brokered six kidney trades for an illegal gain of nearly VND500 million, prosecutors told the court. The court found him guilty of "trading in human tissues or body parts" which carries a penalty of up to life imprisonment. However, it handed Phuong the lighter sentence of 12 years and six months as he was determined to have suffered a 45 percent physical disability from selling his own kidney. Organ trafficking schemes in Vietnam are fueled by the shortage of donations, as many people in the country believe they need all their body parts for the afterlife. The belief has left thousands of patients suffering from heart, kidney, liver and lung diseases, as also visual impairment, waiting a long time for donations. The man suspected of beating a passenger with a chain in an unprovoked attack aboard a BART train was taken into custody by California Highway Patrol officers Thursday, BART announced Thursday night. Earlier in the afternoon, BART police released surveillance photos of the suspect. The suspect was seen in surveillance footage boarding a Daly City-bound train at the Coliseum BART station and beginning to casually speak with a female passenger already aboard the train, BART officials said Thursday. The victim then boarded the train at Fruitvale and began talking to both the male and female, BART officials said of the surveillance video, which they did not release. The suspect then punched the male in the face and the two got into a fight. BART spokesman Jim Allison told The Chronicle on Wednesday that the suspect allegedly asked for directions and then hit the victim with a chain at 6:09 p.m., during peak evening commuting hours. The suspect ran off the train when it stopped at the Lake Merritt BART station and has not been arrested since, BART officials said. In still photos taken from BART surveillance footage, the suspect is seen wearing a hoodie, green shirt, and a fanny pack around his hips. 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 victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries for treatment. He has since been released, officials said. Anyone with information about this incident should call BART police at 510-464-7040 or anonymously at 510-464-7011. Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LaurenPorFavor Extra Space Storage EXR is slated to report fourth-quarter and full-year 2019 results on Feb 18, after market close. The companys quarterly results are expected to reflect year-over-year growth in revenues and funds from operations (FFO) per share. In the last reported quarter, this Salt Lake City, UT-based self-storage real estate investment trust (REIT) delivered an in-line performance in terms of FFO per share. The company witnessed higher net rental rates for customers despite headwinds from new supply. However, though occupancy was near all-time highs, it remained flat with the same period in 2018. Also, the company witnessed rise in marketing expenses and property taxes. Over the trailing four quarters, the company surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate thrice and met in the other occasion, the average positive surprise being 1.49%. The graph below depicts this surprise history: Extra Space Storage Inc Price and EPS Surprise Extra Space Storage Inc Price and EPS Surprise Extra Space Storage Inc price-eps-surprise | Extra Space Storage Inc Quote Lets see how things are shaping up for this announcement. Factors to Consider With strong presence in key cities, Extra Space Storages efforts to expand its geographical footprint through accretive acquisitions and third-party management are anticipated to have been beneficial for its fourth-quarter results. The self-storage asset category is need-based and recession-resilient in nature. The asset class low capital-expenditure requirements and ability to generate high operating margins is anticipated to have buoyed the companys quarterly performance. Additionally, the self-storage industry continues to witness solid demand, backed by favorable demographic changes. Specifically, the downsizing trend, an encouraging labor market, increase in the number of people renting homes have escalated the needs of consumers to rent space at a storage facility to park their possessions. As such, demand for self-storage facilities is expected to have remained healthy in the quarter under consideration. Particularly, management and franchise fees for the quarter are estimated to be around $13.05 million, indicating year-on-year growth of 19.6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate of $289 million for property rental revenues suggests an improvement of 8.2% from the prior-year quarters reported figure of $267 million. These, in turn, are likely to have contributed to year-over-year revenue growth by 9.1%, with the top line pegged at $335.4 million for the quarter. However, Extra Space Storage operates in a highly fragmented market in the United States, with intense competition from numerous private, regional and local operators. In addition, there is a development boom of self-storage units in many markets, as developers have flocked to this asset class thanks to the attractive opportunities in the industry. This high supply is likely to have fueled competition for the company during the quarter, curbing its pricing power. Additionally, escalation in property tax and marketing expense are resulting in elevated expense levels, which is a concern. Amid these, Extra Space Storages activities during the quarter were inadequate to gain analysts confidence. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fourth-quarter FFO per share remained unchanged at $1.25 in a months time. However, it indicates a 2.5% improvement from the year-ago quarters reported figure. For full-year 2019, Extra Space Storage anticipates core FFO per share of $4.84-$4.87. This is based on same-store revenue growth projection of 3-3.5% and same-store NOI growth of 2.25-3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for full-year FFO per share is pinned at $4.86, indicating 4.07% year-over-year growth on revenues of $1.3 billion. Here is what our quantitative model predicts: Our proven model does not conclusively predict a positive surprise in terms of FFO per share for Extra Space Storage this season. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of a FFO beat. But thats not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Although Extra Space Storage carries a Zacks Rank of 3, its Earnings ESP of -0.60% makes surprise prediction difficult. Stocks That Warrant a Look Here are a few stocks in the REIT sector that you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to report a positive surprise this quarter: Vornado Realty Trust VNO, scheduled to release earnings on Feb 18, has an Earnings ESP of +5.00% and currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Ventas, Inc. VTR, slated to report fourth-quarter results on Feb 20, has an Earnings ESP of +0.81% and holds a Zacks Rank of 3. Public Storage PSA, set to release quarterly numbers on Feb 25, has an Earnings ESP of +0.25% and carries a Zacks Rank of 3, currently. Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represent funds from operations (FFO) a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs. Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside? Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana. Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look. See the pot trades we're targeting>> 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 Public Storage (PSA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Vornado Realty Trust (VNO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ventas, Inc. (VTR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Extra Space Storage Inc (EXR) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research First anniversary of Pulwama terror attack: To commemorate martyrdom of 40 CPPF jawans who lost their lives in a suicide bomber attack in Pulwama, J&K, on February 14 last year, a memorial will be inaugurated at the district's Lethpora camp on Friday. The memorial will bear the names of all 40 martyrs along with their pictures. The CRPF memorial will also carry the moto of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) -- 'Seva and Nishtha' (Service and Loyalty). Jammu and Kashmir: Tributes being paid to the 40 CRPF jawans who lost their lives in #PulwamaAttack last year, at the memorial at CRPF's Lethpora camp, in Srinagar. pic.twitter.com/9aAxF5cbhE ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2020 Remembering the martyrs' sacrifice, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said India would forever be grateful of its bravehearts. "I pay homage to the martyrs of Pulwama Attack. India will forever be grateful of our bravehearts and their families who made supreme sacrifice for the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland." It was around 3 pm on this day last year when Jaish-e-Mohammed bomber Adil Ahmed Dar, 20, rammed an SUV loaded with 350 kg explosives in one of the CRPF buses, leaving 40 Central Reserve Police Force jawans dead. The attack on the convoy carrying over 2,500 CRPF jawans in 78 buses had shook the entire nation. One year after the attack, there has been a complete change in the vigil strategy of the security forces. Crucial security measures taken after Pulwama attack Troops' movement is now done in coordination with other security forces and the Army CRPF can carry troops by air to avoid possibility of any such attack Process of bullet-proofing of vehicles carrying troops has been expedited Now many more bunker-type vehicles can seen on roads carrying jawans A flashback After the attack last year, tensions had flared up between India and Pakistan as protests erupted across India, seeking revenge for the dastardly attack. As leaders across the party lines condemned the terror attack and called for a response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told the countrymen he felt the same "fire" in his "heart" that's raging inside people of India. He also said all tears would be "avenged" and gave the Army "full freedom to decide the place, time, intensity and nature of the retaliation". Following the attack, India launched airstrikes on Jaish camps in Balakot in Pakistan's Khber Pakhtunkhwa region on February 26. A day later, IAF had foiled an attempt by Pakistani Air Force to strike at military installations in J&K, which led to a major dogfight and aerial skirmish between IAF and PAF fighters. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was flying MIG-21 Bison fighter aircraft shot down Pakistan's much-advanced F-16. After his own aircraft was hit, he ejected from it and landed in PoK, where he was captured by the Pakistani Army. In just two days, under pressure from India and the international community, Pakistan had to release him, and the IAF pilot was given a hero's welcome back home. As per the Army, all conspirators behind the terror attack in Pulwama have been killed in the past one year, with the last one being Qari Yasir, the self-styled chief of Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group, who was killed last month. Edited by Manoj sharma with agency inputs Courtesy / Courtesy/Will Tran Police released the identity of a Beaumont man who was killed after being struck by a vehicle while riding a bike early Friday morning. The crash occurred just after 2 a.m. in the 2500 block of college street, according to a release from the Beaumont police department. What is the coronavirus? A coronavirus is a type of virus which can cause illness in animals and people. Viruses break into cells inside their host and use them to reproduce itself and disrupt the body's normal functions. Coronaviruses are named after the Latin word 'corona', which means crown, because they are encased by a spiked shell which resembles a royal crown. The coronavirus from Wuhan is one which has never been seen before this outbreak. It has been named SARS-CoV-2 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. The name stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2. Experts say the bug, which has killed around one in 50 patients since the outbreak began in December, is a 'sister' of the SARS illness which hit China in 2002, so has been named after it. The disease that the virus causes has been named COVID-19, which stands for coronavirus disease 2019. Dr Helena Maier, from the Pirbright Institute, said: 'Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that infect a wide range of different species including humans, cattle, pigs, chickens, dogs, cats and wild animals. 'Until this new coronavirus was identified, there were only six different coronaviruses known to infect humans. Four of these cause a mild common cold-type illness, but since 2002 there has been the emergence of two new coronaviruses that can infect humans and result in more severe disease (Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronaviruses). 'Coronaviruses are known to be able to occasionally jump from one species to another and that is what happened in the case of SARS, MERS and the new coronavirus. The animal origin of the new coronavirus is not yet known.' The first human cases were publicly reported from the Chinese city of Wuhan, where approximately 11million people live, after medics first started publicly reporting infections on December 31. By January 8, 59 suspected cases had been reported and seven people were in critical condition. Tests were developed for the new virus and recorded cases started to surge. The first person died that week and, by January 16, two were dead and 41 cases were confirmed. The next day, scientists predicted that 1,700 people had become infected, possibly up to 7,000. Where does the virus come from? According to scientists, the virus almost certainly came from bats. Coronaviruses in general tend to originate in animals the similar SARS and MERS viruses are believed to have originated in civet cats and camels, respectively. The first cases of COVID-19 came from people visiting or working in a live animal market in Wuhan, which has since been closed down for investigation. Although the market is officially a seafood market, other dead and living animals were being sold there, including wolf cubs, salamanders, snakes, peacocks, porcupines and camel meat. A study by the Wuhan Institute of Virology, published in February 2020 in the scientific journal Nature, found that the genetic make-up virus samples found in patients in China is 96 per cent identical to a coronavirus they found in bats. However, there were not many bats at the market so scientists say it was likely there was an animal which acted as a middle-man, contracting it from a bat before then transmitting it to a human. It has not yet been confirmed what type of animal this was. Dr Michael Skinner, a virologist at Imperial College London, was not involved with the research but said: 'The discovery definitely places the origin of nCoV in bats in China. 'We still do not know whether another species served as an intermediate host to amplify the virus, and possibly even to bring it to the market, nor what species that host might have been.' So far the fatalities are quite low. Why are health experts so worried about it? Experts say the international community is concerned about the virus because so little is known about it and it appears to be spreading quickly. It is similar to SARS, which infected 8,000 people and killed nearly 800 in an outbreak in Asia in 2003, in that it is a type of coronavirus which infects humans' lungs. It is less deadly than SARS, however, which killed around one in 10 people, compared to approximately one in 50 for COVID-19. Another reason for concern is that nobody has any immunity to the virus because they've never encountered it before. This means it may be able to cause more damage than viruses we come across often, like the flu or common cold. Speaking at a briefing in January, Oxford University professor, Dr Peter Horby, said: 'Novel viruses can spread much faster through the population than viruses which circulate all the time because we have no immunity to them. 'Most seasonal flu viruses have a case fatality rate of less than one in 1,000 people. Here we're talking about a virus where we don't understand fully the severity spectrum but it's possible the case fatality rate could be as high as two per cent.' If the death rate is truly two per cent, that means two out of every 100 patients who get it will die. 'My feeling is it's lower,' Dr Horby added. 'We're probably missing this iceberg of milder cases. But that's the current circumstance we're in. 'Two per cent case fatality rate is comparable to the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918 so it is a significant concern globally.' How does the virus spread? The illness can spread between people just through coughs and sneezes, making it an extremely contagious infection. And it may also spread even before someone has symptoms. It is believed to travel in the saliva and even through water in the eyes, therefore close contact, kissing, and sharing cutlery or utensils are all risky. It can also live on surfaces, such as plastic and steel, for up to 72 hours, meaning people can catch it by touching contaminated surfaces. Originally, people were thought to be catching it from a live animal market in Wuhan city. But cases soon began to emerge in people who had never been there, which forced medics to realise it was spreading from person to person. What does the virus do to you? What are the symptoms? Once someone has caught the COVID-19 virus it may take between two and 14 days, or even longer, for them to show any symptoms but they may still be contagious during this time. If and when they do become ill, typical signs include a runny nose, a cough, sore throat and a fever (high temperature). The vast majority of patients will recover from these without any issues, and many will need no medical help at all. In a small group of patients, who seem mainly to be the elderly or those with long-term illnesses, it can lead to pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection in which the insides of the lungs swell up and fill with fluid. It makes it increasingly difficult to breathe and, if left untreated, can be fatal and suffocate people. Figures are showing that young children do not seem to be particularly badly affected by the virus, which they say is peculiar considering their susceptibility to flu, but it is not clear why. What have genetic tests revealed about the virus? Scientists in China have recorded the genetic sequences of around 19 strains of the virus and released them to experts working around the world. This allows others to study them, develop tests and potentially look into treating the illness they cause. Examinations have revealed the coronavirus did not change much changing is known as mutating much during the early stages of its spread. However, the director-general of China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Gao Fu, said the virus was mutating and adapting as it spread through people. This means efforts to study the virus and to potentially control it may be made extra difficult because the virus might look different every time scientists analyse it. More study may be able to reveal whether the virus first infected a small number of people then change and spread from them, or whether there were various versions of the virus coming from animals which have developed separately. How dangerous is the virus? The virus has a death rate of around two per cent. This is a similar death rate to the Spanish Flu outbreak which, in 1918, went on to kill around 50million people. Experts have been conflicted since the beginning of the outbreak about whether the true number of people who are infected is significantly higher than the official numbers of recorded cases. Some people are expected to have such mild symptoms that they never even realise they are ill unless they're tested, so only the more serious cases get discovered, making the death toll seem higher than it really is. However, an investigation into government surveillance in China said it had found no reason to believe this was true. Dr Bruce Aylward, a World Health Organization official who went on a mission to China, said there was no evidence that figures were only showing the tip of the iceberg, and said recording appeared to be accurate, Stat News reported. Can the virus be cured? The COVID-19 virus cannot be cured and it is proving difficult to contain. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, so they are out of the question. Antiviral drugs can work, but the process of understanding a virus then developing and producing drugs to treat it would take years and huge amounts of money. No vaccine exists for the coronavirus yet and it's not likely one will be developed in time to be of any use in this outbreak, for similar reasons to the above. The National Institutes of Health in the US, and Baylor University in Waco, Texas, say they are working on a vaccine based on what they know about coronaviruses in general, using information from the SARS outbreak. But this may take a year or more to develop, according to Pharmaceutical Technology. Currently, governments and health authorities are working to contain the virus and to care for patients who are sick and stop them infecting other people. People who catch the illness are being quarantined in hospitals, where their symptoms can be treated and they will be away from the uninfected public. And airports around the world are putting in place screening measures such as having doctors on-site, taking people's temperatures to check for fevers and using thermal screening to spot those who might be ill (infection causes a raised temperature). However, it can take weeks for symptoms to appear, so there is only a small likelihood that patients will be spotted up in an airport. Is this outbreak an epidemic or a pandemic? The outbreak was declared a pandemic on March 11. A pandemic is defined by the World Health Organization as the 'worldwide spread of a new disease'. Previously, the UN agency said most cases outside of Hubei had been 'spillover' from the epicentre, so the disease wasn't actually spreading actively around the world. The problems of "the Commonwealth" the 54 nations that once made up the British empire are not down to its Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland. They are, and will continue to be, the result of a portentous organisation without a significant budget or any power other than an appeal to nostalgia and which clings to a forelock-tugging relationship with the British Royal Family. Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland. An international body bound by common law and common democratic institutions could be a force for good in a world which is out of joint, but thanks to its most important countries, including Australia, the Commonwealth has no force at all. This has not always been the case. Back in the days of apartheid, the Commonwealth under Sonny Ramphal raised an early and outspoken voice against racism and the denial of human rights in some of its member countries. It then declined and for eight years before 2016 it was led by an Indian diplomat who would not have known a human right if he fell over it. Patricia Scotland a high-achieving black QC who had been solicitor-general in a British Labour government was then appointed, with a mandate to effect urgent and radical reforms in this moribund organisation. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Normal life remained unaffected in Bengaluru following the statewide bandh called by a coalition of pro-Kannada organisations demanding the implementation of the Sarojini Mahishi report on job reservations for Kannadigas in the state. Interestingly, it was house arrest for some of the leaders of these pro-Kannada organisations. The city police hadnt taken any chances and ensured security measures in sensitive places, especially in areas like Majestic bus stand and metro stations in Bengaluru. There were a few isolated incidents of burning tyres. Pro-Kannada activist Praveen Shetty was kept under house arrest and wasnt even allowed to go for his morning walk. Activists made rounds in some areas to appeal to traders to shut their shops in their support. In Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border, activists reportedly tried to shut shops and business establishments forcibly. Tension gripped around Mysore Bank Circle and Majestic after an altercation between pro-Kannada activists and policemen when the protesters tried to stop BMTC buses and other vehicles. The police pushed the protesters inside cars to detain them and took them away from the spot. Policemen were deployed in huge numbers around main junctions like Majestic, Shivajinagar, Shanthinagar and all TTMC centres to prevent any untoward incidents. Metro and other public transport operated as usual. Cabs and auto-rickshaw services were also available like other days.Meanwhile, several protesters blocked the road at Neraluru in Hosur border to block bus services from Tamil Nadu and also burnt tyres on NICE Road and Attibele Road. Following the bandh, thousands of passengers left the city in the early hours to catch their flights even when their flights were scheduled around afternoon and evening. The airport was jam-packed and passengers were found sleeping on chairs and at departure premises.However, there were no any untoward incidents. Passengers at Majestic were few in number as many people knew about the bandh. The protest call was given by the Karnataka Sanghatanegala Okkoota, comprising a few factions of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV). It also has backing of Ola-Uber cab drivers association, a few auto unions, associations of farmers, street vendors, trade unions and transporters. Pyongyang claims that North Korea has no cases of coronavirus, having closed its border with China and suspended all tourism. Experts are skeptical, reports the Daily Mirror, and South Korean media claims that an official returning from China was executed on the spot after it was learned he visited a public spa while there. The trade official, who had been placed in isolation after traveling to China, was arrested and immediately shot for risking the spread of the deadly disease, the Dong-a Ilbo news outlet in South Korea reported. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to "rule by military law" against anyone who leaves quarantine without permission. South Korea's biggest current television hit is a surreally unlikely tale of a billionaire heiress who accidentally paraglides into the North and falls in love with a chivalrous army officer serving Kim Jong Un. "Crash Landing on You" is unashamedly fantastical in its plotlines, but has drawn praise for its portrayal of everyday life in the North, even down to accents and words. The division of the peninsula is a regular theme in K-drama and K-movies, but it is unusual for so much of a show to be set in the North -- in both Pyongyang and the countryside -- and defectors have complimented its accuracy. Portraits of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung and his son and successor Kim Jong Il -- father of the current leader -- appear on the walls of every home, with propaganda slogans in the streets of the set. The crew included a writer and an actress from the North: "I felt like I was actually back in a North Korean village," said Kim A-ra, who played a villager. The 16-part series reaches its climax on cable network tvN this weekend. "It changed the stereotypes on North Korea and candidly showed that it too is a place where people live," said Yun Suk-jin, a professor at Chungnam National University. It is also a manifestation of how tensions have eased on the peninsula, where fears of war in 2017 were replaced by a rapid diplomatic thaw and a series of summits, although the process is now stalled. "The series wouldn't even have been planned and produced under heightened tensions," Yun added. "Even if it was, it would not have been well received." - On your bike - The story opens with the beautiful heiress to a South Korean business empire being swept up by a tornado while paragliding, and crashing on the wrong side of the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone. She meets a handsome North Korean soldier -- the son of a top military general -- and the two fall in love as he hides and protects her. It is a vanishingly implausible scenario in a one-party state where intruders are jailed and disloyalty heavily punished. Even more surreally, after she returns South the hero and several comrades slip across the DMZ and into Seoul undetected to save her from a villain. But viewers have been fascinated by the villagers' humble lifestyles -- the neighbours remain technically at war, with any contact between their citizens banned. In one scene, a woman places a plastic bag over her bath to keep the water warm for longer. In another, a resident pedals vigorously on a bicycle-powered generator after a blackout to keep the television on. South Korean fans found it humorous, but defector Han Song-ee was reminded of frequent power cuts in her homeland. "Every home has a pedal power generator in North Korea," Han said in a YouTube video. "I cried watching the scene." - 'Pure fantasy' - The series portrays North Koreans as being well-disposed towards the South. On a visit to a jangmadang -- an informal but increasingly widespread and tolerated black market in the North -- a vendor tells the heiress her company's cosmetics are among her most sought-after items. One North Korean soldier is a fervent fan of Southern dramas and secretly watches the forbidden clips even when on duty, while a Northern teenager uses the latest Southern slang. Thae Yong Ho, a former senior North Korean diplomat who defected to the South in 2016, said: "One thing for sure is that if this TV series is smuggled into North Korea, it will be hugely popular." Some critics have accused "Crash Landing on You" of peddling propaganda for the North, with a small right-wing group seeking a criminal investigation. The Christian Liberty Party accused the producers of glorifying North Korean soldiers, who in real life were an enemy that "point their guns and knives at us". But the series has the crucial ingredients for commercial success of big-budget production values and a star-studded cast, led by Hyun Bin playing the officer and Son Ye-jin the heiress. Most fans appeared not to be thinking "too deeply" about the Koreas' division, said professor Yun. Kim Eun-ji, a 33-year-old office worker who has freed up her weekend to catch the finale, said: "It's pure fantasy." A tvN handout from the drama series "Crash Landing on You" starring actress Son Ye-jin and actor Hyun Bin South Korea's biggest current television hit is a fantastical tale of a billionaire heiress who accidentally paraglides into the North and falls in love with a chivalrous army officer "Crash Landing on You" is unashamedly fantastical in its plotlines, but has drawn praise for its portrayal of everyday life in the North, even down to accents and words KLM Royal Dutch Airlines employees bow during a press conference at Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno District, Seoul, Friday, where they apologized for not allowing South Korean passengers to use an on-board toilet on Feb. 10 (Amsterdam time). Yonhap KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the national flag carrier of the Netherlands, offered a public apology on Friday for not allowing South Korean passengers to use an on-board toilet due to concerns about the new coronavirus. The incident occurred on a KLM flight to Incheon from Amsterdam on Feb. 10 (Amsterdam time) when a crew member posted a note written in Korean on the door to the restroom, which read "Lavatory For Crew Members Only." Later, KML added the English version of the note after the note was pointed out by a passenger. "This is a human mistake and we apologize for it," Guillaume Glass, general manager for Korea at KLM, said in a press conference at a Seoul hotel. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) A Quezon City court has ordered the arrest of former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and 10 other individuals supposedly responsible for circulating the videos alleging the presidential family's drug involvement. The arrest orders were issued Thursday, three days after the Metropolitan Trial Court of Quezon City charged Trillanes and his supposed cohorts with conspiracy to commit sedition. A 10,000 bail bond was recommended for their provisional liberty. Among those charged is Peter Joemel Advincula, the man claiming to be the hooded figure "Bikoy" the "Ang Totoong Narcolist" video series. The videos, which went viral last year, linked President Rodrigo Duterte and his family to the illegal drug trade. Advincula has since flip-flopped about the origin of the videos. He earlier said he was not tapped by any political party to produce the videos, but later claimed that Trillanes was the mastermind. He also accused Vice President Leni Robredo of being present in meetings to oust Duterte. READ: Opposition figures charge Bikoy with perjury The court dismissed the inciting to sedition and other criminal complaints against Robredo and 25 members of the opposition. Aside from Trillanes and Advincula, the court charged Joel Saracho, Boom Enriquez, a certain "Monique," Yolanda Ong, Vicente Romano III, Fr. Albert Alejo, Fr. Flaviano Villanueva, Jonnel Sangalang, and Eduardo Acierto. Trillanes in a statement said he is currently out of the country and that he will post bail upon returning to Manila next week. "I will face this case just as I have faced all the other harassment cases Duterte's minions have filed against me," Trillanes said. Trillanes is out on bail amid ongoing trial for several cases including revived rebellion charges after Duterte voided his 2011 amnesty, and the libel complaints filed against him by presidential son and Davao City Representative-elect Paolo Duterte, and his brother-in-law Mans Carpio. Meanwhile, Advincula will also post bail next week, according to his lawyer, Larry Gadon. Catholic priests Alejo and Villanueva both paid 10,000 for their temporary liberty on Friday. According to a court order that granted their temporary liberty, the pre-trial conference and arraignment of the case where they will plead guilty or not guilty to the charges will be on March 17. Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas on Thursday explained that Trillanes and the 10 other respondents have only been charged for conspiracy to commit sedition, and not inciting for sedition, since there was no overt act to call for public uprising. Those accused have been charged for circulating malicious libels and fabricating evidence to make it appear that Duterte and his family are involved in drug trade as an act of revenge," Torrevillas said in a media briefing. "The conspiracy here was to inflict libelous imputations against the president," she added. According to Article 141 of the Revised Penal Code, persons conspiring to commit the crime of sedition shall be punished with reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years in prison. CNN Philippines' Anjo Alimario contributed to this report. Hyderabad: IT and municipal administration minister K.T. Rama Rao is leading a counterattack on Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman for her statements over and allocations to Telangana in her recent Union Budget, saying that the people of Telangana have given more than double to the Centre than what it gave to the state. Giving year-wise funds allocated by the Centre to Telangana in contradistinction to funds collected by the Centre from Telangana, the TRS working president said that the state has given `2,72,926 (2.73 lakh) crore to Centre though taxes, whereas, the centre had given only `1,12,854 (1.13 lakh) crore to the state. He pointed out that difference was `1,60,072 (1.60 lakh) crore. In a tweet, the state minister said that the nation needed to know what Telangana gives to the Centre and what it gets in return. In a tweet, Mr Rao said, Pained by the condescension in the statement of FM in Parliament that Centre has Given TS funds. People of Telangana & the nation need to know what Telangana Gives to Government of India in the form of taxes & what we get in return- Hope the irony is not lost on you FM ji (sic). The differences between the Telangana state and Centre at a government level, and between the ruling TRS and BJP parties at a political level, over funds released by the centre to state have been persistent and continued for years. The TRS and Telanganas argument has been that the Centre gave to Telangana on par with other states as per Constitutional obligations and no additional funds were ever allocated to the state. BJP: Centre giving more funds to TS The BJP says that the Centre has been giving more funds to Telangana, which the TRS-led government was diverting and misusing. To a question posed by Congress MP Komatireddy Venkata Reddy in the recently concluded Lok Sabha session over funds released to Telangana by the Centre, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had given a written statement. Former MP and deputy-chairman of the Telangana Planning Board B. Vinod Kumar immediately criticised the Centre on this issue. This led to a flurry of allegations and counter-allegations by TRS and BJP leaders on the issue, with minister Rama Rao now joining the fray in countering the Union finance minister. President Trump told Fox News friend Geraldo Rivera on Thursday that he did send Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine to procure damaging information on his political rivals. "Was it strange to send Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine, your personal lawyer?" Rivera asked Trump on his podcast. "Are you sorry you did that?" "No, not at all," Trump responded. "When you tell me, why did I use Rudy, and one of the things about Rudy, No. 1, he was the best prosecutor, you know, one of the best prosecutors, and the best mayor." "That is literally the exact opposite of what he told Bill O'Reilly in an interview in November," CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale told Don Lemon on Thursday night, playing the clip where Trump said, "No, I didn't direct him," meaning Giuliani. "So what has changed now? Well, perhaps Trump just thinks impeachment's over with, I've been acquitted, I can say whatever I want. Perhaps he forgot that he ever denied this. Regardless, though, what he's saying now is the truth. He did direct Rudy to go there. We heard that not only from Rudy himself, but from testimony from others in the impeachment inquiry." CNN senior political analyst John Avlon, sitting on Lemon's panel, found Dale's second explanation more plausible. "The fact is, the president probably forgot that he lied," Avlon said. "This is what happens when you sort of live in a web of lies occasionally you contradict yourself." Trump's admission he sent Giuliani means he's either "either emboldened after his acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial or comfortable on the show of a longtime friend," suggests New York's Matt Stieb. But he wasn't fooling anyone to begin with. On his July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Stieb notes, Trump told Zelensky that "Rudy very much knows what's happening and he is a very capable guy. If you could speak to him that would be great." More stories from theweek.com The sidelining of Elizabeth Warren 6 books Erik Larson keeps returning to Everyone would fall for a Trump deepfake Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said Russia's leaders are "hinting" that he should accept a merger of their two countries in return for getting cheaper oil and gas, amid a squeeze on energy supplies from his giant neighbor. Lukashenko said he's certain neither Belarusians nor Russians "want to go this way," during a visit to factory workers on Friday, according to his website. He described talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi last week as "peculiar." While Putin has unveiled planned constitutional changes that may allow him to keep power in Russia beyond the end of his presidential term in 2024, when he must step down, he has also pressed Lukashenko to agree to a merger between the former Soviet republics, according to two Kremlin officials. Absorbing Belarus would offer Putin another option to sidestep term limits by becoming the head of a new "Union State." Amid a dispute over the price of Russian oil supplies to Belarus, Lukashenko said Putin questioned why he would seek crude from other countries if it was more expensive. "So that we don't have to be on our knees on Dec. 31 every year," Lukashenko said he replied, in reference to annual contracts negotiated with Russia. The Kremlin didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Lukashenko, who's ruled since 1994 and faces re-election later this year, signed a treaty with Russia under then President Boris Yeltsin to establish a "Union State" in principle in 1999, but has resisted recent Kremlin pressure to bind the countries more tightly together. Russia, which used to meet almost all Belarus's oil and gas requirements, cut supplies of crude by three-fourths in January over the pricing dispute. Officials in Moscow warned flows may stop completely if Belarus doesn't agree to market prices. Lukashenko has retaliated by declaring he wants to reduce dependency on Russian oil to about 40% and get the rest from other countries. While there's "nothing wrong" with working on greater integration with Russia, this will cover "purely economic" questions and won't involve the creation of any supranational bodies, Lukashenko told the factory workers. A Nigerian prince has given up a life of royalty to spend his days hunting leaks for Thames Water in London. Akeem Adenuga, 62, comes from the state of Lagos, Nigeria, where his brother - King Asunmo Aderibigbe - is The Paramount Ruler of Odo-Ayandelu. The prince - who now lives in Tottenham, north London - took a break from royal duties in 1994 to study in the UK. He fell in love with the country, taking a job as a trainee leakage technician at Thames Water in 2000, and he has worked there ever since. Mr Adenuga now leads a team of 24 engineers who find and fix hidden subterranean leaks across the capital. Nigerian prince Akeem Adenuga, 62, has given up a life of royalty at home to spend his days hunting leaks for Thames Water in London Father-of-five Mr Adenuga said: 'I really look forward to coming to work, and I'm always raring to go out and get stuck into work in the streets of the capital. 'I love my job, and the people I work with really make it special. 'That's why it's so important to me that I look after my team - health and safety is my top priority. Mr Adenuga, 62, (right) comes from the state of Lagos, Nigeria, where his brother - King Asunmo Aderibigbe (left) - is The Paramount Ruler of Odo-Ayandelu. Centre: King Asunmo's wife Olori Abimbola King Asunmo Aderibigbe is The Paramount Ruler of Odo-Ayandelu (pictured) in Nigeria 'It gives me joy every day when they all get home safely.' Despite moving thousands of miles away, Akeem remains deeply connected to his hometown of Agbowa-Ikosi - a small town a two-hour drive from the city of Lagos. He and five friends donated $25,000 for an ambulance in 2017, so that locals could take patients to the nearest hospital - an hour away. Mr Adenuga now leads a team of 24 engineers who find and fix hidden subterranean leaks across the capital Mr Adenuga, who is a massive Arsenal fan despite living in Tottenham, said: 'As a prince back home, my family gets a wonderful welcome every time we visit. 'But I always remember the advice my late father gave me many years ago - be humble, kind and productive. 'That's a really good way to live and has always carried me through.' His brother is Royal Majesty Oba Asunmo Ganiyu Aderibigbe Balogun, Jamade 1, the Paramount Ruler of Odo-Ayandelu. But before taking up his role he studied Block Laying and Concreting at a technical college. He then went on to be a masonry officer and union leader at the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) in Nigeria. Thames Water is now uncovering a record number of leaks, with more than 70,000 repaired in the last financial year. It is spending more than 1 million a day to help reduce leaks on an underground network of pipes that's almost long enough to circle the Earth. Recent successes include plugging a leak that was losing three million litres per day in Guildford Street, near Great Ormond Street Hospital. Danny Leamon, Thames Water's head of water networks, said: 'We have dozens of teams working around the clock to find and fix an average of around 1,400 leaky pipes every week right across our region. 'We're determined to drastically reduce the amount of water that escapes from our pipe network to help protect customer supplies and the environment for now and future generations.' YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan met with President of Moldova Igor Dodon in the sidelines of Munich Security Conference. The correspondent of ARMENPRESS reports from Munich that greeting the President of Moldova, PM Pashinyan noted that he is very glad for the opportunity to meet him, adding that they often meet during various international events or sessions. The political relations between Armenia and Moldova are on a high level, which is very satisfying. We can see intensity in bilateral interactions, but we cannot say the same for economic relations, Nikol Pashinyan said. He noted that there is much to do in this sphere, including organization of business forums and other events. PM Pashinyan plans to pay an official visit to Moldova in the near future. The President of Moldova is not satisfied with economic results as well. Sharing the opinion of his partner, Igor Dodon said that its necessary to make joint efforts to activate trade and economic relations. Mr. Prime Minister, I am very glad for this meeting. We are looking forward to your visit in the 1st half of this year. We see a necessity to hold a session of the intergovernmental commission and business meetings, which I think, will foster economic relations, the President of Moldova said. He informed that at the end of February the President of the parliament of Moldova will pay a visit to Armenia. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan F rom naff cards to ostentatious flower bouquets - Valentine's Day may be cheesy, but there's no doubting people love it. Valentine's Day may be something that Chaucer made up nearly 700 years ago, but even today it's still heralded as the most romantic day of the year. But what is Valentine's Day, and why do we celebrate it? Here's all you need to know. Everyone loves Valentine's Day / Shutterstock / Javier Brosch Where did Valentines Day come from and who was Saint Valentine? As with any long-standing tradition, the origin of Valentine's Day is particularly murky. But it is possible to trace the day's origins to the Roman festival of Lupercalia, a spring festival which fell on February 15. When Christianity was introduced, the Roman holiday moved to February 14 to coincide with a feast day in which Christians commemorated a number of early saints called Valentine. Popular belief has it that one of these martyrs, Saint Valentine of Rome, was priest who defied an order from emperor Claudius in the third century AD by arranging secret marriages for soldiers forbidden to marry. For that, Valentine was condemned to death and thrown in jail, but not before he performed a miracle by restoring sight to his jailor's blind daughter, to whom he later left a note signed "Your Valentine". But it wasn't until the 14th century that Valentine's Day came to be associated with romantic love, when Geoffrey Chaucer honoured the engagement of King Richard II to Anne of Bohemia with a poem which quickly caught the public's imagination. What are typical Valentines Day traditions in the UK? Roses are a traditional gift for Valentine's Day / PA Archive/PA Images Cards, flowers, chocolates, romantic mini-breaks, meals for two - you name it, anything even vaguely romantic will be looked upon fondly on February 14. In fact, any romantic stereotype you can think of is popular on Valentine's Day - think teddy bears with saccharine love messages or anything heart-shaped. The most romantic films of all time 1 /14 The most romantic films of all time When Harry Met Sally When Harry Met Sally has been winning over new generations of fans ever since being released back in 1989, and its appeal is still irresistible nearly thirty years on. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal have unmistakable chemistry, and the film is rightly regarded as one of the greatest romcoms of all time. And whatever you do, have what she's having. Allstar/Cinetext/COLUMBIA Carol Critically-lauded romantic drama Carol stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara as two women who conduct a forbidden love affair in 1950s New York. Beautifully and beguiling adapted from Patricia Highsmith romance novel, it was even once voted the best LGBTQ+ film of all time at the BFI Flare festival. Notting Hill 1999s Notting Hill is one of the classic British romcoms: Richard Curtiss screenplay is sparky and soppy in equal measure and Hugh Grant delivers one of his best performances. In it, he picks up where he left off in Four Weddings and a Funeral, all stutters and twiddling with his glasses. Julia Roberts is cast perfectly, while Emma Chambers charmed as Grant's giggling, manic sister. My Best Friend's Wedding Julia Roberts proved herself as queen of the 90s romcom with My Best Friends Wedding. The film, also starring Cameron Diazm and Michael ONeal, may have a questionable premise Roberts is trying to win over an old love, in front of his fiancee but it is a pleasingly unvarnished look at how complicated love can be. The real star, though, is Rupert Everett; his turn is worth a watch alone. Romeo & Juliet Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes play the titular star-crossed lovers in Baz Luhrmanns stunning Shakespear adaptation. Its an unforgettable tale, and even if the ending isnt exactly cheery, its story of young love is as powerful and enduring as ever. 13 Going On 30 Jennifer Garner delivers a bright performance alongside a pre-Hulk Mark Ruffalo in this 2004 favourite. It's a classic body-swap comedy setup, with the pair playing childhood sweethearts who reconnect after Garners character is transported into the body of a 30-year-old woman. Its fun, sweet and a little silly just the thing if you're getting tipsy on the fizz. Titanic If in doubt, stick with DiCaprio. Even for those who've seen Titanic over and over, the touching romance between Kate Winslet's Rose and DiCaprio's Jack is always worth revisiting their scene together dancing to the Irish jigs fizzles as they dance grasping hands, eyes locked, lost in each other. The raft is a problem, though. Me Before You Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin star together in this touching film, which explores the central relationship between a carer and a man left paralysed by a motorcycle accident. Its a moving watch, in which the pair learn to enjoy life and find love in difficult circumstances. Brooklyn Saoirse Ronan plays a young Irish woman who finds love after moving to New York in this romantic drama from 2015. After her strict mother puts pressure on her to return to Ireland and settle down, she must make a choice between what is expected of her and what her heart longs for. Dirty Dancing The late, great Patrick Swayze stars as charismatic dance instructor Johnny Castle in the unforgettable Dirty Dancing. Jennifer Grey also delivers a top performance as 17-year-old dancer Baby, who falls head over heels against all the odds in this 1987 classic. Tipsily trying the famous lift is probably best avoided. The Notebook Get the tissues out for this one. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams The Notebook is a weepy but uplifting romcom, which has been one of the go-to romantic films for couples everywhere since its release in 2004. The film is hardly subtle when it tugs at viewers heartstrings, but it remains one of the most epic cinematic love stories of recent times. Valentine's Day cards have traditionally always been sent anonymously while trips to Paris to celebrate in the city of love are always popular. Former Member of Parliament for Bantama Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Henry Kwabena Kokofu, has suggested that any member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) who will threaten mayhem if the EC continues with its decision of compiling a new voters' register is suffering from an overdose of tramadol. According to the NDC, the Electoral Commission's insistence on compiling a new voters' register some few months to the December 2020 elections can create confusion in the country. Meanwhile, the ruling NPP says the NDC are just rehearsing to reject the election results if they lose. Henry Kokofu speaking to Kwami Sefa Kayi on Thursday's edition of 'Kokrokoo' programme said: "the bottom line is that Electoral Commission has the mandate to do the work they are currently doing, and we keep telling the NDC to go to court if they are not happy with the decision, than threatening mayhem . . . if you are not suffering from the overdose of tramadol, why would you even threaten mayhem". Listen to him in the video below Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video India on Friday stepped up vigil against novel coronavirus asking airlines to screen passengers arriving on flights from Japan and South Korea in addition to China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore. Civil Aviation regulator DGCA asked airlines to screen passengers as they step out of the specific aerobridges. Universal screening of all the passengers coming in flights directly from Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore besides the flights from China and Hong Kong shall be ensured immediately once they step out of the specific identified aerobridge, the Directorate General Civil Aviation said here. The DGCA has also asked all airlines to make in-flight announcement in the flights coming directly from these countries and ensure strict compliance. It is advised to place the suitable signages at strategic locations at all the airports and getting the self-declaration form filled by the passengers as per the instructions of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, it added. India had reported three confirmed cases of nCoV, all in Kerala who had returned to India on their own recently and self-reported at a hospital in the state. A male passenger on a Bangkok-Delhi SpiceJet flight was placed under quarantine on Thursday on suspicion of being infected with nCoV. The airline on Friday issued a statement to say that the said passenger had been tested negative. MARIETTA, Ga. - An influential anti-abortion group is backing Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler of Georgia in her November special election, only months after opposing her appointment to the post. Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said Friday that her initial concerns were based on information from the rumour universe during a tour of an anti-abortion pregnancy centre with Loeffler and the man who appointed her, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. What changed was, I actually met and got to know Kelly Loeffler, Dannenfelser said. The about-face by the group comes as Republicans draw battle lines between Loeffler, a wealthy businesswoman and political newcomer, and Rep. Doug Collins, a loyalist to President Donald Trump who is challenging Loeffler for the seat. Democrats, meanwhile, hope to capitalize on the intraparty division in a state they increasingly see as winnable. Trump has praised both GOP candidates and has not made an endorsement in the race. In November, Dannenfelser said Loefflers position on the board of an Atlanta hospital should disqualify her from representing the state in the U.S. Senate. Days later, Kemp announced Loeffler as his pick to fill the seat of retiring GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson. The move was widely seen as a bid to court suburban and female voters many of whom have reacted to Trumps rhetoric and policies by moving away from the GOP. After Loefflers name was first floated in media reports as a possible replacement for Isakson, she was attacked by several Trump allies and conservative groups who considered her to be too moderate and inexperienced for the job. Shes since leaned right on issues like abortion and guns and was a vocal supporter of Trumps throughout the impeachment process that ended with his acquittal by the Senate last week. During the tour Friday, Loeffler touted sponsoring four pro-life bills since entering the Senate last month Collins and Loeffler have also fought to lock down endorsements from high-profile Republicans. Former Speaker of the House and Georgia congressman Newt Gingrich has endorsed Loeffler, while former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has endorsed Collins, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee. Three Democrats are also vying for the seat: the Rev. Raphael Warnock, pastor of the Atlanta church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached; Matt Lieberman, an Atlanta area educator and son of former vice-presidential candidate Joe Lieberman; and Ed Tarver, a former federal prosecutor who was U.S. attorney for Georgias Southern District under President Barack Obama. The United States celebrates Valentines Day each year on February 14. Images of hearts are everywhere, as are red roses and boxes of chocolates to give to that special person. You could say that love is in the air. Many other countries celebrate Valentines Day, too, each in their own way. Here is a look at four countries Valentines Day traditions. South Korea: three is a charm For South Koreans, Valentines Day happens in three parts: February 14, March 14 and April 14. On February 14, women traditionally give men gifts of chocolate to show their affection. One month later, on a holiday known as White Day, men show their thanks by giving women a sweet gift. The name White Day comes from the mostly outdated custom of giving white-colored gifts. And, lets not forget Black Day on April 14. Single people who did not get gifts on February 14 or March 14 often gather on Black Day to eat Jjajyangmyeon noodles with black bean sauce. Wales: land o love spoons Unlike many European countries, Wales does not celebrate Saint Valentine. It has its own Saint of Love. Her name is Saint Dwynwen. The Welsh holiday is called St. Dwynwens Day and takes place on January 25. The traditional romantic gift on this day is a love spoon. Beginning in the 17th century, Welsh men carved beautiful wooden spoons as a representation of their love for that special person in their lives. Each pattern has a different meaning. For example, horseshoes mean good luck; keys represent the key to a mans heart; and wheels are a sign of support. Today in Wales, love spoons are also given at weddings, births and other celebrations. Argentina: a week of sweets Argentina celebrates Valentines Day in February, but also gives a whole other week to love in July. They call it Sweetness Week. If you kiss someone, they have to give you a sugary treat. Sweetness Week started in 1989 with a candy company called Arcor. They made an advertisement called Candy for a Kiss. The idea was to give the companys chocolates and other candies in exchange for a sweet kiss on the cheek. The campaign had a stronger effect than the company expected -- it led to a new holiday! Every July, couples who take part give each other candies and kisses all week long. United States: female friends Finally, we turn to the United States. Galentines Day, February 13, began as a made-up holiday on an American television show, Parks and Recreation. In one part of the show in 2010, the shows main character, Leslie Knope, said Galentines Day is about ladies celebrating ladies. So, the day is a celebration of friendship between women. Today, women use the holiday as a time to go out and have fun with female friends, co-workers or family members, or to show their love for personal female heroes. On Galentines Day in 2020, for example, Michelle Obama thanked her girlfriends who support her through lifes ups and downs. I'm Jill Robbins. And I'm Alice Bryant. Alice Bryant and Jill Robbins wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. __________________________________________________ Words in This Story affection n. a feeling of liking and caring for someone or something saint n. a person who is officially recognized by the Christian church as being very holy because of the way he or she lived spoon n. an eating, cooking or decorative tool that has a small shallow bowl attached to a handle pattern n. a repeated form or design especially that is used to decorate something key n. a small device that is used to open a lock on a door character n. a person who appears in a television show, story, book, play or movie Former Papa John's CEO John Schnatter tried to clarify his wild statement that implied that he ate more than one whole pie a day for a month in criticizing the pizza giant he once controlled. Back in November, Schnatter told WDRB, a Fox affiliate in Louisville, Kentucky, that he "had over 40 pizzas in the last 30 days" and concluded that Papa John's is "not the same pizza" since his ouster. But this week, on the H3 Podcast, Schnatter said the verb "had" wasn't the same as "eaten." "Well I didn't say I had eaten 40 pizzas in 30 days. I said I had 40 pizzas in 30 days," Schnatter said. That's when host Ethan Klein pushed back, accusing Schnatter of playing fast and loose with his pizza lingo. "Hold on, we're going to split hairs here? When I said 'I had a pizza,' that means I ate it," Klein said. Then Schnatter pulled out a picture of a pizza and said "had" usually means he's "inspecting" a pie or eating just part of it. "When I said I had a pizza, it means I'm inspecting," he said. "I'm not eating every pizza. I may be eating parts of pizzas." Download the NBC News app for breaking news Schnatter said he now eats about eight or nine slices a week but that he used to down 12 to 15 slices a week when he was running Papa John's. Schnatter stepped down as CEO and left the board following reports that he uttered a racial slur during a conference call. He said his former company has failed in keeping up with its longtime slogan: "Better Ingredients, Better Pizza." He vowed in his November interview with WDRB that he'd see "a day of reckoning" and that board members who forced him out would have to pay up. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 13:19:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HANGZHOU, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- A freight train loaded with 82 standard containers left a railway station in the city of Jinhua, eastern China's Zhejiang Province Thursday, marking the resumption of the province's export to Belt and Road countries since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. The cargo on the train, including hardware tools, textiles and auto parts, will be transported to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries through the Horgos Port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is expected to arrive in these countries in a week, according to the Jinhua customs. In order to ensure the smooth export of goods, the customs and some other relevant departments made contact with the local export enterprises via phone, social massaging apps and other means to learn about the impact situation caused by the epidemic, solve the difficulties in the process of customs clearance and help enterprises resume production. The European Union (EU) has backed the decision to zone the case of avian influenza in Ukraine, thus, lifting its ban on imports of poultry from the entire territory of Ukraine imposed several weeks ago, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture, Ukraine's Trade Representative Taras Kachka has said on his Facebook page. "We are waiting for the publication of the respective decision," he wrote. According to Kachka, the decision was not made unanimously, because several member states are unhappy with the progress in cooperation with Ukraine on other issues. "This is a completely normal reaction, because in the field of sanitation and phytosanitary between Ukraine and the EU there are a number of issues where progress is needed. Our priority for this year is to remove all problematic issues in this area as much as possible," he said. The trade representative of Ukraine also expressed the hope that the level of trust between Ukraine and the EU in matters of sanitation and phytosanitary will only increase. They've been in love with one another for more than one year. And Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson shared a picture of themselves indulging in a passionate kiss on Instagram on Valentine's Day. The couple looked very much in love, however their public display of affection wasn't without cause, as Cara encouraged her followers to raise awareness for the #KissCancerGoodbye campaign.' Loved-up: Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson shared a picture of themselves indulging in a passionate kiss on Instagram on Valentine's Day The snap, in which they appeared to be sharing a smooch on the balcony, was captioned: 'A kiss with a cause. 'This Valentines Day when you share a photo of you and a loved one a significant other, a friend, a pet 'You can also raise awareness and help create a future with more survivors thanks to @su2c #KissCancerGoodbye campaign [heart emoji]'. The couple recently enjoyed a trip to Brazil, and they also recently visited Disneyland in Anaheim, California, joining Cara's sister Chloe at the theme park. Magical visit: The couple recently enjoyed a trip to Brazil, and they also recently visited Disneyland in Anaheim, California, joining Cara's sister Chloe at the theme park Cute! Ashley shared a series of pictures from their trip to Disneyland They also touched down in Morocco, where Cara surprised Ashley with a trip to commemorate her 30th birthday. 'I was surprised on my 30th birthday,' the actress said in an Instagram post. She continued: 'Morocco has always been a place I've wanted to visit. I faced so many fears and took on new adventures with my best friend by my side. 'I couldn't have asked for anything better. I love you @caradelevingne. Thank you for making my birthday the best yet.' In October, Cara opened up about her relationship, calling herself 'the luckiest girl in the world' to be in a romance with Ashley. 'It's so nice to have someone in my life that supports me so much and loves me,' she told E! News at in Beverly Hills at the Girl Up #GirlHero Awards. When she received the award, Ashley was showing support again, writing on Instagram, 'So proud of you, I love you @caradelevingne.' Both remain thriving in their careers, as Cara remains one of the world's top supermodels, while Ashley is set to appear with Ewan McGregor and Val Kilmer in the upcoming drama The Birthday Cake in 2020. Zheng Wenyu (L) and her classmate pose in front of the trucks, which were packed with fresh vegetables from Hainan that will be donated to Wuhan. [hinews.cn] A special donation of 60 tons of fresh vegetables from Hainan reached Wuhan's Qiaokou District on February 11 and will hopefully start to be distributed to local hospitals and residents the following day. Differing from other donation suppliers, this donation did not come from government departments or charity organizations in Hainan, but through a fundraising event organized by three students from Hainan Middle School. After the outbreak of the novel coronavirus epidemic, Zheng Wenyu, a sophomore student, was concerned and wanted to do something for Wuhan, the area most affected by the epidemic, and for the farmers in Hainan whose sales of agricultural products were affected due to suspension of markets. "I thought maybe I could raise money to buy some vegetables from Hainan farmers and donate them to Wuhan," she explained. With the support of her parents, Zheng and her classmates Ye Qianqiu and Zheng Xuan teamed up on February 7 to launch an online fundraiser, calling on their relatives and friends to participate. As of 3:00 pm on February 9, a total of 115 people had joined in this charity program, pooling a whopping 120,000 yuan in only three days. With the help from Hainan's poverty alleviation department, Zheng used the fund to purchase 60 tons of pumpkins and white gourd from farmers in Changjiang and Lingao, and packed them in trucks before being shipping out to Wuhan. "With the help of the students, my vegetables were finally sold, which helped me avoid a lot of losses," said a local farmer from Changjiang, praising the efforts of Zheng and her classmates. A truck packed with pumpkins and white gourds from Hainan arrive in Wuhan on February 11. [hinews.cn] Pumpkins donated by Zheng and her classmates are unloaded from a truck in Wuhan on February 11. [hinews.cn] (Source: chinadaily.com.cn) John Rood will depart as senior vice president of marketing for Disney Channels Worldwide. His departure was announced in a staff memo by Disney Channels Worldwide president Gary Marsh. Marsh will now begin the search for Roods replacement. For all of us who know John, we know that helping others is his true pathway to purpose, meaning and happinessall of the things that people look for in life but are so hard to find. So I have deep respect for his immediate plan, which is to devote time to his familys philanthropic passion of providing access to clean water in Malawi, Africa, Marsh said. I also know he has not come close to exhausting his appetite for leading great marketing programs and teams so while he leaves us to pursue admirable ventures around the world, Im certain his next chapter will include new marketing ventures back here in Los Angeles. Also Read: 'Mighty Ducks': Emilio Estevez to Reprise Gordon Bombay Role for Disney+ Reboot Rood had been in his current role since 2016. He previously had a decade-long tenure with Disney from 2000-2010, where he served as senior vice president of marketing for ABC Family from 2004-2010. I am looking forward to devoting more time and energy towards charitable good works in addition to exploring other ways to innovate in the fast-changing media business, Rood said. I have much gratitude to Gary for the opportunity, and such confidence in and admiration for the Disney Channel Marketing department. Deadline first reported the news of Roods departure. Read original story John Rood to Exit Disney Channels Worldwide Head of Marketing At TheWrap A traveler arrives in Hong Kong from the mainland via the Shenzhen Bay Port. South China Morning Post By Chan Ho-him Students who cross the border to study in Hong Kong are stuck in limbo, they say, plagued by uncertainty over a timeline for the resumption of classes and the possible deferment of major exams amid the coronavirus outbreak that has disrupted their ability to cross the border. Several students told the Post this week that among the problems they faced upon their eventual returns to the city were accommodation issues and the reality of a 14-day mandatory quarantine. Their parents, meanwhile, said they worried their children could face discrimination tied to the outbreak. There are 12,000 mainland Chinese students studying at Hong Kong universities and 28,000 kindergarten, primary and secondary pupils who cross the border every day to attend classes. The Education Bureau announced on Thursday a further extension of school closures till March 16 while universities have also suspended classes till next month or until further notice. Of those cross-border secondary school students, more than 370 are expected to sit for the university entrance Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exams, which were originally expected to take place in March, but could now be postponed by up to a month. Cross-border students arrive at the Tsuen Wan Trade Association Primary School in Tsing Yi on the first day of school. South China Morning Post One of the candidates, Natalie He Lok-in, 17, a Form Six student who lives in Shenzhen but studies at a Sheung Shui secondary school, said she planned to return to Hong Kong on Saturday, and would stay with her aunt in Tin Shui Wai to prepare for the exams. "I'll probably have to bring two 24-inch suitcases to carry all my books. There are textbooks, past papers and exercises You never know which questions will be covered in the exams, so I think it's better to bring them all," she said. One of her friends who also needed to take the DSE exams, but did not have anywhere to live in Hong Kong, planned to stay at a hotel, she added. Another cross-border DSE candidate, Form Six student Joe Lam, who lives in Futian, Shenzhen, with his parents, plans to return on Saturday and stay at his family's flat in Hong Kong until May, an arrangement he saw as inconvenient. "For one, after arriving in Hong Kong, I must undergo the mandatory quarantine plus the prices in Hong Kong are higher than that of Shenzhen," he said. Mainlander George Xiang, 51, father of Primary Five student Lucy Xiang, who has been studying in Hong Kong since kindergarten, said the quarantine rule had made going to school all but impossible for cross-border students. Security guard closes the gate of Shenzhen Bay Port, before a mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement for all mainland visitors to Hong Kong came in the next day. South China Morning Post "It's impossible for us to bring our child to Hong Kong and stay there," he said. "First, there is no place for us to stay. Plus, both of us have to work in Shenzhen. Should we all head to Hong Kong and lose our jobs here?" Most Hong Kong schools began online learning as early as last week. But Xiang complained that some websites necessary for the classes cannot be accessed on the mainland, which has jeopardised students' education opportunities. "You [the Hong Kong government] are excluding us and not letting our kids go back to school," he complained, adding that in the worst case scenario, he would not be able to let his 10-year-old daughter, a top student, return to school at all. Torres Lee Chi-hung, service coordinator at the International Social Service Hong Kong Branch (ISS-HK), believed cross-border children could suffer from a labelling effect. "There have been [past] conflicts between cross-border pupils and locals, as some locals used to believe they had abused public resources in Hong Kong," Lee said. "Now they might be treated unfairly because of the outbreak. Parents of some cross-border pupils worry they could be discriminated against." Some university students said they had already experienced discrimination from their local peers. People wear protective face masks on a street corner in rain in Hong Kong, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. AP Liu, a 19-year-old journalism student at Baptist University who is stuck in Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, said while she was taking an online class recently, some Hong Kong students wrote messages in a real-time chat telling her not to come back after learning where she was. When Liu told them she had been a victim of the outbreak, they said they were the real victims. Liu called the remarks "discriminatory" and has since dropped that course. But she agreed with the Hong Kong government's decision to ban residents of Hubei province or anyone, except Hong Kong residents, who had been there in the past 14 days from entering the city. "The travel restriction is understandable. If I was a Hongkonger, I wouldn't want possible patients to be coming to Hong Kong," Liu said. She added, however, that she remained worried that if she was not allowed back until May or June, the semester would have already ended. Liu hoped she would be allowed to return to campus if authorities deem her healthy. To that end, she has avoided going out for weeks, while her mother has been doing the grocery shopping every few days. A worker checks the temperature of a passenger arriving into Hong Kong International Airport with an infrared thermometer, following the coronavirus outbreak in Hong Kong, China, Feb. 7, 2020. Reuters-Yonhap A North Korea Christian woman who fled to China illegally was recently baptized, even though such an action could have resulted in her being repatriated back to her nation and killed. The woman, identified as Bon-Hwa by Open Doors, crossed the border more than two years ago into China, where it is illegal to help North Korea escapees. Despite the risk, Open Doors ministry partners have set up safe houses along the border for North Korean Christians as well as for women who could be forced into a marriage. It was at one of these safe houses that Bon-Hwa became a Christian. She wanted to be baptized so badly that she couldnt wait any longer, the Open Doors pastor who baptized her said. She could not be baptized in her new hometown it would have been too risky so she and two other Christians, including the pastor, walked to a remote location. It took many hours to reach the place, an Open Doors staffer said. The pastor opened the ceremony in prayer, and the Christians recited the Apostles Creed. Unlike baptisms elsewhere in the world, there was no crowd. Including Bon-Hwa, there were only three in attendance. The pastor became emotional. I had to contain myself and focus on the steps of the ceremony, he told Open Doors. Or else, I would have cried loudly myself. It was such a beautiful moment and such a privilege to baptize a North Korean believer in these circumstances. The pastor asked a series of questions, with Bon-Hwa answering each time: Do you believe that Jesus is the Savior of your life? Yes. Do you believe that only through Jesus blood, you can enter Heaven after death? Yes. Do you accept that you are sinful and you can only be saved by Jesus name? Yes. Bon-Hwa, too, cried, as she was baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It was a holy moment, the pastor said. She has memorized Psalm 119, Romans 8 and other biblical chapters since her conversion. She is acutely aware she could be arrested any day, Open Doors said, yet she rests in Jesus. Photo courtesy: Pixabay/Chicken Online 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. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 19:52:53|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese tourists are seen in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar market in Cairo, Egypt on Dec. 8, 2019. Due to an outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, which originated in China's central city of Wuhan late last year, many Chinese tourists who had planned to travel abroad during the week-long Spring Festival holiday chose instead to stay at home. Despite the apparent impact from the declining number of Chinese visitors right now, the Egyptian people have expressed their confidence in China's ability to overcome the disease and voiced hopes for the return of Chinese travelers as soon as possible. (Photo by Ahmed Gomaa/Xinhua) by Marwa Yahya and Ahmad Afyouny LUXOR, Egypt, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Egypt, an ancient country with abundant tourism resources from grand pyramids and temples to scenic coastlines, has been experiencing a temporary slowdown in the tourism market since the beginning of this year. Due to an outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, which originated in China's central city of Wuhan late last year, many Chinese tourists who had planned to travel abroad during the week-long Spring Festival holiday chose instead to stay at home. Despite the apparent impact from the declining number of Chinese visitors right now, the Egyptian people have expressed their confidence in China's ability to overcome the disease and voiced hopes for the return of Chinese travelers as soon as possible. "It's going to be a tough few months for the tourism industry in Luxor that highly depends on the Chinese tourists," said Mahmoud al-Nouby, a 32-year-old receptionist at a floating hotel in the heart of Upper Egypt's monument-rich city. As tour groups from China booked for his hotel for February were all cancelled, the current occupancy in his hotel is only at 20 percent, a sharp drop from the almost 100 percent occupance of early and mid-January. Financial implications aside, al-Nouby said that he hopes China, which has taken rigorous, comprehensive and unprecedented measures to combat the virus, is able to overcome the epidemic very soon. The number of Chinese tourists visiting foreign countries has soared in the past two decades. China is the world's largest market for outbound travel, witnessing its outbound travelers skyrocketing from 4.5 million in 2000 to 150 million in 2018, according to a 2019 World Tourism Organization report. As for Egypt, in the past three years, the number of Chinese visitors has been growing at over 30 percent on average annually, far higher than the overall growth of overseas trips by Chinese tourists. With a perfect mix of historical civilization and beautiful natural scenery, Egypt attracts hundreds of thousands of travelers from China every year, especially in winter. The capital Cairo, the Nile cities of Luxor and Aswan, and coastal resorts such as Alexandria, Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada are their major destinations. After Egypt's travel agencies decided to cancel Chinese travel operators' reservations in several cities and its national airline EgyptAir suspended flights between the two countries in late January, its tourism industry has been badly impacted. Fathy Saber, 40, owner of a bazaar near the Luxor Temple, said his daily income in February has hardly been reaching 450 Egyptian pounds (28.6 U.S. dollars), compared to more than 5,000 Egyptian pounds (318.6 dollars) before the cancellations. "I was preparing myself for the Chinese flows in their Spring Festival," Saber said, adding that he is now praying for China to overcome the epidemic. Mostafa Alham, governor of Luxor, told Xinhua that Chinese tourists are an important pillar for Egypt in general, and the city of Nile in particular. The governor said he believes that China has the capability to deal with the challenge and win the battle against the virus in a timely manner. Mohamed Othman, chairman of the Cultural Tourism Marketing Committee and deputy to the Tourism Companies Chamber in Upper Egypt, said, "it's a pity to miss the Chinese tourists this season." "I wish to see the Chinese tourists very soon in Egypt after their great country recovers," Othman added. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday accepted an invitation by his Lithuanian counterpart Linas Linkevicius to visit Vilnius. Linkevicius extended the invitation during a meeting with Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference early in the day. The date of the visit is yet to be announced. "Warm conversation with Lithuanian FM @LinkeviciusL. Much unrealised potential in our ties. Have accepted his invitation to visit Vilnius," tweeted Jaishankar. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed "fostering bilateral relations, trade and deep-rooted Lithuanian-Indian cultural and linguistic ties." Many thanks for a warm and productive visit, Linkevicius tweeted in Hindi. "Warm exchange with the External Affairs Minister of #India @DrSJaishankar on the margins of #MSC2020. Discussed fostering bilateral relations, trade and deep-rooted Lithuanian-Indian cultural & linguistic ties," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Bachelor Matt Agnew has broken his silence about his life after splitting up with Chelsie McLeod. The astrophysicist, 32, revealed to author and comedian Rosie Waterland, on her podcast Just The Gist, that he was so anxious about making the split announcement on Instagram that he asked a friend to post it for him. 'I was dreading it. I put together my words and they were something I gave a lot of thought to to make sure I was conveying my feelings correctly,' he said of the post. 'I was dreading it': Former Bachelor Matt Agnew (pictured) has discussed dealing with social media after splitting up with Chelsie McLeod just months after the finale 'I actually got a friend to post it because I couldn't do it myself,' he admitted. The scientist revealed that his friend also handled his Instagram for a long time after the break-up announcement was made back in December. Matt said: 'I didn't want to deal with comments, I didn't want to deal with DMs and all that, and I'm really glad I did.' Over: Matt and Chelsie (right) broke up shortly after the finale aired. They announced their split in December last year Help: The astrophysicist revealed on her podcast Just The Gist that he was so anxious about making the split announcement on Instagram that he asked a friend to post it for him 'Everyone says don't read it (the comments), and you can do it 99 per cent of the time, but you have that one percent, that one moment of weakness and you read something and you completely capitulate.' He said that he leaned on his friends to help him manage his Instagram 'until things settle down and I could return to living a more normal life.' Elsewhere in the podcast, Matt said he was devastated by the split, saying: 'that's life and that's dating, and relationships sometimes they don't work out but it's an experience. Matt said: 'I didn't want to deal with comments, I didn't want to deal with DMs and all that' Assistance: He said that he leaned on his friends to help him manage his Instagram, 'until things settle down and I could return to living a more normal life'. Matt with his friends who appeared on The Bachelor 'You do try and find whatever positive things you can find from it but the experience certainly helped me grow as a person,' he added. Matt's candid discussion about his life after the show comes ahead of his science show Dr Matt Agnew's Guide to Life Beyond Earth at the Adelaide Fringe Festival between February 14 to 23, excluding February 17. During the one hour show he will discuss all things about the solar system and galaxy, and do a questions and answers session with fans. Touring this year with her new show, Kid Chameleon, Rosie will be performing one show in Canberra, followed by performances at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Perth Comedy Festival and Sydney Comedy Festival. All information and tickets to Kid Chameleon can be found HERE and HERE for the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Kimberley Walsh and Jay McGuiness to reunite in new Sleepless musical (Sleepless musical handout) Kimberley Walsh and Jay McGuiness will star in a new musical stage version of the popular film Sleepless In Seattle. The former Strictly Come Dancing stars, who recently appeared in the West End production of Big The Musical together, will be joined by Midsomer Murders actor Daniel Casey in Sleepless, A Musical Romance when it has its world premiere in London in April at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. Described as an enchanting new romantic musical comedy, it is based on the original story and screenplay of the 1993 romantic comedy classic starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It tells the heart-warming tale of Sam, who moves to Seattle with his eight-year-old son Jonah after the tragic death of his wife. Jay McGuiness, Kimberley Walsh and Theo Collis in Sleepless, A Musical Romance (Matt Crockett) When Jonah phones a radio show, Sam is forced to talk about his broken heart and sleepless nights live on air, and he suddenly finds himself one of the most sought-after single men in America and a great news story for feisty journalist Annie on the opposite side of the country. The new stage version on the film, which was directed and co-written by acclaimed rom-com filmmaker Nora Ephron, will be accompanied by a brand new musical score played by a 31-piece orchestra. Former Girls Aloud star Walsh will play Annie while former The Wanted star McGuiness will play Sam. Walsh, who was a runner-up in Strictly in 2012, has starred in several stage musicals including Shrek The Musical, Elf The Musical and Sweet Charity. McGuiness, who won Strictly in 2015, has also launched a successful stage career, having appeared in Big The Musical and Rip It Up The 60s. Video of the Day Casey will portray Annies fiance Walter, the role originally played in the film by Bill Pullman. The other cast members include Harriet Thorpe, Tania Mathurin and Jake Sharp, while the role of Jonah will be shared by Theo Collis, Mikey Colville and Jack Reynolds. The musical is based on a book by Michael Burdette and music and lyrics by new British writers Robert Scott and Brendan Cull. Sleepless, A Musical Romance will premiere on April 1 at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London, with previews from March 24. KYODO NEWS - Feb 14, 2020 - 23:55 | All, Japan, Coronavirus (Saiseikai Arida Hospital in Yuasa, Wakayama Prefecture, where a surgeon infected with the new coronavirus has been working.) TOKYO - Infections of a new coronavirus originating in Wuhan further spread in Japan among people with no direct connections to China as new cases were reported in Tokyo, Aichi, Hokkaido and Okinawa on Friday. The latest cases in Tokyo and Hokkaido involved people with no recent travel history to China and came on the heels of Japan's first coronavirus death -- that of a woman in her 80s in Kanagawa Prefecture, whose son-in-law, a taxi driver, was also found to be infected with the virus. The Tokyo metropolitan government said two additional people in Tokyo who have tested positive for the virus had been in close contact with the taxi driver, with both hospitalized but not in serious condition. One was a worker on a traditional "yakatabune" roofed party boat on which the taxi driver attended a New Year's party held Jan. 18 with his wife, while the other did not attend the party but is a staffer of a taxi union the driver belongs to, the Tokyo government said. The boat worker had also previously come into contact with travelers from China's Hubei Province, it said. The government will carry out tests on some 100 people, including around 80 party attendees, who came into close contact with the taxi driver. Around 10 have so far complained of a fever and other symptoms, it said. So far, more than 250 people in Japan -- 218 of whom are passengers and crew from a cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama -- have been found to be infected with the pneumonia-causing virus. While health minister Katsunobu Kato said there is "no reason for changing the government position that it has yet to reach a state of epidemic in Japan," infection of a Hokkaido resident in his 50s with no recent history of traveling abroad has been confirmed, the Hokkaido government said. The man is being treated at a hospital where he remains in serious condition. (Wakayama Gov. Yoshinobu Nisaka) In Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, a man in his 60s who recently returned from a trip to Hawaii has tested positive for the coronavirus, the city government said. He has not visited China recently. In cases reported Thursday in the western prefecture of Wakayama, a route of contraction is not known, either. A man in his 70s who was treated at a hospital in Wakayama where a doctor was confirmed to have been infected with the virus has also tested positive for it, local officials said Friday, adding that the two apparently never had any contact. Wakayama Gov. Yoshinobu Nisaka said, however, he does not think infections are spreading inside the Saiseikai Arida Hospital in Yuasa, where the man, a farmer, was briefly hospitalized from last week. A local government official warned that infections could be spreading outside of the medical facility as the man developed symptoms before he visited the hospital on Feb. 6. The surgeon in his 50s at the hospital was confirmed Thursday to have become the first doctor in Japan to be infected with the virus that causes the disease now known as COVID-19. The surgeon has not traveled overseas recently or had close contact with visitors from China. The farmer, whose infection with the virus was also confirmed Thursday, has developed severe pneumonia and is now being treated at a different medical facility, the prefectural government said. A health-care center is working to confirm who has been in close contact with him, the local government said, adding it is currently unknown whether he recently traveled overseas. Besides the surgeon and the farmer, another doctor and two patients at the hospital have developed pneumonia. One of the patients, a woman, has already tested negative for the virus, but local authorities say they will conduct a fresh test on her and also screen the doctor and the other patient. Elsewhere in Japan, a female taxi driver in her 60s in Okinawa tested positive for the virus, becoming the first confirmed case of infection in the country's southernmost island prefecture or the Kyushu region, local authorities said. The quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess previously made a stop in Naha, the Okinawa Prefecture capital. The driver is highly likely to have come into contact with someone on the vessel when it arrived on Feb. 1, the Okinawa government said. Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki said Friday that the woman is currently being treated at a designated medical facility and is in a stable condition. (Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki) The health minister indicated the possibility of expanding the scope of screening, which is currently limited to people who have traveled to and from or have had exposure to people from China's Hubei and Zhejiang provinces. Meanwhile, a group of Japanese nationals who evacuated from Wuhan on the second chartered aircraft sent to the Chinese city by the government amid the virus outbreak departed from state facilities where they have been staying since arriving in Tokyo on Jan. 30. The 199 returnees all tested negative for the virus following a 12.5-day monitoring period. The first group of Wuhan evacuees left for home Thursday after undergoing the same procedures. Among people brought back on the third charter flight on Jan. 31 and held under observation since, a woman in her 60s tested positive for the virus, the health ministry said. She has not shown any symptoms, it added. The government has already sent four chartered planes and repatriated a total of 763 people from Wuhan and other areas of Hubei Province amid a wide-scale lockdown of the area. It is planning to send a fifth plane on Sunday to bring home more Japanese and family members who wish to leave the city, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said. Some elderly passengers on the quarantined cruise ship docked in Yokohama, near Tokyo, disembarked from the vessel Friday afternoon and arrived at a state-run facility in Wako, Saitama Prefecture. With those infected on the Diamond Princess having been taken to hospitals, about 3,400 passengers and crew remain quarantined on the ship. The health ministry had initially planned to keep all of them confined on the vessel until next Wednesday, when the monitoring period ends. But it decided to allow those aged 80 and older who have pre-existing conditions or are staying inside cabins without windows, together with people traveling with them, to leave the ship after screening for infections. The health ministry said later Friday that a Kanagawa government official who was supporting the transfer of infected passengers to hospitals has been confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus. With the government scrambling to contain the virus, the Cabinet has decided to use 10.3 billion yen ($94 million) from Japan's reserve funds for measures to stem the outbreak. Under a hastily compiled policy package worth 15.3 billion yen in total, the government will allocate most of the funds to meet emergency needs, ranging from developing rapid-test kits and a possible vaccine to enabling more hospitals to better treat symptoms caused by the virus. Related coverage: Japan confirms 1st coronavirus death as more infections reported Confirmed new coronavirus cases near 64,000 in China Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar testifies before the Senate Finance Committee during a hearing on President Donald Trump's FY2021 Budget in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington on Feb. 13, 2020. (Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images) US Health Secretary: Obamacare Replacement Wont Be Proposed Until After Supreme Court Ruling U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar said on Thursday that a backup plan to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare, will not be proposed until after the Supreme Court rules on a pending lawsuit challenging the health care law. Azar made his comments during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on the HHS budget request, drawing criticism from Democratic senators who expressed concern over the lack of an Obamacare replacement proposal when there is a real chance that the law could be struck down by the Supreme Court. In December, a circuit court ruled that a key tenet of Obamacare, known as the individual mandate, was unconstitutional. The court then sent the case back to a lower court to decide whether the individual mandate was severable from the rest of the ACA. If it isnt severable then the entire ACA could possibly be invalidated. During the hearing, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) asked Azar why the administration was not revealing their alternative to the ACA. I dont know what youre waiting for. If you have a better idea show us, but I have yet to see one plan that the administration has put forward over the healthcare of millions of Americans. What are you waiting for? Menendez asked. In response, Azar said the administration would wait until there is a final judgment by the Supreme Court. There is a very long process to go to even see whether the statute is struck down or even in part is struck down by the Supreme Court, he said. These are hypotheticals at this point. We are faithfully administering the ACA now. Menendez then shot back, These are hypotheticals that we dont play with. Azars comments echo remarks he made in January in an interview where he said theres really not a need for a replacement of the ACA until theres a final Supreme Court decision or until Congress is ready to work with the president in repealing and replacing the ACA. Frankly, its not a material thing right now. Our focus is on 331 million Americans, how do we protect what works for them in health care, make it better, fix anything thats not working for them, he said. The Supreme Court is still deciding on whether to take up the case for review and may consider it during their conference on Feb. 21. The top court rejected requests by the House of Representatives and Democratic-led states to review the case on an expedited schedule in January, but did not rule out whether they would review the case at all. In early January, lawmakers and state officials from a coalition of blue states asked the high court in a pair of appeals to take up the case and review the lower courts decision on an expedited schedule. They argued that the courts expeditious consideration is necessary because of the uncertainty the lower courts decision has on health insurance and the health care marketplace, as well as for millions of Americans who have purchased coverage under Obamacare (pdf). In December 2019, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 21 that a key tenet of Obamacare was unconstitutional. The judges in the majority said a provision in the law, referred to as the individual mandate, which required people to obtain health insurance or pay a tax penalty, was invalid after Congress removed the tax penalty in 2017, rendering the law unenforceable. Following Congresss amendment, a group of red states and two private individuals filed a lawsuit claiming that the provision was no longer constitutional and that the entire ACA needed to be invalidated because the provision was inseverable from the rest of the law. A district court judge in Texas ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, prompting an appeal to the appeals court. The appeals court upheld the plaintiffs constitutional claims and sent the case back to the district court for a more detailed review of the question of severability. The Trump administration, which has declined to defend the ACA, has urged that the Supreme Court should not take up the case because the district court has not yet decided on the question of severability. It said that the court to defer the review of the decision until after the case has completed its proceedings in the lower courts. Thousands of Algerians have rallied in the capital, Algiers, to commemorate one year since the beginning of a protest movement demanding the departure of an ailing leader and sweeping reforms, including an overhaul of the ruling elite. Protesters began staging weekly demonstrations in mid-February last year after the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) announced that former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, a wheelchair-bound octogenarian rarely seen in public, would seek a fifth term in office. In early April, the largely unexpected popular mobilisation unlike anything seen in the countrys modern history forced Bouteflika to tender his resignation under pressure from the powerful military. In the weeks that followed, two former prime ministers, several ex-ministers and prominent businessmen were arrested on corruption charges. Even as the weekly protests continued, a contentious presidential election in December saw former prime minister and an erstwhile Bouteflika loyalist Abdelmadjid Tebboune elected head of state, with official figures showing only 40 percent of the 24 million eligible voters casting their ballot. But demonstrators on Friday, as in previous weeks, denounced what they called a military state, demanding that all political prisoners be released and power be handed over to a civilian-led transitional administration to make way for real democracy. If we look back at the last 52 weeks, we will see that some change has been achieved, said Youcef Bouandel, a political science professor at Qatar University. Obviously Bouteflika is no longer there; some of his top military officers and businessmen are in jail, so these are very important achievements, he added. That said, the demands of the protesters and their slogan theyve all got to go is counterproductive and cannot necessarily be achieved. The Hirak [protest movement] set the bar very high. Even without the political unrest, the new government faces a difficult economic year, with state finances hit hard by rapidly sinking energy revenues. Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad this week said corruption and mismanagement resulted in a delicate economic situation for Algeria, an OPEC member country that is also facing a negative effect from falling global crude oil prices. Diagnosing coronavirus takes approximately one hour using current methods. A new technology, based on a combination of optics and magnetic particles, can rapidly test 100 samples of patients potentially infected with the virus and reduce the diagnostic time to approximately 15 minutes. The time it currently takes to diagnose coronavirus poses one of the greatest challenges in treating infected patients and increases the risk of exposure. Using a new technology developed by Dr. Amos Danielli, of the Alexander Kofkin Faculty of Engineering at Bar-Ilan University, saliva tests can be analyzed within 15 minutes. The technology has already been proven to reduce the diagnostic time of Zika virus and is currently being used in the Israel Ministry of Health's central virology laboratory at Tel Hashomer Hospital. Dr. Danielli's lab has developed a technology for sensitive detection of virus-specific RNA sequences by attaching the virus' RNA to a fluorescent molecule that emits light when illuminated by a laser beam. At very low concentrations of RNA, the signal emitted is so low that existing devices cannot detect it. "If we think of the saliva of a corona patient filling an entire room, then this laser beam can be compared to the size of a fist and at low concentrations of virus RNA, there might be only 2-3 fluorescent molecules within that fist," explains Danielli. Adding magnetic particles to the solution enables them to adhere to the fluorescent molecules. This enables a greater concentration of fluorescent molecules and a much more accurate measurement. Two main goals guided Dr. Danielli in developing this technology - simplifying the diagnostic process and making it more accurate. "This development relies on the use of two small electromagnets, which are magnets powered by an electric current. By properly positioning them, we were able to create a strong magnetic field and collect all the thousands of fluorescent molecules from the entire solution and aggregate them inside the laser beam, thereby multiplying the signal strength by several orders of magnitude. But that's not all. Instead of pumping the solution we alternately operate the electromagnets, once on the left and once on the right, moving the molecules from side to side, in and out of the laser beam. As they pass through the laser beam they become illuminated. When they exit the light beam they are no longer illuminated. This flickering allows us, without any additional procedures, to accurately determine whether a person has been exposed to coronavirus." The high sensitivity of the platform and its ease of operation facilitate its use in point of care applications where resources are limited. To provide doctors with an alternative method for accurate detection, Dr. Danielli's group is also collaborating with European universities to identify antibodies that the immune system produces against the coronavirus. While Dr. Danielli develops kits to identify various diseases, such as the Zika and coronavirus, MagBiosense, a medical device company, is developing a device the size of a home coffee machine that will be based on Danielli's technology. Currently, Dr. Danielli is searching for an investor to accelerate the development of the coronavirus kit, so it can rapidly be introduced in hospitals. ### The Democratic primary has been a dispiriting experience for black Americans. The party spent months boasting about its multicultural representation, only to have all that diversity wiped out of the field of candidates before a single primary vote was cast. California Sen. Kamala D. Harris didn't make it to 2020. Julian Castro and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker bowed out before the Iowa debates, and entrepreneur Andrew Yang ended his bid right after New Hampshire. Suddenly, the most diverse presidential campaign ever is turning into a race to the finish that could end with nothing but white men. The reason has less to do with any candidates' actual qualifications and more to do with the arc of American history and the way it bends toward white men. The candidates who dropped out and the order in which they gave up their campaigns reflect the exact hierarchy of oppression this country has executed since before it was founded. The first viable candidate to leave the race was Harris, a black woman. She was strong in every debate, appearing presidential while squaring up against front-runners such as former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. She did have a major hurdle to overcome, especially with black voters, in her history as a prosecutor and the narrative (and memes) indicating that she was a "cop." I never really expected a black candidate who couldn't get support from black voters to win the primary. But Harris has been elected statewide in California three times. She was much too qualified for a December exit - especially when compared with another former prosecutor with an equally problematic record, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, whom pundits are suddenly putting in the top tier after her third-place finish in New Hampshire. Klobuchar also gets only about 4 percent of the black vote - which, if she can't improve, means her campaign is doomed, too. A white man who was found guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of an unarmed black man during a parking lot dispute in 2018 was attacked in prison Tuesday. He suffered a head injury after being hit with a sock holding a metal lock and has been separated from fellow prisoners as officials decide whether to transfer him to protective custody, his lawyer said. Michael Drejka, 49, is serving 20 years at the Lancaster Correctional Institution in north Florida after fatally shooting unarmed 28-year-old Markeis McGlockton in front of his family in a dispute over a disabled parking space in July 2018. The case stoked racial tensions as Drejka, who is white, invoked Florida's controversial Stand Your Ground law in the killing of McGlockton, who was backing away. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Michael Drejka, 49, pictured left, is serving 20 years in a Florida prison for the manslaughter of 28-year-old Markeis McGlockton, right, after he shot him in a parking lot dispute in July 2019 Drejka, shown here on the ground in CCTV, invoked Florida's Stand Your Ground law after claiming he felt in danger after McGlockton, shown here far left, pushed him to the ground On Tuesday shortly after 12.30pm, Drejka was reportedly hit over the head with the metal object by a fellow inmate sustaining a head injury that required five stitches, defense attorney Bryant Camareno told The Associated Press. Drejka's wife told his attorneys about the injuries and that he is now living in fear. Camareno said his client had the impression that he was targeted by someone. 'No one deserves to be treated like that,' Camareno told Fox 13 News. 'The Constitution demands that inmates be protected and so we're not necessarily pointing the fingers at anyone just yet. But it's very important that all inmates, regardless of what they've been convicted of, be protected. They're afforded that right: freedom from cruel and unusual punishment.' The Florida Department of Corrections released a brief description of the incident on Wednesday in which they confirmed 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, adding that 'the situation was brought under control by institution security staff'. The other inmate involved in the attack has not been identified and the department revealed no information about Drejka's injuries saying they were protected by law. Michael Drejka, a white man serving 20 years for manslaughter after fatally shooting unarmed black man Markeis McGlockton in 2018, was attacked in a Florida prison on Tuesday afternoon Drejka was hit over the head with a metal lock in a sock and required five stitches while serving his time in the Lancaster Correctional Institution in north Florida on manslaughter charges The Lancaster Correctional Institution were Drekja was attacked by a fellow inmate or inmates It is not clear if there was more than one inmate involved in the attack or whether there is any video of the incident. Defense attorney John Trevena told the Tampa Bay Times that the department and its statement were 'laughable' and claiming they are 'incredibly inept at protecting inmates'. 'There are frequent attacks and beatings resulting in inmate injury and sometimes death,' he said. 'Sometimes the correctional officers are complicit in these attacks.' Drejka was convicted in August 2019 for the July 19, 2018, shooting that killed Markeis McGlockton. He was given a 20-year sentence in October 2020. Drejka had confronted McGlockton's girlfriend, Britany Jacobs, for parking in a handicapped space while McGlockton went inside a convenience store with his five-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. McGlockton, 28, can be seen here running from the supermarket after his girlfriend Britany Jacobs became involved in an argument with Michael Drejka over a disabled parking space McGlockton pushed Drejka to the ground, who quickly pulled out a gun. McGlockton, who was unarmed, can be seen backing away but Drejka shoots him. The young father ran back into the Circle A Food Store injured where he died in front of his five-year-old son in July 2018 Defense attorney Bryant Camareno re-enacts the shooting at trial as Drejka didn't testify Drejka didn't 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 doesn't do anything about it. Drejka said he saw McGlockton's 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 car's windows were tinted, so he didn't know anyone was inside. Jacobs, who was sitting with the couple's 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. McGlockton's girlfriend, Britany Jacobs, testified that Drejka had started pointing and yelling at her. She said she cracked the window to hear what he was saying and they started arguing Despite Drejka's Stand Your Ground defense, prosecutors argued McGlockton, pictured, could be seen backing away from the gun and that Drejka fired without assessing the risks Security video captured McGlockton leaving the store and shoving Drejka to the ground. Seconds later, Drejka pulled out a handgun and shot McGlockton as he backed away. During the trial, Drejka's attorney argued that he thought he was in danger when he was pushed to the ground by McGlockton. But prosecutors said surveillance footage of the incident proved that Drejka fired without assessing the risks. They pointed out that McGlockton could be seen backing away when he saw Drejka's gun. Drejka had tried to use Florida's 'stand your ground' law in his defense but in October, Judge Joseph Bulone called Drejka a 'wanna-be' police officer and a self-appointed 'handicapped parking space monitor' before handing over a 20-year sentence. The judge said he found it most ironic that Drejka drove up, illegally parked next to Jacobs' car and then confronted her about parking illegally in a handicapped space. 'He just seems to come out of nowhere, kind of like a superhero, to see that he enforces the handicapped parking spot,' Bulone said. Readers will experience the goodness and positiveness of God's presence through this book. Anthony Sheffields book, A Good EDUCATIONAL Reference Course of Gods Presence, Truth, Spirit, Heart, Holy Bible, Fundamental Doctrines, Love: A Good Study with Good Knowledge, With Quality and Quantity of Evidences for Positive Increase of Complete Comprehension ($18.99, paperback, 9781545655207; $9.99, e-book, 9781545655214), is available for purchase. God desires and intention purposes to build you good increase. This book is a special study reference that provides supportive evidence to prove the Holy Bible Canon on topics such as God's existence, communion/fellowship with God's presence and methods, the fundamental doctrines of God & Christianity, and on subjects that are unknown in many studies. Sheffields reference also provides a quality study of truth, the spirit and heart, love, and bodily subjects. Readers will experience the goodness and positiveness of God's presence through this book. Sheffields book can be used for educational training, churches, volunteer work, personal Bible study, home ministries and hospitalities, and prayer meetings. Anthony Sheffield enjoys studying, music, helping other people, and serving God. He is medically disabled and does the best that he can for God and other people. Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the worlds largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 12,000 titles published to date. A Good EDUCATIONAL Reference Course of Gods Presence, Truth, Spirit, Heart, Holy Bible, Fundamental Doctrines, Love: A Good Study with Good Knowledge, With Quality and Quantity of Evidences for Positive Increase of Complete Comprehension is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com. Face masks were the must-have accessory as stylish visitors enjoyed London Fashion Week shows in the city today. Several people covered up with pastel and patterned masks as they queued to see catwalk shows at a time of global anxiety about the spread of the coronavirus. The event is set to be a subdued gathering, with the British Fashion Council ensuring Chinese buyers unable to attend can still join in by promoting content online. Designers have also faced problems in getting their collections ready for the shows after factories in China shut down meaning shipments have been delayed. Stylish women were seen donning face masks as they posed outside London Fashion Week in the city today, amid a time of global anxiety about the spread of the coronavirus Street style snaps from London Fashion Week on Friday revealed several people sorting face masks, including one woman who matched her's to a pink scarf. Another donned a black mask with two arrows on which complemented a black suit while a man donned a blue covering with a defined seam down the middle. British Fashion Council Chief Executive Caroline Rush said the number of attendees this year would be down due to the coronavirus. She said the shut-down of transport links and factories in China was being felt by those involved with the annual shows. Ms Rush said: 'We've had one designer that isn't able to show because their collection hasn't arrived from China due to the logistics issues. Chinese designer Yuhan Wang has overcome difficulties to present a first solo collection of Victorian-inspired waisted jackets in floral prints. The amount of attendees are expected to be down this year due to the coronavirus (a London Fashion Week attendee is seen wearing a black mask with arrows on the front) Designers have also been hit by the virus, with some struggling to get their collections finished due to factories closing (a man is seen with a blue mask at London Fashion Week) Wang, who is known for her feminine designs, said delayed shipments of some items meant that some creations were not exactly as she had envisaged. 'Due to the virus all the hand-crafted things that were made in China weren't able to arrive, and all the factories shut down, and the couriers not working, so I had to cut down the looks,' she said backstage after the show. With a reputation for being a launch-pad for bold new designers, London Fashion Week is also showing collections from established brands such as Burberry and Vivienne Westwood, and this year will also host Tommy Hilfiger. As well as donning chic accessories such as a hat and scarf, this woman wore a coral mask The coronavirus outbreak has forced the cancellation of international business gatherings and Shanghai Fashion Week has been postponed (a woman is pictured in London today) The fashion industry as a whole is facing a problematic few months if restrictions on travelling and working continue in China, the world's largest producer of textiles. The virus, which originated in China late last year, has claimed more than 1,380 lives and spread to other countries. Ms Rush said London Fashion Week was taking precautions against the spread of the virus by providing anti-bacterial sanitisers and undertaking regular deep-cleaning. 'Hygiene is a priority,' she said. LFW will ensure that Chinese journalists, buyers and social media influencers unable to attend can still join in by promoting content and encouraging conversations on Chinese social media platforms such as Weibo and WeChat, Ms Rush said. Lower attendance at London Fashion Week is potentially a major blow for fashion brands since Chinese spending accounted for a third of luxury global market sales in 2018 (a man is seen at the first day of the event today) LFW will ensure Chinese buyers unable to attend can still join in by encouraging conversations on Chinese social media platforms (pictured a person matching their mask to striped suit and small handbag in the capital today) Luxury labels such as Gucci-owner Kering have already said coronavirus will mean smaller crowds at the month-long catwalk season. The London leg is due to be followed by shows in Milan and Paris later this month. Lower Chinese attendance is potentially a major blow for fashion brands since Chinese spending accounted for a third of luxury global market sales in 2018, according to Bain & Company. The event's organisers have said they're fighting against the spread of the virus by providing anti-bacterial sanitisers and undertaking regular deep-cleaning (pictured a LFW attendee) The coronavirus outbreak has forced the cancellation of many international business gatherings and sporting events. Shanghai Fashion Week has been postponed from its end of March date. London Fashion Week kicks off after a United Airlines Flight 901 from San Francisco was locked down at 9am after landing at the city's Heathrow airport. Travellers on the flight were told by the captain to stay in their seats after landing because someone might have the contagious infection, now named SARS-CoV-2. Andy West, from Henley-on-Thames, told MailOnline passengers were warned they could be on the tarmac for a while because 'seven other planes' also had suspected cases. (Newser) It is arguably one of the most coveted prizes in Syria's civil war, and after eight years of fighting, Syrian President Bashar Assad has got it back. The Damascus-Aleppo highway, or the M5, is known to Syrians simply as the "International Road." Cutting through all of Syria's major cities, the 280-mile motorway is key to who controls the country. Assad gradually lost control over the motorway beginning in 2012, when various rebel groups fighting to topple him began seizing parts of the country. For the rebels fighting Assad, the motorway was a cornerstone in holding together their territory and keeping government forces at bay. Its loss marks a major blow for opposition fighters whose hold on their last patches of ground in northwestern Syria is looking more and more precarious, the AP reports. story continues below The Syrian government began winning back segments of the highway starting in 2014. That's when Russia joined the war on the side of Assad and essentially tipped it in his favor. This week, during the latest government offensive in Idlib, the last rebel-held bastion in the country, Syrian troops backed by Russia recaptured the last rebel-controlled section of the highway around Khan al-Assal. That brought the road under the full control of Assads forces for the first time since 2012. Fighting continues in areas near the highway, and much of Idlib province remains in rebel hands. But the M5's seizure goes a long way to re-connect government-controlled areas after they had been severed from each other for years. (Read more Syria stories.) Statues of historical figures have been the subject of much debate in the United States in recent years. The debate has centered mainly on statues of individuals linked with the Confederacy, the losing side of Americas Civil War in the 1860s. Among other things, the Confederacy fought for the right to continue enslaving people with African origins. Now, the state of Maryland has revealed statues of two famous anti-slavery activists, or abolitionists. They are Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. Lawmakers presented the statues to the public during a ceremony Monday night in the Maryland State House. The life-sized statues were dedicated during a special joint session of the Maryland General Assembly in the Old House Chamber. That is the room where lawmakers agreed to end or abolish slavery in the state in 1864. House Speaker Adrienne Jones is the states first black and first female House speaker. In a prepared speech, she spoke of the importance of Tubman and Douglass and their fight against oppression. The statues are a reminder that our laws arent always right or just. But theres always room for improvement, Jones said. Tubman and Douglass The statues, dedicated during Black History Month, were made to show Tubman and Douglass as they would have appeared in age and dress in 1864. Both Tubman and Douglass were born on Marylands Eastern Shore. Tubman escaped from slavery to become a leading abolitionist. She helped slaves escape using an organized group of anti-slavery activists called the Underground Railroad. Douglass also escaped slavery. He went on to become a writer, speaker, abolitionist and supporter of womens rights. He wrote and published the story of his life in 1845. It was a bestseller that helped fuel the abolitionist movement. The statues are not the only recent example of the state taking steps to demonstrate its rich black history. Last month, a portrait of a black female former lawmaker took the place of one of a white governor who had been on the wall for 115 years. The painting of Verda Welcome, who was elected to the state Senate in 1962, is the first portrait of a black person on the Maryland Senates walls. Maryland also has removed painful reminders of its past in recent years. In 2017, the state removed a statue of Roger B. Taney, the U.S. Supreme Court justice and Maryland native. Taney wrote the 1857 Dred Scott decision that permitted slavery to continue and denied citizenship to African Americans. Im Pete Musto. Brian Witte reported this for the Associated Press. Pete Musto adapted it for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story origin(s) n. the place, social situation, or type of family that a person comes from dedicate(d) v. to officially make something a place for honoring or remembering a person or event reminder n. something that causes you to remember or to think about something portrait n. a painting, drawing, or photograph of a person that usually only includes the person's head and shoulders 2020 SME Education Foundation Officers: President Irving P. "Irv" McPhail, EdD; The McPhail Group LLC Vice President Joseph A. "Joe" Kann; Cobble Creek Solutions Secretary/Treasurer John F. Miller; Siemens PLM Software 2020 SME Education Foundation Directors: Frank W. Ervin III; Piston Group LLC Wayne F. Frost, LSME, CMfgE; Deere & Co. (retired) Brian A. Ruestow, LSME; Norton Pulpstones Inc. Pamela J. Ruschau, Esq.; Leydig, Voit & Mayer Ltd. President Irv McPhail is Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of The McPhail Group LLC, a global higher education consulting practice. In 2007, he joined the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering Inc. and was named president and CEO in 2009. He has served as a college president or chancellor of colleges and universities in Baltimore, Saint Louis and Memphis, Tennessee. McPhail earned an academic scholarship to Cornell University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in development sociology. He holds a master's degree in reading from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. McPhail was a National Fellowships Fund Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania where he earned his doctorate in reading/language arts. McPhail joined the SME Education Foundation Board of Directors in 2010. "I am honored to lead the SME Education Board of Directors at this critical juncture. The role of manufacturing in driving economic prosperity and global competitiveness is severely compromised by the absence of a diverse and talented manufacturing workforce in the U.S.," said 2020 SME Education Foundation President Irv McPhail. "We're key to developing the next generation of diverse manufacturing and engineering talent through scholarships and innovative academic programs. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues at SME, the SME Education Foundation, and our partners and stakeholders to make that vision a reality." Officer and director photos and biographies are available online at the SME Education Foundation website. About The SME Education Foundation The SME Education Foundation inspires, prepares and supports the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent. Since its organization by SME in 1979, the SME Education Foundation works to bring students, educators, industry and communities together through its SME PRIME schools program; awards annual student scholarships and conducts the Student Summit Event Series held at SME events in North America. Learn more here, and follow @MFG_EDUCATION on Twitter. SOURCE SME Education Foundation Related Links https://www.smeef.org Showtimes Our Cartoon President released a short clip lampooning the New Hampshire primary results Friday, taking care to include even NBC News Chuck Todd in the satire. The results are in from the New Hampshire primary and Bernie Sanders is the winner. I said it. Now you Bernie Bros can stop Photoshopping me in the shower with the Devil, announces the doodled version of Todd, whose real-life counterpart found himself in hot water this week for reading aloud from a column that compared supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders to Nazi brownshirts. Sanders character shushed his cheering fans, saying, We cannot let the DNC know that I won. Everyone very quietly walk to Nevada. If anyone asks, we are throwing a surprise bachelor party for our work friend Steve. Also Read: NBC News' Chuck Todd Under Fire for Quoting Article Comparing Sanders Supporters to Nazi 'Brownshirts' Former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg is shown congratulating Sanders, then immediately positioning himself as the nominee who will take on President Donald Trump in the general election. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is given a strong midwestern accent when she delivers lines that hint at past reports of her temper. Sanders won the primary on Tuesday night, with Buttigieg taking second. In a surprising turn of events referenced in the Our Cartoon President send-up, Klobuchar took third place, outpacing the other candidates, like Sen. Elizabeth Warren and entrepreneur Andrew Yang. Watch here: Cartoons Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, and Andrew Yang address their supporters after the New Hampshire primary. pic.twitter.com/VXH1QriFJ7 Our Cartoon President on Showtime (@CartoonPres) February 14, 2020 Read original story Our Cartoon President Satirizes NBC News Chuck Todd in New Hampshire Primary Special At TheWrap A puppy that was found hanging from a tree is recovering in a northeast Alabama animal shelter, and a suspect is jailed on a felony animal cruelty charge. The puppy which Jackson County animal control workers named Valentine because of todays holiday was rescued from the woods near the tiny town of Section on Thursday morning, the authorities said. Valentine is believed to be a 5-month-old female bulldog mix, said Anthony Wilbanks, an animal control deputy for the Jackson County sheriffs office. Shes staying at an animal shelter in Scottsboro. Shes doing OK, Wilbanks said. Were taking good care of her. A witness found the puppy hanging by its neck from a tree in the woods on Thursday morning, said Rocky Harnen, the Jackson County sheriffs chief deputy. The witness checked the area after seeing a man take the puppy into the woods, then return to his vehicle alone, the authorities said. Sheriffs deputies found the suspect, 42-year-old Indiana man Jasen Charles Howard, based on a vehicle description provided by the witness, Harnen said. Jasen Howard is held in the Jackson County jail on charges of animal cruelty and possession of drug paraphernalia. Howard told the authorities that he believed the puppy was suffering from parvo, a virus that can be fatal for dogs. Howard said he didnt have a gun, so he tried to put the puppy out of its misery through hanging, according to the sheriffs office. Harnen said testing determined the puppy isnt suffering from parvo. Howard was booked into the Jackson County jail on a felony charge of cruelty to animals and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Harnen said authorities found a second dog and a suspected meth pipe in the mans vehicle. Its unclear whether Howard has an attorney to speak on his behalf. He remained in jail Friday afternoon, records show, with bail set at $5,300. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed Alok Sharma as his new business minister, the governmnet said in a statement on Thursday. Sharma, 52, was also appointed as the minister in charge of the UK's COP26 climate change summit. He was previously secretary of state for international development. Here are five facts about Alok Sharma: 1. Sharma, 52, was born in India, moving to Reading in southern England when he was five years old. 2. With a background in banking, he was elected Member of Parliament for Reading West in 2010 with one of the largest swings to the Conservatives in the country, according to his website. 3. Sharma has held various roles, becoming the prime minister's infrastructure envoy to India in 2016 and a minister for housing the next year. He became the minister for international aid in 2019. 4. He was tearful in parliament in 2016, when as housing minister he described meeting the survivors of a devastating fire at an apartment block in London that killed more than 70 people. He said: "Hearing the harrowing accounts of survivors has been the most humbling and moving experience of my life." 5. Alok Sharma is married and has two daughters. Also read: Rishi Sunak, Narayana Murthy's son-in-law, is the new UK Finance Minister Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride told MLAs that health officials are determined to stop Covid-19, the name of this strain of coronavirus, "in its tracks" (Liam McBurney/PA) Health chiefs have told MLAs that they are taking appropriate steps to "keep coronavirus out of Northern Ireland". Members of Stormont's health committee were briefed on the actions being taken by Department of Health officials and individual trusts yesterday. It comes as the Public Health Agency confirmed that 21 people have so far been tested for the coronavirus here. None of these cases tested positive. Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride told MLAs that health officials are determined to stop Covid-19, the name of this strain of coronavirus, "in its tracks". He said: "This is a rapidly developing situation and the risk to individuals remains low but it is likely that the number of confirmed cases in the UK will rise. "We are using tried and controlled infection control measures, taking a precautionary approach at this stage and testing people where there is a concern and relevant travel history. "However, the number of people we are testing is likely to increase over time. "It is also not unreasonable to assume that at some point we will have a positive case in Northern Ireland." He added: "There is absolutely no room for complacency and we must ensure that Northern Ireland is prepared for a range of eventualities to best protect the public." The Public Health Agency (PHA) is 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 in responding to the virus. The Belfast Trust's regional viral laboratory is now one of 12 centres in the UK testing for the virus. spacex has pushed back its fifth launch of Starlinks due to poor weather. The firm announced that although the static fire of its Falcon 9 rocket is complete, the next batch of 60 satellites will not head for low-orbit until Sunday - the initial launch was set for Saturday. The mission is set to kick off at 10:25 AM EST from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the weather, as of now, is 90 percent favorable for takeoff. If all goes according to plan, this batch will bring the total Starlink constellation to 300 - putting the firm on track to have 1,500 satellites in low-orbit by the end of 2020. Scroll down for videos SpaceX announced on Twitter that although the static fire of its Falcon 9 rocket is complete, the next batch of 60 satellites will not head for low-orbit until Sunday - the initial launch was set for Saturday SpaceX intends ultimately to launch thousands of satellites to beam broadband around the globe. If all continues on track for the constellation, 100 or more such Starlink launches could occur in the future. If the firm can launch hit its 1,500 this year, it will be able to open access to North America. The firm has already received approval to launch 12,000 of its satellites, but is waiting for the authorization of another 30,000. Sundays launch is set to kick off at 10:25 AM EST from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the weather, as of now, is 90 percent favorable for takeoff. If all goes according to plan, this launch will bring the total Starlink constellation to 300 However, the mission has caused a stir among the astronomy community, as the 242 that are already in orbit are blocking the night sky and getting in the way of key scientific observations. Because how close the devices are to Earth, it is necessary to have thousands of the devices floating around in low-orbit in order to blanket the globe with internet. WHY DO EXPERTS OPPOSE STARLINK? Many astronomers have said the hundreds of satellites are already getting in the way of scientific observations. The satellites reflect light and make it difficult for experts to view the night sky. Furthermore, the orbiting satellites can also interfere with the workings of ground-based radio telescopes that experts use to see more distant phenomena. Advertisement However, the mission has caused a stir among the astronomy community, as the 242 that are already in orbit are blocking the night sky and getting in the way of key scientific observations. The development is seen as a new headache for researchers who already have to find workarounds to deal with objects cluttering their images of deep space. Furthermore, the orbiting satellites can also interfere with the workings of ground-based radio telescopes that experts use to see more distant phenomena. 'The night sky is a commons and what we have here is a tragedy of the commons,' Imperial College London astrophysicist Dave Clements told the BBC. The proposed constellations, he added, 'present a foreground between what we're observing from the Earth and the rest of the Universe.' 'So they get in the way of everything. And you'll miss whatever is behind them, whether that's a nearby potentially hazardous asteroid or the most distant quasar in the Universe.' The orbiting satellites can also interfere with the workings of ground-based radio telescopes that experts use to see more distant phenomena. Pictured are a group of Starlinks packed and ready to head to low-orbit The satellites will be a particular menace to large-scale surveys of the sky, like Chile's planned Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST). 'What we want to do with LSST and other telescopes is to make a real-time motion picture of how the sky is changing,' explained Dr Clements. 'Now we have these satellites that interrupt observations, and it's like someone's walking around firing a flashbulb every now and again.' However, it seems these concerns and complaints have not fallen on deaf ears, as SpaceX is currently testing one satellite covered in a dark coating that is said to be made of anti-reflective material, which should reduce the glare given off by the current satellites. Laura Forczyk, a space analyst, said the measures' effectiveness is still uncertain. 'SpaceX has not yet eased the minds of astronomers concerned about the reflectivity of their Starlink satellites,' she told AFP. 'The real test will be the days following launch when the smallsats are close together and in a lower altitude before ascending to their final orbit.' 'Astronomers and stargazers will be able to compare the brightness of this current batch of smallsats compared to previous versions.' Pastor opens Democrat-controlled Virginia House with prayer opposing abortion, gay marriage Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Virginia pastor was condemned by Democratic state lawmakers for giving an opening prayer before the House of Delegates that warned of God's condemnation of abortion and same-sex marriage. The Rev. Robert M. Grant Jr., senior pastor of The Father's Way Church of Warrenton, gave the invocation before the Democrat-controlled House on Tuesday morning. We pray today that the Virginia House of Delegates will exercise their authority, making right decisions for citizens of this Commonwealth, Grant began his prayer. I pray that every bill or law be fully considered by both Republican and Democratic delegates, having the best interests of the citizens of Virginia. After asking for the legislature to not provoke Gods anger by making laws that could destroy the fabric of this great state, Grant listed several examples of such laws. These included concerns over racial inequality regarding criminal punishments, prison reform, and the need to help keep families together. Grant garnered backlash, however, when he advocated for pro-life measures and referred to the proximity of abortion clinics to minority neighborhoods as a planned urban genocide. The unborn has rights and those rights need to be protected. They should never be denied the right to exist, the right to develop or the right to have a family. The word of God has given us a warning: woe to anyone who harms an innocent child, Grant continued. Grant also prayed for the House of Delegates to uphold the Virginia family with legislation that will always protect the biblical traditional marriage as God instructed the first man and the first woman in the Bible. We should never re-write what God has declared, he continued. Its not yours to change or alter its wording. The Bible is the copyright of Gods word. Marriage is to join a biological male and a biological female in holy matrimony, not to provoke the almighty God. While warning about the need for laws to protect marriage, Democratic House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn of Fairfax interrupted the pastor by "banging her gavel" and summarily led the chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance. Grant was briefly heckled during his prayer and some Democratic lawmakers walked out of the House to protest his words, according to the Virginia Mercury. In response to the invocation, Democratic Delegate Luke Torian, himself the pastor of First Mount Zion Baptist Church of Dumfries, denounced Grants invocation as totally wrong and disrespectful to every member in this House. [We clergy] are to respect this House, we are to invoke Gods presence, we are to ask for His blessings, we are to ask for His protection, we are to ask for His guidance, said Torian. We are NOT to give political speeches and to make people feel bad. That is NOT what a prayer is supposed to do. And over the years that Ive been here, on both sides of the aisles, there have been clergy who have not honored the integrity of the request, he insisted. Torian, whose comments received a loud ovation from the chamber, said he hoped that future clergy who come to give invocations will respect this House and all of us who serve here and who serve the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In state elections held last November, Democrats took control of the state General Assembly and have since passed several progressive legislative efforts. Bills advanced by the legislature include the Equal Rights Amendment, an LGBT anti-discrimination measure called the Virginia Values Act, and looser regulations of abortion clinics. Last month, faced with the prospect of increased gun regulations, Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. vowed to call for civil disobedience if they were enacted. Pretty sure Im going to call for civil disobedience if the Democrats go through with this, Falwell said in an interview with conservative radio host Todd Starnes. Just like sanctuary cities in liberal states refused to obey the federal law when it comes to [illegal] immigration, I think its time for conservatives. (Bloomberg) -- 58 Home, the maid and home-maintenance service owned by Chinas Craigslist equivalent 58.com Inc., has delayed its planned U.S. initial public offering, according to people familiar with the matter, as the coronavirus outbreak cripples customer demand. The companys pre-IPO financing round -- a private fundraising effort that started late last year -- also hasnt been completed, said the people, who asked not to be named because the information is private. The IPO had been expected to take place in the first half of the year. Shares of 58.com Inc. fell 4.9% in New York trading, the biggest decline since September. The 58 Homes move adds to the list of IPO setbacks amid the virus outbreak. Restaurant operator Daikiya Group Holdings Ltd. on Wednesday canceled its first-time share sale in Hong Kong, while Chinese biotech firm InnoCare Pharma Ltd. has postponed investor meetings for its planned listing in the financial hub. Read: Virus Hits Worlds No.1 IPO Market as Investor Meetings Scrapped The virus has killed at least 1,355 people in China as of Thursday. People across the nation have been minimizing personal contact for fear of contracting the disease, hurting 58 Homes on-demand services including part-time cleaners and home handymen. Obviously, the virus outbreak has affected home and cleaning services -- that entire sector has almost been brought to a standstill, 58 Home said in a statement. Our short-term revenue will be affected. The firm declined to comment on its IPO and fundraising plans. The company added it is facing a severe shortage of maids, and 30 million people in the home and cleaning-services sectors could lose their jobs if the outbreak continues. Workers Stranded Many workers are still stranded in their hometowns, where they traveled for Lunar New Year celebrations, and havent been able to return to major cities after the authorities curtailed travel to try to contain the virus. To ensure the health of maids who work on its platform, 58 Home has been logging their travel history, and offering masks and temperature checks. Story continues Locally known as 58 Daojia, the company has been seeking funds to bankroll an expansion into Chinas competitive online services arena. It was aiming for a valuation of as much as $2 billion in a U.S. IPO. 58 Home is one of Chinas leaders in helping people connect online with services from flower delivery to home cleaning. Backed by Tencent Holdings Ltd., its vying against deeper-pocketed rivals such as Meituan Dianping and businesses operated by e-commerce leader Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. All are targeting a slice of a market for physical, on-demand services that are being disrupted by online technology. 58.coms unit raised its last private funding round in 2015, garnering $300 million from investors including Alibaba, KKR & Co. and Ping An Group. Parent 58.com holds 68.8% of the companys equity interest but doesnt consolidate the units financials in its own results, according to its annual filing. (Updates to add 58.com Inc. share price in third paragraph) To contact the reporters on this story: Lulu Yilun Chen in Hong Kong at ychen447@bloomberg.net;Dong Cao in Beijing at dcao59@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Candice Zachariahs at czachariahs2@bloomberg.net, Peter Vercoe, Fion Li 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. 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. The US on Thursday (local time) called for Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed to be held accountable for his involvement in the planning of "numerous acts of terrorism, including 2008 Mumbai attacks". "We continue to call for Hafiz Saeed to be held accountable for his involvement in the planning of numerous acts of terrorism, including 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 innocent people, including 6 Americans," US State Department spokesperson told ANI, commenting on the Saeed's conviction in terror financing cases. The spokesperson said Hafiz Saeed's conviction on terror financing is a step towards curtailing the operation of a terrorist group that threatens peace and stability in South Asia. "We urge Pakistan to continue to take appropriate legal action against individuals who commit acts of terrorism, raise funds for, or advocate for terrorism," the official said. On Wednesday, Alice Wells, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of US for South and Central Asian Affairs had 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 Jamaat-ud -Dawa (JuD) Hafiz Saeed to five-and-a-half years in prison each in two terror financing cases. Pakistan based 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. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, Feb. 14 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmenistans Permanent Mission to the international organizations in Vienna presented the National Strategy on Prevention of Violent Extremism and Countering Terrorism for 2020-2024, Trend reports referring to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry. The presentation was held as part of the Joint High-Level Regional Conference on Foreign Terrorist Fighters Addressing Current Challenges, organized by the OSCE, the UN Office on Counter-Terrorism and other intergovernmental organizations. While developing Turkmenistans National Strategy, special attention was paid to the principle of an integrated approach. For these purposes, a working group, which included representatives of 24 state structures and public associations, was created. Turkmenistan is the first country in Central Asia which has adopted a national strategy to prevent violent extremism and counter terrorism. UN Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Natalia Gherman, OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger and others delivered speeches at the conference. 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 has onshore borders with Kazakhstan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and offshore borders with Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Iran. In his first criticism of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray after their government in Maharashtra came to office in November, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Friday said the Shiv Sena chief was wrong in letting the NIA take over the probe into the Elgar Parishad case from the state police. Pawar expressed his unhappiness on Thackeray's decision on a day when a Pune court passed an order to transfer the Elgar Parishad case to a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai. The court also said the order of investigation by the central agency cannot be said to be illegal or improper. Talking to reporters in Kolhapur, Pawar said it was not right on the part of the Centre to hand over the probe into the case, which was with the Pune police, to the NIA as law and order was a state subject. "It was not right for the Centre to hand over the investigation into the case to the NIA. But it was even more wrong for the state government to support the transfer of the case," said Pawar. The Nationalist Congress Party(NCP) is a key constituent of the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government which also includes the Congress. NCP leader Anil Deshmukh is the home minister. The government was formed on November 28, 2019. The case under probe relates to alleged inflammatory speeches delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave held at Shaniwarwada in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claimed, triggered violence near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in the district the next day. The Pune police have claimed the conclave was backed by Maoists. During the probe, the Pune 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. These nine activists, currently in jail, are among the 11 people booked by the NIA. The Bombay High Court, meanwhile, refused to grant anticipatory bail to civil rights activists Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde in the Elgar Parishad case. Justice P D Naik, while rejecting their pre-arrest bail pleas, said "prima facie evidence shows complicity of both the accused in the case". At his media interaction, Pawar said the conduct of the police and the state home department officials handling the case was objectionable, he said. The NIA was entrusted the case at a time when the process of setting up an Special Investigation Team(SIT) was initiated by the state government, he said. "Meetings took place between 9 am and 11 am (in Mumbai) and the Centre took the decision (to hand over the case to the NIA) at 3 pm (on January 25)," he said. Pawar said it was not right for the Centre to encroach upon the rights of the state on law and order issue. "The Maharashtra government should not have supported the Centre's move," the former Union minister said. 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". On Thursday, Deshmukh said Uddhav Thackeray had overruled him on the probe in the case. "State agencies were investigating the case, but the Centre handed over the investigation to the NIA. As Home Minister, my stand was that the Centre should have taken the state government into confidence before taking the decision. "We were putting up our stand in the court in this direction. The chief minister has the right to overrule my stand," Deshmukh had said. The Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government had initially criticised the Centre's move to hand over the case to the NIA. Deshmukh had then publicly expressed disapproval of the Centre's move and termed it as against the Constitution. In Pune, Additional Sessions Judge S R Navander ordered that records and proceedings of the case be sent to the special NIA court in Mumbai, along with entire 'muddemal(related to the case) property' in sealed condition. Before the judge passed the order, the prosecution submitted an application stating they do not have objection to the NIA's plea seeking transfer of the case. "....at this juncture, the investigating officer of the state agency has produced an order of the state government dated 12/02/2020 thereby directing hand over of investigation of the case to NIA," the order said. "Thus, it becomes clear that the state investigating agency is handing over the investigation to NIA and therefore there remained no question of entrustment of investigation to the NIA, which was raised by the accused." Judge Navander then directed that all the accused be produced before special NIA court in Mumbai on or before February 28. The judge observed that the object and the purpose of NIA Act is to constitute an investigating agency at national level to investigate and prosecute offences affecting the sovereignty, security, and integrity of India. "Having regard to the aim and object of the NIA Act, the order of investigation through NIA cannot be said to be illegal or improper. That apart, the order of the transfer of investigation to NIA has not been challenged nor it has been set aside. Therefore, this court has to abide by provisions of NIA Act," said the order. The order further added that although the charge sheet has already been filed, some of the accused are yet to be arrested. "Therefore, it cannot be said that the investigation in the case has been completed and nothing remains to be done by NIA. Section 173 (8) of CrPC empowers NIA to make further investigation even after filing of the charge sheet. It cannot be termed as re-investigation as argued on behalf of the accused," the judge said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A prosecutor said on Friday that the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was an abusive rapist and a predator who used his power to manipulate and assault several women in the movie business, then stayed in touch with them to ensure their silence and compliance. He had a surefire insurance policy: That the witnesses were standing in line to get into his universe, Joan Illuzzi, an assistant district attorney, told the jury during her closing arguments at Mr. Weinsteins rape trial. The universe is run by me, she added, adopting Mr. Weinsteins point of view, therefore they dont get to complain when theyre stepped on, spit on, demoralized and yes, raped and abused by the defendant. Ms. Illuzzis summation of Mr. Weinsteins tactic trick and surprise, she called it was a dramatic finale to the trial in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, which has emerged as a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement. An anti-CAA protest by Muslims turned violent here on Friday when the protesters clashed with police. Police said four cops, including a woman deputy commissioner, two women personnel and a sub-inspector were injured in stonepelting even as there were reports that some protesters were also hurt. Earlier, some protesters were reportedly forcibly removed from the protest site, leading to a commotion between them and the police. The protesters accused the police of resorting to a lathicharge. Some of the protesters were detained. Subsequently, more people gathered there demanding their release. As a result, security was beefed up in the area. City Police Commissioner AK Viswanathan held discussions with community elders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 20:51:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LUANDA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and eleven others were seriously injured after a taxi car and a mini truck collided early on Friday in Angola's central west Benguela Province. The mini-truck was trying to overtake a car in its direction being left with no margin for maneuver ending up in a head-on collision with the taxi, causing the immediate death of both drivers, while some passengers of the taxi were strapped in it seriously injured. Local Firefighters took three hours to remove the victims strapped in the taxi, after that they were sent to Benguela's General Hospital. A provincial road traffic official Antonio Ngussi said speeding and non-compliance with the highway code caused the collision. WATERTOWN, Conn., Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stop & Shop, a neighborhood grocer for more than 100 years, is announcing the kick-off of its annual campaign with JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Beginning today through March 1, customers in Connecticut, Westchester & the Hudson Valley, NY, and Western Massachusetts will have the opportunity to support JDRFs research efforts by donating at the register when they check out at their local Stop & Shop. Currently, more than 1.25 million Americans live with T1D, an autoimmune disease that occurs when a persons pancreas stops producing insulin. It cannot be prevented, and, at present, there is no cure. This year, customers can take part by donating the denomination of their choosing ($1, $3 and $5) or to round-up to the next dollar at the register. Store associates and customers can also participate in the campaign by proudly wearing stickers that say, Im the_____ Type, detailing the strength, resilience and courage of those living with T1D - and highlighting the notion that people are not defined by their diagnosis, instead they get to define who they are. JDRF is grateful for our longstanding relationship with Stop & Shop and the resources offered in its stores for those living with type 1 diabetes, says Joe Watterson, Vice President of Corporate Development at JDRF. The generous support from associates and customers is improving the lives of people affected by type 1 diabetes and funding transformational research that is driving us closer to cures for this difficult disease. To help kick off the campaign, Stop & Shop Pharmacists and children living with T1D will help to educate the public on guided tours in their local Stop & Shop stores, showcasing how making certain food choices is one of the many ways they manage their T1D. One of those children is Sage Skinner, a five-year-old from Stafford Springs, Connecticut, who was diagnosed with T1D last March. Since then, Sage and her family have worked around the clock to manage her diagnosis to the best of their ability. A true representation of what it means to be resilient, Sage is often heard saying, Everybody's got something!" She and her family feel passionately about sharing what theyve learned with others in the community who are going through a similar situation. We understand how important food choices are to those who live with type 1 diabetes, and were proud to be a strong supporter of JDRF since 1996, says Jennifer Brogan, Stop & Shops Director of External Communications and Community Relations. Stop & Shop makes it a priority to provide our customers with a wide variety of fresh and healthy foods plus access to personalized support from our pharmacists who are trained and certified in diabetes care by the American Pharmacists Association. For more information about Stop & Shops campaign with JDRF, visit https://www.jdrf.org/shopandgiveback/stop-shop/ . To locate participating stores in Connecticut, Westchester and the Hudson Valley, NY, and Western Massachusetts, visit https://stopandshop.com/store-locator/ . About Stop & Shop: A neighborhood grocer for more than 100 years, todays Stop & Shop is refreshed, reenergized and inspired, delivering new conveniences for customers. Committed to helping its communities enjoy better food and better lives, Stop & Shop has a longstanding history of giving back to the neighborhoods it serves with a focus on fighting hunger and helping children to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is an Ahold Delhaize USA Company and employs more than 61,000 associates and operates over 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit stopandshop.com. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ab9d9f9e-57a5-4d71-af4d-9fa691660fe1. San Bernadino Police Department Police in California believe five deadly shootings over the last several months on the west side of San Bernadino are "all connected in one way or another" and suspect a gang of men have committed a series of murders by firing at people inside their cars. San Bernadino's Interim Police Chief Eric McBright said the unsolved killings, including the death of a two-year-old in a car crash after a car was fired upon, involve both "random" victims and people who "possibly" knew their killers. All of the victims were shot while sitting in their cars or trying to get away from them. No arrests have been made. On 17 August, middle school teacher Nancy Megana was sitting in her pickup truck with her boyfriend and five-year-old son when a light-coloured sedan with three or four people inside approached the car. Two people got out, fired into the driver's side window of the truck, then fled the scene. Ms Megana died at a nearby hospital. On 14 September 2019, police responded to a report of a head-on traffic collision and arrived within minutes of the accident to find a red Toyota Camry with its rear windows shot out, which police believe sent the car crashing into a guardrail. A two-year-old girl was found in the back seat. Surveillance video shows the suspected vehicle, a silver sedan, speeding away from the scene. Twenty-one-year-old Detrell Page was discovered in the driver's seat with a gunshot wound. He survived the shooting in critical condition. His daughter, Dekorro, did not survive the crash. On 19 January, 24-year-old Lemon Hamilton was discovered by police lying in the street after being shot. He died in hospital. A second victim, 20-year-old Jesus Valencia, was also treated for a gunshot wound at the hospital. Police believe he was also at the scene. Police discovered two more gunshot victims on 21 January. Twenty-four-year-old Israel De La Torre was found lying in the driver's side of his truck, and 33-year-old Daniel Melendrez also was found near the scene. Police linked their murders to the streak of shootings. Story continues Surveillance video shows two cars dropping off several men near the scene, where they "ambushed" the victims, Chief McBright said. At a press conference announcing the connected shootings, Chief McBright said: "There are people out there that saw these homicides, saw these shootings, that saw what happened, and we need those folks to come forward." Read more Serial pillowcase rapist suspect was building a dungeon Serial killer released early is arrested for murdering hotel maid Serial rapist Joseph McCann sentenced to life in prison Ivan Milat: Serial killer behind Australian backpacker murders dies Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) president Jitan Ram Manjhi on Friday said that there should be a high-level probe into Pulwama terror attack. Speaking to ANI here, Manjhi said: "I am saying that there should be a high-level probe into Pulwama terror attack. I had said this two days after the attack." "When the convoy was passing, the attack took place. It might be possible that it was planted. If it was planted, then there must be a role of the administration behind the attack. Also, the role of Davinder Singh is questionable as he was the route in charge then," he said. "It is a big question that why there has not been any probe in the attack," he said. The suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Davinder Singh was arrested on charges of trying to assist terrorists to travel outside Jammu and Kashmir. Last year, around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2,500 CRPF personnel, were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under the attack. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NISKU, Alberta, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alberta Professional Outfitters Society (APOS) is hosting a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Symposium on April 1-2, 2020 in Nisku, Alberta. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a prion disease that affects the nervous systems of animals in the cervid family. CWD was first detected in Alberta in 2002. In samples tested by Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) in 2019, CWD was detected in 500 mule deer, 74 white-tailed deer, and one moose. There is no known cure for CWD and no definitive control strategy for addressing CWD. The CWD Symposium will bring together government, wildlife managers, outfitters, hunters, ranchers, and other stakeholders to explore different jurisdictions approaches to managing CWD as well as some of the most current science on the disease. CWD has been detected in wild animals in 24 American states and 2 Canadian provinces. APOS sees this as a serious concern for our industry and all Albertans. We have gone to great lengths to arrange this symposium to help understand the latest trends and most practical solutions from across the continent and beyond, states President, Corey Jarvis, We look forward to learning more about the latest scientific data and practical applications and how these different jurisdictions are working with their stakeholders and attempting to manage the disease. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Event tickets are available online through Eventbrite , with early bird rates in place until March 16, 2020. Special ticket pricing is available for students and the media. For more information, please call 780-414-0249 or email info@apos.ab.ca . The Romcom. Every year something predictable crops up crammed with love songs, big names and a corny title. Or, were left to rehash oldies-but-goodies. Its a dated genre that we return to annually like that one frayed but cosy sweater - it turns no heads but makes you feel warm and fuzzy. But this year, theres an upgrade! Its called Crash Landing On You . Starring Korean heartthrobs Son Ye-Jin and Hyun Bin, this is no ordinary love story. A rich and lonely South Korean heiress is on the cusp of a career victory. But the perfectionist sets out to sample a new product just ahead of the big announcement only to be carried away by a freak storm. Into North Korea. What follows is an engrossing tale of hide & seek with insidious authorities while a unique love story brews. Yoon Se-Ri (Son Ye-Jin) the businesswoman from Seoul, meets the handsome North Korean Captain Ri Jeong-Hyeok (Hyun Bin) in the most unlikely of ways. Their chemistry is instantly undeniable. They couldnt be more different from each other but its the glue that binds them. The Fates have a hand in their meeting. But this is no Greek Tragedy. Nor is it a case of Romeo & Juliet. Its so much more! Son Ye-Jin and Hyun Bin are fabulous actors riffing off of each other. Be it when theyre taking pot shots or displaying their inherent care and nascent love, its suffused with a touch of the real. Her transformation from the picky rich girl who drinks only bouillabaisse for soup to a noodle-slurping soju-swigging commoner, is endearing. While Hyun Bins range of emotions will blow your mind. He can go from cutesy to James Bond-level hotness in the blink of an eye. But what sets this story apart from the mundane romcoms is that the hero and heroine are on an even keel. Son Ye-Jins Se-Ri is no damsel in distress. Shes a badass who knows whats at stake and is ready to do anything to get home. And when theres a role reversal, Se-Ri doesnt shy away from flexing her power. Hyun Bins Captain Ri on the other hand isnt afraid to be vulnerable or be the one who does things that are traditionally deemed a womans task such as cooking spectacular noodles. Neither does he judge Se-Ri for not being adept in the kitchen. Its the supporting cast however, that makes this show a real treat! Captain Ris comrades and the village women who are first suspicious of Se-Ri but hen go on to befriend her, are the life of the show. You want to see them as much as the lead pair. Youre keen to know how their lives turn out as well. And its primarily because they are the ones bringing you a huge slice of the comic relief. Their timing is top notch! Special mention to Kim Sun-Young who plays the village leader. She is to this show what Goundamani or Vadivelu is to a Tamil film. What makes this well-made Netflix show tick all the right boxes is its commitment to the script. Its not steeped in romance nor in laughs alone. Its more than just a romcom. Its a love story that displays human emotions thats beyond boundaries or cultural differences. There are tears, fears, yearning, jealousy, betrayal. All of it. Life in its ugliness and glory. Theres the underdog-turned-bad-guy who is on a relentless mission to jeopardise the lives of Captain Ri and Se-Ri. The ruthless sister-in-laws who want to see Se-Ri gone. The stoic father whose political career is hanging by a thread, thanks to his sons impulsive decisions. The mothers wholl bat for their kids come hell or high water. All of this with not an ounce of melodrama or deafening background score thats the mainstay of desi serials. The show has received praise for depicting North Korean life quite closely. And its an interesting peek into the lives behind the secretive nation. Its a gentle reminder that people and their emotions are rather universal. That we have more in common than we imagined. Crash Landing On You is currently winding up its first season. So far it has us on tenterhooks. Can this cross-border romance thrive? The penultimate episode is set to release on 15th February. So if youre looking for a show to binge watch with your loved one this Valentines Day, make sure its this one. And carry on into the weekend! 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. Katie Hill officially resigned as representative of Californias 25th district in October, but the 32-year-old says shes just getting started pushing for change. In an interview following her panel at the 2020 MAKERS Conference, Hill reveals to MAKERS for the first time publicly that she was sexually assaulted four times before graduating high school, as well as opens up about being a bisexual former lawmaker who, despite what happened, is not going away. What did happen to the former first-term Democrat in October is complicated. Less than a year after defeating the districts incumbent to earn a seat in the House of Representatives, Hill became the subject of a whirlwind 10-day scandal that included intimate photos surfacing online, accusations that she was having an affair with her male legislative director and rumors that she was in an inappropriate relationship with a female staffer. Hill chose to leave office in the wake of the firestorm but insists rumors about an affair with her legislative director were unfounded. She has confirmed a relationship with the female staffer, but says it was consensual. Still, shes quick to admit that even a consensual relationship with a staffer may have been crossing a line. I understand the complexities and the power dynamics and that's something that I have to live with and it is a big part of the reason I resigned, Hill says. I understand that there's also not room necessarily for a gray area right now when we're kind of in the aftermath of #MeToo. Despite taking ownership of the relationship which Nancy Pelosi called an error in judgment the California-native says she herself is a victim as well. The photos and rumors that circulated, she claims, were part of a coordinated effort between conservative media and her abusive ex-husband to ruin her reputation. (Hills ex-husband has publicly refuted this, claiming that his computer was hacked. His attorney did not reply to MAKERS request for comment). Story continues Katie Hill, a former Representative from California, speaks during the 2020 MAKERS Conference in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg) Beyond her suspicions about her ex-husbands involvement, Hill believes that her status as an openly bisexual woman in a majority male and heterosexual Congress may have played a role in her downfall. I think people don't understand even what [being bisexual] means, especially older generations, Hill shares. I can't tell you how much during the campaign ... people were like, Oh, you're married to a man? Like, how can you still be bisexual? After news of her affair surfaced, Hill says she was overly sexualized by both peers and strangers. You should have seen my DMs after all this happened, its was just all threesomes, she says. Because its a fantasy, right? Especially bisexual woman, so thats part of what is challenging. When asked if there may actually be more bisexual members of Congress given the stigmatization and the increasing prevalence of those who identify that way nationwide Hill replies: Oh my god yeah. So many. But confusion and fear surrounding her sexuality, says Hill, is far from the only issue. Another one to note is what she views as the double standard around female sexuality one in which women cannot be sexual beings without being sexualized. As a result, she says women are penalized far more for having relationships that cross the line, while men in similar circumstances often escape unscathed. For Hill, who reveals for the first time that shes a victim of sexual abuse, this subject is personal. I was sexually assaulted four times before I even graduated high school, Hill says. I ended up in an abusive relationship probably in large part because of that. Hill says she is willing to accept the consequences of her actions but is faced with the painful reality that other men in Washington who are credibly accused of sexual assault dont have to. I don't think that we say that every single person who messes up should be ostracized forever. But I think you need to take ownership of it; you need to apologize, says Hill. You need to say you're not gonna do it again ... it seems to be impossible for most men to apologize and say they're not going to do it again. The former member of Congress believes its up to women to continue saying its not OK for men abusing their power to be in office. Its part of the reason shes formed a female-focused PAC aimed at getting more women elected. I think weve got a huge fight ahead of us and if President Trump wins again, then we've got a real problem, Hill notes. At some point, we're going to have to take up our mantle and be warriors in the fight for equality ... and I fundamentally believe that it's women that are gonna save the world. Whether or not the rest of America agrees with her, Hill plans to keep going. I think what they wanted was for me to go away, for me to disappear and kind of hide in the shadows, Hill reflects. But for me its about saying, No, you can't take that from me. You can't take my voice from me, you can't take away what I got elected to do. It matters too much. It's sort of an act of defiance. Watch Hills full interview below: Read more about the 2020 MAKERS Conference Gold prices remained firm at Rs 40,780 per 10 gram in the Mumbai bullion market on rupee depreciation. The rate of 10 grams 22-carat gold in Mumbai was Rs 37,354 plus 3 percent GST while 24-carat 10 gram was Rs 40,780 plus GST. The 18-carat gold quoted at Rs 30,585 plus GST in the retail market. According to Navneet Damani, Vice President, Motilal Oswal, gold prices held steady near a one-week high, as a mounting coronavirus death toll supported safe-haven buying, while a stronger dollar capped gains. The Chinese province at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak reported a record rise in deaths and thousands of more infections using a broader definition in the previous session. Tensions between the US and Iran provide support to the precious metal pack. Market participants will focus on the EU GDP number and industrial and core retail sales number expected from the US. The Broader trend on Comex could be $1,560-1,590 and on the domestic front, prices could hover in the range of Rs 40,300-40,950, said Damani. The gold/silver ratio that refers to the amount of silver needed to buy an ounce of gold stood at 88.65 to 1. Silver prices gained Rs 110 to Rs 46,000 per kg from its closing on February 13. The precious metal has gained Rs 114, or 0.28 percent for the week, while silver declined Rs 230 or 0.50 percent in the same period. In the futures market, gold rate touched an intraday high of Rs 40,840 and an intraday low of Rs 40,573 on MCX. For the April series, the yellow metal touched a low of Rs 37,530 and a high of Rs 41,567. Gold futures for delivery in April gained Rs 173, or 0.43 percent on the MCX trading at Rs 40,829 per 10 gram in evening trade in a business turnover of 16,717 lots. Gold contracts for June delivery were up Rs 145, or 0.36 percent, at Rs 40,975 per 10 gram in a business turnover of 6,275 lots. The value of the April contract traded so far is Rs 2,261.78 crore and June contract saw the value of Rs 79.59 crore. Similarly, Gold Mini contract for March rose Rs 155, or 0.38 percent at Rs 40,735 in a business turnover of 8,542 lots. Gold price is trading under ascending triangle pattern, price is expected to trade positive. Sustaining above Rs 40,650 next leg of the positive rally would push the price higher towards Rs 40,850-41,000 levels, according to Axis Securities. Source: Axis Securities On the hourly chart, price is trading above 9, 21 & 60 EMA which is a bullish sign for price. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is trading at 60 indicating higher momentum in price. The broking firm advised its client to buy April Gold at Rs 40,650 with stop loss at Rs 40,500 and a target of Rs 40,850. MCX Gold has intraday support at Rs 40,525-40,460 whereas resistance is at Rs 40,800-40,870, according to Motilal Oswal. The brokerage firm said spot gold has strong support at $1,560-1,557 whereas resistance is at $1,585-1,590. At 2:06 pm (GMT), spot gold was up $3.38 at $1,579.55 an ounce in London trading. A murderer who raped a Brisbane woman twice and indecently assaulted another has had his sentence reduced on appeal after claiming it was heavy-handed. Shane Antoni Symss, now 42, was sentenced in 2019 to 16 years' imprisonment for rape, assault, breaking and entering, and stealing after he attacked the women in 1996, aged 18. His first victim was a single mother-of-two aged 33 that he threatened with a screwdriver as he blindfolded, gagged and raped her twice in her Logan unit. One of her young sons almost interrupted the attack but the woman put herself between him and Symss, telling him to return to his bed while the assailant hid. Symss attacked his second victim, then 70, in her bed at her Mt Gravatt home, where she lived alone. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) The House of Representatives is still too busy with other pressing concerns for it to tackle bills renewing ABS-CBN's franchise, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said, adding that these won't be picked up until May at the earliest. Cayetano said he will wait for cooler heads to prevail before he even asks the House Committee on Legislative Franchises to start discussions on whether or not the media giant should be given another 25 years to broadcast news and content. The lawmaker said the chamber would not tackle such bills in the next couple of weeks running up to the March 30 expiry of the network's existing franchise. He added that discussions may start when Congress resumes sessions in May after their summer break, and at worst, by end-July after President Rodrigo Duterte's annual State of the Nation Address. "Bakit sinasabi kong hindi io urgent? Don't get me wrong, napaka-importante ng franchise ng ABS-CBN, hindi lang sa 11,000 empleyado... Pero hanggang March 2022 ay pwede silang mag-operate eh [Why am I saying this is not urgent? Don't get me wrong, this is very important. But they can still operate until March 2022]," Cayetano told reporters during a mass wedding ceremony Friday, referring to the end of the 18th Congress. "There has been precedent and it looks like everyone agrees," he added, referring to previous agreements between the House and the National Telecommunications Commission to allow media and utility firms to remain in business despite pending franchise renewals. READ: No shutdown yet? ABS-CBN can still operate beyond March, solons say "Kailangan natin ng lamig ng ulo... Kung tayo ay mag-hearing ngayon, it will suck all the energy of the 18th Congress. Mapapabayaan ang ibang mga importante [We need cooler heads. If we hear these proposals now, it will suck all the energy of the 18th Congress. We'll set aside what's important]," the Speaker said. "There has to be some way that we can soberly discuss this. Magpaliwanagan tayo." Cayetano said he instructed the House body not to start these discussions now as both the supporters and critics of the network would likely be fueled by passion or anger. He added that while the network is an "institution" in the media, it also had its sins due to supposed "biases" during the 2010 and 2016 elections. He hinted that these could run against provisions of the Fair Election Act that requires media outlets to offer balanced reportage during polls. "Huwag kayong mag-alala dahil hindi naman mago-off the air ang inyong mga paboritong show. Pero sa ngayon, napakaraming importanteng inaasikaso ng Kongreso," Cayetano added, pointing out it is still busy providing aid to families displaced by earthquakes in Mindanao last year, as well as evacuees due to Taal volcano's eruption in January. [Translation: Don't worry because your favorite shows won't go off the air yet. But for now, Congress has a lot of urgent matters on its plate.] TIMELINE: ABS-CBN franchise He noted that passing a measure that creates a Department for Overseas Filipino workers which is on President Rodrigo Duterte's legislative wish list is among the priorities of the chamber. Cayetano disclosed that he hoped that Solicitor General Jose Calida would not have filed a case against the network before the Supreme Court, but said that it helped in bringing issues against the TV station to light. The quo warranto petition would likewise allow company officials to respond to the allegations. ABS-CBN: 'We did not violate the law' Cayetano added that there appears to be a consensus among lawmakers to let the network stay on air as long as there are bills seeking its franchise renewal. "Sometimes, time is on our side," he said. For now, Cayetano said there's no reason for the network to change how it reports the news, saying the issues raised against ABS-CBN date back to 2016 and earlier. Duterte has repeatedly ranted against the Lopez-owned network for failing to air his campaign advertisements during the 2016 elections. Brian Pallister says he's attempting to organize a conference call with his fellow premiers to demand Ottawa provide clarity on the approval process for future resource development projects. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Brian Pallister says he's attempting to organize a conference call with his fellow premiers to demand Ottawa provide clarity on the approval process for future resource development projects. The Manitoba premier said the cross-Canada blockades in protest of the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern British Columbia underscore the need for an improved application process. "Im going to be communicating to all my premier colleagues to see if we cant communicate again to the federal government the need for clarity around the application process and the manner in which we deal with resource-project applications," Pallister told a news conference Thursday. Demonstrators blocked a portion of the Canadian National rail line just north of Wilkes in Diamond about 25 kilometres west of Winnipeg on Wednesday, but were gone by Thursday. (Danielle DaSilva / Winnipeg Free Press) Meanwhile, Pallister said the province will abandon a plan to seek a court injunction to end a rail blockade on Canadian National's main line west of Winnipeg because the railway has already done so. The premier had announced the measure Wednesday. Pallister said at their past two meetings, the country's first ministers have called for a "less onerous, less confusing, less frustrating and, clearly, a less divisive process" for resource development than the current model. "What's happening is that people are very frustrated, because they're not understanding or feeling heard through a process that needs to give balance to the environmental impacts of resource applications in our country but also the economic impacts... they're not separated from each other," he said. "When we have a process that people can understand and that they feel is respectful and that hears them, then we're going to have... less in the way of people feeling so frustrated that they're willing to flout the law or potentially break the law." "When we have a process that people can understand and that they feel is respectful and that hears them, then we're going to have... less in the way of people feeling so frustrated that they're willing to flout the law or potentially break the law." Premier Brian Pallister On Thursday, demonstrators abandoned a blockade along CN tracks west of Winnipeg roughly an hour after saying they would defy a court order and remain at the site until their demands were met. Pallister has long complained about the federal government's "onerous" consultation requirements as he's pushed for federal approval of the Lake Manitoba-Lake St. Martin outlet channels. Late last year, it was revealed communities Ottawa had compelled Manitoba to consult in May 2018 on the channel projects had still not heard from the province. Members of the Mohawk community man a blockade of the commuter rail line in Kahnawake, Que. on Wednesday. (Ryan Remiorz / The Canadian Press) On Thursday, when asked about possible gaps in the provincial consultation process, the premier would only say he would address the issue Tuesday. The premier noted First Nations communities had suffered as a result of flooding along the two Manitoba lakes. 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 very people who stand to benefit the most from the construction of an outlet will not benefit by delays in dealing with the process of consultation," he said. Protesters add a sign to a trailer at the closed train tracks during a rail blockade in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory in Ontario on Thursday. (Lars Hagberg / The Canadian Press) Pallister criticized the approach taken by the Wet'suwet'en Nation hereditary chiefs in the stalemate in northern B.C. "In this particular instance, the proponent (TransCanada Pipelines) has said that they have reached out over a six-year period to hereditary chiefs to get input, and that they have not had participation from hereditary chiefs," he said. "Now there's a process underway saying hereditary chiefs are right to oppose the project. They may be right to oppose the project. They are wrong not to participate in the process which evaluated the project itself." larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca CAYCE The body of Faye Swetlik, a 6-year-old girl who went missing Monday afternoon, was found near her home in a town just west of Columbia, police announced Thursday. Her death is being investigated as a homicide, Cayce Director of Public Safety Byron Snellgrove told reporters. No arrests have been made, he said. Police also found the body of a dead man in the same neighborhood, Churchill Heights, where Faye's body was discovered on Thursday. No details were shared Thursday. Authorities did not say whether the dead man, who has not been identified, had any ties to Faye's disappearance. Snellgrove did not share the distance between the bodies when they were discovered or where they were found. "This is a fluid investigation, and we are working diligently on it," Snellgrove said. Authorities said there is no continuing danger to the community from the deaths. Snellgrove did not take questions from reporters Wednesday afternoon. Faye's body was found at 11 a.m. Thursday, Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher said. An autopsy will take place Saturday at MUSC in Charleston. Faye's disappearance shocked the town of 14,000 for days. News of her death was crushing. "I am just in tears," said Lisa Trotter, whose granddaughter attended elementary school with Faye. "We all wanted Faye to be brought home safely. This really hits close to home and our entire community is devastated." Joshua Smith draped his arm over the shoulder of Carson Smith, 7, as the pair placed a handful of white roses alongside other flowers collecting at the entrance of the Churchill Heights neighborhood. The boy huddled close, a somber look on his face. "I just feel like it's important to teach him things, not just stranger danger, but how to be a part of the community," said Joshua Smith, who didn't know Faye but lives a couple of miles away. Eddie Coakley, senior pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Cayce, said Everyone here is just extremely heartbroken. This was definitely the worst-case scenario. We just pray now for the family, the community and all of the law enforcement involved." The church hosted a prayer vigil for Faye and her family Tuesday after she had been missing for 24 hours. On Thursday, the church was opened for mourners. "Im at a loss of words," said Valerie Shumpert of Cayce, who attended the prayer vigil and has children close in age. "Just know Faye is loved and missed. Our loss is Heaven's gain." Speaking at The Citadel on Thursday, Vice President Mike Pence said, "I would urge everyone in South Carolina, hug your kids today and keep this little girl and her family and her community in your prayers." Springdale Elementary, where Faye attended school, will have extra district and school counselors on hand to talk with with students, teachers and staff, principal Hope Vrana said in a letter to families. "We know how hard something like this is even for adults to understand," she said. "We are sending home some general tips about how you can talk with your child about this." Faye stepped off the bus from Springdale Elementary around 2:50 p.m. Monday and walked the short distance with her mother to the apartment in the Churchill Heights neighborhood where they lived. She went out to play in the yard, something neighbors said she did often. Her mother last saw her at 3:45 p.m. but sometime after, noticed she was gone and called police. More than 250 local, state and federal law enforcement officers combed the neighborhood and surrounding woods near the Columbia Metropolitan Airport for more than two days looking for Faye, a first-grader with strawberry-blonde hair and blue eyes. Officers brought out specially trained dogs and hovered in helicopters while methodically searching a 1-mile radius from her home. They searched homes in the neighborhood off a busy roadway near an interstate interchange, even looking inside cupboards. "This is the largest-scale investigation that I've ever been a part of," said Sgt. Evan Antley of the Cayce Department of Public Safety, a few hours before the announcement about the discovery of Faye's body. "And it's something we rarely see in this area." The FBI sent out a national missing-person bulletin even though the search concentrated in the neighborhood. My heart is out there somewhere and I dont know how to handle it, said Fayes grandmother Ruth Collins, following the vigil Tuesday. Caitlin Byrd contributed to this report. New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Enforcement Directorate on Friday filed a supplementary chargesheet naming Hyderabad-based businessman Sathish Babu Sana in the Moin Qureshi case. The investigating agency in the chargesheet said a new money trail has been found. This is the third chargesheet filed in the matter by ED's counsel N. K. Matta. Satish Sana Babu is the ninth accused in the case. Rouse Avenue Court's Special Judge Anuradha Shukla Bhardwaj will consider the chargesheet on Saturday at 10 a.m. Sana was arrested by the ED in July last year in a case relating to purported purchase of shares of a company linked to Qureshi. He is currently out on bail. In October last year, on the basis of a complaint filed by Sana, a case was registered against then CBI Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana on charges of accepting bribe from a businessman, who was related to the case. Asthana was, however, recently given a clean chit by the CBI in the bribery case registered by the agency in 2018. As someone who heads up a County Democratic Party, I had first row seats to the the Blue Wave of 2018. It didnt begin in 2018, of course. It began on Wednesday, November 9th, 2016. As a nation woke up to the terrifying reality that a misogynistic, racist show business conman had been elected as the President of the United States, a low rumbling began. As the days and weeks passed, people who normally paid little attention to politics and government began to realize that if they wanted change in this country, they were going to have to take part in that process and live their values. Slowly but inexorably, people around our state and around the country began waking up politically and stepping up to support their values. They formed Indivisible groups. They began to fight for the rights of people with whom they had little in common except their humanity. They became citizen lobbyists, community organizers, and political activists. The skills they learned being Cub Scout leaders, Brownie troop leaders, book club organizers, and all of the other things they do in their lives, they began to take matters into their own hands. And, in 2018, the results were unquestionable. People went to the ballot box and voted on their values in record numbers and progressives crushed it across the country. Here at Eclectablog, we provide you with the tools, the messaging, and the knowledge you need to be a badass activist. The tagline of our podcast, The GOTMFV Show, is turning words into votes and we mean it. But, sadly, we cant do it without your financial support. If we were a conservative blog, wed get support from the Koch brothers and the DeVos family, and the Mackinac Center and wouldnt have to worry about money. But we are still waiting for all that mythical Soros money to magically appear so we have to come to you from time to time, hat in hand, and ask you to support your values by supporting us. That allows us to pay our writers and to pay for all the infrastructure that makes Eclectablog and The GOTMFV Show happen. Please consider making a donation today to help keep strong, vibrant, effective blogging alive and well here at Eclectablog. You can use the handy PayPal form at the top of the right sidebar to make a one-time donation via Paypal in the amount of your choice. Second, you can send a check (which avoids Paypal taking out a percentage of your donation) to Chris Savage, P.O. Box 32, Dexter, MI 48130. Please make the check payable to Eclectablog. Want to make a monthly donation? Enter the amount you want to pay each month: $ USD Sign up for If you simply arent able to make a donation of any kind (and we appreciate support at ALL levels), please continue to share our posts throughout all of your social media platforms to ensure that the hard work of our most excellent staff is seen by as many folks as possible. European prices seem to be leading the way, with the influential German producer quote up by a significant 6 Euro cents from 1.85 EUR to 1.91, which in our money is 159p and neck and neck with UK prices. Despite this, unfortunately very few of the major weekly contribution price abattoirs have reflected any significant movement in their weekly price announcements for next week, with most still static between 155p and 163p. Spot bacon demand remains reasonably firm but not spectacular and it is a pity that happy couples celebrating Valentines Day seem to be opting for steak rather than pork on the menu. With most bacon pigs being sold on contract, there was not a great deal of activity on the spot market, with prices generally in the 160p-164p bracket and reflecting the SPP at 162.74p. Cull sow prices have improved marginally but have not been helped by a significant reduction in the value of the Euro, which a week ago was worth 84.17p but traded today at 83.14p. As a result, although cull sow quotes have risen on the week, this is only to the tune of around 1p with export quotes generally between 110p-114p according to load size. Weaner values are continuing to improve, possibly reflecting more confidence in finished pig prices in the months ahead, with the latest AHDB 7kg average up by 0.79p/head to 42.51 and the 30kg ex farm average which had not been published in recent weeks made its re-appearance at a relatively healthy 59.07/head. Rearing and finishing space still remains at something of a premium and if the current wet weather continues, straw costs are also likely to rise in the months ahead. UK grain and protein futures prices have generally remained at similar levels on the week, with March feed wheat quoted at 157/t and September at 167/t. Spot UK feed wheat prices have however eased a touch to 146.2 (ex-farm). Forward prices for barley saw March traded at 135/t and September at 141/t. Hipro soya ended the week on a slightly dearer note, with March deals agreed at 306/t and June also slightly easier at 291/t. Coronavirus and ASF impact The effects of the Coronavirus epidemic are also starting to make themselves felt on global commodity markets, with an increase in the number of Chinese deaths putting markets in reverse. Any good or bad news on the Coronavirus front will soon filter through to the commodity markets and there could be volatile times ahead, especially if the scale of the epidemic continues to increase. And finally, still on the disease front, African swine fever continues to sweep through the Far East and closer to home, but good to see that the NPA are taking positive steps to remind AHDB, Animal Health and DEFRA of the need to focus public attention on stepping up bio-security levels at exit and entry ports to this country, especially as far as any trade in live pigs is concerned and to crank up the levels of surveillance to avoid ASF hitting these shores. The scourge of ASF is particularly difficult to control in those countries where wild boar are common and that includes the Forest of Dean in this country, where radical control measures may need to be brought into place if any positive outbreaks are identified. Get Our E-Newsletter - Pig World's best stories in your in-box twice a week See e-newsletter example Will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy GETTY Telus has already met the Liberal governments promise to cut cell phone prices by 25 per cent, according to an analyst report. A page on the Telus website details a True North Affordability label the carrier has given to its phone plans, which the companys CFO said is to show customers it has met the federal governments 25 per cent cell phone price reduction target. Weve always been customer-focused. We just want to make sure customers understand whats available to them and how it compares to some of the media noise on the affordability topic, Doug French said in a phone interview. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he would cut cell phone bills during the last election by 25 per cent over the course of four years. Trudeau said that the cuts would be made in order to put $1,000 back in the pockets of the average Canadian family every year. French said Telus had an independent review of existing cell phone rate plans compared to the Liberal governments plan. [We wanted to] show the diversity of our plans that were already below in meeting the requirements that were outlaid on the Liberal platform, he said. Scotiabank analyst Jeff Fan said in a February 12 report that the True North Affordability label demonstrates the target of saving a family of four $1,000 per year has already been met. The Liberals proposal promises a reduction for a family of four spending $3,905 annually for four lines with unlimited Canada-wide calling and 14 GB of total data. The target was to reduce that to $2,929.6 per year. Telus True North Affordability badge is on plans that meet or exceed the target of $2930 for four lines with at least 14 GB of data, Fan wrote. This demonstrates that existing facilities-based competition is already driving down pricing, and we believe no further price regulation is required in the industry. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will start a hearing on whether or not to mandate Mobile Virtual Network Operators, wholesale service providers that offer services at cheaper rates, will help foster competition in the country. Story continues We think the pricing trend since mid-2019 gives room for the government to allow the CRTCs independent process to play out and for the CRTC to deliver its decision based on evidence on record as opposed to political influence or unsupported rhetoric, Fan wrote. French said that the carrier will continue to work with the government on their objectives, but also wanted to focus on telling customers which plans will offer prices that the government is seeking. The company has added a True North Affordability sticker on plans that have met the 25 per cent target. These badges are also added to plans on Telus flanker brands, Koodo and Public Mobile. What were trying to communicate and continue to do is provide that quality service connecting all Canadians at reasonable prices, French said. A suspected shoplifter in Georgia was caught after a quick-thinking customer helped take him down using a shopping trolley. Officers from the Peachtree City Police Department chased the suspect into a Walmart car park where a bystander shoved the cart into him, causing him to fall to the floor. Check out the EXTENDED Version of the shopping cart vs. shoplifter video. Again, while we are eternally grateful for this citizen's quick thinking and impeccable timing. https://t.co/aJ86BhCu7I Peachtree City PD FD (@PTCfirepolice) February 13, 2020 The unidentified man was thanked by police for the impeccable timing of his actions, but stressed that they did not encourage the public to intervene. The suspect was treated at the scene by paramedics but sustained no injuries. A spokesperson for the department told a local news station the incident was the first of its kind that he had seen 13 years of police work. The suspected shoplifter was caught after a bystander threw a trolley into him (Credit: Peachtree Police and Fire/ PA). Writing online, Peachtree City Police and Fire said: while we are eternally grateful for this citizens quick thinking and impeccable timing, we never encourage anybody to intervene in a police situation. If the decision is made to do so, please consider the safety of yourself and all those around you as a priority. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand plans to host a town hall meeting Tuesday in Syracuse, part of a series of public forums she has been holding across Upstate New York. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., will answer questions and listen to feedback starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 at Southwest Community Center, 401 South Ave., Syracuse. No tickets are required to attend, but seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, according to her office. Those who want to attend are asked to RSVP through Gillibrands office. Public parking is available across the street. The town hall meeting will be Gillibrands second in Central New York since she took office in 2009. Her previous meeting was in July 2017 at Syracuse University. She has been a vocal supporter of a proposal to replace the elevated portion of Interstate 81 in Syracuse with a street-level community grid. Gillibrand called the existing I-81 viaduct a planning mistake. Gillibrand was elected to her second full term in office in 2018. Last year, she launched a campaign for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Gillibrand ended her presidential bid in August after polling under 1% nationally. Read more Gillibrand: Half of I-81 construction jobs should go to Syracuse residents Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 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. If you've ever wanted to see Arnold Schwarzenegger engage in a sword fight with Jackie Chan in 18th Century London, then look no further than the trailer for The Iron Mask. The new trailer (via Rapid Trailer) begins in the Tower of London in the 18th Century, where a chained Master (Jackie Chan) is fighting off a group of redcoat British soldiers. James Hook (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is heard saying, 'In 500 years, no one has ever escaped. You're not going anywhere. It's the Tower!' while laughing maniacally. Arnold: If you've ever wanted to see Arnold Schwarzenegger engage in a sword fight with Jackie Chan in 18th Century London, then look no further than the trailer for The Iron Mask Jackie: The new trailer (via Rapid Trailer ) begins in the Tower of London in the 18th Century, where a chained Master (Jackie Chan) is fighting off a group of redcoat British soldiers Master is then seen engaging in an all-out brawl with Hook, whipping chains at him while others are engaged in sword fights around him. After connecting with a flying kick to Hook's midsection, Master holds out a colorful pendant, handing it to the man in the Iron Mask. In Moscow, Jonathan Green (Jason Flemyng) asks a young Chinese girl her name, she says her name is Cheng Lan (Xingtong Xao) and she owes him her life. Fight: Master is then seen engaging in an all-out brawl with Hook, whipping chains at him while others are engaged in sword fights around him Pendant: After connecting with a flying kick to Hook's midsection, Master holds out a colorful pendant, handing it to the man in the Iron Mask Green leads her away and says he's heading East, but his way, 'is filled with dangers,' but he asks her to 'come with me.' They travel via horse and carriage over a frozen body of water, as Green says his journey takes him to the Silk Road to the Great Wall of China, where Chen says, 'Something is very wrong.' In China, the people fear a woman who controls a dragon, as Chen says she must help save them. Danger: Green leads her away and says he's heading East, but his way, 'is filled with dangers,' but he asks her to 'come with me' Frozen: They travel via horse and carriage over a frozen body of water, as Green says his journey takes him to the Silk Road to the Great Wall of China, where Chen says, 'Something is very wrong' Save: In China, the people fear a woman who controls a dragon, as Chen says she must help save them There are more scenes with Master and Hook, including a shot where Hook takes off his hat and says, 'I've been waiting for this for a long time. Another scene features Hook pulling on the Master's chain as he picks up what looks like a helmet. Hook tells him not to touch it because it's 'the helmet of Genghis Khan,' but Master says it's simply an, 'incense pot' as Hook throws it over his shoulder and hits someone behind him. Long time: There are more scenes with Master and Hook, including a shot where Hook takes off his hat and says, 'I've been waiting for this for a long time Helmet: Another scene features Hook pulling on the Master's chain as he picks up what looks like a helmet No helmet: Hook tells him not to touch it because it's 'the helmet of Genghis Khan,' but Master says it's simply an, 'incense pot' as Hook throws it over his shoulder and hits someone behind him A nefarious female character is seen holding the pendant Master handed over in the opening part of the trailer, stating, 'when I have the seal of the dragon, I will rule the world.' The trailer winds down with a number of fast-paced shots featuring the dragon and Master breaking free from his chains. The trailer ends with Master ripping Hook's wig off, exposing his balding head, telling him, 'You look better this way. The Iron Mask (known as Viy 2 in Russia) will debut in UK cinemas on April 10, following its Chinese release last August, though there is no word if an American release is being planned. Seal of the Dragon: A nefarious female character is seen holding the pendant Master handed over in the opening part of the trailer, stating, 'when I have the seal of the dragon, I will rule the world' Free: The trailer winds down with a number of fast-paced shots featuring the dragon and Master breaking free from his chains On Wednesday, Justice M.M. Shantanagoudar recused himself from hearing the matter without citing any reason. "I am not participating in this matter," he said. The previous Bench comprised three judges -- Justices N.V. Ramana, M.M. Shantanagoudar and Sanjiv Khanna. Sara Pilot moved the Supreme Court on Monday challenging Omar Abdullah's fresh detention under the PSA. Terming the February 5 order under the PSA "unconstitutional", Omar Abdullah's sister said it violated Fundamental Rights. When senior advocate Kapil Sibal sought an urgent hearing, the apex court agreed to consider the request. When Omar Abdullah's release was imminent, said Sara Pilot she "shockingly learnt about his new detention under the provisions of the PSA (under which their father also remains detained), which could have no application to one who has anyway been in custody over several months in a state that was under a lockdown." Sara Pilot urged the apex court to issue writ in the nature of habeas corpus asking authorities to produce "the person of the detenue forthwith before this court for being set at liberty." Contending that her brother had disagreement with the policies of the Centre, she said it was a lawful right of a citizen in a democracy (especially to a member of the opposition). "There exists overwhelming evidence in the form of tweets and public statements made by the detenue prior to this detention that point towards the exemplary conduct of the detenue wherein the detenue as a votary of peace and public order and has repeatedly requested general people to maintain peace and tranquillity," said Sara Pilot. DUBLIN, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Testing Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2020 - 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global HPV testing market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 12% during the period 2019-2025. Key Market Insights The analysis of the global HPV testing market provides sizing and growth opportunities for the forecast period 2020-2025. Offers sizing and growth prospects of the 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 market. Offers an exhaustive summary of the vendor landscape, competitive analysis, and key strategies to gain competitive advantage. The increased procurement of the latest-generation HPV testing analyzers and test kits, coupled with the high prevalence of HPV-related infections and cancers, especially cervical and vaginal, influences the growth of the global HPV testing market. Traditionally, cervical cancer screening was based on cervical cytology. However, in recent years, several countries and global health bodies have recommended the inclusion of HPV tests for cervical and pre-cancer screening programs, which is likely to boost the market. The demand for new innovative testing consumables and instruments using advanced techniques such as the HPV mRNA test, which promotes accurate and sensitive diagnostic outcomes, is driving the market growth. Further, with the availability of positive clinical evidence, demonstrating the superiority of the latest generation advanced testing devices, end-users will become increasingly aware of clinical benefits and rapidly adopt these tests as an essential screening tool for cervical cancer screening. Therefore, the improvement in patient management, favorable government initiatives for primary screening, and the rising awareness of advanced testing in developed and developing economies are increasing the adoption globally. Market Segmentation This research report includes detailed segmentation by products, applications, end-user, and geography. The consumables segment is growing due to the high adoption of advanced testing kits, reagents, and other related consumables to detect and screen cervical cancers globally. The segment is also growing at a fast rate due to the recurring purchase by end-users to perform HPV tests. These screening tests are likely to gain wide acceptance in emerging economies due to favorable government initiatives and the rise in consumer spending power. Therefore, market players are focusing on significant product launches in a low resource setting of emerging countries, thereby accelerating the segment growth. The instruments segment is growing at a slow pace as the procurement of analyzers is capital intensive and the purchasing decision depends on financial resources and budget allocations. However, the increasing availability of automated and compact analyzers/instruments has significantly improved the efficiency and quality of end-user operations. Automation and integration of several diagnostic platforms have led to the introduction of innovative diagnostic analyzers, thereby driving the growth during the forecast period. The cervical application segment is growing on account of the rise in cervical cancer incidences. The increased focus of market players to launch screening products in low resource countries is expected to drive the cervical application segment during the upcoming years. HPV self-sampling is emerging with the rapid availability of these devices as a potential screening strategy, especially in the US, which is likely to contribute to the growth. The application of HPV testing for vaginal cancer offers powerful negative predictive values. Therefore, the detection of infection with a high-risk HPV, which produce visible signs, is a powerful tool for vaginal cancer screening. Owing to the benefit of HPV testing, coupled with the rise in the vaginal cancer burden globally, vendors are offering innovative testing devices, which are driving the growth of the vaginal application segment. The increased focus on enhancing the sensitivity of cervical screening to reduce false-negative diagnoses as well as improve the specificity of molecular tests to detect high-risk human papillomavirus is a major factor contributing to the growth of standard reference laboratories. The availability of standard reference laboratory services for the evaluation of HPV DNA and antibody detection in biological specimens through capacity-building worldwide is another reason for the growth of standard reference laboratories. Healthcare professionals in hospitals use human papillomavirus testing as a screening procedure for the cervical and other related cancers. The market is likely to grow at a fast pace during the forecast period on account of the adoption of advanced testing products. A majority of patients with high-risk symptoms prefer visiting hospitals for diagnosis due to advanced infrastructure facilities available in major private and public hospitals. The physicians' office and clinic segment is expected to grow mainly on account of the growing prevalence of cervical cancers worldwide. These clinics perform laboratory screening through private offices for people with a high risk of cervical and other HPV associated cancers at an affordable cost. Another factor responsible for the rise of this segment is the availability of super-specialty expertise in these clinics. Insights by Geography North America is growing at a significant rate due to the growing preference for HPV tests to detect and screen cervical cancers and other related infections. The presence of a large pool of population with a high risk of developing cervical cancer, the increasing acceptance of HPV testing, and growing awareness of advanced testing procedures have accelerated the market. Germany, France, the UK, Spain, and Italy are the leading contributors to the Europe market. The presence of highly sophisticated healthcare infrastructure, a high awareness level of advanced HPV screening procedures with high analytic sensitivity for detecting cervical cancers, and increased investment in R&D activities are the major drivers for the growth in the region. The region has the largest population density and the highest population with a high risk of developing cervical cancers and other associated infections. Japan, China, Australia, South Korea, and India are the major revenue contributors from the region. Japan is the major revenue contributor to the HPV testing market in APAC due to advancements in healthcare infrastructure, the rise in healthcare expenditure, and favorable public and private initiatives for an increase in the healthcare access. Insights by Vendors The global HPV testing market is highly competitive and characterized by the presence of several global, regional, and local players. F. Hoffmann-La Roche, QIAGEN, Hologic, and Abbott are the dominant players, and their testing instruments and consumables are widely used by end-users globally. These companies have a wide geographic footprint, diversified product portfolio, and a strong focus on innovation and research activities. Over the years, these players have been dominating the market as they have introduced safe and efficient products in the market. Vendors, especially global players, are increasingly focusing on pursuing inorganic growth strategies such as acquisitions and strategic partnerships to expand their presence, enhance product portfolio, and improve expertise in the market. 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 Product 4.4.2 Market Segmentation by Application 4.4.3 Market Segmentation by End-users 4.4.4 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 HPV Infections: An Overview 7.1.1 Background 7.1.2 Types of HPV 7.1.3 Cervical Cancer 7.1.4 HPV Tests 7.1.5 HPV Testing: Market Snapshot 8 Market Dynamics 8.1 Market Growth Enablers 8.1.1 Increasing Prevalence of HPV Infections 8.1.2 Growing Awareness & Favorable Guidelines Endorsing HPV Testing 8.1.3 High Demand for Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests 8.2 Market Growth Restraints 8.2.1 Availability of Alternative Diagnostic Methods for HPV 8.2.2 Increasing Focus on Preventive Measures for HPV Infections 8.2.3 Lower than Expected Market Penetration of HPV Tests 8.3 Market Opportunities and Trends 8.3.1 Emergence of Point-of-care/Rapid HPV Tests 8.3.2 High Growth Potential for HPV Tests in Low Resource Settings of LMICs 8.3.3 Emergence of mRNA Test for Cervical Cancer Screening 8.3.4 Increasing Demand for HPV Co-testing 9 Global HPV Testing Market 9.1 Market Overview 9.2 Market Size & Forecast 9.2.1 By Geography 9.2.2 By Product 9.2.3 By Application 9.2.4 By End-users 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 Products 10.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine 10.2 Market Overview 10.3 Consumables 10.4 Instruments 11 By Application 11.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine 11.2 Market Overview 11.3 Cervical Cancer 11.4 Vaginal Cancer 11.5 Others 12 By End-Users 12.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine 12.2 Market Overview 12.3 Standard Reference Laboratories 12.4 Hospitals 12.5 Physicians' Offices and Clinics 13 By Geography 13.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine 13.2 Overview 14 North America 15 Europe 16 APAC 17 Latin America 18 Middle East & Africa 19 Competitive Landscape 19.1 Competition Overview 19.2 Market Share Analysis 19.2.1 F. Hoffmann-La Roche 19.2.2 QIAGEN 19.2.3 Hologic 19.2.4 Abbott 20 Key Vendors 20.1 F. Hoffmann-La Roche 20.1.1 Business Overview 20.1.2 Major Product Offerings 20.1.3 Key Strengths 20.1.4 Key Strategies 20.1.5 Key Opportunities 20.2 QIAGEN 20.3 Hologic 20.4 Abbott 21 Other Prominent Vendors 21.1 Arbor Vita 21.1.1 Business Overview 21.1.2 Major Product Offerings 21.2 BD 21.3 Cepheid 21.4 DAAN Gene 21.5 DiaCarta 21.6 Fujirebio 21.7 Greiner Bio-One International 21.8 Hybribio 21.9 IncellDx 21.10 Norgen Biotek 21.11 PreTect 21.12 Seegene 21.13 Siemens Healthineers 21.14 Takara Bio 21.15 Xiamen Zeesan Biotech 21.16 Zytovision For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ndzz9e Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com Yawen Chen, Elaine Lies BEIJING/TOKYO (Reuters) - The Chinese province at the center 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 Chinas ruling Communist Party one of its sternest challenges in years, constrained the worlds second largest economy and triggered a purge of provincial bureaucrats. With Chinas streets, restaurants and flower markets bare, a miserable Valentines 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. For all related coverage on the outbreak, click: here 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 hospitalized, with coronavirus confirmed after her death and the contagion route under investigation, the health minister said. However, the big jump in Chinas 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 Organization official said on Thursday. Mike Ryan, head of WHOs health emergencies program, said that more than 14,000 new cases reported in Hubei province overnight came after a change to include results from quicker computerized tomography (CT) scans that reveal lung infections, rather than relying just on laboratory tests to confirm cases. Weve 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. 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 WHOs 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 epicenter of the epidemic. U.S. President Donald Trump praised China over its response and said Washington 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. But Trumps top White House economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, was more critical. Were 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 Chinas 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 Chinas senior medical adviser that the epidemic might end there by April, halted a global stocks rally. [MKTS/GLOB] 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 Westerdams passengers clapped and cheered on their arrival at sunset. 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 By Peter Nurse Investing.com - European stock markets pushed lower Friday, with early gains overturned by losses in index heavyweights RBS (LON:RBS), Renault (PA:RENA) and AstraZeneca (LON:AZN). At 03:50 ET (0840 GMT), the U.K.'s FTSE index was trading 16 points, or 0.2%, lower, France's CAC 40 was down 11 points, also a 0.2% drop, while the DAX was largely flat. The pan-eurozone index, the Euro Stoxx 50 was down less than 0.1%. Shares in British banking group RBS (LON:RBS) slumped 5% despite reporting earnings significantly above expectations early Friday, prompting it to announce a special dividend after group net profit soared to 4.2 billion pounds. RBS (LON:RBS), which plans to change its name to NatWest as part of a new era, dialed down its returns expectations while also announcing restructuring costs and a 200 million pound regulatory hit. Renault (PA:RENA) also suffered, its shares dropping 4% after the French car maker posted an annual loss of 141 million euros ($153 million) - its first in 10 years - cut its dividend and warned that auto demand remained volatile. This follows Nissan, in which Renault is a major shareholder, cutting its annual profit forecast and canceling its dividend for the second half of the year. AstraZeneca shares (LON:AZN) dropped 1.5% after its core operating profit fell in the final quarter of the year, missing expectations. The British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant also warned of the impact on its business of the coronavirus outbreak. German payments company Wirecard (DE:WDIG) meanwhile reiterated its guidance for core profits this year, implying growth of 34%, after notching another solid rise in earnings and revenue, despite the ongoing controversy over its accounting practices. Its shares dropped just 0.1%, outperforming the wider market. News surrounding the Covid-19 virus outbreak continues to keep markets on edge, although officials tried to play down a big jump in China's count of patients and victims this week. Story continues The World Health Organization said that 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. Still, doubts remain over the accuracy of these figures, with the White House calling on Beijing to be more transparent over its handling of the outbreak. In economic news, fourth-quarter growth figures for the euro zone are scheduled for release at 5:00 AM ET (1000 GMT). The German release, earlier Friday, came in flat on the quarter, instead of the 0.1% gain expected, and doesnt bode well for the broader number. Elsewhere, the oil market traded in a calm fashion Friday, with all eyes on Russia to see whether it agrees to go along with the rest of the OPEC bloc and participate in deeper production cuts. AT 3:45 AM ET (0845 GMT), U.S. crude futures traded 0.1% higher at $51.48 a barrel and the international benchmark Brent contract was up 0.1% at $56.39. Additionally, gold futures fell 0.1% to $1,578.65/oz while EUR/USD traded at $1.0838, just off the $1.0828 low seen over night, the lowest level since early 2017. Related Articles Boeing to extend labor contract with engineer's union by four years No peak in sight as China reports 5,000 new coronavirus cases Samsung's jailed board chairman quits The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a new uniform for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS). This development (change of uniform) was made known by the its Comptroller General (CG), Jaafaru Ahmed, at the inauguration of the administrative block of the Correctional Staff School (CSS), on Thursday, in Abuja. President Muhammadu Buhari had on August 8 signed into law the Correctional Service Act 2019, which repealed the Prisons Act 2018 and changed the Nigeria Prison Service to Nigeria Correctional Service. Mr Ahmed said the step taken (change of uniform) was part of the new act signed by President Muhammadu Buhari. Very soon, you will see us in our new uniform. We have been wearing this uniform for over 100 years and we need to change it to be in tune with the new act. Mr Ahmed said that there were other innovations in the new act such as staff education, health, housing adding that the welfare of the officers and men of the service was paramount. We are also putting into place measures to ensure the full implementation of the new act but there has not been any budget yet, once the budget is in place, we will be able to implement the measures we have put in place to have a better service, he said. He added that, aside gauranteeing that staff salaries were paid at due time, the service was also making frantic efforts to provide appropriate accommodation for them all over the country. We are also mindful of those taking care of the inmates because while we are thinking of providing accommodation and welfare for inmates, we are also committed to give the staff decent accommodation and education opportunity and provide their basic needs, he said. Meanwhile, the President, Prisons Officers Wives Association (PROWA), Gwamma Ahmed, in her welcome remarks, said that the association had established staff schools in some parts of the country apart from the school at the headquarters in Abuja. Vodafone, Idea, Airtel and others are the companies which owe a sum of 97,000 Crore to the department of telecom. Unsplash The Supreme Court on Friday admonish the telecom companies for not paying the sum of 97,000 crore due to the government following the top courts October verdict on the interpretation of the Adjusted Gross Revenue. This rule came out last year after the 14 year long legal battle required the telecom companies to pay the government Rs. 92,000 crore. It helps that companies could not exclude their non-telecom revenue to calculate the fee to be paid to the exchequer. The SC issued has set the 23 January deadline for the companies to clear the outstanding dues. Telecom companies including Airtel and Vodafone Idea approached the top court on Friday to ask the bench to modify this direction. A three-judge bench led by Justice Arun Mishra lashed out at the companies and the government and said What is happening in this country? We want to use very harsh words because this is complete nonsense. Is there any law left in the country? The Three judges have summoned the top officials of the telecom firms to explain why contempt proceedings shouldnt be initiated against them for non-compliance. Reuters The SC was typically upset with a telecom official who said, had effectively stopped implementation of the top courts verdict. Justice Arun Mishra said referring to the same A desk officer is sitting in appeal over our orders Who issued the notification allowing delay in payment of the dues, effectively keeping stopped implementation of the top courts verdict. Justice Mishra spoke on the same and said All these companies havent even paid a single penny and your officer has the audacity to stay the order... Does the Supreme Court have no value... This is the outcome of money power. The bench of three judges said We draw contempt against the companies. Now let the officer also explain why appropriate action should not be taken and he should be present in the next date of hearing. Please ask the desk officer to withdraw that DoT order or he will go behind the bars by evening. We have to take action against him. The officer should understand where they should stop... It is clear contempt. On 16th January, the three judges bench which consists of Abdul Nazeer and MR Shah has rejected review petitions filed by telecom forms on the verdict that says, it requires them to clear their dues which are running into thousands of crores by January 23. The SC has hit the telecom companies hard but also made non-telecom firms holding licencies for internal communications and signaling them to pay license fee on their entire revenue, even if they dont provide telecom services. At the start of the summation, she focused on Annabella Sciorra, who testified that Weinstein raped her in her Gramercy Park apartment in either late 1993 or early 1994. The prosecutor said Sciorra, after having buried her secret, had no motive to lie about what happened to her, and no reason to share private and personal details in a public courtroom. Three-time MLA and senior BJD leader Anup Sai was arrested on Thursday by the Chhattisgarh police for alleged involvement in a double murder case of a woman and her minor daughter in a village of the neighbouring state almost three years ago. Sai, chairperson of Odishas State Warehousing Corporation, was arrested under sections 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of the evidence) of the Indian Penal Code by Chakradharnagar police in the case of twin murders of Kalpana Das (32) and her daughter Pravati Das(14) in April 2016 in a Chhatisgarh village bordering Odisha. We arrested him after sustained interrogation. During our investigation we found that he was in a live-in relationship for a long time with a divorcee. The accused even used to blackmail her. We have substantial evidence and call detail records to support our claim of his hand behind the incident. The acccused also destroyed lot of evidence. We will produce him before a local court tomorrow, said Raigarh SP Santosh Kumar Singh. Pravati Das was Kalpanas daughter from her first marriage. A team of Chhattisgarh police picked up the 59-year-old Sai from his residence in Jharsuguda late Wednesday night and took him to Chakradharnagar police station, where he was interrogated for hours. Police said during the interrogation, Sai admitted to his role in the murder. However, police are yet to find the murder weapon. Police sources said the mother-daughter duo were found murdered in a forest near Rampur village bordering Jharsuguda. The bodies had allegedly been rolled under a vehicle to make it look like an accident. Sais role came to the fore during an investigation by the Chhattisgarh CID. Sai avoided joining the probe and even attempted to derail it. Soon after his arrest, the Biju Janata Dal expelled Sai from the party and removed him from the post of chairman of State Warehousing Corporation. Last year, Sai was the chairman of the campaign committee for Bijepur assembly constituency, from where Naveen Patnaik contested the polls. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ST. PAUL As Minnesota lawmakers push forward in a months-long battle to compromise on insulin affordability legislation, lobbyists for pharmaceutical companies are now alleging a proposed bill could violate the U.S. Constitution. In a Thursday, Feb. 13 letter to lawmakers, the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America writes that portions of Democrats' House File 3144 , which establishes an insulin affordability program, "raise constitutional concerns and violate the Fifth Amendment's Takings Clause." A portion of HF 3144 requires manufacturers to provide emergency supplies of insulin to Diabetics in need "at no charge," without reimbursement. PhRMA wrote Thursday they should be reimbursed for their product at market value, or else the state would be illegally taking their insulin without just compensation. Bill author Rep. Michael Howard, D-Richfield, said after a Thursday hearing on the bill that this week was the first he had heard any constitutional issue raised on the bill, and legislators are still looking into it. Still, in the face of a potential lawsuit, he encouraged his colleagues not to back down because lives are at stake and "it's not new for drug companies to threaten litigation." He said Minnesotans particularly those who rely on insulin to live want to see the Legislature pass a bill that "works best for patients, not drug manufacturers." ADVERTISEMENT "That's really who we should listen to and feel the wind at our backs to move as quickly as we can to put up a program so that no one else loses their life," he said. Lawmakers are holding numerous hearings Thursday on both House Democrats' and Senate Republicans' proposed insulin plans. Earlier this week, on Tuesday's opening day of session , House Speaker Melissa Hortman, D-Brooklyn Park, said the "sticking point" between Democrats and Republicans is "Senate Republicans don't want the pharmaceutical industry to participate in a financial way to a problem that they have created." Hortman continued to say Democrats have already made a "major concession" to Republicans by looping state dollars into their insulin plan "even though Minnesota taxpayers didn't create this problem and do not profit from it." "So it is time for Senate Republicans to take a step toward us and acknowledge that the pharmaceutical industry has a role to play," she said Monday. "This is a problem they created. This is a problem they profit from. It's time for (Republicans) to come to the moderate middle where were standing waiting for a deal." On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka told reporters he expects an insulin funding plan to pass the Senate in the next few weeks. From there, it could move to a conference committee to hash out differences between the Senate and House plans. "It is our goal to try to work at similar speed to actually pass an insulin (bill)," he said. "I think you'll see that there's movement. I see light at the end of the tunnel." Photo: The Canadian Press Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer UPDATE: 10:25 a.m. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has no plans to order the RCMP to end the blockades of vital rail links across the country. "We are not the kind of country where politicians get to tell the police what to do in operational matters," Trudeau said Friday in Munich, where he was attending a global security conference. That message stood in contrast to one from Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, who earlier Friday called on Trudeau to order Public Safety Minister Bill Blair to use his authority under the RCMP Act to end what he called the "illegal blockades" by Indigenous Peoples at the centre of a dispute over a British Columbia pipeline project. He said they are harming the Canadian economy and disrupting the livelihoods of farmers and small-business owners. "These blockades are illegal," Scheer told reporters in Ottawa. "So far, the prime minister has refused to come out and call them that, himself." Earlier Friday, Trudeau had said there are no easy answers to the dispute. "You need to know we have failed our Indigenous peoples over generations, over centuries. And there is no quick fix to it," Trudeau said, adding that all parties must move towards reconciliation. "We also are, obviously, a country of laws. And making sure that those laws are enforced, even as there is, of course, freedom to demonstrate free and to protest," he said. "Getting that balance right and wrapping it up in the path forward ... is really important." ORIGINAL: 9:20 a.m. It is time for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to order the RCMP to end the "illegal" blockades of vital rail links, says Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer. Scheer says Trudeau should order Public Safety Minister Bill Blair to use his authority under the RCMP Act to put an end to protests by Indigenous Peoples at the centre of the dispute over a British Columbia pipeline project. He says they are harming the Canadian economy and disrupting the livelihoods of farmers and small-business owners. "These blockades are illegal," Scheer Friday said in Ottawa. "So far, the prime minister has refused to come out and call them that, himself." Earlier Friday, Trudeau said while travelling in Germany that there are no easy answers to the dispute. In his most extensive public comments since anti-pipeline protests began affecting freight and passenger rail traffic across Canada last week, Trudeau said the path forward is "fraught with challenges and obstacles to overcome." "You need to know we have failed our Indigenous peoples over generations, over centuries. And there is no quick fix to it," Trudeau said, adding that all parties must move towards reconciliation. "We also are, obviously, a country of laws. And making sure that those laws are enforced, even as there is, of course, freedom to demonstrate free and to protest," he said. "Getting that balance right and wrapping it up in the path forward ... is really important." But Scheer said the RCMP needs to respond to restore order and uphold the law and the government needs to demand that. He said the pipeline project has support among many elected band councils from First Nations along the pipeline route, including the Wet'suwet'en. If the law isn't enforced, Scheer said the Trudeau government will be setting a "dangerous precedent that a small few can have a devastating impact on the lives of countless Canadians." "For many of these anti-energy activists, this is just a warm-up act" to block other energy projects such as the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project and the Teck Frontier oilsands mine in northeastern Alberta, he said. "We cannot allow a small number of activists to hold our economy hostage and threaten thousands of jobs," said Scheer. by Sara Guaglione , February 14, 2020 This week, Hearst Magazines announced that Meaghan Murphy will take on the newly created role of content director at Womans Day, while managing editor of the Washington Examiner, Toby Harnden, is out. Murphy will have oversight of editorial content and strategy across all platforms for the womens lifestyle brand. She succeeds Susan Spencer, who is stepping down as editor-in-chief of Womans Day at the end of the month. While its very hard to leave a creative home, it is time for me to pursue a new direction, one that I hope will allow me to continue to work to educate and empower women, Spencer stated. Murphy will report to Jane Francisco, editorial director of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She joined Hearst Magazines in 2014 as executive editor of Good Housekeeping. advertisement advertisement Murphy has also previously served as deputy editor and fitness director of SELF, as well as in a variety of roles at magazines YM, Cosmopolitan, Lifetime and Teen People. Separately, Toby Harnden served his last day as managing editor of the Washington Examiner last Monday, according to reporting by Mediaite. Harnden has been managing editor since 2018. A week earlier, breaking news editor Jon Nicosia was let go, reportedly for sending a tweet containing a lewd video to coworkers on Slack. Harnden has previously worked at Daily Telegraph, the Sunday Times and the Daily Mail. The hot pot consists of a broth that is brought to each table and heated on a hot surface in the center, reminiscent of Japanese hibachi without the grilling. Once the broth is hot, diners can add their choice of meat (beef, pork or chicken) or seafood, mushroom, tofu, vegetables, noodles and rice. Aldi is the latest in a string of supermarkets and service stations to issue a recall for milk sold across NSW and ACT over possible E. coli contamination fears. On Friday evening, Australia Food Standards issued a recall for the three-litre Farmdale Full Cream Milk with a best before date of 25/02/2020 which was sold in the ACT and certain NSW stores. ALDI is conducting a recall of the three-litre Farmdale Full Cream Milk. The NSW stores include Broadway, Ashfield Mall, Frenchs Forrest, Maroubra, Marrickville, and Leichhardt. Affected customers who are concerned should return the recalled product to the place they purchased it or contact ALDI's Food Recall Hotline on 1800 709 993. No extension of ceasefire says Taliban as suicide strike kills 18 Will give ceasefire with Pak the best shot: General Raju Civilian dies in ceasefire violation at Poonch India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P Srinagar, Feb 14: In a tragic incident, a civilian was killed in an unprovoked firing during a ceasefire between the borders in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch. According to reports, an Army official said that Pakistan violated ceasefire along the Line of Control in Poonch district. Meanwhile, the officials also said that the the Indian Army too gave a befitting reply to Pakistan. On Thursday, security forces had busted a terrorist hideout in Poonch and seized arms and ammunition. The terrorist hideout was bursted by Police, along with the 39 Romeo Force, after they launched a cordon-and-search operation at Kunaiyan. In 276 days, Pakistan violated ceasefire 2,335 times Poonch Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramesh Angral said the Special Operation Group (SOG) of the police, along with Rashtriya Rifle troops of the Army, carried out the operation. A Chinese pistol, a pistol magazene, an AK-47 and a magazine were seized from the spot. A case has been registered at the Poonch police station and further reports are awaited. South Dakota reports highest active case count since pandemic started Tuesday's report included testing conducted over the weekend. Another 4,110 people tested positive for the disease. Prepare to be a-glazed. Doughnut favorite Krispy Kreme is continuing its New Jersey expansion by opening a long-awaited East Rutherford spot in early March, a spokeswoman for commercial real estate company Cushman & Wakefield told NJ Advance Media. An official opening date has not yet been announced. The 3,200-square-foot doughnut shop will be located at 91 Route 17 South in the Liberty Commons shopping center, a couple miles down the road from MetLife Stadium. It was originally supposed to open last fall but was delayed. This will be Bergen Countys first Krispy Kreme. The doughnut chains other three locations are in Collingswood, Jersey City and Springfield. RELATED: 4 Levels of Doughnuts: Amateur to Food Scientist Krispy Kreme offers cake, filled and frosted doughnuts in addition to its well-known original glazed. The company announced last month that mini editions of its most popular doughnuts are now permanently on the menu. Each one is 90 calories and comes in four flavors: original glazed, chocolate iced glazed, chocolate iced with sprinkles and strawberry iced with sprinkles. Krispy Kreme was founded in 1937. Nicolette Accardi can be reached at naccardi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter: @N_Accardi. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips MORE RETAIL AND SHOPPING COVERAGE: Presidents Day 2020 sales: Top deals on home goods, decor and appliances Macys to close 125 stores over the next 3 years Kmart to close another store, only 4 will remain in N.J. NASA astronaut Christina Koch has shared a heartwarming video of the moment she was reunited with her beloved dog following her return from a record-breaking 328-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The electrical engineer, 41, arrived back at her Galveston, Texas home on Wednesday, where she was warmly greeted by her rescue pup, Sadie Lou, at the front door. A camera captured the ecstatic canine wagging her tail and pawing at the glass door as she watched Koch approach from the outside. Koch is pictured shortly after returning to Earth in the Soyuz MS-13 space capsule last Thursday Sadie Lou then broke out in excitable barks and ran around in circles as her astronaut mom walked inside. 'Hi! Hi!' Koch could be heard saying in the clip, before she scooped the dog up in her arms. The astronaut posted the video to Twitter accompanied, and wrote: 'Not sure who was more excited. Glad she remembers me after a year!' The video has already been viewed a whopping 3.5 million times. A camera captured the ecstatic canine wagging her tail and pawing at the glass door as she watched Koch approach from the outside Sadie Lou then broke out in excitable barks and ran around in circles as her astronaut mom walked inside The astronaut posted the video to Twitter accompanied, and wrote: 'Not sure who was more excited. Glad she remembers me after a year!' Koch arrived back on Earth on last Thursday after smashing the record for the longest time spent in space by a female astronaut. She 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. Koch returned on the Soyuz crew ship, which touched down in the desert in Kazakhstan. She spent several days in that country before flying home to the US. 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. She also made history last October when she became one half of the first-ever all-woman spacewalk along with NASA counterpart Jessica Meir. Koch is pictured during a press conference which took place in Texas on Wednesday Koch also made history last October when she became one half of the first-ever all-woman spacewalk along with NASA counterpart Jessica Meir. She snapped a selfie as performed work on the exterior of the ISS Koch and Meir ventured outside of the ISS to change a failed battery charge-discharge unit on the exterior of the spacecraft. The pair spent a total of seven hours and 17 minutes outside of the craft, where they snapped incredible selfies which showed them floating above the earth. NASA live-streamed spacewalk, as it was a landmark moment for female astronauts and scientists. 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 Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Koch told reporters that - in addition to the warm greeting from her beloved pup - she was met with a kitchen full of chips and salsa, provided by her husband, Robert. Elsewhere in her interview with reporters, she advised the next generation of female space explorers to follow their passions and 'do what scares you'. '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 fulfillment out of it and use that as a springboard.' 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 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. The EIB to support green infrastructure development in ASEAN member countries with EUR 150 million; ASEAN`s C atalytic Green Finance Facility ( ACGF) is designed to accelerate the development of green infrastructure and attract more private investment in the sector; ACGF) Needs of ASEAN member countries for investments in green infrastructure are currently assessed at around USD 200bn each year; The European Investment Bank (EIB) will invest EUR 150m in the Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF) established by Association of Southeast Asian Nations` (ASEAN) to accelerate the development of green infrastructure projects and crowd-in much needed private investments in the sector. With the investment, the EU`s Climate Bank continues to support development of transport, energy and water schemes in South East Asia. In line with its role as the EU`s Climate bank and its focus on climate action in Asia, the EIB support for ACGF will also improve environmental sustainability and climate resilience of ASEAN member countries, jointly the seventh-largest economy in the world, and advance global climate action. Luca Lazzaroli, Director General of the EIB, said: The EIB is ready to support ASEAN attract funding for green infrastructure as it is a true win-win partnership for South East Asia, the European Union and the whole world. Our cooperation will benefit the people and economies of the ASEAN, support local communities by making them more climate resilient and aid the global effort to combat climate change. Partnerships like this one with ASEAN are the only way to ensure success of the global climate action and preserve our planet for future generations. The investment from the EU Bank will also support ASEAN meet its own climate action goals and attract much needed private funding for its green infrastructure projects in sectors like energy, transport, water and urban development. Mobilising private sector support for green investment Currently, ASEAN countries attract only 40 out of $200bn required each year for green infrastructure finances, with only 25% of financing from the private sector, mostly as commercial loans. The ACGF will mobilize and catalyse private finances through instruments such as green bonds, and development of commercially bankable projects with attractive risk-return profiles in order to accelerate development of green infrastructure in ASEAN. With the support from the EIB, ACGF will address these issues to reduce high up-front costs of green infrastructure and introduce new technologies, as well as create long-term finances options for green project developers and address exchange rate volatility that hinders foreign investments in the sector. ACGF will develop a project pipeline and provide project financial structuring support, both key to attracting private sector investments. It will promote innovative finance approaches, create bankable financial models, and respond to the need for climate-responsive projects in ASEAN countries. To support sustainable development of South East Asia, the EIB supported ACGF develop a definition of green investment criteria and currently explores expanding the cooperation to include cooperation on EIB`s Clean Oceans` Initiative, in areas such as coastal protection, plastic reduction and waste management. Other contributions to EUR 1.2 billion strong ACGF include Asian Development Bank, Agence Francaise de Developpement, German development bank KfW and the Government of South Korea. About EIB in Asia: For 25 years, the EIB has supported economic development in Asia and the Pacific region through projects ranging from cutting travel times for people of Bangalore with a new metro line, to providing cheaper, cleaner energy to western Nepal. In Asia, the EIB focus is our lending on climate action across all sectors. Through our financing, we act as a catalyst to attract the funding needed to meet the UNs Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. We also work to include gender equality in our projects, ensuring that women, men, girls and boys can benefit from projects equally and equitably. In recent years, the EIB has supported new sustainable transport projects in India, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, water schemes in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, renewable energy in Nepal and India and urban metro rail systems in India. About the EIB in ASEAN: The EIB financed 32 projects in the ASEAN Region, investing EUR 1.8bn and mobilizing investments of up to EUR 10.7bn in key sectors including rural development, transportation, energy and renewable energy, water and waste management, as well as support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). New Delhi/Washington, Feb 14 : India is likely to give the US access to its dairy and poultry markets in exchange for renegotiated terms for its pharmaceutical, textile and industrial exports under a new bilateral trade deal to be signed during President Donald Trump's visit to New Delhi later this month. Top sources told IANS that India is willing to partially open up its traditionally protected sectors -- dairy and poultry -- on the condition that the US grants India better terms for its pharmaceutical, textile and agro-machinery products. The Indian offer, sources said, is in view of President Trump's lament that US has had a trade deficit of $65 billion with India. However, in 2018, the deficit had reduced to $25.2 billion while the US and India trade of goods was worth $142.6 billion. "India is the world's largest milk producer but our dairy economy is not sound given the production cost and unaffordability of keeping the cattle once they stop producing milk. Similarly, there is a huge environmental cost to poultry," a top source familiar with the negotiations of the trade deal between the US and India, said. The government in New Delhi has made the offer to the US, its second-largest trading partner, after making a thorough assessment of India's traditionally protected markets which have already been opened up. "When India gave access to China, New Zealand and Australia to the apple market, many feared that it would lead to the collapse of the domestic apple industry. None of it turned out to be true," a source said, adding the opening up of dairy and poultry will not hurt the domestic market either. Sources said, India has also shown willingness to reduce its 50 per cent tariffs on Harley-Davidson very large motorcycles to please President Trump who gave India the epithet of "tariff king" on Twitter over the issue. The lowering of tariff won't have much impact because very few bikes of Harley Davidson are sold in India, sources said. Incidentally, the United States Trade Representatives (USTR) removed India from the list of 'developing' countries while the negotiations over the trade deal are ongoing. Sources said the USTR member Robert Lighthizer cancelled plans for a trip to India this week because both sides are fighting hard for a deal which is a win-win for both. "If India aspires to be counted among the big players, it has to compete. Don't think it served any purpose to stay in the developing list since there wasn't any scope of getting any more preferential treatment under the US countervailing duty (CVD) laws. In 2018, our export of goods were over $300 billion. There isn't any room for preferential treatment if we want to exceed our exports and get into the bracket of $600 billion worth exports," an official in New Delhi said. Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia and Malaysia, which are economically thriving countries, have also been removed from the list. Sources said India expects the US to give India better terms for trade in pharmaceuticals. In 2018, India exported only five billion USD worth drugs and pharmaceutical products to the US. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US patent protection laws prevent India from exporting drugs and medical equipment which are produced cheaply in the domestic market. The US must open up its market for us, sources working on the deal said. The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Centre on a plea challenging the constitutional validity of Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, and the Register of Citizens (NRC). The apex court has sought the Central government's reply and tagged the matter along with similar pending matters. The petition was filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind. Earlier on February 7, the top court issued a notice to the Centre on a plea challenging the constitutional validity of CAA and effective implementation of the Assam Accord. Over a hundred petitions have been filed in the apex court for and against the amended citizenship law. Protests have erupted in various parts of the country against the amended law which grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled religious persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and took refuge in 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.) Says has no objection to NIA taking over case. Deshmukhs statement indicates that the chief minister has given his consent to hand over the probe to the NIA despite opposition from other constituents of the government. Mumbai: In a change of stand, the Maharashtra government has said it has no objection to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) taking over probe into the Elgar Parishad case, in which human rights activists have been arrested for alleged links with Maoists. 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. Home minister Anil Deshmukh sought to put the ball in the court of chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, who belongs to the Shiv Sena, the lead constituent in the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi which also consists of the NCP and the Congress. Mr Deshmukhs statement indicates that the chief minister has given his consent to hand over the probe to the NIA despite opposition from other constituents of the government. Mr Deshmukh, an NCP leader, said, The state agencies were investigating the Bhima-Koregaon case. But 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. We were putting up our stand in the court in this direction. The chief minister has the right to overrule my stand. He further said the court in Pune will give its order on transfer of the case on Friday. We will take the advocate generals opinion on setting up of an SIT to probe the Elgar case as demanded by Sharad Pawar and whether the state government can proceed with setting up of the SIT, he said. Interestingly, Mr Thackeray had expressed his ire over the move saying, No one has denied Centres right to investigate the Bhima-Koregaon case, but they should have taken the state government into confidence before handing over the investigation to NIA. Mr Deshmukh, too, had then publicly expressed disapproval of the Centres move. 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. RAMALLAH, West Bank Thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank city of Ramallah gathered during a central event organized by Palestinian factions Feb. 11 to condemn the US deal of the century and voice their support for President Mahmoud Abbas refusal of the deal. The rally coincided with Abbas speech before the UN Security Council Feb. 11, during which he clarified the Palestinian stance against the deal of the century and outlined the alternative Palestinian vision. In a nutshell, the Palestinian vision for the peace process comprises holding an international peace conference under the auspices of the Middle East Quartet, which includes the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations, and the permanent member states of the Security Council, in the presence of Palestine and Israel. The conference, which Abbas called for, aims at implementing the Security Council resolutions, specifically 2016's Resolution 2334, and the two-state solution and Arab Peace Initiative by establishing an international mechanism sponsoring the negotiations between the two sides and refusing any unilateral US sponsorship for the negotiation process. The Security Council issued in December 2016 a resolution which 14 member states supported and the United States abstained from voting on reiterating calls for Israel to halt all settlement activities on the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. In his speech, Abbas expressed readiness to start negotiations with Israel at any time, provided they are under the auspices of the Middle East Quartet. He submitted to the Security Council a document that the PLO had prepared about 311 violations of international law included in the deal of the century. In his vision, Abbas underlined two pillars to gain international consent and support. He asserted he would continue to address Israelis and extend his hand for peace in an attempt to win over the Israeli public opinion, and he reiterated his commitment to nonviolence no matter how intense the attacks on him are. Palestinians are set to submit a draft resolution against the deal of the century to the Security Council after deliberations among the state parties end. The date to submit the draft resolution has not been determined yet, and news and reports have been circulating about withdrawing it. Member of the PLOs Executive Committee Saeb Erekat denied these allegations Feb. 10 and asserted that the draft resolution condemns Trumps plan. Omar Awadallah, head of public administration for UN human rights organizations at the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Al-Monitor, The speech of the president at the UN Security Council carries important indications that the party responsible for maintaining international peace and security has to assume its responsibilities facing the dire violation of Palestinian peoples rights. Awadallah indicated that Abbas asserted the solution to the Palestinian cause must happen at an international level, based on the Security Council resolutions. Palestinians are insisting on peace through the initiative that Abbas proposed by calling for an international peace conference and the formation of a multilateral international movement to reach peace mechanisms mediated by the Middle East Quartet. Abbas initiative is similar to the one he proposed to the Security Council back in February 2018 when he called for an international peace conference mid-2018, which was preceded by international recognition of the Palestinian state. Awadallah noted, Abbas proposal restates what he had suggested in 2018, which shows Palestinian readiness to engage in the political process according to a specific and clear timeline. The Oslo Accords ratified between Israel and the PLO in September 1993 had dismissed main issues dubbed the final solution issues, like Jerusalem, the borders, the state, refugees and settlements, until the end of the transitional phase of the accord set at five years. With the end of this phase and the failure of the Camp David negotiations in 2000, the second intifada broke out. Secretary of Fatahs Revolutionary Council Majid al-Futaini told Al-Monitor that Abbas vision is in line with that of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who noted that the Palestinian cause should be resolved based on the two-state solution and with the European Union. Belgiums Minister of Defense and Foreign Affairs Philippe Goffin read out a statement of the EU member states at the Security Council, which stated that the US deal of the century has strayed far from all internationally agreed-upon standards. Futaini stated that Palestinians would wait for the outcome of the Security Councils vote on the Palestinian draft resolution. He noted that if the United States uses its veto right, the draft resolution will be submitted to the UN General Assembly. Wassel Abou Youssef, member of the PLOs Executive Committee, told Al-Monitor that the PLO, which is seeking to hold an international peace conference, mainly wants to break the US monopolization of the peace process. He indicated Palestinians openness to all forms of sponsorship, provided they are multilateral and international. Although Palestinians have called for an international peace conference on several occasions, they realize how difficult it is to achieve. Professor of media and political sciences at Al-Quds University Ahmed Rafik Awad told Al-Monitor, The Palestinian Authority cannot hold an international conference because such a step would need a powerful state capable of bringing in participating countries. He added that the PA has repeatedly proposed this initiative because it wants international and regional countries to adopt, protect and support this idea. Many countries might adopt and support it, like the EU or Russia. But its success requires US approval and Israels presence. Awad said the US administrations approval of holding the international conference cannot happen unless the balance of power in the world shifts or the current US administration changes. He added that Palestinians could foil the deal of the century by deterring it through pressuring Israel, which must be aware the implementation of this plan would jeopardize its security and future and would not bring it peace and normalization. Fans of Sandhya Menon know her YA series of linked books that take place in what has come to be called the Dimpleverse, which began with When Dimple Met Rishi, her breakout debut. With Of Curses and Kisses, the first in her new St. Rosettas Academy series, Menon is still writing romance, but now the interfering parents are royalty and nobility, not mere commoners, and characters have centuries-old curses to contend with. Menon spoke with PW about being a prolific writer, fairy tale retellings, and what she learned from self-publishing. Youve got two books coming out in 2020; how did that happen? I ask myself that question every day! Im a prolific writer: I tend to write pretty fast, and I realized that I was kind of superseding my contractual obligations, so I looked into whether it would be possible to do two books a year. My publisher was completely on board, and I feel like Im really hitting my stride. I hope to do two books every year for the foreseeable future. I think Ill always try to work on two very different things; it makes it more manageable for me, at least writing wise, to have a completely different headspace for each book Im working on. The other book coming out this year is part of the Dimple series [10 Things I Hate About Pinky], and in 2021, I have the second book in the St. Rosettas Academy series and an adult rom-com. Although the St. Rosettas Academy books and the Dimple books are quite different, the romances in both have an eternal quality. The characters may only be 18, but they seem to have met the one. Do you think of it that way? Yes, definitely. I dont know how much of that comes from the fact that I found my husband in high school, which does mean its within the realm of possibility. But also, thats kind of the magic of romances for me, that quality of feeling like these two will be together forever after I close the book. But that said, probably the number one question I get asked via email is, Where can I find boys like this? I say, Focus on your studies; focus on whats important to you and your passions, and theyll find you. Especially with the high school students who write me, I feel a sense of duty to say no, focus on yourself first. In many YA books the parents arent really present, but in yours they are. Was that deliberate? I never made a conscious decision to put families in my book, but with When Dimple Met Rishi, with that cultural piece and the idea of immigrant parents who are completely not on the same page as their children, I had to have them in there. Ive even had readers ask me if Rishis parents, the Patels, could set them up, because they have such good radar. And as I kept writing, it felt more realistic to have teenagers whose parents are a big part of their lives. This is the reality for a lot of teenagers, whether theyre Indian-American or not. The first St. Rosettas book, Of Curses and Kisses, does have a lot of parents in it, even though theyre not on location. But I just finished drafting the second book, and theres maybe one scene where the parents are there. What was the genesis of the St. Rosetta books? It was interesting: it came to me from all these different angles. The first thing that happened is that I was on vacation with my family in ColoradoI wasnt living here at the timeand I woke up in the middle of the night with this dictation in my mind of the main character. It came out fully formed, and I typed it up on my phone. I had no idea who was talking or who this person was, or what the deal was with her, so I let it simmer on the back burner. A couple months after that, I was watching Gossip Girl, and I remember thinking, I would love a book series that was kind of Gossip Girl-y, but set at a boarding school. And I was also watching Once Upon a Time, and I thought, maybe these books should also be fairy tale retellings. And then I thought, Wait, I can write that! Im an author! Thats when I realized that the dictation Id taken a couple months before was the main character of this new book. Its now the very short first chapter in Of Curses and Kisses. Ive always loved boarding school books, and there was a part of me that felt like I wasnt seeing a lot of diversity in that kind of book, and I definitely wanted to infuse that in there. And I love that Gossip Girl stuff: its really fun and entertaining to be in the headspace of a billionaire that I will never be. All your books so far have been romances. Do you think youll keep writing them? I started by self-publishing under a different name, and at that time I was writing everything under the sundystopian, fantasy, paranormal, and all this stuffand I made a very conscious choice as Sandhya Menon to write contemporary romance. Now that Im a few books in, Ive been thinking about branching out a little bit. I dont know whats next, but I think there are more stories in me than romances, though I love writing them. Id also like to try my hand at something else. What made you decide to go the self-publishing route? When I was writing, a lot of people said dont self-publish first, because publishers really look down on that. But I had two very young babies at home, and I just thought, I cant go through the query process. I made up a pen name, and I started self-publishing. I had so much fun, and I learned a lot about craft, being a professional, maintaining social media, all of that. My agent just happened to download one of my books and read it and offered representation. I certainly wasnt expecting that, but it all worked out: exactly what people said would never happen is what happened. I wouldnt say thats the path to pursue to get an agent, but I learned so much, and I have no regrets. Whats something you learned about craft that really changed things for you? I was a notorious underwriter; I was always writing very, very sparsely. I used to hire freelance editors, and one of them had been an editor at HarperCollins. She helped me so much in learning how to flesh out scenes that were really more ideas than full scenes. I remember soaking up every single thing she told me. And I think she was the one who recommended The Plot Whisperer by Martha Alderson, which is still one of my favorite books ever on plotting. Readers love romances and fairy tale retellings, but you mentioned on Twitter that youve gotten some pushback about Of Curses and Kisses? I tweeted about getting a lot of questions about why Of Curses and Kisses isnt about colonialism or this or that or the other. I feel like theres this expectation placed on marginalized writers that a lot of mainstream writers dont necessarily get. I want to be able to write a story about kids falling in love thats a fun fairy tale retelling that yes, touches a little on colonialism because its an Indian princess and a British aristocrat, but doesnt need to live in that space in order to be accepted. I think #OwnVoices is great, because it helps people like me get an audience and lets us do what we love, which is writing and telling stories, but I also feel like its a bit of a double-edged sword, because it places expectations on you. Which hasnt stopped you from continuing the St. Rosettas series. Which characters will the next books focus on? The main characters in the second book are Rahul and Caterina. They kind of have a moment at the very end of the first book. And the fairy tale this one is based on is The Frog Prince. And Ishas the heroine in the third book. Are there other people retelling fairy tales who you think are great? I did so much research when I was getting ready to sell the series. One of my favorites is The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. Theyre so good. Theyre sci-fi, but theyre also retellings of Cinderella and other fairy tales. And of course, Ella Enchanted, everybodys favorite. I also read a lot of romances based on fairy tales, and there are so many retellings of Beauty and the Beast that I was a little nervous about writing another. But in the end, I couldnt find one that was contemporary or that had done what I was trying to do in terms being set at a boarding school. I also wanted it to be more inclusive and diverse, with more different kinds of people in the story. I had certainly never seen an Indian princess as Belle. Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon. Simon Pulse, $18.99 Feb. 18 ISBN 978-1-5344-1754-0 FBI statistics show a 35 percent increase in hate crimes at churches, synagogues, temples and mosques from 2014 to 2018, the most recent year for which data is available. The nonprofit Faith Based Security Network found a 60 percent increase in non-accidental deaths at such sites from 2014 to 2017. And of the 88 people killed in mass shootings at places of worship since 1966 defined as incidents in which four or more people were killed more than half the deaths came in the last five years, according to The Washington Posts mass shootings database. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Superfast mobile broadband is coming our way. But the race to bring us a 5G network has been caught up in the geopolitical storm between the West and China with Chinese firm Huawei at its epicentre. 5G mobile technology will power the much-vaunted Internet of Things, when all connectable domestic devices (smartwatch to your fridge to your car to your washing machine) will be linked not just to the internet but to one another. Yet the very technology required to bring us superfast mobile broadband will also make our network more vulnerable in new ways. With 5G, for example, critical infrastructure such as hospitals and traffic lights will also be connected. This helps explain why Britain's decision to use Huawei equipment in its network has upset officials in Australia and the US. So what are the pros and cons of going with Huawei? Ren Zhengfei, founder and CEO of Huawei Technologies Company, in May 2019. Credit:Bloomberg Advertisement What is Huawei? Huawei (pronounced wah-way) Technologies Co Ltd is a Chinese company founded by former military officer Ren Zhengfei in 1987 in Shenzhen, where it is still headquartered. It started out selling switching equipment to direct phone traffic through rural China but now produces smart devices, cloud services and telecommunications equipment. It surpassed Apple to become the world's second-biggest smartphone maker in 2018. The company says it is private, with no links to the government but who actually owns Huawei remains unclear. The operating company is not publicly listed and US researchers say it is owned by a holding company that is 99 per cent owned by an entity called a "trade union committee" and 1 per cent owned by Ren. The researchers have found that if the ownership stake claimed by the trade union committee is genuine, and if the trade union and its committee function as trade unions generally function in China, then Huawei may be deemed effectively state-owned. How big is the company? It is claimed Huawei receives massive subsidies from the Chinese government. Analysis by The Wall Street Journal puts the figure at $75 billion. Huawei disputes this but will not specify the amount itself. In 1997, it entered the Global System of Mobile communications (GSM) network, making equipment for 2G and 3G mobile systems. Advertisement The company is now estimated to supply 30 per cent of the world's mobile technology market, double the reach of its nearest rivals, Nokia and Ericsson. It employs 194,000 staff worldwide, 60,000 of them based in Shenzhen. Huawei says 45 per cent of its staff work on researching and developing new technologies. In 2018, Huawei recorded revenues of $US105 billion ($157 billion) with profits of $US8.5 billion. For the first three-quarters of 2019, Huawei recorded total revenues of $US87 billion up 24 per cent on the same period in 2018. It operates in 170 countries but Ren says global dominance is not his intention. "Huawei is not ambitious, we don't want to dominate the world," he told CNBC last year. It wants to be the world's leading supplier of the equipment that runs 5G networks enabling super-fast mobile broadband speeds. What is 5G? The G is for generation and the 5 is for fifth: 5G is the fifth generation of mobile broadband technology. Key features are network speed and low latency, meaning minimal delays between the time it takes to click on a page and load it. It can handle many more connections at one time, meaning you won't lose signal next time you're at a concert or a footy game and everyone's trying to connect at once. Advertisement Ideally, mobile providers believe that 5G could enable you to download a feature film in 60 seconds and experience zero lag when gaming. It could make other new technologies possible too, such as virtual surgeries, enabling traffic lights and cars to send signals to each other and so on. Is Huawei the only 5G supplier? No. There are three companies Huawei, Nokia and Ericsson that analysts say can provide 5G technology. Huawei has the lead in the total telecom equipment market share. Why do we care right now? China's 2017 National Intelligence Law says: "All organisations and citizens shall support, assist, and co-operate with national intelligence efforts in accordance with the law." The US and Australia believe that Huawei could be used by the Chinese government for espionage. The US has lobbied its allies to ban Huawei, a move some see as a part of Washington's power struggle with Beijing and more recently, part of US President Donald Trump's trade war with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Advertisement Australia first banned Huawei from supplying equipment to the nascent National Broadband Network in 2012 under Julia Gillard. In 2018, then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull banned Huawei from taking part in the 5G rollout, on security advice. The US and Australia lobbied Britain to ban Huawei from its 5G rollout but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has refused even if Huawei was a "high-risk vendor". US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson discuss the role of Huawei in British 5G networks at Downing Street on January 30. Credit:Getty Images Why did the UK agree to go with Huawei? British Telecom, known as BT, signed a deal with Huawei in 2005. BT told civil servants two years before it gave Huawei the contract that the Chinese firm was interested but they didn't inform the government until 2006, to the shock of the House of Commons' intelligence committee. This means BT's 4G network is built using Huawei equipment 5G will build on the existing 4G network. Because the British government kept delaying and ultimately took more than a year to make its decision on 5G, British telcos went ahead and began using Huawei equipment in lieu of a government directive. Advertisement Students of the Fair Hall Primary School make good use of the swing set donated by the Members of the Rotary Club South. On January 13, 2020, The Rotary Club of St. Vincent South journeyed to Owia to assemble and handover the last of three swing sets, donated by the Club to schools throughout the country. Upon arriving at the Owia Primary School, members of the Club were met by Principal, Natasha Nero, who was appreciative, and expressed her gratitude for the set, on behalf of the Kindergarten class. Members spent just over three hours assembling the swing set, which proved to be too long for three eager children of the community, who were very excited to be the first ones to "Christen the playground. Swing sets were donated to the Fair Hall Primary School and Vinsave in the latter half of 2019. The Rotary Club of St. Vincent South thanks the general public for their past assistance, and looks forward to continued support in the years to come. (Submitted by: The Rotary Club of St. Vincent South) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 08:02 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20646c0e4 1 Editorial #Editorial,religious-tolerance,intolerance,Indonesia,religious-issue,minority-rights,Jokowi Free Recent events in Jakarta, Sumatra and Sulawesi show that religious harmony in this pluralist nation remains fragile, after successive leaders of the country have failed to do enough to address the issue of intolerance. Only recently did President Joko Jokowi Widodo order his coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister and the National Police chief to take action against those who violate other peoples rights to worship. Jokowi insisted that freedom of religion must be protected, as mandated by the Constitution, and that acts of intolerance must cease. Jokowi was referring to protests against the renovation of a Catholic church in Tanjung Balai Karimun in the predominantly Muslim Riau Islands province and an attack on a mosque in the predominantly Christian town of North Minahasa in North Sulawesi. Such acts of intolerance often go unaddressed as nobody in power has dared to take the risk of losing popular support. Jokowis instruction was bold and unprecedented but may simply be too little, too late. He could have prevented the rampant violations of the right to freedom of religion had he announced his tough policy when assuming power in October 2014. It also remains to be seen whether the Presidents order will be translated into action. For one, not unlike his predecessor, he simply passed on the responsibility to local governments, who are notorious for ignoring the central governments policies, as is evident in the thousands of bylaws that contradict national laws. It is, in fact, the responsibility of the state, represented by the central government, to protect basic rights like freedom of religion across the archipelago. As such, doubts linger over whether Jokowi will oversee his subordinates to ensure the execution of his order because of the sensitivity of the issue. Most problems that hurt relations between the majority and minority religious groups end in a compromise that pleases the strong or, in extreme cases, leads to the weak facing criminal prosecution, often under the controversial Blasphemy Law. Indeed, Jokowi holds a poor record of human rights protection. In addressing past human rights violations, for example, he has opted to play it safe. For 13 consecutive years, victims of rights abuses and their families, dressed in black, have gathered outside the State Palace every Thursday to demand justice, but nothing Jokowi has done shows he really cares. Clearly minority rights have continued to be ignored in the country, despite its commitment to democracy. It is perhaps unsurprising, therefore, that the Religious Affairs Ministry for six months gave the post of director general of Catholic community guidance to Muslim officials. The ministry secretary-general has apologized for the mistake and a Catholic has been appointed to fill the job, albeit on an interim basis. In fully fledged democracies such a bureaucratic decision should not matter as they take into account meritocracy rather than religious affiliation in the recruitment of employees and appointment of officials. Indonesia may still be far from that stage, but it should be moving closer to it. Presidential offices in Kyiv and Moscow say Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev did not meet in Oman last month, as rumors swirled following a report by the investigative journalism group Schemes (Skhemy), that showed the two officials crossed paths in the Middle Eastern country. Schemes, a joint project run by RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service and UA:Pershy television, reported on February 13 that Patrushev, a long-time friend and close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, arrived in Oman at night on January 7 aboard a chartered plane which Zelenskiy then used the next day to return to Kyiv. Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, called the report "a lie from the beginning to the end," while Zelenskiy's press secretary, Yulia Mendel, wrote in a post on Facebook on February 14 that it was "hard to deny that some Russian officials fly to Oman," though the two did not meet. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said any allegations concerning a Zelenskiy-Patrushev meeting are "malarkey" and "a classic example of fake news." The Schemes report quoted unnamed sources saying that Patrushev was aboard the plane and that sources had access to the database on the Russian border crossings. It has not been confirmed officially that Zelenskiy was aboard the same plane when flying from Oman to Ukraine on January 8. With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian and Ukrainian services The state government has already reached settlement with the Gunaikurnai, Dja Dja Warrung and Taungurung peoples. Credit:Justin McManus Victorian Aboriginal clans could be in line for future legal settlements worth millions of dollars for the loss of cultural and spiritual rights as the state Labor government embarks on a shake-up of native title laws. Attorney-General Jill Hennessy says a review of the states Traditional Owner Settlement Act could open the way for decisions such as the Timber Creek case, where the High Court awarded $2.5 million last year to a group of traditional owners in the Northern Territory in part for the loss of spiritual connection their land. Spiritual and cultural connections to the land have been a flashpoint in the bitter legal dispute over the tree-felling along the Western Highway. Victoria says its settlement act is a unique piece of legislation that seeks to plug gaps in the Federal Native Title Act and has already seen three major agreements reached: with the Gunaikurnai people of Gippsland: the Dja Dja Wurrung people in the mid-north of the state and the Taungurung people from around central Victoria. Houstons claimed another national headline. This time its Travel + Leisures Weekend Getaways column, which highlights the citys retail, restaurants and museums. While author Meena Thiruvengadam manages to note some of our great destinations (see all of her suggestions above), there were some definitive near-misses in her itinerary, too. At least in our estimation Friday, Thiruvengadam suggests a visit to the Galleria, writing: Each year, more than 30 million people visit the Houston Galleria Of course, that astronomical visitors figure is also why so many locals attempt to avoid the shopping Mecca on most days. Instead, wed suggest an afternoon stroll down lower Westheimer, where you can shop for unique clothes, gifts, antiques or random wares in a walkable area surrounded by great restaurants. For the high-end designer shops, River Oaks District offers al fresco exploring with good eats and an IPIC Theater for post-shopping relaxing. HoustonChronicle.com: The historic Archer County Jail building list price starts at just $5K The same day, Thiruvengadam opts for a lunch break at the original BBs Tex-Orleans on Montrose Boulevard. While we enjoy the small, local chain as much as the author, there are several locations all over the city, and if youre near Montrose and Westheimer, wed advise you drive a few minutes west to Rudyards, 2010 Waugh. The dive-y longtime Houston favorite offers a wide selection of locally brewed beer. Its got the Texas flair of BBs with some of the citys best burgers in town. The next day is packed with local didactic must-dos. Travel + Leisure tells its readers to head to the Johnson Space Center and to make the trek to the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. No argument there, these are great educational sites. Wed also add: Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, 105 Sabine, the restored 1926 city reservoir that now offers tours and occasionally even art installations. Also, since Houston is home to the worlds largest medical center, a good destination for children would be the The Health Museum, 1515 Hermann, which hosts interactive learning exhibits. Your kids will learn, but let's be honest: so will you. A visit to the Beer Can House on a Sunday afternoon: yes please! And while we love Better Luck Tomorrow for brunch, wed prefer evening cocktails there if were only in town a few days. A stalwart brunch destination that features authentic regional Mexican cuisine: Hugos, 1600 Westheimer. The pricey all-you-can-eat brunch buffet serves up a sampling of Mexicos real flavors a great way to cap a weekend of burgers, Tex-Mex and steak. Which places would you add to Travel + Leisure's itinerary? 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. Chief Medical Officer reiterates importance of establishment of separate coronavirus testing units at hospitals local health board taking all appropriate action required This article is old - Published: Friday, Feb 14th, 2020 It is unclear whether Wrexham Maelor Hospital will see the creation of a dedicated unit to deal with possible coronavirus patients, with a similar unit created a week ago across the border in Chester. This week the Chief Medical Officer has twice advised on the importance of immediate implementation of community assessment and testing services and the establishment of Coronavirus Testing Units separate from Emergency Departments. On Tuesday the Health Minister issued a statement that referred to a letter sent by the Chief Medical Officer to health boards the previous day that revealed the advice in the public domain. In the letter sent on Monday the Minister said the Chief Medical Officer advised on the importance of immediate implementation of community assessment and testing services and the establishment of Coronavirus Testing Units separate from Emergency Departments. A week ago we reported how the Countess of Chester Hospital opened a dedicated Coronavirus isolation area on site, meaning anyone presenting with symptoms would be dealt with away from the usual Emergency Department. At the time we quoted a Countess of Chester Hospital spokesperson saying: Following the recent Coronavirus outbreak in China we are putting in place a series of measures to mitigate any extra burden on our Emergency Departments and ensure the safety of all our patients and staff at the Trust. Yesterday the Chief Medical Officer repeated his position: I wrote to the NHS earlier this week advising on the importance of immediate implementation of community assessment and testing services and the establishment of Coronavirus Testing Units separate from Emergency Departments. Implementing community assessment and testing services allows for people with mild symptoms to remain self-isolated at home where they are attended by trained clinical professionals who can assess their health and undertake the necessary tests. The Coronavirus Testing Units will ensure that individuals who present to our acute hospitals because of concerns they are at risk can receive prompt assessment in an area separate from Emergency Departments. Both measures benefit the individuals without impacting on the day to day services provided by our NHS. On Tuesday after the letter in which the Chief Medical Officer apparently stated the importance of immediate implementation of Coronavirus Testing Units separate from Emergency Departments we asked Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board if there was any detail on if and when such a separate unit would be created at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, and if there was target opening date. Subsequently we also pointed to the firm wording of immediate implementation of separate units, noting that one had already been created and opened several miles north of Wrexham, and re-asked if the suggestions would be actioned as the Chief Medical Officer advised. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has told us, There are currently no confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Wales at this time. We are working closely with Public Health Wales, Welsh Government and the other UK public health agencies and are taking all appropriate action required to plan for possible cases. As of 2pm on Friday 14 February 2020 the UK Department of Health and Social Care states a total of 2,964 coronavirus tests have concluded: 2,955 were confirmed negative with 9 positive. At the time of writing the Public Health Wales website ( https://phw.nhs.wales/ ) is not loading showing a SSL error and an attempt to 302 temporary redirect to nhswalesproblem.azurewebsites.net , the same issue is also showing for the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board site a situation that has been in place most of the day. UPDATE 3:07pm Public Health Wales have issued their now usual update, via the NHSDirectWales website: Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: Nine patients in the UK have tested positive for coronavirus. There are no confirmed cases in Wales, although it is likely that Wales will see cases at some point. We are working closely with the other UK nations, the Welsh Government, the wider NHS in Wales, and others to monitor the Novel Coronavirus outbreak in China, and have implemented our planned response. We are well prepared, with robust infection control measures in place to protect the health of the public. Members of the public can help protect themselves and others by always carrying tissues, and using them to catch coughs or sneezes. They should bin the tissue, and to kill the germs, wash their hands with soap and water, or use a sanitiser gel. This is the best way to slow the spread of most germs, including Coronavirus. The Novel Coronavirus diagnostic test has now been developed in the Public Health Wales specialist virology laboratory at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. Public Health Wales trained scientists are now conducting the specialist test in Wales ensuring we are well prepared should we see cases in Wales. All Welsh residents that meet the current testing criteria for Novel Coronavirus are being offered testing. As of Thursday 13 February, more than 100 people have been tested in Wales. Public Health Wales will not be commenting on whether any of the individuals who left Arrowe Park this week are resident in Wales. This is to ensure we protect patient confidentiality and their personal identities. Nevertheless, we can confirm that there is absolutely no coronavirus-related risk to the public from their departure. Everyone that left Arrowe Park has had negative tests and been in isolation for 14 days. We ask that you continue to respect their privacy. Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: By-election to over 12,500 panchayat seats in Jammu and Kashmir would be held in eight phases from March 5, the Union Territorys Chief Electoral Officer Shailender Kumar said on Thursday. Polling would be held from March 5 to March 20 and ballots would be used for casting votes, he said. Of the 11,639 vacant panch seats, 11,457 seats are in Kashmir and 182 in Jammu and of the 1,011 vacant sarpanch seats, 887 are in Kashmir and the remaining 124 in Jammu. The CEO said that a total of 22,214 panches and 3,459 sarpanches were elected out of 33,592 panch and 4,290 sarpanch seats in J&K in 2018 panchayat polls. 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. The Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect. Internet restored Mobile Internet services was restored in Kashmir on Thursday afternoon, hours after authorities had suspended the facility to prevent rumours about the health of separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. The services were snapped on Wednesday night after social media posts claimed the health of the 90-year-old had deteriorated. Geelanis family said he is ill but stable. As India marks the first anniversary of one of the worst attacks the country has seen, let's take a look some of the deadliest attacks on the security forces since 2010 On the first anniversary of Pulwama terror attack, which claimed the lives of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans, the paramilitary force paid homage to the victims by organising a "wreath-laying" ceremony at the Lethpora Camp in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. This is deemed as one of the deadliest attacks the country has witnessed on its security forces in decades. On 14 February last year, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. Forty CRPF personnel were killed in the attack. As India marks the first anniversary of one of the worst attacks the country has seen, let's take a look some of the deadliest attacks on the security forces since 2010. Pulwama attack - 14 February, 2019 Forty CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir were killed when the two buses they were travelling in became the target of a suicide bombing. The buses were part of a larger convoy of paramilitary vehicles travelling along the highway in south Kashmir's Pulwama district. This was the first suicide bombing to have been carried out in the past decade. The Pakistan-based jihadist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed an SUV laden with 350 kilograms of explosives struck the middle of the convoy. The attack was condemned by unionist politicians in Jammu and Kashmir. The JeM identified the suicide bomber as a local Kashmiri jihadist Adil Ahmad Dar, a resident of Gundibagh, Kakapora in south Kashmirs Pulwama district. Shortly after the attack, the JeM released a video statement by Dar claiming responsibility for the attack. In the video, Dar praised Kashmiris for their fighting spirit and stated that India has failed to suppress the Kashmiri people by force. He further cautioned the youth stating that your enemy (India) is not only an enemy to your freedom and life but also your faith. Shortly after the attack, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) had released a video claiming responsibility for the attack. In the video, the suicide bomber identified himself as a local Kashmiri jihadist Adil Ahmad Dar, a resident of Gundibagh, Kakapora in south Kashmirs Pulwama district. IED Blast, Gadchiroli - 1 May, 2019 At least 15 security personnel and a driver were killed in an IED blast in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra in May last year. The Naxals triggered an improvised explosive device (IED) to blow up a police vehicle, which was carrying 16 security personnel from the Kurkheda Quick Response Team of Gadchiroli police. The blast had taken place between Jamborkheda and Lendhari. Sukma attack - 11 March, 2017 Twelve jawans of CRPF of the 219th battalion were killed and two were critically injured in Chhattisgarhs Sukma district after a group of the Naxals armed militia ambushed a road opening party (ROP) in the areas Bheji village on 11 March 2017, just a month before the deadly attack in April which killed 25. The incident occurred in the forest area near Kottacheru village under Bhejji police station, around 450 kilometres away from the state capital, where 112 personnel of CRPF's 219th battalion were out for a road opening task. The Bhejji area in south Bastar region of the state is notorious for Naxal attacks and many security personnel have been killed here in the past. Sukma attack - 24 April, 2017 On April 24, 2017, 25 CRPF jawans were killed in an ambush by Maoists in Chhattisgarhs Sukma district. The encounter with 74th battalion of CRPF occurred at Kala Pathar near Chintagufa in Sukma, the worst Maoist violence-affected district in south Bastar area of the state. The Naxals laid an ambush on a patrolling party of the CRPF near Burkapal village which was supporting road construction work in the area when they were attacked. A team of 90 CRPF jawans were sanitising a road which is being built in the area when around a large group of around 300 naxals, divided into multiple groups, attacked the CRPF party. According to reports, the gunbattle lasted for an hour. The Naxals looted all arms and ammunition of the CRPF jawans Pathankot airbase attack - 2 January, 2016 Heavily-armed terrorists had carried out a pre-dawn strike at the Air Force base in Punjab's Pathankot on 2 January 2016. Six terrorists, in army attire, had tried to storm the base located 35 kilometres from the international border. The terrorists were linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) as is the case with the Uri attack. Seven soldiers died, including Lt Col Niranjan, who was a member of NSGs bomb disposal squad. He died while sanitising a terrorist's body during the attack. One commando of the Indian Air Forces special Garud unit and two Defence Security Corps personnel also died during the attack. The attack happened days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a surprise stopover in Lahore. With the intention of destroying fighter jets and attack helicopters housed there, up to six terrorists in army fatigues attempted to storm the base which is barely 35 kilometres from the international border with Pakistan but failed to go beyond the outer periphery. Pampore attack - 24 June, 2016 On 25 June 2016, at least eight CRPF personnel were killed and 24 injured after Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists opened fire at a convoy belonging to the paramilitary force in Pampore on the outskirts of Srinagar near Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. The attack took place on the busy Srinagar-Jammu national highway when the security personnel were returning from a training exercise. However, later on, three more soldiers succumbed to their injuries. Two AK-47 rifles, ammunition and six hand grenades were recovered from the two terrorists who were shot dead, at the time of the attack when they tried to enter the buses. Uri attack - 18 September, 2016 In one of the most deadly attacks on the army in recent years, 17 jawans were killed and 19 others injured as heavily armed militants stormed a battalion headquarters of the force in North Kashmir's Uri town early on Sunday. The death toll climbed to 18 as another soldier succumbed to his injuries one day after the attack. Four terrorists were killed by the Army in the ensuing encounter. After the attack, the clamour for a surgical strike on Pakistan rose sharply, with even members of the ruling BJP urging India to "teach a lesson" to Pakistan. Senior party strategist Ram Madhav demanded, "for one tooth, a complete jaw". Prime Minister Narendra Modi had come under immense pressure to live up to his 2014 election campaign rhetoric of showing Pakistan that India is not a "soft power" and would give a "befitting reply" to any attacks on the country. Special forces of the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes to destroy terror launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on 29 September, 2016. Manipur militant ambush - 4 June, 2015 In one of the worst attacks on the Indian Army, insurgents had ambushed a military convoy in Manipur's Chandel district killing 15 army personnel and injuring 11 others on 4 June 2015. Army and civilian authorities suspected the involvement of Manipur rebel outfit Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), a Meitei revolutionary organisation, who used landmines, rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons. The area of attack is about 15-20 km away from the India-Myanmar border. Chintagufa attack - 1 December, 2014 Fourteen CRPF personnel were killed and about a dozen wounded in an encounter with the Maoists near Chintagufa in Chhattisgarhs Sukma district on 1 December, 2014. Dantewada Maoist attack - 2 April, 2010 In 2010, India witnessed one of the deadliest attacks on its security forces in an ambush by Maoists near Chintalnar village in Dantewada district, Chhattisgarh. This attack claimed the lives of 76 CRPF policemen and eight Maoists and is considered as one of the deadliest attacks by the Maoists on security forces. Post the attack, questions were raised on intelligence and tactical failures. It was reported that counter-ambush drills were not followed, CRPF personnel did not have adequate weapons and there was little ground intelligence. With inputs from agencies CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. Imagine meeting the love of your life at a bar only to get deployed the next day, then seeing that person again months later. For Bret and Susan Fenske, that one night of "instant chemistry" turned into two children, daily love letters and 30 years of marriage. On her 18th birthday, Susan ran away from her troubled East Tennessee home and moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to live with her sister. She started dancing at a club to earn money, and one night, she met the man of her dreams. "It was instant chemistry," she said. Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day? In the early years, it was more goat blood than roses Susan Fenske sifts through notebooks she and her husband, Bret, filled with love notes at their apartment in Clarksville, Tenn., on Feb. 4. She was working as a dancer at a cocktail bar... In 1990, Bret, an Army Ranger, was stationed at Fort Bragg and enjoying a night out on the town before deployment. "I went to a bar one evening and saw Susan and immediately fell in love," Bret said. "We talked for a while, and I waited for her after she got off and met her out in the parking lot. We exchanged a kiss, and the very next day, I was deployed to Panama." While Bret was deployed, he wrote Susan love letters every day, but he never got a letter back. He found out they were piled up at the military postal office, never making their way to Susan. Bret said he wrote so many letters to let Susan know he never lost interest, even though the two spent only one hour together. The letters were mostly about adventures Bret wanted to explore with Susan when he returned. Bret and Susan Fenske will celebrate their 30th anniversary in October. After two months, Bret returned to Fort Bragg and went to the same bar Susan worked at, hoping to find her, but the bar was closed. "I thought that I would never see her again because we hadn't exchanged any numbers." Bret and his friends decided to go to another bar that night. As they parked their car, another car pulled up beside them. Miraculously, it was Susan. Bret said he remembers yelling her name when he saw her face. "It was literally like a sketch out of a movie." Bret and Susan Fenske filled up multiple notebooks with notes about everything from love to forgiveness. 30 years later, love still going strong Story continues After Fort Bragg, Bret headed back to Cleveland, where he grew up, but said he wasn't going without Susan by his side. "I took her back home with me, and it's been history ever since," Bret said. A year after their move, the Fenskes had their son Nick, now 29, and got married. Five years later, their daughter, Julia, now 24, was born. Related: Millennials Spend More Money on V-Day Than Other Gens The Fenskes said they're proud to have raised two kids in an environment surrounded by love. "It makes me very happy that my daughter has an amazing dad and got to see that..." Susan said, and Bret finished her sentence: "...and a son that could see how to treat a woman, to be faithful to her and care for her. They agreed that being married is one of their biggest accomplishments as they never even thought about separating or divorce. In October, the Fenskes will celebrate their 30th anniversary. They moved to Clarksville two years ago, and Bret works at the Google data center. "There's times where we may be upset with each other, but I wake up, and he's written me notes telling me he's sorry," Susan said. Notebooks full of daily love notes In a closet at their Clarksville home is a stack of notebooks full of love letters from the past few years. Every night, Susan leaves Bret a note before bed, and she wakes up to one before he leaves for work the next morning. Bret and Susan Fenske go on weekly dates, but they also like to stay home and watch movies side-by-side. Susan's secret to marriage is to never give up on her significant other. "The good times and bad times, you have to be there for them both," she said. The Fenskes go on weekly dates, and they take several trips a year to keep things going. Bret said communication, honesty and being immersed in your partner are key. He describes Susan as a free spirit, and he said he loves her spontaneity and passion for life. "He has never held me back, and he encourages every silly, crazy idea, Susan said. In their home, there's a sign that reads, "Don't get so busy living that you forget to make a life." Susan said its a motto they live by. Susan and Bret Fenske page through notebooks of love notes they have left to one another over the past couple of years at their apartment in Clarksville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020. "So many people get busy with their careers and raising kids ... that they forget that if you work and do so much, the next thing you know you're going to be like us empty nesters and your kids are gone. Life, if you blink it's gone, so dont get so busy living that you forget to make a life." Sleeping with spouses: Why so many married couples sleep in separate beds 'Massive': 20-foot-long great white shark off Florida coast leaves scuba divers in awe This article originally appeared on Leaf Chronicle: Valentine's Day love story: Couple write 30 years of love letters TORONTO, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Camrova Resources Inc. ("Camrova" or the "Company") (TSX-V: CAV; OTC: BAJFF; SSE :CAVCL.CAV US$ - Chile) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement (the "Las Vacas Asset Purchase Agreement") with Compania Minero Don Alberto S.A. ("Don Alberto") to acquire for a payment of US$ 3.6 million, the Las Vacas flotation plant (the "Las Vacas Project" or "Las Vacas") located near Illapel, Chile. Camrova plans to use this 24kt/m plant to process smelter slag produced by the El Chagres Smelter of Anglo American Sur S.A. ("Anglo") located near Catemu. Mr Tom Ogryzlo, interim CEO, said in a statement that This is a very important step in the future of the Company. It can pave the way for the Company to produce in the order of 3 million lbs of equivalent copper annually thereby generating cash flow to enable future growth. As well, pursuant to terms of the MMB Shareholders Agreement Camrova has delivered notice to the other shareholders of MMB, Kores Lux, Kores Boleo Lux and the KBC, a Right of First Offer (ROFO) to sell its shares in the Boleo Project. This offer will expire on April 14, 2020. At that point if Kores Lux, Kores Boleo Lux and the KBC have failed to express their willingness to acquire the shares they can then be sold to a third party. To fund the acquisition of the Las Vacas Project, Camrova intends to conduct a concurrent financing of CDN$ 9.0 million (US$ 6.7 million) (the "Concurrent Financing"). The Company is in discussions with various interested investors and lenders. Further disclosure will be made when the terms of the Concurrent Financing are determined. The Company has decided to sell its current 7.23% ownership position (subject to further slight dilution) in MMB, a world class producer of cathode copper, cobalt and zinc. The Minera y Metalurgica del Boleo mine and processing plant entered production in Q1, 2015 at a capital cost of US$ 2.6 Billion and has a plant design capability to produce up to 56,697 tonnes of copper cathodes per year. Camrova has delivered Notices of Right Of First Offer (ROFO) to Kores Lux, Kores Boleo Lux and the KBC with an expiry date of April 14, 2020, for reaching a decision. Any funds generated from this transaction will be dedicated to general working capital requirements and the Las Vacas project in Chile. Regulatory and shareholder approval may be required for some of the transactions described above. About Camrova Resources Inc. Camrova is a Canadian mining company whose common shares are listed on the TSX-V. Camrova owns a 7.23% interest in the Boleo copper-cobalt-zinc mine located in Baja California Sur, Mexico. 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. For further information contact: Camrova Resources Inc. Tom Ogryzlo Interim Chief Executive Officer Tel: 416-271-0879 Email: info@camrovaresources.com Kris Misir Chief Financial Officer Tel: 647-632-3444 Email: kris.misir@camrovaresources.com Cautionary Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Camrova's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, that the Company has adequate funds available to complete its due diligence and technical/economic studies in respect of the proposed Slag Processing Project and for general working capital purposes, the ability of the Company to successfully complete the acquisition of the Anglo slag contract from MAYG, the ability of the Company to complete the proposed acquisition of the Las Vacas Plant from Don Alberto, the ability of the Company to complete the Cdn$9 million Concurrent Financing, the projected processing recoveries of Cu and the estimated capital and operating costs, economic viability of the Slag Processing Project as contained in the WSI report. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to Camrova. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the proposed transactions will occur, or that if the proposed transactions do occur, will be completed on the terms described above. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and Camrova is not obligated 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 laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. This announcement does not constitute an offer, invitation or recommendation to subscribe for or purchase any securities and neither this announcement nor anything contained in it shall form the basis of any contract or commitment. In particular, this announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer would be illegal. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States, unless the securities have been registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. This document may not be distributed or released in the United States or through U.S. Newswire Services. CAIRO (AP) Yemens warring sides quietly began U.N.-backed talks about a prisoner swap on Monday, according to the United Nations. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said a third round of negotiations aimed at implementing an ambitious Yemeni prisoner exchange was underway in the Jordanian capital of Amman. Although heavy clashes continue on the ground, the resumption of talks signals modest headway in diplomatic efforts to resolve a war that has killed over 100,000 people and pushed millions to the brink of famine. The prisoner swap deal was seen as a breakthrough during 2018 peace talks in Sweden, where Yemens Shiite Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government agreed to several such confidence-building measures, including a cease-fire in the strategic port city of Hodeida. Ongoing military offensives and deep-seated distrust have dogged implementation of the tentative peace plan. But more recently, hopes for a settlement have been stirred by back-channel talks in the Gulf state of Oman between Saudi Arabia, which supports the government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, and the rebels. The talks focus on interim agreements, such as re-opening Yemens main international airport in Sanaa, which was shut down by the Saudi-led coalition in 2016. In a sign of progress, two United Nations flights ferrying dozens of seriously ill Yemenis abroad for treatment took off last week from the rebel-held capital, the first since the start of the air blockade. The conflict in the Arab worlds poorest country erupted in 2014, when the Iran-allied Houthis seized the capital and much of the countrys north. A Saudi-led coalition, determined to restore Hadis government, launched a military intervention months later. Yemen's worsening humanitarian catastrophe has added a sense of international urgency to political negotiations. By Amanda Ferguson BELFAST (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sacked the minister who helped end three years of political paralysis in Northern Ireland, prompting criticism on Thursday that Johnson was indifferent to the fate of the people living there. As Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Julian Smith brokered a deal to restore the region's elected assembly, a key element of the 1998 Good Friday peace accord that ended 30 years of violence known as "the Troubles". In a rare consensus, he was praised by all sides in Northern Ireland politics. "Sacking the most successful Secretary of State in a decade shows Johnson's dangerous indifference to us," said Colum Eastwood, leader of the SDLP, one of the five parties that re-entered the regional power-sharing government as a result of the deal. Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), said "his dedication to the role was incredible". Smith's dismissal came at a sensitive time for Northern Ireland, which faces complex challenges as it exits from the European Union along with the rest of the United Kingdom, while neighbouring Ireland remains part of the bloc. There was no immediate statement from 10 Downing Street, Johnson's office, explaining the reasons for Smith's ouster, which came as part of a wider cabinet reshuffle. Smith announced his sacking on Twitter, saying that "serving the people of Northern Ireland has been the biggest privilege". CHALLENGE AND RISK The Northern Ireland institutions had been dormant since the collapse in 2017 of a power-sharing agreement between Unionists, who want the region to remain in the United Kingdom, and Irish nationalists, who want to become part of the Republic of Ireland. Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister, thanked Smith on Twitter for restoring the power-sharing deal in Belfast and for helping to secure an agreement between London and Dublin to avoid border checks between Ireland and Northern Ireland after Brexit. This was seen as key to maintaining peace. Story continues "You are one of Britain's finest politicians of our time," Varadkar told Smith in his post. Simon Coveney, Dublin's foreign minister, said Smith had been very effective "at a time of real challenge and risk". The Times newspaper in London cited an unnamed senior government source as saying Johnson had felt "blindsided" by the power-sharing deal brokered by Smith, and that there was "concern about the way he's been operating". But the newspaper also said that Johnson and his cabinet had been fully briefed on the deal before it was agreed. Bertie Ahern, a former Irish prime minister and one of the key architects of the Good Friday agreement, blamed "sour grapes" on Johnson's part because Smith had held a senior role under former British Prime Minister Theresa May. "I think it's very disappointing," Ahern told RTE television. "I interpret the firing of a person who has probably been one of the best secretaries of state, to me it looks to be vindictive." (Additional reporting by Padraic Halpin in Dublin and Kylie MacLellan in London, writing by Estelle Shirbon; editing by Stephen Addison) A logical analysis of historical evidence reveals that Sri Lanka had to a certain extent, been inhabited by a group of people who had possessed some degree of advanced civilisation by the time Vijaya who is believed to be the founder of the Sinhala race reached the island by chance, with his retinue and established his authority on the country. by Victor Ivan There is a strong correlation between the complex crisis Sri Lanka is currently facing and the ancient history of Sri Lanka. The way Sri Lankans think today, is to a great extent, influenced by various interpretations made on the history of the country rather than the objective interpretations of historical facts themselves. Taking this fact into consideration, I ventured to revisit the history of Sri Lanka with a critical and analytical aproach. My attempt eventually ended up in writing a book on the history of Sri Lanka titled Sri Lanka: Culture of History. It can be considered a study covering a long period of history from the establishment of earliest settlements in Sri Lanka to the end of the British rule. It is not a book compiled with systematic sequence of events; rather it can be described as an attempt to understand the riddles of history and find solutions to them. I must admit that my observations on many puzzles are contrary to popular beliefs. They are different from the opinions expressed in historical chronicles and official history books. I hope that my observations will be useful in understanding the complex crisis Sri Lanka is currently facing. I have divided the history of Sri Lanka into two phases as pre-modern and modern. The pre-modern era includes the feudal period from the establishment of early settlements up to the time of Sri Lanka becoming a British colony. The modern age includes the period since Sri Lanka became a British colony. Emergence of ethnic groups A logical analysis of historical evidence reveals that Sri Lanka had to a certain extent, been inhabited by a group of people who had possessed some degree of advanced civilisation by the time Vijaya who is believed to be the founder of the Sinhala race reached the island by chance, with his retinue and established his authority on the country. Findings of archaeological excavations made in the citadel of Anuradhapura by Siran Deraniyagala , the former Director-General of Archaeology, Sri Lanka, have established the existence of a community of people who were civilised to a certain extent and had cultivated cereals like paddy and used pottery items in the 8th century BC, i.e. two centuries prior to the advent of Vijaya and his retinue of people. Perhaps, they must be the tribal groups that the Mahavamsa, the ancient chronicle had referred to as the Yaksha, Naga and Deva communities that lived in Sri Lanka at that time. While Vijaya and his retinue came to Sri Lanka from North India, the other communities that lived before that, might have migrated from South India. It was from India that we received the technology of the use of iron. The old ancestors who came from South India might have introduced the technology relating to the use of iron in Sri Lanka. The radiometric tests of iron implements excavated from Anuradhapura, have proved that the history of the use of iron in Sri Lanka goes back to the period of 950-800 BC. It is by the bay of Mannar and Palk Strait that Sri Lanka is separated from the southern tip of Indian peninsula. The distance between the two countries is only 20 miles. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of USA, the ancient bridge in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka, known as, Rama Sethu or Adams Bridge is not of natural origin but is man-made. The sea level might have remained lower at that time and migrants from South India to Sri Lanka would have walked across the sea. The Yakshas, Nagas and Devas, the earliest tribal groups of people can be considered to have migrated from South India. The retinue of people who accompanied Vijaya from North India may have been smaller in their number compared to the number of aboriginal people who lived here. However, Vijaya and his retinue might have been able to emerge as the dominant group in Sri Lanka due to the strong collective power they possessed. Emergence of religions During the pre-state era, i.e. the period in which there was no strong political entitity as the State, the tribal communities may have had their leaders to govern them; yet, all of them might not have had a national leader. Similarly, they did not have an organised religion except for animistic beliefs and observances associated with tribal practices. In this backdrop, Buddhism can be said to have complemented these two deficiencies. If the absence of an organised religion had caused a feeling of emptiness in the minds of the people, Buddhism can be presumed to have contributed immensely in removing it from their minds. At the same time, Buddhism resulted in the enthronement of a king for the country which didnt have a national leader except tribal leaders. All the people except the Vedda community embraced Buddhism on account of it being the religion of the king and the royal family and the intellectual appeal of Buddhism. Thus, Buddhism may have functioned as the religion that builds the Sinhalese race and integrates all tribal groups into one ethnic group. In this process, to a large extent, Sri Lanka might have become a country with one religion and one ethnic group. In the later years, the number of people migrated to Sri Lanka for various reasons, from South India might have increased while most of them retained Hindiuism, their original religion and refrained from converting themselves to Buddhism. This situation might have resulted in disturbing the uniform character of ethnic and religious composition of the society giving way to the emergence of a new ethnic group that speaks Tamil language and worships Hinduism, in addition to the community of Sinhalese Buddhists. In the early stages of this new development, it might have posed a problem for both the king and the Bhikkhus. This issue might have come to the fore, conspicuously during the long rule of Elara who was neither a Buddhist nor a Sinhalese. This situation arose not long after the death of King Devanampiyatissa. It had caused to deprive the royal family of its right to rule the northern half of the island while the dignity of the kingship also was diminished. It appears that the Bhikkhus were equally worried as the royal family itself, in regard to this situation. Even though Elara was not an anti-Buddhist, probably, the Bhikkus might not have received the same patronage and recognition that they would have received from Sinhala Buddhist kings. The fact that Elara was a just king might have posed a problem for the survival of the Bhikkus. The Mahavamsa describes Elara as a king who had upheld justice far and above his natural affection for his own son. Under the circumstances, both parties, Dutugamunu and the bhikkhus, must have realised that, to defeat a king of the calibre of Elara, in a war against him, it was essential that the people are convinced that the war is waged exclusively for the preservation and progress of Buddhism. Eventually, they were successful in using Buddhism as a powerful weapon and conquer the war against Elara. King Vijayabahu I and Parakramabahu II Apparently, the kings who ruled the country after Dutugemunu had not used religion as a weapon, as was done by Dutugemunu, in waging wars against foreign invaders who had usurped the throne. This was probably due to the fact that the kings of the later years had become bi-racial or bi-religious consequent to the society becoming a combination of both. King Vijayabahu I (1055-1100) was the next king after Dutugemunu to unite the country by waging a war against a powerful foreign invader. Vijayabahu I had to fight not against a king of the calibre of Elara, but against a more powerful and ruthless Chola ruler who had been in power for 77 years and inflicted severe damage to Buddhist temples during his rule. But King Vijayabahu did not turn it into a religious war. King Parakramabahu II (1236-1278) can be considered the last king to unite the country after waging a war against a powerful foreign invader who had usurped the throne after the king Vijayabahu I. King Parakramabahu II had to wage this war against Kalinga Magha, the most deadly and anti-Buddhist among foreign invaders of Sri Lanka.Even king Parakramabahu II, did not turn the war against Kalinga Magha into a religious war. Apart from these two kings mentioned above, there were two others who had unified the country. They were Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) and Parakramabahu VI (1415-1467). However, their war endeavours were not against foreign invaders. All four kings who unified the country had built temples and shrines for the benefit of Buddhism; they built Devalas for the benefit of Hinduism. They offered villages to Buddhist temples and Hindu Kovils for their sustenance. Most of the kings, who ruled Sri Lanka after Dutugemunu, subject to some exceptions, can be considered to have followed two religions to a greater or lesser degree. The characteristics of religious shrines too, were changed depending on the bi-religious policy adopted by kings. The way the devotees worshipped religious shrines and their observances also changed accordingly. Hindu devalas dedicated for the worship of major Hindu gods such as Shiva and Vishnu and other attendant Hindu deities were built inside Buddhist temples. The Sinhala Buddhists sought the blessings of Hindu gods while worshipping the Noble Triple Gem of Buddhism. Buddhist monks used to chant pirith in the devalas and confer merits gained on Hindu gods, similar to the way they blessed the king. South Indian invasions Sri Lanka being an island separated from India by a narrow strip of sea about 20 miles long, the South Indian kings whenever they resolved to expand their authority over neighbouring states, as a rule, used to invade Sri Lanka also as an extension of their conquest. At that time, subjugation of neighbouring kingdoms was not considered an act of disgrace but a matter of prestige. Even Sri Lanka, despite being a small country was not hesitant to invade selected South Indian states when it was favourable for them. King Sena 11 (853-887), Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) and Nissankamalla (1187-1196) were among the kings who invaded India. There were many instances in which the South Indian invaders had plundered Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. Apparently, they had done so to plunder the riches of the wealthy temples and not because they were anti-Buddhist. There were Sinhala Buddhist kings too, who had plundered the wealth of temples when the State treasury was empty. King Datopatissa (639-650) and King Kassapa I (650-659) and King Vikramabahu I (1111-1132) can be cited as examples for this. Buddhist relations between South India and Sri Lanka Despite South Indian invasions and wars waged against them, there remained a strong Buddhist relationship between South India and Sri Lanka. It was to South India that the Buddhist bhikkus of Sri Lanka migrated when Sri Lanka was hit by a severe famine during the reign of King Vatagamini (77 BC). While most of the Buddhist monks of Sri Lanka fled to Ruhuna and Maya Rata during the invasion of Magha, the most prominent bhikkus fled to South India. Ven. Buddhagosha, Buddhadatta and Dhammapala, the most celebrated authors of Buddhist commentaries were all South Indians. It was from South India that the kings of Sri Lanka got down pious monks to lead the programs of religious reformations when there were no knowledgeable and devout monks in Sri Lanka to undertake them. The Culavamsa states that King Parakramabahu II sent gifts to the Chola Desha and got down the most Venerable Dharmakeerthi Thero to Sri Lanka. It is also recorded in the Culavamsa that King Parakramabahu IV had got down a great Venerable Thero from Chola Deshaya and had him appointed to the position of Rajaguru. It appears that the invasions from South India had not caused to disturb the reconciliation prevailed between the Buddhists and Hindus or Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka or create communal disturbances. Racism and religious differences are matters of recent origin associated with the modern age. It was not something that existed in the pre-modern era. But there was a caste system in operation at the time. Though there were historical chronicles available in the pre-modern era, it was only during the the modern era that they were translated into Sinhala and published for public consumption. Grandeur of the past The period in which the Sinhalese Kingdom flourished in the Dry Zone or the Rajarata (up to the early 13th century) can be considered the golden age of Sinhala civilisation. It was during this period that three major cities Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, and Polonnaruwa emerged. It was during this time that the great stupas of the magnitude of Ruvanvaliseya, Abhayagiriya Chethiya, Rankot Viharaya and Jethavanarama Dagaba and the unique Buddha images of exquisite quality of the Samadhi Buddha, Aukana Buddha and the Buddha statues at Gal Viharaya, Polonnaruwa were constructed. Sigiriya which can be described as a unique creation in terms of engineering and artistic aspects and the major tanks such as Kala Wewa, Minneriya Weva and Parakrama Samudraya were built at that time. There can be no doubt that Sri Lanka had a well developed and advanced civilisation at that time. There is nothing wrong in being proud of it. But it is important that we must have an objective assessment, and not an overestimation of this civilisation. Apparently, Sri Lankans do not seem to have a realistic assessment of this heritage. It is mainly due to misinterpretations popularised by leaders like Anagarika Dharmapala. Dharmapala referred to the ancient civilisation of Sri Lanka as the greatest among the old world civilisations. Even the Sri Lankan historians have not rectified this error. Sri Lanka is not included in the list of the 10 oldest civilisations. This is because the civilisations that were listed had achieved a greater development than the ancient civilisation of Sri Lanka. All these civilisations have served as an important source of new knowledge to the world; in that sense, Sri Lanka has not functioned as a source of new knowledge to the world. A significant number of books have been written in Sri Lanka during pre-modern times. Apart from the books written on grammar, all other books written had been on Buddhism. Not a single book on mundane subjects such as the objectives of life, the nature of the world, mathematics, philosophy has been written in Sri Lanka. Except for the Lord Buddha, Sri Lanka was not aware of any other great intellects like Socrates, Plato, Euclid, Archimedes; Aristotle who lived during the century in which the Buddha lived. This can be considered a serious limitation inherent in the historical thinking of Sri Lanka. Historiography and the bhikkus Despite such limitations, apart from China, Sri Lanka is the only country which had maintained a long and persistent documented history. The content of Mahavamsa, the earliest and the major chronicle of the country, to a great extent, can be accepted as authentic except for the accounts available for the period upto the time of King Devanampiyatissa (250-210 BC). Though Mahavamsa is an account of the history of Maha Viharaya, it is treated as the major book on the history of Sri Lanka. Despite these limitations, the Bhikkus of Maha Viharaya should be given the honour of documenting the history of Sri Lanka. In the pre-modern era, the Bhikkhus held a position which was second only to the king. However, during the post Dutugemunu period they did not have much power except to a certain extent, in influencing the activities of the kings. Perhaps, this may be due to misuse of powers by the Bhikkus themselves and the religious tolerance of many Buddhist kings who used to worship Hinduism as well. It was through the Bhikkhus that the king consolidated the loyalty of the Sinhalese Buddhist people. Even though the kings have done their best to support the Bhikkhus in this regard, it is evident that after the Dutugemunu period, the kings had not depended on Bhikkhus in decision-making process. Finally, the responsibility of maintaining discipline and religiosity of the order of the sangha rested on the king. As far as the king was concerned it appears to be a task more difficult than ruling the country. The Dipavamsa refers to corrupt monks of abhorrent behaviour, who were like decomposed vessels and stinking corpses. Apparently, this situation was largely due to many people choosing priesthood for economic reasons rather than for religious convictions. Punishing the bhikkhus In the early days, those who chose priesthood had to live a life full of hardships and austerity compared to lay life. The monks had to live in abodes made in caves. They had to live a life of a mendicant begging from door to door for their food. In the course of time, the kings offered properties to temples in large scale for their existence. As a result, the temple became a property owned institutional system. With these developments the bhikkhus were relieved from being dependent on laity while the laity was made to depend on temples. At the same time, the priesthood had become a way of life which was more comfortable than the difficult life of a lay person. As Ven Kotagama Wachissara Thero has pointed out, the 15th century saw a great decline in the piety and the virtuosity of priesthood.The bhikkhus did not observe religious rituals. Instead, they got women to cook food for them and were not aware of the practice of pindapatha-going from door to door begging for food. Even the lay Buddhists didnt know what pindapatha was. What the bhikkhus did most at that time was to manage the temple lands and enjoy the income derived, with their families, children and relatives. From time to time, the kings held Buddhist councils and chased out corrupt bhikkhus; but they only proved to be temporary measures and not a permanent solution to the problem. The impious behavior of certain monks seems to have led some kings to act relentlessly against them. King Kanirajanu Tissa (31-34 BC) caused a group of impious monks topple down from a height of a rock at Mihintale. King Gotabhaya (233-266 AD) exiled 60 monks of Abhayagiri Vihara having had their bodies branded with permanent marks of identification. King Mahasena, acclaimed as the God of Minneriya, regarded the Bhikkus of Maha Viharaya as sinners. The king forbade offering alms to them. They didnt receive anything in their alms rounds for three consecutive days, compelling them to abandon Anuradhapura and flee to Ruhuna and Hill country. During the reign of King Silamegawanna (619-628) the hands of several monks were severed and ordered to work as the guardians of ponds while one hundred monks were deported from the country. Though there was a caste system in operation during the pre-modern period, there were no divisions or conflicts between religions and ethnic groups. However, there was a bitter and persistent conflict between two groups of the order of the Sangha. There were incidents of homicides also associated with those conflicts. There were instances of bitter conflicts between kings and monks as well. There had been homicidal incidents also connected with these clashes. PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-14 22:47:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 954 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VICTORIA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2020 / Erin Ventures Inc. [TSXV:EV] is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to re-acquire an interest in the Jarandol Basin Exploration License ("Jarandol") in Serbia, which was previously held by Erin from 2013 to 2018. The Jarandol License covers 20.97 square kilometers and is directly adjacent to, and in between, both Erin's 100% owned Piskanja boron project on the eastern edge of the Jarandol Basin, and the Serbian government's Pobrdje Boron Mine, some 2.5 km away from Piskanja on the opposite edge of the basin. Previous exploration has shown that Jarandol has the potential to host extensions to both the Piskanja and Pobrdje boron deposits, and/or the potential to host separate, similar boron deposits. The Jarandol license includes the right to explore for borates, lithium and other non-metallic minerals, is valid until February 2022, and is extendible thereafter for up to 8 years in total.Erin's wholly-owned, high-grade Piskanja boron deposit's Mineral Resource Estimate includes an indicated mineral resource of 7.8 million tonnes (averaging 31.0 per cent B2O3), and an inferred resource of 3.4 million tonnes (averaging 28.6 per cent B2O3), calculated in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves (CIM Standards).Jarandol agreement terms"Kop Project" - a Serbian mineral exploration company owned, in part, by Dusan Podunavac, a Director of Erin, has been granted the exploration license for Jarandol, as Erin itself was not eligible to reapply for the Jarandol License once relinquished.The Jarandol license covers 20.97 square kilometers, is valid until February 2022, and is extendible thereafter for up to 8 years in total, subject to certain conditions.No consideration will be paid to Kop Project by Erin for the rights contained within this agreement.It is the intention of the parties (Kop and Erin) to conduct future exploration on Jarandol by way of a strategic partnership with a third-party investor.Erin has the right to earn an interest in any future strategic partnership with a third-party investor by contributing its previous exploration data from 2013 to 2018 (but is not obligated to do so), with the terms of such a partnership to be negotiated.Erin has the right of first refusal to match any third-party investor's offer to finance future exploration at Jarandol (but is not obligated to do so), on the same terms and conditions as those offered by the third-party.Notwithstanding any agreement with a third-party investor regarding future exploration at Jarandol, Erin is granted, free of any charge, the exclusive right to full access/usage of any land without restriction within the Jarandol Licence area, which may be required by Erin for future geological research and/or mine development/operation of Erin's Piskanja project.The agreement remains in full force and effect for the period equaling that of a valid exploration license at Jarandol, including all permitted extensions.Erin's previous exploration at JarandolOn December 22, 2015, Erin reported results from its exploration program on Jarandol. This phase included the drilling of 8 exploratory vertical diamond drill holes (totaling 2,723.8 meters). Highlights of the program included: all 8 holes returned occurrences of borates; holes EVJ-04 and EVJ-05 confirmed 1 borate bed (including 1.88 meters of 41.31% B2O3); hole EVJ-06 confirmed 2 borate beds including the same bed seen in holes EVJ-04 and EVJ-5, (including 1.3 meters of 41.88% B2O3); holes EVJ-01, EVJ-02, EVJ-03, EVJ-07 and EVJ-08 returned non-economic borate values (assuming cut-offs of 12% B2O3 and 1.0 meter minimum intervals), and; collectively, twenty-seven intervals of borate mineralization were detected in holes EVJ-02, EVJ-04, EVJ-05, EVJ-06, EVJ-07 and EVJ-08 grading from 4.00% to 9.76% B2O3.As reported by Erin on June 29, 2018, management elected to complete the work required to keep its flagship Piskanja Project license in good standing rather than Jarandol, as there were not the resources available to complete the required work on both. It was in the best interest of Erin's shareholders for Erin to, first and foremost, focus on advancing its Piskanja Project towards becoming a "going concern" operation, and then secondarily look to advance Jarandol, if, and as additional resources became available.About the Jarandol BasinThe Jarandol Basin is a well-known historical mining district in southern Serbia which hosts two known boron deposits, an operating coal mine, and a (now depleted) magnesite mine. The Basin hosts excellent infrastructure for mining including local paved roads, rail, power, experienced miners, and sufficient support industries, located 250 km south of Belgrade by good paved roads.The Jarandol Basin is a Miocene age tertiary deposit located within the Vardar Belt of Neogene lacustrine deposits of evaporates. The Vardar Belt contains the world's richest borate deposits, including those found in Turkey, which are of similar genesis to the Serbia borate deposits.About Erin Ventures Inc.Erin Ventures Inc. is an international mineral exploration and development company with boron assets in Serbia. Headquartered in Victoria, B.C., Canada, Erin's shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "EV" and the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol "ERVFF". For detailed information please see Erin's website at www.erinventures.com or the Company's filed documents at www.sedar.com For further information, please contact:Erin's Public QuotationsErin Ventures Inc.Blake Fallis, General ManagerPhone: 1-250- 384-1999 or 1-888-289-3746info@ erinventures.com CanadaTSX Venture:EVEuropeBerlin: EKVUSAOTCQB: ERVFFThe technical information in this release was prepared and approved by James E Wallis, M.Sc. (Eng), P. Eng., a director of the company, who is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101.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: 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 (25 miles) from Hanoi, is the first mass quarantine outside of China since the virus emerged from a central Chinese city 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, according to AFP reporters 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 told AFP that authorities had already advised residents to avoid large gatherings. "Life has been badly affected," he told AFP 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 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. Vietnam, which shares a porous border with China, has 16 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, inclyding those in Son Loi. Vietnam had 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. Crimes involving prescription medications have soared in Victoria and NSW, fuelling concerns about a rising black market for opioid painkillers and other pharmaceutical drugs. Crime statistics from the two states reveal police have recorded about 35,000 offences involving manufactured medicine over the past five years as more people get caught dealing and trafficking or obtaining the drugs through theft, fraud or other unlawful means. Thousands have died in the past six years from prescription and illicit opioids. Credit:The Age/SMH Law enforcement agencies concede that no area is immune, with recent cases ranging from emergency service workers stealing fentanyl - a synthetic opioid up to 100 times stronger than morphine - to residents of regional areas forging scripts for addictive painkillers such as OxyContin or Endone. The evidence clearly shows that drug harm is not going away, a Victoria Police spokesman said. Victoria Police recognises that the increasing harms and deaths from the misuse of pharmaceutical medicines, including opioids, is a growing major public health and safety concern. New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has said it will file an appeal against Karnataka High Court's stay order on Competition Commission of India's (CCI) investigation against Amazon and Flipkart. In a statement the traders' body said that the court has stayed the order for investigation passed by the CCI on the ground that the ED has already initiated investigation into Flipkart and Amazon's activities that are alleged to be in contravention of the FDI policy and so, CAIT would now urge the government and the ED to fastrack the probe. "Both CAIT and Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh has decided to file an appeal against the order of the High Court very soon and both are consulting their respective lawyers. Meanwhile, the CAIT will push with the Union government to speed up the ED investigation. In this context a CAIT delegation will soon meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman," it said. CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal termed the interim stay as "unfortunate and unexpected". Khandelwal told IANS that the CAIT is having a discussion with its lawyers over the future legal course. "However, the court did acknowledge that the Enforcement Directorate should continue it's probe against these companies for FDI Violations. The CAIT will now push the government to expedite the ED probe to expose the malpractices of these companies and will also file an appeal very soon in the matter," it added. As the High Court on Friday directed a stay on the probe, it has also asked all the respondents in the matter including CCI, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh and Flipkart to file their responses within eight weeks. Amazon had on Monday filed a writ petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking stay on the CCI probe order into its alleged violations of the competition laws. The anti-trust body had in January had ordered an enquiry into the operations of both Amazon and Flipkart on multiple counts, including deep discounts and exclusive tie-ups with preferred sellers. In its plea, Amazon had sought "quashing and setting aside" of the CCI's probe order dated January 13, 2020, claiming that the fair competition watchdog passed orders against the company without applying mind and caused serious loss to its reputation. In its order, the CCI had said that it needs to be investigated whether the alleged exclusive arrangements, deep discounting and preferential listing by Amazon and Flipkart are being used as an exclusionary tactic to foreclose competition. Paige Alexander ATLANTA - The Carter Center Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Paige Alexander has been appointed CEO of The Carter Center, effective June 16, 2020. She succeeds Ambassador (ret.) Mary Ann Peters, who is retiring. The CEO is charged with leading the Center into its next era of building peace, health, and hope for the worlds poorest people. Paige Alexander will carry forward the vision and values of the Carter Centers founders, my grandparents, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, said Jason Carter, chair of the Carter Center Board of Trustees. The Centers mission to alleviate suffering and advance human rights globally has never been more urgent. Said President Carter, Rosalynn and I are excited that Paige Alexander will become CEO of The Carter Center. Paige is exceptionally well qualified to lead the Center into its next chapter, and she is fully aligned with our vision for the Center. We are confident that many of the Centers most significant accomplishments are yet to come. My lifes work has been to lift up human rights, justice and fairness, economic and social opportunity, said Paige Alexander. For years, I have observed and admired the work of The Carter Center on the ground and in global human rights, health and peace-keeping contexts. Joining the Center at this time of transition, when the founders vision, legacy and mission are needed more than ever, is the privilege of a lifetime. As CEO, Alexander will provide vision and leadership for The Carter Center and will oversee all program implementation and operations. The not-for-profit Carter Center was founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in 1982. Since then, the Center has improved the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people in 80 nations by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing neglected tropical diseases; and improving mental health care. Alexander has had a distinguished global career, with over two decades of experience spanning government and nonprofit sectors. She has held leadership positions at two regional bureaus of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), covering missions and development programs in 25 countries from Eurasia to the Middle East and Africa over 15 years (1993-2001, 2011-2017). She also has had over a decade of nonprofit leadership roles, including as SVP and European founder/president of IREX (2001-2010), an international civil society, democracy, and education nonprofit organization. Since 2017, she has served as executive director of the European Cooperative for Rural Development (EUCORD) in Brussels and Amsterdam. EUCORD helps marginalized farmers in Africa grow marketable crops that sustainably improve the livelihoods of families and communities. Earlier, Alexander was associate director of Project Liberty at the Harvard Kennedy School (1992-1993) and a consultant to foundations including C.S. Mott, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and the Open Society Institute in Prague. She has served on many global boards and committees, currently including the Romanian-American Foundation board and advisory boards for World Learning and IREX. Alexander earned her bachelors degree at Tulane University in organizational communication and social psychology in 1988. Her appointment culminates a wide-ranging global search that reached over 500 potential candidates and referral sources in over 20 countries. The Carter Center Board of Trustees search committee worked with BoardWalk Consulting, a national firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. ### Twenty-one states have rejected an $18 billion settlement with opioid manufacturers after attempts to negotiate a deal apparently failed, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. Attorneys general for the 21 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, signed a letter reviewed by the Journal that was sent this week to legal representatives of McKessen, AmerisourceBergen, and Cardinal Health. States are aiming to receive between $22 and $32 billion as part of the settlement. Each of you has expressed that your clients seek a settlement that is global, the letter from the state attorneys general reads. It is our collective view that the most recently communicated offer is unlikely to achieve that goal. We invite you to discuss our specific issues more fully so that a global settlement may be reached. The states have been involved in complex litigation to determine the responsibility of drug manufacturers for the U.S. opioid crisis. The tentative $18 billion settlement was reached in October. AmerisourceBergen said in comment that it was disappointed to hear that some states do not currently understand the merits of the global settlement framework that the distributors have been discussing with the attorneys general over the past many months. McKessen said it is finalizing a global settlement structure that would serve as the best path forward to provide billions of dollars in immediate funding and relief to states and local communities. Around 400,000 Americans are estimated to have died in the opioid crisis. Almost every state is suing major opioid manufacturers on the assumption they did not adequately warn medical personnel or consumers regarding the highly addictive nature of opioids. More from National Review Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ruslan Sangadji (The Jakarta Post) Palu, Central Sulawesi Fri, February 14, 2020 19:35 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2064a2efc 1 National Matt-Wright,Australia,central-sulawesi,rescue,Palu,crocodile,trapped,crocodile-chocked-tire Free Australian presenter Matthew Nicolas Wright and fellow crocodile expert Chris Willow Wilson made another attempt at rescuing a crocodile trapped in a motorcycle tire in the Palu River, Central Sulawesi, on Friday. This time, they focused on what used to be called the Yellow Bridge. With the help of a rescue team from the Central Sulawesi Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA Central Sulawesi), the two Australians were able to track the animal twice as it appeared on a sand dune at the river mouth. Read also: Choked Palu crocodile not yet lured into rescuers trap Wright then used a living duck as bait with a drone, which was later lost. Started well, finished bad, no more drone, Wright said in an Instagram story on Friday. Willow and I are here just waiting for the crocodile. We just lost the drone, which was a little bit of bomber. Before being offered to the crocodile, the duck bait was hung on the drone, tied with a rope. The plan was for the crocodile to take the bait and pull the drone along as the device transmitted a feed of the animals movement and location. But instead of approaching the bait, the crocodile which had been resting on the sand dune swam away before disappearing without a trace. Wright said the large movement area for the crocodile had been one of their major obstacles. The Palu River is 90 kilometers long and flows through the city of Palu, with almost half of the basin area covered by tropical montane forest. Enthusiastic locals watching on the side of the river also often hindered rescue efforts, Wright said, adding that the team was now discussing its next hunting strategies. Wright said he had been following stories of the trapped crocodile for the past 18 months and had been trying his best to speak with Indonesian officials and get over to Palu to help relieve the crocodile. The rescue efforts have been going since Tuesday when Wright joined the rescue team to prepare two traps and some floating drums. One of two traps made was then set in the Palu River with the bait of a live duck inside. Read also: Australian presenter Matt Wright to help Palu crocodile stuck in tire for years On Wednesday, the 4-meter-long trapped crocodile was nowhere to be seen, leaving only a medium-sized crocodile swimming freely around the trap. The bait somehow failed to lure the crocodile. The rescue team then planned to up its strategy with the help of the police. On Thursday, the team members were back at the river, jumped on a boat and tried their luck, only to return empty-handed once again. We spent all night playing cat and mouse with the big fella in the river. Unfortunately, I think we were more the mouse. The crocodile is very cunning and cautious and it does not like the boat approaching him, Willow wrote on an Instagram post on Friday. I think we are up to plan D or E now but today is another day. Although he has failed several times now, Wright said he was glad to be able to share his knowledge with Indonesian rescuers on how to catch and release a large saltwater crocodile in a skilled and most importantly, humane way. During one rescue attempt, Wright was asked by the rescue team to catch a smaller crocodile from the river as training. He took the opportunity to catch a small crocodile to show the locals what to do when dealing with a wild crocodile. Environmental conditions in the water out here are very tough, coupled with the fact that this crocodile isnt hungry because of the large food sources in the river. So, we need to make sure we are as prepared as we can be for this challenge, Wright said. As of Friday, Wright has two days left of his work permit. (syk) India and Portugal on Friday exchanged 14 agreements and understandings in a number of key areas as President Ram Nath Kovind hosted his Portuguese counterpart in New Delhi New Delhi: India and Portugal on Friday exchanged 14 agreements and understandings in a number of key areas, including maritime, intellectual property rights, aerospace and scientific research, as President Ram Nath Kovind hosted his Portuguese counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in New Delhi. Kovind received Sousa at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on his first state visit to India. Kovind said Portugal-India relations are very special and the two countries enjoy 500 years of shared history. "The two countries are closely tied together through Goa and Mumbai, through our culture, language and kinship," he said. Kovind thanked Portugal for extending its support for the commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. The president said the India-Portugal bilateral agenda has expanded several folds. The two countries are collaborating in science and technology, defence, education, innovation and start-up, water and environment among other things, he added. Calling terrorism a grave threat to the entire world, Kovind said, "We should deepen our cooperation further to defeat and destroy this global menace." He also said that climate change was a pressing global challenge today and India looked forward to Portugal joining the International Solar Alliance in the near future. The two presidents welcomed the exchange of agreements and understandings between India and Portugal in the fields of maritime heritage, maritime transport and port development, migration and mobility, start-ups, intellectual property rights, aerospace, nano-biotechnology, audiovisual co-production, yoga, diplomatic training, scientific research and public policy. Speaking on the occasion, Kovind said, "Our global partnership has added depth to our multilateral engagement and to our common desire to fashion a multi-polar world order." "India looks forward to becoming an associate observer of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries so that we can amplify our developmental partnerships in Africa and elsewhere," he added. Sousa meets Modi Earlier in the day, Sousa held extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which seven pacts providing for cooperation in areas of investment, transport, ports, culture and industrial and intellectual property rights were signed. Portugal is an important country for India in Southern Europe, and bilateral ties have witnessed a steady progress in the last 15 years. In October 2005, Portugal extradited Abu Salem and Monica Bedi to face terror charges. Modi visited Portugal in June 2017 during which 11 agreements were signed covering a large number of areas including space, avoidance of double taxation, nano-technology, biotechnology and higher education. Sousa arrived here on Thursday night on a four-day visit. The last visit by a Portuguese President to India was in 2007. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation. In the morning, the Portuguese president was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The pacts signed after Modi-Sousa talks included a joint declaration a bilateral mobility partnership and another on maritime transport. Sousa to visit Goa on Saturday Sousa will also travel to Maharashtra and Goa during his visit. Sousa will arrive in Goa on Saturday on a two-day visit during which an MoU on water management and sewerage will be signed, officials said here. He is expected to arrive at 5 pm, an official had said, adding that as part of the memorandum of understanding, Portugal will provide technical assistance to the state's Public Works Department for operational efficiency of 'Goa water system'. Goa Public Works Department Minister Deepak Pauskar told PTI that Portugal will provide consultancy for augmenting the water and sewerage system of the state, and the agreement will be signed between Portugal based 'Aguas de Portugal' and Goa Public Works Department. Later during the evening, Sousa would inaugurate a seminar on urban designs organised by state-run Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited. He will attend a dinner hosted by Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday evening at Raj Bhavan, and on Sunday Sousa will visit Santa Monica Church and Museum of Christian Art at Old Goa. He will be leaving Goa on Sunday, officials said. Buses carrying Syrian who were displaced by terrorism have returned to Syria and will be taken to their towns and villages writes SANA. In framework of the efforts exerted by the Syrian state for the return of Syrians displaced by terrorism, new batches of displaced families on Thursday returned from Lebanon through the centers of al-Dabbousyia, Jussyia and Jdeidet Yabous in the countryside of Homs and Damascus. SANAs reporter in Jdeidet Yabous in Damascus countryside said that, tens of Syrians who have been displaced due to terrorism returned from Lebanon and arrived at the center on buses, which will transport them to their homes in the villages and towns that have been liberated from terrorism. In Homs western countryside, SANAs reporter from al-Dabbousyia and Jussyia border centers reported that a number of buses carrying dozens of displaced families with their luggage arrived in the homeland Thursday. The reporter added that after the returnees were registered, and those who were in need provided with medical services, the buses headed towards their towns and villages that have been liberated from terrorism. In statements to SANA, some of the returnees expressed their happiness and joy to return to the homeland, thanking the Syrian Arab Army for its heroism and sacrifices, which resulted in the liberation of their villages and towns from terrorism. They also hailed the efforts made by the authorities concerned to restore the basic services to their areas. 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. The assessment has seven questions, which focus on criminal history, employment, residential stability and drug use. For example, there is a question that asks if the person has had three or more prior jail incarcerations. If the answer is no, the person scores a zero, and if the answer is yes, the person scores a one. The school children and undergraduates of the Celtic Tiger era emerged into a world of high rents, low-paid jobs, and emigration. They cant buy houses and dont have pensions. But they have voted for change, says Joyce Fegan. I WAS surprised, when I woke up in the middle of the night on November 9, 2016, to see the result of the US presidential election. Could this be fake news? I said to the screen displaying my Twitter feed at about 4am. No answer was forthcoming. Over the next four years, some answers became apparent. America was far from a post-racial utopia. America was far from respecting of genders. America was far from a welcoming refuge for the worlds huddled masses. Many people in America work many jobs to make ends meet, a fact that is never borne out in their high employment figures. Where was the countrys social safety net? In March 2017, on a blisteringly cold Chicago morning, I came across a middle-aged woman begging on the citys Michigan Mile. She had no hair. Her brown cardboard sign referred to healthcare costs and to chemotherapy. Thank god I live in Ireland, I said to myself, where we have a social safety net and care about our people. But last weekend, when our election results came in with Sinn Fein having won a seismic number of seats, I was not surprised. Anyone who had been paying even slight attention to Irish life over the last number of years likely wasnt too surprised, either. We talk a lot about generations and the buzzwords to describe them. But there is one generation that never got a buzzword: the generation that never got to experience the economic prosperity of the Celtic Tiger, nor even its corollary, negative equity. That generation witnessed the Celtic Tiger from school or college and then graduated out into the abyss of unemployment and emigration. Their careers and wages stagnated. They became familiar with things like Job Bridge. Theyd never dare get involved in things like unions or collective bargaining. Just so lucky to have a job was, and is, the unconscious mantra. This generation then moved into the renting world. Things were OK for a while. Then, the breaks were put on the housing market. The great economic advice of the day was to borrow the 20% deposit from your parents. This sage advice might help a small few circumnavigate the Central Banks rules, but, for the most, thats not the Ireland they lived in, no matter how early they got out of bed in the morning. Then, the rents went up, as fewer and fewer people could afford to become a homeowner. We could call them GenR: Generation R, for rent. Or GenS: Generation S, for stuck? Supplementary luxuries, or safety nets, like pensions and health insurance, flew by the wayside. With 45% of the population able to afford private health insurance, how many young renters hold it? In 2017, 221,000 of our 18- to 29-year-olds held private insurance. In 2009, 310,000 of them did. What about pensions? Just one in six (16.3%) workers aged 20 to 24 has a pension. Just four out of every 10 (41.5%) workers aged 25 to 34 years have one. But, 70.9% of 45 to 54-year-olds have pension coverage but theyre not part of GenS. Were we then really that surprised when almost 32% of our 18- to 24-year-olds voted for the change offered in the 2020 general election, a message supplied by Sinn Fein? For 25- to 34-year-olds, 31.7% of them voted for this change, too. Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, in his first TV interview after the election, brought up Brexit. It is unlikely that Brexit matters much to a young person sharing a house with five strangers, and who gets up at 6am to sit in M50 traffic, while, on the odd day, the worry over their pension or lack of health cover might sneak in from the recesses of their mind to the forefront. Brexit is important: it has implications for our trade, jobs, and borders. But if it was on Maslows hierarchy of needs, it would be alongside self-actualisation on the pyramid, at least for people with real worries. But its about listening isnt it? Not just silly memes, on WhatsApp, which youve been receiving and forwarding since first thing Sunday morning. We can share all the memes we like, but what message was this generation sending us? Its not simply about want change, vote Sinn Fein. [snippet1]977032[/snippet1] Simple political messaging is a far cry from complex policy-making for an entire country, society, and economy. We really need to tune into that generation. What did they say at the ballot box? Do we listen? Do we act? Or do we continue on as normal? They told us that they care, that they vote, and that they value democracy as a way to bring about the changes they need. They want housing solutions and access to healthcare. They care about the climate and they need to be able to afford the cost of living, too. Now is not the time to talk back: its the time to listen. There are different experiences of Ireland. The people told us so in the ballot box. The question is, can we listen now, again? Not to the political parties messaging, but to the democratically expressed message from the people of Ireland? Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Geely Automobile Holdings Limited (Geely Auto) announced it vehicle sales (including the volume of Lynk & Co brand) totaled 111,838 units in Jan. 2020, a year-on-year decrease of 29% and a month-on-month drop of 14%. Of those, the sales of new energy of electrified vehicles (NEEVs) amounted to 4,762 units. The respective sales of the Boyue, the Emgrand, the Emgrand GS and the Binyue all exceeded 10,000 units. Besides, the automaker also exported 2,265 vehicles last month, a plunge of 68% over the year-ago period. In the first month of 2020, Geely Auto completed 8% of its 1.41 million-unit annual sales target. Although the sales were affected by the Lunar New Year holiday and the new coronavirus outbreak, Geely Auto showed sufficient tolerance to the pressure, said the company. Auto dealers still achieved apparent growth in deliveries, making Geelys market share hit a new high level. Among new vehicles sold last month, 68,765 units and 41,901 units were SUVs and cars respectively. In addition, there were 1,172 MPVs sold during the same period. (Photo source: Geely Holding's WeChat account) Lynk & Co saw its Jan. sales volume amount to 9,008 units. As of Jan. 2020, the premium car brand has put roughly 257,000 vehicles onto the market. In the second half of the year, Lynk & Co will formally step into European market, according to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding). (Photo source: Geely Holding's WeChat account) Proton, the Malaysia's national carmaker backed by Geely Holding, witnessed its sales volume jump 20.2% to 8,506 units, the best Jan. sales for the recent four years. Moreover, the brand had its local market share increased to 19.5% from 4.9% in the year-ago period. It is worth mentioning that the sales of Proton were seperately reported by Geely Holding and were not included the sales of Geely Auto. Geely has put forth substantial efforts to combat the coronavirus epidemic. On Jan. 28, Geely Holding claimed that it would closely cooperate with the Li Shufu Public Welfare Foundation to establish a special RMB200 million fund to support the prevention and control of the Coronavirus epidemic in Hubei, Guangdong, Zhejiang and Henan provinces, as well as other areas around the China that are experiencing coronavirus outbreaks. Moreover, the company donated to some infected regions 158 Jiaji MPVs, which have carried the new IAPS (Intelligent Air Purification System), a new system that is able to automatically filter out harmful particulates from the vehicles internal air environment. Under the Geely Healthy Car program, Geely Auto will move to invest 370 million RMB into the development of healthier vehicles. A recent debate in the state parliament of Western Australia could seal the fate around discussions of the current rebate on stamp duty for new multi-dwelling developments. The Liberal Party has confirmed that it would scrap several tax policies currently in place in the state, including the 75% stamp duty rebate for off the plan apartments and the surcharge on foreign buyers. Sandra Brewer, director at Property Council WA, said government legislators need to have a more honest dialogue about the impact of stamp duty on the state's property industry. "We have been encouraged by some of the proactive measures taken by the McGowan government in recent times on stamp duty. The 75% stamp duty rebate for off the plan apartment purchases is a great start, and we have asked the government to consider sensible adjustments to those measures," Brewer said. Off the plan tax relief The government announced the stamp duty rebate for off the plan units late last year. Under the scheme, property buyers who sign a pre-construction contract to purchase a new apartment for the next two years are eligible for as much as a 75% stamp duty discount. The discount will also be applied to foreign property surcharge. The relief could mean savings of over $9,700 for buyers targeting a $400,000 apartment. Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) president Damian Collins said the move was a "win for the sector". "By reducing the tax for off the plan sales, not only will it help the government to meet its target of 47% of new dwellings in infill locations, but will help increase the speed of transition from apartment sales to actual construction activity," he said. Also read: Study Flags Impact Of "Absurdly High" Stamp Duty Meanwhile, State Treasurer Ben Wyatt said he is "perplexed" about the Liberal Partys plans to abolish the stamp-duty rebate. "In government, they increased land tax dramatically that has had a long-term impact on the WA property sector and yet now want to scrap key policy initiatives that have been fundamental to the recovery we are beginning to see in the property sector," he said. Wyatt also argued that the plans of removing the surcharge for foreign buyers might create a $70m budget black hole. Brewer said Wyatt is aware of the Property Councils "lingering concerns" on the foreign buyers surcharge and the potential for a further adjustment in the stamp duty rebate. She also called on the state opposition to declare its position on WA property taxes. "By committing to remove the foreign buyers surcharge and maintaining the 75% stamp-duty rebate as a minimum, the opposition can demonstrate its support for the industry that employs more Western Australians than mining and manufacturing combined," she said. Also read: Stamp Duty Triples In Capital Cities Stamp duty a punitive tax? In a separate statement, Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) said stamp duty is one of the most inefficient taxes in Australia's economy and is a substantial barrier to homeownership. "Stamp duty hurts people trying to enter the housing market, families moving into bigger houses as they grow and seniors looking to downsize later in life," said Connie Kirk, national executive director of UDIA. Kirk said while stamp duty remains a volatile tax that depends on the housing cycle, state governments have become overly reliant on it to sustain their budgets. "We appreciate any substantial tax reform is a long-haul exercise, but it is time for governments to start planning for a switch from stamp duties to more broad-based measures such as land tax. An overhaul of property taxes is well overdue given the excessive burden carried by the industry and homebuyers," she said. Earlier, the Munich Security Conference leadership also said they do not recognize the piece as an official document of the Conference. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine states that the document laying out steps toward "greater security in Ukraine" earlier published in Munich is not official paper and contradicts the official position of Ukraine. That's according to press secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Kateryna Zelenko. "The document titled 'Twelve Steps toward Greater Security in Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic Region' was prepared by a non-governmental organization Euro-Atlantic Security Leadership Group. This is a private initiative of a group of politicians and experts who are not indifferent to issues of international security and the security situation in Ukraine, in particular the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against our state," Zelenko told UNIAN. Read alsoZelensky brings "fresh energy" to peace efforts in Donbas: Munich Security Conference report The press secretary stated that "the provisions contained in this document do not correspond to the official position of the Ukrainian state." "According to the leadership of the Munich Security Conference, they don't recognize this piece as an official document of the conference, either. The text of the document has been removed from the official website of the conference," the spokeswoman said. As UNIAN reported earlier, on February 14, the document in question appeared on the website of the Munich Security Conference before being removed shortly. Washington, D.C., Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Math and Science Initiative has received a planning grant from the Fund II Foundation to design UTeach STEM teacher preparation programs at up to 15 historically black colleges and universities in six states and the District of Columbia. The Dallas-based non-profit has partnered with UNCF (United Negro College Fund) to support the universities as they design their programs. NMSI and UNCF are nationally recognized leaders in the advancement of American education, said Fund II Foundation Board President Robert F. Smith. I look forward to supporting them to develop strong programs that meet the unique needs of students at HBCUs. Im also excited to see how this new work allows more young people to reach their highest potential in their personal lives, professions and communities. NMSI, UNCF and the UTeach Institute are working with academic leaders at potential program schools. Those institutions include Alabama State University, Bowie State University, Claflin University Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Jackson State University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T University, Prairie View A&M University, South Carolina State University, Spelman College, Talladega College, Tougaloo College and Tuskegee University. The institutions that move forward with the program will work with the program team to design their new STEM teacher preparation programs. The new programs will be based on UTeach, a renowned university-based STEM teacher preparation program founded at The University of Texas at Austin. Since 2009, NMSI has worked with the UTeach Institute to expand the program, which provides math and science undergraduates at 45 universities with teaching skills, classroom experience and continuing support in their early teaching careers. UTeach teachers average longer classroom careers than graduates of other teacher preparation programs, and nearly 70 percent of UTeach graduates teach in Title 1 schools. Based on standardized testing, their students perform as if they had almost six extra months of science and four extra months of math instruction. Addressing STEM teacher shortages and ensuring that all students benefit from teachers of diverse backgrounds is critical and core to NMSIs mission, said NMSI CEO Bernard A. Harris, Jr. Expanding the UTeach program to HBCUs will benefit students across the nation. The initiative comes just after passage of the FUTURE Act, providing permanent federal funding for HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions and providing significant STEM-focused funding for those schools. As a two-time graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, a professor of 40 years at Bennett College for Women, and the author of the FUTURE Act, which guarantees permanent federal funding for HBCUs to prepare the next generation of diverse STEM professionals, I applaud this effort from the private sector to supplement that effort, said U.S. Rep. Alma Adams (NC). In 2017, when my office introduced the HBCU Partnership Challenge, my hope was to encourage the private sector and non-profits to view HBCUs as key to accomplishing industry diversity goals, particularly in our STEM fields. Through this STEM teacher diversity initiative, we are seeing an example of true private investment and engagement with these producers of top diverse talent. I commend Robert Smith, Fund II Foundation, NMSI, and UNCF for their efforts in diversifying our workforce by helping prepare our diverse leaders of tomorrow. A 2017 study from the IZA Institute of Labor Economics found that having at least one African American teacher in third through fifth grades increased African American students interest in attending college by 29 percent and reduced the probability of dropping out of high school for male African American students from very low-income families by 39 percent. Research clearly shows the powerful impact black teachers have on black students. HBCUs already are punching above their weight in the production of STEM graduates generating 24 percent of the STEM bachelors degrees earned annually by African Americans, said Dr. Michael Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. The nation continues to have incredible need for math and science teachers of color, and students of color deserve to have educators who look like them. ### Kelvin Fletcher put on a united display with his wife Liz in a Valentine's Day post on Friday, nearly a week after he was pictured partying until 3am with Oti Mabuse. The former Emmerdale actor, 36, and Liz beamed for the camera as they headed out on the school run, with Kelvin writing: 'Happy Valentines @eliza_marsland'. Oti, meanwhile, reposted a video of herself and husband Marius Lepure hugging with the caption 'Valentine's Goals'. Loved-up: Kelvin Fletcher put on a united display with his wife Liz in a Valentine's Day post on Friday, nearly a week after he was pictured partying until 3am with Oti Mabuse And Kelvin was every inch the proud dad as their daughter Marnie, three, received her first ever Valentine's gifts. Sharing a picture of a single red stem rose and a handmade card the soap star wrote: 'Took Marnie to school this morning and we got a lovely little surprise...' Meanwhile Oti and Marius' love for one another inspired her stylist who shared a video of the Greatest Dancer judge hugging Marius, who was holding her as they waited backstage at the Graham Norton Show. True love: Oti, meanwhile, reposted a video of herself and husband Marius Lepure hugging with the caption 'Valentine's Goals' Sweet: Kelvin was every inch the proud dad as their daughter Marnie, three, received her first ever Valentine's gifts This comes amid claims Strictly bosses are fearful Oti may quit after being left 'devastated' by the 3am nightcap saga. A source told The Sun: 'Oti is a massive asset for the show. But at the moment she is very unhappy and upset at all the reports and has been left saying "do I really need all this BS?". 'She is married and has a lot of respect for Kelvins wife and wouldnt carry on in this way. They are dance partners and friends and thats it. Some people close to Oti are worried she will just eventually throw her hands up and pack it in. Partying hard: Liz was reportedly 'upset and angry' her husband was pictured enjoying a night cap until 3am on Saturday morning with his dancer partner Oti 'She has a great TV career in her own right on the Greatest Dancer and there would be a queue of producers lining up to work with her.' When contacted by MailOnline, representatives for Strictly Come Dancing declined to comment. The drama started when Liz decided to unfollow Kelvin on Instagram after it got 'too much' seeing the pictures of her husband out late at night. Silent: Oti keeps quiet on her 3am nightcap with Kelvin Fletcher as she appears on The Graham Norton Show, set to air on Friday Liz was reportedly 'upset and angry' her husband was pictured enjoying a night cap until 3am on Saturday morning with his dancer partner Oti. Liz decided to unfollow Kelvin on Instagram after it got 'too much' seeing the pictures of her husband out late at night. A source told MailOnline: 'Naturally Liz wasn't happy after finding out Kelvin had been out late drinking with the Strictly lot. 'It wasn't easy for her to see him still out at 3:35am, while she's at home looking after their two young children. Any woman would be upset if they were in the same situation. 'In the heat of the moment she unfollowed him on Instagram, it was just a shock for her to see him out so late.' Kelvin rushed home to reassure his wife and insisted the drama will 'all blow over'. Speaking to The Sun, the Strictly Come Dancing 2019 winner said: 'Everything is amazing. I am just a little bit bewildered by all the attention. But I am sure it will all blow over.' Kelvin and his wife put on a united display on Wednesday, with Liz wearing her wedding ring once again as they emerged from their family home together. China's president Xi Jinping (L) and Nepal's president Bidhya Devi Bhandari (R) wave at the conclusion of Xi's visit to Nepal, Oct. 13, 2019. A treaty signed by China and Nepal in October 2019 that manages border controls between the two countries poses significant threats to Tibetans fleeing their homeland to escape Chinese rule, Tibetan advocacy groups and other sources say. The agreement on a Border Management System, signed during Chinese president Xi Jinpings visit last year to Nepal, commits both countries to hand back, within seven days of being detained, persons found crossing the border illegally, the Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) said in a report this week. This could result in Tibetans who try to escape to freedom being sent back to the repressive rule of the Chinese Communist Party, ICT said. Meanwhile, a Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters signed in October may expose Tibetans living in Nepal to danger for exercising their freedoms, already sharply restricted in Nepal, to express their distinct cultural identity or voice political views opposed by China, ICT said. Given Chinas influence on the less-developed Nepal and the obvious power imbalance between the two countries, there are worries that Nepal may disregard legal protections for Tibetans while responding to Chinese requests under this treaty, the rights group said. Details of the two agreements were recently brought to light when Nepals foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali offered written clarifications on their provisions to members of the countrys parliament, ICT said. Meanwhile, many fear that China and Nepal, which shares a long border with Tibet, may soon sign a treaty on extradition, further endangering Tibetans currently living in Nepal, sources say. 'We are very worried' Speaking to RFAs Tibetan Service, Kapil Shresthaa human rights activist and political science professor at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandusaid that Nepal has been tremendously influenced by Chinese pressure and policies in recent years. We are very worried, Shrestha said. Nepals government has enacted very undemocratic and draconian measures in curbing Nepals media and human rights in general, he said, adding that the possible extradition of so-called offenders from Nepal to China would target the Tibetan community in particular. Although the general agreements may not cite an extradition clause, if we look at all of the agreements provisions in detail, there are reasons for concern, added Nepalese social and political activist Arun Subedi, speaking to RFA. Also speaking to RFA, Gajendra Basnetthe Nepalese journalist who broke the story of the signed treaties in the online news web portal Khabarhubsaid that Nepals new Border Management System would not likely affect the lives of Tibetan refugees in Nepal right away. But it is sure to limit their activities in the days to come, he said. Many Tibetans living in Nepal already fear monitoring by police, with some approached by RFAs Tibetan Service for comment agreeing to speak only on condition of anonymity. One, a resident of Kathmandu calling herself Tenzin (not her real name), said that she used to believe that Tibetans living in Nepal would be safe as long as they stayed away from political activities. But during Chinese president Xis visit to Nepal last year, I felt what it is really like to have no country of your own, she said. The Nepalese police would stop by [Tibetans] houses and shops and probe into things, she said. And anyone found in possession of things bearing symbols of Tibet, such as Tibetan flags or clothing, would be arrested. The Chinese government has constantly insisted that Nepal recognize Tibetans as Chinese citizens, thus pressuring the Nepalese government to refuse to issue legal documents to Tibetans showing them as refugees, added Sangpo, a local Tibetan assembly chairman and resident of Pokhara, Nepal, since 1959. Many have no papers Around 3,000 to 4,000 Tibetans now live in Nepal without legal papers, sources told RFA, speaking on condition they not be named. The number of Tibetans escaping into Nepal from China has meanwhile plunged in the last 30 years, from a high of around 3,000 crossing the border each year from 1985-86 to 2008, to smaller numbers each year after tighter border controls were imposed following widespread protests in Tibet in 2008, sources said. Between 2008 and 2012, around 600 Tibetans successfully escaped into Nepal. Between 2012 and 2018, about 100 crossed the border, and only 19 Tibetans crossed into Nepal last year, sources said. The U.N., European Union, and United States have urged Nepals government to protect the rights of Tibetans living in Nepal and of refugees fleeing across the mountains from Tibet, with a spokesman from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refguees (UNHCR) in Geneva calling on all States to adhere to the globally recognized principle of non-refoulement that prohibits countries from expelling or returning people to a territory where their life of freedom would be threatened. The U.S. Congresss Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission meanwhile said in a Nov. 20, 2019, letter to Nepals ambassador to the United States that extradition, while a legitimate tool of international law enforcement, should not be used to send people to a country where they would be at risk of serious human rights abuses. Recognizing the [Peoples Republic of Chinas] long standing repression of Tibetans within its borders, we feat that an extradition treaty would be used by that government to persecute Tibetans living in Nepal, the Lantos Commission said. The United States views the safety and human rights of Tibetan refugees in Nepal as an issue of great importance, added the U.S. State Department in response to an RFA request for comment. Mounting pressure from China Meanwhile, under mounting pressure from China, Nepal has blocked U.S. moves to bring Tibetan refugees to the United States under the terms of the Tibetan Refugee Assistance Act introduced by Congress in 2006, ICT vice-president Bhuchung Tsering said, speaking to RFA. In order for Tibetan refugees living in Nepal to qualify to leave for the USA, they need an authorization letter and exit permit from the Nepalese government, and these have been denied to them, Tsering said. Nepal cites its growing economic ties with Beijing, with promises of millions of dollars of Chinese investment in Nepalese development projects, in cracking down on Tibetan activities in the country, including elections in the refugee community and birthday celebrations for exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. Xi Jinpings Oct. 12-13 visit was the first to Nepal by a Chinese president since 1996, and followed a day-long visit by the Chinese leader to India that saw at least 15 members of a Tibetan exile organization detained for planning protests. Reported by Tenzin Dickyi, Tashi Wangchuk, and Kalden Lodoe for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Written in English by Richard Finney. This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. Slovakias Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak is strongly expected to be named the next personal envoy of the UN Secretary General for the Sahara, replacing German Horst Kohler, who resigned from his post last May. The nomination of the Slovak official should be confirmed in the coming weeks, unless one of the parties to the conflict objects, said on Wednesday French news agency AFP, citing diplomatic sources. The UN Sahara envoy is named after consultation and consent of all parties to the Sahara conflict: Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and Polisario. If confirmed in this position, the Slovak minister, who has already presided over the UN General Assembly from September 2017 to September 2018, will have the difficult task of relaunching the talks between the parties to the conflict, which have not so far yielded any consensual solution. The post of UN special envoy for the Sahara has remained vacant since May 2019 following the resignation of former German President Horst Kohler due to health reasons. The German mediator had managed to bring together in Geneva, in December 2018 and March 2019, the four parties to the Sahara conflict. All former UN envoys for the Sahara have failed to reach a final and consensual resolution to this territorial dispute which has been lasting for more than four decades, due in particular to the stubborn and intransigent stand of the Polisario, supported by the Algerian government. The separatists continue to cling to the outdated option of self-determination referendum, which has long been excluded from the UN discussions because it is impracticable due to the tribal nature of the Sahrawi populations. While the Sahrawi separatist front has not changed its position, Morocco has made numerous concessions, including the broad autonomy plan offered in 2007 for Western Sahara under its sovereignty. The plan has been welcomed as serious and credible by the UN and its Security Council, but the Polisario Front continues to reject it, in compliance with the orders of the Algerian rulers who are trying to impose their hegemony on the North African region, an elusive dream they have been pursuing since the Cold War era. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 31 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkey exported steel and cement worth $104.3 million to Turkmenistan in 2019, a source in the Turkish Ministry of Trade told Trend. "Export of steel from Turkey to Turkmenistan increased by 84 percent in 2019 compared to 2018 and amounted to $92.1 million," the ministry said. "Export of cement from Turkey to Turkmenistan increased by 49.1 percent in 2019 compared to 2018 and reached $12.2 million," the ministry said. Export of the Turkish steel to Turkmenistan increased by 70.9 percent in December 2019 compared to December 2018 and reached $4.9 million. "Export of cement from Turkey to Turkmenistan increased by 3.9 times in December 2019 compared to December 2018 and amounted to $1.6 million," the ministry said. Export of steel from Turkey decreased by 10.6 percent in 2019 compared to 2018 and reached $13.8 billion. Export of cement from Turkey increased by 17.8 percent in 2019 compared to 2018 and reached $3.5 billion. ---- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu BJP MLA Anita Bhadel on Friday demanded that the government take action against a senior lawyer for posting "derogatory" comments on social media against women IAS officers posted in Ajmer. Bhadel raised the issue in the Assembly during the Zero Hour, claiming that the lawyer wrote an "obscene" and "objectionable" post against the women IAS officers a few days back. The MLA alleged that the lawyer wrote on social media that there was an obscene video clip of a woman IAS officer. Following this, all four woman IAS officers posted in Ajmer lodged separate cases against him. The legislator added that the accused has not been arrested. "Police did not take timely action and in the meanwhile, the accused got a stay from the court. The government should take legal action through court to get him arrested," the MLA said. Earlier this month, the lawyer, Rajesh Tondon, claimed on a WhatsApp group that there was an obscene video clip of a woman IAS officer. He, however, did not name anyone. After the post went viral, all the women IAS officers stationed in Ajmer lodged complaints against him. Bhadel alleged that it was done to exert pressure on the woman officers and blackmail them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Boris Johnson has called off plans for a spring visit to the United States to see Donald Trump amid ongoing transatlantic tensions that threatens to overshadow trade talks, it was reported today. The Prime Minister is said to have originally planned to visit Washington last month following his election victory, before moving the trip to February. But now the plans for a visit are said to have been shelved and the two men will not meet face-to-face until a G7 summit at Camp David in Maryland in June. Washington and London are at loggerheads over issues including Mr Johnson's decision to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei to have a role in the UK's 5G phone network. They have also clashed over Washington's refusal to extradite Anne Sacoolas, the alleged CIA agent accused of killing British teenager Harry Dunn in a Northamptonshire road accident. Although the cancellation was not intended as a snub to the US president, it may be seen that way in Washington ahead of trade deal talks both sides want to complete as soon as possibly. The Prime Minister (today in Downing Street) is said to have originally planned to visit Washington last month following his election victory, before moving the trip to February But now the plans for a visit are said to have been shelved and the two men will not meet face-to-face until a G7 summit at Camp David in Maryland in June No 10 insists that Mr Johnson cancelled the trip to concentrate on domestic politics and his new team of ministers. A source referenced the all-seeing villain in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, telling the Sun: 'When the Eye of Sauron is off the Whitehall machine, things stop working. 'That is why he has stripped down all his foreign travel this year to get his agenda done.' Downing Street said this afternoon that Mr Johnson is 'currently focused on the UK domestic agenda and... levelling up for the British people'. Last week it was claimed Mr Johnson endured a phone call with an 'apoplectic' Donald Trump following the decision to approve a deal with Huawei. The Prime Minister spoke to the US President last week soon after he announced that the Chinese manufacturer would be allowed to work on the UK's next-generation 5G mobile phone network despite strong opposition from the US. A source briefed on the phone call told the Financial Times that Mr Trump was 'apoplectic' with Mr Johnson. A second official confirmed the call between the pair was 'very difficult'. Last night US prosecutors accused Huawei of stealing trade secrets and helping Iran track protesters in its latest indictment against the Chinese company, escalating Washington's battle with the world's largest telecommunications equipment maker. In the indictment, Huawei Technologies Co was charged with conspiring to steal trade secrets from six US technology companies and to violate a racketeering law typically used to combat organized crime. It also contains new allegations about the company's involvement in countries subject to sanctions. 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 United States has been waging a campaign against Huawei, which it has warned could spy on customers for Beijing. Washington placed the company on a trade blacklist last year, citing national security concerns. Harry Dunn, 19, was killed when his motorbike crashed into a car outside a US military base in the UK in August last year Boris Johnson again stood up to Washington on Wednesday by claiming the UK's extradition arrangements with the US are 'imbalanced' and suggesting they need to be reviewed. But the Prime Minister insisted his treaty concerns had nothing to do with a growing Transatlantic clash over UK demands for the extradition of Harry Dunn's alleged killer, Anne Sacoolas. It came as the slain Briton's family accused the Foreign Office (FCO) of being 'engaged in a cover-up' over the teenage motorcyclist's death. The FCO has said it has 'no plans' to launch a public inquiry despite reports that Ms Sacoolas had worked as a spy for the CIA. Nineteen-year-old Mr Dunn was killed when his motorbike crashed into a car outside a US military base in Northamptonshire on August 27 last year. Ms Sacoolas, 42, the wife of a US intelligence official based at RAF Croughton, was granted diplomatic immunity following the crash and was able to return to her home country, sparking an international controversy. She was charged with causing Mr Dunn's death by dangerous driving in December. But US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rejected an extradition request from the UK for her last month. Beijing [China], Feb 14 (ANI): The death toll from the novel coronavirus outbreak in mainland China has risen to 1380, while the number of confirmed cases has reached 63,851, country's National Health Commission said on Friday. Of the 5,090 new cases reported through Thursday, 4,823 cases were from Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak, the Health Commission said, as reported by South China Morning Post. The new strain of coronavirus originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan and has since then spread to several countries across the world, including India. Meanwhile, a senior White House official said on Thursday that the United States feels let down by a lack of transparency from China over the crisis, contradicting President Donald Trump's confidence in Beijing in tackling the outbreak. "We are a little disappointed that we haven't been invited in and we're a little disappointed in the lack of transparency coming from the Chinese," Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, told reporters. (ANI) Alan Patricof, tech investor and major Democratic donor, told CNBC on Friday he's staying with Joe Biden but said the former vice president must "show his stuff" in the next two nominating contests to reinvigorate his run for the presidency. "It's critical" that Biden wins South Carolina and "he's got to produce in Nevada," said Patricof, founder and managing director of the Greycrof venture capital firm. "He's said it. Donors feel it. Everybody is sticking with Joe until they see what happens there." Nevada holds caucuses on Feb. 22, followed by South Carolina's primary on Feb. 29, just days before Super Tuesday on March 3, when a third of the delegates are up for grabs in 16 nominating primaries and caucuses. A day after two major Biden fundraisers in New York, Patricof said on "Squawk Box" that attendance at the events indicated support remains strong. The rooms "were packed," said Patricof. Biden rallied more than 250 Wall Street and big money donors Thursday, in hopes of keeping support after stumbles in Iowa and New Hampshire. "It could have felt like a friendly funeral but it didn't," another donor told CNBC in a brief interview as she exited one of the fundraisers. TWEET 1 Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg came out on top in Iowa and New Hampshire, with Biden finishing in fourth and fifth, respectively, in those contests. Biden is polling as the front-runner in Nevada and South Carolina. At the second donor event, Biden emphasized that Iowa and New Hampshire are largely white states, and said the majority of black voters "has not spoken." "I have overwhelming support in the African American community because they know me," Biden said. I've been engaged my whole life, from the time I've been a kid in the civil rights movement straight through to being Barack's vice president. And so I'm looking forward to getting down to South Carolina which we will win. And we will win, I think, handily. And into Super Tuesday." Biden raised almost $800,000 at the two events. The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed that seven persons were killed and five others injured in Maro village, a border community between Kajuru and Kachia Local Government Area of the state. The Kaduna police spokesperson, Mohammed Jalige, gave the confirmation in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna. Mr Jalige said the attack occurred on Wednesday at about 7:15 p.m. He said the attack was carried out by gunmen in military uniform. The armed men entered the village market in a vehicle and started shooting sporadically and in the process shot some people. On receipt of the information, DPO Kajuru and Kachia immediately mobilised patrol teams to the area to restore normalcy, but unfortunately seven persons were found dead and five were injured. According to him, both the dead and injured victims were evacuated by the police to Kachia general hospital. The dead bodies have been deposited in the mortuary while the injured ones are currently receiving treatment at the same hospital. Mr Jalige said normalcy had since been restored in the area while investigation and manhunt of the fleeing bandits was ongoing. He assured that perpetrators of the barbaric act would be caught and made to face justice. He added that the command was deeply saddened by the incident and had already beefed up security in the area to ensure no further break down of law and order. The command calls on the general public to promptly report any suspicious activities or persons to the nearest security agencies with a view to proactively prevent re-occurrence of such dastardly acts against law abiding citizens of the state, he said. Wednesdays killing is the latest in Kaduna and follows a similar pattern where armed men in military uniform attack communities. 104-year-old veteran has received over 300,000 Valentine's Day cards originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com A 104-year-old retired WWII U.S. Marine Corps veteran who put out a call asking to receive Valentine's Day cards never expected such an overwhelming global response. Maj. Bill White, a resident at an assisted living facility in Stockton, California, has received over 300,000 cards and gifts from all over the world. "The gifts include handmade quilts, blankets, artwork, cups, mugs, military memorabilia, challenge coins, hats, T-shirts, candy, scrapbook items, custom-made walker with military colors," Diane Wright, executive director of The Oaks at Inglewood where White resides, told ABC News. "The list goes on and on. And mail is still coming." PHOTO: Major Bill White reads through Valentine's Day cards with his great granddaughters Abigail Sawyer, nine-years-old, and Nicole Sawyer, seven-years-old, at an assisted living facility in Stockton, Calif., Jan. 31, 2020. (Kate Munsch/Reuters) At the outset, the goal was a modest 100 cards-about one for every one of White's birthdays-but the response has outstripped all expectations.'It's just too fantastic,' said White, Jan. 31, 2020. (Kate Munsch/Reuters) In January, White launched "Operation Valentine" asking to receive Valentine's Day cards from strangers around the world. MORE: Watch this 91-year-old woman groove to Elvis Presley's 'Jailhouse Rock' White said he hopes to save all the cards he receives so they can be a part of his history. White spent 30 years of active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. He received a Purple Heart on Mar. 3, 1946, for surviving the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945 when he was stationed in Japan. After returning to the U.S. and starting a family, White worked as a police officer. Throughout his entire life, one of his favorite hobbies has been scrapbooking. Every year, White organized his memories and milestones into binders. "This started way back," White said. "My mother, parents taught me to conserve and observe memories as much as possible." MORE: This WWII veteran asked for 100 cards for his 100th birthday -- now, he wants 1,000 Enter the Valentine's Day cards to add his 2020 scrapbook. Wright said that they never thought White's call out for cards was "going to go viral." One card reads, "Dear Major Bill White ... Thank you for your service to our country we are proud of your accomplishments and love of country. You are amazing and an inspiration to our Marine who is currently serving." Story continues MORE: This DIY chocolate bouquet is the perfect Valentine's Day gift for your sweetie PHOTO: White displays Valentine's Day gifts in his home at the assisted living center in Stockton, Calif., Jan. 31, 2020. For those sending Valentines, White represents something bigger than himself. (Kate Munsch/Reuters) PHOTO: Nicole Sawyer, 7-year-old great granddaughter of Major Bill White, reads Valentine's Day cards sent to White in Stockton, Calif., Jan. 31, 2020. (Kate Munsch/Reuters) PHOTO: Thousands of Valentine's Day cards hang in the community dining room, Jan. 31, 2020, at White's assisted living facility. (Kate Munsch/Reuters) Besides scrapbooking, White enjoys walking around the community, and playing bingo and cards to keep busy, Wright said. He still wears his Marine uniform that he has had for about 66 years, and he's often visited at the facility by friends from the Marines. White might be retired, but said he will always be a tough Marine: "They could call me back if they needed me for something." PHOTO:The cards and notes to 'Major Bill,' a retired major who lives in an assisted living facility in Stockton, Calif., began pouring in after the launch of a social media campaign called called 'Operation Valentine.' (Kate Munsch/Reuters) PHOTO: This 104-year-old veteran is receiving Valentine's Day cards from all over the country (Courtesy The Oaks at Inglewood Assisted Living) If you are looking to add to "Operation Valentine" and be a part of Whites history, you can mail valentines to: Operation Valentine ATTN: Hold for Maj. Bill White, USMC (Ret.) The Oaks at Inglewood 6725 Inglewood Ave. Stockton, CA 95207 Editor's Note: This story was originally posted on January 24, 2020. Patients in Ireland at risk of spreading coronavirus and who refuse to be put in isolation could be subjected to compulsory detention. Similar enforcement powers are already in place for infectious diseases such as TB, and moves to extend them to the new virus are being explored by the Department of Health. It would mean a patient who has the virus would be compelled to remain in isolation until they are deemed to no longer present a risk of infecting others with the virus. Dr Kevin Kelleher, the assistant director of child and public health, said yesterday that detention legislation was already available but the new coronavirus was expected to be added to list of diseases that it addressed. The move marks a turnaround for the Department of Health, which earlier this week insisted: "The Department is not currently planning additional measures related to quarantine or enforced isolation." However, in a clarification issued last night it confirmed it now planned to add the new coronavirus to "the list of infectious diseases such as smallpox, which allows a doctor to detain a probable case of infection in the highly unlikely event that a person refuses to comply with infection prevention and control protocols. "This was also done for the Sars epidemic in 2002. It is not envisaged that such powers would in fact be used." Dr Kelleher said that before resorting to compulsory detention, authorities here would make every effort to persuade the patient to voluntarily agree to isolation. There appears to have been good co-operation abroad in countries where coronavirus cases have already been diagnosed. More than 65 people in Ireland have been tested for coronavirus and all proved negative. Public health doctors and hospitals are erring on the side of caution and adopting a low threshold when deciding who to test. The regular winter flu remains in circulation here and continues to present a risk, claiming 85 lives so far this season. Meanwhile, China reported a large spike in coronavirus cases yesterday but the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the numbers were due to inclusion of people suspected of having the virus for the first time, alongside positive tests. China's Hubei province, which is worst hit, found there were 15,000 more cases than previously noted. The number escalated from 45,000 to 60,000 in the world in a single day. In London, a woman diagnosed with coronavirus 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 hospital's 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 the NHS, which will send out a specialist team if need be. Two staff from Lewisham hospital are now in isolation at home after coming into contact with the infected woman, who is believed to be a Chinese national. The Greenwich NHS Trust said: "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 advice." Robert Kubica admits he will have a very busy year in 2020. On Thursday, it was announced that with the Pole's sponsor PKN Orlen, he will combine his Alfa Romeo reserve driver role with a full race seat in the German touring car series DTM. Kubica, 35, will race a BMW car run privately by ART Grand Prix, a well-known single seater racing team. "Last year didn't go as we planned," said the former Williams driver, "but we are staying in Formula 1 and we are still going racing as well." However, he told Przeglad Sportowy that 2020 will not easy. "I am aware that a difficult task awaits us to combine the DTM and F1 series - it will be a big challenge logistically," he said. "It's 10 weekends in DTM plus 18 weekends for me in F1, and also tests, simulator days, with Alfa Romeo, with Orlen, preparing for DTM, marketing days, days meeting with you (the media)," Kubica explained. "It's a lot and I will be a stranger to my home, but my passion and the opportunity to race at the highest level gives me energy." Orlen, a major Polish oil company, will not only sponsor Kubica's DTM seat with a red and white livery, it is also the title sponsor at Alfa Romeo in F1. "From the business and the sporting side, a difficult task awaits us but I think we can handle it," said Kubica. "I hope that I will come away from the races in a better mood than I was in last year," he smiled. (GMM) Pentagon Report: Death of Al-Baghdadi Had Little Impact on ISIS Capabilities ISIS likely implemented succession plan upon his death The death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has had little impact on the terror group ISISs operations in Iraq and Syria, according to a report from Defense Department Inspector General Glenn Fine published on Feb. 4. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) assessed that the death of the terror groups leader in northern Syria in October last year did not disrupt the groups command structure or operations and did not result in any immediate degradation to ISISs capabilities. According to USCENTCOM, following the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the groups capabilities in Syria remained the same. USCENTCOM said that ISIS had likely implemented an existing succession plan upon Baghdadis death, and continued to operate without interruption. President Donald Trump announced in late October that the ISIS leader had been killed after U.S. special forces launched a nighttime raid on an ISIS-held compound, telling reporters that his demise demonstrates Americas relentless pursuit of terrorist leaders and our commitment to the enduring and total defeat of ISIS and other terrorist organizations. However, less than a week after the attack on Oct. 31, the terror group announced a new leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Qurayshi. Read More ISIS Confirms Death of al-Baghdadi, Names New Successor According to the report (pdf), Combined Joint Task ForceOperation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) told the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) in December that despite al Baghdadis death, ISIS in Iraq continued low-level attacks, mainly in Diyala and Kirkuk provinces, and did not appear either to grow stronger, or to lose its freedom of movement or ability to hide and transport fighters and supplies in Iraqs desert and mountainous terrain. CJTF-OIR said that ISIS in Iraq retains enough manpower and planning capabilities to conduct regular small-scale attacks against the ISF [Iraqi Security Forces], the PMF [Popular Mobilization Forces], or local civilians, and occasionally infiltrates urban centers, but has not tried to hold territory, according to the report. The CJTF-OIR said that the number of ISIS-claimed attacks in Iraq had decreased by roughly half during the first two months of the quarter compared to the first two months of the previous quarter, dropping to 67 from 138, and most were opportunistic attacks. But the DIA noted that the low number might not reflect all ISIS attacks because the Iraqi government shut down internet access during the quarter, which drastically affected the groups ability to publicize attacks. CJTF-OIR reported that while ISIS in Iraq retained some support due to ideology or tribal ties, the vast majority of Iraqis, including those in Sunni areas, remain hostile to it, which has limited its ability to recruit new members. The report noted that despite ISISs lack of popularity, the terror organisation has maintained a robust propaganda operation, mainly online through Twitter, Facebook, and Telegram, an encrypted messaging application, which USCENTCOM said would make the group resilient and that a long-term triumph is inevitable. Turkeys Invasion of Syria Elsewhere in the report, the DIA said that ISIS took advantage of Turkeys October 2019 invasion of northern Syria, and probably increased its attacks in northeast Syria by at least 20 percent, judging by the groups online claims. The DIA stated, This suggests ISIS continues to view the security environment in northeast Syria as more conducive to its operations. However, CJTF-OIR expressed a different viewpoint, saying that the ISIS-claimed attacks were most likely propaganda, and that it was the CJTF-OIRs determination that the Turkish incursion did not result in any significant ISIS resurgence is based on known facts. Initially, President Donald Trump ordered a full withdrawal of the 1,000 U.S. troops in Syria helping Kurdish forces fight against ISIS. But as the situation progressed, roughly 500 U.S. troops were ordered to remain in Syria as part of that mission. Focus on ISIS Interrupted By Escalations With Iran An increase in threats to U.S. troops following the death of top Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani, on Jan. 3. in Baghdads international Green Zone saw the U.S military announce a brief pause in operations against ISIS in Iraq. However, despite the shift in focus from ISIS to force protection, the Fine said in the report that it was unclear the extent to which the pause would either allow ISIS to regroup and resurge in Iraq or disrupt operations against ISIS conducted by Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), who continued with countermeasures against the group. Fine also said that while Iranian-aligned militias and some demonstrators continue calls for U.S. troops to leave, the Iraqi government resumed counter-ISIS operations together with U.S. troops two weeks lateralthough the ongoing debate surrounding the continued presence of U.S. troops has not been resolved. Read More Rockets Hit Iraq Base Hosting US Troops: Reports The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said that in its view, an absence of U.S. military in Iraq would likely lead to a resurgence of ISIS in the region. The U.S. Government has stated it has no intention of pulling troops out of Iraq, Fine said. The average taxpayer would see a roughly $106 income tax cut under a $250 million Republican proposal on how to spend unanticipated state tax revenue. Assembly Republicans on Friday unveiled the plan for the roughly $452 million in extra revenue. The plan also includes a nearly $45 million cut to personal property taxes paid by businesses and another $100 million would go toward paying down state debt. The plan does not call for any additional spending on education, which Democratic Gov. Tony Evers called for last week. Smart budgeting over the past 10 years is paying big dividends for our Wisconsin taxpayers, Rep. Joan Ballweg, R-Markesan, said, adding GOP lawmakers are hopeful Evers, who has veto authority over such legislation, approves the proposal. Ballweg said Republicans had not discussed the proposal with Evers before unveiling it. About 64% of income tax filers about 2 million people would be eligible for the tax cut, which would be reflected in a standard deduction increase. Single filers would see an average tax cut of $106. The average tax cut for married couples would be $145 while the average cut for all other filers would be about $81. Individuals earning more than about $120,000 and married couples earning more than about $144,000 would not be eligible for the tax cut. The income tax cut would cost nearly $250 million in 2020-21 and a little over $224 million in 2021-22, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, who said earlier this year he would prefer to see a property tax cut, in a statement signaled likely support for the income tax cut proposal among Senate Republicans. I fully support the direction were headed with this plan, Fitzgerald said. The Senate and Assembly are expected to take up the proposal next week when the Assembly is planning to meet for the final time before the end of this years session. In a statement, Evers spokeswoman Britt Cudaback criticized the Republicans decision to reject Evers request to spend surplus dollars on education funding paired with a tax cut. The statement does not address whether Evers would approve the proposed tax cut, should it reach his desk. Unfortunately, Assembly Republicans made it clear today that they would rather break their promise to the people of our state than work together on funding our schools and reducing property taxes in Wisconsin, Cudaback said in a statement, referring to statements Republicans have made about wanting the state to fund two-thirds of the cost of public schools. The latest budget falls just short of that mark with the state covering 65.5% of the cost of next school year. Fridays announcement comes one week after Evers called on legislators to invest about $250 million of the states extra tax revenue to increase education funding and lower property taxes. Republican leaders in the Assembly and Senate almost immediately signaled rejection of Evers proposal to commit to two-thirds funding in statewide K-12 and spending on school-based mental health and special education aid. The spending also would have included $130 million aimed at lowering property taxes through the equalization aid formula the states formula for funding public schools based on property values and number of students. Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz, D-Oshkosh, in a statement also criticized what he called a last-minute, hastily thrown together proposal by Republicans that fails to address education and mental health needs. Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, said she was disappointed in the proposal by Republicans. Evers had proposed a $1.4 billion increase in education spending during last years budget session. Republicans reduced that to an increase of about $505 million over two years. Evers used his veto pen to increase the amount by about $65 million. In addition to tax credits proposed by Republicans Friday, GOP-led legislation working through the Legislature would institute a three-year, $27 million annual tax credit for farmers. Farmers would be able to apply the tax credit to up to 66% of property taxes on buildings exclusively used for farming. The credit would be capped at $7,500, and claimants would have to make at least $35,000 in annual farm income to be eligible for the credit. Farmers already pay virtually nothing in income taxes because of an agriculture and manufacturing tax credit Republicans created in 2011. Revenue projections by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau report the state is expected to close out the biennium with a general fund balance of about $620 million. The state has run a deficit with each of its budgets for at least the past 30 years under generally accepted accounting principles. By law the state budget must be balanced, and the state has achieved that for decades by using a different accounting system. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Ohios over-the-top secrecy on the China coronavirus, along with how Ohio might deal with an epidemic, make for a lively discussion on the latest episode of This Week in the CLE, the podcast breakdown of the weeks news by the reporters and editors at cleveland.com. Listen to the episode here. Cohost Laura Johnston and I are joined for the virus discussion by reporter Mary Kilpatrick, Statehouse editor Jane Kahoun and criminal justice editor Kris Wernowsky. Jane details Ohios refusal to provide details on testing for the scary virus and why public relations experts think the secrecy is a mistake. Mary talks about the emerging details of the virus and how it differs from more familiar illnesses like the flu. Kris talks about how Ohios approach to an epidemic would differ from the lockdown quarantine under way in China. Jane sticks around to talk about why our latest story on Jim Jordan and the Ohio State University sex abuse scandal went viral, catching huge attention on Reddit, Twitter and other social media channels. She also talks about why the FBI wants a new Cleveland headquarters only 18 years after moving into a new building downtown, how a dark money campaign might help Gov. Mike DeWine get his gun law proposals through the Legislature, the rejection of Browns fandom as a condition qualifying for medical marijuana and the possible reasons January was a record month for gambling in Ohio. Cuyahoga County reporter Courtney Astolfi explains how the County Council came to the rescue of low-paid county workers whose paychecks were being docked in 2020 because of mistakes by the administration of Armond Budish. She also details the countys $14 million incentive to keep Sherwin Williams in town. Chief politics writer Seth Richardson goes deep on handicapping the remaining Democratic candidates for president as the March primary approaches in Ohio, offering advice to voters on what to watch for in the next month as they decide which candidate to support. Reporter Hannah Drown explains how she and videographer John Pana picked the five most romantic restaurants in Cleveland for a video John put together for Valentines Day and beyond. Laura and I talk about how Lake Erie continues to set records for high water and Lauras look back at Jane Fondas bogus arrest in Cleveland 50 years ago, as Fonda makes plans to return to the region for the 50th anniversary of the killings of Kent State students. You can get our podcasts delivered directly to your phone, and we have an Apple podcasts channel exclusively for this podcast. Subscribe here. Do you get your podcasts on Spotify. Find us here. If you use Stitcher, we are here. RadioPublic is another popular podcast vehicle, and we are here. On Google Podcasts, we are here. On PodParadise, find us here. And on PlayerFM, we are here. We also have a weekly bonus episode, usually less than 10 minutes, where we ask the lingering questions that remain of the weeks top news. The bonus episode publishes on Saturdays. The state of our union is dire. Hatred and vitriol have consumed the seats of power in this nations capital. They have consumed our political discourse; they have crept into our everyday lives. Americans must set a different course if our Democracy is to survive. As we barrel toward November and both parties begin selecting candidates in primaries and caucuses, we urge Americans to vote for candidates who are intellectually honest, support compromise, favor the rule of law and are generally civil. Americans can choose to vote for unity over partisanship. Were not asking for Democrats to give up on their progressive goals or for Republicans to abandon their conservative roots. Were not saying all moderate policies are good or that political protests dont have merit and value. Were saying America is in crisis and extreme levels of individual humility and sacrifice are necessary to stop this downward spiral. Voters are fairly evenly divided about 45% support Trumps actions in office and about 52% disapprove (according to Real Clear Politics average of 13 Trump approval polls since Jan. 1). In such a climate, compromise is necessary, regardless of how evil we have convinced ourselves the opposing political party is. Consider the ramifications of believing that half of all Americans are racists who want to separate children from their parents at the border and lock them in cages while their asylum cases sit in a backlog of bureaucratic failure. Consider the ramifications of believing half of the people in this nation are communists who want to tear down all private enterprise and replace it with government-run excess and corruption. We do not believe either of those things about our neighbors, and we hope you will join us in refusing to believe those things of your neighbors, too. While we think Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colorado, engaged in a wholly specious argument to justify his vote against impeachment, he was right to bemoan the state of politics in Washington that brought the Senate to the vote in the first place. Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat who supported the articles of impeachment, also talked about the dire state of things. We should take cues from their words. These are not naive, overly optimistic men. There is still hope for America. During the primaries and caucuses, please cast your ballots for politicians who have a record of standing up to their own political parties, a record of standing up to special interests, a record of compromise, a record of human decency and kindness and a record of integrity. Even if you support his policies, please join us in the realization that another four years of Trumps temperament and division will be disastrous. Even if you are ready to burn the house down, please remember that whiplash in the other direction the continuation of revenge politics only orchestrated by Democrats for the next four years will cement the fate of a nation that is gasping for air. The Denver Post The Russian leader also expressed readiness to continue the efforts aimed at the release and exchange of conflict-related detainees Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded that his Ukrainian colleague Volodymyr Zelensky "really implement the Minsk agreements." The Kremlin website reports this information. According to the report, today's conversation between Zelensky and Putin took place at the initiative of the Ukrainian side. "In connection with the well-known statements of representatives of the Ukrainian leadership, Vladimir Putin directly raised the question whether Kyiv intends to really implement the Minsk agreements," it said. Putin reportedly emphasized the importance of "the full and unconditional implementation of the Minsk" set of measures "and the decisions adopted at the summits in the Normandy format, including in Paris on December 9, 2019." Putin also expressed readiness to continue efforts aimed at the release and exchange of conflict-related detainees. As we reported before, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin discussed the process of exchange of persons detained in separate areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Crimea and the Russian Federation during the telephone conversation. In the course of the conversation, the presidents discussed the implementation of the agreements reached during the Normandy Summit, which was held on December 9, 2019, in Paris, as well as the preparation for the next meeting of the Normandy Four leaders. CHICAGO, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mom Project, the leading career destination connecting moms with world-class companies, has announced the addition of Serena Williams as a strategic advisor to the company. Williams joins the rapidly growing platform at a critical growth juncture: The Mom Project now serves a thriving community of 200,000+ professionals, while connecting them to over $50M in economic opportunity since its inception in 2016. Serena will work with the tech startup to drive toward a future where women don't have to choose between their families and successful careers. As a first order of business, Williams has an urgent appeal for company leaders; "I'm calling on CEOs, Heads of People and Business Leaders big and small. It doesn't matter whether you're a team of 1 or 100,000; if you're hiring, are you considering hiring moms? Together, we can influence how work gets done and build a better workplace for the future." Already answering the call today through partnerships with The Mom Project to hire and retain more women are world-class organizations across a range of sectors including: Facebook, Nike, Invesco, Etsy, JLL, Gap, Delta, Uber, Twitter, Apple and Georgia Pacific, among many others. More commitment is needed at the company and policy level to drive positive change for working parents and caregivers in the workplace. The economic potential in solving this problem is immense; The United States could add up to $4.3 trillion in annual GDP in 2025 if women attain full gender equality, according to a recent McKinsey & Company report. The Mom Project's continued momentum with Serena's involvement coupled with escalating commitment from companies across the United States will fundamentally impact the future of work. "It is a dream to welcome Serena to our team; she is truly the embodiment of The Mom Project's mission and what we aspire to. Serena is a role model to so many moms, reminding us that when we recognize our own strength -- we are unstoppable. By joining forces, we will be able to accelerate change for moms in America and champion the support needed in the workplace and through public policy to ensure they can thrive," said Allison Robinson, CEO and Founder of The Mom Project. By the Numbers: According to the Center for American Progress, 41 percent of mothers were the sole or primary breadwinners for their families, earning at least half of their total household income. This includes single working mothers and married mothers who out-earn their husbands. Despite increased family financial responsibility and significant educational gains, 43 percent of women still choose to leave the workforce after becoming mothers with most of the gap in female workforce participation attributable to motherhood and time away from the paid workforce for caregiving reasons. The economic potential in solving this problem is immense; The United States could add up to $4.3 trillion in annual GDP in 2025 if women attain full gender equality, according to a recent McKinsey & Company report. ABOUT THE MOM PROJECT The Mom Project is the leading career destination for moms. With a community of over 200,000 talented professionals and more than 2,000 companies, The Mom Project is committed to building a better workplace for mothers and the businesses they support by harnessing the often overlooked intellectual workplace power of moms. The Chicago-based company was founded in 2016 by Allison Robinson, who serves as CEO, and has raised $11M in funding to date, including a Series A of $8M led by Grotech Ventures, Initialized Capital and Aspect Ventures, along with previous backers, Atlanta Seed Company, Engage Ventures, OCA Ventures, BBG Ventures, IrishAngels and Wintrust Financial. In 2019, to further demonstrate the significant business impact of a more inclusive workforce, the company launched MP Labs, its research and insights division that works with companies to build a better workplace from within. For more information, visit www.themomproject.com. SOURCE The Mom Project Related Links http://www.themomproject.com Emmanuel Macron's candidate for Paris mayor, Benjamin Griveaux, withdrew from the race over a leaked sex video Friday, in a blow for the French president's party ahead of March local elections. Griveaux, 41, said he opted for retreat to protect his family after a website published the video with messages addressed to a woman, which was said to have come from the former government spokesman. It then spread on social media. "A website and social networks have launched vile attacks concerning my private life. My family does not deserve this. No one should ever be subjected to such abuse," Griveaux said at AFP headquarters in Paris. "For more than a year, my family and I have been subjected to defamatory remarks, lies, rumours, anonymous attacks, the revelation of stolen private conversations and death threats," he said. "As if this was not enough, yesterday a new level was reached," said Griveaux, adding he was not willing to expose his family any further. "This is going too far." The ambitious Griveaux helped found the Republic on the Move (LREM) party, but recent polls showed him trailing in third place in Paris, which Macron won comfortably in the 2017 presidential election. Macron tapped Griveaux to be the LREM's Paris mayoral candidate, causing a rift in the party that led to the president asking rival Cedric Villani to step aside. Villani refused, triggering his exclusion from the ruling party. Wresting control of the capital would be a huge prize for Macron as he seeks to consolidate his base ahead of an expected re-election bid in 2022. It would also help offset heavy losses he is expected to face in rural areas, where his policies have met fierce resistance and fired up the "yellow vest" protest movement. One of Macron's closest political allies, Griveaux resigned as a junior minister and government spokesman in March last year to run for mayor. On Wednesday evening, a website published a video with messages addressed to a woman which was said to have come from the former government spokesman PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-14 16:57:02 Theme: Farmland Consolidation Technology Country: Vietnam Japans Friendship Ties Programs JENESYS 2019 ASEAN Inbound Program 25th Batch Inquiries about the program JENESYS 2019 ASEAN + Timor-Leste Project Implementing Agency JTB Kasumigaseki Operations Department Contact personnel: Takashi Komatsu (Mr.), Junji Mise (Mr.), Yutaka Shintani (Mr.) TEL: +81 3-6737-9447 Weekdays: 9:00-18:00 (Closed on weekends and holidays) Email: jenesys2019asean@jtb.com Fifteen young officials from Vietnam are scheduled to visit Japan from February 17th to 23th as part of the Japans Friendship Ties Programs, JENESYS 2019 promoted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA). This delegation consists of officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) as well as Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD). The delegation will visit Tokyo, Saitama, Ibaraki and Chiba to experience international exchange under the theme of Farmland Consolidation Technology. They will have a lecture on the theme by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery as well. They will visit the Kanto Regional Agricultural Administration Office (KRAAO) in Saitama. In Ibaraki, they will visit site under the jurisdiction of the KRAAO, and Sasamoto-Arai area in Chiba to learn sustainable environment and resource management. They also visit the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization and observe its technology which makes agriculture a competitive industry. Through the program, we hope that friendly relationship between Japan and Vietnam will be strengthened, and the participants will deepen their understanding of Japan and contribute to cooperative relationship between two countries. [For reference] Japan's Friendship Ties Programs JENESYS 2019 People with the ability and future mission to deliver messages between Japan and the countries and regions of Asia and Oceania are invited and dispatched in order to promote an understanding of Japan with regard to politics, economics, society, culture, history, foreign policy, and the like, and pro-Japanese people and experts on Japan are discovered in order to strengthen Japans message to other countries and expand Japans diplomatic foundation by having the guests and dispatches take the initiative to spread information about the diplomatic stance, appeals, and other facets of Japan. Monday, February 17th [Arrival] Tuesday, February 18th [Orientation] [Courtesy call and Lecture] Kanto Regional Agricultural Administration Office Wednesday, February 19th [Observation] Site visit under the jurisdiction of the Kanto Regional Agricultural Administration Office [Observation] Site visit at Sasamoto-Arai area Thursday, February 20th [Observation] Tsukuba Agriculture Research Hall [Lecture/Observation] Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Friday, February 21st [Courtesy call] Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries [Lecture] Overview of farmland consolidation [Lecture] Overview of farmland substitution Saturday, February 22nd [Visit] Imperial Palace, Double Bridge [Workshop] [Reporting Session] Sunday, February 23rd [Departure] View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005 Dublin, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global SVOD Platform Forecasts" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This 45-page PDF and excel report contain extensive coverage of the main global SVOD platforms. The report comprises two parts: 34-page PDF containing profiles of the global SVOD players, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Peacock and ViacomCBS. Excel workbook for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max; providing subscriber and revenue forecasts for every year for each of 138 countries from 2010 to 2025. Disney+ will be the biggest SVOD winner over the next five years. Disney+ will add 105 million paying subscribers between end-2019 and 2025 to take its total to 126 million. Disney+ will reach 53% of Netflix's subscriber total by 2025 - up from only 27% in 2020. Much of this initial growth will come from the US, principally due to the attractive bundling of Disney+ with ESPN+ and Hulu. ESPN+ and Hulu are not yet available outside the US, but the author still expects strong Disney+ take-up globally. Five global platforms will have 553 million paying SVOD subscribers by 2025, adding 196 million subscribers between 2020 and 2025. Netflix will gain 51 million subscribers between 2020 and 2025; revealing that there is still growth left for the most established platform. Netflix will command 44% of the 2025 total for the five platforms; down from 53% in 2020. HBO Max will have 30 million paying subscribers by 2025 - if non-payers are included then this figure could be tripled. The same is true for Apple TV+, which this author forecasts will have 26 million paying subscribers by 2025. The SVOD sector received a boost in November 2019 with the roll-outs of Disney+ and Apple TV+. A further lift will come when HBO Max starts in May. Companies Mentioned Amazon Prime Video Apple TV+ Disney+ HBO Max Netflix Peacock ViacomCBS For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bup0y7 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. 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." When President Donald Trump travels to India to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two leaders will outline an ambitious vision for the next chapter of relationship between the two largest democracies of the world, a top American diplomat has said. "We are approaching an important inflection point in the US-India relationship," the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice G Wells said on Thursday at a reception hosted by US India Business Council in honour of the new Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu. "When President Trump and Prime Minister Modi meet later this month in front of thousands of roaring fans, they're going to outline an ambitious vision for the next chapter of this natural alliance," Wells said. Wells reminded the American business community that it was two decades ago that the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had called India and US as "natural allies". "This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Prime Minister Vajpayee's historic visit to Washington during which he invoked that famous phrase, natural allies. We have come such a long way over the last two decades and are turning that vision into a reality," Wells said. Wells said Trump and Modi enjoy a very special rapport. "President Trump is eager to travel to India to make his mark on this very important relationship," she said. Sandhu, described the upcoming trip as historic. "Within 10 days, we will witness the historic visit of President of United States to India. This visit will help to solidify our partnership across all spheres," said the Indian Ambassador. India-US partnership, he said, is between people of the two countries and not just two governments. The strong and enduring bonds between the American and Indian people have been the foundation of our relationship, he said. "During the forthcoming visit of the President of the United States to India, you will witness the warmth of Indian people for the United States," Sandhu said. Senator Mark Warner, who co-chairs the Senate Indian Caucus, also spoke on the occasion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Himachal police team has arrested a Nigerian from Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station in Delhi on charges smuggling heroin in the state, taking the number of such foreigners in recent weeks to 11. A Kullu police team nabbed Ugochukwu John Obiako alias David, a resident of Obinna Anambara state in Nigeria, with the help of Railway Protection Force minutes before he was to take a train to Goa, said Kullu Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh. David, 30, was also found to be living in the country without any valid travel document like visa or passport, he said, adding he had been operating as drug supplier to the state while living in West Sagarpur in Delhi. The SP said the accused was brought to Kullu on Friday on a transit remand by a Delhi court. David was arrested on the basis of revelations made by his eight co-accused, all African nationals, during their interrogations after their arrests in cases related to the supply of narcotics to various places in the state, said Singh. They had said David used to supply heroin to them who further used to peddle the contraband in the state, the SP said, adding the probe into the case had revealed that a total of ten heroin used to source huge quantity of heroin from David for drug-peddling in Himachal between August and December 2019. The Nigerian was arrested following surveillance of his mobile phone numbers that he had been using for smuggling drug, said Singh, adding he was also arrested twice earlier by the Delhi and Goa police. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress on Friday alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre has not answered questions related to intelligence failure in the Pulwama terror attack and was "allergic to accountability on questions relating to lapses of security." Addressing a press conference here, Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said the BJP-led government takes credit for the sacrifice of soldiers and for achievements in the field of the security but was "scared to face questions." Shergill alleged that the BJP has a "use and throw policy towards the soldiers, towards their sacrifice." Paying tributes to the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack on this day last year, Shergill said that the party salutes their bravery. "It is a well-known fact that Pakistan was behind Pulwama attack but it is a well-kept secret by the BJP how such a massive intelligence failure, leading to the terror attack, took place," he said. He asked how IED in such big quantity entered Jammu and Kashmir and who in the administration were accountable for the "massive intelligence failure" that led to the loss of 40 lives. "Why was intelligence report leading or indicating that such an attack would happen ignored. Why were the jawans not air-lifted during their movement? What is the role of Dy SP Davinder Singh and on whose 'isharaa' (indication) was he working? Who was giving him the indication to go and indicate or help in the Pulwama attack?" Shergill asked. He asked when the inquiry report about "intelligence failure" leading to Pulwama attack be made public. The government has ruled out intelligence failure in Pulwama terror attack. The Congress leader accused the BJP of being guilty of "betraying, backstabbing and misleading" families of martyrs by not fulfilling the promise made by the central government after the Pulwama attack. Shergill said the family of Kaushal Kumar Rawat, who lost his life in the terror attack, has said that promises of compensation and job have not been fulfilled till now. He said similar remarks have been made by Sanju Devi, a widow. "The BJP's focus is only on vote security and not on security. The BJP is guilty of using the sacrifice and blood of their soldiers for etching votes," he alleged. The Congress leader said BJP had sought votes "in the name of Pulwama attack" in recent elections. He said the BJP should answer questions so that Pulwama-like attack does not happen. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The rush hour trains are packed. The carpeting is gone, the seat upholstery is on its way out. But for nearly two decades, BART riders have clung to one enduring perk: $3 parking. Now that, too, may go. The Board of Directors may soon raise prices to open more space in station lots, nine of which fill up before 8 a.m. each weekday. All but two of the rail systems 36 lots are 95% full during the day, and 40,000 people linger on a waiting list for monthly parking permits. BART rents most spaces by the day, setting aside a portion for carpools and permit holders. The agency charges far less than market rate. In Lafayette, meters near BART cost $5 a day, and a privately run garage near the Walnut Creek Station charges $15 to $18 a day for each spot. Several board directors are pressing for higher parking fees during commute hours. We dont charge enough, said Director Rebecca Saltzman, noting the side effects of cheap parking spots. The lots fill up early in the morning, and people who cant arrive before 8 a.m. wind up circling the blocks. On Thursday, BART directors debated demand-based pricing, which would probably mean more expensive parking on weekdays and lower prices on weekends, when fewer people ride the trains. Directors from the transit-rich urban centers favored the concept, though some of the stations they represent lack parking lots altogether. Their counterparts from the more auto-dependent suburbs were wary. We are not serving ridership if we keep decreasing the parking supply and raising rates, said Director Debora Allen, whose district encompasses central Contra Costa County. Besides possibly adjusting rates, the directors are grappling with the problem of people who park their cars but dont pay taking up 10% to 15% of the available spaces, according to the agencys parking program manager, Ryan Greene-Roesel. The directors have not said when they will decide on a new policy. Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle Saltzman stressed that BART should not treat parking as a big cash cow instead, she wants most of the returns to fund bus service to carry people to BART. She and other supporters of the variable pricing say it would help manage a hot commodity that will only become more scarce as BART fills its lots with housing. Armed with a new state law that loosens development restrictions on BART property, the agency is planning projects at 14 of its 48 stations, including El Cerrito Plaza, Hayward, Ashby and North Berkeley. To Saltzman, increasing the price of parking is also a form of justice for BART riders who dont drive to the stations. For years, their fares and tax dollars have helped subsidize parking spaces. The land BART uses for parking lots is worth far more than the revenue the spaces generate. The agency also has to pay for enforcement, paving, striping, and maintenance of these spaces, and those costs add up. Detractors, including many motorists and politicians representing cities along the BART line, say higher prices will chase people away from BART and steer them onto freeways. Some motorists say a parking fee hike would be unfair for disabled and elderly people who have to drive to the stations because bus service is spotty or nonexistent. Director Mark Foley, who represents the east Contra Costa County area of the rail system, empathizes with riders who have no alternative but to drive. He arrives at Antioch Station at 5:27 a.m. each day to find a space parking there is so competitive that the transit agency will open a second lot with 850 more spaces this year. BART converted a piece of its land to build the lot, at a cost of $16.4 million. While Foley wants to raise parking prices, he doesnt want them to skyrocket. And he is pushing for supplementary transit service, such as buses or shuttles, to carry people to stations. The biggest challenge is trying to find a solution that ensures there is parking through mid-morning, but at the same time doesnt price people out of being able to take public transportation, he said. Foley and Saltzman said they would support a parking discount for low-income people. That wasnt enough to placate Miguel Saldana, who was rushing to pick up his car from the garage at El Cerrito del Norte Station on Thursday evening. Saldana lives in Richmond and drops his kid off at daycare before taking BART to work in Oakland. He cant get to the daycare on a bus. Frankly, if the price went up, it would discourage me from taking BART, he said. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Nina Lovejoy takes the bus to El Cerrito del Norte from her home in Richmond, but even she frowned at the specter of a parking fee hike. BART is already too expensive, she said. This could really hurt people. In some cities that BART serves, even a small parking fee increase would hit stout resistance. Lafayette City Councilman Cameron Burks routinely accuses BART of being philosophically against parking, and he points to the agencys efforts to develop its parking lots as evidence of a hostile stance towards motorists. Raising the price even a few dollars is material to a lot of people, so youre going to see them drive into the city and make deals with parking garages, Burks said Thursday. Although Burks doesnt use BART to commute, hes noticed that the Lafayette Station lot fills up early each morning not just with Lafayette motorists, but with super-commuters driving in from as far away as Dixon (Solano County) or the Central Valley. If the price of parking goes up, Burks assumes those people would simply drive to work. And for those hunting for a parking spot and willing to pay a higher price, that could be a good thing. Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan Sihanoukville: Hundreds of cruise ship passengers who were stranded at sea by the coronavirus fears cheered as they finally disembarked in Cambodia and were welcomed by the nations authoritarian leader. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen greeted the passengers with roses and agreed to let the Westerdam dock at the port of Sihanoukville. Incidentally, countries like Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Guam had barred ships earlier. How wonderful it is to be here. Thank you very much to the prime minister. He has a wonderful heart, said Anna Marie Melon, a passenger from Queensland, Australia. Im very excited (to be here)," she said as she waved a rose Hun Sen handed to her. The passengers cheered as they walked toward waiting buses and waved goodbye to other passengers watching from the ships deck. 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. Some 20 passengers were tested for the virus after they reported stomach aches or fever, but the tests done at the Pasteur Institute in Phnom Penh showed none had COVID-19. Hun Sen said earlier he had let the Westerdam dock in Cambodia 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 country's 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 cooperate 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 has been in power for 35 years. His party swept 2018 elections that drew sharp condemnation as neither free nor fair after a court dissolved the only credible opposition party. The Westerdam began its cruise in Singapore last month and its last stop before it was refused further landings was in Hong Kong, where 53 cases of the disease and one death have been confirmed. The COVID-19 illness has sickened tens of thousands of people in China and a few hundred elsewhere, including 218 on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which made stops in Hong Kong and other ports before arriving in Japan last week. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 00:27:53|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close An Airbus A350-1000 performs during a flight display at the 53rd International Paris Air Show held at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 17, 2019. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) 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. 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. dollars) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) President Rodrigo Dutertes stance on the Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States will remain unchanged, Malacanang said Friday as it shrugged off suggestions of a possible review of the two-decade-old military pact. Wala na 'yun, kalimutan niyo na 'yun (forget about the review), Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, who also serves as the Presidents chief legal counsel, told CNN Philippines The Source. His position will be unchanged until the last day of his term. The VFA is the first of two agreements between Washington and Manila about the treatment of their troops when they are in the US or the Philippines. The provisions of the 1998 deal include lax visa and passport policies for US troops, and rights of US government to retain jurisdiction over military personnel, among others. Duterte pushed through with the termination of the VFA on Tuesday, even as the Senate and other government officials called for a thorough review of the military deal. But former Senator Rodolfo Biazon said the Philippine government will still have time to look into the issue 178 days to be exact before the deal formally expires. Serving a notice of termination by the President, we still have 178 days for the conduct of a review. I agree with the proposition that we have to review, Biazon, who helped craft the VFA, said in the interview. If the move pushes through, Biazon said a review should not only cover VFAbut other military deals with the United States as well. We must extend the review to Mutual Defense Treaty and EDCA. The question is, do we need it? Do we need them? Considering the existing conditions and situations-- especially in the South China Sea, the former official noted. The Mutual Defense Treaty states that Manila and Washington would come to each other's defense in case of an attack by a foreign state. The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, on other hand allows the US military to maintain barracks and weapons storage structures inside five military camps in the Philippines. Is a review allowed within the 180-day period? According to the agreement, expiration of the VFA will come 180 days from the formal notice of termination from either country. Its provisions, however, do not include possible review or reversal of decision on the deal. This agreement shall enter into force on the date on which the parties have notified each other in writing through the diplomatic channel that they have completed their constitutional requirements for entry into force. This agreement 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, Article 9 of the VFA reads. EXPLAINER: The Visiting Forces Agreement United States President Donald Trump earlier said he was fine with the scrapping of the nations agreement, noting how their government will be able to save a lot of money with the development. RELATED: Trump shrugs off PH decision to end military pact: We save money US Defense Chief Mark Esper however shared a different sentiment, saying the Philippine government's move is a step in the wrong direction. MDT and EDCA scrapped? With the formal termination of the VFA on the table, Panelo said other military deals MDT and EDCA may soon follow suit. The spokesperson said this is in line with Dutertes wish for a more self-reliant government. Ganoon na rin siguro, maaapektuhan, tatamaan din yun. Which means baka mawala na rin yun, Panelo said of the two agreements. [Translation: Maybe thats what will happen. Those will be affected, which means they may also be scrapped.] Panelo said Duterte wants the Philippines to stand on its own feet particularly on defense issues and to not rely on other countries. We have to strengthen our own resources, we have to be ourselves, he said. CNN Philippines' Alyssa Rola and Eimor Santos contributed to this report. Cybersecurity is a very serious issue for 2020 and the risks stretch far beyond the alarming spike in ransomware. In addition to the daily concerns of malware, stolen data and the cost of recoveringfrom a business network intrusion, there is the very real danger of nefarious actors using cyberattacks to influence or directly impact the outcome of the 2020 U.S. general election. Today, every company that has a computer or any connected devices or software should see itself as a tech company. Everyindividual with a smart TV, virtual assistant or other Internet ofThings (IoT) device could be at risk as well and the risks include beingvictimized by cyberstalkers or having personal data compromised. We are seeing growing attack surfaces for example, automotive, drones,satellites and hardware components, said Michael Sechrist, chieftechnologist at Booz Allen Hamilton. There is also increased obfuscation fromsophisticated actors that is, malware code reuse and similarities, he told TechNewsWorld. Several major domestic and international events will likelyprovide attackers opportunities for digital disruption across largeand small companies and governments alike, Sechrist said. Although everyone whos connected in this increasingly connected world is a potential target, understanding the risks can help alleviate the overall threat. The main threat companies face is in not adequately keeping pace withthe ever-evolving security threat landscape, said Ellen Benaim,information security officer at Templafy. It is a constant battle to keep abreast of the latest issues. Tomake matters worse, we predict that in 2020 cyberthreats will becomemore frequent and sophisticated, spanning a wider attack surface andcausing a more deadly impact, she told TechNewsWorld. Old Threats Still Have Teeth Many of the same threats that have been around for years willcontinue to pose real problems in 2020. Among them are phishing attacks. Phishing is essentially tricking others into taking an action thatcan be profited from, said Tom Thomas, adjunct faculty member inTulane Universitys Online Master of Professional Studies in Cybersecurity Management program. A D V E R T I S E M E N T Since all those millions are still sitting in a bank in Nigeriafor over 20 years now, I am sure phishing is here to stay as long aspeople are greedy and easily tricked, he told TechNewsWorld. Education is quite common, but these scams are evolving as well and some of these email scams are very believable unless you lookclosely, which most people do not, warned Thomas. Another cybersecurity threat is one that isnt really an attack, butrather a problem due to overworked and at times underpaid softwaredesigners. This is the issue of software errors, and those errors canresult in exploits that hackers and other criminals can target. These are valid concerns, and with the rise of software as king in theIT space, this means that developers are going to have to addresssecurity within their code, new and old, said Thomas. Threats From Within One overlooked area of cybersecurity is who has legitimate access tothe data, and whether those individuals can be trusted. Edward Snowdenis just one example, but the issue has plagued tech companies foryears. In the spring of 2018, Apple had to fire an employee forleaking details of the companys software roadmap. This problem is likely to get worse, as there is now a cybersecurityworker shortage, and companies are being less diligent when it comes tonew hires. A big threat facing companies in 2020 is the insider threat, saidTemplays Benaim. Whether it is deliberate or not, the impact of these threats can bedevastating, she added. Insider threats can manifest in a number of ways for example, anovertired employee might simply forward confidential data to thewrong recipient, Benaim said, or a disgruntled former employee might downloadcustomer records from a CRM tool with malicious intent. Both scenarios could lead to a severe data breach, triggering inordinate fines for your company under GDPR. Pointed Attacks Even trusted employees can make critical mistakes. Hackers usesocial engineering techniques to breach a network and gathersensitive data as well as tools to encrypt data or break security systems. A D V E R T I S E M E N T In 2020 we could see more multi-layer spearphishing, where multipletargets inside a business are used to gather information and gainaccess, warned Laurence Pitt, global security strategy director atJuniper Networks. The delivery mechanisms will also be more complicated, he told TechNewsWorld. Any threat that costs money, and especially where it affects publicmoney government and healthcare will remain newsworthy, Pitt added. Well see more attacks using common vectors, such as phishing,download via malvertising, etc., he predicted, but also attacks that use old methodswith new vectors. The Masad Stealer attack, reported by Juniper ThreatLabs in late 2019, is a good example of this, where data and money wasstolen via malware injected into a used and respected piece of software. Malware Hangups It isnt just computer networks that could be at risk in 2020. Alreadyweve seen that little has been done in recent years to ensure thatmobile devices are protected adequately from cyberattacks. In the case of smartphones, devices could become infected simply bydownloading apps even from what should be trusted platforms. The StrandHogg malware is using malicious but popular apps on thePlay store as a delivery mechanism, and until Google closes thevulnerability that allows this to work, any device and user issusceptible, said Pitt. Mobile phones have become a gateway to our most sensitive andpersonal information, and yet the offer of a free application stillgets millions of downloads without a thought as to whether itssafe,' he added. Users need to stop blindly accepting device requests for access toresources; stop downloading free apps that they do not need andprobably will only use once; and, finally, deny if an applicationrequests access to something that seems strange or unnecessary forexample, a PDF reader wanting access to SMS messages, advised Pitt.This will help keep devices and data more safe. Fake Out Another major concern for 2020 might not affect data directly, but it should be on everyones radar nonetheless: the rise of deepfakes, manipulated videos that have been used to discredit individuals, to spread misinformation, and to cause harm in seemingly endless ways. Deepfakes have increased in sophistication. Ever more powerfulcomputers and even mobile devices are making it all too easy to create convincing fakes. One concern is how they might be used in conjunction with fake news across mobile platforms. Deepfake technologies will be used to attempt to influence the 2020elections in the United States and beyond, predicted Erich Kron, securityawareness advocate at KnowBe4. Fake videos and audio will be released close to the election time inorder to discredit candidates or to swing votes, he warned. While these will be proven as fakes fairly rapidly, undecided voterswill be influenced by the most realistic or believable fakes, Kron added. Securing the Cloud One misconception about cybersecurity is that off-site or hostedstorage comes with greater risks. The cloud may have certainadvantages, in fact. There is a common misconception that the cloud is inherently lesssecure than traditional on-premises solutions, said AndrewSchwarz, professor in the Information Systems & Decision Sciences program in the E. J. Ourso College of Business Administration atLouisiana State University. The problem is that when there is a cloud breach such as the breachover the summer at AWS it makes huge headlines, and skeptics point tothese examples as reasons why companies should be reluctant to movetheir own systems into the cloud, he told TechNewsWorld. The problem with these examples is that network security issubject to the principle of the greatest weakness your data will bevulnerable in the interface that is the weakest, he added. Cloud security is going to continue to improve as the cloud itselfmatures, said Tulanes Thomas. In fact cloud, if implemented correctly, can increase security risks so ensuring that these risks are mitigated is critically important,he pointed out. Last summers AWS breach showed that the cloud isnt the fundamental problem. Itwasnt the cloud provider that was at fault but a misconfigured firewall, which was due to a decision the client made. Furthermore, cloud providers will only survive if their clouds aresecure and are investing R&D in providing new approaches to securitythat will push the boundaries of security as we know it, saidLSUs Schwarz. Any breach means a certain death to providers. Thus it is intheir best interests to keep systems secure. The answer is thereforethat the cloud is not only secure, but is more secure than most, ifnot all, on-premises data centers. Security in Real Time Cybersecurity isnt just about computer networks or consumer devices. There are several significant upcoming happenings that hackers could target, and what is at stake goes well beyond money or data. There are three major events in 2020 that will certainly be a magnetto cybercriminals and nation state actors: the U.S. presidentialelection; the first-ever online U.S. census; and the Olympic games inTokyo, noted Mounir Hahad, head of Juniper Threat Labs at Juniper Networks. We will identify meddling attempts on social media; attempts atinfiltrating campaign staff; security holes in the census process, andattempts to exploit them; and that some attack on the Olympicsinfrastructure will probably succeed to some extent, he told TechNewsWorld. I am very concerned about the election. Government IT Security iswoefully lacking, especially when you get down to the county andprecinct level, which is where these machines are accessible, notedThomas. Electronic voting is still evolving slowly and that is what concernsme, as we have seen in the news that electronic ballots are far easierto subvert than paper ballots, he said. None of these problems will be easily addressed this year, or even inthe years to come. Cybersecurity remains a field that has too manyopenings and too few candidates. It requires constant diligenceand neverending training. The cost of not doing enough, however, could be even greater. The fact of the matter is that as long as criminals can gain accessto data, they can impact the confidentiality, integrity oravailability of it and theres little a company can do at that point,said KnowBe4s Malik. Companies should appropriately protect datawith cryptography, so that even if criminals gain access to the data,they cannot impact the integrity or confidentiality, he recommended. Finally, thetrend we will likely continue to see is the breaching of companiesthrough the supply chain or other trusted third parties. Thanks, them for almost a decade of dedicated service PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday, February 12th, 2020, Justice Minister Egbert Jurendy Doran was able to sign the Schikkingsovereenkomst which is the Settlement agreement for some 24 Cadets who were officially hired of the Police Force of Sint Maarten in the year 2011. The group of Cadets resorted to taking the Government of Sint Maarten to Court in the year 2016, as they claimed issues with their start date, which according to them was is incorrect, causing the decree that they received to only be retroactive to 2015. The Court of First Instance ruled on May 8th, 2017 that the officers had fulfilled their duties as Police Officers and to the satisfaction of their team leaders. Therefore based on this, the court ruled that a new decision must be taken and the correct date should be enforced. However, this ruling was not executed. Minister Doran, after taking office last November 2019, was made abreast of the longstanding unresolved situation and immediately, after officially conducting an investigation, met on various occasions with all stakeholders, which included the KPSM Management and the HR Department of the KPSM, in an attempt to get the ball rolling and to honor the decision of the Court, which entailed getting these hardworking men and women of the Police Force rightfully placed after so many years. On Wednesday, February 12th, 2020, the Minister of Justice was able to proudly sign off on this document which will cause these officers to be able to get what is rightfully theirs. Minister Doran words to Cadets were: It took a long time to get this important matter resolved, but I am happy that I was able to immediately put a Team on it and come to a solution, in order that these officers can be at ease and continue to execute the protective service necessary to our people and our Country. The Minister closed by thanking the officers for their patience and dedicated service over the years. Oregon Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle said Thursday that her state agency also failed Michael Fesser of Portland, the target of a wrongful arrest by West Linn police after he complained about racism at the Southeast Portland towing company where he worked. An investigator with the state Bureau of Labor and Industries in late spring 2017 too quickly dismissed a racial discrimination complaint that Fesser had filed against A&B Towing Co., Hoyle said. She commented after learning about Fessers case in The Oregonian/OregonLive this week. Ive been sick about it ever since I first read it, Hoyle wrote in a Twitter message. My office is conducting a full review of what happened and we will be making changes to our work. Michael Fesser deserved a thorough investigation and didnt get one. The state bureau received a complaint from Fesser about a hostile work environment on May 23, 2017, and investigator Katherine Kestell dismissed it just over a month later on June 28, 2017, according to state records. Fesser wrote that he was harassed by co-workers from about 2014 through late 2016. Some referred to him using racist slurs, another flew a Confederate flag on a pickup parked in the tow companys lot and someone left an anonymous Christmas card at work for Fesser with a racist epithet written on it, according to his complaint. Fesser noted that he reported the complaints to his boss, Eric Benson, but no action was taken. Fesser also wrote that he believed his February 2017 arrest on an allegation that he stole from the tow company was in retaliation for his discrimination complaints. Kestell dismissed the complaint, writing, The record does not contain substantial evidence illustrating that Respondent subjected Complainant to unlawful harassment on the basis of race. Rather, the available evidence suggests Respondent immediately and appropriately addressed Complainants reports of harassment. This Complaint should be dismissed. Kestell did not cite what steps that Bensons boss took to address Fessers complaints. Benson has not returned messages seeking comment. Benson and A&B Towing paid Fesser $415,000 to settle a civil suit he filed in state court. His criminal theft charges were dropped. This week, West Linn, through its insurer, paid Fesser $600,000 to settle a separate federal wrongful arrest case he filed against West Linn police. Through the civil litigation, Fesser and his lawyer obtained blatant racist and crude text messages that the A&B Towing owner had exchanged with the lead investigator in the theft case, West Linn Detective Tony Reeves, when Fesser was first arrested on Feb. 25, 2017. West Linn investigated Fesser even though A&B Towing was based in Portland and Fesser lived in Portland. West Linn had nothing to do with the case except that the A&B towing owner, Benson, was a fishing buddy of then-West Linn Chief Terry Timeus and had asked Timeus to step in, according to court depositions. The state labor commissioner has ordered the full file on Fessers 2017 complaint to be recovered from state archives for review. The state investigator, Kestell, no longer works for the labor bureau. She is currently an investigator with Portlands Independent Police Review office, the intake center for complaints against Portland police. Her biography on the citys website says she previously worked as a senior investigator with the state bureaus Civil Rights Division and has worked in the legal field for nearly a decade. Kestell could not immediately be reached for comment. Hoyle was not labor commissioner at the time. The former Democratic state representative was elected in May 2018. Ross Caldwell, director of Portands Independent Police Review, said he has full confidence in Kestell. "Ms. Kestell is an excellent investigator,'' Caldwell said. He said he didnt know what material Kestell had at the time she reviewed Fessers complaint before the state labor bureau. Caldwell said the citys Independent Police Review also would conduct its own inquiry into the Portland police involvement in Fessers arrest in February 2017. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Subscribe to Facebook page From left, sitting, Vice Chairman of EDB Amangeldy Issenov, EBRD Infrastructure Director Ekaterina Miroshnik, President of Alsim Alarko Ayhan Yavrucu, President of Eurasia Marketing at SK E&C Lee Seung-soo and Director of KEC Yoo Ho-sik pose for a picture after signing a deal for the construction of a beltway in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, in the capital Nur-Sultan. / Courtesy of SK E&C By Kim Jae-heun SK Engineering & Construction (SK E&C) said Thursday it has closed a deal to begin the construction of a beltway in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in the country's very first public-private business partnership. Multilateral development banks including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Islamic Development Bank and the Eurasia Development Bank are involved as project lenders. The project is to build a six-lane, 66-kilometer-long highway with 21 bridges and eight interchanges. Construction is expected to take four years and two months, and SK E&C will operate the beltway for the remainder of the 20-year turn-key project's timeline in partnership with the Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC). The two will hand over operations to the Kazakhstan government after this period. The beltway will be run on an "availability payment" system to reduce the risk of fluctuations in profits that may arise from inaccurate predictions of traffic volume. SK E&C will receive dividend income as an investor, owning 33.3 percent of the project. In Feb. 2018, SK E&C formed a consortium with KEC, and Turkey's Alarko and Makyol to bid for the project that is projected to cost $750 million. The consortium is using project financing to provide $580 million of the total $750 million, with the rest being covered by private investment. Including the Almaty beltway SK E&C is currently involved in four infrastructure development projects. It is already operating an undersea tunnel in Turkey connecting Europe and Asia that the company finished building in Dec. 2016, while another project the world's longest suspension bridge in Canakkale, Turkey is set to open in 2022. The fourth project is the Silvertown Tunnel under the River Thames in London, as part of the Riverlinx consortium that was awarded the contract in November last year. This last project was meaningful for SK E&C as it expanded its business foothold from the Central Asian market to Europe. "As this is Kazakhstan's very first public-private partnership project, multilateral development banks have actively participated in investing in it," said SK E&C President and CEO Ahn Jae-hyun. "We will do our best to produce a successful model in Central Asia after Turkey and England. Photo credit: The Washington Post - Getty Images From Popular Mechanics President Trump wants to divert nearly $4 billion in military spending away from equipment programs to build his wall along the Mexico border. The spending would cut more than dozen aircraft, a U.S. Navy ship, and cut funding for other programs. This is the second year the administration has sought to use military spending to fund a project voters were assured Mexico would pay for. President Donald Trump wants to shift nearly four billion dollar in the defense budget away from military procurement to fund his border wall construction project. Trumps defense budget cuts F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, P-8A patrol aircraft, MQ-9A Reaper attack drones, C-130 transports, and other programs, as well as delaying construction on a key amphibious ship. The plan would cancel weapons used in the war against the Islamic State and meant to deter countries like Chinaall to build a wall along the Mexican border that is already being defeated by smugglers . Photo credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Vance Hand The Trump administration wants to move approximately $3.8 billion in fiscal year 2020 spending away from equipment purchases and wartime spending to fund the wall. That amounts to $2.202 billion in fiscal year 2020 defense appropriations and $1.629 billion in fiscal year overseas contingency operationsspending for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other overseas operations. The presidents request, according to Defense News , would cancel two F-35B Joint Strike Fighters for the U.S. Marine Corps, two MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, one P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for the U.S. Navy, four C-130J Super Hercules transports for the Air Force Reserve and National Guard, and eight MQ-9A Reaper attack drones. It also cancels a expeditionary fast transport built for the U.S. Navy. Photo credit: U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Jaqueline Benton, 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, NCNG In addition it also strips money from advanced F-35 procurement, the Air Forces light attack aircraft program (which is actually already dead), Army National Guard Humvee modernization, trucks for the U.S. Army, and advanced procurement of an 844 foot-long America-class amphibious assault ship, a move that will probably delay construction by at least a year. Story continues Some of the equipment, such as C-130J Super Hercules transports and MQ-9A Reapers are used in the fight against the Islamic State in Syria and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Others, such as the F-35B, P-8A Poseidon, and amphibious assault ship, are considered vital to prepare for the possibility of conflict with China, Russia, or some other major military power. Photo credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jonathan Berlier Last year the administration similarly looted Department of Defense programs for wall spending, particularly military construction. Among those cut were schools for the children of U.S. military personnel in the U.S. and overseas, special forces training facilities, and construction to support the Puerto Rico National Guard. According to Defense News, over 100 construction programs were drained of funding. President Trump repeatedly assured voters during his 2016 presidential campaign that his wall project along the U.S.-Mexico border would be paid for by Mexico. So far, only U.S. government spending has funded Trumps wall. Source: Defense News You Might Also Like WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's former chief of staff John Kelly has dismissed the U.S. president's unprecedented engagement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as futile, saying he had never believed North Korea would give up its nuclear weapons and Pyongyang had played the United States to its benefit. Kelly, a former Marine Corps general who fell out with Trump and left the White House in December 2018, laid out his misgivings about the president's policy approaches at Drew University in New Jersey on Wednesday night, the Atlantic magazine said in a report on its website. "He will never give his nuclear weapons up," the Atlantic quoted Kelly as saying of Kim, who Trump met three times between mid-2018 and June 2019 in fruitless attempts to persuade him otherwise. "Again, President Trump tried - thats one way to put it. But it didnt work," Kelly said. "Im an optimist most of the time, but Im 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's remarks were similar to those of John Bolton, who Trump fired as his national security adviser last September, calling him a "disaster" on North Korea policy. Kelly's comments followed indications that Trump could be losing interest in his efforts on North Korea. CNN on Monday quoted two sources familiar with the matter as saying that Trump, frustrated at the lack of progress, had told top foreign policy advisers he does not want another summit with Kim before the U.S. presidential election in November. Talks between the two sides have stalled since last year over an inability to reconcile North Korea's demands for relief from punishing sanctions and other concessions and U.S. demands for North Korea to denuclearize. On Tuesday, the White House announced that Trump plans to nominate the State Department's deputy special representative for North Korea to a post at the United Nations. Story continues The senior U.S. envoy for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, took over the job of deputy secretary of state in December. While North Korea has not tested a nuclear bomb or long-range missile since 2017, a confidential U.N. report seen by Reuters on Monday said it continued to enhance its nuclear and ballistic missile programs last year in breach of U.N. sanctions. North Korea did not act on a threat to present the United States with a "Christmas surprise" that some feared could involve a return to testing, but Kim has warned that the world would soon see a "new strategic weapon." (Reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis) Ever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to withdraw from their royal duties, quit at senior royals, and live an independent life, many famous personalities are already lining up to rub elbows with the couple. The list of prominent people (celebrities in particular) wanting to befriend the Duke and Duchess of Sussex doubled when the news broke that the couple is planning to spend their vacation at Meghan's native city in Los Angeles. Rumor has it that Holywood A-listers Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie are even feuding against each other to become Meghan's next celebrity BFF. The award-winning actresses, who share the same ex-husband Brad Pitt, are said to be luring Meghan with their respective connections so they can secure the Duchess' "bestie" tag. Next in line with Meghan and Harry's friend application would be the self-proclaimed greatest artist of all time, Kanye West. Reportedly, the rapper-turned-spiritual guru is desperate to recruit more people for his "Sunday Service" church and is now eyeing the royal couple to expand the spiritual group's connection. According to reports, the "Follow God" rapper is looking into hosting a religious service in honor of Prince Harry and Meghan. He is quite confident that he can convert them into his congregation now that the couple is spending more time in North America. "This would be a huge breakthrough for Kanye, who wants his Sunday Service to be the most powerful spiritual force in the world within a few years," a source told Radar Online. The insider added that the 42-year-old self-proclaimed spiritual leader is in desperate need of support from high-profile members in the hopes to globally widen its reach. Aside from the ever famous Kardashian-Jenner clan, other prominent people have shown up at Kanye's church, including DMX, Lizzo, Donald Glover, Teyana Taylor, 2 Chainz and Kid Cudi. "He's already gotten Brad Pitt and many other A-listers involved, but having Meghan and Harry on board will open it up to a whole new global level," the source continued. The insider also revealed that Kanye learned that Meghan and Harry are interested in what the rapper is doing with his church and is even looking forward to getting invites to attend his Sunday Service. "He's had word that they both love what he's doing and are excited to be invited -- even if it does give the Royals an even bigger shock of their lives!" the source added. Kanye's wife, Kim Kardashian-West, is also reportedly making her way to befriend the Duke and Duchess of Sussex by making friends with Meghan's inner circle. "Kim moved in similar social circles as Megs in their earlier years in Hollywood, and she's keen to get to know her better because she's been looking to up her game socially," a source told New Weekly. The "Keeping Up With the Kardashian" star is said to have cleared out her schedule to make time and have dinner with Meghan and Harry. "Plus, she'd love to have some girly spa time and take Meghan horse riding," the source added. New Delhi (India), Feb 14 (ANI) Ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit, a top government source on Friday said that India is "deeply interested" in acquiring the drone technology used by the Americans to kill Iranian military leader Qaseem Soleimani last month. "We would be deeply interested in acquiring the technology used by the Americans to kill the Iranian military commander as the drone quietly sneaked in and launched its missile accurately to kill him," he said. On January 3, Iranian Revolutionary Guards Commander Maj Gen Qaseem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike by the US troops in Baghdad. Sources said the technology can help in targeting th e Indian fugitives hiding in countries such as Pakistan or other countries if there is any need for such an operation. Several perpetrators of heinous terrorist attacks in India like the 26/11 in Mumbai and February 14 Pulwama attacks are hiding in Pakistan and are termed as "non-state" actors by Islamabad. Both Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed have been roaming openly in Pakistan continuing their activities against India at the behest of the Pakistan Army there. Sources said India has expressed interest in the technology and the issue may come up for discussion during the US President's visit. Trump is slated to pay a two-day visit to India on February 24-25. During the operation to kill Osama Bin Laden in 2009, the American Navy Special Forces had used a special stealth chopper to land and attack their target hiding next to the Pakistan Military Academy near Islamabad. Sources said India may also move ahead with the Predator drones deal with the US during the visit but the drones being acquired may not be as effective as the ones used in the Iranian strike in carrying out selective target attack as they can be shot down by fighter aircraft. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 By Ilhama Isabalayeva Trend: The medical services not included in the compulsory medical insurance system in Azerbaijan this year have been announced, Head of the Department for Regional Centers of the Azerbaijani State Agency for Compulsory Medical Insurance Shukur Eyvazov said. Eyvazov made the remark in Baku at the event "Raising awareness on compulsory medical insurance" organized for member-companies of the Azerbaijan-France Chamber of Commerce, Trend reports on Feb. 14. This year the system does not include such services as examination and treatment of mental disorders, AIDS, organ transplantation, outpatient medicine supply, cosmetic procedures and plastic surgeries, treatment of diabetes, thalassemia, dialysis and dental services, head of the department said. "The agency is working on this, Eyvazov said. Perhaps, these services will be included in the compulsory medical insurance package in the coming years. These are mainly diseases, the treatment of which is funded within the state programs." Eyvazov added that about 27 percent of the country's population will be able to use the system at the preliminary stage. In the end, Baku and Sumgait will join the system, the head of the department said. The state took over the main financial burden on the application of compulsory medical insurance, head of the department added. The insurance contributions of minors, people under 23, students studying in absentia in vocational, secondary specialized and higher educational institutions, pensioners, people entitled to receive social benefits, family members receiving the targeted state social assistance will be paid from the state budget. In conclusion, Eyvazov emphasized that only working people will pay contributions for compulsory medical insurance from April 1. "That is, taking into account the minimum salary of 250 manat ($147), a sum worth 10 manat ($5.8) will be charged every month, Eyvazov added. The citizens whose contributions under the compulsory medical insurance will be paid by the state and those who will personally pay these contributions will get the same medical services." 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 Advertisement A formidable impala had a miraculous escape after it managed to shake off five cheetahs who attacked it in Kenya. The male buck somehow stayed on its feet as the predators leapt on its back and dug their claws in to try and bring it down. But incredibly the antelope fought itself free and fled. The attack was captured in a remarkable series of photos by British photographer Kevin Rooney, 53, in the Naboisho Conservancy. The photos show a mother cheetah, called Selenkei, pouncing on the 160lb beast and clinging to its neck as the impala stands firm. Her four cubs then join the hunt and leap on its back as the buck desperately kicks and struggles. The impala stands firm as a mother cheetah and her four cubs try and drag it to the ground with one jumping on its back The mother cheetah, called Selenkei, pounced on the 160lb beast and clung to its neck before her four cubs joined the hunt The male buck antelope kicked and struggled as it desperately fought to stay on its feet during the onslaught in Kenya Eventually it manages to shrug them off and bolts away from the exhausted cheetahs. Mr Rooney, an aeronautical electrical engineer from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, said: 'We were with our wildlife guide who seemed to have a sixth sense for when animals would attack. 'We managed to position ourselves so the impala was between us and our truck and then the mother cheetah, Selenkei, started stalking the impala. 'She crept up until she was within attacking range and then pounced, catching the antelope after a few powerful strides. 'After catching the impala, which was a large male buck, she attempted to bring it down but had no luck. 'Her four cubs were soon on the scene and they all started pouncing all over the poor impala who just seemed to stand there. The attack was captured in a remarkable series of photos by British photographer Kevin Rooney, 53, from Cheltenham Fully grown impalas can weigh over 160lbs and stand at around 4ft tall and can leap over 10ft obstacles to escape prey The impala somehow managed to shake off the five cheetahs after a desperate struggle and managed to escape 'Amazingly, after a few seconds, the impala managed to shake off the five fearsome predators and fled - leaving them in the dust. It was an amazing sight to see.' According to National Geographic, impalas are fleet runners who are able to leap distances of up to 33 feet. They use this technique to escape predators and sometimes, apparently, simply to amuse themselves. The impala can also clear bushes and other obstacles by soaring some 10ft in the air. Typically, a running impala will simply jump over anything in its path. Fully grown impalas can weigh over 160lbs and stand at around 4ft tall, not including their elegant, spiralling horns. Although Rooney was delighted to capture his once-in-a-lifetime picture, his work does have a serious message. 'I like to show people what's really happening - to show the animals that are endangered at their best,' he said. 'Elephants, lions, cheetahs. They're all at risk and if we're not careful we're going to lose them forever. Their numbers are dwindling. Never take them for granted.' The impala was first stalked by the mother cheetah who pounced and got her claws into him after a short chase The impala managed to stay on its feet as the first cheetah leapt on its back and sunk its teeth in before four others attacked Minister of Justice of Armenia Rustam Badasyan today attended a discussion entitled Strategic Planning for Operation of the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption. The minister expressed gratitude to the Commission for inviting him to the discussion and attached importance to the establishment of institutional bodies envisaged by the Anti-Corruption Strategy which will help raise the fight against corruption to a qualitatively new level with their future activities. Out of the functions of the Commission, the minister attached importance to not only educational and awareness-raising events, but also analysis of declarations and verification of integrity and emphasized that successful analysis and verification will help increase public confidence in not only the Commission, but also the bodies with employees whose integrity has been verified. Russia has been conscripting Syrian men to fight on their behalf in Libya, tempting them with large salaries writes Baladi News. At the start of the year, Russian forces began to recruit dozens of young men from the city of Douma in the Damascus countryside and sent them to Libya to fight as mercenaries with Haftars forces, which it is backing against the Government of National Accord (GNA). The local Sowt al-Asima website said that the Russians had appointed city figures in Douma to conscript young men from the area and to send them to fight in Libya for large sums of money. The site said that the mission included recruiting 50 young men from the city, on a salary of 800 dollars a month per fighter, to fight for three months and then one month of leave spent in his city. Russian issued the conscripted men with ID cards from the Hemeimeem military base called Friend of Russia cards, which ban any security agency from arresting or holding them, according to Sowt al-Asima. A group of 25 young men from Douma left Syria through the Damascus International Airport to the Libyan city of Benghazi over the first week of February. The site said that the Russians had conscripted former fighters from Saqour al-Sahara, from the central areas of Syria to fight in Libya alongside the Haftar militia for salaries of up to 1,000 dollars a month. Last year, the Libyan GNA said in statements that it had obtained documents proving that flights were operated by Cham Wings between Damascus and east Libya, and that it believed they carried Syrian fighters and others from the Islamic State to fight alongside Haftars militias. Video recordings have been revealed showing the arrival of fighters from opposition groups to fight on the other side in Libya as mercenaries as well in exchange for money. Activists and opposition members criticized this measure while Syria is witnessing a raging war in which Russia and the regime are trying to reclaim territory in northern Syria and these fronts are in need of fighters who prefer to fight in Libya at Syrias expense. 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. 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. "Fifty thousand 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. 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. 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 After SC's warning, govt orders telcos to clear dues by 11.59 pm tonight India oi-PTI New Delhi, Feb 14: After Supreme Court threatened contempt proceedings against top executives of of Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and other telecom firms, the telecom department on Friday began issuing orders, asking firms such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea to clear past dues immediately. The government has also asked telecom companies to pay their dues by 11.59 pm tonight, PTI reported. The Department of Telecom (DoT), which faced the ire of the Supreme Court for putting on hold recovery of dues from telecom companies, started issuing circle or zone-wise demand notices to firms, according to the order copies reviewed by PTI. The Supreme Court had asked companies to clear dues, totalling an estimated Rs 1.47 lakh crore, before the next date of hearing on March 17. Airtel responded to DoT order by offering to pay Rs 10,000 crore by February 20 and the remaining before March 17. Airtel owes nearly Rs 35,586 crore, including licence fee and spectrum usage charge, to the government. There was no word from Vodafone Idea, whose chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla had last month stated that the company will fold if it is forced to make payment of over Rs 53,000 crore dues. India has been divided into 22 telecom circles or zones for the issue of licenses to operators. And their revenues are calculated circle-wise. And so, the DoT issued circle wise demand notices to telecom firms. An order for the UP (West) Telecom Circle asked "all telecom service providers" to clear dues by 11.59 pm Friday. It asked companies to "make the payment of outstanding dues of licence fee and spectrum usage charges by 14.02.2020, 11:59 PM positively". Another order issued for the Rajasthan circle sought "immediate" payments, failing which action would be initiated. It sought "immediate payment of due licence fee and spectrum usage charges along with interest, penalty and interest on penalty (if applicable)" and warned that if the dues are not paid immediately, "necessary action will be taken in terms of the provisions of licence agreement without any further notice". SC threatens contempt against Bharti Airtel, Voda over non-payment of dues "This may be treated as most urgent," it added. Prior to issuing the demand orders, the DoT withdrew its order which restrained action against any of the companies who fail to pay up dues by the Supreme Court-mandated deadline of January 23. The direction by the DoT says its previous order dated January 23, 2020 "stands withdrawn with immediate effect". "It is directed to take immediate necessary action in compliance with the judgement dated October 24, 2019 of the Supreme Court," said the fresh order issued by the DoT immediately after the Supreme Court took a strong view of non-compliance in payment of dues. In all, 15 entities owe the government Rs 1.47 lakh crore -- Rs 92,642 crore in unpaid licence fee and another Rs 55,054 crore in outstanding spectrum usage charges. Airtel owes nearly Rs 35,586 crore, including licence fee and spectrum usage charge, to the government. Bharti Airtel on Friday offered to pay the Department of Telecom Rs 10,000 crore by February 20 and the rest of the dues before the next date of hearing on the adjusted gross revenue case in the Supreme Court. "Nevertheless, in compliance with the judgement of the Hon'ble Supreme Court and their direction today, we shall deposit a sum of Rs 10,000 crore (on account) by 20th February, 2020, on behalf of the Bharti Group companies," Airtel said in a letter to Member (Finance) at the DoT. Airtel said that as directed by the Member (Finance), the company is in the process of completing the self assessment exercises. "You will appreciate this is a complicated process, covering 22 circles, multiple licenses and a substantial period of time and hence, is time consuming," the letter said. Telecom operators were required to clear their dues by January 23 as per the apex court judgement of October 24, 2019 in the matter. On Friday, the SC directed the managing directors and directors of telcos and other firms to explain why contempt action be not taken against them for non-compliance of its order to pay adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of Rs 1.47 lakh crore to the telecom department. At present there are three private players in the Indian mobile market -- Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio -- besides the ailing state-owned operators BSNL/MTNL. Vodafone Idea Ltd in its earnings statement on Thursday had also sounded out warnings on "material uncertainty" casting "significant doubt" on its ability to continue as a going concern. VIL had suffered staggering Rs 50,922 crore loss in the September quarter (highest ever loss posted by any Indian corporate), when it had made provisions for the statutory dues, although its losses in December quarter stood at Rs 6,439 crore. BofA Securities, in a note on Friday noted "overhang on VIL" and questioned if India is inching to a two-player market. "VIL is not in a position to be able to make the USD 3 billion payment upfront, while the recent QIP by Bharti makes them better placed to do so. If therefore it finally comes to the telcos making an upfront payment - VIL may look to shut shop, and in that event we see the possibility of government intervention to resolve the situation," it said. "Every incremental decision pushes India to a two-telcos market," it added. Market watchers, meanwhile, said in event of any further consolidation in the market, the tariffs could well rise 10-25 per cent. Bharti Airtel's liabilities added up to nearly Rs 35,586 crore. But, Airtel had already said that the previously-mentioned material uncertainty on the group's ability to continue as a going concern "no longer exists" after the recent Rs 21,502 crore fund raising by it. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, February 14, 2020, 22:49 [IST] India on February 14, 2019, was shaken by what can be defined as one of the deadliest terror attacks on its soil in recent times. A total of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were martyred after a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. A Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist rammed his vehicle carrying explosives into the convoy at around 3 pm. Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after the convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2,500 CRPF personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack. Nationwide protests erupted against the dastardly terror attack even as the country bid a teary farewell to its bravehearts. Leaders across the party lines and civil society condemned the attack and called for an appropriate response. "I feel the same fire in my heart that`s raging inside you," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on February 17, 2019, days after the attack took place. On February 16, he had said that "all tears will be avenged" and the armed forces have been given "full freedom to decide the place, time, intensity and nature of the retaliation against the enemy". United Nations and several countries from across the globe condemned the Pulwama terror attack and extended their support to India in the fight against terrorism. Around 12 days after the terror attack, in the wee hours of February 26, 2019, Indian Air Force (IAF) jets bombed the JeM camp at Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of Pakistan. The IAF used Mirage 2000 fighter jets for the precision strike, and official sources said the aircraft spent 21 minutes in Pakistani air space - a remarkable feat as one minute is equal to 17 km at attack speed. The fighter jets were backed by Emb 145 early warning plane which was deployed to pick up any emerging threat at a large distance and alert the attacking pilots. India also used a mid-air refueller, the sources said. The Mirage 2000 fires a range of Western weapons. After the upgrade, the Mirages have Mica air-to-air multi-mission missiles and a range of precision-guided bombs including Israeli Spice. As celebrations erupted across India, Foreign Secretary Vijay K Gokhale said, "India struck the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot. In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated. This facility at Balakot was headed by Maulana Yusuf Azhar (alias Ustad Ghouri), the brother-in-law of (JeM leader) Masood Azhar." Gokhale had said the Indian government was "firmly and resolutely committed to taking all necessary measures to fight the menace of terrorism. Hence, this non-military pre-emptive action was specifically targeted at the JeM camp. The selection of the target was also conditioned by our desire to avoid civilian casualties." He had said that such "massive training facilities capable of training hundreds of jihadis could not have functioned without the knowledge of Pakistani authorities.'' "Credible intelligence was received that the JeM was attempting another suicide terror attack in various parts of (India), and the fidayeen jihadis were being trained for this purpose. In the face of this imminent danger, a pre-emptive strike became absolutely necessary," he had added. Following the attack, India has heightened vigil along its border with Pakistan. Pakistan`s efforts to launch an offensive next day and target Indian military installations in Jammu and Kashmir was thwarted by an alert IAF. In the aerial skirmish, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, flying a MiG-21 Bison fighter plane, shot down a much-advanced F-16 of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). However, chasing Pakistani jets, Wing Commander Varthaman crossed over to PoK where his aircraft was hit. He was taken into custody by Pakistan. Wing Commander Varthaman was released by Pakistan on March 1 after intense diplomatic pressure and his return to India was watched on television sets across the country. He was later awarded the third-highest wartime gallantry award Vir Chakra. Korley Klottey Municipal Assembly of the Greater Accra Region has disbursed 14 deep freezers to Persons with Disability (PWDs) to assist them in their respective businesses and to improve their livelihood. The items procured by the Assembly form part of the three percent allocation to PWDs from the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). After a thorough needs assessment by the Assemblys Social Welfare Department, the items were procured and distributed to enhance the wellbeing of PWDs, promote their business activities and improve their economic circumstances. Mr. Nii Adjei Tawiah, Municipal Chief Executive of KoKMA, speaking at a brief ceremony to disburse the items at the Assembly premises, said the initiative formed part of governments efforts to assist and empower PWDs to be self-sufficient and to contribute to national development. He emphasized that the Assembly will continue to introduce initiatives geared towards making them self-sustaining and called on the beneficiaries to put the items to good use to help uplift their standard of living. Madam Lydia Mensah Bonsu, Head of Social Welfare and Community Development, indicated that the Assembly found it prudent to do the first phase of the disbursement to help them do something for themselves. She urged them to receive the items in good faith. She further called on the unregistered PWDs to register with the Assembly in order to also benefit from the funds. The beneficiaries expressed their profound gratitude to the Assembly. 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. Featured Video At this years National Prayer Breakfast, President Trump cast doubt on the public faith of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who marshaled the impeachment effort in the House, and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), who voted to convict Trump of abuse of power. With Pelosi looking on, Trump questioned the sincerity of her statement that she prays for him. I dont like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong, he said. Nor do I like people who say, I pray for you, when they know that is not so. President Donald Trump. Reuters The Senate on Thursday passed a resolution that would block Trump from going to war with Iran without congressional approval. Several Republicans went against the president, who had heavily opposed the resolution, and voted in favor of it. The measure, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, passed 55-45, marking a rare bipartisan rebuke of the president. The House is expected to pass the measure, but Trump is poised to veto it. Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories. Several Republican senators joined Democrats on Thursday to pass a resolution barring President Donald Trump from taking further military actions against Iran without congressional approval. The resolution, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia and heavily opposed by Trump, passed 55-45, marking a rare bipartisan rebuke of the president a little over a week after the Senate acquitted Trump in his impeachment trial. Eight Republicans voted in favor of the resolution: 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, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Todd Young of Indiana. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer celebrated the success of the resolution in a tweet: "With Senator Kaine's War Powers Resolution now passed, a bipartisan majority of Senators just sent a clear shot across the bow saying President Trump cannot wage war without Congress's explicit approval." Kaine tweeted that "this is a strong bipartisan message from the Senate that we will uphold our constitutional duty to deliberate and vote before sending our troops into harm's way." Earlier in the week, Trump contended that passing the resolution would "show weakness" and make it harder for him to protect the US. In tweets on Wednesday, Trump said: "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 ... 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!" Story continues Kaine introduced the resolution in January after Trump ordered a drone strike that killed Iran's Gen. Qassem Soleimani. The strike pushed the US to the brink of war with Iran and resulted in an Iranian missile attack in Iraq that left over 100 US service members with mild traumatic brain injuries, which the president has downplayed. Though the US and Iran moved away from a wider conflict, tensions are still high as the Trump administration continues to hammer Tehran with harsh economic sanctions as part of a maximum-pressure campaign. Kaine on Wednesday rejected the notion pushed by Trump and his GOP allies that the resolution would be a sign of weakness to Iran. "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, per The Associated Press. In an interview with CNN, Kaine said: "We're not tying the president's hands. We are just saying war is the most serious thing that we do. It should only be done after serious deliberation. No one person should make the decision on their own." Lee, a cosponsor of Kaine's resolution, echoed these sentiments. "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 on Wednesday, according to the AP. "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." The House in early January approved a war-powers resolution to bar Trump from taking military action against Iran without congressional approval. But it was a concurrent resolution, meaning it doesn't require the president's signature and is nonbinding, and Republicans dismissed it as largely symbolic. Kaine's is a joint resolution, meaning it would require Trump's signature and would be binding. The House is expected to pass the resolution, but Trump is expected to veto it. Separately, the House in late January passed a pair of measures designed to limit Trump's ability to go to war with Iran. Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California sponsored the first measure, the No War Against Iran Act, which would deny the Pentagon any funds for military action against Iran without congressional approval. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, introduced a companion measure in the Senate. Four House Republicans Matt Gaetz, Warren Davidson, Trey Hollingsworth, and Thomas Massie voted in favor of Khanna's measure. The House at the time also voted on an amendment introduced by Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee of California to repeal the 2002 law that paved the way for the invasion of Iraq under the Bush administration. The Trump administration had used the law to justify the Soleimani strike, though legal scholars rejected this. Read the original article on Business Insider Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. Concurs repetat pentru selectarea unei companii sociologice, care sa efectueze un studiu tematic "Barometrul opiniei publice in domeniul schimbarilor climatice" By Azernews By Abdul Kerimkhanov Two Armenian soldiers have died under unclear circumstances in Azerbaijans occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region. Both soldiers have sustained gunshot founds. As the Armenian media reported, twenty-year-old serviceman Tigran Manvelyan was fatally wounded in the southeastern direction of the frontline under unclear circumstances on February 12. Armenian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Artsrun Hovhannisyan said a second soldier (Tigran Mkhoyan) was killed in a different military unit (in the south direction of the frontline). The soldier was identified as a twenty-year-old serviceman. Mkhoyan was also fatally wounded under unclear circumstances. The investigation is underway to clarify the circumstances of the incident. Earlier, on January 24, servicemen of occupied Nagorno-Karabakh Henri-Hayk Zakarian (born in 2001) and Armen Mesropyan (born in 2000) sustained gunshot wounds in a northerly direction of the frontline, and under yet unknown circumstances. Zakarian was wounded in the head and his health condition was assessed as critical; he underwent surgery. As for Mesropyan, he was wounded in the right arm. On January 25, a criminal case on charges of suicide attempt and incitement to suicide was launched in connection with above-mentioned conscripts. In 2019, according to the Prosecutor's Office of Armenia, seven soldiers of the Armenian army, as well as puppet regimes army created in Nagorno-Karabakh committed suicide. Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with signing a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied nearly 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over one million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. Despite the ceasefire, Armenia continued the occupation in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal. A semi-abandoned stretch of town is the focus of neighbors opposition to a developers plans for a 9-unit affordable housing project in Ridgebury. It would seem to me we have some leverage there, for negotiating, Selectwoman Barbara Manners said. If they want to use the road a smaller development. The situation came up in discussion during First Selectman Rudy Marconis selectmans report at the end of the Feb. 5 Board of Selectmens meeting. The developer, Black Oaks LLC,is applying under the states 8-30g affordable housing law, which exempts projects from density regulations, minimum lots size, and setback distances if 30 percent of proposed residential units meet state affordability guidelines. Three of the nine units are proposed as affordable, so the development qualifies to be considered under 8-30g. Theres controversy with this project, Marconi told fellow selectmen. About 40 Turner Hill neighborhood residents attended both the Jan. 14 and Feb. 11 Planning and Zoning Commission public hearings on the plan, and a third hearing is scheduled March 3. Seven spoke Feb. 11, doubting the developers offer to mollify traffic concerns by building a sidewalk and crosswalk. My concern: Is the towns insurance policy or indemnification from the builder up to date when the first person gets hit in that crosswalk, said Harold Moroknek. I dont think we should be compromising on road safety, said Gloria Driscoll. The Turner Hill neighborhood in Ridgebury is near the Danbury border. The area has been subject to a number of condominium projects, as well as construction of the 200,000-square-foot Belimo manufacturing facility. They feel theyve been inundated with all the traffic and all the building, Marconi said of the neighbors. Abandoned road The Black Oaks project incorporates an old, long-abandoned segment of Turner Road into the site plan for the development. The access road is on town property, Marconi said. But for the developers to legally use that section of the road, theyd have to have an easement from the town. The stretch of road has long gone unused, and it hasnt been maintained by the town Highway Department. But it hasnt been formally abandoned by the town. To abandon a road technically, that requires a town meeting, Marconi told the selectmen. When a road is legally abandoned, he said, a line is drawn down the center of the road and the land under the road is ceded to the abutting property owners on either side. Marconi said the town attorney David Grogins told developers that their plans call for use of a road that belongs to the town, and theyll need permission to do so. Dave Grogins has contacted their legal representative and said You cant move forward, Marconi told the board. Three options If the developers were to approach the town to try to resolve the situation, Marconi said, the selectmen would be looking at one of three options: granting the developers an easement for the use of the road; selling them the property where the road segment is; or rejecting their request. At the hearing, neighbors protested that the new development would degrade their neighborhood swimming pool and recreation area. And they felt nine units was a lot for a parcel of a little over one acre. At the selectmens meeting, Marconi added a bit of recent history. Originally they bought it, and they were saying two houses, he said of the developers. Now they want nine units. The situation as Marconi described prompted Selectwoman Manners to raise the idea of trying to use negotiations over the old road to get concessions on the nine-unit density that would be difficult for the Planning and Zoning Commission to accomplish through its approval process. If we dont give them permission, they cant build, Manners said. We dont have to give them the road. Engineers responses Addressing concerns from fire protection to sight lines in a Feb. 3 filing with the town planning office, the developers engineers offered written responses to six issues raised at the Jan. 14 public hearing. The issues and the responses, as outlined by CCA engineering of Brookfield, are: Fire protection: The development has approval from the fire marshal for vehicular access to the site. There are pressurized hydrants in close proximity of the site for the fire departments use. In addition, the building will be quipped with an NFPA (national fire protection association) fire sprinkler system. Sightlines: Attached is an aerial map showing the sightlines for the entering onto Barnum Place. The sightlines are more than adequate. Parking requirements: Ridgefields zoning requirements for multi-family parking require two spaces per dwelling unit. We are proposing two spaces per dwelling unit plus four visitor spaces, including one handicap space. Snow removal: Attached is a snow storage plan delineating the onsite areas to stockpile snow. Surrounding area: A question was raised regarding the surrounding area. Attached is an Aerial Exhibit Surrounding Area Map. Included in the area are the proposed development, Barnum Place single family development, Mayfair Square multifamily development and the Belimo manufacturing site. Earthwork/dust control: On sheet C4 we have shown requirements to be done during the earthwork phase to control dust, limit the times of earthwork activity, and provide a flagman for traffic control during this phase... The CCA filing also offer to build a sidewalk that might address some of the neighbors concerns. In addition, we are proposing an approximately 225 foot sidewalk on the east side of Barnum Place in order for people to navigate this part of Barnum Place off the road. It would start just south of the developments travelway and end at the recreation areas driveway. Harrison Ford is ready to put his Indiana Jones hat back on. The veteran actor leaked new details about the forthcoming fifth sequel while sitting down with Ellen DeGeneres on her Friday show. There Ford, 77, revealed that the movie is definitely in the works and is set to start shooting this summer. Back in action! Harrison Ford revealed that Indiana Jones 5 is in the works while appearing on the Ellen show Friday Harrison was cheeky with his answer. After Ellen asked about the movie, the Star Wars actor replied with a tricky double negative. 'I can deny that it's NOT happening,' he smiled, letting several seconds pass before audiences finally caught on and erupted into applause. Ford told audiences that the forthcoming sequel as soon as summer. He's seen in 1984's Temple Of Doom above Looking forward to it: Ford said he was still 'excited to play Indie, 39 years after originally playing the adventurous archaeologist Harrison also revealed that the saga will begin filming again this summer. Ford said he was still 'excited to play Indie, 39 years after originally playing the adventurous archaeologist. 'It's gonna be fun,' he told Ellen 'I am excited. They're great fun to make.' Good times: 'It's gonna be fun,' he told Ellen 'I am excited. They're great fun to make' Wild at heart: Harrison was there promoting his film Call Of The Wild Beloved: Indiana Jones won over audiences with 1981's Raiders Of The Lost Ark - largely considered one of the best films in the action-adventure genre Indiana Jones won over audiences with 1981's Raiders Of The Lost Ark - largely considered one of the best films in the action-adventure genre. It was followed up by the equally beloved prequel Indiana Jones And The Temple of Doom in 1984, and then later the sequel Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade in 1989. Indie got the reboot treatment once more in 2008 with Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull, which was slammed by fans and critics. The opposition Socialists demand an explanation from the government and the central bank for the historic low rate of the national currency compared to the euro and an indication of future exchange rates, a party lawmaker said. The forint is trading at 340 against the European currency, Laszlo Szakacs told a press conference, adding that a weakening national currency benefits only the multinational companies. These companies are gaining profits because it costs them less in euros to pay a forint equivalent in wages to their employees, he said. Hungarian households at the same time face increasing prices in almost all walks of life, Szakacs said. Viktor Orbans government has created a tax haven for multinational companies allowing them to pay only one-tenth of the public burden their employees ought to pay, he said. The Socialists call for cutting taxes on wages and ending the reduction of taxes on capital, Szakacs said. MTI Photo: Faludi Imre A total of 235 Russian military experts are currently staying in the Central African Republic (CAR), they have been sent there to train CAR armed forces and police, of which the United Nations Security Council is aware, Foreign Ministry's Department of Africa Director Andrei Kemarsky has said in an interview with Sputnik MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th February, 2020) A total of 235 Russian military experts are currently staying in the Central African Republic (CAR), they have been sent there to train car armed forces and police, of which the United Nations Security Council is aware, Foreign Ministry's Department of Africa Director Andrei Kemarsky has said in an interview with Sputnik. Apart from the Russian peacekeepers working at the UN stabilization mission, "a far larger group of military instructors" is staying in the country, Kemarsky said. According to him, these experts are engaged in training CAR servicemen and security officers. The Russian Defense Ministry has sent them to CAR following a demand by the African country's government, with knowledge of the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee. "They are working under a rotational system. Their number currently stands at 235," Kemarsky said. He added that Russian instructors had already trained around 4,000 CAR servicemen and around 500 police officers. "As for the possibility to send additional Russian instructors to the country, this can be discussed bilaterally after a relevant request by the CAR government, which Russian agencies will have to study. As far as I know, there has not been any request to increase the number of our experts," Kemarsky said. Dozens of counties eligible for loans to repair agricultural damage from tornadoes The Chameleon attack technique is a new type of OSN-based trickery where malicious posts and profiles change the way they are displayed to OSN users to conceal themselves before the attack or avoid detection. Joining us to discuss their findings in a new report entitled "The Chameleon Attack: Manipulating Content Display in Online Social Media" is Ben-Gurion University's Rami Puzis. The research can be found here: 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. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. There was a brief security scare in the Supreme Court on Friday, after a bag was found in the premises. There were reports that noises were coming out from the bag. Security officials present in the court premises sealed off the corridors after the bag was discovered. The bag was taken away and examined, said security officials. The corridors were later opened up, they added. Power banks have in the past led to security scare at high-security areas like airports. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had even asked state governments in 2017 to issue an advisory against carrying locally produced power banks while travelling by air. According to the ministry, situations causing alarm have been reported from various airports across the country during the screening of such devices. The scanned image of power banks is very similar to that of an improvised explosive device (IED). The ministry has observed that such power banks use putty, a clay-like substance, to give more weight to the device. A power bank is a battery device that can be electrically recharged.It serves as a portable charger for electronic devices like mobile phones, tablets, laptops. In India, a desi solution seems to have drawn the MHAs attention. (Bloomberg) -- A federal judge temporarily blocked Microsoft Corp. from working on a $10 billion Pentagon cloud-computing contract after Amazon.com Inc. asked for the delay, a surprise win for the company as it challenges the validity of the award over allegations that President Donald Trump interfered. The government cant proceed with implementing the contract until further order of the court, according to the decision by U.S Court of Federal Claims Judge Patricia Campbell-Smith. The judge ordered Amazon to pay $42 million in security, the minimum amount that the government had requested in the event of a delay. The judges full opinion was posted under seal. Its unusual for the U.S. Court of Federal Claims to pause work on a contract over the governments objections. The ruling is a victory for Amazon, which faced an uphill battle in its bid to get the award overturned, procurement experts said. The judge clearly sees some merit in Amazons challenge for the award to Microsoft. said Charles Tiefer, a professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law. Pentagon spokesman Robert Carver said in a statement that the ruling unnecessarily delays implementation of the cloud contract and deprives warfighters of a set of capabilities they urgently need. Microsoft spokesman Frank Shaw said the company was disappointed in the ruling and reiterated that the Pentagons procurement process was fair. A representative for Amazon didnt respond to a request for comment. Microsoft shares fell as much as 1% to a low of $182.87 after the report before closing down less than 1%. Amazon shares, which had been in negative territory, rose less than 1%. Microsoft in October won the Pentagons Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure, or JEDI, cloud contract, estimated to be worth as much as $10 billion over a decade. Amazon Web Services, Amazons cloud computing division, filed a lawsuit in November alleging the Defense Department failed to fairly judge its bid for the contract because Trump viewed Amazon Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos as his political enemy. Story continues Amazon earlier asked the U.S. Court of Federal Claims to allow it to question Trump and top Pentagon leaders to seek additional evidence that might show political interference cost the company the cloud deal. Among the leaders Amazon seeks to depose are Trump, former Defense Secretary James Mattis, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Dana Deasy, the Pentagons chief information officer. The e-commerce giants lawsuit chronicles a laundry list of comments and actions by Trump and the Defense Department that it claims show the Pentagon bowed to political pressure when awarding the deal to Microsoft. In one case, Amazon cites claims in a book by Mattis former speechwriter, Guy Snodgrass, that Trump told Mattis in the summer of 2018 to screw Amazon by locking it out of the bid. Mattis has criticized the book. But government lawyers argued in a filing made public on Wednesday that Amazons request to depose Trump was particularly audacious and unnecessary because the company had failed to offer enough evidence to support its claims of bias. The government also asked the court to reject Amazons request to temporarily block work on the contract, arguing that such a pause would compromise national security and drain taxpayer money. Government lawyers estimated in court papers that it would cost taxpayers between $5 million to $7 million for every month implementation was delayed. The Pentagons JEDI project is designed to consolidate the departments cloud computing infrastructure and modernize its technology systems. The Pentagon has already begun identifying programs that could be transitioned into the JEDI cloud environment. (Updates with comments from procurement experts beginning in third paragraph) --With assistance from Tony Capaccio, Susan Decker and Spencer Soper. To contact the reporters on this story: Naomi Nix in Washington at nnix1@bloomberg.net;Ben Brody in Washington, D.C. at btenerellabr@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Sara Forden at sforden@bloomberg.net, Jon Morgan 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. A local authority chairperson has turned down an all-expenses paid trip to New York for St Patricks Day because he is too busy calving cows. Fine Gael councillor and chairman of Laois County Council Wille Aird, who is also a dairy farmer near Portlaoise, turned down the offer 15 years ago as he was busy with work commitments then also. Its because of my work commitments, I cant get anybody to fill in for me, I have a lot of cows calving at that time, I couldnt walk away, explained Cllr Aird. Cllr Aird has the right to nominate his replacement for the trip. However, at a recent monthly meeting of the Co Council, Sinn Fein councillor Aidan Mullins proposed that all the councillors names should be placed in a hat and a person being chosen randomly. Cllr Mullins explained that he had to ask what the protocol was when the chair and vice chair could not attend. This trip should be open to all councillors despite their political background and putting their names in a hat seemed the most democratic to me. But being honest if my name was drawn to go I wouldnt have as nothing ever comes out of this annual junket which costs the taxpayer a lot of money in the long run. Im on the record as saying that I believe these trips never amount to any extra tourists or jobs into the county from international companies. We would be better sending Homer Simpson of the Simpsons cartoon to represent us. The Co Councils vice Fianna Fails chairperson John Joe Fennelly had proposed that councillors accept the invitation which is sent every year by the Laois Association in New York. Cllr Fennelly has declined to take Cllr Airds place, despite being next in line. No reason has been given why the vice chair cannot attend. The choice of councillor who goes is not being opened to any of the remaining 17 councillors. Cllr Aird has now nominated his Fine Gael colleague Cllr Conor Bergin. Cllr Bergin, who was elected last May, will accompany a council senior official on the trip. They will spend several days in the city meeting Laois diaspora as well as business and tourism figures to promote Laois. As far back as 2004 an especially strong Laois contingent travelled to New York for St Patricks Day festivities as St Josephs Accordion Band from Portlaoise marched in the parade down the famed 5th Avenue. Next months trip is paid from Laois County Councils budget. Despite efforts to make further contact with Cllr Aird he did not make any comment. The Mulroy Family at Mulroy's Londis, Castlebar, Co Mayo where a 17m EuroMillions ticket was sold (Photo:Keith Heneghan) The owner of a shop in Castlebar who sold a 17m winning ticket has celebrated the third EuroMillions win for "Europe's luckiest town". Alan Mulroy, owner of Mulroys Londis in the Co Mayo town said that there is a "great buzz" around Castlebar as locals speculate as to who the winner of the 17m could be. They say that lightning never strikes twice - and to be unlucky enough to be the target of this, you would be a one in 9,000,000 phenomenon. To win the EuroMillions jackpot once, you have to defy odds of one in 139,838,160 - and Castlebar has done it three times. According to Mr Mulroy, the mood in the town has been transformed. Expand Close The Mulroy Family and staff at Mulroy's Londis, Castlebar, Co Mayo where a 17m EuroMillions ticket was sold (Photo:Keith Heneghan) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Mulroy Family and staff at Mulroy's Londis, Castlebar, Co Mayo where a 17m EuroMillions ticket was sold (Photo:Keith Heneghan) "We are all delighted. Today is fantastic all together. There's a great buzz here and it's great for Castlebar," he said. "Yesterday there was great talk in the shop about who it could be who won and when they heard yesterday that it was in Mayo and this morning I broke the news to the staff. "So there's a great buzz and the shop is packed. Great buzz in the town, it's great for Castlebar. "It's a lucky, lucky town, probably the luckiest town in Europe." The first Mayo EuroMillions jackpot was won in April 2014 when a prize worth 15 million was claimed on a ticket sold in Castlebar. Three years later Mayo got its second winner, again in Castlebar, when a syndicate from the West of Ireland won 29 million in July 2017. The winner of the 17m jackpot is yet to come forward, but won with the numbers 24, 26, 32, 43, 46 and the Lucky Star numbers of 06 and 10. To celebrate the victory for the town, finger food and coffee was doled out in Mulroy's, where a DJ was also stationed for the day. The punter with the right numbers isn't the only winner. For selling the winning ticket, Mr Mulroy will receive 25,000, a prize he is keen to dip into with a celebration for his staff next week. Read More "We're here 27 years and this is just a big thank you to all of the customers who have come in over the years. We wouldn't be here without them, and likewise the staff," he told Independent.ie. "I feel myself it could be someone local who won because we do a lot of business locally with people coming in doing the lotto. That's my presumption anyway. "It was bought on the Tuesday just gone and it was a quickpick ticket, but no one has come forward yet. "Once we get over this weekend, we'll treat the staff. We'll bring them out next weekend or the weekend after for a big celebration. " A National Lottery spokesperson put into perspective just how lucky this town is. "Were delighted to announce that this 17m golden EuroMillions ticket was sold in the Green and Red county. "Castlebar is a really lucky town when it comes to EuroMillions wins as amazingly this is their third jackpot win. This means that 20pc of all Irish EuroMillions jackpot winners come from the Heather County." 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. Google Maps A 15-year-old male was arrested Friday in connection with the body of a man found dead near Harlandale High School on Tuesday, San Antonio police said. The teen was charged with murder and is at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center, police said. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Great Wall Motor (GWM), China's largest SUV and pickup manufacturer, reported a 28.16% year-on-year drop in its Jan. new vehicle sales. Meanwhile, the outputs for the month also slumped 31.79%. The combined sales of two SUV brands, Haval and WEY, sharply shrank 32.4% compared to the year-ago period. Among 58,720 Haval-branded SUVs sold last month, 26,414 units were from the biggest sales contributor Haval H6. However, the well-received SUV model was hit by a 41.35% sales plunge. Besides, the respective sales of both Haval H2 and F5 represented decline of over 60%. Despite the overall downturn, the sales of the Haval H9 and M6 still vigorously grew 50.12% and 18.36% from a year ago respectively. In addition, the total sales of other models, including the Haval H1, H5 and H7, jumped 13.48% to 1,650 units. WEY, the brand bearing GWM's ambition to move upscale, suffered a double-digit decrease as well with none of models achieving increase. The automaker sold a total of 13,846 pickups in January. The sales of the Wingle fell 31.35% to 7,870 units. The Great Wall C30 had a sales surge of 189.12% thanks to the comparatively small base number for the year-ago period. The P Series Pickup, a young brand just launched in last August, saw its sales volume amount to 5,551 units, versus 7,020 units for the previous month. As of Jan. 2020, the sales of the P Series Pickup aggregated 23,850 units. The BEV-focused ORA suffered a steep decrease of 65.65%. The nosedive in the ORA iQ sales was the main factor bringing the whole sales down. In spite of the sliding performance in domestic market, GWM still witnessed its export volume jump 18.36% year over year to 4,442 units in Jan. The automaker globally premiered its Haval Concept H and announced the India debut of the concept vehicle Vision 2025 at the 2020 Auto Expo. It plans to invest an estimated total of $1 billion in India in a phased manner, covering manufacturing plant, vehicle research and development, production of power batteries and electric drives, vehicle and component production. Daniel Greenstein, chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, addresses a crowd of students, faculty and alumni at Cheyney University on Friday, April 26, 2019. Read more As finances grow tighter at Pennsylvanias 14 state universities, state system Chancellor Daniel Greenstein has told the schools to curtail the use of adjuncts, combine under-enrolled academic programs, and work more closely to reduce expenses across the 96,000-student system. The directive follows a meeting with the university presidents this week where they examined financial plans for the schools and decided action was needed, Greenstein said Thursday. The universities have spent $127 million of their unrestricted reserves essentially their savings accounts to balance their budgets and complete projects since 2015-16. Too many of the universities have been drawing on the reserves, which now total $724 million, to balance their budgets, Greenstein said. Thats not sustainable, he said, and is a red flag for accreditors, who review the State System of Higher Educations financial viability. A redesign of the system is underway. But, Greenstein said, Were not going fast enough, far enough. The system has been bleeding enrollment, which has dropped about 20% since 2010, and projections call for the number of high school graduates to take an even steeper decline in coming years. The universities include Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester. READ MORE: Enrollment falls again across Pennsylvania's state universities In an email to campus leaders Thursday, Greenstein outlined five steps for the universities to take to improve their revenue picture: Curtail the use of adjuncts and temporary faculty. Use full-time faculty more and share them across institutions. If one school needs a course in physics but doesnt have an available professor, instead of hiring an adjunct, send students in person or online to a campus that has one. Twenty-seven percent of the systems faculty currently are adjuncts, he said. Consolidate under-enrolled programs within a university or across universities. Some programs arent attracting enough students to sustain themselves. Eliminate vacant positions unless the president deems them necessary. The system also will look at sharing more positions across universities to reduce costs, Greenstein said. Improve the retention of students. The system loses nearly a quarter of its students after their freshmen year, which hurts not only the students but also university budgets, Greenstein said. White students are retained at a higher rate than minority students, system data show. Move toward a systemwide academic plan that avoids duplication and fills needs across the state. Faculty union leaders have questions about the plan. In an email today to faculty, theres a more positive call to collective action, but the memorandum to presidents is more authoritarian, said Jamie Martin, vice president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties. Were concerned about how faculty will interpret this and were still interpreting and processing this ourselves as APSCUF leadership. The announcement follows the release of Gov. Tom Wolfs proposed budget this month that would give the system less funding than it requested. The system sought $20 million for its redesign; Wolf proposed nearly $13 million. It also asked for a 2% boost nearly $10 million in its yearly appropriation; Wolf proposed flat funding. The governor, however, also proposed a new scholarship program that could help the system attract more students if it gets legislative approval. The $204 million tuition assistance program could enable about 25,000 students who attend system schools to graduate debt free. The money would come from the state Race Horse Development Trust Fund, and that has horse owners and farmers complaining. READ MORE: Gov. Tom Wolf calls for $204 million in tuition assistance for students at Pa. colleges Greenstein didnt have projections on how much the steps could save. It will depend on how fully schools embrace the plan and participate, he said. The goal is for the universities to balance their budgets without drawing from reserves without hurting the student experience, he said. The steps, he said, are meant to encourage greater collaboration across the universities. Its something that Greenstein has been calling for almost since he became chancellor in 2018. Not every school is struggling. West Chester, the largest in the system with nearly 17,700 students, has continued to grow. Cheyney, which mounted a successful fight last year to retain its accreditation after years of falling enrollment, also had an enrollment increase this year. READ MORE: New chancellor: Pa.s 14 state universities should start operating more like a system Theres a lot we can do, but theres a lot more we can do if we work together, Greenstein said. We are committed to ensuring that were able to offer high quality education to all Pennsylvanians. This is about taking very proactive steps in order to make sure we can do that. A developer is seeking state funding to acquire and rehabilitate a Tomball apartment complex for affordable rental housing, and they have the City Councils support. Rural Housing Developers is a company with apartments in six states, including Texas and Oklahoma, and is applying for 2020 Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program funds in the amount of $250,000 to acquire and renovate Tomball Square Apartments, 611 James St., which would be renamed Tomball Village Apartments. Tomball Square Apartments is already classified as low income housing. Related: Tomball sees growth in residential developments A letter from the developer to the city states the renovation work would cost about $50,000 a unit for 24 units, about $1.2 million There are three different ways to qualify meeting this tax credit by having at least 20% of the complexs units occupied by tenants making 50% or less of the area median income, at least 40% of the units occupied by tenants making 60% or less of the area median income, or with at least 40% of tenants having an average income of 60% or less of the median income and no tenants with income greater than 80% of the median income. Rural Housing Developers did not state which way they would qualify for their project and did not return requests for comment. As part of the approval by City Council, Mayor Gretchen Fagan will send a letter of support for the project to the Texas Department of Housing Community Affairs and provide the developer with $250 for fee waivers on the project. City Manager Rob Hauck clarified that this isnt approving anything to be built. Related: Developer eyeing new apartment complex on FM 2920 When people are seeking state funding, they oftentimes look for the community government to basically give them just a letter of support as they make their appeal to the state, Hauck said. Council members approved the item with a vote of 3-1, with only Council Member Lori Klein Quinn voting against the project. Council Member Mark Stoll was absent. Quinn said she didnt have enough information to vote for the project. What is the target for this one? Quinn asked. Usually, the elderly arent doing stairs and I dont see any elevators on here, so Im wondering who are the candidates to stay in this village once it is complete. In Rural Housing Developers proposal for the project, they state the property was originally built consisting of 24 two-bedroom apartments with a small community clubhouse building. Should their application be approved, they state the developers would make needed upgrades to the property, modernizing the interiors of the units and the community amenities, as well as adding garbage disposals, energy-efficient fixtures, a larger community building with a laundry room and playground equipment. Mayor Pro Tem Derek Townsend Sr. was one of the three council members to vote in favor of the project. Im thinking that anytime we have an opportunity to have somebody come in and improve a piece of property structurally, its a good thing for everybody, Townsend said. And there are not always people who are as fortunate as others, and I believe if were going to be a hometown with a heart like we say we are, we need to be able to reach out and give people who have not had some of the opportunities others of us have had. paul.wedding@hcnonline.com MIAMI, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- At a time when it feels like there are too many disasters around the world and not enough relief, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) announced it will dedicate two ships to humanitarian efforts in Australia and California to support some of the people affected by recent crises. The coronavirus outbreak has caused pain and disruption around the world. It is a stark reminder of the hurt that these terrible events can bringand how fortunate we are that such traumatic events are not more frequent. "When things go wrong, this is a company that wants to find a way to help," said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "At Royal Caribbean, we consider ourselves fortunate to be able to use our ships in a positive way during difficult times." Fain said Royal Caribbean was working with its suppliers to deliver one million N-95 protective masks into China for government distribution into affected areas. "We admire the all-out efforts of the Chinese government and people to address this crisis, and we want to bring our resources to bear to help their efforts," Fain said. Spectrum of the Seas will travel to Australia and be deployed on complimentary cruises sailing from Sydney in support of Australia's first responder community, who worked tirelessly over many weeks of the bush fire crisis. "We are in a fortunate position to offer these brave and selfless members of the Australian community the opportunity to join us for a few days and let them relax and unwind in the company of other volunteers and first responders," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. "By welcoming and accommodating them aboard Spectrum of the Seas, we hope to recognize their contribution and offer them our hospitality." Bayley noted that the ship and its crew have not been in China for more than two weeks, exceeding public health guidelines. And when circumstances improve, Bayley said, Royal Caribbean International will dedicate a ship in China to a series of complimentary sailings to thank first responders and medical personnel for their heroic efforts to defeat the virus. In addition, Celebrity Millennium is repositioning to the west coast of the US earlier than previously scheduled and will offer a series of "Cruising for Heroes" sailings in support of California firefighters, other first responders, and veterans throughout March and April. A variety of three-, four- and five-night sailings have been added to the brand's offerings to travel the breathtaking Pacific Coast. The sailings will leave from Los Angeles and details will be announced soon. "The women and men of Celebrity were keen to have this opportunity to give back, even though this repositioning presented a challenging timeline," Fain said. "We know the hard work and sacrifice of those who have been keeping Californians safe, and it feels good to be able to say 'thank you.'" Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, said, "While the circumstances have not been what any of us would have wanted, we now have the opportunity to show the State of California our stunning Celebrity Millennium and do some good in the process by honoring and helping our everyday heroes who do so much for so many. Celebrity Millennium is a beautifully appointed ship and was recently revolutionized. It's exciting to share it with this market and to honor the men and women who come to the aid of others every single day." Further details of the cruises will be shared as final itineraries are developed. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) is a global cruise vacation company that controls and operates four global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea Cruises. We are also a 50% joint venture owner of the German brand TUI Cruises and a 49% shareholder in the Spanish brand Pullmantur Cruceros. Together these brands operate a combined total of 61 ships with an additional 17 on order as of December 31, 2019. They operate diverse itineraries around the world that call on all seven continents. Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebritycruises.com, www.azamara.com, www.silversea.com, www.tuicruises.com, www.pullmantur.es, or www.rclinvestor.com. SOURCE Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Related Links http://www.rclcorporate.com No one ever said that launching a high-growth industry from the ground up (literally) was easy. Just ask the cannabis industry and pot stock investors for confirmation. The pot industry entered 2019 with (pardon the pun) high hopes. Unfortunately, those hopes were replaced by deep disappointment when the curtain closed on the year. Supply bottlenecks and shortages dominated the Canadian landscape, while high tax rates and a resilient black market made life difficult for U.S. multistate operators. Put simply, what could go wrong did go wrong for marijuana stocks and the industry as a whole in 2019. While a new year does bring new opportunities, a handful of the same challenges that affected the industry in 2019 have become even more pronounced in 2020. In particular, financing remains a major worry for both Canadian and U.S. pot stocks. Cannabis stocks are running on cash fumes, report suggests Earlier this week, boutique investment banking company Ello Capital put this concern into glaring focus. Ello wound up looking at 13 of the largest U.S. pot stocks, as well as seven of the largest Canadian cannabis stocks, and estimated how long they could survive given their current monthly cash burn and available cash on hand. The results were definitely surprising. According to Ello, the average U.S. pot stock has just 14 months of available cash before running out of money. Meanwhile, the seven Canadian pot stocks it examined had only 6.5 months of cash liquidity, on average, before running out. In total, the following 10 pot stocks have 10 months or less of available cash on hand, per Ello Capital: Green Growth Brands: 0.9 months 4Front Ventures: 1.1 months Aurora Cannabis NASDAQ:ACB) Tilray: 3.7 months The Green Organic Dutchman: 3.9 months MedMen Enterprises OTC:MMNFF) HEXO NASDAQ:HEXO) Canopy Growth NASDAQ:CGC) Harvest Health & Recreation: 9.2 months iAnthus Capital Holdings: 10 months No doubt, some of these projections are eye-opening. However, it's important to note that Ello's estimates don't take into consideration short-term investments or cash used in acquisitions. For example, Canopy Growth ended the September quarter with 2.74 billion Canadian dollars ($2.06 billion U.S.) in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, combined. However, Ello is taking less than half this amount into account when tabulating Canopy's cash runway, thus leading to a forecast of only 7.7 months of cash remaining, despite a $4 billion equity investment from Constellation Brands in November 2018. Ello is probably correct about the direness of some of these situations While Canopy Growth is far better off than the above figures imply, other pot stocks are genuinely in trouble. Aurora Cannabis, for instance, is forecast to run out of cash by midyear, according to GLJ Research founder Gordon Johnson, while Ello suggests that Aurora's doomsday is even closer -- although Ello failed to account for CA$39.4 million in marketable securities on the company's balance sheet at the end of the fiscal first quarter. Nevertheless, recent corporate moves suggest that Aurora is in serious trouble. The company has seen plenty of management turnover, has halted construction at two key projects while putting another greenhouse up for sale, and announced plans to write off close to $1 billion from its balance sheet. Further, with the company's credit line reduced by CA$141.5 million, Aurora's only means of raising capital at the moment is to sell its stock and dilute its already beaten-down shareholders even more. In the U.S., MedMen Enterprises looks to be operating on borrowed time. Despite securing up to $280 million in financing from private equity firm Gotham Green Partners, it announced in December that the final $115 million of this financing was no longer available for use. In recent weeks, MedMen has attempted to pay its vendors with its own common stock -- a testament to how serious its cash deficiency has become. Even after calling off its all-stock acquisition of PharmaCann in October, it's unclear if MedMen has the capital to survive. HEXO is another obvious concern. Even though it's been able to raise around CA$100 million since October through a combination of stock offerings and a convertible debenture, HEXO is no lock to have enough capital to execute on its long-term strategy. Mind you, that's with HEXO idling about a third of its peak capacity cultivation and laying off 200 workers in an effort to significantly reduce its operating expenses. It is worth noting that a small number of pot stocks have a longer cash runway. According to Ello, Cronos Group has roughly seven years of cash on hand, with Curaleaf and Cresco Labs in the U.S. having in excess of three years, and more than two years, of respective cash. Will things improve for pot stocks? Keeping in mind that there are limitations to Ello's projections, the big question at this point has to be, "Will pot stocks go bankrupt?" I believe the answer is most definitely yes. We will, at some point, see one or more brand-name pot stocks fail. Failure is a part of every industry, and the fast-growing weed industry is no exception. In Canada, despite cannabis being legal, banks are simply unwilling to extend the olive branch due to the poor operating performances of marijuana businesses. These operating results are unlikely to improve significantly until Ontario issues additional retail store licenses and a lot of dispensaries open for business. That bodes poorly for the likes of Aurora Cannabis and HEXO, which are both counting on Canada's most populous province. Meanwhile, U.S. cannabis stocks very much need banking reform measures to pass in the Senate. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) has offered a number of suggestions to the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act that would neutralize its effectiveness and has, for all intents and purposes, stalled the SAFE Banking Act on Capitol Hill. Without easy access to traditional forms of financing, there's no question that multistate operators that have overextended themselves (ahem, MedMen) could be in serious trouble. Without any immediate remedies on the financing front for North American pot stocks, things could get worse before they get better. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nina A. Loasana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14 2020 News of a tragic incident at a high school in Cibubur, East Jakarta, in January has brought the issue of teen suicide into the spotlight a topic rarely discussed by the public or in schools. A student reportedly jumped from the fourth floor of the school building in an apparent suicide attempt and was immediately rushed to Kramat Jati Hospital to receive medical treatment but passed away two days later. Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) commissioner Retno Listyarti said it was not the first case of reported student suicide in Jakarta, citing a suspected suicide at a high school in Pademangan, North Jakarta, around three months earlier. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Moscow (AFP) - 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. Story continues 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 An entrance to a closed McDonald's Corp. restaurant is barricaded near the famous West Lake, usually a popular tourist attraction, in Hangzhou, China, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. In many places, businesses were scheduled to resume work this past Monday, but a variety of data indicates progress has been slow as the virus remains an unresolved concern. Many local governments have also imposed strict restrictions on entering certain areas and requiring quarantines of at least two weeks for people who have returned from out-of-town. The new coronavirus that began to grab national attention in mid-January has killed more than 1,300 people in mainland China. More than half of the provinces delayed the resumption of work from the first week of February by at least a week in an effort to keep people from interacting and spreading the virus. BEIJING Two weeks after the Lunar New Year holiday was originally supposed to end, Chinese businesses are still getting up to speed as the country deals with disruptions from a highly contagious virus. "The lockdown measures, together with the substantial extension of the (Lunar New Year) holiday, have significantly delayed resumption of business and production," Ting Lu, chief China economist at Nomura, said in an email Friday. He noted that given unique factors in China's political economic system, many local government officials are making containment of the virus the top priority. "Poor coordination among local governments leads to excessive roadblocks which result in logistical nightmare for most enterprises," Lu said, adding that there's still a severe shortage of the face masks needed for employees to resume work at factories and offices. In other cases, people are working from home. Shenzhen-based Tencent extended its work-from-home mandate until the end of Friday, Feb. 21. Beijing-based artificial intelligence company Megvii has told employees to work remotely until Monday, Feb. 17. Here's a look at what some data indicates about China's economic activity so far: Daily power coal consumption of six major power generation groups on Wednesday was 42.2% lower from the same post-Lunar New Year holiday period last year, Morgan Stanley economist Robin Xing and his team pointed out in a note Thursday. That's up 3% from the prior day. As of Monday, work had resumed at just over half, or 57.8%, of coal mines, according to data from 22 key provinces disclosed by Cong Liang, secretary general, member of the leading party group of the National Development and Reform Commission. The number of people who have returned to major Chinese cities remains at about a quarter what it was a year ago, according to Lu's analysis of data from Baidu, an operator of a major map app and other apps. Cities with a low return rate include Guangzhou, the capital of China's largest province by exports. The Lunar New Year marks a rare period of the year in China when the majority of businesses are closed and millions of people return to their hometowns for about a week or more. This year, authorities have encouraged people to stay put or return to their places of work in phases. "Even though a significant share of China's manufacturing plants have resumed operation this week, many plants are still operating at far below capacity due to labor force shortages, Rajiv Biswas, APAC chief economist at IHS Markit, said in an email Friday. "Many migrant workers have still not been able to return to their workplace due to lockdowns of some cities as well as quarantine requirements for workers moving from one town to another," he said. "This is likely to heavily disrupt industrial output for the remainder of Q1 2020." There's also the worry that resuming operations at this point could lead to more infections, and further halts to business operations. In southwestern China, a factory belonging to Pangang Chongqing Titanium Industry had to close after three workers were infected on Monday, Feb. 10, the industrial park confirmed in a phone call, noting about 130 people were in close contact with the three confirmed cases. The factory is now under quarantine, and a notice from the committee said the company did not fully comply with virus prevention procedures before resuming production. AS Winnipeg waits for March 6, the day the citys executive policy committee will present the civic budget, it is clear we are at a crossroads, or perhaps a tipping point. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion AS Winnipeg waits for March 6, the day the citys executive policy committee will present the civic budget, it is clear we are at a crossroads, or perhaps a tipping point. Winnipeg can continue with business as usual, on the track of top-down economic and fiscal policy in which low taxes attempt to lure private economic investment and developer profits dictate the expansion of our city, or we can recognize that restraint and mismanagement of public investment results in the conditions of injustice, despair, desperation, addiction and crime. If we opt for the second choice, we can chart a new course toward good urban planning and adherence to those plans in both development decisions and budget deliberations. The recent release of the Winnipeg Food Atlas illustrates how much of a change to investment is necessary for instance, we funnel more than $639 million a year into treating diabetes, when whats needed is support for efforts to prevent it. Illnesses such as diabetes that are described as "lifestyle related" are, in reality, equity related. Political leaders would do well to listen to people who work in public health, and heed the research from jurisdictions that are moving in the right direction in terms of smart urban design and planning, and budgets that invest in wellness. As we connect the dots of the effects of years of mean-spirited and short-sighted economic policy, we cannot continue to use the excuse of cutting our way to balanced budget in order to keep taxes down. Weve won the race to the bottom Winnipeg has the lowest municipal taxes in Canada. And the results are dire. Now we must redistribute investment into the social and ecological determinants of health and well-being, which means into subsidized and public green housing, quality after-school and childcare services, income supports for low-wage workers and those who cant work, and quality efforts to ensure food security. This will require political and government leadership to work together collaboratively across jurisdictions and departments. Recreation is not a frill. It is part of our health-care system; it prevents costly illness. Recreation facilities are, in effect, health infrastructure. More people swimming at the renovated Kinsman Sherbrook Pool means less people in critical care down the street at Health Sciences Centre. Senior levels of government, if they were smart, would be funnelling funds into municipal recreation and active-living strategies and facilities. The social impact and health benefits from wise investment into community services would be measurable. Our urban environment and access to transportation have a lot to do with healthy public policy and health equity. People who cannot afford transportation to where they can buy quality food are at risk of nutrition insecurity as they fill up on corner-store and food-bank fare of cheap, sugar-laden and starchy food. People who work long hours, who eat out because they cant take time to shop for and cook healthy meals, are in a similar position. A city designed for cars, where people rarely walk, bike or get active, is more likely to have a population facing obesity and at risk for diabetes. People whose work life is so time-consuming they do not have time for recreation, physical activity and family time can be as much at risk, as the Food Atlas shows, as those who are stressed due to poverty. 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. Our work/life balance is affected by our built environment and our citys economic policy, because these are what make or break our ability to "choose" to live healthy. Winnipeg has a complete communities direction strategy that integrates and addresses these issues. The problem comes at budget time, when decisions at city hall dont follow it. Winnipeg has policies to make our city equitable, healthy and sustainable if city council and administration follow their own rules. The upcoming civic budget must be more innovative in order to raise revenue by turning problems into job creation, in such areas as green energy, contaminated-site remediation, food security and urban agriculture, public and active transportation, urban forestry, wellness, and child and elder care, to name a few. A green jobs plan for Winnipeg must be top priority for future investment. The days of tax cuts and urban sprawl must be put behind us. The stresses of poverty and working just to pay for an unsustainable way of life create a fast track to illness. We should aspire to make Winnipeg the healthiest city in Canada, with improved health equity and health outcomes for all of us, guided by a budget that is forward-looking, green and fair. After all, fair is the new smart. Marianne Cerilli is a health educator, former MLA and community development aficionado. The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is one of a handful of vehicles to be exported from South Korea to the U.S. by General Motors in 2020. GM As the Trump administration weighs a plan to increase tariffs on European-made vehicles and continues unprecedented trade negotiations with China, a safe haven for automakers to import vehicles to the U.S. tariff-free is South Korea. It's a situation that's unlikely to change anytime soon as President Donald Trump renegotiated a trade deal with the country in 2018. That accord was touted for improving vehicle imports to South Korea, but it did little to address vehicle exports to the U.S., which are expected to hit a new record this year. South Korean-made vehicles are forecast to account for about 5.5%, or 923,000, of U.S. vehicle sales this year, according to LMC Automotive. That's up from 4.5% last year and comparable with European-made vehicles at about 7%. "You've got some decent numbers coming in volume-wise," said Jeff Schuster, president of the Americas and global vehicle forecasts at automotive industry forecasting firm. "It's relatively stable from a percentage standpoint." General Motors is the only U.S.-based automaker that imports South Korean-made vehicles to the United States. The company accounted for roughly 1 in every 4 vehicles coming from South Korea last year, according to LMC. South Korean-based automakers Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors, which operate under the same parent company, accounted for the rest. GM's South Korean operations, which employ 9,200 people, allowed it to quickly offer new small crossovers in the early-2010s, capitalizing on U.S. consumer preference moving away from passenger cars. GM currently produces small crossovers such as the Buick Encore, Chevrolet Trax and upcoming Buick Encore GX and Chevrolet Trailblazer in South Korea for the U.S. market. It also assembles several passenger cars such as the Chevrolet Malibu and Chevrolet Spark for local markets. It operates three assembly plants in the country. Only about 6% of GM's U.S. vehicle sales last year were imported from South Korea. That compares with Hyundai/Kia at about 45%, according to LMC and annual sales reported by the companies. Tariff-free vs. costs Despite South Korea's tariff-free status, automakers aren't flocking there due to the country's tough labor unions that are known for striking, as well as benefits of avoiding tariffs not outweighing the associated costs of moving there. "You would have a payoff period of way too many years to make it worthwhile because you're just saving that tariff, which is essentially 2.5% for most countries," said Bernard Swiecki, an expert on South Korea and a senior automotive analyst with the Center for Automotive Research. American auto brands also haven't performed well in South Korea, according to Swiecki, who has been traveling to South Korea since 2006. A cap lifted for vehicle exports from the U.S. to the county as part of Trump's renegotiated deal with South Korea also didn't help matters because automakers weren't close to approaching that threshold, he said. GM, according to two sources familiar with the plans, threatened to end all operations in the country two years ago if the union didn't allow it to restructure operations, including the closure of an assembly plant. "The downside of South Korea has always been the unions are tough," said IHS principal automotive analyst Stephanie Brinley. "They're very difficult to deal with." GM's roots in the country are a result of Daewoo, a defunct automaker in the country that GM acquired assets from in 2002. GM also operates an engineering plant in the country, which Steve Kiefer, GM president of South America and International Operations, last week described as "a key production sourcing and engineering hub." "They embedded a lot of American and European engineers there as well. I think they did learn quite a bit about small cars in that space," Brinley said during an investor day presentation. "It's continued to provide benefits." Exports to decline GM's imports from South Korea grew from fewer than 90,000 vehicles in 2014 to more than 185,000 last year, according to LMC. The automaker is expected to import more than 253,000 vehicles this year, according to the auto research firm. That compares with Hyundai/Kia at nearly 670,000 vehicles forecast for 2020 slightly higher than its annual average since 2014. "Overall, you've got the Korean stronghold but then you have GM leveraging the former Daewoo operation there," Schuster said. "It's taking advantage of obviously the small (crossovers) that are coming from there." LMC expects imports from South Korea to the U.S. to level off in coming years as domestic sales slow, localized vehicle production from Hyundai/Kia grows and GM potentially ending production of some of its vehicles currently being imported to the United States. The 2020 Hyundai Tucson, one of the company's best-selling vehicles, is imported from South Korea to the U.S. Hyundai BERLIN - European Union officials are seeking support from member states to have naval ships enforce the U.N. arms embargo against Libya, according to a confidential memo obtained Friday by The Associated Press. The proposal from the EUs diplomatic service, dated Feb. 12, suggests the blocs largely dormant anti-migrant smuggling mission Operation Sophia should be renamed Operation EU Active Surveillance. The memo, circulated ahead of a meeting Monday of EU foreign ministers on Libya, urges member states to agree on whether gathering information on, and upholding, the U.N. embargo should become the naval missions core task. Monitoring people smuggling would be relegated to a supporting task carried out from the air. World powers agreed at a conference in Berlin last month to respect the arms embargo against Libya, but in practice weapons have continued to flow to the two warring factions. The European External Action Service, the blocs diplomatic arm, warned in the memo that we run the risk that, short of concrete action, the EU will become irrelevant and others will continue to determine the development of events in Libya in ways that will not respond to our interests. In fact, blatant violations of the arms embargo continue and have even increased in the last weeks, it added. In order to protect its interests, the EU has to act in a credible manner that produces changes on the ground and conveys a clear message of determination, EU diplomats suggested. The proposal goes beyond the agreement by EU countries last month to refocus the mission on the arms embargo by stressing the need to deploy naval assets in the relevant zone of its Area of Operations. The EU naval mission Operation Sophia was launched in 2015 amid a wave of irregular migration from North Africa to Europe. It was named after a baby girl born to a rescued Somali woman aboard a German frigate. But tension over how to distribute migrants picked up in the Mediterranean among EU member states, and claims that the naval presence might encourage smugglers, led Italy to block the deployment of further ships last year. It currently functions almost exclusively using aircraft and pilotless drones. One European diplomat said there was agreement among the blocs 27 members to strengthen U.N. monitoring of the embargo, but not on the issue of dispatching naval assets. The diplomat, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said Austria has objected to putting naval ships back into the Mediterranean, an issue that would likely come up at the annual Munich Security Conference over the weekend. In an apparent concession to governments concerned about the naval ships picking up migrants, the EU memo proposes that naval assets can be deployed in the areas most relevant to the implementation of the arms embargo. This would be in the eastern part of the area of operation or at least 100km off the Libyan coast, where chances to conduct rescue operations are lower. Rules of engagement will have to be designed in a conflict sensitive manner, it suggested. Since the 2011 ouster and subsequent death of dictator Moammar Gadhafi, Libya has sunk further into chaos and turmoil. It is currently divided between a U.N.-supported government, based in the capital, Tripoli, headed by Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj and supported by an array of militias, and an administration based in the countrys east, supported by Gen. Khalifa Hifter. Hifter and his self- styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces have been waging an offensive to capture Tripoli since last April. On Thursday, Hifters forces indiscriminately shelled residential neighbourhoods around Tripoli, killing one woman and wounding at least four civilians. Brig. Gen. Khaled al-Mahjoub, head of mobilization for Hifters forces, hailed the proposal as an important step that would stop the influx of mercenaries and arms from Turkey to the criminal gangs of Tripoli. He renewed calls for the arms embargo to be lifted on Hifters troops so they can carry on their offensive against terrorist groups allied with the Tripoli government. The Tripoli-based government did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The renewed clashes came just hours after the United Nations Security Council endorsed a 55-point road map for ending the war that demanded foreign backers of Libyas warring sides uphold a widely flouted arms embargo. Turkey, Italy and Qatar back the Tripoli administration while the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, as well as France and Russia, back Hifters side in the conflict. Andrej Hunko, the European affairs policy spokesman for Germanys opposition Left party, said the EUs proposal to dispatch military ships risked pouring oil into the fire and wouldnt stop weapons being smuggled into Libya by land. Hunko called for a civilian operation to oversee the arms embargo. This could be carried out by the Vienna-based Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, of which Turkey one of the main military backers of Sarraj is also a member, he said. ___ Associated Press writers Samuel Petrequin in Brussels and Noha ElHennawy in Cairo contributed to this report. WMO seeks to obtain data after scientists on Seymour Island log temperature of 20.75C (69.35 Fahrenheit). Antarcticas temperature has reached a record-breaking high of more than 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit), according to a team of researchers. Wed never seen a temperature this high in Antarctica, Brazilian scientist Carlos Schaefer told the AFP news agency on Friday, referring to the 20.75C (69.35F) temperature recorded on February 9 on Seymour Island, part of an archipelago off the northern tip of the continent The reading is almost a full degree higher than the former record of 19.83C (67.69F) taken on Signy Island in January 1982. In a statement, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said it was aware of the report but warned that it was premature to say that Antarctica had exceeded 20C for the first time. We first need to analyse the very important station metadata, e.g., location, type of equipment, measurement practices, calibration of the instruments, etc, from the researchers involved, said Randall Cerveny, WMOs Weather and Climate Extremes rapporteur. Once we have those data, we can begin a formal evaluation as to the observations validity. For his part, Schaefer, who works on Terrantar, a Brazilian government project that monitors the effect of climate change across more than 20 sites in the Antarctic, also cautioned that the reading has no meaning in terms of a climate-change trend because it is a one-off temperature and not part of a long-term data set. We cant use this to anticipate climatic changes in the future. Its a data point, said Schaefer, a soil scientist. Its simply a signal that something different is happening in that area, he said. The Seymour Island reading is significantly higher than the 18.3C (64.94F) temperature logged on February 6 at the Argentinian Esperanza research base. WMO said it was also working to verify that reading. The Antartic Peninsula is among the fastest warming regions of the planet, almost 3C (37.4F) over the last 50 years, according to WHO. Accelerating rate Roughly twice the size of Australia, Antarctica experiences average annual temperatures ranging from about 10C (50F) on the coast to minus 60C (140 F) at the highest part of its interior, according to WMO. Its vast ice sheet contains 90 percent of the worlds fresh water, enough to raise sea level by approximately 60 metres (196 feet) were it all to melt. Accelerating melt-off from glaciers, and especially ice sheets, in Antarctica is helping drive sea level rises, threatening coastal megacities and small island nations. We know that the ice sheet is beginning losing mass, that means its melting and that meltwater is contributing to sea level rise, Tim Naish, of Victoria University of Wellington, told Al Jazeera. Its doing that with an accelerating rate and we expect that to continue. According to the United Nations, the past decade has been the hottest on record with 2019 the second-hottest year ever, after 2016. This year seems set to keep the trend as last month was the hottest January on record. A chinstrap penguin colony in front of a glacier on Elephant Island in Antarctica [Christian Aslund/Greenpeace] Meanwhile, a group of scientists on a Greenpeace expedition reported this week a drastic reduction in the many colonies of chinstrap penguins, with some falling as much as 77 percent since last surveyed almost 50 years ago. While several factors may have a role to play, all the evidence we have points to climate change as being responsible for the changes we are seeing, said Heather J Lynch, associate professor of ecology and evolution at New Yorks Stony Brook University, and one of the expeditions leads. Dyan deNapoli, the award winning author of The Great Penguin Rescue, concurred. The number one threat to nearly all penguin species today is global warming, she told Al Jazeera. And humans should be concerned with the drop in penguin numbers, according to the author. The dramatic decline were seeing in their numbers is an indication that the overall health of the ecosystem they inhabit is also in decline, deNapoli said. More simply stated, if penguins are dying, it means our oceans are dying. Which ultimately will impact other species, including humans. 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 EUR4.1 billion (US$4.45 billion) worth of products to Vietnam in 2018, a year-on-year surge of 18%. Meanwhile, Vietnam gained EUR9.8 billion from shipments to the European nation, up 1.4% from 2017. Attorney General William Barr has installed an outside prosecutor to conduct a review of the criminal case against former Trump adviser Michael Flynn, the New York Times reported on Friday. In addition, Barr has appointed prosecutors to review a number of other politically sensitive cases, none of which were named by the Times. These prosecutors have been interviewing line prosecutors on investigative decisions and the reasons behind them. A prosecutor from the office of the U.S. attorney in St. Louis, Mo. is handling the Flynn case, while prosecutors from the office of Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen are taking up other cases. Flynn, who was convicted of lying to investigators as part of the Mueller probe, has in recent months attempted to withdraw his original guilty plea. In December Judge Emmett Sullivan rejected Flynns attempts, although the former adviser has continued to proclaim his innocence. The sworn statements of Mr. Flynn and his former counsel belie his new claims of innocence and his new assertions that he was pressured into pleading guilty to making materially false statements to the FBI, Sullivan wrote in a 93-page decision regarding Flynns plea. Meanwhile, the four Justice Department line prosecutors working the case against Trump ally Roger Stone all resigned from the case on Tuesday after Attorney General Barr intervened to relax the recommended sentence against Stone. Barr on Thursday denied that President Trump had pressured him to change the sentencing, but criticized Trumps public pronouncements on the Stone case. I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me, Barr said. More from National Review Boeing, 737 Max Reuters Boeing is preparing for the return of the 737 Max by flying it around the US with a test crew and no passengers on board. The manufacturer is testing its updates to the plane before they are examined by regulators to see if the plane should return to the skies after two fatal crashes killed 346 people. Boeing said it is testing non-commercial flights, both short and long-haul, to see how its updated software reacts before the US Federal Aviation Administration conducts test flights as part of its re-approval process. The FAA said last week that the test flight could be done in the next few weeks, but later said it is not operating on a fixed timeline. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Boeing is flying a 737 Max plane around the US with a test crew on board to test its software updates to the jet as it prepares for its return to the skies. In a statement to CNBC, Boeing said it was flying one 737 Max plane to see how the plane functions with the updates. "These non-commercial test flights with a small test team on board will exercise short and long-haul flights, seeking out weather and altitude conditions that will help satisfy specific test conditions for the updated software." The planes have been grounded around the world since March, after a second crash involving one of the planes, operated by Ethiopian Airlines, killed all 157 people on board. A Lion Air Boeing 737 Max had previously crashed in Indonesia, killing all 189 people on board. Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET302 Jemal Countess/Getty Images Investigations into the crashes found that the plane's automated anti-stall software system, MCAS, malfunctioned and caused the plane's nose to point repeatedly downward, plunging the plane towards the earth. This, as well as some crew error, caused the crashes, investigators signaled in preliminary and final reports. Boeing has been working on an update to the plane's software system, as well as changes to pilot training, since. Both need to be approved by regulators before the plane can fly again. Story continues The US Federal Aviation Administration is yet to conduct a test flight with its own pilots. Boeing made it clear to CNBC that its test flights were not these flights. "These are not certification flights," Boeing said. Boeing 737 Max planes David Ryder/Getty Images The Max plane used for testing has landed in Lincoln, Nebraska before flying to Kansas City International Airport and then on to Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, on Monday, Nebraska's Omaha World-Herald reported. The plane also flew between Boeing Field and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Saturday, the outlet reported, citing flight tracking websites. The FAA said it still does not have a fixed timeline for test flights, and when it expects to allow the plane to fly again. Administrator Steve Dickson told reporters on Tuesday: "We are following a very diligent process and it is important that we stay focused on the process and not on the timeline," Reuters reported. He called the certification flight the "next major milestone" in getting the plane back in the sky. "Having said that we are approaching a milestone: the certification flight is the next major milestone and once that is completed I think we will have a good bit more clarity on where the process goes forward from there," he said. He said the FAA's test flight "is not scheduled yet because we still have a few issues to resolve, but we continue to narrow the issues. We are waiting for proposals from Boeing on a few items." On Thursday he had said that the flight could come in the next few weeks. Steve Dickson FAA Jon Gambrell/AP Photo The FAA could rule that more work is required after the test flight but even if it doesn't the FAA and other regulators still need to rule on pilot training and certify other documents. In the meantime, Boeing is hemorrhaging millions of dollars as order numbers fall amid the crisis. Airlines around the world are also losing money during the grounding after seeing orders delayed, having to maintain planes stuck on the ground, and having to cancel flights and even entire routes as the plane is stuck on the ground. Read the original article on Business Insider Associated Press On Nov. 5, an excellent article entitled Eliminate bias in school discipline, written by Bridgeport teacher and teachers union member, Rob Vogelpohl, appeared in Hearst Connecticut Media. As a retired teacher committed to equality in education, Mr. Vogelpohls clear expression of what he and other E4E teachers (Educators for Excellence) feel is an erroneous and harmful narrative being put forth by the Connecticut Teachers Union, or CEA, gives me hope that change can come to education. Mr. Vogelpohl agrees with the CEA bills stated goals of increased professional support in order to develop strategies and interventions that improve school climate and reduce negative behavior; however, he and his colleagues are concerned with the bills requirement that teachers and administrators must report negative behaviors, heavily penalizing students rather than helping them grow and learn. This CEA-backed bill has been vetoed twice due to concerns, which studies confirm, that it will continue to disproportionately discriminate against and penalize minority and disabled students due to existing systemic biases. It is a relief to know that Mr. Vogelpohl and E4E teachers are standing against the proposed bill. It has been concerning over the last two years to think that the teachers union membership continued to campaign for the bills punitive and biased aspects. However, Mr. Vogelpohl clearly states that this bill does not reflect the true concerns of most of its members. My hope is that he and his colleagues share these concerns en masse with legislators as union officials have been encouraging the bills supporters to do. Star Micronics demonstrates its latest Tablet and Cloud POS Printing Solutions at EuroShop 2020 High Wycombe, UK, 13 February 2020 At EuroShop 2020 (16 20 February, Messe Dusseldorf, Germany), Star Micronics will be demonstrating the future of POS connectivity together with pioneering solutions from leading POS software and payment companies bitbakers (Flour.io), iZettle, Kasse Speedy, Repertus, Sitoo as well as fiscal specialist Fiskaly on Stand 6/E41. Visitors to the stand will experience first-hand Star?s wide range of traditional, tablet and Cloud-based POS printing solutions. As a leading innovator in POS printing technology, Star has introduced a number of industry firsts including SteadyLAN, a unique solution to ensure reliable connectivity for iPad POS systems, alongside the compact and stylish mC-Print series featuring 58mm and 80mm print width models with up to 5 hardware and software interfaces. These include traditional and innovative Cloud technologies able to control select USB connected peripherals. Ideal for applications including Click & Collect in-store orders, online ordering, event ticketing etc, Star?s CloudPRNT technology for remote PC-free printing of receipts and tickets directly from a web server to connected Star mC-Print2 or mC-Print3 printers is a low cost and versatile Cloud printing solution. Integral to the mCollection, mC-Print meets the needs of an omni-channel environment by providing a future-proof solution for a seamless transition from traditional to tablet and Cloud-based POS. For retailers using tablet or Cloud-based POS solutions Star?s SteadyLAN now provides the flexibility of tablet POS together with the stability of a cabled LAN connection. Continuous network access is ensured for Apple devices via standard Lightning/Type-C cable on Star?s mCP21LB, mCP31L and mCP31LB models or for supported Android and Windows devices via USB-C cable on Star?s new mC-PrintC models. Ideal for locations where WiFi connectivity is not possible or unreliable, SteadyLAN provides direct cabled control of the printer and attached peripherals as well as Ethernet provision to supported tablets from the wired Ethernet port of the printer. By simply connecting the tablet to the mC-Print printer via the standard Apple Lightning or USB-C cable and connecting the printer to the Internet via a wired LAN connection, supported tablets are able to connect to the Internet without WiFi communication. Furthermore, the tablet can communicate directly with the printer via the Lightning or USB-C cable and the printer will also charge the tablet. If the tablet is undocked from the printer then it will simply start using WiFi if available or Bluetooth if a Bluetooth printer model is installed, ensuring seamless connectivity for mobile sales. Star is also at the forefront of POS printing technology to minimise environmental impact. Star Cloud Services offers a unique opportunity to provide a digital receipt without the need for the retailer to obtain an email address or for the customer to provide any personal information. Star Cloud Services is activated in the printer driver, or the printer itself, and works independently of the retailer?s POS software. At the end of the transaction a digital copy of the receipt can be claimed by the customer scanning a QR code and using the free of charge Star AllReceipts app. The immediate advantage for the customer is the option to remain anonymous yet still receive a digital receipt as well as any coupons offered. Retailers can take advantage of the reverse side of digital receipts, as they can on printed receipts, to display coupons that the customer can subsequently retrieve on their smartphone along with the digital receipt. Further reducing environmental impact, Star offers the possibility for the retailer to print a ?micro receipt?. Smaller than a standard receipt, this receipt includes a single QR code which in turn corresponds to the complete digital receipt including all necessary tax details. Paper consumption can be reduced significantly as a micro receipt is approximately 5cm in length. This facility is available on a range of Star POS printers. Furthermore, Star is actively working with a number of innovative paper manufacturers to ensure its printers can use paper that is sustainable, recyclable and environmentally-friendly. Star will be joined by a number of partners demonstrating a range of the very latest POS and payment solutions for retailers of all sizes. These include: iZettle Point of Sale and payment solutions; Flour.io, a product of bitbakers GmbH & Co.KG, cash register solution with merchandise management; Sitoo cloud-based mobile point of sale (mPOS) and omnichannel platform for global retailers; and Kasse Speedy who offer an Android Point of Sale solution. Visitors will also be able to experience how Star?s solutions are compatible with the new KassenSichV regulation in Germany. Repertus will showcase its JUNUX iPad point of sale software including fiscal integration with specialist Fiskaly alongside Star?s digital receipting solution AllReceipts and micro receipt solution for effective paper saving. ?The retail landscape is evolving?, states Simon Martin, Director & General Manager, Star Micronics EMEA. ?While traditional POS solutions still have an important role to play we are witnessing a distinct shift towards tablet and Cloud-based POS solutions. Star has developed an extensive portfolio that allows retailers to make the seamless transition to the latest technology and, by introducing a number of industry firsts, clearly demonstrates its position as a leading innovator in POS printing.? U.S. officials have not publicly spelled out their timetable for an initial drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, but the expectation is that a reduction from the current total of about 12,000 to approximately 8,600 will begin after the signing of a U.S.-Taliban deal. That initial reduction is likely to stretch out over a period of weeks or months. Around 3 pm on February 14 last year, a 21-year-old Jaish-e-Muhammad suicide bomber, Anil Dar, rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a CRPF convoy at Lethpora in Pulwama, blowing himself up and killing at least 40 paramilitary personnel. The attack on the convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2500 CRPF personnel were travelling, flared up the existing tensions between India and Pakistan. As nationwide protests erupted against the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that "all tears will be avenged". He added that armed forces would be given "full freedom to decide the place, time, intensity and nature of retaliation against the enemy". Around 12 days after the Pulwama attack, in the wee hours Indian Air Force jets bombed the JeM camp in Balakot in Pakistan. Located on the banks of Kunhar river in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, the camp was also used by another terror group Hizbul Mujahideen. The camp, located 20 km from the Balakot town, was an important training centre for the JeM and other terror organisations and it had several structures to accommodate new recruits and facilities to train them. With its action, India has sent out a strong message to Pakistan that support for and orchestration of terrorism against this country will not go unpunished. Apart from the Balakot airstrike, India had suspended the bus service between Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir and Srinagar for a week. The bus service, which started in 2005, operates across the Line of Control. India had also hiked customs duty to 200 per cent on goods such as cement, fresh fruits, petroleum products that were imported from Pakistan. On the international front, India urged the Security Council Sanctions Committee to designate Azhar as a global terrorist. In May, the United Nations designated Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist". A UNSC designation subjected Azhar to an assets freeze, travel ban and an arms embargo. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 14:13:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) shakes hands with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas after a joint press conference in Berlin, capital of Germany, Feb. 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Qing) BERLIN, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Faced with new chances in the development of bilateral ties, China and the European Union (EU) have agreed on an array of key agendas for this year, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday. The two sides have agreed to strive to finish the talks on a China-EU investment agreement and initiate feasibility study on a free trade deal as part of key agendas for this year, Wang said here at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. The two sides will also work out a five-year plan for their cooperation and push for aligning the Belt and Road Initiative with the EU's Eurasia connectivity strategy, he said. The Chinese foreign minister said China and the EU will explore the establishment of a China-EU green partnership and carry out cooperation in the digital sector. As two major forces in the world, China and the EU are ready to work together to safeguard multilateralism and free trade, fight against protectionism and unilateralism, rise to global challenges and improve global governance, so as to inject more positive energy into world peace and stability, he said. PARIS (AP) 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. Thats 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. BOSTON, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National securities litigation firm Block & Leviton LLP ( www.blockesq.com ), informs investors that it has opened an investigation into CPI Aerostructures, Inc. (NYSE: CVU) and its officers and directors for potential violations of the federal securities laws. On February 14, 2020, CPI announced that its financial statements for fiscal year 2018, the last three quarters of 2018 and the first two quarters of 2019 should no longer be relied upon due to errors in those financial statements relating to the Companys recognition of revenue from contracts with customers under ASC Topic 606. In addition, the Company announced that investors should no longer rely upon the independent auditors reports on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2018, as well as the managements reports on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, press releases, and investor communications describing the Companys financial statements for such these periods. The Company also announced the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer. On this news, the CPI share priced dropped more than 19% in intraday trading If you purchased or otherwise acquired CPI Aerostructures securities and have questions about your legal rights, or possess information relevant to this matter, you are encouraged to contact attorney Mark Delaney at (617) 398-5600, by email at mdelaney@blockesq.com , or by visiting https://shareholder.law/cases/?case=cpi . Block & Leviton LLP was recently ranked 4th among securities litigation firms by ISS for recoveries in 2017. The firm represents many of the nation's largest institutional investors and numerous individual investors in securities litigation throughout the country. Indeed, its lawyers have recovered billions of dollars for its clients. This notice may constitute attorney advertising. CONTACT: New Delhi, Feb 14 : Among the 100 largest listed Indian origin companies by market capitalisation, or N100, compliance with the requirements of corporate social responsibility is at 92 per cent or higher on 17 of the 23 parameters, said a new survey by KPMG. The biggest shortfalls relate to treatment of administrative or overhead expenses. On CSR expenditure, 76 per cent of the companies report spending at least 2 per cent of profits, up from 38 per cent in 2014-15, with a notably stronger performance by the non-PSU (public sector unit) companies in 2018-19, said the survey. The amount reported as spent was Rs 8,691 crore in 2018-19, up from Rs 5,115 crore in 2014-15, said the report. Disclosure of the amount spent has increased from 30 per cent in 2014-15 to 99 per cent in 2018-19, so only one company in the N100 is failing to disclose, it added. Education and health are receiving the most attention, with 60 per cent of the CSR expenditure, it added. "While the overall CSR spending is increasing, it is also heartening to observe the increase in number of companies going beyond the 2 per cent mandate and even companies who are not required to spend allocating budgets for CSR and spending," Santhosh Jayaram, Partner and Head, Sustainability and CSR Advisory at KPMG in India, said in a statement. "The overall governance indicators around CSR have shown a steady improvement in the last 5 years. The indicators representing the functioning of the CSR committee, the diversity in CSR committee and the improvement in monitoring and evaluation are showcasing this," Jayaram added. The "India CSR Reporting Survey 2019" noted a 325 per cent increase in the number of companies that have disclosed details of outreach in annual reports. With Section 135 of the Companies Act of 2013, India embarked on a bold experiment in mandating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for large companies. As per the Act, which came into effect from April 1, 2014 companies with a net worth of Rs 500 crore or more, or a turnover of INR100 crore or more, or a net profit of Rs 5 crore or more during the immediately preceding financial year are required to spend 2 per cent of their profits on CSR programmes. The US Democratic Party has fallen under the influence of a generation of leftist ideologues who will stop at nothing, even risking the viability of the party itself Before and after Donald Trump was elected to the White House in 2016, Democrats have battled him left, right and centre. They have lost every time, most recently the attempt to impeach him in Congress. The puzzling question is why are Democrats addicted to fighting losing battles? They fully understood how difficult it will be to remove Trump from office during hearings on the Muller investigation about Trumps relations with Russia and the role of this relationship in his reaching the White House, and the top Democrat in Congress Nancy Pelosi hesitated for months before conceding to the left-wing camp in her party to pursue impeachment on what the pro-Democrat media labelled Ukrainegate. The simple and likely explanation for the Democrats behaviour is that the conservative wing in the party, sometimes called moderates, was trying to maintain the cohesiveness of the party and prevent it from fragmenting. However, if that were true then why are the moderates the only ones trying to prevent divisions in the party; or in other words, why was it they who must concede to the radical or left wing of the party and not the opposite? Trumps impeachment, which the Democrats on the left wanted at any price, was highly unlikely and many conservative or moderate Democrats worried that if their party continues to lose one battle after the next against Trump, this would empower him instead of isolate or weaken him in the upcoming presidential race. The reality Democrats are trying to escape is that their party is leaning heavily towards the left since the emergence of a new generation of Democrats that played a prominent role in carrying Barack Obama to the White House in 2008 and 2012. It is the same generation that forced the party to embark on a long and arduous battle to choose a candidate to run against Trump in 2016. Bernie Sanders, who has socialist-leaning ideas and was supported by this generation, almost defeated the moderate candidate, Hillary Clinton, whose victory as the Democratic candidate was announced in the last round of the primaries. This generation adopts very diverse and sometimes contradictory values and has ideas and outlooks that are tainted with simplistic slogans, rushing to destroy any system they dislike, without thinking of alternatives that will fill the subsequent vacuum. This generation also denies there are divisions within the party and believes society in the US is divided between two camps based on morality not politics. For example, Robert Reich, former labour secretary in Bill Clintons administration, wrote an article on the website The American Prospect on 16 July 2019 with the telling title: Americas Real Divide Isnt Left vs Right. Its Democracy vs Oligarchy. Reich denied any divisions within the Democratic Party and called for closing party ranks inside and outside the party against the populist right-wing represented by Trump and his supporters. This is the traditional rhetoric of the left in the US whose ideas are embedded in the minds of a large segment of American youth in general, and especially Democrat youth. The success of the partys left-wing in forcing Democrats to attempt to impeach Trump, despite skimpy evidence, is a sign of this currents influence within the party and its steadfast doctrine to release its anger against a certain situation or system, no matter the consequences. While preventing a split in the party may have been successful, as some Democrats claim, this has come at the cost of its image in the eyes of US public opinion. Trump and Republican supporters succeeded in portraying repeated attempts by Democrats to indict and impeach Trump as a personal vendetta, prioritising narrow partisan interests over the public interest. From the perspective of Democratic supporters, policies that the partys left-wing are pushing, such as leniency on illegal immigration, expanding healthcare without thinking of the cost, and restricting the purchase and possession of personal firearms, are all policies opposed by Republicans and Trump. These policies are mostly supported by Democratic voters, and the dominance of the left-wing camp within the Democratic Party as clearly demonstrated by the attempt to impeach Trump raises an alarm about the future of the party. The Democratic Party is already suffering because it has not yet decided on a strong candidate to run against Trump in the presidential race, and even worse, some party members are still adamant on continuing to battle Trump and ignore the Congress acquittal. They view him as guilty and therefore he should be slandered in the coming months, in the hope this will impact his chances of winning a second term in November. Periodic opinion polls conducted by Reuters reveal that the impeachment trial did not impact Trumps popularity among Americans, although it was broadcast live. Some even predict Democrats will also lose in the long-term, and they will not be able to truly contest the elections for the White House even beyond a second term for Trump. Michael Kimmage, a history professor at the Catholic University of America, said as much on the website Politico on 5 February, when he was asked what he expects historians will write about the impeachment trial and this era 50 years from now. He responded: I think they will say the following: The Trump era began with Trumps election in 2016, hit a high point with his acquittal on impeachment in 2020 and ended with President Mike Pompeos 2028 loss to the young Midwestern Governor Tom Wilkinson. *A version of this article appears in print in the 13 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Bollywood has found an answer to Tom Cruise and his crazy dangerous stunts in Tiger Shroff. The actor released a making-of video for his upcoming film Baaghi 3, in which he is seen performing some unbelievable stunts by himself. Tiger is seen running through explosions, skidding under war tanks, getting scratched and bruised, all in sub zero temperatures of Serbia. For one particularly epic scene, Tiger had to run shirtless while multiple explosions went off behind him. Director Ahmed Khan says, Tomorrow we have at least 90-95 blasts in a row. So worried and scared about that because Tiger himself is going to run and there is no VFX. In another bit, Tiger is seen gliding underneath a tank when his back gets scratched by the metal. A shot of his back shots the bruises he sustained and how his whole body was in pain after the fight scenes. However, Tiger kept his spirits up through the shoot. Feeling cold. Its torturous but the shots have come out really nice, he says wrapped up in a blanket after a shot. The actor also shared a message on Twitter about how anxious the films shoot would make him. I dont think Ive ever been as scared doing action as I have been during baaghi 3. everyday I used to wake up anxious for the challenges the day ahead had to offer and every night I used to be carried to my room by my amazing team. I dont think we could have conceived our honest effort and vision if it wasnt for ahmed sir and his team, and sajid sirs full support and backing. Thank you for sharing your warmth and appreciation for our trailer. It def soothes all the cuts and scrapes we got. Love always, he wrote. Upon its release the films trailer was trolled online for borrowing action scenes from popular Hollywood films like Wonder Woman and Captain America. A scene in which Tiger uses a metal plate to shield himself from gunfire and another in which he uses the same shield to glide across the floor and kick a thug, seemed heavily inspired by Petty Jenkins acclaimed film. Also read: Batman first look: Robert Pattinson steps into iconic Batsuit, internet cant get over his Batjaw Baaghi 3 is the third instalment of the action-thriller franchise Baaghi. It also stars Riteish Deshmukh as Tigers brother in the film and Shraddha Kapoor as his love interest. In the film, Tiger goes to Syria where his cop brother is caught up in trouble with some evil elements. Helmed by Ahmed Khan, and produced by Fox Star Studios India, the film will release on March 6. Follow @htshowbiz for more There wont be another Bank Otuch type of collaboration with Luo rap star Japesa, Octopizzo has said. With Japesa continually growing in popularity, Luo rap fans have been envisioning a possible project with the Namba Nane rapper a la Bank Otuch with fellow Luo rapper Vicmass Luodollar. One fan went a step further and reached out to Octopizzo about the possibility of working with the Kisumu phenomenon. Nakumbuka ukitupa Bank Otuch na Luo Dollar. Si utupe new vibe na @JapesaKenya. Mnaeza toa ngoma moja noma sana na hio Hiphop &Luo vibe. Wuo Nyaboro make it happen said the fan identified as Queen 254. Also Read: I am the Male Version of Akothee Luo Rap Artiste Japesa In response, Octopizzo ruled out working with Japesa saying it would be monotonous to do another Luo rap song. He said it would go against his brand trademark of releasing one classic hit at a time. Itakua monotonous. I only do one project at a timethats what makes it remembered and get it to be a classic. There will never be another Bankotuch same way there will never be never another Wakiritho. Next is coastal culture on the list, Octo wrote. However, Octos explanation failed to convince a section of fans who felt the rapper was making excuses out of fear of Japesas prowess. He fears japesa would succumb him to death, wrote boris yelstine. Zebraajames added: japesakenya is far way better than #octopizzo . Octo anaogopa. Who would still want to feature a contentless Mr. Ohanga in his track? I mean this year alone we have enough serious artists(@khaligraph_jones and @breederlw )rather than jokers..! @octopizzo needs @japesakenya to save his career or else hell start writing novels ?? blasted Sage gare. Lesinko observed that: Anakuanga proud uyu naye .. smh. Another fan, Getabu, said: Ohanga ni mtiaji sana kama kawaida. Subscriber content preview HAPPY VALLEY, Ore. (AP) The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined two companies for safety violations that led to the deaths of two workers at a Portland area music festival. OSHA issued $31,000 in fines to Pickathon LLC and GuildWorks LLC after two workers died at the Pickathon Music Festival in August in a lift accident, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. . . . Sign up for THE CITY Scoop, our daily newsletter where we send you stories like this first thing in the morning. Construction of a 6.8-mile natural gas pipeline stretching from Brownsville to North Brooklyn has hit a wall in Greenpoint, where community leaders and elected officials are vying to halt the project as it reaches its final stage. The National Grid gas main which has been in the works since 2017 would supply fracked gas from Pennsylvania, where the extraction is legal. The controversial practice was banned in New York state in 2014. On Saturday, a community coalition of environmental advocacy groups, schools, and social justice groups will host a rally at the pipelines latest construction site, the intersection of Moore Street and Manhattan Avenue. I am familiar with the history of environmental devastation in my neighborhood, said Kevin LaCherra, a third-generation Greenpointer who is helping organize the rally. We need our elected officials to be taking bold steps to bring renewables on now. The pipeline opponents are calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio to stop the project on the grounds that it goes against both the state and the citys clean energy goals. This is not the kind of system we want any more, Kim Fraczek, director of the Sane Energy Project, an environmental advocacy group, told THE CITY. This industry doesnt have the interests of the community at heart. Their claims are quickly gaining momentum: On Tuesday, Brooklyns Community Board 1, which includes Greenpoint, voted unanimously to stop any construction of the pipeline. Advocates say they have the support of every single elected official who represents North Brooklyn at the state and city level, from City Councilmembers Stephen Levin and Antonio Reynoso, to State Sen. Julia Salazar and veteran Assemblymember Joe Lentol. Levin, Reynoso and Lentol all confirmed to THE CITY they oppose the pipelines construction, Salazar did not return requests for comment. Left in the Dark Construction of the gas main, which broke ground in April 2018 on Thomas S. Boyland Street in Brownsville, is about 80% complete, according to weekly progress reports posted online by National Grid. The current phase of the project is slated to be complete this fall, with the full pipeline on schedule for a 2021 debut. But North Brooklyn residents contend they had no idea the pipeline was even being built under all the construction work they saw going on the street level. The subject was first brought up at a Brooklyn Community Board 1 meeting in November, when Fraczek spoke out against pipeline. Fraczek said she only found out about the project in October, when construction broke ground a block away from her home in Greenpoint. It shows how opaque their process is, Fraczek told THE CITY. None of my neighbors knew about this either. Post by kimfraczek.Tensions boiled over at a Community Board 1 meeting on Jan. 14, when several members put National Grid representatives on blast for not being more forthcoming about the construction, the Brooklyn Eagle reported. We Got Really Frustrated It marked the first time the company spoke about the project with the community, and did so only after Lentol insisted. We got really frustrated with their presentation, Emily Gallagher, who sits on Brooklyn CB1s Environmental Protection Committee and is challenging Lentol in a June primary, told THE CITY. They gave us kind of a public relations presentation about how green they are, how they drive electric cars things that had nothing to do with the issue. Critics have blasted the project as counterintuitive to both the state and the citys ambitious renewable energy goals. Theres a climate emergency, and National Grid doesnt seem to notice, but unfortunately we in the community notice, Lentol told THE CITY. We have to do everything we can to work towards a future of renewable energy and building capacities for new energy and to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and oil and that includes natural gas. National Grid spokesperson Karen Young on Friday said the pipeline was merely an upgrade and the company has an extensive community outreach program and notified local officials, business and the community board after all city permits were secured. It doesnt bring additional gas into the system, said Young. We share the commitment to a clean energy future and helping the City and State achieve emission reduction goals. The extraction of natural gas via hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, was prohibited in the state of New York six years ago, when Cuomo signed legislation ending the practice because of health concerns. Last month, he announced he would make the ban permanent as of next year. But that hasnt stopped the states use of fracked natural gas: In 2018, almost two-fifths of the states electricity net generation came from natural gas, according to the federal U.S. Energy Information Administration. Most of the natural gas consumed in New York is extracted in other states and Canada, with an increasing share coming from Pennsylvania, the EIA notes. The official city tally of greenhouse gas emissions shows that the bulk of the residential greenhouse gas emissions in the city were a result of natural gas. Last year, Cuomo reached a deal with state lawmakers to eliminate net greenhouse emissions by 2050, laying the groundwork for a future where electricity would come from carbon-free resources. Though it has much lower carbon emissions than coal and oil when burned, natural gas is considered a fossil fuel, and advocates argue that the state should move toward greener sources of power, such as geothermal loops, biofuels, wind and solar energy. Looking to the Future Advocates and elected officials see this battle as the latest in the fight for environmental justice in the neighborhood. Greenpoints Newtown Creek, one of the nations most contaminated areas, was designated a Superfund site in 2010. Four years earlier, a dozen neighborhood residents sued ExxonMobil for damages stemming from an oil spill half a century prior. Northern Brooklyn also has some of the citys lowest air quality rates, according to the city Department of Health, which some blame on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway cutting through the neighborhood, as well as the areas industrial landscape. At one time it seemed like it was one environmental challenge after another that we faced in this community, said Lentol, who has represented the district in the state legislature for the past 48 years. Rally organizers ranging from environmental action groups like Sane Energy Project and the Sunrise Movement to local schools and the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America say theyre trying to safeguard the neighborhood for future generations. It wont be me cleaning this up itll be my kids and my grandkids, LaCherra said. If this neighborhood still exists in 100 years. Want to republish this story? See our republication guidelines. SUPPORT THE CITY You just finished reading another story from THE CITY. We need your help to make THE CITY all it can be. Please consider joining us as a member today. DONATE TODAY! Dublin, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global In-Silico Drug Discovery Market: Focus on Products, Technologies, Workflow, End Users, Country Data (17 Countries), and Competitive Landscape - Analysis and Forecast, 2018-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The in-silico drug discovery industry analysis projects the market to grow at a significant CAGR of 12.92% during the forecast period, 2019-2029. The in-silico drug discovery market generated $2,094.5 million in revenue in 2018, in terms of value. The global in-silico drug discovery market growth has been primarily attributed to the major drivers in this market such as an emphasis on the reduction in medical errors and readmission rates, growth in the biomarker identification market and advancements in In-silico drug discovery techniques, and computational technological advancements in the field of computational biology. However, there are significant challenges that are restraining the market growth. These challenges include the high cost of methods and expensive procedures and their applications in medical treatments. Expert Quote North America is the leading contributor to the in-silico drug discovery market and contributed approximately 41.65% to the global market value in 2018. This region is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period 2019-2029 and continue dominating the global market in 2029. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 13.29% during the forecast period. In addition, the region of Europe also contributed a significant share of 28.40% to the global market in 2018. Scope of the Market Intelligence The in-silico drug discovery research provides a holistic view of the market in terms of various factors influencing it, including regulatory reforms, and technological advancements. The scope of this report is centered upon conducting a detailed study of the products and manufacturers allied with the service market. In addition, the study also includes exhaustive information on the unmet needs, perception of the new products, competitive landscape, market share of leading manufacturers, the growth potential of each underlying sub-segment, and company, as well as other vital information with respect to the global in-silico drug discovery market. Key Companies in the Market The key manufacturers who have been contributing significantly to the global in-silico drug discovery market include Albany Molecular Research Inc., Certara USA, Inc., Charles River, Chemical Computing Group ULC, Collaborative Drug Discovery Inc., Dassault System (Biovia), Evotec A.G., GVK Biosciences Private Limited, ICAGEN, INC., Novo Informatics Pvt. Ltd., Numerate Inc., PerkinElmer Inc, Schrdinger, LLC, Selvita, Simulation Plus, and WuXi AppTec, among others. Key Questions Answered in the Report What are the major market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global in-silico drug discovery market? What are the underlying structures resulting in the emerging trends within the global in-silico drug discovery market? How is each segment of the global in-silico drug discovery market expected to grow during the forecast period and what is the estimated revenue to be generated by each of the segments by the end of 2029? What is the expected compound growth rate to be witnessed by the leading players in the market during the forecast period 2019-2029? What are the key applications in the global in-silico drug discovery market? What are the major segments of these applications? Who are the key manufacturers of the global in-silico drug discovery market, and what are their contributions? Key Topics Covered 1 Product Definition 1.1 Inclusion and Exclusion 2 Research Scope 2.1 Scope of the Study 2.2 Key Questions Answered in the Report 3 Research Methodology 3.1 Global In-Silico Drug Discovery Market: Research Methodology 3.2 Primary Data Sources 3.3 Secondary Data Sources 3.4 Market Estimation Model 4 Industry Analysis 4.1 Regulatory Framework 4.1.1 Regulatory Framework in North America 4.1.2 Regulatory Framework in Europe 4.1.3 Regulatory Framework in Asia-Pacific 5 Competitive Landscape 5.1 Mergers and Acquisitions 5.2 Product Launches and Product Updates 5.3 Synergistic Activities 5.4 Business Expansion Activities and Others 5.5 Market Share Analysis 6 Market Dynamics 6.1 Overview 6.2 Impact Analysis 6.3 Market Drivers 6.3.1 Emphasis on Reduction in Medical Errors and Readmission Rates 6.3.2 Growth in the Biomarker Identification Market and Advancements in In-Silico Drug Discovery Techniques 6.3.3 Technological Advancements in the Field of Computational Biology 6.4 Market Restraints 6.4.1 Lack of High Complexity Testing Centers 6.4.2 Expensive Procedures and Their Applications in Medical Treatments 6.4.3 High Capital Requirement Hampering the Expansion of Global Reach 6.5 Market Opportunities 6.5.1 Massive Scope for Adoption of In-Silico Drug Discovery in Developing Nations 6.5.2 Integration of Blockchain Technology in Interoperability 6.5.3 Collaborations With Precision Medicine Providers 7 In-Silico Drug Discovery: Overview 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Market Availability for In-Silico Drug Discovery 7.3 In-Silico Drug Discovery Market Technology Trends 8 Global In-Silico Drug Discovery Market (by Workflow) 8.1 Overview 8.2 Discovery 8.2.1 Target Identification 8.2.1.1 Bioinformatics 8.2.1.2 Reverse Docking 8.2.1.3 Protein Structure Prediction 8.2.2 Target Validation 8.2.3 Lead Discovery 8.2.3.1 Library Design 8.2.3.2 Pharmacophore 8.3 Pre-Clinical Tests 8.4 Clinical Trials 9 Global In-Silico Drug Discovery Market (by Product) 9.1 Software 9.2 Software as-a-Service (Cloud) 9.3 Consultancy as-a-Service 10 Global In-Silico Drug Discovery Market (by Software Type) 10.1 Molecular Modeling and de Novo Drug Design Software 10.2 Pharmacophore Modeling Software 11 Global In-Silico Drug Discovery Market (by End-user) 11.1 Contract Research Organizations 11.2 Pharmaceutical Industry 11.3 Academic and Research Institutes 11.4 Other End-users (Hospitals and Other Care Facilities) 12 Global In-Silico Drug Discovery Market, by Region 12.1 Overview 12.2 North America 12.2.1 U.S. 12.2.2 Canada 12.3 Europe 12.3.1 Germany 12.3.2 France 12.3.3 U.K. 12.3.4 Italy 12.3.5 Spain 12.3.6 Russia 12.3.7 Rest-of-Europe 12.4 Asia-Pacific 12.4.1 China 12.4.2 Japan 12.4.3 Australia 12.4.4 India 12.4.5 South Korea 12.4.6 Rest-of-APAC 12.5 Latin America 12.5.1 Brazil 12.5.2 Mexico 12.6 Rest-of-the-World 13 Company Profiles 13.1 Overview 13.2 Albany Molecular Research Inc. 13.2.1 Company Overview 13.2.2 Role of Albany Molecular Research in the Global In-Silico Drug Discovery Market 13.2.3 SWOT Analysis 13.3 Certara USA Inc. 13.4 Charles River 13.5 Chemical Computing Group ULC 13.6 Collaborative Drug Discovery Inc. 13.7 Dassault System (Biovia) 13.8 Evotec AG 13.9 GVK Biosciences Private Limited 13.10 ICAGEN Inc. 13.11 Novo Informatics Pvt. Ltd. 13.12 Numerate Inc. 13.13 PerkinElmer Inc. 13.14 Schrdinger LLC 13.15 Selvita 13.16 Simulation Plus 13.17 WuXi AppTec 13.18 e-therapeutics plc (Snapshot) For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lbo21y Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. In a unique initiative, students of a government school in Dakshina Kannada have made a food stop in the campus to provide water and food to birds and squirrels. The students have hung coconut shells on trees in the school premises with food and water in it for birds and squirrels. Speaking about the same, the Principal of the school said: Students are taking a lot of interest in the activity. Various types of birds visit the school campus, making the ambience very nice. He added that he wants children to become socially and environmentally conscious. The one area where children need to be given exposure is the protection of the environment, the upkeep of the campus and the greenery in and around their homes as well as in their schools. ANI also shared images of the initiative on Twitter. Karnataka: Students hang coconut shells on trees to provide food&water to birds&squirrels in a govt school in Dakshina Kannada. Principal says, "Students are taking lot of interest in the activity. Various types of birds visit school campus which makes its ambiance very nice". pic.twitter.com/SOjoH8iDz8 ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2020 People applauded the efforts of the kids and expressed the same in their comments. Good job, wrote a Twitter user. Really good work from them, commented another. Finally, we are realizing our traditional schooling system with the nature, wrote a third. Commenting on the recent initiative of the schools eco-club, he said, Using this small idea, we can have a great beginning towards taking up bigger initiatives to take care of the environment. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON London Fashion Week opened in spectacular style today with a call for fashion leaders to come together to tackle sustainability. Stephanie Phair, chair of the British Fashion Council (BFC), predicted a decade of change for the industry which would bring new opportunities and challenges. This event will see more than 60 catwalk shows and presentations over the next five days, with names including Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry, Christopher Kane, Erdem and Vivienne Westwood showcasing their latest collections. Opening the five-day celebration at the event hub at 180 Strand, Phair said: The 2020s will see new approaches, opportunities and challenges. With this decade of change ahead of us, I am proud to be chair of the BFC at a time when we need to bring the industry together to tackle trade negotiations, sustainable practices and, more recently, coronavirus, in terms of health, sales and fashion tourism. Caroline Rush and Stephanie Phair / Lucy Young She added: Our mission is to ensure that the fashion industry continues to grow in a sustainable way both in the UK and internationally. In volatile times, creativity flourishes. Not only in design but in business models and sustainable practices. Figures suggest the fashion industry makes up to 10 per cent of the worlds carbon emissions and puts strain on the planets water resources and materials. About 85 per cent of all clothing is said to end up in landfill every year. The BFC has curated the Positive Fashion Exhibition which showcases the brands who work sustainably and how they achieve it. There will also be a series of talks about the environment and how fashion can limit its impact on the planet. Phair also spoke about the impact of coronavirus on fashion amid predications that thousands of industry figures would be unable to attend the four major fashion weeks New York, London, Paris and Milan due to travel restrictions. This morning, the BFC announced a partnership with Business of Fashion China to bring content from fashion week to those unable to travel, with a platform to share imagery, video and press releases to access the weeks highlights remotely. CLEVELAND, Ohio The city of Euclid agreed to pay $125,000 to a woman who said a police officer humiliated her when he pulled her out of her apartment while she wore a short bath wrap and caused her breasts to be exposed. Shajuan Gray, 48, agreed to the settlement during a mediation Feb. 5. The payout will resolve a federal lawsuit the substitute teacher filed against the eastern suburb and officer James Aoki in October 2018. Gray said in an interview Friday that Aoki had no reason to barge into her apartment and arrest her because of a noise complaint. Euclid police charged her with misdemeanors though a jury later found her not guilty. She said that she decided to accept the settlement because she was ready to move on with her life, as the three-year ordeal had an impact on her mental health. We have a right of decency and this is not a game, said Gray, who has no criminal record. Our lives matter. Everybodys lives matter. Euclid City Council must approve the settlement and is set to vote during its meeting Tuesday. A spokesman for the police department said it would not issue a statement until the case is fully resolved. The city, which was also accused of improperly training its officers, denied wrongdoing in court filings. They also denied liability in their settlement agreement, Grays attorney Marcus Sidoti said. Gray was in her apartment in the 24000 block of Lakeshore Boulevard the afternoon of March 27, 2017 and was listening to music when Aoki responded to a noise complaint. Gray had just stepped out of the shower and answered the door in a short terry cloth bath wrap. She opened the door slightly and positioned her body behind it, her lawsuit said. Aoki asked Gray to turn off her music and Gray, even though the music wasnt too loud, did so. She told the officer she would return in a moment to continue speaking with him, as she was going to put on clothes. Aoki then forced his way into Grays apartment and pushed her on to a freezer, her suit alleged. During the melee, Grays wrap fell down, exposing her breasts and naked body. She begged Aoki to allow her to put on clothes but he refused, according to the suit. Instead, he asked a neighbor to help to cover up Gray while she was handcuffed. Police arrested Gray and placed her in the back of Aokis cruiser. Gray was still only wearing the wrap. She later posted bond and was freed from jail. Gray said Aoki created false reports for her arrest. She was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing official business and a noise violation. A jury in Euclid Municipal Court acquitted her in October 2017. Sidoti, who sued on behalf of Gray along with attorney Sarah Gelsomino, said Aoki contradicted himself during his testimony and that another officers body camera showed her asking that she be allowed to put on clothes. He said the case was even more problematic because a noise violation is an offense for which an officer can simply issue a ticket. Gray said she gets recognized in public because of the news coverage of the case. What he did was he humiliated me, for nothing, Gray said of Aoki. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Fridays crime and courts comments section. TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES -- A plane reported as possibly missing Thursday afternoon is not missing, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration, though that information appears not to have been relayed to local authorities as they continued their search Friday morning. Capt. George Beaudry with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said Thursday that they received a call about 4 p.m. from the FAA office about a possible missing plane in the Pike Road area. A plane issued a distress signal about 3:30 p.m. which was received by several other aircraft in the area, Arlene Salac, a spokeswoman for the FAA in Atlanta said. "The FAA air traffic facilities covering the airspace also heard the distress call," she wrote in a statement Friday morning. The FAA then issued an alert notice for two different aircraft that were shown to have been in the area at the same time as the distress signal. The administration was unsure which one sent the distress signal, Salac said. Deputies, Pike Road firefighters and a helicopter crew with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency deployed to the area to search, which turned up fruitless. They suspended the air search about 7 p.m. Thursday. Beaudry said Friday morning that they'd be enlisting the help of the Civil Air Patrol to search the area from the air Friday. Ground crews would use electronic devices to try to pick up any emergency locator transmitter signals from a device that would have been onboard the aircraft, Beaudry said. Apparently, both aircraft the FAA sent out notices about landed safely at their intended destinations, Salac said. When asked if the FAA had notified local law enforcement of that information, Salac did not respond but did respond to another question sent after. Salac said she had no further information about the aircraft to include where the planes took off from, where they landed or what kind of aircraft they were. Beaudry seemed surprised and frustrated by that information when asked about it shortly before noon. "We are not prepared to discontinue what we're doing," Beaudry said. "I cannot independently confirm what the FAA told you. I have emailed and called them but not heard anything back." 2020 the Montgomery Advertiser (Montgomery, Ala.) Visit the Montgomery Advertiser (Montgomery, Ala.) at www.montgomeryadvertiser.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. CHICAGO, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report on "RF Tunable Filter Market by Type (Band Pass and Band Reject), Tuning Mechanism (Mechanical and Electronic), Tuning Component (DTC, SAW, and SMD Variant), End-Use (SDR, RF Amplifiers, and Radar Systems), Application, Geography - Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the RF tunable filter market size is estimated to grow from USD 89 million in 2020 to USD 148 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 10.6%. Major factors fueling the market growth include the growing use of smartphones, connected devices, and IoT devices, surging demand for radar systems by the worldwide military sector, increasing need for new and advanced planes for commercial and military applications, and escalating demand for software-defined radios. Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=69180206 "Radar systems to lead RF tunable filter market during the forecast period." The radar system generally consists of a transmitter that produces an electromagnetic signal, which is radiated into space by an antenna. RF tunable bandpass filters offer flexible frequency discernment, wide operating frequency, lower radiation characteristics of outages than the antenna, and ease of implementation. Hence, narrow-band frequency tunable antennas or tunable filter antennas are used with radar systems for better signal processing. "Aerospace & defense to hold the largest share of RF tunable filter market during the forecast period." Military applications require communication and surveillance systems with electromagnetic capability, nuclear survivability, and electrical characteristics of digital interfaces. RF tunable filters perform critical functions in military electronic systems. These filters are suitable for harsh environmental conditions and are widely used in military communications systems and surveillance platforms, as well as at central locations because these filters enable high-quality communications. In the military application, tunable filters are primarily used for satellite communications (SATCOM), optical channel performance monitoring, optical signal noise suppression, and navigation. Additionally, military vehicles are modernizing to improve the mobility, protection, and lethality of ground forces. Browse in-depth TOC on "RF Tunable Filter Market" 106 Tables 47 Figures 172 Pages Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=69180206 "North America to be the largest market for RF tunable filter during the forecast period." North America presents a substantial market for RF tunable filters. Factors such as increased expenditure on defense-related equipment, rapid commercialization of 5G networks, upsurged demand for communication devices such as smartphones, tablets, and Voice over IP (VoIP) equipment, and expanding data center capacity are contributing to the growth of the RF tunable filter market in the region. For the satellite-related applications, lightweight and narrow-band filters with low-loss and linear phase properties are required, which will further drive the RF tunable filter market in this region. Major players in the RF tunable filter market are Analog Devices, Inc. (US), Dover Corporation (US), and EXFO Inc. (Canada), The LGL Group, Inc. (US), Smiths Group plc (UK), Netcom, Inc. (US), Telonic Berkeley, Inc. (US), DiCon Fiberoptics Inc. (US), RF Products Inc. (US), Coleman Microwave Company (US), and Thorlabs, Inc. (US). Please Explore Relevant Report: 5G Infrastructure Market by Communication Infrastructure (Small Cell & Macro Cell), Core Network (SDN & NFV), Network Architecture (Standalone & Non-standalone), Operational Frequency (Sub 6GHz & Above 6GHz), End User & Geography - Global Forecast to 2027. 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. 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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. Contact: Mr. Sanjay Gupta MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/rf-tunable-filter-market.asp Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Content Source : https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/rf-tunable-filter.asp SOURCE MarketsandMarkets A study led by Susan Tsang, a former Fulbright Research Fellow from The City College of New York, reveals dwindling populations and widespread hunting throughout Indonesia and the Philippines of the world's largest bats, known as flying foxes. Unfortunately, hunting not only depletes the flying foxes, which are already rare, but also potentially exposes humans to animal-borne pathogens (a process known as zoonosis). "For instance, the current case of Wuhan Coronavirus is thought to have been spread from wild bats to humans through an intermediate host at a wildlife market," said CCNY biologist and Tsang's mentor David J. Lohman, an entomologist and two-time Fulbright recipient. The CCNY experts found that flying foxes originated in a group of islands in Indonesia called Wallacea. They diversified into different species by flying to other islands that presumably lacked competitors and established themselves. Thus, islands are critical to the evolution and conservation of this large group of around 65 mammal species. "This study provides insight into biodiversity conservation and public health. Islands are frequently home to endemic species found nowhere else," noted Tsang, who earned a PhD in biology from the Graduate Center, CUNY. Unfortunately, island-endemic species are more likely to be endangered or go extinct than continental species. Flying foxes are seed dispersers and pollinators of many ecologically and economically important plants, and forest trees on islands often depend on bats for regeneration. Handicrafts including beautiful shades of Shibori print, lambani embroideries, weaves of Chanderi, and breathtaking Madhubani paintings make up for the spring collection at the ongoing Basant Bazaar here. With over 120 stalls, the handicrafts festival is being organised by Delhi-based non-profit organisation Dastkar at the Nature Bazaar venue. With an eclectic mix of crafts, culture and cuisine, the festival celebrates the coming of spring through crafts ranging across beautiful shades of naturally dyed fabric in block prints, embroideries from Suf to Chikankari and Kutchi, breathtaking folk art like Pichvai, Pattachitra, and weaves of Chanderi, Ikat, Tangaliya among others. The Basant Bazaar will also feature Shramik Bharti, a group working with artisans across eight villages in Punjab, the organisers said. "The craft of Punjab has been so integral that this was never seen as a decorative but a way of living. Weaving, knitting, knotting, embroidery, or music- women of Punjab have always stepped to express themselves in various art forms. "With this project, we intend to introduce the visitors to the wearable craft as a new dimension to what is already known and admired. The knots and hand knits they used as decoratives at the end of the Dhurries are here imagined in contemporary jewellery forms. With the hope being, this would bring back the essence of the grandeur in products and articles we can use and relate," a spokesperson from the group said. The 12-day festival will see participation of groups like 'Kriya Labs', which creates eco-friendly products from crop stubble; 'Earth Songs', a contemporary clothing brand which works with handloom artisans; 'Turpaii', a minimalist clothing brand from Lucknow; and 'The Yogi', a Delhi-based label working with sustainable techniques and hand-spun textiles, among others. The visitors will also be able to participate in demonstrations of "sarkanda grass weaving" and "dhurri weaving and dyeing". Along with demonstrations, cultural performance from Manipur and Nagaland will also be held on February 15 and 16. The Basant Bazaar will come to an end on February 24. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An audio recording was released Tuesday in which the billionaire Democratic Party presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg boasts that the stop-and-frisk policy he championed as mayor of New York deliberately targeted minority youth. In the openly racist comments, made before an audience of fellow oligarchs at the Aspen Institute in 2015, Bloomberg declares that ninety-five percent of murderers are young minority males. Michael Bloomberg speaks at a news conference [Credit: AP Photo/John Locher, File] You can just take a description, Xerox it, and pass it out to all the cops Thats true in New York, thats true in virtually every city, he says. In order to bring crime rates down it is therefore necessary, Bloomberg concludes, to put a lot of cops where the crime is, which means in minority neighborhoods. He adds that the best way to get the guns out of the kids hands is to throw em against the wall and frisk em. These remarks are little different than the fascistic views of President Donald Trump, who has counseled the police that they should not be too nice to suspects when they are arresting them. Stop-and-frisk empowers New York Police Department officers to stop anyone on the street without suspicion of a crime and search and interrogate the individual in public view. Under Bloomberg, the police on patrol operated as armed roving gangs, who assaulted millions of working-class New Yorkers, mostly targeting black and Hispanic men simply for walking down the street. During Bloombergs time in office the number of stop-and-frisks rose from 92,000 in 2002 to a peak of 685,724 in 2011. All told, there were more than five million such stops during his tenure, which ended in 2013. While at a much-reduced level, in response to popular protests against the policy and lawsuits filed on behalf of victims by the ACLU, stop-and-frisk continues under Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio. The immediate response from a number of elected African-American Democrats to the exposure of Bloombergs racist boasts was not to call for him to bow out of the race for the White House, but rather to endorse the former Republican and Independent and boost him as the only Democratic candidate who can defeat President Donald Trump in November. On Wednesday, Bloomberg announced the endorsement of three members of the Congressional Black Caucus: Georgia Congresswoman Lucy McBath, Congressman Gregory Meeks of New York and Delegate Stacey Plaskett of the US Virgin Islands. This was preceded by an endorsement from Illinois Congressman Bobby Rush, a former member of the Black Panthers, who had been backing California Senator Kamala Harris until she dropped out of the race in December. Meeks, the chair of the Queens County Democratic Party, will serve as co-chair of the Mike for Black America National Leadership Council, heading up the Bloomberg campaigns efforts to win African-American votes. For the African-American community, its two things: one, beating Trump, and, two, progress and successthat we do admire people who are successful, Meeks told City & State. Meeks added that while he didnt like the words that came out in the leaked audio recording, he had been reassured by Bloombergs recent apologies over stop-and-frisk. McBaths support follows a $4.5 million donation from Bloombergs advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety during her bid for Congress in 2018. Plaskett noted in her endorsement that Bloomberg had given generously to the US Virgin Islands in recent years and she promised that his presidency would bring wealth creation to communities of color. In addition to congressional representatives, a growing number of current and former African-American mayors have thrown their lot in with Bloomberg, including Muriel Bowser (Washington, D.C.), Sylvester Turner (Houston), Michael Nutter (Philadelphia), London Breed (San Francisco), Wellington Webb (Denver), Michael Tubbs (Stockton), Lovely Warren (Rochester) and Frank Scott (Little Rock). Already the endorsements from prominent African American politicians have had their intended effect. The latest Quinnipiac poll shows that Bloomberg has risen to second place among black Democratic primary voters, with 22 percent support to Joe Bidens 27 percent, despite not having yet appeared in a debate. What accounts for these Democrats rallying around a candidate even as he is exposed for espousing racist views? Any other candidate caught making such clearly racist remarks would likely be forced out of the race and no apology would suffice to save his or her campaign. While these figures claim to speak for the black community, they in fact represent the affluent upper-middle class, which has no empathy for the working class and poor, black or white, and is at best indifferent to the abuse minority workers and youth suffer at the hands of the police. Aspiring, self-centered and devoid of principles, they live in awe and envy of Bloomberg and his fellow oligarchs. Determined to hold on to the wealth they have accumulated by defending the capitalist system and its ruling aristocracy, and fearful of the potential for revolt from below, they are more or less openly in support of throwing poor working-class youth up against the wall. How else to deal with the howling injustices and inequities in cities such as New York, where obscene levels of wealth exist alongside grinding poverty, and ensure the safety and comfort of people who are successful like themselves? Exemplifying the views of this ex-liberal layer, Harvard historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. told the New York Times Magazine earlier this month that he thought Bloomberg could stand toe-to-toe, strongest and longest, with Donald Trump. Noting that he attends a dinner with Bloomberg every summer in the elite vacation playground of Marthas Vineyard, Gates declared, I think black people want [Bloomberg], because he is smart, sensitive, strong. If you want a Democrat to win, they have to know how to fight like a Republican, MSNBC anchor Joy Ann Reid said on Tuesday, touting Bloombergs past political affiliation as a positive mark on his record. He is a Republican, or used to be anyway. With his criminally deep pockets in mindBloomberg has an estimated net worth of $61 billionDemocrats are perfectly content to sweep his record under the rug. He gave millions to Democratic Congressional campaigns in 2018, has handed out grants to cities and given generous donations to local charities and churches in order to buy a base of support. So far this cycle, Bloomberg, who is not taking individual donations, has put more than $300 million of his own money into his campaign. Attendees at his campaign events are treated to complimentary wine and canapes, while low-level campaign staffers are pulling in $6,000 a month, nearly double what the campaigns of Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg are paying. The growing crisis within the Democratic Party over the popularity of Sanders, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist who attacks the billionaire class and promises Medicare for All, and who won the popular vote in both Iowa and New Hampshire, together with the free-fall of the Biden campaign, has pushed many wealthy Democrats into the camp of Bloomberg. While both Klobuchar and Buttigieg have been promoted in the media as the moderate alternatives to Sanders, neither has the financial clout of Bloomberg. Philip Levine, a former mayor of Miami Beach, Florida, and leading Bloomberg supporter, told the Wall Street Journal that donors are seeking ways to help the campaign and that elected officials are asking for advice on how to tactfully retract their endorsements of Biden and move behind Bloomberg. The Democratic Party, virulently anti-socialist and capitalist to the bone, sees Bloomberg as the great rich hope who can save them from a Sanders nomination and suppress a growing wave of socialist sentiment, which is finding an initial and limited expression in the Vermont senators campaign. This includes African American Democratic officials no less than their white counterparts. Just as the basic class issues are bringing together workers of all races and nationalities in a common struggle against international capitalism, so too are common class interests uniting, despite the relentless promotion of racial and gender politics as a weapon to divide the working class, the wealthy beneficiaries of the impoverishment of working people. Moreover, the stop-and-frisk technique Bloomberg employed as mayor of one of the most unequal cities in the world is seen as a critical tool in suppressing the growing wave of social opposition and class struggle in the United States. A large protest by farmers cut off a motorway in the north of Malaga province on Thursday. Agricultural workers were staging a demonstration to draw attention to the low prices they receive to sell their produce compared to the much higher prices charged in the shops. The procession of tractors and farm vehicles left the Los Llanos area at 11am and soon traffic along the A-92, the main cross-Andalucia motorway, was being slowed down and then stopped. According to organisers, some 2,000 people were brought together to take part by unions and the large local olive cooperative, Dcoop, among others. The drivers then continued their protest from the A-92 onto the A-45 Malaga to Cordoba motorway before it finished at the Antequera showground. They also had permission to take the protest through the centre of Antequera. Some 1,000 tractors had registered to take part, said organisers. A spokesperson said, "Our problem is the prices. We're below production costs and we can't put up with it anymore. They are paying us two euros per kilo for extra virgin olive oil and the large supermarkets sell it for 4 to 4.20 euros a kilo. "Society needs to know that we are the most important link in the chain for the public, because if there is no countryside there is no life," he added. South Dakota reports highest active case count since November 2020 Tuesday's report included testing conducted over the weekend. Another 4,110 people tested positive for the disease. The US can supply energy to India as much as it wants as there is a much greater potential between the two countries in the key sector, a top White House official has said ahead of President Donald Trump's maiden visit to the country. Talks are going on between India and the US on a trade deal, Larry Kudlow, economic advisor to President Donald Trump, told reporters at the White House on Thursday when asked about the progress on a trade deal ahead of the presidential visit. 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. Ahead of his visit, the two countries are eyeing to finalise a raft of mega defence deals including procurement of a batch of military helicopters by Indian Navy from American defence major Lockheed Martin at a cost of USD 2.6 billion. Responding to a question on the increase in export of energy to India, Kudlow said there is a much greater potential. "Could be, hope so. Let's remove all the barriers. They (Indians) need energy. We have the energy. "When we had our bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister Modi, I said, you give me a number (to export energy from the US to India) and I'll meet it," Kudlow said. In the last few years, America's export of energy to India increased from zero to USD 8 billion last year and this year it is expected to increase to USD 10 billion. "Our energy trade touched close to USD 8 billion last year. Mind you, this was zero, a few years ago," India's new ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said in his remarks at a reception hosted in his honour by the US India Business Council. "In fact in 2013, I testified before the House Energy Committee advocating US energy exports to India. In 2017, our leadership decided to elevate our energy partnership to a strategic energy partnership," Sandhu said. According to the US State Department, US energy exports are an important area of growth in the trade relationship. In 2018, India purchased 48.2 million barrels of US crude oil, a significant increase from 9.6 million in 2017. India and the US have established a Strategic Energy Partnership (SEP) replacing the erstwhile Energy Dialogue. This was done during the last meeting held in New Delhi on April 17, 2018 between Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and US Secretary for Energy Rick Perry. The SEP has four primary pillars of cooperation -- Oil and Gas; Power and Energy Efficiency; Renewable Energy and Sustainable Growth; and Coal. As a first step, they also announced the establishment of US-India Natural Gas Task Force to support India's vision for natural gas. The two sides also reaffirmed their strong commitment to early and full implementation of the civil nuclear energy partnership, including the Westinghouse civil nuclear project in Kovvada. As India prepares to receive Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, US defence major Boeing indicated that it was considering to offer its F-15EX Eagle fighter jets to Indian Air Force. The company has already sought a licence from the US authorities for its possible export to India, eyeing a USD 18 billion contract by the IAF to procure 114 fighter jets. Government and industry sources said the two sides are likely to finalise the USD 2.6 billion deal under which the US will supply 24 multi-role MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters to India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BEIJING - Infections and deaths from the new virus in China ballooned for a second straight day Friday, on paper at least, as officials near the epicenter of the outbreak struggled to keep up with a backlog of patients lab work. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A woman wears safety goggles, a face mask, and rubber gloves as she rides a nearly empty subway train in Beijing, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. China on Friday reported another sharp rise in the number of people infected with a new virus, as the death toll neared 1,400. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) BEIJING - Infections and deaths from the new virus in China ballooned for a second straight day Friday, on paper at least, as officials near the epicenter of the outbreak struggled to keep up with a backlog of patients lab work. The acceleration in cases was not necessarily an indicator of a surge in the illness known as COVID-19 because the hardest-hit province of Hubei and its capital of Wuhan changed the way it counted cases. But public health experts wrestled with what exactly could be deduced from the numbers given the shift in approach. "If you change the way you count cases, that obviously confounds our capacity to draw firm conclusions about the effectiveness of the quarantine," said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University in the United States. "We have to interpret the numbers with great caution." Confirmed cases of the virus rose to 63,851 in mainland China, an increase of 5,090 from a day earlier, according to the National Health Commission. The death toll stood at 1,380, up 121. A man wears a face mask as he walks along a street in Beijing, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. China on Friday reported another sharp rise in the number of people infected with a new virus, as the death toll neared 1,400. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Still, the World Health Organization continued to report lower numbers, standing by the way cases were counted before Hubeis shift. WHO pressed for more details Friday on the change in tabulating cases. Doctors in Hubei are now making diagnoses based on symptoms, patient history and chest X-rays instead of waiting for laboratory confirmation. "Were seeking further clarity on how clinical diagnoses are being made to ensure other respiratory illnesses including influenza are not getting mixed into the COVID-19 data," said WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Meantime, the vulnerability of health workers responding to the epidemic was crystalized with other data emerging from China. More than 1,700 medical workers in China have contracted COVID-19 and six have died, according to the health commission, which said it was "highly concerned" by the infections. WHO echoed that, with Tedros saying more information was needed on when the workers were infected and under what circumstances. Transmissions to front-line health workers can signal problems in infection control policies and signal that a disease is becoming more easily transmissible. Schaffner said he was optimistic that Chinas unprecedented quarantines putting 60 million people in its hardest-hit cities under lockdown would help reduce transmissions. But without consistent numbers, he said, it was hard to draw any such conclusion. "China and the world community would like to restore a sense of normalcy but in order to do that we need to have confidence in what is going on and were not there yet," Schaffner said. China has come under intense criticism within the country for its response to the crisis and has been the target of complaints from elsewhere too. But WHOs chief of emergencies, Dr. Michael Ryan, defended Chinas handling of the outbreak and its co-operation with others. 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. "From our perspective, we have a government thats co-operating with us, thats inviting in international experts, thats shared sequences with the world, that continues to engage with the outside community," he said. The vast majority of cases are in China but reverberations from the outbreak were felt around the world, with hundreds of infections reported elsewhere. More than 580 cases have been confirmed outside mainland China, including the first infection on the African continent, reported Friday in Egypt. Experts and African leaders have expressed concern that should the virus spread there, it might wreak havoc among less developed countries with fewer health resources. There have been three fatalities, in the Philippines, Hong Kong and Japan. ___ Associated Press writers Matt Sedensky in New York; Maria Cheng in London; Ralph Jennings in Taipei, Taiwan;, and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report. A rudderless ship With little oversight, the San Antonio Housing Trust has offered $39 million in tax breaks for affordable housing. But rents are too high for most low-income residents. A rudderless ship With little oversight, the San Antonio Housing Trust has offered $39 million in tax breaks for affordable housing. But rents are too high for most low-income residents. February 14, 2020 A nonprofit created to provide affordable housing operated with little oversight and produced few apartments for San Antonios poorest residents as the citys housing crisis worsened in recent years, a city-commissioned report shows. Instead of focusing solely on the needs of low-income residents, the San Antonio Housing Trust and its affiliates often approved residential units out of their reach, according to the study by the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders. The 66-page assessment commissioned by the city shows the trust operated for years without a clear sense of what kind of housing it should support. And the trust lacked the expertise to help create affordable housing, the report says. Read the report: An Organizational Assessment and Strategic Recommendations for the San Antonio Housing Trust City Council members who sit on the board of the San Antonio Housing Trust Public Facility Corp., the most active arm of the trust, often had little information when approving deals that removed housing developments worth tens of millions of dollars from the tax rolls and provided a questionable level of affordable apartments. Furthermore, council members mostly relied on an outside attorney who acted as a go-between for developers and the council to guide them through various housing deals, about a third of which went to a developer that he had previously done legal work for. This process was a rudderless ship hoping to reach the shore. Mayor Ron Nirenberg To local affordable housing advocates, the problems laid out in the report are symptomatic of the citys decades-long lack of clear goals regarding housing policy and the citys knotty housing bureaucracy. Mayor Ron Nirenberg agrees. This process was a rudderless ship hoping to reach the shore, Nirenberg said of the trust. And without some consistency in the process and clear criteria for goals and reaching the overall strategy on affordable housing, hope is not a plan that was successfully executed. On ExpressNews.com: A developer wants to build condos and townhomes in Tobin Hill, but some question affordability The trusts defenders say its doing a good job of providing affordable housing. Nearly half of the 9,436 apartments created or in the works with backing by the trust are aimed at families making 60 percent of the area median income. The income figure, which is set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, stood at $66,800 for a family of four in the metropolitan area in 2018. Housing activists say HUDs income figures are too high for San Antonio, which is one of the poorest cities in the country. Developers are allowed to charge whatever rents the market can fetch for more than a fifth of those units. Another fifth is set aside for households making 80 percent of the area median income. For needier households, the picture is grim. Less than 5 percent of those apartments are geared toward families making 50 percent of the area median income. And housing for the citys poorest families those making 30 percent of the area median income stood at a paltry 2.2 percent. Veronica Soto, who heads the citys Neighborhood and Housing Services Department, said the trust may have been over-producing pricier apartments that low-income residents couldnt afford. Yes, they have been a good producer of affordable housing, Soto said of the housing trust. Now, we need to make sure they and other partners are good producers for where the greatest need is. Heres how it works The housing trust and its many arms are difficult to understand, even for officials with decades of experience in affordable housing. Heres a breakdown: San Antonio Housing Trust: Started in 1988 with $10 million from the city to produce and preserve affordable residences for families with low to moderate incomes, overseen by an 11-member board San Antonio Housing Trust Foundation: Created in 1991 to make low-interest loans to nonprofit housing developers, hire staff for the trust and deploy its resources; shares an 11-member board with the trust San Antonio Housing Trust Finance Corp.: Established in 1997, issues bonds for housing projects; overseen by five City Council members appointed by the mayor San Antonio Housing Trust Public Facility Corp.: Set up in 2009, finances housing developments by making them exempt from property taxes, shares a board with the finance corporation But officials also say some affordable housing developments wouldnt be possible if not for the nonprofits involvement. Without our participation, the projects just dont pencil, said Pete Alanis, interim executive director of the trust, using developer jargon that means a project is financially viable. Were here because this tool is very strategic, very effective. On ExpressNews.com: Dramatic San Antonio housing crisis is squeezing the income of households and renters To date, about $1.4 billion in apartment complexes supported by the trusts public facility corporation have been completed, are under construction or are in the planning stages. In these deals, the trust buys the land, exempting it from property taxes under state law. The developer also doesnt have to pay sales taxes on purchases made for building the project. In exchange, the developer must rent at least half the units to tenants making at or below 80 percent of San Antonios median household income, a requirement set by state statute. Those developments are slated to get annual property tax breaks worth more than $39 million that would otherwise go to the city, Bexar County, local school districts and other taxing entities. The estimate is based on the prevailing tax rates and value of the projects. All of your school districts get ripped off, the city gets ripped off, the county gets ripped off, said developer Mitch Meyer, a critic of many of the trusts real estate deals. For what? If we were providing affordable housing, that would be OK. But theyre not. Its a huge injustice. The developments will be exempt from about $20.4 million in taxes to area school districts including Northside Independent School District, San Antonio ISD and Edgewood ISD. The districts can recoup much of that from the state through a mechanism that reimburses school districts for property tax exemptions on low-income housing. But homeowners and other commercial property owners will nonetheless bear a greater share of the tax burden as a result of the exemptions, said Michael Amezquita, chief appraiser for the Bexar Appraisal District. Any time property is exempted, youre shifting the burden to somebody else, he said. No competitive bidding Investigators with NALCAB raised several questions about how the trusts public finance corporation has operated since its inception in 2009 particularly the role of an outside attorney who shaped the deals. Jim Plummer, a partner at global law firm Bracewell LLP and an expert on affordable housing finance, isnt employed by the city, trust or the PFC. Yet Plummer has had an outsize role in determining which apartment developments do not have to pay property taxes, according to the NALCAB report. Other Texas cities often hire Plummer for his experience when they create their own PFCs. He also has had a hand in shaping the statewide legislation that allows PFCs to operate. Plummer assumed de facto leadership of the San Antonio PFC, taking on roles that an executive director or CEO would normally execute, the report says. He acts as a go-between for developers and council members, assessing potential housing projects and negotiating the financial terms of projects with private developers. Developers who want to do deals with the PFC or the trusts finance corporation, another council-helmed arm of the trust, communicate directly with Plummer through an informal process. About a third of the deals have gone to The NRP Group, a Cleveland-based company Plummer has previously done legal work for. The result has been a significant concentration of deals with a small number of for-profit developers, the report says. In contrast, the entities have little engagement with nonprofit developers. When Plummer presents the deals to the five council members who make up the PFC board, he includes a clause that approves his firm as the bond counsel or closing attorney without a competitive bidding process. Plummer has been with Bracewell for about two years. He previously worked on the housing trust projects for the firm of Norton Rose Fulbright. Depending on the project, Plummer receives 1 percent of the bond used to finance the deal or a flat $200,000 fee. Trust officials said they dont have records showing how much Plummer has been paid. But under the fee formula, he could have been paid $4.9 million in legal fees. If he stays on as bond counsel, he could be paid another $2.9 million. The assessment team has never observed a similar situation in a public or quasi-public agency, the NALCAB said. To me, that has to change, said Maria Berriozabal, a former councilwoman who served on Nirenberg's Housing Policy Task Force. Thats a big problem. Its been there for a long time. And Im surprised that it has been there for such a long time without anybody looking at it seriously. Thats very, very sad. And millions of dollars are involved. On ExpressNews.com: In fast-changing San Antonio neighborhoods, homeowners flooded with offers from investors Council members who oversee the public facility corporation also have raised their eyebrows. We need to be very careful that it doesn't look like one man is running the show, District 4 Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia said. District 9 Councilman John Courage said he has been very hesitant about Plummers role. Plummer has provided plenty of useful expertise to the board, but perhaps should be doing so exclusively to eliminate any potential for conflicts of interest, he said. Im not trying to say theres anything wrong with what may have been taking place, Courage said. But I think we owe it to ourselves as an organization to know that whoever is giving us the best advice is doing it under the auspices of our organization without any outside influence. Plummer said Bracewell, his law firm, has not represented any of the developers the housing trust has done deals with in San Antonio. There is no conflict of interest, Plummer said. I negotiate every deal hard against them. If you want to call any developer that has done a deal with us, theyll tell you the same thing. Alanis said the trust will soon start a bidding process to rehire Plummer or find a new bond counsel to advise the PFC. But he defended Plummer and his work. Jim Plummer is the best in the business right now within the state of Texas at doing these deals, Alanis said. These are extremely complicated. Records lacked substance The housing trust and its many arms are difficult to understand, even for officials with decades of experience in affordable housing. For years, the trust and its entities operated with little transparency and published little information about their meetings or their deals. We definitely knew when we began the work through the mayor's Housing Policy Task Force that there were issues with the housing trust, said Lourdes Castro Ramirez, the San Antonio Housing Commission chair who also headed the task force. We couldnt quite get a good handle on them. When Nirenberg named Garcia, a freshman, to the trusts two council-led boards, she said she had trouble finding documents on the trusts website to understand how they work. Garcia eventually had to ask the trust to provide past meeting documents so she could get her bearings. Even then, she wasnt satisfied. I didnt find a whole lot of substance to them, Garcia said. The trusts opaque and convoluted nature is part of the reason why Nirenbergs Housing Policy Task Force asked the city to fund a study examining its performance. The council in January 2019 approved a $150,000 contract for the work with the NALCAB. While the housing trust is geared to support affordable housing production, officials familiar with the deals scratched their heads about a handful of projects that didnt seem to fit that standard. At Cevallos Lofts, a 252-unit complex in the Lone Star neighborhood south of downtown, a quarter of the units are set aside for households making 50 percent of the area median income. Another quarter were set aside for families making 80 percent of the area median income. The property managers are allowed to charge whatever rents they want for the remaining apartments. Officials affiliated with the trust said the Cevallos Lofts project was funded to show that residential development in the area could be profitable. The affordable housing aspect was secondary. Others saw the project as a harbinger of gentrification. The Baldwin at St. Paul Square, a 271-unit development just east of downtown, was billed as workforce housing for essential employees ... vital to the urban core, the study found. But some officials felt it wasnt affordable enough for the surrounding area, the near East Side, where housing costs are rapidly rising but incomes are flat. The project was intended to draw new residents downtown rather than house the areas existing residents. To some, thats a good thing. The deals have created more private investment in areas lenders have traditionally shied away from, while providing a source of revenue for the housing trust to reinvest in other developments, said Debra Guerrero, vice president of governmental affairs for The NRP Group, which built the Cevallos and Baldwin complexes. The thinking goes that funding projects at all income levels will stem rising rents by increasing supply. Theres a massive housing supply issue in San Antonio, Alanis said. We dont have enough housing. To others, that sounds like wishful thinking. I think its a complete absurdity to say that building more expensive housing is somehow going to mean that low-income families of three are going to magically have a place to live someday, said Sofia Lopez, a San Antonio Housing Authority commissioner. If were not building housing for those families, theyre not going to have a place to live. Next steps City officials and housing trust leaders say theyre already implementing a number of changes recommended by NALCAB, though the assessment hasnt been formally released. By the end of summer, the trust could have guidelines that lay out what kind of housing it should aim to produce each year and how much, Soto said. Those recommendations will come when the citys Housing Commission itself in need of a new leader with Ramirez set to take a job in California Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration releases its housing plan. But affordable housing advocates note that many of the trusts problems will persist if the city doesnt soon hire a chief housing officer to oversee a coordinated system to create housing for the citys poorest residents. City Manager Erik Walsh recently told council members he expects to hire that officer by April. Until we have that kind of coordination and focus, I think all of these entities are going to continue to sort of flounder around, Lopez said. 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 Madison Iszler covers real estate, retail and tourism in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | Madison.Iszler@express-news.net | Twitter: @madisoniszler Design by Joy-Marie Scott. A version of this article appeared in print on February 16, 2020 on Page A1 of the San Antonio Express-News. | Today's Paper Subscribe Real news. Real trust. Real community. Subscribe to the San Antonio Express-News to support quality local journalism. by Raksha Hegde last updated - Evidence Based If you have always wondered about the green tea that is offered at Japanese sushi-style bars and restaurants, it is called agari. Sushi has a briny flavor, so you do tend to feel thirsty while savoring those delicious mouthfuls. Agari offers the right amount of flavor that complements sushi. Lets learn more about this green tea. Agari: Green Tea That Pairs Well With Sushi Agari or konacha is the traditional green tea at most Japanese sushi restaurants as part of the sushi eating experience. It is usually not on the menu and is served free of cost. The tea is made from green tea powder called konacha. The green tea powder comprises the rejected buds, tiny leaves, and the tea dust, a natural byproduct, from the processing of gyokuro or sencha tea leaves. This is why the konacha is less expensive than tea leaves. [1] The light, fresh-tasting agari complements the complex, multi-layered flavors of sushi and sashimi. Because it is made from tea powder, it can be brewed in 30 to 60 seconds and needs to be strained with a fine mesh strainer. It is served unusually hot. The clean-tasting beverage helps cleanse the palate and wash off the fish oils. You can choose to have your cup between bites of sushi or enjoy it after your meal! In Japan, tea connoisseurs search for high-quality Konacha, which are made from only the highest quality gyokuro or sencha leaves. This is in limited supply as the tea powder accounts for only 10 percent of all tea leaves. When Should You Ask For Agari? If you have not been served agari, you can always ask for it. You will be appreciated for the knowledge you have of the Japanese culture. Some people like to have tea while taking breaks between trying different sushi and sashimi whereas some prefer to have it the end of their sushi meal. Other Teas You Can Have With Sushi You can enjoy other green teas with sushi too. However, they may not be free of charge. Here are the best tasting and most popular varieties of Japanese green tea which can be enjoyed with sushi. Gyokuro: This tea is one of the highest grades of tea from Japan and may come with an expensive price tag. It is made from very deep green tea leaves and has a mellow flavor. This tea is one of the highest grades of tea from Japan and may come with an expensive price tag. It is made from very deep green tea leaves and has a mellow flavor. Sencha: Since this variety of green tea has a grassy, sweet taste, it is best to have this post your sushi meal. It is a light, refreshing beverage. Since this variety of green tea has a grassy, sweet taste, it is best to have this post your sushi meal. It is a light, refreshing beverage. Kukicha: This green tea, made from the twigs of the green tea plant, has a creamy and nutty flavor. It is a lovely tea to end your sushi meal with. This green tea, made from the twigs of the green tea plant, has a creamy and nutty flavor. It is a lovely tea to end your sushi meal with. Genmaicha: Green tea leaves are mixed with roasted rice to make this wonderful Japanese tea. This light yellow-hued tea is light enough to have between your sushi meals or to round up a light meal. Green tea leaves are mixed with roasted rice to make this wonderful Japanese tea. This light yellow-hued tea is light enough to have between your sushi meals or to round up a light meal. Matcha: This beautiful green-hued tea is a wonderful, rich way to end your meal. If you want to take it a step further, you can opt for matcha-flavored desserts. You may have a different experience when you eat at a Chinese restaurant as they offer jasmine tea, a green tea scented with jasmine flowers. In many western restaurants, you may see that sushi is paired with sake, a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage made by fermenting rice. This is not a traditional pairing as sushi also has rice. If you do want to opt for alcohol, white wines like a refreshing Reisling or a light red wine like a Pinot Noir are good options. Japanese fruit wines and beers also work well. But you may find, like the most traditional pairings, that agari is one of the best options to sip on while enjoying your sushi! New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday (February 14) rejected Nirbhaya convict Vinay Sharma's plea challenging the rejection of his mercy petition by the President Ram Nath Kovind. A bench led by Justice R Banumathi and comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan and AS Bopanna rejected Sharma's plea. Advocate AP Singh, representing Vinay Sharma had submitted that his client was mentally unfit and the concerned documents were not presented before the President. Singh contended that Sharma was undergoing psychological problems due to ill-treatment and solitary confinement in jail, which was in violation of the prison norms. Singh cited the Supreme Court`s 2014 judgement in Shatrughan Chauhan, which held that death sentences of convicts suffering from mental illness should be commuted. Sharma, one of the four convicts on death row in the 2012 case, moved the apex court on February 11, 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 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'. Mehta placed before the court a medical report of February 12 of Sharma and said he was found to be medically fit. 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. Meanwhile, Justice R Banumathi fainted during the hearing of the Nirbhaya case in the Supreme Court today. She was hearing the submissions made by the Centre on separate execution of convicts in the case, news agency ANI reported. While the age of Terminator-like robots in the military isn't quite here yet, the Army and Air Force are embracing a new software system that uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to increase subject retention and decrease class time. It comes from Cerego, an educational technology company specializing in employee training. Its proprietary software combines decades of research with the latest in adaptive learning and comprehension technology. Now it's bringing the rise of the machines to the two services. This could be the cure for Death By PowerPoint. The software is a proprietary learning system that is programmed by the user for the class. Once the instructional materials (video, lecture, texts, etc.) are loaded into the software, the engine takes over. It knows what to teach, when to test and how to measure progress. Since it comes in the form of an app, the program can adapt its lessons to the learner using their individual strengths and weaknesses. "The whole concept behind Cerego is that it delivers the right material at the right moment and doesn't waste time," Cerego CEO Paul Mumma told Military.com. "So you can complete training in 40% less time with a marked improvement over traditional methods." The content of the instructional material doesnt matter; Cerego's software can teach anything to anyone. To date, the Army and Air Force have both completed pilot programs using the software. In December 2019, the Air Force began testing Cerego's adaptive learning programs in Basic Military Training. U.S. Air Force basic military training trainees are issued personal computers during in-processing as part of a pilot test under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement partnership. The computers replace all hard copy textbooks BMT trainees currently use with the intent to help BMT assess learning outcomes, value and return on investment. (U.S. Air Force/Sarayuth Pinthong) Using Microsoft Surface Pro tablets, 110 basic trainees from the 321st Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, Texas were able to access the entire BMT curriculum online, at any time. Meanwhile, the software provided instructors with real-time feedback information on how well the students were doing. "The technology being used will help focus instruction in academic areas identified as potentially weak for individual Airmen, really tailoring the experience in a learner-centric way where the knowledge gap is," said Staff Sgt. Samudra Thio, BMT Pilot Project lead. "This hopefully will help Airmen learn more efficiently." It's even beneficial to the creators of the material. After every piece of the BMT curriculum is entered into the system, any changes made are saved and will appear instantly for the students. The trainees in the learning system pilot program will graduate in February 2020. Their results will then be analyzed for improvements in retention over traditional classroom instruction and out-of-class study. If the new training regimen is successful, it could be implemented throughout Air Force Basic Military Training. As of now, training instructors are already seeing improvements in not only how they teach the material, but how long it takes to teach it. The technology behind Cerego is new but the learning concepts are much older. One of the principles of the technology is distributed learning -- how one learns something and is then exposed to it over time for retention. "That principle was discovered in the late 1800s," Mumma said. "That's knowledge that's more than a hundred years old. These are well-understood principles of human learning." Another age-old principle incorporated into the technology is testing effect, also known as retrieval practice. The idea is that practicing with the knowledge -- taking little tests -- strengthens your overall retention, like working out to build a muscle. Cerego isn't intended to replace the muscle memory aspects of military training or replace instructors. Instructors are still needed to guide students through the learning process. It's when students use Cerego to review content outside of the classroom that retention rates increase. Cerego's Adaptive Learning Feedback Data (Cerego) When Cerego was used in a pilot program to teach soldiers in the Army's Tactical Combat Casualty Care for all Combatants course, much of the course was appropriate for Cerego's online use. When it came to applying that knowledge, however, soldiers still required hands-on instruction to learn certain material, such as the use of the special tourniquets in their medical kits. Still, even the time it took to teach the Army TCCC Course was cut in half, from 12 hours to fewer than 6 hours. "The military is performing mission-critical operations, with literally life or death consequences," said Ralph Whitney, Vice President of Cerego's Government Group. "People need to remember their training and they get so much training. If they don't remember it, someone could get seriously injured or die. Our platform helps them build that knowledge with the least amount of study time." -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. More than 5,000 Chinese people have been quarantined when returning to Vietnam to work according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. Checking body temperature Reports from 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam show that there were 33,775 Chinese workers in Vietnam and 26,388 people returned to China during the lunar new year holiday. After the lunar holiday, 7,600 Chinese workers returned to work in Vietnam. The authorities in 41 provinces and cities reported that 5,112 Chinese workers are being quarantined. Of which 248 cases entered Vietnam for more than 14 days ago, 1,085 cases entered Vietnam between 10-14 days ago and 3,779 cases were in Vietnam for less than 10 days. Most of the cases are quarantined at worker dormitories. Some suspected cases are admitted to medical facilities. On February 2, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs sent official documents to localities authorities. Firms are asked to temporarily stop receiving foreign workers who had visited outbreak areas and Chinese workers who return from China after the lunar new year. In cases workers had already returned to work, firms must submit the list of those workers and implement measures to monitor and quarantine the workers. Six Chinese people in Ben Tre receive discharge from hospital On February 13, the local authorities of the Ben Tre Department of Health said that six Chinese people suspected of being infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have been discharged from hospital. The group had been put into isolation at the Cu Lao Minh General Hospital in Mo Cay Nam district. Following 14 days of strict monitoring, they remained in good health conditions, showing no indications of a cough, a fever, or shortness of breath. Their isolation started on February 3, following the Mo Cay Bac Districts Medical Center receiving a notice regarding five Chinese people from Mingda Garment Company who had come to the Military Hospital 120 in Tien Giang province. Due to one of the individuals suffering from sneezes and a runny nose, the district health centre co-ordinated with the company to bring the Chinese nationals and their manager into quarantine at the Cu Lao Minh General Hospital. Simultaneously, the Military Hospital 120 in Tien Giang province also moved to isolate three doctors and seven health workers due to their close contact with five Chinese people. The same day, the head of Military Hospital 120 stated that 10 doctors had been let out of the isolation area due to their health being normal. At present, the provinces of Tien Giang and Ben Tre have not reported any positive cases of the COVID, with local authorities continuing to work in collaboration with relevant ministries, agencies, and residents to take steps to combat the disease. Pilgrims asked to wear masks when visiting pagodas and temples Vietnams Buddhist Sangha also asked Buddhist temples to halt all festivals and worship courses which congregate large numbers of pilgrims from all over the country. Vietnams Buddhist Sangha has requested pilgrims to wear face masks to prevent the contraction and contagion of Covid-19, even while praying, VnExpress reported. The request is stated in documents on preventing and combating coronavirus at places of worship, signed by superior monk Thich Duc Thien, vice chairman and general secretary of the Vietnams Buddhist Sangha earlier this week. Accordingly, temples, pagodas and other worship facilities are required to follow strictly the measures regulated by the Ministry of Health. It is essential to disseminate the skills on nCoV prevention. Each Buddhist follower has to regard prevention skill dissemination a responsibility for oneself and the community, the Sanghas directive said. Religious sites must provide masks and teach the followers how to wear them as well as wash their hands with soap or hand sanitizer correctly while the Buddist sermons ought to include the warnings of the epidemic. Buddhist temples across the country are asked to prepare plans to coordinate with medical facilities to take care, soon detect the infected people who must be taken to hospitals and quarantine areas. Pilgrims are warned to stay away from dangerous areas, especially the epidemic-hit areas namely Tam Dao, Binh Xuyen and Tam Duong in Vinh Phuc province. Vietnams Buddhist Sangha also asked Buddhist temples to halt all festivals and worship courses which congregate large numbers of pilgrims from all over the country. However, the daily prayers at independent monasteries are allowed. The World Health Organization denominated the disease as Covid-19 on February 11, explaining that co is the abbreviation of corona while vi and d are in short of virus and disease respectively. At the time of writing, there have been 60,062 infected cases worldwide and 1,355 deaths. Vietnam has reported 15 infections and no fatalities. Dtinew/Hanoitimes Companies hit by shortage of skillful Chinese workers due to virus The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has disrupted several companies in Vietnam as thousands of Chinese workers have been unable to return to work after Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. New fatalities push nationwide death toll close to 1,400 and further 5,090 new cases take total infections near 65,000. China on Friday reported 121 more deaths from the coronavirus outbreak, 116 of which are from the epicentre of the infection in Hubei Province alone, bringing to at least 1,380 the total number of deaths across the country. The latest toll reflected the removal of some deaths that had been double counted in Hubei, the health commission said. On Thursday, Chinese health officials had already reported 1,367 deaths. Hubei and its capital Wuhan, where the infection now known as COVID-19 is thought to have originated in late December, also reported a further 4,823 new cases of the infection, taking the total in the province alone to 51,986. Nationwide, there are 5,090 new cases pushing the total number to nearly 64,000 as of Friday. More than two dozen 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. Meanwhile, Vietnam has ordered a lockdown on a community of 10,000 residents northwest of the capital Hanoi, becoming the first location outside of China to have ordered a quarantine for at least 20 days. Here are the latest updates: Friday, February 14 Top China official concedes challenge but slams overreaction State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi acknowledged that the coronavirus posed a big challenge to the country, but defended Beijings management of the epidemic while lashing out at the overreaction of other countries. In a wide-ranging interview with Reuters news agency, the senior leader said any country in the world would find it hard to control the viruss spread, but China has done it. He also urged the United States not to take unnecessary virus-response measures that could hamper trade, travel and tourism. US to test people with flu symptoms for novel coronavirus The US will begin testing people identified by local health authorities as having flu-like symptoms for the novel coronavirus, a senior official said, a significant expansion of the governments response to the epidemic. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has begun working with five public health labs across the US to tap into their ability to conduct community based influenza surveillance, so that we can begin testing people with flu-like symptoms for novel coronavirus, said Nancy Messonnier, a senior CDC official. The testing will initially be carried out by labs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago and New York, but more sites are planned. Egypt confirms first case of coronavirus Egypt has confirmed its first case of the coronavirus, the first known instance of the virus in Africa, according to WHO. The infected person is a foreigner who has been put in isolation, according to WHO. Officials have not released the individuals nationality or further details. WHO Egypt said on Twitter the person was carrying the virus, but had not shown any symptoms and was in a stable condition. Cases among China health workers peaked at end of January The WHO has said that coronavirus cases among health workers in China peaked in the third and fourth of weeks of January. Executive Director of WHOs Health Emergency Programme, Mike Ryan, said there had been a rapid fall off in infections among healthcare workers in the last two weeks, adding its important to know where hospital infections occured. On Friday, China reported 1,700 health workers have been infected since the outbreak began, and six have died. Full team of intl health experts to arrive in China over the weekend WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said he expects the full team of WHO-led international experts to touch down in China over the weekend. The 12 experts will join their Chinese counterparts in a mission to understand the transmission of the coronavirus and the impact of the ongoing response measures. China sets 14-day quarantine rule for all arrivals to Beijing All people returning to the Chinese capital should quarantine themselves for 14 days to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, the official Beijing Daily reported on Friday. Those who refuse to quarantine themselves or follow the official rules on virus containment will be punished, the newspaper said. A worker installs plastic film to separate the front seats from the back, inside a vehicle for a car-hailing service as the country is hit by an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, in Taiyuan, Shanxi province. [Reuters] Taiwan says China stalling over repatriation flights Taiwan accused China of dragging its feet over the evacuation of about 1,000 citizens who have been stranded in the midst of the deadly coronavirus outbreak and have waited for nearly two weeks for a flight out. On Wednesday, Chinese state media quoted local officials accusing Taiwans government of repeatedly delaying their return, the AFP news agency reported. The state media said political manipulation was behind the delay but gave no concrete details. On Friday, Taiwans health minister Chen Shih-chung ended days of silence on the matter by saying Beijing had refused to cooperate, saying the Chinese side has used all kinds of reasons to stall and refused our plans and recommendations. We deeply regret this. China eases refinancing rules to help listed firms fight coronavirus Chinas securities regulator loosened its refinancing rules on Friday to help listed companies fight the coronavirus epidemic and resume production. The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said the new rules would make it easier for listed firms to raise additional funding. CSRC also encouraged listed companies to introduce strategic shareholders. Philippines to lift Taiwan travel ban The Philippines will lift a travel ban it had imposed on visitors from Taiwan in a bid to control the spread of the coronavirus, a senior Philippine official and Taiwans official news agency said. The move follows a warning by Taipei of possible retaliation against the ban. Universities say Chinese students could quit Australia Top Australian universities have warned that Chinese students may walk away from courses after Canberra extended a coronavirus travel ban, in a major blow to the multi-billion-dollar sector. Nearly 70,000 Chinese students are due to start their semesters soon at eight top-ranked universities, but have been stuck since the bans started on February 1, said Vicki Thomson, chief executive of Group of Eight, which represents the universities. We cant give our students any certainty as to when they can actually come here. So there is a risk of students choosing not to come here, Thomson said. First passengers exit quarantined Japan ship The first passengers began leaving a quarantined cruise ship off Japans coast to finish their isolation in government-designated lodging after testing negative for the new coronavirus. Japans government has given passengers aged 80 or older in poor health or confined to windowless inner cabins on the Diamond Princess the chance to move from the ship to accommodation on land. However, only those who test negative for the virus that has so far infected more than 200 people on board the ship have the option to move. China says 6 health workers died from virus Six health workers have died from the new coronavirus in China and more than 1,700 have been infected, health officials said. Zeng Yixin, vice minister at the National Health Commission, said at a news conference that 1,716 health workers have been infected in the country as of Tuesday. The majority of the health workers have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 illness in Wuhan [Gao Xiang/Xinhua/AP] Death toll revised: health commission Chinas National Health Commission has removed a number of reported deaths and infections after it said double counting was discovered in the data collection process in Hubei. Cruise passengers land in Cambodia after two weeks at sea over virus fears Passengers on MS Westerdam cruise ship that was turned away from ports around Asia, over fears they could be carrying the new coronavirus, finally began disembarking in Cambodia on Friday. Cambodias strongman premier Hun Sen welcomed around 100 tourists who were handed flowers as they stepped ashore after an uncertain two weeks at sea. Hun Sen welcomes passengers and crews of MS Westerdam as it docks in Sihanoukville on Friday [Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters] The Westerdam was supposed to be taking its 2,257 passengers and crew on a 14-day cruise around east Asia, beginning in Hong Kong on February 1 and ending on Saturday in Yokohama, Japan. But the vessel was turned away from Japan, Guam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand over fears it was carrying someone with COVID-19, a virus that has now killed almost 1,500 people and sickened 65,000, mostly in China. The Westerdam also reportedly sought permission to dock in Malaysia, before it was finally allowed in Cambodia. US prepared to help North Korea combat threat from coronavirus The United States is deeply concerned about the possible impact of a coronavirus outbreak in North Korea and is prepared to help US and international organisations contain the spread of the virus, the State Department said on Thursday. We strongly support and encourage the work of U.S. and international aid and health organizations to counter and contain the spread of coronavirus in the DPRK, spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement after the Red Cross called for an urgent exemption to sanctions on Pyongyang to help prevent a coronavirus outbreak. The United States is ready and prepared to expeditiously facilitate the approval of assistance from these organizations, it added. The White House released a budget request three days ago that slashed funding for these very same "international aid organizations" https://t.co/NooY9FxUBC Mark Leon Goldberg (@MarkLGoldberg) February 13, 2020 Economic Advisor: White House disappointed in Chinas transparency White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow on Thursday said the Trump administration was disappointed with Chinas response to the coronavirus and the fact that no US 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. A medical worker takes a break during her night shift at a community health service center in Wuhans Qingshan district on Thursday [China Daily via Reuters] 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 significant 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 US, 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. A police investigation into tweets about transgender people was disproportionate, a High Court judge ruled today, as he said: We have never lived in an Orwellian society. Former police officer Harry Miller, 54, found himself at the centre of a hate crime probe after sending a series of tweets about proposed reforms to the Gender Recognition Act, and was visited by police at work who told him he could face prosecution if he continued to post his views. Mr Miller insisted he had been contributing to legitimate political debate on trans issues, and went to the High Court to challenge the way he was treated and recordings of hate incidents by police forces across the country. Ruling this morning, Mr Justice Julian Knowles agreed that actions of Humberside Police had a chilling effect on airing contentious opinions, saying officers had disproportionately interfered with his right of freedom of expression The judgment emphasises the vital importance of free speech in a democracy and provides a reminder that free speech includes not only the inoffensive, but the irritating, the contentious, the eccentric, the heretical, the unwelcome and the provocative, and that the freedom only to speak inoffensively is not worth having, he said. There was not a shred of evidence that (Mr Miller) was at risk of committing a criminal offence. The effect of the police turning up at his place of work because of his political opinions must not be underestimated. To do so would be to undervalue a cardinal democratic freedom. In this country we have never had a Cheka, a Gestapo or a Stasi. We have never lived in an Orwellian society. The judge rejected Mr Millers argument that guidance from the College of Policing, the professional body for the police service in England and Wales, was disproportionate and unlawfully interfered with his right of free speech. He said the guidance, which governs all allegations of hate crimes, was lawful and draws upon many years of work on hate crime and hate incidents which began with the 1999 Macpherson Report into the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993. The incident, which followed tweets between November 2018 and January 2019, prompted Mr Miller to found the campaign group Fair Cop, a pressure group raising concerns about the criminalisation of people expressing their views which do not cross a criminal threshold. Comedy writer Graham Linehan, who has been outspoken on Twitter on trans issues, was among supporters wearing Fair Cop t-shirts for this mornings ruling. At the centre of the case were tweets by Mr Miller from the account @HarryTheOwl - which has since been suspended about proposed reforms to the Gender Recognition Act. His lawyer Ian Wise QC told the court Mr Miller has never expressed hatred towards the transgender community, or sought to incite such hatred in others, and has simply questioned (at times provocatively and using humour) the belief that trans women are women and should be treated as such for all purposes." The judge made a declaration that the police actions, including recording of Mr Millers tweets as a non-crime hate incident, visiting him at work, and suggesting he could face prosecution if he continued tweeting, had infringed on his rights. He stopped short of ordering the police to remove its record of the incident from internal systems, but said the force should add a note that todays ruling had been made. The judge also said this was a case which could go to the Supreme Court over the legality of the police hate crime policy as a matter of sufficient wider importance. Speaking outside court while holding a copy of George Orwell's 1984, Mr Miller said today's judgment was a "rallying cry" for free speech. "Women, comedians, students, politicians - rediscover what it's like to think, then go forth and tweet without fear." He said the ruling should have a "chilling effect" on police action, saying officers had been "acting as Big Brother on behalf of rainbow warriors and grievance mobs." live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Fortis Healthcare on Friday reported narrowing of its consolidated net loss to Rs 69.32 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, mainly on account of robust performance in its hospital business. The company had posted a net loss of Rs 180.11 crore for the corresponding period of the previous financial year, Fortis Healthcare said in a filing to the BSE. Its consolidated revenue from operations stood at Rs 1,168.92 crore for the quarter under consideration. It was Rs 1,103.27 crore for the same period a year ago. The third quarter of 2019-20 continues to witness earnings growth with margin expansion in the hospitals business. Hospital business revenues stood at Rs 953.5 crore, a growth of 7.3 per cent. Hospital business contributes around 80 per cent to overall revenues and Ebitda, Fortis Healthcare said. The diagnostic business gross revenue was Rs 249.4 crore as against Rs 242.6 crore, a growth of 2.8 per cent. This was impacted by the abnormally severe winter in north and central India especially in the month of December, it added. Net debt-to-equity ratio stood at 0.17 times. Net debt was Rs 1,237 crore in the quarter, Fortis Healthcare said. "The Q3 results are the third successive quarter of an improved earnings performance specifically from the hospital business," Fortis Healthcare Board of Directors Chairman Ravi Rajagopal said. While the diagnostics business has shown a stable performance, the company is cognisant of the inherent potential that this business offers, he added. In a similar vein, Fortis Healthcare MD and CEO Ashutosh Raghuvanshi said, "I am pleased with our hospital business operations having progressively improved over successive quarters as reflected in the continuous margin expansion being witnessed." The company continues to focus on the key expense line items across the network in order to ensure that "we run a leaner organisation and our balance sheet remains robust with low gearing and a more efficient working capital cycle", he added. Shares of Fortis Healthcare on Friday closed at Rs 156.05 per scrip on the BSE, down 0.95 per cent from its previous close. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 Indonesia is stepping up its efforts in women empowerment with more communities to help young girls and women embrace science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The groups, which include STEM with Her (Jakarta), Femme in STEM (Bandung, West Java), Jakarta Society of Women Engineers (Jakarta SWE) and West Nusa Tenggara Society of Women Engineers (NTB SWE), are trying to break stigmas and norms that still hamper womens participation in the fields. One of the stigmas is that STEM fields are regarded as a male domain requiring physical exertion and working in dirty and dangerous environments. Saskia Amalia Aryono, the founder of STEM with Her, believes that more exposure to female role models could help break the stigma. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login The county board has already sent a letter to 17 residents who have written to members about Dorsey. The letter, signed by Garvey, said the board is considering what, if any, are the next appropriate steps to take. We are very disappointed in Mr. Dorseys lack of judgment in accepting the donation, failing to report it in a timely manner, and not returning it in a timely manner. The news outlet ARLnow first reported on the letter Thursday. LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. Former U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson has been named the 12th president of Siena College. Gibsons five-year term will begin July 1, and he will be formally inaugurated in a campus ceremony this fall. Gibsons appointment was recently approved unanimously by the Colleges Board of Trustees in a special session. I am deeply grateful to the Board for the high privilege of serving as Sienas next president, and I am sincerely humbled to have been appointed as the Colleges first permanent lay leader, said Gibson, who graduated from Siena in 1986 with a B.A. in history. Siena played an instrumental role in shaping my values and ideals, and I am forever indebted to the faculty and staff, including the many friars who have been so influential in my life. The connection I developed to the Franciscan tradition as an undergraduate inspired my personal calling to servant leadership. The Franciscan tradition sets Siena apart, and it will inform every decision as I work with the Siena community to advance the legacy of my predecessors and promote the mission of Siena College. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I congratulate Dr. Gibson on his appointment as Sienas 12th president, said John F. Murray Jr. 79, chairman of Sienas Board of Trustees. The entire campus community looks forward to working with him to build on the Colleges current successes and move strategically into the future. His dedication to liberal arts education and Sienas Franciscan values, coupled with his leadership experience as an elected member of Congress, military officer, and respected scholar will be tremendous assets as a higher education executive. Our committee received more than 75 applications from outstanding scholars and higher education executives across the country. This is a testament to the strong academic and financial reputation of our College, said Thomas J. Baldwin, Jr. 81, vice chairman of Sienas Board of Trustees and chairman of the presidential search committee. Were delighted to wish Dr. Gibson all the best as he prepares to assume the office of president. The announcement of Dr. Gibsons appointment and his in-person introduction as Sienas next president was made Friday at a gathering in Sienas Sarazen Student Union with faculty, staff, and students. Gibson is currently the Stanley Kaplan Distinguished Visiting Professor of American Foreign Policy at Williams College. He is a member of the Hoover Institutions Working Group on the Role of Military History in Contemporary Conflict, a visiting fellow with the Catholic Universitys Center for the Study of Statesmanship, and a member of the Editorial Advisory Committee of the Bipartisan Review, a project with Cornell Universitys Institute of Politics. Gibson served district NY-19 in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011-2017. He finished first among all House representatives of both political parties in the inaugural report of the Lugar Policy Center Bipartisan Index in 2014, and served as one of the co-chairs of the bi-partisan caucus No Labels. He is the author of two books, including his most recent work Rally Point: Five Tasks to Unite the Country and Revitalize the American Dream. He is a 29-year decorated military veteran who rose to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army. He commanded the 82nd Airborne Divisions 2nd Brigade, leading them to Haiti on a humanitarian relief operation after the 2010 earthquake. He served four combat tours in Iraq and was part of the NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. In addition to his history degree from Siena, Dr. Gibson holds an M.A., M.P.A. and Ph.D. in government, all from Cornell University. He resides in Kinderhook, N.Y. with his wife, Mary Jo, and their three children. He succeeds Margaret E. Madden, Ph.D. who has been serving as interim president since the 2019 death of Sienas 11th president, Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D. Dr. Madden will continue her service to the College in a leadership role. I thank Dr. Madden for her strong, steady, and compassionate leadership in these challenging times as our institution remembers the unimaginable loss and exceptional tenure of beloved Br. Ed, Gibson said in a news release. I take inspiration in their servant-leadership example and look forward to working with our entire community as we serve our students and take Siena to new heights in the years to come. West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra on Friday exhorted members of the Rotary Club in the state to work closely with the MSMEs to scale up their operations. He said micro, small and medium enterprises provide maximum employment in the state with the bank lending of almost Rs 70,000 crore to the sector in the current financial year. "It is important to engage the Rotarians for helping the MSME sector in the state as it is the highest employment generator", Mitra said at a Rotary India event here. He said the Rotarians, who are working at the grassroots in various fields like education and healthcare, can help the MSMEs to scale up their operations. "The MSMEs do not know how to scale up their operations and climb up the entire value chain. I urge the Rotarians staying here to create a special cell to train the entrepreneurs," he said. They can help the MSMEs to access export markets and bank lending. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In his more than 40 years with the Birmingham office of the National Weather Service, hydrologist Roger McNeil has come to memorize those spots in Jefferson County where you can count on flooding whenever the metro area gets a heavy dose of rain. As Alabama this week once again dealt with the aftermath of severe flooding, some Birmingham area municipalities investments in flood prevention have paid off. Others have been waiting years for help. Heres what cities have done or can do to alleviate flooding along what McNeil said are the areas most flood-prone creeks: Portion of Pratt-Ensley area converted to a vast lake in 1961. Scores of families flee homes as Village Creek overflows. Village Creek in Birmingham, stretching from East Lake and the airport to Ensley. According to the website for , stretching from East Lake and the airport to Ensley. According to the website for the Village Creek Society , to improve flood conditions along the 44-mile long watershed, the city of Birmingham should undertake two projects -- one replacing two 1920s-era bridges and another building retaining walls -- that would cost roughly $3.5 million. Jefferson County should undertake a $4.8 million project to relocate sewer lines, the societys website states. Yohance Owens, the societys executive director, said the organization is partnering with the city of Birmingham in seeking federal grants to prevent flooding. The area around the creek is in a flood zone, he said, which means no property can be built there. Flooding is mostly experienced around the airport and in East Thomas. In the interim, Owens said, the group along with the city and Jefferson County hold an annual clean-up to clear debris from the creek. Does it flood like it used to? No, but we still have considerable flooding, he said. "We have outdated sewer lines, we still have trash that still flows, but its not as bad as it used to be. The boat appearing ready for launch, was parked in it's owners yard just behind Cheyenne Drive in Huffman in 1972. Overflow from Five Mile Creek created this situation. Five Mile Creek in the Ketona-Tarrant area, including a bridge stretching across Alabama 79 that was completely submerged in a 2003 flood. Unfortunately, the area has still not received federal funding it was approved for in 2014, according to Tarrant Mayor Luxcil Tuck. The city requested $4 million from FEMA six years ago to help with flooding from the creek. While those funds have still not been sent to Tarrant, the city requested and was approved for an additional $5 million for the grant. When you hear that the wheels of bureaucracy turn slow, you can believe it, Tuck said. We hope to get started before this years up on that, and it will hold flood waters off of our businesses. Luckily, Tuck said, the city has not experienced major flooding from the recent storms. A church bus makes its way through flood waters near the Vestavia Hills bowling alley in 2000.bn Patton Creek in Vestavia Hills, a notorious spot for flooding from the city bowling lanes, stretching along U.S. 31 to where the highway meets Interstate 65. While residences are largely out of harms way, flooding is a major concern for businesses along the thoroughfare. Some businesses on [Highway] 31 actually located in the floodplain have to carry separate insurance policies, said Cinnamon McCauley, a spokeswoman for the city. Patton Creek is owned by a private property owner, McCauley said, and any changes to the creek bed has to come from the Army Corps of Engineers. The corps could not be reached for comment. Jefferson County is responsible for the creeks culverts where it runs under Columbiana Road, while the state Department of Transportation is responsible where the creek runs by the interstate, toward Hoover. The Vestavia Park Apartments alongside Highway 31 has experienced flooding in its parking lot, McCauley said, but water does not get into any units. Shades Creek out of its banks near Lakeshore Drive in Homewood. The creek flooded the Crescent at Lakeshore Apartments swamping cars. Several needed to be rescued from the rising water. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com Shades Creek in Homewood, including an area where the residents of Crescent at Lakeshore Apartments were recently forced to flee because of rising water. The city of Homewood maintains a monitoring station along the creek to alert officials when residents need to be evacuated because of rising waters, said J.J. Bischoff, the chief of staff for Homewood. There are no options for permanently addressing the problem of flooding along Shades Creek, Bischoff said. Theres not anything I know of that can be done to change that, Bischoff said. Flooding at mill in Mountain Brook in 1970. Watkins Brook the small stream near Mountain Brook Village had long been the cause of Mountain Brooks flooding woes going back decades. But a 2014 project between the city and the developer before the property was redeveloped stopped major flooding, according to Dana Hazen, director of planning, building and sustainability for the city. I dont think weve had problems since, Hazen said. That was just historically a bad problem. That was probably the worst place we had damage. Glenn Merchant, building official for Mountain Brook, said two retention ponds help store extra water. Three culverts were installed to aid flooding and lower the areas elevation. Emerald Avenue and Vista Lane pic.twitter.com/ilpKrRHjh2 Hueytown Police (@HueytownPD) February 10, 2020 Valley Creek in Bessemer and Hueytown. For about 18 months, there have been public meetings to discuss ways to address flooding along Valley Creek, according to Jefferson County Commission president Jimmie Stephens. Options include buying out homeowners and turning the properties into greenways or dredging the creek or a combination of both. Right now, were waiting to get the results of those meetings and from there well move forward, Stephens said. What are some other flood-prone spots in the Birmingham area you think need to be addressed? Let us know in the comments section. New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) launched a blistering attack on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday, citing a news report by 'Organiser', the RSS mouthpiece, which claimed that a Kerala church was illegally selling acres of encroached coastline or government land to Christian families. VHP spokesperson Vindo Bansal tweeted: "Nothing can be more dangerous than it...Making a mockery of law, the Latin Church sold Kerala public-revenue land worth crores of rupees to 192 christian families, 167 houses completed but @vijayanpinarayi Govt had surrendered???" Bansal also tagged Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, urging him to act in the matter. In another tweet, the VHP functionary said: "Is #Kerala govt, which can't protect public property from illegal encroachments, entitled to continue its business?? Are they allowed because the beneficiaries are Christians? Why the 99-year lease to churches still continued even after expiry??" Kerala has been a hot bed where the RSS and the BJP have found themselves at loggerheads with CPM cadres, often resulting in political murders from either sides. FLINT, MI -- Catholic school Saint Pius X in Flint will close permanently in June, the Diocese of Lansing announced Friday, Feb. 14. In addition to declining school enrollment, attendance at Sunday mass has also declined, said Anthony Strouse, pastor of Saint Pius X. This made the much-loved elementary school financially unsustainable, according to a Diocese of Lansing news release. This is the most heartbreaking day and the most heartbreaking decision of my 10 years as a priest, Strouse said. Saint Pius X Catholic School was built in 1962. Attendance has declined by approximately 50 percent in the last decade to its current enrollment of 115, according to the diocese. Sunday mass attendance declined even more drastically in the same period of time from 1,000 attendees per week to around 350. The school wants to ensure there is no interruption through the end of the year and is offering support and advice to parents as they decide what school their children will attend next, Strouse said. It also is working to keep Saint Pius X teachers employed within the Catholic school system. School management plans to meet with parents in coming days to answer any questions they may have about the closure and discuss educational options moving forward, according to the release. The Catholic school community in Genesee County is joining together in support parents, staff and students of Saint Pius X School, said Kasey Cronin, Executive Director of Genesee County Catholic Schools. Nearly all of the nearby Catholic schools in the county have already offered the Saint Pius X parents and students school places for next year at a much-reduced tuition rate thats a fantastically generous response, Cronin said. It is sad to hear the school will close, said parent Michael Rinoldo, who currently has twins in the schools 8th grade class and has had a total of four children attend Saint Pius X School. Like many parents, though, I really appreciate all that is being done to cushion the blow for us, and for our kids, and all that is being done to give us both guidance and hope for the future, Rinoldo said. Louise and David Sample's wedding anniversary is on Valentine's Day. This year, they have special cause to celebrate their 41st married year together: Louise underwent a liver and kidney transplant six months ago and is doing beautifully. This time last year, she was close to death on their anniversary date. So this year's anniversary feels like a miracle. Read more At least three times a week, Louise and David Sample prepare three-course meals in their Logan home and then give them away. Chef Louise, 63, is perhaps best known for chicken gravy thats so good people are content to sop it up with bread and call it a meal. Sous chef David, 68, drives to Lancaster for fresh produce, keeps the kitchen clean, and stretches his 6-foot-4 frame to get the pots that are stored out of 5-foot-3 Louises reach. Louise seasons the short ribs, turkey, and other meats the night before she cooks them. Vegetables matter, too: She once spent an entire Saturday cooking collard greens. Each regular (which is how the couple refers to the recipients of their meals) gets a fresh salad even if that means David needs to shop for spring mix multiple times a week. And daughter ShaLaina often bakes the cakes usually pound, German chocolate, or coconut that are sliced for dessert. Together the couple prep, cook, clean, package, and deliver filled-to-the-rim containers to their octogenarian neighbor, who lives alone. And to an older gentleman with cancer. And to a recent widow struggling with a grandchilds health problems. And to an elderly woman whose daughter works long hours. READ MORE: In Phillys restaurant scene, these couples thrive in and out of their kitchens Anyone else hungry? Let Louise and David make them a platter. Theyre always making food for people, making sure everybody is taken care of, always giving, said ShaLaina, 35. Its just something they do. The Samples, who are retired, say its no big deal spending hundreds of dollars and unknown hours each month in service to others. You treat others as you want to be treated, whether youre dealing with strangers, neighbors, family, friends or the sweetheart you married decades ago, the way Louise and David did in 1979. Said David, You sow the seeds. You reap what you sow. On Valentines Day, the Samples will celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary, and this year its especially significant. Louise was diagnosed with nonalcoholic liver disease in November 2018, and there were moments when those around her worried she wouldnt make it. This time last year, she was very sick. She needed weekly treatments to drain excess fluid from her body. She developed blood clots in both legs. The many medications she needed made her feel hazy. But right up until she received her liver and kidney transplant last August at Albert Einstein Medical Center, she made platters for the regulars. And for every employee from maintenance workers to ministers at New Covenant Church of Philadelphia. And for Einsteins radiology staff. I was cooking the night before my transplant. David took me to the seventh floor of Einstein to her patient room then took the food to them, she said. I never worried about not making it, because I never knew how sick I was. READ MORE: Want to fall in love? Go to this South Philly coffee shop. The Samples met a half century ago, when Louises family owned and operated a sandwich shop at North Sixth and Cumberland Streets near where David grew up. He was 17 when he spied her working the cash register. When I saw her, I knew one day she would be my wife, he said. Id order two sandwiches, fries, and a shake to try to impress her that I had money. Id give her my money and touch her hands and she wanted no part of it. I remember him trying to hold my hand, Louise laughed. Hed act like a big shot with his friends. Their courtship was cut short by the Vietnam War. David joined the Navy in 1971 and was sent overseas. Louise left to study at North Carolinas Bennett College. But when the couple reconnected years later, the spark was still there. They married Feb. 14, 1979, and settled in the Logan home where they raised their two children. Louise spent 25 years working for the School District of Philadelphia. Davids primary job was in construction. Now were retired, Louise said. David interjected, Except for the food." Yes, Louise agreed, Except for the food. Even during her post-transplant hospital stay, Louise found a way to nurture others, said ShaLaina: Shed separate the untouched food from her meal tray, and give it to David to take home. Wed make platters for the regulars, so she didnt have to waste it, ShaLaina said. Two months after surgery, Louise was back in the kitchen, making meals. David thinks it sped her recovery. When someone goes through something traumatic, resuming any part of your life where you know what youre doing puts you in a place where youre in control, he said. Cooking is her passion. Just doing it gave her a portion of her life back. Indeed, Louise is feeling so healthy, post-transplant, that the couple will be able to resume their annual anniversary trip to Williamsburg, Va., a journey Louise was too ill to attempt last year. Its a miracle, said Louise. The Samples had always been generous on the block, sending platters to neighbors after every Sunday dinner or holiday celebration. But about three years ago they asked longtime friend Evella Biggs, 85, if she would benefit from more regular meals. Then they asked her for the names of others who could use a bit of kindness. Its beyond me how they can do it, but I dont question, said Biggs, a widow with no children. I just appreciate them for being so concerned about the rest of us. READ MORE: A Valentines Day surprise The Samples, whove known Biggs for 40 years, recall her own days of generosity. I remember when my kids were babies, her coming over, Louise said of Biggs. Shed always prepare bags for them for the holidays, Easter baskets and Christmas baskets. Now, its Biggs turn to be the recipient of neighborly goodness. As David said, you reap what you sow. From significant business changes to noteworthy product launches, theres always something new happening in the world of design. In this weekly roundup, AD PRO has everything you need to know. In the News Coronaviruss Supply Chain Impact Unknown Unfortunately, the coronavirus outbreak appears to be far from contained. Many businesses are closing their stores, and numerous art and design fairs have canceled, postponed, or modified their upcoming plans. This week, HFN reported that retail imports are also expected to drop. Many Chinese factories have already stayed closed longer than usual, and we dont know how soon they will reopen, Jonathan Gold, the National Retail Federation vice president for supply chain and customs policy, said in the article. U.S. retailers were already beginning to shift some sourcing to other countries because of the trade war, but if shutdowns continue, we could see an impact on supply chains. Furniture Today added to the conversation, noting the possible impact the virus will have on Aprils High Point Market. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's Sales Christies Announces Dalva Brothers Auction Christies shared some majeures news this week for furniture buffs and Francophiles alike. On April 2, their New York flagship will host Dalva Brothers: Parisian Taste in New York. The family furniture dealership known as Dalva Brothers has been a ne plus ultra destination for decades thanks to three generations of leadership. And with historic relationships with everyone from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to Reed Krakoff (not to mention, institutions like the Getty) they certainly have the track record to prove it. Come April, look out for highlights like a Sevres teapot likely made for Marie Antoinette or her husband Louis XVI. The Dalva Brothers sale evokes a golden age of collecting in New York and the great encyclopedic galleries of Duveen and French and Company, with a veritable roll call of illustrious collectors and storied homes, William Strafford, Christies senior international specialist on European furniture and decorative arts, comments to AD PRO. [It] also includes pieces owned by earlier historic figures such as Louis Bonaparte and George IV. Story continues Product Launches Georg Jensen Prepares to Bloom On This week, Danish heritage tableware and jewelry company Georg Jensen announced its upcoming February release of Bloom Botanica by Helle Damkjr. The collection celebrates 20 years since the design was first created and includes vase and candle holder products. The silhouette of the silvery, stainless-steel pieces is intended to reflect the energy of a flowers growth from bulb to full bloom. Photo: Courtesy of Georg Jensen Chilewich Gets Ready for Spring This week, Chilewich unveiled its spring/summer 2020 look book, which proved to be a relative riot of color for a company that usually skews more minimalist. Particular standouts include large-scale pastel plaids and the pink and yellow tones that could be seen throughout. Bloom, a close floral cousin to the companys popular Dahlia mats and coasters, will no doubt be a welcome addition to their line, as will Hopscotch, a particularly complex-looking woven rectangular placemat. Photo: Courtesy of Articolo Lighting Articolo Design Studio Gets a Bright Idea With the Lunar New Year having only recently passed, its somewhat fitting that designs reminiscent of traditional Chinese lanterns would remain glowing on the forefront of designers brains. Articolos new Hatti Wall Sconce, which takes those light-bearing pieces as their inspiration, does just that in the form of a glowing conical fixture made of metal and glass. Bower Studios and Strk&Christensen Debut Two Collaborative Products A mirror and a screen might not sound as if they have much in common. But while the decor items have their differences, it just might be those divergent poles that attract. After all, while a mirror enlarges a space with its reflections, a screen is capable of splitting a room in two. Bower Studios and Strk&Christensens two new collaborative productsa mirror and a screen, both named Svalecomplement each other along those exact lines. The Svale Screen features a series of wood dowels and mirrors that can be formed in an array of graceful, sweeping arrangements, Jeffrey Renzt, co-owner of Bower Studios, tells AD PRO. This versatile statement piece features elements inherent to both collaborators distinctive works. See the video. Awards Best of Houzz Announced Every year, Houzz gives a select subset of its users a Best of Houzz moniker. The title, which is doled out to 3% of the online platforms 2.5 million active users, is awarded across three categories: photography, customer service, and design. This week, the California-based company announced its 2020 batch of Best in Houzz. Interior designers likely interested in the final of those three subsets take notethe designation is given based on how popular a professionals work is within the Houzz community. Events The London Design Biennale Is Set to Kick Off This September A piece of news from London this week was centered not on Brexit or on Megxit, but instead, on a biannual design event that takes place every other fall. The London Design Biennale announced that its 2020 program would kick off September 8 and run through the 27th of the same month. Scheduled to take place at Somerset House, the first exhibiting pavilions, advisory committee, and jury have been settled. Nations from Argentina to Canada are expected to be represented during an event that will aim to help tackle some of the major global issues of our time. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest Celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti convicted in Nike extortion case originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A federal jury in Manhattan has convicted attorney Michael Avenatti of trying to extort Nike. Avenatti, the California lawyer who gained fame representing adult film star Stormy Daniels, was found guilty Friday afternoon of honest services wire fraud, extortion and transmitting a threat in an interstate communications charges. He could face up to 42 years in prison. During the two-week trial, jurors heard phone conversations Avenatti had with Nike in March 2019 in which he demanded millions of dollars in payments and threatened to release allegedly damaging information about the shoe company. PHOTO: file photo: Attorney Michael Avenatti arrives at United States Court in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, July 23, 2019. (File-Mike Segar/Reuters) "While the defendant may have tried to hide behind legal terms and a suit and tie, the jury clearly saw the defendant's scheme for what it was -- an old-fashioned shakedown," U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Geoffrey Berman said in a statement. MORE: Feds file new charges against Michael Avenatti In a statement released Friday, Daniels called Avenatti's conviction a "just result." "Sadly, it appears what Michael Avenatti did to me was just the tip of an iceberg of deceit," Daniels' statement read. "I am not surprised his dishonesty has been revealed on a grand scale. His arrogant, fraudulent and overly aggressive behavior became so pervasive that the jury found his true character. Although clearly a just result, I do feel sad for his children and foolish for believing his lies for so long." The FBI said Avenatti "used threats of economic and reputational harm to extort Nike" by threatening to hold a news conference on the eve of the company's quarterly earnings call and announce allegations of misconduct. Avenatti explicitly said to Nike he was "not f----ing around," prosecutors said. He demanded a $1.5 million payment to his client, Gary Franklin, who ran a youth basketball league in Los Angeles that Nike had stopped sponsoring. Court records also show he also demanded a $22 million payment for himself. Story continues PHOTO: File photo: Attorney Michael Avenatti exits the United States Courthouse in the Manhattan borough of New York City, Oct. 8, 2019. (File-Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters) "The next stage is sentencing and appeal. He's got two other cases, but Avenatti is Avenatti, he's a strong guy, and obviously he's disappointed, but he's a fighter," said Scott Srebnick, an attorney for Avenatti. MORE: Feds bring new charges against lawyer Michael Avenatti for misappropriating nearly $300,000 from former client Stormy Daniels Avenatti is scheduled to stand trial in the same Manhattan federal courthouse in April on charges he defrauded Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, out of $300,000 from her book deal. After that case is completed, Avenatti is scheduled to stand trial in Los Angeles in May on charges he defrauded multiple clients. Avenatti remains in federal custody at the troubled Metropolitan Correctional Center after prosecutors caught him moving around money in violation of the terms of his release. Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday refused to make any comment over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks that chants like "goli maro..." during electioneering by BJP leaders should have been avoided. "No comment," said Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Thakur, when asked by reporters about the Shah crowd raising slogans like "goli maro..." in response to the junior minister's certain remarks during an election rally addressed by him. Talking to reporters here, Thakur said despite losing the Delhi assembly elections, the BJP has emerged stronger as people are still with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "There are many states where non-BJP parties are in power as the voting pattern for the elections in states and country is different. In non-BJP states too, the BJP had secured more votes than the ruling parties in those states in the Lok Sabha elections," he added. The minister of state also mocked the Congress party for claiming that the developmental works have been ignored in India in general and Himachal in particular. The people unable to see developmental works in the country and the state should "change the number of their spectacles" to see how much development has taken place all over India including Himachal Pradesh, he said. Citing the 15th Finance Commission report, the minister said the central government has allocated much more grant to Himachal and it would further accelerate the pace of progress in the state. Replying to a question on price rise, he asserted that prices have remained under control during the BJP government's tenure. The prices of essential commodities had rather skyrocketed during the UPA I and II regimes, he asserted, adding that if there were some instances of price rise for a month or so were natural phenomena due to natural calamities. Terming as "untrue and false" the allegations that Himachal was allocated lesser fund for railways works ibn the state, he claimed said the hilly state was rather given proportionately higher funds and it would soon be reflected due to development of railway network in the state. The minister earlier listened to the grievances and suggestions of the people at his native village, Samirpur, and sorted out most of them on the spot. The minister also took part in a function at Morsoo village and distributed lamps, cycles and heaters to the needy people of Morsoo gram panchayat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 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-19 is 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 to infodemics 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. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. What to do when an independent body becomes just a touch too independent? The tale of the Independent Planning Commission is a Sydney classic with medieval undertones. Anouilhs Becket, you may recall, is a bromance starring Henry II and his best mate, Thomas Becket. The king is worried about a rambunctious 12th century church sector what wed likely call the spiritual service industry. To regain control, he appoints his ratbag atheist drinking pal, Becket to the top job, Archbishop of Canterbury. Thatll sort those uppity clerics. So far, so Sydney right? Jobs, mates, revolving doors. Trouble is, Becket finds God and switches sides. He takes the church job seriously, defending goodness against politics. Naturally, he has to be killed. The Independent Planning Commission knocked back The Star's proposal for a 66-storey tower. I doubt this tale was front of mind for Planning Minister Rob Stokes when, last October, he ordered a review of the IPC. But there are echoes. The commission, only 18 months old, had been designed to give an "independent" gloss to a planning system that has always favoured the powerful and reduce the embarrassing likelihood of ministers going to jail. But the commission was starting to take its independence seriously. It was starting to defend the public interest. Something had to be done. A few weeks earlier the commission had provoked rage in the mining lobby by refusing a huge open-cut coalmine in the lovely Upper Bylong Valley. Now it was about to refuse the giant Star casino tower in Pyrmont. Stokes didnt quite drive swords through the commission's cranium, as Henrys knights did to Becket. But his terms of reference, which explicitly question the commissions continued existence, suggest he wanted to. A murder trial is underway for a 66-year-old man accused of stabbing an 18-year-old girl in Iowa more than 40 years ago. Michelle Martinko was stabbed to death in her family's car outside a mall in Cedar Rapids on December 19, 1979. The case went cold for decades until investigators linked blood from the killer that was found on her dress to Jerry Burns of Manchester using a cutting-edge forensic technique called genetic genealogy. Burns professed his innocence after his arrest in 2018 but was unable to offer a 'plausible explanation' for why his DNA was found at the crime scene. He pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. Jerry Burns, 66, (left) is on trial for the 1979 murder of 18-year-old Michelle Martinko (right) Martinko was stabbed to death in her car outside a mall in Cedar Rapids on December 19, 1979. The case went cold for decades until investigators linked blood from the killer that was found on her dress to Burns using a cutting-edge forensic technique called genetic genealogy Burns professed his innocence after his arrest in 2018 but was unable to offer a 'plausible explanation' for why his DNA was found at the crime scene. The defendant is seen during the second day of testimony at Linn County Courthouse Burn's trial began on Wednesday as prosecutors outlined the crime in vivid detail, describing how Martinko was stabbed 11 times and bled to death. The victim's lungs and aorta were pierced and she lost about a third of her blood before police found her body the following morning, prosecutor Nick Maybanks said. Blood found on Martinko's dress showed that her killer had been cut as well. Investigators recently submitted the DNA for testing and used genetic genealogical research to identify a pool of suspects, which included Burns. Burns was arrested in 2018 after DNA found on a straw he discarded at a restaurant was matched to the crime scene DNA. Defense attorney Leon Spies raised doubts about the accuracy of the investigation in his opening statement, arguing that DNA doesn't tell the whole story. He told jurors that evidence will show Burns isn't guilty of first-degree murder. Several people who knew the victim took the stand over Wednesday and Thursday and recounted their final interactions with her. On the night Martinko was killed, she attended a choir banquet at Kennedy high school before going to the mall to pick up a coat her mother had on layaway. Cedar Rapids resident Tracy Price, who had known Martinko since elementary school, told the court that he and his friends ran into her at the mall at around 7pm. Price and other witnesses described Martinko as a 'sweet, friendly, outgoing, upbeat' girl who didn't have issues or problems with anyone. The Buick sedan Martinko was murdered in is seen parked outside the mall where police found her body the morning after she was killed An investigator who worked the case in 1979 described finding Martinko's body slumped in the passenger seat of the car (pictured) Several people who knew Martinko took the stand this week and recounted their final interactions with her. They described the victim as 'sweet, friendly, outgoing, upbeat' Retired Cedar Rapids police officer James Kinkead, who found Martinko's body, also took the stand on Thursday. He had been sent out to search for Martinko's vehicle on the morning after the murder and found it parked in the mall lot. Kinkead said he looked through the car's frosted windows and saw a person who initially thought was intoxicated slumped in the passenger seat. When he opened the car door he found Martinko covered in stab wounds with blood all over her. She was fully clothed but her black dress appeared to be pulled up. The court was shown a disturbing photo of her body during Kinkead's testimony. Richard White, a since-retired officer who processed the crime scene, took the stand next. He said he vividly remembers the day Martinko was found because it was his birthday. He noted that Martinko's Buick was awkwardly parked, as if the driver had been in a hurry. Patterns in blood spatter at the scene suggested that the killer had been wearing gloves, he said. Burns' defense attorney Leon Spies (left) raised doubts about the accuracy of the investigation in his opening statement, arguing that DNA doesn't tell the whole story Dr Richard Fiester, a since-retired pathologist who performed the autopsy on Martinko the day her body was recovered, went through photos of the corpse and described the different wounds on her body. He said she had 29 surface cuts, many of them to her face and neck, along with 11 stab wounds and a severe head injury indicating that she'd be struck in the skull. Wounds on her hands indicated that she had fought off her attacker. There were no signs of sexual assault, Fiester said. A few other law enforcement officials who helped process the scene were also called to the stand to testify about how the evidence was handled. In his cross-examination, Spies focused most of his questions on chain of custody in an effort to shed doubt on the integrity of the evidence. Testimony is set to resume Friday morning with additional witnesses for the prosecution. The trial is expected to take two weeks. It was moved to Scott County District Court in Davenport because of pretrial publicity in Cedar Rapids. T he decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to let go their entire UK-based staff was sad but inevitable, sources said today. Harry and Meghan, now based in Canada with son Archie, broke the news to their 15-strong team following Januarys announcement that they are stepping down as working royals. It is being seen as the clearest signal that they do not intend to return to Britain for long periods to work. Their Buckingham Palace office is to be shut and redundancy negotiations are now ongoing although one or two have been offered alternative roles within the royal household. A source said: Given their decision to step back, an office at Buckingham Palace is no longer needed... unfortunately there will be some redundancies. There was a sense of inevitability about staff having to be let go" / AP Another source said: There was a sense of inevitability about staff having to be let go. But there is sadness too. Among those to lose their jobs is the couples newly-appointed private secretary, Fiona Mcilwham, who is on secondment from the Foreign Office and is expected to be found a Whitehall role. Friends of Marnie Gaffney, the couples assistant communications secretary, said that the 10-year veteran had been offered a new role at Buckingham Palace but decided she would leave and negotiate a redundancy. "She had the option to go back to Buckingham Palace, and they wanted her to stay. But she decided it was a natural ending after a decade with the royal household," said the friend. "She will receive payment for leaving and is looking forward to taking on some new and different challenges." Apart from the staff who are leaving, a small separate team will remain in place to manage the Sussex Royal Foundation. They will continue to focus their efforts on The Dukes sustainable tourism initiative, Travalyst - launched last year. Syrian state media says all crew members killed as government push on rebel-held northwest causes mass displacement. A Syrian military helicopter has been shot down in northwest Syria, where an intensifying government offensive to retake the countrys last rebel-held areas has caused a massive wave of displacement. Syrian state media said the aircraft was hit by a missile at approximately 1:40pm (11:40 GMT) on Friday near the town of Urum al-Kubra in the western countryside of Aleppo. This led the helicopter to crash, killing all crew on board, SANA news agency said, without providing any information on who was behind the incident. The National Liberation Front rebel group claimed responsibility in a statement posted on the Telegram app. Turkeys Anadolu news agency also said rebels reported striking the helicopter while it was flying over the west of Aleppo province. The agency said the helicopter took off from an area near the centre of Aleppo city amid clashes between the opposition and regime forces and was shot at from the Qibtan al-Jabal region. It was seen crashing, unleashing a plume of smoke, the agency reported. The incident came days after rebels said they had downed another government helicopter on Tuesday near the town of Nairab. Since December, the Russia-backed Syrian government forces have been pressing ahead with a ferocious assault on the last rebel bastion in the countrys northwest. The offensive has triggered the largest wave of displacement in the nine-year war, with more than 800,000 people fleeing towards the Turkish border. Turkey, which already hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees, says it cannot absorb any more. Al Jazeeras Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Clivegozu on the Turkish side of the border, said aid agencies are struggling to cope with the huge number of people displaced by the fighting. Its a very delicate situation and activists are saying its already a tragic humanitarian situation, he said. The intensified fighting, which saw five Turkish troops killed this week in Syrian government shelling, is the most serious since Ankara, which is supporting certain rebel groups in northwest Syrias Idlib province, first sent forces to its neighbouring country in 2016. In recent weeks, Turkeys military has deployed large convoys of vehicles carrying commandos, tanks and howitzers to shore up its military posts in Idlib. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based war monitor that relies on sources in Syria, said on Friday that Turkey had deployed around 6,500 soldiers to reinforce existing units in the countrys northwest, as well as some 1,900 military vehicles since early February. Government advances Meanwhile, government forces have made new gains in northwest Syria in recent days. 200212094731528 They are currently securing areas along the key M5 highway they seized from rebels this week, according to reports. They are pushing west of the motorway that connects Syrias four largest cities and is economically vital for the government. In an attempt to consolidate a security belt around the road, they captured a key base on Friday that they had lost to rebels in 2012, SOHR said. The bases recapture marks a symbolic win for the government, which has reduced the rebel-held pocket to just over half of Idlib province, as well as slivers of neighbouring Aleppo and Latakia. The following Cumberland County restaurants were found to have violated Pennsylvanias health and safety regulations during inspections between Jan. 19-25. Inspections are overseen by the Department of Agriculture. The department notes that in many cases violations are corrected by the restaurant before inspectors leave. GREYHOUND FAMILY RESTAURANT 9846 Molly Pitcher Highway, Shippensburg Date: Jan. 21, 2020 Type: Regular Compliance: In Violations: Time in lieu of temperature being used as a control for potentially hazardous foods, but baked potatoes observed being held for more than four hours. Severely dented, distressed canned item observed in the dry storage area and intended for use or sale in the food facility. Observed two black standing fans, in the grill area, non-food-contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. Observed three wet wiping cloths in main kitchen/grill area, not being stored in sanitizer solution. Temperature-measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in the Pepsi refrigerator and the bain-marie located across from the grill area. Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz is ready to cast the deciding vote to break a tie in favor of placing trucks-only tolls on state highways, and thats exactly her plan for next week. It would be Bysiewiczs first vote in the Senate since she took office along with Gov. Ned Lamont 13 months ago. All of us are in public service to do the right thing, to do the difficult thing, and the right thing isnt always easy, Bysiewicz said Thursday. I think that people want to support elected officials in public office who stand up, who speak out and who do things that are difficult and fight for things they believe in. If the vote goes as expected, leaders in the Senate will have precisely 18 of their members voting yes when the controversial bill comes up after many hours of debate. Four will vote no, along with all 14 Republican members of the chamber. It would be the first time the veteran Democrat, who was Secretary of the State from 1999 to 2011, casts a lawmaking vote this century. She last voted in the General Assembly as a member of the House of Representatives from Middletown in 1998. Both chambers have been told by leaders to be ready for a tolls vote on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. The bill calls for tolls ranging from $6 to $13 for large, mostly interstate trucks on a dozen bridges throughout the state, a move estimated to raise $172 million a year for the states Special Transportation Fund. With a 22-14 Democratic majority, Bysiewicz has not yet been called upon to break a tie in the Senate, where she is the presiding officer. Her predecessor, Nancy Wyman, now the state party chair, cast a tie-breaking vote many times during her tenure the number is believed to be 18. The Senate was divided equally along party lines in 2017 and 2018. The plan to have Bysiewicz break a tie serves multiple purposes. First, as it happens, four Democrats in the Senate are believed to be opposed to the tolls plan: Julie Kushner of Danbury, Mae Flexer of Killingly, Joan Hartley of Waterbury and Alex Bergstein of Greenwich. Bergstein favors broader tolling and has spoken out against a 10-year ban on car tolling written into the bill. Sources familiar with discussions at the Capitol said earlier this week, House and Senate emissaries presented their vote counts to each other with the governors office involved in the exchange. That move was designed to end weeks of mistrust in which each chamber balked at being first to tally a tolls vote. Many Democrats are willing to support tolls but dont want to cast an unpopular vote, only to have the other chamber fail to pass the measure. The Senate vote count totaled 18 and the House count was more than the 76 names needed. But even if one of the Senate Democratic holdouts were to agree to vote for tolls, the leadership may allow one of the willing supporters to vote no as there are several who will likely face tough re-election challenges against anti-tolls Republicans. And for Bysiewicz, a tolls supporter, the vote would be an honor. I am happy and pleased to be able to cast a vote that is going to help our economy, reduce commute time for people, put a long-term fiscally responsible solution in place and help our environment, Bysiewicz said. Its been a year since Gov. Ned Lamont originally proposed broad tolling on all cars and trucks on several highways, a move that set the stage for a long-term discussion about spending and priorities for the states transportation infrastructure. Lawmakers ultimately declined to bring Lamonts original proposal to a vote during last Springs General Assembly session, and declined to call a special session for a scaled down Lamont plan that still included all vehicles. The plan that emerged is watered down yet more, resembling the trucks-only tolling Lamont originally campaigned on in 2018. But even a narrow version of tolling has created a politically difficult vote for some legislators, as toll opponents remain steadfast against even a single toll on Connecticut roadways, arguing it would be the first step toward comprehensive tolling. The bill before the legislature would not allow car tolls without the passage of another law explicitly permitting them, and would require the car ban to be part of bond contracts. kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt (Newser) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are clearing out of Buckingham Palace. The couple are closing their office in the Queen's main London residence and laying off their 15-member staff as they withdraw from royal life, CNN reports. Staffers including private secretary Fiona Mcilwham, communications chief Sara Latham, and assistant communications secretary Marnie Gaffney were notified in January, per People, which describes efforts to find new roles for some employees. story continues below The couple are currently living in Canada but attended a private JPMorgan event in Florida last week. On Tuesday, they visited Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., where they were greeted by President Marc Tessier-Lavigne. Today reports they held a discussion with professors and academics designed to help them establish their new charitable foundation. While the goals of the foundation are still unclear, Markle, a Northwestern University graduate, made access to education one of her key causes as a royal, per People. (Read more Royal Family stories.) If Manitoba MLAs need a bit of inspiration to help them decide whether to begin their daily sittings in the legislative assembly with an Indigenous land acknowledgment, they might want to look to Hollywood. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. If Manitoba MLAs need a bit of inspiration to help them decide whether to begin their daily sittings in the legislative assembly with an Indigenous land acknowledgment, they might want to look to Hollywood. Actor, writer and director Taika Waititi pleasantly surprised many viewers last Sunday when he acknowledged during the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony that those in attendance were gathered on the ancestral lands of the Tongva, Tataviam and Chumash. "We acknowledge them as the first peoples of this land on which our motion picture community lives and works," Mr. Waititi said onstage. Its believed to be the first time anyone has acknowledged the ancestral lands of local Indigenous people during an Academy Awards ceremony, held in Hollywood. It was fitting coming from Mr. Waititi, who also became the first person of Maori descent (the Indigenous people of New Zealand) to win an Oscar, which he received for best adapted screenplay for his film Jojo Rabbit. Mr. Waititis land acknowledgement drew widespread praise for the respect and relationship-building it promoted with Indigenous communities. Manitoba MLAs should take note. Surprisingly, Manitobas legislative assembly is one of the few public institutions in the province that doesnt open its proceedings with a land acknowledgement. Winnipegs city council has been doing it since 2016. Many school divisions, corporations, arts organizations, community groups and others acknowledge the ancestral lands of Indigenous people (as well as the treaties signed between them and European settlers) at public events. Since August 2017, the Winnipeg Free Press has included such an acknowledgement on its editorial page. The Winnipeg Jets and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers both honour the ancestral lands of local Indigenous groups before every game. But not the Manitoba legislature. Land and treaty acknowledgements have been made prior to government throne speeches in recent years. Some MLAs and cabinet ministers honour ancestral land before speeches or during public events. But the legislative assembly itself which is on Treaty 1 territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis does not begin its daily sittings with a land acknowledgement. Want more great journalism? Get our best news and features delivered in your inbox every weekday evening. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. No explanations have been offered by government or MLAs on why this is the case. The Pallister government has said land acknowledgements are simply not part of the protocol in the legislative assembly and that it would be up to the Speaker and the assembly itself to change that. NDP Leader Wab Kinew wrote Speaker Myrna Driedger in 2017 about incorporating land acknowledgements into daily sittings. More than two years later, there still seems to be no interest, including from the Pallister government which, through its majority in the house, could influence such a change. One would think the legislative assembly arguably the most important public institution in the province would be among the first to acknowledge the ancestral land of First Nations and the Metis. Land and treaty acknowledgements are a small part of Canadas reconciliation efforts, but they are important ones. They remind the public that Indigenous people lived here before European settlement and that treaties were established to promote peaceful and harmonious relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. They are about fostering mutual respect and celebrating the rich culture that existed before colonialism. If Manitobas legislative assembly cant draw its inspiration from Hollywood when it comes to land acknowledgements, perhaps it could consider that this year the 150th anniversary of the province would be the perfect opportunity to make the change. It would take little effort, but it would go a long way toward building good will with Indigenous communities. Outspoken New Patriotic Party Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, has revealed he is an active member of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana who also has love for smaller gods. He explained that his love for other gods is borne out of their propensity to dispense swift and timely justice. Abronye DC, as he is popularly called, made the comment while explaining why he chose to curse a young man who accused him of having five of the 500 missing excavators in his possession. Family of the young man, Yayra Koku, has given the NPP Chairman 72 hours to revoke the curse or face their wrath. But explaining the motive behind his conduct on Asempa FMs Ekosii Sen programme, Abronye said he wanted quick results to teach his accusers a lesson. According to him, he does not have the strength to fast and pray for God to deal with those defaming him. God takes too much time before he acts and I cant wait that long. The gods are fast that is why I prefer that he told Ekosiisen host, Philip Osei Bonsu. Abronye DC said though he is still a staunch Presbyterian, he will, on any day, summon his detractors to river gods. Source: GHBeyondPolitics.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The United States said Thursday it has secured a seven-day reduction in violence in Afghanistan that it hopes will allow it to strike a deal with the Taliban, as President Donald Trump said a peace accord was "very close." US Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced the partial truce proposal following a NATO meeting in Brussels -- a day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani reported "notable progress" in negotiations with the Islamist extremists. In a radio interview later Thursday, Trump said the United States and the Taliban were nearing a peace agreement -- although it was not clear if he was talking about the limited pause in hostilities agreed with the guerrillas or something broader. "I think we're very close. I think there's a good chance that we'll have a deal and we'll see," Trump said, more than 18 years after the US invaded to overthrow the then Taliban government in the wake of the September 11 attacks. "That doesn't mean we'll have one but we'll know over the next two weeks," Trump added. Esper did not say when the partial truce agreed would begin, but a Taliban official previously told AFP the group would begin a "reduction of violence" on Friday. "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 said. "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 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 America's forces there but for all forces." The United States currently has between 12,000 and 13,000 troops in Afghanistan. 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 al-Fitr at the end of the Muslim 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. US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper was at NATO to discuss the allied mission in Iraq and peace talks in Afghanistan They've been married for almost five years after tying the knot back in May 2015. But Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan looked like besotted newlyweds as the TV presenter, 33, showed his love for the actress, 32, in a sweet Instagram post to mark Valentine's Day on Friday. In the affectionate image, Mark wrapped an arm lovingly around his wife as they soaked up the sunshine during a recent trip to Jamaica to mark his birthday. Heartfelt: Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan looked like newlyweds as the TV presenter, 33, showed his love for the actress, 32, in a sweet Instagram post to mark Valentine's Day on Friday Michelle showed off her Caribbean tan in a pair of white linen shorts and a white tie-up crop top. The Our Girl star piled her raven locks on top of her head and sheltered her eyes from the sunshine with a pair of dark shades. Mark matched his wife's beach look, slipping into a white linen shirt and patterned shorts, teamed with flip-flops and sunglasses. The couple have been together since late 2012 when they met on a holiday to Dubai. Island beauty: Michelle showed off her Caribbean tan in a pair of white linen shorts and a white tie-up crop top (pictured during a recent holiday to Jamaica to celebrate Mark's birthday) The former TOWIE star popped the question nine months later and the pair married in a lavish ceremony at Hengrave Hall in Suffolk in May 2015. Last month, Michelle announced she was leaving BBC drama Our Girl after four years. The actress played British army medic Georgie Lane on the show for three seasons but plans to leave in order to spend more time in her home country. The demanding filming schedule of the show has seen the Stockport-born star travel to South Africa, Nepal and Malaysia for several months of filming a year. Moving on: Last month, Michelle (pictured at an event on Wednesday) announced she was leaving BBC drama Our Girl after four years Mark left his dream presenting role in 'lonely' Los Angeles to be back with his gorgeous wife in February 2019. He said at the time: 'It just feels like the right time to come back to the UK and live here with my wife and family. 'I'll always be grateful to the show Extra for the amazing opportunity they gave me.' An Arizona Senate panel on Thursday advanced a measure that would make government entities that dont allow guns on their property liable if people are shot on their premises. The proposal from Republican Sen. David Gowan would allow anyone to sue if they or loved ones are injured or killed after being barred from carrying weapons for self-defense on government property. The measure is the latest in a years-long series of pro-gun measures that are routinely approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature. Arizona is among the most gun-friendly states in the nation, allowing open or concealed carry of guns without a permit in most places. But efforts to allow weapons on property owned by schools, universities and government buildings have failed. Its just a simple bill that says if a government creates gun-free zones which prohibit a law-abiding citizen from defending themselves, then if harm comes to them because of that policy that entity will be held liable for the damages, Gowan told the Senate Judiciary Committee. The point is, if you have a policy like this you protect them or allow them to protect themselves or there will be consequences. The bill was backed by guns-rights supporters and the Arizona Citizens Defense League, which lobbies for gun rights laws. Opponents include the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and a survivor of the 2011 assassination attempt on then-Rep. Gabby Giffords in Tucson that severely injured her and 11 others and left six people dead. Patricia Maisch grabbed a loaded magazine that gunman Jared Lee Loughner dropped as he attempted to reload his pistol. She and other bystanders disarmed him. Maisch said she was glad another armed bystander chose not to fire as others grabbed Loughners gun, but worried about might happen if people are allowed to bring weapons into gun-free zones. New York City police are 74 percent accurate on the range, Maisch testified. Theyre less than 34 percent accurate under fire, and you want some cowboy to come in and start shooting not knowing who is shooting? Supporting the measure was Merissa Hamilton, a former staffer for Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio, who described herself as a domestic violence survivor who carries a gun for self-protection. Hamilton said she had to be unarmed at work and once was accosted by a homeless person, an event that left her shaken. Being able to carry a gun saves my life and if government is going to prohibit that then they should have to responsible for keeping me safe, Hamiliton said. Gowans proposal was approved by the committee on a 4-3 party-line vote and now goes to the full Senate for consideration. Congress spokesperson and daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, Sarmishta, has earlier echoed similar sentiments. Bhopal: Describing the decimation of the Congress in the Delhi Assembly elections as very disappointing, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia Thursday felt the urgency for reinventing the Congress with a new ideology, new thinking and new style of functioning. Talking to reporters at Prithvipur in Tikamgarh district of the Bundelkhand region in Madhya Pradesh, Mr Scindia said, The results of the Delhi elections for the party are very disappointing. The party needs to reinvent itself with new thinking, new ideology and a new way of functioning. The country has changed. The Congress has to reinvent itself accordingly. In the new era, we have to go to the people with new thinking, he said. Mr Scindia, who lost the last Lok Sabha elections from his family bastion of Guna in Madhya Pradesh, has several times in the past broached the idea of overhauling the Congress completely to make the party relevant to a fast-changing India. Incidentally, Congress spokesperson and daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, Sarmishta, has earlier echoed similar sentiments. 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 the state level, demotivated workers, no grassroots connect- all are factors, she said in a tweet Tuesday, when results of the Delhi polls were announced. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 01:53:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close TIRANA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Albania will host the meeting of defense ministers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members in June, Albanian Defense Minister Olta Xhacka announced on Friday. Via a video message on Twitter, Xhacka said the decision to organize the meeting in Albania is a strong NATO message for its attention to the Western Balkans and the strong role Albania plays as a factor of stability in the region. Xhacka made this announcement after attending the meeting of the NATO defense ministers held in Brussels on Feb. 12-13. (Newser) "I'm going to build a wall and divert funds from military aircraft to pay for it" isn't exactly what President Trump promised in 2016but he is likely to at least have some progress in wall construction to point to during this year's election. The Pentagon told Congress Thursday that it is cutting $3.83 billion from elsewhere in its budget to fund the construction of 177 miles of border barriers. According to documents seen by the Washington Post, the funding is being diverted from Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force aircraft, as well as programs to update Army vehicles and buy new equipment for the National Guard. The move is allowedwithout congressional approvalunder a counternarcotics law. story continues below The Pentagon budget documents describe some of the items being cut, including two Marine Corps F-35 fighters sought by Texas lawmakers, as "congressional special interest items." Lawmakers from both parties spoke out against the move to "re-program" military funds without the approval of Congress, the AP reports. "The re-programming announced today is contrary to Congress's constitutional authority, and I believe that it requires Congress to take action," said Rep. Mack Thornberry, the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee. Rep. Adam Smith, the panel's Democratic chairman, accused Trump of being "obsessed with fulfilling a campaign promise at the expense of our national security." (Read more border wall stories.) Jerman Neveaux, the man accused of killing Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office Detective David Michel Jr. in 2016, has fired his defense attorney. Neveaux's decision was made against the wishes of the attorney, Martin Regan, and some of Neveauxs relatives and will undoubtedly delay his capital murder trial. Honestly, I want Martin off my case. I want him to withdraw, Neveaux, 23, told Judge Frank Brindisi of 24th Judicial District Court during a hearing Wednesday. Regan said he believes someone met with Neveaux and peddled false information in an effort to get him off the case. I have no desire to withdraw. This man is facing a death penalty, Regan told the judge. I dont know whats going on in my clients head. But the change in representation came just days after Brindisi appointed the Jefferson Parish Public Defenders Office to assist Regan on the case following a suggestion by a Louisiana Supreme Court justice who said such a move would better safeguard Neveauxs right to effective counsel and a fair trial, according to court records. Neveaux is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, two counts of resisting police by force or violence and illegal possession of a stolen firearm. He is accused of gunning down Michel, 50, after the deputy stopped him as he was walking near Manhattan Boulevard and the former Ascot Road in Harvey on the afternoon of June 22, 2016. Neveaux allegedly was following someone. Michel was shot three times in the back. Neveaux was arrested a short time later in the backyard of a nearby townhouse. Neveauxs violent apprehension by sheriff's deputies was recorded on cellphone video. Regan accused the deputies of beating up Neveaux, who suffered fractured bones in his face and internal bleeding. The Jefferson Parish District Attorneys Office is seeking the death penalty. Neveaux has pleaded both not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. Regan filed a motion Feb. 10 to withdraw as Neveauxs attorney at his clients request, according to court records. During the hearing, Regan told the judge he had been talking to Neveaux and trying to work out whatever the problem might be. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Although Neveauxs mother would not return Regans calls, his grandmother, Yvette Neveaux, and other relatives were in court for the hearing Wednesday and said they did not agree with the decision to fire Regan. Although Jerman Neveaux is the client, Yvette Neveaux said she and other relatives rounded up the money to pay Regans retainer. The relatives said they wanted Regan to remain on the case and echoed his suspicion that someone had gotten into Neveauxs head. Its not clear what, if any, part a recent state Supreme Court ruling in Neveauxs case had on his decision to move on from Regan. The court on Jan. 28 ended Regans effort to have Brindisi recused from the case. Regan had accused of the judge of bias and incompetence. Justice Scott Crichton wrote the high court's reasons for judgment and mentioned Regans regular appearance in court without sufficient preparation as possibly playing a role in the rulings that hadnt gone the defenses way. Noting that Neveaux had already been declared indigent, Crichton said it was within the trial courts discretion to appoint a second, highly qualified and capital case-certified co-counsel in the case. I strongly urge the district court to consider making such an appointment ... to better safeguard this capital defendants Sixth Amendment right to the effective assistance of counsel and protect the states interest in ensuring the defendant receives a fair trial, Crichton wrote. Brindisi appointed the Public Defenders Office as Regans co-counsel on Feb. 6, court records show. He directed the agency to take over the case after Regan withdrew on Wednesday. Neveaux still has the option to hire another defense attorney, Brindisi said. The change in representation will definitely delay a trial and could mean the case effectively starts from scratch, according to Majeeda Snead, a Loyola University law professor who specializes in criminal defense and civil rights litigation. I would think any new attorney who is capital-qualified would not go forward with a case until theyve had the opportunity to properly investigate both the facts and mitigating evidence, Snead said. During the three years that Regan handled the case, there were several hearings dealing with Neveauxs competency, with expert testimony and evidence on the effect of childhood lead poisoning on his brain's functioning, and whether the court should suppress statements he made shortly after his arrest. Spending on health and continuing to fund the State pension age at 65 will add significant amounts to Irelands debt, the OECD has said. In a major report, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development also said it wants to maintain the property tax and for it be assessed at regular intervals and also seeks further carbon hikes for Ireland to hit its obligations to reduce climate-warming emissions. The recommendations come after an election campaign that was marked by pledges by most political parties to keep the State retirement age at 65 and to invest significant amounts in healthcare. Launching the report, OECD chief economist Laurence Boone said if there were no changes to current policies on healthcare and the retirement age that the Governments debt level would rise significantly in the coming decades. She told reporters said the organisation favours governments across the world raising the retirement age to 68, as people live longer, while Ireland is spending significant amounts compared with other OECD countries in funding healthcare, but getting poor outcomes in terms of health provision. Ireland is the only western European country without universal healthcare and the health of its people is suffering as a result, which requires much better control over health budgets as investment increases, Ms Boone said. On ways to boost the building of new homes, she said the OECD favours incentives such as rezoning publicly-owned land for residential homes and provide public transport for residential sites over other measures that would only increase demand. Asked about the political uncertainty and the OECDs views on the potential of a high-spending, left-leaning government coming to power, Ms Boone said the report was about addressing structural issues in Ireland and ways in which the country can continue to thrive by broadening its reliance on tax revenues beyond the multinationals. The chief economist reiterated that successive Irish budgets had benefitted from windfall corporate tax receipts, of which the bulk is collected from multinationals. This matters because any setback to world trade that affects foreign-owned firms could harm Irish government revenues, she said. The OECD Economic Survey of Ireland runs to 118 pages and details scores of recommendations for an incoming government. It wants taxes to rise somewhat should the UK agree a Brexit deal, and it wants the corporate tax revenues to pay down debt. The report recommends regular updates of house values to assess the local property tax and to help low-income households most affected by the charge. Overall, the report finds that the Irish economy will continue to grow strongly in the short term, while facing significant problems in helping people to reskill to narrow the skills gap. The economy faces significant challenges over world trade in the coming years and from an ageing population in the long term. Separately, the European Commission projected Irish GDP will continue to expand strongly, by 3.6% this year and by 3.2% in 2021. In its winter forecasts, it said growth has slowed in 2019 from 5.7%, the fastest rate in the EU. 'Regional inequalities' need monitoring The disparity in economic clout between Dublin and other regions is leading to increased inequality and needs to be closely monitored, says the OECD. In its report on the economy, the Paris-based organisation calls on the government to look carefully at the way Dublin is growing at the expense of other regions and pushing people to live further out, in surrounding counties, for a place to live. An increasing concentration of economic activity in relatively wealthy parts of the country, such as Dublin, is prompting concerns about rising regional inequality, states the report. Regional inequalities have been rising, with Dublin accounting for a larger share of economic activity. Nevertheless, the Dublin-born population is increasingly moving to other counties due to escalating dwelling prices in the capital. The report says some plans by the outgoing government for spending on infrastructure projects, under Ireland 2040, would help concentrate population growth in designated cities and rural centres. To tackle congestion, the OECD sees a need for car-riding services because the greater Dublin region is so spread out for public transport to cope. Under such a ride-sharing model, individual private car rides are replaced by rides in shared taxis or shared taxi-buses. These services are modelled to be available on-demand either at the doorstep or at the next street corner. To cut carbon emissions, a more ambitious arrangement that shifted all private car travel in Dublin to shared mobility services and the existing rail and light-rail transport network could result in even more dramatic results. Report card on building more homes The OECD has provided a scorecard on the progress of the outgoing Government in meeting previous recommendations to boost housing output. Its major report on the Irish economy shows that the 21,000 new homes it estimates were built last year falls far short of the 34,000 that experts believe will be needed each year through 2030. Previous recommendations by the OECD included encouraging local authorities to rezone sites for residential home building, and relaxing building regulations for apartment sizes in city centres. It said that since then, the Government has set up an Office of the Planning Regulator to ensure that the zoning and planning decisions of local authorities are aligned with national planning rules and that planning systems are functioning in a coherent way. The OECD also stated that the Department of Housing has published new guidelines on apartments that allow for the construction of north-facing apartments where necessary. The report said that it had also recommended building more social housing, with spending increasing in Octobers budget by 300m to 2.6bn. To meet the future needs of the growing Irish population, the capacity of the housing construction sector will need to continue expanding to avoid dwelling supply constraints and a further acceleration in prices, it said. Key to achieving this will be promoting the efficiency of Irelands construction sector, the report stated, adding that Irish construction has low productivity growth compared with other European countries. It will also be important that appropriately-sized dwellings in the right locations are being built, the report said. In Dublin, less than 30% of dwellings are apartments, compared with over 60% in other major cities in Europe. A lot spent on hospitals despite poor outcomes Ireland spends significant amounts on hospitals without getting much in benefits in terms of better healthcare and improved health for its people, according to the OECD. Additionally, an ageing population will put significant new stresses on the Irish healthcare system, which stands out in western Europe as the country with no universal health coverage. The OECD report said that providing universal coverage and improving healthcare outcomes are achievable through reforms. The report finds that much of the higher levels of spending have gone into hospitals. However, it has led to no significant increase in measured outputs, insofar as the overall number of patients on hospital waiting lists has not declined, it said, citing experts. This contributes to poor disease management and congestion in hospitals. A clearer path to universal access to primary healthcare must be spelled out. Unbudgeted health spending has been attributed to both weak spending controls and weak budget planning. It also reports on the progress made to control healthcare budgets in hospitals. Activity-based funding (whereby budgets are allocated to each hospital based on the number and complexity of patients) has replaced block funding for inpatient and day-case procedures, it said. The HSE also introduced an Accountability Framework for the sector, with a review undertaken in 2015. However, several of the reviews recommendations, including the requirement for hospitals to produce their own productivity plans, have not been implemented. Analysis: OECD report on health and housing will please no political party The latest major report from the OECD will please few politicians of all colours. Its Economic Survey of Ireland lists the major problems of the hospitals and securing a place to live that influenced voters last weekend. Ireland pumps a lot of money into its hospitals without getting much back and the country has a long way to go to provide universal health coverage, which almost all western European countries provide already. In housing, the report reiterates that output is nowhere near meeting the annual demand for new homes, leading to a huge rise in rental costs. Its recommendations to solve the problem of housing shortages nonetheless appear to be underwhelming. But there is little in the report for any potential Sinn Fein-led government to cheer. The OECD shows that the costs of healthcare and keeping the retirement age at 65 are daunting. A third patient with coronavirus confirmed in the UK is being treated at a London hospital. Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said in a statement on Thursday that the individual did not acquire the virus in the UK. It is understood the patient arrived at Guys Hospital in London Bridge on Thursday afternoon and that the virus was contracted in an Asian country, but not in China. The patient is thought to have been diagnosed in Brighton before being transferred. Two other patients are still being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary infectious diseases centre in Newcastle upon Tyne. Chinese workers manufacture protective clothing as the third UK case of coronavirus was confirmed (Costfoto/Sipa USA) Passengers who have arrived from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau, should contact the NHS 111 service. Professor Whitty said: The patient is being transferred to a specialist NHS centre, and we are using robust infection control measures to prevent any possible further spread of the virus. The NHS is well prepared to manage these cases and we are now working quickly to identify any contacts the patient has had. NHS ambulances parked outside the accident and emergency (A&E) department of St Thomas' Hospital in central London. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday February 6, 2020. See PA story HEALTH Hospital. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire The Guardian reported the patient was diagnosed in Brighton and is being transferred to London, where there are infectious diseases units at Guys and St Thomas and the Royal Free. The two other confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK were confirmed on Friday last week. One is a student at the University of York and the other is one of their relatives. They are being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary infectious diseases centre in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, backed the claim that the NHS is equipped to deal with the third case. He said: It is not surprising to see a third case, it has been expected that the UK would see more than just the two previous cases. Therefore, public health and NHS authorities will be well prepared to deal with and follow-up on this news. He added: Clearly the outbreak is at a very important point, both globally and here in the UK. It looks at this stage like the infection is imported, rather than acquired through human-to-human transmission within the UK. Story continues So far, outside of China, there has been very limited human transmission of the coronavirus, which is good news in terms of potentially being able to contain the international spread. By Thursday, the worldwide death toll from the virus had risen to 565, with 28,273 confirmed cases. The majority of deaths have been in China. More than 80 UK citizens and family members who were the first to be quarantined at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral have been told they can leave next Thursday. The group is spending 14 days in isolation but will be released as long as they remain symptom-free. Meanwhile, 78 people with British passports including crew are currently in quarantine on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, sources told the PA news agency. A group of the U.S. diplomats and experts said that some recommendations sounded in the peace plan for Ukraine and submitted ahead of the Munich Security Conference repeat ideas advanced by Russia. "Most of the twelve recommendations from the Euro-Atlantic Security Leadership Group if faithfully implemented by all parties are constructive and could both serve as confidence-building measures and alleviate the difficulties and suffering endured by the population in or near the occupied Donbas. Several are problematic; two in particular echo Kremlin negotiating proposals or disinformation themes," reads a statement published on Atlantic Council. More importantly, the document describes the problem to be resolved in "Kremlin-friendly terms, perhaps in order to persuade members of the Russian elite to sign." The statement was signed by Ian Brzezinski, Dr. Michael Carpenter, Edward Lucas, Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, Ambassador Daniel Fried, Ambassador John Herbst, Ambassador Steven Pifer, Ambassador William B. Taylor, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow and Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch. Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the CTA escalated a mystifying turf war recently against Cook County and Metra on Chicagos South Side: CTA announced Feb. 10 that it would spend $38 million to study an extension of the Red Line to 130th Street. The proposed project is not just expensive for an aboveground rail line its cost, $2.3 billion for 5.3 miles, could pay off CTAs entire unfunded pension liability but it also serves an area already covered by two Metra lines, Rock Island and Metra Electric. Raiders of the Lost Ark (Credit: Lucasfilm) Harrison Ford has confirmed that the long-awaited fifth movie in the Indiana Jones series will start filming in April. He dropped the nugget during an interview with CBS for its Sunday Morning show, set to go out this weekend. Asked about the challenge of coming back to a role after many years the inference being those of Han Solo or Indiana Jones Ford joked: Trying not to look silly running around in tight pants and high boots. He then added: I'll try and give you a more appropriate answer, considering that I'm going to start doing Indiana Jones in about two months. Read more: Five things you might not know about Indiana Joness whip If we have the opportunity to make another, its because people have enjoyed them. It has been some time since Ford has donned the fedora to play the intrepid archeologist, with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull having landed in 2008. Talk of the so-far untitled fifth movie began soon after, and back then there was even talk of making Shia LaBeouf's character Mutt Williams, from the fourth movie, the lead. A year lated LaBeouf said in an interview that Steven Spielberg had cracked the story for the fifth film, something Karen Allen, who plays Marion Ravenwood, later confirmed too. However, the takeover of Lucasfilm by Disney has somewhat delayed the advancement of the project, while it took on the Star Wars universe, and its now thought that Mutt Williams is not involved. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Credit: Lucasfilm) Then in 2015, in an interview with Vanity Fair, Lucasfilm boss Kathy Kennedy confirmed a fifth movie was in the pipeline, with George Lucas returning as an executive producer. Various writers have been involved too from David Koepp (who penned Crystal Skull) to Jonathan Kasdan, the latter's story rumoured to be about a fabled train full of nazi gold that was buried in a tunnel in the last days of the Second World War. Meanwhile, in case anyone was wondering, both Ford and Disney boss Bob Iger have said that the plan is not to kill off Dr. Jones (though Ford will be pushing 80 when the movie is released). However, Iger has said that a fifth film will 'not be a one-off', so perhaps the torch will be handed on to someone else. Shana Barrett, 19, and her grandmother Cassie Gaffney, 71, outside McGillin's Olde Ale House in Center City. Read more Back in the day, waitress Cassie Gaffney had an eye-popping bar trick that she once performed for her boss grandson Chris Mullins Jr. at McGillins Olde Ale House in Center City. I distinctly remember being a kid and her taking her glass eye out and putting it her mouth. It was like, Whoa! Mullins said. We still laugh about it to this day. But these days, Mullins is Gaffneys boss. For 43 years and three generations of owners, Gaffney, 71, has worked at McGillins, making her the longest-serving waitress at Phillys oldest-running bar. The lifelong South Philly resident who lives just off Two Street is so beloved she gets all the important South Philly holidays off. Not only does she take off on New Years Day but also the day after New Years Day because its her recovery day, Mullins said. Nodding in agreement, Gaffney launched into her best Mummers strut. In 2017, Gaffneys granddaughter Shana Barrett, 19, also joined the staff of McGillins. On Fridays, the duo work the lunch shift together, the only time their schedules overlap, doling out shepherds pies, beer, and cheesesteaks. If [customers] dont know shes my grandmother, shell tell them, Barrett said. On Sunday Mothers Day Gaffney will celebrate her 72nd birthday, but she has no plans to cut back on her three lunch shifts per week and bartending duties at private events. People ask me, When do you want to retire? I cant answer that because I enjoy coming to work, I enjoy people, she said. I think Ill retire when my body tells me to retire. Gaffney, whose birth name is Catherine, grew up in South Philly with 10 brothers and sisters. In 1959, when she was 11, she lost an eye when a group of kids hit her with a stone while she was taking out the trash. Back then, it was the kind of tragedy that made the news. When a story about Little Cathy Albert (she hated that name) ran in the Philadelphia Daily News, hundreds reached out to offer assistance. One woman offered Cathy four artificial eyes that her grandson had outgrown, the newspaper reported. Mummers even came out to serenade the girl and raise money for her family. But Gaffney never felt special. She still doesnt. So well let her boss explain: She worked for my grandfather! said Mullins, who now runs McGillins with his parents, Mary Ellen and Chris. Its hard to maintain any employees for a long period of time but for three generations is incredible. You get people who come in year after year or every five years and ask if Cassie is still here. Gaffney started at McGillins in 1975, after her two kids began grade school. A friend working at the bar helped her snag the job. The application was 'Start peeling eggs. Make egg salad, she said. Back then, McGillins had a sandwich board at the bar where four women, including Gaffney, made sandwiches during lunch. She worked that for 10 years and when her kids started high school, Gaffney put on an apron and began waiting tables. Shes sweet and tender with her customers but is also quick to joke if they pave the way. Gaffneys husband, John, who died in 2004, was always supportive of her job. She still misses him like crazy. During the years Gaffney has worked at McGillins, three of her friends met their future husbands at the establishment and one a coworker even got married at the bar. Instead of serving tables that day, Gaffney served as the maid of honor at the wedding. When it comes to theories about why McGillins seems like a hotbed for romance, Gaffney has one. You get alcohol and male and female and theres always going to be a connection, she said. Gaffney will never forget the engagements shes witnessed at the bar, the times shes had to stop people dancing on chairs, or the week when MSNBCs Morning Joe aired live from McGillins during the 2016 Democratic National Convention. And though she tried to be on her best behavior for this interview, glints of her beautifully bawdy South Philly personality did shine through. Theres the crass but endearing nicknames she and the bartender have for each another, which are not suitable for print; her love of cosmopolitans and Michelob Ultras; and her annual trip to Keenans Irish Pub in North Wildwood for an all-class grade school reunion. I like to party, she said. Gaffney is also no stranger to a Kenny Chesney concert and the accompanying epic tailgate parties. She really is a wild woman. Shes probably one of the funniest, craziest people, in a good way, Mullins said. If you ever wanted to sit and have a cocktail with anybody, its her because shes real and shes hilarious. Her granddaughter agreed. Shes a cool grandma, Barrett said. You can easily talk to her, you can easily hang out with her. Its just always fun. Mullins and Barrett both hope theyll be working alongside Gaffney for many years to come. I told her if she ever becomes infirm and she cant walk, well wheel her in, Mullins said. If we are the reason you can live a happy, long life and it gets you up in the morning and its fun, then Im so thankful that youre here every day. 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. A federal appeals court on Friday rejected the Trump administrations approval of Medicaid work requirements in Arkansas, saying the administration had neglected to consider the coverage loss people would suffer as a result. A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit unanimously upheld a lower court ruling striking down the work requirements, ruling that Department of Health & Human Services does not have authority to require some people covered by Medicaid to work, attend job training, volunteer, or attend school. Failure to consider whether the project will result in coverage loss is arbitrary and capricious, the court stated in its opinion, written by Judge David Sentelle, a Reagan appointee. We agree with the district court that the alternative objectives of better health outcomes and beneficiary independence are not consistent with Medicaid, the court said. The text of the statute includes one primary purpose, which is providing health care coverage without any restriction geared to healthy outcomes, financial independence or transition to commercial coverage. More than 18,000 Arkansas residents lost their health-care coverage when the work requirements went into effect before a lower court struck them down. The state was the only one where work requirements went into effect, albeit briefly. Work requirements have also been struck down by federal judges in New Hampshire and Kentucky. More than 10 million additional low-income people gained Medicaid coverage after they became eligible under the Affordable Care Act. Medicaid currently covers approximately 70 million people across the country. Republican Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said he hopes the case will reach the Supreme Court, saying the work requirements were intended to help recipients get job opportunities while they received benefits. It is difficult to understand how this purpose is inconsistent with federal law, Hutchinson said. The courts ruling undermines broad public support for expanded health care coverage for those struggling financially. Story continues The National Health Law Program, representing those who lost coverage when the work requirements went into effect, commended Fridays ruling. It means that thousands of low-income people in Arkansas will maintain their health insurance coverage coverage that enables them to live, work, and participate as fully as they can in their communities, said legal director Jane Perkins. More from National Review Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and U.S. Navy Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command in Doral, Florida, on Jan. 23, 2020. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Defense Secretary Stands by Shifting of Funds for US-Mexico Border Wall Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Friday defended his decision to divert billions of dollars in funding for Navy and Air Force aircraft and other military programs to help pay for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Esper was asked by a reporter in Germany about criticism from members of Congress, including Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) who called the diversion of funds contrary to the constitutional authority of Congress. Border security is national security, Esper said, and national security is our mission. He added, The action we took is legal under the law, and so it should be no surprise, and Ill just leave it at that for now. Esper spoke on the sidelines of an international security conference in Munich. The border fence between the U.S. and Mexico just east of Sasabe, Arizona, on Dec. 7, 2018. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) The Pentagon said Thursday that it authorized $3.8 billion to be diverted toward building some 177 miles of barrier across the U.S.-Mexico border, in an effort to address drug-smuggling activities. DHS has identified areas along the southern border of the United States that are being used by individuals, groups, and transnational criminal organizations as drug smuggling corridors, and determined that the construction of additional physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the United States border is necessary in order to impede and deny drug smuggling activities, acting Department of Defense comptroller Elaine McCusker said in a request sent to Congress. The request seeks a $2.2 billion diversion from defense appropriations and $1.63 billion from the Pentagons Overseas Contingency Operations fund, which supports operations against the ISIS terrorist group. Diverting money from the defense appropriations would affect funding for two F-35 fighters, eight Reaper drones, four Air Force C-130 transport aircraft, two Marine V-22 Osprey helicopters, amphibious ships, National Guard equipment, and Army trucks. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at the White House in Washington on Feb. 11, 2019. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) The construction of a border wall along the southwest border has been a key promise of President Donald Trump and one he is adamant in fulfilling. The administration has diverted funds from the Pentagon before for wall infrastructure between the United States and Mexico. Esper signed off on diverting $3.6 billion towards building approximately 175 miles of the wall in September 2019. Constructing the wall was necessary to support the use of the armed forces in connection with the national emergency declared by Trump, Esper wrote in a letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee. A court ruled in January that Trump could use the money to build the wall. The next week, Esper said that his departments first priority is protection of the homeland. The southwest border is a security issue, and so well see how things play out, but we remain committed to supporting the Department of Homeland Security in its mission, he said, adding that the support could include financial support. Mimi Nguyen Ly, Jack Phillips, Charlotte Cuthbertson, and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Gourmet International and Butlers Chocolates are recalling some chocolate bars because they contain milk, a potential allergen that is not listed on the label. According to an announcement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 1,900, 3.5-ounce bars of Irish Whiskey Dark Chocolate were distributed to speciality food stores in 16 states including Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Maryland. The product lot code is 101048778 with an expiration date of Aug. 16, 2020, and a UPC code of 8-44984-17619-7 The recall was initiated after FDA testing found high levels of milk present in the product and milk is not a listed ingredient of the product. Distribution of the product has been suspended until such time as source of the milk is determined and appropriate steps to address this issue have been taken, according to the FDA. The candy also was distributed in California, Connecticut, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. 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. (Photo : Christian Wiediger of Unsplash) [WARNING] Buying Items Online May Transfer Coronavirus From China? Amazon Takes Immediate Action (Photo : Bryan Angelo on Unsplash) [WARNING] Buying Items Online May Transfer Coronavirus From China? Amazon Takes Immediate Action Novel Coronavirus has now killed more than 1,000 people and infected over 45,000 all over the world, as of Tuesday, Feb. 11. Massive and stringent health inspections are currently being implemented in order to stop the spread of the said viral disease. However, the government seemed to be missing out on a significant possible carrier of the disease: China-made items that are being sold online. Is it still safe to buy China-made online items amid Coronavirus? Here's explanation 2019- nCoV, now called COVID-19, is still frightening most citizens in China and people around the world with its fast way of spreading from one person to another. According to the World Health Organization, human hands can be one of the best hosts for viral diseases and also has the easiest access to spread the disease. "Hands touch many surfaces which can be contaminated with the virus.," WHO said on its website. "If you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with your contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself." With this warning, people are now speculating that even items that are touched or made by Chinese people or came from China may have a possibility of carrying the virus-- now leading people to stopped buying online items that are specifically China-made. But should people really worry about this issue? Hoax: Imported goods are associated with Coronavirus U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) already released a statement regarding this claim. CDC clarified that this is only a myth and that "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." "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," the agency added. WHO also shared a statement saying that coronaviruses "do not survive long on objects." Once items are exposed to UV rays or any heat from outside, the viruses tend to die. 40% Amazon products came from China, Here's why you shouldn't worry Famous online retail shops like Amazon are now giving heads up to their China-based factories and workers on the health and security protocols that they should follow amid the Coronavirus spread. Since 40% of Amazon products are China-made or imported from the country, Amazon has now released a message for their sellers and distributors in the country to heads up them once they can no longer fulfill orders. "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 world's largest online store was also reported stocking up on Chinese products as a 'cautionary move' from the company. According to Business Insider, Amazon was "preparing for possible supply chain disruptions due to recent global events originating in China." Although Amazon is doing its best to stay sharp amid Coronavirus spread, experts think that the battle between online shopping and this virus will go for a while. "Indirectly, coronavirus could negatively impact all businesses - Amazon included - to the extent [the virus] spooks consumers, prompting them to hang on to their money," said Kerry Murdock, editor, and publisher of online e-commerce magazine Practical Ecommerce on FOX Business. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Water companies have referred their regulator to the competition watchdog in a revolt against strict price controls. In December, Ofwat ordered firms to cut annual bills for customers by 50 on average over five years, while spending 51billion on improving services and investment in infrastructure. The crackdown followed an outcry over bumper dividends paid to shareholders, tax avoidance and the poor record of some firms in preventing leaks. Drip effect: Anglian Water and Northumbrian Water have joined Yorkshire Water in referring Ofwat to the Competition & Markets Authority It has sparked the largest revolt in the 30-year history of the privatised water industry. Yesterday Anglian Water and Northumbrian Water joined Yorkshire Water in referring Ofwat to the Competition & Markets Authority. Anglian has been ordered by Ofwat to slash annual bills by 10 per cent. But the company said the price controls will jeopardise its plans to spend almost 6.5billion over the next five years, rather than offer big cuts in bills. Much of this money has already been earmarked for projects including installing 1.1million smart meters, and fixing leaky pipes. It said the crackdown, which will knock more than 500million from its annual income, will also jeopardise its plans to lay a 300-mile pipeline from the Humber to provide water to Essex. Chief executive Peter Simpson said: 'The Anglian region faces specific challenges brought about by a changing climate and a population growing faster than almost anywhere else in the UK. Our plan aimed to address these challenges.' A spokesman said Anglian has not paid a dividend for the past two years and has agreed not to pay one for the next five years as part of its investment plans. But the UK's biggest water supplier, Thames Water, said it had accepted Ofwat's price curbs, despite giving serious thought to joining the rebellion. Ofwat chief executive Rachel Fletcher said: 'Companies must become more efficient, and step up to deliver better services [and] lower bills.' By Express News Service PATNA: In yet another incident of violence against CPI leader and former President of the JNU Students Union Kanhaiya Kumar, his convoy was allegedly attacked in Bihars Ara district when it was returning from neighbouring Buxar district during his month-long Jana-Gana-Mana yatra on Friday. In the stone-pelting incident, one of the cars of Kanhaiya Kumars convoy was reportedly damaged but he escaped unhurt and reached the venue to address a public meeting against the CAA, NPR and NRC. As soon as the convoy reached near Bibiganj in Ara, some elements turned violent alleging that one of the cars of the convoy knocked down a motorcyclist and resorted to stone-pelting. Confirming the incident, Ara SP Sushil Kumar said one person was detained and two motorcycles seized from the spot of the incident. Kanhaiya Kumar was escorted under full police escort to Arwal after the incident and his political assignment in Ara has been completed, Kumar said, adding that an FIR was being lodged against the rowdy elements. This was the eighth incident in which the convoy of Kanhaiya Kumar was attacked in different parts of the state during his 'Jana Gana Mana yatra' which is being carried out throughout the state from January 30 after addressing the first anti-CAA public meeting in West Champaran. According to a tweet by Kanhaiya Kumar, the stage which was built for him to address the anti-CAA meeting in Ara was also damaged on Thursday night by some anti-social elements. Earlier, on February 5 in Supual, the convoy of Kanhaiya Kumar was attacked in which one vehicle was damaged and three people were injured. LONDON When Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain convened his new cabinet on Friday, it looked less like a conclave of powerful government officials than a well-mannered classroom on the day the headmaster came to visit. How many hospitals are we going to build? Mr. Johnson asked. Forty, they replied in unison. How many more police officers are we recruiting? he demanded. Twenty-thousand, they chanted. Such a display of lock step discipline is a striking change in a country that became used to clamorous politics under Mr. Johnsons predecessors, David Cameron and Theresa May, who struggled to hold together balky coalitions and govern without a Parliamentary majority. In the two months since Mr. Johnson won a landslide election victory and rolled up an 80-seat majority, he has moved rapidly to take control of the levers of power. And to a degree unmatched by any British leader since Tony Blair, the government is now almost entirely subordinate to him. According to Ex on the Beach: Peak of Love co-star Jemmye Carroll, alleged former American Idol contestant Ryan Gallagher not only lied about leaving New Zealand but faked the family emergency altogether. The MTV logo | VALERIE MACON Ryan Gallagher on Ex on the Beach: Peak of Love For the fourth season, Ex on the Beach left the beach and opted for the mountain tops in New Zealand instead. One of the singles, Ryan Gallagher, is allegedly from American Idol and came to the peak searching for love. Even though it wasnt shown in the show, others in the house confirmed he and Tyranny Todd had a thing. However, Allie DiMeco claimed she called Gallagher out for leading Todd on when he had no real interest in her. The two eventually parted ways, and Todd moved on to Sam Bird while Gallagher seemingly didnt talk to anyone until his ex, Magdalena Ruiz, arrived. Magdalena's arrival to the peak had Ryan questioning her true intentions behind their relationship. NEW #ExOnTheBeach: Peak Of Love continues tomorrow at 9/8c on @mtv pic.twitter.com/Jt00ftpgNp Ex On The Beach (@ExOnTheBeach) January 15, 2020 According to the fashionista, Gallagher broke up with her because he became insecure in their relationship. Even though the American Idol hopeful was skeptical of his ex arriving at the chalet at first, he finally decided to let his guard down and give their relationship another shot. Only a couple of days after Ruizs arrival, the couple left to fly back home due to an emergency in Gallaghers family. A few days later, they came back to the chalet once they sorted everything out. Jemmye Carroll accused Ryan Gallagher of not leaving New Zealand In one of her Ex on the Beach: Peak of Love recaps, Jemmye Carroll revealed she did some investigating as she didnt think the couple left the house. After noticing they still had all their luggage with the old tags, Jemmye said she confronted Gallagher and Ruiz, who admitted they never left New Zealand. Instead, they claimed they were in separate hotel rooms while Gallagher phoned home. After Carroll posted the recap, the couple responded to her on Instagram, confirming her allegation. Ryan & Magdalena return to the chalet after a family emergency #ExOnTheBeach pic.twitter.com/XIZqBtLMFK Ex On The Beach (@ExOnTheBeach) January 31, 2020 Gallagher explained the show needed to make sense of me and Mag being absent for one whole day of filming. Additionally, he threw shots at Carroll and claimed she didnt have anybodys eye since the moment she entered the chalet. Feeling disrespected, Carroll exposed the two in her next recap video. Jemmye Carroll accused Ryan Gallagher of faking his family emergency According to the MTV star, Ruiz told her that she and Gallagher had sex the night before, and he started freaking out because he thought it would ruin his brand. Additionally, Ruiz said Gallagher wanted to go home, so he called his agent. After hearing this, Carroll claimed she saw him outside having a private conversation on his cell phone. Once Gallagher finished the phone call, he came inside and explained he had to leave for the family emergency. Carroll did not believe him because their family has the phone numbers of the production members in the house. Therefore, his family would have called production directly, instead of Gallagher calling his agent first. Carroll said she did not accuse him of faking it at the time because she didnt have enough information. However, the MTV star stated a production member told her directly that Gallagher did fake his family emergency. But, according to Carroll and some Reddit users, thats not the only thing Gallagher lied about. Apparently, he only auditioned for American Idol but didnt make it to the Live Auditions, which is filmed. Carroll confirmed this information because EOTB production members asked Gallagher for his American Idol package, and he couldnt produce it. Gallagher hasnt responded to Carrolls accusations as of yet. Watch Ex on the Beach: Peak of Love Thursdays at 9 p.m. EST on MTV. Photo: The Canadian Press A woman wears safety goggles, a face mask, and rubber gloves on a subway train in Beijing, Friday. More than 1,700 Chinese medical workers have been infected by the new virus that has killed nearly 1,400 people and spread to other parts of Asia and as far as the U.S. and Europe, a senior Chinese official announced Friday. Six of the workers have died, Zeng Yixin, vice director of the National Health Commission, said at a news conference. The health commission is highly concerned about this issue" and has issued guidelines for the prevention and control of infection within medical institutions, he said. Medical workers account for about 3.8% of confirmed cases as of three days ago, Zeng said. The commission also reported another sizable rise in the number of infections as a result of a new way of counting adopted by Hubei province, the hardest-hit area. Confirmed cases in mainland China rose to 63,851 by the end of Thursday, up 5,090 from the previous day. The death toll rose 121 to 1,380. Hubei province is now including cases based on a physicians diagnosis before they have been confirmed by lab tests. Of the 5,090 new cases, 3,095 fell into that category. The acceleration in the number of cases does not necessarily represent a sudden surge in new infections of the virus that causes COVID-19 as much as the revised methodology. The health commission has said that the change was aimed at identifying suspected cases so they can be treated more quickly, though experts also saw it as a reflection of the crush of people seeking treatment and the struggle to keep up with a backlog of untested samples in Hubei and its capital, Wuhan, where the disease first surfaced in December. In Taiwan, about 100 family members of people stuck in Hubei province protested outside Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council headquarters in the capital, Taipei. About 1,000 Taiwanese hoping to fly home on charter flights have sparked a dispute between their government and China. One flight brought 247 people back on Feb. 4. Three were not on a passenger list that Taiwan gave to Chinese authorities and one tested positive for the virus, Taiwan's Central News Agency has reported. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council wants China to step up quarantine work and reach agreements with Taiwan on the names of people on priority lists for flights. China's Taiwan Affairs Office accused Taiwan on Wednesday of using all kinds of excuses to obstruct and delay flights. China sees self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory rather than an independent state. We dont want to politicize it, we want charter flights, said protester Chung Chin-ming, chairman of the Chinese Cross-Strait Marriage Coordination Association in Taipei. Elsewhere, Japan confirmed seven more cases, a day after it reported its first death from the virus. Japan now has 258 confirmed cases, including 218 from a cruise ship, the Diamond Princess, that has been quarantined in Yokohama. Health officials allowed 11 elderly passengers to leave the ship on Friday after they tested negative for the virus. They are the first group of dozens of older passengers expected to get off the vessel before their 14-day quarantine period ends on Feb. 19 to reduce risks of their health deteriorating. Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato on Thursday said passengers age 80 or older with chronic health issues or in cabins without windows that can open will be able to leave the ship if they pass the virus test. More than 580 cases have been confirmed outside mainland China and three deaths, one each in the Philippines and Hong Kong and now a Japanese woman in her 80s. Health officials are investigating how she got infected. The border fence between the United States and Mexico just east of Sasabe, Arizona, on Dec. 7, 2018. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Pentagon Approves Shift of $3.8 Billion To Support Southern Border Wall The Department of Defense (DOD) announced Thursday that it has authorized about $3.8 billion to be diverted toward building some 177 miles of fencing across the U.S.-Mexico border, in efforts to address drug-smuggling activities. According to a request sent to Congress on Thursday (pdf), the money is required to provide support for counter-drug activities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS has identified areas along the southern border of the United States that are being used by individuals, groups, and transnational criminal organizations as drug smuggling corridors, and determined that the construction of additional physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the United States border is necessary in order to impede and deny drug smuggling activities, reads the request, signed by acting DOD comptroller Elaine McCusker. The request (pdf), divided into two parts, seeks $2.2 billion to be diverted from defense appropriations, and $1.63 billion from the Pentagons Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) fund. The OCO fund is used in military operations against the ISIS terrorist group. Diverting money from the defense appropriations would affect funding for two F-35 fighters, eight Reaper drones, four Air Force C-130 transport aircraft, two Marine V-22 Osprey helicopters, amphibious ships, National Guard equipment, and Army trucks. Bob Salesses, the deputy assistant defense secretary, told reporters on Thursday that the funds are intended to help build 30-foot fencing on federally-controlled land in six border areas: San Diego and El Centro, California; Yuma and Tuscon, Arizona, and El Paso and Del Rio, Texas. He added that a review by the Pentagon concluded that all the sectors are high-intensity drug trafficking areas. Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Chris Mitchell said that the Pentagon authorized the funds in response to a DHS request that was sent to the Pentagon in January, and said the Pentagon would continue to help secure the southern border by constructing fences and roads and installing lighting. Consistent with the Presidents April 4, 2018, direction to the Secretary of Defense, DOD used its statutory authority to provide support that aids in blocking drug-smuggling corridors across international boundaries of the United States, Mitchell said. We will continue to support DHS and other agencies as needed to keep our homeland secure. The move comes as President Donald Trump extended the national emergency declaration on the U.S.-Mexico border for another year, according to a notice submitted to the Federal Register (pdf) on Thursday. This is the first time Trump has extended follows the initial emergency declaration in February 2019. Since taking office, Trump has demanded that Congress fund construction of a wall on the southern borderhis landmark campaign promise. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A new federal government program announced in Brandon on Thursday is meant to help small businesses grow in rural western Canada. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us Parliamentary secretary to the minister of Economic Development and Official Languages Terry Duguid speaks at the announcement of the federal government-supported Rural Opportunities Fund on Thursday. (Drew May/The Brandon Sun) A new federal government program announced in Brandon on Thursday is meant to help small businesses grow in rural western Canada. Called the Rural Opportunities Fund, $4.8 million in federal funding will be distributed by Community Futures organizations across the western provinces. Over the programs three-year lifespan, the money is expected to help 90 entrepreneurs, support 75 small and medium-sized businesses change ownership and engage 20 community-based projects. Terry Duguid, the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, made the announcement at Community Futures Westman. He said the money is meant to spur innovation and create quality jobs in rural Canada. "It is to inject funds where businesses have growth potential but maybe dont have the means to expand," he said. "It really is to help small businesses grow in rural Manitoba, where we know we have issues with economic growth and there are challenges that are unique to rural Canada." While money in the fund is coming exclusively from the federal government, Community Futures Manitoba executive director Jason Denbow said funding priority will be given to projects that leverage money from other sources, like private companies or other levels of government. Roger Guy, executive director of Community Futures Westman, said the local organization will get up to approximately $300,000, but said there are no ideas in the pipeline for it yet. "We havent put in an application ourselves yet," he said. "Were still looking at where we want to go with this." He said he hopes to have a project in the works within the next month, and that Community Futures Westman was in talks with the City of Brandon and Town of Neepawa, but those talks didnt go anywhere. One of the most important functions of the money will be to help local businesses stay open when the original owner wants to sell or retire, Guy said. In some places, local hardware or grocery stores may close when the original owners move on, but money from the Rural Opportunities Fund could help someone else buy the business and keep it open. Guy said one possible use for the money Community Futures Westman is eligible for is to hire someone to identify rural businesses on the verge of selling and to help them find a buyer. Part of the money will be used for Community Futures to host succession workshops for those existing business owners who want to move on, Denbow said. The money will help business owners create a succession plan to market the business to either local or national "Were hitting the ground running. Were looking 15 offices in Manitoba and Saskatchewan to participate in the projects. Right now, if youre an entrepreneur looking to sell your business you generally dont know where to start," he said. "Theres a lot to learn in preparing a business to sell." The money is also about addressing the economic concerns the federal government heard during the 2019 federal election, Duguid said who is also a Winnipeg Liberal MP. "We know that rural communities across the country have their challenges and this is part of the picture of addressing some of those challenges. There are new challenges in the resources sector which we are also trying to address in other ways." dmay@brandonsun.com Twitter: @DrewMay_ With a single day off, you can end up with a four-day weekend this March. Here's how you can make the most of it. With Holi falling on a Tuesday (March 10) all you really need is to convince your boss to take the Monday off so you can take that much needed break (cmon, its been t-w-o months into the new year and we could all do with a short vacay). And if youre wondering where you could head out to from Kolkata, youre in luck because here are all the places where you can travel to from Kolkata over the Holi weekend. Bhubaneshwar (return tickets start at Rs 3,823) Odisha has been a bit under the radar all these years. Sure, Puri has always attracted throngs of devotees year after year and is likely the only Indian city thats contributed a word to the English language (look up juggernaut) unless you count Bangalored as a legitimate word but theres so much more to Odisha than that. Head over to the beaches to surf, laze or indeed watch the sunrise. Photograph: Bikashrd / Creative Commons Guwahati (return tickets start at Rs 3,372) Really, Guwahati is just the gateway to all the possible places where you can head for the long weekend. And while you can, of course, consider Kaziranga, theres Shillong and all the villages on its outskirts from Cherrapunji to Mawlynong, Dawki and beyond each more beautiful than the previous one. Photograph: deepgoswami / Flickr Bagdogra (return tickets start at Rs 5,280) Like Guwahati, Bagdogra is also a gateway to far more interesting places. With a long weekend at your disposal, you can always head down to Darjeeling (tea, someone) or Siliguri and check into one of the many picturesque Airbnbs. Photograph: Abhishek Kumar / Flickr Visakhapatnam (return tickets start at Rs 7,756) While the beaches of Visakhapatnam may not appear in the list of Indias best, dont once think the city doesnt boast of great beaches. Rishikonda tends to get tad crowded but there are several others from Yarda to Bheemli that make it a great beach getaway. But more than that, Visakhapatnam also has a hidden hill station that you absolutely must visit Araku. ALSO SEE From a balloona breathtaking view of Araku Valley Photograph: Amit Chattopadhyay / Creative Commons Story continues Colombo (return tickets start at Rs 14,540) The capital of Sri Lanka is a great getaway from Kolkata. Its luxury hotels and casinos can keep you entertained for the weekend but its also a great place from where you can take off to picturesque towns such as Bentota and Galle among others. If you dont mind a longer drive, Trincomalee in north east Sri Lanka also makes for a great beach vacation. Photograph: Charaka Ranasinghe / Creative Commons Kathmandu (return tickets start at Rs 16,185) The Nepalese capital has never been more accessible with Vistara starting daily flights to Kathmandu. Wander in the many by lanes of the city, take a walk down Freak Street once home to the hippies and explore the neighbourhood that was once home to the infamous serial killer Charles Shobraj. Kathmandu is recovering from a devastating earthquake; visiting it could well be the best way you can help the city and country recover. Photograph: Rajesh Maharjan / Pixabay ALSO READ Where to travel on the Holi weekend from Mumbai The owners of Gabriels Liquor and Don & Bens Liquor allege in a lawsuit filed in bankruptcy court this week that the state is blocking their efforts to sell company shares to Walmart or any other publicly traded company. The dispute centers on a section of state law that bars a public corporation from owning a package store permit. A public corporation is defined as any company that trades on a public stock exchange or has more than 35 owners. Gabriel Investment Group Inc., which operates the package stores that entered bankruptcy in September, is considered a public corporation because the family-owned business has more than 35 owners. It received an exemption to the public corporation ban before it took effect in 1995, however. On ExpressNews.com: Gabriels Liquor, Dons & Bens stumble into bankruptcy Walmart expressed concern that Gabriels exemption wouldnt transfer to the worlds largest brick-and-mortar retailer if it purchased the stock, the lawsuit says. Walmart is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. So Gabriel officials contacted the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to confirm the exemption to a section of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code would continue to apply to the company regardless of who owned it. The TABC initially indicated the exemption would continue to apply to Gabriel following the sale of stock, regardless of the identity of that buyer, the lawsuit alleges. In a subsequent conversation with the TABC, however, the TABC retreated from its initial conclusion and took the contrary position that the exemption would not apply, the lawsuit adds. Gabriels owners are suing TABC. The agencys decision hinders Gabriels ability to complete a reorganization and pay back creditors, the complaint says. On ExpressNews.com: Fiesta flap leads to reversal of controversial land sale Gabriel wants a bankruptcy court to declare the company will remain exempt from the public corporation ban under a new owner, even if its deemed a public corporation. For its part, Walmart indicated its not interested in owning stock in Gabriels. Gabriels approached us. We were not interested, Walmart spokeswoman Anne Hatfield said. TABC spokesman Chris Porter declined to comment on the allegations in the lawsuit. What I can tell you in general is state law does not allow publicly traded corporations to have an interest in package stores, he said. So that means anyone who has a publicly traded corporation that trades on one of the different stock exchanges would not be permitted to have the package store permit within Texas. Some parties are challenging the law in court but those cases still are in progress, Porter added. He didnt have any insight into why legislators enacted the law. The sale of stock to pay debt is one of two separate concepts Gabriel has proposed to reorganize its affairs in bankruptcy. The other is an operating entity that will continue to operate package stores as a privately held corporation. Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox The lawsuit doesnt break out who would own what if the two plans go forward. At the time Gabriel and four other entities entered bankruptcy, there were 15 Gabriels Liquor stores and 30 Dons & Bens Liquor stores. Records show Gabriel has received bankruptcy court permission to reject the leases on at least seven stores. Requests are pending on two other locations. The company blamed stiffer competition from big-box wine and spirits retailers for the bankruptcies. It failed to pay its liquor vendors on time, which led the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to place the stores on its delinquent list in September. Liquor wholesales are prohibited by state law from selling to retailers on the list. The bankruptcies occurred after negotiations to merge with another Texas retailer fell through. The company listed assets of $12.8 million and debts of almost $11.3 million in a December court filing. The politically connected Gabriel family has operated the businesses more than 70 years. The lawsuit says Gabriel Investment Group has been marketing the business to other companies for 24 years. In recent years, the focus has been on trying to sell ownership to Walmart, the suit says. Randall Pulman, a San Antonio lawyer for the bankrupt entities, declined to comment Friday. 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 A Chinese woman found guilty of resisting arrest on President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago property was sentenced to six months in prison on Friday. Jing Lu was ultimately acquitted of the trespassing charge against her, but will go to prison for resisting officers during the December incident. According to the Palm Beach Post, on 18 December, Lu was touring a number of spots in South Florida, including Mar-a-Lago. She walked through an open gate at the resort and began taking photos inside, according to Palm Beach police. A Mar-a-Lago security guard approached her and told her to leave, but realised she did not speak English. He tried to signal to her to leave, which she did. Lu later returned and continued taking photos on her cell phone. She was again asked to leave by security. Lu continued on her tour, but was later intercepted by police who asked her about her visit to the resort. She showed them her photos and thought the police wanted her to delete them, but began to protest when the police attempted to arrest her for going to the club. Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Show all 20 1 /20 Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Donald Trump sits in the living room at Mar-a-Lago in 1993. The following pictures show the interior of the Mar-a-Lago estate. Many of them are from before Trump bought the property in 1985 but, as the newer pictures show, he hasn't done much with the place Rex Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home The dining room at Mar-a-Lago under Trump. The following pictures show the interior of the Mar-a-Lago estate. Many of them are from before Trump bought the property in 1985 but, as the newer pictures show, he hasn't done much with the place Rex Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home The dining room at Mar-a-Lago in 1967. The following pictures show the interior of the Mar-a-Lago estate. Many of them are from before Trump bought the property in 1985 but, as the newer pictures show, he hasn't done much with the place US National Park Service Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home The dining room at Mar-a-Lago under Trump in 2015 The Washington Post/Getty Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Function room at Mar-a-Lago in 1967 US National Park Service Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Donald Trump sits in the living room at Mar-a-Lago in 1993. Rex Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home The living room in Mar-a-Lago in 1967 US National Park Service Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Master bedroom at Mar-a-Lago in 1967 US National Park Service Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Library at Mar-a-Lago in 1967 US National Park Service Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Cloister at Mar-a-Lago in 1967 US National Park Service Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Entrance hall at Mar-a-Lago in 1967 US National Park Service Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Spiral staircase at Mar-a-Lago in 1967 US National Park Service Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home The dining room at Mar-a-Lago in 1967 US National Park Service Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Patio at Mar-a-Lago in 1928 US National Park Service Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Cloister at Mar-a-Lago in 1967 US National Park Service Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Mar-a-Lago in 2018 Getty Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Mar-a-Lago in 2018 Getty Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Mar-a-Lago in 2018 Getty Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Mar-a-Lago in 2018 Getty Inside Mar-a-Lago - Trump's holiday home Mar-a-Lago in 2018 AFP/Getty During her court hearing, she explained her confusion through a Mandarin interpreter. Jing Lu (AP) I said No, what are you doing? I just took a couple of pictures, Lu said. Assistant Public Defender Schnelle Tonge told the jury that Lu made an honest mistake. A potential juror that was eventually dismissed before the final jury was chosen asked why were here and said the situation should have resulted with little more than a slap on the wrist and get on with your business. Assistant State Attorney Alexandra Dorman painted Lu as a nefarious actor, suggesting her decision to walk onto the property was not an honest mistake. This was a calculated decision. Lu is the second Chinese national to face punishment for their behaviour at Mar-a-Lago this year. Yujing Zhang trespassed at the resort in March and was found guilty in November of lying to federal officers and trespassing in a restricted zone. She's been dividing her time between London and Cape Town whilst hosting Love Island. And Laura Whitmore made the most of her time in the UK as she attended the London College of Fashion catwalk show at The Roundhouse in Camden on Thursday. The presenter, 34, was dressed to impress for the outing as she slipped into an eye-catching ensemble. Fun times: Laura Whitmore made the most of her time in the UK as she attended the London College of Fashion catwalk show at The Roundhouse in Camden on Thursday Laura looked sensational in a black HASAN HEJAZI gown with a sheer skirt that teased at her toned pins. The garment featured a polo neck style top and gold trim on the hem, whilst she layered up with an oversized pinstripe blazer. The Irish beauty completed the look with a small black grab bag and a delicate gold necklace. Turning heads: The presenter, 34, was dressed to impress for the outing as she slipped into an eye-catching ensemble Laura's outing came after her boyfriend Iain Stirling poked fun at their long-term relationship on his his show CelebAbility. In a yet to air episode of the ITV2 show, the TV funnyman, 32, discusses what it's like to date the TV beauty while offering an anecdote of a situation where is was completely dismissed as her boyfriend. Iain leads the discussion with guest panellist Stacey Solomon who appears on the show up against Aljaz Skorjanec, Janette Manrara, Matt Richardson and Jayde Adam with her three pals. Leggy lady! Laura looked sensational in a black HASAN HEJAZI gown with a sheer skirt that teased at her toned pins. She teamed the garment with an oversized pinstripe blazer Two's company: Laura showed off her stunning gown in an Instagram snap as she posed with the designer Hasan Hejazi inside the event During a chat about dating beautiful women, Iain jokes that a taxi driver once drove off after he'd walked Laura to the door of her Uber because he didn't associate the voice over with being her partner. Iain revealed: 'Me and Matt [Richardson] go out with our partners in public and we have the pleasure of other human beings look at us, and you can see them with their eyes going how the f**k has that happened? Offering example, he said: 'I've give you a perfect example of what it's like going out with Laura, we were at a hotel and we're going for dinner in a restaurant. 'I booked an Uber and because I'm a gentleman I walked Laura to the Uber, opened the door for her and she got in, shut the door for her. That Uber driver drove away.' Mr. Trump seized on her campaign as proof that Mr. McCabe wanted to take him down while protecting Hillary Clinton, whom the F.B.I. had investigated for her use of a private email server. Mr. McCabe said on Friday that he was glad the investigation was over but feared Mr. Trump would never let up. I dont think Ill ever be free of this president and his maniacal rage that hes directed at me and my wife, Mr. McCabe said on CNN. For more than two years, he said, Mr. Trump for absolutely no reason whatsoever has been lying about us and defaming me and my family. When the president dismissed James B. Comey as F.B.I. director in 2017, he said it was in part for his decision to allow Mr. McCabe to be involved in the Clinton investigation, according to excerpts from a draft letter from the president to Mr. Comey that were read to The New York Times. Few events have represented a more profound breach of public trust than your decision to allow the Clinton email investigation to be overseen by deputy F.B.I. director Andrew McCabe, whose wife Jill McCabe received approximately $700,000 in campaign donations steered to her by a top Clinton surrogate, Mr. Trump wrote. McCabe should not have been allowed to work on this matter. Mr. Trumps aides intervened and sent Mr. Comey a more toned-down letter explaining his dismissal. But little evidence bears out the presidents view of Mr. McCabe. He oversaw the Clinton investigation as the bureaus deputy director only after Mrs. McCabe lost her race, and the Wall Street Journal article about Mrs. Clinton late in the presidential campaign was more damaging to her than helpful. In the months after the inspector general report, the president pushed for the firing of Mr. McCabe. F.B.I. Deputy Director Andrew McCabe is racing the clock to retire with full benefits, Mr. Trump tweeted in December 2017. 90 days to go?!!! Jeff Sessions, the attorney general at the time, dismissed Mr. McCabe hours before he was eligible for those benefits, a move many saw as vindictive. It was also a possible conflict of interest because Mr. McCabe had opened an investigation into Mr. Sessions after receiving a criminal referral from Congress suggesting that he had lied to lawmakers about his contacts with a Russian diplomat. The case was later closed. Mr. McCabe spent 21 years in the F.B.I., beginning his career in New York investigating Russian organized crime. When terrorists struck the twin towers in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Mr. McCabe deployed as a bureau SWAT team member. He later oversaw major international terrorism investigations and rose to run the bureaus national security division and its Washington field office. He was promoted to deputy director in January 2016 after the Clinton email investigation was underway. Mathieu, who has worked on the grand restoration of France's iconic Palace of Versailles and the residences of royal families in the Middle East and Asia, redefines the very concept of lighting. He says one must not look so much for utilitarian value, or how powerful the light is, but must explore the aethestic value ... Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor [February 14, 2020] Norway Cards & Payments Market to 2023 - Danske Bank, Santander, Swedbank, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal & Google Pay - ResearchAndMarkets.com The "Norway Cards & Payments: Opportunities and Risks to 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Summary The publisher's 'Norway Cards & Payments: Opportunities and Risks to 2023' report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Norwegian cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including cash, cards, credit transfers, direct debits, and cheques during the review-period (2015-19e). The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review-period and over the forecast-period (2019e-23f). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including market shares of issuers and schemes. The report brings together the publisher's research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers detailed regulatory policies and recent changes in regulatory structure. This report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Norwegian cards and payments industry, including: Current and forecast values for each market in the Norwegian cards and payments industry, including debit, credit, and charge cards. Detailed insights into payment instruments including cash, cards, credit transfers, direct debits, and cheques. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments. E-commerce market analysis. Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Norwegian cards and payments industry. Detailed analyss of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit, credit, and charge cards. Scope To foster electronic payments in the country and offer instant international fund transfers irrespective of currency, a group of Nordic banks plan to collectively introduce the P27 project in 2020. The project stems from the popularity of mobile payment apps like Swish in Sweden, Vipps in Norway, and MobilePay in Denmark. The P27 project will be based on an open access network and will enable consumers to make domestic and international payments instantly across the Nordic region. In June 2019, Mastercard partnered with P27 Nordic Payments Platform to initiate multicurrency cross-border account-to-account transfers. Transactions will be able to be made in currencies including Swedish krona, Danish krone, Norwegian krone, and euros. Banks that will support this infrastructure include Danske Bank, DNB, Nordea, SEB, Handelsbanken, and Swedbank. American Express (News - Alert) terminated its card agreement with DNB in May 2019, after which card holders could no longer use their cards or reward points. All new cards are issued by American Express itself. As part of this move, American Express launched all of its cards (including the Platinum, Gold, Basic, Green, SAS (News - Alert) Amex Elite, SAS Amex Premium, and SAS Amex Classic variants) as charge cards rather than credit cards. Contactless technology is gradually on the rise in Norway. According to the central bank, 103 million contactless payments were made at physical merchants in 2018. With banks and scheme providers increasingly promoting this technology, the number of contactless cards is expected to reach 16.2 million by 2022. BankAxept rolled out its own contactless cards in June 2017. By the end of February 2018 banks had issued around 2 million contactless BankAxept cards, and 41 million payments had been made using these cards by the end of 2018. Reasons to buy Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Norwegian cards and payments industry and each market within it. Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Norwegian cards and payments industry. Assess the competitive dynamics in the Norwegian cards and payments industry. Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Norway. Gain insights into key regulations governing the Norwegian cards and payments industry. Key Topics Covered: Table of Contents Market Overview Card-based Payments Merchant Acquiring E-commerce Payments Mobile Proximity Payments P2P Payments Bill Payments Alternative Payments Payment Innovations Payments Infrastructure & Regulation Appendix Companies Mentioned DNB Nordea Danske Bank Svenska Handelsbanken SEB EnterCard Santander Elavon Swedbank Bambora Eika Nets BankAxept Visa Mastercard American Express Diners Club PayPal Google Pay Apple (News - Alert) Pay Klarna Vipps For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ex5tc8 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005352/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] New Delhi: A Supreme Court bench will on Friday (February 14, 2020) hear a plea challenging former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA).The plea has been filed by Sara Abdullah Pilot, the sister of National Conference leader. The matter is listed before a bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee for hearing today 14. The Supreme Court had on Wednesday (February 12) adjourned hearing in the case after one of the judges recused himself. Pilot's plea was to be heard by a three-judge bench comprising justices NV Ramana, Shantanagoudar and Sanjiv Khanna. Justice MM Shantangoudar recused himself from hearing the plea at the outset. The petition filed by Sara Abdullah challenges the National Conference leader's detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA). In her petition, Sara had said that Omar Abdullah's detention is "manifestly illegal" and there is no question of him being a "threat to the maintenance of public order". Sara also urged the top court to quash the February 5 order which put the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister in detention under the PSA and said that Abdullah should be produced before the court. Sara Pilot has also said that exercise of powers by the 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". "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 the Respondents (authorities of union territory of Jammu and Kashmir) over the last seven months in a wholly mechanical manner to other detainees, which suggest that there has been a consistent and concerted effort to muzzle all political rivals". Omar Abdullah and his father Farooq Abdulah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti have been kept under detention ever since the Centre abrogated Article 370 that gave special status to erswhile state of J&K. Lucknow, Feb 14 : Suspended Gorakhpur doctor Kafeel Khan has been slapped with the National Security Act (NSA) over his alleged inflammatory speech at the Aligarh Muslim University during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests on December 12 last year. Khan was granted bail on Monday but he has not been released from Mathura jail where he is presently lodged. Khan's brother Adeel Khan said: "We got to know on Friday morning that NSA has been slapped on Kafeel and now he will not be coming out of jail soon. This is simply unacceptable. He is being targeted at the behest of the state government." According on sources, a special messenger was sent by the Chief Judicial Magistrate to the jail on February 13 informing them of the NSA. Khan's family had approached the CJM Court in Aligarh over the delay in his release despite getting bail. The suspended paediatrician of BRD Medical College Hospital in Gorakhpur, Khan, was arrested from Mumbai on January 29 allegedly for making inflammatory speeches. He was later granted bail after furnishing a bail bond of Rs 60,000 with the condition of not repeating the crime again. A case had been registered against him for promoting enmity between different religions. After his arrest in Mumbai, Khan was brought to Aligarh, from where he was immediately shifted to the district jail in neighbouring Mathura. According to police, this was done as a precautionary measure in view of the anti-CAA protests on the AMU campus and at the Eidgah grounds in the old city. Not feeling the love in the air? There are plenty of movies to help you forget all about romance. Click through the slideshow for 13 anti-romance movies to watch on Valentine's Day. Not so cynical? These lovey doevey films may be more your speed. Each year, Valentine's movies come out in theaters around this time. This year, we've got "Down Hill" and "The Photograph." If you plan on heading out to see one, here's what critics had to say: ___________________________________ The foreign-language film remake has never been the most esteemed sort of Hollywood production, but the timing of Downhill, a remake of Ruben Ostlunds 2014 Swedish film Force Majeure, hasnt done it any favors. Downhill takes the basic shape of Ostlunds film. A family of four (this time visiting from America not Sweden) are in the Alps for a ski vacation when an intentionally set off avalanche begins tumbling down the mountain. The family appreciates the sight from the deck of a ski lodge before, as the snow barrels closer, panic sets in. The husband, Pete (Ferrell), grabs his phone and runs away while the wife, Billie (Louis-Dreyfus), desperately clutches their two sons. Even if you didnt see Force Majeure, you might remember the original scene; it became a widely spread meme last year. It was a glorious shot and a moment of terror that, for the family of Force Majeure, afterward cleaved open the cracks and fissures of a marriage while burrowing into the existential comedy of monogamy and gender roles. Downhill does much the same, with a little less discomfort and a little more but not a lot more broad, European Vacation-style humor. After the avalanche, Billie is increasingly apoplectic, furious at her husband's cowardice and newly uncertain about their marriage's future. Pete at first refuses to admit anything happened, a denial that crumbles in a withering scene in front a visiting couple (Zach Woods, Zoe Chao). It would be easy to say Downhill lacks the nuance of Force Majeure, but Ostlunds film wasnt perfect, either. Like his The Square, it makes cutting but imprecise stabs at irony and satire, and never quite lives up to its spectacular beginning. Its the better film, sure, but the pleasures of watching Ferrell and, in particular, Louis-Dreyfus in Downhill shouldnt be minimized. - By Jake Coyle, AP Read the full review. ___________________________________ This Valentine's Day, there's certain to be the usual flood of candy and flowers. But at your local movie theater, there's something increasingly rare: A soulful and adult romantic drama in The Photograph. Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield star as tentative, would-be lovers in modern-day New York. He's a magazine writer on an assignment and she's a museum curator. They first connect over a photograph of her mother that unlocks mom's backstory, set in 1980s Louisiana. That's another plus for the film: Value not one but two love stories. Written and directed by Stella Meghie, the film is a gentle and attentive inter-generational tale with a first-rate cast. To the always-charged romantic question Do I love this stranger? it adds another equally fraught query: Am I becoming my mom? Lakeith (FX's "Atlanta") plays Michael as a coiled, watchful and smoldering hunk who seems to be acting from deep within his guts. He's just as likely to flee as he is of cuddling. Rae's Mae is luminous and charismatic, with wide eyes that convey so many emotions. When Rae (HBOs "Insecure") bursts into a laugh, she seems to tap into that joyful, infectious place that Julia Roberts does. Their initial mating dance is as cute as any rom-com who's making the first move? before they finally get together and have a meal. And how refreshing it is to hear a debate over who's the better rapper Drake or Kendrick Lamar as the first date conversation? - by Mark Kennedy, AP Read the full review. The Supreme Court of India categorises the rarest of the rare cases for possible imposition of the death penalty. Of late, courts have dealt with a different category of rarest of the rare, and it is in the context of diseases. The commonality among both the categories is the decision between life and death. And the disease in question is known as the orphan disease. What would cause a disease to acquire the moniker orphan? In the world of rare diseases, it connotes diseases that are even rarer than rare. In the United States, it is a disease that afflicts less than one in 200,000 people. In India, we dont have a definition of orphan diseases just yet, and the ministry of health and family welfare proposes to task the Indian Council of Medical Research with the project of defining this category of disease, in its new draft policy on rare diseases. Orphan diseases present multiple challenges to the public health system. Pharmaceutical companies dont have satisfactory commercial incentives to develop treatments because the small number of patients does not present an opportunity to recoup their research and development costs. For this reason, where treatments have been developed, the price of the treatments is astronomical. For instance, for the treatment of Gauchers Disease, only three companies in the world manufacture lifesaving enzyme-replacement therapy, which costs anywhere between ~7 lakh to ~10 lakh per dose, with each patient requiring a dose every one or two months. The treatment is lifelong, and the inability to receive it could mean death. The question then is, does the State have an obligation to pay for it? Over the past few years, this agonising decision, the one between life and death, has entered courtrooms in India. In the case of Mohd Ahmed v. Union of India & Ors, the Delhi High Court held that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution includes the right to health, and because someone is poor, the State cannot allow him to die. The court found a breach of the patients constitutional rights and ordered delivery of State-sponsored treatment. Similar cases are pending a final decision in Karnataka and Kerala. More recently, the Delhi High Court revisited the issue, in cases filed by patients suffering from rare diseases, against the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). The HC ruled that the administrative circulars seeking to exclude genetic diseases were issued by the ESIC in a manner contrary to the ESIC Act. Once again, patients received treatment through court orders. The Supreme Court (SC) has long held that Article 21 imposes an obligation on the State to preserve life. In the cases of Parmanand Katara v. Union of India and Paschim Bangal Khet Mazdoor Samity v. State of West Bengal, the SC emphasised the fact that providing adequate medical facilities for people is an essential part of the obligations undertaken by the government of a welfare State. As things stand today, there has been no dilution of the principles laid down in these judgments. A plea to the contrary was made to the HC in the Mohd Ahmad case and summarily rejected. So where are we at, as a country, in our position on State-sponsored treatment for rare diseases? Until earlier this month, the government did not have any official policy on the matter. Having nowhere to turn to, patients suffering from orphan diseases, knocked at the doors of the courts. On January 13, the ministry of health and family welfare released the National Policy for Rare Disease, inviting comments from the public by February. The policy takes positive steps towards data collection, identification of diseases, dissemination of information and prenatal counselling and screening. It also provides for treatment for up to ~15 lakh for rare diseases that only require one-time treatment. However, diseases incurring a recurrent cost to the public exchequer such as Gauchers, Hurlers Syndrome (MPS I), Hunters Syndrome (MPS II) find themselves excluded from treatment under the policy altogether, citing resource constraints. It is likely that the draft policy, if finalised in its current form, will find itself the subject of legal challenge. It is also likely that it will once again fall to the courts to make the agonising decisions that have come to be associated with the rarest of the rare diseases. Shyel Trehan is an advocate who practises in the Delhi High Court, and the Supreme Court of India. She is a graduate of National Law School of India University, Bangalore, and Columbia Law School The views expressed are personal Please register or log in to keep reading. No credit card required! Stay logged in to skip the surveys. Nedbank bank announced on Thursday that a security breach at a third-party supplier has compromised the details of as many as 1.7 million of its clients. Nedbank bank disclosed on Thursday a security breach at a third-party supplier that has compromised the details of as many as 1.7 million of its clients. The bank revealed that the service provider Computer Facilities, which is a direct marketing company that issues SMS and e-mail marketing information on behalf of Nedbank and other companies, has suffered a data security issue. The incident was discovered as part of routine and ongoing monitoring procedures conducted by the bank. Nedbank Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nedbank Group that operates , Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe, Nedbank has investigated a data security issue that occurred at the premises of a third-party service provider, namely Computer Facilities (Pty) Ltd a direct marketing company that issues SMS and email marketing information on behalf of Nedbank and a number of other companies. reads a security notice published by the bank. A subset of the potentially compromised data at Computer Facilities included personal information (names, ID numbers, telephone numbers, physical and/or email addresses) of some Nedbank clients. Nedbank confirmed that its systems or client bank accounts have not been compromised or are at risk as a result of the security issue at Computer Facilities (Pty) Ltd. Once the bank became aware of the security breach, it engaged forensic experts to conduct an extensive investigation. The company determined that data belonging to 1.7 million past and current customers have been affected. Exposed info includes names, ID numbers, home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. We have moved swiftly to proactively secure and destroy all Nedbank client information held by Computer Facilities (Pty) Ltd. Information from Nedbank Retail relating to approximately 1,7 million clients was potentially affected of which 1,1 million are active clients. continues the notice. The bank began notifying customers via SMS. Since the incident, the bank says the contractors network has been taken offline to prevent any further attacks. As a precautionary measure, the bank also deleted any customer data from the contractors systems. Bank officials apologized for the incident and confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing. We regret the incident that occurred at the third-party service provider, namely Computer Facilities (Pty) Ltd and the matter is receiving our urgent attention. The safety and security of our clients information is a top priority. We take our responsibility to protect our client information seriously and our immediate focus has been on securing all Nedbank client data at Computer Facilities (Pty) Ltd, which we have done. In addition to this, we are communicating directly with affected clients. We are also taking the necessary actions in close cooperation with the relevant regulators and authorities, Nedbank CEO Mike Brown says. Nedbank Group Chief Information Officer Fred Swanepoel says: The third-party service provider namely, Computer Facilities (Pty) Ltd did not have any links to our systems. Our team of IT specialists and external cyber security experts have been working continuously with them since we became aware of this matter. Clients bank accounts have not been compromised in any manner whatsoever and clients have not suffered any financial loss. Nedbank remains vigilant in its efforts to contain cyber-crime. Pierluigi Paganini History Fighting for Our Lives: The History of a Community Response to AIDS Nick Cook NewSouth, $39.95 By 1994, a phenomenon known as AIDS fatigue had set in among many in the only recently established Australian HIV sector. The works emotional toll was relentless; grief suspension tactics were common. The train wreck that goes on forever is how one peer-support-group member described it. It was still about two years before the arrival of the game-changing drug combination that, when and where they became available, transformed a positive diagnosis from a near-certain death sentence into a lifelong but manageable illness. In HIV epicentres such as Sydney, those at the frontline of community care campaigners, educators and especially those caring for people edging closer to death had been living in a state of exception for well beyond a decade. Many of those lost were their own co-workers, friends, family and lovers. ACON's first candlelight vigil was held on October 1, 1985. Credit:Robert French The sheer scale of the devastation is difficult to properly comprehend, writes Nick Cook in his history of the period, Fighting for Our Lives. People often reach for war metaphors, or natural disaster analogies, but sudden catastrophes such as bushfires arent quite apt as a comparison. The trauma and political volatility of the AIDS crisis years wrenched on and on, and for people living with HIV/AIDS, the progression of the disease itself was rarely swift. AIDS, Cook writes, does not sneak up on a person, but instead wears them down over a number of years. External Article 14 February 2020 The impact of the coronavirus is shifting daily, as the number of confirmed cases and deaths continues to rise and governments and companies around the globe take steps to address the epidemic. Now officially named COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease '19) by the World Health Organization, the virus has killed nearly 1,400 people and infected more than 60,000, with 447 cases outside China, based on figures released the World Health Organization Thursday. And WHO executive director of health emergencies, Dr. Mike Ryan, says it is still too early to predict the end of the outbreak. As the impact of COVID-19 ripples across the globe, it is impacting travel brands across every sector from hospitality to air to cruise to tour operators. While the ultimate outcome is unknown, it is clear the economic impact will be significant. MIDDLETOWN The Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recently announced that Wesleyan University is included on the list of United States colleges and universities that produced the most 2019-2020 Fulbright U.S. Students. The Fulbright Program is the U.S. governments flagship international educational exchange program. Not only is Wesleyan a top Fulbright producer nationwide with its seven grantees, but it also has more winners than any other liberal arts institution in Connecticut. We are delighted to see that the colleges and universities we are honoring as 2019-2020 Fulbright top-producing institutions reflect the geographic and institutional diversity of higher education in the United States, said Marie Royce, assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. We are committed to the Fulbright Programs goals of creating lasting professional and personal connections by sending passionate and accomplished U.S. students of all backgrounds to study, research, or teach English in communities throughout the world. These Fulbrighters serve as citizen ambassadors for the United States in their host communities, and we will benefit from the skills, knowledge, and global connections they build on their exchanges long after they return home, Royce said. The competition is administered at Wesleyan through Fulbright Program Advisor Magdalena Zapedowska, assistant director of fellowships in the Fries Center for Global Studies. The 2019-2020 grantees (all recent alumni) are: Jordan Legaspi 19, Emma Distler 19, Ulysses Estrada 17, Amad Amedy 19, Stephanie Loui 14, Emma Porazzo 19, and Katie Murray 19. Ellie Martin 16 also received a Fulbright, however, she didnt apply through Wesleyan. Fulbright grant offers were also extended to Rachel Yanover 19 and Hai Lun Tan 18, who declined them to pursue other educational plans. Wesleyan was listed as a top producer of Fulbright U.S. students in the Feb. 9 issue of The Chronicle of Education under the baccalaureate institutions category. The Fulbright Program was created to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. More than 2,200 U.S. students and over 900 U.S. college and university faculty and administrators are awarded Fulbright grants annually. In addition, some 4,000 Fulbright foreign students and visiting scholars come to the United States annually to study, lecture, conduct research, or teach their native language. Wesleyan also was named a Fulbright U.S. Student Top Producer in 2017-18 and 2016-17. Editors note: Editors note: Olivia Drake is the Wesleyan University Newsletter editor and campus photographer. This story is reprinted with permission from the Wesleyan University blog. The letter appeared to confirm what Democrats had suspected almost from the start: There was a lack of a specific, immediate threat to U.S. forces or other personnel that would merit the killing of Soleimani and his traveling party after he had arrived at the Baghdad airport. U.S. intelligence agencies have tracked Soleimani for years. Medical personnel from the People's Liberation Army get off a military transport aircraft at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in Hubei province on Thursday, marking the first civilian-related mission carried out by the PLA's Y-20 transport aircraft. The 1,400 military medical workers, boarding 11 aircraft, will be joined by another 1,200 colleagues in the latest effort to fight the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan. CHEN XIAODONG / FOR CHINA DAILY By MO JINGXI China can minimize the impact of the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, maintain the country's momentum of economic development and work to achieve the goals and tasks for this year, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday evening. He made the remark in a phone conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, whom Xi described as an "old friend of the Chinese people". Mahathir's phone call at such a critical period when the Chinese people are fighting the contagion shows Malaysia's friendly feelings and support for China, Xi said. Xi stressed that the Chinese government has adopted the most comprehensive, strictest and most sweeping preventive measures since the outbreak of the epidemic. The fatality rate remains at a relatively low level, breakthroughs are being made in treatment methods and the recovery rate continues to rise, he said. Xi said that the Chinese government will lead its people to win the war of epidemic prevention and control with greater confidence, stronger resolve and more targeted measures. Meanwhile, China will keep marching toward its long-term goals with determination, he added. Xi noted that China's strong measures to curb the contagion not only show its responsibility for the health of its own people, but also its contribution to global public health. This has been fully affirmed by other countries and the World Health Organization, he said, adding that China will continue to strengthen cooperation with the international community to fight the epidemic. In particular, the governments and people in neighboring countries with friendly relations with China, including Malaysia, have taken positive steps to provide timely assistance to China, he said. This is a vivid example of how countries in the region help each other in times of need, Xi said. He said China will continue to enhance preventive cooperation with member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in a transparent and open way to jointly safeguard public health in the region. China will continue to treat citizens of Malaysia and other countries in China the same as Chinese citizens and take care of them, he added. Xi also said that the profound friendship between the people of China and Malaysia is unshakable although the epidemic has temporarily affected normal personnel exchanges between the two countries. While the two countries are joining hands to deal with the challenge, Xi called on the two sides to continue to deepen bilateral ties especially in cooperation on jointly building the Belt and Road to produce more outcomes that benefit both countries and peoples. Mahathir, on behalf of the Malaysian government, expressed condolences to the Chinese government and people over their suffering as a result of the epidemic. Malaysia greatly appreciates the efforts and positive progress that China has made to deal with the contagion, which is China's contribution to maintaining global public security as a responsible country, he said. Mahathir said that as a sincere friend of China, Malaysia has already provided a batch of medical supplies and is willing to continue to provide assistance. The Malaysian prime minister stressed that his country believes that China's development can return to normal under Xi's leadership. Emergency medicine physicians at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University are helping rural hospitals better treat patients by establishing tele-emergency departments. With a nearly $369,000 telemedicine grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, physicians at the state's only public medical school have equipped five rural Georgia emergency rooms with a mobile cart that allows them to remotely consult with emergency physicians in Augusta at MCG and AU Health. The carts, which have teleconferencing equipment and software, portable point of care ultrasound machines and airway devices, allow physicians at these hospitals to perform basic diagnostic tests and procedures, guided by MCG physicians, and keep more patients in their emergency rooms instead of immediately transferring them to larger hospitals with emergency medicine trained physicians. The entire program is built on a true partnership model. These hospitals tell us what they need and we design the system with them in mind. We want to enable them to provide a higher level of emergency care than they've been able to offer up to this point." Dr. Richard Schwartz, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at MCG and principal investigator on the grant "There's never really been, from an emergency standpoint, a telehealth system that has worked well for the state," adds Dr. Matt Lyon, vice chairman for academic programs and research in the MCG Department of Emergency Medicine and a co-investigator on the grant. "Previous systems have failed because of two main barriers - equipment and cost. The grant enables us to provide the equipment at no cost to these hospitals." The carts are in emergency rooms at Wills Memorial Hospital in Washington; Emanuel Medical Center in Swainsboro; Washington County Regional Medical Center in Sandersville; Miller County Hospital in Colquitt; and Crisp Regional Hospital in Cordele. The tele-EDs will be staffed 24 hours a day by MCG emergency medicine physicians. Emergency rooms in rural hospitals are often staffed by non-emergency medicine trained physicians because hospitals can't afford emergency medicine specialists, Lyon explains. Enabling those physicians to consult with emergency medicine trained physicians at AU Health can help patients get better care and help rural hospitals remain open. "One of the problems we face, particularly in rural Georgia, is that hospitals close because they're not financially viable," he says. "They don't have enough volume because people don't go there and those that do go don't stay. We see transfers (to AU Health) for very minor things, like a lumbar puncture (used to diagnose serious infections like meningitis), for example. We could save a third of transfers for radiology - like evaluating for pregnancy location - just by having ultrasound there. Our goal is to help them keep people in their hospitals. We can do that with telemedicine." The partnership has other benefits as well. If patients do need to be transferred to a larger hospital or trauma center like AU Health, the consulting physicians can make that easier. "It's obvious that if a patient has something like a brain bleed, they need to be transferred," Lyon says. "It can be hard to get into a big hospital, but we can expedite the transfer process for them." Rural hospitals also have what are called "swing beds," meaning they can change the bed's status to suit the care needs of patients - a bed dedicated to surgery recovery could be changed to a bed dedicated to inpatient rehab, for example. At AU Health and other tertiary and quaternary care hospitals, under rules of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, bed status cannot be changed. "So, if a person breaks their hip and has surgery to repair it, we can do the surgery here and send them to a hospital near their home for inpatient rehab and ongoing care," Lyon says. "Or if someone needs long-term acute care, we can send them there. That helps us and these rural hospitals because they have the volume they need and patients aren't getting readmitted here, which we're penalized for by CMS." Schwartz and Lyon are also working to expand the program to the state prison system. "We get a lot of transfers from prisons, which costs the state a lot of money in ambulance fees," Lyon says. "We're working with officials at Johnson State Prison in Wrightsville to see if we can expand this program and provide more care in the prison." This program is just one example of how the MCG Department of Emergency Medicine is working to improve care throughout rural Georgia. Physicians at MCG travel throughout the state teaching rural emergency room providers basic procedural courses in ultrasound and basic and advanced life support. The department, in collaboration with the Georgia College of Emergency Physicians, also hosts an annual Rural Emergency Practice Conference to train health care providers from across rural Georgia in the latest and best practices in emergency medicine. ** POSTPONED ** Start From: Saturday 21 March 2020, 06:30PM to Saturday 21 March 2020, 11:30PM Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun. ** POSTPONED ** JOIN US for a night of Muay Thai to support free English education for underprivileged Thai children. Phuket Has Been Good To Us and Sutai Muay Thai are joining forces to give thousands of disadvantaged children the chance of a better future. Amateur and Pro fighters will step in the ring at Blue Tree Amphitheater and battle it out for a good cause. Food and beverages will be available throughout the evening. Tickets will be available soon for purchase. Alls fair in electronic love and dating - or is it? The battle for hearts and minds of couples seeking their perfect match online has taken a new turn. If youre a flirty mobile warrior Tindering on the brink or Bumbling from one swipe to the next be aware theres another game in town as Facebook muscles in to place its own tanks on the lawn. As online dating becomes the virtual norm -- some experts suggest half of British couples will meet that way come the end of the decade -- Facebooks gradual arrival on the dating scene -- launched progressively in the Americas and Southeast Asia -- looks set to shake up the market. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said last month he saw the company as moving towards the forefront of online dating having promised at the outset a service for building real long-term relationships -- not just hook-ups. But rivals are not quaking in their boots just yet, despite the size of the social media giants global footprint with more than two billion monthly active users some of whose data it now could leverage for romantic purposes. Facebook (Dating) has been going in certain countries for more than a year now and, for the moment, weve seen nothing change in terms of market share, said Didier Rappaport, founder and managing director of popular French dating app Happn -- motto, crushes dont fall from the sky. Contacted by AFP, Facebook was not able to say exactly when it would launch its dating variant in Europe. Early 2020 had been the mooted target but on the eve of Valentines Day, this Friday, its rivals were still waiting with bated breath to see what effect such a storied -- and free -- competitor may have. From social networks to dating sites is just a step which does not require enormous technological investment, observed Julien Pillot, a researcher and lecturer at leading French business school Inseec. Pillot said Facebook has copied everything which worked well on other applications and added two or three functionalities. What interests them is getting users to link in the sharing of private content. Rappaport said a fundamental issue is whether social networks are a good fit for dating. Are social networks and meeting up a match? In my view, no, as what marks out a social network is the sharing of information -- whereas dating moves into the intimate sphere, he said. A December opinion poll of 21,000 Americans by Piplsay showed only 23 percent of responders would happily let Facebook securely store their personal data on its dating platform. Clementine Lalande, co-founder of French dating app Once, which only allows a user to select one profile a day, notes that the big problem with generalist applications is you end up with a mass of users who dont share the same interest communities. - Tinder sure of its charms - If Facebooks challengers are not yet professing too much concern at the Californian colossuss arrival that is because they are too busy being wary of Match Group, the US internet firm which has split off from parent and controlling shareholder IAC and which owns dating brands such as Hinge, OKCupid, Match.com, Meetic and, not least, Tinder. Tinder ranked top for user monetisation in a study across a range of non-game apps last year by specialist data provider AppAnnie, raking in $1.2 billion across the year in a global marked valued at some $2.2 billion. Jean-Baptiste Bourgeois and Kevin Pasquier, strategic planners with We Are Social digital agency, told AFP that Tinder has redefined the whole user dating path. In its basic form, it is a fairly cunning mechanism which after several swipes limits the user, frustrates him and generates fear of missing a rare pearl who might be out there. A way of capturing that pearl or at least reduce ones chances of missing out is to take out a subscription offering wider functionality. The model has found favour with most rivals as they seek to portray themselves as being above the superficiality of simply chasing an image. Match Group head Amanda W. Ginsberg says her firm will not underestimate Facebooks potential to corner the market, not least given the numbers already on its platform and ease of access. But for now we dont see any consequence for any of our brands. A Tinder spokesman told AFP meanwhile it sees its rivals as general apps popular with young web surfers such as Tik Tok, Snapchat, Netflix and YouTube rather than dedicated dating apps. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.) Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter A loving husband who was told by doctors to give up on his wife after she fell into a coma is desperately trying to source the funds to bring her home. Anna Louie and her husband Vincent moved from Australia to London in 2014 to start a new chapter but soon found themselves in a living nightmare. In 2017 a benign tumour was found in Mrs Louie's throat and while it was removed with four surgeries within a year, swelling caused persistent breathing issues. Loving husband Vincent Louie is desperately trying to get his wife Anna (pictured together on their wedding day) home to Australia after she suffered a severe brain injury After spending months trying alternative therapies Mrs Louie fell into a coma in April 2019 after she started to suffocate in the shower. 'Whilst she was showering, Anna was trying to clear some phlegm in her throat when it all happened. Anna had vomited, leading to an airway obstruction,' Mr Louie said. 'I still remember her face as she was struggling to breathe for a good seven, eight minutes until her heart stopped in front of my eyes and she collapsed lifeless in my arms. 'That was the worst moment of my life.' Mr Louie said after paramedics arrived to save his wife his home resembled a 'battle zone' with blood and medical equipment everywhere. It took paramedics and two doctors working on Mrs Louie to keep her alive long enough to get her to a hospital. 'But she was unconscious and placed into an induced coma upon arriving into hospital,' Mr Louie said. As Mr Louie waited anxiously in the hospital as doctors performed brain scans on Mrs Louie doctors gave him heart wrenching news. In 2017 a tumour was discovered in Mrs Louie's (pictured) throat but complications after its removal lead to swelling and she suffered a severe brain injury before falling into a coma He was told he had to accept the fact the woman he knew was gone forever. 'The emergency ward consultant sat down and told me "Remember how I wanted you to have hope earlier in the week, Im sorry but I don't want you to have hope any more",' Mr Louie said. The consultant told Mr Louie his wife had suffered a severe hypoxic brain injury and 'would never be the person you once knew'. Then Mr Louie was told if his wife's condition deteriorated further he should consider 'letting her go'. 'He said she would never have any memories, personality and would ultimately have to reside in a halfway house,' Mr Louie said. 'My world crumbled on that day. The thought that this could be the end of Annas hopes and dreams was hands down, the worst day of my life.' Still in London, Mr Louie is desperate to get his wife back to Melbourne. He launched a GoFundMe campaign asking for $75,000 to achieve this goal and the page has already generated $81,000 in donations. Amazingly in the ten months since the diagnosis Mrs Louie has regained consciousness and is improving every day. 'I have stood by and supported Anna every single day for the last ten months, witnessing her courageous spirit as we fight this battle side by side,' Mr Louie said. 'Everyone has been asking what they can do to help. This is how you can help. To bring Anna home will come at a significant cost. Mrs Louie requires medical transfers, medical escorts on the plane, a portable suction machine and 24/7 care whilst making the flight home. 'I am longing for the day when my wife can look me into my eyes and say these three words - I Love You", Mr Louie said. The bride and groom passed by the lookout where theres a safety railing and instead chose to say their vows, which they wrote separately, on an unprotected ledge. (Imagine a rocky diving platform with a drop-off of 2,000 feet.) Its not too late to back out! the bride exclaimed before reading hers. Ms. Drawhorn, who became an ordained minister online through Open Ministry, doubled as the officiant. She read a passage cobbled together from the writings of Carl Sagan, the science writer and cosmologist, that included the line: From within one of the billions of species to walk upon this tiny speck in the universe, we find two imperfect people who want to share their short lives. At the end of the ceremony, the groom looked at the bride and said, Gotcha! Then, they scrambled up a nearby snow-covered boulder that was even closer to the edge. The bride seemed unfazed while the groom was covering his eyes with his hands and refusing to look down. A thousand years go by and Ill be the one guy standing here when this thing shifts, he said. Ill get a trailhead named after me. On This Day When Jan. 31, 2020 Where Mesa Arch trailhead, Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah The Reception The couple did not have a reception, but they did celebrate afterward in their own way. We went to Starbucks immediately, Dr. Hansen said. It was so early and I didnt get my coffee. Adventure Elopements The Drawhorns are part of a trend in the West of young couples specializing in photographing elopements that sometimes require rock climbing, kayaking or canyoneering skills to get to the location of the wedding. Some of the photographers live in vans or Airstreams, and travel from elopement to elopement. Many post on Instagram: @thedrawhorns, @thehearnes, @thefoxes, @cedarandpines, @vowofthewild are few examples. The Blues Brothers probably would not have been in favor of this. An Illinois state legislator is sponsoring a bill that would stop motorists in that state from pumping their own gas. If lawmakers approve the Gas Station Attendant Act, Illinois would join New Jersey as the only two states prohibiting self-service gas. Any chance that could actually happen? Probably not, former New Jersey State Assemblyman John Wisniewski told NJ Advance Media on Friday. I just cant imagine Jake and Elwood pulling up to a gas station and waiting for an attendant," said Wisniewski, referring to the iconic Blues Brothers characters portrayed by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. It was filmed and set in Illinois. The Illinois bill stipulates that no gas may be pumped at a gas station in this State unless it is pumped by a gas station attendant employed at the gas station, and would take effect in Jan. 2021. However, Illinois State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, who introduced the bill Feb. 5, already appears to be backing off a total ban on self-service gas. It is not intended to pass as is, she tweeted earlier this week. HB4571 is concept legislation that creates safety and convenience at the pump. It is not intended to pass as is. The bill seeks to create options for self-service, service by gas station attendant, and jobs. Input is valuable to shape into legislation the people of IL desire. Camille Y. Lilly (@replilly78) February 11, 2020 Lilly did not immediately respond to a phone message Friday. New Jerseys self-service gas ban dates to 1949 and has never been seriously challenged. In 2006, then-Gov. Jon Corzine proposed letting motorists pump their own gas at stations along the Turnpike, but walked it back within days amid a backlash. One other state, Oregon, prohibited motorists from pumping their own gas until 2018, when the ban was lifted in about half of the states counties. Wisniewski was chairing the Assembly transportation committee during the quickly-abandoned pilot program, and has said he agrees with the self-service gas ban. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, Wisniewski said of the Illinois legislation. This legislator is paying a compliment to New Jersey. She understands how enlightened and civilized this state is when it comes to gas stations, Wisniewski added. Any chance things might ever change in New Jersey? Wisniewski doubts it. Its become ingrained in New Jersey that you dont pump your own gas, Wisniewski said. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Drunk people are equally 'diverted' by unattractive and attractive people, according to psychologists, offering evidence that beer goggles really do exist. British researchers carried out their study in real-life drinking environments in bars and pubs in Lancashire. The study used more than 120 heterosexual participants, both sober and intoxicated, who were asked to perform a letter identification task. While drunk participants found both the appearance of both unattractive and attractive faces distracting to the task at hand, those who were sober were distracted more by attractive faces. The findings indicate that the distinction between perceived attractive and unattractiveness is more blurred the drunker one gets a modern phenomenon known as beer goggles. Edge Hill University's psychology department researched the science behind the 'beer goggles' effect, where alcohol consumption can influence whether we find others attractive Most people have heard of the beer goggles effect, and our research adds to the body of evidence showing that there is some truth to this anecdotal wisdom, said co-author of the study Professor Derek Heim at Edge Hill University. The study was carried out on students in establishments local to the Edge Hill Universitys Ormskirk campus near Liverpool. Participants were approached between 6pm to 10pm in a social drinking setting, with a total of 47 sober participants and 80 drunk participants. 'As we recruited participants while they were drinking in a real life bar, there was some natural variability in the intoxication levels of participants but we had a cut-off level for inclusion in the study,' Dr Rebecca Monk, the study's lead author, told MailOnline. Their method involved what is known as a spatial cuing task, which is used to determine levels of attention. This is the first time the method has been used to assess the beer goggles effect, the study authors say in Psychology of Addictive Behaviours. Participants were required to determine and indicate the orientation of the letter T on a computer screen, while being presented with images of attractive and unattractive people. Don't spill it! Study participants, both lightly intoxicated and sober, had to perform a computer-based task while being shown photos of attractive and less attractive people These stimuli were 80 front-view pictures 40 male and 40 female that had external features hair and clothing removed in recognition of research which has shown such factors to be potential determinants of attention, the authors wrote. There were 'no nudes' used in the study, according to Professor Heim. Participants were then told to respond as quickly as possible to the images by pressing computer keys that indicated their position on the screen. While the sober participants had zero alcohol levels, as determined by a breathalyser, levels of intoxication in the other group were between 0.01 per cent and 0.09 per cent blood alcohol concentration. 'This is a relatively low intoxication level and is one of the interesting facts of the results, as it suggests it doesnt take much to put on your beer goggles so to speak', Dr Monk told MailOnline. The authors conclude that alcohol may level the playing field among potential suitors by reducing the difference between the draw of attention towards attractive individuals and unattractive individuals. Can beauty be-er ignored? The informal term 'beer goggles' has been explored with reverence by researchers The level of attractiveness was established by a pilot testing with a separate cohort of participants prior to testing, according to Dr Monk. These participants were asked to rate 200 hundred faces on attractiveness, she told MailOnline. We then used the most and least attractive faces on average in our beer goggles study. Previous research into the beer goggles yielded inconsistent findings and was largely limited to asking people about how attractive they find others. By using an indirect measure of attention, our research was able to overcome some of these limitations,' said Dr Monk. 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 While many will be venturing to their local shop to pick up a box of chocolates for their loved ones this Valentine's Day, Fortnum and Mason is selling an interesting alternative - tomato ketchup truffles. Those with adventurous taste buds will be able to sample the unusual flavour combination by stopping into the upmarket Piccadilly department store in London, where a pack of nine will set you back 19.95. The new partnership with Heinz comes after the store launched its exclusive Heinz Baked Beanz Truffle at the end of last year - a nod to the store being the first place to sell the famous canned goods in 1901. Upmarket department store Fortnum and Mason are selling an interesting take on the sweet treat - tomato ketchup truffles in partnership with Heinz Presented in a sweetheart box and made entirely by hand, Heinz has combined more than 150 years of experience with the expertise of Fortnum's chocolatiers to create nine 'delectable' chocolates. Heinz claims the taste is 'unmistakable' and 'deliciously rich' as it blends 'the thick Heinz Tomato Ketchup you know and love with luxurious, velvety chocolate, in a unique pairing'. The box contains a selection of milk, white and dark shelled truffles filled with a blonde chocolate ganache - and Heinz Tomato Ketchup, of course. 'The bright and tangy tomato flavour from the ketchup bursts through the silky creamy rich ganache with a sweet finish' the makers say. Presented in a sweetheart box and made entirely by hand, Heinz has combined more than 150 years of experience with the expertise of Fortnum's chocolatiers to create nine delectable chocolates for you and your loved one to share For those who can't get to central London, the box is also available online, as well as in various Fortnum and Mason branches in train stations and at Heathrow Terminal 5. TASTE TEST: WHAT DID FEMAIL THINK OF THE TRUFFLES? 'I'm a big ketchup fan and have been known to gobble dark chocolate, but I was dubious to taste these, as some things just shouldn't go together. 'However, sometimes the most unlikely flavour combinations work, so I thought I'd give these a go. 'Upon trying them I was pleasantly surprised, they weren't quite as awful as I was expecting. You can tell the chocolate is really well made, and the ketchup taste isn't particularly strong, but there is a tomoto-ey after taste. 'I wouldn't opt for them over a traditional truffle, and one was definitely enough. But as a novelty treat they were fun, although truffle ketchup is much nicer! - Bridie Pearson-Jones Advertisement Alexandra Bayet, sauces marketing manager at Heinz, said: 'The Heinz and Fortnum & Mason relationship goes way back; they were our first UK stockist back in 1886; together we celebrated the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with special edition Heinz Beanz in 2012, and last year Fortnum and Mason helped us celebrate our big 150th birthday with the launch of Ketchup Caviar. 'And they also happen to be some of the best master chocolatiers around. So, it only makes sense that we celebrate the most romantic day of the year together with one of the most prestigious Valentine's Day pairings. 'Ketchup and chocolate are two of the nation's most loved foods, and we felt that it was only right that on the international day of love we combine these two ingredients, resulting in mouth-watering truffles that are set to delight ketchup and chocolate lovers across the country.' Sophie Young, confectionery buyer at Fortnum & Mason, added: 'During the recipe development process, our chocolatiers considered the flavour profiles of both cocoa and the much-loved Heinz Tomato Ketchup, playing tasting elements off each other to balance both creaminess and tanginess. Last year Fortnum and Mason started selling Heinz baked beans with chocolate truffles as a nod to being the UK's first stockist of Heinz products 'They have developed something truly and unexpectedly delicious, showcasing Fortnum's ability to create unique and exciting pairings that will capture the attention of ketchup enthusiasts and satisfy even the most sophisticated of palates.' However, social media users remained unconvinced by the truffles, with some saying the idea made them feel sick. 'I'm not sure if this is marketing genius or a journey into the depths of human cruelty,' one tweeted. Social media users remained unconvinced by the truffles, with some saying the idea of them made them feel sick Another wrote: '@HeinzUK Please keep the ketchup out of the chocolate. I can't believe this has to be made explicit to those over seven years of age. A third added: 'I'm going to hard pass on Heinz' ketchup truffles, thank you very much'. Although some were more keen on the unusual flavour combinations, with one exclaiming: 'This sounds yummy!' Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 12:59 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206484025 4 Business Lion-Air,discount,ticket-sales,coronavirus,outbreak,Chinese-tourists,travel-ban Free Indonesias largest low-cost carrier, Lion Air, is offering discounts for flights to and from three destinations across the country as the aviation business is weighed down by the coronavirus outbreak widely believed to have originated from Wuhan, China. The airline will offer discounts of up to 60 percent for flights to and from Batam, Riau Islands; Manado, North Sulawesi, and Denpasar, Bali, following a meeting with government officials on the matter. The three destinations are among the favorite destinations of Chinese tourists, who for years have been the main group of foreign visitors to Indonesia. Lion Air Group spokesperson Danang Mandala Prihantoro said the company offered discounts of up to 50 percent for flights from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, to Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado. Meanwhile, tickets from Soekarno-Hatta airport to I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar are up to 60 percent cheaper, as are flights from Jakarta to Hang Nadim International Airport in Batam. Lion Air is offering the lowest prices for flights to the three destination, Danang said on Thursday, as quoted by kontan.co.id, adding that promotional discounts had also been applied to flights to other destinations. Read also: Govt asks airlines to slash fares to Bali, Bintan to keep tourism afloat amid virus scare Danang went on to say that the airline operator had taken the measure because it was entering the low season with fewer travellers. Lion Air hoped the promotion would encourage people to travel by air. Aside from the low season, the spokesperson said, there had been calls to lower domestic airfares in response to the virus outbreak. The government has urged airlines to entice domestic tourists with special discounts for flights to top tourist destination as part of the countrys strategy to cope with declining foreign tourist arrivals amid the coronavirus outbreak. Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said the declining number of Chinese tourists had been discussed with President Joko Jokowi Widodo after the government enforced a travel ban on Chinese tourists. Read also: China virus spread continues to hit Indonesia's tourist sector The government has imposed a travel ban to and from mainland China in a bid to prevent the 2019-nCoV virus from entering the country, despite its potential effect on tourism in Indonesia. Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio said the travel ban would be a big challenge for the country as the number of Chinese tourists was quite large. Chinese tourists accounted for 12 percent of the 16.1 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2019, or some 2 million visits that year. (ydp) (Newser) President Trump isn't above mocking Pete Buttigieg's name or appearancebut he doesn't have a problem with his sexuality. In an interview with Geraldo Rivera Thursday, Trump said he could support a gay president, though some Americans might not. "I think so," Trump told the "Roadkill With Geraldo" podcast when asked if Americans would elect a gay man as president. "I think there would be some that wouldn't, and I wouldn't be among that group, to be honest with you." Rush Limbaugh was criticized by lawmakers from both parties Thursday after saying Americans wouldn't vote for a "gay guy kissing his husband on the debate stage." story continues below "It doesnt seem to be hurting Pete Buttigieg," said Trump, who criticized other Democratic presidential candidates, including former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, during the interview, USA Today reports. During impeachment proceedings, Trump denied sending attorney Rudy Giuliani, another former NYC mayor, to Ukraine, but he admitted "using him" during the Geraldo interview. Trump said he relied on Giuliani to investigate alleged corruption because his dealings with the US intelligence community had left a "bad taste," CNN reports. "Other presidents had them," Trump said. "FDR had a lawyer who was practically, you know, was totally involved with government. Eisenhower had a lawyer. They all had lawyers." (Read more Pete Buttigieg stories.) The German president has called out the US for abandoning its international responsibilities. NATO allies will likely butt heads at the annual security conference as France pushes for more independence from the US In opening remarks at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticized the US for neglecting its international duties and warned of an increasingly destructive dynamic in world politics. World leaders gathered in southern Germany on Friday for the 56th iteration of the annual conference on international security policy. "Year by year, we are distancing ourselves from the goal of international cooperation to create a more peaceful world," Steinmeier said in his opening address. He criticized world powers Russia and China before adding that "our closest ally, the United States, under the current administration itself rejects the idea of an international community." World leaders and foreign ministers including French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif are among those expected to attend the three-day event. Also scheduled were NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. 'Unforgivable failure' Ahead of the meeting, conference chairman Wolfgang Ischinger said he was "deeply troubled" by the "unforgivable failure" of the international community in the Syria conflict, and said he regretted the failure of the Libya peace plan recently secured in Berlin. "We have more crises, more serious crises, more horrific events than one can actually imagine," he said. NATO tensions NATO allies will likely find themselves in conflict during the meeting, with Macron pushing for Europe to become more independent from the US. US General Tod Wolters told reporters at the conference that NATO will resume its training mission in Iraq in the coming days or weeks, after activities were suspended following a US drone strike on Baghdad. Wolters the said the 500-strong mission had received assurances from the Iraqi government. German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer earlier reaffirmed the need to continue the fight against Islamic State, DPA news agency reported. Russia and Turkey to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was due to meet with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on the sidelines of the conference, the Interfax news agency reported. Russia's foreign ministry earlier criticised Ankara, after it said would use force against rebel groups violating a ceasefire in Syria's Idlib. US-Afghanistan deal Pompeo said the US was making headway with negotiations with the Taliban, on his way to the conference. The US said it had secured a seven-day reduction in violence in Afghanistan, while US President Donald Trump said a peace accord was "very close." Palestine The US peace plan for Palestine will likely lead to conflicts at the this year's meeting. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell criticized the Israel-friendly plan, and called on EU foreign ministers to table their own ideas to promote peace. Borrell said he was concerned that the current US plan could lead to the annexation of the Jordan Valley and other parts of the West Bank. He warned the EU would be forced act against such serious violations of international law. However, he acknowledged, that EU lacked unity on the Middle East peace process. Kosovo-Serbia On the sidelines of the conference, Kosovo and Serbia signed a US-brokered agreement to build road and rail links between their capitals. "Another milestone!" Kosovo President Hashim Thaci wrote on Twitter after the signing, thanking Trump Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also expressed gratitude towards the Americans. "We feel that this will bring us a better future and that we will ensure peace for decades to come," he wrote on Twitter. Coronavirus A panel on COVID-19 will be held during the conference with the World Health Organization's Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expected to attend. aw/rc dpa, Reuters, AFP) Police deployed Thousands of police have been deployed to the streets of Munich for the conference with support from several other German states. Several protests are expected, including one expected to attract 4,000 people on Saturday. Read the original text at DW. South Suburban College is seeking employers for its upcoming community job fair this spring. The public community college in South Holland will partner with Thornton Township on the 2020 Career Fair, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 20 at the South Suburban College Atrium, 15800 S. State St. The free hiring event is open to both graduating South Suburban College students and the general public. South Suburban College and Thornton Township are soliciting employers and hiring managers to participate in the job fair. "The Career Fair is free for career seekers and is an excellent opportunity for employers to recruit upcoming SSC graduates, alumni and local professionals, and interview them in semi-private space," the college said in a news release. Employers can register for $75 by March 1 or for $100 between March 2 and May 1. Dozens of employers, including UPS, Speedway, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and various law enforcement agencies, have participated in past years. To register for the job fair, visit www.ssc.edu/careerfair. A television actress from Punjab was allegedly killed by her husband and his accomplice in Uttarakhand's Nainital district on suspicion of having an extra-marital affair, a senior police official said on Friday. The husband, Ravinder Pal Singh, suspected his wife of having an affair with someone else and hatched a conspiracy with his friend to kill the woman, Nainital Senior Superintendent of Police S K Meena said. Singh, a resident of Ferozepur in Punjab, brought his wife to Kaladhungi telling her that his friend, Kuldeep, has contacts in the film world and can help her land a role in Bollywood, he said. On their arrival in Kaladhungi, they were joined by Kuldeep who hails from Delhi. Kuldeep took them to an eatery where the woman was offered a drink laced with sedatives, Meena said. As she began to lose consciousness, they strangled her and burnt her body to make identification difficult, he said, identifying the woman as Anita Singh, a 29-year-old TV actress from Punjab. CCTV camera footage of the route leading to Kaladhungi forest helped police reach the culprits who have been arrested and sent to jail, Meena said. Police saw a car in the footage whose number was traced to a resident of Haldwani who said he had lent it to a Delhi-based relative named Kuldeep, the police official said. Kuldeep confessed to the crime during interrogation and said the body was that of Anita Singh whose husband plotted her murder as he suspected her of having an extra-marital affair, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Elderly passengers over 80 were among the first passengers to be allowed off the Japanese coronavirus cruise ship today as they were driven away in buses with blacked out windows. Officials said 11 passengers who had tested negative for the virus had been taken off the Diamond Princess but would continue their quarantine period in accommodation on land. Passengers aged 80 or over, those suffering poor health or anyone confined to windowless inner cabins had been given the option of leaving the ship where more than 200 people have caught the infection. There are still around 2,500 passengers stuck on board since it docked off the Japanese coast on February 3 including British couple David and Sally Abel, from Northamptonshire. Passengers are mostly confined to their cabins and have to wear masks and stay away from other passengers when they are let out for brief periods. The first passengers to leave were driven away in buses with blacked out windows today At the wheel of one bus the driver was dressed in a head-to-toe white protective suit, complete with goggles and mask as the first passengers were taken to isolated accommodation on land Around 2,500 passengers are still stuck on the massive cruise ship. They are mostly confined to their cabins and have to wear masks when they are briefly allowed out The first to leave on Friday were seen in face masks being taken away in buses with blacked out windows. At the wheel, one driver was dressed in a head-to-toe white protective suit, complete with goggles and mask. A government official said 11 people had left, but declined to say whether more would depart Friday or offer further details. The move comes a day after the number of infections diagnosed on the ship rose to 218. Senior health ministry official Gaku Hashimoto boarded the ship Friday morning to announce that all passengers 'who are considered to be high risk in general health' would now be tested for the virus. The Diamond Princess is anchored off the port of Yokohama in Japan Medics and officials in protective gear put a protective tunnel from the ship to the back of an ambulance as some passengers aged over 80 or with poor health were allowed to leave He said: 'Those who test positive will be transferred to the hospital. 'Those who test negative will - at the request of the individual - disembark and be transferred to accommodation provided by the government.' In a statement read out in English by the ship's captain in a public broadcast, he added: 'We are aware that many people are worried and concerned about the situation. 'However, to improve the situation as much as possible, the government is making its best efforts.' Ten of those hospitalised are now in serious condition, Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said on Friday. Excluding the cases on the ship, and an infected quarantine officer, Japanese authorities have so far diagnosed 33 people with the newly named COVID-19. The newly diagnosed cases include a woman in her 80s whose positive test result emerged after she died in hospital. The woman was reportedly the mother-in-law of a taxi driver in Tokyo who has also been diagnosed with the virus. A doctor in Wakayama prefecture and a patient treated in the hospital where the doctor worked have also been diagnosed. 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 A picture taken by David Abel shows the inside of the Diamond Princess cruise ship Officials in the region said they were still not sure if the doctor had infected the patient. 'It is difficult to trace the route of the infection', governor Yoshinobu Nisaka told reporters. He said officials were asking people in the area 'to report suspicious cases of pneumonia so that we can immediately conduct tests'. The hospital has been closed to visitors and medical staff are now being tested for the virus, Nisaka added. Despite the new infections, government officials sought to play down concerns about the spread of the virus in Japan. 'There is not enough epidemiological evidence to suggest that the epidemic is spreading inside Japan,' government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters. Passengers have been confined to their cabins on the ship since it was put in quarantine 'We will keep collecting epidemiological information including on the routes of infection.' The Diamond Princess has been quarantined off Japan since early February after it emerged a former passenger who got off the boat in Hong Kong had tested positive for the virus. The quarantine is due to end on February 19 and those on the ship have been mostly confined to their cabins and asked to wear masks and keep their distance from other passengers during brief outings on open deck. David and Sally Abel told Good Morning Britain yesterday that 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 said: '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.' Crew on board have expressed concern that their conditions - including shared cabins, bathrooms and workspaces - put them at greater risk of contracting the virus. On Friday afternoon, the crew distributed iPhones to passengers on board, with the captain saying the handsets had been sent by the Japanese government. 'We are distributing iPhones to all staterooms, loaded with an application... (that) will help you to get medical support. Full instructions will be distributed together with the phones,' he said. NEW DELHI: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Friday (February 14, 2020) dedicated a memorial to its 40 brave personnel, who were killed in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, 2019, at the Lethpora camp in Jammu and Kashmir - on the first anniversary of worst terror attack in nearly two decades. The memorial has been set up inside a CRPF camp adjacent to the place where Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist Adeel Ahmed Dar, driving an explosive-laden car, blew himself next to a convoy of security forces killing the 40 personnel. The names of all the 40 CRPF personnel along with their pictures are part of the memorial, which has been built inside the camp adjacent to the site where Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Adil Ahmed Dar had blown himself up. Additional Director General of CRPF Zulfiqar Hasan was the chief guest during the event. Hasan, who visited the site where the memorial has been erected, had on Thursday said, "It is a way to pay homage to the brave jawans who lost their lives in the attack. "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 said earlier. The supreme sacrifices of the 40 soldiers has furthered increased "our resolve to eliminate enemies of the country," he added. "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 erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir government had imposed a ban on plying of private vehicles for two days in a week to facilitate the 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 soldiers. A CRPF convoy of 70 vehicles was targeted by an explosives-laden SUV that was being driven by a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber, who was later identified as Adil Ahmad Dar. The vehicle rammed into one of the CRPF buses, killing 40 personnel onboard. The Pulwama terror attack was condemned by PM Narendra Modi in very strongest terms. PM Modi then said that the terrorists had committed a huge mistake and they will pay for it. 13 days later, India avenged the Pulwama attack by bombarding the Jaish terror camps located in Pakistan's Balakot, reportedly killing between 200-300 terrorists. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 01:25:41|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Volkswagen offered suing customers in Germany 830 million euros (900 million U.S. dollars) in the diesel emissions scandal, the German car manufacturer announced on Friday. Negotiations with the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv) had only failed because of "unwarranted demands" of the litigation attorneys who sought a fee of 50 million euros to carry out the settlement, according to Volkswagen. Despite the failed negotiations, Volkswagen would still offer the "previously negotiated settlement" to customers who joined the class-action suit in Germany and who "meet the terms of the settlement package without seeking the support of the vzbv." "The collapse of settlement negotiations" should have no negative impact for customers in Germany, Volkswagen noted. In the class action lawsuit, around 460,000 owners of Volkswagen diesel cars are seeking compensation for the manipulation of diesel exhaust values which Volkswagen had admitted in 2015. The vzdv saw the reason for the failed negotiations in Volkswagen's "unwillingness to provide a transparent, trustworthy and secure system of settlement for consumers." BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 By Yusif Aghayev Trend: A list of Azerbaijani insurance companies with the highest payout ratio as of 2019 has been disclosed, Trend reports on Feb. 13 referring to the Azerbaijani Central Banks report. Silk Way Insurance company has the highest payout ratio. When collecting insurance premiums worth 18.5 million manat ($10.8 million manat), the company made insurance payments worth 19.9 million manat ($11.7 million manat). The payout ratio reached 1.08. Such a high indicator is stipulated by the fact that the company specializing in aviation insurance made big insurance payments for this type in 2019. The company ended 2018 in a completely different way. Silk Way Insurance company with a total amount of fees worth over 17 million manat ($10 million) made payments worth 1.7 million manat thats $1 million (payout ratio 0.1 - over 10 times less). ATA Insurance company with fees worth over 18 million manat ($10.6 million) made payments worth 14.6 million manat thats $8.6 million (payout ratio 0.8) in 2019 ranked second. The situation greatly differs from the indicators of 2018, in which the company collected insurance premiums by almost 4.5 million manat ($2.6 million) more but paid by four million manat less ($2.3 million). The company explains this by a high degree of unprofitability on compulsory liability insurance of vehicle owners. The company, which has a wide regional network consisting of 14 branches and 12 representative offices, is actively involved in compulsory liability insurance of vehicle owners. High unprofitability for this type of insurance has recently been observed throughout the country's insurance market. Xalq Sigorta and A-Group insurance companies, with a payout ratio of 0.56, rank third and fourth. In 2019 Xalq Sigorta greatly increased both the collected insurance premiums in relation to the indicators of 2018 (28.3 million manat thats $16.6 million against 14.5 million manat thats $8.5 million) and insurance payments (over 16 million manat thats $9.4 million against 3.8 million manat thats $2.2 million). A-Group improved last year's indicators both in terms of the amount of the collected premiums and in reducing the payout ratio - from 0.61 to 0.56. The priority for the A-Group insurance company is voluntary medical insurance. This type of insurance is traditionally considered very unprofitable. Among the top five companies with the highest payout ratio in 2019 is Ateshgah insurance company, with a coefficient of 0.51, which also decreased compared to 2018. It reached 0.54 in 2018. The leaders of the insurance market - PASHA Life and PASHA Insurance ended 2019 with a payout ratio of 0.47 and 0.35, respectively. In general, the Azerbaijani insurance companies paid insurance indemnities worth 301.5 million manat ($177.3 million) in 2019, which is 61.2 million manat ($36 million) or 25.4 percent more than in 2018. Today, 22 insurance companies and one reinsurance companies operate in Azerbaijan. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 03:38:09|Editor: zyl Video Player Close Photo taken on Feb. 9, 2020 shows the Pentagon seen from an airplane over Washington D.C., the United States. U.S. Defense Department confirmed on Thursday that one U.S. soldier had died in a non-combat incident in Afghanistan. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Defense Department confirmed on Thursday that one U.S. soldier had died in a non-combat incident in Afghanistan. The soldier, who was supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel, died on Wednesday at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related incident, said the Pentagon in a statement. The incident is under investigation, the statement added. The United States reportedly maintains some 13,000 troops in Afghanistan, largely providing training missions to local Afghan forces while also conducting counterterrorism operations against terror groups. Photo: CTV News While a blockade at the Pitt River Bridge started to come down Friday morning, West Coast Express service remains cancelled, leaving commuters from the Fraser Valley with a longer trip to work today. Afternoon service was cut Thursday after protesters blocked the tracks, reports CTV News. The blockade started to come down shortly before 8 a.m. Friday, but trains were still impacted. The demonstrators said they were inspired by other rail blockades across Canada in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs. Blockade participant Isabel Krupp told CTV News the West Coast Express was a "casualty" of a CP Rail blockade. "We're here to block the flow of commodities, the flow of stolen wealth, across stolen territories," she said. "We understand that commuters are impacted. It's not our intention to impact regular working class people, but it is our intention to shut down Canada in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en and that does mean some people will are going to miss their work today, but what we're seeing happen up north on Wet'suwet'en territory is a colonial invasion, is colonial land theft." Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West took to Twitter Thursday night to blast the action of the protesters, saying working people are being targeted. "They're the ones who are suffering, not a government, company or politician," he said. "The protesters have deliberately targeted the commuter rail line in order to maximize the damage and chaos inflicted on people in Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and Mission who have limited transport options. It must not stand." with files from CTV Vancouver About 60 percent of Nevada voters cast their ballots early in general elections, Ms. Mounce said. It made sense, she said, to add early voting to the caucus process. We are finding opportunities to ensure that every community has options for participation and that we are really finding ways to engage people who traditionally havent had their voices heard in this process, she said. From Saturday through Tuesday, Nevada Democrats can vote early in more than 80 locations. They can go to any early-voting location in their county; many of them are on the Las Vegas Strip, and a 24-hour voting site behind the Bellagio Hotel caters to casino and hotel workers. The party also set up an early-voting site at a Cardenas Market in East Las Vegas, a predominantly Latino area. Voters will be able to ask for preference cards in English, Spanish or Tagalog and rank up to five candidates. The state party will then transmit those results to precinct captains on caucus day. I think campaigns need to understand that in order to be successful here in Nevada, not only do you need to engage with every single community, but you need to hire staff that can work and engage in those communities in English or Spanish, Ms. Wiltz, the caucus director, said. Ms. Mounce said the party had been working with community groups, unions and other organizations to train campaigns, voters and volunteers to work with a multi-language caucus. If youre a candidate that does well in Nevada, you can tell voters that youre a candidate that can beat Donald Trump because of our diversity and because of our electorate looking like the rest of the country, she added. Ahead of United States President Donald Trump's visit to India later this month, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation 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. On Wednesday, a thorough security check was conducted at the Sabarmati Ashram ahead of Trump's visit to Ahmedabad. According to the ministry of external affairs, 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 US 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". Photographs: Amit Dave/Reuters Washington, D.C., Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Math and Science Initiative has received a planning grant from the Fund II Foundation to design UTeach STEM teacher preparation programs at up to 15 historically black colleges and universities in six states and the District of Columbia. The Dallas-based non-profit has partnered with UNCF (United Negro College Fund) to support the universities as they design their programs. NMSI and UNCF are nationally recognized leaders in the advancement of American education, said Fund II Foundation Board President Robert F. Smith. I look forward to supporting them to develop strong programs that meet the unique needs of students at HBCUs. Im also excited to see how this new work allows more young people to reach their highest potential in their personal lives, professions and communities. NMSI, UNCF and the UTeach Institute are working with academic leaders at potential program schools. Those institutions include Alabama State University, Bowie State University, Claflin University Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Jackson State University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T University, Prairie View A&M University, South Carolina State University, Spelman College, Talladega College, Tougaloo College and Tuskegee University. The institutions that move forward with the program will work with the program team to design their new STEM teacher preparation programs. The new programs will be based on UTeach, a renowned university-based STEM teacher preparation program founded at The University of Texas at Austin. Since 2009, NMSI has worked with the UTeach Institute to expand the program, which provides math and science undergraduates at 45 universities with teaching skills, classroom experience and continuing support in their early teaching careers. UTeach teachers average longer classroom careers than graduates of other teacher preparation programs, and nearly 70 percent of UTeach graduates teach in Title 1 schools. Based on standardized testing, their students perform as if they had almost six extra months of science and four extra months of math instruction. Addressing STEM teacher shortages and ensuring that all students benefit from teachers of diverse backgrounds is critical and core to NMSIs mission, said NMSI CEO Bernard A. Harris, Jr. Expanding the UTeach program to HBCUs will benefit students across the nation. The initiative comes just after passage of the FUTURE Act, providing permanent federal funding for HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions and providing significant STEM-focused funding for those schools. The FUTURE Act codifies some important steps to ensure that graduates of HBCUs are prepared for tech jobs of the future. As an HBCU graduate and former teacher, I applaud this STEM teacher diversity initiative that increases diversity in the teacher pool educating the next generation in the tech fields, said U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn. I commend Robert Smith, Fund II Foundation, the NMSI and the UNCF for working to increase the number of minority STEM teachers especially at a time when there are critical teacher shortages. The Foundations investments in HBCUs in South Carolina will make a significant difference in STEM education, and I look forward to the announcement of the recipients. A 2017 study from the IZA Institute of Labor Economics found that having at least one African American teacher in third through fifth grades increased African American students interest in attending college by 29 percent and reduced the probability of dropping out of high school for male African American students from very low-income families by 39 percent. Research clearly shows the powerful impact black teachers have on black students. HBCUs already are punching above their weight in the production of STEM graduates generating 24 percent of the STEM bachelors degrees earned annually by African Americans, said Dr. Michael Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. The nation continues to have incredible need for math and science teachers of color, and students of color deserve to have educators who look like them. ### Everyone who has been in contact with someone confirmed to have Ebola is now offered the option of voluntary isolation meaning that if they would like, they can be accommodated in a guesthouse where they are provided with food and health support so that they can be monitored as closely as possible, and if they develop symptoms they can be brought to care as quickly as possible, Harris said. Most people are taking up this offer. There are few more beloved institutions locally than Wawa, in part because of its versatility. Its a gas station. Its a convenience store. Its a sub shop. Its whatever you need it to be, really. But do we need it to be a burger joint? The company recently launched a pilot program at six locations serving burgers, chicken sandwiches and waffle fries. A Wawa in Horsham, Pa., about 30 miles north of Philadelphia, is taking part. So I made the trip from New Jersey across the Delaware to try the burger. After all, its almost Presidents Day and this is why George Washington braved the icy waters, right? While GWs trek helped win our countrys independence, my stomach felt like it lost a war after this journey. It pains me to say, but I hope Wawas burgers never make it to New Jersey. Wawa making a bad food item is kind of like when your favorite actor swings and misses in a big role, or when Bruce Springsteen releases a dud of an album. Its kind of hard to be critical of something we love so much and has given us so much joy and satisfaction over the years. But Wawa, I respect you too much to lie to you, so Im just gonna keep it real. Those burgers arent good. Those chicken sandwiches really arent good. And the fries are meh at best. The trial program offers up eight different styles of burger (classic cheese, bacon cheese, American, BBQ, smokey chipotle, Southwest, French Onion and spicy cherry pepper relish) and seven styles of chicken sandwiches (classic, deluxe, BBQ, cajun, buffalo, club and bacon ranch) as well as the option to customize both with seemingly every topping in the Wawa hoagie arsenal. I went with the classic version for each sandwich, and both had me wishing we had gotten more toppings to hide the lackluster patties. The classic cheeseburger at Wawa. (Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) The classic cheeseburger tastes more like a salisbury steak from a TV dinner than a burger, with a limp, textureless and woefully flavored patty. The cheese was basically plastic and the garlic aioli was utterly bland. The bun was fine, but when the bread is the star of a burger, you know youre in trouble. Yet somehow, the chicken sandwich was miles worse. If Wawa had entered into the great chicken sandwich wars of 2019, it would have been a massacre. While Chick-fil-A and Popeyes serve up juicy, tender chicken, Wawas is rubbery and completely unappetizing. I hardly got through a single bite. The chicken sandwich at Wawa. (Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) The waffle fries were about as good as the ones you get from the frozen food section of a grocery store and heat up in the oven. Lacking seasoning, lacking crispness. All around blah. Look Wawa, we admire the fact that you refuse to rest on your laurels and continue to churn out new foods. Your smoothies are surprisingly good! Your quesadillas arent half bad! And your club sandwiches are an elevated version of the classic hoagies weve all come to know and love. But uh, were gonna pretend this trial run never happened and leave the burgers to McDonalds, okay? Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. 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. Pakistans disinformation campaign about the health of nonagenarian separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami J&K, who has largely been under house arrest in Srinagar since 2010, is being watched closely by the security agencies. North Block has asked Jammu and Kashmir Police and security establishment to prepare for a sudden surge of people in Srinagar and even anticipate violence. An elaborate plan is in place to handle the situation, said a senior official in the security establishment, who did not want to be named . Mobile internet services were suspended late Wednesday night in parts of Kashmir to prevent swirling rumours about Geelanis health after some social media posts claimed that the separatist leader had died. Geelani, who suffers from several age-related ailments, is stable, although, his health has declined over the years, said the official . He is receiving medical attention and has been responding to treatment, he added. Hailing Geelani the supreme leader, and lighthouse, the Pakistan-based All Party Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference (J&K) issued directions the day before for Jamaat-e-Islami J&K volunteers in the valley on how to organise a mass attendance for his funeral service. The communication warns that curfew will be imposed and communication snapped. People have been urged to rush towards the Eidgah Srinagar, where the funeral service will be held. The Conference wants the message to spread far and wide across the valley, even those living in the south of the Pir Panjal Range and Jammu. The separatist organisation urged volunteers of the Jamaat-e- Islami J&K to guide people from Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Anantnag to converge at Panthachowk and move towards Dalgate, Nowhatta, Rajouri and Eidgah Srinagar. Similarly, volunteers have been sought from Budgam to be directed to Srinagar Eidgah via Hyderpora, Rambagh and Nalamar Road . Pakistan-based Twitter and Facebook handles have been incessantly putting out messages about the death of Geelani to whip up sentiments in the valley. Pakistan is trying to milk the situation to the best extent possible, said a second senior official in the security establishment, who, too, did not want to be named. All possible fallouts have been mapped and preparations made accordingly, he added. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday asked all deputy commissioners in the state to prioritize work in core sectors of education, health, power and water to ensure a better quality of life of citizens. The chief minister issued the direction while chairing a meeting of deputy commissioners here, an official statement said. Amarinder Singh directed them to go for extensive monitoring of various developmental and welfare schemes related to these sectors to ensure their speedy implementation. He also asked the district administrative chiefs to tighten their belts to push developmental and welfare projects to fulfil aspirations of the people in line with the government's development agenda for the state, the statement added. During the meeting, Singh also emphasised upon the bureaucrats according due respect to elected representatives, saying that it is must in democracy, and asked all DCs to be courteous in their dealings with MLAs to ensure hassle-free development of the state. To ensure smooth delivery of citizen-centric services, the chief minister also asked deputy commissioners to personally keep tabs on the functioning of the 'Sewa Kendras' in order to curtail the backlog of citizens' applications for various services. Taking serious note of power theft in border areas, especially in Tarn Taran district (71.29 percent), the chief minister said this has led to huge losses to the state exchequer. He asked officials to deal with the malady of power theft with a heavy hand. On the issue of tackling drug maladies, the chief minister expressed satisfaction over the results so far, and the perceptible decrease in the number of drug users and huge seizure of drugs and psychotropic substances, besides the arrest of several drug peddlers and smugglers, the statement added. While reviewing the progress of his government's flagship Ghar Ghar Rozgar programme, the chief minister asked DCs to tie up with leading employers, industrialists, business groups and job providers for sourcing vacancies. During the chief minister also took stock of the ongoing work for holding a slew of job fairs at Amritsar, Phagwara, Bathinda, Mohali and SBS Nagar in marxch 2020 under the Punjab government's Ghar Ghar Rozgar and Karobar Mission, the statement said. Graduates from different fields like engineering, management, medicine, hospitality, tourism, agriculture, animal husbandry, banking, arts and science can participate in these job fairs, which aim to facilitate employment to over 2,000 youths with high-end jobs, it added. During the meeting, the chief minister categorically said that adulteration in food and dairy products would not be tolerated at any cost and directed DCs to launch a major crackdown against such unscrupulous traders and dealers. He instructed DCs to identify adequate panchayat lands to provide plots of 125 square yards to the landless and homeless poor families on priority. Expressing grave concern over the growing menace of stray cattle and dogs, Amarinder Singh also asked the DCs to suggest ways and means to tackle the problem in a holistic manner. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman who hit a teen with her car in Point Pleasant Borough and then fled the scene will not have to serve any jail time following her sentencing on Friday, authorities said. Instead, Brittany Keifer, 27, of Point Pleasant will serve three years of probation and 50 hours of community service, according to a statement from the Ocean County Prosecutors Office. Her driving privileges were also revoked for one year and she was ordered by a judge to pay a $2,500 fine. Prosecutors argued for Keifer to serve 364 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of probation. Keifer admitted last year that she struck 14-year-old Emma-Mae Gnolfo with her BMW on Aug. 9, 2018, on Route 88 in Point Pleasant Borough and then fled the scene with Gnolfo on the hood until she fell off, authorities said. Keifer then drove home and hid her car under a tarp. Gnolfo was taken to Jersey Shore Medical Center and suffered serious injuries, including brain injuries and a fractured skull, her mother has said. Keifer contacted Kyle Ramos, 29, of Seaside Heights, who helped her hide the vehicle and then attempted to have the car repaired to hide the damage from hitting Gnolfo, the office said. Keifer turned herself in to police the next day. She pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in serious bodily and leaving the scene of an accident on Dec. 2, 2019. Ramos pleaded guilty to hindering apprehension or prosecution the same day and will be sentenced at a later date, prosecutors said. Emma-Mae Gnolfo suffered skull fractures and brain injuries after a driver hit her while she was riding her bike in Point Pleasant.GoFundMe A family friend of Gnolfo, Kristen Cutrona, started a fundraising effort for her following the incident, raising $30,000 for the teen. A month after the accident, the Point Pleasant Chamber of Commerce raised an additional $15,000 for Gnolfo and presented her family with a check. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon 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. Khloe Kardashian is looking for one lucky Australian to star in her clothing brand Good American's latest campaign in Los Angeles - and anyone can enter. The 35-year-old mother and reality TV star launched her all-inclusive label in 2016 with high-quality denim, dresses and tops catering sizes 00 through to 24. Australian and New Zealand's leading online retailer, The Iconic, have partnered with Good American to bring its global, body positive 'Good Squad' search Down Under for the first time. Khloe Kardashian is looking for one lucky Australian to star in her clothing brand Good American's latest campaign in Los Angeles - and anyone can enter (pictured with Tammy Hembrow) Khloe is hosting an open casting call in Sydney on February 19 so all manner of women, whether they are models or not, have a chance to feature in her new campaign. Successful entrants will also have the chance to be signed with modelling agency IMG and start their career in fashion on a high note. 'Good American has always been about breaking down barriers and doing things differently,' CEO and co-founder Emma Grede said, 'Four years ago Khloe and I started the #GOODSQUAD to represent and empower real women to drive positive change in inclusivity across the industry. Khloe is hosting an open casting call in Sydney on February 19 so all manner of women, whether they are models or not, have a chance to feature in her new campaign Australian 'influencer' and fashion designer Tammy Hembrow (pictured), personal trainer Emily Skye and bikini designer Karina Irby have all worked with the brand in the past and had their curves celebrated 'Our annual, international open casting gives all women the chance to be cast in the #GOODSQUAD and our campaigns, and we couldn't be more excited to take it to Australia.' The casting will be between 3-7pm at Edward Imports Showroom, Unit 5, 50 Reservoir St, Surry Hills and callbacks will be on February 20 from 10am-2pm. You'll need to be over the age of 14 to be considered, with parental permission. Australian 'influencer' and fashion designer Tammy Hembrow, personal trainer Emily Skye and bikini designer Karina Irby have all worked with the brand in the past and had their curves celebrated. Those who wish to enter will need to fill out a form on The Iconic website. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) Tycoon Lucio Tan's MacroAsia Corporation and its Chinese partner bagged the 500-billion contract to upgrade Sangley Airport in Cavite into an international gateway. MacroAsia, which is engaged in aviation support, told the Philippine Stock Exchange that it received a notice of award Friday from the Provincial Government of Cavite for the project. Tan also owns Philippine Airlines, the country's flag carrier. The consortium of China Communications Construction Company Ltd. or CCCC and MacroAsia emerged in December as the lone bidder for the project, which will be implemented in a public-private partnership scheme with the local government. Cavite officials gave the green light to start phase one of the Sangley Point International Airport for 208.5 billion. CCCC, a state-owned construction firm in China, was blacklisted by the World Bank from 2011 to 2017 for engaging in "fraudulent practices" in building the Philippines National Roads Improvement and Management Project. The company built the Macau International Airport on reclaimed land and expanded the Hong Kong New Airport, according to its website. Growing frustrated by flight delays at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered in June last year to open Sangley Point for domestic flights after five months. The port is also known as the Danilo Atienza Air Base in Cavite City. The deal, one of the new projects included in the government's list of priority infrastructure projects, also involves land reclamation to expand the small airport. MacroAsia said that it would need 12 to 18 months for the consortium to complete the detailed engineering design for the project, as well as secure funding. Sangley is a 15-minute ferry ride from the CCP Bay Terminal in Manila. The Department of Transportation earlier said the airport is ready to take in propeller-type cargo planes, but would have to be expanded to accommodate bigger commercial planes. Science has moved beyond the lab. Researchers are using non-scientists more and more to help conduct their research and expand their reach. Everyday people are contributing their data, helping researchers learn more about a topic and get comprehensive results. But what does "citizen science" mean and how can it support science learning and education? A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has found that citizen science is reshaping research. It can greatly facilitate large-scale research by providing opportunities to study more topics while teaching people more about science and enhancing science education. T he report is one of the first of its kind to examine the available information on citizen science projects and, through peer-reviewed evidence, clearly identify trends, weaknesses and opportunities for growth. Darlene Cavalier and Lekelia "Kiki" Jenkins, professors at Arizona State University's School for the Future of Innovation in Society, were members of the National Academy of Sciences' Committee on Designing Citizen Science to Support Science Learning, which authored the report. Cavalier and Jenkins, will share their expertise on citizen science and the findings from this new study at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) during the session "Learning Through Citizen Science: Enhancing Opportunities by Design." "This session specifically highlights the potential of citizen science to support science learning," said Cavalier. "We'd like to share best practices to intentionally design citizen science programs with science learning as one goal. Personally, I enjoy the Q&A sessions where I learn about developments and hear from people shaping the field." "We need to understand where we are before we can start thinking about where we need to go," offers Jenkins, who is organizing the AAAS session as well as giving a presentation. "That's the reason why this study was done, because people were doing citizen science and assuming that, you're doing science, you're going to learn something. But without being directed in what are the learning objectives and how we are building in support structures to make sure people are learning these things, actually what we find is that people don't learn as much as they could." Cavalier, a professor of practice, is a founding board member of the Citizen Science Association. She's also the founder of SciStarter, a platform that connects people to citizen science projects they can participate in. She says she wanted to learn more about how people without formal degrees could participate in science. "Opportunities were out there, but they were difficult to discover and little was known about the projects or participants," said Cavalier. "I wanted to make it make it easy for anyone to find and engage in projects they are curious or concerned about and catalyze research across the landscape of projects, people and perspectives." Citizen science has been used to study a wide variety of topics. Cavalier and a team from SFIS and ASU Libraries recently developed citizen science kits that can be checked out of local libraries. The kits include all the instruments and resources needed for people to research things like light pollution, air quality and biodiversity. Associate Professor Jenkins focuses much of her research on marine conservation, including studying fisheries learning exchanges, where fishing communities learn from each other how to mitigate common problems involving habitat damage and decreasing fish populations. Fisheries learning exchanges and citizen science share similar approaches to collective problem-solving. Citizen science not only benefits researchers, but it also provides teaching opportunities outside a typical classroom setting."Not only do scientists get data, but the people who are participating in citizen science are learning something as well," said Jenkins. When done right, citizen science can be an opportunity to support and extend learning and welcome different skills and beliefs. But according to the report, those opportunities can only be reached if diversity, equity and inclusion are included as goals in a project's original design. Jenkins said people have to intentionally design citizen science projects around those three things; otherwise, it can lead to bias in the project. "It's a mission that everyone needs to take up if they care about those issues," said Jenkins. "We all have a role to play around diversity, equity and inclusion in the sciences." ### Jenkins is also part of the AAAS IF/THEN ambassador program, which highlights women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) who contribute to those fields and inspire young girls to pursue careers in STEM. She's also won awards for science dance, a performance art form where people use dance and body movement to communicate research. Jenkins will give her presentation "Mapping the Landscape of Citizen Science" on February 14 at 8:00 a.m. PST, and Cavalier will give her presentation "Citizen Science as a Context and Opportunity for Learning" the same day at 8:30 a.m. PST. Jenkins will also be a part of the AAAS Family Science Day as a featured Meet-a-Scientist on February 16 at 1:00 p.m. PST. She will lead participants in a movement activity titled "Saving Sea Turtles Through Technology and Dance." Report link https://www.nap.edu/read/25183/chapter/1 SciStarter link https://scistarter.org/ IF/THEN article - https://asunow.asu.edu/20190918-jenkins-selected-aaas-ifthen-ambassador Dance link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px2XpQ6M4pM&feature=youtu.be In Person We Have Never Talked About Secession: RCSS Chief General Yawd Serk, the chairman of the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army South (RCSS/SSA-S), greets visitors during his dinner reception on Feb. 6, on the eve of Shan State National Day in Loi Tai Leng, Shan State. / Nyein Nyein / The Irrawaddy LOI TAI LENG, Shan StateA team of editors from The Irrawaddy recently sat down with General Yawd Serk, chairman of the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army South (RCSS/SSA-S), to talk about the Myanmar peace process, including his efforts to revive the formal peace process as the head of the ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) political and peace process negotiation team. The conversation also focused on his meetings last month with the Myanmar government, led by State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and his positions on peacebuilding and Chinese involvement in the process with the Tatamadaw, as the Myanmar military is known. The Joint-Ceasefire Implementation Coordinating Meeting (JICM) has resumed and the formal peace process has returned to its path. This was partly because of your leadership, as you are now leading the EAOs peace process steering team (PPST). What did you do to achieve this? We tried to overcome nearly two years of deadlock in the peace process and tried to convene the JICM. There are two key issues for the deadlock. One is about [the Tatmadaws insistence on] non-secession and the Tatmadaws six principles. As they have been upholding these principles, negotiations were hard. Therefore, during the JICM, we said that these two issues should not be brought up anymore. As the leaders accepted it, we were able to discuss how to move forward. Actually, we, the revolutionary armed groups, have never talked about secession. We also discussed it with State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. We talked about it. We have three objectives, as stated in the text of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). First, our governance system has to be a federal democratic system, so we need to change the governance system. We all know that the military dictatorship is absolutely no good; therefore we all have to work together for the changes. Second, we have to change the 2008 Constitution. For that, the amendments have to be in accordance with a democratic approach. Third, we must change the mechanisms around security issues. We have to focus on discussing how the Tatmadaw would change in regards to the security issue, and how to form the state security forces. We need to thoroughly discuss how to make these changes for peace. The security issue is an important issue; we must discuss whether we decide to use police forces for our state security or not, and how to arrange the state security forces and in what forms. Were these all points discussed in the JICM? And did you also discuss these during your separate meeting with the commander-in-chief of the defense services? What agreements did you reach? JICM focused on setting the policy and the detailed discussions were to follow at the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee [(UPDJC]. When I met with the commander-in-chief [Senior General Min Aung Hlaing], we did not go into details as such. But we discussed how to achieve mutual trust. We understand that your meeting with the army chief lasted about two-and-a-half hours, and it was an informal talk. Previously, you two had only met for less than five minutes. But this time you met longer and gained some trust and overcame some misunderstandings. Could you elaborate on that? All of usethnic Shan, Bamar and the international communitywould like to hear more about it, as we have less and less good news these days. We had not had such a one-on-one meeting with the army chief before. During our talk, we discussed misunderstanding and misinterpretations. Actually, our views on the changes for the betterment of the nation are not so different. The army chief makes changes in his way, and there are only small differences between us because our views and our desires are similar. Besides this, we also discussed how to halt the renewal of fighting between our ground troops. We discussed how to arrange troop deployments, which can help in building mutual trust between us. In short, the direct conversation with the army chief was good. What is key is that when the leaders who have the power to make change meet and build mutual understanding, it is for the good. Building peace is a key point for a Union of Myanmar. We heard the army chief told you three things: that he accepts the need to amend the Constitution, that he accepts a federal Union, and that he needed you to help convince other ethnic armed groups who have not signed the NCA to sign it. When you heard these things, were you surprised? And if so, why? Yes, I was surprised. We had not had this kind of discussion before. When I heard it, I was quite amazed, because I came to know the army chiefs goals and one of his policies. The army chief speaks in one way [usually harsh] in his usual addresses, but when we had our talk, he spoke in another. So I now have two ways to see things: the way I see his words from our talk and the way [I see] his speeches. We will wait and see [how he will act]. The army chief has been saying that peace must be attained in 2020 and fighting must be ended by including all groups in the peace process. What do you think of this? Does he mean what he says about ending the fighting and is he speaking from the heart or not? I think the army chief knows very well that the peace process will not be completed in 2020. I also doubt that he wants to just end the peace process in 2020, but I dont think he means it that way. I believe that we still need to discuss peace negotiations, even for beyond 2020. When we met him, he said [the Tatmadaw] wants to stop clashes with all groups and offered to broker between the groups to be all-inclusive. On the 73rd Shan State National Day, celebrated in Loi Tai Leng, your headquarters, high-ranking government officials and military generals attended. This is the first ever such occasion that we know of. How much will this act help the peace process to move forward? Mainly, we think we have mutual trust around peace building. I would like to highlight a key thing. People generally think that Feb. 7 is just Shan National Day. But actually, Feb. 7 is important not only because the day is significant in Shan history, but also in Myanmar, because without a Feb. 7 agreement, Myanmar would not have its Union Day, which falls on Feb. 12 [when the Panglong agreement was signed]. Therefore, I also discussed with the leaders in Naypyitaw that Naypyitaw should host a big celebration every year from Feb. 7 to Feb. 12, instead of convening only the Union Day. It is because the previous days before Feb. 12 are significant and these days should also be acknowledged. In Shan politics, you have alliances and armed groups based in northern Shan State. Can you explain your relationship with them? We have communication with the groups [based in Kachin State and northern Shan State], such as the Kachin Independence Army [KIA], Shan State Progressive Party [SSPP], United Wa State Army [UWSA] and the National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State [NDAA]. But we dont have a direct relationship with the Arakan Army [AA], Taang National Liberation Army [TNLA] and the Kokang Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army [MNDAA]. The TNLA, AA and MNDAA are still left out of the all-inclusive peace process. The government and the army chief requested your help to convince these groups and bring them into the inclusive peace process. What can you do to achieve this? We raised the issue of an all-inclusive process in the JICM discussions, and that not one group should be left out. We raised the issue with the army chief too, thus he asked us to bring other non-NCA signatories on board. In Shan State, you have many armed groups including the [Tatmadaw-backed] militias. These different groups were sometimes united but sometimes split. I have known you from your beginning at RCSS as a colonel, a fighting soldier. Now you are the lieutenant general and also leading the political negotiations. How would you unify Shan State and what is your vision for Shan State politics? As a leader, you cannot hold onto one situation. The situation in the world is also changing fast. So we have to be in constant review. We have over 60 years of civil war [in Shan] because political dialogues were forced to end. Under [former] president U Thein Sein, ceasefires were offered and peace talks were held. This opened the door to peace and we no longer have to continue the armed fight. We need to focus on mutual discussions and the dialogue is indeed a battle. We will have debates and we must compromise to have a win-win situation. If one side says we wont continue negotiations if we dont get what we want, there wont be dialogue, so win-win dialogue is the key. Thus, we have to implement peace through negotiations. Only after peace is implemented, then it will help the livelihoods and development of our people and also to change the governance system. Chinese special envoy for Asian Affairs Sun Guoxiang also asked you to help convince the non-NCA signatories in northern Myanmar as well as the Karenni National Progressive Party during your meeting with him last year. Could you elaborate on your relationship with China? China was present during the NCA signing [in October 2015] and signed the text as a witness, so they are involved in the NCA implementation process. In regards to the seven EAOsthe KIA, UWSA, NDAA, SSPP, TNLA, MNDAA and AAbased in northern [and northeast] Myanmar, some say they havent signed the NCA because they are backed by China and dont need to, but we dont know the details and we cannot confirm this. In our view, China wants Myanmar to reach peace. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Myanmar recently [on Jan. 17-18] and signed trade agreements related to its Belt and Road Initiative projects. BRI projects include building roads, bridges and trade routes that will pass through areas in Shan State, where different armed groups are. Some armed groups consent to this, but some dont and some act neutral. What is the RCSSs position? The main thing is to start with discussion, because they cannot talk only to the government and get agreements with them. They need to discuss with local civil society groups. For us, we do not object to road construction but as we have many local groups, consultations with them are needed. For instance, the gas pipelines from Rakhine State pass through Shan State and the Shan State government is supposed to get 5 percent as compensation. But we dont know anything about it: who accepted the compensation, who signed and how much are local residents compensated? Our people have lost many things due to the pipelines but they do not have any rights. When we ask [those who build the pipelines] they know nothing. Our country is no longer under a military government. Therefore mutual discussions are necessary to address the publics needs. If they want to build roads and bridges, they need to consult with the people. President Xi Jinping also said that his projects are for the people. The local residents in Shan state object to Chinese-backed projects as they have concerns about damage to the environment. They are worried about the Salween River dam projects, similar to the one in Kachin State, the Myitsone dam project. Have the Chinese come to you as a leader in Shan State to discuss any of this? If so, what is your policy? We have to listen to the peoples desires. People object because they do not have any rights to compensation. But their objection is not about the project or a rejection of it. They need to know how much they can benefit from these projects. It is not about paying money to each household. How many benefits will we have as a whole state and what percentage will be paid? Everything is related to business, and when it comes to business, the issue of profits follows. If only those leading the projects are profiting and the local residents are not entitled to anything, no one will accept them. Also, what can you share from your meeting with the State Counselor? Your meetings seem to have all had positive results, from the government, the State Counselor and the army chief. As I said before, when mutual trust can be built at all levelsat the top, in the middle, with the ground troops and among the publicthe path to peace will be smooth. Indeed, our people long for peace. They are concerned and fear when they see the Tatmadaw troops enter into their villages, wondering if the fighting will resume. Over 60 years of fighting has brought us nothing, no benefits. It is now the time to solve these conflicts through peaceful means and political dialogue. It is not the time to seek a solution through arms. If we continue armed conflicts, our Union will never have peace. You said the RCSS and TNLA do not have direct communication, but you have been in clashes with the TNLA. Will there be clashes in 2020 between you and the TNLA troops? The TNLA has its own self-administrated zone in Man Tong and Namhsan, as stated in the [2008] Constitution. Therefore, if they stay in their own territories, there will be less engagement with us. If they try further to control the people outside of their territory, we will not be able to avoid the skirmishes. Ethnic Shan and Taang people also live together in communities in the RCSS-controlled areas, and weve heard they are afraid of the troops from all armed groups, whether its the RCSS, TNLA, militia or Tatmadaw. They dare not talk about their experiences of being repressed by ground troops, or even their fear of landmines. If the RCSS ground troops commit acts of repression, what do you do? We, the SSA troops, uphold our code of conduct. If they commit such acts, we take action against them, according to our laws. The actions taken depend on the severity of the crime, be it stealing, or arbitrary acts, with various terms of imprisonment. During your address to the PPST meetings, you frequently prioritized the need for unity to achieve peace. Why is that? Why do you need to continue emphasizing unity? I repeatedly spoke about unity, as we need to be united as one. We have not had such a unified team with different ethnic groups working for peace, throughout our struggle. Thus, I frequently emphasize that we all must work together in solidarity. We have been in an armed revolutionary struggle and are now moving on to political dialogue. Myanmar is currently facing blame and threatened with sanctions, but on the one hand, there are views that Myanmar must be engaged, and be brought back into the international community. What is your view on that? As I said earlier, everyone knows that the military government is not totally good but we were under the dictatorship for decades. Therefore, governance must be changed. [The Gambia] sued Myanmar at the ICJ [International Court of Justice] as they have some proof. In Shan State, because of the military operations in 1996-97, many villages were burnt down and people had to flee [to the Thailand-Myanmar border]. These facts cannot be denied. Our people have to find a way to live in the border areas. Therefore, everyone knows this military governance is not good. [Whether their actions can be changed] entirely depends on those who are in power. This photo circulated to media by Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion on Feb. 12, 2020, shows publisher Noor Mohammad standing with RAB officials at an unidentified location. Bangladeshi officials say they have arrested a publisher who used fake news sites that masqueraded as established news platforms to make money and spread anti-government propaganda. A Dhaka court ordered Noor Mohammad jailed on Wednesday, a day after Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) police arrested him in connection with a complaint filed in late 2018 under the Digital Security Act, the nations internet law. Noor Mohammad acknowledged the crimes, a RAB statement said. When asked why he hosted a Prothom Alo look-alike fake domain, he said they host domains of fake portals that look exactly like prominent national news portals to spread antigovernment propaganda, the statement said. He said fake portals that look like prominent news portals get more shares and likes in Facebook, therefore better income [I]f a post gets more than 1000 views, likes or shares, then Facebook pays 250 to 300 taka (about U.S. $3) which they get through their bank account as domain owners, it said. A lawyer for Mohammad denied the allegations, while international human rights groups raised alarms over the jailing. The allegations are false. We are preparing to appeal for his bail, attorney Mojahidul Islam said. We are worried over his arrest under the Digital Security Act, which is a draconian law. The arrest of the publisher under this law creates another bad example, said Faruq Faisel, South Asia Coordinator of Article 19, a London-based NGO that advocates for free speech worldwide. Vulgar, false and fabricated Mohammad is the managing director of Guardian Publications, which publishes books in Bangladesh about Islamic culture and religion for general readers. He was one of 14 people named in the police complaint filed under the Digital Security Act on Nov. 24, 2018. The complaint alleges that Noor and others spread rumors, defamed the government, and tried to topple it by manipulating public sentiment during mass protests in Dhaka in 2018 that demanded safer road conditions and a reduction in government jobs reserved for minorities. The accused floated some websites and published vulgar, false and fabricated contents about Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajib Wazed Joy and other ministers of her cabinet, the complaint says. In November 2018, Facebook and Twitter shut down nine pages and 21 accounts on its Bangladesh platform, saying they were imposter news sites posting pro-government, anti-opposition content ahead of a looming general election. Our investigation indicates that this activity is linked to individuals associated with the Bangladesh government, said a statement released by Facebook at the time. The clones of leading news and information sites, viewed by BenarNews at the time, including Prothom Alo and BDFactCheck.com, typically contained real news stories as well as false ones and a single extra character in their URLs. A representative of the ruling Awami League party promptly denied that the Bangladesh government was involved in spreading fake news on accounts and pages disabled by Facebook. It was not immediately clear if the sites disabled by Facebook were the same as sites listed in the 2018 police complaint or the RAB statement on Mohammads arrest. None of the links are currently operational. Inconsistent BenarNews could not immediately confirm RAB claims in its Feb. 12 statement that Noor Mohammad had been a fugitive since November 2018. RAB arrested him on Feb. 11 from Basila, a residential neighborhood of Dhaka, RAB spokesman Jahid Ahsan told BenarNews. But Noors lawyer and relatives claimed he was picked up in another area of the city about 10 km (6.2 miles) away. The conflicting versions are of note in a country that, according to rights activists, has a high rate of enforced disappearances and alleged abuses by security forces. RAB are saying that Noor was arrested from Basila, though he was arrested from Hatkhola, Mojahidul told BenarNews. A group of plain-clothed people picked Noor Mohammad up at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday from Hatkhola. He was staying at his office at Hatkhola at that time. Later we came to know that there was a case against him under the Digital Security Act, a relative of Noor told BenarNews. The relative requested not to be named, fearing harassment by law enforcement agencies. Seriously concerned Meanwhile, critics of the Digital Security Act said it was aimed at clamping down on freedom of speech in the run-up to the 2018 general elections. Noor Mohammad, a book publisher in Dhaka, is now facing criminal charges for allegedly defaming the Prime Minister and her family, and he remains in custody. We are seriously concerned by the violation of Mohammads rights and the risks he faces in detention, said a statement posted on the Facebook page of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, an American NGO. It noted that under the act, people could be arrested without a warrant and imprisoned up to 7 years for vague crimes such as publishing information that tarnishes the image of the nation. In its annual assessment of human rights in the country, the Bangladeshi NGO Odhikar said that a total of 42 people had been arrested under the Digital Security Act last year. The cases were filed against people who criticizing the leaders of the government and ruling party on social media sites, Odhikar said. The European Union became our main partner in reform agenda, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during his meeting with EU Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn. We are now at the implementation stage of judiciary reform and anti-corruption strategy, Pashinyan said and stressed importance of EUs advisory and political support in this respect. Johannes Hahn, in turn, mentioned that the EU will consider budget for the EU Neighborhood, which plays an important role. We have to see how to maximize the financial opportunities in the future, there are a lot of possibilities there, he said. The EU Commissioner added that the sides had discussed holding EU-Armenia investment forum and it would materialize. I think it is a very good opportunity to present your country. We have experience of these kind of forums that we've organized and I am extremely optimistic about it, he added. As for the reforms, Hahn believes this process gives a kind of reassurance to potential partners that Armenia is an excellent hub for doing business in the region. The EU would be very interested to hear reform efforts in the economic sector as well, the Commissioner added. Matrox Adds Touch-Panel Controller Support, Remote Monitoring Capabilities to Maevex 6020 Remote Recorders Latest Maevex APIs enable new customization and control options to manage and maintain Maevex 6020 video capture appliances in education and enterprise environments Dorval,Quebec( ) Matroxs latest APIs provide enhanced touch-panel controller support and advanced monitoring of Maevex 6020 appliances deployed within diverse AV/IT ecosystems. MONTREAL February 11, 2020 Matrox today announces two versatile APIs to provide enhanced customization and control of Matrox Maevex 6020 Remote Recorder appliances. Leveraging the Maevex 6020 Remote Recorder RS-232 and Maevex 6020 Remote Recorder REST APIs, users can support control of Maevex 6020 devices from a local touch-screen controller, as well as automate monitoring of all Maevex 6020 appliances on the network, respectively. These tools provide new, easy-to-implement approaches to managing Maevex 6020 appliances deployed within diverse AV/IT ecosystems. The Panopto-certified Maevex 6020 Remote Recorder, and its latest control and monitoring features, will be demonstrated at ISE 2020, in Matrox stand 11-D120 and Panasonic stand 1-H20. Enhanced touch-panel controller options The Maevex 6020 Remote Recorder RS-232 API supports RS-232 to USB communication allowing universities, enterprises, IT departments, and third-party AV integrators to program for convenient in-room control of the Maevex 6020 appliance via Crestron, Kramer, Extron, or other tabletop touch-screen controllers. Users can program a variety of basic commandsincluding start, stop, pause, resume, extend, status, and rebootproviding teachers and presenters with a simple way to control Maevex 6020 devices. 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Panoptos best-in-class video capture solution The Matrox Maevex 6020 Remote Recorder is a Panopto-certified media capture appliance that offers dual-Full HD channels of recording and live video. Users will benefit from simultaneous dual live streaming as well as multiple on-device recordings of different qualities per inputwith zero transcoding timefor the fastest and highest-quality VOD possible. Maevex 6020 is fully integrated with the Panopto video management system by an easy 1-2-3 connectivity utility and has additional on-device push-button controls for quick and simple operations. Availability The Maevex 6020 Remote Recorder RS-232 and REST APIs are now available. For more information, please contact Matrox. About Matrox Graphics Inc. Matrox Graphics is a global manufacturer of reliable, high-quality ASICs, boards, appliances, and software. Backed by in-house design expertise and dedicated customer support, Matrox products deliver stellar capture, extension, distribution, and display. Engineering high-quality products since 1976, Matrox technology is trusted by professionals and partners worldwide. Matrox is a privately held company headquartered in Montreal, Canada. For more information, visit www.matrox.com. Matrox Media Contact: Matrox Media Relations Tel: +1 (514) 822-6000 www.matrox.com Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has never met or spoken with Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, Zelensky's press secretary Yulia Mendel wrote on Facebook. "The only thing about the Skhemy (Schemes) program that is not complicated is to deny the fact of the president's meeting with Russian representative Patrushev. It is true that they have never met and spoken with one another," Mendel said. The Office of the President of Ukraine reported on January 5 that Zelensky was in Oman, where he arrived together with his family by a regular flight and at his own expense. Later that day Zelensky met with Oman's Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah and noted the interest of Ukraine in direct investments from Oman. Zelensky met with Executive President of the State General Reserve Fund Abdulsalam Al Murshidi on January 6 to discuss ways of stepping up bilateral cooperation. The "Schemes: Corruption in Detail" program, a joint project of the Ukrainian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Ukrainian television channel UA: Pershy, released on February 13 said that the charter flight, which urgently transported Zelensky from the Omani capital of Muscat to Kyiv on January 8 arrived in Oman from Moscow. The journalists said that Patrushev came to Oman from Moscow by that charter flight on January 8. Image: Fortress cover Within the pages of the Bible law adjusts or Israel adjusts its laws, and there is not a one-to-one correspondence between Israels law (say about war) and the vision of Jesus and the apostles. The history of the churchs relation to the state and how law worked itself in various societies in which Christians lived shows similar adjustments. David Opderbeck examines these adjustments in his new book, Law and Christian Theology: Classic Questions and Contemporary Perspectives. Question for the day: How are we to distinguish adequately between Israels law for Israel and that same law, as fulfilled in Jesus and Spirit, for our transnational church? First, Opderbeck remember hes a professor of law and has a PhD in theology states some tension points we have today with some of what is in the Bible: Some of the specific laws in Leviticus and Deuteronomy read naively at face value, seem strange and harsh to modern ears. The narratives of the conquest of Canaan in the Old Testament are difficult to understand in light of what we might think about natural law, justice, and international law today. The New Testaments critique ofthe Roman Empire seems to counsel withdrawal from the world, including from any sanguine assessment of the positive law, except for Paulsotherwise strange and perhaps subtly subversive admonition to respect the ruling authorities in Romans 13. These complications counsel us toexercise caution about using any specific biblical text as a proof text forpositive law today- Nevertheless, the broad narrative arc of the canon of Scripture suggests that law is central to the missio Dei. Opderbeck clarifies an important relationship for all Bible readers: how does Israel relate to the church? Yes, many readers would agree with all of this or at least most of it. So, what about law? Opderbeck clarifies an important relationship for all Bible readers: how does Israel relate to the church? The same, different, or what? This revised and reworked eschatological vision in the New Testament does not necessarily imply supercessionisma replacement of Israel by the churchbut it does suggest that the churchs role in the present, unlike the Old Testaments vision for Israel, is not immanent political rule. Positive law, therefore, does not define the churchs mission. The church exists within political communities and therefore will interact with, and be concerned with, the positive law, but the churchs mission is not to bring about Gods kingdom in or through any historical nation. Indeed, in the eschatological. consummation of history, the nations and kings, without any apparent priority or preference, will be brought into the new Jerusalem. The question of how the church should live under and relate to the positive law became more and more difficult as decades, centuries, and millennia passed without the parousia of Jesus anticipated in the New Testament. Nationalism is not kingdom vision. His point is major, even if it is not some kind of absolute border. The church is transnational and therefore is not to identity itself with a given nation. The church is transnational and therefore is not to identity itself with a given nation. Nationalism is not kingdom vision. This leads David to another vital perspective: These ideas [from some mission literature] about inculturation, prophetic dialogue, and the univeisal social scope of the missio Dei are the lifeblood of any theology of mission. They suggest, I think correctly, that the church should not prioritize its institutional rights within a society, as though the church were yet one more self-interested party fighting for scarce resources, striving to perpetuate itself in great social Darwinian struggle. At the same time, if the church does speak prophetically within a society, if it is engaged from within as a cultivator of the societys resources, if it advocates for the oppressed, if it embodies the spirituality of both the outsider and the insider, it will take on at least some characteristics of a citizen of that society and necessarily will engage in conversations about its relationship to the societys law and governance. For this reason the relationship between church and state is historically deep and important. Church and state, he states, is post Peace of Westphalia and a stepchild of the Reformation, and as we comprehend separation of church and state we have to think of what was accomplished by the Puritans as much as anything else, a vision that took on various new phases through the colonies with Baptists and Quakers and then the modern Enlightenment. Which is not to say there was some contest prior to the 17th Century. (Id include the Anabaptists here, too.) Opderbeck covers the history of church-state relations, with an eye on law. A big theme developed early: there are two powers. This can be taken back to Jesus (Render unto Caesar...) but he shows that it emerges in the early church. This has become the dominant category that cuts through many issues, and the modern separation of church and state is part of that conversation. One of his concerns is defining Constantinianism and he thinks it has not been understood with nuance, and I think hes talking here about Yoder or Hauerwas. It would have been helpful to get one of their definitions on the table. Opderbeck wants nuance in that, while church and state are wedded in a nation (one religion, one emperor/political leader), he wants to emphasize the relation of the two powers (some with more religion, others with more state). This was an informative section for me, but Constantinianism as I understand is more the wedding of the two than the relation of the two powers. Overall, he develops in this lucid section (good section on Lactantius and on Augustine) with five themes: First, natural law as something designed by God and that is known more or less to all, and Augustine makes a major contribution here; second, positive law and its limits: is it the same as natural law and how such law is formed? Third, what is a civil society (which really goes through some convulsions after the Reformation, as made clear in R.L. Wilkens recent book)? Fourth, the two powers issue and how the state and the church, temporal and spiritual, relate to one another. At times in the church the spiritual has thought it had ultimate authority while the rough and tumble of it all has more often led to the temporal. Fifth is eschatological: how is history shaped and where is it headed? This was a good section, but I do think a more nuanced view of the Anabaptists could help. In particular, Balthasar Hubmaiers stuff can help and telling the story of the nutjobs in Anabaptist history is like telling the story of Servetus with Calvin. OK, it needs to be there but theres plenty more to discuss. In the end, though, the Anabaptists are not going to be of much use on law, which is Davids focus. They can nuance the church-state relation. For me, this was a very good chp as Opderbeck rightly contextualizes law in the church-state relation. Im looking forward to the next chp. It is perhaps worth noting that my bookmark in this book is a Henry VIII bookmark. ANSAmed - Weekly diary from February 17 to February 23 (ANSAmed) - ROME, FEBRUARY 14 - Weekly diary of the main events scheduled in the Euro-Mediterranean area from February 17 to February 23: MONDAY FEBRUARY 17 MADRID - Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will be meeting with opposition leader Pablo Casado. BRUSSELS - EU foreign ministers meeting. BRUSSELS - European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen will be holding a joint press conference with Albanian prime minister Edi Rama after the international donors conference entitled 'Together for Albania'. BARI - Exhibition entitled 'By Sea: Landings and Shipwrecks' (until March 30). TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18 CAIRO - Conference entitled 'From Freedom of Worship to Freedom of Religion and Belief: Promoting Partnership between States, the International Community, and Religious Institutions' organised by the Italian embassy. BEIRUT - Amnesty International will be holding an international press conference on human rights in the Middle East. ZAGREB - Swearing in of new president Zoran Milanovic. ROME - Informational conference organised by the Italian-Arab Chamber of Commerce to illustrate the multiple opportunities for Italian firms offered by the Ras al-Khaimah (UAE) emirate. WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19 RIYADH - Visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (until 21/2). BARI - Meeting for reflection and spirituality entitled 'Mediterranean, Frontier of Peace' promoted by the Italian Episcopal Conference, CEI (until 23/2). THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20 MARRAKECH - African Contemporary Art Fair (until 23/2). BELGRADE - International Tourism Fair with Egypt as partner country (until 23/2). PARIS - Tenth inter-professional day of strikes and demonstrations against pension reform. LISBON - Parliament will be examining several legislative proposals on euthanasia. FRIDAY FEBRUARY 21 MUSCAT - Visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22 NO MAJOR EVENTS SCHEDULED SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23 BARI - Pope Francis will be taking part in the last day of the meeting on reflection and spirituality entitled 'Mediterranean, Frontier of Peace'. (ANSAmed). The decision to scrap the Feb. 24-27 event in Barcelona was taken after dozens of tech companies and wireless carriers dropped out over the COVID-19 virus, including major companies like Ericsson, Nokia, Sony, Amazon, Intel and LG. The companies cited concerns for the safety of staff and visitors. "Our priorities have been very clear and very simple: The first is health and safety of everyone involved in the show and the second priority is the reputation of the MWC and this event here in Barcelona," he said. "This is indeed a very difficult situation and a very difficult decision that we have taken," Mats Granryd, director general of the GSMA, told reporters in Barcelona on Thursday, a day after they canceled the event. Organizers of the world's biggest mobile technology fair insisted Thursday that they canceled the annual Mobile World Congress due to health and safety concerns over the virus outbreak in China. But the Spanish government disagreed, hinting that there was another motive for the cancellation. But the Spanish government said in a statement Thursday it "believes it is not public health reasons in Spain that have motivated the cancellation." "There is no public health reason to not hold events of this type in our country," the government added. It did not say what reasons it thought were behind the decision. Spain has only two people infected with the virus, neither of whom is in Barcelona. Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, sitting alongside Granryd, also said, "neither in Barcelona, Catalonia or Spain does any health concern exist today. There is no local reason" to cancel. Granryd said the decision had nothing to do with the trade differences between China and the U.S., as suggested by one reporter who noted that some of those that had canceled were at events in Amsterdam. "Absolutely not. Everyone I have spoken to, this is a health and safety issue concern, concern of travel, concern of having to put business-critical resources in quarantine for 14 days so it has nothing to do with anything else than the force majeure situation of having coronavirus disease spreading on the planet," Granryd said. John Hoffman, chief executive of GSMA, emphasized they were dealing with "business-critical people," including 8,000 CEOs. He said "there was grave concern on disrupting their business not only now but into the future." Granryd said GSMA could not discuss the costs of the cancellation, as it was "early days." "It's not about money," he added. Hoffman said they had considered a scaled-down event but "all of our buyers have indicated they would not attend." He said they looked at the data Wednesday and concluded that the "vast majority of those who planned to attend were not going to be there." He said it was not possible to postpone the event because it was impossible to know when the situation would change. Describing it as "a very dark day," Hoffman said that the group nevertheless looked forward to hosting the event again in Barcelona in 2021. Barcelona city hall and the national government welcomed this. The show was originally expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors from about 200 countries, including 5,000-6,000 from China. The decision stands to be a major economic blow to the city, which has been hosting the event for 14 years. Colau said "the local impact will be very substantial" and that authorities will consult with those sectors affected to see how they can reduce the financial pain. The show normally represents a huge source of revenue for hotels, restaurants and taxi companies. Authorities have estimated the show would generate 473 million euros ($516 million) and more than 14,000 part-time jobs for the local economy. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy met Union Home Minister Amit Shah here on Friday night and sought his help in getting Parliament's nod to the stringent law enacted by the state Assembly on women safety. During the 30-minute meeting held at Shah's residence, Reddy explained the features of the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (also known as the Disha Act), which provides for a court verdict to be delivered within 21 days in rape cases, mandatory death penalty for such crimes and an increased jail term for sexual offences against minors. Reddy, who is also the YSRC Party president, informed Shah and sought an early nod of the Centre to the Andhra Pradesh government's decisions to have three capitals (at Amaravati, Visakhapatnam and Kurnool), abolish the legislative council and release funds for police modernisation projects. YSRCP MPs Vijay Sai Reddy and Mithun Reddy, besides officials of the Andhra Pradesh government, accompanied the chief minister during his meeting with Shah. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A fire has swept through a US-run orphanage on the island of Haiti, killing 13 children, healthcare workers have said. The Orphanage of the Church of Bible Understanding caught fire at roughly 9pm on Thursday (2am Friday GMT) in the Kenscoff region just outside Port-Au-Prince, according to witnesses. One employee said the orphanage had been using candles for light due to a generator failure. It took firefighters 90 minutes to arrive at the burning childrens home, which is run by the Church of Bible Understanding - a non-profit organisation based in Pennsylvania, USA. Seven of the 13 victims were reported to be babies or toddlers, while the others six were aged 10 or 11. Jean-Francois Robenty, a civil protection official, said rescue workers arrived on the scene on motorbikes and did not have the necessary bottled oxygen or access to ambulances required to take the children for further treatment. "They could have been saved,"' he said. "We didn't have the equipment to save their lives." Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Show all 16 1 /16 Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Forestal, nine Forestal, nine, is in second grade at Marescot School, Haiti. The school is funded through the partnership between non-profit buildOn Haiti, and Educate A Child (EAC), who have constructed 58 schools, as well as training 959 teachers. Forestal explains how she was given up by her father after the death of her mother. She now lives with her auntie as a restavek (child in domestic servitude) where she performs chores around the house for at least two hours a day; including laundry, sweeping and mopping floors. She can only recall seeing her father once in her entire life. It was only for one day, but it was really great, we had so much fun, she says. Forestal hopes that she can see him again but he lives and works in Port Au Prince, more than three hours away by car. Photos Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Jasme, 10 Jasme, 10, is enrolled at a buildOn school in Perigny. Her two brothers and three sisters all attend the same school. Unlike the reported 300,000 restavek children that live away from their biological parents, Jasme lives with her family. Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Esperence, 10 Esperence, 10, goes to Perigny school. Seated on a bench at the end of a long dark corridor, overcome with emotion, he explains how he was given up by his biological parents at the age of eight. He now lives with his auntie and is a restavek child. The term restavek comes from the French rester avec, to stay with. Discussing the work around the house he has to complete as part of his daily chores, he explains: I can never go out and play with my friends as my house family always call me back inside to do more jobs. Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Pierre, 13 Pierre, 13, attends the EAC buildOn school in Marescot. Her godmother asked for her service as a restavek when she was a little child and her parents have not reached out to her in over two years, despite only living an hours drive away. Medjine spends almost three hours a day cooking, sweeping, washing and cleaning. Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Port Au Prince Sunrise in Port Au Prince, and the brightly painted exterior of Jalousie slums, home to more than 80,000 people. This is one of Haitis largest slums and hosts a community that struggles with lack of sanitation, running water and electricity. Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Rebecca, nine Rebecca, nine, was abandoned by her family at the age of six. She now lives with her aunt close to Perigny school, where she has been enrolled for two years. Today, more than 25 per cent of all Haitian children live away from their biological parents. Many move in with their extended family to become restaveks. Rebecca works for between 2-3 hours a day. She says: Sometimes I feel tired working in the house, but it is my only chance of going to school and getting an education. Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Noel Rose, 10 Noel Rose, 10, is enrolled at Marescot school and lives close by in her parents house with her auntie. Her mother suffers from a mental illness, while her father lives and works away in Saint Jean. She loves school and her favourite lesson is Creole. She says she would much rather be there than at home and explained that if she had no access to school she would feel sad about her life. Rose understands the term restavek and what it means to be one. Many of my friends are restaveks, she explains. She does all the household chores for her auntie but does not class herself as a child in domestic servitude. Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Desomme, seven Desomme, seven, was sent to live with her grandmother when she was five. Her parents, who work as traders, live in Port Au Prince with her two siblings. They were forced to leave Desomme with a relative because their house was too small. She now works for her grandmother. Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Chelsea, 11 Chelsea, 11, was forced to live with his auntie and grandmother following the death of both his parents. His four siblings all live in Saint Jean about an hour away. He helps raise livestock, carry water from the well and clean dishes. His chores take him around two hours to complete every day. Chelsea has dreams of becoming a carpenter and making household furniture. Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Esperence According to Restavek Freedom foundation, 300,000 of Haitis future dreamers, like Esperence, are still in domestic servitude in households the length and breadth of the country. Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Solvline, 11 Solvline, 11, is enrolled at Berard school. Unlike many children who are forced to live with relatives at a young age, she still lives with her parents, five minutes away from school. She enjoys all her classes and dreams of becoming a police officer, so she can help children and the elderly across the street. Solvline explains: The police play an important role in fighting crime in gangs in the villages and towns in Haiti. If you want to achieve your dreams you have to learn. Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Storm brewing Vista from up high, looking down at the slums of Port Au Prince at last light, with the storm clouds brewing over Jalousie slums. Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude OBen, five OBen, five, lives with his parents and six siblings across the valley from his school. His mother and father collect spices and herbs that are then exported from Haiti to be used in the perfume industry. Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Gerrard, 19 Gerrard, 19, used to attend Marescot school but is unable to continue his education because there is no grade 7. He hopes to find somewhere to continue his studies, saying: If I have the possibility of continuing my education then I would like to pursue a career in agriculture, and work with the peasant farmers in my country. Evalson lives with his brother-in-law and wakes up at 5am to perform his chores until 10am, then tends to livestock. He has been a restavek since the age of 10. Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Port Au Prince The slums of Port Au Prince. Crime rates are very high in urban areas throughout Haiti due in part to gang activity. Theft, kidnapping for ransom, and extortion are all common. Foreigners are often specifically targeted due to their presumed wealth. Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC Haitis children: Enslaved to a life of domestic servitude Port Au Prince Some 800,000 Haitians are over 60. Most of these older people live in extreme poverty. Haiti today remains paralysed having endured devastating earthquakes, hurricanes, cholera epidemics, increased fuel prices and food shortages. It is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Six million Haitians live below the poverty line and 2.5 million fall below the extreme poverty line. Paddy Dowling/EAA/EAC The Church of Bible Understanding, a group based on evangelical Christianity, lost accreditation for its children's homes after being reprimanded by Haitan authorities due to overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and a lack of trained staff. Recommended Scandals like Oxfam in Haiti shine a light on a toothless regulator The group have operated in the Caribbean country since 1977, providing two homes for nearly 200 children. In a tax filing for 2017, the group reported revenues of $6.6m (5m) and expenses of $2.2m (1.7m). A member of the group, who identified themselves only as Jim when approached, referred questions to their lawyer in Haiti, whom he did not identify. Additional reporting by AP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers who died in the Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir a year ago to the day on Friday, as the Congress and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engaged in a political slugfest. Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom, Modi wrote in a Twitter post. The CRPF joined the prime minister in recalling the victims of the attack, in which a man drove an explosives-laden car into a truck carrying the troopers in Pulwama. We pay our heartfelt tribute to all the martyrs. CRPF is a brave fighting force on the federal grid and remains undeterred by any untoward incident, CRPF director general AP Maheshwari, said. The Pulwama suicide car bombing, for which the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group owned responsibility, was the deadliest single attack in 30 years of insurgency in Kashmir. It heightened tensions in the subcontinent, and brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war. On February 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force (IAF) bombed a Jaish terrorist camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan, followed by a dogfight the following day over the Line of Control in Kashmir. The Congress raised questions about the attack and the inquiry into it, and asked why the report on it was not being made public.It has previously alleged that the BJP had tried to gain political and electoral mileage out of the Balakot strikes by the IAF. Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack, let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? former Congress president Rahul Gandhi wrote on Twitter. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the entire nation paid homage to the martyrs of Pulwama; still, many questions remain about the attack. Why is the report of Pulwama attack not being made public? Who is accountable? Who brought the 350 Kgs IED? Why were intelligence reports of attack ignored? he tweeted. IED is short for improvised explosive device. The BJP was quick to hit back, with minister of state for home G Kishan Reddy accusing Gandhi of insulting security forces. Did surgical strike or airstrike ever take place under the Congress rule? For the first time, Pakistan is afraid of us. Rahul Gandhi has insulted security forces by commenting on them, he said. And, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said Gandhi had chosen to target not just the government but even the security forces at a time when the nation was paying tributes to those killed in the Pulwama attack. When nation is paying homage to martyrs of dastardly Pulwama attack, Rahul Gandhi, a known sympathizer of LeT & Jaish-e-Mohammed, chooses to target not just the government but security forces as well. Rahul will never question real culprit, Pakistan. Shame on you Rahul, tweeted Narasimha Rao. Even the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI(M), questioned the government about the inquiry report on the attack and demanded accountability, accusing the BJP of seeking votes in the name of the CRPF personnel killed in the attack. Where is the Inquiry report one year on after the terror attack? Who has been held accountable for the loss of so many lives and the massive intelligence failure? CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said. Separately, the CRPF said on Friday that the families of all its personnel who died in Pulwama had been paid dues ranging from ~2-3 crore and were getting the last pay drawn as monthly pension, except one over which a case is pending in the courts because of questions over who the legal heir is. The victims were honoured on Friday with a memorial at the Lethpora camp of the force, close to the location of last years attack, in a solemn and emotive ceremony. The memorial is inscribed with the names of all the 40 troopers along with their photographs and the motto of the Central Reserve Police Force -- Seva and Nishtha (Service and Loyalty). Maharashtras Umesh Gopinath, who undertook a 61,000 km journey to meet the families of the 40 troopers, collected soil from their homes in an urn and presented it to the CRPF at the ceremony. U S Attorney General William Barr has asked Donald Trump to rein in his tweets about issues of justice, saying they compromise his department's integrity. Mr Barr said a consistent "background commentary" about his department and matters it is dealing with made doing his job "impossible". "I think its time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases," he told ABC News. When asked about Mr Trump potentially not appreciating being "told what to do", Mr Barr said he would not be dissuaded from fulfilling his duties how he sees fit by any external party. "I can't do my job here at the Justice Department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me," he said. "To have public statements about and tweets made about the department, about people in the department, men and women here, cases pending in the department here and about judges before whom we have cases, makes it impossible for me to do my job and to assure the courts and the prosecutors and the department, that we're doing our job with integrity." He said he will make decisions "based on what I think is the right thing to do" and he won't be "bullied by anybody". Mr Trump is renowned for his frequent tweeting, in which he often hits out at critics or wades in on issues of the day. Ayodhya, Feb 14 : Voices of dissent have started emerging from the Nirmohi Akhara here over the Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, set up by the Centre to supervise the construction of a grand Ram temple. Nirmohi Akhara 'Sarpanch' Raja Ramchandracharya has said that the new trust has 'several faults'. "The government did not consult the Nirmohi Akhara before the formation of the trust. The representation given to Nirmohi Akhara is meaningless because the representative has not powers. We will be holding meeting soon and will exercise our options," he said. Sources indicated that the Nirmohi Akhara could even go to Supreme Court on this issue. A meeting of saints was held on Wednesday in which the issue was discussed. Another formal meeting is scheduled to be held next week on the issue. The Centre has appointed Mahant Dinendra Das of Nirmohi Akhara as a member of the trust but the saints are apparently not satisfied and want a greater say in the matter. The Nirmohi Akhara became a party to the Ayodhya dispute when it filed a suit in 1985 with the sub-judge of Ayodhya, seeking consent to construct a temple to Ram in the Ram Chabutra, the area adjacent to the disputed structure. Though permission was denied by the court, the Nirmohi Akhara has since kept up its effort to reclaim the land and construct the temple. Prince William and Kate are set to travel to Galway when they visit Ireland next month. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will travel to Ireland for a three-day trip at the beginning of March. An official itinerary for their visit has not been released, but it is understood they will visit Galway. The city is the European Capital of Culture this year. The mayor of Galway city, Mike Cubbard, said it would be a huge boost if they visit the city. "They can portray our images here of Galway across the globe and, I suppose, link the story of Galway as the European Capital city of Culture this year. "That could be a huge thing for us for tourism. "Obviously its been ran by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the British Embassy so we've no real say in what they do when they get to Galway, if it's a case that they do come here but we'll certainly welcome them to Galway. "It's a huge opportunity for us to be seen on a world stage as the city of culture." Because MWC was canceled, Realme is holding an online launch event for the X50 Pro 5G on February 24, when it was initially supposed to take the wraps off it in Barcelona at the trade show. The phone has now been confirmed by its maker to sport 65W fast charging, which uses the SuperDart brand we saw it trademark last year. That is going to be impressively fast. While the Realme X2 Pro was at one point rumored to pack 65W charging abilities, in the end it launched with support for 'just' 50W. We could think of a million situations in which having no battery could ruin your day. But during the time you have been thinking about this, you would have already charged the #realmeX50Pro with its 65W SuperDart Charge to keep you going. #realme5G realme Europe (@realmeeurope) February 13, 2020 Realme has also confirmed the fact that the X50 Pro 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 865 chipset, with support for dual-mode 5G (NSA and SA). Also, an outline of the phone that the company shared seems to show dual punch holes for two selfie cams in the top left of the FHD+ screen. Get ready to feel the speed of the future in the new #realmeX50Pro We are ready to be one step ahead #realme5G realme Europe (@realmeeurope) February 10, 2020 The X50 Pro 5G is going to come with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and runs Android 10 with the new Realme UI on top. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 02:22:46|Editor: yan Video Player Close ROME, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Air Italy, the regional carrier that once aspired to challenge Italy's flagship carrier Alitalia for dominance of the country's domestic air market, announced Friday that it would lay off all of its nearly 1,500 employees as a final step ahead of definitively ceasing operations. Less than two years ago, competition from Air Italy was seen as a major factor in Alitalia's struggles to find a major buyer for its operations. Now, the 56-year-old company is sending out letters informing around 1,450 workers they no longer had a job, though media reports indicated that a few employees could be retained by Milan Malpensa Airport and Sardinia's Olbia Airport, the airline's two main hubs. Air Italy was founded in 1963, and it went through several incarnations over the decades. But the company became prominent in 2018 when it merged with former parent company Meridiana and signed a partnership with Doha-based Qatar Airways. That year, the company announced plans to challenge Alitalia as Italy's main air carrier, an unwelcome development at a time when Alitalia was shopping itself around for potential buyers. But the threat to Alitalia never materialized and earlier this year the struggling carrier began to look for a buyer itself. When no buyer emerged -- discount carrier Ryanair, once seen as a potential buyer for Alitalia, was the last company to declare it had no interest in taking over Air Italy -- the company began the process of liquidation that led to Friday's mass dismissals of personnel. Air Italy flights sold through Feb. 25 will be honored through agreements with other airlines, Air Italy said. The company's property will be liquidated to pay off debt. WASHINGTON The White House told Congress on Friday that President Trump authorized the strike last month that killed Irans most important general to respond to attacks that had already taken place and deter future ones, contradicting the presidents claim that he acted in response to an imminent threat. In a legally mandated, two-page unclassified memo to lawmakers, the White House asserted that the strike that killed Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani was in response to an escalating series of attacks in preceding months by Iran and Iran-backed militias. The purposes of this action were to protect United States personnel, to deter Iran from conducting or supporting further attacks against United States forces and interests, to degrade Irans and Quds Force-backed militiass ability to conduct attacks, and to end Irans strategic escalation of attacks, said the report, which was transmitted on Friday to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The document confirmed what lawmakers had privately suspected as the Trump administration has offered a shifting set of justifications for the strike against General Suleimani in Baghdad taken with no congressional consultation which brought the United States and Iran to the brink of war. By Jun Ji-hye Sejong University has successfully carried out a test production of farmed salmon, paving the way to help the nation reduce imports amid growing demand for the fish, the university said Friday. The school held a food tasting event, Feb. 5, to celebrate the successful test production, offering up salmon sushi, salmon rolls and other dishes made of the American steelhead salmon it farmed. In 2019, more than 40,000 tons of salmon were imported to Korea from countries such as Norway and the United States, with the amount reaching 400 billion won ($338 million). With the rapid increase in demand, the import volume and prices are expected to continue to increase this year, raising the need for the nation to find a way to replace imported salmon, the university said. The school's salmon laboratory imported steelhead salmon roe from the United States and raised the salmon fry in fresh water. Then, the lab moved the fish to seawater and successfully produced 1.3 kilograms of salmon in 13 months, Feb. 4. During the salmon farming, the lab has also attained numerous other achievements including functional feed development using insects and vaccine development for disease control. The lab plans to develop industrial salmon farming technologies to mass-produce the fish, saying it will be a higher value-added industry. With the global demand for salmon on the rise, local fish farms could be able to find export markets down the road, it added. "We will expand academic-industrial collaborations to develop the salmon farming into the nation's new growth engine," a university official said. The lab is the only research center specializing in salmonid species in Korea. It is planning to diversify profit-making projects utilizing its technologies to farm salmon and produce vaccines and functional feed. It said expanding salmon farms and mass-producing the fish will also create jobs. Salmon is one of the most popular oily fish varieties along with sardines and tuna, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid his tribute to CRPF personnel, who lost their lives in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on February 14 last year, when their convoy was targeted by a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit. PM Modi said the jawans were "exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation." 'India will never forget their martyrdom' Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, "Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom." Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2020 Earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tributes to the brave jawans. Remembering the fallen @crpfindia personnel who were martyred during the dastardly attack in Pulwama(J&K) on this day in 2019. India will never forget their sacrifice. Entire nation stands united against terrorism and we are committed to continue our fight against this menace. Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 14, 2020 I pay homage to the martyrs of Pulwama attack. India will forever be grateful of our bravehearts and their families who made supreme sacrifice for the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland. Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 14, 2020 Memorial for CRPF Bravehearts A memorial to the 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) soldiers killed in the terror attack in February last year will be inaugurated at the Lethpora camp in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. "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, news agency Press Trust of India reported. The names of all the 40 soldiers along with their pictures will be part of the memorial. READ | 'Did not forget, did not forgive': CRPF 'salutes' martyrs of Pulwama terror attack READ | BSF states 'You will be missed!' paying tribute to Pulwama martyrs on 1-yr anniversary CPI-M on the Pulwama incident Objecting to the memorial, CPI(M) leader Mohammed Salim has said, "Rather than a memorial to remind the country of its incompetence we must get answers as to how the attack took place." In his tweet, Salim said, "We don't need a memorial to remind us of our incompetence. The only thing we need to know is how 80kg of RDX got past the international borders to the 'most militarized zone on earth' & exploded in Pulwama." READ | 'No need of a reminder of our incompetence': CPI(M) neta on Pulwama attack anniversary READ | 'Forever grateful': HM Amit Shah pays homage to the martyrs of Pulwama attack BJP spokespersons Amit Malviya and Gaurav Bhatia questioned Rahul Gandhi after the latter vehemently politicised the Pulwama terror attack, one year to the day from when 40 CRPF Jawans were martyred in the worst terror attack on the forces in decades. READ: Rahul Gandhi Sinks To New Low, Asks 'who Benefited Most From Pulwama Terror Attack?' 'Are you supporting Pakistan?' ...allowed the attack? Are you, Mr Gandhi, suggesting that Pakistan is not responsible for the attack in Pulwama? Why would you insist on giving them a clean chit? Did you not see Indian forces take out terrorists in Balakot? Are you disappointed that India took resolute action? https://t.co/Eu7EYy8QZs Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 14, 2020 After Rahul Gandhi had asked 'who had benefited from the attack?' but had refused to name Pakistan in his 3-point salvo, Malviya took to Twitter and asked whether the former Congress President suggested that Pakistan was not responsible and whether Rahul was disappointed that India's armed forces took a resolute action. Bhatia, on the other hand, said that Gandhi's question reflects his mentality and that he would never understand the weight of the martyrs that PM Modi shouldered. This tweet reflects your sick mentality. India takes strong objection to the 1st question you raised? Teary eyes, broken hearts don't think of benefits, cowards do You will never understand the weight of 40 martyrs' coffins that Shri @narendramodi ji shouldered#PulwamaAttack https://t.co/D4DotsrCY0 pic.twitter.com/t2UXmGpRyZ Gaurav Bhatia (@gauravbh) February 14, 2020 READ: 'How Did RDX Reach? Probe First, Then Memorial': NCP Questions Centre Over Pulwama Attack Here is Rahul Gandhi's tweet: Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? pic.twitter.com/KZLbdOkLK5 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 14, 2020 READ: 'India Will Never Forget Their Martyrdom': PM Modi Mourns On Pulwama Attack Anniversary On February 14, 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora (near Awantipora) in the Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The attack resulted in the martyrdom of 40 CRPF personnel. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed. READ: Virender Sehwag Salutes Martyrs Of Pulwama Attack, Feels Honoured To Train Their Children Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe won't be charged, Justice Department says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Justice Department has informed former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe that it will not seek charges against him for allegedly lying to internal investigators several years ago. McCabe was fired from the FBI on March 16, 2018, after the Justice Departments inspector general concluded that McCabe misled investigators looking into how Justice Department and FBI officials handled matters associated with the 2016 presidential election. MORE: Despite President Donald Trump's Twitter attacks, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe doubles down on investigations Reacting on CNN, where he is now a contributor, McCabe said that it was an "absolute disgrace" that it took two years for the Justice Department to reach what he called the "obvious conclusion" -- that he said could have been drawn "a long, long time ago." "Just so glad that my kids don't have to live with this anymore," McCabe, a frequent target of President Donald Trump's wrath, said. PHOTO: Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe listens on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 11, 2017, during the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on major threats facing the U.S. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo) "To have this horrific black cloud that's been hanging over me and my family for almost the last two years, to have that finally lifted is just an unbelievable -- it's a relief I'm not sure I can really explain to you adequately," McCabe said. MORE: DOJ rejects McCabe appeal to abandon prosecution in leak investigation, sources say He also said he had been concerned that Trump's "revenge" following his acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial had "amplified my concerns about what would happen in my own case." McCabe filed a civil suit against the Department of Justice and the FBI in August, arguing his firing was unjust and politically motivated. MORE: Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe sues Bureau, DOJ over firing The suit, which also names Attorney General Bill Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray as defendants, claims that McCabe faced "unlawful retaliation for his refusal to pledge allegiance to a single man," apparently a reference to President Donald Trump. Story continues McCabe served briefly as the bureau's director after his predecessor, James Comey, was fired. McCabe has long defended his actions, insisting he did his best to relay accurate information to those investigators. Barr intervened Tuesday to reverse a sentencing recommendation made by prosecutors in the case of longtime Trump ally Roger Stone. PHOTO: Attorney General William Barr speaks to ABC News' Pierre Thomas during an interview on Feb. 13, 2020. (ABC News) Following that unprecedented intervention, all four line prosecutors withdrew from the case in protest, with one resigning from the Justice Department entirely. Facing the prospect of potential further resignations, Barr spoke out Thursday in an interview with ABC News in which he admonished President Donald Trump for tweets attacking a district judge and congratulating Barr for "taking control" of the Stone case. MORE: Barr blasts Trump's tweets on Stone case: 'Impossible for me to do my job': ABC News Exclusive "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," Barr said. On Friday afternoon, new court records obtained by a government watchdog group revealed a federal judges harsh criticism of the Justice Department over its handling of the McCabe case, slamming prosecutors for leaving the former FBI deputy director "in limbo pending a decision." MORE: Despite Barr's warning, Trump insists he has a right to intervene in criminal cases "I just think the integrity of the process is being unduly undermined by inappropriate comments and actions on the part of people at the top of our government," said U.S. Judge Reggie Barnett Walton during a closed door hearing in July, according to records obtained by Citizens for Responsible Ethics in Washington (CREW) as part of a FOIA lawsuit. "I think it's very unfortunate," Judge Walton continued. "And I think as a government and as a society we're going to pay a price at some point for this." It's unclear whether Barr's criticism also alluded to the office's investigation of McCabe, whom Trump has targeted in dozens of tweets and in his public statements complaining about the Russia investigation. So they now convict Roger Stone of lying and want to jail him for many years to come. Well, what about Crooked Hillary, Comey, Strzok, Page, McCabe, Brennan, Clapper, Shifty Schiff, Ohr & Nellie, Steele & all of the others, including even Mueller himself? Didnt they lie?.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2019 Why isnt disgraced FBI official Andrew McCabe being investigated for the $700,000 Crooked Hillary Democrats in Virginia, led by Clinton best friend Terry M (under FBI investigation that they killed) gave to McCabes wife in her run for office? Then dropped case on Clinton! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 18, 2018 ABC News' Allison Pecorin and Luc Bruggeman contributed to this report. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 16:33:24|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close BERLIN, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday called for a concerted international response as well as mutual understanding, trust and support across borders in the fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic. Wang made the remarks during a joint press conference with his German counterpart, Heiko Maas, after attending the latest round of China-Germany strategic dialogue on diplomacy and security. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, the Chinese government, with a high sense of responsibility for its people and the international community, has taken the most comprehensive, rigorous and thorough prevention and control measures, Wang said. Noting that the epidemic has begun to be brought under control with hard work, Wang said that except for Hubei Province, the total number of new confirmed cases of infection in other parts of China has been dropping for 10 consecutive days as of Thursday, with the recovery rate continuing to rise and over 6,000 cured patients being discharged from hospital after recovery. These data and facts show that the epidemic is, on the whole, controllable and treatable, Wang said, adding that with the development of effective drugs, China is fully confident and capable of defeating the epidemic. Since the outset of the fight against the epidemic, China has adopted an open and transparent manner and cooperated with Germany and other countries in prevention efforts, Wang said, adding that China's efforts have effectively prevented the outbreak from spreading beyond China, with the number of infections outside China accounting for less than 1 percent of those inside China. Noting that the World Health Organization and various countries around the world have spoken highly of China's anti-virus efforts, Wang said that China has made both contributions to and sacrifices for maintaining global public health. As to the effect of the epidemic on China's economy, Wang said the impact is temporary and China will try to minimize the impact, expressing belief that after the outbreak, the pent-up consumer demand will be released quickly and the economic momentum will rebound strongly. China is confident that it will meet all targets for its economic and social development this year, complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and eradicate absolute poverty, Wang said. The epidemic will not affect China-Germany cooperation, Wang added, noting that the strengthened bilateral cooperation in health and hygiene will bring new opportunities to German companies. Noting that German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Maas have voiced the German side's strong support for China's anti-virus fight on various occasions, Wang thanked the German government and people for their understanding and help. THE trial of a Limerick-based detective and a businessman who are accused of corruption offences is to be heard in Dublin. Detective Garda David Bourke, 48, who has an address at Main Street, Oola and Stephen OSullivan, 37, who has an address at Farrehy, Broadford, Limerick were arrested and charged last September following a lengthy investigation into alleged wrong-doing and corruption involving garda personnel in the Southern Region. Mr Bourke faces two charges under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 relating to offences which are alleged to have taken place at a location in Bruree on December 22, 2018. The charges allege that he obtained information through his employment for the purpose of corruptly obtaining a gift, consideration or advantage for himself. It is alleged he accepted inducements from Stephen OSullivan who is a director of Stephen Bawn Motors Limited (trading as Bawn Motors) which was under investigation by CAB at the time. The company has a registered address at Ballysimon Road, Limerick. Mr OSullivan is accused of corruptly giving or agreeing to give a material gift, consideration or advantage to Mr Bourke in return for confidential information concerning the CAB investigation into the company. During a procedural hearing at Limerick Circuit Court last week, Judge Tom ODonnell was told the prosecution was seeking to have the case transferred to the circuit court in Dublin because of concerns over publicity. There was no objection from lawyers representing the defendants and the matter was adjourned to the present list at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. (Alliance News) - India's Supreme Court on Friday ordered top telecom companies to pay USD13 billion in unpaid spectrum and licensing fees by March 17 or face punishment in a fresh blow to ailing mobile carriers. Shares in Vodafone Idea, which said it would be hardest hit by the ruling, fell 23% on Mumbai's Sensex Index exchange after the court's announcement. Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio -A owned by Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani a were also hit by the order, which comes after the companies failed to obey an October ruling demanding payment of overdue levies within three months. A Vodafone Idea, a joint venture of London-listed Vodafone Group PLC and India's Idea Cellular will have to stump up about USD3.9 billion. Airtel has to pay USD3 billion while Jio, which escaped with a lighter fee has already paid USD1.8 billion. The court has threatened contempt proceedings against the companies and Department of Telecommunications government officials for non-compliance with that ruling. The long-running row between the government and India's big telecoms has centred on how licence and other fees paid by the firms should be calculated.A Companies argue they should be based on income from only their telecoms business, while the court ruled they should be calculated on the amount earned from all business dealings, including handset sales and other income. On Friday the companies asked the court for more time to pay, which Justice Arun Mishra described as "complete nonsense". Vodafone Idea's "survival is in jeopardy as there is no support either from the government or the parent company," Baburajan Kizhakedath, editor of TelecomLead.com, told AFP. "They have no funds or capacity to service existing customers."A A Vodafone spokesman said the company leadership was reviewing the comments. Bharti Airtel's shares rose almost five percent however. Analysts said Airtel and Reliance Jio would benefit the most from any Vodafone Idea collapse, which could lead to the Indian market being dominated by two leading companies. FTSE 250-listed Airtel Africa PLC is a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel. Baburajan said such a duopoly would "weaken" the Indian telecoms sector and limit choice for its 900 million subscribers. Jio, which was launched in 2016 and is the top operator in terms of subscribers and revenue, has a relatively light USD1.8 billion bill.A source: AFP Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. The associations top legislative goal this year was to equalize the taxing authority of counties where 70 percent of Virginias 8.5 million residents live with cities and towns. While cities and towns can enact hotel, meal and cigarette taxes, for example, counties in most cases cannot. An individual county needs agreement from two-thirds of state lawmakers before it can levy its own tax on an item the state has deemed taxable. Photo: Dale De La Rey/AFP via Getty Images The New York Times reports that, according to Chinas state-run broadcaster, the country is planning a further mass roundup of anyone who has exhibited symptoms of the coronavirus that continues to wreak havoc in the country. Previously, such operations were limited to Wuhan, the city at the center of the outbreak. The paper describes how that process worked: Confirmed patients with mild symptoms were put in large quarantine spaces. Suspected cases went to converted hotels and schools to be isolated. Close contacts of confirmed cases and patients with a fever who could have been infected were also put in separate facilities. But the extreme policy has been carried out in chaotic fashion, often leaving sick people in poorly supplied and short-staffed makeshift medical facilities which has contributed to the sense of civic and political crisis in China. On Thursday, the central government ousted two top officials in Hubei Province, the outbreaks epicenter, amid loud public criticism that authorities had provided an ineffectual initial response to the crisis and suppressed critical information as it began. Wuhan, a city of 11 million, has been on lockdown for weeks, as have some nearby cities, as the government struggles to contain the disease. The death toll currently stands at more than 1,300 people, with more than 60,000 confirmed cases of the illness which was recently rebranded COVID-19 around the world. Of those, the vast majority are in and around Wuhan (15 are in the U.S., where no one has died from the illness). Reports indicate that a large majority of coronavirus cases require little to no medical attention for the patient to recover. But that may mean the number of cases is greater than currently estimated. And the speed and methods with which the virus spreads are still not entirely known. Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told CNN the coronavirus could be spread by people who exhibit no symptoms. In another alarming development, an 80-year-old woman in Japan who had not previously traveled to China has died from the illness, marking the first coronavirus death in that country and suggesting the illness is spreading within Japan. On Thursday, the number of reported cases in China suddenly shot up by 15,000 in one day, but that was attributed to a change in diagnostic criteria, which likely reflects that China had been giving a low estimate of those affected for the past several weeks. Mike Ryan, the executive director of the World Health Organization Health Emergencies Program, said at a news briefing that it does not represent a significant change in the trajectory of the outbreak. But what that trajectory looks like right now is one of the many pressing questions that surround the disease and its spread. Beyond the human cost, the virus has battered Chinas supply chain to the rest of the world and threatens to do long-term damage to several industries, perhaps most acutely the travel business, though it is too early to say what the effects will be. Advertisement Delta Air Lines surprised staff when it revealed a custom-decorated aircraft with the names of all 90,000 employees forming the words 'thank you' on its fuselage. The shock unveiling took place at the company's HQ in Atlanta, Georgia, after it announced that eligible employees would be getting a 16.7 per cent payout thanks to a $1.6billion profit-sharing initiative. The livery features the words 'thank you' painted on both sides of the aircraft, with 45,000 names on one side of the fuselage, and another 45,000 names on the other. The custom-designed plane was unveiled in Atlanta and was designed, produced and installed by Delta staff, taking more than a week to complete The custom 'thank you' message featured on this Airbus A321 aircraft was designed, produced and installed in-house by Delta technicians. The process, which involved 48 custom decal panels, took more than a week to complete at the Delta TechOps print shop and hangar in Atlanta. The company said the plane was 'dedicated to the world's best employees and customers'. Joel Freeland, a TechOps painter who worked on the project, said that the aircraft was particularly meaningful. 'It's so wonderful to get to do a project like this,' he said. 'The idea was conceived within Delta, and all the employees working together have made it a reality.' Forty-five-thousand names have been painted on one side of the fuselage and the other 45,000 have been painted on the other side, with a total of 90,000 employees' names included The custom-decorated plane was unveiled during the airline's annual profit-sharing announcement in Atlanta, Georgia The airline has paid more than $6.5billion in profits directly to its employees over the past five years. 'Delta would be nothing without our 90,000 people worldwide,' said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. 'They deserve all the credit for our success, and we are proud to recognise their extraordinary work with a $1.6billion payout, marking the sixth year in a row that Delta's profit-sharing has exceeded $1billion.' 'We're often asked what sets Delta apart, and the answer is simple: our people,' said Joanne Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer. 'That's why profit sharing is one of the most important days of the year. It's all about Delta people sharing in the success they make possible through hard work and a focus on our customers.' The company also announced that it would be investing $1billion in a bid to make itself the world's first carbon-neutral airline. A Catholic Priest serving at the Uromi Diocese, Father Nicholas Oboh, has been abducted by gunmen in Benin City. Chancellor Uromi diocese, Rev Father Osi Odenore, in a statement posted on his facebook page said Father Oboh was abducted on Valentines day but was not specific in the area where the abduction took place. He called for prayers for the release of Father Oboh. We are sure he is alive, and since the incident, steps have be taken to ensure that Rev Father Nicholas Oboh is release without no harm. Also, some children were abducted at Umelu community in Ikpoba-Okha local government area. It was gathered that armed robbers had robbed residents in the area and took four children along with them. Sources in the area said one of the abducted children has been released after the parents paid the sum of N2m. The sources said other parents have opened negotiations with the abductors. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates NEW YORKRags-to-riches garment business legend Peter Nygard was accused of trafficking underage girlfriends to satisfy his sexual peccadilloes and lure new victims to drug-fuelled pamper parties at his beachfront home in the Bahamas, a lawsuit alleged Thursday. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan Federal Court, alleges that the 76-year-old Finnish-born Canadian raped seven teenage girls, ages 14 to 16, at his private Nygard Cay getaway in the Bahamas with some of the terrified teens drugged before they were sexually assaulted. Among the guests at Nygards luxury property over the years was Prince Andrew, who came under scrutiny for his close ties to Jeffrey Epstein before the convicted sex offender committed suicide last year. According to the 99-page lawsuit, Nygard asked his house guests to defecate on him, urinate in his mouth and use a sex toy on him. Four of his teen rape victims were virgins before they were lured into the bedroom at the multi-millionaires warm-weather home, court documents say. Nygard, 76, amassed a decades-old database of more than 7,500 women and underage girls, dating back to 1987 and maintained by the Nygard Companies information technology department, according to the class-action suit that identified 10 Jane Does as plaintiffs. The victims were often recruited through regular company events known as pamper parties, where women who had been promised interviews for high-end modelling jobs were instead used for sex at parties featuring cocaine and alcohol inside the Bahamas residence, the federal court paperwork charged. Nygard used his considerable influence in the fashion industry, his power through corruption of officials, and a network of company employees under his direction to groom and entice underage girls and women, the lawsuit alleged. Nygard would use means of alcohol, drugs, force fraud and/or other forms of coercion to engage in commercial sex acts with these children and women ... in many cases, with knowledge that they were less than 18 years old. An email to Nygards business for comment on the allegations was not returned Thursday. Two years ago, the company with its Times Square global headquarters marked its 50th anniversary, the culmination of its founders unlikely ascension from Finnish immigrant to worldwide success and head of his eponymous clothing empire. The self-made man, who borrowed $10,500 to launch his womens clothing business, once lived in a Manhattan apartment near his flagship Midtown store. A New York Daily News reporter was escorted from the building after asking about Nygard and the lawsuit. According to the lawsuit, some of the girlfriends were placed on the Nygard company payroll and paid monthly for modelling and promotional services rather than their duties as full-time sex workers. Nygard, known for a flowing mane of hair spilling down to his shoulders and a buff physique belying his age, launched his business in 1968. He has steered clear of the Bahamas property since he was sentenced last year to 90 days in jail and more than $198,500 in fines for alleged environmental violations at Nygard Cay. In 1987, Nygard designed and built the luxurious property that, according to the lawsuit, was turned into a den of torture where underage girls were routinely assaulted. In this photo taken on Feb. 6, 2020, people wearing face masks walk in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Kim Won-Jin/AFP via Getty Images) US Prepared to Help North Korea Combat New Coronavirus The United States said its ready to assist North Korea in preventing the new coronavirus from entering the country and containing the virus if it does. The United States is deeply concerned about the vulnerability of the North Korean people to a coronavirus outbreak, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. American officials strongly support and encourage the work of U.S. and international aid and health organizations to counter and contain the spread of coronavirus in North Korea, she added. The United States is ready and prepared to expeditiously facilitate the approval of assistance from these organizations. The new virus, officially known as COVID-19, emerged in China in December 2019. The Chinese Communist Party has reported over 1,300 deaths and hundreds of thousands of infections, though the true numbers of both are widely believed to be higher. A medical worker works at the intensive care unit of Jinyintan hospital in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, in Hubei Province, China on Feb. 13, 2020. (China Daily via Reuters) The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said earlier this week that a sanctions exemption allowing a bank transfer to its office in North Korea was essential as a life-saving intervention. It said there was an urgent need for personal protective gear and testing kits to prepare for a possible outbreak in North Korea, which borders China, where the virus was first identified. The relief group has 500 volunteers in North Korea working in four provinces close to the Chinese border. International sanctions bar a wide range of business, trade, and other interactions with North Korea. The sanctions were imposed over the countrys nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, which were developed in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions. The United States has led international efforts to push North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons but has failed to persuade North Korean officials to return to the negotiating table after they walked away from talks in Stockholm in October. Workers of Songyo Knitwear Factory in Pyongyang produce masks for protection against the new coronavirus.. (Kim Won-Jin/AFP via Getty Images) No coronavirus cases have been confirmed in North Korea. Some South Korean media outlets have reported deaths potentially related to the virus, citing unnamed sources, but those reports havent been confirmed. Every country that borders North Korea has confirmed cases of the virus. The North Korean authorities have told FAO that there are no cases of the new coronavirus, but we are suspicious of such claims, Bir Mandal of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) told Korea Biomed. And Harry Kazianis, director of Korean studies at the Center for National Interest, told Fox News that there is no way that North Korea is not being impacted by the coronavirus. They are clearly lying as they dont want to show any weakness or that there is any threat to the regime, Kazianis told the outlet. Considering how there are many porous sections of the North Korea-China borderand how the Kim regime depends on illegal trade to surviveit is clear the virus has come to North Korea. North Korean health ministry official Song In Bom told state media last week that there were not any confirmed coronavirus cases in the country but that officials were preparing for the outbreak infecting patients domestically. Just because there is no case of the new coronavirus in our country, we should not be too relieved, but have civil awareness and work together for prevention, he said. Reuters contributed to this report. New Delhi, Feb 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Sunday to flag off Mahakaal Express linking three 'Jyotirling' pilgrim centres and launch several development projects there, the Prime Minister's Office said on Friday. On his one-day visit to Varanasi, the Prime Minister will flag off the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation's (IRCTC) Mahakaal Express through video link. The train will connect three 'jyotirling' pilgrim centres -- Varanasi, Ujjain and Omkareshwar. This would be the first overnight journey by a private train in the country. Modi's visit to Varanasi came at a time when Delhi Chief Minister-elect Arvind Kejriwal has invited him to his swearing-in in capital's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday. Kejriwal will take oath as Delhi Chief Minister for the third consecutive time, along with his cabinet at 10 a.m. as his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) bagged 62 of 70 seats in the recently concluded Delhi Assembly elections. In his visit to Varanasi, Modi is also scheduled to participate in the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Jagadguru Vishwaradhya Gurukul and also be releasing the translated version of the Siddhant Shikhamani Granth in 19 languages and its mobile app. Modi will also dedicate to the nation the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Memorial Centre. About 30 Odisha craftsmen and artists worked on the project over the last year. At the event the Prime Minister will unveil the 63-ft Pancha Loha Statue of Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya -- the largest statue of the leader in the country. Over 200 artisans have worked round-the-clock for the last one year to complete the statue. At a public function, Modi will dedicate to the nation over 30 projects that include a 430-bed super speciality government hospital at Kashi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya (BHU) and a 74-bed psychiatry hospital at BHU. Modi will inaugurate 'Kashi Ek Roop Anek' -- a two-day event at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Hastakala Sankul. It will showcase products from all over Uttar Pradesh. The the Prime Minister will interact with buyers and artisans coming from different countries of the world. Good morning, overachievers! NASA is hiring a new class of astronauts in preparation for a moon landing in the next few years. Here's what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door. (You can also get "5 Things You Need to Know Today" delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.) 1. Coronavirus Any hopes that the Wuhan coronavirus was slowing down have been dashed after 242 deaths and 14,000 more cases of the virus were reported yesterday. The spike is partly due to the fact that doctors are now diagnosing patients based on their symptoms and not just the results of a test. However, the World Health Organization says it's common during an outbreak to adapt the definition of a case. A vast majority of cases have been confined to mainland China, but the WHO cautioned that, at this stage, the virus would "create havoc" if it reached a country with inadequate medical infrastructure. Several major events in China have been shuttered over virus fears, including Shanghai's Fashion Week and the Hong Kong and Singapore legs of the World Rugby Sevens Series. The Tokyo Olympics, however, are still on track for this summer. 2. Department of Justice The fallout from the Roger Stone sentencing controversy, coupled with general post-impeachment uneasiness, is boosting tensions at the Department of Justice. Attorney General William Barr is under scrutiny from DOJ colleagues and Democratic opponents for his role in requesting a lighter sentence for Stone, Trump's former associate, after the President complained. Barr has played a role in other high-profile cases of interest to Trump and regularly faces allegations of political tampering within the DOJ. The Stone incident just adds to those claims. Democrats want to investigate Barr's conduct, but Republicans say they see no reason to. However, Barr has agreed to testify before the House Judiciary Committee next month and will likely have to answer questions about the Stone sentencing and other controversies. 3. Election 2020 Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price has resigned following last week's Iowa caucus debacle. Price and other Democratic officials agreed there was no way he could continue being the head of the state's party after a glitch delayed caucus results by days. The Iowa Democratic Party will soon begin a partial recanvass of voting precincts flagged as having potentially inaccurate results. If there are no major discrepancies, the party will declare Pete Buttigieg the winner, followed closely by Bernie Sanders. Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Michael Bloomberg, who was not on the ballot in Iowa or New Hampshire, is facing backlash for a 2015 video in which he uses racially charged language to praise New York City's controversial stop-and-frisk policy. Bloomberg said the comments do not reflect his thinking now or how he led as mayor. 4. Israel Israeli leaders are furious after the United Nations published a database of more than 100 companies it says are doing business in Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. That kind of business activity is a no-go since the settlements are considered illegal, having been built on land captured from Jordan by Israel in the 1960s. (Israel and the US dispute these definitions.) Most of the 112 businesses listed are Israeli, but others include Motorola Solutions, General Mills, Trip Advisor and Airbnb. Israel's foreign minister said the list, which was commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council, is discriminatory against Israel. Palestinian leaders and others say it holds Israel and other nations accountable for actions in the highly contested area. 5. Deepwater Horizon The catastrophic Deepwater Horizon oil spill that ravaged the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 was actually about 30% bigger than originally thought, according to a new study. Researchers say layers of "invisible and toxic oil" that weren't detectable by satellites made the spill much worse than it appeared. This oil was discovered using computer simulations, and the results suggest that satellites and other observation equipment now in use may not be enough to properly determine the magnitude of oil spills. The 2010 spill began after a deadly explosion on a BP-contracted Transocean Ltd. Deepwater Horizon rig and is considered one of the worst environmental disasters in US history. BREAKFAST BROWSE Astronaut Christina Koch shares her life advice: 'Do what scares you' Well, she nailed it, because going into space is pretty scary. Biggest turtle that ever lived had a 10-foot shell and horns If we're supposed to "do what scares us," the world's about to get a whole new wave of herpetologists. Homeowners wanted the Tate Modern art museum's viewing platform closed because people could see into their windows High-end real estate squabble aside, this is the angriest pair of buildings we've ever seen. Mushrooms are the new trendy produce item Try using that line on your picky eater. KFC and Crocs have created a clog printed with fried chicken, with a charm that smells like fried chicken So, are we trying to usher in the apocalypse? TODAY'S QUOTE "Black diamond, it's the toughest of the stones, of the diamonds, to cut. It's hard to hurt, to destroy. In my recent years, I've come to realize that I'm incredibly strong." Janet Jackson, explaining the inspiration for her newly announced "Black Diamond" album and world tour TODAY'S NUMBER 116 The size, in square miles, of the iceberg that just broke off Pine Island Glacier on the edge of Antarctica. That's roughly the same area as the city of Atlanta or the entire country of Malta. TODAY'S WEATHER AND FINALLY Faster than the speed of sound Want to see (and hear) an incredible example of a shock wave? Don't blink. (Click here to view.) A 15th case of the coronavirus in the United States was confirmed Thursday, as authorities reported a second death outside of China due to the outbreak. The U.S. patient was diagnosed in Texas with the illness, recently named COVID-19, marking the first reported case of the virus in that state. The person is among a group of people under a federal quarantine order at the JBSA-Lackland, an Air Force base in Bexar County, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The patient returned to the country on Feb. 7 on a State Department-chartered flight. The individual remains isolated and is receiving medical care at a nearby hospital, the CDC said in a statement. There will likely be additional cases in the coming days and weeks, including among other people recently returned from Wuhan, the CDCs website says. While 195 people were discharged from quarantine on Tuesday, more than 600 people who returned on chartered flights from Wuhan remain under federal quarantine and are being closely monitored to contain the spread of the virus. Other cases of the coronavirus in the U.S. were reported in Arizona, California, Illinois, Washington state, Wisconsin and Massachusetts, where a UMass Boston was diagnosed with the respiratory infection late last month. The student, a man in his 20s, remains isolated in his off-campus housing and is being monitored by public health nurses, according to officials. Though the risk of the disease remains low for the general American public, the threat internationally is high, the CDC said. Nearly 47,000 cases have been confirmed globally, more than 46,000 of which were reported in China. The coronavirus has also killed 1,368 people. As of Thursday, more than 250 new deaths were reported within 24 hours, according to the World Health Organizations most recent situation report. Only two patients have died from the infection outside of China, according to WHO. Those deaths were reported in the Philippines and Japan. The death toll from the coronavirus has well passed the roughly 775 people who died from the SARS epidemic of the early 2000s. A little bit more than 8,000 people contracted the virus at the time. The outbreak of COVID-19 started in the Chinese city of Wuhan in early December. Dr. Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist in the city, raised concerns about the viral illness early on, but he was reportedly forced by Chinas government to retract his warnings and say he had spread illegal rumors. Wenliang later died from the coronavirus but became a voice of public criticism of the countrys handling of the outbreak before his death. A resolution was introduced into the U.S. Senate earlier this week to honor the doctor and call for greater transparency from China in its handling of the spread of COVID-19. China reported Thursday an additional 13,332 clinically confirmed coronavirus cases in the Hubei province, where Wuhan is located, according to WHO. Most of the cases date back days and weeks but were retrospectively reported, the organization said. So this increase that youve all seen in the last 24 hours is largely down to a change in how cases are being diagnosed and reported, Dr. Michael Ryan, executive director of WHOs health emergencies program, said Thursday. No vaccine exists for the coronavirus currently, but public health officials urged the public to take precautionary measures similar to those taken during flu season, including washing ones hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home if one is sick. Related Content: A High Court judgment exempting Aboriginal non-citizens from deportation on character grounds has underscored the need for an enshrined Indigenous Voice to Parliament, constitutional law expert Shireen Morris says. In a 4-3 split decision, the court found on Tuesday that Indigenous Australians were not considered "aliens" under the Constitution and therefore could not be deported, even if they were born overseas and did not hold Australian citizenship. Brendan Thoms, pictured with mother Jenny, is one of two Aboriginal men who have been fighting deportation. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said the ruling had created "another class of people", while conservative commentators have argued that constitutional reform, through a preamble or a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament, could lead to further division based on race. Dr Morris, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Melbourne Law School, said an enshrined Voice would provide clarity on such issues. Area residents impacted by the high water levels of 2019 are being urged to prepare for similar or higher levels again this year. The most recent six-month forecast shows Great Lakes water levels continuing to be well above average and near record-high levels. Communities along Anchor Bay could experience substantial flooding as a result. The trend is expected to continue into the spring and summer, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District. It is likely that water levels on lakes Michigan and Huron will set new monthly mean record high levels over the next six months, said John Allis, chief of the Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office, Detroit District. This sets the stage for coastal impacts and damages in 2020 similar to, or worse than, what was experienced last year. In January, Lake St. Clair tied its record high level set in January 1986. To prepare for flooding, the city of New Baltimore and Chesterfield Township have each purchased their own sandbagging machine that can fill more than 1,000 sandbags per hour. Because of the high water levels and theyre increasingly coming up were very concerned, Chesterfield Township Department of Public Works Superintendent Don Coddington said at the board of trustees Jan. 28 meeting. Were going to be having more emergency management meetings coming up soon, but we feel this is the right thing to do to help us be able to manufacture sandbags fast. Both communities have purchased a refurbished Sandbagger Model II with a motorized auger from Indiana-based Midwest Sandbags. The automated sandbag-filling system fills four sandbags simultaneously. It requires four people to fill the sandbags and one person to keep the hopper full. Chesterfield Township officials also discussed bringing in volunteers to help out with the sandbagging efforts to keep labor costs down. I do believe thats very possible, absolutely, Coddington said. Its a pretty simple machine to run, pretty safe even pulling the bags out and tying them and keeping the process going can save a ton of time. New Baltimore officials also discussed recruiting volunteers to lend a hand. If we got a lot of volunteers, we could make a lot of sandbags and stockpile them so that residents could just come and get them, Mayor John Dupray said. The New Baltimore City Council voted to purchase the sandbagging machine at a cost of $4,500 at its Jan. 27 meeting. Chesterfield Township Board members approved the purchase at a cost of $5,550 at their Jan. 28 meeting. Last year, we provided approximately 35,000 sandbags, most of which were filled by the public, Chesterfield Township Supervisor Dan Acciavatti said. This year, I anticipate a similar-type situation; however, this sandbagger automated machine is going to help assist that. Were also looking at pre-setting up resources for pumps and hoses and for maybe vendors to be able to privately contract with private property owners to install sandbags or dykes or any other kind of marine-related infrastructure that will help them protect their property. The primary responsibility for protecting homes and property from flood damage rests with the individual, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We cannot as a government perform work on private property; however, we can assist homeowners in any way possible to deal with this high water thats going to be coming, Acciavatti said at the recent meeting. Significant erosion also continues in many locations as water levels remain high. Strong storm systems and resulting large waves have led to substantial erosion along much of the Great Lakes coastline, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Several natural factors contribute to the record high lake levels. Persistent wet conditions across the Great Lakes basin continue to drive high water levels. Warm temperatures in January also led to greater runoff and reduced evaporation across much of the Great Lakes basin. Chesterfield Township will host a town hall meeting focused on lake levels at 6 p.m. March 4 at the municipal offices on Sugarbush Road. The meeting is being conducted in partnership with Macomb County Emergency Management and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Detroit District monitors and forecasts Great Lakes water levels and provides the data online at lre.usace.army.mil. Katelyn Larese is a Local News Editor at The Voice. She can be contacted at 586-273-6196 or klarese@medianewsgroup.com. Justin Bieber released his new album Changes on Valentine's Day midnight. This is the first album he released since he went on a hiatus in November 2015 after the Purpose tour. The record was led by Yummy, and Get Me, featuring Kehlani, which were released in January 2020. The two songs were followed by Yummy (Summer Walker Remix), and Intentions, also featuring Quavo. Other contributors to the album include Post Malone, Travis Scott, and Lil Dicky. Since the last album, Justin has been through another public break up with Selena Gomez, contracted Lyme Disease and also got married to love and former girlfriend Hailey Baldwin. While announcing the album on social media Justin also revealed the tickets will go on sale. Bieber recently performed Yummy and Intentions on Saturday Night Live and is set to kicks off his Changes tour in May 2020 across the US and Canada. Justin Bieber Uploads First Tik Tok Video! Fans Hail Bop Release 'Yummy' Batman: Robert Pattinson Rocks Batsuit As Dark Knight In First Look A Kyiv court has refused to mitigate pretrial restrictions for two suspects in the high-profile 2016 killing of journalist Pavel Sheremet in the Ukrainian capital. The Kyiv Court of Appeals on February 14 remanded Yulia Kuzmenko, a pediatric surgeon, in pretrial detention and left curfew restrictions for military paramedic Yana Duhar. Kuzmenko, Duhar, and Andriy Antonenko, who is being held in pretrial detention as well, were arrested in December as suspects in the case. Vladyslav and Inna Hryshchenko, a married couple suspected in another unrelated case, were declared persons of interest in the Sheremet case. All five took part in military operations in different capacities in Ukraine's east, where government forces are fighting against Russia-backed separatists. The Interior Ministry and the National Police said in December that the group's goal was "to destabilize the political and social situation in Ukraine" by killing Sheremet. Sheremet, a Belarusian-born Russian citizen who had made Kyiv his permanent home, was leaving his apartment to head to the studio where he hosted a morning radio program when an improvised explosive device planted under the vehicle he was driving exploded on July 20, 2016, killing him instantly. Sheremet's killing underscored concerns over a climate of impunity for attacks on journalists and others who challenge the authorities, while the government has faced persistent criticism over a perceived lack of progress in solving the case. Last month, Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Ruslan Ryaboshapka said additional evidence was needed for the Sheremet's murder case to go to trial. Sheremet's mother, Lyudmila Sheremet, told RFE/RL in December that she does not know if the suspects are guilty or not, but that she is afraid "innocent people may be hurt" as officials try to show they're making headway in the case. With reporting by UNIAN and Ukrayinska Pravda Kanpur: Six persons were injured and a house was set ablaze in a clash between members of the Dalit and upper caste communities in Uttar Pradesh`s Kanpur Dehat district. The incident took place on Thursday in Mangta village and the police have arrested six persons in this connection. According to reports, the communities allegedly clashed during the `Bhim Shobha Yatra` which was being taken out after the culmination of `Bhim Katha` organized by members of Dalit community in Gautam Buddha park in the village outskirts on February 8. "After the culmination of `Bhim Katha`, members of Dalit community took out `Bhim Shobha Yatra` in the village on Thursday. Both the communities entered into an altercation after a minor youth allegedly hit the poster of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar with a stick. Both the groups also started pelting stones at each other injuring around six persons," said a police official. Additional forces from nearby police stations and PAC was rushed to the village to control the situation. The injured have been admitted to the district hospital in Akbarpur. SP Kanpur Dehat, Anurag Vatsa, said that adequate force has been deployed and strict action will be initiated against those responsible for the incident. New Delhi : Paediatrician Dr Kafeel Khan, who was arrested for allegedly delivering an inflammatory speech during a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act, has been charged under the stringent National Security Act or NSA. Ashutosh Dwivedi, Superintendent of Police (Crime), said that Aligarh district magistrate has imposed NSA against Khan. Dr Khan was arrested last month from the Mumbai airport for his speech at Aligarh Muslim University in December last year on CAA. A case had been registered against him for promoting enmity between different religions for that speech. "We got to know on Friday morning that NSA has been slapped on Kafeel and now he will not be coming out of jail soon. This is simply unacceptable. He is being targeted at the behest of the state government," said his brother Adeel Khan. Dr Khan was granted bail on Monday after furnishing a bail bond of Rs 60,000, but he has not been released from Mathura jail where he is presently lodged. Khan's family had approached the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Aligarh over the delay in his release despite getting bail.After his arrest in Mumbai, Khan was brought to Aligarh, from where he was immediately shifted to the district jail in neighbouring Mathura. Dr Khan hit the headlines after the death of 60 children in a Gorakhpur hospital in September 2017 allegedly due to disruption in oxygen supply over unpaid bills to the vendor. He was suspended and spent more than seven months in jail before being released in April 2018. Royal dreams do come true! On Thursday, 7-year-old Emilia traveled over 400 miles to meet Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Through the charity organization Min Stora Dag, Emilia, who has a type of brain tumor called ependymoma, was finally able to fulfill her wish of meeting Princess Victoria. The princess, 42, welcomed Emilia to Princess Sibyllas floor in the palace for tea and biscuits before rounding out the hour visit with surprising the horse-loving Emilia with a ride through Stockholm with a horse carriage from the Kings court stall. RELATED: See Princess Estelle of Swedens Adorable Back-to-School Portrait Taken by Mom Princess Victoria! Sara Friberg Kungl. Hovstaterna Yesterday, the Royal Palace received a special visitor: 7-year-old Emilia from Trelleborg had traveled to Stockholm to meet, together with her parents and sister Maja, the Crown Princess, the Instagram caption said in Swedish. The royal also had the opportunity to meet Emilias parents and sister Maja. RELATED: Royal Sisters-in-Law Go Hiking! See Princess Victoria and Princess Sofia of Sweden in the Wild Princess Victoria meets Emilia and her family at the Royal Palace | Sara Friberg Kungl. Hovstaterna Princess Victoria and Emilia | Sara Friberg Kungl. Hovstaterna Crown Princess Victoria welcomes Emilia | Sara Friberg Kungl. Hovstaterna Emilia and Maja were sure to look their best for the princess, wearing the same style dress in purple and light teal and similar silver mary-jane pumps. Emilia's carriage ride | Sara Friberg Kungl. Hovstaterna Cant get enough of PEOPLEs Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Min Stora Dag, which in Swedish means My Special Day, helps provide nearly 5,000 children and adolescents with critical illnesses and diseases a special day which gives extra strength and happiness in a tough everyday life, according to their website. CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that it will hold its 2020 Annual Shareowners Meeting at 10:30 a.m. on April 27, 2020, at the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, 303 S. Church Street, Charlotte, North Carolina. Shareowners of record at the close of business on Friday, February 28, 2020, will be entitled to vote at the meeting. Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom. Contacts: Media Investor Relations Nina Krauss Mark Bendza (704) 627-6035 (704) 627-6200 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Honeywell Related Links http://www.honeywell.com It's back to work for Wuxi's Employees WuXi Biologics is closely monitoring the coronavirus outbreak. The firm said its management team is working vigilantly to execute Business Continuity Plan to mitigate any potential risk. All three operating sites in China, namely Wuxi, Shanghai and Suzhou, has resumed operations after the Chinese New Year break. "Overall, approximately 6% of our staff have traveled to Wuhan, transited through Wuhan or had contact with people coming from Wuhan. No employee has been diagnosed with the infection. We are closely monitoring the health of every employee and have implemented strict back-to-work procedures to protect our employees. Approximately 85% of staff are already back to the cities in which they work. We have sufficient number of staff to resume operations, " the firm said. "We do not operate in Wuhan and do not have major suppliers from Wuhan. Supplies for labs and manufacturing are not likely affected. In addition, shipment of samples and materials, import and export, and custom clearance are business as usual," the firm futher added. In addition, WuXi Biologics is also working vigilantly to ensure the quality of the products they are manufacturing is not affected by this outbreak. The firm said it has a strong GMP quality system and a robust global supply chain and does not expect to see any negative impact of this outbreak on our GMP operations. Overseas clients who plan to travel to China are recommended to conduct meetings via videoconferences or teleconferences. WuXi Biologics has already mobilized a large team of more than 240 scientists and is working closely with global organizations to develop and manufacture multiple neutralizing antibodies to potentially treat the virus infection. In-vitro efficacy of these antibodies will be available next month. "This situation, which continues to evolve daily, reminds us that we must continue to do the right things for patients. We do not expect to see meaningful negative impact on our business operations in China," the firm said. The New Hampshire primary and Iowa Caucus are (mostly) out of the way, and while Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders seems to be in command of the national race, Democrats in Alabama are still talking about Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden. Despite their disappointing finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire, those two candidates are still receiving more attention on social media among active Alabama users, according to researchers at Samfords Brock School of Business. And new polling in Alabama shows Biden outperforming Warren or Sanders in a general election against President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, former South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg leads in fundraising in Alabama, and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is blanketing the airwaves and just scored a key endorsement. So who is leading the race in Alabama? Alabama is one of 14 states that will have a primary on March 3rd, dubbed Super Tuesday. One week earlier, South Carolina voters will head to the polls for their primary. It will be pivotal in determining the viability of several candidates, including Biden, who performed poorly in Iowa and New Hampshire, but is polling well in much of the South, leading in a recent poll in North Carolina and just behind Bloomberg in Arkansas. Even with this new polling, its difficult to tell who the favorite is here. But with help from a powerful tool that analyzes how people behave on social media, we can at least get a piece of the puzzle. Business analytics students and faculty in the Brock School of Business at Samford University leveraged this tool, called the Affinio platform, to help give an idea of how each candidate resonates with the states most hardcore Democrats. Darin White, chair of the entrepreneurship, management, and marketing department in the Brock School of Business, and his class identified just over 3,100 self-identified Alabama Democrats. The sample size is rather small, and includes what White described as the most hardcore Democrats in the state. Among this specific group, Warren is the candidate with the highest Global Relevance Score - a metric that shows how much more relevant an account or interest is within a certain group than it is for the entire population of Twitter users. Warrens Global Relevance for these Alabama Democrats was 71.9 out of 100. For reference, Alabama Sen. Doug Jones Global Relevance score was 87.9. Trailing Warren was Biden, with a score of 61.6. Thats actually lower than former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, but just ahead of former President Barack Obama. Sanders was third in Alabama, with a score of 51.0, followed by Buttigieg at 36.8. Elizabeth Warren is highly relevant among hardcore Alabama Democrats. | Graphic by Ramsey Archibald Of course, these scores only show the relevance of these candidates among a very particular subset of the Alabama population. Twitter accounts dont vote, people do. But this score is something White uses frequently at Samford, for major corporations such as Coke and Nike, as well as in his classes. Ive found it to be really, really accurate, he said. It behaves exactly as you expect it to behave. Just because Warren has a high score, doesnt mean shell win in Alabama - or even necessarily that shell do better than predicted. But it does mean that, especially among this group, she has a direct impact on their social media lives. But theres a lot more that goes into the race than social media. The Alabama Democratic Conference recently backed Bloomberg, who was tied for seventh in Relevance Score, at just 8.1. The ADC is the Alabama Democratic Partys largest black caucus, and will be influential in Alabamas primary. Bloomberg has also been advertising heavily in Alabama. Meanwhile, Biden has endorsements from many of the states most prominent Democrats, including Sen. Doug Jones, Rep. Terri Sewell and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, and continues to poll well here. Fundraising Campaign finance data from the Federal Election Commission paints a separate picture of the Alabama race. Bloomberg doesnt show up here because hes financing his own campaign and not taking donations, but a surprising leader has emerged in terms of individual contributions. Buttigieg raised $224,000 in Alabama in 2019, according to FEC data - the most in the state. He raised that money on 2,247 individual contributions. Biden, with 1,510 contributions and $190,000 raised, is in second, followed by Sanders with $154,000. Sanders money has come from lots of smaller contributions - he has by far the most individual donations, with 5,601. Warren, who led in Relevance Score, is fourth in fundraising, having raised $95,000 on 1,669 contributions. Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg has raised the most money of any Democratic presidential candidate in Alabama | Graphic by Ramsey Archibald The Affinio tool utilized by Whites class is an augmented analytics platform that surfaces deep consumer insights within social media data sets, according to a report issued by Whites class. White and his students used Affinio to identify more than 3,000 self-identified Democrats on Twitter, and analyzed their online behavior - accounts they follow, keywords they use, and more - to determine how the batch of Democratic candidates resonates with them. The Global Relevance Score given by the tool can reveal some things that you cant get from polling, White said. This is peoples actual behavior - what theyre actually doing on social, he said. So many people will say what they think they should say in polling or market research. Do you have an idea for a data story about Alabama? Email Ramsey Archibald at rarchibald@al.com, and follow him on Twitter @RamseyArchibald. Read more Alabama data stories here. 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. PHILADELPHIAAge removes the pliability from our joints and the tautness from our skin, but it leaves something precious in its place: experience and wisdom. Jim Barnes is a bank manager who has the valuable experience to be able to compare todays society with days gone by. The stories he saw in Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia gave him hope that more people may think about morals in a way they dont seem to anymore, which he feels would be a great thing. The costumes, they were so fluid. When you get older and you cant move like that, you appreciate young people, Barnes said about Shen Yuns classical Chinese dancers when he attended the performance on Feb. 13, 2020. New York-based Shen Yun is on a mission to revive Chinas 5,000 years of traditional culture and share it with the world. As it turns out, true Chinese culture has an indispensable aspect to it without which, it would not be authentic Chinese cultureits spirituality and moral compass. Shen Yun continues the millennia-old tradition of handing down legends about heavenly beings, about the Creator who will one day return to earth, and stories of those who walk a spiritual path such as Buddhists, Daoists, and Falun Dafa practitioners. Themes like loyalty, compassion, standing up to evil, and courage run through the roughly 20 short vignettes in a Shen Yun performance. Its a, its kind of uplifting, isnt it? Barnes said. Its nice to know that theres some moral and some things that go above what a lot of people think about. I think theres more to the show than just dance and young peopletheres a message to be had. The message I would get is there is hope, he continued, and there are moral things that maybe a lot of people dont understand anymore, and maybe thats something we can get from the show. Unique Sounds in Shen Yun Barnes went on to say that he certainly did find hope all throughout Shen Yun, as well as a positive overall message and energy from the songs lyrics and the dances. But thats not all. Love the music, Barnes said, Im a musician by trade as well so I was trained in music The [Shen Yun] orchestras awesome. They do a great jobgreat job. Barnes plays piano and organ. He appreciated the unique instrumentation in Shen Yuns live orchestra and heard instruments he said he may not have heard before. Shen Yuns music is unique in the classical music world for the way it combines Western orchestration with select Chinese melodies and instruments, forming a sound thats at once familiar to music fans around the world yet distinct and delightful. Yes, Western and Chinese as far as musicians, yes its great, Barnes said. Musics great. Its nice to hear the sounds of the instruments, too. Sounds like almost like string instruments that Im not familiar with. But, yes, its really nice. According to the Shen Yuns website, The erhu, one of the unique string instruments Barnes heard thats featured in the performance, is incredibly expressive, capable of imitating sounds from chirping birds to neighing horses. An alto instrument with a middle-high musical range, its melodies can be tender or sonorous. In its lowest and middle range, the erhu is especially stirring and somber, a quality eminently suitable for conveying the grand pageant of Chinas history and the emotions of its people. The Truth About China Even though it is a quintessentially Chinese experience, Shen Yun is not allowed to perform in China today due to a campaign by the Chinese Communist Party to destroy Chinas traditional culture and spirituality. This effort includes brutal persecution of spiritual believers and has been going on since the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s. Shen Yun depicts scenes from present-day China in which Falun Dafa practitioners, a group thats been especially severely persecuted since 1999, face the violence with faith and inner perseverance. Shen Yuns artists themselves practice Falun Dafa, an ancient meditation way that teaches truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance along with energy-strengthening exercises. Barnes commented on the stories that depict persecution in Shen Yun. It seems to be that there is some thinking behind the entire Shen Yun movement, and Im not familiar with a lot of the philosophy behind it, but its quite obvious that the [Chinese] communist government doesnt want that to be brought forth. And it sounds like to me that the folks that feel that way very possibly may not be what the Communist government wants in terms of controlling the people. And you can have free thought and you can have hope, and maybe thats part of what that all comes about, he commented. Barnes says he would certainly recommend that more people see Shen Yun. His life experience came to bear again when his recommendation included a word about how he as an American has never watched something like Shen Yun before. I would say that if you have a chance to see the show, its awesome to do that, he said, because theres a chance to see some things that we within the United States havent seen before. And its uplifting and it certainly is something to enjoy. With reporting by 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. Apples Pro Display XDR has been widely praised for its color accuracy and for delivering performance that could rival professional monitors at one-fifth of their price. Apple even says that it designed the Pro Display XDR for professionals. The $4,999 display was recently put through its paces by Vincent Teoh who compared it to a Sony BVM-HX310 reference monitor with a price tag of $40,000+. In his in-depth comparison, Teoh first tests the various aspects of the Pro Display XDR. He notices issues with contrast and color accuracy at high brightness levels and also calls out the screen uniformity issue around the edges, the latter of which has been highlighted in other reviews as well. Due to these issues, Teoh says the Pro Display XDR is ideal for use as a content consumption monitor in reference mode rather than a content creation one. The host of HDTVTest then proceeds to compare the Pro Display XDR to the reference Sony monitor. Apple even mentioned this Sony monitor when it announced the Pro Display XDR at WWDC 2019. Side-by-side, the difference in quality between the Pro Display XDR and the Sony HX310 is pretty stark especially while watching darker scenes. It performed better on brighter scenes with better skin tones. In HDR mode, the Pro Display XDR again struggled in dark scenes and its contrast levels dropped down to IPS level monitors. It did perform better in brighter scenes but overall, the performance of the Pro Display XDR is not good enough for any professional to ditch their expensive reference monitor. Teoh even goes out to say that Apples marketing team may have been a bit overzealous in calling the Pro Display XDR the Worlds best pro display. The monitor has a number of shortcomings especially in dark scenes like grayer blacks and blooming artifacts. The reviewer, in the end, says that the Pro Display XDR is just another IPS display with 576 local dimming zones which carries the Apple logo and a hefty $4,999 price tag. He does note that it is not exactly fair to compare the Pro Display XDR to reference monitors which cost tens of thousands of dollars. However, it was Apple itself which compared the monitor to reference monitor during its launch. The Pro Display XDR is ideal for YouTube content creators, but for professional colorists, the monitor is a no-go. Do make sure to check out the entire review of Teoh if you plan on buying the Pro Display XDR for any kind of professional work. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Markets regulator Sebi has sought an explanation from erstwhile managing director and CEO, and chairman of CARE Ratings for their interference in the rating process of entities including DHFL, IL&FS and Yes Bank, sources said. In a letter on February 12, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has also asked why the officials should not be debarred from associating as key managerial person or director of any registered intermediary and listed company, they added. In addition, the regulator has asked CARE Rating's board to initiate action against the officials and all the staff members involved in the rating process of the IL&FS debt, the sources said. Incidentally, on the same day, the rating agency announced that S B Mainak resigned as its chairman. The Sebi action comes after the regulator received the forensic audit report on February 11, which was commissioned after a whistleblower complaint. The forensic report, prepared by EY, has scrutinised calls, WhatsApp messages and e-mails, and recorded statements of staff members. The audit reportedly revealed the involvement of former chairman and former MD and CEO Rajesh Mokashi. Mokashi was forced to go on leave in July and after five months, he stepped down from the company in December. Sebi, in December 2019, slapped a penalty of Rs 25 lakh each on ICRA, CARE Ratings Ltd and India Ratings & Research Pvt Ltd and had said the default by IL&FS occurred due to "lethargic indifference and needless procrastination and laxity" of the rating agencies. Now, the regulator is considering to increase penalty on rating agencies in connection with lapses on their parts in assigning credit ratings to non-convertible debentures of IL&FS. Officials believe that the fine imposed by the Sebi on these rating agencies was quite low given the seriousness of the lapses on their part following which fresh notices were sent to them. The crisis at diversified IL&FS, whose board was superseded by the government, came to light in September 2018 and since then, the company as well as related entities have come under the regulatory lens. According to the CRA Regulations, the rating has to be true, fair, appropriate and accurate and the rating agencies need to follow proper rating process. Besides, rating agencies need to have professional rating committees and all rating decisions, including the decisions regarding changes in rating should be taken by this committee. Moreover, the norms mandate credit rating agencies (CRAs) to ensure total separation between the business development and the analytical or ratings vertical and therefore, no management interference permitted in rating process. Since reopening in October, the Museum of Modern Art has won broad praise for its revitalized collection displays that scramble painting, films, performance and photographs. But MoMAs departments continue to collect art and to organize exhibitions independently, and now the museum has designated a new chief curator for photography: Clement Cheroux, of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Mr. Cheroux, 49, has led SFMoMAs Pritzker Center for Photography, the countrys largest dedicated space for the camera arts, since 2017. There, he has organized exhibitions such as Snap+Share, which examined the history of photographic transmission from postcards to social media, and Dont! Photography and the Art of Mistakes, a show covering 100 years of artists use of blurring, lens flares, overexposure and other technical errors. At MoMA he succeeds Quentin Bajac, a fellow Frenchman, who returned to Paris in late 2018 to become director of the Jeu de Paume, Frances national photography museum. (Coincidentally, this is the second time that Mr. Cheroux has taken over from Mr. Bajac in a major curatorial post; each served in turn as chief curator of the photography department of the Centre Georges Pompidou.) I decided to accept the offer because I think theres a great new energy since the reopening, Mr. Cheroux said in an interview on Thursday. I was really impressed with the work that was done by the curators to show photography with painting, with sculpture, with films. Having participated in an interdisciplinary rehang at the Pompidou, he added, I know how hard it is to do that kind of installation, and MoMAs is at a really high standard. Supreme Court has turned down a plea by automobile dealers seeking to alter its earlier order prohibiting sale of BS-IV compliant vehicles from April 1, 2020. Following this, industry body Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) has asked auto dealers to sell remaining stocks of BS-IV vehicles by March 31, 2020. On October 24, 2018, the Supreme Court had ruled that no motor vehicle conforming to the older BS-IV emission norms can be sold or registered in the country from April 1, 2020. On December 18, 2019, FADA had moved the Supreme Court, seeking an extension to the last date for selling BS-IV vehicles. The auto dealers' body had said that unsold BS-IV inventory would lead to financial hardships for the dealers, and "even threaten the existence of their business". The counsel appearing for FADA has sought one month's time to clear pending BS-IV inventory, considering the slowdown in automobile industry. The Supreme Court bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta made it clear that the deadline for BS-IV vehicles will not be extended by even one day. The apex court said that BS-IV vehicles were produced even after its order in the matter one and a half years ago. ALSO READ: Maruti Suzuki launches S-CNG variant of BS6-compliant WagonR at Rs 5.25 lakh "You should not have produced BS-IV vehicles after that. Even after filing this application, you have produced these vehicles," the bench said. "We will not give even one day." Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms are standards instituted by the government to regulate output of air pollutants from motor vehicles. The BS-IV norms have been enforced across the country since April, 2017. The Centre had announced that India would skip the BS-V norms altogether and adopt BS-VI norms by 2020. The Supreme Court had then banned sale of BS-IV vehicles in the country. In its October 2018 order, the top court had said that any extension of time in introducing new emission norms would adversely impact the health of citizens as the pollution has reached an "alarming and critical" level. It had said there cannot be any compromise on the health of citizens which has to take precedence over the "greed" of a few automobile manufacturers who want to stretch the timeline to make a "little more money". ALSO READ: Auto Expo 2020: New Hyundai Creta with BS-VI engine unveiled, launch in March An Allentown man who hid a revolver used in a double-fatal marijuana robbery in the Poconos was an unregistered sex offender at the time, Pennsylvania State Police said. Eric Gulley, 41, was arrested and charged Dec. 8 in connection with the Dec. 4 robbery-gone-wrong that left three people shot, two fatally, in Chestnuthill Township, Monroe County. Matthew Burke, 21, of Stroud Township, is charged with killing Dylan Beinert, 22, and Khalil M. Durante, 22, and seriously wounding Durants father, Walter. Burke is being held without bail while awaiting trial in his case. Following the Dec. 4 shooting, police said Burke texted Gulley about getting rid of the revolver. Imma try and help you get rid of that, but for now, keep me posted. Well talk later, Gulley texted Burke, according to court records. Gulley gave Burke a Liberty Street address in Allentown; at the time Gulley was living in Allentown and working in Bethlehem, troopers said. On Dec. 6, Burke drove to the city and gave Gulley the revolver for the time being, according to state police. Later that night, Burke reportedly texted Gulley a link to a news article about the arrest of Deani Powell, Burkes girlfriend, in connection with the fatal robbery. Prosecutors previously said Gulley is a felon, with convictions on sexual assault, drug and weapons offenses in New York and New Jersey. He cannot legally possess a firearm. In the Monroe County case, Gulley was charged Dec. 8 with prohibited possession of a firearm, tampering with evidence, conspiracy to tamper with evidence and hindering prosecution. He was released on $50,000 unsecured bail, but troopers said they learned Gulley was a sex offender who had not registered with Pennsylvania State Police. A charge of failing to register with state police was filed against Gulley Jan. 30 and a warrant issued for him, troopers said. Gulley was arraigned Wednesday in the case and released on $25,000 unsecured bail, in addition to the $50,000 unsecured from his previous charges, records show. He is due in district court Feb. 28 for his preliminary hearing in the Monroe County case. The most recent arrest in the Monroe County case was last month, when Harrith Brown was caught by U.S. Marshals as he allegedly tried to flee from a home in the 400 block of East 136th Street in the Bronx. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. H ow to deal with Russia remains todays most baffling foreign policy conundrum. Germanys Angela Merkel, who speaks Russian, has kept communications channels open with Vladimir Putin, who speaks German. Boris Johnson at a German-organised summit on Libya in Berlin last month claimed there would be no normalisation of UK-Russia relations until Moscow ceased its destabilising activities. It is not clear if Russian authorities bothered to take any notice of the Prime Minister given his own Brexit destabilising project, but Johnson got his cold war-era headlines in the press in London. Now Frances president Emmanuel Macron is trying his hand. Last August Macron hosted Putin at the French presidents official seaside residence on the Riviera just ahead of the G7 summit, where Macron suggested Putin should be allowed back in to make it the G8. The French president likes to point out that it is odd that Europe and the West had better relations with Leonid Brezhnev than the US or Europe have with current Russian leaders. Brezhnev was a communist dictator who sent tanks to occupy Prague in 1968 to crush any challenge to the Soviet empire, put dissidents into psychiatric prisons and sent arms to any group opposing the West and its allies. Are todays Russian politicians worse than him? Macron told students in Krakow, Poland this month: France is neither pro-Russian nor anti-Russian, it is pro-European, and when I look at a map we see that Russia is in Europe. While Johnson huffs and puffs on Russian leaders, some of the most powerful stakeholders in the British economy are getting deeper into Russia and appear to have some influence in working out a mutual agenda on climate-change policy even if the foreign policy tensions remain. BP is the UKs fifth-biggest firm listed on the London Stock Exchange and worth nearly 1 trillion. Rosneft, the Russian energy firm, has 30.3% in BPs hydrocarbon production while Rosnefts share in BP oil production stood at 41.8%. BP holds 20% of Rosneft shares. Bob Dudley, the former BP CEO, turned round the firms fortunes after the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 and has no doubt that working with the Russian firm makes sense. Over the past years Dudley has repeatedly stated the strategic nature of holding a stake in Rosneft. However, he has been succeeded by Bernard Looney, who was chief executive in the Upstream division. So will Looney maintain the full-on commitment of Dudley at the British energy company, which over many decades has had the most intimate links with Downing Street and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)? Johnson can say what he likes about Putin but as long as BP and Rosneft remain intertwined as they are today then the UK and Russia are fully connected. Speaking about the relationship with Rosneft, Dudley said: To me, it is a great partnership. Its been hard-won and its strategic, I think its got enormous optionality, not only for the shareholding in Rosneft, but also the joint-venture projects weve worked with and are working and producing from with Rosneft. BP also reckons its Rosneft stake is helping draw Russia into the process of greening the global energy industry. Rosnefts total green investment over the past five years has exceeded 240 billion rubles (2.9 billion) with its large-scale programme to reduce the flaring of associated petroleum gas to less than 5%. For critics of any kind of oil or gas energy all this amounts to greenwashing. Yet the respected Carbon Disclosure Project, run by an independent non-governmental organisation which produces reports on how global capitalism is handling climate change, has assigned Rosneft a B rating, the highest among the participating Russian oil and gas companies. The rating is two levels higher than the average of participating European companies. A major project on APG reduction has been one of Rosnefts most important initiatives over recent years. According to Bloomberg, Rosneft is already ahead of BP in terms of combating greenhouse gas emissions and holds second place in the league table in the global oil and gas sector. In 2019, Rosneft signed up to another global green initiative, the Methane Guiding Principles, which so far only the biggest world energy firms are backing as getting national governments and middle-rank energy firms to accept compulsory limits and regulations is slow work. The focus on Russian foreign and military policy outings means there is little coverage or understanding of the extent to which serious economic actors in Russia in alliance with firms like BP are working on solving some of the worlds most intractable problems. Haiti - News : Zapping... FLASH : 14 children burned alive in the fire of an Orphanage Thursday evening, 14 children died burned alive in the fire of the orphanage of the Church Comprehension of the Bible in Fermathe 55. According to Arielle J. Villedroin, Director General of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research (IBESR), which deplores this terrible tragedy, this orphanage had no authorization to operate. Recall that out of the 754 orphanages in Haiti only 35 have an authorization to function https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-28008-icihaiti-social-only-38-of-orphanages-meet-government-standards.html . Raymonde Antoine Jean, Justice of the Peace of Kenscoff, said that according to the first available information, everything suggests that the fire in the orphanage was of accidental origin. CIMO foils a kidnapping Thursday at the corner of Delmas 19 and Delmas 30, a patrol of the Corps of Intervention and Maintenance of Order (CIMO) arrested two armed individuals as they were preparing to remove from the hands of his mother, a student at the Saint Louis de Gonzague school. 6 members of a Village of DieuGang arrested On Wednesday, 6 armed individuals including a woman (Dorine Jouby, Gabriel Sterlin, Jean Cherisme, Jean Lifaite, Terassaint Wilson and Rosena Belony), suspected of being active armed members, of a Gang operating in the Village of God were arrested by the Haitian National Police (PNH). They are accused, among other things, of assassination, attempted assassination, kidnapping and forcible confinement for ransom and armed robbery. Hundreds of police deployed on the streets Wednesday evening, hundreds of police were deployed in the metropolitan area as part of the new measures taken by the Superior Council of the National Police (CSPN) to curb kidnapping and fight insecurity https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30012-haiti-politic-pm-lapin-announces-measures-to-combat-insecurity.html. Normil Rameau, the Director General of the PNH participated in the patrols at Delmas 48, until dawn. The USA and Taiwan discuss priorities in Haiti American Ambassador to Haiti Michele Sison and Director of the Office of Haitian Affairs in the State Department, Apar Sidhu, met Ambassador Bang-Zyh Liu of Taiwan (Republic of China), to discuss common priorities in Haiti , including economic growth and good governance. Coronavirus COVID-19 Global report February 14 Friday February 14, 2020, the number of people infected worldwide (confirmed aboratory and clinical cases) amounted to 64,447, an increase of 4,100 cases more than the previous day https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30017-haiti-news-zapping.html : 1,384 deaths (+ 1.1%) or 15 more than the day before (1,369), (this low number of deaths is the consequence of the elimination by the Chinese authorities of duplicates in the counting of deaths) and 7,116 people recovered or 994 people (+ 16.2%) more compared to the day before and 5.1 times more healing than death compared to 4.5 times the day before. To date, there have been 585 infected people outside of China, 60 more than the previous day (+ 11.4%). The number of deaths abroad remains unchanged: 2 deaths 1 in the Philippines and 1 in Hong Kong. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30010-haiti-flash-coronavirus-the-number-of-infected-and-deaths-explodes-in-24-hours.html HL / HaitiLibre Proceeds to be used for 2020 exploration programs at Slate Falls, West Madsen, and Bruce Lake Projects VICTORIA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2020 / GoldON Resources Ltd. (TSXV:GLD) ("GoldON" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has increased its non-brokered private placement previously announced February 10, 2020. The offering has been increased from 700,000 flow-through shares to 1,150,000 flow-through shares at a price of $1.00 per share to raise $1,150,000. Completion of this financing is subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance. The Company has agreed to pay a finder's fee of up to 6% cash and 6% agent's warrants on subscription proceeds. Each agent's warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one non-flow-through share of the Company at a price of $1.00 for a period of two years from the closing date. All securities issued pursuant to this offering will have a hold period expiring four months after the closing date. The Company will use the proceeds of the financing to fund its initial 2020 exploration programs. Analytical results are forthcoming from the recent Slate Falls drilling program and the West Madsen soil-gas-hydrocarbon survey. Once those results are received and interpreted, details of the next phase of work at both projects will be provided. About GoldON Resources Ltd. GoldON is an exploration company focused on discovery-stage properties located in the prolific gold mining belts of northwestern Ontario, Canada. Active projects include: the West Madsen property in the Red Lake Gold Camp, an option/JV with Great Bear Resources; the Bruce Lake property that adjoins BTU Metals' Dixie Halo property and their TNT Target; and our flagship Slate Falls project in the Patricia Mining Division, where 18 Au-Ag mineralized zones have been identified over the 13-km breadth of the property. GoldON has 15,708,432 shares issued. For additional information: visit our website at https://goldonresources.com, you can download our latest presentation by clicking here and you can follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GoldONResources. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Signed "Michael Romanik" Michael Romanik, President Direct line: (204) 724-0613 Email: info@goldonresources.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 release. SOURCE: GoldON Resources Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576434/GoldON-Increases-Private-Placement-Financing Donald Trump has admitted sending Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine to dig dirt on a political rival, openly contradicting his own denials on the subject during the impeachment inquiry, just days after being acquitted of all alleged crimes. Mr Giuliani, the presidents personal lawyer, is at the centre of a web of shadowy efforts in Ukraine to persuade officials to investigate the Bidens, questions around which were key to the abuse of power charge on which Mr Trump was impeached by the House. Mr Trump previously insisted he didnt direct Mr Giuliani to do anything in Ukraine, suggesting the attorney was likely there on behalf of other clients. But less than a week after his acquittal the president gave a very different response when asked in a podcast interview: Was it strange to send Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine, your personal lawyer? Are you sorry you did that? Not at all, Mr Trump replied, in a brazen U-turn. Rudy was a great crime fighter, you know that, maybe better than anybody. And Rudy is totally on his game. Speaking to Geraldo Rivera, Mr Trump then claimed he used Mr Giuliani in Ukraine, rather than more official channels such as the FBI because they spied on my campaign in 2016, also detailing his mistrust of former FBI director James Comey. So when you tell me, why did I use Rudy and one of the things about Rudy number one, he was one of the very best prosecutors, and the best mayor, Mr Trump said. But also, other presidents had them they all had lawyers and they do things for them. Its really circumventing but very legally and maybe getting things done faster. The president appears to have been emboldened by his acquittal in the Senate, after a trial that saw his Republican allies increasingly move away from denying he had done anything wrong to merely playing down the severity of his actions in outsourcing attacks on his political rivals to foreign nations. Story continues He has embarked on a campaign of vengeance against those who he views as having wronged him during the impeachment proceedings, and in a move reminiscent of dealings with Ukraine appears to have openly boasted of offering New York governor Andrew Cuomo a deal on a state immigration law in return for dropping investigations into his finances and tax returns. His new admission regarding Mr Giuliani aligns more closely with what he said during his infamous call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, which sparked the impeachment proceedings. Transcripts, released by Mr Trump, showed him telling Mr Zelensky he would like him to speak with Mr Giuliani, while suggesting that he investigate Hunter Biden. I would like him to call you. I will ask him to call you along with the Attorney General, Mr Trump said. Rudy very much knows whats happening and he is a very capable guy. If you could speak to him that would be great. Now he has admitted sending Mr Giuliani to Ukraine, it remains to be seen whether the president will row back on other claims of ignorance. Perhaps most notably, indicted Giuliani associate Lev Parnas a Ukrainian-born businessman claims to have been part of Trump-ordered efforts to oust the US ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, who was seen as an obstacle to any probe into the Bidens. Mr Parnas has claimed Mr Trump knew exactly what was going on. But despite a trove of photographic evidence showing the pair together, Mr Trump strenuously denied knowing Mr Parnas, calling him a con man and saying: I dont know him at all know nothing about him. I can only tell you this thing is a big hoax. By Abdul Kerimkhanov Twenty-eight pass since Azerbaijan set up its first air force unit. Since its establishment in 1992 when Azerbaijan was a war-torn country fighting for its territorial integrity, the Azerbaijani Air Forces have shifted dramatically in the past two decades becoming the strongest in the South Caucasus. Today, Azerbaijan Air Forces include a mixed aviation regiment, a fighter-bomber squadron, and also a fighter, reconnaissance and training air squadron. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces have hundreds of well-trained pilots who are considered to have completed the largest number of flights in the CIS. Azerbaijan has an exchange of experience with the U.S., Turkey, Ukraine and other NATO countries. Turkish Air Force School plays a great role in the training of the military pilots. Azerbaijani pilots are mainly trained at the Higher Military Aviation School of Azerbaijan. Today, the Air Forces and Air Defense Troops possess state-of-the-art airplanes and helicopters and are fully capable of defending the countrys air space. By presidential decree of 14 September 1992, 14 February 1992 was declared the country's Air Force Day. However, the history of Azerbaijans Air Force goes back to 26 June 1918, when the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) bought its first military aircraft. In 1919, the first military aircraft appeared in service with the army of ADR. Soon, the ADR Minister of War ordered the creation of an Aviation Group in the army. During the years of WW2, fighting as part of the USSR Air Force, Azerbaijani pilots contributed to the victory. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Terrorist elements of the Somali jihadist group Al Shabab set fire to dozens of houses during an attack perpetrated in the night from Wednesday to Thursday in Garissa county, bordering on Somalia. The burned houses belonged to reservists of the national police in Garissa county. According to the police, the attackers first kidnapped two people, a man and his son, and used them to identify the reservists homes. Police investigation has revealed that Begum Khatoon alias Megha Verma, a Bangladeshi national, was staying illegally in Indore by making passport with the help of a forged school mark sheet. Bhopal: Three Bangladeshi nationals including two women were on Friday arrested in Indore on charges of forgery and staying in India illegally. The identity was revealed following their detention by police in connection with abduction of one Anil Pal, a staff of a local school in Indore. Three of the four people arrested by police were found to be Bangladeshis who have been staying in India illegally. We have reported the matter to the Centre, deputy inspector general of police, Indore range, Ruchi Vardhan Mishra told reporters. Police investigation has revealed that Begum Khatoon alias Megha Verma, a Bangladeshi national, was staying illegally in Indore by making passport with the help of a forged school mark sheet. She had married one Kishore Khandale, who hailed from Maharashtra, and the couple was living in Indore for the past several years. She made her new Indian passport in the name of Megha Verma. Police also arrested two other Bangladeshis, Roni Sheikh and Lima. Islamabad, Feb 14 : The visiting IMF mission has asked Islamabad "to reduce its trade and commerce reliance on Beijing" and look for other international options by signing free trade agreements (FTA) with other countries too, a media report said on Friday. The development comes as the mission has extended its stay in Pakistan for making more efforts to strike a consensus on the staff-level agreement as both sides so far persisted with their respective differences on "immediate measures" for reducing the revenue-expenditure gap and fixing cash bleeding energy sector, The News International said in the report. Official sources confirmed to The News International on Thursday night that both sides were busy ironing out differences over revenue generation efforts as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) wants a further reduction in its revised target of 5,238 billion Pakistani rupees but the International Monetary Fund (IMF) desires to see the plan aimed at removing distortions and expanding narrowed tax base on a permanent basis. According to senior Finance Ministry sources, the issue of discord between the IMF and financial authorities is the former's insistence to cut down heavily of Pakistan's reliance on trade and commerce ties with China and contract FTAs with other international partners. This is a position Islamabad is not prepared to even consider. Although, the Ministry of Finance and other officials claimed in their background discussions that there was no "deadlock" and the staff-level agreement would be finalized anytime soon. But when they were asked to share details, they were non-committal saying that the talks were underway, so nothing could be stated with credence. The mission arrived in Islamabad on February 2 for an 11-day second review of PakisAtan's performance under the $6 billion bailout package signed in July 2019 amid a massive revenue shortfall in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, Dawn news said in a report last week. The completion of the review against a significantly modified 39-month programme in November 2019 would determine if the government would secure disbursement in March of another tranche of about $450 million direly needed to build market confidence and foreign exchange reserves. Pakistan has so far secured about $1.44 billion through an upfront release of about $991 million last July and the first instalment of about $452 million in December. The review is taking place at a time the government has suffered a revenue shortfall of about $2 billion in the first seven months of the current fiscal against the target of $17 billion. By Eric M. Johnson and David Shepardson SEATTLE/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Boeing Co told the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration it does not believe it needs to separate or move wiring bundles on its grounded 737 MAX jetliner that regulators have warned could short circuit with catastrophic consequences, people familiar with the matter said on Friday. The FAA confirmed Friday it had received a proposal from the planemaker regarding the wiring issue. The FAA will "rigorously evaluate Boeing's proposal to address a recently discovered wiring issue with the 737 MAX. The manufacturer must demonstrate compliance with all certification standards," the agency said in a statement. The U.S. planemaker and FAA first said in early January they were reviewing a wiring issue that could potentially cause a short circuit on the 737 MAX, and under certain circumstances lead to a crash if pilots did not react in time. A Boeing spokesman referred all questions on wiring to the FAA, saying the agency would make the final decision and that the company is answering questions from the FAA. Boeing's 737 MAX was grounded worldwide last March after two crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people within five months. Boeing has spent months updating the stall-prevention software known as MCAS linked to both crashes, but fresh issues have surfaced, complicating regulators' efforts to re-approve the plane. Given intense scrutiny of the 737 MAX, Boeing is sure to face questions about whether the MCAS system makes it harder for pilots to react in the event of a short circuit. There are more than a dozen different locations on the 737 MAX where wiring bundles may be too close together. Most of the locations are under the cockpit in an electrical bay. If the bundles pose a potential hazard, regulations would typically require separating the bundles or adding a physical barrier. Boeing has noted in talks with the FAA that the same wiring bundles are in the 737 NG, which has been in service since 1997 and logged 205 million flight hours without any wiring issues. Story continues New safety rules on wiring were adopted in the aftermath of the 1998 Swiss Air 111 crash. A company official told Reuters last month Boeing had been working on a design that would separate the wiring bundles, if necessary. Moving the bundles could pose further delays to the return of the MAX, however, and Reuters reported Thursday that a key certification test flight was not expected until April or later. Three U.S. airlines this week pushed back the resumption of 737 MAX flights from June until August or later. Boeing has estimated U.S. officials would lift a safety ban on the aircraft around mid-year. It is unclear whether the European Union Aviation Safety Agency will demand the MAX wiring bundles be separated. A spokeswoman for the agency on Thursday said regulators were "waiting for additional information from Boeing." (Reporting by Eric M. Johnson in Seattle and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese and Tom Brown) Toni 'Tones and I' Watson has revealed that she was so popular during her busking days that rival musicians tried to run her out of town. The 26-year-old worked as a busker in Byron Bay before shooting to fame with her global hit Dance Monkey, but her popularity in the coastal town came at a cost. 'Other buskers started getting angry at me,' she told the New York Times this week. Outcast: Toni 'Tones and I' Watson has revealed that she was so popular during her busking days that rival musicians tried to run her out of town 'Some started a Facebook group and were like, "we're gonna run Tones out of town." For no reason, they just hated how big the crowds were getting.' Watson's popularity on the Byron Bay busking circuit soon led to her scoring a manager, who helped her land a record deal with Sony Music Australia. She released her first single, Johnny Run Away, last year, and the song became an immediate success on alternative radio. Crowds: The 26-year-old worked as a busker in Byron Bay before shooting to fame with her global hit Dance Monkey However, it wasn't until her second single Dance Monkey was released that the songstress truly shot to fame. Tones And I recently announced a headline tour of Australia in May 2020. The chart-topper is set to perform tunes from her debut EP, The Kids Are Coming, as she takes the stage in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart and Fremantle. 'Australia I cant wait to play these shows for you!' she wrote on Instagram as she announced the exciting tour dates on Wednesday. 'I cant wait to play these shows for you!' Tones And I has announced a 2020 Australian tour amid the success of her debut album The Kids Are Coming Tickets for all shows go on sale Monday, February 17th. Support acts have yet to be announced. The past year has been a whirlwind for Tones And I, who won Best Female Artist, Best Pop Release, Best Breakthrough Artist and Best Independent Release at the ARIA Awards in November. Don't miss it! The chart-topper is set to perform tunes from her debut EP, The Kids Are Coming, as she takes the stage in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart and Fremantle Her hit tune Dance Monkey reached number one in more than 30 countries last year, and placed second in Triple J's Hottest 100. The song's music video is also a huge hit, racking up over half a billion views. Music steaming platform Spotify recently announced that Dance Monkey was the 'most repeated song to come out of the Southern Hemisphere' in 2019. Made it from the bottom: Tones and I started out busking on the streets of Byron Bay, NSW, back in 2017 TONES AND I's 2020 TOUR DATES Friday, 8th May- The Forum, Melbourne (18+) Friday, 15th May- Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane (AA) Thursday, 21st May- Enmore Theatre, Sydney (AA) Saturday, 23rd May- Goods Shed, Hobart (18+) Friday, 29th May- Metropolis, Fremantle (18+) Advertisement Christian rapper escapes death after highway ambush, shares testimony about God's protection Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment 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. Valentine's Day 2020: Aamir Khan recently surprised his fans by sharing the first look of Kareena Kapoor from his next film Laal Singh Chaddha. Further, he also wrote that he wishes he could romance her in every film. Valentines Day 2020: After sharing the screens with the perfectionist of Bollywood Aamir Khan in films like 3 Idiots, Talaash and Bombay Talkies, Kareena Kapoor is all set to impress her fans with her fourth collaboration with Aamir Khan in their next film Laal Singh Chaddha. It is a comedy film adapted from a Hollywood film Forrest Gump and will hit the theatres on December 25, 2020. On the occasion of Valentines Day, Aamir Khan recently shared the first look of Kareena Kapoor Khan where both of them are seen hugging each other. Earlier, to this, Aamir Khans first look was also unveiled as a Sikh man. It seems that on the occasion of Valentines Day, Aamir Khan had a surprise for Kareena Kapoor and her fans and also captioned the photos saying that he wishes to romance her in every film. In an interview, Aamir Khan revealed that he is much excited about this project as he waited for very long to get its official Hindi rights. Moreover, for the film, Aamir Khan will be seen going through a major physical transformation and will be seen sporting three completely different looks. Also Read: Love Aaj Kal box office collection day 1: Can Kartik Aaryan, Sara Ali Khans love score on Valentines Day 2020? Apart from their official looks, many photos of both the actors also got leaked while shooting in Amritsar. In one of the pictures, Kareena Kapoor was seen wearing a simple pink suit-salwar. In other photos, Aamir Khan was seen running on the streets. Take a look here Also Read: Angrezi Medium trailer review: A relevant, endearing and emotional treat For all the latest Entertainment News, download NewsX App Madhya Pradesh government cancelled state sponsored pilgrimage for at least 4000 old age residents of the state, three days before their religious trip to Vaishno Devi, Kashi, Dwarka and Rameshwaram was to begin on February 15, 2020, said officials. The cancellation of the pilgrimage, which is arranged under the Mukhya Mantri Teerth Darshan Yojna (chief minister pilgrimage scheme) since 2012, appeared to be due to the states cost-cutting exercise in the face of a financial crunch. The order issued by the spiritual department of the MP government on February 12 states, The programme regarding five teerth darshan trains under Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojna scheduled from February 15 to March 2, is cancelled due to unavoidable circumstances. The first out of the five trains booked for the pilgrimage was to depart from Bhopal for the Vaishno Devi shrine with 800 passengers on February 15, as per the earlier schedule before the cancellation was announced. Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojna was introduced in the year 2012 by the then Shivraj Singh Chouhan led BJP government for non-income tax payee male residents aged 60 and above and women aged 62 years and above. An official from the department said, Its the first time when so many trains were cancelled under the scheme and that too when all the preparations for the journey of the pilgrims had been made and one of the trains was about to depart two days later. He said the pilgrimage had not been postponed but cancelled and it seemed it was done for no other reason than the financial crisis the state government is facing. The state government is yet to pay 17 crore to the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) for previous journeys, while a part of the amount was paid. The IRCTC sent several reminders for payment of the outstanding dues to the department of spiritual but still IRCTC was ready to arrange the trains for the pilgrims, the official added. Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the development was unfortunate. The Congress government is discontinuing one scheme after another introduced for the welfare of the people by the BJP government. This government is hardly concerned for peoples welfare, he added. IRCTCs public relations officer Siddharth Singh didnt respond to phone calls and messages. Minister for spiritual and public relations in MP government PC Sharma said the reasons for the cancellation were technical. The department will issue further information about the pilgrimage, he added. A 96-year-old woman has recovered from the novel coronavirus after being treated in intensive care units for three days, a hospital in China said. The pensioner is believed to be the oldest person in the country to have contracted and recovered from the deadly disease, which has killed at least 1,383 people and infected more than 64,460 globally. She is four years older than the previous record holder, who recovered last week. Ms Lu (pictured), a 96-year-old woman from China's Zhejiang Province, has recovered from the novel coronavirus after being treated in the ICU for three days at a hospital in Hangzhou The pensioner, from the city of Ningbo, is believed to be the oldest person in the country to have contracted and recovered from the deadly disease, which has killed at least 1,383 people The patient, known by her surname Lu, was discharged yesterday afternoon from the Zhejiang branch of The First Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, eastern China. She had been transferred there from a local hospital and taken to intensive care units directly due to her severe symptoms and advanced age, the hospital in Hangzhou said in a social media statement today. Her condition improved after being given a series of anti-virus treatment, including the application of hormones and oxygen therapy. She was allowed to leave the hospital to continue her treatment in a local hospital in her hometown Ningbo after two consecutive nucleic acid tests came back negative and CT scans of her lungs showed improved results, the hospital said. A video released by local news group Zhejiang News captures the elderly citizen being pushed out of the hospital and taken into an ambulance by medics in hazmat suits. The new coronavirus has killed at least 1,383 people and infected more than 64,465 globally Medical workers check on the conditions of patients in Wuhan's Jinyintan Hospital on Thursday. The hospital has been designated to treat critical sufferers of the COVID-19 virus Medical staff work in the negative-pressure isolation ward in Jinyintan Hospital on Thursday Dr Sheng Jifang, director of the hospital's Department of Infectious Disease, said the pensioner contracted the coronavirus from one of her daughters who had caught it during a meet-up with friends. She told Zhejiang News in a separate report: 'The granny usually stays at home. Because her daughter attended a gathering in Ningbo and then came back to look after her, [then she] was infected. 'At present, her two daughters are still receiving treatment in quarantine in local hospitals in Ningbo.' Liang Tingbo, the Communist Party Secretary of the hospital, described the difficulties in treating elderly patients, such as Ms Lu. He said senior sufferers usually have long-term underlying illnesses, such high blood pressure and heart diseases. Therefore, it is challenging for doctors to design a feasible medical plan to prevent the treatment from interfering their regular medication. Elderly people with long-term illnesses such as heart disease, lung conditions or diabetes are particularly at risk of the virus. Liang Tingbo, a spokesperson of First Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University said it is challenging for doctors to come up with a medical plan to prevent the coronavirus treatment from interfering the regular medication of those senior sufferers Last week, a 92-year-old man became the oldest person to have contracted and recovered from the novel coronavirus. The elderly patient in Hubei Province left the hospital on Friday Mr Liang said a team of medics provided round-the-clock care to Ms Lu to ensure that her condition would not worsen in the initial 48 hours. The patient had slight high blood pressure, but she stayed positive throughout the treatment and recovered quickly, Mr Liang said. Last Friday, 92-year-old man recovered from the novel coronavirus and left a hospital in Yichang, Hubei Province. At the time, he was the oldest person in China to have recovered from the disease, reported news outlet The Paper. The pensioner, known by his surname Lu, was taken to the No. 3 Hospital of Yichang on January 23 and diagnosed with the coronavirus on January 25. He recovered after being treated in the hospital for two weeks. The novel coronavirus, formally known as COVID-19, has so far killed at least 1,383 people and infected more than 64,460 worldwide. Elderly people with long-term illnesses such as heart disease, lung conditions or diabetes are particularly at risk of the virus. Later that afternoon, up to 250 people armed with spears, star pickets and lumps of wood took to the streets seeking vengeance, Superintendent Geoff Sheldon told reporters on January 2. "It became a vengeance-seeking exercise where anyone associated with the people they believed were responsible for this, or any premises or property associated with them was assaulted, damaged and alight," he said. People at a makeshift camp established by the Kapani Warrior group about 80km outside the town of Aurukun. Credit:AAP Superintendent Sheldon said police efforts to calm the situation were unsuccessful from the get-go. He said a 17-year-old and 18-year-old man willingly presented themselves to police and were immediately removed from the community for their own safety. It was around this time that Travis Ngakyunkwokka saw the smoke. His home was one of six burnt to the ground. Two others were vandalised and are now uninhabitable. Police later charged 29 people with 120 offences over the rioting. Mr Ngakyunkwokka says he spent the night running around town checking on family members. Around 5 o'clock the next morning he heard people calling his mothers name. They were yelling out for us, 'we're gonna catch you, we're gonna kill you'. I was scared that day ... I said to my mum 'We need to move on. We need to go somewhere safe', he said. His family fled to Coen, about 300 kilometres away. Others retreated into the bush. Aurukun resident and army veteran Tim White set up a camp for displaced residents after an alleged fatal stabbing on New Year's Day. Credit:Rhett Wyman Aurukun resident and army veteran Tim White, who runs the Kapani Warrior military program for Indigenous men across Cape York, set up a camp for up to 150 refugees 80 kilometres out of town. The risk was massive, he said. I had nine insulin-dependent diabetics in the camp with no medication. I had a woman dying of cancer on the tail end of chemotherapy. I did a headcount every morning and a headcount every night. I expected that when I did a headcount every morning that someone would be dead ... is this Australia? The camp operated in extreme heat with limited supplies for 11 days. Jobs were assigned to counteract the sense of helplessness: young men caught fish, older women prepared food and other veterans helped assemble a militia to provide camp security. Dr White, who is also a psychologist, said the situation bore similarities to the war zones he had seen in Somalia. I have had nightmares ever since, he said. He and friend Irwin Yunkaporta, a Kapani Warrior graduate, are now exploring opportunities for a handful of young men from Aurukun to relocate to Army Recruit Training Centre Kapooka at Wagga Wagga to further their military training. More than a month after the initial unrest, there is no clear solution in sight. Aurukun resident Irwin Yunkaporta plans to move to Wagga Wagga to escape the ongoing unrest. Credit:Rhett Wyman Aurukun Mayor Derek Walpo has implored people to return, begging for an end to the "anger and retaliations". The state government has enlisted Far North Queensland police officer Duane Amos and Tracey Harding, who has worked in disaster recovery, to help Aurukun residents return home. They will also work on "medium and long-term strategies" for those who will not be immediately returning. They will work alongside former Aurukun Shire Council CEO Gary Kleidon, who is co-ordinating the government response. The Cape York community has a fraught history. The Aurukun Mission, formerly known as the Archer River Mission, was set up by the Presbyterian Church in 1904, merging five different clan groups. When the mission system was disbanded in the 1970s, alcohol was introduced for the first time. "What's been dealt in Aurukun through the mission system and what I call the post-mission apocalypse, where alcohol was just awash in the communities and people didn't have the generational learning around social drinking ... they've had a really bad run." said Dr White. "It's an immensely broken social experiment. I think there have been many attempts to apply broken tools to fix the broken machine. With the name "Theres milk at home," the Milk Product Board launched its school education campaign to promote the consumption of milk and to show the positive physiological effects of milk to children, writes penzcentrum.hu. According to experts, we still do not consume enough dairy products, even though we know they have many beneficial effects. The consumption of milk and milk products by the Hungarian population, measured in terms of milk equivalents, is below the EU average of 250 kg per capita. Within this, an average person consumed 54-55 liters of milk in 2018 and 13-14 liters of sour milk products (yogurt, kefir, and sour cream). Consumption of cheese and curd was 7.9 kg per person, while butter and butter cream amounted to 1.2 kg. Compared to previous years, these figures show a slight increase but are still below current average consumption in the European Union, penzcentrum.hu notes. [February 13, 2020] Entwistle & Cappucci LLP Appointed Co-Lead Counsel In Resideo Technologies, Inc. Securities Litigation Entwistle & Cappucci LLP ("Entwistle & Cappucci") announced that the firm was appointed co-lead counsel in a consolidated class action against Resideo Technologies, Inc. ("Resideo") and certain of Resideo's executive officers (collectively, the "Defendants") pending in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. The class action asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 arising from Honeywell (News - Alert) International Inc.'s ("Honeywell") 2018 spin-off of Resideo. The appointment of co-lead counsel is the latest development in this ongoing complex securities litigation. On January 7, 2020, the firm filed a securities class action complaint on behalf of all persons or entities that purchased or otherwise acquired common stock of Resideo during the period October 15, 2018 through October 22, 2019, inclusive (the "Class Period"), and were damaged thereby (the "Class"). Concerning the appointment, Entwistle & Cappucci Senior Partner Vincent R. Cappucci stated, "We are very pleased to lead this important litigation to address shareholder claims." The complaint alleges that Resideo failed to disclose to the investing public thatone of the two business segments that would comprise Resideo had been combined piecemeal by Honeywell from unrelated businesses and, consequently, contained severe product, supply chain and governance problems. The complaint further alleges that because of these problems, almost nothing the Defendants said about the outlook for that section of the business was accurate and, in fact, the Defendants had no reasonable basis for the financial guidance they issued before and during the Class Period. As a direct result of the Defendants' alleged securities fraud violations, Class members that purchased or otherwise acquired common stock of Resideo during the Class Period did so at prices that did not reflect the material nonpublic information known to Defendants. Lead Plaintiffs seek an award of damages and prejudgment interest on behalf of the Class. The team at Entwistle & Cappucci prosecuting the litigation includes partners Andrew J. Entwistle, Vincent R. Cappucci, Joshua K. Porter and Brendan J. Brodeur and associates Sean M. Riegert and Jessica A. Margulis. The case is In re Resideo Technologies, Inc. Securities Litigation, Case No. 19-cv-02863, U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota. About Entwistle & Cappucci Entwistle & Cappucci is a national law firm providing exceptional legal representation to clients globally in the most complex and challenging legal matters. Our practice encompasses all areas of litigation, including securities, antitrust, corporate transactions, general corporate and commercial, creditor's rights and bankruptcy, corporate governance and fiduciary duty, government affairs, insurance, investigations and white collar defense. Our clients include public and private corporations, major hedge funds, public pension funds, governmental entities, leading institutional investors, domestic and foreign financial services companies, emerging business enterprises and individual entrepreneurs. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005949/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Congress leader Digvijaya Singh 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. Sharemytellyjob.com and The Talent Manager have launched a new initiative to make it easier for people to job share in the TV industry. The two organisations have teamed up to launch technology that allows TV freelancers to apply for a role together as a job share, and for production companies and broadcasters to advertise positions which they are open to being a job share. It will also identify both experienced job sharers and companies with a proven track- record for providing job-sharing opportunities. It is the latest in a suite of tools developed by The Talent Manager to improve diversity in the industry, including search functionality to help companies identify the best production talent from BAME backgrounds or with disabilities, and to address Unconscious Bias in the recruitment process. The new job-share initiative comes amid ongoing concern at the number of established professionals especially women leaving the industry. Just 14% of women working in the UK film and TV industry are parents, compared to 75% across UK industry as a whole. Many cite excessive hours, long working weeks and the struggles of achieving a work-life balance as reasons that make sustaining a career in TV difficult. A recent survey of screen professionals found that 82% said their careers had been negatively impacted by their responsibilities as parents and carers. Although attitudes in the TV industry still lag behind many other sectors, there is a growing recognition among recruiters and key decision-makers that allowing flexible working has substantial creative and commercial advantages. SMTJ has worked with over 35 production companies that are actively supporting job-sharing including Crackit, RDF, Hungry Bear, Endemol, Studio Lambert, Optomen, ITV Studios and WalltoWall. To help this, freelancer platform www.thetalentmanager.com has teamed with SMTJ on new functionality that enables two freelancers to send a joint application for a job where the employer has ear-marked it as being job-share friendly. Similarly, employers can now show they are open to prospective job-sharers applying for a role by displaying the Job Sharers Accepted button on the listing. Louise Patel of Share My Telly Job, said: Job sharing in television is a proven concept and there are more and more enlightened employers who are now seeing the benefits. It enables the industry to retain talent, encourage diversity and address the issues of gender pay disparity and equality. Over the past four years Share My Telly Job has campaigned to encourage the conversation about flexibility for freelancers. Now, more than ever, it is clear that in an industry with almost no part-time jobs the only way for many people to continue in their career is to create part- time hours through sharing contracts. We want the industry to get behind our flexible working campaign, to list as many jobs as possible that are job share friendly and to encourage applications that always attract a diverse a pool of applicants. Working with thetalentmanager.com has allowed us to make employing job sharers easy and familiar for production companies. Sarah Lee, of The Talent Manager, said: For all its creativity, the TV industry has often not been very creative when it comes to thinking about recruitment. Successful job sharing has been shown to benefit the productions, and the bottom line. With more and more production companies out there, the best freelancers increasingly have a choice as to who they work for. Those employers who embrace flexible working and create a supportive and nurturing work environment tend also to be the ones picking up the gongs come awards season. Share this story UPDATED at 5:45 p.m. Thursday with comments, additional details. UPLANDS PARK Investigators on Thursday identified a man who was fatally shot in Uplands Park as Patrick Leeper, 30, of Uplands Park. Leeper was found shot about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at a home where he was living in the 6500 block of Glenmore Avenue, near Avondale Avenue. Dispatchers were told there was smoke in the home. North County Police Cooperative officers were called to investigate, then the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis was activated. Authorities have not publicly identified a suspect. The home on Glenmore is in Uplands Park, a village of about 400 people, but is just a few doors from the Velda Village Hills City Hall on Avondale. Friends said Leeper was "an amazing person" who was funny, down-to-earth and loving. "He was not a thug," one friend, Alexander Brown, said Thursday. "He didn't associate with gangsters or drugs ... The type of person you could talk to about anything because he never flipped it to make it about himself." European Union officials are seeking support from member states to have naval ships enforce the U.N. arms embargo against Libya, according to a confidential memo obtained Friday by The Associated Press. The proposal from the EU's diplomatic service, dated Feb. 12, suggests that the bloc's largely dormant anti-migrant smuggling mission Operation Sophia should be renamed "Operation EU Active Surveillance." The memo, circulated ahead of an upcoming meeting Monday of EU foreign ministers on Libya, urges member states to agree on whether gathering information on and upholding the U.N. embargo should become the naval mission's "core task." Monitoring people smuggling would be relegated to a "supporting task" carried out from the air. World powers agreed at a conference in Berlin last month to respect the arms embargo against Libya, but in practice weapons have continued to flow to the two warring factions. The European External Action Service, the bloc's diplomatic arm, warned in the memo that "we run the risk that, short of concrete action, the EU will become irrelevant and others will continue to determine the development of events in Libya in ways that will not respond to our interests." "In fact, blatant violations of the arms embargo continue and have even increased in the last weeks," it added. "In order to protect its interests, the EU has to act in a credible manner that produces changes on the ground and conveys a clear message of determination," EU diplomats suggested. The proposal goes beyond the agreement by EU countries last month to refocus the mission on the arms embargo by stressing the need to "deploy naval assets in the relevant zone of its Area of Operations." The EU naval mission Operation Sophia was launched in 2015 amid a wave of irregular migration from north Africa to Europe. It was named after a baby girl born to a rescued Somali woman aboard a German frigate. But tension over how to distribute migrants picked up in the Mediterranean among EU member states, and claims that the naval presence might encourage smugglers, led Italy to block the deployment of further ships last year. It currently functions almost exclusively using aircraft and pilotless drones. One European diplomat said there was agreement among the bloc's 27 members to strengthen U.N. monitoring of the embargo, but not on the issue of dispatching naval assets. The diplomat, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said Austria has objected to putting naval ships back into the Mediterranean, and issue that would likely come up at the annual Munich Security Conference over the weekend. In an apparent concession to governments concerned about the naval ships picking up migrants, the EU memo proposes that "naval assets can be deployed in the areas most relevant to the implementation of the arms embargo." This would be "in the eastern part of the area of operation or at least 100km off the Libyan coast, where chances to conduct rescue operations are lower. Rules of engagement will have to be designed in a conflict sensitive manner," it suggested. Since the 2011 ouster and subsequent death of dictator Moammar Gadhafi, Libya has sunk further into chaos and turmoil. It is currently divided between a U.N.-supported government, based in the capital, Tripoli, headed by Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj and supported by an array of militias, and an administration based in the country's east, supported by Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF) led Gen. Khalifa Haftar Haftar and LAAF have been waging an offensive to capture Tripoli since last April. The renewed clashes came just hours after the United Nations Security Council endorsed a 55-point road map for ending the war that demanded foreign backers of Libya's warring sides uphold a widely flouted arms embargo. Turkey, Italy and Qatar back the Tripoli administration while the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, as well as France and Russia, back Haftar's side in the conflict. Andrej Hunko, the European affairs policy spokesman for Germany's opposition Left party, said the EU's proposal to dispatch military ships risked "pouring oil into the fire" and wouldn't stop weapons being smuggled into Libya by land. Hunko called for a civilian operation to oversee the arms embargo. This could be carried out by the Vienna-based Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, of which Turkey _ one of the main military backers of Sarraj _ is also a member, he said. Search Keywords: Short link: A Tesco store in London. The Competition and Markets Authority found against the supermarket giant on Friday. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images) The UKs competition regulator on Friday said that Tesco (TSCO.L) had unlawfully prevented rival supermarkets from opening outlets close to its own stores. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it discovered in 2018 that the UKs largest grocery chain had prevented landlords from letting property to other supermarkets. Not only could it have reduced competition and left shoppers worse off, the CMA said, but the practice is also unlawful under an order that it issued nearly 10 years ago. Tesco was able to block rivals from opening stores near its own ones by introducing stipulations in land agreements, which in effect blocked landlords from signing leases with other chains. Under the 2010 order, large grocery retailers are banned from preventing land being used by their competitors. Following the CMAs initial 2018 discovery, Tesco was asked to review its land agreements. It found 23 contracts out of a total of its more than 5,300 agreements across the country that breached the 2010 order. Tesco, the CMA said, has now agreed to take remedial action for all of the affected agreements. The supermarket will also improve its internal processes and staff training in order to prevent similar breaches from occurring in the future. Grocery store apologizes over shoplifting sign placement We do not use restrictive property agreements, a spokesperson for Tesco said on Friday. However, in a small number of historic cases between 2010-15, administrative errors by former advisors meant that our internal processes were not followed correctly, they said. As the CMA recognises, we have worked collaboratively in resolving this, and our voluntary review of 5,354 land deals found isolated issues in just 0.4% of these. We have since strengthened our controls and training, and are releasing the affected parties from all non-compliant terms. The CMA, however, said that it was unacceptable that Tesco had these unlawful restrictions in place. Story continues By making it harder for other supermarkets to open stores next to its branches, shoppers could have lost out, said Andrea Gomes da Silva, the executive director of the CMAs markets and mergers division. In the future, we want the ability to fine businesses if we find that they are in breach of our orders. Thats why weve called on the government for more powers. The CMA said it would also be writing to all other supermarkets bound by the order Waitrose, Sainsburys, Asda, Morrisons, M&S and the Co-op to ask them to demonstrate that their land agreements are not in breach of the 2010 order. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK David Linke was excited to get Matt Jones to be part of the short-film project Sky West and Crooked. Jones is best known for his role of Badger on the TV series Breaking Bad. Yet Linke and director Heather Edwards knew the role of Bob Bridges would push Jones into a new direction. And he did it, Linke says. It turned out to be such a great role for him, and the movie is proof. Edwards, who is based in California, wrote the short film. Its based on her life. Linke says the story is set in the early 1970s, when Edwards was 7 or 8 years old. It tells the story of her father who left on a business trip and never came back, he says. He abandoned her family. Sometime later, she went on a field trip to a bowling alley. Performing at the bowling alley was her father. Its the story of this one little day that impacted her life. The short film will screen as part of the Santa Fe Film Festivals Shorts 3 presentation at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, at the Jean Cocteau Cinema in Santa Fe. Along with Jones, the film stars Martha MacIsaac, Emma Fuhrmann and Vivienne Rutherford. David Linke cant attend the screening, but his twin brother, Kevin Linke, will be in attendance. The two brothers produced the film through their company, Gemini Team Go LLC. The Linkes grew up in Los Alamos, where they graduated high school in 2005. They have been making films for the better part of a decade. Kevin and I actually worked on Breaking Bad,' David Linke says. Thats where we got to know Matt. We reached out to his manager and told him what we wanted to do. Within 24 hours, Matt had signed on. He just loved the material. He wants to branch out more and do heavier roles. Being able to bring the short film back to their home state is humbling. I love New Mexico because it still feels like a community, he says. Its slower than Los Angeles. Youre able to get inspired by many different things. Getting the first glimpses of the damage done to the political establishment on Sunday, Fine Gael General Secretary Tom Curran had a line that said so much. On RTE, as the left surged, he noted: None of us saw the appetite for change. It should have been an extraordinary comment yet, all over, his party were pulling back the curtains so we could see the smug behind the smokescreen of their slick and sickly PR. Beneath the fur coat and all of that. Richard Bruton chatted down to those hes supposed to work for, complaining: Obviously when explaining detailed policy, against a move where people are saying lets have change, the detail of that change is challenging. Michael Rings toys were next from the pram, as he attacked those same employers for not answering his questions on doorsteps. It reminded me of Seymour Skinner, the principal from The Simpsons. Am I so out of touch? he once asked himself. No, its the children who are wrong. For those willing against this establishment after success at the ballot box, its been a week of oft-hypocritical and biased battering via public opinion. Its a decade since the IMF came and, on that first night in 2010, a stroll near the Dail was supposed to be greeted with crowds worthy of grim history. There was a line of satellite trucks from the worlds media there, and they were baffled by a largely empty street. The only folk that had marched belonged to Sinn Fein. Perhaps people didnt realise the severity of what was happening, as if it was the first gust of a surprise storm, but soon theyd find out. A generation got lifts to Dublin Airport, never to return. Our neighbours son in Athy left for Australia and they never saw him alive again, as he returned in a coffin after a car accident. For them to see Micheal Martin being in a position to make promises again was a reminder of what elements are still willing to do to the have-nots left behind. Expand Close All smiles: Micheal Martin reacts to being elected. Photo: Getty / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp All smiles: Micheal Martin reacts to being elected. Photo: Getty On a trip home last year, a visit to Naas Hospital with a family member with decent health insurance saw them spend 48 hours on a trolley surrounded by drunks vomiting blood and children screaming in pain. Finding an empty wheelchair so I could sit off the hard tiled floor for a few minutes, an overworked, underpaid nurse told me it was a no-go as I wasnt insured. To think... There are those actually wanting to dictate that a reasonable and responsible choice of Taoiseach ought to be between two former Ministers of Health. They dont have a clue because they are lucky enough to live the lie. To hear Labour Party politician Ivana Bacik pronounce this election a protest summed up the cluelessness. When it came to protests, her Blair-ite partys numbers were a better demonstration. Some of the electorate are fed up of humiliation. They want a real left and an opportunity. Its this which is scaring the sort of people that talk of a rising economy lifting all boats, when theyve never got the frustration of being in a dinghy while those in yachts tell them to be thankful. In fact, it has them hissing and spitting at a democratic will, as if honest folk are somehow wrong for not enduring more of the same. The like of Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and her Killiney constituents might be confused, but thats because they dont get it. Those of us from places like Athy have seen our towns brought to their knees, not by the armoured cars and bombed-out bars that keep being referenced, but by the myth of trickle-down economics. Fine Gael talks of Brexit and boom. We get bookies and cash-for-gold shops. This is our Ireland 2020. That, of course, is not to say Sinn Fein dont have serious issues. There are genuine questions to ask and, in cases, genuine concerns about some in the party. No one is perfect in our system. Thats not to give Sinn Fein a pass, rather merely a chance. If they get it, they should be judged more harshly than is usual in politics not because of their past, but because of the easy passes often handed out in this sphere that have seen Fine Gael and Fianna Fail grow so arrogant. Only the reaction of key players who think that ruling is a right rather than a privilege is telling. They needed a reminder of reality. As do those protecting them. Theres class warfare, all right, but its my class, the rich class, thats making war and were winning, American business magnate Warren Buffett once said. In Ireland theyre stunned some would dare fight back. The Senate backed legislation Thursday to limit President Donald Trumps ability to wage war against Iran, rebuking him after a strike against an Iranian military commander and Tehrans retaliation last month raised fears of broader regional conflict. Eight of Trumps fellow Republicans joined Democrats to pass the war powers resolution by 55-45. The measure would require Trump to remove U.S. troops engaged in hostilities against Iran unless Congress declares war or passes a specific authorization for the use of military force. Let our news meet your inbox. The news and stories that matters, delivered weekday mornings. Trump has promised a veto and there is not expected to be enough support in the Senate to muster the two-thirds majority to override. Republicans in the chamber hold 53 of the 100 seats and rarely vote against the president. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE New Mexico lawmakers pushed weeks of tearful debate to a close late Thursday with passage of a red flag gun law the final approval necessary to send the bill to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The state House passed the proposal 39-31 after about three hours of debate, putting New Mexico on track to become the 18th state in the nation with such a law. The legislation, Senate Bill 5, would allow for the court-ordered seizure of guns from individuals deemed an imminent danger to themselves or others. It would establish an Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Act. Intensely personal stories surfaced as lawmakers debated the bill. Choked with emotion, Democratic Rep. Antonio Moe Maestas of Albuquerque told his colleagues about trying to keep a cousin from killing herself. Police found Celena Alarid dead in mid-December. We pleaded with her to give us the handgun, Maestas said. We could not get the handgun out of her possession. We had no legal remedy. Republican lawmakers, in turn, raised the prospect of deadly confrontations between families and police officers who show up to seize firearms. Im just afraid were going to have a dead police officer or a dead mom or dad who feel like their rights were infringed on, said Rep. James Strickler, R-Farmington. The gun bill is at the center of perhaps the most emotionally charged debate of the 2020 session. Through tears, supporters spoke to lawmakers during committee hearings about their grief after finding a relative dead from suicide. Opponents, in turn, testified about surviving domestic abuse and the safety provided by a firearm. Some carried semiautomatic rifles to the Roundhouse as a demonstration of their Second Amendment rights. Lujan Grisham, a Democrat elected in 2018, made the legislation a priority this session. Thirty of the states 33 sheriffs, by contrast, opposed the bill. The governor said she will sign the legislation. It would go into effect 90 days after the Legislatures adjournment Thursday next week. This is a tremendous victory for New Mexicans public safety she said in a written statement. This tool will empower law enforcement to keep our communities safer. It will minimize the plain and unacceptable risks of gun violence and suicide all across New Mexico. Significant danger Senate Bill 5 would allow law enforcement officers acting on information provided by a relative, school administrator or employer to seek a court order prohibiting someone from having firearms. The officers decision to file a petition would be based on whether theres probable cause to believe the individual poses a significant danger of causing imminent personal injury to self or others. A court could order the temporary seizure of the persons firearms for up to 10 days, until a hearing could be held. After a hearing, the ban could be extended one year. In response to sheriffs who threatened to refuse to enforce the law, the proposal also says law enforcement officers wouldnt be immune to liability if they failed to carry out their duties under the extreme risk act or other state laws. The legislation moved briskly through the Legislature this year, passing two Senate committees before clearing the full Senate 22-20 last week. A House committee granted approval earlier this week, and the full House took it up Thursday evening. By contrast, a similar proposal in 2019 stalled in the Senate after passing the House. This years bill was jointly sponsored by Democratic Reps. Daymon Ely of Corrales and Joy Garratt of Albuquerque and Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces. Intense debate Much of Thursdays debate fell along party lines. Democrats hold a 46-24 edge in the House. Ely and Garratt said the proposal was a reasonable, constitutionally permitted tool that could address New Mexicos high suicide rate and the threat of mass shootings. Garratt, a teacher, said its traumatic for children as young as 5 to go through exercises teaching them how to hide from a shooter. Some kids are now scared to go to school, she said. Garratt noted that Thursdays debate came the day before the second anniversary of the shooting massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Republican lawmakers slammed the proposal as a breach of gun owners constitutional rights. A police officer could show up at someones door seeking their firearms, they said, based on a false allegation. The bill was probably written by a committee of people who dont know how the real world works, said Rep. Cathrynn Brown, R-Carlsbad. All 24 Republicans in the House voted against the bill. They held up copies of the state Constitution as they cast their votes against the bill. They were joined by seven Democrats who opposed it Thursday Harry Garcia of Grants, Raymundo Lara of Chamberino, Willie Madrid of Chaparral, Rodolpho Rudy Martinez of Silver City, Patricio Ruiloba of Albuquerque, Joseph Sanchez of Alcalde and Candie Sweetser of Deming. Trump cancelling Obama-era prohibition on landmines is a setback in achieving a landmine free world, experts say. US President Donald Trump late last month cancelled the Obama-era prohibition on the use of anti-personnel landmines. Trump ditched the policy because the Department of Defense found that the restrictions on landmine use placed US forces at a severe disadvantage during the conflict. In September 2014, President Barack Obama announced the new policy banning the use of landmines except in the Korean Peninsula due to its unique circumstances. He pledged that the US was going to find ways to ultimately comply fully with and accede to the Ottawa Convention as the US government prefers to call the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. Many experts agree that the new US policy of using landmines violates international humanitarian law and sets back the great progress that has been made towards a landmine-free world. Organisations including the Red Cross have issued statements condemning the move. Although the Mine Ban Treaty has not been signed by the US, China or Russia, significant progress has been made towards its goals. More lethal The Department of Defenses memorandum setting out the new landmine policy was issued on January 31 and signed by US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. It states that the US military is required to regain its competitive advantages by becoming more lethal, resilient and agile. Area denial systems such as landmines play an important part in enabling these force attributes. The US will only use non-persistent landmines, which have a self-destruct mechanism, for defence or on the battlefield. But it will retain a number of persistent landmines for training purposes. However, experts agree that even non-persistent landmines have often killed civilians and that their use violates international law. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Mary Wareham, advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, said smart bombs are not the answer. Self-destructing bombs still kill civilians indiscriminately. The exact circumstances under which the US can use landmines are still vague. The memorandum statesthat the militarys ability to use landmines will not have any expressed geographical limitations. Worldwide progress The Mine Ban Treaty has been signed by 164 states. The treaty comprehensively bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines. It aims to create a landmine-free world. The treaty further aims to end existing suffering and prevent future suffering as a result of landmines. It contains strong provisions on compliance mechanisms. States signing the convention accept that they will destroy anti-personnel mines and assist the victims of the explosives. Landmine Monitor 2018 Maps [Courtesy: Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor] In the more than 20 years since the signing of the treaty, most signatory states have destroyed their anti-personnel landmines, according to Human Rights Watch. According to Marianne Schultze, human rights expert at the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, the world was getting close to universalisation on the effort to fight landmines. She called the US announcement to reverse Obamas prohibition a hard hit. Ken Rutherford, co-founder of the Landmine Survivors Network who lost his legs as a result of a landmine accident, said the main reason that mines violate international humanitarian law is that it is a weapon that does not discriminate between civilians and non-civilians. Because of the provisions protecting victims, Schultze described the treaty as the one humanitarian treaty that bridges into human rights issues. Donor countries and states affected by landmines have contributed approximately $699.5m in support of action against mines in 2018, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) has reported. Despite great progress in the destruction of landmines globally, three states still possess more than four million landmines; Ukraine, Greece and Sri Lanka. The only state currently using landmines is Myanmar. According to Wareham, Trumps new landmine policy diminishes the international reputation of the US. She stresses the international consensus on the importance of landmine clearance, as was reflected in the high amount of states that signed the Mine Ban Treaty. US efforts According to Schultze, the significance of the US policy reversal is huge. She said: In spite of the fact that the US has still not joined the treaty, it is a great supporter of anti-landmine efforts, especially in terms of destroying stockpiles. Rutherford added that the US has by far made the greatest financial contribution to anti-landmine efforts. The US has spent more than the next 10 biggest contributors combined, he said, adding that the US has done more to ban landmines than many countries that have indeed signed the Mine Ban Treaty. Schultze said the policy reversal on landmines by the US was a retreat to Cold War tactics. While Schultze and Rutherford agree that the US is unlikely to implement its new landmine policy, the fact it has approved the use of landmines is significant. Child victims According to ICBL, the number of civilians killed by landmines each year remains exceptionally high, with the number of child victims increasing. Schultze points out: The vast majority of landmine victims are children playing outside and people gathering firewood. Schultze said that, regardless of whether the US implements the new landmine policy, the recent US rhetoric on landmines is pertinent. According to Wareham the fact that landmines are designed to maim and that the US is violating an international norm, makes the use of landmines immoral. When asked by journalists whether it is immoral to use landmines, Esper said at a press conference: In everything we do, we also want to make sure that these instruments in this case, landmines also take into account both the safety of employment and the safety of civilians and others after a conflict. Railway police officials said that the incident occurred early Thursday after Sagar Markand and his wife Jyoti, along with their two-year-old daughter, boarded the train at Kalyan in the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. Mumbai: A group of over 12 persons beat up a 26-year-old to death inside an express train headed to Bidar from Mumbai after the two sides fought over seating in the train, railway police officials said. The incident took place between Pune and Daund when the group rained kicks and punches on the youth. Railway police officials said that the incident occurred early Thursday after Sagar Markand and his wife Jyoti, along with their two-year-old daughter, boarded the train at Kalyan in the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. The family stays at Kalyan and was headed Bidar. There were no seats in the general compartment and hence, Markand requested some women to adjust so that his wife could sit with their toddler in her arms. The women were however enraged and hence began hurling abuses at him, said a railway police officer. The squabble turned wild soon after and around 12 men joined it and started raining blows, kicking and punching Markand. His wife tried to intervene and requested to spare her husband, however her pleas fell on deaf ears. The railway police was informed and they intervened at Daund station and rescued him. Markand was rushed to the civic hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. WASHINGTON As with the Super Bowl, President Donald Trumps campaign will air a commercial during the television broadcast of Sundays Daytona 500 auto race. The campaign committee also plans to fly an aerial banner near the Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR fans are patriots who support the president in huge numbers, so we definitely wanted to communicate directly with them about keeping America great during the great American race, campaign manager Brad Parscale said. At the same time, Trump will serve as the races grand marshal. That gives Trump the opportunity to say, Gentlemen, start your engines. The Trump campaign, flush with $103 million in the bank entering January, sprung for advertising during the Super Bowl earlier this month in addition to the commercial during the Daytona race. NASCAR executives and employees made $41,895 in political contributions last year, most of it to Republicans, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. NASCARS former chief executive, Brian France, endorsed Trump in 2016. Trump is attending the auto race, unlike the Super Bowl, where he instead hosted a party at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. The president attended a World Series game in Washington last October, where he was roundly booed by the sellout crowd. But he was cheered when he attended the college football national championship game in January. Cars with a Trump 2020 logo will be racing on Friday and Saturday at Daytona, according to News-Press. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. PIERRE | Each year the Legislature approves a bill like HB1024, which appropriates money to pay for the previous years extraordinary litigation expenses. The approval Wednesday of this years bill in the Senate led to lawmakers being admonished for the bills they endorse that lead to losses in court. Last year, the litigation expenses were $800,000, including more than $170,000 to Dakota Rural Action, which sued the state over the 2019 riot-boosting bill. Similar legislation is being considered in the current session. Sen. Lance Russell, R-Hot Springs, said lawmakers need to consider our actions and how much they cost the taxpayers. Lawmakers need to properly vet bills and make sure they are assigned to proper committees, he said. Let this be a lesson to us, Russell said. From history, thats the only way we learn. Sen. Craig Kennedy, D-Yankton, said the Legislature has been paying big legal bills each year for the past decade. Every year were backfilling six figures, seven figures in litigation expenses, Kennedy said. That money could be spent on things that would do a lot more good for the people of South Dakota. The bill was approved in the Senate on a 32-2 vote. Having already been approved by the House, it now goes to Gov. Kristi Noem for her signature. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The love affair of young Americans with Bernie Sanders is the result of their disturbingly disastrous belief that they are entitled to what other people worked for. Pied Piper Bernie seduces young followers with his seductive lie: You deserve and I will give you everything for free. Ponder that, folks. In Bernie's America, no one has to work for anything. Unless Bernie is another Jesus Christ who can feed 5,000 with a few fish and loaves of bread, Bernie's free everything means everyone will get a crumb -- long lines waiting for a crumb of healthcare, food, and so on. Far too many youths are Bernie Bros, true believers of his absurd mystical Promise Land where everyone gets a free ride. Decades ago, we allowed New Leftist progressive zealots to infiltrate our schools. They taught our kids to hate the traditional family, God, America, and capitalism. They are still teaching our kids craziness such as all whites are born racist and calling a boy a boy or calling a girl a girl is hate speech. Anti-American schools have created this generation of entitled gimme, gimme, gimme Bernie Bros. Almost 20 years ago, a newbie in politics, I accompanied our Republican Executive Committee official to a high school assembly. A Democrat and Republican spokesperson pitched the virtues of their party to the students. The Democrat promoted socialism using feel-good language, fairness, and a desire to take care of everybody. The Republican gave a brilliant intellectual speech of which I am confident did not resonate with the students. Inside I was going nuts. I wanted to say, Look kids. You and Larry have summer jobs as waiters. You work your butt off, remembering patrons' food orders correctly and swiftly filling their empty glasses; doing everything in your power to make their dining experience enjoyable. For your excellence, patrons tip you generously. But rather than your well-deserved hard-earned money going into your pocket, it goes into a tip jar to be distributed equally between you and Larry. Meanwhile, Larry routinely arrives late, reeks of alcohol, takes long smoke breaks, routinely gets food orders wrong and does not give a rat's derriere about the patrons. Management (government) forces you to share the fruits of your labor with lazy Larry. That is the major flaw of socialism. Socialism goes against human nature. Because there will always be lazy Larrys, socialism fails everywhere it is tried. William Bradford was the first governor of the Pilgrims' Plymouth Colony. Bradford tried socialism, which meant that everything belonged to the community and everyone supposedly did their fair share of the work. Because of lazy Larrys, it failed. Therefore, Bradford wisely decided to give everyone their own land, which was extremely successful. Due to an abundance, families began trading goods and services. Capitalism. It is terrible that the Bernie Bros absurdly believe all wealth in America is ill-gotten, stolen from the poor and people of color around the world. Progressives' have robbed youths of hope for their future by teaching them the crazy lie that the earth will be uninhabitable in 12 years because Americans drive cars and eat meat. It is not surprising that a 19-year-old attempted to assassinate Donald Trump to save the planet. It is not surprising that deceived youths feel morally justified in physically beating and even murdering MAGA cap wearers. Duped Bernie Bros are thrilled over his promise to confiscate all earnings over a million dollars. Cell phones, the internet, medical breakthroughs, and other blessings are the result of individuals being allowed to be the best they can be; striving to reap great rewards for themselves and their families. Folks, there is nothing evil about that. If the government takes everything over a million dollars, why would anyone take risks or pursue new breakthroughs? Bernie's war on achievers equals a war on achievements for humanity. In a nutshell, crazy Bernie's message is hate anyone who has more than you which is the sin of covetousness. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. (Exodus 20:17) Bernie and his fellow Democratic party presidential candidates' gospel includes demonizing, punishing, and redistributing the earnings of straight white men. Socialism always leads to elitists dictating laws which do not apply to them. They live in exclusive fenced-in communities with armed security while demanding that we surrender our guns. We are left vulnerable to criminals. They travel in limos and private planes while mandating that we drive tiny tin-can cars to save the planet. Socialism spreads misery and mediocrity equally. I believe I heard Rush Limbaugh say that. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin said, Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Sadly, Franklin perfectly described this tragic and disastrous generation of Bernie bros. Help Lloyd Spread the Truth https://www.trumptrainusa2020.com/ http://LloydMarcus.com And were starting with a twist exercise, slowly. And 2, 3. Very slow. Cha, cha. One, two, three. And Cha cha. 1, good, 2, 3. Cha cha, 1, 2, 3. Cha, cha, 1, good, 2, 3. Cha, cha. Welcome back. 2, 3. Good. I brush my foot. I brought it back. Number eight. Number eight to the side. Cha, cha, 1, 2, and 3 and 4 and single. 2 and 3, 4 and double. 2 and 3 and 4 and 1, 2, and 3 and 4 and single. Very good. 2 and 3. I dont hear the feet. 2 and yes and 4 and 1, 2 and 3 and 4 and 1. Back 2, 3, cha, cha, 1, legs, 2, 3. Cha, cha, 1, 2. Yea, yeah. Eyes up. Cha, cha, 1, 2, 3. Cha, cha, 1, 2, 3. Cha, cha, 1, 2, 3. And cha, cha, 1, good, 2, 3, and cha, cha, 1, good, 2, 3. [music] Before I learned dancing, you know, I can only use my body to walk, to swim, to run. Today, I can use my body to reach another level of freedom. I wish I could have danced earlier at my age. But better late than never. Were lucky to have an opportunity and the right time, maybe the last time. Back in Vietnam, we dance to rock and roll. I love Bee Gees. And I can sing all Carpenters song. What was called the foreign music, foreign music tend to be very romantic, very, very sexy. When I first met Paul, he was shy, so shy. I didnt think he is my type. But I remember he invited me to his birthday party. You have to remember that dancing, in those day, in Vietnam, it is illegal to have dance party at home. You can get in trouble. But we organize a party anyways. He being gentleman, stretch out hand, shall we dance? We dance like what they call slow dance, just like two of us, like close. I feel he shaking. I am too. I vividly remember he can dance. I start becoming his girlfriend, because we in love so much, so in love. I told my father, we have to leave the country to escape the communist Vietnam. The communist, something very soon right now, anytime. If you do business, they go after you. But my mom was a real business woman. So soon enough, they start to come to arrest my mom, say, you have to give up your house. You have to give up your factory. When we escape, we know we take the chance of the lifetime. Either we die on the ocean or if we get caught and we get sent home, wed have nothing left. Is that O.K., my hair? Yeah. O.K. One day he came. He say, tomorrow, I have to leave. Im sorry. I could not bring you. And then, he left. We were not sure whether we would see each other again. (SINGING) Oh, my love. My darling. Santana. (SINGING) Oye como va. Yeah. Cha, cha? You know? (SIGNING) Where do I begin? I dont have No. I dont think so. On the record. Hey, hey. What are you talking about? We already at that age. You already We already there. [music] I am an auditor for the state of California. Some people, they think, oh, yeah. Its good, good exercise, they say. But then they know we go compete. We go perform. We have the best professional teacher from Ukraine. If one day my co-worker, they will see me dance, they will be shocked. They will never think I can dance the way I dance with my husband. Totally different two people. I work as an engineer. We work full time. We can afford to retire. Our daughter has her own life right now. So we go to the club, at least four nights per week, taking group lesson, private lesson, and dance on the floor, three hours in the evening. Why am I spending so much time dancing? Am I crazy? When I came to America, I was scared. We got nothing, really. I love her and care for her. I felt very sorry that I couldnt bring her with me. But I dont want to give empty promise or anything. It felt really, really hard to accept. I didnt hear from him for six months. And then, I get a letter from him. So romantic. He say, even in his dream, he remember my name. I started writing a lot of love letter to him. I was so eager to get out. I talked to lawyer about the immigration petition process. I prepared to argue my case for her. I told her, theres a possibility that I can get you out. It might not be successful. The letter become so slow. He cannot always think of me, right? But then, I received a notice from the embassy saying that I was allowed to leave Vietnam. I was so happy. Paul did so much effort. I was excited. But you know, after this long separation, theres a lot of uncertainty. I dont know whether we will be still the right kind of person for each other. We only met for six months. And we were separated for about six years. Los Angeles, California. Once I got out from the plane, I saw Paul. I dont know how to feel. He looked a little bit like distant. He took my hand. And I feel weird, because we lost that feeling. After a few days, he says, why dont we start over? Stretch. Your hands are on her shoulders. Dont mess up my shoulder. Good. And then, it goes on her head. 3, take her head. Take it. Take her head. O.K., O.K., O.K., O.K., O.K., O.K. I got it. Make it real. And to 2. Take it very slowly. 2 across and ronde, 3. Good. Very solid. [inaudible] walks, 4, and ronde, 1. Walking out when. She does the spiral, remember, we close. Dont send her out. Hold her so she does the [inaudible] spin with you. Another [inaudible] spin. O.K. I got it. Bringing the legs Yeah. I know. I already Yeah, then you The other way, honey. Im going to lift you right now, O.K.? Run. Oh, wow. Oh. No, no. Hold on a sec. Im going to do it again. Suddenly O.K. Go. Oh, no, no, no. Its not down there. Its under her ribs. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Can you please show me how you would send your wife there? Its not Oh. No, no. Thats presenting. Opposite. I want you to like reach. Like you want her to come back, but O.K. You want me to Yeah. Reach. Your body. You follow it. You follow that. A little bit early, early, early. And bring it back. Remember, motion creates emotion. O.K. Motion will create emotion. O.K. And it goes backwards too. Emotion makes motion. Motion create emotion. Come on. Come on. He have no emotion. Thats why. Give him some. [inaudible] Good. Down. [music] When we came to this country, we have one goal. We want to establish our lives. Back then, we didnt have the luxury to enjoy life, not exactly knowing what it means to enjoy life. Now, we have to learn something new. We know we dont have a lot of time left. Were making up for the lost time. [Music] (SINGING) Weve only just begun to live. White lace and promises. A kiss for luck and were on our way. Before the rising sun, we fly. So many roads to choose. Well start out walking and learn to run. Sharing horizons that are new to us. Watching the signs along the way. Talking it over, just the two of us. Working together day to day. Together. And when the evening comes, we smile. So much of life ahead. Well find a place where theres room to grow. Sharing horizons that are new to us. Watching the signs along the way. Talking it over, just the two of us. Working together day to day. Together. Together. And when the evening comes, we smile. So much of life ahead. Well find a place where theres room to grow. And yes, weve just begun. As we all know, the coronavirus outbreak is no longer specific to China. With China accounting for about 16% share of the global economy, the extent of financial loss is imaginable. While the progression of the disease is being monitored every day, the latest data is not encouraging at all. Most recently, the number of deaths and new cases rose dramatically after authorities altered the procedure of counting infected people. This triggered concerns that the severity of the outbreak has been under-reported. Experts are forecasting that global economic growth in 2020 will drop 0.2% to 0.3%, while the U.S. first quarter growth could slow down by 0.2% to 0.4%. Moodys Analytics and Barclays both expected the outbreak to hurt global GDP by 0.3% in 2020. If the situation worsens, it could deal a huge blow to the global economy. Against this backdrop, we highlight a few country ETFs that are on high alert now. China VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC CSI 300 ETF PEK Down 11% in the Past Month (as of Feb 12, 2020) No wonder, China will be the worst-hit. Much of Chinas economy is under lockdown now. Per an article published on Forbes, estimates for Chinas first-quarter GDP now range from 0% to around 5.5%. Evercore ISI Chairman Ed Hyman sees no economic growth in China in the first quarter due to the spread of coronavirus. China recorded 6.1% growth in 2019. The article also mentioned that Chinas yearly GDP growth amid the SARS outbreak in 2003 was hurt by 2% and was estimated to have dragged the global economy down around 0.3%, according to Time. Australia iShares MSCI Australia ETF EWA Up 0.4% Past Month Australia is the key trading partner of China. Australian exports considerable amount of materials (from iron ore to LNG), foods (from lobster to lamb), and bionic ear technology to China. Australia supplies about 40% of Chinas LNG need, while about 40% of Australias LNG is sent to China.The price of Australias key export to China, iron ore, dropped 11% in January due to the virus outbreak, indicated ratings agency Moodys. Story continues The Australian government has enacted (on Feb 1) and extended its travel ban on people who have travelled through China. Economists at UBS predict Australias economy will shrink by 0.1% this quarter, while worse could be in the cards. Notably, EWA added just 0.4% in the past month against 2.8% gains in the S&P 500 index, explaining its huge dependency on China. Singapore iShares MSCI Singapore Capped ETF EWS Down 3.8% Past Month Singapore is said to have reported the highest number of confirmed cases outside China. This will surely impact the trade-dependent economy. The country will announce a strong economic package next week in order to alleviate the adverse economic effect of coronavirus. The country has forecast as much as a 30% slump in tourist arrivals this year, and the resultant decline in spending. Japan iShares MSCI Japan ETF EWJ Down 0.8% Past Month China is Japans second-biggest export destination. Not only carmakers, retailers are also eyeing Chinas economy for expansion. The Chinese accounted for about 30% of all tourists visiting Japan and about 40% of the total outlays by foreign tourists last year, per an industry survey. According to a major Japan research house, Japan's GDP growth could slip 0.2% if the virus stays for a quarter, or by 0.9% if the it continues for a year. Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox? Zacks free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it free >> Click to get this free report iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ): ETF Research Reports iShares MSCI Australia ETF (EWA): ETF Research Reports iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS): ETF Research Reports VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC CSI 300 ETF (PEK): ETF Research Reports To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research 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 SpiceJet has posted a 21 per cent increase on annual basis in its net profit for the quarter ended December 31, 2019. The carrier reported the net profit of Rs 77.96 crore for the quarter under review, as opposed to Rs 64.44 crore in the year-ago period. SpiceJet saw its total revenue from operations grow to Rs 3,656.36 crore during Q3 FY20, up 46.92 per cent from Rs 2,488.57 crore in Q3 FY19. Meanwhile, total expenses increased 55.93 per cent annually to Rs 3,848.61 crore in December quarter this fiscal, as against Rs 2,468.16 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. During the December quarter, its Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortisation and Rent (EBITDAR) stood at Rs 761.6 crore, whereas the EBITDA was Rs 659.2 crore. Segment-wise, SpiceJet reported growth in air transport services during the December quarter, as segment results for the period almost doubled to Rs 115.05 crore from Rs 58.55 crore from the year-ago period. However, freighter and logistics services suffered during the quarter under review as losses in the segment broadened to Rs 41.83 crore from Rs 3.47 crore. ALSO READ:SpiceJet share price rises 10% on strong Q3 earnings The airline also faced troubles due to grounding of Boeing 737 MAX planes during the December quarter. However, SpiceJet claimed its capacity grew 59 per cent in 2019 "despite the challenges that the airline is facing in terms of additional costs incurred, compounded by the continued grounding of its 737 MAX aircraft". SpiceJet said that it reported the highest passenger load factor across the Indian aviation industry during the quarter. The average domestic load factor for the quarter was 91.9 per cent. "SpiceJet has done remarkably well this quarter, despite a substantial profit hit from the grounding of the MAX aircraft, which has impacted our operations and led to additional costs. Despite facing an unprecedented crisis following the grounding of the MAX in March last year, SpiceJet grew by close to 60% in 2019 demonstrating its ability to stand up to a crisis," said SpiceJet Chairman Ajay Singh. ALSO READ:Coronavirus update: SpiceJet to suspend Delhi-Hong Kong flights from February 16 "We were expecting the MAX to return to service by January 2020 but that hasn't happened. The continued grounding and the delay in its return to service has undoubtedly hit our growth plans adversely and resulted in inefficient operations and increased costs. That said, SpiceJet, expects to grow profitably while maintaining a tight control over costs and we look forward to an exciting 2020," he added. Following the result, SpiceJet shares surged 10.2 per cent to an intraday high of Rs 93.40. Currently, the stock is quoting Rs 89.60 on BSE, rising 5.79 per cent or 4.9 points apiece on BSE. ALSO READ:Indian aviation to continue its losing streak in FY20 It was introduced in connection with outbreak of bird flu in Vinnytsia region on January 23 Open source The European Commission refused to reconsider the decision to suspend the import of poultry meat from Ukraine to the EU. European truth reports that with reference to sources in the government. A meeting of the Committee of Chief Veterinary Inspectors was held this week in Brussels, where the proposal for localization was rejected. The decision is probably related to the death of a bird from influenza on January 18 at the Khutor BCP in the Vinnytsia region. The ministry assured that as of January 23, all the birds in the epizootic foci had been killed by the humane bloodless method, measures to carry out disinfection work had begun. On January 29, as part of the Ukraine-EU Association Council, the Ukrainian side urged European partners to localize the ban by nearby villages around the identified foci of infection. On January 23, the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection of Ukraine announced the EUs decision to suspend the import of poultry meat from Ukraine. As we reported before, Moldova might ban the import of poultry and eggs from Ukraine due to the risk of avian influenza spread. Photo: iStock Read on for the most recent top news you may have missed in Los Angeles. Ex-member of La Luz Del Mundo in East LA sues church, jailed leader over horrific sexual abuse Read the full story on KTLA 5 News. LA County DA to dismiss nearly 66K marijuana convictions Read the full story on CBS Los Angeles. Trump to visit LA next Tuesday for 2028 Olympics briefing, Beverly Hills fundraiser Read the full story on KTLA 5 News. Jury convicts felon of Downey triple-murder Read the full story on The Downey Patriot. 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 former fourth-generation member of La Luz Del Mundo, the Mexico-based megachurch steeped in a child sex abuse scandal, announced Thursday she is suing the organization and the so-called apostle at its helm. "We believe it is the largest effort in California to wipe out old criminal convictions in a single court motion," the DA said. President Donald Trump will be briefed on preparations for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and raise millions for his reelection campaign next week as part of a three-day, four-state swing to Western states. The device wasnt very big: a metal box about the size of a paperback, with what looked like a screw-top coffee flask attached to it with yellow and green sticky tape. The art of mass-slaughter has been refined since the days when the IRA would blow men, women and children to smithereens with bombs weighing hundreds of pounds. It must have been all too easy for the aspiring assassins to enter the business park 25 miles south of Belfast, then use magnets to fix their murderous contraption beneath a refrigerated lorry trailer. To bypass the security barrier at the entrance, they could simply have sneaked round the back of the compound as I saw for myself this week. Last weekend Sinn Fein a party reviled for decades by decent Irish people as a mouthpiece for the IRA triumphed over mainstream rivals for the first time in a general election. Leader Mary Lou McDonald is pictured above with supporters Had things gone to plan, the consequences would have been almost unthinkable. The booby-trapped truck was due to travel by passenger ferry from Belfast to the Scottish port of Stranraer, then England; and the bomb had been timed to explode on January 31, bringing carnage to Brexit Day celebrations. Detonated on the ship, it would surely have killed or maimed passengers and crew. Had it reached Britain, motorists and pedestrians might have taken the full force of the blast. The Continuity IRA so-called dissident terrorists who splintered from the Provisionals and refuse to accept the Ulster peace process would have toasted what is known, in their hideous lexicon, as a spectacular; the first Republican bomb to be triggered on the mainland for 19 years. Mercifully, none of this happened. The device seems to have been faulty, and when Brexit Day passed the frustrated gang who claimed they were highlighting their objection to the sea border between Ireland and Britain alerted police to its whereabouts, allowing it to be defused. This heinous plot which would have caused untold political damage has now been eclipsed by a more momentous event in Ireland: a political revolution. The device wasnt very big: a metal box about the size of a paperback, with what looked like a screw-top coffee flask attached to it with yellow and green sticky tape. The art of mass-slaughter has been refined since the days when the IRA would blow men, women and children to smithereens with bombs weighing hundreds of pounds Last weekend Sinn Fein a party reviled for decades by decent Irish people as a mouthpiece for the IRA triumphed over mainstream rivals for the first time in a general election. By convincing some would say gulling swathes of the electorate, and particularly young people with no memory of the Troubles, into believing it is now a progressive Left-wing party with the antidote to Irelands social problems, it won 24 per cent of the vote, the biggest share. Just a few days before this dramatic victory in the South, Gerry Kelly, a Sinn Fein member of the Northern Ireland Assembly in Stormont, had attempted to distance the party from its violent past by denouncing the Brexit Day bomb plot, saying the consequences could have been catastrophic. This was the same Mr Kelly who, in 1973, as a teenage terrorist, was part of the IRA cell that secreted itself in London and set bombs outside the Old Bailey and the Ministry of Agriculture, killing one person and injuring 200. The same Mr Kelly who, having been jailed for life, escaped from the Maze Prison and fled to The Netherlands, where he was recaptured in possession of 14 rifles, 100,000 rounds of ammunition and bomb-making explosives. As Sinn Fein begins negotiations with other Irish minority parties in an attempt to form a coalition government, all this begs several pressing questions. Have the terrorists ever gone away? What would happen if Sinn Fein and their shadowy IRA puppet-masters demand a united Ireland, the only cause they truly care about? Are we lurching back to the days of violence, on both sides of the Irish Sea? This week, searching for answers, I journeyed from Belfast through the one-time bandit country of Armagh and across the border to Dublin, whose bars were awash with jubilant Republicans. Yet even before my trip, we had been given an unnerving glimpse of what awaits if, and when, Sinn Fein takes grip of Leinster House, the Irish parliament in Dublin. Just a few days before this dramatic victory in the South, Gerry Kelly, a Sinn Fein member of the Northern Ireland Assembly in Stormont, had attempted to distance the party from its violent past by denouncing the Brexit Day bomb plot, saying the consequences could have been catastrophic It came in the early hours of last Sunday as the seismic election results rolled in. In Dublin North-West, the victorious Dessie Ellis joined supporters in a raucous chorus of the rebel anthem, Come Out Ye Black And Tans a pejorative reference to constables recruited by the British after the Great War to suppress the Irish independence movement. It includes the refrain: Tell them how the IRA made you run like hell away. Mr Ellis, 68, was jailed for ten years on explosives charges during the Eighties and was said, in released British government intelligence reports, to have been forensically linked to some 50 murders during the Troubles. Another triumphant Shinner candidate, David Cullinane, paid tribute in his victory speech to a local IRA volunteer who went on hunger strike. He ended it by shouting Up the Ra! Slang for the Republican Army. Then there was Pauline Tully, a winner in the Cavan-Monaghan constituency. Once married to notorious IRA killer Pearse McAuley who murdered a police officer during a robbery, and was jailed again in 2015 for stabbing Tully in front of their two children Ms Tully is said to have allowed a pro-IRA song to be piped through the speakers of her campaign van. Though she claims a video purporting to show this might have been faked, all these tribal Republican scenes were caught on camera. As for Sinn Feins leader, Mary Lou McDonald, 50, who hails from a middle-class background, was educated at a private school for Roman Catholic girls, and has a Masters degree, she has declined to condemn these highly provocative gestures. Why is the successor to Gerry Adams so reluctant to speak out? According to seasoned Ireland hands, it is because she is walking a tightrope. On one side lie the ordinary people whose support she needs people whose chief concerns are Irelands unaffordable rents and house-prices, closed schools, hospitals, police stations, and bus-routes, the soaring crime rate, and the recent rise of the pensionable age from 65 to 68. Have the terrorists ever gone away? What would happen if Sinn Fein and their shadowy IRA puppet-masters demand a united Ireland, the only cause they truly care about? IRA masked provisionals are pictured escorting the coffin at the funeral of hunger striker Bobby Sands These people dont care two hoots about a united Ireland. Indeed, many have never even been to the North, and consider it an insular, far-away backwoods. However, she must also pander to those on other side: the secretive band of men (for they are invariably male) who fought, and often killed, in the name of civil rights and Irish unity. They decide what Sinn Feins elected politicians must say and do. They are the IRAs ruthless Army Council. The party would have us believe this cabal no longer exists. They claim internal decisions are taken by the Ard Chomhairle, a governing body like that of any other political party. But, there is evidence this is untrue. As recently as last November, Northern Irish police told the Belfast News Letter the Army Council still sets the partys over-arching strategy. Out in the towns and villages where the IRA once waged their brutal war on the British Army, however, and where the vicious criminal gangs they spawned continue to run money-making rackets, people dont need the police to tell them who rules the roost. They know it from their own terrifying experiences. Take Cullyhanna, a hamlet of 300 folks, just north of the border, in the hills of South Armagh. There, in an immaculately-kept bungalow, I met Stephen Quinn, 71, and his wife Breege, 68, a country couple reluctantly thrust into the eye of a storm last week, after their horrific story became an election debating point. It dates back to October 2007, when their son, Paul, 21, a lorry driver and odd-job man, whom they describe as a popular, good-natured lad, full of devilment, quarrelled with the son of the local IRA overlord. One Saturday, he received a call asking him to go to a local farm and muck out the shed the sort of cash-in-hand task he seldom refused. When he arrived, up to a dozen Provo thugs were waiting for him. Listening to Mr and Mrs Quinn describe what happened to their son was an experience that will forever haunt me. They beat him with iron bars and cudgels spiked with nails to pierce his flesh, said Mr Quinn, as his wife wept. It dates back to October 2007, when their son, Paul, 21, a lorry driver and odd-job man, whom they describe as a popular, good-natured lad, full of devilment, quarrelled with the son of the local IRA overlord They literally broke every major bone in his body below his neck. They smashed his teeth and took off a piece of his ear. Pauls pitiful squeals were witnessed by a friend, who was also taken to the shed and had his leg broken for refusing to make the call that lured him. He later managed to call Pauls girlfriend, and it was she who found him. He was taken to hospital and lived for a few hours. But when the doctor came out to see his parents, he could only say: Sorry. There was nothing left to fix. Usually, when they bury someone, they fold their arms across their chest, but they couldnt do that with Paul so they put them by his side, Mr Quinn told me. We couldnt run rosary beads through his broken fingers. But they managed to embalm him and put make-up on him, so we could have an open coffin, only with gauze over his face so no one could touch it. Their adored boy was dead, but the Quinns torment was just beginning. Not long after the murder, local Sinn Fein MP Connor Murphy, a former member of the IRA, told the BBC Paul had been involved in criminality, as if this somehow justified the appalling crime. He added that he had spoken directly to the IRA and was satisfied they had not carried out the attack. To the Quinns, this damning summation made their loss so much more painful. Yet for 13 years Murphy, now Minister of Finance at Stormont, refused to withdraw his slur. Nor has he told police the identity of the Provo boss with whom he conferred. Murphy, 56, joined the IRA as a teenager, and received a five-year jail sentence for membership and possession of explosives before becoming a Sinn Fein activist. In 2005 he became the first Irish republican to address the Tory party conference but caused offence by refusing to express regret for the Brighton hotel bomb, intended to assassinate Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. After Paul was murdered, Mr Murphys Sinn Fein-provided driver was among the 20 or so suspects arrested, but he was released without charge. This week, following days of damaging media coverage of this affair, and the shaming of Mrs McDonald over the matter in a televised leaders debate, Murphy finally offered the Quinns a mealy-mouthed apology. However, they wont accept it until he says Paul was innocent. The couple arent interested in politics, but when it comes to the question of Sinn Feins suitability for government Breege gazes at me in astonishment. Why would you ask me that? she breathes. I wouldnt vote for any party that was involved in murdering and beating people. The young ones who voted them in ought to be reminded of what they really are, and the things they did. One woman who knows precisely what they are, and what they did, is Mairia Cahill, great-niece of former IRA chief of staff, Joe Cahill. During the mid-Nineties, when she was a 16-year-old member of Sinn Feins youth wing, she says she was systematically raped by an older IRA man. Her harrowing case was highlighted in an award-winning BBC documentary, and even debated in parliament; and though criminal proceedings against her attacker collapsed she waived her anonymity so the shocking facts would be heard. Ms Cahill, now 39 and a writer, politician, and critic of the extreme Republican movement, told me how IRA bosses in Belfast put her through an excruciating ordeal after she told them about the rape. Acting as police, judge and jury, they spent months investigating her complaint. Take Cullyhanna, a hamlet of 300 folks, just north of the border, in the hills of South Armagh. There, in an immaculately-kept bungalow, I met Stephen Quinn, 71, and his wife Breege, 68, a country couple reluctantly thrust into the eye of a storm last week, after their horrific story became an election debating point During this travesty she was repeatedly interrogated and forced to confront her attacker in a bizarre form of trial. Then, after the IRA found her allegations unproven, she was warned never to speak of the matter again. Her abuser was given money and a car and packed off to England. He now lives in Croydon. Who were the controlling men who presided over this disturbing case? Ms Cahill defiantly identifies some of them to me. Among them were some of the Provos most cold-hearted purveyors of terror. Men such as Padraic Wilson, unmasked as the boss of the IRAs Belfast civil administration unit which knee-capped, tarred and feathered, or shot dead anyone who stepped out of order in the Eighties. Wilson was jailed for 24 years for possessing bombs in 1991. Today, she says, many of them still serve on the Army Council, dictating policy to Sinn Feins elected politicians, North and South. Soon, these characters could effectively be running Irelands government. It is a chilling prospect. Equally worrying is the indifference Sinn Fein supporters feel when one mentions the partys dark side. To the two middle-aged female servers in a cafe in Castleblayney (where the Quinns shop), the atrocities were all in the past. Theyd voted for Sinn Fein because they were struggling on the minimum wage and angry parts of the local hospital had been closed. As for a group of 16-year-old boys loitering outside the shopping mall because the town had so few youth facilities, they said they were too young to vote last weekend, but would definitely back Sinn Fein at the next election. Why? Mainly because they had pledged to build a new skating park. When I asked them about the Troubles, the Brexit-Day bomb and Paul Quinn they gazed at me blankly. It seems the upsurge of the bombs-and-bullets party is just beginning. We must wait to see if Sinn Fein can grasp the reins of power in Dublin. And ponder with trepidation what an Irish government controlled by IRA generals might mean for us, in Britain. Mr. Beaver, I am in upper management at a high-quality meat processing plant in the Midwest. Over the past several months we have experienced a significant loss of expensive sides of beef, but it has not been continuous, just time to time. I have an idea who is behind this theft. I believe it is a group of employees, but cant say for sure. It is more than a feeling, more than a hunch, but I do not have real evidence of who is doing what, Jody wrote. Our CEO wants to run all employees on a polygraph to be administered by a private investigator. Am I legally obligated to submit to the examination? What happens if I refuse? Can I be terminated? What has been your experience in your law practice with the polygraph? Do you believe that it accurately can detect who is telling the truth? Are some people more likely than others to fail the test? Some Facts about Polygraph Examinations The first polygraph dates from 1920, when a California-based policeman and physiologist, John A. Larson, developed an instrument to measure continuous changes in blood pressure, heart rate and respiration rate in order to aid in the detection of deception. The operative theory was that your bodys own reactions would reveal lying. Until 1988, lie detectors were routinely used on employees and job applicants, and they still are for certain types of employment. Employers often asked employees and applicants questions about private matters often having nothing to do with the actual job and the lie detector would reach a conclusion as to their honesty. Even people who were truthful often appeared, to the machine, as deceptive. Eventually the accuracy of polygraph tests came to be seriously doubted. The Federal Employee Polygraph Protection Act, passed in 1988, virtually outlawed using lie detectors in connection with employment. Under the act, it is illegal for private companies to: Require, request, suggest or cause any employee or job applicant to submit to a lie detector test; Use, accept, refer to or inquire about the results of any lie detector test conducted on an employee or job applicant, or; Dismiss, discipline, discriminate against or even threaten to take action against any employee or job applicant who refuses to take a lie detector test. The law also prohibits employers from discriminating against or firing those who claim its protections. Government employees are generally not protected by this law, however civil service rules offer some protection. When Lie Detector Tests May Be Used The Employee Polygraph Protection Act permits polygraph tests with jobs in security and handling drugs or in investigating theft or other crimes committed by employees. Before an employee can be required to take the test, a 48-hour notice must be provided, which states that you are a suspect. A provable, reasonable suspicion that you were involved in the theft or other conduct triggering the investigation must be established. It is important to note that an employee may refuse to take the test. Additionally, the acts protections do not apply to employees of federal, state or local government, nor to certain jobs that handle sensitive work relating to national defense. State laws often further restrict the ability of running an employee on the polygraph, so that is something important to look into. Controversial at Best Some years ago, the American Psychological Association issued this statement: The accuracy (i.e., validity) of polygraph testing has long been controversial. An underlying problem is theoretical: There is no evidence that any pattern of physiological reactions is unique to deception. An honest person may be nervous when answering truthfully and a dishonest person may be non-anxious. Also, there are few good studies that validate the ability of polygraph procedures to detect deception. Our Own Experience Years ago, I taught part-time at California State University in Bakersfield and invited the D.A. Offices polygrapher to demonstrate how the machine worked to the class. One member was selected. He was an Army Brat, having lived in several countries, and spoke Spanish, French and German. We heard him speak those languages. Hooked up to the machine, he was asked if he spoke those languages, and replied affirmatively. The machine said Deceptive! On it went, he gave honest answers, yet the machine called him a liar. So, how do you explain this? I asked the polygrapher. Some cultures (or families) where guilt is a strong influence in the raising of children can dramatically influence how someone will do on a polygraph, and Ive seen this before, he commented. With that experience in mind, my advice to Jody would be to politely decline being tested on the polygraph. While innocent, that scent of suspicion could do him great harm. The citys largest union is ramping up a campaign against potential Winnipeg budget cuts. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The citys largest union is ramping up a campaign against potential Winnipeg budget cuts. This week, the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500 added more radio ads, billboards and social-media posts to its online campaign for the city to eliminate all potential service cuts. 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. Early budget presentations suggested pools, libraries and arenas could close, while many other services could be cut to meet strict new budget targets for the 2020 to 2023 city budget. Those targets limit new department spending at between 0 per cent and 2 per cent. The new CUPE ads lobby citizens to help prevent the cuts, with the campaign linked to an online petition at yourwinnipeg.ca "Winnipeg city council is talking about massive cuts that will hit every corner of our community," a radio ad notes. "Tell city council these services are yours to keep, not theirs to cut." None of the cost-saving options has been suggested in an actual draft budget. Mayor Brian Bowman has repeatedly warned the cuts are only proposed, not final. The citys preliminary budget will be released on March 6. Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg held a private fundraiser Friday morning at San Franciscos National LGBTQ Center for the Arts, where a group of protesters gathered outside. Many held signs reading, "Queers Against Pete," the name of an activist group that has emerged in response to the South Bend mayor's moderate policies. On the "Queers Against Pete" website, the group attacks Buttigieg's opposition to free public college and "Medicare for All," among other things. "As LGBTQIA people our lives are layered and must have an intersectional framework in our analysis, organizing, and movement building," the website states. "We know that: Education justice is LGBTQIA justice. Racial and economic justice are LGBTQIA justice. Decarceration is LGBTQIA justice. Immigrant and refugee justice is LGBTQIA justice." At the Buttigieg event, the group of activists, which also included local members of the Democratic Socialists of America, could be heard chanting, "Hey Pete stop it / put people over profit" and "Hey Pete, come out / we've got some things to talk about." One activist told a reporter Buttigieg has been "using his gay card to propel his campaign," but is "not representative of our community." Buttigieg is the first openly gay candidate to be a serious contender for presidential nominee of a major party. Inside the event, The Guardian reported that two activists stood up and disrupted the fundraiser after Buttigieg received a question about his husband Chasten. According to the news site, many of the candidate's supporters in the room booed the activists. "I respect your activism, but this is a gathering for supporters of our campaign and I just got a question about my husband and Im really excited to answer it," the mayor reportedly told the activists. The Guardian also reported that a Buttigieg supporter in the room yelled, "Youre homophobes, thats what you all are, youre homophobes!" at the activists, and one responded with, "Were all gay!" Buttigieg had strong showings in the early states of Iowa and New Hampshire, but has been stuck in single-digits in California polls that were conducted prior to the early contests. No major California polls have been conducted since before the Iowa caucus. California votes on March 3 as part of Super Tuesday. Eric Ting is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: eric.ting@sfgate.com | Twitter:@_ericting Even if they finish in the top-four this season in the Premier League, Manchester City look destined to miss out on next seasons Champions League as they have been banned from the prestigious competition and all other UEFA competitions for the next two seasons. The English Premier League side have also been fined 24.9 million for serious breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations. As reported by Sky Sports, an Adjudicatory Chamber of the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) found the Premier League champions guilty of serious breaches of the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations. In a statement, UEFA said City overstated its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016. The club were also found guilty of failing to cooperate in the investigation of this case by the CFCB. After the news broke, Man City released the following statement: Manchester City is disappointed but not surprised by todays announcement by the UEFA Adjudicatory Chamber. The club has always anticipated the ultimate need to seek out an independent body and process to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence in support of its position. In December 2018, the UEFA Chief Investigator publicly previewed the outcome and sanction he intended to be delivered to Manchester City, before any investigation, had even begun. The subsequent flawed and consistently leaked UEFA process he oversaw has meant that there was little doubt in the result that he would deliver. The Club has formally complained to the UEFA Disciplinary body, a complaint which was validated by a CAS ruling. Simply put, this is a case initiated by UEFA, prosecuted by UEFA and judged by UEFA. With this prejudicial process now over, the club will pursue an impartial judgement as quickly as possible and will therefore, in the first instance, commence proceedings with the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the earliest opportunity. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 By Samir Ali - Trend: Azerbaijan is able to grow enough potatoes both to ensure the needs of the local market and for export, Elmar Allahverdiyev, director of the Scientific Research Institute of Vegetable Growing of Azerbaijans Agriculture Ministry, told Trend Feb. 14. Allahverdiyev noted that after eliminating certain problems in this industry, Azerbaijan will stop importing potatoes. The volume of potato growing in Azerbaijan allows meeting the needs of the domestic market, as well as exporting to foreign countries, the director added. However, entrepreneurs have one problem. Farmers cannot find storage facilities for their products, and this causes problems in the winter months." "Due to the lack of storage facilities, farmers sell products at very cheap prices. In the Azerbaijani districts, several entrepreneurs have already solved this problem. They built special warehouses where potatoes can be stored. After solving this problem throughout Azerbaijan, the country will no longer import potatoes, Allahverdiyev said. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal In early April 1997, a 17-year-old girl said she was raped by an acquaintance at a party near the University of New Mexico. She said he pushed her to the ground in an alley and told her to be quiet or he would kill her. Almost seven years later, about 1,000 miles away in Mountain View, California, a 42-year-old woman said she was sleeping in a motel when a stranger broke in, held her down and sexually assaulted her for about half an hour. Late last month, after the Albuquerque Police Department tested the 1997 rape kit, detectives determined the same man was responsible. Van Riley Overton Jr., now 45, was arrested in Albuquerque on Sunday. He had become somewhat of a public figure in the city over the years, holding TED talks, founding and co-founding local youth advocacy organizations and appearing in multiple news stories involving his volunteer work. He even won a prestigious award from then-Mayor Richard Berry in 2017. Earlier this week, Overton was extradited to California to face multiple counts of rape. His public defender did not respond to requests for comment. A spokeswoman for the Mountain View Police Department said Overton had his first court appearance, an arraignment, on Thursday. She said he will be held in the Santa Clara County Jail until trial. A spokesman for the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office in Bernalillo County said the victim from Albuquerque wants to push forward, as well. We will be indicting our case in the coming weeks and will prosecute him once the case in California is complete, District Attorneys Office spokesman Michael Patrick said. It will be criminal sexual penetration in either the first or second degree, he added. Report in Albuquerque In the early morning of April 6, 1997, a 17-year-old girl reported to police she had just been raped at a party on Silver south of University. Two officers were dispatched, and the girl told them she had attended the party with two friends and ran into an acquaintance she knew only as Van, according to a police report. She said he asked her to step out back with him and when she did he pushed her to the ground and raped her in an alley. She said he told her he would kill her if she made a sound or if she told anyone, and he would stab and kill the people she told. However, she did tell her friends, and they called the police. The girls friends told the officers they didnt know Van well but he had graduated from Highland High School and belonged to a tagging gang. (The friend) also stated that he would be able to find Van by asking around, I told him to call the police if he knew where Van could be found, the report states. The girl was taken to the hospital to be seen by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and evidence including the suspects DNA was collected. Its unclear from the police report what was done next and an APD spokesman said he couldnt find any other follow-up in the case. The rape kit wouldnt be tested until November 2019. California case On Feb. 4, 2004, a 42-year-old woman staying at the now-demolished Lucky U motel in Mountain View, California, southeast of San Francisco, told police she was asleep when a man broke into her room, held her down and raped her. She called immediately after he left, said Katie Nelson, a Mountain View Police Department spokeswoman. He ran out of the room she was staying in at this motel. She called us and we immediately began our investigation. Nelson said the Mountain View Police Department, an agency with about 95 sworn officers, collected DNA as part of the womans rape kit, tested it immediately and uploaded it to a national DNA database. Unfortunately, at the time we did not have any hits, Nelson said. So over the course of the next roughly 16 years we proceeded to continually check and see if there had been any matches. Our detective at the time who is now our captain, Jessica Nowaski, stayed in contact with her. Nelson said that in late January they learned there was a DNA match in Albuquerque. Detectives from the Mountain View Police Department collaborated with APD sex crimes detectives, and after taking another look at the Albuquerque case they zeroed in on Overton. Nelson said he lived in the area from about 2002 to 2006. Over the past several years, Overton became heavily involved in volunteer work and philanthropy in the Albuquerque-area. He co-founded Duke City Dream Lab and later founded the nonprofit SpreadLoveABQ, both of which are geared to helping Albuquerque youths grappling with substance abuse, homelessness and other adversities. In 2017, Berry honored Overton as volunteer of the year for his work on behalf of the Albuquerque Public Schools Title 1 homeless project, and for organizing art programs that raised donations of food and clothing for homeless students. A father of two, Overton also served three years as a member of the New Mexico Parent Teacher Association Board of Directors, and was an active volunteer in APS schools up until his arrest. Overton was employed as an education assistant for two days Feb. 6 through Feb. 8, 2020 at Emerson Elementary School. Overton had been interviewed by APD detectives Feb. 7, and his DNA had been collected. Nelson said the DNA was determined to be an identical match in their case. Overton was arrested Feb. 9 and was extradited to Mountain View, California, the next day. Two womens lives have been irrevocably changed because of these incidents, Nelson said. The gravity of what we were dealing with was not lost on us. Clearing the backlog Out of the initial 5,418 rape kits in a decadeslong backlog, police say there are only 27 remaining. The backlog became a hot topic in December 2016 when then-State Auditor Tim Keller now mayor of Albuquerque issued a report finding there were about 5,400 rape kits that had been collected as evidence in New Mexico but never processed. The vast majority of the cases, about 4,000, were from Albuquerque. In 2017, Berrys administration secured two grants to clear the backlog: one for $2.5 million through a Department of Justice program called the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, and another for $250,000. Then, in early 2018, Keller signed an executive order calling for law enforcement and investigators to create a comprehensive plan for clearing the backlog. When asked if the Mountain View Police Department detectives were frustrated to learn Overtons DNA had been sitting untested in Albuquerque, Nelson said the case highlights the importance of clearing the rape kit backlog. Thats something we have faced out here in California, Nelson said. While our kits are cleared and updated we know that there are other places out there that are still grappling with that. We sincerely hope that this is another example of why it is so important to fund these types of efforts. The backlog was in the news again this week after the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Albuquerque is not eligible for a federal Sexual Assault Kit Initiative grant due to the citys status as an immigrant-friendly city. APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said although the department will finish testing its backlog within the next couple of months without the funding, the grant would have helped with further investigation and prosecution of those cases. Without that funding it could have an impact, but I expect well find it in other sources, Gallegos said. Journal staff writer Shelby Perea contributed to this report. San Francisco 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. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 19:12:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close The Berlaymont Building, the European Commission headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium, April 5, 2019. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) Since the outbreak of the epidemic, China and the EU have been in close communication and cooperation, and China wants to express heartfelt thanks to the EU and its member states for their support and assistance, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes an agreement reached by EU health ministers that they see no need to ban Chinese travelers from entering the Schengen area, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday. According to reports, EU health ministers agreed to increase preparations and coordination to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading across Europe during a special meeting in Brussels Thursday. EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides reportedly said the EU is not considering banning Chinese travelers from entering its visa-free Schengen area at the moment and they should have faith in the measures being taken by member states and China to contain the virus. Spokesperson Geng Shuang said China welcomes the agreement, and the international community needs to enhance coordination and cooperation to make a collective response to the epidemic as the virus knows no borders. "We hope relevant countries will stay calm, make science-based assessments and rational responses, and respect the WHO's authoritative recommendations," Geng said. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, China and the EU have been in close communication and cooperation, and China wants to express heartfelt thanks to the EU and its member states for their support and assistance, Geng added. He said China will continue with its exchange of information and cooperation with the WHO and the international community in an open, transparent and responsible way and strive to achieve victory against the epidemic as soon as possible. A pool car carrying primary school students fell into a water-filled ditch near Kamdebpur in Hooghly district on Friday, injuring 14 children, police said. Two students, who suffered serious injuries in the mishap, are being brought to Kolkata for treatment through a green corridor, they said. "Prima facie, it appears to be a case of overspeeding while taking a turn," Commissioner of Chandannagar Police Commissionerate, Humayun Kabir, said. Personnel from a nearby police camp joined locals in the rescue operation, he said, adding, 11 school students were discharged from hospital after administering first aid. All the injured were admitted to Chinsurah Imambara Hospital, where three children were stated to be in critical condition, following which a green corridor was created to rush two of them to Kolkata, police said. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, who arrived at the spot, said the two critically-injured children will be taken to SSKM hospital in the city. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 19:53 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2064a3f8d 1 National COVID-19,coronavirus,China,Indonesia,Europe,tourists,foreign-tourists,Singapore,Wuhan-coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia Free Fears over the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak have affected tourism in West Java, with a number of European tourists reportedly canceling their trip to the province. According to the West Java chapter of the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA), European tourists have expressed concerns over the new coronavirus as the pneumonia-like disease has spread from China to Indonesias neighboring countries. Singapore has recorded confirmed cases of [the coronavirus], while their flights [to Indonesia] are supposed to transit in Singapore, ASITA West Java chapter head Budijanto Ardiansjah said on Friday as quoted by kompas.com. Some European tourists have canceled their trips. They asked for confirmation whether Indonesia is safe [from the virus] or not and they have decided to postpone their visits until the outbreak subsides. He declined to reveal just how many tourists have canceled their plans. In line with recent government policy, airlines have suspended their flights to and from China in response to the outbreak, subsequently affecting the visit of Chinese tourists, one of the largest contributor of foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia. The ASITA Bali chapter previously said that thousands of Chinese tourists had canceled their trips to Bali in the wake of the virus outbreak, which has killed more than 1,300 and spread to nearly 30 countries since it first emerged in the city of Wuhan in late December last year. Indonesia has no confirmed cases of the new coronavirus so far, though its neighboring countries have reported multiple positive diagnoses. Singapore, for instance, has confirmed that 67 people have been infected in the city-state as of Friday, The Strait Times reported. The cancelations came amid the West Java administrations efforts to attract more European and American tourists to the province, which has a number of famous destinations such as the provincial capital of Bandung as well as Ciwidey regency. According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), a total of 1,565,200 European tourists visited Indonesia from January to September last year. The number showed a slight decline compared to the same period in 2018 when 1,566,900 Europeans visited the country. Budi conceded that West Java was still less enticing compared to Bali, saying that only 8 to 10 percent of tourists from Europe visiting Indonesia included West Java in their itineraries. He said West Java was still lacking in promotion despite the beauty of its nature and culture, which had become the main attractions for European tourists, including those from the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. European tourists are different from Asian tourists. Asian tourists like shopping, while Europeans are more into nature and the culture, Budi said. ASITA has been mulling over strategy to attract more European tourists to visit West Java before going to Bali, such as by encouraging them to take trains from Jakarta to Bandung or to drop by Puncak in Bogor before continuing to Yogyakarta or Bali. (gis) Jyotiraditya Scindia, the party's general secretary, who has made a bitter comment about the Delhi assembly elections on the Congress defeat, is now talking about taking to the streets against his own Madhya Pradesh government. According to news agency ANI, Siddhinaya has declared her party's manifesto as a holy text in a program. He has also warned that if the manifesto is not implemented, then they will come down the streets. Yogi government will give cultural award to artists who will make the state proud According to the media report, Jyotiraditya Scindia has said that I want to assure you that your manifesto contains your demands and this (manifesto) is our sacred text. Be patient, if your demands in the manifesto are not met then do not think that you are alone. I (Jyotiraditya Scindia) will go on the streets with you. CM Yog on Indo-Nepal relationship, says- "There are two bodies since ancient times, but..." Earlier during a program in Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh, on Thursday, he described the defeat of the Congress in the Delhi Assembly elections as disappointing. Speaking to reporters, he said that our party could not perform well. Now the country is changing and we also need to go to the changing environment. Gujarat: Wife Kinjal claims, Hardik Patel missing for last 20 days Documentary by Korean channel has been watched more than 13 million times online and sparked a debate about voyeurism. A tearful reunion between a mother and her dead daughter via advanced virtual reality for a South Korean television has become an online hit, triggering a fierce debate about voyeurism and exploitation. The footage began with the girl who died of leukaemia in 2016 emerging from behind a pile of wood in a park, as if playing hide-and-seek. Mum, where have you been? she asks. Ive missed you a lot. Have you missed me? Tears streaming down her face, Jang Ji-sung reached out towards her, racked with emotion. I have missed you Na-yeon, she told the computer-generated six-year-old, her hands moving to stroke her hair. But in the real world, Jang was standing in front of a studio green screen, wearing a virtual reality headset and touch-sensitive gloves, her daughters ashes in a locket around her neck. At times the camera cut to Jangs watching husband and their three surviving children, wiping away tears of their own. A nine-minute clip of the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) documentary, I Met You, has been watched more than 13 million times in a week on YouTube. Many viewers offered Jang their sympathy and support for the concept. My mother unexpectedly passed away two years ago and I wish I could meet her through virtual reality, said one. But media columnist Park Sang-hyun said the documentary amounted to exploitation of personal pain. Its understandable a grief-stricken mother would wish to meet her late daughter. I would do the same, he told the AFP news agency. The problem lies in that the broadcaster has taken advantage of a vulnerable mother who lost a child for sake of the viewer ratings. If the mother had been counselled before the filming, he added, I wonder what kind of a psychiatrist would approve this. It took eight months of filming and programming to create the virtual Na-yeon, but the makers of the documentary insisted the broadcast was intended to console the family rather than promote virtual reality in ultra-wired South Korea. The technology presented a new way to keep loved ones in memory, one of the producers told reporters. Jang herself who has her daughters name and date of birth tattooed on her arm in memory hoped the programme could console others who had lost loved ones. Even though it was a very brief I was really happy in the moment, she wrote on her blog which she has since turned private. During the broadcast the two sat at a table to celebrate Na-yeons missing birthdays, singing happy birthday together. Before blowing out the candles, Na-yeon made a birthday wish: I want my mother to stop crying. Advertisement Flood-hit towns in West Yorkshire are loading up on sandbags as Storm Dennis threatens to batter Britain with even more rain and winds of up to 80 miles an hour tomorrow - just six days after Storm Ciara. The UK is suffering further downpours and snow today, before the storm dubbed Dennis the Menace causes havoc for communities and on the road and rail networks throughout Saturday and Sunday. The 1,200-mile wide 'perfect storm' will bring mayhem for towns in Yorkshire's Calder Valley, which was inundated with floodwater when Storm Ciara raged on Sunday. Today in Mytholmroyd, officials were seen desperately trying to prepare for the fourth named storm of the year by using constructing flood defences made of sandbags to prevent further damage. Dennis will develop in the North Atlantic before tracking eastwards, and passing into north Scotland on Saturday, with the country set to be blasted by winds over 60mph, and some areas getting more than 100mm of rain. Today in Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire, officials were seen desperately trying to prepare for Storm Dennis by using sandbags as flood defences Severe amber weather warnings have already been issued for many parts of the UK this weekend, including amber warnings for rain in south west England, southern Wales, north west England and south east England. Paul Gundersen, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office said: 'Another spell of very wet and windy weather is expected for Saturday. Although Storm Dennis is currently not expected to be as severe as Ciara, disruption is still likely.' The Environment Agency said the flood impact from the weather system is likely to be worse than last weekend's Storm Ciara due to rain falling on already saturated ground. John Curtin, the agency's executive director of flood and coastal risk management, said Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire were the areas he was most 'concerned' about. 'This [storm] could be a step up from what we have seen before,' Mr Curtin said. 'We had a big storm last weekend, [we now have] saturated catchments, snowmelt and rainfall, so it is a perfect storm.' Workers in the Calder Valley towns of West Yorkshire (pictured today) are already trying to recover from the devastating effects of Storm Ciara, but are using sandbags to prevent further damage to the area with Storm Dennis looming tomorrow Local authorities are quickly trying to construct flood defences so the Calder Valley towns of Mytholmroyd and Sowerby Bridge don't suffer any further flood damage The 1,200-mile wide storm will bring mayhem for towns in Yorkshire's Calder Valley, which was inundated with floodwater on Sunday Flood-hit towns across the Calder Valley (Mytholmroyd pictured today) are loading up on sandbags as Storm Dennis threatens to batter Britain with even more rain and winds of up to 80 miles an hour tomorrow - just six days after Storm Ciara Storm Dennis has been named and will bring very strong winds and potential for disruption to many parts of England and Wales on Saturday Severe amber weather warnings have already been issued for many parts of the UK this weekend, including amber warnings for rain in south west England, southern Wales, north west England and south east England Amid Met Office weather warnings, fans of a 125-year-old football club in Selby, Yorkshire, are on tenterhooks over their team's future. Tadcaster Albion FC's grounds were left under five feet of water when six week's worth of rain fell in North Yorkshire over the weekend amid Storm Ciara. The clubhouse was almost completely destroyed in the deluge and part of the pitch remains underwater today - nearly an entire week later. As officials tirelessly work to repair the damage they remain fearful that this weekend's torrential weather forecast will ruin the ground beyond repair. Officials say they were not able to get insured after the grounds were badly damaged in 2015 floods, meaning the bill will be handed to club fans and representatives. Albion, founded in 1892, are currently placed sixth in the Northern Premier League North West Division, which is the eighth tier of English football. Tadcaster Albion FC's grounds were left under five feet of water when six week's worth of rain fell in North Yorkshire over the weekend amid Storm Ciara The clubhouse was almost completely destroyed in the deluge and part of the pitch remains underwater today - nearly an entire week later As officials tirelessly work to repair the damage they remain fearful that this weekend's torrential weather forecast will ruin the ground beyond repair It's not yet known where the club will play their home games as the clear up operation gets underway. Also hit by the bad weather was workman Ben Newberry from Leicestershire who was struck by a sheet of plywood and knocked over when it was picked up by gale-force winds. He was hit on the neck and knocked flat out by the impact of the wood on Tuesday before being put in a neck brace by an ambulance crew. He was rushed to hospital but eventually given the all-clear. Mr Newberry was taking a coffee break while working on a housing estate 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. 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 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 Slide me A farm in Lincolnshire has finally emerged from being underwater three months after a nearby river flooded following torrential downpours Slide me Before and after: Henry Ward's farmhouse and outbuildings were left surrounded by 15ft of water after the Barlings Eau, a river near Lincoln, burst its banks in mid-November Dennis verges on the most powerful North Atlantic storm since records began 196 years ago. Farm emerges from water three months after river flooded A farm in Lincolnshire has finally emerged from being underwater three months after a nearby river flooded following torrential downpours - and just as another storm hits the UK. Henry Ward's farmhouse and outbuildings were left surrounded by 15ft of water after the Barlings Eau, a river near Lincoln, burst its banks in mid-November. More than 1,000 acres of farmland in Lincolnshire was left underwater, but finally three months later the water has been drained off the farm and the roads, fences and fields can be seen again. Mr Ward, 28, who had only just taken over the farm in September from his father, Joe, said: 'About 90 per cent of the farm is clear of water now. There are about 20 acres which still have some water, which can't find its way back to a ditch or a dyke so we will have to dig some channels there. 'We are now finding all the damage which has been done by the flooding. The land is saturated with water still and the soil is like soup. We are also finding a lot of dead wildlife, like hares and badgers and fish on the farm. 'We will have to be patient and won't be able to do any recultivation of the land until late spring or early summer. We will have lost a year of farming due to the flooding.' The breach in the riverbank was plugged up in December to try to make sure the farm is safe from further flooding. Advertisement 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 will 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. Four people died during Storm Ciara six days ago 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. 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. RAC patrol of the year Ben Aldous said: 'After so much wind and rain last weekend, drivers will again have to contend with some pretty dreadful conditions on the road with the arrival of Storm Dennis. 'With transport disruption likely, drivers should expect their journeys to take longer than usual and should stay up to date with the latest traffic and travel information, as the conditions could change quickly. 'It's essential motorists never attempt to drive through deep floodwater. Those that do are not just risking damage to their vehicles but risking their lives and those of their passengers.' 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. It has advised passengers to expect disruption on many routes due to flooding and to allow more time for their journeys. Tracks could also be flooded as the ground near parts of the railway is already saturated, particularly in the North West. Cross-border journeys between England and Scotland were severely restricted last weekend. Network Rail's network services director Nick King said: 'As we saw last week, stormy weather brings high winds that can lead to trees and other debris falling on to the railway, and floods that prevent us from running trains on parts of the network. 'That is why we are again asking passengers to check their journeys before they travel this weekend, either with their train operator directly or through National Rail Enquiries. 'Our teams of engineers will again be out working at all hours and in all weathers to remove fallen trees and debris from the railway, repair damaged infrastructure and work to reopen lines affected by flooding.' 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. 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 Since 1851, many remarkable black men and women did not receive obituaries in The New York Times. This month, with Overlooked, were adding their stories to our archives. As a mixed-race woman living in central Africa under European rule, Andree Blouin had resigned herself to a life of daily humiliation. At age 17, she became, in her words, an African concubine first to a Belgian aristocrat, who made her hide in the kitchen when guests came over, and then to a French businessman, who called his black houseboy a big chimpanzee. But when the health of her 2-year-old son, Rene, was in jeopardy, she could no longer remain quiet. It was 1946, and Blouin was living in Bangui, the capital of the French colony of Ubangi-Shari. Rene had been hospitalized with malaria but was denied medication because he was one-quarter African. Blouin burst into the mayors office to demand an exception. It was refused. Child murderer! she screamed as she was dragged out. A month later, Rene was dead. The death of my son politicized me as nothing else could, Blouin recalled in her 1983 memoir, My Country, Africa. Colonialism, she realized, was no longer a matter of my own maligned fate but a system of evil whose tentacles reached into every phase of African life. Kolkata, Feb 14 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday that she was hurt at not being informed about the inauguration of the East-West Metro corridor, despite having toiled so hard to get the project approved during her stint as Railway Minister. Trinamool Congress representatives invited to Thursday's inauguration boycotted the programme alleging that Banerjee was ignored. They also expressed their dismay at her name not being printed on the invitation card. Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the 4.8 km first phase of the metro route which connects the tech hub of Salt Lake Sector V with the Salt Lake stadium. "We had worked so hard for the East-West Metro project. I was then Railway Minister in the UPA government. We had to literally shed tears for getting the approval. We had great difficulty in arranging the funds. "I am not interested on whether my name or picture was there on the invite. I felt hurt as I was not even informed about the inauguration. But I don't have any regrets now. People know what all I had done for the Metro project," Banerjee said in the state Assembly. Countering Banerjee, Union Minister Babul Supriyo said that metro officials had gone to the state secretariat Nabanna and invited the Chief Minister, who was not in town. Supriyo said as per protocol, a Chief Minister is formally invited only when the Prime Minister inaugurates a project in that particular state. After missing several deadlines, the much-awaited East West Metro Railway -- a part of which when fully commissioned would constitute India's first under-water train line -- began commercial operation on Friday over the truncated stretch linking six overground stations -- Sector V, Karunamoyee, Central Park, City Centre, Bengal Chemical and Salt Lake Stadium. Goyal said at the inauguration that the full stretch is likely to be completed in two years if the bottlenecks were cleared. Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited is the implementing agency of the project, which is technologically analogous to the Eurostar (connecting Paris and London) and bridges the twin cities of Howrah and Kolkata. It has been planned to drastically cut down travel cost and time, almost by an hour and a half. Out of the total 16.60 km, 5.8 km is an elevated corridor and 10.8 km will run underground. The 520 metre twin tunnels under the river are part of the underground stretch. Once commissioned, people would travel more than a 10 storied building below the water surface for almost half a kilometre across the 460 metre wide Hooghly river. (CNN) The brutal killing and mutilation of a 25-year-old woman in Mexico has sparked outrage and prompted calls for a change in the country's law, after several media outlets published a leaked photograph of the victim's disfigured body on their front pages. Authorities announced Sunday that police officers arrived at a home in Mexico City over the weekend to find Ingrid Escamilla lifeless, with her body skinned and missing some of its organs -- the latest incident in an ongoing string of violent crimes against women in Mexico. A 46-year-old man covered in blood stains was also at the scene and was arrested. Leaked photos and videos have subsequently emerged showing a bloodied man apparently admitting to stabbing the woman after, what he says, was a heated argument in which she threatened to kill him, before allegedly skinning her to remove evidence. CNN has been unable to determine whether the man has legal representation. Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico City's mayor, said prosecutors will demand the maximum sentence against the alleged perpetrator, whom police said was the woman's husband. "Femicide is an absolutely condemnable crime. It is appalling when hatred reaches extremes like in the case of Ingrid Escamilla," Sheinbaum wrote on Twitter. But the outrage over the gruesome case escalated after local tabloids and digital news websites posted extremely graphic, leaked photographs of the victim's body. One of the papers, Pasala, showed the photos on its front page alongside the headline "It was Cupid's fault." CNN has contacted Pasala for comment. The publication prompted fury from activists in the country, who have been pouring onto the streets in recent months demanding a change in the way cases of violence against women are handled and reported. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has been critical of the media's response to the killing. The Mexico City prosecutor's office is meanwhile investigating civil servants over the leak and is considering making it a crime to distribute images of victims, it said in a statement. Lopez Obrador told a press conference on Thursday that the person responsible for leaking the images should be reprimanded. "This is a crime, that needs to be punished, whoever it is," he said. Femicides -- the killing of women on account of their gender -- have risen in Mexico in recent years; 1,006 cases were reported in 2019, compared with 912 the year before. According to Mexico's Attorney General Alejandro Gertz, femicides have increased 137% in the last five years. Gertz told a press conference earlier this week that if there was "no justice" for vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, children and women, "then we are not doing our job." But women's rights groups have said that too few murders are classified as femicides, and that not enough perpetrators are brought to justice. "Mexico faces a major challenge in terms of violence against women," the country's National Institute of Women said on Wednesday, in a statement that also lambasted media outlets for publishing the images. "The distribution of images of criminal acts, as a form of advocating crime involving sensationalism, viciousness, mockery and morbidity, causes revictimization, banalizes violence, and threatens the dignity, privacy and identity of victims and their families," the group said. They added that the publication risked "impeding due process which is necessary to guarantee access to justice," and called on media organizations to act "ethically." Many people on social media have also posted photos of Escamilla alive in an attempt to counteract the publication of the images, while others have tagged her in posts showing scenes of natural beauty, including sunsets and starlit skies. Marches from feminist groups and supporters are expected to take place in the city on Friday and Saturday. (Natural News) As the coronavirus continues to spread throughout China and beyond, many were reminded of what happened to the military doctor who blew the whistle on the extent of the SARS outbreak, which killed more than 800 people. As The Epoch Times reports, after people in China discovered that government authorities were attempting to cover up the coronavirus outbreak then moved to silence eight doctors who told their friends about the new, spreading illness, they remembered what happened to Dr. Jiang Yanyong. He actually risked his life to expose the SARS coverup back in 2003 which is why fewer Chinese today, much less people living outside the country, trust what the Communist regime in Beijing is telling them about coronavirus. The news site reported further: Jiang is an 88-year-old retired military surgeon who worked at Beijings No. 301 Hospital. After working to expose the true numbers of SARS cases in China he was acclaimed as a SARS hero or SARS whistleblower. Shortly after Dr. Li Wenliang, one of the eight coronavirus whistleblowers, passed away on Feb. 7, Jiang Yanyong became the most searched name on the Internet in China. The Information Center for Human Rights & Democracy (ICHRD) has reported that since Feb. 7, the day Li died, a number of plainclothes police officers moved in to guard the entrance to his residence in Beijing. He was put under House arrest by authorities in March last year after he wrote a letter to President Xi Jinping demanding an accounting of the Chinese governments crackdown on the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement in 1989. After he tried to seek medical treatment for neurological deterioration last April, guards at his home wouldnt allow him to leave. Jiangs wife, Hua Zhongwei, told ICHRD on Feb. 7 that hes currently recuperating at his home after being treated for pneumonia. Hes stable, for now, at least. We havent seen him for a long time But since 2004, Hua said, her husband hasnt been given any personal freedom whatsoever from the government, which has prevented him from traveling abroad to see relatives including a daughter who lives in California. And when he wanted to go to Hong Kong to tour the city, authorities wouldnt allow him to leave the mainland. A report from The Guardian last year quoting a friend of Jiangs said that he was denied treatment for various conditions until April 2019, making him very angry. Eventually, he was given medicine but, as The Epoch Times noted, it caused severe memory loss. We havent seen him for a long time and cant contacted him, another friend told The Guardian. We heard his brain has been severely affected. The Guardian said that the Chinese government is known to persecute prisoners of conscience through forced injections of drugs that damage the nervous system. The news organization didnt say if Jiangs friends believe thats what happened to him, but based on past behavior by the government, that explanation seems likely. After the SARS virus began spreading in late 2002 into early 2003, the Times noted that Chinese media outlets were ordered by the government not to report the epidemic. On April 3, 2003, Zhang Wenkang, then Chinas Minister of Health, held a press conference to announce that there were only 12 cases of SARS in Beijing, and that SARS has been brought under effective control, the paper said. He went on to encourage foreigners to visit if they wanted and to conduct business meetings and such. The following day, however, Jiang mailed an 800-word letter to Chinese Central Television (CCT), the chief propagandist network for the government, and Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV, informing both that they should report the higher infection rates he had collected. Neither did, but the information was leaked to Western media, which did report them. And while some government officials were sacked, Jiang was kept out of the spotlight and the Chinese government took the credit for saving everyone. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com NPR.org NaturalNews.com Ronda Rousey is back, but not in the Octagon where she previously dominated. The former UFC star is the newest addition to Facebook Gaming as a streamer. This is the first time that Rousey tries her hand in video streaming, and she is about to make a huge change in her career. Several big names in streaming have left other platforms to join Facebook in the last several months. Now, Rowdy is the latest name to join the wave -- and perhaps one of the biggest names yet. Rousey had a very colorful career both as a fighter and as an actress. She caught the eyes of everyone when she won a medal in Judo in the 2008 Olympic Games. From there, her career took off and she began to be known for as one of the best female MMA fighters ever. Rousey unofficially retired from MMA in 2016. While she returned to the scene in wrestling through the WWE, her latest jump is way different from the physical and highly demanding arena she previously play on. Making History Ronda Rousey confirmed in a shocking announcement on Twitter that she would be joining Facebook Gaming as a streamer. "Game streaming is one of the most authentic mediums, & the time is right for me to jump into the stream exclusively onf Faceook Gaming," Rousey wrote. pic.twitter.com/pAHMWvhEkU Game streaming is one of the most authentic mediums,& the time is right for me to jump into the stream exclusively on FacebookGaming. My first stream is on Feb18th at 3pmPST-100% of proceeds from the first stream go to Australian bushfire recovery efforts https://t.co/O9QlM8KkaK February 13, 2020 Little do people know, Rousey is actually an avid gamer, which is why it got her really excited to finally land a job on Facebook. Rousey said that her first assignment is to play "Pokemon: Sword and Shield." What is even better about her playing and streaming is that 100% of the proceeds of the first stream will go to the relief operations in the Australian bushfire. Those who are interested in Rousey's new adventure will have to wait for a few more days, as Rowdy herself revealed that her first stream will be on Feb. 18 at 3 pm PST. While a concrete schedule when Rousey will be streaming is yet to be released, she mentioned that she might do regular streams on Sunday or Monday mornings. pic.twitter.com/YM9wxU1wDr I only found a shiny ekans once in Pokemon silver and then never again till I caught 54 nidoran in let's go Pikachu and found a shiny with amazing stats too! I tried to catch a second and gave up after a little over 100 https://t.co/nniRTEvuxL February 14, 2020 Facebook Game Streaming Is On Facebook Gaming has started to pick up its pace. Several known high priority streamers have left their platforms to join Facebook. After expressing his unhappiness with Twitch, the streamer known as DisguisedToast has left the platform and moved to join Facebook. Last December, "Super Smash Bros." pro player ZeRo announced that he will be joining the company as well in their new project. The player revealed that the platform offered him more opportunities than Twitch. While Facebook might not be the first platform that people go to when they are looking for video games content, it seems the site is making its own name in that field. It has done an impressive job of working to grow its collection of content creators for the gaming field. Rousey joining Facebook is indeed a big move for both the star and the platform. Despite being an athlete, Rousey might need to work a bit harder to build a fanbase as a gaming streamer. However, it will not be a surprise if some of her WWE or MMA fans who have never signed up for the platform before would do. This would be comparable to the tactic that the site "Caffeine" used when they decided to bring in Drake in exchange for a multi-million-year contract. With the fanbase and a powerhouse like Facebook, Rousey might just be the next big thing in the gaming community. System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28: 29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f04824750c8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0482a944f8)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f04824750c8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0482a944f8)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f04823a7828)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0482a944f8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0482a944f8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0481b687c0)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f0482b35790)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f0482b35790)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 21:20:07|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Ndalimpinga Iita WINDHOEK, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- As Namibians marked Valentine's Day on Friday, young entrepreneurs in Namibia's capital Windhoek maximized on demand for themed and packaged gifts to boost proceeds. As Valentine's Day fever peaks in the country, Bianca Shilongo, a 25 years old entrepreneur in Windhoek decided to sell gift packages themed in Valentine's colours -- red, black and white. The gifts are offered in regular, standard and premium packages, priced between 250 Namibian dollars (16 U.S. dollars) to 480 dollars. "The standard package consists of cupcakes I baked, a card, champagne and flowers," Shilongo said Friday. According to Shilongo, she marketed the products on offer on her social media pages, through word-of-mouth and display in public places. This earned the trader good money. "The response has been good. For the day's orders, I generated about 6,500 Namibian dollars. This is triple of earnings made on the everyday or ordinary orders," she added. She is not the only one. Kaleni Elias, an administration graduate runs a small business to keep him going while he secures a permanent job. Amid the valentine's peak, he decided to sell flowers and other gifts in the city centre. According to Elias, the prices for flowers increases around this time, hence the fair profits. "I sourced the flowers from the local China town, and I then uniquely re-arrange them to attract new clients," he said. The flowers are also packaged with either a teddy bear, chocolate or other accessories to offer diverse choices to clients. "I set up a table in the city centre from where I sold the products befitting the day dynamics. Since Tuesday, I have made a profit of 600 U.S. dollars," he added. Some city dwellers, however, are looking to other means such as dinners or lunch to treat their loved-ones while the more benevolent are hosting social events to delve into the topics of love. "I booked a table for me and my companion for a dinner date," said Elvis Andre, a resident of Windhoek. Restaurant have since made provision for those who wish to immerse in cuisine on the day of love. Local Pepata restaurant is hosting Valentine's Day dinner. The buffet dinner is costed at 16 U.S. dollars and includes a welcoming champagne glass as a treat. Meanwhile, locals and community activists are also hosting Valentine's dialogue, seen as a demonstration of their love and responsibility towards society. The event hosted under the topic "What are we missing?" aims to engage and probe further into the history of love and its manifestation in the current, said organiser, Otto Kapuka. The event features experts, including a psychologist, social activist, elderly, artist and local leaders to tackle the topic from various perspectives and angles. In the interim, corporate companies such as the Windhoek municipality urged city dwellers to gift their loved ones by settling outstanding municipal bills as a sign of love. "Show your family some love and settle a municipal account this valentine's day," reads the promotional post on social media. Despite all other efforts, for young entrepreneurs like Shilongo and Elias, Valentine's Day accorded them an opportunity to cash in on the "love fever" in order to get by- in the face of high unemployment. Records by the Namibia Statistics Agency reveal that the unemployment rate of Namibians between the ages of 15 and 34 years increased from 43.4 percent recorded in 2016 to 46.1 percent by the end of 2018. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) is appealing to the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai to immediately investigate the alleged arrest and order the release of all the Jewish worshippers that were reportedly arrested by soldiers in Abia State on their way to the burial of the parents of the Director of the (Indigenous People of Biafra) IPOB Nnamdi Kanu. HURIWA said there is the urgent need for the allegation of arrest, detention of persons dressed as jewish worshippers who are indeed members of the fast growing Jewish community in Nigeria must be investigated and the practice of ANTISEMITIC selective arrest of Jewish worshippers in Nigeria by police and soldiers which has gone on for months now must be brought to an end. " NIGERIA SHOULD EVEN PUBLISH A GUIDE BOOK ON THE STRATEGIC NEED TO AVOID ANTISEMITIC ACTIONS BY ARMED FORCES AND ALL NIGERIANS. THE CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF HAS THE WILL POWER TO SO DO". HURIWA is also calling on the Chief of Army Staff to continue to drum it out to his operatives on internal military operations to consistently and vigorously adhere to the principles of the rule of law, respect for the fundamental human rights of all citizens, respect for freedom of religion, freedom of worship and freedom of conscience as a professionally excellent General that he is in the Army. It is expected that the he the Army Chief Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai who has a good record as the Military Chief who has deepened civil military relations and has continued to implement mechanisms for bringing into fruition an effective peace-building and democratic supports to the constituted authority of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf must make it mandatory for his operatives who are carrying out internal military operations to respect the fundamental human rights of Nigerian citizens. We have it on good authority that the Army Chief of staff has since published and circulated a reader's friendly green handbook containing dozens of binding global, municipal, continental and local human rights provisions that have been mainstreamed in all military internal security operations. HURIWA expects that the Army Chief of Staff will therefore direct his foot soldiers to maintain good professionalism and avoid doing things that could tarnish the corporate image of the Nigerian Army which must remain as a pride of the Nation. The Prominent Civil Rights Advocacy group- HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) through a media statement by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf said that under no circumstances whatsoever should soldiers or the Police harass, intimidate or arrest arbitrarily or undermine the constitutionally guaranteed Human Rights and freedoms of the Nigerian citizens only on the basis of their religion. That is offensive to Section 42, subsection 1 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. That section of the grundnorm states as follows: A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:- (a) be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject; or (b) be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions". HURIWA also stated that the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai should order the release if he finds the allegation meritorious because it is discriminatory and one does not arrest or discriminate a group of people based on their religion or based on their tribe and particularly when you treat Jewish worshippers as outcasts you might be guilty of crime against humanity known as ANTISEMITISM. We at the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), who are in partnership with the office of the Chief of Army Staff and the Army for the promotion of constructive CIVIL MILITARY DIALOGUES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS MAINSTREAMING IN THE PUBLIC FUNCTIONS OF OUR NIGERIAN ARMY we are very much aware that the Chief of Army Staff is conversant with what the requirements of the law says in this regard therefore we appeal to him to order the immediate release of these men and women who were allegedly arrested near Umuahia because we have just been informed by our field officials in Umuahia. There are several provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights, The Nigerian Constitution Chapter 4 and a plethora of legal provisions that make it obligatory that security forces must comply with the rule of law and in particular the human rights of citizens which on several occasions he himself the Chief of Army Staff has emphasized on several occasions and several public forums and has always been known for saying so this is the time and a litmus test for himself and his office which we are confident he will once more not tolerate abuses of the human rights of citizens. HURIWA appeals to him as partners to please order the release of these individuals who have committed no offence. It is not an offence for anybody to choose or worship his or her God anyway they want to worship. Everybody must not be either Christians or Muslims. People even have the rights to worship no one; atheism. They have the fundamental human rights to go about their legitimate activities even as Atheists without being harassed or without being coerced to join any of the established mainstream religious organizations. What are these Army operatives that arrested these people trying to accomplish? Are these Army operatives trying to force these individuals to either become Christians or Muslims? What rights have they to arrest people simply because they see them dressing in Jewish regalia? What law in Nigeria states that someone must not dress like a Jewish person? That is anti-Semitism which is a very serious offence. I hope the Chief of Army Staff is aware of the severity of this offence? As a global traveller, the well-educated Army Chief is aware that this is why the Labour Party in Britain lost the election because the Labour Party is said not to have a clear position on anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism is a crime against humanity and that is exactly what the soldiers have just manifested by arresting people based on the fact that they are Jewish worshippers. This must not be allowed to happen. They must not be kept beyond the next 30 minutes. They should be released unconditionally and if they are not released, we at HURIWA appeal to them to use legal means to seek the redress of the harm done to their fundamental rights. We hope that this prayer and statement will reach the desk of the Chief of Army Staff and that action will be taken without any further waste of time even as we urge Nigerians to support the Nigerian Army in the war on terror. Federal cuts to SNAP benefits loom, putting many Americans in jeopardy of going hungry. Using SNAP data from the USDA, Stacker lists where food stamps are most used across America. From HoustonChronicle.com: UH partners with Houston Food Bank to open free food market. Get caught up on what's going on around Houston. From sports to news and entertainment, check out the newsletters we're offering. This article was first published on theStacker.com Dr. Daniel Garraway (left) accepts a plaque from Asfo Stephens, Manager of the Memorial Funeral Home which provided the plaque for the school. The Memorial Funeral Home sincerely applauds the Rose Hall Government School on its 60th anniversary as an educational institution, and salutes the institution for using the significant occasion to honour some of its stalwarts who sojourned the course of that school. On Friday 31st January 2020, some eighteen outstanding senior citizens were so recognized at a Dinner organized by the Principal and Staff. Those honoured represented a variety of fields and competencies which they used to make lasting contributions to the development of Rose Hall in particular and the Vincentian society in general. Among the honorees was Dr. Daniel S Garraway, a renowned Vincentian medical doctor. Dr. Garraway began his formal education at the Rose Hall Primary School and continued there as a Grade 1 teacher. He entered the St. Vincent Teachers College in 1967 and graduated from that institution in 1969. He continued to teach upon graduation from the Teachers College, including doing a stint at the St. Martins Secondary School. As a young man, he had an irresistible yearning for the field of medicine and committed to pursue it. Although he never entered or graduated from a secondary school, he satisfied the matriculation for medical school at The University of the West Indies. He would graduate as a medical doctor from that prestigious institution in 1977. Dr. Garraway pursued specialization in Gynecology and Obstetrics and returned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines to serve as a Consultant in those fields of medicine from 1984 to 1993, at what is today the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. He also served as Medical Director for three years at that medical facility. But his ambition continued to bite away at him, and so he courageously embarked on establishing his own hospital. In 1995, Dr. Daniel Garrawy opened the Maryfield Hospital which continues today to be a beacon of quality health care in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This son of the soil has inspired many young minds, especially those of the working class of our Vincentian society, and he remains a humble man, proud of his upbringing and his contribution to advancing health care, in his native St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Memorial Funeral Home is pleased to have collaborated with Rose Hall Govern-ment School in honouring Dr. Daniel Garraway for his invaluable contribution to education, medicine and nation-building as a whole. We wish Dr. Garraway and his family Gods richest blessing. (Source: Memorial Funeral Home) LOS ANGELES, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, one of the world's leading roaster and retailers of specialty coffee and tea, will celebrate the opening of its newest Drive-Thru store in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 18, 2020. The company will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 19, 2020, from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's CEO, John Fuller, along with other members of the company's executive team and Scottsdale Councilman Guy Phillips. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will offer in-store specials for Guests on February 18 - 20, including: Tuesday, February 18 Free beverage tumbler with the purchase of a large specialty drink from 2pm - 6pm . (while supplies last) Free beverage tumbler with the purchase of a large specialty drink from . (while supplies last) Wednesday, February 19 $3 regular size Ice Blended drink from 2 pm - close regular size Ice Blended drink from - close Thursday, February 20 Buy one get one free on regular or larger size beverages from 2 pm-6 pm "This is our first store opening in Arizona in seven years, and we are delighted to continue to expand our coffee and tea community this year," said Fuller. "The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is proud to deliver handcrafted specialty coffee and tea products from the best coffee growing regions worldwide to Scottsdale." The Scottsdale store offers mobile ordering through The Coffee Bean Rewards app and features a Drive-Thru so customers can get their handcrafted beverages quickly and conveniently. The new location features the company's vibrant new design and layout, which includes ample indoor seating and shaded outdoor seating. As in all of its locations, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Scottsdale store offers a variety of the finest grades of Arabica coffee from specially selected estates around the world that are custom roasted, in small batches, at its facility in Camarillo, California. The store also offers a wide variety of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf whole leaf teas as well as fresh baked goods. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is open Monday through Saturday from 5am to 9pm and on Sunday from 5:30 am to 8pm. It is located at 16420 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 . Phone, (480) 877-1544. About The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is a leading global roaster and retailer of specialty coffees and teas and is widely credited for driving high quality and innovation to the coffee and tea industry. The company sources the finest ingredients and flavors from around the world and hand blends coffee and tea for the freshest flavors. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf started the frozen coffee drink craze with the invention of The Original Ice Blended drink and is also the first and only global coffee and tea retailer to offer cold brew tea. The company currently has more than 1,200 retail locations across the globe and can also be found in grocery aisles as well as specialty locations including airports and hotels. For more information, visit www.coffeebean.com. Media Contact Laura Hernandez JCUTLER MEDIA GROUP [email protected] SOURCE The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Related Links http://www.coffeebean.com When the international society is working in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation to fight the novel coronavirus, it is also finding ways to enhance global cooperation on public health in the long run. On Feb 11 and 12, the World Health Organization (WHO) held a global research and innovation forum to mobilize international action in response to the novel coronavirus emergency, aiming at achieving development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics as early as possible. The Munich Security Conference to be held soon will also hold a side-event where WHO officials are expected to have discussions on the epidemic. In the face of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), to improve and enhance global governance as a way to guarantee and increase common interests of the world is a responsibility and task shared by all members of the international society. The epidemic tests the governance system and capability of not only one single country, but that of the world as a whole. All the PHECIs in the recent years called for the spirit of cooperation and joint efforts. The novel coronavirus epidemic once again reminded the world that in the era of globalization, unilateralism and protectionism are not in line with the common interests of the globe, and selfish practices that disregard the interests of others are not able to guarantee safety. Only solidarity, cooperation and concerted efforts are the correct choice to protect the interests of all parties to the fullest and maximize common interests. The world is a community with a shared future for mankind. It is a value that should be followed by all countries. Since the onset of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, China has launched a peoples war of epidemic prevention and control to protect peoples lives and health. All Chinese people have been working unitedly in the nationwide combat. The active, efficient, open and transparent measures taken by the Chinese government have also made huge contribution to safeguarding global and regional public health security. In the epidemic, what China demonstrates is not only its institutional advantage of mobilizing resources for major undertakings, but also its pursuit of the common interests of the entire human being. The WHO noted that Chinas efforts to contain the virus at the source and stop the spread of it have earned valuable time for other countries to prevent and control the epidemic. We would have seen many more cases outside China by now if it were not for the governments efforts, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Leaders of many countries and heads of international organizations also expressed support and sympathy for China, which carries their recognition and praise for Chinas pursuit, as they believe the country has brought hope and confidence to the final victory over the epidemic. To conform to the general trend of building a community with a shared future for mankind and take responsible actions for the world is what most countries have practiced since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. Dozens of countries have donated money and medical materials to China, and voiced support for the country and Wuhan, the worst-hit city. They made a sound of justice for China to resist the discrimination and stigma, and also dispelled rumors when misinformation spread. Such warm practices have displayed the pursuit for the common interests of human beings, and created positive energy to build a community with a shared future for mankind. The only way we will defeat the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak is for all countries to work together in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation. This advice from Tedros, a top medical scientist of the world, has encouraged many countries and people to take concrete actions. It is believed that the world will surely be proud of such spirit when countries celebrate the victory over the epidemic one day. Of course, the world also exposed certain weaknesses of global governance in the public health emergency. When most countries followed the authoritative advices from the WHO and stayed calm and rational, some other countries have overreacted and taken exaggerated measures. Some people even showed anxiety, confusion and fear for globalization. This suggests that these countries and some of their people are not able to keep pace with the time, and there is still space for improvement of global governance. Just like Tedros pointed out, the control of infectious diseases is like the control of resources when diseases burst out and trigger the concern of governments, countries would invest huge resources; but when epidemics are over, such resources become insufficient again. In this sense, the current epidemic once again raised questions of national and even global governance for the world - how the world should maintain the monitoring and control of infectious disease and in what way it should make medical and supply preparation in case of emergencies. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN), and the international organization will launch a global conversation on the world's future. To learn from the lessons taught by the novel coronavirus outbreak to the human society shall be an important part for the global governance innovation and reform. Every winter has an end and is followed by the spring. Human beings will finally win the battle against viruses. The world needs to learn from past experiences, and cherish the global forces established amid the epidemic. It should also cover its shortages and jointly find solutions. Mutual assistance, cooperation and common development are all what the human history has forged during its long course of development. To combat the epidemic with concerted efforts will surely create new impetus for the human civilization, and inject new power into the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Iraq Green-Lights Resumption of NATO Training Effort The Iraqi government has given NATO the green light to stay in the country, the alliances chief said Thursday, weeks after Iraq demanded foreign forces leave the country over the U.S. killing of Irans top general near the Baghdad airport. Defense ministers of NATO Allies approved yesterday at a meeting in Brussels, Belgium, a plan 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. The government of Iraq has confirmed to us their desire for continuation of the NATO training, advising and capacity-building activities for the Iraqi armed forces, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference after the NATO ministerial session on Feb. 13, We will only stay in Iraq as long as we are welcomed. NATOs activities carried out in Iraq will be closely consulted with the Iraqi government and coordinated with the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, Stoltenberg said. U.S. Soldiers during an aerial response force live-fire training exercise at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, in a file photo dated Oct. 31, 2018. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Leland White) The plan is only the first step in supporting Iraq, and the Allies will explore further what else NATO can do. The goal is to defeat ISIS and ensure that it will not return. 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. Subsequently, 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 mission currently involves around 500 troops. There are no details on the number of troops or types of training activities that will be shifted over from the Global Coalitions training force. The shift of training operations from the Global Coalition to NATO mission was not supposed to increase the number of troops involved. U.S. Secretary of Defence Mark Esper speaks at a news conference following NATO defense ministers meeting at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, February 13, 2020. (Francois Lenoir/Reuters) U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that the defense ministers have asked NATOs military leaders to consider what more the alliance could do to assist the Iraqi security forces. When asked if he had received pledges from other NATO allies to do more so the United States could reduce its personnel in Iraq, he said yes without providing any details. 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, Esper told reporters before the ministerial meeting, according to the Department of Defense. 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. The Associated Press contributed to this report. We had to fight just to be able to get condoms distributed, Spellman said. We have to fight for everything, and its not fair for someone who is so far removed to think that this is the shiny new thing that they want to be involved in, that they can just come in and throw some money in it. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. green building material industries are eco-friendly building materials that are used for constructing a building without having a negative impact on the environment. Market Research Future (MRFR) has published a research report on the global green building materials market that estimates progress for this market at 17% CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) during the forecast period that would end in 2022. By value, the market has been figured to be worth the US $ 245 bn by the end of the forecast period. Observing the market structure, this report measures the future growth potential of the market. It gauges the strategies of the key players in the market and aids the competitive developments like new product developments, joint ventures, mergers & acquisitions, research and developments (R&D) in the market. The important factors driving the global green building materials market growth include increasing consumer awareness regarding energy efficiency, environment protection, and supportive policies by the government. Other factors contributing to the market growth include low operating cost, low maintenance cost, and low water requirements. The global green building materials market can be segmented into application, end-use, and lastly, region. The application-based segmentation segments this market into commercial, healthcare, industrial, infrastructure, residential, and others. Based on end-use, the market has been segmented into exterior sliding, interior finishing, roofing, framing, insulation, and others. Request for Free Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1865 The regional segmentation of the global green building materials market segments the market into regional markets known as Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and rest of the world (RoW). North America is the largest regional market due to the government & non-government regulations for energy efficiency practices, technological advancement, growing need of energy saving construction buildings, the presence of many key market players, and increasing consumer awareness regarding environmental & economic benefits. The significant economies in this region that can contribute maximum revenue to the market are the United States of America (USA) and Canada. Asia Pacific region is the second largest as well as fastest growing regional market due to growing infrastructure, population growth, and demand for more buildings for residential as well as commercial purposes. The biggest economies that can be suitable markets in this region are China, India, and Japan. In Europe, the market is growing primarily due to the same reasons as North America. In this region, the important economies that can be prominent country-specific markets are France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (UK). Some key market players are based in Europe too. Key Players The key players in the global green building materials market include Alumasc Group PLC (UK), Bauder Ltd. (UK), BASF SE (Germany), Binderholz GmbH (Germany), CertainTeed Corporation (USA), E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company (USA), Forbo International SA (Switzerland), Homasote Company (USA), Kingspan Limited (UK), Lafarge Company (France), LG Hausys Ltd. (South Korea), Owens Corning (USA), PPG Industries Inc. (USA), RedBuilt LLC (USA), and Wienerberger AG (Austria). All Russian nationals who arrived in Cambodia onboard the Westerdam cruise ship should return home on February 15, Russian passenger of the ship Alexei Dmitriyev said. "We were told that tomorrow, on February 15, we will head home, however, the cruise operator has not provided us with any official documents so far," the Russian national told TASS. On Friday morning, the passengers of the cruise ship were allowed to disembark at the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville. The Russian embassy in Phnom Penhsaid earlier that all Russians aboard the Westerdam cruise ship would be sent to Russia by the cruise operator before February 15. The Westerdam cruise ship left Hong Kong on February 1. The ship was planning stopovers in a number of Japanese ports. These plans were axed since Japan feared that people that had possible contracted the novel coronavirus could be aboard the ship. Subsequently, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand also turned the ship away. The Westerdam was stuck for more than a week trying to dock in Asian ports. Eventually, it was cleared to do so by Cambodian authorities and entered Sihanoukville on Thursday morning. TASS learnt that the cruise ship would not be quarantined. Nevertheless, the Sihanoukville administration did not allow passengers to leave the ship before local medics perform checkups. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, who is in Germany as part of the delegation led by the Prime Minister to attend the Munich Security Conference, had a meeting with Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit today, as reported the news service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The interlocutors positively assessed the effective cooperation established between Armenia and the League of Arab States and exchanged views on the prospects for further strengthening of the cooperation. Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan emphasized that Armenia attaches great importance to the expansion and deepening of Armenian-Arab ties and reaffirmed Armenias willingness to take active steps to promote mutually beneficial cooperation with the countries of the League of Arab States. The Armenian foreign minister and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States touched upon several pressing global and regional issues, including the developments unfolding in the Middle East and the humanitarian situation in Syria. In this context, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan stated that Armenia is always focused on the humanitarian situation in Syria and the challenges facing the Syrian-Armenian community and underscored the Armenian sides willingness to continue to make contributions to the humanitarian mission on the spot. Toast, a Boston, MA-Based restaurant management platform provider, raised $400M in Series F funding. The round, which valued the company at $4.9 Billion, was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, TPG, Greenoaks Capital, and Tiger Global Management with participation from Durable Capital Partners LP, TCV, funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, G Squared, Light Street Capital, Alta Park Capital, and others. The company intends to use the funds to advance new products designed to both deepen restaurateurs connections with guests and increase restaurant revenue, make hardware and software investments to increase speed of service, streamline the guest experience, and reduce operational costs, enhance capabilities to improve the restaurant employee experience, reduce employee turnover, and address pressing labor challenges; and develop financial products that provide quick access to funding to allow restaurateurs to grow their businesses. Led by Chris Comparato, CEO, Toast provides a restaurant management platform to entrepreneurs opening their first avenue to enterprise brands scaling across hundreds of locations. Tens of thousands of restaurants partner with the company to increase revenue, streamline operations, retain employees, and create fans. FinSMEs 14/02/2020 Polish operator Polkomtel branded as Plus - has chosen Ericsson to supply equipment for its 5G Radio Access Network. The first wave of deployment will cover a minimum of 85 sites across five Polish cities: Gdansk, Lodz, Poznan, Szczecin and Wroclaw. The network will be delivered via the 2.6GHz TDD band and will use equipment from Ericssons Radio System and 5G Core portfolios, such as the vendors 5G Evolved Packet Core. Plus expects to begin offering commercial services within the next few weeks, and will begin further rollouts following Polands 5G spectrum auctions. An employee uses a flash grinder to smooth out the metal frame of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) on the production line at the General Motors Co. (GM) assembly plant in Arlington, Texas. Automakers working to restart manufacturing in China amid the coronavirus outbreak are trying to prevent operations elsewhere from being affected by supply shortages. General Motors confirmed Friday it is closely monitoring the supply chain for its highly profitable truck production in North America, spokesman David Barnas said in an emailed statement. He added that the automaker "does not anticipate any impact on full-size truck production at this time." Terry Valenzuela, president of a United Auto Workers chapter in Texas that produces GM's full-size SUVs, told CNBC on Friday it's possible that production there could be disrupted due to supply issues. The comments follow a report by The Detroit Bureau, an online industry news website, that union leaders in Flint, Michigan, warned of potential parts shortages at their plant as well as the SUV plant in Texas and another truck plant in Indiana due to the coronavirus. A social media post, which appears to have been taken down, reportedly said the parts shortage, including decal applications, could begin as early as this month with wider impact occurring if the issues progress into March. "We continue to monitor our supply chain and are in close communications with our Tier One suppliers to attempt to mitigate risks to production in North America," Barnas said. Vehicles that could be impacted if the plants were to be idled include the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks and Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade SUVs. Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma Central, Theophilus Tetteh-Chai, says comments raised by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has exposed the fact that Dr. Bawumia has no credibility. Vice President Bawumia on February 11, 2020, addressed a maiden Townhall 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. However, commenting on the issue on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo' Tetteh-Chai described most comments made by the Vice President as deceitful. According to him, Ghanaians no longer trust the Vice President because of the crediblity problem he has. "The same person as at March 2016 during a press conference said Mahama deserves no credit for fixing dumsor . . . and then today you go to the Ashanti Region to tell Ghanaians you are the one who fixed dumsor. Do you think we have memory loss?" he argued. Watch his submission below Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Tamil Nadu government informed the Supreme Court on Friday that the Assembly Speaker has initiated action on the DMK petition alleging he did not act on a plea which sought disqualification of 11 AIADMK lawmakers who voted against Chief Minister K Palaniswami during a 2017 confidence vote. The 11 lawmakers included Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. A bench, comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde, Justice B R Gavai and Justice Surya Kant, took note of the submission by the State Advocate General that Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal has issued notice in the disqualification proceedings and disposed of the petition filed by the DMK. The plea had sought disqualification of Panneerselvam and 10 others for having voted against the Palaniswami government when they were in the rebel camp. It had contended that by voting against the trust motion, these MLAs violated the whip issued by the ruling party and hence attracted disqualification under the anti-defection law. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocate Amit Anand Tiwari appeared for the DMK in the case. The apex court had earlier sought the Tamil Nadu government's response on a petition by DMK leaders while terming as "unnecessary" the alleged inaction for almost three years of the state Assembly Speaker. Sibal, appearing for DMK leaders, had said that the disqualification plea was moved before the Speaker in March 2017, but even after a lapse of three years no action has been taken by him. "We think that the three years delay is unnecessary (on the part of Speaker)," the bench had said. "Tell us whether you are going to take action. If yes, then when and how," it had said, adding that the recent apex court judgement, delivered in the disqualification case of Manipur's BJP minister, was the law of the land and "holds the ground". The bench was referring to the January 21 verdict by another three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice R F Nariman that held that the Speakers of Lok Sabha and state assemblies should decide disqualification petitions against legislators, especially those who defect, within a "reasonable period" of maximum three months. Though the bench had taken note of the plea that the poll panel has been seized of the dispute pertaining to AIADMK and that MLAs had been changing sides in the state, it had said that nothing stopped the Speaker from proceeding with the disqualification plea. During a hearing on January 24, DMK referred to the apex court verdict in the Manipur minister case in which the court said Parliament should "rethink" whether the Speaker of a House should continue to have powers to disqualify lawmakers as such a functionary "belongs to a particular political party". The Madras High Court in April 2018 dismissed DMK's plea seeking to disqualify the MLAs, citing pendency of a plea in the apex court on the powers of a court to issue directions to an assembly speaker. The plea seeks disqualification of Panneerselvam and 10 others for having voted against the Palaniswami government when they were in the rebel camp. It contends that by voting against the trust motion, these MLAs violated the whip and hence attracted disqualification under the anti-defection law. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Salem man who admitted lying about his ties to a white supremacist group when applying for a federal security clearance was sentenced Thursday to six months in prison. Fred C. Arena, 41, whom authorities say is a member of the hate group Vanguard America, pleaded guilty in December to one count of making false statements. He will get credit for the nearly four months hes already spent in custody since his arrest in October, so the most he will serve is another two months. United States District Court Judge John R. Padova also sentenced Arena to two years probation. Under the terms of todays sentence, Arenas activities will be closely monitored by the court and probation after he finishes his jail term in order to prevent him from engaging in new criminal behavior that may violate the civil rights of others and endanger the public, said William M. McSwain, U.S. attorney for the Eastern Pennsylvania District. Arena hid his affiliation with Vanguard America when he applied for FBI security clearance as an employee of a federal contractor at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia. When federal agents questioned him about his participation in the group, he lied, McSwain said in a statement. His membership in Vanguard America and his participation in their activities were demonstrated by his many admissions and photos on social media, including events surrounding the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, the McSwains office said in a statement. He was very active online for the white supremacist group, adopting the name of a Confederate colonel, posting with guns, threatening people and sharing racist memes. McSwain said no federal employee has any business being a member of a white supremacist group or espousing white supremacist views. Investigating the case were officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office, the Salem County Prosecutors Office, New Jersey State Police, Camden County police, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, with assistance from Philadelphia police. Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Mumbai, Feb 15 : Tamil producer PL Thenappan, who holds the rights of the 1999 Vijay-starrer "Minsara Kanna", has declared he will sue the makers of "Parasite", the Korean film that won big at the recent Oscars on grounds of plagiarism. "On Monday or Tuesday, I will be filing a case with help from an international lawyer. They have taken the plot from my film. When they find out that some of our films have been inspired by their films, they file cases. Similarly, it is only fair for us to do the same," Thenappan told thenewsminute.com, adding that he would seek compensation from the producers of "Parasite" for copying the idea of his film. On Sunday evening in Los Angeles, Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" created history by becoming the first foreign language film to win the Best Film award at the Oscars, besides trophies for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Foreign Film. Soon, Vijay fans were claiming the story of "Parasite" is the same of as "Minsara Kanna", a film directed by KS Ravikumar starring Vijay. Although social media has refused to take the plagiarism claims seriously, Thenappan insisted he means business. Director Ravikumar on his part is happy that the controversy will bring international limelight to his film. "I'm happy that the story has received an Oscar, even if it (Minsara Kanna) served as an inspiration. However, filing a case is up to the producer," Ravikumar said, according to the website. "Minsara Kanna", also featuring Rambha, Monica Castelino and Khushboo, is about Kaasi (Vijay) entering the household of a rich woman as a driver and soon, one by one, gets his family members employed in her household, with a motive. All through the film, they must keep their identities a secret and work as strangers. "Parasite", is a black comedy that talks of class divide and how societal discrimination makes the affluent set insensitive about the less privileged. The film traces a fascinating tale of survival through the story of a lower-class family that infiltrates the household of a super-rich family one by one as employees. Although the plot point would seem to bear remote resemblance, "Parasite" is actually a very different piece of work, and also far more enriched in terms of cinematic idiom and aesthetics. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed China said on Friday it appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's offer to provide support and help in its fight against the deadly coronavirus outbreak in the country. China's statement came as the foreign ministry released a list of 33 countries that provided medical supplies and assistance to Beijing to combat the epidemic that has claimed nearly 1,500 lives and infected over 60,000 others. During an online media briefing here on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang said China welcomed and thank the international community, the developing countries in particular, for their sincere support and friendly assistance. At the same time, he said: "China mainly relies on its own strength to tackle the epidemic. We are confident and capable of doing this". "According to what we have learned from diplomatic channels, as of February 14, 12 pm, altogether 33 foreign governments and four international organisations have provided China with medical supplies. Geng named the countries that have provided the assistance and also nations that have announced that they will offer help to Beijing. The foreign ministry also named those countries who have offered financial and material support to China. In a written response to PTI after the briefing, Geng said China appreciates India's offer to help Beijing in fight against the epidemic. "The Indian side highly appreciates the strong measures taken by the Chinese government to deal with the epidemic. China appreciates India's willingness to provide support and help to China in the fight against the epidemic," Geng said. On February 9, Prime Minister Modi wrote to Chinese President Xi Jinping, offering India's assistance to China to deal with the coronavirus outbreak. In his letter, Modi expressed solidarity with Xi and the people of China over the virus outbreak in the country. On Monday, Geng said, "We thank and appreciate India's support for China's fight against the NCP Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia. India's acts of goodwill fully demonstrate its friendship with China." Later, Indian officials said they were in touch with the Chinese government to find out China's requirements. Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri said India had sent about 40 boxes of medical supplies in the second special flight which went to the virus-hit Wuhan to pick up the stranded Indians on February 1. The coronavirus toll currently stands at 1,488 with 121 deaths reported on Friday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Bloomberg) -- Want the lowdown on European markets? In your inbox before the open, every day. Sign up here. Googles 2.4 billion-euro ($2.6 billion) fine is a small amount of cash to the search-engine giant, according to a European Union judge, who also raised the prospect of increasing the antitrust penalty that the company is seeking to overturn. Colm Mac Eochaidhs persistent questioning of Googles representatives during the third day of a hearing at the EUs General Court caused lawyers to scramble through papers seeking a response when he told them the tribunal had the right to increase the 2017 fine, then the highest the EU had ever levied for antitrust abuse. The Irish judge is one of five justices who will rule in the coming months on whether Google unfairly discriminated against smaller shopping rivals. Did that level of fine deter you from repeating the behavior? Mac Eochaidh asked before wondering how might it be justified to increase or alter the fine. He suggested that the penalty meant little to Google since it was only a small amount of your cash in hand, so not actually that eye-catching in the light of day. Google hadnt bargained for a potentially bigger fine when it attacked the EUs antitrust findings during the hearing. Officials from the U.S. Department of Justice, EU investigators and company executives were in the Luxembourg court to hear Google argue that regulators had overreached and made crucial errors. The case is the first of three lawsuits against EU antitrust decisions and a loss for the EU could halt its tough enforcement of big tech firms. When Googles attorney Christopher Thomas said there could be no increase in the fine because EU regulators hadnt asked for one, Mac Eochaidh immediately contradicted him. The EUs second highest-court has unlimited jurisdiction to increase the fine even if the issue hasnt been explored, he said. The senior judge on the panel, Stephane Gervasoni, stopped his Irish colleague, asking if his questioning was theoretical or if there were actual reasons to increase the fine. Its rare for one judge to question another. Judges appeared to move away from the possibility of a higher penalty in the case, stressing that any such move would need additional legal analysis and the opportunity for Google to give its views. Story continues It isnt the first time Mac Eochaidh has needled Google during the three days of hearings on the appeal. On Thursday, he said it was perfectly apparent that the company had promoted its own services and demoted others -- a key point for the EU side. On Friday, Mac Eochaidh urged Googles lawyer to imagine he had savings of 120 euros in his back pocket but was fined 2.4 euros for dropping some litter. Would you miss the 2.4 euros? the judge asked. (Updates with judges questioning in third paragraph) To contact the reporters on this story: Aoife White in Luxembourg at awhite62@bloomberg.net;Stephanie Bodoni in Luxembourg at sbodoni@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Anthony Aarons at aaarons@bloomberg.net, Joe Schneider, Anthony Lin 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. Photo credit: Erin Delmore From ELLE In the near-freezing cold on Tuesday night, Britni McCuiston and Joseph Santomassino walked out of Henry J. McLaughlin Middle School in Manchester, New Hampshire, holding hands. They had each just cast their votes in the states first-in-the-nation primary: her, for Bernie Sanders; him, for Donald Trump. Still came together, Santomassino said. Still came together, still gonna leave together, McCuiston added. McCuiston, 27, and Santomassino, 26, have been dating for two years. They met when he, a Manchester native, was temporarily living in her home state of Tennessee. Next thing I know, I live here, she joked. At one point, the couple was more closely aligned on politics. Both worked for the Sanders campaign during the Vermont senators 2016 bid to become the Democratic presidential nominee, but only McCuiston actually cast a vote for Sanders. Santomassino showed up at his polling place in 2016 intending to vote for Sanders in the Democratic Primary, but was instead handed a Republican Primary ballota relic of his registration during the 2012 election. Santomassino cast a vote that day for Donald Trump. It would be his first of three over the next few years. Photo credit: Erin Delmore I just don't like Trump. I don't like him as a person, said McCuiston, with as much conviction as her boyfriend showed in his support of the 45th president. It's just a character thing. That's what it really boils down to. Some of his policies are great, I'll give him that, but I just don't like him as a person. To Santomassino, Trumps character stands apart from his record. I think, separate the art from the artist, he said. There have been terrible things that our leaders have done throughout the past. Doesn't matter who it is, what nation, what history. In Santomassinos mind, their character doesn't show up on the documents they write and the policies that they bring. Santomassino describes himself as a Republican or a Libertarian, but primarily a nationalist. Hes a fan of Trumps pro-life stance and his championing of states rights over big government. Trump has a lot of more things I agree with, Santomassino said, and also, don't rock the boat if the economy's doing this great. Story continues McCuiston casts herself as a moderate liberal, but more moderate than anything. Still, shes particularly drawn to Sanders pitch for universal health care, pointing out that the U.S is the only large, rich country without such a system . He's gone too far woke for me, Santomassino said, explaining why Sanders didnt win his support this cycle. While McCuiston sees Sanders as a little more radical this time around, she thinks the times call for a radical president. I feel like, in order to see the change that needs to be effected, that that's the necessary route to go. If the couple sounds like theyve hashed this out before, its because they have. McCuiston said theyve had what she calls a talking points chat to go over their different political views. That was a good, just sort-of open discussion, she said. We definitely saw that we have more things in common than we actually have apart. Its a lesson they think Americans could stand to be reminded of during this epic era of political divisiveness . According to data from the Pew Research Center, there are zero issues that both Democrats and Republicans widely consider to be to be top priorities today. And in a particularly telling series of surveys , social scientists have found that a growing number of Republicans and Democrats would be unhappy if their child married someone from the opposing political party. But Santomassino just doesnt see that in his home state. The way that people have an attitude up here, I mean, as long as its a healthy discussion and no ones at each others throat, were all gonna [come together], he said. This is America. I want to be able to go to him with anything, McCuiston said. And its just an open-arms, open-door policy where were upfront and honest about how we feel about things. Just as she and Santomassino learned, McCuiston thinks other Americans who support different political candidates would also find that they have more in common than they thoughtif they just talked to each other. Getting them to do it, she said, would be the hard part. I feel like you just have to kind of let your guard down and find that willingness to connect, whether it be a person across the street, or the person that youve partnered with, she said. If Americans would do so, Santomassino offered, theyll likely find people arent as extreme as they make themselves out to be on social media: If people just sit across the table from each other, [theyll] realize that were all pretty close in what we believe. After all, McCuiston added, Were all human. You Might Also Like 'We want to give more projects to West Bengal, but the state is not allowing those', said Piyush Goyal Kolkata: 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 13 June, 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 percent 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. WATERLOO Artist Benjamin Smith is connecting with his roots and sharing it with the community by hosting a free art show on Sunday. But its not your typical art show there will be interpretive dance, spoken word artists, speed painting and a keynote speaker. An Expo Alternative Learning Center staff member and a 2012 Waterloo East High School graduate, Smith said he became tired of seeing African American people portrayed in a negative light. Theres such a misrepresentation, he said. I have such an urge to try to combat that and push out the truth. Lost Diaspora is a cultural arts event to showcase art based on the culture and struggle that was created as a result of the middle passage, Smith said. A diaspora refers to a scattered population. The African diaspora refers to the many communities of people of African descent dispersed throughout the world as a result of historic movements, including the Arab and Atlantic slave trades, which are said to be the largest forced migrations in history. Smiths Lost Diaspora is an event to bring area African Americans back to their cultural heritage and spread awareness to the community. It will be from 5 to 8 p.m. at the University of Northern Iowa Maucker Union Ballroom in Cedar Falls. Even with 12.6 million Africans displaced from their native home, it could not stop, nor prevent the creative spirit and the desire to establish culture; it simply established a new culture of Pan-Africanism, Smith said. The art on this night will reflect these powerful ideas. Inspired by Marcus Garvey and his Back-to-Africa movement, the event will be styled as a first-of-its-kind show. Marcus Garvey was an orator for the Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism movements and founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League. Garvey advanced a Pan-African philosophy which inspired a global mass movement, known as Garveyism. During the show, there will be two speed paintings done that will be donated to the Center for Multicultural Education. Smith and his friend, Wesley Buttz, a 2012 Expo graduate, launched the online art business Eye-Odine in 2012. Smith creates traditional oil paintings as well as graphic art pieces, and Buttz works with spray paint. Both create pieces that aim to solve systemic issues and bring awareness to history. The two have sold their work all over the country. Smith also works for are nonprofits, including the Waterloo Writers Project, The Job Foundation, The Village Keeper of Waterloo, and launched the Etcetera Literary Art Magazine while studying for his associates degree at Hawkeye Community College. He also is in the Teach Waterloo program, a partnership with UNI and Waterloo Schools that aims to increase the number of minority teachers to support student success. He will receive a bachelors degree in elementary education with a minor in history. The event is kid-friendly and will have multiple intermissions. Visitors are encouraged to learn from the event and simply have fun. For more information follow Eyeodine/Facebook or join the newsletter eyeodine.net. Performances include: The Davis Brothers: a group performing dance and telling a story through interpretive dance. Loreal Nichelle Lester: a poet and spoken word artist who will show the similarities and differences between diaspora sub-cultures. Eye-Odine: will be completing two speed paintings during the event that will be donated to the Center for Multicultural Education. Karla Santiago-Labron: will perform Bomba dancing, a traditional dance and musical style of Puerto Rico. Pierre-Damien Mvuyekure: An African professor from UNI and a renowned DJ of KBBG who runs a network connecting black people to their African roots, will be the keynote speaker for the night.Womens Mobile Museum exhibition photos Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BEIRUT - Four Iranian Pasdaran members have been killed over the last few hours in Syria following a raid attributed to Israel which targeted the area of the airport in Damascus, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday. According to the NGO, a military cargo plane loaded with weapons and equipment probably meant to go to Iranian troops in Syria and pro-Iranian Lebanese Hezbollah militias was hit and destroyed. The victims include three Syrian government soldiers, according to the observatory. On February 6, another raid in the area of Damascus attributed to Israel killed 23 members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, pro-Iranian militants who were not Syrian nationals and Syrian government forces, according to the NGO. Last night a Katyusha rocket was launched by unidentified armed men against the military base of Kirkuk, in northern Iraq, where US soldiers are stationed. Previously, pro-Iranian Iraqi militias and Iran threatened to respond to US and Israeli attacks in the region by targeting US military positions in the Middle East. Myriam Larouche Last week, the first group of Canadians stuck in China amid the coronavirus outbreak were flown home by the government. Among the people travelling to be quarantined in Trenton, Ont., was Myriam Larouche, studying in Wuhan but originally from Quebec. It was pretty scary because the city was looking like a ghost town, Larouche told Yahoo Canada. There was no one outside, nobody walking around. RELATED: 'Mind-blowing' images of the empty city of Beijing, following the coronavirus outbreak People that were outside, it was because they had to and they were wearing [hazmat suits]...even people at the airport. Larouches trip back to Canada was off a rocky start. She left her dorm at Central China Normal University, where she was studying tourism management, around 1:00 p.m. local time but had to wait for about 10 hours at the airport before she and the other Canadians could actually board the plane. In the email they said...its not going to be like a normal flight that were used to, Larouche said. They asked us to be patient and...its going to take time, so we were aware of that. We started boarding at midnight. She had been getting some updates from Global Affairs Canada, specifically updates regarding the flight back to Canada, but Larouche said the university did a particularly good job sharing information with students and were able to answer all her questions while she was at the school. Inside the flight back to Canada According to Larouche, the flight was quite smooth and the passengers were given food and water a few times during the 14-hour trip, but the travellers did need to take some precautions while on board. We had to wear the masks for those 14 hours and on the flight they screened us, they took our temperature, maybe twice or three times, she said. It was a pretty normal flight except that there were doctors and nurses. The plane stopped in Vancouver for two hours to refuel and the passengers on the plane were happy to be on Canadian soil. Story continues The one thing that I really liked is that when we landed in Vancouver and Trenton, this happened twice, people...started clapping and cheering, Larouche said. Myriam Larouche Experience in quarantine Larouche said the conditions at the Canadian Forces Base are very good and officials are doing a very good job taking care of everyone. We are allowed to go out if you want to just like breathe some fresh air and walk outside, she said. We also are allowed to have human interaction, as long as we wear our masks and we keep our distance. Conditions are really good. Although she has not received detailed information about what happens when the 14-day quarantine is over, Larouche plans to go back to her home in Quebec and would like to return to China, when possible. Once everything will get in order in China, once everything will be all right...Im planning to go back because I started a degree and I didnt finish it, she said. The student had been studying in Wuhan for five months before the outbreak. She still described it as a beautiful city with a lot to see and do. Now Im feeling great, felling better, happy to be back home, just to be in a safe zone. Im pretty thankful for that, Larouche Im really grateful to be back to having a government that has been able to set up everything. Im really happy. McLaren Northern Michigan expects increase in COVID patients during the upcoming weeks As of Jan. 3, McLaren Northern Michigan had 20 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized, as well as three in the intensive care unit. SALT LAKE CITY - The Trump administration is asking Congress for $1.5 billion over 10 years to create a new national stockpile of U.S.-mined uranium, saying that propping up U.S. uranium production in the face of cheaper imports is a matter of vital energy security. But some Democratic lawmakers, and market analysts across the political spectrum, charge that the Trump administrations overall aim is really about helping a few uranium companies that cant compete in the global market. Demand for the nuclear fuel has languished worldwide since Japans 2011 Fukushima disaster. U.S. uranium production has plummeted 96% in the last five years, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported Thursday. Trump made the request for a new national uranium reserve in his 2021 budget request this week the latest illustration that trying to rescue the U.S. nuclear and coal industries is a political priority for the Republican president, who often invokes national security as justification. Its not the responsibility of the taxpayer to bail out an industry, whether thats uranium, solar, coal, what have you, said Katie Tubb, a senior energy policy analyst at the conservative Washington Heritage Foundation. The Energy Department said the plan would boost work for at least a couple of the U.S. Wests nearly dormant uranium operations, although residents near one of the mines say they fear an increase in radioactive threats. Whatever Trump does, well be standing our ground to let the people know that were not going to give up, said Yolanda Badback, a resident of White Mesa, a town of about 200 people who are members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe near a uranium mill in southern Utah. Trumps plan would need approval from a highly partisan Congress. Rep. Raul Grijalva, an Arizona Democrat and chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, has opposed Trumps effort to make domestic uranium mining a strategic issue, His aides said they needed to see more details from the administration on the stockpile proposal. Demand for nuclear and coal power sources has fallen against marketplace competition from ever-cheaper natural gas and renewable wind and solar. Trump has been unable to stop a string of coal and nuclear power plant closings. The U.S. nuclear industry has sought help from the Trump administration, including asking for taxpayer subsidies to promote use of U.S. uranium. U.S. nuclear power plants in 2018 got 90% of their uranium from Canada, Kazakhstan and other foreign suppliers and only 10% from U.S. mines. Trump in 2019 rejected a request from U.S. uranium mining operators that he set a minimum quota for domestic uranium. But he agreed to set up a task force of national security, military and other federal officials to look for other ways to revive domestic production of the whole nuclear fuel supply chain. That task forces findings are expected within two weeks. Trumps budget proposal would be part of an effort to put the United States back in the nuclear game around the world, Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette told reporters Monday. While Trump has called propping up U.S. uranium mining essential to national security, the Energy Department acknowledged in its budget presentation that no immediate national security need has been identified for the uranium reserve. The same document contends that the funds arent meant to disrupt market mechanisms. That is exactly what it is designed to do, said Luke J. Danielson, president of Colorado-based Sustainable Development Strategies Group, which advises foreign governments about mineral policies. The history of the government of trying to subsidize the energy sector and pick winners and losers is abysmal, Danielson added. Many Democratic lawmakers have challenged Trumps security argument for domestic uranium. Existing uranium reserves and production and trade with allies Australia and Canada were already adequate to securing the U.S. uranium supply, Rep. Alan Lowenthal, a California Democrat, said last year. The nuclear industry welcomed Trumps project. Its a good step to show that the administration recognizes the strategic value of the U.S. nuclear industry, said Nima Ashkeboussi, director of fuel cycles programs at the Nuclear Energy Industry trade group. We expect more good signals to come out with the upcoming report from Trumps nuclear fuels task force. Energy Fuels Inc., a Canadian-owned company with an office in Colorado, called the Trump proposal a good lifeline for the industry. Spokesman Curtis Moore acknowledged that the company is likely to benefit since it has operating mines in east-central Wyoming and southern Utah. Late Thursday, the mining company announced it was selling stock and putting the nearly $17 million in proceeds into its mining operations in Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, Texas and elsewhere in response to Trumps 2021 budget. Moore said the program should lead to production of 2.5 million pounds of uranium per year. U.S. uranium mines produced less than 174,000 pounds in 2019, according to Thursdays Energy Information Administration report. Thats down from 4.9 million pounds in 2014. Energy Fuels recently laid off nearly one-third of the companys 79 employees at the White Mesa Mill in Wyoming and La Sal Complex mines in Utah, he said. At another mine, the Nichols Ranch facility in east-central Wyoming, nearby residents participate in a yearly protest walk to draw attention to negative impacts the mine has on an otherwise wide open and remote stretch of land. Former mine owner Uranerz Energy Corp. in 2014 agreed to pay a $5,000 state fine for two spills that year of more than 30,000 gallons (114,000 litres) of uranium-bearing solution. ___ Knickmeyer reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Mead Gruver in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and business writer Dorothea Degen in New York contributed to this report. Conservationists in South Africas largest national park have built an ambitious surveillance system to protect its dwindling rhino population from poachers. The system, codenamed Postcode Meerkat, monitors Kruger National Park, a 7,700 square mile conservation area along the border with Mozambique. It uses a series of strategically-placed 12-foot tall posts equipped with radar sensors, cameras, and infrared monitors that allow it to record footage at night. Rhinos in South Africa's Kruger National Park are being monitored by an ambitious surveillance system, codenamed 'Postcode Meerkat' (pictured above) The solar powered radar and camera sensors scan the surrounding area for motion and connect to a computer system that can distinguish between animal and human movement. When a potential group of poachers is flagged by one of the sensors, a reaction unit travels to the area via helicopter or SUV to further investigate. Since the Meerkat system first became operational in 2016, rhino deaths in the park have steadily declined, going from 504 in 2017 to 422 in 2018. The number of encounters with poachers over the same period has remained mostly steady, with 2,662 recorded incursions into the park in 2017 and 2,620 incursions in 2018. Most of those incursions are recorded by the surveillance system but only a small percentage ever lead to direct contact with park staff. Rhino populations in Kruger National Park are estimated to be between 7,000 and 8,000, and the number of annual deaths from poaching have slowly declined since Meerkat was implemented Meerkat uses a series of solar powered cameras, radar sensors, and infrared sensor to observe the terrain at night Park officials can track footage recorded by Meerkat from remote operating stations placed around the park In 2017, there were just 120 instances of direct contact with poachers and in 2018 there were 125. This suggests that while overall poacher populations haven't declined, they appear to have become more cautious given the likelihood they're being watched. With a rhino population that's estimated to be between 7,000 and 8,000, even small annual improvements can make a difference. The Meerkat system has advanced motion tracking to help it distinguish human and animal movement. When the system flags a potential threat from poachers special 'reaction units' will travel to the indicated region via helicopter or SUV Rhino deaths from poaching in Kruger National Park declined from 504 in 2017 to 422 in 2018 Preserving the parks rhinos can also have impact the park's yearly revenue, which saw visits from 1.8 million tourists in 2017. These parks are a huge revenue generator for South Africa, Tumelo Matjekane, of the advocacy group Peace Parks Foundation, told CNN. They attract tourists from all over the world. If we are not able to conserve that, those people will not come here and the impact of that on livelihoods, in the communities around the parks, and our economy it's not measurable. Unless it is controlled fast, the coronavirus outbreak will not only lead to a prolonged slowdown in China, but also hit global growth, and disrupt various mega-projects across continents. The deadly, undetected and symptomless epidemic coronavirus appears almost synonymous with China these days. The Chinese economys rise and the dependence of at least 60 Third World countries on Chinese finance, and more than 50 developed countries coveting Chinese factory products from small tools to computer software, heavy engineering apparatus to telecommunications gear appear to be in peril. With lightning speed, the world has started (physically) distancing from China, fearing a contagious and fatal epidemic. At a time of Chinas national distress, foreigners should also sympathise with the Peoples Republic and think of solutions, but from a distance. The world media is exhaustively reporting the crisis situation in China, but the reporting in the Indian media is fairly low-key. Its important for everyone in India to get an accurate picture of what is happening in that country. In a first-hand account, reported by China Dailys Global Weekly (February 7-13, 2020): Unlike any other, 2019-nCoV (new coronavirus) is more treacherous, hiding under the camouflage of flu and SARS symptoms.... The debilitating effects of the contours of the disease, as narrated by the Chinese, stand thus: The pathogen is more noxiously evolved, embedded with murderous skills and savage velocity to spread faster and infect more furtively even during its incubation period... This devil is also more evil... attacking the very basis of the global community: air travel and connectivity. It is unlucky that China has to withstand another wave of intensive pathogenic assault in less than two decades. The country is forced to pay heavy sacrifices. Apart from losing hundreds of lives, thousands more are hospitalised. This scenario, as reported by the Chinese media, speaks for itself. The reality that China faces today: If not controlled immediately, things are bound to get worse. The Chinese economy seems headed for a downhill slide which China fears most. A report says: Its understandable for each nation to apply self-protection in line with the World Health Organisation recommendations. But proposals of shutting the border to maximise one member states interests may not necessarily immunise itself but will certainly affect public health as a whole. This signals both a sense of fear of the Chinese, and a (veiled) warning by Beijing to all nations which are planning and trying to reduce, if not stop, though perhaps temporarily, the chance of virus contamination through cross-border physical contacts. The Chinese obviously have the Russians their closest business and diplomatic partner in mind. On January 30, the Russian Prime Minister announced that 16 Moscow-Beijing border crossings will be closed to protect our people. Russia also halted the issue of e-visas to Chinese nationals and suspended the special permit allowing Chinese nationals short-term access to selected tourist destinations of the great Russian land mass. Thus the worlds fifth-largest land border stands between the contagious Chinese coronavirus and Moscows desire for self-defence. In one stroke, the chemistry and economics of the Russia-China combine is in the line of virus fire. Unless it is controlled fast, the coronavirus outbreak will not only lead to a prolonged slowdown in China, but also hit global growth, and disrupt various mega-projects across continents. For the moment, international tourism is the first casualty. Aviation, transport, hotels, restaurants, retail stores and consumer markets already are staring at an emptiness in the high-profile destinations of the West. How does India stand in this situation? How does India try protect its populace from the coronavirus, which already appears to have entered this country. We have to ensure, above all, the good health of our vast population, to take every possible step to keep the nation disease-free, and not allow Indians to be guinea pigs in an experimental laboratory. As admitted by the Chinese themselves, the Wuhan-origin coronavirus of 2019 is far more dangerous and deadlier than the 2002-2003 Yunnan-origin SARS. Its contagion characteristics, spreading through the air and physical proximity make all public gatherings highly avoidable. Our soldiers manning the Sino-Indian frontier need to be particularly alert in this regard, for if a single undetected coronavirus-afflicted Chinese border guard comes into contact with an Indian guard, the fallout could be severe. Similar is the situation at all international airports, where Indian personnel are pretty poorly equipped to deal with this deadly global virus of Chinese origin. India must take the latest WHO warning seriously: The global virus spread is the tip of the iceberg. Around the globe, nations are waking up to the Chinese threat, and India needs to resort to an immediate and urgent course correction. Whatever the pulls and pressures, the Indian government would do well to take its cue from the Russians, arguably the closest of all foreign countries to the Chinese. Close the borders. Reduce flights. Control Chinese goods as far as possible. Stop issuing visas to the Chinese. Help Indians first. China is four times more powerful economically than India. Yet China is struggling today due to its monumental miscalculations. It has already damaged a lot of its fertile land and air, and various experimental centres. But China being a highly secretive state, several gullible people and impressionable tourists are getting hoodwinked by the glamour and glitz of the Communist superpower. If Chinas Wuhan-origin coronavirus becomes an epidemic in New Delhi or its hinterland, how will the Indian authorities tackle it? How much resources will India need? What will happen to the economy, which is yet to show any signs of buoyancy? The sluggish consumer market? The rising debt-ridden and stressed banking system? The distressed agrarian sector? The visibly rickety health system in semi-urban and rural belts? For the Indian State, the gravity of Chinas coronavirus epidemic has increased enormously. Its a challenge as well as an opportunity. We should help China in all possible ways, certainly, but not at the cost of the health of 1.3 billion Indians. Health is wealth. Health is happiness. The so-called economic and financial globalisation now endangers the real health of the planet too. The writer is an alumnus of the National Defence College and is the author of China in India A 21-year-old American soldier has died during a non-combat related incident in northeastern Afghanistan. The Department of Defense announced on Thursday that Spc. Branden Tyme Kimball, from Central Point, Oregon, was killed on Wednesday at Bagram Airfield. The incident that led to his death is under investigation. Kimball worked as an aircraft structural repairer and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment of the 10th Mountain Divisions 10th Combat Aviation Brigade. The unit is based out of Fort Drum, New York. Kimball joined the army in August 2016 and completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training prior to joining the 10th Mountain Division. The soldier was part of Operation Freedoms Sentinel, an ongoing effort by the United States to train and assist Afghan defense and security forces, and to conduct counterterrorism operations against whats left of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Spc. Branden Kimball during this very difficult time, Lt. Col. Kamil Sztalkoper said in a statement to Military.com. The loss of any Mountain soldier has a lasting impact on every member of the team, he added. The 10th Mountain Division mourns the loss of Spc. Kimball, he will be missed from our formations. According to American Military News, Kimball was given a number of awards throughout his service: 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. Kimball is survived by his mother. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Thursday directed flags on all state buildings be flown at half-staff on Friday in honor of Kimball. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend our deepest sympathy to Spc. Branden Kimballs loved ones, Cuomo said in a statement. We are devastated by his loss and join his fellow soldiers, his family, and his friends in honoring his service to our nation. His death is a reminder of the sacrifices members of the military make to protect the freedoms and the values that this state and this nation were founded upon. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. of the U.S. Marines issued a statement on behalf of the U.S. Central Command expressing condolences after news of Kimballs death. Kimballs service to our nation will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and fellow soldiers, McKenzie wrote. American military newspaper Stars and Stripes says the latest death brings the count of American service members who died in Afghanistan this year to sevenfour of which were combat-related. Among the deaths were two U.S. soldiers who were killed on Feb. 8 in an attack in eastern Afghanistans Nangarhar province, when an Afghan dressed in an Afghan army uniform opened fire on U.S. and Afghan troops. Six other U.S. Special Forces soldiers were also injured in the attack. AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jarryd Carver purchases Pomoco Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Hampton, Virginia FCA now using website and investment program to expand dealer network participation FCA announced today that Winners Circle Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Hampton, Virginia, is the latest dealership to open as part of the Dealer Market Investment Program. Jarryd Carver, 33, purchased the approximate 20,000-square-foot facility, formerly known as Pomoco Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, earlier this month with the help of the program. The Dealer Market Investment Program, launched last year, works to increase the participation of women and minorities in the company's network of about 2,600 U.S. dealers. "This is a great opportunity for me to plant my roots," Carver said. "I grew up poor in a single-parent household just outside of southeast Washington, D.C. My father, who by the way is a Dodge fan, encouraged me to join the National Association of Minority Auto Dealers (NAMAD). Thanks to his support and the help of NAMAD, I have undertaken the hard work to reach what I see as a significant achievement in my life." Carver said owning Winners Circle carries an extra special meaning since it sits in an area home to Langley Air Force Base, Norfolk Naval Station, NASA and the Virginia Air and Space Center. "Hampton is a big military area and both the military and the local community were there to help my family deal with the loss of my aunt, Sharon Carver, who was killed at the Pentagon during the 9/11 terrorist attacks," Carver said. "This is my opportunity to repay them." Phil Langley, Head of Network Development, FCA - North America, said Winners Circle underscores what can be accomplished when strong individuals are given that extra boost. "Our program is not only about providing the financial resources, but also developing the person so they have the tools they need to run a profitable business," Langley said. "Jarryd brings the passion and commitment to community that will help him succeed." Candidates for the Dealer Market Investment Program apply through a process that requires demonstrated leadership skills, financial acumen and customer satisfaction, as well as a proven track record of exceptional sales performance. Candidates must also participate in FCA's dealer assessment and development program and invest substantial amounts of their own start-up capital. The program, which also works with the Chrysler Minority Dealers Association and NAMAD, was instrumental in the opening of Northland Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in metro Detroit and Russell Westbrook Alfa Romeo and Maserati in Van Nuys, California. Last month, FCA launched a new Dealer Diversity site designed to support and expand the number of dealerships owned and operated by minorities and women. The site www.minoritydealers.com provides a clearinghouse of information ranging from dealer success stories and awards to an online application process for those interested in joining the FCA dealer network. FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is a global automaker that designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles in a portfolio of exciting brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Ram and Maserati. It also sells parts and services under the Mopar name and operates in the components and production systems sectors under the Comau and Teksid brands. FCA employs nearly 200,000 people around the globe. For more details regarding FCA (NYSE: FCAU/ MTA: FCA), please visit www.fcagroup.com. SOURCE FCA Related Links http://www.fcagroup.com The fund will be benchmarked against the Russell 1000 Equal Weighted Technology Index. Mumbai: Edelweiss Mutual Fund has a new fund offer, Edelweiss US Technology Equity Fund of Fund, which will be investing in technology companies in the United States like Netflix, Synopsys, Microsoft, Tesla, Advanced Micro Devices, Analog Devices, ServiceNow, PayPal Holdings and Alphabet (Google's parent). It will be the first fund of fund or feeder fund that will invest in underlying fund, JP Morgan US Technology Fund, an actively managed 20-year-old fund. The new fund offer opens on February 14 and closes on February 28. The fund aims to provide access to emerging technologies in early stages of adoption. "This is the first time that Indian investors will be able to take exposure to these emerging technologies across different sectors, through the underlying fund," Edel-weiss Mutual Fund said. Radhika Gupta, CEO, Edelweiss Asset Management, said,"Most of these companies draw their revenues from across the world, hence have limited country specific risks. This fund enables investors to be a part of some mega trends in technology and get access to expert research of the JPMorgan Investment Team." The fund will be benchmarked against the Russell 1000 Equal Weighted Technology Index. Abu Zubaydah New images have been published showing waterboarding and other abuse and torture carried by the CIA on an alleged al-qaeda prisoner- actions prohibited by UN agreements and the Geneva Conventions. That hand sketches by Abu Zubaydah, a Pakistani arrested in 2002 and handed over to the US, show him being being beaten, forced to lie in a coffin-like box filled with water and water-boarded, a form of simulated drowning. Zubaydah, who is of around 40 prisoners still being held at Guantanamo Bay, the controversial, secretive prison located on the tip of Cuba, says he been tortured at various locations, including at so-called black sites, operated by the CIA in countries such as Poland and Thailand as part of the war on terror. The current head of the Central Intelligence Agency, Gina Haspel, oversaw one such site where torture was carried out. Its absolutely brutal, Charles Church, one of Zubaydahs lawyers, said of the treatment shown in images, published by CNN. He told The Independent: For the first four or so years, he was held in these black sites, and he was tortured for a lot of that time. In 2014, the US Senate released a report on the years of torture carried out by CIA officers and civilian contractors, purportedly to extract information from the prisoners. It said officials had lied about what was being done, and its effectiveness. The use of the CIAs enhanced interrogation techniques was not an effective means of obtaining accurate information or gaining detainee cooperation, said the report, released amid opposition from the administration of Barack Obama. The interrogations of CIA detainees were brutal and far worse than the CIA represented to policymakers and others. After Mr Obama was elected to the White House in 2008, he banned the use of such techniques. By contrast, Donald Trump has defended the use of torture. Dont tell me it doesnt work torture works, MrTrump said while campaigning in 2016. Okay, folks? You know, half these guys say Torture doesnt work. Believe me, it works. Okay. Story continues Mr Church said he met with Zubaydah last week at Guantanamo, where the prisoner was questioned by members of the periodic review board, a group of officials from the defence and intelligence agencies who determine whether a prisoner should remain at the jail. Mr Church said he was prevented from describing what he said to the board, or the nature of his conversations with Zubaydah. However, he said: I can tell you this if Zubayday were to be released today, I think he would do very well. A number of prisoners produce art and drawings, some of which has made its way to the outside world. In 2017, the authorities were accused of censorship after they banned the transfer of such works, after a number were displayed in a New York gallery. The images showed included scenes of torture, including a painting by Ahmed Rabbani, who says he is a Karachi taxi driver but whom the US authorities say was linked to al-qaeda. He was held for 545 days at the notorious Dark Prison, or Salt Pit, in Kabul. Rabbani was tortured and interrogated, including by use of as medieval form of torture, known to the Inquisition as the strappado. They took me to a room and hung me by my hand to an iron shackle where my toes hardly touched the ground, Rabbani told his lawyers. They removed the mask away from my face and left me hanging from one hand, naked, thirsty, and hungry. The CIA did mot respond to enquiries on Thursday. Pressed by senators during her confirmation hearing in May 2018, Ms Haspel said the torture programme she oversaw did damage to our officers and our standing in the world. This is not the first time that art work by Abu Zubaydah. considered a high-value prisoner by the authorities, has been seen by the public. Last year, the New York Times published a series of drawings that are to be part of a 61-page report, How America Tortures, by lawyer, Mark Denbeaux, a professor at the Seton Hall University School of Law in Newark The article noted: He has never been charged with a crime, and documents released through the courts show that military prosecutors have no plans to do so. Read more Former Guantanamo commander convicted of lying about mans death Guantanamo Bay detainee illustrates torture he faced at US prison UK citizens at risk of death penalty in US under new government deal The Guantanamo prisoner whose fate was changed by a single Trump tweet Over 1,700 primary schools took part in a test of childrens motor skills. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled First-graders in Slovak schools are not as agile as their peers have been in the past. This conclusion stems from a nation-wide test of motor skills in which almost 40,000 first-graders from 1,748 primary schools participated. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The results revealed, however, that obesity is not the cause. Although today's children aged six to seven weigh slightly more (1.6 kilograms) compared to their peers of over 50 years ago, this increase cannot be interpreted as a tendency towards obesity, the Education Ministry said, as quoted by the TASR newswire. Read also Read also Can Finnish ways be applied in Slovak schools? Read more Heavier, taller, and less agile The test surveyed childrens height and weight as well as how many sit-ups they could do in one minute, how far they could jump from a marked spot, and how fast they could run, to name a few disciplines. In general, boys performed better than girls; when it comes to the long-jump, boys jumped 107 centimetres and girls slightly less at 99 centimetres on average. The tests also revealed that the average weight for girls is 24.3 kilograms and for boys, 25.2 kilograms. Slovak first-graders are also taller. Girls are 122.3 centimetres on average, and boys are 123.7 centimetres. The background matters It can be said that there is an absolute match between socio-economic indicators and the overall physical performance of children at the level of the self-governing regions, the ministry said, as quoted by TASR. The economic well-being of families has a huge impact on how often children do sports, it added. The parents of a young Chinese woman who was brutally murdered by her housemate in Australia have spoken out saying their family has 'collapsed' after the tragedy. Qi 'Kathy' Yu, 28, was killed by her housemate Shuo Dong, 20, in what police suspect was a dispute over money in their sharehouse in Campsie, Sydney on June 8, 2018. Ms Yu was described as an intelligent, lovely, and innocent girl who was the 'apple of her parents' eye from an early age,' in a three page letter written by her parents and seen by news.com.au. Her father, Zhihe Yu wrote in the letter that his daughter said her experience of Australia was that everything was good including the air, the food, the environment, and other people. Ms Yu (pictured) moved to Sydney in 2009 and was tragically murdered by her housemate in 2018 Ms Yu's parents (pictured) issued an emotional plea for information in June 2018 'However, there were unexpected storms in the sky. Qi Yu was surrounded by a demon person,' the letter reads. 'Our daughter was murdered in cold blood. Nearly 10 years of hard work suddenly ended in vain and a bright future was ruined.' Ms Yu had arrived in Australia in 2009 and completed a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and and a Masters in Telecommunication at the University of New South Wales. Dong, 20, pleaded guilty in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday to murdering 28-year-old Ms Yu. After she went missing police narrowed the search area to nearby bushland by tracking phone signals and the scoured the area for weeks. Nearly 200 people in a WeChat group organised by her classmates, colleagues and friends also joined the search on weekends. On June 26 2018 her parents issued an emotional plea for information. Ms Yu's body was found wrapped up and on the side of the M1 motorway near Mount Kuring-Gai in Sydney's north-west 47 days after she disappeared. Shuo Dong, 20, pleaded guilty to murdering Qi Yu, 28, on June 8, 2018 in a dispute over money Dong spent the evening of June 8 bickering with Ms Yu over cutting his lease short and bond money he owed her, according to documents previously presented to the local court. Ms Yu's parents, who were speaking to her from China via WeChat, could hear the argument in the background when the power to the unit was shut off. In the letter Ms Yu's father said she and her mother would talk for hours everyday about work, shopping and their lives. They later contacted a neighbour who lived nearby to check on their daughter. Blood-like stains were found through the home and car, which was parked a few kilometres away. Dong was charged with her murder less than a week after she disappeared. Detectives said searches for 'penalty for murder' were found on Dong's phone. Ms Yu's parents say in the letter they want their daughter's killer to be punished as the highest level and jailed for his life. Mr Yu resigned from his job in China and moved to Campsie with his wife who he says is grieving inconsolably and cannot handle daily affairs. Police recovering Ms Yu's body which was found in bushland in north-west Sydney The Campsie unit where Ms Yu lived with her killer and another female housemate Fred C. Arena was an avowed member of Vanguard America, a white nationalist group, and lied about it on his application for a national security clearance. Read more A former Navy Yard employee disavowed the torch-bearing white supremacists he once marched alongside as he was sentenced Thursday to six months in prison for lying to federal agents about his ties to extremist groups. Fred C. Arena, 42, of Salem, N.J., told a federal judge he was no longer a member of Vanguard America, the neo-Nazi organization he accompanied tor the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va. The demonstration spawned violent brawls that left one counter-protester dead. Im not such a monster, Arena said at a hearing in Philadelphia. Im really not. . I got a little too involved in politics this whole left-right thing, and I did some stupid things. The case against Arena, who admitted last year that he lied on an application for national security clearance to get his Navy Yard job, comes as authorities have stepped up efforts to prosecute potentially violent domestic extremists. Though Arena maintained he was not actually a threat, U.S. District Judge John R. Padova said his social media posts including ones featuring violent slurs against Muslims and calls for women who date outside their race to be hanged might cause some to think otherwise. One could look at that and say, This guy was up to no good,' the judge said. He didnt just want a job, he was up to something. Arenas lawyer, Brian J. Zeiger, described his client as an out-of-work driver who was living in his car until he got his job as a safety worker for a Navy Yard contractor. When Padova questioned Thursday whether he might have sought out a national security clearance as part of some extremist plot, the defense lawyer assured the judge that Arenas lies stemmed only from his desire for a steady paycheck. Zeiger accused prosecutors of seeking to punish his client for holding distasteful views when the actual crime at issue involved only a series of lies. The six-month sentence Arena received was at the upper end suggested by federal sentencing guidelines. This is the kind of case that normally a person wouldnt get jail time for, Zeiger said. To give this man a far greater sentence than what other people get just because were so uncomfortable with this group hes associated with really would offend justice. Arenas outspokenness, especially in white supremacist online forums, first drew the FBIs attention a year after the Charlottesville rally as various extremist groups planned for a follow-up demonstration. In chat logs uncovered by the alternative media site Unicorn Riot, Arena complained under the pseudonym McCormick H. Foley that many of his alt-right colleagues had become too [expletive] nice. Agents later uncovered a long history of Arenas racist rhetoric online, threatening violence and boasting of his harassment of minorities. His Facebook page was filled with photos of him brandishing automatic weapons with captions such as coming to a synagogue near you" or referring to Muslims with derogatory slurs. Agents first approached Arena at the Navy Yard in 2018 after Unicorn Riot identified him as the person behind the Foley pseudonym. But Arena denied any affiliation with Vanguard America at the time a lie he maintained in subsequent interviews last year. Though membership in domestic extremist groups is not illegal, the Justice Department has increasingly turned to charges like lying to the FBI to prosecute members who could pose an imminent threat. During Thursdays hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph A. Labar maintained that his office highlighted Arenas speech and distasteful associations not to punish him for it, but to give Padova a better sense of who the man actually is. In this case, the speech shows you a little about the character of the defendant, he said. They are declarations of an appetite to violence if not an intent to commit it. With credit for time served, Arena, who has been in federal custody since his October arrest, could be released as early as April. In addition to his prison term, Padova ordered him to serve two years probation, during which his social media use will be monitored and he will be barred from associating with Vanguard America or other violent extremist groups. Singapore, 14 February 2020 Island Developers and Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts today announce a partnership introducing the Banyan Trees first property in The Bahamas. Located just 48 nautical miles and a 20-minute seaplane ride from Miami, Banyan Tree illa Bahamas is set on 40 acres of pristine Atlantic Oceanfront and Bimini Bayfront properties. The eco-conscious resort, designed by world-renowned architect Chad Oppenheim, will consist of 50 keys and 54 luxury residences. Exclusively offering the first, authentic Maldives-style overwater bungalows in the Caribbean, the resort brings an entirely new vision to The Bahamas. Hotel suites include private terraces and plunge pools, a signature of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, pioneer of this concept. At the core of the propertys ideology is to cultivate an ecosystem of authentic experiences that will embrace all the senses and create lasting memories. From unique culinary pop-ups to curated music series, oceanside meditations at the Banyan Tree Spa, and more, illa Bimini will bring world-class luxury to the secluded tropical region. illa Bimini represents a vision to bring the highest level of luxury and service to The Bahamas while being environmentally sensitive in our approach. We are ecstatic to align ourselves with a brand that shares that vision in Banyan Tree, said Mr. Alejandro Capo, Principal illa Bimini. Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts portfolio includes close to 50 properties across 4 brands and 24 countries. As a multi-branded hospitality group, it has gained global recognition for excellence, and regularly commands accolades from revered publications such as Conde Nast Readers Choice Awards. illa Bimini marks Banyan Trees first foray into the area, carrying with it the same level of luxury and refinement that has established it as a leading independent hospitality group across the globe. With this signing, we are proud to bring our founding brand of Banyan Tree to the beautiful island of Bimini. As our first luxury resort in the Bahamas, Banyan Tree illa Bahamas will showcase the best of our brands ethos of creating a Sanctuary for the Senses, while deeply connecting with the environment and local culture. This also represents our Groups continued strategic intent to expand into the Americas, a part of the world we have a great affinity for, said Mr. Peter Hechler, Head of Regional Operations MENA, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts. An Israeli F-35 fighter jet performs during an airshow over the beach in the Mediterranean coastal city of Tel Aviv, on May 9, 2019. (Jack Guez/via Getty Images) Global Military Spending Sees Biggest Jump in a Decade, Report Says Global military spending in 2019 jumped more year-on-year than it has in a decade, according to an annual report. That rise is due mainly to China continuing its decades-long military ramp-up, and to the United States continuing a two-year spending increase after several years of steady decline. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) annual Military Balance report, published Feb. 14, puts U.S. military spending in 2019 at $684 billiona 6.6 percent increase from a year earlier. However that falls short of the 2010 peak of nearly $800 billion during the war on terror. Chinas spending in 2019 was $181.1 billion, according to IISSs calculationsalso up 6.6 percent. After China and the United States is Saudi Arabia, with expenditures of $78.4 billion, then Russia, which spent $61.6 billion, and India close behind at $60 billion. The next four in order of military spending are the United Kingdom, France, Japan, and Germany. The topline spending figures come with a catch, however. Theyre calculated using average market exchange rateswhich some analysts believe underestimate the effective military spending of non-Western nations by severalfold. IISS notes that market-exchange fluctuations can cause significant effects; other think tanks typically also use market-exchange rates for comparison. According to the IISS results report, defense spending also rose in Europe, as NATO members shift to tackle a revanchist Russia, while being nudged by a budget-conscious United States to meet their military spending obligations. These increases in Europe are part of an international trend, report states. Global defense spending rose by 4.0 percent in real terms compared to 2018 data, when measured in constant 2015 dollars. This was the largest increase observed in 10 years. In 2019, defence spending by both China and the US rose by 6.6 percent over 2018. In nominal terms, the US increase aloneat [$53.4 billion]almost equaled the UKs entire 2019 defence budget of [$54.8 billion]. Since the end of 2017, the U.S. military has been modernizing itself, refitting its counter-insurgency force armed with Cold War equipment with a modernized force able to counter great power competition with Russia and China. Modernizing for Great Power Competition That modernization has been assisted by a bump in 2018, 2019, and 2020 Pentagon budgetsas reflected in the IISS report. The Bell V-280 Valor participated in flight tests in Amarillo, Texas, in July 2018. (Photo courtesy of Bell) However, the U.S. military is now trying to pivot within a flat 2021 budget proposal already locked in by Congress and is looking to shed maintenance-heavy Cold War-era systems. Chinas military spending has increased every year for the past two decadesat times rising by estimates of 10 percent annually. The IISS report noted that Russia and China continue to accelerate their military modernization, highlighting the growing arsenal of missiles being developed and deployed by China and Russia, which blunt U.S. air supremacy. For Russia, such developments include the Burevestnik nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed cruise missile, and the Avangard hypersonic missile, which, according to IISS, was on the brink of service entry at the end of 2019. Hypersonic missiles are a new breed of ultra-fast missiles able to shift course mid-flight, evading missile defenses tuned in to more predictable flight paths. An artistic rendition of DARPAs Hypersonic Technology Vehicle (HTV-2). China is also researching hypersonic weapons. (DARPA) Russia and China are currently thought to be ahead of the United States in the development of hypersonic missiles. Chinas October 2019 military parade, marking the 70th anniversary of the Peoples Republic, highlighted the breadth of its military modernization process and showcased systems designed to achieve military effect faster and at greater range than before, the IISS report said. The DF-17 hypersonic glide vehicle was displayed at the anniversary parade. Difficulties with the Data Producing accurate estimates of Chinas military spending is in general very difficult due to deliberate obscuring of the figures. A military vehicle carrying a WZ-8 supersonic reconnaissance drone travels past Tiananmen Square during a military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the communist regimes takeover of China, on Oct. 1, 2019. (Jason Lee/Reuters) Then theres the blurred line between military and civilian spending, Rick Fisher, senior fellow at the International Assessment and Strategy Center, previously told The Epoch Times. Under Civil-Military Fusion, you now have a broader requirement for the economy to serve the military. In essence, anything under the control of the Chinese Communist Party that it deems is necessary for military power construction can be diverted to that end. So it is possible to ask: is it now essentially impossible for anyone, even Chinese, to tell you a real number for Chinese military expenditures? Even if the spending figures are obtained, however, the use of market exchange rates to produce comparisons can skew the comparisons, other analysts have previously told The Epoch Times. They say that using market exchange rates misses the distorting effect of lower wages in non-Western countries such as Russia and China. Analysis using purchasing power parity (PPP)a measure of local spending powerproduces better results, they say. An intercontinental ballistic missile lifts off from a truck-mounted launcher somewhere in Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) For example, according to their analysis, Russias defense spending in 2018 wasnt around the $60 billion mark, but close to $160 billion. And their calculations put Chinas spending at around $450 billion, equivalent to nearly 75 percent of U.S. military spending. Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley told a Senate committee in 2018, Were the best-paid military in the world by a long shot. The cost of Russian soldiers or Chinese soldiers is a tiny fraction. I think youll find that Chinese and Russian investments, modernization, new weapons systems, etc., their [research and development]which is all government-owned and also is much cheaperI think youd find a much closer comparison, Milley said. But no matter what the measure, there is a broader agreement across all the data that Chinas military spending has increased around tenfold in the past 20 years. U.S. military spending almost doubled during the war on terror to peak at about $800 billion in 2010 before slowly declining. Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist told reporters at a 2021 budget proposal briefing that the Trump administration had inherited a military that had been operating under destructive spending caps. That had left the United States with its smallest military since 1940, along with key munition shortages, low readiness levels, and an outdated nuclear deterrent, he said. The militarys pivot away from a counter-insurgency outfit is hampered by Cold War-legacy systems and old maintenance-heavy equipment. Even without the push for modernization, the military is caught between the high costs of maintaining out-of-date equipment and the high costs of buying new gear. For example, at 28 years old, the average age of Air Force fighter planes is higher than at any point in the history of the service. The average age of U.S. bombers is around 45 years. Join Chronicle writers and fellow subscribers for happy hour. This is a chance to meet new people and engage in meaningful conversations about the important cultural issues that shape the Bay Area. Chronicle Food Critic, Soleil Ho, Food Writer and Columnist Justin Phillips and Arts & Culture Writer and Columnist, Tony Bravo will discuss San Franciscos ever-changing cultural landscape. Justin, Soleil and Tony will start with their thoughts on the topic and then they will open up the conversation to the group. Please note that the format of this event is a discussion rather than a lecture. When: Thursday, April 2 Check-in: 7:00 pm Event start: 7:15 pm Where: Manny's 3092 16th Street San Francisco, CA 94103 *You are responsible for your own transportation and any parking fees. Click here to reserve your space! Tickets include one drink ticket per guest. For any questions or inquiries, do not contact the venue, please email the membership team. The San Francisco Chronicle may take photographs at this event and use them in its promotional materials. By attending the event, you consent to be photographed and for your image to be used in such materials. (Natural News) George Orwell knew that totalitarian dictatorships retain power by compelling people to agree that 2+2=5. But what happens if its not the government, but the media that lie? With the American media pushing transgenderism, were finding out. (Article by Andrea Widburg republished from AmericanThinker.com) With accelerating force, the media insist that biological sex is meaningless and that peoples sex is determined by their feelings. We are told to accept that people, through wishing, hormones, and surgery, can magically become the opposite sex. Over the years, the homosexual rights movement has made people realize that, in a free society, no one should be penalized for a sexual preference. Today, the transgender movement, using the homosexual movement, is working with the media to force us to give it the same rights and respect. This ignores that homosexuality is different from so-called transgenderism. Homosexuality does not force us to deny biology. Homosexual men are still men, and homosexual women are still women. Their differences are behavioral. Transgenderism, however, is not about behavioral choices or biology. Its about denying fundamental biological realities. The saddest thing is that those who have accepted the medias drumbeat, often as an antidote to deep depression, are discovering to their cost that its a lie. Those committed to individual liberty will let people claim to be the opposite sex, or a camel or a Martian. But while the First Amendment ensures that our government can neither tell us that these beliefs are true nor punish us for denying those beliefs, our media are subtly trying to recalibrate our brains. The latest shot fired in this media war to have us accept that 2+2=5 is an NBC article bemoaning women suffering from periods. Wait. Thats wrong. Its not about the fact that, since the dawn of humankind, periods have been a pain in the tuchis. Instead, the article is about the psychic suffering of women who think theyre men but, in relentless fealty to biological reality, still have periods: When transgender model and activist Kenny Ethan Jones experienced his [sic] first period, he [sic] faced both physical and psychological pain. Initially, Jones, who had not yet come out as trans at the time, felt like he [sic] was losing control and didnt understand what was happening to his [sic] body. However, one thing was clear: He [sic] didnt feel like himself. I didnt believe that having periods would be a part of my lived experience, Jones told NBC News. I felt isolated; everything about periods was tailored to girls, yet me, a boy [sic], was experiencing this and nothing in the world documented that. He [sic] currently experiences a wide range of challenges with his [sic] monthly bleeding, especially when it comes to getting his [sic] hands on menstrual hygiene products. Women all have a wide range of challenges when it comes to periods. They are painful, messy, and inconvenient, and they alienate women from their own bodies. Youre not different, Kenny. You just think you are. The real horror for Kenny, though, is that the companies who make tampons, pads, and other products for menstruation keep marketing them as if their customer base isget thisfemale: Some transgender and gender-nonconforming people who menstruate, like Jones, say when the products are categorized as womens products, they can feel alienated and may even avoid purchasing them altogether. The same women who believe theyre men also believe they deserve special price breaks on menstrual productsbecause theyre not really women. Theyre just men who every month have a period just like women: The hurdles some trans men [sic] and gender-nonconforming people who menstruate say they face include the high cost of period supplies[.] The article demonstrates that our media are relentlessly using the transgender movement to force Americans to believe that 2+2=5. Once the media have us believing that trangenderism is real, what else will they have us believe? Perhaps theyll have us believe that, when Iran shot down a passenger jet flying out of Tehran Airport, Donald Trump was responsible for the 176 innocent people who died. Whats sad is that, even in Iran, a tyrannical nation in which lies are government currency, the people arent buying that story. Read more at: AmericanThinker.com and IdentityPolitics.news. Material production stoppage augurs ill for Moon's energy policy Korea's solar power materials industry is falling apart. OCI, the nation's largest and the world's second-largest maker of polysilicon, a key material for solar cells, said Tuesday that it would stop domestic production. Another major polysilicon maker, Hanwha Solution, is also reportedly considering withdrawing from the business. These local makers are at a loss about what to do in the face of relentless attacks from low-priced Chinese competitors. Now is the time for the Moon Jae-in administration to face not just the problems of the solar power sector but also the government's overall energy policy. Signs that the domestic solar power industry's ecosystem was deteriorating could be sensed a while ago. The sector's value chain is composed of polysilicon, ingots, wafers, cells, and modules. Woongjin Energy, Korea's sole wafer maker, filed for court receivership last May. Because the nation will likely increase its reliance on Chinese suppliers for the primary materials of polysilicon and wafers, the entire solar power industry, including cells and modules, is likely to weaken. The government has focused its renewable energy policy on solar power. Unexpectedly, however, Chinese makers are armed with cheap electricity provided by their government and are reaping the benefits of Korea's energy policy by crowding out their Korean competitors even in the latter's home market. Power bills account for 40 percent of the cost of producing polysilicon, and the electricity rates in China are only one-seventh of Korea's. These low prices became possible because the Chinese government secured sufficient generation capacity by building nuclear power plants on a massive scale. In contrast, Korea Electric Power Corp. is under pressure to raise power rates amid accumulated losses resulting from the government's policy to phase out nuclear power plants. To succeed in the Fourth Industrial Revolution led by heavy power consumers, such as electric and hydrogen cars, securing a stable power supply is a prerequisite. The second-best alternative is, therefore, to combine renewable energy with next-generation nuclear plants. All this explains why the government, while watching the global trends of technological innovation, ought to readjust its energy demand and supply portfolio. On Monday, Concordia University (CU) in Portland, Oregon announced that it will close at the end of the 2020 spring semester, resulting in the layoffs of all 1,518 faculty and staff members and the displacement of about 5,000 students. The closure is only the most recent in a long string of closures, mergers, and acquisitions of primarily small, private liberal arts schools like Concordia. Concordia is owned by the Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod (LCMS), the second largest body of the Lutheran denomination in the United States. The university was first opened in 1905 as the Concordia Academy to train pastors and religious schoolteachers, becoming a co-ed high school by 1968 and finally a four-year higher education institution in 1977. As of 2019, Concordia offered 15 baccalaureate programs in Education, Law and Management. Despite its small size, it is home to the second largest teacher preparation program by number of graduates in Oregon, in between two public universitiesPortland State University and Western Oregon University. More than half of the layoffs involve staff in the Nursing and Education departments. After much prayer and consideration of all options to continue Concordia University - Portlands 115-year legacy, the Board of Regents concluded that the universitys current and projected enrollment and finances make it impossible to continue its educational mission, Interim President Dr. Thomas Ries said in the official announcement of the schools imminent closure. The Board of Regents decision to cease the universitys operations came after years of financial decline and instability, with the costs of running the institution exceeding the revenue, which largely comes from student tuition, public endowments, and private fundraising. According to local news station KGW8, Ries admitted to reporters, It has had a negative cash flow for quite some time. Concordias revenue fell from $116 million in 2017 to $113 million in 2018, based on data published in the universitys annual financial report. While school officials continue to speak about how this is the result of a long-standing problem, students and faculty have voiced their anger over the lack of transparency, mismanagement of funds, and the short notice that has left students scrambling to find a way to continue their education. On Thursday, dozens of students and faculty members walked out of class at 10:00 a.m., in protest against the closure. The crowd held a rally during which several students spoke about their stories and grievances, then marched to the presidents office for a sit-in protest. Some of the handmade signs read: I want to expand my mind, not my debt, CU in Court, and The Concordia community is not disposable. Student speakers commented on their sadness about losing a university they enjoyed attending, their solidarity with the teaching staff, and their anger toward the conduct of the university officials. One student explained, I do not believe that the LCMS has our best interests in mind. The LCMS does not pay taxes. In the years before the closure, they raised the salaries of the president and many other Board of Regents members. The money spent on campus security could have gone toward tuition costs. William Spaulding, a student at Concordia University, even filed a class action lawsuit against the university for unlawful trade practices and unjust enrichment, with the aim of holding the university responsible for the release of financial records, along with adequate severance packages for faculty and financial assistance for students. Attorney Michael Fuller writes in the introduction to the case, Concordia University misled hundreds of students about its financial condition and collected tuition in 2020 that students would not have paid had the students known the truth about Concordia Universitys looming closure. Now, many Concordia University students are left unable to graduate and with credits that cannot be directly transferred for credits of equal value at a different university. Concordias closure follows on those of Marylhurst University and the Oregon College of Art and Craft, two other small, private schools in Oregon that shut down for similar financial reasons in the recent past. The big question at this point is not whether there will be more closuresits how many, warned Rick Seltzer, an expert on the topic of postsecondary school closures and a reporter for Inside Higher Ed. Based on a 2018 report published by Moodys Investors Service, an average of 11 private colleges close each year across the United States, a rate which is expected to rise. The private college closure rate is nearing 1 percent annually, with at least 25 percent of private colleges running a deficit. Analysts attribute the stress on private, nonprofit colleges to a number of factors. The number of nontraditional students, those who are over 24 years old and are returning to school after working and raising families, has increased since 2000 across the United States, with over half of all college students consisting of this group. That demographic change has increased the interest in online distance learning, flexible schedules, and career-focused programs, which are all features marketed by the private education market. While overall enrollment in postsecondary institutions increased by 27 percent between 2000 and 2017, the National Center for Education Statistics wrote, undergraduate enrollment increased at a greater rate at private for-profit institutions (109 percent) than at private nonprofit institutions (27 percent) and at public institutions (24 percent). Small, private liberal arts schools have suffered enrollment drops due to these changes. About 80 percent of the revenue for Concordia University was acquired through tuition, which students pay through a combination of money from their own pockets, family contributions, scholarships, grants, and burdensome student loans. For universities heavily dependent on tuition for revenue, a decline in enrollment places them in a tighter financial situation. The Center for Responsible Lending wrote in January 2019, Many for-profit students are nontraditional students, making sacrifices and struggling to manage family and work obligations to make better lives for their families. For-profit colleges target them with aggressive marketing, persuading them to invest heavily in the future with promises of successful careers and financial stability that ultimately do not materialize. The widespread character of these trends in higher education confirms that the closures of valuable educational institutions are not simply the fault of particularly corrupt or incapable individuals who sit atop the university administration. Rather, they are the product of the broader crisis of the capitalist system, with the fundamental right to education placed at the behest of private for-profit interests. By Robert Checchio There is no doubt that attacks on houses of worship are among the most devastating. They destroy our sense of safe refuge as we engage in prayerful worship. While relatively rare, they garner massive media attention that other mass killings by guns rarely do because of the way that they are so unexpected and how they so dramatically conflict with our expectations of safety. They threaten our very sense of civility. It is not surprising, therefore, that a reflexive reaction to killings within houses of worship might be to allow churches, mosques, and synagogues to designate an armed guard to be present during services. This would be the result if bill A1255, proposed by three Republican Assemblymen: Gary Schaer of Bergen, Ronald Dancer of Burlington, and Jay Webber of Morris is enacted. While perhaps understandable, the bill is inappropriate for a number of reasons. First, the knowledge that a church, for example, has found it necessary to allow an armed guard to be present during services destroys the feeling that the church represents a place of peace and refuge. How can you take your family to a place that the church leaders feel is so vulnerable, so likely to be attacked, such a potentially dangerous place in which to pray that they feel it necessary to seek armed protection? In reality, the likelihood of being shot during a religious service is almost zero. But the loss of the sense of church as refuge will be lost forever. Second, a single armed guard is very unlikely to be effective against the kinds of attacks that have been so prominent in the media. In almost every attack in a place of worship, the perpetrator has used an assault weapon, typically an AR-15-style rifle with a high capacity magazine A single armed guard is unlikely to be an effective deterrent against a person bent on killing as many people as possible. Consider the situation as it unfolds. A person walks in with an assault weapon and begins firing. How does the armed guard respond? Adrenaline takes over and the guard draws his own weapon. Hands shaking, will he be able to identify, then carefully and accurately aim at a single person moving in a crowded church full of panicked people trying to escape, especially when he knows that by drawing his own weapon, he becomes a prime target for the gunman? I doubt it. The more likely outcome is that innocent church-goers will be shot by the guard. Finally, in what I think is the greatest reason to reject A1255, turning to guns as a solution to gun violence furthers our psychological dependence on the use of firearms to solve societal and personal problems. How can we tell people to stop using guns to redress their grievances, whether against others or themselves, when the adults in the room propose their own firearm-based solutions? It is ironic that Assemblyman Schaer has recognized the dangerous nature of firearms by introducing a bill, A1234, which requires prospective gun owner to pass a firearms education course before being allowed to buy a rifle, shotgun or handgun. Further, A1255 plays into the failed NRA mantra that the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. What if we gave serious attention to stopping the bad guy from getting the dangerous weapon in the first place? If adding guns to the societal mix made a country safer, we should already be the safest country in the world. Yet, of all the major developed countries, the United States has the highest per-capita firearms death rate in the world, with suicides a major factor. Adding guns to churches wont change this trend. I do not approach this issue from an anti-gun perspective. Ive owned firearms for most of my life and I hunted a good part of my adult life. I have no problems with people buying a gun for hunting or target shooting. I was even a member of the NRA for many years. But it is when people start thinking about guns as expressions of power, even with good intentions, that I begin to worry. Research shows that when decisions to purchase a gun are made from fear, people are put at greater risk for violence, not less. I understand the concerns held by A1255s sponsors and I know that A1255 is well-intended. The result, however, will do little to provide actual protection but much to increase the level of fear and apprehension so prevalent in the country today. Sometimes, the need to do something leads us to an obvious, but wrong, solution. A1255 is but one example. Robert Checchio is a retired Lucent Technologies researcher and a pilot. He lives in Dunellen. 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. Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) - The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will give Mauritania a 50m USD subsidy to boost agricultural production and support other projects, targeting particularly the development of a vital sector, an official source told PANA here Thursday Bombardier 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 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 ... 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. Acquisition joins together the channel management industry's two top technologies TIE Kinetix's modern Brand Control and Demand Generation Platform takes the work out of marketing through partners SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Impartner, the world's fastest-growing, most award-winning pure-play Partner Relationship Management (PRM) and channel management platform provider, announced today it will acquire the Through Channel Marketing Automation (TCMA) business from partner automation solutions provider, TIE Kinetix (AEX: TIE) . With this acquisition, which includes TIE Kinetix's full suite of contemporary Brand Control and Demand Generation technologies, Impartner will provide the industry's most holistic channel management platform with unparalleled breadth and depth to help companies accelerate the performance of their channel. The sale is expected to close early in the second quarter of 2020. "In a recent global study on Channel Marketing and Enablement SaaS and Software (CME), Impartner and TIE Kinetix came out No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, as rated by 1,500 business decision-makers and Research In Action," said Peter O'Neill, Research Director, Research In Action GmbH, who authored the report and was recently with Forrester for 12 years, where he directed all Forrester's research on B2B Marketing organization, process and automation topics, including the Forrester TCMA Wave. "To have these two already top companies come together and merge their best-of-breed offerings creates a channel management technology powerhouse. In the research report and a recent blog, I had named a very shortlist of vendors who can help businesses address the new-age Partner Management and marketing challenges that digital transformation has introduced into channel management world: now that list is even tighter." "Our customers already turned to Impartner for an unmatched platform to manage indirect sales channels, delivering an average 32.3 percent increase in channel revenue in the first year of use alone," said Impartner CEO Joe Wang. "Adding what is inarguably the most contemporary, usable, and easily adoptable TCMA to help our customers market through their partners, is part of our ongoing commitment to our customers that Impartner will continually invest in and deliver the most sophisticated, future proof channel management platform in the market." "We simply could not be more excited to have Impartner incorporate this powerful demand-generation solution into what is already the fastest-growing, complete and award-winning channel management platform in the market," said TIE Kinetix CEO Jan Sundelin, noting that the divestiture allows TIE Kinetix to focus on its EDI-Integration technology, which is the company's core offering. The planned transaction is a milestone for TIE Kinetix, providing a tighter strategic focus on 100 percent digitalization of the supply chain. Proceeds from this transaction will be used to invest and grow the core EDI-Integration business. "Executive teams around the world are hungry for solutions to more effectively advertise with and expand markets via partners," added Wang, noting that key technologies acquired include trackable web and social syndication solutions that control the entire buyers' journey through partners from prospects to customers. "TIE Kinetix technology solves one of the biggest challenges for vendors - driving demand for partners in a way that lets them pick up a phone versus having to log in and implement their own marketing programs - all without relying on expensive agencies to execute campaigns." About TIE Kinetix TIE Kinetix transforms the digital supply chain by providing Total Integrated E-Commerce solutions. These solutions maximize revenue opportunities by minimizing the energy required to market, sell, fulfill, and optimize online. Customers and partners of TIE Kinetix constantly benefit from innovative, field-tested, state-of-the-art technologies, backed by 32 years of experience and prestigious awards. TIE Kinetix makes technology to perform, such that customers and partners can focus on their core business. TIE Kinetix is a public company and has offices in the United States, the Netherlands, France, Germany, United Kingdom, and Australia. About Impartner Impartner delivers the industry's most complete SaaS-based Channel Management Platform, helping companies worldwide manage their partner relationships and accelerate revenue and profitability through indirect sales channels. Impartner's flagship Partner Relationship Management (PRM) solution is the industry's most award-winning PRM technology and one of the industry's only turnkey solutions that can deploy a world-class Partner Portal in as few as 14 days. For more information on Impartner, which is based in Utah's tech hotbed, the Silicon Slopes, visit www.impartner.com , or in the United States call +1 801 501 7000, for EMEA general call +33 1 40 90 31 20, for London call +44 0 20 3283 4465, and for LATAM call +1 954 364 7883. Follow Impartner on LinkedIn , Twitter and Facebook . Contact: Kerry Desberg Michiel Wolfswinke Impartner TIE Kinetix +1425-231-9529 +31-88-369-8060 Kerry.desberg@impartner.com michiel.wolfswinkel@TIEkinetix.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1090766/Impartner_Action_Grid.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/701684/Impartner_Logo.jpg Haiti - Politic : 398 radio stations and 111 TV stations in the country Thursday, February 13, as part of the 9th edition of the commemoration of World Radio Day which took place around the theme of the diversity chosen by UNESCO, the National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL), the body regulatory agency has published a brief overview of broadcasting in Haiti. It was also an opportunity for the UNESCO office in Port-au-Prince to sensitize broadcasters on the impact of their programs on the public and to call for responsibility in the face of the phenomenon of disinformation. CONATEL revealed that in 2019, it existed throughout the national territory 398 broadcasting stations on the FM band, including around sixty community radios and 8 radio stations on the AM band, as well as 111 television stations, authorized to operate in the various geographic coverage areas of the country. However, the Commission noted that many of these broadcasting stations were not operating legally. Some operate without the required authorizations and others operate with technical parameters that do not comply with the technical standards established by CONATEL, causing harmful interference to existing telecommunications systems. In addition, within the framework of the regularization of the exploitation of the broadcasting, the National Council of Telecommunications wishes to create a platform of reflection and exchanges to favor a dialogue between the main stakeholders of the broadcasting sector in order to share their views in a neutral setting on the major problems facing the broadcasting sector in Haiti. "[...] This commemoration reminds us that information is the raw material of all social and economic activity. There is therefore a correlation between the right to information and socio-economic development, good governance, social cohesion guaranteeing peace, public security and the improvement of living together. The State must guarantee, with the development of broadcasting, the establishment of reliable communication channels in and for the full expression of diversity, taking into account all opinions, all traditions or lifestyles [...]" declared Leon Jean-Marie Guillaume the new Director General of CONATEL on this occasion. HL/ HaitiLibre Donald Trump's administration plans to add military-trained and heavily armed and armoured border patrol agents to support immigration crackdowns in US cities in the country's interior. Administration officials confirmed to the New York Times that US Customs and Border Protection plans to magnify Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations with 100 agents trained to work in violent, high-risk conditions along the US-Mexico border to support what are otherwise routine arrests for people without legal permission to live in the country. CBP spokesman Lawrence Payne said the administration made the deployment to "enhance the integrity of the immigration system, protect public safety, and strengthen our national security". The agency will deploy officers from the US Border Patrol Tactical Unit as a "show of force" in sanctuary cities like Chicago and New York, with plans to send more officers to Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark and San Francisco. The move follows the president's ongoing crackdown targeting immigration from Latin American countries, from threatening to withhold vital federal funding to cities that his administration deemed non-compliant with immigration enforcement to expanded funding for his US-Mexico border wall. Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Show all 8 1 /8 Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Mishawaka, Indiana AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Washington DC AFP/Getty Images Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy New York Mayor Bill De Blasio speaks in Tornillo, Texas alongside the many other US mayors who have called for detained immigrant children to be reunited with their families AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Albuquerque Mayor Tim Kelle leaves a teddy bear as a gift for detained immigrant children in Tornillo, Texas AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti leave sandals as gifts for detained immigrant children in Tornillo, Texas AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy San Diego, California EPA Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy US embassy, Mexico City AFP/Getty Images Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy San Diego, California EPA During his address to the National Border Patrol Council on Friday, the president repeated a false claim that foreign governments intentionally send criminals to the US and that Central American countries have refused to accept criminal aliens after they've been deported from the US. This month, US Customs and Border Protection suspended the Trusted Traveller and Global Entry programmes for New Yorkers after the state implemented a "Green Light Law" that prevents federal immigration authorities from accessing records maintained by the state's Department of Motor Vehicles. Undocumented immigrants in the state are eligible to apply for state identification cards. The deployment of the SWAT-like teams of border agents comes at the request of ICE officials who have complained to the administration about municipalities refusing to turn over their local police to federal immigration enforcement. But sanctuary cities' leadership, local law enforcement agencies and immigration advocacy organisations have argued that increased federal policing reinforces racial profiling and makes immigrant communities less safe, as they're less likely to report a crime by bringing threatening attention to their neighbourhoods. Headquartered on the southern border in El Paso Texas, BORTAC agents train "with foreign and domestic law enforcement and military entities throughout the United States and around the world" with training that's "designed to mirror aspects of the US Special Operations Forces' selection courses" The unit was designed in 1984 to "serve a civil disturbance function" to control prison riots at immigration detention facilities. It evolved to perform "intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance". Union power minister RK Singh on Thursday alleged that a lobby continuously campaigned against public sector units ( PSUs) and advocated their privatisation. Singh started off by taking aim at the power sector -- he was speaking at the inaugural session of the National Thermal Power Corporations (NTPC) Indian Power Station (IPS) 2020 conference in Raipur -- but he soon expanded the scope of his remarks. On Air India, for instance, he said that while he would not speak about its proposed privatisation, he largely encounters state-owned airlines when he travels overseas. The NDA government hopes to raise around 2.1 lakh crore in fiscal 2020-21 by divesting all or part of its stakes in some state-owned companies. It has already started the process of selling its entire stake in Air India after an earlier effort to sell a majority stake in the state-owned airline failed. Much of the Singhs talk was focused on the pioneering role the public sector played in building Indias industrial base , however, he lashed out at what he termed the lobby that keeps speaking out against PSUs. Senior Congress leader and spokesperson RP Singh said : His government is privatising everything.... SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ritesh Mishra State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh. Reports Maoism, Politics, Mining and important developments from the state. Covered all sorts of extremism in Central India. Reported from Madhya Pradesh for eight years. ...view detail I live in the family home and until last September I was caring for my mum, who has Alzheimers disease and vascular dementia, at home. She became too ill and had to go into a local care home. The cost is astronomical and Im currently using my power of attorney to pay for mums care with her savings, pension and Attendance Allowance. Theres enough money to keep up with payments until Christmas this year. Im keeping the heating switched off and have cut down on groceries to try to save some extra money as Im on minimum wage. Care bills: Where can you turn for help if you are struggling to cover fees for a loved one? (Stock image) My big worry is that when the money for mums care runs out then Ill be made homeless as the council say they wont pay for her care as theyll take the house instead (my name is not on the house deeds). The whole situation is worrying me sick and Im not sleeping! Tanya Jefferies, of This is Money, replies: I am very sorry to hear you are so concerned, based on information given by your local council, that it could 'take' your mum's house and make you homeless. There are meant to be safeguards to prevent that kind of extreme outcome. We approached David Broome, an expert from Age UK which offers free support to carers, for his take on your circumstances. We also asked Ben Tyer, a lawyer experienced in social care cases from GLP Solicitors, to answer your question. How are care fees paid for at present? Under the current system someone's assets - including the family home - is depleted down to 23,250 if they need to go into a care home. If you need care in your own home, your assets must be depleted to a level set by your local council, which cannot be lower than 23,250, but your home is excluded from this means test. They both say you have options to prevent or at least delay the sale of your mother's property. I hope what follows is useful and offers you some sources of help at what sounds like a terribly challenging time, and wish you and your mother all the best. David Broome, technical advice support officer for social care at Age UK, replies: The first thing to point out is your mother may be entitled to local authority help with the care fees once her capital - meaning her savings and other assets - reaches the 23,250 threshold. Seek help with care costs Its best to approach your local authority a few months before the capital reaches this level, to allow time for the necessary assessments to take place. The local authority first needs to agree your mother requires care in a care home before it will consider providing help with the fees. Basically this means it carries out a needs assessment followed by a financial assessment. It will take into account your mothers pensions and attendance allowance and will expect her to contribute to the care costs from this income. So, it may not cover all of the care home fees but this can reduce the overall cost. Payment of attendance allowance stops 28 days after the local authority begins to help with care home fees. Get your mother's home excluded from assessment The value of your mothers home may be ignored as a capital asset, depending on your circumstances. A local authority must ignore the value of a care home residents former home if, for example, a close relative aged 60 or over still lives there, or a close relative with a disability. Over 65 and can't cope without help? Attendance allowance is an important benefit for over-65s who need help caring for themselves because of an illness or disability. It's worth either 58.70 or 87.65 a week, and you don't need to be hard-up to qualify. Read more here, including tips on how to claim from a benefits expert. It should be able to advise as to whether something called a 'mandatory property disregard' should be applied in your circumstances. You can also ask the local authority to use its discretion to 'disregard' the value of the property, if there are special circumstances that affect you, but this depends on your exact situation. Delay the sale of your mother's home If the value of your mothers home is taken into account as a capital asset, it may be possible to delay selling it to pay care fees by arranging a deferred payment agreement with the local authority. This is where the local authority pays a contribution towards care fees, on the basis they are repaid once the property is sold, or from the persons estate after they have died. They place a legal charge on the property. Anyone thinking of a deferred payment agreement should seek independent financial advice, which is a paid for service. Look for further help with your finances, and your mother's As attorney, you should make sure your mothers money is kept separately from your own finances and keep accounts of how her money is spent. You may wish to seek advice about your own financial situation, to explore whether you are entitled to help with meeting day-to-day living costs, for example through claiming a social security benefit yourself. There are tips to help people save on energy costs on our website here. Paying for care is a complex subject and you can contact the Age UK Advice Line or a local Age UK service to get advice about your mothers individual circumstances. Age UK also publishes information guides and factsheets about social care, available to download from our website. Go to www.ageuk.org.uk or call 0800 678 1602. Ben Tyer: Guidance to local authorities specifically states that the purpose of a discretionary 'disregard' on a property is to safeguard people from the risk of homelessness Ben Tyer, private client solicitor at GLP Solicitors, replies: If your mum has significant and ongoing healthcare needs (as opposed to social needs) she may be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare (NHS CHC) and, generally speaking, the NHS will pay her care home fees. Unfortunately, there is a high threshold for NHS CHC which is irrespective of a diagnosis but it is worth considering. The NHS has details of how it works here, and you will need to ask a GP, social worker, hospital nurse, district nurse, care home nurse or other health professional to start the assessment process. If your mum is not eligible, then the value of her property will be included in her financial assessment for care home fees and will need to be sold eventually to pay for care once her cash funds run out unless a 'disregard' applies. There can be an automatic disregard if a person who remains living in the property after the owner has gone into care is over 60 or suffering from an incapacity. If you don't qualify on those grounds, I would encourage you to ask your local authority to exercise its discretion to apply a disregard anyway, so your mum's home will not need to be sold. It is a high hurdle to overcome but they may apply it because it has become your sole home, or if you have given up or sold your own home to care for your mum, or there is a risk of you becoming homeless. In fact, the guidance to local authorities specifically states that the purpose of this disregard is to safeguard people from the risk of homelessness. Failing that, even if your mum's cash funds are dissipated by Christmas then her home may not have to be sold immediately to pay for her care because of the deferred payment system. This is where the costs of paying for care are delayed until a later date on her death, for example which at least gives you some breathing space. Its worth adding that only your mums share of the property would be taken into account. Although you arent on the title deeds, if you paid the mortgage or funded an extension for example, you might have an interest in it, so not all of it will have to be used to pay the care home fees. That wouldnt prevent the property being sold to fund your mums care fees, but might leave you some funds to help you find another home eventually. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) PLtCol Jovie Espenido, the police officer who previously led deadly operations against drug-linked politicians, is now being accused of involvement in illegal drugs. Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano on Friday confirmed that Espenido is among the 357 policemen on President Rodrigo Duterte's drug watchlist, also known as narco list. "He will undergo validation and adjudication just like the rest," Ano said in a statement. The head of the Department of Interior and Local Government, which has supervision over the Philippine National Police, stressed that Espenido remains innocent until proven guilty. "His accomplishments in the past could be a big positive factor to his side during adjudication/validation," he added. The controversial Espenido was the chief of police of Albuera, Leyte when the town's mayor, Rolando Espinosa, Sr. was killed in 2016. He was also police chief of Ozamiz in Misamis Occidental when the city's mayor, Reynaldo Parojinog, was killed in 2017. Both mayors were on Duterte's narco list. In 2017, Duterte awarded Espenido for his contributions to the government's anti-drug campaign. In October last year, Duterte sent Espenido to Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental which he said was "badly hit" by illegal drugs. The President in a speech said he told Espenido to "go there and you are free to kill everybody." Espenido also got a one-rank promotion from Major to Lieutenant Colonel. READ: 'Free to kill'? Controversial cop vows to uphold human rights Malacanang earlier refused to confirm Espenido's inclusion in the watchlist. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said they have to validate the report of Rappler, saying anything that comes from the online news site was questionable. Espenido and PNP Chief Gen. Archie Gamboa have not commented on the issue. Gamboa previously said he would like to protect the identity of all the 357 policemen on the narco list, including the highest-ranking officer there a Brigadier General or one-star rank official. He said the PNP targets to finish the adjudication and validation process in a month and those who will be found innocent of any drug links will be removed from the watchlist. On the other hand, administrative and criminal charges will be filed against those with proven illegal drug transactions. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan, North Sumatra Fri, February 14, 2020 20:49 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2064a4bd7 1 National Blasphemy-Law,quran,Islam,Medan Free The police in Medan, North Sumatra, have arrested a man for allegedly ripping a page from the Quran after stealing it from Al-Mahsum Mosque in the city last month. The suspect, identified only as DIM, 44, a Medan resident, was arrested as he walked around the mosque on Thursday. Medan Police chief Sr. Comr. Jhony Edizzon said he suspected the perpetrator was about to repeat his action before the police caught him. The suspect wasnt acting alone. He was part of a group who incited him to commit the offense. We are currently hunting that group, Jhonny said on Thursday. He added that the group was believed to have paid DIM Rp 700,000 (US$51.10) as a reward. The money has been confiscated by the police, along with a ripped page from the Quran and a mobile phone. According to Jhonny, the police arrested the suspect after watching a CCTV surveillance video recording from the mosque dated Jan. 31. The suspect was praying at the mosque at that time, and stole the Quran from a cabinet, ripped out a page and pocketed it. The suspect proceeded to walk to the toilet, shredded the page into four pieces, and threw it onto the street. The police claimed that the suspect was aware of what he was doing. He is mentally healthy, Jhonny said, adding that the suspect worked as a construction worker. DIM will be charged under Article 156 of the Criminal Code and faces five years imprisonment if found guilty. Do not ever try to disturb the peace in Medan city. We have no room for terrorists in this country, we will take action against them, Jhonny said. Zulkarnaen Sitanggang, an Indonesian Ulema Council member in Medan, asked the police to resolve the case as soon as possible. We want the police to take care of the Quran case because it makes Muslims uneasy, Zulkarnaen said. (dpk) Serbia US U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Ambassador Richard Grenell speaks during a press conference after a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. Grenell is meeting Serbian President Vucic in order to move the dialogue and normalize relations between the two sides.(AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) U.S. President Donald Trumps special envoy for Serbia and Kosovo said Saturday that an agreement to resume railway service between the two Balkan rivals is important for both nations. Richard Grenell, who is the U.S. ambassador to Germany, said establishing train links became a priority after U.S. officials brokered another deal earlier this week to restore air traffic between the countries after 21 years. Grenell visited Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, and Serbia's capital of Belgrade this week. He said Friday at a press conference in Belgrade that details of an agreement to restore rail service would be discussed at a meeting in Berlin on Monday. President Trumps vision is now happening. The business community and the focus on job creation is leading the way, Grenell said in a written statement to The Associated Press. Grenell was appointed by Trump in October as the special envoy to talks to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia. The European Union-mediated negotiations started in 2011 and have been stalled since Kosovo imposed a trade tax on Serbian goods in 2018. Serbia does not accept Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence, although its former province has been recognized by about 100 countries, including the United States and most EU nations. Grenell has said the U.S. wants the two sides to focus on the economy, new jobs and prosperity as the way toward normalizing ties. He has urged Serbia and Kosovo to remove obstacles that have blocked the talks for more than a year. Serbia's brutal intervention against Kosovo's independence-seeking ethnic Albanians in 1998-99 prompted NATO to intervene to stop the conflict. Relations have remained tense ever since despite EU-led talks. Two MPs have today revealed they have gone into 'self-isolation' after attending a Westminster bus conference that was attended by one of the UK's nine coronavirus patient and 250 other delegates. Labour MPs Lilian Greenwood and Alex Sobel both announced their decisions on Twitter. They revealed they have cancelled upcoming engagements as a precaution until the end of their 14-day incubation period during which they could become ill if infected. Both confirmed that they did not have any symptoms, which include coughs and fevers, and hadn't been told to self-isolate but chose to do so anyway as a precaution. It comes after it was revealed today that one of Britain's nine confirmed coronavirus cases attended the UK Bus Summit at the QEII Centre on February 6, just a stone's throw from Parliament. The virus-carrier was reportedly one of 250 people at the conference, where the star speaker was Boris Johnson's Buses Minister, Baroness Vere of Norbiton, who posed with an all-electric bus outside the venue. MailOnline understands the coronavirus patient who attended the conference was not the most recent case who was diagnosed on Wednesday in London. It has already been eight days since the bus conference, so anybody who attended will be considered in the clear if they're not ill by Thursday, February 20. The announcements come after a scare this morning at Heathrow Airport, where up to eight planes were held on the tarmac because of possible coronavirus cases on board. Other developments in the coronavirus outbreak today include: Cleaners wearing hazmat suits disinfected a 37-storey tower block in London, where a resident with a fever was escorted from in an ambulance Almost 65,000 patients around the world have now caught the virus, with the death toll close to 1,400 since the outbreak began at the end of December A total of 2,964 people in the UK have been tested for the coronavirus, of which 2,955 were confirmed negative and nine positive Top scientists have ruled out the coronavirus was engineered, dispelling rumours the never-before-seen virus had escaped from a lab Churchgoers were urged to avoid communion wine and shaking hands if they have 'coughs and sneezes' in coronavirus warning Amazon and eBay have been accused of cashing in on the coronavirus outbreak with comedy T-shirts making fun of the crisis Labour MP Alex Sobel announced his decisions on Twitter, revealing he has cancelled upcoming engagements as a precaution after going to the QEII Centre on February 6 Labour MP for Nottingham South, Lilian Greenwood, also announced on Twitter that she had cancelled upcoming engagements in order to self-isolate at home The virus-carrier was reportedly one of 250 delegates at the UK Bus Summit at the QEII Centre on February 6 (Boris Johnson 's Buses Minister, Baroness Vere of Norbiton speaks at the summit) Lilian Greenwood MP said she was cancelling public engagements to be 'extra-cautious' after being warned by Public Health England that she might have come into contact with a coronavirus patient before they were diagnosed In a Twitter thread Labour MP Alex Sobel said he had also been to the conference and would be cancelling his public engagements Mr Sobel directed people to the NHS website in case they were worried about the coronavirus He added that he did not feel unwell and was not experiencing symptoms of cornavirus, which include fevers and coughs LUXURY LONDON TOWER BLOCK DISINFECTED BY WORKERS IN HAZMAT SUITS Coronavirus fears are mounting in London after cleaners wearing hazmat suits were pictured disinfecting a 37-storey tower block where a resident with a fever was escorted from in an ambulance. Workers in protective suits were sent to One The Elephant yesterday morning, after the UK's ninth case of the SARS-2 virus a Chinese woman who took an Uber to A&E at Lewisham Hospital was recorded the night before. Several Chinese students are thought to live in the exclusive tower block, which has 254 apartments including luxurious flats overlooking the capital, as well as its own leisure centre and a rooftop garden. Residents claim to have been left in the dark about why the lobby was being cleaned by men in hazmat suits and face masks. The suspected patient is thought to be a Chinese student who recently arrived from China. The Telegraph reports the resident, who health officials won't identify because of patient confidentiality, was isolated in a communal area of the building while waiting for an ambulance. One Chinese student, who lives in the tower, told the newspaper: 'The front desk said that someone had a fever and an ambulance was called to see if they are alright. I'm not sure of who they were.' And fellow resident, 21-year-old student Yen Chen, added: 'I have seen two people with masks on wearing isolation suits cleaning the lobby floor for the moment since this morning.' She believed the cleaners were using anti-bacterial spray but admitted she had not heard anything from the building operators about the suspected case. One of her friends has been gripped by the fears and barely leaves his room. A source told MailOnline the student was taken to hospital yesterday morning, and added: 'The man was taken away in an ambulance by medics wearing protective clothing. 'He is a Chinese student who is about 28 years old. He has recently come from China. Medical staff has since carried out a deep clean of his apartment. And now it is business as usual at the apartment block.' Advertisement Mr Sobel, MP for Leeds North West, tweeted: 'I attended the UK bus summit on the 6th Feb, where there was an attendee who has tested positive for coronavirus. 'Whilst I have been informed that I am at very low risk, I have called 111 to be formally assessed. 'As a precaution, we have canceled all engagements until next Thursday when the 14-day potential incubation period will end.' Mr Sobel added: 'If you think you may have been in contact with someone who has coronavirus, self-isolate and call 111 for an assessment.' In a later statement he added: 'The advice that weve been given is that as long you feel well, then you can carry on as normal. Because myself and Lilian another MP, come into contact with a lot of people ... weve taken this additional precaution,' The Guardian reported. Ms Greenwood, MP for Nottingham South, tweeted: 'Eight days ago, I spoke at the UK Bus Summit. This morning I received this advice from Public Health England. 'I'm feeling completely well but to be extra-cautious I'm cancelling my public engagements until 20th February. Sorry for any inconvenience.' Attached was a letter from Public Health England (PHE) telling anyone who develops flu-like symptoms to self-isolate at home and call the NHS' 111 helpline. The email said: 'While the degree of contact you may have had with the case at the summit is unlikely to have been significant, we are taking a precautionary approach and informing you.' Dr Yimmy Chow, consultant in health protection at PHE, said: 'One of our main priorities has been to identify any people who we think have been in close contact with confirmed cases of coronavirus to provide public health advice, as they may be at slightly increased risk of catching the virus. 'While the degree of contact conference delegates may have had with the case is unlikely to have been significant, we have taken a precautionary approach and informed them of the situation.' Also in attendance were David Brown, chief executive of bus company Go-Ahead, and Gareth Powell, head of Transport for London's bus network. Others on the panel with Ms Greenwood included Laura Murdoch from Transport Scotland and Graham Vidler, chief executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport. More delegates were Clare Haigh of the Greener Journeys campaign group; Liverpool city councillor, Liam Robinson; Mark Fowles, of Nottingham City Transport; Robert Drewery, a director at bus manufacturer Optare; Lynn Cramman of Cobalt Business Park; David Tucker of the Federation of Small Businesses; Tom Thackray of the Confederation of British Industry and Ojay McDonald from the Association of Town & City Management. People from all corners of the country attended the summit, which was held in one of the busiest areas of London. The coronavirus patient who attended the conference was not the Chinese woman, the UK's ninth case. MailOnline understands the infected person was actually one of three patients in Brighton whose identities haven't yet been revealed. The other three in the seaside city include 'super-spreader' Steve Walsh, and two doctors. The patient's presence in central London at a packed conference will spark fears among the hundreds of people there from the transport industry amid growing public anxiety about the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Mrs Greenwood shared a picture of a letter she was sent by Public Health England which warned her that she may have come into contact with someone infected with the coronavirus. It said she and other delegates of the summit did not need to do anything unless they started to feel ill The summit's speakers included Baroness Vere, who posed with an all-electric bus outside the QEII Centre, which is around 100 yards from Westminster Underground Station The conference was held just yards from Parliament and was attended by David Brown, chief executive of bus company Go-Ahead, Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood and Gareth Powell, head of Transport for London's bus network The summit's speakers included Baroness Vere, who posed with an all-electric bus outside the QEII Centre, which is around 100 yards from Westminster Underground Station Concerns about the presence of the virus in London have escalated after a case was diagnosed there on Wednesday and it emerged another infected person travelled there for a bus conference FRIDAY BRINGS ANOTHER SPIKE IN CORONAVIRUS CASES IN CHINA China has reported another sharp rise in the number of people infected with the killer coronavirus, with the death toll now nearing 1,400. The National Health Commission said 121 more deaths were recorded yesterday, as well as 5,090 new confirmed cases. The number of reported cases has been rising more quickly after the hardest-hit province changed its method of counting them. There are now almost 64,000 confirmed cases in mainland China, of which 1,380 have died, according to the national body. Hubei province is now including cases based on a physician's diagnosis and before they have been confirmed by lab tests. The acceleration in the number of cases does not necessarily represent a sudden surge in new infections of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Advertisement This morning Heathrow Airport was swept up in concerns about the virus's presence in London when up to eight planes were put on lockdown over fears passengers on board had the coronavirus. Travellers on the United Airlines Flight 901 from San Francisco were told by the captain to stay in their seats after landing because someone might have the contagious virus. Andy West, from Henley-on-Thames, told MailOnline passengers were told they could be on the runway for a while because 'seven other planes' also had suspected cases. He revealed staff on the flight took a passenger to the back of the plane without wearing any protective gear or face masks and waited for health officials to come. Passengers were made to fill out health forms before being allowed to leave 25 minutes later and were not told if anyone on the plane had the virus. Officials at Public Health England and Heathrow refused to confirm or deny this morning's events, which may have affected hundreds of people. But a statement from United Airlines confirmed its plane had been put on lockdown. It read: 'Our team at London Heathrow Airport is providing assistance related to United flight 901 (San Francisco-London Heathrow) today, following reports of an individual becoming unwell on board. 'The safety of our customers and employees is our highest priority and we continue to work closely with local authorities.' London has been on red alert for more coronavirus cases after the capital's first confirmed patient took herself to A&E in an Uber on Sunday and walked into a public area of Lewisham Hospital going against strict advice to stay at home and ring NHS 111. Two healthcare workers who came into contact with the Chinese woman at the hospital have been told to self-isolate and the taxi driver's account has been temporarily suspended. The latest coronavirus patient went to A&E in Lewisham in an Uber. When it was revealed she might be infected with the illness, an ambulance was called to take her home after tests Nearly 1,400 patients have been killed by coronavirus since the outbreak began in Wuhan Almost 65,000 patients around the world have now caught the virus after China reported 5,000 new cases yesterday Amazon has several coronavirus T-shirts still on sale and has refused to withdraw them This shirt was on sale on eBay for 15.45 but the auction site has now removed it and others Auction site eBay says tops like this breach its 'Disaster and Tragedy Policy' and removed them eBay removes T-shirts with coronavirus slogans including 'Wuhan city tours' but they are still available on Amazon Amazon and eBay have been cashing in on the coronavirus outbreak with comedy T-shirts making fun of the crisis that has killed more than 1,300 people worldwide. One 15.45 shirt on eBay said: 'I survived the Coronavirus and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.' Others on the auction site mocked the city in China at the epicentre of the outbreak with one emblazoned with 'Wuhan City Tours' and another saying: 'Just arrived from Wuhan.' Another for 10.99 had the Corona beer logo with 'Corona Virus' written instead. Advertisement The woman, who contracted coronavirus in China, 'self-presented' at Lewisham Hospital before being sent home to await the results of tests. She was rushed to St Thomas's on Wednesday after her test results returned positive. She is believed to live with family in London and thought to be in her late 20s or early 30s. Official advice from PHE states that anyone who suspects they have coronavirus should stay at home, call NHS 111 and await transport to the nearest hospital assessment pod. The Chinese patient was the first case in London and doctors are worried that the disease's emergence in the capital will lead to it spreading quickly. Amid fears of the virus in the capital, people have been avoiding London's Chinatown in Soho. The normally-bustling tourist hotspot were eerily deserted last night, with restaurants left empty just weeks after Chinese new Year. Doctors warned the London Underground could be a hotbed for the virus, which can survive on handrails for hours and spreads via people's breath. London's Chinatown stands eerily deserted as thousands of revellers keep their distance from the tourist spot as coronavirus panic sweeps the UK The normally-busy restaurants are empty just weeks after Chinese New Year after Britain's ninth confirmed case of the virus, a woman who travelled from China, became the first in the capital With streets of the central-London venue usually fit to burst with visitors looking to sample the variety of restaurants or browse the Chinese- run super markets, last night was a stark contrast Wales market stall-holder Su Chu Lu had been to Taiwan an island off the coast of China to visit her family, but when she came back neighbours had turned on her. Pictured: A nearly deserted Chinatown restaurant. There is no suggestion that restaurant staff are infected by the virus Mother of UK's youngest suspected coronavirus victim says she's terrified she'll lose him Eight-month-old James Adlam has 'all the symptoms' associated with the virus, including a boiling temperature, coughing fits, runny nose and extreme fatigue, according to his mother Stephanie Adlam. She says her terrified family say they are living 'in hell' because James' four-year-old sister may also have been exposed. James, who has blood defect haemophilia and a long-term lung condition, is now in isolation at home. He was treated for a leg injury by a doctor who was later confirmed to have the virus. The family are now anxiously waiting test results to find out if the boy has the illness. Advertisement Dr Robin Thompson, an expert in mathematical epidemiology at 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.' Yesterday morning paramedics in hazmat suits turned up to a flat in Paddington, central London, after a patient reported symptoms. Video footage shows a man in a black hoodie walking into an ambulance at 9.45am with two staff members in full body gowns. One of the medics was said to have told bystanders there was 'a confirmed case in the building' and asked if people could refrain from taking pictures. Elsewhere, two GP surgeries were closed after patients with suspicious symptoms turned up unannounced. The Ritchie Street Health Centre in Islington, north London, posted a message on its website stating it would be closed until today 'due to the coronavirus'. However it has emerged that no patients or staff at the practice have tested positive for the virus - and it remains unclear why management took the decision to shut. NHS officials say the move may have been precautionary after a patient was tested for the virus after turning up at the practice with symptoms. Paramedics in hazmat suits march into a flat in central London hours after the first coronavirus patient was confirmed in the capital Two medics in full protective gowns, gloves and face masks got out of an ambulance and carried heavy-duty rucksacks into a block of flats in Paddington at 9.45am and brought a man in a black hood out with them Church of England issues advice to reduce coronavirus risk In new guidance issued on Thursday, the CofE said current Government advice did not suggest that the sharing of a 'common cup' during Holy Communion services should be suspended. 'Long-standing government advice has been that 'In a pandemic, it makes good sense to take precautions to limit the spread of disease by not sharing common vessels for food and drink.' COVID-19 has NOT been declared a pandemic,' the guidance published on the church website said. It said parishioners with 'coughs and sneezes' should already be encouraged to receive Communion in 'one kind only' and 'to refrain from handshaking during The Peace'. An integral part of Christian worship, Holy Communion, also known as the Eucharist, involves worshippers receiving consecrated bread and wine in memory of the Last Supper taken by Jesus and his disciples. During communion services, congregations also observe 'the peace', a pause in proceedings where people typically shake hands with those around them. In its new guidance, the church said: 'It is also best practice for churches to have hand-sanitisers available for parishioners to use. Advertisement The Ferns Medical Practice in Farnham, Surrey, said that it was undertaking a deep clean after a patient had come in after visiting 'one of the affected coronavirus areas'. Some 2,512 people in Britain have been tested since last month. Patients with suspected coronavirus have swabs taken of their nose and throat which are sent to one of 12 labs across the UK. Results usually come back within 48 hours although they can be turned around in 24 hours and the NHS can test a maximum of 1,000 patients in a day. Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said officials were hoping to delay the spread of the coronavirus in this country until the summer. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Delay is the next stage of what we need to do because if we are going to get an outbreak in the UK this is an if, not a when but if we do, putting it back in time into the summer period, away from winter pressures on the NHS, buying us a bit more time to understand the virus better... is a big advantage.' He added that while it was 'highly likely' the UK would see more cases, the disease could be 'dampened' as the weather got warmer. The head of the NHS, Simon Stevens, said that to contain the spread many more patients would need to self-isolate at home if they had suspicious symptoms. Praising the coronavirus evacuees who left the Wirral yesterday after 14 days of isolation, he said the Arrowe Park Hospital 'guests' had '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 virus's spread'. A cabin is being used as an isolation pod at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester At Eastbourne District General Hospital, windowless shipping containers at the side of what appears to be a road in the hospital grounds are used Passengers on a cruise ship denied entry to five different countries are let in by Cambodia Passengers on a cruise ship that was turned away from ports around Asia over fears they could be carrying the new coronavirus finally began disembarking in Cambodia on Friday. Cambodia's strongman premier Hun Sen welcomed around 100 tourists who were handed flowers and scarves as they stepped ashore after an uncertain two weeks at sea. The Westerdam was supposed to be taking its 2,257 passengers and crew on a 14-day cruise around east Asia, beginning in Hong Kong on February 1 and ending on Saturday in Yokohama, Japan. But the vessel was barred by Japan, Guam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand over fears it was carrying someone with a new virus that has now killed around 1,400 people and sickened 64,000, mostly in China. Cambodia - a staunch Beijing ally that receives huge sums of Chinese money every year - announced this week that the boat could dock in Sihanoukville. Dozens of jubilant passengers took advantage of their new-found freedom and visited a nearby beach, while some hugged Hun Sen - Cambodia's ruler for 35 years - as they disembarked. One man even kissed the ground. 'Cambodia pays more attention to human rights... we respect the rights of the more than 2,000 people on the boat,' Hun Sen said, relishing the rare positive focus on a leadership more commonly hammered for rights abuses. 'We don't have wealth like a rich country but we have sympathy for the passengers stranded on the ship.' All passengers will be allowed to disembark, Hun Sen said, after no cases of the coronavirus were found aboard. Advertisement The developments come as a parents of a baby in Brighton fear he may have the coronavirus after he was treated by one of the infected GPs in the city. At least two doctors in Brighton are known to have caught the bug while on holiday with 'super-spreader' businessman, Steve Walsh, who caught it in Singapore. The eight-month-old has 'all the symptoms' associated with the virus, including a boiling temperature, coughing fits, runny nose and extreme fatigue, according to his mother Stephanie Adlam. She says her terrified family say they are living 'in hell' because James' four-year-old sister may also have been exposed. James, who has blood defect haemophilia and a long-term lung condition, is now in isolation at home. The family were taken to Worthing A&E by paramedics in full hazmat suits on Wednesday for tests. They are anxiously waiting the results which come back today. The boy's father said: 'My little boy has haemophilia and a lung condition, so he's already poorly. 'My ex-partner took him in to get checked out last Tuesday. We took him back yesterday morning, and as we arrived home at about 1pm we got a call from Worthing A&E. 'They said both my son and his mum had been in direct contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, and told us to stay at home.' He said both his children have 'flu-like symptoms, everything associated with the virus'. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said earlier this week that the coronavirus outbreak is a 'serious and imminent' threat to the British public. Makeshift coronavirus isolation 'pods' have emerged at hospitals across England as the country is on high alert for new cases of the illness. The NHS has ordered all hospitals to set up the isolation booths so they can send people there if they are suspected to have SARS-CoV-2. A crane delivers a cabin to University Hospital of North Tees, where it will be used as a coronavirus isolation pod A contamination tent being set up outside A&E at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington a stone's throw from the Lindo Wing where all of Prince William and Kate Middleton's children were born Blackpool Victoria Hospital has attached a sign to a permanent building, indicating that suspected coronavirus patients should go there WHERE HAS THE CORONAVIRUS SPREAD TO? COUNTRIES CHINA SOUTH KOREA DIAMOND PRINCESS ITALY IRAN JAPAN SINGAPORE HONG KONG US KUWAIT THAILAND BAHRAIN TAIWAN GERMANY AUSTRALIA MALAYSIA FRANCE SPAIN VIETNAM UK UAE CANADA MACAU IRAQ RUSSIA OMAN SWITZERLAND INDIA PHILIPPINES CROATIA ISRAEL PAKISTAN GREECE LEBANON FINLAND AUSTRIA SWEDEN NORWAY ALGERIA BELGIUM AFGHANISTAN NEPAL CAMBODIA N. MACEDONIA DENMARK BRAZIL ROMANIA GEORGIA ESTONIA EGYPT SRI LANKA SAN MARINO NETHERLANDS LITHUANIA NIGERIA BELARUS NEW ZEALAND WORLD TOTAL EUROPE TOTAL CASES 78,824 2,337 705 655 270 214 96 93 60 43 41 33 34 48 23 23 38 25 16 17 19 14 10 7 2 6 8 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 2 3 7 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 83,711 811 Advertisement Pictures show rusty portable cabins and windowless shipping containers being used for the purpose on the grounds outside of hospitals' main buildings or in car parks. Health service bosses said there must be facilities in place to keep suspected patients away from the general public while they're assessed over the phone by medics. Hospitals in London, Hartlepool, Stevenage, Preston, Blackpool, Eastbourne, Brighton and Bournemouth have been seen with the pods outside. A letter sent from NHS England to hospital directors two weeks ago instructed them all to have the pods up and running by Friday, February 7. It said: 'As part of managing care in Emergency Departments, trusts are being asked to organise a 'Coronavirus Priority Assessment Pod', which will mean people with symptoms indicative of infection will get quick assessment, while other patients also continue to get appropriate care.' The letter said the pod must have a phone which is available 24 hours a day so worried patients can speak to a specialist response team at any time. There must also be clear signs and posters directing people the the pod so they don't have to come into contact with staff people will not be allowed to just wander into the pods but must be referred there first. Overnight, China reported another sharp rise in the number of people infected with the killer disease. The National Health Commission said 121 more deaths were recorded yesterday, as well as 5,090 new confirmed cases. The number of reported cases has been rising more quickly after the hardest-hit province changed its method of counting them. There are now almost 64,000 confirmed cases in mainland China, of which 1,380 have died, according to the national body. Medical workers check on the conditions of patients in Jinyintan Hospital, designated for critical COVID-19 patients, in Wuhan on Thursday WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE UK'S CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS? 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 Advertisement Hubei province is now including cases based on a physician's diagnosis and before they have been confirmed by lab tests. The acceleration in the number of cases does not necessarily represent a sudden surge in new infections of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Paul Hunter, a professor of health protection at the University of East Anglia, said: 'I suspect but can't be certain that the underlying trend is still downwards. 'It almost certainly does not mean that there has been a resurgence of the epidemic overnight.' The sharp rises is thought to have been caused by a change in the way doctors in Hubei - the province at the centre of the outbreak - are diagnosing the virus. Officials decided that people who have virus symptoms, plus a CT scan showing chest infection, are now being counted as confirmed cases. Cases were previously only being confirmed using specialized testing kits in a laboratory. But authorities have had to switch to the broader diagnostic tools because they are running out of the kits and hundreds of patients are going untested. It raises the prospect that deaths and infections could have been much higher if medics were using this method all along. And it could mean that going forward, more cases will be reported every day in the Chinese province. The official death toll now sits at 1,380 after China reported 121 new patients had been killed by the virus overnight. This sparked confusion as it was reported on Thursday that 1,370 people succumbed to the illness. Coronavirus has killed six health workers in China and infected more than 1,700 since the outbreak began, Beijing said today. Shortages of masks and protective gear have sparked a crisis for medical staff as they deal with more than 60,000 cases of the deadly virus. Zeng Yixin, vice minister of China's national health commission, said today that 1,102 of the 1,716 infected health workers caught the virus in the city of Wuhan. Another 400 were infected elsewhere in Hubei province, the region at the centre of the outbreak which is under drastic quarantine measures. Chinese authorities have scrambled to deploy protective gear to Wuhan's hospitals where doctors and nurses have been overwhelmed by the outbreak. Many doctors in Wuhan have had to see patients without proper masks, having to re-use the same equipment when it should be changed regularly. One doctor at a community clinic in Wuhan said he and at least 16 other colleagues were showing symptoms similar to the virus, including lung infections and coughing. The risks to medical staff were highlighted last Friday when Li Wenliang, a doctor who had been reprimanded for trying to raise the alarm about the virus, died of the Covid-19 disease. His death unleashed an outpouring of public anger on Chinese social media, with academics in Wuhan writing an open letter demanding reform and free speech. Multiple Wendys employees have reportedly been fired after they filmed a man bathing in the restaurants kitchen sink. In the video, which was uploaded to TikTok, a shirtless man, believed to be an employee, sits in soapy water in the restaurants industrial sink at the Greenville, Michigan, location. Wash yourself, a Wendys employee can be heard telling the man, as he throws what appears to be a wash cloth at him. The man in the sink then responds: It feels like a hot tub. Im just enjoying life. The video was later shared on Facebook, where it has been viewed more than 157,000 times, with the caption: So yeah Im just gonna tell everyone right now DONT GO TO THE GREENVILLE WENDYS. THIS IS DISGUSTING. Please share this. The video prompted many people to express their disgust over the incident. This needs to be reported to the local health department, one person wrote. Another commented: So disgusting and definitely unsanitary. A spokesperson for the Wendys franchisee, Team Schostak, confirmed the incident had taken place in one of its restaurants to The Daily News. We take it very, very seriously, Christian Camp, vice president of human resources for Team Schostak, told the outlet. We have already taken the proper steps to make sure something like this never happens again. As soon as we learned of it, which was this morning, we quickly got into action and approached every person that was involved. Weve been looking into the matter all day, trying to find out what happened because we want to make sure that we are safe for our employees, and obviously our guests, so we take this matter extremely seriously. Weve taken the appropriate steps to make sure this doesnt happen again. In a statement to TMZ, the restaurants owner said all of the employees in the video had been terminated immediately and that the health department had not reported any violations during a visit to the restaurant following the incident. This egregious behaviour is completely unacceptable and counter to our safety, training and operational standards, the franchise owner said. Upon learning of this situation, all employees in the video were terminated immediately and the restaurant has been completely sanitised. The health department visited the restaurant today and no violations were reported." The Independent has contacted Wendys for comment. The U.S. Virgin Islands opened up a new and explosive front in the battle over Jeffery Epsteins $600 million estate this week when it included one of the sex offenders companies, Southern Trust, as a co-defendant in the case. With that late amendment, the attorney generals office seemed to be painting a target on some of the islands most prominent figures, including Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., and a former first lady, Cecile de Jongh. Social media and the islands legal community erupted with speculation that the powerful officials might get dragged into the mire created by Epsteins criminal enterprise and human trafficking ring. But in an interview with the Miami Herald, USVI Attorney General Denise George squelched those rumors, saying there was no evidence yet that might suggest broader responsibility. At issue is Southern Trust, a purported data-mining company that Epstein incorporated in the USVI in 2011, and that the government believes was a sham to cover up his illegal activities. One of Southern Trusts managers was de Johng, who is married to former governor John de Johng (2007-2015). Asked if Southern Trust employees might come under investigation, George said it was too soon to tell. As Virgin Islands, lawyers, victims fight over Epsteins millions, judge calls for truce People can only be liable for evidence that leads to them, she said. Just because a person may be there and working, it does not mean that they committed a crime. Likewise, it would be irresponsible to judge people who visited Epsteins private island, Little St. James, where he allegedly lured and sexually exploited women and girls. Just because someone visited the island doesnt mean they committed offenses on the island. It doesnt even mean they knew, she said. We have to be careful in calling out people or going after people you can ruin a person unnecessarily. Thats why Im so focused on following the evidence and seeing where it can go. Story continues Fraudulent Tax Break Epstein began ramping up his dealings in the sun-kissed U.S. territory following his 2008 guilty plea to state prostitution charges in Palm Beach County. In December of 2012, he went before the islands Economic Development Authority (EDA), where Gov. Bryan was the chairman at the time, to ask for tax breaks for Southern Trust Co. According to Epstein, the company would build a cutting edge consulting service that would mine DNA and financial data for a global clientele. Among other things, the database would allow pharmaceutical companies and doctors to use his mathematical models to test drug protocols. So my companys algorithms will, in fact, digest the information as best as they can currently and then spit out its recommendations, Epstein, just three years removed from serving a jail term in Palm Beach County and registering as a sex offender, told the EDA board. So youll have computer generated solutions for medical problems, which is the next centurys work on how to get people healthy. After agreeing to make a $50,000-a-year charitable donation and support the islands scholarship fund, Southern Trust was given a 90 percent exemption from its income tax and a 100 percent exemption from gross receipts, excise and withholding taxes. According to minutes from that 2012 meeting, Epstein was never questioned about his sex offender status. Even so, the lucrative deal allowed Southern Trust to avoid paying $73.6 million in taxes from 2013 to 2017 on aggregate income of $656 million, according to court documents. It also allowed Epstein, personally, to avoid an additional $71.3 million in taxes. It is clear that Southern Trust Company did not perform the informatics business represented to the EDC and could not have generated the business income attributable to that business, the government said in its amended complaint. Instead, upon information and belief, Southern Trust Company existed to secure tax benefits for Epstein, to employ individuals associated with the Epstein Enterprise, and to provide a source of income to support his criminal activities and properties in the Virgin Islands. Asked if Gov. Bryan and other board members should have been aware that Southern Trust Co. was a scam, George said it appeared the agency had been duped. How the law, the press and his victims finally caught up with Jeffrey Epstein Epstein made those representations to the EDA, an independent government agency. The EDA relied on those misrepresentations in order to issue the benefits. So theres not anything on the EDA, it was Southern Trust that made the representations, and thats what the complaint is saying. Officials at the EDA said they were not immediately authorized to talk to reporters, and the governors office did not immediately respond to queries. Blind Eye? Just how Epstein operated beneath the radar for so long has been a running question on the islands. But George said there was no overt indication that Epstein was doing anything illegal, despite Epsteins well-publicized legal problems in Palm Beach County, where he initially had been accused by dozens of underage girls of sexual abuse. Although he pleaded guilty to a dramatically reduced charge in Palm Beach County, his privately owned cay in the Virgin Islands came to be known in the tabloid press as Orgy Island or Pedophile Island. Nonetheless, when George became attorney general in April, she says she scoured police and legal records, and there were no complaints filed against him. To now say that the U.S. Virgin Islands didnt do enough to stop him is unfair, she said. How can you blame the Virgin Islands? Its almost like blaming a victim for something that happened to them. Its like blaming a homeowner for a burglary because they might have left the window unlocked, she said. Epstein and his enterprise were very, very good at concealing their actions. Not only did they elude local authorities, they eluded federal authorities, too, she added. Federal authorities are here and human trafficking is a federal offense. That shows you how good they were. After the Miami Heralds series Perversion of Justice, which focused on the women and girls Epstein abused, the financier was rearrested on federal sex trafficking charges and dozens of women have come forward to allege that Epstein sexually abused them when they were minors. Epstein was awaiting trial in New York when he was found dead in his cell. An autopsy found that he hanged himself. Sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, shown smiling in a mug shot, was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. The medical examiner ruled it a suicide. Since then, amid the global media buzz, numerous reports have emerged of people seeing the financier and his friends arriving at the St. Thomas airport with young girls and then being taken to his secluded island by boat or helicopter. In retrospect those actions seem damning, but even the airport employees who witnessed it didnt report it at the time, George said, because there were no clear warning signs. The airport staff were thinking that it could have been nieces and nephews and grandchildren, she said. They didnt see anything inappropriate and then they were whisked away from the airport. Victim Fight George who was a USVI prosecutor before becoming attorney general has emerged as the bane of the Epstein estate. His lawyers had been pushing to create a voluntary compensation fund meaning a way to be compensated without having to go to court for his dozens of victims until she put a lien on the entire estate, which is estimated at more than $600 million. George says the freeze is necessary to keep Epsteins lawyers from draining accounts before the scope of the damage is clear. She also says his legal team has repeatedly failed to provide a complete inventory of his assets or explain their expenses. In court earlier this month, it was revealed that, after his death, his estate transferred $12 million to Southern Country, a shadowy bank set up by Epstein. When asked by the probate judge about it, Epsteins lawyers said the transfer had been a mistake. They dont want to reveal what their expenses are and that concerns me, George said of the accounting. And they have made so many excessive payouts with no explanation. As far as Im concerned, we cannot afford another $12 million dollar mistake. In addition, George says its unacceptable for Epsteins lawyers some of whom were named co-defendants in the amended complaint to be involved in setting up the victims fund. I am very much opposed to what is proposed by the estate; its not fair or impartial, she said. The victims ought to be compensated in a manner in which they deserve to be. And before that, the estate needs to be accountable and transparent, and that is not happening. Congresswoman will bring Jeffrey Epstein victim to State of the Union as guest In addition, George wants the estate to set aside Epsteins two islands and an undetermined amount of assets for any future claims by the USVI. Asked what an appropriate amount might be, she said it was premature to discuss it until its clear what the value of Epsteins entire estate is. I am going to keep focused on what is in the interest of the government of the Virgin Islands and the interest of the victims that have come forward and have not come forward, she said. And we want to protect these islands for the future, to curtail these kind of crimes, so this sort of thing never happens again. BAKU -- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has vowed to thoroughly investigate all violations at voting stations during the parliamentary elections on February 9 after the Central Election Commission annulled results from four constituencies due to irregularities. Speaking at a public event in the central city of Kurdamir on February 13, Aliyev admitted some violations took place, saying an assessment of the elections by observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) was "more objective than before, although we could not agree with some of their conclusions." "We told [the OSCE] that all the violations that took place will be seriously investigated and those responsible for them will be punished and we will continue our cooperation with all international organizations.... We do not want any violations. We do not need them at all, because today, and I say this with full confidence, there is no alternative to our policies in Azerbaijan," Aliyev said. The OSCE observers noted that the number of registered voters in more than half of the 125 constituencies deviated by more than allowed by the Electoral Code. On February 12, New Azerbaijan Paarty Executive Secretary Ali Ahmedov said his party won at least 72 seats in parliament, while the election commission's preliminary results show the ruling party won 70 out of 125 seats in the single-chamber legislature. Nearly all of the remaining mandates went to small parties and independents loyal to Aliyev. The opposition has alleged widespread violations, including ballot-box stuffing and carousel voting, in the election. On February 11, police in Baku detained more than 20 opposition and independent candidates who protested the results of the votes in front of the Central Election Commission's building. Since Azerbaijan declared independence from the Soviet Union in August 1991, its elections have repeatedly been deemed as falling short of democratic standards by international observers from the OSCE and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Aliyev has ruled the energy-rich South Caucasus country of nearly 10 million people since shortly before the 2003 death of his father, a former KGB officer and communist-era leader who had ruled Azerbaijan since 1993. MEERUT A man who lodged a case of assault against BJP MLA Sangeet Soms father was allegedly booked by Daurala police in a fake attempt to murder case. The victim Dharmendra Jatav was in jail. His family and Samajwadi Party leaders believed that he had been booked to mount pressure for a compromise in the assault case. Pankaj (goes by single name), the man who allegedly lodged a case of attempt to murder against Jatav, had now given an affidavit to the police stating that he was unknowingly involved in the case and had no rivalry with Jatav. Samajwadi Party leader Atul Pradhan, district president Rajpal Singh had brought Pankaj (a native of Salava village) to Sardhana area here, along with Jatavs wife Rashmi and father Mehar Singh. Pankaj said he was working as a labourer at a kiln in Ludhiana and used to take loans from one Mukesh Singh of his village. I came to the village on January 18, after receiving his call. Mukesh asked me to do a small job and took me to a health centre where I was administered an injection. When I regained consciousness, my left ear was bandaged and there were stitches on my head. Mukesh pursued me to give my thumbprints on some papers and thereafter arranged for my return journey to Ludhiana, he said. I received a call from Atul Pradhan who asked whether I had registered a case of attempt to murder against Dharmendra Jatav. I was also told that the police had sent him to jail on January 19. I expressed ignorance and came to my village on the request of Pradhan, added Pankaj. I gave an affidavit stating that I have nothing to do with the case against Jatav, he said. Mukesh was a close associate of Soms father, Omveer Som, and he plotted the fake case of attempt to murder against Jatav in connivance with the Daurala police, claimed SP leader Atul Pradhan. Such a serious case was registered against Jatav while the complainant didnt even visit the police station. No evidences were collected and Jatav was sent to jail, he said. Pradhan alleged that MLA Soms father Omveer Som had brutally beaten up Dharmendra Jatav almost five years ago. Jatav used to supply labour to Soms kiln and one of the labourers supplied by him had fled. Som mounted pressure on him to return the money he paid to the labourer and thrashed him badly when he refused to pay, he alleged. Pradhan said now the case was about to be listed for trial in the court and Jatav, who was fighting for justice, was booked in a fake case so that pressure could be mounted on him for a compromise in the assault case. Rajpal Singh and Pradhan said they called on SSP Ajay Sahni a few days ago and handed over Pankajs affidavit demanding justice for Jatav, but nothing happened. They said Pankajs life was in danger after exposing the fake case. Its blatant misuse of power by the MLA and justice should be ensured to an innocent person, said Pradhan. SP (city) AN Singh said he came to know about the affidavit and investigation of the charges would be done on the basis of facts. Attempts to contact MLA Sangeet Som failed as his phone was out of reach. The warnings regarding the structural deficit and the government deficit coming from the European Commission (EC) for three years were ignored by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) governments, acting Finance Minister Florin Citu told a news conference on Friday after the publication of an EC report showing that the opening of an excessive deficit procedure against Romania is warranted. "The report tells me that the three-year warnings of the European Commission regarding the structural deficit and the government deficit were ignored by the PSD government. That is there. The EC shows what Standard & Poor's was saying about the deficit, but also that the negative outlook was reduced, and these are related to the budget implementation of 2019 and why it happened until 2019 with those unsustainable expenses. We mentioned that in the budget report. Under the initial budget approved for last year increases in pay and investment expenses based on far too optimistic targets for collecting the government revenues were included. We are talking about 21 billion lei planned since the beginning of the year," said Citu.He said that the EC report also underlines that in 2017 budget deficit adjustments were requested twice a year, as well as in 2018, but those things were systematically ignored by the previous governments."If the PSD governments had taken action starting in 2017, we would not have been in this situation in 2019, and in 2020 we would have not entered into the excessive deficit procedure. For three years, that did not happen," he added.The European Commission released a report on Friday indicating about Romania that "overall, the analysis suggests that the deficit criterion as defined in the Treaty and in Regulation (EC) No 1467/1997 should be considered as not complied with, and that an excessive deficit procedure (EDP) is thus warranted.""According to the Fiscal Strategy of the government, the headline general government deficit in 2019 is planned to have increased to 3.8% of GDP, above and not close to the 3% of GDP Treaty reference value," reads the report.The next step is the EC's Economic and Financial Committee (EFC) expressing an opinion within the next two weeks. For the fifth year, t he Undies Project will collect donations of new and gently used (clean) bras to donate to those less fortunate. The drive will take place in Wilton, Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Stamford and Westport. Donations can be made Feb. 21 to March 9 at participating locations, which can be found at www.theundiesproject.org/event. Aniruddha Murali, of Westport, made the deans list for the fall 2019 semester at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce and the Westport Library will host their next Supper & Soul series on Feb. 29. The night will be capped off by a concert with the dynamic John Nemeth at the Forum of the library following dinners at various restaurants throughout downtown Westport. The single-ticket, multifaceted event entitles participants to a three-course meal at one of eight downtown restaurants, then see the concert and return to any of the same restaurants for happy hour pricing for drinks after the show. The ticket for this event will be $70 per person for the dinner and concert, with concert-only tickets available for $27.50. Participating restaurants include 190 Main, Amis, Jesup Hall , Pink Sumo, Rothbard, Spotted Horse, Tavern on Main, and Wafu, each within walking distance of the library. The dinner seating will take place at 6 p.m. with the concert beginning at 8 p.m. Local artist Jon Saxon will be the opening act. The Ruegg Grant Committee of the Westport Woman's Club invites local nonprofit organizations to apply by March 13 for up to $10,000 in one-time funding for a 2020 project. Submitted proposals should be high-profile initiatives that make a meaningful difference in the Westport community. Community groups should submit their completed project proposals and relevant financial information to: Westport Womans Club, c/o Ruegg Grant Committee, 44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT 06880. On Feb. 13 at 10:30 a.m., LCB Senior Living, LLC will hold a dedication and groundbreaking celebration for its new premium independent, assisted and memory care living community for area seniors located at 1141 Post Road E. in Westport. Dominic Anthony Arciola and Samuel Peter Arciola IV, of Westport, were named to the fall 2019 semester deans list at the University of Alabama. Jamie Santarella, of Westport, was named to the dean's list at Miami University for the 2019 fall semester. Celebrate President George Washingtons 288th birthday at the Westport Museum for History and Cultures Ale to the Chief event, on Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. The museum will serve ale and Madeira wine Washingtons drink of choice as well as food that the first president would have enjoyed. There will also be drawings to win a growler of Presidential Ale and other items. Cost is $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers. Westport author Dr. Sharmistha Roy Chowdhury highlights the contestations of ideals and the forgotten politics of race and class in the campaign for thethe 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, during a talk at the Westport museum Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. An evening of celebration featuring world-famous violinists Albert Markov and Alexander Markov will be held March 8 at Beth Israel Chabad. Pianist Elina Christova will accompany. Under the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, the congregation invites the wider community to attend the gala, which will benefit the programs and activities of the Norwalk synagogue. The event will begin at 5 p.m. at the synagogue, at 40 King St. in Norwalk. There will be an open bar, wine and hors ddoeuvres. The cost is $100 per person. Norwalk and Westport area community leaders will be in attendance as families associated with the synagogue going back to the 1940s and 1950s will be honored. Isabella Bullock, of Westport, has been named to Purchase Colleges deans list for the fall 2019 semester. Valentines day is a day seasoned with love; a chance to show love to others and let them know how much they are appreciated. Karpowership Ghana as part of its efforts to celebrate the day has extended love to the childrens ward at the Achimota hospital. The company gave food items, stationery, toys and disinfectants to the hospital. Since the day is also marked as a chocolate day in Ghana, staff of the company who spent time with the children at the hospital also distributed made in Ghana chocolates as treats to the children. The Corporate Communications Specialist at Karpowership Ghana, Sandra Amarquaye said the purpose of the gesture was to extend love to the children at the hospital. At Karpowership we are filled with joy when we are able to impact the lives of people. As today is marked or seasoned with love we decided to lighten the hearts of children at the hospital today," she stated. The Administrator of the Achimota Fredrick Ayipaala Adjei expressing his excitement said the items will put smiles on the faces of the children. We are grateful to Karpowership for the gesture. In fact, we are excited Karpowership located our hospital to extend love to the children on this day. The items donated with greatly help to take care of the children admitted here," she noted. A parent at the hospital, Madam Afia Agyei said: we are excited that on this special day this company was thoughtful enough to extend love to us." Down suburban streets, you can almost hear a sigh of relief. House prices are rising again, which is good news for the bricks and mortar-obsessed British at least those who are already on the housing ladder. But, not far away in the high streets and shopping centres, the news for another type of property is more downbeat, as the crisis of empty, boarded-up shops deepens. Even Ikea, supplier of the Billy bookcase and other must-haves, a name previously seen as immune to the malaise in retail, recently announced that it was shutting its seven-floor branch in Coventry. There is some cheer. The CBRE consultancy is reporting a post-election rush by overseas investors to acquire London office buildings. But renewed demand for glossy City towers is unlikely to provide an immediate boost to the value of other commercial premises and the funds that own these assets. Some property funds have been having a tough time. They include M&G's beleaguered 2.4billion Property Portfolio Fund, which is currently suspended, so investors can't take out their money. Against this background, there is now a debate as to whether many of the investors who entrusted their savings to these funds are out of their comfort zone. Many saw property, in any form, as solid and secure. But, like investors in the disastrous Neil Woodford Equity Income fund, they are discovering that what seemed like a low-ish risk investment may be nothing of the sort. Dashing the hopes of its investors, M&G has announced that its fund, which was shuttered before Christmas, will remain closed for the foreseeable future. The fund was frozen in response to Brexit uncertainty and a stampede of withdrawals by savers. Subsequently, to raise cash it has sold about 71million-worth of holdings, with more deals planned. So far, fears have not materialised that the freezing of this fund would create a domino effect. Back in 2016, there was a spate of property fund closures after the EU referendum. Closure: Retailer Ikea is shutting is branch in Coventry As yet, others have not followed M&G. However, the Bestinvest platform has removed Janus Henderson UK Property and Aberdeen UK Property funds from its influential best-buy list. Bestinvest cited concerns over liquidity cash or readily saleable assets at these funds. At the time of its closure, the M&G fund held about 5 per cent in cash, against as much as 30 per cent at some of its rivals. But the key issue is that M&G's fund, like the Janus Henderson and Aberdeen ones, is 'open-ended'. This means investors can withdraw their money whenever they like, so managers may have to dispose of holdings to return the cash. That can be a challenge for a property fund, since it may take months or years to find a buyer for even a well-located mall or office block. Closed-end funds, or investment trusts, do not face this type of difficulty, since they are quoted on the stock market. If investors want to get out, they simply sell their shares and there is no need for the fund manager to sell any of the underlying assets. Among the closed-end funds on Interactive Investor's best-buy list are BMO Commercial Property and TR Property. Some experts favour a few open-ended funds that invest, not in buildings, but in the shares of property companies, and real estate investment trusts, known as REITs, which should make them easier to trade. On this basis, Ben Yearsley, investment director at Shore Financial Planning, likes the Schroder Global Cities fund, which invests worldwide. Given the evolving style in which people increasingly work, it is possible to question the need for offices in cities. Some London companies now have desks for fewer staff than they employ, on the assumption that at least one third of their workforce will be either at meetings, travelling or on holiday, But Yearsley contends that we should not exaggerate the extent of this revolution. He says: 'The type, style and size will be different, but we will still need offices.' Retail too is unlikely to disappear. Ikea may be saying goodbye to Coventry, but at the same time its investment arm is planning to acquire a number of shopping malls in which to open new-style mini-stores. The business that gave the world the Malm bed and Ektorp sofa has a proven record of knowing what shoppers want and it is not all online. National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Director Nancy Messonnier speaks during a press conference today at the Department of Health and Human Services on the coordinated public health response to the 2019 coronavirus (2019-nCoV), January 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. U.S. health officials will monitor people with flu-like symptoms for the coronavirus in five cities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. The five labs are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago and New York City. Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the agency, said the CDC intends to add more cities in the coming weeks until the CDC has achieved "national surveillance." The plan, Messonnier said, is to provide facilities across the country with equipment for lab testing of COVID-19, the new coronavirus. She added that the system would act as an early warning if the virus spreads that would "trigger a change in our response strategy." The announcement comes as the number of global cases of COVID-19 passes 64,000, with more than 1,380 deaths, mostly in China. There are just 15 cases in the U.S. This week, three Americans who were evacuated from the city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, tested positive for the virus in California and Texas. More than 600 Americans who were evacuated from Wuhan remain in quarantine, Messonnier said, and they are being closely monitored for symptoms of the virus. "This is an extra layer of our response that will help us detect if and when this virus is spreading in the community," Messonnier said. "All of our efforts now are to prevent the sustained spread of the virus in our community, but we need to be prepared for the possibility that it will spread." The iF DESIGN Awards are held by the worlds oldest independent design organisation iF International Forum Design GmbH. HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, is proud to announce that six Nokia phones have been honoured by iF DESIGN Awards 2020 for outstanding design. We are resolute in our commitment to delivering premium phones that embody our Nordic heritage at every price point to our fans across the world. iF DESIGN Awards 2020 awarded the following Nokia phones: Smartphones Feature phones An intuitive user experience, coupled with Nordic design expertise, is woven in the DNA of each Nokia phone. The same premium design principles run throughout the portfolio, whether thats the Nokia 7.2 with its light-diffusing satin glass back, the Nokia 4.2 with its compact size and edge to edge display, or the Nokia 800 Tough that boasts an anti-slip coating and rubberised edges. The iF DESIGN Awards are held by the worlds oldest independent design organisation iF International Forum Design GmbH. The judging panel consisting of 78 independent design experts reviewed over 7,000 entries from 56 countries across the globe. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The 13-meter vessel had at least 138 refugees on board. Over the past two years, 25,000 Rohingya have attempted to leave the camps and 713 have been rescued at sea. The preferred routes are to Malaysia and Indonesia. Dhaka (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Bangladesh police have arrested nine alleged human traffickers connected to the recent wreck of the overcrowded boat of Rohingya, during which 15 refugees died and many others remain missing. The arrests have taken place in the past two days in the southern district of Coxs Bazar, where most of the tent cities hosting the refugees are located. Ikbal Hossain, deputy police commander of Coxs Bazar, reports the arrested people will also be charged with attempted murder. In total, adds the official, there are 19 suspects in the sights of the agents, including 18 of Bengali nationality. The boat, loaded with refugees, sank on 11 February off the southern coast of Bangladesh. Just 13 meters long, according to witnesses, it carried a total of 138 people, mostly women and children. The authorities recovered only 73 of them alive. In 2017, following clashes between the Burmese army and Rohingya armed groups, over 700 thousand Rohingya fled Myanmar to refugee camps in neighboring Bangladesh. Many attempt, often unsuccessfully, to abandon the overcrowded reception facilities in the Coxs Bazar district on board makeshift boats. Due to the humanitarian crisis, the routes of the boats to Southeast Asian countries with Islamic majority have reopened: Indonesia and especially Malaysia, a country that hosts one of the largest Rohingya communities (about 150 thousand people). Police sources report that at least 25 thousand Rohingya have attempted to leave the fields on makeshift boats, going to feed a thriving human market that would be managed by at least 300 criminals active in the camps. Since 2017, 713 refugees have been rescued at sea. (Newser) There's one fewer person in the race to become Paris' mayor, and an X-rated video is to blame. The Guardian reports that Benjamin Griveaux, an ally of French President Emmanuel Macron and a member of Macron's La Republique En March party, took himself out of the running Friday after sexual video and texts were leaked on social media. "My family does not deserve this," Griveaux said in a statement, noting his family had been victims for over a year of "defamatory remarks, lies, rumors, anonymous attacks, the revelation of stolen private conversations, and death threats." He added: "As if all this was not enough, yesterday a new level was reached." What that "new level" referred to: a video circulating online showing a man performing a sex act on himself, along with what the BBC calls "intimate mobile phone messages"all reportedly sent by Griveaux to a young woman. story continues below Griveaux, a 42-year-old married father of three, hasn't denied sending them. The lewd content was originally posted online by Russian artist Petr Pavlensky, who's been granted political asylum in France and says he wants to expose Griveaux's "hypocrisy" on family values. Pavlensky has been in headlines before, including for nailing his scrotum to Red Square in a protest. Even though Griveaux wasn't the favorite to win the race, the scandal isn't great news for Macronthe implosion of Griveaux's campaign will likely be seen as an embarrassment to the president. French political leaders of all leanings are standing up for Griveaux. Far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon called the attack "odious," while far-right leader Marine Le Pen said maybe Griveaux should've stuck it out in the race. "Nobody should ever be subjected to this kind of abuse," Griveaux said in his statement. (Read more Paris stories.) 14. 2. 2020 cas cteni 3 minuty The ombudsmans office is there to help people have their rights protected, in particular when the government or other authorities are undermining an individuals rights in some way. Its beyond absurd the pinnacle of absurd, actually, beyond anything Havel could have written in one of his plays for an ombudsman to say his office has nothing to do with human rights. Whats he there for? Flipping burgers at McDonalds? In connection with the above statement, this is an exclusive interview with Andrew Stroehlein the Human Rights Watch European Media Director, based in Brussels: Roses are red; Violets are blue; Authoritarian-minded rulers are taking rights away from unpopular groups; Next up, it's you. "We are not an office for the defence of human rights, says the newly appointed Czech Defender of Human Rights". Can people live without human rights? Ask people in Saudi Arabia or North Korea or Eritrea, where people do live under regimes that have no respect for human rights. They will tell you how important fundamental freedoms are. Except of course, they cant speak freely, so they wont be able to tell you anything. Its true though that human rights are something people maybe notice more when theyre gone. When you live in a state where no one is above the law, where you know that if you go to court youll be treated fairly, where you can go where you like, meet up with whoever you like, say what you like That just seems normal to people. We take it for granted. And then, when theyre gone what have you got? When you cant speak freely... When you cant meet up with your friends... When the courts work for the regime rather than for the law Why do you think people disdain human rights? For years, in many countries, there has been a concerted effort to attack the concept of human rights attack the concept that we all have fundamental freedoms. This is an authoritarian movement, and it is international. Its politics, so its about power, and the idea that we all have fundamental rights as human beings is something that authoritarians cannot stand. Respecting rights is the exact opposite of absolute power. How do you persuade people to listen? Actually, people generally get it. We all understand when politicians are trying to take our rights away. What were sometimes not so good at is understanding that when politicians are taking away the rights from other people we may be next. We often see minorities (like Muslims in the CzR) the target of attacks first. They are small, weak and vulnerable in society, so they are easy for politicians to pick on, harass What we all have to understand is that respect for our rights depends on respect for everyones rights. Its what the world got together for when creating UDHR in 1948. The horrors of WW2 and the desire to say never again. How do you explain to them that their frustration is damaging them? Its self-interest. Do you want to live in a place where people cant speak freely? Then that means you wont be able to speak freely. Do you want to live in a place when people cannot decide their own religious beliefs? Then you wont be able to decide your religious beliefs. Look, you dont have to like everyone. You dont have to like their hat, or their religion, or their political opinion You just have to remember that if the politicians undermine the rights of those people you dont like, there is nothing to stop the politicians going after you and your family next. On Thursday the attorney general appeared on ABC News to assert his independence, telling Trump to stop tweeting about Justice Department cases. But given the slavish way Barr has enacted Trumps agenda, theres no reason to see his words as anything but cheap P.R. meant to quell mounting fury at the way hes corrupting his agency. Its perfectly legitimate to argue that the sentencing guidelines that the original prosecutors relied on in the Stone case are too harsh; America sends too many people to prison for too long. But Barr, in general, does not have a problem with draconian punishments for people who are not personal allies of the president. In August, he lambasted progressive prosecutors, saying they spend their time undercutting the police, letting criminals off the hook and refusing to enforce the laws. In Trumps America, only a select class of criminals are shown magnanimity. As former President Oscar Benavides of Peru allegedly said: For my friends, everything. For my enemies, the law. Yet defenders of Trump and Barr are pointing to Credicos letter to suggest that they were remedying an injustice, rather than perpetrating one. On Fox News, Katie Pavlich claimed that Credico said that it was actually a joke and they talk about stuff like that all the time and he actually didnt feel intimidated. In the Justice Departments updated Stone sentencing memo, Credicos letter is an important part of the case for a shorter prison term. Credico, the memo said, asserts that he did not perceive a genuine threat from the defendant but rather stated that I never in any way felt that Stone himself posed a direct physical threat to me or my dog. Note the wording: Stone himself. I never thought Stone personally was going to do it himself, Credico told me. Rather, he thought that one of Stones supporters might. I look like the guy thats going to be the guy thats going to force Stone to talk to the feds and say everything that he knows on the president, he said. So Im expendable at that point. Thats what Im thinking. Now Credico is in the odd position of both hoping that Stone is spared a long prison sentence and of being horrified about the way the workings of justice are being manipulated on Stones behalf. Hes effusive about the upright decency of the four prosecutors guys of integrity whove since withdrawn from the case, saying it was agonizing that his letter undermined them. Credico said, These guys were career civil servants, and for Trump to be slamming them is an outrage. Outrage seems rather too mild a word. There is now one set of laws in this country for people who serve Trump and another for everyone else. During Trumps impeachment trial, the House managers repeated a quote attributed to Ben Franklin over and over again: A republic, if you can keep it. We havent kept it. The question now is whether we ever get it back. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: The State government, in coordination with the Consulate General of India in Iraq, helped ensure the safe return of 17 persons who had travelled to Erbil in Iraq through fake agents.We had packed our bags for Iraq hoping that we would get work permits as soon as we reached there. However, we never received it and were stuck there for nearly two and a half years, said one of the men in a video. A Russian soldier has pulled out all the stops to propose to his girlfriend, with his fellow officers manoeuvring 16 tanks to surround the couple in a heart shape. The high-octane romantic stunt was filmed in a video published by the defence ministry on Friday, Valentine's Day. As snow fell, the T-72B3 tanks rolled into position on the Alabino training ground outside Moscow. Lieutenant Denis Kazantsev led his long-term partner Alexandra Kopytova into the centre as she held her hands over her eyes, the defence ministry's TV channel Zvezda reported. Kazantsev, a platoon commander, went down on bended knee, holding a bunch of red roses. "We've been together a very long time. We've stood the test of time and distance. Marry me!" he said as his girlfriend nodded silently. He then put a ring on her finger. "I still don't understand what's going on," Kopytova told a television reporter at the scene. "It's very unexpected." The tanks used for the romantic manoeuvre also take part in the annual Victory Parade on Red Square, Zvezda reported. "No one has ever seen such a large-scale proposal," its reporter said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Friday staged a protest here against Valentine's Day in a bid to "save Indian culture" according to the members of the organisation. Jwalit Mehta, President of VHP Ahmedabad, said that Valentine's Day is a western festival and hence should be shunned. "We have always opposed the western festival of Valentine's Day. It is not our culture. We have never opposed love, but we oppose indecency in the name of love. We are taking out protests across the country against Valentine's Day to save our culture." VHP members were also seen distributing pamphlets requesting youths to not celebrate Valentine's Day. "We have urged the youngsters to not celebrate the western festival. For the last three days, we have been distributing pamphlets to youngsters urging them to not celebrate the festival. We are also requesting the Hindu girls to not to fall for 'Love-Jihad'," he added. (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 Here are some stocks that are in the news today: 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 Future Retail - Kishore Biyani appointed as executive chairman, Rakesh Biyani re-designated as managing director and Sanjay Jain appointed as CEO w.e.f March 5 BPCL: The board of directors approved initiating the process of divestment of BPCLs shareholding of 61.65% percent in Numaligarh Refinery. TIPS Industries: The board of directors has approved the buyback up to 13,50,000 equity share. Yes Bank - India Ratings downgrades Yes Bank to 'IND A-'; maintains on RWN M&M Financial services approving the allotment and settlement of rupee denominated USD settled Rs 3,500,000,000 7.40 percent secured notes due 2024 aggregating to Rs 3,500,000,000 Jindal Poly Films approved expansion plans for Company's India operation by way of investment of Rs 700 crore KEC International entered into a share purchase agreement with KEC Global Mauritius to acquire 100% shares of step down subsidiary KEC International (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd TCS extended the term of V. Ramakrishnan as the chief financial officer up to April 30, 2021 Apollo Hospital approved the proposal of amalgamation of Apollo Home Healthcare and Western Hospitals Corporation into Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Bharti Airtel - Network i2i, a Mauritius based wholly owned subsidiary, has successfully priced the additional issuance of USD 250,000,000 5.650 percent Vodafone Idea: Posted 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 is set at Rs 2,049 per share, promoters to sell up to 1.48 cr shares. Nestle: Q4 profit jumped 38.4 percent to Rs 473 cr, revenue rose 8.7 percent to Rs 3,149.3 cr YoY. Future Retail: Q3 profit dipped 16.7 percent to Rs 165 cr, revenue declined 3.3 percent to Rs 5,193.2 cr YoY. Page Industries: Q3 profit dropped 14.6 percent to Rs 87 cr, revenue rose 7.5 percent to Rs 793.8 cr YoY. Apollo Hospitals: Q3 profit rose 9 percent to Rs 94.8 cr, revenue rose 16.6 percent to Rs 2,529.5 cr YoY. BPCL Q3: Net Profit down 26.2 percent at Rs 1,260 crore versus Rs 1,708.4 crore, revenue up 13.7 percent at Rs 85,368.3 crore versus Rs 75,056.6 crore, QoQ Deepak Fertilisers Q3: Consolidated net profit at Rs 30 crore versus Rs 12.2 crore, Cons revenue down 23 percent at Rs 1,119.5 Crore versus Rs 1,453.4 crore, YoY GMR Infra Q3: Net loss at Rs 284.5 crore versus loss of Rs 389.5 crore, revenue up 12.2 percent at Rs 2,196.6 crore versus Rs 1,957.8 crore, YoY Lemon Tree Q3: Net profit down 20.3 percent at Rs 11 crore versus Rs 13.9 crore, revenue up 39.2 percent at Rs 199.6 crore versus Rs 143.4 crore, YoY PC Jeweller Q3: Consolidated net profit down 66.1 percent at Rs 62.8 crore versus Rs 185.3 crore, revenue down 24 percent at Rs 1,668.5 crore versus Rs 2,194.7 crore, YoY GSPL Q3: Consolidated net profit down 54.3 percent at Rs 318.3 crore versus Rs 696.2 crore, revenue down 0.5 percent at Rs 3,027.3 crore versus Rs 3,043.2 crore, QoQ Igarashi Motors Q3: Net Profit up 40.6 percent at Rs 13.5 crore versus Rs 9.5 crore, revenue up 13.8 percent at Rs 146.6 crore versus Rs 128.8 crore, YoY Hindustan Copper Q3: Consolidated net loss at Rs 95.55 crore versus profit of Rs 34.59 crore, revenue down 80.3 percent at Rs 93.3 crore versus Rs 474.2 crore, YoY Cosmo Films Q3: Consolidated net profit at Rs 36.1 crore versus Rs 13.3 crore, revenue up 4 percent at Rs 479.9 crore versus Rs 557.7 crore, YoY Time Technoplast Q3: Consolidated net profit down 10.5 percent at Rs 48.5 crore versus Rs 54.2 crore, revenue up 5.8 percent at Rs 923.3 crore versus Rs 972.7 crore, YoY Lux Industries Q3: Consolidated net profit up 40.1 percent at Rs 33.3 crore versus Rs 23.8 crore, revenue up 7.4 percent at Rs 304.7 crore versus Rs 283.6 crore, YoY Renuka Sugars Q3: Consolidated loss at Rs 233 crore versus profit of Rs 171.5 crore, revenue down 12.4 percent at Rs 990.5 crore versus Rs 1,130.7 crore, YoY Consolidated net profit down 1.1 percent at Rs 50 crore versus 50.5 crore, revenue up 24.8 percent at Rs 603.7 crore versus Rs 483.8 crore, YoY Stabenow requested that the GAO study why payments disproportionately went to large farm operations, if the Agriculture Department was effectively preventing fraud, waste and abuse in the program and whether the model the USDA used to distribute payments accurately reflected trade damage that farmers experienced. Democrats have complained that the program paid subsidies to some farmers that did not need them while leaving those that were suffering from Trumps tariff war with China without benefits. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) of Germany this morning, where he had a working breakfast with Thomas Bareiss, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and DIHK representatives. Bareiss noted that Germany is interested in further development and expansion of trade and economic relations with Armenia. He expressed confidence that the Prime Minister's visit would be a new impetus for expanding bilateral business ties and implementing new joint programs in the economy. Prime Minister Pashinyan referred to the developments in the Armenian economy, and the steps taken by the government to improve the business environment. Pashinyan noted that the Armenian government is interested in developing economic cooperation with Germany and expanding German business and capital into the Armenian market. During the meeting the parties discussed possible steps and programs for implementation of joint programs that will give a new impetus to Armenian-German trade and economic relations. The Russian military has refuted the Turkish military's claims about the deaths of dozens of Syrian troops in Idlib, saying that Turkey's "irresponsible statements" can only lead to an escalation of the situation and to hastily-made decisions. "The [Russian] Center for the Reconcilliation of the warring parties draws attention to the responsibility of officials from the Turkish ministry of defence for providing false information to the country's leadership in the Idlib de-escalation zone," the MoD-affiliated Center said in a statement Friday. "Such irresponsible statements only contribute to the escalation of the situation and to the taking of hasty decisions which do not meet the mutual interests of Russia and Turkey," the Centre warned. Earlier in the day, the Turkish military reported on the 'neutralization' of 63 Syrian troops. Before that, Ankara reported on the elimination of 101 personnel in attacks on 115 Syrian Army targets in response to Monday's attack on a Turkish observation post in Idlib which killed several Turkish troops. "Such statements about the 'shelling' of Syrian government forces by units of the Turkish Armed Forces, and moreover, about the deaths of Syrian troops as a result, are untrue," the Centre stressed. Also on Friday, Turkey's military reported that it had carried out a series of airstrikes against Kurdish-governed areas in northern Iraq, killing six members of the Kurdistan Worker's Party, a Turkish-Kurdish militia group which has been waging a low-intensity guerilla war with Ankara for several decades. Those attacks were said to have taken place in the mountainous area of Qandil. Tensions in northern Syria began escalating earlier this month, after eight Turkish nationals were killed by Syrian forces in an artillery strike on a Turkish observation post in militant-held Idlib province. The Syrian Army began a military operation in Idlib in late 2019 after militants in the region repeatedly violated a ceasefire brokered by Russia, Iran and Turkey in 2017 and claimed the lives of dozens of Syrian troops. Damascus has vowed to continue fighting terrorist groups in Idlib and throughout the country notwithstanding recent Turkish threats of intervention, and has accused the Turkish government of supporting, arming and training terrorist groups operating in the region. On Tuesday, a Syrian Army helicopter was shot down over Idlib by Turkish-backed militants believed to be allied to the Nusra Front.* On Friday, Nusra* militants reportedly shot down another helicopter in neighbouring Aleppo province. Apart from the Syrian Kurdish-controlled area in northeastern Syria, Idlib remains the last major province outside of Damascus's control. In addition to the tens of thousands of militants believed to be concentrated in the region, Idlib is home to hundreds of thousands of civilians. Syrian forces have accused the terrorists of using civilians as human shields, while Ankara has voiced concerns over the prospect of hundreds of thousands of refugees flooding into southern Turkey amid ongoing military operations in the region. On Thursday, amid deteriorating relations between Damascus and Ankara, Syria's parliament unanimously passed a motion recognizing the 1915-1923 ethnic cleansing and massacre of Armenians, Syrians and Assyrians by the Ottoman Empire. Turkey broadly condemned the gesture and accused Syria of "hypocrisy." Earlier, the Turkish military announced that it had 'neutralized' 63 more Syrian troops in Idlib province, with the two countries getting into a shooting war this week after the shelling of a Turkish observation post on Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seventeen boats, clustered under the name Viking Explorers, set sail from Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands in early January, heading for Blue Lagoon Marina, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They arrived at their destination after a month or so. The journey to SVG, estimated to take three weeks of direct sailing, was extended by a week which was spent in Cape Verde, some 800 miles from the Canary Islands. The Viking Explorers 3rd voyage to SVG was made possible through support from St. Vincent Distillers Ltd., in the name of their Captain Bligh Rum Brand, and the Ministry of Tourism. On the Friday 7th , "the organizers of the Viking Explorers Rally held a Welcome Reception and Presentation Ceremony at the Blue Lagoon Hotel and Marina. Managing Director of Viking Explorers, Oliver Solandas said that the rally witnessed a slower but easy-going passage this year. "We experienced small to slight winds they (sailors) had a nice easy sailing, said Solandas, adding that the 4th edition will see 20 boats participating. Viking Explorers was started three years ago by Mike Westin who, while speaking at the ceremony, explained that the idea behind Viking Explorers was to have company when crossing the Atlantic. He said that since they issued a notice on Facebook, the response has been overwhelming. "Still.., its Norwegian and Swedish boats, but we have English and American and Italian boats, and of course crews from many different countries, Westin said. Viking Explorers has become, in a short time, an exciting, new and friendly rally for cruisers that need and want to share their knowledge, to help other cruisers to make their crossing of the Atlantic an enjoyable and successful one. Marketing Manager of the St. Vincent Distillers, Phillipa Greaves welcomed the Explorers to SVG, describing Captain Bligh Rum as "truly a Vincentian icon ..having won the prestigious award as World Best Rum in 2014 at the London Rum Awards in England. She also boasted about the beauty of SVG and the warm and friendly people, and implored the sailors to have a safe return journey, "And remember when charting your course, chart it with Captain Bligh Rum. Also addressing the event was Minister of Tourism, Cecil Mc Kie. He told the Explorers, " You have been wise in your choice of making that long journey across the Atlantic to be here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and posited that the cruisers were in a part of the Caribbean that had one of the fastest growing economies. "Just three years ago, Mc Kie said, "we got our first international airport . That has been a game changer for us, and now we have direct flights coming from a number of cities, and this year we will add more. So if you dont want to sail, you can fly into the destination from one of those cities. Each Explorer/cruiser was presented with a certificate for sailing over 1000 miles nonstop. Each boat got its own trophy. There were awards for the biggest and smallest boats, and awards for the youngest captain - David Westervick - and the oldest captain - Mats Johanson. 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. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 To ensure the rights of all religious groups in the country are protected, it is vital that representatives of each group hold strategic posts in the Religious Affairs Ministrys community guidance directorates general, experts have said following the public outcry over the recent appointment of a Muslim official as the acting head of Catholic affairs. Religious Affairs Minister Fachrul Razys decision to appoint a Muslim to head the Catholic Affairs Community Guidance Directorate General caused disquiet among followers of the religion. Acknowledging the move was a blunder, the ministry appointed Aloma Sarumaha as the acting director general, replacing the ministry's secretary-general Nur Kholis Setiawan who was previously appointed to the position. Aloma, who is a Catholic, previously held the position of secretary in the same directorate general. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday (February 14, 2020) made a stinging attack on the ruling Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre and sought to know from it who benefitted the most from the Pulwama attack on its first anniversary. Taking to Twitter, the Congress MP raised three questions and sought to know from the BJP regime what came out of the inquiry into the February 14, 2019, Pulwama attack. The Gandhi scion finally asked who in the BJP government has been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack?. Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? pic.twitter.com/KZLbdOkLK5 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 14, 2020 Rahul Gandhi's tweet, which is likely to trigger a political storm, came on a day when the entire nation is paying homage to 40 brave Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans, who lost their lives in one of the worst terror attacks in three decades in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir on this day - February 14, 2019, for their valour and supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. A host of events will be organised through the day pay homage to the CRPF bravehearts across the country. To mark the occasion, the CRPF will dedicate a memorial to 40 brave CRPF personnel who were killed in the Pulwama terror attack in February last year at the Lethpora camp. The memorial has been set up inside a CRPF camp adjacent to the place where Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist Adeel Ahmed Dar, driving an explosive-laden car, blew himself next to a convoy of security forces killing the 40 personnel. According to Additional Director General of CRPF, Zulfiqar Hasan, the names of all the 40 personnel along with their pictures will be part of the memorial along with the moto of the CRPF - Seva and Nishtha (Service and Loyalty). Gandhis tweet was in reference to how the BJP had captured the posy-Pulwama political narrative around security and nationalism and how it paid dividends in the Lok Sabha election last year. Before Gandhi, CPI(M) leader Mohammed Salim on Friday said there was no need to build a memorial for the 40 CRPF personnel killed as it only reminds the country of incompetence in failing to stop the attack. A CRPF convoy of 70 vehicles was targeted by an explosives-laden SUV that was being driven by a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber, who was later identified as Adil Ahmad Dar. The vehicle rammed into one of the CRPF buses, killing 40 personnel onboard. The Pulwama terror attack was condemned by PM Narendra Modi in very strongest terms. PM Modi then said that the terrorists had committed a huge mistake and they will pay for it. 13 days later, India avenged the Pulwama attack by bombarding the Jaish terror camps located in Pakistan's Balakot, reportedly killing between 200-300 terrorists. 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. Two brothers were convicted Wednesday of murdering an 18-year-old man in Camden in 2018, the Camden County Prosecutors Office announced Thursday. Curtis Miller, 26, and Ryan Wilkins, 24, both of Camden, were found guilty by a jury of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, accomplice to murder and weapons-related charges in connection with the murder of Thomas Reyes of Gloucester Township, the office said. Police responded to the 1000 block of Carl Miller Boulevard around 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2018, and found Reyes lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds, authorities said. He was rushed to Cooper University Hospital and later pronounced dead. Detectives from the prosecutors office and the Camden County Police tracked down surveillance footage that showed Miller and Wilkins fleeing the scene of the shooting in car they later abandoned on a nearby street, the office said. Additional footage showed them discarding their clothing as they ran from the abandoned car and investigators also found gunshot residue on Millers clothes, prosecutors said. Miller and Wilkins were scheduled to be sentenced on March 26. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon 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. I think Chicago needs stop and frisk, he said in a Fox & Friends interview, although the more he rambled on about how Chicago needs stop and frisk and tough law and order, the more it was apparent to me that he really didnt know much about the subject. Sometime back, we had shared that Fatima Sana Shaikh has signed a new film titled, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari co-starring Manoj Bajpayee and Diljit Dosanjh. Today on the occasion of Valentines' Day, the makers have unveiled Fatima's first look from the film and it will take you by surprise. The Thugs Of Hindostan actress took to her Instagram page to drop her new look from the film and captioned it as, "Ye Marathi mulgi padegi sab pe bhari! #FirstLook from #SurajPeMangalBhari! Happy #ValentinesDay, you all! Let there be only love! #AbhishekSharma @bajpayee.manoj @diljitdosanjh @zeestudiosofficial". Fatima nails her Marathi mulgi look in a red sari, with matching bangles and is seen smiling towards the camera. Speaking about casting the Dangal girl in this film, director Abhishek Sharma earlier shared with a leading tabloid, "Her character has a dual personality for which we needed an actor who could play vulnerable, mysterious and assertive with equal ease. Fatima is an excellent talent who has the quality to get into all these emotions at will. She is extremely punctual, very involved and dedicated with her work. Her infectious enthusiasm keeps us all energised on the set." If reports are to be believed, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari is a family comedy set in the 90s in Mumbai. The filmmaker had also opened up about the film and shared, "With awesome actors like Diljit, Manoj, Fatima, and a fantastic ensemble cast, I am sure we will be able to create an entertaining narrative for our family audience. I am proud and excited to be associated with Zee Studios' first in-house production. It's a start-to-finish schedule; we start shooting on January 6 till mid-March and release it before year-end." Fatima will be seen sharing screen space with Manoj Bajpayee and Diljit Dosanjh for the first time in this film. Ludo: Fatima Sana Shaikh Shares A Still With Her Co-star Rajkummar Rao From Her Upcoming Film" title=" Ludo: Fatima Sana Shaikh Shares A Still With Her Co-star Rajkummar Rao From Her Upcoming Film" /> Ludo: Fatima Sana Shaikh Shares A Still With Her Co-star Rajkummar Rao From Her Upcoming Film Fatima Sana Shaikh On Her Equation With Aamir Khan: 'I Am Fond Of Him' BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 Trend: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic. Dear Mr. President, it is on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Serbia that on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan I offer my cordial congratulations and best wishes to you and the friendly people of Serbia, reads the letter. I am confident that the relations of friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Serbia will always develop and expand in line with the interests of our peoples. I seize this opportunity to wish robust health and success in every endeavor to you, and peace and prosperity to your people. By Alan J. Steinberg Aside from my family, nothing has meant more to me than my career in the governmental/political realm. It has given me the opportunity to pursue my prime goal, the betterment of our nation and state, and two subordinate goals relating to my status as a pro-Zionist Orthodox Jew: 1) the protection of the best interests of the American Jewish community and 2) the survival and security of the State of Israel. In advocating policies and endorsing candidates for office, I always sought to ensure that my decision would promote all three goals. I would avoid at all costs endorsing candidates and policies that would promote the national and New Jersey interests but would be disastrous for the American Jewish community and Israel. Similarly, I would refuse to support candidates and policies that enhanced the well-being of the American Jewish community and the State of Israel but would have a deleterious impact on America and New Jersey. I devoted my adult life to the Republican Party and proudly served as a staffer for the New Jersey Assembly Republican caucus and as a high-level executive in the Republican administrations of New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman and President George W. Bush. My Republican historical leadership and policy models were Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight David Eisenhower, and Ronald Reagan and former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean. When Donald Trump was nominated for president in 2016, for the first time in my adult life, I refused to endorse the Republican candidate for president. As a father and grandfather, I could not support a candidate like Trump who had a record of racism, nativism, xenophobia, and issue ignorance and whose mendacity exceeded that of almost every public figure I had ever encountered. Accordingly, I supported Hillary Clinton for president in 2016. As president, Trump proved to be far worse that I had even feared. His racism is manifest in his condonation of voter suppression and police brutality. Trumpian rhetoric and policies are racially polarizing our nation. While he has no doubt been a strong supporter of Israel, his enabling and alliance with the white nationalist movement, as reflected in his reference to the antisemitic marchers at Charlottesville as good people, has cast a shadow over the safety of the American Jewish community. I have left the Republican Party, and I now have the political status of being a center-right independent. In the forthcoming presidential election, I have endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden. Bidens campaign, however, has foundered badly in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, and the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination is now Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. My unequivocal view is that the far-left Progressive Sanders would be an unmitigated disaster as president, for America, for the American Jewish community, and for Israel. Bernie Sanders has already stated his willingness to cut off aid to Israel if they refuse to acquiesce to his demands for concessions, even if the Israelis see them as threatening their security. This has made his presidential campaign a magnet for anti-Israel, antisemitic supporters of the vile antisemitic, anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement (BDS), including Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, and former executive director of the Arab American Association of New York, Linda Sarsour. I now feel agony at the possibility that I may have to make a choice between two horrific alternatives: Trump and Sanders. I pray for a Biden comeback in the Feb. 29 South Carolina primary. If that does not transpire, I will endorse the presidential candidacy of Michael Bloomberg. I worked with him directly while I served as Region 2 administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and I believe he would make an excellent president. I have criticized Bloomberg emphatically for his stop-and-frisk policies and his comments defending them at the 2015 Aspen conference. I must credit Bloomberg, however, for his apology for these policies, something Donald Trump would never do. And I know personally that however wrongful and misguided his stop-and-frisk policies were, Michael Bloomberg, unlike Donald Trump, is no racist. In Judaism, we call repentance Tshuvah -- literally meaning a return to the ways of the Almighty made possible through repentance. Tshuvah requires that the request for repentance be made to the wronged party. By apologizing to the African-American community, that is exactly what Bloomberg has done. And it appears that the vast majority of the African-American community, horrified by the prospect of four more years of Donald Trump, the worst racist in the White House since Woodrow Wilson, will be inclined to accept it. Meanwhile, I will pray to the Almighty that our nation may avoid the nightmare -- and my personal agony -- of a Trump-Sanders choice. Alan J. Steinberg served as regional administrator of Region 2 EPA during the administration of former President George W. Bush and as executive director of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. 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. Bloomington, Decatur, and Coles County Housing Authorities are among the Central Illinois agencies receiving portions of the $21 million in federal funding for the development, financing and modernization of public housing properties, U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin announced Thursday. Bloomington Housing Authority will receive $1,401,725, Decatur Housing Authority will receive $1,474,747, and Coles County Housing Authority will receive $408,246. Funding is allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Public Housing Capital fund. "Children and families in need across Central Illinois rely on investments like these that help improve housing conditions and reduce homelessness," Duckworth said. "Along with Sen. Durbin, I'm proud to advocate for federal funding to support programs that foster safe communities and help sure all Illinoisans have access to the affordable housing they need to get ahead." Other area public housing authorities will receive: $2,632,932 Peoria Housing Authority $578,429 DeWitt County Housing Authority $562,985 Livingston County Housing Authority $357,486 Logan County Housing Authority $183,725 Piatt County Housing Authority $92,500 Woodford County Housing Authority $71,487 Champaign County Housing Authority $129,497 Ford County Housing Authority "This federal funding gives local agencies in Central Illinois the ability to offer safe and affordable housing to those who need it most. In addition, the local economy stands to benefit from this investment in infrastructure projects that will bring safety and modernization to the area's public housing," Durbin said. "I will continue to fight alongside Sen. Duckworth to support safe and affordable housing options for Illinoisans." Contact Kennedy Nolen at (217) 421-6985. Follow her on Twitter: @KNolenWrites Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Would you want to move in with us? While multigenerational households are an expectation in many countries, only about 20 percent of households in the United States are multigenerational, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of census data. Sure, a multigenerational home helps stretch a parents retirement fund, but the decision has far more benefits than just money. Mainly, it reduces social isolation, which in turn can promote a healthier physical and mental state. You just need to be careful how you approach the topic. Ninety-nine percent of the time how children approach it is: Mom and Dad, were worried about you. You cant do as much as you think you can, and its all about taking away their freedom, said Lisa Cini, president of Mosaic Design Studio, which provides design services for senior living, long-term care and health care institutions. I think thats the exact wrong approach. You need to move them from fear to freedom, not the opposite way. Ms. Cini moved her grandmother and her parents into the home she shared with her husband and teenage children, which she details in her book Hive: The Simple Guide to Multigenerational Living. Instead of using scare tactics, Ms. Cini advises that you start by asking parents what they are having challenges with, like keeping up the yard or maneuvering the layout of their home or feeling lonely. Next, outline the benefits to you of having your parents move in. Perhaps your parents can keep an eye on the kids or pets while you travel or help offset the cost of certain bills or help you handle meal prep during the week. But living together under one roof isnt a solution for everyone. Other options to help your parents without moving them in could be aiding them in finding home help, visiting them more frequently to reduce the feeling of isolation or financially subsidizing their current housing. Is your legal paperwork in order? A natural extension of the retirement conversation is estate planning, which is arguably even more complicated. Now youre bringing up the inevitability of their deaths and, if not done tactfully, it can seem as if you are trying to sniff out details of an inheritance. You can sidestep that, however, by not focusing immediately on a will. A cocaine courier was caught with a tub containing 8,500 worth of the drug in his car as he sped past a garda speed camera in Mitchelstown at 150 kilometres per hour. Keith Horan of Ballycullen Cottages, Firhouse, Dublin, has pleaded guilty to a charge of having the cocaine for sale or supply. Garda Henry Ward had parked a garda patrol car on the side of the road at Gort Na Hown, Mitchelstown, County Cork, at 7.30pm on May 9, 2019 when the car sped past at 150kph in a 120kph zone. Garda Ward followed the car and signalled for him to stop which he did. When speaking to him, the garda noticed that the driver was nervous and he told him he was going to carry out a drugs search. At this point the defendant admitted that there was a clear plastic container with cocaine in the footwell of the car. The accused gave his correct date of birth but a made-up name and address. Later he admitted he was Keith Horan and gave his correct address. Donal OSullivan defence barrister said: There was no great sophistication to it. He drove clean past a garda car with a speed camera, doing 150kph. There was no question of tick lists or anything like that. He was an addict at the time. He panicked and gave a false name. Judge OCallaghan said: You were a cog in the wheel. It is a wheel of destruction and death - one of the biggest challenges to this state. This drug culture relies on people like you to carry out certain roles. Without people like you it does not work. In the exceptional circumstances of the case, the judge said he would impose a three-and-a-half-year suspended sentence because the defendant appeared to have extricated himself from the influences of those for whom he was acting as a courier on the date in 2019. Garda Ward said it was his view that the 32-year-old had made great efforts in that regard. The defendant was required to pay 1,500 to St Dominics community project in Tallaght, the people supporting him to turn his life around. Attorney general William Barr is said to have launched a review of second disgraced ally of Donald Trump, former national security adviser Michael Flynn. As controversy continues to rage over the department of justices decision to seek a lesser sentence for Republican operative Roger Cohen after the online intervention of the president, it was reported the attorney general was now also reviewing the prosecution of the former army general. The 61-year-old who spent less than a month as the presidents national security adviser before he was forced to resign, pleaded guilty in 2017 to lying to the FBI about his conversations with a Russian envoy. He was charged following a plea deal with prosecutors working with special counsel Robert Mueller, who launched an investigation into Russias alleged interference in the 2016 election, and possible collusion with Trump campaign. Flynns sentencing has been delayed several times. In January, prosecutors indicated they were seeking a six-month jail term for him. 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 Yet a week later, Flynn withdrew his guilty plea, alleging prosecutors had acted in bad faith. Michael Flynn hereby moves to withdraw his plea because of the governments bad faith, vindictiveness, and breach of the plea agreement, wrote lawyer Sidney Powell. On Friday, the New York Times said Mr Barr, who on Thursday gave an interview to ABC News in which he said he found it impossible to do his job amid the presidents tweets, an appearance many suspect was the administrations attempt at damage control, was reviewing other cases. It said among the cases he had requested be reopened was that of Flynn. Sarah Sanders says the FBI broke protocol when interviewing Michael Flynn The review is highly unusual and could trigger more accusations of political interference by top justice department officials into the work of career prosecutors, the article said. It added that Mr Barr had installed a handful of outside prosecutors to broadly review the handling of other politically sensitive national-security cases in the US attorneys office in Washington. The DoJ has yet to comment on the matter. Earlier this, all four prosecutors associated with the Stone case quit, or removed themselves from that specific project. Meanwhile, on Friday the president claimed he had the right to interfere in a case if he wished. This doesnt mean that I do not have, as president, the legal right to do so, he tweeted. I do, but I have so far chosen not to. Kolkata, Feb 14 : The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized almost 13 kilogram of elephant tusk from a train in New Jalpaiguri railway station of northern West Bengal and arrested one person, an official said on Friday. Acting on a specific intelligence, the DRI officers intercepted Ajeem Ahmed from an AC 2 Tier compartment of Gandhidham-bound 15668 Kamakhya Gandhidham Express at New Jalapiguri Railway Station on Wednesday. "From his possession, tusks (Ivory) of a full grown male Indian (Asian) elephant Elephas Maximas were recovered. The weight of the recovered elephant tusks was 12.909 kgs," the official said. Ahmed was carrying the seven pieces of tusks in a black coloured side bag and a trolley suitcase. During preliminary interrogation, Ahmed admitted that he had procured the tusks from Fakirgram in Kokrajhar district of Assam and was on his way to deliver the goods at Varanasi for export to some South East Asian Country. He also confessed that he has carried similar goods on three previous occasions. The recovered Elephant Tusks have been seized and Ahmed has been arrested under the provisions of Customs Act. According to an estimate, the tusks could fetch around Rs 1.5 crore in the grey market. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, Feb. 14 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The signing ceremony of the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Turkmenistan and Grenada was held in the premises of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Russian Federation on Feb. 13, Trend reports with reference to Turkmen Foreign Ministry. Prior to the signing ceremony, talks were held between the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Russian Federation Batyr Niyazliyev and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Grenada to the Russian Federation Oleg Firer. The parties exchanged views on the perspectives of the bilateral cooperation, including the areas of education, science, culture, art and sport. As of 2018, Turkmenistan has established and maintains diplomatic relations with 146 of the 193 existing internationally recognized UN member states. Diplomatic missions of 79 states are accredited in Turkmenistan, and 31 of them have embassies in Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan has embassies in 30 foreign states, while Turkmen diplomatic missions in other foreign states are accredited concurrently. Turkey (meaning, Erdogan) has made a collection of bad policy choices over the years, and those choices have essentially left it out of all the riches the Mediterranean has to offer. Erdogan has, on his own, backed the country into a corner. As a result, the number of key countries poised to gain from the oil and gas riches of the Mediterranean are leaving Turkey out of the equation. So, now, what to watch? Keep an eye on any bone thrown to the Israelis that would suggest an attempt to get a gas pipe deal that would render an expensive underwater pipeline to Cyprus and Greece irrelevant. That is why Turkey is meddling in Syria (which also has a chunk of the Levant Basin to explore), and why its stepped into the fire in Libya with the Government of National Accord (GNA), signing a new deal to carve up maritime borders to the detriment of Cyprus in the Mediterranean. Its also why Erdogan is interfering in offshore drilling territory in Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). If Israel, Greece and Cyprus make good on plans to build an underwater pipeline to carry Israels massive Levant Basin gas finds to Europe, then Turkey will lose any chance to make good on Erdogans neo-Ottoman dreams of regional power. Turkeys regional scheming and meddling everywhere from Cyprus and Syria to Libya is about one overriding thing: Israeli gas. Turkey: The Spoiler Nation Turkeys regional scheming and meddling everywhere from Cyprus and Syria to Libya is about one overriding thing: Israeli gas. If Israel, Greece and Cyprus make good on plans to build an underwater pipeline to carry Israels massive Levant Basin gas finds to Europe, then Turkey will lose any chance to make good on Erdogans neo-Ottoman dreams of regional power. That is why Turkey is meddling in Syria (which also has a chunk of the Levant Basin to explore), and why its stepped into the fire in Libya with the Government of National Accord (GNA), signing a new deal to carve up maritime borders to the detriment of Cyprus in the Mediterranean. Its also why Erdogan is interfering in offshore drilling territory in Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). So, now, what to watch? Keep an eye on any bone thrown to the Israelis that would suggest an attempt to get a gas pipe deal that would render an expensive underwater pipeline to Cyprus and Greece irrelevant. Turkey (meaning, Erdogan) has made a collection of bad policy choices over the years, and those choices have essentially left it out of all the riches the Mediterranean has to offer. Erdogan has, on his own, backed the country into a corner. As a result, the number of key countries poised to gain from the oil and gas riches of the Mediterranean are leaving Turkey out of the equation. But from a completely pragmatic perspective, Israel could send its game-changing gas production to Turkey for cheaper than it can make this all happen with its more geopolitically reasonable cohorts in Greece and Cyprus. As it stands right now, any Israeli-Turkish deal of this sort appears far from plausible, particularly considering that the two countries havent even had ambassadors for three years (both sides expelled them in 2017). It also doesnt help that Turkey is bent on supporting the Palestinians and Hamas. Now that Turkey has signed its new maritime agreement with Libya, it could very well seek to do the same with Israel, which means putting pragmatism over hatred. What Turkey needs now is an EEZ agreement with Israel in the Mediterranean, and we think Erdogan will be willing to cater to Israel for that. And while there is no way Turkey will negotiate on any level with Cyprus, Erdogan has hinted that he would be willing to negotiate with Israel. Thats the first sign. He would cut virtually any deal with Israel in order to undermine Cyprus. For starters, it would mean some uncomfortable public statements suggesting a sizable downgrade of Turkeys support for Hamas. Thats uncomfortable for Erdogan because it would make him look weak as a leader. Still, he has room (and, importantly, time) to maneuver on this because he wont face elections until 2023. Turkey, under Erdogan, is all about smoke and mirrors. At least, that is the intention. In Syria, its gone beyond this and Erdogan has backed his own troops into a dangerous corner. They are now effectively tiny dogs yapping at the very large Syrian Army and its Russian guard dogs. Getting out of that will require some serious face-saving. In Libya, the situation is also smoke and mirrors, and Turkey has sent troops (many of which are Syrian volunteers) that wont be winning any all-out wars. Its for leverage, and its not working - so far. More Smoke and Mirrors with BP? Theres quite a lot of smoke and mirrors elsewhere, too, particularly in the oil patch, where climate change is altering investor sentiment, which is, in turn, forcing oil and gas giants to consider whether their business models are going to be sustainable. On that front, the big news this week is giant BPs public relations charm campaign that has it announcing its new goal to reduce total fossil-fuel emissions to net-zero by 2050 and to shift investment to renewables. The logic is that fossil-fuel giants have powered the world for 100 years and wish to continue powering it for another century, which means renewables. The announcement is intentionally vague because it is intended to simultaneously appease activist investors who want a transition to climate-friendly activities and skittish investors who would very much like to continue to get major returns from the companys flagship oil and gas operations. The BP plan doesnt offer up much by way of detail, nor is there any clear mention of actually scaling down fossil fuels production, leaving investors wondering whether this simply means that the company will do its best to offset its carbon footprint as it plows ahead with fossil fuels production increases and adds more renewables to its portfolio. Global efforts to clear the air and improve the environment have been embraced by Permian Basin oil and gas producers in recent years. Most recently, the World Bank has launched its Zero Routine Flaring by 2030, an initiative, designed to bring together a broad consortium of governments, oil companies and development institutions to cooperate in eliminating routine flaring by 2030. Occidental Petroleum last week became the first U.S. oil and gas company to endorse the initiative. Its an honor to be the first U.S. oil and gas company to endorse the World Banks initiative to reduce routine flaring globally, as we amplify our commitment to eliminate routine flaring in our operations by 2030, Vicki Hollub, Occidental president and chief executive officer, said in a statement provided to the Reporter-Telegram. Support for this important World Bank program is part of our companys broader commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our global operations and positions Occidental for success in a low-carbon economy. Texans for Natural Gas believes the program is part of a broader industry commitment to reduce flaring. Programs like this affirm that flaring and methane emissions are being taken seriously in the Permian Basin, said Elizabeth Caldwell, Texans for Natural Gas spokeswoman, in an email to the Reporter-Telegram. As our recent analysis shows, data from the World Bank and other agencies demonstrate that the efforts being made to tackle this issue have resulted in significant reductions in both flaring intensity and methane emissions intensity. In the seven-year period between 2011 and 2018, Permian Basin operators reduced methane emissions intensity by nearly 64 percent. Caldwell was citing a December 2019 report from the organization, Permian Basin Petroleum Association and the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association that not only show Permian Basin operators reduced methane emissions by nearly 64 percent during the past seven years but, if the region were its own country, it would rank 45th in flaring intensity, according to World Bank data. The organizations report also said that the Permian Basin remains the worlds top-producing oilfield and is currently the fourth-largest oil- and gas-producing area in the world. Since 2011, the report said, oil production in the Permian Basin has risen by more than 210 percent. The national industry association, American Petroleum Institute, said the challenge of meeting growing energy demand, while addressing the risks of climate change, call for many different approaches. Policies that support expanding energy infrastructure, including pipelines, tanks and terminals, are the best ways to reduce flaring and meet rising demand for cleaner fuels. API launched The Environmental Partnership two years ago to share and design new methods for reducing methane emissions in energy production and promote collaborative efforts to further improve environmental performance across our industry. As more natural gas is used in power generation, it is helping to drive US CO2 emissions to their lowest levels in a generation, as shown by the latest IEA report, Reid Porter, API spokesman, told the Reporter-Telegram by email. In announcing the initiative, the World Bank said that during oil production, associated gas is produced from the reservoir along with the oil. While much of that gas is utilized or conserved because governments and oil companies have made substantial investments in capturing it, the World Bank said, some is flared because of technical, regulatory or economic constraints. As a result, thousands of gas flares at oil production sites around the globe burn approximately 140 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, causing more than 300 million tons of CO2 to be emitted to the atmosphere, the bank said. The initiative pertains to routine flaring, which is done during normal oil production operations in the absence of infrastructure to allow the produced gas to be used or sent to market, or geology that would allow reinjection of the produced gas. It does not pertain to flaring done for safety reasons or non-routine flaring, which nevertheless should be minimized, the bank said. If that 140 billion cubic meters of gas were to be used for power generation, it could provide about 750 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, more than the African continent consumes annually. In endorsing the initiative, governments agree to provide legal, regulatory, investment and operating environments to promote upstream investment in and viable markets for utilizing the associated gas and the infrastructure to move that gas. Oil companies agree to create plans for using or conserving associated gas as they develop new fields. If they already routine flare gas at existing fields, they agree to implement economically viable solutions to end flaring as soon as possible and no later than 2030. Both governments and oil companies also agree to publicly report their flaring and progress towards meeting the initiatives goals annually. The World Bank is also sponsoring the Global Gas Flaring Reduction partnership, which includes Royal Dutch Shell, BP, Chevron and others. My father, the Indian Army veteran that he was, would read the daily headlines about various miscreants hoarders of grain who caused shortages of food, child rapists, large-scale fraudsters and would inevitably exclaim, in English or Gujarati: line the so-and-sos up against the wall and shoot them. The heathen in his blindness Bows down to wood and stone. The Colonial conceit was that The Brits knew God alone! The Heathen thinks that Christians Worship a wooden cross Which today would be an electric chair Or a noose to hang humans in the air From The Song of Khatribai Ghulamfaggot by Bachchoo My father, the Indian Army veteran that he was, would read the daily headlines about various miscreants hoarders of grain who caused shortages of food, child rapists, large-scale fraudsters and would inevitably exclaim, in English or Gujarati: line the so-and-sos up against the wall and shoot them. The so-and-so expletive would vary with the language in which he framed this summary sentence. Dad wasnt given to the niceties of socio-political argument. In India recently, I read in several publications, vociferously argued cases for and against capital punishment these in the context of the Nirbhaya rapist-murderers appealing for mercy against their hanging. The arguments were on the one side vengeful and, perhaps, karmic; on the other, a consideration that rapists and murderers were reared by the social circumstances, mentalities and morals of our society and these should be reformed. My fathers pronouncements had no consideration for such subtleties. I cant say if his reaction was inspired by the Zoroastrian theological contention that the universe and life are the battleground of good versus evil and that, being on the side of good, he was obliged to wipe out the perpetrators of evil. Perhaps his intolerance was more likely influenced by military morals and a view that summary justice was better than the namby-pamby of due process. My wonderful, if hastily mistaken, dads dictum came to mind this week in London when Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his dimwit home secretary Priti Patel put in train fast-track action and legislation on three fronts. Firstly, they deported 27 Jamaican criminals who had served their sentences for manslaughter, violent acts and even paedophilia back to their home country. At least 50 other such criminals were listed for deportation on the same chartered aircraft but appealed against it on the grounds that they were not afforded contact with any legal representation because the jail in which they were serving sentences had wi-fi problems. The courts upheld the stay on deportation. Liberal opinion in the country opposed this measure but, without any statistical evidence, I feel that a vast majority of the country would have cheered it on. The one argument against such a cheer is that very many of these individuals, while not having papers to prove that they were British, had lived from childhood in this country and had been socialised and perhaps criminalised by it. Nevertheless, technically they were not British and consequently subject to expulsion from the sceptred isle. The second measure which Predatory Patel has initiated is a bill in Parliament to change the liberal rule governing the release of convicted terrorists who have served half their jail terms. This is seen by that same majority that supports deportation as eminently sensible. And it may be. In the recent past, two terrorists convicted of offences such as harbouring materials and recoding messages of terror, rather than having bombed a place or killed anyone, were released from prison having served half the prescribed period. They went on to murder innocents in the name of jihad. Of course, this legislation can be seen as protective of the public, but there is the argument that spending six rather than three years in jail doesnt necessarily stop the offender when he is released from doing what he would have done after serving only half that time. There may be a case for the three extra years in jail being used to effectively deradicalise jihadis through rehabilitation and re-education programmes, but there is not much evidence that such programmes work. There is an outcry now by prison wardens and by commentators that prison is itself a radicalising hothouse. Jihadis in contact with each other reinforce their determination to commit acts which will transport them to heaven and grant them 72, willing or reluctant, virgins. They also come in contact with petty criminals whom they sometimes succeed in converting into murderous terrorists. There is overwhelming evidence that points to these phenomena. What would behsti Pappa (dad) have said? Line them up against the wall and shoot them. Even Predatory Patel, whatever her instincts, cant follow such advice in an avowedly civilised and democratic society. And while she contemplates a solution to this brewing of terror in the institution of prison, she should consider evidence from other countries where dispersing terrorists, isolating them or giving them longer sentences hasnt done anything to stop the movement which is dedicated to recruiting new members. If Prowly Patel can get the money off the new chancellor (after Sajju Javids shock resignation from the Cabinet this week), her first move should be spending it on refurbishment of prisons. Today, there are 82,000 prisoners crammed into spaces designed for 60,000. There are 10,000 assaults on prison officers each year. Britains prisons are markets for drugs, smuggled in by bribed warders or delivered by drones. The programmes of rehabilitation are laughable. Mullahs are sent in to preach Islamic values to those convicted of serious jihadi offences such as the making of bombs or the membership of cells with published plans for terrorist acts. There is no considered programme of rehabilitation and no supervision of what these mullahs say and no assessment of what effect their preaching has on determined death-cultists. A measure of discipline, compassion and supervision is the direction reform should take. These would, at the least, enable an assessment of the progress towards a solution. What they wont do is make the sort of headlines this government wants in order to appeal to their core voters. I wonder what dad would have said should be done to Cabinet ministers who pander to populism instead of implementing effective solutions. 1. Yes. The downtown area needs a good draw. Some quality taverns would be a plus. 2. Yes. Too many storefronts are vacant. Bars could help to bring in needed revenue. 3. No. Putting a number of bars downtown is just asking for trouble. Dont change things. 4.No. Several churches have located downtown. Putting bars close by would be a bad fit. 5. Unsure. It would depend on how the law is written and what standards are enacted. Vote View Results The San Antonio Zoo is giving the brokenhearted a sense of closure this Valentine's Day by having them name cockroaches after their despicable exes before they are fed to an animal. As part of its first-ever 'Cry Me a Cockroach' event, people can pay $5 to name a cockroach and watch it get eaten either in person or on the zoo's live stream on February 14, meaning scorned lovers don't even have to live in Texas to get their just deserts. Those who really want revenge on the rats in their lives have the option to splurge for an upgrade and pay $25 to have a rodent named after their former lovers and served to a snake. Love is a battlefield: San Antonio Zoo is charging the brokenhearted $5 to name a cockroach after their exes and watch them get FED to an animal on Valentine's Day Extra step: Those who really want revenge have the option to splurge for an upgrade and pay $25 to have a rodent named after their former lovers and served to a snake The zoo has been promoting the event on social media, writing: 'We're hosting the first-ever "Cry Me a Cockroach" event. You can name a live cockroach, and we'll serve it up as a snack to one of our animals. You could even name a rat, and we'll feed it to a reptile!' Participants also get a certificate that they can either share on social media or send to their former lovers to put them blast. 'Dear [Name],' it reads. 'You ex, [Name], has named a cockroach in our honor, to be eaten on 2/14. Feel free to tune in now to the cockroach live stream at sazoo.org/you-blew-it.' People have until 6 p.m. on February 14 to submit a name for the vengeful promotion, and fans have been gleefully taking to Twitter to reveal they have signed up. Tuning in? Participants can watch their critters get eaten either in person or on the zoo's live stream on February 14 Dirty dogs: Participants also get a certificate that they can either share on social media or send to their former lovers to put them blast 'If you or a loved one has ever been personally victimized by Shawn Spahr, please tune in to the San Antonio Zoos live cockroach stream on Valentines Day. Youre welcome. @SanAntonioZoo,' one woman tweeted while sharing her certificate. 'My mom just donated $5 to the San Antonio Zoo to have a cockroach named after her Ex (my step-dad) to be eaten on Valentine's Day by an animal via Facebook Live. What a time to be alive!!!' another wrote. 'Putting San Antonio on the map one cockroach at a time,' someone else joked. A few people got political, with one person claiming to have named a cockroach after the president, tweeting: 'I name thee Donald Trump. Can I get an amen?' Loving it: People have been gleefully taking to Twitter to reveal they've already signed up Another Twitter user shared photos of the Republican senators who voted to acquit Trump of his impeachment charges. 'Naming cockroaches for every one of them at the San Antonio Zoo - Valentines Day treat for their reptile residents,' the person wrote. While plenty of people were excited about the opportunity to get even, others were disgusted by the practice and slammed the zoo on social media. The San Antonio Zoo assured critics on Facebook that the rodents they use are purchased from a mouse farm and are delivered frozen. They also noted that their live roaches are 'sourced from professional roach breeders' and 'the colony is cared for and maintained by the Reptile Department in the Reptile House.' Fighting back: A few people got political and revealed they named cockroaches after certain politicians The feeding aspect of the San Antonio Zoo's promotion is certainly unique, but it's not the only one of it's kind. The El Paso Zoo is offering the same service as part of its three-day 'Quit Bugging Me Event,' and while it's technically free, donations are appreciated. The Bronx Zoo in New York also has a similar gift, though they have nothing but good intentions with their amorous promotion. For $15, people can name Madagascar hissing cockroaches in their partners' honor, and they will receive a certificate to show their loved ones. 'Name a Roach for your Valentine, because roaches are forever,' the zoo explains on its website. This was not his first romance. There was the woman who lived in the room next to him. They began dating and were engaged three months after my mother died. She then died from a brain tumor. Then there was the short-term rehabilitation resident he connected with. She left before things heated up. And now he had a new relationship. Once I got my bearings I informed the social worker my father was not to be given protection or conjugal visit privileges until I had an opportunity to discuss this matter with him. He has some cognitive limitations, and I wanted to make sure he could comprehend the matter and understand the road he wants to travel with a woman he met just a few weeks ago. I have been in the role of parent to my parent for quite a while now. However, it is still cringeworthy to hear your father wants to be sexually active and that I need to have a conversation with him about safe sex. Between the abundant use of potent erectile dysfunction medication, postmenopausal estrogen and progesterone creams and the absence of the fear of pregnancy, the elderly can be an amorous group of risky sex participants, spreading sexually transmitted diseases. I always knew I would be having these types of conversations with my children, preparing them to make informed, rational decisions about sex. I attempt to be transparent with my kids when it comes to puberty, sexual relations and all things brutally awkward for a child to hear their parents talk about. But broaching this topic with my father, who is over 80, felt even tougher. My father never talked to me about sex. That topic was not to be discussed in our home. The same went for subjects like drugs, smoking and sexual orientation. Discussing sex with a family member was uncharted territory for us. I turned to Google and searched for, Icebreakers for when you have to talk to your elderly dad about safe sex. Unfortunately, this proved fruitless. Sri Lankan authorities on Friday arrested a former ambassador to Russia and a close relative of the Rajapaksa brothers over an alleged financial fraud in the purchase of seven MIG -27 aircraft for the country's Air Force. Udayanga Weeratunga, who is the cousin of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested and extradited from Dubai following which he was sent into remand till February 17 following a magisterial order issued on Friday. Weeratunga, who was Sri Lanka's envoy to Russia from 2005-2015 during Mahinda Rajapaksa's presidency, was accused of committing the financial fraud by the previous government of Maitripala Sirisena. He was evading an arrest warrant issued on October 20 2016 by a Colombo Magistrate, in relation to the investigations. An Interpol notice was also issued against him, the Colombo Gazette reported. He was extradited from Dubai on Friday morning as a result of the investigation which began under the former regime headed by former president Sirisena and the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A view of the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse that houses the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) Appeals Court Strikes Down Arkansas Medicaid Work Requirements Approved by Trump Admin A federal appeals court has struck down a Trump administration approval of a state plan to add work requirements to the healthcare program that helps with medical costs for some low-income people, known as Medicaid. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld a lower courts ruling that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar has acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner when he approved Arkansass plan to add work and community engagement requirements to Medicaid. Under Medicaid, states can choose to deviate from the minimum coverage requirements as long as the HHS secretary approves such a deviation. A secretary can authorize any experimental, pilot, or demonstration project which, in the judgment of the secretary, is likely to assist in promoting the objectives of Medicaid, according to the law. A number states, including Arkansas and Kentucky, requested approvals from HHS to impose work and community engagement requirements as a condition of Medicaid eligibility. Under the plan, Medicaid enrollees are required to work or engage in educational, job training, or job search activities for at least 80 hours per month. The appeals case is centered on Azars approval of the states plans, rather than the legality of the work requirements. Opponents of the states move to aid work requirements say this would cause thousands of people to lose coverage. Analysts estimated that about 18,000 people lost coverage in Arkansas while between 86,000 and 136,000 people would lose coverage in Kentucky. A number of residents from Arkansas and Kentucky under the Medicaid programs sued the Trump administration in separate lawsuits, challenging the decision to approve the plans. The district court found in favor of the individuals, effectively halting the programs. The HHS appealed to the D.C. Circuit court and both cases were consolidated on appeal. Kentucky, under a new Democratic governor, terminated the work requirements at the end of 2019 and asked to dismiss the case at the appeals court. Judge David Sentelle, an appointee of President Reagan, wrote in the opinion (pdf) that the HHS secretary did not appropriately consider the statutory purpose if Medicaid, to provide medical coverage to the needy, but instead focused on alternative objectives such as improving health outcomes and encouraging beneficiaries of the program to obtain and maintain employment or undertake community engagement. The Secretarys approval of the Arkansas Works Amendments is arbitrary and capricious because it did not addressdespite receiving substantial comments on the matterwhether and how the project would implicate the core objective of Medicaid: the provision of medical coverage to the needy, he wrote. Sentelle also added that HHS failed to adequately consider whether the state plan would reduce Medicaid coverage or promote the coverage. We agree with the district court that the alternative objectives of better health outcomes and beneficiary independence are not consistent with Medicaid. The text of the statute includes one primary purpose, which is providing health care coverage without any restriction geared to healthy outcomes, financial independence or transition to commercial coverage, Sentelle wrote. Fridays ruling voiding the approval for the states plans could possibly threaten similar plans in other states approved by HHS. The DOJ declined a request for comment. South Africa: Ministers weigh in on SONA 2020 Practical and focused on execution -- this is how President Cyril Ramaphosas State of the Nation Address (SONA) has been described by a number of Ministers in his Cabinet. It sets out clearly the action plan for the year. Last year, President Ramaphosa indicated the broad vision. This SONA was about the practical steps, how to get [the job] done and also what still needs to be done. It pointed to the importance of attracting more investment to the economy, the successes we have made and the additional steps that we are taking, said Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel. Underpinned on inclusive growth, the President set out the countrys roadmap for the year ahead on Thursday during a joint sitting of Parliament. He emphasised the need for government to ramp up the countrys ailing economy by fixing the fundamentals, and zeroed in on execution. This State of the Nation Address is about inclusive growth. This year, we fix the fundamentals. We pursue critical areas of growth, and we ensure excellence in planning and execution in government, said the President. With the SONA taking place just days after South Africa assumed chairship of the African Union, President Ramaphosa used the occasion to highlight the positive spin-offs that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will offer. Through the AfCFTA, which comes into effect this year, the continent will finalise the rules that define what is a Made in Africa product, the tariff lines that will be reduced to zero over the next five years, and the services sectors that will be opened up across the continent. With energy as the driver of the economy, the President expanded on Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashes recent announcement that government is gazetting a revised schedule of the Electricity Regulation Act, which will allow mining companies to generate their own energy for self-use. Over the next few months, as Eskom works to restore its operational capabilities, we will be implementing measures that will fundamentally change the trajectory of energy generation in our country. The National Energy Regulator will continue to register small-scale distributed generation for own use of under 1 MW, for which no licence is required, said the President. In reaction to the Presidents speech, Mantashe said changes in the energy sector will come to fruition in a few weeks. We are going to see a Section 34 Ministerial Determination within the next few weeks and once it is out, we will get concurrence with National Energy Regulator, then we are [ready to take off], he said. In addition to matters of the economy, the President emphasised the need to address the scourge of youth unemployment by prioritising education and the skills deficit that exists. To bridge the gap between youth unemployment and skills, President Ramaphosa announced governments plan to build new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college campuses this year. The colleges will be located in Sterkspruit, Aliwal North, Graaff Reinet and Ngungqushe in the Eastern Cape, and in Umzimkhulu, Greytown, Msinga, Nongoma and Kwagqikazi in KwaZulu-Natal. Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande said this announcement demonstrates governments commitment to tackling youth unemployment in the long-term. If we really want to address issues of youth unemployment and provision of skills, the strengthening and building of more TVET colleges is very important, said Nzimande. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-02-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Those benefits appear to be going to tenants in high-end and midrange buildings nearby. Presumably, their landlords see new competition and adjust their own rents accordingly. But Ms. Li finds that new housing has no effect on rents more than 500 feet away, and it doesnt appear to affect rents for lower-end units nearby (those landlords probably dont see new luxury towers as direct competition). In a separate study, Brian Asquith and Evan Mast at the Upjohn Institute and Davin Reed at the Philadelphia Fed find a similar set of results across 11 major cities, including Atlanta, Austin, Chicago and Denver. They look at new buildings of at least 50 units constructed in lower-income, central-city neighborhoods. They estimate that these new buildings decrease rents by 5 percent to 7 percent for their immediate neighbors, relative to what wed expect rents to be if the new buildings were never built. Neither study means that rents actually fall. Rather, they suggest that new buildings slow the pace of rent increases in the kinds of neighborhoods that developers have already identified as hot. By the time those developers arrive particularly with plans for large-scale projects rents are most likely already rising rapidly. Wealthy people are already looking to move into the neighborhood, Mr. Mast said of how he would explain his findings to a heated public meeting over such a proposal. So we can build this building that will give them the sort of unit that they want to live in. Or if we dont, theyll take a unit nearby and renovate it. That logic may be little comfort to longtime residents, particularly those concerned about neighborhood changes that go beyond rent prices. But it addresses at least one argument against new housing. These results dont deny the reality of gentrification, said Ingrid Gould Ellen, a professor at N.Y.U. and an adviser to Ms. Li. They dont deny the reality of crushing rent burdens. They simply suggest that building more housing in a neighborhood isnt going to exacerbate those high rent burdens and may even help to alleviate them. One caution comes from research by Anthony Damiano and Chris Frenier, doctoral candidates at the University of Minnesota who looked at new large-scale buildings built across Minneapolis. Like Mr. Mast and Ms. Li, they find that new supply helped ease rent pressure for higher-end units nearby. But at the bottom third of the market, they concluded that new buildings had the opposite effect, accelerating rents. In a first-person post titled "Transparency and Accountability" and shared on Medium on Friday, San Francisco Mayor London Breed opened up about her relationship with Mohammed Nuru, the former director of San Francisco Public Works who resigned from his job after being charged with public corruption. Breed also disclosed a gift of approximately $5,600 from Nuru. The 45th mayor of the City and County of San Francisco shared that she was "writing in the spirit of transparency" and to "dispel some unfortunate rumors that have already begun to circulate." Breed said that she has known Nuru for more than 20 years and called him "a close personal friend." "We dated for a brief time, two decades ago, long before I ever ran for office," wrote Breed, who was sworn in as mayor in July 2018. "Nevertheless, he, and his now-adult daughters, have remained close friends for all those years." ALSO: PG&E, 7 others subpoenaed in widening San Francisco public corruption probe After the news broke, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that supervisor Hillary Ronen was calling for Breed's resignation over the undisclosed gift. Nuru was arrested along with Lefty O'Doul's owner Nick Bovis on Jan. 21 and was charged with public corruption for allegedly trying to steer public contracts and for taking pricey gifts. He has resigned his post as director of public works. Federal prosecutors have said the men schemed in 2018 to bribe a San Francisco airport commissioner for prime restaurant space at San Francisco International Airport. The commissioner did not take the $5,000 bribe. Both are free on $2 million bail. Breed said the news shocked her and wrote that she never asked Nuru "to do anything improper, and he never asked me to do anything improper." She went on: "I was not aware of the schemes alleged by the FBI until shortly before they became public, and when I was informed, I immediately reported the information to our City Attorney." The post continues at length, and Breed wrote about a time when her personal car broke down and Nuru, acting as friend, "took it to a private auto mechanic." Breed had planned to sell the car and reimburse Nuru. "Now, gifts provided 'by an individual with whom the official has a long term, close personal friendship unrelated to the officials position' are not required to be reported under the Fair Political Practices Commissions rules," Breed explained. "But since I have not yet been able to sell the car and given all that has now happened I have chosen to make this voluntary disclosure." MORE: Details emerge in FBIs case against SF Director of Public Works, Lefty O'Douls owner Nuru was a treasured go-to bureaucrat for several mayors, including Breed, and proactively cleaned up the city's notoriously filthy streets before media events. He oversaw the city's Department of Public Works, which is responsible for cleaning streets, since 2012, and previously served as a deputy in the department. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Amy Graff is a digital editor for SFGATE. Email her news tips at agraff@sfgate.com. If you think their faces are familiar you are not mistaken. Sekel McIntosh and Sherissa Redhead have both won the Junior Soca Monarch competition for the second year in a row. With the Supreme Court on Friday taking a strong view of non-compliance of its order on payment of statutory dues by telecom firms, situation for Vodafone Idea is "particularly vulnerable" and the risk of duopoly in the sector is higher than before, according to an analyst. "There is no question that this is bad news for the telecom industry. It makes situation of Vodafone Idea particularly vulnerable, even more than it was," Mahesh Uppal, director at consulting firm Com First India said. He also said the risk of a duopoly in telecom sector is higher than before. At present there are three private players in the Indian mobile market -- Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio -- besides the ailing state-owned operators BSNL/MTNL. Uppal said the room for maneuver is less now for the operators, but added that if the government saw the situation as long-term problem, it could consider a change in policy. "But it (what happened today) wasn't unexpected seeing SC's position in last 2-3 hearings...given its past position that operators had signed licence agreement and hence obliged to pay. So, it was unlikely that there would have been any dilution in that position," Uppal pointed out. The Supreme Court on Friday directed the managing directors and directors of telcos and other firms to explain why contempt action be not taken against them for non-compliance of its order to pay adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of Rs 1.47 lakh crore to the Department of Telecommunications. Taking strong note of the non-compliance of its order, a bench of Justice Arun Mishra, Justice S Abdul Nazeer and Justice M R Shah expressed anguish over the order passed by DoT's desk officer, staying the effect of its verdict in AGR matter. "We don't know who is creating this nonsense. Is there no law left in country... It is better not to live in this country and rather leave the country," the bench observed. In all, as many as 15 entities owe the government Rs 1.47 lakh crore -- Rs 92,642 crore in unpaid licence fee and another Rs 55,054 crore in outstanding spectrum usage charges. These dues arose after the Supreme Court, in October last year, had upheld the government's position on including revenue from non-core businesses in calculating the annual Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) of telecom companies, a share of which is paid as licence and spectrum fee to the exchequer. VIL is confronted with the dues worth Rs 53,000 crore that it is expected to pay the government - its liabilities add up to Rs 24,729 crore of spectrum dues and another Rs 28,309 crore in licence fee, and the company had earlier warned of shutdown if no relief was given. Vodafone Idea in its earnings statement on Thursday had sounded out warnings on "material uncertainty" casting "significant doubt" on its ability to continue as going concern. The company's ability to continue as a going concern is essentially dependent on a positive outcome of its modification application in the Supreme Court on the AGR matter and any relief from the telecom department on payments, VIL had said on Thursday. Last week, Vodafone Chief Executive Officer Nick Read had said the situation in India is critical, following the AGR ruling of the Supreme Court. The British telecom major holds 45.39 per cent stake in VIL. Rival Bharti Airtel's liabilities added up to nearly Rs 35,586 crore, including licence fee and spectrum usage charge dues. Airtel had recently said that previously-mentioned material uncertainty on the group's ability to continue as a going concern "no longer exists" after the recent Rs 21,502 crore fund raising by it. Most of the remaining liability is with state-owned BSNL/MTNL and some of the shut/bankrupt telecom companies. Days of rain have left parts of Alabama awash in millions of gallons of dingy water that overflowed from sanitary sewer systems. On Wednesday, reports submitted to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management showed that more than 18.5 million gallons (70 million liters) of sewer water spilled over the past 10 days around Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, where the National Weather Service said some spots received more than 6 inches (15.2 centimeters) of rain through the middle of this week. In the Tennessee Valley, about 4.8 million gallons (18 million gallons) of sewage escaped from sewer pipes in Decatur last Thursday to Saturday, with most ending up in Dry Branch Creek, the Decatur Daily reported. The general manager of Decatur Utilities, Ray Hardin, said upgrades are continuing, but a city leader said he wants more action. Im sensing a lack of urgency. I guess I want to see someone at DU running around like their hairs on fire trying to resolve this, City Council member Billy Jackson, whose district includes most of Dry Branch Creek, told the newspaper. Sanitary sewer systems are designed to keep sewage in and rainwater out. Decaturs aging system, much of it clay pipe installed a half-century ago, is failing in that role. Heavy rains cause water to enter the sewer pipes, mixing with the sewage and exceeding the pipes capacity. The result, as could be seen Tuesday in the city, is diluted sewage gushing from manholes. A state reporting tool that shows sewage overflows by location and amount is fairly new and theres no way to say whether recent spills are abnormally high, said Jerome Hand, a spokesman for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Its also impossible to say whether all the problems are linked to storms or something else, he said. Its probably just too much rain going through the system but we dont know for sure, Hand said. We require these systems to report them and we will investigate them and help them get back into compliance. The problem carries health risks. Sherri Davidson, state epidemiologist for the Alabama Department of Public Health, told the Decatur newspaper sewer overflows contain bacteria, viruses and intestinal parasites like hookworms. Even if people avoid sewer water, sewage can be tracked inside homes on shoes or by pets. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Windstorm Alabama New Delhi: As India marks the first anniversary of the Pulwama attack on Friday (February 14), Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his Cabinet colleague Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tributes to the bravehearts of Pulwama attack. "I pay homage to the martyrs of Pulwama attack. India will forever be grateful of our bravehearts and their families who made supreme sacrifice for the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland," tweeted Amit Shah. "Remembering the fallen CRPF personnel who were martyred during the dastardly attack in Pulwama (Jammu and Kashmir) on this day in 2019. India will never forget their sacrifice," Rajnath tweeted. He said that the entire country stands united against terrorism and "everyone is committed to continue fight against this menace". On February 14, 2019, at least 40 CRPF jawans were killed after the convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2,500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack. 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. 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. "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 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 said. 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. An 89-year-old New Hampshire man who went missing earlier this week was found dead outdoors in Haverhill on Friday, authorities said. Gerard Lemay, a Weare, New Hampshire resident, was found shortly after his car was discovered in the lot of the Covanta incineration plant on Recovery Way, Massachusetts State Police said in a statement. The mans body was located close to his vehicle. No foul play is suspected. Unless new evidence is developed indicating otherwise, the death is not considered suspicious, the statement said. We thank members of the public and media who shared Mr. Lemays photo and information while police in Massachusetts and New Hampshire were searching for him. Authorities issued a Silver Alert for Lemay on Thursday after he went missing around 5 a.m. on Tuesday. He was possibly seen Wednesday afternoon on Route 25 in Plymouth and then again later that day in Methuen, the New Hampshire Information and Analysis Center said in a statement. He has been dating girlfriend Mia Regan since last summer. And Romeo Beckham paid tribute to his girlfriend, nicknamed Mimi Moocher, on Friday, as he shared a sweet Valentine's Day tribute with a selection of photographs of the couple. The son of David and Victoria Beckham, 17, included one snap from when they visited the Louvre Museum in Paris together. Cute: Romeo Beckham paid tribute to his girlfriend Mia Regan on Friday, as he shared a sweet Valentine's Day tribute with a selection of photographs of the couple In another image, Romeo flashed the peace sign as he and Mimi - whose real name is Mia Regan - posed for a playful mirror selfie together. Romeo was sporting a red House of Drew hoodie with a yellow smiley face on the front, teamed with faded baggy jeans. The third and final image from his album of snaps showed the couple enjoying a dinner date together as they both smiled for the camera. Playful: In another image, Romeo flashed the peace sign as he and Mimi - whose real name is Mia Regan - posed for a playful mirror selfie together All of the snaps are likely to have been from their recent trip to the French capital. Their getaway came after Romeo showed how special Mia is to him by sharing a very public Instagram post about her in November. The star wished Storm model Mia a happy birthday and shared two lovely photos of her, calling her 'Mooch' as an affectionate nickname. Mia and Romeo sparked romance rumours last year when the model joined him at a private family dinner in celebration of his mother Victoria Beckham's fashion show. She also shared a picture of Romeo on her Instagram on his birthday on September 1, writing: 'Haps smiley bday Romo' alongside a heart emoji. Several of her pals commented, writing things like: 'you guys are the cutest!!' and 'u2 are so [heart].' Mia is followed on Instagram by both Cruz, 14, and Romeo and it's not known how long they have known one another. File photo: Guo Jing teaches a woman embroidery. [Women's Federation of Gansu Province] "On the second day of the Lunar New Year, we began to produce facial masks. Now, more than 100 people are working overtime to produce 30,000 masks every day. These masks will be handed over to the government for unified deployment," said Guo Jing, a craftsperson of hand knitting who has led local women to escape poverty. Guo is in charge of a workshop of poverty alleviation for women in Kangle County, Longyuan City, Northwest China's Gansu Province. She is also one of the winners of provincial March 8th Red-banner Holder title, which is given to outstanding women every year by the Women's Federation of Gansu Province. Since the epidemic outbreak, Guo has been working at the workshop without any rest. "I am a Party member and the person in charge of the workshop so that I should stand out to take my responsibility," she said. Her two workshops have manufactured 130,000 masks so far, which will be provided to the epidemic-stricken areas in Kangle to relieve the urgent need for masks. Not only in Guo's workshops, but also in many areas of the province, such as Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture and Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, women's federations have organized local handy women to manufacture masks. Knowing that the Tibetan Hospital in Xiahe County is short of staff to make epidemic prevention medical packages, the Women's Federation of Xiahe County mobilized local handy women and women residents to produce the medical packages and relieve the shortage. "As a Party member and a team leader of the handy women, I should make my contribution to the fight against the epidemic," said Guo Xiaoxia, a resident from Xiahe County. (Source: China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China) Researchers at Texas Heart Institute (THI) and UCLA crossed a significant milestone in the development of wirelessly powered, leadless pacemakers. In an article in the Nature Research journal Scientific Reports, the team used their innovative pacing system to reveal the ability to provide synchronized biventricular pacing to a human-sized heart in a preclinical research model. Led by Dr. Mehdi Razavi, Director of Electrophysiology Clinical Research & Innovations at THI and Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and Prof. Aydin Babakhani, Director of UCLA Integrated Sensors Laboratory, the research explores technology that could give doctors an entirely new therapeutic option for treating patients with arrhythmias and other cardiovascular comorbidities or conditions such as heart failure. Approximately 30% of patients with chronic heart failure also have electrical conduction problems in their heart that require a type of therapy to resynchronize the heart's conduction system in its two largest chambers. In these cases, doctors prescribe cardiac resynchronization therapy or CRT. CRT is delivered by long wires, called leads, that are attached to pacemakers to pace both of the bottom chambers of the heart. When a patient needs both chambers of the heart synchronized, called biventricular pacing, a traditional pacemaker with leads is currently the only commercially available option. Unfortunately, these leads are prone to fracturing, dislodging, and migrating away from the original location. Although patients do see improvements with CRT, usually within 6 months, roughly a third of patients do not respond well to the therapy, and non-responder rates can be as high as 43%. By allowing simultaneous pacing from multiple sites in the heart, THI and UCLA's new leadless, wirelessly powered pacemaker system aims to reduce the complications associated with the traditional pacemakers in use today and opens the door for safer and more effective biventricular pacing options. Previous research by the team proved the system's ability to wirelessly power a single site in the hearts of small, medium, and large open-chest research models. In the new study, the tiny pacemakers--only a fraction of the size of a quarter --were shown to work in a closed-chest porcine model via wireless powered transfer to custom-designed low power integrated circuits on the heart. The pacemaker's potential clinical benefit, verified through measurements of electrical activity with an EKG and blood flow in the heart during the testing, was impressive. Specifically, the biventricular pacing strategy improved important clinical outcomes measures when compared to single-chamber pacing. Overall, the results advance the possibility of using wirelessly powered, multisite pacing to address cardiac resynchronization challenges. The team is currently working on further miniaturizing the wirelessly powered pacemaker to make it implantable at one or more desired pacing sites on the heart in a minimally invasive manner. This will eliminate the need for intravascular leads and, most importantly, allow for synchronized and leadless pacing across multiple chambers of the heart, which offers the ability to provide patient-specific CRT. A significant challenge of this new technology is maintaining the efficiency of wireless power transfer as the device becomes very small and the antenna becomes less efficient. The team addressed this issue by significantly lowering the power consumption of the electronics used in the pacemaker, integrating all the elements on a single chip, and designing antennas that resonate strongly with the input circuitry of the pacing chips, according to Prof. Babakhani, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at UCLA Samueli School of Engineering. Babakhani's laboratory, funded by UCLA, has pushed the limits of miniaturization so that an entire pacemaker can fit inside a vein. The miniaturized pacemaker eliminates the need for bulky onboard batteries as it receives energy and commands wirelessly through electromagnetic waves from an external controller. The pacing device is based on silicon-based integrated microchips that were built in Prof. Babakhani's laboratory at UCLA. Postdoctoral scholar Hongming Lyu and Ph.D. students, Hamed Rahmani and Yuxiang Sun of Prof. Babakhani's laboratory at UCLA designed the earlier version of the device. "Miniaturized implantable medical devices are already on the market today. They are used in neural implants, in microchips that can be wirelessly programmed to deliver doses of osteoporosis drugs, and in disposable video capsules that can be swallowed to wirelessly transmit images of the GI tract while traveling through the body. So why not miniaturize the pacemaker?" stated Dr. Razavi. The team's ultimate goal is to build a pacing system that can diagnose the pacing needs of the heart in real-time, provide critical feedback to the care team if needed, and deliver tailored treatments. Thus, the pacemaker will eventually be able to harness the power of artificial intelligence (A.I.) by learning from the data it generates to identify patterns and make adjustments. This A.I. capability could ensure constant, optimal patient-specific therapy according to THI research engineers, Dr. Allison Post and Mathews John. THI and UCLA are already collaborating with Rice University on the algorithms to accomplish this goal. Although this was not part of the research published in the Scientific Reports article, the Rice research team participated in the study discussions. "We are creating a smart pacemaker that will constantly read the heart's electrical needs and self-correct or continuously adjust and recalibrate to deliver a personalized pacing treatment in real-time, for each individual," added Dr. Razavi. Dr. Abdi Rasekh, an electrophysiologist, and cardiologist with the THI Electrophysiology Clinical Research & Innovations team said the continued investment in robust research infrastructure has allowed the team to form productive collaborations and attract talented engineers, and cardiologists. "We have a highly supportive environment for developing innovative cardiac arrhythmia management solutions that could significantly improve quality of life, "added Dr. Rasekh. ### This work was conducted by the collaborative team of researchers led by Mehdi Razavi, MD, and Aydin Babakhani, Ph.D., that includes Hongming Lyu, Mathews John, David Burkland, and Brian Greet. Lyu, John, Burkland, Greet, Babakhani, and Razavi conceived the project. Lyu and Babakhani designed the pacemaker device and contributed to the design of the external controller that processes the signals. Lyu, John, Burkland, Greet, and Post conducted the preclinical experiments. Lyu, John, Burkland, and Greet, analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. Rice Univesity's Dr. Behnaam Aazhang and Dr. J. Cavallaro are acknowledged for their assistance with the study discussions. Lyu, H., John, M., Burkland, D. et al. Synchronized Biventricular Heart Pacing in a Closed-chest Porcine Model based on Wirelessly Powered Leadless Pacemakers. Sci Rep 10, 2067 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59017-z The Town Center development in Lookout Mountain, Ga. is moving forward with the release date of the Request for Proposal planned for Monday. Copies of the document will be available at the temporary offices of town hall in the Methodist Church. Design Guidelines have been passed by the planning committee with the recommendation to the council for approval. Mayor David Bennett said the town is still in the process of applying for a USDA loan and no work can be started until final approval of the loan. The mayor said it is possible for demolition to start sometime in mid-April. Decisions are made every six years of how the Special Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax will be distributed. This year, the four towns in Walker County will divide the first 20 percent of the revenue from the tax. That money will be allocated toward downtown development for each of the towns. Lookout Mountain, Ga. will get $1.76 million over a six-year period that will be used for development of the Town Center. The remaining 80 percent of the SPLOST will be divided with the county receiving 75 percent and 25 percent will go to the four towns, based on population. Lookout Mountain, Ga. will receive 2.48 percent of that designated for the towns. That will bring in around $860,000 over the same six-year period. The money will be used for other capital outlay projects, such as a fire engine, police cars or for the sewer pump station improvements. Mayor Bennett expressed appreciation to Commissioner Shannon Whitfield and the mayors of the other four towns for their spirit of cooperation. Community volunteer Jimmy Campbell, who is heading development of the towns new comprehensive plan, told the council that in a couple of weeks a series of public hearings will be scheduled. Discussion of plans for the new system of trails that eventually will connect the town will be included in these meetings. Statistics from the fire and police department for the month of January reflect the effort to stop the rash of car break-ins that are occurring in Lookout Mountain, Ga. and in municipalities all around the Chattanooga area, said Chief Todd Gann. There were 11 thefts in January, all from unlocked cars. During the month, Lookout Mountain, Ga. officers patrolled 4,960 miles including over 100 miles every night. The department has had assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia State Patrol and Walker County Sheriffs Department, all of which are also patrolling the mountain. There were 41 traffic stops, 20 suspicious vehicles, four suspicious persons investigated, 18 citations and 25 traffic warnings given and one auto accident. During the month there were nine burglar alarms checked, four fire calls and nine medical calls. Assistance was provided to 11 citizens, to six motorists and to the Lookout Mountain, Tn. police 12 times. Chief Gann thanked the council for new equipment for the police department including thermal imaging cameras that use heat to detect things such as people in the dark and fires that could be inside walls. New tasers have also been purchased for the officers. The best thing that a resident can do is to call 911, said the chief, if they see anything that looks suspicious. And please remove all valuables from parked cars and lock them, he said. The thieves look for vehicles that are unlocked and if locked, they move on, he said. If available, he asks also for residents to leave on security lights. Winter break at Fairyland Elementary School is Monday and Tuesday. There are two upcoming events at the school. A community art show show will be held on March 3 and the Missoula Childrens Theaters annual visit to the school will be the week of March 9-14. From Monday through Friday, the theatrical group will guide the children to create sets and cast actors who will learn their lines during that time. There will be performances of the play they produce during that week on Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14. The sewer board has been operating in the black with very little trouble in recent months, said Wes Hasden who heads up the board. He said a grant application is being worked on, for assistance in building a new pumping station. City Manager Brad Haven said he had received multiple calls from residents to inform about stopped up drains caused by debris washing into them due to the recent heavy rain. The public works employees have been working to clear them, he said. A privilege license was approved for Francesca and Lucy Rearinger, who will operate an internet boutique business from their house. Town Attorney Bill Pickering told them the towns ordinances would not allow any signs or customers coming and going and no inventory can be stored at the location. She has also sought quashing of the February 5, 2020 order detaining Omar Abdullah under the PSA. New Delhi: The Supreme Court Friday (February 14) will hear a plea by Sara Abdullah Pilot, challenging the detention of her brother and former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah under the Public Safety Act. Saras plea challenging the continued detention of Omar Abdullah is listed before a bench comprising Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Indira Banerjee. The matter has come before the bench of Justice Mishra and Justice Banerjee as Justice Mohan M. Shantanahoudar who was part of the bench comprising Justice N. V. Ramana and Justice Sanjiv Khanna recused himself from participating in the matter Wednesday (February 12). Omar Abdullah; his father and former J&K chief minister Farooq Abdullah; former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and other senior Kashmiri leaders are under detention since August 4-5, 2019, in the wake of the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state. Sara has contended that there could not be any material for further detaining a person, who is already under detention for the last six months. She has also sought quashing of the February 5, 2020 order detaining Omar Abdullah under the PSA. Describing the detention as illegal, Sara in her petition has said, The grounds for the detention order are wholly lacking any material facts or particulars which are imperative for an order of detention. Recounting the public service rendered by Omar Abdullah both in the J&K as chief minister and as a central minister, the petition said, It is rare that those who have served the nation as members of Parliaments, CMs of state, ministers in the Union and have also stood by the national aspirations of India are now perceived as a threat to the state. It is therefore of the utmost importance and of the utmost urgency that this court protects not only the individuals right to life and liberty but also protects the essence of Article 21 which is the cornerstone of part 3 of the Constitution, it stated. Latin America's war on corruption is something to celebrate. In the last few years, 11 presidents have either been driven from office or forced to answer in courts of law for crooked dealings. In a virtuous feedback loop, citizen outrage over official transgressors has emboldened the call for integrity in government. For a region that has winked at scoundrels, this is remarkable. So, too, is the shift in the public conversation, which suddenly is all about transparency, due diligence, open government and corporate accountability. Yet that progress has also brought something of a whiplash. Brazilian lawmakers on February 5 reinstated a shady colleague whose mandate had been suspended last year by the Supreme Court. Peru's ethically challenged Congress defied President Martin Vizcarra by stonewalling his anti-corruption reforms and then attempted to stack the Constitutional Tribunal with friendly judges. Vizcarra responded by dissolving congress. Colombians twice came up short on anti-corruption reform, first in a landmark 2018 referendum that failed to garner enough votes, and again last September when congress voted down the same measures. Transparency International has found that despite the civic revolt for clean government, most Latin Americans believe that corruption remains unabated. The pushback is most blatant in Central America, where a barnacled elite in politics and business has defied investigators and courts. Guatemala's government shut down its pioneering independent team of investigators, the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), last September. Three months later, Honduras declined to renew the mandate for the analogous Mission to Support the Fight Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH). The collapse of both missions raises tough questions for champions of clean government: How to pursue criminal networks in societies where public sentiment is willing but institutions are weak? And what happens when those least interested in the letter of the law sit in the highest offices? Both concerns had earlier driven Honduras and Guatemala to launch their signature anti-impunity initiatives, albeit a decade apart. CICIG dates to 2006, when the Guatemalan government tasked the United Nations to create an independent commission to take down criminal gangs and shadow security groups implicated in human rights violations during the drawn-out civil war. As peace and democracy evolved, the panel shifted its focus to corrupt networks operating within the state. Its findings led to the purge of hundreds of crooked cops and the conviction of scores of high-profile officials. The commission worked closely with the chronically underfunded Guatemalan prosecutors to expose a customs fraud network and bring down the vice president and eventually President Otto Perez Molina. Inspired by Guatemala's investigators, Honduras announced its own investigative panel in 2016 to tackle political corruption. Although MACCIH operated with less clout and autonomy than CICIG, and under the auspices of the more congenial Organization of American States, its investigators went on to expose entrenched corruption schemes, including an embezzlement ring at the heart of the Honduran congress - although lawmakers maneuvered to smother the scandal by taking over the investigation. Investigators in Honduras and Guatemala hit a wall when their corruption probes reached the presidential palaces. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales escalated his war with CICIG after the panel helped national prosecutors bring charges of fraud against Morales's brother and son, and later accused Morales himself of illegal campaign financing. The backlash in Honduras came shortly after President Juan Orlando Hernandez saw dozens of his associates and cabinet officials fall under the scrutiny of MACCIH, and his own brother accused (and later convicted) in the U.S. for being a "large-scale drug trafficker." Speculation is rife over why, despite massive popular support, the maverick crime-busters came up short. One theory, popular in high office, is that the impunity sleuths succumbed to and even welcomed mission creep. In their defense, CICIG's investigators noted that the civil war thugs it originally targeted had reinvented themselves in peacetime as political grifters, shielded by sitting authorities. Another complaint had it that prosecutors overreached, essentially becoming avengers. While Guatemala's imported prosecutors were not empowered to prosecute cases or make arrests, they enjoyed operational independence and tremendous discretion to launch investigations and collect evidence. Their accountability to international donors and sponsors - CICIG to the United Nations and MACCIH to the Organization of American States - rather than national authority gave offended parties an excuse to invoke that old Latin American chestnut, the threat to national sovereignty. Like many lousy explanations, each of these arguments also has some truth to it. CICIG arguably made unnecessary enemies by overplaying its hand. It also may have failed at political branding by neglecting to convert popular applause into strategic alliances to continue its mission. Justice by parachute is risky business - as risky as it is necessary in countries where the rule of law is the law of those who rule. Now that Honduras and Guatemala have cashiered their imported sheriffs, the legacy of these unfinished anti-impunity missions is unclear. One hopeful development is that the rot at the top appears to have strengthened resolve down below. "The public is now fully aware of the mechanisms of illegal campaign finance, corruption involving nongovernment actors, and how contracts can be thrown and subverted," said American University professor Charles Call, who has studied CICIG's rise and fall. Despite their ignominious dismissal, CICIG and MACCIH left a wider footprint, inspiring El Salavadoran President Nayib Bukele and Ecuador's Lenin Moreno to create their own similar panels. Less encouragingly, crooked operators may now feel emboldened. After the Constitutional Court disqualified the candidacy of the graft-busting former attorney general Thelma Adana, Guatemala's presidential runoff last year came down to a contest between two candidates clouded by corruption scandals. "It shows how difficult it is to create the rule of law, in places penetrated by illicit networks and deep corruption in the state," Call added. "There's real concern that ongoing cases will be rolled back and that a backlash will follow. It could be a heyday for corruption in the next couple of years." Perhaps it's no coincidence that as perceptions of corruption have risen, faith in Latin American democracy has waned. That backsliding is bad for more than just the two troubled Central American nations. While Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has spun fighting corruption into a policy headline, he also has downgraded oversight, overlooked graft in high office and attacked the media. Nor did Bukele do his bold, anti-graft reform agenda any favors by dispatching the armed forces into the chambers of El Salvador's contrarian congress. Menacing democracy is no way to root out bad actors at the top. It's hardly news that criminal violence and blighted economies drain wealth and stunt opportunities at home. Corruption's toll may be less obvious, yet it too fuels the exodus by stunting development, bilking public coffers and forcing people to deal with crooked cops, impartial justice or bureaucrats on the take. Central America forfeits up to $13 billion a year to graft and tax evasion. Not long ago, Washington understood the connection, and committed funds, advisers and diplomatic backing to Central America. "You need to build institutions to fortify governments, including a strong judiciary to go after corruption," said Giancarlo Morelli, who watches Central America for the Economist Intelligence Unit. "The key ally in this effort has always been the international community, especially the United States - until now." Under Trump, the U.S.'s southern gaze has drifted from building institutions to raising walls and concertina wire. That shift has not been lost on Honduras and Guatemala, whose governments won Washington's blessings for endorsing a harder line on migration and drugs, even as they sabotaged the international graft-busters. (It didn't hurt that Guatemala became the first nation to follow Trump in switching its Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.) All that good will to gringos won't curb the bandits in power anymore than it will deter those heading north to seek haven from their criminal web. In this way, the collapse of the integrity agenda in Central America is also a U.S. scourge in the making. - - - This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners. Mac Margolis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Latin and South America. He was a reporter for Newsweek and is the author of "The Last New World: The Conquest of the Amazon Frontier." A 13-year-old boy is in a critical condition after he was struck by a car in Sydneys northwest. The child was hit by the vehicle shortly before 7.30am as he walked along Burdekin Road in Quakers Hill. He was struck outside a private residence in the road, NSW Police told Yahoo News Australia. Police attend the scene of the incident. Source: Nine News The boy sustained critical head injuries and is en route by helicopter to Westmead Childrens Hospital. The female driver has been taken to hospital for mandatory drug and alcohol testing. More to come. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. A Central Regional School District math teacher was arrested Thursday for performing an indecent act in the presence of a minor student on school property, according to a release from the Ocean County Prosecutors Office. Joshua Eckersley, 33, of Berkeley Township was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and lewdness, the office said. The act happened on Jan. 12 and an investigation was launched after the student told authorities about it, prosecutors said. No other details about the alleged incident were released Thursday evening. Eckersley, a middle school teacher, surrendered to police in the presence of his attorney Thursday afternoon and he was processed and released pending a future court date, the office said. Id like to commend the Central Regional Board of Education and Dr. Triantafillos Parlapanides, superintendent, for their patience and cooperation in our criminal investigation of Mr. Eckersley, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a statement. Parlapanides said Eckersley has not and will not be on school property until the matter is concluded, in a letter sent to parents and posted on the districts web site Friday morning. Central Regional is located in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township and serves students from the town, Island Heights, Ocean Gate, Seaside Heights and Seaside Park. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon 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. Charles 'Chuckie' O'Brien, a longtime associate of Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa who became a leading suspect in the labor leader's disappearance and later was portrayed in the Martin Scorsese film, The Irishman, has died. O'Brien's stepson, Harvard Law School professor Jack Goldsmith, said in a blog post that O'Brien died Thursday in Boca Raton, Florida, from what appeared to be a heart attack. He was 86. O'Brien was a constant companion to Hoffa in the decades when the labor leader developed the Teamsters into one of the largest and most powerful unions in the nation in the from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. Following Hoffa's still-unsolved disappearance on July 30, 1975, O'Brien became a leading suspect when the government publicly accused him of picking up Hoffa and driving him to his death. Charles 'Chuckie' O'Brien died at the age of 86 on Thursday. He is pictured, right, in a photograph shared by his son. O'Brien described himself as a foster son to Jimmy Hoffa, seen left, in 1958 and was considered a suspect in his 1975 disappearance Jimmy Hoffa, left is pictured leaving the courthouse during his trial for jury-tampering in 1964. Charles 'Chuckie' O'Brien is seen not far behind, pictured right Charles 'Chuckie' O'Brien played by Jesse Plemons, right, and Al Pacino, who plays Hoffa, left in Martin Scorseses The Irishman Goldsmith called the accusation untrue. 'But practically everyone believed it,' he said. Writing in his blog on Thursday, Goldsmith states O'Brien knew the leading suspects well from his long association with Hoffa. After his disappearance, O'Brien 'became tragically ensnared between the government's public accusations and pressure and the mob's very different types of private pressure.' FBI agents questioned O'Brien about the death at least a dozen times. The accusation was repeated in 'story after story and book after book, most recently, in the movie The Irishman Goldsmith wrote. In a 2006 interview, O'Brien denied having anything to do with Hoffa's disappearance and said he didn't think the mystery of his death would ever be solved. O'Brien died Thursday in Boca Raton, Florida from what appeared to be a heart attack. He is pictured here in 1975 It was known that Hoffa intended to testify before the special U.S. Senate investigative panel, known as the Church Committee, about Mafia involvement in U.S.-backed plots to assassinate Cuban President Fidel Castro, O'Brien told the AP. OBrien said he viewed Hoffa as a father figure. He was a child when Hoffa took him in, along with his mother. 'Its very frustrating. I have so much inside, my love for him and his family,' OBrien said. Hoffa was Teamsters president from 1957 to 1971. The FBI has said his disappearance was probably connected to his attempts to regain power in the union. O'Brien was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1933. As a young child, he moved to Detroit with his mother after his father abandoned the family, and O'Brien's mother became friends with the Hoffa family. When Hoffa became president of the union, O'Brien became his special assistant at age 23, according to Goldsmith. Charles 'Chuckie' O'Brien called himself Jimmy Hoffa's foster son but for decades was thought by investigators to have been complicit in Hoffa's disappearance Martin Scorseses Netflix smash-hit, The Irishman, is the latest film to offer a fictionalized version of Hoffas story (pictured: Al Pacino playing the role of Hoffa) 'They were so close, and Hoffa treated Chuckie with such affection, that many people thought Hoffa was his biological father,' Goldsmith said. In the 2019 Scorsese film, O'Brien was portrayed by actor Jesse Plemons. O'Brien is survived by his wife, Brenda, a daughter and four sons and stepsons. It's nearly 45 since Hoffa disappeared without a trace. The infamous union leader, who dabbled in organized crime, was last seen eating at a restaurant in suburban Detroit, on July 30, 1975, where hes believed to have met a group of Mafiosos in an effort to secure their support for his re-election to Teamsters president. A handful of witnesses reported seeing the 62-year-old pacing up and down in the restaurants parking lot alone at 3pm. Shortly after that he vanished, never to be seen again. The baffling case would go on to become one of America's most enduring mysteries. Hoffa was last seen alive on July 30, 1975, eating at a restaurant in suburban Detroit where hes believed to have met a group of Mafiosos whom hed known for decades, in an effort to secure their support for his bid to return as the Teamsters president On that fateful July day, Hoffa left his home in his green Pontiac Grand Ville (above) and drove to the Machus Red Fox restaurant in Bloomfield Township. After he left, he disappeared 'It is an uncomfortable situation for a woman.' 'She has been on her own, separated from family.' 'That is the point of isolating her -- breaking her to a point where she bends to their will.' IMAGE: Then Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti addresses the Police Commemoration Day function at the Armed Police Complex, Zewan on the outskirts of Srinagar, October 21, 2016. Photograph: S Irfan/PTI Photo Iltija Mufti, detained former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti's eldest daughter, last saw her mother 25 days ago. Iltija says she returned from Srinagar to Delhi because she had a feeling that the government would not release her mother and the detention would drag on. In the last six months whenever she goes to visit, she has to inform the security an hour beforehand. She spends a couple of hours with her mother alone in a small, approximate 10x10 feet room, Iltija says. Mufti has been held in a house designated as a sub-jail since the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir on August 5. Last week, at the end of six months, the J&K administration extended Mufti's detention under the Public Safety Act, a law under which a person can be held for up to six months without trial and can be extended further. Former chief ministers Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah are detained under the same Act. "She can't go beyond the gate of the house. The rest of the rooms have security guards. It is an uncomfortable situation for a woman," says Iltija. "She has been on her own, separated from family. It is not the best place to be in, but that is the point of isolating her -- breaking her to a point where she bends to their will," Iltija tells Archana Masih/Rediff.com over the phone from Delhi, where she has spent most of the last six months so that she can speak to the media, write op-eds and tweet. "I know it is going to be a long drawn out battle for us. We have to fight." It is very hard to express oneself freely in Kashmir, she says. "Kashmir is pretty much an open air prison where abnormal is the new normal. For an average Kashmiri there is an atmosphere of repression and fear." Only the immediate family can meet Mehbooba Mufti which includes her two daughters, siblings and mother. No one else is allowed to meet her, says Iltija. Mufti has been spending her time reading books by Amitava Ghosh, Karen Armstrong -- she reads the Quran and prays. Mufti was provided a television in September after Iltija put in a request. "As a public figure it is very important for us to make sure she is not cut off from the rest of the world. She does not get newspapers," she says. "She is doing fine physically, but I feel it is time she stepped out. It's time she comes back to her family." Mufti was earlier detained in a government guest house and was subsequently moved to a house in November after Iltija requested the authorities to shift her to an accommodation more suitable for Kashmir's harsh winter. "Her health is okay, but solitary confinement is more about the emotional than the physical. The point is to isolate the person and impair their sense of decision making." At the end of the six-month period of detention, the family had expected Mufti to be released. "I thought at least they will send her home and have her under house arrest, but we did not imagine they would slap the draconian PSA law," says Iltija. "This is illegal. These are just ways of extending her detention," says Iltija, who adds that she had remained a very private person through her mother's chief ministership and has been thrown into the deep end to speak to the media after her mother's detention. IMAGE: Iltija Mufti IMAGE: Iltija Mufti "I have had no experience with how to deal with the media, how to articulate myself in this way on this level -- nationally and internationally -- but I feel there are very few voices coming out of the valley and I have no choice but to speak up," she says. Speaking about some of the points she finds most objectionable in the dossier that was leaked to the media and widely criticised for many of its frivolous accusations, she says: "I just got to see her dossier a couple of days ago. The dossier (which forms the basis of the PSA) is a personal vendetta than a factual legal document. It is sexist, misogynistic and preposterous. It even talks about my mother's failed marriage as if that could be a ground for invoking PSA." "She has been accused for her tweets -- as an Indian politician she is allowed to express herself. Her tweets have never instigated violence unlike BJP minister Anurag Thakur whose provocative statements actually led to violence." The dossier accuses Mehbooba Mufti of working with separatists and making anti-national statements. IMAGE: Mehbooba Mufti, then Kashmir's chief minister, heading a PDP-BJP alliance government, with Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi. Photograph: PTI Photo Another point in the dossier mentions Mehbooba Mufti as 'Daddy's Girl', in reference to her late father and former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who headed a coalition government with the BJP in 2014. "The irony is that had she not been her father's daughter, the BJP would not have come into an alliance with the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) for a second time. My mother essentially honoured her father's commitment to the BJP." The BJP subsequently withdrew support to the PDP government in 2018. "When my mother is in alliance with them, she is called 'nari shakti' -- at that time also her stand on 370 hadn't changed, abrogating was not in their agenda for the alliance. And then when you want to smear her, you invoke historical figures like Kota Rani, a queen who was not much admired by the people." The family is waiting to see how the Supreme Court responds to the habeas corpus petition filed by Omar Abdullah's sister Sara Pilot challenging his detention under the PSA. "I have lost hope in the government. They are clearly like a bull in a China shop. There is no legal or moral constraint for them," says Iltija. "I am placing all my faith and hope in the courts to do justice to their oath and the Constitution." "If they dither, then I don't know what we are going to do. Many habeas corpus petitions have been filed." "We are not a banana republic that you can detain people according to your whims and fancies. It's time for my mother and every other detainee to come home." A 25-member delegation of European diplomats invited by the government spent two days in Kashmir on February 12-13. To see the ground situation they took a shikara ride on Dal Lake, met business folk and visited the Indian Army's Chinar HQ in Kashmir. "In North Korea, there is a village known as the Peace village used by the government for propaganda. Kashmir has unfortunately become India's propaganda village," says Iltija. "It's as if these delegations are being taken to a zoo. In a zoo -- some animals are domesticated and you can interact with them and pet them, while most animals are behind a cage." "It is being used to convey a sense of normalcy which doesn't exist. Kashmir is not a zoo -- that when the government wishes it brings selected diplomats for a curated, sanitised, picnic." A week before United States President Donald Trump's visit to India, she feels the restrictions and detentions in Kashmir will remain unchanged. "People who have been released have been detained in their homes. You have moved them from one prison to another. I personally know people who were released last week and were briefed by the police that even if a picture comes on television/ or in the newspapers we will detain you again," she says. "They have used the might of the Indian State to enforce a clampdown and ensure there is sense of fear among people if they speak out. There is a fear of reprisals. Look at the way they are treating journalists." The Kashmir Press Club recently issued a statement that Kashmiri journalists had been subjected to physical attacks, threats and summons by security agencies to intimidate them. Six months after Jammu and Kashmir's special status was revoked and the province stripped of statehood, a blanket of gloom shrouds the valley, she says. The future of all mainstream parties in Kashmir is very bleak, feels Iltija who wants to work with Kashmiri women someday. "In the Mahabharat," she says, "the chakravyuh was the military strategy -- a maze -- to trap the opponent. The BJP made a chakravyuh and don't know how to get out of it." I want to thank the Democrats of the south for one thing, De Priest said at the NAACP meeting. They were so barbaric they drove my parents to the north. If it hadnt been for that I wouldnt be in congress today. Ive been Jim Crowed, segregated, persecuted, and I think I know how best the Negro can put a stop to being imposed on: it is through the ballot, through organization, through fighting eternally for his rights. More than 60 students of a college in Gujarats Bhuj were allegedly forced to remove their undergarments to prove they were not menstruating, reports said on Friday. One of 68 students of Shree Sahajanand Girls Institute (SSGI) in Bhuj said, while speaking to Ahmedabad Mirror, they were forced to leave their classrooms and queue up outside on Thursday. This came after the hostel head complained to the principal that some of them were violating religious norms during their menstruation. Watch | Bhuj college students made to remove underwear, prove they werent on periods The principal abused and insulted us, asking which of us were having our periods. Two of us who were menstruating stepped aside, she said. Despite this, we were all taken to the washroom. There, female teachers asked us to individually remove our undergarments so they could check if we were menstruating, she said. The dean of Shree Sahajanand Girls Institute said the girls were not forced to take off their undergarments. The matter is related to the hostel. It has nothing to do with the university or college. Everything happened with girls permission, nobody was forced for it. Nobody touched them, Darshana Dholakia said, according to news agency ANI. Still, an inquiry team has been formed to look into the matter, Dholakia said. The college comes under Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma Kutch University and is run by the followers of Swaminarayan Mandir. According to the rules of the sect, menstruating women are not allowed to enter the temple and kitchen premises. Hostel inmates of the college are not even allowed to mix with each other. The principal, hostel rector and the trustees harass us regularly over the issue of menstruation, another student said while speaking to Ahmedabad Mirror. One of them said the executive council member of the university, Pravin Pindoria, told the students they were free to take legal action but that they will have to vacate the hostel. She also alleged Pindoria forced them to sign a letter saying no such incident occurred in the college. As the institute has a temple on campus, the girls have been instructed to follow the sects rules. However, what happened to the students is unfair. Action will be taken, college trustee PH Hirani said while speaking to Ahmedabad Mirror. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The G4 nations of Brazil, Germany, Japan and India said that the format of the United Nations Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) has long outlived its sell-by date. In a joint statement, the G4 nations emphasised that the mandate of the IGN is to achieve reform, not to endlessly debate it. As the adage goes, If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old, said Indian Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin on behalf of G4 nations. Akbaruddin, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, said that the format of the IGN should replicate processes that are followed in other mechanisms of the General Assembly, with considerable success. The Ambassador added that the IGN must be transparent and traceable to enhance the possibility of building on successive discussions and avoiding mere repetition of statements. 'Webcast of proceedings' The G4 nations supported the idea of the webcast of proceedings which can usher in transparency and accountability. They also welcomed the suggestion for maintaining the records of proceedings as a useful way of following the nuances of positions taken. Many have indicated that it is time to adopt General Assembly rules of procedure to overcome differences. We acknowledge that it is time to examine this, said Akbaruddin at the informal meeting of the General Assembly on the IGN on Security Council Reform. Read: S. Jaishankar Meets Leaders At G4 Meeting, Calls It 'very Purposeful' According to the G4 nations, the vast majority of member states are in favour of expansion in both permanent and nonpermanent categories of membership of the Security Council. Therefore, any new iteration of the 7 June 2019 paper must explicitly include the Common African Position, in a succinct manner, that is acceptable to Africa, said Akbaruddin. Read: India's Flag Flying High At UN: Syed Akbaruddin Elated As 'our Many Friends' Thwart Pak The Indian Ambassador asserted that the first iteration of the single, inclusive and holistic document should be produced ahead of the next meeting in this cycle of the IGN, to allow maximum time for discussions to refine it. Every subsequent meeting that we have this year should be structured around discussing revised iterations of the document, he added. Read: Unique Among 193 Nations' Missions, Syed Akbaruddin Shares India's 'Buland Darwaza' At UN Read: Syed Akbaruddin Mocks Pakistan PM Imran Khan For Posting Fake News Video The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Friday paid tributes to their personnel who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack on this day, last year when their convoy was targeted by a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). Umesh Gopinath Jadhav from Maharashtra was the special guest at the wreath-laying ceremony at CRPF campus here to mark a year of the attack. Jadhav took a 61,000 km long journey across India to meet families of the 40 jawans who lost their lives in the attack. Jadhav met the families of the Pulwama martyrs and said that he collected the soil from their houses. "I am proud that I met all the families of Pulwama martyrs, and sought their blessings. Parents have lost their sons, wives lost their husbands, children lost their fathers, friends lost their friends. I collected soil from their houses and their cremation grounds," Jadhav said. Later, the soil collected by Jadhav was placed at the memorial at CRPF's Lethpora camp. It was around 3:00 pm on this day last year, when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist rammed a vehicle carrying explosives into the Central Reserve Police Force (CPRF) convoy on Srinagar-Jammu highway. Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy was targeted by the suicide bomber of Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pulwama district. Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after the convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2,500 CRPF personnel were traveling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack. Days after the attack, the Indian Air Force on February 26 carried out multiple aerial strikes at JeM terror camps in Pakistan's Balakot, killing a "large number" of terrorists and destroying their infrastructure. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [The stream is slated to start at 10:00 a.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] World Health Organization officials are holding a press conference Friday to update the public on the coronavirus outbreak, which has killed more people than the 2003 SARS epidemic. As of Friday, more than 64,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported in over two dozen countries, resulting in least 1,380 deaths, almost all 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. Now, world health officials are scrambling to determine just how widespread the new coronavirus is. "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 on Thursday. "We do know, and we all accept, that there is transmission occurring at some level in communities. 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?" he said. The iceberg "might not be that great," Ryan added. Public health officials around the world have been actively testing suspected cases of the virus, and at the moment they are not discovering a huge amount of new cases, Ryan said. To see the latest updates on the coronavirus, visit CNBC's live updates here. An Australian farmer known as the onion oracle for his unique method of predicting rainfall was spot on with his forecast for the first two months of the year. Halwyn 'Hally' Herrmann, from Lowood in south-east Queensland, has been predicting rainfall using an onion on New Year's Eve for the past 62 years. Although he describes his annual forecast as a 'little bit of fun', the 80-year-old's rain predictions for the first two months of 2020 have been accurate. Halwyn 'Hally' Herrmann, from Lowood in south-east Queensland, has been predicting rainfall using an onion for the last 62 years on New Year's Eve 'The first two months are coming good...so far,' he said as he laughed on The Today Show. January was predicted to have light rain while February was supposed to see better rain, which Australians have seen over the past week. Hally's Predictions for Rain 2020 January - Light rain February - Better rain March - Good rain April - Good rain May - Some rain June - Fairly dry July - Fairly dry August - Some rain September - Good rain October - Some rain November- Better rain December - Good rain Advertisement 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. The last 62 years has seen an accuracy of 70-80 per cent for Mr Hermann's predictions. He accurately forecast the 2011 deluge which saw Queensland flooded, last year's extreme dry weather, and the first two months of 2020. Mr Herrmann has predicted rainfall for a third of 2020, with some rain expected in autumn, fairly dry winter and slightly wetter spring. 'I can't see any flood rain, but we are getting more than we did last year. March and April looks good for decent rain.' Mr Herrmann accurately forecast the 2011 deluge which saw Queensland flooded, last year's extreme dry weather, and the first two months of 2020 The grandfather was taught the German tradition from his neighbour over tea, beer and wine and he isn't looking to stop any time soon The grandfather learned the German tradition from his neighbour over tea, beer and wine and he isn't looking to stop any time soon. 'I'll do it until I die. Because I get enjoyment out of it.' At midnight on the last day of the year Mr Herrmann peels an onions and then cuts it in half length-wise. Six onion ring cups are then removed in order from the left, followed by six from the right - one for each month. Each ring is rubbed with a pinch of salt, and left until 4.30 the next morning when the measuring begins. Using the naked eye, Mr Herrmann measured the amount of water inside each ring, which predicts how much rain will fall that month. The more water left inside the shell, the more rain there will be that month, Mr Herrmann said. To keep the tradition alive, Mr Herrmann is teaching his 19-year-old grandson Luke the technique. Animal rights group Peta staged an anti-leather protest at London Fashion Week by 'skinning alive' a model using special-effects makeup. The woman, wearing nothing but nude-coloured underwear - had fake 'skin' on her stomach ripped away by another demonstrator in central London. The model braved the freezing weather and clutched a sign reading: 'Leather is someone's skin, wear vegan.' Animal rights group Peta staged an anti-leather protest at London Fashion Week by 'skinning alive' a model using special-effects makeup The woman, wearing nothing but nude-coloured underwear - had fake 'skin' on her stomach ripped away by another demonstrator in central London The model braved the freezing weather and clutched a sign reading: 'Leather is someone's skin, wear vegan' In a statement, the activist group told how they aimed to 'call attention to the suffering animals endure in the leather industry' with 'the help of special-effects make-up'. The statement read: 'As highlighted in the demonstration, the leather industry subjects animals to horrific cruelty. 'The majority of leather is produced using the hides of cows farmed for their flesh and those used for dairy who are no longer producing enough milk to be profitable.' In a statement, the activist group told how they aimed to 'call attention to the suffering animals endure in the leather industry' with 'the help of special-effects make-up'. Media watched on as the demonstration took place A statement from Peta read: 'As highlighted in the demonstration, the leather industry subjects animals to horrific cruelty.' The woman braved the freezing weather to take part in the demonstration PETA Director Elisa Allen said: 'For leather jackets and shoes, sensitive cows are sentenced to nightmarish suffering and a miserable death. 'PETA is calling on designers and shoppers to do their part to save animals and the planet by choosing high-quality vegan leather, not animals' torn-off skin.' PETA - whose motto reads, in part, that 'animals are not ours to wear' - notes that more than a billion animals are killed for leather every year. They endure extreme crowding and deprivation as well as castration, branding, tail-docking, and dehorning, all without any painkillers. At abattoirs, their throats are cut and some are even skinned and dismembered while they're still conscious. Peta shared disturbing video of a cow being slaughtered for leather in Thailand. The group shared the clip to Twitter with the caption: 'THIS is what happens to cows for leather.' Viewers took to the comments to share their horror at the clip, which showed a cow being hit over the head and stabbed. Michele Haudebourg wrote: 'Lamentable, horrible. Stop this horror.' Yajnik added: 'Ban all slaughter houses [all] over the world forever! Let all animals live their full life.' PETA Director Elisa Allen said: 'For leather jackets and shoes, sensitive cows are sentenced to nightmarish suffering and a miserable death.' Pictured: Two police officers watched as the demonstration took place Peta shared disturbing video of a cow being slaughtered for leather in Thailand. Viewers took to the comments to share their horror at the clip Sara Cureton said: 'Poor animal. I cannot comprehend the cruelty of humans to animals... I just cant fathom it.' Last year, Helsinki Fashion Week banned leather from the catwalk, and designers focused instead on vegan leather fabrics such as microfibre, Ultrasuede, and recycled polyurethane as well as materials made from pineapple leaves, mushrooms, and wine grapes. In London Fashion Week 2018, topless PETA protesters staged a flash mob protest. With the slogan 'Wear Your Own Skin' painted across their bodies, the activists encouraged passers-by to shun fur, leather, shearling, and other animal-derived materials as they stood outside The Store Studios, London on Friday. The group of female PETA supporters braved the winter weather and bared their skin for a vegan protest on The Strand. Stylish women were seen donning face masks as they posed outside London Fashion Week in the city today, amid a time of global anxiety about the spread of the coronavirus The amount of attendees are expected to be down this year due to the coronavirus (a London Fashion Week attendee is seen wearing a black mask with arrows on the front) PETA Director Elisa Allen commented: 'Whether it's the fur of a frightened fox or angora rabbit or the skin of a gentle calf, it's not fabric and it's not ours for the taking.' At this year's fashion week, several people covered up with pastel and patterned masks as they queued to see catwalk shows at a time of global anxiety about the spread of the coronavirus. The event is set to be a subdued gathering, with the British Fashion Council ensuring Chinese buyers unable to attend can still join in by promoting content online. Designers have also faced problems in getting their collections ready for the shows after factories in China shut down meaning shipments have been delayed. A transgender man and his wife have welcomed their first child together after their mutual ex-boyfriend, who introduced them, became their sperm donor. Jayden Chapman, 33, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was still living as a woman when he first met his now-wife, Keeley, 28, through their friend, Jeremiah Vieth, whom they had both dated for a few months. Jayden, who knew he was trapped in the wrong body from an early age, was friends with Keeley for four-and-a-half years before he summoned up the courage to come out to her, and the pair became a couple. With her full support, he began hormone treatment to transition from female to male and they also discussed starting a family - exploring their options together and finding an $89 at-home insemination kit. Meanwhile, Jeremiah, who had been an usher at their May 2018 wedding, remained such a central figure in their lives that he was their natural choice of sperm donor - a role he was delighted to take. Incredibly, falling pregnant on their first attempt, stay-at-home mother Keeley delivered, Keeden a blend of his parents' names on October 6, 2019, a happy, healthy, 8lb 15oz boy. Jayden Chapman (right), 33, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and now-wife, Keeley (left), 28, first met through a mutual boyfriend The couple, who welcomed their first child together last year, were introduced to each other by the mutual ex-boyfriend Jeremiah Vieth (left) who they had both dated for a few months. He went on to become sperm donor On October 6, 2019, the couple welcomed a healthy, 8lb 15oz boy who they named Keeden (pictured) a blend of his parents' names Jayden said: 'I knew how I felt about Keeley from day one, so it was a dream come true when she told me she felt the same. 'She had always wanted children, so from early on in our relationship, she told me that she could see herself marrying me and having a family. 'When Keeden was first born, it was so overwhelming it all got very real, very fast. He's a happy, healthy, chubby little thing now, meeting all his milestones.' Meanwhile, Keeley was taken aback when she fell pregnant so easily. She said: 'We didn't want to get our hopes up, but the kit worked on the first try. 'If it hadn't, we'd have kept going, kept trying. To others out there trying to start a family, I would say this don't give up.' Jayden, who has never been happier than he feels now as a husband and father, says that, looking back, he never felt comfortable as a girl. He explained: 'I felt forced to be a girly girl, but whenever I was doing anything stereotypically male, like playing sport or wearing masculine clothes that's when I was at my happiest.' Keeping his feelings secret for years, he lived as a woman and even dated Jeremiah off and on, before they agreed they worked better as friends. Then, in October 2011, Jeremiah introduced Jayden to his then-girlfriend Keeley. Jayden (pictured left before he came out as transgender) had known he was trapped in the wrong body from an early age. He eventually told Keeley and with her full support began hormone treatment to transition from female to male After becoming a couple, Jayden and Keeley discussed the idea of raising a family of their own When the couple began discussing their future, Keeley had told Jayden that she had always wanted children. Pictured: Baby Keeden (left and right) Jayden recalled: 'Keeley and Jeremiah were dating at the time and he wanted to throw her a 20th birthday party, but asked if he could use my apartment, as there was more space. 'I said yes, but that I wanted to meet her first, so it wouldn't be awkward. We clicked right away, and have been inseparable ever since.' While their relationship was initially platonic, the bond between Jayden and Keeley was so strong that eventually, in August 2013, he told her he was transgender. Meanwhile, Keeley and Jeremiah had ended their romance, although they remained firm friends. Jayden continued: 'I hadn't told anybody until that point, but Keeley made me feel so comfortable and accepted that it felt like the right time to come out.' Ironically, Keeley admits that she did not even understand what being transgender meant back then. Baby Keeden (left with Jayden and right with Keeley) was delivered in a home birth on October 6 The couple are now enjoying their roles as parents to Keeden- who is now a bouncing four-month old She said: 'I didn't really know what it meant to be transgender until Jayden explained it to me. 'But I still felt determined to be there for him and support him every step of the way.' The following month, in September 2013, Jayden made an appointment at the University of Iowa's LGBTQ clinic, to discuss beginning his transition to male. Placed on a course of hormone treatment, given as daily testosterone shots, he also met with psychotherapists at every stage of his transition, to ensure he was feeling mentally strong enough to continue. Following a 'rough' firs trimester, Keeley said her pregnancy became 'much more enjoyable' and is thankful that Jeremiah was able to help them in having their baby boy (Keeden left and right) He has been approved for top surgery - the surgical removal of breast tissue - but wants to wait until Keeden is a little older, as the recovery time means he will be unable to help Keeley with everyday chores as much. Unwaveringly supportive, Keeley was there throughout and, in time, the pair realised they had developed deep romantic feelings for each other - becoming an official couple in March 2016. Aware that their road to parenthood would not be straightforward, they began discussing options early on - considering sperm banks and private clinics, but they could not afford the hefty price tag. But extensive online research led them to discover Mosie baby, an at-home insemination kit aimed at couples for whom traditional methods are not an option, which they can try before attempting invasive or expensive alternatives. Keeley said of the kits, each of which includes two insemination syringes, instructions and a collection cup for the donor's sperm: 'We had researched so many ways to start a family, but Mosie baby just seemed right. Keeley (pictured on her wedding day) said that after Jayden told her he wanted to transition from female to male she felt determined to be there for him and support him every step of the way 'I'd be able to do it at home, where I could be comfortable and relax, it wasn't insanely expensive and there were lots of success stories on the website from couples like us.' And they both knew there was only one person they wanted to ask to be their donor. Keeley continued: 'We went back and forth between having an anonymous donor, or somebody we knew, and both thought of Jeremiah before we spoke to each other. 'He has been such a huge part of our relationship he's the one that brought us together, after all.' Jayden said that while he has been approved for surgery to remove breast tissue he wants to wait until Keeden (pictured) is a little older Jayden also heaps praise on the friend who brought him and Keeley together. He said: 'It is funny to think we both dated him - me when I was living as a female - but neither of our break ups were bad. We both figured we'd be better as friends, and Jeremiah means the world to us both.' In October 2018, they asked him to be their donor which, after careful consideration, he happily agreed to. Trying their first Mosie kit in January 2019, to their delight, just over a week later, an early-detection pregnancy test revealed some happy news. Keeley recalled: 'I had never been pregnant before, so I didn't actually realise these were symptoms at the time, but looking back, I had been moody, and found I had a heightened sense of smell. Keeden (left and right) was born after the couple discovered an at-home insemination kit aimed at couples for whom traditional methods are not an option 'My family would joke, ''I bet you're pregnant.'' I was trying not to get ahead of myself, but I took a test ten days after I'd used the insemination kit, and it was positive. 'The two blue lines were faint, but they were there. I took it while Jayden was sleeping, then surprised him when he woke up. It was such an emotional moment and we were so excited to see it all finally happening for us.' After carrying out extensive research online, the couple tried their first Mosie kit (pictured) in January 2019 and to their delight, just over a week later, an early-detection pregnancy test revealed some happy news After a 'rough' first trimester, where she suffered terribly with nausea and sickness, Keeley's pregnancy became much more enjoyable, and little Keeden was delivered in a home birth on October 6. Now, he is a beautiful, bouncing four-month old, and Jayden and Keeley are loving their new lives as parents - choosing to share their story to both thank Jeremiah for helping them and to give hope to other couples trying to conceive. Jayden said: 'I'd advise people to do their research, to speak to multiple sources and to not be afraid to ask questions. 'If Mosie baby hadn't worked the first time, we'd have definitely tried it again. The developers were so kind and friendly they even sent us a really lovely personal message when we contacted them to tell them that we'd had a baby.' Echoing her husband's sentiments, Keeley concluded: 'I want to tell others to trust their guts, follow their instincts and go with what they feel is right for them when starting a family. 'But most importantly don't give up.' Jeremiah said: 'I dated Jayden and Keeley, and introduced them both, so it is wonderful to think that out of my failed relationships with the two of them came this beautiful thing.' McClatchy, the publisher that operates the Miami Herald, the Sacramento Bee and other newspapers, filed for bankruptcy protection on Thursday, another sign of a collapsing local news industry. In a Chapter 11 filing in New York, the company, one of the largest news publishers in the United States, said it plans to restructure its pension obligations and the more than $700 million in debt it has struggled with for years as it tries to strengthen its digital business. It said its 30 newsrooms in 14 states would continue operating as usual during the case. Hedge fund Chatham Asset Management, its longtime creditor, would operate McClatchy, a 163-year-old family-controlled business, as a private company, under the plan laid out in the filing. If the plan is approved by the court, McClatchy would become the latest in a string of local news brands propped up by hedge funds, an unlikely relationship that has become the norm as the finance industry swoops in to wring profits from an ailing industry. Journalists and industry groups have expressed grave concerns about the future of news and jobs in the hands of private equity, but there are few solutions for the growing crisis in the industry. A 2019 report from PEN America warned that the shuttering of hundreds of local newspapers would damage democracy. In August, two publishers of hundreds of daily newspapers, Gannett and GateHouse Media, merged to become the largest newspaper company in America. The new company, which took the name Gannett, is managed by a private equity firm, Fortress Investment Group, and owns roughly one in five U.S. dailies. Alden Global Capital owns MediaNews Group, which has witnessed extensive newsroom cuts across its properties, which include the Denver Post and the San Jose Mercury News. It has a 25% stake in Tribune Co., the publisher of The Chicago Tribune, New York Daily News and The Baltimore Sun, among others. McClatchy has struggled with debt for more than a decade, after it acquired a rival newspaper chain, Knight-Ridder, for $4.5 billion in 2006. Then came the recession, declining print advertising revenue and the rise of digital media, a combination that weakened the newspaper industry and continues to disrupt it. McClatchy announced in November that it planned to end its Saturday print editions by the end of 2020. Late last year, it disclosed that it did not believe it would have the cash flow required to make a mandatory contribution to its pension plan, and later said that it was denied a request for a waiver. Katie Robertson is a New York Times writer. A total of 146m is being invested to build 1,850 new homes across Northern Ireland this year, the Communities Minister has said. Deirdre Hargey, writing in today's Belfast Telegraph, says she is committed to creating new homes as part of the New Decade, New Approach agreement to reduce waiting lists. The minister's pledge comes as it was recently revealed there are more than 20,000 people registered as homeless here - while just over 19,000 houses lie vacant. Last December the Foyle constituency had the highest levels of homelessness, with 2,526 applicants on the Northern Ireland Housing Executive waiting list holding 'full duty applicant' (FDA) status. This applies to those deemed to be in priority need of housing. West Belfast and North Belfast also have high levels of homelessness, with 2,373 and 2,352 applicants holding FDA status respectively. The problem is less prevalent in Mid Ulster, West Tyrone and Strangford, with 432, 530 and 658 people on the waiting list. "Housing is a basic need and right for all. Public housing will be a priority in this strategy," said the Sinn Fein minister. However, she stressed that the 146m investment is just the starting point in tackling the issue. "I am aware this is not enough, and I'm committed to building more homes," explained Ms Hargey. Read More The Communities Minister also stressed she is committed to introducing a strategy to tackle poverty here, including the extension of legislation to prevent the introduction of the controversial bedroom tax, a charge which she branded "unjust and unfair". "Poverty is experienced right across our community, in towns and cities and in rural and border communities. In 2017/18 approximately 292,000 people - 85,000 of them children - were living in poverty," she added. "That is unacceptable. It demonstrates the scale of the challenge and the unacceptable experience of those suffering poverty." From stepping up airport screenings to keeping tabs on thousands of individuals who returned from abroad, India is monitoring the new coronavirus outbreak at the highest level to prevent an epidemic, health minister Harsh Vardhan said Friday. The fast-spreading virus was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan and belongs to a family of coronaviruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as the 2003 SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, outbreak. The new strain of virus, called COVID-19, has killed more than 1,300 people, mostly in China, and infected over 64,000 people worldwide. India reported three confirmed cases in the state of Kerala, out of more than 1,700 people tested around the country as of Thursday, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research. That included 654 people evacuated from Wuhan, all of whom had tested negative. "We started taking action on this in the middle of January, at least two weeks before the World Health Organization declared it as an emergency of international concern," Vardhan told CNBC's "Street Signs." Increased screening measures Those measures include thermal screening for passengers coming from mainland China, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea at airports and seaports, taking down their detailed history and then sharing that information with state-level and district-level surveillance officers to keep tabs on them through an integrated disease surveillance program, the health minister explained. More than 2,000 flights have been screened, he said. "We've got very good coordination with all our state governments. The whole issue is being monitored at the highest level in the country and also with the state governments," Vardhan said. He said some 15,000 people have been "kept under watch as a matter of abundant precaution," and those showing early symptoms were being kept in isolation at hospitals. India also set up 15 laboratories to test for the virus, and Vardhan said the country has the potential to build up to 50 labs if the need arises. New Delhi has also issued travel advisories, telling people to refrain from traveling to China. The minister also said existing visas including already issued electronic visas for foreign nationals traveling to India from China are no longer valid and that screenings were also being conducted at the border. A view of the emergency ward of the Beleghata I.D. and B.G. Hospital where people have been wearing masks for safety from coronavirus on February 3, 2020 in Kolkata, India. Samir Jana | Hindustan Times | Getty Images "Every concerned ministry is actively involved in ensuring that we plug every possible loophole, which can allow the entry of the virus in a big way in the country," Vardhan said. "We are sure that (if) we could handle Ebola in 2014, (if) we could handle other diseases, we can handle this coronavirus quite well." Local airlines, including national carrier Air India, have also temporarily canceled flights to China. Infected individuals at sea Two Indian nationals on board a cruise ship in Japan also contracted the pneumonia-like virus, the Indian embassy in Tokyo confirmed on Wednesday. Both of them worked as crew members aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship that is currently quarantined off the coast of Yokohama and were receiving treatment in Japanese hospitals along with other infected individuals. Six passengers and 132 crew members aboard the ship were Indian nationals and the embassy said it was working with local authorities over potentially early disembarkation for those who tested negative for the virus. Indian media reported some crew members had posted a video on social media requesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to bring them back. Vardhan said that as soon as the quarantine period is over next week, India will work with Japan to make "adequate arrangements" to bring those people back to the country. The cruise ship, operated by Carnival's Princess Cruises and carrying more than 3,700 passengers and crew, has been quarantined in Japan since early February after a previous guest tested positive for the disease six days after disembarking. Economic impact on India Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-13 23:03:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid leaves Downing Street to attend the Prime Minister's Questions in Parliament in London, Britain, Jan. 8, 2020. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua) Minutes after Sajid Javid's resignation, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson named Rishi Sunak as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. LONDON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid resigned Thursday as Prime Minister Boris Johnson reshuffled his cabinet. Javid, scheduled to deliver his post-Brexit budget next month, 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. Javid, former home secretary, was appointed chancellor of the exchequer in July last year by Johnson when he became prime minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate 'Kashi Ek Roop Anek', a cultural arts and handicrafts exhibition, at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Hastakala Sankul during his two-day visit to Varanasi on Sunday. During the visit to his Lok Sabha constituency, Modi will also inaugurate over 30 projects, including a 430-bed super-speciality government hospital, an official statement said. According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), he is also scheduled to flag off IRCTC's 'Maha Kaal Express' through video link. The first overnight private train in the country will connect three Jyotirling pilgrim centres of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, and Ujjain and Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh. The PMO further said the Prime Minister will interact with buyers and artisans coming from different countries, including America, England and Australia. The Prime Minister will inaugurate 'Kashi Ek, Roop Anek' on February 16, the Uttar Pradesh Institute of Design (UPID) said in a statement. 'Kashi Ek Roop anek' will showcase products from over 100 artisans from all over Uttar Pradesh. Artists and weavers at the event will also be imparted skills for improving the quality and branding of their wares suitable for the larger national and international markets. Speaking about the event, UPID Chairperson Kshipra Shukla said the event will also be attended by brands and buyers from Europe, Australia and US, among others. There are 23 lakh artisans and weavers residing in Uttar Pradesh. Of these, about 35,800 artisans and 1.5 lakh weavers reside in Varanasi alone. The Uttar Pradesh government had launched the ambitious scheme 'One District, One Product' (ODOP) in which one craft per district was identified. UDIP said the state government established raw material banks, testing labs, common facility centres, and facilitated direct market access to artisans and weavers and helping them improve their income. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that global security conversations should hear the views of India as he arrived here in Germany for the prestigious Munich Security Conference. Jaishankar, who is here for the conference, is expected to outline India's views on several issues of global concern and meet the world leaders attending the meet. On Friday, he met Wolfgang Ischinger, chairman of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) ahead of the meet. "Began Munich Security Conference by meeting Chairman @MunSecConf @ischinger. Important that global security conversations should hear the views of India. Look forward to an interesting two days #MSC2020," the minister said in a tweet. He also met David Zalkaliani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and Defence Minister of Portugal Joo Cravinho. Jaishankar had "good conversation" with his Georgian counterpart and discussed greater cooperation in business, education and connectivity. His meeting with the Defence Minister of Portugal came in the backdrop of Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's visit to India. "Appreciate Portugal's strong support for expanding India-EU ties," he said. The minister also met his Lithuanian counterpart Linas Linkevicius and had "warm conversation" with him. "Much unrealised potential in our ties. Have accepted his invitation to visit Vilnius," Jaishankar said in another tweet. The MSC, being held here from February 14-16, is the world's leading forum for debate on international security policy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Rotorua man who had methamphetamine in his possession with a street value of $137.5 million, enough to cause $170 million worth of "social harm" to his community, has been jailed. Lionel James Ruka McDonald, 42, who earlier pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine was sentenced at the Rotorua District Court on Friday to 13 years and nine months imprisonment, with a minimum term of seven years. Crown prosecutor Amanda Gordon says that amount had the potential to cause $175m in social harm. He initially faced one extra charge of the sale of methamphetamine, which he had plead not guilty to before the charge was withdrawn. Lionel was arrested back in August last year after police executed a search warrant at a Rotorua address, initially announcing the discovery of 20kg of methamphetamine, with a second search at a storage shed in Ngongotaha locating a further 40-50kg of the drug. At sentencing, and in the police summary of facts, it was revealed Lionel was in fact in possession of 137.5kg of the drug, some packed in Chinese green tea packaging. "The methamphetamine located in the defendant's utility and storage facility would have a street value of $137.5 million," the summary of facts says. According to Amanda, "It's value in terms of social harm is in the region of $170 million if that methamphetamine had been distributed in our community." The summary of facts notes that figure was ascertained as the "Drug Harm Index figure". Defence lawyer Andy Schulze says his client was merely the "custodian" of the methamphetamine, and that a combination of a $200 a day gambling habit and naivety had led him to accept an offer, when approached, to become involved. Sentencing Judge Greg Hollister-Jones, however, was unconvinced. "I just don't accept that." He cited the fact McDonald was an intelligent man, and a manager holding a responsible position, to dismiss that claim. Judge Hollister-Jones also described the amount of drugs recovered as "among the top level of seizures in New Zealand". The summary of facts also refers to the seizure as the largest in the Bay of Plenty. He did agree with one of Andys propositions however, that the offending was "completely out of character". Judge Hollister-Jones also revealed McDonald had "declined to provide the police with any information about the methamphetamine and it sources", citing fears for the safety of his wife. At the time of his arrest Rotorua Police area commander Inspector Phil Taikato said the removal of a "significant" amount of methamphetamine would help prevent drug related harm in the community. "There is no denying the detrimental impact methamphetamine has on people's lives," he said. "It has the ability to destroy families and lives, and the desire to obtain the drug is a driver of crime and harm within our community." Stuff/Benn Bathgate New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Election Commission on Friday said that it will implement the Supreme Court's recent directive for political parties to upload details of criminal cases against their candidates on their websites, newspapers and social media platforms. If any party fails to submit such compliance report, the poll body said it would bring such "non-compliance by the political party concerned to the notice of the Supreme Court as being in contempt of this Court's orders or directions". "Commission proposes to reiterate the instructions with suitable modifications in order to implement the directions of Supreme Court in letter as well as in spirit," the EC said in a statement. The apex court, in a ruling on Thursday in a contempt petition of 2011, invoked the Constitution's Articles 129 and 142 to make it mandatory for political parties (at the Central and state election panel level) to upload on their website detailed information regarding individuals with pending criminal cases. The court also directed they declare those 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 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," the court said, adding the information shall be published in one local vernacular newspaper and one national newspaper as well as on the official social media platforms of the political party, including Facebook and Twitter. It was also mentioned that these details shall be published within 48 hours of the selection of the 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 on compliance with these directions with the Election Commission within 72 hours of the selection of the said candidate." Earlier, the Commission on October 10, 2018 issued detailed instructions and guidelines along with amended form of affidavit for ensuring publicity of criminal antecedents by the candidates and the concerned political parties for the information of voters. This is being implemented in all the elections since November 2018. Police arrested two teen suspects with alleged ties to a criminal street gang in the brutal murder of two young boys who were gunned down in November outside a Union City elementary school. Union City police said 18-year-old Jason Cornejo from Castro Valley and a 17-year-old juvenile from Hayward both have been charged with the murders of the boys. Sean Withington, 14, and Kevin Hernandez, 11, were fatally shot around 1:26 a.m. on Nov. 23 while in a van outside Searles Elementary School in the citys Decoto neighborhood. The slayings shocked and outraged the city of about 75,000, which until that day saw no other killings in 2019. Union City Police Chief Jared Rinetti struck a personal note when announcing the arrests Friday morning at Union Citys City Council chambers. Many members of our department have children of the same age, and this horrible violent crime affected us tremendously, he said. But it is nowhere near the pain and suffering these families have had to endure. Police said surveillance footage and witnesses helped them identify a vehicle seen fleeing the scene, which was described as a silver four-door Toyota Camry. Investigators used what they described as electronic evidence to link Cornejo and the juvenile suspect to the car, and data from both of their phones placed them at the scene around the time of the attack. Additionally, a close associate of both suspects told police that the two rented the Camry two days before the double slaying, according to court records. Investigators believed the motive is related to a rivalry between criminal street gangs. Police said they unearthed social media posts that showed Cornejo before the homicides buying and possessing an AK-47 with a drum-style, high-capacity magazine, which was one of the suspected weapons in the shooting. Additional social media records showed the two suspects discussing their involvement in the slayings and showed the juvenile suspect attempting to sell a 9mm firearm the day after Withingtons and Hernandezs deaths, police said. Police in court records said Cornejo and the juvenile suspects are known associates of a street gang. Police have not noted what, if any ties the victims had to Decoto or any other gangs. The arrests were the culmination of a wide-reaching, three-month investigation that involved 32 investigators from Union City and assisting agencies and over 5,300 hours of detective work. Both suspects were already in custody on unrelated charges. Investigators last week served search warrants on six locations tied to the crime and seized a trove of evidence related to the double murder and potentially other crimes. Among the items confiscated were two handguns, three assault weapons, $10,000 in cash, 40 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $32,000 and 8 pounds of methamphetamine worth about $28,000. Union City police boosted staffing and patrols in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Rinetti said, and in that time additionally seized five handguns and one assault rifle in the area of the murders. 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. I share this because it was a volatile time in our community, Rinetti said. And in my opinion, our officers prevented additional violence and tragedy by removing these dangerous weapons from the streets. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who also attended the news conference, said he hopes the arrests and prosecutions can bring some measure of relief to a shaken community. I would say that the anguish, the disbelief, the apprehension ... thats never going to go away, he said. (But) maybe what it does is bring a sense of direction and purpose, that we have to find some of the conclusions to some of these senseless acts of violence. The Union City Police Department said it is still investigating this case and more people might be charged in the future. Home security video showed headlights of two vehicles in the parking lot as one rolled past the other that was parked. One person was seen walking toward the moving vehicle and firing more than a dozen shots at the rolling vehicle, which came to a stop. The person continued shooting before turning around and running back to the parked car, which then left the scene. Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy 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 (stock photo) A couple who were overcharged for a loan from a bank have been awarded compensation of 35,000. The bank, which had failed to state the correct interest on the loan, was ordered to make the payout by the Financial Services Ombudsman, Ger Deering. His latest digest of 33 rulings also includes one against an insurance company that cancelled a motor policy, claiming it had not received a key document from the consumer. It turned out the document had been trapped in the insurer's email firewall. Mr Deering ordered the unnamed insurer to pay compensation of 9,000. 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 the bank is likely to 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. He has received 1,800 tracker complaints in the last two years. Mr Deering deals with a wide range of complaints relating to insurance, banking, investments and pensions. His decisions are legally binding. The digest of decisions he published shows he forced an unnamed lender to pay compensation of 15,000. This was because the lender failed to update an individual's Irish Credit Bureau rating to show their debt was clear. This failure meant the consumer's credit rating was negatively affected. The ombudsman also 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 pet's weight. And compensation of 3,000 had to be paid to a woman who received less than she expected from a claim on a dental policy, because of the poor information given to her by the insurer. Mr Deering said that by publishing the decisions, he aimed to enhance transparency and understanding of his powers and the services provided by the office. He published 394 legally binding decisions throughout 2019. "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," Mr Deering said. [February 14, 2020] 5G Training Program Developed for Florida Wireless Businesses TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Learning Alliance (LAC) and the Telecommunications Education Center (TEC) partnered through their Authorized Training Partner program to deliver 5G initiatives and training. "This program provides the necessary skills training for the workforce that will physically build 5G infrastructure," said WIA President and CEO Jonathan Adelstein. To start, LAC built a 5G Outlook Training program to assist Florida wireless companies with an in-depth 3-day training in 5G workforce development. This training also incorporates riggin, OSHA and other certification-based necessities those companies may require in line with the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP). "It is sometimes difficult to obtain the budget necessary to upskill your workforce," said LAC CEO Cesar Ruiz. "With our 5G Outlook Training program, there is no cost to Florida wireless businesses." The program funding comes from Florida State funding grants for employee-based training initiatives. "This program is a stepping stone to 5G deployment in Florida. It will take effort from both companies and educational institutions," said LAC CCO Fred Arnold. "We must watch 5G evolution closely so we can adopt training initiatives fast." LAC plans to bring together multiple resources to bridge the gap to 5G in their own backyard - in the state of Florida. "Being an ATP will help provide the industry with trained professionals who are ready to take on these new 5G builds," said Ruiz. Each program developed will also incorporate TIRAP based competencies to align with their mission to "meet infrastructure build out needs." Ruiz says there are difficulties educational institutions face in keeping up with fast paced 5G evolution. He states hybrid training centers that deliver cross trained Tower Technicians will be best suited to train a new workforce. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/5g-training-program-developed-for-florida-wireless-businesses-301004697.html SOURCE Learning Alliance A budding rivalry will be renewed on Saturday when Kerala Blasters take on Hero Indian Super League defending champions Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here. There is no love lost between the two sets of supporters and one can expect the hosts, Kerala Blasters, to come out all guns blazing. Eelco Schattorie's side, placed eighth on the table, might be out of the reckoning for a play-off spot but would love to get one over a South Indian rival. They are coming off a goalless draw against NorthEast United which extended their winless run to four matches. Many things have gone wrong for Kerala Blasters this season, with defensive mistakes, in particular, costing them a fair few games. However, their attack has fared better with the likes of Bartholomew Ogbeche and Raphael Messi Bouli leading the charge. While both the forwards have plundered goals, there has been a lack of support from the rest of the team. In fact, the duo scored 18 of the 23 goals Kerala Blasters scored this season. But their task will be cut out against a Bengaluru FC team who have conceded just nine goals this season. The Kochi-based side have struggled with creativity in midfield as well, with Sahal Abdul Samad relegated to a substitute role mainly while the likes of Sergio Cidoncha have failed to impress. However, Schattorie will be confident of coaxing a performance out of his team against Bengaluru. "Their strength is that they are a top club. They have been always up there. So structurally they are doing something very well and they have got the right formula. They have a strong mentality," said Schattorie. "But I know exactly how to beat them. I know where their weaknesses are," he added. Carles Cuadrat's side are coming off a 0-0 draw too, against Chennaiyin FC and know that they cannot finish top of the league anymore. Though they have already qualified for the play-offs, they will still want to fight for the second spot which makes it imperative that they pick up a result against Kerala Blasters. "Every game is important. It is good that we are already in the playoffs. It was one of the targets before this season," said Cuadrat. However, there are a couple of concerns for him. Captain Sunil Chhetri and defensive lynchpin Juanan Gonzalez are suspended after collecting yellow cards in the last game. Without Chhetri in attack, Bengaluru's attack has looked mediocre with Udanta Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan and Deshorn Brown failing to set the league alight so far. But Cuadrat will hope a 9-1 spanking of Paro FC in an AFC Cup qualifier recently that saw the likes of Thongkhosiem Haokip and Brown run riot will infuse some confidence in their attack. "The win (against Paro) will make the players confident. We were not getting a lot of goals but maybe from that game, they get a new dynamic which will help them to get more goals," he added. The presence of Dimas Delgado and Erik Paartalu in the midfield provides physique and quality in the middle of the park, something that comes in handy during set-piece situations as well. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Breaking away from the year-long work and traveling to places one has never been to before is what many people look forward to. The world is full of such places where one can go to have an uninterrupted time of their lives. It takes money to go for a vacation, but the experience one gets from the trip is worth every penny. One gets exposed to new cultures, meet new people, and in the process, learn something new about the world that previously never existed in their imagination. There are many destinations where people can go to experience all that, ten of them include the following. New Orleans, USA New Orleans is often described as the music hub of the North American region with a rich history that dates back to the slavery era. It is the meeting point of so many cultures with African, Native American, and French cultures coexisting together side by side. New Orleans is packed with museums like the National WWII Museum that pays homage to the 2nd World War. St. Roch Market is another attraction best known for the unique food restaurants that can be found in the 10,000 square foot space. Bali, Indonesia Bali is on every persons Bucketlist, and there is a reason. One of the few pristine natural places left on earth, Bali is a paradise. Surrounded by clear waters, clean beaches, untouched jungles, and beautiful volcanoes, visiting Bali is a fulfilling achievement for many people. Historical structures like the Pura Tanah Lot, Mount Batur, which is loved by hikers, the culture of the local people, and surfing the huge waves of the ocean. Bali is ever full of things to do. Havana, Cuba Having faced severe sanctions in most of the later stages of the last century, Cuba was able to preserve a lot of its culture, and that is now working in its favor. Havana is nearly 500 years old, and that comes with a vibrant history that can be seen in their buildings, their vintage cars, and the love for their world-famous music. Old Havana is a section of the city home to many historical structures like the Catedral de San Cristobal, Plaza Vieja, Museo de la Ciudad, and others. Maldives A tropical nation nestled in the Indian Ocean that is made up of more than 1000 small islands, each unique with its exciting attractions. The Maldives is best known for its restaurants, which are among the most expensive in the world, its white sandy beaches are also a big hit with visitors. Another exciting must-do activity in the Maldives is a visit to their many underwater villas and restaurants that allow people to sit back and watch the blue underwater world as they sample the local cuisine. Paris, France Probably the most famous city in Europe, thanks to its magnificent and iconic Eiffel Tower. Paris is another melting pot of all cultures, mainly African, as it is one of the European cities with the highest number of people of African descent. Besides the tower, Paris is also home to the famous Notre Dame cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre Museum, among many others. Paris is also the capital of French food where most of the world-famous chefs live and work, having a meal in one of the many food joints tops many Bucketlist. Dubai, UAE In two decades, Dubai has managed to position itself as the most sought-after destination for people from around the world. Be it a business trip or vacation, Dubai provides everything for everyone. You only need to know where to look. Iconic buildings like the Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa have done so much towards cementing Dubai as the number one tourist destination in the world. Bora Bora, French Polynesia The small South Pacific island near Tahiti is a paradise surrounded by turquoise blue waters and coral reefs vibrant with colorful fish species. Visitors flock to the small island for scuba diving in their clear waters and hike Mt. Otemanu, which stands at the center of the island. Bora Bora has a string of resorts, clean beaches, and unique plants and animals. It is believed that there are almost 500 species of fish in the waters that surround the South Pacific islands. Rome, Italy As far as ancient history goes, not many cities around the world can hold a light to the rich history that Rome represents. Remnants of the great Roman Empire still stand today, structures like the Colosseum and the Pantheon are still as magnificent as they were back in the day. Rome is also home to the Vatican City, which in itself is a magnet for Catholic pilgrims. The St. Peters Basilica is its most imposing attraction. Santorini, Greece White buildings juxtaposed against the blue waters of the Aegean turned Santorini into a social media sensation that made people add visiting the Greek island a must-do activity. The most iconic site in Santorini is the volcano that is responsible for the creation of the island upon which Santorini stands. The beaches and the clear waters of the Aegean Sea are another major tourist magnet. Cairo, Egypt Cairo is the gateway to one of the worlds ancient civilizations. From the pyramids of Giza that stand magnificently in the desert to the many museums housing ancient artifacts within the city, Cairo has established itself as a top tourist destination for those interested in history. River Nile is also another attraction that fascinates many people in the world. Thanks to its history and the fact that it is the longest river in the world. Things To Do Before Leaving For A Vacation Vacationing in a place that is far from what you are used to. Occasionally, it can be unpredictable, and being ready for this could all the difference between having the time of your life or having a horrible experience. It is essential to write up a plan, noting down the areas one intends to visit. Planning this allows you to book accommodation that is not far from the sites you intend to visit. Carrying as much extra contingency cash is encouraged. Accommodation and food prices can be determined in advance, but other expenses like traveling, purchase of souvenirs can end up being higher than what is in the budget. A budget constraint during vacation does not make for an enjoyable time. Leveling ones expectations is another right way of dealing with disappointment. Most destinations use desirable language and pictures in their brochures, imagery, and style that may not necessarily reflect things on the ground. To avoid disappointment, one should be ready for the unexpected. Make it a habit to always use established tour companies. Most have cheaper packages, and they can easily be traced in case of anything. Using independent tour guides can be risky as most are always out to take advantage of people. There have been cases of tourists meeting their untimely demises or being robbed for not knowing any better. Always travel with light luggage when going outside the country. Less baggage allows more room to move around quickly and cuts down the time you spend going through security checks. Vacations are all about maximizing time to pack in as much fun as possible. President Donald Trump visits the U.S.-Mexico border, east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego on September 18, 2019. Read more WASHINGTON The Trump administration is seeking to shift $3.8 billion more from the defense budget to pay for constructing a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, the Pentagon notified Congress on Thursday, immediately provoking bipartisan objections for a second year. The plan would pay for a further 177 miles of wall construction by taking the money from Pentagon accounts earmarked to buy fighter aircraft, vehicles, warships and other big-ticket weapons systems, the document showed. The Department of Homeland Security has identified areas along the southern border of the United States that are being used by individuals, groups and transnational criminal organizations as drug smuggling corridors, the Pentagon document said in trying to justify the shift on national security grounds. Construction of additional physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the United States border is necessary. President Donald Trump, running for reelection, is eager to show progress on the project that was perhaps the No. 1 promise of his 2016 campaign. He vowed as a candidate that Mexico would pay for the wall, but as president he turned instead to the Pentagons deep pockets. Last year, he sought to take money from military housing and base construction. This year, by targeting spending for weapons, his proposal drew even more opposition in Congress, from lawmakers in both parties who guard such defense contracts for their job-creation benefits as much as for national security. President Trump and his Administration have spent months trying to take critical resources away from our Armed Forces, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a statement. Congress, not the President, has the power of the purse a power that cannot be nullified so the President can fulfill an outrageous campaign promise. Rep. Mac Thornberry of Texas, the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, immediately pushed back as well. His state is home to Lockheed Martin production facilities for the F-35 fighter. Congress has the constitutional responsibility to determine how defense dollars are spent, Thornberry said in a statement. The re-programming announced today is contrary to Congress constitutional authority, and I believe that it requires Congress to take action. Lawmakers repeatedly sought to block Trumps attempts to tap Pentagon funds last year. The president argued that he had authority to use military funds because of what he deemed a national security emergency along the border, a claim that federal courts are still reviewing. The dispute has slowed but not blocked all Pentagon funding from being shifted to wall construction. Congress is likely to try again to prevent the latest funding shift, and lawsuits from outside groups are all but certain. Multiple courts have ruled that it is illegal for Trump to pillage military funds for his xenophobic border wall, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement. Well be back in court to block these additional, unauthorized transfers. In the latest proposal, Air Force and Navy aviation take the brunt of the proposed cuts. They would force cancellation of four F-35 and F-22 fighters, two MV-22 Ospreys, four C-130J cargo planes and eight MQ-9 Reaper drones, which are built by San Diegos General Atomics. The Pentagon request also strips $156 million in additional funds for the F-35, $180 million for an Air Force light attack aircraft, $650 million for amphibious assault ships and nearly $300 million for Army vehicles. Another $1.5 billion would be taken from accounts used to provide equipment for the National Guard and Reserve. Clearly, it wasnt enough for President Trump to raid funds for military families, so now he is taking away additional funds for equipment, ships, fighter jets and cargo planes for our troops, Schumer and Pelosi said. In almost every case, the administration justified the funding shifts by proposing to take funds that Congress had added above the administrations budget requests, calling them Congress special interest items. In the case of the F-35, for instance, the Pentagon said current funding is more than sufficient to keep the current production line open and meet requirements. Lt. Col. Chris Mitchell, a Pentagon spokesman, said Defense Secretary Mark Esper approved the transfer after receiving the request from the Department of Homeland Security last month. However, Esper approved only enough money to finance 177 miles of construction, significantly down from the 270 miles that the department sought. We will continue to support DHS and other agencies as needed to keep our homeland secure, Mitchell said. TWIN FALLS The Twin Falls chapter of the Idaho Writers League will meet from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Valley Vista Village, 653 Rose St. N. Anyone interested in writing is welcome to attend. The group will offer manuscript critiques. Bring four or five copies of your manuscript that are typed, double spaced, with no more than four pages and also include a title and name on each copy. These will be returned the same day. The crisis is no longer limited to the rural area, it has gripped the nation, well-known journalist and founder-editor of Peoples Archive of Rural India (PARI) P Sainath said on Friday. The crisis, set in motion decades ago, was taken to a new level and accelerated in past six years, said Sainath while delivering endowment lecture on the topic Indian Democracy in Post Liberalisation and in Post Truth Era at Media Manthan 2020 organised by postgraduate Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at LCRI hall in St Aloysius College. He pointed out that the agrarian crisis was no longer about the loss of productivity or about farmer suicide. It was a societal, civilisational crisis. Highlighting the impact of lopsided policies like the cow-slaughter ban, he said the ban destroyed many industries due to their inter-dependency. Muslims who slaughtered cows were rendered helpless, cattle traders from OBCs lost their earnings as cattle prices crashed. An important industry like Kolhapur sandals industry in Maharashtra went bankrupt as a result of the cow slaughter ban in Maharashtra, informed the Magsaysay awardee. He said there was also a crisis of data with government stopping the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB), NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) from publishing its report from 2016 onwards. Demonetisation also destroyed the rural economy as 98 per cent of rural transactions takes place through cash. He said the campaign against CAA is not a mere campaign but a movement to prevent replacement of Constitution with 'Manusmruthi'. Those who trashed the Constitution then, are champions of nationalism by jailing and externing people, he rued. Spending a rainy Saturday afternoon reminiscing over congratulatory keepsakes stored in the attic. Clutching vintage Valentines purchased at an estate sale. Sorting through all those shoeboxes of yellowing mementos in your late great-aunt Sadies House Where Time Stood Still. (Mementos as in reminders that great-aunt Sadie spent all your inheritance on mothballs!) Im afraid future generations will encounter fewer and fewer such heart-warming experiences. According to a recent Wall Street Journal story, sales of paper greeting cards have declined 13% in the past five years. An increasing number of people in all age groups are relying on ephemeral texts and social media to commemorate major milestones such as births, weddings, anniversaries, promotions, graduations, achieving just the right lighting for this weeks selfie with the Egg McMuffin, etc. Small greeting card companies are running scared, and even industry leader Hallmark is slashing costs and refocusing its attention on internet business. Many of the independent owners of Hallmark brick-and-mortar locations are closing up shop, as Hallmark brainstorms opening retail outlets inside venues such as hospitals and hardware stores. (Surely there will be a joint-venture musical card that plays If I had a hammer Id fix your porch before you break the OTHER leg, knucklehead.) To its credit, the company is also overhauling its phone app to make it easier to buy and send personalized paper cards. But considering recent news about software glitches, dont be surprised if they wind up killing trees just to send out messages like Congratulations on your bar mitzvah or winning the Iowa Democratic caucus. One of those. I think. Runner-up mitzvah? People are busy and cost-conscious and dealing with commitment issues. In 1944 Hallmark launched the When you care enough to send the very best slogan. Nowadays, consumers are more like When you care enough to tell your 13-year-old to tell Alexa to send your best friend from college whatever kind of emoji conveys Losing all your children, pets and limbs in a house fire has gotta be a bummer, man. Ergonomics has become an issue. No one has the patience to get writers cramp scrawling mushy sentiments for snail-mailing cross-country. Not when they can spill all their innermost thoughts (and their credit card number) to some potbellied, bearded chatroom hottie in Russia. People have gotten hooked on free news apps instead of newspapers and magazines and free streaming media in place of CDs and DVDs. Its only natural that greeting cards also suffer the movement away from physical objects. According to a trusted pediatric journal, the leading cause of constipation in the United States is people stubbornly holding out for the invention of virtual toilet paper. I fear for the welfare of those greeting-card writers who had been making a living digging deep into their souls to express lofty sentiments. (Granted, lofty sentiments that are often drowned out by Junior screaming, Grandma forgot to put the check in the card Again. Cant we put her in a home? but lofty sentiments, nonetheless.) *Sigh* I feel a little poorer because of the passing of the golden age of greeting cards, but we have bigger things to worry about. Like those giant mutant silverfish that built up an immunity to great-aunt Sadies mothballs! Our only hope: if Lacey Chabert or Candace Cameron Bure can hitch them to a sleigh in a Hallmark Channel movie. Danny Tyree can be reached at tyreetyrades@aol.com. His column is distributed exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. People pass by a video sign display with the logo for Roku, a Fox-backed video streaming firm, that held it's IPO at the Nasdaq Marketsite in New York, September 28, 2017. Check out the companies making headlines after the bell: Roku Shares of the streaming company jumped 5% in extended trading after the company reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results that beat on the top and bottom line. The company reported a loss of 13 cents per share on revenue of $411 million while analysts expected a loss of 14 cents per share on revenue of $392 million, according to Refinitiv. Roku also added nearly 10 million active accounts during 2019, totaling 36.9 million active accounts on its video streaming platform at year-end, according to data released by the company. Nvidia Shares of the semiconductor company climbed 6% in extended trading after the company reported strong fourth-quarter results that beat analysts' estimates. The company reported earnings of $1.89 per share excluding some items on revenue of $3.11 billion, while analysts expected earnings of $1.67 per share on revenue of $2.97 billion, according to Refinitiv. Nvidia reduced its revenue outlook for the first quarter of 2021 by $100 million due to the coronavirus. Expedia The travel company's stock surged 10% in extended trading after the company reported financial results that beat on the bottom line. Expedia reported a quarterly profit of $1.24 per share while analysts expected $1.19 per share. Revenue came below Wall Street estimates, however, with the company reporting $2.75 billion and analysts expecting $2.76 billion, according to Refinitiv. Expedia, which announced a major leadership shakeup in December 2019, said in a release that changes implemented in the wake of that decision "will contribute to accelerated profit growth in our underlying business in 2020." Mattel Shares of the toy company rose about 5% in extended trading after the company beat earnings expectations, reporting a fourth-quarter profit of 11 cents per share. Revenue fell below Wall Street forecasts, however, with the company reporting $1.47 billion while analysts expected $1.50 billion, according to Refinitiv. Sales in the North America segment decreased 1% driven by a decline in dolls, infant, toddler, and preschool toys, according to its press release. Yelp The review company's stock dropped 5% in extended trading after the company reported weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter financial results that missed analysts' estimates. The company reported earnings of 24 cents a share on revenue of $269 million while analysts expected earnings of 26 cents a share on revenue of $274 million, according to Refinitiv. The company also announced an additional $250 million stock repurchase and a new CFO. Pinterest The mobile application company's stock fell 3% in extended trading after Facebook released a similar app called Hobbi. The app was first released in Colombia, Belgium, Spain, and Ukraine. Hobbi was developed by Facebook's New Product Experimentation team, a unit launched by the company in July to develop consumer-focused apps. CarGurus The Cambridge-based automotive website's stock fell 18% in extended trading despite reporting strong fourth-quarter results that beat analysts' estimates. The company reported 17 cents per share excluding certain items on revenue of $158 million while analysts expected 14 cents per share on revenue of $154 million, according to Refinitiv. The company gave weaker-than-expected first-quarter and fiscal-year guidance on both the top and bottom line, according to FactSet. eBay - Shares of the e-commerce giant climbed 2% in extended trading after the company announced the completion of the $4.05 billion StubHub sale and updated its guidance for the first quarter and full-year. The company also said it is expanding its 2020 share buyback from $1.5 billion to $4.5 billion. Arista Networks - Shares of the cloud network company dropped 9% despite reporting fourth-quarter financial results that beat expectations, according to FactSet. Arista reported fourth-quarter earnings of $2.29 per share excluding some items and revenue of $552.5 million, while analysts expected earnings of $2.09 and revenue of $551.3 million, according to FactSet. Arista also announced the acquisition of BigSwitch Networks, though terms of the deal were not laid out in the press release announcing the move. CNBC's Chris Eudaily contributed to this article. Sajid Javid today wished Boris Johnson a 'happy Valentine's Day' as the relationship between the two former allies grew increasingly bitter. Mr Javid resigned as chancellor yesterday after he refused to bow to demands from Dominic Cummings to sack all of his aides and accept a team of Number 10 advisers. Following his bombshell departure from the government, Mr Javid said the terms offered by the Prime Minister could not be accepted by 'any self-respecting minister' - a direct swipe at his successor Rishi Sunak. He also told Mr Johnson in his resignation letter that he believed it was 'important as leaders to have trusted teams that reflect the character and integrity that you would wish to be associated with' - a thinly-veiled attack on Mr Cummings, the PM's top adviser. Mr Javid's war of words with the new look government and the PM continued this morning when he was asked if he had a message for Mr Johnson. Leaving his London home, Mr Javid replied with a smile: 'Happy Valentine's Day.' His comments came as Mr Johnson gathered his new look Cabinet in Number 10 today for its first meeting. He told his ministers they must now deliver on the 'people's priorities', adding: We are here to deliver for the people of this country who elected us to serve them. Sajid Javid, pictured today leaving his London home, wished Boris Johnson a 'happy Valentine's Day' Mr Johnson told his ministers including new Chancellor Rishi Sunak (centre) they must now deliver on the 'people's priorities' at the first Cabinet meeting this morning (pictured) Mr Javid was forced to quit as Chancellor yesterday after refusing demands from Dominic Cummings for him to sack all of his aides The peoples government has to get on with delivering the peoples priorities and in the next few years we must get on with our basic work and you know what it is. We are going to cut crime, we are going to cut homelessness, we are going to tackle waiting lists in our NHS and how many hospitals are we going to build? The Cabinet then replied in unison: Forty.' Mr Johnson reportedly moved to bring the Treasury to heel due to fears that he and Mr Javid could end up like Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. The later years of the New Labour governments were dominated by the fractious relationship between Mr Blair and Mr Brown and Mr Johnson apparently did not want to repeat history. Mr Johnson's new look Cabinet convened in Number 10 this morning. Rishi Sunak, the new Chancellor, is pictured arrivign alongside Stephen Barclay the new Chief Secretary to the Treasury Mr Johnson told the Cabinet today: The peoples government has to get on with delivering the peoples priorities and in the next few years we must get on with our basic work and you know what it is' Instead he wants to mimic the more harmonious relationship between David Cameron and George Osborne during their time in power. One Number 10 source told The Telegraph: 'The PM says the model for success is watertight cooperation between Number 10 and 11, like Dave and George, not a Tony and Gordon situation. 'That has long been the belief. It's all about delivery, the best way to deliver on the promises we made to this country.' Allies of Mr Javid today told The Times that he is not 'bitter' about his exit and would be open to a return to the government after some time as a backbench MP. Meanwhile, Salma Shah, a former adviser to Mr Javid, said it would have been 'incredibly detrimental' for the former chancellor to allow Number 10 to choose his closest aides. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I think Sajid rightly understood that not having his own political advisers would be incredibly detrimental to his decision-making power. 'You cannot have a minister that does not appoint their own special advisers because they cannot appoint anyone else. 'They are the only people in a Government department that are the minister's responsibility and chosen by them.' But the reappointed Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick defended Mr Johnson's shake-up of the relationship between Number 10 and the Treasury which will see a new 'joint' economic team make decisions. Mr Jenrick, a former Treasury minister, told BBC Breakfast: 'What was proposed and is now going to happen is that we bring together the back office teams that advise the Prime Minister at Number 10 and those that advise the Chancellor. 'I think that is sensible because we have a lot to do. We need to have a strong team that is working as one and that is exactly what we are going to do.' Mel Stride, chairman of the Commons Treasury Committee, said Mr Javid had little choice but to leave the Cabinet. Oliver Dowden the newly appointed Culture Secretary arrived at Cabinet after taking over the role from Nicky Morgan Matt Hancock was one of a raft of senior ministers who were kept in their existing roles in the Cabinet. He stays on as Health Secretary 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 The former Treasury minister told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I think he, probably more by accident than design, was put into a position where it was extremely difficult for him to swallow that and move on.' The terms offered to Mr Javid and his decision to reject them and quit were seen by many in Westminster as a power grab by Mr Cummings. Mr Sunak was reportedly immediately put under pressure by Number 10 to tear up his predecessor's tight spending rules and allow Mr Johnson to splash the cash at the next Budget. That Budget is scheduled to take place on March 11 but Mr Javid's departure has cast doubt on whether the fiscal address will go ahead as planned. Downing Street also moved straight away to install some of its troops into the Treasury last night to help Mr Sunak. That comes ahead of the creation of a 'joint' economic unit based across Number 10 and the Treasury which will make decisions, changing a power dynamic in Whitehall which has existed for decades. Mr Javid was not the only senior minister to leave the government yesterday as Mr Johnson wielded the axe. Julian Smith was unceremoniously dumped as Northern Ireland secretary just weeks after brokering a deal which restored the power-sharing administration at Stormont. Andrea Leadsom was sacked as business secretary, Theresa Villiers lost her job as environment secretary and Geoffrey Cox was removed from his post as attorney general. Esther McVey lost her role as housing minister, and the total number of women attending Cabinet fell from eight to seven - while the total number of ministers attending shrank from 32 to 26. Mr Cummings, pictured leaving his London home this morning, has been accused by his critics of launching a power grab at the reshuffle Alok Sharma, pictured left in Downing Street yesterday, was promoted to become Business Secretary while Amanda Milling was made Minister Without Portfolio Mr Johnson reportedly moved to bring the Treasury to heel because he feared his relationship with Mr Javid could become fractious like Tony Blair and Gordon Brown when they were in power But there were a series of promotions for Tory MPs loyal to Mr Johnson. Alok Sharma was promoted from international development to become the new Business Secretary and he will also be minister for the COP26 UN climate summit, which is due to take place in Glasgow in November. Anne-Marie Trevelyan joined the Cabinet as International Development Secretary, having previously been a defence minister. Oliver Dowden became a full Cabinet member as Culture Secretary, having previously attended the meetings as paymaster general, and George Eustice was promoted to Environment Secretary from his previous more junior role in the same department. Brandon Lewis was appointed as Northern Ireland Secretary, while former Brexit minister Suella Braverman returned to the Government as Attorney General. Ex-Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay has replaced Mr Sunak as Treasury Chief Secretary. Amanda Milling was made Conservative Party chairman - a role in which she will attend Cabinet as a minister without portfolio. Former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt will return to Government as Paymaster General in the Cabinet Office. Scientists from Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU, Russia), University of Geneva (Switzerland), Minjiang University, and Fuzhou University (China) pointed out WDR74 protein playing an important role in lung cancer and melanoma primary tumors/metastases progression. During the research, the artificially gained WDR74 function brought about a high activity in cancer cells. However, when the function had been dropped cells failed to metastasize becoming more vulnerable to chemotherapy. Related articles are published in Cancer Letters and Oncogene. Except for brain cancer and some forms of blood cancer, not the main tumor but its metastases kill the patient taking over vital organs. Metastases form at a certain stage of the primary tumor progression when its cells start separating and entering the bloodstream. Such cells are called circulating tumor cells, and they give rise to metastases which are secondary tumors appearing in different parts of the human body. Fortunately, just subtle minority, tenths or even hundredths of a percent, of circulating tumor cells is capable of metastasizing. A few years ago, Chinese scientists from the laboratory of Dr. Lee Jia (Fuzhou University) wondered what discriminates "successful" circulating tumor cells from "unsuccessful" ones. Searching for a possible answer, they analyzed tumor cells (proteomic analysis) and spotted proteins highly expressed in active metastatic cells and lost in passive ones. One of these proteins was WDR74; its expression level in "successful" circulating tumor cells was two times higher than in the initial tumor. Scientists set up hypotheses stated this protein is a trigger helping a circulating tumor cell turn into a secondary tumor. "Within this discovery, two of our scientific publications were being built, one devoted to lung cancer, and the other to melanoma. To test the oncogenic activity of WDR74 in circulating tumor cells of lung cancer and melanoma, we "turned off" this protein by the method of gene correction CRISPR / Cas9 and interfering RNAs to remove/reduce the amount of protein. After that, we monitored what happens to the cells in the context of their proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle, ability to migrate and grasp in body tissues. We have also conducted the opposite experiment increasing the amount of WDR74 protein in cancer cells. Both types of experiment confirmed that WDR74 plays a crucial role in the progression of the tumor and its metastases. Protein absence decreases, and the presence increases the oncogenic properties of circulating tumor cells. In vivo this confirmed during the experiments conducted on mice." said prof. Vladimir Katanaev, one of the research authors, Head of the Laboratory of Pharmacology of Natural Compounds, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy of the FEFU School of Biomedicine. The scientist explained that WDR74 has at least two mechanisms of action. In different tumors, they have different priorities. In lung cancer cells, the protein primarily regulates WNT signaling pathways, which are active in tumor cells and passive in healthy cells of our body. In melanoma, WDR74 indirectly affects the expression of a number of other proteins, including the famous p53. The sequence is as follows: WDR74 regulates the amount of ribosomal protein RLP5, which has additional, extraribosomal properties; RLP5 regulates MDM2 protein ligase, and MDM2, in turn, leads to the degradation of p53 protein. The question of which mechanism is responsible for the expression of WDR74 itself remains unsolved. Lung cancer is notorious for the lack of effective therapy methods. The same is melanoma: the mechanisms of its progression understood poorly. The published studies open up new paths to the development of effective curing methods for metastases of these two cancer types with targeted drugs. Such remedies should hit specific protein targets in the circulating tumor cells. The drugs development is the task of the next stage of the work of scientists from Russia, China, and Switzerland or other research groups. ### In 2020, the laboratory of prof. Vladimir Katanaev and the team of Dr. Lee Jia started joint research to develop new drugs for obliterating circulating tumor cells of triple-negative breast cancer. Scientists are after DNA aptamers (analogs of antibodies, but synthesized using DNA chains) that will neutralize protein targets FZD7 and EpCAM. The work became possible thanks to a co-granting program from the Russian Federal Property Fund (19-515-55013) and National Natural Science Foundation of China. The present research papers were supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U1505225, 81773063, 81273548, 81961138017) and the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2015CB931804). WDR74 induces nuclear -catenin accumulation and activates Wnt-responsive genes to promote lung cancer growth and metastasis, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2019.12.011 WDR74 modulates melanoma tumorigenesis and metastasis through the RPL5 - MDM2 - p53 pathway, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41388-020-1179-6 Hot right now: 6 American post-war and contemporary artists to have in your collection A selection of artists whose burgeoning art-world profiles are matched by their rising markets featuring works offered in our Post-War to Present auction in New York Emily Mae Smith Who? Brooklyn-based Emily Mae Smith (b. 1979) challenges canonical interpretations of femininity and figurative painting through a unique blend of Surrealism and Pop art. Her irresistibly glossy vignettes reimagine the female figure as a vaguely human broomstick, a riff on a traditional symbol of women's work, engaged in a variety of professional and leisure pursuits. The Whitney Museum of American Art, the Blanton Museum of Art, and The Consortium Museum count her work in their collections. Recent exhibitions: The artist has just capped off an exhibit at the Savannah College of Art and Design Museum of Art. Her work is currently on view in Speculative Objects, at Rodolphe Janssen, through March 2021. If you like this artist you might also enjoy: Yayoi Kusama, Elaine de Kooning, Salman Toor, Jamian Juliano-Villani, Katherine Bernhardt Titus Kaphar Who? Michigan-born and Connecticut-based Titus Kaphar (b. 1976) draws on a long history of prejudice and injustice to create bold paintings that amend history. His works blend formal and contextual qualities, often overlaying acrylic with thick layers of tar, nestling figures in bustles of burlap, and obscuring objects and figures with white paint or cutouts of the canvas itself. Kaphars work appears in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Recent exhibitions: Kaphar has garnered acclaim for his ongoing work The Jerome Project (My Loss), in which he paints gold-leaf portraits from prison mugshots before partially dipping them in thick black tar. Titus Kaphar: From a Tropical Space, at Gagosian New York, ended in December 2020. If you like this artist you might also enjoy: Henry Taylor, George Condo, Jake & Dinos Chapman Derrick Adams Who? Baltimore-born and Brooklyn-based Derrick Adams (b. 1970) comments on both the representation and erasure of Black identities in urbane works that span painting, collage, performance and video. He completed a residency at the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation in 2019; one of his paintings subsequently appeared in Beyonces highly celebrated visual album Black is King. The Studio Museum in Harlem, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Pizzuti Collection include his works in their collections. Recent exhibitions: A traveling exhibit, Derrick Adams: Buoyant,at New Yorks Hudson River Museum and Floridas Museum of Fine Art in St. Petersburg in 2020. If you like this artist you might also enjoy: Titus Kaphar, Salman Toor, Jammie Holmes, Tomoo Gokita, Henry Taylor, George Condo Jammie Holmes Who? Self-taught painter Jammie Holmes (b. 1984) was born and raised in Thibidoux, Louisiana, an upbringing that heavily influences his paintings, of everyday Black life in the South. Drawing from photographic references, memories, tradition and story-telling, Holmes works from the painful to the banal to the celebratory are imbued with a deep sense of nostalgia. Recent exhibitions: Detroits Library Street Collective held Anatomy: Jammie Holmes.The artist will next be featured in group shows at Deitch Projects and Marianne Boesky Gallery. If you like this artist you might also enjoy: Derrick Adams, Martin Ramirez Salman Toor The problem I have as a prosecutor, I have to follow the law," Carter said. The legislatures make law downstate and they make decisions as to what is legal and what is not legal. So, as long as they say marijuana is illegal in the State of Indiana, I have to enforce the law. But, I do not have to put those individuals in jail. Nigerias Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has accused Amnesty International of supporting Boko Haram by targeting the Nigerian military with distortions in its report. The AI recently alleged the federal troops employ unlawful tactics of torching villages and unlawful detention of locals by troops. But the Defence Headquarters described the report as yet another falsehood in a campaign of calumny targeting the Nigerian Military. According to the DHQ, the report was deliberately supporting the callous acts of terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram Terrorists and the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP). This was contained in a statement to DAILY POST This inglorious campaign is contained in a recent report alleging the employment of unlawful tactics of razing down villages and unlawful detention of locals by troops. This is in line with the AIs usual mannerisms and tenacious efforts aimed at disparaging the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), said Brigadier General, Onyema Nwachukwu, Acting Director of Defence Information, in statement of Friday. The Defence Headquarters wishes to state unambiguously that the allegations being touted by AI are nothing but a betrayal of its lack of in-depth knowledge of the goings-on in the North East (NE) theatre of operation. The DHQ explained that the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole who are conducting Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North East do not employ arson as an operational tactic. It said that it is a known fact, going by the method of operation of the Boko Haram terrorists that they have more often than not engaged in the atrocious acts of looting and burning of villages, as well as destroying infrastructures. It, therefore, beats ones imagination that AI is attributing these atrocities to AFN troops who are legitimately defending the country guided by extant rules of engagement and operational codes of conduct, it added. According to the statement, the Amnesty International must understand the fact that Nigeria is at war against terrorism in the North East and that the troops have a constitutional mandate to protect lives and property, even if it means conducting an evacuation to save and secure the lives of civilians in the conflict. Protecting civilians by evacuating them from the line of fire during combat is not a violation of the international law of conflict or a war crime. It is rather a commendable effort by the troops to prevent collateral damage during combat, said DHQ Our troops should, therefore, be commended for making deliberate efforts to evacuate civilians in order to protect their lives and property. It is also crucial to point out, that troops deployed to fight terrorism in the NE do not attack or raze down villages, communities or settlements, rather they launch an offensive on terrorist camps, enclaves, and hideouts. Based on actionable intelligence, persons who provide logistics and other forms of support to the terrorists are arrested and subjected to thorough investigation by a combined team of professionals drawn from the intelligence community of the Armed Forces and other security agencies. Anyone not found culpable is not held in custody for further investigations. DHQ, therefore, called on AI to put an end to its reckless distortion of facts in its desperate bid to satisfy its puppeteers by undermining Nigerias Military campaign against terrorism in the North East. It further called on members of the public to please discountenance Amnesty Internationals report, as it is not a true and realistic reflection of troops counter-terrorism operations in the North East PV: 0 A friend of President Donald Trump worth an estimated $100million is accused of being a dead beat father who is paying nothing in child support but renting a $50,000 a month penthouse apartment in Manhattan, court papers obtained by DailyMail.com reveal. Real estate tycoon Rotem Rosen went with Trump to Moscow for Miss Universe in 2012 and invested heavily in his failed Trump SoHo hotel. But now he is fighting a bitter divorce with Zina Sapir, the heiress to a property fortune whom he married at Mar-a-Lago in a lavish event hosted by the president. He is facing claims he is paying nothing to support his two young children, aged 12 and 9, despite his lavish lifestyle. Real estate mogul Rotem Rosen, 43, is accused by his estranged wife Zina Sapir, 45, of failing to pay child support for their two children, ages 12 and 9 Rosen (far left) went with Trump to Moscow for Miss Universe in 2012 where they took this photo along with with Russian billionaire Aras Agalarov, known as the Donald Trump of Russia, (second from left) and Alex Sapir (far right), who is Zina's brother Rosen recently moved into a $50,000 a month 6,200 sq ft penthouse on Manhattan's ritzy Park Avenue. Court papers obtained by DailyMail.com show that Rosen is renting a penthouse from Trump Park Avenue, owned by the president, for $50,000 a month The new luxury pad, a top-floor unit at Trump Park Avenue - a building owned by the president - includes five bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms, has its own private elevator and features 1,000 sq ft of outside space across four terraces. Rosen, 43, previously lived with his wife and children in a different Manhattan penthouse, at 300 East 55th Street, where scenes for the 2013 Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Wolf of Wall Street were shot. Sapir, 45, who filed for divorce last year after 12 years of marriage, bought that condo in 2005 for $7.6million. It's understood Rosen relocated to the new penthouse in November. According to sealed New York Supreme Court documents seen by DailyMail.com attorneys representing Sapir say they've tried to 'work out' child support with Rosen, but he's refused. 'I've asked defendant repeatedly to please let's work out child support without having to take motions and we haven't been able to do that. I can't imagine why,' said Patricia Hennessy, partner at New York law firm Hennessy & Bienstock. Hennessy, who represented Vanessa Trump in her divorce from Donald Trump Jr, said Rosen's position was that he's paying 'add ons' and he shouldn't have to pay basic child support. But the attorney added: 'Why he among all the people in New York shouldn't pay basic child support I don't know.' Billionaire Tamir Sapir (center), Zina's father and Rosen's father-in-law, invested in the Trump Tower SoHo project and was accused of having mafia connections but has always denied those claims (pictured in 2007 with his son Alex Sapir and Trump) In 2018, Rosen was photographed sharing cigars with former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen outside Cohens Upper East Side hotel months before he entered a guilty plea for lying to the Senate and was ultimately sentenced to prison Rosen invested heavily in Trump's failed Trump SoHo hotel in New York City. Pictured is Rotem's wife and in-laws at a Trump SoHo press conference in 2007 alongside Donald Trump and his children. (L-R) Eric Trump, Turkish investor Tevfik Arif, Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump, Tamir Sapir, Alex Sapir, Julius Schwarz and Zina Sapir Hennessy said Rosen, who co-founded MRR Development with billionaire industrialist Anand Mahindra and Jerry Rotonda, former CFO of Deutsche Bank of the Americas, was paying $50,000 a month in rent. 'So that takes us up to $600,000 of disposable income that he's just using for rent but he doesn't think he should have to pay any basic child support,' the attorney said in the December 9 filing. 'I tried to negotiate with the Blank Rome (law) firm to pay child support on $650,000 and we would split the add ons. 'I think to have to make a child support motion in this case is crazy but if we have to, we will.' The bitter divorce is complicated because Rosen is in a legal battle with the Sapir family and is pursuing a $103million claim to the estate of his billionaire father-in-law Tamir Sapir, who died in 2014. The Israeli real estate developer previously was CEO of the Sapir Organization before a falling-out with his brother-in-law, Alex Sapir. In court documents Rosen claims he was cut out after a 'falling out' with Alex in 2017. He says he's owed money for work he did on the sale of Sapir Organization properties, including its biggest asset: 11 Madison Ave, which went for $2.6 billion in 2015. Court papers obtained by DailyMail.com show that Rosen's rent amounts to '$600,000 of disposable income' and that Zina is asking for $650,000 in child support But reps for Tamir Sapirs children slammed Rosens claim as a 'sham' in court papers and said hed already been paid. Billionaire Tamir Sapir invested in the Trump Tower SoHo project and was accused of having mafia connections, claims he always denied. Rosen has long been closely linked to Donald Trump, featuring in the president's social and business circles prior to him entering the White House. In December 2007, Trump hosted the lavish wedding between Rosen and Sapir at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. The upscale bash featured a fireworks display and performances by Lionel Richie and the Pussycat Dolls. Five months later Trump, Jared Kushner, and Ivanka Trump attended the bris (Jewish ceremony of circumcision) for their newborn son. In 2013, Rosen attended the now infamous Miss Universe Pageant in Moscow and posed with Trump for a photo. Zina's brother Alex Sapir (right) and her husband Rosen (left) are believed to have tried to make Trump Tower Moscow a reality. Rosen is now in a legal battle with the Sapir family and is pursuing a $103million claim to the estate of his billionaire father-in-law Tamir Sapir, who died in 2014 It has been reported that Rosen and brother-in-law Alex Sapir tried to pull strings behind the scenes to make Trump Tower Moscow a reality. The project, which never got off the ground, would later come under scrutiny during Robert Mueller's probe into Trump's links to Russia. On April 13, 2018, Rosen was photographed sharing cigars with controversial former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and others outside Cohens Upper East Side hotel. In November that year Cohen entered a second guilty plea for lying to a Senate committee about efforts to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. The following month he was sentenced to three years in federal prison and ordered to pay a $50,000 fine. Zina Sapir dropped Hennessy & Bienstock as her law firm in January. The heiress declined to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com. Family law attorney Steven Silpe, who represents Rosen in the divorce, said of the child support issue: 'It is completely inaccurate, but it is our policy not to comment on pending cases.' Glasgow [UK], Feb 14 (ANI): The eleven-year imprisonment to Mumbai terror attack mastermind and JuD chief, Hafiz Saeed, just days before the crucial Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meet in Paris is a ploy by Pakistan to mislead the international community, said an activist. Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza, an activist and journalist based in the UK, said Pakistan has perfected the art of misleading the international community through the years and stressed that the need is to maintain pressure on the country until it acts against terror funding. "The 11-year sentence given to Hafiz Saeed is a drama. They will file an appeal in the Supreme Court and he will be out of prison. A plenary session of FATF is scheduled from February 16 to 21 and if Pakistan is put on the black list from the grey list, it will fail to avail loan from any international organisation. Saeed's arrest is to mislead the international community", Mirza said. On Thursday, an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan sentenced Saeed to 11 years in jail for financing terrorist operations. He is accused of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed 166 people. Saeed is a co-founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist outfit and the chief of Jama'at-ud-Da'wah (JuD), which is operating mainly from Pakistan. In April 2012, the United States announced a bounty of USD 10 million on Saeed for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Mirza alleged that Saeed is a close aide of the Pakistan Army and will enjoy all hospitality in prison. He said, "Pakistan will keep Hafiz Saeed securely as they kept Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad. Its jails are not like the ones in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. They have keet Saeed in a five-star facility. Hafiz Saeed is like Pakistan Army's civil general." "Pakistan has not acted against the JuD terrorists and cadres of Hafiz Saeed rather recruited them as private security guards. Whenever they need them, they will recall them and use them as proxies against India or any other country. It is like a reserve army. Hafiz Saeed should be tried for war crimes because he is directly responsible for genocide in Kashmir and he is a close aide of Pakistan Army," the activist further said. If Pakistan continues to fail to satisfy the FATF and is downgraded to its blacklist, there could be serious financial and diplomatic implications, including an impact on a bailout the country getting from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). (ANI) US President Donald Trump said during his speech about the deal of the century Jan. 28 that the implementation of the deal requires putting an end to Hamas malicious terrorist activities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for his part, lauded on the same day the plans call for Hamas to be disarmed and for Gaza to be demilitarized. In response to these Israeli and US calls, Hamas issued a series of reactions. Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas political bureau, made it clear in press statements Feb. 5 that Hamas weapons shall not be part of any plan, and the movements strategy of developing a military force shall go so far as to include the West Bank and Jerusalem. Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas' deputy head in Gaza, said in a press statement Jan. 28 that Trumps declaration regarding the weapons of Hamas is just nonsense. Mahmoud al-Zahar, a member of Hamas political bureau, told Palestine Today Jan. 28 that Israel had repeatedly tried to disarm Hamas, but to no avail, and this could only happen if Israel and the United States proceeded to kill all Palestinians. Wasef Erekat, a Palestinian military expert in the West Bank and former artillery unit commander of the PLO, told Al-Monitor, Hamas obsession with the Israeli and US intention to disarm it is understandable and logical, but such intentions will only materialize through an Israeli war on Gaza. Rockets, artilleries, weapons fired from a distance and cross-border weapons are the most dangerous weapons that Israel believes should be taken away from Hamas. Light and medium weapons are not important for Israel, even though Hamas may substitute any weapons it might lose in any war with local industries and smuggling from outside Gaza. Yusef al-Hasayneh, a member of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), warned Feb. 5 during a political symposium organized by the movement in Gaza against launching a war on Gaza to disarm Hamas in the implementation of the deal. He also warned against doing so through soft tools that include economic prosperity, a long truce or closing the outlets that supply Hamas and the PIJ with weapons. Hamas leader Ismail Radwan told Dunia al-Watan website Jan. 28 that the weapons of the resistance are the target of the deal of the century, but this is a red line, and war is the only way this weapon could be taken away by force. Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesman, told Al-Monitor, Israels intention to disarm Hamas is not recent, and I have repeatedly tackled it before, so including it in the deal does not change much. This goal will not be achieved because Hamas will not give up its weapons, which are surrounded by a strong popular environment that believes in it. Our weapons are legitimate because we use them to defend our people based on international laws, and Israel will not be able to take them away from us. There are even Israeli circles that find this goal quite unrealistic. Uri Savir, Israel's former deputy foreign minister, revealed in an article published by Al-Monitor in March 2018 that according to the deal, Gaza will be part of the Palestinian state, provided that Hamas is disarmed. However, Amos Gilboa, a former adviser at the prime minister's office for Arab affairs and retired Israeli army brigadier general, told Maariv Jan. 30 that while the deal talks about disarming Hamas, this remains an empty dream that will not come true because it raises a question about who will disarm the movement, and this alone bodes ill for the deal. Mohammed al-Braim, spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees, told Al-Monitor, The Israeli and US threats to disarm the resistance as part of the deal of the century may be carried out in the coming period, and the resistance is considering and readying itself for the worst-case scenario, which could be a grinding Israeli war on Gaza. However, the Israeli army, with all its capabilities, will not be able to disarm Hamas. Reports about mechanisms for handing over weapons are just unrealistic, as Israel cannot have the weapons voluntarily handed over but might continue to send mediators to persuade us to do so. This is not the first time that Hamas faces Israeli and international disarmament demands. In February 2006, the International Quartet called for the disarmament of the movement, as the Palestinian Authority (PA) stressed in 2017 the need to have one legitimate weapon, and Hamas rejected this. In March 2019, an Egyptian plan spoke about disarming the movement in exchange for lifting the siege on Gaza. Imad Abu Awad, an Israeli affairs researcher at the Vision Center for Political Development in Turkey, told Al-Monitor, It is in Israels interest for the deal to include the dismantling of Hamas advanced and normal weapons, but the question arises as to the possibility of this actually taking place. This may be carried out through an Israeli military operation or by leading the PA to return to Gaza and calling on it to disarm the movement, even though Hamas concerns over its weapons may lead to a PA-Hamas agreement. Some Arab countries may also interfere to dismantle Hamas weapons, which could also be taken away through a tightened blockade on Gaza to pressure Hamas into handing over its weapons. Egypt might also place pressure on Hamas in this regard, leading to a confrontation between the two sides. The Israelis and Americans do not expect Hamas to take the initiative to voluntarily hand over its weapons, some of which is obtained from Iran, Sudan and Libya via Sinai, while the rest is manufactured locally. This suggests that Israel may seek to disarm the movement through the military option an all-out war. This scenario could lead to major surprises on the part of Hamas and could incur huge and unbearable Israeli losses. Israel has waged three fierce wars against Gaza to dismantle Hamas weapons, but it has yet to achieve this goal, and there is currently no Israeli consensus on the war given the lack of guarantees that such a war can achieve the desired goal. Also, such a war might lead to unknown results. In this context, it only seems natural for Hamas concern over its weapons to push it to conclude an agreement with the PA through reconciliation efforts that have been resumed in the wake of the announcement of the deal. The besieged movement is unable alone to bear the burdens of the Palestinians in Gaza, and it does not desire a brutal Israeli war in Gaza to disarm it. However, the problem is that President Mahmoud Abbas announced Feb. 3 that he does not believe in weapons and that he will seek to have a demilitarized state of Palestine. He also pointed out that the PA does not want to return to Gaza, let alone run its financial and living affairs. But in some cases that are not talked about as much, these kinds of acquisition efforts are more sinister in nature, designed to essentially strangle the baby start-up before it gets too big. Is it too dramatic to compare it to Knives Out? No, since this move is known in Silicon Valley as a killer acquisition. And if a giant tech company cant make a purchase with murder in mind, and its spurned by the start-up in its sights? Well, Id like to introduce you to the long-suffering Snapchat, which is still under siege from Facebook after declining its kind offer of enrichment. There are many such examples, as the large companies in tech barrel down the highways like tractor-trailers, blocking all lanes and letting little past them. High in their fancy cabs, they think nothing of the damage they are doing below, with only open road ahead. The F.T.C.s chairman, Joe Simons, signaled as much in his statement: This initiative will enable the commission to take a closer look at acquisitions in this important sector, and also to evaluate whether the federal agencies are getting adequate notice of transactions that might harm competition. And while the F.T.C. noted that this inquiry is essentially a fact-finding mission, it certainly could turn into more. If during this study we see transactions that were problematic, all our options are on the table and it is conceivable we can initiate enforcement action with those deals, Mr. Simons told reporters later. Along with other investigations by the Justice Department and by aggressive state attorneys general, this F.T.C. information trove could yield a lot of insight about the past. Thats especially important since regulators have been hands-off with the tech industry since, well, forever, and this is just making up for lost time. CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance recently announced that its partnering with multiple colleges in the Capital Region to offer free electronic tax preparation and filing resources to students, faculty, and members of the community. Those with an income of $69,000 or less in 2019 may be eligible to file their federal and state taxes at one of the Tax Departments free tax assistance sites. College students who can no longer be claimed as dependents on their parents income tax returns may be required by law to file their own tax returns, New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Michael Schmidt said in a news release. Im thrilled to help by offering free services to these college students and faculty in our expanding partnership with colleges around New York State, Schmidt added. Free Tax Assistance Locations: SUNY Empire State College Albany Empire State Plaza Concourse, Albany 12220 SUNY Empire State College Schenectady 245 Broadway, Schenectady 12305 Hudson Valley Community College 80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy 12180 Room 218 Another tax assistance site at the Empire State Plaza concourse in Albany is open to any taxpayer earning $69,000 or less in 2019. Empire State Plaza Concourse 100 S. Mall Arterial, Albany 12242 You can find a schedule of dates and times at each Free tax assistance sites in the Capital Region on the Tax Department website. What to bring: email address copy of last years tax return or the amount of your prior years federal adjusted gross income driver license or state-issued ID (for you and your spouse if filing jointly) birthdates and Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and your dependents income statements (wages, interest, and dividends), including W-2 and 1099 forms statements related to any property taxes paid or mortgage interest payments Forms 1095-A, B, or C, Affordable Healthcare Statement information related to any credits youre claiming your banking information (account number and routing number) NY 529 College Savings Plan information if you have an account Tax Department experts will be on hand to guide you through the tax preparation and filing software. At certain locations, they can assist taxpayers in multiple languages. The IRS and AARP also offer free tax filing services at locations statewide. If your income is $55,000 or less, AARP volunteers and certified IRS volunteers will help you prepare both federal and state returns at no cost. To locate volunteers near you, visit the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) webpage: Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers. Free tax preparation software available online You dont need to visit a free tax assistance site, though: if eligible, you can also access and use the same free software anytime from your computer, smartphone, or tablet at www.tax.ny.gov. Click Free File your income tax return on the Tax Department website to be directed to the tax preparation software. Using the software can reduce filing errors that delay return processing and refunds. It also prevents valuable credits from being overlooked. Filing information Your federal filing status is used to determine your filing requirements, standard deduction, eligibility for certain credits, and your correct tax. If you are a New York State resident you must file Form IT-201, Resident Income Tax Return. If you are a part-year resident you must file Form IT-203, Nonresident and Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised the APC led Buhari Presidency to stop chasing shadows, end its resort to falsehood and blackmail as well as take a lesson from the widespread booing that greeted President Muhammadu Buhari during his failed media stunt visit to insurgency ravaged Borno state on Wednesday. The partys position was predicated on the allegation by the Presidency through Garba Shehu that the people of Borno were paid to boo the President even when his ordeal was clearly self-inflicted following his Presidencys continuous aloofness to the plight of Nigerians and communities being daily ravaged by terrorists, bandits and insurgents. The PDP in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said, President Buhari should rather accept the bitter truth that Nigerians no longer have confidence in him, instead of allowing his aides to insult and smear the already hurting people of Borno state, for expressing their discontentment over the failure of his administration to take steps to end the scourge of terrorism in the country. The statement reads in parts. It is indeed an unpardonable height of thoughtlessness and leadership failure for the Buhari Presidency to accuse victims of terrorism; a brokenhearted people, including those who have been orphaned, widowed, maimed, rendered homeless and living in agony and fear, of being bribed to boo the President during his media stunt visit. Our party holds that an honest and concerned Presidency would be more interested in taking decisive steps to tackle the security challenges which has festered under it, instead of engaging in shadow-chasing, blackmail, propaganda and unnecessary media stunt visit, which itinerary did not include the victims of the attacks. Moreover, during the visit, Mr. President had no significant soothing words of assurance for the people; he had no decisive policy thrust to track down the killers, yet his handlers expected the mourning people to clap. The PDP notes that the reaction of Nigerians in Borno represents the opinion of majority of our citizens and the international community. The attempt by the Buhari Presidency to divert attention by accusing Nigerians is therefore completely unacceptable. The Buhari Presidency should indeed search its conscience regarding its manifest failure to decisively act in the face of escalated insecurity in our country under its watch. The party also charged the Buhari Presidency to further gauge the feeling of Nigerians by visiting other states of the federation and by road, perhaps after that it would finally dawn on it that Nigerians, across board, no longer have confidence in the Buhari administration. The allies of Ukraine in NATO are interested in the resumption of the NATO-Ukraine Commission activity at the level of defense ministers, and the Ukrainian side hopes that this will happen soon. "All countries, in bilateral or multilateral formats, expressed their expectations that we would resume the NATO-Ukraine Commission activity at ministerial level. Currently, it does not work because of Hungary's stance. We have already implemented the recommendations of the Venice Commission, so we believe that the path is open, and we expect Hungary to take all the necessary steps to unblock our status," Defense Minister of Ukraine Andriy Zahorodniuk told journalists on Thursday following his visit to NATO Headquarters, an Ukrinform correspondent reported. He stressed that all the countries working with Ukraine provided assistance not only in carrying out reforms or training the troops but also adopted the real combat experience gained during the five tragic years of Ukraine's dramatic fight against Russian aggression. On September 28, 2017, the Law of Ukraine "On Education" entered into force, which determines that the language of instruction in educational establishments is the state language. The educational program may provide for teaching one or several disciplines in two or more languages. Some countries, in particular Hungary, criticized the law because it allegedly restricts the rights of national minorities. On January 16, 2020, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law of On Complete General Secondary Education which regulates, in particular, the provision of secondary education in the languages of national minorities. Afterward, the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine expressed hope that Hungary would unblock Ukraine-NATO high-level dialogue. ol It seemed like a routine traffic stop. An officer from the 44th Precinct in the Bronx pulled over a motorist for talking on her cellphone while driving. The motorist faced a $50 fine and five points on her license if it was a first time violation. But this wasnt just any motorist. Officer Michele Hernandez had pulled over City Councilwoman Vanessa L. Gibson, chair of the public safety committee. While her car was stopped, Ms. Gibson called Kevin Catalina, the commanding officer of the 44th Precinct, who was at home at the time of the incident. Deputy Inspector Catalina instructed the desk officer at the precinct to tell Officer Hernandez not to issue a ticket, Ms. Gibson said. When Officer Hernandez returned to Ms. Gibsons car, the councilwoman handed the officer her cellphone. Deputy Inspector Catalina who was later promoted to deputy chief was on the line. Theresa Villiers has been dropped from the role of Defra Secretary following a dramatic post-election cabinet reshuffle. Boris Johnson has made changes to his front-bench team this morning (13 February) following the Conservatives' general election win. Villiers, who has only held the post since July last year, confirmed on a Facebook post that she had been asked by the prime minister to leave the role. A significant Vote Leave supporter, she was given the job after Michael Gove left the role for a promotion to become the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The MP for Chipping Barnet faced some of the toughest challenges of any government department as the UK gets underway with the Brexit transition period. As a strong animal welfare advocate, she frequently spoke out on the issue of live exports despite concerns from the sheep industry. The National Sheep Association (NSA) said her proposal to ban live exports 'exposed a serious lack of knowledge' of how the industry works. Last month, she promised that chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef will not be imported into the UK after Brexit. Prior to her role as the Environment Secretary, Villiers was the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from 2012 to 2016. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 By Samir Ali - Trend: Head of the Azerbaijani community of Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region Tural Ganjaliyev has met with Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Andrzej Kasprzyk, Trend reports referring to the community. The meeting, which was held in the office of the community, was also attended by the community members. During the meeting, Tural Ganjaliyev emphasized that he will more actively continue his work as an elected MP from Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region. The head of the community emphasized that the Azerbaijani community is ready for intercommunity contacts, noting that internally displaced persons want to return to their lands, and the community supports the initiatives put forward in this field. The Azerbaijani community of Azerbaijans Nagorno Karabakh region has recently held numerous meetings with the ambassadors of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries in Azerbaijan, as well as other officials and public figures; at all meetings it was stressed that the Azerbaijani community is ready for joint coexistence with the Armenian community on the conditions of peace and Azerbaijans territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders. 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 districts. 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 districts. When it comes to Central Asia-U.S. relations, financial assistance packages from the United States have traditionally been lower compared to those provided by Washington to Afghanistan or the Caucasus, The Diplomat writes in the article US Pledges $2 Million to Uzbekistan. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Tashkent in early February to meet his counterpart, Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov, and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He also participated in the latest round of the regional C5+1 meeting, which gathered the foreign ministers of the five Central Asian countries with the United States. During the U.S.-Uzbekistan bilateral meeting, Pompeo pledged $2 million in assistance to Tashkent. This amount taken alone looks meager compared to the amounts Russian or Chinese leaders pledged recently (China signed deals worth more than $10 billion in 2017 and Russian signed agreements for $25 billion in 2018). However, in no way does this mean that the overall U.S. financial assistance package will be limited to the headline $2 million. According to Pompeo, in 2019 U.S. government projects in Uzbekistan amounted to $100 million (half of this amount was earmarked for education sector reform). A closer overview of overall U.S. assistance to the region suggests that larger U.S. investments are conveyed through less direct assistance mechanisms. What appears under the category of U.S.-government projects is the smallest piece of the pie. The overwhelming amount of U.S. assistance comes via multinational development banks, such as the World Bank and others in which the United States is the largest stakeholder. Since the independence of the Central Asian states, that mechanism has provided $50 billion in loans, grants, and guarantees of the overall $91 billion the U.S. has spent in the region. The other portion of the $91 billion in U.S. assistance came through a foreign direct investment mechanism, and amounted to $31 billion (Kazakhstan is the largest recipient in this category). The last mechanism, U.S.-government assistance, is where Uzbekistans $100 million in 2019 came and the newly pledged $2 million will be spent. Assistance under this mechanism is usually implemented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and overall the United States has spent $9 billion via this mechanism. The $2 million assistance that Pompeo highlighted in his trip, although small, indicates a new phase in U.S.-Uzbekistan relations. The first $1 million was pledged (pending congressional approval) for technical assistance for the development of Uzbekistans capital markets and another $1 million for trade and connectivity projects between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Capital market reform in Uzbekistan is a recent development that has been spearheaded by the Agency for the Development of Capital Markets in Uzbekistan. In the words of its head, Otabek Nazirov, the development of capital markets in Uzbekistan will allow the country to attract foreign investments other than bank credits by selling bonds and stocks in the world market. He launched the sale of first $1 billion in bonds in 2019. For the hermit-like pre-2016 Uzbekistan, the transaction was a step toward a system with modern capital markets that will attract foreign investments, international players to the Uzbekistan market, and liquidity to banks. The second $1 million U.S. investment aimed at developing trade and connectivity between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan is less clear, but the USAID office in Uzbekistan announced that the engagement could involve assessment of trade opportunities between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, drafting legislation to facilitate trade relations, and training of students from Afghanistan. For Tashkent this project is a recognition of its role in the reconstruction process of Afghanistan. Central Asian states have always been at the margins of U.S. interests, and U.S. direct assistance to the Central Asian states pales in comparison to the multibillion dollar investments from Russia and China. However, a broader look at other investment mechanisms with U.S. participation is necessary to understand the full nature of U.S. involvement in the region. As it turns out, major investment projects in infrastructure are funded by U.S.-dominated multinational development banks. The telecom department has withdrawn its order that asked for no coercive action against telecom companies defaulting on statutory dues payment after the Supreme Court on Friday took a strong view of non-compliance with its order After Supreme Court rap, the telecom department began issuing orders, directing companies such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea to clear dues before Friday midnight. The DoT, which faced the ire of the Supreme Court for putting on hold recovery of dues from telecom companies, started issuing circle or zone-wise demand notices to firms, an order seen by PTI said. The order issued on Friday by the UP (West) Telecom Circle asked "all telecom service providers" to clear dues by 11.59 pm Friday. "With reference to subject cited above, you are hereby directed to make the payment of outstanding dues of licence fee and spectrum usage charges by 14.02.2020, 11:59 PM positively," it said. One of the telecom operators, who did not wish to be named, confirmed the receipt of the said order from the circle. While in all, 15 entities owe the government Rs 1.47 lakh crore -- Rs 92,642 crore in unpaid licence fee and another Rs 55,054 crore in outstanding spectrum usage charges, it is not immediately clear just how much of that has been sought by the government by midnight tonight. The order issued the circle-based Controller of Communication Accounts came after the telecom department earlier on Friday withdrew its order that asked for no coercive action against telecom companies defaulting on statutory dues payment. Earlier in the day, the telecom department has withdrawn its order that asked for no coercive action against telecom companies defaulting on statutory dues payment after the Supreme Court on Friday took a strong view of non-compliance with its order. The order also directs field offices to take "immediate necessary action" in compliance with the October judgment of the Supreme Court. The direction by the DoT says its previous order dated 23 January, 2020 "stands withdrawn with immediate effect". Telecom Dept withdraws earlier directions granting protection to telcos from coercive action#telcos #telecom pic.twitter.com/duZdTg9PG9 CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) February 14, 2020 "It is directed to take immediate necessary action in compliance with the judgement dated 24 October, 2019 of the Supreme Court," said the fresh order issued by the DoT soon after the apex court made its observations on Friday. The department's move came after the Supreme Court on Friday directed the managing directors and directors of telcos and other firms to explain why contempt action be not taken against them for non-compliance of its order to pay adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of Rs 1.47 lakh crore to the Department of Telecommunications. Taking strong note of the non-compliance of its order, a bench of Justice Arun Mishra, Justice S Abdul Nazeer and Justice M R Shah expressed anguish over the order passed by DoT's desk officer, staying the effect of its verdict in AGR matter. Of the three private players operating in the Indian telecom market, Vodafone Idea is considered to be in the most vulnerable position. Vodafone Idea is staring at dues worth Rs 53,000 crore that includes up to Rs 24,729 crore of spectrum dues and another Rs 28,309 crore in licence fee, and the company had earlier warned of shutdown if no relief was given. Vodafone Idea in its earnings statement on Thursday had also sounded out warnings on "material uncertainty" casting "significant doubt" on its ability to continue as a going concern. VIL had said on Thursday that the company's ability to continue as a going concern is essentially dependent on a positive outcome of its modification application in the Supreme Court on the AGR matter and any relief from the telecom department on payments. Last week, Vodafone Chief Executive Officer Nick Read had said the situation in India is critical, following the AGR ruling of the Supreme Court. The British telecom major holds 45.39 percent stake in VIL. VIL had suffered staggering Rs 50,922 crore loss in the September quarter (highest ever loss posted by any Indian corporate), when it had made provisions for statutory dues following the Supreme Court's order in the adjusted gross revenue matter, although its losses in December quarter narrowed to Rs 6,439 crore. Rival Bharti Airtel's liabilities added up to nearly Rs 35,586 crore, including licence fee and spectrum usage charge dues. But, Airtel had already said that the previously-mentioned material uncertainty on the group's ability to continue as a going concern "no longer exists" after the recent Rs 21,502 crore fund raising by it. Most of the remaining liability is with state-owned BSNL/MTNL and some of the shut/bankrupt telecom companies. (With PTI inputs) Forty-seven percent of Americans believe it was appropriate for the U.S. Senate to acquit President Donald Trump on the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress which got him impeached by the House of Representatives in December. The same percentage of voters think the Senate should have thrown the president out of office. Meanwhile, the Politico/Morning Consult poll of almost 2,000 registered voters showed that a majority think it was inappropriate for Joe Bidens son, Hunter, to work for a Ukrainian gas company while his father was the point man on foreign policy in Ukraine. The presidents push for investigations of the Biden familys business dealings in Ukraine eventually led to his impeachment. Fifty-two percent of voters say Hunter Biden shouldnt have taken a job on the board of Burisma; just 18% said it was appropriate. Fifty-seven percent agreed with Trump and his Republican allies, saying the matter amounted to a scandal; only 19% said it wasnt. On the Bidens, the poll showed Republicans and conservatives more likely to see scandal, impropriety and conflicts of interest than Democrats or liberals, Politico reported. While no evidence shows that either Biden broke any laws at the time, multiple officials including foreign service officers testified during the impeachment hearings that they had expressed concerns about the appearance of a conflict of interest. More than half of voters said they thought there was some type of conflict of interest, and only 16% said there was none, Politico reported. While the president pressed Ukraine for investigations into Biden for months, with Democrats accusing him of trying to cheat in his 2020 re-election bid, only 35% of voters said the apparent Biden conflict of interest should have been investigated. Forty percent of voters said the Biden-Ukraine affair wouldnt change their vote, though the former Vice President and Delaware senator did take a hit from independents in the poll, with 54% of independents finding his actions inappropriate. We cannot deny the reality of suffering and we cannot deny humanity's tension with it; the Bible doesnt. Human suffering can metastasize into inconsolable despair that causes a person to prefer death over life. The Apostle Paul admitted as much when he wrote, For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself (2 Corinthians 1:8, ESV). To be so burdened by pain, sorrow, weakness, or some other merciless affliction led even St. Paul to despair of life itself. So, we are not alone if we find ourselves in such a situation. The Bible is not silent about agony or the sense of despair that it breeds. But what do we do with such suffering? In Horace McCoys 1935 novel, the title of this quintessential Postmodern story is established in the closing scene. The female lead of the story, Gloria, a bitter, angry, and ultimately miserable creature, asks Robert, the naive, anti-hero-protagonist of the book, to end her life. Robert compliantly shoots Gloria in the side of her head, as directed by the pathetic creature. The police arrive. Robert is detained. On the way to the police station, one of the cops asks the murderer, Why did you kill her? Robert replies without the slightest evidence of guilt or immorality, She asked me to. The policeman, baffled at such a thoughtless obliging to Glorias distraught demand, responds with contempt and incredulity, Is that the only reason you got? Robert replies, They shoot horses, dont they? They Shoot Horses, Dont They? is the definitive Darwinian rejoinder to the persistent angst of humanity.[1] Let us be clear: no one is immune from the helpless feeling of watching another person spiraling downward, trapped by the sinister force of the black hole of despair. We intuitively want to help. To the book cum film, Yes, we do, indeed, shoot horses to put them out of their misery. But your Gloria was not a horse. And we are not animals. Indeed, that essential fact is at the heart of a worldview debate. Gloria was wrong for her demand that Robert put her out of her misery. We can, at least, understand the physical and mental forces that drive her to such irrationality. Yet, Robert is culpable, too, for, committingnot a mercy killingbut rather a homicide. The decline of Western values born out of and nurtured in our Judeo-Christian foundation stones is inevitably accompanied by observable symptoms of such decline. One of those symptoms has persisted throughout world history and has only recently been popularized to the point of legalization in some countries and U.S. states. That symptom has a name: euthanasia. But exactly what is euthanasia? And what does the Bible say about euthanasia? This article will seek to answer these questions as well as provide a scripturally sound and unsurpassably compassionate response to the existential pain that causes humankind to consider euthanasia as a solution. Therefore, let us construct a response to the question, "What is euthanasia?" Euthanasia Is a Contradiction of Terms by Definition Euthanasia is an English word derived from a Greek compound meaning "good death." Euthanasia is mostly associated with voluntary or patient consented ending of life through the assistance of another. The act is sometimes referred to as "mercy killing." The concept has its origin not only in the ancient Greco-Roman world, which is often cited as such, but rather extends all the way back to the time of David and King Saul. The practice has been universally banned in the Western world until recently. The twentieth century, in particular, witnessed a movement for the legalization of euthanasia. The Netherlands remains the most liberal in its legislative allowance of euthanasia. Euthanasia Is a Symptom of the Thanatos Syndromethe Culture of Death The act of euthanasia is part of the cult of death and is an act condemned in Scripture not only by principle but by example. In principle, we gather the truths from the word of God that touches upon the subject and we are able to conclude that life and death belong solely to the Creator, Almighty God. The Bible says that there is a time to be born in a time to die. The Lord Jesus talked about Paul's suffering and reminded him that when he is weak then he is strong. The Apostle Paul taught the Philippians that he would identify his suffering with Christ so that he might attain unto the resurrection. Even as advocates of euthanasia sought to normalize such voices such as Dr. Walker Percy, the prodigious author-philosopher-psychiatrist-Christian apologist, from Covington Louisiana penned his final novel in 1987 to call out the culture of death and its consequences. The title of the work is The Thanatos Syndrome. "Thanatos" is the Greek word for death. In the story, Thomas Moorea quite interesting Catholic name assigned to the protagonist in The Thanatos Syndromeis a psychiatrist who returns to Feliciana (based on the real East Feliciana and West Feliciana parishes where Dr. Percy once resided) to practice medicine after some serious mistakes in his life. The remnant of a decrepit empire of Spain, the Feliciana parishes became a refuge for all manner of malcontents; from Tories who opposed the American Revolution to deserters, criminals, and smugglers. Upon his return, he notices bizarre behavior in his patients and even in his wife. Through the means of sabotage of the water system by malevolent forces, the residents of this Louisiana parish began to act like chimpanzees, i.e., mere animals. Even those called to be helpers and caregivers became participants in this strange culture. Through the voice of his character in the Thanatos syndrome, Walker Percy wrote, You are a member of the first generation of doctors in the history of medicine to turn their backs on the oath of Hippocrates and kill millions of old useless people, unborn children, born malformed children, for the good of mankind and to do so without a single murmur from one of you. Not a single letter of protest in the august New England Journal of Medicine. Walker Percy was exactly right. Sadly, The Thanatos Syndrome is not just a novel. The Thanatos syndrome is an invasive cancer choking out the living conscience of a civilization forged on the teaching of St. Paul and St. Peter, that is, upon the very teaching of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What Does the Bible Teach Us about Euthanasia? Let us gather together several salient Scriptures that are unmistakable signposts in these days of biblical ignorance. Let these signs guide us to the truth. Let us compare Scripture with Scripture to see the indisputable evidence: God hates the murderous taking of human life. Therefore, God abhors that wicked and deceitful deed that men call "The Good Death. Our unequivocal statement is derived from many places in Gods Word. Let us mark well our pathway to this knowledge, this wisdom, this revelation that euthanasia is incompatible with Gods will. Top photo credit: GettyImages/AndriiZastrozhnov Note 1. The noted film critic, Robert Ebert, wrote of the film, The movie begins on a note of alienation and spirals down from there. "Horses" provides us no cheap release at the end; and the ending, precisely because it is so obvious, is all the more effective. We knew it was coming. Even the title gave it away. And when it comes, it is effective not because it is a surprise but because it is inevitable. As inevitable as death. The performances are perfectly matched to Pollack's grim vision. Bibliography Beauchamp, Tom L., and Arnold I. Davidson. The Definition of Euthanasia. The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy: A Forum for Bioethics and Philosophy of Medicine 4, no. 3 (September 1, 1979): 294312. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmp/4.3.294. Ebert, Roger. They Shot Horses, Didnt They? | Balder and Dash | Roger Ebert. Balder & Dash, January 16, 2011. https://www.rogerebert.com/balder-and-dash/they-shot-horses-didnt-they. Edelstein, Ludwig. The Hippocratic Oath, Text, Translation and Interpretation. Vol. 1. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1943. Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henrys Commentary on the Whole Bible. Iowa Falls, IA: World Bible Publishers, 1968. Horace McCoy. Chapter Thirteen. In They Shoot Horses, Dont They?, 12021. Serpents Tail, 1995. http://archive.org/details/theyshoothorsesd00mcco_0. Palliative Therapy - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/palliative-therapy. Percy, Walker. The Thanatos Syndrome. Macmillan, 1999. Piper, John. Does the Bible Prescribe Alcohol to the Depressed? Desiring God, April 21, 2017. https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/does-the-bible-prescribe-alcohol-to-the-depressed. Pollack, Sydney. They Shoot Horses, Dont They? Film, Postmodern, 1969. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065088/. Samway, Patrick H. Walker Percy a Life. First. New York: Farrar, Stause & Giroux, 1997. Schaeffer, Francis A. How Should We Then Live? (Labri 50th Anniversary Edition): The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture. Crossway, 2005. Shiel Jr., MD, William. Definition of Euthanasia. MedicineNet, 31 2018. https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7365. Steck, Nicole, Matthias Egger, Maud Maessen, Thomas Reisch, and Marcel Zwahlen. Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in Selected European Countries and US States: Systematic Literature Review. Medical Care 51, no. 10 (2013): 93844. http://www.jstor.org/stable/42568837. MICHAEL A. MILTON (Ph.D., University of Wales; MPA, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; MDIV, Knox Theological Seminary; Cert. in Higher Education Teaching, Harvard University) serves as the Provost and James Ragsdale Chair of Missions and Evangelism at Erskine College and Seminary. A Presbyterian minister (PCA, ARP), Milton has penned more than thirty books, hundreds of articles in journals, magazines, opinion columns, and newspapers. As president of the D. James Kennedy Institute and Faith for Living, Milton has served as a public theologian. His work has been cited on numerous national media outlets as he provides historic Christian insights into faith and life in a changing world. Dr. Milton's record of ministry includes seminary chancellor, president of three seminaries, senior minister of one of America's historic churches, founder of three congregations, and a Christian academy. A composer and artist, Mike and Mae Milton reside in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Learn more at michaelmilton.org/about. [from a press release by McCain& Associates.] FRANKFORT, N.Y. -- A Utica man is facing charges following traffic stop by the town of Frankfort police. Jauqere Flagg is facing the charges including criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of stolen property. Police say they stopped Flagg and found that he was in possession of a loaded hand gun that was reported stolen. He was sent to Herkimer County Jail on $200 bail or $1000 bond. Flagg is due back in court at a later date. A leading media rights watchdog has slammed new regulatory measures targeting social media platforms in Pakistan where the media have been subjected to growing censorship and pressure following the election of Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2018. According to a draft of the law seen by AFP, the new measures announced earlier this week would pave the way for allowing Pakistani authorities to ask for the removal of content, disable encryption, and demand companies open offices and host data centres inside the country. "These stringent but vague rules approved by Pakistan's federal cabinet threaten the ability of journalists to report the and communicate with their sources," said Steven Butler, Committee to Protect Journalists' Asia programme 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." Pakistan's science and technology ministry Fawad Chaudhry defended the measures. "Now we have a regulation to control the harmful content on social media, but it has nothing to do with the political content," the minister told AFP Friday. "If anyone has a better suggestion for this mechanism and to support freedom of expression, we will listen." Pakistani legal expert Yasser Hamdani however described the measures as "unconstitutional", saying the law was "designed to curb freedom of speech and expression in the country". Facebook declined to comment on the new measures when contacted by AFP, while Twitter and YouTube did not respond to inquiries. In recent years the space for dissent has shrunk further in Pakistan, with the government announcing a crackdown on social networks and traditional media houses decrying pressure from authorities they say has resulted in widespread self-censorship. Pakistan has a long history of targeting social media sites, including famously blocking Facebook for two weeks in 2010 over blasphemous content and barring YouTube from 2012 to 2016 because of a film about the Prophet Mohammed that led to violent protests across the Muslim world. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States said Friday it would refuse entry to Sri Lanka's army chief over "credible" evidence of human rights violations in the bloody 2009 finale to the civil war. Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, whose appointment last year drew wide international criticism, will be ineligible to visit the United States, as will his immediate family, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. Volunteers will show some love for San Francisco's Ocean Beach on Valentine's Day, according to the Turtle Island Restoration Network, which is hosting a beach cleanup on Friday. The Love Your Beach Cleanup will start at 10 a.m. and last until noon and groups and individuals are welcome to join in. People will gather at the north end of the Ocean Beach parking lot to start the cleanup. The California Supreme Court ruled unanimously in San Francisco Thursday that Apple Inc. workers must be paid for the time they spend undergoing searches of their bags and iPhones when they leave work. The mandatory searches, including waiting time for a supervisor to conduct the probe, typically take 5 to 20 minutes and sometimes up to 45 minutes, according to evidence in a lawsuit filed against Cupertino-based Apple by a group of employees. The high court said the time workers spend on searches qualifies as "hours worked" under state law because the employees are under the control of Apple and required to stay on the premises until the search is completed. Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye wrote, "It is clear that plaintiffs are subject to Apple's control while awaiting, and during, Apple's exit searches. "Apple's exit searches are required as a practical matter, occur at the workplace, involve a significant degree of control, are imposed primarily for Apple's benefit, and are enforced through threat of discipline," Cantil-Sakauye wrote in the court's opinion. Alameda County prosecutors on Thursday told attorneys for the Moms 4 Housing group that occupied a vacant West Oakland home for about two months that four people arrested during their eviction last month in West Oakland will not be charged. Legal counsel for the Moms 4 Housing group was informed around 1 p.m. Thursday that prosecutors reviewed reports by the sheriff's office and will not charge Misty Cross, Tolani King and two supporters for the group. "This is the right result, the just result," EmilyRose Johns, senior associate with Siegel, Yee, Brunner and Mehta, said in a statement. Moms 4 Housing occupied the home at 2928 Magnolia St., which was purchased in July by Southern California-based Wedgewood Properties. The company planned to renovate the home and sell it. But a deal brokered last month by Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf's office means the home will be sold to the Oakland Community Land Trust. The land trust buys properties and converts them to affordable housing. Bay Area mayors called for increased state funding with a focus on housing production to help address the homelessness in the region and throughout the state, during a California State Assembly subcommittee hearing on Thursday. The hearing, called the State of Homelessness Funding and Gov. Gavin Newsom's 2020 Budget Proposal on Homelessness, in front of the State Assembly Budget Subcommittee was held in San Francisco with San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo in attendance. "We've seen, not only in San Francisco but throughout the state, homelessness has really taken front and center," said Breed. "It is like nothing I've ever seen before. In San Francisco alone we have over 8,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, and 5,000 people are living unsheltered on streets. An assault suspect was taken into custody Thursday for assaulting another person with a chain on a BART train near Lake Merritt station on Tuesday, BART officials said. The suspect was arrested Thursday evening by the California Highway Patrol. BART officials did not release the suspect's name. The suspect can be seen on surveillance footage getting on the train at the Coliseum station. He starts talking casually with a female passenger. The victim gets on the train at Fruitvale station and the suspect starts talking to both of them. BART officials said the suspect punched the victim in the face and the two start fighting before the victim is hit with the chain at about 6:10 p.m. The suspect gets off the train at Lake Merritt station. Someone took the victim to a hospital where he was treated for injuries not considered life-threatening and later released. Friday will be mostly cloudy in the morning before becoming partly cloudy. Highs will be in the mid 50s to lower 60s. Northwest winds will be 5 to 10 mph. Friday night will be mostly clear. Lows will be in the mid 40s to lower 50s. West winds will be 5 to 10 mph. Saturday will be partly cloudy. Highs will be near 60 degrees. East 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. This is the heartbreaking final text message Renae Marsden sent her mother, Teresa, after she was allegedly deceived for years by 'catfish' Camila Zeidan Moments before Renae Marsden, 20, took her own life, she sent her mother a heartbreaking text. 'I'm sorry for everything and the pain I will now cause you,' Renae said. 'When you need to talk to me just call my name and I'll be there.' It was August 5, 2013, and the typically 'bubbly' and 'happy' receptionist was at The Gap, in Sydney's east, contemplating ending her life. For 18 months, her best friend and former lover, Camila Zeidan, had allegedly deceived Renae into beleving she had a boyfriend, 'Brayden Spiteri'. Brayden had a bad boy attitude, a six pack and a kind smile, photographs showed. And Renae was besotted, a coronial inquest into the young woman's tragic death heard this week. Brayden was, apparently, an inmate at Goulburn jail. He was supposedly behind bars over a motorcycle accident where his best friend had died, and had traded away his visitation rights for softer sentence. Renae Marsden, 20 (left) died by suicide at The Gap in Sydney's east on August 5, 2013 after her best friend Camila Zeidan (right) allegedly 'catfished' her These are pictures of the man Renae believed was Brayden. But they depict another person = who had no idea of how his photos were being used Tragic: Renae Marsden is pictured right with her mother Teresa left - who received a heartbreaking final text Renae and Brayden messaged each other incessantly. She got a tattoo of his last name on her body, the court heard. She dreamed of marrying him upon his release, which she was promised would happen before her 21st birthday. But Brayden was all a concoction of Camila's, Coroner Elaine Truscott was told this week. And the 'false reality' Renae lived, believing she was in a relationship with a fictional person, ultimately led to Renae's awful death, the inquest heard on Friday. 'Sort your daughter out, threatening suicide': How Brayden allegedly drove Renae to her death At 2.59pm, the day Renae died, her mother Teresa received a blunt text from Brayden's phone, according to the counsel assisting the inquest's version of events. 'Sort your daughter out, threatening suicide,' the text said. Brayden - really, his puppeteer, Camila - had reason to be worried. Renae was devastated by a message she had received from Brayden that day, counsel assisting the inquest Sasha Harding said in her closing address. The message to Renae, from Brayden, was along the lines of: 'I think I need a break and so do you', the court heard. Renae hadn't heard from Brayden for about a month when she received the text. Renae was told Brayden was participating in a court case and couldn't speak until early August. (Camila was on holidays in the United States at the time). Her colleague Joseph Abbatte went to lunch with the visibly upset StarTrack receptionist about 1pm that day. Renae was crying, Mr Abbatte said in an sworn affidavit to the court. She used a napkin to wipe away her tears and waved the text in his face, before heading home. Teresa Marsden handed the court these text message exchanges with 'Brayden' (in white, Teresa's texts are in green' Teresa Marsden was incredulous when she received the text from Brayden, unaware of the true nature of their relationship. 'Please explain to my why a young woman would want to kill herself?' she wrote back. She confronted Renae at home but was reassured that she was OK. Hours later, after telling her mother she was going to dinner with work friends, Renae drove 50 minutes from her home in Glenhaven to The Gap, the court heard. She exchanged several texts with 'Brayden' and Camila, but police have been unable to obtain the contents of them. Renae chucked her phone over the cliff before she died, and Camila and Brayden's messages from that day could not be recovered by police. She was seen for the last time alive, on CCTV footage at The Gap, 13 minutes after mobile phone tower data showed she received a text from Brayden. Camila told the court this week that she deleted Renae's final message 'accidentally'. She claimed Renae's last message to her was something like, You will always be my best friend, I will always love you'. A break-up, 'obsession' and possessiveness: Camila's alleged control over Renae Camila Zeidan dodges the cameras this week Camila this week took to the witness box to give evidence - under the condition that she be granted immunity from prosecution over any evidence she provided at the inquest. She admitted that she was 'Brayden' at the other end of the phone, and that he had never existed. But she claimed Brayden was a 'character' she and Renae, her ex-girlfriend, had created together, in order for them to be together despite others' disapproval. 'We both agreed we were never going to be accepted in a relationship, like, we weren't ever going to be accepted together,' Camila said on Tuesday. 'So we created the character so that no one would find out.' (Ms Harding claimed there was no evidence of this in the years of messages police did manage to obtain, and that Camila's justification 'makes no sense'). Renae's final possessions, as found in her car, including a collage of Brayden (right) captioned 'I love you, baby!' This is the collage of Brayden Spiteri which Renae Marsden carried around with her The court heard Camila and Renae were in a relationship at school, at Mount St Benedict College in Sydney's north west, when they were in Year 10 in 2008. Camila denied her relationship with Renae was 'obsessive'. But Ms Harding pointed to emails Camila sent to Renae that year to argue the opposite. One email said: 'I swear to God kid, you r going no where, do you understand, you abuse me, I'll laugh, you kill me, I'll be your ghost, you hate me, I'll still love you, run away, chase you; you hide, I'll hunt you down... Only I'll own you ... I'm too in love with u and too obsessed with you and crazy about you baby.' Renae and Camila's relationship fell apart after school. But the inquest heard evidence from Renae's mother of Camila engaging in behaviour 'like stalking' of Renae in the years that followed. 'I had 54 calls last night Camila. That's f***ed. I'm sorry, but that's possessive. If you can't see that then there is something terribly wrong with you'. Renae Marsden in a Facebook message to Camila Zeidan in September 2011 Teresa Marsden claimed in an affidavit that Camila would lurk at the top of the driveway in her car (Camila denies that) and follow her (which she also denies). In one evening, Camila allegedly bombarded Renae with 54 missed calls in the one evening, the inquest heard. In a Facebook message, Renae told Camila: 'I had 54 calls last night Camila. That's f***ed. I'm sorry, but that's possessive. 'If you can't see that then there is something terribly wrong with you'. Camila told the inquest: 'I probably did try and talk to her ... I don't know what was going on at the time... It works both ways'. Ms Harding claimed to the inquest that Camila had used 'Brayden' as a tool to break up Renae and her boyfriend after Camila, Angus Young. (Camila denies this.) 'Camila as the 'Brayden identity asserted mental control over Renae... Brayden sought to limit and sour Renae's social life,' Ms Harding said in her closing address. '(Meanwhile) for nearly two years, (Renae) dedicated her mental and emotional life to Brayden.' '(Renae's) life was on hold, lived via her mobile phone, receiving and sending incessant messages to a fictional person.' Catfishing is not a crime - but it may become one Renae Marsden's devastated 14-year-old sister Monique during a press conference this week It is not clear whether Renae herself learned she was allegedly being 'catfished' prior to her death. Police investigators told the inquest Renae had called Goulburn prison for 90 seconds at 2.44pm that afternoon. An operator would have told Renae there was no one by that name at the prison, Detective Senior Constable Brent Bell told the court. Catfishing - as the practice of creating fictional online love personas has become known - is not illegal in New South Wales, as Renae's devastated family found out. Mark Marsden, Renae's father, told Daily Mail Australia outside court this week that it 'beggars belief' that there was no 'right' charge for police to lay against Camila. And Ms Harding described just how the family felt about that in her closing remarks. 'That the intentional and ongoing deceitful actions of Camila ... was not enough for the police to take action to arrest and charge Camila with any criminal offence, has been truly confounding an inexplicable for the family,' she said on Friday. 'That there is no apparent criminal sanction .... is truly the deepest insult to the family, and no doubt the community.' She called for the 'apparent flaw' in the law to be rectified. Renae Marsden's family were beside themselves with emotion after listening to Camila Zeidan's testimony on Wednesday. Above, father Mark (right), brother Luke, sister Monique and mother, Teresa WHY CAMILA GOT IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION Coroner Elaine Truscott granted Camila Zeidan a certificate under section 61 of the Coroner's Act - in other words, immunity from prosecution. Camila's lawyer had objected to her taking the stand as it might incriminate her in a criminal offence. The coroner told Camila the certificate means 'the evidence you give in these proceedings cannot be used against you in any other proceedings in a NSW court'. In allowing the fact of Camila's immunity to be published, Ms Truscott said on Thursday that Camila's evidence did not, in fact, incriminate her in any offence. Advertisement The Marsden family were beside themselves with emotion after Camila's first full day of testimony on Wednesday. Renae's mother yelled 'I waited seven years for this' after the day's hearing ended. Camila had continuously said she 'did not remember' important events. There were few dry eyes among the family as they spoke to reporters afterwards. Mr Marsden said: 'I think to some extent today's proceedings are worse than losing Renae. "We're very disappointed because we wanted some closure today," Renae's little brother, Luke, said: 'I look around and see my family in tears. 'I wouldn't wish this to my worst nightmare. No family deserves to be broken like this.' The Coroner will report her findings at a later date. For 24/7 confidential crisis support, contact Lifeline 13 11 14 In Saudi Arabias rigid past, religious police once swooped down on rose sellers and anyone peddling red paraphernalia around Valentines 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 liberalisation 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 others 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 Arabias mainly young population is often compelled to lead dual lives in the pursuit of social liberties that may outstrip the kingdoms capacity for change. Secrets and lies Samirah, a 27-year-old finance executive in the Saudi capital, felt a flutter of nerves when her boyfriends 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 honour is often tied to female chastity, the revelation would have provoked fury from her family and jeopardised 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 liberalisation 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. 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. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed with a few modifications to the text.) Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW HARTFORD, NY An Oneida County man is under arrest after police say he exposed himself in a grocery store last month. Police say 40-year-old Jared Gawlas of New Hartford is charged with one count of indecent exposure of a person, which is a violation. He is accused of walking through the Hannaford on January 23 with his genitals exposed. Police say store employees received complaints from customers, and management asked Gawlas to leave. New Hartford Police subsequently posted surveillance photos of the suspect on Facebook, asking for the publics help identifying him. He was identified and arrested earlier this week. Gawlas is scheduled to appear in New Hartford Town Court to answer the charge at an unspecified later date. Friday, February 14th, 2020 (12:02 am) - Score 71,490 After a delay Three UK (Hutchison 3G UK) has this morning announced the launch of their 5G mobile network for Smartphone users, which will be available across busy parts of 65 new locations from the end of this month. Previously theyd only been able to launch the network on their dedicated Mobile Broadband service. Technically speaking Three UKs 5G network began to go live in August last year, although its availability was initially restricted to central London and the only way to use it was via their dedicated unlimited Three Broadband service (30 per month via 5G or 22 for 4G). Nevertheless the operator claimed that their initial customers were still enjoying average speeds of 232Mbps, with a peak of 1.1Gbps (apparently up from 30Mbps with 4G devices). Under the original plan they expected their 5G footprint to reach 25 UK towns and cities by the end of 2019, but things didnt go quite according to plan. Indeed they admitted in November 2019 that the work had been more time consuming and complex than others, and, as a result, our 5G roll out is slightly behind our original plan (here). The delay was somewhat embarrassing but the good news is that their wider 5G mobile service underpinned by one of the countrys first cloud core networks will finally be going live across 65 new UK locations by the end of February 2020, which among other cities and towns includes big chunks of London, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Coventry and Nottingham (see full list below). NOTE: One slight twist to todays news is that their 5G Broadband service wont be going live in the new locations, yet, despite being the first to launch. Dave Dyson, CEO at Three, said: Today we are celebrating what is possible through 5G with a showcase of our ultra-fast 5G capabilities marking the next step in our 5G journey. 5G is set to change the world for all of us and we cant wait for our customers to start experiencing it. Three UK claims to have somewhat of an advantage over their rivals in that they can harness a total of about 140MHz (frequency) across several related radio spectrum bands. One of those includes a 100MHz block of contiguous spectrum in the 3.4-3.8GHz band (here), which is known to be the sweet spot for 5G. By comparison their rivals only have smaller slices of the 3.4GHz band to use at launch, although this will start to change later this year when Ofcom auctions off more spectrum for use alongside the new network technology. NOTE: At present At present Vodafone only has 50MHz of 5G spectrum, while EE and O2 each hold 40MHz in the 3.4GHz band. In the meantime the operator claims theyre set up to be the fastest 5G network in the country and will provide peak mobile speeds of up to 2x faster than other telco operators. However at present such claims should be taken with a pinch of salt, not least because theyve yet to be proven via independent testing and how much spectrum you have is only part of the challenge (i.e. you also need plenty of backhaul capacity and cells for coverage). Likewise any testing of early networks that is performed wont currently tell us much because theres likely to be plenty of spare capacity being shared between very few users (most people dont own a 5G Smartphone yet and so cant benefit from such a network). Otherwise all of Threes new and existing customers will have access to 5G with no speed caps and at no extra cost on all contract, SIM only and PAYG mobile plans. PDP Diaspora Initiative, a US-based organization of diaspora members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has hailed the Thursday, February 13 decision of the Supreme Court in Nigeria as a big victory for democracy in Africa. The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return earlier issued to David Lyon (as governor-elect) and Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo (as deputy governor-elect) over falsification of academic credentials. In a unanimous decision by a five-man panel of Justices led by Justice Mary Odili, the court held that Degi-Eremieoyo presented a forged certificate to INEC. In a press statement from PDP Diaspora Initiatives head office in Houston, United States of America, the organizations founder and national chair, Hon. Victoria Pamugo commended the Justice Mary Odili-led panel for doing the right thing this time. In doing the right thing this time, the Supreme Court has sent a clear message to the whole world that there is potential that democracy and rule of law are possible in Nigeria, Hon. Pamugo said. We commend the Justice Mary Odili panel for making sure that justice is done this time. But the court has got more work to do in other similar cases across the nation, she said. It doesnt smell right when there is a selective application of the law, Hon. Pamugo said. If falsification of academic credentials can become so material as to warrant justice in Bayelsa, the Nigerian people must hope that the same judgment will apply equitably all across the nation, especially starting from Aso Rock, she said. Referring to the recent Supreme Court judgment in Imo State, where a popularly-elected governor, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, was forcefully removed and replaced with an All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate who came fourth in the election, Hon. Pamugo expressed dissatisfaction over the decision, which was a dirty slap in the face of justice and rule of law. We are calling on the Supreme Court to restore its public image as well as the peoples confidence in the judicial system by appointing a new panel to review the Imo State decision. Not doing so will continue to damage the peoples confidence in the system and the Imo State decision will remain an albatross of suspicions on the courts neck, Hon. Pamugo said. PDP Diaspora Initiative congratulates Senator Duoye Diri for his victory for the people of Bayelsa and wishes him great success in his agenda to deliver good roads, good health care, and quality education systems, to improve the peoples lives and reduce poverty in the state. PDP Diaspora Initiative is a registered non-profit organization based in the United States of America, with members from many countries, including Austria, Canada, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States of America. For more information, visit www.pdpdiasporainitiative.com . Signed: Chidi Igwe National Publicity Secretary PDP Diaspora Initiative www.pdpdiasporainitiative.com Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State on Thursday called on the Federal Government to warn the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to stop making inflammatory remarks capable of destabilising the country. Governor Wike also berated the APC National Chairman for saying that there will be no swearing-in of the PDP Candidate in Bayelsa State, saying he has no such powers. Wike in a statement in Port Harcourt declared inter alia:The Federal Government should warn Oshiomhole to stop making remarks that will destabilise Nigeria. What he is doing in Edo State is not proper and he should not bring it to the rest of the Niger Delta. The Rivers Governor maintained that Oshiomhole lacks the power to make pronouncements after the Supreme Court has ruled on the Bayelsa matter. Who is Oshiomhole to determine who has spread in a state? Supreme Court has made a ruling. It is unfortunate for Oshiomhole to come forward to say that nobody will be sworn in Wike declared. He said that Oshiomhole is making unguarded statements because he has lost the support of APC Governors, hence he wants to curry favour through careless talks. It is most unfortunate what Oshiomhole is doing because he wants to retain his position as National Chairman. APC Governors have rejected him, that is why he is struggling to prove that he is fighting for the Party. He is making statements as if he owns the country. This is the same way he is carrying on in Edo State fighting the Governor. He believes that he has the forces to cause crisis. He is arrogating powers to himself, which is not good, the governor said. Wike stated that Oshiomhole is a man who preaches one thing, then goes ahead to practise a different thing. He said the situation in Edo State has exposed Adams Oshiomhole as a godfather who once preached against godfathers. Governor Wike admonished that Oshiomhole would not be allowed to destroy the Niger Delta; insisting that the rule of law must continue to prevail at all times. PV: 0 Get Affordable Managed IT Services That Support Your Business Objectives Your IT strategy not only impacts daily operations or ease of doing business but also has long-term effects on your balance sheet. 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Inspite of Pakistan-based JeM claiming responsibility to the attack, Gandhi questioned 'who benefitted the most?'. Moreover, he enquired what the outcome of the investigation into the attack and asked who was held responsible for the security lapses. BSF states 'You will be missed!' paying tribute to Pulwama martyrs on 1-yr anniversary Rahul Gandhi questions Pulwama attack Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? pic.twitter.com/KZLbdOkLK5 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 14, 2020 Congress questions IAF's Balakot strike, stumped on Pak PM's admission Congress questions Balakot The grand old party has often asked proof for the 'Balakot strike' which succeeded the Pulwama attack as a retaliation by the Indian army. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor had quoted Pakistan's claim that the Army hit a few trees in Pakistan and that no terrorists were killed in the airstrike on February 26. When asked as to why he was questioning the same, when Pakistan PM Imran Khan had admitted the strike, he denied any knowledge of it. Four men linked to JeM held from Pulwama district of J&K Memorial to 40 CRPF jawans killed in Pulwama 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. The names of all the 40 personnel along with their pictures will be part of the memorial. The memorial will also display the motto of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) -- 'Seva and Nishtha' (Service and Loyalty). Memorial to 40 CRPF jawans killed in Pulwama attack to be inaugurated on Friday Pulwama Attacks On February 14, 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora (near Awantipora) in the Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The attack resulted in the deaths of 40 CRPF personnel and the attacker. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed. The main conspirators of the module have since then been terminated by the Army since then. 8:55 pm: China's factories try to get back to normal as virus persists. But it's far from business as usual Two weeks after the Lunar New Year holiday was originally supposed to end, Chinese businesses are still getting up to speed as the country deals with disruptions from a highly contagious virus. The new coronavirus that began to grab national attention in mid-January has killed more than 1,300 people in mainland China. More than half of the provinces delayed the resumption of work from the first week of February by at least a week in an effort to keep people from interacting and spreading the virus. In many places, businesses were scheduled to resume work this past Monday, but a variety of data indicates progress has been slow as the virus remains an unresolved concern. Evelyn Cheng. 8:50 pm: Next two weeks will be critical for China in coronavirus outbreak, IMF chief says The next two weeks will be crucial in determining the economic impact of the coronavirus, says International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. In that time, factories are due to re-open in China, which would give a "better understanding on the resilience of China and on that basis, the spillover for the rest of the world," Georgieva told CNBC's Hadley Gamble at the Munich Security Conference on Friday. She said the IMF was also watching how the new coronavirus was spreading outside of China, stating that it was "not a major issue for now" but if it spread into "weak health system countries, for example in Africa" that may change. Vicky McKeever. 7:30 pm: China's XI says country must fix loopholes exposed during coronavirus outbreak Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the ruling Communist Party to repair loopholes and weaknesses exposed during the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reported on Friday, citing state television. His reported comments come shortly after China's National Health Commission reported an additional 121 deaths nationwide, with 5,090 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The flu-like virus was found to have killed a total of 1,380 people in mainland China as of Thursday evening after the health commission said it had removed 108 deaths from the total figure due to a double-count in Hubei province the epicenter of the global coronavirus outbreak. It is the second day in a row that the province's data changes have caused significant changes to a nationwide figure, fueling doubts many have about their accuracy. (See 1:15 p.m. update). The White House does "not have high confidence in the information coming out of China," a senior U.S. administration official told CNBC on Thursday. Chinese President Xi Jinping Aris Messinis | Pool | Reuters 6:50 pm: China's top auto industry body reportedly expects auto sales to tumble more than 10% in the first half of 2020 Auto sales in China are expected to fall more than 10% in the first six months of the year as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reported Friday, citing China's top auto industry body. "We predict auto sales will drop more than 10% in the first half of this year, and around 5% for the whole year if the epidemic is effectively contained before April," Fu Bingfeng, executive vice chairman at China's Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), told Reuters in an interview published Friday. CAAM's latest forecast reflects a much weaker outlook for auto sales in the world's largest auto market than it had initially projected. Last month, the industry body said it expected auto sales were likely to dip 2% in 2020. 5:50 pm: China says 1,716 health workers infected by coronavirus, six deaths China's National Health Commission said on Friday that 1,716 health workers in the country had been infected with the coronavirus and six of them have died. It is the first time China has published figures specifically relating to infected medical personnel. Chinese health officials have previously warned of medical equipment shortages as hospitals in the country come under heavy strain and face resource constraints. 5:15 pm: 'Beware of scammers': Singapore warns of crooks trying to take advantage of coronavirus fears The Singapore government is warning of scams made under the pretext of investigations linked to confirmed cases of coronavirus, as the city-state seeks to contain the spread of the deadly virus. Scammers have reportedly been calling people to ask for financial details under the pretext of "contact tracing" the process of identifying those with close contact with infected patients. People who have been identified are closely monitored for symptoms and tests for signs of infection. Huileng Tan. 4:30 pm: Cruise industry plans to avoid Asia, warns coronavirus outbreak will hamper full-year earnings The cruise industry is canceling or re-routing planned journeys through Asia as a result of the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak. Industry leader Carnival Corp warned on Thursday that the flu-like virus would have a "material impact on its financial results," with travel restrictions necessitating the suspension of cruise operations from ports in China. In addition, Royal Caribbean Cruises has had to cancel a total of 18 sailings in Southeast Asia, while also modifying several itineraries. The company cautioned that full-year financial results would be weaker-than-expected if travel restrictions and concerns over the outbreak persist. The profit warnings come shortly after one cruise ship off the coast of Japan announced it has more than 200 coronavirus infections onboard, while another cruise ship was reportedly shunned from docking by five Asian ports despite no known cases of the virus. 3:30 pm: Alibaba warns virus-related disruptions may hit revenue growth in March quarter The new coronavirus caused more than half of China to shut down for at least a week, and as the country slowly gets back up to speed, e-commerce and technology giant Alibaba said Thursday some of its businesses are getting hit. "For our e-commerce business, the delay in employees returning to work following the Spring Festival holiday is preventing merchants and the logistic companies from resuming operations," CEO Daniel Zhang said, according to a transcript seen by CNBC. He added that a "significant number of packages" were not able to be delivered on time. Chief Financial Officer Maggie Wu said it was too early to quantify the impact of the coronavirus on the company, she noted the disruptions from the disease would likely negatively hit overall revenue growth for the March quarter, especially in its businesses which rely on physical production such as the retail marketplace and consumer services in China. The company reported a 38% year-on-year increase in revenue to 161.5 billion yuan ($23.2 billion) in the quarter ended Dec. 31. That's slightly slower than the 41% revenue growth between the December quarter of 2017 and 2018. Alibaba shares closed 1.76% lower in U.S. trading, while its Hong Kong-listed stocks were down around 0.8% on Friday. 3:15 pm: China allocates more funding for virus control efforts China's finance ministries have allocated 80.55 billion yuan ($11.5 billion) for virus prevention and control efforts as of Thursday, Ou Wenhan, assistant finance minister, said Friday at a press conference in Beijing, according to a CNBC translation of his Mandarin-language remarks. He added that 41 million yuan has already been paid out. The total allocation is an increase of about $2 billion from the 66.74 billion yuan the ministry disclosed last week. 3:00 pm: Singapore's leader flags risk of recession due to virus Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Friday that the coronavirus' economic impact on the island nation's economy has already exceeded that of SARS in 2003, according to a report by local publication The Straits Times. Lee said it's possible that the city-state could go into recession. Singapore has one of the highest numbers of confirmed cases outside of China. (see 11.22 a.m. update) Huang 2:40 pm: Global airline revenue set to plummet Global airline revenues could drop by between $4 billion and $5 billion in the first quarter of this year, as flights got cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to a forecast by the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization. Some 70 airlines have cancelled all international flights to and from mainland China, and another 50 airlines have curtailed related air operations, it said. That has resulted in an 80% decrease in foreign airline capacity for mainland China. In terms of impact to tourism in the first quarter, due to fewer Chinese travelers, Japan could be hurt the most by losses worth $1.29 billion in tourism revenue, followed by Thailand at $1.15 billion, according to the organization. 2:15 pm: China's industrial power demand set to drop as shutdown continues Industrial power demand in China may drop by as much as 73 billion kilowatt hours representing 1.5% of industrial power consumption in the country, according to Reuters citing IHS Markit estimates. Many of China's factories are not yet functioning at full capacity, or are under an extended shutdown. Last year, industrial power consumption accounted for 67% of the country's total, according to the report. Meanwhile, weaving machines at textile plants are operating at the lowest in five years below 10% of capacity, the report says, citing ICIS data. The country is the largest textile and garment exporter in the world. 1:15 pm: China writes off 108 deaths in Hubei, citing double-counting error in province China's health commission said Friday it removed 108 deaths from the total figure due to a double-count in Hubei province, the epicenter of the global coronavirus outbreak. The pneumonia-causing virus has killed a total of 1,380 people in mainland China as of the end of Thursday, the commission said in its Chinese-language daily online report. In parentheses after the death count, the statement added, per a CNBC translation: "Because of duplicated Hubei province statistics, 108 are written off." Friday's report is the second day in a row the province's data has caused major changes to a nationwide figure. And it adds to doubts many have about the accuracy of the data. On Thursday, a senior administration official told CNBC the White House does "not have high confidence in the information coming out of China" regarding the count of coronavirus cases. 12:30 pm: Chinese officials recommend using tech, localized approach to tackle outbreak As the virus spreads outside the city of Wuhan, Chinese officials said at a meeting Wednesday that regions that are hardest hit by the disease must take immediate measures in screening, quarantine and medical treatment modeled after the response in Wuhan. That's according to an English-language press release from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting of the national-level virus response group, chaired by Premier Li Keqiang, also ordered local governments to use targeted response measures, rather than blanket, one-size-fits-all policies. The meeting did recommend local authorities use big data technology for tracing the transmission of the disease through contact, and monitoring those at risk for contracting it. Some places in China have already been asking locals to enter some personal identification information into an app before taking public transit, or entering shopping centers. 11:22 am: Singapore must be prepared for cases to climb, minister says Singapore must be prepared that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country could continue to climb in the coming weeks, said Janil Puthucheary, senior minister of state at Singapore's Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Communications and Information. As of Thursday noon, Singapore has 58 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 15 of which have recovered and discharged, according to the country's Ministry of Health. The Southeast Asian nation with a population of 5.7 million has one of the highest numbers of cases outside China. Singapore has not recorded any deaths, but that too is something people must be "psychologically prepared" for as the number of cases continue to rise, said Puthucheary. Lee 10:40 am: China confirms 121 more deaths, 5,090 new cases China's National Health Commission reported an additional 121 deaths nationwide, as well as 5,090 new confirmed cases as of Feb. 13. 10:05 am: Supply chain disruptions have hit businesses, says American Chamber of Commerce Gregory Gilligan, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China said supply chain disruptions have hit members and that the organization is helping companies navigate different regulations in various parts of China. "We've basically been working with folks to work around to get through the temporary regulations that are in place to try to slow down the virus. Many places have put up measures that impact logistics, transportation so delivery of materials, getting materials that are once produced out, etc," he said. Huileng Tan 9:30 am: Guangzhou bans people from dining out in restaurants In a bid to curb the spread of the virus, China's Guangzhou city has banned people from going out to eat at restaurants. That ban was effective Feb. 12, as people came back to work this week after the extended Lunar New Year break. Guangzhou is the capital of the manufacturing hub of Guangdong province, and is one of the largest cities in China. 9:10 am: Bank of Japan warns coronavirus could hurt the country's economy Japan's central bank said the impact of the outbreak on production and tourism must be monitored. The country's economy may already have contracted sharply in the October to December quarter due to slowing overseas demand and consumption taking a hit due to natural disasters, it said, according to Reuters. Japan has 33 confirmed cases so far, and it reported its first death of a coronavirus patient on Thursday, although it was unclear if it was directly linked to the disease. That would be the third coronavirus death outside of China. 8:45 am: Chickens meant for China are being rerouted due to outbreak Shipments of chicken from the U.S. to China are being diverted to ports in Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam due to the virus outbreak, according to Reuters, citing a U.S. poultry export trade group. This is due to the outbreak keeping people from coming back to work in China, leading to a slowdown in the unloading of products at Chinese ports, which have run out of space for refrigerated containers. Such containers must be plugged into power once offloaded, to keep frozen meat cold, the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council told Reuters. An estimated 300 to 400 refrigerated containers with poultry are being diverted, the council said, according to the report. 7:55 am: Hubei reports 4,823 new cases China's Hubei province reported an additional 116 deaths and 4,823 new confirmed cases as of the end of Feb. 13. Of the new cases, the government said that 3,095 were "clinically diagnosed." That term refers to a new method for tabulating case totals which now count toward the "confirmed case" count. The change was made so a broader set of patients can receive the same treatment a confirmed case does, according to a CNBC translation of the official announcement's Chinese text. In total, Hubei authorities said that 51,986 people have been infected in the province. A woman wears a protective mask as she rides a bicycle on February 11.2020 in Wuhan. Hubei province, China. Flights, trains and public transport including buses, subway and ferry services have been suspended. Getty Images All times below are in Eastern time. 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 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 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 9:36 am: China's Huanggang to seal apartments as it tightens virus control measures A South Lake mother has been given less than a month to get rid of one of her beloved elderly pet dogs after neighbours complained to the local council about the "smell of dog poo" coming from her backyard. The woman owns two shih tzu and a blue heeler. Credit: Nearby residents said the stench was so strong it attracted rats and mice to nearby units and kept them up at night. Some said they had been forced to relocate their bedrooms to the opposite end of the house and were considering moving homes after more than a decade living in the neighbourhood. "The smell of dog poo is so bad I can not open my bedroom windows," a neighbour told the City of Cockburn. "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." Vinay Sharma, Mukesh Singh, Akshay Kumar Singh, and Pawan Gupta the four convicts in the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case are set to be hanged in the Tihar Jail on February 1. But even after the death warrants have been issued against them the four men and their lawyers have been engaging in delay tactics one after the other in order to stop the execution. The latest delay tactic is by Mukesh Singh who has now filed a plea in the Supreme Court challenging the President of India's decision to reject his mercy plea. In his plea, Mukesh has also demanded the death warrant date on February 1 be set aside. President Ram Nath Kovind has rejected convict Mukesh's mercy plea on December 17. His curative petition has already been dismissed by the Supreme Court. Earlier in the day, a Delhi court on had rejected a petition by the lawyer of the death row convicts alleging the Tihar Jail authorities were not handing over some documents required to file mercy and curative petitions. However, the public prosecutor told the court that the Tihar jail authorities have given all the relevant documents sought by the convicts. The convicts' lawyer AP Singh had also alleged that Vinay was being slow poisoned and was hospitalized, but his medical reports are not being supplied to him. He also claimed that the diary and paintings of Vinay Kumar Sharma were also not given to him. Additional Sessions Judge Ajay Kumar Jain disposed of the petition saying the convicts' lawyer can take pictures of the relevant documents, diary, and paintings from the Tihar jail authorities. Previously another convict Pawan Kumar Gupta had tried to delay the execution by filing a case in the Supreme Court claiming that he was a juvenile at the time of the crime and the High Court had not taken note of this fact. The Delhi High Court had dismissed the same last year and fined lawyer AP Singh for wasting the time of the court. On Monday a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and A S Bopanna dismissed the plea of convict Pawan Kumar Gupta and upheld the Delhi High Court verdict. The four men along with another accused, Ram Singh and a juvenile were arrested in December 2012 for the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old paramedical student on a moving bus in Delhi. Ram Singh was found dead inside his jail cell in 2013 in an apparent suicide and the juvenile who was tried under the Juvenile Justice Act was released in December 2015. Australian wool prices have dropped just 0.6 per cent in the past week, according to the latest data from the Australian Wool Innovation Limited's (AWI) Eastern Market Indicator. The Indicator dropped to $15.77 per kilogram, down from last week's six-month high of $16.09. However, prices will be under pressure if the lock down in China continues it may become increasingly expensive to export wool, and other products, to China due to declining 'backloading' opportunities on ships. AWI also noted some brokers have been offering a week's grace on payment to buyers whose shipments are delayed. "This is most helpful and appreciated by exporters with delayed contracts, but obviously not the panacea to the larger potential issue,'' AWI wrote in its latest commentary. "One of the major roadblocks on the horizon for wool export, will be the immediate lack of containers and vessels arriving from China. The shipment of wool relies on the import of goods from China into Australia to get the wool back to Chinese factories. This is relevant not just for the physical transfer, but also for the discounted cost. Ships heading back to China are usually very competitive for freight rates and if we use the comparative analogy of a backload discount we enjoy at times in Australia in the trucking industry, these shipping costs have been exceptionally low for years." "Full container load rates are expected to have severe upward pressure placed upon them as well as the applicable port charges until the current China situation remedies itself. Thats all of course subject to vessel availability as authorities work their way through the ability or not of the virus to live and transmit contagions on non organic matter. Information from the Journal of Hospital Infection indicates from initial studies that the virus is able to live for at least a week on surfaces. Whether vessels and the [containers] on board are allowed to enter Australia or have a withholding period remains unknown." Brandon Lewis has said he is committed to delivering on Government proposals addressing the legacy of past violence (Brian Lawless/PA) The new Northern Ireland Secretary has said he is committed to delivering on Government proposals addressing the legacy of past violence. Brandon Lewis said he wanted to build on promises made by his predecessor when powersharing was restored last month. Many MPs oppose the prosecution of soldiers for alleged past wrongdoing. Mr Lewis was asked whether he stood over commitments in the powersharing deal, specifically legacy, and responded absolutely. He said: The New Decade, New Approach agreement is something the Government is absolutely committed to and I see my job as actually building on that and delivering on the promise of that agreement. Mr Lewis replaced Julian Smith in the Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday. 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 He paid tribute to the great work done by his brilliant predecessor, who he said was a good friend. 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 Stormont Assembly functioning again after a three-year suspension. There are concerns in Tory circles that the agreement includes plans for a historical investigations unit of independent detectives. Its remit is expected to cover alleged crimes by British soldiers, republican and loyalist paramilitaries and police during the 30-year Troubles. 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. Brandon Lewis during his visit to CSIT Northern Ireland Science Park in Belfast (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Lewis visited the Centre for Security Information Technologies (CSIT) in Belfast. He met the senior Queens University Belfast team to hear about the importance of the IT and the cyber sector in Northern Ireland. He also talked to engineers and scientists and was shown a non-echo chamber, which is used for testing antennae signals. Mr Lewis said his focus was on making a brilliant success of the political deal to restore the institutions signed last month, adding: Investing in infrastructure, getting things moving again, that is my focus. The newly-appointed Northern Ireland Secretary is a former Tory Party chairman who worked his way up from leading a council to the Cabinet. He held the top job at Conservative Campaign Headquarters known as CCHQ during the Tory leadership race last summer. He was then rewarded with the posts of security minister and deputy for EU exit and no-deal preparation in Boris Johnsons first Government. On Friday he reiterated the Governments position on Northern Ireland and Brexit. He said: We are absolutely clear, as the UK Government we will not be having a border down the Irish Sea. Sinn Feins deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill said Mr Lewis had agreed to an urgent early meeting to discuss the range of issues on his desk, including; legacy, bad faith on pensions, Brexit and political and financial commitments to make the Assembly and ministerial Executive sustainable. Meanwhile, First Minister Arlene Foster urged action from local politicians as well, saying: The clear message from not only our voters but all voters was that Northern Ireland could not continue to drift after three years without local decisions on everyday issues like our roads, schools and hospitals. This vacuum could never provide businesses with the clarity, certainty and long-term stability to plan for the future. New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday claimed that over a million people from across the country had joined the party within 24 hours of its stunning win in the Delhi Assembly elections. Contrary to the speculation that several chief ministers from other states will attend Mr Kejriwals oath-taking ceremony at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, the party has made it clear no leaders from the Opposition parties have been invited and it will be a Delhi-specific ceremony. There are indications, however, that the party could invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the seven BJP MPs from Delhi to the oath ceremony. Soon after its historic victory in the Assembly elections, the AAP shared a mobile number on the day of counting on Tuesday requesting people could give a missed call to join the party. Early on Thursday, the AAPs official Twitter handle announced that over one million people had already joined the party. The tweet said: More than 1 million people have joined AAP within 24 hours of our massive victory. To join AAP, give a missed call on 9871010101. The AAP had earlier claimed 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 the AAPs nation-building campaign titled AAP Rashtra Nirman, where all Indians were invited to join the party. A woman wearing a face mask is seen in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, on Feb. 13, 2020. (Yen Duong/Reuters) Vietnam Monitoring Over 5,000 Chinese Workers for Coronavirus Vietnam is monitoring more than 5,000 workers who returned to the Southeast Asian country after the Lunar New Year holiday for signs of coronavirus, state media reported on Feb. 14. On Thursday, Communist-ruled Vietnam quarantined a rural commune of 10,000 people near Hanoi because of fears the coronavirus could spread there. An employee (L) puts a protective face mask on a child at a railway station in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Feb. 2, 2020. (NHAC NGUYEN/AFP via Getty Images) Sixteen people in Vietnam have tested positive for the virus. As of February 11, there are 7,600 Chinese workers who returned to Vietnam after the holiday break, of which 5,112 are being closely monitored, the state-run Tien Phong newspaper said, citing a report by Vietnams labor ministry. They are being isolated in their companies dormitories and local hotels. Suspected infection cases are quarantined at medical facilities, the report added. Women sit in a street as they wear face masks in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam on Feb. 13, 2020. (Yen Duong/Reuters) On Feb. 2, Vietnams labor ministry asked businesses and employers not to let Chinese workers return to work in Vietnam. Vietnam declared a public health emergency over the epidemic on Feb. 1 and has banned all flights to and from China, where nearly 1,400 people have died from the virus. By Phuong Nguyen Everyone in Bayelsa State for now appears to be in the dark about whether or not the inauguration of a new governor would take place this Friday in the state. The inauguration ceremony should have commenced at 10 a.m. under normal circumstances. It is unclear for now how the outgoing governor, Seriake Dickson, is running the state, having held a valedictory meeting with state officials Thursday. The police in Bayelsa were unable to make a categorical statement on the political development in the oil-rich state when PREMIUM TIMES contacted them Friday morning. I wouldnt know! was the response of the police spokesperson in the state, Asinim Butswat at about 7:59 a.m. when asked if a new governor would be inaugurated today. We are all waiting. We have not received any signal on the inauguration, Mr Butswat, a superintendent of police, said. He, however, said the state was calm and that the security agencies were patrolling the streets. It is calm, there is no cause for alarm. Security agencies are patrolling the streets right from yesterday up till this moment, so there is no problem at all. We didnt envisage anything and immediately the judgment was announced we deployed patrol teams to patrol the streets so that if there is any kind of protest that would go out of hand we will be able to handle it. We are already prepared for the inauguration. We have already made our plans, we have made adequate arrangement, so whichever way it goes, we are on the ground. A five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Mary Odili on Thursday nullified the election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, 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 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, Duoye Diri, is expected to be sworn in as governor, having received the second largest number of votes in the election. But, before this should happen, Mr Diri needs to get a Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bayelsa told PREMIUM TIMES this morning that they were yet to get any directive from their head office in Abuja. I cant tell, I think it is a national thing, I dont know if any statement has been made by INEC in respect of that, INEC Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, Bayelsa State, Wilfred Ifogah, said around 8:36 a.m., on the issuance of a Certificate of Return. It can be in Abuja, depending on where it is convenient for them (INEC) to hand over the certificate. As I speak, I have not received any directive. A national spokesperson for the commission, Festus Okoye, while responding to inquiries from PREMIUM TIMES on the issue, Friday morning, said INEC would not immediately issue a certificate of return to Mr Diri until the commission is done studying the ruling of the apex court. He added that after the review, the commission would make a decision if it should issue a certificate of return on the basis of Mr Duoye having lawful votes or if to order fresh elections. An aide to Governor Dickson told PREMIUM TIMES that the swearing-in of Mr Diri would take place today but that the time remains unknown because of the circumstances. The only thing that is holding it is the certified true copy of the judgment of the Supreme Court, the aide said. The aide said Mr Diri and other PDP chieftains went to INEC for the Certificate of Return but INEC, he said, insisted on getting a certified true copy of the judgment first. PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify if Mr Diri had such a meeting with INEC. The confusion is only a matter of time, there is no specific constitutional time they say swearing-in must take place. Advertisements The outgoing governor will be gone by today. I mean as of now, he is no longer effectively governor but under the circumstances since APC cannot also move in, he would generally be around the Government House tactically coordinating things while waiting for the new governor to get his documents and then come down, he said. The outgoing commissioner for information in the state, Daniel Iworiso-Markson and governor Dicksons spokesperson, Fidelis Soriwei, respectively did not respond to calls from PREMIUM TIMES. During his testimony at the House impeachment hearing, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman said Oleksander Danylyuk, the chairman of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, offered him the job of Ukrainian defense minister. Vindman treated this as a comic opera episode, but he is a bit ambiguous about whether he regarded it as a real offer. Danylyuk confirms that the comment was made but says it was only, and obviously, a joke. That the offer was meant as a joke seems clear, but jokes often hide important truths, and the reading-between-the-lines implications of this one are disturbing. What Danylyuk meant, in all probability, was that Vindman was so favorable to Ukraine that he was indistinguishable from a Ukrainian official. Such a position is not appropriate for a staffer of the U.S. National Security Council, who should be advising the president on the U.S. national interest with regard to the Ukraine, not lobbying for the Ukrainians. The propensity of members of the foreign policy establishment to go native and become advocates for whatever nation they deal with is well known. This creates problems enough among the diplomats in the State Department, and one major purpose of having a White House staff is to counter this going-native bias. Reinforcing it is a bad idea, indeed. The damage caused by bad staffing is well illustrated by the incoherence of U.S. policy vis-a-vis Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine have a long, bloody, and tragic history, of which we have little grasp. Most important, the U.S. has no vital interest in Ukraine. Whatever we may think about Russian actions with the respect to the Crimea, the Donbass, and the 2014 coup (and strong arguments exist on all sides), none of the issues is crucial to the security of the U.S. Consequently, our war-hawk response to support Ukraine risks serious embroilment with Russia, perhaps to the point of nuclear war, to no good purpose. Lest this seem fanciful, remember that the two world wars of the 20th century were triggered when great powers gave war guarantees to weak and irresponsible allies ( Austria to Serbia Germany to Austria in 1914 and England to Poland in 1939). If one adds another layer of complexity to the analysis, the situation becomes even more dangerous. The Russians know we have no vital interest in the Ukraine, so our policies must puzzle them. For example, given that the Crimea was not part of historic Ukraine, and that most of its inhabitants want to be with Russia, why is preventing this a major U.S. policy goal? Perhaps it should be, but I have yet to hear a persuasive reason. The reality that U.S. policy is driven by ignorant politicians seeking domestic political advantage must seem too bizarre to be credible, so the Russians seek more rational explanations. Their logical conclusion would be that we are actually motivated by hostility toward Russia and that Ukraine is a useful pawn. In this scenario, our aid would be a bribe to Ukrainian officials to keep Ukraine and Russia from reaching a settlement of differences. And their response would be to send us a message by causing trouble for us in other areas, a message we would not get because our policy is in fact venal and incoherent. In this jungle of misapprehension, mendacity, and political corruption, the president badly needs good staff work from officials who have no doubt that they work for him and for the U.S., not for any foreign client. Vindman, it is clear, did not pass this test. James V DeLong lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. He also wrote Theres More to Russia Than Meets the Eye. Image: C-SPAN via YouTube. Has any Ghanaian with a good thinking ability ever ask this question: why Ghana is a land of wealthy resources than many European countries, yet, is far behind development? We cant continue blaming the colonial masters six decades after independence, therefore, the answer is Ghanaian politicians are corrupt, inefficient and lazy. I will repeat, Ghanaian politicians are lazy and corrupt. This is not the first time I am writing about the useless bragging of Vice-President Bawumia and it will not be the last because Ghanaians have eyes to see what the government is doing, therefore, Bawumia, its not necessary to blow your trumpet to Ghanaians what Akufo Addo government has achieved. In fact, that bragging rather signifies failure. Ghanaians continue to praise shoddy works, so projects in the country do not last, Ghanaians continue to worship and praise corrupt politicians, therefore corruptible activities in the country have increased with impunity. The Ghanaian government refuses to clean its dirty health-threatening hazards and rather promoting tourism, Lord have mercy on the poor suffering Ghanaians. Everything is insanely falling apart in the country, yet when you write about it people without conscience and integrity are those to attack with insults. Your insult is encouraging me to write daily without ceasing because I can clearly see the impact of discomfort taking its toll on you. Go to Brussels, the capital of Belgium, you will be surprised to see many of the Member of Parliaments and other politicians come to work on bicycles. They have luxurious vehicles, yet some prefer to use bicycles because they believe in human efficiency, development, and job creation, not riding in expensive cars. How many jobs has Akufo Addo, Bawumia and the over 100 ministers have created? These ministers receive fat salaries, with free bonuses, including free fuel to fill their vehicles but what do they do for the suffering Ghanaians? If Ghanaians want to know what effective leadership is, I pray that each one of you once in your life can be able to visit Europe. If you do, nobody will vote for any Ghanaian politician again. The fact is the European government does never rest on its oars. European leaders are not lazy like Bawumia and Akufo Addo. They dont brag like the lazy Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta and the pompous-arrogant Minister for Education, Matthew Opoku because they are intellectually disciplined and intelligent. EU leaders sit the whole year planning what to do next to give its citizens' best medical care, education, and employment. In 2018, France created 188,000 jobs and last year alone created additional 260,000 jobs. Thus, unemployment reached its lowest point in ten years in mid-2019. Bawumia, how many jobs has your government created after three years in power? How many banking institutions have risen after almost every bank collapsed in the country? In Belgium, a few weeks ago, Belgium Prime Minister, Charles Michel, after five years in office, decided not to finish his second term. His decision to step down after five years is to begin a new appointment in 2020, offered by the European Union. Charles Michel stepped down as Belgian prime minister, after creating 290,000 new jobs. Bawumia, you brag too much, please, use that time you are wasting to brag to create employment for the frustrated youth who are dying in the Mediterranean every year. Ghana is richer than many European countries, so why the country is not flourishing? Someone might say because it is an African country, so are Africans stupid, I will ask? Frankly speaking there is corruption also in Europe but the politicians are not deeply corrupt like Ghanaian politicians and above all, they are not lazy like Ghanaian politicians. The Ghanaian government has no brain to utilize the resources, instead, the government keeping piling debts on the country and when people criticize, the president which any sensible words have never come from his mouth said, Even America borrows," but American leaders are not stupid like Ghanaian leaders, so they know what they do with the money, while Ghanaian leaders put the money in their pockets. Akufo Addo government talks about projects, including a Cathedral but in reality, the finances of those projects, whether executed or not, have especially enriched a privileged few close to the government and his family, after receiving taxpayers' money. Why are many joining political parties in Ghana, especially the NPP? Because politics under Akufo Addos government is a lucrative business built on the foundation of corruption, tribalism, and nepotism. Verily, verily, I say to you, the time that Ghanaians will cry forty days and forty nights hasnt come yet, but it will soon come. However, remember that those Ghanaians in the Diaspora, praising the inefficient government in the country cant help you because they are pure liars and hypocrites, enjoying better lives in where ever they are. So Bawumia, instead of making too much noise on inefficiency as efficiency, try to revive the depreciating economy of Ghana because you claim to be an economist and above all, try to take a special course on how to create jobs for a country because the pumpkin heads of the NPP politicians are virtually empty of intelligence and ideas. Buyers on a budget have been flocking to Bridgegate, a new scheme in the Louth town of Ardee, from Dublin locations as far south as Sandyford in search of an affordable home within commuting distance of the capital. The scheme is on an elevated site south of the town centre, with views of the surrounding countryside. Thirteen three- and four-bed homes went on release last weekend, with prices starting at 230,000 for a three-bed end-of-terrace style. A three-bed semi-detached home costs from 240,000, while a four-bed detached design is priced from 315,000. The houses have a white rendered facade, a pale-brick detail over the UPVC windows, and a grey composite front door. Inside, there are custom-fitted kitchen units and bedroom wardrobes. The A3-rated homes have a high-efficiency gas condensing boiler for the central heating system, while PV panels generate free electricity to supplement household power consumption. Bridgegate is a short drive from the M1, with the drive to Dublin taking 45 minutes during off-peak hours. There are also rail services from the train stations in Dundalk and Drogheda, which are 20 minutes and 25 minutes away, respectively. Viewings will be held tomorrow and Sunday, between 2pm and 4pm. Almost the entire cast was found in Senegal with Diop and her casting director scouting different neighborhoods for locals, but she couldn't find the right girl to play Ada. She recalls, "We were about to delay [production], because I needed at least two to three months before the shooting to work with her. One day I was scouting with my set designer and I saw a girl coming out of her house. I had an intuition that she had something. So we went back to talk to her." The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has decided to boycott the local government elections slated for April 18. The PDPs withdrawal, PREMIUM TIMES learnt, is predicated on the fear that its candidates were unlikely to get a level playing field from the state Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) under the APC-led state government. Although the party was yet to formally announce its withdrawal, PREMIUM TIMES gathered that it stemmed from a consultative meeting held among its leaders and aspirants recently on the state of the preparations for the election. The withdrawal is reminiscent of the developments in the April 2016 local government elections when the All Progressives Congress, then in the opposition, withdrew from the elections claiming the process was compromised by the Olusegun Mimiko-led PDP government. The election at the time was conducted 10 months to end of the tenure of the Mimiko administration. The APC while stating the reasons for its boycott of the local government election in 2016, accused the chairman and other members of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission of being card-carrying members of the PDP. It also said there was no authentic voters register for the election, arguing that the register available for use had not been reviewed since the last general election as required by the law. The party also said Mr Mimiko and the PDP government could not be trusted to do anything right. Many times, the governor has deceived the people and this election cannot be different. Dr Olusegun Mimiko is highly deficient in character, integrity and fairness that he cannot be trusted to midwife any free and fair electoral process, APC had alleged. To participate is to help massage Mimikos ego, support illegality and to allow ourselves to be distracted from our singular mission of wresting power from the PDP in a few months time. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) also did not participate in the 2016 election, saying the election was already compromised. The April 2020 local government election to be conducted by the APC-led government is also holding 10 months to the expiration of the Rotimi Akerdolu-led government. The Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Ondo State, Zadok Akintoye, told PREMIUM TIMES on Friday in Akure that a formal statement would be issued on Monday on the position of the party regarding the election. But I can confirm to you that we are not participating in the local government elections, he said. He said ODIEC had not complied fully with the electoral law and such would affect the participation and chances of the opposition PDP in the election. One of the reasons Mr Akintoye put forward was that the time frame in which the commission gave to the parties to prepare fell far short of what was provided in the law. For instance, the number of days given to the parties to hold congresses and have their candidates is not within the ambits of the law. It does not comply with the provisions of the law, he said. When they asked us to start preparing for this election, we were not given ample time. He noted that further reasons would be given in the press statement which would be released on Monday. The Zenith Labour Party has also expressed fears that it would not participate in the April polls. The spokesperson of the party, Olatunde Felix, said the party was still unsure of its participation, adding that the past experiences of rigging and closing the space against the opposing parties was of serious concern to the ZLP. We want to look before we leap, said Mr Felix. We want to make sure we are. It jumping into troubled waters. He said the party leaders were still in consultation as to whether they would be involved in the April elections. Advertisements You know what is happening in our elections, it is a winner takes all mentality, he said. We dont want to waste our time and our resources running in an election that will end up in a sham. We want to be sure there is a level playing field. The APC has been having issues conducting its congresses to select its candidates for the polls. The primaries have been fraught with contentions so far. Death toll in China's coronavirus epidemic has gone up to 1,483 with Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak, reporting 116 new fatalities, the country's health officials said on Friday. The hard-hit province reported 4,823 new confirmed cases on Thursday, the provincial health commission said. The new cases included 3,095 clinically diagnosed ones which have been considered as confirmed, state run Xinhua news agency reported. The latest report brought the total confirmed cases in the province to 51,986, the report said. The new cases have pushed the number of infections in the country to 64,627 in total. The National Health Commission has not yet announced the nationwide figures. On Thursday, the commission had announced 254 fatalities as authorities adopted a new diagnosis method amid concerns. Of the total deaths, 242 were from Hubei province and 12 from other provinces. The World Health Organisation on Thursday had said that a sharp rise in reported COVID-19, (official name for coronavirus) cases in China was due to a change in counting methods and it did not represent a big shift in the epidemic. "This does not represent a significant change in the trajectory of the outbreak," Michael Ryan, head of WHO's health emergencies programme told a press conference in Geneva. "We're not dealing, from what we understand, with a spike in cases of 14,000 on one day," he said. "This increase that you've all seen in the last 24 hours is largely, in part, down to a change in how the cases are being reported," he said. Ryan also said that he expected members of a WHO-led international mission to arrive in China over the weekend. A 15-member advance WHO team already reached China on Monday. Also read: Coronavirus outbreak in China may be over by April, say medical experts This is the rear of a 2020 Nissan Sentra on display at the 2020 Pittsburgh International Auto Show Thursday, Feb.13, 2020 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Shares in Nissan (7201.T) on Friday plunged to their lowest level in more than a decade after the Japanese carmaker warned that its full-year operating profits would be the weakest in 11 years. The carmaker on Thursday posted its first quarterly loss in nearly 10 years, and further slashed its dividend outlook by scrapping the end-of-year pay-out to investors. Shares in the Tokyo-listed Nissan were down by more than 9.6% when markets closed in Japan. The profit warning was the carmakers second in just three months, and comes as Nissan still reels from the 2018 ousting of disgraced former chairman Carlos Ghosn. Read more: Nissan files $91m lawsuit against Carlos Ghosn In the three months to the end of December, Nissan lost Japanese yen 26.1bn (182m, $238m), its largest quarterly loss since 2009. Between April and the end of the year, overall revenues fell 12.5% and operating profits plunged by 82.7%. Shares in Nissan closed down almost 10%, to their lowest level in more than a decade. (Yahoo Finance) The company pointed to weak performance and a slowdown in total industry volume, and suggested that it would have to consider further cost reductions. We are making progress, but sales volumes have been weak so we need to do more restructuring than initially planned, said newly installed chief executive Makoto Uchida said. The decline in sales and deterioration in earnings have exceeded our expectations, Uchida said, noting that the company had envisioned profits bottoming out in 2019 ahead of growth in 2020. But its going to take more time, he said. Nissan this week became the first carmaker to suspend production at one of its domestic plants due to corona virus-related supply chain issues. Read more: JCB to cut UK factory production over coronavirus supply issues The Japanese giant is also likely to be affected by the widely expected economic slowdown in China, since the country accounts for nearly 30% of its overall sales. Nissan earlier this week filed a civil lawsuit in Japan against Ghosn, seeking damages of 10 million yen ($91m, 69.5m) for alleged financial misconduct. Ghosn was arrested in Japan in 2018 over allegations of fraud, including misuse of company funds and understating his salary. He was arrested and imprisoned in Japan, but jumped bail in December while under house arrest in Tokyo, and fled to Lebanon in a dramatic escape involving private planes routed through Istanbul. Water Babies, Irelands leading baby and toddler swimming school, have announced that eleven inspiring children from around Ireland, including one from Dundalk, have been honoured at their annual Water Babies Little Heroes awards ceremony in Dublin today. Water Babies Little Heroes winners for 2020 are Hannah McGinn - Dundalk (2 years 6 months), Blu-Levi Harris - Finglas (1 year 2 months), Maisie Rose McDonnell - Maynooth (13 months), Leon Merriman - Donaghmede (1 year 8 months), Andrea French Wexford (3 years 6 months), Matthew Smith - Perrystown, Dublin 12 (4.5 years), Ceili Byrne - Naas (2years 10 months), Sean Kelly Galway (4 years), James MacNeill Killiney (4 years 6 months), Ciara Gannon (1 year 9 months) Leopardstown and Aria Geary (1 year 8 months) Kilkenny. Hannah McGinn (2 years 6 months old) from Dundalk Hannah McGinn from Dundalk, has been attending Water Babies classes since she was three months old has been through a lot this last year. Hannah learned that her Mammy was expecting twins early in 2019 and because the babies arrived early at just 24 weeks, she was separated from her Mum for 6 weeks after their birth. She met her brother and sister when they were first born however sadly she said goodbye to her little sister after a few days and she has only seen her baby brother Cathal a handful of times over the last 6 months as he is an inpatient in Temple Street hospital. Throughout all of the chaos at home, the one thing that remained constant was her swimming lessons on a Sunday in Bettystown. In her Mum Jennifers absence, Daddy took over swimming and Hannah has become a strong and independent little 2.5 year old with an excellent understanding of the world around her. Hannah has toilet trained herself and learned how to sleep on her own in her own bed. Mum Jennifer McGinn said: I honestly believe that she has learned a huge amount of this from her swimming lessons. Hannah packs her own swimming bag the night before and is enjoying being back in the pool after her Christmas break. Water Babies, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in Ireland last year, has revealed more remarkable stories of how swimming and spending time in water has helped babies and toddlers and assisted them overcome health issues, boosted their development and generally improved their lives and the lives of their family. Despite being challenged by accidents, serious illness and special needs, many of Water Babies Little Heroes have shown an incredible amount of strength and bravery considering their early years. Carol McNally from Water Babies said: We are thrilled to see so many children benefitting from their time in our classes and being in the water. We all know that swimming is good for our physical health. "It keeps our heart rate up, builds endurance and muscle strength. And it gets our little ones' limbs moving, so that they have a little workout helping to improve sleep quality and patterns. "Introducing a baby to the pool can do wonders for their growth. Thats because all the skills that Water Babies teach in the water are structured to align with their key development milestones. And not just their physical ones, but their cognitive ones too." Prosecutors allege that Anderson transferred nearly $11 million from the fraudulent sales over five years into his personal accounts. He purchased a $2.5 million home in Florida, an $8 million yacht, and $400,000 in jewelry, according to court documents. Questions about Anderson's operation began arising last year. The state's Public Utilities Commission investigated a business owned by Anderson after receiving complaints that it was not making payments and had purchased grain without the required license. Anderson's company did not respond to inquiries and requests to conduct an inspection, according to a March statement from the Public Utilities Commission. Federal prosecutors allege that Anderson purchased non-organic products from two suppliers in Illinois and Minnesota. He had most of those products shipped to a warehouse in Tappen, North Dakota, where an employee would replace the legal documents that said they were non-organic with new documents certifying they were organic. The products would then be shipped to wholesale distributors, brokers, and other buyers who believed they had bought organic products. The Mars 2020 rover is offloaded from a C-17 aircraft at the Launch and Landing Facility, formerly known as the Shuttle Landing Facility, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 12, 2020. The rover made a cross-country trip to the Florida spaceport that started at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. The mission, targeted for mid-July 2020, will launch aboard an Atlas V 541 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. NASA's Launch Services Program based at Kennedy is managing the launch. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston KSC-20200212-PH-CSH01_0037 larger image Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Belgium has not ruled out participating in a French military initiative in Mali aiming to bring together special forces from several countries, Belgian Foreign Minister Philippe Goffin told AFP Thursday. "It's a matter of debate, dialogue. There already are many troops in Mali, Niger," Goffin said when asked in an interview whether Belgium would respond favorably to a French request that its European allies provide forces for the endeavor, known as Takuba. He noted that Belgium has a caretaker government, and committing troops to such an operation would require a government with a full mandate, plus the approval of parliament. "At the very least that would be the subject of parliamentary debate and afterward the decisions would be taken," he said. "I would insist that it pass through the filter of parliament. That's essential," he added. Of the countries approached by France, Germany declined while Estonia promised to provide several dozen soldiers. Both countries are non-permanent UN Security Council members, while Belgium is the body's president. The United States, meanwhile, is seeking to scale down the UN mission in Mali in June. Goffin acknowledged that the UN mission in Mali (Minusma) -- one of the UN's deadliest and costliest -- has lost public support. "It's true that the Malian population is now nearly in a phase of rejection of Minusma, believing it does nothing and that its activities are totally useless," he said. "When one sees the situation worsening in terms of the terrorist positions that are developing down there, I would evidently argue for maintaining our presence. "As for a redefinition of Minusma's role, I think it's never a bad thing to reassess what works, what doesn't work." Belgium has 85 peacekeepers in Minusma, in Bamako and Gao, according to Belgian officials. Some are attached to the Minusma's headquarters, while others are involved in intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance. About ten are part of a European mission to train the Malian army. Belgian military personnel also are in Niger. A Mercer County Jury found the New Jersey Department of Corrections retaliated against a female corrections officer for making race and gender harassment complaints and awarded her $75,000. Senior Corrections Officer, Jennifer Schiavone, filed a lawsuit under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination against the Department of Corrections in 2017. In that lawsuit, she alleged that she made complaints starting in 2016 that she was subjected to a hostile work environment because of her race and gender. She alleged that her supervisors at the Department retaliated against her for making those complaints. On February 5, 2020, after a three-week trial, a jury found that the Department had in fact retaliated against Officer Schiavone for making the harassment complaints. The jury awarded her $75,000 in emotional distress damages resulting from the retaliation. Officer Schiavone was represented by the civil rights law firm of Costello & Mains, LLC. The case was tried by Drake P. Bearden, Jr., a partner at Costello & Mains. The case number for this matter was MER-L-2099-17. We are proud of this result for Officer Schiavone, who was the victim of cruel and unwarranted retaliation. We hope that a clear and loud message has been sent to all employers, public and private, that retaliation is never acceptable and justice will hold them accountable for their actions, said Kevin Costello, the founding partner of Costello & Mains. 42 Turkish Wuhan evacuees released from quarantine Health minister says no individual showed any signs of Covid-19, a disease caused by a deadly coronavirus. All 42 people quarantined in Turkey after evacuation from Wuhan, China, were discharged from hospital on Friday. NONE OF THEM WERE CARRIERS OF CORONAVIRUS Turkeys health minister said none of the individuals -- 32 Turkish nationals, six Azerbaijanis, three Georgians, and one Albanian -- showed any signs of Covid-19, the disease caused by the deadly coronavirus. In line with recommendations of the Turkish Scientific Committee, the 42 people were placed in quarantine for 14 days and have now been discharged from hospital, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told reporters. He said multiple tests were conducted to make sure that none of them were carriers of the new coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV. The 42 individuals were evacuated from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, on a special military plane sent by Turkey on Feb. 1. The medical staff, military personnel, and reporters who were part of the rescue mission were earlier released from quarantine on Feb. 11. Financial markets regulator, the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), issued new guidelines for portfolio managers on Thursday. These fresh regulations are expected to cut costs for investors and bring more transparency in the way portfolio management services are offered. Cost reduction SEBI has made it clear that portfolio managers cannot levy upfront fees in any form from clients. Some service providers used to charge set-up fees, of 0.5-2 per cent, from clients depending on the amounts invested. Doing away with the set-up fee brings down costs for investors. The regulator has further capped operating expenses. Operating expenses charged for portfolio management service (PMS) shall not exceed 0.5 per cent a year of the clients average daily assets under management (AUM). Some PMS providers were charging fees on the higher side. Also there have been some incidental expenses for which there was no explanation given to the investors, says Daniel GM, founder and director of PMSBazaar.com. He pointed out that the custodian fees of 0.25 per cent levied by some PMS providers is on the higher side. Putting an overall cap on expenses will give a clear picture to investors. Brokerage costs too need to be charged on actuals. Though some PMS providers are seen charging brokerage costs on the higher side compared to the 10 to 15 basis points norm in the market, the regulator may decide to cap them as well in future, Daniel adds. The regulator has taken a view that the PMS providers expense should be fair and in line with broad market practices. Sophisticated investors with large ticket sizes deserve disclosures and transparency when they invest in a PMS. The regulator has ensured that, says Sunil Rohokale, MD & CEO of ASK Group. Graded exit loads The regulator has prescribed graded exit loads on PMS investments. An investor redeeming investments from a PMS within first year of investment, cannot be charged more than three percent as exit load. The numbers stand at two and one percent for exits in the second and third year, respectively. After the third year, a PMS provider cannot charge any exit load. Up to half the annual management fee charged by a portfolio manager is paid as commission to the distributor, when a customer signs up for the PMS. However, from now on, no upfront commissions can be paid. As SEBI bans upfront commissions, the bargaining power of the distributor goes down, observes Chetan Phalke, CEO of Alpha Invesco Research Services. The PMS provider can pay only trail commission and fees and must keep the client informed about them at the time of signing up. Trail commission for distributors and graded exit loads on investments, ensure that both distributor and investor opt for long term investments, says Rohokale. Phalke says that as commissions are paid on trail basis, most distributors will start thinking about long-term performance of the PMS than the commission they earn at the beginning. SEBI has directed that the portfolio managers can engage only those distributors who either have a valid AMFI registration number or have cleared the NISM series V-A exam. Akhil Chaturvedi, associate director and head of sales & distribution, Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company, foresees exit loads falling below what is prescribed by the regulator, as the industry moves to all-trail commission model. As the trail commission gets paid out of the asset management fee earned by the portfolio manager, the need for steep exit loads goes away, he adds. Portfolio managers are asked to report performance data net of all fees and expenses (including taxes). Earlier the performance data was before fees and expenses. This makes performance comparison easy for investors. Direct investments in PMS The regulator has also asked portfolio managers to enable direct onboarding of clients. Direct plans are available for mutual fund investors and they benefit from lower expenses compared to the regular options. SEBI has asked the portfolio managers to provide such an option to the investor and the same must clearly mention it in the marketing material and disclosure documents. Rohokale says that there will definitely be some financial incentive for the investor to go direct. However, as of now, the entire onboarding process is not done online. Signing of the power of attorney etc. is carried out offline. Most portfolio managers will take some time to figure out the pricing of direct plans, as most investors are on the low fixed management fee and profit share model. Whenever the news of the activities of Boko Haram surface what usually comes to mind is the promises made by President Mohammed Buhari on security, economy and other areas of national importance in 2015 and subsequent assurances that followed since the commencement of next level agenda. On 9th February, 2020, the Boko Haram terrorist attacked Auno village, a gateway village to Maiduguri, Borno State Capital and killed over 30 people, adopted children and women with a 'bye-bye message" of setting ablaze more than 18 vichencles. Less than 12 hours, President Buhari at the African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa, Ethopia, promised to secure the release of all the abductees of the Boko Harram including Leah Shuaribu, now the wife of Boko harram with a kid back to her parents while assuring Nigerians that the days of the Boko Harram are numbered in Nigeria, as usual. Meanwhile, few hours before the Boko Haram attacked Auno village on 9th February, the Northern Elder Forum (NEF) while demanding a thorough overhauling of the leadership of the nation's security and public safety agencies, had passed a vote of no confidence in President Buhari on the ground that he lacks the capacity and the competency to fight insecurity and poverty in the country. As expected, Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adverser to the president on media and publicity described the platform as a quasi-organization spearheaded by a General without troop who has being the trumpeter of opposition even before the 2019 general election. However, whether the forum is a 'one man show' or a conglomeration of people dancing to the tune of opposition or not, the reality on ground in Nigeria today suggests that president Buhari has to move from the world of promises to the world of fulfilment, especially in the areas of economy, security and other promises made before coming or after coming to power in 2015. Apart from NEF, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) while reacting to the alleged killings of Christians in the country has also raised the issue of insecurity in the country. The same thing can be deduced in the statement issued by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) while condemning the christianization of killings by CAN. Meanwhile, President Buhari in 2015, specifically promised to put an end to the activities of Boko Harram in the North East and return Nigeria to a state where Nigerians can sleep with their two eyes closed irrespective of their location before the expiration of his first term in office. Though, the president is now using his second term in office fighting the more formidable one. Since 2009, the Boko Haram has continue to change its mode of operation. The most significant one was the division of labour perfected under this administration when another arm of Boko Haram with a name-code Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) and the unannounced multiplicity and multidimensional mobile Boko Haram operating toward the southern part of the country informed of banditry, herders, among others were formed. For instance, while the Boko Haram continues to rain terror on the dwellers of the North East, the ISWAP continue to attack the military formation and the border frontlines between Nigeria and her neighboring countries with sophisticated weapons collected from their counterpart in Libya and the middle East. At the same time, the killer herdsmen, banditry and other Boko Haram related mobile terrorists continue to operate in the North West, North Central, and in some instances transformed to kidnappers in the South East, South West and South South region of Nigeria with a goal to install fear in the minds of Nigerians. With the activities of these groups, many people have lost hope in seeing a new Nigeria different from the one in place before the era of change. While some still believe that all will be well which is the prayer of a patriotic Nigeria. But at the same time, it will be out place to be using the same method or be operating in atmosphere clouded with poverty, unemployment, illiteracy among others as it now in Nigeria and be expecting different result. On 28th January, the World Bank reported that 87 percent of the poor people in Nigeria live in the North while, the World Poverty Clock stated in August, 2019 that 91.16 millions Nigerians are living in an extreme poverty. This is not to talk of the children out of school and the unguided Almajeris ready to become the leaders of tomorrow in the Boko Haram empire. This is complemented by the rising figure of the unemployed and underemployed graduates wandering the street. These are part of the factors sustaining the growth of Boko Haram in the country. Infact, the numbers of Boko Haram that the Nigerian Military claimed to have killed since 2009 till date is enough for the Boko Harram to die a natural death if no replacement. Though, the war against terrorism is one of the difficult war to fight because of the gorilla method they always use. But at the same time, the monsters would have gone to the dustbin of history if president Buhari had walked all his talks at the election campaigns and in most of his reactions to the activities of the terrorist. Femi Oluwasanmi is a Public Affairs Analyst, writes from Ibafo, Ogun State. BJP leader Ram Madhav on Thursday said India's development model is based on two principles - Neighbourhood First and together we grow. "Our development model is based on two principles -- neighbourhood first, we want our relations with our neighbours to be based on mutual trust and sound understanding. Second, the Principle of "together we grow", which means when India grows, India becomes stronger, the benefits of it should accrue to all our neighbour," he said while speaking at second India-Nepal bilateral dialogue. Terming India and Nepal as ancient neighbours, the BJP leader said: "As far as India is concerned, we see Nepal on the principle of sovereign equality. It is not about the size, it is not about any strength. It is about two sovereign neighbours dealing with each other." Madhav also urged "friends in Nepal to make sure that old deep-rooted psychology and the whole idea of landlockeness should be given up." Asserting that with the rise of India, our effort will be to ensure that it should help all our neighbours, the BJP leader said, "As far as the democratic situation is concerned, we both are in a similar position with very strong ruling party and less strong and less united opposition. But that is an internal matter of each of our country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Motorists will have to be extra vigilant now that almost 1,000 new speed camera zones are being set up across the county in a major crack down on reckless drivers. A total of 903 new safety areas will be implemented from 6.00am on Monday, while 574 previous zones have been removed following a review. The overall total of these regions will now stretch to 1,322 and can be viewed on an interactive map on www.garda.ie. The zones will be policed using a fleet of marked vehicles with cameras continuing to operate from speed vans as before. The vans used will still be marked with high visibility, reflective material and display a safety camera symbol on the side. Dublin recevied the highest increase of safety camera zones in the country, increasing from 229 to 291. Co Cork also saw a significant boost from 96 to 138, while Sligo received the smallest increase from 17 to just 20. Gardai said that the new zones highlight locations which carry high risk speed related collisions. A breakdown on the increase of speedzones for each county is below: Leinster Carlow: 11 to 16 Dublin: 229 to 291 Kildare: 55 to 75 Kilkenny: 17 to 29 Laois: 8 to 14 Longford: 9 to 16 Louth: 18 to 34 Meath: 49 to 72 Offaly: 16 to 24 Westmeath: 16 to 24 Wexford: 15 to 36 Wicklow: 27 to 40 Connaught Galway: 50 to 77 Leitrim: 8 to 13 Mayo: 31 to 52 Roscommon: 14 to 22 Sligo: 17 to 20 Munster: Clare: 25 to 37 Cork: 96 to 138 Kerry: 47 to 70 Limerick: 40 to 61 Tipperary: 29 to 43 Waterford: 15 to 29 Ulster: Cavan: 20 to 35 Donegal: 46 to 60 Monaghan: 21 While motorists will be forced to observe more caution and reduce speeds, Gardai believe the new GoSafe Zones will reduce life-changing injuries and fatalities from traffic collisions. "We urge drivers to be fully aware of the posted speed limit and drive within the speed limit for the duration of their journey. Speed kills, help save lives, said Superintendent Tony Lonergan of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau. The number of road deaths have dropped massively from 415 in 2000 to 148 in 2019 which Gardai say shows a dramatic reduction in terms of risk and a huge increase in terms of road safety. For a more detailed road-by-road breakdown, visit the following link: https://www.garda.ie/gosafe.html Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 12:39:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LHASA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Nyingchi, a popular tourist city in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, has discouraged thousands of tourists from coming amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. Tibet has activated an emergency response since the outbreak of COVID-19 in China and warned that the progress of disease could be much worse due to the plateau's low oxygen concentration and limited medical resources. Also according to a new regulation of the city's disease control headquarters, all arriving passengers must go through 14 days of medical observation and quarantine. The city's transportation sector has since dissuaded 41 tourist groups from entering and canceled three tourist charter flights involving about 5,000 tourists. The Nyingchi airport also sent notices to 3,276 passengers on 59 flights and persuaded 771 to drop their travel plans and another 31 to return after landing. Tibet has seen no new confirmed or suspected cases for 15 days. "We will continue to discourage unnecessary travel to curb the spread of epidemic on the plateau through aircraft," said Liu Lisha, a ground service deputy manager with the airport. A 73-year-old man has been charged with 35 counts of indecent assault. At this week's Portlaoise District Court, Noel Lee (73), of Flat 21 Northleigh House, 248 Seymour Grove, Trafford, Manchester, England, was charged with 35 counts of indecent assault, at a location in Birr, Co. Offaly, on dates between December, 1980 and August, 1981. Garda evidence outlined that the DPP had directed the matter be dealt with by indictment. The garda said that the accused was arrested at Dublin Airport on February 12 last. After being charged and cautioned the accused replied: Not guilty. The accused was remanded in custody to Cloverhill Prison to appear before Cloverhill District Court on February 20 next. Solicitor, Mr Philip Meagher, standing in for Mr Donal Farrelly, requested medical attention for the accused in custody, as he had a number of complaints including problems with his heart and blood pressure. Mr Meagher also asked that the accused be put under protection while in custody, due to the nature of the charges. Judge Catherine Staines directed that the accused be separated from other inmates. No reporting restrictions were made in the case, meaning the accused can be named. Nature is full of surprising phenomena. And one such phenomenon was this angel in the sky that a hiker recently took a photo of and shared online. Lee Howdle was reportedly hiking in the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire, central England a few days ago when he witnessed the rare weather phenomenon. One of these images, he shared on his Instagram handle. The mesmerising picture shows Howdle's shadow with a ring of colour (rainbow) around it. Lee Howdle He was reportedly standing on Mam Tor, a 1,696-foothill in the High Peak area of the National Park when he witnessed the unusual phenomenon called Brocken spectre or mountain spectre. "My shadow looked huge. It was in this circular rainbow," Howdle told SWNS. "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, he said. Lee Howdle What he observed was the Brocken spectre effect. UKs Met Office describes this effect as one that is produced when an observer stands above the upper surface of a cloud on a mountain or high ground with the sun behind them. When they view their shadow the light is reflected back in such a way that a spooky circular glory appears around the point directly opposite the sun. He managed to get a similar photo with a sheep. Lee Howdle The images are indeed magnificent. Delhi's Directorate of Education (DoE) has issued a circular to its officials and teachers and principals of Delhi government schools to attend the swearing-in-ceremony of the chief minister and his council of ministers on Sunday, a move slammed by opposition leaders. The circular also says attendance will be compiled at the entry gates of the Ramlila Maidan, where CM-designate Arvind Kejriwal and his council of ministers will take oath on February 16. In a tweet, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said, "The Aam Aadmi Party, which has won elections by making announcement of freebies, has enough MLAs but not public support." "With the fear of people not attending the swearing-in ceremony, the government has issued a diktat to 30,000 teachers to mandatorily attend," he added. Delhi Congress's chief spokesperson Mukesh Sharma took to Twitter to say, "A government order has been issued asking government school teachers to reach at the Arvind Kejriwal government's oath-taking ceremony. It is clear that power is being 'misused' to gather a crowd for the swearing-in ceremony." Sharma urged Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to take cognisance of it, saying it was a matter of enquiry. Responding to the allegations, a senior DoE official said, "The circular should be taken on face value. They have been invited as an honour to their contribution to the education model of the AAP government." The official, however, did not comment on whether it was mandatory for the invitees to attend the event or not. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Refreshing started with the intent of sharing the five Greek words that have been translated into English as 'new.' Authors Fred Mensik and Lon Sassman explain their perspective on Gods nature in The Refreshing ($15.49, paperback, 9781630503963; $7.99, e-book, 9781630503970). While many readers draw a distinct line between the biblical Old and New Testaments, Mensik and Sassman believe that an understanding of Gods attributes will blur the line and show one, continuous love letter. The Refreshing started with the intent of sharing the five Greek words that have been translated into English as 'new.' It developed into discussing God's unchanging nature, said Mensik. Author Fred Mensik has spent his life learning and teaching about the attributes of the Creator. In addition to studying the Scriptures, he loves to ski, fish and hunt. ### Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the worlds largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date.The Refreshing is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com. An extremely rare pink manta ray called Inspector Clouseau has been photographed off the coast of an Australian Island. The 11-foot male reef manta ray is the only pink specimen of his species known to exist and was first identified in 2015. He got his name from the bumbling detective from the famed Pink Panther movie franchise. His unique colouration is authentic but harmless and likely to be the result of a genetic mutation similar to albinism, experts believe. Scroll down for video The 11-foot male reef manta ray is the only pink specimen of his species known to exist and was first identified in 2015 The extremely rare pink manta ray called Inspector Clouseau (pictured) has been photographed off the coast of an Australian Island The two-tonne marine beast lives around Lady Elliot Island and a series of stunning photographs were taken by a bemused Finnish photographer called Kristian Laine. Clouseau is monitored by Project Manta, an Australian organisation, which attempts to learn how the bizarre colouration came to be. Mr Laine said: 'I have read multiple different answers, they have analysed a sample of his skin and they have changed their theories many times and still don't seem to know for sure. 'I think the latest theory is that it's some sort of a genetic mutation causing a pink of melanin to be expressed.' Mr Laine's theory is in agreement with leading experts who say the most likely explanation is a phenomenon called erythrism. Clouseau is monitored by Project Manta, an Australian organisation, which attempts to learn how the bizarre colouration came to be. It is thought to be a genetic mutation called erythrism Mr Laine posted pictures of Inspector Clouseau on his Instagram account. He said: 'It is very rare because I think there has only been around eight to ten sightings since the first sighting in 2015' This is similar to melanism and albinism which causes some animal species to appear black and white, receptively. Erythrism is a genetic mutation which alters how the body produces melanin, the chemical in skin which creates colour. In some animals, it can create an unusual reddish hue, but it also has the potential to turn an animal pink. Solomon David, an aquatic ecologist at Louisiana's Nicholls State University in the US, told National Geographic: ''Having seen other pigmentation-related mutations in fishes, it's not completely unexpected that this exists, but it's really cool to see regardless.' Mr Laine posted pictures of Inspector Clouseau on his Instagram account. He said: 'It is very rare because I think there has only been around eight to ten sightings since the first sighting in 2015. 'I felt amazed afterwards but also felt like when I was in its eye level I felt like he was smiling at me. 'He was big and I got into a touch range but obviously didn't touch, I was super close, about a metre at best. 'The whole encounter lasted for about 20 - 30 minutes and he was part of a mating manta train that was just circling around a cleaning station.' The two countries reached an agreement in December to resume production at the so-called Neutral Zone. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait authorized the restart of oil production at the Wafra field from Sunday, more than four years after they halted output at the shared deposit. The decision was announced in an internal memorandum seen by Bloomberg News. Wafra has been shut since May 2015, due to a dispute over Saudi Arabias renewal of Chevron Corp.s concession there. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have said a resumption would be unlikely to add significant amounts of oil to the market within the duration of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries production cuts deal, which runs until the end of March. Chevron, through its subsidiary Saudi Arabian Chevron Inc., has now embarked on a series of pre-startup activity, which includes efforts to ensure its workforce is ready to safely restart operations and then production, Sally Jones, a company spokeswoman, said in a statement. The Saudi and Kuwait oil ministries could not be immediately reached. Saudi Aramco declined to comment. The two countries reached an agreement in December to resume production at the so-called Neutral Zone. The barren strip of desert straddling Saudi Arabia and Kuwait a relic of the time when European powers drew implausible ruler-straight borders across the Middle East can pump about 500,000 barrels a day more than each of OPECs three smallest members pumped last month. The neutral zone, spanning more then 5,700 square kilometers (2,200 square miles), was created by a 1922 treaty between Kuwait and the fledgling Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In the 1970s, the two Gulf Arab monarchies agreed to divide the area and incorporate each half into their respective territory while still sharing and jointly managing the zones petroleum wealth. The region contains two main oil fields: the onshore Wafra and offshore Khafji. Khafji was shut down in 2014 after a spat between the neighbors. The disagreement escalated over the Wafra field, when Saudi Arabia extended the original 60-year concession of the field, giving California-based Chevron, through Saudi Arabian Chevron Inc., rights there until 2039. Kuwait was furious over the announcement and claims Riyadh never consulted it about the extension. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have held a number of private meetings since 2015, at one point coming close to signing an agreement before pulling back at the last minute over wording in the final documents regarding contentious sovereignty issues. They entered a fresh phase of talks last year. The fields are particularly important because U.S. sanctions on Iran and Venezuela have tightened the supply of heavy, high-sulfur crude precisely the kind of oil that the neutral zone produces. U.S. diplomats had been pressing both sides to reach an agreement. Flower shops in Toronto have been scrambling to fill requests for beautiful bouquets and deliver them in time for Valentine's Day. "It's incredibly busy every year," florist Jessica Lamb said from Sweetpea's in the Roncesvalles neighbourhood. The flower of choice for most romantics? Roses, of course, because "they're obviously the symbol of love," Lamb explained. But that Valentine's Day bouquet could be a very costly choice when it comes to the environment, said Kalynn Crump, founder of ReBLOOM. It's a company that will pick up flowers from large events for a fee and deliver them to a local women's shelter, hospice or seniors' home before collecting the flowers a few days later and composting them. Crump suggests instead of roses that are usually flown in from Colombia or Ecuador buy locally grown flowers. "Enjoy lilies or other creative, beautiful arrangements that you can create with a very little carbon footprint," she explained. Crump pointed out that a flower like a ranunculus is grown locally and will last up to two weeks. Kalynn Crump, ReBLOOM ReBLOOM has a baseline fee of $500 to do a pickup, so it's not economical to use the service for just one person, but Crump encourages everyone to consider walking their bouquet over to their local seniors' home to brighten up the day of someone in need. "This time of year, it is so important for us to recognize seniors and social isolation Mobility is a huge issue and a lot of the time, because of the weather, they're not going out," she said. And always compost because "it's the most important thing you can do," Crump said, adding flowers thrown into the garbage end up in a landfill without getting a chance to turn back into soil. The importance of 'sharing that joy' When Julia Zini was planning her wedding back in 2018, she wanted to find ways to cut down on the waste generated by such a large event. Story continues So when she saw that ReBLOOM would pick up her bouquet and centrepieces, made up of roses, hydrangeas and baby's breath, and donate them in her name to a charity of her choice Zini chose Nellie's Women Shelter and Labdara Lithuanian Nursing Home in Toronto she jumped on it right away. "It's not just the sustainability or the reduction of the physical waste, but also sharing that joy of the flowers was important too," she said. Everlasting Moments ReBLOOM's Crump had the idea back in 2014 after working in the event industry for years and seeing heaps of flowers tossed into the garbage and, ultimately, the landfill. "I think that there is an amazing feeling that happens when people know that it was not all waste we didn't enjoy the flowers just for hours but we gave them back to the community," Crump said. The feel-good factor The past two years have seen a huge boost in business for Crump. In fact, the Canada-wide company is fully booked for weddings until the end of the summer and there's a six-week waiting list for corporate events. That could be due to a huge interest these days in turning a wasteful industry into something that ends up being environmentally friendly and also has a "feel-good factor," one expert said. "They capitalized on something that people will feel good about right away," explained Dr. Sonya Graci, an associate professor who teaches hospitality and tourism management at Ryerson University's Ted Rogers School of Management. "It provides a second purpose to someone in need," Graci said. Submitted by Kalynn Crump "So that charitable arm really is quite interesting because it'll give people that feel-good factor." Graci said more environmentally-conscious and sustainable businesses are popping up from clothing rental companies to zero-waste grocery stores because "consumers are demanding it." "You see that everyday people are looking at how they can reduce their impact; they want to know how they could do more," she said. Another Indian aboard a cruise ship quarantined off the coast of Japan has been infected by the coronavirus, the embassy in Tokyo said on Friday. This takes the number of Indians infected by the highly contagious disease on board the Diamond Princess to three. A viral outbreak that began in China has killed 1381 people and infected nearly 64,000 on Friday since it began spreading in central Wuhan city in late December. The World Health Organization (WHO) has named the illness COVID-19, referring to its origin late last year and the coronavirus that causes it. With the latest infection, 219 people have the virus on the cruise ship isolated at a port in Japans Yokohama. There were 3711 people on the vessel, including 138 Indian crew and passengers. The Embassy of India in Tokyo has contacted all three Indians nationals who had tested positive or COVID-19 and are currently receiving treatment at medical facilities. Their health conditions have been confirmed to be stable and improving, a statement said. Embassy is also in constant contact with relevant Japanese authorities to ensure the well being of all Indians nationals on board the ship. Japanese authorities have confirmed they are following the designated health protocols, it added. The Japanese government on Friday began allowing elderly passengers who test negative for the new coronavirus to leave the quarantined cruise ship and finish their isolation in government-designated lodging. It has allowed passengers aged 80 or older in poor health or confined to windowless inner cabins on the Diamond Princess to move from the ship to accommodation on land. But only those who test negative for the virus that has so far infected more than 200 people on board the ship have the option to move. The Diamond Princess was placed in quarantine on February 3 after a man who disembarked in Hong Kong was diagnosed with the virus. The ship has been quarantined by the Japanese authorities till February 19, 2020. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A marriage is only legally valid if a "qualifying ceremony" takes place, Court of Appeal judges have ruled. A panel of three judges rejected a "more flexible view of marriage as a process rather than a single ceremony", which was taken by a High Court judge in an earlier ruling on a case involving an Islamic marriage ceremony. Campaigners said the ruling, delivered in London on Friday, would force Muslim women to turn to "unaccountable" Shariah courts in divorce and family cases. The court considered the case of solicitor Nasreen Akhter and businessman Mohammed Shabaz Khan, who had an Islamic marriage ceremony, or Nikah, in a London restaurant in 1998. Nasreen Akhter at a previous hearing / PA They knew the ceremony had "no legal effect", and intended to follow up the ceremony with a civil marriage under English law. But the pair, who had four children together and spent some years living in Dubai, never had a civil ceremony - despite Ms Akther raising the issue on a number of occasions - and they separated in 2016. Ms Akhter brought divorce proceedings in the High Court in November 2016, asking Mr Justice Williams to declare their marriage "void" because it had not complied with the various procedural requirements necessary to make it valid. Mr Khan contended that the Islamic ceremony had no legal effect and therefore Ms Akhter was not entitled to a divorce. Mr Justice Williams had ruled in favour of Ms Akhter, granting her a "decree of nullity", and the couple later reached a financial settlement. The judge considered that the Islamic ceremony "bore all the hallmarks" of a marriage in that it was held in public, witnessed, officiated by an imam and involved the making of promises and confirmation that they were both eligible to marry. He also said they had been "embarking on a process", which was intended to include a civil ceremony, and took into account the interests of their children. However, overturning his ruling, the Court of Appeal found that "no marriage ceremony took place in respect of which a decree of nullity could be granted". Mohammed Shabaz Khan at a previous hearing / PA Master of the Rolls Sir Terence Etherton, who considered the case with two other judges, said the 1998 Nikah was a "non-qualifying" ceremony. Announcing the court's decision, he said: "The parties were not marrying 'under the provisions' of English law. "The ceremony was not performed in a registered building. Moreover, no notice had been given to the superintendent registrar, no certificates had been issued, and no registrar or authorised person was present at the ceremony. "Further, the parties knew that the ceremony had no legal effect and that they would need to undertake another ceremony that did comply with the relevant requirements in order to be validly married. "The determination of whether a marriage is void or not cannot, in the court's view, be dependent on future events, such as the intention to undertake another ceremony or whether there are children." Sir Terence added: "With respect to the judge, who was clearly seeking a route which he understandably believed would lead to a fair outcome for (Ms Akhter), that is to say the ability to make an application for financial remedies for herself, we do not consider that his approach can withstand analysis. "The difficulty with the judge's approach is that ... at no time did the parties in fact seek to effect a legal marriage." Having reached a settlement, neither Ms Akhter nor Mr Khan played any part in the Court of Appeal proceedings, and the appeal was brought by the Attorney General. The court also heard argument from campaign group Southall Black Sisters and Fatima Hussain, another woman seeking a divorce following an Islamic ceremony, who intervened in the case. Pragna Patel, director at Southall Black Sisters, said: "Today's judgment will force Muslim and other women to turn to Sharia 'courts' that already cause significant harm to women and children for remedies because they are now locked out of the civil justice system. "The Court of Appeal referred to the Law Commission's review of the law governing the regulation of marriage but we believe this to be a neat way to avoid having to grapple with the unsatisfactory nature of the current marriage system or its discriminatory nature. "What we are seeing is the outsourcing of justice on family matters to unaccountable and fundamentalist-inspired community-based systems of religious arbitration. "This is not about recognising religious marriages; it is about the state guaranteeing equality to all before the law." Charles Hale QC, of 4 Paper Buildings, who represented Ms Hussain before the Court of Appeal, said: "The law in these cases is not keeping up with society. "These vulnerable women need better protection than the law currently provides." The senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Douye Diri, on Friday formally took over the reins of power as the governor of Bayelsa State. Mr Diri took over from Seriake Dickson who finished his tenure after eight years in office. Mr Diri and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrujakporboth, took the oath of office in Yenagoa, the state capital, in the presence of hundreds of supporters. Mr Diri was on Thursday declared winner of the November 16 governorship election following the annulment of the victory of the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), David Lyon, by the Supreme Court. A five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Mary Odili sacked Mr Lyon on the grounds that his deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, presented false information to the electoral commission, INEC. 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 INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, on Friday, formally declared Mr Diri winner of the polls. He said the decision was in compliance with the apex courts decision. Subsequently, the INEC commissioner for the South-South, May Agbamuche, presented the certificate of return to Mr Diri and his deputy. In his remarks at the inauguration, Mr Diri thanked INEC and the Supreme Court. He said, The court is the last hope for the common man. We pray and hope that God will heal our land, Bayelsa State, and Nigeria. For us, God has taken us through a winding road. And it had taught us lessons of reconciliations and lesson of love. Vietnam is forecast to welcome some 644,000 international tourists in the first quarter, falling by roughly 800,000 arrivals compared with the previous quarter before the outbreak, the General Statistics Office noted in a statement. Foreign tourists experience a community-based tourism activity in Sa Pa, Lao Cai Province. Chinese tourists will not travel to Vietnam during the outbreak of the new virus PHOTO: VNA The country could lose some US$2.3 billion in turnover earned from international tourists spending this year if the outbreak continues to rage until the end of the quarter. Chinese tourists will not travel to Vietnam during the outbreak of the new virus, which emerged in China in late 2019, while international arrivals from other countries are facing a downward trend as Vietnam shares a long border with China, stated the office. In particular, the central coastal resort city of Nha Trang could be hit hardest as Chinese tourists accounted for over 70% of its international arrivals last year, according to data from the Statistics Department of Khanh Hoa Province. Also, a series of meetings and other events have been postponed or canceled to prevent the transmission of the new virus, resulting in a decline in meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions tourism in major cities such as Hanoi and HCMC. The countrys civil aviation sector has also suffered the fallout from the Chinese viral outbreak, said the GSO. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has revoked all permits granted for regular flights connecting Vietnam and China until further notice from the Vietnamese Government. After the flight ban came into effect from February 1, the country recorded an average of 80 canceled flights between the two countries per day. The road and railway transport sectors are also feeling the pressure. Fewer tourists have resulted in a decrease in the number of transport services, especially those supporting the aviation sector. For tourism services to be improved in the long term, the GSO suggested extending closures of trading activities at border markets to avoid public gatherings that could encourage the spread of the disease. Apart from that, local tourism authorities and enterprises should maintain the launch of promotion events in high-growth markets from 2019 as well as in potential ones, including Japan, South Korea, Russia and Australia. They should also set up Vietnam tourism promotion offices on a trial basis in source markets to attract more visitors. SGT Coronavirus poses challenges for tourism manpower The Wuhan coronavirus, apart from lowering tourist arrivals and tourism revenue, has created chaos for the tourism labor market. More than 80,000 people are sleeping in the open air in freezing temperatures after fleeing a Syrian government offensive in the northern province of Idlib. Most of that number have absolutely no shelter at all, while close to 20,000 are sleeping underneath trees for the little protection they provide. At least six children are reported to have died from the cold in recent days, according to the International Rescue Committee (IRC). One family was found dead in the snow after they were unable to find a place to stay. The scale of the humanitarian crisis has shocked charity workers and officials. Aid organisations were already stretched to breaking point when waves of people began to flee a government offensive to capture the last rebel-held province. More than 800,000 people have fled their homes since 1 December, the vast majority of them women and children, making it the biggest wave of displacement of the entire war. 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 Unimaginably, an already catastrophic situation in northwest Syria is getting even worse, said Misty Buswell, from the IRC. As people lose their homes, see their children killed by airstrikes or before their eyes as they desperately try to keep them warm, it is not only the humanitarian situation in Idlib that is at breaking point, but the people there too, she added. With temporary camps full, mosques and schools had opened their doors to provide shelter. But they too are now full and people have nowhere to go. A blanket of snow in some parts of Syrias north has exacerbated the situation. As temperatures drop to -11 degrees Celsius, people are burning clothes, tyres and plastic bags to stay warm. Mark Cutts, the UN deputy regional humanitarian coordinator for the Syria crisis, described the new displacement in Idlib as an exodus as he called for international action on the crisis. Weve been calling repeatedly in the Security Council for the protection of the civilian population, he told The Independent this week. Whats this world coming to if were not able to protect 3 million civilians mostly women and children who are trapped in a war zone? he asked. The battle in Idlib has pitted an array of nationalist and jihadist rebel groups, some of which are supported by Turkey, against the Syrian government and its backers Russia and Iran. Russian and Syrian government airstrikes have targeted hospitals and emptied entire towns and cities of people. The fighting has taken a devastating human toll over the past year. According to the United Nations, at least 1,710 civilians have been killed in northwest Syria, including 337 women and 503 children in northwest Syria. Civilians flee from Idlib to find safety inside Syria near the border with Turkey (AP) The Syrian government has vowed to bring the entire country back under its control, and is currently focusing its fire on Idlib. In recent days, government troops captured a strategic highway that runs between Aleppo and Damascus and came into direct confrontation with Turkish forces, which are stationed at observation points near the frontlines. Ankara is desperate to avoid another wave of refugees crossing into Turkey, and has sought to push back against the Syrian government offensive. Thirteen Turkish military personnel have been killed by Syrian government shelling in the past 10 days, while Turkey claimed to have killed dozens of Syrian soldiers in response. Turkey has sent large-scale reinforcements into the province in recent days, and in the past week, two Syrian government helicopters have been shot down by surface-to-air missiles, likely supplied by Ankara. Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant was appointed head of Maharashtra State Parliamentary Coordination Committee by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on February 14. The three-member Maharashtra State Parliamentary Coordination Committee was formed by Thackeray on Friday. Sawant has also been given Cabinet-rank status following his appointment to the post. It is important to note that Sawant had resigned from his Cabinet minister post in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government following differences between the BJP and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On the first day of trial for Janell Robinson, an ex-Newark police officer accused of allegedly giving kickbacks to the former director of the Newark Watershed Conservation in exchange for no-work contracts and fraudulent payments, the woman who Robinson dealt with took the stand in the case. Linda Watkins Brashear was transported in from federal prison to testify. She is the mastermind behind the scheme that defrauded large amounts of money from the now-defunct watershed corporation and entangled numerous other managers, contractors and consultants who worked with the agency, according to federal authorities. She was a great support system for me, Linda Watkins Brashear, the former director of the watershed agency, told the jury Friday. While Brashear was referring to their friendship, prosecutors described a kickback scheme they alleged Robinson participated in that supported Brashears gambling addiction. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Schwartz said for more than three years Brashear used funds from the watershed corporation, which treated and delivered water to parts of New Jersey, to pay a phony security consulting company run by Robinson nearly $300,000 through no-work contracts and padded invoices. All the while, Brashear testified that Robinson was paying her a cut of each check the security company received to support her gambling addiction and pay other personal expenses. Brashear said Robinson often stuffed around $3,000 in white envelopes and handed them to her outside the Newark police station on Green Street. Brashear pleaded guilty in 2015 to to charges of conspiracy and filing a false income tax return for soliciting around $1 million in bribes. After agreeing to be a cooperating witness, she received a sentence of eight-and-a-half years, significantly lower than the sentencing guidelines. I got involved in the scheme and accepted kickbacks from subcontractors to fuel that, Brashear said about her gambling addiction. Robinson was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2018 on one count of conspiracy to defraud the watershed corporation, two counts of mail fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion affecting interstate commerce. Schwartz told the jury that Brashear through the watershed corporation funds initially paid Protected and Secured Services, LLC, Robinsons security consulting company, a total of nearly $89,000, even though no work was performed. The Newark watershed corporation and the security company later entered into a formal agreement, but prosecutors said the company submitted inflated invoices that led to payments totaling around $200,000. The watershed corporation contract agreed to pay Protected and Secured Services $5,000 per month for their services, yet Schwartz showed the jury checks Robinson received for up to $20,000 in a single month, even though the security company only had one employee who worked 16 hours per week canvassing the watershed for vandalism or illegal dumping. That employee will testify during the trial to the minimal work the company did, Schwartz said. The prosecutor said Robinson used the money to pay off her credit card, lease a Mercedes-Benz, help her other struggling business ventures and for personal expenses, like remodeling her kitchen. In his opening remarks, defense attorney Carlos Martir said Robinsons company was fully-functioning and that every invoice Robinson submitted was supported by work that was done by the company. He said the board of the watershed corporation let Brashear run the agency with impunity, which affected numerous people. The victim in this particular case is Janell Robinson, he said. Brashears testimony was put on hold Friday when U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton released the jury for the day. The trial will continue Tuesday. If convicted, Robinson could face up to 20 years in prison for each count and a $250,000 fine. According to previous reporting by NJ Advance Media, the watershed corporation, which serviced half a million northern New Jersey residents, disbanded in 2013 after widespread charges of corruption and mismanagement were exposed. Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. Follow on Twitter @monavage. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. by Karlene Lukovitz @KLmarketdaily, February 14, 2020 Amid DirecTVs ongoing struggles, Dan York, AT&Ts chief content officer and senior executive vice president, will leave the company on March 1. York became the chief programming executive for DirecTV in 2012 and continued in that role when AT&T acquired the pay-TV satellite provider in 2015. York, known for his toughness as the companys lead programming negotiator, has also been overseeing Audience Network, a DirecTV original content channel now being turned into a preview channel for AT&Ts upcoming HBO Max streaming service. York had been at AT&T, as president of content and ad sales, prior to joining DirecTV in 2012. AT&T Consumer CEO Thaddeus Arroyo released a statement thanking York for having significantly shaped the companys content strategies over his many years of service. advertisement advertisement DirecTV/U-verse lost a combined 945,000 subscribers in 2019, to end the year at 19.5 million subscribers. DirecTV has lost about 4 million subscribers over the past two years. In 2017, the Justice Department settled a suit against DirecTV that accused the company of having colluded with other TV providers, including Charter and Cox, to interfere with Time Warner Cable striking carriage deals for its Los Angeles Dodgers network, Spectrum SportsNet LA. The suit alleged that York was the driver behind the alleged actions. The settlement required the companies to monitor some of their executives communications with competitors, and implement compliance programs, but did not require that any pay-TV company carry SportsNet LA. The Los Angeles Times first reported Yorks exit from AT&T. Conservative Baptist Network launched amid 'woke' trend in SBC, emphasizing Scripture, evangelism Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Amid growing concern that the nation's largest Protestant denomination is increasingly "woke" and drifting from biblical orthodoxy, a new network has formed to emphasize evangelism and the sufficiency of Scripture within the Southern Baptist Convention. The Conservative Baptist Network, which is being launched Friday, describes itself as a grassroots effort to maintain the proclamation of the Gospel at the center of SBC life, in addition to prioritizing fidelity to Scripture and all of its implications, including presenting a vibrant, biblically-informed witness when engaging culture. The network fully affirms the longstanding beliefs of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. Those involved in the network's formation, many of whom spoke with The Christian Post, say their efforts are needed given the direction and perceived future of the Convention that many devout Southern Baptists find troubling. But the network is not, they say, a new denomination, a blog or a social media page that exists solely to air grievances or a competitor with other like-minded ministries. We are concerned about the current road our Southern Baptist family is traveling. It is a road that is twisting what Gods Word is saying about things like human sexuality, biblical racial reconciliation, and socialistic justice, said Brad Jurkovich, the network spokesman and the pastor of First Baptist Church in Bossier City, Louisiana, in a press release exclusively provided to CP Thursday. There are three choices that every pastor and church have to make, he explained. Those three options, he said, are to remain in the SBC and say nothing and watch it drift into obscurity; walk away entirely, cognizant of what they are leaving behind; or remain within the denomination and contend for the restoration of what has been lost in recent years. The Bossier City pastor believes many desire the third option and the CBN pastors, lay ministers and seminary professors are ready to stand alongside them. Are the apparent theological, ethical and social compromises simply indicative of Southern Baptists succumbing to the apostasy of the Laodicean Age? Are we doomed to the fate of an unrepentant church or will we open the door to let Christ in, overcome our present malaise and experience another spiritual renaissance?" Jurkovich offered, speaking to how he presently sees the spiritual status of the denomination as a whole. He further maintained that a significant number of Southern Baptists are especially concerned about the overemphasis on certain issues that have received more attention than has evangelism and spiritual renewal emphases that have helped make Southern Baptists the largest and most influential evangelical group in the nation. For many, particularly those who make a point to attend the denomination's annual meeting each year, their concern was crystallized following the 2018 gathering in Dallas when motions were made on the floor to prevent Vice President Mike Pence from speaking to the messengers. While those efforts ultimately failed, some in attendance nevertheless got up and left the convention center in protest as Pence began to speak, actions many considered disrespectful and contrary to the admonition in 1 Peter 2:11-17 about showing proper deference to governmental authority. Another contentious matter that has rankled many longtime Southern Baptists is Resolution Nine, a 2019 measure that the messengers adopted which states that what is known as critical race theory and intersectionality are useful analytical lenses. The resolution defined CRT as "a set of analytical tools that explain how race has and continues to function in society" and intersectionality as "the study of how different personal characteristics overlap and inform ones experience." The network regards these tools as fundamentally flawed because they stem from worldviews like Neo-Marxism and other ideological systems that are hostile to the Christian faith. Lorine Spratt, executive assistant to Jurkovich and an African-American layperson in the SBC, told CP in an interview Thursday that she supports the aspirations of the new conservative initiative and that she finds Resolution Nine's words on CRT offensive. "To even suggest something else is needed as a tool to engage the culture is ludicrous," she said, noting that anytime someone mentions it to her she responds by referring to the story of the Ethiopian eunuch to whom Philip explained the Gospel in Acts 8. "That man went back and evangelized his people [in Ethiopia]. And so there was no tool to help him. Philip obeyed the Lord and God did what He does." Although the text of the resolution stipulates that critical race theory and intersectionality "should only be employed as analytical tools subordinate to Scripture not as transcendent ideological frameworks," she still views what is happening in the SBC as an insidious push from increasingly vocal "woke" pockets. The influence of these theories ultimately undermines the mission of the Church, she believes, "because they are diametrically opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ." The word "woke," as a political term, is often said to be African-American in origin and refers to a perceived awareness about racial issues and social justice, and is often employed for other pet causes of the secular left. Spratt said she feels patronized when proponents of CRT say that they need the tool to engage her ethnicity and culture. "I say absolutely no. The Gospel is totally sufficient. Totally sufficient," she emphasized, "and the fact of its origin should tell anyone that we don't need that in the Southern Baptist Church or in the church realm at all." Asked what she makes of the argument that examples of intersectionality can be seen in Scripture, such as when Jesus ministered to the Samaritan woman at the well who was doubly marginalized in that day because she was both a woman and a Samaritan Spratt maintained that defenders of the theory only highlight passages of Scripture that dovetail with a predetermined narrative of their own design. The Jewish tax collectors were also hated and marginalized during that time, she pointed out, but "the woke" somehow never mention that instance. "I am embarrassed. I really am embarrassed that they would insinuate that an analytical tool needs to be used to deal with me. I'm insulted that they would think to use something like that to say that my culture or ethnicity ... that we need extra care. That is not true," she said. "What it does is seek to make us a victim so they can then rescue [us], so they can make themselves feel good about helping [racial minorities]. Well no, you're not helping me if you're not pointing me to the Lord Jesus Christ. And I am not a victim. I am victorious in Jesus Christ." Those affiliated with the new network remember the gains made during what is known as the Conservative Resurgence, a movement that began several decades ago and was marked by a lengthy struggle within the denomination over its theologically liberal trajectory at the time. This movement's key players have insisted that as moderate and liberal leaders of seminaries and other SBC entities were replaced with theological conservatives, the denomination flourished and in many ways became a standard-bearer of sorts for both evangelism and biblical orthodoxy in the United States. Opponents of the Conservative Resurgence often derisively refer to the movement as the fundamentalist takeover of the SBC. But some theological conservatives are now wondering, in light of growing apprehension over shifting theological winds in many churches, if their values remain represented in their agencies and if another similar resurgence may be at hand. Mike Spradlin, president of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Cordova, Tennessee, said his consistent aim is to stay anchored in the truth of Scripture and that, under its authority, he speaks to every area of life with conviction. Spradlin also teaches Old Testament and Hebrew at the seminary. "To me, it's not just a new struggle, but a constant struggle," he said, noting the importance of diligence because it is easy to slip away from the Bible's essential truths. "And as a theologian I'm very sensitive when you try to add to the Gospel or add to the Bible and say: 'This is necessary for salvation or for godly living or societal change.'" Southern Baptists are losing their passion for personal evangelism and missions, he asserted. "It's kind of like the elephant in the room. Nobody wants to talk about it. As a Southern Baptist, our denomination is in decline numerically. We are also declining rapidly in baptisms, which is a good indicator that people are coming to Christ. So that should be a crisis moment for us," he said. Though the denomination has always had various camps and groups that tend to rally around particular ideas, theological paradigms, or personalities, the conflict is not new, he stressed. He continued that because of how the denomination is structured it's a collection of churches and not one singular institution frustration sometimes emerges in churches as some feel disconnected from denominational leaders, particularly if they have differing visions of what the SBC should be. Yet, he said, "we're going to choose to work together because we want to get the Gospel to the nations. I think that has always been a rallying cry in a good way. And if you want to rally Southern Baptists you'll rally them with taking the Gospel to the nations," Spradlin said. "My hope is that the Conservative Baptist Network will keep people engaged on the Great Commission, that they will stay plugged in, that they will not disconnect or just throw up their hands but they'll stay engaged and take the Gospel to the nations," he reiterated. Echoing Spradlin, Chuck Kelley, president emeritus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, said the need for the network comes about particularly because of the ongoing decline of the Southern Baptist Convention, a trend he has been tracking and calling attention to for many years. "I am a simple-minded evangelist," Kelley told CP. "That is the passion of my life, that is my calling. It has been the focus of my adult life as a scholar in the academic world." "And what has really concerned me is a true crisis of the Southern Baptist Convention in evangelism and in health of our churches," he said. Before talk of the decline was more common among Southern Baptists, Kelley was sounding the alarm with presentations in various Baptist forums. Years ago when he gave one such presentation about this, Baptist Press refused to cover it because the outlet deemed it "too controversial," he recalled. The decline is now unignorable. The former NOBTS president notes that depending on whom you speak to in the SBC, their thinking about the health of the denomination varies significantly. In 2018, in the wake of a burgeoning #metoo movement and a tumultuous annual meeting, he encountered several conservative pastors who confided in him that they were not sure if they could stay in the SBC much longer because of the direction it appeared to be heading. The well-known tension over the theological orientation of the SBC between the Calvinist and traditionalist wings remain, Kelley said, but the lack of conversation about evangelism is more shocking. He hopes the efforts of the network will alleviate the "unsettledness" in the denomination and provide a "clear voice" that will show that the SBC, as it has been historically, is "committed to the inerrancy of Scripture and the Word of God, and making first things first and keeping first things first." "And evangelism is on that list of things." Lee Brand, dean of MABTS underscored the importance the network is placing on the primacy of the Bible and hopes it will be a forum where people can come together to dialogue. "I think about pastors and churches because those are the people for whom I'm greatly concerned. I want our pastors to know that we champion the position that the Bible is enough." "We want to make sure that anything we say about the Bible, that we hold the Bible in its proper esteem as not only the Word of God but enough to handle all the issues of life," he stressed. When asked how he sees the CBN as a catalyst for unity in the church, Brand said that he believes it will be a vehicle to launch a timely discussion around the sufficiency of Scripture. "We're at a very important time in the life of the SBC. We're talking about the largest mission sending agency in our country and that mission that we're on is rooted in Scripture. And I think that if it's the roots and foundation thereof I think it needs to be the focus going forward," he said. Unlike other SBC seminaries, Mid-America Seminary receives no funds through the denomination's Cooperative Program. "It's not a money issue for us, it's a matter of principle," he emphasized. Rod Martin, who serves on the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention and on the state board of missions for the Florida Baptist Convention, explained to CP that the most important thing for the new network to achieve is to offer hope to "countless" Southern Baptists, who need to know they are not alone. "There is an enormous media push in the direction of the left," he said, noting that the push is both theological and political. "It's not what it was in the days of Uncle Walter [Kronkite]. You could trust him, look at the television and he said it and it's true." Yet today, much of the purportedly mainstream press has a strong advocacy bent, he asserted, and "they might as well be Super PACs. And that [influence] bleeds over into the church." Given such widespread distrust of mass media, Southern Baptists are prone to giving up hope too easily, he said. And since Southern Baptist polity is organized around the autonomy of the local church, an ecclesiastical structure they continue to believe in, at the Executive Committee level what needs to be reestablished is the ongoing validity that the EC does not tell local churches what to do, Martin said; the reverse, that churches tell the EC what to do, is the SBC standard. "Do we need to take a stand against sex abuse? Absolutely. Do we need to take a stand against racism wherever we find it? One hundred percent. I'm completely there. But at the point at which we start becoming some other denomination ... if I want to go be an Episcopalian or a Presbyterian I'll go be one," he said. "But we've chosen to be Baptists and we have to maintain the autonomy of the local church. And we're having real issues there. But with that said, the Executive Committee's role is partly to defend the reality that the entire superstructure of the Convention is about stewarding the local church's gifts to do collective ministry, not to preach to them." Thus, the EC has to defend the rights of local churches to spend their contributions in a biblically faithful way, he said. The annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention will occur in Orlando in June. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday asked the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to prioritise the core sectors of education, health, power and water for ensuring the quality of life of citizens across the state. Chairing a meeting of all DCs here at Punjab Bhawan, the Chief Minister directed them to go for extensive monitoring of various development and welfare schemes related to these focus sectors to ensure strict implementation of such programmes, read an official statement. To ensure smooth delivery of citizen-centric services, the Chief Minister asked the DCs to personally keep close tabs on the functioning of the Sewa Kendras in order to curtail the pendency of applications for seeking various citizen services. Additional Chief Secretary, Governance Reforms, Vini Mahajan informed the meeting that 515 Sewa Kendras were functioning in the state, with a pendency of 42,261 against 2,60,4975 applications received from all the districts. The Chief Minister also asked the DCs to instruct the revenue officials to ensure prompt disposal of revenue matters such as transfer of property, partition, mutation cases etc. He directed them to convene monthly meetings of Grievance Redressal Committee and send comprehensive reports within the stipulated time frame. The Chief Minister further asked the DCs to regularly monitor the progress of solid waste management for the door to door collection of segregated waste, wet waste processing facilities and bulk waste generators compliance, up to March 31, 2020. Captain Amarinder Singh also reviewed the flood preparedness with the DCs and asked the Chief Secretary to place sufficient funds on the disposal of Deputy Commissioners to execute various flood protection works, especially at vulnerable sites, well in advance of the onset of the monsoon season, the statement read. Earlier, Water Resources Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria had a detailed meeting with the Deputy Commissioners to monitor the progress of flood protection works. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former prime minister says his party is here to stay in first public speech since resigning in October amid protests. Beirut, Lebanon Lebanons former Prime Minister Saad Hariri has said he is charting a new political path from within his party after a 2016 deal with President Michel Aoun that brought him to power became history. Im here, Im not going anywhere; Im staying in my country, in my house among my family and in political work, Hariri said on Friday, in his first public speech since resigning on October 29 amid widespread protests against a ruling elite blamed for corruption and steering the country into an acute financial crisis. Addressing a crowd of thousands of supporters outside his residence in the capital, Beirut Lebanons leading Sunni politician said he had received criticism from within his party over the past months and acknowledged shortcomings but said the decision now is to enact change. The Future Movement will remain, he said, referring to his party. His comments came during a public event to mark the 15th anniversary of the assassination of his father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Rafik Hariri was killed along with 21 others when a massive bomb exploded as his convoy passed through the centre of Lebanons capital, Beirut, on February 14, 2005. Prosecutors at The Hague-based Special Tribunal for Lebanon investigating Hariris assassination have said that the Syrian government was at the heart of the plot, which was carried out by members of the pro-Iran Hezbollah group. Damascus and Hezbollah have denied involvement. A ruling in the case is expected this year. In defence of Haririism Members of the leaderless protest movement, as well as Hariris political opponents, have pointed to the policies of Hariris father termed political Haririism and dating back to 1992 as the source of Lebanons massive economic woes today. The country is saddled by the third-largest debt burden in the world as a percentage of its gross domestic product and is facing the worst financial crisis in its history, which may soon push it to default on debt repayments. Much of Fridays event was dedicated to responding to these claims. A video aired at the beginning of the commemoration blamed Lebanons dire situation on a series of obstructions carried out by Lebanese parties allied with Syria over the years. 200206125201514 Hariri said that parties were continuing to blame Haririism today in order to cover for their own failures in governance. He said the obstruction his father had endured at the hands of Syrias allies continued under his own deal with Aoun, ultimately leading to the uprising Lebanon was currently witnessing. Hariri also lashed out at Gerban Bassil, Aouns son-in-law and leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), describing him as the shadow president who sought to eliminate other parties and harmed Lebanons relations with Arab states along with Hezbollah. Lebanons success depended on good relations with Arab states, Hariri said, adding: Irans cash can solve the problems of a party, not of a country. Going forward, Hariri said he would continue to uphold ties with historical allies with whom relations have been strained in recent years over his deal with Aoun. Electric swipe Drawing a comparison between his own dealings and his fathers abilities to garner international support for Lebanon through donor conferences, Hariri pointed to the 2018 CEDRE conference, where the international community pledged $11bn in soft loans to Lebanon, conditional on reforms. 191218173753995 But rather than support those reforms, Hariri said that the FPM and its allies first obstructed the formation of a government after Lebanons 2018 election, then blocked the governments work after it was formed, leaving the conference unrealised. He also took aim at the FPM over the countrys decrepit electricity sector, which runs a yearly deficit that has over the years contributed about half of Lebanons $87bn public debt. Here to stay Following his resignation, which saw him continuing in a caretaker capacity, Hariri had sought to return as prime minister but was ultimately replaced by Prime Minister Hassan Diab, whose cabinet recently gained Parliaments confidence. Despite this recent setback, he remains a key figure in Lebanons political scene, Maha Yahya, director of the Carnegie Middle East Center, told Al Jazeera. Yahya said Hariri, through the large public event on Friday, was saying he might have lost the battle but it is far from over, while also looking to reassert his political gravitas vis-a-vis both internal as well as external actors. Indeed, the heads of the parliamentary blocs of his two main allies, the Progressive Socialist Party and the Lebanese Forces, attended the gathering in central Beirut. 200206183211081 The Saudi ambassador to Lebanon, Walid al-Bukhari, was also in attendance. In the last two months we heard and saw that, oh my, the Future Movement is gone and Saad travelled and isnt coming back, and Saudi doesnt want him and America doesnt want him, Hariri said. Let them hear the truth that the Future Movement is here to stay. Earlier, as he was walking through the crowd taking selfies with supporters and greeting officials before his speech, Hariri was closely followed by Lebanons Grand Mufti, Abdel-Latif Derian, who then sat beside him. The messaging was clear: Hariri remains the leader of Lebanons Sunnis. As alleged, this defendant waved a loaded gun in the faces of Rite-Aid employees simply doing their jobs and got away with $600, Williams alleged. A prolific Portland shoplifter whose taste for stolen shrimp and televisions helped lead to his most recent arrests was sentenced Wednesday to less than two years in prison. Barry Trennel Sanders, 58, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of theft stemming from a rash of retail heists in 2019, according to the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office. As part of an agreement reached with prosecutors, he admitted to stealing merchandise from Portland stores more than 1,000 times during his storied criminal career, court records show. I am a talented and professional thief, Sanders said in a written statement, adding hed been arrested over 100 times in Oregon. Barry Trennel Sanders. (Multnomah County Sheriff' Office) Portland detectives nicknamed him the Hamburglar in 2014 after he stole $2,690 worth of meat from Safeway grocery stores. Court records show the serial shoplifters rap sheet dates back to at least 1985. I know the law. I know the rules. I know what I can and cant do, Sanders told police during a videotaped interview in 2016. Every time I get out of prison, I steal. Prosecutors said Sanders last year stole $600 worth of shrimp as well as steaks, chicken wings, chicken thighs and Tide Pods during visits to WinCo. He was also caught loading televisions into shopping carts at Target stores and then casually trying to leave, records show. In addition to 20 months behind bars, he will be banned setting foot in any Target, Safeway, Fred Meyer, Home Depot or WinCo store for the next five years, the district attorneys office said. -- 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. This is not the sort of path I ever thought the United States could take. Our justice system obviously has flaws, starting with the way it disproportionately punishes people of color. But it has not been naive, at least in my lifetime, to believe that federal prosecutors and judges tried their very best not to let politics influence their decisions and that they generally succeeded because they took their responsibilities seriously. Emergency medicine physicians at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University are helping rural hospitals better treat patients by establishing tele-emergency departments. With a nearly $369,000 telemedicine grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, physicians at the state's only public medical school have equipped five rural Georgia emergency rooms with a mobile cart that allows them to remotely consult with emergency physicians in Augusta at MCG and AU Health. The carts, which have teleconferencing equipment and software, portable point of care ultrasound machines and airway devices, allow physicians at these hospitals to perform basic diagnostic tests and procedures, guided by MCG physicians, and keep more patients in their emergency rooms instead of immediately transferring them to larger hospitals with emergency medicine trained physicians. "The entire program is built on a true partnership model," says Dr. Richard Schwartz, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at MCG and principal investigator on the grant. "These hospitals tell us what they need and we design the system with them in mind. We want to enable them to provide a higher level of emergency care than they've been able to offer up to this point." "There's never really been, from an emergency standpoint, a telehealth system that has worked well for the state," adds Dr. Matt Lyon, vice chairman for academic programs and research in the MCG Department of Emergency Medicine and a co-investigator on the grant. "Previous systems have failed because of two main barriers - equipment and cost. The grant enables us to provide the equipment at no cost to these hospitals." The carts are in emergency rooms at Wills Memorial Hospital in Washington; Emanuel Medical Center in Swainsboro; Washington County Regional Medical Center in Sandersville; Miller County Hospital in Colquitt; and Crisp Regional Hospital in Cordele. The tele-EDs will be staffed 24 hours a day by MCG emergency medicine physicians. Emergency rooms in rural hospitals are often staffed by non-emergency medicine trained physicians because hospitals can't afford emergency medicine specialists, Lyon explains. Enabling those physicians to consult with emergency medicine trained physicians at AU Health can help patients get better care and help rural hospitals remain open. "One of the problems we face, particularly in rural Georgia, is that hospitals close because they're not financially viable," he says. "They don't have enough volume because people don't go there and those that do go don't stay. We see transfers (to AU Health) for very minor things, like a lumbar puncture (used to diagnose serious infections like meningitis), for example. We could save a third of transfers for radiology - like evaluating for pregnancy location - just by having ultrasound there. Our goal is to help them keep people in their hospitals. We can do that with telemedicine." The partnership has other benefits as well. If patients do need to be transferred to a larger hospital or trauma center like AU Health, the consulting physicians can make that easier. "It's obvious that if a patient has something like a brain bleed, they need to be transferred," Lyon says. "It can be hard to get into a big hospital, but we can expedite the transfer process for them." Rural hospitals also have what are called "swing beds," meaning they can change the bed's status to suit the care needs of patients - a bed dedicated to surgery recovery could be changed to a bed dedicated to inpatient rehab, for example. At AU Health and other tertiary and quaternary care hospitals, under rules of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, bed status cannot be changed. "So, if a person breaks their hip and has surgery to repair it, we can do the surgery here and send them to a hospital near their home for inpatient rehab and ongoing care," Lyon says. "Or if someone needs long-term acute care, we can send them there. That helps us and these rural hospitals because they have the volume they need and patients aren't getting readmitted here, which we're penalized for by CMS." Schwartz and Lyon are also working to expand the program to the state prison system. "We get a lot of transfers from prisons, which costs the state a lot of money in ambulance fees," Lyon says. "We're working with officials at Johnson State Prison in Wrightsville to see if we can expand this program and provide more care in the prison." This program is just one example of how the MCG Department of Emergency Medicine is working to improve care throughout rural Georgia. Physicians at MCG travel throughout the state teaching rural emergency room providers basic procedural courses in ultrasound and basic and advanced life support. The department, in collaboration with the Georgia College of Emergency Physicians, also hosts an annual Rural Emergency Practice Conference to train health care providers from across rural Georgia in the latest and best practices in emergency medicine. ### Germany cannot ignore Russia, but builds bilateral relations in view of Russia's annexation of Crimea and aggression in Donbas. "Russia is a large geographical neighbor and we cannot just ignore it. We very much agree with President Macron in this issue. But we have certain rules, for example, we wont have business as usual with Russia because of the annexation of Crimea and the aggression in Donbas. We try to continue to have contacts at all levels, but no state visits will be made," German Ambassador to Ukraine Anka Feldhusen said in an interview with Hromadske when asked about Germanys vision of the future of EU and relations with Russia. Germany holds a lot of social and public discussions in Russia, the diplomat noted. "We want the new generation in Russia to know what Europe is, what the benefits are, how Russia's economy can be modernized. It seems to me that this is a very big question for Russia: how the country can continue to live in the current conditions. We want to have contacts with people who will solve these issues in the future," Feldhusen said. ol Arlington-based cybersecurity engineering and consulting firm GRIMM will invest $435,000 to establish its headquarters at the Quantico Cyber Hub in Stafford County. Gov. Ralph Northam, who made the announcement Thursday, said the expansion is expected to create 23 jobs. GRIMM focuses on solving cybersecurity problems, and provides products and services for national defense and commercial service improvement. Strong cybersecurity defenses are increasingly important to the stability of our economy and our democracy, Northam said in a news release. Stafford Countys highly trained workforce and proximity to the nations capital make it attractive to growing technology businesses. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Stafford and the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance at the University of Mary Washington to secure the project. GRIMM will create jobs through the state-funded Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides companies with support for employee recruitment and training. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) A Rhode Island woman who cheated relatives, her closest friends and her husband's firefighting colleagues out of nearly $5 million to fund a lavish lifestyle should face the harshest sentence possible, federal prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum Thursday. Monique Brady, 45, of East Greenwich, is scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Providence. She pleaded guilty in July to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and obstructing an IRS investigation. The prosecutor in her case is asking a judge for more than 10 years in prison, the maximum under federal sentencing guidelines. Brady's lawyer did not immediately return a message seeking comment. The prosecutor wrote the sentence is justifiable because of the insidious nature of defendants long-term fraud scheme, the unimaginable way in which she exploited close personal relationships to commit fraud, the devastating effects her fraud had on the victims, and the need for just punishment and adequate deterrence. Brady solicited investments for her real estate management company, which she said had contracts for large-scale rehabilitation work on properties across New England. In reality, prosecutors said, Brady's firm was often hired by banks for small tasks like mowing grass or changing locks, and did no work on 98 of 171 projects for which she solicited investor funds. She cheated 23 victims out of $4.8 million, prosecutors said, and used the money to buy a million-dollar home with a $9,400-per-month mortgage, vacations, and plastic surgery, among other luxuries. There was no motive for defendants conduct other than pure, unadulterated greed," the prosecutor wrote. Her victims included her best friend from childhood, her best friend from law school, her stepbrother and a woman who was a grandmother-like figure to Bradys children, authorities said. Brady's husband was a Warwick firefighter, and three of her victims were his colleagues, they said. Brady has shown no remorse and as authorities closed in on her, she bought a one-way ticket to Vietnam, prosecutors said. Since she has been held, she has made 202 unauthorized phone calls from jail using the personal identification numbers of nine other inmates, prosecutors said. Flight squadron came to an airbase on Jan Mayen island with a visit Open source Combat aircraft of U.S. Air Force visited an outpost of the Norwegian military in the Arctic. A wing of fighters came to an airbase located on Jan Mayen island. The U.S. delegation came there to test the runway for the purpose of landing of C-130J Super Hercules transport planes, Reuters reported. Russia said on Thursday it was alarmed by a trip to a Norwegian outpost in the Arctic by a U.S. Air Force unit and urged Oslo to refrain from what it said were de-stabilising moves in the strategic region. A squadron of U.S. Air Force staff visited Norway's air base on the island of Jan Mayen in the North Atlantic in November to test the airfield and to see whether U.S. C-130J Super Hercules military transport planes can land there. Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the incident, claiming that these actions destabilized the region. Commenting on the U.S. visit to the island, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Reuters Moscow believed Norway's recent military activity was ultimately aimed at Russia and that such actions "destabilize the region". "We hope Oslo will be responsible and far-sighted in building its policy in the north and will refrain from actions that undermine regional stability and damage bilateral relations," the Russian authority stated as cited. Commissioner of Police Colin John about to inspect members of the Plain Clothes Units of the Police Force. The first Commissioner of Police Parade for 2020 was held on Thursday, February 6, 2020, at the Victoria Park. The parade commenced at 7:15 am and featured two hundred (200) police officers including the police High Command and others from the various departments/ sections/units and divisions, on parade. The parade was under the command of Superintendent of Police, Mr. Kenneth John. Commissioner of Police, Mr. Colin John inspected the officers on parade and later addressed them, during which he congratulated them for their service to the organization and, by extension, to St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), in keeping its citizens safe. He reiterated that due to the hard and dedicated work of the police and assistance from members of the public, the overall crime rate reduced in 2019. The Commissioner reminded the parade that the RSVGPF prides itself on being the "best turned out police force in the region. The Commissioners Parade, he said, is held on an ongoing basis to ensure that the high standard of deportment is maintained among the ranks. Commissioner John remarked that he was generally pleased, save and except for a few individuals, with the deportment of the vast majority of officers who were on parade. The top cop reminded the officers that they took an oath to protect and serve the people of SVG, and they must always be true to that oath. He went on to say that in 2019, there were instances where police officers breached that oath, and actions were taken to discipline the officers in question. He urged the officers to treat every report with the level of seriousness that it deserves, so that justice can be done. The main highlight of the parade was the awarding of the Regional Security System (RSS) Medal of Honour to forty (40) police officers who performed humanitarian duties in Dominica in 2017, during the aftermath of hurricane Maria. Moroccos national airline, Royal Air Maroc, and British Airways have sealed a code-share agreement on the Casablanca-Agadir-London routes operated by the two companies. The deal offers more choices to passengers travelling to London and Marrakesh, says the Moroccan flag-carrier in a press release. Codeshare flights take off on February 20, with RAM due to join the Oneworld alliance as of April 1. This is the first African codeshare agreement signed by BA to offer its passengers better access to routes across Morocco and Africa. In addition to Royal Air Marocs hub in Casablanca, which is not currently served by BA, passengers will have access to flights to destinations such as Abidjan in Cote d Ivoire, Freetown in Sierra Leone and Agadir in Morocco. Passengers will be able to earn loyalty points when flying on either carrier, with BA Executive Club members able to earn Avios on BA bookings for eligible codeshare flights. In addition, BA customers will have access to Royal Air Marocs airport lounges when flying in premium cabins and vice versa. Chris Fordyce, BAs head of alliances, said: We are delighted to be partnering with Royal Air Maroc to create our first African codeshare agreement. Not only will this codeshare agreement give our customers the choice of more flights to Africas biggest tourist destination, Morocco, it will connect our extensive global network to new destinations in Africa. For his part, Hamid Addou, CEO of Royal Air Maroc, said: this new codeshare confirms Moroccos flag carrier major role as a key player connecting Africa to the rest of the world. We are very pleased with this cooperation, which will foster our traffic development and ease the access to both our companies networks on both ends. Thanks to this code-sharing agreement, Royal Air Maroc offers its passengers access to additional destinations across Great Britain and a better customer journey, through optimized connections and end-to-end check-in operations, with international assistance at airports served by the two companies, he added. (Newser) Hundreds of cruise ship passengers long stranded at sea by virus fears cheered as they finally disembarked Friday and were welcomed to Cambodia by the nation's authoritarian leader, who handed them flowers. Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed to let the Westerdam dock at the port of Sihanoukville on Thursday after Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Guam had barred the ship earlier, the AP reports. "Today, although Cambodia is a poor country, Cambodia has always joined the international community to solve the problems that the world and our region are facing," he said as the first passengers disembarked. Hun Sen, a strong supporter of China, has downplayed threats from the new virus. story continues below "Your country did a great job. Did a wonderful job. Thank you very much. We appreciate it very much, Joe Spaziani, 74, from Florida, told reporters. "Cambodia alone, even the United States, Guam, did not let us land, but Cambodia did, so thats wonderful. Absolutely wonderful," Spaziani said. "We appreciate it very very much. Its been a long struggle and we appreciate everyone being here." 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. Some 20 passengers had reported stomachaches or fever, but tests for the virus done at the Pasteur Institute in Phnom Penh showed none had the illness. (Read more Cambodia stories.) YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will attend a discussion on Nagorno Karabakh conflict in the sidelines of Munich Security Conference, ARMENPRESS was informed from the official website of the Conference. The discussion will take place on February 15, from 17:30 to 18:15 local time (20:30-21:15 Yerevan time). The facilitator will be President and Chief Executive Officer of US Russia Foundation Celeste Wallander. The 56th Munich Security Conference launched on February 14. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan is also participating in the Conference. Pashinyan arrived at the hotel Bayerischer Hof, the venue of the Conference, which gathered global leaders. The Munich Security Conference is an annual conference on international security policy which gathers several dozen heads of state and government, public, political figures, diplomats, security experts under one roof. This years Conference will focus on topics whether the EU countries are more closely cooperating in the defense field, whether the world is facing security challenges caused by climate change, etc. The three-day Conference will host more than 500 delegates. Presidents, prime ministers, foreign and defense ministers from over 40 countries of the world will participate in the Conference. Among the participants are French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Russian and Iranian foreign ministers are expected to deliver remarks at the event. On the sidelines of the Conference the Armenian PM will have several bilateral meetings with his foreign counterparts and other officials. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian attended the 2019 Munich Security Conference and this year as well will participate in the opening of the Conference. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan By Express News Service THRISSUR: The three coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in the state are all recovering fast and fear of its spread is disappearing gradually in the state. But not for a Thrissur-based school and college, which hesitated to let in two students who returned after their prescribed home quarantine period. The Health Department had instructed those who returned from China to remain in home quarantine for 28 days. After most people who returned from China and their families completed the incubation period without any infection, the department advised them to return to normal life. What we should understand is that these people were kept in home quarantine for our safety. They acted responsibly so that we could remain healthy. Its pathetic that some people saw it in a different way, making the students upset, said an official. The district administration has warned the educational institutions of stringent action if any of the students are treated similarly in future. We should welcome those who were kept in home quarantine with all joy as they sacrificed many things for our wellness, said DMO K J Reena. The Health Department has instructed the educational institutions not to act in such manner in future. 1,367 is the total deaths in China 242 people died on Wednesday in central Chinas Hubei province, officials said [February 14, 2020] Federman & Sherwood Has Filed the First Data Breach Class Action Lawsuit against Altice USA, Inc. Federman & Sherwood announces that it has filed the first class action lawsuit against Altice USA, Inc. over its recently announced data breach affecting thousands of current and former employees, and Optimum (News - Alert) cable television customers. Federman & Sherwood is a boutique litigation law firm that has been appointed counsel in a number of data breach cases and was the first law firm to initiate an investigation into the data breach at Altice USA, Inc. ("Altice"). In November 2019, multiple Altice employees fell victim to a phishing email campaign, resulting in criminal actors gaining access to employee email accounts. An unencrypted report stored on one of the compromised accounts contained the sensitive personal information of all current Altice employees and of potentially all former employees. Some customers' personal information as compromised as well. Personal information that may have been accessed included names, employment information, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and some drivers' license numbers. Altice began notifying affected individuals in February 2020. The personal information compromised in this data breach has already exposed many employees, former employees and consumers to identity theft and other forms of fraud. If you have information about this data breach, want to discuss this data breach, obtain further information or participate in the litigation, or have any questions or concerns regarding this notice, please contact Tiffany Peintner at [email protected] or visit our firm's website at www.federmanlaw.com. Tiffany Peintner FEDERMAN & SHERWOOD 10205 North Pennsylvania Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73120 (405) 235-1560 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005367/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] San Antonio International Airport has landed a new airline but if the name VivaAerobus sounds familiar, its because the airline has launched service twice before on the nonstop route to Monterrey, Mexico, only to later terminate it. The new, twice-weekly flights will start June 26. Aviation Director Jesus Saenz, who started this week, said more than 600,000 people visit San Antonio from Monterrey and Nuevo Leon each year. This new flight is prime for our economy and the convenience of our travelers, he said in a statement Thursday. Saenz has said adding more nonstop service and airlines to San Antonio International will be his top priority. San Antonio has been unable to attract direct flights to key U.S. cities and has no flights to Europe. Routes to Mexico are the airports only international service. Budget airline VivaAerobuss history of starting and stopping service isnt limited to San Antonio International its done the same at other U.S. airports. VivaAerobus first launched service out of San Antonio International to Monterrey in fall 2011, only to drop it two years later because of what the company said were problems processing U.S. credit cards on its website. The company also said it was in the process of revamping its fleet. On ExpressNews.com: VivaAerobus restoring service to Monterrey The airline returned to San Antonio, but its relaunch, in November 2014, was short-lived. The company ended the four-times-a-week service less than a year later. VivaAerobus is owned by Mexican bus company IAMSA. The airline started operations out of Monterrey in November 2006. At that time, VivaAerobus was co-owned by IAMSA and the founders of European budget carrier Ryanair. Its now solely owned by the bus company. VivaAerobus is a no-frills airline, offering budget fares and charging extra to transport luggage in overhead compartments and to print out a boarding pass at the airport.. The company launched its first U.S. routes to multiple Mexican cities from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in May 2008. A year later, it canceled the flights. For its third launch at San Antonio International, the airline is offering service on Monday and Friday only, with an 180-seat Airbus A320 departing at 8:15 a.m. Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox In a statement, Juan Carlos Zuazua, the airlines general director, said VivaAerobus will offer connections through its Monterrey hub to more than 30 destinations throughout Mexico, including Mexico City, Guadalajara and Cancun. We will continue to expand our (offerings), backed by the youngest fleet in Mexico and the best prices, he said.This is part of our commitment to all travelers: make available to everyone the opportunity to fly to more and more destinations. VivaAerobus wont have the San Antonio-to-Monterrey route to itself. Mexican carrier Interjet offers daily service between San Antonio and the northern Mexico city. 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 Man rides at Fira de Barcelona after the Mobile World Congress (MWC) was cancelled, in Barcelona By Douglas Busvine BERLIN (Reuters) - For an event meant to showcase the power of telecoms, cancelling this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona without a back-up plan has perplexed many in the trillion-dollar sector. Wednesday's decision to call off the telecoms industry's biggest annual gathering over fears of coronavirus, which has yet to reach mainland Spain, has left a hole in marketing budgets and dealt a $500 million blow to the local economy. It has also raised questions about whether the four-day event, which drew 110,000 visitors last year, has become too big for its own good, while missing an opportunity to use the very communications technology that it is meant to highlight. Sony and Nokia said after pulling out of the event that they would hold product launches online instead, while South Korea's Samsung Electronics showcased a new folding phone at separate event in San Francisco last week. The crisis began eight days ago when South Korea's LG Electronics became the first company to scratch, triggering a spate of cancellations. "The whole idea, that we've got to get tens of thousands of people together to meet, goes out of the window," Mike Rosenberg, an associate professor at the IESE business school in Barcelona, said of the decision to cancel February's event. Rosenberg said that with China still battling the worst of the coronavirus outbreak, the GSMA mobile network operators group's next big conference in Shanghai this summer could also be at risk. The Chinese province at the center of the coronavirus outbreak reported a record rise in deaths and thousands more cases on Thursday under a new diagnostic method, raising fresh questions about the scale of the crisis. Spain has so far only reported two coronavirus cases - one in the Canary Islands off northwest Africa and a second on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca. Catalonia's top economic official, Pere Aragones, told Reuters he respected the cancellation decision but stressed that there was no public health danger in the Spanish region. Story continues He called instead for a stronger alliance between the GSMA and Catalonia, adding that a way to do it would be for the organizers to extend the MWC presence in Barcelona beyond 2023, when the current contract ends. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR? While major exhibitors can bear the cost, hundreds of smaller companies for whom MWC is the big event on their marketing agenda may think twice about returning, analysts said. "Now they face the challenge of having to figure out what is the best way to salvage something," Ben Wood, chief of research at consultants CCS Insight, said. In a show of unity, the GSMA's leadership held a joint news conference with local leaders on Thursday, vowing to work to stage next year's edition of the event, which has been held in Barcelona since 2006. But Director General Mats Granryd faced tough questioning from reporters after conceding that insurance that the GSMA takes out on behalf of exhibitors does not cover an event like the coronavirus outbreak. "Clearly there is no way you can insure yourself out of a force majeure situation," Granryd said. Ramon Fernandez, CFO of French operator Orange, said cancellation was "going to cost us a bit of money, just like it's going to cost a bit of money to all those who had planned to go. "We'll find a way to continue the dialogue," he added. "A number of those who had planned to go have written us to say: 'Let's meet up in Paris since we won't be able to see each other in Barcelona.' Agendas are filling up at lightning speed." Communicating its decision also tested the GSMA's public relations machine. Even as cancellations snowballed and talk circulated on Wednesday that a decision to cancel was imminent, the GSMA was still sending out media invitations. The final blow came when the European telecoms firms that form its core membership pulled out as a bloc, forcing the GSMA to bow to the inevitable. Granryd told staff in an email he was "deeply saddened". "The team working through this crisis have been fact-based, took appropriate measures and communicated both externally and internally in real time." (Additional reporting by Jordi Rubio, May Ponzo, Isla Binnie, Joan Faus, and Mathieu Rosemain; Editing by Alexander Smith and Giles Elgood) Meysam Kordi, 32, (pictured) had been living in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, when he was denied access to free healthcare which had resulted in him 'losing his teeth' An asylum seeker who had become increasingly frustrated over a severe toothache tried to persuade police to shoot him by claiming he was wearing a suicide vest. Meysam Kordi, 32, had been living in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, when he was denied access to free healthcare which had resulted in him 'losing his teeth'. It is thought he became increasingly 'frustrated about issues with the Home Office' and last month Kordi prompted a huge emergency response at his flat when he told officers he had attached explosives to himself. Kordi was today jailed for one year over the stunt. Kordi, who came to the UK from Iran in November 2018, made the threats on January 16 earlier this year. Armed officers were scrambled to the scene and cordoned off the area with nearby businesses being evacuated. Bomb disposal experts arrived at his flat and examined the bogus vest before deeming it 'non-viable'. Kordi later told Minshull Street Crown Court that he had wanted armed police to turn up and shoot him. Speaking at the trial, a judge said the incident caused 'real fiscal loss' and had a serious impact on the community. Prosecutor Duncan Wilcock said Kordi made a call to police and appeared to be speaking though an interpreter. Last month Kordi prompted a huge emergency response at his flat when he told officers he had attached explosives to himself He said he was 'frustrated about issues with the Home Office'. Kordi also said he had been denied access to free healthcare, which had resulted in him 'losing his teeth'. Mr Wilcock said: 'He told police he had made previous attempts on his own life and that he had attached explosives to himself. 'The defendant told them he wanted police to attend and for them to be armed.' Kordi told police he did not want to hurt them but that instead he wanted them to shoot him. The interpreter, who was with the defendant at the time, asked if there was anything police could do to help. Kordi replied: 'Release me of this life.' Armed officers were scrambled to the scene and cordoned off the area with nearby businesses being evacuated. Bomb disposal experts arrived at his flat and examined the bogus vest before deeming it 'non-viable' Mr Wilcock said: 'Firearms officers negotiated with this defendant with the help of an interpreter. 'Over time, he came out and removed his outer clothing and took off the vest he was wearing.' The defendant was arrested at the scene. In mitigation, James Preece said his client - who has no previous convictions - was 'deeply, deeply sorry' and that he had 'no intention of harming anyone'. He added that the defendant 'bitterly regrets his actions' was having 'feelings of desperation' at the time. Mr Preece said: 'The reason for that desperation were the problems he was suffering with his teeth. 'He said that for six months he was suffering with severe toothache and had lost a lot of his teeth and that he needed paperwork to see a dentist. 'He did eventually get that paperwork and was able to get treatment. 'He was suffering from depression and there was frustration in relation to the asylum process.' Judge Bernadette Baxter at Minshull Street Crown Court (pictured) said Kordi's frustration 'did not justify' his actions and jailed him for 12 months Kordi, of Birch Lane, Dukinfield, pleaded guilty to placing an article with intent to cause fear and sending false messages with to cause annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety. Judge Bernadette Baxter said Kordi's frustration 'did not justify' what he did and jailed him for 12 months. Sentencing, the judge told him: 'You came to this country in November 2018 seeking asylum from Iran and were moved into a flat on Birch Lane for asylum seekers. 'Sadly, your asylum application took time as it inevitably would do and you became frustrated about that process. 'I accept that you had medical problems that needed treatment and your status as an asylum seeker made it difficult for you to access to necessary treatment. 'However, that does not justify what you did.' Judge Baxter said it was a 'planned and premeditated' incident, which resulted in 'great public expense and inconvenience'. The judge continued: 'Firearms officers, the fire brigade and explosives experts had to attend at the scene and roads were cordoned off. 'Businesses were evacuated and children had to be kept in school because their parents could not get access to collect them. 'This had real community impact causing real fiscal loss and resources over a period of time. 'Only an immediate period of custody can be justified, both as a punishment and a deterrent to others.' Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Riski Raisa Putra (The Jakarta Post) Illinois, US Fri, February 14, 2020 15:55 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20648f9c9 3 Opinion coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,China,Trade,Indonesia,outbreak Free Since the beginning of the year, the world has been shocked by the spread of the novel coronavirus, which started in Wuhan, China, and has spread to many parts of the globe. The World Health Organization has declared an international emergency in regard to the epidemic, which it has now named COVID-19. As of Feb. 14, China alone reported nearly 60,000 confirmed cases and a death toll of over 1,350 people. In this global era, the total trade between countries and the intersection of the value chain becomes a determinant of the relationship between one country and another. Of course many ask, how big is the estimated impact on the Indonesian economy and what can we do? China is Indonesia's largest trading partner, our second-largest supplier and third-largest foreign investor. These three indicators should be more than enough for us to be vigilant and immediately anticipate further adverse impacts. Following the spread of the virus, the World Bank revised down its forecast for world economic growth, initially estimated at 2.5 percent this year. In 2019, China grew by 6.1 percent, lower than its target of 6.6 percent. Chinas growth is projected to hover around 5 percent in 2020, after the spread of the coronavirus. The virus has so far spread to over 23 other countries. The impact of the virus on the economy will be massive, as a result of the linkages between the economy of China and other countries, through the global value chain. There are several linkages that we need to be aware of the trade of goods, migration of people and investment. The first linkage is trade that will be affected by the weakening of the Chinese economy. Since 2013, China has replaced Japan as Indonesia's largest trading partner. China accounts for 24 percent of Indonesia's total trade. In the first nine months of 2019, Indonesia's trade with China totaled US$52.39 billion, consisting of $19.81 billion in exports and $32.58 billion in imports. This was down by a range of 1-2 percent from 2018, due to the impact of the United States-China trade war. Indonesia's exports to China consist mainly of lignite, coal briquettes, palm oil, sulfate chemical wood pulp and ferroalloys. These are raw materials that are in demand in China, as they are vital for the manufacturing sector. For example, IHS Markit estimated a loss of at least 350,000 units of car production as of Feb. 10, as manufacturing plants were temporarily closed. If the plants remain closed until mid-March, the loss of production would reach more than 1.7 million units. This is just an example of how the virus would impact Indonesian exports to China. Furthermore, imports from China include electronics, machinery, steel, plastic and organic chemistry. Such goods may not be directly affected by the epidemic, however, for example, an Indonesian policy to stop garlic imports from China would directly increase garlic prices in our country. The second linkage is people migration. Since Feb. 5, Indonesias government has closed all flights to and from China. We are beginning to feel the adverse impact on tourism and the travel industry. Last year, tourist arrivals from China totaled 2.7 million or 17 percent of total tourist arrivals in the country. As Chinese tourists spend $965 per visit on average, we can imagine how massive its impact on the economy as a whole would be. The third linkage is through investment. Even though the virus has not yet caused any cancelation of Chinese investment projects, the virus would delay project implementation due to the problems in the flow of goods and people (workers). Moreover, China, as the worlds second-largest economy, has become the worlds factory, producing numerous parts and components of industrial goods for global supply chains. Even though no one can yet predict how long the coronavirus spread will continue, the Indonesian government should act immediately to diversify its export and import markets. The government should make concerted efforts to reduce the countrys heavy dependence on Chinas markets, tourists and investments. Given the multiplier impact of tourism, from airlines to hotels and souvenir shops, special contingency measures should be taken to help major tourist destinations, such as Bali and North Sulawesi, which depend mainly on China. *** Executive of Wiratama Institute, studying economics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Wiratama Institute is a nonprofit organization based in Indonesia that has served as a think thank in public policy, political and economic issues. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. People in Andhra to get quality liquor at Rs 50 if BJP comes to power: Somu Veerraju Night curfew in Andhra Pradesh: Know timings, guidelines, rules; What is allowed, what is not allowed Andhra Pradesh gets 18 Disha police station to fight crimes against women, children India oi-Madhuri Adnal Hyderabad, Feb 14: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy led Andhra Pradesh government has opened up total of 18 'Disha Police Station' across the state to effectively deal with crimes against women and children and to fast-track the judicial proceedings. These Disha police stations will also include certain existing women's police stations which will be upgraded. The government took this initiative after the horrific gangrape and murder case of a 26-year-old woman in Hyderabad in November 2019 that grabbed nationwide attention. The woman was also named Disha by the media after whose name these police stations have been named. The first Disha police station was inaugurated in Rajamahendravaram city in East Godavari district on Saturday. The state government on December 13, 2019 passed the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (also known as Disha Act) which makes it mandatory for trial in cases of rape to be completed within 21 days. These police stations are a means by which, it claims that speedy trial completion will happen. Each police stations will be headed by an officer of a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) rank officer with minimum of 36 staff majority of which are women. The team will also comprise two circle inspectors and three sub-inspector rank officer and support staff whose strength will be between 36-47 to assist in the probe. The team will deal in cases under IPC section 376 (rape and gang rape), 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 the POCSO Act. Newcastle Disease: 'No non-veg week called in Andhra Pradesh's Tanuku to keep infection at bay A control room to attend the calls from women in distress would be set up in these police stations, which will also be able to track the nearest emergency response vehicle and automatically dispatch it to the location of the victim, triggering a quick response system. A mobile application 'Disha App' has also been launched for women's safety. A person can alert the officials by just shaking their phone when in distress and if unable to operate the phone, SOS will be sent to the Disha control room as well as their family members. The location of the caller will also be shred with the control room to take stock of the situation. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, February 14, 2020, 16:30 [IST] GSSG Solar Announces the First Close of GSSG Solar Partners III, LP GSSG Solar, LLC (the "Company") is pleased to announce the first close of GSSG Solar Partners III, LP, its third global fund (the "Fund"). The Fund will build on the strategy, infrastructure, and relationships of the Company's prior funds providing investors access to high quality solar projects in Japan and other developed markets in Asia. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005963/en/ 14.7MW Yamanashi Project (Operational) (Photo: Business Wire) The Denver-based solar aset management firm monitors active solar markets worldwide to identify the best risk-adjusted and scalable opportunities for its funds. Since 2013, the Company has acquired over 500 MW of solar projects and developed its asset management and project management teams in its Tokyo office. In addition to Japan, the Fund expects to explore similar stage investments in developed countries with similar resource scarcity themes inherent to island economies. The Company applies its value-added investing approach and decades of industry experience to execute on the Fund's mandate. Since its December first close, the Fund's investor base has committed over 75% of the targeted $200 million and includes the Fund's first pension investor as well as repeat LPs. "We feel fortunate to have a set of investors who enable us to invest in the best risk adjusted solar investments we find," said Tomakin Archambault, GSSG Solar's CEO. "Fund III is large enough to attract top investment talent while remaining small enough that we can selectively curate another over-performing investment vehicle." About GSSG Solar, LLC: GSSG Solar is a full-service renewable energy investment firm that manages funds designed to generate capital appreciation through select investments in high quality renewables projects worldwide. www.gssgsolar.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005963/en/ Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Anil Chauhan said on Friday that insurgency is on a decline in the North East and expressed hope that the situation will further improve in the future Kolkata: Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Anil Chauhan said on Friday that insurgency is on a decline in the North East and expressed hope that the situation will further improve in the future. Overall, militancy-related incidents have declined by about 12 percent and the arc of violence in the entire North East has shrunk primarily to an area which is the tri-junction between Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and north Nagaland, the officer said. "In the hinterland, the situation is under control and we are confident that things will only improve in the future," General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Eastern Command, Lt Gen Chauhan said. Speaking to reporters after the 'Defence Investiture Ceremony 2020' at Command headquarter Fort Willaim in Kolkata, he said that 40 percent of last year's violence occurred in this area at the tri-junction. "In Nagaland, the government is engaging with the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) and NSCN(IM) and hopefully, there will be a positive outcome of these talks," Lt Gen Chauhan said. He said that the agreement between factions of the NDFB, the ABSU, the Assam government and the Centre is a welcome step and may be seen as a precursor to a lasting solution in the state. The officer said that with the insurgency level having gone down in the North East, the focus of the Eastern Command has shifted towards non-combat operations. A large number of civil-military projects have been taken up by the Army, which includes infrastructure development, setting up of medical camps and national integration. He said that with the betterment in the situation, troops are being sent to barracks in Karbi Anglong and the Army is also contemplating withdrawing some of its forces from the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts in Assam. The GOC-in-C said that along the northern borders, activities of both the Indian and Chinese forces are relatively less with the winters having set in, and peace is being maintained along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Chauhan said that about 133 individuals in the Indian Army were conferred gallantry awards this year. Of the individual gallantry awards given this year, approximately 96 per cent are for operations in Jammu and Kashmir and about 4 per cent for operations in the North East. In the Eastern Command, most of the distinguished service awards were given for operations and administrative efficiency either along the LAC or in the hinterland for counter-insurgency operations. "Of the individual gallantry awards given in the Eastern Command, 37 per cent were for distinguished service along the LAC and 47 per cent for operations in the hinterland," he said. As far as the unit citations are concerned, altogether 22 awards were given, including the Chief of Army Staff's citation and Army Commander's citation, he said. These include 10 units that got citations for operations along the Line of Actual Control, while 8 units got it for operations in the hinterland for counter-insurgency operations. Two units got it for infrastructure development, which were done mainly along the Chinese border, he said. "While the grant of these awards is not a reflection of the security situation either on the LAC or in the hinterland, but this gives some indication as to where the priorities lie," he said. Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani (C) attends Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's (not seen) meeting with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in Tehran, Iran on September 18, 2016. The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Friday blasted the Trump administration for claiming in a new report that it had authority to order the controversial killing last month of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani in Iraq under Congress' authorization in 2002 for the use of military force against Iraq. Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., the committee's chairman, argued that the administration's new report to Congress about the Jan. 3 attack on Soleimani "directly contradicts the President's false assertion that he attacked Iran to prevent an imminent attack against United States personnel and embassies." "The administration's explanation in this report makes no mention of any imminent threat and shows that the justification the President offered to the American people was false, plain and simple," said Engel in a prepared statement. He and other Democrats already were skeptical about President Donald Trump's legal rationale for the attack without prior authorization from Congress. The administration's report made public Friday says that Trump "directed this action in response to an escalating series of attacks in preceding months by Iran and Iran-back militias on United States forces and interests in the Middle East region." The report also said that the attack on Soleimani at Baghdad's airport was "consistent with" a "longstanding interpretation of the President's authority" under both Article II of the Constitution and the 2002 authorization of use of force in Iraq. Engel, in his statement, called that argument "absurd." "To make matters worse, to avoid having to justify its actions to Congress, the administration falsely claims Congress had already authorized the strike under the 2002 Iraq war resolution," Engel said. "This legal theory is absurd. The 2002 authorization was passed to deal with Saddam Hussein," he said. "This law had nothing to do with Iran or Iranian government officials in Iraq." The chairman added, "To suggest that 18 years later this authorization could justify killing an Iranian official stretches the law far beyond anything Congress ever intended. I was pleased to join many of my colleagues in voting to repeal the outdated Iraq war authorization, and I hope the Senate will follow suit." In its report, the administration said the purpose of the attack on Soleimani was "to protect United States personnel, to deter Iran from conducting or supporting further attacks against United States forces and interests, to degrade Iran's and [its] Qods Force-backed militias' ability to conduct attacks, and to end Iran's strategic escalation of attacks on, and threats to U.S. interests." At the time of his death, Soleimani, 62, was commander of Iran's Quds Force, the foreign operations wing of the elite paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Trump administration officials said after the strike that Soleimani had been planning imminent attacks on Americans and as a result had to be stopped. A week after his killing, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, "There was no doubt that there were a series of imminent attacks that were being plotted by Qasem Soleimani." But Pompeo, in an interview with Fox News, added, "We don't know precisely when and we don't know precisely where, but it was real," Pompeo said in an interview that aired Thursday night on Fox News. NBC News reported in mid-January that Trump authorized Soleimani's killing seven months before he actually was killed. "The presidential directive in June came with the condition that Trump would have final signoff on any specific operation to kill Soleimani," NBC reported, citing five current and former senior administration officials. NBC News noted that the timing of that directive "could undermine" the administration's already publicly stated rationale for the killing. In closing arguments Friday, a prosecutor called Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein an abusive rapist and a predator who used his power to manipulate and assault several women in the movie business, then stayed in touch with them to ensure their silence and compliance. He had a surefire insurance policy: The witnesses were standing in line to get into his universe, Joan Illuzzi, an assistant district attorney, told the jury during her closing at Weinsteins rape trial. The universe is run by me, she added, adopting Weinsteins point of view, therefore they dont get to complain when the universe is run by me. Illuzzis summation was a dramatic finale to the trial in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, which has emerged as a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement. In her presentation, Illuzzi returned repeatedly to the difference in power between Weinstein a giant in the film industry and his accusers, who worked as cocktail waitresses or models and were trying to break into the movies. It is a complete dichotomy, she said. Here is the defendant with everything using and abusing people he knows have nothing. Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to five felony charges in the case including rape, criminal sexual assault and predatory sexual assault which carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. Six women testified at trial that he had sexually assaulted them, though he faces charges in connection with only two of them. The others were allowed to testify to establish a pattern of behavior. On Thursday, his lawyers made their own closing pitch to the jury, claiming that he himself had been the victim of an overzealous prosecution and that the six women who took the stand to accuse him of assault and other crimes were not passive victims, but active participants in ongoing and often transactional relationships. Standing before the jury on Friday, Illuzzi sought to counter that narrative, arguing that Weinstein purposefully maintained ties with his victims to keep them under his control. He made sure he had contact with the people he was worried about, Illuzzi said. Thats the mark of a predator. The indictment rests on the accusations of two women: Miriam Haley, a former reality television show production assistant who testified that Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her at his TriBeCa apartment in 2006; and an aspiring actress who claimed he raped her in a Midtown Manhattan hotel room in 2013. Both women acknowledged during cross-examination that they not only had friendly interactions with Weinstein after their alleged attacks, but later had consensual sex with him. In the defenses closing arguments on Thursday, Donna Rotunno, Weinsteins lead lawyer, said several times that the accusers in the case had chosen to engage in consensual sex with him to advance their careers, and their decisions to visit Weinstein in hotels and at his apartment supported that argument. Jury deliberations are set to begin Tuesday. Jay Ransom and Alan Feuer are New York Times writers. This Is Still Happening is a feature in which Slate will attempt to offer an update on Cabinet-level corruption, what could be done to bring the officials to account, and what Democrats are doing in response (generally, nothing). The fifth installment is about the single most effective barrier between Trump and legal liability, William Barr. The Official: Attorney General William Barr What Is Still Happening: When William Barr was nominated to replace Jeff Sessions as attorney general, significant segments of the Washington legal establishment supported the move. The fact that Trump was changing his attorney general was not auspicious; Sessions had lost Trumps support by recusing himself from the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, which the president complained was unfair to him. But Barr had served as attorney general under the George H.W. Bush administration and, as Benjamin Wittes put it, Barr would be an attorney general steeped in the traditions and culture of the Justice Department, who has run the department before and served with distinction in other senior roles, and with a long-standing professional reputation as a lawyer to protect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That Barr could be seen as a respected member of Official Washington, however, simply demonstrated how deeply corrupt things were before Trump ever appeared on the scene. His prior career was, in fact, as a partisan enforcer, whose legal advice shaped the various abuses of the first Bush administration, including the decision to kill off the Iran-Contra investigation by pardoning everyone involved. Under Trump, he has achieved the culmination of his purpose, politicizing the Department of Justice to such a degree that it is unrecognizable as an independent institution, serving merely as the enforcement arm for the personal and political aims of Donald Trump, with Barr as the presidents faithful fixer. Barrs first major official act was to release his own synopsis of the summary of special counsel Robert Muellers then-unreleased report about Russian interference in the 2016 election, possible Trump campaign involvement, and obstruction of justice against the probe itself. In Barrs letter, faithfully taken by major news outlets as Muellers own verdict, the attorney general wrote that the Department of Justice had exonerated Trump of obstruction of justice and that the investigation found no connection between the Trump campaign and Russia: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The special counsels investigation did not find that the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it conspired or coordinated with Russia in its efforts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election. As the report states: [T]he investigation did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities. A month later, when the actual report came out, it turned out that those brackets marked where Barr had deleted the previous sentence and a half: The investigation also identified numerous links between the Russian government and the Trump campaign. Although the investigation established that the Russian government perceived it would benefit from a Trump presidency and worked to secure that outcome, and that the campaign expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also made it clear that Muellers investigation does not exonerate Trump of a crimeMueller followed DOJ practice precluding the department from indicting a sitting president and did not reach a determination on whether he committed a crime. Instead, he wrote that his investigative team did not have confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice. Mueller further outlined eleven episodes that might have constituted obstruction and made a detailed legal analysis explaining how they might qualify as a crime. Barrs summary analysis of this nearly two-year-long investigation and 181-page report on presidential obstruction, put together in two days, was to conclude that the report identifies no actions that, in our judgment, constitute a prosecutable case of obstruction of justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the release of that highly misleading summary, Barr has all but given up on trying to be subtle about what hes doing and whom hes doing it for. The latest and most blatant action came this week when the DOJ intervened to lower its own sentencing recommendation of Trump crony Roger Stone after Trump sent out some angry tweets, causing all four career attorneys on the prosecution team to quit the case and one of them to resign from the department entirely. This is just the latest and most dramatic move by Barr to act as the presidents own Roy Cohn. Barr attempted on Thursday to tamp down criticism for the move by saying that it wasnt done in coordination with the White House and rebuking Trump for public interferences that make it impossible for me to do my job and to assure the courts and the prosecutors and the department that were doing our work with integrity. Based on his lengthy history of serving the presidents personal interests, though, this was just a signal to Trump to stop saying the quiet part loud. On Friday, we saw further just how hollow Barrs claims of independence were when the New York Times reported that he had assigned an outside prosecutor to scrutinize Muellers prosecution of confessed felon Michael Flynn, whom Trump sought to protect from FBI investigation in 2017, leading directly to Muellers obstruction of justice probe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The revised sentencing marked the beginning of a full-scale campaign by the president to delegitimize the prosecution of Stone, likely aimed at crafting a justification for a pardon of a man convicted of lying to Congress and tampering with a witness to try to protect Trump. The presidents tweetstorm included an attack on the jury that convicted Stone and the judge who is due to sentence him, and completely unfounded accusations of prosecutorial misconduct against the prosecutors who tried the case and of perjury against the special counsel who brought it. It also included plaudits for Barr for personally taking charge of a case that [] perhaps should not have even been brought. This is just the latest and most dramatic move by Barr to act as the presidents own Roy Cohn and turn DOJ into a personal weapon for Donald J. Trump. A short list of past such abuses include: Advertisement After releasing the misleading summary of the Mueller report and holding onto the report itself for nearly a month, Barr held a press conference on the day it was finally released to say that the obstruction of justice efforts Mueller documented were caused by Trump being frustrated and angered by a sincere belief that the investigation was undermining his presidency. To this day, Barrs DOJ has sought to prevent the release of the unredacted Mueller report, arguing in court that the department would be legally allowed to block evidence from Congress if Watergate happened today. Advertisement Advertisement In his efforts to diminish the Mueller investigation, Barr lied to Congress, leading to accusations of perjury from members of Congress. During an April 9 hearing of a House Appropriations Committeeafter the release of the Barr summary and prior to the release of the Mueller report itselfBarr was asked by Rep. Charlie Crist: Reports have emerged recently, General, that members of the special counsels team are frustrated at some level with the limited information included in your March 24 letter, that it does not adequately or accurately, necessarily, portray the reports findings. Do you know what theyre referencing with that? Barr replied directly: No, I dont. This was false. Barr had just two weeks earlier received a letter from Mueller stating that his summary did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance of this offices work and conclusions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That April 2019 committee appearance, during which he lied, was the last time Barr testified before the House. He backed out of a scheduled appearance that May, because he didnt want to be questioned by a staff attorney. Since then, the administrationbacked by legal arguments from the DOJhas wholesale refused countless subpoenas for documents and testimony related to executive misconduct, including in the impeachment inquiry. Advertisement The Department of Justice has denied that Barr had anything to do with the Ukraine extortion scheme, but when Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for investigations of Trumps political rivals in a July 25 call, the president also explicitly encouraged Zelensky to reach out to Barr. Former National Security Adviser John Bolton reportedly writes in his book that he warned the attorney general that Barr was mentioned on the call. (The DOJ has denied this account.) Advertisement Instead of recusing himself from this obvious conflict of interest, Barr has used the powers of the DOJ to cover up for Trump at turn after turn. First, the DOJs Office of Legal Counsel blocked a whistleblower complaint about the Ukraine affair from being sent to Congress, in direct contravention of the law. Then, his DOJ crafted a legal rationale for Trump soliciting election interference in that call, an apparent crime, and refused to even investigate it. Then, the DOJ crafted and offered the threadbare legal rationale for Trumps unprecedented blockade of all congressional subpoenas in the impeachment inquiry. Finally, after impeachment ended, Barr set up a special process for his own department to do what Trump had tried to get Ukraine to do: investigate unfounded allegations of criminality by Joe Biden, including the claims of Trumps personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, the point person in Trumps Ukraine solicitation scheme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps nowhere has Barr been more effective and persistent than in his efforts to validate the presidents claims that the Russia investigation was a political hit job. During April testimony, Barr told a Senate committee that Trumps campaign was spied on by the Obama administration, a position that mirrored the presidents and for which no evidence has been produced. After DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz found that there was no evidence that the FBI had spied on the Trump campaign, Barr publicly disagreed with that conclusion. He also claimed falsely that Horowitz never decided the issue of improper motive by senior Obama officials when Horowitzs report clearly stated his investigation did not find documentary or testimonial evidence that political bias or improper motivation influenced the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the inspector generals investigation, Barr appointed a hand-selected attorney, John Durham, to investigate the actions of top Obama officials in the Russia investigation. Top Trump allies in recent days have, along with the president, increased calls for prosecutions of top Obama officials in that case. The New York Times on Thursday reported that Durhams investigation has recently focused on former CIA Director John O. Brennan, a regular target of Trumps tirades. Last month, the Times also reported that former FBI Director James Comey was under criminal investigation in a case surrounding years-old leaks. Advertisement When Barr testified before a Senate committee in April, he suggested that the various investigations he was launching against the previous administration might not result in prosecutions but could instead result in DOJ putting in rules or prophylaxes against future investigations of potential wrongdoing by political campaigns. Earlier this month, he fulfilled that promise, announcing that all investigations of 2020 political campaigns must go through him. The move makes Trumps loyal defender the sole arbiter of whether potential criminal behavior by the president or his campaign will even be investigated, and whether Trumps political rivals might face politically motivated targeting themselves. Advertisement How Long It Has Been Going On: Barrs efforts to protect Trump from investigation have been going on since before he joined the administration. In fact, they were probably how he got the job. In June 2018, Barr sent the Department of Justice an unsolicited memo arguing that Mueller was wrong to investigate Trump for obstruction of justice. Six months later, Barr was Trumps pick to replace Sessions. More generally, Barr has been a handmaiden to power since the 1980s, when he worked his way up the George H.W. Bush DOJ to eventually become Bushs attorney general. The Village Voice in 1992 covered much of Barrs extensive record of apparent misconduct during that time, but none was so blatant as his crafting of the pardons for Bush associates in the Iran-Contra scandal. With Trump already laying the groundwork to pardon cronies convicted by Mueller, such as Stone and Paul Manafort, expect Barr to put his Iran-Contra experience to use at some point in the not-too-distant future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Would Normally Happen: Under ordinary times, Barr likely never would have been approved by the Senate, once it came out that he had written a memo to a president under investigation for obstruction of justice telling him that there should be no such investigation. Even under norms as recent as those of the first year of Trumps presidency, Barr certainly would have recused himself from that investigation, as Sessions had done. Many of Barrs actions taken sincesuch as the Stone sentencing guideline change, the Ukraine subpoena obstruction, and blocking of the full release of the Mueller reportare unprecedented actions, beyond even the measures taken by Richard Nixons deeply corrupt Department of Justice. Its worth noting here that Nixons attorney general, John N. Mitchell, was ultimately investigated and convicted of crimes related to his efforts to cover up Nixons own criminality. Advertisement In a world where obvious official misconduct still mattered, Barr would have already been impeached and removed as attorney general. At the very least, it would be normal for the House Judiciary Committee to hold hearings into the Stone sentencing situation, calling the four prosecutors who quit the case and Jessie Liu, the former U.S. attorney who was removed from the office just in time for Stones sentencing and whose handling of politically significant cases reportedly angered Trump. Advertisement What Democrats Have Done: Virtually nothing. The House voted to hold Barr in contempt of Congress last year for his refusal to turn over information related to the administrations failed efforts to have a citizenship question added to the census. But that gesture, without a full-scale impeachment inquiry into Barrs abuse of his position, was mainly symbolic. Democrats are currently fighting several court battles to seek the federal judiciary to enforces its various subpoenas and pry loose information around malfeasance from the Trump administration and DOJ, but that same DOJ is fighting them every step of the way. Advertisement Advertisement What Is Likely to Be Done: More nothing. On Thursday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was asked why she didnt impeach Barr, and she dismissed the possibility, saying that Trump administration wrongdoing doesnt mean were going to spend all of our time going after every lie that the administration henchmen make to the Congress of the United States. Pelosi further punted the question of what should happen to Barr, saying the Stone episode should be investigated, but pointing to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumers call for an inspector general investigation. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has called for Barr to be impeached by the House, criticizing her presidential rivals for not doing likewise. But in calling for impeachment, Warren did not once mention Pelosi by name or seek to put any public pressure on the speaker to actually act on Warrens request. The House Judiciary committee, meanwhile, announced this week that Barr had agreed to testify before that committee on March 31. In May of last year, when Barr refused to appear before that committee because the format would have demanded he answer questions under oath from a staff attorney, Democrats responded by eating a bucket of KFC and holding a press conference with a ceramic chicken. If Barr pulls out of this testimony again, who knows what sort of ceramics Democrats might turn to or what fast food they might eat. Given the general inefficacy of the judiciary committee, though, he might not have anything to fear by turning up this time around. How Impeachable This Stuff Is: Plenty of Trump officials have broken the law, but only one of them is in a position to systematically break the laws about how the law gets enforced. Barr has single-handedly dismantled the independence of the Department of Justice and destroyed any illusion that a president can be punished for outright criminality or prevented from targeting political rivals. His long professional history confirms that the entire post-Watergate theory of presidential accountabilityincluding the notion of impeachability itselfhas been a hollow sham, propped up by a gullible legal establishment. 10 out of 10. At the Saint John Airport arrival's lounge, 30 people crowded around a mass of hugging sisters, nephews and nieces. Shahd Hijazi, Samer Alsaj and their two kids Bashar, 9, and Mariam, 5, did the rounds shaking hands, hugging and kissing everyone who came to the airport to welcome them to New Brunswick. The family's road to Saint John was two years long. They were living in Lebanon, having left Syria when the civil war started. Shahd's sister Kawkab Hijazi moved to Saint John first, in 2015. Kawkab and her family began the steps to bring their extended family here after their eldest son died by suicide. She needed her family to grieve and heal, and on Thursday, they were reunited to do just that. Hadeel Ibrahim/CBC "It's hard to describe, no matter what I say I won't be able to describe what is in my heart," said Kawkab Hijazi in Arabic after greeting her sister. "I'm her oldest sister, and she's the youngest, so I'm like her mother," she laughed. Shahd Hijazi agreed. "I didn't come to my sister, I came to my mother." A community sponsorship On Thursday Kendra Ball was waiting with New Brunswick flags in hand. She is part of the seven-person sponsorship team that brought Kawkab and her family to Saint John, and who took on the task of fundraising to bring Shahd and her family as well. "It's so exciting and so great to see so much of my community and so much of the Syrian community come together for one family," she said. She said the process to bring the family together started by finding a church that co-signed to become the guarantor. In this case, it was Midland Baptist. Then there's building the sponsorship team, which includes Ball, her father and two other couples. Hadeel Ibrahim/CBC And then they needed to raise $30,000 to support the family for their first 12 months in Canada. And then there's a lot of paperwork. "And then you submit it to Ottawa and then it goes to Lebanon and they process it and there's a lot of interviews and medicals and more interviews. And then finally you get your visas and you can come," Ball said. Story continues She said the most difficult part of the whole process was finding a church. "There are so many Syrians who want their family to come here," she said. Hadeel Ibrahim/CBC And surprisingly, she said, the fundraising was not the biggest barrier. "Honestly we thought it was going to be, but so many people in the community stepped up." They had dinners and fundraisers, collecting $6,000 at one dinner alone. Ball said this tells her something about Saint John. "I think that everyone is willing to welcome new people and that it's definitely eye opening." Next steps Shahd Hijazi said her life is going to change in every way now that she's in Canada. Enrolling her kids in school, and learning the language and the culture are first on her list. "Right now we're going to start thinking about the future of the children, that's the most important part," she said. She said they saw a lot of discrimination in Lebanon, and she hopes it'll be different here. Hadeel Ibrahim/CBC Kawkab Hijazi said it's important to tell everyone how thankful she is that they made this happen. "When we came here we saw such great things. The priority is the future of the children, the education is excellent, the livelihood is great, the people love you, they accept you no matter what," she said. After the meet and greet at the airport the family stepped out into a snowy night. Bashar and Mariam ran to the accumulating snow. They started making snowballs and throwing them at each other. Hamza Hleilo showed his little niece how to blow on a handful of fluffy snow like dandelions. Hadeel Ibrahim/CBC Hleilo, Kawkab's youngest son and family translator, said a reunion after four years feels good. "The application took two years, but it was worth it." New information continues to surface in the bizarre case of Joshua J.J. Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan, two missing children from Rexburg, Idaho. Before the familys move to Rexburg, JJ attended Laurens Institute For Education (also known as L.I.F.E. Academy) in Gilbert, Arizona. Margaret Travillion, the co-founder & CEO of L.I.F.E., has released a statement outlining the timeline of the little boys enrollment as well as the news that his mother, Lori Vallow, has repeatedly continued to sign into the schools classroom monitoring system using a special app, even though JJ has not been a student at the school since September 2019. It would appear that an application or phone identified as Lori Vallow has been continually monitoring JJs classroom communication system we use between the classroom and the parents, in addition to our organization as a whole, Travillion says in the statement, which was provided to PEOPLE. Upon discovering that Loris name was used to sign on to this app, the name Lori Vallow has been tracked multiple times since JJ was unenrolled. RELATED: Older Brother of Missing Siblings Says Hes Done With Mom, Who Isnt Cooperating with Search Travillion says some of these log-ins occurred around Thanksgiving, as well as around Christmas, when the news about JJ and Tylees disappearance took the media by storm. She also said someone using Lori Vallows name continued to access the schools app even as recently as last week, after which administrators removed her access. We cannot speculate as to why Lori or someone using her accounts or electronics would continue to follow the classroom or our organization during this time frame, Travillion says. Lori Vallow | Rexburg Police Department Of JJ, who was diagnosed with autism, Travillion describes the missing child as a very happy little boy [who] felt emotions very strongly while with us, noting that the school was devastated to learn he was missing in early December. We want to believe he is well and will return home soon. Story continues Also outlined in the schools statement is a detailed timeline of JJs enrollment there, as well as information about his mothers decision to pull him from the school in early September (shortly before he went missing). In an email to the school obtained by PEOPLE, Lori Vallow allegedly wrote that she was moving her family out of state abruptly due to a job offer: Since the circumstances in our lives have changed drastically since my husband passed away last month, I have been offered a job out of state and have had to accept it, she wrote on Sept. 5, 2019, in an email to staff. We have had to move quickly since the job started ASAP. So Im sad to inform you that Joshua wont be returning this year. RELATED: Idaho Mom had 5 Days to Produce her 2 Missing, Endangered Kids and She Missed Deadline Vallow has been under the spotlight since authorities alleged that shes refused to help them find her two missing children, 7-year-old Joshua J.J. Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan. The grandparents of the adopted boy sounded the alarm last fall after saying theyd lost contact with him. Lori and her new husband, Chad Daybell, an author and speaker on religious doomsday prophecies, abruptly vacated their home in Rexburg, Idaho, and left the area last November as authorities readied search warrants tied to the childrens disappearance, police said. The couple was located late last month in Hawaii without the two kids, and Lori defied a court order to turn them over to police or child welfare workers in Idaho. Chad Daybell | Rexburg Police Department RELATED: Mom Who Missed Deadline to Produce Missing Kids Fantasized About Driving Them Off a Cliff: Aunt Lori has not publicly addressed her childrens whereabouts, and a trail of intrigue has accompanied the childrens disappearance. Loris previous husband, Charles, cited her growing embrace of extreme religious views in divorce papers that claimed Lori believed she was a God assigned to carry out the work of the 144,000 at Christs second coming in July 2020 and that if Father [Charles] got in her way of her mission she would murder him. Related: Father of Missing Kids for Three Years Shares His Anguish RELATED: Mom of 2 Missing Idaho Kids Who Refuses to Cooperate Allegedly Believes Shes God Reincarnated With the divorce and child custody matters pending, Charles was shot dead last July in a confrontation at Loris suburban Phoenix home by Loris brother Alex Cox, who claimed self-defense and was not charged. Alex Cox himself died months later, and a cause of death has not been released. Lori subsequently moved to Idaho and married Daybell, whose previous wife, Tammy, died in October. Police have since said they consider her death to be suspicious. Both Lori and Daybell were engaged in discussions of end-times prophecies through her participation in podcasts and his writings and public speaking about preparations for the second coming of Jesus Christ. Rexburg police say they strongly believe that Joshua and Tylees lives are in danger and allege that Lori has refused to work with law enforcement to help us resolve this matter. No criminal charges are pending against either Lori or Daybell, although authorities previously said that her refusal to produce the children last month as ordered by an Idaho court would risk civil or contempt of court citations that have not been issued. Loris alleged obsession with end-of-times prophecies at one point in 2018 led her to voice a fantasy about driving herself and her kids off a cliff, according to Tylee Ryans aunt, Annie Cushing. Its like she wanted me to be afraid of the end times, Cushing told KSL TV, discussing a period soon after the death of Tylees father and Cushings brother, Joseph Ryan. Recalling Loris statements anticipating the end of the world, Cushing recalled, There was one time where she was talking about it and she says, sometimes, I think it would be better just to put my kids in a car and go off the side of a cliff. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dyaning Pangestika (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 10:53 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2064790a3 1 National West-Papua,mahfud-md,Veronica-Koman,human-rights,Papua,unrest Free Coordinating Legal, Political and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD clarified on Thursday that he did not refer to documents on the victims of human rights violations in West Papua recently handed over to President Joko Jokowi Widodo as trash. Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman claimed that she had handed the documents over the documents during the President's state visit to Australia earlier this week. Mahfud was quick to dismiss Veronica's claim that the documents "might end up as trash." "I didn't say Veronica Koman's documents [given to President Jokowi] was trash," the minister wrote on his official Twitter account, @mohmahfudmd, on Thursday. "What I actually said was if someone said Veronica gave the letter to the President in Canberra, the information was trash because no one saw her do that," he went on to say. Sy tak pernah mengatakan surat yg diberikan oleh Veronika Komang kpd Presiden itu sampah. Yg sy katakan: Kalau ada info bhw Veronika menyerahkan surat kpd Presiden di Canberra itu info sampah sj. Sebab saat itu sy ada di sana, saksi mata: tak ada Veronika, apalagi nyerahkan surat Mahfud MD (@mohmahfudmd) February 13, 2020 Mahfud added that he was in Canberra with Jokowi during the latter's state visit and that he did not see Veronica or other people handing over the documents. "Many people give the President letters during his visits and they are not trash," Mahfud wrote. Read also: Thousands of Papuans protest racism, violence against them Mahfud was previously under fire for dismissing documents on the victims of human rights violations in West Papua. I the documents were the names and locations of 57 political prisoners charged with treason in seven cities across the country. There were also the names and ages of 243 civilians who had died during the Nduga military operation since December 2018, Veronica claimed in a statement. Veronica said Mahfud's dismissive statement "might likely exacerbate Papuans collective pain." Veronica was named a suspect by the police in September last year for allegedly violating four laws, including the 2016 Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, by reportedly encouraging Papuans and West Papuans to stage riots across the provinces in that month. A Syrian military helicopter was shot down over the last major rebel bastion in northwest Syria on Friday, killing two pilots, a war monitor said, in the second such incident this week. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the aircraft was downed over the western countryside of Aleppo province where government forces have scored major gains against rebels and jihadists in recent weeks. The Britain-based monitor blamed the attack on rebel-backer Turkey but there was no immediate claim of responsibility. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Meghan Markle and Prince Harry may be living a quiet life in Canada now, but the "Suits" actress isn't about to let her husband take it easy. Meghan is reportedly pushing Harry to lose weight so that they can be ready for Hollywood. The royal couple is intending to spend part of their summer in Los Angeles, visiting Hollywood's glamorous stars. Meghan is fixed on making a good impression on her A-Lister acquaintances and has instructed her husband to lose the extra pounds he has put on. The former Duchess of Sussex wants Harry and herself to spend the coming summer hanging out with the stars. The insider said, "Jen (Aniston) will be up in Canada by June or July to start filming, all being well, plus there will be plenty of opportunity for them to hang out in LA once Meghan and Harry are in town." The source told the online media publication Radar, "He's gained a few pounds lately, especially around the face, and Meg's required him to fix himself up." "That means getting back to the gym, cutting back on carbs and teaming up with a trainer every other day at the very least." Meghan is apparently concerned that Harry is not looking as good as he used to after adding on the extra pounds. The pair intends to divide their time between the U.K. and North America. The claims are not only about Harry working on his body, but apparently his wardrobe as well. Meghan is also planning to give Harry's wardrobe a makeover to conform with Hollywood's elite; to make his wardrobe a bit more modern. She believes it is important that they look the part as well. According to the source, "She wants them to look like a million dollars when they show up to dinner with the likes of George and Amal, so he'll need to work on his style too and make his wardrobe less stuffy." Also Read: Meghan Markle a perfect wife material for Prince Harry; Actress brags kitchen skills on Thanksgiving The source also said that Meghan is organizing everything and "Harry's taking her direction." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex brought together an elite Hollywood team in undertaking commercial deals to help fund their new life away from the Royal Family. A key member of the team is reportedly Nick Collins of The Gersh Agency. Collins acts as the agent for Tobey Maguire of the "Spiderman" franchise, as well as Jamie Fox, and is now responsible for handling profitable film, TV and philanthropic offers for the couple. They have been seeking a place in Los Angeles that would enable her to engage in meetings with Hollywood producers and to entertain some friends when they are in town as Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, and many of her friends live in the city. Harry and Meghan want to be able to have a home base there. Other members of the A-list team include Meghan's former Beverly Hills business manager Andrew Meyer and Hollywood lawyer Rick Genow. Related Article: Prince William, Kate Middleton Reportedly Upset About Prince Andrew, Prince Harry Jokes at BAFTAs @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (8th from left) and the newly accredited diplomats pose for a photo at the meeting in Hanoi on February 13th (Photo: VNA) 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 Nguyen Thi Kim 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./. Pliny the Elders skull or more accurately, his alleged skull reposes in ghoulish splendor at the Museo Storico Nazionale DellArte Sanitaria in Rome, a treasure trove of medical curiosities. The cranium has ruminated for decades in a display case, amid pathological and anatomical anomalies such as malformed fetuses and pickled liver stones. Scholars have long debated whether the relic once housed the brain of Pliny, the renowned admiral and author of a vast encyclopedia of Roman knowledge who died during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Over the last few years a pool of Italian biologists, anthropologists and geochemists conducted a series of forensic tests on the skull and accompanying lower mandible, which were unearthed 120 years ago on a shore not far from Pompeii. On Jan. 23 the scientists presented their findings at a conference in the museum. The skull, they concluded, squared with what was known about Pliny at his death, but the jawbone belonged to someone else. Mary Beard, the Cambridge University classicist and reigning authority on Roman history, dismissed the finding out of hand. I am 90 percent certain that this is fake news, she wrote in an email. Andrea Cionci, point man for the undertaking, conceded some ambiguity but remained firm. It is very likely that the skull is Pliny, but we cannot have 100 percent security, he said. We have many coincidences in favor, and no contrary data. The plant-based burger patties market is poised to grow by USD 650.86 millionduring 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 41% during the forecast period. Request free sample pages This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005648/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled global plant-based burger patties market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Read the 149-page report with TOC on "Plant-Based Burger Patties Market Analysis Report by Distribution Channel (Offline and Online), by Geographic segmentation (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America), and the Segment Forecasts, 2020-2024". https://www.technavio.com/report/plant-based-burger-patties-market-industry-analysis The market is driven by the awareness about adverse effects of consumption of meat. In addition, the increased adoption of sustainable manufacturing is anticipated to boost the growth of the plant-based burger patties market during the forecast period. With growing health consciousness, people are increasingly avoiding the consumption of meat because it contains fat residues and gluten. The production of meat also has an adverse effect on biodiversity and is a major source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As a result, consumers are moving toward alternatives such as plant-based burger patties. Simultaneously, the number of vegans is also increasing around the world. The UK has the largest vegan population in the world. This is further propelling the demand for protein rich plant-based burger patties. Thus, the growing awareness about the benefits of plant-based burger patties and adverse effects of consumption of meat are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free. View market snapshot before purchasing Major Five Plant-based Burger Patties Market Companies: Amazon.com Inc. Amazon.com Inc. is headquartered in the US and operates the business under various segments such as North America, International, and AWS. The company offers plant-based burger patties through its subsidiary Whole Foods Market under its brand name 365 Everyday Value. Beyond Meat Inc. Beyond Meat Inc. is headquartered in the US and offers products through the following business units: Fresh Platform and Frozen Platform. The company offers plant-based burger patties named Beyond Burger. Conagra Brands Inc. Conagra Brands Inc. is headquartered in the US and operates under various business segments, namely Grocery Snacks, Refrigerated Frozen, International, Foodservice, and Pinnacle Foods. The company offers plant-based burger patties through its brand Gardein. Impossible Foods Inc. Impossible Foods Inc. is headquartered in the US and offers a wide range of plant-based burger patties named Impossible burger to foodservice restaurant chains and retail stores. Kellogg Co. Kellogg Co. is headquartered in the US and offers products through the following business segments: US Snacks, US Morning Foods, US Specialty Channels, North America Other, Europe, Latin America, and APAC. The company offers a wide range of plant-based burger patties through its brand Morningstar Farms. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Plant-based Burger Patties Market Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020-2024) Offline Online Plant-based Burger Patties Market Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020-2024) APAC Europe MEA North America South America Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report Related Reports on Consumer Staples Include: Packaged Burgers Market- Global Packaged Burgers Market by product (frozen burgers, chilled burgers, and fresh burgers) and geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America). About Technavio 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/20200213005648/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: https://www.technavio.com A day after a visit to Kashmir by the envoys of 11 European Union (EU) states, the grouping on Friday called for the remaining restrictions in the region, including internet access and the detention of political leaders, to be lifted swiftly. The EU ambassador to India, Ugo Astuto, was also among the 25 envoys and deputy chiefs of missions who travelled to Jammu and Kashmir during February 12-13. Besides government and security officials, the diplomats interacted with government-approved groups of grassroots politicians, youth, journalists and traders. In a statement, Virginie Battu-Henriksson, the EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, acknowledged both the positive steps taken by the Indian government to restore normalcy in Kashmir and New Delhis serious security concerns in the region. But she added that the EU believes more needs to be done to end the restrictions. The visit confirmed that the government of India has taken positive steps to restore normalcy. Some restrictions remain, notably on internet access and mobile services, and some political leaders are still in detention, Battu-Henriksson said. While we recognise the serious security concerns, it is important that the remaining restrictions be lifted swiftly, she added. There was no immediate response to the statement from Indian officials. The EU spokesperson said the visit of the envoys presented a welcome opportunity to see the situation on the ground and to interact with local interlocutors and the EU looked forward to continuing the dialogue with India on the situation in the region. Besides the EU envoy, the ambassadors of Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia were in the second group of diplomats to be taken to Kashmir by the Indian government since the erstwhile states special status was revoked last August and it was split into two union territories. The envoys of the EU states travelled to Kashmir just days before external affairs minister S Jaishankars visit to Munich for a security conference and to Brussels, where he is expected to engage with EU leaders on a range of issues, including the situation in Kashmir and Indias new citizenship law. The inclusion of a dozen EU envoys in the delegation is also significant as the European Parliament is expected to vote on a resolution critical of the situation in Kashmir and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) late in March. The resolution was debated in the European Parliament in January but a vote was put off, following lobbying by India and with an eye to ensuring the smooth holding of the India-EU Summit in Brussels on March 13. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The New York Public Service Commission (PSC) is investigating the cause of the Spectrum outage last week that left millions without service. Congressman Anthony Brindisi says he sent a letter to the PSC on Monday describing the impacts the outage had on local residents, and urging the commission to hold Spectrum accountable. I am thrilled the New York PSC listened to my call for an investigation. Countless families and businesses were left without internet and the PSC can help us get to the bottom of this. Spectrum needs to be held accountable and look to create redundancies to make sure this type of prolonged outage doesnt happen again, said Brindisi. He has pushed for investigations into Spectrum in the past, including urging the Consumer Financial Proection Bureau to look into the company's debt collection practices. He also introduced the Transparency for Cable Consumers Act, hoping to better monitor the tactics of cable and internet providers. Read Brindisi's full letter to the PSC below: I write today on the heels of a widespread Spectrum service outage that impacted a large swath of New York State, and in particular, my congressional district (NY-22). While I appreciate the efforts Spectrum put into restoring service, this past weekends outage lasted several hours and impacted both residential and business customers, like restaurants who were unable to process credit card transactions. Many people are surprised with both how long the outage lasted and the huge geographic area it enveloped. The people of New York both rely upon and pay greatly for Spectrum services, something I have railed against. However, aside from the financial stresses this outage delivered to residential and business customers, it puts forth a more serious security issue of redundancy failure the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) must immediately investigate and publicly report the findings. According to the companys official Twitter account, Spectrum has informed the public that the outage was caused by a fiber optic damage. The PSC must immediately determine where, how and why this outage was able to cripple the entire Northeast region for as long as it did, and what measures are in place to ensure this kind of an outage does not happen again. Given the monopoly-like control Spectrum has over my congressional district, the subjects of redundancy, public safety and customer service are all critical components of an investigation. Therefore, I urge the PSC to announce an investigation into the recent and widespread service disruption that answers at least four questions: What specifically caused the recent Spectrum widespread service outage? What measures are in place to ensure redundancies in internet and cable service, and did Spectrum violate any redundancy mandates as it relates to this outage or its service agreement with New York State? What will the company do to ensure this kind of a sustained outage does not happen again? Will any fines be levied and are customers (residential or business) owed money because of the outage and disruption? The PSC owes it to New Yorkers to hold Spectrum accountable on this issue. While Spectrum did not do anything nefarious to deliver the recent and wide disruption, the company remains responsible --and abundantly capitalized-- by New Yorkers who continue to be disappointed by their business practices. Please feel free to contact my office should you have any further question regarding a possible investigation into this recent and widespread outage. While disruptions do happen, this most recent one raises too many serious questions to just move on. Sincerely, Anthony Brindisi Member of Congress The Queen continues to use social media to shine a spotlight on the 'quiet achievers' within the royal family in the wake of Megxit. The official royal family Instagram account yesterday shared a rare photo of the Duke of Kent, 84, the Queen's cousin, carrying out an engagement in Dresden, Germany this week. It comes days after she used the account to promote the work of another cousin, Princess Alexandra, 83, following a visit to St Christophers Hospice in Sydenham, south London. The official royal family Instagram account yesterday shared a rare photo of the Duke of Kent, the Queen's cousin, centre, carrying out an engagement in Dresden, Germany this week The Royal Family account, which boasts 7.5million followers, shared the post yesterday It comes days after she used the account to promote the work of another cousin, Princess Alexandra, 83, following a visit to St Christophers Hospice in south London, pictured Princess Alexandra became Royal Patron of St Christophers in 1981 and has visited every year since 1982. Last week Her Royal Highness returned to St Christophers for a visit, pictured The Duchess of Gloucester, 73, wife of the Queen's cousin the Duke of Gloucester, 75, has also been featured in recent weeks. The Royal Family account, which boasts 7.5million followers, has recently broadened its focus from only the Queen's immediate family - her children and 'working' grandchildren - to include her first cousins and their spouses. While these minor royals occasionally appeared on the account last year, they have been featured with greater regularity since the start of 2020. Some royal fans have speculated the Queen and her staff are eager to highlight the under-the-radar responsibilities of lesser-known, working royals like her cousins in light of the departure of three senior royals: Prince Andrew, Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex. The Royal Family account, pictured, typically posts about senior royals, namely Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex, the Cambridges and the Sussexes. Pictured, a screenshot of the nine most recent posts The new approach has been praised by followers, with one commenting: 'It's so nice to see the lesser known royals getting shown more on this feed. They do amazing duties/engagements, it's fab to see their work.' Another wrote: 'I love reading about The Quite Achievers Royals they work hard.' The Duchess of Gloucester's valuable, under-the-radar work was also praised by supporters, who described the Duchess as 'gracious' and 'hard-working'. The new approach has been praised by followers, who said they welcomed hearing about the lesser known royals, pictured One wrote: 'This quiet unassuming Duchess has been in the background working away for years. Shes lovely.' Another posted: 'A member of the royal family who just gets on with her work without fuss and with little public recognition.' Prince Andrew stepped back from royal duties last year amid ongoing scandal surrounding his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 38, are living in Canada with their nine-month-old son Archie after announcing last month they would step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family. The royal family account recently shared a rare photo of the Duchess of Gloucester, 73, wife of the Queen's cousin the Duke of Gloucester, at a military engagement last month, pictured The United States said Friday it would refuse entry to Sri Lankas army chief over credible evidence of human rights violations in the bloody 2009 finale to the civil war. Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, whose appointment last year drew wide international criticism, will be ineligible to visit the United States, as will his immediate family, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. The allegations of gross human rights violations against Shavendra Silva, documented by the United Nations and other organizations, are serious and credible, Pompeo said in a statement. We urge the Sri Lankan government to promote human rights, hold accountable individuals responsible for war crimes and human rights violations, advance security sector reform, and uphold its other commitments to pursue justice and reconciliation, he said. Silva was the commanding officer of an army division in the islands northern war-zone in the final months of the military offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009. Rights groups say some 40,000 ethnic Tamils were killed in mass atrocities as government forces seized Sri Lankas predominantly Tamil north. The United Nations, in a report into the allegations, said Silva played a major role in orchestrating war crimes. The 2009 offensive delivered a death blow to the Tamil Tigers, whose nearly four-decade campaign for a separate homeland had killed 100,000 people and was characterized by the rebels bloody suicide attacks. Pompeo nonetheless said that the United States hoped to maintain security cooperation with Sri Lanka, which last year was rocked by Easter Sunday bombings by Islamist extremists. We deeply value our partnership with the Sri Lankan government and the long-standing democratic tradition we share with the Sri Lankan people, Pompeo said. Sri Lankas successive governments have resisted calls for an independent investigation into the conduct of troops during the final months of the conflict. File image Terming Rahul Gandhi a "known sympathiser" of terror groups LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed, the BJP on Friday alleged that the Congress leader chose to target not just the government but even the security forces at a time when the nation was paying tributes to those killed in last year's Pulwama attack. The ruling party's retort came almost immediately after Gandhi, while paying homage to the 40 slain CRPF personnel killed in the attack, asked who benefitted the most from the attack and what was the outcome of the inquiry into it. "Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the Pulwama attack, let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? (sic)" he asked in a tweet. BJP spokespersons slammed Gandhi for his remark, alleging that it insulted those killed in the attack. "When nation is paying homage to martyrs of dastardly Pulwama attack, @RahulGandhi, a known sympathizer of LeT & Jaish-e-Mohammad, chooses to target not just the government but security forces as well. Rahul will never question real culprit, Pakistan. Shame on you Rahul!," tweeted BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao. Shahnawaz Hussain tweeted, "This is an insult to martyrs who sacrificed their life for the country. Congress has done this in past as well and people taught them a lesson for this blunder. Rahul Gandhi's such remarks help Pakistan counter India on international platforms." On the first anniversary of the Pulwama attack, a memorial to the 40 slain CRPF personnel will be inaugurated at the Lethpora camp in Jammu and Kashmir. Names of all the 40 personnel along with their pictures and the moto of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) -- 'Seva and Nishtha' (Service and Loyalty) will be part of the memorial, an official said. 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. New Delhi, Feb 14 : On the anniversary of Pulwama terror attack that left 40 CRPF personnel dead, CPI (M) leader Md. Salim on Friday launched a scathing attack on the government, saying "we must find out how the attack occurred rather than set up a memorial to remind us of the country's "incompetence". Expressing that "justice for Pulwama attack needs to be done", Salim sought to know how explosives weighing about 80 kg reached the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Pulwama. "We don't need a memorial to remind us of our incompetence. The only thing that we need to know is how 80kg of RDX got past the international border and reached the 'most militarised zone on earth' and exploded in Pulwama," Salim tweeted. Salim's remarks came following a news article which mentioned that a memorial to the 40 CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack in February last year will be inaugurated at the Lethpora camp. He also pasted the weblink of the article on his twitter account. As per the information, names of all the 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel along with their pictures will be a part of the memorial that will carry the motto of the paramilitary force 'Seva and Nishtha' (service and loyalty). 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. The convoy consisted 78 buses carrying around 2,500 security personnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway when it came under attack on February 14 last year. Almost all the conspirators behind the dastardly attack have been killed with the last one being Qari Yasir, the self-styled chief of Pakistan-based JeM terror group, who was killed last month. The Pulwama attack turned out to be a tipping point in the already stricken India-Pakistan relations. In the aftermath of the attack, the Indian Air Force jets on February 26 last year crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and struck JeM terror camps in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text PITTSBURGH A jury returned a not guilty verdict Friday against the remaining defendant in the slayings of five people and an unborn baby at a western Pennsylvania cookout almost four years ago. The jury returned the verdict for 33-year-old Cheron Shelton in the 2016 Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, shooting just after noon Friday. Jurors had deliberated since Tuesday morning after hearing nearly six days of testimony. Shelton had been charged with first- and third-degree murder, as well as aggravated assault, attempted homicide and other charges. Charges were dismissed earlier against Shelton's co-defendant, 31-year-old Robert Thomas. Authorities had alleged that he opened fire on one side and Shelton gunned down victims running onto a porch for safety. They allege the target, who survived, was a person Shelton believed was involved in the 2013 murder of a friend. Three siblings including one who was eight months pregnant and two cousins were killed during the ambush at the family cookout in a Pittsburgh suburb. Three other people were shot and injured, including a man who was partially paralyzed. Shelton's defense attorney, Randall McKinney, had argued that the evidence presented by prosecutors had been circumstantial and could have been interpreted in more benign ways including surveillance footage and cell phone location data. He urged jurors to resist the natural impulse to hold someone accountable because the evidence in this case, the lack of evidence in this case, proves to us that the only appropriate verdict is not guilty. The defense put only Shelton's mother, Desdrene Smith, on the stand as a witness during his defense. Prosecutors called dozens of witnesses to the stand and entered hundreds of exhibits, including a gun and ammunition recovered from Smith's home. They also submitted jailhouse letters intercepted by police and secretly recorded jailhouse visits between Shelton and his father. Deputy District Attorney Kevin Chernosky had acknowledged that the case was circumstantial but said the circumstances dont lie to you." He said that each piece of evidence taken by itself wouldnt be enough, but that the combined effect of all of them is not innocence. Its evidence. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: The chances for Dr Kafeel Khan to walk free from Mathura jail ended on Friday as UP police invoked National Security Act (NSA) against him over his alleged inflammatory speech at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests on December 12, 2019. The UP STF had arrested the doctor from Mumbai on January 29 after an FIR charging him with spreading enmity between the people of two different faiths through his provocative and inflammatory speeches at AMU was filed. However, Dr Khan was granted bail on Monday after he furnished a bail bond of Rs 60,000 with the condition of not repeating the crime again. But after four days of getting bail, he continued to languish in Mathura jail. "NSA has been slapped against Dr Kafeel Khan. He will remain in jail," said Aligarh SSP Akash Kulhari while interacting with media persons. Under the provisions of NSA, the accused faces preventive detention for months if the authorities are satisfied that the person is a threat to national security or law and order. "We got to know today morning that NSA has been slapped on Dr Kafeel and now will not be coming out of jail soon. He is being targeted at the behest of the state government," Khan's brother Adeel Shab claimed. A special messenger was sent by the Chief Judicial Magistrate to the jail on February 13 to expedite the release process, after Khans family approached CJM Court in Aligarh over the delay in his release. Suspended paediatrician of BRD Medical College Hospital in Gorakhpur, Dr Khan was arrested as he was proceeding to Mumbai Bagh protests on January 29 where the women protesters started an indefinite stir against the CAA, on the lines of Delhi's Shaheen Bagh. After his arrest in Mumbai, Dr Khan was brought to Aligarh, from where he was immediately shifted to the district jail in neighbouring Mathura. According to the police, this was done as a precautionary measure in view of the anti-CAA protests on the AMU campus and at the Eidgah grounds in the old city. Police had said that the Dr Khan's presence in the Aligarh jail could have aggravated the law and order situation in the city. The doctor was earlier arrested for his alleged role in the death of over 60 children within a week at the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur in August 2017. Short supply of oxygen at the children's ward was blamed at that time for the deaths. However, he was absolved of some of the charges levelled against him in BRD Medical college case last year. India has offered to partially open up its poultry and dairy markets in a bid for a limited trade deal during US President Donald Trumps first official visit to the country this month, people familiar with the protracted talks say. New Delhi: India has offered to partially open up its poultry and dairy markets in a bid for a limited trade deal during US President Donald Trumps first official visit to the country this month, people familiar with the protracted talks say. India, the worlds largest milk-producing nation, has traditionally restricted dairy imports to protect the livelihoods of 80 million rural households involved in the industry. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to pull all the stops for the US presidents 24 to 25 February visit, aimed at rebuilding bonds between the worlds largest democracies. In 2019, Trump suspended Indias special trade designation that dated back to 1970s, after Modi put price caps on medical devices, such as cardiac stents and knee implants, and introduced new data localization requirements and e-commerce restrictions. Trumps trip to India has raised hopes that he would restore some of the countrys US trade preferences, in exchange for tariff reductions and other concessions. The United States is Indias second-largest trade partner after China, and bilateral goods and services trade climbed to a record $142.6 billion in 2018. The United States had a $23.2 billion goods trade deficit in 2019 with India, its 9th largest trading partner in goods. India has offered to allow imports of US chicken legs, turkey and produce such as blueberries and cherries, Indian government sources said and has offered to cut tariffs on chicken legs from 100 to 25 percent. US negotiators want that tariff cut to 10 percent. The Modi government is also offering to allow some access to Indias dairy market, but with a 5 percent tariff and quotas, the sources said. But dairy imports would need a certificate they are not derived from animals that have consumed feeds that include internal organs, blood meal or tissues of ruminants. New Delhi has also offered to lower its 50 percent tariffs on very large motorcycles made by Harley-Davidson (HOG.N), a tax that was a particular irritant for Trump, who has labelled India the tariff king. The change would be largely symbolic because few such motorcycles are sold in India. Trump will be feted in Modis home state of Gujarat, then hold talks in New Delhi and attend a reception that the hosts have promised will be bigger than the one organized for former president Barack Obama in 2015. Enough for Lighthizer? But it is far from clear whether Indias offers will be enough to satisfy the US. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who cancelled plans for a trip to India this week. Instead, he has held telephone talks with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. The US dairy industry remained skeptical on Thursday that a viable deal is at hand. Were always looking for market access, but in terms of India, as of today Im not aware of any real progress going on, said Michael Dykes, president of the International Dairy Foods Association and a member of USTRs agricultural trade policy advisory committee. Dykes said the US dairy industry was looking for access in viable commercial quantities. A USTR spokesman and Indias trade ministry did not respond to requests for comment. An Indian parliament panel is reviewing a draft data privacy law that imposes stringent controls over cross-border data flows and gives the government powers to seek user data from companies. It is not clear whether it will be passed, or in what form, but the possibilities have unnerved here US companies and could raise compliance requirements for Google (GOOG.O), Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O), and Facebook (FB.O). The draft law is not part of the trade discussions, Indian officials say, because the issue is too difficult to resolve at the same time. The privacy and localization piece will be raised independently and in concert with the trade discussions, said a Washington-based source with knowledge of the US administrations thinking. Trump on Tuesday was non-committal about sealing a trade deal before his visit. If we can make the right deal, well do it, he told reporters. Two US sources said progress had been made on proposed alterations to the medical device price caps. Indias new import tariffs on medical devices, walnuts, toys, electronics and other products on 1 February surprised US negotiators, however. The new tariffs were aimed at China, which also makes medical devices, according to an Indian government source. We have to protect our market and our companies, the source said. A former police officer, who was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after the Omagh bombing, has revealed that he hoped a man would carry out his threat to kill him to save him from having to take his own life by driving his car into a wall at 120mph. The ex-RUC man, who has suffered nightmares for over 20 years, has told a no-holds-barred documentary about the impact of PTSD that he blamed himself for not doing more to help the victims of the Real IRA bombing and his wife talks of how he can't forget what he saw in the horrific aftermath of the blast. A woman who "miraculously" escaped injury in the bombing also speaks about her mental health problems, along with a Northern Ireland man who witnessed the Westminster Bridge attack in London in 2017. And, as well as shining a powerful new light on the legacy of terrorism, the BBC One Northern Ireland documentary focuses on the PTSD of a woman who was subjected to multiple rapes. The programme also deals with attempts to help people tackle PTSD which several years ago was more prevalent in Northern Ireland than in most countries around the world. Dr Michael Duffy, who's now one of the world's leading authorities on trauma, tells the programme that PTSD is a memory disorder caused by stressful, terrifying and life-threatening events, like bomb attacks. Some of the people featured in the programme felt "survivor guilt" after living to tell the tale of the atrocities and attacks they have witnessed or endured. Dr Duffy, who was enlisted in the past to help the authorities in New York, Norway and England after 9/11, the Anders Breivik massacres and the Manchester Arena bomb, is filmed taking intimate and often distressing therapy sessions with some of the four who are encouraged to relive their ordeals in a bid to move on with their recoveries. He says PTSD can strike when people least expect it, giving them nightmares and flashbacks. And he adds: "It is a problem with memory being disjointed, of memory not being updated and, therefore, even though the trauma happened years ago, it can still terrorise people today as if it is happening over and over again." But, during the Troubles, there were more immediate problems manifesting themselves to Dr Duffy, who was a psychiatric social worker in north Belfast in the 1980s and 1990s. He says that it was only back then that PTSD was fully understood after research was carried out on American veterans coming back from Vietnam and on women who had been raped. Dr Duffy says PTSD was common in north Belfast among people who had been exposed to bombings and shootings. He adds: "They were hyper-vigilant, they were cutting themselves off from the world and they were all the time on the lookout for danger." At the time of the Omagh bomb, in August 1998, Dr Duffy was working in the North West and he went straight to the Tyrone County hospital, where he found chaos and many people whom he describes as "emotionally numb". He says that, in the weeks after the bombing, GPs in the town reported seeing 3,500 people coming to them with anxiety and stress. Dr Duffy was tasked to set up a specialist team to deal with the mental crises. One of the Omagh survivors who appears in the documentary is Hanora Raflewski, who was just 15 years old when the Real IRA bomb exploded a car's length away from her and a group friends. To say that I was mentally injured by it seems trivial at times, but on an emotional level, it feels like I got away easy, because I did walk away. I'm eternally grateful that I walked away. I walked away injured - just in a very different way. Hanora Raflewski Twenty-nine people, including a woman expecting twins, were killed on that fateful Saturday afternoon and a policeman who was close to the bomb is also featured in the documentary, called PTSD: Stress of the Past. A third interviewee on the programme is Northern Ireland man Mark McCormick, who was working for a charity in London in March 2017 when he witnessed the terror attack by Khalid Masood at Westminster Bridge, where six people were killed and nearly 50 were injured. The fourth person is rape victim "Claire", who hasn't been identified in the film. She talks candidly of how she was subjected to sexual attacks by three different men - some of whom had given her cocaine. Reflecting on the Omagh bomb, Hanora says she saw a ball of fire coming towards her after the blast and there were bodies all around in the street. She remembers panicking and fleeing from the scene, but after finding out that a friend had been airlifted to Belfast with serious injuries, Hanora says her mental state went downhill "very quickly" and a medic had to sedate her. Hanora says her experiences at Omagh changed her and she was angry and irritated, but didn't immediately link her symptoms back to the bombing. She reveals that, three years after Omagh, on her first day at university in Belfast to study law, she saw live TV pictures of the 9/11 plane attacks on the Twin Towers in New York. She says: "I remember a really clear feeling that the world was going to end. I just stayed in bed and I got up when I was made to wash and mummy would try to feed me, but I didn't eat much." Hanora lost weight and says she had constant flashbacks to being in Omagh. "To say that I was mentally injured by it seems trivial at times, but on an emotional level, it feels like I got away easy, because I did walk away. I'm eternally grateful that I walked away. I walked away injured - just in a very different way." Former policeman "Stuart" - not his real name - tells the documentary how he was off-duty in a bar in Omagh when the bomb went off. He recalls: "I ran into the middle of the street and I heard someone shouting, 'I need help'. There was this woman buried right up to her chest and someone said she's pregnant. My heart just sank and I promised her I would get her out." Stuart, whose words are spoken by an actor, says he urged paramedics who were just arriving to go to the woman's aid, but one of them held out his hands and said, "Look around you". "I knew - and what could I do?" He says he had never seen carnage like it before or since, but he stayed in the police force because he loved the job. However, he knew something was wrong when he beat up two shoplifters and he resigned. He says he wanted to feel pain and provoked people so that they would hit him. Eventually, at a house party, a man threatened to kill him because of his police links, but Stuart says he didn't care if he was murdered or not. "I'd thought about suicide, so for somebody else to do it for me, happy days - it saves me from thinking about it and doing it," he adds. Stuart's wife, described as "one of the forgotten victims of PTSD", says her husband told her in great detail about how he was going to take his own life. One plan was to drive his car at 120mph at a wall. "But then he tells me 'I won't do it, because I have too much to lose. I'm happy. I don't want to lose us'," she adds. However, she says, when her husband is down, she's still terrified of receiving a phone call. When Stuart was told in a hospital's psychiatric unit that he needed a GP's referral, he told staff that if they didn't take him there and then, they wouldn't be seeing him again. That was the lowest point, he says and eventually he was diagnosed with PTSD. Mark McCormick was at a window in a building opposite the Houses of Parliament when he saw a man in a car ploughing into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and later attacking a policeman with a knife before he was shot dead by an armed officer. After six hours in lockdown, Mark says he was terrified as he made his way to Waterloo Station, which he feared would be a prime target for another attack. Expand Close Eye witness: Mark McCormick saw the London Bridge attack BBC/Third Street Studios/Paul Mc / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eye witness: Mark McCormick saw the London Bridge attack He says that, after the attack, he tried to get back to normal and hoped the trauma, the anxiety and the sleepless nights would go away. But he was constantly frightened that someone was going to drive their car into people in the village where he lived. Rape victim Claire again, not her real name tells the documentary how she was subjected to multiple assaults and after the first attack her best friend, who knew her assailant, told her he wasnt the worst. That attitude, she says, made her she think if she reported the man to the police, they would laugh at her and say she was wasting their time. Claire didnt tell anyone about the second attack, by a wealthy older man. A partner later assaulted her after pinning her to a bed. She says thoughts of suicide flashed through her mind and she was sorry that lobotomies didnt exist anymore, because she couldnt get the attacks out of her head. Dr Duffy treated some of the four people from the documentary and studied the cases and recordings of others, including the police officer, Stuart, whose moving testimony, he says, was a good example of how many first responders, like police officers, paramedics and others, were affected by PTSD. He adds: After the event, they begin to ruminate about it and question their own role: Could I have done more, should I have done more? He says some people almost expect superhuman behaviours from themselves. This gentleman (Stuart) was trying to cope with a huge amount of destruction, of suffering, of death and injury and no matter how much he did to help, he was always going to persecute himself with these negative beliefs about not doing enough. Dr Duffy tries to outline to the people he sees the triggers that induce flashbacks in PTSD, a condition which he says is perfectly treatable. One of the most effective treatments, he says, is cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), which narrator Stephen Nolan explains is a talking therapy through one-to-one counselling with the objective of repairing the patients memory. Dr Duffy says he encourages people to relive their traumas in a safe environment, to keep trauma diaries and to make audio recordings of their feelings as well as revisiting the scenes of the events. Mark is filmed returning to Westminster and Hanora is seen going back to Omagh and she also visits the grave of a young victim of the blast, whose body she saw after the bombing. But the wife of policeman Stuart says he doesnt want to relive his memories from the Tyrone town. Dr Duffy says that, even though the Troubles have ended, some people who were exposed to the conflict are hyper-vigilant, wont go to certain areas and find it difficult to trust people in other communities, because of the traumas in the past. The documentary-makers assess the progress thats been made by the four people who talked to them. And viewers will see that, in the main, the recoveries have been good. PTSD: Stress of the Past, BBC One Northern Ireland, Monday, 9pm A visit to Jamia Millia Islamia where students and others have been sitting in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act has convinced him he is 'alive', an impassioned Anurag Kashyap said on Friday. The filmmaker, at the forefront of the criticism against the amended citizenship act, assured the students that he and many others stood behind the students in their long fight. "I have come here for the first time. If we talk about the time before the past three months, I used to believe that we are finished and dead... but coming here today I'm convinced we are alive," Kashyap told the gathering. The fight, he said, was to 'take the constitution, country and everything' back. "This is a very long fight. It won't end tomorrow, the day after or with the next election. But you need to have a lot of patience for this. They are waiting for people here to get tired and go home. So we need to have patience and stick to your ground," he said. The outspoken director of films such as Gangs of Wasseypur and Dev D, who also went to Shaheen Bagh, the epicentre of the anti-CAA protest, said people in power are waiting for the protesters' spirit to weaken. "We have to be patient and sit in protest till you don't come and answer all the questions that we have in our hearts to our satisfaction. We will not believe everything you say," he said. The students of Jamia are also protesting against what they term repeated instances of alleged police brutality. On February 10, they alleged, police personnel kicked them on their private parts, tore their hijabs, questioned their patriotism and abused them when they tried to march to Parliament on February 10 against the CAA and the NRC. Kashyap said he had left Twitter but returned to it in December after police allegedly attacked students and entered the Jamia campus. "I had left everything and went away but I changed my mind after what happened in Jamia in December. I saw a video of a girl and that gave me courage to return to Twitter. Now I will not stay silent," he said. What started in Jamia has spread to different parts of the country, the director said. "Everyday I read stories and watch videos about you people. This gives me strength. What is happening gives us the understanding and strength that we have an existence," he added. Kashyap, who has been speaking out on Twitter and other platforms, joins personalities from the film industry such as Swara Bhasker and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub who have not just voiced their opinions on social media but also been on the ground in Delhi and Mumbai to speak to the protesters. Kashyap also joined the protesters at Shaheen Bagh on Friday. He met the famed Dadis of the protest and also relished some biryani -- the famous dish that has become a subject of contention between those in favour of and opposed to the CAA and NRC across the country. Kashyap took to the stage and asked protesters to not give any reason to those in power to evacuate them from the site. "When you fight for your rights, it is important that you stick with your truth. Don't give them any chance that they can violently remove you from here They do not understand the language of love. This is the only way to fight with them because they themselves do not know what they want," he said. He also took potshots at Home Minister Amit Shah during his speech, saying he personally would not believe whatever the government claimed about the CAA. "If we are misinformed, come and explain it to us," Kashyap said, hailing the protesters for continuing the demonstration which started on December 15. Meanwhile, protesters at Shaheen Bagh on Friday paid homage to Pulwama martyrs and observed a one-minute silence for the soldiers as they continued their demonstration that is now in its third month. School children presented dance performances on patriotic songs as the hundreds of people gathered there extended their respects to the 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who were killed in a terrorist attack on the Jammu-Srinagar highway at Lethpora in Pulwama on February 14, 2019. Protesters at south-east Delhi's Shaheen Bagh, which has now become symbolic of the resistance against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), had on Thursday extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inviting him to come and celebrate Valentine's Day with them. Sonu Warsi, a protestor, told PTI, "Around 4 pm, scores of children performed on patriotic songs and we paid tributes to the Pulwama martyrs with the national anthem. A one-minute silence was observed later in the evening by all present at the site in respect of the martyrs." Quazi Emad Ahmad, a local, said children and youths rang in the Valentine's Day at midnight, hoping the prime minister would accept their invitation and reach out to them. Protests had unfolded in Shaheen Bagh, Zakir Nagar, Jamia Nagar, Khureji Khas and other places in the national capital and elsewhere across the country in December to oppose the CAA and the NRC. 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 and facing religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but will be given Indian citizenship. The law excludes Muslims. Those opposing the law contend that it discriminates on the basis of religion and violates the Constitution. They also allege that the CAA along with the NRC is intended to target the Muslim community in India. However, the central government has dismissed the allegations, maintaining that the law is intended to give citizenship to persecuted people from the three neighbouring countries and not to take away citizenship from anyone. Curious just how far your dollar goes in San Antonio? We've rounded up the latest places for rent via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to hunting down affordable apartments in San Antonio if you don't want to spend more than $1,600/month on rent. Read on for the listings. (Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.) 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. 6418 Eckhert Road (Alamo Farmsteads-Babcock Road) Listed at $1,504/month, this 1,384-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is located at 6418 Eckhert Road. In the apartment, you can expect a dishwasher and hardwood flooring. The building offers garage parking and secured entry. For those with furry friends in tow, this property is pet-friendly. Be prepared for a $400 pet deposit. Per Walk Score ratings, this location is car-dependent, isn't particularly bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here.) 18102 Talavera Ridge (Forest Crest) Next, there's this two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment located at 18102 Talavera Ridge. It's listed for $1,505/month for its 1,119 square feet. When it comes to building amenities, expect garage parking. In the apartment, expect to find a walk-in closet, a dishwasher and a mix of hardwood floors and carpeting. For those with furry friends in tow, this property is pet-friendly. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. According to Walk Score's assessment, the area around this address requires a car for most errands, isn't particularly bikeable and has some transit options. (See the complete listing here.) 10003 N.W. Military Highway Here's a 1,210-square-foot studio apartment at 10003 N.W. Military Highway that's going for $1,510/month. In the unit, you'll find carpeted floors, a dishwasher and central heating. Amenities offered in the building include a swimming pool. Pet owners, take heed: This rental is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. According to Walk Score, this location is somewhat walkable, is fairly bikeable and has some transit options. (Check out the complete listing here.) 3010 Texas 1604 Loop (Oak Creek) Located at 3010 Texas 1604 Loop, here's a 1,365-square-foot three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that's listed for $1,515/month. The building offers a swimming pool. Pet owners, take heed: The rental is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. According to Walk Score, the area around this address isn't very walkable, has minimal bike infrastructure and has a few nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here.) Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in San Antonio. This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Additionally, if youre an agent or a broker, read on for real estate marketing ideas to promote your local listing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. New York City mayor Bill de Blasio has endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders (D., Vt.) in the Democratic presidential primary. I am standing with Bernie because he stands with working families, and always has, de Blasio said in a statement. I have called for a bold, progressive agenda, and thatas exactly what Senator Sanders has championed for decades. I am proud to endorse a true progressive leader who will fight for working New Yorkers and families across the country. De Blasio will travel to Nevada on Sunday, where he will meet with Sanders for a run of joint appearances ahead of the states February 22 caucuses. In the 2016 Democratic primaries, de Blasio endorsed Hillary Clinton over Sanders. De Blasio has so far held off on endorsing a candidate in this years primary after he dropped his own bid for the nomination in September, having failed to gain traction in the crowded field. In the months since, Sanders has gone on to win the popular vote in both the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire primary. More from National Review ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, Feb. 14 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The delegation of Turkmenistan participated in the 9th session of the meeting of the EUCentral Asia working group on environment and climate change that was held in Brussels on Feb. 1213, Trend reports with reference to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry. Specialists and experts working in the sphere of nature protection, climate change and water resources of the countries of Central Asia and the EU took part in the session. Upon the outcome of the working group's meeting, the Technical Assignment and the working procedures were approved, as well as the Programme of the EUCentral Asia working group on environment and climate change was adopted. The meeting was organized in the framework of the EUCentral Asia Platform on cooperation in the area of environment and water resources which encompasses the following priority fields: the management of nature protection activities, closed cycle economy, sustainable production and consumption, climate change and water resources management. Turkmenistan borders with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Afghanistan and uses water resources coming in accordance with the agreed quotas from four transboundary rivers Amu Darya, Tejen, Atrek and Murghab. With the founding from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) was established in the 1990s with the aim to finance joint projects and programs to save the Aral Sea and improve the environmental situation in the Aral Sea region. IFAS obtained the observer status in the UN General Assembly in December 2008. The special attention is paid to improving the regional action plan for environmental protection in Central Asia and accelerating the process of accession of the regional countries to the Framework Convention on Environmental Protection for Sustainable Development in Central Asia within IFAS. Turkmenistan is affected by the problem of Aral Sea's ecology. It is most noticeable in the countrys northern Dashoguz Region, where problems have arisen with the provision of drinking water, the fight against salinization of cultivation lands, land degradation and desertification. DNA helps free innocent California man who spent 15 years in prison for murder originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A California man was freed after spending 15 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, officials said. Ricky Davis was released Wednesday, one day after a new suspect was arrested in the 1985 murder of 55-year-old Jane Hylton in El Dorado Hills, California, according to El Dorado County District Attorney's Office Vern Pierson, who called the case and the developments "two of the most dramatic extremes" he had ever seen in his 28 years as a prosecutor. "On one hand, a person, Ricky Davis, was falsely accused, brought to trial, convicted and has spent the last 15-some years in custody for a crime that I can tell you with all confidence he did not commit," Pierson said Thursday. "It's not a matter of we don't have sufficient evidence. He did not commit this crime." PHOTO: Ricky Davis is questioned by reporters after he was released from custody at the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville, Calif., Feb. 13, 2020. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP) The district attorney said a man who was identified in 1985 by Hylton's then 13-year-old daughter is now in custody. That man's DNA matched a DNA sample that was tested after Davis was convicted. Genetic genealogy helped create a family profile for that piece of DNA, which then helped identify the suspect, according to officials. MORE: How DNA and genetic genealogy are becoming 'major' game-changers in decades-old cold cases Investigators used traditional forensics to confirm the DNA profile. Pierson did not name the man because he allegedly committed the crime when he was a minor, but the Sacramento Bee identified him as 51-year-old Michael Green. Hylton's daughter did tell investigators at the crime scene that she encountered a male named Michael the evening of her mother's murder. Davis' conviction in 2005 was brought on mainly because of "overly aggressive interrogation techniques" that led to a coerced confession from his then girlfriend, according to the district attorney's office. Story continues PHOTO: Ricky Davis is released from custody and hugs mom, Maureen Klein, right, and another family member at the El Dorado County Jail after he was exonerated in the 1985 murder of Jane Hylton on Feb. 13, 2020. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee via ZUMA Wire via Newscom) In transcripts from the interviews with Davis' girlfriend in 1999, which were posted by the Northern California Innocence Project, an organization that was working to free Davis, a detective appears to urge her to confess. "The train is coming through right now, and in my experience in law enforcement, the first one to jump on the bandwagon ... always gets the easiest ride," according to the transcript, which was cited by the district attorney's office. Murder charges were filed against Davis and his then girlfriend, Connie Dahl, testified against him, according to the Northern California Innocence Project. Davis was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 16 years to life in state prison. He had always maintained his innocence. He contacted the Northern California Innocence Project in 2006 and the nonprofit began investigating his case with the cooperation of the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office. PHOTO: Ricky Davis is released from custody and hugs attorney Melissa O'Connell of the Innocence Project at the El Dorado County Jail, Feb 13, 2020 in Placerville, Calif., after he was found innocent in the 1985 cold case murder of Jane Hylton. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee via ZUMA Wire via Newscom) The new piece of evidence that led to Davis' freedom came about in 2014 when DNA test results revealed an unknown male DNA profile that was found on Hyltons nightgown. Hylton had been stabbed 29 times during the attack and was bitten on her left shoulder. The DNA was found in the area of the bite mark and consistent with DNA that was also found under her nails. MORE: Signaling a 'new era' in forensic investigation, a man caught through genetic genealogy gets life in prison for 1987 double murder Though Dahl had told investigators that she bit Hylton, the DNA did not support that. Pierson on Thursday characterized the detectives who initially investigated Hylton's murder as ones who were "seeking a confession as opposed to seeking information." He said the two detectives that were involved have since been trained on science-based interview techniques. With the DNA evidence, the Northern California Innocence Project eventually proved that a different outcome would have been reached if the original jury heard the DNA results. In April 2019, a judge reversed Davis' conviction and a retrial was pending. He remained in custody until Wednesday. "It's a surreal thing in a sense because, as I said before, I'm not telling you that we can't prove it," Pierson said. "I'm telling you that Ricky Davis was wrongfully convicted." Benchs Canadian partner says it plans to close all of the clothing brands stores in this country. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Benchs Canadian partner says it plans to close all of the clothing brands stores in this country. Freemark Apparel Brands Group, which has a "strategic partnership" with the streetwear brand, operates 24 Bench locations across Canada, including three in Winnipeg. "We are closing our bricks-and-mortar stores to focus more on our e-commerce business as well as our key wholesale customers," wrote Lawrence Routtenberg, co-president of Freemark Apparel Brands, in an email Wednesday. Routtenberg said further details, including when the stores will close and how many employees will be affected, have yet to be finalized. Bench was founded in the United Kingdom in 1989 as a streetwear brand influenced by skateboarding culture. The company changed hands a few times before being acquired in 2018 by Boston-based liquidator and restructurer Gordon Brothers for an undisclosed amount. In a press release issued at the time, the firm said Freemark would maintain its "long-standing" partnership with Bench, and lauded the Montreal-based company for having "successfully built Bench into a multi-channel business." 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. A representative for Gordon Brothers did not respond to a request for comment. In an article published in July 2018 by Womens Wear Daily, the president of Gordon Brothers was cited as saying Benchs Canadian stores are profitable. But according to Routtenberg, changing consumer habits have taken a toll. "As you can appreciate, traditional brick-and-mortar retail has had its challenges over the last decade," he said. Bench joins a growing number of retailers that have closed their Canadian stores, including Forever 21, Target and Sears. Bloomberg With a mouth-watering menu of "soul food," Saginaw Valley State University will host its 12th annual "Taste of Soul" food festival from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, in the Marketplace at Doan cafeteria on campus. "Soul food" staples such as ribs, fried okra, candied yams, and potato salad will be available, along with fan favorites such as Southern pound cake and pecan tarts offered by Mamie Thorns, SVSU's special assistant to the president for Diversity Programs. Journalists can argue that this information, like the war logs, should have remained hidden, but they cant then call themselves journalists. by Chris Hedges David Morales, the indicted owner of the Spanish private security firm Undercover Global, is being investigated by Spains high court for allegedly providing the CIA with audio and video recordings of the meetings WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange had with his attorneys and other visitors when the publisher was in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. The security firm also reportedly photographed the passports of all of Assanges visitors. It is accused of taking visitors phones, which were not permitted in the embassy, and opening them, presumably in an effort to intercept calls. It reportedly stole data from laptops, electronic tablets and USB sticks, all required to be left at the embassy reception area. It allegedly compiled detailed reports on all of Assanges meetings and conversations with visitors. The firm even is said to have planned to steal the diaper of a baby brought to visit Assange to perform a DNA test to establish whether the infant was a secret son of Assange. UC Global, apparently at the behest of the CIA, also allegedly spied on Ecuadorian diplomats who worked in the London embassy. Man fighting for truth The probe by the court, the Audiencia Nacional, into the activities of UC Global, along with leaked videos, statements, documents and reports published by the Spanish newspaper El Pais as well as the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, offers a window into the new global security state. Here the rule of law is irrelevant. Here privacy and attorney-client privilege do not exist. Here people live under 24-hour-a-day surveillance. Here all who attempt to expose the crimes of tyrannical power will be hunted down, kidnapped, imprisoned and broken. This global security state is a terrifying melding of the corporate and the public. And what it has done to Assange it will soon do to the rest of us. The publication of classified documents is not yet a crime in the United States. If Assange is extradited and convicted, it will become one. Assange is not an American citizen. WikiLeaks, which he founded, is not a U.S.-based publication. The extradition of Assange would mean the end of journalistic investigations into the inner workings of power. It would cement into place a terrifying global, corporate tyranny under which borders, nationality and law mean nothing. Once such a legal precedent is set, any publication that publishes classified material, from The New York Times to an alternative website, will be prosecuted and silenced. The flagrant defiance of law and international protocols in the persecution of Assange is legion. In April 2019, Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno capriciously terminated Assanges right of asylum at the London embassy, where he spent seven years, despite Assanges status as a political refugee. Moreno authorized British police to enter the embassy diplomatically sanctioned sovereign territory to arrest a naturalized citizen of Ecuador. (Assange retains his Australian citizenship.) The British police seized Assange, who has never committed a crime, and the British government keeps him imprisoned, ostensibly for a bail violation. Assange is being held in the notorious high-security HM Prison Belmarsh. He has spent much of his time in isolation, is often heavily sedated and has been denied medical treatment for a variety of physical ailments. His lawyers say they are routinely denied access to their client. Nils Melzer, the United Nations special rapporteur on torture who examined Assange with two physicians, said Assange has undergone prolonged psychological torture. Melzer has criticized what he calls the judicial persecution of Assange by Britain, the United States, Ecuador and Sweden, which prolonged an investigation into a sexual assault case in an effort to extradite Assange to Sweden. Assange said the case was a pretext to extradite him to the United States. Once Assange was arrested by British police the sexual assault case was dropped. Melzer says Assange would face a politicized show trial in the United States if he were extradited to face 17 charges under the Espionage Act for his role in publishing classified military and diplomatic cables, documents and videos that exposed U.S. war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each of the counts carries a potential sentence of 10 years, and an additional charge that Assange conspired to hack into a government computer has a maximum sentence of five years. A hearing to determine whether he will be extradited to the United States starts Feb. 24 at Londons Woolwich Crown Court. It is scheduled to last about a week and then resume May 18, for three weeks more. WikiLeaks released U.S. military war logs from Afghanistan and Iraq, a cache of 250,000 diplomatic cables and 800 Guantanamo Bay detainee assessment briefs along with the 2007 Collateral Murder video, in which U.S. helicopter pilots banter as they gun down civilians, including children and two Reuters journalists, in a Baghdad street. The material was given to WikiLeaks in 2010 by Chelsea Manning, then Bradley Manning, a low-ranking intelligence specialist in the U.S. Army. Assange has been accused by an enraged U.S. intelligence community of causing one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States. Manning was convicted of espionage charges in August 2013 and sentenced to 35 years in a military prison. She was granted clemency in January 2017 by President Barack Obama. Manning was ordered back to prison last year after refusing to testify before a grand jury in the WikiLeaks case, and she remains behind bars. No one was ever charged for the war crimes WikiLeaks documented. Assange earned the enmity of the Democratic Party establishment by publishing 70,000 hacked emails belonging to the Democratic National Committee and senior Democratic officials. The emails were copied from the accounts of John Podesta, Hillary Clintons campaign chairman. The Podesta emails exposed the donation of millions of dollars to the Clinton Foundation by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, two of the major funders of Islamic State. It exposed the $657,000 that Goldman Sachs paid to Hillary Clinton to give talks, a sum so large it can only be considered a bribe. It exposed Clintons repeated mendacity. She was caught in the emails, for example, telling the financial elites that she wanted open trade and open borders and believed Wall Street executives were best positioned to manage the economy, a statement that contradicted her campaign statements. It exposed the Clinton campaigns efforts to influence the Republican primaries to ensure that Donald Trump was the Republican nominee. It exposed Clintons advance knowledge of questions in a primary debate. It exposed Clinton as the principal architect of the war in Libya, a war she believed would burnish her credentials as a presidential candidate. Journalists can argue that this information, like the war logs, should have remained hidden, but they cant then call themselves journalists. The Democratic and Republican leaders are united in their crusade to extradite and sentence Assange. The Democratic Party, which has attempted to blame Russia for its election loss to Trump, charges that the Podesta emails were obtained by Russian government hackers. However, James Comey, the former FBI director, has conceded that the emails were probably delivered to WikiLeaks by an intermediary, and Assange has said the emails were not provided by state actors. WikiLeaks has done more than any other news organization to expose the abuses of power and crimes of the American empire. In addition to the war logs and the Podesta emails, it made public the hacking tools used by the CIA and the National Security Agency and their interference in foreign elections, including French elections. It disclosed the internal conspiracy against British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn by Labour members of Parliament. It intervened to save Edward Snowden, who made public the wholesale surveillance of the American public by our intelligence agencies, from extradition to the United States by helping him flee from Hong Kong to Moscow. (The Snowden leaks also revealed that Assange was on a U.S. manhunt target list.) The inquiry by the Spanish court is the result of a criminal complaint filed by Assange, who accuses Morales and UC Global of violating his privacy and client-attorney confidentiality rights. The WikiLeaks founder also says the firm is guilty of misappropriation, bribery and money laundering. Morales, according to El Pais, stated both verbally and in writing to a number of his employees that, despite having been hired by the government of then-Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, he also worked for the Americans, to whom he allegedly sent documents, videos and audios of the meetings that the Australian activist held in the embassy. Despite the fact that the Spanish firm which is headquartered in the southern city of Jerez de la Frontera was hired by Senain, the Ecuadorian intelligence services, Morales called on his employees several times to keep his relationship with the US intelligence services a secret, the paper reported. The owner of UC Global S. L. ordered a meeting between the head of the Ecuadorian secret service, Rommy Vallejo, and Assange to be spied on, at a time when they were planning the exit of Assange from the Ecuadorian embassy using a diplomatic passport in order to take him to another country, according to El Pais. This initiative was eventually rejected by Assange on the basis that he considered it to be a defeat, that would fuel conspiracy theories, according to sources close to the company consulted by this newspaper. Morales called on his employees to keep his relationship with the US intelligence services a secret. The Vallejo-Assange meeting, which included Assanges lawyers, took place Dec. 21, 2017. The security firm made audio and video recordings through microphones and cameras installed in the embassy. The CIA was immediately made aware of the plan, perhaps through an external streaming access point installed in the embassy, according to El Pais. The next day the United States issued an international arrest warrant for Assange. Microphones were implanted in fire extinguishers and a womens restroom where Assanges lawyers would cloister themselves with their client in an effort to avoid being recorded. The windows in the embassy were given a treatment that provided better audio quality for the laser microphones that the CIA was using from exterior locations, the paper reported. When Moreno was elected to the presidency in Ecuador, replacing Rafael Correa, who had granted Assange asylum in the embassy, an intense campaign was launched to force the publisher from the embassy. It included daily harassment, cutoff of internet access and the termination of nearly all visits. UC Global, which provides personal security for casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and protection for his company Las Vegas Sands, apparently used Adelson, a friend of President Trump and one of the largest donors to the Republican Party, to lobby the Trump administration and then-CIA Director Mike Pompeo to make Assange a priority target. La Repubblica, like El Pais, obtained important files, recordings and other information stemming from the UC Global surveillance at the embassy. They include photos of Assange in the embassy and recordings of conversations he had with doctors, journalists, politicians, celebrities and members of his legal team. The videos and audio recordings accessed by the Repubblica reveal the extreme violations of privacy that Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks journalists, lawyers, doctors and reporters were subjected to inside the embassy, and represent a shocking case study of the impossibility of protecting journalistic sources and materials in such a hostile environment, the Italian newspaper wrote. This espionage operation is particularly shocking if we consider that Assange was protected by asylum, and if we consider that the information gathered will be used by the United States to support his extradition and put him in prison for the crimes for which he is currently charged and for which he risks 175 years in prison: the publication of secret US government documents revealing war crimes and torture, from Afghanistan to Iraq to Guantanamo. Chris Hedges, spent nearly two decades as a foreign correspondent in Central America, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. He has reported from more than 50 countries and has worked for The Christian Science Monitor, National Public Radio, The Dallas Morning News and The New York Times, for which he was a foreign correspondent for 15 years. At the 2020 Oscars, The Academy awarded four statues to Parasite. The Bong Joon-ho-directed film became the first-ever South Korean film to win Best Picture, as well as every other award it earnedbecause shockingly, a Korean film had never even been nominated before. (That includes the international film category). But at least Parasite cleaning up at the Academy Awards is a good reminder to American moviegoers: foreign films can be just as artistic and great as American ones. However, many Oscar viewers didnt feel that way. Parasites wins were clouded by anger, confusion, and flat-out racism by people on the internet reacting to the awards. Some admitted that had not even seen Parasite, but were unhappy with the way Joon-ho accepted in the Oscars (you know, in his native language: imagine!). All of it is steeped in a very problematic and U.S.-centric narrative. It was disappointing to see that movie-lovers couldnt appreciate the fact that the Academy Awards finally gave a long-overdue nod to South Korea, which has been churning out fantastic films for decades. Cast and crew of Parasite at the 2020 Oscars | Eric McCandless via Getty Images As it turns out, people are still racist in 2020: some reactions to the 92nd annual Academy Awards were rough After Parasite director and screenwriter Bong Joon-ho won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in February, a conservative TV host named Jon Miller took to Twitter to complain about it. A man named Bong Joon Ho wins #Oscar for best original screenplay over Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and 1917, he tweeted. Acceptance speech was: GREAT HONOR. THANK YOU. Then he proceeds to give the rest of his speech in Korean. These people are the destruction of America. Yikes, could it get any worse? (Luckily, most tweeters disagreed with Miller). After receiving boatloads of backlash, Miller followed up with a response: These people are obviously not Koreans but those in Hollywood awarding a foreign film that stokes flames of class warfare over 2 films I thought were more deserving simply to show how woke they are. That should be clear from the rest of what I tweeted about tonights production. Bong Joon-ho accepts the International Feature Film award for Parasite during the 92nd Annual Academy Awards | Kevin Winter/Getty Images Sir, it was clearly not clear. But wed also like to note: 1917 is a foreign film, its just British. Its not too hard to see why this man was upset with someone speaking another language on his television screen. But whew, imagine watching Parasite and thinking it was stoking flames of class warfare, instead of just commenting on the very disturbing realities of wealth inequality and classism. Imagine! Art is difficult, we suppose. Have you even seen Parasite, bro? Another disgruntled Oscars viewer ranted on his YouTube channel about Parasite winning Best Picture, mostly angry that it was a foreign film that had won over Joker. (He said he wouldnt have cared if Little Women had won, but somehow, we doubt it). Partway through the video, he admits he is making this long video to complain about Parasite winning Best Picture, and has not even seen the film. Writer Dana Schwartz had a great point on the guys video: I love how this guy hates Parasite and loves Joker because Joker is about how people in high places look down on people in poverty,' she wrote. This guy should really see Parasite! Based on these responses, its high time Americans start seeing some movies outside of Hollywood. We think theyd actually like it! What do the Oscar victories for Parasite mean for Asian-Americans? After Parasites Oscar sweep, Walter Chaw of the New York Times wrote an opinion piece about the mixed reactions to the wins. As an Asian-American, he understood the value of celebrationbut felt discomfort about a lot of the response. Chaw wrote: The victory of Parasite is a stunning moment that may not also be a watershed moment. Its certainly cause for celebration that an organization with notoriously questionable taste seems to have gotten it right this year, and its unquestionably huge for the South Korean film industry. He saw Parasite and Joon-hos Oscars successes as the Academy compensating for many years of it snubbing South Korea altogether. This is merely Hollywood recognizing, very belatedly, South Koreas amazing film industry which has been making superlative films for decades, Chaw continued. He said neither side of the political spectrum was responding appropriately. Is Parasite winning Best Picture a sign of a push towards inclusivity and diversity at the Academy Awards? For the left, Chaw wrote, the victory of Parasite represents a validation of diversity initiatives undertaken by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in recent years. In the editorial, he mentions prominent Asian-American film critic Justin Chang of The Los Angeles Times, who wrote that Parasites victory was: a sign, perhaps, that the academys efforts to diversify its ranks and become a truly global institution. On the other side of it, the conservatives are playing up the fear factor. For the right, its more fuel for the fear machine, Chaw wrote. Its evidence of, if not the beginnings of a new Yellow Peril, a progressive media conspiracy to frustrate conservatives pursuit of an increasingly authoritarian nationalism. He also mentioned Jon Millers disturbing tweet. Parasite wins Best Picture at the 92nd Oscars | Mark Ralston / AFP via Getty Images However, Chaw argued, 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. Therefore, Chaw says hes hesitant to give too much credit to the academy for its sudden interest in inclusion.' Considering it was only about 365 short days about that Green Book won Best Picture, were not either. But we hope Parasites victories start a trend towards diversity at the Oscars; the Academy badly needs it. UPDATE: Late on the evening of February 14, EST, INTA announced that it will reschedule the Singapore meeting for 2022 and move the 2020 meeting to an unconfirmed location in the US in May or June. More here. Whichever way you look at it, INTA is in a deep quandary amid the outbreak of coronavirus, now called COVID-19. Despite the Singapore convention being just 10 weeks from kick-off, INTAs first annual meeting in Asia since Hong Kong in 2014 is surely at risk of being cancelled if not relocated. This is not to sound hysterical or scare anyone, but is merely a reflection of the reality on the ground. Nearly a week ago, on February 7, Singapores Ministry of Health (MOH) raised its Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) level from yellow to orange. It means that COVID-19 is considered severe and can spread easily from person to person, although the disruption on daily life is moderate, with some quarantines, screenings and restrictions in place. More concerning for INTA is that, just one day after the risk level was raised, the MOH issued guidance that advised organisers of non-essential large-scale events to cancel or defer them. The first question is whether the INTA annual meeting is essential, which could of course be interpreted in different ways. If we agree that it is essential from a business perspective not just for INTA but for the thousands of people attending, exhibiting and sponsoring then there is a case for pressing on. Problems for INTA The first issue arises when you examine point 3 of the MOHs guidance: the long list of precautionary measures that event organisers should implement if they go ahead. These include carrying out temperature screening (it is not clear by whom, but presumably INTA and the Sands Expo and Convention Centre would have to arrange this); looking out for respiratory symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath (ditto); and denying entry to unwell individuals (ditto). The list goes on. If even half the number of people expected to attend showed up, we would be talking about four or five thousand people being observed or screened across five days. It is also unclear who would take the decision to remove someone from the conference or block them from entering. While some of these measures would not be insurmountable, they would be inconvenient, hard to manage and potentially costly and would certainly change the dynamic of the meeting (think: no shaking hands allowed, so creative alternatives required). There could be further problems for INTA if it pushed on. There will be a large drop in Chinese attendees presumably the very same people INTA had been targeting when it picked Singapore as part of a push to expand its influence in Asia. This is because, as things stand, Singapore has implemented extremely tight restrictions on Chinese nationals entering or transiting through the city-state. Even if they were lifted between now and April 25, its possible that many Chinese people wouldnt attend anyway. The same is likely to be true for international attendees: if they are concerned by either the virus or the potential poor turnout, or both, they may vote with their feet. There has been plenty of debate about this on social media. In financial terms, its a no-brainer that having fewer people means less money. On the reputational front, a quiet annual meeting complete with public health concerns and visible screening could be remembered for the wrong reasons. While this is out of INTAs control, it could require a significant effort to rid the memories of a meeting blighted by COVID-19 next time the meeting heads to Asia. Whats the alternative? Having said all this, the alternatives all seem unpalatable or unthinkable: relocate the conference to the US or Europe at the last minute; defer it to a later date and stick with Singapore; or cancel it altogether. The first seems doable, albeit it at huge cost and logistical nightmare, but only if a back-up venue can be found or had been on hold already. The second seems unlikely given the unknowable future of COVID-19 and the disruption to the cycle of INTA annual meetings. The third just seems totally unrealistic. It is hard to see how INTA solves this conundrum in the absence of either COVID-19 being contained soon or Singapore placing a blanket ban on hosting large-scale events the latter forcing INTAs hand. This might not seem as crazy as you might think, when you consider how diligent the Singaporean authorities have been in testing for and trying to manage the virus. Singapore is a major international hub and has already been linked to several cases of COVID-19 outside its borders. If INTA pushes on, it would be following in the footsteps of the Singapore Airshow, which started two days ago, February 11. Despite the organisers resolve, however, more than 70 exhibitors pulled out before the show began. As things stand, there is no need to panic Singapores DORSCON level is the same as it was for SARS, which killed 774 people worldwide (33 of whom were in Singapore) between November 2002 and July 2003. As of February 13, there are 50 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Singapore, but no deaths. In fact, all but two of the nearly 1,400 fatalities worldwide have been in mainland China. But for INTA, which said in its most recent update that it is monitoring the situation closely, the concerns must be immense. The trademark world awaits its decision. This article first appeared on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/coronavirus-logistical-nightmare-facing-inta-2020-ed-conlon/ The material on this site is for law firms, companies and other IP specialists. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. Share this article The depraved totalitarians, nefarious barbarians, two-bit gangsters, odious scoundrels, and bigoted scum who run the United Nations recently set up a new database to help anti-Semites around the world target Jewish businesses in the disputed territories of Judaea and Samaria businesses that offer economic opportunities for Palestinians that pay higher than most other jobs in the West Bank. In no other international dispute and there are hundreds of them does the United Nations target peaceful civilians or institutions. Certainly in no place do they work to destroy the businesses of noncombatants based on their ethnicity or religion. The 112 companies on the U.N.s list are run and staffed, no doubt, by people with diverse viewpoints, at least some of whom likely support the creation of a Palestinian state. All of them create jobs, products, and services that foster cooperation. None of this matters to the U.N. The boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) campaign, now supported by the U.N., is a coordinated international effort committed to the elimination of the Jewish state, bringing together dictators, theocrats, terrorist organizations, Communists, the international community, and at least one of presidential candidate Bernie Sanderss top surrogates. The movement targets Jews under the guise of anti-Zionism, which remains the predominant justification for violence, murder, and hatred against Jews in Europe and the Middle East. The United Nations, of course, has long been ahead of the curve in this effort, from its infamous 1975 Resolution 3379, which declared that Zionism was a form of racism and racial discrimination, to its 2006 creation of the Human Rights Council (current members include such sparkling examples of tolerance as Afghanistan, Angola, Qatar, Somalia, and Bangladesh). Even those with good-faith criticisms of Israels actions in the West Bank would probably concede that United Nations has shown the Jewish state a highly curious amount of special attention and opprobrium. Story continues Since its unfortunate inception, the Human Rights Council has condemned Israel about as many times as it has every other country in the world combined. According to the Washington Post, Israels human-rights record is discussed at literally every meeting of the Human Rights Council. In 2018, while the Bashar al-Assad regime was gassing its own women and children and thousands of civilians were dying in a vicious civil war, the Human Rights Council passed only two condemnations directed at the Syrian regime but five directed at the Jewish state. Incidentally, Israel was delivering aid to refugees of that conflict at the time. The only other countries to receive even one condemnation in 2018 were South Sudan, Myanmar, Iran, and the slave state of North Korea. The United Nations has drafted so many anti-Israel resolutions that Ive noticed people have given up on entering them into Wikipedia. No other country that oversees a minority population populations who often have far stronger cases for autonomy is afforded even slither of the attention from the world. Not even the Communist Chinese, who have imprisoned upwards of a million Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in internment camps for reeducation, will catch the attention of alleged human-rights champions at the United Nations. Nor does the Palestinian Authority, which recently arrested the only Palestinian brave enough to attend the Trump administrations international peace-seeking economic conference in Bahrain (hes lucky the ending wasnt more macabre), which subsidizes anti-Israeli terrorism with a Martyrs Fund and which doesnt even bother having elections. Rather, it gets big checks from the international community often underwritten by the United States to prop up its corrupt regime. What really irks the U.N., though, are Israeli efforts at economic cooperation. The U.N. deputy executive director for advocacy, Bruno Stagno Ugarte, says: The long awaited release of the U.N. settlement business database should put all companies on notice: to do business with illegal settlements is to aid in the commission of war crimes. War crimes? Hiring talented Palestinians for software-engineer jobs at tech startups is aiding in the commission of war crimes? Allowing Palestinians to see Jews as coworkers rather than the enemy is aiding in the commission of war crimes? Offering Palestinians work rather than keeping them in a perpetual state of aggrievement and anger, as do the authoritarian leaders who reject one peace plan after the next from the comfort of their mansions, is aiding in the commission of war crimes? Allowing them to work for international companies such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, and Motorola is aiding in the commission of war crimes? Its a tragedy that those who work for the United Nations, people such as Stago, would rather that Palestinians remain victims in perpetuity than see a single Jewish person in the West Bank. But its not surprising. More from National Review New Delhi, Feb 14 : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up the Ministry of Defence after the latter failed to comply with the tribunal's earlier order relating to compliance of environmental norms by the Armed Forces. The Principal Bench of the NGT headed by chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goyal observed: "In view of repeated failures, coercive measures have become necessary against the concerned Joint Secretary including attachment of salary and issuance of warrant. "Name of the erring Joint Secretary be provided by the Defence Secretary within two weeks." The observations came in while the green tribunal was hearing an issue of compliance of environmental norms by the Armed Forces which was raised by the letter of retired Air Marshal Anil Chopra. The Principal Bench of the NGT had in December last year, taking action over failure of the Ministry of Defence to submit report summoned the concerned Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence and directed him to remain present with the status report on the next date. As per the petitioner, who has also worked as the a part of UP Solid Waste Management Monitoring Committee, some of the establishments of the Armed Forces lack requisite knowledge on ecological issues and solution to the environmental challenges particularly in virgin area. The waste generated by military weapons, domestic, industrial, biological, hospital and electronic activities (e-waste) needs to be scientifically disposed in the interest of public health and environment, the plea read. Critical evidence found in trash in case of missing girl Faye Swetlik originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The three-day search for a missing 6-year-old South Carolina girl ended with her body being found in a wooded area and police piecing together clues that link her death to a 30-year-old neighbor. "We can't find her," said Faye Marie Swetlik's distraught mother to 911 on Monday. Officials with the Cayce Department of Public Safety on Friday released the frantic mother's five-minute call to police an hour after her daughter went missing from their front yard. Sgt. Evan Antley said at a press conference that during the early stages of searching for Faye in the Churchill Heights area of Cayce, they talked to neighbors like Coty Scott Taylor and reviewed hours of video, but "felt we needed to go back to and look for more evidence." PHOTO: Missing 6-year-old Faye Swetnik is seen in this video released by the city of Cayce as she got off her school bus Feb. 10, 2020. (City of Cayce) MORE: Hundreds searching for 6-year-old girl who vanished while playing outside her home Investigators found Faye's body in a wooded area and moments later Taylor's body was discovered inside his home. PHOTO: The Cayce (SC) Department of Public Safety released a still image on Feb. 12, 2020, of two vehicles whose drivers may have information relating to the disappearance of 6-year-old Faye Swetlik. (The Cayce Department of Public Safety) Investigators did not say what led them to Taylor after finding Faye as he does not have a criminal record nor is he known by law enforcement. "He was a neighbor. He was not a relative or a friend. He was merely a neighbor...Taylor's house to Fayes house are 100 to 150 feet from each other," said Antley, who confirmed that their deaths "are linked." MORE: Missing 6-year-old Faye Swetlik found dead, being treated as homicide: South Carolina police PHOTO: Poster for missing 6-yr-old, Faye Swetlik. (Cayce Department of Public Safety via Twitter) Police also found a "critical" piece of evidence "that would have been listed on her missing persons flyer" in Taylor's trash. The Lexington County Coroner, which identified Scott at a press conference on Friday, is conducting autopsies. "We have no suspects at this time. We have made no arrests. We are not seeking any persons of interest as of this time," said Antley. "We have no reason to believe that there is an active threat in the community." PHOTO: A Cayce police officer approaches a vehicle at a road block near an entrance to the Churchill Heights neighborhood, Feb. 13, 2020, in Cayce, S.C., where six year-old Faye Marie Swetlik recently went missing. (Sean Rayford/AP) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why it has paved the way for the swearing-in of the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Douye Diri, as governor of Bayelsa State after Thursdays Supreme Court judgment that sacked the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, David Lyon, who won the November governorship election. INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, told journalists Friday in Abuja that Mr Diri has met all the constitutional requirements to become the governor-elect of Bayelsa, with the removal of Mr Lyon and his votes from the election result as ordered by the court. Without the votes scored by the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose candidates were deemed not to have participated in the election, the total number of lawful votes cast in the election now stand at 146,999. Out of this figure, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored the highest number of lawful votes with 143,172, Mr Yakubu said. READ ALSO: Similarly, the Party (PDP) has scored more than 25 % of the lawful votes cast in all the eight (8) Local Government Areas of the State, he added. Mr Yakubu said the candidate of the Accord Party has the next highest score with 1,339 votes, after Mr Diri. He said the total number of registered voters in places where election was not held or cancelled as a result of sundry violations is 90,822. The margin of lead between the candidates of the PDP and the Accord party is 141,833 votes. With the outcome, the election is conclusive at the first ballot, the INEC chairman declared. INECs declaration on the spread of the votes scored by Mr Diri has, therefore, put paid to the argument advanced by the APC that the PDP candidate did not meet the constitutional requirement to be declared governor-elect. With the tenure of the outgoing governor, Seriake Dickson, coming to an end today, Mr Diri is expected to be sworn in some few hours from now as the next governor of Bayelsa State. The disgraced former mayor of Baltimore could be jailed for almost five years for her fraudulent scheme involving sales of her self-published children's books that led to her resignation last May. Federal prosecutors recommended the maximum possible sentence of 57 months in prison for Catherine Pugh, who pleaded guilty in November to federal conspiracy and tax evasion charges. Pugh, who was elected as mayor in 2016, sold tens of thousands of copies of her self-published 'Healthy Holly' series to health care companies and charitable organizations with the promise that the books would be donated to schoolchildren but it's not clear where the books ended up. She only had up to 8,216 copies listed in her inventory and gave another 34,846 copies away yet she was able to resell 132,116 copies for $859,960 in her scheme, prosecutors say. Prosecutors said the prison sentence would deter other politicians from breaking the public's trust Prosecutors said that the prison sentence would be an 'adequate and just' punishment for Catherine Pugh's 'longstanding pattern of criminal conduct' and would deter other politicians from breaking the public's trust. The case centers on lucrative bulk sales of her books to nonprofit companies and foundations to promote her political career and fund her run for mayor. She was accused of double-selling or failing to deliver them to the institutions they were bought for, including Baltimore City Public Schools. Prosecutors say Pugh, a veteran Democratic politician, would sell pre-paid copies of the same set of books to two different buyers, meaning she was paid twice. She was accused of keeping the books and the cash used to buy the books but failing to either deliver or print them. Thousands of copies of books were found in a Baltimore City Public School System warehouse and others were kept in Pugh's offices and in one of her houses. Pugh sold tens of thousands of copies of her self-published 'Healthy Holly' series to health care companies and charitable organizations with the promise that the books would be donated to schoolchildren The scandal led to her downfall as a politician and she stood down as mayor in 2019. Pugh sold books to companies that were vying for city business such as Kaiser Permanente and Associated Black Charities, the Baltimore Sun reported, and used the funds to boost her campaign for mayor. She also failed to disclose her a business relationship worth $500,000 with the University of Maryland Medical System when she was sitting on its volunteer board. '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.' Pugh in June, 2018, in Boston, before she was forced to step down as the mayor of Baltimore Pugh's attorney Steven Silverman said the former mayor's defense team 'strongly disagrees with the governments sentencing recommendation.' He said the defense's recommended sentence will be detailed in a separate filing that will be made public pending a court order. Pugh is seeking a sentence of one year and one day. Her attorneys said that she was a 'tragic figure' who went from being an 'inspiring person dedicated to helping her community' to 'an unemployed felon' who 'lost everything that she had.' Pugh pleaded guilty in a plea deal in November and is scheduled to be sentenced February 27 by District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow in Baltimore.in Baltimore. In a study with potentially far-reaching implications for criminal justice in the United States, a team of California researchers has found that algorithms are significantly more accurate than humans in predicting which defendants will later be arrested for a new crime. When assessing just a handful of variables in a controlled environment, even untrained humans can match the predictive skill of sophisticated risk-assessment instruments, says the new study by scholars at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. But real-world criminal justice settings are often far more complex, and when a larger number of factors are useful for predicting recidivism, the algorithm-based tools performed far better than people. In some tests, the tools approached 90% accuracy in predicting which defendants might be arrested again, compared to about 60% for human prediction. "Risk assessment has long been a part of decision-making in the criminal justice system," said Jennifer Skeem, a psychologist who specializes in criminal justice at UC Berkeley. "Although recent debate has raised important questions about algorithm-based tools, our research shows that in contexts resembling real criminal justice settings, risk assessments are often more accurate than human judgment in predicting recidivism. That's consistent with a long line of research comparing humans to statistical tools." "Validated risk-assessment instruments can help justice professionals make more informed decisions," said Sharad Goel, a computational social scientist at Stanford University. "For example, these tools can help judges identify and potentially release people who pose little risk to public safety. But, like any tools, risk assessment instruments must be coupled with sound policy and human oversight to support fair and effective criminal justice reform." The paper -- "The limits of human predictions of recidivism" -- was slated for publication Feb. 14, 2020, in Science Advances. Skeem presented the research on Feb. 13 in a news briefing at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Seattle, Wash. Joining her were two co-authors: Ph.D. graduate Jongbin Jung and Ph.D. candidate Zhiyuan "Jerry" Lin, who both studied computational social science at Stanford. The research findings are important as the United States debates how to balance the needs communities have for security while reducing incarceration rates that are the highest of any nation in the world--and disproportionately affect African Americans and communities of color. If the use of advanced risk assessment tools continues and improves, that could refine critically important decisions that justice professionals make daily: Which individuals can be rehabilitated in the community, rather than in prison? Which could go to low-security prisons, and which to high-security sites? And which prisoners can safely be released to the community on parole? Assessment tools driven by algorithms are widely used in the United States, in areas as diverse as medical care, banking and university admissions. They have long been used in criminal justice, helping judges and others to weigh data in making their decisions. But in 2018, researchers at Dartmouth University raised questions about the accuracy of such tools in a criminal justice framework. In a study, they assembled 1,000 short vignettes of criminal defendants, with information drawn from a widely used risk assessment called the Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS). The vignettes each included five risk factors for recidivism: the individual's sex, age, current criminal charge, and the number of previous adult and juvenile offenses. The researchers then used Amazon's Mechanical Turk platform to recruit 400 volunteers to read the vignettes and assess whether each defendant would commit another crime within two years. After reviewing each vignette, the volunteers were told whether their evaluation accurately predicted the subject's recidivism. Both the people and the algorithm were accurate slightly less than two-thirds of the time. These results, the Dartmouth authors concluded, cast doubt on the value of risk-assessment instruments and algorithmic prediction. The study generated high-profile news coverage--and sent a wave of doubt through the U.S. criminal justice reform community. If sophisticated tools were no better than people in predicting which defendants would re-offend, some said, then there was little point in using the algorithms, which might only reinforce racial bias in sentencing. Some argued such profound decisions should be made by people, not computers. Grappling with "noise" in complex decisions But when the authors of the new California study evaluated additional data sets and more factors, they concluded that that risk assessment tools can be much more accurate than people in assessing potential for recidivism. The study replicated the Dartmouth findings that had been based on a limited number of factors. However, the information available in justice settings is far more rich -- and often more ambiguous. "Pre-sentence investigation reports, attorney and victim impact statements, and an individual's demeanor all add complex, inconsistent, risk-irrelevant, and potentially biasing information," the new study explains. The authors' hypothesis: If research evaluations operate in a real-world framework, where risk-related information is complex and "noisy," then advanced risk assessment tools would be more effective than humans at predicting which criminals would re-offend. To test the hypothesis, they expanded their study beyond COMPAS to include other data sets. In addition to the five risk factors used in the Dartmouth study, they added 10 more, including employment status, substance use and mental health. They also expanded the methodology: Unlike the Dartmouth study, in some cases the volunteers would not be told after each evaluation whether their predictions were accurate. Such feedback is not available to judges and others in the court system. The outcome: Humans performed "consistently worse" than the risk assessment tool on complex cases when they didn't have immediate feedback to guide future decisions. For example, the COMPAS correctly predicted recidivism 89% of the time, compared to 60% for humans who were not provided case-by-case feedback on their decisions. When multiple risk factors were provided and predictive, another risk assessment tool accurately predicted recidivism over 80% of the time, compared to less than 60% for humans. The findings appear to support continued use and future improvement of risk assessment algorithms. But, as Skeem noted, these tools typically have a support role. Ultimate authority rests with judges, probation officers, clinicians, parole commissioners and others who shape decisions in the criminal justice system. ### ON-SITE PRESS BRIEFING AND LIVE-STREAMING WEBCAST An embargoed news briefing related to the forthcoming Science Advances paper, "The Limits of Human Predictions of Recidivism," will take place at the 2020 AAAS Annual Meeting. This event, open to credentialed Annual Meeting press registrants only, will take place at 10:00 a.m. U.S. Pacific Time or 1:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, 13 February, in room 204, the AAAS Newsroom Briefing Room, on the 2nd Floor of The Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Washington. The embargo on the paper by Lin et al. will lift at 2:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Friday, 14 February. Reporters who are unable to attend the Annual Meeting can also participate in the live webcast of the briefing. (You must be registered with EurekAlert! to view the webcast.) Please visit the Virtual Newsroom (https://www.eurekalert.org/aaasnewsroom/2020/briefings) for further information. (At that link, you also can see the schedule for all AAAS Annual Meeting news briefing webcasts, which will be archived.) Speakers at this event will include Jen Skeem, professor of social welfare and public policy at Berkeley; Jongbin (Chongbin) Jung, data scientist and recent PhD graduate from Stanford; and Jerry Lin, PhD student in the Stanford Computer Science Department. The press briefing and related webcast are being made possible through the generosity of the nonprofit American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Thanks for citing the journal Science Advances (@ScienceAdvances) as well as the AAAS Annual Meeting (#AAASmtg) in coverage of this story. Reporters interested in joining this briefing are asked to send an e-mail to vancepak@aaas.org requesting pre-registration. The NIA probe into last year's Pulwama terror strike that left 40 CRPF personnel dead has virtually reached a dead end. Srinagar: The probe into last year's Pulwama terror strike that left 40 CRPF personnel dead has virtually reached a dead end with five persons, who were either conspirators or executers of the ghastly attack, being eliminated by security forces in various encounters. However, the case threw up unique challenges for the NIA, the anti-terror probe agency formed in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror strikes in 2008, as it there is no solid information about the perpetrators or the mastermind behind the attack. "It was a blind case for us. There were lot of murmurs but everything needs to be established beyond doubt in the court of law," a senior official, who is part of the probe, said. The first challenge was to establish the owner of the car used by suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar. There was nothing available from the vehicle which carried a cocktail of explosives like Ammonium Nitrate, Nitro Glycerine and RDX, the official said. But with the help of forensic methods and painstaking investigations, the serial number of the car that was blown into pieces beyond recognition was extracted and within no time the ownership of the vehicle was established, from the first to the last owner. However, the last owner of the car, Sajjad Bhat of Bijbehara in Anantnag district, had disappeared hours before the 14 February attack and joined Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit. He was subsequently killed in an encounter in June last year. "While it was clear that the suicide attacker was Adil Ahmed Dar but the same had to be established with evidence. After picking up human remains from various spots, it was sent for DNA profiling. "The suicide attacker was identified and confirmed by matching the DNA extracted from the meagre car fragments with that of the DNA of his father," the official, who requested anonymity, said. The role of other conspirators which included Mudasir Ahmed Khan, Qari Mufti Yasser and Kamran came to light but all of them were killed in different encounters with security forces. Khan was killed on 10 March, Kamran on 29 March, Sajjad Bhat on 18 June while Qari yasser was shot in an encounter on 25 January this year. After JeM spokesperson Mohd Hassan in a video claimed that his group was responsible for the attack, it was sent for forensic examination and the Internet Protocol address was traced to a computer based in Pakistan. The official said that during the investigation, the NIA stumbled upon another case of over ground workers of Jaish-e-Mohammed which was subsequently busted. "Eight people have been listed in a charge sheet in this case so far," the official said. New Delhi, Feb 14 : Telecom companies -- Airtel, Vodafone Idea (VIL) and Tata Teleservices are busy discussing their next course of action --whether they should pay their individual AGR dues out of the total Rs 1.47 lakh crore by Friday evening to escape the top court's wrath. None of the telcos though commented on what course of action they would take and how much of their individual dues will be paid, after the Supreme Court's order earlier in the day that tore into the firms for not depositing a single penny since its order on October 24 last year. The apex court slammed the Department of Telecom while stating it may issue contempt notices against DoT officer for issuing an order for not taking coercive action against telcos to recover the dues since October 24. The next date of hearing is March 17. The court on Friday demanded that the DoT withdraw its executive order overriding the court order to recover the dues. Department of Telecom officials declined to comment if they will issue that notice today or next week. The top court has ordered the managing directors of Bharti Airtel , Vodafone, MTNL, BSNL, Reliance Communications, Tata Telecommunication and others to be present in the court on March 17. The telcos are expected to give the first tranche of the total estimated dues of Rs 1.47 trillion immediately. VIL is staring at statutory dues of Rs 53,000 crore that it needs to pay to the government. Confronted by these liabilities -- Rs 24,729 crore of spectrum dues and another Rs 28,309 crore in licence fee -- it had previously warned of shutdown if no relief was granted. Airtel has to pay Rs 35,500 croe as AGR dues. New Delhi: A Delhi court on Friday (February 10) granted bail to 10 people, who were arrested in connection with the alleged molestation of students during a cultural festival at Gargi College, on an amount of Rs 10,000 each. Earlier on February 13, the 10 were produced at Saket district court where the magistrate sent them to Tihar Jail under judicial custody for 14 days. Delhi Police on Monday received a complaint from Gargi College against the alleged sexual harassment of female students by a number of unidentified men during their annual cultural fest on February 6. A case was registered at Hauz Khas Police Station and several teams were constituted to investigate the matter. The police have been looking into available evidence and visited various sites in NCR for the identification of suspects. Police also 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. Reported revenues of 2.2 billion represent an increase of 417 million (23.2%) on 2018 Operating income of 424 million represents an increase of 78.6 million (22.7%) on 2018 All products performed well, but highlights are the year-on-year growth of the Group's immunoglobulin product portfolio, as well as Nuwiq, albunorm and fibryga Commenting on the Group's results, Octapharma CEO and Chairman Wolfgang Marguerre said: "Octapharma delivered an exceptionally strong result in 2019. We achieved good growth in all three of our therapeutic areas. We continued to invest significantly in R&D to fund the discovery and development of new life-changing treatments, as well as in our plasma collection capacities to ensure the future supplies of our life-saving products for patients. Our new subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG), cutaquig, received approval in Europe following approvals in 2018 in the USA and Canada. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved an updated label for our recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII), Nuwiq to include data on effective bleed protection with twice weekly dosing using personalised prophylaxis. Fibryga received European approval to treat acquired fibrinogen deficiencies, extending the earlier approval for use in patients with congenital fibrinogen deficiency. These approvals bring substantial benefits to patients as well as physicians. Based on our existing product portfolio and our development pipeline, Octapharma is well positioned to continue to perform strongly in the coming years The Octapharma Group has delivered a strong performance in 2019. Sales of 2.2 billion represent an increase of 417 million (23.2%) compared to 2018. Furthermore, operating income increased by 78.6 million (22.7%) compared with 2018, to 424 million. Gross profit in 2019 was 783 million, which is 152 million more than 2018. Despite continued investments in plasma collection and production capacities to fulfil the growing global demand for our products, gross margin increased by 0.3% to 35.4%. Significant investments were made for the Group's future prosperity in R&D and into the extension of plasma collection and production capacities. Important milestones in the expansion and utilisation of the plasma and recombinant product portfolio became a reality during the last 12 months. To ensure each litre of plasma is optimally used, the Group will continue to enter new markets and expand its portfolio with innovative new products and services. "Last year our products touched hundreds of thousands of patients globally," said Roger Machler, Chief Financial Officer of the Octapharma Group. "Our significant investments in research and infrastructure strongly position Octapharma to fulfil the unmet needs of more healthcare professionals and patients around the world in the coming years The Annual Report 2019 provides a comprehensive overview of the Octapharma Group, including details of corporate governance and the financial results. To download the full Octapharma 2019 Annual Report visit: www.octapharma.com/annual-report. About Octapharma Headquartered in Lachen, Switzerland, Octapharma is one of the largest human protein manufacturers in the world, developing and producing human proteins from human plasma and human cell lines. As a family-owned company, Octapharma believes in investing to make a difference in people's lives and has been doing so since 1983; because it's in our blood. At Octapharma, our passion drives us to provide new health solutions advancing human life. This is our vision. We thrive as an organisation in which people take ownership, have integrity, demonstrate grounded and confident leadership, drive sustainability, and are inspired by and eager to embrace entrepreneurship. We employ more than 9,300 people worldwide to support the treatment of patients in 118 countries with products across three therapeutic areas: Haematology (coagulation disorders) Immunotherapy (immune disorders) Critical care (bleeding management and functional volume replacement) Octapharma has seven R&D sites and six state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Austria, France, Germany, Mexico and Sweden, in addition to more than 120 plasma centres across Europe and the US. For more information visit: www.octapharma.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005230/en/ Contacts: Ivana Spotakova Communications Manager ivana.spotakova@octapharma.com Tel.: +41793474607 KALAMAZOO, MI First-responders raced through downtown Kalamazoo and into Farmers Alley Friday morning on the report of a Consumers energy employee that had been shocked and burned. According to a statement from Consumers Energy spokesperson Roger Morgenstern, the employee had been performing a routine meter exchange in a church basement in the 500 block of Farmers Alley when an arc-flash occurred. An arc-flash is commonly described as an undesired electric discharge that travels through the air between conductors or from a conductor to a ground. A resulting explosion can cause fire reaching temperatures that exceed 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The electric voltage at the meter where the arc-flash occurred was designed to handle 240 volts, Morgenstern said. Kalamazoo Public Safety responded to the incident at about 9:25 a.m. Feb. 14. An Emergency medical technician on scene confirmed the employee was in stable condition. The employee suffered minor burns and was transported to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo for treatment, Morgenstern told MLive. There were no other injuries in the incident. An email from Morgenstern to MLive at around 12:20 p.m. stated that the employee had been treated and released from the hospital. Consumers Energy will be conducting an investigation into the incident, Morgenstern said. Also on MLive: Woman found guilty of murder for setting fire that killed Kalamazoo man Thief cuts hole in Dollar General roof before heist, police say Kalamazoo man, 28, arrested in robbery of Chase Bank downtown Eighties movie favourite Rick Moranis is returning to acting for a new sequel to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, which will end his 23-year absence from the screen. Moraniss acting career was flourishing in the 1980s following high-profile roles in Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Ron Howards Parenthood (1989) and, of course, alongside Bill Murray in Ghostbusters (1984). The success ran through to the 1990s, when the Canadian appeared in The Flintstones (1994). But, after that, the actor started declining roles that would come his way, save for voice work in Disneys Brother Bear franchise. This was because Moraniss wife, Ann Belsky, died in 1991 and he decided to focus on the upbringing of his children after struggling to balance his film career. The 65 best movie insults of all time Show all 49 1 /49 The 65 best movie insults of all time The 65 best movie insults of all time Avengers Assemble (2012) "This is my bargain, you mewling quim." Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) "Hey, where'd you get those clothes, the toilet store?" DreamWorks Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time Bad Moms (2016) "Well, you look like a bag of d***s" REX The 65 best movie insults of all time Blade: Trinity (2004) "You c*ck-juggling thunderc***!" New Line Cinema The 65 best movie insults of all time The Breakfast Club (1985) "Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?" Universal Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) "If staying here means working within 10 yards of you, frankly, I'd rather have a job wiping Saddam Hussein's arse." Universal Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time Bull Durham (1988) "From what I hear, you couldn't hit water if you fell out of a f***ing boat." Orion Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time The Campaign (2012) "You know what the difference between your momma and a washing machine is? When I dump a load in a machine, the machine doesn't follow me around for three weeks." Warner Bros Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time Casino (1995) "You horse manure smelling motherf***er, you." Universal Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time Closer (2004) "Go f*** yourself, you WRITER!" Columbia Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time Con Air (1997) "You're somewhere between a cockroach and that white stuff that accumulates at the corner of your mouth when you're really thirsty." Buena Vista Pictures Distribution The 65 best movie insults of all time The Death of Stalin (2017) "You smell like rendered horse, you burning a**hole." eOne Films The 65 best movie insults of all time Donnie Darko (2001) "You can go suck a f***." Pandora Cinema The 65 best movie insults of all time Duck Soup (1933) "He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you he really is an idiot." Paramount Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time Erin Brockovich (2000) "That's all you got, lady - two wrong feet and f***ing ugly shoes." Columbia Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time The Favourite (2018) "You look like a badger." Fox Searchlight Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time A Fish Called Wanda (1988) "To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people." The 65 best movie insults of all time Gangs of New York (2002) I dont give a tuppeny f*** about your moral conundrum, you meat-headed s*** sack. Miramax Films The 65 best movie insults of all time The Hangover (2009) "You are literally too stupid to insult." Warner Bros. Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time His Girl Friday (1940) "Listen, you insignificant, square-toed, pimple-headed spy!" Columbia Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time Home Alone (1990) "You're what the French call: 'les incompetents'." DON SMETZER/20TH CENTURY FOX/The Kobal Collection/WireImage.com The 65 best movie insults of all time In Bruges (2008) "YOU'RE AN INANIMATE F***ING OBJECT!" Universal Studios/Focus Features The 65 best movie insults of all time Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) Perry: "Look up 'idiot' in the dictionary. You know what you'll find?" : "Look up 'idiot' in the dictionary. You know what you'll find?" Harry: "A picture of me?" Perry: "No! The definition of the word idiot, which you f***ing are." REX The 65 best movie insults of all time Knocked Up "Your face looks like Robin Williams' knuckles. The 65 best movie insults of all time The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) "Were you always this stupid or did you take lessons?" The 65 best movie insults of all time The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) "My great aunt Jennifer ate a whole box of candy every day of her life. She lived to be 102 and when she'd been dead three days, she looked better than you do now." Warner Bros. The 65 best movie insults of all time Matilda (1996) "Your mummy is a TWIT." TriStar Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time The Mist (2007) Ill tell you what. The day I need a friend like you, Ill just have myself a little squat and s*** one out. REX The 65 best movie insults of all time Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) "Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries." EMI Films The 65 best movie insults of all time National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I'd like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, d***less, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey s*** he is." The 65 best movie insults of all time Parenthood (1989) "I wouldn't live with you if the world were flooded with piss and you lived in a tree." Universal Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time Phantom Thread (2018) "Are you a special agent sent here to ruin my evening and possibly my entire life?" REX The 65 best movie insults of all time Point Break (1991) "You're a real blue flame special, aren't you, son? Young, dumb and full of cum. What I don't know is how you got assigned here. Guess we must just have ourselves an asshole shortage, huh?" REX The 65 best movie insults of all time The Princess Bride (1987) "I'll explain and I'll use small words so that you'll be sure to understand, you warthog faced buffoon." Vestron Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time Say Anything (1989) "I got a question: if you guys know so much about women, how come you're here on a Saturday night completely alone drinking beers with no women anywhere?" The 65 best movie insults of all time Scarface (1983) "Even if I were blind, desperate, starved and begging for it on a desert island, you'd be the last thing I'd ever f***." Universal Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time School of Rock (2004) "You're tacky and I hate you" The 65 best movie insults of all time Sexy Beast (2000) "You're the f***ing problem you f***ing Dr White honkin' jam-rag f***ing spunk-bubble!" REX The 65 best movie insults of all time She's All That (1999) "To everyone here who matters, you're spam. You're vapour. A waste of perfectly good yearbook space." Miramax Films The 65 best movie insults of all time Shrek (2000) "You dense, irritating, miniature beast of a burden." REX The 65 best movie insults of all time Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) "Why, you stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder." 20th Century Fox The 65 best movie insults of all time Step Brothers (2008) "You're not a doctor. You're a big fat curly headed f***." REX The 65 best movie insults of all time There Will Be Blood (2007) "You're just the afterbirth, Eli, slithered out on your mother's filth. They should have put you in glass jar on a mantelpiece." Paramount Vantage/Miramax Films The 65 best movie insults of all time Three Amigos (1986) "You dirt-eating piece of slime. You scum-sucking pig. You son of a motherless goat." Orion Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time Toy Story (1995) "You are a sad strange little man, and you have my pity." Buena Vista Pictures Distribution The 65 best movie insults of all time Wayne's World (1992) "Benjamin is nobody's friend. If Benjamin were an ice cream flavour, he'd be pralines and d***." Paramount Pictures The 65 best movie insults of all time Withnail & I (1987) "Monty, you terrible c***." HandMade Films The 65 best movie insults of all time The Wizard of Oz (1939) "You clinking, clanking, clattering collection of caliginous junk!" Loew's, Inc. The 65 best movie insults of all time The Women (1939) "You wanna see a bad facelift? Helen Danvers, two o'clock. She looks like she's re-entering the Earth's atmosphere." REX In 2006, he told The Independent: For the first couple of years I was able to make it work doing one and a half pictures a year for three months with no problem. He continued: But I started to really miss them. It got to the point where I was doing a lot of pictures with kids really nice kids, but not my kids. So, I was like, You know what? Im tired of talking to my kids from a hotel room. Im going home. So I turned down the next pictures that came along and the break just got longer and longer. I didnt miss the work, I didnt miss the travel, I didnt miss the people. I didnt miss any of it. The actor would decline roles right up until the 2010s. When Paul Feig offered him a role in his all-female ghostbusters reboot, the actor turned it down, telling The Hollywood Reporter: It didnt appeal to me. That hiatus is coming to an end with Shrunk, which will see Moranis play Wayne Szalinski once again. Joe Johnston will return to direct the Disney sequel that will see Josh Gad play Waynes grown-up son. There is currently no word on a release date. IT'S ALL over or is it? With all due respect to the politicians, let's hope that the February election of 2020 is the only one we will have this year and for the foreseeable future. And also, let's hope that a strong government can be formed involving Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein or Fine Gael. Elections always spring surprises, even in this high tech age when there are numerous opinion polls carried out during the weeks of campaigning by politicians. Personalities play a big role, but on this occasion strong household names like Willie ODea were blown over by the Sinn Fein storm. The problem for the two Civil War parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, is that many of the general public see them as similar, with little difference in policies. So wanting to shake things up, they went for the Mary Lou McDonald-led Sinn Fein, to help breathe new life into Irish politics. People will remain sceptical no matter who is put in power. We know from the past that election promises are just that, promises most of which never come to fruition. Whoever gets into government, it is very important that Limerick has a voice at the Cabinet table. Sadly, history shows - and there is no indication that this has changed - that areas without a voice in Cabinet do not fair as well as those with one. Whoever gets the post should have as one of his (no female candidates elected here) priorities, University Hospital Limerick. He needs to tackle the new health minister on our problems here and ensure that the people of the Mid-West are treated with dignity in life, ill-health and death. Yes, we have other problems including housing/homelessness and the need for some incentives to boost the city centre, as many traditional shops continue to close. One could argue that the city centre problem is one for the new directly elected mayor - whenever he or she is elected- but for the time being, whoever is in government will have to come up with some ideas to revive Irelands third largest city. While the recent election brought in some new faces including Independent Richard ODonoghue from Granagh and Green Party activist Brian Leddin in the city, we should not forget those who have lost their seats or are retiring. Many tributes have been paid to former Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan, who as a member of Cabinet was instrumental in securing funding for the former Regional Hospital, UL, industry and numerous other projects in Limerick. His legacy will not be forgotten. Nor should the contribution of Jan OSullivan. The Labour TD was elected in 1998 and was Junior Minister for Trade Development and for Housing and Planning and more importantly sat at the Cabinet table as Minister for Education and Skills. She lost her seat this time around and is reflecting on her future. Jan will decide in the coming weeks and months where her future lies, depending what shape the government takes, but as she approaches her 70th birthday next December, the reality is that Jans best days in politics are behind her, but she can look back proudly on a career in which she always stuck to her principals and served the people of Limerick with dedication and distinction. Rating: 2.0 /5 Star Cast: Director: Star Cast: Vijay Devarakonda, Rashi Khanna, Aishwarya Rajesh, Catherine Tresa, Izabelle Leite Direction: Kranthi Madhav World Famous Lover is the anthology romantic drama which features Vijay Devarakonda in the lead role. The movie, which is written and directed by Kranthi Madhav, features Rashi Khanna, Aishwarya Rajesh, Catherine Tresa, and Izabelle Leite, as the female leads. Vijay, the lead actor has appeared in three different get-ups in World Famous Lover, which is produced by Creative Commercials. Did the Vijay Devarakonda starrer impress the cine-goers? Read World Famous Lover movie review here, to know... Plot Gautham (Vijay Devarakonda), a struggling writer and Yamini (Rashi Khanna), a successful professional are in a live-in relationship. Gautham's lack of focus and laziness heavily suffocates Yamini and soon the love between them starts fading. After struggling in a loveless relationship for so long Yamini finally decides to walk out, to the much-dismay of Gautham. He starts writing again to prove a point to Yamini and convince her to give him another chance. Thus, Gautham introduces the viewers to Seenaiyya (Vijay Devarakonda, again) and Suvarna (Aishwarya Rajesh) a couple from a village in Telangana and Smitha (Catherine Tresa), a modern woman who enters their lives, through his story. By the end of his story, Gautham lands in Paris and soon finds love again in Iza (Izabelle Leite). What happens next forms the crux of the story. Script & Direction Kranthi Madhav, the writer-director has tried to create a deeply impactful love story by portraying three contrasting relationships, but only succeeds at parts. The love triangle between Seenaiyya, Suvarna, and Smitha is the most enjoyable part of the film, even though the story lacks conviction. The writer-director has done a good job with the characterizations of Seenaiyya and Suvarna. But things go severely wrong with the Gautham-Yamini love story, mainly because of the overdose of bitterness and sobbing. Both Gautham and Yamini are constantly high at emotions thus leaving the audiences emotionally exhausted after a point. Also, Gautham's problems are portrayed in a very amateur way that audiences struggle to connect with the character or empathize with him. When it comes to the Paris track, things turn too much illogical and bizarre with the introduction of the fourth heroine, who is a Telugu-speaking French woman. Apart from the character Suvarna which is neatly written and developed, all three lead female characters are lazily written, lack conviction, and fail to impress. Performances Vijay Devarakonda has almost saved the day with his brilliant performance in the role of Seenaiyya, and totally deserves special applause for his effortless Telangana dialect. However, the actor reminds us of the character Arjun Reddy at several moments with his performances as the frustrated, forever-yelling Gautham, which is a huge letdown. Aishwarya Rajesh is perfect in the role of Suvarna and instantly connects with the audiences with her powerful performance. Rashi Khanna, who plays Yamini has nothing much to do other than sobbing whenever she appears on screen. Catherine Tresa and Izabelle Leite, who played Smitha and Iza, are totally wasted in their insignificant roles. Technical Aspects Jaya Krishna Gummadi, the cinematographer has done a neat job with the visualization of the movie. Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao's editing is not up to the mark, as the movie feels dragged at certain points, especially in the second half. Gopi Sundar, the National award-winning musician has done a decent job with the background score, but the songs are just average. Pros Vijay Devarakonda's performance as Seenaiyya Aishwarya Rajesh's portrayal of Suvarna Seenaiyya-Suvarna track Cons Gautham-Yamini track Logical loopholes in the Paris track Emotionally exhausting narrative Verdict This love story is emotionally exhausting and entertains only in parts. Give it a try if you are a die-hard fan of Vijay Devarakonda or any of the four leading ladies. Also Read: World Famous Lover Twitter Review: Here's What Audiences Feel About The Vijay Devarakonda Starrer! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should personally and immediately disclose to the public all the details of his visit to Oman, the European Solidarity party has said in a statement published on its Facebook page. "Volodymyr Zelensky should immediately disclose to the Ukrainian society all the details of his secret visit to Oman. [...] Ukrainians and our international partners demand a sincere answer to the growing number of questions, which is especially important on the eve of Mr. Zelensky's visit to the Munich Security Conference," the statement reads. According to the report, if the information on the visit to Oman will continue to be "encrypted," European Solidarity will require the creation of a respective interim investigative commission in the Verkhovna Rada. "We very much hope that Volodymyr Zelensky will be able to reasonably refute the suspicion in a secret meeting with a confidant of the head of the aggressor country, the long-time chairman of the FSB and the secretary of the Russian Security Council, as well as to explain on what basis they use common charter flights," the party said. The party added that Ukrainian citizens should hear the truth about the visit to Oman and the reasons for the delay in the head of state returning to Ukraine after the crash of a Ukrainian passenger jet in Iran. The Office of the President of Ukraine reported on January 5 that Zelensky, together with his family, had arrived in Oman on a flight using his own funds. The trip was reported to have been private. On February 13, journalists of the Skhemy (Schemes) program claimed that according to information from online aircraft tracking services, a private plane on which Zelensky returned from Oman's capital, Muscat, to Kyiv on January 8 had allegedly arrived in Oman from Moscow. According to journalists, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev arrived on that plane. In this regard, Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak stated that the journalistic investigation has no objective statement and is not supported by facts. Ukrainian presidential spokesperson Iuliia Mendel said that Zelensky had never met or talked to Patrushev. op Post a meme or a photo featuring one of King's quotes (looking at you, Portland, Maine). Or inform residents of government office closures (looking at you, Phoenix). For the last decade or so, lots of smart people have debated the purpose and value of social media. Do we really need to take pictures of our half-eaten food? How many duck-faced selfies does one person need? Are 280 characters all that's required to express complex thoughts? And if I work in local government, how do I use this tool to tell our story without alienating or angering the people, families and businesses that call our community home?Getting social media right in any environment is hard, but local government which is, as a result of painful experience, risk-averse presents unique challenges. Even the most well-intended tweet or status update can easily descend into a rage-filled comment section. Just try posting something on Facebook about an upcoming City Council meeting where a proposal to allow apartment buildings in a single-family neighborhood will be discussed. Seriously. Go ahead. Try it.You will regret it.The result of this (very justifiable) caution is a hesitancy to use social media for one of its most effective purposes. Since its inception, social media has been an incredibly effective tool for community building. It doesn't matter whether that community exists around Kylie Jenner's makeup tips or a shared interest in video games. Either way, those communities are real, and they matter to the people who belong to them.But community building isn't just the domain of social media influencers and gamers.Successful community building is also the difference between a city that attracts and retains a talented workforce and a city that watches its labor pool (and any chance at a vibrant local economy) disappear before its eyes. Simply put, social media illustrates some basic facts about humanity: We all want to belong to something. We all want to feel like we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. And, we all want to live somewhere that feels like home.Unfortunately, most local governments use social media only to push information toward residents rather than to engage them.Need an example? Every year on the third Monday of January, the nation honors Martin Luther King Jr. How do most local governments recognize the importance of Dr. King's contributions?For the most part, local governments:There isn't a city in the United States that would intentionally disrespect King's legacy. Phoenix, Portland and the thousands of other cities that treated that day the same way weren't guilty of dishonoring one of history's most important Americans. What were they guilty of? Failing to capitalize in a meaningful, authentic way to use social media to strengthen their communities.So what should they have done?Rather than use their social media feeds solely to push a message toward their audience, local governments should use it to elevate the people and organizations working hard to create better cities, counties, regions and states. Martin Luther King Jr. Day represents a fantastic opportunity to do that. Instead of merely reminding residents that offices will be closed or posting the same meme as a thousand other cities, why not also feature residents who best embody the spirit of MLK?Digital community-building doesn't begin and end with the sender delivering a message people want to hear. At the civic level, community-building occurs when local governments recognize and elevate the important role residents play.Most local governments have a decent-sized social media following. Twitter and Facebook are excellent ways to learn more about road closures and upcoming events, but those kinds of feeds receive remarkably little engagement.That Jan. 20 tweet from the city of Phoenix informing residents that municipal offices would be closed? It received two likes and eight retweets in other words, .00029 percent of the city's 34,300 Twitter followers engaged with the post. Typically, a good Twitter engagement rate ranges between .2 and .9 percent. While that latter number might be attainable for Kylie Jenner, it's probably unrealistic for a routine announcement of municipal business, but there is no reason social media should be limited to routine announcements. Clearly there is a lot of room for improvement for local governments that understand the mostly untapped power of social media.Of course, the real objective of approaching social media as a tool for community-building is far more important than the number of likes. A social media strategy centered around community-building can be an important step toward attracting and retaining the workforce, businesses and people that make a city special. "Pet King Brands originated in Chicago, so I am very honored to share our story and how to care for pets' oral care as part of National Pet Dental Health month," says Bosco. "As more pet parents become aware of oral conditions their pets can face including Dry Mouth they're eager to find proactive dental care solutions that are easy to apply and not stressful for their pets." Plus we all know it's important to care for our pet's oral health but many don't realize how easy it can be and how beneficial it is for certain pets; especially pets on medications." Pet King Brands has been committed to raising awareness of Xerostomia also known as Dry Mouth, which is a common oral health condition that can affect people and also pets. Dry Mouth occurs when saliva loses its protective benefits and bacteria within the mouth can overgrow which leads to bad breath, decay, periodontal disease and even tooth loss. The number one contributing factor to Dry Mouth is medications. Oratene is the only veterinarian-recommended pet dental line that features dual patented enzyme systems to eliminate odor-causing bacteria, remove plaque biofilm and balance the oral flora. In addition, it's easy to use, requires no brushing and is safe for both dogs and cats. Check your local program or cable provider for more information on how to watch Windy City Live, or watch it via live stream at www.windycitylive.com About Pet King Brands, Inc. Pet King Brands is led by President and Founder, Pamela Bosco, who first introduced ZYMOX to the veterinary world in 1998. Based on years of research, she knew she had a product that was going to change the way people managed pet ear infections. Pet King Brands' patented LP3 Enzyme System is used in the most complete and complex enzymatic dermatology and oral care products available on the market for both small and large animals. Its ZYMOX Dermatology products remain a stark contrast to other products on the market, offering effective solutions that are easy to use, free of harsh chemicals and antibiotics, and made in the United States. In addition to its skin topicals, Pet King Brands' product family includes ZYMOX Otic ear care products, Oratene brushless oral care products and its Equine Defense dermatology products. The ZYMOX and Oratene lines represent true advances in the field of veterinary healthcare. Bosco owes her discovery to her brother, Michael Pellico, the bioscientist credited with adapting an enzyme technology used in a Dry Mouth product line used by dentists and making it safe for use in animals. Pet King Brands' unwavering commitment to the well-being of animals is the reason they take such great pride in delivering high-quality products that are safe as well as effective. ZYMOX and Oratene are available through veterinarians and select retailers. To learn more visit www.zymox.com. CONTACT: Debra Decker Director of Marketing 817-713-9200 SOURCE Pet King Brands, Inc. [February 14, 2020] Cybersecurity Author Richard Stiennon Publishes New Book Chronicling History of IT Security, "Security Yearbook 2020" Author, industry analyst, and founder of IT-Harvest, Richard Stiennon, today announced the release of "Security Yearbook 2020: A History and Directory of the IT Security Industry." The new book will be available for immediate shipping from Amazon on February 14. Cybercrime is one of the biggest issues that humanity will face in the coming years. Cyber espionage and cyberwarfare can destabilize governments, undermine elections and exploit vulnerabilities in a nation's critical infrastructure. Its economic impact is driving drastic changes to how every organization is deploying technology. For more than 20 years, companies have been built and burnt in the quest to provide the best cybersecurity solutions to keep the bad actors at bay. This is the first time their stories have been collected in one place to give a true historical analysis of one of the most important emergent industries in modern times. The result of over a decade of research, "Security Yearbook 2020: A History and Directory of the IT Security Industry" starts at the early days of RACF, ACF2, Check Point Software (News - Alert), Symantec, and McAfee, coming right up to the present day comprised of over 2,336 vendors worldwide, where hundreds of companies are competing daily to bring the next breakthrough in the security market to life. Security Yearbook 2020 is not a review of technologies; this is a book filled with rich histories of the vendors and the people behind the companies - the misfits and pioneers - that have together built the $300+ billion cybersecurity industry of today. Their individual stories are recounted in their own voice alongside the author's market research and analysis, making this a one-of-a-kind read and an indispensable guide to the entire IT security industry. "My vision for this book began when I realized I had been writing books about the history of cyber-attacks while neglecting the history of the very industry I have been part of for 24 years; those creating the product we rely on every day for defense," said Richard Stiennon. "This will be my fifth book and can be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the origins of cybersecurity and what the future holds for the industry." Sections are devoted to network, endpoint, data, identity, and compliance sectors. New sectors such as security analytics, threat intelligence, and deception will be of particular interest to practitioners who are looking to understand advanced cyber defene tools and practices. Security Yearbook 2020 will also be the first published directory of all vendors listed by country and product category. It will be an indispensable desk and online reference for analysts, investors, industry veterans, and students. The book website, www.security-yearbook.com, will be continuously updated with the data on each category. "Rolling the complex history and great breadth of IT security solutions into a single source fills an important need and will become an invaluable asset for the industry," said John Weinschenk, general manager, Enterprise Network and Application Security, Spirent Communications (News - Alert). "A history of the innovators and pioneering vendors of the IT security industry is long overdue, and Spirent is proud to play a role in making this happen." In addition to Spirent, other sponsors include Skybox Security and Qualys. Stiennon will be available to meet to share some of the extensive research and copies of the book at the RSA (News - Alert) Conference in San Francisco, February 24-28. Spirent Communications, the trusted provider of test, measurement, assurance, and analytics solutions for next-generation devices and networks will be hosting Stiennon in Booth North #5579 on the RSA Expo show floor to sign books February 25 and 26 at 1:00 PM. Free copies will be distributed at events hosted by SecurityCurrent, CISOCentric, and the Information Security Executive (ISE) Forum and Awards Program Series. About Spirent Communications Spirent Communications offers innovative test, measurement, analytics and assurance solutions for next-generation devices and networks. Spirent's security validation solutions and consulting services are used by organizations worldwide to meet compliance requirements, validate content-aware device performance, prioritize infrastructure and security investments, and gain consolidated intelligence required to support risk management policies. For more information visit https://www.spirent.com/solutions/applications-security-testing-consulting. About Richard Stiennon Richard Stiennon has presented on the topic of cybersecurity in 31 countries on six continents. He is the author of Secure Cloud Transformation: The CIO's Journey and Surviving Cyberwar (Government Institutes, 2010) and Washington Post Best Seller, There Will Be Cyberwar. He writes for Forbes and The Analyst Syndicate. Stiennon has been a key influencer in the industry as a former vice president of research at Gartner (News - Alert), Inc. and in executive research, strategy and marketing roles at a variety of public and private cybersecurity technology companies. He has a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and his MA in War in the Modern World from King's College, London. About IT-Harvest IT-Harvest was founded in 2005 by former Gartner VP Research Richard Stiennon. The firm researches all of the IT security industry. Stiennon is the author of four books including the recently published Secure Cloud Transformation: The CIO's Journey. For more information visit https://www.it-harvest.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005152/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The President Akufo-Addo's Government has stated that the NDC cannot claim credit for the growth in government take in energy contracts. It would be recalled that on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, NDC held a press conference on the state of the energy sector in Ghana, making a number of claims. The NDC claimed among other things that they adopted policies and programmes to ensure the nation consistently increased its share in most petroleum agreements that were negotiated. NDC also claimed that Ghanas share in the three oil-producing fields kept increasing from 13.6% to 20%. According to the NDC, this incremental sequence in the growth of Ghana's shares under its government clearly demonstrates a conscious and consistent effort to increase Ghanas stake in petroleum agreements. But the Energy Ministry in response, described the claims as unsubstantiated. Energy Minister, John Peter Amewu, addressing the media on Friday in Accra, said the NDC cannot claim credit for the growth in government take in these contracts. These Petroleum Agreements were all negotiated and signed by the NPP government under President Kufour, he said. He added that all the Petroleum Agreements that are producing crude oil in Ghana were signed by the Kufours administration . That all the thirteen petroleum agreements that came to force under the NDC had enhanced fiscal terms and increased national stake, the Minister said If those Petroleum Agreements did not have enhanced fiscal terms that would have been problematic because they were signed after several discoveries of crude oil, an indication of relatively de-risked basins. He added that in spite of this, the NDC failed to understand conditions of the market at the time they signed these agreements, hence the increased fiscal terms achieved in the Petroleum Agreements have taken us nowhere for most of them. The 13 Agreements signed by the NDC, according to him, were signed between 2013 and 2016. Out of these, the only companies that have met their minimum obligations are ENI and Springfield, he noted. AGM had to change ownership under the NPP Government before it could meet its obligations. The remaining 10 companies were to drill 11 wells. They have not drilled a single well. They were to spend $700 million, but they spent only $30 million. These are the contracts with the so called enhanced fiscal terms, according to him. We have always said that zero percent of 100 is zero. So if you have the highest fiscal terms in contracts that do not lead to production, it amounts to nothing, he added. The Minister noted that the NDC on various platforms has attributed their failure to the ITLOS provisional judgement that froze activities during the period. However, it is important to note that only three of the Agreements the NDC signed were affected by ITLOS AGM, AMNI International and ERIN Agreements. Even one of the companies affected by ITLOS, AGM has recently announced crude oil discovery. What happened to the rest? We must understand that fiscal terms alone do not define the success of Government negotiations of oil contracts. The experience and financial capacity of a company are equally important, he explained. Afterall, the objective of every government is to negotiate a contract that can result in oil production, he noted. A fiscal strategy should therefore inspire increased reserves and production. However, the NDC's negotiated fiscal terms have not achieved these, he added. In response to claims that NDC took a bold step in establishing 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, he revealed that NDC created a weak PIAC as the Committee was not given teeth to bite, but to merely produce semi-annual and annual reports, whose adverse findings cannot be enforced. PIAC cannot prosecute or summon officials. The NPP government is currently holding consultations with stakeholders on a draft natural resources governance bill, which is going to empower PIAC to enforce its findings, he said. According to him, the NPP government is committed to transparency and accountability in the oil and gas industry. The NPP government passed the General Petroleum Regulations which provided significant transparency reforms including a requirement to disclose beneficial ownership information in Petroleum Agreements, and disclose marketing contracts signed by GNPC, as well as Corporate Social Responsibility projects. The Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act provided for the establishment of a Register of Petroleum Agreements and the application of Open and Competitive bidding of oil blocks. However, it took the commitment of the NPP Government to establish the register and to conduct Ghana's first open bidding round for oil block. Responding to claim that NDC repositioned BOST and TOR to become strong companies only for the NPP government to weaken them. And that they secured two (2) million barrels of Ghanas crude oil from the TEN fields to be processed by TOR, he noted that NDC almost collapsed TOR and BOST. The claim that BOST and TOR were strengthened cannot be true. Contrary to the NDCs claim that BOST was making profits during their time, the facts do not support this. BOST in January 2017 when the NDC handed over power owed $624 million to suppliers, BDCs and related parties in respect of crude oil imports for processing at TOR and refined products which got lost from BOST tanks. But as at February 2020, the outstanding amount to settle to clear the books now stand at $57 million, he added. An audit on BOST accounts shows that between the periods 2013 to 2016, there was a significant rise in the net losses by the company with the highest net loss of GHC 569 million recorded in the year 2016. The 2018 management account showed a 70% reduction in losses from the previous year, 2017. Similarly, the 2019 management account indicated a further 41% reduction in the loss level from the year 2018. According to him, This steady decline in the loss level of the company, from 2017 to 2019, shows that during the year 2020, the company will likely make a profit. BOST under the NPP Government is in a better position. BOST continues to pursue its objectives including holding strategic reserves of petroleum products. Other private depots also hold sufficient stocks, which together with BOST provide enough buffer for product supply. We want to assure the people of Ghana that unlike the NDC's time when we had long queues at petroleum stations for three days in June 2014 due to fuel shortage, the Akufo-Addo Government will never expose Ghanaians to such a crisis. In the renegotiated agreement, GNPC's additional participating interest was reduced from 15% to 3%. As if that was not enough Explorco's commercial interest of 24% was dropped to Zero. The NPP government has proven to be better managers of the oil and gas sector. This is because: We have renegotiated the domestic gas price from $8.8 per mmBtu to $6.08 per mmBtu. The gas price would have been lower if Sankofa gas price was less expensive,he said. Daily Guide Dear Annie: Reading your column on grieving, I was reminded of a quote I read regarding a parent's grief upon losing a child. Perhaps this would be helpful. "A wife who loses a husband is called a widow. A husband who loses a wife is called a widower. A child who loses their parents is called an orphan. There is no word for a parent who loses a child. That's how awful the loss is." This is to remind those who admonish, "Get over it, already." They are not at all helpful! -- A Grieving Reader in NY Dear Grieving Reader in NY: Thank you for sharing this beautiful quote. May it bring some comfort to others who have lost a child. Dear Annie: I was touched by the wisdom in your response to "Bitter." Confession is good for the soul. My first impression was that the woman is so self-absorbed that she is dangerous to her family's ongoing dynamics. But your answer recognized and acknowledged her personal hurt and addressed it gracefully so a positive redirection could be introduced. I am writing this to applaud the wisdom demonstrated in your thoughtful and thought-provoking column and very kind response to her. It was a blessing to read it. -- Happy Reader Dear Happy Reader: Thank you for your incredibly kind words. I am printing your letter to highlight the importance of trying to give people the benefit of the doubt -- and offering love and acceptance instead of judgment. Dear Annie: Recently, you responded to a question regarding whether to go to a rescue organization or a breeder for a husky puppy. Your response included a reference to Petfinder. Another good resource for rescued animals is the Rescue Me Pet Foundation. They have a wide variety of animal types and of breeds of each animal type. If one organization can't help, perhaps the other can. I applaud you for encouraging the adoption of rescued pets. -- Rex Rescuer Dear Rescuer: Thank you for your suggestions. Dear Annie: The end of 1998 was horrible for me. I lost my father in November to cancer, and in December, I lost my 50-year-old husband to heart issues. What has gotten me through all these years has been to think positively and to surround myself with everything positive: my favorite music, my favorite colors in clothing, my most positive friends and, especially, my family. I have also gone back to church and am very involved in many different projects. -- Tips to Cope Dear Tips to Cope: Thank you for sharing what has supported you through your grief. Dear Annie: Your response to "Useless in CT" was spot on. Many years ago, my 16-year-old daughter asked that I not intervene with a high school teacher so that she could handle the situation herself. She was, and is, the type of person who could communicate rationally without becoming rattled. I find this approach difficult, so I prefer the written word. If the granddaughter is easily intimidated by bullies, she might consider writing a clearly worded letter to her grandmother. With help from her mother, the letter could outline her feelings and offer an explanation as to why she will be no longer be a participant in the gift exchange. This would enable her to put forth her side without risking verbal interruptions and excuses that may be offered by the grandmother. It may even help grandma see the result of her behavior and work to repair their relationship. -- Southern Girl Dear Southern Girl: Thank you for offering another option for sharing our thoughts and emotions -- the written word. Writing letters can be a beautiful and liberating way to express our emotions. Sometimes, we don't even need to send the letters to experience the catharsis. "Ask Me Anything: A Year of Advice From Dear Annie" is out now! Annie Lane's debut book - featuring favorite columns on love, friendship, family and etiquette - is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM Read more advice: Ask Amy: Separated soulmates are eager to connect Dear Annie: Looking to hop off the hamster wheel Dear Abby: Children cut off stepmother with dads power of attorney Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central district at the National Assembly has advised President Muhammadu Buhari n... Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central district at the National Assembly has advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to cancel his earlier scheduled trip to Bayelsa for the swearing-in ceremony. Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central district at the National Assembly has advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to cancel his earlier scheduled trip to Bayelsa for the swearing-in ceremony. The President had concluded plans to storm Bayelsa on Friday for the swearing-in of governor-elect, David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress, APC. But the Supreme Court on Thursday nullified the election of Lyon and his Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo. The apex court led by Justice Mary Peter-Odili on Thursday directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to the All Progressives Congress candidates who were earlier declared winners of the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state. The five-man panel ordered INEC to immediately issue fresh certificates to the candidates of the party with the next highest votes. Justice Ejembi Ekwo gave the ruling after disqualifying the APCs deputy governorship candidate, Degi-Eremienyo, as a candidate in the election. In his reaction, Sani tweeted, The President should not postpone his trip to Bayelsa. He should go ahead and attend the swearing in of the new Governor-elect. A good time to prove he is for everybody Hundreds of community employment scheme supervisors staged a strike over pensions on Friday. Section 39 workers whose pay was cut during the recession and was never restored also joined the protest. Community employment scheme employees and supervisors marched from the Custom House in Dublin to the Department of Finance to call on the incoming Government to address their demands. They want ministers to implement a Labour Court recommendation issued in 2008 that a pension scheme be put in place for them. Some 12 years on, they are still waiting. Community employment scheme supervisors gather at Government buildings to protest as they want the same pensions as the rest of the public sector. pic.twitter.com/BrJZoBvIhU Aine McMahon (@AineMcMahon) February 14, 2020 The Government has said community employment scheme supervisors are not considered to be public sector workers so they receive the state pension when they retire. Protesters called on Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation which ruled that a pension scheme should be put in place for the supervisors. Ian Thomas, from Co Cork, who has worked as a CE supervisor for 25 years, called on the incoming Government to address their demands for once and for all. We are still waiting for our pension 12 years after we went to the Labour Court. It appears to me that the Government is giving two fingers to the Labour Court, he said. Martin Luther King said he has a dream but we also have a dream and we have a Labour Court recommendation in our favour. I would like to tell the incoming government three things: respect the Labour Court, respect the Labour Court recommendations, and implement the recommendations and implement them now. Community employment scheme supervisors at Custom House in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) Labour TD Ged Nash said that, while he regrets the closure of hundreds of projects around the country, Labour supports the supervisors strike action. While it will inconvenience many people, this just highlights that the work of CE supervisors is so valuable, he said. Fine Gael has failed to seriously engage with CE supervisors. Labour ensured their issues were included in the 2015 Haddington Road Agreement, but the current Fine Gael Government has done very little in the meantime. Government or public bodies should never ignore the rulings of the Labour Court. The Government should meet with Siptu without delay to work out a way forward for this group of workers who have been badly let down by Fine Gael. New Delhi: A day after a visit to Kashmir by the envoys of 11 European Union (EU) states, the grouping on Friday called for the remaining restrictions in the region, including Internet access and detention of political leaders, to be lifted swiftly. The EU ambassador to India, Ugo Astuto, was also among the 25 envoys and deputy chiefs of missions who travelled to Jammu and Kashmir on February 12-13. Besides government and security officials, the diplomats interacted with government-approved groups of grassroots politicians, youth, journalists and traders. In a statement, Virginie Battu-Henriksson, the EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, acknowledged both the positive steps taken by the Indian government to restore normalcy in Kashmir and New Delhis serious security concerns in the region. But she added that the EU believes more needs to be done to end the restrictions. The visit confirmed that the government of India has taken positive steps to restore normalcy. Some restrictions remain, notably on internet access and mobile services, and some political leaders are still in detention, Battu-Henriksson said. While we recognise the serious security concerns, it is important that the remaining restrictions be lifted swiftly, she added. There was no immediate response to the statement from Indian officials. The EU spokesperson said the visit of the envoys presented a welcome opportunity to see the situation on the ground and to interact with local interlocutors and the EU looked forward to continuing the dialogue with India on the situation in the region. Besides the EU envoy, the ambassadors of Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia were in the second group of diplomats to be taken to Kashmir by the Indian government since the erstwhile states special status was revoked on August 5, 2019, and it was split into two Union territories. The envoys of the EU states travelled to Kashmir just days before external affairs minister S Jaishankars visit to Munich for a security conference and to Brussels, where he is expected to engage with EU leaders on a range of issues, including the situation in Kashmir and Indias new citizenship law. The inclusion of a dozen EU envoys in the delegation is also significant as the European Parliament is expected to vote on a resolution critical of the situation in Kashmir and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) late in March. The resolution was debated in the European Parliament in January but a vote was put off following lobbying by India and with an eye on ensuring a smooth India-EU Summit in Brussels on March 13. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A block-long Downtown Jersey City property that was purchased for $7 million in 1999 is being sold for $94.5 million, according to a published report. Thor Equities, a real estate investment firm has agreed to buy the 360,000-square-foot 95 Greene St. property from SJP Properties, Bisnow.com reported. The eight-story building was formerly the G Block of the massive Jersey City Colgate campus, and it was the principal manufacturing facility for all personal care products other than bar soap between 1915 and 1987. Most recently the property was rebranded as the Liberty Innovation Center. Bisnow.com reported that Thor plans to lease to life science, pharmaceutical, green tech, agriculture tech, healthcare and medical tenants. "New Jersey is one of the best research markets in the country, Thor Equities Chairman Joe Sitt told Bisnow in a statement. The acquisition provides an opportunity to simultaneously build our Life Science platform and meet the demand for laboratory and research and development space. Colgate opened its Jersey City manufacturing plant in 1847 and the city served as the companys headquarters from 1910-30 and 1934-56, according to a detailed history by the Historic American Engineering Record. All operations at the plant had ceased by 1988. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave the University of Chichester's Engineering and Digital Technology Park after an official visit on October 3, 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly cutting the roles of 15 members of staff in London as they transition away from royal life. According to the Daily Mail, Harry and Meghan are closing their Buckingham Palace office, with the team being notified last month. A source told the newspaper that while efforts will be made to redeploy people within the royal household, others will be made redundant. A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said they could not comment on the reports. The Sussexes are living in Canada with their baby son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor as they prepare to drop their HRH styles and quit the monarchy in favour of financial freedom. They had initially hoped for a dual role, supporting the Queen, the Commonwealth and Harry's military associations, but the idea was deemed unworkable. Expand Close Meghan and Harry's outgoing head of communications Sara Latham pictured in London / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Meghan and Harry's outgoing head of communications Sara Latham pictured in London Buckingham Palace has said the Sussexes' new life away from royal duties will begin in the spring of this year. The couple reportedly increased security at their rented mansion in North Saanich, Vancouver Island, earlier this month. Read More It followed a survey finding more than three quarters of Canadians feel their country should not foot the couple's security bill. Video of the Day Last week, during the Sussexes' first event since announcing they will leave the royal family, Harry revealed he has been in therapy for the past few years coping with the loss of his mother. He told a JP Morgan-sponsored alternative investment summit in Florida he did not want his wife and son to experience what he went through when younger. It is not known if the duke was paid for the appearance but it was speculated he could have received a fee worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Royal watchers will be waiting to see whether Harry and Meghan, who are president and vice-president of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, will put in an appearance at the annual Commonwealth Day service with the royal family at Westminster Abbey in London on March 9. "Your attorney has given you a gift," Cappas said. "Children are supposed to look to their mothers for care and comfort, and it's a shame for them to be away from their mother. But it might be a blessing for you (Rodriguez's children) to not be around you." The authorities in China tightened their coronavirus quarantine rules for Beijing on Friday, saying that all residents returning from outside the capital city would be required to isolate themselves for 14 days. The order was the latest sign that Chinas leaders were still struggling to set the right balance in battling the coronavirus contagion that began a few months ago in Wuhan, 600 miles to the capitals south, while also restarting the economy, which has been hobbled by the epidemic. Read the latest updates on the coronavirus crisis here. As of Friday, the coronavirus had infected more than 66,000 people, nearly all of them in mainland China including more than 1,700 medical workers and killed more than 1,500 people, all but three of them in mainland China. The infection also has reached into more than two dozen countries and territories, the latest being Egypt, which on Friday became the first country on the African continent to report a confirmed case. International health officials have expressed deep concern about coronavirus infections in Africa, where medical systems are among the least equipped to handle them. Photograph: Justin Lane/EPA Bernie Sanders campaign has accused the Wall Street elite of panicking after one of its leading figures attacked the presidential candidate in the wake of two straight victories in the nomination process. In a Twitter post on Tuesday Lloyd Blankfein, former chief executive of Goldman Sachs, said Sanders election would screw up the US economy and delight Russia. 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 polarizing as Trump AND hell ruin our economy and doesnt care about our military. If Im Russian, I go with Sanders this time around, he wrote. But the Sanders camp hit back on Wednesday. This is what panic from the Wall Street elite looks and sounds like, Faiz Shakir, Sanders campaign manager, responded in a tweet. Blankfeins post came after Sanders won the Democratic primary race in New Hampshire, his second win in the nomination battle after a narrow victory over rival Pete Buttigieg in Iowa. Sanders has said that billionaires should not exist and proposed a wealth tax on the richest Americans. Blankfein who has a personal fortune of over $1bn announced his retirement in July 2018 after 12 years at the head of Goldman Sachs. He has sparred with Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, in the past over Sanders plans to limit the amount of their own shares companies are allowed to buy back. In 2012 Sanders called Blankfein the face of class warfare for supporting cuts to social security, Medicare and Medicaid and the two have previously sparred on Twitter. Actually, my concern has to do with the fact that you had no problem getting bailed out by working Americans, while you've been picking on them by advocating for cutting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. https://t.co/m7KN9ul7EP Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 12, 2019 Blankfein, a registered Democrat, supported Hillary Clinton in the last election. Franklin Graham defends pastor who attacked abortion, gay marriage during Va. House of Delegates prayer Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Rev. Franklin Graham expressed his support for a pastor who garnered controversy when he criticized abortion and same-sex marriage during a prayer that opened a Virginia House of Delegates meeting. Earlier this week, the Rev. Robert M. Grant Jr., senior pastor of The Father's Way Church of Warrenton, gave the provocative invocation before the Democrat-controlled chamber and was heckled and eventually cut off by House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn of Fairfax. In a post on Facebook Friday, Graham said that he believed Grant was a guy whos got guts for Jesus. Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates treated this African American pastor with contempt. Rev. Dr. Robert M. Grant, Jr., was invited to pray and he took a stand for life, marriage, and biblical principles, stated Graham. They didnt want to hear the truth. But what Pastor Grant said was truth. Hes rightthese are crucial times. He urged lawmakers to honor Gods laws and be aware of His judgment. The head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritans Purse concluded his post by stating I just love this guy. On Tuesday, Grant gave the invocation prayer before the House of Delegates. During his remarks, he covered multiple topics, including racial inequality and prison reform. However, he garnered the most attention when he expressed opposition to abortion and support for traditional marriage, asking in his prayer that the legislature not pass laws that provoke Gods anger. The unborn has rights and those rights need to be protected. They should never be denied the right to exist, the right to develop or the right to have a family. The word of God has given us a warning: woe to anyone who harms an innocent child, stated Grant. We should never re-write what God has declared Its not yours to change or alter its wording. The Bible is the copyright of Gods word. Marriage is to join a biological male and a biological female in holy matrimony, not to provoke the almighty God. Eventually, Speaker Filler-Corn gaveled him down and began reciting the Pledge of Allegiance along with other legislators, effectively cutting off the pastor. Democratic Delegate Luke Torian, the pastor of First Mount Zion Baptist Church of Dumfries, was among Grants critics. In comments made before the chamber that received a loud ovation, Torian denounced Grants invocation as totally wrong and disrespectful to every member in this House. [We clergy] are to respect this House, we are to invoke Gods presence, we are to ask for His blessings, we are to ask for His protection, we are to ask for His guidance, said Torian. We are not to give political speeches and to make people feel bad. That is not what a prayer is supposed to do. And over the years that Ive been here, on both sides of the aisles, there have been clergy who have not honored the integrity of the request. Thank you for I salute you, patriot: Blasey Ford, 2 others feted for courageousness (Feb. 13): Its difficult for survivors of sexual assault to come forward and speak publicly about their experiences. One such person, Christine Blasey Ford, who testified before Congress during the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and received death threats for doing so, certainly deserved a Courage Award at the Futures Without Violence fundraising event. Conversely, those Senate Judiciary Committee members who belittled and refused to believe Blasey Ford, just like those who listened to sexual harassment allegations by Anita Hill during the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and wouldnt allow corroborating testimony, deserve a Cowardice Award at a Futures With Predators event. Josephine DiCostanzo, Burlingame Take the ferry instead Concerning Bus-only lane might clog bridge even more, MTC staffers warn (Page 1, Feb. 13): I have a three-word suggestion for East Bay commuters who are upset by the prospect of more Bay Bridge traffic delays if one car lane is removed and dedicated solely to buses: take a ferry. Gregory Tolliver, Alameda Enough complaining I disagree with the frequently expressed complaint that a government takeover of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. would turn it into another Department of Motor Vehicles, which would be a fate worse than death. I recently renewed my drivers license at the Corte Madera branch of the DMV. I arrived, without an appointment, at 12 minutes to 7 a.m., and there was only one person in line ahead of me (if one person can even be said to constitute a line). Twelve minutes later the doors opened, and 40 minutes after that I was out the door again, having completed the entire process, including the written test. Three days after that my renewed license arrived in the mail (courtesy of the also much maligned U.S. Postal Service). Whats to complain about? Jay Ruskin, San Anselmo Slow to build rail system After reading High-speed rail costs jump up to $80 billion (Feb. 13), about the years-long transportation boondoggle created by political infighting and increased cost estimates for a high-speed rail system between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Im betting that Elon Musks futuristic Hyperloop transit project will get built first. And who wouldnt rather get from Northern to Southern California in 30 minutes by Hyperloop instead of 2 hours and 40 minutes by high-speed rail? Raneesh Patel, Redwood City Awareness for Real ID Regarding For the California DMV, its about to get real (Feb. 11): The California Department of Motor Vehicles is actively promoting Real ID to our residents. In anticipation of a Real ID rush, were streamlining processes to increase capacity in our offices, reducing wait times, and implementing solutions to nudge Californians to get their Real ID. While demand has been less than expected to date, we are still aggressively targeting likely Real ID candidates and encouraging them to come into our offices. Real ID is not mandatory in California. A Real ID is not necessary for domestic flights in October if you have a passport, military ID or other federally accepted document. If you do not intend to fly or enter a federal facility, you will not need a Real ID. Oct. 1 is an enforcement date, not a deadline. The DMV will continue to issue Real IDs after October. People may indeed be waiting for a drivers license to be up for renewal before they get a Real ID. One of the things that concerns us is that people who want to visit family for Thanksgiving or travel by plane over the holidays will have an oh, snap! moment as travel plans come close and they are not prepared. That is why we continue to encourage Californians to fill out the online application, gather their documents and come in now. I would like to point out that Bay Area residents are some of the most prepared. They have complied with Real ID in greater proportion than the rest of the state. I thank The Chronicle for helping us increase awareness about Real ID. Now that your readers are aware, please help us get them to a DMV office. They dont even need an appointment walk-ins are always welcome. Steve Gordon, Director, Department of Motor Vehicles, Sacramento Shocking racist propaganda When you have a president who says there are fine people on both sides of a white supremacist march and engages in race-baiting, you get news stories like White supremacist groups expand their message (Feb. 13). Its shocking that meetings and the distribution of pamphlets, posters and stickers with propaganda titles such as America Is Not for Sale, One Nation Against Invasion and Reclaim America are being used to promote white power multiple times each day in this country. As an African American citizen, I have become more frightened for my personal safety while living in One Nation Under Trump. Wanda Robinson, Richmond Pardons for everyone Regardless of the courts sentence of President Trump activist Roger Stone, we can expect that after the election, win or lose, Trump will pardon Stone, Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort and himself. LANSING, MI -- Nearly a month after being taken out of service, Michigans breathalyzer machines are back in jails and ready to test breath for alcohol content, state police said Thursday, Feb. 13 State police, after learning of issues with calibration, testing and maintenance records related to its 203 Datamaster machines across Michigan, placed them out of service Jan. 13. State police began the task of re-certifying each machine to ensure it was calibrated properly and had up-to-date maintenance. What the ensuing investigation revealed, and the extent of pending or past drunk-driving cases that could be impacted, is unclear. State police said only: The criminal investigation is ongoing into two of the three employees contracted by the vendor to service, certify, and recalibrate the devices. As of this date, no charges have been filed and no further suspects or evidence of wrongdoing have been identified. Defense Attorney Michael Komorn, a Farmington Hills-based drugged- and drunken-driving attorney, who also specializes in marijuana law, wants more transparency on the part of police. How did (they get put back in service) without an explanation," he said. " ... Why would anyone believe the self-reported problem by the (Michigan State Police) has been fixed withoit some kind of report or conclusion provided to the public?" Breathalyzer issues arose after state police detected problems with documentation and reporting conducted by employees of St. Louis-based Intoximeters Inc., a company contracted for about $1.3 million per year to calibrate and certify the breathalyzers. Michigan State Police Col. Joe Gasper accused Intoximeters employees of deceptive falsification of certification records and said an audit discovered egregious discrepancies in data collected from eight machines at various departments. The ongoing investigation was expected to expose even more issues. While the discrepancies do not directly impact or deal with the results of evidential breath tests, it is concerning that it appears as though some certification records have been falsified," Gasper said in a Jan. 13 statement. At this early stage in the investigation, the MSP does not know how many certification records were falsified or how long these deceptive practices were occurring." State police say they first noticed documentation issues in August. More on MLive: Half of machines returned service Police discuss impact of breathalyzer scandal Drivers face blood draws during breathalyzer fraud probe Michigan breathalyzer reliability under scrutiny Roadside drug testing pilot extended Marijuana most prevalent drug found in roadside tests LONDON Turkish and Russian-backed Syrian forces have clashed in recent days in Syrias last rebel stronghold, threatening to escalate hostilities in a region where as many as 800,000 civilians have been displaced. President Bashar al-Assads forces have battled Turkish-backed fighters in the northwestern province of Idlib for years, but Damascus and Ankara in recent days have taken to directly targeting each other's troops. Turkey said it had retaliated on Monday after Syrian forces killed five of its soldiers in Idlib, a week after a similarly deadly clash between the two sides. Escalation is likely going to continue as long as Turkey and Russia cannot agree on a new cease-fire, said Berkay Mandrac, a Turkey analyst at the International Crisis Group. Image: Internally displaced children Despite continued talks between Russia and Turkey no new cease-fire or de-escalation agreement has been reached between the two sides. Instead, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened Wednesday to escalate the conflict beyond Idlibs borders if another Turkish soldier was hurt. We will hit the regime forces anywhere without limiting ourselves to Idlib and to the boundaries of the Sochi memorandum, he told members of his AK Party, referring to cease-fire lines agreed between Russia and Turkey in 2018 that created a buffer or de-escalation zone in Idlib. We will not wait for the outcome of those endless meetings. Erdogan accused Russia and Assads forces of directly targeting civilians in Idlib province an accusation that Moscow swiftly denied while accusing terrorist groups of hiding behind a "human shield." The Syrian government has consistently denied targeting civilians throughout the conflict. In a statement Wednesday, the Russian defense ministry blamed Turkey for the crisis in the Idlib de-escalation zone, accusing Ankara of failing to separate moderate opposition fighters from terrorists. Syrian fighters sponsored and trained by Turkey include rebel fighters and Islamic extremists opposed to Assad, according to the Associated Press. Story continues However, Ankara seemed to tone down its more bellicose rhetoric Thursday when Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkey was sending additional troops to enable a permanent cease-fire. Force will be used against those who do not comply with the cease-fire, he added. The humanitarian cost Meanwhile, civilians are being caught in the fighting. Since the beginning of the year, over 200 people have been killed as a result of the violence including at least 84 children, Misty Buswell, regional policy director for the IRC said in a statement. And every day of violence causes more civilians to flee. In the last 24 hours, 20,000 people in Idlib packed their bags and fled to escape bombing, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, Mark Lowcok, wrote in an article for Britains Daily Telegraph on Tuesday. Most of them, he said, were women and children. Since Dec. 1, nearly 800,000 people have been forcibly displaced in Idlib, an area roughly the size of Delaware, according to the United Nations. The IRC estimates that another 500,000 people remain in the firing line and will be displaced if violence continues. And if the violence doesn't kill them, now the weather might. Those on the move have been battling bitter temperatures that have dropped as low as 11 degrees Celsius ( 12 degrees Fahrenheit) in Idlib this week, with thousands sheltering in tents, unfinished buildings and their vehicles, according to the IRC. The U.N. said several children are reported to have died due to the freezing temperatures. What do both sides hope to achieve? Despite the dire humanitarian situation, there is no immediate sign of the violence abating as Assad, with Russias help, battles to take back control of all Syrian territory. The momentum in Syria is in Assads favor as Russian-backed government forces have regained most of the country securing Moscows place as the kingmaker in the region. Ankara and Moscow back opposing sides in the Syrian conflict but they have collaborated on finding a political solution to the war. In the past, Russia has acted as a deal broker and de-conflicting actor for Turkey but this time it has been conspicuously absent, said Soner Cagaptay, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and author of Erdogans Empire: Turkey and the Politics of the Middle East. What the Russians are doing is trying to let the Assad regime take as much of Idlib as possible before they come in as the firefighters, he said. Image: Syrian government forces Meanwhile, Erdogans primary objective in Idlib is to ensure that there is not another large flow of Syrian refugees across the border into Turkey, analysts said. Turkey is already struggling to cope with the some 3.7 million Syrians it currently hosts. And with its economy still fragile following the 2018 currency crisis it has become less welcoming of the new arrivals, many of whom compete with Turks for low-paid work, according to Fadi Hakura, a consulting fellow at Chatham House, an international affairs think tank in London. Moreover, Erdogan has other goals in sight. He has endeavored to promote regime change in Damascus since the start of the Syrian conflict and wants to sustain pressure on Assad, Hakura said, as well as securing Turkeys place at the negotiating table over the future of Syria. Erdogan has invested a vast amount of political capital and money in Syria from the beginning of the quagmire, said Hakura. His return is diminishing more with time, he said, adding that it had even backfired as Turkey was now hosting millions of refugees. Its a bit like when youre gambling and youre losing you still want to continue in the hope that you can recoup your losses, he added. Saphora Smith reported from London and Aziz Akyavas from Istanbul. The government of Puerto Rico has lost $2.6 million due to an e-mail phishing scam, stated a Puerto Rican official. Losing the $2.6 Million Ruben Rivera, the finance director of the Puerto Rican Industrial Development Company, stated through court documents filed on Wednesday that the government agency had transferred the said total number of funds to a fraudulent account on January 17. It was reported that the amount was transferred to a different bank account (connected to remittance payments) after the receipt of an e-mail. It is still uncertain whether the government can still go after the lost money. What is E-mail Phishing? Phishing is a type of scam conducted through the internet. This occurs when criminals try to send e-mails that look similar to a legitimate business's e-mail. This often asks a victim for confidential information. This typically occurs after a victim clicks a link. The link normally looks like the original thing but it is not. The information provided in the link will then be collected by the attacker. This sensitive information collected by the attacker can then be used for unauthorized access to online accounts and other unlawful means. Puerto Rico: Still Under Recovery This United States territory nation is still in the process of recovering from its 13 years of recession. The recession had caused the government of the island to employ severe measures for its recovery. Also, the series of natural disasters such as earthquakes had contributed to the recession in the country. Additionally, Puerto Rico is still in the stage of recovery from the destruction that Hurricane Maria had caused. The hurricane was reported to have hit the island in 2017. It destroyed multiple buildings in the country. An article from Fox News stated that the series of unfortunate disasters and events in Puerto Rico had affected the increasing number of Puerto Rican immigrants in the mainland United States of America. The United States' Assistance Fund for Puerto Rico The Democratic Party had criticized the administration of Donald Trump. They were criticized for withholding the $18 billion worth of emergency assistance to the island. In the previous month, the Trump administration stated that it will be releasing $8.3 billion to the island. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had held up the said amount due to the doubts of the fund's proper management by the island's government. On Wednesday, the Democratic Party members on the House Budget Committee pointed their fingers to the Office of Management and Budget for making it difficult for the HUD to ask for the funds. According to Russel Vought, the acting chief of the budget office, the office does not want the funds for the reconstruction of Puerto Rica due to Hurricane Maria to go to waste. He expressed how the office wants to help Puerto Ricans. Also, the office wants to ensure that the government of Puerto Rico does not receive the entire amount. The reason for not giving them the lump sum is to prevent their political system from being overwhelmed with the fund. This will prevent another governor in the island to resign due to corruption. This is referenced on Ricardo Rossello's resignation after a week-long protest against him. EDWARDSVILLE The Edwardsville Fire Department welcomed a long-awaited, multi-ton crewmember Friday. The fire department welcomed its newest pumper on the morning of Valentines Day, following efforts tracking back to April of 2018. The truck is a 2019 Rosenbauer Commander rescue/pumper. The truck was manufactured by Rosenbauer in Minnesota and includes a 2,000 gallon-per-minute Waterous pump and houses a 2019 Cummins X12 500 horsepower diesel engine. The final cost stayed under the original April 2018 estimate of $800,000 at $799,400. The city of Edwardsville and the department worked with Sentinel Emergency Solutions, LLC located in Freeburg, Illinois, to design and build the truck. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 14:01:05|Editor: zyl Video Player Close Firefighters look at fire safety apparatus and equipment at a fair in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Feb. 13, 2020. A three-day fair titled "International Fire Safety and Security Expo 2020" kicked off on Thursday in Dhaka. (Str/Xinhua) DHAKA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- A three-day fair titled "International Fire Safety and Security Expo 2020" has been kicked off in Bangladeshi capital Dhaka with a view to paving the way for sector insiders to experience the latest editions of innovations in protection and firefighting technology. Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi Thursday inaugurated the fair which is being held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center also known as Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center. The fair showcases mainly a wide variety of made-in-China apparatus and equipment. The country's biggest showcase for fire, safety and security sector was organized by Electronic Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (ESSAB), a nonprofit trade organization, in association with Bangladesh Fire Service & Civil Defense and National Fire Protection Association (USA). BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 By Huseyn Safarov - Trend: Azerbaijan holds a key place in the North-South International Transport Corridor project, and not only because of its geographical position, Russian political analyst Andrey Ivanov told Trend. The political analyst noted that Azerbaijan is perceived by the project partners as the most reliable and conscientious partner. Firstly, all necessary infrastructure has already been built in Azerbaijan, said Ivanov. That is, the country has become locomotive of the global project. But what is no less important is that everyone realizes that building relationships with Baku is very easy. Look at Azerbaijans foreign policy. It is built solely on the basis of friendliness and mutually beneficial cooperation. Baku isnt trying to engage in political bargaining, but is defending its interests, by developing mutually beneficial projects with other countries, the analyst added. Such behavior of Baku certainly commands respect on the international stage. As a result, Azerbaijan is becoming a bridge between different countries, civilizations and peoples. The expert believes that the importance of the North-South International Transport Corridor is that it will connect the Indian Ocean and the Baltic Sea, that is, it will significantly reduce the route of goods from Asia to Europe. In the modern world, the role of trade routes is growing rapidly, Ivanov noted. This is related to purely economic calculations and the growing tensions in the world. We see that the struggle of major powers for markets is escalating. As is known, maritime transport is the cheapest, though not the fastest. But at the same time we see how much effort is being exerted by states in order to be able to protect their transport vessels and cargo transportation routes. In this difficult situation, countries are thinking about how to develop land routes, said the analyst. China put forward the idea of the New Silk Road. Moreover, this project has grown to the global One Belt One Road initiative in which many countries, including Azerbaijan, are expected to participate. However, the value of the North-South International Transport Corridor lies precisely in the fact that this is an alternative land route, Ivanov added. It is being built, first of all, in the interests of those countries that are directly involved in the project, said the analyst. Naturally, the project will be economically beneficial. The transport corridor wont just be a route for the movement of goods, but a tool to ensure global security. Accordingly, the economic and political effect can exceed all expectations. Due to the scale of the project, Azerbaijans economic benefit can be colossal, noted Ivanov. It is difficult to calculate the economic benefit, but political dividends come themselves, said the analyst. As I noted above, Azerbaijan has a reputation of a reliable, honest and confident partner for different states. Baku isnt engaged in political manipulations, it isnt trying to join any associations in the supporting roles. As a result, Azerbaijan is becoming an example of partnership of peoples for the sake of universal prosperity. ATHENS, Ga. - A since-fired sheriffs deputy who police in Georgia said killed a graduate student he believed was having an affair with his wife was indicted on seven felony charges. Athens-Clarke County police said Winford Trey Terrell Adams, 32, fatally shot University of Georgia graduate student Benjamin Lloyd Cloer, 26, during a domestic dispute in November 2019. Adams, who worked for the Madison County Sheriffs Office, was off-duty at the time of the shooting and was later fired. A grand jury indicted Adams on Feb. 4 on charges of malice murder, felony murder, first-degree home invasion, two counts of aggravated assault and two firearm possession charges, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday. In the 911 call Adams made after the shooting, which was obtained by news outlets, he said he shot a man because his wife was cheating on him. My wife was cheating on me, and I couldnt take it, Adams is heard saying on the recording. I didnt shoot her, I shot the guy. I couldnt stop myself. He was being held in the Athens-Clarke County Jail without bond, the newspaper reported. His next court appearance was scheduled for March 10. Its unclear whether he had a lawyer to comment on his behalf. Seven Ukrainian citizens are among eight people killed in a road accident in the Pskov region on February 13, and one more victim is being identified, Director of the Consular Service Department of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Serhii Pohoreltsev has told Ukrinform "According to Ukraine's Consulate General in St. Petersburg, eight people were killed in the accident: the driver and seven passengers of a van. Seven citizens of Ukraine are among the dead. One more victim is being identified. The bodies of the deceased have been taken to the morgue of a local medical institution," he said. Pohoreltsev added that a Ukrainian citizen, who sustained moderate injuries, had been taken to a local hospital. He also said that a consular team had arrived at the scene to find out the circumstances of the accident, assist the injured person in hospital, as well as resolve the issues of repatriation of the bodies of Ukrainian citizens. "The Consulate General is taking steps to establish where the deceased lived in Ukraine and inform their relatives," Pohoreltsev said. A Mercedes van with Ukrainian license plates collided with a truck in the Pskov region of Russia at 00:29 local time on February 13. Earlier reports said that eight Ukrainian citizens had been killed and one more had been injured in the road crash. There were eight passengers and the driver in the minibus. op CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The presidents of Cuyahoga Community College, Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University will meet this month to discuss discourse and civility on college campuses. The discussion, hosted by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, will take place on Feb. 26, less than a month before the March Ohio primary and ahead of the 2020 presidential election. CSUs Harlan Sands, CWRUs Barbara Snyder and Tri-Cs Alex Johnson will participate. Jewish Federation of Cleveland Board Chair J. David Heller will moderate. Discourse on college campuses became an increasingly divisive topic in recent years, with President Donald Trump signing an executive order last year that mandated colleges receiving public money protect free speech on campus. The debate on free speech often manifests in the speakers colleges choose to allow on campus. Extreme, far-right activists like Richard Spencer and outspoken conservative commentators such as Ben Shapiro, sparked protests on college campuses that sometimes led to their being disinvited from speaking engagements. A bill proposed multiple times over recent years in the Ohio Statehouse would prevent colleges from barring controversial speakers, reports the Columbus Dispatch. The University of Chicago adopted a statement in 2015 that stated a universitys duty is to protect free speech, even offensive free speech, and facilitate debate. Hate speech reports are also on the rise on college campuses across the United States, and Northeast Ohio universities needed to deal with incidents in recent years. CWRU officials condemned hate speech on campus in 2018 after two swastikas were found graffitied in bathrooms. In 2017, students protested a flyer that was posted on a Cleveland State University billboard that encouraged LGBTQ students to commit suicide and criticized how the university handled the incident. The event will be at Tri-Cs Corporate College East and is free to the public. Reservations are encouraged. Organizers are collecting new or gently used winter clothing for families arriving to Cleveland from Puerto Rico. Read more on the Jewish Federation of Clevelands website here. This story has been updated to better reflect Ben Shapiros commentary. Joaquin Phoenix has been rightly lambasted for his acceptance speech at the 2020 Academy Awards, in which he lent the weight of his celebrity to stamping out the grave evil of domesticating cattle. However, Phoenix made a vital, if less noticed, point that deserves our appreciation. Its worth noting at the outset that this is not to say that the condemnation of Phoenix, who accepted an Oscar for his leading role in Joker, came undeserved. After rehearsing the usual bromides, he branded the use of milk an injustice akin to racism, imperialism, and misogyny. These evils share a commonality, in his view: the belief that one nation, one people, one race, one gender, one species, has the right to dominate, use, and control another with impunity. Of course, milking a cow is not comparable to the Rape of Nanking. The human rights abuses he listed are wrong because they represent discrimination between human beings who are, according to the Judeo-Christian worldview, invested with equal dignity. The overlapping thrusts of secularism and scientism have eroded the notion that there is a qualitative difference between human and animal life, with potentially dire concerns for human rights. (See Wesley J. Smiths A Rat is a Pig is a Dog is a Boy.) But buried in the midst of Phoenixs categorical error was a statement worth hearing even by those outside the (shrinking) global audience watching the Oscars: We fear the idea of personal change, because we think we need to sacrifice something; to give something up. But human beings at our best are so creative and inventive, and we can create, develop, and implement systems of change that are beneficial to all sentient beings and the environment. Joaquin Phoenix was right: The human race has been expertly adept at creating new technologies and innovations that benefit our fellow humans first, then all of the planet. We dedicated a recent issue of Religion & Liberty to this topic. Likewise, Matthew Lesh of the Adam Smith Institute pointed out, the U.S. and UK have been producing more goods with fewer resources for decades: This has come about because of market incentives to produce larger yields using fewer resources, to meet consumer demand for environmentally friendly products, and to assure the health of their customers for repeat sales. The market has even come up with a solution to Phoenixs moral conundrum that human beings take cows milk thats intended for her calf, and we put it in our coffee and our cereal. Vegan substitutes, such as soy or almond milk, crowd the freezers next to cows milk at least for now. Their greatest enemy at the moment is not personal inertia or capitalism, but government regulation. A coalition of dairy industry lobbyists and regulatory-minded politicians would like to prevent these companies from calling their products milk. They argue that cows milk and almond milk do not have identical nutritional profiles. Regulators even say with a straight face that shoppers may not understand that almond milk does not come from a cow. An Arkansas lawmaker said the move would only harm industries that want to deceive the public about how their food originated. Not to be outdone, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the DAIRY PRIDE (Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday) Act in 2017 and 2019, to stop vegan alternatives from using the word milk in their marketing. Imitation products have gotten away with using dairys good name for their own benefit, which is against the law, she said. To make matters worse, the legal framework to deplatform almond milk already exists. FDA regulations define milk as a lacteal secretion obtained by the complete milking of one or more healthy cows. And as Scott Gottlieb, then-commissioner at the FDA, helpfully revealed in 2018, an almond doesnt lactate. Of course, these are solutions to problems that dont exist. Everyone knows that milk alternatives come from almonds, soy, oats, rice, etc. That is their selling point. People who are lactose intolerant, or vegan, specifically seek out these alternatives. Indeed, when faithful members of the Eastern Orthodox Church give up dairy products during Lent, many will turn to these substitutes until Pascha (Easter). Its not a bug; its a feature. One would be tempted to think these arguments for regulation are a piece of performance art, akin to the time Joaquin Phoenix gave an entire interview to David Letterman in character. They even echo The Simpsons parody of Pulp Fiction, when Chief Wiggum and police officers are confused that McDonalds calls its dairy products shakes instead of partially gelatinated, non-dairy, gum-based beverages. (Shakes, a cop says, shaking his head. You dont know what youre getting.) Unfortunately, this backlash typifies what Charles Koch calls protectionism: shielding existing industries from start-ups through government regulation. Consider the context: The Dairy Farmers of America announced milk sales fell by $1.1 billion in 2018. At the same time, non-dairy milk sales rose by $1.6 billion. Mislabeling of plant-based products as milk hurts our dairy farmers, Baldwin baldly admitted. Hence, the desire to use government to hinder competitors (and consumers). Phoenixs muddled speech produced a gem of truth. Human ingenuity derives from the fact that we are made in the image and likeness of God, sharing in His intelligence and creative drive. It produces a restless desire to improve the world and to meet unmet needs, the very essence of the free market. The greatest threat to these forms of progress is unnecessary government regulation. (Photo credit: Cubankite / Shutterstock.com. Editorial use only.) Germanys president has suggested that Russia and China, along with the United States, were stoking global instability, as he warned of the danger that the three were slipping into a new "great power" competition and nuclear arms race. Frank-Walter Steinmeier made the comments on February 14 at the opening of the Munich Security Conference, a high-level diplomatic and political gathering held annually in the German city since 1963. Nearly three dozen heads of state, diplomats, and others were scheduled to attend this years conference, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. "Russia...has made military force and the violent shifting of borders on the European continent the means of politics once again," Steinmeier said in his opening remarks. "China...accepts international law only selectively where it does not run counter to its own interests," he said. "And our closest ally, the United States of America, under the present administration itself, rejects the idea of an international community, he said. "'Great again' -- even at the expense of neighbors and partners," Steinmeier said, a reference to U.S. President Donald Trumps campaign slogan: "Make America Great Again." The upshot, Steinmeier said, is "more mistrust, more armament, less security...all the way to a new nuclear arms race. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper were the highest-level U.S. officials scheduled to attend; both were slated to participate in a panel discussion, along with Stoltenberg, on February 15. Current Tensions The annual conference has long been a gathering of world leaders and has occasionally been conducted during times of strained U.S.-European relations, such as during the debate over the Iraq war in early 2003. But the current level of tension exceeds that of previous years and involves a wider range of issues. Tensions could also develop within the U.S. contingent. The senior Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, is traveling to the conference, where she will be with members of Trumps administration. Pelosi played a key role in the impeachment effort against Trump, who was acquitted of two articles in a Senate trial. The presence of Pompeo and Esper have given hope that there may be a major breakthrough on the sidelines of the conference when they meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Participants in talks between U.S. and Taliban negotiators have given strong indications that a seven-day "reduction in violence" agreement that would lead to formal negotiations between Afghanistan's warring factions is close. Ahead of the gathering, conference Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger focused on two war-torn countries, saying he was "deeply troubled" about the "unforgivable failure" of the international community on Syria, and he expressed disappointment that a Libya peace plan negotiated recently in Berlin had not gained ground. "We have more crises, more serious crises, more horrific events than one can actually imagine," he said. Protests are expected at the event, and some 3,900 police are set to be deployed to the site to help provide security. With reporting by dpa and AP A shamed schools liaison officer was found dead on a railway track as she faced the sack for being convicted of drink-driving and being drunk in charge of a child. PC Lianne Matthews, 38, was hit by a train in a suspected suicide just weeks before she was due to face a disciplinary hearing for 'discreditable conduct.' Mother-of-three PC Matthews was fined 1,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after being convicted of drink-driving and being drunk in charge of a child under seven. PC Lianne Matthews, 38, (left) was found dead on a railway track as she faced the sack for being convicted of drink driving and being drunk in charge of a child. Pictured: PC Matthews and her partner Geraint, a detective in the same force She faced the sack from the force as she faced a disciplinary hearing by South Wales Police next month. PC Matthews joined the force in 2006 and her partner Geraint is a detective in the same force But PC Matthews, based in Roath, Cardiff, was found dead in the neighbouring Gwent police force area in Caerphilly. PC Matthews joined the force in 2006 and her partner Geraint is a detective in the same force. A South Wales Police spokeswoman confirmed the 'sudden death' of an officer on February 3. The spokeswoman said: 'The officer's family are currently being supported by specially-trained officers and our thoughts remain very much with them, her friends and colleagues who are grieving at this time. 'The officer's death is being investigated by British Transport Police. 'She had been due to appear before a misconduct hearing in March to answer an allegation of discreditable conduct, following a conviction at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court on September 9. 'As a result South Wales Police has referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.' PC Matthews was hit by a train in a suspected suicide just weeks before she was due to face a disciplinary hearing for 'discreditable conduct' Her police role included teaching children on the dangers of drink and drug abuse - including regular visits to schools. Emergency services were called to Energlyn and Churchill Park station in Caerphilly after reports of a body on the tracks. British Transport Police said a person had been pronounced dead at the scene. Officers confirmed it was not being treated as suspicious. Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court said PC Matthews pleaded guilty to both charges. A spokeswoman said: 'The offences were driving with excess alcohol and drunk in charge of a child under the age of seven years.' PC Matthews was fined 1,000, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of 100 and prosecution costs of 85. She was also disqualified from driving for 20 months. Mother-of-three PC Matthews (left) was fined 1,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after being convicted of drink-driving and being drunk in charge of a child. Right: Her partner Geraint Caerphilly councillor Jamie Pritchard said: 'Local residents are in shock and thoughts are going out from the community'. A police source said: 'This is shocking for people who know Lianne and Geraint very well. 'It was an ordinary Monday and she had been on duty on the day she died. 'People here want an investigation to make sure the force carried out a proper duty of care to Lianne after a very difficult time. 'The conviction would have hit her particularly hard and she faced the consequences in court. But that was months ago and the thought of disciplinary action is very significant. 'No officer wants to be described as being discreditable to the force.' An inquest is due to be held by the Gwent coroner. Annette Glenn: An impressive first year To the editor: Annette Glenn has had an impressive record of accomplishment in her first year as our state representative. She has represented us well and that is the reason I urge you to support her this November. She is only halfway through her term and look what she has accomplished on our behalf: 1. Annette promised cuts to our auto insurance rates and she delivered. In July, there will be a $100 per car cut to the MCCA fees assessed to Michigan drivers. Annette was instrumental in that legislation. 2. Annette has voted for state budgets that include record funding for schools and roads (without a 45 cent gas tax hike) and directed more resources to improve skilled trades opportunities. 3. She supported a bipartisan plan to make state government more accountable and transparent to its citizens. 4. Annette Glenn will protect the "right to work" law In Michigan (her opponent is on record wanting to repeal it). For these reasons, and many more, we need to keep Annette as our state representative. DIANE BRISTOL Midland Scout Sunday appreciated in Sanford To the editor: It was so nice to be in the congregation at the Sanford United Methodist Church this past Sunday as the church celebrated Scout Sunday. The future is bright for scouting in the Sanford area with leaders like Troy McNett, someone so willing to give to a cause he cares so much about. The Rev. Cook's mention of names from our churches past who were involved in scouting had me putting my local Sanford area history hat on almost immediately. I heard names mentioned like Ross Archer, Harry McNett, Stephen Petrik, Harold Bosscher, Clyde Moe and Allen Cole. As I look back on the Sanford area, these names are all there - some stayed their whole life in the Sanford area - some moved on. All were dedicated to the community while they were here. Stephen Petrik, for example, ran Petrik's Bakery circa 1944 in what many of us old timers still remember, in the 1950's & 1960's & 1970's, as Dancer's Department Store, now part of the Sanford Hardware. Mr. Petrik would move on to Gladwin County in the late 1940's and 1950's to become one of the biggest subdivision developers around Wixom Lake. It was February of 1953 when 14 boys from Sanford Troop No. 76, were all at once elevated to Eagle Scout. Local papers of the time said it was reported to be the largest group of Scouts in the history of Scouting in Michigan, and perhaps in the United States, to ever achieve Eagle Scout rank at a single court of honor. Those boys were (some names still familiar to our church family yet today): Philip Cole, Keith Rhodes, Larry Moe, Paul Berry, Richard Rogers, Edwin Billingsley, Thomas Woolman, William Lackie, Ralph Allswede, Lorne Enders, Arthur Daniels, Robert Stroup, Donald Finney and John Billingsley. Stephen Petrik's story and the Eagle Scouts of 1953 mentioned here, are just like all those Reverend Cook named as leaders of the early scouting story in Sanford. They gave of their time and dedicated effort for a cause (scouting) they believed in. We all have a cause we feel strong about, let's all rededicate ourselves to our causes, no matter what they may be, and give it our best. RICK E. GOODWIN Sanford TIRANA, Albania - Serbia and Kosovo on Friday signed U.S.-brokered deals on restoring railway and highway links. The deals were signed during an international security conference in Munich, Germany, said Richard Grenell, U.S. President Donald Trumps envoy in the talks. Agreements on air, rail and highway connections will facilitate the flow of people and goods between Serbia and Kosovo, the U.S. embassy tweeted. A separate deal on resuming air links was signed last month. Details and timing for the application of both agreements are yet to be known. Both countries leaders were present at the signing ceremony together with Grenell and hailed the deals. I am happy to see progress today and many thanks to President Trump and Richard Grenell on behalf of Serbia, because we feel we will have a better future because of this and that we will ensure peace for future decades, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said. Another milestone! Kosovo President Hashim Thaci said on Twitter. A great step towards reaching a final peace agreement. Grenell, the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, was appointed by Trump in October as the special envoy to talks to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia. The European Union-mediated negotiations started in 2011 but have been stalled since Kosovo imposed a trade tax on Serbian goods in 2018. Serbia does not accept Kosovos 2008 declaration of independence, although its former province has been recognized by about 100 countries, including the United States and most EU nations. Serbias brutal intervention against Kosovos independence-seeking ethnic Albanians in 1998-99 prompted NATO to intervene to stop the conflict. Relations have remained tense ever since. ___ Jovana Gec reported from Belgrade, Serbia. Oil demand is set to fall year on year in the first quarter for the first time since the depths of the financial crisis in 2009 hurt by the coronavirus outbreak in China, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday. The impact of the Coronavirus outbreak on Chinas economy has added to the uncertainties surrounding global economic growth in 2020, and by extension global oil demand growth in 2020, OPEC said in the report. The cartel said it now expects 2020 daily oil demand growth to be 990,000 barrels per day (bpd), which is 230,000 bpd below prior forecasts. In a closely-watched report published Wednesday, OPEC cut its forecast for oil demand growth this year, saying the coronavirus outbreak was the primary reason. The price action also suggests that traders are a little more optimistic that the coronavirus outbreak has reached a peak and that the demand crisis may be ending. The markets are also on track for their first weekly gain since early January. U.S. West Texas Intermediate and international-benchmark Brent crude oil futures are edging higher on Friday as investors continue to increase bets that OPEC and its allies will come through with the production cuts a technical committee recommended the week-ending February 7. U.S. West Texas Intermediate and international-benchmark Brent crude oil futures are edging higher on Friday as investors continue to increase bets that OPEC and its allies will come through with the production cuts a technical committee recommended the week-ending February 7. The price action also suggests that traders are a little more optimistic that the coronavirus outbreak has reached a peak and that the demand crisis may be ending. The markets are also on track for their first weekly gain since early January. OPEC Cuts Forecast for Oil Demand Growth This Year In a closely-watched report published Wednesday, OPEC cut its forecast for oil demand growth this year, saying the coronavirus outbreak was the primary reason. The cartel said it now expects 2020 daily oil demand growth to be 990,000 barrels per day (bpd), which is 230,000 bpd below prior forecasts. The impact of the Coronavirus outbreak on Chinas economy has added to the uncertainties surrounding global economic growth in 2020, and by extension global oil demand growth in 2020, OPEC said in the report. IEA Says Virus Outbreak to Shrink First-Quarter Oil Demand Oil demand is set to fall year on year in the first quarter for the first time since the depths of the financial crisis in 2009 hurt by the coronavirus outbreak in China, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday. The consequences of Covid-19 for global oil demand will be significant. Demand is now expected to contract by 435,000 barrels per day (bpd) in Q1, the first quarterly decrease in more than a decade, the Paris-based IEA said in a monthly report, using the new scientific name for the virus. For 2020 as a whole, we have reduced our global growth forecast by 365,000 bpd to 825,000 bpd, the lowest since 2011, the IEA said, adding that it assumed economic activity from the second quarter would return progressively to normal. In the second quarter it said it expected oil demand to grow 1.2 million barrels per day before normalizing in the third quarter with growth of 1.5 million bpd on likely economic stimulus measures in China. Fresh Coronavirus Data Nearly Derailed the Rally On Wednesday, crude oil jumped more than 3% at the high as traders eyed deeper production cuts from OPEC, and as China reported the lowest number of new coronavirus cases since the end of January, easing concerns about a drop-off in demand for oil. One catalyst changed on Thursday, however, after Chinas Hubei province, where the virus is believed to have originated, reported 242 new deaths, double the previous days toll and the fastest rise since the pathogen was identified in December. U.S. Energy Information Administration Weekly Inventories Report The Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Wednesday that U.S. crude supplies rose by 7.5 million barrels for the week-ended February 7. Traders were looking for a 2.9 million barrel build. The EIA data also showed a supply decline of 100,000 barrels for gasoline, while distillate stocks fell by 2 million barrels. Traders were expecting gasoline inventories to rise 700,000 barrels, however, distillates were forecast to fall by 900,000 barrels. Weekly Forecast The bearish demand forecasts from OPEC and the IEA are likely going to encourage OPEC and its allies, especially Russia, to implement the additional production cuts recommended last week. An OPEC+ technical committee recently recommended expanding production cuts to put a floor under falling oil prices, although there was some resistance from Russia. The major producer said it needed more time, but the new demand forecasts are likely to encourage Russia to sign off on the OPEC+ deeper cut. Short-covering should drive prices higher if Russia announces it is going along with the output cuts, but gains will be limited since the cuts will not be enough to overcome the demand decline. If Russia passes on the cut, then this will be a disaster. Prices will plunge to multiyear lows. Weekly Technical Analysis The main trend is down according to the weekly swing chart. However, the lack of selling pressure under $50.00 suggests it wasnt fresh shorting pressure that drove prices lower the week-ending February 7, but rather sell stops. This made the market ripe for the short-covering rally we saw this week. A trade through $49.50 will signal a resumption of the downtrend. The main trend will change to up on a move through $64.99. This is highly unlikely even if OPEC+ decides to implement additional production cuts. However, there is room for a normal 50% to 61.8% retracement rally. The first move up from a major bottom is usually short-covering. In other words, the short sellers have to come out of the market before the new buyers come back in. The short-term range is $45.92 to $64.99. Its retracement zone at $53.20 to $55.46 is the first upside target. Buyers will have to clear this zone first before we can get excited about a 50% retracement of the entire five week sell-off. Weekly Forecast The strength of the April WTI crude oil market the week-ending February 21 will be determined by trader reaction to the short-term Fibonacci level at $53.20. Bearish Scenario Sellers could come in on the first test of $53.20 next week. If they can sustain the move then look for a retest of $49.50. The market could accelerate to the downside if this bottom fails. This will likely happen if Russia decides to pass on making additional production cuts. Bullish Scenario If Russia decides to go along with OPEC+ and make additional output cuts then look for the market to surge over $53.20. This could create the momentum needed to challenge $55.46. Overtaking this level could lead to a test of $57.24. An accomplished young Welsh farmer is starring in a nation-wide campaign promoting PGI Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef. Caryl Hughes, who farms in partnership with her family near Llanarmon Dyffryn, in the Ceiriog Valley, features in a new 250,000 campaign. The campaign, by Hybu Cig Cymru Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), will include radio and television advertising, on-demand tv advertising, print advertising and media partnerships. It will also feature core messages around Wales sustainable red meat production focusing on elements such as landscape, climate and water usage. The television advert sees Caryl at home on her farm in Ceiriog Valley and displays the dramatic landscapes and natural surroundings where she rears her own flock. Caryl is a familiar face within Welsh agriculture having previously held the role of National Sheep Association Young Ambassador and Montgomery YFC Chair. The young farmer has a degree in Agriculture from Aberystwyth University and, notably, was the first person to undertake the Llyndy Isaf Scholarship with the National Trust where she managed a Snowdonia hill farm for a year combining sustainable farming practices with managing the outstanding natural environment. Having also competed on S4Cs Fferm Factor, Caryl is also someone comfortable both on film and in the field. She said: Like most Welsh sheep and beef farmers, I am very proud of our industry, the food we produce and how we produce it. Im very pleased to be involved in this campaign promoting exactly that. We wanted the real, authentic voices of Welsh farming to star in this campaign to show the real picture of Welsh red meat production, HCCs Market Development Manager, Rhys Llywelyn added: Caryls knowledge, passion and experience are undeniable and she is a very credible ambassador for our industry and produce. Were sure viewers and consumers at home will find Caryl relatable and engaging in this advert. The new campaign launched on 13 February and can be seen and heard on various on-demand television platforms and radio stations throughout England and Wales. The Catholic Church of the Philippines is urging their faithful to stand up and show their commitment to defend life by joining a nationwide Walk for Life scheduled for Saturday, February 15. By Robin Gomes The annual Walk for Life, organized each year by the Council of the Laity of the Philippines, in collaboration with the Episcopal Commission on the Laity of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), aims to demonstrate solidarity in upholding the dignity of life," from conception to natural death. Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), expressed hope that Filipinos would show interest and commitment to "respecting life." "We hope and pray that many of us will be there to show our interest, our commitment, our heart for advocacy in love and respect for life," he told Radio Veritas846. In a video promoting the Walk For Life 2020, the church-run radio featured several bishops encouraging their faithful to commit themselves to safeguard life. Albert Loteyro, vice president of the Council of the Laity of the Philippines, said that during the walk that will be held simultaneously in different parts of the country from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., prayers will be also be offered for protection against the COVID-19 [corononavirus], for it to stop from further spreading, and for the virus to already be controlled. Loteyro encouraged participants to the event to wear white shirts or the shirt of their organization and to bring their banners, candles, and a rosary as well as umbrellas, extra shirts, water, and face masks. Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan said, "all of us should stand up, pray, and defend life given to us by God." "It's very important that we join in this advocacy," said Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan. "If we truly believe that life should be defended, walk for life in all its stages." Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on the Laity, called on Filipino families to join the campaign, especially at this time when we are faced with different issues such as divorce and death penalty. Let us show to everyone that we are united and that we have force in numbers, said the bishop who has taken charge of Manila Archdiocese as Apostolic Administrator after its archbishop, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle left for the Vatican to head the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Last year, thousands of Catholics took to the streets of major cities across the Philippines to voice concerns over threats to life, including drug-related killings, attacks on places of worship and a proposal to revive capital punishment. This year, similar events will be held simultaneously in the provinces of Pangasinan, Tarlac and Cebu, and in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Palo and Manila. In the Philippine capital, Manila, the event will take place at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City at 4 a.m. Bishop Pabillo will preside over a concelebrated Mass with several bishops and some 30 priests. (Source: UCANEWS) A tycoon with links to Prince Andrew has been accused of raping teenagers he lured to his Bahamas mansion. Peter Nygard, 78, allegedly told girls as young as 14 he could make them models before raping them and forcing them into performing 'deviant acts'. Andrew visited Nygard at his lavish estate in 2000, after the Canadian fashion designer had agreed out-of-court settlements with three employees who accused him of sexual harassment. The prince and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson stayed at Nygard Cay, near Nassau, with daughters Beatrice and Eugenie. The new case threatens further embarrassment for Andrew, who stepped back from public life last year following a backlash over his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Prince Andrew visited tycoon Peter Nygard (pictured together) at his lavish estate in the Bahamas in 2000 The prince and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson stayed at Nygard Cay, near Nassau, with daughters Beatrice and Eugenie (pictured with Nygard) According to a 99-page lawsuit filed against him in New York, Nygard used his ten-bedroom mansion to host 'pamper parties' for teenage girls recruited at shopping malls and fashion events. He and his employees told the girls they could be fashion models, but then plied them with wine and drugs before Nygard allegedly raped them. Three alleged victims were 14-year-old virgins and said they felt scared and humiliated by the attacks, which left one needing medical treatment. The case has been brought on behalf of ten women who allege they were raped by Nygard. Eight were teenage girls and two were adult employees on the Nassau estate. Lawyers said Nygard, who is worth an estimated 690million, ran a 'decades-long sex trafficking scheme' that destroyed innocent lives. They said he used his company's private jet, dubbed 'N-Force', to take his victims with him on visits to London, Germany, Italy and China, and treated them as his 'personal servants'. Lawyers said Nygard, who is worth an estimated 690million, ran a 'decades-long sex trafficking scheme' that destroyed innocent lives. Pictured: His lavish Nygard Cay estate Two yachts were allegedy used to transport drugs and liquor for the parties and Nygard was said to keep a database of 7,500 potential victims. The case has parallels with some of the accusations against Epstein, who used his private jet, known as the Lolita Express, to traffic young women and girls. One Epstein victim, Virginia Roberts, claims she was trafficked to London and forced to have sex with Prince Andrew when she when she was 17. Andrew has repeatedly denied her account and he is not involved in the Nygard lawsuit. A spokesman for Nygard said the allegations were 'completely false, without foundation and are vigorously denied'. After fashion exec Peter Nygard was accused of raping 10 young women at a mansion Prince Andrew once visited, GUY ADAMS asks what the Duke finds so attractive about foreign billionaires who own luxury Caribbean properties? What does Prince Andrew find so attractive about foreign billionaires who own Caribbean mansions? With the Jeffrey Epstein scandal still casting its ugly shadow, the Queen's second son may now face the fallout from a second deeply unedifying legal case involving one of his wealthy acquaintances. His name is Peter Nygard. He is a leathery 78-year-old Canadian fashion tycoon, famed for his ultra-flamboyant dress sense and the hedonistic lifestyle he has for years pursued at a 'private luxury resort' he owns in the Bahamas. Called Nygard Cay, it is built on a 4.5-acre patch of the island of New Providence which he bought in 1987 and spent a decade turning into what he later described as a 'dream home', with 150,000 sq ft of Mayan-themed buildings, stretching over a dozen 'cabana-style' residences designed for holding lavish parties. Peter Nygard is a 78-year-old Canadian fashion tycoon, famed for his ultra-flamboyant dress sense and the hedonistic lifestyle he has for years pursued at a 'private luxury resort' he owns in the Bahamas. Pictured: Actress Suelyn Medeiros and Peter Nygard arrive at a fashion event The buildings include a casino, a disco hut (with cameras beneath the dance floor, reportedly to shoot images of revellers from below), a glass ceiling weighing 45 tons and the world's largest sauna, a 6,000 sq ft A-frame lodge made from 2ft-thick Canadian pine logs. In the grounds there is a helipad, fake volcanoes that belch dry ice, a flock of peacocks, stone cobras which hiss steam at sunset, 60ft towers festooned with hundreds of flaming torches (lit nightly by staff), and giant statues of nude women, purportedly modelled on the owner's former girlfriends. Andrew visited in early 2000, around the time of his 40th birthday. By then he had been divorced for four years and, with his Royal Navy career drawing to a close, was in the first throes of a midlife crisis that would also see him pursue an ill-fated friendship with Epstein, whose own private Caribbean island subsequently dubbed 'paedo island' after disturbing revelations about the financier he had visited the summer before. Like Epstein, Nygard moved in colourful circles. The father of at least seven children by four women, he was at the time dating former Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith, and had for years entertained famous chums at Nygard Cay. His personal website boasts that guests ranged from pop royalty (Michael Jackson, Lenny Kravitz) to Hollywood A-listers (Robert DeNiro, Sylvester Stallone, Jessica Alba, Zoe Saldana, Sean Connery) to the former U.S. President George H. W. Bush and several members of the Kennedy clan. None of these high-profile chums, many of whom are pictured on Nygard's website, seemed unduly bothered that their host had in recent years settled widely reported sexual harassment cases against three women who worked for his clothing company. Andrew, who visited with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and their two daughters, was also untroubled by that pressing fact. The 99-page document says the well-connected tycoon (pictured) used his wealth and status to systematically 'groom and entice underage girls' into a globetrotting harem Nygard founded clothing producer Nygard International and is known as an eccentric playboy The visit to Nygard's home did not, of course, feature in the Court Circular. Instead, details were disclosed by the billionaire in an interview with Canada's National Post newspaper shortly afterwards, when he waxed lyrical about how excited it had made his elderly mother, who was also in residence there. 'Last week was a big week for her,' he said. 'On Monday, George Bush came over to my house, and then on Thursday, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew came over.' In fact, Nygard recorded Andrew's visit for posterity. A photograph shows them wandering together on the sand, with the Prince wearing boat shoes and matching blue shorts and shirt. Other royal guests of Nygard over the years have included Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Princess Michael of Kent, while he has also pursued a doubtless lucrative business relationship with Cherie Blair. All of which provides an intriguing, not to mention potentially explosive, backdrop to a truly extraordinary legal action that was launched in New York this week. On Thursday, lawyers acting for ten unidentified women filed a class-action lawsuit claiming that Nygard's Bahamian mansion, where so many celebrities and a handful of royals partook of his hospitality, was a den of iniquity where countless underage girls were routinely abused. With the Jeffrey Epstein scandal still casting its ugly shadow, the Queen's second son (pictured alongside ex-wife Sarah Ferguson) may now face the fallout from a second deeply unedifying legal case involving one of his wealthy acquaintances The 99-page document says the well-connected tycoon used his wealth and status to systematically 'groom and entice underage girls' into a globetrotting harem, where they would be paid cash and promised 'lucrative modelling opportunities', after which he would 'assault, rape and sodomise them'. The allegations are all vigorously denied by Nygard, whose spokesman derided them yesterday as 'completely false' and 'without foundation', saying the tycoon 'looks forward to fully exposing this scam and once and for all clearing his name'. But for their part, Nygard's accusers, who are demanding a jury trial on multiple abuse and sex-trafficking charges, insist he would instruct employees to 'procure' young girls, largely from poor neighbourhoods of New Providence, to attend events at the mansion. He would then, the accusers say, take them to what he called 'pamper parties', where they were 'plied with drugs and alcohol', then violently assaulted. Other alleged abuse occurred on yachts and at properties in Nygard's portfolio of luxury residences, which stretches to Florida, California and New York. In one of the cases, Nygard is accused of showing a 14-year-old girl vile 'pornography' before raping her, 'causing extraordinary pain and trauma'. She claims to have been paid cash from Nygard's company funds in return. Another accuser says she was 15 when Nygard invited her to a bedroom in his Bahamian mansion during a 'pamper party', ostensibly to smoke marijuana. She claims he 'asked her...' to perform a depraved sex act. When she refused, she says he 'attempted to sodomise' her and 'then raped her vaginally'. Several others allege they were drugged by Nygard before being raped and assaulted. One 14-year-old local claims he gave her three pills before raping her when she was unconscious. The next day he allegedly paid her $5,000. The mansion includes an area on stilts that leads out over the sea. It is allegedly the scene of where Nygard plied teenage girls with drink and drunks before raping them Another, who was 17, says Nygard made a drink that made her feel 'nauseated and very sleepy'. She says she recalls Nygard 'asking to urinate in her mouth' but has no memory of what happened next. The lawsuit claims that when she woke up 'there was blood in the back of her underwear... Nygard gave her $550 in U.S. currency and sent her away'. It should be stressed that lawyers and a spokesman for Nygard have described each and every charge in the lawsuit as false. His lawyer, Jay Prober, told newspapers in Canada, where he currently resides, that the claims are 'vigorously denied'. Neither have any of the complainants, who are now aged between 18 and 36, implicated any celebrity friends who visited Nygard's Bahamian home in the alleged abuse. I can reveal, however, that this isn't the only lawsuit Prince Andrew's billionaire acquaintance faces. Last month, lawyers acting for two more women filed separate lawsuits against him at the Superior Court of California, in Los Angeles. One, Maridel Carbuccia, claims in a 32-page document that she was repeatedly abused, sexually harassed, groped and on one occasion drugged and sexually assaulted during almost three years in his employment. This lawsuit claims that Carbuccia, who was married with a young son, moved to Los Angeles in late 2015 after landing a job helping to run a medical cannabis farm that Nygard was setting up on a 50,000 sq ft site in the hills above Malibu. Trouble began shortly afterwards, it claims, when the billionaire 'unexpectedly grabbed her buttocks', leaving her 'shocked and upset'. Then, in April 2016, she says he turned up to a one-on-one meeting at the Los Angeles mansion 'completely naked' and again propositioned her. The Mayan-style property boasts 12 cabanas, an aquarium, helipad and casino Nygard has lived on the islands since 1987, and owns a Mayan-themed mansion compound Later that day, the lawsuit further alleges, he 'gave a drink which she consumed', only to rapidly begin to pass out. As she was losing consciousness, she claims, her employer 'led her to his bedroom'. The next day 'when she awoke, she saw her own blood on her skin and clothes and it was apparent that while she was unconscious, Nygard had sexually assaulted her'. At one point, the lawsuit alleges, Nygard decided that her professional duties should also include acting as his 'house manager'. This role, she claims, included inviting large numbers of women, including prostitutes, to attend 'pamper parties' where he would 'get a good look at them and select those whom he would pay for sex'. Carbuccia eventually left his employment in August 2018. She is now suing for damages on nine separate grounds, including battery, sexual battery, breach of contract, fraud and unpaid wages, and has demanded a jury trial. Her attorney is Gloria Allred, a famed Hollywood lawyer whose recent work has included representing victims of Jeffrey Epstein. Nygard has yet to submit a formal response. His attorney did not respond to requests to comment on this particular case. The second woman, known only as 'Jane Doe', is a resident of Houston in Texas. In nine-page complaint, she has alleged that Nygard 'repeatedly had sexual intercourse with her at his home' in Los Angeles in October 2012, when he was 71 and she was 'a minor under 18 years old' (California's age of consent). 'Nygard was fully aware of [her] age, yet repeatedly had sexual intercourse with her at his home. Nygard did not allow [her] to leave his residence without his permission,' the document claims. The lawsuit further alleges that, in the ensuing weeks, Nygard trafficked her to China and New York on his private jet. 'While in New York, Nygard invited [her] to a "club" without informing her of the full nature of the club. Nygard took [her] to a "swingers club" and instructed her to have sex with an individual so Nygard could trade and have sex with the individual's partner,' it claims. He then supposedly took her to Fort Lauderdale in Florida 'and continued to have sex with [her] while she was a minor'. 'Jane Doe' is suing for damages on nine counts, including battery, sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, harassment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Her lawyers are also demanding a jury trial. Again, Nygard has yet to submit a formal response and, like any defendant in a case that has yet to be tested in court, should be considered innocent until proven otherwise. The businessman, who grew up in relative poverty, certainly has a compelling rags-to-riches story. His empire controls several of Canada's most successful womenswear brands and he travels in a private jet that has 'Peter Nygard N-Force' painted on the outside and reportedly features a stripper's pole inside. However, claims of impropriety (always vehemently denied and never proven) have frequently interrupted his trajectory. In 1980, he was charged with raping an 18-year-old girl, only for charges to be dropped after she suddenly decided not to testify. He later alleged that the police had shown 'poor judgment' in investigating the case. In the 1990s, three separate women who worked in his office filed sexual harassment complaints with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, which he settled. One, a 27-year-old travel co-ordinator, claimed she 'repeatedly brushed off Mr Nygard's touches and sexual advances' in the workplace. Another, a 39-year-old communications manager, said that, when called into Nygard's office, she would 'find him in a state of undress (pants open, no shirt) or with his hands down the front of his pants, fondling himself'. She also claimed he once added 'naked swimming' to the agenda of a business meeting and that, in the Bahamas, 'frequently was grabbing himself (wearing a very small bathing suit)'. At the time, Mr Nygard's lawyer claimed the women filed complaints in order to get better severance payments from the firm, saying it settled to avoid litigation costs. He also faced a sexual harassment suit in 1996 from a Los Angeles employee who claimed that, against her wishes, 'she spent the night in Peter Nygard's bed and engaged in sexual intercourse with him'. She later rejected his advances, she claims, and was eventually fired. This case was later dismissed. Again, it is worth noting that none of the above incidents appear to have prevented Prince Andrew bringing his two daughters and ex-wife on that 2000 visit to Nygard Cay. In 2008, another woman a former girlfriend filed a lawsuit against Nygard in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging that he had slammed a bedroom door shut on her hand. Again, the case was settled and Nygard denies any wrongdoing. Then, in 2010, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation put out a Panorama-style documentary about Nygard, focusing on alleged sex abuse and harassment of former employees. It quoted a former stewardess on his private plane who alleged that on one journey during which Nygard was accompanied by a troupe of topless women he lost his temper with staff, shouting: 'You are nothing! You are garbage! I am God!' The programme also alleged that Nygard had engaged in 'inappropriate sexual contact' with a young woman who had been brought to his home in 2003 from the Dominican Republic. Nygard vehemently denied that either incident had happened, and sued to stop the documentary being broadcast. When that failed, he filed a criminal complaint against the journalists who made it before suing CBC for defamation. Eight years later, that case is still wending its way through the Canadian court system. But perhaps the most high-profile, and certainly the most bizarre legal tussle to involve Nygard, is a dispute with his next-door neighbour in the Bahamas, a New York hedge fund boss called Louis Bacon. This started in the mid-Noughties as a somewhat petty dispute over car parking on an access road to their properties, along with noise from Nygard's late- night parties, but has snowballed into an avalanche of litigation which has seen at least 18 lawsuits filed in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. In 2016, Cherie Blair who rarely seems to meet a foreign billionaire she won't take paid work from played a curious cameo in their battle. The Wall Street Journal revealed that her law firm, Omnia, had been hired to try to dig up dirt on Bacon. She proceeded to contact a British former employee of Bacon's hedge fund called Julian Rifat, who had been jailed for insider dealing, with a view to persuading him to tell the U.S. authorities about alleged wrongdoing at Bacon's firm. After several meetings, the plan seems to have been abandoned. Hostilities between Nygard and Bacon reached a peak, of sorts, last January when a court in the Bahamas issued a warrant for Nygard's arrest on contempt of court charges related to a case involving claims that Nygard illegally dredged sand from the sea floor to enlarge the size of his private beach. He has been unable to visit the Bahamas since, and in November was sentenced to jail time in absentia. A spokesman branded that decision 'unfair, unreasonable and unnecessary' and vowed to appeal. In New York, meanwhile, lawyers for Nygard recently filed a lawsuit claiming Bacon was attempting to 'bring down' their client by persuading various women to provide the New York Times with 'false information' regarding his conduct towards them. This is the only Nygard lawsuit against Bacon that has not been struck out or withdrawn. Yesterday, Nygard's attorneys were once more blaming Bacon for their woes, claiming that the latest ugly lawsuit stemmed from their seemingly endless battle and is 'just the latest in a ten-plus-year string of attempts to try to destroy the reputation of a man through false statements'. Doubtless the American courts will eventually decide whether that claim holds merit. In the meantime, Prince Andrew, Cherie Blair and every celebrity who partied at the billionaire's lavish mansion will surely be watching with bated breath. KFAR TAPUACH, West Bank (JTA)Put simply, President Donald Trumps deal of the century is bad news for Israel. In a historic event last week, Trump revealed his vision for solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which he says has been one of the most difficult and complex problems to solve. He claims that his plan offers the most detailed proposal ever put forward by far, and that its a win-win opportunity for both sides. As a Jewish Israeli who has lived in the heart of the Shomron area of the West Bank for the past 30 years, as a local activist and community leader, I am sad to say that the above statements are questionable from almost any conceivable angle. For Israelis who have supported and built Israeli towns or settlements here, this plan is dreadful and the results may be disastrous. In many ways it puts us back 30 years. This cannot be accepted. Although claimed to be original and full of creativity, similar plans have been proposed by the left since Israel regained possession of the West Bank in 1967. Maps envisioned by Israeli Labor party leaders from Yigal Allon through Yitzhak Rabin were almost identical to the one presented by Trumps team last week. These plans suggested that the highly Arab-populated mountain ridge from Jenin to the hills of Hebron would be given to the Arabs and the Jordan Valley would remain under Israels control. Parts of the lower lying areas on the western side, which are less populated by Arabs and closer to the Israeli population centers along the Mediterranean, would also become part of Israel. President Trump says that in his plan, no Israelis or Palestinians will be forced to leave their homes. However, it also lists 15 Israeli towns that would become isolated enclaves deep within the proposed Palestinian state. These towns would be under siege by the Palestinian Authority and would almost certainly be placed under a building freeze. In effect, towns that are not allowed to grow will slowly dry up. Their residents wont be forced to leave by law, but when forced to live in detached islands within a hostile Palestinian Authority, chances are that many would leave on their own. Today, Israelis are not even allowed to drive through the Palestinian Area controlled Area A, because doing so is life threatening. Placing a small Israeli town deep in a Palestinian domain is simply a death warrant for both the individuals living in these communities and for the communities themselves. Some mistakenly take some consolation in the thought that the plan lists only 15 small towns to be isolated and cut off from Israel. A closer look at the Trump map reveals that another 40 larger Israeli towns, including my own, share a very similar fate. They will find themselves like isolated outposts connected to the rest of Israel by very narrow corridors, surrounded by Palestinian-controlled space. Towns like Kiryat Arba and Hebron that are now about a one hour drive south of Jerusalem will, in the vision of the deal of the century, only be accessible via a narrow artery north of Beer Sheva, which will likely take about two and a half hours to reach from Jerusalem. It is sad and frustrating to hear voices of joy from friends of Israel who misread this deal as some kind of gift to Israel. Many of them who are aware of the horrible details of the plan write off their concerns, trusting that the Palestinians will never agree to the terms. So, they say, there is nothing to worry about. The Palestinians never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Well, what if they dont pass up this opportunity? Then we are in a real fix, arent we? If the art of the deal is calling the other sides bluff, so far, Trump has succeeded in calling both sides bluffs. The Palestinians, true to their traditional behaviors, are rejecting the proposal in spite of it being the best deal they could ever get. On the other hand, Netanyahus endorsement of the deal traps Israel into the very worst of terms that will forever be the starting point for any future arrangements or negotiations. It should be no surprise, then, that Jared Kushner proudly told Egyptian TV that the Trump administration is the only U.S. administration that has succeeded in convincing the Israelis to concede land to the Palestinians. Some still argue that President Trumps announcement was a historic recognition of the connection of the Jewish people to Judea and Samaria and a sign that he accepts Israeli towns here as legitimate, rather than illegal settlements or obstacles to peace. This recognition follows decades in which countries, including the United States, have declared that Israelis should not be allowed to live in these areas, denying the indigenous rights of the Jewish people to our historical homeland. I can understand the feelings of relief on the part of my brothers and sisters who have felt for years that they were treated like criminals for their passion to return and rebuild our ancestral lands, years of being told that they were to blame for the lack of peace in the Middle Eastand even in the entire world. By contrast, it is refreshing to hear the president of the United States recognize the ancient connection of the Jews to this land. But we cannot ignore the maps and detailed plans behind the words that, in effect, decree a building freeze and a slow death to some 60 Israeli towns in the heart of Judea and Samaria. My great concern is that after this plan has been embraced by leaders like Netanyahu and Trump, only a miraculous messianic event could reverse the process of losing these precious communities my people have lived and died to establish. I am having a hard time imaginingand think it unwise to depend uponthe likes of Mahmoud Abbas riding in on a white donkey waving the flag of refusal, thereby saving the day for the Jews. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media or The Heritage Florida Jewish News. Change your Story workshop participants with High Commissioner H.E. Steve Moore (sitting right) and workshop facilitator Dan Mason (sitting left). Journalists from a number of media houses across St. Vincent and the Grenadines were exposed recently to game-changing mobile and digital skills, in an effort to encourage them to re-think their role and make positive differences in their local communities and beyond. The exposure came via a two-day (Feb. 3 and 4) Change your Story workshop, sponsored by the British High Commission to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. The workshop was conducted by Dan Mason, who has a background of facilitating mobile video workshops and international journalism programmes. Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Resident British High Commissioner to SVG H.E. Steve Moore gave a perspective to the need for the workshop. According to High Commissioner Moore, changes in technology have turned the media world upside down. "The old model of print and audio and visual media has been overtaken by universal access to information and data, by the internet and mobile devices, said the High Commissioner. He posited that journalists and media entities need (new) skills to take advantage of new and developing technology. The High Commissioner said that the workshop and similar workshops that have taken place around the Caribbean, are designed to add additional skills and solutions base approach. "The training seeks to improve your skills in creating multimedia content for a large audience accessing information on mobile devices, by social media or online, Moore told the journalists. Mason said, that despite himself coming from a print media background, he decided to focus on digital technology because "that is where the audience is. He said that he and a friend started the Change your Story project in 2014 in Nigeria, and since then, he has travelled to different countries to train persons. "Essentially it is about two things; it is about looking at a story in a slightly different way and it is about telling those stories with a different tool, said Mason of the Change Your Story programme. The St. Vincent leg of the workshop is the fifth such workshop conducted in the Caribbean by Mason, who is based in Azerbaijan. Over the two-day Workshop, journalists were exposed to Video-making Apps, training in Multimedia, podcasting, photography, social media , conducting interviews among others. There was unanimous approval of the usefulness of the workshop by the participants, each of whom received a certificate signifying successful completion of the programme. By 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. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz An exhibition of drawings of Ukrinform correspondent Roman Sushchenko, a former Kremlin captive, has opened in Poland's Sejm. The exposition consists of reproductions of drawings created by the Ukrainian journalist during 2016-2018 during his stay in the Lefortovo prison and penal colony No. 11 in Utrobino, the Kirov region. "The arrest of the journalist in 2016 and his unlawful detention for more than 970 days can be recognized not only as a personal attack but also as an attempt on fundamental civil liberty - freedom of speech. That is why we are very glad that after many difficult moments Roman Sushchenko is among us, at large. His return from prison is a clear success of the international community, which has strongly demanded the release of Mr. Roman and all those who remain in Russian prisons," said Deputy Marshal of the Sejm Malgorzata Gosiewska, who initiated the holding of the exhibition in the Polish parliament. Poland has actively supported and will support the international community's efforts to release all Ukrainian political prisoners from Russian prisons, she said. In this regard, Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Andrii Deshchytsia thanked Polish politicians for raising the issue of Ukrainian political prisoners at international meetings and forums of various organizations. "I thank you very much for your help in the release of our political prisoners and for support of Ukraine in this difficult time of the struggle against Russian aggression," the diplomat said. He added that any voice of Polish society is very important to Ukraine. Deschytsia recalled that according to recent polls, more than 60% of Ukrainians consider the Polish people to be the most friendly to Ukraine. Sushchenko, in turn, expressed gratitude for organizing the exhibition in the Sejm and for a "strong Polish signal" regarding the support of the Ukrainian people, who did not remain alone with the Russian aggressor. "Thank you also for the human dimension. It is a signal to those in prison today that they were not left alone," the journalist said. The exhibition was attended by Polish deputies, Ukrainian and foreign diplomats, representatives of the Ukrainian community of Poland, as well as Polish and foreign journalists. op WASHINGTON Iran and the U.S. came to the brink of war in January, but the two sides are still keeping open a diplomatic channel to discuss the fate of Americans imprisoned in Iran, according to multiple sources familiar with the talks. The communication is indirect, with messages passed through the Swiss government, which has handled U.S. interests in Tehran since the U.S. and Iran severed diplomatic relations 40 years ago. The Swiss ambassador to Iran, Markus Leitner, has made frequent trips to Washington in recent months to relay information on the prisoners' status and messages from Tehran, a European diplomat and two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News. Private individuals working on behalf of the relatives of those held in Iran, including former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and his associates, are also engaged in discussions with Iran in hope of securing the release of U.S. citizens in Iranian prisons. Image: Siamak Namazi "We are in constant contact and are trying to find a way to get Americans back home," Richardson told NBC News. The families of Michael White, a Navy veteran arrested in 2018, and Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent who went missing in Iran in 2007, have asked Richardson and his team to help with their cases. But Richardson said, "The tense state of relations between the two countries is not making things easy." The State Department declined to comment when asked about indirect talks via the Swiss. The Swiss Embassy declined to comment. In December, Iran released Xiyue Wang, a Princeton University graduate student held for 3 years, as part of a prisoner swap in Switzerland. The exchange raised the possibility of a potential opening or at least a reduction of tensions between two governments, which have traded threats for months and teetered on the verge of military conflict. "Thank you to Iran on a very fair negotiation. See, we can make a deal together!" President Donald Trump tweeted shortly after Wang was released at Zurich Airport. Story continues Richardson said Wang's release was designed to be part of a series of releases and humanitarian steps over time. "We've been working with the Iranians, from the start, to have a sequence of mutual gestures, including further releases. Wang's release was the first. This was all about getting a positive momentum based on humanitarian gestures." But weeks later, an American contractor was killed in northern Iraq in a rocket attack that the Trump administration blamed on Iranian-backed militia. That attack set off a chain of events culminating in a U.S. drone strike that took out Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, one of Iran's most powerful figures. Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles at Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops. The military confrontation delivered a serious setback to attempts to resolve the cases of the remaining Americans held in Iran, the sources said. "That was a huge blow for our efforts," said a source familiar with Richardson's work. Four Americans in Iran At least four Americans are known to be held in Iran: White; Morad Tahbaz, an environmental activist detained in 2018; Siamak Namazi, an Iranian American business consultant arrested in October 2015; and his father, Baquer Namazi, a former senior UNICEF official arrested in 2016 and later placed on medical furlough in Tehran. Former FBI agent Robert Levinson has been missing since a visit to Iran's Kish Island in 2007, and the U.S. government has repeatedly demanded information about his whereabouts. The U.S. and human rights groups consider the Americans imprisoned in Iran to be hostages arrested and convicted on baseless charges without fair trials. Iran rejects that description. White's mother, Joanne White, told NBC News that she is frustrated with how the Trump administration has approached her 48-year-old son's case and is gravely concerned about his health. "If it was a priority, they would have brought him back already," White said. "I don't think they're paying enough attention." White was arrested in 2018 after visiting a girlfriend in Iran whom he had met online. Joanne White said her son has multiple chronic conditions, including cancer and asthma, and she was frightened that his fragile health could not withstand long-term imprisonment. Before he left for Iran, her son had just finished his chemotherapy for neck cancer. During his imprisonment, she said, his chemotherapy port has not been properly flushed or cleaned, which could lead to a potentially lethal blood infection. "I need them to bring him back before it's too late," White said. She said she was terrified for her son's safety after the U.S. and Iran appeared on the verge of a shooting war last month. "It panicked me, because he's in prison over there." Swiss diplomats have not been allowed to visit Michael White since August, according to a spokesperson for the family, Jonathan Franks. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cited White's plight in a tweet marking the American's birthday last month. "For the second straight year, U.S. Navy veteran Michael White spent his birthday suffering in a horrible Iranian prison. The Iranian regime must release all American and foreign hostages!" In a statement, the State Department said: "Before and since the release of Xiyue Wang two months ago, the U.S. government has placed a high priority on the return of wrongfully detained U.S. citizens from Iran. We maintain ongoing contact with the family of the detainees and, in addition to our diplomatic efforts, regularly condemn publicly these troubling, prolonged detentions." Iran has denied that White has been mistreated or deprived of adequate medical care. Iran's mission to the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment. Richardson vs. U.S. officials The release of Wang in December showed that the Trump administration was open to prisoner exchanges, something previous administrations have tended to rule out. But it also has led to some friction over who should claim credit, with U.S. officials and Richardson in a dispute about what preceded the prisoner releases. Wang's release came about partly through more than two years of discreet talks by private intermediaries helping his family, according to Richardson and his colleagues, and Jim Slattery, a Democratic former House member from Kansas who has forged contacts with Iranian officials through an interfaith initiative. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called publicly in April for a comprehensive swap of Iranians imprisoned in the U.S. and all Americans held in Iran. As of November, 29 Iranian citizens were in U.S. custody, according to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Zarif's proposal was rejected by the administration, so Richardson and Slattery started trying to tackle one case at a time. It soon became clear that Iran might be ready to release Wang if the U.S. released an Iranian scientist specializing in stem-cell research, Masoud Soleimani, who was in prison in Atlanta after being accused of violating U.S. sanctions, according to Richardson's team. In consultation with administration officials, Slattery, Richardson and Wang's lawyer, Jason Poblete, worked out a plan for Wang to be released at about the same time as Soleimani, whose case appeared to be wrapping up. U.S. prosecutors pursued a plea agreement with the Iranian scientist's lawyers, which would allow him to be released based on the time he had already served awaiting trial. The plan for Soleimani's release and Wang's release advanced, with logistical arrangements discussed with Iran with the help of Qatar. At the eleventh hour, senior administration officials abandoned the Richardson/Slattery plan for the plea agreement and prosecutors dropped all charges against Soleimani, moving up his release by several days, according to Soleimani's defense lawyer, Lenny Franco. U.S. officials then called Franco and his colleague on a Thursday and told them that they were going to do a prisoner exchange and that it would take place in two days. "It was fantastic," Franco said. He said he had never seen anything like it in his career but believed it was the best possible outcome for all concerned and didn't press for a detailed explanation. "As a defense attorney, when a prosecutor offers to dismiss the case, you don't need to know why," he said. Brian Hook, special envoy on Iran at the State Department, was initially opposed to the prisoner exchange, as he saw it as undermining the Trump administration's maximum pressure policy, according to sources familiar with the talks. Hook's view later shifted, and he welcomed Wang after his release at Zurich Airport. Richardson said: "We negotiated the deal and advanced it towards a set implementation date. We coordinated and shared information with the White House and the National Security Council. "Some players in the U.S. government then decided to cut us off just before implementation in order to claim credit." Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics The administration strongly disagreed with Richardson's portrayal. "The State Department entirely rejects Governor Richardson's baseless accusations," a State Department spokesperson said. The Justice Department declined to comment when asked why prosecutors decided to drop all charges against Soleimani. The New Yorker first reported Richardson's account of the prisoner exchange. Slattery said it wasn't worth arguing about who deserved credit, as the exchange was a success. "All's well that ends well, right?" "Figuring out how to release Dr. Soleimani based on the merits of his case was the key to obtaining the release of Wang," Slattery said. "I want to give credit to all who helped on the Wang/Soleimani case." He added that Iranian officials, including Zarif, the foreign minister, and Iran's ambassador to the U.N., Majid Takht-Ravanchi, "kept their word to me." Getty Images With the decline of traditional pensions, most of us are now responsible for squirrelling away money for our own retirement. In today's do-it-yourself retirement savings world, we rely largely on 401(k) plans and IRAs. However, there are obviously flaws with the system because about one-fourth of working Americans have no retirement savings at all--including 13% of workers age 60 and older. But help is on the way. On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act. This new law does several things that will affect your ability to save money for retirement and influence how you use the funds over time. While some provisions are administrative in nature or intended to raise revenue, most of the changes are taxpayer-friendly measures designed to boost retirement savings. To get you up to speed, we've highlighted 10 of the most notable ways the SECURE Act affects your retirement savings. Learn them quickly, so you can start adjusting your retirement strategy right away. (Unless otherwise noted, all changes apply starting in 2020.) RMDs Starting at Age 72 Getty Images Required minimum distributions (RMDs) from 401(k) plans and traditional IRAs are a thorn in the side of many retirees. Every year, my father grumbles about having to take money out of his IRA when he really doesn't want to. Right now, RMDs generally must begin in the year you turn 70. (If you work past age 70, RMDs from your current employer's 401(k) aren't required until after you leave your job, unless you own at least 5% of the company.) The SECURE Act pushes the age that triggers RMDs from 70 to 72, which means you can let your retirement funds grow an extra 1 years before tapping into them. That can result in a significant boost to overall retirement savings for many seniors. SEE ALSO: Calculate Your Required Minimum Distribution Story continues No Age Restrictions on IRA Contributions Getty Images Americans are working and living longer. So why not let them contribute to an IRA longer? That's the thinking behind the SECURE Act's repeal of the rule that prohibited contributions to a traditional IRA by taxpayers age 70 and older. Now you can continue to put away money in a traditional IRA if you work into your 70s and beyond. There is an impact on qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), though. Before the SECURE Act, 100% of a QCD was excluded from taxable income. Now, however, a portion of a QCD can be included in taxable income if you're age 70 or older and deducting contributions to a traditional IRA. As before, there are no age-based restrictions on contributions to a Roth IRA. 401(k)s for Part-Time Employees Getty Images Part-time workers need to save for retirement, too. However, employees who haven't worked at least 1,000 hours during the year typically aren't allowed to participate in their employer's 401(k) plan. That's about to change. Starting in 2021, the new retirement law guarantees 401(k) plan eligibility for employees who have worked at least 500 hours per year for at least three consecutive years. The part-timer must also be 21 years old by the end of the three-year period. The new rule doesn't apply to collectively bargained employees, though. Penalty-Free Withdrawals for Birth or Adoption of Child Getty Images Congratulations if you have a new baby on the way or are about to adopt a child! Right after you pass out the cigars, you'll probably start worrying about how you're going to pay for the birthing or adoption costs. If you have a 401(k), IRA or other retirement account, the new retirement law lets you take out up to $5,000 following the birth or adoption of a child without paying the usual 10% early-withdrawal penalty. (You'll still owe income tax on the distribution, though, unless you repay the funds.) If you're married, each spouse can withdraw $5,000 from his or her own account, penalty-free. Although using retirement funds for child birth or adoption expenses obviously reduces the amount of money available in retirement, lawmakers hope this new option will encourage younger workers to start funding 401(k)s and IRAs earlier. You have one year from the date your child is born or the adoption is finalized to withdraw the funds from your retirement account without paying the 10% penalty. You can also put the money back into your retirement account at a later date. Recontributed amounts are treated as a rollover and not included in taxable income. If you're adopting, penalty-free withdrawals are generally allowed if the adoptee is younger than 18 years old or is physically or mentally incapable of self-support. However, the penalty will still apply if you're adopting your spouse's child. Annuity Information and Options Expanded Getty Images Knowing how much you have in your 401(k) account is one thing. Knowing how long the money is going to last is another. Currently, 401(k) plan statements provide an account balance, but that really doesn't tell you how much money you can expect to receive each month once you retire. To help savers gain a better understanding of what their monthly income might look like when they stop working, the SECURE Act requires 401(k) plan administrators to provide annual "lifetime income disclosure statements" to plan participants. These statements will show how much money you could get each month if your total 401(k) account balance were used to purchase an annuity. (The estimated monthly payment amounts will be for illustrative purposes only.) The new disclosure statements aren't required until one year after the IRS issues interim final rules, creates a model disclosure statement or releases assumptions that plan administrators can use to convert account balances into annuity equivalents, whichever is latest. Speaking of annuities ... the new retirement law also makes it easier for 401(k) plan sponsors to offer annuities and other "lifetime income" options to plan participants by taking away some of the associated legal risks. These annuities are now portable, too. So, for example, if you leave your job you can roll over the 401(k) annuity you had with your former employer to another 401(k) or IRA and avoid surrender charges and fees. SEE ALSO: Variable Annuities for Retirement Savers Go Back to Basics Auto-Enrollment 401(k) Plans Enhanced Getty Images More companies are automatically enrolling eligible employees into their 401(k) plans. Workers can always opt out of the plan if they choose, but most don't. Automatic enrollment boosts overall participation in employer-sponsored plans and encourages workers to start saving for retirement as soon as they are eligible. The employer sets a default contribution rate for employees participating in an auto-enrollment 401(k) plan. The employee can, however, choose to contribute at a different rate. For a common type of plan known as a "qualified automatic contribution arrangement" (QACA), the employee's default contribution rate starts at 3% of his or her annual pay and gradually increases to 6% with each year that the employee stays in the plan. However, under current law, an employer cannot set a QACA contribution rate exceeding 10% for any year. The SECURE Act pushes the 10% cap on QACA automatic contributions up to 15%, except for a worker's first year of participation. By delaying the increase until the second year of participation, lawmakers hope to avoid having large numbers of employees opt out of these 401(k) plans because their initial contribution rates are too high. Overall, the change allows companies offering QACAs to ultimately put more money into their workers' retirement accounts while keeping the potential shock of higher initial contribution rates in check. Help for Small Businesses Offering Retirement Plans Getty Images It's simply harder to save for retirement if your employer doesn't offer a retirement savings plan, because all the work falls to you. Although most large employers have retirement plans for their workers, the same can't be said about small businesses. That's why the SECURE Act has three provisions designed to help more small businesses offer retirement plans for their employees. First, the new law increases the tax credit available for 50% of a small business's retirement plan start-up costs. Before the SECURE Act, the credit was limited to $500 per year. However, the maximum credit amount is now up to $5,000. Second, a brand new $500 tax credit is created for a small business's start-up costs for new 401(k) plans and SIMPLE IRA plans that include automatic enrollment. The credit is available for three years and is in addition to the existing credit described above. The credit is also available to small businesses that convert an existing retirement plan to an auto-enrollment plan. Third, the SECURE Act makes it easier for small businesses to join together to provide retirement plans for their employees. Starting in 2021, the new law allows completely unrelated employers to participate in a multiple-employer plan and have a "pooled plan provider" administer it. This provision allows unrelated small businesses to leverage economies of scale not otherwise available to them, which typically results in lower administrative costs. SEE ALSO: Retirement Plans for the Entrepreneur Grad Students and Care Providers Can Save More Getty Images Contributions to a retirement account generally can't exceed the amount of your compensation. So if you receive no compensation, you generally can't make retirement fund contributions. Under current law, graduate and post-doctoral students often receive stipends or similar payments that aren't treated as compensation and, therefore, can't provide the basis for a retirement plan contribution. Similar rules and results apply to "difficulty of care" payments that foster-care providers receive through state programs to care for disabled people in the caregiver's home. Under the SECURE Act, amounts paid to aid the pursuit of graduate or post-doctoral study or research (such as a fellowship, stipend or similar amount) are treated as compensation for purposes of making IRA contributions. This will allow affected students to begin saving for retirement sooner. Similarly, "difficulty of care" payments to foster-care providers are also considered compensation under the new retirement law when it comes to 401(k) and IRA contribution requirements. SEE ALSO: 10 IRS Audit Red Flags for Retirees "Stretch" IRAs Eliminated Getty Images Now for some bad news: The SECURE Act eliminates the current rules that allow non-spouse IRA beneficiaries to "stretch" required minimum distributions (RMDs) from an inherited account over their own lifetime (and potentially allow the funds to grow tax-free for decades). Instead, all funds from an inherited IRA generally must now be distributed to non-spouse beneficiaries within 10 years of the IRA owner's death. (The rule applies to inherited funds in a 401(k) account or other defined contribution plan, too.) There are some exceptions to the general rule, though. Distributions over the life or life expectancy of a non-spouse beneficiary are allowed if the beneficiary is a minor child of the account owner (but not a grandchild), disabled, chronically ill or not more than 10 years younger than the deceased IRA owner. For minor children, the exception only applies until the child reaches the age of majority. At that point, the 10-year rule kicks in. If the beneficiary is the IRA owner's spouse, RMDs are still delayed until end of the year that the deceased IRA owner would have reached age 72 (age 70 before the new retirement law). SEE ALSO: Avoiding the IRA Beneficiary Tax Trap Credit Card Access to 401(k) Loans Prohibited Getty Images There are plenty of potential drawbacks to borrowing from your retirement funds, but loans from 401(k) plans are nevertheless allowed. Generally, you can borrow as much as 50% of your 401(k) account balance, up to $50,000. Most loans must be repaid within five years, although more time is sometimes given if the borrowed money is used to buy a home. Some 401(k) administrators allow employees to access plan loans by using credit or debit cards. However, the SECURE Act puts a stop to this. The new law flatly prohibits 401(k) loans provided through a credit card, debit card or similar arrangement. This change, which takes effect immediately, is designed to prevent easy access to retirement funds to pay for routine or small purchases. Over time, that could result in a total loan balance the account holder can't repay. EDITOR'S PICKS Copyright 2019-2020 The Kiplinger Washington Editors The law allows preventive detention of a person for months Lucknow: The UP police have slapped National Security Act (NSA) charges against Dr Kafeel Khan for allegedly delivering a speech at Aligarh Muslim University against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) back in December. Dr Khan has been in the Mathura jail despite a bail granted to him in connection with the speech. The NSA has been slapped against Dr Kafeel Khan. He will remain in jail, Aligarh senior superintendent of police Akash Kulhari told PTI. The NSA allows preventive detention of a person for months if the authorities are satisfied that he is a threat to national security or law and order. Dr Khan was arrested by the UP Special Task Force from Mumbai on January 29 in connection with the speech he had delivered during an anti-CAA protest at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on December 12. A case was registered against him at the Civil Lines police station in Aligarh citing the charge of promoting enmity between different religions. After his arrest, Dr Khan was brought to Aligarh and then immediately shifted to the district jail in Mathura. This was done as a precautionary measure in view of the anti-CAA protests on the AMU campus and at the Eidgah grounds in the old quarters of the city. Dr Khan's presence in Aligarh jail could have worsened the law-and-order situation in the city, the police had said. The doctor was earlier arrested for his alleged role in the death of over 60 children within a week at the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur in August 2017. Short supply of oxygen at the children's ward was blamed at that time for the deaths. About two years later, a state government probe cleared Khan of all major charges, prompting him to seek an apology from the Yogi Adityanath government. Singaporean Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health Lam Pin Min during a visit to PSA Singapore at Pasir Panjang Terminal Building 3 on February 12th (Photo: straitstimes.com) Other areas of cooperation include the sharing of information to help with contact tracing of confirmed cases as well as temperature screening at the borders, Singaporean Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health Lam Pin Min said on February 13th. Singapore currently conducts temperature screening for travellers entering the country from Malaysia. Lam said the authorities are looking into whether it should be carried out on travellers leaving Singapore for Malaysia as well. Singapore and Malaysia set up a joint working group on February 11 to strengthen cooperation in tackling the spread of the coronavirus in the context that about 415,000 people traverse their borders each day./. Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are poised to take a break from their royal duties, but dont worry its not the same kind of break that Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex took. The Cambridges are taking the same time off that they have in past years to spend time with their family. Prince William and Kate Middleton | Chris Jackson/Getty Images Their kids have a school break After a busy few weeks of engagements, Prince William and Kate will spend a number of days with nothing on their calendar so they can enjoy their childrens school break. Prince George and Princess Charlottes school has a half-term break from Feb. 17 to Feb. 21. This time of year, the Cambridges typically have little scheduled so they can spend time with the kids. Sometimes they take a holiday and other times they stay close to home. There are no details about how the family will spend the week off, but theyve been known to stay at their Amner Hall country home and have gone on a ski vacation in the past. Prince Charlotte and Prince George attend the same school Prince Charlotte and Prince George now attend the same school, Thomass Battersea school in London, so their schedules line up for the break. George has been attending Thomass Batterseas since 2017 and Charlotte had her first day there in September 2019. Little Prince Louis is likely to enjoy some more time with his siblings during this time. The schools headmaster, Simon OMalley, shared with E! News at the time Charlotte started: We are delighted that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have decided that Princess Charlotte will join her elder brother, Prince George, at Thomass Battersea. We greatly look forward to welcoming her and all of our new pupils to the school in September. The break comes at a perfect time after the Megxit drama With all of the Prince Harry and Meghan exit drama that no doubt created a stressful situation for the Cambridges, it seems they are due to have some time off. They kicked off the year with a number of engagements and there are no signs that theyll be slowing down. Next up for the Cambridges is a visit to Ireland from March 3 to March 5, followed by the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 9. They are also reportedly planning a visit to Australia in support of the communities devastated by the bushfires and drought. Theyll, of course, be at Princess Beatrices wedding on May 29. Theyre plenty busy these days and their hectic schedules are reportedly bringing them closer together. The Cambridges are busier than ever since Harry and Meghan left the UK. Youd think their hectic schedule would put a strain on the marriage, but its actually brought them closer together. Working as a team and supporting each other is essential at a time like this, and thats exactly what theyre doing, a source told Us Weekly. Under the banner of Trump 2-29, several tea party leaders are mobilizing on social media to encourage Republicans to take Democratic ballots in the states Feb. 29 open primary and vote for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, the most radical of the candidates vying for the Democratic presidential nomination. At the same time, Operation Chaos 2020, an initiative of the Conservative Defense Fund of Greenville, South Carolina, is conducting an online poll to select the craziest liberal looney for Republicans to support. (As of Thursday, that poll had Sanders far ahead of the rest of the field.) Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday called for a treason case against his fierce political opponent and firebrand cleric Maulana Fazlur Rehman for remarks on toppling the government. The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief launched a major protest dubbed as Azadi March against the PTI government in Islamabad in November and demanded the resignation of Khan. Rehman recently claimed that he ended his protest only after he was given an assurance that Prime Minister Khan will step down and the elections will be held in three months. There should be a case under Article 6 against the maulana for his statement regarding the ousting of the government, Khan said during an informal conversation with journalists. The government will complete its term, its not going anywhere, he said, adding that he enjoyed full support of the Pakistan Army. I am supported by army since I am not corrupt, he said. Khan also slammed the media for attacking his governments policies, saying he had to face embarrassment in China due to false reports published by some news outlets. I have suffered more media attacks in the past two years than anyone else, he said. He said even his statements had been changed and false reports published which caused problems for his government. Khan said due to a false report about his visit to China, he faced a lot of embarrassment in China. He said the media reported that the visit was undertaken to review China-Pakistan Economic Corridor whereas it actually aimed to save the country from a default due to the deficit in balance of payments. The Prime Minister also defended his decision to seek aid from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and China, saying the country would have defaulted without the help from these countries. He said the government had reduced the current account deficit by 75 per cent in its first year, terming it a big achievement. Khan said the current account deficit was USD 2.5 billion. He also said a probe was going on to identify who was responsible for the shortage of wheat and sugar in the country. He said the government was committed not to further increase electricity prices. He also accused the government of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for gas price hike. He announced to introduce electoral laws to ensure transparent elections through technology to put an end to allegations of rigging. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday on a plea filed by Sara Abdullah Pilot challenging the detention of her brother and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah under the Public Safety Act (PSA). A bench, comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee, said it would hear on March 2 Pilot's plea challenging Abdullah's detention. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for Pilot in the apex court. If the sister could wait for such a long period then 15 days wont make any difference, it said. Pilot had on Monday approached the top court challenging her brother's detention under the Public Safety Act, saying the detention order was "manifestly illegal" and there was no question of him being a "threat to the maintenance of public order". Sara Abdullah Pilot, sister of former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah at the Supreme Court in New Delhi. (Photo | Parveen Negi, EPS) The plea has sought quashing of the February 5 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". It said that on the intervening night of August 4-5, 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. It said "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". The plea said there could be no material available to detain a person who has already been detained for the 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 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. A man's 'transphobic' tweets were lawful and police breached his right to freedom of expression by behaving like 'the Stasi' when they turned up at his work to brand it a 'hate incident', a judge has ruled. Former police officer Harry Miller, 54, claims an officer told him that he had not committed a crime, but that 30 messages he had tweeted or retweeted over the past year were being recorded as a 'hate incident'. It is not known what was in the tweets which were later deleted, though he is known to have retweeted a poem which included the line: 'Your vagina goes nowhere'. The complaint was received by Scotland Yard from a 'victim'. Officers in London then contacted Humberside Police to interview Mr Miller after tracing him to his plant and machinery business. A judge today described the police's actions had a 'substantial chilling effect' on Mr Miller's right to free speech. Announcing the court's decision, Mr Justice Julian Knowles said Mr Miller's tweets were 'lawful' and that the effect of the police turning up at Mr Miller's place of work 'because of his political opinions must not be underestimated'. He added: 'To do so would be to undervalue a cardinal democratic freedom. In this country we have never had a Cheka, a Gestapo or a Stasi. We have never lived in an Orwellian society.' Former police officer Harry Miller outside the High Court today prior to the ruling by Justice Julian Knowles Mr Miller is the founder of campaign group Fair Cop, which challenges police interference in speech. The 54-year-old picture in the middle today holding a 'We love free speech' banner, with Father Ted writer Graham Linehan on his right He also said: 'The claimant's tweets were lawful and that there was not the slightest risk that he would commit a criminal offence by continuing to tweet. 'I find the combination of the police visiting the claimant's place of work, and their subsequent statements in relation to the possibility of prosecution, were a disproportionate interference with the claimant's right to freedom of expression because of their potential chilling effect.' How police guidelines on 'hate incidents' are lawful, but officers over-stepped the mark In today's judgment, Mr Justice Julian Knowles ruled that Humberside Police would have acted lawfully if it had 'merely recorded' the tweets as a hate incident. However he said police had overstepped the line by visiting Mr Miller at his place of work and then with subsequent statements in relation to the possibility of a prosecution against him. He referred to it as a 'disproportionate interference' with Mr Miller's right to freedom of expression. However Judge Knowles rejected a wider challenge to the lawfulness of the 'hate incident' guidance, ruling that it 'serves legitimate purposes and is not disproportionate'. Rules surrounding 'hate incidents' are set out by in guidance written up by the College of Policing. It defines a hate incident as 'any non-crime incident which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender'. This differs from a hate crime, which is a criminal offence. The definition of a hate crime, according to the guidance is: 'Any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender.' Advertisement Mr Miller was joined at the High Court today by a group of supporters, including members of his organisation Fair Cop. The organisation formed in May 2019 from concerns about police attempts to criminalise people for opinions that are not against the law. Other supporters outside court today included Father Ted creator and comedy writer Graham Linehan, who said he has also had the police phoning him because of his opinions on transgender issues. The College of Policing's guidance defines a hate incident as 'any non-crime incident which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender'. In a ruling on Friday, the High Court in London found Humberside Police's actions were a 'disproportionate interference' with Mr Miller's right to freedom of expression. But Mr Justice Julian Knowles rejected a wider challenge to the lawfulness of the College of Police guidance, ruling that it 'serves legitimate purposes and is not disproportionate'. The judge said: 'The claimants' tweets were lawful and there was not the slightest risk that he would commit a criminal offence by continuing to tweet. 'I find the combination of the police visiting the claimant's place of work, and their subsequent statements in relation to the possibility of prosecution, were a disproportionate interference with the claimant's right to freedom of expression because of their potential chilling effect.' At a hearing in November, Mr Miller's barrister Ian Wise QC said his client was 'deeply concerned' about proposed reforms to the law on gender recognition and had used Twitter to 'engage in debate about transgender issues'. One of the messages which Mr Miller was known to have retweeted was a poem which included the line: 'Your vagina goes nowhere' He argued that Humberside Police, following the College of Policing's guidance, had sought to 'dissuade him (Mr Miller) from expressing himself on such issues in the future', which he said was 'contrary to his fundamental right to freedom of expression'. Who are Fair Cop? Organisation set up by Harry Miller after police grilling over tweets The organisation founded by Mr Miller in May 2019 has formed from concerns about police attempts to criminalise people for opinions that are not against the law. On its website the group says: Some of us have been victims of police interaction following social media activity; some are police officers ashamed at police action. 'All of us are furious with the 'Big Brother' overreach of various police forces and other authorities. 'We are united in our aim of enforcing existing laws governing freedom of speech, conscience and assembly rights that belong to us all in this country.' The group adds that it works to work with the police in order to improve existing guidelines around speech. Advertisement The judge said Mr Miller strongly denies being prejudiced against transgender people, and regards himself as taking part in the 'ongoing debate' about reform of the Gender Recognition Act 2004, which the Government consulted on in 2018. Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice after the ruling, Mr Miller said: 'Mr Justice Knowles was very clear - we have never had a Gestapo or a Stasi in Great Britain. 'Well, the actions of Humberside Police came way too close for comfort. This is a watershed moment for liberty: the police were wrong to visit my workplace, wrong to 'check my thinking'.' His solicitor Paul Conrathe from Sinclairslaw said: 'We welcome today's judgment, which is a vindication of Mr Miller's actions in posting tweets that were critical of transgender ideology and practice. 'It is a strong warning to local police forces not to interfere with people's free speech rights on matters of significant controversy.' Comedy writer Graham Linehan, who attended the hearing in support of Mr Miller, said: 'I hope that it (the judgment) will make the police be a little more careful about being used as a harassment tool by activists.' Former police officer Harry Miller with Father Ted writer Graham Linehan (third right) and supporters outside the High Court, London An example of one of the tweets Mr Miller has posted on his social media account He added: 'It's really, really hard to get the message out ... we are not transphobic, we just think that there are some issues that really need to be discussed.' Mr Linehan - who said he has 'had police come to my house, phone me up' because of his public opinions on transgender issues - said the ruling was 'just chipping away at the corner of the problems, but is significant'. In his judgment, Mr Justice Knowles emphasised: 'I am not concerned with the merits of the transgender debate. The issues are obviously complex. 'As I observed during the hearing, the legal status and rights of transgender people are a matter for Parliament and not the courts.' Holding a copy of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, he added: 'I'm going to continue tweeting, I'm going to continue campaigning and I'm going to continue standing with women in order to secure their sex-based rights. Father Ted creator and comedy writer shows support for Miller at High Court Father Ted creator and comedy writer Graham Linehan was present at the High Court today to show his support for Harry Miller. The 54-year-old has a profile on the Fair Cop website - the organisation founded by Harry Miller - and has been outspoken about his own treatment by the police for his views on transgender issues. Harry Miller (left) next to Graham Linehan In a profile in the Mail on Sunday, Mr Linehan, who also wrote the IT Crowd, said he has become 'one of the most loathed figures on the internet'. Today he said:'I hope that it (the judgment) will make the police be a little more careful about being used as a harassment tool by activists.' He added: 'It's really, really hard to get the message out ... we are not transphobic, we just think that there are some issues that really need to be discussed.' Mr Linehan - who said he has 'had police come to my house, phone me up' because of his public opinions on transgender issues - said the ruling was 'just chipping away at the corner of the problems, but is significant'. Advertisement 'This judgment today has told us that we can do that and, if the police come knocking, say: 'Miller v Humberside Police, b****r off!'' Deputy Chief Constable Bernie O'Reilly, executive director at the College of Policing, said: 'It is pleasing that today's judgment found that the College of Policing's guidance on the recording of non-crime hate incidents is both lawful and extremely important in protecting people. 'Policing's position is clear - we want everyone to feel able to express opinions as passionately as they wish without breaking the law.' He added: 'Our guidance is about protecting people because of who they are and we know this is an area where people may be reluctant to report things to us because of the very personal nature of what they experience or perceive. 'In policing we don't always get things right and there will of course be some learning following today's judgment.' The interview between Mr Miller and the officer took place at 3pm on January 23 last year. The PC said he had received a complaint about Harry's tweets from a 'victim' an unnamed member of the public 'down south' who had alerted the hate crime unit of Britain's biggest police force, London's Scotland Yard. Officers at the Yard, in turn, asked Humberside police to interview Harry after tracing him to his plant and machinery business in the force's area. The policeman told Harry that he was in trouble for retweeting a 'transphobic' limerick. He was told that he was also being investigated for tweeting support for BBC Woman's Hour presenter Jenni Murray, who had been criticised by Oxford students after writing a newspaper article questioning whether transgender women are 'real women'. Harry was told in the conversation at Tesco that he had not broken the law but was guilty of a 'non-crime' hate incident. According to court papers, the constable explained to him: 'Sometimes, a woman's brain grows a man's body in the womb and that is what transgender is.' When Harry asked why the officer kept calling the person who had made the complaint a 'victim', when no crime had been established, he was told 'that's just how it works'. Mexico's IT Destination Finishes Award Season on Top at Prestigious Travel Industry Awards (TRAVPR.COM) NY - February 13th, 2020 - The State of Yucatan started 2019 as one of the top Cities in Mexico as per Travel + Leisure and continued to be celebrated by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler as the top Best Small City in the World. Today, the destination finishes a year of awards and accolades as Mexicos top winner at the prestigious Travvy Awards. The State of Yucatans Ministry of Tourism, which is headed by Minister of Tourism Michelle Fridman Hirsch, was the winner of Best Tourism Board Mexico and Best Wedding Destination Mexico. The Travvy Awards, known as the Academy Awards of the travel industry, recognize the highest standards of excellence in the travel industry and honor travel companies, travel products, travel agencies, and destinations for their outstanding achievements. Travel suppliers, destinations, and individuals from all over the world are eligible to vote for the nominees. Last year, nearly 40,000 travel professionals voted on their favorites which determined the 2020 Travvy Awards winners. Mexico was awarded in several of the most competitive international award categories where the entire global industry and its tourism destinations are considered. The State of Yucatan Ministry of Tourism is enjoying its run as one of Mexicos top destinations. According to the Mexicos Minsitry of Touurism DATATUR, the state had its most successful year to date in 2019, welcoming 3.2 million-plus visitors, including 2.8 million air passengers (up 13.8%) and 400,000-plus cruise passengers at the Port of Progreso. The State of Yucatan registered an increase of 15% in overnight visitor arrivals, exceeding the 2 million benchmark for the first time. The boom places Yucatan among the top three destinations for growth nationwide, generating hotels and resorts economic activity of more than $8,264,900 pesos (approx. US$438,570.). Living up to the hype of Mexicos It destination. For more information on the State of Yucatan, please visit: http://www.yucatan.travel/ For more news, please visit www.enroutecommunications.com ### Out of all places to stick your head into, a particle accelerator would rank among the worst. Yet, on that fateful day of 13 July 1978, thirty-six-years-old Russian scientist Anatoli Bugorski just had to. The particle accelerator he was working with at the Institute for High Energy Physics in Protvino, near Serpukhov, Russia, developed a problem. To see whats wrong, Bugorski put his head inside the channel through which an intensely powerful beam of proton shoots through. Unknown to Bugorski, the accelerator was still running, and the warning lights that would have alerted Bugorski of the hazard had been switched off during a previous experiment, and had not been turned back on. As soon as his head crossed the invisible beam of proton, his brain was zapped. Bugorski felt no pain, but he reportedly saw a flash brighter than a thousand suns. A section of the U-70 proton synchrotron at the Institute for High Energy Physics in Protvino. Photo: Sergey Velichkin/TASS Bugorsky knew that he had struck the proton beam, but he did not tell anyone. Instead, he calmly completed his work, wrote down in a journal about his visit to the accelerator channel, and then waited for the symptoms to arrive with alarming foreboding. That night, the left side of his face began to swell and after an uncomfortable, sleepless night, Bugorsky decided to present himself to the doctors. Bugorsky was rushed to Moscow and admitted to a special clinic that treated victims of radiation poisoning. Sources seem to disagree on exactly how much ionizing radiation Bugorski absorbed, but some say it was as high as 200,000 to 300,000 rads. No other human being had ever experienced such a focused beam of radiation at such high energy. Usually a dose of 400 to 1,000 rads is enough to kill a person. But Bugorski survived, because it was a focused beam. Unlike Chernobyl or Hiroshima where victims were bathed with high energy gamma rays from head to toe, Bugorski took the hit to a small area with minimal scattering. The beam had entered through the back of his head and exited through his nose. It burned a hole though his brain, destroying tissues and nerves and leaving one side of his face paralyzed, but his vital organs, such as bone marrow and the gastrointestinal track, were spared. Although the scaring on the back of his head and on his face healed with time, the left side of his face was left paralyzed, and he lost hearing on his left ear. Bugorski also began to have frequent episodes of seizures. But his intelligence remained as sharp as ever. Anatoli Bugorskis swollen face after the accident. The figure on the right shows the path of the proton beam through his skull. Bugorsky returned to work 18 months later, but promised to appear regularly in the Moscow clinic at least twice a year. Bugorski continued pursuing science, completed his PhD and held the post of coordinator of physics experiments at the U-70 proton synchrotron where the incident occurred. Because of the Soviet Union's policy of maintaining secrecy on nuclear power-related issues, Bugorski did not speak about the accident for over a decade. It was only after the Chernobyl disaster, his story came to light. Anatoli Bugorski not only survived, he outlived the proton accelerator that maimed him. The breakup of the Soviet Union and the economic changes in the country dried up government funding, and the project was halted and eventually abandoned. Bugorski still lives in Protvino. He is a few months short of 78, at the time of this writing. He struggles to pay for his epilepsy medication, since the city cut budget to the institute and his former workplace. In 1996, he applied for disabled status but his application was rejected. Anatoli Bugorski. Photo: Andrey Solomonov/Global Look Press References: # eco-pravda.ru, https://web.archive.org/web/20120425115650/http://www.eco-pravda.ru/page.php?al=bugorsky_casus # Wired, https://www.wired.com/1997/12/science-2/ # Quartz, https://qz.com/964065/this-is-what-happened-to-the-scientist-who-stuck-his-head-inside-a-particle-accelerator/ Attorney General Jeff Landry and his accountant brother, Benjamin Landry, partnered with a since-convicted visa fraudster, Marco Pesquera, in a plan that involved three Landry-tied companies applying for hundreds of temporary worker visas for Mexican welders and pipefitters. Their plan to supply foreign labor for huge industrial projects in Louisiana and Texas appears to have been hatched in May 2017; the three companies, two of them owned by the attorney general, began applying the following month. The five documents below show how the companies owned by the Landry brothers obtained hundreds of H-2B visas, in part by submitting dubious documents to shield their relationships and claim a temporary need for foreign labor. Document No. 1 An email that Benjamin Landry sent to Pesquera in June 2017 shows how they coordinated the plan to include three separate companies seeking foreign workers for three project sites. Can't see document below? Click here. Document No. 2 The plan was moving forward a few months later as Pesquera, in an email to Benjamin Landry, wrote that he had locked down work orders and was pressing to meet deadlines. Can't see document below? Click here. Document No. 3 Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up But the U.S. Department of Labor still had issues with all three of the applications. Evergreen Contractors, one of Jeff Landry's companies, received a second notice of deficiency that spelled out the agencys concerns, that included insufficient proof the company had the temporary need for foreign workers that it claimed. Can't see document below? Click here. Document No. 4 To add proof of its temporary need for the skilled ironworkers from Mexico, Evergreen submitted bid sheets from one Jeff Landry-owned company, Evergreen, to another Jeff Landry-owned company, Prime Support Services. Can't see document below? Click here. Document No. 5 Two of the three Landry-tied firms succeeded in gaining approval for more than 300 welders and pipefitters in all. Later, when the relationship soured amid accusations of late payments by Pesquera, Jeff Landry called a meeting for May 2, 2018 in Hackberry to push for Pesqueras removal as middleman, emails show. Can't see document below? Click here. A woman whose consultant husband died in a Dublin hospital has settled her High Court action against another consultant and two hospitals over his care and treatment. The settlement, made without admission of liability, is confidential. As part of the settlement, a statement of regret was also read in court on Friday to Meraid Hyland McGuire on the death of her husband Patrick on behalf of the defendants in the case. . Among various claims, Mrs Hyland-McGuire alleged failure to act appropriately in response to an electrocardiogram (ECG) carried out on her 58-year-old husband at St Vincent's Private Hospital, Dublin, indicating he had had a heart attack. Had there been an appropriate response, he would probably have survived, she claimed. Ms Hyland-McGuire, Stonebridge Road, Rathmicahel, Co Dublin, brought proceedings against Professor Des Winter, a general/laparoscopic and gastrointestinal surgeon attached to St Vincent's Private Hospital (SVPH), Merrion Road, Dublin 4 and St Vincent's University Hospital (SVUH), and also against both of those hospitals, arising from her husbands death on July 29, 2016. The case also included a claim for nervous shock. In separate defences, the defendants denied his death was caused or contributed to by any wrongdoing, negligence, breach of duty or breach of agreement on their part. The case opened on Tuesday but, on its fourth day on Friday, Mr Justice Kevin Cross was told by Denis McCullough SC, with Declan Doyle SC, instructed by Gillian OConnor of Michael Boylan Litigation, for the plaintiff, it had settled without admission of liability on agreed terms including for statement of regret to be read by Adrienne Egan SC on behalf of the defendants. It said: On behalf of all the defendants we express our since regret to Mrs Hyland-McGuire on the death of her husband Mr Patrick Hyland-McGuire on the 29th July 2016. We acknowledge the continuing distress and sadness caused to Mrs Hyland-McGuire by the loss of her husband. We again offer our since condolences to Mrs Hyland-McGuire. Making the orders sought, Mr Justice Cross said it was a very sad case and it was clear Mrs Hyland-McGuire had suffered a lot. He hoped and believed the settlement would provide financial security for her, praised the lawyers for achieving a settlement and expressed his sympathies to Mrs Hyland-McGuire to her and other relatives of the deceased. The action had involved a claim for more than 2.8m arising from loss of earnings and opportunity of Dr Hyland-McGuire, on whom his wife was entirely financially dependent. The couple were married for some 30 years and Dr Hyland-McGuire was, at the time of his death, was earning some 500,000 a year as a consultant in emergency medicine at locations, including the Beacon Clinic, which has since named its A&E department after him. The couple, who have no children, were very close and Ms Hyland-McGuire was devastated by her husbands death, Mr McCullough told the court when opening the case. The judge was told Dr Hyland McGuire had admitted himself to SVPH about 10.30pm on the night of July 28th 2016. Earlier that day, he had phone contact with Prof Winter in which he described various symptoms and diagnosed himself as having diverticulitis [a digestive tract disease]. At SVPH about 5am, Dr Hyland-McGuire experienced a dizzy spell as a result of which an ECG was carried out at 5.23am, the court was told. Mr McCullough said the ECG unequivocally showed evidence of an acute inferior miocardial infarction or heart attack. Their case was the defendants failed to take any or any appropriate action arising from the results of that and other ECGs. Dr Hyland-McGuire was transferred to SVUH just after 8am, developed cardiogenic shock about 8.40am and lost consciousness. Despite further attempts at resuscitation and coronary medical interventions, he was pronounced dead at 10.59am on July 29, 2016. No media source currently available The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police today tossed a teargas canister inside a Masvingo Court where opposition Movement for Democratic Change vice chairperson, Job Sikhala, was acquitted on charges of subverting President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government. (Video: Gandri Maramba) Swedish luxury house Byredo opened the doors to a brand new storefront in Los Angeles on Thursday evening. And Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, as well as actress Kate Bosworth, showed off their excitement for the brand's wide variety of high quality fragrances, leather goods, and home decor by attending their exclusive grand opening. Huntington-Whiteley and Bosworth were escorted to the luxury soiree by their husbands Jason Statham and Michael Polish. Grand opening: Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and actress Kate Bosworth were in attendance at the Byredo store opening in Los Angeles on Thursday evening Fashion forward: Huntington-Whiteley and Bosworth opted for opposing monochromatic looks for the luxury soiree Rosie and Kate stepped out for the evening in dueling monochromatic ensembles complete with leather goods from Byredo. The 32-year-old model towered over Bosworth in a sultry brown pantsuit. The suit featured tapered legs and angular shoulders providing a modern, but elegant silhouette. The look was amplified with leather tie-wraps located around Rosie's waist and ankles. All smiles: The lovely ladies couldn't help but share a few laughs at the Swedish store's soiree Date night: Rosie was joined by partner Jason Statham (left), while Kate was joined her husband Michael Polish (right) Sweet: Kate's look veered on the sweet side as she slipped into a structured babydoll dress Her signature blonde tresses were styled in an effortless side part, while her makeup veered on the bolder side with a striking red lip. Bosworth donned a white structured babydoll dress complete with button up collar and ruched three-quarter sleeves. The hem of the dress was complete with a trim consisting of uniform circiular cutouts, giving the entire ensemble a mod feel. Casual: Both Statham and Polish kept their looks casual in charcoal toned jackets and trousers Lots of love: Bosworth posed for a few snapshots with Polish who she has been married to since 2013 Accessorize: On Bosworth's feet were a pair of black chain link flats that coordinated with the black letting on her Byredo handbag The 37-year-old actress let her hair rock its natural waves, while a few strands were pulled to form a braided headband. She rounded out her look with a pair of bedazzled black flats and a white Byredo handbag. The dazzling duo modeled for a slew of photographs with one another before letting their men join in on the fun. Cool step-mom: Bosworth is step-mom to Polish's 21-year-old daughter Jasper The man: Kate beamed as she posed with Byredo founder Ben Gorham at the store's grand opening Eyes for you: The couple couldn't keep their eyes - or their hands - off one another as the Byredo event progressed Handsy: Bosworth played on the store's advertising in one picture Bosworth got exceptionally cozy with her man Michael Polish as shutterbugs caught the pair holding hands and engaging in some giggle worthy conversation. Kate gave fans a look at her stunningly natural makeup look for the event on her Instagram page. She tagged her makeup artist Pati Dubroff, as well as her longtime hairstylist Carly Walters who crafted Bosworth's gorgeous braid. Multiply: The Blue Crush actress showed off her evening look in front of a slew of mirrors Pics or it didn't happen: On her official Instagram, Bosworth gave an up close and personal look at her glam Braided beauty: Bosworth's longtime hairstylist Carly Walters crafted a braid on the blonde beauty that emulated a headband The Blue Crush actress made sure to get a picture of herself alongside the brains behind Byredo, Ben Gorham, before the night was out. Gorham established the Swedish brand in 2006 with the goal of creating 'a new approach to modern luxury.' 'Byredo creates and develops a range of products such as fragrance, home, leather goods and accessories, and is sold in more than 40 countries in a very high-end exclusive network worldwide,' writes the brand's website. Bye for now: Kate looked particularly small in one shot of herself positioned outside of Violet Grey Darling in denim: Rich Kids of Beverly Hills star Morgan Stewart attended the store's grand opening in a pair of high waist skinny jeans paired with a camel toned jacket Making Herstory: Thanks To This Bill, We Might Have A Women's History Museum This week has been a big one for women in the United States: not only did the House vote to remove the 1982 deadline for state ratification on the Equal Rights Amendment on Thursday, but on Tuesday, the House passed legislation to bring a Womens History Museum to D.C. A bipartisan 374-37 vote was cast concerning the legislation of a national museum devoted to women's history, marking the the first steps made in passing the legislation since House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney began advocating for a womens history museum in 1998. "Unfortunately, women have been left out of the telling of our nation's history," Maloney said on the House floor, before members of the House had cast their votes. The Womens History Museum will be part of the Smithsonian Institution, located in the National Mall or near the Senate side of the Capitol. Maloney shared that, for her, this journey began over 20 years ago. On the House floor, Maloney recalled walking the National Mall and seeing all the museums dedicated to institutions like air, space, and spies or law enforcement, textiles, and the arts, and even the postal service. There appeared to be a museum for almost every aspect of American history, Maloney found, except one: American Womens history. "I found myself asking, 'Where are the women?'" Maloney said. Thats what prompted Maloney to introduce a privately funded commission to study the idea of creating legislation for a womens history museum in 1998. The bill became a law in 2014, nearly a decade and a half later. Supporting the proposal for a womens museum, the commission provided a report with funding and construction recommendations in 2016. One important recommendation that the commission made was that the museums construction be privately financed, but its upkeep and operation costs be handed over to the Federal Government after its doors open to the public. In 2017, a year later, Maloney introduced a bill related to the creation of a womens history museum at the last session of Congress only to have the Congress close before it got a vote. Though the legislation got an overwhelming positive response from both Democrats and Republicans, 36 Republicans did vote against it, including one woman Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, a conference chairwoman in House GOP leadership. When Cheneys team was contacted for a comment, a Cheney spokesperson said, "Congresswoman Cheney represents Wyoming, where generations of women have demonstrated grit, determination, courage and leadership in building our great state. She believes womens accomplishments deserve to be honored in an equal manner, alongside those of men, as part of our great national story," The Hill reported. ADVERTISEMENT But, as Maloney pointed out on the House floor, women's accomplishments currently aren't honored like those of men. She cited the lack of national landmarks and gender bias in textbooks. The legislation didn't pass without some adjustments, though. A section authored by North Carolina Rep. Mark Walker said the museum would ensure diversity of political viewpoints in exhibits and programs. Walker wrote that the womens history museum should "reflect the diversity of the political viewpoints held by women of the United States on the events and issues related to the history of women in the United States." He neglected to vote for or against the museum. But the House wasnt done talking about women on Tuesday. On Thursday, the House cast a 232-183 vote concerning the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and whether to remove the 1982 deadline for state ratification. The votes for the state ratification deadline to be removed won! Proposed in 1923, nearly a hundred years ago, the ERA has long been a subject of debate. Some states that have ratified the amendment in the past while others have come forward in recent years, rescinding their votes or showing support for the first time. Though the future of the ERA is uncertain, that won't (and shouldn't) keep women from celebrating. History is happening right now and maybe someday, future generations will learn about it at the Smithsonian. Top photo via Wikimedia Commons / AFGE More From BUST Brianna Wu Was Targeted By Trolls During Gamergate - Now She's Running For Congress Nancy Pelosi Tops Her Iconic Clap With The Paper Rip Heard Around The Country Virginia Just Became The First Southern State To Pass The LGBTQ+ Protection Bill Hyderabad: Are you still fixated upon the issue of granting of special category status to Andhra Pradesh? Prime Minister Narendra Modi apparently quipped to Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy during their one-on-one discussions, when Mr Reddy raised the issue. As reported in these columns, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mr Reddy had an exclusive personal discussion for about an hour on Wednesday in New Delhi at the PMs residence. According to reliable sources in the AP CMO, Mr Reddy had explained to Modi that there would be no additional financial burden on the centre if it grants the special category status to AP. Mr Reddy pleaded that there would not be much difference in financial terms between the special package announced by the centre and what the state would get through the SCS. Mr Reddy apparently had told the PM, If the centre grants special category status to AP, it will be give a boost to me (politically) besides giving a boost to industrialisation of the state, adding that the SCS has become a sentimental issue for AP people. As per sources close to Chief Minister Reddy, Mr Modi reportedly replied that if the centre grants SCS to AP, it would lead to more of such demands from other states. YSRC sources said that Modi had neither said yes nor no to the request to grant SCS to AP. However, they claimed that there was a change in PM Modis stance on this issue compared to previous discussions. Mr Reddy, as per sources, explained to Modi the issue of creating three capitals, and claimed confidence that he would develop Visakhapatnam on par with Hyderabad and Bengaluru within 10 years. He said that the centre had sanctioned Rs 25,000 crore for the construction of the AP capital but had released only `15,000 crore, and requested for the release of remaining funds. Mr Reddy explained the difficulties he was facing politically with the AP legislative council, where the opposition Telugu Desam was in a majority, and requested the PM to initiate action to enable the abolition of the council. YSRC sources said Mr Modi had responded positively, and hoped that in second part of the budget session of Parliament, the centre may introduce the AP assembly resolution on abolition of council. Global defence spending saw its biggest jump in a decade in 2019, driven by the US and China, a study said Friday, as rivalries and conflicts stoke military investment. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said the four percent rise, compared to a year earlier, was fuelled by competition between major powers, new military technologies and rumbling warfare from Ukraine to Libya. Beijing's military modernisation programme -- which includes developing new hard-to-detect hypersonic missiles -- is alarming Washington and helping drive US defence spending, the IISS said. Its annual "Military Balance" report said the increase alone in US spending from 2018 to 2019 -- $53.4 billion -- was almost as big as Britain's entire defence budget. "Spending rose as economies recovered from the effects of the financial crisis, but increases have also been driven by sharpening threat perceptions," IISS chief John Chipman said, launching the report at the Munich Security Conference. Both the US and China increased spending by 6.6 percent, the report said, to $684.6 billion and $181.1 billion respectively. Europe -- driven by ongoing concerns about Russia -- stepped up by 4.2 percent, but this only brought the continent's defence spending back to 2008 levels, before the global financial crisis saw budgets slashed. European NATO members have been seeking to increase spending to placate President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly accused them of freeloading on the US. - 'Destructive momentum' - Trump has railed at European allies, particularly Germany, for not living up to a 2014 NATO pledge to spend two percent of GDP on defence. The mercurial president's anger over spending has fuelled concern about his commitment to the transatlantic alliance, culminating in an explosive 2018 summit where he launched a blistering public attack on Germany in a televised meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel. Giving the opening address at the annual security gathering, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that Trump's "America First" strategy had shaken up the international order and fuelled insecurity. "We are witnessing today an increasingly destructive momentum in global politics," Steinmeier said. "Every year we are getting further and further away from our goal of creating a more peaceful world through international cooperation." Key elements of the international order that developed after the Second World War have come under increasing challenge. The collapse last year of the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty and the doubts surrounding the renewal of the New START arms reduction treaty, which expires in 2021, have contributed to the mood of instability, the IISS report said. Speaking in Munich, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned of a "disturbing erosion" of arms control limits that had "kept the world safe for decades". "Irresponsible governments are accelerating their pursuit of nuclear power and missile capability. The world can ill afford an arms race," she said. - New technology - China's programme of military modernisation -- described by the IISS as "striking for its scale, speed and ambition" -- has also unsettled Washington as well as its allies in the Pacific. In October, Beijing showed off new technologies including its DF-17 hypersonic glide vehicle -- designed to deliver warheads at huge speeds so as to avoid interception. Russia, pursuing its own modernisation project, has already announced the entry into service of its own hypersonic missile system. Dubbed Avangard, the system has been tested at speeds of Mach 27, or roughly 33,000 kilometres (20,500 miles) per hour, according to Moscow. Hypersonic missiles are worrying Western officials, because they are so fast and so manoeuvrable that they make existing defence systems useless and give almost no warning of attack. A senior NATO official warned that in a hypersonic missile strike, it may not even be clear what the target is "until there's a boom on the ground". Elsewhere, spending in Asia has grown more than 50 percent in a decade, rising from $275 billion in 2010 to $423bn in 2019 in real terms as the continent's economic success has allowed countries to invest more in their militaries. China increased defence spending by 6.6 percent 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. Shall we begin merely by attempting to process the news that Britains brand new government began life on Friday morning with a fun game of call-and-response blatant lies around the cabinet table? It did. That really happened. How many new hospitals are we going to build? Boris Johnson asked them. Forty, they all shouted back, so we are told How many more police officers? 20,000 How many more nurses? 50,000 Its not that you already know that all these claims are lies, though we will go through the motions now in any case. (20 new hospitals are upgrades of 6 that already exist; the 50,000 new nurses include 20,000 already doing the job; and the 20,000 more police officers will not replace the 21,000 that the Conservatives have cut since 2010). Its that the people chanting them like cyborgs back at their Liar King know that they are lies as well. If this were merely some dystopian horror film, one imagines this horrific scene would be a plot point of some significance. Our hero, though at this stage, God knows who it is, might realise theyre in too deep. That this really isnt what they signed up for. So it is especially tragic to have to remember that it is real life. Your life. My life. For two months, being venal enough to trash your country in service of your own personal ambition is the price of entry for a Conservative MP. Thats why, to name but one, Matt Hancock gladly carries on, in service of a Brexit he knows is horrific. Thats why Liz Truss gladly ploughs on as secretary of state for international trade, despite proclaiming in June 2016, when she was a Remainer (she still is a Remainer) that leaving the EU will not lead to better trade terms with any country, anywhere in the world. She was right then; shes wrong now. But shes still in a job. and thats the main thing. 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 Getting all the way to cabinet though, we now know, has even higher requirements. Theyre the guys and girls (though mainly guys) wholl say and do absolutely anything. And how better to test their mettle than to bring them into one of the most hallowed rooms in government and make them desecrate it by barking out what they know to be total b*****ks? It does seem a bit cruel. In the army, they just shave your head. We must assume Dominic Cummings felt that to be insufficient, for obvious tonsorial reasons. At this point, we turn our attention to one such new recruit, Suella Braverman, the brand new attorney general. It is, in some ways, a thing of wonder that you can replace the attorney general whose legal advice led to you having to apologise to the Queen for illegally shutting down parliament, and the newbie is universally considered to be a downgrade of exponential proportion. (The last guy, of course, was Geoffrey Cox, who, barely more than a year ago, was quoting Milton at Tory Party conference, calling Brexit a Nation rousing herself like a strong man after sleep, and shaking her invincible locks. How unfortunate the first thing the strong man has done is squish little Geoffrey like a fly.) Brexit briefing: How long until the end of the transition period? Whenever the name Suella Braverman is mentioned in Westminster circles, it is usually amid a discussion of who is the stupidest MP in parliament. This seems a little harsh. Though it cannot be believed, it also cannot be denied that, from a very ordinary background, Ms Braverman graduated from Cambridge with a law degree and has spent many years holding down a job as an actual barrister. There is a tendency, among the public, to imagine that MPs are not all that bright, because they tend to encounter them through the medium of hostile television interviews, and hostile television interviews are very hard. It is, for example, unfortunate that Suella Braverman has an almost unsurpassed capacity to have what is known as her arse handed to her, every time she appears on television; particularly, though by no means limited to, a short chat with Channel 4s Krishnan Guru-Murthy, in which she boldly refused to reveal which Conservative MPs are members of the European Research Group, even though it is publicly funded. As I say, hostile interviews are hard, and success in them tends to be a measure of how much you have paid for your education, as opposed to intelligence. We have no reason to expect, for example, that a practising barrister of 10 years' experience should be any good at arguing her case. We should also, of course, forgive her for accidentally mentioning in a speech in Westminster last year, that she, and other right-wing people, are engaged in a war against cultural Marxism. Anyone can say something stupid. Anyone can say cultural Marxism, without knowing that it is a virulently antisemitic term found almost 1,000 times in the manifesto of white supremacist mass-murderer Anders Breivik. Anyone can make a mistake. Anyone can say something they dont understand. The countrys most senior lawyer, it turns out, can be human, too. Recommended Johnson appoints attorney general after she attacked judges Still, it would not be strictly accurate to say she is only in the job because shell do as shes told. After the government was quite rightly and quite correctly humiliated by the Supreme Court in October, murmurings of revenge have grown ever louder. When the December election purged the Conservative Party of absolutely everyone with any common sense (or at least those who arent happy to pretend they dont have any hello again, Matt Hancock), lawyers perished more than most. David Gauke, Ken Clarke, Dominic Grieve: these are people who dont want to smash up the independent judiciary, because they know such a course of action would be incredibly unwise. There is a word for taking back control from the judiciary and giving it to the people which is to say, giving it to politicians. One doesn't use it lightly, but it begins with F. Ms Braverman appears to have no such concerns. When the government loses a court case, it is because the judiciary has politicised itself. As she made clear in an article two weeks ago, Brexit was also, apparently, about taking back control from the judges. The ones, no doubt, who were denounced as enemies of the people on the front of The Daily Mail. A lawyer wholl smash up the courts for political gain is hard to find; one well-qualified enough to be this stupid is even harder. In this government of call-and-response bulls**t, Ms Braverman will go very far indeed. LOS ANGELES (JTA)-Kirk Douglas, the legendary actor who portrayed legions of tough guys and embraced his Jewish heritage later in life, died at his home in Beverly Hills on Wednesday. He was 103. Over a career that spanned 87 films-including 73 big screen features and 14 on television-the blond, blue-eyed Douglas, dimpled chin thrust forward, was often cast as the toughest guy around, vanquishing hordes of Romans, Vikings and assorted bad guys. Thrice nominated for an Academy Award and a recipient of an Oscar for lifetime achievement and a Presidential Medal of Freedom, Douglas evolved from an egocentric and promiscuous young man into a multi-talented actor, director, author, philanthropist and student of Torah who left a deep imprint on both Hollywood and the Jewish people. Douglas also was the author of 11 books, ranging from personal memoirs and a Holocaust-themed novel for young readers to a collection of poetry dedicated to his wife. "Most stars of his stature are shaped out of mythic clay," the director Steven Spielberg said in presenting Douglas with the lifetime achievement Oscar in 1996. "Kirk Douglas never chose that. He doesn't have a single character that makes him unique. Instead he has a singular honesty, a drive to be inimitable." Douglas was born Issur Danielovitch in 1916 in the upstate New York town of Amsterdam, the son of an illiterate Russian-Jewish immigrant who supported his six daughters and one son as a rag picker and junk man. A chance to escape came shortly after his bar mitzvah, when the Sons of Israel Synagogue offered to underwrite his rabbinical studies. Douglas firmly declined, declaring that he would become an actor. He held fast to that ambition while attending Saint Lawrence University on a wrestling scholarship and during World War II service in the U.S. Navy. His first movie role came in 1946, when he played Barbara Stanwyck's husband in "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers." Douglas received favorable reviews, but his career wouldn't really take off until three years (and six films) later, when he portrayed Midge Kelly, a ferocious and amoral boxer in "Champion." The performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for best actor. During the 1950s and '60s, Douglas ranked consistently as one of Hollywood's top male stars for his single-minded focus on his craft, while also squeezing in Broadway and television appearances. He was also known for egocentricity in a town with no shortage of oversize egos and for bedding an endless string of women, from movie queens to casual pickups. In the 1950s, he starred in 23 movies. He earned best actor Oscar nominations for "The Bad and the Beautiful" and "Lust for Life." And in 1953, he starred as a Holocaust survivor in "The Juggler," the first Hollywood feature to be filmed in Israel. He opened the decade of the 1960s with "Spartacus," perhaps his most enduring movie, in which he played the leader of a slave rebellion in ancient Rome. The film won four Oscars, though none for Douglas. But Douglas did distinguish himself for insisting that writer Dalton Trumbo, who had been blacklisted as a communist for a decade but continued to write under a pseudonym, be credited onscreen despite dire warnings that such a provocation would end his own Hollywood career. Douglas was honored for that stance in 2011 by the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. With increasing fame and fortune, Douglas showed little interest in Jewish practice, though there were exceptions. "I always fasted on Yom Kippur," he told a reporter. "I still worked on the movie set, but I fasted. And let me tell you, it's not easy making love to Lana Turner on an empty stomach." In his later years, Douglas would come to embrace his Jewishness, a shift he dates to a near-fatal collision in 1991 between his helicopter and a stunt plane in which two younger men died. The crash compressed his spine by three inches. While lying in a hospital bed with excruciating back pain, he started pondering the meaning of his life. "I came to believe that I was spared because I had never come to grips with what it means to be Jewish," he said. Douglas embarked on an intensive regime of Torah study with a number of young rabbis and celebrated a second bar mitzvah at age 83, telling the Hollywood luminaries crammed into the 200-seat chapel at Sinai Temple for the occasion: "Today, I am a man." Neither of his two wives-the late actress Diana Dill and Anne Buydens, whom he married in 1954-were Jewish, and none of his children were raised in the faith. But his oldest son, the actor-director Michael Douglas, has reconnected with Judaism and won the 2015 Genesis Prize, a $1 million award recognizing Jews of great accomplishment who exhibit Jewish values. In 2014, at Douglas' 60th wedding anniversary, Buydens startled the guests by announcing that she had converted to Judaism. "Kirk has been married to two shiksas and it's about time he married a nice Jewish girl," she proclaimed. In 1996, Douglas suffered a stroke that left him speechless. He fell into a deep depression that nearly led him to take his own life. A few months later, he made his first public appearance to accept the lifetime achievement award. "Whether he's dealing with a character on screen or with the all-too-real effect of a recent stroke, courage remains Kirk Douglas' personal and professional hallmark," Spielberg said in presenting the award. Through rigorous speech therapy, Douglas taught himself to speak again-slowly, with a slight slur. He later published a book about the experience titled "My Stroke of Luck." Among his other books are "Let's Face It," which proclaimed that romance begins at 80; "I Am Spartacus!," focusing on making the film and breaking the blacklist; and "Climbing the Mountain," which traced his search for spirituality and Jewish identity. In 2014, at 98, he published his first book of poetry, "Life Could Be Verse," in which he expressed his enduring love for his wife as well as his heartbreak at the death of his youngest son, Eric, who died of a self-induced drug overdose. Along with his wife, Douglas has given over $100 million to charitable causes in the United States and Israel. The couple have established nearly 400 playgrounds in poorer sections of Los Angeles and Jerusalem, an Alzheimer's hospital unit, and a theater facing the Western Wall featuring films on the history of Judaism and Jerusalem. In 1981, Douglas received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian award, from President Jimmy Carter. Along with his wife and son Michael, Douglas is survived by sons Peter and Joel Douglas, seven grandchildren-Cameron, Dylan, Carys Zeta, Kelsey, Jason, Tyler and Ryan-and a sister, Ida Sahr of Schenectady, New York. Faberge owner and gemstone miner Gemfields returned to the London Stock Exchange's junior market yesterday. Its shares surged by 11 per cent on the first day of trading, valuing Gemfields at 148million. It listed at 10.5p and rose to 11.7p last night. Shining light: Gemfields has counted celebrities such as Hollywood actress Mila Kunis (pictured) among its celebrity ambassadors The ruby and emerald specialist, which has counted celebrities such as Hollywood actress Mila Kunis among its celebrity ambassadors, quit AIM in 2017 after a 212m takeover by its biggest shareholder, South African private equity group Pallinghurst. Since then, prices for the gems in which it specialises have risen to record highs, while the diamond market has stalled. Gemfields runs the Montepuez mine in Mozambique, which accounts for half the world's ruby supply, and the Kagem emerald mine in Zambia, which supplies more than a fifth of global supply. Chief executive Sean Gilbertson said that returning to AIM would give it much better access to new cash and investors. Delta, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2020) - Airtest Technologies (TSXV: AAT) has just returned from a very successful 3-day trade show at the AHR Exposition which was based in Orlando, Florida last week. Airtest has exhibited for many years at this trade show which is by far the largest event related to the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration (HVAC) industry, with some 65,000 attendees. Airtest displayed the following key products; Parking garage ventilation control system including our new and improved controller. Energy savings and demand reduction typically are up to 95%. Our traditional sensor/transmitters for CO2, temperature, humidity and combustible gases. The recently developed ambient light powered, wireless sensors for CO2, temperature and humidity using the EnOcean wireless protocol. This transmitter is easily integrated into existing building control systems to save energy and better control comfort. Our wireless dew point sensors to prevent condensation in retail store applications to make fresh air economizers more effective. Our ability to significantly reduce energy use of rooftop air handlers using a quickly installed wireless CO2 Demand Controlled Ventilation Kit. We also were able to display two new products that received tremendous interest. The first new product is a unique wireless absolute differential pressure controller that is accurate to 2 Pa (+0.008 in WC) that can be used to control make up air in kitchens and accurately control building pressurization. We also presented a product we have been working on for 3 years which is the world's first wireless chiller monitoring system that reports on the real time thermodynamic efficiency of chillers and their components. This system can be installed and reporting chiller performance in less than and hour. According to President George Graham, "This trade show has set a new record for us in terms of new customers and potential buyers as compared to previous trade shows. There is a lot of follow up work to be done by our sales team, but the opportunity at this time is exceptional." With the increased demand for Airtest products, it will be necessary to add some additional sales coverage and increase our tech support capability, which will be carried out by management over the next few months. About ATI: AirTest Technologies is a Green-Tech company specializing in sensors that improve commercial building operating efficiency and at the same time create energy savings. These sensors are all based on technical innovations developed in the last ten years and comprise a growing second wave of energy saving technologies that are positioned to make a significant contribution to the Sustainable Buildings Program. AirTest offers its products to leading-edge building owners, contractors and energy service companies targeting the buildings market. AirTest also provides energy cost reduction solutions to building equipment and controls manufacturers who incorporate AirTest sensor components in their products. # # # For further information, please contact: Mr. George Graham, President & CEO Phone: (604) 517 3888 Fax: (604) 517 3900 Email: ggraham@airtest.com Website: www.airtest.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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52442 Sajid Javid leaves his London home on Friday morning (PA) Sajid Javid quit Boris Johnsons government because he didnt want to rock the boat by insisting he kept his special advisers, a former aide has suggested. Javid resigned as chancellor on Thursday after being told by the Prime Minister that he must fire his team of advisers and replace them with Number 10-approved staff. Salma Shah, a former adviser to Javid, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Friday: I think the thing you have to remember about him as a person is he is non-confrontational. He is not someone who is going to rock the boat for the sake of his own ego. Happy Valentines Day, Javid tells Johnson She said it would have been incredibly detrimental for a chancellor to allow Number 10 to choose his closest aides. I think Sajid rightly understood that not having his own political advisers would be incredibly detrimental to his decision-making power. Read more: The unelected official with enormous power in Downing Street You cannot have a minister that does not appoint their own special advisers because they cannot appoint anyone else. They are the only people in a Government department that are the ministers responsibility and chosen by them. Read more: New UK chancellor Rishi Sunak is hedge fund veteran On Friday morning, Javid was asked by reporters if he had a message for the PM. Happy Valentines Day, he said as he left his home in south-west London. Happier times: Javid and Johnson pictured in December last year during the election campaign (Ben Stansall/pool via AP) He later posted a video of himself returning to life as a backbench MP. The Bromsgrove MP wrote on Twitter: My 4th annual #Bromsgrove Pensioners Fair is now open! Please do come along. My 4th annual #Bromsgrove Pensioners Fair is now open! Please do come along pic.twitter.com/Z0LtL4u1bm Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) February 14, 2020 Javids former cabinet colleagues declined to answer questions as they entered Downing Street for the first meeting under Johnsons reshuffled administration. New chancellor Rishi Sunak, health secretary Matt Hancock and Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg were among those who ignored questions about Javids resignation. Brexit briefing: 321 days until the end of the transition period The United States has reached a week-long truce agreement with the Taliban that could lead to U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, according to a senior administration official on Friday. The 7-day reduction of violence agreement would take effect 'very soon', the official said and it would cover the entire country of Afghanistan, including Afghan forces. The U.S. military would also monitor violence levels to verify whether or not the Taliban was honoring its commitments. And if the week-long truce is successful, then talks would move into the next phase of negotiations, involving all parties. The announcement comes after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani during the Munich Security Forum in Germany on Friday. And after prolonged negotiations in the Qatari capital Doha between the U.S. and the Taliban. There are about 13,000 U.S. troops as well as thousands of other NATO personnel in Afghanistan, nearly two decades after the U.S.-led coalition invaded Afghanistan following the Sept 11th al Qaeda attacks. The United States is aiming to cut that number down to about 9,000 troops. Reshuffle 3) Chris White: It isnt just Ministers who get fired. A third of SpAds are set to lose their jobs. Chris White is Managing Director of Newington Communications. He was Special Adviser to Patrick McLoughlin, when the latter served as Chief Whip, as well as to Andrew Lansley and William Hague when each served as Leader of the House. This reshuffle was the first opportunity for the Prime Minister to shape the Ministerial team that he wants in Government. These new ministers, from the Cabinet down will be crucial in delivering the levelling-up agenda from pushing legislation through Parliament, to communicating the Governments plan on the airwaves. Evolution It has been interesting to watch the reshuffle evolve during the weeks after the election. Initially, it was about machinery of government changes there was to be a new super-department where Business would be folded in with Trade, with Energy and Climate Change splitting off, and International Development combined with the Foreign Office. Of these, only a mild version of the last has materialised, with four DfID Ministers double-hatting with the FCO. Why the change? Its difficult to say, but the Prime Minister is most powerful when he uses his patronage. Cutting the number of Cabinet positions, and departments, loses seats at the table. Combining departments also distracts from delivery when Energ and Climate Change was folded into the Business Department back in 2016, it took several months for civil servants to stop working in separate buildings and work out the reporting structure, seriously affecting efficiency. Performanceand loyalty Despite attempts to stop leaks, this administration is just as prone to them as those which have come before it. There have been briefings from the centre, and counter-briefings from Ministers and advisers, each trying to set the agenda and highlight those who have been performing, or not. How you measure performance is an art form rather than a science. The Whips will assess the performance of MPs and Ministers in the Chamber, get feedback from constituencies and colleagues, and feed this into the centre. Those close to the Prime Minister will then assess this information, and place their own judgements on this. Whilst he ultimately makes the decision, the Chief Whip and a number of senior advisers all have their input. But it is not just ministerial performance, or perhaps competence, thats an issue. Take Julian Smith, who only weeks ago got the Northern Ireland Assembly restarted in what was a surprise to all, and who has received tributes from across the political spectrum in Belfast and in Dublin. Arguably, this performance should have saved him, but it was his perceived disloyalty that confirmed his demise. Smith purportedly threated to resign over Brexit in the autumn of last year, and this is a sin that has not been forgiven. Others have been loyal, but not necessarily particularly competent at their job, and its clearly been the view that its time to put some new faces around the table in an attempt to inject some dynamism into these first, crucial months of the new Government. The Conservatives have a once in a generation opportunity to solidify support in constituencies that only 15 years ago had Labour majorities well north of 10,000: this time cannot be wasted. Whos in control? One of the surprises of the day was the unplanned (or planned?) sacking of the Chancellor. Ordered to fire his six special advisors, Sajid Javid honourably refused, instead falling on his sword. Prime Ministers have long suffered challenging relationships with the occupants of No.11, with honourable exceptions such as David Cameron and George Osborne. Javid certainly had his run-ins with Dominic Cummings and others in Number 10, holding the traditionally tighter Treasury line on public spending, while Number Ten now wants to loosen the purse strings. Ultimately, though, this is about control, and Number 10 wants much greater control over the levers of Government. There will now be a joint special adviser unit between it and Number 11 overseeing economic policy arguably a good idea which should overcome the traditional tensions, especially when the new Chancellor and the Prime Minister trust each other. Other advisors have also found themselves in the firing line Peter Cardwell, the Justice Secretarys media SpAd has been sacked, even though Robert Buckland stayed. Last week, Cummings jokingly told the Friday SpAds meeting that he would see half of you next week. This week we see advisers being removed from post, a third of them losing their jobs, and Number Ten tightening its grip. Control can be seized, but can it be sustained? Government produces huge quantities of paperwork, Bills and advice. Number Ten simply cannot be everywhere at once, however much it tries. Too tight a grip removes initiative and the ability for departmental ministers to get on with the job, with everything having to go through the centre, which then becomes a log-jam. Such a setup is not sustainable in the long-run. Continuity Reshuffles happen to provide a sense of renewal, to bring in new talent and boot out the underperforming. Yet they have their downsides as well. There will be some bruised personalities on the backbenches who will need careful managing by the whips over the next few months, and I hear Mark Spencer is already on the job. One final point worth mentioning is regarding continuity. Sometimes, it works well George Eustice has been a DEFRA Minister for nearly seven years on and off, and is now promoted to Secretary of State. He knows his brief inside out, and will be effective from day one. Yet with the sacking of Esther McVey, there have now been ten Housing Ministers in ten years. Equally with Julian Smith going, there have now been four Northern Ireland Secretaries in five years. Weve yet to see what happens in the junior ranks, but there must be a greater balance between Ministers becoming effective through time served and understanding the brief, and the need to bring in new talent. Photo: Jeff Turner/Flickr Here's the most recent top news you may have missed in Sacramento. McClatchy family empire is ending. Legacy lasted from Gold Rush, to fortune, to bankruptcy. The McClatchy family dominated the Sacramento landscape for decades, publishing its leading newspaper while shaping the history and culture of the city. Read the full story on The Sacramento Bee. Vandal knocks over 3 'Wings of the City' statues in Sacramento Police arrested a man for felony vandalism after he allegedly knocked over three Wings of the City statues in downtown Sacramento on Wednesday. Read the full story on ABC10. Pedestrian found dead after apparent hit-and-run on Florin Road A search is on for the driver who hit and killed a person in south Sacramento early Thursday morning. Read the full story on CBS13 CBS Sacramento. Coyote sightings on the rise in midtown Sacramento Coyote sightings are becoming more common in midtown Sacramento. Read the full story on FOX40. Sacramento City College student says man parked near campus exposed himself to her A freshman at Sacramento City College was walking down the street when she says a man in a parked car exposed himself to her. Read the full story on FOX40. 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. What are parties promising business ahead of elections? Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Which party supports entrepreneurs, and which is proposing to implement plans which would worsen Slovakias business environment? Below we give a brief overview of the manifestos of parties with more than 5 percent support (the threshold to get into parliament) in the most recent poll of voting intention, carried out by the AKO polling agency in early February, and assessments of those manifestos by the Business Alliance of Slovakia (PAS) and Institute of Economic and Social Studies (INESS). Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement PAS assessed each party programme on the extent to which it met PASs Ten Commandments of Entrepreneurial Demands for Political Parties, which it published in November last year. The Ten Commandments were improved education; getting rid of corruption in the public sector; reducing taxes and levies; cutting red tape in the business sector; making it easier to do business; improve public finances; increase efficiency in the public sector; increase transparency in society; promoting competition; and supporting free movement of goods, services, capital and labour within the EU. PAS then gave a percentage score for each party with a higher percentage indicating a more positive evaluation on how it met its Ten Commandments based on its assessment of the quality of the measures proposed and the chances that they could be implemented. INESS focuses on five sectors in its analysis of each electoral manifesto: education, tax policy, agriculture, business environment/labour market and health care, marking them on a scale of zero to ten with the highest number indicating a better performance. Related article Related article What are parties promising ahead of elections? Read more PAS and INESS see the manifesto of the opposition Sloboda a Solidarita (SaS) party as the most business-sector friendly, while they said they pointed out they could not assess the election programmes of the ruling Smer and far-right Peoples Party Our Slovakia (LSNS) as those parties had not prepared manifestos. In general, most parties have included some measures which have been discussed publicly for some time already and which require neither dramatic financial nor political costs and are beneficial for the business environment, according to INESS. However, PAS points out that even business-friendly parties have proposed measures which would cost the state millions, but have not provided any realistic explanations of how they would raise the money to fund them. NCP chief Sharad Pawar said on Thursday currently, the people in the country are in a mood to remove the BJP government from the Centre, comments coming in the backdrop of the saffron partys drubbing in the Delhi assembly elections. Addressing a press conference in Sangli, Pawar underlined the need for regional parties to come together to give a better alternative to the BJP. Today what we are seeing is that people in the country are in a mood to remove the BJP government (from the Centre). Today BJP members in Parliament feel the reign of the entire nation is concentrated in only two people and they reveal this in private, said Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP. The former Union minister said they want freedom from such leadership but it is unlikely there would be any change. But on the other hand, people in the country are seeking change. They are looking for a change but change is not going to take place immediately as there is a time for elections and till that time, powerful regional parties should come together and that is what people want, he said. Pawar said it was crystal clear before the Delhi polls that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will retain power and the BJP will be rejected by the voters of the national capital. People in other states also longing for the same thing. I think that we should respect the peoples wish and come, together... Provide people the alternative they want and that alternative is not to enjoy the power, but to solve the issues of people, he added. Frank Lampard has expressed his delight in securing his first signing as Chelsea manager after the club secured the services of Ajax star Hakim Ziyech. The Blues boss endured a frustrating January transfer window in which Chelsea failed to bring in any fresh faces for the remainder of the campaign, with Lampard numerously stressing the importance of adding to his squad. However this week Dutch side Ajax announced their star player will be joining the west London club in a 40million switch this summer, and Lampard is looking forward to welcoming the attacker to the club. Frank Lampard has expressed his delight after Chelsea secured the signing of Hakim Ziyech Dutch side Ajax announced this week that the 26-year-old will leave for Chelsea in a 40m deal 'I think hes a fantastic player,' Lampard said. 'He first came under my eyeline in their run in the Champions League last year. I thought he was one of their stand out players. We have played against him twice this season so I know a lot about him.' Lampard has often lamented Chelsea's inability to cap long stretches of pressure with goals this term, and is confident Morocco star Ziyech will help the Blues get past that sticking point. 'I think he has an incredible left foot; he has an elegance about him that can find a pass,' said Lampard. 'I see a player that hopefully can have a big imprint on our team and the Premier League. 'At times this season we've missed the player with the finishing touch. Hopefully he can be a piece of that puzzle. Lampard hopes that Ziyech's quality can help unlock stubborn defences next season 'I know he's not coming now but it's something exciting for us as a club and the fans to have him next year.' The 41-year-old admitted the club tried to bring Ziyech in during the transfer window last month, but says his focus is now on the future. 'We tried but it was not possible. We all know how the January transfer window works. You respect that clubs that have top players want to keep them but that's done and we will have him for next season.' Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - The National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) Thursday denounced the arbitrary arrests of journalists and violent assaults on them by security agents, a statement issued here and reaching PANA said On Valentine's Day, when romance and sex are probably more top of mind than usual, Absolut Vodka is launching Drink Responsibly. #SexResponsibly-- a campaign with the message that Only Yes to Sex Means Yes. A new Absolut print ad reads, in part, Making out in a cab doesnt make it a Yes and A date doesnt always end with a Yes. And, in a pointed dig at liquor's reputation in this area, the ad also says, Buying someone a drink doesnt buy you a Yes. The campaign will show up in out-of-home, print, digital and social advertising, and online ads featuring influencers. advertisement advertisement This is mostly news because the message comes from a vodka brand. Witty poet Ogden Nash nearly a hundred years ago wrote, Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker" -- though in those more-innocent days, he was obviously referring to seduction, not assault. These days, fact, alcohol is the most common drug involved in nearly half of all sexual assaults, with alcohol use by the attacker and/or the victim, reports the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "In a recent survey conducted with 21- to 30-year-olds for Absolut by KRC Research, we learned that nine in 10 have talked about consent with their friends and family, and that nearly one-third said they talk about the topic of consent frequently or all the time," said Ann Mukherjee, chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard North America, in a statement. "Additionally, 61% said they believe companies should play a role in tackling this issue. When you pair that data with the startling reality that every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted -- frequently involving the perpetrator's misuse of alcohol -- you can understand why we feel compelled to take a stand on the issue of consent," she added. The effort is being launched in conjunction with RAINN, which says it is the nation's largest anti-sexual-violence organization. RAINN operates a 24/7 hotline at (800) 656.4673 and website online.rainn.org, for anyone affected by sexual assault. Absoluts message is on social media and says it will donate $1 for each time the post is shared with others. The brand has also made an initial donation to support RAINN's work, and Mukherjee will become a member of RAINN's National Leadership Council on behalf of Absolut. A spokeswoman for Absolut says it is committed to working with others -- from brands to industry and nonprofit partners. Still the campaign is hitting a problem that can be awkward for makers of alcoholic beverages. "This is a bold move by Absolut, said Scott Berkowitz, RAINNs president, They contacted us and showed us their concepts and we liked the direction they were headed. They say they want to do more with us, and now were in the process of thinking about what that could be. But obviously, its really a personal cause to the CEO. For years now, beer makers have urged partiers to choose a sober designated driver, and Drink Responsibly is a common caution in ads and on packaging. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 08:01:21|Editor: zyl Video Player Close The Westerdam cruise ship is seen at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS) in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia, Feb. 13, 2020. A cruise ship, which had been turned away over fears of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, docked at southwest Cambodia's sea port of Sihanoukville on Thursday, said the port chief. (Photo by Li Lay/Xinhua) Jamie Lynn Spears' accident-prone daughter Maddie suffered another injury this week. The younger sister of Britney Spears revealed on Friday that her 11-year-old had an accident at school but that it's 'nothing too serious'. Sharing a snap of Maddie holding up her wrist in a cast, Jamie Lynn wrote on Instagram: 'This one keeps us on our toes, no matter what the occasion is... little accident at recess today, but nothing too serious. Thanks to everyone who helped us get this checked on quick, and everyone who text to check in!' Ouch: Jamie Lynn Spears' daughter Maddie, 11, broke her wrist on Friday On a brighter note the doting mom also shared a couple of photos with her daughters celebrating Valentine's Day together. Jamie Lynn is also mother to 22-month-old Ivey. The girls posed at a table together with Valentine's candy and a doll's house. 'Some may say its just a silly, manufactured holiday, but if there is any excuse to eat candy all day, while spreading some extra love, then I think it is a holiday worth celebrating. Happy Valentines Day everyone' she captioned the snap. All love: On a brighter note Jamie Lynn, 28, had some Valentine's Day fun with her girls. She is also mom to Ivey, 22 months Family time: The girls got treated to candy and a doll's house Tot: Ivey looked adorable in colorful crocs and a pink bow in her hair Last week Jamie Lynn continued to celebrate the 'miracle' third anniversary of Maddie's ATV accident where the vehicle flipped into their Louisiana pond. 'I want to acknowledge all the nurses, doctors, and first responders out there who go above and beyond every day to save lives,' the 28-year-old former child star - who boasts 3.3M social media followers - wrote on Instagram. 'I am forever grateful that God sent these 2 angels to us on this day 3 years ago, because the life saving decisions they made in the critical moments was a big part of Maddie still being here. Thank you John and Victoria, and thank you to all the heros out there doing what you do today and everyday.' 'I am forever grateful': Last week Jamie Lynn continued to celebrate the 'miracle' third anniversary of daughter Maddie flipping her ATV and nearly drowning in their Louisiana pond (pictured in 2017) Acadian Companies then thanked Jamie Lynn for the 'positive' memory and replied via Instastory: 'Great work to John and Victoria, who are now a flight paramedic and paramedic.' The lucky 11-year-old was only eight when she was airlifted to Children's Hospital New Orleans and 'made a full recovery' after spending five days recovering there. TMZ later revealed the manufacturers of the Polaris RZR 170 restricts anyone under age 10 from operating the ATV, so it was technically illegal for Maddie to be driving her 7th birthday present. At 48, Spears' hunting husband Jamie Watson is 20 years older than her, and the May-December couple will celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary on March 14. The 28-year-old former child star wrote on Instagram: 'God sent these 2 angels to us on this day 3 years ago, because the life saving decisions they made in the critical moments was a big part of Maddie still being here. Thank you John and Victoria' (pictured in 2017) Acadian Companies then thanked Jamie Lynn for the 'positive' memory and replied via Instastory: 'Great work to John and Victoria, who are now a flight paramedic and paramedic' Rocky recovery: The lucky 11-year-old was only 8 when she was airlifted to Children's Hospital New Orleans and 'made a full recovery' after spending five days convalescing there from her injuries (pictured in 2017) The Mississippi-born blonde and the Advanced Media Partners owner are parents of 22-month-old daughter Ivey Watson. Jamie Lynn made headlines when she discovered she was pregnant, age 16, with Maddie while in a gas station bathroom with her ex-fiance Casey Aldridge, who was 18 at the time. Nickelodeon canceled Spears' teen sitcom Zoey 101 (which aired from 2005 to 2008) over outrage about her being a bad influence to their young, impressionable viewers. Any day now the kid-friendly cable network will air an episode of sketch comedy show All That reuniting the former teen mom with her Zoey 101 castmates. Negligent: TMZ later revealed the manufacturers of the Polaris RZR 170 restricts anyone under age 10 from operating the ATV, so it was technically illegal for Maddie to be driving her 7th birthday present (pictured in 2017) Celebrating six years of marriage on March 14! At 48, Spears' hunting husband Jamie Watson is 20 years older than her, and they're parents of 22-month-old daughter Ivey (pictured July 21) After a 12-year acting hiatus, Jamie Lynn also took on the role of Noreen Fitzgibbons in the South Carolina-set 10-episode romantic drama Sweet Magnolias, which soon streams on Netflix. 'Mama's going back to work y'all!' Spears gushed on July 1. 'Can't wait for y'all to meet Noreen! I fell in love with this story, and so excited I get to be a part of telling it.' But the Sleepover songstress is probably best known as the little sister of pop diva Britney Spears. 'All That... and a little more!' Nickelodeon will soon air an episode of sketch comedy show All That reuniting the Mississippi-born blonde with her Zoey 101 castmates (pictured November 21) After a 12-year acting hiatus: Jamie Lynn also took on the role of Noreen Fitzgibbons in the 10-episode romantic drama Sweet Magnolias, which soon streams on Netflix (pictured August 21) Evening Standard Here are all the bank holidays you should note in 2022. What bank holidays are planned for the Queens Jubilee and is there an extra day? In celebration of the Queens 70th year as monarch, bank holidays have been rearranged to allow for four consecutive days of celebration. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: Caroline Malsawmtluangi is not just strong-willed but soft-hearted too. The 11-year-old girl from Mizoram, a recipient of this years National Bravery Awards, shared 50% (Rs 10,000) of her award money with the child she rescued from an abductor. She also gifted the seven-year-old child a silver necklace and clothes that she had brought from Delhi. The Class IV girl, who lives in Aizawl, received a rousing welcome when she paid a visit to the childs house at Thualthu village in the states Lunglei district last week. Carolines mother Lalsangzeli said the girl developed an attachment to the child when she was told about her humble background. She wanted to help the child and her family with some money after learning about her poor living conditions. So, after she had won the award, we visited the childs house where she offered the money to the family, Lalsangzeli said. Kudos poured in for Caroline on social media last year when users learnt how the girl rescued the child by showing exemplary courage. The child was kidnapped for trafficking by a woman, Zonunsangin Fanai, who has since been arrested. In June last year, Caroline was playing with her friends in the backyard of her house when the unknown child had joined them. She did not pay much attention to her but a group of policemen visited the area the next day in search of a girl who had gone missing from a village in Lunglei district. The cops showed the children a photograph of the missing girl and advised them to inform police if they came across her. This led Caroline to carry out a search for the child independently. Soon, she spotted her at a house in the neighbourhood. On seeing Caroline, the abductor made an attempt to drive her away but she kept waiting. Finally, when she sensed an opportunity, she lifted the child on her back and started running. Efforts made by the abductor to stop her by pelting stones did not yield any results as the girl kept running until she reached home. There, she disclosed everything to her parents. The scent of your partner may leave you feeling calm and safe. (Getty Images) While some count sheep to help them nod off, new research suggests smelling your lovers T-shirt could be the key to a peaceful nights sleep. Scientists from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver had 155 people sleep on a pillow covered with a clean t-shirt or one worn by their other half. The following morning, the participants rated their sleep quality, which improved among those who nodded off on their partners clothing. Unwinding to a lovers scent is thought to give a sense of safety and calm, aiding shut eye. Read more: Just one bad nights sleep could trigger anxiety Our findings provide new evidence that merely sleeping with a partner's scent improves sleep efficiency, said lead author Marlise Hofer. Our participants had an average sleep efficiency improvement of more than 2%. We saw an effect similar in size to what has been reported from taking oral melatonin supplements, often used as a sleep aid. Melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates sleep patterns. A manmade version is available on prescription only on the NHS to treat short-term sleep problems. Read more: Being on your phone before bed may not affect sleep after all Insomnia is said to affect just under a third (31%) of British adults to some extent. In the US, around 30% of people complain of sleep disruption, while 10% have symptoms of daytime functional impairment consistent with insomnia. The physical presence of a lover has been shown to make people feel safe, relaxed and calm. Just under a third of Brits suffer from insomnia to some extent. (Getty Images) To uncover whether a lovers odour could aid sleep, the scientists gave the participants two identical-looking T-shirts. One had previously been worn by their partner, while the other had been worn by a stranger or was clean. The T-shirt wearers were told not to use deodorant or take part in activities that could affect body odour, like smoking or exercise. The clothing was then frozen to capture the scent. Once thawed, it was used as a pillowcase. The participant slept with either this or the placebo shirt across two consecutive nights. Story continues The next day, they completed a survey that asked how rested they felt. A sleep watch also monitored their activity throughout the night. Read more: How to sleep with a blocked nose Results show the participants felt more well rested if they guessed they were sleeping on their partners T-shirt. Data from the sleep watches also reveals the quality of their shut eye improved when the participants were exposed to their other halfs scent. The results will be published in full in the journal Psychological Science. One of the most surprising findings is how a romantic partner's scent can improve sleep quality even outside of our conscious awareness, said study author Dr Frances Chen. The sleep watch data showed participants experienced less tossing and turning when exposed to their partners' scent, even if they weren't aware of whose scent they were smelling. The scientists hope their results will lead to simple, effective ways of improving sleep, like taking a partners T-shirt with you when you travel. They are recruiting participants for a study that will look at whether the scent of a babys parents helps the infant nod off. Alex Sobel and Lilian Greenwood (Parliament/Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)) Two MPs have said they are self-isolating over coronavirus fears. Alex Sobel, the MP for Leeds North West, said on Friday that he called 111 to be formally assessed. A spokesman for Sobel said he was not unwell and had no symptoms, but had decided to self-isolate at home until next week as a precaution. Sobel himself later joked he had a pile of Netflix shows to watch while at home. Lilian Greenwood, the MP for Nottingham South, also said she was cancelling all her engagements until Thursday next week. Im feeling completely well, she added. Sobel, a Labour and Co-operative MP, and Greenwood, a Labour MP, were at the same London conference last week as an attendee who later tested positive for coronavirus. In a statement on Twitter, Sobel wrote: I attended the UK bus summit on the 6th Feb, where there was an attendee who has tested positive for coronavirus. Whilst I have been informed that I am at very low risk, I have called 111 to be formally assessed. As a precaution, we have cancelled all engagements until next Thursday when the 14-day potential incubation period will end. If you think you may have been in contact with someone who has coronavirus, self-isolate and call 111 for an assessment more here. Just to be clear Im not exhibiting any systems https://t.co/k52vy3SSgY ((( Alex Sobel MP ))) (@alexsobel) February 14, 2020 Sobel later told Sky News: Because Im an MP, right now I should be at surgeries in my constituency. We thought a reasonable precaution would be to self-isolate. I will be isolating myself in my home and I wont be intending to leave the house until next Wednesday. Ive got a pile of things to do, things to read, things to write, Netflix to watch. Im sure Ill be fine, I might just get a little bit stir crazy but thats obviously much more important that I isolate myself in case I am a risk. Story continues 8 days ago I spoke at the UK Bus Summit. This morning I received this advice from Public Health England. Im feeling completely well but to be extra-cautious Im cancelling my public engagements until 20th February. Sorry for any inconvenience. pic.twitter.com/Q9pGKXwh80 Lilian Greenwood (@LilianGreenwood) February 14, 2020 Sobel and Greenwood were at the UK Bus Summit at the QEII Centre in Westminster. Transport Times, the conference organiser, emailed attendees on Thursday afternoon informing them that a person confirmed to be suffering from coronavirus also known as Covid-19 had been at the event. Read more: UK government says flights from China still allowed Dr Yimmy Chow, consultant in health protection at Public Health England, said: One of our main priorities has been to identify any people who we think have been in close contact with confirmed cases of Covid-19 to provide public health advice, as they may be at slightly increased risk of catching the virus. While the degree of contact conference delegates may have had with the case is unlikely to have been significant, we have taken a precautionary approach and informed them of the situation. The PA news agency reported the case is not linked to the ninth patient with coronavirus in the UK a woman from China. Two staff from Lewisham Hospital in south London are now in isolation at home after coming into contact with the woman. As of Friday, there had been 1,383 coronavirus deaths worldwide. Of these, 1,381 have been in China, where the virus originated. Covid-19: The confirmed cases around the world Because of the quick and deadly outbreak in late December of a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, now known as COVID-19 -- infecting tens of thousands and killing hundreds within weeks, while spreading to at least 24 other countries -- many governments, including the United States, have banned or significantly restricted travel to and from China. And while travel bans are frequently used to stop the spread of an emerging infectious disease, a new University of Washington and Johns Hopkins University study of published research found that the effectiveness of travel bans is mostly unknown. However, said lead author Nicole Errett, a lecturer in the UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences in the School of Public Health, that's largely due to the fact that very little research into the effectiveness of travel bans exists. "Some of the evidence suggests that a travel ban may delay the arrival of an infectious disease in a country by days or weeks. However, there is very little evidence to suggest that a travel ban eliminates the risk of the disease crossing borders in the long term," said Errett, co-director of the ColLABorative on Extreme Event Resilience, a research lab focused on addressing real-world issues relevant to community resilience. The researchers combed through thousands of published articles in an effort to identify those that directly addressed travel bans used to reduce the geographic impact of the Ebola virus, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and the Zika virus. They did not include studies of influenza viruses, for which travel bans have already been shown to be ineffective in the long term. In the end, the researchers were able to identify just six studies that fit their criteria. Those six were based on models or simulations, not data from actual bans after they were implemented, to assess the effectiveness of travel bans in controlling outbreaks. Consequently, to improve research in this area, the study authors recommend that research questions, partnerships and study protocols be established ahead of the next outbreak so empirical data can be collected and assessed quickly. "Travel bans are one of several legal options that governments have drawn on to mitigate a pandemic," said co-author Lainie Rutkow, a professor of health policy and management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. "As coronavirus spreads, our study raises the importance of understanding the effectiveness of legal and policy responses intended to protect and promote the public's health." "When assessing the need for, and validity of, a travel ban, given the limited evidence, it's important to ask if it is the least restrictive measure that still protects the public's health, and even if it is, we should be asking that question repeatedly, and often," said co-author Lauren Sauer, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine and director of operations with the university's Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response. Consequently, the authors write, additional research is "urgently needed" to inform policy decisions, especially in light of the tremendous social, economic and political impacts of their implementation. The federal government says it is planning to make critical changes on Ogoniland clean up with intent to accelerate the pace of the project. Minister of Environment, Mohammad Abubakar, disclosed this while inspecting some of the 21 remediation sites in Alode, Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers on Friday. Mr Abubakar said the federal government was worried at the slow pace of work by contractors handling the remediation sites. We know that work is going on but there is need for comprehensive review and changes that must be undertaken. We must make some changes for the project to be on track so that we can finish the project as at when due. Going by what we have seen the project is not going to be completed at the stated date, he said. Mr Abubakar said that he decided to visit the sites to see first-hand the progress of work as well as ensure the newly-hired contractors did not face obstacles at sites. He said some changes that would be made included procurement and timelines for the remediation. In our recent meeting with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Geneva, Switzerland, we both agreed to reassess the project. We intend to do this as quickly as possible. We must ensure the project is done according to specifications for the clean up to succeed. President Muhammadu Buhari is clear about this. We all know UNEPs capabilities, and as such, we must follow their recommendations to avoid derailment in their specifications, he said. The minister solicited for more support from residents of areas to make the project a success. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Abubakar had on Thursday handed over 36 smaller remediation sites to contractors in addition to the 21 old sites. Ogoniland comprises four local government areas in Rivers, including Eleme, Gokana, Khana and Tai. (NAN) Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne reported progress today in securing a thorough investigation of the destruction of Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752, after meeting his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif on the sidelines of a security conference in Germany. "The discussions we had today were going further. We were not talking about the 'why'. We were talking about the 'how,'" Champagne told journalists after the meeting with the Iranian foreign affairs minister. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also briefly joined the Munich meeting a break with protocol, which usually holds that prime ministers do not attend meetings at the foreign minister level. Canadian government officials said he attended personally to send a message about how seriously Canada takes the investigation. In a previous meeting with Zarif in Muscat, Oman on Jan. 17, Champagne kept the tone businesslike. A photo issued by the Iranian government appeared to show a meeting that was tense, if not confrontational. But after the Munich meeting, the Iranian foreign ministry released a photograph showing a smiling Trudeau shaking Zarif's hand and gripping his elbow. Champagne appears in the same photo with a more neutral expression. Canadian news photographers were not allowed into the meeting. It didn't take long for some Iranian-Canadians to take to social media to criticize the PM's demeanour in the meeting as overly friendly, given that he was engaging with a representative of the country responsible for the missile attack that killed dozens of Canadians last month. In Germany today for a security conference, Trudeau said that he promised Canadian families that he would do everything he could to get answers about the crash, and the meeting with Zarif was part of that effort. "The foreign minister had a meeting with the foreign minister of Iran, in which he talked about the importance of getting those black boxes to Paris," he said. "I went by to impress upon the foreign minister of Iran how important it was that we work together and we ensure that that investigation is complete." Story continues Champagne told Canadian journalists that the Iranians no longer appear to be arguing that the "black box" flight data recorders from the downed aircraft need to be analyzed in Iran. Iranian officials previously insisted that other countries' experts conduct the analysis in Iran. Champagne said Canada and Iran are now talking about delivering the black boxes to Paris. France's BEA (Bureau d'Enquetes et d'Analyses pour la Securite de l'Aviation Civile), based in the Paris suburb of Le Bourget, is considered the world's foremost investigative agency in analyzing crash data, and also handled the black boxes from the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 last year. Iran can't do the work, says Champagne "In our first discussions with Iran, it was about, 'How can we acquire the capabilities to do the download and analysis in Iran," Champagne said. "After 30 days, one has to come to the conclusion that that capability does not exist in Iran, and therefore we need to find another path forward." The ayatollahs' regime has been insisting on its right under Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation to conduct the analysis in Iran. "We understand the norm under Annex 13 that says the country where the crash took place has the right to do that exercise," said Champagne. "But I would say that when you have more than 30 days after the crash, Annex 13 also calls for the download and analysis to be done without delay." He added that in order "to respect the spirit and words" of Annex 13, it's necessary to get the black boxes out of Iran. The meeting in a hotel in the historic centre of Munich was the second between Champagne and Zarif since Iranian missiles brought the plane down. The first meeting was on January 8 in Oman. Transparency vs conspiracy Champagne said he told Zarif that a proper investigation is Iran's best chance to prove wrong those who believe the attack was intentional, adding that he has told the Iranians more than once that the best antidote to conspiracy is transparency. The foreign minister spoke on the street in Munich on the 37th day after Flight 752 was shot down by Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) an act initially denied by the Iranian government. Champagne told Ukrainian journalists that the black boxes are "Ukrainian property" and Canada will continue to support Ukraine's legitimate rights in the case. Iran says it has made arrests in the case, but little is known outside the country about who is being held or what charges they face. What is clear is that the commander of the IRGC's air defence corps, Brig.-General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, has not faced criminal consequences. Although he reportedly said that he wished he were dead after the IRGC owned up to its role in the crash, he soon after appeared at Friday prayers in Tehran, standing close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei a clear sign the regime intends to stand by him. The question of compensation Champagne said he also discussed the topic of compensation with Zarif, something he said he raises at every meeting with the Iranians. "We have been adamant, and I think the Iranian counterpart understands, that there should be full, fair compensation for every citizen that lost life on that plane," he said. Iran, however, has not been willing so far to go beyond an initial offer of $80,000 ($106,000 Cdn) per victim, an amount dismissed by other countries as completely inadequate. Earlier this week, Zarif dismissed a private lawsuit brought by a Canadian family for $1.5 billion Cdn, saying it "lacks any legal basis." Iran also refuses to recognize dual citizenship and regards most of the 57 Canadians killed in the crash as citizens only of Iran. Champagne said today that Iran's position on citizenship has not impeded Canada's ability to offer consular services to victims' families, or to repatriate remains to Canada. Iran's position may still complicate talks over compensation, however if Iran refuses to recognize Canada's standing as a party to any negotiations, or if it attempts to offer lower amounts of compensation for Iranian citizens. Families of victims who held only Iranian citizenship may have little recourse but to accept the sum offered by the Iranian regime. Family members of students who died in 2014 terror attack on Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar have submitted an application to Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed, seeking answers over the escape of former Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) former spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan from a jail in the country. In the application, the families have questioned how Ehsan was able to leave Pakistan upon his escape from the prison and said that the state failed in bringing him to justice. "We the families of Shuhada-e-APS are under severe shock and completely traumatised after hearing of the said news of release/fleeing of the known terrorist and spokesperson of TTP from the custody of the army along with his family after spending three years with them," the application read, as reported by The Dawn. "The cruel terrorist has already confessed (to) the gruesome attack on (the APS), killing 147 students and staff and many more terrorist incidents in the country," it said. Earlier this month, Ehsan released an audio message claiming that he has escaped from jail. He, however, refused to divulge the details of the same. He also claimed that he has been living in Turkey along with his family. "How could he flee from custody or whether he is released with some conditions," the application further stated, adding, "what kind of agreement was made with (Ehsan) to keep him alive for three years despite his confessional statement for being involved in many killings of students and staff of APS". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Last week, Google Maps celebrated its 15th anniversary and now the mobile apps receive an update that includes quite a few noticeable changes, both functional more information about transit rides and visual a new icon and a refreshed interface. 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 On February 8, Google Maps celebrated its 15th anniversary. However, its history is even longer, since it all started with a C++ desktop program developed by Where 2 Technologies, a company that was acquired by Google in October 2004. They converted the app into a web application, added geospatial data visualization and real-time traffic analysis, and launched Google Maps in less than a year. The mobile apps for Android and iOS arrived in September 2008. Announced on February 6, the updated Google Maps app for Android and iOS devices is now rolling out globally and its interface has been reworked to deliver everything this piece of code has to offer in five easy-to-access tabs, namely Explore, Commute, Saved, Contribute, and Updates. In addition to the refreshed look, Google Maps also received a new icon. For those who miss the old apps or simply want to take a quick look at all the app icons used for Google Maps so far, this 16-second movie should be more than enough. Introduced last year, Live View is set to receive various new capabilities in the coming months, starting with better assistance when searching for a certain place. Since the anniversary party is apparently not over yet, Easter Egg hunters should keep an eye out for the celebratory party-themed car icon, which is only available for a limited time. Russias Gazprom GZPR.MM said on Thursday it will continue talks on new China natural gas routes once the coronavirus quarantine is lifted, Reuters reported. Gazprom also said it will sign new long-term deals with European customers soon involving contract renewals representing tens of billions of cubic metres of gas per year. Jewish Academy of Orlando hosted its annual gala with much fanfare. This year's theme, Wonderland Gala, paid homage to the school's upcoming musical and highlighted the wonders of JAO: the students, faculty, families and greater community. Attendees dressed in "Mad Hatter Chic" attire and enjoyed the magical night at the Citrus Club. The event honored two generations of one of Orlando's cherished families: Ellen and Simon Snyder and Jodi and David Krinker. These individuals are pillars of the community and longtime Jewish Academy of Orlando supporters. The venue was set beautifully with a magical Wonderland flare. Guests of the event danced, enjoyed drinks and dinner including, the "Mad Hatter Mule" signature cocktail. Guests enjoyed a sneak preview of the school's upcoming musical, Alice in Wonderland. The audience was delighted to see the cast from JAO's acclaimed theater program give a sneak preview performance from the spring musical production, "Alice in Wonderland." New this year was a live auction that included a variety of treasures including a trip to Africa. The annual gala is the school's biggest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds fund new curricula, field trips and new programs. Jewish Academy of Orlando serves central Florida students of all faiths from transitional kindergarten through fifth grade. The school delivers a whole-child education fostering academic excellence and character education rooted in Jewish values. Jewish Academy of Orlando is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools. To learn more about Jewish Academy of Orlando, please visit: jewishacademyorlando.org or follow the school on Facebook facebook.com/JewishAcademyOrlando. Daniel Cummings, West Kingstown Member of Parliament (MP), referenced to his own intimate involvement in similar processes to rule that there was something flawed about the process regarding the awarding of the contract for Sans Souci project. "You cannot put your foot down on one and allow another with similar transgressions to go all the way. That is a fatal flaw in the award of a contract. West Kingstown Member of Parliament (MP) Daniel Cummings made the comment while on the NDPs New Times interactive radio programme on NICE Radio, last Tuesday. Cummings was at the time commenting on the alleged unfairness meted out to Bally & Bally Investment Limited in the tendering process for the contract for the multi-million-dollar Sans Souci project. "It has not been very long since the Caribbean Development Bank was forced to pull back a contract awarded by this government with funds from the CDB to a reliable company. "What came out in that press conference is particularly troubling. As someone who has been intimately involved in project management and in awarding of contracts, and in management generally, I am appalled that our country has seemingly sunk to the abyss, Cummings stated on the New Times programme. "The tendering process is designed not to make life difficult for people, but to make sure there is equity and, above all, that the government gets the best bang for its buck. In other words, that the money be used in the most efficacious manner. "Sometimes, lay people believe that it is simply a matter of awarding a tender to the lowest tender. Many a time, that is farthest from the truth. There are a number of other critical considerations that go into the award of a tender for good reason, not for window-dressing. "But, perhaps the most significant requirement in the evaluation of tenders is equity. What is good for the goose must be good for the gander. You cannot communicate information to a preferred bidder before you have taken a decision, unless it is done through very careful, above-board channels or processes, Cummings said. If the information provided by Balcombe and his wife prove to be correct, "the World Bank will have no choice but to pull back that contract awarded by the government because they have broken the fundamental rules of awarding contracts, Cummings assessed. A Turkish court on Friday acquitted journalist and award-winning novelist Asli Erdogan of terrorism-related charges for writing for a pro-Kurdish newspaper that has since been shut-down. Lawyer Erdal Dogan told reporters that the court in Istanbul acquitted the author, who lives in exile in Germany, of being a member of "an armed terrorist organization" and of "disrupting the unity of state," while dropping, on a technicality, charges of engaging in "propaganda for a terrorist organization." The court also acquitted Asli Erdogan's colleagues Bilge Aykut and Necmiye Alpay. The trial against other co-defendants, including human rights lawyer Eren Keskin, is to continue, after their lawyers requested additional time to prepare for their final defense. "This is a case of freedom of thought and expression," Dogan told The Associated Press outside the courthouse. "From now on, we hope results like these are achieved for all journalists under arrest and for all journalists that are on trial." "We also hope other journalists in this case and Miss Eren (Keskin) are acquitted," Dogan added. Asli Erdogan and her co-defendants were among tens of thousands of people arrested in the aftermath of a failed 2016 coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The opposition accused Erdogan's government of using emergency powers meant to deal with perpetrators of the failed military coup, to go after all government critics. Asli Erdogan_ who is not related to President Erdogan _ was arrested in August 2016 with other staff members of the Ozgur Gundem newspaper, which the government accused of links to outlawed Kurdish rebels. She spent four months in prison before being freed pending the outcome of the trial. Asli Erdogan, 52, was facing a maximum sentence of nine years and four months in prison. Her novels include "The City in Crimson Cloak" and "The Stone Building and Other Places." She lives in exile in Germany. Search Keywords: Short link: Flash 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. F1 teams are going to "monitor the situation" amid speculation the inaugural Vietnam GP could be the next victim of coronavirus. As deaths surge to almost 1400, F1's Chinese round in April has already been postponed. But with Vietnam just across the border from China, there are also doubts about the viability of the Hanoi race. This week, F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn said Vietnam should be able to go ahead. But he spoke before the Vietnamese government announced that 10,000 people had been quarantined in a town just 50 kilometres north-west of Hanoi. A spokesman for Brawn said: "We can only confirm that Vietnam is on the schedule." Zak Brown said at the launch of McLaren's 2020 car on Thursday: "Vietnam is not being raised yet as a potential issue. But obviously it is very nearby. "We're going to monitor the situation and we will never do anything that puts our people at risk." A media source in Vietnam said race promoters were proceeding with preparations for the April race as normal, and will also take 'necessary measures' against the worsening epidemic. And as his DTM race seat for 2020 was announced on Thursday, Robert Kubica also said he backed measures to protect people against infection. "I think health is the most important thing and one should not underestimate what is happening," he is quoted by Przeglad Sportowy. "I hope the situation will improve very quickly, or at least not get worse." If Vietnam is also cancelled, it will create a massive six-week gap in the otherwise bustling 2020 calendar. "This is obviously a new situation for all of us," said McLaren supremo Brawn. "But if there's a month off, then there's a month off." Renault driver Esteban Ocon also said of the prospective calendar gap: "Believe me, the teams will find things to do." (GMM) Bernie Sanders has won the popular vote in both the New Hampshire and Iowa presidential primary contests in considerable part by presenting himself as an opponent of war. Following the criminal assassination of Iranian General Qassem Suleimani last month, Sanders was the most vocal of the Democratic presidential aspirants in criticizing Trumps action. His poll numbers have risen in tandem with his stepped-up anti-war rhetoric. He has repeatedly stressed his vote against the 2003 invasion of Iraq, reminding voters in the Iowa presidential debate last month, I not only voted against that war, I helped lead the effort against that war. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to supporters in Des Moines, Iowa, February 3, 2020 [Credit: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais] However, when speaking to the foremost newspaper of the American ruling class, the New York Times, the Sanders campaign adopts a very different tone than that employed by the candidate when addressing the public in campaign stump speeches or TV interviews. The answers provided by Sanders campaign to a foreign policy survey of the Democratic presidential candidates published this month by the Times provide a very different picture of the attitude of the self-styled democratic socialist to American imperialism and war. In the course of the survey, the Sanders campaign is at pains to reassure the military/intelligence establishment and the financial elite of the senators loyalty to US imperialism and his readiness to deploy its military machine. Perhaps most significant and chilling is the response to the third question in the Times survey. Question: Would you consider military force to pre-empt an Iranian or North Korean nuclear or missile test? Answer: Yes. A Sanders White House, according to his campaign, would be open to launching a military strike against Iran or nuclear-armed North Korea to prevent (not respond to) not even a threatened missile or nuclear strike against the United States, but a mere weapons test. This is a breathtakingly reckless position no less incendiary than those advanced by the Trump administration. Sanders would risk a war that could easily involve the major powers and lead to a nuclear Armageddon in order to block a weapons test by countries that have been subjected to devastating US sanctions and diplomatic, economic and military provocations for decades. Moreover, as Sanders response to the Times makes clear, the so-called progressive, anti-war candidate fully subscribes to the doctrine of preemptive war declared to be official US policy in 2002 by the administration of George W. Bush. An illegal assertion of aggressive war as an instrument of foreign policy, this doctrine violates the principles laid down at the Nuremberg Trials of Nazi officials after World War II, the United Nations charter and other international laws and conventions on war. Sanders embrace of the doctrine, following in the footsteps of the Obama administration, shows that his opposition to the Iraq war was purely a question of tactics, not a principled opposition to imperialist war. The above question is preceded by another that evokes a response fully in line with the war policies of the Obama administration, the first two-term administration in US history to preside over uninterrupted war. Question: Would you consider military force for a humanitarian intervention? Answer: Yes. Among the criminal wars carried out by the United States in the name of defending human rights are the war in Bosnia and the bombing of Serbia in the 1990s, the 2011 air war against Libya that ended with the lynching of deposed ruler Muammar Gaddafi, and the civil war in Syria that was fomented by Washington and conducted by its Al Qaeda-linked proxy militias. The fraudulent humanitarian pretexts for US aggression were no more legitimate than the lie of weapons of mass destruction used in the neo-colonial invasion of Iraq. The result of these war crimes has been the destruction of entire societies, the death of millions and dislocation of tens of millions more, along with the transformation of the Middle East into a cauldron of great power intervention and intrigue that threatens to erupt into a new world war. Sanders fully subscribes to this doctrine of humanitarian war that has been particularly associated with Democratic administrations. In response to a question from the Times on the assassination of Suleimani, the Sanders campaign calls Trumps action illegal, but refuses to take a principled stand against targeted assassinations in general and associates itself with the attacks on Suleimani as a terrorist. The reply states: Clearly there is evidence that Suleimani was involved in acts of terror. He also supported attacks on US troops in Iraq. But the right question isnt was this a bad guy, but rather does assassinating him make Americans safer? The answer is clearly no. In other words, the extra-judicial killing of people by the US government is justified if it makes Americans safer. This is a tacit endorsement of the policy of drone assassinations that was vastly expanded under the Obama administrationa policy that included the murder of US citizens. At another point, the Times asks: Would you agree to begin withdrawing American troops from the Korean peninsula? The reply is: No, not immediately. We would work closely with our South Korean partners to move toward peace on the Korean peninsula, which is the only way we will ultimately deal with the North Korean nuclear issue. Sanders thus supports the continued presence of tens of thousands of US troops on the Korean peninsula, just as he supports the deployment of US forces more generally to assert the global interests of the American ruling class. On Israel, Sanders calls for a continuation of the current level of US military and civilian aid and opposes the immediate return of the US embassy from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv. On Russia, he entirely supports the Democratic Partys McCarthyite anti-Russia campaign and lines up behind the right-wing basis of the Democrats failed impeachment drive against Trump: Question: If Russia continues on its current course in Ukraine and other former Soviet states, should the United States regard it as an adversary, or even an enemy? Answer: Yes. Question: Should Russia be required to return Crimea to Ukraine before it is allowed back into the G-7? Answer: Yes. Finally, the Times asks the Sanders campaign its position on the National Security Strategy announced by the Trump administration at the beginning of 2018. The new doctrine declares that the focus of American foreign and military strategy has shifted from the war on terror to the preparation for war against its major rivals, naming in particular Russia and China. In the following exchange, Sanders tacitly accepts the great power conflict framework of the National Security Strategy, attacking Trump from the right for failing to aggressively prosecute the conflict with Russia and China: Question: President Trumps national security strategy calls for shifting the focus of American foreign policy away from the Middle East and Afghanistan, and back to what it refers to as the revisionist superpowers, Russia and China. Do you agree? Why or why not? Answer: Despite its stated strategy, the Trump administration has never followed a coherent national security strategy. In fact, Trump has escalated tensions in the Middle East and put us on the brink of war with Iran, refused to hold Russia accountable for its interference in our elections and human rights abuses, has done nothing to address our unfair trade agreement with China that only benefits wealthy corporations, and has ignored Chinas mass internment of Uighurs and its brutal repression of protesters in Hong Kong. Clearly, Trump is not a president we should be taking notes from. [Emphasis added]. In a recent interview Ro Khanna, a Democratic congressman and national co-chair of the Sanders campaign, assured Atlantic writer Uri Friedman that Sanders would continue provocative freedom of the seas navigation operations in the Persian Gulf and the South China Sea, while committing a Sanders administration to maintain some [troop] presence on the multitude of bases dotting allied countries from Japan to Germany. Millions of workers, students and young people are presently attracted to Sanders because they have come to despise and oppose the vast social inequality, brutality and militarism of American society and correctly associate these evils with capitalism. However, they will soon learn through bitter experience that Sanderss opposition to the billionaire class is no more real than his supposed opposition to war. His foreign policy is imperialist through and through, in line with the aggressive and militaristic policy of the Democratic Party and the Obama administration. The Democrats differences with Trump on foreign policy, though bitter, are tactical. Both parties share the strategic orientation of asserting US global hegemony above all through force of arms. No matter how much Sanders blusters about inequality, it is impossible to oppose the depredations of the ruling class at home while supporting its plunder and oppression abroad. Sanders is no more an apostle of peace than he is a representative of the working class. Both in foreign and domestic policy, he is an instrument of the ruling class for channeling the growing movement of the working class and opposition to capitalism back behind the Democratic Party and the two-party system of capitalist rule in America. Courtesy A Texas family is suing Sandals Resorts after the matriarch of their family drowned while vacationing at one of its resorts. The family also claims the company offered them a free five-day stay as compensation. Dripping Springs resident Diane Hendricks was with her son, grandchildren and daughter-in-law while staying at Sandals Resort on Turks And Caicos Island in July 2019, according to Houston-based attorneys Mo Aziz, Spence Graham and Joe Vinas. The family booked a snorkeling trip some distance in the Atlantic Ocean on July 20, according to the lawsuit. Universities must not be turned into business centers to generate profit alone, but can also be of value beyond academics to their communities. Unfortunately, these days in many African countries, schools have degenerated to cash cows. Some graduates are not equipped for their chosen field of specialization. Most of the universities we value so much abroad have patents by scholars attracting rich funds and royalties to the locality. Sometimes foreign graduates whose training and patents have been secured by foreign universities that are not conducive to our advancement or geared to our culture, are hired as scholars and professors over local graduates and scholars. Nobody would hire such abroad because they lack local experience. Some are not adaptable. Indeed, Chinese scholars in Western universities and foreign-sponsored research that are not vented by Western governments can lead to charges of espionage and fraud. Today, we have a few universities across Africa that are self-sufficient in solar energy in communities without electricity. They must go further and empower proximate villages. It is not free but the cheaper these projects are, the more folks in the communities that would patronize them. The mentality in Africa, just like other continents is to make an outrageous profit. But only a few can pay in African communities with universities. These schools can lead the way of lower profit or non-profit for good deeds. It is people's needs, ideas and you that create jobs. While governments only create essential services beyond the reach of business, they must facilitate a conducive environment, especially Government funded colleges. Political policies matter because they dictate economic policies. Those claiming they have no control over the economy are fulfilling economic policies dictated by political leaders outside their continent. We have cows and goats in most African countries, yet we import cocoa milk as if we do not have cocoa and milk locally. If ours are not fecund enough, we should be duplicating the technology in our universities instead of importing milk. It is cheaper and more reliable if cows and goats are home bred with copied or stolen technology. It should be our priority. Every university must be a place of talents for some unique returns. Africa still has the biggest laboratories in the world, our forest. Professors and students always complain of equipment that has broken, old and that they need new imports as if the factories that make the equipment cannot be established in Africa after 60 years of Independence. Our forests are vast, yet medical science scholars do not use them as ancient folks for local drugs discoveries to cure local diseases or as laboratories. Urban Development, Agriculture, Electricity, railway and roads easily come to mind. We have been hearing of automobile industry development from scratch from Professor Awojobi in the University of Lagos since the 60s. Innoson Motors and others, recently gained the spotlight in auto assembly but the prices of their automobiles are beyond the means of the average Africans. Ford in United States did not start with excessive profit. Even then, the modes of transport for commerce, tourism and pleasure need to be well planned from universities Engineering/Transport Departments. They must be updated and expanded before accommodating more affordable automobiles if our factories and manufacturing plants can meet demands. Before we can create demands, we need a population with increasing buying power. Every Administration had unfulfilled waterways promises that needed to be exploited and modified, not to mention primary roads. As it is, in most of our capital cities from Monrovia, Accra, Lagos to Johannesburg; many roads are broken or too congested. This happens when you have more cars than durable and functional roads. We cannot keep on producing automobiles when there are no roads to drive them. Unfortunately, public transports are not adequate or regular. This is simply an absence of planning by the departments responsible. But there are university professors that specialized in this area. What are universities good for? Dangote is now building cement roads in Lagos. Asphalt has been used in road construction throughout the world. When United States companies started thinking about how to recycle their tires and keep them out of landfills, they started using them for road surface and later for road construction. The British have now approved the same process in England. So are the Germans. Even India is using plastic for road construction The bitumen-modified plastic improved the tensile strength of the road by making it more durable and flexible. Plastic prevented pothole formation. When the layer of molten plastic filled the space between the gravel and bitumen it thwarted rain water from seeping in and causing structural defects Old tires and used discarded plastics are now recycled and are useful again for different endeavors for those willing to make money locally instead of importing them into Africa. These are materials we have in abundance as wastes that can be turned into riches. Usually most of these start as experimental projects in the universities. By the time they get out into their communities, they are income projects that can support universities. Old tires, plastics and environmental wastes from Europe, America and Asia have been dumped into African countries for years. Indeed, some unscrupulous African business men were paid to import the trash without the knowledge of the people or governments. Since Africa is used as dumping grounds, governments are more aware and rejecting the refuse. Even, China stopped importing these junks, to recycle old tires and plastics. Moreover, African countries generate enough waste on their own and most of the dump sites have become environmental disasters and eyesores. Discarded used electronics and other appliances litter these areas. Actually, some of the children living on these environmental dumps pick different dangerous metals from the appliances and sell them to other willing buyers that recycle them. As far back as the 80s, Governor Lateef Jakande of Lagos State almost completed a plant called Waste To Riches that was supposed to generate Power before they were overthrown by the Military. As usual, nobody built on it or followed up after. Most of the countries that implemented the same idea are now leaders in Asia, not to mention some European and American states. People want action and planning to meet future demands, not fighting an uphill battle trying to cope when overwhelmed by population. The number of foreign companies and corporations choosing Vietnam for investment and production has increased strongly in recent years but their recruitment of staff has faced problems, according to labour departments and centres. Companies in Dong Nai Province and HCM City are facing problems recruiting new workers. VNA/VNS Photo Manh Linh The Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs in the southern province of Dong Nai, for example, said that nearly 3,300 companies in the province need more than 75,000 new workers this year as they expand production and open new factories. Of the 75,000, more than 56,000 manual workers are needed for the companies, which operate in the garment, footwear, electronics and woodwork industries. Pham Van Cong, the departments deputy head, said that companies need professionally trained employees, but vocational training schools have failed to meet the demand. Many people graduating from these schools do not even know how to operate a machine. As a result, many companies employ high school graduates and train them professionally at the workplace. Cong said that the province each year has employed dozens of thousands of manual workers from northern and central provinces, but the number of workers from these areas has fallen in recent years. The department forecasts a shortage of manual workers to continue this year. Cong said that the provincial Employment Service Centre is conducting a survey on workers who need jobs and will then introduce them to companies. Many companies in HCM City are also facing difficulties in recruiting new workers. Several companies sought workers before Lunar Tet, but have not recruited any staff yet. According to companies, workers often choose to work abroad as guest workers because of the higher salaries and reduced costs. Unlike Dong Nai Province, HCM City companies still need a large number of skilled workers. According to the HCM City Centre for Forecasting Manpower Needs and Labour Market Information, the city needs nearly 30,000 new workers, of which only 16.82 per cent would be manual workers. The remaining are skilled workers, but many of them are required to have vocational training degrees. The rate of university graduates accounts for 19.8 per cent Nguyen Van Lam, deputy head of the city's Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said that highly skilled workers are needed for the enterprises involved in IT-electronics, automation, food technology, e-commerce, finance-banking-insurance, tourism-hospitality, garments-textiles, and logistics. VNS Vietnams logistics sector faces labor shortage of 2 million people The issue of labor shortage is becoming more severe as Vietnam is a member of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and is joining in a number of next generation free trade agreements. Police in Ho Chi Minh City shot down a man on Thursday night who they say killed five people with an assault rifle in late January. A source close to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper confirmed that Le Quoc Tuan, 33, a senior lieutenant in the detention unit of the District 11 police bureau, was killed during a standoff with officers at a house in Binh My Commune, Cu Chi District on Thursday night. Hundreds of law enforcement officers were mobilized to the house, located near the intersection of Vo Van Bich Street with Provincial Highway 15 in Cu Chi, to seal off the area and arrest Tuan. Police officers are mobilized to Binh My Commune, Cu Chi District in Ho Chi Minh City on February 13, 2020 to arrest murder suspect Le Quoc Tuan. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre The man, however, opened fire on police. Authorities exchanged gunfire with Tuan and eventually killed him. According to the case file, Tuan fatally shot four fellow gamblers and injured another at a gambling ring Cu Chi on the afternoon of January 29. He escaped on a scooter before switching to a second motorbike he stole from a local resident later the same day. In the small hours of January 30, Tuan allegedly shot and killed a man named V.C.T. and took his motorcycle. An area in Binh My Commune, Cu Chi District in Ho Chi Minh City is sealed off on February 13, 2020 to arrest murder suspect Le Quoc Tuan. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre Following the reports of local residents, the municipal Department of Police, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Security, surrounded an area in Trung An Commune in Cu Chi later the same day, but the suspect was believed to have already fled the location. An investigation revealed that Tuan had taken VND1 billion (US$43,000) from the gambling ring and given it to Pham Thanh Tam, who turned himself in on February 3. Police also initiated legal proceedings against Tuan for murder, robbery, and illegal possession and use of military weapons. They were eventually able to locate the suspect at a house in Binh My Commune, ten kilometers from the first raid, on Thursday night. Local residents gathered outside a police-sealed zone in Binh My Commune, Cu Chi District in Ho Chi Minh City on February 13, 2020. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! UP TO 150 jobs are at risk in Limerick City, after Vodafone Ireland decides not to renew its contract with Arise, a call centre in Raheen. The news follows an announcement from the company that a total of 40 jobs will be lost next month. Now the Limerick Leader can reveal that an extra 110 jobs are also at risk, as the company works hard to find replacement business. A source from within the company confirmed that 40 staff members were told that they will lose their jobs in March, with the others being told their jobs could be gone come June. Were all devastated, said one employee. It came as a total shock to everyone. Arise Europe in Raheen was the best working environment I ever experienced. It was the people that worked there, we were like one big family. Everyone is looking out for each other and HR and management advised that were going to have clinics like CV preparation to make sure were all fully prepared come June when we all have to leave, they added. The 40 job losses come after Arise were informed by Vodafone that the company will not renew their contract to outsource technical support services for its fixed broadband customers. It comes as Vodafone makes the decision to move these services in-house. A spokesperson for the company said that the company is working hard to find alternative business to avoid further losses. We are hoping to have a positive outcome and avoid that scenario, they said. The spokesperson also confirmed that staff will be updated first. According to Arise, Vodafone is working closely with the company to manage this process, and the decision is not a reflection on the quality of service nor the dedication of the team at Arise. Arise are looking to the future and have recently invested 1 million in technology, business development, and new facilities to attract talent and help deliver innovative support to companies both in Ireland and the United States, said the spokesperson. An initiative to legalize recreational cannabis in New Mexico has come to an abrupt end. Late Wednesday night, a bill aiming to do that was voted down in the state's Senate Judiciary Committee. The defeat means that the bill is finished. Initially, the Cannabis Regulation Act passed by a 4-3 vote along party lines in its opening vote in the Public Affairs Committee. The Judiciary Committee vote was its second hurdle, and it also had to pass in the Finance Committee in order to make it to the floor for a full Senate vote. The New Mexico Senate is overwhelmingly Democratic, with 26 of 42 legislators belonging to that party. Democrats in the U.S. are seen as being more favorable to general cannabis legalization than their Republican counterparts. Despite that, several lawmakers in the southwestern state's Senate had indicated their resistance to the idea. In Judiciary, one of them, committee chairman Joseph Cervantes, took exception to several provisions in the bill, including a mandate that cannabis enterprises reach agreement with labor unions. The final tally for Judiciary's vote was six against and four in favor. This is not the first time that a recreational legalization bill has faltered in New Mexico. A 2019 bill passed a full vote in the House of Representatives but did not make it out of committee in the Senate. New Mexico currently permits the sale and consumption of medical cannabis. It's a fairly limited market with numerous small players, although Charlotte's Web (OTC:CWBHF) cannabidiol (CBD) products can be found in the state's dispensaries. One likely reason for this is that Charlotte's Web is based in neighboring Colorado. Charlotte's web stock closed slightly lower in trading Thursday. Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer, left, sits with James Carville, right, during Carville's speaking engagement with wife Mary Matalin at St. Josephs Academy, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, as part of the series of speakers that is part of the celebration of the school's 150th anniversary. Homeless people rest up and settle in along the sidewalks on 12th Street on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019. Read more Even in 2020, it takes as low-tech a method as walking around cities in the middle of a winter night, flashlight in hand, to count the unsheltered homeless. During one week at the end of January, jurisdictions across the country Philadelphia included dispatch thousands of volunteers to walk their streets. Theyre looking for people classified as literally homeless, which includes people who sleep outside because they have nowhere else to go. Along with information about the number of people staying in shelters and transitional housing, the data collected from that effort, called the Point-in-Time count, helps shape homeless services across the country. In fact, for Philly as well as other cities like Houston and D.C. the PIT count is arguably the very center of homeless services. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, which requires cities to conduct the count at least once every two years, distributes federal grant money based on their findings. Advocacy organizations spend months recruiting volunteers to collect data. HUD secretaries and mayors, including Mayor Jim Kenney, have shown up for the count. More significantly, local leaders often use the resulting data as a touchstone to make sweeping claims about yearly declines in homelessness. Thats exactly what Philly leaders have done this year. One recent press release from the citys homeless services office declares: Phillys homeless services success story continues as PIT Count begins. But despite years of practice counting, and a growing sophistication in how cities understand homelessness, the data provided by the PIT are misleading. What hangs in the balance is the health and survival of all the people who depend on the services that are shaped by these numbers. This number is the most obvious and basic number of unsheltered people Sister Mary Scullion, the co-founder and executive director of Philadelphias Project HOME, says. Ive never heard anyone argue, this is the final word on homelessness. Far from being precise, the count missis critical unsheltered groups, including people who are couch-surfing, staying temporarily at motels, or are incarcerated. Consider the largest of these populations: school-aged children. Nationally, there were nearly 1.4 million homeless children counted at the end of the 2016-2017 school year, Education Department data show, a 27 percent increase from the 2010-2011 school year. Yet national PIT data from 2017 counted only 4,800 homeless people under 18 living alone, and 110,000 homeless youth living with families 1.28 million fewer children than the Education Department documented. That trend bears out acutely in Philadelphia. At the end of the 2017-2018 school year, there were over 7,100 homeless youth in the city, according to Pennsylvania state education data. Yet you wouldnt know that from looking at Philadelphias PIT numbers, which counted just roughly 1,500 homeless youth in January of 2018 a staggering gulf. Some researchers estimate that as many as 63 percent of homeless public school students in Pennsylvania are doubled up, or staying with friends, which helps explain why theyre so hard to identify. While HUDs definition of homelessness includes those who are temporarily doubled up, PIT misses all those people. When cities and states routinely under-count the homeless, they fail to meet true community need. Beyond that, PIT allows a city like Philly to tout having the smallest homelessness population of the countrys 10 largest cities, while glossing over the many housing-insecure people in a city where more than one-quarter of residents live below the poverty line. Theres certainly value in having the rough snapshot the PIT provides of how many unsheltered people live in a city, as well as bringing awareness to the myriad forms homelessness can take. But the count has outgrown its usefulness as the most public measure for counting the homeless, and for driving the federal funding so crucial to ensuring that people get the services and support they need. Steve Berg, the Vice President for Programs and Policy at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, goes a step further and says the PIT count can be deceptive. If you know how many people are homeless tonight, that leads to people thinking, well, we can solve homelessness in our community by housing that many people, and then we wont have any homeless people, he says. Which, of course, doesnt take into account [that] tomorrow, a bunch more people are going to become homeless. And the day after that, a bunch of people are going to become homeless. READ MORE: Philly launched a program to put homeless people to work. Heres what happened. Berg acknowledges that cities would go crazy at the suggestion that they should conduct PIT counts more frequently given the resources they require, but concedes that would be one way to get better data. Like NAEH, the countrys most prominent national homelessness organizations have called out the counts shortcomings for years. Its past time for HUD to make improvements and for cities to step up too. To start, jurisdictions should supplement their count of the unsheltered homeless with data from other local institutions, like school districts, jails, and hospitals, all of which are critical partners in any robust housing services system. (Some cities, like Houston, have taken it upon themselves to conduct an expanded count that includes some of this data.) Pulling this data quarterly would also make the PIT count more reliable, and give cities a better sense of what theyre grappling with. READ MORE: Sister Mary Scullion, Philly homelessness expert, to be among lawmakers guests for State of the Union address But to see more meaningful reform, HUD should standardize its methodology, and coordinate the PIT count in partnership with local authorities, rather than relying on cities which have different mechanisms for conducting the count to self-report. When cities and states routinely under-count the homeless, they fail to meet true community need. And as the number of homeless children and youth in the U.S. hits a record high, theres no better time to rethink how we make sure all of our neighbors, at varying stages of housing instability, are safe. Morgan Baskin is a D.C.-based reporter. She writes about housing, homelessness, and social services. @mhbaskin PORTSMOUTH, N.H. On the eve of Tuesday's New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, hundreds of Democrats packed a Unitarian church in this coastal city to listen to Sen. Elizabeth Warren make her final case. With her usual energy and bounce, Warren, a U.S. senator from Massachusetts, told them she's the candidate who can take the "fight" to President Donald Trump. Pews were filled. People cheered. A rainbow flag hung from from a balcony in the back. As Warren ripped Trump, the influence of money in politics and corruption with ease and clarity, the scene gave the impression of a liberal to be reckoned with. But in conversations with several of the New Hampshire voters at Warren's last get-out-the-vote event before voting started, it was clear they weren't all fully committed. Some were last-minute shopping, and with Warren sliding in the polls, they were also considering the front-runner, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and the two surging Midwesterners, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Richard Lemmerman, a 60-year-old investor from Hampton, New Hampshire, sitting toward the back of the town hall, said he'd probably write in his vote for billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, calling him the "strongest possibility to beat Trump." Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth, D-Mass., speaks at a town hall campaign event, Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, in Portsmouth, N.H. As for Warren? Shed make a good secretary of State, a great attorney general. I just dont think shes going to be a good president, Lemmerman said. New Hampshire voters' lack of enthusiasm showed in Warren's final standing, a disappointing, distant fourth place, at 9.2%, not even mustering double-digits, and well below Sanders' first-place 25.8%, Buttigieg's 24.5% and Klobuchar's 19.9%. After earning eight national delegates in Iowa, she left New Hampshire with zero. Months ago, this would have been a shocking outcome for a candidate from a neighboring state who at one time led nationally and in New Hampshire. But since a rocky November rollout of her plan to pay for Medicare for All, Warren has lost traction and hasn't rebounded. She finished a disappointing third in Iowa, where she invested significant resources. Perhaps most amazing of all, her poor showing in New Hampshire was ultimately not a surprise after several days of weak polling. Story continues Following the latest setback, Warren vowed to "fight back" as her campaign takes the long-view, noting 98% of Democrats still haven't voted and insisting she's the "consensus choice of the widest coalition of Democrats." But with early voting already underway in some Super Tuesday states, and the Nevada caucuses looming in a week, a reboot is needed quickly. 2020 candidates on the issues: A voter's guide to where they stand on health care, gun control and more "It is a very fluid field, and even knocking on doors in Iowa and New Hampshire right up until Election Day, people were still making up their minds," said Michelle Wu, a Boston City Councilor at-large and Warren supporter who campaigned for her in both states. "Voters are really wanting to think about November. That means that it will be a long race and a long primary, and Elizabeth's operation is built for the long haul." Where Warren's votes peeled away Warren's New Hampshire collapse came from competing sides. Her perceived strength among college-educated Democrats fell apart with some in this camp choosing the centrist, unity-driven messages of Klobuchar and Buttigieg over Warren's pitch to "fight" Wall Street and drug companies, "disrupt" money in politics and not just "nibble around the edges." PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE - FEBRUARY 10: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) hosts a town hall at South Church on February 10, 2020 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. At the same time, Warren lost the party's far left, in particular young progressives, overwhelmingly to Sanders. These were the voters most likely to gravitate toward Warren's mantra of "big structural change," but in Sanders, they picked a democratic socialist offering much the same vision. Warren received votes from just 6% of New Hampshire voters 18 to 29, according to exit polls from Tufts University's Tisch College of Civic Life/CIRCLE, while Sanders got a whopping 51% and Buttigieg received 20%. In Portsmouth, an ultra-blue city that on paper should have been comfortable ground for Warren, she came in fourth, with just 12.9% of the vote. She even finished behind the same trio of Sanders, Buttigieg and Klobuchar in highly educated Hanover, home of Dartmouth College, with 18%. Warren, a former Harvard law professor, was unable to place in the top three in New Hampshire's Ivy League town. Joe Trippi, a longtime Democratic campaign operative who ran former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's losing presidential bid in 2004, said Warren, along with other campaigns, "underestimated how tough it is to run in a multi-candidate field." He said they viewed the race through the lens of the last few cycles, which had few viable contenders. "In the end, as people start to focus on who's the best progressive that's got a chance of going the whole way, Bernie was winning that battle," Trippi said. "When it came to who was moving at the end among women who really wanted to see a woman get the nomination ... it starts to go to Amy. "She was just drifting down, as was Biden, and the others were basically gaining ground at her expense." More: Three Democrats end their 2020 bids in about 12 hours. Here's why it matters Warren is perhaps the most disciplined of all the candidates on the stump, often tracing her humble upbringing in Oklahoma and challenges as a divorced mother to explain how it shaped her economic views. "I've got a plan for that," she's known to say as she dives into one of her many policy proposals. Her campaign is also credited with having among the more robust ground organizations. On the trail in New Hampshire, Warren appeared to tweak her message in the final stretch, casting herself not just as a lifelong fighter but also the candidate who can "pull our party together" in November. It seemed like an attempt to differentiate herself from Sanders, who has faced questions about coalescing all Democratic factions against Trump. She told an audience last week in Nashua, New Hampshire, "We cannot repeat another 2016." But hurting Warren, according to Rachel Bitecofer, a political scientist and assistant director of the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University, is that the far-left progressive faction in 2020 has proven smaller than in 2016. In New Hampshire, the two so-called "progressive lane" candidates, Sanders and Warren, accounted for only 35% of the overall vote. Bitecofer said more moderates and independents are taking part in the Democratic primary than in past years, including in New Hampshire, where voters registered as "undeclared" could take part. "Her problem is there's really two people in that progressive faction, but the amount of votes to divide between them is smaller and so she's really struggling," Bitecofer said. Neil Levesque, director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, said New Hampshire voters put Warren "on a shelf" when she struggled with her Medicare for All explanation. While they remained uncommitted, Sanders' steady rise and Klobuchar's debate performance last week eroded her support, he said. More so than ideology, Levesque said New Hampshire voters consider traits like personality, style, electability and momentum. "She worked very hard, she's an excellent candidate, great staff," he said. "Everything was there. But sometimes it just doesn't add up." 'We are in a very frothy place' Despite not meeting expectations through two contests, Warren is third in the overall delegate count, with 8, behind Buttigieg, 22, and Sanders, 21, but ahead of the suddenly hot Klobuchar, 7. The day after the New Hampshire defeat, the Warren campaign issued an email to supporters that didn't sugarcoat the outcome: "Let's face it: Last night didn't go the way we wanted it to go," it began, later encouraging supporters to "take a moment and feel that pain" but to press on. "Take a walk around the block, eat an extra piece of chocolate, hug your pet, adopt a pet, watch videos of cats and dogs who are friends, call a friend whatever works," the email read. "But once you've let it all out, take a deep breath, square your shoulders, and make a plan a plan to fight back and win. A plan to help make sure that we won't have to feel this way again." Wednesday evening, Warren made the rounds on cable television networks to answer questions about her setback in New Hampshire, where as recently as November she was polling ahead, and how she plans to get back in the race. Warren told CNN's Anderson Cooper that her campaign had raised $5 million since the Iowa caucuses. But she didn't have an explanation why her message did not resonate in New Hampshire. "I don't," Warren said. "But I can tell you this: I can tell you that it's what I fight for. And I'm going to get out there and keep fighting for it and keep talking about it. I think we are in a very frothy place right now, but do keep in mind, we've only heard from two states. We have 98 percent of our states and territories left to go." In the days leading up to Tuesday's primary, Warren touted the long-term viability of the campaign when asked about the outlook New Hampshire, pointing to some 1,000 campaign workers she has in 31 states. But money could be a problem following back-to-back tough losses. Advertising Analytics reported that Warren cut television ad spending in South Carolina but is maintaining a television presence in Nevada through the Feb. 22 Nevada caucuses. More: Nevada's powerful Culinary Union won't endorse in Democratic presidential primary "I need to level with you," Warren said in a campaign video released Wednesday seeking donations. "Our movement needs critical funds so I can remain competitive in this race through Super Tuesday." Campaign manager critiques opponents Hours before polls closed Tuesday, Warren's campaign manager Roger Lau sent out a campaign memo that predicted the race would stay "wide open" through voting in Nevada (Feb. 22) and South Carolina (Feb. 29). "People who are predicting what will happen a week from now are the same people who a year ago predicted that Beto O'Rourke was a frontrunner for the nomination," Lau wrote. He offered critiques of several candidates. Sanders has a ceiling that's "significantly lower" than four years ago. Former Vice President Joe Biden has started to lose support from African American and senior voters, his two greatest strengths. Buttigieg's "most significant challenge is yet to come," Lau said, as the primary moves to more diverse states. Bloomberg will "soon be forced to actually debate his record, rather than hiding behind millions in TV ads." He said Klobuchar lacks campaign infrastructure for the long haul. 'Defied expectations': Amy Klobuchar's New Hampshire surprise means a new battle for money and attention Charting the course forward, Lau said the Warren campaign's internal projections show her performing at the 15% delegate threshold in 108 of 165 congressional districts on Super Tuesday March 3, when 14 states go to the polls, topped only by Sanders and Biden. "It's not a straightforward narrative captured by glancing at a map, and the process won't be decided by the simple horse race numbers in clickbait headlines," he wrote. But to show momentum into Super Tuesday, Warren desperately needs a strong performance in Nevada perhaps first or second where a USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll in January showed her in third place at 11%, behind Biden, 19% and Sanders, 18%. Warren began her push in Nevada by going on offense against Sanders. It came after the the Culinary Union in Nevada called out Sanders' supporters as having "viciously attacked" union members for opposing the Vermont senator's health care plan. "No one should attack @Culinary226 and its members for fighting hard for themselves and their families," Warren tweeted. "Like them, I want to see every American get high-quality and affordable health care and Im committed to working with them to achieve that goal." 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 Im committed to working with them to achieve that goal. https://t.co/onVqAcZRoB Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) February 13, 2020 The senator has an opportunity to shift the race on Feb. 19, when the next televised debate of the primary takes place in Las Vegas. Klobuchar used the debate in New Hampshire to mount her late surge. But once a candidate starts fading in a large field, it's "really tough to turn that around," Trippi said. He knows first-hand after Dean, for months the front-runner in 2004, nose-dived after Iowa and never regained momentum. He applauded Warren's strong campaign organization, which he said "pushed the envelope" in a lot of strategies. But he said even that could start working against her by turning out supporters of her opponents. "Everybody that her campaign has worked tirelessly to identify as Warren supporters after Iowa and New Hampshire, I can guarantee you half of them aren't for her anymore," Trippi said. "Now she's turning out two people, one of whom is going to vote against her, one who is going to vote for her because her organization is that freaking good. "Her strength is she's got this great organization, but it's actually of little use. That alone won't turn it." Reach Joey Garrison and on Twitter @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elizabeth Warren's New Hampshire stumble and her plan to fight back Photo: Vulture The true-crime podcast universe is ever expanding. Were here to make it a bit smaller and a bit more manageable. There are a lot of great shows, and each has a lot of great episodes, so we want to highlight the noteworthy and the exceptional. Each week, our crack team of podcast enthusiasts and specialists will pick their favorites. Hollywood Crime Scene, Patty Hearst As we all know, crime never sleeps (seriously, though, can we stop doing crimes to each other?!), and while its easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of a late-breaking case, sometimes its nice to simply revisit one of the classics. Which is what Hollywood Crime Scene co-host Desi Jedeikin does this week with her look at the bonkers story of Patty Hearst. A refresher: In 1974, Patty Hearst, the granddaughter of newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst, was kidnapped from her Berkeley home by a group of radicals calling themselves the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA). After being held for months, she announced on a tape made by the group that she was joining the SLA and changing her name to Tania. She was later captured on security footage robbing a bank in San Francisco while wearing a beret and wielding a very big gun. Patty was ultimately caught 19 months after her abduction and claimed to have been brainwashed; she was tried, convicted, and served 22 months. Jedeikin infuses this retelling with her typical wit, and its striking to hear just how many random big-name players were involved (John Wayne?). As they say, only in Hollywood Amy Wilkinson Down the Hill: The Delphi Murders, A Picture & A Search Warrant In February 2017, Abby Williams and Libby German disappeared while on a walk in the woods in Delphi, Indiana. Twenty hours later, the search for the middle-schoolers culminated in the worst way imaginable. While the case has yet to be solved, its hardly cold as of today, there are more than 50,000 tips. In episode three of Down the Hill, (its an eight-episode series), hosts Andrew Iden and Barbara MacDonald reflect on what we dont know about the murders, which is basically everything, including how the girls were killed (although the FBI was called in quickly after the bodies were discovered, so project onto that what you will). What we do know: Theres nothing about this case that isnt genuinely horrible, and, on Libbys phone, there is a photo and a video, and a search warrant was issued for a property near where Abby and Libby were found. Down the Hill paints a stark picture of a small town upended by the murders, and places the families and friends of Abby and Libby front and center, in addition to looking at who the girls really were, instead of allowing them to exist solely as the victims of an unsolved crime. Get ready to be knocked over by details, and count down until the next episode. Chanel Dubofsky Uncover: Satanic Panic, Episodes 13 While the mania around Satanic ritual abuse seemed to have reached its climax in 1990, when the charges in the infamous McMartin preschool trial were all dropped, the fear still lingered. The new season of CBCs Uncover takes us to the small town of Martensville, Saskatchewan, which succumbed to its own Satanic Panic around 1992. Producer and host Lisa Bryn Rundle examines the hysteria that took over the idyllic small town with help from folks at the eye of the storm, some of which have avoided discussing the matter for decades. That includes Claudia Bryden, who was a rookie officer fresh from the RCMP when she began investigating a single abuse allegation that spiraled into something that took over the entire town. This grew to include rumors of a local Satanic cult called the Brotherhood of the Ram, a Devil Church where they abused children, and other, increasingly lurid yarns. The third episode focuses on John Popowich, an officer in Saskatoon, who was accused of taking part in the abuse. The archival interviews with Popowich, who was finally cleared in 2002, and his wife are intense to listen to as they describe the havoc false accusations created in their lives; at one point, Popowich even begins to question himself and whether or not he could have committed these heinous crimes and just blocked out the memories. This seems outlandish to us now in 2020, but as someone who was fascinated by the salacious news reports of SRA in the 80s, anything seemed possible. You only need to read about Pizzagate or even Jeffrey Epsteins death to see that the anxiety slash fascination with cabals of powerfully evil people that sexually abuse children will never go away. Some academic with a much worse Google search history than mine must have written about the history of these obsessions. Either way, Ill continue tuning in to try and understand how our darkest fears can cause us to turn on our neighbors and relatives. Jenni Miller Sticky Beak, Love, Doreen On February 3, 2020, the 32 year old missing persons case of Doreen Vincent was reclassified as a homicide investigation. Doreen was 12 when she disappeared from her fathers home in Wallingford, Connecticut, on June 15, 1988, and then nothing. In 2019, the Faded Out podcast unearthed Doreens case and devoted a 26-episode season to it. And now, Jessica Fritz Aguiar, a Faded Out co-host is continuing to examine the case with Sticky Beak. If youre not from Australia or New Zealand, youve likely not heard the term sticky beak before. Its a person who pries, who would be accused of not minding her own business. In the first episode of Sticky Beak, Fritz Aguiar owns this title for herself she will continue to pursue answers in Doreens case, but also to restore Doreens voice to her. Already, its a tender and powerful rendering. Listeners to Faded Out (and fellow sticky beaks) will devour the details revealed in this new podcast, but if youre not already familiar with Doreens case, start here and prepare to be absorbed, shaken, and infuriated. Chanel Dubofsky A total of 57 schools have applied for our 1 million fund to help them develop on-site pupil inclusion units and cut exclusions to a minimum. A far greater number than expected of London secondary schools came forward, with many heads seeking to cut high exclusion rates and find progressive ways of supporting vulnerable pupils and improving life chances. Our campaign, The Excluded, was launched in January and offered eligible schools a chance to apply for grants of up to 150,000 per school over three years. Our initiative was inspired by the success of The Base inclusion unit at Dunraven School in Lambeth and by nurture units at mainstream schools in Glasgow that promote a supportive, inclusive learning environment with excellent results. Dunraven School in Streatham / Lucy Young The 1 million raised comprises 500,000 from John Lyons Charity, a leading funder for young people in north and west London, and 500,000 from Martin Moshal, a tech philanthropist, whose funds will be administered by The London Community Foundation. Dr Lynne Guyton, chief executive of John Lyons, said: We are very pleased with the number of schools that have expressed an interest. It shows pupil exclusion is a significant issue facing many secondary schools in London. "It also demonstrates the resilience of headteachers looking for alternative, open-minded approaches. Mr Moshal said: I am delighted with the great response as it indicates how seriously schools are taking this issue and recognises the need for alternative approaches with both an individual pupil and broader school and societal impact in mind. "Hopefully other funders will join in to ensure more applicants can benefit from this campaign. Kate Markey, chief executive of The London Community Foundation, said: We are delighted at the response from schools wanting to partner the Evening Standards Excluded initiative to improve inclusion rates. "From the applications received, there is clearly an appetite and commitment from schools to help pupils at risk. The next step is for JLC and LCF to begin assessing applications with JLC assessing the 21 schools that have applied from their area of north and west London and LCF assessing the remaining 36. Schools taken forward to the next stage will be visited to discuss their project in greater detail. TICKERS: ITR; IRRZF Source: Streetwise Reports (2/14/20) The outcomes at Integra Resources' gold-silver project are detailed in an Echelon Wealth Partners report. Ryan Walker, an analyst with Echelon Wealth Partners, reported in a Feb. 6 research note that recent drill results from Integra Resources Corp.'s (ITR:TSX.V; IRRZF:OTCQB) DeLamar project in Idaho expanded one zone and delineated a new anomaly. "We contend that the latest results tend to support the regional prospectivity of the land package assembled by Integra Resources," Walker commented. The analyst reviewed the results. Drilling, for one, extended the 1.2 kilometer (1.2 km)-long, gold-silver mineralized zone on the War Eagle property in the southeast corner of DeLamar another 300 meters (300m), Walker indicated. Mineralization in the War Eagle zone remains open. Two, about 3 km to the west of War Eagle and due east of Florida Mountain, Integra outlined a "new, 1,400m by 600m, high-intensity, gold-silver-arsenic-molybdenum in-soil anomaly," relayed Walker. Because it shares roughly the same size and intensity as the resource envelope at Florida Mountain, the anomaly "represents potential to add shallow oxide and transitional mineralized material amenable to heap leaching," he commented. Walker also provided the recent highlight assays from DeLamar, which were 5.4 grams per ton (5.4 g/t) gold and 45.85 g/t silver over 3.05m (from 227.99m downhole) in Hole IWE19-06. Hole IWE19-04 returned 2.98 g/t gold and 7.27 g/t silver over 3.05m (160.93m). Hole IWE19-05 showed 3.29 g/t gold and 155.57 g/t silver over 0.30m (319.13m). Regarding the two primary findings at DeLamar, Walker wrote, Integra plans to drill another 5,000m in the War Eagle zone this year to define high-grade shoots there and to have an induced polarization survey over the anomaly carried out this summer. Echelon increased its target price on Integra Resources to CA$2.25 per share from CA$1.50 because it moved to a valuation based on discounted cash flow. The target includes a 1.0x multiple representing a premium to peers, which is warranted because Integra's DeLamar project is of a strategic size, substantial exploration remains there and the project is in a geopolitically stable and mining friendly jurisdiction. In comparison, Integra, rated Speculative Buy, is trading now at around CA$1.24 per share. [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 Echelon Wealth Partners, Integra Resources Corp., February 6, 2020 Echelon Wealth Partners compensates its Research Analysts from a variety of sources. The Research Department is a cost centre and is funded by the business activities of Echelon Wealth Partners including, Institutional Equity Sales and Trading, Retail Sales and Corporate and Investment Banking. I, Ryan Walker, hereby certify that the views expressed in this report accurately reflect my personal views about the subject securities or issuers. I also certify that I have not, am not, and will not receive, directly or indirectly, compensation in exchange for expressing the specific recommendations or views in this report. Important Disclosures: Is this an issuer related or industry related publication? Issuer. Does the Analyst or any member of the Analysts household have a financial interest in the securities of the subject issuer? No The name of any partner, director, officer, employee or agent of the Dealer Member who is an officer, director or employee of the issuer, or who serves in any advisory capacity to the issuer. No Does Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. or the Analyst have any actual material conflicts of interest with the issuer? No Does Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. and/or one or more entities affiliated with Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. beneficially own common shares (or any other class of common equity securities) of this issuer which constitutes more than 1% of the presently issued and outstanding shares of the issuer? No During the last 12 months, has Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. provided financial advice to and/or, either on its own or as a syndicate member, participated in a public offering, or private placement of securities of this issuer? Yes During the last 12 months, has Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. received compensation for having provided investment banking or related services to this Issuer? Yes Has the Analyst had an onsite visit with the Issuer within the last 12 months? Yes. DeLamar mine site in Idaho, including mine office, core facility, truck shop, etc. (Feb. 11, 2019) Has the Analyst or any Partner, Director or Officer been compensated for travel expenses incurred as a result of an onsite visit with the Issuer within the last 12 months? No Has the Analyst received any compensation from the subject company in the past 12 months? No Is Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. a market maker in the issuers securities at the date of this report? No In The Clergymans Wife, Lizzie Bennets very plain friend Charlotte Lucas makes the pragmatic decision that contenting herself with marriage to the frightful Mr Collins will be preferable to life as a spinster with no money, and, as in the original, she makes the best of it. But then along comes the humble but kind and physically strong Mr Travis, a local farmer, and the story threatens to turn into a more decorous version of Lady Chatterleys Lover. Molly Greeleys novel is a slow-moving but gently told story that maintains the characterisation of Charlotte in the original, as a sensitive and intelligent realist. Credit: It adds a few extra dimensions of complexity to Mr Collins, though it maintains the spectacular awfulness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and towards the end reminds us that the uncertain fate of the five Bennet sisters has always turned on the fact that Longbourn is entailed, which means that when Mr Bennet dies, Mr Collins will inherit and his wife Charlotte will become mistress of the Bennets former home. The Other Bennet Sister turns the spotlight on poor Mary, whom Austen calls the only plain one in the family. Janice Hadlow moves her to centre stage and gives her a vivid and convincing inner life, and seeing the characters and events of Pride and Prejudice through Marys eyes is an eye-opening testament to the skill of the author. Hadlow is a historian and biographer and has been an award-winning producer and senior executive at the BBC, skilled in the art of storytelling and verbal portraiture. Her intelligence, inventiveness, and understanding of history give this novel some real distinction. All the other sisters are married off by the end of part one of this four-part book, and from there Hadlow strikes out on her own, picking up Marys story thus far and spinning it into the future. Credit: Hadlow has worked out a complex Austenesque plot for Marys subsequent life but it eventually gets somewhat bogged down, as though removing the invisible corsetry of Austens own plot framework had left it to bulge and sag. But there are moments of real drama and psychological acuity. The original version of the scene in which Mary ill-advisedly draws out her mediocre musical performance at the Netherfield Ball is told by Austen through the eyes of Lizzie, who is full of anguish at her familys behaviour. Lizzie makes wordless signals to her father, who takes the hint and says to Mary: That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit. This has delighted, in its turn, two centuries of readers. But seen from Marys point of view, its an excruciatingly painful public humiliation at the hands of a much-loved father and sister. What Hadlow brings to the fore in her recreation of this scene is the fact that, in addition to his other shortcomings as a father, Mr Bennet is also a bully. Permanently wounded by this moment and painfully conscious of the fact that her mother cares nothing for her, Hadlows Mary is left to pick up the pieces of a loveless life as best she might. Miss Austen and Jane in Love both take their subject matter not from Austens fiction but from her life. Credit: Miss Austen focuses on Janes older sister Cassandra and the fact that Cassandra is known to have burned many of her late sisters letters not long before her own death, and Hornby offers some speculations about the reasons Cassandra might have done so. Chief among these is a view of Jane's life that has a revelatory ring of truth about it. But Hornby struggles with a problem that many writers have when attempting to fictionalise true stories and real people. An inability to see which parts of the source material are vital to the story usually the result of a desire to stay faithful to known facts can result in a confusing plethora of detail about names, places, and motivations. The great achievement of this novel is its characterisation of Cassandra as a strong and capable woman in her own right, protective of Jane, content to play Martha to Janes Mary, and courageous enough to take matters of posterity into her own hands. Jane in Love is pure romp and is the closest of these four novels to the playful spirit of fanfic. Credit: From her life in Bath in 1803, the 28-year-old Jane Austen involuntarily time-travels to the contemporary world, where she materialises on a movie set at the feet of Sofia Wentworth, an ageing actress having a panic attack about her unbecoming costume as an unappealing minor character in an adaptation of Northanger Abbey. What follows is a sequence of very funny misunderstandings, the most significant of which is Janes growing devotion to Sofias brother Frederick, a history teacher with the appearance and personality of a Hemsworth brother. Rachel Givney is a screenwriter with a highly developed understanding of plot structure and narrative drive, and there are some hilarious scenes as Jane comes to terms with electricity, internet technology, and flush toilets. In the end, she is faced thanks to the relentless logic of time-travel with a dilemma many female writers have encountered: a forced choice between art and love. Historian Hilary Davidson is coming from a very different place in her beautiful, thoughtful book on the clothing of the Regency era. Credit: Combining meticulous scholarship and intellectual heft with an engaging, approachable style is one of the most difficult writing tasks there is, but Davidson makes it seem effortless, using the life, the letters and the novels of Austen as an entry point into her exploration of clothing, its modes of production, its aesthetics, and its social meaning. The structure is inspired, organising the material not chronologically but rather as a series of concentric circles; the chapters are headed Self, Home, Village, Country, City, Nation, and World, with each chapter examining personal, social, national or global aspects of the material history of clothing in Austens time. Davidson herself is both an experienced curator and a skilled needlewoman, and she brings a great depth of practical knowledge to her subject. Yet again, the Supreme Court has expressed concern about the criminalisation of politics, directing political parties to publicise the criminal cases pending against their candidates in parliamentary and assembly elections. The order has come on a contempt plea filed by Ashwini Upadhyay, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader who has been a relentless campaigner for electoral reforms. Extending a 2018 judgment, the SC directed political parties to publish criminal backgrounds of their candidates not just on their official websites, but also in local newspapers and social media within 48 hours of their selection or two weeks before the first date of filing of nominations, whichever is earlier. The following additional measures will reinforce the directions of the courts earlier judgment: (a) the party must explain the reasons for nominating candidates with pending criminal cases on its website; (b) failing to file a compliance report with the Election Commission of India (ECI) in 72 hours would be tantamount to contempt of court by political parties. These indeed constitute a tougher stance adopted by the Supreme Court, given that in the past two instances it had either delivered a lukewarm judgment (2018) or recused itself from entertaining a similar petition (2019). The recent directions are certainly better than the former wherein it ordered, among other things, candidates to write pending criminal cases against them in bold letters in their nomination papers. Despite the candidates compliance, the effectiveness of the move was as feeble as the health warning on cigarette packets, which too are written in bold letters with pictorial warnings covering 85% of the box! Importantly, the court has sought to bust the argument of winnability of candidates, underlining the importance of merit, and remarked, Winnability cannot be the only reason for selecting a candidate with criminal antecedents. The argument of winnability is half-baked for, if provided a cleaner alternative, the voters always vote for the candidate with a cleaner background, according to the Association for Democratic Reforms. It is significant that the judgment has prioritised morals over the myth of winnability. After a sharp increase in the number of MPs with serious criminal cases against them in the last four general elections -- 124 (2004), 162 (2009), 185 (2014) 233 (2019) -- the Supreme Court is correct to point to the alarming rise in the criminalization of politics. But the court has yet again consciously stayed within the boundaries, stopping short of banning candidates with pending criminal cases from contesting elections as demanded by the petitioner in the case and the Election Commission consistently for over two decades. Political parties have been at the vanguard of opposition against any attempt to cleanse the Indian political arena. The most common argument posed by them has been the misuse of vendetta politicsironically reflecting the nature of their own political play. They conveniently miss the safeguards suggested by the Election Commission of India: (a) only heinous offences that carry at least five years imprisonment would invite a ban against contesting; (b) the case must have been filed at least six months before elections; (c) only when the charges have been framed by a court would a ban be enforced. The other argument put across by the parties is the noble principle in the criminal justice systeminnocent until proven guilty. They have no answers when I help them recall that there are 270,000 under-trial prisoners, not yet convicted, languishing in jails for years with as many as four fundamental rights (liberty, freedom of movement, freedom of occupation and right to dignity) conveniently taken away, in addition to the right to vote. At a time when civil liberties to protest peacefully, a fundamental right under the Constitution of India (Article 19), are being infringed upon by the executive of the day, with our judiciary silently watching, all in the name of national interest, why is the Court shying away from barring criminally charged candidates from contesting in wider national interest? If a fundamental right under Article 19 can be kept aside in wider national interest, why not the right to contest an election, which is not even a fundamental right? The Supreme Court once upheld the importance of the principle of institutional integrity in a case involving the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). So where is the institutional integrity of the supreme institution of democracy, our parliament, with 43% of its honourable members tainted with criminal cases? This upsetting reality has been reflected in the Democracy Index 2019 by the Economist wherein the worlds largest democracy has recorded the sharpest fall since 2006 to find itself at 51st rank, with the tag of a flawed democracy. If the trend continues, we are not too far from the tag of hybrid democracy, the next ladder of the Index, while we continue to protect our honourable tainted politicians under the legal maxim innocent till proven guilty. (SY Quraishi is former Chief Election Commissioner of India and the author of An Undocumented Wonder - The Making of the Great Indian Election The views expressed are personal) Photo credit: The CW From Seventeen Dark Josie is finally here and she's ready to stir things up at the Salvatore School. After Josie, Alaric, and Lizzie's trip to the prison world, Josie has officially returned with a new look. While visiting the set of Legacies, Seventeen got the chance to talk to Kaylee Bryant who showed off her new look for people outside of the show for the first time. "Black hair and everything. It's like I can't even exist on social media right now, 'cause like, I'm a walking spoiler. This is a wig. I wish! I really like the dark hair. I mean, hair would hate me. They're like, 'You've dyed your hair purple twice now. Can you stop?'" For fans, Dark Josie might feel like another familiar part of The Vampire Diaries universe, while for Kaylee, it's something that she's been waiting for since finding out that she was going to be on the show. "It's kind of crazy. I've been talking about Dark Josie with [creator and executive producer] Julie Plec and [executive producer] Brett Matthews since basically I got cast in the role and knew I was playing Josie, because in the first episode I set Penelope on fire. So clearly there's something in this girl that's really dark and so I kind of had this image of what Josie going dark would mean to me," Kaylee told Seventeen on the Legacies set. "Then that kind of mixed in with hair and makeup and wardrobe and all their input and then Julie's input, so it kind of cultivated into this like gothic Katherine Pierce schoolgirl look. So yeah, it's been a very interesting ride. She definitely doesn't start off what she ends on, if that makes sense. As much as Josie's gone on a journey, Dark Josie also goes on a journey so it's very interesting." As a big fan of The Vampire Diaries long before she joined Legacies, Kaylee knows all about Katherine Pierce, so she had a big moment when she found out how much she influenced her new look. Story continues "Oh completely [it was a pinch-me moment]. It was one of those things were it's like I had seen Caroline lose her humanity, Katherine Pierce, Kai Parker, all of these really iconic characters within the TVD universe that had very obvious darkness in them and those were always my favorite characters. I had to talked to Julie and Brett about that constantly so I knew that it was in their plans for my character to do that, but actually seeing it all and the fact that my character is now considered a monster of the week is so exciting," she said. "And when Scott Spencer Miller, who does my hair, was like, 'I think I wanna take your hair black.' I was like, 'Oh, I never would've thought of that, but it sounds really cool.' And he's like, 'Yeah, and Julie is using this one reference photo. She wants it to be a little bit longer and just look at the photo.' And I look and it's Katherine Pierce. And I was like, 'Oh my god! Okay, here we go.'" Despite wanting Dark Josie to be a thing for so long, Kaylee says that she was still super surprised to see it finally happen. "It was one of those things where people had prepared me very subtly to be like, 'You know, I think you're really gonna be excited for this script.' And I was like, 'Why?' And they were just, 'You know, read the script when you get it' I'm like, 'Is Dark Josie in this script?' And they're like, 'Just read it,'" Kaylee continued. "And I was like, 'Is Dark Josie in this script?!' So when I actually saw the word Dark Josie written as the character name I was like, 'Oh my god, I've been joking about this name since episode 1.' So the fact that it is like her title is Dark Josie is hilarious to me. Yeah, I freaked out." After playing Josie for so long, fans might think that it would be super hard for her to play a different version of her character, but Kaylee says it was pretty easy thanks to her preparation for the role. "Oh, it's way easier to go dark. It's one of those things were it's like I kept diaries of Josie's inner monologue since before I started season 1 and she's so angry. But she tries to put all of her anger [away] and that's always the hardest part about playing Josie is hiding that anger," she said. "So the fact that I can have that anger and twist it and kind of have humor along with it is just very fun to do. So it's almost more fun than regular Josie." Things haven't been going so well with Josie through the entire season, so it's not too surprising to see her finally make a turn like this. Kaylee even noted that she's been working her way up to playing Dark Josie with how she created her character especially this season. "This whole season has been very interesting for me to kind of play. I initially walked into this season with every time she forgave somebody, I almost walked into this season writing her as if she was a sociopath. So every time she was seeking empathy was a way for people to think of her as a very empathetic person, when in reality she was a sociopath. I've been told that's not true by the writers, I might have played it that way," Kaylee revealed. "So there are a few moments especially within that scene that I think she wants to be okay with a lot of things that are going on, but when your very recent ex-boyfriend is now back together with the love of his life who you used to have a crush, I think there's a part of her that wants everything to be okay, but on the inside she'll always be just a little bit heartbroken and trying to kind of move forward as much as possible." Josie's big turn will obviously affect the rest of the Saltzman family, as they try to work together to bring them back to their world. "Alaric always tries to kind of take control of situations as much as he can as a human, even though he has had such a past of all of these amazing magical beings, so he has such a deep understanding of what is going on and has seen worse things. I mean, he literally met the Devil at one point in The Vampire Diaries. So he sees this as a real threat and it's really difficult for Alaric specifically because he sees his daughter who he feels like he's neglected and has seen always be the kind of easy one and now he realizes that he has done a lot that wasn't correct in Josie's mind," Kaylee said. "So I think that he feels very regretful about a lot of stuff and is just trying to fix it without hurting anybody else. As for Lizzie, I think that Lizzie is always kind of had this insecurity of not being the strongest witch amongst Josie with the merge and everything. So with Dark Josie kind of gaining more and more power, it brings a lot of that sort of power dynamic to the surface of who is stronger and who is more willing to fight back when it comes to the merge." When asked if Caroline being around would've made a difference in how Josie turned dark, Kaylee says that she doesn't think her presence could have changed things. "I don't really think so. It's one of those things where I think that a lot of this is so in Josie's mind and so much of it is her not voicing what's been going on for her entire life that there are times where she has wanted help, but she hasn't [looked for it.] So with Caroline being there, I think she still would've gone dark. I think that all these things still would've happened. You would have the extra layer of 'Okay, would it be easier to tie her down with a vampire that she might be more willing to listen to?' You can say the same thing about Hope or MG, literally the entire school is full of vampires, so you can't really take the vampire aspect of it into account. All the vampires in the school can't really tie down Dark Josie. But I do think that her having her mom tell her, 'Hey, it's okay. I'm here for you.' I think that she feels the void of her mother quite a bit." Kaylee also opened up about another Josie-centric episode, "Since When Do You Speak Japanese?", which shocked several viewers as they watched, but became a big episode for her and showing another part of her identity. "It's kind of interesting 'cause a lot of people were really impressed with my pronunciation and very impressed that I can learn Japanese that quickly. The reality is that I have been speaking Japanese for quite a while and my grandpa is Okinawan so I've heard Japanese my entire life. And so it was just a lot of fun to have Soji Arai, who is from Japan, and I got to speak and kind of get back into my conversational mode with my language skills that have very much gone very poor over time," she said. "It was really interesting to kind of see everyone's reactions of kind of being like, 'Why is this white girl speaking Japanese?' And I'm like, 'white passing.' [laughs] It was definitely really interesting and it was kind of fun for me 'cause I think a lot of people get into their heads about what it means to be Japanese or what it means to be Josie Saltzman. When the reality is I'm not seeking to be the face of anything or any movement. The reality is if a mixed girl sees me on screen and goes, 'Oh my gosh, she kind of looks like me and she can speak multiple languages like me and that makes me feel more comfortable in my skin,' then that's all I can ask for. So I really loved it!" You Might Also Like Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 13:05:00|Editor: zyl Video Player Close SYDNEY, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ground crew working for budget Australian airline Jetstar will hold a 24-hour strike for better pay and conditions next week, representatives from the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) announced on Friday. The action will take place on Feb. 19 in Sydney, Melbourne, Avalon, Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide airports. Widespread flight cancellations are expected for the airline which operates services not just in Australia but across the Asia-Pacific, including to China, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia among others. The company said in a statement that customers with flights booked on Feb. 19 could cancel their flight for a full refund, or move their booking to an earlier date at no extra cost. TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said the decision to strike was not made lightly and that workers apologized for any inconvenience caused to the public. "But these workers are in the fight of their lives for a decent standard of living," Kaine said. The dispute has been ongoing for some time, with Jetstar workers going on strike twice in December 2019, before calling a temporary halt to industrial action over the Christmas period and during the recent bushfire emergency. According to the TWU, employees of the Qantas-owned airline receive low wages and uncertain hours. They are calling for a guaranteed minimum 30-hour work week, a four percent wage increase, and a guaranteed 12-hour break between shifts. Jetstar Chief Executive Gareth Evans said in a statement that the decision to strike was "unforgivable" at a time when local tourism and economy is hurting, adding that the airline would do as much as possible to minimise disruption to the customers while the dispute plays out. "It's another example of how out of touch this union is," Evans said. It has already been put forward as a potential Oscar contender just a day into production. And Matt Damon and Jodie Comer were at the centre of the action as they arrived at the set of historical drama The Last Duel in the Dordogne region of France. The film, adapted from a historical novel by Matt and Ben Affleck, will be directed by Ridley Scott and also stars Adam Driver. Star power: Matt Damon and Jodie Comer were at the centre of the action as they arrived at the set of historical drama The Last Duel in the Dordogne region of France Core crew: The film, adapted from a historical novel by Matt and Ben Affleck, will be directed by Ridley Scott and also stars Adam Driver Matt, 49, was seen riding horseback along a trail in preparation for his role as a Medieval knight. The Academy Award-winner wore a navy down vest over a black top, and blue jeans for the outing in the rainy countryside filming location. The movie marks the first return of Matt's writing partnership with Ben Affleck since their award-winning script for Good Will Hunting. In the saddle: Matt, 49, was seen riding horseback along a trail in preparation for his role as a Medieval knight Casual: The Academy Award-winner wore a navy down vest over a black top, and blue jeans for the outing in the rainy countryside filming location Chilled out: Jodie, 26, meanwhile kept it casual as she walked between sets, wearing a comfy grey and black ensemble Jodie, 26, meanwhile kept it casual as she walked between sets, wearing a comfy grey and black ensemble. The Killing Eve star wrapped up in a woolly scarf and held back her blonde locks with an animal-print hairband. She gave a relaxed smile as she walked with a crew member underneath an umbrella. Stylish: The Killing Eve star wrapped up in a woolly scarf and held back her blonde locks with an animal-print hairband Legend: Celebrated director Ridley Scott was also spotted walking around on the film location before getting into a car Celebrated director Ridley Scott was also spotted walking around on the film location before getting into a car. The new movie will star Matt as Jean de Carrouges, a 14th century knight who is ordered to fight to the death with former friend Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) after he accuses him of raping his wife Nicole (Jodie). Speaking on Conan in November, Matt said: 'We're going to shoot it next year. 'It's about the last sanctioned duel in Medieval France between these two knights, one of whom claimed the other raped his wife. They could not resolve what had happened, and so they fought to the death to let God decide who was telling the truth. Plot: The new movie will star Matt as Jean de Carrouges, a 14th century knight who is ordered to fight to the death with former friend Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) after he accuses him of raping his wife Nicole (Jodie) Action! Speaking on Conan in November, Matt said: 'We're going to shoot it next year' 'We thought that it was this interesting story of perspectives, so Ben and I wrote the male perspectives and Nicole wrote the female perspectives, and Ridley Scott's going to direct it.' Ben could also take a smaller acting role in the project. It was reported that originally, Matt and Ben were to play the two leading roles in the film, but ran into scheduling conflicts due to Ben's role in Adrian Lyne's Deep Water. Adam Driver was then cast to take over the leading role from Affleck, following an incredible year for the star in Marriage Story, Star Wars, and The Dead Don't Die. Issues: It was reported that originally, Matt and Ben were to play the two leading roles in the film, but ran into scheduling conflicts due to Ben's role in Adrian Lyne's Deep Water New Delhi The environment ministrys expert appraisal committee (EAC) has gone back on norms it laid down and accepted the Adani Groups plea for exemption from conducting a public hearing on the Mundra port waterfront development project, much to the concern of the 30,000-odd people from the fishing community in the area. The EAC on infrastructure and coastal regulation zone (CRZ) projects took the decision during a meeting on January 28. The panel decided that the project will not require a public hearing in line with a clause in the 2006 environment impact assessment notification and subsequent amendments made to it. But according to the terms of reference (TOR) for the project, issued by the environment ministry on May 17, 2019, and uploaded on the green ministrys Parivesh website, the EAC directed Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) to conduct a public hearing for expansion. Public hearing to be conducted and issues raised and commitments made by the project proponent on the same should be included in environment impact assessment/ environment management plan (EIA/EMP) report in the form of a tabular chart with financial budget for complying with the commitments made, the TOR said. Initially, the EAC also asked for a certified compliance report by the environment ministrys regional office or Central Pollution Control Board or member-secretary of the respective State Pollution Control Boards for the norms stipulated in earlier environmental clearances of the project along with an action taken-report on issues that were partially complied with or not complied with. A study on the impact of dredging and dumping on marine ecology and a management plan, an elaborate biodiversity impact assessment report and management plan conducted by the National Institute of Oceanography were also included in the TOR. It isnt clear why the EAC approved an amendment of the TOR and exempted the Mundra project from a public hearing that the panel itself had originally recommended. Professor T Haque, the chairman of EAC and a renowned agricultural economist, said, I am busy with something else, and wont be able to comment on this project. APSEZ carried out a Cumulative Impact Assessment Study (CIA) for the 2030 master plan of the Mundra port and SEZ, according to the minutes of the January 28 meeting. APSEZ made a detailed presentation on the CIA to the EAC last year. Details of this presentation arent in the public domain. Kamlesh Gadhvi, the sarpanch of Sadau group gram panchayat in Mundra, and several other villagers wrote to Professor Haque on January 26, demanding that their concerns be heard before any expansion work is carried out. We have noticed that our complaint hasnt even been recorded in the minutes of the meeting. We are stakeholders in this. We will write to EAC again demanding an explanation, said Gadhvi. Around 30,000 families are involved in fishing in Kutch and many of them are impacted by the SEZ project, according to Bharat Patel, general secretary, Machchimar Adhikar Sangharsh Sangathan, which represents the fishing community. Concerns raised by the fishing community include loss of common grazing land in Navinal gram panchayat, damage to their boats and nets, lack of a conservation plan for creeks and mangroves and apathy towards the protection of their livelihoods. A senior executive at Adani Group refused to comment on the EACs decision. The EAC has retracted its own precautions and safeguards cited in the ToR. The public hearing could have been a golden opportunity for the EAC to understand past conflicts, current non-compliance, and future impact before taking a considered view on whether the expansion work should be allowed. Now, the documents provided by the proponent of the contentious project holds the key, said Kanchi Kohli, senior legal researcher, Centre for Policy Research. The Kerala High Court on Friday ordered the state industries director to plant 100 trees for failing to comply with its earlier directives and asked the forest ministry to find a suitable place for planting the saplings. The HC order follows a plea by a Kollam-based firm, SS Chemicals, alleging the state industries department had not implemented the courts order in a ten-year-old matter. SS Chemicals had first moved the court ten years ago to fix anomalies in its sales tax and was awarded a favourable verdict by the High Court. The firm approached the court again two years ago saying its directives were yet to be followed by the concerned department. The court expressed serious concerns over the departments failure to implement its orders. Initially, Justice Amit Raval ordered the industries director to serve in a Leprosy hospital in the state, but later changed it after being informed of the absence of any Leprosy hospital in the state. The judge then directed K Biju to plant at least 100 saplings and correct the anomalies at the earliest and report back to the court. In a similar judgment last year, the Supreme Court had ordered a 32-year-old doctor from West Bengal, who was accused of attempting a murder at the age of 16, to plant 100 trees in a year. Similarly, in another case, the Delhi High Court had ordered a couple to plant 100 trees for employing a minor for household works last year. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 14:02:05|Editor: zyl Video Player Close KIGALI, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda's Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo on Thursday called for concrete actions to plug loopholes in the fight against corruption in the country's justice sector. Poor service delivery to service seekers opens up loopholes for corruption, and fighting it requires closing all those loopholes, Ntezilyayo told a meeting on anti-corruption in Kigali, capital of Rwanda. There is also a need to assess whether the measures taken to fight corruption are bearing results, he said. Rwanda has put in place various measures to fight corruption in its justice sector, including implementing the Integrated Electronic Case Management System, setting up anti-corruption committees, launching annual anti-corruption week, working with other government entities dedicated to fighting corruption, planning awareness campaigns, encouraging residents to report corrupt judicial officials as well as avoiding unnecessary postponement of hearings or passing of verdicts. In 2005-2019, 47 Rwandan judicial officials implicated in corruption have been fired, statistics from the judiciary revealed. Rwanda was ranked the least corrupt country in East Africa and the fourth-least corrupt country in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released last month by Transparency International. Montenegro needs its own Orthodox church to ward off meddling from Serbia and cement its identity, President Milo Djukanovic told AFP, as tensions seethe over who controls a faith shared by both countries. Djukanovic, who has run the small Adriatic country for nearly 30 years, doubled down on the stance as Montenegro is roiled by protests over the status of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) inside its borders. Long-running tensions over the issue exploded when the government passed a law in December that could turn many of the church's oldest monasteries into Montenegrin state property, trigging huge demonstrations. The SPC, based in Belgrade, is still the main religious body in Montenegro, which was one country with Serbia for nearly 90 years until 2006. Speaking to AFP in the Montenegrin capital Podgorica, the president accused SPC clergy of undermining his efforts to consolidate the country's 14-year independence. "The Serbian Orthodox Church is among important instruments used by the ideologists of a 'Greater Serbia' nationalism against Montenegro, against Montenegrin independence, against its national, cultural and religious identity," Djukanovic said. The 57-year-old called for the creation of an autonomous branch of the Orthodox church in Montenegro, similar to the Ukraine church's split from Russia. It would "would unite all Orthodox believers, both those of Serbian and those of Montenegrin national affiliation," explained the leader of a country where around a third of the population identify as Serb. While an independent Montenegrin church was declared in the early 1990s, its footprint and flock are still tiny, and its religious authority is not recognised by the major Orthodox power centres. - Prayers and protests - While Djukanovic's government defends the new property law, the SPC has flexed its muscles over the past month and a half by mobilising tens of thousands of demonstrators to weekly prayer marches across a country of around 620,000 people. Priests accuse the ruling party of preparing to plunder its holy sites, which include more than 600 monasteries and churches dotting the country's rocky, picturesque landscapes. Djukanovic, a shrewd politician who masterminded Montenegro's independence, replies that the clergy are "skilfully manipulating" believers. Priests accuse the ruling party of preparing to plunder its holy sites / AFP/File He insists the churches will remain open for use for the Orthodox faithful, though he doesn't hide his desire to eventually cut off the spiritual chain of command from Belgrade. For Djukanovic, creating a separate church is the next "logical" step after securing Montenegro's independence. "We are driven...by an undisputable need to complete the spiritual, state and social infrastructure that will strengthen citizens' awareness of their own identity," he told AFP. "We do not accept the ideas of 'Serbing' Montenegro," he added. - Identity card - The church issue has put sensitive identity debates about Serbia and Montenegro's entangled histories at the centre of politics in the run-up to elections later this year. It has also deepened hostility and dysfunction in parliament, where Djukanovic's ruling DPS party faces a pro-Serb opposition which aligns with the Church. Some critics accuse Djukanovic of using the religious issue to rile emotions and distract from other problems that have festered under his rule. Those include low wages, widespread corruption and threats to media freedoms, all of which are standing in the way of Montenegro's dreams to join the European Union, a goal tentatively set for 2025. Others say Djukanovic's domination of power -- serving as either prime minister or president for most of the past three decades -- is the main obstacle to Montenegro's democratisation. The president, however, counters that this is the cry of sore losers, encouraging his rivals to work harder if they want to win elections expected in autumn. "If my opponents expect that I should make a concession to them so they could reach their goal, a victory by handing them power without elections, they are wrong," he said. Police in Chhattisgarh have arrested three women, who taught in a school allegedly run by Maoists in Narayanpur district, but denied the claim of villagers they thrashed children and elderly and burnt down the school. The incident happened on February 4 in Markedbeda village and came to light when the villagers lodged a complaint against the members of the District Reserve Guards (DRG), a police force comprising surrendered Maoists and locals from the rebel dominated areas of the state. Narayanpurs superintendent of police, Mohit Garg, said police never went to the village. Yes, we have arrested three persons from nearby Metnar village and they have been identified as Ramsu Vedda, a Maoist local organisation squad (LOS) member, Sunita Gawde, LOS deputy commander, and Maini, a Maoist area committee member, Garg said. He also claimed that the three arrested women were wanted in several Maoist-violence related cases in Kanker district. The trio was produced in the court on February 11, he said. A resident of Markedbeda, Mahru Nuruti, said a DRG team with surrendered Maoists from their village came on February 4 and they thrashed the villagers including children after cordoning off the area. They came here and started beating everyone branding them as Maoists and arrested three of us, who were teachers in a local school, said Nuruti. Another villager, Sirgo Weda, alleged that the DRG squad set the make-shift school in the village on fire. They demolished the school and also damaged the utensils of the school. The DRG team also looted Rs 25,000 from two women, Weda also said. Police, on the other hand, claimed they did not know anything about burning of the school. We have no idea about the school but we had intelligence inputs there was a school in Markedbeda village which was run by Maoists. The Maoist statement released after the arrest of three also claimed that there was a school, Garg said. Garg was referring to the purported statement of Arjun Padda, the secretary of Raoghat area committee of CPI (Maoist), who reportedly claimed that the arrested women were teachers at the school operated by CPI (M). The senior police official said the allegations of beatings and schools burning were mere propaganda of the Maoists. Markedbeda is deep inside the dense forests in Narayanpur district and is not accessible by road. DRG has a knowledge of the forests and is deployed in the region for counter-Maoist operations. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Some of the messages are those of frustration, such as Agent Orange kills and sprayed and betrayed, while others are more somber, such as honor and remember. Getty Images Law enforcement groups are asking the state to provide emergency funding to cover a $5 million deficit for training. The Illinois Sheriffs Association and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police are asking for more money after funding for the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board was cut 16% this year. The board provides a majority of mandated training for police. Tens of thousands of files belonging to US inmates were leaked online. Cyber security researchers discovered a bucket containing the mugshots, full names, IDs, medical records and other sensitive information of 36,077 incarcerated individuals. JailCore, a platform used to manage correctional facilities, was left unsecure and unencrypted on an Amazon server, impacting locations in Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and West Virginia The bucket was discovered by vpmMentor on January 3rd, but was not closed until nearly two weeks later leaving enough data exposed online for cybercriminals to steal the person's identity. However, a JailCore spokesperson told DailyMail.com that many of the files in the bucket are for demonstration purposes only and are not information of real inmates. In addition, personal information of inmates is not governed under the same laws as free citizens, it is public information, the spokesperson continued. JailCore also explained that jails are not HIPAA compliant - meaning their medical information is does not have to be kept private. Cyber security researchers discovered a bucket containing the mugshots, full names, IDs, medical records and other sensitive information of 36,077 incarcerated individuals When it comes to keeping medical records private HIPAA may apply to inmate's medical records, the privacy of health information about individuals in pretrial release, probation, or on parole is not protected by HIPAA, according to Corrections.com The team explained that stealing a person's identify who is in jail can cause greater damage, as it may take some time to discover they have been scammed. Hackers could also use their information to engage in other illegal activity such as credit card fraud and scams on families. According to vpnMentor, JailCore refused to accept the disclosure of their findings, and demanded that the information be sent over via fax. The data leak was first spotted on January 3rd and vpnMentor quickly reached out to JailCore directly on January 5th. JailCore told DailyMail.com in an interview that they 'are a startup with six clients who house 1,200 inmates.' JailCore was left unsecure and unencrypted on an Amazon server, impacting locations in Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and West Virginia The bucket was discovered by vpmMentor on January 3rd, but was not closed until nearly two weeks later 'It is not fair that people [vpnMentor] are able to publish whatever they like without getting the facts.' 'None of the information found in the bucket is deemed private, as an inmate does not have the same privacy laws as we do.' 'Jails are also not HIPAA compliant, so none of their medical records are deemed private. 'These individuals are the property of the county, which it says on the back of their clothing.' 'They do not get to decide what to do or where to go, they do not have the same privileges as we do.' 'If the correction facilities that housed Jeff Epstein and Aaron Hernandez were using JailCore they may still be alive because we aim at providing transparency for jails and their staff.' The JailCore spokes person continued to explain that the many of the documents found in the bucket were for demonstration purposes and not actual information on inmates. 'We understand that the bucket was left online unsecured,' the spokesperson continued, 'but that issue has been rectified and it is now secure.' Data leaked included inmates' prescription records such as medicine name, dosage, and whether the inmate accepted the medicine full names, mugshots, booking numbers, inmate IDs, activity logs and more The team explained that stealing a person's identify who is in jail can cause greater damage, as it may take some time to discover they have been scammed. Hackers could also use their information to engage in other illegal activity such as credit card fraud and scams on families After informing the Pentagon of the breach on January 15th, the S3 Bucket leak was eventually closed by January 16th. DailyMail.com has contacted the Perry County jail in Missouri, as they are shown in the leak, for a statement, but they refused to comment. Ariel Hochstadt, Co-Founder of vpnMentor said: 'For a technology company, our research team found it odd that there was no available privacy policy nor terms of service for JailCore, and their site is being served unencrypted without an SSL certificate.' 'We were able to access Jailcore's S3 bucket because it was completely unsecured and unencrypted. 'JailCore could have easily avoided this leak if they had taken some basic security measures to protect the S3 Bucket, such as securing their servers and implementing proper access rules.' Data leaked included inmates' prescription records such as medicine name, dosage, and whether the inmate accepted the medicine full names, mugshots, booking numbers, inmate IDs, activity logs and more. Full names and signatures of correctional officers and drug administrators were also exposed. 'Each detainee that was checked into a detention center, from what we could see, has a number of PII about themselves and their mugshots logged into the system, vpnMentor explained in a blog post. ' 'A portion of this is shared in an online, publicly-accessible roster of current inmates when it comes to county jails, for example.' 'What's not meant to be available to all is individual specific medication information and additional sensitive data.' 'Also included were the full names of correctional officers (and occasionally their signature), associated with personally-filled out observation reports and the like. Although JailCore was not pleased about hearing there was a leak it did state 'data Security is of utmost importance here at JailCore.' 'We ensure all of our data is encrypted end to end as well as when it is at rest.' Luxembourg - The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) continue strengthening their cooperation, by signing a new action plan for 2020. The plan will intensify their support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the EU neighborhood, Central Asia and the African continent. It will focus on climate change and the energy transition, early recovery, post-natural disaster recovery and conflict prevention and will explore new areas of joint collaboration, including gender equality and migration. No country or organisation can turn the Sustainable Development Goals into reality all by themselves, said Markus Berndt, Director for EIB Group Strategy. The UNDP and the EIB are excellent partners in this endeavour. Combining UNDP global presence and country knowledge with our financial and technical expertise will help leverage our joint impact, improve loan performance and reduce lending costs. This will ultimately benefit millions of people across the world. UNDPs work with EIB exemplifies the development financing of the future. From climate action to increase financing for fragile countries, the SDGs require unprecedented collaboration to create stable conditions, generate fiscal revenue and attract private investment, said Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, the UNDP Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. EIB not only has in-depth knowledge and experience of a diversity of financing instruments, including the most innovative, but it is also aligning its work with the Paris Agreement. Together, we bring a wealth of knowledge to programme countries, she added. In 2016, UNDP and EIB signed a Memorandum of Understanding enabling both organizations to jointly analyse responses to global challenges and share knowledge with each other in areas such as migration, climate change and responding to crises. The action plan will supplement and expand the existing work of the two organizations that took root in eastern neighbourhood. In eastern Ukraine, UNDP and EIB are cooperating for the recovery and the reconstruction of critical infrastructure, from schools to clinics and centres hosting internally displaced persons. In Armenia, UNDP partners with EIB on the field of public building refurbishments within an initiative to attract private and public-sector investments to propel investments in energy efficiency building retrofits. The program aims at achieving large Greenhouse Gas Emissions reductions and is expected to benefit over 200,000 people. Laughter and love go in hand in glove and this was clearly seen at Chowpatty Beach as the golden agers celebrated Valentine's Day on Friday. The senior citizen's laughter club was seen rejoicing the day by practising unbridled laughter therapy with school children present at the site. "By laughing with the school children, aged people forget about their worries and become stress-free. These kinds of exercises help them to deal with the loneliness," Kishore H Kuvavala, President Laughter Club, told ANI. Majority of the participants were wearing red and pink clothes symbolising love and happiness. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Alliance News) - Asimilar Group PLC on Friday said its shares have been suspended from trading as it signed term sheet for investment in Belgium data science firm Sentiance NV. Asimilar was, until just before Christmas, known as YOLO Leisure & Technology. The company said it has signed a non-binding term sheet concerning an investment in Sentiance, "which, subject to contract, may or may not be considered to be a reverse takeover transaction." As a result, its shares have been suspended from trading whilst "work continues on this investment". "The company's shares will remain suspended until such time as the company publishes an admission document or discussions in relation to a possible reverse takeover transaction cease," Asimilar said. The company also said it is continuing to work with Sentiance to finalise binding legal documentation, "although there is no guarantee that a formal agreement will be reached." By Loreta Juodagalvyte; loretajuodagalvyte@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. New Delhi, Feb 14 : Bribery accused Gopal Krishna Madhav, an OSD to Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, moved a court for bail in the case on Friday even as Special Judge Santosh Snehi Mann sent him in 14-day judicial custody. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested the Officer on Special Duty, a senior Delhi Tax Department officer, on February 5 on the charge of accepting a bribe of Rs 2 lakh. In his bail plea, the officer contended that the CBI had kept him in custody for more than seven days and collected all evidence, adding that there was no possibility of him evading proceedings or influencing the investigation. He claimed that he was falsely implicated in the case. "There is no prima facie evidence to even connect the accused with any such charge," his bail plea read. Madhav said that the absence of a bribery demand on his part before its alleged acceptance is sufficient to quash the FIR lodged in the matter. Two federal agencies are set to conduct a sweeping set of studies aimed at fully understanding how widespread pollution in the Passaic River has affected the water and the wildlife that rely on it. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will soon begin studying the Diamond Alkali Superfund site, which includes historic contamination in a roughly 17-mile stretch of the river between Newark Bay and the Dundee Dam in Garfield. The study is meant to determine how the dumping of hazardous materials into the Passaic River which is tied to industrial activity in the area dating back to the 1800s has damaged natural resources like birds, fish and crabs. The goal of the study and subsequent remediation work is to restore or replace the damaged natural resources, Clay Stern, the USFWSs case manager for the Diamond Alkali site, said in a statement to NJ Advance Media. This study is separate from clean-up work that is being overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is designed to minimize risks to human health. The EPA expects that cleaning the entire 17-mile stretch of the Passaic to cost $1.4 billion, all of which is supposed to be paid for by the companies responsible for the pollution. The EPA secured a $165 million settlement in 2016 from Occidental Chemical Corporation, just one of the polluters, to fund some of the work on the lower eight miles. The state has warned people not to eat fish and shellfish from the polluted-stretch of the Passaic River for decades. Previous studies of the river by the EPA and the state of New Jersey have been focused on understand the nature and extent of the pollution. This new work by the USFWS and NOAA will be the first to understand how the pollution has affected birds, fish and their habitats, according to Stern. The USFWS and NOAA intend to collect data for their study before, during and after the dredging of the site is done for the EPA remediation work. That dredging is expected to begin in 2021, according to the USFWS. Stern said the study is expected to begin in the spring, and that there is no set timeline for completing the work. Each case is unique and the amount of time can vary significantly, Stern said. Natural resource damage assessment for sites as complex the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site often take years to complete. Read the full natural resource damage assessment Plan for the Diamond Alkali site here. Read more of NJ.coms coverage of New Jersey water issues here. Michael Sol Warren may be reached at mwarren@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MSolDub. 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 20:09:56|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close United Nations Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock speaks in an interview with Xinhua at the UN headquarters in New York, Feb. 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) by Xinhua writer Wang Jiangang UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's response to the novel coronavirus outbreak is remarkable and the international community shares a common interest in collaborating to tackle the epidemic, UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock has told Xinhua. Commenting on the measures China has taken to combat the epidemic, Lowcock lauded the country's "quite wide agreement" to try to first of all "contain the virus and its spread." Lots of the measures that have been taken are intended to have that effect inside China, he said. Lowcock also lauded China's efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus beyond China, adding that China is taking efforts to "buy time to learn more about the virus and how to deal with it." "We need to understand the virus, and then we need to develop a means of diagnosing people who may have it," said Lowcock, adding that one of the priorities is to see what can be done to develop new therapies. "The secretary-general, the head of the World Health Organization, and all the senior colleagues in the United Nations really admire the way China is trying to deal with this problem," he added. The UN official also called for global cooperation to tackle the epidemic. "This is really a classic example of a case where everybody's interests are best served by collaboration. And everybody needs to recognize the remarkable efforts that China is making to deal with this problem," he said. Commenting on the appeal made by Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, on Wednesday that the international community should "increase mutual trust, foster an awareness of a community of shared future for mankind, oppose politicization of health issues and leave no breeding ground or space for any racist comments, discrimination or stigma," Lowcock said those were "extremely wise words." "They fully represent the view of the United Nations that the virus does not respect borders. The virus does not discriminate between one sort of person and another sort of person. The virus has the potential to affect everybody," he said. FOUR years after losing his Dail seat, Fine Gaels Kieran ODonnell has reclaimed the title of TD, and has said he feels privileged to have done so. The Limerick city candidate received 14.3% of first preference votes at the polls on February 8, and was elected on the eighth count this Monday at Limerick Racecourse. The elimination of fellow Fine Gael candidate Maria Byrne in the previous count was fundamental to Kierans election, as 60% of her second preferences went directly to the Monaleen man. I was delighted with the transfers, Kieran told the Limerick Leader, Maria and I both ran in order to get the best possible result for the party, thats the key thing. She was a very good candidate. I feel so privileged to have been chosen to represent Limerick city and its surrounding areas including north Tipperary, he added. Many of my colleagues and fellow party candidates lost seats across the county, theres been huge shift nationally and Fine Gael now have to sit back and reflect on the message thats been sent to us by the electorate across the country. We need to be as conscious as ever of what the people want, and the demand is clear - they want affordable housing, pension amendment and childcare cost control. We must reflect on this as a party. Regarding Fine Gael party leader and Taoiseach Leo Varadkars surprising election on the fifth count in his constituency, Kieran said: I was concentrating entirely on Limerick during the count. I was confident when the first preferences came in, we started pulling strong transfers then. It was a slow count. Kieran received 39 of poll topper Maurice Quinlivans second preference votes, and 206 from Aontus Michael Ryan after his elimination just before the fourth count. With just a week to go until the 33rd Dail officially meets for the first time, Kieran has said he will be demanding that the 60-bed block is immediately seen to as a fundamental matter of urgency. In addition, I will be looking into the provision of garda station in areas such as Castletroy and Dooradoyle, its something Im going to be pushing strongly for. Kieran scooped the majority of first preference votes in his local polling stations, including Milford NS, Gaelscoil Caladh An Treo, Monaleen NS, Lisnagry NS and Castleconnell NS. He has pledged to deliver specific projects to these areas, including the development of an Educate Together school, an extension to Monaleen National School, as well as an additional National School in the Monaleen area. He also has plans to push the M20, as well as an improved public transport network for Limerick city. Kieran was an unsuccessful candidate at the 2002 Seanad election, and was elected on his first attempt to Limerick County Council for the Castleconnell electoral area in 2004. He was elected to represent Limerick East in Dail Eireann in 2007, a position he held until 2011 when he served the Limerick City constituency. This seat was lost to Jan OSullivan in 2016, and was soon elected to the Seanad where he sat on the Cultural and Educational Panel and was the FG spokesperson for finance. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Opposing grant of exemption to Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy from personal appearance before the special CBI court in the alleged disproportionate assets case, the Central Bureau of Investigation submitted that if the High Court grants blanket exemption from personal appearance to the prime accused (Jagan) before trial court, then it will make him feel virtually liberated from the ongoing judicial proceedings and give him an unsolicited liberty to do whatever he wants and influence the witnesses behind the iron wall of political, money and muscle power, reducing the trial proceedings to a mere spectacle. The first chargesheet was filed in the case about eight years ago, but the trial proceedings are yet to commence and this indicates that the petitioner and other accused were working in tandem to procrastinate the proceedings on one pretext or the other, the CBI noted. In this regard, the CBI filed counter affidavit before Justice G Sri Devi of Telangana High Court, who is dealing with 11 petitions filed by Jagan seeking to quash the order of the Special CBI court and dispense with his personal appearance before the trial court and allow his advocate to appear on his behalf during hearing of criminal proceedings initiated against him. The petitioner, who is arrayed as accused number one in the 11 chargesheets filed in the case, challenged the order of the special CBI court in dismissing his plea to grant exemption from personal appearance in the alleged disproportionate assets case and allow his advocate to appear on his behalf during the case hearing on every Friday. The CBI stated that in all the 11 chargesheets filed by the probe agency, Jagan is the focal point and principal beneficiary of the economic fraud and was named as accused number one in his individual capacity and was named as representative of his privately owned companies which were used for receiving bribe amounts in the name of investments. The CBI court took cognizance of all these chargesheets on the basis of documentary and oral evidence. The trial court had dismissed petitions seeking dispensation of his personal appearance in February 2014 and again in September 2016. Later, the High Court had also dismissed the appeals filed on the issue in August 2017. In November last year, the trial court again dismissed his plea filed after becoming CM. Therefore, the High Court should not grant any exemption, it said. The manufacturing cost of Sony's next-gen PlayStation 5 has risen to around $450 per unit due to a parts shortage. That's according to a report from Bloomberg, which suggests Sony is specifically struggling to secure a reliable supply of DRAM and NAND flash memory, which are also being chased by smartphone manufacturers like Samsung. It's a situation that might cause a pricing headache for Sony, potentially resulting in the company selling the PlayStation 5 for around $470, assuming the console has a similar gross margin to the PS4. Such a lofty figure could cause sticker shock when you consider the flagship PlayStation 4 Pro currently retails for $399, possibly turning some consumers away from the console -- especially if Microsoft settles on a more competitive price point for the upcoming Xbox Series X. Of course, Sony could always choose to sell the system at a loss, which wouldn't be unheard of when it comes to console hardware. Ultimately, those insiders who spoke to Bloomberg said Sony bosses are currently urging patience when it comes to pricing, and are keen to see how Microsoft sets out its stall with the Xbox Series X before committing to a number. So, while these latest reports are interesting, its worth taking them with a pinch of salt. Earlier (on February 13, 2020), Android Police spotted a page for a new Android Developer Preview on this OEM's website. However, its download links never went live. Now, this page is back to its old Android 10 self, suggesting that the new version is still not here in any form after all. 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 The tech news outlet Android Police has reported that the page developer.android.com/preview was found to point to a build for Android 11 - only to be snatched away again by Google soon after. This page purported to have brand new OS versions that could have been installed on Pixel devices. However, their external links failed to function while the blog tried to explore the new page. Like all new Android DP landing pages, this one advertised changes compared to the current general-release version in terms of how apps behave within it, privacy controls, APIs and new features. Some of them also pertained to foldable support, Vulkan extensions and neural networks. However, the blog subsequently reported that the page in question diverted back to its normal Android 10 status some hours thereafter. It contains very similar content in more or less the same design, just without advance insights into this OS' successor. For example, the Vulkan version remains at 1.1, and the NNAPI version at 1.2. Therefore, it seems that someone at Google accidentally posted a work-in-progress to the live site, and the Android upgrade progress will continue at its usual pace throughout the year. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. When the Wuhan coronavirus began, the Chinese government had hospitals built to assist in dealing with the fight against the COVID-19 in Wuhan. In the early stages, they promised many doctors to treat as many as 2,500 patients. The Leishehshan hospital has admitted 90 patients in a ward for 1,600 patients but had no spare beds as reported by the Caixin Magazine. Another hospital Huoshenshan did not even have 1,000 beds after its opening. In the meantime, increased infections prompted erecting more emergency wards in large public spaces in halls and stadiums, but not all got treatment as some were sent away. Despite having the biggest army, none has been sent to help makeshift hospitals in Wuhan. Intent is not commensurate to the reality of how Beijing carries out its actions. There's a conflict between an honest desire to keep the COVID-19 in check and find a cure for it. The hindrance is the restrictive nature of their government, that is obvious and causing problems. It is a disadvantage for the Communist party to silence warnings about COVID-19, the system of Beijing is only for the party and does not allow accurate information to circulate. It translates to families and businesses that are left in ruins by the negative economic effects. While the world is now critical of how good or awful the Chinese government is, they are keeping the worst pandemic under wraps. According to academics like Ho-Fung Hung at the Johns Hopkins University in the US, by cracking down on press freedom early, they made it worse by missing a chance to keep it inside China. Instead, the China coronavirus got out and is now a world-wide contagion for all to suffer. Also read: Coronavirus Cruise Ship in Japan Deemed a Novel Experiment in Disease Control Under Scrutiny In the SARS epidemic in 2002-2003, the Chinese went public and with extra information about it, which the World Health Organization (WHO) praised them. Wuhan's local officials were active in stifling information that could have saved many, but resorted to silence that led to deaths and infection in other countries. Sequestering and festering of the COVID-19 was a bad choice that led to this contagion. Dissenting opinions from unknown critics are now citing President Xi Xinping as his crackdown on media and control over the country is made the contagion what it is today. Xu Zhangrun, in an essay, stated that gagging vital information at all levels of governance has enabled officials to wash their hands of the coronavirus affair. Wanting to please the party, and ignoring the better good, led to the worst scenario. China' secrecy is now a problem that compounds any amount of cure to be found, and the contagion is spreading everywhere. At home, the Chinese live in fear of getting infected with no cure or guarantee of surviving COVID-19. They can only cooperate because the coronavirus scourge is life or death. There are two hospitals in the area but beds are absent, testing kits are pitifully less, and not all the infected individuals are cured. This China coronavirus outbreak was muffled in the beginning, now it is uncertain when a cure would have been found, only if reported. Related article: China Launches Coronavirus App for Easier, Safer Testing @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Fiore Gold reports Q1 2020 Production and provides Fy2020 Guidance Posted by Publisher Internet FIORE GOLD LTD. (TSXV: F) (OTCQB: FIOGF) (?Fiore? or the ?Company? -?? https://www.commodity-tv.com/play/fiore-gold-small-gold-producer-now-working-towards-second-gold-mine-in-nevada/ ) ? is pleased to announce preliminary production results for the Company?s first fiscal quarter (?Q1?) of 2020 for its Pan open pit mine in White Pine County, Nevada. The Company is also providing full-year production guidance for fiscal year 2020. Highlights: Quarterly gold production of 8,750 ounces, including 3,989 ounces in December 2019 Gold sales of 9,093 ounces Mined ore production in Q1 above plan at approximately 15,290 tons per day with the stripping ratio at 1.8:1.0 26,861 man-hours worked in Q1, achieving our goal of zero reportable incidents, zero reportable accidents, and zero lost-time injuries. As of December 31, 2019, the operation is at 1,322 consecutive days of attaining this Triple-Zero achievement Transition from Run of Mine (?ROM?) to crushed ore placement largely complete Preliminary Economic Assessment (?PEA?) on the federally permitted Gold Rock project nearing completion, with expected release in calendar Q1 2020 In Q1 2020, the Pan mine ramped up towards the higher gold production levels expected from the installation of the primary crusher. Gold production in the first two months of Q1 were below plan as the operating team worked to optimize crusher throughput and fine-tune the reagent mix and operating procedures. As with all heap leach operations, there was also a natural timing delay between placing crushed ore on the leach pad and gold reporting to the process plant. However, the positive impact of the operational improvements began to be seen in December 2019 with gold production of 3,989 gold ounces and similar production levels continuing through January 2020. Despite the ramp-up challenges, our operating team was able to identify and resolve issues efficiently and safely. Tim Warman, Fiore?s CEO commented, ?While the changeover at the Pan Mine from ROM to crushing took longer than anticipated, our experienced operating and technical teams have addressed and corrected the key issues we encountered. As a result, gold production has increased steadily over the quarter, reaching almost 4,000 ounces in December. Although total ounces recovered in Q4 2019 and the first two months of the current quarter were lower than expected, management believes these ounces are simply delayed, and will likely be recovered over the coming months. Our full-year guidance for FY2020 shows a significant increase in gold production over the previous year as the benefits of the crushing circuit are fully felt. Higher guided cash costs are related to the temporarily higher stripping ratios, which are expected to decline significantly in the second half of the year.? FY2020 Guidance With the crushing circuit startup largely behind us, the Company is providing the following guidance metrics for the full fiscal year 2020, which ends September 30th, 2020: Gold production in FY 2020 will be weighted towards the second half of the fiscal year, and despite the production shortfall in Q1 is still expected in the range of 45,000-48,000 ounces, a significant increase over the previous year. Mining rates are expected to stay at approximately 14,000 tpd ore. Stripping ratio for full year 2020 is expected to approximate the life of mine average of 1.6:1.0. As we are stripping at higher rates earlier in the year, the strip ratio is projected to drop significantly to approximately 1.1:1.0 by Q4 2020. Mined ore grade is forecast to be in the range of 0.014 ? 0.016 oz/t, with higher grades biased towards H2 2020. Total cash costs per ounce1 are expected in the range of $975 $1,025/oz, Pan Mine AISC1 in the range of $1,075 $1,125/oz, and Fiore Consolidated AISC1 in the range of $1,175 $1,225/oz for the full FY 2020. Both cash costs1 and AISC1 are expected to drop significantly in Q4 2020 as the stripping ratio decreases in tandem with higher gold grades and production. Cash costs1 in 2020 are guided to be approximately $100 per ounce higher than 2019. The increase is due to the impact of higher stripping, higher processing costs without the full year benefit of higher production from crushed ore, and general escalation in contractor mining costs. As noted, stripping is expected to decrease in H2 and with the impact of higher-grade ore and escalating gold production from crushed ore, cash costs1 are expected to decrease later in the year.? Pan and Fiore Consolidated AISC1 are also impacted by the increase in cash costs1, as well as higher sustaining capital. The increase in sustaining capital is largely due to higher capitalized exploration related to the resource expansion drilling program at Pan. Webinar Red Cloud Financial Services will be hosting a webinar to discuss the above results this Thursday, February 6th at 2 PM EST/ 11 AM PST.? To register please visit: https://www.redcloudfs.com/rcwebinar-f/ Technical Disclosure The scientific and technical information relating to Fiore Gold?s properties contained in this news release was approved by J. Ross MacLean (MMSA), Fiore Gold?s Chief Operating Officer and a \Qualified Person\ under National Instrument 43-101. Corporate Strategy Our corporate strategy is to grow Fiore Gold into a 150,000 ounce per year gold producer. To achieve this, we intend to: continue to grow gold production at the Pan Mine, while increasing the resource and reserve base advance the development of the nearby Gold Rock project acquire additional production or near-production assets to complement our existing operations Non-IFRS Financial Measures The Company has included certain non-IFRS measures in this document, as discussed below. The Company believes that these measures, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, provide investors an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. 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 other issuers. We have adopted ?all-in sustaining costs? measures for the Pan Mine and Fiore as a consolidated group, consistent with guidance issued by the World Gold Council (?WGC?) on June 27, 2013. We believe that the use of all-in sustaining costs is helpful to analysts, investors and other stakeholders in assessing our operating performance, our ability to generate cash flow from current operations and our overall value. These measures are helpful to governments and local communities in understanding the economics of gold mining. The ?all-in sustaining costs? measure is an extension of existing ?cash cost? metrics and incorporates costs related to sustaining production. The WGC definition of all-in sustaining costs seeks to extend the definition of total cash costs by adding reclamation and remediation costs, exploration and study costs, capitalized stripping costs, corporate general and administrative costs and sustaining capital expenditures to represent the total costs of producing gold from current operations. All-in sustaining costs exclude income tax, interest costs, depreciation, non-sustaining capital expenditures, non-sustaining exploration expense and other items needed to normalize earnings. Therefore, these measures are not indicative of our cash expenditures or overall profitability. ?Total cash cost per ounce sold? is a common financial performance measure in the gold mining industry but has no standard meaning under IFRS. The Company reports total cash costs on a sales basis. We believe that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company?s performance and ability to generate cash flow. Accordingly, it is 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. The measure, along with sales, is considered to be a key indicator of a Company?s ability to generate operating earnings and cash flow from its mining operations. ?Costs of sales per ounce sold? adds depreciation and depletion and share based compensation allocated to production to the cash costs figures. Total cash costs figures are calculated in accordance with a standard developed by The Gold Institute, which was a worldwide association of suppliers of gold and gold products and included leading North American gold producers. The Gold Institute ceased operations in 2002, but the standard is considered the accepted standard of reporting cash cost of production in North America. Adoption of the standard is voluntary, and the cost measures presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measure of other companies. ?Total cash costs per ounce?, ?cost of sales per ounce?, and ?all-in sustaining costs per ounce?, are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standardized definition under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under IFRS. Other companies may calculate the measure differently. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains ?forward-looking statements? and ?forward looking information? (as defined under applicable securities laws), based on management?s best estimates, assumptions and current expectations. Such statements include but are not limited to, statements regarding , expectations for future performance of the Pan Mine,? ore grades, gold production, strip ratios, mining rates and productivities, performance and benefits expected from the primary crushing circuit, that issues with the changeover from ROM to crushing have been corrected, financial projections, cost projections, future success attributed to operating changes, gold production, plans and timing for a Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Gold Rock project, growing gold production at the Pan Mine while increasing the resource and reserve base, advancing exploration and development of the Gold Rock project, goal to become a 150,000-ounce producer, goal to acquire additional production or near production assets, and other statements, estimates or expectations. Often, but not always, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ?expects?, ?expected?, ?budgeted?, ?targets?, ?forecasts?, ?intends?, ?anticipates?, ?scheduled?, ?estimates?, ?aims?, ?will?, ?believes?, ?projects? and similar expressions (including negative variations) which by their nature refer to future events.? By their very nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Fiore Gold?s control.? These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, as well as a number of assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company concerning, among other things, anticipated geological formations, potential mineralization, future plans for exploration and/or development, potential future production, ability to obtain permits for future operations, drilling exposure, and exploration budgets and timing of expenditures, all of which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of Fiore Gold to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.??? Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward looking statements include, but not limited to, risks related to the Pan Mine performance, risks related to the company?s limited operating history; risks related to international operations; risks? related to general economic conditions, actual results of current or future exploration activities, unanticipated reclamation expenses; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; fluctuations in prices of? metals including gold; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; increases in market prices of mining consumables; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results, test results and the estimation of gold resources and reserves; failure of plant, equipment or? processes to operate as anticipated; the possibility that capital and operating costs may be higher than currently estimated; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work programs; availability of financing; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; delays in the completion of exploration, development or construction activities; the possibility that required permits may not be maintained, obtained or renewed on a timely manner or at all; changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations, and political and economic developments in countries in which Fiore Gold operates, and other factors identified in Fiore Gold?s filing with Canadian securities authorities under its profile at www.sedar.com? respecting the risks affecting Fiore Gold and its business. Although Fiore Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, 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. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are made as of the date hereof and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Fiore disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as require by law. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. FY2020 Guidance projections used in this document are considered ?forward-looking statements? and represent management?s good faith estimates or expectations of future production results as of the date hereof. ?Guidance is based upon certain assumptions, including, but not limited to, metal prices, oil prices, operating costs, ore grades and recoveries, and other assumptions. Additional details of these assumptions can be found in the Company?s Management?s Discussion and Analysis under its profile at www.sedar.com. Such assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, guidance projections cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon guidance as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India is meeting in Bengaluru on 13-19 February. This year marks the 75th anniversary of its foundation. Dialogue is needed to reach an agreement on citizenship legislation. With respect to the love jihad, everyone has the right to choose their partner. Other issues are abortion and the rape case involving Bishop Franco Mulakkal. New Delhi (AsiaNews) The 34th plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) opened yesterday until 19 February at the St John's National Academy for Medical Sciences in Bengaluru (Bangalore). Titled Dialogue: The Path to Truth and Charity, the meeting will focus on a number of important issues, like supporting a culture of dialogue as "the only way forward for social harmony, speaking out on the issue of abortion and expecting justice and the truth in the case of the bishop accused of rape. The meeting, which was presented at a press conference on Wednesday, has brought to the capital of Karnataka about 190 bishops, representing the 174 dioceses of the Indian Catholic Church, and dozens of nuns. The plenary assembly began with a solemn Mass led by Mgr Giambattista Diquattro, apostolic nuncio, co-celebrated by CBCI president Card Oswald Gracias, Major Archbishop Card George Alencherry of the Syro-Malabar Church, Major Archbishop Card Baselios Cleemis of the Syro-Malankara Church, as well as scores of bishops and members of the CBCI. This year the CBCI celebrates 75 years since its foundation. The nuncio read a message of good wishes sent by Pope Francis to the Indian Church. Later in the opening ceremony Archbishop Peter Machado of Bengaluru wished those present a fruitful work. Noting that the host diocese dedicated 2020 to the poor, the CBCI press release read: our primary commitment is to follow the footsteps of Lord Jesus Christ who reached out Gods mercy and compassion, love and care to the needy and the poor. Yesterday, participants began discussing the main issues facing the Indian Church. In his address, Card Gracias stressed the importance of the culture of encounter that inspire us to continue to build bridges, first by understanding the other person and then walking along with him/her, irrespective of his caste, creed, [and] colour. For this reason, as evinced in recent weeks, the Church says the federal government should hold dialogue with those opposing the controversial Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) and come to an arrangement on finding a way forward with justice, equity and fairness. The CAA discriminates against Muslim asylum seekers who come to India from some of Indias neighbours. The so-called Love jihad, the alleged practice of inciting young women to convert them to Islam, was another issue discussed. The Syro-Malabar Synod recently expressed concern over this matter, despite the fact that it is exploited by Indias nationalist right. For CBCI vice president and interim Secretary General Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathio, people have the right to choose their partners and faith and forcing them to do so is wrong. Abortion was another issue addressed, made that more relevant by the federal governments decision to allow termination up to 24 weeks. The Church is totally against abortion, thundered Card Gracias. We certainly oppose the recent Cabinet decision and cannot remain silent. With respect to the case of Bishop Franco Mulakkal who is accused of rape by a nun, Bishop Ignathios said that the bishop has been relieved of his duties and replaced by another bishop. We want the police investigations to be completed and are awaiting the decisions of the court, he said. For his part, Cardinal Gracias noted that the Church did consider instituting its own internal inquiry, but decided against it since the police investigation and court case were still in progress. We want the truth to emerge and justice done for both the victim as well as the accused, he said pointing out that the Church is neutral on the issue. It hates sin but loves the sinner. (Nirmala Carvalho contributed to this article) A passenger who underwent precautionary testing for the new coronavirus aboard a cruise ship in Sydney has tested negative for the condition. NSW Health authorities boarded the Norwegian Jewel at the Overseas Passenger Terminal on Friday morning to test the passenger in accordance with new security protocols to protect against the potential spread of the virus. The precautionary measure delayed disembarkation for roughly an hour and passengers have since been allowed to get off the ship, a Port Authority spokesman said. A spokesperson for NSW Health said in a statement that one person aboard the ship had been tested for respiratory illness. The test results were negative for CoVID-19, the spokesperson confirmed on Friday afternoon. Sri Lanka: Owing to a tug o war several canned fish containers held up at the Colombo harbor February 14,2020 | Source: Hiru News LK It was reported that several canned fish imported from Chile had been held up at the Colombo harbor for the past few days. Owing to a tug o war between the Sri Lanka Standardization Institute and the Health ministry, the stock of canned fish, have not been released. The issue had arisen owing to the Parasite test conducted to assure the quality of canned fish. Accordingly, even though the standardization institution had assured that the stock of canned fish had passed the test, the ministry of health administrative body had noted that it is not possible to release the stock based on the test. When our news team inquired about the matter from the state minister of internal trade and consumer welfare, Anura Priyadashana Yapa, he noted that a decision would be taken upon holding a discussion with the two factions. Over the past 50 years, organized labor has been under siege in this country. Not so coincidentally, income inequality has exploded during the same period. Last week, the Democratic majority in the U.S. House decided to do something about it. The House passed the PRO (Protecting the Right to Organize) Act, a bill that imposes strict penalties on businesses that take coercive or retaliatory action against workers attempting to unionize. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Laredo, whose district includes part of San Antonio, was the only Texas Democrat and one of only seven representatives among the 232 Democrats in the House to vote against the bill. This afternoon, the Communications Workers of America will express its displeasure with the veteran congressman by staging a protest at his downtown San Antonio district office. Harrison Hiner, the Austin-based protest organizer, says the gathering is a policy statement and not a political act. But it comes at a time when Cuellar faces a serious primary challenge from ultra-progressive Laredo attorney Jessica Cisneros, a candidate endorsed by the CWA. In the days leading up to last weeks congressional vote, Cisneros campaign launched a petition drive urging Cuellar to back the bill. His vote on this was not a surprise, Hiner said. I think this vote is a symbol of his numerous stances and votes where hes chosen corporations and big-money donors over the interests of working families. Whether it be on trade, increasing wages, time and time again, hes sided with corporations over the interests of working people. The PRO Act faced bitter opposition from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce which argued that it would damage the economy and destabilize the workplace. It also received harsh criticism from the administration of President Donald Trump. Mick Mulvaney, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, said the PRO Act would kill jobs, violate workers privacy, restrict freedom of association and roll back the administrations successful deregulatory agenda. Cuellar defended his vote by contending that hes always been a champion for the working men and women of this country but found several elements of the bill unacceptable. In particular, he cited a provision that holds large companies responsible for workplace infractions committed by their franchisees or vendors. On ExpressNews.com: Cuellar faces his first serious test in 14 years Critics of the bill warn that this provision could scare companies away from partnering with franchisees. The PRO Act effectively eliminates the opportunity for entrepreneurs to achieve the American dream by opening and operating a franchise business, Cuellar said in a Feb. 6 statement. He added that his congressional district contains more than 1,000 franchise establishments, providing more than 12,000 jobs, that could be put at risk by the PRO Act. The act is the product of decades of frustration from Democratic lawmakers and union leaders over the shrinking role of organized labor in American life. In 1983, 20.1 percent of U.S. workers were members of labor unions. By 2018, the union membership rate was down to 10.7 percent. That drop was the result of right-to-work state laws passed by GOP lawmakers, the shipping of jobs to foreign countries (which spooked many American workers into thinking that theyd lose their jobs if they asked for too much) and political messaging that often framed organized labor as greedy and corrupt. A mid-1950s Gallup poll found that 75 percent of Americans approved of unions. By 2009, that approval number was down to 48 percent. The passage of the PRO Act, however, coincides with a resurgence of support for unions, fueled by grassroots anger over corporate excesses and the growing scale of this countrys income gap. (In 1965, the ratio between CEO and average worker compensation was 20-1; now its more than 220-1.) Public approval for unions has exceeded 60 percent for the past three years, and last years 64 percent was the highest since 2003. Thats where the energy resides among young Democratic voters. That explains the success of avowed democratic-socialist Bernie Sanders in the 2020 presidential race, the rock-star emergence of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and the decision of Cisneros to take on Cuellar. The PRO Act surely will be stymied by Mitch McConnell and the Republican majority in the Senate. If it miraculously survives that hurdle, it will face an emphatic veto from Trump. That means the PRO Acts major impact will be symbolic. Cuellars opposition to the bill symbolizes his natural adherence to the concerns of entrepreneurs, while Cisneros support indicates that she puts the interests of workers above all others. Todays protest will act out this political divide only four days before the start of early voting. Gilbert Garcia is a columnist covering the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470 Senators Johnson, Murphy, and Barrasso stress the need for continued reform in Ukraine. Democrats and Republicans in U.S. Senate have no disagreements regarding further aid to Ukraine following President Donald Trump's acquittal of impeachable charges, that's according to a bipartisan group of senators who are now on a visit to Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv following the meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) said the U.S. has just finished a "very difficult moment" in politics, noting the senators had voted differently on the matter of impeachment. "But we are here together because there's no difference between us or between the Republicans and Democrats in Congress in our support for Ukraine, in our support for continued funding for Ukraine to defend itself, and our continued support for reform," he said. Read alsoControversial "Munich plan" for Donbas taken off Security Conference site "Ukraine was not at fault in the matter of the impeachment trial," he said. "But we are here to express our support for continued reform efforts." He said successful reform "makes it much easier for us to be able to continue to convince our colleagues in Congress to be able to continue to deliver record amounts of support for Ukraine." Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) said the group had come to Ukraine to show "bipartisan support to the courageous people of Ukraine and also to demonstrate how impressed we are with the dedicated efforts of President Zelensky and his team in not only fighting corruption but, as he said, trying to defeat corruption." According to Senator Barrasso (R-WY), this is his fourth trip to Ukraine in the last six years. "And every time I come I see a better Ukraine." The relationship between the United States and Ukraine "is an important one for the people of both countries," he said. "And we are here today to commit to continuing to strengthen that relationship." The senator said the three of them, being part of the Senate's foreign relations committee, will "continue to push" for more assistance, specifically military assistance for Ukraine." "There is a bipartisan commitment to do that in the United States," he said. Global private equity firms are looking for opportunities in office and retail space in the real estate sector in West Bengal after a successful stint in the logistics segment, a property consultant said on Friday. "Global private equity firms are seriously planning to put their money in office and retail (in real estate) segment in West Bengal," CBRE India managing director Nikhil Bhatia told PTI. Blackstone, Brookfield, KKR, GIC, ESR, Warburg Pincus Avendus Capital, Goldman Sachs and Xander Group are among companies which are "evaluating right opportunities" in the state, another official of the property consulting firm said. "In West Bengal, warehouse absorption stood at 3.3 million sqft in 2019, marginally lower than 3.4 million sqft, absorbed in the previous year," the official said. In 2019, office leasing in Kolkata has recorded a sharp growth totalling 1.3 million sqft of commercial space, he said. Leasing activities in the last calendar year were driven by IT majors and banks that had taken up new office space in the city's satellite townships, the official said. Bhatia said similar trend will continue in the current year with fresh interests from the global private equity firms. PE firms' interests in the residential sector are also set to grow in the coming years, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MINSK -- A Belavia Belarusian Airlines jet was on a routine flight from Minsk to Munich on January 24 when suddenly it turned back over Poland and made an unscheduled landing in Hrodna, where police removed two passengers. The two, it later emerged, were directors of two of Belarus's four plants producing sugar, a heavily subsidized industry that has fallen on hard times in the Eastern European country of about 10 million people. Almost immediately, rumors began to swirl that the directors of the two other plants had been nabbed by the police as well. But the strictly controlled state media had nothing to say on the subject. Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka broke the media silence on February 4, confirming that all four directors were in police custody on suspicion of masterminding an unprecedented scam, the Belarusian leader suggested. "There's never been anything like this before in Belarus," Lukashenka, in power since 1994 and largely ostracized by the West for his authoritarian ways, said during a visit to Dobrus, some 300 kilometers southeast of the capital, Minsk. According to Lukashenka, the sugar-plant directors had conspired to manipulate the price of sugar for personal gain, illegally amassing millions of dollars. At least one high-ranking Belarusian official, whose bailiwick was fighting crime and corruption, was ensnarled in the scandal as well. "What did these businessmen do? They created in Moscow a shell company -- a trading house," Lukashenka explained to a huddle of journalists. "A normal shell company. They sold Belarusian sugar at bargain prices from the factories to the trading house in Moscow. There, the price was raised, and it [the sugar] was sold on the market. The difference was divvied up among the directors of the plants." 'Daylight Robbery' "I have no personal grievances against anyone; I defend the interests of the state," Lukashenka continued, calling the suspects "bastards" who "steal in broad daylight" and warning that their arrest would become a "lesson to all directors." In the latest twist, the Belarusian KGB confirmed to RFE/RL's Belarus Service on February 13 that a Russian national, Sergei Kononenko, owner of a Russian firm implicated in the scandal, had been arrested in Belarus and was in custody. Up to 11 suspects, depending on the report, are being detained in connection with the alleged scam. Charges have not been announced, but the KGB, which never shed its Soviet-era tag or many of the practices of that time, has accused them of "massive bribery," which, under the Belarusian Criminal Code, carries a prison term of up to 15 years. In his tirade, Lukashenka accused the directors of reaping huge rewards, with them and their families allegedly having dozens of expensive cars, dozens of apartments, "villas and a huge amount of money." The scandal, with its Russian link, could further strain ties between Moscow and Minsk, already tested by disputes over energy prices and deeper integration. Russia cut energy supplies to Belarus at the beginning of the year after Lukashenka balked at plans for deeper integration with Russia under a 1997 union treaty. Lukashenka has made something of a pivot away from his country's traditional ally to seek alternative energy sources and political backing. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Minsk on February 1, the first such visit by a U.S. secretary of state since 1994. Corruption Buster? The "sugar affair," as the case has been dubbed by Belarusian media, also comes as Lukashenka faces a presidential election later this year, although a firm date and his candidacy, for that matter, have not been confirmed. Nevertheless, it must occur by August 30 and Lukashenka is nearly certain to run. Analysts say Lukashenka is using the sugar scandal to burnish his image as a corruption buster and to send a message. "I think that Lukashenka needed some visible example of shady illegal ties between Belarusian government officials and Russian business to send a clear signal: 'No ties like this will be tolerated; you must be loyal and obey the rules,'" explained Kamil Klysinski, a Belarusian analyst at the Warsaw-based Center for Eastern Studies in comments to RFE/RL. "That's very important for the stability of the system of power in Belarus, especially in the context of the upcoming elections and Russian pressure." Sugar produced from beets -- grown by more than 450 agricultural companies in Belarus -- is big business in a country that is still saddled with clunky, Soviet-style industries. There are four sugar refineries in the country turning the white root into the sweet, white powder in Slutsk, Zhabinka, Skidal, and Haradzeya. According to data from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Belarus produced nearly 5 million metric tons of sugar beet in 2018. In the past, much of this ended up as sugar on the Russian market. But Russia has revamped its own sugar industry, analysts say, and by 2017 had turned into a net exporter. Pricing Strategy Backfires In 2018, Belarus introduced a minimum price at which Belarusian sugar could be sold on the home market: $700 per metric ton. The price hike was meant to prop up domestic sugar producers, explained Klysinski. But Belarusian sugar earmarked for the market in Russia was to be sold cheaper: $400 per metric ton. The thinking, Klysinski and other analysts say, was to make Belarusian sugar competitive with its Russian counterpart. However, a look at the numbers suggests the strategy did not work. In the first 10 months of 2019, Belarus exported a total of 252,000 metric tons of sugar, earning $102 million gross. That's down from 2018, when Belarus exported 391,000 metric tons of sugar, earning $165 million. The price fixing may not have helped the country's sugar industry overall, but plant directors may have found a way to exploit it, Klysinski explained. The directors are accused of making sugar sales through Belasahar, the Belarus Sugar Company, headquartered in Moscow. Although the sugar apparently never left Belarus, it was then "resold" at the higher price inside Belarus, with the difference pocketed by the scammers. Lukashenka himself explained how his regime believes the scam may have worked. "Maybe, sugar wasn't even delivered to Moscow and shipped back," he said on February 4. "Maybe the documents went there, were reissued, and then directly from the factories here to our market this sugar was delivered with the markup. And then this margin was divvied up as plunder. Is that normal?... They're all here and we will sort it out." Mikhail Kryshtapovich, director of the Haradzeya plant, was apprehended from the Minsk-Munich flight on January 24. Mikalau Prudnik, director of the Slutsk sugar refinery, was also pulled from the same flight, although his office said on January 27 that he had "gone on vacation." It later emerged that Viktar Mironau, director of the Zhabinka sugar plant, and Dzmitry Yahorau, director of the Skidal sugar factory, had also been detained. Dzmitry Kirylau, director of the Moscow-based Belarusian Sugar Company that is believed to have arranged the "sales" in Russia, has also been detained. Sugar Mafia On February 4, a special investigative report entitled Sugar Mafia was broadcast on the Belarus 1 television channel's Panorama program. In it, a KGB official confirmed the detention of the former head of the Second Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption, Uladzimer Tsikhinya. It turned out he was the first one arrested, according to the television report. The involvement of such a high-level member of the Belarusian security services must have especially irked Lukashenka, Klysinski said. "I suppose that Lukashenka was really concerned with his participation in those deals," he told RFE/RL. The detained Russian, Kononenko, is alleged to have supplied overpriced materials from his company, Polimer, to another Belarusian company -- Eurotarex -- which produces sugar packaging, according to the February 4 Panorama program on the scandal. He allegedly paid the four sugar directors -- also part of the management of Eurotarex -- bribes that were alleged to have come from the proceeds from the materials sold at inflated prices. All are facing charges of massive bribery and possible 15-year prison terms, although trial dates, official charges, and other information has not been released. The exact amount of the alleged loss to the Belarusian state has not been revealed, although it is believed to be in the millions of dollars. A similar scandal rocked the country's pharmaceuticals industry less than two years ago. In 2018, authorities arrested dozens of top health officials, medical professionals, and drug company representatives on suspicion of siphoning off millions of dollars in state funding. Lukashenka fired then-Prime Minister Andrey Kabyakou over the scandal. Given the closed and opaque nature of the Belarusian system, such corruption is inevitable and tolerated by Lukashenka, up to a point, noted Klysinski. "Lukashenka doesn't fight corruption," he explained. "He uses it in order to control his people, according to the old rule divide and rule. If it's needed, the KGB and other structures can 'suddenly' expose some new corruption scandal to make a point or send a message." Written by RFE/RL senior correspondent Tony Wesolowsky based on reporting by RFE/RL Belarus Service correspondent Kanstantsin Lashkevich NOTE: This article has been amended to correct Belarus's sugar-production figures for 2018 State Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar was shocked to see several mothers sitting on floor with their newborns at Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital in Bengaluru during his visit on Friday. Sudhakar, who paid a surprise visit to the hospital on Friday morning, during his visit spotted many mothers sitting on the floor with their newborns as there was a shortage of seating arrangement in the OPD waiting and consultation area. He immediately called the concerned authorities at the hospital and directed them to make necessary seating arrangements for patients. When the doctors tried to give an explanation, the minister got angry and said, "I don't need any explanation. Take necessary measures for improvement of facilities." Speaking to reporters after the visit, the minister said, "The number of children and patients coming to the hospital seeking admission is increasing day-by-day. Even people from Bangladesh are coming here for treatment and this has increased the shortage of bed at the hospital." Minister agreed that there was a shortage of doctors in the hospital and said, "We will take necessary measures to overcome the shortage of doctors." To increase the number of beds over Rs 135 crore has already been released, he added. On January 7 this year, there was a resounding sense of justice prevailing in the sensational 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape case. A Delhi Court had issued death warrants against four death row convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya Gangrape and murder case. The convicts were supposed to be hanged on January 22 at 7 AM in Tihar Jail in the national capital. However, the case continued to see procedural delays with convicts trying their best to delay the execution. In a matter of hours, the hanging of the four convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case scheduled for Tuesday was deferred for the third time in six weeks by a court in yet another twist in the case marked by apparent delaying tactics by the condemned prisoners. "Once again lie has won and truth has lost" The court and the government are supporting the convicts," Nirbhaya's mother said after the hanging of the four convicts was deferred indefinitely by a Delhi court on Monday. "Once again lie has won and truth has lost. Crime was committed with my daughter. The court and the government are supporting the convicts. The execution has been postponed for the third time. It shows the lacunae in our system. Till the time mercy is rejected, we will not be satisfied," Asha Devi told mediapersons. Fading hopes! All of these procedural delays in the case has started to take a toll on Nirbhaya's parents. Two weeks ago when the execution was delayed for the second time, Nirbhaya's mother had broken down inside the courtroom and pleaded the judge to issue fresh date for the execution of four convicts. "I have been requesting the court for one and a half year to ask the convicts to avail their legal remedies. It has been more than seven years. What about my rights?" Asha Devi pleaded to the court. The reaction came after the Patiala House Court Additional Sessions Judge Dharmendra Rana adjourned the hearing, on application seeking issuance of fresh execution date after advocate AP Singh apprised the court that he is no longer representing convict Pawan Gupta in the case, for Thursday. The court gave Pawan the "liberty to choose" his counsel from the list of empanelled advocates of the Delhi State Legal Service Authority. Delays and only delays Victim's father also requested the court not to grant legal aid to the convict. "It will be unjust to give him a lawyer," he said. On January 9, convicts Vinay Sharma and Mukesh Singh had moved the curative petitions in the top court after a Delhi court issued death warrants in their names for their hanging on January 22. On January 17, Tihar jail had sought issuance of fresh death warrants against the four convicts after which February 1 emerged as the new date. The Supreme Court is expected to hear the plea of Vinay Sharma, a convict in 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. Seven years has already passed since the crime took place. The continuous delays in the case is diminishing Nirbhaya's parents faith in our judiciary. Amid the unprecedented coronavirus outbreak, Bali has now issued a warning as a tourist reportedly contracted the virus after visiting the holiday spot. According to international media reports, a Chinese man returned home from the destination and tested positive of the deadly virus which would also be the first reported case in Indonesia. The authorities, however, believe that there is a possibility that the man could have been infected after returning to China as the tourist reportedly flew from Wuhan to Bali and then back to Shanghai in the month of January and he was tested positive for the virus in the month of February. However, the authorities also noted that the virus has a longer incubation period and it is possible that he was infected before travelling to Bali and that is why now there is still a chance that the man was infectious while there. The Bali authorities are also trying to track the man's movements while he was in Bali to ensure that no one else was infected. According to reports, two other patients are also have been quarantined in Denpasar's Sanglah Hospital for flu-like symptoms and the results from their tests are still pending. READ: Coronavirus: Mobile World Congress In Spain Cancelled Amid Fears Of Outbreak READ: Coronavirus: WHO Says 'way Too Early' To Predict The End Of Deadly Pandemic 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: PGA Tour To Postpone Start Of China Tour Due To Coronavirus READ: Exiled Uighurs Fear Spread Of Coronavirus In China Camps Serbian Orthodox Church clergy in Montenegro march in protest against a new law on religious freedom The prime minister of Montenegro has met with the top Serbian Orthodox Church bishop in the Balkan nation to defuse mounting tensions over a new law on religious rights. Their meeting follows widespread protests against the legislation. By Stefan J. Bos Montenegro's Prime Minister Dusko Markovic and Bishop Amfilohije, who leads the Serbian Orthodox Church in the Balkan nation, met in a state villa in the capital Podgorica at a difficult time. The Serbian Church in Montenegro fears a government-backed religious law will allow the state to take over its properties, including monasteries, churches, and other assets. The government has denied it plans to do so. Thousands of people have attended church-led protests. They have been held throughout Montenegro since the legislation was adopted late last year. Protestor Juvan Bulatovic called the legislation ill-favored. He said the law "seeks a state take-over of 1,000-years of history and 800-year-old churches as well as religion." He claimed the state wanted to seize and privatize everything in Montenegro. But he pledged that the people "will not accept this and will protect their faith, church, and religion." Broader tensions The protests underscored a broader debate about religion in the small country. The standoff even led to physical fighting in Parliament. Other Orthodox Christian churches recognize the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro. But the self-proclaimed Montenegrin Orthodox Church hasn't been accepted by several denominations. About 30 percent of Montenegro's 620,000 people declare themselves as Serbs. Montenegro split from much larger Serbia in 2006. In Serbia, angry crowds also rallied against Montenegro's religious legislation. Montenegro joined the western NATO military in 2017 despite objections from Russia, which is wielding influence in the region. Montenegro also seeks entry into the prosperous European Union. The Pulwama terror attack was at the centre of a bitter war of words between the opposition and the BJP on Friday with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asking who benefitted from the strike and the ruling party accusing him of being a "known sympathiser" of terror groups LeT and JeM. While the Congress as well as the CPI-M raised questions on accountability, the BJP hit back to say Gandhi was insulting the memory of the 40 CRPF personnel killed in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14 last year. In a blistering attack on the government, Gandhi paid homage to the CRPF martyrs and also asked what was the outcome of the inquiry into the attack. "Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack?" he asked on Twitter. The ruling party's stinging response came almost immediately after Gandhi's controversial tweet. "Shame on you," said BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao. "When nation is paying homage to martyrs of dastardly Pulwama attack, @RahulGandhi, a known sympathizer of LeT & Jaish-e-Mohammad, chooses to target not just the government but security forces as well. Rahul will never question real culprit, Pakistan...," Rao said on Twitter. "This is an insult to martyrs who sacrificed their life for the country. Congress has done this in past as well and people taught them a lesson for this blunder. Such remarks by Rahul Gandhi help Pakistan counter India on international platforms," added his party colleague Shahnawaz Hussain. On February 14, 2019, 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed when a jeep laden with explosives hit a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway at Lethpora in Pulwama. The jeep was driven by Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Adeel Ahmed Dar, inquiries revealed. Paying his "heartfelt homage" to the martyrs of the "ghastly terror attack", CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury wanted to know what had been done for the survivors and the families of those who had laid their lives down for the nation. "Modi and the BJP directly asked for votes in the name of the martyrs of Pulwama," he said. "Where is the Inquiry report one year on after the terror attack? Who has been held accountable for the loss of so many lives and the massive intelligence failure? #Pulwama," Yechury asked on Twitter. CPI-M leader Mohammed Salim demanded justice and asked how 80 kg of RDX crossed the international border. "We don't need a memorial to remind us of our incompetence. The only thing we need to know is how 80 kg of RDX got past the international borders to the 'most militarised zone on earth' & exploded in Pulwama. Justice for Pulwama Attack needs to be done," Salim said on Twitter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Brian May lashed out at a cameraman and called him a 'parasite' after landing in Brisbane, Australia earlier this week. But on Friday the legendary Queen guitarist was seen leaving Brisbane airport on a far friendlier note. Putting his troubles behind him, the 72-year-old met with some fans before his departure. Friendly! On Friday, legendary Queen guitarist Brian May (pictured) met with fans before departing Brisbane airport on Friday after lashing out at a cameraman earlier in the week He stepped out of the car and helped waved at the small group waiting for him - a father and his daughter. Brian greeted the two and was seen shaking hands with the young girl who was carrying an electric guitar - likely passing on words of wisdom and encouragement. The iconic musician also chatted with a young boy waiting to meet him and shook his hand. Words of wisdom: Brian greeted the two and was seen shaking hands with the young girl who was carrying an electric guitar - likely passing on words of wisdom and encouragement It comes after Brian May lashed out at a cameraman after arriving on a private jet when he asked a news photographer to stop filming him while he met with fans. 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.' Meet and greet: The iconic musician also chatted with a young boy waiting to meet him and shook his hand 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. The death toll from China's virus epidemic neared 1,400 on Friday with six medical workers among the victims, underscoring the country's struggle to contain a deepening health crisis. Nearly 64,000 people are now recorded as having fallen ill from the virus in China, with officials revealing that 1,716 health workers had been infected as of Tuesday. The grim figures come a week after grief and public anger erupted over the death of a whistleblowing doctor who had been reprimanded and silenced by police after raising the alarm about the virus in December. The scale of the epidemic swelled this week after authorities in central Hubei province, the epicentre of the crisis, changed their criteria for counting cases, adding thousands of new patients to their tally. The health emergency in China has caused fears of further global contagion, with more than two dozen countries reporting hundreds of cases among them. Egypt reported its first case on Friday, the first in Africa. Three people have died outside mainland China. The majority of cases of infections among health workers was in Hubei's capital, Wuhan, where many have lacked proper masks and gear to protect themselves in hospitals dealing with a deluge of patients. "Our understanding is that the cases among health workers peaked in the third and fourth week of January," said Michael Ryan, head of the World Health Organization's health emergencies programme. Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Friday, Ryan added that there had been a "rapid fall-off" in such cases over the last two weeks. After the death of whistleblower Li Wenliang, a 34-year-old ophthalmologist in Wuhan, 10 academics circulated an open letter calling for political reform and freedom of speech in the Communist-ruled country. Under criticism over the handling of the crisis, the Communist Party sacked two top-ranking officials in Hubei, replacing them with senior cadres with security backgrounds. Battling the epidemic is a "big test for the country's governance system and governance ability," Chinese President Xi Jinping said as he chaired a political meeting on government reforms, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The outbreak has exposed "shortcomings," Xi acknowledged, adding that China needed to reform its public health and epidemic prevention and control systems. - New count - Authorities in Hubei had on Thursday started counting patients who were "clinically diagnosed" via lung imaging, in addition to those who undergo lab tests. The revision added nearly 15,000 patients to Hubei's count in a single day, with officials explaining that past cases were included. On Friday, Hubei's health commission said another 116 people had died and more than 4,800 new cases were reported. Of those cases, more than 3,000 were "clinically diagnosed". The WHO said the numbers included cases going back weeks. The sharp one-day increase "does not represent a significant change in the trajectory of the outbreak," said Ryan. The move will ensure patients get treated as early as possible, instead of having to wait for laboratory tests, health officials said. "There have been some backlogs in testing and this is also going to help in ensuring that people get adequate care," Ryan said. The National Health Commission said the new criteria would only apply to Hubei. The commission reported five other deaths and 217 new cases elsewhere in China, as the number of new patients outside Hubei fell for a 10th straight day. It also disclosed a statistical error, saying it removed 108 previous deaths in Hubei that had been double-counted. The nationwide toll still rose to 1,380. Authorities have placed some 56 million people in Hubei under quarantine since late last month, in an unprecedented effort to stop the virus from spreading. Some cities in Hubei tightened restrictions this week, sealing off neighbourhoods in what they liken to "war-time" measures. - US criticism - While the WHO has praised China's handling of the epidemic -- in contrast to its cover-up of the SARS outbreak in 2002-2003 -- a top White House official on Thursday said Beijing should be more open. "We're a little disappointed in the lack of transparency coming from the Chinese," Larry Kudlow, the director of the National Economic Council, told reporters. Kudlow said Xi had assured President Donald Trump that Beijing would accept US help, but "they won't let us". Kudlow's comments contrasted with Trump's apparent confidence in China -- he told a radio show that Xi is "extremely capable" and that the US was "working with them" and "sending a lot of people". Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Beijing has had an "open and transparent attitude" with the global community since the start of the epidemic, and exchanged epidemic information with the US side in a "timely manner". Several countries have banned arrivals from China, while major airlines have halted flights to and from the country. In Singapore, which has 67 confirmed cases, the Roman Catholic Church said it was suspending all masses indefinitely to help prevent the spread of the virus. Archbishop William Goh urged the faithful to follow services on YouTube or the radio. And in the sports world, European Tour chiefs have postponed the Maybank Championship in Malaysia and the China Open in Shenzhen -- the latest events to fall victim to the outbreak. People wearing protective facemasks queue to order food in Shanghai -- the scale of the novel coronavirus epidemic has swelled after authorities in central Hubei province, the epicentre of the contagion, changed the criteria for counting cases Countries or territories with confirmed cases and total deaths from the new coronavirus (COVID-19) A worker carts a bin loaded with medical waste to a storage facility at the Youan Hospital in Beijing, which is treating coronavirus patients Medical staff leave for Wuhan from Nanchang in China's central Jiangxi province A man walks through an almost deserted Los Angeles Chinatown as most stay away due to fears over the novel coronavirus Fifth Third Bank reverses decision, will give to scholarship fund despite Christian schools beliefs Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Fifth Third Bank has announced that it's reversing a previous decision to stop donating to a Florida school voucher program due to the beliefs of some of the participating religious schools on issues such as homosexuality and transgenderism. Last month, Fifth Third Bank and Wells Fargo decided to quit donating to the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which is administered in part by Step Up for Students, following an Orlando Sentinel report noting that some of the schools involved in the program held biblical views on LGBT issues. In a statement released last Friday, Fifth Third Bank explained that it was reversing its earlier decision to halt their donations after meeting with representatives of the AAA Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit that helps to oversee the program. Following what it described as a thorough review and evaluation of the program, Fifth Third said it could support the program once AAA implemented two mutually agreed upon changes. AAA has agreed to develop a roadmap to help parents navigate the school selection and application process. This roadmap will include identifying issues parents may wish to consider in choosing a school and informing parents about how they may access school-specific information or policies, stated the company. Additional oversight through an annual meeting with AAA leadership to provide Fifth Third with an opportunity to assess the program and the impact our investment is having in the lives of students, and to ensure our expectation of transparency is being fulfilled. Fifth Third also championed its past involvement in the program, noting that for the past three years, they have given millions of dollars in scholarships through the program directly to 2,500 students and their families so that they could attend the participating school of their choice. The two major bank companies previously decided to cut ties with the program following an article by The Orlando Sentinel titled Anti-LGBT Florida schools getting school vouchers. According to the Sentinel, over 20,800 students received state tuition scholarships that went to 156 private schools where homosexuality was condemned or, at a minimum, unwelcome. These included holding official stances against homosexuality and transgenderism, having policies that prohibited students from engaging in homosexual conduct among other sexual activities, and refusal to admit openly LGBT students, explained the Sentinel. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., was among the critics of the earlier decision by Wells Fargo and Fifth Third to end their donations. In an interview with Family Research Council President Tony Perkins earlier this month, Rubio said their withdrawing of support was only going to hurt lower-income families. Rubio explained that the program allows parents to choose which school to send their children to and many of the options are schools without official biblical stances on LGBT issues. Doing what they did is not going to hurt those schools. Those schools are not going to abandon the Bible over a government program. They existed before this program, said Rubio at the time. Who they are hurting are low-income kids, because they are not going to be able to go to school and probably not go to a school that doesnt have those policies, by the way. New Delhi, Feb 14 : Gujarat-based Adani Enterprise on Friday signed a concession agreement with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for managing three of its airports for 50 years. The diversified business conglomerate signed the agreement for the Ahmedabad, Mangaluru and Lucknow airports through three airport-specific subsidiaries. Adani Enterprises was the highest bidder for all the six airports offered by the Centre via the public-private partnership (PPP) mode. While the Union cabinet had earlier approved leasing out of the three airports -- Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Mangaluru -- to the Adanis, the leasing out of the other three airports - Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram - are currently on hold owing to some pending issues. In case of all the airports, the lease period is 50 years. Official sources said that the remaining three airports would also be handed over to the Adanis who are foraying into the airport business. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) Two local airlines will again mount flights to and from Taiwan after the government lifted the travel ban on the territory. Cebu Pacific flights will resume February 17. In an advisory, the airline will have one flight from Manila on Monday and only arrival flights from Taiwan beginning February 18. On February 21, there will be two flights from Manila and two from Taiwan. We are notifying passengers both on those flights on the resumption of scheduled fights starting Monday, said Cebu Pacific spokesperson Charo Logarta- Lagamon in a phonepatch interview with CNN Philippines Newsroom. Lagamon said the airline has carried out safety measures since the corona virus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Ever since the situation with the COVID-19 broke out, we have implemented precautionary measures -- disinfection of aircraft, measures for personnel -- and we try as best as we could to keep them in place all through these weeks, she said. Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines announced in an advisory that Taiwan flights will begin February 21. Trips will initially be four times weekly -- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday -- until February 29. Daily flights will resume March 1. Passengers originally confirmed on cancelled MNL-TPE and TPE-MNL flights now have the opportunity to book on the restored PR890 and PR891 flights, said PAL. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases lifted the travel restriction given Taiwan's strict security protocols against the COVID-19. With the Supreme Court on Friday taking a strong view of non-compliance of its order on payment of statutory dues by firms, situation for Vodafone Idea is "particularly vulnerable" and the risk of duopoly in the sector is higher than before, according to an analyst. "There is no question that this is bad for the industry. It makes situation of Vodafone Idea particularly vulnerable, even more than it was," Mahesh Uppal, director at consulting firm Com First India said. He also said the risk of a duopoly in sector is higher than before. At present there are three private players in the Indian mobile market -- Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio -- besides the ailing state-owned operators BSNL/MTNL. Uppal said the room for maneuver is less now for the operators, but added that if the government saw the situation as long-term problem, it could consider a change in policy. "But it (what happened today) wasn't unexpected seeing SC's position in last 2-3 hearings...given its past position that operators had signed licence agreement and hence obliged to pay. So, it was unlikely that there would have been any dilution in that position," Uppal pointed out. The Supreme Court on Friday directed the managing directors and directors of telcos and other firms to explain why contempt action be not taken against them for non-compliance of its order to pay (AGR) of Rs 1.47 trillion to the Department of Telecommunications. Taking strong note of the non-compliance of its order, a bench of Justice Arun Mishra, Justice S Abdul Nazeer and Justice M R Shah expressed anguish over the order passed by DoT's desk officer, staying the effect of its verdict in AGR matter. "We don't know who is creating this nonsense. Is there no law left in country... It is better not to live in this country and rather leave the country," the bench observed. In all, as many as 15 entities owe the government Rs 1.47 trillion -- Rs 92,642 crore in unpaid licence fee and another Rs 55,054 crore in outstanding spectrum usage charges. These dues arose after the Supreme Court, in October last year, had upheld the government's position on including revenue from non-core businesses in calculating the annual (AGR) of telecom companies, a share of which is paid as licence and spectrum fee to the exchequer. VIL is confronted with the dues worth Rs 53,000 crore that it is expected to pay the government - its liabilities add up to Rs 24,729 crore of spectrum dues and another Rs 28,309 crore in licence fee, and the company had earlier warned of shutdown if no relief was given. Vodafone Idea in its earnings statement on Thursday had sounded out warnings on "material uncertainty" casting "significant doubt" on its ability to continue as going concern. The company's ability to continue as a going concern is essentially dependent on a positive outcome of its modification application in the Supreme Court on the AGR matter and any relief from the telecom department on payments, VIL had said on Thursday. Last week, Vodafone Chief Executive Officer Nick Read had said the situation in India is critical, following the AGR ruling of the Supreme Court. The British telecom major holds 45.39 per cent stake in VIL. Rival Bharti Airtel's liabilities added up to nearly Rs 35,586 crore, including licence fee and spectrum usage charge dues. Airtel had recently said that previously-mentioned material uncertainty on the group's ability to continue as a going concern "no longer exists" after the recent Rs 21,502 crore fund raising by it. Most of the remaining liability is with state-owned BSNL/MTNL and some of the shut/bankrupt telecom Starbucks has started a new advertising campaign, #whatsyourname, in the United Kingdom in partnership with Mermaids, a nonprofit group that supports young trans-identifying people and their families, the coffee chain has announced. Starbucks' #whatsyourname campaign "celebrates" the company's signature practice of taking a customer's name, writing it on a cup and calling it out, by extending it to "transgender and gender diverse people," the American coffee chain says in a statement. It's to celebrate "the significance it can have for some transgender and gender diverse people as they use their new name in public." It's "a symbol of our warm welcome. It is part of the Starbucks Experience and creates a moment of connection between our baristas and customers," the company adds. As part of the campaign, the company released a commercial showing a trans-identifying teen looking uncomfortable every time her name "Jemma" is called. Only when a Starbucks barista calls "James," that's when the teen is seen smiling. The commercial was created in partnership with creative agency Iris and "was inspired by real life experiences of people who were transitioning. We discovered that they found Starbucks stores to be a safe space, where their new name was accepted, and they could be recognized as who they are." "We were moved to discover that individuals find our stores a safe space to try out their new names when transitioning." Starbucks is also selling "mermaid tail" cookies in its stores to financially support the transgender helpline run by Mermaids with the aim of raising at least 100,000 (roughly $130,000). Mermaids has "seen over a 600% increase in demand for its helpline service in the past five years, and our support will help grow this service, allowing the charity to employ an additional helpline operator and extend its webchat service," Starbucks says. Mermaids has influenced education protocols and other public policies across the U.K. to enshrine transgenderism in culture. The group is headed by Susie Green, who when her son was 16 years old took him to Thailand to undergo a sex change operation. The group has become highly influential in the U.K., so much so that even law enforcement has targeted its critics. As The Christian Post reported in 2018, feminist activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker, was interrogated by police for tweeting her disapproval of Green's decision to take her son to Thailand for a sex change operation. She was specifically targeted for having tweeted the word "castration." "As far as the transgender ideology stretches I believe it is one of complete submission. Those that even raise questions are silenced with threats and accusations of bigotry," Keen-Minshull commented in an interview with the CP at the time. "We all have the capacity to be offended and offensive. We have to decide whether we want to criminalize this offense," she added, noting that "in a world of billions I would hope the liberty of free speech is one we would extend to all, not just those we agree with." Courtesy of The Christian Post Marposs has aquired STIL S.A.S. The high precision measurement technology developed by STIL is an excellent complement to Marposs existing solution portfolio, offering opportunities for use in the glass, glass packaging, plastic, precision mechanics, consumer electronics, semiconductors, and biomedical industries Marposs, a world leader in measurement, inspection and test technologies has announced the acquisition of STIL S.A.S., a French company based in Aix-en-Provence and a world leader in the research, development, production and sales of optical measurement instruments based on chromatic confocal aberration and chromatic white light interferometry. STIL, founded in 1993, is recognized for its innovative capacity and ability to adapt its technology to customer application needs, quickly and without geographic limitation. The company exports 60% of its products to non-European markets. The high precision measurement technology developed by STIL is an excellent complement to Marposs existing solution portfolio, offering opportunities for use in the glass, glass packaging, plastic, precision mechanics, consumer electronics, semiconductors, and biomedical industries, commented Matteo Zoin, Marposs, Head of Marketing and New Market Development. For STIL, joining the Marposs Group of companies brings growth opportunities worldwide, due to the strong presence of the Marposs sales and service network, as well as opportunities for growth-oriented synergies. Marposs, founded in 1952, has distinguished itself by supplying advanced solutions that improve quality and productivity while reducing manufacturing costs through technologies such as process control, machine tool monitoring and precision gauging, as well as leak testing and automated assembly and control lines. A long-time key supplier to the automotive and aerospace markets, Marposs growth strategy includes the acquisition of high-quality companies that offer innovative products complementary to its portfolio, enabling penetration into new market sectors. The Group currently has over 3700 employees worldwide and is present in 25 countries through more than 80 offices. Complete information about Marposs solutions can be found at http://www.marposs.com, by calling (248) 370-0404 or by emailing marposs@us.marposs.com Justice Department reviewing handling of Michael Flynn case: Source originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Justice Department is conducting a review of the handling of the case against retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, a person familiar with the matter confirmed to ABC News Friday. MORE: Michael Flynn blames his former counsel for his years-long legal battle A DOJ official said that the U.S. Attorney in St. Louis Jeff Jensen is "assisting" prosecutor Brandon Van Grack in the review. Jensen and Van Grack, who served as a prosecutor for former special counsel Robert Mueller's office, are working "hand in glove" and Jensen is not in a supervisory role, the official added. The DOJ declined to comment further on the matter. PHOTO:File photo: Michael Flynn, former national security advisor to President Donald Trump, leaves following his plea hearing at the Prettyman Federal Courthouse Dec. 1, 2017 in Washington. (File-Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) MORE: Barr blasts Trump's tweets on Stone case: 'Impossible for me to do my job': ABC News Exclusive Flynn, President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, resigning in February 2017 just weeks after Trump took office. MORE: In reversal, prosecutors recommend up to 6 months prison time for former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn The New York Times first reported that Attorney General William Barr had installed an outside prosecutor to review the case against Flynn. In October, Trump tweeted that Flynn had been the target of a "setup." General Michael Flynns attorney is demanding that charges be immediately dropped after they found that FBI Agents manipulated records against him. They say that James Clapper told a reporter to take a kill shot at Flynn. This has been a complete setup of Michael Flynn.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 26, 2019 MORE: Despite Barr's warning, Trump insists he has a right to intervene in criminal cases Flynn was the first of five high-ranking advisers to Trump who pleaded guilty and offered his cooperation during the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russian meddling in the 2016 campaign. Story continues But in a surprise move last month, Flynn's defense team filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea citing "the government's bad faith, vindictiveness and breach of the plea agreement." Flynn's team also subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the case alleging "egregious government misconduct." The move came just after federal prosecutors recommended a sentencing of up to six months in prison for Flynn, reversing their initial recommendation that the president's former national security adviser be spared jail time. The relationship between the government and Flynn soured when Flynn changed his legal team and accused the government of demanding a false testimony from Flynn as a government witness in a separate case involving his former lobbying partner Bijan Kian. Flynn did not end up testifying at Kian's trial, Kian who was found guilty of violating foreign lobbying laws by a jury before a judge later threw out the verdict for lack of evidence. Flynn's defense team said in court filings that the testimony would lead him to "breach his plea agreement by not telling the truth" and called the prosecutors' reversal in sentencing recommendations vindictive. Flynn's team in court papers also blamed his former attorney for his criminal conviction, claiming that he was "misled, misinformed and betrayed" by his lawyer and so should be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea for lying to federal agents. The government dismissed claims by Flynn's counsel as "false allegations," stressing that the government "explicitly stated that it did not want the defendant to lie and was only interested in presenting the defendant's truthful testimony" in the Kian case. Prosecutors later softened the sentencing recommendation, saying they would not object to Flynn being granted probation. Flynn's attempt to backtrack from the plea deal marks the latest in a series of moves Flynn has made aimed at staving off a jail sentence. In December 2018, prison time appeared all but unavoidable for the retired three-star general -- U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan criticized Flynn for lying to the FBI while serving in the White House. Flynn's attorney at the time, Robert Kelner, immediately requested and received a sentencing delay. Flynn has used the ensuing year to change attorneys and re-tool his approach. Flynn's sentencing has been delayed multiple times since, with no new sentencing date scheduled since Flynn moved to withdraw from his guilty plea. ABC News' Soorin Kim contributed to this report. ATHENS, Greece, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX), (the Company), a global shipping company specializing in the ownership of dry bulk vessels, today announced that it has received a notice of cancellation of the Memorandum of Agreement (the Contract), between a separate wholly-owned subsidiary and an unaffiliated third party, to sell the 2005-built Panamax vessel Calipso, as previously announced. The buyers elected to exercise their right to cancel the Contract as a result of vessels missing the cancelling date stipulated therein, due to unforeseen events, unrelated to the condition of the vessel, and have requested the refund of the deposit of the purchase price held in joint escrow account by the deposit holder. The Company has taken steps to release the deposit to the buyers. Upon completion of the previously announced sale of one Capesize dry bulk vessel, the m/v Norfolk, Diana Shipping Inc.s fleet will consist of 41 dry bulk vessels (4 Newcastlemax, 13 Capesize, 5 Post-Panamax, 5 Kamsarmax and 14 Panamax). As of today, the combined carrying capacity of the Companys fleet, including the m/v Norfolk, is approximately 5.2 million dwt with a weighted average age of 9.66 years. A table describing the current Diana Shipping Inc. fleet can be found on the Companys website, www.dianashippinginc.com. Information contained on the Companys website does not constitute a part of this press release. About the Company Diana Shipping Inc. is a global provider of shipping transportation services through its ownership of dry bulk vessels. The Companys vessels are employed primarily on medium to long-term time charters and transport a range of dry bulk cargoes, including such commodities as iron ore, coal, grain and other materials along worldwide shipping routes. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words believe, anticipate, intends, estimate, forecast, project, plan, potential, may, should, expect, pending and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, Company managements examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Companys records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies that are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Companys control, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Companys view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for dry bulk shipping capacity, changes in the Companys operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Companys vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. * European shares open lower * Jump in new coronavirus cases weighs * Big earnings day * Centrica plunges, Rexel jumps Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of European equity markets brought to you by Reuters stocks reporters. You can share your thoughts with Thyagaraju Adinarayan (thyagaraju.adinarayan@tr.com), Joice Alves (joice.alves@tr.com), Julien Ponthus (julien.ponthus@tr.com) in London and Danilo Masoni (danilo.masoni@tr.com) in Milan. BIG JUMP IN VIRUS CASES, SMALL UPTICK IN FEAR (0935 GMT) China reported a sharp rise in new coronavirus deaths and infections, as it changed the method of counting virus cases. Does that matter? Surely it does, but as UBS GWM's chief economist Paul Donovan points out "Reporting reality more accurately only matters economically if it changes fear levels". And judging from volatility, the market's fear gauge, it looks like no game changer. The euro STOXX volatility index in fact is up just 0.7 at 13.18 - sill well below this month's peak. (Danilo Masoni) ***** BIG EARNINGS DAY: FEW WINNERS AT THE OPEN (0838 GMT) European shares are down about 0.4%, so just off yesterday's record highs as an earnings galore triggered lot of action at the open. Among the top movers on the STOXX 600, most are trading in negative territory, meaning that today's earnings deluge isn't much of a party. Biggest mover is Centrica with a two-digit percentage fall after announcing a steep fall in operating profit. Among stocks losing about 5% or above at the moment are Sweden's Boliden with a bigger-than-expected drop in Q4 operating earnings, Ipsen and Aegon with a cold welcome to their results. High profile losers include Barclays, down 2.5% with a surprise Epstein investigation stealing the spotlight to the bank's solid results. Credit Suisse not getting much love either with a similar fall. There are however a few winners in the financial sector like Commerzbank, up 4%, and NN Group, up 5%. Story continues Other big winners of the earnings galore are France's Rexel up 8% and Clariant up 4.8%. Also, telcos aren't doing badly with Telecom Italia up 2.7% and Orange rising 1.4%. (Julien Ponthus) ***** EARNINGS GALORE: CALLING THE ACTION AT THE OPEN (0750 GMT) One easy to flag big mover at the open will be RIB Software following France's Schneider Electric 1.4 bln euro offer. Among companies expected to retreat at the open following their Q4 are Airbus, Nestle, ThyssenKrupp and Aurubis. Clariant seen rising in pre-market trading after its announcement to slash 600 jobs. In telcos, Orange is seen making some gains at the open. The trend seems overall positive in the financial and banking sectors with Credit Suisse posing its best profit since 2010, Commerzbank swinging to a smaller-than-expected Q4 loss, Insurer NN Group announcing buybacks and rising dividends and Zurich Insurance boosting operating profit 16%. Important to note that Barclays results just came in with a surprise statement about regulators probing its CEO's ties to late Jeffrey Epstein. Mixed indications at the moment on how the shares will do. Some insight on how the coronavirus outbreak will hit European blue chips with Pernod Ricard cutting its annual profit growth forecast. Also a lot of interest from one of the hottest sector at the moment with Just Eat Takeaway.com reported strong revenue growth and a small core profit. There's also a bullish outlook from chip gear maker Applied Material which could provide a positive read-across for the sector's stocks in Europe. On the other hand, Data showing auto sales in China are likely to have fallen 18% in January could weigh on sentiment for European carmakers. (Julien Ponthus and Danilo Masoni) ***** EARNINGS GALORE: ASK FOR THE MENU! (0652 GMT) This is one of the busiest day of the earnings season with a deluge of trading updates and announcements. It will be real tricky to identify who the top movers will be at the open with so many companies reporting at the same time. Focusing on large caps, here are some of the top headlines at the moment: Credit Suisse posts best profit since 2010 in Thiam swan song Commerzbank swings to smaller-than-expected Q4 loss Insurer NN Group announces plan for share buybacks and rising dividends Zurich Insurance boosts operating profit 16%, ups dividend Thyssenkrupp's Q1 profit drops as steel becomes new problem child Aurubis sees stable new year as smelter maintenance ends Clariant to slash 600 jobs as 2019 profit plunges and outlook dims Airbus targets operating profit gain in 2020, after bribery settlement net loss Nestle pushes back growth target after solid 2019 Pernod Ricard cuts annual profit growth forecast due to China virus Orange Q4 core profits rise 1.3% on improved sales in France, Africa Takeaway reports core profit in 2019, revenues up 79% Capgemini Says Fy Net Profit Group Share Up 17% To EUR 856 Mln Apart from earnings, there's no shortage of other corporate announcements: France's Schneider Electric makes 1.4 bln euro offer to buy RIB Software Airbus to buy rest of Bombardier stake in A220 passenger jet programme Australia court approves $10 bln Vodafone-TPG merger, overrules regulator Euronext says still analysing whether to bid for Madrid bourse (Julien Ponthus) ***** MORNING CALL: JUST A TAD LOWER FOR NOW (0621 GMT) A jump in the number of deaths linked to the coronavirus outbreak has triggered some kind of strategic and limited retreat on Asian bourses overnight. European and U.S. stock markets which had just hit new record on hopes the virus' spread might be slowing down are now expected to let some of these gains go at the open, futures show. CMC Markets said the FTSE 100 is expected to open 21 points lower, the DAX to lose 14 points and France's CAC 40 to shed 4 points. While futures for the main European benchmarks are down between 0.1% and 0.2%, there will be plenty of corporate earnings to drive sentiment one way of another. (Julien Ponthus) ***** (Reporting by Danilo Masoni, Joice Alves, Julien Ponthus and Thyagaraju Adinarayan) (Photo : Screenshot From Finance Magnates Facebook Page) handshakes are discouraged A well-known and prestigious venture capital firm called Andreessen Horowitz has put up an awkward sign on their offices that state "due to the coronavirus, no handshakes please" and it says a lot about the current situation of the Coronavirus from Wuhan and the recent Covid-19. Handshakes are quite inevitable in the business world because of how this contact creates trust and is sometimes even the measurement of one's strength and reliability during the old days but because of the Coronavirus from Wuhan, Tech Industries like the famous Andreessen Horowitz have put precautionary measures to avoid physical contact. Who is Andreessen Horowitz and what do they mean to tech industries? For a questionable but long time so far, the Andreessen Horowitz has had their money in other tech companies like Facebook, Airbnb, Slack, and other tech companies but because of the widespread panic of the Coronavirus from Wuhan, they themselves have been limiting their contact even within their workplace. What is the Covid-19 and how serious it has become The Covid-19 has been growing aggressively and has already claimed the lives of about 1,357 people and most of them are from the Hubei province located in China where the origin of the outbreak is pinpointed. Read Also: Is Coronavirus Man-Made? Baseless Conspiracy Theories about Its Origin Including China Bioengineering Debunked The coronavirus on the other hand has already hit the United States with four confirmed cases from the Northern California region which includes Silicon Valley. Even public health officials have been telling civilians that they should be careful with how the Coronavirus from Wuhan could be contagious especially to direct family members. The growing anxiety within the tech industry Even though the tech industry does not require as much physical contact among one another, the widespread of panic and anxiety is still very obvious. There have been several tech companies like Apple who are limiting the amount of travel between branches and with clients. These are measures being strictly observed especially between the San Francisco Bay Area and China. Why tech companies are scared of the Coronavirus from Wuhan and Covid-19 The danger with these viruses is that they show up after two weeks and they cannot be sensed before that time period and this is what companies are afraid of. Instead of looking at profits, companies are looking at the safety of their staff as the ultimate priority. Apple and Google are already in the process of pulling out their operations from China and if big tech companies like them can do it, other smaller companies may be able to do it as well. Read Also: BlueDot: Fighting the Deadly Coronavirus Outbreaks with AI So far this virus has not yet penetrated strongly in the United States which is a relief for its citizens but the amounts of travel and contact with other countries are to be limited as this virus is still on the loose. The Coronavirus from Wuhan was a shocking event and even more now that the Covid-19 has emerged. The only thing the tech industry can do now is avoid physical contact like how Andreessen Horowitz avoids handshakes. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has asked spokespersons of all three constituents of the ruling alliance to regularly communicate and coordinate with each other for better working and coherent dissemination of information related to government policies and plans. The Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress are part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state. Thackeray, who is also the Sena president, held a meeting of spokespersons of all the three parties on Thursday evening. "Uddhavji said the ideological stand of the three parties is different but as alliance partners of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), there should be co-ordination between all three parties. The spokespersons should communicate with each other for better co-ordination," sources said on Friday. The Chief Minister also asked the spokespersons to effectively highlight the programmes and policies of the government, they said. PWD minister Ashok Chavan, Sena MPs Anil Desai and Arvind Sawant were also present. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the Energy Security Roundtable as part of the Munich Security Conference. The head of state made a speech at the roundtable. Speech of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev - Last year was a significant one for our country and, I think, for the energy security of Europe, because together with our partners we successfully completed the main TANAP gas pipeline, which has reached the Turkish-Greek border. This means that three of the four segments of the Southern Gas Corridor have already been successfully completed. As for the last segment, the TAP project will be completed at the end of this year. Thus, an integrated pipeline system with a length of 3,500 kilometers will be commissioned. This is one of the main infrastructure projects in our region. Of course, it is very important for us, our partners and the energy security of Europe. At the end of this month, we will be hosting the traditional Advisory Council of the Southern Gas Corridor, which we annually hold in Baku to review the work done and plan on future activities. I hope there will be many participants. Today we are working with new countries in connection with future projects. The Southern Gas Corridor links seven countries Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania and Italy. Three Balkan countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Croatia, have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with us in connection with joining the project in the second phase which, in particular, provides for the construction of the Ionian-Adriatic pipeline through these countries. In technical terms, this is feasible, from the point of view of gas reserves it is as well. We have increased production and, of course, there will be a need for more support from the European Commission. Because if this project is also included in the number of projects that meet the common interests of the European Union, then its implementation will go faster. Some countries working with us on the Southern Gas Corridor will have the opportunity to have alternative sources of supply for the first time in history. An alternative source is not only about a route, because when we talk about security, we should talk about the source. In our person, the transportation of Azerbaijani gas to the European and Turkish markets is a new source and a new route. I believe that this is the advantage of our project, which is why the European Union gives it strong support. For this reason, even though the final work will be carried out before the end of this year, we can consider the Southern Gas Corridor to be a completed project. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan continues to be a very stable oil supplier. Since 2006, when the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline was commissioned, there have been no interruptions, force majeure situations or problems. From a geopolitical and technical point of view, it was also very difficult to implement because it was connecting the Caspian and Mediterranean seas for the first time. For some countries, including European ones, Azerbaijani oil makes up about 40 percent of their consumption. Therefore, we will continue to remain a reliable partner as an oil supplier. We have recently extended a contract with BP. Until 2050, we will have a relatively stable production profile. Therefore, exploration work is underway on new projects. We are currently experiencing the second phase of the oil boom, if I may say so. Many large companies are returning and getting engaged in new projects. This will allow us the opportunity not only to maintain, but also to increase the production profile. We are an active member of OPEC+. One of its meetings took place in Baku at our invitation. When the question was asked in Davos in 2016, What can we do about the oil price?, I replied that it would be nice if the main OPEC and non-OPEC countries could come together and agree with each other. I am glad that this happened. I think that this should be continued. I believe that especially now, despite all the difficulties in the oil-producing countries due to the situation related to the coronavirus Mr. Birol has presented very interesting information given the reasons for the drop in oil prices, as well as the fact that they can continue to fall, cooperation of OPEC+ is very important. Because the situation today is such that OPEC and non-OPEC countries operate in the same organization. We have no other organization and cooperation of this kind. Sometimes countries cannot come to an agreement within one organization. We have this unique format, and we should not miss it. In conclusion let me talk about renewable energy. Azerbaijan is also paying a lot of attention to that. Our plan is to provide 30 percent of electricity through renewable energy by 2030. In January this year, we signed two agreements on the construction of 440MW wind and solar energy stations with leading companies specializing in renewable energy. This work will be fully implemented through foreign investment. In this connection, we have at least five more proposals. Our country is rich in oil, gas, sun and wind. Several wind farms can be built on the Caspian Sea. There are great opportunities for this. However, I am absolutely sure that we should do this carefully because the 440MW power station should be fully integrated into our system so that in the absence of wind and sunny weather, there are no interruptions in the generation of electricity and power supply is not interrupted. Thank you for the opportunity to bring this issue to your attention. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 00:49:38|Editor: yan Video Player Close JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on Friday said there are confident the African Union (AU) would make progress under South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's chairship. PAP said they have confidence in Ramaphosa steering the continental body in the right direction. "The election of South Africa as the incoming chair in Feb. 2019, raised our hopes as direct beneficiaries of the Host Agreement between the African Union and the Government of South Africa," said PAP President Roger Nkodo Dang. He said the optimism of the continental Parliament stems from President Ramaphosa's recent pronouncement of his approach, which will focus on building a "politically stable Africa, empowerment of women and an economically growing continent". Nkodo Dang stated that Africa continues to draw inspiration from South Africa's institutions of governance and a functional parliamentary democracy. He pointed out that they will learn from South Africa as they try to make PAP a "prime institution of governance on the African continent". Ramaphosa officially became the AU chair last week at the the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Pan-African Parliament is one of the legislative body of the AU which is based in South Africa. Open source Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Zahorodniuk and Minister of National Defense of Romania Nicolae Ionel Ciuca discussed cooperation in the context of the security of the Black Sea region. The press service of the Ministry of Defense reported that. "Today, February 14, as part of the participation in the Munich security sphere of the conference, Minister of Defense Andriy Zahorodniuk met with Romanian Minister of National Defense Nicolae Ionel Ciuca. The parties focused on security in the Black Sea region. Andriy Zahorodniuk noted the importance of military-level cooperation - sea forces and strengthening joint work with partners in the East European region to ensure stability in the Black Sea," says the statement. It is indicated that among the areas of cooperation is the upcoming signing of the Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Romania on military-technical cooperation, as well as the exchange of information on the air and sea situation. "Also during the meeting, participants expressed concern about the destabilizing actions of the Russian Federation in the Black and Azov Seas, as well as about the further militarization of the Crimean Peninsula that is occupied by Russia," the statement said. In addition, the ministers emphasized the need for continued bilateral cooperation, participation in joint multinational exercises and continued cooperation in the framework of the activities of the multinational engineering battalion "Tisa". As we reported, the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will participate in the renewed mission of NATO in Iraq. The parents of a Parkland school shooting victim have filed a new lawsuit against the U.S. government, accusing the FBI of failing to stop gunman Nikolas Cruz despite several warnings. Andrew Pollack and Shara Kaplan filed the complaint on Wednesday in federal court against the 'United States of America'. Their 17-year-old daughter, Meadow, was among the 17 students and teachers killed when Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on February 14, 2018. Andrew Pollack (above with Meadow) and Shara Kaplan have filed a new lawsuit against the U.S. government. Their 17-year-old daughter, Meadow, was among the 17 students and teachers killed when Parkland gunman Nikolas Cruz opened fire on February 14, 2018 They filed the lawsuit just days before the second anniversary of the massacre that saw their daughter shot nine times. The lawsuit resembles one filed last year by the parents of two other students killed in the massacre: Jaime Guttenberg and Carmen Schentrup. Meadows parents argue the FBI is responsible for the deaths because the agency had received tips about Cruz's violent behavior and access to weapons. The FBI had received an initial tip about Cruz five months before the shooting from a Mississippi bail bondsman who received a message from the teen saying he was going to be a 'professional school shooter', according to the lawsuit. The bondsman went on to be interviewed by the FBI twice. A month prior to the shooting, an anonymous caller contacted the FBI to report Cruz's social media activity - including how he had posted about the animals he had killed and photos of his cache of weapons. That caller specifically warned the FBI that Cruz might target a school, the lawsuit says. 'I know he's going to explode,' the caller said. In the lawsuit, the parents argue the FBI is responsible for the deaths because the agency had received tips about Cruz's (above) violent behavior and access to weapons The parents filed the lawsuit just days before the second anniversary of the massacre that saw their daughter Meadow shot nine times The filing said the FBI knew Cruz 'had the desire and capability to carry out a mass school shooting' but they 'failed to take any action whatsoever'. 'As a direct, proximate, and foreseeable result of the FBI's negligence, Cruz was able to kill 17 students and teachers and wound many more,' the lawsuit said. Meadow's parents have also filed a separate lawsuit against the school's resource officer Scot Peterson. They claim his actions contributed to their daughter's death. Peterson has been charged with child neglect for his failure to act during the massacre. It comes after President Donald Trump met on Monday with several family members of the Parkland victims to discuss school safety. Parents from the group Stand with Parkland were briefed on a new school safety clearinghouse website that was unveiled by the Trump administration. People hoist up their candles during a vigil for the victims of the shooting massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland The website is intended to offer educators, parents and law enforcement officers information on best practices to address threats to school safety. Stand with Parkland, which backed the creation of such a tool to assist schools, has also urged Congress to pass universal background checks on gun purchases, something Trump briefly embraced before backing away from it earlier in his presidency. 'Of course there is always more that can be done,' said Max Schachter, whose 14-year-old son Alex was among the victims. 'But let's not let perfection be the enemy of good.' Another Parkland parent, Fred Guttenberg, was removed from Trump's State of the Union address last week after yelling when the president spoke of his support of the Second Amendment. Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime was killed in the shooting, was a guest of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the address. He later apologized. Guttenberg, a frequent Trump critic, took to Twitter early Monday to note he was not invited to take part in the White House meeting. Meadow's father, Pollack, said he supported the decision not to invite Guttenberg. Pollack is an outspoken supporter of Trump. Pollack said Guttenberg had declined to be part of the group that pushed for the program. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Check your Valentines candy: about 1,900 chocolate bars distributed by a Grand Rapids company have been recalled due to undeclared milk. Gourmet International of Grand Rapids and manufacturer Dublin, Ireland-based Butlers Chocolates issued the joint recall of the Irish Whiskey Dark Chocolate 3.5-ounce tablet bar on Thursday, Feb. 13. Butler's Dark Chocolate with Irish Whiskey has been recalled because milk, a potential allergen, is not listed as an ingredient. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious allergic reaction or illness if they consume these products, the recall announcement said. The affected chocolate bars were distributed to specialty food stores throughout the United States, including Michigan, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. The product is in a cream-colored wrapper and bearing the description Irish Whiskey Dark Chocolate with Irish Whiskey. It has the lot code 101048778, UPC is 8-44984-17619-7, and the expiration date is Aug. 16, 2020. The recall was initiated after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found high levels of milk in the product, and milk is not a listed ingredient. Distribution has been suspended until the source of the milk is determined and appropriate steps to address it have been taken. Consumers who have purchased the product may return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Individuals who have a milk allergy or are sensitive to milk products should not consume this product. No illnesses have been reported to date due to this occurance. Consumers with questions may contact either Gourmet International or Butlers Chocolates at Gayle.Beld@Gourmetint.com, Skye.Parent@Gourmetint.com or katie.byrne@butlers.ie. READ MORE: U.P. ski area sold to Wisconsin businessman fulfilling high school dream Northern Michigan town a contender for HGTV Home Town Takeover revamp K9 influenza puts Northern Michigan animal shelter under quarantine Third, voting for a candidate is also related to other moral matters of public importance. This is the truest source of complexity: weighing likely political and social outcomes. Ones vote may discourage racism, or result in more empathetic treatment of the poor, or maintain high standards of public ethics, or encourage the proper treatment of women. So, voting for a pro-life president who promises to jail his or her enemies would be immoral. He or she would have the immediate power to destroy the rule of law and almost no immediate power to end abortion. Voting for a pro-life president who treats migrant children and fleeing refugees as so much human refuse would be immoral. Such dehumanization would have immediate consequences. Here the relative value (and urgency) that we assign to various moral imperatives matters greatly. Ruth Coppinger has announced that she will contest the upcoming Seanad election. It comes after she lost her Dail seat in the recent General Election. Ms Coppinger was the only Solidarity - People Before Profit TD to lose her seat in the election, narrowly missing out on re-election after the Green's Roderic O'Gorman was elected in the Dublin West constituency in the final count. Today, Ms Coppinger confirmed she will be a candidate in the Seanad elections for the NUI constituency. If elected, she is pledging to use the platform in the upper house of the Oireachtas to "continue organising on the unfinished business of workers and womens rights". A total of six members of the Seanad are elected by NUI and Trinity College graduates. Nominations are being accepted until today, with polling lasting from the end of this month until the end of March. Other candidates seeking election in the NUI constituency include LGBT and women's rights campaigner Laura Harmon and the outgoing senator Alice-Mary Higgins. The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus NG-13 cargo ship stands atop Pad-0A of NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia on Feb. 14, 2020. There will no Valentine's Day launch to the International Space Station today, NASA says. The launch of a Northrop Grumman Antares rocket carrying an uncrewed Cygnus cargo ship filled with vital supplies including, yes, some chocolate, cheese and other treats for astronauts has been delayed at least 24 hours. The new launch time will be 3:21 p.m. EST (2021 GMT) on Saturday (Feb. 15) from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia. "Northrop Grumman and NASA have rescheduled todays Antares launch attempt for the CRS-13 Cygnus resupply mission due to strong upper level winds," NASA officials said in an update today. "The Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft remain healthy." You can watch the Cygnus launch live here and on Space.com's homepage, courtesy of NASA TV. NASA's webcast will begin at 2:45 p.m. EST (1945 GMT). Related: Bacteria & bone: Here's the science launching on Cygnus NG-13 More: How Northrop Grumman's Antares rockets & Cygnus ships work Cygnus NG-13 will deliver 7,600 lbs. (3,400 kilograms) of experiment gear, food and other supplies to the three-person Expedition 62 crew on the space station when it arrives next week. Packed among those supplies are some tasty morsels for the astronauts, including three kinds of hard cheese (by special request), as well as Lindt chocolates (chili chocolate and sea salt flavor) and other candy just in time for Valentine's Day weekend. "Rocket, check. Chocolate, check. Upper level winds? Unfortunately, check," officials with NASA's Wallops Flight Facility said in a Twitter post. If all goes well, the Cygnus spacecraft will arrive at the International Space Station early Tuesday (Feb. 18), NASA officials said. Northrop Grumman and NASA initially tried to launch the Cygnus cargo mission on Sunday (Feb. 9), but aborted it in the final minutes due to a ground sensor glitch. Dismal weather at the launch site prevented subsequent attempts throughout the week. Saturday's weather forecast looks pristine, with a 85% chance of favorable conditions for launch, NASA officials said. Visit Space.com on Saturday 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. In 2014, during the winter in his second term, Hungarys far-right prime minister, Viktor Orban, ordered the installation of a new statue in one of Budapests oldest squares. The unveiling of the statue, which depicts Hungary as the archangel Gabriel being attacked by an eagle representing Germany, sparked days of protests from critics, who accused Orban of attempting to obscure the countrys role in the murder of nearly half a million of its citizens during the Holocaust. Advertisement Erecting a public statue always bears with it an intrinsic meaning beyond the statue itself, Orban said in a speech that year at the unveiling of a different war memorial, where he proselytized his brand of nationalism and urged voters to reject the disintegrated liberal era. He continued, There is a reason why revolutions and world wars often begin with the toppling of statues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For centuries, autocrats, authoritarians, and dictators have held a fascination with using architecture as a political tool to glorify their regimes, often while also dismissing modern architectural styles as lowbrow, cold, or weak. The current crop of far-right world leaders with authoritarian impulses is no differentand that now appears to include President Donald Trump. Advertisement While there is much to appreciate in classical and neoclassical buildings, admirers of these styles have long included authoritarians who see them as embodying the glory of the state. Last week, the trade magazine Architectural Record obtained a copy of a draft executive order from the White House, titled Making Federal Buildings Beautiful Again, that would require newly built or upgraded federal structures to hew to the classical architectural style. It doesnt strictly specify what the classical style encompasses, but it cites the infrastructure of republican Rome as its inspiration. While the order is only a draft, figures in and out of the field took it seriously enough to condemn it. The plan appalled the 163-year-old American Institute of Architects, which called the draft orders uniform style mandate antithetical to democratic ideals. D.C.s urban planning director was more blunt: It is authoritarian, he wrote on Twitter. Advertisement The nonprofit that has reportedly lobbied in favor of the draft order, the National Civic Art Society, has called modern architecture ugly, strange, and off-putting; in a manifesto on its website, the group writes that the classical tradition, harkening back to democratic Athens and republican Rome, is time-honored and timeless. It is unparalleled in its dignity, beauty, and harmony. Some of that language is copied verbatim in the Trump administrations draft order. No wonder: Trump has appointed two members of the National Civic Art Society to the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts. Advertisement As many critics of the draft order have pointed out, while there is much to appreciate in classical and neoclassical buildings, admirers of these styles have long included authoritarians who see these schools as embodying the glory of the state. Adolf Hitler notoriously held a fascination with classical architecture, as did other fascist leaders of his time. When totalitarianism flourished across Europe, so did fascist architecture, or the construction of new federal monuments and buildings in the same architectural style. More than just a way to telegraph leaders political vision for the country, it was a way to inspire and reinforce national unity, inextricably weaving together lived experience and political philosophy. At the heart of all that building was a belief that architecture could be a political statement about whom society serves and what it values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar logic undergirds Trumps draft order. Federal building designs should inspire the public for their aesthetics, make Americans feel proud of our public buildings, it reads. Classical and traditional architectural styles have proven their ability to inspire such respect for our system of self-government. Frequently, the leaders who adopted a national architectural aesthetic styled themselves as economic populists, investing in federally funded infrastructure projects to signal a kind of economic rebirth. Advertisement Advertisement In Benito Mussolinis Italy, this meant a slate of new post offices, courthouses, train stations, and public squares. Hitler, meanwhile, had the Nazi architect Ludwig Ruff design a new hall of Congress for the party. Both leaders prized a style called stripped classicism, which borrowed heavily from Greco-Roman silhouettes but cleared them of their ornament. Advertisement With the resurgence of far-right nationalism in the new century, echoes of fascist architecture have found their way back again. But its not a shared insistence of classicisms superiority that links the contemporary examples: Not every would-be authoritarian is obsessed with Grecian columns. What links them is how they want to use architecture to inspire a kind of superiorityof the leader over his predecessors, and of the state over others. Last month, the influential Danish architect Bjarke Ingels faced backlash from his contemporaries when he was photographed smiling next to Brazils hard-right populist president, Jair Bolsonaro, who has defended torture and opposes same-sex marriage, abortion, gun laws, and immigration. (Not incidentally, Bolsonaro had to fire his culture minister last month after the man, Roberto Alvim, borrowed from a 1933 Nazi propaganda speech by Joseph Goebbels while announcing a nearly $5 million investment in an arts grant program.) Advertisement Advertisement Bolsonaro is now seeking Ingels help in developing a tourism master plan for Brazils northeast, the countrys poorest region, with the goal of doubling the countrys overall tourism by 2022. Responding to criticism of his fact-finding mission, Ingels told the Guardian, The road to ethical impact as an architect is to [propose] the future we want to companies and governments, even if they have different views. Ingels is somewhat of an aesthetic chameleon who has referred to his own work as both pragmatic utopianism and hedonistic sustainability. Advertisement But for Bolsonaro, who openly admires Trump and lusts after relationships with wealthier countries, Ingels style is beyond the point. After decades of creeping development in the region, attracting luxury investment is within Bolsonaros grasp. Never mind that it wont be for everyone we cant let this place become known as a gay tourism paradise, he said last April. Hes made clear that whatever he builds, he builds exclusively for the like-minded. Advertisement Like Bolsonaro, the Philippines president, Rodrigo Duterte, has promised to revive his country through the act of building itself, with the number of new infrastructure projects in the pipeline both the vehicle for and measure of his political success. Duterte, who reigns over a country where an estimated 22,000 people have died in extrajudicial killings, promised upon taking office that his term would usher in a golden age of infrastructure. His administration has coined the term DuterteNomics to describe the strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Included in a list of 100 major development projects Duterte wants to launch before his term ends in 2022 is building a new city north of Manila, called New Clark, from scratch. (Authoritarians love to raise cities where none exist. Mussolini famously oversaw the development of a city called Latina, now a provincial capital that was erected from swampland.) Duterte has promised that New Clark City will prioritize climate resilience, and renderings of it look like stills from the glittering new landscape of Abu Dhabi. In Dutertes Philippines, there is no room for the classical aesthetic of the pastonly aggressive modernity in both form and function. Advertisement Of course, this is the Philippines that Duterte wants the world to see, instead of the way it actually is: a place where neofeudalism has contributed to a 22 percent poverty rate and left tens of thousands of peasant farmers without any rights to the soil they work. But it is New Clark City, Duterte says, that will be his legacy project, or as the countrys press shop puts it, a showcase to the world of the Philippines cultural identity. Advertisement Advertisement Orban, meanwhile, is preoccupied with the explicitly symbolic: He wants to spend nearly $800 million to turn a 250-acre park in Budapest into a grove of national monuments. Across the Danube River, Orban ordered that the citys National Gallery of Art be moved from its home in a centuries-old castle that used to host Hungarian kings so that he may relocate his offices to the campus. Critics have, in turn, suggested that he has an edifice complex. Advertisement Advertisement Like his foreign compatriots, Trump has attempted to repurpose old monuments for personal gain. He is currently weathering a multistate lawsuit over his continued financial involvement in D.C.s Trump International Hotel, the least garish commercial property in his portfolio by virtue of its location in the iconic Romanesque Old Post Office Building. You just couldnt build something like this today, Ivanka Trump said of the building in 2014, admiring its glass atrium, granite turrets, and detailed wainscoting. Chiming in, her father indicated that the building signals a stratum of wealth that he covets, citing its double-bay windows and 16-foot ceilingsunheard-of in a hotel, he told the New York Times. Today, you couldnt even buy a piece of it. When the U.S. was so rich, this is the way they would build them, he said. Some 30 years after a failed attempt to build a medieval castle on New York Citys Madison Avenue, he finally got his turreted tower. Advertisement Its true that Trump is not an obvious champion of classical architecture and that the Trump International in D.C. is an outlier among his holdings. Most Trump properties tend to look more like cigarettes wearing body armor than replicas of the Parthenon. But as is typical of real estate developers, Trump shares the authoritarians impulse to remake cities in his image. And theres nothing quite like a string of uniformly styled federal buildings sprawled across the country to bolster the Trump brand, particularly when their presence is supposed to physically symbolize American greatness, as the draft order proclaims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, thenpresidential candidate Trump promised voters a $1 trillion national infrastructure plan. Two years later, during his 2018 State of the Union address, he called for a budget that would allow the country to build gleaming new roads, bridges, highways, railways, and waterways across our land. While he has since suggested creating a $20 billion fund to build structures of national significance that would lift the American spirit, that are the next-century-type of infrastructure, it remains unfunded. Instead, he is turning his eye to design. Advertisement The White Houses draft orderwhich singles out federal courthouses in Austin and Miami, among other buildings, as having little aesthetic appealreflects Trumps political instincts: to obscure the ugliness of need, to erase the blight of diversity. They recall his previous denigrations of America, from its cities (Baltimore is disgusting, rat and rodent-infested) to its people (the homeless ruin those cities, and one of the two dozen women who accused him of sexual assault is not my type). Like the gilded disco flash of Trumps hotels in Vancouver and Las Vegas, the fetishization of the Greco-Roman aesthetic is stuck in timetoo on-the-nose to signal true style, too lazy to telegraph real greatness or creativity of thought. In the Trump era, its just another vehicle for projected nostalgia. When you prize only the veneer of functionality, making America greater is just a matter of putting up some marble columns. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have reportedly made another secret appearance, this time in California. A palace source told Today the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif. on Tuesday to attend an hours-long brainstorm session with professors and academics to help them with their ongoing effort to establish a new charitable organization. Today reports the couple flew commercial from Canada to the university in California, where they were greeted by Marc Tessier-Lavigne, the university's president. Chris Jackson/Getty Images Since their announcement that they'd be stepping back as senior members of the royal family, Meghan and Harry have also been spotted at a private JPMorgan event in Miami, where they supposedly spent time with Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez (though unfortunately, there were no photos). All eyes have been on their next move after they made the decision to relinquish their HRH titles and become financially independent. Though it's been rumored Prince Harry could partner with Goldman Sachs on an interview series, nothing has been confirmed. RELATED: The Queen Reportedly Called Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Back to the U.K. Either way, it sounds like the Sussexes are making big plans for their new life. Several hundred homeowners gathered at Helena Middle School Wednesday evening to formally voice their opposition to a gravel pit proposed for the west Helena Valley. The hearing was held by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and included a question-and-answer session and public comments. Only one person spoke in favor of the proposal during the hearing. The gravel pit, referred to as McHugh 2 in DEQ documents, is expected to have an impact on approximately 600 nearby homes. Homeowners at the meeting raised concerns about water quality, flooding, air quality, noise level, traffic flow and various other quality-of-life issue that could potentially arise from living so close to a gravel pit. According to DEQ hydrologist Kevin Krogstad, the organization has not yet made a determination regarding how the pit will impact the water table or area flooding. Krogstad said preliminary tests show that it "doesn't appear it will impact the water table." Valley Sand and Gravel owner Kim Smith said at the meeting that his proposed gravel pit would not be a full-service facility and will largely be used to deliver sand and gravel to job sites. He said the gravel from the pit could be mined in 45 days if his crew worked hard enough. When air-quality issues arose at his other facilities in the past, Smith said, he immediately stopped production. Smith said he would do the same at this site. However, Smith's assurances were not enough to satisfy the angry crowd. One person asked whether Smith or any of the DEQ representative live in the affected area, and none of them said they did. Many homeowners accused DEQ of pushing this project forward without properly weighing the consequences, and the crowd applauded everyone who voiced opposition to the proposed mine. Ed Sherman, who described his land as "ground zero" because it borders the proposed gravel pit property, called for an environmental impact statement that addresses potential air and water pollution. He also called attention to the potential impacts of radiation and seismic activity. "These will be cumulative results from a cumulative action," Sherman said. Sherman said his well isn't even on the DEQ's assessment map, but noted it is just over 100 feet from the proposed pit. Archie Harper, another area citizen, accused DEQ of violating the Montana constitution and its own mission statement by allowing this pit. He said the pit goes against the agency's goal of "protecting public health." Among the nearly 50 individuals who provided public comment were a hydrologist and geologist not associated with the project. One called the project ill conceived and inappropriate, claiming families would become ill in the near future due to surface water contaminates. The geologist was the lone supporter of the pit. He stated he lived on Hedges Drive for 40 years and worked with Helena Public Schools to help develop the plan to mitigate flooding at Rossiter Elementary School. He believes the pit could help mitigate flooding in the Helena Valley by serving the same purpose as the Helena Gun Club property. The area has had significant struggles with flooding in previous years. Additionally, the geologist said it is Smith's right to develop his property as he sees fit and that the decision must be made strictly on scientific merit, not the emotionally charged individuals of the cheering section that controlled the meeting. Written comments can be submitted to DEQ until Feb. 26, but the agency would like to have all comments no later than Feb. 21. Comments can be submitted by email using the Public Comment for Valley Sand and Gravel, LLC McHugh 2 link under Opencut News at http://deq.mt.gov/Mining/Opencut, or by U.S. Mail addressed to the DEQ Opencut Mining Section, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901.' Editors note: This article has been updated to provide additional context for the individual who shared his support for the gravel pit. Love 4 Funny 2 Wow 3 Sad 1 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Click here to read the full article. NeroGiardini has cemented itself as a major player in Italy, with nearly $200 million in annual sales. Now, the company has its eyes set on North America. With an international flair, the brand is banking on its made-in-Italy product, accessible price point and its on-trend assortment of sneakers and fashion comfort-sandals to set itself apart from competition. Officially launching stateside for spring 20, NeroGiardini will debut at Neiman Marcus and specialty stores this month. More from Footwear News This is the right moment, said owner and CEO Enrico Bracalente. We have shopped and studied the North American market, paying maximum attention to the product and styles, as well as [finding] the right team of people. The company has hired two sales executives in the U.S. and one in Canada, and its investing in a Toronto showroom, as well as one in New York by the end of the year. Here, Bracalente discusses NeroGiardinis strategy in detail. What are your retail goals for North America? EB: We would like to replicate the method used in Italy and Belgium where we are leaders targeting multibrand stores, with more than one shop, as well as wholesale. We also want to partner with the best department stores in North America, both in the U.S. and Canada, such as Neiman Marcus. In terms of design, what are some key styles that you are anticipating will connect most with consumers? EB: Sneakers, of course, will dominate the scene. We offer them with a high fashion bottom and fit, which is the result of careful research and innovative details. Having debuted our spring 20 collection at Coterie, Micam, Atlanta and Toronto [tradeshows], our sneakers and fashion casuals were the stand outs. What can we expect from your fall 20 collection? EB: In addition to sneakers, we will continue with weatherproof [styles], hikers and tall boots, which we expect will be very strong. We also see riding boots being important in Q4. During the colder months, customers want to be trendy, but quality footwear is even more important because of weather conditions. Story continues What is the demographic you are targeting? EB: We are a commercial brand with over 30 years of history in Italy and Europe and have come to know our customer very well. Those who buy NeroGiardini appreciate the superior style and quality of made-in-Italy shoes and recognize our attention to detail and design. Our customer spends their money thoughtfully, and values our excellent balance between quality and price, which retails between $200 and $300. How do you plan to set yourself apart from others with similar price points? EB: NeroGiardini stands out with products manufactured by highly-qualified workers. We continually invest in state-of-the-art machinery and technology to cut down lead times and get shoes to our customers faster. For this reason, we want to create our space in the market in the medium-high range. How important is Italian production and manufacturing to your business? EB: I kept the production in Italy even when, during the late 90s, everyone suggested the intelligent delocalization with cheap labor. I stayed in Italy because of the quality of the product and out of respect for my collaborators. Today, the facts are on our side. NeroGiardini shoes are produced in the center of Italy in 15 factories. We employ over 2,000 workers, and produce 15,000 pairs of shoes every day. We believe that the U.S. and Canada, based on the quality of our product, service, speed and communication, will appreciate and continue to value our heritage. What do you want new customers to take away from your brand? EB: Our shoes are held to the highest quality standards. For example, each style before being marketed, is tested in our offices many times to perfect the fit. Furthermore, our shoes are extremely comfortable. Though we are a fashion brand, we are known for our comfort and consistent fit. Above all, though, I want our retail partners and customers to know that people are our most important asset. We invest in our employees so they can be proud to work for NeroGiardini, and I believe that translates to superior product. What are your expectations for the North American launch? EB: In [three to five years], we will learn more about our North American customers and build our retailer base. Then, maybe we will take another five-year period to gather good results. We have learned a great deal from other markets we have entered, and are making the investments we need to be here for the long term and win the North American customer. We believe this is the right time to replicate the success we have achieved in Italy and Europe. Best of Footwear News Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Vietnamese travel firms are focusing on seeking ways to attract domestic visitors amid the coronavirus spread. Foreign tourists in Hanoi The tourism sector could face USD7.7 billion in losses over the next three months due to coronavirus, said Ngo Hoai Chung, deputy head of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. The Hanoi Department of Tourism reported that the number of foreign tourists to Hanoi decreased by 24% in January. Up to 13,286 hotel rooms booked for 16,297 international visitors have been cancelled. Roughly 3,120 local travellers also cancelled their tours. Phung Quang Thang, vice chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association and director of Hanoitourist, said many tourist sites are deserted. His firm had seen a great number of tourists cancelled their visits. Many travel companies have witnessed a cancellation rate 40-50%. Some hotels have annulled room rates of nearly 90%. Tu Anh, deputy director of Thai Son Travel, said that her company has conducted just three tours after the Tet Holiday, including two domestic ones and one to Thailand. Meanwhile, dozens of tours have been cancelled. Luckily, the company has received part of the financial support from airlines. Hoang Van Tuyen, chairman of Lao Cai Tourism Association, said the number of Chinese travellers to the province had drastically dropped. To date, some 10,000 visitors cancelled their trip to the province. Lao Cai will concentrate on attracting domestic travellers in this context. Vietnam needs to have solutions to help improve the tourism industry as coronavirus could last for months, including promotion activities in new markets and financial assistance policies for travel companies which face difficulties, Thang noted. According to Thang, it is high time for travel companies to propose measures for dealing with challenges. Vu The Binh, vice chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, said that domestic travel demand is very high and competitive. Travel firms could offer promotions to lure domestic visitors. Dan Viet/Dtinews Vietnams tourism industry may lose $7 billion because of coronavirus outbreak 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. After the Iowa caucus resulted in a split decision between Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders, few things seemed certain besides the need to question a process involving a lot more coin tosses than anyone wants to see in a country masquerading as a civilized democracy. Joe Biden placed fourth in Iowa, after Elizabeth Warren, but his precipitous fall from frontrunner status was buried beneath the story of how the Democratic Party came to launch the most consequential election in a generation by playing hot potato with a flip phone. Then Biden lost again. The startling shift left Democratic Party leaders searching for something to pretend to believe in, and, lo and behold, there was Mike Bloombergs bank account. On Tuesday February 11th, New Hampshire voted in their primary, delivering first place to Sanders and fifth to Biden, revealing Bidens tagline claim of electability to be yet another old story he insists on retelling. Its still early in the race, but the surge for Sanders combined with Bidens devastation has pundits and strategists declaring that centrist Democrats are increasingly looking to Bloomberg as a potential savior. In a world where the ex-CEO of Goldman Sachs is tweeting unironically about Bernie Sanders being out to wreck our economy and disrespect our troops, the gatekeepers are pivoting to a billionaire media mogul with barely any political experience before 98 per cent of delegates have been decided. It really does beg the question: Do establishment Democrats stand for anything other than gaining power? Bloomberg has made it clear that he would like to purchase the United States presidency. He has spent more than $350 million of his personal wealth on advertising for his campaign. He is paying to flood the political conversation with his image, inundating televisions, radios, phone and computer screens, as he shells out to purchase every form of attention-hooking that money can buy, including memes on Instagram. And that doesnt even include payroll for a staff of thousands, which he is able to recruit by paying double what other campaigns offer. The spending of the Bloomberg campaign is a spectacle that includes regularly serving literal canapes, and thats the point. Bloombergs entire case for the presidency is that he can pay for it. It is ridiculous to assert that a caricature of the problem might be the best solution. It is because of moneyed interests that the voice of the American public has been reduced to wishes at 11:11. The Democratic and Republican parties would like us to believe that legislative compromise is impossible because the country is too polarized, but thats bulls**t. The majority of the country would like to see solutions for the climate crisis, gun reform, and affordable healthcare to name a few life-and-death issues and yet we see nothing even remotely resembling effective policy. Both Sanders and Warren have been labeled too far left in accordance with the binary crazy-making of extreme polarization laundered through bothsidesism, although, to that label, I must ask: Far to the left of what, exactly? It should not be considered radical to campaign upon returning the wealth and power of this nation to the hands of the people. Michael Bloomberg defends financial discrimination As the centrist Dems would have it, Bloombergs endless ad budget is the publics best shot at ousting Trump. Except, the American people have a lot more to take down than the demonic sweet potato currently tweeting from the Oval Office. In acquitting the President after he was impeached by the House of Representatives, the Republican Senate revealed themselves to be what I think can safely be described as a white nationalist organization. By refusing to formally condemn Trumps effort to enlist foreign election interference in our democracy, the most powerful members of the GOP made it clear that they are motivated only by preserving power for a certain type of citizen, and will do so at all costs. In my humble opinion, even any given idiot responsible for the Iowa caucus would make this country safer than it is under Trump. But the Democratic Partys cowardly embrace of Bloomberg only changes the shape of the current American oligarchy. The most sinister trick that Bloombergs money has bought is whitewashing what critics might call his history of contributing to the systemic oppression of people of color in New York. Supposedly, his bank account is more attractive to Democratic gatekeepers than the legacy of stop-and-frisk. The reported shift in sentiment among party leaders this week coincided with the release of a recording of Bloomberg espousing an explanation for the policy that sounded so blatantly racist, you would think it could have come out of a textbook definition of oppression. Ninety-five percent of your murders murderers and murder victims fit one MO, Bloomberg said in the clip. You can just take the description, Xerox it and pass it out to all the cops. They are male, minorities, 16 to 25. Thats true in New York, thats true in virtually every city. He continued this policy with total disregard for the black and brown men living in terror of the police force allegedly assigned to protect them. That clip only gained traction through ardent efforts by the progressive podcaster Benjamin Dixon, who recently tweeted, Does it not terrify you that Mike Bloomberg is able to take his pocket change and purchase our democracy? Apparently, the answer to that question is no, as far as Democratic party leaders are concerned. 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 sickness ailing our political process is not only the racist criminal presiding over our nation, but a system that has effectively silenced the majority of the public, while money screams loud enough to bend national attention to its will. To run Bloomberg against Trump is, to my mind, to swap one demagogue for another. The only significant difference in their respective relationships to capitalism and racism seems to be more to be a matter about how open they are about using public resources to prioritize white citizens. This primary is a chance for the Democratic Party to truly stand up for the equality it has always professed to prioritize. Otherwise, we will remain confined by a political system that is content to win power by nominating a meme of Mr Monopoly. An exhibit at the National Archives marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, in a photo taken Feb. 5, 2020. WASHINGTON (JTA)-The three-week exhibition at the National Archives showcased documents, video and a marquee sponsor, announced in large font on the banner at the National Archives: "This exhibit is paid for in part by the National Archives Foundation through the general support of the Ford Motor Company Fund." What the small exhibit marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz lacked was any mention of Ford's role in building the Nazi machine. American Ford retained majority control of its German subsidiary until May of 1942-three years into the war, nine years after Nazis rose to power, and five months after the United States entered the war-by which time it had built a third of the German army's trucks. The subsidiary used slave labor. Reckoning with its role in the Holocaust, Ford in 2001 added $2 million to a $5 billion fund meant to compensate victims of slave labor. It also set aside $4 million for research on human rights and slave labor. The National Archives exhibit contains documents outlining some of that history, but none was shown in the exhibit, which closed Wednesday. That omission raised eyebrows of the former U.S. Treasury official who negotiated the fund. "It is a good thing [Ford is] contributing" to the exhibit, the former official, Stuart Eizenstat, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in an email. "But it should make full disclosure about their wartime role, not just Henry Ford's well-known anti-Semitism." One of the labels on the small exhibit in the Eastern Rotunda in the National Archives building, a short walk from the National Mall, explained its purpose. "This display of historic records and footage is presented in memory of all Jewish victims of the Holocaust and other victims of Nazism," the label said. The exhibit's omission comes shortly after the venerable institution came under fire for altering a photo of the 2017 Women's March to obscure language that attacked President Donald Trump and words that refer to women's anatomy. The Archives apologized and pulled that exhibit. The National Archives did not return at least six JTA requests for comment on the Ford exhibit. The Ford Fund referred questions on the exhibit to the Archives but issued a statement of its own. "Ford Motor Company condemns anti-Semitism and every form of discrimination," the statement said. "Ford Motor Company Fund, the company's philanthropic arm, has supported the National Archives Foundation and other historical groups for many years to foster awareness and understanding of our past. We remain committed to the advancement of understanding and goodwill among all races, religions and cultures." Documents-some of them in possession of the National Archives-show that Ford Motor Company encouraged French Ford to collaborate with Nazis after the Nazi occupation of France. A 1943 U.S. Treasury Department investigation into the ties between Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, and its subsidiaries in Nazi-occupied Europe concluded, "the increased activity of the French Ford subsidiaries on behalf of the Germans received the commendation of the Ford Family in America." Ford's German subsidiary used slave labor while Dearborn was still a majority owner. In a lengthy examination of Ford's role in upholding the Third Reich in The Nation published in 2000, Ford said its executives at the time were unaware of the use of slave labor. What was clear however was that German Ford lionized Adolph Hitler in its in-house publications, of which the executives in Dearborn would have been aware. One 1940 issue featured a poem, titled "Fuhrer," elegized, "Like currents in a torrent lost, We all flow into you." In 1939, Ford Germany contributed 35,000 marks to a 50th birthday gift for Hitler. Company founder Henry Ford, moreover, was a notorious and influential anti-Semite, using his newspaper, The Dearborn Independent, to spread calumnies drawn from "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" from 1920 to 1922. U.S. intelligence in May 1944 determined that the Ford plant in Cologne had been "considerably enlarged" to manufacture military vehicles. The Nazis compensated Ford's German operation when Allied bombers hit its plants. In 1965, The Nation reported, Ford asked the U.S. Foreign Claims Settlement Commission for further compensation for the destruction of plants run by its Nazi-loyal subsidiary. It received $1.1 million. The exhibit at the National Archives occupied a small hall adjacent to the rotunda containing the Charters of Freedom, which include the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. It had two sides: The side facing out featured a photo of liberated inmates at Auschwitz and a handwritten letter home from a U.S. Army medic describing the horrors he witnessed. On the other side was a small bench tucked against a cove, facing a screen tucked into a wooden column running silent archival video of the liberation. On the outside of the column, two signs positioned on either side warned visitors, "The film contains content that some may find disturbing." : The Kerala government on Friday alleged that some contents of the CAG audit report, which had come down on state police chief Loknath Behara, had been leaked even before it was tabled in the assembly. The report,which came up before the house on February 12, had found 25 INSAS rifles and over 12,000 cartridges missing from the Special Armed Police battalion here and came down on the police chief for diversion of funds, violating guidelines. In the normal course, after the report is tabled in the house, the media and others get it. "But this time even before it was tabled, there were doubts that some contents of the report had been leaked... In the name of the CAG report, indulging in character assassination was not a good precedent", Chief Secretary Tom Jose said in a statement tonight. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the assembly will be examining the report, which is regarding the activities of two governments from April 2013 to March 2018. Pointing out that there are specific guidelines to take action based on CAG findings, the Chief Secretary said it was the violation of democratic propriety to put the officer under media trial. Tom Jose, who was criticised by a section of the media for allegedly using a luxury car of the police department,said that as the head of various government departments, it was not wrong for the chief secretary to use the vehicle of any department and it was not illegal. Police had on Thursday maintained that no rifles were missing as the crime branch probe had not revealed any missing INSAS rifles. "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 had said. The opposition Congress led UDF are already up in arms against the government over the matter. While KPCC president Mullapally Ramachandran on Friday demanded a judicial probe to unravel the 'mystery' behind the missing rifles and cartridges, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala sought a CBI probe against Behera and an NIA investigation into the missing rifles. Ramachandran said in Kozhikode that a judge designated by the Kerala High Court Chief Justice should conduct a probe. Meanwhile, Behera met Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan in the backdrop of the serious allegations being faced by him and the department. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a bill that would bring the state closer to providing behavioral health services that are as accessible as physical health care. The bill, S.2519, would eliminate the prior authorization requirement for patients suffering acute mental health symptoms who need immediate treatment, rolling out a pilot program for tele-psychiatry in public schools and studying culture competency within the mental health care system. The bill also creates additional pilot programs to recruit and retain mental health providers in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Senate is living up to our promise to begin to transform how the commonwealth addresses mental health, said Sen. Julian Cyr, the bills lead sponsor and the co-chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, and I think that we have taken a number of steps in this bill to really help people who are struggling to access care. The bill passed 38-0 and now moves to the House for consideration. For its lead proponents, the legislation was personal. Cyr, who was diagnosed with anxiety and depression, often touts the benefits of having a mental health provider and specifically an LGBTQ provider who can help him navigate the challenges of life as a gay man. Ive struggled with anxiety and depression since adolescence. For me, I think its because from an early age people thought I was different, said Cyr, a Truro Democrat. Therapy helped me manage my anxiety and helped me do things I never thought I could." Sen. Cindy Friedman, who authored the bill with Cyr, said she found the mental health system to be disconnected, difficult and costly as she sought treatment for her child. Senate President Karen Spilka said legislation like this could have helped her father, who struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after serving in World War II. The response to this bill has been overwhelming, and reinforces our assertion that mental health care needs to be for everyone in Massachusetts, Spilka, an Ashland Democrat, said in a statement after the bill passed. The Senate bill does not mandate any increased spending on behavioral health services, but it does require that insurers compensate mental health providers at higher levels and that insurers cover the cost of multiple appointments a patient may have on the same day. Under the bill, the states Division of Insurance would oversee how insurance companies implement reforms. Carriers would have to report their progress on complying with the changes annually, and failures to comply with the changes would lead to violations. Another provision aims to make it easier for providers to accept certain types of insurance. The bill would make insurers streamline the credentialing process for mental health providers. Currently, each insurer has its own form that mental health providers have to fill out and submit. Insurers would also have to approve the forms within 20 days, rather than over several weeks or months. Altogether, the pilots and studies are projected to cost nearly $6 million. The bills passage comes as Gov. Charlie Baker and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders promote their own health care bill, which calls for increased spending on primary, geriatric and behavioral health care services. When Spilka introduced the Senate bill, she said there were so many proposed changes that it warranted its own legislation. Cyr said a full transformation of behavioral health services will take more than one bill and more than one session. We have a tremendously broken, fragmented mental health delivery system ... and its going to take some time to get at," he said, and this is a serious significant step. Material from the State House News Service was used in this report. Related Content: Roger Stone demanded a retrial late Friday in a dramatic new twist in his prosecution - after the jury foreperson was revealed to be an anti-Donald Trump Democratic Congressional candidate who posted about Stone's arrest before his case. Stone filed a sealed motion which the Department of Justice must respond to on Tuesday, two days before he was supposed to be sentenced. The Washington Post reported that the motion was a request for a retrial, which is his second attempt at overcoming the outcome of his trial. Stone was convicted on seven counts including witness tampering and lying to Congress and has already lost an attempt to force a retrial by claiming another juror was biased against him. Trump had seized on the revelations and on Thursday said the juror had 'significant bias' - part of a string of interventions which have thrust his attorney general and the Department of Justice into a maelstrom. 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. Backing: Donald Trump has questioned why Roger Stone - who was found guilty of lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstruction - was prosecuted. He and the first lady left the White House for Mar-a-Lago just before the Stone legal time asked for a retrial Evidence of bias? Tomeka Hart revealed herself to be the foreperson of the Roger Stone jury and was then revealed to be a failed Democratic candidate for Congress who had posed with then DNC chair Donna Brazile Legal d-day: Roger Stone is scheduled to be sentenced on February 20 but is now asking for a retrial Decision time: Amy Berman Jackson, the Obama-appointed federal judge who oversaw Roger Stone's trial, now has to consider his second application for a retrial 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 Trump had 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 Trump is acting against the rule of law following his acquittal of impeachment articles in the Senate, Attorney General Bill Barr agreed to testify next month before the House Judiciary Committee, breaking a year-long absence. Then he appeared to lash out at Trump, saying 'stop the Tweeting,' and telling ABC News that the president was 'making my job impossible.' Stone's case is certain to center on Hart's past - but will have to show that Hart failed to disclose her views when she filled in a jury questionnaire which asked if potential jurors could not put aside their views to offer Stone a fair trial. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson has turned down a first retrial application, which Stone tried to get on the basis one of the jurors was an IRS attorney, and before the trial 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. Hart was revealed to be a failed Democrat candidate for Congress and activist vehemently opposed to Trump. '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's 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. 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. 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. 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 retweeted a post about Stone's arrest in January 2019, months before the trial Hart unsuccessfully ran for Congress as a Democrat in 2012, and is an activist who has participated in anti-Trump rallies and protests Stone's legal team bolstered its ranks Thursday with attorney Seth Ginsberg. Ginsberg declined to go into specifics about his role in the Stone case. 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'. 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.' [February 14, 2020] Arch Re Announces Intent to Acquire Majority Stake in Precision Marketing Asia Pacific Arch Reinsurance (Arch Re), a wholly owned subsidiary of Arch Capital Group Ltd., has announced that it has entered into an agreement in principle to obtain a majority stake in Precision Marketing Asia Pacific (PMAP), subject to regulatory and other approvals. PMAP is an Australian company that provides data-driven marketing solutions to banks, insurance companies, retailers and health care organizations across the Asia-Pacific region. This transaction provides both Arch Re and PMAP increased distribution scale for life and accident and health (A&H) products in the Asian market through a combined value proposition. Maamoun Rajeh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Arch Worldwide Reinsurance Group, said, "Acquiring Precision Marketing Asia Pacific aligns with our strategy of selectively pursuing diverse specialty markets where we can apply our knowledge and expertise. Precision Marketing is well known for its highly analytical approach to multichannel distribution and product design, and I believe that Arch Re will benefit from its platform as we look to increase our life and A&H presence in Japan and other Asia-Pacific markets." Keith Lowry, CEO of Precision Marketing Asia Pacific, added, "After many years operating as a private enterprise, the Board of Precision Marketing recognise the importance of increased growth capital to accelerate scale in the business and deliver greater value to our distribution partners in Japan. This investment by Arch Capital Group Ltd. will bring necessary financial resources to take the business to the next level." About Arch Worldwide Reinsurance Group Arch Worldwide Reinsurance Group, a part of Arch Capital Group Ltd., provides reinsurance to its clients around the globe. With offices in North America, Bermuda, Europe and Australia, Arch Reinsurance offers specialtyrisk solutions through treaty and facultative property and casualty reinsurance with a disciplined underwriting approach. About Arch Capital Group Ltd. Arch Capital Group Ltd., a Bermuda-based company with approximately $13.23 billion in capital at Dec. 31, 2019, provides insurance, reinsurance and mortgage insurance on a worldwide basis through its wholly owned subsidiaries. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. This release or any other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of Arch Capital Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries may include forward-looking statements, which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in or incorporated by reference in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue" or their negative or variations or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements involve our current assessment of risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. A non-exclusive list of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements includes the following: adverse general economic and market conditions; increased competition; pricing and policy term trends; fluctuations in the actions of rating agencies and our ability to maintain and improve our ratings; investment performance; the loss of key personnel; the adequacy of our loss reserves, severity and/or frequency of losses, greater than expected loss ratios and adverse development on claim and/or claim expense liabilities; greater frequency or severity of unpredictable natural and man-made catastrophic events; the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war; changes in regulations and/or tax laws in the United States or elsewhere; our ability to successfully integrate, establish and maintain operating procedures as well as integrate the businesses we have acquired or may acquire into the existing operations; changes in accounting principles or policies; material differences between actual and expected assessments for guaranty funds and mandatory pooling arrangements; availability and cost to us of reinsurance to manage our gross and net exposures; the failure of others to meet their obligations to us; and other factors identified in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with other cautionary statements that are included herein or elsewhere. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005375/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The bandh organisers want jobs in private sector reserved for Kannada people. Bengaluru: The Karnakata bandh called by the Federation of Kannada Organizations demanding a quota for Kannadigas in jobs evoked a mixed response on Thursday. Essential services remained unaffected and schools and colleges functioned normally. The protesters alleged that the ruling BJP joined hands with Marwadis and capitalists to make the bandh a failure. They also charged the BJP used police brutality to quell the bandh in the state capital, Bengaluru. All the leaders who could mobilize people were taken into custody, said Jayaraj Naidu, president of the Namma Karnataka Rakshana Vedike. He said Karnataka should learn from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where the state governments have protected the interests of local people against capitalists. We have been protesting for 102 days demanding a quota for local people. Our protest will continue. We will hold a meeting and decide on staging a hunger strike until our demand is met, he added. Have you ever Meghan Markled? And more importantly, would you know if you had? Language is a living thing and new words are being added every day. Remember, a decade ago no one clapped back or threw shade and slay meant to literally kill someone. Queen Elizabeth drank tea, but she never spilled it. Now it turns out people are using Meghan Markles name as a verb to describe an act as bold as the one she just pulled with the royal family. Heres what theyre saying. Meghan Markle | Chris Jackson Pool/Getty Images Meghan Markle has inspired fans around the globe There are plenty of critics who cant stand Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. But for all the haters who think she schemed to lure Prince Harry away from the royal family all along, theres an equal number of fans who are inspired by her brave act of standing up for herself. Meghans name was turned into a verb on Twitter. User @_RyanJesse came up with the definition that fully encompassed her split from the royal family, as reported by the New York Post. Meghan Markle, a verb, past tense: Meghan Markled, to Meghan Markle to value yourself and mental health enough to up and leave a room/ situation / environment in which your authentic self is not welcomed or wanted, he wrote. She inspired people to take care of their mental health It makes perfect sense that Meghan was such a champion for mental health causes in the past. The Duchess of Sussex had enough of the stress caused by constant unfair media scrutiny, and instead of putting up with it, she decided to publicly speak out. The Guardian posted a helpful tutorial to use the new verb in an everyday context. For example, you could use it to ditch an unworthy lover for the sake of your sanity. They suggested saying something like, I totally Meghan Markled my ex last night and never returned his texts. Meanwhile, at the office you could say, Im considering Meghan Markling: they havent given me a raise in two years, and Id have better options working as an Instagram influencer than staying in this loveless work marriage. People have used Meghan Markles name negatively before Though the new definition of Meghan Markling is mostly positive, her name has been turned into a verb with negative connotations in the past. Urban Dictionary lists Meghan Markle as a way to describe the process of ditching all your friends when you get famous. One example they give is, Do not Meghan Markle me when your movie comes out! The real Meghan Markle seems happier and more at peace Meghan Markle | DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images All joking aside, Meghan has appeared much more relaxed during recent weeks than she looked before making the announcement that she and Prince Harry would be stepping back as senior royals and living on their own terms. The Duchess of Sussex was spotted walking the hiking trails in Canada with a huge smile on her face. Perhaps more people can benefit from Meghan Markling toxic relationships out of their lives. They have both dated superstar offspring Brooklyn Beckham. So the photographer's ex Chloe Grace Moretz and his current girlfriend Nicola Peltz were no doubt keen to avoid an awkward encounter on Thursday evening as they attended a Birkenstock bash in LA. The Carrie star, 23, led the fashionable charge in a smart apple green suit paired with a taupe shirt patterned with black stars while Nicola flashed her abs in an edgy look. It's Chloe: Chloe Grace Moretz led the fashionable charge of stars at Birkenstock's launch party for its 1774 Collection on Thursday night in LA Chloe dated Brooklyn on-off for four years before finalising their split in 2018, while Nicola has been linked to the star since November last year. Chloe carried a chic black handbag at the event, which took place at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood. Equally chic was fellow event attendee Nicola, of the films Transformers: Age Of Extinction and The Last Airbender. Nicola, 25, wore a black ensemble consisting of a leather duster jacket and matching slacks, paired with a fringed white tube top. Stylish: Moretz was dressed in a smart apple green suit paired with a taupe shirt patterned with black stars Black and white: Nicola wore a black ensemble consisting of a leather duster jacket and matching slacks, paired with a fringed white tube top Loved-up: Brooklyn has been linked to Nicola since November last year Happier times: Chloe dated Brooklyn on-off for four years before finalising their split in 2018 (pictured in 2016) While Chloe wore her blondish hair down, Nicola pulled her tresses back into a bun. Peltz, girlfriend to one Brooklyn Beckham, wore black footwear and sported a matching black manicure at the event. Charlize Theron, after having to endure a whirlwind award season filled with gowns and glamour, appeared happy to leave the dresses behind as she stepped out for the evening in a casual ensemble. There she is! Charlize Theron led the fashionable charge of stars at Birkenstock's launch party for its 1774 Collection on Thursday night in LA The actress mixed business and leisure as she donned a black peacoat and blazer, as well as a graphic tee and white slides. Her blonde tresses were slicked back, giving shutterbugs a view of her enviable bone structure and piercing blue eyes. Actress Rashida Jones was also in attendance at the high fashion soiree in a beige blazer layered over a floor length navy blue dress. Casually cool: Theron sported an ensemble that mixed business and leisure Rashida Jones arrived to the evening's event in a beige blazer layered over a navy blue floor length dress Her brunette hair looked noticeably strewn about as she posed happily for nearby photographers. Other notable guests included fashion designer Jeremy Scott, who donned actual Birkenstock sandals to the affair yellow ones. He also wore a shiny green track jacket, old school Mickey Mouse t-shirt, maroon trackpants and hot pink shades. Minimal: The actress opted for minimal accessories, but did drape a white leather cross body bag across her chest Dudes: Other notable guests included fashion designer Jeremy Scott, who posed for a photo with music star Usher Only in LA: Scott donned actual Birkenstock sandals to the affair yellow ones Posing with Scott for a photo was award-winning musician Usher, who wore a stylish black top. Rounding out the famous attendees was Sikh American designer and actor Waris Ahluwalia, who wore a denim jacket, marble print shirt, and pleather pants. He completed his look with tan suede shoes and turquoise socks. Navlakha, Teltumbde and several other activists have been booked by the Pune Police for their alleged Maoist links and several other charges following the violence at Koregaon Bhima village Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday refused to grant anticipatory bail to civil rights activists Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde in the Elgar Parishad, alleged Maoist links case. Justice PD Naik rejected the pre-arrest bail pleas filed by them. The court, however, extended the interim protection from arrest granted to them for a period of four weeks so that they can approach the Supreme Court in appeal. Navlakha, Teltumbde and several other activists have been booked by the Pune Police for their alleged Maoist links and several other charges following the violence at Koregaon Bhima village in Pune district on 1 January, 2018. According to Pune Police, "inflammatory" speeches and "provocative" statements made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on 31 December, 2017 had triggered caste violence at Koregaon Bhima the next day. The police alleged that the conclave was backed by Maoists. Teltumbde and Navlakha had approached the high court seeking pre-arrest bail in November last year after a sessions court in Pune rejected their pleas. In December last year, the high court had granted them interim protection from arrest pending disposal of their anticipatory bail pleas. Although the Pune Police was investigating the case, the Centre had last month transferred the probe to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). An autopsy of the body showed James died from blunt force trauma to the back of the head and is waiting on a toxicology report for a final opinion. James lived with his grandparents, Sasser Jr. and Batts, for the past two years after being sent by his mother to live with his father. James' father died two years ago, according to documents. James' mother had tried to contact James by phone several times, but she was blocked by Batts. Batts, Sasser Jr. and Sasser III told detectives James' behavior had become problematic over time, saying that he tried harming himself multiple times and that James could hear voices telling him to kill people. The family also told detectives that Sasser III woke up during the night of Jan. 27 and saw James standing over the top of Batts with a knife. Sasser III then tackled James and punched the boy several times in the head. The detective noted that Sasser III is about 6 feet tall and 300 pounds, while James was about 5-feet-3-inches tall and about 100 pounds. First the good news; as yet, the United States has only a few isolated cases of the coronavirus, code-named COVID-19. Now the bad news; a lack of resources is leaving health officials in the dark about whether the virus is actually spreading. Emergency room (ER) doctors say they currently lack the resources to deal with a major outbreak. Test kits used to determine whether someone has COVID-19 or simply a cold are in short supply. California Governor Gavin Newsom told reporters at a news conference Thursday that the state only has 200 test kits on hand, a situation he called simply inadequate. Everybody in this country is rightfully anxious about this moment, the governor said. I think they should know we are meeting this moment with the kind of urgency that is necessary and I dont want to overextend the anxiety. Consumers in California may be on edge because one resident of the state is the first patient in the country to have contracted COVID-19 from unknown origin, meaning the patient had not traveled to China or had known contact with anyone who had been diagnosed. Taking issue with CDC policy Other health experts point to policy directives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for what they say is a lack of timely testing. Dr. Michael Mina of the Harvard School of Public Health says the CDC has mandated all testing be conducted centrally. The frustrating thing, I think, for people who are trying to perform tests for their patients is we just dont have the capacity in the United States and the local laboratories that would normally be testing have been banned from being able to do that because of the declaration of a public health emergency by the CDC, he told CNBC. Meanwhile, a professional group representing hospital ER doctors is asking Congress to approve emergency supplemental appropriations to ensure the system has the resources necessary to address an outbreak. "More can and should be done to minimize the risk of coronavirus in the United States," said Dr. William Jaquis, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). "It is critical that we empower our nation's emergency care teams and public health experts to protect millions of people and respond quickly and effectively to this virus." Request for additional funding ACEP and the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) have sent a request to the House Appropriations Committee asking for an increase in funding for health emergency preparedness, noting that COVID-19 patients will likely enter the healthcare system through an ER. "As the safety net for our communities, emergency departments across the country are filled with patients who have nowhere else to go for their health care needs, Jaquis said. He added that ERs around the country are already dealing with what he called a challenging flu season. New Delhi: Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the petition of Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder convict Vinay Kumar Sharma challenging the rejection of mercy petition by President Ram Nath Kovind. Supreme Court also said in its order that the medical reports stated that Vinay is psychologically fit and his medical condition is stable. The apex court dismissed his petition, finding it devoid of merit. Vinay Sharma, one of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape case, had filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court challenging the rejection of his mercy petition by the President of India. On February 1, President Ram Nath Kovind had rejected the mercy petition of Vinay Sharma in the case. The mercy petitions of convicts Akshay Thakur and Mukesh Singh have also been rejected. The Delhi High Court on February 5 granted a week's time to the four convicts to avail of all legal remedies available to them and said that the convicts cannot be hanged separately since they were convicted for the same crime. A Delhi Court had issued a death warrant against the four convicts -- Vinay Sharma, Akshay Thakur, Pawan Gupta, and Mukesh Singh -- on January 7 and they were scheduled to be executed on January 22 at Tihar Jail. Later, the execution was suspended indefinitely by a Delhi court. The case pertains to the gang-rape and brutalizing 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. The woman had 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. 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. Winford 'Trey' Terrell Adams, 32, is accused of killing University of Georgia graduate student Benjamin Lloyd Cloer, 26, during a domestic dispute in Athens, east of Atlanta, last November A Georgia sheriff's deputy has been indicted on murder charges for shooting dead a graduate student he believed was having an affair with his wife. Winford 'Trey' Terrell Adams, 32, is accused of killing University of Georgia graduate student Benjamin Lloyd Cloer, 26, during a domestic dispute in Athens, east of Atlanta, last November. He was indicted by a grand jury last week on charges of malice murder, felony murder, first-degree home invasion, two counts of aggravated assault and two firearm possession charges. Adams, who worked for the Madison County Sheriff's Office, was off-duty at the time of the shooting. He was later fired from the department. In the 911 call Adams made after the shooting, he said he had shot a man because he caught his wife, Charlotte, cheating with him. 'I just shot somebody,' Adams could be heard telling the 911 dispatcher. 'My wife was cheating on me and I couldn't take it. I didn't shoot her, I shot the guy. I couldn't stop myself.' Adams told the dispatcher that he didn't know the extent of Cloer's injuries because he fled after the shooting. 'He ran away. I don't even know if I hit him,' Adams said. Adams shot dead Benjamin Lloyd Cloer because he believed he was cheating with his wife Charlotte. The deputy's wife told officers that Cloer was just her friend and her husband had misunderstood In the 911 call Adams made after the shooting at his home, he said he had shot a man because he caught his wife, Charlotte, cheating with him. Photo courtesy of CBS46 Blood could be seen spattered near the door of the home after Adams shot the victim multiple times When he told the dispatcher he was about to go and look for Cloer, he was told to put down his gun and wait for law enforcement to arrive. Adams could be heard yelling during the call: 'If you're there, I'm sorry. Oh my God... I did shoot him. I see him. I see blood on the steps.' He told the dispatcher at one point: 'I am going to kill myself. I can't go to jail for the rest of my life. I am the deputy sheriff of Madison County.' His wife had also placed a 911 call at the time, telling dispatchers that Adams had just shot her friend. Officers located Cloer, who had been shot multiple times, a short distance from the house when they arrived. He was rushed to hospital but later died of his injuries 'My friend is bleeding out,' Charlotte could be heard telling the dispatcher. 'His name is Lloyd Cloer. He's just my friend. This was a misunderstanding. My husband doesn't understand he's just my friend.' Adams could later be heard telling his wife: 'I am turning myself in. No matter what, I always loved you, even if you didn't love me.' Officers located Cloer, who had been shot multiple times, a short distance from the house when they arrived. He was rushed to hospital but later died of his injuries. Adams was arrested at the scene and remains in the Athens-Clarke County Jail without bond. His next court appearance was scheduled for March 10. Jeremy Christian has frequently used language embraced by the white supremacist movement -- including a racist slur aimed at African Americans, the salute Sieg Heil and talk of Jewish control of the government and anti-immigrant sentiments, a prosecution expert testified Thursday in the MAX train stabbings trial. Pete Simi, an associate professor of sociology at Chapman University in Southern California, told jurors he reached the conclusion that Christian has shown a high level of explicit bias that aligns with white supremacist beliefs. The conclusion I reached, I felt very confident in, Simi said on the 11th day of Christians trial. Simi has studied the movement for more than two decades. His testimony is key to supporting the prosecutions contention that Christian was targeting two teenage girls on a Green Line train moments before he stabbed three other passengers, killing two of them. Christian has been charged with the hate crime of second-degree intimidation for allegedly victimizing the girls -- one an African American and the other from Somalia who was wearing a hijab -- as well as an African American woman the previous night. Christian faces more serious charges -- first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder -- for killing Taliesin Namkai-Meche, 23, and Ricky Best, 53, and seriously wounding Micah Fletcher, who was 21 at the time of the knife attacks on May 26, 2017. But the theory that Christian had launched into a hate-filled rant before the stabbings forms an important underpinning for the prosecutions case. Witnesses said Christian shouted about Christians killing Muslims and Jews killing themselves, about beheadings, (Expletive) Saudi Arabia! and Go home, we need American here! Pete Simi, an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Chapman University, testifies during the Jeremy Christian trial at the Multnomah County Courthouse February 13, 2020. Mark Graves, The Oregonian/OregonLive/Pool Mark GravesMark Graves Simi and Portland police Detective Michele Michaels testified about Christians many Facebook posts. Among them was one that stated: No Jews are good people. Other posts used a derogatory slur for African Americans and Sieg Heil, a Nazi term. Christian also talked about Vikings and Vinland, the part of North America where Vikings explored. Those terms are code words used by white supremacists, Simi said. Simi pointed to another post by Christian about separating ethnic or religious groups and said that also was an indicator of white supremacy. It read: I am for Balkanization for Aryans, Nation of Islam and any other racist groups. Simi referenced Christians request while he was in prison to receive Christian identity reading material, which he said is often embraced by white supremacists. Christian spent nearly eight years in prison from 2002 to 2010 for robbing a convenience store. An Oregon Department of Corrections official testified that Christian got into 12 prison fights and appeared to be targeting Hispanic inmates in some of them. Defense attorney Dean Smith tried to paint the picture of Christian as a very curious person who wanted to learn about world religions. Through his line of questioning, Smith highlighted the many religious study groups or activities that Christian associated with while in prison, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Bahai Faith and the Pentecostal church. A point of contention between the prosecution and the defense seemed to be another Facebook post of Christians, in which he explained that he isnt what some people perceive him to be. I am not racist and have a half Vietnamese Nephew and large Vietnamese Family, Christian wrote. ... I will generally knock out a person that calls me a racist. I am White and a Nationalist for Vinland. Simi said its very common for white supremacists to claim theyre not racist. They will say, I dont hate anybody. I just love white people, Simi said. Smith criticized Simi for coming to a conclusion about Christian without ever interviewing him. Had you done that you would have learned more things about Jeremy Christian, right? Smith asked. Thats possible, Simi said. Also Thursday, jurors watched cellphone video of Christian expressing his intention to stab someone the night before he actually did stab Fletcher, Namkai-Meche and Best. On May 25, 2017, just before midnight, an alarmed passenger on a Blue Line train captured video of Christian ranting. The video begins with the woman pointing her phone at her purse on her lap, then slowly tilting the phone toward the loud man seated in front of her. The side of Christians face and the back of his head, including his distinctive pony tail, can be seen. Christian exclaims that he wants to stab the train operator. Ill stab you, too, (expletive!) Christian says. ... Move forward! Christian follows up by saying, Im about to stab some (expletives). Call the police. I dare you! Michaels, the police detective, testified that she also believes Christian made a reference on the video to Demetria Hester, an African American woman with whom he argued an hour or two before. A photograph of Demetria Hester is entered into evidence at the Jeremy Christian trial inside the Multnomah County Courthouse January 31, 2020 Beth Nakamura, The Oregonian/OregonLive/Pool Punk ass (expletives)! Christian says at one point. ... Telling me what I can and cannot say. ... And then you Mace me. (Expletive) you. Hester testified in the first week of the trial that she told Christian to stop a racist tirade on a Yellow Line train earlier that night. Hester said after she stepped off the train, Christian exclaimed (Expletive), youre about to get it and she Maced him. TriMet surveillance video shows Christian throwing the Gatorade bottle at Hesters head. She suffered an eye injury. The next day, Christian stabbed Namkai-Meche, Best and Fletcher on another train as it pulled into the Hollywood Transit Center in Northeast Portland, claiming he was acting in self-defense. All three men were stabbed in the neck. Namkai-Meche and Best died within minutes. In successfully arguing to the judge to allow jurors to watch the video, prosecutor Jeff Howes had the video counters earlier defense testimony that Christian has cognitive deficits and difficulties formulating plans. This goes to directly rebut that, Howes said. ... It gives a snapshot into the defendants mind. Closing arguments in the trial are expected Tuesday. -- Aimee Green agreen@oregonian.com o_aimee Keep up with key trial events and takeaways by signing up for The Oregonian/OregonLives Jeremy Christian trial newsletter at oregonlive.com/newsletters. Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Horsemans Forum Provides Valuable Education Opportunity for Equine Enthusiasts Dr. Timothy Lescun introduced Dr. Alec Davern of the Centaur Equine Specialty Hospital as one of the speakers at the 2020 Horsemans Forum. Purdue Veterinary Medicine welcomed over 200 attendees to the 2020 Horsemans Forum at Lynn Hall this past weekend. The annual event is aimed at educating horse owners and equine professionals about todays horse health issues. Registered participants from across Indiana as well as Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio came to the day-long program on Saturday, February 8. Sessions covered a wide range of topics, with presentations ranging from Yes? No? What Does Headshaking Mean?, by Dr. Amanda Farr, clinical assistant professor of equine community practice, to Colic: Putting the Puzzle Pieces Together, by Dr. Alec Davern, staff surgeon at Centaur Equine Specialty Hospital. The lecture portion of the forum was held in Lynn 1136 throughout the morning, followed by an afternoon of demonstrations performed in the Large Animal Hospital. Dr. Amanda Farr (center) conducted an examination of a horses teeth during one of the demonstrations for Horsemans Forum attendees. Molly Cripe Birt, RVT, VTS-EVN instructed horse owners on proper bandaging protocol. Participants also learned how to effectively and efficiently bandage a horses leg as they watched a demonstration by Large Animal Surgery Technician Molly Cripe Birt, RVT, VTS-EVN. They also were able to see Dr. Steve Adams, professor of large animal surgery, locate the area of lameness on a moving horse. Additionally, Dr. Farr conducted an equine dental examination while discussing equine dental health, and Dr. Laurent Couetil, professor of large animal internal medicine, showed attendees PVMs high-speed equine treadmill in action. The Horsemans Forum Committee of Dr. Timothy Lescun, associate professor of large animal surgery, Dr. Sandy Taylor, associate professor of large animal internal medicine, and Dr. Farr worked with the Colleges Office of Lifelong Learning to plan and conduct the successful event. The 2020 Horsemans Forum was sponsored by Dechra, Nutrena, and Zoetis. Planning already is underway for next years program, which is being renamed the Equine Wellness Forum, to be held at Lynn Hall on Saturday, February 6, 2021. Dr. Laurent Couetil pointed out a change in a horses gait and breathing as part of a demonstration of the high-speed equine treadmill. Dr. Steve Adams demonstrated the use of the Lameness Locator, which is a sensor system that can aid in the diagnosis of lameness. Writer(s): Maya Sanaba, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Reuters) Paris, France Fri, February 14, 2020 20:01 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2064a4080 2 Entertainment Roman-Polanski,film,France,Cesar-Awards Free The management of the "French Oscars" resigned en masse on Thursday after weeks of controversy centered on director Roman Polanski, whose latest film An Officer and a Spy leads nominations ahead of the 2020 awards ceremony. The resignations come just two weeks before the Cesar Awards, France's equivalent of the Oscars, which featured 12 nominations for Polanski's movie about Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish French officer unfairly accused of spying for Germany in the 1890s. "To honor those who made films in 2019, to regain serenity and make the cinema festival a celebration, the board of directors of the (film academy) made a unanimous decision to resign," the French film academy said in a statement. Feminist groups had decried the nominations and called for a boycott of the film. Dozens of film industry personalities including X-Men actor Omar Sy and Berenice Bejo of the 2011 film The Artist - had denounced the academy's "opaqueness" in an open letter. Polanski launched his new film in France last year just days after a French actress accused him of having raped her in 1975, when she was 18 years old, during a ski holiday in Gstaad, Switzerland. Read also: Fury as Polanski's new film tops French 'Oscar' nominations Polanski, now 86, has denied the accusation. The French-Polish director fled the United States after pleading guilty in 1977 to having unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl in Los Angeles. Accusations against Polanski predate the sexual harassment scandal that embroiled Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein in 2017. But Polanski's history came under renewed scrutiny as the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse and harassment grew in response to the allegations against Weinstein, who is on trial for rape and sexual assault in New York. Polanski was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2018. Sarah Ristevski will claim that police threatened to implicate her in her mother's death. In an interview on 60 Minutes on Sunday, the 24-year-old will criticise the investigation into the death of her mother Karen who was killed by her father Borce in 2016. She will allege police threatened to implicate her in the killing if she did not help them with evidence against her father, according to The Herald Sun. But police have pre-empted her allegations and have insisted she refused to help them. A police source told the Herald Sun: 'Borce poisoned her against the police. There was no assistance. It put the investigation behind the eight ball.' The newspaper also reported that Miss Ristevski is being paid six figures for the interview, the first time she is speaking out about her mother's death. 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 'Victoria Police is satisfied that the highest professional and ethical standards were maintained during the course of the long and complex investigation into the homicide of Karen Ristevski,' a police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. 'If any person has complaints or concerns about the investigation then they can report them to the Professional Standards Command or IBAC.' Borce Ristevski, 55, killed his wife Karen at their home Avondale Heights, Melbourne, in June 2016, before dumping her body in bushland. He was jailed last April for at least six years after admitting to the manslaughter of his wife of 27 years. Police revealed they had tapped phone conversations during the investigation which formed part of a 22,000-page evidence brief. In one of the recorded conversations Sarah Ristevski questioned her father about why his phone was off for two hours as he drove towards Mount Macedon the day Karen disappeared. In December, Karen's family's appeal over the sentence was successful and Ristevski's jail term was extended to 13 years, ten without the chance for parole. In a preview for Sunday night's 60 Minutes program, 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.' 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. 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. Dress shop-owner Karen disappeared from the family home in Avondale Heights, north-west Melbourne, on June 29, 2016. Pictured with Borce and Sarah Karen Ristevski's 24-year-old daughter Sarah has spoken publicly for the first time about her mother's brutal death 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. Following his admission, she 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. '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. Borce Ristevski and his daughter Sarah before he was a suspect in 2016 Borce Ristevski (pictured) was a pallbearer at the funeral of his wife Karen in March 2017 The sentence enraged Karen's family and prosecutors appealed, saying it was 'manifestly inadequate'. Pressure mounted for authorities to appeal as pressure from the public swelled. A petition calling for authorities to appeal the decision had more than 75,000 signatures. The petition was launched, claiming Ristevski's sentence was 'manifestly too short' and did not 'reflect community opinion'. In December, Ristevski's jail term was extended to 13 years, ten without the chance for parole. It means he will not walk free until at least 2027 after being locked up on remand in 2017. The United States announced Wednesday an initial plan for adjusting its military presence in Africa.The adjustment comes as a new US government report says that the US military has switched from trying to degrade Islamic extremist groups in West Africas sprawling Sahel region to merely trying to contain them. The first change will see part of one infantry unit, around 800 troops, replaced with a similar number of military trainers and advisors to support local forces in spotlight African countries, Defense Department officials said. The message Im relaying to my (African) partners is we are not walking away, US Army Africa commander Major General Roger Cloutier told reporters. We are still engaged. The move is the first resulting from a sweeping Pentagon review of the presence of US forces around the world in an effort to better align that presence with US defense prioritieswhich list China and Russia as the principle threats to the country. That could mean reducing US deployments meant to confront Islamic militant threats, including in Africa. But the Pentagon is also wary of leaving a vacuum in certain areas, like in Africa, for the Chinese and Russians to fill, which could give them strategically valuable footholds. US strategy aims to 'contain' extremist groups The troops adjustment comes after the release earlier this week of a quarterly report by the inspectors general for the Pentagon, State Department and USAID - the first to be unclassified as interest surges in the US militarys activities in Africa. The US depends especially on French and various African partner forces in West Africa in field operations, but the US strategy has changed from trying to degrade, or reduce the effectiveness, of those extremist groups in the Sahel to trying to keep them from growing their membership and spreading into new areas, AFRICOM told the Pentagon inspector general in the quarter ending Dec. 31. The security situation in Burkina Faso is deteriorating faster than anywhere else in the Sahel, says the new report, citing the US Africa Command (AFRICOM). The West African nation is staggering under a growing number of extremist attacks as fighters move in from neighbouring Mali. Hundreds of civilians have been killed and hundreds of thousands have fled. Story continues Extremist groups affiliated with the Islamic State group and al-Qaida in West Africas Sahel are neither degraded nor contained, the report warns, citing AFRICOM. The United States has about 6,000 military personnel throughout Africa, including 800 in West Africa, 500 Special Forces in Somalia and an unspecified number at an air base in Niger. France recently announced it would increase its troop presence in the Sahel to more than 5,000 and has started arming its drones, while French leaders have urged the U.S. against cutting its military presence. (FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP) Canadian pipeline operator Enbridge has entered into a deal to buy the Rio Bravo Pipeline project from Houston liquefied natural gas company NextDecade in a $25 million deal. The two companies confirmed the deal in a joint Thursday evening statement. Under the agreement, Enbridge will oversee construction and operation of the proposed 137-mile natural gas pipeline project. Designed to move 4.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, the proposed pipeline spans from the Agua Dulce hub near Corpus Christi to the Port of Brownsville where NextDecade plans to build its Rio Grande LNG export terminal. Enbridge agreed to pay $15 million once the deal closes and the remaining $10 million after NextDecade reaches a positive final investment decision on the LNG plant. "Enbridges commitment to the development of the Rio Bravo Pipeline in support of NextDecades Rio Grande LNG project further strengthens our ability to serve the expanding LNG export market and fits squarely within our low-risk business model," Enbridge Executive Vice President Bill Yardley said in a statement. Midstream Moves: Enbridge buys stake in Annova LNG The deal expands Enbridge's presence at the Port of Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley. The Canadian company placed its $1.5 billion Valley Crossing Pipeline into operation last year and has since started moving natural gas from the Agua Dulce hub south of the border to Mexico. Enbridge also bought a 10.5 percent stake in Annova LNG, a competing export terminal also proposed to be built at the Port of Brownsville. The Rio Bravo Pipeline, Rio Grande LNG, Annova LNG and Texas LNG face stiff opposition from a coalition of Rio Grande Valley shrimpers, fishermen, environmentalists, neighbors and communities working under the banner Save RGV From LNG. Opponents of the projects are seeking to overturn permits issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in November. Fuel Fix: Get daily energy news headlines in your inbox A developer is seeking to build a 50-story mixed-use development with more than 800 residential units and an elementary school on a pair of dead-end blocks in Downtown Jersey City. Thirty-seven of the 38 homeowners on Saddlewood and Laurel courts have signed contracts with Lennar Multifamily Communities (LMC) to sell their properties for an undisclosed price. Most of the homeowners say their townhomes are deteriorating and sought an opportunity to sell them. LMCs plans for the two dead-end streets just west of Marin Boulevard include about 810 residential units, a 50,000-square-foot school for up to 350 elementary schoolers, retail space and a 11,400squarefoot public park. Councilman James Solomon said he worked with city planners to recommend that a school be included in the proposal. We have tens of thousands of new housing units coming to Downtown Jersey City in the next five to 10 years and we already have our schools overcrowded, he said. The project is attractive to a variety of stakeholders, said Greg Belew, the divisional president of LMC. The 1970s-era houses on the two dead-end blocks were federally manufactured to house refugees in upstate New York after the Vietnam War, Belew said. Once that need no longer existed, an opportunistic developer relocated them to Jersey City but the structures were never meant to last this long, he added. All the homeowners are getting out of a dangerous housing configuration and theyre getting a great deal for their propertyand were delivering a school, Belew said. Its sort of a win-win for everybody. Last month, homeowners from the two blocks spoke in support of the project at a Planning Board meeting. Vivian Gong said her floor is not level. Delfin Iglesia, who purchased one of the homes in 1986, said water damage from one home could affect the rest. The roofs are all connected and once some water come in on one side, who knows where its going to go, Iglesia said. The city published a report last year that concluded the two blocks should be named a Condemnation Redevelopment Area. The City Council is expected to decide Thursday whether the blocks be designated as an area in need of redevelopment with the power of condemnation. The designation of a place as a redevelopment area allows a municipality to then pass a plan for revitalizing it. Naming one a condemnation redevelopment area further allows the municipality to pursue an eminent domain seizure. The important part about this project is the city will be getting a private developer to build a public school, said Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione. The city is being proactive here in finding ways to build new schools without hurting the taxpayer. In August, the homeowners subsequently sent a letter to Mayor Steve Fulop clarifying they had solicited developers to purchase their properties, and eventually agreed to terms with LMC. The single homeowner who has not signed on to selling their property is a developer who residents said had hoped to reconfigure the two blocks themselves. There are motives there that are really not in the best interests of the rest of us on the block, Saddlewood Court resident Andrew Prokos said during the Jan. 7 Planning Board meeting. We have legal representation. We know what were doing, nobodys being taken advantage of, and we know very clearly what path were taking and what this will lead to. Eminent domain has been discussed as a potential route if the final homeowner does not sign on, Belew said. The goal is always to avoid that, Solomon said. The goal is always to come up with a solution that everybody agrees to. A Brexiteer who was forced to wait in an immigration queue at an EU airport in Amsterdam has complained that "this isnt the Brexit I voted for. Colin Browning, who described himself as one of the 17.4 million people who voted for Brexit, said he was forced to wait for nearly an hour at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol before his passport was checked. Absolutely disgusting service at Schiphol airport. 55 minutes we have been stood in the immigration queue. This isnt the Brexit I voted for, he wrote on Twitter. When another user commented on Mr Brownings post saying he got what [he] voted for, the Brexit supporter replied: I didnt vote to stand in a queue for over an hour why [sic] some jobsworth checks our passports. I spent more time at immigration than I did in the air getting to my destination. Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Show all 66 1 /66 Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A message projected onto the White Cliffs of Dover Sky News/AFP via Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Big Ben, shows the hands at eleven o'clock at night AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Nigel Farage speaks to pro-Brexit supporters PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-Brexit demonstrators celebrate on Parliament Square REUTERS Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU The Union flag is taken down outside the European Parliament in Brussels PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU campaigners outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-Brexit supporter jumps on an EU flag in Parliament Square PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU EU Council staff removed the Union Jack-British flag from the European Council in Brussels, Belgium EPA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-Brexit supporter pours beer onto an EU flag PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pedestrians pass in front of the Ministry of Defence Building on Whitehall, illuminated by red, white and blue lights in central London AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A Brexit supporter shouts during a rally in London AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU campaigners outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU campaigners take part in a 'Missing EU Already' rally outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A large pro-EU banner is projected onto Ramsgate cliff in Kent PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU supporters light candles in Smith Square in Westminster PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man waves Union flags from a small car as he drives past Brexit supporters gathering in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU The five-year old Elisa Saemann, left, and her seven-year old sister Katie hold a placard during a rally by anti-Brexit protesters outside the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Europe supporters gather on Brexit day near the British embassy in Berlin, Germany EPA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Anti-Brexit protester hugs a man while holding a placard REUTERS Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A decorated, old fashioned fire pump in Parliament Square PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit Elvis impersonator performs at Parliament Square Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU An anti-Brexiteers stands with his dog in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Paddy from Bournemouth wears Union colours as he sits next to an EU flag decorated bag in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-EU activist plays a guitar decorated with the EU flag during a protest organised by civil rights group New Europeans outside Europe House, central London AFP via Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU People celebrate Britain leaving the EU REUTERS Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A Pro Brexit supporter has a Union Jack painted onto his face at Parliament Square Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Men hold placards celebrating Britain leaving the EU REUTERS Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporters dance in the street draped with Union Jack flags at Parliament Square Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU An anti-Brexit demonstrator spreads his wings during a gathering near Downing Street AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro EU supporters display a banner ' Here to Stay, Here to Fight, Migrants In, Tories Out' from Westminster bridge EPA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-Brexit supporters burn European Union flags at Parliament Square Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man poses for a picture on Parliament Square in a 'Brexit Day' t-shirt Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU People celebrate Britain leaving the EU Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU AFP via Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man wears a pro-Brexit t-shirt Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Anti-Brexit demonstrators visit Europe House to give flowers to the staff on Brexit day Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporter wears a novelty Union Jack top hat outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Customers Scott Jones and Laura Jones at the Sawmill Bar in South Elmsall, Yorkshire, where a Brexit party is being held throughout the day PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU activists protest Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-Brexit demonstrator burns a European Union flag AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporters Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporters Getty Images Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A Brexit supports holds a sign in Parliament Square AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man carries an EU themed wreath Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Ann Widdecombe reacts with other members of the Brexit party as they leave en masse from the European Parliament PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Anti-Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro EU supporters let off flares from Westminster Bridge Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU British MEPs Jonathan Bullock, holding the Union Jack flag and Jake Pugh leave the European Parliament, in Brussels on the Brexit day AFP via Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Newspapers and other souvenirs at a store, near Parliament Square Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Brexit supporters hold signs in Parliament Square AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU protesters hold placards in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU French newspapers PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald with a Border Communities Against Brexit poster before its unveiling in Carrickcarnon on the Irish border PA Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU National growers organisation British Apples & Pears has renamed a British apple to EOS, the Greek goddess of dawn, to commemorate Brexit day AP Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU protesters hold placards in Parliament Square AFP via Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Britain's departure from the European Union was set in law on January 29, amid emotional scenes, as the bloc's parliament voted to ratify the divorce papers. After half a century of membership and three years of tense withdrawal talks, the UK will leave the EU at midnight Brussels time (23.00 GMT) on January 31 Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man poses with paintings on Parliament Square Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU People sporting Union Flags gather in Parliament Square Getty Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man walks with a St. George's flag at Westminster bridge on Brexit day Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A British bulldog toy and other souvenirs at a souvenir store Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU British pro-brexit Members of the European Parliament leave the EU Parliament for the last time Reuters Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Jonathan Bullock waves the Union Jack as he leaves the European Parliament EPA Although some commenters have suggested that the Twitter post may be a parody, the account has consistently shared posts about Brexit and other issues in recent months which do not appear to be satirical. Mr Browning has been approached for further comment on his experience at the airport. Officials at Schiphol have previously warned that people travelling from the UK could expect delays upon arriving in Amsterdam after Britain's exit from the EU. Recommended Britons face being turned away at EU airports over new passport rules Analysis by the Dutch government has suggested it could take between an extra 50 minutes to an hour for passengers on busy flights to get through the system due to additional document checks. However, it is unlikely that current delays have been caused by Brexit as the UK is currently in a transition period with the EU during which travel arrangements will not change until January 2021. Frances Coppola, a finance journalist for Forbes and the Financial Times, said airports such as Schiphol appeared to have jumped the gun by directing British passport holders to non-EU gates but noted that the change would be implemented across all EU countries from next year. I'm afraid it is exactly what you voted for. You were told by Remainers that this would be the consequence, but you dismissed their warnings as #ProjectFear, she wrote in response to the tweet. A spokesperson for Schiphol told The Independent there had been no changes for British travellers arriving at the airport. "New Royal Netherlands Marrechaussee staff members were being trained yesterday, leading to longer queues at the passport control than usual," the spokesperson said, adding that there would be no further changes while negotiations are ongoing between the UK and EU. On Thursday, the UK government confirmed that tough new travel rules will come into effect next year which could mean a traveller whose British passport has almost 15 months to run may be turned away from EU airports. HM Passport Office has issued a notice stating that British travellers will need at least six months left on their passport to travel to most countries in Europe after Brexit. However, strict EU rules on passport validity for travellers visiting from outside the bloc will mean that some British travellers may be turned away even though they have many more months left on their passport. London, Feb 14 : The UK's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle were reportedly sacking all of their 15 staff members in the country and also closing their Buckingham Palace office as part of the couple's transition away from royal life, it was revealed on Friday. According to a Daily Mail report, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex broke the news to the staff members in person last month following the announcement that they were stepping down as senior working royals. While one or two may be absorbed back into the royal household, most were now negotiating redundancy packages, the report added. However, the Buckingham Palace on Thursday night said it did not comment on staffing matters but according to the report, it was understood senior royals, including the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William were aware of the office closure and redundancies. "Given their decision to step back, an office at Buckingham Palace is no longer needed. While the details are still being finalised and efforts are being made to redeploy people within the royal household, unfortunately there will be some redundancies," a source told the Daily Mail. "The Duke and Duchess have a small team, less than 15 people. The team are very loyal to the Sussexes and understand and respect the decision they have taken," the source added. Among those to lose their jobs were the couple's newly appointed private secretary, Fiona Mcilwham, their hugely experienced communications chief Sara Latham and Prince Harry's long-standing programme co-ordinator Clara Loughran. The other press officer to lose her job is Julie Burley, who worked for Harry, William and Kate on their successful mental health campaign Heads Together, said the Daily Mail report. David Watkins, poached from British fashion house Burberry last August as the couple's social media expert, was also sacked. The Sussexes are currently living in Canada with their baby son Archie as they prepare to drop their 'HRH' styles and quit the monarchy in favour of financial freedom, the Metro newspaper reported. They had initially hoped for a dual role, supporting the Queen, the Commonwealth and Harry's military associations, but the idea was deemed unworkable. Buckingham Palace has said the Sussexes' new life away from royal duties will begin this spring. New Delhi: A crack seems to have erupted in the Maha Vikas Agadi (MVA) coalition in Maharashtra over the transfer of Bhima Koregaon case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with NCP supremo Sharad Pawar criticising the stand of Uddhav Thackeray-led state government on the issue. Expressing his disappointment on the issue, Pawar said, "Maharashtra government's decision of handing over the Bhima Koregaon case to NIA isn't right." Last month, the Centre had transferred the probe in the case from the Pune Police to the NIA, a decision which was then criticised by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government in Maharashtra. However, on February 13, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Kumar announced "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 the central probe agency in its plea were not legal and sufficient to transfer the case to a special NIA court. Violence had taken place near the Koregaon Bhima memorial during the bicentennial celebration of an 1818 battle where the East India Company's forces, which included sepoys of Mahar caste, a Dalit community, defeated the army of the Brahmin Peshwa ruler of Pune. Dalits commemorate the victory as a symbol of the defeat of the old Brahmanical order. Pune Police had claimed that inflammatory statements made a day earlier at Elgar Parishad conclave in Pune on December 31, 2017, allegedly backed by Maoists, led to 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. General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu says the NDC flagbearer, John Mahama must come out to respond to allegations surrounding the Airbus scandal. John Boadu challenge Mahama to come out and respond to allegations that an individual close to a top government official was bribed by Airbus between 2011 and 2015. Mahama should come out and tell us if he was involved or not and if he wasnt who was because he was the President of Ghana at that time, John Boadu exclusively told Adu Gyamfi Marfo on Anopa Nkomo on Accra-based Kingdom TV Mahama must speak on the Airbus scandal and stop inciting violence by attacking the Electoral commission, he added The UKs Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in stating facts of the case said between 2009 and 2015, a number of Airbus employees made or promised success based commission payments of approximately 5 million to Intermediary 5, who is said to be a close relative of a high ranking elected Ghanaian Government official (Government Official 1). Significantly, Government Official 1 was a key decision-maker in respect of Government of Ghana aircraft orders. According to him, although Mahamas name was not explicitly mentioned in the court documents that gave detailed accounts about the alleged corrupt deal, it is important that having served as Vice President and President within the period, he avails himself to the ongoing probe into the matter. President Akufo-Addo has referred the bribery allegation scandal to the Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu to take immediate action in collaboration with his UK counterparts and bring the government official, past or present to book. Although many have challenged the ability of the Office of the Special Prosecutor to effectively deliver on this task, the government says it is confident that the Office will do a good job. ---KingdomfmOnline Richard James Logan appeared on social media to be a jovial man who spent time with his family and gave back to the community through his nonprofit, Attack Poverty. He started the organization in 2011 after researching at-risk areas around Sugar Lands River Pointe Church, where he formerly served as pastor, according to the nonprofits website. The organization connects people with jobs, education, medical care and spiritual outlets in underserved communities as far away as Uganda. Logan frequently posted about Attack Poverty initiatives fundraisers, playground development projects, the grand opening of a home goods store on Facebook and Twitter. Photos of his smiling wife, Diana Logan, and their children speckled his public Facebook feed. Happy Anniversary to the love of my life! reads one post from last August. Love ya babe! Sugar Land police now believe that Richard Logan shot and killed Diana Logan and their 11-year-old son Tuesday before driving to San Marcos, where he attempted to strangle his adult daughter and later fatally shot himself outside a business, police said Thursday. Detectives have not identified a motive, said Sugar Land police spokesman Doug Adolph. Richard Logan, 53, and Diana Logan, 48, had lived in the 8500 block of Evening Light Drive since 2013, according to appraisal district records. At 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Guadalupe County authorities informed Sugar Land police that they found the mans body outside a business near San Marcos, dead from what appeared to be suicide. Sugar Land officers throughout the morning tried to enter the home on Evening Light to notify the family about the death. They couldnt get inside until 1 p.m., when a family friend called a neighbor to open the door, police said. They found the slain woman and child inside. HOMICIDE REPORT: 456 people died by homicide in Harris County in 2019 The boy was later identified by Lamar Consolidated Independent School District as Aaron Logan, a fifth-grader at Campbell Elementary. The Campbell Elementary administration is doing everything we can to provide comfort and assistance to our students in this time of grief, the district said in a letter to parents. The District Crisis Response Team will be available on campus tomorrow morning and will remain onsite as needed throughout the week. Police believe that Richard Logan drove roughly 160 miles to San Marcos and attempted to strangle his adult daughter, who attends college there. The assault was not reported to police, but the attack left bruises around the womans neck, Adolph said. Were not sure why he disengaged and left, Adolph said. Richard Logan reportedly shot himself at TAS Environmental Service, a consulting company, just south of San Marcos off Texas 123. The gun recovered at the scene is believed to be the same one used to kill his wife and son, police said. Forensics tests are pending. Adolph said Logan did not work for the company, and its unclear why he traveled to the business. The tragedy sent shock waves throughout Sugar Land. A vigil was held Wednesday night at River Pointe Church. Earlier in the day, the churchs senior pastor, Patrick Kelley, said at a news conference that hes never known Richard to have a bad day. I think I share with everybody who knew the Logans a real sense of shock that this was so unpredictable, Kelley told reporters from multiple media outlets. And we knew the Logans very very well, and something like this is just something you cannot predict or foresee. The Attack Poverty website also offered a brief note on its website after the deaths. 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 Logan Family Memorial Service is planned for 2 p.m. Monday at River Pointe Church, 21000 Southwest Freeway. julian.gill@chron.com A Syrian military helicopter was shot down over the last major rebel bastion in northwest Syria on Friday, killing its entire crew, state media said, in the second such incident this week. The attack in a region where Turkish troops and Russian-backed regime forces have engaged in multiple clashes came as Washington said Ankara should look towards its allies in the West in light of such tensions. "At approximately 13:40 (1140 GMT), one of our military helicopters was hit by a hostile missile in the western countryside of Aleppo," SANA said. "This led the helicopter to crash, killing all crew on board." SANA said the aircraft was downed near the town of Urum al-Kubra, where Turkey-backed rebels operate, but did not say who was behind the attack. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights pinned it on rebel-backer Turkey, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility. The Britain-based monitor said two pilots were killed. An AFP correspondent saw the mangled remains of the chopper and the blood-stained fatigues of one of the pilots. The incident came just three days after another Syrian military helicopter was downed over Idlib province, killing at least three crew members. Turkish media blamed the attacks on rebels but the Observatory said Turkish troops had fired rockets at the aircraft over the village of Qaminas, southeast of Idlib city. Ankara acknowledged the incident in a statement but did not claim responsibility. Syrian regime forces have pressed a blistering assault on the shrinking rebel pocket in Syria's northwest since December. The violence there has triggered the largest wave of displacement in the nine-year conflict, with 800,000 people fleeing since December, according to the United Nations. Among them, some 82,000 people are sleeping rough in sub-zero temperatures. The unprecedented exodus has sparked alarm in neighbouring Turkey, which fears an influx across its border. Ankara, which has troops deployed in several parts of northern Syria, continues to support rebel groups battling government troops or acting as proxies against Kurdish forces. It has sent reinforcements to the northwest in recent weeks to contain the latest push by Damascus, leading to a series of tit-for-tat exchanges between their forces. The deadly clashes, the latest of which saw government shelling kill five Turkish troops this week, are the most serious since Ankara first sent forces to Syria in 2016. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly threatened the Syrian government in recent days, saying the Idlib offensive violates a 2018 deal with Russia meant to prevent a broad military operation. The advance has also escalated tensions between the war's two main foreign protagonists, Ankara and regime-backer Moscow, who have worked closely together despite backing opposing sides in Syria. Erdogan on Wednesday accusing Russia of committing "massacres" in Idlib -- a direct criticism that had been rare since 2015, when Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet that had strayed into its airspace. A senior US State Department official said Friday that tensions between Turkey and Russia over Syria should prompt Ankara to move closer to the West, especially Washington. "Certainly we would like to see Turkey more directly and clearly aligned with NATO, the United States, the West, in recognition of the very destructive role that the Russians are playing regionally, including right now in Syria," the US official said. "There is much more overlap between Turkish interests and US interests," he added. "Turkey's ally is the United States, not Russia." On Friday, pro-government forces pushed west of the key M5 motorway, which connects Syria's four largest cities and is economically vital for the government, the Observatory said. Syrian forces seized the last segment of the highway still out of their control earlier this week. SANA said Friday that the areas flanking it had been swept and the road fully secured. To consolidate a "security belt" around the road, the regime seized a key base on Friday that it had lost to rebels in 2012, the Observatory added. Located 12 kilometres (seven miles) west of Aleppo city, Base 46 was the site of a brutal confrontation between government forces and rebels in the early phase of Syria's civil war. The Observatory estimates that more than 150 Damascus loyalists lost their lives during the rebel takeover of the base at the end of 2012. Its recapture marks a symbolic win for the government, which has reduced the rebel-held pocket to just over half of Idlib province and slivers of neighbouring Aleppo and Latakia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 17:48:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LUSAKA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Friday directed the army to join forces with the police to deal with the problem of increased incidents of gassing of homes. The Zambian leader has also offered a bounty of money to anyone who will provide credible information that lead to the arrest of culprits behind the gassing of homes and public institutions such as schools. "I am warning those behind the gassing of innocent citizens in selected parts of the country that their days are numbered. Whatever your motivation, we are closing in on you. We will find you and you will pay for your criminal activities," Lungu said in a post on his Facebook page. The government, he said, will do everything possible to protect citizens from people with criminal elements. The Zambian leader's warning comes in the wake of riots that rocked some parts of Lusaka, the country's capital, on Thursday. Police fought running battles with residents who had mobilized after word went round that some people behind the gassing had been spotted. Police spokesperson Esther Mwaata-Katongo said three people suspected to be behind the gassing were burnt by a mob who also damaged three police stations and police vehicles. The problem of gassing of homes and public institutions, which first occurred in the small mining town of Chingola, in Copperbelt Province, two months ago, has spread to different parts of the country, with Lusaka being the latest. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the people behind the gassing were ritualists who were collecting blood from their victims. Authorities have yet to establish the motives behind such attacks, as investigations are still going on. Police Inspector-General Kakoma Kanganja said officers are working around the clock to bring perpetrators to book. A number of suspects have been arrested, he said. Kanganja said the chemical that was used to gas people has been established, but the name of the chemical cannot be revealed as that may pose a security risk. Some residents of Lusaka have since mobilized to help the police deal with the problem. In Ngo'mbe compound, a sprawling residential area, some young people said they are conducting patrols at night. "We did not sleep because we spent the whole night patrolling," one youth, who only gave his first name, James, told Xinhua. (Newser) Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh drew bipartisan criticism Thursday for saying the country won't elect Pete Buttigieg president because he's been kissing his husband" after debates, the AP reports. Limbaugh's comments came eight days after President Trump awarded him the nation's top civilian honor during the State of the Union address. Limbaugh, a staunch Trump ally who recently announced he has advanced lung cancer, made the remarks on his nationally syndicated radio show. Buttigieg has finished in the top two in Democrats' first two presidential contests in Iowa and New Hampshire. "They're saying, 'OK, how's this going to look?'" Limbaugh said Wednesday, imagining Democrats' thinking. Thirty-seven-year-old gay guy kissing his husband onstage, next to Mr. Man, Donald Trump.'" story continues below Limbaugh said he envisioned Democrats concluding that "despite all the great wokeness and despite all the great ground that's been covered, that America's still not ready to elect a gay guy kissing his husband on the debate stage president." The 69-year-old Limbaugh also said some Democrats may believe they should "get a gay guy kissing his husband on stage, ram it down Trump's throat and beat him in the general election. Really? Having fun envisioning that." Among those chastising Limbaugh: Former Vice President Joe Biden, who is challenging Buttigieg for the Democratic presidential nomination, assailed Limbaugh on ABC's The View. "I mean, my God," said Biden, who called it "part of the depravity of this administration." He added, "Pete and I are competitors, but this guy has honor, he has courage, he is smart as hell." "It's a miscalculation as to where the country is at," Sen. Lindsey Graham, a strong Trump supporter, told the AP about Limbaugh's words. "I think the country is not going to disqualify somebody because of their sexual orientation." Asked if Limbaugh should retain the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Graham said: "Well, my God. Free speech still exists." Republican Sen. Rob Portman said of Limbaugh, "He may disagree, as I do, with their policy positions, but the question is what their qualifications are, not other issues." Portman announced his support for gay marriage in 2013 as he revealed that his son Will is gay. Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander, a moderate who is retiring in January, initially said he wasn't familiar with Limbaugh's remarks and declined to comment. His spokesman later emailed an Alexander statement that said: "There may be reasons not to vote for Mayor Buttigieg, but that's not one of them. This is a tolerant country." A Buttigieg campaign spokesman declined to comment. (Read more Rush Limbaugh stories.) 'There is no UPA now': Mamata Banerjee takes swipe at Cong, calls for unity of regional parties against BJP 'Manmohan & I were opposed to vindictive politics against then-CM Modi', says Sharad Pawar In talks with Congress and TMC for Goa alliance: Sharad Pawar NCP to contest UP elections in alliance with SP: Sharad Pawar NCP chief Sharad Pawar faults Uddav Thackeray over transfer of Bhima-Koregaon case India oi-Mousumi Dash Kolhapur, Feb 14: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday in his first criticism of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray after the alliance government formed in Maharashtra in November last year, said that the CM has made a wrong decission by letting the NIA take over the probe into the Elgar Parishad case. According to the news agency ANI, the NCP chief said that the behaviour of some in the Maharashtra Police (involved in Bhima-Koregaon investigation) was objectionable. Hence, he wanted the role of these officers to be investigated. But ministers in the Maharashtra government met police officers one morning, and the centre ordered its transfer to the NIA at 3 pm the same day, he said while addressing the reporters. "This is wrong as per the constitution because criminal investigations come within the state's jurisdiction," news agency ANI quoted him as telling reporters. Reportedly, the NCP is part of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Agadi (alliance government headed by Uddhav Thackeray in Maharashtra). The differences among the party leaders have erupted with respect to handing over of Bhima Koregaon case to the NIA. A Pune sessions court on Friday allowed the transfer of the politically sensitive Bhima Koregaon case to an NIA court in Mumbai after Uddhav Thackeray-led-Maharashtra government gave a nod by giving 'No Objection' to the NIA taking over the probe. The centre had transferred the case to the NIA on January 25, which relates to alleged inflammatory speeches at Elgar Parishad gathering, held at Shaniwarwada in Pune on December 31, 2017, a day before the violence. Pune session court transfers hearings of Elgar Parishad case to NIA court On January 1, 2018, Koregaon-Bhima in Pune district boiled up triggering massive violence in the area, during Dalit groups were celebrating 200 years of a British-era battle. Then Pune police had filed cases against the activists and intellectuals who gave alleged inflammatory speeches. The critics have accused then BJP government led by Devendra Fadnavis, of jailing activists opposed to its ideology and branding them as "Urban Naxals". For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, February 14, 2020, 22:03 [IST] The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KoKMA), Nii Adjei Tawiah has donated fridges to some persons living with disabilities as required by them to start up their own trade. According to him, the move which is the first exercise by the Assembly will help reduce begging on the street and burden persons with disabilities bring to their families and society. Speaking at the first distribution durbar, the MCE said "The Municipality has received its 3% percent of the Common Fund and it is appropriate, we share among our brothers and sisters with disabilities. It is not everyone that benefitted since this is the start but as time goes on, others will benefit." He added that in as much persons with disabilities are not given much attention in society, he is happy Ghana does not follow such trend rather depend on their services from time to time. Mr. Tawiah noted that although the Municipality is new, it has organised some training for some persons living with disabilities with the aim of exposing them to other sources of employment as well as making wealth. The MCE also revealed that ever since the Municipality was separated from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly(AMA), it is bent on using the skills and knowledge acquired to run its new office. He further revealed that despite its hard work, the Municipality also has lots of challenges facing it. "The people who received the fridge are beneficiaries who have registered with the Municipality. I am not aware of the new development you are talking about but I will liase with other MCEs to ensure that persons who have benefitted here do not go to other places to benefit again depriving others of having a fair share," he stressed. The MCE noted that the Municipality will be tracking the beneficiaries to see if they are using the items received in positive ways. Mr. Tawiah lauded government on its initiative of supporting persons with disabilities and placing smiles on their faces. Chairman, Ghana Federation of Persons with disabilities, Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly said "We are grateful to the master of the land. He has made it. We were under Accra Metropolitan Assembly, today, we have our freedom and are benefitting from this." He added that the disbursement of the 3%percent of common fund among persons with disabilities go a long way to help Ghana archieve the Sustainability Development Goals (SDG)10. He added that the PWD will be happy if Government increases the 3%percent of Common Fund to 4% or 5%percent. He cautioned the members to make good use of the item given them. Some beneficiaries who could not hide their joy shed tears, lauded government and assured that they will work tirelessly to make their family and society proud. Bengaluru: Cabinet expansion and the allocation of portfolios to newly appointed ministers has upset many BJP oldtimers and senior ministers in the B.S.Yediyurappa government. The new ministers were all earlier in the Congress and JD(S) and had played a pivotal role in toppling the previous H.D. Kumaraswamy government. To placate the sulking ministers and party loyalists who are MLAs, Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa and party state president Nalin Kumar Kateel have called a legislature party meeting on February 16. However the party maintains that the meeting has been called in view of the joint session which will commence from Monday, to discuss floor management and other important issues coming up in the session. Senior leaders including MLAs like Umesh Katti, S.A. Ramdas, Tippeswamy and S. Angara have openly expressed their anger against the chief minister for not inducting them into the Cabinet. Some party functionaries are also upset with the CM for allotting plum portfolios to the new ministers, sources said At the legislature party meeting, the upset MLAs are likely to raise the neglect of party loyalists while forming the government and will insist on accommodating long-time BJP workers in the boards and corporations. DENVER, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The innovative team at Spavia is pushing the industry forward once again as the national franchise announces updates to the brand along with the reveal of a new spa brand targeting the millennial market. The new look and feel, colloquially known as spavia 2.0, will be revealed on February 20, 2020 along with the new brand concept from the company. After a nationwide search and intensive vetting, the Spavia team integrated the best creators and designers in the country to create new and original work that pushes the industry forward. At its core, Spavia 2.0 is focused on further improving the guest experience to create an environment that rejuvenates the body and soul. "We've identified a continuing need to fill a market gap by delivering a higher level of service. Our goal is to have the right balance of design and technology with focus on a multisensory experience," said CEO Marty Langenderfer. "The new Spavia multisensory experience will focus on blending art & technology to create a seamless guest experience. Spavia 2.0 will feature new designs, music, scents, and technological innovations to make booking appointments, selecting music, and purchasing memberships even easier." For the company's new brand, which will be revealed on the 20th, the Spavia team took inspiration from the emergent cultural centers of Barcelona, New York, and Southern California. For Marty "finding the right team of millennials who understood where the culture was going was very important to us to get it right". The brand blends the art, culture, and relaxed environment of millennial brands with the expertise and experience of Spavia's national team. Fifteen years ago, when Spavia founders created the first concept, they saw a strong need in the marketplace as membership massage clinics started to enter the market with lower priced massages without the consumer deserving key elements of guest services and experience. "We know the educated, spa consumer wants more and with this in mind designed the Spavia spa with real, tranquil retreats, luxurious robes, and spa sandals." About Spavia Spavia delivers a luxurious spa experience at an affordable price and provides a variety of spa massages, facials and skin care, body wraps and scrubs, waxing, lash extensions, make-up, and an opportunity to celebrate with a spalebration all in a relaxing and tranquil setting. Spavia's spa boutique provides products for home-care regimens to achieve optimal results or beautiful selections for gift giving. In 2005, the first Spavia opened in Centennial, CO with a mission to make a positive difference in the world, one guest at a time. Spavia founders, Marty and Allison Langenderfer, have 30+ years combined experience in the spa industry providing core knowledge to deliver an exceptional guest spa experience, along with strong systems and a scalable structure. In late 2019, Spavia opened its 45th location, and continues to grow. Spavia was born out of a passion for spa and entrepreneurship. Anyone interested in learning more about opening a Spavia day spa franchise, please visit the Spavia website at https://franchise.spaviadayspa.com Contact: Marty Langenderfer at [email protected] SOURCE Spavia Five individuals will be presented with the Special Recognition Award at this year's Olivier Awards, it was announced today. Jo Hawes, Thelma Holt, Stephen Jameson, Sarah Preece and Peter Roberts will be given the prize that recognises outstanding contributions made to the theatre industry. The awards will be presented at the Olivier Awards nominees' celebration on 13 March at The May Fair Hotel. Children's casting director Jo Hawes is being recognised for driving the industry's work on child casting and licensing. The award will be presented by actor Jonathan Sayer. Producer Thelma Holt is being honoured for her long and prolific career and will be presented with her award by producer and theatre owner Nica Burns. Mountview joint chief executives Stephen Jameson and Sarah Preece will be given the accolade for their achievement of moving the school, their dedication to the community and their commitment to improving diversity and accessibility. Actor and Mountview alum Giles Terera will present their awards. Theatre consultant and former Delfont Mackintosh technical director Peter Roberts will be recognised for his outstanding skill and effort in helping to consolidate theatre's access to radio spectrum. The award will be given to him by producer Nick Allott. As chief executive of Society of London Theatre and executive producer of the Olivier Awards, Julian Bird said: "It is a privilege to publicly honour the inspirational careers of these five people, all working in very different fields, but who have all had a huge impact behind the scenes and inspired countless theatre industry colleagues." The Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard will take place on 5 April at the Royal Albert Hall and will be hosted by Jason Manford. Nominations will be announced on 3 March, with further details to be revealed in due course. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges investors in Sasol ADRs (NYSE: SSL) who have suffered significant losses to submit their losses now . A securities class action has been filed and certain investors may have valuable claims. Class Period: Mar. 10, 2015 Jan. 13, 2020 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Apr. 6, 2020 Sign Up: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/SSL Contact An Attorney Now: SSL@hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895 Sasol Limited (SSL) Securities Class Action: According to the Complaint, Defendants misled investors by misrepresenting and failing to disclose that; (1) Sasol conducted insufficient due diligence into, and did not account for multiple issues with, Sasols Lake Charles chemical plant (LCCP), as well as its true cost; (2) construction and operation of the LCCP was plagued by control weaknesses, delays, rising costs, and technical issues; and (3) Sasols top-level management exacerbated these issues by engaging in improper and unethical behavior concerning financial reporting for, and oversight of, the LCCP. Investors began to learn the truth through a series of disclosures, including on May 22, 2019, when Sasol abruptly raised the projects cost estimate by $1 billion and disclosed an internal review into the projects costs and construction schedule. The company admitted to weaknesses in the projects integrated controls, as well as significant additional concerns related to the projects forecasting process. Then, on Oct. 27, 2019, Sasol terminated its co-CEOs following an internal probe showing that the Lake Charles project management team acted inappropriately, lacked experience, and was overly focused on maintaining cost and schedule estimates instead of providing accurate information. Finally, on Jan. 13, 2020, Sasol disclosed an explosion and fire at its Lake Charles projects low-density polyethylene unit, requiring the company to shut down the unit. Each of these disclosures caused the price of Sasol ADRs to decline sharply. Were focused on investors losses and proving Sasol misled investors about the Lake Charles projects cost, timing and internal controls, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation. If you purchased Sasol ADRs and suffered significant losses, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman . Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Sasol 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 SSL@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 . According to the office, Zelensky and Patrushev have never met personally or within international events Open source The Office of the President of Ukraine stated that the information about the meeting of Volodymyr Zelensky with Secretary of Russias Security Council Nikolai Patrushev is not true. Besides, it will file the lawsuit against the journalists as the office reported on Telegram. The Office of the President of Ukraine states that the information set out in the story of Schemes program about the meeting of the president of Ukraine with top official of the Russian Federation, which supposedly took place in Oman, totally and generally does not correspond with reality. The president of Ukraine has never met (personally or within the international events), talked and communicated in other way with Nikolai Patrushev, the message said. Information set out in Schemes investigation was called to be based not on the facts or evidence but on allegations and information from some secret sources and it means that it is blatant manipulation by public opinion. When such manipulation is held on the social networks by anonymous accounts within information operations of the aggressor against Ukraine, it can be explained by the logic of the hybrid war. But when the Ukrainian journalists do the same, it goes beyond the ideas of free journalism, the press service added. The Presidents Office stated that it expects the rebuttal of false information made on the basis of allegations from the Schemes program. It also appealed to the court with the request about the rebuttal and apologies. Previously, reporters of Schemes project released research, in which they claimed that Patrushev and Zelensky met in Oman. Chief of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak condemned the story, calling it a lie. Later, Spokesperson of Volodymyr Zelensky, Yulia Mendel stated that Petrushov and Zelensky have never met. Moreover, Putins Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the rumors about the meeting of the Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nicolai Patrushev and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Oman are not true. New Hampshire Democratic Primary: Who did religious voters support? Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The backing of voters who never attend religious services helped propel Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to victory in the New Hampshire Democratic primary election Tuesday while Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar surprised many with a third-place showing aided by religious voters. Nearly 3,000 Democrat voters in New Hampshire took part in exit polls after they cast their ballots. They were asked several questions about who they voted for, their identity, age, job, race, education level and even how often they attend religious services. Among 11 percent of voters who say they attend religious services weekly, Klobuchar was the favorite even though she sits in sixth place in the Real Clear Politics average of national primary polling with just 4.6 percent support. Klobuchar, a 59-year-old attorney, received just under 20 percent of the vote in New Hampshire, as of Wednesday afternoon. She was backed by 28 percent of voters who attend religious services each week. Pete Buttigieg, a gay Christian and former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who finished second in New Hampshire and won the Iowa Caucus, received 16 percent of voters who said they attend religious services weekly. Meanwhile, 15 percent of weekly service goers backed Sanders and 14 percent said they voted for former Vice President Joe Biden, who finished fifth in New Hampshire. Just 8 percent of weekly service goers said they voted for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Warren finished fourth in the New Hampshire primary. But among the 37 percent of respondents who said they attend religious services occasionally, Buttigieg (26 percent) was the favorite. Twenty-three percent of occasional religious attendees said they voted for Klobuchar, 20 percent said they voted for Sanders and 14 percent said they voted for Biden. Warren again struggled with this demographic as she picked up just 7 percent of support among occasional service goers. Among the 51 percent of voters who said they never attend religious services, Sanders was the clear favorite as he won 34 percent of the demographic. Biden was least favored among those who never attend religious services with only 4 percent. Twenty-two percent of those who said they never attend religious services backed Buttigieg, 19 percent said they backed Klobuchar, and 11 percent said they backed Warren. While Sanders narrow victory in New Hampshire propels him to frontrunner status, Klobuchars third-place finish in New Hampshire brings new-found momentum for her campaign while the campaigns of Biden and Warren suffered setbacks in Iowa and New Hampshire. Exit polls from New Hampshire also show that about half of voters decided on which candidate they were going to vote for within the last few days. Among those voters, Buttigieg (29 percent) and Klobuchar (24 percent) were the favorites. But for those who decided who they would vote for before the last few days, Sanders was the favorite with 37 percent of the vote. Exit polls also show that the majority of Democrat voters in New Hampshire (63 percent) would rather nominate candidates they believe have a better chance at beating President Donald Trump in the general election in November. Meanwhile, 34 percent said they would prefer to nominate a candidate with whom they most agree on the issues. Among those who said they would like to see the party nominate someone who can beat Trump, 28 percent voted for Buttigieg, 21 percent for Sanders, 20 percent for Klobuchar, 13 percent for Warren, and 10 percent for Biden. Among those who prefer a candidate that most agrees with them on the issues, 39 percent said they voted for Sanders, 21 percent for Buttigieg, 12 percent for Klobuchar, 6 percent for Warren, and 4 percent for Biden. When broken down by ideology, about half of Democrats who said they are very liberal said they voted for Sanders (48 percent). Nineteen percent of very liberal voters said they backed Warren, and 15 percent backed Buttigieg. Among the 36 percent of respondents who said they are moderate, Buttigieg led with 28 percent of the vote, while Klobuchar was second with 26 percent. When broken down by age, Sanders received 51 percent of voters aged 18 to 29 and 36 percent of voters ages 30 to 44. Buttigieg (27 percent) and Klobuchar (24 percent) were most favored for those ages 45-64. Klobuchar (32 percent) was the clear favorite among the 25 percent of voters ages 65 and over. After polls closed Tuesday, Sanders declared that his New Hampshire victory was the beginning of the end for the Trump presidency. What I can tell you with absolute certainty, and I know I speak for every one of the Democratic candidates, is that no matter who wins, and we certainly hope it is going to be us, were going to unite together and defeat the most dangerous president in the modern history of this country, Sanders said. After winning Iowa and finishing second in New Hampshire, Buttigieg declared that his campaign is here to stay. Since her third-place finish in New Hampshire, Klobuchars campaign has raised $2.5 million in less than a day. Everyone had counted us out even a week ago," Klobuchar told supporters in New Hampshire. "I came back, and we delivered. Because of you, we are taking this campaign to Nevada. The Nevada caucus will be held on Feb. 22. - The seven were accused of using illegal fishing gear besides trespassing into Uganda - The fishermen were taken to Kalangala police station in the neighbouring country - Homa Bay county police said talks have begun to ensure their release At least seven Kenyan fishermen have been detained in Uganda after being arrested by Ugandan security personnel in Suba South, Homa Bay county. The foreign police officers also confiscated two boats over alleged border trespass and the use of prohibited fishing gear by President Yoweri Museveni's government. READ ALSO: Cyrus Omondi: Family of late Kahawa Wendani MCA dispute report he died of heart-attack Homa Bay county commissioner confirmed they have begun talks with Ugandan counterparts to have the fishermen released. Photo: TUKO.co.ke. Source: Original READ ALSO: Matiang'i aagiza Wachina waliokamatwa baada ya kumchapa Mkenya wafurushwe The seven, Vincent Owino, Maurice Otieno, Kennedy Owino, Moses Ayieta ,Calvins Okinyi , Fredrick Omollo and Walter Otieno were picked up while on their night fishing expedition. The County Beach Management Unit chairperson Edward Oremo said that the fishermen were taken to Kalangala police station in the neighbouring country awaiting to be arraigned. Fishermen going about their businesses at Lake Victoria. A number of them have suffered in the hands of Ugandan authorities. Photo: The East African. Source: UGC They were accused of crossing the border and using illegal fishing gear which the officers also confiscated. Confirming the incident to the press, Homa Bay county commissioner David Kipkemei said they have begun negotiations with their counterparts in Uganda to have the seven released. At the same time, he appealed to the Kenyan fishermen using Lake Victoria waters to avoid using illegal gear and crossing over to Ugandan to avert such arrests. Story by Naomi Akoth, TUKO.co.ke correspondent in Homa Bay county. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. Light moments during Moi's farewell: Kenyans excited to enter Parliament for the first time |Tuko TV. Source: TUKO.co.ke The Visit (Olivier, National Theatre) Verdict: Pretty deep, quite funny and very long Rating: The last time I saw this play I was in it at school. A good friend, who has gone on to become a successful actor, was strangled by the Crown Prince of Lesotho (now the king). I had to settle for third villager. Even so, the experience left me unusually curious to find out what Tony Kushner had done with this weird and deeply sinister drama, here starring Lesley Manville as a billionairess returning to exact revenge in the small town where she grew up. Hugo Weaving, from The Matrix and The Lord Of The Rings, plays Manvilles former lover in the play, written in 1956 by the Swiss playwright Friedrich Durrenmatt. Its usually understood to be about moral reparations after World War II. But Kushner, best known for his eight-hour AIDS epic Angels In America, has turned it into an examination of the post-war U.S., selling its soul to the devil via debt-based consumerism. Hugo Weaving, (pictured) from The Matrix and The Lord Of The Rings, plays Manvilles former lover in the play Kushner loves the sound of his own voice and, to be fair, I quite like it, too. Which is lucky, as hes added more than an hour and a half to Durrenmatts two hours, shoehorning in meditations on suffering, sexuality, money, justice, religion, progress and more. In some ways its a miracle its only three hours and 40 minutes long (luckily there are two intervals). But there is some really meaty writing, with Manvilles diva firing off deliciously cruel one-liners. You look like you swallowed a hat box was one of my favourites. However, you need to be very much wide awake and up for something deep and meaningful. Nod off and youre lost. My tip would be to focus on Manvilles bone-chilling turn as Claire Zachanassian. A veteran of a Hamburg whorehouse, shes a terrifying, seven-times-married mix of Mae West and Bette Davis, saved by a rich industrialist. So, in the end, its as I remember from school: a sinister concoction that our headmaster darkly judged to be great fun She drops in to mess with the heads of the depressed (fictional) Rust Belt town of Slurry, New York. Here, even the undertaker has gone under. She offers the townsfolk $1 billionon the condition that someone kills the lover who sold her out in court. As that doomed man, who runs a struggling general store, Weaving is fascinating, although he has almost too much personality to play such a powerless victim. Big and out of shape, his character looks more like Harvey Weinstein (the disgraced version) hes a derelict and pathetic figure. His job is to suck it up which is probably why Jeremy Herrin cast a major-league actor. He brings a cart-load of charisma, and makes for a bigger sacrificial ox. Otherwise, Herrins enormous production with a cast of nearly 30 is an epic full of portents. Four sexy pallbearers in black lace march across, above and around the stage. Two of Manvilles blinded accusers form a cackling vaudeville double act. Her brace of beefcake henchmen strum guitar and sing, menacingly, at Weaving. And the gutted carcass of a cow dangles from the ceiling. With a soundtrack of smoky cocktail bar jazz played live, Vicki Mortimers set has the atmosphere of a 1950s film noir, emphasising the way that Manville has rigged fate against Weaving and the not-so-good people of Slurry. So, in the end, its as I remember from school: a sinister concoction that our headmaster darkly judged to be great fun. Swept up by Stoppard's Viennese whirl Leopoldstadt (Wyndhams Theatre) Verdict: Poignant Holocaust memorial Rating: Shakespeare in Love writer Tom Stoppard is best known for his fizzing wit, but his new play is a far more sombre affair. Its a semi-autobiographical tale charting the life of an extended Jewish family in Viennas Leopoldstadt district. It runs from the quarters heyday as a cultural melting pot in the early 1900s, through to the annexation of Austria in 1938, and the Holocaust that saw two-thirds of its Jewish population flee before the rest were deported to Nazi death camps. Theres little we dont, or shouldnt, already know in Stoppards account of the period. However, the value lies not in its novelty but in its standing as a memorial to the dead, and a reconstruction of their dignity. Catholic beauty Greta (Faye Castelow) (pictured with Ramsey Robertson as Young Jacob), who is having an affair with Fritz, a devilishly dashing officer in the Austrian army The stand-out characters are Adrian Scarborough as the businessman who marries Catholic beauty Greta (Faye Castelow), who is having an affair with Fritz, a devilishly dashing officer in the Austrian army (Luke Thallon). Covering 55 years in two and a half hours can be bewildering. But the myriad character sketches create a vivid, epic sweep. They include Caroline Gruber as the grand matriarch and keeper of traditions, Emilia; and Toms son Ed Stoppard, as brilliant mathematician Ludwig. Thanks to the authors love of complex ideas, we are also treated to digressions on the geometry of cats cradles, and debates about the politics of a Jewish homeland versus the joys of cultural assimilation. Yes, the characters can feel like mouthpieces, but Scarborough as warm patriarch Hermann weaves together oration, exposition and emotion to create a canny, gentle and stoical old man. And there is plenty of humour gags fly like champagne corks at a bar mitzvah. The best of these is when a Doctor of Law drops in during a circumcision and asks for a cigar cutter, before adding, Or I could use my teeth? The only shame, on the evening I saw it, was the laughter that greeted the Tom Stoppard character, Leo, when he spoke of his pride at being British. Metropolitan sceptics should remember the Brits were the first to take arms against Hitler, and the architects of the Kindertransport that saved 10,000 children. Although the Holocaust casts a long shadow over it, Patrick Marbers production teems with life and, indeed, children. It turns out to be surprisingly joyful, and rests on the love of the characters. The ending fairly takes the wind out of you as the fate of those characters is recalled in 1955. But its Stoppards fondness for the living and the dead that abides. Far Away (Donmar Warehouse) Verdict: Caryl Churchill loses Rating: Review by Melanie McDonagh There are times when you ask yourself: am I mad, or is everyone else? When I found that there were critics who admired and even enjoyed this production of Caryl Churchills play, I put to myself that question. And the answer, dear reader, is that its the (other) critics who are nuts. Plus, clearly, the playwright. What is the play about, then? I wish I could tell you. A little girl, Joan an excellent Sophia Ally (pictured) observing that her uncle is up to no good in the backyard But I honestly dont know. The first of three interconnected scenes involves a little girl, Joan an excellent Sophia Ally observing that her uncle is up to no good in the backyard. Hes making people scream in a lorry, and beating others in a shed. Her aunt Harper Jessica Hynes in terrific motherly mode reassures her alls well. Is he a people trafficker, a genocidal butcher the play dates from 2000 or a psychopath who preys on refugees? We await the big reveal, or at least some clue about where this is going. But we dont get it. Next we see Joan, now grown up and played by Aisling Loftus, making the kind of absurdist hats you get at Ascots Ladies Day. Except, disturbingly, that theyre made for prisoners to wear at a grim parody of an Easter Bonnet parade. Plainly, this is a metaphor. But of what? Industrialisation? Concentration camps? Millinery in the service of the overlords? There is no discernible link, other than the characters, between this and the final scene, where everyone has finally lost it. Harper is saying phrases like: Mallards are not a good waterbird. They commit rape, and theyre on the side of the elephants and the Koreans. This is an author who has lost the plot in both senses. And still the critics say shes wonderful. The only thing this play has going for it is that it lasts for 45 minutes. Death Of England (Dorfman, National Theatre, London) Verdict: Cockney tour-de-force Rating: Review by Luke Jones This is a frenetic, boozy, sweary and fantastically watchable 90-minute one-man play. I avoid saying monologue, because in my minds eye that conjures up the spectre of a flat, deeply undramatic speech. Some kind of seated story time, quite possibly delivered from a stool. Whereas this couldnt be more agile. Rafe Spall appears suddenly, with a jolt. Hes wearing a tight white T-shirt, a thick gold watch, and dropping his aitches and the c-word. The story is ostensibly one of manhood in the face of grief. What does a 30-something-year-old, who has spent his entire life measuring his worth against the expectations and example of a complicated father, do when the old man keels over and dies in a pub? Rafe Spall (pictured as Michael) appears suddenly, with a jolt. Hes wearing a tight white T-shirt, a thick gold watch, and dropping his aitches and the c-word. Get smashed and deliver some home truths at the funeral, is what. The set is a large, bare walkway in the shape of a cross, which Spall marches all over. Props surround us, in little, advent-style boxes. Slowly theyre plundered, and the stage fills. The show has a giddy cartoon vibe. Pints are pulled out of nowhere, and when we finally see a coffin, it bursts into flames. Playwrights Roy Williams and Clint Dyer nail the examination of what it means to be male. Michael, played by Spall, is a brash cockney. Hes desperately weepy and emotionally available, but also drunk and bolshie, funny, frantic and chatty. Lines are spat out at semi-automatic speed, with great laddish gestures, but moist fragile eyes. Spall is a marvel, holding the room in awe. He takes us from childhood to funeral fallout and slowly a portrait of the dad emerges: a strange blend of cheap racism and repressed love. Clumsily, the play reaches for some kind of state-of-the-nation political relevance, with cheap shots at the EU referendum, which actually illuminate very little. But for a one-man tour-de-force you couldnt get much better. UNICEF Executive Board emphasizes the importance of early childhood development as a key catalyst to achieve the SDGs UNICEF/UN0312687/Sokol Selva, 2, engages in supervised play-based learning with a caregiver at a UNICEF-supported Early Childhood Development centre in Paraguay. NEW YORK, United States of America, 14 February 2020 The 2020 first regular session of the UNICEF Executive Board ended yesterday. Over the course of two and a half days, the Board discussed topics ranging from United Nations development system reform and improving the Boards working methods to humanitarian action and the approval of four new country programme documents. A common thread running across the programme documents was early childhood development. Speakers emphasized how achieving the developmental potential of every child during the early years of life sets the stage for a childs future growth and well-being. UNICEF Executive Board President H.E. Ms. Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of nurturing to fulfil childrens right to thrive, stating: early childhood development has been recognized as a key catalyst to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and is particularly important in this last decade of action and acceleration. UNICEF/UNI232068// Vincent Tremeau Ruth Lafleussante feeds Christ-Vie at a UNICEF nursery in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ruth is a care giver at the creche and a survivor of Ebola. After being cured at the treatment centre, she came back to take care of children, whose mothers are infected by Ebola and cant take care of them. Country programme documents On Wednesday, the Board was presented with new country programme documents for Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali and Paraguay. A dynamic and interactive session on the new programmes included panellists from the four countries as well as the UNICEF Regional Directors for Latin America and the Caribbean and West and Central Africa. As a cross-cutting theme throughout the presentations related to the four new programmes, the importance of early childhood development holds true across a range of implementing contexts, from middle-income countries to contexts of fragility. Mr. Omar Abdi, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Programmes, highlighted the importance of the first 1,000 days and the early years of life for healthy brain development. When children receive good nutrition, positive stimulation and responsive care, and are protected from harm, they are primed to achieve their developmental potential. Data confirms that early moments matter at all levels developmental, societal and economic. However, today too many children are still not getting the early care they need. Violence, poor nutrition and lack of stimulation, to name but a few issues, are putting at risk the development of an estimated 250 million children under 5 years of age worldwide. Echoing Mr. Abdis words, the UNICEF Senior Adviser for Early Childhood Development, Dr. Pia Britto, reiterated how nurturing environments in the early stage of life pave the way for later health, learning and well-being. She explained that this is achieved when the following elements come together: good health services, access to safe clean water, antenatal care counselling, immunization, birth registration, nutritional support, quality childcare and early learning opportunities. And at the heart of the package is early stimulation and responsive caregiving. Engaging communities on a voluntary basis to prepare children under five for school was the focus of remarks made by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cuba, Ms. Consuelo Vidal-Bruce. She emphasized the benefits of the countrys long-running Educa a tu hijo (Educate your child) programme, which demonstrates the scalability of early childhood development initiatives for the most vulnerable in over 20 communities in Latin America, thanks to community ownership and methodological flexibility. In pre-recorded video remarks, Ms. Bibiche Mwika, Coordinator of the Network of Child-Friendly Journalists in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, explained how UNICEF, along with the Government and other partners, has prioritized health-care, nutrition and stimulation counselling during the first 1,000 days of a child's life to ensure that all Congolese children have equal opportunities in life. Ms. Lucia Elmi, UNICEF Representative in Mali, focused on the life-cycle approach for the new Mali country programme, from early childhood through the second decade of life, to accelerate results for children and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. H.E. Mr. Hugo Caceres, Minister of the Delivery Unit of the Presidency, General Coordinator and Chief of the Social Cabinet and Spokesperson for the Presidency of Paraguay, joined the meeting by video. He highlighted four strategic components of the new country programme for Paraguay: early years, adolescents, evidence-generation and programme effectiveness, with a government priority on early childhood development. Delegations commended UNICEF on its engagement and willingness to learn in regard to joint programming with other United Nations agencies, while reaffirming the need for country programmes to be aligned with the respective United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks. In closing the session, Ambassador Fatima reiterated the crucial role played by early childhood development in a child's life: "The importance of the first 1,000 days and early years of life cannot be overstated," she said, "it provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help children have a good start in life, where they can not only survive, but thrive to their full potential and thus make meaningful contributions to their societies." Executive Director Fore expressed her appreciation to all Member States for working together to support children, women and young people in every context. "As we begin this decade of action and acceleration, our commitment to the rights enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child remains strong," she said. "The world is not standing still for children," she concluded, "but neither are we." *** The annual session of the UNICEF Executive Board will take place from 29 June to 2 July 2020. The report on the midterm review of the Strategic Plan, 2018-2021 and annual report for 2019 of the Executive Director of UNICEF, and the report on the midterm review of the integrated budget, 2018-2021 will be considered during that session. New Delhi, Feb 14 : Fringe outfit Hindu Sena's National President Vishnu Gupta's car was allegedly stopped and attacked in Delhi on Friday night. According to Gupta, 5-6 unknown masked attackers attacked his car around 8.30pm, near his residence. Gupta alleged, the attackers tried to pull him out of the car when locals gathered. Following which the attackers fled from the site, he claimed. Videos suggest the car's windshield developed cracks. After reaching out to cops, Amar Colony Police reached the site and took the statement ofAChief of the fringe outfit. The car has been confiscated by police. Delhi Police is investigating the matter, says Gupta. Interestingly, Gupta's outfit gave a warning a couple of days before against any 'obscenity' on Valentine's Day. Latest updates on Valentine's Day 2020 New Delhi: One of the three accused arrested by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police in a cheating case under the garb of the land pooling policy of the DDA, on Feb 14, 2020. (Photo: Sanjeev Kumar Singh Chauhan/IANS) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: One of the three accused arrested by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police in a cheating case under the garb of the land pooling policy of the DDA, on Feb 14, 2020. (Photo: Sanjeev Kumar Singh Chauhan/IANS) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: One of the three accused arrested by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police in a cheating case under the garb of the land pooling policy of the DDA, on Feb 14, 2020. (Photo: Sanjeev Kumar Singh Chauhan/IANS) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police arrested three persons in a cheating case under the garb of the land pooling policy of the DDA, said O.P. Mishra, Joint Commissioner of Police (EOW). Mishra said "The EOW has arrested three office bearers of Revanta Multi State CGHS Ltd Satender Maan (Ex-President), Pradeep Shehrawat (Ex Treasurer and present President) and Subhash Chand (present Secretary) in connection with the Smart Residency project for duping the investors in the name of Land Pooling Policy of DDA in L Zone, Dwarka, Delhi on Thursday." The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) envisaged a land pooling policy to ensure availability of sufficient houses under planned development. But various builders and promoters grabbed it as an opportunity to exploit the situation by painting a rosy picture for the home buyers and raised a huge amount of money from them through advance bookings, he said. As per the DDA's reply to the Delhi Police, it has not issued any license or approval to Revanta Multi state CGHS Ltd. The reply said no one is authorised to advertise, market, book, sell and invite persons to purchase any plot or flat in any project under the land pooling area without any prior registration of the project under RERA. The investigation of the case revealed that there were 3,997 members in the society and 1,461 members in the Smart Residency project. The investors made a total payment of Rs 400 crore (approx.) to the society out of which Rs 115 crore was spent on facilitating the brokers. Most of the land was purchased at high rates - from Rs 8 crore to Rs 10 crore per acre against the circle rate of Rs 53 lacs per acre, the officer said. Sixteen more criminal cases are registered against various builders and societies with regard to cheating home buyers in the name of the land pooling policy. MAINTENANCE Its an hour workout. The gym doesnt have huge weights, so Im doing a lot of circuit training, a lot of high intensity cardio and stuff that can keep up my flexibility, because Im on and off a lot of planes. I have to work out a lot. Im going a lot of places where theres good food, so the weight will show up quick and I like the clothes I have, so I need to stay in them. WORKING TITLE After the workout I come upstairs and get a shower. Sometimes Ill have a media hit to do right after that, or sometimes I try to get some work done. Right now Im in a real back-and-forth trying to finish my book proposal. The working title is Not Just Loud. Its about how to make change in an era of a lot of noise. Everyone says the proposal is the hardest part, and I close my eyes when people say that. They are correct. THE GODFATHER I do like a brunch, and Im probably in a position to break my fast around noon if I stopped eating at 8 the day before. So Ill figure out a friend or two to have brunch with, sometimes a friend with kids because I love kids and I dont have them. Im like a godfather sometimes. Im going to go to Harlem for brunch Boulevard or Melbas or Red Rooster. I make a reservation on Thursday because I dont want to wait in a two-hour line. CUSTOMIZED If Im drinking at brunch, a cocktail or champagne, that means I dont have a media hit later and that will be a moment when I go look at hats. I like clothes. I like aesthetics. My Insta can give you a visual of how I think about clothes. But Im not the kind of person whos going to shop with you for hours and hours. I get things tailored, because as a 5-foot-3 person with wide shoulders, I cant go in and get things off the rack. COLLECTED I love hats, I have a wall of hats its like my problem and I have a favorite hat shop. Its Goorin Brothers Hat Shop on Bleecker and Christopher. I have a benefits card and probably two free hats waiting for me. Also, people give me gift certificates. My friend who runs United We Dream gave me one. I need to use it. Laura Byrne threatened to leave her fiance, Matty Johnson, for ex-Bachelor Blake Garvey in a hilarious radio rap battle on Friday. The 2017 Bachelor couple took part in a special Valentine's Day edition of Fitzy and Wippa's Rap Up of the Week. Laura, 33, popped her 'rap cherry' while letting loose on her husband-to-be, 32. Taking swipes! Laura Byrne (right) threatened to leave her fiance, Matty Johnson (left), for ex-Bachelor Blake Garvey in a hilarious radio rap battle on Friday. Pictured with Nova FM radio host Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald (centre) 'He's so lazy, I'm planning this wedding on my own... and while I've got you here, whose got a number for Blake?' Laura rapped. She went on to warn Matty she was heading off to the airport to fly to Love Island. In response, Matty rapped about the couple sleeping 'in separate beds' over the past week because their 'hip hop feud' had become so intense. Having a laugh: The 2017 Bachelor couple took part in a special Valentine's Day edition of Fitzy and Wippa's Rap Up of the Week 'Please don't leave me, the mags would have a field day,' he begged. Jokes aside, Laura recently revealed the ruthless punishment she would inflict on Matty if she ever caught him cheating. Speaking on the Life Uncut podcast with fellow Bachelor alum Brittany Hockley, the pair gave advice to a listener who had become the 'other woman' in a relationship. Ouch! 'He's so lazy, I'm planning this wedding on my own... and while I've got you here, whose got a number for Blake?' Laura rapped. Pictured left: Blake Garvey, the 2014 Bachelor Brittany said it was important to understand the position of the person being cheated on: in this case, the man's wife. 'Imagine if your husband was going away and hooking up with someone else,' she said. Laura then added: 'Oh my god, I freaking... I'd literally cut Matt's penis off! I'd sashimi it and make a carpaccio out of it'. 'I'd literally cut Matt's penis off': Jokes aside, Laura recently revealed the ruthless punishment she would inflict on Matty if she ever caught him cheating The couple first met on season five of The Bachelor in 2017, after Matt had appeared on the previous year's season of The Bachelorette. Matt proposed to his girlfriend in April last year while they were on a 'babymoon' holiday in Fiji. They welcomed their first child, daughter Marlie Mae, in June. Zack Kassian is starting to use the blades on his feet now. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) Edmonton Oilers forward Zack Kassian had a switch flipped against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night and did something mind-blowing as a result. In a heated tussle while down on the ice with Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak, Kassian decided to kick him away using his foot. That foot, of course, has a skate boot and knife-like blade attached to it. Replay of the Zack Kassian kick on Erik Cernak pic.twitter.com/PLlOPwgTph Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) February 14, 2020 "That play he was holding my leg and it was just reactionary. I just tried to get loose. I was laying there awhile and I was trying to get my leg out and get moving, Kassian told reporters after the game. Even with the Oilers forwards defense of the incident, Cernak is looking for the silver lining in it all. I think he was a little bit mad, the Lightning defenseman said. I asked him what was wrong with him? Because thats not the right play, what to do on the ice. He didnt say nothing. So I dont know. Lucky it wasnt higher. Kassian will have an in-person hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Friday, giving the league the option to suspend him for more than six games. This incident comes just weeks after the saga with Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk, which resulted in a two-game suspension for Kassian. That will certainly factor into the discipline hell receive on Friday. Through 51 games played this season Kassian has 14 goals and 30 points, which are both career-highs. More NHL coverage from Yahoo Sports The police investigation revealed that the gang was earning commissions varying between Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 for trafficking each woman to Kuwait to work as a labourer. Hyderabad: Seven people were arrested by the Cyberabad police for providing fake visa stamping in an attempt to traffic women from India to Kuwait. The police found that the fake visa stamps were received from Sri Lanka. The police investigation revealed that the gang was earning commissions varying between Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 for trafficking each woman to Kuwait to work as a labourer. Following complaints from three women, who alleged that they were cheated by a travel agent issuing fake visas, the Special Operations Team (SOT) of the Shamshabad zone apprehended R. Kubender Rao, 32, Shaik Basheer Ahmed, 60, K. Mohan Rao, 41, I. Augustin, 40, S. Ruthamma, 44, Y. Sunitha, 36 and K. Venkata Rama Krishna, 35. Meanwhile, Balu Prasad of Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, is still at large. Cyberabad police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said that Kubender, a native of Tanuku in West Godavari, worked as a welder in Singapore and Africa for seven years and returned to India in 2014. He started an air ticketing business in 2016 and was taking help from Basheer who was procuring fake visa stickers, Kuwaiti revenue stamps, and notary stickers from Sri Lanka. Balu Prasad, a travel agent from Kumbakonam, used to supply rubber stamps. Local agents Augustin, Mohan Rao, Rama Krishna, Sunitha, and Ruthamma used to procure passports of women who wanted to work abroad. The women were given a visit visa to Dubai. From there, they go to Kuwait without clearance from the Protector of Emigrants. At Kuwait, four people were in place to provide employment to the women and give a commission of `10,000 to `20,000 to Kubender, Mr Sajjanar said. The SOT officials seized `2 lakh cash, 13 visa papers, 25 stamps, and stamp pads, printer and 16 passports from the accused, and they were handed over to the RGI Airport police. BERLIN Twelve men one a police employee were arrested Friday on charges of forming and supporting a far-right terrorism network planning wide-ranging attacks on politicians, asylum seekers and Muslims, the authorities said. The arrests come as Germany confronts both an increase in violence and an infiltration of its security services by far-right extremists. After focusing for years on the risks from Islamic extremists and foreign groups, officials are recalibrating their counterterrorism strategy to address threats from within. The arrests are the latest in a series of episodes that Christine Lambrecht, the justice minister, called a very worrying right-wing extremist and right-wing terrorist threat in our country. [Read: Following latest attack, Germans are told far-right terrorism is the number one threat.] We need to be particularly vigilant and act decisively against this threat, she said on Twitter. TESCO is set to open a new store in Stratford-upon-Avon this month. The opening of the Express store on Bridge Street has created 18 new jobs and the colleagues are looking forward to serving customers when the doors open for the first time at 8am on Friday 28 February. The new store will take part in a number of community programmes run by Tesco to give back to the communities it serves. Local charity and community groups in the area are encouraged to sign up to receive food from Tescos surplus food redistribution scheme Community Food Connection. Community Food Connection links Tesco stores to local charities and community groups allowing Tesco to redistribute food thats left over at the end of the day in the store to local charities, free of charge, who distribute it those who need it most. Community Food Connection has now donated over 47 million meals worth of surplus food to local charities and community groups, and this number grows every day. Across Stratford Tesco stores have provided over 90,000 meals to groups in the local community so far. Good causes in the town will also be able to apply for funding from Tescos Bags of Help scheme which helps to fund local community projects. More than 27,000 community groups that have been awarded a grant so far, with over 82 million already invested in local projects. In Stratford 53 community projects have shared over 160,000 worth of funding. Tesco are keen to hear from any groups which could benefit from either scheme. For more information go to www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp and https://www.tescoplc.com/sustainability/food-waste/topics/own-operations/community-food-connection. The celebration to mark the opening of the store will be led by Stratford-upon-Avon Mayor Kate Rolfe cutting the ribbon to mark the occasion. Samples of croissants and orange juice will then be available for customers to try and there will be an opportunity to taste the Finest range of sandwiches at lunchtime. Area Manager Chris Collins said: We are extremely excited to be opening our store on Bridge Street. We have been working hard to ensure the store is the best it can be, offering the local community brilliant service, a broad range of products including fresh food and food to go, and we look forward to welcoming our first customers this Friday. The Criterion Channel is the best movie-streaming service youve never heard of. A subscription costs about the same as Netflix or Hulu: $10.99 per month, or $99.99 if paid annually (about $8.33 per month). Instead of offering new movies that have finished their theater runs, original flicks produced in house, or binge-worthy TV series, the Criterion Channels library consists of about 2,000 carefully selected films, many of them presented as curated collections accompanied by the extra materials normally found only on DVD or Blu-ray disc releases. Not every film on offer is a masterpiece, but the vast majority are least good. The website They Shoot Pictures, Dont They? maintains what I consider to be the most reliable list of the 100 best films ever made, and you can watch at least half of those movies on The Criterion Channel. That said, this service is very definitely geared toward the adventurous viewer. Many of the titles are in languages other than English (so, you might need to read subtitles), and the newer titles on rotation when I wrote this review are, to put it politely, quite obscure. A few of the less obscure ones are Gabriel Abrantes & Daniel Schmidts Diamantino, from Portugal; Jafar Panahis 3 Faces, from Iran; Bi Gans Long Days Journey Into Night, from France; and Hu Bos An Elephant Sitting Still, from China. Geared for the enthusiast Criterion The Criterion Channel is unabashedly focused on hardcore film buffs. The cineaste, on the other hand, will find the Criterion Channel essential. Youll find nearly completeand in some cases, completecollections of films by masters like Chantal Akerman, Michelangelo Antonioni, Andrea Arnold, Olivier Assayas, Ingmar Bergman, Les Blank, Robert Bresson, Luis Bunuel, Jane Campion, Charles Chaplin, Rene Clair, Jacques Demy, Carl Theodor Dreyer, Sergei Eisenstein, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Federico Fellini, Hollis Frampton, Jean-Luc Godard, Aki Kaurismaki, Abbas Kiarostami, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Masaki Kobayashi, Akira Kurosawa, Louis Malle, Jean-Pierre Melville, Kenji Mizoguchi, Mikio Naruse, Yasujro Ozu, Satyajit Ray, Jean Renoir, Eric Rohmer, Roberto Rossellini, Seijun Suzuki, Andrei Tarkovsky, Jacques Tati, Francois Truffaut, Agnes Varda, Jean Vigo, Wim Wenders, Lina Wertmuller, Wong Kar-wai, William Wyler, and many others. Hidden treasures await your discovery, too. Are you a Christopher Nolan fan? You wont find The Dark Knight or Interstellar here, but you can watch Nolans fascinating micro-budget debut feature Following, and his early short film Doodlebug. Did you like Josh & Benny Safdies Uncut Gems, starring Adam Sandler? Thats not here, either, but there is a whole selection of the brothers early short films and their 2009 feature Daddy Longlegs. Criterion Jeremy Theobald plays a young man who follows people and finds more than his share of trouble in Christopher Nolans feature debut Following. Did you swoon over Guillermo Del Toros The Shape of Water? His Mexican horror film Cronos is here. The channel doesnt offer any Quentin Tarantino films, but it does offer Toshiya Fujitas Lady Snowblood (1973), a major inspiration for Kill Bill. Odd gems like Leos Caraxs The Lovers on the Bridge (1991), Shane Carruths Upstream Color (2013), Louis Malles Vanya on 42nd Street, and Ana Lily Amirpours A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) are worth finding. Theres fun stuff, too Not every film is ponderous arthouse seriousnessall berets and cigarette smoking and existential crisis. The site offers quite a few fun things as well, from a handful of Hitchcock titles to monster movies, samurai movies, horror movies (both black-and-white classic and bloody color), films noir, midnight cult films (lots of David Lynch and John Waters), comedies, rock music movies, sci-fi movies, fantasy movies, kung-fu movies, English crime stories, and B movies from the 1950s. A recent collection showcases the ground-breaking, low-budget drive-in films by the Godfather of Gore, Herschell Gordon Lewis, director of Blood Feast (1963) and Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964). Criterion A young woman (Meiko Kaji) is raised to become a vengeful killer in Lady Snowblood. While very little on the service is technically new, the creative minds at the Criterion Channel work hard at making old stuff seem new and exciting again. A curated batch of films arrives each month, such as Februarys Sidney Poitier collection, which includes no less than 17 films, plus a video introduction to the series. Earlier collections included a Burt Lancaster series, Film Plays Itself (i.e. films about the movie business), a Bette Davis series, and films about dogs. The channel also suggests double features that viewers can select and bookmark. These include brainy crime films, such as Stephen Frearss The Grifters (1990) paired with David Mamets House of Games (1987); or two films adapted from the same play: Jean Renoirs The Lower Depths (1936) and Akira Kurosawas The Lower Depths (1957), for example. The site also curates Saturday Matinees, or movies that are considered at least somewhat kid friendly: Oliver!, The Court Jester, The Black Stallion, The Adventures of Prince Achmed, et al). Criterion The Criterion Channel offers lots of suggested double features, such as these two films revolving around con artists: The Grifters and House of Games. The channel doesnt offer any TV series to binge, unless you count auteur-friendly offerings such as Rainer Werner Fassbinders Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980), Ingmar Bergmans Fanny and Alexander (1982), Robert Altmans Tanner 88 (1988), or John Luries Fishing with John (1992) that originally debuted on television. Some specific directors have their own collections, and certain Criterion titles that have been released on DVD and Blu-ray are available to stream, complete with all their bonus features and even commentary tracks. The service offers a commentary track for Taxi Driver by Martin Scorsese and screenwriter Paul Schrader, recorded way back in 1990 for the Criterion LaserDisc edition. There are many short featurettes exclusive to the site, with directors talking about their favorite movies. Recent Oscar-winner Bong Joon-ho paid a visit to the Criterion offices for one of these. A series called Observations on Film Art takes an in-depth look at some of the titles after (or before) you watch the actual film. And another series allows you to watch a short film paired with a similarly themed feature film. Criterion Extra contentranging from making-of documentaries to interviews with the stars, directors, and other artistsis a major part of The Criterion Collections appeal. Its not perfect Sadly, as with most other streaming services, films expire from time to time. In October, 2019, for Halloween, the service added all nine of the brilliant B-level horror films produced by Val Lewton between 1942 and 1946, and those are already gone. The Criterion Channel website lists the movies that will be expiring at the end of the month, so its easy to keep track of want to see before its gone. Another downside is that the Criterion Channel app isnt broadly available on smart TVs other than models that use the Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, or Roku operating systems. There are also apps for Android and iOS mobile devices, and for Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku media streamers. But when you want to manage your queue or change your account settings, its much better to log into your account using a web browser. You can sort the services entire collection by genre, year, title, director, or country, and theres a filter button that allows for even deeper sorting. If youre in the mood for a comedy, a kids film, an animated short, a Western, or a movie from Argentina or India, the website is the place to go. Add a movie to you watch list, and then bring up the app on your TV. On a usability level, the channel is every bit as good as the top three streaming services, with strong, clear picture quality, crisp sound, legible subtitles, and intuitive controls. The mobile app works great, too, and you can download content for offline viewing. The only slightly confusing element is that the Roku version comes up with three options, Search, Explore, and Library. It defaults to Explore, which essentially offers most of the new content and curated lists. Library is where youll find your queue and recently watched titles, but library seems like the wrong word for it. The bottom line With the demise of such streaming services as FilmStruck and We Are Colony, the Criterion Channel is one of the few video-on-demand services to offer a deep library of classic films, and it does so with an eye on film preservation and history (Fandor is another, though its more focused on indie films and its future is cloudy). If you love movies, or if you miss the days of DVD and Blu-ray discs and all the extras that come with them (but dont want to deal with the cost or storage requirements associated with that media), you will love the Criterion Channel. The City of Midland is recognizing today, Feb. 14, as Women's Voting Rights Day and celebrating the League of Women Voters of the Midland Area. The local chapter is celebrating 50 years this year, while at the same time, 2020 is the 100th anniversary of both the national chapter and the passing of the 19th Amendment, which gives all American citizens the right to vote. The League of Woman Voters, which is a nonpartisan civic organization, has spearheaded many efforts in its 50 years to not only advocate for voters' rights, but to enhance the education and participation of voters. The League believes active and engaged citizens, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, or political affiliation, are the hallmark of democracy. "It wasn't enough just to earn the right to vote, but it's to be an educated voter - that 100 years ago, the women who had been engaged in getting the passage (of the 19th Amendment) in the first place realized their work wasn't done. It takes an educated elector to make democracy, and that's what the league is all about," said Judy McDowell, secretary on the board for the chapter. McDowell said recognizing voters' rights is an opportunity to reflect and recommit to ensuring the vote for everyone. "It's important for us to realize and not take for granted the right that we have," she said. "I think sometimes we take things for granted and this is a time to stop and realize what people invested; what women invested to earn the right to vote and then how we have to continue to earn that right and to exercise that right." Recently, the local chapter hosted an event as part of its "Make Democracy Work" series, in which Midland County Clerk Ann Manary discussed changes in the Michigan election laws due to the passage of Proposal 3, which the chapter supported. The next event in the series will be hosted at 2 p.m. March 4 at the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library. The topic is about the 2020 census, which begins April 1. In addition to hosting public events, the chapter has spearheaded published non-partisan voter guides and election pamphlets, maintained the Vote411.org website, conducted candidate forums prior to local primary and general elections, and prompted the passage of ballot initiatives that reduce barriers to voting and increase vote count accuracy. To learn more about the League of Women Voters of the Midland Area, visit https://my.lwv.org/michigan/midland-area. The Irish Home Builders Association is proposing a shared equity scheme whereby the Government takes an equity stake in new homes with the first-time buyer effectively repaying the loan over a defined term. The Association, which is organising a series of workshops for politicians, says this will help buyers to bridge the gap between the restricted lending terms a bank can offer and the difficulties buyers are having saving a deposit. The Association (IHA), a Construction Industry Federation (CIF) body, is inviting all TDs and local politicians to a series of regional roadshows to inform politicians about the specific challenges preventing homebuilding in their areas. One take place on March 12 at Chartered Accountants Ireland office at 47/49 Pearse Street, Dublin on Thursday, March 12 (3.00-5.00pm) It says housing election promises will not be met unless the next Government addresses blockages in the system. SEE ALSO: More time needed at Naas pedestrian crossing Recent figures from the Central Statistics Office show that Naas and Celbridge areas are two of the top four eircode areas for house completions last year but the IHA said the 21,000 plus national completions last year wont meet demand for housing. The figures showed that two of the top four areas were in north Kildare. While a total of 1,901 new dwellings were completed within county Kildare last year, there were slightly more in the seven eircode areas, 2,109. The top area in the State, where 21,241 buildings were completed, was the W91 Naas area with 829. SEE ALSO: more Kildare stories Director of Housing, Planning and Development with CIF, James Benson said homebuilders face multiple barriers preventing them from building the numbers of homes people require. Housing was the key issue in the last election so its vital that whoever forms the next Government understand the challenges on the front-line of housing delivery in Ireland today. Planned workshops will provide the latest information on all housing and planning issues to ensure that companies are up to date with changes in legislation and regulation prior to engagement with statutory agencies. Chairman of the Irish Home Builders Association (IHBA) Neil Durkan said any homebuilder is welcome to attend the Irish Home Builders Association regional workshops and they will provide really valuable insights into the current issues blocking supply. We need a scheme to assist the first-time buyers to get on the property ladder. We believe a Shared Equity Scheme whereby the Government takes an equity stake in new homes with the first-time buyer effectively repaying the loan over a defined term. This will help buyers to bridge the gap between the restricted lending terms a bank can offer and the difficulties buyers are having saving a deposit. He said without a shared equity scheme many more people will be forced into long term rental and increase the numbers forced onto social housing lists. The clock is already ticking for the next Government, if they dont remove some of these barriers, housing supply will not increase and they will have to face an electorate that has lost patience with the system when it comes to housing. The IHBA workshops will include presentations and expert panel discussion including representatives from industry, Bank of Ireland the Office of Planning Regulator, Irish Water and ESB Networks. The workshops are open to members and non-members and will provide an opportunity for updates on the regulatory and economic environment affecting homebuilders. Each session will run through the technical issues of various topics from building regulations, planning & development, finance, utilities and construction and demolition waste. Read more: Consumer advocate criticizes bank for vaguely informing customers of data breach Fifth Third said in a statement published yesterday that about a hundred customers were affected by the cyber incident, but declined to give an exact number of employees involved in the suspected fraud scheme. The bank also confirmed that all customers whose data may have been accessed by the former employees are being notified, Cincinnati Enquirer reported. Last week we reached out to customers whose personal information was manually accessed by a small number of former employees and may have been shared with people outside of the bank as part of a fraud ring, Fifth Third said in its statement. To be clear, this was not a cybersecurity data breach event, but rather an orchestrated effort by a small group of employees to steal personal information. The employees involved in the breach have been fired and are under criminal investigation, Fifth Third said. The U.S. Space Force has tapped a top enlisted leader, the first for the newly-minted service. Chief of Space Operations Gen. John "Jay" Raymond named Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Roger Towberman as his senior enlisted adviser Thursday. Towberman, who will serve as the advisor to Raymond as well as Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett, will transfer to the Space Force next month, making him the second publicly named member of the military's sixth branch. His official rank is still being determined, as the Space Force has yet to name a rank structure, a defense official told Military.com. However, he may be given a new formal rank of "senior enlisted adviser;" following a policy shift in which Senior Enlisted Adviser to the Chairman was made its own rank last year. A swearing-in ceremony is expected in the coming weeks, according to a news release. Related: National Guard Generals: America Needs a Space Guard "Chief Towberman was my clear choice. He is a brilliant warrior who has leadership running through his veins," Raymond said in the release. "He is most passionate about taking care of the enlisted force and their families, and has a way of connecting with the force that is truly remarkable." According to his biography, Towberman, currently the command senior enlisted leader at U.S. Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, joined the Air Force in 1990. The 30-year airman previously completed assignments in military intelligence units, serving as the command chief master sergeant for the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing at Joint Base Langley Eustis, Virginia, and for the now-defunct 25th Air Force, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. (The 25th Air Force and 24th Air Force merged in October 2019 to become the 16th Air Force, specializing in information warfare). Towberman also served one year at the Pentagon between 2017 and 2018 as the senior enlisted adviser to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, his bio states. Towberman is now tasked with setting the tone and direction for the enlisted corps and addressing issues "regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, proper utilization, and progress of Space Force members and their families," the release states. "The men and women of the U.S. Space Force are getting one of the best leaders I've ever known," said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright. "My fellow Senior Enlisted Leaders and I are proud to welcome Chief Roger 'Toby' Towberman to the team as the first senior enlisted advisor of the Space Force. I've seen Toby achieve greatness with innovative leadership and unparalleled compassion for Airmen over the years, and I know he's the right person to help lead our newest branch." The Space Force, signed into law as the military's newest service just in December, still has a lot to sort out -- including uniforms, an official rank and what to call its members. Earlier this month, the Pentagon said it had begun crowdsourcing name ideas from individuals already assigned to the fledgling service -- nestled under the Department of the Air Force -- with a very simple question: What would you like to be called? The Air Force and Space Force on Thursday published another reminder, encouraging troops to submit their opinions -- this time providing a specific website for inputs. Common access card (CAC) holders with access to the Air Force Portal can submit their ideas online by Feb. 24 to the IdeaScale website, according to a release. Proposals "must be gender-neutral, distinctive and should emphasize a future-oriented military force," the announcement stressed. Also, the names should be "in good taste," it said. "Space Force officials will also be reaching out to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps space communities to offer military space professionals in other services the opportunity to submit ideas," officials said. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Read more: F-35s, Reaper Drones Would Be Cut in New Border Wall Funding Proposal Virginians take great pride in our states natural heritage, and rightfully so. From Blue Ridge mountain streams and forests to beaches and the Chesapeake Bay, we are never far from world-class outdoor recreation opportunities. Not only do these lands and waters enhance our quality of life, they also fuel the states economy. Conserving them is not only The Nature Conservancys mission, but also a core state government function. Gov. Ralph Northams proposed 2020-2022 biennial budget includes $733 million in new funding for the environment and is currently under consideration by the Virginia General Assemblys Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee and House Appropriations Committee. Their recommendations will be announced this Sunday, which means the time to weigh in is now. There is a lot at stake the governors proposed budget would scale up land conservation efforts, enhance water quality, support ongoing work by our conservation agencies and increase oyster restoration efforts. Colombo: The United States said Friday it would refuse entry to Sri Lanka's army chief over "credible" evidence of human rights violations in the bloody 2009 finale to the civil war. Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, whose appointment last year drew wide international criticism, will be ineligible to visit the United States, as will his immediate family, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. "The allegations of gross human rights violations against Shavendra Silva, documented by the United Nations and other organizations, are serious and credible," Pompeo said in a statement. "We urge the Sri Lankan government to promote human rights, hold accountable individuals responsible for war crimes and human rights violations, advance security sector reform, and uphold its other commitments to pursue justice and reconciliation," he said. Silva was the commanding officer of an army division in the island's northern war-zone in the final months of the military offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009. Rights groups say some 40,000 ethnic Tamils were killed in mass atrocities as government forces seized Sri Lanka's predominantly Tamil north. The United Nations, in a report into the allegations, said Silva played a major role in orchestrating war crimes. The 2009 offensive delivered a death blow to the Tamil Tigers, whose nearly four-decade campaign for a separate homeland had killed 100,000 people and was characterized by the rebels' bloody suicide attacks. Pompeo nonetheless said that the United States hoped to maintain security cooperation with Sri Lanka, which last year was rocked by Easter Sunday bombings by Islamist extremists. "We deeply value our partnership with the Sri Lankan government and the long-standing democratic tradition we share with the Sri Lankan people," Pompeo said. Sri Lanka's successive governments have resisted calls for an independent investigation into the conduct of troops during the final months of the conflict. Indian banks' loans rose 7.1% in the two weeks to January 31 from a year earlier, while deposits increased 9.9%, the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) weekly statistical supplement showed on Friday. Outstanding loans rose Rs 989.26 billion ($13.86 billion) to Rs 101.03 trillion in the fortnight to January 31. Non-food credit rose Rs 1.02 trillion to Rs 100.24 trillion, while food credit fell 32.02 billion rupees to Rs 788.99 billion. Bank deposits rose Rs 1.98 trillion rupees to Rs 133.24 trillion. San Francisco artist Sweet Cicely Daniher claims to see unicorns everywhere. They manifest in the frost of her beer glass; the smear of cream cheese on the bagel she ate for breakfast. After developing a lifelong passion for the mythical creatures, shes devoted an Instagram blog to everyday objects that look like them, even publishing a book of her photographic exploits. By trade, Daniher is a tattoo artist at Cyclops Tattoo on Valencia Street. But her love for unicorns is so great that she painted one onto her indigo 1972 Chevrolet G10 van which, for her, was a therapeutic act of defiance following her divorce from her former husband, who allegedly refused to allow her to do it six years ago. Since then, the van (dubbed the "Vanicorn") was featured in San Francisco Magazine and eventually caught the attention of Pixar. Thats where things get interesting. Two weeks ago, Daniher filed a lawsuit against the animation studio for copyright infringement, saying Pixar misled her after the company reportedly requested to rent her Vanicorn for a company outing. Now, a van she says is identical to her own will appear in the forthcoming animated film, Onward. According to court documents shared by the Hollywood Reporter, Jane Clausen, an employee of Pixar, inquired about the rental for a one day music festival/activity day for Pixar employees and families on Sept. 4, 2018. Your van would just be a show piece and not used in any way other than a visual prop, Clausen wrote to Daniher. Are you able to send me some additional photos of the van? Weve only seen the side, which just blew us away! Daniher agreed to rent the Vanicorn for a confidential sum of money. But eight months later, she noticed something strange. For the first time, Daniher watched the trailer for Onward, discovering the movie was about two blue elves, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, who are seeking a magical way to reunite with their dead father using the help of a van named Guinevere during their quest. In the colorfully phrased legal complaint, Daniher says Guinevere is a pilfered and unlawful duplication of her tremendously cool unicorn van, down to the very same year, make and model," not to mention the "flowing locks of hair from the unicorn, the flashes of lightning, and a general outer space and mythological visual milieu." She also expressed her anger on her personal Instagram account. Speaking on behalf of his client, attorney Conor Corcoran told SFGATE that the films producer, Kori Rae, called Daniher on June 3, 2019, to apologize for the misunderstanding. Rae apparently admitted Pixar intentionally did not tell her that they intended to use her van because, at the time, the film had not yet been given a title. For that reason, they believed they could not have Daniher sign a non-disclosure agreement, so they stuck with the rental paperwork. Via the legal complaint, Daniher says the contract she signed explicitly prohibits the use of any type of visual representation of the Vanicorn for any purpose other than the event itself. The following December, Corcoran registered the vehicle with the Copyright Office. Its unbelievable, he told SFGATE over the phone on Wednesday afternoon. She created that van to cathartically get out of a bad marriage, and Pixar took her van and created it into a vehicle for two boys to find their dead father. Were gonna have our day in court. Yesterday, Pixar wrapped up a cross-country promotional tour ahead of the release of Onward, using a real-life version of the van, Guinevere, for fans to pose with for a photo. When asked if he was aware of the tour, Corcoran responded, Yes, and theyre making my case for me, adding he hasnt heard back from any lawyers at Pixar yet. Onward stars Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Ali Wong and Octavia Spencer. The film will be released on Mar. 6. SFGATE reached out to Pixar for comment but did not hear back by time of publication. Amanda Bartlett is an SFGATE associate digital reporter. Email: amanda.bartlett@sfgate.com | Twitter: @byabartlett The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, has received a certificate of recognition for his development-oriented activities from the Voiceless Media and Consult at a ceremony in Accra. Presenting the Award to Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, which came with a Ghc40,000 personal Accident Insurance cover from the Best Assurance Company, Chief Akilu Sayibu of the *Voiceless Media and Consult* stated that it was time for the media to not only focus on publishing the negatives in state agencies and appointees but to also honour and recognize good leadership skills whenever the need be hence the Voiceless Media Awards. The Upper West Regional Minister, according to the *Voiceless Media,* is the only Regional Minister, who in the history of the Region has visited all the the 25 Paramount Chiefs of the area and constantly engages them in decisions pertaining to the peace, stability and development of the Region which has made the Region relatively peaceful. Chief Akilu disclosed further that during its monitoring of the Upper West Region, it came out that Dr. Hafiz has made it part of his duty to closely monitor all ongoing government projects in the Region to ensure value for money, quality execution and timely completion which the Voiceless Media described as very positive and laudable. A commitment and an elaborate operation to prevent the smuggling of fertilizer out of the Country through the Upper West Region by Dr. Hafiz led to bumper harvest in the Region as farmers in the area were able to use the fertilizer for their planting for food and jobs activities. Receiving the Award, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih thanked the Management of the Voiceless Media and Consult for the recognition given him and stated that it will spur him on to continue to do his best for his people. The Chief Director at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Develoment, Mr. Charles Dondieu, who is also from the Upper West Region, advised Public Servants to always perform their duties in the best way that they can to probably receive recognitions too in future. He added that the award of the Regional Minister who was not even aware that his performance was being monitored should encourage all to put in their best in all their endeavours. Present at the ceremony were members of the Voiceless Media team and some officials from the Local Government Ministry. World Famous Lover, the anthology romantic drama which features Vijay Devarakonda in the lead role, has finally hit the theatres today. The movie is written and directed by Kranthi Madhav, who is best known for Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju, the 2015-released movie. As per the reports, World Famous Lover revolves around four unique love stories. Popular actresses Rashi Khanna, Aishwarya Rajesh, Catherine Tresa, and Izabelle Leite, are appearing as the female leads in various segments of the film, while Vijay Devarakonda essays the male lead in all of them. The actor is appearing in three different get-ups in World Famous Lover and has sported a long-hair look for one of his characters. Here's what the audiences feel about Vijay Devarakonda's World Famous Lover. Have a look... Shiva Satyam @AsliShiva #WorldFamousLover is One Time Watch film, The film has heart but lack soul, 1st half is good but 2nd half screenplay is too weak. Acting wise Vijay ,Rashi & Aish have done Justice. This Film can't be compare with #ArjunReddy. It is 1/10 of it. "Average Fare". Sandeep Athreya @SandeepSpeakz . @TheDeverakonda nailed it as usual. Director #KranthiMadhav unleashed a new #VijayDevarakonda who treated us with three characters. #WorldFamousLover story has soul. Emotionally touching. Kothagudem episode is yet another highlight. @aishu_dil venkyreviews @venkyreviews #WorldFamousLover Overall strictly below average to average! VD and Aishwarya gave great performances. Senayya episode is done very well The biggest drawbacks are the 2nd half, weak songs, flat pace,and editing Will only appeal to one section of audience! rahul reddy N @itsmerahulreddy #WorldFamousLover Good first half, #VD and #aishwaryarajesh scenes are natural, Special mention to aishwarya Dubbing artist. #raashikanna Second half spoiled the feel,very good story with poor execution & Screenplay. Disappointed with Songs & bgm. Average movie. Powerstar Fans @Manish68635727 #WorldFamousLover Decent 1st half Good 2nd half A bit slow and lag. But movie is Good. Go with low expectations VD and Rashi @TheDeverakonda #VijayDevarakonda Also Read: World Famous Lover Movie Review: Vijay Devarakonda Shines In This Emotionally Exhausting Love Story! World Famous Lover Worldwide Pre-Release Business: Vijay Deverakonda Fails To Beat Dear Comrade Dublin, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Automotive Aftermarket Glass Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Laminated, Tempered), By Application (Sidelite, Backlite, Windscreen), By Vehicle Type, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global automotive aftermarket glass market size is anticipated to reach USD 3.91 billion by 2025 and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 3.8% over the forecast period. Rising demand for sidelites in the vehicles on account of increasing number of accidents is projected to fuel the growth. Tempered and laminated are the majorly used glass types in the automotive aftermarket. Tempered glass is used on account of its strength and low-cost and is largely utilized in sidelite and backlites. Sidelite held the largest market share in terms of volume, in 2018. The rising cases of road accidents are projected to drive the demand for automotive aftermarket glass in near future. Asia Pacific is anticipated to lead market growth on account of increasing number of vehicles and high frequency of road accidents, leading to increased demand for glass replacement. In July 2019, as per a survey conducted by the Thailand Health Promotion Foundation, in 2018; 20,169 deaths in the country were caused by road accidents. Out of all deaths, motorcycles accounted for 70% of the fatal crashes, cars for 14%, and remaining pedestrians. The top global automotive aftermarket glass market players, such as AGC, Inc.; Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd; Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd.; and Saint-Gobain are characterized by integration across the value chain from supplying raw materials to functioning as retailers or service providers. Companies such as AGC, Inc. and Saint-Gobain are the key manufacturers and suppliers of automotive glass globally. Growing utilization of glass in the automotive industry is compelling the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket suppliers to increase their production capacities to sustain their market share. For instance, in 2019, Saint-Gobain opened three glass facilities across the globe, the third one being in India, with an investment of 1,200 crores. Further key findings from the report suggest: Tempered glass segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of 3.2% in terms of volume over the forecast period, owing to incorporation of the product in the sidelite and backlite due to its high strength and characteristic of breaking into small pieces rather than large pieces Sidelite emerged as the largest application segment with a volume share of 34.2% in 2018 Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR of 4.1%, in terms of volume, over the forecast period, due to its increasing production across the globe, especially in Asia Pacific Asia Pacific was the largest regional segment, accounting for a revenue share of 53.3% in 2018, on account of increasing number of vehicles on roads with growing automotive aftermarket glass market for car rental services In July 2019, Corning Incorporated launched its new automotive glass solutions facility in China. The facility will be able to deliver the AutoGrade gorilla glass parts for automotive interiors directly to the automakers across the world Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope Chapter 2. Executive Summary 2.1. Segmental Outlook 2.2. Competitive Insights Chapter 3. Automotive Aftermarket Glass Market Variables, Trends & Scope 3.1. Market Outlook 3.2. Penetration and Growth Prospect Mapping 3.3. Industry Value Chain Analysis 3.4. Regulatory Framework 3.5. Market Dynamics 3.6. Case Study 3.7. Business Environment Analysis: Automotive Aftermarket Glass Market Chapter 4. Automotive Aftermarket Glass Market: Product Estimates & Trend Analysis 4.1. Product Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2018 & 2025 4.2. Tempered 4.3. Laminated Chapter 5. Automotive Aftermarket Glass Market: Application Estimates & Trend Analysis 5.1. Application Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2018 & 2025 5.2. Windscreen 5.3. Backlite 5.4. Sidelite 5.5. Other applications Chapter 6. Automotive Aftermarket Glass Market: Vehicle Type Estimates & Trend Analysis 6.1. Application Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2018 & 2025 6.2. Passenger Cars 6.3. Light Commercial Vehicles 6.4. Heavy Commercial Vehicles Chapter 7. Automotive Aftermarket Glass Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis Chapter 8. Competitive Analysis 8.1. Key Global Players & Recent Developments & Their Impact On The Industry 8.2. Vendor Landscape 8.3. Company Market Position Analysis Chapter 9. Company Profiles AGC Inc. Central Glass Co. Ltd. Corning Incorporated Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd Guardian Industries Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd. Saint-Gobain Taiwan Glass Ind Corp Vitro Xinyi Glass Holdings Co., Ltd. iecam Group For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nj922w About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. BOGOTA, Colombia When the leader of Venezuelas opposition landed in Caracas this week following a world tour meant to drum up support for regime change, his countrys authoritarian ruler handed him neither an arrest, which would have galvanized supporters, nor the chance for a heros welcome at the airport. Instead, President Nicolas Maduro appeared to greet his rival, Juan Guaido, with the same policy of slow strangulation that has drained the opposition of much of its momentum over the past year, cracking down on his movement enough to wear down its members, but without going so far as to spur the world to action. Moments before Mr. Guaido arrived, Mr. Maduros supporters attacked journalists who were there to cover his arrival, punching them and dragging at least one woman by the hair. Once Mr. Guaido landed, government backers chased him out of the airport, cutting off any plans he had to make a speech, and then attacked his car with traffic cones and at least one metal pole. And as Mr. Guaido slipped through, authorities arrested his uncle, accusing him, without presenting evidence, of bringing explosives into the country. Teach Tearmainn, Kildares only shelter for women and children escaping domestic violence said last week it was extremely concerning that candidates and political parties had failed to address the crisis of violence against women in Kildare in the run up to the recent General Election 2020. The shelter launched the #NoMoreExcuses2020, a National Manifesto for a Safe Ireland for All last Tuesday. Lorraine Rowan, Manager of Teach Tearmainn, said that it was difficult to understand how such an enormous issue, affecting so many women and children, could continue to be side-lined from political conversation. In their lifetime, at least one in three women in Ireland will experience abuse by a male partner, she said. Domestic homicides have outpaced gangland murders by almost two to one in the last three years. In Kildare in 2019, Teach Tearmainn provided support to 304 women and 62 children who were experiencing domestic violence and abuse. Teach Tearmainn accommodated 28 women and 43 children in Teach Tearmainns refuge. Due to a lack of refuge spaces, Teach Tearmainn were unable to accommodate 113 women and 138 children who requested refuge. The demands for domestic violence support services are mirrored across the country. In Ireland in 2018, over 1,600 children lived in a refuge with their mothers. In the same year, there were 3,256 unmet requests for refuge because the services were full an average of nine requests that had to be refused every day. Its extremely disappointing and worrying that this issue, which effects so many women and children in our own county, doesnt seem to even feature as we head closer to the polls, said Lorraine Rowan. But we continue to ignore this issue at our peril, she continued. A significant root cause of violence in our society is the knock-on effect of the extensive violence that happens in our homes. We have seen all political parties commit to addressing endemic social problems like homelessness, the health crisis, and violence in the streets. But, nobody is joining the dots, and acknowledging that actually, what we need to do first and foremost is make our homes safe and equal and end the gender-bias that feeds and excuses gender-based violence. The manifesto also calls for increased funding, capacity and training for the overloaded services, like Teach Tearmainn that respond to women first. It also highlights the intrinsic link between homelessness and domestic violence. Domestic abuse is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children. The Censor Board has recommended certain modifications in four pro-CAA advertisement films, including deletion of the word "Bangladesh" from one, after which the filmmaker has said she might consult her lawyers before incorporating the suggestions. In a letter to the producer and director of the films Sanghamitra Choudhury earlier this week, the CBFC (East) said the word "Bangladesh" be "cut or replaced", she told PTI. The filmmaker was also asked to replace the word "Hindu" with "Hindus from three neighbouring countries". Expressing "helplessness" over the delay in their release due to the objections raised by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Choudhury, also a BJP Mahila morcha leader, said a month and half had already lapsed since the series was made. "Much time has already been wasted before we could air the series on certain TV channels," she said. CBFC's regional officer Partha Ghosh, who signed the letter, was not available for comments. However, another CBFC source said the board did not intend to hold back the films but wanted to ensure that they fulfilled "all criteria" of the Censor Board before release. In the letter, changes were also suggested in the last part of a sentence in the first film of the series which says "CAA pass hoye gechhe" (the CAA has been passed) to "CAA howaye sabar subidha hoyechhe, amra sabai nagorik (the CAA has taken care of all of us. We all are Indian citizens). Insertion of a disclaimer was also recommended at the beginning of each of the films which should read-- according to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2020, "any person belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian community from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan, who entered into India on or before the 31st day of December, 2014, and who has been exempted by the Central government by or under section 3(2) C of the Passport (entry into India) Act, 1920... (serve) purposes of this act". Chaudhury said one of the films drives home the point that Muslims born in India or those whose parents were born here are citizens of the country. The other three films highlight the benefits of the new law, seek to clear misconceptions and clarify that furnishing any document is not mandatory for granting citizenship to the targeted beneficiaries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rhode Island Catholic priest says abortion worse than pedophilia; bishop responds Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Catholic bishop has responded to controversy surrounding a Rhode Island priest in his diocese who implied in a news interview that abortion is worse than pedophilia. The Rev. Richard Bucci of Sacred Heart Church in West Warwick spoke with NBC affiliate WJAR after declaring in a letter published in a newspaper that lawmakers who support abortion would be denied communion, and he called them out by name. The declaration also came in the form of a flier handed out to parishioners which stated that the lawmakers could not receive communion in "accord with the teaching of the Catholic Church for 2000 years." "In addition, they will not be allowed to act as witnesses to marriage, godparents, or lectors at weddings, funerals or any other church function," added the flier, according to the Providence Journal. In an interview with NBC affiliate WJAR about his actions, Bucci seemed to be responding to those who compare abortion and pedophilia when he said: We are not talking about any other moral issue, where some may make it a comparison between pedophilia and abortion. Pedophilia doesn't kill anyone and this does. Bucci also argued that the acceptance of abortion encourages other violence, adding that "once you say an innocent life isn't worthy of living ... then other life becomes meaningless." Bishop Thomas Tobin, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, issued a statement on Thursday in response to the Buccis comments in the news interview. Tobin began by stressing that it is never acceptable to underestimate the harm caused by sexual abuse of minors. Sexual abuse, wherever and whenever it occurs, causes long-lasting, sometimes permanent and devastating harm to the victims/survivors, their families and the entire community, the bishop said. Tobin went on to say that abortion is also a sinful, immoral act that destroys innocent unborn life and exploits vulnerable women. There are no circumstances, personal or political, that justify the termination of unborn children. The Catholic Church has been very clear and consistent in condemning the evil of abortion, he continued. The bishop concluded by calling on all parties to refrain from unhelpful, inflammatory rhetoric, and to reflect personally and prayerfully on the consequences of these grave matters. Bucci is one of a handful of Catholic clergy who have called for Catholic politicians to be denied communion whenever they advocate for pro-abortion policies. Last October, Father Robert E. Morey of Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Florence, South Carolina, denied former Vice President Joe Biden communion during a worship service. Holy Communion signifies we are one with God, each other and the Church, Morey told news outlet SC Now last year. Our actions should reflect that. Any public figure who advocates for abortion places himself or herself outside of Church teaching. Others, including the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, have been more critical of denying communion to politicians who advocate for abortion rights. Bishop [W. Francis] Malooly has consistently refrained from politicizing the Eucharist, and will continue to do so, said the Wilmington Diocese in a statement released last year. His preference, as with most bishops, is to interact with politicians individually who disagree with significant church teachings. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have found a way to link measurements made by a device integral to microchip fabrication and other industries directly to the recently redefined International System of Units (SI, the modern metric system). That traceability can greatly increase users' confidence in their measurements because the SI is now based entirely on fundamental constants of nature. The device, a dime-size disk called a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), is critically important to businesses that rely on precision control of the formation of thin films. Very thin: They range from micrometers (millionths of a meter) to a few tens of nanometers (billionths of a meter, or about 10,000 times thinner than a human hair) and are typically produced in a vacuum chamber by exposing a target surface to a meticulously regulated amount of chemical vapor that sticks to the surface and forms the film. The greater the exposure, the thicker the film. Thin films are essential components in electronic semiconductor devices, optical coatings for lenses, LEDs, solar cells, magnetic recording media for computing, and many other technologies. They are also employed in technologies that measure the concentration of microbial contaminants in air, pathogens in the water supply, and the number of microorganisms that attach themselves to biological surfaces in the course of infection. All those uses demand extremely accurate measurements of the film's thickness. Because that is difficult to measure directly, manufacturers frequently use QCMs, which have a valuable property: When an alternating current is applied to them, they vibrate at a resonant frequency unique to each disk and its mass. To determine exactly how much film material is being deposited, they place the a QCM disk in the vacuum chamber and measure its resonant frequency. Then the disk is exposed to a chemical vapor. The more vapor that adheres to the QCM, the greater its mass -- and the slower it vibrates. That change in frequency is a sensitive measure of the added mass. "But despite ubiquitous implementation of QCMs throughout industry and academia," said NIST physicist and lead researcher Corey Stambaugh, "a direct link to the SI unit of mass has not existed." The relationship between the SI unit of mass (the kilogram) and resonance frequency is assumed to be well characterized after decades of QCM measurements. But over the years, industry has made inquiries to NIST regarding the absolute mass accuracy of these frequency measurements. The new results presented by Stambaugh and colleagues are in large measure a response to those queries. advertisement "We expect that our findings will enable a new, higher level of assurance in QCM measurements by providing traceability to the new SI," said NIST physicist Joshua Pomeroy, who with Stambaugh and others report their findings today in the journal Metrologia. The redefinition of the SI units in May 2019 eliminated the previous metal prototype kilogram as a standard and instead defined the kilogram in terms of a quantum constant. In the new SI, mass at the kilogram level will be realized in the United States using that constant in NIST's Kibble balance. In the new SI, NIST They have also developed a standard instrument, called the electrostatic force balance (EFB), that provides extremely accurate measurement of masses in the milligram range and lower), which are directly linked to the SI by way of a quantum constant. The EFB provided the team with reference milligram sized-masses with a precision on the order of a fraction of a microgram (1/1,000,000th of 1 gram, or about one millionth the mass of an average paper clip). Stambaugh and colleagues carefully weighed an uncoated quartz disk, then suspended it in a vacuum chamber and measured its resonant frequency. About 0.5 meters (20 inches) below the disk was a furnace that heated a quantity of gold to 1480 C (2700 F). Gold vapor from the furnace rose and attached itself to the lower surface of the QCM, increasing its mass and thus slowing its resonant frequency. The scientists repeated the procedure at different time intervals and thus different amounts of mass accretion. was repeated at different time intervals. The researchers deposited gold vapor was over different time intervals and recorded the subsequent changes in resonant frequency. They weighed the disk again using the same EFB reference masses. This provided an accurate measurement of the change in mass, and thus provided an exact measure of the amount of gold deposited. In the course of the work, the team also performed a complete assessment of the uncertainties in the QCM measurements. They identified the most accurate mathematical method of correlating the addition of mass to the change in the QCM's resonant frequency. "This work provides a key step in a technique for traceably tracking -- and thus correcting for -- mass changes over time," said NIST physicist Zeina Kubarych. In that regard, the new findings could help improve the way mass is disseminated following the new SI definition. The new kilogram is "realized" -- converted from an abstract definition to a physical reality -- through highly controlled laboratory measurements in a vacuum chamber. But the working standards of the kilogram will be disseminated -- physically delivered to measurement-science laboratories -- in the form of metal masses in the open air. That means that water vapor and whatever else is in the air can adsorb onto the surface of a kilogram working standard, causing inaccurate measurement of its mass. Because humidity and air contaminants differ substantially around the world, measurements of a carefully calibrated mass standard can differ appreciably from place to place at the levels of accuracy needed for industrial and scientific metrology. If, however, a calibrated QCM were to accompany each standard, it could provide an accurate measure of the amount of material adsorbed in transit and at the destination, helping the labs to receive more accurate definitions of the new kilogram while taking environmental conditions into account. Hoping to scare Jewish voters and to corner Blue and White Chairman Benny Gantz, the Likud's election campaign recently linked Gantz's party to the Joint List, charging that the Arab party would lead Gantz by the nose in all matters pertaining to security. Gantz reacted immediately by taking aim at the Joint List, thus falling into Likud's trap. A novice in politics, Gantz lacks real experience in sophisticated political machinations. As a result, he has just lost his chance to form a government as well as to improve his position in negotiations to form a unity government. If there ever had been any chance of Gantz forming a minority government with the outside support of the Joint List, it is now dead and buried thanks to the tone-deaf remarks he made Feb. 11 at a political event in the Arab village of Biina. The Joint List won't be a part of my government, Gantz declared. My disagreements with its leadership on national and security matters alone are deep, difficult and irreconcilable. For emphasis, he reasserted, The Joint List wont be a part of my government. While the inclusion of the Joint List in a government headed by Gantz would be an unreasonable scenario under any circumstance, that he dared utter such unequivocally in public makes it difficult for Joint List members to recommend him to the president to form the next government. In Gantz's futile effort to defend against Likuds campaign, he failed to leave himself a feasible alternative. Some of the most recent polls indicate a slight rise in support for the Joint List, which is hoping to win 16 seats (three more than in the last elections, in September). This is not some imaginary scenario. It could make the center-left Blue and White with Labor-Gesher-Meretz a powerful, consolidated bloc bigger than the right wing. Gantz, however, terrified of the Likud campaign, has alienated the Joint List, preferring instead to rely on Avigdor Liberman, chair of Yisrael Beitenu. That will not be enough to get him the requisite 61 seats in any scenario. Also in Biina, Gantz tried to express reservations about the provision in President Donald Trumps deal of the century for the transfer of some Israeli Arab citizens, but ultimately did not disavow it entirely. No Israeli citizen, whether Jewish or Arab, will be forced to relocate to the territory of another state, he said. In other words, he did not reject the transfer of sovereignty over the Arab settlements in the Triangle and Wadi Ara to a future Palestinian state, but holds that anyone living in the affected areas could relocate to another Arab settlement in Israel if they so desired. The Joint List chair, Knesset member Ayman Odeh, refuses to accept this. Instead he has set a very high threshold, perhaps an unattainable threshold, for Gantz. If we dont hear Gantz make a very sharp statement in opposition to the idea of transfer and annexation, we will not recommend him under any circumstances, Odeh said in a Feb. 11 interview with Army Radio. What is he thinking? That were in his pocket? Of course, we arent. It turns out that even candidates for prime minister can be less than intelligent, the chair of Balad, Knesset member Mtanes Shehadeh, told Al-Monitor. This wise man got dragged in by the racist popular sentiment. He does not try to challenge the society by offering fresh ideas, nor does he suggest any alternative. Jewish voters realize that there is no difference between him and the Likud in any of the issues on the agenda. After the September elections, the three Knesset members from Balad, including Shehadeh, refused to recommend to President Reuven Rivlin that he grant Gantz the mandate to form a new government. In contrast, the other 10 members of the Joint List did recommend Gantz. Shehadeh stood his ground, despite pressure from Odeh and Knesset member Ahmad Tibi. This time, Gantz did all the work for us, said Shehadeh. It will be hard for our other partners [in the Joint List] to recommend him. Shehadeh went on to make clear that Balad would not agree to support a Gantz-Liberman government from outside the coalition. After all, Gantz says that he wants to form a Zionist government. While Gantz tries to protect himself against the Likud, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has moved to help the extremist right-wing Otzma Yehudit pass the electoral threshold. In the last elections, Netanyahu thought that the party's chances of passing the threshold were so slim that he called on right-wing voters not to support it, to avoid wasting their votes. For the upcoming elections, he is trying something new. Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Feb. 13 that Netanyahu has been in contact with Otzma Yehudit's leader, Itamar Ben-Gvir, through an emissary, Natan Eshel. According to the newspaper, Netanyahu will try to help Ben-Gvir pass the electoral threshold, but if that fails and a fourth round of elections is required, Ben-Gvir will not run. Ben-Gvir has not denied this. In an interview with Kan Reshet Bet, he said, I dont want to respond to what has been told to me behind closed doors. There is only one way forward for the right, and that is having Otzma Yehudit in the Knesset. It has also been reported that Netanyahu plans to approach the ultra-Orthodox Yahadut HaTorah to ask that the smaller Hasidic groups supporting it cast their votes for Otzma Yehudit to help it get past the electoral threshold and bring Netanyahus right-wing bloc closer to a 61-seat majority. Furthermore, he plans to approach the rabbinical leadership of the religious Zionist movement, with whom he has maintained contacts behind Yamina leader Naftali Bennetts back, to get them to openly instruct their followers to vote for Otzma Yehudit. Of course, Netanyahu would not say this himself. He would rather leave the dirty work of recommending a fascist, racist party to the rabbis of the religious Zionist movement. That is another element of the trap Netanyahu has set for Gantz. Netanyahu led Gantz to dismiss the Arab electorate off the cuff while simultaneously lending his support to a party that most Israelis once considered to be little more than a group of delusional right-wing extremists. The difference is that now, he is desperate for its votes. Bennett renounced Ben-Gvir on Feb. 12, stating publicly, I will not allow a man who shows such disdain for the country and who considers the IDF and police to be his enemies to enter the Knesset. In January, he said of Ben-Gvir, My party list will not include someone who has a photo of a man [Baruch Goldstein] who murdered 29 innocent people hanging in his living room. In contrast, Netanyahu has no problem helping these disciples of Rabbi Meir Kahane. Perhaps it is because in several of the past election campaigns he has convinced his Jewish electorate that Arabs are the enemy, while Jews who rejoiced over the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin are worthy coalition partners. It seems as if Gantz himself absorbed this general sentiment. In a single speech, he proved that he has little new to offer voters fed up with the way Netanyahu has been running the country. WILLIAMSPORT A Lock Haven area man has admitted in a social media chat he offered an individual he thought was a 12-year-old girl in Virginia $1,000 to have sex with him. Michael S. Grenninger, 37, made the admission Thursday when he pleaded guilty in U.S. Middle District Court to a charge of production of child pornography. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur said Grenninger in July 2017 engaged in chats with an undercover female Virginia state trooper he thought was 12-year-old Courtney. He offered to pay her $1,000 if he could travel to Virginia to have sex with her, the prosecutor said. There is evidence Grenninger made plans through chats to meet an 11-year-old girl in a New York orphanage, the prosecutor said. The Virginia trooper who posed as Courtney contacted state police in the Lock Haven area, who executed a search warrant at Grenningers Castanea Twp. home, MacArthur said. Multiple computer devices, more than 1,000 images of child pornography and multiple videos of Skype chats with minors were seized, he said. Grenninger initially was charged by state police in Clinton County. Those counts were withdrawn after the federal indictment. Excerpts from chat messages with minors were contained in the state police affidavit. Charges including possession of child pornography, enticement and transfer of obscene matter to a minor are to be dismissed at sentencing, the date of which has not been set. Grenninger, who remains detained, is facing up to 30 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set. 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. I read with interest the Feb. 11 Metro article about female editors in chief of law school journals, Women lead top 16 law school journals. When I began law school (1976!), the majority of my class was women. In my second year, the editor in chief of the law review and the head of moot court were women. And when I was managing editor in my third year, the editor in chief was a woman. All this, mind you, at the Catholic University of America, which is blessed by the pope. All this in a faith where women cant be ordained. Go figure! Of course Im nervous about getting infected, said Cai Yi, head of the division of pain management at Wuhan Central Hospital, the same hospital where Dr. Li had worked. But if we let ourselves be nervous, then what would happen to the people? Chinas president and Communist Party leader, Xi Jinping, has praised hospital workers in Hubei as heroes, and mobilized the country in a peoples war against the coronavirus. But hospital workers in Wuhan said they often felt frustrated and alone. Some have scrambled to buy protective gear with their own money, begged from friends, or relied on donations from other parts of China and abroad. Others have avoided eating and drinking for long stretches because going to the toilet meant discarding safety gowns that they would not be able to replace. Younger staff are assigned to the more critical cases, with the expectation that if they get sick they would be more likely to recover. Even as Chinese officials disclosed how many medical workers had been sickened and killed by the virus, key questions remain, experts said, including how the workers became infected and whether the rate of transmission was slowing. Such omissions could make it more difficult for other countries to assess and reduce their own risks. Clearly it would have been useful for other parts of China who are beginning to struggle with this outbreak as well for the rest of the world to have these types of data as soon as possible, said Malik Peiris, a virologist at the University of Hong Kong. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, said it is seeking more information about the time period and circumstances surrounding the infections of health care workers. Fear. Surprising moments of levity. Soul-crushing boredom. Life on the Diamond Princess, the cruise ship quarantined in a Japanese port with scores of cases of COVID-19, means experiencing all these things, according to interviews by The Associated Press with passengers and a growing stream of tweets and YouTube videos. At times theres an almost festive atmosphere, as when locals on Jet Skis buzz the ship, shouting greetings. Other times, theres a deep worry, like on the days when new cases of the illness are confirmed, pushing the total on the ship to 218the largest cluster of infections outside China. 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 days pass with petty frustrations and inconveniencestiny rooms, dirty sheets, boring foodand difficult work for the hundreds of crew members. With the number of illnesses increasing, theres also a nagging doubt about whether this kind of quarantine works. Some experts question if keeping about 3,500 passengers and crew in such close quarters might spread the viral disease, COVID-19. With another week or more of quarantine to come, the AP looks inside the vacation cruise thats gone seriously awry. The Good Even during the quarantine, it can seem like Cheryl, and Paul Molesky are still on vacation. The couple 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, on occasion, snow-capped Mount Fuji. We try to have an upbeat presentation and make sure that our attitude comes across that, were not hurt, were not in pain, were actually just enjoying ourselves, Paul Molesky, a 78-year-old potter, said in an interview. Its been very nice. There was the time a man came to the docks in a Spider-Man costume and played music for an hour and a half to the delight of the passengers. And the time, early in the quarantine, when eight people on Jet Skis cruised up, yelling out Welcome! and playing music. The passengers clapped and waved from their balconies. The ship, which has 17 decks, has upped its internet service, and Cheryl spends several hours each day answering emails and texts and editing their YouTube videos. Now that were here in quarantine, were getting so much attention. We never get that much attention at home, said 59-year-old Cheryl, a retired art and media teacher. Theres definite concern each time a new batch of confirmed cases is announced. But, Cheryl said, 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. The Bored Elsewhere on the ship, a Japanese man in his 30s 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. All I can do is to wait and tweet, he said. The ship has a sushi restaurant, Japanese style bath, and theater, but passengers are now mostly confined to their rooms. Many cabinsspread across decks with names such as Aloha, Dolphin, and Emeraldare as small as, if not smaller, than many hotel rooms. More affordable rooms on the ship are not much wider than a double bed and dont have much seating space aside from a desk chair, according to pictures posted on the ships website. The cheapest ones dont even have windows. Many balcony rooms 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 change their sheets, clean their bathrooms, and do their 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 is part of an elaborate delivery choreography: one masked and gloved crew member hands out the plates, another the silverware, while another crew checks off names and room numbers. 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 for about an hour each day, as long as they keep 2 yards (meters) apart. Passengers chat and wave to each other from their balconies. Passenger Matthew Smith has been compiling regular food reviews on Twitter and often details his attempts to get extra coffee. He tweeted that he feels while sitting in his room between meals, just like his cat, waiting for her daily serving of canned food. Is it time? Is it time? For the Japanese man on the ship, the food is one of the biggest reasons he wants to leave. I miss Japanese food. The Scared 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 stands before a camera. We are scared. We appeal to the Indian government and the United Nations to help ussegregate us urgently, a man identified as crew member Binay Kumar Sarkar says after removing his mask. We should be rescued immediately and reunited with our families before it is too late. Some of the crew members whove tested positive for the virus are the restaurant, bar, or housekeeping staff who most likely had contact with passengers until Feb. 5 when the first test results were released following which restaurants and bars were closed. Until the quarantine started, everything was business as usual, and everyone was freely moving around on board, so there are various possibilities of infection during that time, said Kazuho Taguchi, director of global health cooperation at the health ministry. Crew members still share rooms, as the number of cabins for them is limited, Taguchi said. One crew member, though, said he had been isolated in his six-foot by 10-foot (1.8 by 3-meter) cabin on the third deck near sea level for two days after he reported a sore throat. Everyone on the ship is scared. Many people are falling sick, and now the crews getting sick too, he said, requesting that his name not be used because the cruise line company has told workers not to post anything about the situation on the ship to social media. But while awaiting the results of a throat swab, he has been reading all the news he can find about the ship and responding to worried friends and family. Authorities in Japan say isolating people on board is the way to prevent the diseases spread; other experts say the measure could create more infection. More and more people are getting infected by people still in the incubation period or without symptoms while they are trapped on the ship, which is not good for disease prevention, Reiji Goto, a physician at the department of infectious diseases at Daiyukai General Hospital in Ichinomiya, told TBS television on Tuesday. A hospitalnot a shipis the best place to keep people quarantined, according to Tara Smith, a professor who researches infectious diseases at Kent State Universitys College of Public Health. The Diamond Princess may have already had environmental contamination when the quarantine began, which puts passengers and crew at risk of further transmission. I think this was done without a lot of thought to consequences of ongoing transmission within the ship and the mental health of the passengers, Smith said. For some, the fear might be worse than the virus. On Thursday, an Australian mother and daughter wearing face masks told Australias Nine Network television from a Japanese hospital that officials took them off the ship after the daughter tested positive for coronavirus. They put me in, like, a wheelchair, sort of, and put like a plasticalmost like a bubble around itand they were just wheeling me everywhere, the daughter, Bianca DSilva, a 20-year-old law student, said. Bianca 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 thats about it, honestly. By Foster Klug Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday led tributes to the 40 troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), who were killed after a suicide bomber rammed a car into a convoy carrying the paramilitary force personnel in Pulwama last year. India is marking the first anniversary of the Pulwama attack, the deadliest in decades on security forces in the region, by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) on February 14, 2019. The attack nearly sparked a full-blown conflict between India and Pakistan. India carried out an airstrike on February 26, 2019, on a terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan, which retaliated a day later. In a brief aerial dogfight, an Indian Air Force pilot was captured by Pakistan. He was released later. Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom, the Prime Minister tweeted. Modi was joined by Union home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh in remembering the CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama attack. I pay homage to the martyrs of Pulwama attack. India will forever be grateful of our bravehearts and their families who made supreme sacrifice for the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland. Remembering the fallen @crpfindia personnel who were martyred during the dastardly attack in Pulwama(J&K) on this day in 2019, Rajnath Singh also posted on Twitter. India will never forget their sacrifice. Entire nation stands united against terrorism and we are committed to continue our fight against this menace, Singh said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a supplementary chargesheet against four Jaish-e-Mohammad operatives including Sajjad Ahmad Khan, who was in direct touch with last years Pulwama attack mastermind Mudassir Khan, who is now dead. Others charged under terror charges by NIA on February 12 include Bilal Ahmad Mir, Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat and Mehraj-ud-Din Chopan. Mudassir Khan was one of the main conspirators in the Pulwama terror attack as well and was killed in an encounter with the police and security forces in Tral area of district Pulwama on March 10 last year, spokesperson Alok Mittal said. Sajjad was directly in touch with Mudassir Khan while Ishfaq was involved in the transportation of arms and ammunition for strengthening JeM in Kashmir and also harboured the operatives of JeM, Mittal added. The head of KBC Ireland says that bank does not have to slash its stock of bad loans to meet a directive set by European regulators, because the Irish arrears are part of a wider Belgian group which already beats the target. The bank also rejected suggestions made during the general election campaign that banks don't pay tax here. KBC Bank said its effective tax rate in Ireland is 51pc - including bank levy and corporation tax, despite it having so-called deferred tax assets that allow crash era losses to shield some profits from tax, the head of KBC Ireland, Peter Roebben, said. He admitted his bank's 16pc non-performing loan (NPL) ratio is increasingly out of step with Irish peers and with the push from European regulators to cut stocks of crash era bad loans to below the eurozone average - which is less than 5pc. Bank of Ireland and AIB have launched sales of non-performing home loans to meet that target. KBC Ireland has not, and Mr Roebben argued that the lower NPL ratio at Belgium-headquartered KBC Group allowed for that. He rejected the idea that the bank was under pressure to change tack. "So far our way of working though it organically has worked and been accepted," he said. KBC Group's NPL ratio is just 3.5pc - including the Irish mortgages. "So, we are well in line with the overall regulatory obligation," he said. Working through bad loans has proven a better option for KBC than sales but the option to sell non-performing home loans should remain in banks' "toolkits" for dealing with arrears, he said. "And then we have so far steered away from selling family homes to third parties. Our position today hasn't changed. But we've always said, look, we do believe that sale to investment funds has to be a legitimate part of the potential toolbox." KBC Ireland has previously sold portfolios of non-performing corporate and buy-to-let investment loans but not so-called primary dwelling home (PDH) mortgages. "Our approach has always been focused on restructuring, try to find a way to put people in a position that they can potentially return to a normal repayment scheme. "That's worked out quite well. If you look last year, we had 33m of write-back provisions that is reflecting people coming off restructurings. That benefits all parties, that's the best outcome you have," Mr Roebben said. But he said borrowers are entitled to expect their bank to seek to work with them when they fall into arrears, he said. "It has proven a good strategy for a substantial number of customers." KBC Bank Ireland has reported a net profit after tax and impairments of 32.3m for last year - down massively on the 162m in profit reported in 2018 due to a combination of factors, including losses on a portfolio sales, impairments and a higher bank levy. Mr Roebben said claims during the general election that banks paid no tax were incorrect. KBC Bank does have some deferred tax assets that can be used to reduce its tax bill, but not hugely, he said. "We paid 11.6m corporation tax last year, we paid 31.8m in bank levy. That puts our corporation tax figures at 51pc. That is, I think, quite a sizable contribution to the Treasury," he said. Meanwhile, the Irish retail bank issued 1.2bn in new mortgages last year - up almost a fifth on 2018 and the strongest year since the launch of its retail bank in 2013. Its share of the mortgage market here increased to 11.8pc in 2019 from 10.8pc the prior year. The bank's total number of customers increased 6pc to 303,000. Mr Roebben said KBC's retail banking engine - based on a predominantly digital offering supplement by hubs and call centres - is "humming very favourably". KBC was better placed to navigate the market between digital-only banks and traditional branch-led lenders, he said. New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Supreme Court order on Friday directing telecom companies to settle their AGR dues by March 16 will create uncertainty on their operational sustainability, especially on Vodafone Idea, which will push them to raise tariffs by 20-25% to remain afloat, Acuite Ratings & Research Limited has said. "The SC order directing the telecom companies to settle the pending AGR dues by March 17 puts further uncertainty on their operational sustainability, particularly that of Vodafone Idea. The latter's ability to pay an amount of over Rs 55,000 Cr by the stipulated date is uncertain given its current financial flexibility," said Suman Chowdhury, President, Acuite Ratings. Airtel needs to pay an amount of Rs, 35,500 crore while it has been able to raise funds in the recent past. "Acuite expects telecom tariffs to rise further by at least 20%-25% in the near to medium term to support the payments of such large dues to DoT," said Chowdhury. The telcos have already effected one round of tariff hike in December. The Supreme Court on Friday blasted telcos for not paying AGR dues and demanded that they pay "sizeable" dues by Friday. Vodafone-Idea, Airtel and other telcos owe Rs 1.47 lakh crore to the Department of Telecom. This is a big blow to the telcos, especially Vodafone Idea whose stocks slumped by 15% on the BSE. The court on Friday demanded that the telecom department withdraw its executive order overriding the court order to recover the dues. The latest directions may force Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel to part-pay their respective dues of over Rs 53,000 crore and Rs 35,500 crore immediately. Vodafone Idea had said its survival is in question if there is no relief from the Supreme Court. Vodafone Idea on Thursday reported widening of losses to Rs 6,438.8 crore in October-December 2019 against Rs 5,004.6 crore in the year-ago period as the AGR (adjusted gross revenue) dues-hit telco reeled under the impact of increased finance costs and higher depreciation of assets. Among the telcos, Bharti Airtel is best positioned at present to meet obligations after raising $3 billion through a combination of qualified institutional equity placement (QIP) and convertible bond offerings. Annie Hutton's family has celebrated their own Family Fun Day every summer since 2013, and photos from each year's event, packed full of her colourfully dressed extended family, cover the wall of a hallway in her Cranbrook home. Annie's son Chris is smiling in the 2013 photo, dressed in tie-dye, but he's noticeably absent from each subsequent year's photo. Last month, Steven Pirko was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 11 years for the 2014 killing of Chris Ausman. Annie was one of the dozens of family members who packed the Kelowna courtroom during sentencing proceedings. She's been back home in Cranbrook now for two weeks. In the six years since her son's death, she's finally looking forward to the future. I don't think I'll ever have closure. My son still doesn't come, she said from the same home Chris spent many of his formative years. That six years is gone now, and now it's time to start moving forward and doing other things in our lives. Will we still celebrate his birthday? Yes. Will we still mourn him on the day that he died? Yes. I've found since I've gotten back (from Kelowna), that I want to do stuff. I've got more energy, I've got more concentration. It gets better every day. Now we can heal. We can get our peace going again, she said. It is a release, but it's sad. Nobody won in this. We don't get our Chris back ... Three worlds collided that night, and three worlds blew up. Chris touched many people in his 32 years. More than 400 people packed into Cranbrook's Eagle's Hall for his celebration of life, with more outside. I can't believe it's been six years, it still hurts like it was yesterday, said Dallas Robinson, a close friend of Chris. You've taught me a lot in life and in death, and I will forever cherish that. A spirit like yours can never be lost. Chris's daughter Dylynn was just 10 years old when he was murdered. I'm glad I got to have a daughter with him and that we get to see bits and pieces of him in her, said Misty Couttie, Dylynn's mother. I got the best part of him. Reminiscing about Chris's childhood, Annie spoke about his passion for snowboarding, skateboarding and rollerblading, among other interests. He thought one day he was going to dance like Michael Jackson, when he was younger. I just let him have his dream, Annie said laughing, wiping tears from her eyes. It took six years for her son's killer to be sentenced, but Annie has nothing but praise for the police involved in the investigation, along with Victim Impact Services and Crown prosecutor David Grabavac. We would get impatient some times, but then I would tell (my family), especially when (Pirko) was arrested, that some families don't get that, she said. If you're going through what we have gone through, be patient. Annie says she now wakes up a little bit stronger every morning. I know that's what my Chris would want, for all of us, to have that strength come back again and to live our lives the best we can." Magen David Adom responds to the request by Chabad for protective gear for communities in China amid the coronavirus outbreak, February 2020. (JNS)-A shipment of medical supplies from Magen David Adom in Israel were delivered on Monday morning to Chabad in China to help prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus. At the request of Chabad, Magen David Adom sent in 2,000 face masks and 200 full-body protection kits. The latter includes special suits and masks, along with covers for shoes, hats and glasses in the event of contact with a person who may be sick. "Magen David Adom, as Israel's national EMS organization and the country's largest humanitarian organization, immediately responded to Chabad's request in China to help deal with the spread of the coronavirus in their country. MDA stand alongside the Israelis who are around the world and always ready to help," said MDA director general Eli Bin in a statement. The virus, 2019-nCov-more widely known as the novel coronavirus, which has caused the deaths of more than 360 people and sickened more than 17,000 across 25 countries as of Monday-has led to an unprecedented level of restriction on travel to and from China, the world's largest country and second-largest economy. The World Health Organization listed the outbreak of as a public health emergency of international concern on Jan. 30. Chabad, which runs centers in 12 cities in China, requested protective gear as they continue to operate in that country. "I thank the MDA director general and his representatives for their prompt help and response," said Rabbi Eliyahu Rosenberg, a Chabad emissary in Guangzhou, a port city northwest of Hong Kong. "From the moment the call was made to MDA, the treatment and responsiveness were extremely fast." Rosenberg said the materials will be distributed to Chabad centers, Jews and Israelis in China, along with "the Chinese people who are so helpful and supportive of us." Magen David Adom was not the only Jewish agency responding to calls for assistance. The nongovernmental organization IsraAid was sending a shipment of medical supplies to China on Monday, when the last flight from Tel Aviv to China flies before a travel ban from China goes into effect. The supplies were donated in conjunction with Israel-China Chamber of Commerce, Innovation, David Ashkenazi of ICCB Capital. "We are all very concerned about the spread of coronavirus, and we are grateful for all the courageous work done by Chinese medical teams," said IsraAid CEO Yotam Polizer in a statement. "It's important for us to do our part by sending relief supplies and sharing our expertise in the field of stress management and trauma reduction." DMG Events acknowledged at Roar Awards 2019 DMG Events has been awarded the distinction in operations and logistics award for their food and beverage sector show, Africa's Big 7, at the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO) Roar Awards 2019. The company organises shows such as SAITEX and the Hotel and Hospitality Show Africa. All these shows, including Africa's Big 7, are co-located as part of Africa Trade Week, which will take place in Johannesburg in June. On Sunday, accompanied by soldiers carrying automatic rifles, Mr. Bukele walked into the legislative chamber and occupied the chair of the bodys president, who did not attend. He bowed his head and prayed for three minutes. When he looked up, he informed the soldiers and the few deputies in attendance that he had been speaking with God, who lucky for them urged patience. He announced that he would give Congress a week to approve the loan. In a speech to his supporters outside, he said he would remove lawmakers from the legislature if he needed to. So theyre going to make us vote with a rifle to the head? said Leonardo Bonilla, an independent deputy who had supported many of Mr. Bukeles proposals and who was one of the few who attended the session. This isnt the way a democracy works. Mr. Bukele is banking on high approval ratings and the corruption accusations engulfing the opposition to eclipse warnings that he is trampling on institutional protections. He is also counting on Salvadorans to support his tough-on-crime approach to address one of the highest murder rates in the world, along with terrifying rates of sexual violence and disappearances. On Monday, El Salvadors Supreme Court suspended any acts resulting from the emergency session and ordered Mr. Bukele to refrain from using the military in ways that are unconstitutional and endanger the republican, democratic and representative system of government. The ruling, a courageous act that is possible because of several decades of slow democratic progress that have helped an independent judiciary take root, deserves to be applauded and supported from inside and outside El Salvador. It has been disappointing to see only mumbled remonstrance from foreign powers and international institutions that could curb Mr. Bukeles authoritarian plunge. The delegation of the European Union to El Salvador, expressing great concern, rightly invoked the importance of the rule of law, respect for political pluralism and separation of powers in its response, but then posited a false equivalency, calling on both the president and the Legislative Assembly to respect institutional independence. To be clear, it is not the Congress that has overstepped its bounds, it is President Bukele. Hydropower dams, which use flowing water to turn a series of turbines to generate electricity, provide a source of energy that doesn't rely on fossil fuels. But they also disrupt the flow of rivers, and impact the fish and people that live there. Scientists have been monitoring many environmental effects of dams, including how they affect a river's temperature -- and could potentially threaten the fish downstream. Researchers at the University of Washington were interested in studying how several hydropower dams affected the temperature of three major rivers in Southeast Asia's Mekong River basin. Since 2001, each river has seen the construction of at least one major dam, with more planned. The three rivers converge into the Mekong River, which people rely on for fish and irrigation for rice and other crops. Using 30 years of satellite data, the team discovered that within one year of the opening of a major dam, downstream river temperatures during the dry season dropped by up to 3.6 degrees F (2 degrees C). The cooling persisted where the rivers meet the Mekong River, which showed, at most, a 1.4 F (0.8 C) cooling. The researchers published their findings Feb. 13 in the journal Environmental Research Letters. The team is also speaking about related research Feb. 15 at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Seattle. "People have modeled how far they could see a cooling effect after a hydropower dam goes in. In the U.S., that cooling tends to be localized around the dam. But what we see in the Mekong is like, 'Wow!'" said senior author Faisal Hossain, a civil and environmental engineering professor at the UW. "Everything has happened very dramatically in the last 20 years. Lots and lots of dams were just suddenly coming on, left and right. And now we can see this cooling effect that is no longer localized, but continuing into the river system. We've never seen anything like it, to the best of our knowledge." The researchers used Landsat satellites to track changes in surface water temperature for the Sekong, Sesan and Srepok rivers. The satellites capture the heat, or infrared radiation, from the rivers. "With these data, we're looking at the temperature emissions from the rivers. It's like night vision: Warmer things give off more emissions, colder things give off less," said lead author Matthew Bonnema, a postdoctoral researcher at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who completed this research as a UW doctoral student in civil and environmental engineering. "These satellites have been predominantly used over land, not water, because you need to be looking at a big enough area. But there's almost 40 years of Landsat data that works great for large rivers that people are only recently starting to take advantage of." Using satellite data to monitor river temperature has a caveat: clouds block the satellites' view of the Earth. So the team could only monitor changes during the region's dry season. Still, the researchers were able to detect decreases in river temperature within a year after major dams on all three rivers came online. During dry season of 2001, the Sesan River had a 1.8 F (1 C) temperature drop, which corresponded with the completion of the Yali dam. Then, between 2008 and 2009, the temperature dropped by another 3.6 F (2 C) after two more dams -- the Sesan 4 and the Plei Krong -- were completed. Similarly, in 2009, the Srepok River cooled by 2.5 F (1.4 C) in the dry season after a network of four dams came online. And in 2015, the Sekong River temperature dropped 1.3 F (0.7 C) the year after the Xe Kaman dam was completed on the Xe Kaman River, a tributary to the Sekong. These rivers also had sensors that monitored river temperature year-round between 2004 and 2011. Before 2009, all three rivers had a similar temperature pattern: The water started to warm up at the beginning of the dry season, around November or October, and then cooled off once the wet season started in April or May. But after 2009, the Sesan and the Srepok rivers, which had major dams built during that time, stayed cool year-round. "At the beginning of the wet season, the dams start to have more water than they can store, so they're letting it go in a controlled way," Bonnema said. "As the wet season goes on they're like, 'OK, let's fill up the reservoir' and hold the water. Then when dry season comes, they have this big water supply that they let out over the course of the dry season. "If you look at the river flows after a dam goes in, you end up with more water in the dry season and less water in the wet season than before. The dry-season water also happens to be colder because it's pulled from deep within the reservoir. That brings the river temperature down closer to what it is in the wet season." The team investigated whether anything else might be driving these temperature drops, such as air temperature, precipitation or land use in the surrounding region. Precipitation stayed mostly the same over the 30-year period. The air temperature showed a slight warming trend. The land around the rivers had been deforested during that period, but researchers said that is often linked to water warming, not cooling. That points to the role of the dams. The Sekong, Sesan and Srepok rivers combine into one river, which eventually enters the Mekong River, a central feature of the Southeast Asian ecosystem. The team found that this infusion once warmed the Mekong so that the river was, at most, 0.72 F (0.4 C) warmer downstream of the confluence than it was upstream. But after 2001, the trend reversed, with the rivers now slightly cooling the Mekong River. The river is now up to 1.4 F (0.8 C) cooler -- not warmer -- downstream of the confluence. The cooler water could have an effect on the fish that live downstream, the researchers said. "They're going to keep building these dams," Bonnema said. "If you look at where new dams are planned in the 3S Basin, they're building closer and closer to the Mekong. These are also big dams, which means the impacts on the Mekong will likely be more significant -- these temperature changes are going to get more dramatic. So the question is how do we work with these dams to minimize their effect? My recommendation is that we slow down and think things through." ### Additional co-authors on the paper are Bart Nijssen, research professor in the civil and environmental engineering, and Gordon Holtgrieve, associate professor of aquatic and fishery sciences at the UW. This research was funded a NASA Earth System and Science fellowship, the NASA Water Applied Science Program and the National Science Foundation. For more information, contact Hossain at fhossain@uw.edu and Bonnema at matthew.g.bonnema@nasa.jpl.gov. Trump explained that he has "a very bad taste" of the U.S. intelligence community, because of the Russia investigation, so he turned to Giuliani. Emboldened after his impeachment acquittal, U.S. President Donald Trump now openly admits to sending his attorney Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine to find damaging information about his political opponents, even though he strongly denied it during the impeachment inquiry. The reversal came Thursday in a podcast interview Trump did with journalist Geraldo Rivera, who asked, "Was it strange to send Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine, your personal lawyer? Are you sorry you did that?" Trump responded, "No, not at all," and praised Giuliani's role as a "crime fighter," as reported by CNN. Read alsoU.S Senate acquits Trump of impeachment charges media "Here's my choice: I deal with the Comeys of the world, or I deal with Rudy," Trump said, referring to former FBI Director James Comey. Trump explained that he has "a very bad taste" of the U.S. intelligence community, because of the Russia investigation, so he turned to Giuliani. "So when you tell me, why did I use Rudy, and one of the things about Rudy, number one, he was the best prosecutor, you know, one of the best prosecutors, and the best mayor," Trump said. "But also, other presidents had them. FDR had a lawyer who was practically, you know, was totally involved with government. Eisenhower had a lawyer. They all had lawyers." Read alsoReuters: In wake of impeachment, U.S. senators to visit Ukraine Trump had previously denied that he sent Giuliani to Ukraine. Asked in November if he directed Giuliani to "do anything" in Ukraine, Trump said, "No, I didn't direct him," but went on to call Giuliani a "great corruption fighter." Giuliani says he's exposing legitimate corruption in Ukraine, even though his claims about former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden have been widely debunked. In the new interview, Trump defended the decision to "use" Giuliani, even though U.S. diplomats previously testified that Giuliani had undermined long-standing U.S. policy toward Ukraine. Giuliani was a central player in the scandal that got Trump impeached, though the President was acquitted by the Senate last week. Multiple witnesses described how Giuliani met with former Ukrainian officials in search of dirt against Joe and Hunter Biden. Other key players described how Giuliani and his allies pressured Ukraine to announce investigations into the Bidens. The orphanage, in a suburb of Port-au-Prince, is run by the Church of Bible Understanding, a group that describes itself as a small Christian fellowship with a presence in New York, Florida and California along with Pennsylvania, and an involvement in Haiti since 1977. The group did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent to its email address and left in a voice mail message at its office in Scranton, Pa. A woman who answered the phone at the groups office in Haiti declined to comment and did not identify herself. By Friday afternoon, dozens of people including former residents were on the grounds of the three-story orphanage, its upper stories darkened by smoke. The orphanages staff had been taken to a local police precinct for questioning, while the surviving children had been relocated to another orphanage. Gardy Charles, 36, who said he had spent 25 years at the orphanage, was among those who had stopped by. The whole country has been raised by this orphanage, he said of the generations of children who had lived there. According to its website, the group opened its first orphanage in Haiti about four decades ago with six children, and now runs two orphanages with about 150 children and supports others with weekly food deliveries. The residents of the orphanages range from infants to young adults, the group said. B oris Johnson is set to chair the first meeting of his new-look Cabinet after a dramatic reshuffle which saw Sajid Javid quit as chancellor. Several senior heads rolled as the Prime Minister recast his top ministerial team on Thursday. Mr Javid had been ordered to fire his closest aides and replace them with advisers chosen by Number 10. But the MP chose to quit instead and was replaced by his former deputy at the Treasury, Rishi Sunak, in the biggest shock of Mr Johnson's shake-up. Boris Johnson is set to chair the first meeting of his new-look Cabinet / Getty images Mr Javid accused the PM of setting conditions "any self-respecting minister" would reject - seen as a thinly veiled swipe at his successor. The bombshell - less than a month before the Budget - follows tensions between the ex-chancellor and the PM's chief adviser Dominic Cummings. In August, Mr Cummings fired Mr Javid's aide Sonia Khan and it appears Number 10 wanted to go further in keeping a closer eye on him. Sajid Javid quit as Chancellor after being told to sack his closest aides / AFP via Getty Images The move - viewed by critics as a power grab by Mr Cummings - means Britain is on to its third chancellor in a year. Downing Street refused to guarantee that next month's Budget would go ahead as scheduled. Ex-chancellor Sajid Javid blasts PMs conditions for staying in Cabinet A spokesman said only that "extensive preparations have already been carried out for the Budget and they will continue at pace". Mr Javid's departure came after Julian Smith was unceremoniously dumped as Northern Ireland secretary. Sacked: Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith / AFP via Getty Images He had just weeks ago brokered the deal that restored the power-sharing administration at Stormont. In other moves, Andrea Leadsom was sacked as business secretary and Theresa Villiers lost her job as environment secretary. Out: Andrea Leadsom / AFP via Getty Images Geoffrey Cox was removed from his post as attorney general and Esther McVey lost her role as housing minister, The total number of women attending Cabinet fell from eight to seven - while the total number of ministers attending shrank from 32 to 26. Along with the ministerial exits, the reshuffle included promotions for MPs who are highly rated by Number 10. Julian Smith sacked as Johnson's Cabinet reshuffle begins Alok Sharma was promoted from international development to become the new Business Secretary. He will also be minister for the COP26 UN climate summit, which is due to take place in Glasgow in November. Anne-Marie Trevelyan joined the Cabinet as International Development Secretary, having previously been a defence minister. Oliver Dowden became a full Cabinet member as Culture Secretary, having previously attended the meetings as paymaster general. George Eustice was promoted to Environment Secretary from his previous role in the same department. Brandon Lewis was appointed as Northern Ireland Secretary, and former Brexit minister Suella Braverman returned to the Government as Attorney General. Attorney General Suella Braverman leaves 10 Downing Street on Thursday / Getty images Former Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay has replaced Mr Sunak as Treasury Chief Secretary. Amanda Milling was made Conservative Party chairman - a role in which she will attend Cabinet as a minister without portfolio. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has honored the memory of Ukrainians who were killed during the war in Afghanistan, the press service of the head of state has reported. "On the eve of the Day of Commemoration of Combatants in Other States, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky paid tribute to Ukrainians who died during the war in Afghanistan," the report reads. It notes that the president took part in a ceremony held near the memorial to Ukrainian citizens who died in Afghanistan. Together with soldiers from a guard of honor, the head of state laid flowers at the sculpture in the memorial. Ukraine marks the Day of Commemoration of Combatants in Other States on February 15. op LONDON One dam would stretch some 300 miles from the coast of Scotland to Norway. The other, roughly 100 miles, would rise in the waters between northern France and Southeastern England. Together, the mammoth structures proposed by scientists would completely enclose the North Sea and offer protection for tens of millions of Europeans threatened by rising sea levels caused by climate change. The scientists behind the proposal, outlined in a paper published on Thursday in the American Journal of Meteorology, said that the scale of the project which exists only in the broadest outlines at this point reflected the urgency of the crisis. See this as a warning, said one of the authors, Sjoerd Groeskamp of the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research. What were saying is: Heres a plan, a plan we dont want. But if we end up needing it, then its technically and financially feasible. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov, who arrived in Ashgabat at the head of the high-level delegation. During the talks, the sides exchanged views on topical issues relating to development of mutually beneficial cooperation between Turkmenistan and St. Petersburg. The sides stressed that partnership experience gained over the past years and its potential create the necessary prerequisites for enhancing bilateral relations. This is evidenced by St. Petersburgs group of companies Vozrozhdenie that has implemented large-scale road construction projects in Turkmenistan. The sides singled out the promising sectors for interaction, including industrialization of the country, energy, shipbuilding, transport, digitalization of the economy, as well as science and high technology. In this regard, Alexander Beglov noted the interest of St. Petersburgs business community in strengthening their positions in the Turkmen market, enhancing investment activities and implementing joint projects. The sides also discussed cooperation between Turkmenistan and St. Petersburg in the humanitarian field, in particular through education and training of qualified personnel, science and culture. Touching on this topic, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Alexander Beglov spoke in favor of the further deepening of fruitful relations in this area that would strengthen the bonds of friendship between the peoples of the two countries. The sides also noted that in the year of the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory it is especially important to provide support to the veterans of the Great Patriotic War and preserve the historical memory. In this regard, the guest emphasized that Turkmen soldiers were among the defenders of the city on the Neva. Confirming their readiness to maintain active bilateral partnership in a wide range of areas, the head of state and his guest noted that such interaction meets the long-term mutual interests as well as the strategic course of interstate relations. TURKMENISTAN.RU, 2022 The final appeal by Cardinal George Pell against his child sex abuse convictions will be held by Australia's High Court on March 11-12, the court announced Friday. It is the final avenue for the 78-year-old -- who is serving a six-year sentence for sexually assaulting two choirboys in a Melbourne cathedral in the 1990s -- to get out of jail. The former Vatican treasurer, who once helped elect popes, was found guilty by a jury in December 2018 of five charges of abusing the choirboys when he was the archbishop of Melbourne. He was sentenced the following March and lost a first appeal in August in Victoria state's Court of Appeal in a landmark decision that saw the judges split in a 2-1 verdict. That division -- which saw two judges back the jury's verdict and the dissenting judge side with Pell -- is at the forefront of his latest bid to overturn the convictions. The case pitted the most senior convicted Catholic child molester against a former choirboy now in his 30s, who two of the judges found to be "very compelling" and someone who "was clearly not a liar, was not a fantasist and was a witness of truth". The third judge, however, found the victim's account "contained discrepancies" and there was a "significant possibility" Pell did not commit the offences. Court documents show his legal team are mounting two grounds of appeal, with the key argument being that the majority judges applied an "erroneous judicial method" in "upholding with the jury's verdict". The second contends there was not enough time for Pell to have molested the boys in the priests' sacristy during a five to six minute period after Sunday Mass ended and the area became a "hive of activity". The High Court receives about 500 appeal applications each year but only agrees to hear about 35. A spokesman said the High Court justices could announce a ruling on Pell's appeal at the end of the two-day hearing, or withhold judgement to a later date. During Pell's trial under a court-ordered veil of secrecy, the Vatican gradually removed him from top Church bodies with little explanation. Shortly after his conviction, Pell was removed from the so-called C9 Council of Cardinals that are effectively the Pope's cabinet and inner circle of advisers. The Vatican later dropped him as the church's finance chief but said it would avoid launching an investigation into his conduct until after all legal avenues are exhausted. Disgraced Catholic Cardinal George Pell was found guilty in 2018 of five charges of abusing choirboys when he was the archbishop of Melbourne President Trump would have no problem voting for a gay candidate for president, he told Fox News' Geraldo Rivera on Thursday. Rivera interviewed Trump for his podcast, Roadkill With Geraldo, and asked if he believes Americans would vote for a gay man to be president. One of the Democrats in the running this year is Pete Buttigieg, the openly gay former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. "I think so," Trump responded. "I think there would be some that wouldn't, and I wouldn't be among that group, to be honest with you. I think that it doesn't seem to be hurting Pete Buttigieg. But there would certainly be a group that probably wouldn't. But you and I would not be in that group." A Gallup poll released last year found that 76 percent of Americans would vote for a gay or lesbian presidential candidate, NBC News reports. This was a major shift from a few decades ago; in 1978, only 26 percent of respondents told Gallup they would vote for a gay or lesbian candidate. More stories from theweek.com The sidelining of Elizabeth Warren Everyone would fall for a Trump deepfake Giuliani claims he can 'prove' a 'Democratic scam' in Ukraine with iPad full of 'reports' he never actually shares Tributes have flooded in from the devastated family and friends of British backpacker Stephanie Simpson who was found dead in New Zealand on a hiking holiday. Ms Simpson, 32, from Essex, was reported missing on Monday after she failed to return from a weekend trek and her remains were found in a creek today at about 1.40pm. Police say they found her body in a canyon at the bottom of Pyke Creek, an area of Mount Aspiring National Park close to where she was last seen. The body of 32-year-old Stephanie Simpson, from Essex, has been found in the Mount Aspiring National Park in New Zealand, four days after she was reported missing Her grieving friends paid their tributes online. According to the Evening Standard, one close friend, Danny Kilbane wrote: 'We are all heartbroken and are going to struggle to come to terms with our loss. 'Steph you will be missed by all more than words can explain. RIP angel.' Her brother-in-law Sam Hazelton said she was an 'extremely determined and strong-willed person'. Another friend wrote: 'Stephanie was a bright light amongst many.' Officers were able to narrow down the search after a rescue worker in a helicopter spotted her pack and boots close to the creek earlier in the day. Miss Simpson had gone hiking in the national park and was last seen near Brewster's Hut on Saturday. She was reported missing Monday when she failed to turn up at her job in Wanaka (bottom right) on Monday. Her body was found close to the area where she was last seen Police Sergeant Mark Kirkwood said Miss Simpson had hiked up to a popular spot known as Brewster's Hut and was coming back down Mt Armstrong - where the hut sits - when she became disoriented. She is thought to have removed her pack and boots and gone into the water in Pyke Creek before being washed downstream, Stuff.co.nz reports. Her body was found in a canyon at the bottom of the stream in 'close proximity' to her pack, police added. The discovery came just hours after her family had arrived in the country to help with search efforts. The pack was spotted earlier in the day by a man in a helicopter, and the sighting was confirmed by reviewing drone footage from the previous day. Creeks in the area tend to swell in the afternoon, Kirkwood added, as ice from the mountaintops melts in the sun. This can create a stronger current meaning that previously safe areas become dangerous, perhaps explaining why she got into difficulties. An official cause of death has not been given, and the death has been referred to the coroner for further examination. Kirkwood urged people hiking alone to carry a locator beacon or a device that allows their movements to be tracked, and to keep it within reach at all times. He added: 'The search was extremely challenging at times, especially in consideration of the terrain, and the work of all involved is to be commended.' Miss Simpson's body was found in a canyon at the bottom of Pyke Creek, a riverbed close to Fantail Falls (file image) where she had told friends she would be hiking Sam Hazelton, Miss Simpson's brother-in-law, said she often went hiking at the weekend and had decided to take a working holiday in Wanaka because of the number of trails there Miss Simpson moved to New Zealand last year after travelling in Australia, and decided to base herself out of the town of Wanaka, where she worked for a gardening service to earn money whilst adventuring in the local area. Sam Hazelton, her brother-in-law, said she had chosen the region for its access to hiking trails, and that she would go hiking and camping most weekends. It is thought she was hiking alone when she went missing. Speaking to Sky News before her body was found, he described her as 'very competent and physically fit.' 'She is relatively experienced in outdoor activities and has already completed a number of hikes,' he said. 'She is such a fun-loving, kind, determined and adventurous woman, we are asking anyone who might know anything to please get in touch with police.' She was last in touch with relatives via a Whatsapp group on Thursday when she mentioned going for the hike, Mr Hazelton said. She also mentioned her plans to friends in Wanaka the following day, before heading straight to the national park after work. They say she planned to hike out to Fantail Falls and Brewster's Hut, before going to Blue Pools and then on to Makarora Valley. Police had launched a hunt for Miss Simpson using dogs, helicopters and drones following her disappearance, before finding her boots and pack on Friday (pictured, missing posters along the trail where she was last seen) The final time she was seen was on Saturday by fellow hikers near Brewster's Hut. She was reported missing by boss Doug Peddle on Monday morning after she failed to turn up for work. Police launched a search using helicopters, dogs and a drone with thermal imaging before tracking down her remains. The park on New Zealand's South Island is described by the country's Department of Conservation as a 'wonderful mixture of remote wilderness, high mountains and beautiful river valleys. 'It is a walker's paradise and a must for mountaineers.' Protesters on Thursday padlocked Malawis electoral commission offices in a new bid to force the panels chief to quit after a top court overturned last Mays presidential elections. The Constitutional Court on February 3 annulled results that declared President Peter Mutharika, who had a narrow lead, victor and lashed the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) for incompetence. The unprecedented verdict was triggered by the use of correction fluid on tally sheets the papers on which election overseers entered ballot counts. About 1,000 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, about 5,000 people braved the rain to march to the MEC offices. After chaining and padlocking its entrance, they handed the keys to an army officer. The protesters demanded the commissions chairwoman, Jane Ansah, step down. We are not stopping here until Jane Ansah resigns, Masauko Thawe, leader of the Blantyre protests, told AFP news agency. This is the MEC that we dont want because we cannot trust them. We need a new MEC which can operate to the expectations of all Malawians, Thawe said. 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 legislators this week that the correction fluid referred to by its commercial name of Tippex had been used only to correct results, not distort them. What happened in Malawi is quite significant. There needs to be a clean election, Alex Vines, head of Africa program at Chatham House, told Al Jazeera. Im not sure the current chair of the electoral commission has the confidence of the Malawian electorate to continue in that role, Vines added. 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. Iconic progressive Ruth Bader Ginsburg's feminist legacy is in jeopardy. It has to do with the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Here's the story. Since being taken over by new-era Democrats, Virginia has continued its hard tilt to the left by voting to ratify the ERA this past January. It takes 38 states to ratify an amendment before it is incorporated into the Constitution, and Virginia makes the 38th. But not so fast. There are several problems. First, Virginia, as well as several other states, have ratified the ERA decades after the time limit set by Congress for its national passage lapsed. Number two, since initially ratifying the ERA, four states have revoked their initial ratification. They are Idaho, Kentucky, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Since Article V of the Constitution is silent on whether or not a state can rescind its ratification, proponents of the ERA argue that once a state ratifies an amendment, it is ratified for good. That logic defies common sense. In any event, this is a question that will be left up to the courts and Congress to decide. The deadline for the ERA's passage was in 1979. Not to be deterred by such a technicality, Nancy Pelosi's House now has a plan to retroactively extend the deadline to complete the ratification process. This is the same-old, same-old leftist tactic Democrats use of moving the goalposts when losing. Republicans oppose this extension, saying it is unconstitutional. Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), the leading Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, said: "Congress does not have the constitutional authority to retroactively revive a failed constitutional amendment and subject citizens in all 50 states through the current political trend in just one state." Collins's argument makes sense, especially when you consider that a sizable proportion of today's population wasn't even alive when the initial states rushed pell-mell to pass the ERA. This is 2020, and the ground has shifted since then. Democrats are muddling the issue and using tortured logic to get the ERA into the Constitution. This where Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg comes in. Being true to her feminist instincts, she has often said it is important for the ERA to become the 28th Amendment to the Constitution. However, being true to the rule of law and common sense, RBG is also now saying that the deadline for the ERA has passed and that it cannot be retroactively extended. Here's her quote. I would like to see a new beginning. I'd like it [the ERA] to start over. There's too much controversy about latecomers Virginia long after the deadline passed 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, "We've changed our minds"? To rewrite an Equal Rights Amendment and to start the ratification process all over again would be mission: impossible. To many on the left, RBG's attitude spells the end of line for the ERA. Left-wing website Vox ran a story under the title "Ruth Bader Ginsburg probably just dealt a fatal blow to the Equal Rights Amendment." Probably so. Phyllis Schlafly, the woman who single-handily stalled the initial passage the ERA, is doubtless smiling at the irony of that. When RGB finally sails off into the sunset, she will be savaged by the progressive community. Although they are stifling their criticism of Ginsburg for now, they are still hopping mad inside at her for not stepping down when Barack Obama was president and the Democrats controlled the Senate. That would have ensured the appointment of a liberal justice for the Supreme Court as her replacement. But now, when she leaves the court, it's likely Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell will be the ones doing the selecting and confirming. To top that off, Ginsburg now further disappoints the left by following the law as it is written regarding the ERA. Will wonders never cease? Generated $124 million Net Revenue, up from $76 million in Q2 2020 Excluding portfolio restructuring charges in Q2 2020, Net Revenue up 13% Achieved Gross Margin of 34% Total Operating Expenses down 14% versus the prior quarter Adjusted EBITDA loss decreases to $92 million SMITHS FALLS, ON, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Canopy Growth Corporation ("Canopy Growth" or the "Company") (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019. All financial information in this press release is reported in millions of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 Financial Summary Gross revenue1 Net revenue Gross margin2 Adjusted EBITDA3 Free cash flow4 Reported $135.6 $123.8 34% $(91.7) $(359.6) % change vs. Q2 2020 15% 62% NM 41% 16% % change vs. Q3 2019 39% 49% 800 bps -23% -20% 1 Excludes the impact of other revenue adjustments in Q2 2020, which represent the Company's determination of returns and pricing adjustments. 2 Gross margin is before fair value impacts in cost of sale, and is a non-IFRS measure. See "Non-IFRS Measures" below. 3 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure. See "Non-IFRS Measures" below. 4 Free cash flow is defined as operating cash flow less capital expenditures, and is a non-IFRS measure. See "Non-IFRS Measures" below. Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 Corporate Financial Highlights Revenues : Reported Net Revenues increased 62% over Q2 2020, or 13% excluding the impact of portfolio restructuring charges. Gross Recreational B2B revenue increased 8% over prior quarter due, in part, to over 140 stores becoming active in the quarter and higher sales of premium dried flower and pre-roll joints. Our acquired businesses including Storz & Bickel and This Works also performed well, contributing to organic growth this quarter. : Reported Net Revenues increased 62% over Q2 2020, or 13% excluding the impact of portfolio restructuring charges. Gross Recreational B2B revenue increased 8% over prior quarter due, in part, to over 140 stores becoming active in the quarter and higher sales of premium dried flower and pre-roll joints. Our acquired businesses including Storz & Bickel and This Works also performed well, contributing to organic growth this quarter. Gross margin : Gross margin before fair value impacts was 34%. Gross margin performance in quarter benefited from lower period costs due to higher facility utilization : Gross margin before fair value impacts was 34%. Gross margin performance in quarter benefited from lower period costs due to higher facility utilization Operating expenses : Total operating expenses decreased 14% versus Q2 2020 primarily due to a $20 million reduction in G&A expenses and over $31 million lower stock-based compensation versus the prior quarter : Total operating expenses decreased 14% versus Q2 2020 primarily due to a reduction in G&A expenses and over lower stock-based compensation versus the prior quarter Adjusted EBITDA : Adjusted EBITDA loss of $92 million , a $64 million narrower loss versus Q2 2020 driven by higher sales, improved gross margins and lower operating expenses : Adjusted EBITDA loss of , a narrower loss versus Q2 2020 driven by higher sales, improved gross margins and lower operating expenses Cash Position: Gross cash balance was $2.3 billion , down from $2.7 billion in Q2 2020, reflecting the EBITDA loss, capital investments and M&A Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 Business & Operational Highlights Maintained leading market share in retail, at an estimated 22%, of the Canadian recreation market as we saw a strong demand for both premium and value priced dried flower and pre-rolled joints Continued market share gains and increase in the number of patients, to over 76,700, in the Canadian medical cannabis market Named David Klein as new Chief Executive Officer as new Chief Executive Officer Completed first shipments of cannabis-infused edible chocolates and JUJU Power 510 batteries in December 2019 Storz & Bickel expanded product line with launch of Crafty+ vaporizer in November 2019 Announced initial line of First & Free Hemp-derived CBD products and began sales online through www.firstandfree.com, one quarter ahead of Q4 2020 target "In Q3 we executed across Canada, in our international markets and in our strategic acquisitions to drive revenue growth," said David Klein, CEO. "We have a lot of work to do. We are eager to capitalize on the opportunity to create an unassailable position through a tight focus on the consumer and on critical markets." "We delivered significant gross improvement in the third quarter driven by stronger revenues and higher capacity utilization. Actions taken earlier this year are expected to meaningfully reduce stock-based compensation in FY21, and we have started to implement tighter cost controls across the organization," said Mike Lee, EVP & CFO. "We plan to take further steps to reduce our costs and right-size our business to ensure that we can generate a healthy margin profile and cash generation in the coming years." Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 Financial and Operational Review Q3 2020 Q2 2020 % Change Q3 2019 % Change Canadian recreational cannabis - Business to business1 $53.5 $49.4 8% $60.1 -11% - Business to consumer $15.2 $13.1 16% $11.5 32% Canadian medical cannabis $14.8 $14.1 5% $15.9 -7% Canadian cannabis $83.5 $76.6 9% $87.5 -5% International medical cannabis $18.7 $18.1 3% $2.7 593% Cannabis gross revenue excluding other revenue adjustments $102.2 $94.7 8% $90.2 13% Other revenue $33.4 $23.6 42% $7.5 345% Gross revenue excluding other revenue adjustments $135.6 $118.3 15% $97.7 39% Other revenue adjustments2 $- $32.7 -100% $- NM Excise taxes3 $11.8 $9.0 31% $14.7 -20% Net revenue $123.8 $76.6 62% $83.0 49% 1 Excludes the impact of other revenue adjustments. 2 Other revenue adjustments represent the Company's determination of returns and pricing adjustments. 3 Excise taxes is presented net of the impact from other revenue adjustments. Canadian Cannabis Recreational B2B sales increased 8% over Q2 2020, due to over 140 stores becoming active in the quarter and higher sales of premium dried flower and pre-roll joints Recreational B2C sales increased 16% over prior quarter, due in part to an 11% increase in same store sales Medical sales increased 5% over the prior quarter primarily attributable to the broadening of our brand and product offerings, including the availability of products from additional CraftGrow partners, as well as an increase in number of customers to over 76,700. International Cannabis C3 revenue increased 5% over Q2 2020 Germany cannabis sales higher than expected due to opportunistic sales into the German market to fill a supply gap that resulted from a regulatory enforced sales halt of cannabis products offered by another vendor Strategic Acquisitions Storz & Bickel vaporizer revenue increased 46% over Q2 2020 due to solid organic growth and seasonal sales This Works revenue increased 42% over prior quarter due to strong organic growth Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 Cannabis Product Revenue Highlights Q3 2020 Q2 2020 % Change Q3 2019 % Change Canadian recreational - Business to business Dry cannabis $55.8 $47.4 18% $39.3 42% Cannabis oil and softgels excluding other revenue adjustments $3.0 $2.0 50% $20.8 -86% Other revenue adjustments1 $(5.3) $(32.7) -84% $- NM $53.5 $16.7 220% $60.1 -11% Canadian recreational - Business to consumer Dry cannabis $13.5 $11.6 16% $10.9 24% Cannabis oil and softgels $1.7 $1.5 13% $0.6 183% $15.2 $13.1 16% $11.5 32% Canadian medical Dry cannabis $5.3 $5.5 -4% $8.1 -35% Cannabis oil and softgels $9.5 $8.6 10% $7.8 22% $14.8 $14.1 5% $15.9 -7% International medical Dry cannabis $3.9 $4.1 -5% $2.7 44% Cannabis oil and softgels $14.8 $14.0 6% $- NM $18.7 $18.1 3% $2.7 593% 1 Other revenue adjustments represent the Company's determination of returns and pricing adjustments. Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 Adjusted EBITDA Q3 2020 Q2 2020 % Change Q3 2019 % Change Adjusted EBITDA1 $(91.7) $(155.7) 41% $(74.8) -23% Attributed as follows: - Operations and corporate overhead $(44.4) $(109.0) 59% $(52.8) 16% - Strategic investments and business development $(39.1) $(36.2) -8% $(8.9) -339% - Non-operating or under-utilized facilities $(8.2) $(10.5) 22% $(13.1) 37% 1 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure. See "Non-IFRS Measures" below. Non-IFRS Measures Gross margin percentage, before fair value impacts in cost of sales, a non-IFRS measure, is a key operational metric that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. This measure is calculated as net revenue less inventory production costs expensed to cost of sales, divided by net revenue, and may be computed from the consolidated statements of operations presented within this news release. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-IFRS measure, is a key operational metric that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, fair value changes and other non-cash items, and further adjusted to remove acquisition-related costs. The Company attributes Adjusted EBITDA to its operations and corporate overhead, strategic investments and business developments, and non-operating or under-utilized facilities. The Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation is presented within this news release and explained in Management's Discussion & Analysis under "Adjusted EBITDA (Non-IFRS Measure)", a copy of which will be filed on SEDAR. Free Cash Flow, a non-IFRS measure, is a key operational metric that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. This measure is calculated as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less purchases and deposits of property, plant and equipment. Transition to U.S. GAAP Reporting As part of our U.S. financial reporting requirements, Canopy Growth confirmed that, as of September 30, 2019, it no longer met the criteria for qualification as a foreign private issuer because (1) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are held by residents of the United States, and (2) the majority of Canopy Growth's directors are United States citizens. Therefore, as of April 1, 2020 Canopy Growth will be considered a United States domestic issuer and a large accelerated filer. As a result of this change, as of April 1, 2020, Canopy Growth will be required to prepare its consolidated financial statements, including the Company's March 31, 2020 audited annual consolidated financial statements, in conformity with United States generally accounting principles, with such change being applied retrospectively. The extent of the impact of this change in accounting framework has not yet been quantified. Canopy Growth will also be required to provide an auditor attestation report under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. This press release is intended to be read in conjunction with the Company's Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements ("Financial Statements) and Management Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A) for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2019, which will be filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and will be available at www.canopygrowth.com. The basis of financial reporting in the Financial Statements and MD&A is in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Webcast and Conference Call Information The Company will host a conference call and audio webcast with David Klein, CEO and Mike Lee, CFO at 10:00 AM Eastern Time on February 14, 2020. Webcast Information A live audio webcast will be available at: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2171215/8311836AC24F7988B042B4BB0FA5622A Replay Information A replay of the call will be accessible by webcast, until 11:59 PM ET on May 14, 2020, at https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2171215/8311836AC24F7988B042B4BB0FA5622A About Canopy Growth Corporation Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED,NYSE:CGC) is a world-leading diversified cannabis, hemp and cannabis device company, offering distinct brands and curated cannabis varieties in dried, oil and Softgel capsule forms, as well as medical devices through the Company's subsidiary, Storz & Bickel GMbH & Co. KG. From product and process innovation to market execution, Canopy Growth is driven by a passion for leadership and a commitment to building a world-class cannabis company one product, site and country at a time. The Company has operations in over a dozen countries across five continents. The Company's medical division, Spectrum Therapeutics is proudly dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners, conducting robust clinical research, and furthering the public's understanding of cannabis, and has devoted millions of dollars toward cutting edge, commercializable research and IP development. Spectrum Therapeutics sells a range of full-spectrum products using its colour-coded classification Spectrum system as well as single cannabinoid Dronabinol under the brand Bionorica Ethics. The Company operates retail stores across Canada under its award-winning Tweed and Tokyo Smoke banners. Tweed is a globally recognized cannabis brand which has built a large and loyal following by focusing on quality products and meaningful customer relationships. From our historic public listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange to our continued international expansion, pride in advancing shareholder value through leadership is engrained in all we do at Canopy Growth. Canopy Growth has established partnerships with leading sector names including cannabis icons Snoop Dogg and Seth Rogen, breeding legends DNA Genetics and Green House Seeds, and Fortune 500 alcohol leader Constellation Brands, to name but a few. Canopy Growth operates eleven licensed cannabis production sites with over 5.2 million square feet of production capacity, including over one million square feet of GMP certified production space. For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "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" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Canopy Growth or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. Examples of such statements include statements with respect to the Company's expectations with respect to future harvests, the Company's expectation for additional finished inventory available for sale in future quarters, bringing CBD products to market by the end of fiscal 2020, the accelerated market expansion for Acreage, the anticipated benefits of the rebranding of Spectrum Therapeutics on the Company's market share, the potential opportunity for cannabis products in Europe and the anticipated Increase in Canadian and Danish product availability, the anticipated increased sales from Storz & Bickel, the expectation that facilities will be fully operational in the months ahead, the launch of new CBD consumer products and brands in fiscal 2020, the timing for implementation of the transaction with Acreage. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including changes in laws, regulations and guidelines; compliance with laws; international laws; operational, regulatory and other risks; execution of business strategy; management of growth; difficulty to forecast; reliance on licences; risks inherent in an agricultural business; contracts with provincial and territorial governments; constraints on marketing products; risks inherent in acquisitions and investments; expansion into foreign jurisdictions; governmental regulations; cannabis is a controlled substance in the United States; Farm Bill risks; assumptions as to the ability of the parties to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms, the necessary regulatory and court approvals for the transaction with Acreage; and such risks contained in the Company's management information circular of the Company dated May 17, 2019 and in the annual information form dated June 24, 2019 and filed with Canadian securities regulators and available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information and 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 information or forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws. CANOPY GROWTH CORPORATION CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION UNAUDITED December 31, March 31, (Expressed in CDN $000's) 2019 2019 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,561,664 $ 2,480,830 Marketable securities 705,921 2,034,133 Amounts receivable 108,822 106,974 Biological assets 59,107 78,975 Inventory 622,575 262,105 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 114,637 107,123 3,172,726 5,070,140 Investments in equity method investees 123,077 112,385 Other financial assets 351,952 363,427 Property, plant and equipment 1,725,333 1,096,340 Intangible assets 567,185 519,556 Goodwill 2,068,696 1,544,055 Other long-term assets 37,073 25,902 $ 8,046,042 $ 8,731,805 Liabilities Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 225,181 $ 226,533 Current portion of long-term debt 21,652 103,716 Other current liabilities 171,476 81,414 418,309 411,663 Long-term debt 536,107 842,259 Deferred tax liability 65,733 96,031 Share repurchase credit liability 1,301,322 - Other long-term liabilities 194,737 140,404 2,516,208 1,490,357 Shareholders' equity Share capital 6,359,643 6,026,618 Other reserves 2,768,725 1,673,472 Accumulated other comprehensive income (45,904) 28,630 Deficit (3,826,095) (777,087) Equity attributable to Canopy Growth Corporation 5,256,369 6,951,633 Non-controlling interests 273,465 289,815 Total equity 5,529,834 7,241,448 $ 8,046,042 $ 8,731,805 CANOPY GROWTH CORPORATION CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018 UNAUDITED Three months ended Nine months ended December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31, (Expressed in CDN $000's except share amounts) 2019 2018 2019 2018 (Restated - see note 2(d)) (Restated - see note 2(d)) Revenue $135,546 $97,703 $324,558 $146,946 Excise taxes 11,782 14,655 33,699 14,655 Net revenue 123,764 83,048 290,859 132,291 Inventory production costs expensed to cost of sales 81,953 61,329 241,456 90,358 Gross margin before the undernoted 41,811 21,719 49,403 41,933 Fair value changes in biological assets included in inventory sold and other charges 60,546 28,105 175,765 105,989 Unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets (78,964) (22,267) (300,303) (90,500) Gross margin 60,229 15,881 173,941 26,444 Sales and marketing 62,104 48,324 171,814 107,199 Research and development 20,795 5,264 41,191 7,964 General and administration 67,385 46,088 217,517 102,777 Acquisition-related costs 3,256 4,520 19,000 9,606 Share-based compensation expense 56,763 40,062 217,611 108,159 Share-based compensation expense related to acquisition milestones 4,916 23,849 24,311 81,674 Depreciation and amortization 16,530 5,015 42,953 11,640 Operating expenses 231,749 173,122 734,397 429,019 Loss from operations (171,520) (157,241) (560,456) (402,575) Loss on extinguishment of warrants - - (1,176,350) - Other income (expense), net 24,903 233,142 (51,759) 54,445 Total other income (expense), net 24,903 233,142 (1,228,109) 54,445 (Loss) income before income taxes (146,617) 75,901 (1,788,565) (348,130) Income tax recovery (expense) 22,451 (1,041) 8,611 1,398 Net (loss) income $(124,166) $74,860 $(1,779,954) $(346,732) Net (loss) income attributable to: Canopy Growth Corporation $(120,969) $67,582 $(1,778,208) $(349,831) Non-controlling interests (3,197) 7,278 (1,746) 3,099 $(124,166) $74,860 $(1,779,954) $(346,732) (Loss) earnings per share, basic Net (loss) income per share, basic: $(0.35) $0.22 $(5.13) $(1.45) Weighted average number of outstanding common shares: 348,530,622 303,281,549 346,877,660 241,806,351 Loss per share, diluted Net loss per share, diluted: $(0.35) $(0.38) $(5.13) $(1.45) Weighted average number of outstanding common shares, diluted: 348,530,622 315,974,639 346,877,660 242,044,821 CANOPY GROWTH CORPORATION CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018 UNAUDITED December 31, December 31, (Expressed in CDN $000's) 2019 2018 Net inflow (outflow) of cash related to the following activities: Operating Net loss $ (1,779,954) $ (346,732) Adjustments for: Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 57,926 15,703 Amortization of intangible assets 26,680 7,869 Share of loss on equity investments 6,668 9,021 Fair value changes in biological assets included in inventory sold and other charges 175,765 105,989 Unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets (300,303) (90,500) Share-based compensation 241,922 194,686 Other assets - (16,908) Loss on extinguishment of warrants 1,176,350 - Other income and expense 93,162 (44,476) Income tax recovery (8,611) (1,398) Non-cash foreign currency (3,945) 1,394 Changes in non-cash operating working capital items (233,918) (129,547) Net cash used in operating activities (548,258) (294,899) Investing Purchases and deposits of property, plant and equipment (610,858) (495,236) Purchases of intangible assets (7,800) (40,140) Redemption (purchase) of marketable securities, net 1,324,682 (802,247) Investments in equity method investees (4,719) (27,201) Investments in other financial assets (46,647) (74,071) Premium paid for Acreage Call Option (395,190) - Net cash outflow on acquisition of non-controlling interests - (1,996) Net cash outflow on acquisition of subsidiaries (511,080) (344,472) Payment of acquisition related liabilities (29,837) - Net cash used in investing activities (281,449) (1,785,363) Financing Payment of share issue costs (245) (18,617) Proceeds from issuance of common shares and warrants - 5,072,500 Proceeds from issuance of shares by Canopy Rivers 1,062 91,218 Proceeds from exercise of stock options 39,149 28,730 Proceeds from exercise of warrants 446 18,684 Issuance of long-term debt 10,268 600,000 Payment of long-term debt issue costs - (16,380) Payment of interest on long-term debt (13,738) - Repayment of lease obligations (9,331) (2,728) Repayment of long-term debt (112,705) (3,499) Net cash (used) provided by financing activities (85,094) 5,769,908 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (4,365) 103,664 Net cash (outflow) inflow (919,166) 3,793,310 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 2,480,830 322,560 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 1,561,664 $ 4,115,870 Adjusted EBITDA1 Non-IFRS Measure Three months ended (In CDN$000's) December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Adjusted EBITDA1 Reconciliation Loss from operations - as reported $ (171,520) $ (157,241) IFRS fair value accounting related to biological assets and inventory Fair value changes in biological assets included in inventory sold and other charges 60,546 28,105 Unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets (78,964) (22,267) (18,418) 5,838 Share-based compensation expense (per statements of cash flows) 61,679 64,179 Acquisition-related costs 3,256 4,520 Depreciation and amortization (per statements of cash flows) 33,342 7,890 98,277 76,589 Adjusted EBITDA $ (91,661) $ (74,814) Nine months ended (In CDN$000's) December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Adjusted EBITDA1 Reconciliation Loss from operations - as reported $ (560,456) $ (402,575) IFRS fair value accounting related to biological assets and inventory Fair value changes in biological assets included in inventory sold and other charges 175,765 105,989 Unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets (300,303) (90,500) (124,538) 15,489 Share-based compensation expense (per statements of cash flows) 241,922 194,686 Acquisition-related costs 19,000 9,606 Depreciation and amortization (per statements of cash flows) 84,606 23,572 345,528 227,864 Adjusted EBITDA $ (339,466) $ (159,222) 1 Adjusted EBITDA is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, fair value changes and other non-cash items, and further adjusted to remove acquisition-related costs. SOURCE Canopy Growth Corporation Related Links canopygrowth.com The Sindh High Court in Pakistan has upheld the death sentence of nine terrorists for carrying out an attack on security forces in 2004 in which 10 people, including six army personnel, were killed. An anti-terrorism court had awarded the death penalties to 11 suspected militants in February, 2006. But all of them had appealed against the verdict. When the case came up for hearing on Friday in Karachi before a 10-member bench of the Sindh High Court, it upheld the death sentence awarded to nine accused in the attack on the convoy of a top commander near the Clifton Bridge in Karachi. Ten people, including six army personnel and three policemen, were killed in the attack carried out by a banned militant outfit. The court upheld the death sentences of nine convicts and acquitted two accused in the attack. Taliban Commander Nek Muhammad who had allegedly masterminded the deadly attack was killed in 2004 in North Waziristan during a military operation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) San Francisco Mayor London Breed revealed intimate details about her relationship with embattled former Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru on Friday, whom she said she's known for over two decades. Breed disclosed the details in a post on Medium, more than two weeks after FBI agents arrested Nuru in connection with a public corruption probe. According to Breed, she wrote the post to be transparent with the public and to dispel any rumors about their close relationship. "Mohammed Nuru and I have been close personal friends for more than 20 years. We dated for a brief time, two decades ago, long before I ever ran for office," she said. Breed said when she learned that federal prosecutors had charged Nuru with services wire fraud, as well as lying to the FBI, she felt, "shock, sadness, disappointment and anger." "To be clear: I have never asked Mohammed Nuru to do anything improper, and he never asked me to do anything improper. I was not aware of the schemes alleged by the FBI until shortly before they became public, and when I was informed, I immediately reported the information to our city attorney," she said. Breed also revealed that last year, she received gifts from Nuru, worth about $5,600, which she said would be listed in her annual "Statement of Economic Interests," due on April 1. The gifts stem from when Nuru, acting as her friend, helped her fix her 18-year-old car last year, and when the car still didn't work properly, he helped her secure a rental car. She said because Nuru was a personal friend, the gifts are not required to be reported under the California Fair Political Practice Commission's rules. "But since I have not yet been able to sell the car--and given all that has now happened--I have chosen to make this voluntary disclosure," she said. "I realize that my close friendship to someone accused of something so serious will undoubtedly affect my life, and maybe even my life's work. "It is part of the reason this hurts so much," she said. "I will not apologize for dating someone two decades ago. I will not apologize for remaining close friends with him and his family. But neither will I make excuses for his misdeeds." She added, "I have no doubt that some will seek to exploit what I have shared here, to harm me politically. I, and others, may be weighed down from guilt by association as a result of this episode." Breed said for now, she's focusing on the independent investigation she called for by the City Attorney and the Controller's Office, as they look into city contracts with Public Works or any other city departments possibly involved in the alleged schemes described by federal prosecutors. Prosecutors allege Nuru, along with Lefty O'Doul's restaurant owner Nick Bovis, attempted to bribe a San Francisco International Airport commissioner for help to obtain a restaurant concession. Although Nuru and Bovis have both been charged for that alleged scheme, prosecutors also allege Nuru engaged in four more corrupt schemes in 2018 and 2019 and that Bovis participated in two of them. However, those alleged schemes never came to fruition. On Monday, Nuru announced his resignation as Public Work Director. Acting Director Alaric Degrafinried has already been appointed to take his place at the department. 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. Early-career researchers living and working in Bangladesh, Guatemala, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Yemen have been recognized for their work in engineering, innovation and technology Seattle, February 14, 2020 - Five researchers have been named winners of the 2020 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World for their research in engineering, innovation and technology. The winning scholars from Bangladesh, Guatemala, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Yemen are being recognized for their diverse accomplishments in engineering, innovation & technology. The prize also acknowledges the scientists' commitment to leading and mentoring young scientists, and to improving lives and livelihoods in their communities and regions. "Recognition and visibility are important aspects of a scientific career," said OWSD President Jennifer Thomson. "OWSD is proud and happy to be able to give these inspiring women scientists the recognition they deserve: for their outstanding science, their commitment to building a better world and their persistence in often challenging circumstances." The five winning researchers are: Susana Arrechea of the University San Carlos of Guatemala; in chemical engineering and nanotechnology; of the University San Carlos of Guatemala; in chemical engineering and nanotechnology; Champika Ellawalla Kankanamge of the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka; in environmental engineering; of the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka; in environmental engineering; Chao Mbogo of Kenya Methodist University; in computer science; of Kenya Methodist University; in computer science; Samia Subrina of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology; in electronic engineering and nanotechnology; and of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology; in electronic engineering and nanotechnology; and Fathiah Zakham of Hodeidah University in Yemen; in bioengineering and microbiology. "Over the past seven years, OWSD and the Elsevier Foundation have celebrated a breathtaking array of innovative research coming from high achieving women scientists working in some of the most resource constrained circumstances. Our 2020 winners continue to address crucial UN Sustainable Development Goals with inspiring results. "From preserving river ecosystems, to tapping nanotechnology for innovative environmental interventions, designing rapid, early stage turbuculosis diagnostics, and training the next generation of computer programmers," added Prof. Thomson. First awarded in 2013, the awards are given in partnership by OWSD and the Elsevier Foundation. OWSD chairs a panel of distinguished scientists to select the winners, and the Elsevier Foundation supports a prize for each winner of USD $5,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the annual AAAS Meeting (American Association for the Advancement of Science) in Seattle, February 12-16, 2020. The five winners will be honored on February 15 at a special breakfast ceremony during the AAAS Meeting. Past OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award winners have been received by their country's presidents and celebrated by local, national and international media. They have received other prestigious awards and fellowships including the L'OREAL-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowships and the British Council Award. Notes for editors The awards ceremony will take place February 15, 2020 during the Minority and Women Scientists and Engineers Networking Breakfast from 7:00-9:00 AM PST in Seattle at the AAAS Annual Meeting (American Association for the Advancement of Science). Journalists wishing to attend the ceremony may contact Domiziana Francescon at d.francescon@elsevier.com">d.francescon@elsevier.com. The 2020 winners are: Susana Arrechea, Guatemala in Chemical engineering and nanotechnology : For her work on the potential industrial and environmental applications of materials such as nanoparticles, nanotubes, and graphene, which can be employed in creating more sustainable building materials, in water treatment, and in solar devices and other renewable energy solutions. "Winning the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award means showing to my baby daughter and to other young Guatemalans that scientific research can be done and recognized worldwide regardless of gender, origin of birth, or where you grew up," said Dr. Arrechea. "This award encourages me to keep doing research in Guatemala." in : For her work on the potential industrial and environmental applications of materials such as nanoparticles, nanotubes, and graphene, which can be employed in creating more sustainable building materials, in water treatment, and in solar devices and other renewable energy solutions. "Winning the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award means showing to my baby daughter and to other young Guatemalans that scientific research can be done and recognized worldwide regardless of gender, origin of birth, or where you grew up," said Dr. Arrechea. "This award encourages me to keep doing research in Guatemala." Champika Ellawalla Kankanamge, Sri Lanka in Environmental engineering: For her research on aquatic ecosystem conservation and pollution control. Her work contributes to the control of invasive aquatic plants in river ecosystems and the prevention of ecosystem degradation, by restoring shade and encouraging the natural resistance of other native plants in the ecosystem to the invasive species. "Receiving this prestigious award proved to me that my efforts were valued and my work has been recognized," said Dr. Ellawalla Kankanamge. "It will help me to continue and also to encourage young girls in advancement of their career." in For her research on aquatic ecosystem conservation and pollution control. Her work contributes to the control of invasive aquatic plants in river ecosystems and the prevention of ecosystem degradation, by restoring shade and encouraging the natural resistance of other native plants in the ecosystem to the invasive species. "Receiving this prestigious award proved to me that my efforts were valued and my work has been recognized," said Dr. Ellawalla Kankanamge. "It will help me to continue and also to encourage young girls in advancement of their career." Chao Mbogo, Kenya in Computer science : For her work designing techniques to support students in resource-constrained environments to learn computer programming using mobile devices. Her research finds ways to circumvent limitations such as small screens and small keypads, that make it difficult for students to use mobile phones for programming in areas where computers are not easily available. "This Award is a testament that designing technological tools that support learners is important and timely work, especially for students in developing countries who may not have much access to information or opportunities," said Dr. Mbogo. "This award has acted as a strong reminder to me to never stop holding the ladder up for others." in : For her work designing techniques to support students in resource-constrained environments to learn computer programming using mobile devices. Her research finds ways to circumvent limitations such as small screens and small keypads, that make it difficult for students to use mobile phones for programming in areas where computers are not easily available. "This Award is a testament that designing technological tools that support learners is important and timely work, especially for students in developing countries who may not have much access to information or opportunities," said Dr. Mbogo. "This award has acted as a strong reminder to me to never stop holding the ladder up for others." Samia Subrina, Bangladesh in Electronic engineering and nanotechnology : For her research on thermal and electronic transport in nanoscale materials and the applications of these materials in nanoscale devices. Her work has the potential to extend the lifespan and reduce degradation in such devices by preventing overheating, supporting the development of new technologies such as low-power nanoelectronics, high-efficiency solar cells, and thermoelectric power generators. "This prestigious award is not only recognition and a driving force for my work," said Dr. Subrina. "It is also an inspiration for my fellow mates in the journey to ensure equity in STEM in the developing world." in : For her research on thermal and electronic transport in nanoscale materials and the applications of these materials in nanoscale devices. Her work has the potential to extend the lifespan and reduce degradation in such devices by preventing overheating, supporting the development of new technologies such as low-power nanoelectronics, high-efficiency solar cells, and thermoelectric power generators. "This prestigious award is not only recognition and a driving force for my work," said Dr. Subrina. "It is also an inspiration for my fellow mates in the journey to ensure equity in STEM in the developing world." Fathiah Zakham, Yemen inBioengineering and microbiology: For her work using biotechnology and bioengineering to develop rapid, accurate and cheap tools for the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis and other emerging infectious diseases. Her research is contributing to earlier diagnosis and better surveillance of these diseases in areas with poor infrastructure. "As a Yemeni female scientist, receiving this award will motivate me to continue my research," said Dr. Zakham. "This award is an excellent and important initiative to promote the role of women scientists in their local communities, despite the hardship that they face." Reference sheets for each award winner with a more extensive biography and description of their work are available upon request. ### About OWSD The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) provides research training, career development and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world. Headed by eminent women scientists from the South, OWSD has more than 9,000 members and runs various programmes, including a PhD fellowship programme with over 270 successful graduates from Least Developed Countries and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as an Early Career fellowship programme providing research grants of up to USD$50,000 in addition to leadership training. OWSD is the first international forum to unite women scientists from the developing world with the objective of strengthening their role in the development process and promoting their representation in scientific and technological leadership. OWSD is affiliated with The World Academy of Science (TWAS), a programme unit of UNESCO, and is based in Trieste, Italy, with national chapters throughout the developing world. http://www.owsd.net/">http://www.owsd.net About The Elsevier Foundation The Elsevier Foundation provides grants to knowledge centered institutions around the world, with a sustainability focus on innovations in health information, diversity in STM, research in developing countries and technology for development. Since 2006, the Foundation has awarded more than 100 grants worth millions of dollars to non-profit organizations working in these fields. Through gift-matching, the Foundation also supports the efforts of Elsevier employees to play a positive role in their local and global communities. The Elsevier Foundation is a corporate not-for-profit 501(c)(3), funded by Elsevier, a global information analytics business. http://www.elsevierfoundation.org About Elsevier Elsevier is a global information analytics business that helps scientists and clinicians to find new answers, reshape human knowledge, and tackle the most urgent human crises. For 140 years, we have partnered with the research world to curate and verify scientific knowledge. Today, we're committed to bringing that rigor to a new generation of platforms. Elsevier provides digital solutions and tools in the areas of strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, and professional education; including ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciVal, ClinicalKey and Sherpath. Elsevier publishes over 2,500 digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell, 39,000 e-book titles and many iconic reference works, including Gray's Anatomy. Elsevier is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. http://www.elsevier.com Media contacts Domiziana Francescon, Program Officer Elsevier Foundation +31 6 102 159 01 d.francescon@elsevier.com Erin Johnson, Communications Officer OWSD +39 040 2240 387 ejohnson@owsd.net Comment: Drug deaths are not inevitable but stopping them will take bold action In 2005, Scotland and Glasgow in particular was notoriously violent. Knife crime hit horrifying levels. There were 137 homicides in 2004-05, prompting a United Nations report to conclude that Scotland was the most violent country in the developed world. More than 1,000 people a year required treatment for facial trauma alone, many of them as a result of violence. The World Health Organisation dubbed Glasgow the murder capital of Europe. Traditional policing responses were not working, so Karyn McCluskey, principal analyst for Strathclyde Police, included a blunt recommendation in her report on the violence: Do something different. Thats exactly what they did. Scotlands Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) was inspired by a similar project in Chicago. Recognising the parallels between the spread of violence and disease contagion, their pioneering public health approach addresses the causes rather than the symptoms. The drivers for violence, they recognised, were often outside the scope of policing poverty, inequality, toxic masculinity, alcohol use. Working in schools, communities, hospitals, prisons, and workplaces, VRU projects run from educating young people to social enterprises that offer work to people with convictions. They have a firm emphasis on prevention. By 2018-19, the number of homicides in Scotland was down to 61, down 55 per cent from those shocking 15-year-old statistics. No longer notorious for its knife crime, Glasgows violence reduction model is now renowned for taking great strides to tackle a seemingly intractable problem. As knife crime in England and Wales reaches record levels, Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida Dick, London mayor Sadiq Khan and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have all turned to the VRU for advice. Yet in 2020, Scotland and Glasgow in particular has again found itself notorious. Drug-related deaths are at horrifying levels. Last year, the number of people who died reached 1,187, marking a massive 27 per cent increase on the year before, and the highest number since records began in 1996. Scotlands rate of drug-related deaths is now worse than any EU country, according to official statistics. Later this month, experts from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will converge on Glasgow to discuss how to work together to best prevent deaths related to drug misuse. Despite some controversy between the UK and Scottish governments at the outset with Scottish public health minister Joe FitzPatrick issuing a statement saying he was very surprised that the UK Government announced a summit in Glasgow without any consultation with the Scottish Government and Glasgow and the Scottish Government scheduling its own drugs conference for the day before this gathering is a chance to get to grips with a very real public health emergency. It will host ministers, drug recovery experts, health professionals, senior police officers the people with the levers of power to enact solutions. Again, traditional policing responses are not working so, as Karyn McCluskey did in response to the knife crime epidemic in 2005, I urge them to do something different. They must think radically and globally to tackle an issue that blights our communities and takes the lives of far too many of our citizens. It is easy to feel hopeless at the scale of the problem. As with violence, we know drug use is linked to a slew of complicated societal problems. From physical and mental health issues, to poverty and inequality, homelessness, family breakdowns these are some of the most difficult issues we face as a nation. But it would be an unforgivable mistake to hold back from doing something, just because we cant immediately fix everything. Following the work of the VRU, murders in Scotland are at their lowest level since the 70s. For anyone who might doubt it, its an emphatic reminder that evidence-based policy can, and does, change real-world outcomes. We must again learn from the best solutions to be found in the international community. The Scottish Government has already shown support for the introduction of supervised drug consumption rooms (SDCRs), in which addicts can inject under medical supervision. In several countries, including Denmark and Canada, these initiatives have dramatically reduced drug-related deaths. Addicts who overdose in Danish drug consumption rooms rarely die, because a nurse will swiftly administer an antidote and call an ambulance. By providing clean needles, they also decrease the spread of disease and, importantly, they are a gateway to rehabilitation services. For the wider community, they are also a win removing needles and other drug paraphernalia from their streets and parks. The international evidence is there, and yet the Home Office continues to block the NHS application to open a facility in Glasgow. The UK Governments arguments against it have included contending that it didnt have health benefits, would be too hard to police, and it would support the illegal drug market. All are crumbling in the face of robust global studies. If we truly care about reducing harm, there is no reason for continued opposition to SDCRs. But, lets be honest here, drug addicts are not a group for whom our society is overflowing with sympathy. If you can view people as just junkies, it makes them a lot easier to overlook in favour of upstanding citizens who dont want that kind of facility in their area or city. SDCRs would be a start, but given the scale of the challenge, it is surely time to think bigger. In the 80s, one in every 100 people in Portugal was battling heroin addiction. The country was plagued with overdose deaths, high rates of HIV infection and drug-related crime. In 2001, the country took the bold decision to decriminalise the possession and consumption of all illegal drugs. The policy freed a broad range of services to get to grips with the health, housing, employment and other issues fuelling addiction. It was followed by dramatic drops in problematic drug use, HIV and hepatitis infection rates, overdose deaths, drug-related crime and incarceration rates. Portugal has, understandably, become a lodestar for advocates of the harm reduction school of thought. The countrys success goes beyond a change in the law, to a cultural shift in which the broader society accepts that it is both ethical and effective to treat peoples problems, rather than treating them as a problem. The success of the VRU came from their belief that violence is preventable, not inevitable. We must learn to believe the same is true of our current crisis of drug-related deaths. After Thursdays Cabinet bloodbath, and the unexpected resignation of the Chancellor, I have a slight sense of foreboding. This Government is more tempestuous and unstable than Id like it to be. Theres no denying that in the past few weeks Boris Johnson has shown himself admirably and, to me, somewhat unexpectedly decisive on a number of difficult issues. HS2 has finally been given the go-ahead. To President Trumps fury, the controversial Chinese company Huawei will be allowed a restricted role in the UKs 5G mobile network. Right or wrong, the PM made up his mind. Dominic Cummings, pictured, ordered the removal of Sajid Javid from the second highest political post in the land because he wanted to clip the wings of the Treasury and seemingly nursed a private vendetta This week's cabinet reshuffle has left the Government more unstable than I would like But recent stormy events provide an insight into a No10 that is less calm and ordered than it should be. Ive no doubt the man responsible is Dominic Cummings, Mr Johnsons chief adviser, and surely the second most powerful man in the kingdom. The Boris I used to know quite well, and have studied over the years, would not have wished to get rid of his friend Sajid Javid (for whom he had recently expressed support) in so unpleasant a manner. All things being equal, Mr Johnson wants to be loved. He is an emollient man. Although capable of being ruthless remember how he booted out Ian Blair as Metropolitan Police Commissioner not long after becoming Mayor of London he dislikes confrontation. Mr Javid resigned his great office not because of conditions thought up by the Prime Minister. He could not accept the political garrotting of his special advisers, and the implied subservience to No10, on which Mr Cummings insisted. If Mr Cummings did not exist, Mr Javid would still be Chancellor. That is an extraordinary reflection. The second most senior person in Her Majestys Government has been removed because an adviser wanted to clip the wings of the Treasury, and seemingly nursed a private vendetta. Yes, Mr Johnson pulled the trigger. But metaphorically speaking, the gun had been placed in his hands by the tumultuous Cummings, who had instructed his boss in which direction he should point it. Theres been a lot of debate about whether No10 deliberately got rid of Mr Javid in the knowledge that he could never accept such onerous terms. Its possible Mr Johnson didnt foresee the outcome. Im quite sure the Machiavellian Mr Cummings did. In recent years, there have been many overmighty and feral advisers in No10, but none of them has remotely rivalled Dominic Cummings in high intelligence, ambition, political nous and power. Unlike his usually courteous and good-humoured master, the chief adviser is abrasive and confrontational. He couldnt care less whether the world hates him. In fact, he appears to relish it. Mr Cummings has discouraged ministers and special advisers from lunching with journalists (a breed he apparently dislikes) and recently orchestrated a freezing out of reporters who work for publications he despises His ruthlessness was evident last August when he summarily sacked Sonia Khan, Mr Javids special adviser, for alleged leaking. This brutal dismissal was a calculated insult to the then Chancellor. Mr Cummings has discouraged ministers and special advisers from lunching with journalists (a breed he apparently dislikes) and recently orchestrated a freezing out of reporters who work for publications he despises. The Governments injunction on ministers appearing on BBC news programmes Mr Cummings harbours a long-standing loathing for the Corporation emanates from his combative mind. Why does Mr Johnson not only tolerate him but encourage and rely on him? Because he realises that Dom has an exceptional intellect, bubbling with radical policy ideas, which is quite unlike his own. A don who taught them both at Oxford says that Mr Cummings is much the cleverer. Im not so sure. Boris has an unusual mind. But it is slower and more discursive than his advisers rapier-like and sharply analytical brain. Sajid Javid, pictured, resigned as chancellor of the exchequer on Thursday And theres no doubt that some of Mr Cummings beliefs for example, that Whitehall is innately timid and mushily liberal are a welcome breath of fresh air. There is nothing hidebound about him. His obsession with artificial intelligence illustrates the range of his interests. Such a mind, though, is valuable in an adviser who knows his place. It becomes dangerous in a restless iconoclast who wields enormous unaccountable power, and is hell-bent on re-fashioning not just the Civil Service but Britain itself. In his manic radicalism, and his hostility to traditional ways of doing things, Mr Cummings is a type far more familiar on the hard Left of politics than on the Right. Its hard to see how he can be described as a Conservative at all. One might add that in his disregard for peoples feelings, his ruthlessness and apparent impatience with democratic institutions, he has more in common with the nasty far-Left than with Toryism. That is why Thursdays convulsions have made me uneasy about the future of this Government. In the end, of course, Mr Cummings may so overreach himself that powerful Cabinet ministers and senior civil servants find a way of neutralising him. But in the meantime he could do an awful lot of damage to this administration. Boris is too much in awe of his turbulent chief adviser, and too reliant on him. Unless he reins him in, there will be a lot more trouble ahead. Washington D.C [US], Feb 15 (ANI): The US on Friday (local time) said it has imposed sanctions on Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, current Commander of the Sri Lanka Army for his involvement in gross violations of human rights during the final phase of Sri Lanka's civil war in 2009. "The Department of State has designated Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, current Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and Acting Chief of Defense Staff, as required under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, due to credible information of his involvement, through command responsibility, in gross violations of human rights, namely extrajudicial killings, by the 58th Division of the Sri Lanka Army during the final phase of Sri Lanka's Civil War in 2009," US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo said in a statement. In addition to the public designation of Shavendra Silva, the Department is also designating his immediate family members, the US Secretary of State said. The designation makes Silva and his immediate family ineligible for entry to the United States. Pompeo said the allegations of gross human rights violations against Shavendra Silva, documented by the United Nations and other organizations, are "serious and credible." "His designation underscores the importance we place on human rights in Sri Lanka and globally, our concern over impunity for human rights violations and abuses, as well as our support for promoting accountability for those who engage in such acts," the top US diplomat said. He also urged the Sri Lankan government to promote human rights, hold accountable individuals responsible for war crimes and human rights violations, advance security sector reform, and uphold its other commitments to pursue justice and reconciliation. Stressing that his country deeply values its partnership with the Sri Lankan government, Pompeo said the United States remains committed to strengthening the bilateral relationship with Sri Lanka and helping reshape its security forces to tackle current and emerging threats. "Security cooperation will continue to emphasize respect for human rights as a fundamental component of our training, assistance, and engagements," he said. (ANI) Lady Amelia Windsor showcased her quirky casual style today as she wrapped up warm in a huge puffer coat for a stroll through the capital. The granddaughter of the Queen's cousin, 24, cut a relaxed casual figure as she walked through the streets of west London armed with a hot drink in her hand today. Amelia, who is 39th in line to the throne teamed her oversized grey coat with a pair of leopard print leggings, teamed with flat brown ankle boots as she braved the winter chill. The model recently touched back down on home turf after stunning the crowds at Paris Fashion Week last month. Lady Amelia Windsor, 24, who is 39th in the line of succession to the British throne, braved the winter chill to took a stroll through the streets of west London today The socialite teamed her ensemble with a white bag slung over her shoulder and a Amazon Prime package tucked under her elbow. Lady Amelia accessorised her look with a pair of gold stud earrings and a simple beaded bracelet on her wrist. Letting her blonde locks cascade down her shoulders and rest gently inside her hood, the royal completed her look with a pair of faded brown ankle boots. Lady Amelia, who graduated with a degree in Italian and French from the University of Edinburgh earlier this year, is the granddaughter of the Duke of Kent. After leaving university, the royal has juggled modelling work, fashion collaborations and writing for works such as Tatler Magazine. The fashion model donned an oversized grey jacket and a pair of leopard print leggings during her walk through the capital In 2019, it was announced that the Tatler Contributing Editor would be collaborating with the London-based jewellery store Tada & Toy to launch a new eight piece collection of earrings. The jewellery store was creation of friends Tansy Aspinall and Victoria Van Holthe who embarked on their designing journey after learning they both shared an interest in jewellery while at school together. Lady Amelia, who has more than 82,000 followers on Instagram, recently spoke about the how she found social media platform could get 'quite toxic' if you followed it too much and instead preferred to start her day by reading a book. Speaking to The Telegraph she said: 'I begin the day by reading a book, instead of actually looking at my phone. 'I think it can get quite toxic if you follow likes too much.' Reports on meeting between Patrushev, Zelensky in Oman are classic example of fake news - Peskov Information on a meeting between Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oman is a lie and a classic example of fake news, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said. "It's called lying in Russian, and fake news in English," Peskov told reporters, responding to a request to comment on this information. "It is an absolutely classic example of fake news," he said. When asked why he believes this information was disseminated, Peskov said he assumed it was a result of a provocation or was done for lucrative motives. Cimarex Energy Co. XEC is expected to trump estimates when it releases fourth-quarter 2019 results on Feb 19, after market close. In the last reported quarter, Cimarex Energys earnings of 91 cents per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 93 cents due to lower commodity price realizations. The independent oil & gas exploration and production company beat earnings estimates once and missed the same thrice in the trailing four quarters. Cimarex Energy Co Price and EPS Surprise Cimarex Energy Co Price and EPS Surprise Cimarex Energy Co price-eps-surprise | Cimarex Energy Co Quote Lets see how things have shaped up prior to the announcement. Trend in Estimate Revision The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings of $1.20 per share has seen nine upward revisions and five downward movements in the past 30 days. The figure suggests a year-over-year decline of 39.4%. Further, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues of $609.8 million suggests a 2.3% drop from the prior-year quarter. What the Quantitative Model Suggests Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for Cimarex Energy this time around. This is because it has the right combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Earnings ESP: Cimarex Energy has an Earnings ESP of +1.25%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate of $1.21 per share is pegged higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.20. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Zacks Rank: It currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. Factors Expected to Aid Earnings Cimarex, which is a leading explorer and producer of oil and natural gas with prime focus on the prolific Permian and Mid-Continent regions, is likely to have gained from production surge in the Permian Basin. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the companys fourth-quarter total production is pegged at 283 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBoe/d), indicating a rise from 251 MBoe/d in the year-earlier period. Story continues Moreover, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for average realized oil price is pegged at $53 per barrel, implying an increase from the year-ago reported figure of $49.30. However, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for average realized natural gas price of $1.18 per thousand cubic feet points to a decline from the year-ago reported figure of $2.16. The significant rise in total production on the back of Permian activities is expected to have boosted Cimarex Energys bottom line. Further, higher oil price realization is expected to have increased its profit levels. Other Energy Stocks With Favorable Combination Here are some other companies from the energy space that you may want to consider, as our model shows that these too have the right combination of elements to deliver an earnings beat in the upcoming quarterly reports: EOG Resources, Inc. EOG has an Earnings ESP of +0.18% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is set to release quarterly earnings on Feb 27. EQT Corporation EQT has an Earnings ESP of +11.93% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is set to release quarterly earnings on Feb 27. Matador Resources Company MTDR has an Earnings ESP of +0.11% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is set to release quarterly earnings on Feb 25. Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside? Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana. Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look. See the pot trades we're targeting>> 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 EQT Corporation (EQT) : Free Stock Analysis Report EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cimarex Energy Co (XEC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Matador Resources Company (MTDR) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research (Newser) For the first time, China has disclosed the number of medical workers affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Authorities said Friday that some 1,716 health workers have been infected since the start of the outbreak and six of them have died, RTHK reports. Around 1,100 of those cases are in Wuhan and another 400 are elsewhere in Hubei province, officials say. Doctors and nurses in the province are dealing with a major shortage of masks, gowns, and other protective gear, reports the New York Times. Some of them have pleaded on social media for donations from friends and relatives. China announced another 121 deaths Friday, bringing the total to at least 1,383, including three deaths outside mainland China. story continues below "I think its quite concerning," a University of Hong Kong professor of epidemiology tells the Times. "Health care workers face the challenge of caring for a substantial number of patients in Wuhan. Its worrying to discover that a number of them have been infected." China has expanded what it calls "wartime" measures to deal with the spread of COVID-19, but the director of the US National Economic Council voiced some complaints Thursday, reports the Guardian. "We are a little disappointed that we haven't been invited in and we're a little disappointed in the lack of transparency coming from the Chinese," Larry Kudlow said. (Read more COVID-19 stories.) VIETVANA Founders Khanh Dang & Dinh Tran We know exactly where all of our ingredients are from, said VIETVANA Founder Dinh Tran, "and were proud to support local, Georgia farmers. VIETVANA Pho Noodle House is opening its second Atlanta location at Square on Fifth at 848 Spring Street NW on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, bringing modern Vietnamese cuisine to the Midtown and Georgia Tech communities. The new location will feature the cuisine husband and wife team Dinh Tran and Khanh Dang have made popular at their first VIETVANA in Avondale Estates. The restaurants name reflects the idea of Vietnamese food meeting nirvana, or VIETVANA. Were thrilled to keep expanding our restaurant business, said Tran, who creates the recipes with his mother, Tina Nguyen, who also can often be found in the restaurants kitchens. VIETVANAs mission is to change the narrative of Vietnamese food around the world starting with locally-sourced, authentic cuisine in Atlanta that reminds the founders of what they enjoy in their families kitchens back in Saigon recipes honed over hundreds of years from different cultures and regions across Vietnam. This mission sent the restaurateurs on a quest to create their own pho noodle and banh mi bread, with both prepared fresh in-house daily. They spent months creating their own pho noodle recipe, made in the restaurant daily (as opposed to coming from a package). They give the broth a cleaner taste, as the noodles dont affect the broth flavor, Tran says. They also collaborated with a local French bakery to make their banh mi bread batter, which is cooked fresh in the restaurants. Tran and Dang, a millennial couple, are dedicated to having the freshest products the way they remember meals in Vietnam. The flavors emanate from the meat and vegetables instead of sugar and salt. They also meet with their suppliers almost entirely Georgia-based ensuring high quality meats and veggies delivered daily are the main ingredients of their dishes. We know exactly where all of our ingredients come from, Tran said, including the beef, chicken and vegetables that go into our pho broth. And were proud to support local, Georgia farmers. This is the second restaurant for the pair and a third VIETVANA is under construction at 2550 Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth and will open later this year. Please note: VIETVANA is offering a free BBQ sandwich for the first 50 customers at the Midtown location every day from Feb. 17 to Feb. 21. VIETVANA Pho Noodle House details: VIETVANA Pho Noodle House will open in Midtown Atlanta on Feb. 17, 2020 Hours are Monday-Sunday,11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Address: 848 Spring St. NW, Suite C, Atlanta, GA 30308 Website: https://vietvana.com/ Phone: 404-963-2087 Social media: @Vietvana on Facebook and Instagram Media images and menus here(new menu options marked NEW) About VIETVANA Pho Noodle House VIETVANA Pho Noodle House is a restaurant concept founded by Dinh Tran and Khanh Dang, Vietnamese natives and millennials, who are proud of their traditional Vietnamese recipes and the hospitality with which its served. For more information, visit https://vietvana.com/ Media Contact: Rachel Tobin, Lexicon Strategies, rtobin@lexiconstrategies.com, (404) 276-5930 Washington, D.C., Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Math and Science Initiative has received a planning grant from the Fund II Foundation to design UTeach STEM teacher preparation programs at up to 15 historically black colleges and universities in six states and the District of Columbia. The Dallas-based non-profit has partnered with UNCF (United Negro College Fund) to support the universities as they design their programs. NMSI and UNCF are nationally recognized leaders in the advancement of American education, said Fund II Foundation Board President Robert F. Smith. I look forward to supporting them to develop strong programs that meet the unique needs of students at HBCUs. Im also excited to see how this new work allows more young people to reach their highest potential in their personal lives, professions and communities. NMSI, UNCF and the UTeach Institute are working with academic leaders at potential program schools. Those institutions include Alabama State University, Bowie State University, Claflin University Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Jackson State University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T University, Prairie View A&M University, South Carolina State University, Spelman College, Talladega College, Tougaloo College and Tuskegee University. The institutions that move forward with the program will work with the program team to design their new STEM teacher preparation programs. The new programs will be based on UTeach, a renowned university-based STEM teacher preparation program founded at The University of Texas at Austin. Since 2009, NMSI has worked with the UTeach Institute to expand the program, which provides math and science undergraduates at 45 universities with teaching skills, classroom experience and continuing support in their early teaching careers. UTeach teachers average longer classroom careers than graduates of other teacher preparation programs, and nearly 70 percent of UTeach graduates teach in Title 1 schools. Based on standardized testing, their students perform as if they had almost six extra months of science and four extra months of math instruction. Addressing STEM teacher shortages and ensuring that all students benefit from teachers of diverse backgrounds is critical and core to NMSIs mission, said NMSI CEO Bernard A. Harris, Jr. Expanding the UTeach program to HBCUs will benefit students across the nation. The initiative comes just after passage of the FUTURE Act, providing permanent federal funding for HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions and providing significant STEM-focused funding for those schools. The District, with two HBCUs located here, is a top beneficiary of the FUTURE Act, which reauthorizes STEM funding for minority-serving institutions in seven states and the District, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) said. The FUTURE Act will not only increase STEM participation by minority students but will also give students role models with demonstrated success in a field that needs to attract greater minority participation at all levels. Congratulations to NMSI and UNCF for launching this important teacher preparation program. A 2017 study from the IZA Institute of Labor Economics found that having at least one African American teacher in third through fifth grades increased African American students interest in attending college by 29 percent and reduced the probability of dropping out of high school for male African American students from very low-income families by 39 percent. Research clearly shows the powerful impact black teachers have on black students. HBCUs already are punching above their weight in the production of STEM graduates generating 24 percent of the STEM bachelors degrees earned annually by African Americans, said Dr. Michael Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. The nation continues to have incredible need for math and science teachers of color, and students of color deserve to have educators who look like them. ### Kejriwal will take oath as Delhi chief minister along with his cabinet at Ramlila Maidan at 10 am on Sunday Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his swearing-in ceremony scheduled to take place at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on 16 February, senior party leader Gopal Rai said on Friday. Rai, the convenor of the AAP's Delhi unit, said a letter was sent to the prime minister on Friday morning. All seven Delhi MPs and eight newly elected BJP MLAs have also been invited for the oath-taking ceremony. No chief minister or political leaders from other states will be part of the event as it will be a "Delhi-specific" ceremony, he added. Apart from the political dignitaries, 'Baby Mufflerman' Aavyan Tomar, who stole hearts when he dressed up as Kejriwal, will also be a special invitee at the swearing-in ceremony. Kejriwal, through front-page advertisements in newspapers, has urged all Delhiites to attend his oath-taking. The 51- year-old is set to become the chief minister of the National Capital for the third consecutive term after AAP won in 62 out of the 70 Assembly seats in Delhi, while BJP won the remaining eight Assembly seats. Kejriwal will take oath as Delhi chief minister along with his Cabinet at Ramlila Maidan at 10 am on Sunday. (With inputs from PTI) In the form of physical violence, state repression and ideological condemnation, refugees in Greece confront growing fascistic attacks. Reflecting an international process of a movement to the right by all capitalist governments, in Greece, the main entry point for refugees into Europe, this is taking a concentrated form in the brutal repression of refugees. At the insistence of the Greek government, and backed by the European Union (EU), some 50,000 refugees, sealed off from the rest of Europe, live in festering conditions on camps on the Aegean islands of Greece. The brutal conditions and policies imposed upon refugees by the right-wing New Democracy (ND) Greek ruling party are directly linked to the policies and attacks on refugees by the previous pseudo-left Syriza (Coalition of the Radical Left) government. Syriza, brought into power posing as a left-wing, anti-austerity party, attacked workers by imposing brutal austerity measures and waged a deliberate campaign of repression on refugees. Riot police attack refugee refugees with tear gas in Mytilini, Lesvos [Credit: Manolis Lagoutaris/InTime News via AP] The growing attacks on refugees demonstrate that the defense of refugees, and of all workers, must be based on the Greek and international working class, against right-wing parties such as ND and pseudo-left groups like Syriza, whose interests reflect those of the upper middle class and the financial elite. Last Monday, some 2,000 refugees demonstrated against the hellish conditions of the Moria detention camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. Described by a doctor from the Boat Refugee Foundation (BRF) as a place of violence, deprivation, suffering and despair, Moria was designed to house 3,100 but today houses nearly 20,000 refugees in and around the site of the camp. The camp was established under the auspices of Syriza, which created camps across the Aegean islands to detain refugees. Refugees marched from Moria to Mytilini, the islands capital, where they were met by armored police units. The police attacked them, administering tear gas among the crowd of men, women and children. As children and people fled for safety, away from the billowing clouds of tear gas, police arrested 40 people. Journalist Franziska Grillmeier described the event to Al Jazeera: There were men holding their kids up, kids who were foaming at the mouth, kids having panic attacks and babies unable to breathe and dehydrating through the gas. Protests continued the following day on Tuesday. Refugees shouted Freedom! and Stop the deportations! and carried banners with similar slogans. Refugees also shouted, Lesbos people, we are sorry, expressing solidarity with the islands residents. The online newspaper Sto Nisi reported that a group of 15 to 20 masked neo-Nazis armed with clubs and helmets terrorized the streets of Mytilini and the area around Moria following the demonstrations, in search of foreigners and NGO workers and volunteers who work with refugees. According to eyewitnesses, they knocked on doors of houses in search of aid workers and even tried to break into a cafe. An eyewitness told Sto Nisi that police were fully aware of the gang and turned a blind eye to them. Five meters away [from the gang] was a parked police car which was there for around 20 minutes, he said. At that point they spotted me and started to shout abuse at me. I didnt take any notice, but what struck me was the fact that the policeman in the car didnt even make a pro forma attempt to stop them. He continued, What I want to stress is that any action by the fascists was carried out with complete tolerance from the police. The police knew from early on who these guys were, where they were going and what they were capable of. There exists a large contingent of Greek police who support the fascist Golden Dawn party, who previously violently attacked refugees and whose members are accused of murdering leftist hip-hop musician Pavlos Fyssas. Videos surfaced in December of Greek police performing pushbacks, illegal deportations of refugees back into Turkey that stand in violation of international law and violate both the EUs Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Geneva Convention. Sto Nisi also reported of far-right posts on social media spreading lies about refugees raping women, defecating in churches, attempting to blow up a power plant, burning fields and houses. One of the posts read: In Mytilini we will take up arms! We are already sleeping with these! There are rumors that a group of locals is planning to blow up the Moria hot spot! There will be war! Its no longer a question of racism. If this is true we will be with them. Yesterday [refugees] tried to blow up the PPC power plant. These invaders have taken over our islands! Last Thursday, prompted by growing pressure from refugees and workers, police on Lesbos arrested seven people on suspicion of planning attacks on refugees following last weeks demonstrations. The men, aged 17 to 24, were found with makeshift clubs and a metal rod. Late January, protests were held across multiple Greek islands housing refugee detention centers. The headline speaker on the island of Lesbos was Costas Moutzouris, a previous member of the ruling ND party who ran for Northern Aegean Prefect as an independent. Using the language of fascists, Moutzouris placed the blame of the social crisis in Greece on refugees, They are forcefully trying to impose a different way of life and religion on us, he said. We will not accept this. During his election campaign last summer for the post of prefect, Moutzouris was asked to comment on rumors that the fascist Golden Dawn party supported his campaign. Moutzouris replied, If there was, is or will be any support from Golden Dawn then this is welcome. Amidst the backdrop of threats to refugees, there is a concerted effort by the Greek state and Greeces bourgeois media to attack NGOs. This was similarly pursued under Syriza, which jailed professional swimmer Sara Mardini and three other members of the ERCI (Emergency Response Centre International) for helping refugees. Last week, on the insistence of ND, the Greek parliament passed a law restricting NGOs. Greeces prime minister remarked the new law will prevent NGOs from operating unchecked and will be strictly vetted. Without evidence, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, NDs deputy migration minister, accused NGOs of inciting last weeks protests on Lesbos and of taking advantage of refugees for money. Koumoutsakos told Greeces Proto Thema Radio that NGOs had appeared like mushrooms after the rain and some behave like bloodsuckers. This has been echoed, without criticism, by Greeces right-wing Kathimerini newspaper, which wrote on Monday, NGOs that are operating in Greece without any accountability to the Greek state, with officials expressing fears that the groups might have shady agendas such as inciting migrants to protest or collaborating with traffickers. Such measures in fact only feed into the fascistic conspiracies being promoted by right-wing groups and academics, and seek to further chip away what little support refugees receive. Moreover, the NGOs serving refugees in Greece often consist of on-the-ground volunteer staff, comprised mostly of students and workers from around the world. The attacks on NGOs are a further attempt to dismantle the growing solidarity between workers internationally and the plight of refugees. A thousand threads tie the fascistic thugs on the streets hunting down refugees to the ruling Greek capitalist party. The policies of New Democracystate violence against refugees on a mass scaleexpress themselves in the individual acts of violence and terror by the fascistic thugs. Every capitalist party across the world seeks to divert the growing class struggle. In Greece, this is done by scapegoating desperate refugees, fleeing imperialist violence, for the social crisis for which Syriza and now ND are wholly responsible. As the class struggle continues to intensify, the attacks on refugees will only continue unless the Greek working class intervenes. In January, the ND government announced it would begin testing water barriers, an aquatic version of Trumps border wall, along a 2.7-km stretch of the coast off the island of Lesbos to block refugees attempting to enter Greece by sea. On Monday, Notis Mitarachi, NDs minister for immigration and asylum, revealed plans to set up new closed camps for detaining refugees on Greeces Aegean islands in March. The new camps are expected to open in the summer and are designed to house 20,000 refugees three months at a time. The camps will likely replace the current open-air camps, like Moria on Lesbos. The centers will function as de facto jails that allow more control over the refugee population, completely closed off from the public eye. ND government spokesman Stelios Petsas said, These closed facilities will be governed by strict rules and [limitations] for movement for the occupants. He continued, Occupants will receive exit cards for controlled leave, while the structures will remain closed at nighttime. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 00:33:54|Editor: yan Video Player Close JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Nedbank service provider's IT systems have been breached, exposing personal information of up to 1.7 million clients, said the bank on Thursday. Computer Facilities, which does direct marketing for Nedbank by sending short messages and email marketing information on behalf of the bank, was breached. The bank said there was some "potentially compromised data" which included names, identity cards numbers, telephone numbers, physical and/or email addresses. "We regret the incident... and the matter is receiving our urgent attention. The safety and security of our clients' information is a top priority," said Nedbank CEO Mike Brown, adding that the bank systems or client accounts were not impacted. "We are communicating directly with affected clients. We are also taking the necessary actions in close cooperation with the relevant regulators and authorities," said Brown. Nedbank group Chief Information Officer Fred Swanepoel said they have secured and destroyed all their client information held by Computer Facilities. Last year the City of Johannesburg's system was hacked and some payment in bitcoins were demanded. In 2017 South Africa's insurance company Liberty was hacked and demanded ransom. MANZINI - Chaos erupted as tempers flared during an ungovernable NAPSAWU one-day congress, which was unceremoniously postponed indefinitely. The National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) held its one-day congress at Divine Healing Ministries International Auditorium in Manzini yesterday and it was supposed to finish off the business of the 2019 congress. The 2019 congress was unceremoniously closed after a female delegate from Manzini branch, Denise Mnisi, collapsed and died. In fact, in the about seven hours (9am to 4pm) which was spent by the congress delegates at the auditorium, meaningful business only took about 20 minutes and that was when the Secretary General Thulani Hlatshwako, delivered the secretariat report. The misunderstanding, which was between the congress delegates and national executive committee (NEC), started during the very first item on the agenda, which was registration and credentials. This was supposed to take place between 7am to 9am. It eventually started at around 8am to 9:20am. The registration went well, but when it was time for the unions National Organising Secretary (NOS), Mduduzi Shabangu, there was an argument about how to check the presence of delegates. Meeting The main issue was that some branches, like Hluthi, were far from Manzini and they could not arrive on time. The concern was that in their preparatory meeting, it was said that at 9am, the auditoriums doors would be closed, so it was asked that delegate members from distant places should be allowed into the congress when they arrived. Afterwards, some delegates wanted to know why the former NEC was not present to finish the congress business, because it was them who were supposed to deliver the reports. They said this was because the reports were addressing issues which took place during their term and they were the ones who would have answers during the discussion of the reports. However, the unions President, Oscar Nkambule, who was chairing the meeting, told them that the former NEC members absence would be addressed by the secretary general when he delivered the secretariat report. Thereafter, the secretary general delivered the secretariat report and this took place between 10:15am and 10:40am. After the secretariat report, the congress took a 20-minute tea break. When they returned at 11am, the chairman of the congress said it was time to discuss the secretariat report. However, the issue of the former NEC was again raised by the congress delegates and this was because the secretary general did not talk about it when delivering the secretariat report, yet the president had promised the meeting that it would be addressed. After a long argument, Madlangempisi Branch submitted that they felt that the chairman was emotional and seemed to be having interest on the matter. On that note, the branch said the chairman could not continue chairing the congress. We (Madlangempisi Branch) suggest that the president should step down as chairman of the congress and allow his deputy to take over, they submitted. Siteki Branch seconded the suggestion. However, Mbabane Branch pleaded with the congress delegates to focus on the business of the day. Motion Meanwhile, Nhlangano Branch moved a counter motion that they should continue by moving to the next agenda item, which was discussing the secretariat report, and Malkerns Branch seconded it. This resulted in the formation of two factions and a heated argument ensued. The president intervened by urging the two factions to at least have a mentality of building the union. I am also chairing this congress because of the powers vested in me by the unions constitution, the president added. However, the Siteki Branch proposed that since there was a motion and a counter motion, they should vote. At that time, delegates from Siteki, Madlangempisi, Manzini and Mankayane Branches, started singing political songs, while banging the tables. On the other hand, delegates from Malkerns, Nhlangano and Mbabane Branches argued that they could not vote against the Constitution. Concerns Again, the chairman pleaded with the factions to calm down so that he could start taking concerns regarding the secretariat report. Thereafter, the uncontrollable delegates from Siteki, Madlangempisi, Mankayane and Manzini Branches, stood up and sang political songs while clapping hands and banging tables. The NEC had a brief caucus and later on, the president acknowledged the concern by some of the branches that he was not giving them enough chance to speak. On that note, he politely apologised and promised that as they went forward, he would try to be fair as possible. He then told them that as their leaders, they had agreed that the congress should discuss the secretariat report. However, the aggrieved branches said the presidents apology had been overtaken by events as they had moved a motion that he should step down as the chairman of the meeting. They also argued that the Constitution, which gives the president the powers to chair the congress, also stipulates that if he was unable to do so, he should step down and allow his deputy to take over. Again, if the deputy president fails, the constitution says we can select a member to chair the congress, they added. The Manzini Branch also persuaded the president to step down for the sake of his dignity and progress of the congress. Just humble yourself and allow your deputy to chair the congress, the Manzini Branch added. On the other hand, Mbabane Branch delegates said they would not allow the president to step down from being the chairman of the congress because he was exercising a constitutionally given right. They said they would only allow such to happen once there was tangible evidence that he was unable to proceed or was conflicted on the issues at hand. Once again, the president came in and said he believed the delegates who said the congress could not vote against the constitution were right. Mr president, just humble yourself and step down. By doing so, you will not be belittled because you will continue to be our president, the delegates from Siteki Branch added. The argument, which saw the congress delegates exchanging heated words and sometimes insults, lasted until 1:08pm when the president asked that the NEC be given time to caucus. He said while they caucused, the delegates could take a lunch break. New Delhi: On Friday (February 14, 2020), as an indebted nation marks the first anniversary of the Pulwama terror attack and pay homage to the 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans who lost their lives in the fatal incident, we take a look back at what exactly happened on the fateful day. It was around 3:00 pm on this day, last year when a powerful explosion rocked a convoy of CRPF personnel, many of who were returning to duty after leave, in the Jammu and Kashmir. The powerful explosion, triggered by a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber, reduced a CRPF bus to a mangled heap of iron with 40 jawans dead. The attack took place on the Srinagar-Jammu highway when a convoy of 78 buses with around 2500 personnel was on its way from Jammu to Srinagar. After the attack, Jaish released a video claiming credit for the attack. They identified the attacker as Dar, a resident of Kakapora in Pulwama who joined the outfit in 2018. In the video, Dar is seen carrying a sophisticated weapon and sitting in the backdrop of a black and white flag. He says that by the time the video was released, he would be in heaven. The terror attack sent shock waves across the country with nationwide protests erupting against it in several parts. Leaders across the party lines and civil society openly condemned the attack and called for an appropriate response. "I feel the same fire in my heart that`s raging inside you," Prime Minister Narendra Modi would declare on February 17, days after the attack took place. A day before, he had said that "all tears will be avenged" and the armed forces have been given "full freedom to decide the place, time, intensity and nature of the retaliation against the enemy". United Nations and several countries from across the globe condemned the Pulwama terror attack and extended their support to India in the fight against terrorism. China, the 'all-weather friend' of Pakistan also backed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution on the 'heinous and cowardly' Pulwama terror attack that was unanimously adopted by permanent and non-permanent member countries of the global body. Following the dastardly attack, India had launched extensive diplomatic efforts to get JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist, which finally became a reality on May 1 when China lifted its technical hold on a proposal introduced by the US, the UK, and France in the 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council. Around 12 days after the terror attack, in the wee hours of February 26, Indian Air Force jets bombed the JeM camp in Balakot, in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A day later on February 27, IAF foiled an attempt by PAF to strike at military installations in Jammu and Kashmir. In the aerial skirmish, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman piloting a MiG-21 Bison aircraft shot down a much-advanced F-16 of PAF. However, his aircraft was also hit and upon ejection, his parachute landed in PoK, where he was taken captive by Pakistani Army. Under international pressure, Pakistan released the IAF pilot two days later, who returned to his country to a hero's welcome. It's over four years since the Paris Agreement was reached at the UN's COP21 climate summit. It was in the French capital that world leaders committed to making sure global warming stayed "well below" 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. They also agreed to pursue efforts to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. In the time that's passed, the debate on climate change has intensified a great deal. Today, it's one of the most talked about and polarizing issues on the planet. While activists decry what they perceive to be a lack of action when it comes to tackling the "climate emergency", national governments and big businesses claim they are making significant efforts. This discussion is taking place against the backdrop of a "global energy transition," a shift from fossil fuel based energy sources to renewable ones. How fast this change will happen and to what extent is another part of the debate. Royal Bank of Scotland is changing its name to Natwest Group as it seeks to put its chequered past behind it. In a bid to draw a line under its near collapse under disgraced former boss Fred Goodwin, recently appointed chief executive Alison Rose said the rebranding 'marks the start of a new era for our bank'. Rose, the first female boss of a major UK lender, also announced plans to halve the size of its investment bank, Natwest Markets, putting thousands of jobs at risk. 'New era': RBS chief executive Alison Rose is the first female boss of a major UK lender The plans, less than four months into Rose's tenure as chief executive, came as RBS reported a 26 per cent rise in annual profits on the previous year to 4.2 billion. Under Goodwin, RBS racked up the biggest loss in British corporate history of 24.1 billion in 2008. It was then rescued by the taxpayer in a 45.5 billion bailout. Rose's overhaul will see RBS retain its 300-year-old brand name for its Scottish branches, but the parent company will change to Natwest, its major business south of the border. Chairman Howard Davies said: 'The essential reason for this is that as the bank has evolved from the financial crisis and the bailout, we have focused on the Natwest brand. 'We have exited a lot of the international business which were not profitable. That was branded RBS and that's gone. 'It really makes no sense for us to continue to be called RBS. It was designed for a global group of brands, which we no longer are.' Bosses assured employees that it would not be uprooting its Edinburgh headquarters and shifting to London. But Davies said: 'It would be necessary to look at our location if there was Scottish independence, but not before that.' Shredded: Under Fred Goodwin, RBS racked up the biggest loss in British corporate history of 24.1 billion in 2008 But the new name for the parent company does mark a break from the past for RBS. In the run-up to the 2008 financial crisis, Goodwin who earned his Fred the Shred moniker for his ruthless cost-cutting pursued rapid expansion as he set out on his mission to turn RBS into the world's largest bank. This culminated in the acquisition of Dutch Bank ABN Amro in late 2007, a deal which left RBS with dangerously low capital levels. Goodwin's dream crashed around his ears in 2008 as the economy stuttered and RBS was brought to the brink of collapse, saved only by the 45.5 billion taxpayer rescue. Now Rose has begun her own crusade to focus RBS's operations and boost returns to shareholders. She said Natwest Markets would become 'a much smaller and simpler part of the business', focused on the essential services needed by the group's corporate and institutional clients. RBS has been slow to recover since its bailout, and the Government still owns a 62 per cent stake. Analysts greeted the name-change with some scepticism. David Buik, of Core Spreads, said: 'It is probably the right initiative, but many questions are left unanswered. When will the taxpayer get its money back? When will shareholders get bang for their buck?' INVESTORS TO SHARE 2.7BN IN DIVIDENDS RBS has pledged to pay 2.7 billion in dividends to shareholders for 2019 including 1.7 billon to the Treasury. The bank will hand out 22p per share for the full year, in a boost to long-suffering investors who have endured more than a decade of pain since the financial crisis. This will top up the Treasury coffers, as the Government still owns 62 per cent of RBS following a 45.5 billion bailout in 2008. Another year of profits and a shake-up from new boss Alison Rose looks set to pave the way for the Government to resume selling down its stake in RBS, which at one time stood at 83 per cent. The bank is building up cash reserves so it can buy back its own shares from the taxpayer, and speed up the process of privatisation. While it is limited to buying a maximum of 5 per cent of its own shares in any one year, it could strike a deal directly with the Government if the Treasury decides to sell shares in the market. RBS chairman Howard Davies said buying back shares and returning money to the taxpayer was a priority. He added: 'It's prudent to ensure we have the capital to participate in such a buyback.' The 7.5 billion shares still held by the Government are currently worth a total of 16 billion. For the taxpayer to recoup all the money spent on the bailout, the Government would have to sell shares for around 730p but last night they were languishing at 213.1p. Despite the 26 per cent rise in profits, RBS's shares still slid yesterday by 6.8 per cent, or 15.6p, to 213.1p as the bank posted a gloomy outlook. It abandoned its 12 per cent target for return on tangible equity or the return it makes on money invested by shareholders. Instead, Rose will be aiming for a return between 9 per cent and 11 per cent by 2021. The pan-European Euro Stoxx 600 index closed provisionally slightly lower with major bourses and sectors pointing in different directions. China's National Health Commission on Friday reported an additional 121 deaths and 5,090 new cases of the coronavirus across the mainland for Feb. 13. China's health commission said Friday it removed 108 deaths from the total figure due to a double-count in Hubei province, the epicenter of the global coronavirus outbreak. The pneumonia-causing virus has killed a total of 1,380 people in mainland China as of the end of Thursday, the commission said in its Chinese-language daily online report. Globally, market participants are monitoring the outbreak and updates on how badly it could dent growth in the world's second-largest economy On Wall Street, equities traded along the flatline with investors digesting the release of disappointing consumer data and strong earnings. Back in Europe, Rishi Sunak was announced as Britain's new finance minister on Thursday, taking over from Sajid Javid who resigned amid a reshaping of the government orchestrated by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The FTSE 100 was down around 0.6%. On the data front, euro zone economic growth slowed as expected in the last quarter of 2019 with a figure of 0.1%. A figure for Germany earlier in the session showed its economy stagnated during the fourth quarter of last year. Meanwhile, earnings were a major focus for European investors. Renault shares fell slightly after reporting a surprise 2019 loss. AstraZeneca shares were down 4% after it said its 2020 sales growth would take a hit from the coronavirus. And RBS shares sank 7% after it scaled back its returns target and slashed its investment back. Florida authorities said the state's 'red flag' gun law has been used more than 3,500 times since it was passed, just three weeks after 2018's deadly Parkland shooting. State legislators from both sides of the aisle passed the red flag law just three weeks after authorities said a mentally-disturbed man, Nikolas Cruz, fatally shot 17 students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. February 14 is the shooting's second anniversary. Investigators did not act on reports that shooting suspect Cruz was threatening to carry out a school massacre. But even if they had, it is likely he would have been allowed to keep his guns because he had no felony convictions or involuntary, long-term mental commitments, they say. Authorities said that Parkland school shooting suspect, Nikolas Cruz (in December 2019), would have qualified under Florida's red flag law had it existed prior to the mass shooting Cruz posted photos of guns on his Instagram page prior to the Parkland massacre. Authorities said a red flag court order would likely have allowed them to take the guns away from him Cruz also posted this photo of a rifle to his Instagram account prior to the Parkland shooting. His guns would likely have been returned to him, but it would've made it harder for him to prepare for the shooting authorities said Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who leads a commission that investigated the massacre's causes, says the shooter would have easily qualified for a red flag order. Gualtieri says while it is impossible to say that would have prevented the shooting, the gunman wouldn't have been able to legally buy weapons or ammunition, making his preparation difficult. 'We have needed this law for decades,' said Gualtieri, who started a unit in his department that handles only red flag cases. Of those more than 3,500 times Florida's red flag law was used, the pace was shown to have accelerated during the last half of 2019. Even so, an Associated Press analysis of the law showed its use is inconsistent, with some counties and cities using it rarely and others not at all. Although details of red flag laws vary from state to state, the laws generally involve allowing either police or relatives to petition a court for an order to temporarily remove guns from a person who are shown to be a danger to either themselves or others. The guns are usually returned to the owner after a set period of time. To get an order in Florida, police agencies must file a request with a civil court, citing serious mental illness or threats a person has made. If the judge agrees, the person must surrender their firearms to police. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtier said the state had needed the red flag law for decades before it was passed. He implemented a unit in his department that only handles red flag cases Florida's red flag gun law was passed three weeks after the Parkland shooting. Students are seen here on February 14, 2018, evacuating the school on the day of the shooting Cruz is accused of having fatally shot 17 students and faculty at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Students are seen here evacuating from the school that day Students formed a chain as they moved away from the shooting scene on February 14, 2018 Within two weeks, a hearing is held during which the judge decides whether to take the person's weapons away for a year. Police agencies can apply for an extension if there is evidence a person remains a threat after a year. If not, the guns are returned. Examples in which the red flag law was used to remove guns from Florida residents' possession include when a 23-year-old man posted on Facebook, 'I don't know why I don't go on a killing spree'; a West Palm Beach couple who shot up their home while high on cocaine, and a 31-year-old Gulf Coast man pointed a semiautomatic rifle at a motorcyclist. Advocates of Florida's red flag measure say before it existed, it was often difficult to remove firearms from those making threats or suffering severe mental breakdowns. But the law also has vocal critics: those who say it violates the US and state constitutions, including the right to bear arms, and others who argue that laws already on the books in Florida made it unnecessary. Still others say it discriminates against the poor: Because the hearing with a judge is not a criminal proceeding, low-income defendants aren't provided with a free lawyer. Sixteen other states plus the District of Columbia have similar laws, 11 of which were enacted after the February 14, 2018 shooting at Stoneman Douglas. President Donald Trump has at times supported a federal proposal, but has not strongly advocated it before Congress. Orlando attorney Kendra Parris, who is trying to get a case before the state Supreme Court to overturn the law, says it doesn't adequately define some terms, such as what constitutes serious mental health issues. And in any case, she says, other Florida statutes, such as misdemeanor breach of the peace, already allow police to take firearms from the truly dangerous before they act. That statute could easily have been invoked against the Stoneman Douglas shooter, she said. 'Probably two dozen times this guy could have been charged for breach of the peace and had his firearms removed,' Parris said. Students are seen here at a vigil for the Parkland shooting victims on February 15, 2018 The news that Florida authorities have used the red flag gun law 3,500 times since it was passed comes on the second anniversary of the Parkland shooting. A scene from the vigil the day after the shooting is shown here The AP analysis shows that from March 2018, when the law was enacted, through December 2019, there was a wide disparity in its per capita usage in Florida's 67 counties. Twenty issued at least one for every 5,500 residents during that time period, the statewide average. Three issued at least one for every 2,000 residents, including Gualtieri's Pinellas County, which includes the Tampa Bay area, and has nearly 1 million people. Highlands County, near Lake Okeechobee, ranked No. 1, issuing one for every 850 residents. On the other extreme, 12 counties issued one for every 30,000 residents or less. Two neighboring Panhandle counties - Escambia and Santa Rosa - issued one for every 100,000 residents or more. Another nine small, rural counties issued none. Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman said he doesn't know why his county is No. 1, but he noted that his deputies average two calls daily for mental health crises. The county has just over 100,000 residents and was the scene of a bank shooting last year that left five women dead. 'If someone has made a threat to hurt themselves or others and is intent on using a firearm, we will try to get a risk protection order against them so we can take away those guns,' Blackman said. But even the law isn't a guarantee: Two Highlands men who received orders still killed themselves, one with carbon monoxide and the other with an illegally obtained gun, he said. The sheriffs whose counties had no or few red flag orders during the reviewed period said in an AP questionnaire that they are not philosophically opposed to the law - they just haven't needed it. Santa Rosa Sheriff Bob Johnson said it was a 'fluke' that his county of 155,000 had only issued one order. Baker County Maj. Randy Crews explained that the lack of red flag orders from his county on the Georgia border west of Jacksonville has to do with the fact that his deputies know most of the 27,000 residents and can intercede quickly if someone is having a breakdown and making threats. Crews said most potential red flag cases are asked to surrender their guns to a relative, who is told to not return them until the person finishes mental health treatment. He said that approach works better than confrontation and has never backfired. He said the office would not hesitate to use the law, however, if someone didn't cooperate. Japan warns of a slump in growth, Singapore could see a recession and Malaysia will announce a stimulus package. Policymakers in Japan on Friday braced for a sharp contraction in October-December growth and warned of a drop in output and consumption due to the coronavirus outbreak, as Asian economies sounded the alarm over darkening economic outlooks. Singapores economy could enter recession due to the blow from the coronavirus outbreak, its prime minister said on Friday, while neighbouring Malaysia said it would announce a stimulus package to mitigate the negative effects of the virus outbreak. Meanwhile, in China, at least two economists at government-linked think-tanks have in recent weeks projected a loss of up to one percentage point from Chinas growth rate in the first quarter of 2020 and even for the full year. Bank of Japan Executive Director Eiji Maeda said the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) may have suffered a big contraction in the final quarter of last year due to sluggish overseas demand and damage to consumption from last years sales tax increase. Japans economy is expected to continue expanding moderately as a trend, thanks to robust capital expenditure and government spending, Maeda told Parliament. But we need to be vigilant against various risks such as the impact the coronavirus outbreak could have on output and spending by inbound tourists, he said. Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura also told reporters the virus outbreak, as well as unusually warm weather that hurts sales of winter clothing, were fresh factors weighing on the economy. Analysts polled by Reuters expect Japans economy to have shrunk an annualised 3.7 percent in the October-December quarter, which would be the fastest pace of decline since 2014. The GDP data is due 8:50am on Monday (23:50 GMT on Sunday). Japan is among the countries worst affected by the epidemic outside China, with 251 confirmed cases including those on a cruise ship. Some analysts expect Japans economy to suffer another contraction in the current quarter as Chinas virus outbreak hurts exports, output and consumption through a sharp drop in overseas tourists. A separate Reuters poll released on Friday showed the coronavirus epidemic is expected to shave up to 0.2 percentage points off Japans economic growth rate this year. The government decided on Friday to spend 10.3 billion yen ($93.8m) from budget reserves to respond to the coronavirus. Finance Minister Taro Aso said the government was ready to take additional steps depending on how big the effect from the outbreak could be. BOJs Maeda said the central bank will support the economy by maintaining its enormous stimulus programme but stopped short of signalling additional monetary support. Maedas remarks suggest the BOJ does not see the virus impact as big enough yet to alter its economic projections. Stimulus packages In Singapore, the government is set to roll out a hefty package of budget measures on Tuesday to cushion the economic blow from the epidemic, with some analysts expecting it to run its biggest deficit in more than a decade. Economists at Citi and Maybank expect a virus relief package of at least 700 million Singapore dollars ($505m) after Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loon said the effects of the coronavirus would be significant. The impact will be significant at least in the next couple of quarters. It is a very intense outbreak, Lee said in a video interview posted on his Facebook page. I cant say whether we will have a recession or not. Its possible, but definitely our economy will take a hit, Lee said in remarks made to media at Singapores main Changi airport. Lee said business at the airport had suffered with flights down by a third. Singapore has in effect banned all visitors from China, its biggest source of tourists, while some countries have advised against travel to Singapore which has one of the highest virus infection tallies outside China at 58. The Asian business hub had just been showing signs of recovery from its lowest growth rate in a decade last year a paltry 0.7 percent when the outbreak spread to the city-state in late January. Singapore is due to release final fourth-quarter growth data on Monday, and economists are anticipating revisions to its 2020 growth forecast range of 0.5-2.5 percent. Meanwhile, Malaysias Ministry of Finance said in a statement on Friday that it would announce a stimulus package in the coming week to mitigate the economic effects of the coronavirus outbreak Assistance will be given to the affected sectors, Minister of Finance Lim Guan Eng said. The government said on Tuesday that the stimulus package would be earmarked for the aviation, retailing and tourism industries. India and Portugal on Friday exchanged 14 agreements and understanding in various fields including one on the maritime corporation, said President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday, adding the two countries' collaboration in the field of science and technology is making new headway. "Today we have exchanged 14 agreements and understandings. Our collaboration in the field of science and technology is making new headway," said Kovind during a press conference with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Marcelo, who is on a four-day visit to India, held talks with Kovind earlier in the day. "The agreement has indeed boosted to our bilateral ties taken our relations to a new high," he added. The agreements were signed in the fields of nano-biotechnology, higher education, among other areas, while several other agreements have been exchanged. Marcelo is accompanied by Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Prof Augusto Santos Silva, Secretary of State for Internationalisation Prof Eurico Brilhante Dias and Secretary of State for National Defense Jorge Seguro Sanche. The agreement was signed during delegation-level talks between New Delhi and Lisbon. The Indian delegation was headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Portuguese delegation by visiting President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa at the Hyderabad House in the national capital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia - Passengers on a cruise ship that spent two weeks at sea after being turned away by five countries over coronavirus fears started disembarking in Cambodia on Friday. The MS Westerdam, carrying 1,455 passengers and 802 crew, docked in the Cambodian port town of Sihanoukville on Thursday. It had anchored 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. After tests, no one on board was found to be carrying the virus, Cambodias health ministry said. Cambodian authorities granted permission for passengers to disembark on Friday morning, the ships operator, Holland America Line, a unit of Miami-based Carnival Corp, said in an emailed statement, ending two weeks of uncertainty for the cruise. MS Westerdam, a cruise ship that spent two weeks at sea after being turned away by five countries over fears that someone aboard might have the coronavirus is seen in Sihanoukville, Cambodia February 14, 2020. Photo: Reuters Charter flights were being organized to help passengers return home, the statement said. Flight details are being communicated to guests as they are finalized, and it is expected that a full disembarkation will take a few days given the charter flight schedule, the statement said. The sound of cheering inside the ship could be heard from Sihanoukville port when the Westerdam finally docked on Thursday evening. Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen personally greeted the passengers with handshakes and bouquets of roses as they stepped off the ship and boarded a waiting bus. Passengers of MS Westerdam, a cruise ship that spent two weeks at sea after being turned away by five countries over fears that someone aboard might have the coronavirus, get off as it docks in Sihanoukville, Cambodia February 14, 2020. Photo: Reuters My wife and I gave him some chocolates as a show of our appreciation, Lou Poandel, a tourist from New Jersey, told Reuters after he disembarked and met the Cambodian leader. 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 had 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, 218 have tested positive for the virus. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen welcomes the passengers and crews of MS Westerdam, a cruise ship that spent two weeks at sea after being turned away by five countries over fears that someone aboard might have the coronavirus, as it docks in Sihanoukville, Cambodia February 14, 2020. Photo: Reuters On Tuesday, the Westerdam tried to dock in Bangkok, but Thai authorities denied permission. On Wednesday, a Thai Navy warship escorted it out of the Gulf of Thailand, and it set a course for Cambodia, the Marine Traffic website showed. William Gregory, a 76-year-old American tourist, said he was very happy with how he had been treated on board during the ordeal. They kept us in good spirits, he told Reuters. I didnt stress. Very relaxing. We took tai chi. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen welcomes a passenger of MS Westerdam, a cruise ship that spent two weeks at sea after being turned away by five countries over fears that someone aboard might have the coronavirus, as it docks in Sihanoukville, Cambodia February 14, 2020. Photo: Reuters The most recent month of this cats life has been difficult and confusing. It traveled from the big city of Chicago to a rural town in Floridas panhandle, then across to Alabama. But it was the dangerous and hard first month that shaped his last 14 years. Three of his five siblings were killed by raccoons in a ravine about 30 miles north of Chicago. His mother, unable to protect her brood from repeated attacks, took the two remaining 5-week-old kittens to a nearby meadow where they were left, and eventually found by a man. That was her goodbye. It was May 2006. Both kittens suffered from malnutrition, hypothermia, fever, heartworm, mites and fleas, according to online journal entries written by one of the cats eventual owners, Bob Trombello. He along with friends had spent weeks caring for a feral community of cats in the Illinois city of Waukegan. They were threatened by locals and criticized by city workers for feeding the colony, wrote Trombello in 2016. But they persisted. Trombello was eventually introduced to his kitten by a friend who had been the first to save the abandoned pair. When I looked into the box, he (barely audible) hissed at me! wrote Trombello, recalling the moment in his online journal 10 years later. Something about that unusual spark of life from something so young and little intrigued me. I had never had anything that tiny before. His friend took the other kitten, later named Joseph. Trombello, unsure of a good name, asked his newest addition what he wanted it to be. The small kitten looked up at him and squeaked Meep, according to Trombellos written account. He added a silent J because Meejp is a mystery in and of himself, he added. Young Meejp. It was the beginning of a special relationship, one filled with a kind of love and obsession beyond what you would ordinarily see between a single man with a handlebar mustache in his late 40s and a feral kitten. Trombello set up a Facebook page for Meejp in 2016, where he would post long and poetic comments either from himself or from what he figured Meejp might be thinking. But most of the posts served as a window into Bobs own constantly changing and sometimes difficult life. There are tiny little windows here and no balcony, wrote Bob on behalf of Meejp, after the pair were again forced to move home. I dont think too many out there think about those things. But to me a balcony (4th floor) was one of the most awesome things I had in life. During warmer weather the door was opened a bit so I could come and go. I could watch all the things in the buildings coming and going. By the time Trombello found Meejp in 2006, he had been divorced for seven years and was estranged from the three step-children he had deeply cared through a decade of marriage, according to interviews with Trombellos friends and family. Not being able to see them left him devastated as he grew older and as his living situation became more unstable. It wasnt too many years later that he began losing the ability to work, which had primarily been automotive jobs and printing electronic circuit boards for companies in the Chicago area. Bob Trombello and Meejp in March 2011. He saved Meejp a decade before and now Meejp seemed to be saving him. Because of Trombellos poor health, Meejp had suddenly become one of the few things in life that mattered to him anymore. If anything ever happened to me he would end up being put-down because he will not accept another human, wrote Trombello on Facebook in November 2010. I worry about that sometimes because I am very unwell medically. Sounds goofy, I suppose, but I love the little bastard. He is all I have left. At that time Trombello was 52 years-old Bob, his sister Lisa and her daughter. It was a relationship built upon a mutual dependence. Trombello, who had endured so much loss in his life, was looking for something to love, something that would love him unconditionally, something that wouldnt judge him for the way he was or his failures. And Meejp needed rescuing. Their chaotic lives crossed paths at the perfect moment. Hes my best friend, wrote Trombello in a post from late 2016, more than 10 years after he first met Meejp. And while they had a good 14 years together, their unique relationship came to an end on the evening of Jan. 10, 2020. Trombello was involved in a head-on collision in the Florida panhandle. He had only been there for two weeks. He was 62. The punk and the poet Robert William Trombello was born in April 1957 to a family in Chicago with Sicilian roots. One of his closest friends Dave Gecic remembered when he first encountered Trombello while working at a theater in the Windy City more than 30 years ago. That was during the early 80s, said Gecic, who was clearing out Trombellos old trailer in Florida when he spoke to AL.com. I never worked with Bob but I knew who we was. Bob was always this big car guy and he would show up at the movie theater with a cool car and all the older guys who get all excited. He would usually come in with some kind of exotic car that he was either working on for somebody or that he had for himself. One of the coolest cars that he had was an English taxi, like from the movie The Clockwork Orange. That was his favorite movie." Bob on the right during his punk phase. Around that time Trombello was also a roady with the Bonemen of Barumba, a punk band hailing from Chicago. He had a mohawk back then, said his only sister, Lisa Hirn. He was really part of that punk scene for years. I remember him wearing all kinds of crazy outfits. In their late 20s, Trombello and Gecic bonded over Dungeons and Dragons and realized they were friends while attending an Edgar Winter concert sometime in the mid-80s. Gecic struggles to remember the exact dates. But it wasnt long after, in the latter part of the 80s, that Trombello got married and the pair began to drift apart. I didnt see him much after that, he said. We drifted in out of each others life in the years after. He really loved an adventure, added Gecic, who said that he and Trombellos relationship evolved from board games and Edgar Winter to poetry as they got older. Gecic is still a prominent poet in the Chicago area today. And his foray into writing saw Trombello rub shoulders with people who had their own captivating stories. Although Trombello didnt know it at the time, he started a friendship with a man named J.J. Jameson, also known as the murderer Norman Porter. Police reports from the time say Porter walked out of a minimum security jail in 1985 and wasnt recaptured until March 2005. He was Chicagos most wanted fugitive at the time, even ahead of mafia boss James Whitey Bulger, said Gecic. He was caught when FBI agents saw his image on a ChicagoPoetry.com. He was poet of the month. One year Bob had nowhere to go for Christmas and J.J. invited him. They were good friends, added Gecic. Bob got himself into some wild things, he added. In the latter years of Trombellos life he and Gecic remained very close. It was Gecic who paid for Meejps urinary tract surgery in late 2016. He sent a musical card to Meejp with a check. Bob said he had to take the card away from Meejp because he loved opening and closing it. Meejp after his urinary tract operation. Bob passed that kindness on when his sister and her husband needed to move for work. He paid for our moving expenses to move back from Mobile to Chicago in 2018 when my husband had to relocate for work, she said. He had sold some property and had a little money. He always wanted to help. It was also around that time that Bob, in poor health, began supplementing his limited income by selling motorized scale model cars on Ebay and Facebook marketplace. It paid for Meejps cat food, said Gecic, who said that at that time Trombello was living with the father of a deceased friend. He kept him company and in exchange, he and Meejp had somewhere to live. He eventually moved to Florida. His childhood friend Char Bushor paid for him to make the trip and let him stay in her mothers old trailer. On the way down, Gecic said that Trombello worried about Meejps mood. Bob drove straight all the way because he so worried about Meejp, he said. Bob noticed he wasnt eating or drinking and was worried he was getting sick again. While clearing out his old friends belongings in Florida earlier this week alongside Hirn, Gecic came across a poem Trombello had written while waiting at a DMV office in Chicago years ago. While the poem focused on the people coming in and out of the DMV that day, the most important part of the poem related to a little old man who evidently failed his driving exam. I didnt make it, said the little old man to his wife, according to the poem. His wife then fixed his collar as his arms flapped around feebly. What are we going to do now? his wife asked him. Trombello continued: We Judge one another all through life, Others judge us all our life, And we end up sitting like so many crows on a fence, waiting for lifes curtain to fall, he wrote in the poem. And where do we go when the shows over? Trombello felt like he may have not been far from such a moment in his own life. He wasnt wrong. The last word of love is often goodbye, as it has been for Meejp twice in his life, but it can also be hello. Meejp has settled into life in Mobile where he, despite Trombellos fears, has fully accepted another human. That human is writing this story. DRIVE home your dream Toyota this love month as Toyota Motor Philippines is once again offering great deals and flexible payment schemes on its best-selling models. With light payments as low as P6,593 a month or affordable down payment as low as P83,550, you can already own a vehicle with Toyotas signature quality, durability and reliability. You can enjoy cash savings of as much as P125,000. From Feb. 1-15, enjoy a P30,000 discount on the Avanza, Innova, Rush, Hilux, FMC Hiace GL Grandia and FMC Hiace Commuter Deluxe. Pay Light (Low Monthly Plans) schemes are also available for the Avanza, Rush and Hilux. From Feb. 1 to 29, get five-year extended warranty on top of the P125,000 discount on the locally assembled flagship passenger car Toyota Vios. Discounts, Pay Low (All-In, Low Down Package) and Pay Light are also available for the pre-FMC Hiace Commuter and Wigo. Up to P20,000 trade-in rebate is also available for the following models: Vios, Innova, Fortuner, Avanza, Corolla Altis, Hilux (except Cab and Chassis, and FX), Wigo, Rush and pre-FMC Hiace Commuter. For more information on all the available deals, visit www.toyota.com.ph/priceslash. Head on to any of Toyotas 70 dealerships nationwide, or visit Toyotas pages at www.toyota.com.ph, ToyotaMotorPhilippines (Facebook and Instagram) and @ToyotaMotorPH (Twitter) for more information on Toyotas latest promos and offers. (PR) Peel police have charged an officer who has been in the service for 16 years with assault during an arrest in November, 2019. On Nov. 20, Peel police began an investigation into an allegation of assault by an officer during an arrest on Nov. 14. Const. Sean Osborne is charged with a count of assault, and a count of attempting to obstruct justice, according to Peel police news statement released on Friday. I would like to assure the public that any allegations of an unlawful act carried out by our members will be investigated quickly and thoroughly, said Chief Nishan Duraiappah. Osborne is suspended with pay and will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton on Mar. 16. Co Tyrone construction firm McAleer & Rushe is to work on the construction of a new four-star Maldron hotel next to Croke Park stadium in Dublin. The Cookstown-based company will work alongside the GAA and Dalata Hotel Group, the largest hotel operator in Ireland, on the 200-room hotel at the junction of Clonliffe and Jones's Roads. Planning is due to be secured this year, with the hotel scheduled to open in the second half of 2023. The hotel will also have a business centre with six meeting rooms as well as bar and restaurant facilities. The company operates four hotels in Northern Ireland, including Maldron properties in Belfast, Londonderry and at Belfast International Airport, and a Clayton Hotel in Belfast. Eamonn Laverty, group chief executive McAleer & Rushe, said he was "delighted to be working with the GAA, once again, on the design and build of a new hotel as part of an exciting project on the Clonliffe College site, part of the Croke Park campus". He added: "Having developed and implemented the design and build of the original Croke Park Hotel we know the great team the GAA has in place at Croke Park. "We look forward to renewing that partnership with them and with the Dalata Group who we work closely with on an ongoing basis across a range of projects throughout Ireland and the UK." Croke Park is the third largest stadium in Europe with a capacity of 82,300 and annual visitor numbers of over 1.5 million. Dermot Crowley, deputy CEO at Dalata, said the Maldron Hotel Croke Park will be a "brand new, four-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". He added: "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." Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 15:07:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The work of Chinese teachers during the country's battle to contain the novel coronavirus outbreak, including online teaching and tutoring, will be included in teachers' performance assessment by schools, according to the Ministry of Education. Online teaching and tutoring, as well as the correction of students' homework, will be counted as part of teachers' workloads, the ministry said in a circular. Education authorities and schools are urged to organize online teaching based on the conditions of local online education platforms and schools, according to the ministry. Teachers who have made outstanding contributions to the country's virus battle should be honored, the circular said. Meanwhile, the ministry called for greater efforts to help children of medics who are working on the virus battle front line solve problems related to their education and daily life. Among its efforts to stop the spread of the virus, China has postponed the reopening of schools to avoid mass gatherings. Former Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith has been given a payoff of nearly 17,000 after being unceremoniously sacked by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, according to reports. News of the popular secretary of state's sacking was met with shock and dismay across Northern Ireland on Thursday. Mr Smith was replaced by former Conservative Party Chairman Brandon Lewis. The Times has revealed that the blow will be cushioned as Mr Smith is set to receive a payoff of 16,875 after just 204 days in the role. Former Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers was given the same amount after being sacked as Environment Secretary. Karen Bradley received a similar payoff upon leaving the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) in July 2019. The Belfast Telegraph attempted to find out exactly how much Mrs Bradley had been paid through a Freedom of Information request to the NIO. In response the NIO said that while it had the information it would not release it saying it was not in the public interest to do so. It will be published in future as part of the NIO's annual report and accounts. "In this case, I have concluded that the public interest favours withholding the information," an NIO spokesperson said. The NIO's 2018/19 annual report and accounts show that James Brokenshire was given 16,876 when he resigned as NI Secretary due to health reasons in January 2018. Shailesh Vara was awarded 8,408 when he resigned as Minister of State for Northern Ireland in January 2018, the accounts show. He left the Cabinet due to a disagreement over Theresa May's Brexit withdrawal agreement. Former Conservative leadership candidate Andrea Leadsom was also awarded just short of 17,000 after being sacked as Business Secretary on Thursday, and marked the occasion by taking her staff to London's Goring Hotel for a champagne lunch. Former Attorney General Geoffrey Cox is entitled to a 23,610 payout after being relieved from his role, which came with the highest yearly salary in the Cabinet at 94,450. A Cabinet Office spokesperson told the Belfast Telegraph that under the terms of the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 (section 4), all ministers under the age of 65 who leave the government and are not appointed to a new ministerial position within three weeks are entitled to severance payments. "Relevant departments' severance payments to ministers are set out in their annual report and accounts," the spokesperson said. Expand Close New Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis leaves 10 Downing Street during the reshuffle AFP via Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp New Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis leaves 10 Downing Street during the reshuffle Meanwhile, incoming Secretary of State Mr Lewis wasted no time in getting to grips with his new role. He spoke with First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill on Friday morning and said he was looking forward to working with them and their Executive team. He also spoke with PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne in what he described as a "very useful catch up" and spoke to Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney about "building on the good work already done". "Ireland is our nearest neighbour and a key partner," the Secretary of State said. Sinn Fein vice-president Ms O'Neill said that she agreed to hold an "urgent early meeting" with Mr Lewis to discuss a range of issues, including "legacy, bad faith on pensions, Brexit and political and financial commitments to make the Assembly and Executive sustainable". Mr Coveney said he had a "very positive" first call with Mr Lewis. "Looking forward to working with Brandon Lewis for as long as I hold my role in government," he said. "Northern Ireland deserves and needs a strong and positive relationship with UK and Irish Governments." The NIO was approached for comment, but declined. MONTREAL - Industry players are warning governments that shortages of groceries, propane, drinking water and other goods are on the horizon as a rail blockade by anti-pipeline protesters enters its ninth day. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. People stand near the train train tracks on day 8 of the train blockade in Tyendinaga, near Belleville, Ont., on Thursday Feb. 13, 2020, in support of Wet'suwet'en's blockade of a natural gas pipeline in northern B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg MONTREAL - Industry players are warning governments that shortages of groceries, propane, drinking water and other goods are on the horizon as a rail blockade by anti-pipeline protesters enters its ninth day. Demonstrators set up a blockade on Canadian National Rail Co. tracks near Belleville, Ont., on Feb. 6 after RCMP officers enforced an injunction against opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline project that crosses the traditional territory of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation in northwestern B.C. Fresh food, personal hygiene products and baby formula are among the goods that could soon run out as halted railcars in the eastern half of the country clog CN's network from coast to coast. "It's not like theres 10,000 idled trucks sitting in some subterranean basement somewhere that can just be dusted off if theres a rail stoppage. Theres just too much volume for that," said Retail Council of Canada spokesman Karl Littler. Canadian Propane Association CEO Nathalie St-Pierre says wholesalers in the Maritimes have already begun to ration distribution while truck line-ups for the fuel in Sarnia, Ont., are now up to 10 hours long as water treatment plants, hospitals, farmers and rural residents await more shipments. Drinking water could also fall into short supply if chlorine for water treatment stays off the tracks, according to chemicals trade group Responsible Distribution Canada. "If something doesnt happen now, were going to start seeing municipalities in Ontario beginning to have boil-water advisories going out," said president Cathy Campbell. "This week its going to get very scary." Hand sanitizer, de-icing fluid for aircraft and chemicals used to coat cars and clean food processing equipment could prompt production line shutdowns, she said. "Its a little bit of everything," said Avery Shenfeld, chief economist of CIBC Capital Markets. He cautioned that layoffs could be imminent, with the broader impact bound to dent the economy unless a resolution is found soon. "If goods start piling up at ports and factories, were going to see production halts that would affect employment." Industries from manufacturing to fertilizer say they respect the right to peaceful protest but argue it's time for federal and provincial governments to bridge the impasse or enforce injunctions obtained by CN. "We do feel like were sort of getting sideswiped by a protest that pertains more to natural resources products than rail," said the retail council's Karl Littler. Via Rail has cancelled all service on CN tracks in Canada, leaving only two northern routes open between Sudbury and White River in Ontario and between Churchill and The Pas in Manitoba. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday he has no plans to order the RCMP to end blockades of vital rail links across the country. "We are not the kind of country where politicians get to tell the police what to do in operational matters," Trudeau said Friday in Munich, where he was attending a global security conference. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer called on Trudeau Friday to order Public Safety Minister Bill Blair to use his authority under the RCMP Act to end what he called the "illegal blockades" by Indigenous Peoples at the centre of a dispute over a British Columbia pipeline project. Early Friday morning, demonstrators lifted a rail blockade that was set up four days earlier on the line into Prince Rupert, B.C. reopening a key port. First Nations leaders had suggested that would happen if federal and provincial politicians agreed to meet to discuss solutions to the ongoing dispute over construction of a natural gas pipeline through Wetsuweten traditional land. The ongoing eastern network shutdown impedes mills' ability to ship pulp, two-by-fours and wood panelling to the U.S. and beyond, said Forest Products Association of Canada CEO Derek Nighbor, who called the CN line a "critical artery." "For every train car that we use for pulp, it would take four trucks to move that same carload. For lumber its two trucks for every one train car," Nighbor said. Some mills are on the verge of suspending operations due to a lack of chemicals or fuel, while others are paying out of pocket for extra warehousing and truck transport, he said. "You cant just turn the tap on and things are back to normal again. If everything got resolved to day...we probably wouldnt get empty railcars to our mills till mid- to late-week next week." Jean Simard, CEO of the Aluminium Association of Canada, said plants from Saguenay, Que., to Kitimat, B.C., are scrambling to find makeshift solutions for incoming and outgoing shipments. "You have work out the delays and adapt your production, whether its tar, pitch or other types of products that normally come in on a regular basis," he said. The Association of Canadian Port Authorities says ports are beginning to turn away ships, with cargo rerouted to docks in the U.S. or less efficient truck transport at the risk of "long-lasting reputational damage." Try our Dish The latest on food and drink in Winnipeg and beyond from arts writers Ben Sigurdson and Eva Wasney. Dish arrives in your inbox every other Friday. See sample. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Mary Robinson says the backed-up rail lines are hampering producers' ability to export commodities, warning of "huge financial consequences" as farmers do not get paid until products get to market. "Rail service disruptions can also have negative impacts on animal welfare issues, as propane shipments are crucial to keeping barns heated during the winter months," she said. While the repercussions of the rail shutdown are negative for the vast majority of stakeholders, the closure of Via's Ottawa-Toronto and Montreal-Toronto routes has proven to be a bonus for Porter Airlines, which said more passengers have booked flights between those cities over the past week as a result. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2020. Companies in this story: (TSX:CNR) Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version stated that the Ontario blockade began Feb. 9. South Korean soft power might reach an all-time high soon thanks to "Parasite", director Bong Joon-ho's history-making film. The dark comedy with a chilling message about economic inequality took home four Oscars at the 92nd annual Academy Awards February 9, including the ceremony's most prestigious accolade, Best Picture. It's the first foreign-language film to win the Best Picture title, and the first South Korean film to win any Academy Award at all. "I was really surprised," said Kyung Hyun Kim, a professor of visual studies at the University of California, Irvine. "I thought [Parasite] had zero chance of winning ... I think it's big, and I think more chances and opportunities might now be given to filmmakers who have a vision." Bong quickly went viral online as he repeatedly walked up to the stage to give acceptance speeches, at one point remarking that he would "drink until the next day" and later making the figurines on two of his Oscars trophies kiss as he walked the red carpet. Now, the combination of Bong's internet-friendly personality and the massive success of his film has some experts wondering whether South Korean cinema is about to take off with even greater international recognition. "It's the frosting on the cake a real beautiful moment and I feel that there is going to be more attention placed on Korean cinema now," Kim said. "But it's also important to remember that Bong Joon-ho is no Cinderella filmmaker. His critical acclaim has been 25 years in the making, and that goes for the rest of Korean cinema, too." As it is, South Korea has capped previous milestones in its K-pop and K-beauty industries: Boy band BTS is thought to rake in some $3.6 billion for the nation's economy ever year, while the Korean beauty market reached an estimated worth of $13.1 billion in 2018. The export value for South Korea's film industry is much smaller just $41.6 million in 2018, according to the research department of Statista, a business data portal but that doesn't mean it can't change. "I know that my book on Korean cinema that came out eight years ago has suddenly started selling better on Amazon," Kim told VOA. "I am optimistic about the prospect of Korean cinema in the future for sure. And even though the economy isn't doing well, I think Parasite is an especially positive sign for Korea's artisan cinema." From Persecution to Power South Korea struggled through a dark period for thought-provoking, highly critical films like Parasite in recent years. Under former President Park Geun-hye who was impeached and replaced with President Moon Jae-in in 2017 directors like Bong were blacklisted for the political messages buried in their films. Now, Bong is widely celebrated by the South Korean government as the nation's latest success story, regardless of the fact that Parasite critically highlights the stark inequalities between the country's rich and poor. As it turns out, Seoul's fresh combination of democratic values and art cinema might have been a recipe for elevated soft power, and one other nations such as China might come to envy. "Korea was in a dictatorship and it's no coincidence that as Korea kind of came out of that and into a democracy, that's when the Korean film industry flourished. So, if China's looking at Korea then I think there needs to be political changes before you can see the film industry flourish," Jason Bechervaise, a Korean film expert who wrote his Ph.D. thesis on Bong, told VOA. "I think Korea's neighbors in the region will be looking at Korea in envy and they'll be trying to replicate that success. But this hasn't happened overnight, and there have been significant changes over the years that enabled this to happen." However, Jihoon Kim, an associate professor of cinema and media studies at Chungang University in Seoul, isn't as optimistic that South Korea be able to replicate "Parasite fever" and continue to increase its cinematic soft power. "I'm proud of the the success as a Korean citizen and as a professional devoted to studying Korean cinema, but at the same time, I think Parasite's massive success is an exceptional case," he said. "I don't think that level of success will repeat over and over again for most Korean films." Kim called Parasite a "remarkable film," but said that its success came from a combination of other factors. For example, winning the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, the highest prize, set the film down a path toward fame. However, Kim said Parasite also used "good professional strategists" to campaign for Best Picture ahead of the Academy Awards plus Bong himself added to the buzz by becoming an unintentional internet meme of sorts. "The Parasite phenomenon and Bong Joon-ho's celebrity status are based on the rise of a new, social-media-oriented audience and a new taste for artistic film. It's very connected to social media," he said. "People began sharing his interviews and his comments online, and interest in the film has now been elevated into a fandom of Bong Joon-ho users on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, et cetera." For now, it's hard to tell whether Parasite is a milestone for the Korean Wave known as "hallyu" or a popular counter to it. "Bong Joon-ho and his counterparts are, in many ways, anti-hallyu. Yes, they cast hallyu stars, but they are not like k-dramas, which are these sugar-coated pills," Kyun Hyun Kim said. "These are films that are trying to upset and sometimes shock viewers with really difficult social messages. They make you think of the present-day social ills. That's not where K-pop is ... They're related, but it's hard to say there is overlap." To date, Parasite has grossed more than $168 million worldwide, and theaters around Seoul are beginning to re-screen it in light of its record-breaking Oscar wins. "Korean cinema has been selling out in the film festival circuit for over a decade now. Cinephiles and fans of international cinema already knew," Kyung Hyun Kim said. "But I think it has now gotten to the point where [casual movie-goers] understand: South Korea has great films out there." Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is facing a more intense spotlight on his past leadership on issues of race and policing as he tries to translate his strong showing in Iowa and New Hampshire into support in more diverse states. Buttigieg, who spent eight years as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has tripped up in recent days as he was grilled about his record, including the racial disparity in marijuana arrests in South Bend and decisions that led to him having no African American leaders in his administration during a crucial stretch of his tenure in a city where more than a quarter of residents are black. The 38-year-old is trying to address those questions with a flurry of advertisements featuring black supporters and an appeal to minority voters who, like many in their party, are focused on which candidate is best positioned to beat President Donald Trump in November. Before anybody cares whats in your plans, they want to know if youre a serious contender, and I think up until we had the results we did here in Iowa and New Hampshire, it was difficult for us to prove, Buttigieg said Wednesday on PBS. Now the process of proving it is underway. Iran is looking to India to speed up the acquisition of heavy equipment such as cranes and expedite work on a railway link to the Afghan border to boost the economic viability of the Chabahar port, people familiar with the developments said. Indias allocation of Rs 100 crore for the strategic port on the Gulf of Oman in south-eastern Iran in the budget for fiscal 2020-21 and greater clarity on the US waiver for Chabahar from sanctions imposed on Iran have heightened expectations in Tehran that work on the project will now pick up pace, said the people who declined to be named. There is a written assurance from the US that will make it easier for foreign banks to provide funds for the purchase of heavy equipment, including cranes and pneumatic lifts that are needed to unload ships at Chabahar, said a person who didnt want to be named as he was not authorised to talk to the media. In late 2018, the US had granted a waiver for Chabahar and the construction of a railway line from the port to the Afghan border from sanctions under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012. However, banks had been reluctant to provide loans for buying heavy equipment worth some $85 million for the port because of the lack of a written assurance from the US, the people said. This assurance was provided following the India-US 2+2 meeting of the defence and foreign ministers in Washington last December, the people added. The hope now is that the US assurance and the increased allocation for Chabahar in Indias budget will help drive the process for acquiring all the necessary equipment, the person cited above said. As things stand now, the lack of equipment means it takes a lot of time to unload ships at Chabahar. What should be done in a day is done in several days. Besides, this adds to the demurrage charges that have to be paid, the person added. Indias outlay for Chabahar in the latest budget is more than double the allocation of Rs 45 crore in fiscal 2019-20, which wasnt expended. The other key element is the construction of the railway line from Chabahar to Zahedan on the border with Afghanistan to facilitate the movement of larger volume of goods. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had specifically raised the Chabahar-Zahedan rail link at a meeting with external affairs minister S Jaishankar in Tehran last December and asked India to accelerate work on it to benefit regional trade relations. During that visit, India and Iran had agreed to boost Chabahars economic viability, including steps such as providing higher subsidies to merchant shipping using the port. Since India took over operations at Shahid Beheshti terminal in Chabahar in December 2018, the port has handled more than 500,000 tonnes of cargo, including some 1,000 tonnes of exports from Afghanistan. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday on a plea filed by Sara Abdullah Pilot challenging the detention of her brother and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah under the Public Safety Act The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday on a plea filed by Sara Abdullah Pilot challenging the detention of her brother and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah under the Public Safety Act. A bench, comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee, said it would hear Pilot's plea challenging Abdullah's detention on 2 March. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for Pilot in the apex court. Justice Arun Mishra gave the administration time till March 2 to file its reply to the habeas corpus plea despite strong appeals by lawyer Kapil Sibal that it was a matter of personal liberty, a fundamental right, News18 reported. "Youve waited for so long, youve waited for a year to file this," Justice Mishra said, adding that a delay of 15 more days won't make a difference. The judge did not budge when Sibal pointed out that Pilot's petition was against Abdullahs detention under PSA, which was slapped to extend Abdullah's preventive detention only a few days ago. Reacting to the developments, Pilot said that she had hoped for some immediate intervention as this was a Habeas Corpus case. She, however, said that she retains her faith in the judiciary. "We were hopeful that,as this is a habeas corpus case, that the relief would be sooner. But we have full faith in the justice system. We're here because we want that all Kashmiris should have the same rights as all citizen of India and we're waiting for that day," she told ANI Pilot had on Monday approached the top court challenging her brother's detention under the Public Safety Act, saying the detention order was "manifestly illegal" and there was 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. AUBURN, N.Y. -- Police have asked the public for help finding a missing, endangered Central New York teenager. Alexis Frost was reported missing Wednesday by her foster family in Auburn, Cayuga County, said the Auburn Police Department. She ran away from her foster familys home, police said, and is considered endangered, police said. Detectives believe Alexis could be in the Auburn, Niagara Falls or Utica areas Frost has brown hair and blue eyes, police said. She is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds. Police have asked anyone with information to call Detective Sean DeRosa at (315) 255-4706. Callers can remain anonymous, DeRosa said. Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Harvey Weinsteins lead defense attorney has been busy. For the past few months, when Donna Rotunno hasnt been cross-examining the multiple women whove accused Weinstein of sexual assault, shes been making the disgraced producers case to the press. In recent interviews with multiple media outlets, she has painted Weinstein as the victim of an overzealous #MeToo movement that has prematurely declared him guilty without giving due scrutiny to the stories of his accusers. Weinstein has been charged in New York with assaulting two women: Jessica Mann, who says he raped her two times in 2013, and Mimi Haleyi, who says he sexually assaulted her in 2006. Rotunnos position is that these sexual encounters were consensual. I think its easy to look back and say, Oh, you know, maybe I didnt love that experience. Well, OK. Regret sex is not rape, Rotunno told Vanity Fair. Having voluntary sex with someone, even if it is a begrudging act, is not a crime after the fact, she told the New York Times. In court, Rotunno has highlighted some friendly sounding correspondence Mann exchanged with Weinstein after the alleged assaults. The attorney has also suggested that another accuser, who told her story of Weinstein raping her in 2005 as part of the prosecutions attempt to demonstrate Weinsteins alleged pattern of abusive behavior, wouldnt have got in a car with Weinstein after her alleged rape if the sex act had been truly nonconsensual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the media coverage of Rotunno and her role in Weinsteins trial has homed in on Rotunnos gender, which she seems more than happy to discuss. When Rotunno appeared on Fox News in January, thats what Martha MacCallums first two questions addressed. On Nightline, right out of the gate, Amy Robach asked Rotunno, Do you think Harvey Weinstein hired you because youre a woman? The answer to that question, as Rotunno also told Megan Twohey at the beginning of a recent episode of The Daily, is yes. Almost every interview finds Rotunno explaining that her gender is an asset in her line of work. I have the ability to get away with a lot more in a courtroom cross-examining a female than a male lawyer does, she told a Chicago magazine reporter in 2018. If he goes at that woman with the same venom that I do, he looks like a bully. If I do it, nobody even bats an eyelash. Advertisement Advertisement This narrative suggests that women bear more responsibility for shunning sexual abusers than men. That Chicago magazine profile submits that Rotunno might easily be seen as a traitor to her sex for defending so many accused sexual assailants. (Shes represented about 40 such defendants, though Weinsteins is her most high-profile case to date.) Its an idea others have found equally compelling, whether as a summation of popular sentiment or as a narrative device. Have you been accused of being a traitor to your own gender? Robach asked Rotunno. You must know a lot of women who see you as a kind of traitor, prodded Twohey. A recent New York Times piece referenced Rotunnos unusual specialty, one that made her a paradoxical character for deciding to defend a man reviled by many women as the embodiment of chauvinism and sexual misconduct. Advertisement Advertisement Its easy to understand this morbid fascination with a woman who decides to defend a steady stream of alleged sexual abusers, including Weinstein, who has been so publicly accused of numerous gruesome acts of violence against women. After all, its been women, largely, who have shared their stories of sexual assault, advanced legislative reforms to address sexual harassment, and mobilized against abusers in power in the years since those allegations became public. The disproportionate presence of women as both alleged survivors and activists in the Weinstein story, and in the broader history of sexual violence, has created the impression that the #MeToo movement is a battle of the sexesthat women share a particular set of knowledge and experiences, and now theyre striving to make them legible to men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the story of harassmentwho understands it, who experiences it, who wants to fight itisnt uniformly split along gendered lines. And the implications of this leering preoccupation with Rotunnos gender are troubling. By framing the vigorous defense of a man accused of sexually assaulting more than 80 women as a traitorous act to womanhood in particular rather than humanity in general, this narrative suggests that women bear more responsibility for shunning sexual abusers than men. It lends credence to the erroneous idea that women are more morally discerning than men, especially when it comes to evaluating the character of accused sex criminals. It is unduly patronizing (to women) and exculpatory (to men) to expect women to know better, or to be better, just because they belong to a demographic that is disproportionately victimized by rape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a practical matter, its not surprising that Rotunno would choose to make her living representing men accused of sexual assault. Theres a lot of money in it if you get the right clients. And in todays legal system, defending people accused of rape is still a pretty good bet. Of rapes that are reported to the police, only about 18 percent lead to an arrest. Nineteen percent of those arrests are referred to a prosecutor, and less than two-thirds of those prosecuted cases end in a felony conviction. That conviction rate is just slightly higher than the national average for felony defendants and significantly lower than the rate for many other crimes, including driving-related felonies, murder, burglary, and drug trafficking. And, to take Rotunnos word for it, her gender might help her beat the odds, because she can get away with a more aggressive cross-examination of the alleged victim, and jurors might place more value in her endorsement of Weinstein than they would a mans. (She does have a particularly good track record: Shes only lost one of her sexual assault cases to date.) If we believe people of all genders should be incensed by sexual violence, Rotunnos combination of gender and specialty ought to be no more paradoxical than a male lawyer who defends men charged with murder, a crime whose victims are 77 percent men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Women who defend rape culture, gender inequality, or white supremacy are often regarded as curious anomalies in ways that belie their prevalence. White women have long trended Republican; it should have been no surprise that a majority of them selected a racist, sexist Republican for president over his female opponent in 2016. Some of the most famous anti-feminists of history, including notorious Equal Rights Amendment antagonist Phyllis Schlafly, have been women. Though female Democrats are more likely than their male counterparts to say abortion should be legal in all cases, among all Americans, there is barely any gender gap in opinions on abortion rights. The vast majority of advocates for feminist causes and reproductive rights are women, but women also make up a not-insignificant segment of those advocates opponents. Advertisement The familiarity of Rotunnos arguments in defense of Weinstein speaks to the commonplace nature of her ideological position. She conflates social reproach with criminal conviction, arguing that the #MeToo movement has stripped the accused of his right to due process while defending him in what is his due process right to a trial. She says women have infantilized themselves by taking on victimhood status. She claims that women are relinquishing some hard-fought progress on issues of sexual freedom and gender equality by failing to take responsibility for their own sexual choices. She says shes never been sexually assaulted because I would never put myself in that position. She wonders why Weinsteins accusers went to his various hotel rooms if they didnt want to have sex with him and, once they were there, why they didnt leave as soon as he made his first move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The familiarity of Rotunnos arguments in defense of Weinstein speaks to the commonplace nature of her ideological position. In these statements from Rotunno, repeated in almost every interview shes done, there are echoes of other women whove criticized the #MeToo movement in years pastof advice from Bari Weiss, who wrote, If he pressures you to do something you dont want to do, use a four-letter word, stand up on your two legs and walk out his door. There are notes of Katie Roiphe, who wrote that acknowledging that some men target drunk women construes women as helpless and passive, and who further observed that on some subterranean level of this [sexual harassment] conversation all men are presumed guilty. There are hints of Daphne Merkins pleas for women who complain about harassment to grow up. There are traces of Caitlin Flanagan, who believes that many of todays alleged survivors of abuse are simply regretting consensual sexual encounters from their pasts. There are whiffs of Emily Yoffes claim that some women get a thrill out of denouncing people and declaring themselves victims. And theres a hardy throughline of the heavily deployed believe all women straw mana clever transmutation of the actual activist entreaty to believe womenthat Rotunno and several of these other women have used to portray the #MeToo movement as a hysterical overcorrection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost all of these writers have taken great pains to distinguish between Weinstein himself and the men theyre defending, between the alleged serial rapist whose accusers helped kick off the contemporary #MeToo movement and the innocent, if caddish, men who are just trying their best to interpret the cues of the women theyre trying to sleep with. In some way, these women seem to have decided that the magnitude and plenitude of allegations against Weinstein established his behavior as a nearly unreachable threshold for the #MeToo movement that would follow, casting the comparatively lesser alleged misconduct of other men as beyond the scope of any responsible reckoning with sexual power dynamics. But in her press tour and courtroom appearances, Rotunno has used these #MeToo critics arguments to nudge that threshold so high that even Weinstein himself cant meet it. Advertisement If that strategy works, even slightly, to sow public doubt about whether Weinstein should be held accountable for his behavior or whether it is all simply one big misunderstanding blown out of proportion by hysterical women, itll be a remarkable accomplishment. It will also have been made possible by, even laundered through, Rotunnos gender. When women affirm sexist notions, such as the belief that women who speak out about assault are vindictive wannabe victims who wont be held accountable for their own promiscuous behavior, it gives cover to people of all genders who are invested in keeping those notions alive. Advertisement Advertisement This special role for women who prop up misogyny is also inextricably bound up with the traitor to your sex narrative, which rests on the idea that all women have common interests and a common experience of womanhood. The assumptions that lead some people to feel more shock and disgust for Rotunno than they could muster for a male Weinstein defender are also the ones that make it possible for, say, anti-choice women to claim theyre qualified to declare abortion bad for womens health or for female Kavanaugh supporters to use their gender to lend credibility to their belief that his alleged treatment of women is acceptable. It also makes it possible for Rotunno to come off as less of a bully to judges and jurors when shes badgering an alleged survivor of sexual assault on the witness stand, as shes noted in several interviews. When we make womanhood shorthand for virtue, or for a certain set of feminist principlesin other words, when we tie feminist beliefs to genderwe give anti-feminists an easily exploitable tool for their own ends, too. Some white women support Trump in spite of his sexism because they believe they benefit from his racist policies. Though she is a woman, Rotunno benefits from the promulgation of sexist ideas about alleged rape survivors, because she works for alleged rapists. Indeed, the ire that she attracts has another added benefit for her cause: Every question shes asked about her gender is one fewer she has to answer about her client. However, there has been no stoppage of sales of broilers and hens in Nidadavole in west Godavari district, which too reported the death of several hundreds of broilers and hens due to the same virus. KAKINADA: Chicken lovers of the east and west Godavari districts in Andhra Pradesh are in a panic mode as broilers and chicks across poultry farms in both the river districts have attracted the Very Virulent Newcastle Disease (VVND) virus, leading to the death of thousands of broilers and hens. This has resulted in prohibition of sales of chicken in Bhimavaram and Tanuku. However, there has been no stoppage of sales of broilers and hens in Nidadavole in west Godavari district, which too reported the death of several hundreds of broilers and hens due to the same virus. Veterinary doctors have immediately issued an advisory to people not to eat chicken for some days. Karumuri Venkata Nageswara Rao, Tanuku MLA, appealed to people to not eat chicken or meat due to dangerous circumstances prevailing in the area. He advised meat traders not to sell chicken and meat. For the past two days, chicken and meat sales have been stopped at Tanuku in west Godavari, he said. In Bhimavaram of west Godavari, municipal authorities gave reportedly given oral instructions to traders and vendors to not sell chicken and meat in town due to the virus. Jyothula Lakshmi, municipal assistant commissioner told Deccan Chronicle that as a precautionary method, traders were advised not to sell chicken and meat. However, sources, said that in fact, the Food Safety Standards of India officials are taking steps to curb the sales of chicken and meat. But, due to shortage of the personnel in the department, they are unable to do it, said an official. In Baduguvani Lanka village of Alamuru mandal, more than 2,000 broilers died due to the VVND. Animal husbandry department officials closed the poultry farm and instructed the farmer not to open it for three months. K. Ramakrishna, deputy director, animal husbandry department (AHD), O. Ramakrishnaiah, assistant director, AHD, and Dr Bhanu Prasad, veterinary doctor, and others visited the spot and gave directions to poultry farmers to stop all sales in the area. Mr Ramkrishna said that one week ago, 20,000 broilers had died due to the virus in the Vaddiparru village in Ravulapalem mandal. Due to transportation of broilers, the virus have be contracted by others along the way, including the Baduguvanilanka poultry farm. Mr Ramakrishnaiah said that poultry farmers should give vaccination to their chicks and broilers on the first day, ninth day, first and second month regularly to prevent the virus from attacking. He said that if the virus attacks once, cent per cent mortality is seen and an entire farm can be washed out. He said that the poultry farm at Baduguvanilanka village, where the virus attacked, should not be opened another three months. After three months, the farm should be cleaned with chemicals and levelled with soil before 15 or 20 broilers should be grown. If birds can resist the virus, then the farmers can again start growing of birds, he added. Tony Byrd was growing increasingly discontented with his job running the coffee shop in the lobby of IBMs main building in Research Triangle Park. He had been working there since he graduated from South Granville High School nearly a decade ago, and with two young kids to provide for at home, Byrd, 27, was itching for a new start. Now you can find him buying coffee from the same bar he used to run, except this time as a full-time IBM employee. Byrds transition from barista to IT worker is part of what has become increasingly necessary in todays technology industry: companies looking to nontraditional places to fill a growing talent gap. Byrd is a recent graduate of IBMs apprenticeship program a 12-month-long training program for workers without advanced degrees, where he learned coding languages like JavaScript, Python and C#. Its a win-win for Byrd and IBM. He has the chance to start a career in the tech industry and receive a big raise from his barista days. And IBM has gained an employee who says hes in no hurry to leave Big Blue. Tony Byrd started out as a barista at IBMs main building in Research Triangle Park. Now he his a full-time support analyst at IBM after completing the companys apprenticeship program. It meant a lot and took a weight off my shoulders, Byrd said of being hired full-time. When asked whether it made him feel a sense of loyalty to the company, he said it did. IBMs apprenticeship program was pioneered at its RTP office in 2017. Since then, the program has spread to several IBM offices. In two years, it has led to nearly 200 employees being taught how to code, run cybersecurity and a host of other skills. Around 90% of people in the program have become full-time IBM employees, the company said. A numbers game Kelli Jordan, director of career and skills at IBM, said the program was born of necessity, with hundreds of thousands of IT job openings around the country going unfilled. Every company is becoming a tech company in some sort of way. ... It is a bit of a numbers game, she said. Theres over 700,000 [unfilled] tech jobs, and when you look at candidates that are coming out of the traditional pipeline, there are only about 70,000 with a computer science degree. Those numbers dont match up. Story continues So IBM came to the realization it had to recruit differently. That meant looking at community colleges and coding boot camps, she said, rather than just depending on the universities producing enough computer science graduates. IBM launched its apprenticeship program at its Research Triangle Park campus in 2017. So far it has helped train nearly 200 people, and 90% of them end up with full-time jobs at IBM. The apprenticeship model where potential workers get paid while they learn new skills has been around for a long time, mainly in the trades. IBM says its one of the first tech companies to try the model. In the IBM program, apprentices receive 200 hours of learning on average, both in the classroom and in real-life projects, applying new skills and getting real-time feedback. Jordan said she has received loads of calls from other companies about how to set up a similar program. Thousands of job openings unfilled IBM isnt the only local tech company looking for ways to recruit employees from non-traditional places. And with more than 28,000 IT job postings North Carolina in December a 10.8% increase from the year prior, according to the N.C. Tech Association there are plenty of options for the most qualified workers, forcing companies to focus on retention and mining new talent. A survey of Raleigh-area chief information officers by the recruitment firm Robert Half found that 46% of them were willing to be more flexible on skills requirements and provide training to new hires. Companies like Lenovo have created internship pipelines at local community colleges giving opportunities to dozens of students every year. Fidelity is now funding a scholarship at Wake Technical Community College for students studying cloud storage and cybersecurity to chip away at the local talent gap in those fields. In the past year, SAS Institute has made it easier for autistic workers to find opportunities at its company. And Credit Suisse has launched an initiative at its RTP office to help train workers many of them women who have been out of the workforce for an extended period of time. It was created to target an overlooked talent pool of qualified candidates, Sophia Wajnert, head of Credit Suisse Raleigh, said of the program in an interview with The News & Observer last year. We realized there were talented individuals who struggle to return to work after a career break. Improving representation As an added benefit, tech companies could also increase their workforce diversity by hiring from nontraditional sources of talent. North Carolina, as a state, lags behind much of the country when it comes to diversity in the tech industry, despite it being one of the more diverse states. For us, it definitely has helped with diversity, IBMs Jordan said. We do see candidates who may have not been able to go to a traditional college but have been able to build skills. Dan Rearick, executive director of Code the Dream, a nonprofit that focuses on teaching immigrant youths how to code, said his coding boot camp was founded on the premise that tech companies would be willing to hire workers without bachelors degrees. A lot of the organizations students did well in school, he said, but because they were Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA, or dreamers) many skipped college because they didnt qualify for in-state tuition. Employers are, for the most part, very willing to consider people who dont have a traditional background, or a computer science degree, Rearick said. But he has found that most need to land a long-term internship at a company before they will be hired. Fernando Osorto graduated from the Code the Dream boot camp that focuses on teaching immigrant youth how to code. He got a job at Duke University as a web developer after completing the program. Fernando Osorto, 25, who immigrated to North Carolina from Honduras, worked in carpentry before he enrolled at Code the Dream, learning coding languages like Ruby on Rails. He now works at Duke University as a web application developer. In his view, more companies should take a chance on coding boot camp graduates because they spend as much time learning code as many students in traditional schools. Yet, when he was applying for jobs after graduating, he thinks his resume was often passed over because he didnt have a four-year degree. It wasnt until he proved his capabilities in an internship at Duke that he got a full-time gig. A lot of the jobs I applied to in their qualifications they would say you need a bachelors in computer science, he said. So even though I had the experience .... I think that was the reason I didnt get a call back. If more companies looked beyond people with four-year computer science degrees, Osorto said, I think it would greatly impact the outcome of the diversity in the tech world. To stay up to date on the latest tech and business news in the Triangle, sign up for The News & Observers new Innovation and Technology newsletter here. This story was produced with financial support from a coalition of partners led by Innovate Raleigh as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work. Learn more; go to bit.ly/newsinnovate Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 11:26:50|Editor: zyl Video Player Close CAPE TOWN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed on Thursday to fix a worsening power crisis that has gripped South Africa for long. The government will implement measures that will fundamentally change the trajectory of energy generation in the country, Ramaphosa said, while delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to a joint sitting of Parliament. State-run, debt-ridden Eskom, the major electricity provider in the country, has seen rolling power blackouts over the past few years, particularly the last few months, which severely set back efforts to rebuild the economy and to create jobs, Ramaphosa said. "Load shedding is the inevitable consequence of Eskom's inability over many years -- due to debt, lack of capacity and state capture -- to service its power plants," said Ramaphosa. He urged the public to accept the reality that load shedding will remain a possibility for the immediate future before Eskom undertakes fundamental maintenance that is necessary to improve its reliability of supply. The president announced a series of measures to increase generation capacity outside of Eskom. Emergency electricity can be delivered into the grid within 3-12 months of approval. Independent power producers will be allowed to enter the energy market, which has been monopolized by Eskom, according to the president. "We will negotiate supplementary power purchase agreements to acquire additional capacity from existing wind and solar plants," he also said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress are expected to win most of the vacancies that will arise in the Rajya Sabha in April when the term of 51 members comes to an end in April, although both parties will see their strength diminished marginally. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) are expected to make significant gains in the 245-member House. The change in composition, however, is unlikely to worry the BJP, which still does not have a majority in the upper house (nor doe the larger NDA grouping it leads). However, this has not stopped the party from pushing through laws in the Rajya Sabha, thanks to support from parties such as the Biju Janata Dal and the YSRCP. The BJP, which has 82 members in the house, is expected to add 13 members (four down from the 18 it has among the 51). The BJD is likely to win two seats of the three vacancies from Odisha, the BJP will get one. In Andhra Pradesh, the YSRCP will pocket all four seats falling vacant in April. The BJP will also add one seat each from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana to its tally. The Congress, which has 46 members, is likely to get 10 seats in the upcoming elections. The party will see 11 of its members retiring in April. According to the list of upcoming retirements put out by the Rajya Sabha, there will be seven vacancies from Maharashtra, six from Tamil Nadu, five each from Bihar and West Bengal, four each from Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, three each from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telengana and Odisha, two each from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh and one each from Assam, Manipur, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. According to a senior BJP functionary, the party is confident of sending two members to the Upper House from Maharashtra, where it failed to form the government, after its oldest ally, the Shiv Sena broke ranks following a disagreement over seat sharing. While the Shiv Sena is expecting one seat, its ruling alliance partners -- the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress -- will get two and one each respectively. Ramdas Athwale of the Republican Party of India (RPI), a BJP ally, is likely to get another six-year term. In West Bengal, the TMC is expected to win four seats against the five vacancies. The Congress has hinted that it will support Sitaram Yechurys candidacy if the Communist Party of India (Marxist) fields him. In Bihar, the Janata Dal (United)-BJP combine will get three and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) two seats. While there is speculation that the RJD will nominate Rabri Devi, a former chief minister as its candidate, the BJPs tally will fall from two to one. In Tamil Nadu, there are six vacancies, and arch-rivals All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) hope to win three each. The AIADMK has 11 members in the Upper House. From Madhya Pradesh, where the BJP was ousted by the Congress in the 2018 state assembly elections, the Congress will add one more seat to its existing tally. Of the three vacancies arising in the state, the BJP is expected to win only one. Among the members who will complete their term are Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, NCP leader Sharad Pawar and union minister of state for social welfare Ramdas Athawale, Congress veteran Moti Lal Vora, his party colleagues Digvijaya Singh, Madhusudan Mistry, BJPs Vijay Goel and Satyanarayan Jatiya, DMKs T Siva, Kahkashan Parveen of the JD(U) and AIADMKs Vjila Sathyananth. Several senior functionaries of both the BJP and the Congress insisted that their respective parties are yet to start discussing candidates. COLONIE Uyi Omorogbe always knew he wanted to help people. When he was a Colgate University student he was on track to become a doctor, but then found a different way to give back through a cause dear to him. Omorogbe, a first generation Nigerian American who grew up in Colonie, always had an appreciation for traditional Nigerian clothing. He loved the bright patterns and colors, and he sought a way to bring Western and African cultures together. He didnt know of any clothing line like that, so he decided to create his own. I fell in love with entrepreneurship and this idea that you can create a company that changes the world, Omorogbe said. While studying at Colgate he came up with the idea for his own brand, NASO. During that process, he created a plan to use proceeds from his company to provide schools across Africa with resources needed for students to succeed. It all started when he went to Nigeria to have sample products made by some local tailors. While he was there he ended up going to the rural village where his father grew up, Urhokuosa, which is in the southern part of the country. While there he stumbled upon his fathers old school. When he arrived at the school, he saw there was a lack of chairs and desks. There were also giant holes in the ceiling, and when it rained heavily school would have to end early, the staff told him. This gave parents a reason not to send their kids to school because they thought it was an unsafe environment, Omorogbe said. Omorogbe felt the need to do something. During his senior year at Colgate he launched a Kickstarter campaign and was able to sell more than $46,000 worth of clothing in the span of 30 days. He decided to use 60 percent of those profits to rebuild the school. The 2019 graduate, who studied economics and was pre-med, works on his company full time. He said his fathers school wont be the last one he helps. The intent is to build as many schools as we can in different communities across Africa, and right now we do have our roots in Nigeria, but we want to build schools across the continent, Omorogbe said. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Going forward, he said he plans to allocate 7 percent of his profits toward schools, since that's more sustainable over the long run. When rebuilding his father's former school, Omorogbe partnered with the Nigerian government, and said he is still in contact with officials in terms of finding other under-resourced schools. He said he is reaching out to different organizations that work in these areas and talking to people on the ground to see where a place of need might be. Additionally, all the clothing is completely manufactured in Africa in various countries throughout the continent. Right now, the clothes are available online at shopnaso.com, but soon it will be available in the flagship Banana Republic store in Manhattan, where Omorogbe currently lives, for a popup shop, from Feb. 20-23. By Trend New logistics chains between Central Asia and Europe might be developed via Latvia and Azerbaijan, Latvias Ambassador to Azerbaijan Dainis Garancs told Trend. He pointed out that Azerbaijan is a key part of the East-West Transport Corridor. "For Latvia, its development does play a very important role in the context of the gateway from the Southern part of Europe to the Northern countries via Ukraine, Belarus and the Latvian ports. We are actively promoting cooperation with China in the transport field and believe that the Belt and Road Initiative as well as other logistics chain routes in Eurasia may create new opportunities for transit corridors between Latvia and Azerbaijan," said the envoy. As for Latvias transport opportunities, Garancs pointed out that three big ice-free ports - Riga, Ventspils and Liepaja - give a possibility for fast distribution of different kind of goods in the Baltic Sea Region throughout the year. "They are suitable for various types of goods oil, petroleum products, metals, mechanical engineering products, plastic and chemical products, as well as vegetables, fruits, tea, cotton, textile products, agricultural products. In less than 24 hours, we can ensure the delivery of goods from these ports to other Baltic States, Stockholm, Helsinki and Warsaw, but in 48 hours it is possible to cover the whole Northern Europe. New logistics chains between Central Asia and Europe might be developed via Latvia and Azerbaijan as well," he concluded. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Mumbai: In a big relief to Delhi - NCR Builders, the Supreme Court on Friday lifted the ban on overnight construction in the region, saying it interim order has served its purpose. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta, while hearing builders plea altered the top courts earlier order saying the interim order of stopping constructions between 6 PM and 6 AM has served its purpose. Earlier on November 4, 2019, the top court had imposed a ban on construction and demolition in Delhi-NCR from 6 PM to 6 AM to check rising air pollution levels. The decision is likely to help the ongoing public as well as private projects to restart. The top court's order had come in the wake of the Central Pollution Control Board report that the air quality index (AQI) level was being affected due to construction activities. Notably, the ban has badly affected the real estate sector. The Bombay high court on Friday refused to grant anticipatory bail to civil rights activists Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde in the Elgar Parishad alleged Maoist links case. Justice P D Naik, while rejecting their pre-arrest bail pleas, said 'prima facie evidence shows complicity of both the accused in the case'. The court, however, extended the interim protection from arrest granted to them for a period of four weeks so that they can approach the Supreme Court in appeal. "On perusal of all the material on record, it can be seen that there is prima facie evidence showing complicity of applicants (Navlakha and Teltumbde) in the crime," Justice Naik said. The court, after perusing letters allegedly exchanged between the accused persons, noted that Navlakha, Teltumbde and the other accused persons like Surendra Gadling, Rona Wilson and Sudha Bharadwaj had direct access and connections with central committee members and leaders of Communist Party of India (Maoist). "It was revealed during the course of investigation that Anand Teltumbde was recipient of funds from the banned terrorist organisation," the court said. Navlakha, Teltumbde and several other activists have been booked by the Pune Police for their alleged Maoist links and several other charges following the violence at Koregaon Bhima village in Pune district on January 1, 2018. According to Pune Police, 'inflammatory' speeches and 'provocative' statements made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017 had triggered caste violence at Koregaon Bhima the next day. The police alleged that the conclave was backed by Maoists. Teltumbde and Navlakha had approached the high court seeking pre-arrest bail in November last year after a sessions court in Pune rejected their pleas. In December last year, the high court had granted them interim protection from arrest pending disposal of their anticipatory bail pleas. Although the Pune Police was investigating the case, the Centre had last month transferred the probe to National Investigation Agency (NIA). The telecom department has asked telecom operators to clear their outstanding adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues before midnight on Friday. Department of Telecommunications has started issuing circle or zone-wise demand notices to telecom firms, asking them to clear pending licence fees and spectrum usage charges before 11:59 pm on February 14, Friday. "You are directed to make immediate payment of due License Fees and Spectrum Usage Charges along with interest, penalty and interest on penalty (if applicable) for Rajasthan Telecom Circle in compliance with Hon'ble Supreme Court of India Judgment dated 24.10.2019 and 25.10.2019 in Civil Appeal No. 6328-6399 of 2015 and Others," stated an order by Controller of Communication Accounts, Jaipur to all telecom operators in Rajasthan circle. ALSO READ: What's next for Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel after Supreme Court's AGR blow? "If the dues are not paid immediately, necessary action will be taken in terms of the provisions of License Agreement without any further notice," the order further said. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) jumped into action after the Supreme Court pulled it up for issuing a 'no-coercive action' order against telecom companies. In a January 23 order, the telecom department had asked its circle officers not to initiate action against the telecom companies over non-payment of the AGR dues before the deadline. The apex court ordered the telecom department to withdraw its 'no-coercive action' directive by Friday. DoT did the same immediately. In a strong reaction to non-compliance of its order, a bench of Justice Arun Mishra, Justice S Abdul Nazeer and Justice M R Shah bemoaned the order passed by DoT's desk officer, staying the effect of its verdict in AGR matter. The bench also noted that there's "no stay" on the coercive action against the telcos failing to comply with the SC deadline for clearing AGR dues. ALSO READ: SC orders telcos to clear dues by March 17, threatens contempt The Supreme Court asked the top brass of telcos and other firms to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for non-compliance of its order. It also asked the telecom operators to pay "sizeable" amount to show their bona fides by Friday only. The next hearing in the case will be held on March 17. The telecom companies have been directed to clear all pending AGR dues before the next hearing, or CMDs or MDs of these respective companies will have to be present in the Supreme Court. Airtel has informed the DoT that it will deposit Rs 10,000 crore by February 20, 2020, and the balance before the next date of hearing, that is March 17, 2020. As per the DoT, Airtel owes Rs 21,682.13 crore as a licence fee to the government and dues from Vodafone totals Rs 19,823.71 crore, while Reliance Communications owes Rs 16,456.47 crore. BSNL owes Rs 2,098.72 crore and MTNL Rs 2,537.48 crore. In all, 15 entities - telecom and otherwise - owe the government Rs 1.47 lakh crore. This includes Rs 92,642 crore in unpaid licence fee and another Rs 55,054 crore in outstanding spectrum usage charges. It is not clear yet just how much of that has been sought by the government by midnight tonight. ALSO READ: AGR case: DoT withdraws 'no-coercive order' against telcos after SC slams dept U.S. liquefied natural gas developers are pushing forward with plans to build new export terminals along the Gulf Coast despite a global supply glut and record low prices in Asia. Over the past year, the U.S. LNG industry has brought four new plants online raising the number of U.S. export terminals to six with a combined production capacity of nearly 70 million metric tons per year. One new export terminal with another 16 million tons of capacity is under construction near Port Arthur while 10 more proposed plants capable of making an additional 130 million tons have received permits but still need contracts and financing before they can be built. However, that planned U.S. expansion faces some hurdles on the global market. Natural gas traded on Asia's JKM price index fell below $3 per million British thermal units earlier this week, hitting lows not seen in more than 10 years time, the global commodity data trading firm S&P Global Platts reported. The record low prices are attributed to a global supply glut created by a warm winter and weak demand in China, the largest LNG buyer in the world, where the ongoing coronavirus outbreak has cut demand from industrial customers. It remains to be seen how the global supply glut and the coronavirus outbreak play out or if they will affect the ability of U.S. LNG developers to land new contracts and secure financing. But during a Thursday morning panel discussion at the S&P Global Platts LNG Summit in Houston, executives with four proposed export terminals said they stand behind their projects. Oil & Gas: Asian LNG prices fall on coronavirus fears, warm winter Vivek Chandra, CEO of Houston-based Texas LNG, said his company's proposed export terminal at the Port of Brownsville will succeed because of its smaller size and production capacity. Its two potential production units each will make 2 million tons of LNG, meaning that the company has less to sell than its larger competitors. "We could have gone the way most other second wave projects did and add another 30 million tons to the world but we didn't," Chandra said. "The industry has gone crazy announcing bigger and bigger projects. The 'if you build it, they will come' syndrome is going to be one of the downfalls of the industry." U.S. LNG developers are counting on global demand growing to 500 million tons by 2030 from 380 million tons today with the greatest growth in China, which is converting more power plants to natural gas from coal. But U.S. producers are looking elsewhere for potential new customers after China slapped a 25 percent tariff on American LNG amid last year's trade war. LNG Limited, based in Australia with offices in Houston, and its proposed Magnolia LNG plant landed a supply deal with Vietnam. Houston-based Tellurian and its proposed Driftwood LNG export terminal reached a supply deal with India. "When I look at the market today, I see us in a period of demand creation," said Renee Pirrong, head of research for Tellurian. Fuel Fix: Get daily energy news headlines in your inbox Current prices, however, are undercutting the efforts to boost demand in Asia. Prices there must be closer to $6 for U.S. producers to break even on feedstock, liquefaction and transportation costs, S&P Global Platts Head of LNG Pricing Ciaran Roe said. With prices not expected to be stronger until next year and long-term contracts for several Asian customers set to expire over the next few years, Roe said it will continue to be a buyers market. Under those conditions, U.S. LNG producers may have to find new customers in places such as Europe, where transportation costs are lower and demand is growing. "Anyone who needs long-term buyers will need to look at growth markets," Roe said. Read the latest oil and gas news from HoustonChronicle.com There have been plenty of times when Edie Campbell has felt uncomfortable at work. Its inherent to being a model, she tells me in a private members club in west London. Ive often been working with a photographer and thought, Youre a creep but Im going to have to ride it out because what else can I do? Report it, I suggest. To who? she demands. Your agent? And then whats your agent going to do? Maybe you choose not to work with that person again, Campbell continues. But youre trying not to ruin your career and create a relationship with the photographer. So if the photographer wants that relationship to be a certain way, well, why wouldnt you play along? The 29-year-old and I are speaking ahead of London Fashion Week, which Campbell would normally be modelling in, usually a regular on the runway for esteemed brands like Burberry and Molly Goddard. I decided that Im not really going to do any shows this season, she says. Every few months you go and do this round of shows and its like, What is this for? Is this something I need in my life? I wanted a bit of a break. Campbell has been modelling since she was a teenager, having landed her first major job in 2006 when she starred in a Burberry campaign alongside Kate Moss. By the time she reached her early twenties, the pixie-haired west Londoner was in demand by those at the upper echelons of the fashion industry and walking in shows for Chanel, Marc Jacobs and Fendi while fronting campaigns for Saint Laurent, Michael Kors and Versace. In 2013, she was awarded Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards. Models dont usually speak, she famously said in her acceptance speech. This could mark the end of my career. Evidently, it did not. Because, as Campbells career has gone on to flourish, so has her public platform, which she wields to speak up about everything from body image to the lack of changing rooms for models. In November 2017, shortly after allegations of sexual assault against US producer Harvey Weinstein emerged, Campbell released an open letter about the mistreatment of models in the fashion industry, writing: If you are creative, and if your work is good, you will be forgiven anything. Recommended Mario Testino and Bruce Weber accused of sexual misconduct But Campbell, who graduated from the Courtauld Institute of Arts with a first in history of art, still has plenty to say. And she says it well, peppering our conversation with assertions on diversity (Its really important that its not just white faces in a magazine), the downfall of Victorias Secret (Its not exactly surprising) and the fashion industrys darkest corners. For example, when we discuss the allegations of sexual misconduct against acclaimed photographers Mario Testino and Bruce Weber, who were accused of sexually exploiting male models on set (they dispute the allegations), Campbell says: Everyone knew. As for Terry Richardson, who has faced multiple accusations of sexual misconduct throughout his career: He was always a creep. While she wont name names, Campbell also tells me that there are many other people in the industry who have yet to face retribution for their behaviour but is keen to stress that its not as simple as calling someone out. It takes a lot for someone to say that is not acceptable and youre a bad person, Campbell says, adding that she has previously refused the advances of photographers and then never worked with them again. I would have a lower tolerance for that stuff now because Im nearly 30. Im financially secure and I have nothing to lose. But it wouldnt be that way if I was 19 again, when I would have done anything to be successful. Campbell walks for Chanel in the spring/summer 2016 show at Paris Fashion Week (Getty) (Getty Images) One issue Campbell has always felt confident discussing is climate change. Last year, she wrote an essay for The Guardian with the headline Fashion has an environmental problem and I am complicit, in which she criticised the industrys lack of progression and addressed her own self-confessed hypocrisy given how much she is required to travel for work. I dont fly within Europe when its feasible for me to get there any other way, she says. Its something Im able to do because my schedule has become more manageable in the last few years. So its massively hypocritical and Im not judging anyone who flies to Paris. Its impossible and not feasible for the British Fashion Council to cancel London Fashion Week Campbell also insists she doesnt really shop unless its vintage, but admits this is partly because she is able to borrow clothes from designers today, she is wearing a pair of vintage Levis and a blazer by Hillier Bartley. Despite gently encouraging her friends not to fly when they can, Campbell is keen to stress that judging someone for their lifestyle choices is ultimately unhelpful to the cause. Youve got to exist in the world, she explains. So you cant be absolutist about it, youve got to do what you see fit in your life and can manage. Its not helpful being puritanical about it. Its for these reasons that Campbell doesnt understand why Extinction Rebellion is demanding to cancel autumn/winter London Fashion Week altogether as a way of erasing the damage that the industry does to the planet. Youre asking a whole industry to disappear, she says. Its impossible and not feasible. The whole industry has to go through a sea change and I think its really difficult to see how that will happen. I dont know how it could work other than by imposing a carbon tax that would just make it really f***ing expensive to pollute. It was sad to me that that was on no ones manifestos at the last election. Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Show all 95 1 /95 Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Paris This Paris Fashion Week guest stood out on the streets of the French city with a 70s-inspired look consisting of a floral print dress, contrasting blue tights and a shearling trimmed jacket. The street styler complimented the look by wearing her hair in messy plaits. Rex Features Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Paris This fashion week guest made a bold statement in a purple printed floor-length gown and leather jacket, carrying a small silver handbag. Rex Features Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Paris This fashion week guest kept things casual in a denim boiler suit that featured visible, decorative sticking and a tie waist. She accessorised with a black-and-white bandana and a denim Dior bag. Rex Features Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Paris This street styler brightened up the pavement by layering a bright red trouser suit with a green T-shirt and gingham trench coat. She accessorised with patent green kitten heels and a teeny-tiny white handbag. Rex Features Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Paris This attendee opted for a tonal look with a classic beige trench coat and trouser co-ord. She accessorised with chunky black shoes and a matching handbag. Rex Features Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Paris Clashing textures were the key to this look, which comprises a tulle midi skirt, a poloneck top and a jacket with tasseled sleeves. Rex Features Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Paris This fashion week attendee wore a beige tailored suit that she accessorised with long gloves, a headscarf and a gold necklace. Rex Features Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Paris This street styler was dressed entirely in the same shade of candyfloss pink, wearing a tailored suit and a pair of matching stilettos. Rex Features Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This Fashion Week guest went all-out Eighties with her look, pairing a pair of high-waisted, beige trousers with leopard print strappy heels, a colourful crop top, bold specs and a hybrid denim-frilled jacket. Photo by Cornel Cristian Petrus/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan Matching her red lipstick to her oversized coat, mini handbag and heels, this attendee completed her casual look with a white shirt and cropped jeans. Photo by Cornel Cristian Petrus/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan Model Bella Hadid was playing no games when she exited her car onto the streets of Milan, carrying a Lulu Guinness Bingo Bag. Getty Images Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan Gliding down the streets of Italy as though they were a runway, this fashion aficionado combined a colourful gown with a warming shawl, a pair of sunglasses and pearl-encrusted headbands. Photo by Cornel Cristian Petrus/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This guest was clearly feeling the love, donning a black embellished top with a cut-out heart design at the back. Photo by Grosescu Alberto Mihai/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan Fashion influencer Leonie Hanne embraced the upcoming Spring period, wearing a floral dress and an electric pink jacket. Photo by RemotePhotoPress/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan InStyle magazine creative director Mark Lakatos proved that there is no such thing as too many accessories, donning striking eyewear, dazzling rings and a multi-coloured brooch to go with his Gucci jacket. Photo by RemotePhotoPress/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This attendee stood out in a long white coat and clashing prints. Photo by REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan Brightening up the sidewalk, this guest wore a shimmering yellow floral skirt and striped top, adding further elegance to her look with a pair of large heart-shaped earrings. Photo by FashionPPS/ZUMA Wire/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan Fashion model Halima Aden appeared to float as she attended the sartorial event in an ethereal gown. Photo by Photoeventshd/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This attendee made a bold statement in a multi-coloured printed fleece and trouser co-ord, carrying a light brown handbag. Photo by Cornel Cristian Petrus/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan There is no such thing as too many prints, this fashion guest appeared to say with her chosen outfit. Photo by Photoeventshd/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This attendee seemed to take inspiration from Prince's signature style when making a turn at Milan Fashion Week. Photo by Photoeventshd/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour stepped out in a checkered coat, wearing a floral dress underneath, snakeskin-printed boots and her signature black shades. Photo by Cornel Cristian Petrus/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan Brightening up the pavement, this guest opted for a garish outfit featuring several different shades of green. Photo by Cornel Cristian Petrus/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This Fashion Week attendee donned a Richard Quinn-esque outfit, wearing a snakeskin top that covered their face, a flared scarlet skirt and red boots. Photo by Cornel Cristian Petrus/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan Milan-based Candela Pelizza, who boasts more than half a million followers on Instagram, looked effortlessly chic in a green and blue dress and white boots, carrying a white bobble handbag. Photo by Cornel Cristian Petrus/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This guest appeared to take inspiration from both the past and the future with her look, donning a leather-look brown ensemble that featured 1980s angular shoulders and a pair of cutting edge orange sunglasses. Photo by Cornel Cristian Petrus/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This Fashion Week attendee wore a rich blend of pinks and purples, accessorising with a simple gold pendant and pink-tinted sunglasses. Photo by Photoeventshd/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This guest opted for a curious combination of garments, wearing a baby pink coat, feathered strappy heels, a silver headband and carrying a black handbag. Photo by Photoeventshd/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This outfit had a certain Star Wars vibe about it, combining a tangerine orange hooded jacket and trousers with a pair of brown khaki heels. Photo by Pacific Press/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan YouTuber Karina Nigay, who has 1.8m followers on Instagram, strutted down the streets of Milan in an electric blue gown designed by Moscow-based boutique Aline. Photo by Grosescu Alberto Mihai/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This duo complemented one another from head to toe, from their neon-framed sunglasses to their printed ensembles and their matching poses. Photo by Grosescu Alberto Mihai/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan Ami Suzuki and Aya Suzuki, the twin sisters who make up Japanese music duo Amiaya, made for a bold pair in Milan, wearing matching outfits of lemon yellow dresses, pink and grey striped coats, red sunglasses and grey heeled boots. Photo by Grosescu Alberto Mihai/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This Milan Fashion Week guest stood out on the streets of the Italian city in a white and fuchsia ensemble. Photo by Photoeventshd/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This guest combined an oversized light grey jacket with a pair of matching high-waisted trousers, a polo neck top and brown, chunky-heeled boots. Photo by Grosescu Alberto Mihai/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This attendee wrapped up for the cold, wearing a purple checkered suit, a pale pink scarf and a steel blue hat. Photo by RemotePhotoPress/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This guest dressed regally in royal purple, completing her look with an unmissable headpiece that blended with her hair. Photo by Photoeventshd/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, fashion director of Garage magazine, wore an amalgamation of vibrant prints, combining a zebra-print skirt with a graphic T-shirt, a floral coat and white heeled boots. Photo by Cornel Cristian Petrus/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan Who said neon could only be worn in summer? Thankfully not this Milan Fashion Week guest, who stood out in a lime green ensemble on the streets of the Italian city. Photo by REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This guest dressed brightly for Milan Fashion Week, combining yellows, greens and purples for an overall joyful look. Photo by Grosescu Alberto Mihai/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This attendee demonstrated how to pose up a storm in Milan, adding a touch of colour to her black and white look with a red lip. Photo by Grosescu Alberto Mihai/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan These Fashion Week guests wore Halloween-esque imagery, their outfits adorned with a mixture of spiders, flowers and other embellishments. Photo by Grosescu Alberto Mihai/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan Another guest who took on the oversized jacket trend, this attendee opted for a sunshine yellow ensemble, completing her look with a pair of purple strappy heels. Photo by Cornel Cristian Petrus/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan Karina Nigay looked radiant in Milan, wearing a light blue creation by Moscow label CDD and jewels by Na Straze. Photo by FashionPPS/ZUMA Wire/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This fashion guest stood out from the crowd in an all-black outfit, which featured an oversized jacket and pegged trousers. Photo by Grosescu Alberto Mihai/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan These two made quite an impression at Milan Fashion Week, donning custard yellow and forest green suits respectively and accessorising with outlandish eyewear. Photo by RemotePhotoPress/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 Milan This attendee took a leaf out of the 1970s with her look, wearing retro, round-shaped sunglasses and a floral tan jacket. Photo by RemotePhotoPress/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Lauren Kulchinsky Levison, chief style officer at Mayfair Rocks in the Hamptons, brought her signature oversized style to London Fashion Week, donning a bright yellow ankle-length coat, a green and yellow checkered button-up top, a blush-pink tulle skirt and a silver bobble headband. Photo by Saira MacLeod/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London This Fashion Week guest braved the cold in a blue and red floral thigh-split gown, styling her hair in a tousled bun. Photo by Saira MacLeod/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Fashion designer Rachael Broussard was all smiles as she dressed for winter in the capital, wearing a black ensemble featuring an on-trend bucket hat and a lilac coat. Photo by Saira MacLeod/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London What better way to stand out in a grey city than by dressing in a bold print? This attendee looked as though she was ready for apres ski with her oversized sunglasses and light blue-grey boots. Photo by Wayne Tippetts/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London What winter temperatures? Designer Rachael Broussard appeared unperturbed by the cold, damp weather, wearing a striking co-ord and a sheer, purple night robe. Photo by Wayne Tippetts/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Bona fide fashion star Billy Porter made the pavement his catwalk at London Fashion Week, wearing a light tan overcoat, a floral skirt, high-heeled boots and a sophisticated hat. Photo by Wayne Tippetts/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London This guest showed how to make a tartan print high fashion, combining her coat with a chunky gold belt, a black polo-top and black ankle boots. Photo by Wayne Tippetts/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Pastels don't have to be reserved for summer, as this attendee demonstrated with her lilac and mint blue ensemble. Photo by Wayne Tippetts/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour took to the streets in the capital wearing a floral dress, suede coat and snakeskin boots. Photo by Wayne Tippetts/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Fashion designer Alexa Chung opted for a cheerful polka dot print at London Fashion Week. Photo by Wayne Tippetts/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Inthefrow director Victoria Claire Magrath brightened up the sidewalk in a colourful floral gown, accessorising with a marigold yellow handbag. Photo by Wayne Tippetts/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Mytheresa fashion buying director Tiffany Hsu proved the cold doesn't bother her anyway with her open-toe shoes, wearing trousers cinched at the ankle and a two-tone trench coat. Photo by Wayne Tippetts/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London This London Fashion Week guest opted for a predominantly white and cream ensemble with splashes of block colours, completing her look with a pair of red, retro shades. Photo by Wayne Tippetts/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Net-A-Porter global buying director Elizabeth von der Goltz beamed as she was photographed at Fashion Week wearing a checkered coat, brown trousers and matching boot heels. Photo by Saira MacLeod/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London This attendee demonstrated how to make clashing patterns work, donning an outfit of yellow, brown and black. Photo by Saira MacLeod/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London The Independent Lifestyle Reporter Olivia Petter smiled as she was captured in the midst of London Fashion Week, wearing a pale blue and mustard yellow suit and a pair of black, pearl-encrusted heeled boots. Photo by Saira MacLeod/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Model Lily Cole displayed one of the season's hottest trends leopard print on the streets of the capital, wearing a pair of platform shoes, knee-high socks and a white dress. Photo by Saira MacLeod/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London 'London Fashion Sisters' Olivia and Alice opted for matching oversized checkered ensembles. Photo by Saira MacLeod/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Fashion consultant Yasmin Sewell also mastered the oversized trend, wearing a red, leather-look jacket, a layered black skirt and black boots. Photo by Saira MacLeod/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London This Fashion Week guest decided to paint the town red in her sequinned T-shirt dress, completing her ensemble with a pair of white kitten heels. Photo by Saira MacLeod/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Eva Chen, director of fashion partnerships at Instagram, gave a peace sign to photographers as she walked the streets of London, wearing a grey tartan print from head to toe. Photo by Saira MacLeod/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Actor Joely Richardson's outfit perfectly combined red, pink and orange for a relaxed, stylish look. Photo by Saira MacLeod/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Actor Zawe Ashton pulled out all the stops in her extravagant, orange, frilled dress. Photo by Saira MacLeod/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London This Fashion Week guest looked striking in black and yellow, adding a sprinkle of sparkle with her metallic gold handbag. Photo by Saira MacLeod/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Fashion and lifestyle blogger Anisa Sojka stood out in a snakeskin coat and sculptural heeled boots. Photo by Saira MacLeod/REX Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Fashion stylist Abdel Queta Tavares, who goes by the name 'The Man Behind The Red Hat' on Instagram, proved that two hats are better than one, combining his bold headpieces with a leather-look coat and white, high-top shoes. PA Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Stylist Lauren Hope O'Sullivan matched the London Underground sign in the background in a red, white and blue ensemble, accessorising with a red beret and matching thigh-high boots. Her outfit appeared to have a boxing aesthetic, combining an oversized, hooded jacket with a pair of high-waisted shorts. PA Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London William D'Nero, founder and brand ambassador of fashion label D'Nero Group, kept things lowkey, wearing a dark grey hooded ensemble to London Fashion Week. PA Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London Fashion designer Rachael Broussard stood out against the grey backdrop of the capital with her tan-coloured ensemble by her brand R Michel'le The Label, featuring a pair of high-waisted, wide-legged trousers, a cropped jacket and an oversized pair of sunglasses. PA Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London This fashion week guest appeared to take inspiration from the 1970s with her get-up, wearing an old-fashioned floral garment with a high-neck white shirt underneath, and accessorising with a wide brim hat and sunglasses. PA Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 London While some opted for dark grey tones to match the quintessential British weather, others decided to bring a burst of colour to London Fashion Week. Bella, who goes by the handle @angelbaby.bella on Instagram, wore a doll-inspired outfit, combining a bubble-gum pink skirt and checkered belt with a multi-coloured, tie dyed sweater and playful accessories. PA Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York This fashion week guest colour-blocked her fashion week look by pairing electric blue trousers with a mustard yellow double-breasted coat and a patterned shirt. Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York This attendee wore a classic beige trench coat with white patterned flared trousers, a pale pink crop top and silver boots. Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York This ensemble serves as a masterclass in tonal dressing, with this fashion week guest pairing her deep orange jumpsuit with a lighter orange jacket. Getty Images Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York This guest paired orange gingham trousers with a black T-shirt and a yellow hooded jacket. Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York This fashion week guest kept things casual in a denim boilersuit paired with a yellow puffer jacket and white vinyl boots. Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York This attendee struck a pose in a pleated black leather skirt, collared shirt and a white duster coat. Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York This fashion week guest paired a metallic silver button-down dress with a black belted coat complete with a fur trim. Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York Pinstripes were the port-of-call for this street styler, who paired his double-breasted suit with a black jacket, black boots and a bucket hat. Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York This fashion week guest went all out on textures, pairing her multi-coloured fluffy scarf with a blue fur handbag. Getty Images Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York This street style guest wore a silver puffer jacket with tie-dye multi-coloured trousers, trainers and a cowboy hat. Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York This guest wore a bubblegum pink suit covered in brocade patterns. To keep warm in the New York chill, he also wore a navy blue wool coat over the top. Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York This guest paired Gucci logo tights with black lace-up boots, a checked blazer and a white Prada handbag. Getty Images Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York This attendee wore a deep green leather dress, sheer tights and knee-high boots. Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York It's not every day you see a denim skirt worn over tulle, but this street styler wears it with aplomb, adding a denim jacket on top. Getty Images Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York This guest wore head-to-toe black vinyl for fashion week, pairing her V-neck dress with red polka dot shoes for a splash of colour. Getty Images Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York This guest posed in a beige trench coat that bore checks on the lapels and also featured a belt. She accessorised with black calve-high boots and a woolly hat. Getty Images Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York This fashion week guest wrapped up in a black puffer jacket, tights and heeled shoes. Getty Images Paris Fashion Week: Best street style stars at Fashion Month AW20 New York There's nothing wrong with a bit of logomania, as this fashion week guest shows in her Vetements overcoat. Getty Images Carbon tax aside, there are certainly some simple changes fashion houses could make to be more sustainable, such as eliminating destination shows that require the industry to fly halfway across the world simply to attend. I do find things like that really problematic because it just seems uncreative for me, says Campbell, going on to reference the recent Dior menswear show in Miami where attendees were given a refillable water bottle on arrival. So everyone got off their flights and had a carbon-neutral water bottle, she says, rattled. The irony is almost suffocating. Campbell sits on the front row at London Fashion Week Mens in June 2017 (Getty) (Getty Images) The next few months look less hectic than usual for Campbell, who has slowed things down since suffering a severe head injury in June. I fell off my horse while I was competing and smashed my head up so I had to kind of stop everything, she says, recalling how she was bed-bound at her parents house for three months. I just stared at the ceiling because I couldnt cognitively do anything. Since then, life has been kind of chilled and Campbell says she has practically stopped drinking, which is quite nice actually and has been spending time on exciting fashion-related projects that she cant talk about yet. In an industry where successful models are often propelled into celebrity think Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Gigi Hadid it begs the question of how Campbell has managed to stay mostly out of the limelight, rarely making headlines or getting photographed by paparazzi. You get that kind of public attention if you invite it. I think fame is constructed by you and for you, she says. You dont become famous by accident unless youre, like, Monica Lewinsky. Would she like to be famous? No, thats not for me. I think fame is really bad for the soul, she says. And I hate the idea that I wouldnt be able to pick my nose if I wanted to. What a horrible way to live. Every content creator has a bit of a love/hate relationship with Google. Its search engine accounts for roughly half of all internet traffic--meaning it drives visitors to publishers' websites and makes them money. At the same time, the search giant makes more money by selling ads against the content it indexes. And it's really good at it. News publishers have long had a difficult time reconciling those two things. Of course, they love the fact that Google drives readers to their sites, but have long chafed at the fact that Google is a far larger advertising platform that built its entire platform as the gatekeeper (at least in practice) to most of the content on the web. Now those publishers could finally start receiving payment directly for that content. That's according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, which says Google has started having conversations with publishers. While the conversations appear to be in the early stages, it would be a significant change for Google, which has resisted any call to pay publishers. In fact, it even went so far as to change the way it previews news articles in France to avoid having to pay publishers under that country's copyright law. In a statement to the Journal, Google said it wants to "help people find quality journalism--it's important to informed democracy and helps support a sustainable news industry. We care deeply about this and are talking with partners and looking at more ways to expand our ongoing work with publishers, building on programmes like our Google News Initiative." Publishers have seen a dramatic decline in advertising revenue over the past decade, especially in print. Much of that can be attributed to the rise of digital advertising. Since brands have finite budgets for ads, and that spending has shifted online to huge tech companies like Google and Facebook, leaving less for publishers. In fact, the Journal report points out that Facebook and Google collectively represent 61 percent of all digital ad revenue. As a result, they have faced increased scrutiny for the corresponding decline among independent publishers. Now Google seems to be following both Facebook and Apple's lead to compensate publishers. Facebook said last year it would introduce a News Tab that would feature curated sources of content, and that it would compensate featured publications. Apple, on the other hand, introduced its News-Plus subscription for Apple News, which offers a selection of premium content from publishers like The New Yorker, The Los Angeles Times, and The Wall Street Journal for $9.99 a month. Queen Letizia of Spain looked glowing in not one but two outfits today as she and her husband King Felipe attended engagements in Andalusia in the south of the country. The mother-of-two, 47, began the day in a 340 floating white dress with black polka dots by Armani. She used a black belt to cinch in the feminine gown, which boasted a plisse effect on the skirt and elasticated flounces at the cuffs. Letizia wore her signature statement black stiletto heels as she greeted and waved at the crowds who gathered to welcome the royal couple. Later in the day she and Felipe changed into more casual clothing to tour the Donana National Park. Queen Letizia of Spain looked glowing in not one but two outfits today as she and her husband King Felipe attended engagements in Almonte in the south of the country After lunch the couple travelled to Donana National Park - with both Letizia and Felipe changing into more casual attire The mother-of-two, 47, began the day in a 340 floating white dress with black polka dots by Armani. Pictured at the Salvador Tavora Theater in Almonte Letizia wore her brunette locks down with a loose wave and wore her signature smoky eye make-up Letizia happily engaged with royal fans who flocked to the village to greet the royal couple Letizia and Felipe travelled to Almonte to chair the closing scientific congress, held in the Salvador Tavora Theater, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the park. Prior to their tour of the natural reserve, the couple stopped in the Plaza Virgen del Rocio, where they were greeted by a patriotic crowd. Letizia and Felipe, 52, who looked smart in a grey suit and pink patterned tie, met with the mayor of Almonte, Rocio del Mar Castellano, who led them through the town. During the visit the queen showed her maternal spirit as she cuddled a baby, while delighted members of the crowd took photographs. King Felipe looked smart in a grey suit and pale blue shirt with a pink patterned tie and brown shoes The elegant queen donned her statement black stiletto heels and wore a thin black belt to cinch in her dress at the waist Showing off her maternal instinct, mother-of-two Letizia cuddled a baby much to the delight of the crowd Letizia's glamorous monochrome polka dot Armani dress flowed elegantly in the wind as she exited the cathedral The royal couple looked to be in high spirits as they toured the village and greeted its residents Spanish flags were scattered among the crowds as fans flocked to greet the king and queen today The couple travelled through the square until they arrived at the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, on the occasion of the Mariano del Rocio Jubilee Year. There they paid homage to the much-venerated Virgin of El Rocio (Virgen del Rocio), a small carved wooden statue of the Virgin and Child. The monument is usually at the Hermitage of El Rocio, the destination of an annual pilgrimage known as the Romeria de El Rocio held on the second day of Pentecost, which draws around a million people each year. King Felipe and Queen Letizia looked very much in love as they held hands and shared a joke during the engagement The couple travelled through the square until they arrived at the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, on the occasion of the Mariano del Rocio Jubilee Year King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia visiting the parish of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion on the occasion of the Marian Jubilee Year of El Rocio Almonte The couple paid homage to the much-venerated Virgin of El Rocio (Virgen del Rocio), a small carved wooden statue of the Virgin and Child However the Virgin is temporarily being held at the cathedral located in the Plaza Virgen del Rocio. After lunch the couple travelled to Donana National Park - with both Letizia and Felipe changing into more casual attire. The queen sported a chic cream blouse and white jeans, while the king wore grey jeans, a pale blue shirt and a black gilet as they took in the landscape using camera equipment. The park is known for its wetlands, migratory birds, pine forests and shifting coastal dunes. It's also home to Palacio del Acebron, a 20th-century palace, home to the national park visitor centre. I tried to pretend that my love for you was dead, though I could only do so by pretending myself that my heart was dead. That is how the poet T.S. Eliot described his heartbreak in a letter to his paramour Emily Hale, his sparse prose describing intense pain as their love fell apart. I cant imagine that kind of imagery zipping its way to me across WhatsApp or sliding into my DMs. But then not everyone gets to date T.S. Eliot. Anyway, communication has moved on. The myriad ways we have to express ourselves from emojis to memes allow for more creativity when describing the affairs of the heart. So, this Valentines Day, here are my guidelines to follow when sending your own message. Dont rush. The immediacy of delivery should not tempt you to fire off missives just as fast. Before mobile phones, we took our time composing love letters and they were rare treasures long and often scented. These carefully constructed, passionate scripts boosted romantic standing. This goal should remain in the 21st century. Tread carefully. Because we are conditioned to share. Eliot was furious with Hale for donating his letters to Princeton. And it was ever thus. One poor boy at university wrote to me confessing his undying infatuation and this after one night of kissing and a subsequent, firm rebuttal. He wrote that he became smitten as he watched the tomato ketchup dribble down my chin as I wolfed a burger at 3am; that hed chucked his girlfriend and saw us together for life. I was drunk, the ketchup/chin combo was not pretty, and his behaviour was a tad lunatic. The letter was pinned to our kitchen noticeboard and caused hilarity among my housemates for months. Nowadays, this could have been published to millions. Judge your timing. A letter can be opened at an appropriate moment. With todays technology, this is harder to control. Content should reflect that. Particularly if your love letter is actually of the Dear John variety brutal to ping into someones hand without warning, with devastating consequences. And, if filled with explicit yearnings, remember they might be in the middle of chatting to their mum. Pick the medium you are best suited to. I can think of nothing more romantic than someone taking the trouble to create a brilliantly imaginative TikTok story, or conjure up a hilarious meme. But Id never do it myself. (Ive been married for many years and words are still my forte.) But if you are a born visual performer this is your time to shine. Beware instant gratification. A string of messages flying back and forth can provide an intoxicating adrenaline rush. But the flipside is ghosting. When you know your WhatsApp message has been read and silence follows, it can be heart-stopping. Powerplay, for sure, can be at work. Equally, they might be busy, so keep a cool head. If it is powerplay, either refuse to play, or play well. An emoji heart can work wonders. I love honesty. Like when Vita Sackville-West wrote to Virginia Woolf: I am reduced to a thing that wants Virginia. I composed a beautiful letter to you in the sleepless nightmare hours of the night, and it has all gone. I just miss you, in a quite simple desperate human way. Join the movement to fashion our future Now for an ode to my lovely friend Amy Powney, the creative director of sustainable fashion brand Mother of Pearl, who has just given birth. This incredible powerhouse of a woman never stops. She has taken on the almost impossible role of trying to educate us about sustainable fashion, in a marketplace swimming with pretenders riding the green bandwagon for their Insta feeds. She believes in her mission to such an extent that in October I had to warn her she would hurt herself through exhaustion if she kept trying so valiantly to save the planet. Naturally, she ignored me. Last night she launched a new initiative, #FashionOurFuture a platform where we can all share clever sustainable pledge ideas, which are perfectly accessible for social media. If you love vintage, make a promise to become an Old Age Purchaser, or become a Rent Girl and vow to borrow an outfit for your next big occasion. Follow the project, which Amy was working on right up to the hour she gave birth, on Instagram at @fashionourfuture and get your mates on board. Model Amber Valletta, pictured below, has joined up, as have Vogue and a host of fashion luminaries. But what the movement really needs is all of you. Amber Valletta / Getty Images * At a dinner, an old school associate of Dominic Cummings dropped the amusing titbit that the PMs advisers father had run the local disco. In order to ensure their Saturday night fun and the chance to kiss girls, the schoolboys would cosy up to Cummings whether they liked him or not for fear that his dad would bar them from the disco otherwise. Given the rumours surrounding Sajid Javids resignation , it would appear the old rules remain. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 21:24:08|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close VILNIUS, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Declaration on the goals of reducing environmental pollution in Lithuania will be drafted by the end of 2020, Jaroslav Neverovic, the chief presidential adviser on environment and infrastructure, said on Friday. He invited Lithuania's businesses and other organizations to join the efforts aimed at environmental goals. Neverovic was speaking after meeting with representatives of the country's trade and telecommunications sectors. "We will draw conclusions from this meeting and we are looking forward to other meetings with other sectors. Following them, we will prepare a draft declaration towards the end of the year and all those who care about reduction of pollution and stopping the climate change will be invited to join it," Neverovic said at a press conference. A political level initiative is needed in order to bring together and involve as many participants as possible to achieve the environmental goals, he added. The declaration will be drafted within the framework of the Green Lithuania Initiative, launched by the country's President Gitanas Nauseda last year. Islamabad, Feb 14 : Visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday addressed a joint session of the Pakistan Parliament for a record fourth time. "Today, Pakistan and Turkey's relations are admirable for others... During difficult times, Pakistan has supported Turkey," Dawn news quoted the President, who arrived here on a two-day visit on Thursday, as saying in the session. Quoting a poem by Pakistani poet Allama Iqbal, Erdogan said: "Yes, like the poet of Lahore, people were drowning in these emotions, people of Pakistan had supported Turkey. We can never forget this." National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser began the session by welcoming Erdogan, who he said is a "true friend" and brother of Pakistan. He thanked the Turkish President for his "clear and just" stance on the Kashmir issue. Members of the armed forces, government leaders, federal ministers and opposition members were in attendance. Prime Minister Imran Khan, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani received the Turkish president upon arrival at the Parliament. When Erdogan reached Islamabad on Thursday, Khan personally drove the President and Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan from the airport to the Prime Minister House, Dawn news reported. In his first official engagement for his trip, the Turkish leader held a meeting with President Alvi, which was followed by a banquet. Following the Parliament session, Erdogan will again meet Khan for discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues. They will also co-chair the sixth meeting of the Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council. The Turkish leader last visited Pakistan in 2016, during which he also addressed Parliament. Lawyer Philip Addison has filed his forms to contest the upcoming parliamentary Primaries of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Akuapem North Constituency of the Eastern Region. He was accomplished by a huge crowd comprising several youth and party members to the NPPs office in Akropong on Friday, February 14, 2020, to file nomination. He was met on arrival by NPPs executives at the Constituency office who received his forms after checking them to verify whether the necessary information were provided. The lawyer last contested the partys parliamentary Primaries in Korley Klottey Constituency in Accra. After that Primaries, he went on to contest daughter of former President Jerry John Rawlings, Dr. Zenator Agyemang Rawlings lugubrious who stood on the ticket of then ruling National Democratic Congress. He however lost the race to the NDC and Dr. Zenator. Dr. Zenator had about 8,497 Votes lawyer Addison managed 6433. The Parliamentary Primaries he contested in Korley Klottey was characterized by confusion as the then Chairman of the NPP within that Constituency who also contested, Nii Noi Nortey, refused to accept defeat. Lawyer Addison represented the NPP on the controversial elections petition hearing in 2012 and came to be fondly known as Dr. Pink sheet. Speaking to journalists shortly after submitting his forms, lawyer Addison promised to spearhead development in the area should he be elected to lead the party and subsequently win the seat come December 2020. According to him, the Constituency has not seen much development over the years. He pledged to provide jobs and address the Infrastructural deficits in the Constituency, especially roads. The Akuapem North Constituency seat is currently occupied by Deputy Minister of Information, Nana Ama Dokuah. Daily Guide The Roger Stone sentencing kerfuffle is now playing among the Democrats and their mainstream media adjunct. Based on what we have learned so far, former prosecutor George Parrys account of the matter is the one that is most to my taste. Parry addresses it in the American Spectator column Flight of the drama queens (the link goes to the column as posted at Parrys site). Parry puts the affair in the context of Team Mueller: [T]he fact remains that Team Mueller existed in Weissmanns words to get rid of Donald Trump. Given that goal, the filing of this surprise and overblown sentencing memorandum by the Team Mueller holdovers and their prompt, unnecessary, and dramatic resignations should be understood as a last, desperate effort by the rear guard of the defunct Special Counsels Office to bring the president, Attorney General William Barr, and the Justice Department into disrepute. Put another way, this whole stunt is nothing more than a choreographed two-act political melodrama in which the Team Mueller holdovers filed their overhyped, unauthorized sentencing memorandum and then followed up with a grand jete exit stage left to a shower of bouquets and bravos from an adoring Democrat and mainstream media audience. Attorney General William Barr has been summoned to testify before Congress about these matters, and, unsurprisingly, there have even been calls for his impeachment. The apparent premise for Barrs removal is that the Justice Department, acting under his direction, may not make a sentencing recommendation that contradicts to any degree that of the Team Mueller holdovers even though the entirely reasonable contradictory memorandum recommends incarceration and explicitly leaves the sentence entirely up to the judge. And, as for Trump, even though he is the nations chief law enforcement officer, apparently he isnt allowed to criticize either the fishy-smelling Stone prosecution or the work of the sacrosanct Team Mueller. All of this is just the kind of fake pretextual material that the deranged Democrats and their mainstream media amen corner may use to gin up yet another feverish round of impeachment. OYAK to invest in Cabo Verde 14 February 2020 The Cape Verdean government reported that Turkish cement producer, OYAK is investing in Cabo Verde for the extraction of pozzolan, volcanic rocks used in the cement industry. Pozzolan extraction in Porto Novo dates back to the colonial period, but has been stopped for over six years. Local authorities estimate that there are around 10Mt of pozzolanic deposits in the area. At the end of 2019, the Porto Novo municipality announced that there are at least two investors, of Chinese and European origin, interested in the former Cabocem cement plant. The acquisition by OYAK of the entire capital of Cimpor in Portugal was completed on 4 January 2019. At the time, OYAK and Cimpor stated that the Turkish fund "will integrate in its portfolio the three factories and two cement mills, 20 quarries and 46 concrete plants located in Portugal and Cabo Verde," keeping the Cimpor brand intact. Published under UTICA, N.Y. -- Seventeen-year-old Bianca Devins was murdered by Brandon Clark. Her actual murder was posted by Clark on social media sites. The graphic images eventually made their way back to the Devins family. The family filed complaints with social media companies, but not everyone took the images down. Bianca Devins grandfather, Frank Williams, says the family wants something done. "We believe that some of the social media have seen the harm theyve done and want to make corrections, and others maybe are just motivated by financial gain, and really need to be brought to the table and forced to make changes," said Williams. Images and comments still circulate on the internet, so the family turned to congress for help. Congressman Anthony Brindisi, D-22, met with social media executives looking for answers. "The process for the Devins family to communicate an issue with them was very cumbersome. I think theyve acknowledged that and also indicated that theyre trying to do more with technology, but also bring on more human content monitors to be able to deal directly with individuals," said Brindisi. The Devins family would like to see the government pass legislation and policies that would regulate graphic content across all platforms. "What we think needs to be done is greater monitoring of the images that are posted, and if they see or detect something that is even questionable, take it down immediately," Williams added. Regulating the internet isnt an easy task, but their request is being taken into consideration, and Congressman Brindisi says there has been measures put in place to police certain platforms. "There has been instances where Congress has passed laws making social media platforms liable for certain kinds of content, and I think there is precedence for legislation to provide more oversight over graphic content as well," he said. It may take time before any legislation is introduced, but the Devins family believes some action needs to be taken. Williams says "its extremely hard for the family of the images we have from the verbal descriptions that weve gotten. We dont want anyone else to go through that pain." Chennai, Feb 14 : The Tamil Nadu government will form a not-for-profit special purpose vehicle (SPV) that will tap the corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions to finance and manage the Amma Unavagam/Canteen scheme, state Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said on Friday. Presenting the state budget for 2020-21, Panneerselvam who also look after the state finance portfolio, said that in order to fund the scheme on a sustainable basis and reduce the burden on the urban local bodies, a SPV will be formed to finance and manage the Amma Canteens. "The SPV will raise Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from companies and other donations. The government will continue to provide subsidised food grains. The government will also provide grants to the SPV to cover the shortfall between the expenditure incurred and the revenue, contributions and donations received," Panneerselvam said. In the Budget Estimates 2020-21, a provision of Rs 100 crore has been made for this purpose. Panneerselvam also said the focus on construction workers, who are the largest clientele of Amma Canteens, will be sharpened by establishing mobile units to transport food to work sites. The Amma Canteen scheme was launched in 2013 to provide food at very affordable rates - one idli at Re 1, a plate of curd rice at Rs 3, a plate of sambar rice at Rs 5, and others - to the weaker sections of society. The scheme is managed by urban local bodies. NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Churchill Capital Corp III (the "Company") announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 100,000,000 units at $10.00 per unit. The units will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") under the symbol "CCXX.U" commencing on February 14, 2020. Each unit consists of one share of the Company's Class A common stock and one-fourth of one warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of the Company's Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. Once the securities constituting the units begin separate trading, we expect that the Class A common stock and warrants will be listed on the NYSE under the symbols "CCXX" and "CCXX WS," respectively. Churchill Capital Corp III was founded by Michael Klein, who is also the founder and managing partner of M. Klein and Company. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. It may pursue an initial business combination target in any business or industry. Citigroup is acting as Global Coordinator and Joint Bookrunner, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as Joint Bookrunner and Maxim Group LLC is acting as co-manager. The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 10,000,000 additional units at the initial public offering price to cover over-allotments, if any. This offering will only be made by means of a prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus relating to the offering and final prospectus, when available, may be obtained from Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717 or by telephone at (800) 831-9146; and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, telephone: +1 866 471 2526, facsimile: +1 212 902 9316, or email: [email protected]. A registration statement relating to these securities has been declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). 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 these securities in any State or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State or jurisdiction. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements," including with respect to the proposed initial public offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described, or at all, or that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company's registration statement and preliminary prospectus for the Company's offering filed with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law. SOURCE Churchill Capital Corp III Related Links https://churchillcapitalcorp.com/ On Dec. 11, the Indian Parliament passed the Citizen Amendment Act making "illegal migrants" from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who arrived in India by December 31, 2014, eligible to obtain citizenship if they are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhist, Jains, Parsis, or Christians. Muslims are excluded. In Assam, an Indian state bordering Bangladesh, the law sparked protests driven by fear that the indigenous Assamese-speaking people would be dominated by Bengali-speaking Hindus. The protests spread and intensified because Indian Muslims, numbering 200 million or over 13 percent of the population, see the measure as another step by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his campaign to Hinduize India. Assam had recently completed a national register of citizens, which required all inhabitants to prove their citizenship. The final list published August 31, 2019, excluded 1.9 million of the state's 33 million residents. Many of those excluded were Hindus. Muslims believe that Modi will use the Citizen Amendment Act to restore citizenship to the non-Muslims excluded in Assam while excluded Muslims will be sent to concentration camps. Because the home minister had told Parliament on Nov. 20 that the national register would be extended to all of India, Muslims feared that large numbers would lose citizenship. The protests have continued to escalate despite Modi's denial that the register would be extended. Increasing numbers of non-Muslims have joined in defending India's secular constitution. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 Trend: While referring to the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), the Armenian Foreign Ministry made other accusations on February 11 - that Azerbaijan allegedly violates international obligations and is responsible for the death of Armenian citizen Manvel Saribekyan, Head of the Baku Network Expert Council, Azerbaijani PhD Elkhan Alasgarov told Trend. Having no interest in delving into the details of another one of Yerevans lies, I would like to stress that Saribekyan was a saboteur sent to the Azerbaijani territory, head of the Baku Network Expert Council added. It is Yerevan that should be blamed for his tragic death, rather than only Baku. Obviously, the death of Saribekyan, as well as common political goals behind the accusations made against Baku concerning the violation of the international law, do not concern the Armenian authorities. There is an interesting thing that the fate of Saribekyan has not been mentioned in the Armenian Foreign Ministrys statement, Alasgarov added. The main thesis of the document is that, allegedly, the threat is upon life of every Armenian who falls under the control of the Azerbaijani authorities, regardless of his/her status, Alasgarov said. Thus, the Armenian Foreign Ministry is disseminating a new myth that upon the decision concerning Saribekyans case, the ECHR confirmed the impossibility of Karabakh Armenians living in Azerbaijan as this poses a threat to their lives. It is worth noting that the Armenian ideologists are useless strategists, Alasgarov said. So, while recognizing the jurisdiction and legitimacy of the ECHR and rejoicing at the decision regarding Saribekyans case, Yerevan should recognize not only other decisions of the European Court, but also four UN resolutions and numerous resolutions of international organizations. Firstly, the previous decision of the European Court of Human Rights, issued regarding the case of Chiragov and Others v. Armenia, is one of the most important decisions in connection with the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that have been accepted till now, Alasgarov added. He said that the peculiarity of the decision is that it is the first judicial document in connection with the Karabakh conflict, in which Armenia is recognized as the culprit of the crimes committed. "The European Court of Human Rights-ECHR, the most authoritative court of the world, adopted a decision on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in which it confirmed the fact of occupation of Azerbaijani territories and the fact that Armenia is an occupying country. The European Court has entrusted all responsibility for the violation of human rights in the occupied territories upon Armenia, which is to restore human rights, in the first place, of the hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from Nagorno Karabakh and seven adjacent districts," Alasgarov said. In this sense, he continued, the decision of the ECHR also puts before Yerevan the obligation to unconditionally withdraw the Armenian forces from the conflict zone. "In addition, Armenia must pay compensation in the Chiragov and Others v. Armenia case. At the same time, this payment will set a precedent, which will entail claims from 800,000 internally displaced persons regarding the payment of compensation to them by Armenia," he said. "Second, according to the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg dated Dec. 17, 2013, in the case of Perincek v. Switzerland, Armenia should reject the requirements for a unilateral interpretation of the so-called "Armenian genocide", Alasgarov noted. "The European Court decided that, unlike the Holocaust fact proven in the legal field, the narrative about the so-called "Armenian genocide" is not a historical fact, but a fiction of one of the parties, and by no means the only one," said Alasgarov. He went on to say that there is no consensus regarding the so-called "Armenian genocide" in international academic circles and it is unlikely to be reached, and any criminal prosecution for expressing an opinion is a violation of the articles of the European Convention on Human Rights. "Over the course of many years of practice of the ECHR, not a single case of non-enforcement of its decisions by member states of the Council of Europe has been recorded. Otherwise, according to the Statute of the Council of Europe, this can lead to suspension of a states membership and, in the end, in accordance with the decision of the Committee of Ministers, to expulsion from the Organization," Alasgarov explained. He noted that Armenias unwillingness to comply with the judgments of the ECHR regarding the Perincek v. Switzerland case, to stop the unilateral interpretation of the so-called "Armenian genocide", as well as restoring the rights of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani IDPs, the case Chiragov and Others v. Armenia, is a clear evidence of Yerevans rejection of international law. "Yerevan, making statements full of pathos on the case of Saribekyan and Balyan v. Azerbaijan, must also recognize the rulings by the ECHR on numerous violations of human rights in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. Without recognition of the rights, first of all, of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani IDPs violated by the invaders in Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts, as well as compensation for the damage caused to them, it is better for the Armenian Foreign Ministry to keep silent about the Saribekyan case," Alasgarov said. He added that at the same time, no positive changes occurred in the ideology of the Armenians with Pashinyans coming to power. "The ruling by the ECHR quite resembles primitive statement of criminal Robert Kocharyan, who is in the Yerevan prison, about the genetic incompatibility of Azerbaijanis and Armenians and the slogan by fascist Garegin Nzhdeh that there shouldnt be a day without fighting the Turk," said Alasgarov. He said that instead of preparing the Armenian people for reconciliation, Pashinyans team uses the time-out provided during the negotiations to advance on other fronts, methodically cutting off all roads leading to peace. "The Armenian side still hasnt learned that false theories have sad consequences," Alasgarov said. Head of the Expert Council of the Baku Network, PhD Elkhan Alasgarov http://bakunetwork.com Join us on Twitter and Facebook https://twitter.com/BakuNetwork and https://www.facebook.com/BakuNetwork YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp5ic7mhc6rZF6w0TQWqtmg The official visit of the delegation led by Minister of Defense of Armenia Davit Tonoyan to Belarus continues, reports the news service of the Ministry of Defense. During the visit, Davit Tonoyan today visited the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War where he was introduced to the exhibited samples. During the visit to the museum, the defense minister handed certificates to the authors of the book Armenian Fighters in the Battles for Belarus between 1941 and 1944. During an event at the French Embassy on the 13th of February, French Company Naval Group unveiled its long-term cooperation plan developed to support the acquisition program of two FDI frigates Belh@rra-class for the Hellenic Navy. During an event at the French Embassy on the 13th of February, French Company Naval Group unveiled its long-term cooperation plan developed to support the acquisition program of two FDI frigates Belh@rra-class for the Hellenic Navy. Drawing future Naval Group Belh@rra- class frigate. (Picture source Naval Group) Naval Group, based in Athens since 2008, is proud to be an integral part of the strong strategic alliance between Greece and France. Thanks to its long-lasting presence in Greece, Naval Group created the conditions for long-term cooperation with profits for the Greek industry and the creation of high-technology jobs. Naval Group has a robust expertise in building such partnerships worldwide. Alain Guillou, Naval Group Executive Vice-President Development declared This cooperation plan will support the Hellenic Navy in achieving regional superiority at sea, but also the ability of the Hellenic industry to actively prepare the future of naval warfare. Naval Group will share expertise and knowledge with the Hellenic Navy and industry to ensure the ships availability over their 30-year lifespan. Alain Guillou explained We want to build a long-term partnership with the Hellenic industry and to guarantee the success of the frigate program as well as Hellenic sovereignty through an extensive transfer of technology. The local industry will master the know-how required to support the entire life-cycle of the frigates. The follow-on support will be based on the creation of a Digital Support Centre, capable of securing and verifying the integrity of the ships data. Naval Groups combined capabilities in terms of i-maintenance, artificial intelligence and big data will ensure an improved operational availability and a reduced maintenance cost. Together with its Hellenic partners, Naval Group will also support the training of both crews and maintenance teams of the Hellenic Navy with the best simulation technologies. France will also be operating 5 FDI frigates (Belh@rra class) The first of class will be delivered in 2023 with an entry into active duty in 2025. The group plans on creating an Engineering Centre in charge of the design and development studies for future standards of the Belh@rra-class frigates, making Greece a European centre of excellence for naval warfare innovation. Beyond Naval Group, the FDI program will bring different actors from the French naval industry to invest in the country and develop partnerships with Greek companies, creating added-value and jobs for decades to come. The FDI program already fostered the rapprochement of the two naval sectors with the GICAN and SEKPY signing a Protocol of Agreement at the same event at the French Embassy. Regarding the longer vision of the program, Alain Guillou explained the Belh@rra-class frigates will integrate successive generations of systems over their 30-year lifespan. We want Greece to be at the centre of European naval innovation. We already signed partnerships with 3 universities but we want to go further with industry and academic partners here to address the future needs of the frigates but also more largely the future of the naval sector. Naval Group has a strong interest in developing collaborative R&D projects with Hellenic companies, universities and research institute in cutting edge technologies such as additive manufacturing or drones. Naval Group aims at developing a network of technological and research projects so as to build the Hellenic future naval warfare capabilities. During the event, Naval Group signed partnerships with NTUA, University of Patras and the University of Crete. Naval Group also intends to support the development of Greek startups by setting up a startup and SME accelerator. Naval Group is already working on cyber security applied to the naval and maritime domains with Greek partners in the frame of different European programs such as CYBERMAR as well as the PESCO Pandora and H2020 projects. Finally, France and Greece share a common need for maritime surveillance. Naval Group proposes to create, together with Greek partners, an industrial and commercial activity that would address the European market from Greece. Naval Group has begun discussions with Hellenic companies in order to position itself on European research programs and to carry out joint projects. 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. The Karnataka High Court on Friday granted an interim stay on the investigation ordered by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart for alleged violations of provisions of competition laws Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday granted an interim stay on the investigation ordered by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart for alleged violations of provisions of competition laws. "The commissions order directing investigation is stayed by the court. It has given eight weeks for the parties to respond," an advocate connected with the case said. Amazon on Monday had moved the high court seeking a stay on the investigation ordered by the CCI. In its plea, Amazon sought quashing and setting aside of the CCI's January 13, 2020 probe order, and had also prayed the court to provide relief based on "facts and circumstances of the case in the interest of justice." In January, fair trade regulator CCI had ordered the probe against Flipkart and Amazon for alleged malpractices, including deep discounting and tie-ups with preferred sellers on their platforms. The order followed a complaint filed by Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh, whose members comprise many traders dealing in smart phones and related accessories. In its petition, Amazon contended that the CCI order had been passed "without application of mind" and would cause irreparable loss/injury to the goodwill/reputation of the company if an investigation is allowed. It also said the order would cause "serious prejudice" against Amazon and its findings are "perverse, arbitrary, untenable" in law. Welcoming the stay, Amazon termed it as a step in the legal process. "While we welcome and respect the decision of the High Court of Karnataka, this is just a step in the legal process. We are confident about our compliance, Amazon spokesperson said in a statement. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has said it would file an appeal against the High Court order. Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh is an affiliate of the CAIT. Both CAIT and Delhi Vyapar Mahasang hhave decided to file an appeal against the order of the High Court soon and both are consulting their respective lawyers. Meanwhile, the CAIT would push with the Union government to speed up the ED investigation. In this context, a CAIT delegation would soon meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, it said in a statement. CAIT said the high court has stayed the order for investigation passed by the CCI on the ground that the ED has already initiated investigation into Flipkart and Amazon's activities that are alleged to be in contravention of the FDI policy. The court was therefore of the opinion that FDI violations being in the realm of the ED and the Adjudicating Authority under the FEMA, the case of CCI vs Bharti Airtel would apply to the case and ED would have to give its report before the CCI could proceed with the matter. The court also noted that while the CCI had asked Amazon for its comments in a previous case (filed by AIOVA), CCI should have also called the parties in the present matter when they were made respondents before passing the impugned order, it added. By Alex Ho Investing.com - Asian markets rose on Friday morning as traders continued to monitor developments on the coronavirus outbreak following Thursdays spike in the number of cases reported. Chinas Shanghai Composite rose 0.5% by 10:40 PM ET (02:40 GMT), while the Shenzhen Component climbed 1.4%. Beijing is set to cut tariffs on certain U.S. products by half later in the day, as previously announced in early February. Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7%. Japans Nikkei 225 underperformed and fell 0.4% after data showed a sharp drop in Japanese consumer spending. The weaker-than-expected data suggested that the countrys economy likely suffered its biggest contraction since the second quarter of 2014, Bloomberg said. Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (T:7201) slumped more than 9% after the company slashed its annual operating income forecast by more than 40%. Honda Motor Co Ltd (T:7267) also made headlines as it plans to restart operations at its vehicle plant in Wuhan, China on Feb. 21, a week later than initially planned. The automakers shares in Japan fell 1.2% today. South Koreas KOSPI gained 0.8%. Down under, Australias ASX 200 gained 0.5%. Global stocks were deeply in the red in the previous day as China reported more than 15,000 new confirmed cases of infections yesterday, before trading higher today after the World Health Organization attempted to calm the markets and suggested that the spike in coronavirus infections may not have occurred in a day. "We are not dealing, from what we understand, with a spike in cases of 14,000 on one day," the WHO said in a press release. The health watchdog said the surge in infections likely included individuals who had been infected a number of days or even weeks ago after China adopted a new method of diagnosing the coronavirus. Related Articles Asian shares tick up, aim for second week of gains amid virus scare Tesla to recall 3,183 Model X vehicles in China: market regulator Woodside holds on to stake in Senegal oil field as FAR challenge fails In the upcoming months, school districts will prepare budgets for the next fiscal year and make the hard decision about whether to increase property taxes to deal with rising costs. One of the fastest growing costs for all school districts is charter schools-publicly funded, privately operated schools that offer education wholly online or at a site within a community. School districts pay 100 percent of charter school tuition bills, and rapidly increasing tuition payments are a top reason that property taxes continue to rise. Although charter school students represent only 8% of all public school students, in 2017-18, 37 cents of every new property tax dollar raised was sent to a charter or cyber charter school. Pennsylvania taxpayers are spending more than $1.8 billion on tuition bills for students to attend charter and online cyber charter schools. Tuition rates are set by the state, but flawed calculations in Pennsylvanias 22-year-old charter school law mandate payments well beyond the cost to educate a child. After more than 20 years, the time has come to retool charter funding to bring payments in line with the costs, eliminate questionable and wasteful spending by charters, and bring property tax increases under control. Governor Wolf has proposed a funding plan that will do just that: eliminate overpayments and provide $280 million in savings to school districts while providing sufficient funding to allow charter schools to appropriately serve students. Wolfs proposal should receive the enthusiastic support of Pennsylvania taxpayers and state lawmakers alike. Taxpayers are not well served under the current system. Cyber charter schools, which educate students at home on a computer, receive the same payment rate as brick-and-mortar charter schools, despite having no buildings, no janitorial staff, no cafeteria, and much higher student- teacher ratios. Not surprisingly, cyber charter schools are awash in excess funding, so money intended to educate children is instead wasted on billboards, TV commercials, and internet advertisements for cyber schools. Cybers also pay considerable amounts to public relations firms, lobbyists, and the CEOs and shareholders of private management companies. This is why national organizations that promote charter schools have urged states to change laws and rein in cyber charters. Gov. Wolf has proposed a flat tuition rate of $9,500 for students who attend cyber charter schools, a generous amount totaling almost twice the cost of a district-run cyber program. This would save $133 million. Charter schools are also exempt from the Fair Funding Formula for special education payments. Its time to close that loophole. School districts receive state special education funding based on the cost of the services that students need, whether it is a half-hour of speech therapy weekly or a full-time aide. Charter schools receive a flat payment based on the schools average costs, so the charter receives the same payment regardless of how much they spend providing services. The formula provides millions in excess funding to charter schools and creates a financial incentive for them to provide more students with speech therapy, while not providing sufficiently for students with significant needs who want to attend the charter school. Thats not fair. Governor Wolfs proposal would apply the special education Fair Funding Formula to all schools. If enacted, school districts will save $147 million each year and the perverse financial incentive for charters to enroll only students who need low-cost services would be eliminated. These proposals would save school districts $280 million, end the excessive profiteering that has occurred in the charter sector, reduce pressure on property taxes, and help ensure school districts are able to provide the resources necessary for all students to succeed. They deserve our support. Susan Spicka is the executive director of Education Voters of PA, a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan public education advocacy organization. 2020 02 06T230256Z_184473704_RC2BVE9ZXIG2_RTRMADP_3_AUSTRALIA BUSHFIRES KANGAROOS.JPG REUTERS/Jorge Silva The Australian bushfires destroyed over 28,000 acres of land and the natural habitats of some of the country's most beloved wildlife. As a result, animals like koalas and kangaroos face food shortages, contaminated water, and a lack of family. Wildlife caretakers are stepping in to help. Images from an animal carer couple's home in New South Wales show them feeding and bonding with six kangaroos. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. The devastating bushfires in New South Wales, Australia, have finally all been contained, officials announced Thursday. The fires, which began in September after a three-year drought, destroyed the natural habitats of some of the country's most beloved wildlife, including koalas and kangaroos. Authorities in New South Wales and Queensland, areas where the blazes got most severe, declared states of emergency on November 11. The burning hasn't ceased completely, but rain finally brought relief this week. One billion animals are feared dead from the blazes. Emergency-relief workers and animal carers have rescued some of the vulnerable creatures that were left without families, food, or homes. In New South Wales, wildlife carers Gary Wilson and Julie Willis opened their homes to take in injured and orphaned baby animals. According to Reuters, the partners had been taking care of baby koalas, usually rescued after their mothers were hit by cars, for 25 years. So now they've taken in six young kangaroos struggling to survive because of burns, a lack of food, and ash-polluted water. "We didn't have children ourselves; this is what we spend our time doing," Willis told Reuters. "We think it's worthy a worthy cause looking after our babies no matter what they are, whether they are kangaroos, echidnas or wombats." See how the rescued baby kangaroos are adapting to life after the fires. Many Australians were forced to decide whether to stay in their homes or evacuate because of the fires. For Wilson and Willis, their wildlife-care work was the priority. Story continues AUSTRALIA BUSHFIRES KANGAROOS In Cloth pouchs.JPG Jorge Silva/Reuters Source: Reuters "We had way too many animals in the house and around the house so we really couldn't go ... we decided we were going to stay and fight," Wilson told Reuters. AUSTRALIA BUSHFIRES KANGAROOS Willis holding joey.JPG Jorge Silva/Reuters Source: Reuters Wildlife Information, Rescue, and Education Service Inc. (WIRES) Australia's largest wildlife rescue organization reported that volunteers helped with over 3,300 rescues for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. AUSTRALIA BUSHFIRES KANGAROOS Willis feeding joey.JPG Jorge Silva/Reuters The group said its rescue line received over 20,000 calls. Large animals are sometimes able to escape wildfires, but smaller animals often cannot run far or quickly enough, or hide safely from fierce and quick-moving blazes. AUSTRALIA BUSHFIRES KANGAROOS joey eating.JPG Jorge Silva/Reuters Willis told Reuters that she had never seen such powerful fires, and that most animals such as possums, gliders, echidnas, lizards, and even many birds were not quick enough to escape. AUSTRALIA BUSHFIRES KANGAROOS joey jumping.JPG Jorge Silva/Reuters Source: Reuters Kangaroos' natural habitat in Australia is the open bush. But as humans have cleared brush for agriculture and development, kangaroos and humans have been forced closer together. AUSTRALIA BUSHFIRES KANGAROOS joeys in backyard.JPG Jorge Silva/Reuters Climate change has increased the frequency and severity of fires. This was one of Australia's worst wildfire seasons ever. The remains of a burnt down house, destroyed during the bushfire season are pictured in the community of Wytaliba, New South Wales, Australia January 29, 2020. Jorge Silva/Reuters Some ecosystems have natural wildfires. However, as humans thin forests, turn grassland into farms, and build homes in previously untouched areas, landscapes can become more prone to burning. The Australian bushfires claimed the lives of 27 people and destroyed 2,000 homes. The isolation of Australia's ecosystems means many species are unique to the country. Experts fear that up to 1 billion animals might have perished in the fires, including some from threatened and endangered species. AUSTRALIA BUSHFIRES KANGAROOS bottle feeding joeys Jorge Silva/Reuters Source: Chris Dickman, University of Sydney Kangaroos are not endangered they're designated at the level of "least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature because their population is abundant. AUSTRALIA BUSHFIRES KANGAROOS willis feeding young kangaroos.JPG Jorge Silva/Reuters They're the official animal of Australia. Usually, grey kangaroos leave their mothers' pouches at around 11 months but continue to suckle until they are as old as 18 months. In January, a fire ravaged a third of Kangaroo Island, which sits off the coast of South Australia and is home to lots of unique wildlife. Thousands of kangaroos and koalas were thought to be killed. FILE PHOTO: An orphaned kangaroo joey that was rescued during the bushfire season, stands inside the living room of partners Gary Wilson and Julie Willis's home, both of whom are animal carers, in the community of Wytaliba, New South Wales, Australia January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Jorge Silva Jorge Silva/Reuters Experts are still unsure about the fate of a subspecies of glossy black cockatoos that lives on the island. Only about 300 to 370 of the birds remained before the fires. "This is a national tragedy and a threat to our Australian way of life, in both urban and especially regional communities," Dermot O'Gorman, CEO of the Australian chapter of the World Wildlife Fund, said in a statement in November 2019. AUSTRALIA BUSHFIRES KANGAROOS willis gives bottle to injured kangaroo.JPG Jorge Silva/Reuters O'Gorman added that both humans and animals were facing decades-long recoveries. Scientists expect fire-prone areas around the world to see prolonged fire seasons and more severe wildfires as climate change continues to worsen. 2020 02 06T230356Z_1628025455_RC2BVE9TZ019_RTRMADP_3_AUSTRALIA BUSHFIRES KANGAROOS.JPG REUTERS/Jorge Silva Read the original article on Business Insider GREENWICH Terrible luck has struck the Cos Cob business community in recent months. In October, a major fire caused by food left on the stovetop of a pizza restaurant tore through a commercial building. A half-dozen small businesses were forced to temporarily close or relocate. In February, a car crashed into the side of Chocoylatte Gourmet, forcing it to close in the week before Valentines Day. It has been an ordeal for all of the small-business owners impacted by the series of local disasters. It also highlights the risks faced by small-town entrepreneurs the backbone of the local economy and who employ nearly half the workers in the state whenever they close up shop for the day. Small businesses, working from a single location with a small staff and tight profit margins, often make them uniquely vulnerable to fires and other unpredictable events, said Randye Spina, a small-business consultant and instructor at Norwalk Community College. Theres a lot of unpredictability in running a small business, she said. Kelly Dantas, owner of Chocoylatte Gourmet, learned that the hard way. She spent years working to start a small business selling coffee, pastries and chocolate in a bright, airy shop in Cos Cob. But a car came crashing through the walls of the building Feb. 6, causing major damage to the building and taking the life of the driver, Andrew Miller, 47, a worker at the Nathaniel Witherell senior residence and rehab facility in Greenwich. Dantas was still assessing the future of her business this week, after the car crash. Its in Gods hands, she said. Its step by step. The building was declared unsafe by the Town of Greenwichs building inspectors after the crash, and the interior was severely damaged. Jay Ragusa, founder of Gopher Ice Cream, said nothing had prepared him in the classroom when he studied business and finance in college for the fire that tore through his business in late October, caused by kitchen fire next door to his shop. Some things are impossible to foresee, but the frozen-dessert entrepreneur who has opened a number of popular ice-cream stores in the region says its how you cope with them. You have to deal with what comes along, said Ragusa, who also has stores in Stamford, Darien and Wilton. You can only control how you react you cant control what happens. Looking back on lessons learned, Ragusa said he was fortunate that he had other stores in operation, including another site in Greenwich on the Post Road. Having more than one location is always a benefit Diversification is important - multiple locations, he noted. You want to have more than adequate insurance, said Ragusa, who worked in finance before starting the ice cream business. Interruption insurance, which makes payments when a business is interrupted by unforeseen circumstances, is something to consider, he said. The Gopher ice cream store is set to reopen later in the year after the fire damage has been repaired. Were in the process of getting back into business at Indian Field Plaza - but we have to rely on the building owner and the insurance company. A lot of parties involved, he said, Its tough to be in the middle of this, disheartening, but at the end of the day, well have a nice store. Statistics show that small businesses have fairly high rate of failure, though an often-cited saying that more than half of all new business close in a few years, is far from true. In Connecticut, according to statistics from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the failure rate after a five-year period after launching a small business is in the 20 percent range, though it varies from sector to sector. But 40 percent of businesses do not reopen after a disaster, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. On a related note, another 25 percent fail within one year of a catastrophic event. While fires and major weather events are the biggest killers of small business, lesser incidents such as a burglary or water damage due to faulty plumbing systems can be just as catastrophic to businesses, according to researchers. Spina, a marketing and small business consultant, said businesses can take some steps to make them resilient against unexpected emergencies. Make sure all your data is backed up every night when you leave, so you have access to it, she said. Having a disaster plan can be valuable, Spina said, something that only about a third of all small businesses and companies have in place. While food-service businesses are at a particular disadvantage when it comes to fires and other disasters, businesses that do not need a kitchen or a bakery to operate have a range of alternate locations to work from, thanks to an abundance of office space in the region. There are so many co-working space spaces - you can work for a day, a month, no long-term commitments, she noted. Spina, an author who ran a small business in shipping and postal deliveries, is a strong advocate of communicating with customers, especially during a disruption. Communications with your customers and prospects is the way to go, after you dust yourself off. Communications go a long way. Customers will stand by you, theyll understand. Stay in touch with your customers, she noted. Small-business owners, she said, tend to be self-reliant and accustomed to facing challenges, especially the unexpected kind. Both resiliency and can-do are paramount to success, Spina said. Thats what gets me out of bed in the morning and Im sure its the same for others. rmarchant@greenwichtime.com Attorney General Bill Barr has assigned an outside prosecutor to monitor the Justice Department's ongoing case against President Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn, the New York Times reports. Why it matters: The move could trigger additional accusations of political interference at the Justice Department, especially for extremely sensitive cases involving former Trump allies. It adds "a secondary layer of monitoring and control over what career prosecutors have been doing in the Washington office," the Times notes. The new team on the Flynn case includes members from the office of Jeffrey Jensen of the U.S. attorney's office in St. Louis and as well as other members from the office of the deputy attorney general. Jensen's team has been asked "to look into Flynn's FBI interview," according to NBC News. The state of play: Flynn's sentencing has been indefinitely postponed after he filed court papers last month to withdraw his guilty plea related to allegedly lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia's ambassador to the U.S., blaming the government's "bad faith, vindictiveness, and breach of the plea agreement." The big picture: The president's relationship with Barr and the Justice Department has come under scrutiny over the past week due to developments in the Roger Stone case. Four prosecutors who tried Stone in November withdrew from the case after the Justice Department overruled their original sentencing recommendation of 79 years for the political operative. Trump tweeted that the original recommendation was a "miscarriage of justice." He later told reporters that he didn't speak to the Justice Department about the case, but that he would have "the absolute right" to. Trump withdrew his nomination for former U.S. attorney for D.C. Jessie Liu to serve in a top Treasury Department position. While at the Justice Department, she oversaw a number of politically charged prosecutions that included the case against Trump associates. Barr told ABC News in an interview Thursday that Trump's "constant background commentary" about the Justice Department "makes it impossible for me to do my job" particularly blaming the president's tweets. And earlier Friday, Trump tweeted that he has "the legal right" to ask Barr to intervene in criminal cases, saying that he has "so far chosen not to." The other side: The DOJ declined Friday to bring charges against former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe in an investigation into whether he lied to investigators about a press leak. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 18:35 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20649ef7a 1 Business China,Wuhan-coronavirus,coronavirus,Indonesia,imports,live-animal Free Indonesia has officially halted imports of live animals from China as the Trade Ministry issued a regulation stipulating the temporary ban, another in a series of government efforts to prevent the coronavirus from spreading to the country. Trade Ministerial Regulation No. 10/2020 stipulates a temporary import ban on at least 53 animals, ranging from reptiles and mammals to poultry, which has been in force since Feb. 7. In response to the outbreak [...] the Indonesian government has banned the import of live animals originating from China or transiting in China into Indonesias territory, Trade Minister Agus Suparmanto said in a statement on Thursday as quoted by Antara. The restriction is only temporary until the coronavirus epidemic subsides, he said. Among those animals banned from imports are horses, donkeys, mules and hinnies, pigs, sheep, goats, oxen, buffaloes and other types of bovines. Reptiles, including snakes and turtles, are also on the contraband list. For poultry, the government has banned imports of chickens of the Gallus domesticus species, ducks and geese, turkeys and guinea fowls. Primates, whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions are also banned. The temporary ban also outlaws animals in traveling circus, traveling menageries, traveling theaters and amusement park animals. Importers are obliged to send back the animals or exterminate them if they arrive at Indonesian ports after the regulation takes effect, Agus said, adding that the cost for the procedure would be incurred by the importers. Read also: Indonesia to stand together with China in battle against COVID-19, Jokowi tells Xi Those who fail to take responsibility for sending back the animals or exterminating them within the span of 10 days will receive sanctions, according to the regulation. The ministerial regulation is drafted in accordance with the World Trade Organizations (WTO) 1994 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, which stipulates that each WTO member country may apply its own technical regulations for the welfare of consumers. Jakarta asserted last week that only live animals were subject to the import ban, while other goods shipped in from China would continue as usual. Beijing has previously expressed concerns over the import ban, with Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Xiao Qian saying on Feb. 4 that there had yet to be any evidence suggesting the coronavirus could spread via imported goods. He was also worried it could affect trade relations between the two countries. Secretary to the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister Susiwijono Moegiarso said the import ban would not disrupt the economy significantly as it was unlikely to affect Indonesias trade balance with China. Last year, the import [of live animals from China] amounted only to an estimated US$231,000 out of the total $170 million [of trade], she said on Wednesday as quoted by tempo.co. Susiwijono said the ban was necessary to protect citizens at home from the virus outbreak as live animals were said to be able to act as carriers of the virus which is believed to have originated from a market selling wild animals in the Chinese city of Wuhan. As of Friday, the death toll from the coronavirus had surpassed 1,300 globally with more than 64,000 confirmed cases worldwide, Reuters reported. Indonesia has recorded no confirmed cases of coronavirus so far. (ydp) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 21:49:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HAIKOU, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The first mask production line in South China's island province of Hainan went into operation Friday in Haikou, the provincial capital, officials said at a press conference. The factory operated by the Honz Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd now produces 40,000 surgical masks per day. All the masks will be allocated by government, with priority given to the needs of doctors, nurses and other personnel directly involved in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic, said Wang Lei, the vice mayor of Haikou. As China battles the epidemic, masks have been in great demand by medical workers, disease control personnel as well as the general public. With the help of the municipal government, the company purchased the mask production equipment from Dongguan City, Guangdong Province. The equipment arrived at the factory on Feb. 7 and was ready for production by Feb. 8 night. On Feb. 13 night, it received the production license from the provincial medical products administration. The factory plans to add a production line for N95 masks in mid-March. Hainan had reported 157 confirmed cases and four deaths as of Thursday. Thirty patients had been discharged from hospitals. Pennridge to vote on one textbook; further review on other one Genres : Comedy : Comedy Running Time : 104 min. : 104 min. Directed by : Chang You-jeong : Chang You-jeong Starring : Ra Mi-ran, Kim Moo-yeol Synopsis : A politician who challenges a four-time lawmaker has been cursed to only tell truth, just before the election. Coronavirus, which emerged from Wuhan city in Chinas Hubei province in December last year, quickly spread across the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) took time to declare it a health emergency (it did so weeks later), and later named it Covid-19. The virus has caused 1,380 deaths, has infected 63,851 people and spread across 28 countries. In the middle of rumors and reports, here is all you need to know about the virus. What is Covid-19? It is a new strain from the coronavirus family (hence the initial name novel coronavirus or n-CoV) which affects the respiratory system in humans. Other examples of the virus are Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome or MERS. It has only recently been renamed,Covid-19, inspired from words corona, virus, and disease, with 2019 representing the year that it emerged. This virus that causes flu-like symptoms , such as dry-cough, fever, and breathing problems. It probably seems mild in some cases, like that of an Australian student who contracted the virus on Diamond Princess, the ship quarantined off the coast of Japan. Such cases may have a fairly quick recovery rate like one patient, out of the three who were initially tested positive for Covid-19 in Kerala, whose diagnosis later turned negative. In more severe cases, patients may have underlying health conditions and then go on to develop viral-phenomena. This strand of coronavirus, much like others, came from animals. Illegal trading of pangolin is suspected to be the cause for the entrance of Covid-19 into human species. How did Covid-19 spread? The virus was first identified in China, at Wuhan on December 31st. Covid-19 is airborne and transmitted by people sneezing or coughing. Someone can either swallow the virus or touch a surface where the virus is with their hands, and then touch their mouth & nose with the same. The advancements in international transportation systems and excessive globalization have made it easy for Covid-19 to hop into a hosts body to travel far and beyond. Evidence of this phenomenon is the Diamond Princess, a cruise ship initially carrying 3,711 passengers, now has about 174 identified cases of the disease. Outside Mainland China, the ship is the largest cluster of Covid-19. There are two Indian citizens among those tested positive on the ship quarantined at a dock in Yokohama, Tokyo since February 3rd. The ship is said to be under Japanese jurisdiction until February 19th, 2020 and it is unclear if and what Indian authorities are going to do after that. What is the economic threat? Global pandemics are very costly for human society and have only gotten pricier with the increasing interconnectedness of the international economy. For example, SARS caused losses in productivity estimated over $40 billion. Though, right now, there are no estimates about how much Covid-19 is going to cost the global economy in total, businesses, big and small, are suffering its effects. Handset manufacturer Vivo and chipset maker Intel, along with some other prominent brands, have pulled out of the Mobile World Congress 2020 due to the Covid-19 outbreak. This is an important event that creates over 14,000 part-time jobs in Barcelona. Giants like Airbnb and Apple have also been impacted. Airbnb has suspended check-ins to all Beijing listings until March and Apples prime manufacturer Foxconn is producing under 50% until the end of February. Lack of tourism and fall in demand of general commodities because of quarantine efforts has also adversely affected small business in China. There have been mounting concerns about the impact that continuing spread of the disease would have on Chinas economy. One reason why, President Xi was reported to have cautioned officials to not go overboard with imposing restrictions. President Xi, according to a Reuters report, felt they had already gone too far. Any impact of the virus on the Chinese economy would have a ripple effect that would be felt far away including on, oil prices, as China is the worlds largest importer. The politics around Covid-19 Given the viruss global footprint, it may be impossible to contain it without support from different international parties. The World Health Organization has been heavily involved with the Chinese government to prevent further spread of the disease and to hunt for a potential cure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed solidarity with the Chinese President Xi in the form of a letter. In the same, he expressed appreciation for the measures taken by the Chinese government to restrict the spread of the virus. United States President Donald Trump has also congratulated President Xi on his efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19. Trump claimed ...(that) during the month of April, the heat, generally speaking, kills this type of virus. This remark has been condemned by Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The US State Department moved out almost 300 U.S. citizens, from Wuhan, on February 6st. However, Tedros Adhanom, head of WHO, has advised against the evacuation of foreigners. Response by India and its neighbours 600 Indians were flown back to the country from Wuhan by the government on January 31th and February 1st. They were housed in two quarantine centres, one in Delhi and one in Manesar. According to Vikram Misri, Indian Ambassador to China, the whole evacuation process was a strategic nightmare. Passengers coming from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and Nepal into India are being screened at all major sea and land ports. There are now two positive novel coronavirus cases in India in the state of Kerala currently undergoing treatment. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the Centre for not giving the Covid-19 outbreak graver attention. Bangladesh has decided not to fly back its 171 citizens due to internal issues. Pakistan, a country thatd initially decided not to evacuate the 800 Pakistani students living in Wuhan, is now reconsidering its course of action after coming under pressure by quarantined students on social media. The matter is being considered at the high level and best possible decision would be taken after considering all possible aspects. Rest assured that we care about you, said Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health, on Sunday. PR Newswire/Designer BrandsJennifer Lopez isn't letting those award season snubs get to her -- she's moving on with her business. The multi-talented entertainer just announced a deal to develop and produce a line of footwear and handbags under the JLO JENNIFER LOPEZ brand. The line will be sold exclusively at DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse stores in the U.S. and Canada, and online at DSW.com. The shoes will arrive in spring 2020, with the handbags coming after that. "Since the beginning of my career, I've wanted to do it all -- music, movies, and fashion. There are so many facets to my career, and that's what I wanted to bring to my collection with DSW," says Lopez, adding that the DSW retail chain is "the perfect partner to reach a broader audience." Footwear News quotes Jennifer in a statement as saying, "This collection represents three cities that have become such an important part of who I am: New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Were bringing the downtown street style that represents New York, some old Hollywood glamour, and a vibrancy thats representative of Miami." Prior to the spring launch, JLO JENNIFER LOPEZ will release a capsule collection of five limited-edition styles, which will be available in March. You can pre-order them now, with more styles added online through March 9. If you buy a pair March 9, you'll be entered in a contest to win a chance to meet JLo in New York. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. A civilian was killed and three others were injured in Pak shelling along the Line of Control in Shahpur sector of Poonch district Friday afternoon. The deceased has been identified as Badar Din, aged around 55 years, son of Abdullah of Shahpur. Poonch district police chief SSP Ramesh Kumar Angral said, Some people were on their way to a mosque in Shahpur to offer Namaz (Friday prayers) when a Pakistani shell exploded near them. A man was killed and three others were injured. The injured are being evacuated to a hospital. The SSP informed that the Pak shell didnt hit the mosque. A San Antonio bankruptcy judge Friday OKd a plan for a Los Angeles nonprofit to buy four complexes here as part of a deal valued at almost $42 million. The sale of the four complexes and another one not in bankruptcy will mark the first purchases outside California for Pico Union Housing Corp. Its mission is to develop and preserve affordable housing. The deal includes a total of 770 apartment units that Pico intends to maintain as affordable housing. It already owns and operates about 1,000 units. The organization is looking to expand, Pico executive director Gloria Farias said after a court hearing. I like the city, the owners were great and the buildings are fantastic. The group also is looking at acquiring housing in Puerto Rico. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio, Bexar County face housing squeeze, census numbers show Pico is expected to close on the purchases by Feb. 28. Its great that were going to have this type of affordable housing for citizens here in San Antonio, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta said. Thats a real tremendous accomplishment. The sale of the complexes was part of the reorganization plan presented by partnerships affiliated with San Antonios Terravista Corp. The partnerships entered bankruptcy in May to stop foreclosure proceedings by the lender at the time. A Terravista official had said a dispute with the lender erupted while the company was attempting to refinance the loans on the properties. The apartments and purchase price Pico will pay are: The 308-unit Westwood Plaza Apartments, 2600 Westward Drive, $16.9 million. The 160-unit Spanish Spur Apartments, 6835 Pecan Valley Drive, $8.5 million. The 96-unit Villas of Pecan Manor, 6840 Pecan Valley Drive, $5.l million. The 88-unit Roselawn Apartments, 3346 Roselawn Road, $4.7 million. Included in the package is the 120-unit Winston Square Apartments at 2506 S. General McMullen Drive, which Pico is buying for $6.3 million. Its owner didnt enter bankruptcy, however. Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox William Kingman, the debtors bankruptcy lawyer, told the judge the apartments were marketed nationally and generated a lot of interest from prospective buyers. But because of the mission of the Pico Union Housing Corp., the debtors representatives felt like its the right (party) to sell to, Kingman said. Pico already has posted more than $1.4 million to proceed with the purchase. It also has obtained a loan commitment from Miamis Rialto Capital Management. All the debtors creditors are expected to be paid in full. The largest creditor is a joint venture of New York-based SKW Funding and Bain Capital Credit LP. The venture, which acquired the loans last summer, is owed almost $30 million. Philip Stewart, president of Terravista, the general partner of the entities in bankruptcy, called Pico the perfect fit for these properties. Pico Union represents a silver lining in an otherwise black cloud associated with these bankruptcies, Stewart said. On ExpressNews.com: Failings of San Antonio affordable housing trust revealed in report Pico plans to offer various social programs for its apartments tenants, with the idea of helping them become homeowners, Farias said. The nonprofit targeted San Antonio, Farias said, partly because of the increasing number of residents who are struggling with rising housing costs that have outpaced income growth for years. The Census Bureau determined San Antonio is the poorest big city in the country. Letters will be going out to the apartment residents informing them of the planned ownership change and that their leases will remain in effect, Kingman said. 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 In what can be seen as a worrying sign for the Indian Test team, youngsters Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, and Shubman Gill failed to impress with the bat on Friday in the ongoing practice match against New Zealand XI. Shaw and Gill were dismissed for a duck while Agarwal managed to register just one run. All the batsmen were dismissed by Scott Kuggeleijn and as a result, the side was reduced to 5/3 in the seventh over. For the practice game, the two teams mutually decided that the visiting team will bat first in the three-day warm-up game. In the ongoing practice match, Ajinkya Rahane played a knock of 18 runs, but Jimmy Neesham dismissed him in the 16th over, reducing India to 38/4. Regular opener Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the Test team due to an injury and in place of him, one of Shaw or Gill are likely to play the match. India will take on New Zealand in the first match of the two-Test series, beginning February 21 at Wellington. Hanuma Vihari and Cheteshwar Pujara retrieved the innings for the Indian side in the practice match. While filing this report, India reached a score of 128/4. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It might sound strange, but Bernie Sanders right now has a lot in common with Donald Trump from 2016. Like Trump, after coming in a close second in Iowa and winning New Hampshire, Sanders is now his party's front-runner for the presidential nomination. Like Trump, Sanders carries big momentum into a third contest in Nevada that already sets up well for him. His rallies are packed. His coffers are stuffed with cash. And yet, like Trump, there are forces within Sanders's own party that are aligned against him, discounting his early wins and downplaying his chances of coming out on top. Like Trump, critics say Sanders' path is too narrow, his base too radical, to win the nomination. And even if he does, they say, he'll get crushed in the general election. Visit CNN's Election Center for full coverage of the 2020 race Surely, they say, Sanders' early momentum will fade, and a more traditional candidate will eventually take him down. That was also the narrative that surrounded Trump at this point four years ago. Except even then, it was too late. Trump was well on his way to the nomination. For Sanders' more moderate opponents, there may be a lesson in the experience of one of the establishment-backed candidates trounced by Trump in 2016. "People don't realize how quickly things are moving and how far along things already are," said Tim Miller, the spokesman for Jeb Bush's 2016 presidential campaign, who sees strong similarities in the conditions facing Democrats opposed to a Sanders nomination to what happened in the 2016 Republican primary. Miller added that he's seeing establishment Democrats repeat the same rationalizations that he and other Republicans made during the 2016 cycle. "The idea that [Sanders] has a ceiling, the idea that there are two lanes of primary voters," Miller told CNN. "It doesn't work like that. Voters don't fall into neat lanes." How Trump did it As 2016 began, though Trump had spent months atop the national polls, his candidacy was still seen as something of a novelty. Many Republicans marveled at the enthusiasm he generated but dismissed his chances to actually win. His second-place finish in Iowa suggested the New York billionaire's forward motion had stalled. Then came New Hampshire on February 9, where Trump dominated the field, winning more than 100,000 votes and 35% of the GOP primary electorate. What came next was a steady grind of wins and second-place finishes. Trump won South Carolina on February 20 with a similar share, 33%, and then blew out the competition three days later in the Nevada caucuses with 46% of the vote. Trump's next sets of primary wins showed his gradual but stable growth. On Super Tuesday, Trump earned 34% of the Republican vote in 11 states, winning seven of them outright. Between March 5 and 12, he won 37% of the vote in 10 states and the District of Columbia. By this point, the race was effectively over -- Trump was on his way to the nomination before his opponents knew what had happened. Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz and former Ohio Gov. John Kasich stayed in the race a while longer, but the trajectory was already clear. Eight months later, Trump had won it all -- the plurality of the primary vote, the majority of delegates, the nomination of the Republican Party and even the presidency. There was no coalescence around a challenger to Trump, no contested convention, no significant protest to his nomination by GOP voters in November. Instead, Trump did it with a steady stream of wins, collecting delegates, and slowly but surely consolidating support across the party. Trump would never earn a majority of the Republican primary vote -- he would end up with just under 45% -- but it didn't matter. Plurality without majority Like Trump, Sanders won't need to get a majority of votes in the primaries and caucuses to win the nomination either. Even if he continues to win primaries by small margins, or even come in second or third in a few of them, Sanders can wrack up delegates the way Trump did. The longer Sanders' center-left opponents remain in the race, the better it is for him. Meanwhile, those other candidates -- Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren -- find themselves in a similar place to Trump's own challengers in 2016. The campaigns and supportive super PACs of Cruz, Rubio, Bush and Kasich focused on going after each other, all while the front-runner went through the early primaries relatively untouched. And now that voting has started, there's the real possibility a snowball effect will redound to Sanders' benefit -- winning can beget more winning. Despite Sanders' radical background, on top issues for Democratic voters like health care and climate change, he is well within the mainstream of the party. Sanders performs best with young voters, and campaigns with verve that may speak to Democrats' spirit of urgency in this moment. Fear and loathing in Las Vegas and beyond Still, establishment Democrats are focused on all the reasons Sanders can't or shouldn't win. Hillary Clinton, the 2016 nominee, gave voice to this view in a recent documentary series. "He was in Congress for years. He had one senator support him. Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done," Clinton says in the film, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which first reported on her comments. "He was a career politician. It's all just baloney and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it." Democrats in Washington echoed Clinton's comments to CNN. "His message in the party is of subtraction and division, not addition and multiplication," said one senior staffer for a moderate Midwestern House Democrat. "Their message is, 'If you're not with Bernie, you're stupid or wrong,' and that is not a message that builds a coalition in the presidential." Another senior Democratic aide told CNN Sanders would be electorally disastrous against Trump. "Bernie doesn't fit the bill. What Hillary said about him is absolutely true," said that aide. Will anyone go after him? While political professionals in Washington talk about the Sanders fantasy, just as they did with Trump, the alternative candidates are busy bashing each other rather than the front-runner. Klobuchar's (and others') focus on Buttigieg in the final New Hampshire debate, days before voting, likely helped give her a boost in New Hampshire and seems to have blunted the former South Bend mayor's momentum following his surprise win in Iowa. At the same time, Biden launched an ad knocking Buttigieg's lack of experience. Even after his disappointing fifth-place showing in New Hampshire, Biden's campaign turned its focus on Mike Bloomberg, with senior adviser Symone Sanders telling reporters Wednesday she was "extremely disturbed" by recently resurfaced audio of the former New York City mayor defending his stop-and-frisk policy. If Democrats are to learn any lessons from the Republican experience in 2016, Miller says, they should be directing more attacks on Sanders himself. But there are also risks in going too hard against the front-runner -- backlash from his supporters who may make up more of the soul of the Democratic Party than establishmentarians had realized. There were concerns in 2016, for instance, that Clinton's protracted primary battle with Sanders depressed turnout from the Vermont senator's supporters in the general election. "There is massive fear of crossing Bernie voters," Miller said. "It's a totally rational fear." But there are signs the fear may be overcome, at least by some Democrats, by a fear of their own electoral prospects. Rep. Joe Cunningham, a first-term Democrat representing South Carolina's GOP-leaning coastal district, took a direct swipe at Sanders just hours after his victory in New Hampshire. "South Carolinians don't want socialism," Cunningham told the Post and Courier in Charleston. "We want to know how you are going to get things done and how you are going to pay for them. Bernie's proposals to raise taxes on almost everyone is not something the Lowcountry wants and not something I'd ever support." SKIP DICKSTEIN ALBANY A man who was convicted of criminally negligent homicide in the death of a Wilton man last year was sentenced on a separate immigration-related charge Thursday. Daniel Antonio Salas-Miranda, 41, received a maximum federal sentence of two years in prison for illegally re-entering the country from Mexico, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced. He was ordered to serve it consecutively, rather than concurrently, to a 10-year state sentence he received last year in an accidental death case. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey today named 12 people who will serve on a Study Group for Gambling Policy that will issue a report by the end of the year on how the state would be affected by expanding gambling with a lottery or casinos. Ivey signed an executive order today naming the 12 volunteers, following up on a commitment she made during her State of the State address on Feb. 4. Former Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange will chair the group. I am committed to, once and for all, getting the facts so that the people of Alabama can make an informed decision on what has been a hotly debated topic for many years, Ivey said in a press release. Without a doubt, there will be ramifications if we eventually expand gaming options in our state just as there are costs associated with doing nothing." The Alabama Constitution prohibits lotteries and other forms of gambling, but lawmakers propose amendments every year that would allow voters to decide whether to authorize a lottery. But opposition to gambling, competing factions for gambling expansion, and conflicting information have helped kill the legislation. Voters have not had a chance to vote on a lottery since 1999. Every so often, this issue resurfaces through a new form of legislation," Ivey said in a press release. By my estimation, weve had more than 180 bills regarding a lottery or expanded gaming since the late 1990s. Members of the study group, with biographical information provided by the governors office: Todd Strange served as mayor of Montgomery from 2009 until last year, when he decided not to run for another term. Strange is a former chairman of the Montgomery County Commission, former president, CEO and co-owner of Blount Strange Automotive group, and former director of the Alabama Development Office (the Alabama Department of Commerce). A.R. Rey Almodovar of Huntsville is the co-founder and chief executive officer of INTUITIVE. Almodovar is a licensed professional engineer with a bachelors degree from the University of Puerto Rico and masters degrees from the University of Arkansas and Texas A&M University. He is a graduate of Leadership Alabama Class XXVI. Deborah Barnhart of Huntsville is the chief executive officer emerita of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. Barnhart served as the Space & Rocket Centers CEO and executive director during a career that spans four decades of service in commercial industry, government, aerospace and defense. Barnhart is a retired Navy captain and was was one of the first 10 women assigned to duty aboard ships and commanded five units in her 26-year career. She received an undergraduate degree from University of Alabama at Huntsville, a masters degree in business administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Sloan School of Management and the University of Maryland College Park, as well as a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. Walter Bell of Mobile is the past Chairman of Swiss Re, one of the worlds largest reinsurers. Bell s a former Alabama Commissioner of Insurance. He launched the Mobile County Urban League in 1978 and is a member of the Alabama Academy of Honor for his achievement in civil rights, civic leadership and business. Dr. Regina Benjamin of Mobile is a physician who served as the 18th Surgeon General of the United States. Before that, Benjamin was the president of the Alabama Medical Association and provided health care to a medically under-served community by founding the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic. She received a bachelors degree from Xavier University of Louisiana and a medical degree from the University of Alabama. Young Boozer of Montgomery is assistant superintendent of banking at the Alabama State Banking Department. Boozer served two terms as Alabamas state treasurer and has extensive experience with banking institutions such as Citibank, Crocker National Bank, and Colonial Bank. Boozer received his bachelors degree in economics from Stanford University and a masters degree in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Sam Cochran of Mobile has been the sheriff of Mobile County since 2006. Cochran worked for the Mobile Police Department for 31 years, the last 10 years as police chief. Cochran serves on numerous agency boards, including the Penelope House, Drug Education Council, Boy Scouts of America, and the Child Advocacy Center. Elizabeth Liz Huntley of Birmingham is a litigation attorney at Lightfoot, Franklin & White. After rising from an unimaginable childhood, she has become a nationally recognized child advocate and serves on numerous boards including the Alabama School Readiness Alliance, the Childrens Village Board of Directors, and the Auburn University Board of Trustees. Carl Jamison of Tuscaloosa is a third-generation Shareholder in JamisonMoneyFarmerPC, one of the largest and oldest public accounting firms in the state of Alabama. He mainly works in the areas of tax planning and audit services to clients in the manufacturing, medical, retail, construction, and professional services industries. He received a bachelors degree in accounting from the University of Alabama and is a certified public accountant. Justice James Jim Main of Montgomery is a former justice on the Alabama Supreme Court. Main also served as a judge on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. Main worked more than 30 years in private legal practice, served as finance director and policy adviser to Gov. Bob Riley, and legal adviser to Gov. Fob James. Phillip Phil Rawls of Pike Road teaches journalism at Auburn University. His spent over 35 years as a reporter for The Associated Press. His respected career in journalism spanned every Alabama governor from George Wallace to Robert Bentley where he extensively covered government and politics. Bishop B. Mike Watson of Birmingham is the Bishop in residence at Canterbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham and is serving as the Ecumenical Officer of the Council of Bishops. He has served as a minister in Dothan and Mobile. In addition to his work in the ministry, he is a past president of the Mobile County School Board, which is the largest school system in Alabama. Watson has a bachelors degree in finance and real estate from the University of Alabama, a master of divinity degree from Emory Universitys Candler School of Theology, and a doctor of ministry degree from Vanderbilt University. Im extremely grateful that some of our most distinguished citizens from a diverse background including all regions of our state have agreed to help gather this information," Ivey said. "The specific data they gather will hopefully lead us all to making a better, more informed decision. The members of the study group agreed to sign a pledge to follow the Alabama ethics law and serve without compensation or reimbursement for their expenses, the governors office said. Besides the lottery issue, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians has proposed sharing gambling revenue with the state in exchange for exclusive rights to offer slot machines and casino games such as blackjack and roulette. The tribe now offers electronic bingo at its three Alabama casinos. Lawmakers from Alabama counties that have approved constitutional amendments allowing dog tracks and bingo have sought to include electronic gaming machines for their locations as part of a lottery bill. The Poarch Creeks have opposed that and said they support a traditional lottery. Ultimately, I believe the final say belongs to the people of Alabama. As their governor, I want them to be fully informed of all the facts so that, together, we can make the best decision possible. Related: Gov. Kay Ivey says she wants facts on gambling options. It's often said that long-distance relationships are tough. The faith and trust between two people are tested and much effort is required to maintain the relationship. Although there's a saying that goes "distance makes the heart grow fonder", the hardest part for couples in such relationships is being away from each other. But with the continued march of technology, couples get access to new ways to stay connected and meet each other, despite the distance! For this Valentines Day, we're going to share 3 ways to keep that long-distance relationship going strong with Huawei. Send cool multi-media In order for long-distance relationships to work, staying in touch is definitely important. These days, a smartphone can help you accomplish this with its various features. One obvious way to stay in touch is just to do video calls often to talk about your day or routine. But another great way is to send your significant other funny videos and photos. With the Huawei Nova 7i, you can use the selfie camera with its various "TikTok" filters and AI Beauty features to capture all kinds of videos or photos of yourself and the funny happenings of the day. After that, surprise him or her with your latest creation! Text each other frequently, but stay discreet While you shouldn't let a relationship get in the way of work, you shouldn't compromise your relationship for your job either. Even when you're busy, something as simple as text messages throughout the day shows that you care. Of course, you don't want to be seen constantly texting on your phone either. One solution is to connect your Huawei smartphone to the new MateBook D 15 laptop, which comes with the Multi-Screen Collaboration feature that lets you project your phone's screen to the laptop wirelessly. In other words, you can continue to do your work on the laptop and easily spot any new text messages that are sent to your phone. Best of all, you won't have to worry about your boss being suspicious of you slacking off from work to send text messages. Meet up and share things together There will be days and moments when you finally get to meet each other. When that happens, you'll want to spend time together, share meals, binge-watch Netflix together, and more. With the Huawei FreeBud 3 and its Active Noise Cancellation, you can keep yourself and your significant other from the outside world and enjoy your videos or music in peace. Does any of the above sound like something you do often? A variety of new Huawei products and campaigns are going live this Valentines Day and some of them could be just the thing you need to keep your long-distance relationship a successful one. One such campaign is the Huawei Together 2020, which allows you to purchase new Huawei devices in different customised packages for as low as RM4.87 per day (Nova 7i + Freebuds 3) starting from 22 February 2020. Another major campaign is the travel package, all the better to enjoy with your significant other. In conjunction with the Valentines Day promo, any new purchase of selected Huawei devices from 10 to 16 February 2020 gives you a chance to win three pairs of travel vouchers to the Maldives! In addition, those who are interested in the Nova 7i can start to pre-order it today. You can also buy it through an interest-free instalment payment plan via the Huawei Together 2020 campaign. Here are other new products that are now available: Nova 5T Crush Green - RM1399 MateBook D 15 (8GB+256GB) RM2299 Y7P RM699 FreeBuds 3 Red RM679 WatchGT2 42mm Rose Gold RM899 If that sounds good to you, you can visit their official website here or go to HUAWEI Official Flagship store to pre-order (while stocks last). Happy Valentine's Day and stay tuned for more Huawei news at TechNave.com! [Sponsored] Comedians tend to keep their minds open to social changes so they can create fresh, relevant work. The tension between exponents of woke culture and the unregulated and often solo creative craftspeople of comedy is often overstated, generating more interest than it deserves. Comedians tend to keep their minds open to social changes so they can create fresh, relevant work. Owing to the popularity of contemporary comedy in live formats and streaming or mass media, the rebellious material of comedians engages with more people more regularly and with greater efficacy than woke activists' well-meaning but earnest marches, writings and stunts. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is Australia's biggest ticketed festival. Fifteen of the top 20 Australian box-office hits of all time are comedies. Comedy occupies prime time on every free-to-air network. (Why comedy writing is not comprehensively taught in any Australian tertiary institution outside of RMIT University is a mystery, but don't get me started.) If an audience is laughing they agree with the truth of the comedy, sometimes despite themselves. In 1986, Wendy Harmer and Mary-Anne Fahey performed a comedy sketch for builders at a Southbank worksite. The sketch featured two female building site workers sexually harassing male city workers. "Ooh sweetheart, look at you swinging your little briefcase. Show us yer security pass!" Harmer says: "They hooted and cheered, they loved it." And clearly, they got it. It's likely the builders who were exposed to Harmer and Fahey's message about workmen's behaviour had not encountered the same message reading feminist literature. Leading the modern woke charge worldwide are Hannah Gadsby, Sue-Ann Post, Joel Creasey, US comic performer Ian Harvie and British comics Eddie Izzard and Julian Clary. They've done much to positively promote acceptance of personal sexual identity simply by being themselves on the world's biggest stages. Comedians are highly effective communicators capable of boiling down complex issues to humorous soundbites. They are more broadly trusted than tut-tutting tweeters or pontificating actors at awards ceremonies. It's no accident that one of the highest-profile activists instrumental in bringing about the legalisation of gay marriage was one of Australia's most beloved comedic performers, Magda Szubanski. Some woke activists are affronted by practitioners of the ancient culture of drag, seeing it as a callous parody of womanhood. Drag queens have fought long and hard to be accepted by society. Any comedians seeking to explore such conflicts are bound to attract woke criticism. In 2019, the Melbourne Fringe Festival stood mute when a public letter from fringe performers and other arts workers urged the banning of a show called Aisha the Geisha. The show, created by two female university-educated screenwriters (from the inner city no less) was subsequently withdrawn from the festival, despite having enjoyed a successful and uncontroversial season at the 2014 Fringe. Unlike most of the outraged signatories of the public letter, I saw the show in 2014. It features a flawed comic character who decides to become a geisha. Her views on race, sex and boys are comically misguided. Comedy makes no effort to present any topic with fairness, respect or even-handedness. A word to the woke the limited perspectives of a comic character should not be taken literally, out of context or God help us seriously. A comic character's words are no more the opinions of the writer than the tyrannical obsessions of Darth Vader are those of his creator, George Lucas. As their many intense (but usually shortlived) Twitter tempests suggest, champions of woke culture can be highly sensitive to criticism. Yet John Cleese, co-creator of some of the world's most popular comedies, recently said, "All comedy is critical". He complains about the current climate on university campuses. "Political correctness has been taken from being a good idea to the point where any kind of criticism of any individual or group can be labelled cruel." Cleese fears that institutional or social censoring of comedy will lead society to Orwell's 1984. It seems comedy creatives and woke activists are all highly sensitive to criticism. Comedy makes no effort to present any topic with fairness, respect or even-handedness. For instance, take this ordinary drummer joke: Q: What's the difference between a drummer and a drum machine? A: You only have to punch information into a drum machine once. No disclaimer "Of course, many drummers are highly intelligent, and violence is unacceptable" follows the joke. When comedians explore touchy topics it's wrong to assume their humour aims to trivialise the issues. Comic perspectives provide new ways to view issues and provides emotional distance from them, encouraging fresh, rational appraisal. No topic is safe. If it can be covered by drama or tragedy, it can be covered by comedy. The symbol for drama is two masks one weeping and one laughing. There is no reason why both masks cannot have the same intent. Comedians will deliberately or inadvertently tread on toes. If Mostel and Cleese's imperatives of comedy are to be followed, then hypocrisy and inconsistency are open to satire, even if they exist among the woke. Where comedy leads, audiences follow. A Perth climate activist has defended trespassing into the headquarters of WA's only daily newspaper during a protest last year, telling a court he had "little remorse" for his actions. Extinction Rebellion media co-ordinator Jesse Noakes was found guilty of trespassing in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday and ordered to pay a $500 fine and $118 in costs. Extinction Rebellion WA media co-ordinator Jesse Noakes. Noakes was arrested and charged with trespassing after crossing a police cordon during a protest in front of the headquarters of Seven West Media in Osborne Park in October last year. About 50 climate change protesters rallied outside the offices of The West Australian to criticise the masthead's editorial line on climate change and its parent company's interests in the resource industry. Patna: Former JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumars convoy was attacked while he was travelling from Buxar to Arrah in Bihar on Friday. This was the eighth attack in two weeks against Kanhaiya Kumar, who is leading a massive state-wide Jan Gan Man Yatra against the CAA, NPR, and NRC. Sources said prior to reaching the venue in Arrah a group of youth chanting pro-CAA slogans began pelting stones at his convoy. However, no one is said to be injured in the attack. Activists travelling with Kanhaiya said that slogans raised by the mob during the attack indicate that they belong to a particular ideology. We are not bothered by such attacks and Kanhaiya Kumar will continue with his tour. It is clear that the BJP is rattled by the response Kanhaiya has been receiving from people of Bihar, activists travelling with Kanhaiya Kumar said. The state-wide Jan Gan Man Yatra which began on December 30 from Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram in West Champaran is scheduled to conclude with a rally on the theme nagrikta bachao, desh bachao (save citizenship, save the country) in Patna on Feb. 29. We had met the state administration but nothing was done to prevent such attacks. Kanhaiya Kumar's car was vandalised but he somehow escaped unhurt, Social activist Nivedita Jha told this newspaper. Left leaders in Patna on Friday condemned continuous attacks on Kanhaiya Kumars anti- CAA tour. Earlier, his convoy was attacked in Gaya, Nawada, Katihar, Supaul, Begusarai, Sitamarhi and Bhagalpur. During his tour, Kanhaiya has been holding public meetings and criticising the BJP led government at the Centre for the divisive Citizenship Act, NPR and the NRC. The Kremlin has not yet commented on this information. Founder of the Vostok terrorist unit and former "Security Council Secretary of the Donetsk People's Republic ("DPR")" Alexander Khodakovsky has said the Kremlin decided to divide the supervision areas into "Ukrainian issues" and issues of the occupied regions of Donbas. "There is good news: [deputy head of the Russian Presidential Administration Dmitry] Kozak will be responsible for Ukraine and [Russian President's aide Vladislav] Surkov for us," Khodakovsky wrote on Telegram. The Kremlin has not yet commented on this information. Read also"Putin to surrender Donbas": Ex-lawmaker explains Surkov's resignation As UNIAN reported earlier, on February 11, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Kozak had already started supervising the "Ukrainian direction" and issues of "integration." "I could say that yes, Kozak is engaged in and will continue dealing with Ukrainian affairs and integration issues in his new position. The exact wording will be stipulated in the distribution of responsibilities, which has not yet been formalized," Peskov told journalists, answering a question from an UNIAN correspondent in Russia whether a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's aide Andriy Yermak [Head of President's Office as of February 11] with Kozak means that the latter will be in charge of the Ukrainian direction in the Russian Presidential Administration. Answering a clarifying question from UNIAN what kind of integration Kozak will deal with, Peskov said: "Not between Russia and Ukraine. Russia has many integration processes besides Ukraine, in which it [Russia] has been very successful." Moreover, according to Peskov, the resignation letter submitted by Vladislav Surkov, who had previously supervised the "Ukrainian direction" in the Kremlin, has not been signed yet. "No, not signed yet. We have not announced this," Peskov said. He confirmed Kozak would be a key official at the Russian Presidential Administration to deal with Ukraine. ESSEX The Connecticut River Museum has partnered with Connecticut River Expeditions to offer Winter Wildlife Eagle Cruises in February and March. These popular trips offer visitors a chance to get out on the river in winter to see eagles and other winter species that visit the waters of the Connecticut River, including harbor seals, the only marine mammal common to Connecticut. Cruises aboard the environmentally friendly R/V RiverQuest provide passengers with a comfortable, heated cabin supplied with hot coffee and tea, as well as binoculars to aid in spotting and narration from a staff naturalist. These cruises depart Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at various times in the morning and early afternoon, and are $42 per passenger. Group rates are available. The annual Eagles of Essex exhibit offers a wealth of information about bald eagles and their return to the Connecticut River. Patrons can try their hand at building an eagle nest and marvel at life-size silhouettes of Eagles and other large raptors. Among the eagle displays, visitors will find a map showing good shore viewing locations. Feb. 17 at 10 a.m., A Place Called Hope will bring its annual Live Birds of Prey show, featuring a bald eagle and several other species of raptors. Visitors get an up close look at the birds and learn about the life-cycle and ecology of these animals. This event is free to the public and takes place at the Essex Town Hall. For a full listing of event details, go to www.ctrivermuseum.org or call 860-767-8269. The Connecticut River Museum is located on the Essex waterfront at 67 Main Street and is open Tuesday - Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for students, $6 for children age 6-12, free for children under 6. To book your cruise on RiverQuest, go to www.ctriverquest.com or call 860-662-0577. Census job applicants warned of scams Better Business Bureau Serving Connecticut is warning consumers to watch out for census bureau scammers at their door, mailbox and email. BBB, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and US Census Bureau are warning those individuals who are looking for employment to be on guard for census job scams. According to a release from the FTC, they have partnered with the US Census Bureau to help job seekers know the recruiting and hiring process, to help you spot, avoid, and report scams. How the scam works: You see a job opportunity posted on a website or social media, asking for applicants to become temporary census workers. You click and fill out a form with your personal information. You may be asked for a fee to apply for the job, or a charge to get more information. In a typical job scam, you often get a quick response from a hiring manager who may want to interview you via phone or video chat. After you are hired, the company may charge you upfront for training. You may need to provide your personal and banking information to run a credit check or set up direct deposit. You may be accidentally overpaid with a fake check and asked to deposit the check and wire back the difference. Or, you may need to buy expensive equipment and supplies to work at home. If you question these methods, youll likely be met with a defensive response. But dont give into the pressure and follow the demands. The job isnt real. The Census Bureau is recruiting to fill thousands of temporary positions across the country, but there are two key tips you should know about legitimate Census Bureau jobs: No Application Fees. Anyone asking for a fee to help you get a Census Bureau job is a scammer. Federal agencies never charge application fees. You can only apply online. The only way to apply for 2020 Census positions is through the Census Bureaus website, 2020census.gov/jobs. Students can apply for scholarships WETHERSFIELD - All Connecticut high school seniors pursuing careers as funeral directors now can apply for scholarship funds from the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association. The statewide professional organization will award three (3) graduating high school seniors with $500 in scholarship funds to be used toward their education and professional training. Applications must be submitted by April 10. To be eligible for the Connecticut Funeral Directors Associations scholarship award for high school seniors pursuing careers in funeral service, candidates must meet the following criteria: Be a high school senior who will graduate in June 2020; be a legal resident of the State of Connecticut; are pursuing a career as a funeral director; and have maintained at least a B grade point average in the 10th, 11th and 12th grades. All candidates must submit the application form and a current high school transcript and an essay responding to the question: Why are You Pursuing a Career as a Funeral Director? The application form must be neat and legible, and filled out completely. The deadline for applications for the Connecticut Funeral Directors Associations Family Support Services Scholarship program is FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020. To download an application and get contest rules, go to www.ctfda.org. To ask questions about the college scholarship program and request an application to be mailed, call 860-721-0234 or 800-919-2332. YMCA announces addition to leadership team MIDDLETOWN - The Northern Middlesex YMCA recently announced that Candace Crane has joined its team as Vice President of Youth Development and Community Outreach. Crane will supervise all childcare and camping programs as well as help with strategic planning to address other youth development needs in the community. Utilizing her strong background in YMCA Youth Development work and community organizing as well as her recent experience managing grants with a United Way in New Jersey, Crane will work to expand the teen programming and ways to partner with other organizations and services. For more information about Youth Development and Community Collaboration opportunities at the Y, contact ccrane@midymca.org or visit www.midymca.org. One killed in Tauranga shooting Click the image above to watch the video 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. Pakistan's government has approved new rules for regulating social-media content that critics say would give the authorities unflinching powers to stifle dissent and free speech. The regulations were approved by the federal cabinet in late January without public consultation, and were reported by the media on February 13. The text stipulates that social-media companies are 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." The move comes amid accusations that Prime Minister Imran Khan's government has sought to censor the media, and intimidate and silence its opponents. The army has also been accused of cracking down on media and free speech. The cabinet and the army have rejected the allegations. Under the new regulations, social-media companies will have three months to register with Pakistani authorities and must have a representative office in the country to answer complaints filed by the National Coordinator. The companies will have 24 hours to respond to a request by the regulator to remove material deemed unlawful, and to provide decrypted content and "any other information" about users on demand. Companies not complying with the regulations could be blocked online and fined up to 500 million rupees ($3.24 million). Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqi of the Ministry of Information Technology, which authored the new regulations, said the measures were needed to "uphold the integrity, decency, and respect of individuals and sanctity of institutions." Siddiqi insisted that the government would not take any steps against the interests of social-media users. But the opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP) vowed to challenge the rules in parliament and the courts, with PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, chair of the Senate Human Rights Committee, saying the measures were seen "as an attempt to further restrict space of free discourse in Pakistan. Media Matters for Democracy, a Pakistani nongovernmental organization promoting press freedom, called the rules a "direct threat to Pakistan's digital economy and the citizens' rights to freedom of expression and privacy." Pakistan's not-for-profit Digital Rights Foundation described the new measures as a "blatant violation" of free-speech provisions in Pakistan's constitution. The Committee to Protect Journalists urged the Pakistani government to "immediately reverse course and seek broad consultations with legislators and civil society, including the media, on how to proceed with any such regulations." "These stringent but vague rules...threaten the ability of journalists to report the news and communicate with their sources," said Steven Butler, the New York-based watchdog's Asia program coordinator. With reporting by Reuters Bombardier has sold off its remaining stake in the Airbus A220 passenger jet programme AIRCRAFT manufacturer 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, while still retaining an interest. The C Series was then renamed the A220. Almost 700 orders have been made for the jet including an order of 50 for Green Africa Airways, Nigeria's Lagos-based airline. It was confirmed yesterday that Airbus had acquired a 75pc stake in the A220 for $591m (544m). The remaining 25pc is held by the Government of Quebec. Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said the agreement demonstrated the company's "support and commitment to the A220 and Airbus in Canada". The European planemaker said yesterday 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 Boeing's grounded 737 Max, is expected to rise to as many as 67 a month by 2023. Additional reporting Bloomberg Syracuse, N.Y. With Love, the pioneering teaching restaurant run by Onondaga Community College on Syracuses North Side, will not reopen as a restaurant. Instead, it will serve as a commissary kitchen, event venue and education and training space as part of a newly-announced partnership between the college and Salt City Market. Through the Onondaga Small Business Development Center, the restaurant, located at 435 N. Salina St., will host classes and workshops for budding food entrepreneurs participating in CenterState CEOs UP Start Syracuse program. Upon completion of the 12-week program and drafting of a business plan, entrepreneurs will be allowed access to the kitchen. The eight entrepreneurs chosen for the Salt City Market food hall, those who auditioned for, but were not chosen for the food hall and all past entrepreneurs-in-residence at With Love will also be granted access to use the facility. Were building a deeper partnership with food entrepreneurs, said Anastasia Urtz, Interim Provost and Senior Vice President at OCC. With Loves partnerships with career training organizations, such as CNY Works, will carry over to the new venture, though some of the positions will shift to the OCC campus, Urtz said. The food hall, located at 484 S. Salina St., across from the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, is expected to open in November. The $25 million project is being developed and funded by the Allyn Family Foundation through its Syracuse Urban Partnership non-profit organization. Along with the on-site training, With Love will host Friday evening pop-up dinners from the winning Salt City Market vendors, much like the Takeout Friday series of dinners the market held at the Westcott Community Center and other locations this past summer as entrepreneurs auditioned for spots in the market. The weekly dinners will start in May and run until September. The new partnership marks a reunion for Salt City Market Manager Adam Sudmann, who was the program manager at With Love from its opening in the fall of 2016 until leaving for Salt City Market in early 2019. Since its inception, With Love has featured cuisines from Pakistan, Vietnam, Palestine, Burma, Somalia, and Savannah/Low Country. Those interested in participating in the UP Start Syracuse program can contact CenterState CEO at upstart@centerstateceo, or email Sudmann at adam@saltcitymarket.com. Jacob Pucci finds the best in food, dining and culture across Central New York. Contact him by email at jpucci@syracuse.com. Subscribers only: Join an insider text group with Jacob Pucci to get the inside scoop on the restaurants and cuisines of Central New York. SIGN UP HERE 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 Read more about the Salt City Market: Once a McDonalds cook, she and mom will open own food business at Salt City Market Want to grow your food business? Salt City Market seeks pair of established restaurants for final spots in food hall Syracuses new downtown food hall, Salt City Market, names the winning chefs Plans for troubled Syracuse street corner unveiled at Salt City Market groundbreaking A problem corner will get new life across from the Hotel Syracuse Bloomberg only entered the race in November, meaning he was not on the ballot in early states like Iowa and New Hampshire. This has allowed him to spend his time and money in places that Democrats traditionally ignore. Where they're zigging, he's zagging. Loading When the other candidates were in New Hampshire last week, Bloomberg was campaigning in Oklahoma alongside Judy Sheindlin, better known as Judge Judy. When his rivals were in Nevada this week, Bloomberg had the spotlight to himself in Tennessee and North Carolina. Speaking at the event in Nashville, Bloomberg said he was glad to be campaigning off the beaten track. "I think this campaign needs less hot air and more hot chicken," he told the crowd. In his speeches, Bloomberg appears sharper than Joe Biden, the famously meandering former vice-president. But he's no soaring orator. He sounds like a chief executive speaking to a gathering of shareholders: there's a lot of talk about "workable, sensible solutions" and holding yourself accountable for results. Bloomberg proudly describes himself as "the un-Trump", contrasting his self-made wealth, belief in science and mellow demeanour to the President's inherited fortune, climate denialism and outlandish tweets. 'I think this campaign needs less hot air and more hot chicken.' Michael Bloomberg, in Nashville He often refers to Trump by his first name - reflecting their long history as two of New York's most famous businessmen. "I can't spell but then neither can Donald," he quipped in Nashville. "I'm not afraid of Donald Trump, Donald Trump's afraid of me ... There's nothing Trump can say or do that can hurt me." 'We have never seen anything like this before' Last week Larry Sabato, one of America's best-known political analysts, was sick, so he spent the day at home. Flicking between different television channels, he was amazed by what he saw. Sabato lives in Virginia, a state that will send a big chunk of delegates to the Democratic Party's presidential convention in July. "I saw at least 30 ads for Mike Bloomberg and none for any of the other candidates," Sabato says. "It is unbelievable what he is doing. We have never seen anything like this before." If you turn on a television set in America for even a short amount of time you will see an advertisement for Bloomberg's presidential campaign. There he is working with Barack Obama to tackle gun violence. There he is touting his success at shutting down coal-fired power plants. There he is declaring, without a hint of doubt in his voice, that he will beat Donald Trump in November. Bloomberg has already spent an astonishing $US310 million ($460 million) on political advertising since entering the race. That's more than double what all the other Democratic candidates - plus Trump - have spent during the same period combined. Bloomberg has been unloading an average $US1 million on Facebook ads a day - three times as much as the Trump campaign spent leading up to the 2016 election. His campaign is also paying social media influencers to upload supportive posts and has commissioned meme-makers to poke fun at the 77-year-old on Instagram. The splurge is all the more remarkable given Bloomberg, who has an estimated net worth of $US62 billion, is not on the ballot until the "Super Tuesday" primaries on March 3. As well as Iowa and New Hampshire, he is sitting out the contests in Nevada and South Carolina. He has not participated in a single Democratic presidential debate, and has given few media interviews. 'We have never had a Democratic candidate skip the first four states and go straight into Super Tuesday.' Caitlin Jewitt, assistant professor political sciences, author "This is completely unprecedented," says Caitlin Jewitt, the author of The Primary Rules: Parties, Voters And Presidential Nominations. "We have never had a Democratic candidate skip the first four states and go straight into Super Tuesday." From long-shot to top-tier When Bloomberg announced his candidacy, he was viewed as a long-shot chance of winning the nomination. The field didn't look like it needed another old white man, let alone one who ran for mayor as a Republican. Loading Biden was leading in the polls and appeared to have the support of moderate and non-white Democrats locked down. Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren were thrilling progressives by promising to reduce the power of the billionaire class. But then came Biden's calamitous fourth and fifth-place finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire. Leading the delegate count so far are Sanders - a 78-year-old democratic socialist - and Pete Buttigieg, 38, who recently quit his job as mayor of the fourth-biggest city in Indiana - South Bend, population 102,000. This has opened up a plausible, if narrow, path for Bloomberg to seize the nomination. The latest Quinnipiac University national poll, released this week, shows him surging into third place with 15 per cent support. Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg speaks at a campaign event in Raleigh, North Carolina. Credit:AP "He has defined his own candidacy while the others have been ripping each other apart," says Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic strategist and former Bloomberg adviser. "I have spoken to a lot of senior Democrats who want to do whatever they can to stop Sanders winning the nomination," says Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Centre for Politics. "They think he would be a disaster, but they don't believe Buttigieg is experienced enough to win a general election. "They are willing to support Bloomberg if that's what it takes." 'He's trying to make amends' Watching in the crowd in Nashville was environmental activist Sherry Sloan, a 59-year old white woman wearing an "I like Mike" T-shirt. "I was sad when he didn't run in 2016 and I was sad when he said he wouldn't run this time," she says. "I had tears in my eyes when he changed his mind. He would bring being presidential back to the presidency." Sherry Sloan and friend Debbie Young at a Mike Bloomberg campaign event in Nashville, Tennessee. Credit:Matthew Knott About one in six people in the crowd at Rocketown were black - reflecting the demographics of the city. Polls have shown Bloomberg's popularity with older African-Americans soaring in recent weeks. Calvin Jones, an African-American alderman, says: "I like that he's funding his own campaign not taking donations from anyone. "And the commercials with Obama don't hurt." Cable news broadcasters had spent much of the day discussing a newly-unearthed tape of Bloomberg defending the controversial "stop-and-frisk" technique New York City police used during his time as mayor. Under the policy, black and Hispanic men were targeted for police searches and it has since been deemed unconstitutional. Loading But Clevette Smith and Elaine Cato, who are both African-American, said it would not put them off voting for Bloomberg. "It is what it is," Smith says. "He has apologised and he's trying to make amends," Cato says. Their priority is finding a candidate who can beat Trump, not one with a perfect record on race relations. Sanders, who has united progressives behind him and boasts a nationwide support network, still looks like the most likely Democratic nominee. For Bloomberg to win, he would have to excel on Super Tuesday and quickly consolidate more moderate voters behind him. It's a difficult task, but no longer an impossible one. Without any new immigrants coming to the United States, the non-Hispanic white population would still fall by about 17 percent over the next four decades, the Census reports. That means that by 2060, white people would make up just barely more than half of the country 51 percent, with that number expected to decline further in the future. In Iraq, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has decided to increase its activities again. After the meeting of the defense ministers of NATO member countries here on Wednesday, the organization's general secretary Jens Stoltenberg said that the work of training Iraqi forces will also be continued. According to media reports, in a meeting of this 29-nation military organization, it was decided that the NATO army will intensify its operations to reduce the pressure on the US-led coalition forces fighting the terrorist organization IS in Iraq. NATO members withdrew most of their troops stationed in Iraq in view of security following the death of Iran's top military commander Qasim Sulemani in a US military offensive earlier this year on January 3. After the drone attack in Baghdad, the US had increased tensions with Iran besides Iraq. In a tweet, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg wrote that the Allied Defense Ministers have theoretically cooperated and coordinated to enhance NATO's training mission in Iraq. Trump called on NATO to do more work in the Middle East in January, when a regional crisis erupted following a US drone strike against a top Iranian commander in Baghdad. Also Read: Nature started to extinguish the fire of Australia's forests World's second-largest economy caused this slowdown Security system opens in Pakistan, unknown people kidnap senior officials China conducts door to door survey in Wuhan city due to this reason Pope refuses to approve married priests in the Amazon to address clergy shortage Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment 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. (Newser) Two top White House aides who didn't survive President Trump's first year in office are returning, in an honorary way. Sean Spicer, Trump's first press secretary, and Reince Priebus, his first chief of staff, have been named to the President's Commission on White House Fellowships. In the unpaid positions, they'll interview applicants and help pick the recipients of administration fellowships, the New York Post reports. Spicer quit when Trump hired Anthony Scaramucci as communications director, and Priebus was fired by tweet while aboard Air Force One with the president. Trump has brought back other aides after pushing them out, often in honorary posts. Kirstjen Nielsen, secretary for Homeland Security until she was fired last April, is now on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council. Hope Hicks, on the other hand, is returning to the White House and the payroll as a presidential counselor. story continues below Priebus joined the Navy Reserve, per Salon, with the new ensign being sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence. Priebus' day job is president of a law firm, and he's a political analyst for CBS. Spicer, who attended the Navy ceremony, has worked to carve a place and income in pop culture since leaving the White House. He competed on Dancing With the Stars, has a deal for a cable news show and is selling video valentines for charity. (When they worked together, Trump would refer to Priebus as "a little rat.") MURDER accused Kieran Greene had no other girlfriends before he met Patricia O'Connor's daughter Louise, a Central Criminal Court jury has heard. Mr Greene's mother Joan also said her son had seemed "tired and withdrawn" when she visited him in prison since he went into garda custody. She was the only witness to take the stand for the defence as evidence concluded in the joint trials of four people over the death of grandmother-of-seven Patricia O'Connor (61) in 2017. Earlier today, one of the charges against a handyman accused of impeding Mr Greene's prosecution was withdrawn from the jury. Mr Justice Paul McDermott said he was withdrawing a charge that Keith Johnston (43) refurbished the grandmother-of-seven's bathroom to destroy or conceal evidence of her murder. Mr Johnston still faces a second count alleging he impeded murder accused Kieran Greene's prosecution by helping him to buy tools for use in the concealment of Ms O'Connor's remains. Mr Greene (35) is accused of murder while Patricia's daughter and granddaughter Louise (41) and Stephanie O'Connor (22) and Mr Johnston are accused of impeding his prosecution. They have all pleaded not guilty. Patricia O'Connor was allegedly murdered on May 29, 2017 at the house at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham she shared with family including Louise, Stephanie and Mr Greene. Mr Greene was Louise's partner at the time, while Mr Johnston, Stephanie's father, was Louise's ex-boyfriend. Patricia's dismembered remains were found scattered in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains between June 10 and 14, that year. She died from blunt force trauma to the head caused by at least three blows from a solid implement. Her husband Gus OConnor (75) has pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension of an offender by reporting her missing on June 1, 2017, when he knew she was already dead. Sentencing in his case has been adjourned. Judge McDermott told the jury today that legal argument in their absence had concluded and there had been a development in Mr Johnston's case. He had been charged with two counts of acting to impede Mr Greenes apprehension or prosecution, knowing or believing he committed the murder of Patrica OConnor. The first count alleged he engaged in the refurbishment of the bathroom at the house at Mountainview Park on a date unknown between May 31 and June 9, 2017, in order to destroy or conceal any evidence in relation to the murder of Patricia OConnor. The judge said he was withdrawing that particular count from the jury. He told them it was a matter of law and he had made a decision that "you are no longer engaged in a decision making role in relation to that." The other count on the indictment remains the same, he said. This alleges that Mr Johnston assisted Mr Greene in the purchase of various implements to deploy in the concealment of the remains of Patricia OConnor. It was alleged this was done at Woodies, Mr Price, B&Q and Shoezone in Tallaght on June 9, 2017. The trial proceeds on this count, he said. The single defence witness was then called; Kieran Greene's mother, Joan Greene. She told the jury her son was raised at Millbrook Lawns in Tallaght and went to primary school locally. He was assessed when he was about seven years old and he was about two and a half years behind, she said. He would have been taken out of class for a lot of his subjects and got extra one-on-one tutoring. She agreed with Mr Greenes barrister Conor Devally SC there was no such thing as a special needs assistant in those days. She said Mr Greene lived at the family home until he met Louise O'Connor and he had no previous girlfriends or relationships as far as she knew. Ms Greene agreed she and her husband had agreed to act as guardians to the three children of her son and Louise OConnor and she had signed a document indicating that she consented to that happening on September 15, 2017. This was in the event that Mr Greene and Louise OConnor were incapable of discharging their parental roles. Her husband was present for the signing of that and he consented to that as well. Ms Greene told Michael Bowman SC, for Louise OConnor that the signing of the document arose in circumstances where his client had been arrested on September 2, 2017 and taken into custody. Ms Greene and her husband were either picking up or dropping off children at Mountainview Park when Louise OConnor raised this as a concern of hers - the future of her children if something were to happen to her or Mr Greene, the witness agreed. Custody of the children was suggested but guardianship was settled on. Ms Greene agreed with Mr Bowman this was at the request of his client. Ms Greene told James Dwyer SC, for Keith Johnston, that she visited her son in prison after he went into custody in June 2017. I was a bit concerned about him, she said. I was told they had put him on some kind of medication. Mr Dwyer asked if she found he had deteriorated. Yes, he had lost a bit of weight, she said, adding that he seemed tired and withdrawn. Asked if the word paranoid would fit, she said I think it would yeah. Mr Dwyer asked if he was seeing things and she said I dont know about that. Mr Devally said this was the only evidence being called on behalf of Mr Greene. Mr Bowman, Mr Dwyer and Stephanie OConnors barrister Garnet Orange said no witnesses were being called on behalf of their clients. Judge McDermott told the jury that brought all evidence to a conclusion. The final stage of the trial will involve five closing speeches; by the prosecution and four defence lawyers, he said. He asked the jury to return on Monday. Japanese policymakers on Friday braced for a sharp contraction in October-December growth and warned of the hit to output and consumption from the coronavirus outbreak, signalling alarm over a darkening outlook for the world's third-largest economy. Bank of Japan Executive Director Eiji Maeda said gross domestic product (GDP) may have suffered a "big contraction" in the final quarter of last year due to sluggish overseas demand and damage to consumption from last year's sales tax hike. "Japan's economy is expected to continue expanding moderately as a ... A court in Mumbai sentenced a 42- year-old man to life imprisonment for killing a person who was drunk at the time. Pradeep Varekar was found guilty recently under IPC section 302 (murder) by additional sessions judge Kishore M Jaiswal for killing Rupesh Mayaker near the latter's house in Ghatkopar in June, 2016. As per the prosecution, Mayaker was drunk and his conduct annoyed Varekar who hit the former with a wooden plank several times, killing him on the spot. Seven witnesses were examined during the course of trial. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A supporter of Donald Trump is frustrated that the presidents border wall is going to ruin his lifestyle. Richard Drawe has lived and worked on a farm south of Welasco, Texas for his entire life. Now, hes worried his tranquil country living will be disrupted by Mr Trumps border wall. Im 70 years old and its gonna ruin my lifestyle here of living in the country, he said. To have that wall there is just going to really disturb me. Mr Drawe told NPR that he reluctantly sold a piece of his land to the federal government so that it could erect a wall across his property. He said while he is supportive of immigration crackdowns, that support does not include the erection of a wall on his property. I told them that this stupid wall is going to have lights on it. Its going to be like being behind a prison wall, lights and everything, Mr Drawe said. And I said, You put them lights up on me and my house, Im going to shoot them out. Of course, I had time to calm down. Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Show all 20 1 /20 Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The prototypes for President Trumps border wall are being demolished. AP Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The US Customs and Border protection had built the eight 30-foot tall steel and concrete models near San Diego on the US-Mexico border. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A 2018 report from the Government Accountability Office found that the construction challenges presented by the four concrete models would be extensive and those presented by two of the other models would be substantial. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California It was intended that Mr Trump would choose his favourite of the designs after testing had been completed. AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The President is yet to comment. AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Each prototype cost $300,000 to $500,000 to build and they are being knocked down in order to make way for the San Diego Secondary Wall project which will see up to 14 miles of barrier being built to support the existing steel border fence. AP Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The new barrier will not employ the design of any of the prototypes, instead being built of the favoured steel bollards which make up the current section of the wall at San Diego. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The new secondary barrier being built near San Diego. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The rubble of one of the demolished prototypes. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A steel wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A wall prototype made from a mix of steel and concrete AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A wall prototype made from a mix of steel and concrete AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A steel wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A digger approaches the prototype wall AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Aerial view of the wall prototypes at the US-Mexico border after they were torn down AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California An aerial view showing Tijuana, Mexico on the left and the demolished wall prototypes on the right AFP/Getty Mr Drawe is concerned that the land between the border wall and the Rio Grande will no longer be patrolled. He said that similar land left isolated during President George W Bushs administration was ceded to Mexico. Like I told the Border Patrol, I said Look, you know good and well that once you build this wall all the agents will be doing is patrolling up and down the wall, he said. Theyre never going to go on down to the river anymore. And he yelled back at me, Oh, the Rio Grande is the first line of defence. Baloney. You just wait a few years. Customs and Border Patrol responded to the concerns of Mr Drawe and other border residents, assuring them they would continue to patrol the area. The Border Patrol will continue to operate on both sides of the barrier, to include the riverine environment, a spokesman said. While Mr Trumps border wall has drawn criticism from the left since its inception, it has recently come under fire from the right for eating up funds intended for defence and sidestepping Congressional approval. The Pentagon announced on Thursday that US Defence Secretary Mark Esper was diverting $3.8 billion in defence funds towards Mr Trumps border wall. The money originally was to be used for the F-35 fighter jet and other military programmes. The Associated Press reported that Representative Mac Thornberry said final decisions on how tax dollars are used is determined by Congress and the Department of Defence cant simply change how the money is used. Once those choices have been made, the Department of Defence cannot change them in pursuit of their own priorities without the approval of Congress, Mr Thornberry said. Attempts to do so undermines the principle of civilian control of the military and is in violation of the separation of powers within the constitution. The re-programming announced today is contrary to the Congress constitutional authority and I believe that it requires Congress to take action. Matt Kilcoyne is Deputy Director at the Adam Smith Institute. The plan announced yesterday to give Ofcom the power to censor the internet will hurt Conservatives: it will mean woke bureaucrats censoring Tory activists, undermining entrepreneurs, and threatening our free press. Terrorist activity and child pornography are universally recognised as unacceptable both online and offline. These are already illegal, prosecutable, and must be removed from websites. Nicky Morgans last act would empower Ofcom to address material that is not illegal but has the potential to cause harm. This is dangerous and should be either dropped entirely or rethought thoroughly by her successor. Ofcom must never be allowed to become a state censor. Free speech is under threat from Civil Service work that doesnt understand the Tory legacy of liberty. The powers that are going to be granted to this unelected and unaccountable body will endanger our status as a free democracy. It will further entrench the power of the tech giants, and shut out challengers who are trying to create the next generation of British tech businesses. The Conservative Party also needs the activists who fight the good fight. They are the ones who challenge an agenda that belittles voters. They are the ones who remind people that they are not alone in having concerns about the European Union and Jeremy Corbyns socialist policies. Conservatives need the rest of the voting public too. Do not underestimate just how sick, tired, and fed up and angry people are up and down the country of being told what to think. They dont care about what is deemed problematic or not. They dont deserve to be talked down to just because they have different opinions than the ones heard spouted with righteous authority in the gilded corridors that we all have the privilege to walk down in Westminster. The documents released yesterday reveal that civil servants are trying to hide their real intentions. Dont be fooled. The Online Harms model will require Ofcom to enforce a duty of care and require companies to remove broad swaths of legal and illegal speech. Its true that the Government wont individually remove posts. They will require tech companies to have policies that require such removal on a blanket basis. A civil servant has called this having wider systems and processes. Ofcom wont need an army of censors: they will require tech companies to censor their users, or be fined or face being shut down. If you remember, there were a few mad months last year when Theresa May decided to try and postpone Brexit again and at the same time block porn and require age verification. The Tories then got eight per cent in an election. Well, weve all got Brexit done, but under yesterdays announcement the latter proposal is back, but with requirements to age verify practically every single major website. You may need to buy a pass, enter your credit card or passport, or even scan your face to view adult versions of YouTube, Facebook or Twitter to see a version of the internet that hasnt been scrubbed of anything that a latter-day Mary Whitehouse of Whitehall has rubber stamped. Thats a gift to scammers and a lovely bung to companies running age verification schemes (theyre the ones that last month said they would sue the Government because they werent going ahead with the porn laws). In a free country with free and fair elections, where power transfers from one party to another, you have an incentive to keep the competition as fair as possible. Dont give powers to yourself that you wouldnt want your worst enemy to have. A future Corbynista government with a state censor is not just a theoretical risk but a plausible one if this goes ahead. Public campaigns on certain issues will be shot to pieces. Right now its just swarms of angry people online shouting racist or sexist that shut down debate. In future there could be a public official requiring tech companies remove hate speech, such as saying that there is such a thing as illegal immigration or that young white men growing up on council estates are not privileged just because of the colour of their skin. Just as theyve shut down the Labour Party and anyone that challenges the mission of comrade Corbyn, so they could castigate with the full power of the state anyone that criticises the socialist revolution if they ever come to power. This is meant to be a government of the peoples priorities. There is no clamour for a state censor living in a London-based left-wing bubble. Certainly, a fair few readers will think we already have one of those in the BBC. In the end it is tech giants, that are supposedly being targeted, who will benefit. Every piece of legislation you put in the way of a start-up entrenches the big guys power. They have the cash to comply and theyre happy to see new competitors wiped out before they can even get going. Theyll have been invited into DCMS to see the legislation as its made and had a hand in its creation. Thats why Facebook has broadly welcomed new online regulations. Is it really the role of the Conservative Party to ensure that Nick Clegg, Facebooks Vice-President, gets his bonus for creating barriers to entry for emerging competitors? This law is badly thought through by a Secretary of State thats now left cabinet. Time for this plan to censor the internet to go with her. More than 1700 medical workers have been infected and at least six have died fighting the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in China, health officials revealed for the first time on Friday. At least 87 percent of the 1716 were working at hospitals in Wuhan, at the epicentre of the outbreak. The rate of infection among doctors and nurses is increasing, a senior health official said, further confirming that the pathogen is highly contagious. The epidemic has so far killed 1,381 people and infected nearly 64000 in China. Weeks into the outbreak, the information was released Friday following the publication of medical research papers and unconfirmed media reports, which said the rate of infection among frontline medics was high and raising questions why the government wasnt releasing the numbers. The figures were disclosed by Chinas national health commissions (NHC) vice minister, Zeng Yixin at a press conference in Beijing. A total of six medical workers had died as a result of Covid-19 as of Tuesday, accounting for 0.4% of the total fatality rate; there are 1,716 infected medical workers in total, 3.8 percent of all infections, Zeng said. At present, the duties of medical workers at the front are indeed extremely heavy; their working and resting circumstances are limited, the psychological pressures are great, and the risk of infection is high, Zeng said. More analysis needed to be done on how many of the medical workers were infected in hospitals, Zeng said. The figure for the number of medial workers who had died was as of Tuesday. Among the six medics who have died so far was Li Wenliang, a doctor who had been reprimanded for issuing an early warning about the disease in December. Li later contracted the disease and his death triggered a wave of public anguish this month and rare expressions of anger with the government. The infection rate among medics and the deaths also bring to focus the conditions under which they are working amid a massive shortage of medical supplies and protecting clothing. Chinese authorities had allocated 25.94 billion yuan ($3.71 billion) by Thursday to improve working conditions of medical staff fighting the novel coronavirus, said a finance official Friday. Ou Wenhan, assistant minister of finance, made the remarks at a press conference in Beijing, adding that the money was used to purchase medical equipment and protective materials and upgrade facilities in medical institutions. Each frontline medical and epidemic prevention worker would receive a subsidy of 300 yuan or 200 yuan per day according to different risk levels, which would be fully covered by the central fiscal, said Ou was quoted as saying by the state media. Among the earliest warn about infection among medics was a research paper published in the medical journal JAMA last week. Conducted by Chinese doctors working at a Wuhan hospital on 138 patients, their research data revealed hospital-related transmissions of the virus were suspected in about 41% of the patients. Specifically, 40 health care workers in the study and 17 patients who were already hospitalised for other reasons were presumed to have been infected with the novel coronavirus in the hospital. It exposed the risks under which medics were working at hospitals in Wuhan. Coleen Rooney has said she does not want to engage in further public debate after Rebekah Vardy said the stress of their public dispute has caused her to have severe anxiety attacks. Rooney shared a statement on social media after Vardy claimed the attacks left her needing hospital treatment on three occasions, during a tearful appearance on ITVs Loose Women. In October, Vardy, who is the wife of Leicester City striker Jamie, was accused by Rooney of using her Instagram account to leak stories about her private life. Latest official media statement from @ColeenRoo pic.twitter.com/Xn9Omviy7B Rachel Louise Monk (@RachelVanMonk) February 13, 2020 The statement issued on behalf of Rooney, who is the wife of Derby County forward Wayne, said: Coleen has nothing to add to what she has already said. She remains confident in the legal process and sees no reason to take the numerous opportunities that have been offered to engage in further public debate in this matter. Vardy, who has denied any wrongdoing, told Loose Women that she could not comment too much on the spat because we are in the middle of a legal battle. But she did say: It was really, really hard, its probably up there with one of the worst things Ive had to deal with, apart from being abused by my stepdad when I was younger. Vardy, 37, said she learned Rooney had gone public with her suspicions on social media while she was on holiday in Dubai with her husband, adding that the trip didnt end up too well. Vardy had made a tearful appearance on Loose Women (Lia Toby/PA) Video of the Day She added: It was hideous, it was horrible and I dont think I was prepared for what was to come. It just escalated, really the trolling was the worst part for me and my family. Ive been trolled before but this escalated off the back of it, it was a whole new level. She cried as she read out a message from a troll. She said: I had people messaging me saying nasty stuff, one in particular said, You fat ugly rat, I genuinely hope you and your baby rot. Rooney, 33, sparked the #WagathaChristie trend on social media in October for her sleuthing work after she said she had spent five months attempting to work out who was sharing information about her and her family based on information she had posted on her personal social media page. Rooney said that she has nothing to add (Owen Humphreys/PA) She claimed she worked out it was down to Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! star Vardys Instagram account following a process of elimination. She blocked access to her private Instagram account to everyone except Vardys page and planted a series of false stories that later found their way into print. At the time, Vardy said third parties had access to her Instagram account and an expert was working to discover who could have been behind the leaks. A New Hampshire man pleaded not guilty to assault charges on Friday after being arrested for slapping a 15-year-old Trump supporter outside of a polling station for the states primary earlier this week. Windham Police Department said in a statement Thursday that 34-year-old Patrick Bradley walked by a Trump campaign tent occupied by several campaign supporters/workers after exiting the polls outside of Windham High School. He then allegedly assaulted the boy and two adults who attempted to stop the attack. Bradley was also accused of throwing Trump campaign signs and attempting to knock over the aforementioned tent, the statement reads. The boys mother, Cathy Campbell, gave an interview to Fox News describing the incident, and said that her son, who was wearing a MAGA hat and was volunteering at the polling sight, was attacked after he told Bradley to have a nice night. He said it to everyone. But this man was triggered, Campbell explained. He said f you to him and wound up his hand as fast as he could and slapped him across the face. Campbell added that the incident left her son her son is pretty traumatized. He was so excited and not realizing that something like this could happen, she said. . . . This guy lives in our town. Its pretty unnerving. The attack is the second confirmed case of anti-Trump violence this week, after a Florida man was charged by Jacksonville police for driving his van into a voter registration tent staffed by local Republicans. Gregory Timm told police that he committed the attack out of hatred for the president. Someone had to take a stand, he said. More from National Review Bats, rats, snakes, cats and many other animals, often charred and impaled are still being sold at an Indonesian market despite a governments request to take them off the menu amid coronavirus dread, international media reported. Researchers in China have attributed the origins of the virus to animal meat. In an unprecedented development, coronavirus has killed nearly 1,355 and infected over 60,000 people. The extreme meat market The business at the Tomohon Extreme Meat market on Sulawesi island is on the rise, International media reported. Speaking to media, vendors revealed that many curious tourists arrive every day to check out the exotic meat. Meanwhile, sellers in Jakarta continue to sell snakeskins and cobra blood. Read: Australia: Panic Grips Small Town As Colony Of Bats Swarm, Watch Video The stalls in the Indonesian market feature an array of animals including snakes, impaled rats and charred dogs which are presented with their hair removed by blowtorches. Many critics have reportedly described their experience as walking through hell. Bats are the favourite indigenous protein, particularly in North Sulawesi, Indonesian culinary expert and author of multiple cookbooks, William W. Wongso, told international media. Read: Bat Meat Sales Unaffected In Parts Of Indonesia Despite Coronavirus Scare Restaurateur Lince Rengkuan, who serves bats including their heads and wings stewed in coconut milk and spices said the secret is preparation. She added that so far the numbers havent gone down at all. Bat seller Stenly Timbuleng speaking to media reporters said that coronavirus has not affected sales. He added that the bat meat is always sold out. Read: Ravi Bishnoi Sends Off Bangladeshi Batsman With Hindi Abuse In U-19 World Cup Final: Watch Read: Navdeep Saini Considers THIS New Zealand Star Batsman The Most Challenging To Bowl At This all comes despite a warning by the government and health agencies to take bats and other wildlife out of circulation. Ruddy Lengkong, head of the area's government trade and industry agency speaking to international media revealed that they are urging people not to consume meat from animals suspected to be carriers of a fatal disease. Read: Australia: Panic Grips Small Town As Colony Of Bats Swarm, Watch Video MUNICH - The federal Liberal government will "have the votes" to ensure North America's new trade deal becomes the law of the land, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday before championing Canada's fight against mounting protectionism and the erosion of rules-based global institutions. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, second from left, meets with United States Senator Lindsey Graham, second from right, at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick MUNICH - The federal Liberal government will "have the votes" to ensure North America's new trade deal becomes the law of the land, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday before championing Canada's fight against mounting protectionism and the erosion of rules-based global institutions. Trudeau, in Germany for the Munich Security Conference, assured U.S. lawmakers that the House of Commons will vote on the newly negotiated U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement "in the coming weeks." Once approved, the signatories have three months to negotiate the regulations governing the deal before it goes into effect, likely this summer. "Good outcome, you think?" asked Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a member of the Senate committee on foreign relations and a close confidant of Donald Trump who led a bipartisan delegation to the conference comprising members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. "Excellent outcome," Trudeau replied. "We're very confident we have the votes." Hours later, though he didn't mention the U.S. or its president by name, Trudeau tacitly acknowledged the seismic effect of Trump's elbows-up approach to trade and foreign policy a scorched-earth, America-First style he suggested has helped to undermine the rules-based international order. "We live in a world in which more leaders are challenging long-standing principles of international relations. Protectionism is on the rise, trade is being weaponized, the benefits of democratic governance are being questioned," Trudeau told an audience of world leaders. Canada's ongoing efforts to enshrine principles like environmental protection, labour standards and Indigenous rights in its trade agreements have helped to ensure that globalization doesn't continue to alienate people around the world who feel left behind by the march of progress, he said. Indeed, Trudeau added, the country might not have been able to successfully negotiate deals like the USMCA, the Canada-EU trade agreement and the Trans Pacific Partnership making it the only G7 nation with a free-trade agreement with every other G7 partner had it not been for its willingness to defend such principles. "Had we chosen to ignore the very real concerns of people across the political spectrum on free trade and globalization, we might not have preferential access to two-thirds of the global economy today." Trudeau also sang the praises of a Canadian-led effort to spearhead badly needed reforms at the World Trade Organization, one of the rules-based pillars that has been under sustained attack from the Trump administration, which deems it arbitrary and unfair. Since long before Trump, the U.S. has been blocking the appointment of U.S. judges to the WTO's appellate body, making it impossible to adjudicate disagreements. A contingent of WTO members known as the Ottawa Group is focused on finding ways to resurrect the organization's dispute-settlement process and keep disagreements from escalating, fix the negotiating and rule-making functions and modernize how its committees operate. "Canada," Trudeau said, "will continue to step up at a time when others may be stepping away." Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The USMCA implementation bill currently before the House of Commons, introduced last month by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, is expected to pass. That is in spite of the Liberal government's minority status and a lack of enthusiasm on the part of the New Democrats, who have asked for a thorough review of the agreement, and the outright opposition of the Bloc Quebecois. The Opposition Conservatives, while loathe to give political succour to Trudeau's Liberals, are expected to grudgingly support the deal in the name of Canada's economic interests a position some of their provincial political allies endorsed wholeheartedly last week during a goodwill mission in Washington. "This is not the time to play politics," implored Ontario Premier Doug Ford. "Let's get this deal signed." On Friday, Trudeau assured members of Congress not especially familiar with Canada's political dynamics that ratification was only a matter of time. "Our parliamentary system is a little ... I won't say a little more complex than you guys," Trudeau joked with Graham at the start of the meeting. "It works fine, we just normally start after you guys finish your processes." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2020. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia NIkol Pashinyan met with European Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn in the sidelines of Munich Security Conference. The correspondent of ARMENPRESS reports from Munich, PM Pashinyan said during the meeting that the EU has become Armenias key partner for the implementation of the reform agenda. We are in the stage of the implementation of the anti-corruption strategy. We assess this package o reforms as the last part of the 1st part of the reforms, after which we have to work to make everything better and better. The cooperation with the EU is very important on our path. I want to emphasize that all types of assistance, be it consultative, financial or political, are very important for us. I am thankful for todays opportunity to discuss the future cooperation plans, PM Pashinyan said. Johannes Hahn noted that during his visit to Armenia they discussed the issue of Armenia-EU Investment forum, which will take place in Luxembourg. That forum is a good opportunity for you to present your country. We have much experience in organizing such investment forums and I think this time again we will have good audience. As you mentioned, reforms are underway in Armenia, and in some sense this can be guarantee for your potential partners that your country can be an excellent partner for them, he said. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy of a-ha. (PHOTO: Warner Music) UPDATE: Warner Music Singapore announced on 28 February 2020 that a-has concert Hunting High And Low Live In Singapore, which was scheduled on 21 March 2020 at Turf Club@Kranji, has been cancelled due to concerns over the Covid-19 virus. Customers who have made purchases to the show will have their purchase refunded in full via SISTIC. SINGAPORE Indisputably, a-ha is the best band to come out of the 80s, whose hits Take On Me, Hunting High and Low and The Sun Always Shines on TV, are among favourite go-to karaoke songs which you can (still) sing along to. Formed in Oslo, Norway, in 1982, members Paul Waaktaar-Savoy (guitars), Magne Furuholmen (keyboards, guitars) and Morten Harket (vocals) garnered global success throughout the 80s and continue to find success in the 90s and today. But the band had its ups and downs; despite recording and publishing six studio albums, the band called it quits in 2009, sending fans into a frenzy as they attended their idols last leg of their Ending On A High Note Tour. The break-up was also partly due to frustration that the band could not shake off the stereotype that followed the band; the success of Take On Me shaped the bands future as a pop band, and even after the members experimented with different sounds, their later tracks did not garner the success they were looking for. U2's Adam Clayton summed up that moment well, describing a-ha as "a rather misunderstood band. They were looked upon as a group for teenage girls, but in reality they were a very creative band." Of course, as time goes, not all artists can rest on their laurels, and in 2015 it was decided that the band should get together again. The band went on to release 10 studio albums, several compilations and four live albums. An amazing feat, for a band that has a rich legacy to boast of. As a-ha look to perform in Singapore this 21 March at Turf Club @ Kranji as part of their Hunting High and Low Tour, Yahoo Lifestyle SEA spoke to Magne (Mags) Furuholmen about what fans can expect from the show. Story continues READ MORE: Mark Williams explains how Father Brown is different from Sherlock A cappella sensation Pentatonix is on the Southeast Asian leg of their 2020 tour Mental health: Letters to my 20-year-old self (part 2) Magne (Mags) Furuholmen. (PHOTO: Warner Music) So Mags, tell us where you are now, and what you've been up to the last 24 hours? Dragging my ass down a mountain and into my painting studio. Healthy! This will be the band's first ever stop in Singapore. What are your initial impressions of the city? Very organised and clean. What can fans expect out of your tour? Well, it is only one show, and we are centring the performance around our first album, Hunting High and Low. Other than that, wait and see. We guess that not many people know you're a knight! What are your impressions of fans (like us) who just found out? Haha I dont know if you expect me to come out jousting! Ed: Jousting is a martial game between two horsemen wielding wooden lances, while riding a horse. Do you prefer London in the 80s or the London now, and why? London in the 80s was pure excitement for us, but I still love it today. It will always be a home I left (behind). After all these years, does the term 'success' differ for you now? Success is to solve a problem and be happy with the result. Do you fully embrace a-ha as a pop band? I think so - if you are talking about our legacy. (Pauses) Much more now than in the early days. Why did you call a break in the 90s? I called a break in 1993 from exhaustion and because I wanted to move back to Norway and be there for Heidi and my first child Thomas for more than periods in-between. The second time, in 2010, Morten and I agreed with our management that stopping a-ha was the best option available to us; so I feel like I have re-joined twice because the others wanted it, than having quit the band twice, to be honest. YouTube listed Take On Me as the No.2 most viewed music video in the 80s. What's your response to that? (Guns N Roses' Sweet Child of Mine is #1, Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Want to Have Fun is #3) So... we are first of the losers? Seriously, it is pretty impressive how this video has stood the test of time. And lets face it, as a video, it is way superior to the others youve mentioned. If Take On Me is our go-to karaoke song, what's yours? Or do you even karaoke? My go-to song is How Am I Supposed To Live Without You. Dont ask! Ed: The song is sung by Michael Bolton. For more information, visit http://www.sistic.com.sg/events/aha0320 or call the SISTIC hotline at +65 6348 5555 for ticketing information Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore Digital payments firm on Friday said it has earmarked Rs 800 crore for marketing this year, to create awareness about the platform and expand its reach. The company roped in Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, who has joined Aamir Khan as brand ambassador. " has earmarked Rs 800 crore for marketing in this calendar year, which will include spends on a mix of ATL, BTL, TV, digital marketing and other advertising mediums. has also roped in Alia Bhatt, who has joined Aamir Khan as the brand ambassador and will feature in the upcoming ad films," the company said in a statement. The company claims to have around 20 crore customers across the country. "Our vision is to liberate the flow of money and services so that everyone can unlock opportunities to progress at pace. Crafted with this belief, our new brand campaign is a reflection of everyday stories of progress with PhonePe. We are also excited to have Aamir Khan and Alia Bhatt as the face of our brand as they are a powerhouse of talent and appeal to Indians across the country," PhonePe founder and CEO Sameer Nigam said. The current brand campaign of the company will feature four TV commercials with Aamir Khan and Alia Bhatt, which will be spread across digital platforms, radio, print and cinema. Besides this, PhonePe will also be official broadcast sponsor of Vivo IPL 2020. "This is the second year in a row when the company has partnered with VIVO IPL which continues to be the biggest sporting event of the year in India," the statement said. FOOD and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 7.6 per cent between October 2020 and October 2021, the Central Statistical Office (CSO) reported yesterday. In a memorandum on the Index of Retail Prices (RPI) published for general information yesterday, attributed to the acting director of statistics, Andre Blanchard, the CSO noted that the All Items Index of Retail Prices increased by 3.9 per cent between October 2020 and last October. Colombo, Feb 14 : The Sri Lankan government on Friday donated 4 tonnes of Ceylon Tea for the bushfire victims in Australia, authorities said. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had pledged the donation in a recent telephone conversation with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, to convey Sri Lanka's condolences and support to the government and people of Australia, reports Xinhua news agency. "A symbol of Sri Lanka, 'Ceylon Tea' is popular among Australians and this donation will be distributed to the people in the affected areas," an official statement said here. "Sri Lanka and Australia have always stood by each other during difficult times, especially during the 2004 tsunami disaster when Australia extended the hand of support to Sri Lanka," the statement added. The tea was transported in a SriLankan Airlines flight from Colombo to Melbourne. Across Australia, the bushfires 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. Bamako, Mali (PANA) - A Malian soldier was killed and five others injured on Wednesday during an attack by unidentified gunmen in the rural commune of Dialoube, in the central Mopti region of the country, PANA learned from security sources on Friday Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 02:28:47|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- More than 20 state attorneys general across the United States on Friday signed a letter rejecting an 18 billion-U.S.-dollars settlement offer from three major drug wholesalers, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. McKesson Corp., AmerisourceBergen Corp. and Cardinal Health Inc. had reportedly been discussing the settlement since October so as to end litigation against their role in the opioid crisis, and had offered to pay 18 billion dollars over 18 years. The letter includes Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia as well as Ohio, West Virginia and Florida. The states are seeking between 22 billion dollars and 32 billion dollars, said the report. Nearly every state and more than 2,500 cities, tribes and municipalities have filed suits against opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies for their respective roles in the opioid epidemic, said the report. Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan would co-Chair a Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting, scheduled to be held on February 17-18 in Bishkek, capital of the host country ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Feb, 2020 ) :Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan would co-Chair a Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting, scheduled to be held on February 17-18 in Bishkek, capital of the host country. Accordingly, Kyrgyz Ambassador to Pakistan Erik Beishemhiev Friday called the minister to apprise him about the JMC meeting arrangements in Bishkek, , a press release said here. The two sides discussed the agenda of the JMC meeting and areas of possible collaboration. The minister would co-chair the meeting along with Kyrgyz Minister for Industries and Trade. Omar Ayub is also scheduled to hold important meetings with his Kyrgyz counterpart and the Kyrgyz Minister for Transport, Trade and Industry separately. Omar Ayub Khan said the JMC meeting was an important forum to discuss key issues and get benefits of cooperation in diverse fields like bilateral trade, transportation, communication and energy. The envoy expressed confidence that the JMC meeting would yield good results. He also noted that Kyrgyzstan had welcomed the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project as it could be an important commercial connection to landlocked Kyrgyzstan. During the meeting, the two sides reiterated that Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan were enjoying cordial relations, which would get further roots in the coming days. Mohammad Umair, the Pulwama attack planner who trained in Afghanistan India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 14: India was quick to avenge the Pulwama attack. While the Balakot air strike was aimed at hitting the Jaish-e-Mohammad facility, security forces also gunned down one of the masterminds behind the attack. The killing of Mudasir Ahmed Khan alias Mohammad Bhai at the Pinglish area of Tral in Kashmir's Pulwama district was a major operation. He was one of the masterminds of the attack. In the aftermath of the killing, security forces said that he was one of the key conspirators of the Pulwama attack in which 40 jawans were martyred. The National Investigation Agency which is currently probing the case says that they have made plenty of inroads into the case. The probe has found that the JeM terrorist who assembled the bomb had managed to slip out and reach Muzaffarabad in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Explained: A year since Pulwama and how the Balakot hit was planned Investigations suggest that nearly 80 kilograms of RDX was used in the attack. While the bomb maker managed to get out of Kashmir, intelligence agencies say that the mastermind of the attack is still in the state. The mastermind identified as Mohammad Umair is still operating in the Pulwama area. An Intelligence Bureau official informed that he had overseen the entire attack and was also the one who masterminded it. Umair is the nephew of Jaish-e-Mohamamd chief, Maulana Masood Azhar. He was sent into Kashmir after another nephew of Azhar, who went by the name Usman Haider was killed in an encounter. It may be recalled that Talha Rashid, also a nephew of the Jaish chief was killed in an encounter with the security forces in 2016. According to officials, Umair was trained in Afghanistan. An officer says that this explains why the nature of the attack was such. Vehicle ramming with bombs are reported from countries such as Afghanistan and Syria. In the aftermath of the attack, security officials had raised concerns about this style of attack and warned that it could become a norm. Pulwama, a year gone: When Operation Bandar at Balakot shook Pakistan Investigating officers say that while the mastermind and bomb maker has been identified, they are looking for the over ground workers, who aided the bomber with information and precise logistics. Dar was given precise information about the movement of the convoys. The moment the convoys were spotted, he entered from the left side of bus number five and detonated the vehicle as a result of 40 jawans were martyred. {quiz_3} Mediterranean: protocol for whale sanctuary signed February 16 is World Whale Day, focus on species Pelagos area (ANSAmed) - ROME, FEBRUARY 14 - February 16 is World Whale Day. And the priority for the Mediterranean is to ''celebrate and protect these giants of the sea who live in the Pelagos sanctuary, which is still threatened by plastic and acoustic pollution and maritime traffic'', WWF Italia said. The Italian chapter of the organization announced a new collaboration with Fondazione Cima, which is in charge of implementing the certification High Quality Whale Watching. The protocol of agreement between WWF and the foundation Cima provides for reciprocal support in programs to safeguard the Mediterranean and for sustainability in activities including whale watching and maritime traffic. In the Sanctuary Pelagos, in place since 2002 thanks to an agreement between France, Italy and Monaco, live common whales, sperm whales, pilot whales, dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins and the little-known Cuvier's beaked whales. ''It is important not just to promote the interest of marine biodiversity in general but to guarantee that rules are respected in order not to disturb animals during observation. ''Whale watching can be practiced in different ways: daily excursions on motor vessels or dinghies as well as week-long vacations on a sailboat. For this reason, it is difficult to give numbers on the quantity of participants. Moreover, there is currently no legislative 'regime' on this. For this reason, over the past few years the secretariat Accobams has registered the trademark High Quality Whale Watching, in collaboration with the secretariat Pelagos'', explained the researcher on marine ecosystems of the Cima Foundation, Aurelie Moulins. ''The collaboration with Fondazione Cima - stressed the president of WWF Italia, Donatella Bianchi - will boost our activities to defend the sea. In 2020 we will start a specific program to monitor whales thanks to a new community that will 'sail off' over the coming months, the 'Vele del Panda', where biologists and researchers on board will be able to gather data through visual and acoustic surveys''. (ANSAmed). While many are getting stranded because of lack of clarity regarding the visa rules following the novel coronavirus outbreak, others are stranded in transit as even OCI cardholders are being turned away. Neha Alawadhi and Subhayan Chakraborty report. IMAGE: A Chinese woman wears a protective mask as she waits for a bus at a usually busy stop in Beijing, China. As of Friday, the toll in China's novel coronavirus outbreak has spiked to nearly 1,500, while the confirmed cases of infection jumped to nearly 65,000. Photograph: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images 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 guidelines for Overseas Citizenship of India cardholders. Erring on the side of caution, airport and immigration officials in other countries are not allowing OCI cardholders to travel to India, even though the Indian notification on coronavirus only mentions invalidating e-visas. As a result, families stuck in transit have been hit the hardest. Officials at the department of overseas affairs said no guidelines for Indians living in China are planned yet. There have also been cases of people getting stranded because of lack of clarity regarding the visa rules following the novel coronavirus outbreak. The health ministry had cautioned people visiting China to strictly avoid locals with signs of fever, besides suggesting other preventive tactics as early as January 11. So far, there is no official travel advisory from the ministry of external affairs and this has led to confusion over international travel. According to a person familiar with a specific case, a family of four was stranded last week at an airport in Ethiopia on their way back from a vacation in South Africa. The Indian man, his Chinese wife, and two children were returning to China, but given the situation there, they decided to travel to India. They had a layover at the Ethiopian airport, where they were initially cleared by immigration, but later deplaned because officials said all e-visas to India have been cancelled. However, the wife holds an OCI card. Despite repeated requests and calls and communication with India's home ministry, the family remain stranded at the Ethiopian airport. It could not be confirmed if the situation was resolved. Similarly, a person of Chinese origin from Hong Kong who has been staying in Geneva for the last five years was scheduled to travel to India for a technology conference in Mumbai. However, he was not allowed to apply for an Indian visa because of lack of clarity in the visa advisory. A revised travel advisory posted by the health ministry on its Twitter page on February 5, however, stated the revocation doesn't apply to Chinese passport holders in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau, according to reports. On the few Facebook groups of Indians in China, several members have been asking about the situation there and whether travel was advisable to the country or not. However, most social media conversation in China happens on WeChat because Facebook, Twitter and other similar online platforms do not work in the country. Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion curated for you. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. Maharashtras decision more unfair: Sharad Pawar on NIA taking over Elgar case Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Friday expressed unhappiness over Chief Minister Uddhav Thackerays decision to hand over Elgar Parishad case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Vodafone Idea on the verge of collapse, SC refuses to give more time to pay dues The Supreme Court has rejected Vodafones plea seeking more time to settle billions of dollars in back fees. Why Trump is wooing Indian Americans | Opinion No other American president has courted Indian Americans as assiduously as Trump. Indian Americans account for 1% of the population, but punch far above their weight in education, professional standing and wealth. EU calls for remaining restrictions in Kashmir to be lifted swiftly, acknowledges positive steps In a statement, Virginie Battu-Henriksson, the EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, acknowledged both the positive steps taken by the Indian government to restore normalcy in Kashmir. Even Shah Rukh Khan went mad, started running around Eden Gardens: Shoaib Akhtar recounts playing for KKR Akhtar was one of the marquee players for KKR in the first season and Sourav Ganguly spoke about the experience of leading the maverick fast-bowler. Baaghi 3 BTS video shows Tiger Shroff running as 90 blasts go off: Dont think Ive ever been so scared doing action The actor released a making-of video for his upcoming film Baaghi 3, in which he is seen performing some unbelievable stunts by himself. A 40-year-old garment businessman was arrested by Santacruz police on Thursday for allegedly raping a 27-year-old woman employee at his shop on PM road. The incident occurred around 12.30 pm on Thursday when the businessman allegedly sent two other male employees away from the shop. The accused, identified as Anil Kumar Gupta (40), allegedly asked the woman to come to the mezzanine floor of the shop with the excuse of helping him send an email. The woman followed his instructions and went upstairs to help him where Gupta threatened to kill her if she did not cooperate with him. Gupta then took advantage of the situation, and raped her twice, said Santacruz police officials. The police said that during preliminary investigations it came to light that Gupta had planned the crime and had hence asked his other employees to take leave. Shriram Koregaonkar, senior inspector Santacruz police station, said, We have registered a First Information Report and arrested the accused after the victim registered her complaint. We are investigating case further. Gupta has been booked under sections 376 and 506 of Indian Penal Code for rape and criminal intimidation, respectively. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 16:31:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BRUSSELS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission is working closely with China to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak and will not tolerate any racial discrimination, an European commissioner has said. "The Commission is working closely with China, both at technical and political levels," European Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli said in a debate on Wednesday night at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. The European Union (EU) has already provided 12 tons of protective equipment to China, said Dalli, adding that this move was "a clear sign of" solidarity. "We have been in contact with Member States and private companies to identify stocks of protective personal equipment that go beyond EU needs and could be shared with China," she noted. The commissioner highlighted that "we need to focus on assisting China," because "this helps the Chinese ... it also decreases the risk for the rest of the world." Concerning the potential for xenophobia, Dalli said "Discrimination against Asians or persons perceived as Asians or any other race or ethnicity is contrary to EU law. The Commission will not tolerate any racial discrimination in whatever form it takes." A number of Members of European Parliament (MEP) also called for solidarity with the Chinese people in the anti-epidemic battle. By noting that the EU and China have become strategic partners since 2003, Jan Zahradil, an MEP from the Czech Republic, said it was really good to see that the EU is working with China in the fight against the epidemic. "China is too important a global player. So if it is internally hit by the disease, it will also have global consequences," said Zahradil. "If the EU wants to be a global player and it wants to show global responsibility, it's time to revive that strategic partnership." Capitol Notebook by Spotlight PA provides updates on important news and notes from the halls of power in Harrisburg. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. HARRISBURG With $4 million in state funding, Pennsylvania is buying ads and preparing to award grants to nonprofit organizations, grassroots groups, and colleges to ensure that every resident is counted in the 2020 census. We are making sure that we are counting everyone from rural, suburban, and urban areas in Pennsylvania, said Norman Bristol Colon, executive director of Gov. Tom Wolfs Complete Count Commission. We also recognize that our state is more diverse than ever before, so we have to concentrate our efforts on the hard-to-count populations. The census is conducted every 10 years to count each person in the country. The information is used to determine each states share of billions of dollars in federal funding and number of U.S. House seats. For the first time, the U.S. Census Bureau is asking most people to fill out the survey online. Every household will be invited to participate by April 1. The commission a coalition of advocacy, education, housing, and religious organizations created by Wolf in September 2018 originally requested $13 million from the legislature for outreach efforts, a dollar for each Pennsylvanian. But lawmakers were hesitant to make an investment of that size, Bristol Colon said. Finally, they recognized the important work that needs to be done, especially when it comes to the $27 billion in federal funds we get through the census [each year], he said. They came back to the table and they provided us the opportunity to have the $4 million to do the complete count. The funding was included in a voting reform package passed in 2019. Neighboring New York is putting $20 million in state funding toward the census, while New Jersey and Maryland have appropriated $9 million and $5 million, respectively. The state has a $2.5 million contract with Red House Communications to produce and place census ads through radio and television stations and in traditional print media, according to a Department of Community & Economic Development spokesperson. The state has also targeted Latinx and black news outlets, Bristol Colon said, as well as social media platforms. The department is also reviewing applications for the $1 million Census 2020 Outreach Grant Program, which will award nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and higher-education institutions with up to $50,000. The money will be used to target hard-to-reach groups through outreach efforts, including buying local media ads or sponsoring census-related events. The application process closed Feb. 14. The remaining $500,000 in state census money is allotted for miscellaneous expenses, including printed materials for communications purposes, a department spokesperson said. Hard-to-reach populations a blanket term for such groups as minorities, immigrants, low-income earners, renters, farmworkers, and rural residents are a priority for the states Complete Count Commission. Some immigrants can be hard to reach because of language barriers, mistrust in the U.S. government, and fear of repercussions, according to commission member and immigrants-rights group CASA. Pennsylvania is home to a growing Latinx population, including Puerto Ricans who sought refuge in the state after Hurricane Maria in 2017. More than 10,000 people arrived in Pennsylvania after the devastating storm, according to CASA. President Donald Trump had sought to add a question about citizenship to the census, leading to concerns about an undercount of immigrant households, but ultimately did not prevail. Pennsylvania second lady Gisele Fetterman, who was born in Brazil, is touring select counties to promote participation. Although the survey is being offered online, Complete Count Committees locally focused groups formed by municipalities or community leaders are still depending on census workers to canvas areas. But finding workers to count these critical populations has been difficult. February data from the Census Bureau shows successful recruitment efforts in Pennsylvanias largest counties, including Allegheny and Philadelphia. But several rural counties in the state are under 40% of the hiring goal. It has been a great challenge for the Census Bureau to fill all the temporary jobs for census 2020 due to a low unemployment rate and the digital component to the application process, Bristol Colon said. 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. A hologram flickers into sight its Rey, the last of the Jedi, and she needs your help. But this isnt the latest cinematic episode of the sci-fi franchise. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the newest attraction at Walt Disney World in Orlando and puts you at the heart of the action in a galaxy far, far away. Its delightfully difficult to describe its a ride, a simulation and an immersive experience all at once. Rise of the Resistance is set during the timeline of the sequel trilogy and features familiar characters played by their original actors. Rey (Daisy Ridley), X-Wing pilot Poe (Oscar Isaac), former stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) and droid BB-8 are among the good guys who guide you, while danger comes in the form of the First Orders Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and General Hux (Domnhall Gleeson). The experience begins when you are ushered into a makeshift briefing room to be filled in by a hologram of Rey, an animatronic model of BB-8 and a video message from Poe. You and a few dozen other new recruits are told that you must keep the location of the rebels Bakura base secret or the resistance could be in grave danger. Everyone is then ushered into a waiting shuttle outside, piloted by a new character called Lieutenant Bek a member of the Mon Calamari race who is a dead ringer for fan-favourite Admiral Ackbar. If, at this point, you had a bad feeling about this, youd be right as things soon turn pear-shaped. Shortly after taking off from the planet of Batuu, the shuttle is ambushed by two First Order Star Destroyers who draw you in with a tractor beam. You watch the action from the windows of the spacecraft, which jerks and rocks around as you fly through space. This alone would be an impressive stand-alone simulator but the adventure is only just getting started. What happens next genuinely brought a tear to my eye and was the closest I have ever felt to being a part of the Star Wars world. The door to the shuttle opens and you come face to face with the yawning opening of a Star Destroyers hangar. I genuinely felt as though I would be sucked out into space if I charged past the waiting platoon of stormtroopers who stand before you. Fifty menacing First Order Stormtroopers await guests as they arrive in the hangar bay of a Star Destroyer / Matt Stroshane All of the Disney staff are dressed as First Order officers and remain in character throughout, chastising anyone who disobeys their orders or lingers too long for selfies. This is a stark contrast to the usual Disney crew members who sport saccharine smiles throughout the rest of the park. You are then taken into an interrogation cell, and taunted by Kylo Ren and General Hux before mounting a daring escape in a pod that hurtles around the inside of the Star Destroyer. The four-and-a-half minute ride portion sees you come face to face with a life-sized AT-AT, a TIE-Fighter and Kylo Ren as he furiously tries to stop you with his lightsabre. The action is brought to life with breath-taking animatronic figures, a goose bump-inducing score, movie-quality practical effects and character projections a brand-new technology used by Disney. The exhilarating experience will have you running to rejoin the queue again but this may be unlikely during busy periods. To avoid huge waiting times, travellers are given a specific time slot in a virtual queueing system through Disneys app. Guests see Poe Dameron's X-wing starfighter, Black One (foreground), and board an Intersystem Transport Ship (background) / Kent Phillips Rise of the Resistance is in the newly opened Galaxys Edge section of Disneys Hollywood Studios, which includes the Millennium Falcon ride Smugglers Run and Savis Workshop, where you can build your own customised lightsaber. Dont miss the drinks stands which sell limited edition Coke bottles shaped like thermal detonators. Just make sure you take the lid off when you pack them in your suitcase as they have been causing problems at airport security. Whatever you think about the new Star Wars films, the sci-fi franchise is undoubtedly a superb addition for Disneys theme parks. No-one has ever been able to bring George Lucass world to life like this. A park-hopper ticket will give you access to Disneys four theme parks Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom and two water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. The FastPass+ system allows you to skip the queues on three rides per day and is simple to use through the Disney app. But for that extra something special, Disneys VIP Tour Guides are full of knowledge and can walk you onto most of the top attractions while zipping you to and from the parks through back entrances. You will also get a prime spot for the sensational fireworks. Details Boeing 737 MAX planes were globally grounded in March 2019, after two of these crashed within five months, raising safety concerns. SpiceJet is hoping its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft can start flying by June, says Ajay Singh, chief managing director of the airline. We have grown 50 per cent this year, he told reporters in Chennai. This was possible because we took some aircraft from the erstwhile Jet Airways. "We have a large number, 42, of Max aircraft on the ground, waiting to fly." Boeing 737 MAX planes were globally grounded in March 2019, after two of these crashed (elsewhere in the globe) within five months, raising safety concerns. SpiceJet has ordered 225 of the Boeing 737 MAX, for $22 billion. We hope they (MAX aircrafts) can come back and that will fuel our growth for this year. "We are expecting the approvals to be in place by the end of May or in June," he added. The company continues to talk with Boeing's major rival, Airbus, and the latter is making offers, he said. Asked about expansion plans, he said he could speak on these once the Boeing planes are back. These would be, he noted, much less costly to operate. He was speaking in the sidelines of an event regarding Tamil movie Soorarai Pottru (Hail the Brave), inspired from the life of G R Gopinath, founder of low-cost Air Deccan. SpiceJet is airline partner for the film, which has significant content related to the low-cost airline industry. On the coronavirus impact, he said they'd temporarily suspended operations to Hong Kong. However, it was not such a big issue as yet for Indian airlines. "But, there is a very big impact around the world. It has a cascading effect. "Lot of fliers are not flying and it is going to have an impact on aircraft and airlines -- it is going to be much worse than we imagine," he added. Oil prices were showing a downward trend, a positive sign in terms of cost for airlines, he added. Also, that aviation had a bright future, as only 3 per cent of India flies today and that is bound to increase as the economy grows. "It is a volatile industry. It depends on many external factors, such as the price of fuel, cost of airports, etc. "There will always be ups and downs but the future is bright," he said. Photograph: SpiceJet via Twitter Fetch TV has bought 1,000 tickets for NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers to attend Sundays Fire Fight Australia concert for free. The $100,000 proceeds from the ticket purchase will go to organisations providing vital support services. Tickets have been distributed by the NSW Rural Fire Service to volunteers and their families. Attendees will be seated together to enjoy a great view of the concert. Scott Lorson, CEO of Fetch TV said: Fetch TV is proud to support the Fire Fight Australia concert, and delighted to recognise the amazing efforts of our RFS heroes. The funds raised will help support impacted communities on the long road ahead. We hope that the RFS team and their families are able to relax and enjoy a great show. We would also like to thank TEG Dainty, TEG Live, and the talented artists for putting on this amazing event. Aussie spirit at its best. Geoff Jones, CEO of Ticketek said: Fire Fight Australia is going to be a great event, one that will go down in Australian music history. We are delighted that Fetch TV has made it possible for so many NSW RFS volunteers and their families to enjoy the show. The Concert is about raising funds for the relief efforts and thanking those who helped through one of the most challenging times in our nations recent history. Fetchs generous contribution does both. Anthony Clark, Director Corporate Communications at the NSW RFS said This bushfire season has been the most challenging in our history in terms of impact on the community, loss of life and fire conditions. Theres been an incredible response from emergency services and firefighters from all over Australia and further abroad, but its great to recognise some of those volunteers who have worked so hard simply because of a desire to protect their own community. Many of our volunteers have been working on fires since August last year so thanks to Fetch TV and TEG, this will give some of them a much needed break and some time with their families. Fetch will screen Sevens broadcast of the concert at 1pm Sunday. Campus News Documentary short about Buffalo being screened at UN forum A still from the documentary short See It Through Buffalo By DAVID J. HILL Buffalo and the work of our faculty and students have much to contribute to this crucial global conversation on urban issues. Buffalos story of place is being shared with mayors, ministers, journalists and thousands of others attending the United Nations 10th World Urban Forum this week in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The citys story is being told through the lens of film, with a screening of See It Through Buffalo, a documentary short presented by the School of Architecture and Planning at the Time Space Existence exhibition of the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale. The 15-minute film offers a candid view of Buffalos diverse urban landscapes and transitioning neighborhoods, where faculty and students work to address issues such as energy-efficient design, economic development, food systems planning, and refugee resettlement. It was co-produced with noted Buffalo filmmaker John Paget of Paget Films. See It Through Buffalo, an official selection of the inaugural UN-Habitat Better Cities Film Festival, was screened on Feb. 12 in Abu Dhabi. The festival, organized in partnership with First+Main Films, features documentary and fictional films from around the world on urban issues, including the theme of this years World Urban Forum Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation. The film screening will be followed by discussions on topics and key areas raised. The film is an inspirational contribution to UN-Habitats theme of connecting culture and innovation because it portrays an academic institution and a new generation engaged in experimentation and exploration within their city, Paget says. After this week, the UN-Habitat Better Cities Film Festivals Best of Fest reel will become a traveling festival available for screenings at other UN-Habitat and U.N. events and cities and towns around the world. Samina Raja, professor of urban and regional planning at UB and director of the Food Systems Planning and Healthy Communities Lab, is leading the discussion following the screening of See It Through Buffalo. Raja served as a keynote speaker for the Universities Roundtable at the World Urban Forum on Feb. 11. Drawing on her food equity work, both in Buffalo and in the global south, Raja spoke about the ways in which universities can co-produce actionable knowledge that can lead to creating culturally inclusive and innovative cities. The World Urban Forum is the worlds largest and most important conference on urban issues. It is held every two years and attracts thousands of participants including ministers, mayors, policy makers, academics, community activists, artists and journalists. Buffalo and the work of our faculty and students have much to contribute to this crucial global conversation on urban issues, says Robert G. Shibley, professor and dean of UBs School of Architecture and Planning. From our Buffalo-rooted food systems planning tools now being implemented from Jamaica to Kashmir, to See It Through Buffalo, a cinematic tribute to Buffalos urban landscapes and our work within them over 50 years, this is a story about the power of university-city partnerships to incubate globally relevant policy and design innovation, Shibley adds. Milan, Feb 14 : The domino effect of the disruption of the Chinese supply chain is spreading to Europe as Fiat Chrysler announced on Friday that it had temporarily halted production at its factory in Serbia over the availability of components sourced in China. The impact of the Coronavirus outbreak has hit manufacturing globally. This is the first occasion that a European auto company has had to shut operations due to the epidemic. The planned shutdown at the Kragujevac plant in Serbia has been rescheduled and production will restart later this month, a spokesman for the Italian-American automaker said. This is not a good sign for the auto industry which till now has had to mainly deal with shutdowns in China itself. For the first time, auto companies are having to halt operations due to supply issues from China. The Italian-American carmaker will reschedule planned downtime at its Kragujevac plant, a company spokesman said, citing "the availability of certain components sourced in China. "Fiat is in the process of securing future supply of those affected parts and production will be restarted later this month," the spokesman said. The halt to works at the Italy-based automaker's Kragujevac facility, which produces the Fiat 500L, is linked to a lack of audio-system and other electronic parts sourced from China. Output at the plan totalled about 40,000 units last year, Serbian media reported, or a quarter of total capacity. Fiat doesn't expect the change in scheduling to impact the total production forecast for the month, the spokesman said. Circle Creative Studio/iStock(LONDON) -- Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, plan to close their Buckingham Palace office as they step back from their roles as working members of the royal family, a royal source told ABC News. The source confirmed the closing of office means some members of Harry and Meghan's staff will lose their jobs, saying, "While the details are still being finalized and efforts are being made to redeploy people within the Royal household, unfortunately there will be some redundancies." Harry and Meghan's office has been based at Buckingham Palace since last year, when Harry and his brother Prince William split their households. In their new roles that will begin this spring, Harry and Meghan plan to spend "the majority of their time" in North America, according to Buckingham Palace. They are currently in Canada with their 9-month-old son Archie but there is speculation that could also spend time in the Los Angeles area, where Meghan was born and raised. Harry and Meghan, who will no longer use their HRH titles, will also no longer represent Queen Elizabeth and no longer receive public funds for royal duties, freeing them to earn money on their own. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Myanmar: Launched its second five-year National Export Strategy (NES) for the period between 2020 and 2025 by HTIN LYNN AUNG February 14,2020 | Source: Myanmar Times Myanmar will take measures to ensure that overseas demand for locally made goods remains elevated even as cheaper imports from the region are expected to rise now that the country will participate further in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). This should also keep the countrys trade deficit, which was down to US$627 million in fiscal 2019-20 from US$5.2 billion in fiscal 2016-17, stable. Under AFTA, Myanmar is expected to substantially lower the import duties for a list of goods to as little as zero and no more than 5 percent. Custom duties will be nearly zero due to AFTA and ASEAN countries are already taking advantage of the opportunity to export more goods to Myanmar. We have in place the Import Protection Law to ensure local manufacturers are not threatened, said U Aung Htoo, deputy commerce minister. The Import Protection Law gives Myanmar the right to raise duties for a period of three years on imported goods that severely affect or threaten local manufacturer. The law also covers trade under AFTA, the Myanmar Times understands. Some traders have voiced their approval over the changing trade environment. Daw Yin Yin Moe, CEO of Hla Yin Moe, a textile and garment company, said that over the past five years her company was able to import industrial apparatus and machineries. With lower duties, it was easier to import more modern machineries to upgrade our operations, she said, adding that her factory now produces 100,000 pieces of clothing a month compared to 30,000 before the new machineries were brought in. On the other hand, Myanmar will also receive benefits from AFTA, as it will enjoy lower duties when exporting within ASEAN, U Aung Htoo said. To leverage on that environment, Myanmar has launched its second five-year National Export Strategy (NES) for the period between 2020 and 2025. Under the second NES, six sectors - gems and jewellery, agriculture-based food products, textiles and garments, machinery and electrical equipment, fisheries and forestry and digital -have been added on as priority sectors. Five other support services sectors - digital products, logistics, quality control, trade information and innovation and entrepreneurship - will also be implemented under a framework to be set up within the next five years, said U Aung Htoo. U Aung Soe, director general for the Department of Trade Promotion, said more still needs to be done to improve manufacturing and raise exports in the private sector. Mass manufacturing is the lifeblood for exports and local factories and the private sectors operational skills, technology and cooperation needs to improve to support this. In the next five years, we will make action plans for exporters and make arrangements to cooperate, especially on the financing, he said. He added that for exports to continue rising, production levels need to be scaled up. For that to be possible, better logistics and infrastructure is needed. If there are no roads, no cars or no warehouses to carry and store the produce from the farms, production will be affected and prices will be high. That will impact our competitiveness. The logistics issue must be solved, he said. Meanwhile, U Aung Htoo said more efforts must taken to channel Myanmars main agricultural exports into the region, as the bulk of rice, beans, corn and sugar is now exported to China and India. He added that the government must invest more in providing sufficient electricity and financing to manufacturers while ensuring that the trade policy flaws of NES 2015-2019 are not repeated in the next five years. Philip Morris Armenias General Manager Natalia Mayorovas message to Armenian IQOS users. Dear IQOS friends, About a week ago RA Minister of Health Mr. Torosyan claimed heated tobacco products are the same as cigarettes and initiated adoption of a regressive law that goes against all global trends and equalizes the better alternatives to cigarettes. Contrary to the will of many users of alternative products, despite the petition signed by 3 500 people, disregarding hundreds of personal testimonials, the new law puts a huge barrier to innovation, information and access to better alternatives than cigarettes. It means that Armenia will not have the same promising developments as Japan, where without significant changes in legislation, after the launch of better alternatives the cigarette sales is decreasing by 9.5% per year versus previous statistics of 1.8%. Armenia will not have the same progressive approach as in Australia and United Kingdom, where, despite strict cigarette regulations, for instance, electronic nicotine delivery systems are determined as a legitimate quitting aid for adult smokers. The law will have several implications on IQOS users starting from this year and later on. In particular - You could no longer use your IQOS device in public places - You could no longer receive discount on latest IQOS device or participate in trade-in programs - Your access to the information about latest less harmful alternatives and science behind will become much more difficult. We are very concerned that these rights will be denied ignoring the risk profile of different products, where cigarettes are the most harmful way to consume nicotine. Instead, there are alternative products, which eliminate the burning of tobacco. Globally, these alternative products have already helped millions of people to abandon cigarettes entirely. IQOS has been authorized by US FDA a reputable regulator of food and medicines - for sale in the US because, as said by FDA, it is appropriate for the protection of the public health. EU recognizes that better alternatives need separate regulation, which at least means they are not the same as cigarettes. We believe that forcing us to hide the innovative product under the counter is wrong. We believe smokers who would otherwise continue smoking, must be proactively informed about better alternatives to cigarettes, they need explanation how they are operating, they need care after they began using these products. Bans do not help public health, economy and technological advancement. Bans just hurdle curiosity and creativity of the Armenian people. Bans send the wrong message to the global technological community. Who wins in this situation? No one. Instead, there is a better way. In providing smokers the right to choose how to abandon cigarettes. In making objective scientifically proven and transparent information accessible to them. In helping them to switch to better alternatives. We PMI are committed to the better way. And we will solidly walk forward to reach our vision of building a smoke-free future. The man purchased the cards and gave the codes to the caller, who told him there was a problem with the cards and he needed to purchase two more at $500 each, police said. The man reportedly did so, but when the caller began asking for more money, he realized he was being scammed, according to police. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Vodafone Idea share price erased all its morning gains and slipped 24 percent intraday on February 14 after the Supreme Court rapped the telecom companies for non-payment of dues. The apex court also pulled up the Department of Telecommunications for not complying with the courts October 2019 judgement related to the payment of AGR dues worth over Rs 1 lakh crore to the government. The telcos have been asked by the top court to pay up by March 17. In the morning trade the share price surged 15 percent ahead of fresh plea hearing in the Supreme Court for payment of AGR dues. The company has reported 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. Revenue for the same quarter came in at Rs 11,089.4 crore in Q3FY20, down 5.7 percent year-on-year (YoY), against Rs 11,764 crore in Q3FY19. Revenue grew 2.3 percent QoQ, supported by strong growth in 4G additions, while average daily revenue (ADR) returned to growth after 14 quarters of decline, the company claimed. EBITDA for the quarter increased to Rs 3,420 crore, up 0.7 percent QoQ driven by higher revenue and incremental synergy realisations. EBITDA margin stood at 11.6 percent against 10.2 percent in Q2FY20. The average revenue per user (ARPU) came at Rs 109 against Rs 107 (QoQ) supported by an improved consumer mix. At 14:55 hrs Vodafone Idea Limited was quoting at Rs 3.42, down Rs 1.06, or 23.66 percent on the BSE. The low-pressure area that had once been Tropical Cyclone Francisco has been lingering in the Southern Indian Ocean since Feb. 6 when it weakened below tropical cyclone status. Since then, Francisco's remnants moved into an area of warm waters and low wind shear allowing the low-pressure area to re-organize, consolidate and re-form. NASA's Aqua satellite provided forecasters with a visible image of the zombie storm. On Feb. 14, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument that flies aboard NASA's Aqua satellite provided a visible image that showed the storm had re-developed a rounded shape with bands of thunderstorms spiraling into the low-level center. A more rounded shape of a tropical cyclone indicates it is becoming a more organized storm. Satellite imagery shows a compact system with strong thunderstorms persisting over the low-level circulation. In addition, satellite microwave imagery indicates deep convective banding of thunderstorms over the western semicircle wrapping into the north and east quadrants of a defined low-level circulation center. On Feb. 14 at 4 a.m. EST (0900 UTC), the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) noted that Francisco's maximum sustained winds powered back up to 40 knots (46 mph/74 kph). Francisco re-formed near latitude 19.0 degrees south and longitude 49.3 east, approximately 114 nautical miles east of Antananarivo, Madagascar. Francisco has tracked southwestward. Meteo Madagascar issued a Red Vigilance Advisory for heavy rain over central and eastern Madagascar that includes Toamasina, Brickaville, Mahanoro, and the Vatomandry Districts. The JTWC forecast said the system is expected to make landfall later today over the southeast coast of Atsinanana Region, close to Vatomandry City. That is far to the south of the coastal city of Toamasina. Francisco is expected to weaken steadily as it tracks inland and dissipate sometime on Feb. 15 over land. 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. ### For updated forecasts from Meteo Madagascar, visit: http://www.meteomadagascar.mg/ By Rob Gutro NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 15:40:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A staff member works in a laboratory in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 13, 2020. As a designated service provider of nucleic acid detection of the novel coronavirus, KingMed Diagnostics laboratory in Wuhan conducts non-stop detection service and detects over 2,000 samples from various cities in Hubei Province every day. (Xinhua/Cheng Min) Under the strong leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people are making concerted efforts, with scientists, medical workers, the People's Liberation Army and other people from all walks of life cooperating effectively, Ace Magashule, secretary general of South Africa's ANC party, said. The Chinese efforts are admirable, and the ANC believes that the CPC will lead China to a victory in the fight, he added. BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- A growing number of leaders from political parties around the world have expressed their appreciation for and confidence in China's efforts in combating the novel coronavirus. History has repeatedly proven the capability and resolution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in its leading the Chinese people to overcome various challenges, and he firmly believes the CPC will win again in the fight against the epidemic, said Jurin Laksanawisit, head of the Democrat Party, who is also Thailand's deputy prime minister and commerce minister. The Democrat Party of Thailand is willing to develop cooperation with the CPC in various aspects, he added. While expressing his party's respect and support in his message, Chairman of the Pakistan People's Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping and the CPC have led the Chinese people to adopt strong and comprehensive anti-virus measures in a remarkably quick and efficient response to the unexpected virus outbreak, ensuring the safety of both the Chinese people and Pakistani nationals in China. Staff members work in a laboratory in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Xiong Qi) The efforts show the CPC's firm resolve and outstanding capacity in coping with complex challenges, he added. Prabowo Subianto, general chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party, or Gerindra, and the Indonesian defense minister, said the coronavirus outbreak emergency has prompted huge efforts from governments and medical societies around the world, and the Indonesian people and his party shared the feelings and hearts of the Chinese people and wish them success in their fight against the virus. In his message, Cevdet Yilmaz, deputy chairman of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), expressed the readiness of the Turkish people to help the Chinese people at any time in their combating the novel coronavirus. The AKP is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with the CPC to jointly tackle the common challenge, he said, and that it believes that under Xi's leadership, the CPC and the Chinese government and people will eventually defeat the virus. 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. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan) Secretary General of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, Ace Magashule, said in his message that under the strong leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people are making concerted efforts, with scientists, medical workers, the People's Liberation Army and other people from all walks of life cooperating effectively. He added that the Chinese efforts are admirable, and the ANC believes that the CPC will lead China to a victory in the fight. First-Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela Diosdado Cabello said the entire international community has witnessed the decisive actions taken by the CPC and the Chinese government to combat the epidemic. He expressed full confidence that under Xi's command, the CPC is sure to lead the Chinese people to an ultimate victory. Jose Hernandez, an 11-year-old Mexican boy, displays his drawing in support of China's fight against the novel coronavirus in Mexico City, Mexico, Feb. 7, 2020. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua) The victory belongs to the Chinese people and the epidemic will certainly be defeated, he added. General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party Jeronimo de Sousa said the CPC and the Chinese government have been actively treating infected patients to prevent the spread of the disease and striving to safeguard the people's health, and have made immeasurable contributions to containing the spread of the virus around the world. He expressed his belief that the CPC and the Chinese people will definitely overcome the difficulty and continue to develop and make progress on the socialist path, he said. Former Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said the Chinese people have shown great courage and strength in the fight against the epidemic, which inspires full confidence in China's ultimate victory. He said that after witnessing the strong power and solid foundation of the Chinese economy, he believes that the Chinese economy will recover quickly and achieve greater development. A Camden man who pleaded guilty to stabbing his sister to death in his adoptive parents home last year has been sentenced to 27 years in prison, authorities said Friday. Ramike Medina-Brown, 24, admitted last month to killing his sister, Eileen Tweety-Bird Brown on May 25, 2019, inside their parents Camden home, where the 53-year-old was taking care of the siblings elderly mother. Ramike Medina-Brown and Eileen Browns parents left the pair at their house alone that day while they went to a Memorial Day celebration, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer. Eileen Browns family members became concerned when she never arrived at her sisters house for dinner. When her parents returned home that night, they found Eileen Brown dead in their basement from multiple stab wounds, authorities said. Ramike Medina-Brown was adopted by the family when he was 5, according to authorities. Surveillance footage near the Brown family home showed Ramike Medina-Brown leaving the residence carrying several bags, authorities said. Additional footage helped authorities track him to a Philadelphia PATCO station, where they said he threw two bags of bloody clothing into a trash can and on the train tracks. He was taken into custody in June in New York City. Ramike Medina-Brown must serve at least 23 years of his sentence under the states No Early Release Act. Jenna Wise may be reached at jwise@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JennaRWise. 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. International shipping containers beside a U.S. flag at the Port of Los Angeles in Long Beach, Calif., on May 14, 2019. (Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images) US Business Cycle Report Says Economic Expansion Continues Multiple business cycle indicators in the study show 'economic data has continued to improve' A new business cycle report shows that despite battling headwinds, the American economy presses forward with grit, and there are good reasons for optimism. Nick Reece, senior financial analyst and portfolio manager at Merk Investments, and author of the report told The Epoch Times in a statement that the economy is showing improvement and the probability of a near-term recession is low. Incoming information supports the view that we are in the process of coming out of a mid-cycle slowdown, Reece said, adding that the U.S. business cycle picture near-term is more positive than negative. The business cycle, also known as the economic cycle, is the up and down movement of gross domestic product (GDP) around its long-term growth trend. Recession, or prolonged economic contraction, is generally understood to be when GDP dips below zero for two successive quarters. The U.S. economy is currently in its 11th year of a record-setting uninterrupted expansion. The most recent GDP number came in at 2.1 percent in the final quarter of 2019, according to official figures from the Commerce Department, by most accounts a respectable showing. The current GDP growth forecast for the first quarter of 2020 is around 2.5 percent, Reece noted in the report. No Reason Why It Cant Go On Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday reiterated his confidence in the U.S. economic outlook, even as he said he expected some drag soon from Chinas new coronavirus epidemic. Theres no reason why the current situation of low unemployment, rising wages, high job creationtheres no reason why it cant go on, Powell told the Senate Banking Committee in his second day of congressional testimony. U.S. wages are now growing at about a 3 percent annual pace, the unemployment rate is 3.6 percent, and job growth has more than kept up with an increase in the workforce. There is nothing about this economy that is out of kilter or imbalanced, Powell insisted. Still, Powell also said the Fed is keeping close tabs on the deadly coronavirus epidemic that has broken out in China and which he said will cause adverse economic spillover. We do expect that there will be some effects on the U.S. economy, Powell said, adding that he expects to begin seeing these reflected in economic data relatively soon. Factory shutdowns and travel restrictions aimed at containing the virus spread within China and to the rest of the world are expected to disrupt supply chains. Given the size of Chinas economy and the measures put in place to contain the coronavirus, I expect a near-term negative impact on the global economy, Reece said. Historically, events like SARS, Ebola, and Fukushima tend to have a negative economic impact but are not dominant factors behind business cycles. On balance, based on the data and frameworks presented (which inevitably may not capture all possible risk factors in real-time), it seems more likely than not that the expansion continues in the coming several months, he added. Based on my checklist approach, the U.S. business cycle picture near-term is more positive than negative, Reece said. The report authored by Reece considers a range of indicators, including jobs and housing measures, as well as more complex leading frameworks that try to peer further ahead and predict future moves in the business cycle. All the presented charts and concepts are somewhat inter-related, as is the economy in general. The idea is to have some different data points to cross-reference, Reece explained. No one indicator should be looked at in isolation. Jobs Last Fridays employment report from the Labor Department showed solid job gains. The 3-month moving average of job gains is 211,000, overall a strong level, Reece said, referring to the so-called non-farm payrolls figures tracked by the Labor Department. The unemployment rate ticked up but on the back of increasing labor force participation, which is a healthy sign, Reece added. But while labor force participation is now at a 7year high, it remains lower than in most other advanced economies, a point Powell made in his testimony. He argues that finding ways to boost labor force participation and productivity growth would benefit Americans and should remain a national priority. Housing New building permits, which are long leading indicators, are now near cycle highs in the United States. If you get a building permit to build a house, then thats going to turn into construction activity, which is going to turn into buying household durable goods like refrigerators, Reece explained. You normally dont see an economy going into an imminent recession with building permits on a cycle high. Georgia Bruggeman, Founder, and CEO at Meridian Financial Advisors, told The Epoch Times in a statement that new building permits are a go-to leading indicator for anticipating downturns. New housing requires a huge amount of resources in terms of lumber, copper, steel, glass, new appliances, new furniture, Bruggeman explained. A meaningful drop in this activity will hit the economy before we actually go into recession. The full U.S. business cycle report can be found here (pdf). Reuters contributed to this report. Russian Ambassador to Turkey Aleksei Erkhov said that he has been threatened over escalation in Syria's province of Idlib. He stressed that the escalation in Idlib has triggered anti-Russian sentiment on Turkish social media. The ambassador pointed out that blog posts were full of the kind of anger and hatred that discourages people to think logically and understand their Russian partner's actions, increasing the danger. The envoy noted that all this happened five years ago, only it was in Aleppo instead of Idlib. "How did it end? [With an] 'Aircraft crisis' and the outrageous murder of Ambassador Andrey Karlov. I also have already been directly threatened," Erkhov said. "There is absolute reluctance to understand the partner, logic of their actions, to listen to their words and take for granted their right to own a point of view, different from your vision, of what is happening. That kind of attitude can turn into big trouble," Sputnik cited the diplomat as saying. Tensions in Idlib, one of four de-escalation zones in Syria, intensified last week after the Turkish Defence Ministry said eight Turkish military personnel and a civilian died in shelling by Syrian troops on Turkey's observation post in the province. As a result, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged to take retaliatory measures if Syria's armed forces failed to stop their operation in the zone and withdraw from areas close to Turkish observation posts by the end of February. In addition, Erdogan said he had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to pressure the Syrian government into stopping its Idlib offensive. US Pompeo slams release of UN settler list The list was compiled by the UNs human rights apparatus in Geneva and features mostly Israeli companies, though some are headquartered in the US, France, Britain, the Netherlands, and Thailand. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed outrage for the release of a UN list that names and shames more than 100 companies that operate in the occupied West Bank. "US OPPOSED THE CREATION OF THE DATABASE" "I am outraged that High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet published a database of companies operating in Israeli-controlled territories," said Pompeo on Thursday. "Its publication only confirms the unrelenting anti-Israel bias so prevalent at the United Nations." Among the international companies were travel firms TripAdvisor, Airbnb and Booking, as well as tech producer Motorola, consumer food maker General Mills and infrastructure companies like JC Bamford Excavators and Egis Rail. The companies engaged in activities that raised particular human rights concerns, according to the UN report released Wednesday, which was released after years of delays attributed to extensive lobbying by the US and Israel. The top diplomat said the US has long opposed the creation and release of the database, was not provided any information and Washington gives support for the American companies referenced. "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. 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," Pompeo concluded. Patrick Connors, media and communications officer for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, a Palestinian-led group that calls for sanctions to target the Israeli occupation, welcomed the release of list. The publication of this database is a very significant first concrete step by any UN entity towards holding to account Israeli and international corporations that enable and profit from Israels illegal settlements, which constitute a war crime, BDS said in a statement. Publishing the names of the companies is a crucial first step in rejecting attempts to legalize the settlements, according to Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. Afghanistan Envoy Tahir Qadri, who was a part of second batch of 25 foreign envoys who visited Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday said that the visit was a good experience and that the diplomats got the opportunity to speak to people from civil society and senior military officials. "It was really good. For the 25 envoys, it was a very good opportunity to go there and see the Valley for themselves, to talk to people. During the two-days time that we had, we spoke to groups of people from the civil society, journalists, traders and businesswoman and also locals, politicians, the government local officials and senior officers from military units. Its always good to have the first account of the situation there. So it was very good and eye-opening," he said while speaking to ANI after meeting National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. "For us, going and talking to people, it was a good experience. A lot of good voices from the people, especially young people that I spoke to...they have good aspirations for the future," the Afghan Ambassador said. Delegation of 25 foreign envoys, which undertook a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir met National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval at Hyderabad House. The foreign envoys, including those from Germany, France and Mexico, were on a visit to the newly-formed Union Territory to witness the ground situation in the region six months after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. The group comprised 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. German Ambassador Walter J Lindner after meeting the NSA said: "We exchanged our experiences from our visits to Jammu and Kashmir. I think it was also done last time when the first group went to Jammu and Kashmir. It was a good meeting. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Haiti - Heritage : USA returns to the Haitian Government stolen objects of ancient art This Friday morning during a ceremony at the National Bureau of Ethnology (BNE), in the presence in particular of the Ambassador of the United States in Haiti, Michele Sison, of the FBI Deputy Director, Michael Nordwall of the FBI Special Agent, Timothy Carpenter, of Erol Josue, Director of the National Bureau of Ethnology and many officials of the Haitian and American governments, the Government of the United States will proceed to the restitution to the Haitian Government of stolen pieces and objects of ancient arts. These are more than 400 pieces and works of art that have been illegally brought into the United States and that the United States Government and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have seized. Note that representatives of the United States Government have worked in collaboration with the BNE to verify and confirm their provenance. HL/ HaitiLibre Richard Willis/EIB First targeted support for agriculture and bio-economy investment in Greece by EIB Greece is second largest beneficiary under pan-European EIB agriculture programme NBG, Piraeus Bank and EIB join forces to unlock new investment by farmers and agribusinesses Scheme to modernise production, increase exports and improve quality of Greek agriculture Dedicated financing to encourage young farmers to invest to transform agriculture sector The European Investment Bank will partner with two leading Greek banks, the National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank, to transform agricultural investment across Greece. The new scheme is expected to back EUR 560 million of new investment by farmers, agribusiness, food and bioeconomy companies across the country. Agriculture and agribusiness is crucial sector for the Greek economy and key employer in rural districts and regional towns. The new agriculture investment initiative is expected to accelerate use of new technology, improve the quality of agricultural products and enable the Greek agriculture and agribusiness to better serve domestic and international markets. Addressing the challenge of ageing farmers The future of farming in Greece, as in many other European countries, is challenged by an ageing workforce and young people not wishing to work in the agriculture sector. In Greece, more than 30% of those working in agriculture are over the age of 64 and only 5% younger than 35 years old. To address this challenge, part of the new agriculture and agribusiness lending scheme will be dedicated for young farmers and young owners and managers of agriculture and agribusiness companies, under the age of 41. New investment is crucial to unlock the full potential of agriculture and to support economic and social development across Greece. It is a pleasure to welcome EIB President Werner Hoyer to Athens and recognise the European Investment Banks firm commitment to support agriculture and agribusiness investment in Greece in partnership with NBG and Piraeus Bank. This exciting new initiative, the second largest national scheme under EIBs pan-European agriculture investment initiative, will help to transform Greek agriculture, enable agribusiness to innovate and encourage young farmers to create jobs. said Christos Staikouras, Minister of Finance of the Hellenic Republic and Governor of the European Investment Bank. Greece is home to world class agriculture and exports high quality agriculture products loved by consumers in Greece and around the world. This new agriculture financing scheme will help farmers and agriculture companies to invest in production, innovate new products and create skilled jobs across the country, as well as address the challenge of young people not starting careers in agriculture. I congratulate the European Investment Bank, National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank for their engagement to further support Greek agriculture and agribusiness. said Makis Voridis, Minister of Rural Development and Food. The signing of the loan agreements with the EIB for the financing of EUR 560 million of investments in the primary sector signals the governments determination to support Greek farmers and improve the competitiveness of agricultural products. It also highlights the valuable contribution the EIB is making in the effort to modernise agricultural production, promote precision farming and overhaul the countrys agricultural infrastructure, said Kostas Skrekas, Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food. The European Investment Bank is pleased to support new agriculture and agribusiness investment across Greece. The economic and social impact of the EIBs first targeted support for agriculture investment in this country, in cooperation with NBG and Piraeus Bank, will be strengthened by the local knowledge of our partners and the EIBs experience across Europe. The dedicated support for young farmers reflects challenges facing agriculture across Europe and this new initiative will provide a model for others to follow. said Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank. The new initiative was formally agreed in Athens earlier today. Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank, Pavlos Mylonas, Chief Executive Officer of National Bank of Greece and George Chandjinicolaou, Chairman of Piraeus Bank signed the finance contracts in the presence of Makis Voridis, Minister of Rural Development and Food and Kostas Skrekas, Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food. Building on successful cooperation with NBG and Piraeus Bank The European Investment Bank will provide total of EUR 200 million to National Bank of Greece and Pireaus Bank to strengthen lending to farmers, agriculture and agribusiness companies. National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank will commit their own funds to enable EUR 560 million of new investment, including contributions from final beneficiaries, to be supported. Supporting agriculture and especially agribusiness is a key focus of the National Bank of Greece. This new partnership with the EIB will enable us to expand financing for the sector with a key focus on attracting a new generation to this vibrant part of the economy. said Pavlos Mylonas Chief Executive Officer of National Bank of Greece. Piraeus Bank has constantly maintained a leading role in the effective absorption of European funds, thus providing its clientele with a wide range of financial solutions tailored to specific needs. Piraeus Bank continuously expands its long-standing cooperation with the European Investment Bank Group in order to support Greek entrepreneurship and fund the main pillars of Greek economic activity. We steadily recognize the long-term importance of the agrifood sector for the sustainable development of the Greek economy and firmly support our clients, by offering customized products and services. By entering into this new financial agreement with the EIB, Piraeus Bank is determined to support the transformation of the Greek agriculture and bio-economy sectors with a special emphasis on young farmers, innovation and the modernization of agri-businesses. Through this initiative, Greek agricultural products will enhance their competitiveness in international markets, employment and incomes in these sectors will be increased and regional development will be strengthened. said George Chandjinicolaou, Chairman of Piraeus Bank. Both partner banks will be able to expand dedicated agriculture financing and provide new financing products that better reflects agriculture and agribusiness investment needs. Over the last five years, the EIB has provided over EUR 4 billion for investment across Greece in cooperation with leading Greek Banks. Last year, new targeted credit lines were launched to strengthen access to finance for companies supporting youth employment and the empowerment of women at workplace. Background information: National Bank of Greece S.A. is one of the four systemic banks in Greece and one of the largest financial institutions in Greece, providing a wide range of financial products and services. It has a strong presence throughout the country with leading market shares in most of its main business areas, including corporate lending. Piraeus Bank Group headquartered in Athens, with approximately 12.1k employees leads a group of companies covering all financial activities in the Greek market (universal bank). Piraeus Bank, the largest bank in Greece, with 29% market share in terms of loans and deposits, provides a wide range of financial products and services to approximately 5.3mn customers. A proposed state constitutional amendment filed Thursday in the Illinois House and an identical version filed Friday in the Senate would put the power to redraw state legislative and congressional district maps in the hands of an independent, citizen-led commission. Similar measures are introduced perennially in Springfield but routinely fail to gain the three-fifths majorities needed in each chamber to be placed on the ballot. The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has said cybercrime is growing at an alarming rate globally. He also explained how cybercrime generates massive income globally. He said this at the annual cybersecurity conference in Abuja on Thursday organised by Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC). The conference was aimed at strengthening the security and resilience of the nations communication infrastructure. The event served as a platform for discussion on developing a joint response in tackling internet crimes. In 2018, the cybercrime industry generated about $1.5 trillion while social media-related crimes generated a minimum of $3.25 billion. Bitcoin crimes generated $76 billion all within 2018, he said He said many people develop the expertise and embark on compromising systems, exploiting any opportunity they get and they are making money. Cybercrime is growing at the speed of light, in view of this, as part of our agenda of promoting security, we are giving priority to cybersecurity, he said. Safeguarding the digital space Mr Pantami said the digital economy of the government cannot be implemented without safeguarding the cyberspace. Countries that have the highest threat of cybercrimes, their participation and involvement in the digital economy is becoming slower by the day. We must join hands to ensure that our cyberspace is secured relatively because globally there is no system that is 100 per cent secured, he said PREMIUM TIMES has published several reports of sporadic arrests of internet fraudsters and cybercriminals, popularly known as Yahoo boys, who are usually youth, by the anti-graft agency, EFCC. READ ALSO: Meanwhile, the executive vice-chairman, NCC, Umar Danbatta, said the telecommunications regulator will establish more strategies to combat cybercrime in Nigeria. He said as part of efforts to fight cybercrime, NCC began creating awareness among children and youth on the negative effects of the crime. The commission flagged off an awareness programme where students were invited and sensitised on cybersecurity. The campaign gave concrete expression to the commissions effort at strengthening child online protection within the country. Also, it sought to bridge the cyber workforce gap, strengthen national cooperation, exchange of information, and development of comprehensive strategies that will address the cybersecurity challenges confronting the communications industry in Nigeria. The regulator will come up with policies, laws that will protect the cyberspace and protect internet users, Mr Danbatta said. He said the agency is doing everything possible to fight cybercrime, including putting measures in place that are technical in nature and protecting our network from cybercrime we will come out with measures to provide digital protection. He said the agency is committed to making sure the internet has fewer cybercriminals, through educating members of the public on the negative impacts of cyber-crime. Clearing the way for execution of Vinay Sharma, one of the four convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, the on Friday dismissed his plea against the rejection of his mercy petition by the President. The top court refused to accept Sharma's contention that the President did not apply his mind while rejecting the mercy plea and it was done in a "mala fide" manner. "When the highest constitutional authority, upon perusal of the note and the various documents placed along with mercy petition, has taken a decision to reject the mercy petition, it cannot be contended that the highest constitutional authority had not applied its mind to the documents," it said. A bench of Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and A S Bopanna said, "In the result, we do not find any ground for exercise of judicial review of the order of the President of India rejecting the petitioner's mercy petition and this writ petition is liable to be dismissed. The writ petition is dismissed accordingly." The apex court had earlier dismissed a similar plea filed by another death row convict in the case, Mukesh Kumar Singh (32). The mercy petition by the third convict -- Akshay Kumar (31) -- has also been rejected, but he is yet to challenge the rejection. The fourth convict Pawan Gupta (25) is yet to exhaust his legal remedies such as filing curative petition -- the last legal remedy available to person and the mercy plea. A trial court had on January 31 stayed "till further orders" execution of the four convicts on the ground that they are yet to avail of all their legal remedies. The Delhi High Court has said that all the four convicts in the have to hanged together and not separately. The top court Friday dealt with various grounds raised by Sharma (26) through his advocate A P Singh including that all relevant records were not placed before the President by the authorities. The bench said the Delhi government had forwarded Sharma's mercy petition to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on January 30 along with the necessary documents which included recommendation of NCT of Delhi, copies of judgments, case records, latest medical report of the prisoner, present status of pending petition and others. "Before placing the note file before the President of India, the MHA had placed the matter before the Union home minister, who applied his mind and by a speaking order, recommended for rejection of the mercy petition," it said. The bench further said, "By perusing the note put up before the President of India, we have seen that all the documents enclosed along with mercy petition of the petitioner and the submissions made by him in the mercy petition were taken into consideration". The top court also dealt with mental illness claim made by Sharma that due to torture and ill-treatment in jail, he had to seek psychiatric treatment and these records were not placed before the President. It said that by perusal of the file produced before the court, it is seen that the medical report of Sharma along with the treatment and his latest medical report dated January 30, 2020 was placed before the concerned authorities which in turn, was placed before the President. "In the medical status report, Dr. Akash Narade has referred to the details of the treatment of the petitioner and certified that the petitioner is psychologically well adjusted and he was being provided with regular therapy sessions by specialized therapists and the general condition of the petitioner is stable" the bench said. It said that the alleged suffering of the petitioner (Sharma) in the prison cannot be a ground for judicial review of the executive order passed under Article 72 of the Constitution of India rejecting his mercy petition. The bench relied upon the affidavit filed by Director General (Prison), Tihar Jail which stated that for security reasons, Sharma was placed in one ward having multiple single rooms and barracks. The bench also rejected the ground of bias raised by Sharma that ministers of Delhi government and Union government had led to pre-judging the outcome of mercy petition. "The public statements said to have been made by the Ministers, cannot be said to have any bearing on the aid and advice tendered by the council of ministers of Delhi to the Lieutenant Governor or by council of ministers in the Central Government to the President," it 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. 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 and four were sentenced to death by the court on September 13, 2013. The trial court decision was upheld by the High Court and the 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. Pauline Kilkenny was found dead at her home in Cornacully Road between Belcoo and Garrison A 'Good Samaritan' was stabbed 28 times and battered to death with kitchen pans by a man she had kindly given a roof over his head, a court has been told. The court was told that the body of "vulnerable'' Pauline Kilkenny lay undiscovered for almost a week after Joseph Dolan repeatedly stabbed her to the neck, face, back and chest. Dolan (29), formerly of Cavan Town, in Co Cavan, had originally been charged with the murder of Ms Kilkenny whose body was found in November 2018 at her isolated three-bedroom bungalow on the Cornacully Road in Belcoo, Co Fermanagh. However that charge was withdrawn following medical reports which assessed he was suffering from a personality disorder at the time. Last December Dolan pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the 59-year-old by way of diminished responsibility as he had taken prescription drugs before he attacked her as he lay dying, including the drug Lyrica. Dolan further admitted stealing Ms Kilkenny's Fiat Panda car and perverting the course of justice by falsely implicating his former girlfriend in the horrific killing. Members of Ms Kilkenny's family sat dignified in the public gallery on Friday as senior prosecution counsel Ciaran Murphy QC told Dungannon Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, that Ms Kilkenny had been living in Belcoo for a number of years and as a "Good Samaritan'' had taken in Dolan and he was living in her spare bedroom. He said Ms Kilkenny worked at a shop in Belcoo and on November 7, 2018 she decided to take a few days off and was due to start back a few days later. Expand Close Joseph Dolan pleaded guilty to manslaughter Photopress Belfast / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Joseph Dolan pleaded guilty to manslaughter However when Ms Kilkenny did not show up for work a colleague alerted family members by text messages and one of Ms Kilkenny's sisters went to her isolated bungalow on November 13, 2018. Inside, said Mr Murphy, Ms Kilkenny was found lying under a window, face down in a pool of blood, with blood coming from the back of her head and skull. After the alarm was raised, police attended the scene and found the body of Ms Kilkenny to the right side of the bed surrounded by a lot of blood. As her body was cold to touch, police believed she had been "dead for some time''. The court heard police were on the look out for Ms Kilkenny's Fiat Panda car and when it was spotted later that afternoon, an officer drew his firearm and stopped the vehicle, arresting the driver Dolan for Ms Kilkenny's killing. Dolan's ex-girlfriend told police that on November 7, 2018, he came to her home and she noticed he had cash in ten and 20 pound notes along with a Santander bank card in the name of 'P Kilkenny'. The court heard that Dolan returned to Ms Kilkenny's home on November 8, 2018 and moved her Fiat car from the property. A post-mortem examination revealed that Ms Kilkenny sustained 28 stab wounds to the neck, face, back, chest and right arm along with four blunt force trauma injuries to the head after Dolan had battered her with kitchen pans. The senior prosecutor said it was a "vicious, unprovoked attack on an innocent, vulnerable victim" and that she had been stabbed "when she was either dead or close to death''. Mr Murphy read a victim impact statement from one of Ms Kilkenny's nieces who described her aunt as "the epitome of light". "She would brighten up faces, rooms and lives" she said. "Nothing will take away the pain of this loss. "I tell my stories to the sky now when I visit her grave.'' Dolan had 27 previous convictions in the Republic of Ireland, including violent disorder. In 2013, he was sentenced to three years for robbery and for beating a Drogheda pensioner and stabbing a taxi driver. Mr Murphy said the medical reports showed that Dolan was dangerous and posed an indefinite risk of violent offending in the future. But he added that it was up to the court to assess whether he "posed a significant risk of serious harm to the public in the future''. He urged the court to impose an indeterminate sentence so that Parole Commissioners could assess the level of risk to the public Dolan posed once he becomes eligible for release. Describing the killing as a "terrible tragedy'', defence counsel Jim Gallagher QC told Mr Justice Colton: "At the outset it is appropriate that we, as the defence for the defendant, make it absolutely clear that the deceased was a very good person. "She was a person who was kind and generous to the defendant and indeed she brought him in and put a roof over his head in circumstances where he had few options at the time. "And of course we expressly accept that it makes it all the more dreadful that she died in the circumstances in which she did. "Regrettably, when one looks at the facts of the case she had the greatest misfortune to be present when the defendant was in some disorder of the mind suffering from a mental disorder acting in the way that he did. "We accept completely the generosity and kindness of the deceased in her interactions with the defendant.'' Mr Gallagher told Mr Justice Colton that Dolan was "shocked and distressed when he ultimately realised what he did''. The defence counsel said that when he was admitted to Maghaberry prison he was assessed by the prison's mental health team. It reported that Dolan said that Ms Kilkenny had been "like a mother to him... he feels remorseful about what he has done, was having flashbacks and 'sees her face when he wakes in the morning and before he goes to bed at night'.'' Mr Justice Colton said he had a "lot of material'' he wanted to consider before he passed sentence on Friday, February 28. A Grand Forks man accused of starting a June fire that extensively damaged a Bismarck apartment building and displaced residents will spend 1 years on probation after pleading guilty to charges reduced under the terms of a plea agreement. Eduardo Rodriguez, 46, originally was charged with arson and two criminal mischief felonies after police said he started a fire at Washington Court on South Washington Street. The arson charge was reduced to misdemeanor reckless endangerment when lab tests about the origin of the fire were not conclusive and Rodriguez substance abuse on the night of the fire made intent difficult to prove, Burleigh County States Attorney Julie Lawyer said Friday. The June 5 fire caused more than $300,000 in damage to the apartment building. Rodriguez allegedly told police that he accidentally started the fire when he dropped a cigarette after falling asleep on a couch. Police discounted the theory, saying evidence didn't back it up and that under such conditions Rodriguez would not have survived the fire. There were distinct burn patterns, and a K-9 detected ignitable substances at the apartment, Lawyer said, but the fire was so hot it might have burned evidence away, producing lab results that were not conclusive. Rodriguez did not live in the building. He told police he was being chased when he went to the apartment, and for the same reason broke into the nearby Pier 1 Imports business after fleeing the apartment building. Rodriguez doesnt deny he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol on the day of the fire, defense attorney Scott Rose said. He passed out or fell asleep with a cigarette in his hand, and the room was in flames when he awoke. He simply does not recall much of that night, Rose said. Being under the influence is not an excuse but explains that the fire was started through an accidental act; there has to be intent for an act to be considered arson, he said. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to the reckless endangerment charge and three other misdemeanors. South Central District Judge Douglas Bahr sentenced him to three years in prison, suspending all but 254 days and giving him credit for that amount of time served. He ordered Rodriguez to spend 1 years on probation. He must also make make restitution for damage done at Pier 1 Imports. A restitution hearing will be held in the next 60 days. Rodriguez was on probation in Grand Forks County at the time of the fire after pleading guilty to terrorizing in May. A petition for revocation was filed in June. Reach Travis Svihovec at 701-250-8260 or Travis.Svihovec@bismarcktribune.com Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. by Karlene Lukovitz @KLmarketdaily, February 14, 2020 Netflix has struck a deal with Samsung that will make bonus content from some Netflix shows available on Galaxy smartphones. The two companies have collaborated on marketing campaigns for a decade, but this marks a deeper commitment reflecting Netflixs need to boost its global distribution for better competitive positioning in the streaming wars. The new deal will also enable Samsung device users to launch Netflix content via Samsungs Bixby voice assistant, receive Netflix content recommendations. In addition, Netflix content will be better integrated into Samsungs mobile search and discovery platform. While Samsung has struck similar integration deals with other content providers, such as Spotify, Netflixs agreement to provide Galaxy users with bonus content is unusual, according to Techcrunch. advertisement advertisement However, the deal isnt a true exclusive. Netflix will also retain rights to publish the bonus content, and it will be accessible to all through publication on Samsung Daily, Samsung.com, and Samsungs social channels. The bonus content will include behind-the-scenes footage, companion stories and other bonus content much of it filmed by the Samsung Galaxy S20s new camera, notes TechCrunch. The initial bonus content will come from Narcos: Mexico, Sintonia, Elite and Netflix is a Joke, among other shows, with more offerings to come later. The mission of this partnership [is] to make the Netflix viewing experience on Samsung mobile the absolute best it can be, Netflix CMO Jackie Lee-Joe said during the deal announcement at Samsungs Unpacked event (above) this week. Disney+ has a tie-in deal with Verizon mobile, Comcast owns the Xfinity Mobile network, WarnerMedias upcoming HBO Max is part of AT&T, Apple is giving Apple TV+ to new device purchasers, and the upcoming mobile streamer Quibi has partnered with T-Mobile. As Techcrunch points out, that means that Netflixs only viable option to get similar global scale is Samsung, which had an 18.8% worldwide market share (of shipments) in Q4 2019, versus Apples 20%. Meetings have taken place between the PSNI and Belfast City Council to discuss the best way to deal with contentious bonfires during the summer marching season. Chief Constable Simon Byrne was speaking on the issue at yesterday's Stormont Justice Committee meeting. He said police and community leaders must work together to avoid the chaos that was seen in Belfast last year. Tensions flared at east Belfast's Avoniel Leisure Centre in July when a bonfire was built in the car park of the council-run facility ahead of the Eleventh night celebrations. Elsewhere, a riot broke out in the New Lodge area in the north of the city in August after police attempted to remove a bonfire that was erected to commemorate the introduction of internment in 1971. A series of stabbing incidents happened in the area that night after the PSNI pulled out of the scene to protect officers. Mr Byrne was answering a question put to him by DUP MLA Paul Givan. He had asked what lessons had been learned from last year's incidents. The Chief Constable replied: "Only yesterday [Wednesday] we met with Belfast City Council looking at how do we see our respective positions. "We're trying to make sure that nobody is running around at the last minute [after the bonfires are erected]. "In the seizure of bonfires, our difficulty is supporting people taking those huge bonfires down with tyres in them. We want to limit the size of bonfires this year. "We don't want to get played by different communities." Deputy Chief Constable Mark Hamilton added that the PSNI has been working on this summer's plans since last year's disturbances. "The key issue for me is about trying to get peaceful outcomes in these situations but that can be difficult when there's a lot of police officers there, so it's a real balance," he continued. It's the largest public display of garments, photos and objects from the Levi Strauss & Co. Archives ever assembled. People around the planet have been sporting his name on the back pockets of their jeans for almost 150 years. We San Franciscans take great pride in the fact that he lived, worked, and invented an icon of American style here. Still, Levi Strauss, we hardly knew ye... You were born in 1829 in Bavaria with the first name Lob. What? (We could be asking: "How does my tush look in these Lob's"?) In 1873, your partnership with fellow Jewish immigrant and tailor Jacob Davis was key to the innovative decision to add metal rivets to your "waist overalls," giving birth to the blue jean, aka Levi's original 501forever transforming American fashion and culture. Had no idea. You were a founding member (circa 1850) of one of California's oldest congregations, San Francisco's Temple Emanu-El. Holy matzo balls! These are just a few of the fascinating and little-known facts visitors will discover when taking a whirl through the Contemporary Jewish Museum's Levi Strauss: A History of American Style. Opened on February 13th, the show runs through August 9th and features more than 250 items, garments (including a pair of 501s from 1890), photos, advertisements, documents, and objects from the Levi Strauss & Co. Archives. Altogether, they offer a comprehensive look at the life and legacy of Levi Strauss, both the man and his company. Courtesy of Levi Strauss & Co. Archives. The entrance to the CJM exhibit, which runs through August 9th, 2020. "Through a celebration of the birth of the blue jean, the exhibition shares the story of a hardworking Jewish immigrant who realized the American dream and inspired a style revolution that continues today. It contextualizes the Jewish experience for twenty-first-century audiences, offering insight into the history of San Francisco and its Jewish population, the story of an iconic element of American style, and the inventive spirit behind it all," says Lori Starr, CJM Executive Director. Indeed, the exhibit takes us on a wild ride: From Strauss' homeland in Bavaria to New York and, ultimately, San Francisco during Gold Rush days through the establishment of his eponymous company with a focus on durable clothing for 19th century miners and blue-collar workers through the 1950s where Levi's shaped the mythology of the American West via western-wear, cowboys and sweeping advertising campaigns and through today, where the SF brand continues to stand for authentic and effortless utilitarian style synonymous with American cool. We're betting museum goers will be particularly excited about the latter part of the show, which stars pieces worn by the famous and fabulous. A few of our favorites include a deliciously distressed, never-before-exhibited leather jacket worn by Albert Einstein (circa 1934), a patchwork denim skirt suit worn by Lauren Bacall (circa 1970), Jake Gyllenhaal's simple white tee and denim look from Brokeback Mountain, white jeans designed by Keith Haring for a 2008 Macy's Passport event, and cut-off jean shorts (and fishnets) worn by Madonna back in her platinum-blond-pixie days. Oh, Lob! Turns out to know you is to heart you even more. // Levi Strauss: A History of American Style runs through August 9th; CJM, 736 Mission St. (SoMa), thecjm.org Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 00:01:32|Editor: yan Video Player Close by Marwa Yahya CAIRO, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has to either adopt birth control programs firmly or face threats of increasing poverty rates as the country's population is increasing so fast to become a heavy burden, said Egyptian experts. Egypt's population has officially hit 100 million, compared to 99 million in July last year, the population clock of the country's official statistics agency showed on Tuesday. REASONS "The large percentage of the country's population is young people, who get married and have children early. So even if one family has only two children, the population density will increase," said Hala Mansour, professor of sociology with Ain Shams University. "The biggest problem is the fact that a large number of the young people belong to the poor class citizens, who are not responding to the awareness programs on family planning," Mansour told Xinhua. She warned that if these people, who consider children as a source of income, do not follow the birth control programs, the population pyramid of Egypt in the coming decade will be distorted, because the majority of the new births will suffer high rates of poverty and social diseases. REPERCUSSIONS The current population growth rate poses a threat to the nation and holds back its development plans, said Waleed Gaballah, member of the Egyptian Association for Political and Economic Legislation. The basic elements of production are natural resources, capital, organization, and workforce. Egypt already has abundant workforce, but its natural resources are limited, he added. So, when the population increase is much greater than its resources, it turns into a terrible burden on the country, Gaballah explained. Providing job opportunities amid the current population increase would be an unbearable obstacle which needs large and sustainable foreign investment, he said. The economic expert reiterated that Egypt needs to control the increasing population in parallel with increasing investment and achieving sustainable economic growth that exceeds the growth rate of the population. SOLUTIONS "We can choose to adopt birth planning or face poverty increase," said Amro Hassan, former secretary general of the National Council for Population. According to a report of Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics published in July 2019, the poverty rate in Egypt increased by 32.5 percent. Hassan said that population growth is the main reason for the increase of the poverty rate, adding that Egypt witnessed a 2-million increase in population in 14 months. "Egyptian society reproduces in an amazing way that prevents it from enjoying the modern societies' standard of living, and Egypt has a huge surplus of population that exceeds its capabilities," Hassan added. "Solving the population problem is the key to Egypt's national planning," he said, noting that Egypt has started to solve the population problem since 1965, but the achievements are still poor. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has repeatedly said that the current rate of population growth poses a threat to the nation and holds back its development plans. Last year, Egypt launched a two-year initiative dubbed "Two Is Enough" to lower fertility rates and encourage people, especially those in rural areas, to have fewer children. The program is mostly locally financed, with the Social Solidarity Ministry spending 75 million Egyptian pounds (4.7 million U.S. dollars) and the UN providing 637,111 dollars. Hassan expected the government to adopt "positive incentives" to encourage the citizens to apply the family planning measures. On Wednesday, Egyptian cabinet discussed a national project for family planning which seeks to reduce the population growth rate to 2 percent instead of 3.2 percent, according to Minister of Health and Population Hala Zayed. The project will also include incentives such as supporting small and micro enterprises, providing family planning and lending services, as well as launching awareness campaigns through various means of communication on the birth control tools and merits. Meanwhile, Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced on Feb. 7 that the government is taking measures to limit subsidies to only two children per family. These measures will start applying to newborns instead of those currently receiving subsidies, he explained, within the aim of controlling population growth rates. If the current high fertility rates, which reached 3.4 births per woman, continue, the number of Egyptians will reach 192 million by 2052, said Minister of Planning Hala al-Saeed. But if family planning programs succeed in reducing the birth rate to 2.1 births per woman, the population is expected to reach 143 million by 2052, al-Saeed added. Network operator Three will finally begin rolling out its 5G service to mobiles at the end of the month after delaying the launch last year. The firm is the last of the big four UK networks to introduce the next-generation wireless standard to smartphones, which was due to arrive by the end of 2019. Three put the rollout on hold last November due to a number of issues that had forced it to push its original target 'slightly behind'. These included acquiring the right planning permissions from landlords and arranging 5G equipment on masts. The firm's 5G network will be available on mobiles in 65 locations by the end of February, including London, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham. 'Our 5G rollout is slightly behind our original plan', Three said back in November. The company had originally planned to expand its 5G footprint to 25 towns and cities by the end of 2019 WHAT PHONES ARE 5G COMPATIBLE? LG V50 ThinQ Huawei Mate X Samsung Galaxy S10 5G Samsung Galaxy S20 5G Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G ZTE Axon 10 Pro Oppo Reno 5G Huawei Mate 20 X Royole FlexPai Advertisement 'Today we are celebrating what is possible through 5G with a showcase of our ultra-fast 5G capabilities marking the next step in our 5G journey,' Three CEO Dave Dyson said. '5G is set to change the world for all of us and we can't wait for our customers to start experiencing it.' The CEO said Three will provide peak mobile speeds up to twice as fast as the other telco operators due to its 'substantial' 5G spectrum. Those with a 5G-capable handset will be able to access Three's 5G speeds at no extra cost to their existing data plan. Three first made its 5G available to homes in August, as a broadband service across parts of London. Three is rolling out 5G for mobiles to 65 locations in the UK in February after a three-month delay The firm's rivals EE launched its 5G offering to smartphones last May, followed by Vodafone in July and O2 in October. The full list of the 65 locations where Three customers can get 5G on their mobiles also includes Aberdeen, Bath, Bedford, Blackpool, Bradford, Brighton, Coventry, Doncaster, Dundee, Grimsby, Guildford, Huddersfield, Leeds, Leicester, Nottingham, Plymouth, Preston, Reading, Sheffield, Slough, St Albans, Swansea and Wigan. Other UK towns that can enjoy next-gen internet speeds on their phones include Abingdon, Aldershot, Borehamwood, Cannock, Chatham, Hedge End, Luton, Newquay, Swindon and Wickford. 5G is expected to be up to 1,000 times faster than the currently used network standard, 4G To mark the expansion to smartphones, Three has partnered with the Central Saint Martins art school to create an immersive 5G experience for London Fashion Week which kicks off on Friday. It will use 360-degree audio, haptic or touch-based feedback and a 46-metre projection the length of the runway. The finale will culminate in an empty catwalk, with a 5G-fuelled digital version of model Adwoa Aboah, who will walk out in the last outfit of the show. 'The breath-taking, immersive audience experience is something thats never been done before and we are proud to demonstrate it at such a prestigious global event,' Dyson said. British fashion model Adwoa Aboah and her digitally-generated equivalent that will walk down the catwalk at London Fashion Week Trouble is again brewing in the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), with some students, most of them women, now demanding the release of anti-CAA activist Sharjeel Imam, who was arrested by the Delhi Police in a sedition case last month. The students on Thursday shouted slogans of 'Azadi' (freedom) and demanded that Sharjeel Imam be released. They also took out an anti-CAA/NRC/NPR protest march from the Maulana Azad library to Bab-E-Syed inside the campus. Speaking to reporters, one of the protesting women students said that they will continue their movement against the alleged police brutality at the Jamia Millia University, JNU and AMU, adding that no one can suppress the voice of students. Another protester said that "Sharjeel's speech was not wrong, it was misinterpreted" and the charges against him must be withdrawn. "He should get justice and all those who have been wrongly put behind the bars during anti-CAA protests across the state should also be released," the protester said. Sharjeel Imam, a PhD scholar at the Jawaharlal Nehru University's Centre for Historical Studies, was booked for sedition and under other charges in several states after purported videos of his alleged inflammatory speeches at the AMU and Jamia, were circulated on social media. In the video, which has gone viral on social media, Imam can be heard saying that if he can organize five lakh people, it would be possible to "permanently cut off Assam with rest of India...if not permanently, then at least for a few months". Aligarh police registered the FIR against him under sections 124 A (sedition), 153 A (provocation with intent to cause riots), 153 B (whoever, by words either spoken or written or by signs makes or publishes any imputation, assertions prejudicial to national integration or may cause disharmony) and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code at the Civil Lines police station. He was arrested on January 28 from Jehananbad in Bihar. A photo of Terry Dolowy, taken more than 35 years ago, sits on a filing cabinet in the office of Lt. Scott Bjerkos of the Vernon County Sheriffs Department. I have not forgotten about her, nor will I ever, Bjerkos said. Bjerkos was in high school when Dolowy went missing on Valentines Day in 1985. Dolowy was a 24-year-old server at Piggys Restaurant in La Crosse and lived in a La Crosse County trailer home with her fiance, Russell Lee, and their poodle, Suzie. She was reported missing by Lee at 8 a.m. Feb. 14 and found four days later in a ditch in Vernon County, decapitated and on fire. The case is still unsolved, but investigators from the Vernon and La Crosse County sheriffs departments havent given up hope that theyll find the last piece of the puzzle. Its not collecting dust on the shelf, I can tell you that, Bjerkos said. Bjerkos has been involved in the investigation since 2000, when he started as an investigator, and has been the case agent since 2012. He resubmitted original evidence collected back in 1985 for re-examination with new forensic technology, but said he couldnt say exactly what it was because of the open investigation. I still think that (puzzle piece) will surface sometime here in the future, Bjerkos said. The case reverberated throughout the community, said La Crosse County Circuit Court Judge Scott Horne. When she was discovered the way she was, it was just a horrific moment, Horne said. In the first few weeks of 1985, Horne had just begun his stint as La Crosse County district attorney, and the area was seeing something of a surge in violent crime. Two people from the Pacific Northwest were charged with the killing of a Waukesha shoe salesman in La Crosse County, three people were killed in a shooting at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Onalaska, and Dolowy was found dead, all within his first six weeks in office. Our community even now isnt used to horrific crimes like that, Horne said. Dolowys case was especially disturbing. Dolowy got home from work about 1 a.m. Feb. 14, and her fiance left for his third-shift job soon after. Lee got to their trailer in Barre Mills about 4 a.m. to find the door ajar and both Dolowy and their poodle gone. Lee told a Tribune reporter in 1985 that he was worried, but there was no sign of a struggle, and he returned to work anyway. When he came home at 6:30 a.m., she was still missing, and he called police. On Feb. 18, a body was found on fire in the ditch on Mohawk Valley Road, just southeast of the La Crosse County line. While the head was missing, the body was identified as Dolowy using her fingerprints from a hand that happened to land underneath her body and was sheltered from the flames. Neither her head nor Suzie were ever found. It was a shock to the community that someone would do something like that, said retired La Crosse County Sheriff Mike Weissenberger, who worked on the case. Investigating was different in 1985. Weissenberger recalls a doctor telling him to put evidence taken from Dolowys body in a deep freezer in anticipation of a scientific breakthrough. Lo and behold back in 1989 or 1990, thats when DNA became a tool for law enforcement, he said. Police received hundreds of tips and followed up on each one, generating a mountain of paperwork. The two sheriffs departments worked together and even brought in agents from the Wisconsin Division of Crime Investigation and asked the FBI to consider whether it could be the work of a serial killer. During the investigation, police looked into Lees reported gambling debts, a suspicious vehicle a neighbor reported seeing Dolowy enter and a man convicted later of sexual assault, but didnt have enough evidence to move forward with an arrest. Lee was a suspect, along with as many as 100 others, Weissenberger said. Some we were able to eliminate as we went along and there are still some that have never been eliminated, he said. Authorities exhumed her body from a Chicago-area cemetery in 2007 and evidence led them to believe her killer used a now out-of-use tool to decapitate her; however, investigators declined to identify the tool, saying its something private between them and the killer. Investigators also think the killer struck Dolowy in the face based on blood and mucus found in her lungs. It was very easy for people to imagine what the days must have been like between the day she disappeared and the day she was discovered, Horne said. The case stuck with law enforcement officers because of how well-regarded Dolowy was. Of all the people that weve interviewed, Ive never had one person say anything bad about Terry Dolowy. And thats unusual, investigator Gary Westlie told the Tribune in a July 21, 1985 story. While Bjerkos wasnt an investigator at the time, he has since pored over the thousands of reports and feels almost as if he knew the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse finance major. This poor UW-L student was just starting to live her life. She was looking forward to graduation in the spring and going back to Chicago and working for her fathers bank, Bjerkos said. She was excited to start her life after college. No one deserves to have that ever happen to them, especially that young. Bjerkoss older brother Larry Bjerkos was one of the deputies who worked on the case, which gave him another personal connection. Basically Im taking the ball from him and other investigators, Bjerkos said. He keeps them in the loop as he receives tips and re-examines evidence. Im constantly discussing details with them, even if theyre retired, and I take their input very seriously, Bjerkos said. Bjerkos encouraged anyone with any detail, no matter how small, to contact him at the Vernon County Sheriffs Office at 608-637-2123. To remain anonymous, contact La Crosse Area Crime Stoppers at 608-784-8477 or submit online at https://www.p3tips.com/459. You also can download the Crime Stoppers App P3 to submit a tip via your smartphone. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 16 Angry 2 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. When Melton Barker blew into Childress, Texas, in 1948 to film a movie called Kidnappers Foil featuring local residents in the starring roles, it was the second time hed come to town to shoot a motion picture. The first time was in 1936, and the movie was Kidnappers Foil, also starring lots of locals. He used the exact same script, and mostly the same shots. In fact, Barker an itinerant filmmaker based in Dallas roamed the United States from the 1930s through the 1970s, shooting Kidnappers Foil more than 300 times. Sadly, very few of the reels still exist, but Caroline Frick, executive director and founder of the Texas Archive of the Moving Image, is forever on the hunt. SAVING FILM: Texas Archive races against time to save film history There about 25 that I know of, says Frick. There are 22 available to watch on the Texas Archive website, for those brave enough to sit through them. Theyre pretty painful to sit through. Still, in terms of the history of motion pictures and the art of film preservation, theyre important. Kidnappers Foil was added in 2012 to the National Film Registry by the National Film Preservation Board at the Library of Congress. The films are also the subject of an exhibit at the University of Houstons Blaffer Art Museum through March 14. Rosebud? Finding Barkers films has been Fricks personal obsession for years. She has created a website devoted to the filmmaker, meltonbarker.org, tracking the known locations where he shot Kidnappers Foil. We wouldnt have learned as much as we have if it wasnt for newspapers opening up their archives, Frick says. For a long time you couldnt find anything about him online, then suddenly his name started popping up. Barker made money by charging parents for their kids to be in the movies, and then again when he screened the films in the towns where they were made. Houston appears to have been a gold mine for him. Barker made Kidnappers Foil films on three different visits to Houston. He first shot here in late 1937, based on a flyer announcing a screening of the movie at the North Main Theatre on Oct. 19-20, 1937. The advertisement survived, even if the film did not. On HoustonChronicle.com: Slamdance debuts two films with southeast Texas ties According to stories in the Houston Chronicle and Houston Post archives, Barker shot five different Kidnappers Foil films concurrently during the 1937 visit, working with 700 children. Originally, hed planned only three films, but so many auditioned 1,500, according to the Chronicle that he expanded the number. Each was shown at different movie houses owned by the Interstate Neighborhood Theaters chain, which no longer exists. He returned to Houston in 1942 to shoot another set of four Kidnappers Foil films, then came back once more in 1948 to film five more. Deja vu? No matter the location or when it was filmed, the plot of Kidnappers Foil never varied. A young child named Betty Davis is kidnapped and held for ransom. Several groups of competing kids try to find her, inspired by a $1,000 ransom offered by her father. Eventually the groups come together to collaborate, rescue Betty and turn the kidnappers over to the police. They all celebrate with an ice cream party and a talent show. Barkers modus operandi was similar for each shoot. He or his advance team would seek publicity for the filming in local newspapers, asking for children to come to an audition. Their parents would pay a small audition fee, for which their kids would get some training on how to work in front of a camera. Not all those who paid were cast for the films. Morning Report: Get the top stories on HoustonChronicle.com sent directly to your inbox As part of his publicity, Barker claimed to have discovered George Spanky McFarland, the star of the Our Gang childrens films. (McFarland was from Barkers home base of Dallas, so Frick believes there is validity to the claim.) The news stories touting the upcoming auditions said Barker was looking for the next Spanky McFarland. The films were described as Our Gang comedies, though they were not associated with that series. The shoots would take a few days, using a small crew Barker, a cameraman, sound man and an assistant. Barker would sometimes play the role of Betty Davis father. A screening of the resulting film would take place in a local theater a few weeks later. Final remake One of the reasons why few of the films exist is that Barker apparently didnt keep a copy for himself, Frick says. Most of the reels were left with the theater. Some made their way into private hands, while others were acquired by local film societies. Frick says Barker was something of a film pioneer. He initially shot in 35 millimeter, then moved to 16 millimeter film, which was more portable and cost-efficient. He also learned early on how to sync sound, becoming one of the first itinerant filmmakers to do so. Barker died in 1977, doing what he loved. His body was found in a Meridian, Miss., hotel room, where he was working on yet another filming of Kidnappers Foil. Frick expresses admiration for Barkers tenacity and his ability to wrangle dozens of children during the shoots. As part of her project, she tried to shoot a modern-day version of Kidnappers Foil using his script. It was the worst decision of my life, she says. Chronicle archivist Joyce Lee contributed to this story. dwight.silverman@chron.com twitter.com/dsilverman houstonchronicle.com/techburger The next Nerja Arts Society lecture, which will take place at the town's cultural centre on Tuesday 18 February, will be given by international journalist Anne-Marie O'Connor. INFORMATION When. Tuesday 18 February, 5pm (doors open 4pm) Where. Nerja Cultural Centre, Calle Granada More information. www.theartssocietynerja.com O'Connor will be introducing the film, Woman in Gold, which was released in 2015 and stars Helen Mirren. It is based on the true story of Maria Altmann, an elderly Jewish refugee living in Los Angeles, who together with her lawyer, Randy Schoenberg, fought the government of Austria for almost a decade to reclaim Gustav Klimt's painting of her aunt, Portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer I. The painting had been stolen from Altmann's relatives by the Nazis in Vienna just prior to World War Two. Altmann took her legal battle to the Supreme Court of the United States, which ruled on the case Republic of Austria v. Altmann (2004). O'Connor says she became interested in the subject when she read about Altmann's story in a newspaper: "I spent 10 years reporting on this case, from my first newspaper article for The Los Angeles Times, to the end of the book." O'Connor, 60, is originally from Missouri and has worked as a foreign and war correspondent and writer. She has visited Nerja before as she is good friends of Nerja Arts Society members, Anne Duse and her husband Andreas Ekma Duse, who Anne-Marie met while the couple were living in Los Angeles. The lecture will start at 5pm and will be followed by the screening. Tickets for nonmembers are 10 euros and include the lecture, film and a bottle of water. Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 14 : As part of a plan to make inroads into the Mediterrannean region and forge strong bonds with tourism sector of Israel, Kerala Tourism showcased its strengths at the two-day International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) at Tel Aviv in Israel, the state Tourism Minister said on Friday. IMTM is the only professional exhibition for the tourism trade market in Israel. Indian Ambassador to Israel Sanjeev Kumar Singla visited the Kerala stall at the fair, which is considered a trendsetter for the global and local tourism industry. A trade delegation along with top officials of the Kerala Tourism Department held meetings with their counterparts at the IMTM besides meeting airlines officials. State Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said that Kerala Tourism had taken part in the IMTM in 2019 for the first time. "We participated in this year's IMTM to send a strong message to tourists in Israel and other countries in the Mediterranean region that Kerala has all the trappings of a tourist hotspot," the Minister said. Of late, Kerala has witnessed an increase in tourist arrivals from Israel. In 2016, a total of 10,927 tourists came from that country, whiule their numbers rose to 11,892 in 2017, and 15,339 in 2018. The direct flight from Tel Aviv, the second most populous city in Israel, to Kochi, which began in September last year, has also considerably helped in increasing footfalls from that country. Kerala boasts of a strong connection with Israel and has the oldest Jewish settlement In India. The first Jewish settlers were sailors and traders who reached South India during 900-500 BC and settled around the ancient trade centre and port-town of Muziris, called Shingly by the Jews. The second wave of Jewish settlers came in as migrants in the early 16th century following the Spanish and Portuguese inquisitions and made their base in Kochi. [February 14, 2020] Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP Announce Proposed Settlement in the Parametric Settlement The following statement is being issued by Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP regarding the Parametric Settlement: EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT CLARK COUNTY, NEVADA In re PARAMETRIC SOUND CORPORATION ) Lead Case No. A-13-686890-B SHAREHOLDERS' LITIGATION ) Dept. No. XI ) This Document Relates To: ) CLASS ACTION ALL ACTIONS. ) ) ) SUMMARY NOTICE TO: ALL PERSONS AND/OR ENTITIES THAT HELD SHARES OF PARAMETRIC SOUND CORPORATION ("PARAMETRIC") COMMON STOCK ON (News - Alert) JANUARY 15, 2014, AT THE TIME PARAMETRIC ISSUED SHARES IN THE MERGER PURSUANT TO THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, WHETHER BENEFICIALLY OR OF RECORD, INCLUDING THE LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES, HEIRS, SUCCESSORS-IN-INTEREST, TRANSFEREES, AND ASSIGNEES OF ALL SUCH FOREGOING HOLDERS, BUT EXCLUDING DEFENDANTS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF PARAMETRIC AS OF JANUARY 15, 2014, AND THEIR LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES, HEIRS, SUCCESSORS-IN-INTEREST, TRANSFEREES, AND ASSIGNEES YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED, pursuant to an Order of the Eighth Judicial District Court for the State of Nevada, Clark County, that a hearing will be held on May 18, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., before the Honorable Elizabeth Gonzalez of the Eighth Judicial District Court of Clark County, Nevada, 200 Lewis Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada, Courtroom 3E, for the purpose of determining: (1) whether the proposed settlement of the Litigation for $9,650,000.00 should be approved by the Court as fair, reasonable, and adequate; (2) whether a Final Judgment and Order of Dismissal with Prejudice should be entered by the Court dismissing the Litigation with prejudice and releasing the Released Claims and the Settled Defendants' Released Claims; (3) whether the Plan of Allocation for the Net Settlement Fund is fair, reasonable, and adequate and should be approved; (4) whether the application of Co-Lead Counsel for the payment of attorneys' fees and expenses should be approved; and (5) whether any application for reimbursement of time and expenses by Plaintiffs should be approved. IF YOU HELD SHARES OF PARAMETRIC COMMON STOCK ON JANUARY 15, 2014, YOUR RIGHTS MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE SETTLEMENT OF THIS LITIGATION, INCLUDING THE RELEASE AND EXTINGUISHMENT OF CLAIMS YOU MAY POSSESS RELATING TO YOUR OWNERSHIP OF PARAMETRIC COMMON STOCK. If you have not received a detailed Notice of Proposed Settlement of Class and Derivative Action ("Notice") and a copy of the Proof of Claim and Release form, you may obtain copies by writing to Parametric Settlement, Claims Administrator, c/o Gilardi & Co. LLC, P.O. Box (News - Alert) 43342, Providence, RI 02940-3342, or on the Internet at www.ParametricShareholderLitigation.com. If you are a Class Member, in order to share in the distribution of the Net Settlement Fund, you must submit a Proof of Claim and Release by mail (postmarked no later than June 3, 2020), or online at www.ParametricShareholderLitigation.com no later than June 3, 2020, establishing that you are entitled to a recovery. If you held shares of Parametric common stock on January 15, 2014 and you desire to be excluded from the Class, you must submit a request for exclusion so that it is received no later than May 4, 2020, in the manner and form explained in the detailed Notice referred to above. All members of the Class who do not timely and validly request exclusion from the Class will be bound by any judgment entered in the Litigation pursuant to the Stipulation of Settlement. If there are objections, the Court has ruled that it will conduct a hearing on that particular objection within three (3) days of when the objection is filed. Any such objector shall have an additional five (5) days after the relevant objection hearing to submit a request for exclusion. Any objection to the Settlement, the Plan of Allocation, and/or Co-Lead Counsel's request for attorneys' fees and expenses, must be received by each of the following recipients no later than May 4, 2020: CLERK OF THE COURT Co-Lead Counsel: Defendants' Counsel: Department XI David Knotts John P. Stigi III Eighth Judicial District Court ROBBINS GELLER RUDMAN SHEPPARD, MULLIN, RICHTER & Clark County, Nevada & DOWD LLP HAMPTON LLP 200 Lewis Avenue 655 West Broadway, Suite 1900 1901 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1600 Las Vegas, NV 89101 San Diego, CA (News - Alert) 92101 Los Angeles, CA 90067 Joshua D. N. Hess DECHERT LLP 1900 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-1110 PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT OR THE CLERK'S OFFICE REGARDING THIS NOTICE. If you have any questions about the Settlement, you may contact Co-Lead Counsel at the address listed above. DATED: January 17, 2020 BY ORDER OF THE COURT EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT CLARK COUNTY, NEVADA View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005001/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] In brief: Amazon thinks President Donald Trump was uniquely responsible for rigging the evaluation process that ruled it out of a multi-billion dollar cloud contract with the Pentagon, just as it was well-positioned to win. The tech giant has managed to block the federal government's decision to hire Microsoft, pending a close review that is unlikely to lead to a different conclusion. Back in November 2019, Microsoft was awarded an intensely sought-after contract to supply the Defense Department's Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) project with cloud services. Several tech giants had competed for the privilege, but none of them as fiercely as Amazon, who didn't stop fighting and challenged the Pentagon's decision in federal court. This week, a judge ordered a temporary block on Microsoft's right to work on the $10 billion contract just one month after Amazon filed a motion requesting a closer examination of the motives behind the decision. The notice for the injunction wasn't made public, and there's little indication as to the exact reasons behind it, reports CNBC. Amazon thought it was the frontrunner in the race to securing the JEDI contract and was understandably upset about losing a lot of business to one of its biggest competitors in the cloud space. The tech giant challenged the thinking behind Pentagon's choice, claiming that President Trump had "launched repeated public and behind-the-scenes attacks to steer the JEDI Contract away from AWS to harm his perceived political enemy Jeffrey P. Bezos." That is why earlier this week, unsealed court documents showed that Amazon wants to question President Trump, as well as Defense Department's Chief Information Officer Dana Deasy, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and former Defense Secretary James Mattis. In Amazon's eyes, the whole evaluation process that ruled it out for the contract was full of "deficiencies, errors, and unmistakable bias." From Trump's perspective, all he did was look into the JEDI contract following complaints that awarding it to Amazon would constitute a case of favoritism. Microsoft's Vice President of Communications Frank Shaw issued a statement expressing the company's disappointment. "While we are disappointed with the additional delay, we believe that we will ultimately be able to move forward with the work to make sure those who serve our country can access the new technology they urgently require. We have confidence in the Department of Defense, and we believe the facts will show they ran a detailed, thorough, and fair process in determining the needs of the warfighter were best met by Microsoft." The new cloud computing network was supposed to become active today, so Amazon has been advised to prepare for the possibility that it may lose the case. If it turns out that the injunction was issued wrongfully, the company may have to have $42 million at the ready to cover "costs and damages." Microsoft and Amazon are both expected to respond to the filing by February 27. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: Negative incidents recorded on video and distributed on social networks in connection with the early parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are not associated even with two percent of all polling stations, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov said in an interview with Real TV. People think that there were violations at all polling stations in the country, but that's not true, Panahov said, Trend reports on Feb. 14 referring to the CEC. The chairman added that all negative cases will be thoroughly considered and the measures will be taken against the offenders. At the CEC meeting on Feb. 13, the voting results in four polling stations of the 80th Imishli-Beylagan constituency were cancelled. Leading candidate was Chingiz Ganizade there. The voting results of the 74th Lankaran constituency were also cancelled. Hadi Rajabli was the leading candidate in this constituency. The voting results of the 35th Khatai constituency were cancelled. Rauf Abbasov was the leading candidate in this constituency. The voting results of the 33rd Khatai constituency were canceled. Moreover, 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. Following 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. The early parliamentary elections were held in Azerbaijan on February 9. Carrie Chapman Catt Women have suffered agony of soul which you can never comprehend, that you and your daughters might inherit political freedom. That vote has been costly. Prize it! In a nation of political divides, Iowans have united today to celebrate 100 years of womens right to vote and to honor notable women from Iowa and across our nation who won the 70-year, hard-fought battle for woman suffrage. Todays statewide kickoff event, one of many events scheduled across Iowa throughout 2020 commemorating the 19th Amendment centennial, is being held at Iowa State Universitys campus and hosted by the Iowa Department of Human Rights Office on the Status of Women and the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics. Today is a historically significant day for one of the nations greatest suffrage movement leaders, our very own Carrie Chapman Catt of Iowa, says Karen Kedrowski, director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center. This Valentines Day kickoff event is exactly 100 years from the date the national League of Women Voters was formally organized by Chapman Catt at the National American Woman Suffrage Associations convention in Chicago, which occurred six months prior to the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Earlier today, event attendees were treated to brunch, a premiere viewing of Iowa PBS Carrie Chapman Catt: Woman Warrior documentary and a campanile concert. This afternoon attendees will attend breakout sessions, watch "The Yellow Rose of Suffrage" play and listen to the keynote address by Elaine Weiss, author of The Womans Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote. Carrie Chapman Catt was an extraordinary leader in the fight to expand our democracy, and Im especially honored to speak about her role in the suffrage movement at her alma mater, Iowa State, says Weiss. Weiss will speak about the lessons of the woman suffrage movement and the relevance of its themes in 2020. Chapman Catt is a central character in Weiss book that Steven Spielbergs Amblin production company is adapting for TV. In terms of human and civil rights in the United States, ratification of the 19th Amendment was one of the most transformative milestones in history, says Sue Johannsen of Muscatine, 19th Amendment curriculum lead organizer and developer of suffrage learning resources for grades 9-12 in Iowa schools. The struggles and determination of women suffragists and their monumental achievement is one that merits education and reverence by Iowans of every age. In her Aug. 26, 1920, ratification speech, Chapman Catt called on women to remember and ensure their daughters are taught and remember the hard fight for womens right to vote. Chapman Catt said, The vote is the emblem of your equality, women of America, the guarantee of your liberty. That vote of yours has cost millions of dollars and the lives of thousands of women. Women have suffered agony of soul which you can never comprehend, that you and your daughters might inherit political freedom. That vote has been costly. Prize it! Doris Kelley of Cedar Falls, 19th Amendment centennial commemoration chair, says women also need to help carry on the hard-won success of the suffrage movement by recognizing the work is not done. Women are still fighting for equal work for equal pay and equal representation in elected offices and corporate governance, says Kelley. I want to thank all the modern-day suffragists at our event today. Many of you have organized commemoration events, including this kickoff. Others have given financially as Leaders of Equity to help fund and promote events and programs throughout Iowa all year to commemorate this important milestone, but also inspire Iowans to continue the fight for equity and equality. I hope you will consider donating to our campaign to keep todays momentum going. For more information about the event, please visit HardWonNotDone.com. For more information about the 19th Amendment Centennial Commemoration Committee and events scheduled throughout the year, please visit 19th-Amendment-Centennial.org or call Doris Kelley at 515-988-2344. When a cluster of luminaries in top hats gathered in 1885 to hammer the very last spike on Canadas new coast-to-coast railway into the ground, the symbolism was obvious: The fledgling nation of Canada was now one, from sea to shining sea. Almost a century and a half later, over 40,000 kilometres of steel track still knits the country together and thats exactly why those looking to support Indigenous anti-pipeline protesters have seized upon the railway as the target of their disruptive actions this week. The blockades reached a breaking point Thursday, with both Via Rail and Canadian National rail shutting down major parts of their network. Escalating protests across the country are in support of those fighting Coastal GasLinks natural gas pipeline set to be built across Wetsuweten land in northern B.C. In response, those protesting in solidarity are striking at the rail network that knits the country together. The targeting of the railway is no accident, protesters say. Nikki Sanchez, a Pipil Maya Nation member who was part of the six day encampment at the B.C. legislature this week said theres historic irony to the fact that railways were the infrastructure that was shut down as part of this movement. Its very historically significant because the project of colonization, as well as the extinction of the buffalo, was facilitated by the laying down of the Trans Canada railway, Sanchez said. The railway was one of the first major projects undertaken by a new nation. Canadian Pacific Railway was incorporated in 1881, and less than five years later, a rail line from coast to coast had been completed. Tourists driving by the small outpost of Craigellachie in British Columbia can still pull over and visit the site where dignitaries pounded the last spike into the ground with much fanfare. Canadian Pacific is still in operation, and its website declares that the railway is considered to be one of Canadas greatest feats of engineering. Ivan Hall, a project manager of the Alberta Railway Museum, says that the railway built western Canada, theres no question about it. He points out that British Columbia refused to even join Confederation without a way to reliably cross the Rocky Mountains. To this day, the railway is also an important shipping corridor for the landlocked middle of the country: For the Prairies, its our lifeblood. But for some, Canadas railways are a tangible example of the countrys history of pushing into Indigenous lands. Emma Jackson, an organizer with Climate Justice Edmonton who says shes been watching the blockades closely, tweeted jokingly Wednesday that this may be the only time she celebrates cancelled trains. For her, targeting the railway means shutting down the arteries of the settler state. The railway was first built to enable settlers to go and build their lives on Indigenous lands, she said, adding that in that sense, rail lines are a fair target when pushing back against pipelines and moving resources through Indigenous land without consent. While she points out that transit is important as Canada tries to lower carbon emissions Thursdays announcement will see many train passengers stranded its important to remember that for some, trains represent more than just an efficient ride. Its also probably the best tool that a lot of folks have at our disposal, in order to really put pressure on the decision-makers, she said, adding that its mind-boggling that politicians are focusing on the inconvenience that the blockades are creating. If youre going to talk about inconvenience, it is very inconvenient that youre going to be removed from your own land, forcefully at the barrel of a gun, she said. Sanchez, of the Pipil Maya Nation, said that since those rail lines run through Indigenous territories, the power to shut the service down should belong to those First Nations. Its not an activity those communities take lightly, though, and Sanchez said it wouldnt be possible if it werent for the many non-Indigenous Canadian allies protesting for the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs cause. We have no interest in impacting individuals livelihoods, Sanchez said, referring to the economic impact the CN shutdown is sure to have. We want a Canada that is upheld to justice. With files from Alex McKeen Read more about: Prosecutors also noted Pugh did not disclose her financial interests while in the Senate before becoming mayor, as required by Maryland law. After the Baltimore Sun reported in March that Pugh did not disclose her $500,000 business relationship with the University of Maryland Medical System while on its volunteer board, she amended seven years of reports to the state ethics commission. There are a few myths about the Muslim population in India that have assisted in the growth of the politics around this community. One has to do with the rapid growth in Muslim population, debunked both globally and in India. The other is the Muslim vote bank, and the accompanying narrative that the current turn towards Hindutva is a reaction to decades of minority appeasement. But it is necessary to consider the data in order to properly examine these formulations. There are a few myths about the Muslim population in India that have assisted in the growth of the politics around this community. One has to do with the rapid growth in Muslim population, debunked both globally and in India. The other is the Muslim vote bank, and the accompanying narrative that the current turn towards Hindutva is a reaction to decades of minority appeasement. But it is necessary to consider the data in order to properly examine these formulations. The idea of the Muslim vote bank has been roundly disproven by those who have studied Indian voting data. Take this study about Muslim voting patterns in Uttar Pradesh by Rahul Verma and Pranav Gupta. Its findings? 1. Muslim voters are not more politically active than the average voter, proving that Muslims are not disproportionately organising themselves to grab political power. 2. Muslim voters are not more likely to listen to community leaders and others who wish to dictate how they vote. About half of the wider electorate says they make up their own mind on who to vote for, and the proportion is the same for Indian Muslims. 3. Muslim voters are not more loyal to a single party, nor are they more likely to never vote for a particular party. About a third of all voters declare party allegiance; the figure is the same for Muslims. About a quarter of the wider electorate say theyll never vote for a particular party; the figure is the same for Muslims. 4. The Muslim vote in Uttar Pradesh is split between the SP, BSP and the Congress, with each enjoying the support of different groups of Muslims. There is no unified vote bank. 5. Multiple analyses of voting patterns show that even strategic voting within constituencies of Muslims to defeat BJP candidates does not occur. There are very few constituencies where there is low fragmentation of the Muslim vote, and even there there is no evidence that the consolidation was due to a desire to defeat a BJP candidate there is no correlation between consolidation and BJPs vote share in that election. 6. Comparing Muslim consolidation and fragmentation with other groups, the study found that in 2012, Muslim and Brahmin votes were comparatively more fragmented, while Yadav and Jatav votes were more consolidated; in 2014, Brahmin and Muslim votes were more consolidated, while Yadav and Jatav votes were more fragmented. All this to say that all these groups are not at all, as is imagined by some upper-caste Indians, vote banks in the sense they imagine. Each of these groups are fragmented to various degrees and at various times. Next, look at Nilanjan Mukhopadhyays analysis of Muslim voting patterns in the recent Gujarat elections. It is clear from the data that Muslims voted along economic lines rather than consolidating to defeat the BJP across the state. The study reveals just how diverse the Muslim population in Gujarat is, and how much they vote according to their local, constituency-level concerns. Consider also the 2019 book, Siyasi Muslims: A Story of Political Islams in India. Apart from debunking several myths about Muslim political participation, it also notes moments when Muslims vote for the BJP: most significantly, it shows how percentage of Muslims voting for BJP candidates goes up sharply when the main political contest is a bipolar contest, with only two parties contesting. If the Muslims were indeed a vote bank consolidated against the BJP, a bipolar contest would see fewer Muslims voting for the BJP, not more. I cannot say that some parties have not tried to consolidate Muslim votes behind them using scare tactics. As noted by Mukhopadhyay, Indira Gandhi had famously tried to get Muslims to back her in 1974, claiming she was the only one who could defend them against the Jana Sangh. Similarly, in 1979, she got Imam Bukhari of Delhis Jama Masjid to issue a fatwa in support of her candidacy. What the studies above reveal, however, is that these tactics have mostly failed to deliver the results, because Indian Muslim voters, just like other Indian voters, are far from being sheep who simply do what they are told. The first problem with the term Muslim appeasement is that there has been no definition of it. One definition can be the conferment of advantages to Indian Muslims that other groups do not get. The much-quoted examples of this is the Hajj subsidy, a colonial-era provision that was expanded by Indian governments, and which has been discontinued since 2018. The argument of Muslim appeasement runs that tax money is used to favour Muslims in particular. The truth, of course, is more complex: tax money has been used to fund all kinds of religious practices, with Hindu religious practices getting huge sums of government funding. Take the Kumbh Mela of 2019, where a budget in excess of Rs 4,200 crore was spent from taxpayer money, drawing on both Uttar Pradesh and central government finances. The Ardha Kumbh of 2018 received Rs 2,500 crores from the Uttar Pradesh government. Similarly, the Delhi government and the Madhya Pradesh government both subsidise Hindu pilgrimages, with the Madhya Pradesh government subsidising tirth yatras to holy places in Pakistan, Cambodia, China, and Sri Lanka. Are these to be called Hindu appeasement? Another way of looking at appeasement is looking at outcome variables, as a report by the Carnegie Endowment for Peace does. If indeed Muslims are being given unfair advantages, they should be better off than Hindu communities. However, in no state across the country are Muslims better off than Hindu OBCs. Indeed, in states like Gujarat and West Bengal, which are both such communally charged terrains today, Muslims earn only 63 percent of what Hindus earn on average. In Haryana, the figure is as dismally low as Muslims earning 33 percent of what Hindus earn. Since this charge of appeasement is clearly bunkum, let us consider another definition, which the BJP has been using of late: that Muslims are offered superficial religious sops that end up doing nothing for the community. Appeasement, in this case, harms both Muslims and Hindus, as only symbolic gestures are used to fool Muslims into voting for pseudo-secular parties, and that leaves unscrupulous politicians free to abuse power while the BJP can do nothing to stop them. It is this definition that is used to target Mamta Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal for praying at iftars or donning Muslim symbols, like the taqiyah cap. But can one really make this claim when our Prime Minister dons various headgear and traditional dresses when visiting communities? Is Narendra Modi appeasing Malayalis by wearing a mundu? Or Himachalis by wearing the Himachali topi? Perhaps the problem is not with cultural dress, but religious dress? If so, how is it that the sitting chief minister of Uttar Pradesh is never seen outside of his religious robes? Or perhaps it is with someone wearing someone elses religious dress? If so, why isnt the Prime Minister appeasing Sikhs by wearing a turban? In this way, it is made clear that it is only appeasement if it involves Muslim iconography; therefore, the whole question is not one of appeasement, but specifically about the fear of Muslims being given space in our political life. My point is not that politicians turning to religious life is not problematic. We also know that many leaders have failed Indian Muslims while pretending to work for them, and using their fancy dress to project belonging. However, in a country like India, where traditions and customs hold weight, and among a religious people, the idea of a total separation of religion and government is absurd just as it is absurd even in developed democracies, where religion continues to play a prominent role in politics, from the US to Germany. As a result, we will see many examples of this political theatre, but none of them amount to appeasement per se. Just as Himachalis and Sikhs are not fooled by Modis costumes, so too Indian Muslims are more than aware that they need more from their politicians than just the symbolic gestures. Unfortunately, the above facts matter little in todays contest. The Hindutva propaganda machinery has successfully sold this narrative to a wide range of people, including highly educated individuals who should know better. The reason the narrative is so successful is because each mistruth supports the other, and because each contains within it an ardhasatya, the infamous half-truth used to kill Dronacharya in the Mahabharata. If you believe that Muslims will carry out demographic takeover, then youre ready to believe that they will use their demographic clout to seize political power by forming a vote bank. And if you believe in vote banks, you will believe that pseudo-secular political parties will sell out the interests of the majority to rule over the minority vote bank. And as for the ardhasatyas? Yes, there are districts in India where the Muslim growth rates outpace Hindu growth rates, though this outpacing is both slowing faster than the Hindu birth rate is slowing, and these differences in birth rates have nothing to do with religion they have everything to do with education and income, as seen in Uttar Pradesh Hindus having a much higher birth rate than Muslims in Kerala, or indeed Hindus in India having much higher birth rates than much of the Muslim world of the Middle East. Yes, there are attempts made by political parties to get Muslims to form a vote bank, but the evidence shows that they are about as successful as the BJP is in consolidating Hindus, which is to say not very successful. Yes, Indian politicians have donned Muslim icons and symbols to gain Muslim support, but similar tactics have been used by politicians for all other communities as well, and for decades if not centuries. If I had to give a number, the truth content in all of this is about 1 percent. Unfortunately, the 1 percent seems to be enough for so many educated Indians to believe the whole narrative. DMK on Friday said it was hopeful of a "good ruling" by the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker on its plea seeking disqualification of 11 AIADMK MLAs, including then rebel leader and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who had voted against the Palaniswami government in 2017. The principal opposition party was reacting to the state government's submission in the Supreme Court on Friday that Speaker P Dhanapal has initiated action on the disqualification petition. "We expect a good verdict from the Speaker," DMK president M K Stalin told reporters here, after a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice S A Bobde took note of the state government's submission and disposed of the opposition party's petition. DMK had moved the apex court alleging that the Speaker did not act on its plea seeking the disqualification of the 11 ruling AIADMK legislators, who had voted against the confidence motion moved by chief minister K Palaniswami in the assembly on February 18, 2017. Earlier, the DMK's plea seeking disqualification of the MLAs was dismissed by the Madras High Court in April, 2018. Revolting against then party general secretary V K Sasikala, Panneerselvam had created a split in the AIADMK but later he and Palaniswami merged the factions and ousted her in August, 2017. Stalin took a dig at Panneerselvam over his remark during the budget speech that the AIADMK government ushered in by late J Jayalalithaa continued to be in office despite many predicting its fall after her demise in 2016. Referring to Panneerselvam's revolt against Sasikala, confidante of Jayalalithaa, in February 2017, Stalin recalled the former sitting on meditation at the memorial of the late leader before announcing his rebellion. "He then wanted the government to be removed, voted against it (on the confidence motion) and said it will change. Since then, only he has changed," Stalin added. After Jayalalithaa's demise in December, 2016, seven months after she had led the AIADMK to a successive term in the assembly elections, Panneerselvam was made her successor. But soon he fell out with Sasikala and raised a banner of revolt, with 10 other legislators, including incumbent minister K Pandiarajan and several other leaders, joining him. Later, Palaniswami was made chief minister and won the confidence vote though the then 11 rebel AIADMK MLAs voted against the government. However, after much sparring, the two factions led by the two leaders merged in August 2017 with Paneerselvam being made party co-ordinator and deputy chief minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Atit Phetmuangtong / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm The Houston Police Department announcing the arrest of an alleged serial rapist shocked the city this week, along with a tragic murder-suicide that spanned from Sugar Land to San Marcos. Other news this week includes a body that was found shot and dumped on the side of a southwest Houston roadway, and a pickup driver killed after being thrown from his truck. That driver wasnt wearing a seatbelt, police said. A TEACHER has been fined 2,500 after he was prosecuted in relation to a fatal road collision in County Limerick almost six years ago. David Page, 31, who is originally from County Galway but who is now living in Mullingar, County Westmeath pleaded guilty, last year, to careless driving causing the death of Minjie Chen (23) on the N20 at Cregane, Bruree on July 23, 2014. Mr Page was previously acquitted by direction of the trial judge of dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Chen but this acquittal was overturned by the Court of Appeal last March following an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions on a point of law under Section 23 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2010. The case was returned to Limerick Circuit Court where, last July, a guilty plea to the lesser charge was accepted by the DPP. During the sentencing hearing last November, Detective Sergeant Ted Riordan of Bruff garda station gave evidence that the fatal collision occurred on the Charleville side of ORourkes Cross at around 12.30pm. Judge Tom ODonnell was told Mr Page was returning to Galway at the time having attended an interview in Cork earlier in the day. His car crossed 1.7metres into the opposing lane of traffic before colliding with the deceaseds oncoming car on a straight stretch of road. He said there was no evidence that Mr Page had been drinking or speeding and that his mobile phone had not been used for 42 minutes prior to the incident. There were no mechanical issues with either car and weather and road conditions were deemed not to have been a factor in the collision. Mr Chen a Chinese national who was living with his family in Clonakility, West Cork at the time sustained serious head injuries in the impact and died at the scene. Delivering a lengthy judgment, Judge ODonnell said the delay in finalising the matter was something which he had to consider when imposing sentence. However, he stressed his comments were by way of explanation only and that he was not being critical in any way. The judge accepted the collision had occurred following a momentary lapse in attention and that there were no aggravating factors in the case such as speed or mobile phone use. He accepted submissions that Mr Page, who has no previous convictions, is a valuable member of society who is deeply and genuinely remorseful and fully accepts responsibility for what happened. He noted that he has not come to the attention of gardai in the intervening years and that he is now engaged to be married. He is working full time, he has a flawless record, he said having read several written testimonials which were submitted to the court during the sentencing hearing. Addressing Mr Chens family, the judge offered his condolences saying that no words or sentence he imposed would cure the loss they had suffered. He also noted the enormous and profound effect his death has had on them. Judge ODonnell said he was of the view, in all the circumstances, that an immediate custodial sentence was not warranted particularly as it would, most likely, end Mr Pages career as a teacher. He said the defendants remorse, his guilty plea, his previous good record and the delay in the case making its way through the legal system were all factors which he was entitled to consider. He said the appropriate penalty was a 2,500 fine and a four-year disqualification from driving. Mr Page was given 12 months to pay the fine and the disqualification will take effect from June. Cole Escola, funny comedian and National Lampoon Radio Hour star. Photo: Courtesy of Forever Dog The comedy-podcast universe is ever expanding, not unlike the universe universe. Were here to make it a bit smaller, a bit more manageable. There are a lot of great shows, and each one has a lot of great episodes, so we want to highlight the exceptional, the noteworthy. Each week, our crack team of podcast enthusiasts and specialists and especially enthusiastic people will pick their favorites. We hope to have your ears permanently plugged with the best in aural comedy. National Lampoon Radio Hour: The Podcast Misery If the National Lampoon Radio Hour: The Podcast doubled as the National Lampoon Radio Hour: The Netflix TV Series, it would be a sensation. Given the success of Astronomy Club: The Sketch Show and I Think You Should Leave, this insanely talented ensemble of up-and-coming New York comics and performers would at the very least generate some terrific memes. Highlights of the sixth episode of the audio sketch show include Kevin Sackett (Martin Urbano), a former Politically Incorrect writer hired to perform at a childrens birthday party. Maeve Higgins previously known as Les Moonves also presents the failed sitcom version of Stephen Kings Misery, starring Sir Ian McKellen (Aaron Jackson) and Julia Child (Cole Escola). Beautiful/Anonymouss Chris Gethard even drops by for an extremely Gethard-like destruction of the fourth wall. Like any good sketch show, the segments are up and down, but the show moves too fast to notice. The YouTube channel lets the audience inside the studio for additional moments, like Jackson and Escola going to town on their own hands during a role-play sketch. Spotify users can peek a few weeks into the future, where episodes seven to nine have already dropped. Mark Kramer Listen: Spotify | Apple | Website Podcast: The Ride Turkey Legs With Zac Oyama When you think of a theme park, of course you picture roller coasters, costumed cast members, and live shows. Those make sense. But why do Disney and Universal parks also always feature iconic massive turkey legs? Is it because they are portable, or because they seem like something the Flintstones would eat? Is it because kids like them? The more you think about it, the less sense it makes. The boys of P:TR, along with their guest Zac Oyama (CollegeHumor, Adam Ruins Everything), wrestle with these and other related issues, including a potential Dolittle/Morbius crossover film, the role of the British royal family in the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed, and Zachary Levis career in general. There really is quite a bit to explore just on the subject of turkey legs, like how exactly Disney engineers have given the turkey an uncanny hamlike flavor and their distinct purple hue. Indeed, if you enjoy the taste of ham, then theme-park turkey legs are for you. Kathryn Doyle Listen: Spotify | Apple | Website Thirst Aid Kit Next Stop: Penn Badgley Bim Adewunmi and Nichole Perkins built Thirst Aid Kit upon a shared belief that thirst is natural and deserving of celebration. By this point, with numerous successful seasons under their belts, its correct to call Adewunmi and Perkins thirst scholars, as they adeptly guide listeners through their desires by digging deep into the various ways women express their thirst. Although theyre experts, the hosts stress that everyone is free to go about their thirst in their own way, whether cosigned by Thirst Aid Kit or not. I want to be very clear: We dont take requests, Adewunmi says early on in this episode. But what happens when the stars align and the hosts also fancy one of the most-requested men? Well, you get none other than Penn Badgley. Perkins specifically is powerless against his general stop-motion Christmas-puppet energy, while the internet is obsessed with his turn as the sneering killer Joe Goldberg on You. Thats right, Gossip Girl himself has seemingly caught everyones eye, making the cheeky sign-off You know you love me. XOXO, Gossip Girl from the show that shot him to fame especially apt. Tune in to hear how he went from Lonely Boy to internet boyfriend and laugh at the many risible takes along the way. Becca James Listen: Spotify | Apple | Website Suicide Buddies Adolf Hitler & Kurt Cobain The end of Suicide Buddies is nigh. Buddies near and far have been celebrating the end of the current iteration of Suicide Buddies for a while now. This week, for the last time, comedians Hampton Yount and Dave Ross research a famous suicide from history. And what better way to go out than with the last two suicides in history, Adolf Hitler and Kurt Cobain. What enables Ross and Yount to indulge in the frequent dark riff is their respective willingness to be vulnerable in ways men traditionally arent. For example, before diving into the suicides, they talk about how late they each started doing sex stuff, and how we all have to pretend no one is insecure about sex when in reality, we all are. The riff ends with a hilarious story from Yount about the second time he ever had sex that involves getting yelled at by two cops while naked in a car. The two are able to mine surprisingly silly details from the Hitler suicide, like how stupid it is that the Russians lied and said Hitler poisoned himself in order to emasculate him. Yall Ever?, the shows next iteration, promises to continue the dark comedy that listeners have grown to love. Mark Kramer Listen: Spotify | Apple | Website Joe Lists Mindful Metal Jacket Steve Rogers With the lack of readily available health care being one of the most discussed and divisive topics in the United States today, it should come as no surprise that theres been a sharp increase in the number of podcasts dedicated to mindfulness, anxiety, and depression. As shows like The Hilarious World of Depression and Suicide Buddies prove, the comedy world continues to meet the demands for alternatives to available mental-health resources, and the Venn diagram between comedy and depression oftentimes makes for a perfect circle. New to the mental-health podcasting game is comedian and longtime talk-therapy advocate Joe List. In the lead-up to his new project Mindful Metal Jacket, List has proved to be about as open as one can be in regards to their own mental health. In conversation with comedian Steve Rogers, List perfectly describes what its like to live with anxiety and how one can best support someone going through a panic attack. Although this may not sound like a comedy podcast in nature, know that a skilled comedian like Joe List can help find the humor in the toughest of topics. Tom Rainey Listen: Spotify | Apple | Website Other Podcasts Were Listening To: Asian, Not Asian Do You Support Drake or Do You Support Canadian Rap? With Karen Chee, Late Night With Seth Meyers Listen: Spotify | Apple | Website Roundball Rock Wow! Another Trade Deadline Podcast in Your Feed! Listen: Spotify | Apple | Website A Funny Feeling Kulap Vilaysack Listen: Spotify | Apple | Website Got a comedy podcast recommendation? Drop us a line at comedypodcasts@vulture.com. President Rodrigo Duterte (second from left) looks at firearms presented by police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido (third from left) during the Philippine leaders visit in Ozamiz, central Philippines, Aug. 17, 2017. The Philippine government on Thursday defended the national police chiefs move offering early retirement to officers whose names were included in President Rodrigo Dutertes drug watchlist, saying it was a strategy to ferret out dirty cops. Dutertes spokesman, Salvador Panelo, said the offer made by police chief Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa could be part of a plan to get errant cops out in the open. But he emphasized that police officers would not be able to escape criminal prosecution even after retiring from service. By getting that [early] retirement, youre admitting youre involved [in the drug trade] because thats precisely the purpose, Panelo told reporters. If you retire, it means youre included there. Panelo said the government would pursue charges against officers facing drug-related allegations. It would be different if you will give them optional retirement and then you will waive criminal prosecution. Thats a different story, he said. You cannot waive criminal prosecution if theres a violation of the law. During a news conference Monday, the national police chief said he recently met with 357 policemen accused of involvement in the illegal drug trade and told them they could avail themselves of an early retirement. Gamboa said he made the move to save the reputation of the police force, as he confirmed that at least one general, whom he declined to identify, was named in the drug watchlist. If you think you are guilty, you better render your optional retirement, Gamboa was quoted by the state-run Philippine News Agency as telling the police officers. They were given options so that the image of [the national police] would not be ruined, but it doesnt mean they are off the hook, he said, explaining that the drug-tainted officers would face prosecution. He said only one officer had claimed optional retirement. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, citing sources who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, reported on Wednesday that among the officers included in the list was Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido, who had earlier reaped praise from Duterte for helping to carry out the deadly anti-narcotics campaign, which has killed thousands. Please just ask the chief of the [Philippine National Police], the newspaper quoted Espenido as saying in a text message. If he confirms it, I will speak. In 2017, Espenido led a squad of officers in a drug raid in which Reynaldo Parojinog, mayor of the southern city of Ozamiz, was killed along with several of his bodyguards. Espenido was also the police chief in Albuera, a town in central Leyte province, when officers in 2016 killed Rolando Espinosa Sr., a mayor who was in jail for his alleged drug links. Espinosa was killed after he allegedly pulled a gun on officers searching his jail cell for contraband. Duterte two years ago ordered Espenidos transfer to Bacolod, a city that the president said has had a long-time drug problem. I said, Go there and you are free to kill everybody. Go start killing them, Duterte said during a speech, recalling what he told the officer, whom he also described as the policeman they fear. Rights groups have complained about Dutertes order, noting that it marked the first time he had given a public directive to an officer to violate the law and kill suspects. Espenido has since been replaced as chief of police in Bacolod, and placed on administrative duty at the national headquarters in Manila, officials said. Gamboa, in an interview with local reporters on Thursday, declined to confirm Espenidos inclusion in the drug watchlist, the Inquirer said. Critic responds But detained Sen. Leila de Lima, a leading Duterte critic, described the inclusion of Espenido as a sign that the controversial police officer had either lost his value to the administration or become a threat to the government. Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido now in Dutertes drug list? Ironically amazing! the senator said in a statement from jail. De Lima, a former rights commissioner, is among the leading critics of Dutertes drug war. The government has jailed de Lima on charges that she received payoffs from drug dealers when she served as justice secretary. She has denied the allegations, saying these were intended to silence her for criticizing Duterte. Local and international human rights groups, as well as several U.S. senators, have called for her release. About 6,000 suspected dealers and addicts have been killed since Duterte took power in mid-2016, according to official figures, but international rights groups estimate the death toll could be five times as high. The majority of those killed were poor people in urban areas and despite the crackdown, drug trafficking has continued, according to officials. During several public appearances, Duterte has waved thick documents he claimed contained the names of dozens of judges, police and military officers, as well as local officials allegedly involved in drug trafficking. Many of those on the list have been killed, mostly in what police had described as legitimate gunfights. Earlier this week Abdul Wahab Sabal, mayor of Talitay town in the southern province of Maguindanao, was gunned down as he was about to enter a hotel in Manila. Duterte had tagged him as a narco-politician who was also named on the presidents watchlist. Jeoffrey Maitem and Mark Navales in Cotabato, Philippines, contributed to this report. This tastes like Atlanta. Thats what diners tell chef Maricela Vega when they try the crispy mushroom taco at her restaurant, 8Arm in, yes, Atlanta. Maybe its because of the intensely hyper local sourcing of the ingredients. Or maybe its because the flaky texture reminds them of the pride of the ATL: wings! But one thing is certain: This is a taco that bridges both the flavors of Mexico and the South. Photo by Kevin Brown The Mushrooms For this dish, Vega draws inspiration from the family fish fries her Uncle Jose hosted in Guanajuato. But while he hauled coolers full of shrimp and oysters, Vega goes vegetarian with fat oyster mushrooms from Qihe Mushroom Farm in Newnan, Georgia. She dunks the shrooms in aji-pepper-spiked coconut milk before dredging them in locally milled cornmeala sweet blue variety from South Carolinas Anson Mills or vibrant red bollito from Buckeye Creek Farm just north of Atlantathen fries them till they crackle. The Rajas This year, Vega was blessed (or cursed) with a surplus of aji peppers, as in 250 pounds of them. Thats the nature of working with local farms, but she isnt complaining. Shes turning them into rajas, a chile-based condiment that hits you immediately, like a jab. To make it, she starts with acidmaybe leftover chamomile vinegar or apple cider vinegar with a bit of lime juicethen layers sliced garlic and onion, salted and dried aji, and Greek oregano, hotter and earthier than the Mexican kind. The result is spicy, tangyand gone within a few days. The Frijoles Vega tried black beans for the requisite frijoles, but they didnt compare to Anson Millss nutty, creamy Sea Island red peas. One of her old chefs introduced her to the Low Country gema staple in Hoppin Johns and Gullah reezy peezyand since then shes been cooking them down with aji, onions, preserved tomatoes, and her moms smoky chile negros for a guisado-style mash. It makes this taco feel Southern, she says, without compromising. Story continues The Salsa When tomato seasons long gone, Vega conjures up chile tamulado, a Yucatan-style salsa of charred habaneros, garlic, and sour orange juice that gets its name from the Mayan word for mortar and pestle. She roasts habaneros from Menas Farm on Atlantas Westside, then blends them with local garlic and citrus. Finished with a little salt, the salsa is so sweet and smoky that you wont miss the tomatoes. The Tortilla Fifty percent Oaxacan yellow corn, 50 percent Georgian yellow cornthats the masa blend Vega works with for her lithe tortillas. She picks it up from Minero, chef Sean Brocks Mexican spot across the street, and mixes it with a little water to shape the tortillas so theyre pliable, not crumbly, and hefty enough to support sauce. The salsa and rajas release liquid, so the tortilla needs to be thick, like a folder, Vega says. Once flattened in her tortilla press, she cooks the tortillas in a hot cast-iron panno oil, just pure sweet corn flavor. The Toppings To balance out all the smoky, spicy, and fermented flavors, Vega crowns her taco with what she calls palate cleansers: thin rounds of crunchy Easter radishes, intensely grassy cilantro from local urban farming collective Grow Where You Are, and ribbons of raw kale. Is it still in fashion? Im not sure! she jokes. But its a good winter green that adds a bit of freshness. Maricea Vega Photo by Ryan Fleisher Want More Stories From Taco Nation? Right This Way... Originally Appeared on Bon Appetit Planning permission for a brand new theatre to house the epic Soldier of Orange musical has been granted, it was announced today. The 1,150 Royal Docks Theatre will now be built adjacent to the Royal Docks in east London, and has planning permission to exist for five years, creating 150 new jobs with an on-site restaurant housed within the venue complex. The space is expected to open in autumn 2020. The production has been seen by over three million people in Holland and is based on the story of Dutch resistance fighter Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, who joined the RAF during the Second World War. His story was adapted into a film of the same name in 1977 directed by Paul Verhoeven (RoboCop). The musical, which will be performed in English, has a book by Edwin de Vries, with music and lyrics written by Tom Harriman and Pamela Phillips Oland. This first English production is adapted for the British stage by Jeremy Brock. A map displaying where the venue will be A key aspect of the new venue is the "360-degree SceneAround staging", with the full seating roster rotating as the musical continues, revealing a 150-foot-wide coastline with sea, sand and rainstorms, student dorms, interrogation cells, a palace and a real DC3 Dakota Airplane. Mayor of Newnam Rokhsana Fiaz said: "It's a real privilege to welcome this world class production to Newham and to London. It's an exciting addition to our new plans for a dynamic and vibrant cultural offer in our borough and highlights our commitment to offer residents access to a rich, diverse and creative range of events and activities in Newham. It's also a fantastic example of how an unused site can be transformed through meanwhile temporary uses. "The Royal Docks is fast becoming a vibrant new cultural quarter in London, complimenting the exciting programme of creativity, art and academic excellence emerging in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park through the East Bank project. All of this will support our innovative community wealth building and inclusive economy agendas where all our residents benefit from the opportunities accelerating in Newham." DES MOINES Majority Senate Republicans approved a resolution Thursday giving Iowa voters a chance to amend the state constitution to state there is no fundamental right to abortion or public funding of the procedure, saying the amendment is a way to right a wrong by activist Iowa Supreme Court justices. Sen. Jake Chapman, R-Adel, said Senate Joint Resolution 2001 is needed to correct a judicial overreach by the Iowa Supreme Court that usurped legislative authority by inventing a right that did not exist before the courts 5-2 ruling to strike down an abortion limit in 2018. Senators, on a 32-18 party-line vote, approved a proposed amendment that eventually could come before Iowa voters to declare the Iowa Constitution shall not be construed to recognize, grant or secure a right to abortion or to require the public funding of abortion. We respect the right of the people to express their will, said Sen. Julian Garrett, R-Indianola. Minority Democrats argued the overreach was by GOP senators who were injecting government into private medical decisions that should be reserved for women, their families and their doctors by promoting a constitutional change intended to ban all abortions in Iowa. Iowa is ground zero for the assault on womens access to health care, said Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City. This resolution is one of the most extreme attacks on womens health care in Iowa history, Bolkcom added during a fiery floor speech. If you all have your way, Taliban women will have more reproductive freedom and control over their bodies than freedom-loving American women. Rep. Zach Whiting, R-Spirit Lake, said Thursdays action was necessitated by the Iowa Supreme Courts tortured legal analysis in a split ruling that struck down a law requiring a 72-hour waiting period before an abortion. Justices wrongly found that women in Iowa have a fundamental right to make medical decisions for themselves, he said, and that any state effort to restrict rights must clear the strict scrutiny of serving a compelling governmental interest. WHAT IT SAYS This is the text of Senate Joint Resolution 2001: This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa specifying that to defend the dignity of all human life, and to protect mothers and unborn children from efforts to expand abortion even to the day of birth, we the people of the State of Iowa declare that this Constitution shall not be construed to recognize, grant, or secure a right to abortion or to require the public funding of abortion. The joint resolution, if adopted, would be referred to the next general assembly for adoption a second time before being submitted to the electorate for ratification. Because of that activist outcome, Whiting said, it falls to the Legislature to act on behalf of Iowa citizens to go back and try to fix it by amending the constitution. Chapman said the 2018 court ruling represented an illegitimate change to the constitution when the people of Iowa are the only political power with the authority to change and amend the Iowa Constitution. Gov. Kim Reynolds, an Osceola Republican, expressed support for the constitutional amendment during her Condition of the State address last month. The joint resolution must pass both the Iowa Senate and the Iowa House in exactly the same form this session and then win support of the 89th Iowa General Assembly elected in November before the measure would come before Iowa voters, as early as the 2022 general election. Sen. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, said arguments made by Democrats during a two-hour floor debate that featured 18 speakers suggested a large majority of Iowans favor abortion rights for women. If thats the case, he said, a vote on a constitutional amendment should be a slam dunk, so what are you scared of? We want to take it to the people and let the people decide. Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, responded, Theres no respect in this amendment, just power and control the imposition of a will by some people over others. This is about the use of the state to impose the will of some people over others. This is about control. Its about domination. Its about power. The issue now moves to the Iowa House, where Republicans hold a 53-47 edge. House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, said his GOP caucus is decidedly pro-life but they view the joint resolution more as a separation of powers issue than an abortion amendment. This is about separating the powers and the decisions that are made by the court and the Legislature taking its power back, he told reporters Thursday. So this really is broader conversation than just whats being focused on. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 14:59 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20648b84c 1 National coronavirus,Pelindo-II Free State-owned port operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II (Pelindo II) will start screening every vessel and ship from China seeking to dock in Indonesia's ports, to reduce the risk of the coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, from spreading in the archipelago. "As the gates of entry for cargo and humans, of course we have to employ preventive measures [at seaports] to prevent the coronavirus from entering Indonesia," Pelindo II president director Elvyn G. Masassya said as quoted by Antara. Citing new standard operating procedures, Elvyn said Pelindo II and port health office personnel would check every vessel from China and screen the crew members on board while the ship was still on the waters, or before it sought to dock at the country's ports. "Only if everything is safe we will allow the vessel to drop anchor in our [ports]," he said. The move is among the latest efforts by Indonesian authorities seeking to contain the outbreak, which has killed nearly 1,500 since it first emerged from the Chinese city of Wuhan in late December and has since spread globally. Earlier this week, the Sabang administration in Aceh called for foreign cruise ship MS Artania to delay its planned arrival in the city on Feb. 16 amid fears of the virus, following Japan's decision to quarantine the Diamond Princess cruise ship and its 3,700 passengers in Yokohama after one of the passengers tested positive for the coronavirus. As of Thursday, 218 people on board the Diamond Princess have tested positive for the virus, AFP reported. Some 78 Indonesian citizens were among crew members of the quarantined cruise ship. The Foreign Ministry said they were all in good condition as of Wednesday. (gis) Hardik Patel, the Patidar community leader, is missing since the past 20 days, according to his wife Kinjal Patel who also accused the Gujarat administration of targeting her husband. "My husband is missing since the past 20 days, we have no information regarding his whereabouts. We are deeply pained by his absence and want the people to think whether they can bear this kind of separation," Kinjal alleges in a video shared on the internet. "In 2017, this government was saying that all cases on Patidars will be taken back. Then why are they targeting Hardik alone, why not the two other leaders of the Patidar movement who joined BJP," she alleged. "This government does not want Hardik to meet and interact with the people and stop raising the issues of the public," Kinjal says. Though the whereabouts of Hardik Patel are yet to be traced, he had last congratulated Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal upon his victory in the Assembly elections, through a message from his verified handle on Twitter on February 11. Earlier on February 10 through social media Patel had accused the Gujarat government of trying to lock him up in jail as the panchayat elections were drawing near in the state. In his tweet, Patel said, "Four years ago Gujarat Police filed a false case against me, during the Lok Sabha elections I asked the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner for the details of cases against me, but this case was not against me. Fifteen days back, the police arrived at my house to take me into custody, but I was not in my house," Patel's tweet, roughly translated in English from Hindi, read. "Hearing on my anticipatory bail petition is ongoing in this false case in the high court. Many non-bailable warrants have also been issued against me. Panchayat elections are drawing near in Gujarat, that is why BJP wants to lock me up in jail. I will continue the fight of the public against BJP. Will meet soon, Jai Hind," his second tweet read. Patel has been sent to judicial custody till January 24 after being arrested for failing to appear before a trial court in Ahmedabad in alleged connection with a sedition case. After getting free he had, through another tweet, hinted that he will continue his struggle. Patel was booked by the Crime Branch in 2015 under sedition charges over his provocative remarks where he had allegedly asked his supporters to kill policemen rather than commit suicide for the cause of reservation. However, Patel had asserted that there was no evidence against him in the charge-sheet filed by the Crime Branch with regard to criminal conspiracy and inciting people to dislodge the government during the violent agitation that followed August 25, 2015 gathering by Patidar community. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size A group of the hounds that changed the course of Lisa Whites life are confined within her rural NSW home, awaiting our arrival. We drive into her yard expecting the sort of uproar large, territorial dogs usually turn on for strangers. Yet even when we step onto the verandah there are no barks or growls, only birdsong and silence. Are there really 10 greyhounds in there? I look through a window and see the dogs standing attentively in rows looking back at me, their mouths set in what appear to be polite smiles. When White opens the door, they glide out and flow silently around us like water around an obstacle, their warm bodies soft and pliable. Most greyhounds have the calmest, sweetest natures, says White. Which is quite incredible considering what theyve been through. As she describes the origins of her rescue and fostering charity, Friends of the Hound (FOTH), a female called Molly leans against White on the couch and closes her eyes blissfully. Soon most of the dogs are doing what this famously lazy breed does best: sleeping soundly with their feet in the air, a lurk even young, healthy greyhounds indulge in for up to an astonishing 22 hours a day. An exception, on this morning, is a large white male who sidles by, then turns and gooses me vigorously with his crotch-high snout. Whoa! I cry, momentarily airborne. Whats your name, big boy? Thats Willy, says White, and we all crack up. Willys background is a lot less amusing than his party trick. Four years ago, he was among 19 half-starved former racing dogs rescued by White and her volunteers from a bush property where they lived with a deregistered trainer who dwelt among them in a humpy. It was a horrendous situation, she says. The dogs were all feral, just living in paddocks with scars all over them from fighting. Advertisement After being nursed back to health and assessed as potential pets in FOTH volunteer foster homes, most of the greyhounds were re-homed to live out their 10- to 14-year lifespans with typically devoted admirers of the breed. Willy, deeply traumatised, stayed for months at Whites property at Dunbible, near Murwillumbah in northern NSW, where one of her three daughters Lacey, now 13 spent hours a day leading him about and calming his fears. She was very upset when we found him a new home, says White. But he came back here after three years because the owners couldnt keep him anymore. Hes 10 now, so this is where hell stay. Since 2003, when she started her not-for-profit rescue charity for racing industry discards, White and her members whose territory extends from the ACT to south-east Queensland have re-homed 2000 greyhounds, 800 of whom have passed through Whites weather-beaten cottage en route to their new lives as pets. Her determination to do something about the grim toll of greyhound wastage (as the euphemism goes) has cost White who also works part-time in hospital administration a lot of money and virtually all her spare time. Yet she remains frustrated by how few dogs are being re-homed compared to the numbers still being bred within the industry: The 2000 weve helped doesnt seem like a lot to me, because for decades the industry bred around 20,000 greyhounds a year, of which up to 17,000 a year were wasted or killed. Those numbers have supposedly dropped now, but despite the industrys adoption programs, theres never enough homes for the unwanted dogs. And unless we stop racing them, there never will be. No statistics on the number of greyhounds bred or put down annually are available from the industrys independently managed state and territory jurisdictions. Greyhound racing in Australia and New Zealand is overseen by Greyhounds Australasia Ltd (GA), whose CEO Cherie Nicholl tells Good Weekend that GA is still in the process of scoping a consistent national data framework to provide figures for greyhound breeding and euthanasia. The jurisdictions across the country are absolutely committed to the welfare of the greyhounds and their post-racing life is of the utmost importance. As is the lives of those dogs that do not make it to the track, says Nicholl. White has been bewitched by greyhounds since her first encounter with a small female in a cage at a public pound in nearby Tweed Heads in 2002. Shed gone there with her family to join the Tweed Shire Councils rescue and adoption group, Friends of the Pound, but couldnt tear herself away from the winsome little hound watching her through the bars. While I was admiring her, a pound worker said, Oh, dont look at that one, its only here to be put to sleep. Back then, when little was known about the breed, councils had a policy of not re-homing stray greyhounds, but White couldnt get the doomed face of Zada (Arabic for lucky one) from her thoughts. Within days, shed talked her way around the red tape and brought Zada home, where the gentle bitch mixed peacefully with the family menagerie of cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chooks and horses. That started me on my new path in life, she says. I did a lot of research into what was happening to greyhounds, and I was appalled. Advertisement Loading When she started Friends of the Hound, the industrys various state and territory Greyhound Adoption Programs (GAP) were in their infancy, and there was only one independent adoption group based in Western Australia. (Racing industry-controlled GAP organisations operate nationwide, except in Queensland, where GAP is part of the state-funded Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, and the ACT, where greyhound racing was banned in 2018.) Most [bred-for-racing dogs] have spent their whole lives in cages or kennels, so they have to learn how to live as human companions. Friends of the Hound's Lisa White. FOTH is now among the largest of about a dozen such independent organisations throughout the country. It gets most of its dogs from owners, breeders and trainers who are expected to seek homes for dogs that havent made it as racers, or have suffered injury, or reached their competitive use-by age of between two and five years. They live with us until we can gauge their personalities, then at our volunteer foster homes until the right adoptive home becomes available, explains White. But most [bred-for-racing dogs] have spent their whole lives in cages or kennels, so they have to learn how to live as human companions. As White sees it, a major problem with the adoption system is that the way greyhounds live as racers, or even potential racers, often makes them unsuitable as pets: Theyre kept in isolation, and encouraged to chase lures, so theyre often aggressive, with anxiety issues, and have to be retrained as pets. But some of them will never be suitable. The breed, also known as sighthounds, pursues prey by sight rather than scent. The dogs have instinctive prey drive, which heightened by lure training can make them dangerous around smaller animals. Theyll even chase a plastic bag blowing in the wind, says White. Thats why were so careful about assessing each animal and finding new owners who understand the breed. Because we dont want headlines about a greyhound attacking someones little fluffy dog. Advertisement But its pet cats that are most at risk. According to information posted online by the Greyhound Adoption Program in NSW, only 5 to 10 per cent of greyhounds are cat tolerant and then only if the cat sharing a home with a greyhound lives entirely indoors. Moggies aside, GAP promotional material is upbeat about retired greyhounds being clean and sociable pets suitable for life in flats or apartments. They require little exercise, suffer few heritable diseases, mix well with other dogs if introduced correctly, are easy to feed and groom, and in most cases are fit and healthy and in the prime of their lives, despite some having minor injuries which stop them being competitive on the track. Until July 2019, all pet greyhounds in NSW had to be muzzled in public. The regulation has now been replaced by an Australia-wide temperament test conducted by GAP agencies. Dogs that pass the test are issued with green collars to denote their muzzle-free status. At Whites property, temperament testing is aided by Jack, a small but feisty three-legged Jack Russell terrier the family adopted years ago and jokingly dubbed greyhound bait. We got him because we wanted to know how our greyhounds were with a little dog, says White. Jack has never been attacked by any of them. In fact, hes the boss, and really gives them what for! A lot of FOTHs permanent homes stem from its promotions at community markets in NSW, Qld and the ACT. Volunteers erect gazebos where groups of greyhounds laze about, catching the attention of passers-by. The only way to make a long-term change for these dogs is to get them out in public, where people can meet them and have their misconceptions put to rest, White reasons. Able to see up to 1000 metres, greyhounds are believed to be the oldest pure-bred dog. On the surface, at least, the racing industrys adopt-a-greyhound public relations push seems to be working. From bush towns to inner-city precincts across the nation, the spindly speedsters pop up everywhere: stepping out with their new human companions, taking their first car rides, reclining gracefully at outdoor cafes, or trekking about in groups organised by people whose only social connection is a shared love and fascination for the ancient breed. Advertisement Sighthounds, or greys as greyhounds were historically known, are part of a canine group (along with Irish wolfhounds, Afghans, Borzois, deerhounds, whippets and others) that hunt mostly by sight. Able to see up to 1000 metres, theyre believed to be the oldest pure-bred dog, with historical references linking them to Celtic Europeans as far back as 8AD. On the fly, they are the second-fastest four-legged creature after the cheetah, hitting speeds of 70km/h over short distances. Modern greyhound racing stems from the brutal sport of coursing (popular among the landed gentry after the dogs arrived here with the First Fleet), in which rabbits, hares, wallabies and other small victims were released, run down and torn to pieces by greyhounds, cheered on by gatherings of rum-charged gentlemen. Track racing using mechanised lures began in the US early last century. Britain, Europe and Australia took up wagered dog racing soon afterwards. Although officially banned, live baiting scandals persist wherever dog racing occurs. Australias most recent, in November last year, involved the suspension of three Victorian trainers allegedly using possums as live bait. But the biggest shake-up of the industry in Australia came after a joint investigation into greyhound racing by the ABCs Four Corners, together with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age in 2015. This led to a Special Commission of Inquiry in NSW, which found that up to 20 per cent of trainers in that state still practised live baiting. The commission also found that over-breeding and the consequent euthanising of dogs meant the industry had failed to meet community expectations that it was ethical and humane. The industry has failed to address the issue of wastage successfully, and [due to its established economics] appears unlikely to do so in the foreseeable future, the commission noted. Loading According to the RSPCAs website, the dog over-supply is exacerbated by financial incentives for breeding, appearance fees and the lure of prize money statistics on the fate of unwanted greyhounds are not published by the industry, but based on the available information between 13,000 and 17,000 healthy greyhounds are euthanised by the greyhound racing industry each year in Australia. Yet although such welfare concerns have led to the decline of commercial dog racing across the world (its now illegal in 40 states in the US, where tracks continue to close), Australias industry, easily the largest of the eight countries where racing occurs, continues to thrive. It reportedly still attracts about $4 billion a year in bets, mostly from punters who rarely visit a track but bet by phone or online. Backed financially by state and territory governments, it remains self-regulated and is fiercely defended by industry sources, politicians, political lobbyists and punters themselves, as former NSW Liberal premier Mike Baird whose popularity plummeted as a consequence of trying to ban the sport in his state in 2016 can attest. Advertisement Alla Ilyina fell sick after returning home to Russia from China and was held in isolation at a St. Petersburg hospital. But after she tested negative twice for coronavirus, she decided there was no reason to stick around. Anti-citizenship law protestors at Delhi's Shaheen Bagh on Friday paid homage to Pulwama martyrs and observed a one-minute silence for the soldiers as they continued their demonstration that is now in its third month. School children presented dance performances on patriotic songs as the hundreds of people gathered there extended their respects to the 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who were killed in a terrorist attack on the Jammu-Srinagar highway at Lethpora in Pulwama on February 14, 2019. Protestors at south-east Delhi's Shaheen Bagh, which has now become symbolic of the resistance against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), had on Thursday extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inviting him to come and celebrate Valentine's Day with them. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, a fierce critic of the BJP government, also joined the protestors here on Friday. He met the famed Dadis of the protest and also relished some biryani the famous dish that has become a subject of contention between those in favour of and opposed to the CAA and NRC across the country. Kashyap took to the stage and asked protestors to not give any reason to those in power to evacuate them from the site. "When you fight for your rights, it is important that you stick with your truth. Don't give them any chance that they can violently remove you from here They do not understand the language of love. This is the only way to fight with them because they themselves do not know what they want," he said. He also took potshots at Home Minister Amit Shah during his speech, saying he personally would not believe whatever the government claimed about the CAA. "If we are misinformed, come and explain it to us," Kashyap said, hailing the protestors for continuing the demonstration which started on December 15. Sonu Warsi, a protestor, told PTI, "Around 4 pm, scores of children performed on patriotic songs and we paid tributes to the Pulwama martyrs with the national anthem. A one-minute silence was observed later in the evening by all present at the site in respect of the martyrs." Quazi Emad Ahmad, a local, said children and youths rang in the Valentine's Day at midnight, hoping the prime minister would accept their invitation and reach out to them. Protests had unfolded inShaheenBagh, Zakir Nagar, Jamia Nagar, Khureji Khas and other places in the national capital and elsewhere across the country in December to oppose the CAA and the NRC. 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 and facing religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but will be given Indian citizenship. The law excludes Muslims. Those opposing the law contend that it discriminates on the basis of religion and violates the Constitution. They also allege that the CAA along with the NRC is intended to target the Muslim community in India. However, the central government has dismissed the allegations, maintaining that the law is intended to give citizenship to persecuted people from the three neighbouring countries and not to take away citizenship from anyone. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) has urged women's federations at all levels across the country to offer online training courses for women to improve themselves. The initiative aims to enrich women's lives and promote them to learn skills at home amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus epidemic, so they can better fulfill their duties during the epidemic prevention and control work and when work resumes after victory in the anti-virus fight. The women's federations across the country have mobilized women to learn the courses of agricultural production, healthy lifestyle and career and entrepreneurship knowledge through the federations' online platforms. The Women's Federation of Shanxi Province offers online courses on career, entrepreneurship and healthy lifestyle through its official WeChat account. [For Women of China] The Women's Federation of Shanxi Province has offered online courses on career, entrepreneurship and healthy lifestyle through its official WeChat account. Women villagers of Southwest China's Sichuan Province can benefit from a training program on a daily basis offered by the Women's Federation of Sichuan Province. The online courses include the establishment and operation of a family farm, development of leisure agriculture in the mobile Internet era and the skills of making silk quilts. Women's Federation of Sichuan Province offers online courses for local women. [For Women of China] The Women's Federation of Chongqing Municipality mobilized the leading enterprises, craftspeople, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts in the hand knitting industry of the municipality to participate in the online hand-knitting activities offered by the federation. The participants can learn the skills of hand knitting and display their crafts through online platforms. Women in Chongqing Municipality display their crafts online. [For Women of China] The Women's Federation of Fuling District in Chongqing organized some skilled women to record 10-plus knitting videos. The local women can also learn knitting skills through the photos and texts sent in the WeChat group. The Women's Federation of Shapingba District in Chongqing has offered online courses of embroidery, tea art, health preserving, child-raising and cooking skills to the local women. In Suqian, a city in East China's Jiangsu Province, women can learn how to increase their income through planting blueberry from Pan Lijun, a successful businessman in the blueberry planting industry, with the help of the Women's Federation of Suqian City. In addition, theme lectures on agricultural production, healthy lifestyle and career and entrepreneurship knowledge will also be released online. The Women's Federation of Panjin City, in Northeast China's Liaoning Province, launched an online course on domestic services, including cleaning, cooking Chinese dishes and snacks, early childhood education and caring for infants, new mothers and the elderly people. The federation also established nine online groups for further discussion after class. More than 2,000 women have joined the discussions. The Women's Federation of Panjin City, in Northeast China's Liaoning Province, launches an online course on domestic services. [For Women of China] The Women's Federation of Fujin City, in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, has offered lessons of making easy crafts that can bring profits with low investment, such as Chinese knot. It encouraged women to stay at home with a positive attitude and scientific and healthy lifestyle at this critical moment in China's fight against the virus. (Source: China Women's News/ Translated and edited by Women of China) WARSAW (Reuters) - Greenpeace activist, Pawel Szypulski, said on Thursday he was applying for the chief executive job at Poland's biggest utility PGE, with a plan to eliminate polluting coal from the group's power production by 2030. State-run PGE generates electricity mostly from burning lignite and hard coal. The group plans to invest more in renewable sources of energy, mostly in offshore wind, but Szypulski says this 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 Europe's biggest coal plant in Belchatow, central Poland, should intensify investment in renewable sources as burning coal weighs on its financial results amid rising carbon emission costs. Szypulski said his first decisions as PGE CEO would be to scrap the company's plan to invest in a new lignite deposit in Zloczew, which is expected to extend Belchatow's life, and to prepare a detailed scheme for a phase-out of coal by 2030. His plans are in line with recommendations from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), a U.S.-based think-tank, included in its latest report on PGE. "Lignite today accounts for more than half of all PGE's 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 reports said. The deadline for applying for the PGE CEO job and other roles in the management board is Feb. 14. Top jobs in Poland's state-run companies are generally considered to be politicised. PGE's 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. (Reporting by Agnieszka Barteczko; editing by David Evans) Roddy Alves has revealed her new face for the first time one day after undergoing face feminisation and Adam's Apple removal surgery in Antwerp, Belgium. The star, 36, who came out as transgender recently, looked swollen and heavily bruised as she kept her fans updated on her recovery in photos and video following the 25k surgery. Brave Roddy wore a white bandage around her head as she sported heavily bruised and swollen eyes and an puffy face while talking in a hotel room. Scroll down for video Brave: Roddy Alves has revealed her new face for the first time one day after undergoing face feminisation surgery in Antwerp, Belgium Talking exclusively to MailOnline, she said: 'I can't speak very well because they removed my Adam's Apple so I have a sore throat. My eyes are very purple and swollen, I can't see anything. I can't see my new face. 'If I want to see anything I have to hold my phone up in order to read. 'My pain threshold from one to 10 is four, I look dreadful but my pain is very low. I just have discomfort.' Discussing the surgery she said: 'My hairline is much lower , my temples are much bigger as I have two titanium implants on my temples to make my face much more feminine. Recovery: Brave Roddy wore a white bandage around her head as she sported heavily bruised and swollen eyes and an puffy face while talking in a hotel room 'Hopefully I won't get mistaken for being a man anymore. My face will change a lot, will be smaller. This surgery has given me the diamond face that I always wanted. Roddy exclusively told MailOnline that she had jetted to Belgium to have her jawline, forehead and the bones around her eyes shaved in a bid to feminise her face. The media personality was transformed by Dr Bart Van de Ven from 2pass clinic, who specialises in Facial Feminisation Surgery, in what she said would be her 'most painful surgery yet!' Praising the surgeon and aftercare, she said: 'This surgery was pretty intense, it was four hours. I couldn't be at a better place than here. I am being very well looked after.' Roddy looked glamorous in a crushed pink velvet dress adorned with jewels and a black top as she spoke to her fans. Surgery: Talking exclusively to MailOnline, she said: 'I can't speak very well because they removed my Adam's Apple so I have a sore throat. My eyes are very purple and swollen, I can't see anything. I can't see my new face' Roddy is now looking to the future and is excited about wearing bikinis on the beach in the summer and discovering her signature style as a woman. This comes two days after Roddy discussed the surgery, saying:'Before going ahead with this surgery I did a lot of research. Dr Bart has been performing facial feminization surgeries for many years and achieves amazing results. He has performed this surgery on more than 2,000 trans women. 'After I met him I felt really confident and he also understands my needs and my expectations really well. 'Today is the last day of my life that I look at the face of a man in the mirror. And as from tomorrow I will have a female face, which will change my life forever.' After selecting her surgeon, Rodrigo explained the procedures which she will undergo in a bid to become the woman she's always dreamed of. Under the knife: Rodrigo recently told MailOnline that she has jetted to Belgium to have her jawline, forehead and the bones around her EYES shaved in a bid to feminise her face She said: 'Dr Bart Van der Ven will execute the following procedures: Type III brow bone reduction (with a brow lift and hairline lowering), Temporal PEEK implants, Chin and jaw recontouring and a Tracheal shave. 'He will make an incision inside my hairline and shave the forehead and the brow bone, because the protruding brow bone is a typically male feature. 'He will then add bone cement to obtain the desired forehead shape. 'The brows will be lifted and the hairline will be lowered during this process. My temples will be filled up with temporal PEEK implants, to give my face a more oval appearance. 'He will also shave the bones around my eyes, which will make me look much more suave and feminine. Transitioning: She detailed her heartbreaking tale of how she risked her life to become a transgender woman in a tell-all interview last month 'Then, he will make an incision inside my mouth and shave my jawline and my chin to make my face look smaller and give it a V-shape. Lastly, he will shave down my Adams apple. This is my most painful surgery yet!' The surgery should take about 4 hours and afterwards her face will be very bruised and swollen for a few days. The recovery process depends from patient to patient, but the final results can only be fully appreciated after several months up to a year after surgery. Rodrigo explained that she will take a break from TV for three weeks following the surgery, and will return with a totally new look, and more feminine face. She said: 'You will most likely still be able to see some of the swelling at that point, but that will fade in time.' The best in the business: The media personality was transformed by Dr Bart Van de Ven from 2pass clinic, who specialises in Facial Feminisation Surgery The Celebrity Big Brother star went on to detail her plans following the intricate facial surgery. She said: 'Next step will be to change my name and photos on my passports and to change my gender.' Discussing adapting to live in her new body, Rodrigo gushed about her beauty regime and developing her taste in fashion. She said: 'It is hard work to be a woman, but I love every detail that comes with such high maintenance: hair, nails, eye lashes, eyebrows, skin, laser hair removal etc. Fashion-wise I am still trying to figure what style I actually am and my decision making about what to wear for a night out for example takes 2 hours. 'And sometimes I still get it wrong such as showing too much breast or too much legs. Yet it is a journey that I am loving to experience. 'I started my transition in October 2019 taking hormones and having doctors assessments and I never felt so happy in my life!' Police on Friday arrested a former militant for allegedly killing an ex-Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen chief inside a mosque in the Maisuma area here, officials said. Ghulam Mohiuddin Dar, a resident of Dalgate, was arrested from the Karan Nagar area of the city, they said. Abdul Gani Dar alias Abdullah Gazali, a former chief of militant outfit Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TuM), was found dead inside the Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadith mosque at Maisuma on Thursday. The officials said the investigators zeroed in on Mohiuddin based on CCTV footage and information gathered around the crime scene. Mohiuddin, a former militant, allegedly killed Gazali inside the mosque, 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. Gazali, a resident of Beerwah in Budgam district, was a co-accused in the murder case and was currently on bail. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By design, smart speakers have microphones that are always on, listening for so-called wake words like Alexa, Hey, Siri, or O.K., Google. Only after hearing that cue are they supposed to start recording. But contractors hired by device makers to review recordings for quality reasons report hearing clips that were most likely captured unintentionally, including drug deals and sex. Two Northeastern University researchers, David Choffnes and Daniel Dubois, recently played 120 hours of television for an audience of smart speakers to see what activates the devices. They found that the machines woke up dozens of times and started recording after hearing phrases similar to their wake words. People fear that these devices are constantly listening and recording you. Theyre not, Mr. Choffnes said. But they do wake up and record you at times when they shouldnt. Rick Osterloh, Googles head of hardware, recently said homeowners should disclose the presence of smart speakers to their guests. I would, and do, when someone enters into my home, and its probably something that the products themselves should try to indicate, he told the BBC last year. Welcome mats might one day be swapped out for warning mats. Or perhaps the tech companies will engineer their products to introduce themselves when they hear a new voice or see a new face. Of course, that could also lead to uncomfortable situations, like having the Alexa in your bedside Echo Dot suddenly introduce herself to your one-night stand. No Longer Shunned as Loonies The bracelet of silence is not the first device invented by researchers to stuff up digital assistants ears. In 2018, two designers created Project Alias, an appendage that can be placed over a smart speaker to deafen it. But Ms. Zheng argues that a jammer should be portable to protect people as they move through different environments, given that you dont always know where a microphone is lurking. At this point, the bracelet is just a prototype. The researchers say that they could manufacture it for as little as $20, and that a handful of investors have asked them about commercializing it. Halleck said he anticipates about 25 to 30 trucks a day, most of which would arrive from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. He added that he would not agree to a contingency limiting truck traffic to those hours. Michael Keatons acting is Oscar-nominated, but how does his chin stack up? Photo: Warner Bros. This article originally published last summer. Now that weve caught a brief glimpse of Robert Pattinsons batjaw, were revisiting the ranking. Though the tone of each Batman project has varied over the years, mostly depending on how comfortable the respective filmmakers are with BDSM vibes, the general design of the Dark Knights costume never has. His ears are pointy, and located on top of his head. His nose is an isosceles triangle. And apart from two small eyeholes, the only part of his body left exposed by his formfitting black getup is his chin. Its a unique challenge for any actor with a thespians traditional engines of emoting covered up, theyve got to embody the character with just a jawline. With Robert Pattinson becoming the latest actor to step inside the cowl, we couldnt help but wonder: Of all the men who have become Batman, who pulled off this specific requirement of the character the best? To figure it out, we consulted Ashkan Ghavami, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon famous for his appearances on Love & Hip-Hop Hollywood. Ghavami recently provided an expert opinion on Chris Evanss butt, making him perhaps singularly qualified for this assignment. What makes for a good Bat-chin? While fashion trends like sculpted nipples come and go with the times, according to Ghavami, beauty standards for the lower face area have stayed constant throughout Hollywoods history: You want a strong square chin, plus a straight jawline with a good angle toward the ear. (For more information, see here.) With that in mind, which actor has the best Batmandibles? Read on. N.R.: David Mazouz (Gotham) Photo: Fox David Mazouz is the 18-year-old actor who played young Bruce Wayne on Gotham. He appears to have the mouth and chin of a typical human male, and wed feel uncomfortable saying anything more than that. 8. Robert Lowery (Batman and Robin serial) Photo: Colubmia Pictures Lowery wasnt the first actor to play Batman; that was the comically square-jawed Lewis Wilson, who portrayed the character in a 1943 serial. When Lowery took over for the little-loved Wilson in the Batman and Robin serial six years later, he had his own trouble measuring up. Lowery was an attractive enough actor on his own in his prime, he was considered a poor mans Clark Gable but the postwar costuming did his chin area no favors. Its proof that this costume could give trouble to even a bog-standard handsome man. 7. Michael Keaton (Batman, Batman Returns) Photo: Warner Bros. Michael Keaton has since become a respected elder statesman of the superhero genre, and an Oscar nominee to boot, but 30 years ago, his casting was so controversial that thousands of fans wrote in to Warner Bros. to complain. Perhaps it was his reputation as a comic actor, but perhaps it was also his chin, which inspired this withering assessment from Ghavami: Its not preferable at all. Why not? Its not very square. Its kind of round. Ah, well, nevertheless. 6. Val Kilmer (Batman Forever) Photo: Warner Bros. Over the course of our short interview, I slowly discovered Ghavamis favorite euphemism, which he broke out to describe Val Kilmers chin: He has a very specific look. In the mid-90s, the actors chin was only a few ticks off its Top Gunera peak in the sharpness department; stare at it too long, and you may see shades of Leno. Perhaps thats an aesthetic only a few people can pull off. Val Kilmer[s chin] is not one Ive ever had somebody bring in for requests, Ghavami says. 5. Ben Affleck (Batman v. Superman, Suicide Squad, Justice League) Photo: Warner Bros. Ben Affleck, by contrast, is often the model for men looking to reconstruct their chins. (Ghavami offers three options, in ascending order of complication: fillers, silicone implants, and for the really committed, actual jaw surgery.) Ben Affleck was great in Good Will Hunting, Ghavami says. He was a good-looking guy then, and hes still a good-looking older gentleman now. However, just as audiences loved certain heroes in DCs cinematic universe but didnt always care to see them all team up, men who bring in photos of the Gone Girl star are not looking to re-create every aspect of Afflecks entire chin. I personally have not had any men coming in asking for that cleft, says the surgeon. Thats a very specific thing, that not a lot of people necessarily like. 4. Robert Pattinson (The Batman) Photo-Illustration: Warner Bros. and Getty Images Pattinson has not yet been photographed in the Batsuit, so our photo team was kind enough to create this handy mock-up of what the Good Time stars chin might look like once hes strapped into the costume. Ghavami approves! Thats a nice-looking chin, he says. Partly because he has a good shape to his mouth. Like the actor himself, Pattinsons chin is sharp, edgy, and a little extreme. According to Ghavami, people tend not to try for it themselves. 3. Adam West (ABCs Batman) Photo: Twentieth Century Fox Adam West predated the golden age of contouring by a good half-century, and he did it all without any Instagram filters. Ghavami calls the late actors chin a little feminized, but, he allows, some people like that. With a little luck, and a bit of surgery, you can have it, too. As Ghavami explains, removing the buccal fat pad in the cheek (the bit of the face that makes babies so cute) can give some men a similar definition, provided they have a strong jaw and tight skin. Ive had people request that specifically, says Ghavami. People come in from Europe. Its a very tailored look. 2. Christian Bale (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises) Photo: Warner Bros. Though Christian Bale had been a successful child actor, his chin kept a low profile until American Psycho. Hes a really good-looking guy, Ghavami says. Thats why he was good for that role: He had that quintessential strong American male [look]. In order to be a power player, you cant have a weak chin. The doctor specifically highlights Bales angular bone structure as a plus, calling it supermasculine. You look at these MMA fighters and a lot of boxers, they all have chins that can take a punch. Its not too pointy, I wondered? Nope, says Ghavami: If your face and jawline are on the narrower side, the Christian Bale aesthetic makes sense for you. 1. George Clooney (Batman & Robin) Photo: Warner Bros. Clooneys turn in the Batsuit is almost universally regarded as a franchise low point, but were not ranking films here. Were ranking chins, and according to Ghavami, George Clooney has the Citizen Kane of chins. He has one of the most ideal chins and jawlines in history, the doctor raves. Its the old Hollywood standard. Look at Warren Beatty, Cary Grant, even Errol Flynn. All those people back in the day had really good chins. Of all the chins in Hollywood, Ghavami says that Clooneys chin is for sure the most requested among his patients, and in his expert opinion, it only has one rival Jon Hamms chin. His jawline is perfection, Ghavami says of the Mad Men star. Its a fitting compliment: Hamms own hopes to play the role were seemingly dashed when Pattinson got cast in The Batman, but he seems to have taken it on the chin. : The Bajrang Dal on Friday paid rich tribute to the brave security personnel who laid down their lives in the Pulwama attack last year and denounced "indecent behaviour" on the occasion of Valentines Day. The Bajrang Dal activists recalled the supreme sacrifice made by the martyrs in the Pulwama attack and paid homage to them at the Bala Gangangadhar Tilak chowrasta at Koti in Hyderabad, Pagudakula Balaswamy, prachara saha pramukh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Telangana, said in a statement. The activists paid homage to the slain soldiers at the martyrs memorial at Parade Grounds, Secunderabad, here, he said. The Bajrang Dal had earlier said the outfit would "awaken youth" towards making February 14 a day to pay homage to martyrs and not as 'Lovers' Day.' Balaswamy said the number of youth indulging in "indecent behaviour" in public parks on Valentines Day has seen a decline due to the fear of Bajrang Dal activists. The outfit had warned that it would not tolerate such behaviour in parks andother public places in the name of Valentine's Day. He said his outfit is not against true love but only against "indecent behaviour and commercial exploitation" of Valentines Day. The managers of pubs, clubs and restaurants have responded positively to the outfits requests to not organise events which encourage such behaviour and exploitation of Valentines Day, he said. The outfit has also undertaken awareness programmes to observe the day as an occasion to pay homage to martyred soldiers in educational institutions in the state during the last few days, he said. Meanwhile, C S Rangarajan, the priest of the famous Balaji temple at Chilkur on the outskirts of Hyderabad, cited the legend of Lord Venkateswara funding his divine wedding with Goddess Padmavati and said Lord Venkateswara, and not Valentine, is the true inspiration of love. Some scenes of a short film with the message of love of Lord Venkateswara and Goddess Padmavati were shot at Chilkur by a film unit, he said. "Lord Srinivasa (one of the names of Venkateswara) had to borrow money from Kubera to finance his marriage. Thus, Lord Srinivasa and Goddess Padmavati tied the divine and eternal knot, he said. "A bridegroom funding his marriage is the divine message," he said. The divine love story has few other inspiring messages for todays youth, he said. Lord Srinivasa performed long penance for his divine love, he said, adding love was divine, not objectified. The message is also that young men should stay away from dowry if not spending from their pocket for the marriage, Rangarajan said. The Chilkur temple has been active in taking up social causes, including religious equality and respect for women, he said. BJP MLA in Telangana T Raja Singh, who paid glowing tribute to the martyrs of Pulwama, said those who thought of giving gifts to lovers on the occasion of Valentines Day need to change their mindset and not forget that they are secure if the country is secure. February 14 is the day when the brave soldiers of India were martyred by "eunuchs" by carrying out a bomb blast, he said in a video message. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One of Waymo's self-driving Chrysler Pacifica minivans navigates autonomously around its testing facility at the decommissioned Castle Air Force base in Merced County, California, on Monday, October 30, 2017. Waymo A former Waymo driver was arrested in Arizona on Wednesday and accused of deliberately causing a crash with one of the company's self-driving minivans. A video taken by the van, which was being operated manually at the time, showed a car swerve in front of it and brake abruptly. Tempe police said Tang was charged with counts of aggravated assault, criminal damage, reckless driving, and endangerment. Waymo described Tang as a "disgruntled" former vehicle operator who was let go last year after failing to meet its safety standards. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. An ex-Waymo driver was arrested in Arizona on Wednesday after police said he intentionally caused a crash with one of the company's self-driving minivans last month. Tempe police said Raymond Tang, 31, "targeted" two Waymo vans, recklessly driving his Mazda around them before braking abruptly in front of one, causing it to rear-end his vehicle. Video taken by a dashboard camera on Waymo the van, which was being operated by a driver in manual mode at the time, shows the Mazda swerve in front before quickly coming to a full stop in front of it, at which point the vehicles collided. Tang has been charged on counts of aggravated assault, criminal damage, reckless driving, and endangerment, according to a police spokesperson. Waymo described Tang as a "disgruntled former Genesis10 vehicle operator whose assignment with Waymo ended nearly a year ago when he failed to meet the high safety standards," and said that Tang had been arrested previously on "misdemeanor charges for disorderly conduct and criminal damage" for a similar incident last November. Waymo relies on contractors like Genesis10, which provides drivers for its vehicles. The Verge reported that some have complained about their benefits being slashed as the result of recent changes to their employment status. Waymo also said the driver of the van involved in the accident was initially taken to the hospital after reporting neck pain, but has since been released with minor injuries. Read the original article on Business Insider A pacemaker is normally used to treat arrhythmia of the heart , a condition where there is alteration in the rate and/or rhythm of heartbeats. When the heart beats slowly, it is called bradycardia. Tachycardia is a condition when the heart beats fast. When the heart beats with an abnormal rhythm, the blood may not be pumped into the body at a uniform rate. This leads to fatigue, fainting, or dizziness. A pacemaker tries to rectify the abnormalities in the heartbeat and thus prevents the secondary conditions. The human heart has a natural pacemaker in the sinus node or the sinoatrial node, which is a group of cells that trigger electrical signals to stimulate the rhythmic contraction of the heart. In 1958, the first artificial cardiac pacemaker was surgically implanted by Dr. Ake Senning. An artificial pacemaker is a type of cardiac conduction device that is surgically implanted to control and rectify an abnormal heartbeat, with the help of electrical pulses. In the world, there are more than 3 million people with pacemakers and on an average in India, 20,000 patients are implanted with pacemaker devices each year. The pacemaker has a generator that is operated by a 2.5 V lithium-iodine battery and is connected by electrical wires to either one or two leads that are connected to the heart. The generator weighs approximately 20 g and is enclosed in a case that is made up of titanium. The pacemaker is placed under the skin usually just below the collarbone. Pacemakers can be distinguished based on the number of leads used and the approach to pacing. Based on the number of leads, the pacemakers are classified as follows: Single-Chamber Pacemaker In a single-chamber pacemaker, one lead is connected to the right atrium in cases of sinus node disease or the right ventricle in cases of atrial fibrillation. Single-chamber atrial pacemakers are used when sinoatrial disease causes a slow heartbeat. Though the sinoatrial node does not fire appropriately, there is no problem in the conduction between the atria and the ventricles. On the other hand, the single-chamber ventricular pacemakers are used when the conduction between the atrium and the ventricle is impaired. Dual-Chamber Pacemaker In a dual-chamber pacemaker, one lead is connected to the right atrium and the second lead is connected to the right ventricle. The wires simultaneously transmit electrical pulses to pace the atrium and the ventricle, thus coordinating the contractions between the 2 chambers of the heart. This device is normally used for patients with heart blocks. If the leads are not appropriately placed, the pacemaker does not function well and there is a recurrence of symptoms. Bi-ventricular Pacemaker A biventricular pacemaker is also called a cardiac resynchronization therapy device (CRT). In this type of pacemaker, electrical pulses are transmitted from the wires of the generator to both the ventricles and sometimes an atrium, resulting in coordination between the 2 ventricles. This type of pacemaker is used to treat patients with refractory heart disease that is associated with dys-synchrony in the ventricles. Bi-ventricular pacemakers are now being explored to treat individuals with the lethal condition of congestive heart failure. Research has shown that reduced morbidity and reduced hospitalization are some of the benefits of using biventricular pacemakers to treat congestive heart failure. Leadless Cardiac Pacemakers This is a recent advance in technology where pacemakers do not have the conventional lead electrodes that are connected to wires. Instead, the pacemaker is the size of an AA battery. However, it needs to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States. Pacemakers are monitored for their optimum pacing outputs or thresholds in order to maintain their efficiency. The Autocapture algorithm was the first to be introduced in pacemakers to monitor the pacing threshold in the ventricles of the heart. There are two types of pacemaker programming: Rate-Responsive Pacing The pacemaker adjusts the heartbeat rate based on the activity of the individual. The pacing threshold is established with the help of an algorithm that is present in the computer-based generator. For example, if the individual is exercising, the pacemaker adjusts the heart rate for the activity. The pacemaker assesses the sinus node pulse, the temperature of the blood, and the breathing pattern of the individual. Demand Pacing In this condition, the pacemaker adjusts the heart rate if the heart misses a beat or beats too slowly. The basic pacemaker consists of a battery-operated generator that is covered by a thin titanium box. The generator is connected to the heart by electrical wires with lead electrodes. The lead electrodes monitor the heartbeat by transmitting the signals to the generator. When there is any abnormality in the rate (e.g., bradycardia or tachycardia) or rhythm, the generator detects these changes and transmits electrical pulses to correct this abnormality in the heartbeat. The computer in the pacemakers generator keeps a record of the electrical activity and the rhythm of the individuals heart. This record enables the doctor to understand the working of the individuals heart and to adjust the pacemaker to work better for the individual. The adjustments can be made externally without any surgical procedure. The surgical procedure to implant pacemakers is a minor surgery that lasts for 1 to 2 hours with a risk rate of 1% to 2% in surgical complications. The transvenous surgical procedure is performed with local anesthesia. The wires are first positioned in the heart with the help of imaging techniques before connecting them to the pacemaker that is placed below the skin usually under the collarbone. A small bump is observed in patients at the site of implantation. Extreme motion with the arm, near the location where the pacemaker is inserted, is discouraged for a few weeks. Similarly, heavy lifting is also discouraged for a few weeks. The patients can resume their normal activity in a few days. Doctors should examine their patients with pacemakers every 3 to 6 months. The battery of a pacemaker lasts for 6 to 8 years following which, surgery should be performed to replace the old pacemaker. Individuals should always carry an information card stating the type of pacemaker inserted and the number of leads used, to show medical professionals or security officials at airports. Severe conditions, such as tachyarrhythmias, can be treated with an alternate device known as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The ICD has a defibrillator that delivers shock to the heart muscles to generate a normal rhythm in the heartbeat. In addition, electrical impulses are also delivered to the heart muscles to maintain the steady rhythm. There are 2 types of ICDs: subcutaneous (S-ICDs) and transvenous (T-ICDs) based on where the lead electrodes are located. Patients who do not require pacing adjustments for bradycardia or tachycardia, can be fitted with an ICD. One also finds ICDs coupled with single or dual-chamber pacemakers to generate and manage the normal rhythm of the heart. The difference between an ICD and a pacemaker is that an ICD can use either low-energy or high-energy electrical stimuli to control arrhythmias of the heart, while a pacemaker uses only low-energy impulses. Pacemakers have many advantages and they are listed below: Pacemakers maintain a normal heartbeat with a continuous rhythm in conditions where the heartbeat slows down, such as bradycardia. Pacemakers coordinate the pumping of atria and ventricles or maintain the coordination between the 2 ventricles. Pacemakers prevent arrhythmias in life-threatening conditions such as long QT syndrome. People with pacemakers can lead normal lives and use cellphones, microwaves, and other electrical objects as long as they are not in close contact with the region of the pacemaker. They are prevented from working in high-voltage areas, playing contact sports, or being exposed to magnetic resonance scanners, or welding equipment. Pacemakers with rate-responsive pacing can evaluate an individuals rate of breathing, and the temperature of the blood and thus, adjust the heartbeat according to the activity of the individual. Temporary pacemakers are used for short-term heart conditions with a slow heartbeat induced by a drug overdose, a heart attack, or a heart surgery. Individuals with temporary pacemakers remain in the hospital until the condition is stabilized or until a permanent pacemaker is inserted. Permanent pacemakers are used for long-term heart conditions, such as slowing of the heart rate due to bradycardia or an increase in the heart rate due to tachycardia. The risks of pacemakers are minimal compared with the advantages. Some of the risks include: Discontinued, kinked, or pinched electrical wires Diathermy (generation of high-frequency electrical current) as therapy during dental surgery or for arthritis may cause damage to the pacemaker. Collapse of a lung during surgery Rupture of a blood vessel or a nerve during the surgery Swelling, infection, intracardiac thrombosis, or bleeding in the region of the inserted pacemaker NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CITIC Capital Acquisition Corp. (the "Company") today announced the closing of its initial public offering of 27,600,000 units, which includes 3,600,000 units issued pursuant to the exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option in full. The offering was priced at $10.00 per unit, resulting in gross proceeds of $276,000,000. CITIC Capital Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company may pursue an initial business combination target in any business or industry, the Company intends to search globally for companies in the energy efficiency, clean technology and sustainability sectors, with a focus on companies that the Company believes can be positioned for success in China, as well as other markets in Asia and beyond. Credit Suisse acted as the sole book running manager of the offering. The Company's units began trading on The New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") on February 11, 2020 under the ticker symbol "CCAC.U". Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant, with each warrant whole exercisable to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share. After the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the Class A ordinary shares and the warrants are expected to be listed on the NYSE under the symbols "CCAC" and "CCAC WS," respectively. A registration statement relating to these securities was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 10, 2020. 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 these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained from Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC at Attn: Prospectus Department, Eleven Madison Avenue, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10010, by telephone at (800) 221-1037 or by email at [email protected]. Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements," including with respect to the Company's search for an initial business combination. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company's registration statement for the initial public offering filed with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law. SOURCE CITIC Capital Acquisition Corp. Related Links www.spacbyccac.com After starring as McDreamy for over ten years on the longest-running prime-time medical drama, Greys Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey took time off to spend with his family. Then he went on to act in movies, produce films and will return to the small screen in the political series, Ways & Means. Hes a well-known star, but he still manages to find time to remain humble. A recent spotting has fans drooling once again over the star who proves that Hollywood hasnt ruined him. Patrick Dempsey | Amy Sussman/Getty Images What has Patrick Dempsey done since leaving Greys Anatomy? After Dempseys 2015 departure from the hit medical drama, he took the time to slow down and focus on his family. There were rumors of divorce going around; however, he is still happily married, according to ABC. He starred in Bridget Joness Baby alongside Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth as the typical attractive guy. He is most recently known for producing the movie The Art of Racing in the Rain, and Berlin, I Love You. His latest endeavor will bring Demspey back to television to star in and produce the show, Ways & Means, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He will play an influential congressional member who has a change of heart and joins the opposing political party to help save Washington. The former Dr. Derek Shepherd spends half of his time in a small town in East Texas After leaving Greys Anatomy, Dempsey also bought a property on Lake Jacksonville, Texas, to be closer to his wifes family. He splits his time between California and Texas. He frequents the local shops and restaurants in Jacksonville. One of his favorite restaurants in the small town is Sadlers Kitchen. He gave the business some extra love in 2017 when he shared a photo to his Facebook page. In the pictures, he was enjoying pie with the owner, Jan Gowin. The woman who makes the best pies in Texas Sadler's Kitchen Posted by Patrick Dempsey on Monday, July 3, 2017 The restaurant is known for its homemade dishes such as fried green tomatoes, steak, salads, and of course, pies. It also hosts a weekly farmers market. What do fans have to say about Dempseys love of pie from East Texas? The picture of Dempsey from 2017 resurfaced recently on Reddit, and fans are going wild, yet again. One fan from the local town is particularly smitten with sightings of Dempsey and how kind he is. Her pies are actual heaven, the East Texas fan wrote about Sadlers restaurant. And not there, but Ive seen [Dempsey] out by his lake house a few times, and I always get a courtesy wave. Its a really small town, and we try to give him as much privacy as can be expected. The one time I ran into him out in the wild, he said hello and let me give him a high five. Other fans were excited to see the pictures of Dempsey acting like a regular guy and supporting a local business. I came here to comment about how ridiculously handsome he is and how its even more evident in like a random selfie instead of on a show with other hot people, another fan on Reddit added. Many users added how dreamy he looks and how he seems like a down-to-earth guy. It looks like these photos will have fans daydreaming no matter how old they are when they resurface again. There is not an official release date for Ways & Means, yet. Look for it coming soon to CBS. Read more: Greys Anatomy: Are Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey Friends? The money were reportedly received for the plot sold in Crimea. Mykola Nadeyko, the main witness in the corruption case against Director of the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) Artem Sytnyk, has told how he had met people with money from occupied Crimea at Sytnyk's request. In an interview to the news portal Strana, Nadeyko said Sytnyk had instructed him to meet some friends who arrived from annexed Crimea. "We met on the border with Crimea, but on our territory. A couple, as I understood from the conversation, brought money to Sytnyk, apparently, for the plot sold in Crimea. I don't know what kind of plot and how much it was sold. These people, most likely, were intermediaries in the transaction, some of his friends. We spent the night at Sytnyk's house, and the next day he drove them to the airport," Nadeyko said, the Ukrainian news outlet Obozrevatel said. Earlier, Ukrainian journalist Sergii Ivanov wrote about Sytnyk family's deal in occupied Crimea. It is about a plot, which was registered by Sytnyk's wife under the Russian legislation and sold for RUB 900,000. In 2015, Hanna Sytnyk, the wife of Artem Sytnyk, gave a power of attorney for the right to alienate property to Russian citizen Nebyvaylova. On the same day, Artem Sytnyk gave his wife consent to the alienation of the said plot. On August 1, 2017, the Russian occupying authorities in the city of Sevastopol registered the ownership right of Hanna Mykolaivna Sytnyk on a land plot of 0.0416 hectares in Sevastopol. On the same day, the Sytnyks sold a plot for RUB 900,000 through an intermediary, of which RUB 6,600 were paid to the Russian budget as a fee. These operations were not mentioned in Sytnyk's income tax declaration. It is also noted Nadeyko is an adviser to the sister of businessman Oleg Bakhmatyuk, against whom Sytnyk has opened criminal cases. The businessman himself said in an interview that the motives for pressure on the witness and personal revenge for recognizing Sytnyk as a corrupt official became the reason for the prosecution of Bakhmatyuk by NABU. Industry Update Appointment 14 February 2020 Todd Buchko Appointed General Manager At Origin Raleigh - NC, USA Todd Buchko, joins Charlestowne Hotels with more than a decade of experience, most recently leading the team at a AAA Four Diamond property on the St. Lawrence River in New York. A high-performance hospitality executive, Todd provides consistent success in property level growth and prides himself on building strong relationships with guests and staff built on trust and respect. Charlestowne Hotels Independent hotel management has been a cornerstone of Charlestowne Hotels' business for more than 40 years. Ranked one of the industry's top management companies (Lodging, HOTELS), Charlestowne specializes in lifestyle, adaptive reuse, collegiate, branded and soft-branded and condo properties spanning a range of markets including urban city centers, secondary cities and resort destinations. more information Recent Appointments at Charlestowne Hotels Paul Stracey - Director of Operations 3 February 2021 Leading hospitality management company Charlestowne Hotels proudly welcomes Paul Stracey to the corporate team as director of operations. In his role, Stracey will oversee key properties within Charlestowne's growing portfolio of more than 50 hotels. read more Patrick Lacassagne - General Manager/Innkeeper 2 February 2021 The award-winning Deer Path Inn proudly announces the appointment of Patrick Lacassagne as general manager/innkeeper. In his new role, Lacassagne will lead the historic 57-room boutique property, known for marrying the traditions of English innkeeping with exceptional service. read more With the MWC 2020 event officially called off, Realme has decided to launch its flagship, the Realme X50 Pro 5G, in an online event on February 24. The Realme X50 Pro 5G will be powered by the Snapdragon 865 SoC, will feature 65W SuperDart fast charging, and will run on the new Realme UI OS based on Android 10. 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 During Qualcomm's Snapdragon summit at the end of last year, Realme announced that it will be among the first to offer smartphones powered by the Snapdragon (SD) 765G and 865 5G SoCs. With the Realme X50 5G launching in China last month, the company had hopes of gracing the MWC stage for the first time to unveil the Realme X50 Pro 5G on February 24. However, those plans have taken a backseat with the cancellation of the MWC 2020 event over coronavirus concerns. In a press release, Realme said, 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." Even though the event stands cancelled, Realme will officially unveil the X50 Pro 5G via an online event. The Realme X50 Pro 5G is powered by Snapdragon 865 SoC with dual-mode (NSA + SA) 5G support, an FHD+ display, 12 GB of RAM, 256 GB of internal storage, 65W SuperDart fast charging ability, and the new Android 10-based Realme UI OS. In 2020, Realme hopes to be known as a "Popularizer of Tech Fashion and Fun" and as such, is expected to launch a slew of new smart devices this year catering primarily to the needs of young customers. A clause somewhat buried in President Donald Trumps deal of the century for Israeli-Palestinian peace, lifted from an obscure peace plan presented 15 years ago by Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman, has morphed into a time bomb or land mine waiting patiently for someone to step on it. Senior officials in the opposition Blue and White party tell Al-Monitor that this clause was deliberately inserted into the plan to drive a wedge within the center-left political camp, sabotage a possible political alliance between Blue and White and the Arab Joint List, and perhaps confront political hawk Liberman, the originator of the idea, with a dilemma. Section four of the Peace to Prosperity plan, titled Borders, stipulates that Land swaps provided by the State of Israel could include both populated and unpopulated areas. It includes a list of Arab Israeli communities in Wadi Ara and the so-called triangle region, areas abutting the West Bank and inhabited by hundreds of thousands of Israels Arab citizens, as potential lands for a swap between Israel and a future Palestinian state. Trumps plan further states that these areas were supposed to be handed over to the Kingdom of Jordan under terms of the 1949 Armistice Agreement following Israels War of Independence. They ended up under Israeli control due to security considerations that, according to the Trump blueprint, are no longer relevant. The presidential vision contemplates the possibility, subject to agreement of the parties that the borders of Israel will be redrawn such that the Triangle Communities become part of the State of Palestine, adding that these communities largely self-identify as Palestinian. Liberman holds the copyright for the populated land swap idea, which, as previously mentioned, he came up with in November 2004. The idea, laid out in a peace plan he presented, called for swapping territory with the Palestinians so that Israel would annex the major settlement blocs in the West Bank, and in exchange, the Palestinian state would get Israeli lands largely inhabited by Israeli Arab citizens who supposedly identify themselves as Palestinians. The point was also to reduce the proportion of the Palestinian minority in Israels population and remove most Israeli Jewish settlers from the future Palestinian state. Liberman never received any international credit for this combustible idea. On the contrary, he faced sweeping opposition wherever he turned. Still, the idea became the worst nightmare of Israels Arab citizens, who currently constitute 21% of the population and feel the Jewish State is plotting to somehow get rid of them, whether by transferring them from their homes (as per the ideology of the late minister Rehavam Zeevi) or exchanging lands densely populated by Israeli Arab citizens. A Blue and White source told Al-Monitor this week on condition of anonymity that US Ambassador David Friedman was the one who planted this explosive section in the deal of the century at Benjamin Netanyahus bidding. According to this source, the idea was simple: Drive a wedge between Blue and White leader Benny Gantz and the Arab Joint List. It worked. Gantz was caught in a bind. On the one hand, he had expressed support for the Trump plan in order not to be sidelined and risk losing moderate right-wing voters. On the other hand, in doing so he risked the secret, fragile and problematic alliance he has forged with the Joint List, the predominantly Arab unified list that represents most Israeli Arab voters and 10 of whose 13 Knesset members recommended to President Reuven Rivlin after the September 2019 elections that he task Gantz with forming Israels next government. The US Embassy denied the claim about Friedmans actions. While we will not comment on diplomatic discussions, the assertion is false, it said in response to Al-Monitors request for comment. How did Gantz resolve his entanglement? He did not, really. The Arab lawmakers went to him as soon as the Trump plan was unveiled on Jan. 28 and demanded that he reject out of hand the clause relating to land swaps. Gantz hemmed and hawed. Members of the Joint List were furious to the point that their leader, Knesset member Ayman Odeh, announced that he and his colleagues would not support any government that includes Liberman. When Gantz eventually gave in and said on Feb. 11 that Blue and White would oppose the proposed territorial exchange, it was too little, too late, and was perceived as capitulation to the Arab lawmakers threats. Meanwhile, Netanyahu latched on to the idea with justified enthusiasm. The current Likud party campaign focuses on the fact that Gantz cannot garner sufficient votes to form a government without the support of the Joint List, which is the third largest faction in the Knesset. With the Joint List announcing it was pulling its support over the land swap clause, he has lost his final chance of unseating Netanyahu. The prime minister is trying to block the wind swelling Blue and Whites sails and do to Gantz what Gantz did to him in the two previous election campaigns in 2019, portraying him as lacking sufficient support to form a coalition government and thus dampen the enthusiasm of Blue and Whites voters. As previously detailed here, one of Gantzs victory plans relies on gaining a Jewish majority, meaning a bloc of 54 Knesset members (of the centrist Blue and White, right-wing Yisrael Beitenu and center-left Labor-Gesher-Meretz), while siphoning off two Knesset seats from Netanyahus bloc of right-wing and ultra-Orthodox parties, taking it down to 53 seats. That would free a Gantz-led government of the need for the Arab Joint Lists support (it would only need to ensure that the Joint List abstains in the Knesset vote approving a new government). That, in turn, would enable Liberman to come on board without being perceived as joining a government supported by the Arabs. The land swap clause in the Trump plan undermines this battle plan, turns Blue and White and the Joint List against each other (suffice it for one Arab Knesset member to vote against such a minority government to preclude its formation), and confronts Liberman with a dilemma. Blue and White is not overly bothered by this scenario. For now, its campaign is focusing on one message only: a unity government with the Likud but without Netanyahu. We dont want to form a minority government (one that does not have the support of a 61-seat Knesset majority). The people of Israel need a unity government and the state needs a unity government, and that is where we are heading, a source on the right-wing flank of the centrist party told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. We are not trying to form a government using subterfuge, said the source. This move is a temporary victory for the right-wing flank of Blue and White, which is trying its very best to shake off the bear hug of the Arab Joint List in order to poach two or three Knesset seats from the right and open up a significant lead ahead of Netanyahu. Such a lead would pull the rug out from under Netanyahus demand that he serves first in a power-sharing rotation arrangement with Gantz and would end the tortured death throes of the Netanyahu era. The day might start with painted eggs, chocolate bunnies and a trip to church, but the centerpiece of many Easter Sunday meals is the ham. In addition to the many questions you may have about Easter traditions, have you ever stopped to wonder why Americans eat ham on Easter when the majority of the world eats lamb? 24 Ham Recipes to Level Up Your Easter The answer isnt as complicated as you might think. Simply put, ham is eaten on Easter because its practical and in season. Historically, lamb was the main course for Easter dinner and it still is in many parts of the world. Its a tradition thats about 3,000 years old and stems from the Jewish holiday Passover, which celebrates Israelites being liberated and their exodus from Egypt. The sacrificial lamb has always been an integral part of Passover, from a shank bone on the seder plate to a roast on the dinner table. When some converted to Christianity, they continued the custom at Easter. This custom originally continued in the United States because wool was a popular fabric during World War II, but as soon as the demand for wool began to wane, fewer legs of lamb became available for Easter. Ham became a great alternative to lamb because farmers could preserve the meat during winter months by curing it and, by the time spring arrived, it was ready to eat. Ham also became a practical alternative for lamb because it was more affordable and came in a larger serving size. In 1950, a leg of lamb cost around 74 cents, while a whole ham was available for about 62 cents. Not to mention there are many ways that you can prepare a ham it goes great with brown sugar, maple syrup and pineapples. Not many foods can pull that off. No matter which way you slice it, ham is truly a great addition to Easter traditions. This year, make sure your ham reaches its full potential by following this step-by-step guide for cooking the perfect Easter ham. BJP's J&K unit president Ravinder Raina on Friday asked party workers to gear up for the upcoming bypolls for over 12,500 panchayat seats in the Union Territory next month. By-election for over 12,500 panchayat seats in Jammu and Kashmir would be held in eight phases from March 5, J&K Chief Electoral Officer Shailender Kumar said on Thursday. Polling would be held from March 5 to March 20, using ballots to cast votes, he said. "The BJP is ready to contest Panchayat elections in Jammu & Kashmir," Raina said while chairing a meeting of UT's senior party leaders at the party headquarters here to plan its strategy for the upcoming panchayat polls. "As the J&K election authority has issued schedule for elections to the vacant seats of sarpanchs and panchs in J&K, the party activists must gear up with their activities in their respective areas," he said. He said as these elections will now be conducted on party symbols unlike the earlier election held in 2018, the BJP will have an edge in the elections due to its developmental work. In the meeting, the BJP's state president also discussed with his party leaders a wide range of issues related to the upcoming panchayat polls. He said with efforts of dedicated BJP leaders including sarpanchs, panchs and BDC chairpersons elected in earlier poll process, the developmental work are progressing at full pace in both the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh, especially in their rural areas. He said with the party's strong emphasis on improving the rural infrastructure, the common people from rural areas will wholeheartedly support the BJP in the panchayat elections. Alleging that earlier panchayat polls were marred by "vicious electoral malpractice" with parties like National Conference, People's Democratic party and others giving calls to boycott the polls, Raina said the people, hoever, ignored their anti-democratic campaign and voted in huge numbers, posing their trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy to strengthen the grassroots level democratic structure in J&K. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seen above is a container terminal in the nation's southern port city of Busan. Yonhap By Lee Min-hyung The nation's export price declined slightly in January from the previous month, as the won gained ground against the U.S. dollar, the Bank of Korea (BOK) said Friday. According to the central bank, the index came in at 96.59 last month, down 0.8 percent from a month earlier. Export prices bounced back in December for the first time in four months on the strengthening dollar against the won. However the momentum failed to last until January, as export prices for the nation's major hardware products, such as DRAM memory chips and electronic optics products, declined due to exchange rate fluctuations, according to the BOK. "Hit by the fall in the won-dollar exchange rate, the export price returned to a decline in January," an official from the central bank said. "The export price drop in such items as computers, electronics and optical products drove down the overall index." The average exchange rate came in at 1,164.28 won per U.S. dollar in January, down 1 percent from 1,175.84 won the previous month. The drop in the export price means local firms' profitability weakened during the period when they exported their products. The BOK set the export price at 100, which was the annual average in 2015. Specifically, export price of DRAM chips dropped by 2.5 percent in January from a month prior. Of the nation's total exports, the semiconductor industry accounts for the largest portion. In 2019, chip exports accounted for 17.3 percent of total annual exports. The industry has stood at the top for seven consecutive years since 2013. The import price also dropped by 0.8 percent in January, compared to a month ago, according to the BOK. The figure came in at 107.95. The central bank said this was attributable to the decline in the international oil prices. The figures were compiled by analyzing prices of 209 export items and 229 import items, the BOK said. The spread of the coronavirus has had limited impact on the indices, as the first confirmed case of the virus was reported in late January here, the BOK official noted. "We need to wait and see what kind of impact the virus will have on export and import prices in February," said the official. Local securities companies also said the spread of the coronavirus would not pose a significant impact on the local export. "According to data by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the nation's export to China's city of Wuhan the center of the virus outbreak accounted for only 0.3 percent in 2018," Hana Financial Investment analyst Kim Kyung-min said. Yet virus-related issues will delay the timing of the potential rebound in chip exports, according to the analyst. "Earlier, the securities firm expected the rebound to begin as early as February, but we need to tone down the stance due to the outbreak of the virus," said the analyst. Dubai-based DP World acquiring 51% stake in Ukraine's TIS Container Terminal 11:30, 14.02.20 1354 TIS Container Terminal is one of the largest and most dynamic container terminals in Ukraine. [February 14, 2020] Virsec and Tech Mahindra Collaborate to Deliver Advanced Cybersecurity Solutions to Customers Globally Virsec, a cybersecurity company delivering a radically new approach to protect against advanced targeted attacks, today announced it has partnered with Tech Mahindra Ltd., a specialist in digital transformation, consulting and business reengineering services. The organizations are working to provide first-of-its-kind cybersecurity solutions to protect applications from the inside, at the memory level in real-time. Virsec and Tech Mahindra will be showcasing these joint solutions at the RSA Security Conference 2020, Booth #S1653, February 24-27, in San Francisco. Rajiv Singh, Global Head of Cybersecurity, Tech Mahindra, said, "Cybersecurity is a top concern for our customers and the entire industry today. Tech Mahindra's collaboration with Virsec is a step towards defending against zero-day attacks launched by adversaries using fileless and memory-based techniques. We are already in the process of deploying this first-of-its-kind joint offering to a global major customer in North America to address cybersecurity concerns. As part of our TechMNxt charter, Tech Mahindra continues to deliver innovative and cutting-edge tehnologies in cybersecurity and risk management to customers globally." The Virsec Security Platform stops fileless and in-memory advanced application threats that escape detection by conventional security tools. It also protects applications from the inside, against known and unknown zero-day threats. Virsec patented technology maps acceptable application execution, and instantly detects code execution deviations triggered by cyberattacks. This deterministic process detects and blocks application attacks within milliseconds, with precise forensics at every step. Saurabh Sharma, Vice President of Business Development, Virsec, said, "In today's hostile security environment, we're seeing an exponential rise in attacks that target application memory during runtime, and Virsec directly addresses these risks. We are already working with Tech Mahindra's customers in the U.S. representing telecom, semiconductor, and energy verticals and have plans to expand our joint solutions to other verticals and regions." Tech Mahindra provides enterprise cybersecurity and risk management services to customers across the globe, including Fortune 20 companies. Virsec's patented technology has been validated with a range of Tech Mahindra's solutions providing unprecedented protection against advanced targeted attacks. This collaboration aligns with Tech Mahindra's TechMNxt charter, focused on leveraging next-generation technologies like Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, 5G, and Internet of Things, to disrupt and enable digital transformation, and to build cutting-edge technology solutions and services for customers globally. About Virsec Based in San Jose, California, Virsec was founded on the belief that a new approach is required to counter today's advanced threats. The company is led by industry veterans who have driven one of the world's top processor teams, and created innovative technology in network security, embedded systems and real-time memory systems. The team has broad leadership experience at companies including AMD, Cisco (News - Alert), Palo Alto Networks, Juniper, Dell, NextGen, BMC Software, ForcePoint, as well a long list of high-growth start-ups. More information and demos are available at www.virsec.com. About Tech Mahindra Tech Mahindra represents the connected world, offering innovative and customer-centric information technology experiences, enabling Enterprises, Associates and the Society to Rise. We are a USD 4.9 billion company with 130,800+ professionals across 90 countries, helping 964 global customers including Fortune 500 companies. Our convergent, digital, design experiences, innovation platforms and reusable assets connect across a number of technologies to deliver tangible business value and experiences to our stakeholders. Tech Mahindra is the highest ranked Non-U.S. company in the Forbes Global Digital 100 list (2018) and in the Forbes Fab 50 companies in Asia (2018). We are part of the USD 21 billion Mahindra Group that employs more than 200,000 people in over 100 countries. The Group operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, after-market, information technology and vacation ownership. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005338/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A 40-year-old woman was arrested along with her male friend for allegedly killing her husband in Northeast Delhi's Sonia Vihar area, police said on Friday. The accused have been identified as Sheela and Wakil (40), both residents of Ghaziabad, they said. On February 6, police recovered a man's body from a garbage heap in Khadar area around the Yamuna river near Chauhan Patti, Sonia Vihar, in a decomposed and partially burnt condition, a senior police officer said. "The face of the body was disfigured with force of heavy blunt object. The deceased was later identified as Bachcha Lal (47), a resident of Ghaziabad," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) Ved Prakash Surya said. During investigation, it was revealed that Lal did not have good relations with his wife. They were living separately for the past two months. Sheela along with her children had shifted to Loni, Gaziabad, and Wakil also started living nearby, the DCP said. Lal had stopped any kind of financial help and support to his family. Sheela was interrogated and she accepted her crime. She disclosed that she hatched a plan with her friend Wakil around 20 days back to kill Lal, Surya said. On January 23, the duo followed Lal from Lajpat Rai market and attacked him with stones. They hid his body beneath heaps of garbage and fled from the spot, they added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) File image Ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit, India has finalised two more defence deals with America, the total worth of which is $3.5 billion, according to a report in The Times of India. The report said that a $2.6 billion deal for 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters for the Navy and a $930 million deal for six Apache helicopters for the Army is set to be cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) by next week. The six Apaches are reportedly just a follow-on order to the 22 helicopters inducted by the Indian Air Force in 2015. The Army should get the deliveries of the six choppers, armed with Stinger air-to-air missiles, Hellfire Longbow air-to-ground missiles, guns and rockets around 2022-23," the source told the publication. According to the publication, the 140-warship force has just about 12 Sea Kinds and 10 Kamov-28 anti-submarine helicopters. At the moment, the MH-60Rs are armed with Hellfire missiles, MK-54 torpedoes and precision-kill rockets. These choppers are a 'critical operational necessity for the Navy since Chinese submarines have been making regular appearances in the Indian Ocean Region. Trump is also expected to push for a fighter aircraft to be selected for the Make in India project to produce 114 jets for the IAF. This will be a $20 billion deal in addition to another for the supply of 57 multi-role fighters that operate from aircraft carriers. New Delhi: Samples of all 406 people who arrived from Wuhan, China collected for final test in view of the coronavirus outbreak, at ITBP Quarantine facility in Chhawla, New Delhi on Feb 14, 2020. Reports expected in 2-3 days. Periodical checkups also Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: Samples of all 406 people who arrived from Wuhan, China collected for final test in view of the coronavirus outbreak, at ITBP Quarantine facility in Chhawla, New Delhi on Feb 14, 2020. Reports expected in 2-3 days. Periodical checkups also Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Feb 14 : In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus in India, the country's civil aviation regulator has decided to expand universal screening for all passengers arriving in flights directly from Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore, besides those from China and Hong Kong. According to a circular issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation: "Universal screening of all passengers coming in flights directly from Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore besides the flights from China and Hong Kong shall be ensured immediately once they step out of the specific identified aerobridge. "It is advised to place suitable signages at strategic locations at all the airports and getting the self-declaration form filled by the passengers as per the instructions of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare." Earlier, the government had banned all India-bound airlines from boarding any passenger from China on an e-visa, in view of the rapid spread of coronavirus which originated in Wuhan. The virus, which is of the same genre as SARS that broke out in 2003, was first reported in the WHO Disease Outbreak news on January 5, 2020. It has progressively spread across many countries from its epicentre in Wuhan. In a bid to curb the spread of the virus, Chinese authorities have closed transportation services across many parts of the country, including Wuhan. The virus has spread at a much faster pace than the 2003 SARS epidemic. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) FLINT, MI -- A former University of Michigan-Flint employee has filed a federal lawsuit against the university alleging she was fired for advocating for better resources for LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff. Former director of the University of Michigan-Flints Center for Gender and Sexuality Heather Johnson filed the suit Thursday, Feb. 13 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Johnson was terminated from her role in January of 2020. She started at the university in July 2018. Johnson is seeking reinstatement of her job and payment of lost wages and related economic damages, damages for emotional distress and harm to her reputation, attorneys fees and costs and other relief as the court deems appropriate, according to court documents. UM-Flint declined to comment on the case because it has to do with a personnel matter. UM-Flint hired Johnson in July of 2018 in response to concerns about a hostile and non-inclusive climate for women and LGBTQIA+ individuals on campus, according to the lawsuit. Johnson was a persistent advocate for these concerns, reporting to the Universitys leadership her concerns that UM-Flint was discriminating against LGBTQIA+ individuals in violation of Title IX and the Affordable Care Act, the lawsuit reads. She also raised her concerns that UM-Flint was failing in its duties under a number of State laws and the Universitys own policies and regulations regarding training and reporting for campus sexual violence prevention. Barbara Avery and Sue Borrego, the former vice chancellor and chancellor who originally hired Johnson, were replaced by August of 2019 by Christopher Giordano and Debasish Dutta, who are listed as defendants in the suit. Center for Gender and Sexuality opens at University of Michigan-Flint The lawsuit states Johnson identified and reported to Giordano specific failures of the university to provide adequate mental health care services for LGBTQIA+ students and reported concern that the university was not safeguarding the confidentiality of sexual violence incidents. Johnson told Giordano transgender students seeking counseling services were discriminated against, according to the suit. She filed a formal complaint in October 2019 with the universitys human resources department alleging discrimination against students. On Dec. 2, 2019, Dutta allegedly summoned Johnson and faculty member Emily Feurherm, both co-chairs of the universitys Womens Commission, to an early morning meeting and informed them the university was dissolving the Womens Commission effective immediately, according to the lawsuit. Later that same day, Giordano summoned Johnson to a meeting where he and Human Resources Director Beth Manning presented her with a document that required her to resign her employment and promise not to ever seek rehire by the university in exchange for a small payment, according to the suit. This document indicated that if Johnson refused to sign, she would face unspecified disciplinary charges that would result in her termination," the lawsuit reads. Johnson chose to remain and face a disciplinary review conference. Former chancellor Borrego wrote to Giordano and Human Resources in advance of the conference to support Johnson and object to her termination. Despite this, Johnson was sent to a disciplinary hearing Jan 14 where she was terminated, according to the suit. Charges brought in the hearing were unfounded accusations she had not previously heard during her employment, the suit states. Details of the charges were were not made clear in the lawsuit. A letter by Womens and Gender Studies Program faculty was sent to Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Keith Moreland Jan 17, expressing outrage over Johnsons termination. We are particularly concerned by what appears to be the complete lack of protection for individuals to do the job they are tasked with," the letter reads. "In this case, it seems Director Johnson has been targeted for fulfilling a key responsibility of her position, which is to identify areas of institutional weakness or need, assure the use of expertise in best practices, and to advocate for change in order to promote the retention and success of LGBTQIA identified people, women and all individuals on campus. Johnson was not immediately available for comment. Prosecutors from that office recently sought information related to the former U.S. ambassador in Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, who the three men pushed Trump to oust, according to a person familiar with the request who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation. They have also inquired about two companies with ties to Parnas, who along with Fruman was charged in October with campaign finance violations, according to people with knowledge of the queries. A father has spoken of his 'torture' after judges ruled doctors can withdraw treatment from his brain-damaged son as he is now clinically dead. Karwan Ali, 35, and his wife Shokhan Namiq, 28, who live in Manchester, had appealed after a High Court judge concluded four-month-old Midrar was brain-stem dead and said doctors could lawfully stop treating him. The parents wanted doctors to keep providing life-support treatment but three Court of Appeal judges on Friday dismissed their challenge and declared their son is dead. Court of Appeal judges have ruled that doctors can stop providing life-support treatment to brain-damaged baby Midrar Ali Karwan Ali (left) and Shokhan Namiq (right) pictured outside the Court of Appeal last month as they fight for their baby to be kept alive Mr Ali disputed the medics' findings and said his lawyers would be working on an appeal. He said: 'Can death simply be ruled by judges? It's proscribed death, that is all I can say. 'My wife is feeling terrible, she can't even eat now. It's a very difficult situation for anyone to be in, they tell us the time and the minute.' He added: 'It's like torture for me too now. I don't know where this goes, the lawyers have to work on it. We will probably be appealing against it. 'I don't know what the hospital will do without me agreeing to it. I don't want to agree to my boy going blue on my hand.' Sir Andrew McFarlane, Lord Justice Patten and Lady Justice King ruled on Friday that medics could lawfully 'cease to mechanically ventilate' Midrar. Last month, Mrs Justice Lieven concluded Midrar was brain-stem dead and ruled life-support treatment could lawfully end. But Midrar's parents wanted treatment to continue and had asked appeal judges to overturn Mrs Justice Lieven's ruling. The three appeal judges at a Court of Appeal hearing concluded Midrar's parents did not have an arguable case and declared he is dead. Sir Andrew, president of the Family Division of the High Court and the most senior family court judge in England and Wales, said evidence showed 'awfully' Midrar no longer has a 'brain that is recognisable as such'. He added: 'There is no basis for contemplating that any further tests would result in a different outcome. 'No other conclusion was open to Mrs Justice Lieven.' Solicitor David Foster, of law firm Barlow Robbins, representing Midrar's parents, said an appeal was being considered by the couple. Mr Foster said: 'They believe the law in this area should be reviewed and do not consider Midrar's condition is necessarily 'irreversible'. 'They would like to have the court give weight to experts from outside the UK.' Born on September 18, Midrar was starved of oxygen due to complications at birth and suffered brain damage, and been placed on a ventilator. Three appeal judges ruled today that stopping life-support treatment was in Midrar's best interest Lawyers representing the hospital's governing trust, the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said three tests had confirmed brain-stem death two weeks after the child's birth. Appeal judges accepted evidence and declared Midrar had died at 8.01pm on October 1, when he was 14 days old. Sir Andrew said appeal judges had been asked to consider issues including: - Whether Mrs Justice Lieven had correctly identified the issue 'as being whether Midrar is dead' according to UK criteria and clinical guidance, and, if so, whether he should be removed from a ventilator? - Was the question of the 'best interests' of an individual relevant when a person was dead? A guardian appointed by Mrs Justice Lieven to represent Midrar had said ending ventilation and letting life end was in the little boy's best interests. His parents Karwan and Shokhan Ali, 35 and 28, had said their child was still breathing three months after being deemed brain stem dead Midrar's parents had also said their son's 'best interests' were relevant. But Mrs Justice Lieven decided not to analyse what was in Midrar's 'best interests', saying in her ruling that if someone was brain-stem dead then there were 'no best interests to consider'. Sir Andrew said on Friday the outcome would have been the same if Mrs Justice Lieven had analysed Midrar's best interests. He explained: 'In so far as the parents' argue that this case should have been determined on a 'best interests' basis, such analysis could not, on the facts of this case, produce any other outcome but for the removal of the ventilator.' Appeal judges are expected to publish a detailed ruling on the case, outlining the full reasoning behind their decision, next week. NEW YORK (JTA)Jared Kushner didnt realize his father-in-law was serious about running for president until Donald Trump asked his daughter Ivanka, Kushners wife, to help launch his campaign. Thats one revelation in Kushners exclusive interview with the Orthodox weekly Ami Magazine about his role in the Trump administration. We took a look at the full interview (available only in print or online with a subscription) and five things stood out. Kushner didnt know hed be working on a peace plan, either Apparently the president asked Kushner to spearhead the effort toward Israeli-Palestinian peace during the transition based on his real estate experience. As Kushner told Jake Turx, Amis senior White House correspondent: We talked a lot about our deals. Whenever I made a good deal he would say, I would have loved to have done that. Howd you do it? He would always joke about how I got a lot of deals that other people might not have. He just threw me into it. Jerusalem, the (sort of) undivided capital During the announcement of his Middle East proposal, Trump said that under his plan, Jerusalem will remain Israels undivided capital but that a Palestinian capital will be located in East Jerusalem, seemingly altering the historical position of the United States. Kushner elaborated: If you look at the municipal boundary of Jerusalem, its very different from the way it was in 1967, and I believe its possible to say that the part of Jerusalem Israel will retain as an undivided city in the context of the people to whom that statement is important. Its also possible that a portion of what is technically the municipal boundary of Jerusalem in East Jerusalem can become the capital of a Palestinian state. But becoming the capital of a state isnt something thats based on a religious claim, its just a claim they put in their charter back when they formed their organization. When Jordan controlled the West Bank, its capital was Amman, not East Jerusalem. When they relinquished that claim and the Palestinians took over, they created a new claim that they wanted to have their capital in East Jerusalem. The world signed on because people said, Why not? He then clarifies: It means that the portion that would be in Israels control is an undivided capital of Jerusalem. Ivanka might have written that famous escalator speech Who can forget Trumps grand escalator slide into the 2016 presidential raceand the colorful speech that followed? Kushner suggested that Ivanka Trump wrote it. We thought [Trump] was pretty serious in the lead-up to the [2016] election, which we knew for sure when he asked Ivanka to write a speech for his official announcement, he told Turx. So he never sat down and told you he was running; you just figured it out when he asked your wife to write that speech, Turx said he responded. Yes. I believe we got together on a Sunday for lunch. Hes ready to talk tachlisafter the Israeli elections Kushner told Turx that hes ready to start working on a technical map of the peace planin his words, going line by line and street by street to decide where to put the bordersas soon as Israel has settled its third round of elections in less than a year. The vote is in March. Later Kushner explained why the details matter so much to him. When you disagree about a concept, you have to figure out the details and then figure out whats the bid and whats the askthe unbridgeable factors, he said. If I can take a big conceptual gap and narrow it down to a few technical details, its much easier to find a compromise. Hes still wearing a red string In kabbalah, or Jewish mysticism, wearing a thin red string around the wrist is said to ward off bad luck. Kushner and Ivanka Trump, not to mention celebrities like Madonna, have been spotted wearing the talisman before. According to this interview, Kushner is still maintaining the practiceand his kids are now, too. Ottawa, Feb 14 : Canadas national railroad company announced the closure of all its routes in the eastern part of the country due to protests by indigenous groups, suspending passenger and freight services. In a statement on Thursday, Jean-Jacques Ruest, president of the Canadian National Railway, said the closure decision was taken after more than 400 train trips had been cancelled in the past week and protests had emerged in strategic locations in eastern Canada, reports Efe news. The closure of the lines, which operates rail freight in Canada, also means the suspension of all services of Via Rail, the country's passenger transport company. Via Rail had previously cancelled passenger services between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, the country's main passenger corridor, over indigenous protests that have gone on for a week. The main transport sector union in Canada, Teamsters Canada, said in a statement that the suspension of the CN rail service could lead to the temporary dismissal of 6,000 railway employees. The blockades began a week ago when the Canadian Mounted Police began arresting indigenous activists protesting in British Columbia, on the country's Pacific Coast, against the construction of a gas pipeline. The heirs of the Wet'suwet'en Indians of British Columbia oppose, with the support of environmental groups in the country, the project on native land belonging to the Coastal GasLink gas pipeline. Construction of the 670-km pipeline is costing C$6 billion ($4 billion). Courts last week authorized police to detain protesters involved in the blockade. After the first arrests, indigenous groups across the country began protests in solidarity with the indigenous group in British Columbia. In Ontario, Mohawk Indians blocked the railroad in Belleville town, about 200 miles east of Toronto, which has now led to the suspension of all rail traffic in eastern Canada. Meanwhile, the federal government has indicated it is willing to meet with indigenous groups but that they must first put an end to the blockades. Chinese workers wearing protective suits stand in an elevator at a mall in Beijing, China, on Feb. 9, 2020. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) Beijing, Other Chinese Regions Declare State of War Over Coronavirus Outbreak Two Chinese districts in virus-stricken Hubei Province have issued wartime management orders barring people from leaving their apartment buildings, as the country battles with the deepening coronavirus crisis that has spread mounting fears across the globe. Zhangwan district in Shiyan city of Hubei Province was first to implement the order and lock down residential buildings. Starting from Feb. 13, all residential areas in the district will be placed under wartime management, according to a notice posted on Wednesday evening. One measure calls for banning all vehicles from entering and leaving local districts with a few exceptions, such as medical vehicles, police cars, and firefighting vehicles. Individuals in the districtexcept for medical workers, outbreak prevention officers, and those delivering basic living suppliesare no longer allowed to leave their apartment buildings, it said. Extraordinary Move The districts outbreak containment unit said the measure was an extraordinary move implemented as it was left with no alternatives. It said they will roll out the measure for two weeks before deciding on whether or not to continue with the restrictions. Earlier on Monday, residential neighborhoods in the entire Hubei Province had banned visitors whose body temperatures were over 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Local cadres and property management officers will be on shift 24 hours to enforce the policy, the notice said. People will be detained in accordance with the wartime regulation, for entering buildings and districts that have been sealed off. A employee wears a protective mask whilst carrying vegetables from trucks at a hospital in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 10, 2020. (Stringe/Getty Images) The notice added that neighborhood committee officers will arrange to deliver food and other basic living supplies to peoples doors at specific times. The authorities will also set the prices and decide what types of goods to deliver. A few hours later, Dawu County, also located in Hubei, similarly issued a 14-day residential building lockdown. Daigou, or surrogate shopping, is now enforced in all villages and districts in Dawu, meaning that residents must buy living necessities and drugs through third-party sellers. The daigou service is guaranteed at least once every three days for every household. In one sentence: dont go outdoors, a staff member at the Dawu government office told Chinese newspaper National Business Daily. Some over 80 cities across China, including Beijing and Shanghai, have restricted movement to varying degrees. Inner Mongolia on Feb. 13 also issued a notice shutting down all non-necessary public facilities. Weddings will be halted and all families should remain at home, with only one member going out to purchase groceries, it said. A man wearing a face mask and holding a bag of vegetables walks along a street in Beijing on Feb. 12, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) State of War The party branch within Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control on Tuesday also issued a statement, asking all Party members at the agency to fully recognize the sense of urgency and importance at the critical juncture, and enter a state of war. To prevent cross infections, the statement prohibited staff from visiting other departments unless its work-related. It said people should resort to phone calls or other telecommunication methods to reduce face-to-face interactions where possible. In a recent appearance in Beijing, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said they are waging an all-out war against the outbreak, in which he said the communities are at the forefront. A staff member wearing a protective mask and suit works at a supermarket in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak of a novel coronavirus, in Chinas central Hubei province on Feb. 10. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Xiao Xu, the vice director of Zhangwan district, told state-owned radio network China National Radio that the new lockdown measure was an attempt to control the virus further spread as the district has seen an 80 percent jump in infections. He added that they chose the wording wartime management to emphasize the gravity of the situation. Qin Peng, a political affairs commentator, said he suspects the Chinese authorities are doing a trial run in the district. If the results proved effective, they might replicate the measures in other regions, he said. The state of war policy in Beijing appeared to be a way for the city to ease into such a measure and allow people to adjust to it gradually, he said during a live program on the Chinese-language Epoch Times. Chinese paramilitary police officers wearing protectieve gears transfer pails of disinfectant in Yunmeng county, outside Xiaogan City in Chinas central Hubei province on Feb. 12, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Challenges Mounting Tong Zhaohui, the vice director at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital who was sent to Hubei to help fight the outbreak, said he had observed a higher rate of severe respiratory failures among the coronavirus patients. Compared to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in 2003, the respiratory failure this time comes even faster this time, and the lack of oxygen at times can be very apparent, he said in a Thursday press conference in Hubei. The virus also attacks the patients hearts, creating challenges in treatment, he said. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization Director-General, branded the coronavirus public enemy number one in a Feb. 11 press conference, warning that it can create havoc, politically, economically and socially. What you need to know today: Politics -- Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Thursday hailed the European Parliaments ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) as a great event to mark the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-EU diplomatic relations, according to the Vietnam News Agency. -- Malaysia's King Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah on Thursday proposed that Vietnam and Malaysia beef up bilateral cooperation in various fields, particularly in the fight against transnational crime, the Vietnam News Agency reported. Society -- A police officer was terminated past midnight on Friday, when he resisted law enforcement with a gun from a house in Hoc Mon District, Ho Chi Minh City. The policeman, Le Quoc Tuan, had been wanted for shooting five to death over gambling disputes and robbery. -- More than 5,000 Chinese workers are quarantined for monitoring signs of COVID-19 infection in 41 provinces and cities in Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs. -- About 660,000 livestock animals are being isolated in Chuong My District, Hanoi to curb the spread of the A/H5N6 bird flu, local authorities said. Business -- Almost 98 percent of workers have resumed their work after the Lunar New Year festival despite the complicated developments of the COVID-19 epidemic, Minister of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung told reporters on Thursday. -- Budget carrier Vietjet has opened a series of five direct routes connecting Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang with New Delhi and Mumbai in India to make inroads into this market of 1.5 billion people. Education -- Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training has said that local authorities are advised to let students return to school only when measures are taken to prevent the possible contagion of the novel coronavirus. -- The chairman of the northern Vietnamese province of Lang Son, Pham Ngoc Thuong, has been appointed Deputy Minister of Education and Training. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Marcie Shea, who represents the Tuckahoe District, echoed concerns Cooper brought up about middle school and high school feeder patterns being disrupted in some of the proposals. The continuity of communities has to be considered for all of our maps. We know this builds a strong sense of community, which makes for strong schools, she said. Alicia Atkins, who represents the Varina District, said Cropper and the school system could also help the process by making the data thats been shared easier to understand. I think we can do better as far as communication goes, she said. If theres a way to bring forth the information in the most simplistic fashion, we can reach everyone so that some of the decision-making isnt based off emotion. Shea also asked that the public be mindful of how they speak online and in public about different communities that they might consider to be less desirable and could be zoned to take students from other schools. Our students and children are watching, she said. Please speak to each other with respect and dignity. I know we can do better. The redistricting committee will meet again Wednesday. New drafts of redistricting proposals will then be shared at community meetings scheduled for March 4 at L. Douglas Wilder Middle School and March 5 at Hermitage High School. Both begin at 6:30 p.m. Some Southern Baptist church leaders and pastors are threatening to boycott the Southern Baptist Convention's Pastors' Conference because of a planned performance from a female spoken word artist. According to The Christian Post, some of the church pastors say Hosanna Wong should not be in the lineup of featured guests at the conference because she is a female teaching pastor. The last thing I want to do is sow discord in the body of Christ. And I do not believe I'm doing so. I must, however, question @PastorDavidUth on @SBCPastorsConf including @waynecordeiro & Hosanna Wong. This does not represent the majority of the SBC. We will fight for right, Sam Bunnell, pastor of worship and discipleship at South Reno Baptist in Nevada, said on Twitter. The last thing I want to do is sow discord in the body of Christ. And I do not believe I'm doing so. I must, however, question @PastorDavidUth on @SBCPastorsConf including @waynecordeiro & Hosanna Wong. This does not represent the majority of the SBC. We will fight for right. Sam Bunnell (@sambunnell) February 11, 2020 Dwight McKissic, senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, however, noted in a statement that Wong is not a lead pastor. If Phoebe could be entrusted to deliver the Roman epistle to the church at Rome, & the church be told to receive her in the Lord...and assist her, ... then the pastors conference can receive Hosanna Wong. Churches are autonomous. A teaching pastor is not the lead pastor. If Phoebe could be entrusted to deliver the Roman epistle to the church at Rome, & the church be told to receive her in the Lord...and assist her,...then the pastors conference can receive Hosanna Wong. Churches are autonomous. https://t.co/hDQeAM4Z7R February 11, 2020 The conferences site lists 10 men as Confirmed Speakers. Wong and worship artist Phil Wickham are listed as Special Guests. According to The Christian Post, she is expected to appear at the conference in her capacity as a spoken word artist. Wong is a teaching pastor at EastLake Church in San Diego. She is also an author and is the Executive Director of Calvary Street Ministries, a ministry for the homeless and low-income families in San Francisco. She travels the country speaking and performing at churches of different denominations. Shes not preaching. Shes not coming as a preacher, conference president David Uth confirmed to Baptist Press. Shes coming as a musical artist. Micahel Frost, the founder of Tinsley Institute at Morling College, has asked for prayer for Wong. She was invited to speak at the Southern Baptist Conventions Pastors Conference in June, but a number of SBC pastors have written a joint letter of protest, demanding that Wong repent, calling on every SBC pastor to phone the SBC immediately, and threatening to withhold all Executive Committee funds until she is disinvited. If not, they are planning to mobilize a boycott of the event. Pray for her. This is Hosanna Wong, the teaching pastor at EastLake Church. She was invited to speak at the SBCs Pastors Conference, but SBC pastors have written a letter of protest, demanding that she repent, and threatening to withhold all funding until she is disinvited. Pray for her. pic.twitter.com/TxPBfXCK1x Michael Frost (@michaelfrost6) February 12, 2020 Photo courtesy: Getty Images/DGLimages Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner. Environmental activists gathered in Northampton to protest the supplying of meat to Stop & Shop by the controversial meat supplier Cargill which has been accused of deforestation and polluting rivers in the U.S. Cargill, a privately held global corporation based in Minnetonka, Minnesota distributes and markets beef, turkey, chicken and egg products to retail, foodservice and food manufacturers throughout North America, and exports meat and by-products around the world. According to the Chicago Tribune in 2015, 29 million gallons of hog waste poured into the ditches and waterways around the Cargill slaughtering plant in Beardstown, Ill. When state biologists arrived 10 days later, they counted 64,566 dead fish in Muscooten Bay and the linked waterways. Stop & Shop, which operates more than 400 stores throughout New York, New England and New Jersey is aware of the environmental damage that Cargill has caused but rely on the corporation to supply meat to their stores. Shady Brook Farms meat is distributed by Cargill. The rally is to draw attention to the provider and ask Stop & Shop to stop their dealings with the corporation. (Douglas Hook / MassLive) The environmental group Mighty Earth chose to focus their attention on Stop & Shop due to their parent company, Ahold Delhaize, branding itself as an environmentally conscious and then, as Mighty Earth CEO Glenn Hurowitz puts it, jumped into bed with Cargill. In Jan. 2019, Cargill CEO David W. MacLennan said that his corporation would adopt policies to prevent the destruction of native habitat in Brazil and that he would personally lobby other CEOs in the industry to do the same. A spokesperson for Cargill told MassLive that they launched a $30 million fund to protect forests in Brazil and said that deforestation is bigger than any one company. Sustainability is not a 'nice to have at Cargill but instead is woven into the fabric of our organization," said Cargill spokesperson April Nelson. "In terms of our investment priorities, our organizational structure and resource allocation. However, Cargill is one of the worlds largest importers and exporters of palm oil and helped drive the destruction of tropical rainforest and carbon-rich peatlands, contributing significantly to climate change. Hayley Berliner is the Mighty Earth organiser behind the rally outside of Stop & Shop. (Douglas Hook / MassLive) Americans need to know [Cargill] is one of the biggest US companies. It's worth more than $130 billion and it's the main exporter of soya beans from Brazil, said Brazilian national and climate change researcher at the University of Massachusetts Louis Horta. It's the main driver of deforestation. MacLennan was also appointed to the Board of Trustees of Amherst College in 2018. Annabelle Gary is a student at Amherst College and is part of the Amherst College Food Justice Alliance and said she has met with MacLennan as well as arranging protests against his appointment to the college. Part of my goal was to hold Amherst College accountable for who its associating with especially because Amherst just signed a climate action plan that promises that the campus will go carbon neutral by 2030, said Gary. I saw some hypocrisy with its close ties with Cargill. Activists from Mighty Earth, Divest Smith College, Extinction Rebellion Western Massachusetts and Western Mass Committee for Democracy in Brazil welcomed Indigenous Rights Activist Sonia Guajajara and Celia Xakriaba who both gave a talk at Smith College. (Douglas Hook / MassLive) Indigenous Rights Activists Sonia Guajajara and Celia Xakriaba spoke at Smith College highlighting that the 1% in Brazil owns the majority of land which it uses for agriculture and that this is not sustainable for the future of the planet or the indigenous peoples that live there. The Earth capped off the second-warmest year on record, two U.S. agencies reported Wednesday. Scientists said they see no end to the way man-made climate change keeps shattering records. This is real. This is happening, Gavin Schmidt, director of NASAs Goddard Institute for Space Studies, said at the close of a decade plagued by raging wildfires, melting ice and extreme weather that researchers have repeatedly tied to human activity. Stop & Shop has the opportunity to change their policy, said Mighty Earth field organizer Hayley Berliner. [However,] Cargill has no shareholders so its not accountable. Environmental activists gather outside Stop & Shop to show their disdain for the supermarket's dealings with Cargill. (Douglas Hook / MassLive) A spokesperson for Stop & Shop told MassLive that it continues to be a leader in sustainable retailing and responsible sourcing, and they hold all of their suppliers to high standards but also pointed out that they were aware of Cargills history. We proactively engage with our suppliers to drive change on key issues of importance to our customers and communities, and that's a role we take seriously, said a spokesperson for Stop & Shop. We will continue to urge suppliers, including Cargill, to preserve and protect natural resources and to uphold human rights. In the eyes of the activists, this is yet to be seen. Its American companies who are doing this and the Amazon forest represents our future, said Horta. Its not only Brazils future that will not happen, but the worlds future. As competition to win over African-American voters heats up in the 2020 election, WSJs Joshua Jamerson sat down with eight black voters in rural Georgia to discuss which candidates messages are resonating. Photo: Brad Hayes for The Wall Street Journal (JTA)-Like many parents when their small children are a bit under the weather, Ofer Dekel measures his boy's temperature frequently. But in Dekel's case, his concern for his son Liam is exacerbated by living at the epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic: Wuhan, China. Dekel, a 56-year-old businessman originally from Haifa, Israel, has lived in Wuhan for many years with his Chinese wife, Nana, who is the mother of his two youngest children, both of whom are under 10. Authorities have placed the city under lockdown to stop the virus' spread. Anyone whose temperature rises higher than 99.32 degrees Fahrenheit is sent to large quarantine centers. On Friday morning, Liam's temperature rose to close to 99 degrees. "I will do whatever I can so that we spend this Shabbat together at home," Dekel wrote on Facebook. Dekel has been writing on the social media site in Hebrew several times a day about the situation, giving an intimate view, complete with videos and photographs, of how his Chinese-Israeli family is coping. He worries about Liam's temperature, isolation, caring for his lonely neighbors and friends and securing supplies with minimal interaction with the infected outside world. "We just heard the decision was changed: There won't be house inspections to not risk transmitting the virus. We're required to report daily if anyone's temperature raises beyond 37.4 C [99.32 F]. That pressure's off," he wrote Friday. His followers responded with hundreds of tips on how to keep the boy's temperature down. Earlier this week, Dekel wrote about running a high fever himself and his worry that he had contracted the virus. The fever eventually broke, appearing to be nothing more serious than a common flu. As of Friday, Chinese government figures showed the virus had killed at least 636 people and infected at least 31,161, and many believe those official statistics are far from complete, The New York Times reported. The fatality rate for Hubei province, where Wuhan is located, as a whole was 2.8 percent as of Thursday. The scare has prompted several major airlines, including KLM and Air France, to suspend flights to all of China, affecting trade. The virus has spread to other countries in Asia and beyond. People with a fever in Wuhan are now moved to an observation center, where health ministry personnel determine who has the virus and who has an unrelated fever and can be discharged. "The problem is that in the observation facility, one is surrounded by hundreds of sick people, some of them are bound to be infected with the virus," Dekel wrote. "I can't imagine seeing my boy transferred to such a facility." Dekel's family has been required to stay indoors for the past 16 days, and have had only a few brief opportunities to go outside to stock up on food. On Thursday, Dekel wrote humorously about the "miracles" that his family is blessed with while inside. One was the "Bamba miracle"-the discovery of a forgotten bag of the popular Israeli peanut-flavored corn snack. Another was what Dekel called "the mask miracle." "Nana cleaned the closets and found a surgeons mask and goggles that she forgot she'd even bought, at the time to protect her face while cooking," he wrote. "Thanks to that mask, Nana can go outside and stock up on food. We're not hungry here but food is running out and we need to buy. There are no home deliveries. Nana will be able to come out protected and bring back food." Tensions are beginning to form around Dekel's vegetarianism, which is a challenge because it means he can't eat canned meat. In one passage about this, Dekel wrote: "'You're causing food problems,' Nana says tiredly before we turn in. 'All the yummy food is for you because you don't eat meat. Vegetables are as rare as diamonds now, and you get to have 80 percent of the diamonds.'" Last week, residents organized a solidarity action in which millions of people stood near their shut glass windows in the evening, and chanted: "Wuhan jia yu," which translates to "Go, Wuhan, go," Dekel wrote. The gesture, which thundered through the city's deserted streets and into its residents' homes, moved him to tears, he wrote. On Jan. 24, Dekel and Liam flew an Israeli flag outside their window after hearing that Israel is not aware of any Israelis living in Wuhan. "I want people to know we are here and that Israel is also a part of this," Dekel wrote. MUNICH - Jewish leaders called Friday for better policing of hate speech on social media platforms over concerns prompted by recent attacks that people on the margins of society are being incited online to violence. Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, president of the Conference of European Rabbis and chief rabbi of Moscow, said online radicalization was giving rise not only to more anti-Semitic incidents, but also hate crimes directed at Muslims and others. The strength and power given by social media to people on the margins of society is causing chaos, he said, citing attacks in New Zealand, Germany and the United States. Last year, 2019, there were quite a few attacks against houses of worship mosques, synagogues and churches. The event, sponsored by Goldschmidts organization and the World Jewish Congress, came on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, which was being attended by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, though he was not present for the discussion. Goldschmidt said that with legal protections for free speech, it was hard for governments to police hate speech effectively, but that private companies had more flexibility. A private company that gives a platform, whether its a theatre or a Facebook page, definitely has the ability and the right to limit speech, he said. Michel Friedman, a prominent German Jewish leader, said, however, that governments could do more if they made the issue a priority, saying that authorities have been effectively combating online financial crimes. If we are able when its about the economy to react very quickly on cyber crime, why not hate crime? he said. But regulating what can and cant be said is a thorny issue, said Alex Samos, former chief security officer of Facebook. Discussions about what is lawful or not lawful speech are extremely complicated, he said. He noted that there are many different layers to Facebook private pages, public groups, private groups and the person-to-person Messenger application which, to monitor, would be akin to listening in on private phone calls. I dont think that anybody here would say that Deutsche Telekom should listen in to every phone call in Germany, and if you say something racist someone pops in and tells you youre wrong, he said. He also stressed that social media had given voice to far more than just hate speech, saying that the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements in the U.S. were able to address long-standing issues of racism and sexual harassment and sexual assault only because a broader group of people were able to speak out. Those two problems existed 30 years ago, the difference is that the people who decided what political topics were acceptable in the United States were 40 middle-aged white men, he said. People love to focus on the negative impact of new things, but theres a huge amount of positive impact from allowing a much broader set of people to speak in a democracy. Modi to ease dairy, chicken rules to seal trade deal with US The Narendra Modi government is wooing US President Donald Trump with offers of duty concessions on dairy products and chicken to seal a trade deal with the United States during the upcoming visit of Trump and his entourage. India, the worlds largest milk producer, has no need to import milk or other dairy products, and has traditionally restricted such imports to protect the livelihoods of 80 million rural households involved in the industry. But the Trump administration is challenging all hurdles to US exports across the world, more importantly to nations that nurture a trade surplus with America and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to pull all stops to make the 24-25 February visit pleasant for the US President. India has offered to partially open up its poultry and dairy markets in a bid for a limited trade deal during US President Donald Trump's first official visit to the country, reports citing official sources said. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi is focused on bonds between the world's largest democracies, it is far from clear whether India's offers will be enough to satisfy US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who cancelled plans for a trip to India this week. Lighthizer was expected to visit India on 13 February and could still be visiting the country as part of. Trumps entourage to finalise a trade package or a mini-trade deal. The price caps on medical devices, such as cardiac stents and knee implants, new data localisation rules for online payment firms and e-commerce restrictions imposed last year had irked the US business and the Trump administration, which suspended India's special trade designation in retaliation. Trump is not offering to restore some of US trade preferences to the country' in exchange for tariff reductions and other concessions. The United States is India's second-largest trade partner after China, and bilateral goods and services trade climbed to a record $142.6 billion in 2018. The United States had a $23.2 billion goods trade deficit in 2019 with India, its 9th largest trading partner in goods. India has offered to allow imports of US chicken legs, turkey and produce such as blueberries and cherries, Indian government sources said, and has offered to cut tariffs on chicken legs from 100 per cent to 25 per cent. US negotiators want that tariff cut to 10 per cent. The Modi government is also offering to allow some access to India's dairy market, but with a 5 per cent tariff and quotas, reports said. However, dairy imports would need a certificate they are not derived from animals that have consumed feeds that include internal organs, blood meal or tissues of ruminants. New Delhi has also offered to lower its 50 per cent tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, a tax that was a particular irritant for Trump. Trump will be feted in Modi's home state of Gujarat, then hold talks in New Delhi and attend a reception that the hosts have promised will be bigger than the one organised for former president Barack Obama in 2015. U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden on Thursday joined U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer in urging Oregons U.S. attorney to initiate a civil rights investigation into the wrongful arrest case of Portland resident Michael Fesser. "All Oregonians must have full confidence that law enforcement at every level will treat them with fairness and without prejudice motivated by race or personal animus,'' the three lawmakers wrote in a letter to U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams. Blumenauer had called a day earlier for the inquiry. "A federal investigation of whether law enforcement violated Mr. Fessers civil rights will help to build that confidence, both by examining the facts in this case and sending a signal that every Americans civil rights must be followed scrupulously,'' their letter said. The three Democrats said The Oregonian/OregonLives story this week raised serious concerns about whether the West Linn Police Department may have violated the civil rights of Fesser with the help of Portland police officers "by subjecting him to a cruel and prolonged odyssey of racial targeting that reflects the worst abuses of African Americans in our nations modern history.'' Kevin Sonoff, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys Office, said earlier this week and again Thursday that he couldnt comment on whether the office would initiate an inquiry into the case. The plea for a federal investigation followed calls by Oregons governor and two district attorneys for investigations of wrongdoing by police in a bogus theft case against Fesser, who is black. On Thursday, Portlands four City Council members added their voices. We are appalled by the alleged abuses of power by West Linns former Police Chief Terry Timeus and Detective Tony Reeves, they said in a statement. We are particularly distressed by the fact that West Linn involved the Portland Police Bureau in this incident through what appeared to be a routine request for assistance in effecting an arrest. This type of misconduct cannot be tolerated anywhere. It will not be tolerated in Portland. As a Council, we stand unified. Clackamas County District Attorney John Foote and Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill said Wednesday they were initiating investigations into the officers actions and the arrest and indictment of Fesser in 2017. West Linn Sgt. Tony Reeves, the one officer remaining at West Linn police who was involved, was placed on paid leave. Gov. Kate Brown also directed the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards & Training to conduct its own inquiry into the handling of Fessers case and had Mike Stradley, a trainer at the states basic police academy who was a West Linn lieutenant at the time, placed on paid leave while an investigation proceeds. The 2017 arrest of Fesser in Portland has led to settlements of more than $1 million, admissions in court documents of officers lying and ignoring basic civil rights and accusations of good-old-boy racism against West Linn police. West Linn this week paid Fesser $600,000 to settle a federal civil lawsuit that alleged wrongful arrest and racial discrimination. The litigation uncovered that West Linn police pursued surveillance and the arrest of Fesser in February 2017 as a favor to a fishing buddy of then-West Linn Police Chief Terry Timeus. Timeus buddy was Fessers boss, Eric Benson, owner of A&B Towing in Southeast Portland. Fesser, now 48, argued that the arrest was retaliation for his complaints about a racially hostile work environment at the towing company. Theft charges against Fesser ultimately were dropped, and Benson and his company paid out $415,000 to Fesser to settle a separate discrimination and retaliation suit. The flagrant misconduct by West Linn police included working with civilians to listen into a surreptitious audio recording of Fesser at work without a warrant or court order, arresting him without probable cause with the help of Portland police and seizing his cash, cellphone and documents without a search warrant, court records show. The Portland City Council said it supports Portland Police Chief Jami Reschs call for an internal affairs investigation to determine if any bureau policy was violated in the case. It is critical that we have a full accounting of where this misconduct existed so that we can take swift action to address it, they said. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Subscribe to Facebook page In an unusual pre-emptive move, state Attorney General Jeff Landry posted a video Wednesday that sought to rebut an investigation into his business practices by The Times-Picayune and The Advocate that had yet to be published. The story, published Friday morning, described a partnership between three businesses tied to Landry and a Texas man who has since been convicted of visa fraud. That man, Marco Pesquera, has said he conspired with Landry, his brother Benjamin, and others to bring hundreds of Mexican welders into the U.S. under false pretenses and to make big money off their labor. The 10-minute video, recorded by Benjamin Landry, portrayed the Landry brothers as unjust victims of a liberal newspaper hoping to damage one of the states highest-profile conservatives. Though he is not quoted in it, Jeff Landry tweeted the video and posted it on his Facebook page. The video says it was paid for by his campaign. Can't see video below? Click here. Among Ben Landrys chief gripes in the video was that the newspaper sent reporters to knock on his door, and those of associates - something the paper did on Jan. 9 after weeks of calls and emails had gone unreturned. Those actions, he said, were especially insensitive given that his mother died on Dec. 29. They have gone so far as to send reporters across the state at the same time we were grieving our mothers passing, he said. To show up unannounced at my home, and the homes of other local families. They even went so far as to peer into the windows of an associates home, standing on his property unannounced and uninvited, scaring the neighbors who thought they were burglars. Ben Landry portrayed his older brother as an inveterate entrepreneur who continues to own various companies but has ceded oversight of them to others, including Ben. +5 Exclusive: Jeff Landry-owned firm imported workers with the help of felon who broke immigration laws Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who has railed against loose borders and lax immigration policies during his four years as the states Since entering politics, he said, Jeff has relied on others to manage his businesses and has had minimal personal involvement. His focus has been on the responsibilities of his office. The newspapers story focused on the role of several firms owned by the Landry brothers in the construction of a major liquid natural gas terminal in Cameron Parish. In Ben Landrys telling, his brothers firm, Evergreen Contractors, was essentially doing a public service by helping to fill a labor shortage that would have kept the multi-billion-dollar project from getting finished. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Timeline of key events in the Landry brothers' business dealings with Marco Pesquera Jeff Landry has been an elected official for most of the last decade. He has also owned several businesses during that time. Here are some of One of our managers, Mr. Juan Castillo, who works with Evergreen Contractors, learned that a company based in Texas was in need of local help in assisting with this project, he said. The primary contractors had reached the capacity of who they could find for an immediate need for temporary skilled labor to keep the project on track and on schedule. With our expertise and experience in these services, and servicing temporary projects, and with our Louisiana base, we were asked to help. Pesquera, the Landrys former business associate who is now serving a three-year term in federal prison has said he and the Landry brothers firms filed misleading or false documents in order to get visas for Mexican welders and pipefitters. Visa fraudster Marco Pesquera was in federal crosshairs amid deal with Jeff Landry companies Marco Pesqueras world, which was built on lying to the U.S. government, had begun to unravel by summer 2015, two years before he partnered wi Ben Landry strenuously objected to that claim. He portrayed himself as an honest broker who turned in Pesquera as soon as he figured out what the con man was up to, and criticized the newspaper for giving Pesquera any credibility. The Advocate went to a convicted criminal, a person who caused us tremendous difficulty, Landry said. Someone on whom I blew the whistle to shut down his potentially fraudulent business practices. In his video, Ben Landry said the newspaper was on a crusade against my brother, probably because he is a conservative. He said that his late mother, Edna, would have said that was because the Landry brothers were doing Gods work. +2 H-2B guest worker visas criticized from the left and right; employers clamor for foreign workers American employers have for years relied on the H-2B visa program to temporarily import seasonal laborers for any number of jobs. Migrant labo She would say to me, the level of persecution that you experience from your actions are directly tied to the righteousness youre working toward, he said. It was the same with Jesus, even in his perfectness. One year ago on Friday, Amazon pulled out of plans to build a new headquarters in Long Island City, and the move sent small shockwaves through New York, bringing an end if not answers to a raucous debate over whether welcoming a Big Tech giant to set up shop in Queens would bring prosperity for all or the kind of gentrification that has accompanied tech booms in Silicon Valley and Seattle. For the three months between the announcement that Amazon had picked New York as the site to build a new headquarters and Amazons sudden withdrawal, that debate raged. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and business-oriented stakeholders praised the deal New York had worked out with the e-commerce and cloud computing giant, which amounted to roughly $3 billion in tax incentives. Meanwhile, progressive advocacy groups, left-wing politicians and many labor unions raised hell about those incentives and Amazons impending arrival, arguing that the city and state shouldnt incentivize a trillion-dollar company like Amazon especially a company with a history of anti-unionization efforts regardless of the 25,000-plus jobs and economic activity the company promised to bring. When Amazon called off the planned New York City HQ2, citing the vehement pushback of local politicians like state Sen. Michael Gianaris, few observers let the fact that Amazons surprising split occurred on Valentines Day go unnoticed, with some calling it a breakup for the ages. But like with many breakups, Amazon hasnt been able to quit New York City cold turkey. Like an ex crawling back for more, the company has continued to expand warehouse and office space in New York. Meanwhile, New York has enjoyed other tech growth none as massive as HQ2 would have been, but growth nonetheless with companies like Google and Facebook announcing expansions in the city. The past year has seen numerous instances of both sides relitigating the Amazon HQ2 debate. But with the benefit of a years worth of hindsight, City & State reached out to some of the influential stakeholders in the Amazon HQ2 deal to ask how the New York-Amazon relationship got so twisted, and, perhaps more importantly, how New York can continue to grow into a tech hub, without quite so much conflict and heartbreak. Proponents of the original deal HQ2 weighed in, including Julie Samuels, executive director of the technology industry group Tech:NYC; Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City; and Jukay Hsu, CEO and founder of the Queens-based tech training program Pursuit. Opponents of the deal also gave their two cents, including Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union; and state Sen. Michael Gianaris, whose appointment to a state panel that could have vetoed the HQ2 deal has been credited with Amazons decision to pull out. Responses have been edited for length and clarity. What went wrong with the Amazon HQ2 deal? Michael Gianaris: Everything. This deal was the leviathan of bad economic development deals it was negotiated in secret, would have resulted in large-scale gentrification and displacement, and represented a multibillion-dollar giveaway to the richest company in the world. Julie Samuels: The simplest answer is that it was a mix of miscommunication, misinformation and bad politics. HQ2 was a complicated deal that was supposed to be fleshed out over time, yet we never had the chance to do that because stakeholders often talked at (rather than with) each other, or didnt talk at all. The $3 billion incentive figure is a good example. Obviously there are valid reservations about subsidies and development deals, but with HQ2 there was a collective failure to acknowledge even basic facts: that the majority of Amazons incentives depended on meeting conditions; that the companys success doing that like delivering jobs and local investments would be closely scrutinized; that the incentives paled in comparison to the taxes Amazon would pay; that incentive dollars arent existing appropriations that can be magically put elsewhere, and the list goes on. Had everyone recognized these facts, we couldve avoided a lot of headaches. But ultimately thats not what happened, which is a big reason Amazon backed out. The silver lining is that Amazons decision wasnt about New York or the tech sector here. It was the result of human shortcomings during the political process, which are fortunately things we can fix. Stuart Appelbaum: People needed to stand up to Amazon. Amazons business model is based on paying little or no taxes, feasting on unneeded public subsidies and mistreating and dehumanizing its own workers. Because of its size and domination, it is transforming industry after industry and defining the future of work in a way that should be unacceptable to most New Yorkers. The deal was doomed by Amazon itself there was no transparency or involvement of or accountability to impacted communities, workers or the environment. The result was a terrible deal. And when questioned about it, Amazon in a fit of pique chose to walk away rather than answer its critics. Kathryn Wylde: The politics went wrong, starting with Amazons decision to set up a competition among cities and states for the privilege of hosting HQ2. This reversed governments appropriate role of setting the terms for businesses to compete for sites and subsidies. Bids were confidential, so communities were blindsided when the winners were announced. Finally, everyone underestimated the power of social media to galvanize opposition based largely on false narratives about the project and the company. Jukay Hsu: Traditional economic development is broken. As advocates for an inclusive tech community and partners on the HQ2, we believed that the 25,000 jobs created by the project would bring prosperity to underserved communities. Technology is creating more wealth, companies and jobs than ever before. But not everyone is reaping these rewards. When this new prosperity isnt shared, especially with local communities, it breeds mistrust. This created national anxiety about the role of technology and who it benefits. We should not merely hope that new jobs benefit locals. Oftentimes, it is new, already skilled arrivals who get these jobs, which brings gentrification to our neighborhoods. Instead, we need to focus on training our neighbors for those jobs. Put simply, economic development should not merely mean that new jobs are created, but that people living where developments are built are given new skills to fill those jobs. We believe in a new model for economic development with local job training for the most high-need audiences at its core. Pursuit sees this every day in our work training these audiences. For economic development projects to be successful in New York, we need to bridge the divide between low-income communities and the tech industry and credibly demonstrate how the growth in the tech industry benefits everyone. Is New York better or worse off for not having Amazon HQ2, and why? Kathryn Wylde: A headquarters operation for a global business the size of Amazon would have significantly accelerated the growth of the citys tech sector. Most big tech companies have operations in the city, but none have an executive office where business decisions are being made. Those are still on the West Coast. Amazon HQ2 would have been a game changer for us. Michael Gianaris: Certainly better for not having the Amazon HQ2 deal that would have destroyed a community and given the biggest company in America $3 billion in incentives that it doesnt need. Julie Samuels: Its ultimately impossible to know, because we cant compare counterfactuals to realities (though to be clear its a shame HQ2 never became reality). Its nonetheless true that New York is still humming along, and that our tech sector remains as vibrant as ever. The city boasts over 330,000 tech jobs, continues to see record investment, is on pace to teach over a million students computer science, and is benefiting from massive job commitments by companies including Google and Apple. These are all major victories, and again proof that Amazons concerns had nothing to do with the state of our ecosystem. Two things can often be true at the same time. On one hand theres no question that HQ2 wouldve been a game changer for New York, and that 40,000 jobs, a tidal wave of multiplier effects, plus the birth of a major tech hub in the outer boroughs wouldve altered New Yorks history. But its equally true that investment, jobs and development continue to come in at a record clip. The difference is in the details (existing growth in Manhattan versus potential growth in Queens, for instance), and in many cases well have to wait and see. Stuart Appelbaum: The new jobs that would have been in Long Island City would have brought in people from all over the country and driven up housing costs throughout northwest Queens as weve seen in Seattle. The fact is Amazon is continuing to open up newer facilities in different locations in New York City without public subsidies just as other tech companies continue to do. Amazon needed and continues to need New York more than we need Amazon. The failed deal was less about Amazons needs than about its greed. Jukay Hsu: Creating jobs for locals where they live matters. But with Amazon HQ2 in Queens, local residents would have benefitted. This would have been catalytic to creating a more inclusive tech community. Over the last 10 years, government leaders, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists have done an amazing job transforming New York City into a tech hub. But this growth has largely been centered around Union Square, Manhattan, and certain parts of Brooklyn. This is concentrated in already affluent communities and also accelerates gentrified neighborhoods, exacerbating mistrust and inequality. This concentration of companies and jobs are not tied to the neighborhoods where the vast majority of New Yorkers live. Those jobs are often limited to those with elite educational backgrounds, or already skilled transplants from elsewhere. But 65% of New Yorkers dont have a college degree. We believe the citys diversity is its strength. Over the next 10 years, we need to demonstrate that blue-collar workers and the most marginalized New Yorkers in every part of the city can gain the skills and employment to equally participate in this tech growth. We believe there is still an opportunity to work with tech companies, civic leaders, and other stakeholders to make sure all New Yorkers benefit. If New York is to continue growing into a tech hub, what should be happening now to set it apart from hubs like Silicon Valley and Seattle? How can New York avoid some of the negative consequences (gentrification, lack of diversity in tech, housing crises) that have accompanied tech booms in those cities? Michael Gianaris: We have to rethink our approach to economic development by prioritizing communities through investments in affordable housing, education and mass transit. Ultimately, Big Tech needs New York because of our talent pool and other advantages. I visited Seattle and San Francisco and saw firsthand the problems the tech footprint created in those cities. I talked to corporate leaders and elected officials in those places so we can ensure New York avoids the negative consequences experienced by others and ensure we remain a city and state for all. Julie Samuels: In terms of distinguishing ourselves, the truth is were already unique. New York has several advantages over other cities, including being the American capital of finance, media, consulting and food (plus having a robust public transit system). This gives companies unique access to funding here, but also opportunities to tap into an array of lucrative industries and recruit talent from anywhere in the world. Some cities score well on wages, while others have size, transportation or education. New York has all of these and more, which gives us an untapped edge over our West Coast friends. Regarding negative consequences, the key is stakeholder engagement. It might sound simplistic, but if everyone from lawmakers and companies to advocacy groups and individuals comes together and bargains in good faith, we can create a city where tech growth also means community strength. Theres no rule that tech has to perpetuate gentrification, housing crises or other problems. A lot of these issues are the result of a relatively new industry disrupting policies and norms that weve been used to for ages. But if stakeholders can agree on a system that balances private companies interests with public needs, theres no reason tech booms cant benefit all. Kathryn Wylde: New Yorks tech talent pool is far more diverse than Silicon Valley because it emerged from the citys creative media and advertising industries. The New York tech scene is also far more engaged with the communities of the city, as opposed to the isolated campus environment of the West Coast. New York is home to global industry leaders in finance, design, health, retail and other sectors that are the first adapters and largest markets for the new apps that constitute the next generation of tech. While issues of rising cost of living and gentrification are real in New York, we have deep and successful experience in dealing with them that Silicon Valley lacks. Jukay Hsu: The tech industry is creating new jobs. But they exist in new developments in affluent neighborhoods. Theyre not being created where most marginalized New Yorkers live. But economic development shouldnt only be about creating new jobs. It should be about creating jobs where most New Yorkers live and giving them the training they need to fill them. We know this is ambitious given the current state of the tech community, which benefits the elite few while leaving behind many who are marginalized. But we have seen every day that it is possible. Our fellows train to become software developers, raise their salaries from $18K to $85K on average, and work at leading tech companies such as Pinterest, LinkedIn, BlackRock and Uber. Our cohorts are 50% women, 70% black or Latinx, 40% immigrant, 60% non-bachelors degree holders, and more than 50% public assistance recipients. Lets create a future where all New Yorkers, regardless of background or neighborhood, have access to life-changing jobs in the tech industry. Stuart Appelbaum: Tech companies need and want to be in New York. They will continue coming here. We need to make sure we dont allow them to remake us in Amazons awful image. And the best way to do that is to make sure that communities and workers have real power in the economic development process. We need community input to ensure that projects reflect the interests of local neighborhoods as well; and we need a commitment that subsidized employers will treat their workers with dignity and respect. The fight over Amazons HQ2 transcended this one company it was about the future of work and the future of our communities. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 17:43:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ROME, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- On Thursday evening here at the delicate Pauline Chapel of the Quirinale Palace, Itlay's presidential palace, guests from both China and Italy arrived one after another, including Chinese ambassador to Italy Li Junhua. They came not for a ceremony, but for a special concert hosted by Italy's president Sergio Mattarella, as China and Italy are running a culture and tourism year this year and the Chinese people are endeavoring to fight the emergency of the novel coronavirus. The special event was performed by Chinese-born Italian pianist Jin Ju before a large audience of Italian officials, cultural representatives, students, and many members of the Chinese community in Rome, in solidarity with the Chinese people to deal with the coronavirus emergency. It was broadcast live by Italy's state-run RAI radio and TV channels, providing a fresh opportunity to reinforce bonds between the two people and two countries, as the Italian head of state has urged in various occasions in recent days. The event saw pianist Ju perform seven pieces overall, including classical music and the Chinese folk music called "Honghu Waters, Wave upon Wave" that originates from Hubei province in central China, the epicenter of the current novel coronavirus epidemic. "This concert highlights the relevance our country attaches to the Italy-China Year of Culture and Tourism 2020, and it represents a sign of friendship from the Italian people to the Chinese people," Mattarella told media before the concert. The president noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Rome and Beijing, which he said "have been shaped on the base of mutual friendship and common interest." "We (now) have a common enemy, the ongoing epidemic," Mattarella stressed. The president's remarks were echoed by guests present at the event. "I am living this moment with a feeling of strong solidarity; Italy-China bonds are extraordinarily strong and resilient, also at cultural level," Paola Severino, Vice President of LUISS-Guido Carli University in Rome and former justice minister, told Xinhua. "We (guests) all are here to give proof of such solidarity towards a country that is putting all of its efforts and resources into fighting this epidemic," she added. Severino appreciated the Italian head of state for taking the initiative and hosting the special concert, "because this is a strong signal when a president of the Republic takes such a symbolic step, he is encouraging the whole country to a stronger sense of integration, which should be global." Teacher Francesco Alario, coordinator of the Confucius Hall at the Convitto Nazionale boarding school in Rome, recalled Thursday's special concert was not the only step Mattarella has so far taken in solidarity with China these days. Indeed, the president paid a surprise visit earlier this month to an elementary school in Rome with a very large number of pupils of immigrant origins, including many Chinese children of the third or fourth generation. Both the visit and the concert were "signs of recognition, closeness, and affection towards the Chinese people," the teacher told Xinhua. "I would add the fact that Chinese lyrics are being performed here underlines a musical interaction between the two countries," Alario said. "The same happened with the concert held at the Auditorium in Rome on Jan. 21 (at the official opening of the Italy-China Year of culture and tourism), when Chinese and Italian musicians performed together," Alario said. In a broader perspective of bilateral exchanges, considering both the Italy-China Year of culture and tourism, and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, sector representatives at the concert sounded mildly optimistic about and sympathetic with the emergency China was facing. "We have started last year already with the Belt and Road Initiative, and I expect we will stay on this path in the near future," Andrea Canapa, secretary general of Italian Federation of Travel and Tourism Associations, told Xinhua. Canapa stressed the year 2020 was especially important because culture and tourism were crucial sectors for both the Italian and the Chinese economies, "and we are working to improve the Italians' knowledge of the Chinese culture on the one side, and the Chinese tourism here on the other." "Hopefully, we will see the end of this emergency soon ... so all of our efforts will bring as many Italians to China as possible," he said. Flake graphite operations in Qingdao were shut down during Chinas holiday for the lunar new year, which was extended to February 10 in Shandong province as part of the measures put in place to help control the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak. "Factories resuming operations should take measures to minimize the risk of infection on a person-by-person basis," a producer in Qingdao told Fastmarkets. "We are not up to full operation yet. Workers are taking shifts on a daily basis, and body-temperature should be monitored [to check for fever] among those coming in to factories." Some factories have got back to production at about 70% of normal capacity, but there were still concerns about the continuing spread of the infection and the consequent disruption to logistics. "We have received some inquiries recently and made offers at prices flat [from those before the break]," a trader in flake graphite said. "We are not sure when logistics will be back to normal. Our agents for land transport are not back [at work after the extended break]. We still have orders outstanding from before the holiday, but its not possible to ship them out at the moment." Even when land transport becomes available, the cost of domestic freight has ticked upward by 40-50 yuan per tonne to 200 yuan ($29) per tonne, which is an increase of almost 30%. Apart from the shortage of land transport, making shipments for export is another issue troubling traders and producers of graphite. "We booked our schedule on February 3, but the date was then delayed to February 10," a trader in spherical graphite said. "Ships to Japan and South Korea have not been affected yet, but those to Europe are affected due to the length of the voyage, as well as cancellations on some routes." Most market participants have only recently returned to work and were fulfilling contracts signed before the holiday, so only limited spot market activity has been reported. Prices of all graphite grades were flat from where they were at the end of 2019, but there may be signs of change by the end of February, according to sources. Fastmarkets latest assessment of the price for graphite flake 94% C, -100 mesh, fob China, was $540 per tonne on Thursday February 13, flat since the end of August 2019. On the same day, the price of graphite flake 94% C, +100 mesh fob China, was at $690 per tonne, unchanged since early November, with supply tightness continuing. "We have enough inventory for -194 [Graphite flake 94% C, -100 mesh], but not enough for +194 [Graphite flake 94% C, +100 mesh]," a second flake graphite producer in Qingdao said. "There might be some price adjustment when market activity is back to normal, if the coronavirus can be brought under control." For graphite amorphous 80% C, -200 mesh, fob China, the price was assessed at $320-340 per tonne on February 13. Producers of amorphous graphite cite low inventory as supporting the price until operations get back to normal. In addition, the price of graphite spherical 99.95% C, 15 microns, fob China, was $2,500-2,600 per tonne, unchanged since late August last year. In Heilongjiang province, another production hub for graphite, production was still halted due to the extremely cold winter weather. (Natural News) The only country outside of China that really seems to be taking the threat of novel coronavirus seriously is Hong Kong, with the chair of public health medicine at The University of Hong Kong now warning that upwards of 80 percent of the global population could end up succumbing to the deadly virus. Of the billions of people that could end up falling ill, says Professor Gabriel Leung, about 51 million will likely die from it as a conservative estimate. And as for communist Chinas data on the number of infections and deaths within its own borders, Leung is convinced that the Chicoms are hiding the true numbers and spinning their own false narrative for political purposes. Despite the number of new coronavirus infections in China said to be experiencing a slowdown, cases outside of China are on the rise like never before, with nearly 500 confirmed cases of coronavirus outside of China. Sixty per cent of the worlds population is an awfully big number, Leung reportedly told The Guardian during a recent interview, referring to the lower end of his 60-80 percent global infection prediction. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus similarly told the media that we could be seeing only the tip of the iceberg in terms of just how far, and virulently, Wuhan coronavirus will continue to spread before things get any better with the situation. In Leungs view, the scientific communitys overriding concern with novel coronavirus is identifying the size and shape of this iceberg, meaning how much of the outbreak is still hiding underneath the surface just waiting to emerge unexpectedly. If youre interested in learning more about how to naturally protect yourself and your family against coronavirus, be sure to check out the following episode of The Health Ranger Report, in which Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about three natural molecules that can help to fight the coronavirus pandemic: If novel coronavirus kills 15 percent of its victims, as many as 600 million people could die Leungs 51 million deaths prediction is based on a lower-end fatality estimate of just one percent. Should the actual percentage be closer to the 15 percent, or even 17 percent, predicted by others, the death tally when all is said and done could be closer to 600 million or even more. Time will tell, though, as scientists are still trying to determine whether or not communist Chinas draconian containment measures which are basically martial law being applied to a population larger than the total number here in the United States will have the effect of truly curbing the outbreak and tipping it into a true decline. At an upcoming WHO meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, Leung and more than 400 other researchers and national authorities will reportedly participate, offering their expertise and insight into the situation. Some will attend in person, while others will participate via video conference from mainland Taiwan. Is 60-80 percent of the worlds population going to get infected? Maybe not, Leung says. 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. Leung further warns that if the experts fail to identify the truth about the outbreak in its current state, there will be no stopping it from creating a worst-case scenario like the one hes predicting. To keep up with the latest coronavirus news, be sure to check out Pandemic.news. You can also explore the extensive Health Ranger Report archive of coronavirus news in video format at the official Health Ranger Report Brighteon channel. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com TheMostImportantNews.com NaturalNews.com Brighteon.com February 10, 2020 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade concluded a successful visit to South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia. The visit highlighted Canadas position as an important trading and investment partner with the dynamic economies of Africa. At the Investing in African Mining Indaba conference, in South Africa, Minister Ng explored opportunities for new investments and partnerships by promoting Canadas new leadership on the world stage in innovative technologies and clean solutions that tackle climate change. She also highlighted that doing business with Canada means Canadians and Africans can count on the highest standards of good governance, environmental protections and responsible business practices. In Kenya, Minister Ng led a trade mission of Canadian companies to foster more connections between the two countries and help businesses grow, as well as to create prosperity for both nations. The Canadian business delegation went on to Ethiopia, where Minister Ng joined Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to strengthen Canadas economic ties with Ethiopia, particularly in sectors such as clean technology and infrastructure. Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Ng met with Ethiopian businesses and government officials to highlight Canadas desire to work toward a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement that would mean better access to each others markets and more opportunities and jobs for Canadians and Ethiopians alike. In all three countries, Minister Ng met with many of her African ministerial counterparts and local business leaders to discuss key areas of cooperation, including womens economic empowerment, open and rules-based trade, and sustainable growth that benefits everyone. As China wins praise and support from various countries for its efforts to fight the novel coronavirus epidemic, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently told another massive lie about China at the National Governors Association meeting in Washington, maliciously misrepresenting normal ties between China and U.S. states in total disregard of the facts. The competition with China is not just a federal issue, Pompeo stressed, saying to Americas governors that its happening in your states with consequences for our foreign policy, for the citizens who reside in your states and indeed for each of you. Last year, a think tank in Beijing produced a report that assessed all 50 of Americas governors on their attitudes towards China, said Pompeo, exaggerating it as an attempt by the Chinese government to influence state and local level politics. The Chinese government has analyzed the system and vulnerabilities of the U.S., and its decided to exploit our freedoms to gain advantage over us at the federal level, the state level, and the local level, Pompeo claimed. Competition with China is happening inside of your state, and it affects our capacity to perform Americas vital national security functions, said Pompeo, who asked the governors of the U.S. to adopt a cautious mindset when it comes to doing business and not lose sight of the competition from China thats already present in their states. These remarks about China were a ridiculous whopper cooked up by Pompeo, who totally disregarded the history and reality of the ties between China and the U.S. During the past 40 years, since the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and the U.S., despite experiencing twists and turns, the two countries have overcome difficulties and pushed forward with their bilateral ties, thus witnessing mutually beneficial and win-win results in both state-level and local-level cooperation in various fields including economy and trade. In 2018, the value of trade in goods between China and U.S. exceeded $630 billion, and accumulated two-way investment between the two countries surpassed $240 billion. Although not all states in the U.S. benefited equally from the bilateral trade and investment, very few of them were left out, which led all the states to scramble to expand their cooperation with China. Local-level cooperation has played an important role in the development of China-U.S. cooperation. By February 2019, China and U.S. had formed 50 pairs of sister provinces/states, 227 pairs of sister cities, and carried out a great number of exchanges, which helped bring about many agreements on major cooperation projects and created many beautiful stories of people-to-people friendship. In recent years, thanks to the Trade and Investment Cooperation Joint Working Groups established between Chinese provinces and cities and the U.S. states of California, Iowa, Texas, Michigan, and Washington and the city of Chicago under the support of both countries leaders, a large number of mutual visits by groups from both countries have facilitated a significant increase in trade and investment and implementation of major projects between Chinese provinces and U.S. states. Labelling this mutually beneficial cooperation carried out in a consensual way as Chinas attempt to influence, infiltrate, or even monitor the U.S. is irresponsible and ridiculous. As for the claim that China assessed U.S. states in an effort to find out which states will carry out cooperation with China, its just normal, reasonable, and legitimate business research, rather than under-the-table deals. Warning Americas governors of such threats from China is just worrying about troubles of ones own imagining. As Secretary of State of the U.S., instead of putting into practice the promise of U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the U.S. fully supports Chinas fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic, Pompeo made the remarks against China just when Chinese people were fighting the crisis in solidarity. At a time when China and U.S. are seeing a positive turn in their bilateral ties, Pompeo hasnt made any effort to promote the sound development of China-U.S. relations, but has been obsessed with peddling the so-called China threat idea. However, such ridiculous remarks will neither stop Chinese people from overcoming all difficulties and marching forward, nor change the general direction of the development of China-U.S. ties and local-level cooperation between the two countries. Just like the leaders of the U.S. government, U.S. state governors would never abandon the Chinese market and their two-way investment with China, as they know they should base their China policy on the interests of their citizens rather than on ideology. In fact, the most despicable thing may not be the lie itself, but the old way of thinking and Cold War mindset, which are actually the real central threat to efforts to maintain world peace, promote common development, facilitate mutually beneficial cooperation, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. Turkey's Atlasglobal airline has suspended its operations for the second time in four months. The company previously suspended flights between November 26 and December 21. It had been flying to London, Baghdad, Tel Aviv and Amsterdam in addition to several domestic destinations since then, but has now suspended its operations yet again. According to Demiroren News Agency, high-ranking officials of the company called on all employees to come to the headquarters in Istanbul's Florya district. The airline is expected to declare bankruptcy, Daily Sabah reported. LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2020 / Compare-autoinsurance.org has released a new blog post that explains which are the best plans for a family and how these plans can help families save money. For more info and free car insurance quotes, visit http://compare-autoinsurance.org/best-auto-plans-for-a-family/ It is not unusual for a household to own 2 or more cars. In fact, it is quite common, since both parents may have different jobs, and the kids need to be in different locations. Selecting the best plans for a family becomes an urgent matter, given the current average cost of car insurance. Find out more and get free car insurance quotes from http://compare-autoinsurance.org Each car must have its own insurance. 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Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org "Accessing multi-vehicle plans is usually the best solution for a family with multiple cars. However, it is recommended to get quotes and compare prices first", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing Company Person for contact Name: Gurgu C Phone Number: (818) 359-3898 Email: cgurgu@internetmarketingcompany.biz Website: https://compare-autoinsurance.org SOURCE: Internet Marketing Company View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576475/Car-Insurance-2020-Tips-What-Are-The-Best-Car-Insurance-Plans-For-A-Family Idaho insurance agent Misty A. Adams was taken into custody this week after being sentenced for insurance fraud. A licensed insurance producer from Idaho Falls, Adams, 45, reportedly backdated her sons auto insurance policy after he was involved in a car accident. With the backdated insurance policy, Adams then filed a claim with Allstate Insurance. In addition to Adams insurance producer license being revoked in November of 2017 for violations of the Idaho Insurance Code, an administrative penalty of $46,000 was imposed. Ms. Adams pleaded guilty to insurance fraud and was sentenced in Bonneville County. Adams was given 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. This week Adams was ordered to serve 28 days in jail, complete 100 hours of community service and undergo psychological testing. Adams was also ordered to pay a $500 fine, $1,865 in restitution to the Idaho Department of Insurance, $7,967 in restitution to Allstate Insurance and other court costs. Topics Agencies Fraud Romanian prosecutors have indicted 14 people, including a German couple, on charges of trafficking and treating German teenagers "like slaves" under the guise of a state-funded reeducation program. Children aged 12 to 18 were trafficked from 2014 to 2019, suffering "profoundly abusive" treatment at a center funded by the German state in a remote mountain area of northern Romania, according to the prosecutor's office for fighting organized crime (DIICOT). The probe, which started in August, has now been sent for trial on charges of membership of an organized criminal group, child trafficking, deprivation of liberty, and money laundering. German citizens Bert Schumann, 61, and his wife, Babett Schumann, who founded the program called Projekt Maramures, after the name of the northern region the center is located, allegedly were the masterminds of the operation. Others include an employee from Romania's child protection agency and locals who used the children as workers, a source in the prosecutor's office told the media. The children, who had behavioral problems and came from troubled families, were enrolled in the program after the German state had taken them from their families and entrusted them to the rehabilitation program, prosecutors said. "In reality, they were subjected to tough and brutal methods of so-called education...," they said. "They were held in conditions that amount to slavery, exploited by being forced to work beyond their physical power until exhaustion, deprived of food and liberty." The funds paid by the German state were "mostly used for other purposes than the ones for which they were entrusted." Prosecutors in August found 137,000 euros ($152,000) in Schumann's home. Based on reporting by AFP and digi24.ro Ericsson Claims to Beat Huawei's 5G Streaming Record Ericsson's decision not to attend Mobile World Congress (MWC) was the first domino to topple the trade show (which was due to start Feb 24), but it is also among the first out of the gate with MWC news. Given the sidelining of Huawei for 5G infrastructure contracts in the United States (as well as in Australia and European countries like France), it was always going to be the case that Ericsson and fellow telco equipment giant Nokia would make headway. Ericsson's headline-grabbing announcement at a hastily convened "virtual press event" was that it had trumped Huawei's 5G speed record of 2.92Gbps by clocking up 4.3Gbps over 800MHz of millimetre wave (mmWave) spectrum. In context, 4.3Gbps is the equivalent of downloading one hour of UHD 4K content from a streaming service in just 14 seconds. The telco equipment and networks vendor used a technical specification made up of 8 component carriers (8CC) aggregating 800 MHz of mmWave spectrum to set the new record. The test was made using a 5G smartphone "form factor test device" powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X55 5G Modem-RF system. Per Narvinger, Ericsson's head of product area networks, said in a release, "The 8CC aggregation solution we have successfully tested will enable not only higher speeds but also large-scale 5G deployments and new business opportunities." The commercial solution, including network and terminal support, will be available to 5G consumers during 2020, it confirmed. The Swedish telco views the 4.3Gbps speed as further proof of 5G's ability to replace fibre, as mmWave has advanced from 1Gbps to 2Gbps to 4Gbps peaks, quadrupling the top broadband speeds offered by most cable providers. Beyond video streaming, the company also expects mixed reality and multi-player online gaming to benefit from the speed advances. It is believed, not least by politicians on both sides of the Atlantic, that Ericsson and Nokia are at least 18 months behind Huawei's state-subsidised lead on 5G tech. Ericsson denied that this was the case, with CEO Borje Ekholm previously pushing back against the idea that US pressure on Huawei is giving the equipment vendor a "free ride." Instead, it is "creating uncertainty in the market, reducing investments overall," Ekholm said during an interview with CNBC during which he said that Ericsson is seeing "very little effect" on its order books as a result of Huawei discussions. US Attorney general Bill Barr has also argued that US companies should take controlling stakes in Nokia, Ericsson, or both to battle Huawei's dominance. "The main concern about these suppliers is that they have neither Huawei's scale nor the backing of a powerful country with a large embedded market like China," Barr told the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "Putting our large market and financial muscle behind one or both of these firms would make it a far more formidable competitor and eliminate concerns over its staying power." Cisco, the most obvious US-based suitor, however just ruled out this idea. CEO Chuck Robbins reiterated in a Q2 financials reports Wednesday that technologies such 5G, 400-gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 6 and the cloud are big opportunities for the networking, giant but that customers are still cautious about some of the tech transitions. Cisco is continuing to "pause" spending in light of a fall in company revenue of 4% from a year ago and lacklustre growth forecasts. Ericsson said it expects 100 million 5G subscriptions worldwide by the end of the year, with most demand coming from China. Ericsson itself has 81 5G commercial agreements with 49 customers and 25 live 5G networks worldwide. Data from analyst firm Omdia (the new brand for Informa/IHS Markit) suggests 5G-enabled smartphone shipments will grow eight-fold by 2021. While 5G is set to become a common feature on premium phones released this year (except foldables), Samsung's latest flagship Galaxy S20 brings 5G into the mainstream. Omdia says a key emphasis for Samsung is gaming performance. The new devices are using a display with an extremely high refresh rate of 120Hz with a 240Hz input sensor which, when coupled with 5G, "would give gamers the quickest reactions of any mobile gaming solution," says Daniel Gleeson, Principal Analyst, Consumer Technology at Omdia. Samsung is so confident in the gaming capabilities of the S20 that it has announced a partnership with gaming company Forza Street, with cross-play with PC gamers enabled. "5G will drive the rapid growth of game streaming and esports, with the bundled-service revenue market of such partnerships expected to grow to $2.6 billion by 2024," according to Omdia's latest forecast. The Galaxy S20 also puts the focus squarely on the camera technology. The S20 Ultra model features a 108MP camera with a 100x zoom and 8K video recording. 8K footage recorded on to the device would soak up 600MB per minute, according to Samsung, and just five minutes of 8K footage would take up around 3GB of space. That's one reason why a 5G upload connection to cloud storage is important. "The headline feature should nonetheless grab attention and reassert Samsung's technology leadership in the space," says Gleeson. It's not just Samsung, though. Chinese brands like Xiaomi and OnePlus are using 5G as a way to build partnerships with operators around Europe. Xiaomi has a major presence in the big five European markets already and Omdia expects that to grow. Apple's iPhone 12 will have 5G as well, but release dates have not been made public. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Related Articles A school classroom. Getty/ picture alliance A Florida teacher is facing backlash after she questioned a pair of fifth-graders about whether they were in a same-sex relationship in front of their entire class. One of the students is too "ashamed" to show her face at school and has chosen to withdraw for the rest of the academic year, her mother, Jezenia Gambino, told Insider. It's "digusting" for a teacher to confront children about their sexuality simply based on some gossip, Gambino said, adding, "If the rumor had been about my daughter dating a little boy, I do not think the question would have been asked." The teacher shouldn't just receive a verbal warning after bullying and shaming students, she "needs to be fired," Gambino stressed. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. A fifth-grader in Port St. Lucie, Florida, says she's too embarrassed to show her face in school after a teacher asked in front of her entire class if she was in a relationship with a female classmate. The girl will not return to Northport K-8 School for the rest of the academic year, her mother, Jezenia Gambino told Insider, and will finish the rest of the academic year with homeschooling. The incident was triggered by a rumor that Gambino's daughter and another girl in her grade were dating, Gambino said, KPTV reported. When the rumor reached the teacher earlier this month, Gambino said she questioned the girls about whether they were in a same-sex relationship as their whole class watched. Gambino accused the teacher of using "a tone of anger" when addressing the students, as if they were being "scolded." Would it have mattered if the girl was thought to be dating a boy? It's "digusting" for a teacher to confront the girls about their sexuality simply based on some gossip, Gambino told Insider, noting, "If the rumor had been about my daughter dating a little boy, I do not think the question would have been asked." Story continues Gambino said she didn't hear about the episode until her 11-year-old daughter became upset after receiving a text from her friend. "[Her friend] wasn't sure if they should hang out together anymore because of what happened in school. She didn't want anyone to think they were gay," Gambino told WPTV. It hasn't been easy for the young girl to adjust to being homeschooled by her mother and grandmother, but Gambino said that on top of feeling "ashamed" and "humiliated," her child was worried that she would be treated differently. The teacher allegedly addressed the class angrily and said "she was in trouble because of the situation," Gambino said, based on what she heard since her daughter was out of school that day. District officials told KPTV that they reported the teacher's actions to the Florida Department of Education, which gave the teacher a verbal warning. Lydia Martin, the district's chief communications officer said in a statement to Insider, that the "school district conducted a thorough investigation." She also pointed to a policy against sexual harassment that says the school board "will not tolerate sexual harassment or any other form of illegal harassment by any of its employees, students, volunteers or agents." 'She needs to be fired' Gambino, however, feels that not enough was done to protect her child and questioned how an investigation into an incident that occurred on January 28 could have been closed the next day. "What could they have possibly investigated in such a short time frame," she asked. Moreover, after bullying and shaming two children, the teacher shouldn't just walk away with "a slap on the wrist," Gambino stressed. "She needs to be fired," she said. "The school isn't setting a good example for their students. The teacher's actions were unacceptable." According to a Human Rights Watch report released in 2016, public schools can be an "unwelcome" environment for youth who identify as LGBTQ. "A lack of policies and practices that affirm and support LGBT youth and a failure to implement protections that do exist means that LGBT students nationwide continue to face bullying, exclusion, and discrimination in school, putting them at physical and psychological risk and limiting their education," the report said. Read the original article on Insider Ukraine has taken several steps toward the implementation of the Minsk agreements, while Russia remains intransigent when negotiating the details of how peace can be achieved. As Ambassador Grau [Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group] noted during last weeks Permanent Council meeting, Ukraine has taken several steps toward the implementation of the Minsk agreements. Kyiv has adopted and renewed the Law on Special Status and has negotiated in good faith. Russia, however, has failed to follow through on any of the commitments it made to improve the security situation inside eastern Ukraine and remains intransigent when negotiating the details of how peace can be achieved, Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission to OSCE Harry Kamian said at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting in Vienna, an Ukrinform correspondent reported. The United States urges Russia to match the political will shown by Ukraine, Kamian noted. A demonstration of Russian political will to end this horrific conflict is long overdue, he said. Harry Kamian again stated that the United States fully supports Ukraines sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters. We do not, nor will we ever, recognize Russias purported annexation of Crimea. We join our European and other partners in affirming our Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia will remain in place until Russia fully implements its Minsk commitments and returns full control of Crimea to Ukraine, the Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission to OSCE said. ol Mr Deshmukh, too, had then publicly expressed disapproval of the Centre's move and termed it as against the Constitution. Mumbai: In a clear indication that there are major differences in the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, home minister Anil Deshmukh on Thursday said that chief minister Uddhav Thackeray overruled him by handling the Bhima Koregaon case. The Centre last month transferred the case from the Pune Police to the NIA, a move then criticised by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government. Mr Deshmukhs statement indicates that the chief minister has given his consent to hand over the probe to the NIA despite opposition from other constituents of the government. Mr Deshmukh, an NCP leader, said, The state agencies were investigating the Bhima-Koregaon case. But 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. We were putting up our stand in the court in this direction. The chief minister has the right to overrule my stand. He further said the court in Pune will give its order on transfer of the case on Friday. We will take the advocate general's opinion on setting up of an SIT to probe the Elgar case as demanded by Sharad Pawar and whether the state government can proceed with setting up of the SIT, he said. Interestingly, Mr Thackeray had expressed his ire over the move saying, No one has denied Centres right to investigate the Bhima-Koregaon case, but they should have taken the state government into confidence before handing over the investigation to NIA. Mr Deshmukh, too, had then publicly expressed disapproval of the Centre's move and termed it as against the Constitution. 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 had then opposed the NIA's application, saying the reasons given by the central agency in its plea were not legal and sufficient to transfer the case to the special NIA court. The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave, held at Shaniwarwada in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claimed, triggered violence near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in the district the next day. The Pune police have claimed the conclave was backed by Maoists. 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. 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. 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." Nicole Deziel, PhD, senior author, assistant professor at the Yale School of Public Health 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, Ph.D., 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." Soaking rains caused part of a hillside to collapse in southern West Virginia and prompted a flood warning along the Ohio River. Highways officials said high water forced road closings in multiple counties Thursday. Near Williamson, a rock slide Wednesday night covered old U.S. Route 52, knocked over power poles and caused a minor traffic accident. No serious injuries were reported. Crews were trying to remove multiple boulders on Thursday. Rising water levels have hampered search efforts for a kayaker who went missing in Barbour County. Jamie L. Gray, 41, was a part of a group of about 10 kayakers near Audra State Park, said Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety spokesman Lawrence Messina. Weather-related school closings or delays occurred in at least 15 of West Virginias 55 counties Thursday. The National Weather Service issued a warning for minor flooding along the Ohio River at Point Pleasant and Huntington. The downtown areas of both cities are protected by floodwalls. The weather service said some areas received about 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) of rain over already saturated ground. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Flood Ohio Virginia Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan have agreed to entrust the US and the World Bank with the preparation of the final agreement on the filling and operation of Addis Ababa's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), according to a statement by the five parties, following the latest round of negotiations which concluded in Washington on Thursday. The agreement will be reviewed within the coming few days and signed by the end of the month, the statement said. The foreign affairs and irrigation ministers of the three African countries reviewed the progress achieved by their technical and legal teams which were tasked with formulating a final and comprehensive agreement, including a detailed schedule for the filling and operating of the dam, during the last two weeks. The talks witnessed discussions on the remaining issues necessary for a final agreement. Per the joint statement, the ministers also reaffirmed the importance of transboundary cooperation in the development of the Blue Nile, on which the dam is being constructed, to improve the lives of the people of Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan, and their shared commitment to concluding an agreement. A few hours after the release of the statement, Ethiopia's Irrigation Minister Seleshi Bekele tweeted that the last round of talks had achieved progress but that the agreement "still needs more work to be finalised by the end of this month." He added that the Ethiopian ministries of irrigation and foreign affairs will carry out "national consultation with relevant institutions, professionals and concerned citizens within the next week to build consensus on results and way forward." The US and the World Bank had agreed to facilitate the preparation of the final agreement on the dam for consideration by the ministers and heads of state for conclusion by the end of the month, Secretary of the US Treasury Steve Mnuchin said. In a separate statement on Thursday, Egypt's foreign affairs ministry said in a statement that the latest round of talks continued the discussions about elements of dam's filling and operation agreement that includes filling the dam in stages and in accordance with specific procedures to deal with drought and years of scarcity that may coincide with the process of filling the dam. The statement touched upon long-term operating rules, which include the operation be in accordance with natural hydrological conditions. Discussions dealt with the coordination mechanism that will be responsible for the follow up of the implementation of the dam's filling and operation agreement, in addition to provisions related to dam's safety and emergencies, and an obligatory mechanism to resolve any disputes that may arise. The ministry also expressed appreciation for the role played by the US, and President Donald Trump, which it said led to a comprehensive agreement that serves the interests of the three countries. Search Keywords: Short link: Police detained over 100 protesters after a scuffle with them during a demonstration against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and Register of Citizens (NRC) at Washermanpet in Chennai on the evening of February 14. The demonstrators, who had gathered in large numbers were raising slogans against CAA and NRC during the protest. They then proceeded to push against the police barricades which was followed by the scuffle, the police also resorted to baton charge to disperse the demonstrators. Following the detainment of demonstrators by the police, a protest was then held near Mount Road Dargah at Anna Salai, it was however, temporarily withdrawn. John Cox can be reached at 661-395-7404. Follow him on Twitter: @TheThirdGraf. Sign up at Bakersfield.com for free newsletters about local business. " " Chewbacca and Donald Glover share a special moment in London in May 2018 ahead of the U.S. opening of "Solo." Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images Donald Glover is having a moment. His music video, "This is America," released under his musical stage name Childish Gambino, has caused all kinds of talk across the internet. His show "Atlanta" is a critical darling. And now he's appearing as Lando Calrissian in the new film "Solo: A Star Wars Story." "This is America" is a stunning commentary on our world today. As it turns out, "Solo: A Star Wars Story," offers up some social commentary of its own. And at the press conference for "Solo: A Star Wars Story," Glover explained that he dug it: Advertisement I love that they're like rich people and poor people in this movie, and you can just see immediately who's rich and who's poor and why they're there. By the end, maybe [Han] did the wrong thing but for the right reasons, or maybe the right thing was for the wrong reasons, but that's how everybody has to live... it's like a lost world out there and I really love that it's not simple. The film arguably delves into this division of classes in a way no previous "Star Wars" film has, though it was hinted at in last year's "Star Wars: The Last Jedi." But "Star Wars" has always had a social conscience. George Lucas crafted the first trilogy as a commentary against the Vietnam War and the policies of the American government, casting them as the evil empire. His second trilogy served as a cautionary tale about money in politics and greed and even featured evil characters named after Newt Gingrich (Nute Gunray) and Trent Lott (Lott Dod) to help hammer Lucas' point home. Add in all of the lessons "Star Wars" offers from the classic hero's journey story tropes, and it's easy to see why people would respond to its politics in such a way. "Solo: A Star Wars Story" shows us what people who come from nothing feel like they need to do to survive. This new film is as much a raucous adventure film as it is an indictment of a government that would let children go hungry and uncared for and allow a criminal underworld to develop in the face of skewed regulatory priorities. Given all of these influences across the "Star Wars" saga, it's no wonder that people use the franchise as a moral compass. Here's Glover again, at the press conference:"[Star Wars] does feel like the Bible to me in a lot of ways." That's a common sentiment among fans. Jared Anderson, a humanist chaplain and president of the Olam Institute, gets it. He explains by email that it's his belief that popular culture is scripture. "The texts of popular culture serve the same functions and meet the same needs as the Bible has in the past. It provides us inspiring and cautionary characters, inspires us to reflect on issues of good and evil, comforts and challenges us. Ancient myths have been preserved in the Bible; modern myths are preserved in comic books, film and other media." It certainly makes you wonder what the difference really is between a religious text and popular culture used for the same purpose. Is Lando in "The Empire Strikes Back" a more useful character to discuss betrayal with modern audiences than Judas? Are the stories of the temptations the Skywalkers went through as relevant as stories in the Bible? Anderson seems to think so, telling us that "popular culture claims our attention, thus making us familiar, and touches on the same human themes that the Bible does... often more effectively." But see for yourself when you watch "Solo." NOW THAT'S DETERMINATION When news that there would be new "Star Wars" films broke and that a movie about Han Solo was being talked about, Donald Glover told his agent, "'If they're making anything with Lando in it, I have to be Lando.' And he was like: 'I hear you. I don't like your odds.' That was exactly what I needed to hear. I really auditioned like it was the only role I wanted in the world. It really was." Acting Director-General, Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma says the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised against any move to evacuate people who are trapped in Wuhan Province, China, due to the severity of the Coronavirus outbreak in the province. Ghanaian students who are currently stuck up in coronavirus-stricken Wuhan province in China are appealing to the government to as a matter of urgency evacuate them before things get out of hand. According to them, most countries have and are evacuating their nationals from the province but there seems to be no help in sight for Ghanaian students who are locked up in their various rooms. Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, Secretary-General of the Union of Ghana Students, Mr. Bernard Bekoe Boamah, explained that the government should take steps to evacuate their fellow students from the coronavirus-stricken province. But the Acting Director-General, Dr. Patrick Kuma, updating the media about the preparedness of the Health Sector to prevent the Coronavirus in the country responded that the World Health Organization has advised against evacuation. He reiterated that evacuation is not an option on the table for discussion at the moment even though there are series of engagements with stakeholders to see the way forward; thus, the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health will be meeting the Parliamentary Select Committee in that regard. The World Health Organization has said that it is not advisable for any country to evacuate their people from Wuhan Province, he recounted. He stressed that the health sector is constantly monitoring the happenings in China and the next decision, to him, will be determined by the conditions that will be observed in China. He, however, assured that there are measures in place to prevent the outbreak of the Coronavirus in the country as the Ministry Health together with the Ghana Health Service, have created centers to quarantine people who may be affected by the Coronavirus. Director of Public Health, Dr. Badu Sarkodie alerted that people coming from Wuhan Province to Ghana will be quarantined for not less than 14 days to do a thorough check before allowing them to stay in the country. He further alarmed that no anti-virus has been produced to fight the new Coronavirus as it is different from the known Coronavirus, adding that the symptoms and the features of the new Coronavirus are not the same as the Old Coronavirus. We dont know much information about the new Coronavirus . . . but we want to encourage Ghanaians to continue to wash their hands before they eat and we should avoid coughing directly at people, he cautioned. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/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. Featured Video You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Job Title: Senior Program Officer Organization: Mercy Corps Duty Station: Uganda Reports to: STA/DCOP, EKISIL About US: Mercy Corps has been operating in Uganda since 2006 and works to catalyze change through the Ugandan private sector, civil society and government to create resilient, economically inclusive, healthy, and secure communities. Our work focuses on building resilience and enabling economic growth, improving opportunities to attain better health and nutrition, improving governance and conflict management, and bridging humanitarian response with longer term development outcomes. We implement programs in Acholi, Karamoja and West Nile Sub-regions, as well as eastern Uganda and the greater Kampala area with funding from USAID, Sida, US State Department, SDC, DFID as well as other private donations. The USAIDs Securing Peace and Promoting Prosperity in Karamoja (EKISIL) is a Conflict Management and Mitigation Project that applies a people-to-people approach to address underlying social, economic, ecological, and governance issues at risk of fueling conflict in Karamoja Sub-region. The project is implemented in Kaabong, Kotido, Abim, and Moroto. Job Summary: The Mercy Corps Senior Program Officer will support the Steering Committee in the implementation of the Karamoja Regional Development Initiative under EKISIL . He / she will lead the planning and execution of the Regional Initiative activities ensuring quality in accordance with accepted standards, providing essential feedback for learning, accountability and decision making. S/he will be responsible for providing support towards the development of the Karamoja strategic and investments plan based on the local community priorities as well as supporting Research initiatives across the region. He/she will also support in implementation of institutional development plans for the local partners. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Essential functions Oversee the day to day implementation of the Karamoja Regional Development Initiative, provide overall planning, coordination and leadership of the activities in line with the approved work-plan. Maintain relations with local authorities, development agencies, community organisations, sector heads, and Steering Committee and any other stakeholders relevant to the implementation of Karamoja Regional Initiatives. Lead in the development of materials and concept notes that detail the Karamoja Regional Development initiatives activity plans Plan and facilitate stakeholder sessions and workshops for different actors and socialite ideas on Karamoja Regional development strategy Engage with different local government and planning units on gathering inputs for Karamoja Regional Initiative. Work with consultants on development of regional development strategy and investment plan for Karamoja Work closely with local partners to ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting of program activities and results. Coordinate reporting with local partners, specifically tracking deadlines, ensuring adherence to formats and requirements, ensuring reporting quality and accuracy, and periodic report writing, editing, and submission. In collaboration with the M&E team, build the capacity of partners and team members on program monitoring tools, program data management and enable them to develop quality reports and other documents. Ensure close coordination and sharing of information with relevant stakeholders such as local government, NGOs and local authorities, as appropriate and advised by the line manager. Finance & Compliance Management Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to program implementation Security Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies. Organizational Learning As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The ideal applicant must hold a Bachelors degree in Development Studies, management, statistics, economics, social science or related field. At least 3 years experience in leading community and district level activities . Good understanding of Karamoja region. Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of MS Office applications. Strong team coordination, listening, and consensus building skills. Fluent in both spoken and written English. Fluency in spoken NKaramojong is an advantage Able to drive a motorbike safely, valid license. Preferred but not required. Success Factors The successful Senior Program Officer will combine exceptional management skills and experience in building and maintaining partner relationships. S/he will have an ability to think creatively about operationalizing and improving the regional program. S/he will have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and leadership skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail as well as strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. A good sense of humor and the ability to learn from mistakes also goes a long way! How to Apply: All candidates should send their applications online through the Mercy Corps recruitment portal at the link below. Click Here Deadline: 19th 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 Infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon has written to the Government to express her "surprise and disappointment" she was not consulted on controversial proposals for a bridge between Northern Ireland and Scotland. It's after Downing Street confirmed earlier this week ministers would report to Prime Minister Boris Johnson after a feasibility study had been carried out on the idea, which has appeared in various guises over the years. Mr Johnson has said work is under way to assess the feasibility of a bridge between Portpatrick and Larne - estimated to cost 20 billion. The revelation has promoted the SDLP's Mallon to write to the Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps in tandem with her counterpart in Scotland, the SNP's Michael Matheson. The Scottish Transport Secretary has called for urgent talks over the proposals, which he labelled the Prime Minister's "vanity project". Ms Mallon said she's surprised such an announcement was made without discussion with her department, given that transport is a devolved matter. "I want to make it clear that a lack of investment by successive British Governments has,for a number of years, restricted the necessary investment in vital infrastructure and public transport here," she said in the letter. "Infrastructure investment should be focused on projects that will improve lives, boost connectivity and our economy, enhance our communities and work to address the climate crisis." She asked for clarity on what exactly is being proposed by government ministers and for an explanation as to why ministers and officials in Northern Ireland had not been consulted in advance of the announcement. "I am extremely concerned that pursuit of this project, costing 20 billion,will be a waste of significant money and resource that could be put to better use by addressing pressures and deliverable projects here in Northern Ireland and elsewhere." In his letter, MSP Mr Matheson said rather than indulging the prime minister, funding should be made available to the Northern Ireland and Scotland governments to meet the priorities of the people they serve. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also reiterated this call. Mr Matheson requested immediate discussions with officials to discuss the release of the 20bn identified for the project. He also raised concern about a vast munitions dump at Beaufort's Dyke in the Irish Sea, which bomb disposal experts have warned would make it impossible to build the bridge over the most direct route, which is 31 miles long and up to 300 metres deep. Speaking to the Guardian, Robin Rickard, a consultant with the explosive ordnance advisers Exord, said : "Any intrusive works such as piling associated with the construction of bridges would pose an unacceptable level of risk" because it could disturb the munitions on the seabed. "Without knowing the planned design and engineering methodology, but assuming it would involve deep intrusive seabed works in proximity to unexploded ordnance, it would thereby represent a significant risk to the project and its personnel." There is no problem with distance, money or the Beauforts Dyke explosives disposal area, according to the Prime Minister. An engineer has suggested the span could be ready within 15 years. Mr Matheson said money spent to work around the problem "could be put to better use on practical, deliverable projects". SDLP leader Colum Eastwood welcomed the cooperation between ministers in Northern Ireland and Scotland . This project could cost in the region of 20 billion, which would be an utter waste of public money, when it could be better spent addressing ongoing pressures and investing in communities across the North. "Projects like the A5, the A6 and Narrow Water Bridge would contribute significantly more towards economic growth in the North than this white elephant project in the Irish Sea." The Department for Transport has been asked for a response. February 14 : Madhuri Dixit Nene graced the trailer launch of Gun of Banaras, says the film is packed with content and Karann Nath has done a good job. The makers of Guns of Banaras roped Madhuri Dixit Nene for the trailer launch of the film in Mumbai, yesterday. During her media interaction, Madhuri praised the film and newbie Karann Nath. Talking about the film, Madhuri said, Guns of Banaras have emotion, action, romance, and very realistic as well, I think thats what touches a chord now a days because the content has to be king. I think there is a lot of content in this movie. The movie marks the comeback for Karann Nath, who is son of producer Rakesh Nath. He had featured as a child artist in the Anil Kapoor and Sri Devi-starrer Mr. India, which is deemed as one of the most iconic films of Bollywood. Madhuri Dixit also added that she loves action films over romantic films. She added, I love action films, people might think otherwise because of my image, that I might like romantic or mushy films, but I like action movies a lot. When I did Gulaab Gang, I fulfilled all my passion for action films. Guns of Banaras is helmed by Shekhar Suri, also starring Nathalia Kaur, Abhimanyu Singh, Ganesh Venkatraman, Shilpa Shirodkar, Zarina Wahab, Mohan Agashe, Tej Sapru in key roles. It is produced by Dashaka Cinema Company. 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. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday took umbrage at not being invited to the inauguration of the East-West Metro corridor, asserting that her team had to "shed tears" to sanction the project when she was the railway minister. The first phase of the East-West corridor of the mass rapid transport network was flagged off by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday, but the TMC gave the event a miss after Banerjee's name did not feature in the list of invitees. "We had worked hard for the East-West Metro project. We had to literally shed tears for it (approval). I felt bad as I was not even informed about the inauguration," Banerjee said in the state assembly. She was the railway minister from 2009-2011. The first phase of the metro project connects a 4.88- km stretch between Sector V of Salt Lake -- the IT hub of the city -- with Salt Lake Stadium. Criticising the opposition parties in West Bengal for spreading "political pollution", the chief minister slammed the CPI(M) and Congress for "politically surrendering" before the BJP. "The more the Congress inches closer to the CPI(M), the more it will lose its prominence. Wherever religional parties are strong, the Congress literally doesn't have any existence," she said. Banerjee also said she will write to other chief ministers, urging them to not conduct the NPR exercise, as it is a "prelude" to the NRC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on June 27, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Trump Says He Has the Legal Right to Involve AG Barr in Criminal Cases President Donald Trump said on Friday morning that he has the legal right to ask the attorney general to intervene in criminal cases, adding that he has so far has chosen not to. The presidents comment comes after Attorney General William Barr said in an ABC News interview on Thursday that Trump has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case. This doesnt mean that I do not have, as president, the legal right to do so, I do, but I have so far chosen not to! Trump wrote in response to the comment. During his Thursday interview, Barr issued some rare criticism to the president about his Twitter posts in the wake of one of Trumps posts about the sentencing of former campaign adviser Roger Stone. 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. I think its time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases, he added. Top Justice Department officials intervened in the sentencing of Stone, who was convicted of lying to Congress, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors had recommended that Stone should serve seven to nine years in prison. The department subsequently requested that the court issues a lighter sentence than its original recommendation, without offering a specific prison time. Four prosecutors involved withdrew from the case over the incident. One of the four resigned from the department. Barr confirmed that the actions of the Justice Department had nothing to with the president, his tweets, or anyone from the White House. I have not discussed the Roger Stone case at the White House, Barr said. The ABC interviewer asked him about whether he is prepared to field any criticism from the president about his public comments. Of course, 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 the most responsibility for are the issues that are brought to me for decision 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, whether its Congress, newspaper editorial boards, or the president, Barr continued. Im going to do what I think is right and I cannot do my job here at the department with constant background commentary that undercuts me. The attorney general added that he was placed in a difficult 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. Following the interview, the White House said a statement responding to Barrs comments, that the president had not lost confidence in the attorney general and wasnt phased by the comments he made. The president wasnt bothered by the comments at all and he has the right, just like any American citizen, to publicly offer his opinions, White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham 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. The DOJ did not immediately respond to The Epoch Timess request for comment on the presidents Twitter post. Jack Phillips and Katabella Roberts contributed to this report. Bansy Kalappa By Express News Service BENGALURU: Historically, a political marriage helped build bridges, but whether the Nikhil Kumaraswamy-Revathi alliance mends any, is open to conjecture. Whatever the possibilities of this new JDS-Congress alliance, it promises to be the mother of all weddings. With just 62 days to go for the big day, event managers are hustling up a dream wedding. The venue is a 57-acre barren field, just off the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway, which is to be transformed into an elegant wedding set stage settings, lighting, music, the works. The field is a 90-minute drive from the city, in Gowda heartland. Sources said, We didnt want the big event in Bengaluru because there could be traffic issues.A galaxy of VVIPs is expected to descend on the city, with both families laying claim to political pedigree Nikhil, son of former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, and Revathi, grandniece of former Congress minister M Krishnappa. A coming together of two well-connected Vokkaliga families. For starters, over 5 lakh invitations are to be printed, and every JDS party worker from across the length and breadth of the state will be invited for the celebrations. It is said that both sides are rushing to meet deadlines for the wedding. The engagement, held a few days ago, was attended by the whos who of netadom. Sources said the wedding will be attended by leaders from across the nation, as Kumaraswamy is said to be on close terms with leaders like Stalin in Chennai, Jaganmohan Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh, and some leaders in Kerala where the JDS is in an alliance. Then there are national leaders like Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi and other biggies from across the political spectrum. Not to forget Sandalwood to complete the star-studded guest list. Such cross-current relationships in Karnataka politics are not unknown -- Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa is related to former CM Jagadish Shettar through marriage, and there are several other such alliances too, blessed by leaders of all political hues. Government has gazetted a Frequency Allotment Plan and Regulations that enable the establishment of 19 on-campus radio stations to be operated by institutions of higher learning, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said. She said the Second Republic is committed to opening up the airwaves, promoting freedom of expression and dissemination of diverse views. Addressing journalists and residents gathered to commemorate the World Radio Day at the Gweru Civic Centre yesterday, Minister Mutsvangwa said institutions of higher learning should embrace Governments commitment to opening up the airwaves by applying for the radio licences. The commemorations were hosted by the Midlands State University (MSU). We believe in the power of radio. It is a policy objective of my Ministry to have campus radio stations in Zimbabwe. To this end we have gazetted a Frequency Allotment Plan and Regulations that enable the establishment of about 19 campus stations in this country. Our institutions of higher learning are advised to make use of what we have made available for them. We are a Government that walks the talk, she said. Minister Mutsvangwa said her Ministry has grasped and embraced the importance of radio as it is a right for the people of Zimbabwe. Those who follow what we are doing can testify that we have made commitments to bring more broadcasters and a diversity of players to this landscape. It is a commitment we ask you to judge us by when we meet again on this day next year. Our law envisages a three-tier broadcasting system. This incorporates Public Broadcasting, Commercial Broadcasting and Community Broadcasting. Currently we have both public and commercial but we are yet to license community broadcasters. Let me make this point clear, we are going to license community stations, we are about to license community radio stations, she said. Minister Mutsvangwa said licensing of community radio stations was a priority agenda for her Ministry in line with the devolution agenda pushed by the Second Republic. His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwas Government adopted devolution as one of its flagship policies in the Second Republic. This is why you noted Cde Larry Mavima here who is the Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution. We believe that everyone should have access to information. We realised that for everyone to participate in development more so, at a devolved level, their voices should be heard, she said. Evidence gathered by the Information and Media Panel of Inquiry (IMPI), Minister Mutsvangwa said, indicated that radio is the most popular platform of information in Zimbabwe, particularly in rural communities. To develop at grassroots level, people should take pride in their communities and inculcate a sense of community that propels them to take ownership of their own development. It is here that community radio will play a critical role. For this reason, there is no turning back on rolling out community stations, she said. Minister Mutsvangwa said Government has closed the gap that existed in law which hindered the establishment of community radio stations. Last week we closed the legal gap that existed in law which hindered the establishment of the community radio stations. We gazetted regulations which set the framework for the licensing authority to call out for applications and I am advised they are preparing their callout right now. Broadcasting in Zimbabwe is founded on the Broadcasting Services Act. We are in the process of amending this law. This will align this primary legislation to the Constitution as well as modernize it to embrace new technology, she said. Minister Mutsvangwa said as newspapers become more expensive, radio continues to dominate as the main source of information for the people. This is why, today as the day set aside to celebrate and raise awareness on what radio has done, what it is doing and what it will do to our communities, we say lets all come together in one accord and commemorate this great platform, she said. Touching on the theme of the commemorations, Radio, Diversity and Development, Minister Mutsvangwa said there is need for radio stations to uphold diversity. She said radio stations should have diversity of communities they serve especially at national level. In our diversity, Minister Mutsvangwa said, the spirit of Ubuntu/ Hunhu must be the core. This should range from gender, to race, culture and language. Let our studios be friendly to those with disabilities. Let them have easy access and let their voice be also heard on our radios. Let vulnerable groups find their voice and expression on our stations, she said. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, February 14, 2020 Publishers could get a bonus from Google. The Alphabet company reportedly is in talks with publishers to pay a licensing fee for news content. The move would follow Facebooks decision last year to pay news organizations to license their headlines and article summaries in its news tab. The report from The Wall Street Journal comes at a time when publishers continue to criticize search engines for not compensating them for their content. In January, News Corp launched a news site called Knewz that aggregates headlines from more than 400 publishers, such as Fox News, Daily Mail, Washington Post, Anchorage Daily News, and The Sun. It gives readers an alternative to searching and finding news on publisher sites other than from search engines like Google and Bing. The latest report from the WSJ suggests that most of the publishers possibly in talks with Google are outside the U.S., such as France and Europe. The talks are focused on licensing content to appear in a free Google product details are still being hammered out, the WSJ reports, citing one source. advertisement advertisement Meanwhile, Google has been ramping up its Google News initiative. On Friday the company ran its first post from John Baker, chief reporter in Peterborough, U.K., officially kicking off the second city participating in Google's news initiative announced last year. Baker explains that the project first partnered with publisher McClatchy and launched Mahoning Matters in Youngstown, Ohio, in 2019. The site, Peterborough Matters, is the first of three local news sites launched by Archants Project Neon in partnership with the Google News Initiatives Local News Experiments Project. The site focuses on local crime, road accidents, council meetings, and weather to connect the community with in-depth stories about the people, places, and events. By Chris Hedges February 13, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - David Morales, the indicted owner of the Spanish private security firm Undercover Global, is being investigated by Spains high court for allegedly providing the CIA with audio and video recordings of the meetings WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange had with his attorneys and other visitors when the publisher was in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. The security firm also reportedly photographed the passports of all of Assanges visitors. It is accused of taking visitors phones, which were not permitted in the embassy, and opening them, presumably in an effort to intercept calls. It reportedly stole data from laptops, electronic tablets and USB sticks, all required to be left at the embassy reception area. It allegedly compiled detailed reports on all of Assanges meetings and conversations with visitors. The firm even is said to have planned to steal the diaper of a baby brought to visit Assange to perform a DNA test to establish whether the infant was a secret son of Assange. UC Global, apparently at the behest of the CIA, also allegedly spied on Ecuadorian diplomats who worked in the London embassy. The probe by the court, the Audiencia Nacional, into the activities of UC Global, along with leaked videos, statements, documents and reports published by the Spanish newspaper El Pais as well as the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, offers a window into the new global security state. Here the rule of law is irrelevant. Here privacy and attorney-client privilege do not exist. Here people live under 24-hour-a-day surveillance. Here all who attempt to expose the crimes of tyrannical power will be hunted down, kidnapped, imprisoned and broken. This global security state is a terrifying melding of the corporate and the public. And what it has done to Assange it will soon do to the rest of us. The publication of classified documents is not yet a crime in the United States. If Assange is extradited and convicted, it will become one. Assange is not an American citizen. WikiLeaks, which he founded, is not a U.S.-based publication. The extradition of Assange would mean the end of journalistic investigations into the inner workings of power. It would cement into place a terrifying global, corporate tyranny under which borders, nationality and law mean nothing. Once such a legal precedent is set, any publication that publishes classified material, from The New York Times to an alternative website, will be prosecuted and silenced. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The flagrant defiance of law and international protocols in the persecution of Assange is legion. In April 2019, Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno capriciously terminated Assanges right of asylum at the London embassy, where he spent seven years, despite Assanges status as a political refugee. Moreno authorized British police to enter the embassy diplomatically sanctioned sovereign territory to arrest a naturalized citizen of Ecuador. (Assange retains his Australian citizenship.) The British police seized Assange, who has never committed a crime, and the British government keeps him imprisoned, ostensibly for a bail violation. Assange is being held in the notorious high-security HM Prison Belmarsh. He has spent much of his time in isolation, is often heavily sedated and has been denied medical treatment for a variety of physical ailments. His lawyers say they are routinely denied access to their client. Nils Melzer, the United Nations special rapporteur on torture who examined Assange with two physicians, said Assange has undergone prolonged psychological torture. Melzer has criticized what he calls the judicial persecution of Assange by Britain, the United States, Ecuador and Sweden, which prolonged an investigation into a sexual assault case in an effort to extradite Assange to Sweden. Assange said the case was a pretext to extradite him to the United States. Once Assange was arrested by British police the sexual assault case was dropped. Melzer says Assange would face a politicized show trial in the United States if he were extradited to face 17 charges under the Espionage Act for his role in publishing classified military and diplomatic cables, documents and videos that exposed U.S. war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each of the counts carries a potential sentence of 10 years, and an additional charge that Assange conspired to hack into a government computer has a maximum sentence of five years. A hearing to determine whether he will be extradited to the United States starts Feb. 24 at Londons Woolwich Crown Court. It is scheduled to last about a week and then resume May 18, for three weeks more. WikiLeaks released U.S. military war logs from Afghanistan and Iraq, a cache of 250,000 diplomatic cables and 800 Guantanamo Bay detainee assessment briefs along with the 2007 Collateral Murder video, in which U.S. helicopter pilots banter as they gun down civilians, including children and two Reuters journalists, in a Baghdad street. The material was given to WikiLeaks in 2010 by Chelsea Manning, then Bradley Manning, a low-ranking intelligence specialist in the U.S. Army. Assange has been accused by an enraged U.S. intelligence community of causing one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States. Manning was convicted of espionage charges in August 2013 and sentenced to 35 years in a military prison. She was granted clemency in January 2017 by President Barack Obama. Manning was ordered back to prison last year after refusing to testify before a grand jury in the WikiLeaks case, and she remains behind bars. No one was ever charged for the war crimes WikiLeaks documented. Assange earned the enmity of the Democratic Party establishment by publishing 70,000 hacked emails belonging to the Democratic National Committee and senior Democratic officials. The emails were copied from the accounts of John Podesta, Hillary Clintons campaign chairman. The Podesta emails exposed the donation of millions of dollars to the Clinton Foundation by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, two of the major funders of Islamic State. It exposed the $657,000 that Goldman Sachs paid to Hillary Clinton to give talks, a sum so large it can only be considered a bribe. It exposed Clintons repeated mendacity. She was caught in the emails, for example, telling the financial elites that she wanted open trade and open borders and believed Wall Street executives were best positioned to manage the economy, a statement that contradicted her campaign statements. It exposed the Clinton campaigns efforts to influence the Republican primaries to ensure that Donald Trump was the Republican nominee. It exposed Clintons advance knowledge of questions in a primary debate. It exposed Clinton as the principal architect of the war in Libya, a war she believed would burnish her credentials as a presidential candidate. Journalists can argue that this information, like the war logs, should have remained hidden, but they cant then call themselves journalists. The Democratic and Republican leaders are united in their crusade to extradite and sentence Assange. The Democratic Party, which has attempted to blame Russia for its election loss to Trump, charges that the Podesta emails were obtained by Russian government hackers. However, James Comey, the former FBI director, has conceded that the emails were probably delivered to WikiLeaks by an intermediary, and Assange has said the emails were not provided by state actors. WikiLeaks has done more than any other news organization to expose the abuses of power and crimes of the American empire. In addition to the war logs and the Podesta emails, it made public the hacking tools used by the CIA and the National Security Agency and their interference in foreign elections, including French elections. It disclosed the internal conspiracy against British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn by Labour members of Parliament. It intervened to save Edward Snowden, who made public the wholesale surveillance of the American public by our intelligence agencies, from extradition to the United States by helping him flee from Hong Kong to Moscow. (The Snowden leaks also revealed that Assange was on a U.S. manhunt target list.) The inquiry by the Spanish court is the result of a criminal complaint filed by Assange, who accuses Morales and UC Global of violating his privacy and client-attorney confidentiality rights. The WikiLeaks founder also says the firm is guilty of misappropriation, bribery and money laundering. Morales, according to El Pais, stated both verbally and in writing to a number of his employees that, despite having been hired by the government of then-Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, he also worked for the Americans, to whom he allegedly sent documents, videos and audios of the meetings that the Australian activist held in the embassy. Despite the fact that the Spanish firm which is headquartered in the southern city of Jerez de la Frontera was hired by Senain, the Ecuadorian intelligence services, Morales called on his employees several times to keep his relationship with the US intelligence services a secret, the paper reported. The owner of UC Global S. L. ordered a meeting between the head of the Ecuadorian secret service, Rommy Vallejo, and Assange to be spied on, at a time when they were planning the exit of Assange from the Ecuadorian embassy using a diplomatic passport in order to take him to another country, according to El Pais. This initiative was eventually rejected by Assange on the basis that he considered it to be a defeat, that would fuel conspiracy theories, according to sources close to the company consulted by this newspaper. Morales called on his employees to keep his relationship with the US intelligence services a secret. The Vallejo-Assange meeting, which included Assanges lawyers, took place Dec. 21, 2017. The security firm made audio and video recordings through microphones and cameras installed in the embassy. The CIA was immediately made aware of the plan, perhaps through an external streaming access point installed in the embassy, according to El Pais. The next day the United States issued an international arrest warrant for Assange. Microphones were implanted in fire extinguishers and a womens restroom where Assanges lawyers would cloister themselves with their client in an effort to avoid being recorded. The windows in the embassy were given a treatment that provided better audio quality for the laser microphones that the CIA was using from exterior locations, the paper reported. When Moreno was elected to the presidency in Ecuador, replacing Rafael Correa, who had granted Assange asylum in the embassy, an intense campaign was launched to force the publisher from the embassy. It included daily harassment, cutoff of internet access and the termination of nearly all visits. UC Global, which provides personal security for casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and protection for his company Las Vegas Sands, apparently used Adelson, a friend of President Trump and one of the largest donors to the Republican Party, to lobby the Trump administration and then-CIA Director Mike Pompeo to make Assange a priority target. La Repubblica, like El Pais, obtained important files, recordings and other information stemming from the UC Global surveillance at the embassy. They include photos of Assange in the embassy and recordings of conversations he had with doctors, journalists, politicians, celebrities and members of his legal team. The videos and audio recordings accessed by the Repubblica reveal the extreme violations of privacy that Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks journalists, lawyers, doctors and reporters were subjected to inside the embassy, and represent a shocking case study of the impossibility of protecting journalistic sources and materials in such a hostile environment, the Italian newspaper wrote. This espionage operation is particularly shocking if we consider that Assange was protected by asylum, and if we consider that the information gathered will be used by the United States to support his extradition and put him in prison for the crimes for which he is currently charged and for which he risks 175 years in prison: the publication of secret US government documents revealing war crimes and torture, from Afghanistan to Iraq to Guantanamo. Chris Hedges, spent nearly two decades as a foreign correspondent in Central America, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. He has reported from more than 50 countries and has worked for The Christian Science Monitor, National Public Radio, The Dallas Morning News and The New York Times, for which he was a foreign correspondent for 15 years. https://www.truthdig.com/author/chris_hedges/ Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Demolishes The Fake Claims Targeting Julian Assange Watch: UK: Labour MP : Don't Extradite Assange Assange Trial in US Would Mean End of 'Investigative Journalism Anywhere in the World' - Activists (Photo : Screenshot From NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Facebook Page) NASA planets NASA has had the luxury of planning out different missions across the solar system to four planets because of how their external partners like SpaceX, Boeing are shortening the timeline of manufacturing space crafts to make these expeditions possible. The four planets include Venus, Jupiter, Neptune, and our beloved neighbor, Mars! Where does NASA see itself? There is a whole lot of territory to cover in space, and NASA is preparing for multiple voyages with their space crafts reaching different parts of the Solar System. There are two missions that are being prepared for Venus, while the next one would be to Jupiter's moon and the last being to Triton, which is a moon of Neptune. So far, NASA has already been public with their plans to go to Mars by starting on the moon to build experience for their astronauts. Read Also: BWX and NASA: Will Lynchburg Be the Start of the Mars Expedition? From these missions, NASA will select two to launch as the scientists will be given $3 million dollars to refine their research and projects better to come up with a Concept Study Report that would best suit everyone. NASA will then select a winner next year from all the Concept Study Reports gathered to see which the best course of action to take is. What Venus has to offer? Noble Gases is a curious fascination when it comes to Venus, as although the environment may be harsh, a lot of data could be gathered for us to understand the solar system better. The Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation is leading this chemistry-bound research, and Image Plus (DAVINCI+) is eager to start learning about this planet. Read Also: NASA, European Space Agency Launch Solar Orbiter to Take Better Photos of the Sun Radio science is also an interest as the Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSTAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy or better known as the VERITAS mission, could study more on the geological history and direction of this planet. What Jupiter's moons that are full of Volcanos have to offer? The moons of Jupiter are popular for being the most volcanically active territories around the solar system, which makes it an interesting study as well because of the geological plumbing that creates these features. The Io Volcano Observatory or IVO is responsible for this study. Neptune's moon Triton and what it has to offer A strong case for Triton, the TRIDENT mission is aiming to understand the geyser-like-plumes in hopes of better understanding those found on earth. Triton is also believed to be the second youngest surface in the solar system, which makes this study very appealing as we could get ahead on understanding how younger bodies evolve. Voyager 2 was able to get to Triton, but it took 12 years, so the data should be expected after a long time in the future. NASA's competition for science NASA is willing to allocate its resources wherever it is most beneficial for humanity, which is why this competition amongst scientists means a lot. The space crafts will be designed according to NASA's choice of which planet we should see first. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Alameda County district attorney has declined to file charges against four people, including the two members of Moms 4 Housing arrested last month when a judge ordered the eviction of mothers living without permission in a vacant West Oakland home. District Attorney Nancy OMalley quietly dropped the case on Thursday. Her decision concluded a dramatic chapter in the regions acute housing crisis that gained national attention when sheriffs deputies in riot gear and armored vehicles evicted a rotating group of four homeless mothers who took up residence in the empty house in November to highlight the shortage of affordable housing. The saga escalated on Jan. 14, when the deputies arrested Tolani King, 46, Misty Cross, 38, and Jesse Turner, 25; all of Oakland, and Walter Baker, 28, of Berkeley. They faced charges of resisting eviction and obstructing a peace officer, and have been out on bail. On Friday, with the charges dropped, Moms 4 Housing now a nonprofit group issued a statement calling on the Sheriffs Office to disclose how much it spent to evict the mothers and send in the tanks, and to explain why they did it. Residents of Alameda County have the right to know the countys justification for using tanks to remove nonviolent mothers from a previously vacant home, and to know the cost to the taxpayers for such behavior, the group said in a statement. The operation, which ended when police quelled the two-month act of civil disobedience, removed the women and boarded up the home. Meanwhile, Wedgewood Properties, which owns the Magnolia Street home and specializes in house-flipping, agreed in January to sell it to a nonprofit affordable-housing group, which in turn would give it to the mothers. But as the mothers resolved their housing dilemma, their legal troubles persisted until now. We declined to file charges, Teresa Drenick, a spokeswoman for the district attorneys office, said Thursday. 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. Earlier, King, Cross and their supporters, Turner and Baker, received a notice to appear Thursday at an Oakland courthouse. They showed up with nearly two dozen other supporters expecting to be arraigned. But a deputy told them they werent on the court schedule. The uncertainty inflamed the sense of injustice among the four and their advocates. Not knowing if you will be charged or might be charged, this is unacceptable. This is ridiculous, said Carroll Fife, regional director of Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, an organization working with Moms 4 Housing. In an effort to avoid another Moms 4 Housing-style protest and help resolve Oaklands shortage of affordable housing, Oakland Councilwoman Nikki Fortunato Bas introduced legislation on Jan. 30 that she said would give landlords an incentive to offer tenants, affordable housing developers and land trusts first right of refusal when selling a property. The proposal doesnt yet specify what the incentive would be. The citys Community and Economic Development Committee is expected to take up the issue on March 24. Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani The Ghana Police Service has cautioned the public to disregard any advertisement making the rounds on social media of an ongoing recruiting in the service. The Ghana Police Service is not calling for applications for recruitment. We encourage all to check with us before acting on any advertisement or publication on recruitment into the Ghana Police Service, it said in a Facebook post. Check below: (Bloomberg Opinion) -- Some crimes take only minutes, even seconds, to execute. Now imagine how many seconds Donald Trump has between this moment and Election Day. For Democrats, too, November is far away. But what Trump does in the months ahead will be at least as important to the presidential contest as what Democrats do. There are plenty of crimes to come. The Democratic primary is messy. Results in New Hampshire were no more decisive than results in Iowa. As the multi-headed candidate beast makes its way to Nevada, South Carolina and beyond, uncertainty may linger. While Democrats seem favorably disposed toward most of their candidates, they seem unlikely to settle on one soon. Yet against the sordid backdrop of Trumps presidency, a long Democratic ordeal may not matter much in the end. By November the presidential campaign will come down to one overarching issue and it wont be Bernies revolution or Mayor Petes crisis of belonging or Elizabeth Warrens big structural change. It will come down to rule of law. In November, Americans will decide whether they will fight for the foundation of liberal democracy and democratic capitalism or whether they will accede to Putinism. Rule of law has been good to the U.S. It has made free speech a reality. It has given confidence to entrepreneurs who launch businesses with the faith that their enterprises wont be stolen if they prove successful. It has, in the modern era until Trump became president, kept grifting within recognized boundaries and restricted outright graft mostly to the fringes of public life. True, many innocent, mostly poor, people have gone to jail. But explicitly political convictions are relatively rare. And the ideal of law as an agent of justice has often forced the legal system to correct itself. Trump has spent his presidency attacking rule of law from every imaginable direction. Grift has sprawled, with his children pocketing favors from dictators, the federal government pouring money into Trumps pockets, and Trump exercising foreign policy for his exclusive benefit. Graft is in the open as lobbyists, spies and sundry money-grubbers pay the president while seeking favors from him at his for-profit clubs. And the law is increasingly deployed, under Attorney General William Barrs reign, to protect the president and his friends while threatening his enemies especially law enforcement agents, such as James Comey and Andrew McCabe, who sought to expose the presidents wrongdoing. Story continues Yes, the presidential election will decide other issues, such as access to health care in America. But everything that Democrats hope to do now or in the future, whether defined as democratic socialism or regulated capitalism, depends on rules-based, lawful and uncorrupted systems of government and justice. Such systems are what Trump seeks to destroy. He has a stunning array of help. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable continue to fund the party that is undermining rule of law. Tens of millions of Americans appear to be under the impression that abuses will be limited to people they dislike. In the GOP there is a growing pro-Putin faction. And aside from Senator Mitt Romney and newly independent Representative Justin Amash, the congressional GOP leads cheers for corruption and lawlessness. If Trump is re-elected, Republicans will grant his every desire, with the blessing of a debased and Trumpified Department of Justice. Regardless of how the Democratic primary evolves, or who the nominee is, Putinism with Trumpian characteristics will be the most important issue in November. If Trump wins, its true you can forget about Medicare, whether for some or all. More important, however, you can forget about the rule of law. It wont just be battered, as it is today. It will be gone. Only the thugs wont miss it. (Disclaimer: Michael Bloomberg is also seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. He is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News.) To contact the author of this story: Francis Wilkinson at fwilkinson1@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Tracy Walsh at twalsh67@bloomberg.net This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners. Francis Wilkinson writes editorials on politics and U.S. domestic policy for Bloomberg Opinion. He was executive editor of the Week. He was previously a writer for Rolling Stone, a communications consultant and a political media strategist. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Two winners were selected by a panel of experts that included Mr. Tommy Hilfiger, Daniel Grieder, CEO, Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe, and Noor Tagouri, Journalist, Activist and Speaker AMSTERDAM(BUSINESS WIRE)$PVH #FashionFrontierChallengeTommy Hilfiger, which is owned by PVH Corp. [NYSE: PVH], announces Apon Wellbeing and A Beautiful Mess as winners of the 2019 Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge. More than 400 applications were received for the second edition of the global program, which aims to support entrepreneurial start-up and scale-up stage businesses developing solutions that promote inclusive and positive change in fashion. At Tommy Hilfiger, were committed to wasting nothing and welcoming all. From start to finish, I have been inspired by this talented group of social entrepreneurs whose innovations are making the fashion landscape more sustainable and inclusive, said Tommy Hilfiger. I am proud to congratulate this years winners, Apon Wellbeing and A Beautiful Mess. This is just the beginning for these start-ups and we will continue to mentor and foster these entrepreneurs who are so committed to making a positive impact in our industry. The winners of the second Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge represent the future of the fashion industry, said Daniel Grieder, CEO, Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe. As our industry continues to rapidly evolve, it is important to collaborate, both within and outside of the fashion landscape, and bring forward innovations that have the ability to transform our businesses for the better. Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists! Apon Wellbeing was awarded 75,000. The Bangladesh-based scale-up opens fair-priced shops carrying daily necessities inside factories, with products offered at a 10% discount to external prices and a points scheme that workers collect for free health-insurance and health services. Story continues When you are upcoming in the fashion value chain, endorsement from a brand like TOMMY HILFIGER immeasurably helps start-ups and scale-ups grow and increase impact, said Saif Rashid, Apon Wellbeing Founder and Managing Director. But the most important thing is the strategic support and mentorship the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge offers. The support TOMMY HILFIGER has given has already shaped our business model, strategy, communication and how we think about the future. Dutch start-up, A Beautiful Mess, was also awarded 75,000. A Beautiful Mess runs a creative space to assist refugees in realizing social and economic independence by creating sustainable apparel products. We need big players in the fashion industry to scale-up circular production initiatives, and thats exactly what the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge offers, said Naz Kawan, A Beautiful Mess Makerspace Director. A collaborative, integrated approach is necessary if we want to transform the fashion industrys supply chain. With the support of this global program, we are working towards a more circular, transparent and inclusive fashion landscape. The winners also received a year-long mentorship with Tommy Hilfigers and INSEADs global experts, as well as a place in the INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship Program (ISEP). A third start-up, Sudara, was selected as the Audience Favorite Vote and was awarded 10,000. Based in India and the United States, Sudara is a scale-up pajama and loungewear company that develops professional and sewing skills in women who have escaped from or are at high risk of being sex trafficked. The Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge is all about using fashion as a force for good, which directly speaks to our brand purpose, said Shannon Keith, Sudara Inc. Founder and Chairwoman. Were particularly excited about winning the Audience Favorite Vote, because it shows that what were doing really resonates with the teams at TOMMY HILFIGER, who are committed to making a difference in the fashion industry. Over a multi-step, multi-month process that began in May 2019, over 420 applicants were narrowed down to six finalists who were invited to develop and refine their business plans with the support of a dedicated team of social entrepreneur experts. During the programs Final Event, which took place at Tommy Hilfigers Campus of the Future in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on February 13, 2020, the six finalists pitched their concepts to a prestigious jury panel, including Mr. Tommy Hilfiger, Daniel Grieder, CEO, Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe, Noor Tagouri, Journalist, Activist and Speaker, Martijn Hagman, CFO, Tommy Hilfiger Global & COO, Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe, Willemijn Verloop, Founding Partner, Social Impact Venture, Steven Serneels, CEO and Board Member, EVPA, and Katrin Ley, Managing Director, Fashion for Good. Tommy Hilfigers vision is to create fashion that wastes nothing and welcomes all. Find out more about the brands long-term sustainability efforts, particularly in the areas of inclusivity and circularity, at: https://global.tommy.com/en_int/about-us-corporate-sustainability. Friends and followers of the brand are invited to join the conversation on social media using #TommyHilfiger and @TommyHilfiger. About Tommy Hilfiger With a brand portfolio that includes TOMMY HILFIGER and TOMMY JEANS, Tommy Hilfiger is one of the worlds most recognized premium designer lifestyle groups. Its focus is designing and marketing high-quality mens tailored clothing and sportswear, womens collection apparel and sportswear, kidswear, denim collections, underwear (including robes, sleepwear and loungewear), footwear and accessories. Through select licensees, Tommy Hilfiger offers complementary lifestyle products such as eyewear, watches, fragrance, swimwear, socks, small leather goods, home goods and luggage. The TOMMY JEANS product line consists of jeanswear and footwear for men and women, accessories, and fragrance. Merchandise under the TOMMY HILFIGER and TOMMY JEANS brands is available to consumers worldwide through an extensive network of TOMMY HILFIGER and TOMMY JEANS retail stores, leading specialty and department stores, select online retailers, and at tommy.com. About PVH Corp. PVH sets the standard of style as one of the most admired fashion and lifestyle companies in the world. We power brands that drive fashion forward for good. Our iconic portfolio includes TOMMY HILFIGER, CALVIN KLEIN, Van Heusen, IZOD, ARROW, Speedo*, Warners, Olga and Geoffrey Beene brands, as well as the digital-centric True & Co. intimates brand. We market a variety of goods under these and other nationally and internationally known owned and licensed brands. PVH has over 38,000 associates operating in over 40 countries and nearly $9.7 billion in annual revenues. Thats the power of PVH. *The Speedo brand is licensed for North America and the Caribbean in perpetuity from Speedo International Limited. Contacts Tommy Hilfiger Baptiste Blanc Sr. Director, Communications and Earned Media E-mail: Baptiste.Blanc@tommy.com Tel: +31 62904 2334 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Katrin Figge (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 11:59 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20647e19c 1 People #tenun,#Berlin,#lifestyle,#MerdiSihombing,#fashion,#FashionShow,#fashion-designer,#Indonesia Free Sustainable fashion is now a common trend in the industry, with many designers and brands supporting ecological integrity and social justice. In Indonesia, Merdi Sihombing was one of the first to dive into the world of eco-fashion. During a recent visit to Berlin, organized by the Jakarta Tourism and Culture Office as part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Berlin and Jakarta as sister cities, Merdi was invited as a representative of the Indonesian fashion industry and introduced his Alor and Batak collection to the German audience a great opportunity for him to take further steps on the global stage after already having participated in fashion shows and exhibitions in London, Bangladesh and New York. A true pioneer: The fashion designer has been widely credited for introducing eco and vegan fashion to a wider audience in Indonesia. (Courtesy of Merdi Sihombing/-) Born in Medan, North Sumatra, as the third child of four siblings to a Batak father and Ambonese mother, Merdi moved to Jakarta to study at the Bunka Fashion and Design School as well at ESMOD. In 2001, he continued his studies at the Jakarta Arts Institute (IKJ), specializing in textiles. While I was a student at the IKJ, I traveled to the Baduy region to the first time with a couple of friends, he said. That was a turning point for me. The Baduy are a traditional Bantenese community who live isolated from the rest of the world, following an ancient way of life, customs and traditions. Merdi became interested in the Baduys traditional clothing and special textiles that they use for rituals and ceremonies. International success: Merdi's fashion shows in Berlin were followed by an event in Belgium, where he highlighted sustainable fashion from Indonesia. (Courtesy of Merdi Sihombing/-) For three years, he traveled back and forth between Jakarta and the Baduy region to work together with the people and learn more about their fabrics. I was very lucky because they are usually not too open when it comes to strangers, but after three years, their chief gave me permission to promote their textiles and use them for my show, he said. Afterward, Merdi began to explore other remote areas in Indonesia, always looking for new inspiration and a growing desire to preserve local traditions and techniques, as well as to support local communities, especially women. I help them to develop their products and show them know how to produce sustainably, Merdi explained. He is mostly welcomed with open arms, he added. Its not easy for them, they dream about having better lives, and I do my best to help them achieve that dream, he said. It has become my passion. A few years ago, Merdi branched out into vegan fashion when he was working in the region of Alor in East Nusa Tenggara. I encountered the people of Umapura, an atoll island, he recalled. There is no electricity and they only have one water well that is used by hundreds of locals. The men are mostly fishermen, and the women weave ikats as they have learned from their ancestors from Ternate Island. Strike a pose: Models wear Merdi Sihombing's designs during a photoshoot prior to his Berlin fashion show. (Courtesy of Merdi Sihombing/-) To color their woven fabrics, Merdi and the locals use only natural sources: plants from the forest as well as sea cucumbers and several types of marine biota from the ocean, following the concept of zero waste. We engage in a transfer of knowledge while developing new products together, he said. For instance, I tell them about new yarn and fiber they can use, and later help them to bring the products to big cities like Jakarta and hopefully someday to the global market. Many of the women who live on the island are already old but they still need to work because their livelihoods depend on it. They often do not have the strength or energy to weave anymore but Merdi makes sure to give them easier tasks so they can still have an income. After we develop a product, I buy it from them, with fair trade principles, he explained. Its all very transparent. I teach them how to put the right price on their products, and then I bring some of the weavers, mainly the younger generation, to Jakarta to meet the buyers. For many of them, it is the first time for them to travel by plane or to stay in a hotel. Going local: For his collections, Merdi works closely with local communities, using natural sources only to color the woven fabrics. (Courtesy of Merdi Sihombing/-) Merdi also applies the vegan concept in his own designs. Over the years, he has made a name for himself as the pioneer of sustainable fashion in Indonesia a trend that is now followed by many young designers. Im very happy about this development. I really dont think about competition but am mostly glad that new and young designers care about the environment as much as I do, said Merdi, who also has a weaving center in Lake Toba. Last year, he launched the inaugural Fashion Week Indonesia. In October, the event was held in Antwerp, Belgium, with a couple of fashion shows highlighting sustainable fashion from the archipelago and a pop-up store that will be open to customers for four months. We wanted the global market to learn more about the sustainable fashion industry in Indonesia, because it is such a huge and rich country and has so much to offer, Merdi added. It was also an opportunity to introduce other products from Indonesia, such as coffee. In the future, he will continue to work with local communities, specifically those who have been affected by natural disasters. This is about much more than just fashion, he said. People say, when you travel far and see a lot of things, you will be smarter, and I believe that too. (ste) Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 14 : Close on the heels of opposition United Democratic Front's demand for a probe into alleged corrupt deals of Kerala Police, unearthed in a 2019 CAG report, the BJP on Friday too demanded an investigation by a central agency. BJP spokesperson K Surendran said that with the name of police chief Loknath Behra cropping up following the Comptroller and Auditor General report, he should be removed from the top post and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan too quit as state Home Minister. "This is one of the biggest scams unearthed by the CAG while Vijayan says he will reply on this issue in the Assembly. Corrupt deals in the Kerala police are dangerous. The only way out is a probe by a central agency. What has now surfaced is only a fraction of the scams in the Police Department," Surendran said. The CAG report for 2013-18 tabled in the Kerala Assembly on Wednesday pointed out to missing guns, cartridges, misuse of funds, and diversion of funds. It also pointed to the alleged collusion between Keltron, a state public sector company, and police in purchases made by the latter. Many eyebrows have also been raised over handing over a security programme of Kerala Police to a private firm floated just two years back, overlooking experienced firms. The ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist's State Secretariat meeting is expected to take up the issue on Friday. This comes ahead of the Assembly's resumed session on March 2. Meanwhile, Minister for Tourism and Devasoms and senior CPI-M leader Kadakampally Surendran defended a police official, posted in his security detail, who is one of the accused in the missing cartridges case. "The issue surfaced in 2013 and you are raising it today. My gunman will remain with me as he is only an accused and not found guilty of the crime," Surendran told the media. Railway projects of "national importance" in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast that have been pending for over a decade will be completed by 2023, Railway Board chairman V K Yadav said on Friday. At a press briefing, Yadav said the priority of the railways in the next five years is to complete its 50 remaining super critical projects, augmenting capacity in order to introduce 1,500 new trains and wrap up its projects of national importance. Top on the list is the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) which was declared a "national project" in 2002 by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. Yadav said a 161-km section of the project has been commissioned at a cost of Rs 6,000 crore, while the remaining will be commissioned by 2022. The project was scheduled to be completed by 2020 earlier. The total cost of this project is estimated to be Rs 27,949 crore. He said that all these projects have been delayed due to land acquisition issues, litigation as well as difficult terrain. Another project of national importance, the 51.38-km Bhairabi-Sairang project in Mizoram, was sanctioned in 2008-2009, but is yet to be completed. The new deadline for the project is 2023 and a cost of Rs 5,021 crore has been proposed for it. The railway budget 2020-21 has proposed an outlay of Rs 400 crore for the new broad gauge railway line for the year. The railways has also set a deadline of March 2023 for the BG line connectivity from Dimapur (Dhansiri)-Zubza (Kohima) (82.50 km) in Nagaland, which was sanctioned in 2006-07. The railway budget 2020-21 has earmarked Rs 300 crore for this project. The total cost of the project is Rs 4,600 crore. In Sikkim, the Sivok-Rangpo new BG line (44.39 km) which was sanctioned in 2008-2009 but suffered due to delay in handing over of encumbrance free forest land by the West Bengal government is now scheduled to be completed by 2023. This project has been allocated Rs 607 crore in the 2020-21 union budget. Another long-pending project in Manipur connects Jiribam to Imphal (110.62 km), which was sanctioned in 2003-2004. It now has a deadline of 2022. The project has been given a layout of Rs 800 crore in the 2020-21 railway budget while its total cost is estimated to be around Rs 12,524 crore. Yadav also said that seven of the 58 super critical projects that are underway in congested routes have been completed in 2019, while one has been wrapped up in 2018. He said that the remaining 50 will be completed by March 2022. The completion of these projects would herald greater economic growth for the regions and increase their geopolitical importance, officials said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two new Democratic primary polls show former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in the lead in Florida, while Sen. Bernie Sanders tops the field in Texas. Both Bloomberg and Sanders have teeny tiny leads over former Vice President Joe Biden, who took a beating in both Iowa and New Hampshire. The Florida poll shows Bloomberg with just a one-point lead over Biden, with the ex-mayor receiving 27 per cent support from Florida Democrats compared to Biden's 26 per cent support. Former New York City Michael Bloomberg has a teeny tiny lead in Florida over Vice President Joe Biden, a new poll from FloridaPolitics.com shows Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders is now in the lead in Texas, acording to a new poll from the University of Texas and the Texas-Tribune Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has a skinny lead over Vice President Joe Biden in the Sunshine State, while the candidates who performed best in New Hampshire are all hovering around 10 per cent Sunshine state voters like the three leaders in New Hampshire about evenly. Eleven per cent like former South Bend Pete Buttigieg, who won the delegate percentage in Iowa and came in second in the New Hampshire primary. Buttigieg is followed by Sanders, who gets just 10 per cent support, despite slowly emerging as a national frontrunner. Sen. Amy Klobuchar received 9 per cent support from New Hampshire Democrats. She had a good night Tuesday, finishing third place in New Hampshire after a disapppointing fifth place close in the Iowa caucuses. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has just 5 per cent support in Florida, the FloridaPolitics.com survey said. Bloomberg's edge comes from having about a 10-point lead over Biden among white survey respondents. The former mayor gets the support of 28 per cent of white Floridians, versus the 18.5 per cent who selected Biden as their first choice for Democratic nominee. White Floridians made up 48.4 per cent of the poll. Biden comes in that close second thanks to black voters, as he wins the support of 41.5 per cent of that bloc. But Bloomberg does better than every other candidate - with 22.7 per cent of black voters selecting the former mayor as their candidate of choice. The poll was conducted Wednesday and Thursday of this week as Bloomberg was taking heat for a recording that had been shared online of him talking bluntly about his stop-and-frisk policies. '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 is heard saying in the recording. '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.' President Trump reacted to the story in all caps: 'WOW, BLOOMBERG IS A TOTAL RACIST!' the president tweeted, as he tries to woo black voters to the Republican side. On Thursday, the former mayor apologized for endorsing the stop-and-frisk policy. 'There is one aspect of approach that I deeply regret, the abuse of police practice called stop and frisk,' Bloomberg said. 'I defended it, looking back, for too long because I didn't understand then the unintended pain it was causing to young black and brown families and their kids.' 'I should have acted sooner and faster to stop it,' he continued. 'I didn't, and for that, I apologize.' Beyond Biden and Bloomberg, no other Democrat gets double-digit support among Florida's black voters. Sanders comes in third place getting 9.8 per cent, Buttigieg earns 4.6 per cent, Warren gets 4.3 per cent and Klobuchar has 3.8 per cent. Sen. Bernie Sanders doubled his support in Texas since early November, leapfrogging both former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren to receive 24 per cent In a University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll released Friday, Sanders leads Biden 24 per cent to 22 per cent among Democratic primary voters in the Lone Star State. Sanders' lead is within the 4 point margin of error for the Democratic part of the survey. Sanders has doubled his support in the state since the last University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll was conducted, back in early November. Then, Sanders was the choice of just 12 per cent of Texas Democrats - and was in fourth place behind Biden, Warren and former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, who was still running for president at the time. Now Sanders has leapfrogged not only Biden but Warren who currently has the support of 15 per cent of Texas Democrats. She's followed by Bloomberg with 10 per cent. Bloomberg didn't enter the 2020 race until late November, after the last Texas Tribune survey was conducted. Buttigieg gets 7 per cent and Klobuchar gets 3 per cent in the new Texas poll. While a slight majority of all Texas voters - 52 per cent - said they would like to see the president not win re-election, none of the Democrats beat him in the state - though some of the losses are close to the 2.83 per cent margin of error for the full survey. Sanders performs best in the state against Trump, but it's close. Trump beats Sanders by 2 points - 47 per cent to 45 per cent - while Trump beats Warren by 3 points - 47 per cent to 44 per cent. Biden then loses to Trump by 4 points and Bloomberg loses to the current president by 5 points, the survey shows. Texas voters go to the polls on 'Super Tuesday' - March 3. Florida votes later in the month on March 17. Natian closing down brewery, will maintain E. Burnside taproom Natian Brewery, the small central eastside brewery and taproom that started as a nanobrewery in 2009, will shut down brewery operations by the end of 2020 but will maintain its taproom. Founder, owner and brewer Ian McGuinness started Natian as a hobby while maintaining his day job in quality control for beverage company Portland Bottling Co. For years, he worked there plus brewed and sold his Natian beer. In 2017, he opened the taproom, working in and overseeing that, as well. But he said Portland Bottling asked him to return full-time as part of some larger projects, so he needs to stop brewing. Natian announced the closure Thursday on Instagram, saying it wanted to clear up confusion about why this year would be its last Zwickelmania. Natian a play on McGuinnesss first name, Ian brews a wide range of classic styles and throws in some creative twists, as well. He says his approach involves not wanting to make beers only for the Portland palate. The taproom will continue to sell Natian beers until the shutdown, a date for which hasnt been announced. After Natian stops brewing, the taproom will serve other breweries beer. GET INSIDER BEER NEWS VIA TEXT: Want to come to the #FakeBrewsIPA release party in February, get a free Oregonian pint glass, and get text alerts from Andre about all things Portland and Oregon beer? Sign up now through this limited promotion. Youll not only get that #FakeBrews IPA freebie, youll also be among the first to know about future new releases, new breweries and new trends across the city and state. And the best part? This is a two-way street. What do you want Andre to look into next? Need beer recommendations? Hes there for you, just sign up here. Breakside, 10 Barrel big winners at Bends Best of Craft Beer awards Breakside Brewery and 10 Barrel Brewing each won nine medals, including three golds each, and Pfriem Family Brewers won three all gold to lead Oregon breweries at the Best of Craft Beer Awards last weekend in Bend. Baerlic Brewing won three medals, including two golds, and the breweries of the Craft Brew Alliance also won three, with two going to Kona Brewing and one going to Widmer Brothers Brewing. Other Portland breweries to win included Von Ebert Brewing with two medals, and Ex Novo Brewing and Migration Brewing with one each. Oregon City Brewing won three bronze medals, and Deschutes Brewery won two. Heliotrope, by Kulshan Brewing of Bellingham, won gold in the American-style India Pale Ale category. In all, 285 medals were awarded in 95 categories, with 2,237 entries from 43 states and five countries. Breweries could enter 10 beers from each of their locations. The competition saw 170 winning breweries from 33 states, with Oregon submitting the most entries and winning the most medals in its home-state competition. Baerlics Punk Rock Time wins best IPA at Hawthorne Hophouse challenge Baerlic Brewings Punk Rock Time IPA was recently voted best Oregon-brewed IPA during the annual IPA Challenge at Southeast Portlands Hawthorne Hophouse. The blind competition is judged by more than 1,000 customers of the taphouse, at 4111 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd. Starting with 36 IPAs in December, the competition was narrowed down to the final 12 in January. The 2020 f included past winners Breakside Wanderlust, Barley Brown's Pallet Jack, and Migration Straight Outta Portland. IPAs from Von Ebert, Pfriem, Ecliptic, Sunriver, Ferment, Montavilla, Ex Novo and Level were also entered. "To think that PRT stood out among those 12 beers in a blind tastingwhere the consumer doesn't know the beer or the brewerymakes us really proud, said Baerlic co-founder Ben Parsons. -- Andre Meunier Check out Andres beer reviews on Untappd, where hes andremeunier13, and follow him on Instagram, where hes @oregonianbeerguy. More beer coverage: Coronavirus, officially known as Covid-19, has resulted in a fatality count of 1,350 people and infected more than 60,000, globally. As of now, 25 countries have confirmed coronavirus cases and the death toll outside mainland China currently stands at 2. Meanwhile, reports of new cases are flowing in from different parts of the world, with London recently reporting its first case. Also, there was a spike in the number of confirmed cases from the ground zero of the coronavirus outbreak Hubei province to 14,840 on Feb 12 from the 2,015 new cases reported a day earlier. The numbers rose post China applied a new clinical method for diagnosis. The market participants are now increasingly worried about the impact this might have on financial markets and majorly on Chinas economy as it makes up for about 17% of global GDP. Estimates on the impact of the virus on the global economy have been issued by leading companies like Moodys Analytics and Barclays, projecting a 0.3% drop in 2020 (read: ETF Strategies to Mark as Virus Scare May Hit Global Growth). The coronavirus eruption, which has already crossed the fatality of the 2002-2003 SARS pandemic, is expected to slow down Singapores economic growth in 2020. The city state is already expecting tourist arrivals and spending to fall 30% in the year. In this regard, Minister for National Development, Lawrence Wong said that, we know there is economic impact. Already the specific sectors are feeling it tourism, hospitality but beyond these specific sectors, we think the broader knock on impact can be quite severe as well. Also, the estimate for Singapore's 2020 real GDP has been reduced to 0.9% from 1.4%, per DBS Group Research. Meanwhile, the organizer of Singapore's IT Show, Food & Beverage Fair and BuildTech Asia/Cargonow, has postponed the three events until further notice due to the growing seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak. In fact, the IT Show 2020 happens to be one of the largest consumer electronics exhibitions in the Republic. It is being believed that Singapores high virus-cases count could be a result of its open borders, interconnectedness along with a pro-active approach to testing (read: 5 ETFs to Protect Your Portfolio From Coronavirus Threat). Story continues Accordingly, in order to combat the eruption, Singapores government has announced to inject a strong economic package as part of its national budget. During the SARS pandemic as well, the government of Singapore had rolled out a relief package of around S$230 million (US$166 million). Also, the government has raised its national disease response level to the second-highest level orange. Against this backdrop lets take a look at the following ETF: iShares MSCI Singapore ETF EWS The fund provides exposure to large and mid-sized companies in Singapore and tracks the MSCI Singapore 25/50 Index. It holds a basket of 25 stocks and charges a fee of 50 basis points. It has an AUM of $538.5 million. The fund trades in daily average volumes of about 630,000 shares. It has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) with a Low risk outlook. The fund has lost 3.7% in the year-to-date period and 0.2% in the past year. Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox? Zacks free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it free >> 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 iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS): ETF Research Reports To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research 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 On February 14, 2019, 40 CRPF personnel were killed in the suicide bomb attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. Political leaders and Bollywood celebs remembered the martyrs and paid tribute to them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday led tributes to the over 40 martyred CRPF personnel, who were killed in Pulwama on February 14, 2019, on the anniversary of their martyrdom at the hands of a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber. The deaths had led to the second surgical strikes, the first involving the Indian Air Force, when IAF jets bombed terror camps in Balakot, Pakistan. Prime Minister Modi said on Twitter that the country will never forget those who laid down their lives while protecting the nation. The deceased CRPF personnel paid the ultimate sacrifice, he said. The martyrdom of CRPF personnel in Pulwama and Indias robust response had been the central plank of the Modi governments campaign for re-election in the run-up to the Lok Sabha 2019 elections. The party returned to the Lok Sabha with 303 seats compared to the 282 earlier. The Pulwama attack was also the partys key issue during the Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Jharkhand and to a certain extent in Delhi. Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2020 Home Minister Amit Shah said he will be forever grateful to the martyrs for their protection of the sovereignty of the motherland. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India will forever remember the martyrs who died combating terror and that the country will not rest until it eradicates terror. He said the entire country is united against terror. I pay homage to the martyrs of Pulwama attack. India will forever be grateful of our bravehearts and their families who made supreme sacrifice for the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland. Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 14, 2020 Remembering the fallen @crpfindia personnel who were martyred during the dastardly attack in Pulwama(J&K) on this day in 2019. India will never forget their sacrifice. Entire nation stands united against terrorism and we are committed to continue our fight against this menace. Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 14, 2020 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the man who most recently stopped the BJPs winning spree, had a simple message saluting the martyrs. Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 14, 2020 Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi paid his tributes to the 40 martyrs by asking which party benefited the most from the deaths of the paramilitary personnel. He also asked what had happened to the probe instituted to investigate the attack. Following this tweet, BJP leaders attacked Rahul Gandhi for linking the deaths to the BJPs poll gains. Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? pic.twitter.com/KZLbdOkLK5 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 14, 2020 Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar said on Valentines Day people he remembered the martyrs who showed greater love for their country. In his tribute to the martyrs of the Pulwama attack, Kumar said India will not forget nor will it forgive. On the day of love, remembering those who showed a greater love for their countryour #BharatKeVeer. Your sacrifice will always be remembered. My salute to the martyrs of #PulwamaAttack We did not forget, we did not forgive. pic.twitter.com/yugSePewV5 Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) February 14, 2020 For all the latest National News, download NewsX App On the anniversary of the Pulwama terror attack, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Friday assured that all financial dues have been given to the next of kins (NOKs) of the 40 CRPF personnel who were martyred on February 14, 2019. Taking to the micro-blogging website, Twitter, the CRPF asserted, "All financial dues have been given to next of kins (NOKs) of all Pulwama Martyrs except one case where the case is subjudice." The CRPF said that a couple of news reports mentioned about the non-receipt of dues by the next of kins of some of the martyrs, adding that the CRPF is committed to the welfare of their near and dear ones. "A couple of news reports have mentioned about the non-receipt of dues by NOK of some of the Pulwama Martyrs. Though no amount of assistance can ever match up to the sacrifice of our heroes, yet we are committed to the welfare of their near and dear ones," tweeted the CRPF. 1. A couple of news reports have mentioned about the non receipt of dues by NOK of some of the Pulwama Martyrs. Though no amount of assistance can ever match up to the sacrifice of our heroes, yet we are committed to the welfare of their near and dear ones. CRPF(@crpfindia) February 14, 2020 Highting the correct facts, the CRPF tweeted, "All families are receiving last pay drawn as monthly pension. The total amount paid to each family, including the donations by individuals/organisations, range from Rs 2.16 Crore-3.24 Crore. CREDAI has allotted flats to 19 NOKs. Remaining 21 cases are under process." "Reliance Foundation has transferred educational assistance to 27 NOKs based on their need. Five cases out of the requests received are under consideration. NOKs of 17 Martyrs have been offered jobs by the different state government. We reiterate that NOKs of our Martyrs are part of the CRPF family and we stand shoulder to shoulder with them," added the CRPF. On February 14, 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. Forty CRPF personnel were killed in the attack. A memorial to the 40 slain personnel has been set up inside a CRPF camp adjacent to the place where Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist Adeel Ahmed Dar, driving an explosive-laden car, blew himself up next to a convoy of security forces. Almost all the conspirators behind the dastardly attack have since been killed with the last one being Qari Yasir, the self-styled chief of JeM, who was killed in January. Union Home Ministry on Friday (February 14) held a high-level meeting on the anniversary of Pulwama attack and decided anyone can extend help to the families of martyred soldiers through 'CRPF veer pariwar mobile application. Notably, the app has been developed to show the financial benefits provided to the families of martyrs and it will also show other kinds of help provided to their families. On the occasion of CRPF Valour Day 2019, President Ram Nath Kovind had launched this app. TA Associates, a leading global growth private equity firm, today announced the acquisitions of Auction Technology Group ("ATG"), a leading online platform for auctions across Europe and the United States, from ECI Partners ("ECI"), and Proxibid, an online marketplace for connecting buyers and sellers across North America, from Primus Capital ("Primus"). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005940/en/ Both ATG and Proxibid transactions closed on the 13th of February 2020. The companies will be brought under the ATG umbrella with headquarters in London, but will retain substantial operations in Omaha, Nebraska, where Proxibid is headquartered. Both management teams are excited about the combination and believe that their collective resources will benefit auctioneers and bidders through increased technology investment and better auction results. As part of the transaction, ECI reinvested in the combined entity and now holds a minority stake. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. "The auction market is at a unique point in its evolution, benefiting on one hand from transformations in online selling technology and on the other from the growing trend for buyers to seek unique and second use items," said John-Paul Savant, CEO of Auction Technology Group. "Combining ATG and Proxibid will give us the resources to invest in better tools for auctioneers and accelerate investment in marketing, which we believe will bring a steady stream of new online bidders. The companies are a natural cultural fit, both valuing the provision of a professional experience for our auctioneer and bidder clients." "The combined resources of ATG and Proxibid will give us greater scale to compete against competitors such as Ritchie Brothers," said Ryan Downs, CEO of Proxibid. "We will accelerate investment in the online tools that make auctioneers a preferred route for the disposal of many industrial assets. The combination also allows us to address a larger auctioneer base with our tools such as Wavebid, our auction management solution." "TA Associates is excited to bring together these two profitable and growing online businesses," said Morgan Seigler, a Managing Director at TA Associates. "With their similar business models, technology and culture, as well as complementary geography and sector focus, we believe that Proxibid and ATG are an excellent match. In collaboration with ECI, we will aim to expand the businesses through both organic and acquisitive growth, and accelerated international expansion." As part of this transaction, Mr. Seigler and Mr. Stefan Dandl, a Senior Vice President at TA Associates, will join the ATG Board of Directors. "We are thrilled to have been a partner with ATG through its growth over the past five years, and are excited to welcome TA Associates as an investor in the company," said Tom Wrenn, a Partner at ECI Partners. "Market dynamics and the expected increases in online auction penetration will provide a strong backdrop for the continued growth of ATG's digital marketplaces. In partnership with TA and the ATG management team, we look forward to building on this market opportunity to continue ATG's impressive growth." A 2019 report from Art Basel and UBS found that the online art market reached a new high of $6 billion in 2018, up 11% year-on-year, representing 9% of the value of global sales. A recent survey of mid-tier auction houses also revealed that over 85% of auction houses expect online sales to increase over the next five years. In relation to the industrial equipment segment, a recent market study estimated the global market for used equipment to be sized at over $300 billion. Squire Patton Boggs provided legal counsel and GCA Altium served as financial adviser to ATG and ECI. Travers Smith LLP provided legal counsel and Alvarez Marsal served as financial advisor to TA Associates. Wilson Sonsini provided legal counsel and Vaquero Capital served as financial advisor to Proxibid. About Auction Technology Group (ATG) ATG is transforming the way billions of pounds, euros and dollars' worth of secondary goods are bought and sold globally via auction. A global technology company with over 140 employees, and headquarters in London Bridge, ATG was the first to facilitate public auctions online across five digital marketplaces globally (thesaleroom.com, i-bidder.com, BidSpotter.com, BidSpotter.co.uk, and Lot-tissimo.com). ATG's platform powers live and timed auctions across multiple verticals including Art and Antiques, Classic Cars, Industrial Commercial, and Consumer Retail Returns. We support more than 1,600 auctioneers in their businesses globally, bringing the online buying community 8.9 million lots each year within a secure, fast and reliable online infrastructure. For more information, please visit www.auctiontechnologygroup.com. About Proxibid Proxibid is the most trusted platform for connecting buyers and sellers of highly valued items. Since 2001, more than $45 billion in inventory has passed through Proxibid's platform via live and timed auctions and buy now|make offer transactions. Proxibid's Marketplace supports 16 categories, including heavy equipment, industrial machinery, real estate, fine art, antiques and collectibles, and more. Proxibid's PoweredBy solution enables sellers to integrate Proxibid's marketplace technology into their websites, offering custom development and more to bring ecommerce solutions to companies across the globe. Founded in 2001, Proxibid is headquartered in Omaha, NE. For more information about Proxibid, please visit www.proxibid.com. About TA Associates TA Associates is a leading global growth private equity firm. Focused on targeted sectors within five industries technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services TA invests in profitable, growing companies with opportunities for sustained growth, and has invested in more than 500 companies around the world. Investing as either a majority or minority investor, TA employs a long-term approach, utilizing its strategic resources to help management teams build lasting value in high quality growth companies. TA has raised $33.5 billion in capital since its founding in 1968 and is committing to new investments at the pace of over $2 billion per year. The firm's more than 85 investment professionals are based in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. More information about TA Associates can be found at www.ta.com. About ECI Partners ECI Partners is the partner of choice for mid-sized growth businesses in the UK and Ireland. It has an unrivalled track record in this space. ECI has achieved over 100 realisations since 1990 and is currently investing its eleventh buyout fund. With offices in London and Manchester, ECI invests in growth companies valued up to 200 million. We focus on technological and market disruption as well as long-term structural trends in the TMT, business financial services, and consumer sectors. ECI Partners currently manages approximately 1.7 billion on behalf of our institutional investors. Please find more information on ECI's recent investments at www.ecipartners.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005940/en/ Contacts: For TA Associates Marcia O'Carroll TA Associates +1 617-574-6796 mocarroll@ta.com Philip Nunes BackBay Communications +1 617-391-0792 phil.nunes@backbaycommunications.com Stephen Fishleigh BackBay Communications +44 203-475-7552 stephen.fishleigh@backbaycommunications.com For ECI Partners James Isola Andrew Freedman +44 207 -379-5151 ECIPartners-Maitland@maitland.co.uk For Auction Technology Group Louise Hood +44 7740-408-339 louisehood@auctiontechnologygroup.com For Proxibid Dana Kaufman +1 402-505-7776 dana.kaufman@proxibid.com The Senate approved a bipartisan measure Thursday aimed at limiting President Donald Trump's authority to launch military operations against Iran, with eight Republicans joining Democrats in a post-impeachment bid to constrain the White House Washington: The Senate approved a bipartisan measure Thursday aimed at limiting President Donald Trump's 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 Senate's 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 Senator 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 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 Arabia's consulate in Turkey. The bipartisan vote was a rare exertion of authority from Congress, the first since the 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 Trump's 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, 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.'' Senator Mike Lee, R-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. 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 doesn't show weakness. That shows strength.'' Trump disputed that, arguing on Twitter that a vote against Kaine's proposal was important to national security and pointed to the 3 January 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. Dont let it happen!'' 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 at least 64 US soldiers, the Pentagon said. Democrats and Republicans alike criticized 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 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. Senator 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 US allies. Just as we have successfully sent Iran this strong signal of our strength and resolve (by killing that country's 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. Trump on phone White House President Donald Trump is weighing blocking all officials from listening in on his phone calls with foreign leaders. "I may end the practice entirely," Trump told the Fox News personality Geraldo Rivera in a radio interview that aired on Thursday. There are serious risks associated with barring officials from listening in on conversations with foreign leaders. Trump, in particular, is known to act recklessly with classified matters. He once shared top-secret intelligence from a US ally with Russian officials and tweeted out a photo from a classified briefing. "Right now, President Trump is a nightmare to every intel and [national-security] officer, and this is all stuff he's done with their knowledge," one former senior National Security Agency official told Insider. "Allowing him to conduct these calls in private would be catastrophic for us." Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. President Donald Trump said he might block all officials from listening in on his phone calls with foreign leaders. "I may end the practice entirely," Trump told the Fox News personality Geraldo Rivera in a radio interview that aired on Thursday. It is a long-running practice for select White House staffers, national-security officials, and cabinet members to listen in on the US president's phone conversations with foreign leaders, primarily to take notes and use the talking points to help craft foreign policy. National-security veterans say there are serious risks associated with blocking officials from listening in on conversations with foreign leaders. "The practice is indispensable to the coordination and implementation of sound foreign policy and national-security practices," Edward Price, who served as senior director on the National Security Council under President Barack Obama, told Insider. "No president but especially not this one can or should be relied upon to backbrief senior advisers on details that can often be extraordinarily nuanced." Story continues Trump's remarks show he's "willing to forgo the potential utility of these discussions in order to see to it that he can fulfill his agenda, rather than the national interest, without would-be witnesses listening in," Price added. The national-security risks associated with Trump, in particular, are also significantly elevated. The president has repeatedly acted recklessly with classified matters. In May 2017, he revealed top-secret intelligence the US got from Israel, a close ally, to two Russian officials during an Oval Office meeting. Last year, he tweeted a photo from a classified briefing that intelligence experts said could provide a gold mine for foreign espionage services. "Right now, President Trump is a nightmare to every intel and [national-security] officer, and this is all stuff he's done with their knowledge," one former senior National Security Agency official told Insider. "Allowing him to conduct these calls in private would be catastrophic for us." This isn't the first time the president has sought to keep his conversations with foreign heads of state secret. The Washington Post, which cited US officials, reported last year that "there is no detailed record, even in classified files, of Trump's face-to-face interactions with the Russian leader at five locations over the past two years." The report said that after one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2017, Trump told his interpreter not to tell other US officials what was said and then seized the interpreter's notes. At the G20 summit in 2018, Trump again met with Putin privately and without allowing a US official to attend the meeting and take notes. Trump's musing about conducting his calls with foreign leaders in secret come after an anonymous US intelligence official blew the whistle on his phone call in July with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the conversation, Trump repeatedly pressured Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, one of Trump's 2020 rivals, and the Democratic Party as a whole. Multiple people listened in on the call, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, members of the National Security Council who worked on Ukraine policy, and senior White House officials. The whistleblower said several people had informed them of the contents of the call and raised concerns that Trump violated campaign-finance laws by soliciting foreign interference in the upcoming election. Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the NSC's former top Ukraine expert, directly listened in on the call and immediately reported it to John Eisenberg, the NSC's chief lawyer. Eisenberg told Vindman not to tell anyone else what he'd heard, according to Vindman's testimony in the impeachment inquiry against Trump. Eisenberg subsequently moved the full transcript of the call to a top-secret code-word NSC server typically used to store sensitive information pertaining to national security. That phone call was the focal point of the impeachment inquiry, which culminated in the House of Representatives charging Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Both charges were linked to his efforts to strong-arm Ukraine into intervening in the election while withholding nearly $400 million in vital military aid and a White House meeting that Zelensky desperately wants and still hasn't gotten. Throughout the course of the investigation, testimony from Vindman and others revealed that the phone call was just one data point in a monthslong campaign by Trump and his allies to bully Ukraine to cave to his personal demands while leveraging US policy and taxpayer dollars to force Zelensky's hand. Last week, the Republican-controlled Senate voted to acquit Trump of both charges after refusing to hear new witness testimony or subpoena documents. Just one Republican senator, Mitt Romney of Utah, sided with Democrats to vote to convict Trump of abuse of power. Read the original article on Business Insider iStock/FabrikaCr(NEW YORK) -- Nearly one year after closing, beloved children's clothing brand Gymboree is back. The popular retail brand is relaunching under The Children's Place after filing for bankruptcy for the second time in 2019. On Tuesday, both companies announced that Gymboree will be back in over 200 Children's Place stores nationwide, in Canada and online through a brand new website. "The Gymboree team has worked tirelessly to bring this iconic brand back to its passionate and loyal customers," President and CEO Jane Elfers said in a statement. The iconic apparel launch features eight collections that include sizes 12M - 8. "Gymboree was successfully built on capturing the essence of childhood in its product design," Senior Vice President of Design and Brand Creative Jennifer Groves said in a statement. "Childhood passes by in a moment, and because of this, we want to capture family memories that will last forever as kids run, dream, explore and imagineall in Gymboree." Gymboree's relaunch is also offering free shipping and free returns for online orders in addition to a mobile app that can be conveniently browsed and shopped. The latest offerings from the brand include adorable dresses, accessories, matching tops, bottoms and more. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Vietnam Airlines has lost VND200-250 billion ($8.6-10.8 million) per week following flight suspension to China, the national carrier said in a statement. Vietnam Airlines has suspended all flights to and from mainland China since the end of January, directly affecting 70,000 visitors per month between both countries while air routes to China account for 10 percent of Vietnam Airlines' market share, the airline said. "The epidemic has significantly reduced the demand for domestic and international travel among Vietnamese passengers," the airline reported, adding the number of passengers on its domestic routes had fallen by 20-30 percent over the past two weeks. Vietnam welcomed around 5.8 million Chinese tourists last year, accounting for one-third of the 18 million foreign visitors to the country. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said Wednesday the deadly virus had cost Vietnamese airlines over VND10 trillion ($430.5 million) in revenue so far. Vietnam declared the Covid-19 outbreak an epidemic on February 1. The country has recorded 16 cases of infection with 11 in Vinh Phuc. Of the remaining five, three were found in Ho Chi Minh City, one in Khanh Hoa and another in Thanh Hoa. As of Friday the global death toll had climbed to 1,383 and confirmed infections topped 64,434. 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'. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) posted a remembrance tweet on Friday, a year after 40 of its troopers were killed in a car bomb attack in Pulwama. In the tweet, posted at 12am, the CRPF said that they have not forgiven or forgotten the attack. The songs of your valour are not lost in the harsh noise/ We were so proud that we didnt cry for long, the force tweeted in Hindi. WE DID NOT FORGET, WE DID NOT FORGIVE: We salute our brothers who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation in Pulwama. Indebted, we stand with the families of our valiant martyrs, it added in English. A suicide bomber of Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad had rammed a vehicle carrying explosives into the CPRF convoy on February 14, 2019, on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway killing the 40 men in Pulwama district. Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after the convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2500 CRPF personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack. I feel the same fire in my heart thats raging inside you, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said on February 17, days after the attack took place. A day before, he had said that all tears will be avenged and the armed forces have been given full freedom to decide the place, time, intensity and nature of the retaliation against the enemy. The Pulwama attack prompted India to carry out an airstrike on February 26, 2019, on a terror camp in Pakistan, which retaliated a day later. Pakistan captured and later released an India pilot after an air combat. The United Nations and several countries condemned the Pulwama terror attack and extended their support to India in the fight against terrorism. Pakistans all-weather friend, China, also backed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution on the heinous and cowardly Pulwama terror attack that was unanimously adopted by permanent and non-permanent member countries of the global body. India had also launched extensive diplomatic efforts to get JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist after the attack. He was listed as a global terrorist on May 1, 2019, when China lifted its technical hold on a proposal introduced by the US, the UK and France in the 1267 Committee of the UNSC. A top official said on Thursday that a memorial to the CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack in February last year will be inaugurated at the Lethpora camp on Friday. The names of all the 40 personnel along with their pictures will be part of the memorial. It will also display the CRPFs mottoSeva our Nishtha (Service and Loyalty). WASHINGTON Democratic presidential candidates hoping to revive their flagging campaigns increasingly took aim at Mike Bloomberg, blasting their billionaire rival for trying to buy his way into the White House and raising questions about his commitment to racial equality. Struggling to recover from poor showings in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden took the lead in attacking Bloomberg. Biden, the former vice president, said on ABCs The View that I dont think you can buy an election, while Warren took Bloomberg to task for his 2008 comments that ending redlining, a discriminatory housing practice, helped trigger the economic meltdown. Biden and billionaire Tom Steyer also joined forces in slamming Bernie Sanders after the Vermont senator and self-described democratic socialist won New Hampshire and essentially tied for the lead in Iowa with Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Biden said Sanders hadnt done enough to explain how hed pay for his Medicare for All proposal to replace private insurance with a government-run program. Steyer said that refusal to tell us how he will pay for his plan adds unnecessary financial risk to achieving health care as a right for every person. Voters, Steyer said, should have all the facts. The sniping reflects the remarkably fluid state of the Democratic race even after two states that typically winnow presidential fields have already voted. The White House hopefuls are trying to blunt Bloomberg, who gained attention by flooding the national airwaves with hundreds of millions of dollars in advertisements and is on the verge of being admitted into next weeks presidential debate. And the lagging candidates are trying to prove that they still have the mettle to stay in the race, even if their path is becoming increasingly difficult. Warren told The Associated Press on Thursday that she has raised $6 million since the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses, a haul that could silence questions about whether she will soon leave the campaign because of her disappointing showings so far. She called the race wide open. Theres a lot of froth, she said. Its going to be a long process. Thats especially true as moderates are struggling to coalesce around a candidate. Biden has long argued that hes the most electable, in part because his centrist approach has broad appeal and could make it easier for Democrats to defeat President Donald Trump in the fall. Thats at risk of being undermined by his middling finish in Iowa and New Hampshire. Hes now staking his campaign on success in the Feb. 29 South Carolina primary, which is the first race in a state with a significant black population. But before then, candidates will face voters in Nevada, which holds its Democratic caucuses on Feb. 22. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, whose moderate presidential campaign surpassed expectations in New Hampshire this week, raced to Nevada after a Senate vote Thursday to try to keep momentum going. The political landscape is littered with people who raised more money than Amy Klobuchar, said Tom Nides, a former deputy secretary of state and Democratic donor who served as an intern on Capitol Hill with Klobuchar when they were in college. Her whole campaign strategy has been based on the fact that shes scrappy. She just grinds it out. Klobuchars rise is inviting new scrutiny, especially from Buttigieg, hoping to keep her from eating into his support among moderate Democrats. Buttigieg, a target of Klobuchars for weeks over what she has characterized as light experience, Thursday turned his criticism of Washington politics toward the Minnesota senator. During the LULAC forum, he took aim in a not-so-veiled way at Klobuchars 2018 vote in the Senate to confirm Customs and Border Protection commissioner Kevin McAleenan, who he criticized for the horrifying conditions that children were kept in. Ive heard some people say that, you know, my experience is not relevant because you have to have Washington experience in order to become a president. But some of those same voices are among those who voted to confirm Kevin McAleenan as the CBP head, Buttigieg said. Biden received more bad news when Nevadas most politically powerful union, the casino workers Culinary Union, said it wouldnt endorse any of the candidates before the states caucuses. The former vice president warned his supporters on Wednesday that an endorsement was unlikely, but the confirmation of that was still a blow. Weve known Vice President Biden for many years. We know hes been our friend, Geoconda Arguello-Kline, the secretary-treasurer for the Culinary Union, said at a Thursday afternoon news conference. We know all of these candidates, and we respect each one of them. Buttigieg, who placed second in New Hampshire, is also expected to make a big play for Nevada. But the state could pose a challenge for him as its the first place hell have to win over voters of color, something polls have suggested would be difficult. The result is a muddled middle lane in the primary as Sanders is poised to keep squeaking out victories. On Capitol Hill, Sanders said he thinks were on a path to win the nomination. The key to defeating Trump is to have the largest voter turnout in American history, he said. And I think we have the campaign for a variety of reasons to do that. Backers of more moderate candidates, meanwhile, are beginning to worry. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., expressed concerns that multiple centrist Democrats in the race might stretch out the primary season. We have so many in the primary, said Feinstein, who has backed Biden. Thats what complicates it all. It has to sort itself out. Biden said Bloomberg will have to defend his record on the debate stage, and he said he doubted there would be a contested convention. The advantage I have is Ive been vetted and vetted and vetted and vetted again, he said at a New York fundraiser on Thursday. Theyre just starting on Mike. Warren opened her speech before a raucous crowd of more than 4,000 at a high school in Arlington, Virginia, on Thursday hitting Bloomberg over redlining. Of the financial meltdown, she said: That crisis would not have been averted if the banks had been even bigger racists, and anyone who thinks that should not be the leader of our party, drawing huge cheers and boos for Bloomberg. As the candidates fight, Bloomberg has tried to appear above the fray, mostly maintaining his focus on the delegate-rich swath of states that vote on March 3. He spent part of Thursday campaigning in North Carolina, where he didnt respond to any of his Democratic rivals attacks. We know the Trump strategy he makes plans look unaffordable and unreasonable and undoable. Well, thats not going to work against me, Bloomberg told hundreds in Raleigh. Campaigning with Bloomberg, Steve Benjamin, the mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, said the candidate is rapidly ascending in polls and, as a result, hes going to take a whole lot of incoming fire and arrows. Bloomberg did opt to hit back at Trump, who has repeatedly mocked the former mayor in a series of tweets. Bloomberg tweeted in response: We know many of the same people in NY. 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. I have the record & the resources to defeat you. And I will. ___ Associated Press writers Kathleen Ronayne in Raleigh, N.C., Michelle L. Price in Las Vegas, Alexandra Jaffe in New York and Meg Kinnard in Charleston, S.C., contributed to this report. ___ Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game. SAN DIEGO Four years ago, Petty Officer 2nd Class Manuel Torres joined the Navy to better himself, get more discipline and protect his country. I believe in service, said Torres. Today, hes serving aboard USS Boxer, stationed in San Diego, as an aviation maintenance administrationman responsible for maintaining the database for day-to-day aviation maintenance functions. Torres is a 2012 Garnegie Vanguard graduate and native of Houston, Texas. According to Torres, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Houston. When I was a kid a recruiter at a local mall was in his whites, said Torres. I remember being so impressed, and later he came back with U.S. Navy shirts for me and my brother. I can still remember that to this day. With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the worlds international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy. Boxer is an amphibious assault ship that has recently returned from a Western Pacific-Indian Ocean-Persian Gulf deployment. It is the sixth ship to carry the name Boxer. Amphibious assault ships are used to transfer Marines, equipment and supplies and can support helicopters or other aircraft. They also are capable of accessing 75% of the worlds beaches. According to Admiral Mike Gilday, the Chief of Naval Operations, the focus of todays Navy is squarely on warfighting, warfighters and the capabilities needed for the Navy of the future. I am confident we will maximize the Navy we have today while delivering the Navy that our nation will rely upon tomorrow, said Gilday. And we will do so with urgency. Our fleet will be a potent, formidable force that competes around the world every day, deterring those who would challenge us while reassuring our allies and partners. There are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers. Torres is most proud of seeing junior sailors grow into leaders. Mentoring sailors is what keeps me motivated, said Torres. For Torres, serving in the Navy is a tradition passed down from generations and one Torres hopes to continue. I have three uncles who served in the military during Vietnam, said Torres. Seeing how highly respected they were for their service was a huge factor in my decision to join. As a member of the U.S. Navy, Torres, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow. Navy to me means brotherhood, said Torres I know that the friends I have here are unlike any Ive had before because we share so much together. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 17:22:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close The virus outbreak may have taken a toll on some sectors in China, but it also created opportunities. Many sectors have seen rapid growth during the period, including online working, online education, online healthcare and non-contact retail. Experts say that China has enough policy space to deal with the epidemic, and that the country's economy remains resilient. by Xinhua writers Zhong Qun, Guo Yujing, Wu Shuaishuai and Chen Yuxuan BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The coronavirus outbreak may have taken a temporary hit on some traditional industries in China, but a number of emerging industries are providing "novel remedies" for the country's economic growth. Some sectors, such as online working, online education, online healthcare and non-contact retail, saw rapid growth during this period, reflecting the resilience of China's economy. Deliveryman Xu Faxiang puts a pack of takeaway food outside an apartment to avoid contact with the customers in Baohe District of Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 6, 2020. (Photo by Zhou Mu/Xinhua) "HOMEBODY ECONOMY" As people are staying at home amid the novel coronavirus epidemic in China, many businesses are catering to the "homebody economy" across the country. The homebody economy often refers to booming on-demand streaming services, online shopping, food delivery, online education, working from home and gaming apps that can satisfy people's demands in the comfort of their own homes. The trend is obvious in the e-commerce sector. A staff member from a local resident service center displays the WeChat mini-program she uses to provide ordering services for residents in Xicheng District of Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) Since the outbreak, frozen dumplings have sold like hotcake as they saw 40 times their average transaction volume on Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com. Since Jan. 25, the growth of instant food sales was up 10 times compared with the same period last year. Among them, Wudaniang Dumplings saw its sales soar 45 times year on year, while two other household brands also expanded 3.5 times each in sales. Some daily necessities saw their trade volume up 154 percent year on year on JD.com from Jan. 24 to Feb. 2, including rice, noodles, cooking oil and dairy products, according to the company. Fresh food delivery services also leaped. A deliveryman collects frozen food at a store of Hema Fresh in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, Jan. 27, 2020. (Xinhua/Xiong Qi) Zhang Weijia, from the city of Jinan, capital of eastern China's Shandong Province, broke his habit of shopping in the local markets and opted for fresh food delivery apps to avoid going out. The orders at fresh food delivery app Missfresh have surged by 300 percent year on year during the epidemic outbreak, according to its CEO Wang Jun. "Our business is often restrained by people's traditional consumption habits," Wang said. "With more people getting their hands on these services, we expect the market to continue expanding and new opportunities to emerge." BATTLING THE EPIDEMIC THE HIGH-TECH WAY Tech giant Tencent has upgraded its online working services, including live-streaming and online conference services. Demand for work-from-home and online teaching programs has been rising as companies extend the holiday and schools delay opening. The company said such demand rose 10 times on Feb. 10. On Tencent's social media tool WeChat, one-day clicks topped 170 million in an embedded program. The program offers services such as health checks, epidemic reports, medical material donations and preorders for masks. A student takes an online class at home in Handan, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 10, 2020. (Xinhua) From Jan. 20 to Feb. 8, the number of subscribers rose nearly 60 percent on government-related programs on WeChat, while that of medical programs went up 3.47 times. In education programs, the number rose almost 40 percent. As of June last year, the number of Chinese internet users reached 854 million and the internet penetration rate was 61.2 percent, data from the China Internet Network Information Center showed. A total of 847 million Chinese people used mobile phones to surf the Internet, the center said. "This epidemic is like a pressure test for 1.4 billion people," said Wang Xiaobing, director of Tencent Social Research Centre. "Despite the outbreak, the internet economy stood up to the challenges." Meanwhile, tech giant Huawei has given a hand in battling the disease in Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak in central China's Hubei Province. Using its advanced 5G technology, Huawei facilitated the remote diagnosis between Beijing and Huoshenshan (Fire God Mountain) Hospital, a 1,000-bed hospital built in 10 days in Wuhan. It also helped live broadcast press conferences on COVID-19 given by the Hubei provincial government. The ICU team members of Guangdong medical team in Wuhan attend a teleconsultation with medical staff of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University in Guangzhou, at the west campus of Wuhan Union Hospital in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province on Feb. 11, 2020. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) Major courier company SF Express used drones to help transport medical materials to Wuhan. By the end of Feb. 3, the company had transported more than 24 million parcels of medical supplies. The company's aviation branch SF Airlines is also operating at full capacity to carry emergency supplies to help fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak. From Jan. 24 to Feb. 5, the airline sent around 900 tonnes of medical and other emergency supplies to the novel coronavirus-hit regions, said SF Airlines. Meanwhile, the epidemic also generated opportunities for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, as China deploys robots in the fight against the disease. A robot is used by police to measure the temperature of passengers at an entrance to Xi'an North Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Xiao) The provincial people's hospital of Guangdong in southern China has employed two robots to deliver materials in the quarantined areas, according to Yu Xueqing, head of the hospital. Disinfection robots developed by TMiRob, a medical robot developing company in Shanghai, are being used in Wuhan. "Robots can help people do many dangerous jobs. Many customers urgently need us to provide disinfection solutions," said Zhang Kejun, general manager of AI firm Lingzhi Co. The AI robots of this company are also used in disinfection work in Wuhan's hospitals. ECONOMIC VITALITY WILL RECOVER The virus outbreak may have taken a toll on some consumption sectors in China such as catering, films and tourism, but it also created opportunities. A distribution robot of Jingdong Logistics enters a residential area to deliver packages in Hohhot, capital of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Feb. 7, 2020. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) supports China's efforts to tackle the novel coronavirus outbreak, and is confident that China's economy "remains resilient," IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said. The World Bank said in a statement that the Chinese authorities have policy space to respond and have announced a sizeable injection of liquidity, which should help mitigate the costs to economic growth. Many sectors took a hit during the virus outbreak, but a variety of sectors also had an opportunity for growth, said Yang Yuanqing, CEO of Lenovo Group. "Automatic production lines could see a big boost during the epidemic," Yang said. "Demand for delivery services and smart city management will also soar." The epidemic's impact on production, consumption and supply chains will be short-lived, Yang said. "I believe we will win the war against the coronavirus," he said. (Bai Yu, Yin Peng, Yin Xiaosheng, Zhang Xuan, Yang Na, Yue Wenwan, Liao Jun, Hou Wenkun and Yu Pei contributed to the story.) (Video reporters: Li Yanan, Jiang Chenrong, Qu Lanjuan, Liu Kun, Xu Bingjie, Xiong Maoling, Gao Pan, Hu Yousong, Zhang Yue and Hu Jingchen; Video editor: Zheng Xin) REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Reltio, an award-winning software as a service (SaaS) company at the heart of helping innovative Global 2000 companies win in the experience economy, today announced a new name for its modern data platform to better reflect its business value and industry needs. The company also announced the general availability of the first of three major updates in 2020, which are included in all subscriptions. New capabilities enable Reltio customers to develop holistic, up-to-date, and actionable mission-critical customer profiles to deliver exceptional customer experiences across all channels, including digital and human touchpoints. The needs for customer data have grown exponentially in the last few years, but the approach to managing data hasn't kept pace. To better reflect its value to customers who want to deliver connected customer experiences and win in the experience economy, Reltio Cloud has been renamed Reltio Connected Customer 360 . Reltio Connected Customer 360 is the SaaS platform that data innovators trust to manage data and deliver connected customer experiences. The Reltio platform is used to drive hyper-personalization at scale, accelerate real-time operations at scale, and simplify compliance and consent management at scale. Connected Customer 360 profiles are created by integrating data from internal and external sources. These include data from omnichannel transactions and interactions and third-party services such as Dun & Bradstreet and IQVIA . Reltio is built on a cloud-native, big data architecture for rapid performance, scalability and reliability. The platform uniquely features Connected Graph technology to unlock the value of relationships among customers, employees, products, services, assets, parts, organizations, contracts, suppliers, locations, and channels. "Disjointed, disconnected, and outdated customer information is holding back companies from delivering winning customer experiences," said Jakki Geiger , Chief Marketing Officer, at Reltio. "The launch of Reltio Connected Customer 360 demonstrates Reltio's commitment to our customers who trust us to manage their mission-critical customer data to accelerate digital, hyper-personalization, compliance, and customer experience transformations. Reltio Connected Customer 360 20.1 offers capabilities designed for managing data in the experience economy. It empowers business and IT leaders with business agility, speed, enterprise scale, and an easier way to bring their big ideas to life." Key Enhancements in Reltio Connected Customer 360 Release 20.1 include: Expanded machine learning (ML) models for more precise training, rules, and matching of all data, including external records, which improves the accuracy and predictability of consolidated profiles. Enhanced rules-based matching to support a browser based business user friendly UI for configuration and collaboration on match rules for continuous improvement. Insight-ready data for data science, analytics and reporting through Google BigQuery New search experience for faster visual segmentation of customers profiles. Support hierarchy reverse traversal using Reltio's unique Connected Graph technology to eliminate complexity in hierarchy management visualization for different business needs. technology to eliminate complexity in hierarchy management visualization for different business needs. Enhancements to Dun & Bradstreet Connector including support for D&B Direct+ and Direct 2.0 in both realtime (RT) and batch modes. Salesforce connector is now available on Appexchange. The connector supports bi-directional synchronization of data. 30-Minute Demo Webinar: Say Goodbye to Legacy MDM. Say Hello to Connected Customer 360 Thursday, Feb 20, 2020 at 12 pm ET Join Reltio's Chief Product Officer, Ramon Chen, for a live demo and discussion about how data innovators at global 2000 companies are transforming their customer experience in six easy steps with Reltio Connected Customer 360. Register now. Learn how to: Boost customer acquisition, retention, and increase lifetime value by delivering connected, consistent, and hyper-personalized customer journeys across every touchpoint Bring your big ideas to life, reimagine business processes, streamline customer engagement, and get most out of your AI/ML investments Win customer trust by respecting their privacy with simplified compliance, evolving privacy preferences, and regulations such as GDPR and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Chief Data Officers (CDO), Chief Information Officers (CIO), enterprise architects, and Chief Marketing Officers (CMO) rely on Reltio Connected Customer 360 to gain business agility, support real-time operations at enterprise scale, and get insight-ready data to bring big ideas to life. Reltio customers also benefit from extensive, multi-layer cloud security and persistent penetration testing, validation, and independent certification to ensure optimal protection of customer data. Expert Validation Gartner : "IT leaders need to look at data first to succeed in their digital initiatives, rather than treating them as an afterthought to help with ad hoc projects," said Mike Rollings , research vice president at Gartner. "Chief data officers (CDOs) must shift toward using data and analytics capabilities to transform business models and improve customer experiences, elevating data and analytics strategy to the enterprise level." Accenture : "Today's leading brands are using data not only to make relationships with customers more relevant and useful but more meaningful too creating experiences with a purpose and learning where to draw the line between invasive and inventive. The good news is there is a big opportunity for brands to take a thoughtful approach to data and create an impactful customer experience while doing so building trust and an emotional connection customers crave." Glen Hartman , head of Accenture Interactive, North America and global digital marketing lead. IDC : "Customer experience is the next big focus. Companies must leverage CX momentum to maintain growth and use customer data with consent to drive customer experience in intelligent ways while also engaging emotionally. To this extent, implementing an AI foundation to gather customer insight and intelligently act on it is a must, and laggards will be left behind. Therefore, companies must invest in CX platforms and architectures that enable them to deliver strategic priorities such as customer journey personalization." Reltio ranked on the 2019 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies for the third consecutive year, and was a 2018 and 2019 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 winner. Reltio was also named a Winner in the SIIA CODiE Awards for Best Big Data Tools & Platforms. Reltio was named a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Master Data Management for the second consecutive time in 2019, achieving the highest score in the current offering category and the highest product strategy score. Gartner Data & Analytics Summit, UK and Gartner Data & Analytics Summit, Texas Reltio is a Platinum Sponsor of the Gartner Data & Analytics Summits in London and Grapevine, Texas. We'd love to meet you there, and we know you're going to be busy. Let's get a 15-minute demo of Reltio Connected Customer 360 on the calendar now. Schedule a demo for the UK Summit here: https://calendly.com/reltio/gartner-uk-reltio-15-minute-demo?month=2020-03 Schedule a demo for the Texas Summit here: https://calendly.com/reltio/gartner-us-reltio-15-minute-demo?month=2020-03 About Reltio Reltio is an award-winning cloud software provider which enables enterprises to win in the experience economy. Reltio Connected Customer 360 is a fundamentally better way to create rich customer profiles that include relationships, omnichannel transaction and interaction data, and other valuable insights. Global 2000 enterprises use this information to fully understand customers and deliver exceptional experiences. Innovative global brands trust Reltio Connected Customer 360 to manage the customer data that matters most to their businesses. Reltio customers include eight of the top 10 global pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, market-leaders in healthcare, financial services, and technology, major travel and hospitality brands, and prestigious international luxury consumer brands in fashion, retail, and personal care. Visit www.reltio.com to reimagine your customer experience. Reltio and Reltio Connected Customer 360 are trademarks or registered trademarks of Reltio Inc. All other names and trademarks are property of their respective firms. SOURCE Reltio Related Links http://www.reltio.com US President Donald Trump will make a state visit to India on February 24 and 25 and travel to New Delhi and Ahmedabad, it was announced on Tuesday, with both governments highlighting that his maiden trip would further bolster the strategic ties and the enduring friendship between the peoples of the two countries. As part of the visit, Trump is likely to also go the Taj Mahal. Trump and Melania may visit Taj Mahal Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted that he was "extremely delighted" that US President along with First Lady Melania Trump will visit India. After addressing an event on February 24 at a giant stadium in Ahmedabad on the lines of "Howdy, Modi" in Houston, Texas, last year, Trump and Melania are also likely to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra on Feb 25, with confirmation likely in the coming days. Previously, the then US president Bill Clinton had visited the Taj Mahal with his daughter Chelsea. Trump's predecessor Barack Obama could not visit the Taj Mahal despite coming to India twice, in 2010 and 2015. 'I look forward to going to India' "Just spoke with Prime Minister Modi," Trump told reporters at his Oval Office on Tuesday in response to a question on his India visit. "He is a great gentleman and I look forward to going to India. So, we'll be going at the end of the month." The US President said PM Modi had told him about a huge welcome in Ahmedabad. READ | Trump excited to visit Motera: All you need to know about the largest cricket stadium READ | Donald Trump says PM Modi told him '5-7 million people' will greet them at Ahmedabad "He (Modi) said we will have millions and millions of people. My only problem is that last night we probably had 40 or 50,000 people... I'm not going to feel so good... There will be five to seven million people just from the airport to the new stadium (in Ahmedabad)," he joked. "And you know it is the largest stadium in the world. He's building it now. It's almost complete and it's the largest in the world," President Trump said. READ | White House: US President Donald Trump & FLOTUS Melania to visit India on February 24-25 READ | Melania Trump 'excited' for maiden visit to India, thanks PM Modi for 'kind invitation' The U.S. Navy has long been curious about difficult-to-source jellyfish stings, said Gary Vora, the deputy laboratory head within the Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., and another author of the paper. Navy divers will sometimes get in what looks like clear water and end up lit up like a Christmas tree, he said. You have evidence of a sting, but you never saw what stung you. The Credit Suisse boss ousted after a spying scandal has signed off with the bank's biggest profits haul in almost a decade. In his last day in the job, Tidjane Thiam, 57, revealed profits soared 69 per cent to 2.7billion last year the most it had generated since 2010. Thiam said: 'I would not use the word vindication, that's not how I look at the world. I'm pleased for colleagues and staff.' Swan song: In his last day as Credit Suisse boss, Tidjane Thiam, 57, revealed profits soared 69 per cent to 2.7bn last year the most it had generated since 2010 The bumper profit follows a major restructuring of the Swiss banking giant by Thiam, who took the helm in 2015. The overhaul aimed to refocus the bank on wealth management and its richest clients. But it has been painful in the short term, with the bank only returning to profit in 2018 after three years of losses. The latest upturn in fortunes at Switzerland's second biggest bank may be bittersweet for Thiam. Last week he was forced to quit after being unanimously voted out by the board, and losing a power-struggle with the bank's chairman Urs Rohner. This has escalated since it emerged in September that former wealth management boss Iqbal Khan and his wife were followed in Zurich by private detectives hired by the bank as he prepared to move to rival UBS. The bank insisted it was a one off but it later emerged that former human resources boss Peter Goerke had also been placed under surveillance. Two executives, including Thiam's right-hand man Pierre-Olivier Bouee, were sacked over the scandal. But Thiam has insisted he did not know anything about the use of private detectives. A 5-year-old boy is being named a honorary firefighter after he helped save his family when their home went up in flames. Noah and eight of his family members were sound asleep in their home in Bartow County, Georgia when he woke up to smoke and flames last weekend. Instead of panicking, Noah first got out of bed, grabbed his sister and got out of the house through the window. And then Noah went back into the burning home and saved the family dog. Noah finally went to his uncle's house next door for help, and together they alerted the rest of the family. Everyone made it out safety, After the EVFTA, more dairy products from Europe will be imported to Vietnam, creating more competition for local manufacturers On February 12, the European Parliament ratified the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). The two agreements are expected to boost trade and investment between Vietnam and the EU in the next decade and facilitate Vietnam to further integrate into the global supply chain. The reduction of tariffs on goods imported from the EU will increase the opportunities of Vietnamese businesses to access high-quality machines, equipment, and new technologies from Europe at lower prices. This will help Vietnamese businesses improve labour productivity as well as increase high-tech content, thereby opening opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to integrate more deeply into the global value chain. However, the penetration of European goods into Vietnam will create competitive pressure forcing domestic manufacturers to reduce production costs while improving product quality. Finally, Vietnamese consumers will be the biggest beneficiaries. Accordingly, around half of EU pharmaceutical exports will be duty-free immediately, and the rest after seven years. The reduction of import duties on pharmaceutical products from the EU will increase the pressure on domestic manufacturers. Frozen pork meat will also be duty-free after seven years, dairy products after five years, and processed food after seven years, and chicken after 10 years. Currently the EUs livestock products exported to Vietnam are subject to tariffs of 10-40 per cent. The reduction of import tariff on livestock products from the EU will improve their penetration of the Vietnamese market and pose significant competition to domestic products. Some European countries are famous in dairy products. The reduction of duties on milk products imported from the EU will increase the competitive pressure on domestic milk manufacturers. However, the EVFTA also opens up opportunities for Vietnamese dairy companies to gain more access to production technology and milk ingredients from Europe, which are highly appreciated for quality and food safety, thereby contributing to improving the quality of domestic dairy products. It is estimated that Vietnams export value to the EU could jump by about 20 per cent in 2020, 42.7 per cent in 2025, and 44.4 per cent in 2030 compared to the scenario without the EVFTA. At the same time, Vietnams imports from the EU would also increase, but at a lower pace. Accordingly, Vietnam commits to abolishing 48.5 per cent of tariffs lines on goods exported from the EU immediately after EVFTA takes effect, equivalent to 64.5 per cent of total import value from the EU. Within 10 years of the EVFTA in effect, Vietnam commits to abolishing over 98.3 per cent of the tariff lines on EU exports, equivalent to 99.8 per cent of total import value from the EU. Currently, the EU is Vietnams fourth-largest supplier of goods. EU exports to Vietnam mainly include machinery, chemicals, and transportation equipment, which are essential for the transformation and modernisation of the Vietnamese economy. The controversial drug kratom could get its first dose of regulation in Oregon if a bill in the Legislatures short session passes, including making it a crime to sell to underage users. Kratom is a plant containing psychoactive chemicals that grows naturally in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Indonesia. At low doses, it energizes people, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At higher doses, it numbs pain. The federal government in 2016 moved to ban kratom, then backed off in the face of vocal opposition. Some people use kratom to help with addiction to opioids, like pain pills or heroin. In its current form, House Bill 4013 would make selling kratom products to people under 21 a misdemeanor with penalties of up to 30 days in jail and a maximum fine of $1,250. The bill also could set the stage for much broader regulation, commanding multiple state agencies to work with the kratom industry to make a plan for regulating kratom. Corner stores, herb shops and gas stations can and do sell products derived from the plant. Kratom usually comes in powder form, either in capsules that users swallow or in a powder that people mix with water or juice and drink. The federal government in September warned people against using kratom because of a risk of addiction, abuse and dependence. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also expressed concerns about people using kratom to get off painkillers and street drugs without the research to back up whether that works. The FDA stands ready to evaluate evidence that could demonstrate a medicinal purpose for kratom, FDA head Scott Gottlieb said in February 2018. But, he continued, the agency knew of no evidence that would meet its standard for approval. The original Oregon bill would have required the state to create a regulatory system, not just figure out how to make one. The bill, filed by Rep. Bill Post of Keizer, a Republican, is part of the American Kratom Associations push to get states to regulate the drug. The groups fear is that without any oversight, unscrupulous producers will sell adulterated products that make people sick. In a CDC analysis of 27,338 overdose deaths from mid-2016 to December 2017, the agency found that kratom was at least one of the causes of death in 152 cases. All but seven of the people had other substances in their bodies, such as fentanyl, according to the analysis. Lora Romney, a lobbyist for the association, told Oregon lawmakers about her personal journey taking opioids for her chronic pain then switching entirely to kratom, which she said eliminates the pain without making her feel high. Were going to keep this plant safe for patients who need it, but we want to make sure its clean, pure kratom, she said. Because if its clean and theres no additives added to it, its safe. The bill is scheduled for a vote in the House on Tuesday, Feb. 18. -- Fedor Zarkhin fzarkhin@oregonian.com desk: 503-294-7674|cell: 971-373-2905|@fedorzarkhin Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. 4.9k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Trump is said to be furious and upset after the Department of Justice dropped the case and refused to charge Andrew McCabe with a crime. The Washington Post reported: The department revealed the decision to McCabes team Friday. The move was said to infuriate Trump, who has raged publicly and privately in recent months that McCabe and others he considers political enemies should be charged with crimes. . A White House official said that Trump was not given a heads-up and was upset, and that White House lawyers moved to calm the president. The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to reveal internal discussions, said Trump believes very strongly that action should be taken. Trump wanted McCabe charged, not because he committed a crime, but as part of his plan to discredit the Russia investigation before the election. Sen. Lindsey Graham launched a Judiciary Committee investigation into the 2016 Russia probe as there is a coordinated effort among Trumps allies to discredit the source of the Russia investigation. Trump has convinced himself that the Russia investigation was a hoax and a conspiracy to get him. However, the lack of charges against McCabe is another setback to the presidents hopes that he can make his crimes vanish with paranoid fantasies. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook David Darkie Williams, President of TGHF, and Deborah Dalrymple, Head of the UWI Open Campus, at last Tuesdays media launch. Three major activities top the list of activities planned by The Garifuna Heritage Foundation (TGHF), to coincide with the celebration of National Heroes and Heritage Month in March. The activities are the Schools Garifuna Folk Festival scheduled for March 6th; an exhibition on indigenous art, craft and artifacts from March 11th to the 13th, and the International Garifuna Conference also scheduled to run from March 11th to the 13th. David Darkie Williams, President of TGHF, said at the media launch on Tuesday that the Foundation prides itself on providing information and creating an awareness through education about Garifuna culture to the Vincentian public. Six national Garifuna conferences preceded this years event which will be held at the National Insurance Services (NIS) conference room, and according to Williams, a lot of knowledge on the Garifuna culture, has been passed on by academics who have given presentations. This is the fifth year that the organization will partner with the University of the West Indies Open Campus (St Vincent). Deborah Dalrymple, Head of the UWI Open Campus, affirmed that among the objectives of the Open campus was the preservation of the countrys cultural heritage. "And we see this as a major responsibility, Dalrymple said at the media launch. She explained that Garifuna and Kalinago cultures formed the bedrock on which other cultures, namely African, Indian, Portuguese and British sat. "All of these cultures influenced who we are today, but we do believe the knowledge of the resistance, the survival and the resilience of the Garifuna may impact on the shakeup of the worlds views of Vincentians, Dalrymple said, adding that Garifuna people form one of the indigenous nations that have become one of the important symbols of resistance in the region. Some details were provided on the three main activities, beginning with the Schools Garifuna Folk Festival to be held at the Victoria Park. This year, instead of participants marching from the Bishops College in Pauls Avenue to Victoria Park, they will march around the Park. The objectives remain the same: to teach the Garifuna heritage and culture to students; make the learning of history fun; and celebrate the countrys heritage. Prizes will be awarded for the most outstanding song, dance and choral speech, and three (prizes) for the best use of the Garifuna colours - yellow, black and white. The exhibition is expected to feature local craft producers, artists, local and regional historians, as well as holders of historical artifacts. This event is expected to be held at the Peace Memorial Hall. And the 7th edition of the International Garifuna Conference will be held under the theme Indigenous Caribbean rethinking a strategic direction for reviving Garifuna Heritage and Culture through education. It is expected to feature presentations on various aspects of the Garifuna culture by scholars and practitioners, including persons from across the region, Central America, Canada, Mexico, the United States and the United Kingdom. A newly published study reports China's intertidal wetlands have suffered a loss of nearly 40% since the 1970s and calls for new legislation for their protection Using archives of satellite imaging data, a study in Frontiers in Earth Science has conducted the most in-depth study of China's intertidal wetlands to date and found a 37.62% decrease in area between 1970 and 2015. Intertidal wetlands significantly contribute to China's environmental and ecological diversity, but are facing unprecedented pressures from anthropogenic development, as well as the threat of future sea level rise. Despite the ecological and economic significance of China's vast areas of intertidal wetlands, such as storm protection, pollution purification and carbon sequestration, their distribution and variation over time have not been well documented. This study highlights the urgency for conservation measures of these valuable habitats by showing the scale of their decline for the first time. "Intertidal wetlands are buffer zones, linking freshwater river systems and the salty oceanic system. Despite their significant contributions to environmental, ecological and hydrological services, China's intertidal wetlands have not received sufficient protection," says study lead Dr. Song, from the School of Geographical Sciences at Guangzhou University. The research team at Guangzhou University utilized archives of remote sensing data from earth observation satellites to map intertidal wetland patterns on a national scale, following the continental coastline over 18,000km. The use of archival data in this study has provided the most integrated and complete perspective for use in natural resource management and land-use change research to date. Satellite image data was collected from the 1970s, 1995 and 2015 from the Landsat-MSS/TM/8 satellites and was integrated with coastal maps from corresponding time periods to improve map accuracy. 653 field survey points were also selected by random sampling from different coastline types and compared with the interpreted data for further precision validation. The results show worrying trends for these valuable habitats if effective protective measures are not put in place. The area of intertidal flats along China's coast showed extensive decline from 7848.21km2 in the 1970's to 4895km2 in 2015, equating to a 37.62% area loss of the intertidal wetlands in the last 40 years. These areas have also become increasingly fragmented as anthropogenic development continues to encroach further towards the coast. At an annual loss rate of between 0.94% and 1.17%, China's intertidal wetlands are disappearing almost twice as fast as the global average, due to an explosive growth of economies and populations in coastal regions. Huge reclamations of open-coast wetland are also being used for aquaculture, agriculture, tourism construction and hydrologic engineering due to intensified land use conflicts. These new coastal developments have led to expanding seawall construction, which is being dubbed 'the new Great Wall of China'. In the long run, accelerated sea level rise due to climate change will have the largest impact on coastal wetlands, putting ecosystems under increased strain. The combined pressures of land reclamation and sea level rise reduce the space for the wetland to retreat inland, leading to further decline. Dr. Song emphasizes, "Intertidal flats and wetlands are confronting unprecedented pressure, because of the interference of human activity and the expected future sea level rise. Due to the region's development plan of coastal regions, and the government favored 'blue economy', the human activity in the near-shore region is going to become more intensive." "A high priority should be given to intertidal wetland conservation and habitat reconstruction, with a view to a sustainable future." ### Notes to Editors Please link to the original research article in your reporting: Mapping the rapid decline of the intertidal wetlands of China over the past half century based on Remote Sensing Please link to the original research article in your reporting: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2020.00016/full Corresponding author: Prof. Dr. Zhifeng Wu Email: wuzf@gzhu.edu.cn Corresponding Author's Institution: Guangzhou University, China Frontiers is an award-winning Open Science platform and leading Open Access scholarly publisher. Our mission is to make research results openly available to the world, thereby accelerating scientific and technological innovation, societal progress and economic growth. We empower scientists with innovative Open Science solutions that radically improve how science is published, evaluated and disseminated to researchers, innovators and the public. Access to research results and data is open, free and customized through Internet Technology, thereby enabling rapid solutions to the critical challenges we face as humanity. For more information, visit http://www.frontiersin.org and follow @Frontiersin on Twitter. A man accused of transporting 235 pounds of liquid meth in the septic tank of an RV has been found guilty following a two-day bench trial. READ MORE: Victim in fatal rollover in central Laredo identified by LPD 49th District Court Judge Joe Lopez found Oscar Florencio Gonzalez-Leon, 33, guilty of possession of a controlled substance on Tuesday. The defendant is expected to serve an 8-year sentence in prison, according to court records. Sentencing is set for April 17. During trial, direct and circumstantial evidence showed that Gonzalez-Leon traveled from California to Laredo and into Mexico through Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge on March 6, 2015. He traveled under the disguise of a family trip to Apatzingan, Michoacan, an area known for the mass production of methamphetamine, authorities said. He returned to Laredo on March 12, 2015, with his girlfriend, Angelica Villalobos, and her two daughters. Gonzalez-Leon was operating the RV and arrived at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 35. A K-9 unit alerted to the presence of narcotics within the vehicle, according to an arrest affidavit filed on March 16. 2015. Gonzalez-Leon was then referred to secondary inspection. Agents then observed a crystal-like substance on the exterior of one of the sewage compartments. The crystal-like substance appeared to be leaking from the sewage compartment. Agents then discovered 235 pounds of liquid meth in the septic tank of the RV. The contraband had an estimated street value of $4.7 million. In a post-arrest statement, Gonzalez-Calderon stated, They used me. READ MORE: Trio of suspected dealers arrested by Webb Co Sheriff's Office Assistant District Attorneys Jesse Pence, Cristal Calderon and Joaquin Rodriguez prosecuted the case. An Italian fraudster escaped justice for two years by pretending to be a nun and living in convents around northern Italy. The 47-year-old woman, who has not been named, went on the run in late 2017 as she was convicted of fraud by a Sicilian court and sentenced in her absence to two years in prison. She was finally arrested last week after spending the past two years moving between convents pretending to be a 'sister looking for help and claiming she was severely ill.' The bizarre story has echoes of the 1990 British comedy movie Nuns on the Run, starring Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane as bank robbers who dress as nuns and hide out in a nunnery. The fraudster went on the run and hid away in several convents while pretending to be a nun (file photo of a nun silhouetted in St Peter's Square at the Vatican) The bizarre story has echoes of the 1990 British comedy movie Nuns on the Run, starring Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane as bank robbers who dress as nuns and hide out in a nunnery The fraudster sought refuge in several convents in the northern regions of Piedmont and Lombardy, changing her identity each time she moved. Police said they had interviewed several nuns who had been taken in by the woman, who is from Acqui Terme in Piedmont. The nuns at one convent where she stayed for just a few days said she had claimed to be the niece of one of their sisters. At other convents she simply described herself as a nun and didn't say much more about her background. One convent said she had pretended to be a mother superior. Most of the nuns said she had seemed to be a 'very kind woman' who had easily gained their trust. But she was caught out last week when a nun from a Benedictine convent in Gallarate in Lombardy's Varese province became suspicious and called the police. She told them the woman's stories 'were full of contradictions' and that she kept changing her version of events. When police interviewed the woman she seemed confused about basic biographical details and a stolen ID card was found in her possession. After her arrest they established who she really was and have charged her with claiming false identity. She is not the first criminal to use a religious disguise to evade justice in Italy. In 2013, a 61-year-old Calabrian drug dealer wore a priest's cassock while importing cocaine from France in a car. Feared Sicilian Mafia boss Salvatore 'Toto' Riina dressed as a priest to attend meetings with other members of the organisation in Calabria during 23 years as a fugitive before his capture in 1993. Bernardo Provenzano, another mafia boss, is said to have occasionally dressed as a bishop during his 43 years on the run before he was finally arrested in 2006. In The Know by Yahoo Incredible timelapse footage shows the moment a snowstorm sweeps in from the Black Sea and covers the coastal town of Hopa, Turkey. Sefa Yasar, a resident of Hopa, shot the footage himself and uploaded it to his Instagram. Yasar told BBC, "It was a bit scary but at the same time it was a natural wonder." Yasar's video has almost 2,000 views on his account and has been picked up by several other major news outlets. His other posts include some more stunning footage of the winter in Turkey. Areas in Turkey has been facing record-breaking cold temperatures in recent weeks. In some cities, daily life has been disrupted by the sudden temperature drop and increase in snowfall. Even a water dam froze over, while giant icicles have caused utility poles to lean over. A week ago, a deadly avalanche struck eastern Turkey. More snowfall is expected to occur in the coming weeks. Passions aired for nine years and followed the lives and relationships of four families in the fictional town of Harmony. The soap became famous for its diversity in its cast and subject matters. Each family were of a different ethnicity, The Russells, who were African American The Bennetts, who were of European descent and the Lopez-Fitzgeralds, who were Mexican the Caucasian Crane and Bennett families, and half-Mexican half-Irish Lopez-Fitzgeralds. Justin Hartley and Lindsay Hartley during NBCs Passions 7th Season Kick-Off | Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage The Cranes were Harmonys most vicious and corrupt family, stopping at nothing to keep their name and legacy alive and protected. Source: YouTube Many of its stars may have gotten their start on the soap but have had major roles since the shows end. Alistair Crane (Alan Oppenheimer voice, John Reilly actor) Alistair Crane is the Crane family patriarch. The Cranes are the wealthiest family in Harmony. He married Katherine at a young age and they had a daughter, Sheridan, whos birth caused health problems for Katherine and she died years later as a result. He also has a son, Julian. John Reilly 2005 | Mike FANOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Alistair is ruthless. Hes responsible for most crimes in the town, including rapes and murders. He also spends years attempting to break up his daughters relationship with a member of the Lopez-Fitzgerald family. Prior to Passions, Reilly starred in a number of other soap operas, including General Hospital, Dallas, and Days of Our Lives. Passions was his last recurring role. Julian Crane (Ben Masters) Alistairs eldest son, Julian is a drunken adulterer in a loveless marriage with his wife of over twenty years, Ivy Crane. He is boastful on the outside and appears to be the man of ego and confidence, which he uses to mask his insecurities. Hes desperate for Alistairs approval, which leads him to aid his father in his attempts to separate Sheridan from her fiance. Tracey Ross and Ben Masters of Passions 2005 | Mark Mainz/Getty Images He and Ivy split and he later marries both Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald and Rebecca Hotchkiss, with both marriages being deemed invalid. He is presumed dead at one point before his return, continuing his various love affairs with the women in Harmony. Passions was his last recurring role on a soap opera. Hed starred in various action roles prior, including Walker, Texas Ranger and Spy Game. Sheridan Crane (McKenzie Westmore) Sheridan is blamed for the death of her mother, Katherine, leaving her unwanted by Alistair and ignored by Julian. Shes innately good at heart, unlike the other members of the Crane family. McKenzie Westmore of Passions | Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage She has a string of love affairs that usually ended due to her discovery that men were after her for her familys wealth. She is eventually presumed dead by her family after a scheme to murder her husband goes array. She resurfaces after living under a different alias elsewhere and becomes a villain out to destroy her family for the years of pain they caused her. After Passions ended, Westmore had guest spots on All My Children and The Bay. She also participated in the televised game show, Face Off, from 2011-2018. Ivy Winthrop Cane (Kim Johnston Ulrich) Ivy was trapped in a miserable marriage to Julian. Her one joy was her son, Ethan Crane, the product of her affair with Harmonys chief of policemen Sam Bennett, on her and Julians wedding night. Julian divorces Ivy after Ethans paternity is revealed and Ivy makes it her mission to win Sam back despite Sam being a married man. Kim Johnston Ulrich of Passions 2007 | Mike FANOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Since Passions end, Ulrich has played the role of Doctor Visyak on The CW television series Supernatural in several episodes. She also had a guest spot on NCIS. Justin Hartley (Fox Crane) Son of Julian, Fox becomes infatuated with Whitney Russell. He tries to steal Whitney from her boyfriend Chad before deciding to respect her wishes and end his devious ploy. He then engages in a brief relationship with his half-brothers ex-fiance and best friend of Whitney, Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald. Justin Hartley of Passions | Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage He and Theresa split and he resumes his pursuit of Whitney before moving on with Kay Bennett, and then Esme Vanderheusen. Hartley was married to Passions co-star, Lindsay Hartley, who starred as Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald, for eight years before their 2012 split. Hartleys had consistent acting roles since Passions, appearing in movies like A Bad Moms Christmas and Little and television series such as Smallville and a leading role in the hit NBC drama, This Is Us. Chad Harris-Crane (Charles Divins) Chad is revealed as the illegitimate son of Alistair Crane. In the early years of the soap, Chad becomes involved in a love triangle with the Russell sisters. His romance with Whitney is interrupted by the possibility they are sisters but he is later revealed to be her adoptive cousin. Charles Divins of Passions | Mark Sullivan/WireImage Chads later storylines focus on discovering his sexual identity before trying to reconcile with Whitney before being killed by his father, Alistair. Divins shifted careers after Passions ended due to the inconsistency of acting roles in Hollywood. He now is a radio host of the NBC affiliate morning show in New Orleans. Rehaan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 23,404 Thanked: 30,599 Times Finally old enough to drive in some countries A HUGE THANKS to all of you for making this happen! It's the amazing knowledge-sharing, community spirit & pride that each one of you has for Team-BHP that has made it what it is today. This goes for members, lurkers & readers alike! Adding a few more trivia points: Back in the day, Sam used to sneak in Team-BHP related bylines at the bottom of JBL ads on the rear cover of car magazines. Here's a particularly funny one: More than a decade back, almost all our images were hosted on a popular external image-hosting site. One day we got a report that a post from a very respected elderly member contained pornography! It turns out that externally hot-linked images were slowly being replaced with ads & other questionable content. GTO sprung into action and had all externally-hosted images copied to our server, along with activating our own image hosting (attachment) system. The "I DRIVE SAFE" sticker that is still part of our set was a member-submitted design. Back in 2009 we actually created Whilst writing the new Ford Fiesta review, I wanted to make up a name for the female British voice that talks back to you after you use voice commands. I thought it would make the 'voice controls' post more fun to read. I brainstormed possible names late one night and finalized on "Kate". I referred to her as such multiple times (The Youtube link I had for the TVC is now dead. Can't find a new one. I remember scenes of a desert, a camel and a turbaned Rajasthani man) Speaking of TV commercials - a post by Vid6639 about taking an unnecessarily long route back from the Bangalore airport - just so he could hit a particular corner, struck a chord with a reader. The reader also happened to be writing a story-board for an upcoming tyre ad. The post unknowingly set off a chain of events that resulted in an entire team (including a James Bond stunt driver) traveling to Austria to shoot the ad. Here's the Team-BHP members (some of whom keep a very low profile) have had a major hand in the development & production of several very well known cars, in India & abroad. Ranging from the Toyotas & Mercedes' of the world, to Caparo, Pininfarina and Ferrari. Sometimes I get calls from people who work for auto manufacturers & parts suppliers asking things like "When is the Team-BHP report on XYZ coming out? I need to use some data/images from it for an office presentation" Hah! The twitter handle @teambhp has been blocked for over a decade by a well-meaning fan. However the account is inactive & he's totally unreachable, so we had to settle for @teambhpforum instead: Quote: Originally Posted by GTO The Team-BHP gang usually makes for the biggest group at any family function! Team-BHP is sweet 16!Finally old enough to drive in some countriesto all of you for making this happen! It's the amazing knowledge-sharing, community spirit & pride that each one of you has for Team-BHP that has made it what it is today. This goes for members, lurkers & readers alike! Back in the day, Sam used to sneak in Team-BHP related bylines at the bottom of JBL ads on the rear cover of car magazines. Here's a particularly funny one: More than a decade back, almost all our images were hosted on a popular external image-hosting site. One day we got a report that a post from a very respected elderly member contained pornography! It turns out that externally hot-linked images were slowly being replaced with ads & other questionable content. GTO sprung into action and had all externally-hosted images copied to our server, along with activating our own image hosting (attachment) system. The "I DRIVE SAFE" sticker that is still part of our set was a member-submitted design. Back in 2009 we actually created a thread requesting ideas & designs. A few submissions: Whilst writing the new Ford Fiesta review, I wanted to make up a name for the female British voice that talks back to you after you use voice commands. I thought it would make the 'voice controls' post more fun to read. I brainstormed possible names late one night and finalized on "Kate". I referred to her as such multiple times in our official review . 2 months after the review went live, Ford released a Fiesta TV commercial for India -- and in the ad, they referred to the voice as... you guessed it - "Kate!". A name that I just made up Speaking of TV commercials - a post by Vid6639 about taking an unnecessarily long route back from the Bangalore airport - just so he could hit a particular corner, struck a chord with a reader. The reader also happened to be writing a story-board for an upcoming tyre ad. The post unknowingly set off a chain of events that resulted in an entire team (including a James Bond stunt driver) traveling to Austria to shoot the ad. Here's the full story Team-BHP members (some of whom keep a very low profile) have had a major hand in the development & production of several very well known cars, in India & abroad. Ranging from the Toyotas & Mercedes' of the world, to Caparo, Pininfarina and Ferrari. Sometimes I get calls from people who work for auto manufacturers & parts suppliers asking things like "" Hah! The twitter handle @teambhp has been blocked for over a decade by a well-meaning fan. However the account is inactive & he's totally unreachable, so we had to settle for @teambhpforum instead: At times of celebration, and equally, at times of need - it's not uncommon to see a large majority of the crowd present is BHPians. Shows just how tight-knit this community is! Last edited by vb-san : 14th February 2020 at 10:47 . Andrew Lipovsky/NBCBTS is ready to take late night TV by storm. The K-pop sensation will appear on a special telecast of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday, February 24. The full hour of the episode will be dedicated to the group. Not only will it feature an interview and performance of a new song, but BTS will journey with Fallon to visit iconic spots all over New York City. We wanted to do something special for BTS and, at the same time, celebrate New York City, Fallon says in a statement. BTS really knocked it out of the park. Youre not going to believe how big and fun their performance is. Fallon adds, They took over Grand Central Terminal. Its BTS on NBC from NYC at GCTwait, this is getting weird, isnt it? Just watch the show on Monday, Feb. 24. BTS will release their new album, MAP OF THE SOUL: 7, on February 21. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. By Mark Curtis February 13, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - British foreign secretary Dominic Raab recently described the rule of international law as one of the guiding lights of UK foreign policy. By contrast, the government regularly chides states it opposes, such as Russia or Iran, as violators of international law. These governments are often consequently termed rogue states in the mainstream media, the supposed antithesis of how we operate. The following list of 17 policies may not be exhaustive, but it suggests that the term rogue state is not sensationalist or misplaced when it comes to describing Britains own foreign and security policies. These serial violations suggest that parliamentary and public oversight over executive policy-making in the UK is not fit for purpose and that new mechanisms are needed to restrain the excesses of the British state. The Royal Air Forces drone war Britains Royal Air Force (RAF) operates a drone programme in support of the US involving a fleet of British Reaper drones operating since 2007. They have been used by the UK to strike targets in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Four RAF bases in the UK support the US drone war. The joint UK and US spy base at Menwith Hill in Yorkshire, northern England, facilitates US drone strikes in Yemen, Pakistan and Somalia. US drone strikes, involving an assassination programme begun by president Barack Obama, are widely regarded as illegal under international law, breaching fundamental human rights. Up to 1,700 civilian adults and children have been killed in so-called targeted killings. Amnesty International notes that British backing is absolutely crucial to the US lethal drones programme, providing support for various US surveillance programmes, vital intelligence exchanges and in some cases direct involvement from UK personnel in identifying and tracking targets for US lethal operations, including drone strikes that may have been unlawful. Chagos Islands Britain has violated international law in the case of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean since it expelled the inhabitants in the 1960s to make way for a US military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island. Harold Wilsons Labour government separated the islands from then British colony Mauritius in 1965 in breach of a UN resolution banning the breakup of colonies before independence. London then formed a new colonial entity, the British Indian Ocean Territory, which is now an Overseas Territory. In 2015, a UN Tribunal ruled that the UKs proposed marine protected area around the islands shown by Wikileaks publications to be a ruse to keep the islanders from returning was unlawful since it undermined the rights of Mauritius. Then in February 2019, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in an advisory opinion that Britain must end its administration of the Chagos islands as rapidly as possible. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in May 2019 welcoming the ICJ ruling and demanding that the United Kingdom unconditionally withdraw its colonial administration from the area within six months. The UK government has rejected the calls. Defying the UN over the Falklands The UNs 24-country Special Committee on Decolonisation its principal body addressing issues concerning decolonisation has repeatedly called on the UK government to negotiate a resolution to the dispute over the status of the Falklands. In its latest call, in June 2019, the committee approved a draft resolution reiterating that the only way to end the special and particular colonial situation of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) is through a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the sovereignty dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom. The British government consistently rejects these demands. Last year, it stated: The Decolonisation Committee no longer has a relevant role to play with respect to British Overseas Territories. They all have a large measure of self government, have chosen to retain their links with the UK, and therefore should have been delisted a long time ago. In 2016, the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf issued a report finding that the Falkland Islands are located in Argentinas territorial waters. Israel and settlement goods Although Britain regularly condemns Israeli settlements in the occupied territories as illegal, in line with international law, it permits trade in goods produced on those settlements. It also does not keep a record of imports that come from the settlements which include wine, olive oil and dates into the UK. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter UN Security Council resolutions require all states to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967. The UK is failing to do this. Israels blockade of Gaza Israels blockade of Gaza, imposed in 2007 following the territorys takeover by Hamas, is widely regarded as illegal. Senior UN officials, a UN independent panel of experts, and Amnesty International all agree that the infliction of collective punishment on the population of Gaza contravenes international human rights and humanitarian law. Gaza has about 1.8 million inhabitants who remain locked in and denied free access to the remainder of putative Palestine (the West Bank) and the outside world. It has poverty and unemployment rates that reached nearly 75% in 2019. Through its naval blockade, the Israeli navy restricts Palestinians fishing rights, fires on local fishermen and has intercepted ships delivering humanitarian aid. Britain, and all states, have an obligation to ensure compliance by Israel with international humanitarian law in Gaza. However, instead of doing so, the UK regularly collaborates with the navy enforcing the blockade. In August 2019, Britains Royal Navy took part in the largest international naval exercise ever held by Israel, off the countrys Mediterranean shore. In November 2016 and December 2017, British warships conducted military exercises with their Israeli allies. Exports of surveillance equipment Declassified revealed that the UK recently exported telecommunications interception equipment or software to 13 countries, including authoritarian regimes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Oman. Such technology can enable security forces to monitor the private activities of groups or individuals and crack down on political opponents. The UAE has been involved in programmes monitoring domestic activists using spyware. In 2017 and 2018, British exporters were given four licences to export telecommunications interception equipment, components or software to the UAE. UK arms export guidelines state that the government will not grant a licence if there is a clear risk that the items might be used for internal repression. Reports by Amnesty International document human rights abuses in the cases of UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, suggesting that British approval of such exports to these countries is prima facie unlawful. Arms exports to Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia has been accused by the UN and others of violating international humanitarian law and committing war crimes in its war in Yemen, which began in March 2015. The UK has licensed nearly 5-billion worth of arms to the Saudi regime during this time. In addition, the RAF is helping to maintain Saudi warplanes at key operating bases and stores and issues bombs for use in Yemen. Following legal action brought by the Campaign Against the Arms Trade, the UK Court of Appeal ruled in June 2019 that ministers had illegally signed off on arms exports without properly assessing the risk to civilians. The court ruled that the government must reconsider the export licences in accordance with the correct legal approach. The ruling followed a report by a cross-party House of Lords committee, published earlier in 2019, which concluded that Britain is breaking international law by selling weapons to Saudi Arabia and should suspend some export licences immediately. Julian Assanges arbitrary detention and torture In the case of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange currently held in Belmarsh maximum-security prison in London the UK is defying repeated opinions of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) and the UN special rapporteur on torture. The latter, Nils Melzer, has called on the UK government to release Assange on the grounds that officials are contributing to his psychological torture and ill treatment. Melzer has also called for UK officials to be investigated for possible criminal conduct as government policy severely undermines the credibility of [its] commitment to the prohibition of torture as well as to the rule of law more generally. The WGAD the supreme international body scrutinising this issue has repeatedly demanded that the UK government end Assanges arbitrary detention. Although the UN states that WGAD determinations are legally binding, its calls have been consistently rejected by the UK government. Covert wars Covert military operations to subvert foreign governments, such as Britains years-long operation in Syria to overthrow the Assad regime, are unlawful. As a House of Commons briefing notes, forcible assistance to opposition forces is illegal. A precedent was set in the Nicaragua case in the 1980s, when US-backed covert forces (the Contras) sought to overthrow the Sandinista government. The International Court of Justice held that a third state may not forcibly help the opposition to overthrow a government since it breached the principles of non-intervention and prohibition on the use of force. As Declassified has shown, the UK is currently engaged in seven covert wars, including in Syria, with minimal parliamentary oversight. Government policy is not to comment on the activities of its special forces because of the security implications. The publics ability to scrutinise policy is also restricted since the UKs Freedom of Information Act applies an absolute exemption to special forces. This is not the case for allied powers such as the US and Canada. Torture and the refusal to hold an inquiry In 2018 a report by parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee found that the UK had been complicit in cases of torture and other ill treatment of detainees in the so-called war on terror. The inquiry examined the participation of MI6 (the secret intelligence service), MI5 (the domestic security service) and Ministry of Defence (MOD) personnel in interrogating detainees held primarily by the US in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay during 2001-10. The report found that there were 232 cases where UK personnel supplied questions or intelligence to foreign intelligence agents after they knew or suspected that a detainee was being mistreated. It also found 198 cases where UK personnel received intelligence from foreign agents obtained from detainees whom they knew or suspected to have been mistreated. In one case, MI6 sought and obtained authorisation from the foreign secretary (then Jack Straw, in Tony Blairs government) for the costs of funding a plane which was involved in rendering a suspect. After the report was published, the government announced it was refusing to hold a judge-led, independent inquiry into the UKs role in rendition and torture as it had previously promised to do. In 2019, human rights group Reprieve, together with Conservative and Labour MPs, instigated a legal challenge to the government over this refusalwhich the High Court has agreed to hear. The UN special rapporteur on torture, Nils Melzer, has formally warned the UK that its refusal to launch a judicial inquiry into torture and rendition breaches international law, specifically the UN Convention Against Torture. He has written a private intervention letter to the UK foreign secretary stating that the government has a legal obligation to investigate and to prosecute. Melzer accuses the government of engaging in a conscious policy of co-operating with torture since 9/11, saying it is impossible the practice was not approved or at least tolerated by top officials. UKs secret torture policy The MOD was revealed in 2019 to be operating a secret policy allowing ministers to approve actions which could lead to the torture of detainees. The policy, contained in an internal MOD document dated November 2018, allows ministers to approve passing information to allies even if there is a risk of torture, if the potential benefits justify accepting the risk and legal consequences. This policy also provides for ministers to approve lists of individuals about whom information may be shared despite a serious risk they could face mistreatment. One leading lawyer has said that domestic and international legislation on the prohibition of torture is clear and that the MOD policy supports breaking of the law by ministers. Amnesty for crimes committed by soldiers There is a long history of British soldiers committing crimes during wars. In 2019 the government outlined plans to grant immunity for offences by soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland that were committed more than 10 years before. These plans have been condemned by the UN Committee Against Torture, which has called on the government to refrain from enacting legislation that would grant amnesty or pardon where torture is concerned. It should also ensure that all victims of such torture and ill-treatment obtain redress. The committee has specifically urged the UK to establish responsibility and ensure accountability for any torture and ill-treatment committed by UK personnel in Iraq from 2003 to 2009, specifically by establishing a single, independent, public inquiry to investigate allegations of such conduct. The governments proposals are also likely to breach UK obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, which obliges states to investigate breaches of the right to life or the prohibition on torture. GCHQs mass surveillance Files revealed by US whistleblower Edward Snowden in 2013 show that the UK intelligence agency GCHQ had been secretly intercepting, processing and storing data concerning millions of peoples private communications, including people of no intelligence interest in a programme named Tempora. Snowden also revealed that the British government was accessing personal communications and data collected by the US National Security Agency and other countries intelligence agencies. All of this was taking place without public consent or awareness, with no basis in law and with no proper safeguards. Since these revelations, there has been a long-running legal battle over the UKs unlawful use of these previously secret surveillance powers. In September 2018, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that UK laws enabling mass surveillance were unlawful, violating rights to privacy and freedom of expression. The court observed that the UKs regime for authorising bulk interception was incapable of keeping interference to what is necessary in a democratic society. The UKs Investigatory Powers Tribunal, the body which considers complaints against the security services, also found that UK intelligence agencies had unlawfully spied on the communications of Amnesty International and the Legal Resources Centre in South Africa. In 2014, revelations also confirmed that GCHQ had been granted authority to secretly eavesdrop on legally privileged lawyer-client communications, and that MI5 and MI6 adopted similar policies. The guidelines appeared to permit surveillance of journalists and others deemed to work in sensitive professions handling confidential information. MI5 personal data In 2019, MI5 was found to have for years unlawfully retained innocent British peoples online location data, calls, messages and web browsing history without proper protections, according to the Investigatory Powers Commissioners Office which upholds British privacy protections. MI5 had also failed to give senior judges accurate information about repeated breaches of its duty to delete bulk surveillance data, and was criticised for mishandling sensitive legally privileged material. The commissioner concluded that the way MI5 was holding and handling peoples data was undoubtedly unlawful. Warrants for MI5s bulk surveillance were issued by senior judges on the understanding that the agencys legal data handling obligations were being met when they were not. MI5 have been holding on to peoples dataordinary peoples data, your data, my data illegally for many years, said Megan Goulding, a lawyer for rights organisation Liberty, which brought the case. Not only that, theyve been trying to keep their really serious errors secret secret from the security services watchdog, whos supposed to know about them, secret from the Home Office, secret from the prime minister and secret from the public. Intelligence agencies committing criminal offences MI5 has been operating under a secret policy that allows its agents to commit serious crimes during counter-terrorism operations in the UK, according to lawyers for human rights organisations brin ging a case to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. The policy, referred to as the third direction, allows MI5 officers to permit the people they have recruited as agents to commit crimes in order to secure access to information that could be used to prevent other offences being committed. The crimes potentially include murder, kidnap and torture and have operated for decades. MI5 officers are, meanwhile, immune from prosecution. A lawyer for the human rights organisations argues that the issues raised by the case are not hypothetical, submitting that in the past, authorisation of agent participation in criminality appears to have led to grave breaches of fundamental rights. He points to the 1989 murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane, an attack carried out by loyalist paramilitaries, including some agents working for the British state. The James Bond clause British intelligence officers can be authorised to commit crimes outside the UK. Section 7 of the 1994 Intelligence Services Act vacates UK criminal and civil law as long as a senior government minister has signed a written authorisation that committing a criminal act overseas is permissible. This is sometimes known as the James Bond clause. British spies were reportedly given authority to break the law overseas on 13 occasions in 2014 under this clause. GCHQ was given five authorisations removing liability for activities including those associated with certain types of intelligence gathering and interference with computers, mobile phones and other types of electronic equipment. MI6, meanwhile, was given eight such authorisations in 2014. Underage soldiers Britain is the only country in Europe and Nato to allow direct enlistment into the army at the age of 16. One in four UK army recruits is now under the age of 18. According to the editors of the British Medical Journal, there is no justification for this state policy, which is harmful to teen health and should be stopped. Child recruits are more likely than adult recruits to end up in frontline combat, they add. It was revealed in 2019 that the UK continued to send child soldiers to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan despite pledging to end the practice. The UK says it does not send under-18s to warzones, as required by the UN Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, known as the child soldiers treaty. The UK, however, deployed five 17-year-olds to Iraq or Afghanistan between 2007 and 2010: it claims to have done so mistakenly. Previous to this, a minister admitted that teenagers had also erroneously been sent into battle between 2003 and 2005, insisting it would not happen again. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concern at the UKs recruitment policy in 2008 and 2016, and recommended that the government raise the minimum age for recruitment into the armed forces to 18 years in order to promote the protection of children through an overall higher legal standard. Parliaments Joint Committee on Human Rights, the childrens commissioners for the four jurisdictions of the UK, along with childrens rights organisations, all support this call. DM Mark Curtis is editor of Declassified UK and tweets at @markcurtis30 This article was published by "Daily Maverick" - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Friday said there were many questions pertaining to the Pulwama terror attack that remained unanswered and asked the Centre to throw light on this. A year after 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, Surjewala said, "We salute the sacrifices of the martyrs of Pulwama" About the attack, he said, "Still many questions are unanswered." "Why is the government hesitating from making public the report about the Pulwama attack. Who had brought 350 kg RDX and IED and how was it brought?"How did the RDX and IED-laden vehicle used in the attack enter the security convoy and how it managed to blow up the CRFP vehicle," he said at a conference here. Haryana Congress chief Kumari Selja was also present. Surjewala asked if suspended Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Davinder Singh, who was arrested for helping terrorists, had any role in the Pulwama incident. "Does Davinder Singh has any role in this?," he asked. The Congress leader also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued shooting for a film in the Corbett National Park on February 14 despite the Pulwama attack taking place in the afternoon that day. "Despite such major terror attack, why did the prime minister not come to know about it for 8-9 hours, when he was shooting film in Corbett Park and eating tea, pakodas and taking a boat ride before a camera. We are worried that a prime minister does not come to know about such a big attack, what can be more security lapse than this," he claimed. Surjewala said, "The real homage to the Pulwama martyrs today will be that the country's home minister should come forward and tell the nation about these questions that remain unanswered. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Flash 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. The Calcutta High Court on Friday formed separate special investigation teams (SITs) into the deaths of two persons in as many alleged accidents in the districts of Nadia and West Midnapore. A division bench comprising justices Sanjib Banerjee and Kaushik Chanda directed DIG CID of West Bengal Police Pranab Kumar to choose two officers to assist him and submit a progress report on investigation into the death of a person at Nabadwip in Nadia district within 6 weeks. In the other matter involving the death of a person at Daspur in West Midnapore district, the court directed Special Commissioner of Kolkata Police Jawed Shamim to investigate the death with two officers of his choice and submit a progress report within 6 weeks. In the first case, Kaushik Karmakar had died five years back in February, 2015 in an alleged road accident at Nabadwip. The local police, in its report, had said that the man was driving his car in an inebriated condition leading to the accident that caused his death. The family of Karmakar, however, claimed that he was murdered and moved the high court seeking a fair probe. Being satisfied with the police report, a single bench of the high court had disposed of the matter. The family appealed before the division bench alleging gaffes in the police report, which ordered the formation of an SIT under DIG CID Pranab Kumar. In the other case, the family of Saharul Ali Khan had moved the high court seeking an independent probe into his death in March, 2017, which the police claimed was a case of accident when his motorbike was hit by a car at Daspur on National Highway 6. The family of Khan, however, alleged that he was beaten to death by some persons. Pradip Kumar Roy, the lawyer for the family, said they had proposed to the court the name of Shamim alongwith another senior IPS officer, reposing their faith in an investigation by any of them. The division bench ordered that Kolkata Police special commissioner Jawed Shamim will head the probe into Khan's death. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nina A. Loasana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 News of a tragic incident at a high school in Cibubur, East Jakarta, in January has brought the issue of teen suicide into the spotlight a topic rarely discussed by the public or in schools. A student reportedly jumped from the fourth floor of the school building in an apparent suicide attempt and was immediately rushed to Kramat Jati Hospital to receive medical treatment, but passed away two days later. The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) commissioner Retno Listyarti said it was not the first case of reported student suicide in Jakarta, citing a suspected suicide at a high school in Pademangan, North Jakarta, around three months earlier. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login A Michigan company is recalling about 1,900 bars of chocolate that may contain milk thats not listed in the ingredients. Grand Rapids-based Gourmet International on Thursday issued an allergy alert for Butlers Irish Whiskey Dark Chocolate 3.5-ounce tablet bars. The chocolate bars are made by Dublin, Ireland-based Butlers Chocolates. The recall was initiated after FDA testing found high levels of milk in the product. The government says people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk are at-risk of a serious allergic reaction if they consume the product. No illnesses have been reported. The chocolate bars are packaged in cream-colored wrapping. They were distributed to specialty food stores in Michigan, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. They also were available through retail locations. Image Source: AP A 1920s-themed Berlin ballroom packed with several hundred supporters was the unlikely stage for Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative nemesis to unveil his comeback bid. "I'm ready to do this," Friedrich Merz told the audience when someone asked whether he was going to enter the race for the leadership of Merkel's party and run to succeed her as chancellor in Germany's next election. The supervisory board chairman of BlackRock Inc.'s German unit, who is leaving the post to focus on politics, sprinkled his speech late Thursday with criticism of Merkel's climate policy and her response to European proposals by France, suggesting she's too cautious. He also expressed "a lot of respect" for the four-term chancellor, who has said she won't run again in 2021. Still, there's no mistaking it: Merz is back and that's bad news for Merkel. Her plan to serve out her term through 2021 may run into trouble if her longtime critic finally wins the party chairmanship. And it's not the only risk. Another leading contender -- Health Minister Jens Spahn -- has also gone on the attack, with Merkel seen as weakened by the collapse of her succession plan. Merz, 64, comes from the conservative wing of the Christian Democratic Union and has been a harsh critic of Merkel's more centrist approach ever since she fired him as her caucus leader in 2002. His first comeback attempt failed in 2018 when he narrowly lost the contest for the CDU leadership against Merkel's protege Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. Now, the chance for revenge is coming into sight again. Merkel's team is alarmed about the prospect of Merz becoming party leader, according to one official with knowledge of their thinking. They are hoping that North Rhine-Westphalia state premier Armin Laschet will strike a deal with Spahn to avoid an open power struggle. What worries Merkel is that Merz could force an unpredictable three-way contest by seizing the initiative early and pressing his claim with members, the official said. Adding further complexity to the situation, Spahn -- a frequent Merkel critic in the past -- is giving no signs of playing nice. He called on the CDU to emancipate itself from Merkel. "We have to look forward,"Spahn said in an interview with Spiegel magazine. "After so many years marked by Angela Merkel, the CDU has to learn to walk again." His choice of words is highly provocative, as they echo Merkel's 1999 attack on Helmut Kohl, when the former chancellor was damaged by a party finance scandal. Her assault at the time contributed to his downfall and paved the way for her rise. Merz has an early edge in the race. Seven out of 10 CDU supporters see him as a good chancellor candidate, and across the political spectrum he's ahead of his rivals with 40% approval, compared with Laschet's 30% and Spahn's 24%, according to an Infratest dimap poll conducted for public broadcaster ARD. Still, just tossing Merkel aside would be dangerous. Given her public support, the CDU could lose about 2.4 million voters, or nearly a quarter of its support, after she steps down, according to a Forsa poll published in German business newspaper Handelsblatt. Parliamentary President Wolfgang Schaeuble, the elder statesman of German politics, said the CDU should stick to the process laid out by Kramp-Karrenbauer. "She will now talk with all those within the CDU who have shown interest," and then discuss the situation with the Bavarian sister party, he said in an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio on Friday. The former finance minister, who supported Merz in the party leadership race in 2018, didn't want to publicly voice his support for Merz when asked by the interviewer. After returning to his BlackRock post after his defeat by Kramp-Karrenbauer in December 2018, Merz has continued to snipe at Merkel's leadership. Her "passivity and lack of leadership" are hanging over Germany like a "fog," Merz said in October after the party suffered historic losses in elections for the eastern state of Thuringia. "I just cannot imagine that this way of governing in Germany will go on for another two years," he said. It's also difficult to imagine Merkel remaining chancellor long if Merz takes control of her party machinery. A succession that looked stitched up for Merkel loyalist Kramp-Karrenbauer was blown wide open this week when the fallout from that defeat in Thuringia prompted Kramp-Karrenbauer to resign. As local parties maneuvered to piece together a majority in the fragmented state legislature, the CDU ended up voting alongside the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, for the first time ever. The incident triggered nationwide outrage and when the local party leader brushed off Kramp-Karrenbauer's attempts to bring him into line, Merkel was forced to step in and restore order. From Merkel's perspective, the best candidate would be Laschet, a moderate who would most likely continue her liberal policies on refugees and workers' rights. But Laschet, who stayed out of the last race, has not signaled whether he will run. If he did, he would risk his position as premier of Germany's most populous state. Merz, in contrast, has nothing to lose. Already wealthy from his business career, he has announced he'll step down from BlackRock at the end of March. As CDU leader, he would push for a much more market-oriented economic policy and restrictions on immigration. During his first campaign about 15 months ago, Merz pledged to regain voters lost to the AfD by focusing on Germany's national identity.Under Kramp-Karrenbauer, the opposite happened. The AfD made inroads in a series of state elections in eastern Germany while the CDU descended into infighting over how to respond to the threat. In a sign that he's already taking on the challenge, Merz will speak at a traditional CDU event in Thuringia on Feb. 26 marking Ash Wednesday, putting himself at the epicenter of the crisis that opened the door for his return. - - - Bloomberg's Tony Czuczka contributed to this report. A special court in Delhi on Friday sent Gopal Krishna Madhav, former OSD to Manish Sisodia to 14-day judicial custody in an alleged bribery case. Earlier this month, the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested Delhi, Andaman Nicobar Island Civil Services (DANICS) officer, Gopal Krishna Madhav, who was posted in the office of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia after he was allegedly caught red-handed while taking a bribe of Rs 2 lakh. According to sources, CBI laid a trap and caught him red-handed while taking a bribe to settle a tax evasion matter. As per the Delhi government website, Madhav was appointed as an OSD to the Deputy Chief Minister in 2015. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Anyone who does not comply shall be held accountable according to law, according to a text of the order released by state television. The order was issued by a Communist Party leading group at the municipal level, not the national Communist Party. It was the latest sign that Chinas leaders were still struggling to set the right balance between restarting the economy and continuing to fight the coronavirus outbreak. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the countrys top officials met and issued orders that included a mandate to help people to return to workplaces from their hometowns. Tens of millions had gone home to celebrate Lunar New Year holidays before the government acknowledged the seriousness of the epidemic. They have faced local government checkpoints on the way back to work and then lengthy quarantines upon their return to big cities. But while national leaders may be worried that travel restrictions and quarantines may be preventing companies from finding enough workers to resume full production, that did not stop Beijing municipal leaders from further tightening controls on Friday evening in the city. The policy may reduce the chances that people returning from the hinterlands could infect the countrys elite. Burma Myanmars President Calls for Military Not to Meddle in Politics President U Win Myint at the opening ceremony of an equestrian statue of Gen. Aung San in Naypyitaw. / Thiha Lwin / The Irrawaddy Naypyitaw Myanmars President U Win Myint quoted General Aung Sans remark urging the military or Tatmadaw not to intervene in politics during a ceremony to unveil an equestrian statue of the general in Naypyitaw on Feb. 13 as Myanmar marked his birthday. The Burma Independence Army will not interfere in administration and politics. Generals and rank and file members of the Burma Independence Army shall not be involved with and interfere in party politics and administration, the president quoted the general saying. I have read in a speech of Gen. Aung San that the Tatmadaw was not established for a particular entity, party or group of people, said U Win Myint. The government was working to realize the dreams of Gen. Aung San and the ethnic leaders at the time, said the president, vowing to prevent the return of a dictatorial government. We are determined to establish a federal democratic union that guarantees fundamental rights for citizens, said the president. The National League for Democracy is trying to amend the 2008 Constitution drafted by the military. The military, which holds 25 percent of seats in the national legislature, has opposed the NLDs efforts, saying they are not in line with constitutional procedures. At a Tatmadaw press conference on Jan. 23, the vice chairman of the militarys True News Information Team, Major General Tun Tun Nyi, was asked when the military would return to barracks. The general said the Tatmadaw was ready to perform its primary duties only when there was national stability and unity. If everyone can accept and work in unity for the common, national interest, we will be ready to perform our primary duty, the general added. Ethnic Rakhine lawmaker U Pe Than of Lower House said cooperation between the Tatmadaw and ruling party was essential in the democratization process, including constitutional amendments. But, he said, the reality was the two sides were only focusing on their political aspirations. As an ethnic minority representative, I dont believe what they say. I think they are just soliciting support for themselves, U Pe Than said. Political analyst U Than Soe Naing said the military should withdraw from politics gradually to ease the process towards a federal democratic union. Democracy will only be more meaningful if the Tatmadaw withdraws. The Tatmadaws main responsibility is security and defense, he said. The military should be under the control of the civilian government, the observer said. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko Andrew Clarke, a veteran retail executive and former president of womens apparel brand Loft, has been tapped as the next chief executive of Francescas. The womens apparel and accessories chain on Thursday said Clarke will replace interim Chief Executive Michael Prendergast effective March 9. Prendergast, an Alvarez & Marsal consultant who took the temporary leadership role a year ago, will remain with the Houston-based retailer for some time to aid with the transition. After a thoughtful and extensive search, we are delighted to be welcoming Andrew to lead Francescas into the next phase of our turnaround, Chairman Rich Emmett said in a statement. We believe Andrews proven track record in specialty retail, including successful transformation initiatives, make him an excellent choice to lead the Francescas brand. Clarke brings 25 years of retail experience to Francescas. Most recently, he was president of Loft, a brand owned by Ascena Retail Group. Prior to that, he was chief merchandising officer at Justice, also owned by Ascena. Clarke previously held various merchandising leader roles at Kmart, France-based Pimkie and Europe-based New Look Retailers. On HoustonChronicle.com: Francescas to close at least 30 stores in 2019 As consumer shopping behavior shifts towards enjoyable treasure hunt shopping experiences, I see tremendous opportunity to build on Francescas strong DNA to capitalize on its competitive positioning and create a truly exciting and unique customer experience across both our retail stores and e-commerce platforms, he said in a statement. Clarke joins Francescas as it undertakes a turnaround plan to improve its foot traffic and sales at its 714 stores nationwide. The retailer, which has struggled in recent years to draw consumers increasingly shopping online, has switched from a traditional season-based business model to a fast-fashion focus and has been closing stores and cutting costs to shore up its balance sheet. Francescas reported a loss of $5.1 million on revenue of $95.5 million during its most recent quarter ended Nov. 2. The company was able to cut its losses by $11 million year-over-year while keeping sales flat. The retailer reported $21.2 million in cash on hand, up from $10.7 million a year ago. As of Nov. 2, the company had outstanding debt of $20 million and $24 million of credit under its revolving credit facility. It ended the quarter with $48 million worth of inventory. paul.takahashi@chron.com twitter.com/paultakahashi Almost all the studies have concluded that the source of the deadly Coronavirus outbreak that is wreaking havoc in China and around the world was the illegal wildlife market in Wuhan. It is believed that the virus was transferred from bats to humans via pangolin, a critically endangered animal that is a much sought after commodity in the Chinese illegal wildlife trade markets. Wuhan has a huge market that sells all kinds of animals or animal-based products including live foxes, crocodiles, wolf puppies, giant salamanders, snakes, rats, peacocks, porcupines, camel meat, etc. including many those are banned. Now even after the deadly virus outbreak, illegal wildlife traders are trying to cash in. According to the UK-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), wildlife traders are now offering a so-called cure for Coronavirus, including rhino horns and other endangered species parts. AFP Wildlife traffickers and merchants in Laos and China have been using social media platforms to hawk products like Angong Niuhuang Wan, a classic prescription believed to treat the effects of strokes and reduce fever. It is sold on social media in the form of pellets and balls made up of minerals, herbs and animal parts. Now, this ancient medicine is being touted by several sellers as an effective cure for the new coronavirus. The irony of traders marketing an illegal wildlife product to treat a virus believed to have originated in the wildlife meat trade again highlights the need for governments, particularly China, to tackle demand for threatened wildlife used in traditional medicine, the EIA said. AFP The country has long been accused by conservationists of tolerating a shadowy trade in endangered animals for food or as ingredients in traditional medicines. China remains a primary consumer of parts and products of rhinos, big cats, pangolins and several other species, including for their use in traditional medicines. To tackle this demand, policy changes needed include a comprehensive, permanent ban on the use of parts and products of wildlife threatened by trade, including those from captive sources. AFP Rhino, one of the most critically endangered animals in the world is a much sought-after commodity in the underground markets of China. Though traditional Chinese medicine claims that the rhino horn has several medicinal properties modern science has rejected it. Rhino horns are made of keratin, the same type of protein that makes up hair and fingernails. This has however not stopped Rhinos from being killed for their horns, both in Africa and Asian countries including India. (Newser) Michael Avenatti, the combative lawyer who gained fame by representing a porn star in lawsuits involving President Trump, was convicted Friday of trying to extort Nike, per the AP. The verdict was returned Friday by a federal jury in Manhattan following a three-week trial in which prosecutors said Avenatti threatened to use his media access to hurt Nike's reputation and stock price unless the company paid him up to $25 million. The convictions for attempted extortion and honest services fraud carry a combined potential penalty of 42 years in prison. Avenatti glared at the jurors as the verdict was being read but said nothing. Afterward, he shook hands with his lawyers and told them great job," before he was led back to the cell where he has been held since a judge found he had violated his bail conditions. story continues below His lawyer, Scott Srebnick, declined to comment but said he would appeal the conviction. The judge set sentencing for June. Avenatti, 48, became a cable news fixture in 2018 and 2019 as journalists courted him for information about porn star Stormy Daniels and her claims of a Trump tryst before he became president, and a payoff to remain silent about it. At his peak of notoriety, Avenatti used Twitter and TV appearances to relentlessly criticize Trump and even considered running for president himself. But Avenatti's fall was swift. He was arrested as he was about to meet Nike lawyers last March to press his demands for millions of dollars to conduct an internal probe of the apparel maker. Avenatti also faces an April trial in New York on charges that he defrauded Daniels of book proceeds and a May trial in Los Angeles on charges that he defrauded other clients. (Read more Michael Avenatti stories.) Finance Officer, Santiago, Chile Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Country: Chile City: Santiago, Chile Office: FAO Chile Closing date: Thursday, 5 March 2020 2000450 Finance Officer Job Posting: 13/Feb/2020 Closure Date: 05/Mar/2020, 10:59:00 PM Organizational Unit : CSF Job Type: Staff position Type of Requisition : Professional Grade Level : P-3 Primary Location: Chile-Santiago Duration : Fixed term: 2 years with possibility of extension Post Number : 2005044 CCOG Code : 1A01 IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments. FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and nationality People with disabilities are protected from any type of discrimination during any stage of employment, including the recruitment phase All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization. Organizational Setting The Finance Division recommends and administers financial policies and procedures that meet the highest professional standards; keeps accounts that accurately record financial activities and meet the requirements of internal and external audits; prepares reports to accurately portray the financial status of the Organization and its activities; ensures that the Organizations financial resources are securely kept and productively employed while in FAOs custody; oversees financial operations wherever performed in the Organization; and ensures that all disbursements are timely and made in accordance with established policies and procedures. This post, while part of the headquarters-based Finance Division (CSF) will be based in the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Santiago, Chile. The function contributes to capacity building and provides operational and financial risk mitigation support to Decentralized Offices. Reporting Lines The Finance Officer reports to the Senior Finance Officer, leading the Global Financial Management Group. Technical Focus Collection and analysis of financial information to support the delivery of various financial services/activities. Key Results Financial services and related assistance in accordance with internal policies, UN financial guidelines and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Key Functions Provides financial reporting, general accounting, project accounting, and/or investment related services in accordance with FAO policies and regulatory framework. Collects and analyses financial information for inclusion in statutory and/or management reports, financial statements, and/or reports to donors as well as specific reports for Governing Bodies, donors and other partners. Contributes to updating financial policies and related tools, systems, technologies and related procedures. Responds to requests for assistance from managers and staff at headquarters and the Decentralized Offices. Exchanges and/or provides information to banks, other financial institutions, donors and partners and provides information/clarification to auditors. Participates in the development of training and related training materials and promotes best practices and capacity development at headquarters and the Decentralized Offices. Participates in Finance Division teams, leads working groups, and/or collaborates with other departments on short-term assignments. Specific Functions Monitors adherence to financial policies in Decentralized Offices, highlighting any risks and suggesting mitigating factors to local teams as well as senior management; Provides functional support and training to Decentralized Offices in the region on best financial practices and usage of ERP system, Oracle; Prepares analysis of financial practices in Decentralized Offices for senior management; Recommends improvements to ERP systems to better support operational requirements in Decentralized Offices; Provides support to upgrades of financial modules of ERP systems; Supports daily financial operations of Regional Offices as required. CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements Advanced university degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field. Five years relevant experience in finance and/or accounting. Working knowledge of Spanish and limited knowledge of English. Competencies Results Focus Teamwork Communication Building Effective Relationship Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement Technical/Functional Skills Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable; Knowledge of Oracle Financials is considered a strong asset; Extent and relevance of experience in accounting and in managing financial functions; Demonstrated knowledge of IPSAS or equivalent internationally accepted accounting standards; Working knowledge of English is highly desirable FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency. GENERAL INFORMATION FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries allowances/salary.htm Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include: Dependency allowances Rental subsidy Education grant for children Home leave travel 30 working days of annual leave per year Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund International health insurance; optional life insurance Disability protection FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes: elements of family-friendly policies flexible working arrangements standards of conduct. HOW TO APPLY To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills. Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile; Once your profile is completed, please apply and submit your application; Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile; Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list; Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications; Incomplete applications will not be considered; Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered; We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date. If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT So here we are: Valentines Day has come around again, like a bad penny. This holiday never fails to plunge us into a reverie of romance and hope, or a pit of despair. But dont worry, wherever you fall on the spectrum of sentiment, this article has you covered. Well show how the watch industry could reimagine Valentines Day, by associating different watches with various iconic couples who are known for their passion, their friendship or, in some cases, their somewhat complicated relationships. Jack and Rose wearing Jaquet Droz Some watches tell time. Others tell a story. Jaquet Drozs famous slogan is a perfect fit for Jack and Rose (their names even sound similar...). For Jack, we have the Grande Seconde Skelet-One in ceramic, whose transparent dial provides an unimpeded view of the technical workings of the skeleton movement inside. Indeed, its Jacks complete lack of filters and disregard for convention that captures the heart of the charming and intelligent Rose, represented by the Lady 8 Flower in pink gold, set with 249 diamonds. This watch, as charming as a piece of jewellery in its own right, features on the top dial a lotus flower an apt symbol for Rose herself, with her desperate need for freedom which opens at the press of a pusher, revealing gold petals with a rotating diamond in their centre. On the lower dial, further aesthetic complexity is provided by two gold hands set against a mother-of-pearl dial with engraved floral motifs. Put these two watches together, and you see the contrast between Jacks strength and directness, and Roses delicacy and refinement. Grande Skelet-ONE Ceramic & Lady 8 Flower Rose Gold Jaquet Droz Cleopatra and Caesar: Ti amo, Ti amo, Ti But this fervent and pure love is not quite what we find in the Cleopatra Caesar duo, made universally famous by the torrid love scene set to the voice of Umberto Tozzi. When we think about Cleopatra and Caesar, one brand tends to spring to mind. Yes, its.... (drum roll please)... Bulgari, of course. For Cleo, what could be more fitting than a hand-wound Serpenti Seddutori Tourbillon Rose Gold 103257, with an oval dial in the shape of a snakes head, symbolising the goddess and protectress reigning over Egypt. Its rose gold case paved with snow-set brilliant-cut diamonds mirrors her sensuality and represents her absolute power. The tourbillon, which makes this the most prestigious model in the Serpenti collection, further accentuates the complexity of the Egyptian queen. For her lover, the Emperor Julius Caesar, the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater Rose Gold 103279 will do the trick. Powerful, strong and charismatic this model, with its hand-wound mechanical calibre BVL362, is the very image of the Roman general, politician and writer. Shhhh... Just listen to the minute repeater, which marks out the rhythm of the eloquent speeches given by this great orator. With this model on his wrist, you wonder whether his rapt audience would be more impressed by the magnificence of the timepiece on his wrist, or by the distinguished Emperor himself. Serpenti Seduttori Tourbillon Rose Gold 103257 & Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater in Sandblasted Rose Gold 103279 Bulgari Leon and Matilda: Love across the generations In addition to these inspiring tales of passionate romance, watches can also throw the spotlight on a different kind of relationship, such as this one taken from Luc Bessons masterpiece, Leon. On the wrist of Leon, the fearless hitman, we should really put a Richard Mille RM 016 Extra Flat, the flattest model in this exceptional collection, which is guaranteed to supply the discretion required in his dealings with the criminal underworld. With its distinctive identity and impressive presence, this model driven by the RMAS7 automatic skeletonised movement features a variable geometry system, which means that the inertia of the rotor can adapt itself effortlessly to the violent, frenetic and unpredictable activities that make up Leons day to day. Matilda, on the other hand, needs a RM 71-01 Tourbillon Automatic Talisman, which weighs just 8 grams. Sweet and innocent, just like the delicately diamond-set and sand-brushed two-part dial, this watch is the ideal talisman for the defenceless 12-year-old, who finds herself orphaned overnight. Richard Mille also has the benefit of a partnership with the actress Natalie Portman, who made her film debut in the role of Matilda. RM 016 Automatic Winding Extra Flat & RM 71-01 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman Richard Mille Asterix and Obelix: The dynamic duo Asterix: Well, we need to make a start, but how? Obelix: We could tell people about our adventures? They might pay us to listen to them? (Asterix and the Cauldron). In addition to the passionate love between two people, love is also about our feelings for friends and family. Asterix and Obelix are a good example. To equip Asterix, the diminutive hero of the ready wit and keen intelligence, we need look no further than the hand-wound Urwerk AMC in steel. In keeping with his undying devotion to faithful companion Obelix the bon viveur with a bottomless appetite for wild boar and picking fights this watch has the unusual attribute of being adjusted via sympathy with its... generously proportioned 35kg base unit. I trust the analogy is clear. The AMC project, well known in the watchmaking world as the latest, greatest hybrid timekeeping system, pairs up the AMC with its own clock, the Atomolith, via a self-correcting mechanical oscillator. This mobile mechanical component adapts to and cooperates with the base. Synchronisation with the atomic clock, when connected, occurs via a system that regulates the mechanical oscillator chronometrically, thus cancelling out any time gap between the two devices. The AMC Project - AMC Watch & Atomic Master Clock Urwerk Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker: Dark against Light And finally, why not look at one of the many possible combinations of love and hate the two polar opposite emotions that sometimes attract. I suggest you observe the very essence of this ambiguous relationship through Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, the one a Jedi knight and the other a dark Sith Lord. The automatic Zenith El Primero Revival A384, based on a 1969 model from the company archives, reflects the vintage/retro ambiance of the Star Wars saga. With an original 37 mm case diameter, like its predecessor, the model we have chosen for Luke is El Primero, the first, just like the boy singled out by a Jedi prophecy to bring peace to the galactic empire. Darth Vader, who defies his son in a duel, naturally deserves a Defy El Primero 21 Carbon with an imposing 44 mm diameter. On his death, the watchs deep black band, held in place by a solid double folding buckle made of black carbon and titanium, can easily be removed, taking Anakin Skywalker back to the forces of Light. Defy El Primero 21 Carbon & El Primero A384 Revival Zenith In conclusion whether you identify with any of these couples, or youre all alone this Friday the 14th, youd do well to banish all negativity from your vocabulary, sit up straight in your chair and celebrate love in all its forms. And, rather than embarking upon a fruitless quest for that perfect Tinder date, or resigning yourself to an evening watching Bridget Jones in the company of a family-sized tub of caramel ice-cream, why not join me in raising a glass of champagne to... love. Oh, I almost forgot. Cheers! 2020 Mazda CX-9 Signature Windy City Review By Larry Nutson 2020 Mazda CX-9 Elevate your game By Larry Nutson Executive Editor and Bureau Chief Chicago Bureau The Auto Channel Many automaker of today got their start making something other than autos. Mazda is one. Mazda Motor Corporation recently celebrated its 100th anniversary at its headquarters in Hiroshima, Japan. Mazda originated as a company producing cork and then took the path to manufacturing automobiles. Now, their cars are found in over 130 countries and regions. And now 100 years later Mazda has been upping its game. The introduction of a top-line Signature trim first on the CX-9 three-row midsize SUV and then on the Mazda6 sedan set the stage. The 2020 Mazda CX-9 went on sale in the Fall of 2019. New are optional second-row captains chairs the provide individual space for either the young or the even younger. The two individual seats are great for children to each have their own space. And for the grown ups, not being squeezed by someone in the middle-seat is indeed a pleasure. My wife and I recently road-tripped a new 2020 CX-9 Signature AWD trim from our Chicago home to visit our daughter and her family in Southeast Michigan. It was just the two of us, so we didnt put this two middle row captains chairs to their intended use. We were transporting some household items that we had been storing and could now be put to good use by my daughters family in their new home. The new hands-free power rear liftgate made for easier loading and unloading the 71 cu.ft. cargo area. For 2020 the CX-9 has a new off-road traction assist and increased maximum torque from the turbocharged engine. The Skyactiv-G 2.5T engine now delivers 320 lb-ft of torque on 93 octane gasoline (310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane gasoline); an increase of 10 lb-ft of torque over last year. The 2.5-L engine is rated to deliver up to 250 horsepower on 93 octane gasoline (227 horsepower on 87 octane gasoline) and is paired with a six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission. Fuel consumption is not affected by the different octane grades. EPA test cycle ratings are 23 combined mpg, with 20 city mpg and 26 highway mpg for AWD models. FWD models have the same city rating and a 2 mpg increase at 28 highway mpg. On our highway trip east traveling the interstate along southern Michigan the CX-9 got 23 mpg. The interstate traffic was light and the roads dry, so my speed was consistently in the upper end of the tolerance band. Heading westbound back home, which is into the prevailing wind, the CX-9 got 21 mpg in spite of us having a lighter load. Mazdas i-Activ all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard on CX-9 Signature and available on all other trim levels. Paired with AWD, the 2020 CX-9 is the first Mazda vehicle with the all-new off-road traction assist feature. Replacing the traction control button, this feature can potentially help the driver when adventuring on uneven terrain. When the diagonal wheels lose traction, off-road traction assist will stop reducing the engine torque and increases the brake force on the wheels without traction. This transfers power to the wheels still on the ground to help allow the vehicle to regain traction and continue the drive. G-Vectoring Control Plus is also standard for 2020 and further improves the steering response to help provide smooth and confident handling. The Signature trim is the flagship of the CX-9 model range and is loaded with premium features. The new heated second-row captains chairs are standard. A center console similar to the front row has extra storage and convenient access to two USB charging ports and cupholders. Deep Chestnut or Parchment Nappa leather seating surfaces match the Santos Rosewood interior trim. A new, darker silver wheel finish is unique to the CX-9 Signature and went well with the Soul Red Crystal premium exterior paint of my loaner test car. Other premium features include a hand-stitched, leather-wrapped chidori steering wheel, rear exterior badging, LED grille accent lighting and supplemental interior lighting around the transmission shifter. The CX-9 is also available in Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trims, each either in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. A Premium Package ($2,100) is optional on the Touring trim. New for 2020 is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a nine-inch, full-color touchscreen display are equipped on all trims except the Sport. A new 360 View Monitor is standard on Grand Touring and Signature trims. Pricing for the 2020 CX-9 starts at $33,890 for the Sport FWD. The Signature AWD tops things out at $46,215. Destination charge is an additional $1,100. Visit www.mazdausa.com for more facts and information on the 2020 CX-9 and the entire Mazda model lineup. Mazdas full suite of i-Activ sense safety features are now standard which include Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Advanced Smart City Brake Support with pedestrian detection, Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keep Assist to Blind Spot Monitoring System with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and automatic power-folding outside mirrors are three of my favorite features, and the CX-9 has them. The midsize crossover SUV segment offers lots of choices for buyers today. The 2020 Mazda CX-9 stands out from the crowd with its refined looks and premium interior. The turbo engine delivers plenty of performance especially for those who want a more dynamic driving experience or need the power in hilly country or when more fully loaded. Front-Wheel Drive i-Activ All-Wheel Drive CX-9 Sport $33,790 $35,690 CX-9 Touring $35,610 $37,510 Touring Premium Package $2,100 $2,100 CX-9 Grand Touring $41,450 $43,350 CX-9 Signature $46,115 PREMIUM PAINT COLORS: Soul Red Crystal $595 Machine Gray Metallic $300 Snowflake White Pearl Mica $200 MSRP [2] FOR THE 2020 MAZDA CX-9 IS AS FOLLOWS: 2020 Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy CNBC's Jim Cramer said Friday business leaders he has spoken to are deeply worried about the coronavirus outbreak, citing as evidence the cancellation of the Mobile World Congress. "The people I know who were supposed to go there, it was kind of like a cruise I'm not going there. I'm not going to risk going to Barcelona," Cramer said on "Squawk on the Street." "You're not used to hearing these hard-bitten executives say, 'I'm personally, personally worried,'" he added. The world's largest trade show for the mobile phone industry had been scheduled for later this month in Barcelona, Spain. About 100,000 people attended in 2019. But organizers this year canceled the event on Wednesday, saying "global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances" made it "impossible" to hold it. LG, Sony, Ericsson, Nokia, Nvidia, Intel and Amazon decided not to attend before the official cancellation, putting pressure on organizers. More than 64,000 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus, and at least 1,380 people have died. The vast majority of cases are in China. As of earlier this week, Spain only had two confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The decision to cancel MWC speaks to the wide-ranging effects of the outbreak, the "Mad Money" host said. It was clear the coronavirus was impacting the business community, with factories shutting down as workers stayed at home and airlines canceling thousands of flights to China, for example. Cruise operators also have canceled trips, and some ships that had already set sail are under quarantine. But Cramer said the MWC cancellation sheds light on how executives are viewing the situation with regards to their own health, not just the welfare of their employees. "That has not been the story. Now we're at the, 'I don't want to get hurt [phase],'" he said. CNBC's Ryan Browne contributed to this report. Japanese consumer electronics major Panasonic 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. Panasonic 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. "Panasonic 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 here 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. Nigerian national Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon has held the post of assistant director-general and regional director for Africa at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) since November 2017. Based in Abidjan in Cote dIvoire, she has been a member of the senior management team at the ILO Regional Office for Africa for more than nine years, during which she has played an important role in the development and implementation of regional strategies to deliver quality programmes and fostering opportunities for cooperation and alliance building throughout the region. On her first official visit to Egypt for the annual meeting of the managers of ILO offices in the African countries Samuel-Olonjuwon talked about the mandate of the oldest UN agency and the future of work on the African continent. We often hear that youth hold the key to future progress, so how can Africa best capitalise on its youth? An educated and skilled youth labour force is key to ensuring effective youth participation in the world of work. Consequently, Africa must work to offer solutions to the daunting labour-market challenges facing the youth. Youth are the future of the continent, and yet approximately 54.5 million young people are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Furthermore, unemployment in Africa is high. For instance, in North Africa, the youth unemployment rate is more than 30 per cent and even higher at over 40 per cent for young women. In addition, informality involves 95 per cent of young workers on the continent, and a staggering 72 million African children are working, accounting for almost half of child labour globally. Thus, for the continent to encourage and benefit from its youth, important strides should be made to reduce the burdens of informality, unemployment, and their NEET status. In 2019, the ILO celebrated its centenary and the 60th anniversary of its presence in Africa. Last August, the ILO Global Youth Employment Forum took place in Abuja, Nigeria, resulting in an action plan for youth employment over the next decade. The ILO also leads the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth, a UN platform to promote youth employment. How can African economies create more jobs? The realities we see in most African economies unemployment, informality, working poverty, especially for youth and women to a large extent stem from one major challenge: labour demand is insufficient to absorb the large and growing labour force. Put simply: there are not enough jobs for the people looking for work. Poverty, low wages, and poor working conditions are the outcome of this basic problem. This means that we must find ways to stimulate labour demand in other words, the number and quality of jobs on offer. Because of the dependence on low-value-added commodity production in most African countries, the only way to achieve this is through a process of industrialisation and structural adjustment. The Abidjan Declaration, which was adopted by the ILOs African constituents governments, workers and employers at the conclusion of the 14th African Regional Meeting in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire, in December, recognises this and clearly states that we must come up with pro-employment policies that can stimulate demand and transformation. This means, in particular, a new approach to macroeconomic and sectoral policies that target those industries and value chains that can create as many jobs as possible. Focusing on and promoting employment-intensive investment is also very important. This has been very successful in Asia, but now we are seeing a few African countries like Rwanda and Ethiopia trying to embark on a similar path. However, more work is still needed, and many countries still have a long way to go with regard to implementing sound pro-employment economic policies. Having a skilled labour force is vital, but this can only be a successful strategy for employment if at the same time jobs are created that can absorb people coming out of training. Therefore, the starting point must be on the demand side, and that is why the ILO is advocating for so-called demand-led growth strategies for the majority of African countries. You once said that informal youth employment stood at 95 per cent of the youth labour force in Africa. To what extent is this a problem? It is a real problem to have 95 per cent of African youth in informal employment. This is mainly because decent work deficits are more pervasive in informal employment as opposed to formal employment. Informal employment exhibits the major tenets of decent work deficits, including poor security in the workplace, poor or absent social protection, poor prospects for personal development, a lack of freedom of expression, and the poor exercise of fundamental rights at work. These jobs are therefore precarious in nature and work to disadvantage the youth. This leads to a lack of stability in their personal and professional lives. If overlooked, informal employment among youth has the potential to have significant and serious social repercussions. Youth unemployment can lead to social exclusion and unrest. How can this informality be contained? Resolving this issue is particularly important considering that almost one fifth of the global labour force and nearly one third of the global youth labour force will be from Africa in 2030. We must continue to strategically promote the transition from informality to formality embodied in ILO Recommendation 204. This includes reducing informal employment by lowering the cost of transitions to formality and increasing the benefits of being formal by promoting a greater awareness of the advantages and protection that come with formalisation, such as business-development services for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), access to the market, productive resources, credit programmes, and training and promotional programmes to upgrade informal economy units. This will ensure that enterprises are transitioning to formality and that the jobs available for the youth are decent ones. Noting the existing deficits in the informal economy, we must also recognise the innovations that young people have come up with. A comprehensive diagnostic of the informal economy is a good starting point to get a better understanding of on what and how young people are engaged and the support that they need to facilitate the effective transition to formality. In addition, the negative perception of the informal economy must be changed to a positive one since this is a sector that sustains households and the potential exists to make it more productive. In 2019, 60 per cent of all workers in Africa were classified as moderately or extremely poor. In 2020, extreme working poverty and moderate poverty are projected to reach 30.2 per cent and 23 per cent in Africa, respectively. The implications of these high figures are that workers are faced with poor incomes, thereby deepening poverty and increasing inequality. Additionally, high work poverty also induces low productivity growth, which in the case of Africa is already one of the lowest in the world. Research has shown that factors such as education and skills, including disentangling the skills mismatch, are key to increasing productivity. We must ensure that educational curricula support the demand for skills. This must be at all levels, including an emphasis on vocational training. Furthermore, technology adoption in order to improve efficiency should be core. This is why the ILO is undertaking specific programmes such as Boosting Decent Jobs and Enhancing Skills for Youth in Africas Digital Economy in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union. How does the ILO encourage womens work? Tackling gender inequality in the world of work is a priority of the Abidjan Declaration. This requires removing obstacles for women to enter the labour market and creating equal opportunities for women and men to participate. It also requires measures to address the significant gender gap in the quality of jobs. This includes measures to reduce the unequal burden on women for care and household responsibilities, as well as to address occupational segregation and other forms of gender discrimination such as the gender pay gap. Last year, the ILO adopted a ground-breaking Convention, C190, which recognises the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence. The ILOs Decent Work Agenda promotes equality and equity to encourage both men and women to contribute to the world of work. The ILO has a gender policy that explicitly supports the participation of women. Furthermore, a number of programmes exist that promote youth employment and focus on young women to take into account the challenges that they encounter. The ILO is also making deliberate efforts to increase women managers in its management structures and continues to advocate for inclusive processes in the world of work more broadly. It provides support to its tripartite constituents to promote gender equality. Achieving gender equality and womens empowerment is critical to the ILOs aim of decent work for all women and men and is at the heart of the ILOs mandate, beginning with its Constitution adopted some 100 years ago. Over the years this vision of womens equality and empowerment in the world of work has been reinforced by the ILO tripartite constituents through international labour standards, declarations, and resolutions. The ILOs work on gender equality and womens empowerment is also integral to the Leave No One Behind vision of the 2030 Agenda and will be key to achieving all the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including number eight on decent work. The ILO Action Plan for Gender Equality 2018-21 is the organisations main tool for womens economic empowerment. This results-based Action Plan is fully aligned with the SDGs and the UN System-Wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-SWAP) and reflects the ILOs commitment to joining our efforts with those of the UN family and others to support the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The plan sets out five building blocks to encourage more women to enjoy more decent work conditions. These include extensive research, data and consultations on womens labour; a high road to a new care economy and strengthening womens control over their time; valuing womens work fairly; raising the voices and representation of women, especially in higher managerial positions; and ending violence and harassment in the world of work. Our tripartite constituents acknowledge that business as usual will not be enough to achieve gender equality, support the five building blocks proposed, and have called for commitments and concrete actions. All ILO interventions are country and context specific and take into consideration the fact that the needs of one country might be different from those of another while putting these blocks into action. How is climate change affecting jobs in Africa? The effects of climate change will alter the structure of employment in Africa. New jobs and new job families will emerge, and others will disappear or become unsustainable, and enterprises must find ways to organise work and production differently. The ILOs Green Initiative aims to scale up the ILOs office-wide knowledge, policy advice and tools for managing a just transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future. There is an increased focus on enabling youth to take better advantage of the growing employment potential of environmentally sustainable sectors. This includes strengthening youth-centred interventions that cater to their inherent strengths and comparative advantages, among them the development of markets and value chains for green products and services, support for young green entrepreneurs and the greening of existing youth-owned enterprises, as well as support for developing skills systems that better prepare youth for the use of new technologies. *A version of this article appears in print in the 13 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: The dabbawalas of Mumbai have made a name for themselves not just in the city, but around the world for their efficiency at work. They have been part of the city's life for more than a century and continues to deliver hot home cooked meals to millions in the city every day. BCCL Their tiffin delivery system is so efficient that in 2010 the Harvard Business School graded their system as "Six Sigma", which means the dabbawalas make less than 3.4 mistakes per million transactions. While they deliver happiness in the lives of millions, for most of the dabbawalas, life has been a struggle. For the majority of them owning a house is still a distant dream, thanks to the sky-high property rates and space crunch in the city of dreams. Now, that is all set to change as the Maharashtra government has decided to build houses for them. The houses will be built under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). BCCL The decision was taken during a meeting that was chaired by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. He also ordered to build Mumbai Dabbawala Bhavan in the city. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or PMAY scheme under which the houses are being planned to be given to the dabbawalas was launched in 2015 with the aim of providing housing for all in urban areas by the year 2022. Labour Minister Dilip Walse-Patil and other departments secretaries including MHADA (Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority) Vice President Milind Mhaiskar were also present in the meeting, which was also attended by a delegation of Mumbai's dabbawalas. BCCL To get their own low-cost houses has been a long-standing demand of the dabbawalas "It is good news. We thank Ajit Dada for taking such a decision. It will be really good for the dabbawalas. We welcome this decision," Subhash Talekar, operation head of Mumbai Dabbawala Association, said. There are around 5,000 lunchbox carriers in the city who charges around Rs 1000 a month from a customer to pick up and deliver home-cooked meals at their offices. The service which began in the 1890s is still thriving, despite an ever-increasing competition from food delivery apps. BCCL A large number of dabbawalas come from the Varkari community of Maharashtra. The dabbawalas work on a system of colour code which determines where the box is picked up, sorted and delivered. Once picked up from a home the dabba goes through six dabbawalas before it reaches the consumer. The same rule applies for its return trip. Southbury Police are helping to spread the word about a scam targeting elderly residents in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and could be making its way to Connecticut. Numerous law enforcement agencies in the area have reported grandparent scams over the past few weeks, scamming older residents out of thousands of dollars, police said. Scammers are calling, saying a family member was arrested and needs bail money, usually out of state. In some instances, suspects have identified themselves with true names of local police officers to gain credibility. Although this is a common scam, the suspects in the recent cases tell victims that they will send a courier to pick up the money at the victims residence or at a location nearby, police said. Some victims gave several incremental drops to the suspects, who have gotten more than $100,000 so far from the victims. Phone numbers provided by suspects have not returned any credible information, police said. Southbury Police Department has investigated similar scams in the past and is reminding residents of ways to protect themselves and spot the scam. The department said no law enforcement agency will send a courier to a residence for bond money, nor ask people to purchase gift cards that they can redeem over the phone to bond someone out. The only way to bond a person who has been arrested out is to do so in person at the police department. Anyone who receives a similar request to this scam is asked to call the police. CLEVELAND, Ohio A Cuyahoga Falls man who faces federal charges after authorities accused him of planning an attack on the citys high school was obsessed with mass shootings and wrote in his diary of killing President Donald Trump and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, according to court documents unsealed Friday. A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted Allen Kenna, 18, on charges of attempted use of an explosive device and interstate communication of threats. The U.S. Attorneys Office says he researched and had materials to make explosives for a mass shooting at Cuyahoga Falls High School. Prosecutors also believe Kenna was the one who made phone calls to a police department in Manhattan, Kansas, where someone claimed he had a hostage at an elementary school. SWAT officers spoke with who they thought was the gunman for several hours before they entered the school and discovered it was a hoax, according to the FBI. Cuyahoga Falls arrested Kenna Jan. 8 on local charges of making terroristic threats and criminal trespassing. He remains in the Summit County Jail. An investigation started two days prior when high school maintenance staff saw Kenna who was wearing black sunglasses, a black coat, black pants and a white camouflage shirt walking around the school after hours and filming the hallways, according to an affidavit written by FBI agent Tyler Rempel. Kenna fled when staff approached him. Rempels affidavit lays out details of a man obsessed with mass shootings who drew swastikas on knives and wrote about his own urges to kill. I want to take real action, I want to take violent action, and I don't care what it accomplishes, Kenna wrote in a diary entry in November, according to the FBI. Mowing down a crowd of 30 or so people wouldn't cause some race war or anything, but it would sure feel good. Cuyahoga Falls police searched Kennas house the day he was arrested and seized electronic devices, a box of Christmas lights, 9-volt batteries, electrical tape, matches, road flares, firearm magazines, ammunition and knives. The FBI says many of those items are used to make improvised explosive devices. Searches of his devices yielded videos showed Kenna planning the attack, according to the FBI. Kenna was homeschooled since 2014 and did not attend the high school, City School District Todd Nichols said in an email. His attorney did not immediately return a phone call. The case is one of several the U.S. Attorneys Office and the FBI in northern Ohio undertook in recent years that involve either ideologically-driven online threats or domestic terrorism that is not explicitly tied to overseas groups such as al-Qaida or the Islamic State. The FBI arrested two people in Toledo in December 2018 in a plot to attack downtown bar. Elizabeth Lecron, who also wanted to blow up a pipeline, was sentenced in November to 15 years. Her boyfriend Vincent Armstrong was sentenced to six years. Federal prosecutors last year in the Youngstown area charged James Reardon, a man with white nationalist leanings, with making a threat against a Jewish community center on Instagram. They also charged Boardman resident Justin Olsen with threatening law enforcement online. Olsen, who later pleaded guilty, admitted to posting provocative and offensive comments on the iFunny social media website, including ones that showed support for mass shootings, attacks on Planned Parenthood and a proclivity for white supremacy, court filings said. The FBI says an associate of McKennas helped identify him as the man walking around the school, which subsequently broke the case wide open. The associate told a school resource officer on Jan. 7 that Kenna made several statements about shooting up the high school in the previous six months and specifically stated that he would shoot up the school that week during lunches, Rempel wrote. Kenna made racist statements against black people and centered his life around researching and talking about terrorism, white supremacy and his knife collection, the associate told authorities. Kenna made comments such as I can see why he did it or discussed how someone got away with it when talking about mass shootings, according to the FBI. The associate said Kenna recently asked specific questions about the high school, such as where the school resource officer worked, the location of exits, where the school is monitored and whether the associate would be willing to place a bag next to the school resource officer, Rempel wrote. Kenna also asked about the size of the schools lunch crowd and said a small crowd would be easier to control. The associate provided police photos and excerpts of conversations with Kenna from chat apps. Some pictures showed Kenna posed with guns. Another showed him on a basketball court in front of several knives, as well as a firearm magazine and loose ammunition arranged around a Swastika and the numbers 14/88 painted on the ground, the affidavit says. Both are affiliated with Nazis, according to the FBI. An examination of Kennas cellphone revealed searches for active shooter and threat news stories, schools in and near Cuyahoga Falls, Cuyahoga Falls police personnel, research into firearms and timed explosives. The last topic included searches for the terms isis time bomb, according to the affidavit. Rempel wrote that Kennas diary entries went as far back as August 2018. Some detailed the 18-year-olds plans for carrying out an attack at the high school, while other entries discuss violent acts against family members, schools and society, according to the FBI. An entry from November 2019 said Kenna planned his first attack when he was 14 years old, according to the FBI. I think about the future a lot, about what I sort of have to do, I kinda wish I didnt want to do this stuff, Kenna wrote on Jan. 4, four days before his arrest, according to the FBI. But there is just something inside me, that just keeps pushing and pushing... I really do just hate the way my mind is wired. An entry from Aug. 24, 2018 addressed Kennas father finding a pipe bomb in his room and a knife with a Swastika on it. Kenna wrote that he used a permanent marker to draw a Swastika on a kitchen knife, which he made as a joke to myself by the way, according to the affidavit. He wrote in October 2019 that he knew someone willing to help him get some pistols from a gun store, according to agents. He wrote in December that hed like to kill DeWine probably JFK style but then he said he didnt think he would and Id rather go for the big orange one, Im looking at you D.T. He also wrote that the call to Kansas was "fun. The agent also found on Kennas laptop a U.S. Army manual from 1969 that details how to make improvised explosive devices, and an edition of Inspire magazine, which is published by al-Qaida, the affidavit says. It featured an article called Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your Mom. Kenna will be arraigned on Feb. 21 by Chief U.S. District Judge Patricia Gaughan. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Fridays crime and courts comments section. Read more: Ohio white nationalist indicted in online threat made against Jewish community center Ohio man posted about mass shootings, attacking Planned Parenthood and federal agents, authorities say Ohio man sentenced to prison for mass-murder plot on Toledo bar Ohio woman sentenced to 15 years on terrorism charges for plotting attacks on bar, pipeline Toledo woman who communicated with imprisoned South Carolina church shooter Dylann Roof planned domestic attack, officials say WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump brought two loyalists closer and fiercely lashed out against his perceived enemies on Thursday as he escalated his campaign of threats, attacks and insults in the wake of his House impeachment and Senate acquittal. Trump rehired Hope Hicks, one of his longest-serving aides and closest confidants, and put his former body man John McEntee in charge of presidential personnel, as part of a broader effort to surround himself with people he trusts and punish those deemed insufficiently loyal. "DRAIN THE SWAMP! We want bad people out of our government!" Trump wrote on Twitter on Thursday morning. Trump also denigrated his former chief of staff, called for retribution against federal prosecutors, ridiculed New York's governor and New York City's former mayor and appeared to leverage the power of the federal government to threaten the nation's fourth most populous state not to investigate him. The stream of schoolyard taunts and thinly veiled threats showed how the third impeachment in American history has done little to rein in a president who has spent the week since his Senate acquittal pursuing vendettas against perceived enemies. Attorney General William Barr added to the sense of drama by publicly criticizing the president's attacks on the Justice Department, saying Trump's comments made it hard for him to do his job. Trump began the day with a series of tweets on various topics that were featured on cable news, at one point seizing on critical comments made Wednesday by former White House chief of staff John F. Kelly. "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 wrote in a pair of tweets that also referenced Kelly's wife. "Being Chief of Staff just wasn't for him." Kelly, Trump's longest-serving chief of staff, told an audience at the Drew University Forum lecture series in Morristown, New Jersey, that the president was wrong for intervening in a military justice case and criticized his handling of North Korea, according to accounts in the Atlantic and local news media that were confirmed by a person with knowledge of the event. Kelly also defended Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the former National Security Council aide and impeachment witness who Trump pushed out of the White House last week, saying the Ukraine expert had acted properly by reporting his concerns about an "illegal order" by the president. Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general who Trump falsely claimed had a "military and legal obligation" to stay quiet, declined to comment Thursday on the tweets. Trump's decision to welcome back Hicks and McEntee, who both worked on the 2016 campaign and left the White House in 2018, is part of a move to bring in loyalists after the president has become increasingly infuriated over what he believes are so many people around him who are not loyal. McEntee lost his job as Trump's personal assistant in March 2018 because an investigation found he was a frequent gambler whose habit posed a security risk, two people familiar with his departure said at the time. Hicks will work for Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and political adviser, on political affairs and other "strategic" matters, the White House said. Trump did not immediately respond to Barr, who told ABC News in an interview Thursday that Trump's tweets attacking the Justice Department were undercutting his ability to run the department. Barr and Trump have faced growing criticism from Democrats over the Justice Department's handling of the Roger Stone case. Four prosecutors handling the case abruptly withdrew from the proceedings this week amid a dispute over how long Stone should spend in prison. The Justice Department reversed course after the prosecutors initially recommended a prison sentence of seven to nine years. The initial recommendation drew an angry response from Trump, who called the potential sentence "horrible and very unfair." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., took aim at Barr on Thursday before his ABC News interview, accusing him of having "deeply damaged the rule of law" by withdrawing prosecutors' sentencing recommendation for Stone. "What a sad disappointment to our country," Pelosi said of Barr, who Trump nominated to lead the Justice Department in late 2018. "The American people deserve better." Democrats called earlier this week for the inspector general to investigate the dispute surrounding Stone's sentence recommendation. Trump continued to vent about Stone's prosecution Thursday, telling Geraldo Rivera's "Roadkill" podcast that his ally's conviction on charges of obstructing Congress and witness intimidation were "a disgrace" carried out by associates of former special counsel Robert Mueller III. "The Mueller investigation was a shakedown and a disgrace. It probably should be expunged," Trump said. "What am I going to do, sit back and let a man go to jail for nine years?" The president also took to Twitter to raise an unsubstantiated claim of bias in the jury that convicted Stone. "Now it looks like the fore person in the jury, in the Roger Stone case, had significant bias," he tweeted Thursday in a post that tagged the Fox News show "Fox & Friends." "Add that to everything else, and this is not looking good for the 'Justice' Department.' " Trump made an apparent reference to other investigations targeting him and business, ahead of a meeting with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, about national security. "I'm seeing Gov. Cuomo today at The White House. He must understand that National Security far exceeds politics," Trump tweeted. "New York must stop all of its unnecessary lawsuits & harrassment, start cleaning itself up, and lowering taxes." The reference to lawsuits and harassment appeared to be related to some of the investigations that have been pursued by authorities in New York, including probes of Trump's charity, business and taxes. "When you stop violating the rights and liberties of all New Yorkers, we will stand down," New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a tweet responding to the president. "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." Trump's reference to "national security" and "lawsuits" drew condemnation from Democrats and good governance groups, who accused the president of linking state investigations to his administration's move last week to bar New Yorkers from several programs aimed at speeding security checks at airports and the border. "He appears to be engaging in another quid pro quo right before our eyes," tweeted Walter Shaub, a former director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics and a senior adviser to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. The suspension of those programs for New Yorkers was predicated on New York's immigration laws, including a policy in which the state wouldn't allow the Department of Homeland Security to access driver records. Trump also spent part of Thursday attacking some of the Democrats running for president. His sharpest attacks were aimed at former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg, who the president criticized for his physical stature and his political skills. "Mini Mike Bloomberg is a LOSER who has money but can't debate and has zero presence, you will see," Trump tweeted. Bloomberg, a billionaire who is funding his own campaign in an effort to oust Trump, responded by saying their mutual acquaintances mock Trump in private. "Behind your back they laugh at you & call you a carnival barking clown," Bloomberg said on Twitter. "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." - - - The Washington Post's Felicia Sonmez, Josh Dawsey, Devlin Barrett and Matt Zapotosky contributed to this report. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Thursday that if Sen. Bernie Sanders were elected president, he still might not be able to get Medicare for All, his signature health plan, passed in Congress. A president cant wave a magic wand and pass any legislation they want, Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., told HuffPost this week. While Ocasio-Cortez rarely tempers expectations when championing ideas like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal to fight climate change she helped author, she went on to suggest that under a President Sanders, a compromise might emerge on health care, even though she still considers Sanderss bill the gold standard. The worst-case scenario? We compromise deeply and we end up getting a public option. Is that a nightmare? I dont think so, she said. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a campaign stop for Sen. Bernie Sanders on Jan. 26 in Perry, Iowa. (Andrew Harnik/AP) That dose of political realism was notable on an issue that has divided the Democratic primary. When Sen. Elizabeth Warren rose to the top of the Democratic field last fall, her rivals zeroed in on her inability to say whether a government-run health plan estimated to cost $30 trillion would result in higher taxes for the middle class. After Warren laid out a modified proposal for her health care plan that she said would cost $20 trillion, former Vice President Joe Biden accused her of making it up. Look, nobody thinks its $20 trillion, Biden told PBS last year, adding, I think it is going to be very difficult to even get a Democratic Congress to vote for that. Warrens revised plan is similar to what Ocasio-Cortez proposed as a fallback goal of enacting a public option as a first step to full Medicare for All. After Warren offered that concession, and as her standing in the race fell, she was supplanted by Sanders as the face of Medicare for All, and the target of critics who see it as unrealistic. Sen. Bernie Sanders at a campaign event in Durham, N.C., on Friday. (Gerald Herbert/AP) During Januarys Democratic presidential debate in Iowa, Sen. Amy Klobuchar also threw cold water on the likelihood of Sanderss plan becoming law. Over two-thirds of the Democrats in the U.S. Senate are not on the bill that [Sanders] and Sen. Warren are on, Klobuchar said. You have numerous governors that are Democratic that dont support this. Story continues Citing data showing that many Americans like their private health care plans, Pete Buttigieg has also offered an alternative to Medicare for All. I think the best approach is to make this Medicare option available to everybody, but not command everybody to adopt it, especially Im thinking of folks like the culinary workers here in Nevada, Buttigieg said in an interview with the Nevada Independent. There are a lot of labor union members who have negotiated very good health plans that are part of their compensation, and I dont think they want to be forced into a plan they dont know. Buttigiegs plan, which he calls Medicare for All Who Want It, foresees a future in which a government-run health system outcompetes private insurance. In the meantime, however, it backs away from forcing Americans and Congress to choose between a new way of delivering care and the current model. Ocasio-Cortezs comments this week were not lost on some of the Democrats who fought to get Obamacare passed into law. The people who attacked Warren for her not taking the maximalist position on M4A owe her an apology. Because apparently intermediary steps are now ok. https://t.co/EL0V5SdQTV Neera Tanden (@neeratanden) February 13, 2020 That left Sanderss most high-profile surrogate to try to clarify her views on how much moderation was too much on the subject of health care. FYI, I speak for myself as a member of Congress- if I were speaking on behalf of a campaign, Id say so! Ocasio-Cortez tweeted in response to Tanden. 2nd I think theres a legitimate convo btwn starting with what you want & starting w/ compromise. I believe a public option is worse than M4A, so we should fight for M4A 1st. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: The coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, has infected more than 60,000, killed over 1,300 and terrified millions. In the United States, residents wait with bated breath as new cases of infected Americans arise. Also worth noting is that more than 7,000 patients diagnosed with the virus have recovered, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. On Thursday, the 15th U.S. case of coronavirus was confirmed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) after a patient returned from China to Texas earlier this week. "The patient is among a group of people under a federal quarantine order at JBSA-Lackland in Texas because of their recent return to the U.S. on a State Department-chartered flight that arrived on February 7, 2020," the CDC wrote in a press release. Flower shop owner Iris Leung wears her protective face mask as she delivers flowers with masks to customers on Valentine's Day in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. COVID-19 viral illness has sickened tens of thousands of people in China since December. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) Experts such as Elizabeth McGraw, however, have reason to believe the outbreak that has inflicted so many in Mainland China won't strike with the same impacts in the U.S. McGraw, who serves as director of Penn State University's Center of Infectious Disease Dynamics, said the size of cities where infections are confirmed and quarantine efforts will determine the stateside spread. "I think in the U.S. it will be about locality," McGraw told AccuWeather in an interview. "I don't think it would be about culture or social behavior. I think it's going to be about whether it comes into smaller communities or bigger communities," she continued. "Wuhan is a very large city [in China], with over 11 million people, so anytime you have large amounts of people in shared space you just have [a] greater risk for a greater sized outbreak. I think more than cultural differences and our behaviors between countries, it will be about where does it end up and whether we are able to successfully isolate those individuals." Story continues Two known cases of person-to-person transmission have been recorded in the U.S. so far -- one in California and one in Illinois, according to CNN. Experts have continually stressed the importance of proper preventative practices this flu season, particularly with the threat of COVID-19. McGraw, however, pushed the importance of using proper products that ensure the best protection. An employee wearing a protective face mask waits for customers at a shop in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. COVID-19 viral illness has sickened tens of thousands of people in China since December. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) "We should be washing our hands with soap and doing it effectively. If you can not use soap, you can use those hand gel, alcohol-based disinfectants," she advised. "Those need to have a percentage of alcohol that's 60 percent or greater, so you need to be careful to make sure you get the right ones, check the label, and you need to make sure you rub in for 20 seconds or so before they're effective." Along with covering mouths and staying away from people while sick, McGraw added that it's important for people who feel any symptoms coming on to stay home. Hong Kong University professor John Nicholls recently stressed similar preventative measures in email exchanges with AccuWeather. "Apart from hand washing (soap is just as good as those alcohol gels) and masks, an important aspect is social distancing -- if people have symptoms stay away from other people," he said in an email on Feb. 13. "If you check the local Hong Kong media today, this was not followed by a guy who was ill but still went to work and subsequently appeared to infect other people." In a leaked private conference call with investment bankers last week, Nicholls expanded on those beliefs and described the different sanitary standards practiced in different regions. People wear protective face masks on a street in the rain in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. COVID-19 viral illness has sickened tens of thousands of people in China since December. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) "With SARS, once it was discovered that the virus was spread through the fecal-oral route, there was much less emphasis on the masks and far more emphasis on disinfection and washing hands," he said. "Hong Kong has far more cleanliness [than China] and they are very aware of social hygiene and other countries will be more aware of the social hygiene [than China]. So, in those countries, you should see less outbreaks and spreading. A couple days ago the fecal-oral route of transmission was confirmed in Shenzhen ... But in other countries the sanitation systems tends to [be] closed. My personal view is that this will be a bad cold and it will all be over by May." Nicholls seemed to soften on his certainty that COVID-19 would be nullified by May in subsequent emails to AccuWeather, but McGraw expressed similar sentiments about the effect warming weather would have on the virus and the impact it would have in countries such as the U.S. CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP "Coronaviruses are a lot like flu and cold viruses, they're transmitted in respiratory droplets when people cough and sneeze," she said. "What that means is that for their transmission to work they have to hang in the air often for enough time before they can be inhaled into someone's lungs, and we know that weather affects that. The reason cold viruses and flu viruses like coronavirus can have seasonality is because they hang in the air longer when conditions are dry and cold." Conversely, in warmer spring and summer months, McGraw explained that higher levels of humidity cause those droplets to drop to the ground quicker, lessening the capacity for viruses to spread since the droplets spend less time in the environment. Customers wearing protective face masks looks at snacks at a shop in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. COVID-19 viral illness has sickened tens of thousands of people in China since December. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) In major countries located in the Southern Hemisphere, such as Australia and New Zealand, COVID-19 could become a bigger issue in the future as major populations enter the winter months. There, McGraw said, the opposite impact on spread could occur in the coming months. One factor that could bear watching in Northern Hemisphere areas, where spring is a little more than one month away, would be if temperatures and humidity don't rise as high as some experts may think. Strange and unexpected weather factors like that could cause the virus to further mutate, although McGraw added that communities that have already been stricken by the virus are much less likely to be impacted again. "We have some coronaviruses that have just become common cold viruses and they sort of continue to circulate in human populations," McGraw said. "So, there's a possibility that that could happen with this sort of virus. These viruses are always evolving and changing all the time, so that's yet to be seen. For areas where there has been a lot of infection, that virus is unlikely to reinvade that community." Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios. The inaugural class of LeBron James' I Promise School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, has received some amazing news. All 193 students, who are high school juniors, will be receiving free tuition to Kent State University. The kids, who were visiting the Kent State campus, erupted in cheers when they were told of the news, while their parents, watching from a live feed in a separate room, burst into tears. Video of the announcement was released on Wednesday by the LeBron James Family Foundation. On Wednesday, after the Lakers defeated the Nuggets in overtime in Denver, James told reporters that his school has a great relationship with Kent State and the University of Akron. When the school opened in 2018, plans were announced to promise free tuition to the University of Akron when the students graduate. "We have so many options, and I just know that so many kids in my community just don't have many options," James said. "So for me to be able to be in a position where I can give these kids options to decide what they want to do with their future, it's probably the best thing I've ever done." According to a press release, the students will be guaranteed free tuition for four years as well as one year of a free room and meal plan. The students will be eligible for the package as college freshmen for the 2021-2022 academic year. To be eligible, they must be admitted to Kent State, fill out required financial aid forms and have completed a required number of community service hours each semester. To remain eligible, students need to remain in good academic standing, take part in a required number of community service or volunteer hours and complete a minimum number of credit hours per year. "We are so pleased to take our partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation to this next level and welcome these students fully into the Kent State family," said Kent State President Todd Diacon. "Kent State looks forward to the time when our campus is teeming with I Promise students." D evastated friends of a British backpacker who disappeared while hiking in New Zealand have told of their heartbreak after her body was found by search teams. Stephanie Simpson, 32, was found six days after she set off for a hike over rugged terrain in a remote part of Mount Aspiring National Park on the South Island. Police found her body at about 1.40pm today New Zealand time in the Pyke Creek area, having earlier discovered boots and a pack believed to have belonged to her. Blenheim Police sergeant Mark Kirkwood, who led the search, said: Searchers located missing hiker Stephanie Simpsons body this afternoon. Police extend their condolences to Stephanies family at this tragic time. Stephanie Simpson / Handout Mr Kirkwood said she appeared to have left the hiking track, taken off her boots and gone into a waterfall. Its a very hazardous area. We have no idea why she went into the water, he told the BBC, and said her death appeared to have been a tragic accident. He added: The search was extremely challenging at times, especially in consideration of the terrain. The death will now be referred to the coroner. Ms Simpson, an outdoors enthusiast from Essex, was last seen on Saturday. Colleagues raised the alarm when she failed to turn up to her landscaping job on Monday, sparking a search of the region where flooding claimed the lives of two other hikers at the weekend. Police deployed a thermal-imaging drone, dog teams and a helicopter in the search, but struggled to make progress because of the size and terrain of the area. Her parents, Sally and Trevor Simpson, flew to New Zealand earlier this week to help with the search, while others set up a fundraising page to support the rescue efforts. Friends paid tribute online. Close friend Danny Kilbane wrote: We are all heartbroken and are going to struggle to come to terms with our loss. Steph you will be missed by all more than words can explain. RIP angel. Another said: Stephanie was a bright light amongst many and will be sadly missed. Ms Simpson had moved to Wanaka three months ago after a stint travelling in Australia. Relatives said she had moved to the area specifically to enjoy hiking and outdoor pursuits. Her brother-in-law Sam Hazelton said she had gone for a normal weekend tramp ... just to make the most of that free time. The opposition Congress Friday boycotted Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal's address to the state Assembly on the opening day of the budget session saying it did not contain measures to help farmers in distress, contain rising crimes against women and corruption. As the governor began reading out his 48-page speech, Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra stood up and announced his partys decision to boycott the address. Following this all the nine Congress MLAs staged a walk out. There is nothing in the governors address to help farmers facing problems across the state, the worsening law and order situation - particularly crime against women, and rising corruption, Mishra told reporters outsde the House. BJP, which is the principal opposition, however, was present at the House during the governor's address. In his one-hour long speech, Lal dwelt on the successes of the Naveen Patnaik government, its public welfare schemes and the plan of the state for 2020-21. On the states fiscal situation, the governor said : My government is committed to increase investment in priority sector within prudent fiscal norms and at the same time, it is capable of increasing capital investment to above five per cent of GSDP. He said the state government has achieved debt sustainability from a position of debt stress. The debt-GSDP ratio has been brought down from 50.7 per cent in 2002-03 to 16.8 per cent in 2018-19. The interest payment to revenue receipt ratio has been brought down from 40.2 per cent in 2001-02 to 5.8 per cent in 2018-19. "Prudent level of debt stock has given us an opportunity to go for higher capital investment for accelerating the growth momentum," the governor said. Stating that the state government is committed to the welfare of sections of the society, he told the House that it proposes to sanction 100 hostels with accommodation capacity for 10,000 OBC and Socially and Educationally Backward Caste (SEBC) students to help them access higher education in 14 major urban educational hubs in Odisha. He spoke of the states efforts to promote education among the scheduled tribe and scheduled caste students by opening hostels and providing scholarships - both for pre- matric and post-matric stages. On the welfare measures for farmers, the governor said their income has more than doubled and Odisha is poised to multiply it through more proactive developmental interventions in line with the national agenda of doubling the farmers income. The government has remained watchful of the development of the people of low-income group and introduced the KALIA scheme for this purpose. A goal has been fixed to include 50 lakh small and 25 lakh landless farmers families under this scheme in the coming days, the governor said. The state government has brought services of agriculture under the 5Ts and Mo Sarkar programmes from December, 2019 with the objective of enhancing the delivery mechanism and reaching out to every corner of the state. "Every district has in place a 'Mo Sarkar' desk to take on the programme at a great pace, he said. The state government, he said, believes in peoples participation in administration and in this direction the programmes like 5Ts and Mo Sarkar are important enterprises. 'Mo Sarkar', which means 'My Government' in Odia, is a transformative initiative of 5-T programme, which was introduced by Naveen Patnaik after he returned to power as the chief minister of the state for a fifth consecutive term in 2019. The '5-Ts' are transparency, teamwork, technology and time leads to transformation. Lal described the state governments steps for development of infrastructure facilities around the Jagannath Temple in Puri and said similar measures are also being taken to transform the facilities near the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar. After the devastation by Cyclone Fani, the state government had approved 15 projects in 2019 with likely cost of Rs 2,308 crore for the development of Puri into a world class heritage site, the governor said. Another six projects with cost of around Rs 900 crore have also been planned to be taken up to add to the heritage glory of Puri city, he said. In his speech Lal also highlighted the governments' achievements in various sectors like health, education, technology and agriculture. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The enthusiasm that Mona Phiffer started pouring onto paper two years ago is echoed over the phone when she talks about exhibiting her paintings for the first time and that conversation begins with the first time she decided to paint after seeing a depiction of a little boy eating a watermelon. A hot potato: Never underestimate the power of bad publicity. After Tesla removed driver assistance features from a second-hand Model S 75D following its purchase from a dealer, the company has restored the Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self Driving, blaming the incident on a miscommunication. Last week brought news of an anonymous consumer who bought a 2017 Tesla on December 20 last year from a third-party dealer. Sold at auction, the car was listed with the driver assistance features, which cost around $8,000 when adding them to a new vehicle. What the buyer didnt know was that three days after Tesla sold the car to the dealer, it performed a remote audit and flagged the features for removal. It was only after the car was sold that Tesla pushed out a software update that disabled them. When the buyer contacted Tesla, they were told the car was incorrectly configured for Autopilot versions that they did not pay for. The company even offered to re-add the features for a price. While there have been reports of similar incidents in the past, Tesla dealers insist that features wouldnt be removed if they were listed as part of a second-hand cars specs. Now, the buyer in this case has had them reinstated. Writing on Tesla Motors Club forum (spotted by TNW), the buyer said they were contacted by a Tesla rep who apologized for my troubles, told me that Tesla has restored all missed options. The reason the features were disabled? A miscommunication, apparently. While this case was resolved, other people who dont get any media exposure could be experiencing the same problem. Hopefully, Tesla will learn from this incident. A Turkish court has acquitted acclaimed novelist Asli Erdogan on charges of membership of an armed terror organisation, in a case which sparked international condemnation. The court in Istanbul also acquitted Erdogan of undermining national unity, and dropped charges of spreading terror propaganda. She had been facing up to nine years and four months in jail in the event of a guilty verdict. The court also acquitted two other defendants, including linguist Necmiye Alpay. Erdogan, who now lives in Germany for health reasons, occasionally wrote for pro-Kurdish newspaper Ozgur Gundem which was shut down after the failed 2016 coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkish authorities accused the paper - where Asli worked as a literary adviser - of being a mouthpiece for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), considered a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies. No violence 52-year-old Erdogan - who is not related to the Turkish president - was arrested in August 2016 and held in pre-trial detention for four months but later released. She was allowed to leave Turkey in 2017 and has lived in self-imposed exile in Europe since then. She did not attend Friday's hearing but in a statement read by her lawyer Erdal Dogan, Erdogan said her columns contained no violent element. "Their political content is limited to human rights violations," she said, adding that the accusations based on her literary texts "trampled on the values of both law and literature". "Of course we're pleased with the verdict," she told RFI. "But when you look more widely, we are still facing a legal catastrophe. There are many more cases like this, opened without justification." 'Sliding into fascism' Erdogan's novels including "The City in Crimson Cloak" and "The Stone Building and Other Places", explore loss and trauma and have been translated into several languages. Her detention had raised concerns worldwide. For rights advocates, the trial was emblematic of a systematic crackdown by the government on freedom of expression, particularly after the failed 2016 coup. Several intellectuals have been targeted in Turkey over alleged terror ties, mainly to the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Ozgur Gundem was among more than 130 media outlets which Turkey closed in 2016. In an 2018 interview with AFP in Germany, Erdogan said her country was sliding into fascism. "The extent of things in Turkey is like Nazi Germany," she said. "I think it is a fascist regime. It is not yet 1940s Germany, but 1930s." Returning to Turkey? Erdogan's mother Mine Aydostlu was jubilant after the verdict. "Believe me, I am very happy. I could not believe it. I was expecting this but still, I couldn't believe it," she told AFP outside Istanbul's main court. "I asked many times if she was really acquitted. I could only believe it after I heard the word acquittal nine or 10 times." After the travel ban against Erdogan was lifted in June 2017, she has largely lived in self-imposed exile in Europe and is currently in Berlin. Her lawyer said she was abroad because she was suffering health problems as a result of her 2016 detention, and for a writing scholarship. "She is not seeking asylum, she is abroad for a temporary period of time," he told AFP. "She will not come to Turkey today but of course she will return. Turkey is her homeland." (with AFP) For many, where they practice their religion is a space for sanctity and peace. But as violence at churches, synagogues, mosques, and all manner of houses of worship make national headlines, local organizations must confront worshipers fears while keeping their doors open and inviting. For some churches, responding to this fear includes creating armed security details. Such was the case at a church in White Settlement, Texas, that was attacked on Dec. 29 by an armed individual. Last month, Governor Greg Abbott awarded the Governors Medal of Courage to Jack Wilson, the armed churchgoer who shot the churchs attacker. With each new story of violence, religious organizations must think about how they want to balance safety with the mission. A lot of our church members are law-abiding, gun-toting Americans, so we do allow and encourage our members to be armed, said Anthony Manzelli, childrens pastor at Gateway Church of The Woodlands. Boosting security Gateway, like the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, has a security team in place that monitors the grounds of the church during services. The church encourages members to take the license to carry classes and has even hosted the training. Mens outings organized by the church often include target practice and shooting just to make sure that everybodys sharp and on their game. The shooting in White Settlement was of particular concern for Gateway because the aggressor at the West Freeway Church, before returning with a gun, had arrived looking for money and was told that the church could not provide that, but he could be helped at the food pantry. This is the same policy that Gateway has. Safety efforts have doubled, Manzelli said, due to a seeming rise in violence. You cant really go a week anymore without hearing of some sort of a tragedy or an event thats happened. The research that Manzelli has done indicates that when people are greeted at the door and helped that dangerous situations are much less likely to escalate, so they make it a priority to greet everyone before services begin. The church has worked with several local law enforcement agencies for facility security and training and has consulted with a private security team to tour the facility looking for possible vulnerabilities. We have more cameras than I can count, Manzelli said. Potential threats As a church with a school attached to it, Manzelli said their security measures have to take into account any potential threats to the church attendees as well as the students, which means the active shooter scenarios are considered for both. Were a church, so we want our doors to be open and unlocked for people to come in, but because the times have changed we have to be very aware, he said. Its a sentiment shared by other religious organizations as well. We advise them that God will protect us, said Imam Rihabi Mohamed of The Islamic Center of The Woodlands, about what he tells members who are afraid. We trust God, and at the same time we also cooperate with our administration. The center is part of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston, an organization of mosques in the Houston area. The safety and security committee of the ISGH regularly works with law enforcement to keep their facilities safe, even meeting with the FBI on an annual basis. Right now all ISGH mosques are being evaluated by law enforcement to look for opportunities to make security upgrades. The organization itself recognizes whats going on not only in the U.S. but theyre recognizing whats going on around the globe, said Roger Yelton, Associate Director of the North Zone for ISGH. It doesnt really matter what faith, and it doesnt matter if its a public school, the concern is still that vulnerable areas and situations that we need to guard against. Yelton said there have been policy changes made in the last year to address concerns that the ISGH community brought to the organization, and they have worked to build stronger relationships with other religious organizations. For better or worse, fear is something that they can unite over. We are one family and all of us belong to God, he created us all, Rihabi said. And he created us out of mercy and out of love. As the faith leader, he explained that he believes it is his job to spread the word of peace, and that followers of the holy books should remember there are 113 chapters of the Quran that start with In the name of God the most merciful. It gives us a strong message that we have to apply and follow his instructions, Rihabi said. Synagogue safety Rabbi Edwin Goldberg has only been with Congregation Beth Shalom of The Woodlands for a few months but the issue of safety at his synagogues is hardly new. For most decades that Ive been a rabbi we would go on trips to Europe and we would see the kinds of security at a synagogue in Europe and feel sad for them, he said. But ever since a shooting at a Jewish Community Center in 1999 synagogues across the country started adopting much stricter safety measures. The synagogue has a security plan that Goldberg said he was very impressed with when he arrived seven months ago, considering limited resources. But even the best-laid plans cant take into account every possible scenario. Its something hes acutely aware of. Beth Shalom, unlike Gateway, does not allow its members to carry guns in the facility. Members of the synagogue have talked to him about changing this policy (which is set by the congregation, not the rabbi), even bringing it up right after the incident in White Settlement. But the next days news might be Innocent person shot by Good Samaritan who missed, he explained. Then what do we have? Beth Shalom works closely with local law enforcement to consult on safety issues and maintain an ongoing relationship. Dealing with safety issues is something Goldberg knows is part of his job. Hell tell you, with absolutely no hesitation, that he expected it to be part of his work. Its why he maintains a good relationship with law enforcement professionals. I cant say enough about how grateful I am for the people who protect us and allow us to exercise our first amendment right, he said. Security is an ongoing conversation at Beth Shalom, Goldberg said, not just when something bad happens. Keeping people safe, planning where they can, must be balanced with the need to keep the doors, and arms, open. After all, thats what faith is about. jamie.swinnerton@chron.com Well known Soddy Daisy resident Diana Dee Heath, a founding board member of the communitys first and only public library, died Sunday at age 73. The widow of Benjamin E. Heath, Mrs. Heath moved with her husband to Tennessee from Ohio following their retirement. She was a feisty lady, said Curtis Cecil, owner of KELKURT Media, a video production company which now shares quarters with Soddy Daisy Community Library. She was the inspiration for all this. She was our first volunteer and a member of our founding board of directors. She definitely will be missed. The library was far from Mrs. Heaths first volunteer rodeo. At Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, for example, both Mrs. Heath and her husband, who died in 2010, were regulars. Mrs. Heath worked in the commissary car on long-distance excursions, while Mr. Heath served as the trains conductor. Both were lifetime TVRM members. Mrs. Heath was a supporter of a variety of other groups including, but not limited to, the YMCA, according to Mr. Cecil. For example -- not surprisingly, since her husband was a U.S. Marne veteran of WWII who served in the liberation of Guam she was active in veterans support groups. In Soddy Daisy, Mr. Cecil said, she frequently dropped in at KELKURT a self-described community driven company looking for ways to enhance the area in which it operates for long talks. Among her favorite topics, he noted, was the need for a library in the town to serve local residents. She read all the time, Mr. Cecil recalled. Mysteries were her favorite, and she also loved Gone With The Wind. Rhett Butler, he said with a laugh. That was her man. Her enthusiasm gave him an idea: create KELKURT Foundation with the goal of organizing and teaching Soddy Daisy residents to become more self-sustainable focusing on three primary pillars: agriculture, community and education. Then, for their first major project, original KELKURT Foundation board members Mrs. Heath, June Ferry and Mr. Cecil chose to create a library: a second home where residents of Soddy Daisy and surrounding communities could meet, talk, work and study together. The resulting community library opened Jan. 28, 2018, with four books, Mr. Cecil said, and Diana was our first volunteer. She was the one who entered the first 500 books into our data system. Then we piqued the interest of a local ebay book seller who donated 2,000 books to us and Diana really had a lot of work to do. Today, the library occupies 76 percent of KELKURT Medias operating space. It holds 22,000 movies, audiobooks and books both childrens and adult, fiction and nonfiction ranging from mysteries and classic literature, to agriculture, to religion, to business and finance. The history section alone covers local history, ancient Greek and Rome, the Civil War, World Wars I and II and a wide variety of other topics. Our whole mission is to create a self-sustainable community based on three factors: agriculture, community and education, Mr. Cecil explained. We offer classes, taught by volunteers, on raising chickens, off-the-grid living, sewing and quilting, jewelry making, basic auto repair and solar grids and panels. This summer, he said, the library will work with other organizations to host the towns first-ever literacy day. But none of this would have happened without Diana, he said. Without her initial help and support, we could never have done it. Funeral plans have not been announced, but Mr. Cecil said Soddy Daisy Community Library will hold a rememberance service on Sunday, Feb. 23, from 2-5 p.m. The service, which will take place at 9619 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, in the library, will include a pot luck luncheon, he said. Everybody who knew Diana is welcomed to bring a dish and share stories and memories of her life. For more information, contact Mr. Cecil at 645-7427. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. There is no way any patriot can miss the historic significance of 9th January, 2020 as a date. On that day, southwest Nigeria pulled off a political feat rare in a largely mediocre polity of the stomach where as the pivot of democracy, the doctrine of separation of powers for checks and balances amongst arms of government, now belongs on the garbage dump. Specifically, the Nigerian legislature now lay castrated before the executive arm of government - graphically corroborated by Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege on his knees, historically, before President Muhammadu Buhari on 11th June, 2019. As ominous as that despicable sight, the grave implication is now less doubtful. How? Leader of the lower chamber of Nigerias bicameral legislature, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila appears to have confirmed the electorates worst fear of unethical fusing of institutionally separate powers or arms of government - a consequential loss of checks and balances and; a looming dictatorship. As Speaker, Mr. Gbajabiamilas 22nd December, 2019 public declaration that he was not elected to fight the executive arm of government sounds complimentary to a Deputy Senate President at the presidents feet depicting conquest. Where in the world are checks and balances achievable in a democracy by treading a path of least resistance? Did Nigerians kick out military dictatorship for a resurgence in another garb? Had Nigerians regarded dictatorships as infallible or divine, could both Omo-Agege and Gbajabiamila have become parliamentarians? If no, is invariably, the answer to those questions, why the unfolding coup detat against patriotism by egotism? Again, crucial judicial verdicts have become predictable in favour of the ruling party or executive arm of government with verdict on the 2019 presidential election petition, unprecedentedly delivered long before the Supreme Court came up with explanations, more or less afterthought. The irony of it all is that those leading the assault on a democratic order and rule of law in Nigeria are members of the judiciary themselves. Apparently, as that proverbial last hope of the common man is on a self-destruct mission, Nigerians might as well prepare to survive a full-blown dictatorship in the foreseeable future. Nauseating as the foregoing, who would not applaud the elected representatives of southwest Nigeria for giving the Nigerian electorate, something to cheer in a long while? Despite divergent and often divisive political views, politicians of that geopolitical zone closed ranks to save their people further debilitating security nightmares. They were proactive ever before precedence could be fallaciously cited to goad them into humiliating and bankrupting criminal peace deals with impertinent bandits of every imaginable alien nationality. On the fallacious claim of precedence credited to our Inspector General of Police Mr. Mohammed Adamu, there is no parallel on any ground between Katsina States peace deals with recalcitrant armed bandits and the amnesty granted by the late President Shehu Yar-adua to erstwhile Niger Delta militants. Outside an armistice that conclusively ends a war civil or international, where in the world does a country share sovereignty with obstinate armed bandits except in Katsina State where even after a criminal peace deal, there is no peace like in Borno State where ransom payments, deradicalization of terrorists and prisoner exchanges are eternally strengthening mendacious Boko Haram? Once more, while the erstwhile Niger Delta militants had known or legitimate socio-economic demands, the implacable bandits in Katsina State have none whatsoever. Above all, the Niger Delta militants surrendered their weapons at President Yaraduas feet in exchange for amnesty and never posed with him like an AK47 wielding bandit posed cheekily in a photograph with unnamed Governor Aminu Masari. So, who is really in-charge in Katsina State? Is that not a threat to public order and an incentive for armed struggles across Nigeria while the government is dissipating energy on hate speech legislation to hang citizens for exercising their universal freedom of expression? Between an armed bandit and a law abiding citizen who is actually a threat to law and order? Must there be an armed citizenry in Nigeria before the present government becomes representative and accountable to the electorate? It is pure cowardice to enter into peace deals with roving armed bandits while seeking to hang unarmed and harmless citizens. Right from the earliest of times, security of lives and property has been the only justification for people binding together to form a government. That forecloses a state of nature a social setting where life is nasty, brutish and short because individuals are personally avenging wrongs against their person. Thus, as individuals give up some natural rights for rule of law to be sustained, in exchange, they gain some civil rights including protection and defence against violence by others. Therefore, a government is one capable of using monopoly of violence to protect subsisting social power relationships by eliminating or mitigating any threatening or opposing forms of violence. Otherwise, any government unable to control the use of coercive violence like the activities of bandits and militias, has failed. By implication, governance has failed in the Nigerian administrative centres (states) where armed bandits now share monopoly of violence with supposedly elected governments. Apparently, that is what the western Nigerian politicians have proactively moved to avert in their geopolitical zone. Their decision is courageous as it tantamounts to a vote of no confidence on a supposed national government for which they share a responsibility. That risks reprisals which could harm their political fortunes and future. Yet, they were unperturbed. That is patriotism and courage paralleled only by Benue State calling it quits with membership of the ruling party for the same negligence on security for the governed. Those two conscientious decisions drawing the line between official propaganda on security and the reality on ground, portend or spell doom for any expansionist drive by any geopolitical zone to subjugate the rest of Nigeria for a tab on legitimate political agitations across the land. Nowhere in the world has brute force succeeded in cowing a determined people. In the end, the will of the people always prevails. Even superpowers have bitterly learnt that lesson and consequently mended their ways. Down memory lane, successive defeats by ragtag armies in the 18th century American independence war and in the 19th century Afghan war, apparently forced Great Britain to rethink imperialism. The turn came in 1989 for the erstwhile USSR to eat her own humble pile by compulsively freeing countries she forced into communism. Similarly, the USA learnt the hard way, the futility of trying to defeat natives on their home soil. However, since 2003, the harder she has tried to forestall a semblance of her waterloo by Vietnamese natives, the more she has missed a strategy for a dignified exit from Afghanistan where the war wearied unipolar power is pinned down by war hardened natives. Those are world powers that struggled or are struggling to end wars although they boast both arm factories and superior arsenals, compared to Nigeria that relies on off-the-shelf weapons accessible by all and sundry. Can you then imagine the naivety and futility of any covetous geopolitical zone in Nigeria, day-dreaming of colonizing the rest of the country by force of arms? On Amotekun, although the Attorney-General of the country Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN has slammed the security agency as unconstitutional, the people of the southwest geopolitical zone have spoken through their elected representatives. That electorate could not have asked for Amotekun if there is security in present day Nigeria where rather than protect the citizens, the police now collect ransoms on behalf of kidnappers an unparalleled fallout of the now official peace deals with violent criminals. Therefore, all hands should be on deck at both state and central government levels to actualize the southwest electorates demand for security because according to the late Reggae star Bob Marley, he who feels it, knows it. However, perhaps the central (neither national nor federal) governments fear and disapproval of Amotekun stem from its expansive geographical scope - the potential firepower. Actually, based on the subsisting second tier of government comprising thirty-six separate administrative centres (supposedly federating states), Amotekun as a joint project by six out of thirty-six states, is unconstitutional. While the states that jointly floated Amotekun might be after benefits of economies of scale, the central government might be apprehensive on what the combined firepower of a regional security organization portends for national security. Agreed; there are at present, state security organizations in some states, especially in northern Nigeria but they are not geopolitical with a potentially overwhelming firepower of Amotekun. While the ideal of restructuring Nigeria into socio-economically viable zones has been gaining currency, the idea remains only a notion until an enabling legislation. Therefore, southwest states could have floated individual security forces and pooled resources informally for benefits of economies of scale. But is that not already known by a region famous as the cradle of education in Nigeria? Hence that geopolitical zone may have actually invoked the doctrine of necessity to tackle a cancerous threat mitigated only by concerted efforts on the face of failing law and order in Nigeria - where the police now collect ransoms on behalf of kidnappers and governments including that of Katsina State - the nativity of the Commander-In-Chief himself, officially sharing monopoly of violence with criminals. While attempt to allay any fear of threat to national security might have informed assurance on Amotekun reporting to state police commissioners, how workable remains unfathomable. Would there be no conflict of interests, with command and control still constitutionally in the hands of state police commissioners whose loyalty lies to Abuja and not to supposedly federating states? Worse, of the thirty-six state police commissioners, only few, if any, are policing their states of origin an utter disdain for comparative advantage of terrain familiarity. Obviously, there is no harmony of objectives on security between the central and state governments. While governors are concerned about security in their states, the central government appears preoccupied with perpetually subjugating supposedly federating states to a centralized authority in Abuja. Hence in addition to army garrison commanders posted to geopolitical zones other than theirs, police commissioners do not report to state governors and are rarely deployed to police their nativity where they would be more effective owing to terrain familiarity. All of that raise a mind-boggling question. Whose interest is the present unitary government system and centralized policing, serving? While answer to that question might ever remain in the realm of conjecture, the Amotekun decision by the southwest heralds a stormy wind of change in the Nigerian polity. As a patriot, one can only pray we do not learn the hard way, the futility of swimming against the tide. It is foolhardy nowadays to bank on sophisticated weaponry or quantum troops for victory in warfare. Otherwise, stability could have returned, long ago, to Nigerian states including Zamfara, Katsina, Borno, etc. and; countries like Libya, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, etc. Amotekun, undoubtedly, is a compelling precedent. Today, it is the southwest floating a region-wide security organization. Tomorrow, it could be another geopolitical zone but one that might lack both the cultured intellect and political sagacity of the southwest. There lies the grave risk of Nigeria restructuring herself by default and not by design. Again, that might be sooner than later if the incendiary outbursts of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore (MAKH) a political pressure group, represent the reaction of its geopolitical zone. Apparently, MAKHs northern Nigeria having surreptitiously taken over leaderships of the three arms executive, legislature and judiciary of the present Nigerian government, might have considered its second consecutive term of office, a blank cheque with which to cash controversial policies including the contentious plan to officially spread cattle colonies across the length and breadth of Nigeria. But any such contemplation might now die on arrival with the Amotekun ambush. Come to think of it, why should the murderous herdsmen severally denounced by the central government as aliens, be settled officially on any part of Nigeria? Yet, MAKHs northern Nigeria might view Amotekun as a betrayal - a stab on the back by a geopolitical ally. So, reprisals could follow and the first casualty? Hope of the southwest falling beneficiary to an unwritten power rotation accord, come 2023, might evaporate. Thus, MAKHs northern Nigeria might hold onto power beyond 2023 at risk of the pre-1999 political turbulence. In any consequential rofo rofo (respect to memory of the late Fela), anyone dreaming of a snapshot victory would be counted a lunatic. That grave foreboding is only one of numerous reasons why history beckons on President Muhammadu Buhari to seize the initiative and write his name in gold and not in dust. Truth be told, until Amotekun, there has been no better vote for true federalism on which Nigeria set out as a sovereign state at independence in 1960. Hence Amotekun as a courageous political decision on security by the southwest, is a vindication of return to true federalism calls that include: Distorted Federalism and Pervasive Insecurity serialized by a national tabloid on 17th and 18th March 2013 yes; that was seven years ago. Yet, that write-up vividly predicted the present sorry state of security in Nigeria and perhaps, contributed to paving the way for a constitutional conference the following year - 2014. Surprisingly, however, that confabs official document which could be fundamental or pivotal in mitigating the present state of insecurity has, sadly, continued to gather dust on the shelf of a government that feigns itself democratic. Apparently, as long as the present government continues to prefer the 1999 constitution a product of dictatorship to that of the 2014 democratic process, its nationalism and democratic credentials for meaningful constitutional development of Nigeria are doubtful. Once more, Amotekun is a validation of the truism that no matter how fast and far falsehood might travel, it would be overtaken by truth. For those that have ears to hear and eyes to see, it is getting loud and clear that Nigeria can survive and thrive only in a truly federalist political environment. Any pretense and preference for the contrary would be as futile as attempting to swim against the tide. By the day, our burgeoning human population like our myriad ethnic nationalities, is getting herculean to manage with a suffocating unitary administrative system. Even when our pre-independence population was 45.2 million - less than a quarter of our present 200 million, Britain as a shrewd colonial master never did us a disservice to foist a unitary government system practiced by herself that time, on Nigeria. Again, our erstwhile colonial master with just three ethnicities compared to our well over 250 and a far smaller population of 66.44 million compared to ours of 200 million, has since 1998 dumped the unitary government system devolving political power to her only three ethnic nationalities Ireland, Scotland and Wales. While the unitary system might have suited the control and command structure of successive military dictatorships that ruled until 1999, its continued elongation after two decades of unbroken civil rule is grave. Perhaps that informed the 2014 constitutional conference. Although outcome of that confab might not be a panacea to all our constitutional challenges, it could be as decisive like the first step in a proverbial journey of 1,000 km. Yet, the report of that fundamental political step has continued to gather dust. One may not know the reason for that but as events are unfolding, any hope or deliberate plan to elongate unitary government in Nigeria appears to be eroding national cohesion and unity. Or any better interpretation of MAKHs inflammatory reaction to a strategic political decision by the presidents trusted political base - the southwest? Although nobody expects President Muhammadu Buhari to return Nigeria to true federalism by military fiat, he can neither be non-committal on the matter. Moreso, as our supposed democracy is unarguably now a dictatorship with his geopolitical zone unconstitutionally monopolizing leaderships of the three arms of government. That has, rather, increased the presidents responsibility for whatsoever happens good or bad to Nigeria during his tenure. That truth is irrespective of Lt. Gen. T. Y. Danjuma (rtd.) going public on his allusion of a dangerous betrayal of public trust by a supposed national government. Once more, except President Buhari enlists to remain ambivalent, he cannot pass the bulk of returning Nigeria to true federalism to an ultra-loyal legislature as evidenced by an overwhelmed Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege kneeling at his feet and the National Assembly speaker Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila asserting cheekily that he was not elected to fight the executive arm of government a counter oath to ditch his official oversight function. Therefore, like Britain, our erstwhile colonial master and President Goodluck Jonathan, President Buhari should create a forum for the constituent nationalities of Nigeria to discuss a mutually beneficial joint future. His unrivaled political goodwill in the core north would assure that region, fairness on an outcome of a constitutional conference. We have already seen that in his courageous and commendable recognition of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Ironically, the same dictators (from one particular region of Nigeria) that annulled the 1993 watershed election, grudgingly and unilaterally gave us the Trojan horse called 1999 constitution which patriotic Nigerians including the late legal luminary Chief Rotimi Williams dubbed a fraud because the constituent nationalities of Nigeria have no input in the fraudulent document. Worse, Chief Yinka Odumakin fingered the constitution as the fountain of corruption in Nigeria. Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, also, faulted the constitution as prodigal for emphasizing sharing of national income as opposed to socio-economic development. That is a sad reminder of the singular settlement agendum of those that foisted the constitution on Nigeria with an unwritten power rotation agreement for apparent treasury looting by turns - now sadly taken to a selfish, insensitive and ridiculous extreme with one geopolitical zone, presently occupying leaderships of the three arms of government, police, army, paramilitary services, most ministries and parastatals, all alone a regional government foisted on the rest of the country. Also, because our polity - a derivative of the 1999 constitution is the highest paying in the world, our economy suffers hiccups as captains of commerce and industry dazed by the lavish lifestyle of mediocre politicians, flee in droves into politics. In a truly federalist USA, can you imagine Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Michael Dell, Jeff Bezos, etc. pretending they are going into politics to serve but apparently for fame and money when they are already global icons and their staff earn more than Mr. Donald Trump as president? Sadly, that is happening in the Unitary Republic of Nigeria where politics is the shortest route to fame and stupendous wealth. Specifically, HRH Lamido Sanusi Lamido even while in office as the Central Bank governor, lampooned the 1999 constitution for allocating 25% of our national income to members of the legislature for merely chorusing nay and yeah in parliament. In fact, the USA president never earns as much as our parliamentarians according to an outcome of a research by Prof. Itse Sagay. No wonder our legislature and not commerce and industry, is the next port of call for our retiring billionaire governors. So, who would not protect that status quo by pledging blind loyalty to unpatriotically forestall checks and balances amongst arms of government? Therefore, fighting corruption without doing something about the fountain the 1999 constitution, is pretentious, theatrical, chasing shadows instead of substance, targeting symptoms of a sickness instead of the cause and a deliberate consent to continued looting of our national treasury. Once again, President Buhari is strongly urged to go on record like President Frederick De Klerk who after an ambivalent predecessor Mr. P. W. Botha, took the credit for dismantling apartheid in South Africa. Similarly, Prime Minister Harold MacMilan abolished colonialism after a predecessor Mr. Winston Churchill asserted he was not elected to preside over liquidation of the inglorious British Empire. A parallel to that is Mr. Mikhail Gorbachevs courageous Perestroika and Glasnost (restructuring and openness in Russian) that gave freedom to nationalities hitherto in a forced unitary government by erstwhile communist USSR. By that same token, the world was saved a menacing nuclear holocaust. Nearer home, President Goodluck Jonathan scored a first in 2015 for handing over power to the opposition in Nigeria since 1960; but only after President Olusegun Obansajo as a patriot, retired political soldiers from the Nigerian Army for democracy to take root in Nigeria. Two of those decisions were far more consequential than simply returning Nigeria to true federalism for national security, economic prosperity and never dissolution as the now historical empires of USSR and Great Britain respectively. Yet, their leaders as true statesmen, were courageous and decisively planted their footprints on the sand of time. The restructuring of Nigeria like every ripe ideal, which no human force can further delay, is an imminent inevitability. But that would be safer if by supervised implosion than explosion by atmospheric pressures risking fallouts that wiped out Yugoslavia from the world map, broke Sudan into two and halved another country into India and Pakistan respectively. Ethiopia was similarly not enamoured against a historic break-up. Neither a shared history with the world itself nor millennia of warfare experience that boasts a victory over a world power Italy, was of any avail when she was severally humiliated on the battlefield by her hitherto unfancied tribes for the birth of Eritrea Republic. So, never say, never! History painfully repeats itself anywhere there is willful ignorance and arrogance of Corporal Adolf Hitler. Mr, Uwaya is the Author of Security Awareness: An Imperative and The Urgency. He lives and wrote from Lagos, Nigeria. Along with the free ceremony, the couple received a commemorative license and a number of gifts from local businesses, including dinner for two at the Swissotel restaurant, a pair of tickets to the opening night of a show and a cast party at the Goodman Theatre and flowers from Marianos. It was a flight Dustin and Caren Moore will never forget. On Nov. 9, the Moores boarded a Southwest Airlines plane in Colorado, headed to California. They arrived in Colorado as a pair but left as a trio; the Moores were flying home with their newly adopted infant daughter, who was just eight days old. When asked by a flight attendant why they were traveling with such a small baby, the Moores shared a bit of their story, and soon the whole plane knew. A flight attendant named Bobby announced over the intercom that the Moores, who had been trying to start a family for nine years, were flying home with their new daughter. The entire plane "just erupted in cheers and whistles," Dustin told Good Morning America. Flight attendants passed out napkins to passengers so they could write down words of encouragement and advice for the new parents. "We were stunned and overwhelmed," Dustin said. Bobby collected about 60 napkins and read some of the messages ("Always tell her you love her!" "Drink lots of wine!") over the intercom, before delivering the stack to Dustin and Caren. Passengers kept coming up to the family to offer their congratulations, which made the trip all the more special. After having a bad day at work last week, Dustin wanted to spread some positivity, and he shared the story of his daughter's first airplane trip on Twitter. "I want people to take away from this that there's a lot more good going on in the world than you might consider," he told GMA. More stories from theweek.com The sidelining of Elizabeth Warren Everyone would fall for a Trump deepfake Giuliani claims he can 'prove' a 'Democratic scam' in Ukraine with iPad full of 'reports' he never actually shares French President Emmanuel Macron was among world leaders and diplomats gathered in southern Germany Friday for a two-day security event that comes amid an unforgivable failure to resolve international conflicts. The chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger, said he was deeply troubled by the worlds failure to resolve the war in Syria or to secure a peace plan for Libya. We have more crises, more serious crises, more horrific events than one can actually imagine, he said ahead of the conference, which comes amid rising global tensions, conflicts and disagreements over security policies. Its Macrons first appearance at the annual event, after he cancelled his trip last year to focus on domestic issues. This week hell be looking to remove any potential misunderstandings on questions of security, defence and European foreign policy on a range of issues such as Nato, the EUs relationship with Russia, the Sahel, and the debate on 5G. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif are other government figures expected to attend, along with Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. Nato allies will likely find themselves at loggerheads during the 56th annual summit, with Macron pushing for Europe to become more independent from the US. Tensions are expected between the US and Europe on defence spending and the future of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which the UK, France and Germany are hoping can still be salvaged. Meanwhile Washington is seeking to pressure Europe to ban the Chinese company Huawei from launching its 5G mobile networks after the UK last month allowed Huawei to join limited areas of its networks. The US is also facing European pushback from its Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, which is viewed as favouring Israel. B oris Johnson's new-look Cabinet has gathered in Downing Street after he mercilessly wielded the axe in a savage reshuffle. The prime minister ousted a number of high profile names while Sajid Javid was pushed into quitting as Chancellor in an acrimonious spat over special advisers . Andrea Leadsom, Esther McVey, Theresa Villiers, Geoffrey Cox and Julian Smith were the most notable figures to be ousted. Dominic Cummings, Mr Johnson's chief special adviser, is thought to have had a major sway in the Cabinet changes having previously hit out at its former composition. First meeting: The new Cabinet gathered in Downing Street today / Jeremy Selwyn As the newly picked team gathered, the PM kept the date of the Budget and the fate of the Treasurys fiscal rules open. Were here to deliver for the people of this country, the Prime Minister told the gathering at No 10 before showing off his tighter grip by leading ministers in chants of the manifesto headlines about more police and hospitals. Addressing the room, Mr Johnson said: Welcome to todays new Cabinet. This will be the Cabinet of delivery. The PM addressed his top team this morning / Jeremy Selwyn Detailing his goals, he said: "We must get on with our basic work. We know what it is, we're going to cut crime, we're going to tackle homelessness and we're going to tackle waiting lists in our NHS." He went on to ask those in attendance to say together numbers of hospitals planned for construction, nurses to be recruited and police officers to be hired. Ending his opening address to the ensemble, he said now was the time to "put the pedal to the metal". Behind the scenes, Mr Cummings was assembling new teams of special advisers including a temporary team to work with new Chancellor Rishi Sunak. There have been several high profile changes in the Cabinet / AP Officials said there was no clarification yet over whether the Budget would be delivered as scheduled on March 11. However, there were attempts to calm speculation that the fiscal rules announced by ex-Chancellor Mr Javid during the election campaign would be watered down to permit a spending boom on borrowing. The manifesto applies, said one. Dominic Cummings is thought to have been largely behind the firings / PA The resignation of Mr Javid was a bombshell during yesterdays reshuffle. More details emerged today of how Mr Johnson tried to persuade him to stay, including during a 10-minute one-to-one meeting. However, Mr Javid refused to sign up to conditions including that he would sack his team of advisers. There were a number of promotions and shifts to coincide with the sackings. Boris Johnson's New Cabinet Arrived At Downing Street For Their First Meeting Alok Sharma was promoted from international development to become the new business secretary. He will also be minister for the COP26 UN climate summit, which is due to take place in Glasgow in November. Anne-Marie Trevelyan joined the Cabinet as international development secretary, following serving as a defence minister. Oliver Dowden became a full Cabinet member as culture secretary, while George Eustice was promoted to Environment Secretary from his previous role in the same department. Brandon Lewis was appointed as Northern Ireland secretary, replacing the axed Mr Smith. Former Brexit minister Suella Braverman returned to the Government as attorney general. Ex-Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay has replaced Mr Sunak as chief secretary to the Treasury. Amanda Milling was made Conservative Party chairman and she will attend Cabinet as a minister without portfolio. Former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt returns to Government as paymaster general in the Cabinet Office. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) One Filipino monitored for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has died after a heart attack, but yielded negative for the widespread virus, the Health Department said on Friday. Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the 71-year-old Filipino who hails from La Union was placed under investigation for a cough after his travel to Taiwan. He died on Wednesday. "During the course in the wards, he had this deterioration of his condition. Final diagnosis was Acute Myocardial Infarction. He also has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He doesn't have the virus, he is negative for nCoV," she said during a media briefing. There are 191 patients under investigation who have flu-like symptoms and either have a travel history to China or came in contact with a confirmed case. DOH said it is awaiting test results of 66 suspected cases. The confirmed cases in the Philippines remains at three, with one death. Of the total cases investigated, 386 patients have tested negative. "While this is very welcome news, we will continue our preparations for the possibility of local transmissions," she said quoting Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. Duque, in a separate briefing, said the possibility of a community-based transmission is "not a question of if, but a question of when." [February 14, 2020] Automotive LED Lighting Market 2019-2023 | Use of LEDs in Automotive Intelligence Lighting System Applications to Boost Growth | Technavio Technavio has been monitoring the automotive LED lighting market and it is poised to grow by USD 4.73 billion during 2019-2023, progressing at a CAGR of 10% 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/20200214005196/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled global automotive LED lighting market 2019-2023 (Graphic: Business Wire) Use of LEDs in automotive intelligence lighting system applications has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, adoption of laser lighting in automobiles might hamper market growth. Request a free sample report Automotive LED Lighting Market 2019-2023: Segmentation Automotive LED Lighting Market is segmented as below: Application Exterior Lighting Interior Lighting Vehicle type Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles Geographic segmentation North America APAC Europe South America MEA To learn more about the global treds impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR32155 Automotive LED Lighting 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 automotive LED lighting market report covers the following areas: Automotive LED Lighting Market Size Automotive LED Lighting Market Trends Automotive LED Lighting Market Industry Analysis This study identifies growing popularity of adaptive lighting systems as one of the prime reasons driving the automotive LED lighting market growth during the next few years. Automotive LED Lighting Market 2019-2023: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the automotive LED lighting market, including some of the vendors such as Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA, Hyundai Mobis Co. Ltd., KOITO Manufacturing Co. Ltd., LG Electronics (News - Alert) Inc., Magna International Inc., Magneti Marelli SpA, OSRAM GmbH, Stanley Electric Co. Ltd., Valeo SA and Varroc Group. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the automotive LED lighting 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 Automotive LED Lighting Market 2019-2023: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2019-2023 Detailed information on factors that will assist automotive LED lighting market growth during the next five years Estimation of the automotive LED lighting market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the automotive LED lighting market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of automotive LED lighting 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/20200214005196/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Under fire over Polanski, the board of the Cesar Academy, which awards France's equivalent of the Oscars, resigned en masse on Thursday evening, a fortnight before its gala ceremony. It comes after more than 200 actors, producers, directors and movie personalities demanded "profound reform". The academy had come under fire after Roman Polanski's new film "An Officer and a Spy" topped the list of nominations for this year's Cesar awards, which will be handed out on 28 February. Polanski has been wanted in the US for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl since 1978 and is persona non grata in Hollywood. In its statement the academy said: "To honour those men and women who made cinema happen in 2019, to find calm and ensure that the festival of film remains just that, a festival, the board... has unanimously decided to resign". "This collective decision will allow complete renewal of the board," it added. The decision is unlikely, however, to impact the awards ceremony itself. The statement said a general meeting would be held after the upcoming awards ceremony to elect a new board and management who will work on implementing reforms and modernisation. The need for reform The board's decision follows weeks of agitation. In an open letter on Wednesday, more than 200 actors, producers, directors and movie personalities denounced the "dysfunction" at the academy and "opaqueness" in its accounts. They also complained that the founding statutes of the Cesars had not changed in a long time and that the academy's nearly 5,000 members do not get a vote or a say in its decisions. The academy's board in response said it would ask the National Centre for Cinema, a culture ministry agency, to appoint a mediator to oversee "deep reform" of its statutes and governance. The academy had previously announced measures to boost female representation in its membership and representation. The inclusion of Polanski's film on the Cesars' shortlist was condemned by France's equality minister, women's groups and film critics, but the Cesar Academy said it could not be expected to take "moral positions" when evaluating films. A number of French feminist groups have urged Cesar voters to snub Polanski's film, titled "J'accuse" in France, and called for a protest outside the award ceremony, which is to be held in Paris's Salle Pleyel auditorium. "When we mobilise, things happen!", feminist collective Nous Toutes (All Of Us) wrote on Twitter. Another group, Osez Le Feminisme (Dare Feminism), said: "Imagine what's next. A new voting panel without male self-confidence, opacity and sexism. Will we finally stop applauding rapists and paedophiles on the run?" (with AFP) Australia's go to hardware store Bunnings Warehouse has removed their iconic slogan promising the 'lowest prices'. The brand has slowly stripped warehouses, TV and radio advertisements and staff uniforms of the slogan: 'Lowest prices are just the beginning' that has been around for 25 years. The hardware giant claims the slogan's removal won't affect prices for customers but retail experts are suggesting online shopping has put pressure on the store. The removal of the slogan comes as Australia's retail sector is plunged into a crisis. Bunnings Warehouse has removed their signature slogan 'Lowest prices are just the beginning' Bunnings Managing Director Mike Schneider said the removal of the slogan was a way to 'refresh' and 'upgrade' the store's brand. 'After 25 years, customers understand our lowest prices policy and price guarantee, so we thought it was timely to update and refresh our branding,' Mr Schneider said in a statement to Daily Mail Australia. 'We started this in 2018 and will slowly be making the changes to our buildings as we open new stores and refresh our store network.' He stressed that there would be no changes to the low prices guarantee. 'We are incredibly and genuinely committed to our policy of lowest prices. We invest over $5 million a year in a very robust system to constantly check competitor's prices online and in store, nationally and regionally,' Mr Schneider said. 'In stores, we have pricing integrity team members who check the local market.' Mr Schneider also said the slogan's removal was not a result of competing with prices at other department stores and added it was not gone forever. But Steve Collinge, a retail consultant, said the pressures of online shopping was going to give Bunnings a 'headache'. 'Bunnings knows that consumers will continue to buy online in increasing numbers and this will provide them with a real headache,' he told news.com.au. The store's CEO said the removal of the slogan wouldn't mean any difference to prices for shoppers 'Bunnings is a great brand but it's hamstrung by its monster stores that have very high fixed costs. That means nimbler competitors with a much lower costs base are able to come in with cheaper prices.' Professor Gary Mortimer from the University of Queensland Business School said he didn't think the slogan's disappearance would have any affect. 'I genuinely don't think consumers will notice the signs missing,' Professor Mortimer told Daily Mail Australia. 'I think that's ultimately because that slogan is embedded into consumer's psyches. When we think of Bunnings we think of the slogan 'Lowest prices are just the beginning'. Professor Mortimer said he didn't believe shoppers would see a price increase as a result. 'I think it's simply the case so they're not pigeon holed into the low prices appeal and that they can promote other important attributes such as quality of service and range.' Bunnings has been slowly removing the slogan since last month on its staff aprons, warehouses and commercials The removal of Bunnings' slogan comes during Australia's retail apocalypse. Retailers across Australia have been forced to enter into voluntary administration as shoppers turn their attention to online stores. Dropping like FLIES: Some of Australia's recent retail casualties 2016: Dick Smith, Masters hardware, Payless Shoes 2017: Topshop Australia 2018: Avon, Espirit, Toys 'R' Us, Max Brenner, Roger David 2019: Ed Harry, Diana Ferrari, Napoleon Perdis, Ziera, Bardot, Harris Scarfe 2020: Jeans West , Collete Hayman, EB Games, Co-op bookstore Advertisement On top of this, retailers are blaming shopping mall landlords for jacking up the rent. Within the last year, several big brands collapsed including fashion retailers Bardot and Jeans West and gaming store EB Games. Retail Doctor Group, a business consultancy, said Australia could be left with fewer traditional shops unless changes were made to combat the rise of online commerce giants like Amazon. 'We haven't even reached base camp with what's about to change,' the group's chief executive Brian Walker previously told Daily Mail Australia. 'Twenty-five years ago, there was a little online bookshop opening in Seattle, that business now turns over $250 billion a year.' Mr Walker said shopping mall owners were increasing rents, which put the squeeze, particularly on fashion retailers that were struggling with slower sales revenue. Shop owners in downturn Sydney last year paid an average of $12,825 a month in rent, data from real estate group Colliers showed. As of September last year, Australia's retail sector grew at the slowest pace since the 1991 recession. Harris Scarfe, (pictured), founded in 1849, took consumers by surprise when it entered administration in December and is now about to close at least 21 stores The news has since worsened with Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released last week showing retail trade grew by just 0.3 per cent in 2019 - the slowest annual growth rate on record. Business advisory firm BDO's national leader for retail, Mark Schiavello, said retailers needed to adapt to survive. 'Today's shopper doesn't go to a store to transact, that can be done anywhere, anytime,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'They go to stores to experience, feel and connect with a brand.' West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee on Friday said she felt bad when she was not informed about the inauguration of the East-West metro corridor, Kolkatas second metro line. Banerjee said that her team had to shed tears to sanction the project when she was the railway minister. We had worked hard for the East-West metro project. We had to literally shed tears for it (approval). I felt bad as I was not even informed about the inauguration. It feels bad that even for a small route they dont have the courtesy to call me and inform, the chief minister said in the state assembly. The first phase of the East-West corridor of the mass rapid transport network was flagged off by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday, but the TMC gave the event a miss after Banerjees name did not feature in the list of invitees. 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 first phase of the metro project connects a 4.88-km stretch between Sector V of Salt Lake - the IT hub of the city - with Salt Lake Stadium. Goyal said that the entire 16.5-km stretch of the corridor - till Howrah Maidan - is likely to be completed in two years provided bottlenecks affecting it are cleared through local support. Indirectly blaming 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. The delay also caused cost escalation, Goyal said, adding that 6,500 crore have so far been spent for the East-West Metro project. 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. Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Hae-chan attends a party meeting at the National Assembly, Seoul, Friday. The party earlier filed a complaint with the prosecution against a professor for writing a column critical of the ruling bloc, but withdrew the move on Friday following criticism from the political circle and civic groups. Yonhap By Kim Rahn The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has faced harsh criticism for trying to gag critics by filing a complaint with the prosecution against a professor and a local daily for writing a column critical of the ruling bloc. It later withdrew the complaint, but condemnation continues that the "democratic" party is suppressing the freedom of expression a value which the liberal bloc has long fought for. The Kyunghyang Shinmun carried a column by research professor Lim Mi-ri from Korea University's Center for Korean History on Jan. 28. In the column titled "Except the DPK," she denounced the ruling bloc for "being immersed in its own interests rather than people's desires" despite the fact that the Moon Jae-in administration was established through the massive public candlelit protests sparked by the corruption scandal of the previous government, going so far as to call itself the "candle-led government." Lim suggested people not vote for the ruling party for the upcoming April 15 general election, so that politicians and parties would bear in mind that they should not forget their election promises after they take power. "So I propose people cast ballots for parties 'except the DPK.'" After the column was published, the DPK requested for the prosecution to investigate the professor and the newspaper for violating the Public Official Election Act. It said she violated multiple regulations under the act by carrying out pre-electioneering. The hashtag that read "Except the DPK" posted by Korea University professor Lim Mi-ri on her Facebook. She was sued by the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) for writing a column suggesting people vote for other parties in the April 15 general election because the party has failed to serve the people. / Captured from Facebook Police bodycam footage has emerged of the moment a six-year-old girl was escorted from her elementary school in Florida by a group of cops before being committed to a mental health facility without her parents' permission because she had a 'tantrum'. On February 4, six-year-old Nadia Falk was taken to a mental health facility without her mother's permission after staff at Love Grove Elementary School called social workers claiming the girl, who has ADHD and a personality disorder, was throwing things and harming staff. Nadia was taken to a mental health facility where she was sedated and held for 48 hours without seeing her mother, Martina. Now, Martina is speaking out about the horrifying ordeal and questions over why the child was treated so harshly are being asked. In Florida, children may be removed from school, transported to a psychiatric facility and held for up to 72 hours without parental consent under The Baker Law if there is reason to believe they have a mental illness and they are unable or unwilling to accept voluntary treatment. The law makes no differentiation between children and adults. Martina expressed her hurt at seeing the footage of her child being taken from the school in Jacksonville before being sent to River Point Behavioral Health Center under the Baker Act, a Florida law that allows temporary detention. She says Nadia was 'locked away in an isolation room' to calm her down. Nadia Falk was taken to a mental health facility without her mother's permission after staff at Love Grove Elementary School called social workers claiming the girl, who has ADHD and a personality disorder, was throwing things and harming staff Falk said that her daughter, who has special needs, was traumatized and has demanded answers from Duval County Public Schools and the mental health facility where the girl was committed, News4Jax reported. Sympathetic police officers are heard questioning why they were sent for. One even remarks: 'She seems pleasant. the footage released by Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on Thursday shows'. Nadia was heard asking: 'Am I going to jail?' after cops were called in. The female cop who led Nadia to the police car says: 'She's been so co-operative with me'. 'I think they don't want to deal with it,' another officer says. Falk's attorney Reganel Reeves, said: 'She had a tantrum. six-year-olds have tantrums. Six-year-olds with special needs have tantrums. The school knew about her tantrums,' Reeves said. 'The police officer had no independent basis to take this child for Baker Act. 'What medical basis did they have to give this child anti-psychotic medicines? That's what we need to know.' Six-year-old Nadia is seen in the footage being taken away involuntarily from Love Grove Elementary School in Jacksonville by cops Sympathetic cops led her by the hand and later questioned why they had been called out Cops can be heard questioning why they had been called out to the school to take Nadia away The Baker Act The mental health law in Florida, known as the Baker Act, allows involuntary psychiatric examination of anyone, regardless of their age. Under state law, children may be removed from school, transported to a psychiatric facility and held for up to 72 hours without consent from their parents. In Florida 36,078 children were sent for involuntary psychiatric examination during in 2017-2018 alone, a rise of 3,000 from the previous year. The act is intended to only be used if there is reason to believe that the person is impaired by their mental illness and they are unable or unwilling to accept voluntary treatment. The act was named after Maxine Baker, a former Miami State representative who sponsored the act in 1972. The Baker Law's use on minors has been criticized by many. In 2019 Florida Representative Byron Donalds, a Republican lawmaker who represents Naples, said he was considering legislation to make sure parents were contacted before their child was Baker Acted. Advertisement He said that they were considering launching a lawsuit. Falk said: 'I got a call saying that she is so uncontrollable that they had to Baker Act her. 'They called me and said 'Ms. Falk we're calling to let you know that there's nothing else we could do. 'There's nothing else you could do for my 6-year-old? When she was taken to that hospital to be locked away in this isolation, seclusion room. They said they did that as an attempt to calm her down.' 'As a mother I feel helpless. I don't see the benefit of the Baker Act. It's not helping [children]. Locking them away, just to get rid of them.' Nadia's mother Martina expressed her pain at seeing her daughter being taken away by a group of cops and demanded answers Falk said Nadia had an 'episode' at the elementary school. 'She had the meltdown at school she was pushing over chairs, screaming yelling and running away from the teacher,' Falk said, according to Jacksonville.com. She said her child was heavily sedated before being put on 48-hour hold and finally being released on February 6. 'When I went to see her, she was so drugged up she couldn't even recognize me. She didn't know who I was. She had on a diaper. My daughter is fully potty trained,' Falk said. 'An apology would be nice, but it isn't going to fix the pain that I feel watching that video knowing that my daughter may have been provoked because their staff were irritated or maybe had a bad day and didn't want to deal with a special needs child. It's hurtful.' Nadia has not returned to Love Grove Elementary School and is temporarily attending Hope Haven medical facility's school An incident report filed by police noted that the 4-foot tall girl 'was destroying school property, attacking staff, out of control, and running out of school. 'The subject has been diagnosed with disruptive mood, disregulation disorder, and is prescribed Adderall,' it continued. Nadia was diagnosed with ADHD in 2017 and is waiting for test results to determine whether she has autism. Nadia is on medication for mental health issues and is in a special needs class Nadia has not returned to the school and is temporarily attending Hope Haven medical facility's school. A spokesman for Duval County Public Schools said that the decision was made by Child Guidance, a private company, that receives cash from Florida's Department of Children and Families. 'Officers in the video were not present during the events which motivated the school to call Child Guidance, our crisis response care provider. 'The police officers were also not present when Child Guidance was intervening with the student. It was the mental health counselor from Child Guidance, not the police officer or school personnel, who made the Baker Act decision,' a spokesperson said. 'Our procedure is to call Child Guidance when a student's crisis is not de-escalating and the student is at risk of self-harm or harming others. Our staff followed that procedure. 'The student was calm when she left the school, but at that point, Child Guidance had already made the decision to Baker Act based on their intervention with the student. The judgement to Baker Act rested completely with the mental health professional. 'We cannot speak on behalf of Child Guidance regarding decision making in this matter, but we have already requested a leadership meeting with Child Guidance to review this situation.' Child Guidance did not immediately return a request for comment from Dailymail.com. PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Wrapping up a successful national conference in Denver, Colorado, Therap looks ahead to its 2021 National Conference, with the City of Brotherly Love taking a turn as host. The annual event is a platform for system administrators, management and professionals from across the nation to share ideas and experiences, and learn from each other and expertise on implementation and processes they've developed, or are drafting to incorporate their data and accountability into the disability software's electronic health record. This year's conference featured keynote speeches on EVV, Quality and System Change, Charting the LifeCourse, Automated Data Acquisition and the Therap's role in the Internet of Things. The three-day event welcomed more than 600 attendees, Therap users and administrators from across the US. More than 200 sessions were offered including workshops on EVV, data-driven outcomes, mobile apps, business intelligence dashboard reporting, program writing, community-based employment documentation and setting up system tools like pharmacy interface and electronic claims billing. The Philadelphia conference includes tracts for agencies just starting to use the system, including specific module walk-throughs and user experiences, to advanced sessions and state-specific topics covering the scope of registrants' needs. Sessions on specific topics like dashboard reports/business intelligence, moving to community-based employment, tools for children's services providers, aging providers and agencies with early intervention and early childhood programs will be on the schedule. For state departments and representatives from state agencies, sessions on comprehensive incident management, eligibility and determination, referral, waiver management and waiting lists are covered. Breakout discussions on specific state regulations and the latest trends in the intellectual and developmental disability and broader LTSS field feature heavily in sessions, from Value-Based Reimbursement (VBR), managed care, health exchanges and interoperability to EVV and care coordination. The event is an opportunity for agency leaders to gather invaluable practical knowledge, processes and networking for their organizations. About Therap Therap's comprehensive solution is used in HCBS Waiver, ICF/IID, LTSS and other services to document residential and community-based supports, employment, case management, incident reporting, training and electronic billing claim submissions directly to Medicaid. Learn more at www.TherapServices.net . SOURCE Therap Services Related Links http://www.therapservices.net PIERRE | The effort to keep municipalities from banning plastic bags died Wednesday in the House. SB54 would have kept cities from restricting the use of plastic auxiliary containers, beverage containers, garbage bags, straws used for beverage consumption or plastic packaging materials. It was referred to jokingly at times in the Legislature as a ban on bans. The bill was earlier endorsed by the Senate on a vote of 22-12. Rep. Thomas Brunner, R-Nisland, said the more he looked at the bill, the more he liked it since it didnt restrict the way businesses operate. It allows businesses to serve their customers, Brunner said. We dont need to be getting in the way of serving their customers. This is a bill about local control, Rep. Kelly Sullivan, D-Sioux Falls said while asking that cities be allowed to make their own decisions about what to ban. Some city governments in South Dakota have discussed a ban on plastics, but none have enacted one. This doesnt strike me as a crisis in South Dakota, said Rep. Scyller Borglum, R-Rapid City. The bill was defeated in the House on a vote of 30-33. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Bill Montgomery / Houston Chronicle The Texas Public Utility Commission on Friday approved the $13 million rate hike settlement that CenterPoint Energy negotiated with cities, large power users and consumer groups. But the three-member panel said it wanted to add a provision that would ensure any measures in the settlement the commission didn't agree to would not bind the actions of future commissions. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Sunny and windy. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds SSW at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Windy and partly cloudy this evening. Mostly cloudy with diminishing winds after midnight. Low 29F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. Fairfield University MFA Creative Writing alumna Alena Dillon will be at the Downtown Fairfield University Bookstore Thursday evening, March 19, with her debut novel, Mercy House. Mercy House (William Morrow, An Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers) tells the story of three nuns who run a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Dillons work has appeared in Slice Magazine, The Rumpus and Seventh Wave, among others. She lives on the north shore of Boston with her husband, son and their black labrador, Penny. Copies of Mercy House will be available for purchase/signing at the Downtown Bookstore event. Heres a look at the story: Inside a century-old row house in Brooklyn, renegade Sister Evelyn and her fellow nuns preside over a safe haven for the abused and abandoned. Gruff and indomitable on the surface, warm and wry underneath, little daunts Evelyn, until she receives word that Mercy House will be investigated by Bishop Hawkins, a man with whom she shares a dark history. In order to protect everything theyve built, the nuns must conceal many of their methods, which are forbidden by the Catholic Church. Evelyn will go to great lengths to defend all that she loves. She confronts a gang member, defies the church, challenges her own beliefs, and faces her past. She is bolstered by the other nuns and the vibrant, diverse residents of the shelterLucia, Mei-Li, Desiree, Esther, and Katrina whose differences are outweighed by what unites them: theyve all been broken by men but are determined to rebuild. Amidst her fight, Evelyn discovers the extraordinary power of mercy and the grace it grants, not just to those who receive it, but to those strong enough to bestow it. A life-altering debut featuring fierce, funny, and irreverent women who battle the most powerful institution in the world. This is the book weve all been waiting for. said comedian /actress Amy Schumer. Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe If you were ever convicted in Los Angeles County for having a joint, a lid or even a bale of marijuana, you can look forward to your criminal conviction being erased soon. District Attorney Jackie Lacey has asked a judge to dismiss and seal the records of some 66,000 marijuana-related convictions for about 53,000 individuals dating back to 1961. Lacey announced the move on Thursday, about 10 months after she first pledged to erase the cases. She said expunging the convictions could clear away an obstacle keeping thousands of people from getting better jobs, housing and education. The request would "bring much-needed relief to communities of color that disproportionately suffered the unjust consequences of our nation's drug laws," Lacey said. About 45% of the convictions being lifted were for Latinos and 32% for African-Americans. Lacy said the dismissals go beyond the relief called for under Prop. 64 -- the 2016 measure that legalized recreational marijuana -- and a follow-on implementation law known as AB 1793, which required past pot cases to be dismissed or re-sentenced by July 1 of this year. Rather than just reduce the charges from felonies to misdemeanors in accordance with the law, she said she requested dismissals of all the convictions. YES, THIS COVERS FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS The requested dismissals include 62,000 felony cases filed in L.A. County since 1961. Lacey is also seeking dismissals of about 4,000 misdemeanor cannabis possession cases that were prosecuted by city attorney offices in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance, Pasadena, Inglewood, Burbank, Santa Monica, Hawthorne, Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. Individuals have had the right to petition a court for their cases to be dismissed, but almost no one has because the process is cumbersome, costly and confusing. A nonprofit group called Code for America worked with L.A. and four other counties to generate the list of potentially dismissable cases from data provided by the state Department of Justice. Statewide, software created by Code For America has identified 85,000 convictions that might be purged in L.A., San Francisco, Sacramento, San Joaquin and Contra Costa counties. These convictions should no longer burden those who have struggled to find a job or a place to live because of their criminal record," Lacey said. "What we have faced in Los Angeles County was decades of draconian drug laws that had an incredibly disproportionate impact on minorities and in particular, African Americans," said Public Defender Ricardo Garcia. "Clearing these convictions will help thousands of Angelenos move on with their lives and build a future free from the pain and suffering of a criminal conviction," he said. WHICH CRIMES ARE NOT BEING DISMISSED? These types of cases are not eligible for dismissal: Cases in which people used children to sell pot, and those in which individuals created concentrated versions of cannabis by cooking down and processing marijuana. The law doesn't distinguish regarding the amount of pot, so someone convicted of possessing a joint would be treated the same as someone convicted of possessing a bale of marijuana. Of course, if you were convicted of moving bales of marijuana, there were probably other charges as well, like conspiracy, money laundering and so on. Those other charges do not go away, only the pot-related ones. People who were jailed on just pot-related charges have already been released in L.A. County, Lacey said. HOW QUICKLY WILL CASES BE DISMISSED? Assuming the judge grants the DA's request, the recent cases will be processed most quickly, while the older cases dating back to the 60s and 70s could take a few months. HERE'S HOW TO CHECK ON YOUR CASE People with old cannabis convictions need not do anything to make their pot offenses go away. The dismissals, once approved by the court, are automatic. The L.A. County Public Defender's office has set up a hotline for people who want to verify that their cannabis-related convictions were indeed erased. The number is (323) 760-6763. "We expect to get a deluge of calls," said Public Defender Ricardo Garcia. Callers will get a recording with instructions on how to confirm their marijuana violations were cleared from their record. GO DEEPER: Jackie Lacey's April 1, 2019 announcement that she would seek to clear marijuana convictions Coral reefs account for one-third of all biodiversity in the oceans and are vital to humanity. But long-standing human stressors including agricultural run-off and overfishing and more recent ocean warming from climate change have all contributed to large-scale coral reef die-offs. "Coral reef ecosystems now appear to be unraveling before our eyes, with intensifying outbreaks of coral disease and bleaching threatening the persistence of reef habitats and the immense biodiversity they support," said Katie Cramer, an assistant research professor at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University and an Ocean Science Fellow at the Center for Oceans at Conservation International. Cramer's work focuses on reconstructing long-term change in coral reef ecosystems by combining paleoecological, historical, and modern survey data to pinpoint the mechanisms of reef declines and inform conservation efforts. In her AAAS talk, "Coral Reefs: Centuries of Human Impact," Cramer outlines the evidence of the long-ago human footprints that set the stage for the recent coral reef die-offs we are witnessing today. "I am interested in going back to the scene of the crime when humans first began to impact coral reefs centuries to millennia ago, to understand when, why, and how much reefs have been altered by humans," said Cramer. Her studies have examined the origins of Caribbean coral reef declines by tracking changes over the past 3,000 years in the composition of a variety of fossils found in reef sediment cores she collected from Panama, including coral skeletons, fish teeth, urchin spines, mollusk shells, and others. These studies revealed that long-standing local human impacts such as fishing and agriculture have been profoundly altering reefs at least centuries before the disease and bleaching epidemics that are commonly cited as drivers of coral loss. In addition, Cramer will also present the first evidence of her study that reconstructed changes in coral communities from reefs across the Caribbean, spanning the pre-human period to the present. This work is revealing that coral communities were being transformed by human activities much earlier than previously thought. The hope is that by listening to the echoes of past environmental change on coral reefs, Cramer's efforts can better inform conservation efforts in a period of intensifying human-caused threats. "We need to resolve why and how much coral reefs have changed over human history to inform our responses to the current reef crisis. We need to understand how reefs have responded to past changes to best ensure their persistence into the future," said Cramer. ### Whether you have a Valentine or not this year, you can always count on a love story to put you in a romantic mood. Click through the slideshow for a dozen romantic movies to watch on Valentine's Day. Just not into it? These anti-romance movies may be more your speed. Each year, Valentine's movies come out in theaters around this time. This year, we've got "Down Hill" and "The Photograph." Here's what critics had to say: ___________________________________ This Valentine's Day, there's certain to be the usual flood of candy and flowers. But at your local movie theater, there's something increasingly rare: A soulful and adult romantic drama in The Photograph. Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield star as tentative, would-be lovers in modern-day New York. He's a magazine writer on an assignment and she's a museum curator. They first connect over a photograph of her mother that unlocks mom's backstory, set in 1980s Louisiana. That's another plus for the film: Value not one but two love stories. Written and directed by Stella Meghie, the film is a gentle and attentive inter-generational tale with a first-rate cast. To the always-charged romantic question Do I love this stranger? it adds another equally fraught query: Am I becoming my mom? Lakeith (FX's "Atlanta") plays Michael as a coiled, watchful and smoldering hunk who seems to be acting from deep within his guts. He's just as likely to flee as he is of cuddling. Rae's Mae is luminous and charismatic, with wide eyes that convey so many emotions. When Rae (HBOs "Insecure") bursts into a laugh, she seems to tap into that joyful, infectious place that Julia Roberts does. Their initial mating dance is as cute as any rom-com who's making the first move? before they finally get together and have a meal. And how refreshing it is to hear a debate over who's the better rapper Drake or Kendrick Lamar as the first date conversation? - by Mark Kennedy, AP Read the full review. ___________________________________ If you plan on heading out to see one, here's what critics had to say: The foreign-language film remake has never been the most esteemed sort of Hollywood production, but the timing of Downhill, a remake of Ruben Ostlunds 2014 Swedish film Force Majeure, hasnt done it any favors. Downhill takes the basic shape of Ostlunds film. A family of four (this time visiting from America not Sweden) are in the Alps for a ski vacation when an intentionally set off avalanche begins tumbling down the mountain. The family appreciates the sight from the deck of a ski lodge before, as the snow barrels closer, panic sets in. The husband, Pete (Ferrell), grabs his phone and runs away while the wife, Billie (Louis-Dreyfus), desperately clutches their two sons. Even if you didnt see Force Majeure, you might remember the original scene; it became a widely spread meme last year. It was a glorious shot and a moment of terror that, for the family of Force Majeure, afterward cleaved open the cracks and fissures of a marriage while burrowing into the existential comedy of monogamy and gender roles. Downhill does much the same, with a little less discomfort and a little more but not a lot more broad, European Vacation-style humor. After the avalanche, Billie is increasingly apoplectic, furious at her husband's cowardice and newly uncertain about their marriage's future. Pete at first refuses to admit anything happened, a denial that crumbles in a withering scene in front a visiting couple (Zach Woods, Zoe Chao). It would be easy to say Downhill lacks the nuance of Force Majeure, but Ostlunds film wasnt perfect, either. Like his The Square, it makes cutting but imprecise stabs at irony and satire, and never quite lives up to its spectacular beginning. Its the better film, sure, but the pleasures of watching Ferrell and, in particular, Louis-Dreyfus in Downhill shouldnt be minimized. - By Jake Coyle, AP Read the full review. Boulder County is committed to addressing global climate change at the local level, said Boulder County Commissioner Elise Jones. Like so many areas around the country, Colorado is already feeling the impacts of climate change. We are looking at the carbon footprint of our financial services, and making sure that the insurance companies we work with arent actively furthering the climate crisis was an obvious first step for the county to take. We encourage all counties and cities committed to climate action to join us. The resolution said that the county took the action to urge insurance companies to divest from fossil-fuel industries and end the underwriting of activities related to the extraction or use of fossil fuels. The resolution established divestment as a determining factor in making decisions about insurance carriers. This is a great step forward, said Bill McCibben, a founder of environmental group 350.org. It demonstrates to the financial industry that important customers are becoming uneasy with its inertia, and beginning to demand that the industry face its role in causing, and hopefully solving, the climate crisis. The 40 largest US insurers hold combined investments of more than $450 billion in coal, gas and electric utilities. Many insurers also cover projects like coal-fired power plants, tar-sands pipelines, and other fossil-fuel infrastructure. We applaud Boulder County for their leadership in taking this important step to help defund the climate crisis and align taxpayer dollars with local values and efforts to stabilize the climate and transition to a clean, renewable-energy future, said Micah Parkin, executive director of 350 Colorado. In the past five years, 19 global insurers have adopted policies to limit or end their insurance coverage for coal. Of those 19, just four are US insurers. The two-year deal will see OBFF continue to supply Lidls 201 stores across Ireland as well as the chains circa 800 stores in Britain German supermarket chain Lidl has entered a new supply deal with O'Brien Fine Foods (OBFF) worth an estimated 40m in turnover to the Kildare-based cooked meats producer. The two-year deal will see OBFF continue to supply Lidl's 201 stores across Ireland as well as the chain's circa 800 stores in Britain. Lidl said it does not envisage any impact to the agreement in the event of a hard Brexit. OBFF's products will also be exported for sale in more than 7,400 Lidl stores across mainland Europe including Austria, Germany, Finland, Italy, Poland, and Spain. Under the agreement the discount retailer will also launch four new products as part of its own-brand cooked meat range in partnership with the family-owned business. John O'Brien, managing director of O'Brien Fine Foods, said the commitment by Lidl "will allow us to invest in and expand our operations" Over the past 10 years the O'Brien family business has grown to employ 550 staff. Its Brady Family ham brand sells in all of the major retailers in Ireland. A Clark County Superior Court jury on Thursday convicted Ryan Burge of killing his girlfriends 5-year-old daughter while babysitting her in November 2018. Jurors found Burge guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter, The Columbian reported. The jury also determined that Burge was guilty of factors that made his crime particularly egregious, including that Hartley was vulnerable and he betrayed a position of trust. Burge showed little reaction to the verdict. His sentencing was set for March 11. The prosecution argued that the voluminous evidence showed that Burge attacked Hartley for throwing a fit. The defense asserted that the girl had a history of self-harm and caused her own fatal injuries. Burge, 38, was arrested over a year ago on suspicion of causing Hartley's death. She had suffered severe head trauma and died at a Portland hospital. The Associated Press Delhi Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend his oath-taking ceremony on February 16. The ceremony will take place at Ramlila Maidan. Earlier on Thursday, AAP leader Gopal Rai said that only people of Delhi will be invited to the oath-taking ceremony of the Delhi cabinet and that of Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal. "Only the people of Delhi will be invited to the oath-taking ceremony. Chief Ministers of other states or leaders of other parties will not be invited," Rai told ANI. On Wednesday, senior party leader Manish Sisodia had also invited all to attend the oath-taking ceremony. "Delhi's son Arvind Kejriwal and the new government under his leadership will take oath on February 16 at Ramlila Maidan. I appeal to all of you to reach there by 10 am to bless your son and encourage him," he had tweeted. AAP clinched a landslide victory by winning 62 of the 70 seats in the Delhi elections in the face of a high-voltage campaign by the BJP, which fielded a battery of Union Ministers and Chief Ministers in its electioneering, spearheaded by Home Minister Amit Shah. The BJP marginally improved its tally, managing just eight seats from its 2015's tally of three seats. The Congress, which drew a blank in the previous elections, failed to open its account yet again. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) When I asked people for their Houston gripes recently, my Facebook friend William Dylan Powell complained about grackles giving him the side-eye in grocery store parking lots. Ornithologists havent defined a single phrase for what to call a colony of grackles, like a murder of crows or a flock of seagulls, Powell wrote. Im thinking, an omen. An omen of grackles. Because seeing 300 of them in a parking lot blocking out the sun does not seem like a portent of joy. It seems like a portent of getting rolled for your #$%&!*$ french fries. I laughed out loud. We discussed it on the monthly gripe session on KUHFs Houston Matters. And I figured a joke setup that good deserved to be stolen and thrown out to the greater Houston smartass community. A pride of lions, a bevy of quail, an exaltation of larks but what collective noun should we use for grackles? Here, lightly edited, are some of the funniest answers. John Nova Lomax: A ruckus of grackles. Bruce Bodson: Though not usable in the Chronicle, my observation of vehicles in an area shopping center where grackles roost leads me to conclude the proper collective is sload. Paul Tien-Shieh Lee: A Hitchcock of grackles. Craig Cohen, host of Houston Matters: I think by the end of the Houston Matters conversation about this, someone improved on my idea to draw inspiration for this name from the Alfred Hitchcock movie The Birds, and I concur: Its a Hedren of grackles. Andrea Greer: So when two flocks descend on the same parking lot, you have a Hedren Collider? Deborah Quinn Hensel: A garage band of grackles. A vociferance of grackles. A caucus of grackles. Austin Tremblay: Considering Houstons climate, I think a swullucking of grackles is appropriate. Martin Hajovsky: A hassle of grackles? Lauren Meyers: A splatter of grackles. Jeff Nunnally: A squawk. David Hoyt: An annoyance. Annie Buford Stephenson: The official word is a plague, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. How appropriate! Marisa Ramirez: A murder? Lisa Gray responds: Havent crows already claimed murder? As in, a murder of crows? Stephen Blackstock: Manslaughter, then. Lynn Goode: Well, if its a murder of crows, a grifting of grackles? David Ross: A felony of grackles. Cory Thomas Blacke: An assassination of grackles. Joe Householder: Since the word is intended to enable one to visualize the group, Id suggest a Kroger of grackles. Miah Mary Arnold, proprietor of Grackle and Grackle Writing Workshops: An inspiration of grackles. A provocation of grackles. Meli Mel: A cackle of grackles. La Lisa Hernandez: A packle of grackles. Miah Mary Arnold: A hackle of grackles. Marcy Goodfleish: A tackle of grackles. Jaime Gonzalez Santana: A crackle of grackles? Don Mason: A stinking of grackles. Carolyn White: A horror of grackles. Nick Hall: A guano. Tarbox Kiersted: A curse of grackles? Brad Tyer: A clusterflock. What do you call a bunch of people who crack jokes about Houston? My Facebook followers. If you want to play next time, look for us there. lisa.gray@chron.com A new commercial from airline SAS challenging the authenticity of Scandinavian traditions has provoked furore in the form of cyber attacks, a wave of social media anger and bomb threats against the ad agency behind it. On Thursday morning, Danish police cordoned off the area around the Copenhagen offices of the ad agency which created the newly released commercial, according to an AFP reporter at the scene. The cordon was lifted several hours later. Copenhagen police said a bomb threat had been emailed to the agency but that police had found nothing. Published to YouTube on Tuesday, the ad asks "What is truly Scandinavian?," and then answers with "Absolutely nothing... everything is copied". "We're no better than our Viking ancestors," says an actor, before an off-screen voice says: "We take everything we like on our trips abroad, adjust it a little bit et voila!" It then goes on to list the origin of iconic Scandinavian staples like Swedish meatballs -- which were originally imported from Turkey -- and Danish pastries, brought to Denmark by Austrian bakers. SAS, founded jointly by Sweden, Denmark and Norway in 1946, said in a statement that the commercial was meant to convey the message "that travel enriches us." But it sparked anger among some in Scandinavia, where the arrival of hundreds of thousands of migrants since 2015 has led to fiery debates about integration and Scandinavian identity. "What complete damn nonsense and self loathing," Richard Jomshof, a Swedish member of parliament representing the populist Sweden Democrats, wrote in a Facebook post. In Sweden and Denmark, neo-Nazi circles, typically very active online, also criticised the clip. "The ad is taking a political stance implying that everyone is welcome. This is obviously a sensitive message in a time of xenophobia," communications professor Lars Thoger Christensen of Copenhagen Business School told AFP. - 'Enough is enough' - In Denmark, Soren Espersen, deputy head of the anti-immigration Danish People's Party that dictated the country's restrictive immigration policy for two decades, told newspaper Ekstrabladet he was shocked. SAS "is spitting on everything that is truly Danish," he said, adding: "The government has to say that enough is enough." Both he and Jomshof vowed to never fly with the airline again. Rival airline Norwegian also seized on the opportunity to poke fun at SAS by posting an image of a cheese slicer to Facebook with the caption: "Luckily, no one can take the cheese slicer from us." Another Twitter user joked: "If Greta (Thunberg, the teen Swedish climate activist) made this 'commercial' with the goal of getting Swedes to fly less, she succeeded." - 'Travel enriches us' - In Copenhagen, the editor in chief of Ekstrabladet, Poul Madsen, meanwhile said the advert "hit the nail on the head on the most Scandinavian thing of all: self-mockery." SAS, which transports around 30 million passengers every year and employs 10,000 people, is 70 percent controlled by institutional and private investors with the remaining 30 percent shared almost equally by Sweden and Denmark. Contacted by AFP, the Swedish and Danish governments had no immediate comment. Facing a barrage of reactions, SAS on Wednesday temporarily took the commercial down from their social media accounts. The company said, however, that the "pattern and volume" of reactions meant it suspected "an online attack and that the campaign has been hijacked." When asked by AFP, SAS did not indicate whether it intended to lodge a complaint, and the intelligence services would not confirm if they had opened an investigation. The campaign has since been reinstated and on Thursday the video had almost 320,000 views on Youtube. Comments had been disabled but the video had more than 60,000 dislikes, and only 4,000 likes. "We stand behind the message in the film that travel enriches us," SAS said in a statement. "It is regrettable that the film is misunderstood, that some choose to interpret the message and use it for their own purpose." 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. Cape Town In this allAfrica explainer we delve into the relationship between climate change and conflict on the continent Levels of poverty, economic opportunities, and unemployment are key factors increasing the likelihood of conflict, and there is strong agreement that climate change is a major driver of violent conflict, according to the Institute for Security Studies. Climate affects the risk of violence within countries, and as global temperatures climb, the risk of armed conflict is expected to increase substantially, reports IPS. But some of the biggest uncertainties are about how and why. Whether its because climate change may cause economic shocks in the aftermath of a disaster or leads to failure of agriculture productivity, it all comes down to three things: civil war is a lot more likely when the economy takes a downturn; the economy is more likely to take a downturn when the agricultural sector is not productive; and the agricultural sector will likely be unproductive when temperatures are high and rainfall low, according to a UN report Ferrial Adam, an environmental justice activist who has been in the sector for about 15 years and is presently working on her PhD that looks at how people can use science to fight their environmental struggles says theres a link between climate change and violent conflict. Its very clear that climate change is affecting the most vulnerable communities and as vulnerable communities are forced to find more water and food, that leads to violent conflict. So theyll be localised conflict but I also think that in the future we could probably see more conflict between countries over water and food, she said. West Africa Nigeria is one of the countries really feeling the impact of climate change, with sea levels rising while Lake Chad is shrinking, and desertification advancing rapidly. Repeated conflicts among nationals of different countries over control of the remaining water in the drying lake contributes to insecurity in the region. Conflict between Nigerian herdsmen and farmers dates back decades, according to the International Crisis Group, but escalated drastically in recent years as climate change is driving herders south into Nigerias central farmland. The years-long battle over land between herdsmen from the Fulani people and farmers in the central region known as the Middle Belt has grown dramatically. The root of the conflict lies in the forced southern migration, owing to drought, of herdsmen from their traditional grazing grounds, mostly in the northeast of Nigeria. Now the nomadic Fulani herdsmen are in constant search for water holes and grasslands for their cattle, and due to land scarcity, herders are permanently relocating to areas that are already inhabited by farmers in southern Nigeria. Fulani herdsmen and Bachama farmers must now compete over scarce fertile land, furthering tension and violence between the two groups. But this migration into the savannah and rainforest of the Middle Belt did not just increase pressure on the land and pave the way for the conflict, but also created an opening for militant groups to establish themselves in areas around the Lake Chad Basin. Southern Africa Between January and April 2019, the region faced several weather-related phenomena such as tropical cyclones, Idai and Kenneth, which caused extensive flooding in countries such as Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Cyclone Idai, recorded as one of the worst tropical storms to ever affect Africa and the southern hemisphere, claimed hundreds of lives and left a trail of destruction, including severe damage to key infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools and clinics. There are allegations of sexual exploitation of Cyclone Idai victims by local officials in the affected areas as hunger and destruction caused by the cyclone left hundreds of thousands of women and children vulnerable to abuse. According to Oxfam, parts of Zimbabwe had their lowest rainfall since 1981 which has helped push more than 5.5 million people into extreme food insecurity. Meanwhile, Zambias rich maize-growing area were decimated and exports are now banned, with over 2.3 million people left food insecure. The situation is worsening including in Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. East Africa Climate change is taking a toll right across the Horn of Africa, with increasingly erratic weather and low rainfall common in Kenya, Somalia, Uganda and Ethiopia. According to the U.N., more than 2.5 million people in Somalia were forced from their homes by drought and insecurity in recent years and many are now at risk of starvation. Militants also exploited climate crises to win legitimacy and Al Shabaab learned to take advantage of natural disasters by helping victims and legitimizing its power, writes Thomson Reuters Foundation. In South Sudan, frequent droughts have disrupted rural livelihoods and exacerbated local conflicts between communal groups. Historically, violent conflicts between pastoral communities have been a recurring phenomenon in the region according to the Institute for Security Studies. Living under harsh environmental conditions and being frequently exposed to droughts, the regions people often fought over livestock and the access to water and grazing land. Communal conflicts in South Sudan killed thousands and displaced more. Theyve also impeded trade and agriculture, causing famines and crippling the local economy. Experts are becoming increasingly attentive to the role of climate change and more erratic weather conditions as an aggravating factor in the South Sudanese context. On October 30, the government of South Sudan declared a state of emergency across 27 flood-affected areas. Floods are a seasonal and acute problem in South Sudan but they were unusually heavy in this rainy season, according to MSF, already present in several flood-affected areas. At least 800,000 900,000 people are estimated to have been impacted by the floods. Adam says climate change is already causing localised conflicts in Kenya. When we were in north-east of Kenya, we were doing a bit of work in that area and we were driving past a man who had been fishing and had a rifle and so we stopped and asked why he needed a rifle. He said I have a gun for protection because people want to steal my fish from me. So thats some kind of conflict where people steal food from each other. If you look at the general picture of someone whos fishing, they are not working with guns and here was a guy with a rifle and he wasnt the only one. We went to interview some fishermen at the river and it was sunset and as we got there, they were all leaving and werent interested in answering our questions. When we asked them why they were leaving, they said that its because there are snipers from across the river who would shoot at them and then try to steal their fish. So its actually happening right now, Adams said. Adams said water scarcity in East Africa is already fueling conflict between countries too. So one of the things is Ethiopia wants to build a dam which is upstream from Kenya and itll affect the water that flows into Kenya so really theres some anger rising between people in Kenya and people in Ethiopia. They make it a national issue, creating conflict between countries, Adam said. But theres opportunity to respond to the threat Acknowledging this, African countries came up with mitigation and adaptation strategies, including the idea of the Great Green Wall project, an African-led movement with an epic ambition to grow an 8,000km natural wonder of the world across the entire width of Africa. Incredibly, the Great Green Wall or some form of it appears to be working. Since the birth of the initiative in 2007, and roughly 15% underway, the initiative is already bringing life back to Africas degraded landscapes at an unprecedented scale, providing food security, jobs and a reason to stay for the millions who live along its path. The Rwanda Green Fund signed an agreement with the Global Alliance for Smart Cities and Smart Villages in Africa to develop Rwandan villages into smart green villages in a bid to build communities resilience to climate change. In the Smart Green Village, we will bring all sustainable principles including low carbon gas emissions and energy efficiency. At this stage we are bringing model houses that are affordable with components of raw materials that are sustainable and that can be sourced and manufactured locally, said Hubert Ruzibiza, the Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Green Fund. Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari announced robust plans and initiatives by his administration to reverse the negative effects of climate change in Nigeria. The plans were revealed in his address to the United Nations Climate Action Summit with the theme, A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win. In the water sector, Buhari said that Nigeria would issue a green bond for irrigation and construct multi-purpose dams for power, irrigation and water supply. He further pledged that his administration would strengthen solid and liquid waste management systems to attract more private sector investors, adding that we will take concrete steps to harness climate innovative ideas by including youth in the decision-making processes as part of our overall climate governance architecture. We will mobilize Nigerian youth towards planting 25 million trees to enhance the countrys carbon sink. Prioritizing climate change, particularly as a national security concern, will assist the Nigerian government in mitigating a conflict that has such deep roots in the environment. Buharis seven-point plans reiterates commitment to concrete actions towards the Paris Agreement goals. The importance of the presidents speech in front of the whole world leaves Nigeria with no other option than to lead the way, writes Mohamed Yahya, Resident Representative, UNDP Nigeria. Advertisements In Zambia, President Edgar Lungu said climate change threatens to derail Zambias economy, and disruptions to the rainy season have already dampened its outlook. The southern African country hopes to minimize the impact of climate change by increasing its reliance on renewable energy. In Ghana, the government plans to replace its old trotro buses engines with newer versions which produce lower emissions and formalise waste collection in informal settlements as part of a new plan to help its crowded capital withstand climate change and disasters. Adams said governments across the continent need to do more. Weve been telling [governments] since 2006 that they need renewable energy and governments have not listened and part of the reason is, I think some of them have vested interests in coal mining. Its not just about the coal mining but the areas that theyre planning to mine is the waterbed which is very important in terms of our water resources. So governments has been short sighted in the sense that we dont have water forever and we need to protect the water that we do have. Secondly, they dont seem to understand that coal is going to bring more greenhouse gas emissions that affects climate change as a whole; and mining the coal will pollute our water. So they obviously say one thing at an international meetings but when it comes down to action, theyre doing the opposite, she said. Communities need to start a climate conversation and unite for bold climate action. I think people are not directly using the term climate change. They are experiencing the impact and theyre putting it in different words and descriptions because they are unable to explain in detail, the impact that they are having. Whether its a small fisher or a farmer, theyll tell you, well I used to plant on this day but now I have to change it to this month. So theres definite awareness in that regard but they have not said this is climate change. But we have a lot of work to do with regards to education and awareness on climate change, Adam said. allAfrica.coms reporting on peacebuilding is supported by a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York. MINSK -- President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has said Belarus would start taking oil from a transit pipeline if Russia does not supply its neighbor with the required volumes of crude, the state news agency BelTA reports. Russian oil flows to Belarus have dwindled since the beginning of the year, as Minsk and Moscow failed to agree terms for oil supplies for 2020. Lukashenka, whose country is heavily reliant on Russia for cheap oil and billions in annual subsidies to prop up its Soviet-era economy, said on February 14 that Belarusian refineries received 500,000 tons of Russian crude in January instead of a planned 2 million tons. "If Russia doesn't supply oil in necessary volumes, we would start taking it from the transit pipeline," the Belarusian leader said, referring to the Druzhba pipeline, which crosses Belarusian territory and supplies about 1 million barrels of Russian oil to Europe. The dispute over Russian oil supplies is part of wider political discord between Russia and Belarus over forming a union. Lukashenka, who has been in power in Belarus for more than 25 years, has faced growing pressure from Moscow recently to agree to deeper integration under a 1999 unification agreement, which envisaged close political, economic, and military ties but stopped short of forming a single nation. On a visit to southeastern Belarus on February 14, Lukashenka told officials of his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi last week. The Russian side hinted "at the incorporation of Belarus in return for unified energy prices," Lukashenka said, adding that he is "convinced that neither Russians nor Belarusians will ever want to follow this path." "They understand integration as swallowing up Belarus. This isn't integration. It's incorporation. I will never go for this," he also said. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP FILE PHOTO: People wear protective masks as they walk through the financial central district, following the outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Hong Kong By Alun John, Scott Murdoch and Sumeet Chatterjee HONG KONG (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 (4.6 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. (Reporting by Alun John, Scott Murdoch, and Sumeet Chatterjee; Editing by Gerry Doyle) With photos and videos of mask-wearing citizens coming out of Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, its not surprising that the New Mexico Department of Health has had reports of concerned people here buying protective masks, said state epidemiologist Dr. Michael Landen. That, however, is unnecessary because, for one thing, there are no reported cases of coronavirus in New Mexico, and if there were, the focus would be on putting masks on people with coronavirus to prevent virus-infected droplets from spreading if they cough or sneeze it would not be to prevent coronavirus in the general public, he said. Far more realistically, people should be concerned about catching the flu. In terms of risk to the general public, we have no cases of coronavirus in New Mexico and lots of cases of influenza. The chance of getting someone sick with influenza is so much greater than the chance of getting someone sick with coronavirus at this time. Measures more sensible than wearing a mask, Landen said, are for people to wash their hands and cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, and dont go to school or work. The cause of the coronavirus outbreak has not been determined. Also in flux is the number of people who have contracted it, with estimates on Thursday varying from more than 40,000 to nearly 60,000, according to news reports. What is known is that the vast majority of the cases are in Chinas Hubei Province and its capital, Wuhan. About 1,355 of those diagnosed in China have died, most of them elderly or people whose health had been compromised by chronic medical conditions. The largest cluster of coronavirus cases outside of China is on the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship, which has been docked in Yokohama, Japan. Of the 3,700 passengers and crew aboard, 218 people were confirmed to have the illness as of Thursday. Only 15 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the United States, mostly among citizens who contracted it while in China, Landen said. None of them has died. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that include severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, and the common cold, Landen said. The current iteration of the coronavirus, also called COVID-19, has a number of possible symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, headache, sore throat and a general feeling of being unwell, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms, which may appear in as few as two days and up to 14 days after exposure, can range from mild to severe, resulting in death. A Public Relations Consultant and long-standing activist of the New Patriotic Party in the Mpraeso Constituency, Mr Davis Opoku Ansah on Friday February 14 filed his nomination to contest in the upcoming Parliamentary primaries of the party. Speaking to a cross-section of the media and some executives of the party, Mr Ansah, who is popularly known as OPK, assured his constituents of a clean campaign devoid of insult. He called for a united constituency, before, during and after the primaries, saying "We will need everyone to execute the agenda of the NPP in winning a second term." Touching on his priorities, OPK said, I have come to contribute in building a Stronger, Prouder and Better Kwahu for all. He added, The youth of my constituency deserves a leader who is closer to them and ready to champion their needs. Speaking on his advocacy skills, he said, "This is the birthplace of one of the forebears of our Tradition, Dr Joseph Boakye Danquah. His voice, despite all the struggles, was loud in shaping our country, Ghana. I believe I have come at the right time to advocate for my constituents to place Mpraeso on the Political map of Ghana and give my people a voice that is always championing development." On Friday January 31 a group of Polling station executives in the Mpraeso Constituency led by Dr. Simon Ofori picked nomination forms for Mr Davis Opoku Ansah. Dr. Ofori stressed that We [delegates] volunteered to pick the forms for OPK to answer the many calls from the voters in our areas Mr Ansah, is the Operations Director of the Pro-Government pressure group, Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) and has held a number of positions in the party. The Mpraeso Constituency elections is expected to be fiercely contested as with the sitting Member of Parliament, Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong who has occupied the seat since 2009. He succeeded Dr Francis Osafo Mensah, who had occupied the seat 1996 and 2008. The NPP has slated April 25 for its primaries in constituencies with sitting MPs. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video During the Munich Security Conference, U.S. administration officials intend to negotiate with key allies and partners to discuss the need to counter Russias aggression against Ukraine. According to the U.S. Department of State, the American delegation will be represented by Acting Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip T. Reeker. He will accompany Secretary Pompeo to Munich to attend the Munich Security Conference. "While in Munich, Ambassador Reeker will hold bilateral meetings with key Allies and partners to discuss coordination on global challenges, including the need to counter Russias aggression against Ukraine," the statement reads. After Munich, Ambassador Reeker will go to Paris and Brussels. In Paris, he will meet with French officials to discuss cooperation on a range of issues, including strengthening the Transatlantic relationship to counter security challenges worldwide. On February 20, Ambassador Reeker will travel to Brussels where he will meet with EU officials and staff at the U.S. Mission to the European Union. ish [February 14, 2020] ValueLabs Acquires Iconic Design House, Indi Design HYDERABAD, India, Feb. 14, 2020 /CNW/ --ValueLabs, a global technology services provider, has acquired one of the most iconic design houses in India, Indi Design Private Limited. With this acquisition, ValueLabs' offering in the solutions segment expands to include Brand and Business Consulting. Indi Design was founded in 2009 by Sudhir Sharma. They are very well known for the Brand design work for Bajaj Auto, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finserv, and Varroc. With partner offices in Shanghai, Sao Paulo, Hanoi and Riyadh, Indi Design has become increasingly involved in management consulting, organizational design and the design of products, services, environments and digital experiences. They also publish India's only design magazine "Pool / Design India" and host "India's Best Design Awards." Sudhir Sharma is a highly reputed thought leader in the Design community. He was on the jury panel of the inaugural Cannes Lions for Design 2008, Adfest, Spikes Asia, Dutch Design Awards, Design Turkey, IXDA New York. He is a member of the India Design Council and is an Alumnus of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Global Council for Design. Commenting on the acquisition, Sudhir said, "When Design and Tech come together, we create new benchmarks in creativity and innovation. Tech is reorganizing Design thinking in ways that were not possible earlier. My whole team and I are very excited about the possibilities this development throws up." Arjun Rao, CEO of ValueLabs said, "Indi Design's appoach fits very well with our Digital Flywheel, taking our business strategy and UX offerings to a much higher level, enhancing the overall value proposition we offer our clients. With this world class Design & UX capability, powered by all things Tech in Data & Analytics, Automation and Product Development, we now have a package that not many in the world can offer!" ValueLabs' award-winning in-house UX group has already furthered their position in the Design industry. ValueLabs' clients now get access to Indi Design's offerings of Brand thinking along with a comprehensive Design background. About ValueLabs ValueLabs is a global technology company focused on Product Development, Data Technology and Digital Services. Powered by The Digital Flywheel, ValueLabs provides end-to-end solutions in the fields of Customer Experience, Data & Analytics, Product Development, and Automation. Over the last 22 years, the company has expanded to 30 locations, 5500 associates, 150 clients worldwide, and recorded an industry-leading client Net Promoter Score (NPS) of over 75 in 2019. About Indi Design Indi Design is an international Brand, Design & Innovation consultancy firm. Founded in Pune, India, Indi Design helps create, manage and communicate an organisation's vision for their brand. They have partner offices in Shanghai, Sao Paulo, Hanoi and Riyadh. Indi Design has become increasingly involved in management consulting, organizational design and the design of products, services, environments and digital experiences. About The Digital Flywheel The concept of The Digital Flywheel was developed using the following four elements: Design, Data & Analytics, Automation and Product Development. We have Business Strategy at the core of The Digital Flywheel, to stay aligned with our clients' digital transformation goals. Each element of The Digital Flywheel amplifies the other, creating sustainable business momentum. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1090819/Digital_Flywheel.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1022046/ValueLabs_LLP_Logo.jpg Contact Bhavana Reddy [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/valuelabs-acquires-iconic-design-house-indi-design-301005397.html SOURCE ValueLabs [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday pulled up the Ministry of Defence and warned that coercive measures have become necessary against erring officials for not complying with the order relating to environmental norms. The matter has now been listed for March 2. A Bench headed by NGT's chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goyal said: "In view of repeated failures, coercive measures have become necessary against the concerned Joint Secretary including attachment of salary and issuance of warrant. Name of the erring Joint Secretary be provided by the Defence Secretary within two weeks." The NGT order came while hearing a plea filed by retired Air Marshal Anil Chopra raising issues related to environmental norms for the Armed Forces. The NGT had observed that waste generated by military weapons, domestic, industrial, biological, hospital and electronic activities (e-waste) needs to be scientifically disposed of in the interest of public health and The NGT had asked Ministry of Defence to file a status report in the matter after ascertaining the relevant facts and status of compliance of environmental norms from different concerned establishments and had asked concerned Joint Secretary of Ministry of Defence to remain present with the status report on the next date. Expressing displeasure over the failure of the official to appear before it, the tribunal has warned of strict action and listed the matter for March 2. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kumail Nanjiani, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Director Chloe Zhao, Lia McHugh, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Lauren Ridloff and Don Lee of Marvel Studios' The Eternals (Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) It had been widely rumoured that forthcoming Marvel movie The Eternals would feature the studio's first openly gay character. Then last summer, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige confirmed it. But now, thanks to Lebanese actor Haaz Sleiman, who is playing a so-far unnamed role in the movie, the beans have been well and truly spilled. Read more: First look at WandaVision In an interview with NewNowNext, which it would seem has since been removed, Sleiman has revealed the whole shebang (perhaps, seeing as the video is now nowhere to be found, without the necessary authorisation). Haaz Sleiman (Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Queerty) I just shot a Marvel film with the first openly gay superhero, The Eternals. Im married to the gay superhero Phastos, played by Atlantas Brian Tyree Henry, and we represent a gay family and have a child, he blabbed. He then went on to detail the Marvel franchise's first same-sex kiss. Read more: Mysterious new Sony Marvel movie confirmed Oh, yeah, absolutely, and its a beautiful, very moving kiss. Everyone cried on set. For me its very important to show how loving and beautiful a queer family can be, he added. Brian Tyree Henry is such a tremendous actor and brought so much beauty into this part, and at one point I saw a child in his eyes, and I think its important for the world to be reminded that we in the queer community were all children at one point. Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry and Salma Hayek of Marvel Studios' The Eternals (Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) We forget that because were always depicted as sexual or rebellious. We forget to connect on that human part. While this might not have been the way Marvel wanted it all to come out, they perhaps couldn't want for a more effusive description of what's in store for fans. Phastos is one of the Eternals, the cosmic beings at the centre of the new movie, set to drop neatly into the hole left by the Avengers. He is a the hammer-carrying inventor who makes the group's super-powered 'devices'. Tyree Henry, best known for playing Paper Boi in Donald Glover's series Atlanta, is joined by Game of Thrones star Richard Madded as Ikaris, Gemma Chan as Sersi, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Salma Hayek as Ajak and Angelina Jolie as Thena. Story continues Elsewhere, Walking Dead star Lauren Ridloff plays Marvel's first deaf hero Makkari, while GoT star Kit Harington is human warrior Dane Whitman. It lands in the UK on 6 November. A June, 2019 fire at the now-closed and bankrupt Philadelphia Energy Solutions oil refinery nearly caused a catastrophe due to the presence of a chemical commonly called HF. Philly Mayor Jim Kenney recently introduced a proposal to ban use of HF for oil refining. A Feb. 12 bankruptcy court decision makes resumption of refining at PES unlikely. Read more Mayor Jim Kenneys proposal to ban any oil refinery in the city from using hydrogen fluoride (HF), a notoriously dangerous chemical, was a strong message and especially timely, coming two days before a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge approved the sale of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions site. The South Philly refinery shut down after part of it exploded and burned last June 21; on Wednesday, Judge Kevin Gross affirmed the purchase of PES by a Chicago company that repurposes industrial properties. The company has no plans to restart the citys sole remaining refinery, as the rejected suitor hoped to do. More than 1,000 workers have lost their jobs following the PES closing and bankruptcy. Its difficult to know whether the proposed ban factored into the courts decision. But the mayors move as well as his support for the recommendations of his Refinery Advisory Group, calling for a cleaner use for the site demonstrates a commitment to aggressively use all available tools to help shape the future of this 1,300-acre property. The refinery complex on either side of the lower Schuylkill is bigger in area than Center City; more than 100,000 people live within a mile of its boundaries. The $240 million purchase by Hilco Redevelopment Partners is expected to open the door to extensive demolition, remediation, and development on the site. Restrictive covenants on the property limit it to industrial and commercial uses and could prove difficult to circumvent. Petroleum-related enterprises began using the site in 1866, and studies show ground and water there are profoundly contaminated by benzene, lead, and other toxins, making residential or recreational development unlikely, if not impossible. So it would seem the hopes of some residents in nearby neighborhoods to see the vast expanse of ground on the citys southern gateway transformed into parks and recreational areas will not be realized, at least in the foreseeable future. Others have hoped to see renewable energy facilities, such as solar farms, built there. Kenneys Refinery Advisory Group yielded a well-regarded report and a consensus that considerations of public safety, environmental quality, and economic development should guide future development. The process of bringing community voices into the conversation continues under the aegis of Drexel Universitys Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation. READ MORE: Philly must plan for a post-refinery future | Editorial READ MORE: Could dream of converting Philly refinery into renewable energy facility turn into reality? A professional and community-driven plan is just one tool Philly should use in partnership with the new owners to shape the sites evolution. The city also has power and prerogatives over street construction and other infrastructure improvements that the property essentially an island disconnected from the rest of the Philadelphia will need to be commercially viable. The refinery is within a Keystone Opportunity Zone, a major state economic development incentive program, so Pennsylvania will be part of the process as well. The stakes are high. This is the largest parcel available for redevelopment near the core of a city with a crippling poverty rate and many pressing needs. Projections indicate as many as 14,000 jobs may be created by demolition, remediation, construction, and businesses on the site over the next 10-15 years. Philadelphia, and Philadelphians, must work together to make sure this once-in-a-generation opportunity will be realized in full. A famous Italian porn star has founded a new political party to spearhead the fightback against the governing populists after they slashed her pension. Known by her stage name Cicciolina, Ilona Staller, 68, was a well-known erotic film actress in the 1980s before forging a career in politics. Between 1987 and 1991 she served as an MP with the Radical Party and made headline-grabbing policy pledges, such as offering to have sex with Saddam Hussein in return for peace in Iraq. Now, she is poised to once again hit the campaign trail with the new Democracy, Nature and Love party, which will be used as a vehicle to vent personal fury over the Five Star Movement's swingeing pension cuts, according to The Times. Ilona Staller, 68, (pictured left at Milan Fashion Week in 2015 and right at Hugh Hefner's 80th birthday party in 2006) has forged her own political party in protest to pension cuts When Staller retired, she enjoyed the Italian Parliament's 3,100-a-month lump sum payment. But in a show against the elite, the populists who control the reins of power in Rome took a knife to MPs' pensions and reduced it to 1,000. Staller has branded this cut 'unconstitutional' and is drumming up a clamour to see ministers' own wallets take a similar hit. Defiant, she said: 'I am getting back into politics to point out that these politicians are slashing the pensions of ex-MPs while keeping their own wages.' Staller first gained traction in Hungary in the early 1970s as a model, before heading south to Italy to begin life as a porn actress. With renowned pornographer Riccardo Schicchim she founded Diva Futura porn studios. Staller campaigns for election in 2013 (left) and 1987 (right). She was elected to parliament with the Radical Party in '87, for whom she remained an MP until quitting the party in 1991 Yet she really shot to national fame in a memorable TV interview where she flashed her breasts live on air. Staller continued to produce porn films while she dipped her toe in politics, running unsuccessfully for the Green Party before finally winning a seat with the Radicals. But she ditched the party in 1991 and four years later established her own party - the Party of Love - with a fellow porn star. Flagship policies included legalising prostitution, same sex marriage and cannabis for medicinal reasons. Now, she has once again set her sights on public office with the Democracy, Nature and Love Party. The next election is not until 2023, but the Italian political landscape has been increasingly tumultuous since Five Star ruptured the traditional two-partyism in 2013. The party, which was founded by comedian Beppe Grillo, was forced into coalition with the Democratic Party in late 2019 after the anti-immigration Northern League pulled out of government. Students wear masks during their classes in Hanoi on January 31, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh. With a hefty daily estimate of $301,000, Hanoi authorities say they will follow the health ministrys recommendation on face masks provision for school students. If they were to provide each student with a face mask every day, Hanoi would have to spend VND7 billion ($301,000) on 2.2 million masks a day, municipal Vice Chairman Ngo Van Quy said at a meeting Wednesday. The city was discussing measures to be taken if all students returned to schools Monday after an extended break granted in the wake of the novel coronavirus (nCoV) epidemic. On February 7, more than two million Hanoi students had got an extra week off until February 16 as concerns mounted over the epidemic that causes the deadly Covid-19 disease. The decision to grant the second week-long extension of the Lunar New Year break (the first was Feb 3-9) was taken a day after Ho Chi Minh City made a similar move. Hanoi authorities said at the meeting that they would wait for guidance from the Ministry of Health to see if students need to wear a face mask at schools or not. A day later, the ministry released a statement saying students do not need to wear face masks when going to schools, and that in necessary cases, the school will decide if its students need to wear them. The ministry has advised that as long as the epidemic rages, no extracurricular activities are organized that will gather a large number of students and teachers in one place. In case students have symptoms of fever or cough, parents should keep their children at home, the ministry said. Also at the Wednesday meeting, representatives of the Hanoi market management department said it had seized around 740,000 masks that had been put on the market against regulations, either smuggled into Vietnam or those without clear origins. The department said if related agencies could do the work of checking the quality of those masks, the city could use them for schools, given the current scarcity of this product on the market. Ever since Vietnam confirmed its first cases of the novel coronavirus infection last month, public concern and consumption of sanitizing items have mounted. Authorities have recommended that people should wear face masks in crowded places and when coming into direct contact with others; and clean their hands frequently with either soap or alcohol gel. This has seen masks and hand sanitizers fly off the shelves, creating a scarcity for these items. With demand soaring, stores and pharmacies began to sell these items at much higher prices than normal before running out of supply. The normal market price for a basic box of 50 face masks is around VND30,000. Feb 17 reopening not a given Though the previous decision was that students will stay home until February 16, Hanoi Vice Chairman Quy told the meeting that depending on the real situation, the city will make a further decision on when students can get back to school. Hanoi Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung assigned the municipal heath department to inspect quality of the seized masks and choose safe ones to give schools if needed. As of Friday afternoon, Ho Chi Minh City has not made plans on reopening schools either. But Da Nang in central Vietnam and 22 provinces across the country have announced plans to send their students back to school from Monday. Vietnam 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. The global death toll from the epidemic had reached 1,491 people, three outside mainland China. External Article 14 February 2020 By Stuart Butler, CHDM, Chief Operating Officer at Fuel, and member of HSMAI's Marketing Advisory Board. Google is one of the biggest tech giants in the world, accounting for 94 percent of all Internet searches. But what does that really mean? How is the company evolving, and how will that impact the hospitality industry? HSMAI's Marketing Advisory Board (MAB) discussed Google on a recent call. Here are some takeaways: 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 Srinagar: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will on Friday (February 14, 2020) dedicate a memorial for its 40 brave personnel who were killed in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, 2019, at the Lethpora camp in Jammu and Kashmir - on the first anniversary of worst terror attack in nearly two decades. "It is our 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 in Srinagar after a visit to the site where the memorial has been erected. The memorial has been set up inside a CRPF camp adjacent to the place where Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist Adeel Ahmed Dar, driving an explosive-laden car, blew himself next to a convoy of security forces killing the 40 personnel. The names of all the 40 personnel along with their pictures will be part of the memorial along with the moto of the 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 said. The supreme sacrifices of the 40 soldiers 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 erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir government had imposed a ban on plying of private vehicles for 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 soldiers. 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. A forensic voice analyst has been accused of carrying out a "flawed'' examination of secretly recorded conversations with three alleged members of the dissident IRA. Professor Peter French was also accused of not carrying out an independent examination of the tapes without assistance from PSNI detectives. The covert MI5 bugging operation allegedly captured 52-year-old Colin Duffy, Alex McCrory (58) and 51-year-old Henry Joseph Fitzsimons discussing a failed attempt to murder police officers in north Belfast in 2013. During a third day of cross-examination at the non-jury Diplock style trial before Mr Justice O'Hara, defence counsel Barry McDonald QC for McCrory put it to prosecution voice analyst expert Professor French that he had not carried out an independent examination of the tapes as he had first suggested. Mr McDonald said it was clear from the records of a preliminary enquiry held in 2016 that Professor French already knew the names of the suspects - who were given the ciphers of 'M1, M2, M3' - and had carried his work alongside a police transcript of recorded conversations from a car stop, telephone calls to an insurance company and a heavily bugged laneway in Lurgan. Said the defence QC: "Why did you need the details of the three individuals?" Professor French replied: "Well, I didn't." Mr McDonald put it to the expert witness: "You were getting more help from the police..." Professor French: "Well it didn't look like we requested that help. It is possible. I don't think so. I can't think why I asked for it. It would not have helped me." Mr McDonald put it to the witness that "you were getting a steer about who was M1, M2, and M3. How did you get that particular steer?" The witness replied: "The names were written in the margins of the (police) transcript." The defence lawyer said in order for the witness to identify who M1, M2 and M3 were, the witness would have had to go through the transcripts to see how the police had attributed names on the voice recordings. "You had to go looking for the transcript in order to see who they were, isn't that right?" asked Mr McDonald. Professor French replied: "Yes, in order to compare voices." Mr McDonald told the witness: "This was a deeply flawed process and you would not do it again today in this way." But Professor French said during the examination of the voice recordings "the content of the police transcripts were not swollen wholesale". He also stated that during his analysis of recordings he had found over 30 attributions from the police to 'M1, M2 and M3' which were incorrect. Duffy, Fitzsimons and McCrory, whose addresses cannot be reported, 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 possession of the two AK47 assault rifles and ammunition used in the 2013 attack. The trio were allegedly covertly recorded and videoed under an MI5 operation code-named 'Operation Idealistic" on December 6, 2013. At hearing. But the large-scale quarantines in Wuhan have created confusion and frustration, and put some patients at even greater risk. Confirmed coronavirus patients showing mild symptoms are being massed together, while those suspected of being infected are being isolated in converted hotels and schools. The latest: China is using its telecommunications firms, all state-run, to track users who may have visited Hubei. Japan confirmed its first death from the virus, which is the third outside mainland China. Changing numbers: Chinas shift to using CT scans to look for pneumonia rather than relying only on a positive test for the virus appears to have caused a sudden rise in the number of reported deaths and infections. Experts say the scans could catch many more cases. For now, the World Health Organization is continuing to rely only on confirmed test numbers. Last journey: Keane's coffin is carried out of the church. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin The brutal murder of Keane Mulready-Woods should serve as a warning to others who are groomed by criminals, the teenager's funeral was told yesterday. Parish priest Fr Phil Gaffney told mourners the criminals' promise of money and gifts would always end in tragedy, and Keane's association with gangs led to the inhuman, unthinkable way in which his young life was to end. 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, Dublin. Expand Close The teenager would have been 18 last week / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The teenager would have been 18 last week Two days later, his severed head was found 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. Gardai believe his death and dismemberment, and the dumping of his body parts, were designed to send a message to his crime bosses. At the Church of the Holy Family in Ballsgrove, Drogheda, yesterday, many of Keane's friends wore T-shirts with his photograph on them. His parents Elizabeth and Barry, sister Courtney, and brothers Darren, Ryan and Jack were comforted by family and friends. Keane should have celebrated his 18th birthday last week, but instead his family had to plan for his funeral. Fr Gaffney said that to say that the death of Keane had 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 said. "This murder has brought about an unparalleled level of revulsion, not alone in Drogheda, but throughout our country and, indeed, far beyond. "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." The priest went on: "This feud in Drogheda has to end sometime. Let's all hope and pray it ends before more lives are lost." In a message aimed at Keane's friends and the young people of the town, Fr Gaffney said: "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 they're also budgeting now for cocaine, and other drugs." Meanwhile, the priest called on the community to help and support gardai in the most difficult circumstances to cope with the effects of the feud on the town and its environs. Keane's white coffin was brought to the church in a hearse followed by a large group of his family, neighbours and friends who walked behind. His burial took place after requiem Mass in the town's Calvary cemetery. With all our love to all the haters, says Anurag Kashyap as he resumes film shoot with Pannu Protesters in Shaheen Bagh pay homage to Pulwama martyrs, Anurag Kashyap chips in India oi-PTI New Delhi, Feb 15: Anti-citizenship law protestors at Delhi's Shaheen Bagh on Friday paid homage to Pulwama martyrs and observed a one-minute silence for the soldiers as they continued their demonstration that is now in its third month. School children presented dance performances on patriotic songs as the hundreds of people gathered there extended their respects to the 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who were killed in a terrorist attack on the Jammu-Srinagar highway at Lethpora in Pulwama on February 14, 2019. Protestors at south-east Delhi's Shaheen Bagh, which has now become symbolic of the resistance against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), had on Thursday extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inviting him to come and celebrate Valentine's Day with them. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, a fierce critic of the BJP government, also joined the protestors here on Friday. He met the famed Dadis of the protest and also relished some biryani - the famous dish that has become a subject of contention between those in favour of and opposed to the CAA and NRC across the country. Kashyap took to the stage and asked protestors to not give any reason to those in power to evacuate them from the site. "When you fight for your rights, it is important that you stick with your truth. Don't give them any chance that they can violently remove you from here... They do not understand the language of love. This is the only way to fight with them because they themselves do not know what they want," he said. He also took potshots at Home Minister Amit Shah during his speech, saying he personally would not believe whatever the government claimed about the CAA. "If we are misinformed, come and explain it to us," Kashyap said, hailing the protestors for continuing the demonstration which started on December 15. Sonu Warsi, a protestor, told PTI, "Around 4 pm, scores of children performed on patriotic songs and we paid tributes to the Pulwama martyrs with the national anthem. A one-minute silence was observed later in the evening by all present at the site in respect of the martyrs." Quazi Emad Ahmad, a local, said children and youths rang in the Valentine's Day at midnight, hoping the prime minister would accept their invitation and reach out to them. Protests had unfolded in Shaheen Bagh, Zakir Nagar, Jamia Nagar, Khureji Khas and other places in the national capital and elsewhere across the country in December to oppose the CAA and the NRC. 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 and facing religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but will be given Indian citizenship. "My son will have to go to jail", says BJP's Uma Devi whose son threatened to shoot Scindia The law excludes Muslims. Those opposing the law contend that it discriminates on the basis of religion and violates the Constitution. They also allege that the CAA along with the NRC is intended to target the Muslim community in India. However, the central government has dismissed the allegations, maintaining that the law is intended to give citizenship to persecuted people from the three neighbouring countries and not to take away citizenship from anyone. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, February 15, 2020, 0:41 [IST] FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - A 23-year-old man who posted on Facebook, I dont know why I dont go on a killing spree. A West Palm Beach couple who shot up their home while high on cocaine. A 31-year-old Gulf Coast man who pointed a semiautomatic rifle at a motorcyclist. All four Florida residents had their guns taken away by judges under a red flag law the state passed three weeks after authorities say a mentally disturbed man killed 17 people in a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland two years ago Friday. The law, supported by legislators of both parties , has been applied more than 3,500 times since, with the pace accelerating during the last half of 2019. Even so, an Associated Press analysis of the law showed its use is inconsistent, with some counties and cities using it rarely and others not at all. Advocates of Floridas red flag measure say before it existed, it was often difficult to remove firearms from those making threats or suffering severe mental breakdowns. Investigators did not act on reports that the Parkland shooter was threatening to carry out a school massacre. But even if they had, it is likely he would have been allowed to keep his guns because he had no felony convictions or involuntary, long-term mental commitments, they say. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who leads a commission that investigated the massacres causes, says the shooter would have easily qualified for a red flag order. Gualtieri says while it is impossible to say that would have prevented the shooting, the gunman wouldnt have been able to legally buy weapons or ammunition, making his preparation difficult. We have needed this law for decades, said Gualtieri, who started a unit in his department that handles only red flag cases. But the law also has vocal critics: those who say it violates the U.S. and state constitutions, including the right to bear arms, and others who argue that laws already on the books in Florida made it unnecessary. Still others say it discriminates against the poor: Because the hearing with a judge is not a criminal proceeding, low-income defendants arent provided with a free lawyer. Sixteen other states plus the District of Columbia have similar laws, 11 of which were enacted after the Feb. 14, 2018, shooting at Stoneman Douglas. President Donald Trump has at times supported a federal proposal, but has not strongly advocated it before Congress. To get an order in Florida, police agencies must file a request with a civil court, citing serious mental illness or threats a person has made. If the judge agrees, the person must surrender their firearms to police. Within two weeks, a hearing is held during which the judge decides whether to take the persons weapons away for a year. Police agencies can apply for an extension if there is evidence a person remains a threat after a year. If not, the guns are returned. Orlando attorney Kendra Parris, who is trying to get a case before the state Supreme Court to overturn the law, says it doesnt adequately define some terms, such as what constitutes serious mental health issues. And in any case, she says, other Florida statutes, such as misdemeanour breach of the peace, already allow police to take firearms from the truly dangerous before they act. That statute could easily have been invoked against the Stoneman Douglas shooter, she said. Probably two dozen times this guy could have been charged for breach of the peace and had his firearms removed, Parris said. The AP analysis shows that from March 2018, when the law was enacted, through December 2019, there was a wide disparity in its per capita usage in Floridas 67 counties. Twenty issued at least one for every 5,500 residents during that time period, the statewide average. Three issued at least one for every 2,000 residents, including Gualtieris Pinellas County, which includes the Tampa Bay area, and has nearly 1 million people. Highlands County, near Lake Okeechobee, ranked No. 1, issuing one for every 850 residents. On the other extreme, 12 counties issued one for every 30,000 residents or less. Two neighbouring Panhandle counties Escambia and Santa Rosa issued one for every 100,000 residents or more. Another nine small, rural counties issued none. Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman said he doesnt know why his county is No. 1, but he noted that his deputies average two calls daily for mental health crises. The county has just over 100,000 residents and was the scene of a bank shooting last year that left five women dead. If someone has made a threat to hurt themselves or others and is intent on using a firearm, we will try to get a risk protection order against them so we can take away those guns, Blackman said. But even the law isnt a guarantee: Two Highlands men who received orders still killed themselves, one with carbon monoxide and the other with an illegally obtained gun, he said. The sheriffs whose counties had no or few red flag orders during the reviewed period said in an AP questionnaire that they are not philosophically opposed to the law they just havent needed it. Santa Rosa Sheriff Bob Johnson said it was a fluke that his county of 155,000 had only issued one order. Baker County Maj. Randy Crews explained that the lack of red flag orders from his county on the Georgia border west of Jacksonville has to do with the fact that his deputies know most of the 27,000 residents and can intercede quickly if someone is having a breakdown and making threats. Crews said most potential red flag cases are asked to surrender their guns to a relative, who is told to not return them until the person finishes mental health treatment. He said that approach works better than confrontation and has never backfired. He said the office would not hesitate to use the law, however, if someone didnt co-operate. Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zahorodniuk has said that Ukraine will continue to support efforts of coalition forces in Afghanistan. He said this during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) at the level of defense ministers of the contributing states of NATOs Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported. Taking into account that strong and self-sufficient National Defense and Security Forces of the Republic of Afghanistan are an important element in achieving diplomatic success in Afghanistan, we will continue to contribute to our training and advisory efforts. Ukraine supports efforts of the coalition troops in the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan through diplomatic means," Zahorodniuk said. The minister also thanked the partners for providing logistical support to Ukrainian personnel who are deployed to the Mission. As reported, Resolute Support Mission or Operation Resolute Support is a NATO-led mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) and institutions, consisting of over 17,000 troops in Afghanistan, which began on January 1, 2015. The Mission involves about 30 Ukrainian soldiers. ish Gandhinagar, Feb 14 : Although there is a growing "Pad Man" movement with every effort being made to end the stigma around menstruation, a college run by Swaminarayan sect in Guajrat's Bhuj town has sparked controversy after they ordered girl students to strip to check whether they were in period. The diktat has landed them into trouble with both the state and the national woman commission. The National Commission for Women in a letter to issued to the media said : "Have come across a media report captioned, "68 girls in Kutch institute hostel forced to undergo 'strip'", reported on February 14, 2020. "The Commission is disturbed by the report of this incident at Sahjanand Girls' Institute in Bhuj, Gujurat. The reports also states that, Kutch University authorities have taken the matter for internal query and based on the finding they would take further actions. "National Commission for Women will set up an inquiry team and visit the girls at the institute hostel, to speak and inquire about the incident. NCW has also appraised the Kutch University in-charge Vice Chancellor Darshna Dholakia and the DGP of Gujurat, Shivanand Jha (IPS) to look into the matter thoroughly and report to the Commission at the earliest on their action taken reports to date. "National Commission for Women has written to the Sahjanand Girls' Institute College Trustee, Pravin Pindora and the Principal, Rita Raniga to give explanation of this shameful exercise taking place in their Institute. "The Commission encourages the girls from the Institute to come forward and speak without fear on their grievances from this experience to the finding authority, or on any other similar incidents of exploitation if occurred to them in the past, and was not addressed before." The Gujarat State Women Commission (GSWC) has also ordered the state police to carry out a probe regarding the alleged sexual harassment of students who were forced to remove their undergarments in order to allow the checking whether they were in menstrual cycles. The women panel, taking cognizance of media reports ordered the probe. "Through media reports, I came to know about the incident. I have spoken with the Police Commissioner and DSP Kutch regarding the matter. "I have ordered them to carry out an investigation regarding the shocking incident. I have also asked our women members of 'Nari Adalat' to look into the matter and speak with the college students. "We already have a team comprising four members in Bhuj, who will be leaving shortly for the said college," Leelaben Ankola, the GSWC chairperson told IANS. "It will be only after the police investigation, that we will be able to tell whether the incidents requires a formal complaint to be lodged or not," added Ankola. The GSWC orders came following media reports that dozens of women students residing in the girls hostel of the college run by the Shree Swami Narayan Kanya Mandir in Bhuj were asked to remove their undergarments following suspicion that they were menstruating (when certain norms were expected to be followed under archaic societal tradition). The humiliating and public crackdown on students came after the college administration thought that the girls were violating norms banning menstruating women from touching others and entering some spaces. Luis Palau says cancer is at bay 2 years after terminal diagnosis; now passing ministry mantle Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment 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. China has reportedly appointed its top military biological weapon expert to take over a secretive virus laboratory in Wuhan after the outbreak of a new coronavirus, sparking conspiracy theories that the health crisis could be connected to the army. Chen Wei, a Major General of the People's Liberation Army, was flown in to Wuhan by the central government late last month before officially taking the helm of Wuhan Institute of Virology, according to a report. The 54-year-old's designation prompted some people to speculate that the epidemic could have been spawned in the little-known lab and that the lab is run by Beijing's military. Chen Wei (pictured), a Major General of the People's Liberation Army, was flown in to Wuhan late last month after the coronavirus broke out there, according to Chinese state-run media Chen (pictured with her team) is also a leading specialist in genetic engineering vaccines in China. She developed a medical spray during the SARS outbreak in 2003, preventing around 14,000 medical workers from contracting the virus, said another state-media report Wuhan Institute of Virology (pictured) has been the centre of conspiracy theories after the coronavirus epidemic started. One theory claims that the virus was a biological weapon engineered by China and was leaked from the lab by accident - to which China denied Chen and her team were already developing a quicker way to screen the COVID-19 coronavirus from a tent in the epicenter on January 30, according to an official report from China. Chen, also a leading specialist in genetic engineering vaccines in China, developed a medical spray during the SARS outbreak in 2003. The product prevented around 14,000 medical workers from contracting the virus, said another state-media report. She is also known in the country as the 'terminator of Ebola' for leading a team to create a vaccine against the fatal virus. Speaking of fighting the novel coronavirus, Chen said: 'The epidemic is like a military situation. The epicentre equals to the battlefield.' Chen and her team were already developing a quicker way to screen the COVID-19 coronavirus from a tent in the epicenter on January 30, according to an official report from China. She is pictured being interviewed by to a reporter from CCTV outside the mobile laboratory in Wuhan China's central government has sent at least 2,600 military doctors to Wuhan in a bid to curb the epidemic. Members of a military medical team are pictured heading for Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, where most of the coronavirus patients are being looked after, on January 26 Several of Wuhan's major hospitals as well as two newly built coronavirus hospitals are now being managed by the People's Liberation Army. A military medical worker is pictured taking over the work from a medical worker at Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital on January 26 Although China's official media had little information on where Chen was working from in Wuhan, Radio France Internationale last Saturday claimed that she had already taken the leadership of Wuhan Institute of Virology. The lab opened in November, 2018, and is classified as P4, the highest level in bio-safety. The report cited a post on Chinese forum Douban as its source and claimed that the move revealed the possible relation between the lab and the army. 'This kind of connection shows that the previous [speculation] suggesting that the Chinese troops were developing biological weapons in Wuhan P4 did not come out of thin air,' it said. The article was referring to an earlier theory, which claims that the COVID-19 virus was a biological weapon engineered by China and was leaked from the lab by accident. The new coronavirus has killed at least 1,383 people and infected more than 64,460 globally The claims came from a report by The Washington Times, citing a former Israeli military intelligence officer named Dany Shoham. It suggested that the coronavirus originated in the lab which was engaging in a biowarfare programme. Chinese authorities have denied the allegations. Shi Zhengli, a director at Wuhan Institute of Virology, said earlier this month: 'The 2019 novel coronavirus is nature's punishment for humans' uncivilised life habits. I, Shi Zhengli, use my life to guarantee, [the virus] has no relation with the lab.' Shi urged the Chinese authorities to launch an official investigation into the matter. She told Chinese news outlet Caixin: 'Conspiracy theorists don't believe in science. I hope our country's professional departments can come to investigate and prove our innocence.' Xu Bin (second from the right) from Beijing Chaoyang An'yuan Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, talks to journalists while a young family is discharged from the hospital in China's capital after all members recovered from the COVID-19 coronavirus on Friday Street cleaners wait in line to receive free face masks in Hong Kong, China, on Friday A couple wearing protective masks walks on the street on Valentine's Day in Guangzhou, China A separate conspiracy theory alleges that the COVID-19 virus was created by the United States which released it on purpose. The theory proposes that the virus was used by Washington as part of a multi-pronged war against China, said a columnist at South China Morning Post, citing Hong Kong-based YouTube influencer Jonathan Ho Chi-kwong. The author criticised the conspiracy theory, saying that it had been refuted by experts. 'Experts have pointed out that as a bioweapon, the new virus is pretty useless. It appears to kill just 2 per cent of victims and each patient spreads it to an average of only 2.2 people,' said the op-ed. Medical workers check on the conditions of patients in Wuhan's Jinyintan Hospital on Thursday. The hospital has been designated to treat critical sufferers of the COVID-19 virus Medical staff work in the negative-pressure isolation ward in Jinyintan Hospital on Thursday China has reported another sharp rise in the number of people infected with the killer coronavirus, with the death toll now nearing 1,400. The National Health Commission said 121 more deaths were recorded yesterday, as well as 5,090 new confirmed cases. The number of reported cases has been rising more quickly after the hardest-hit province changed its method of counting them. There are now almost 64,000 confirmed cases in mainland China, of which 1,380 have died, according to the national body. Hubei province is now including cases based on a physician's diagnosis and before they have been confirmed by lab tests. The acceleration in the number of cases does not necessarily represent a sudden surge in new infections of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Globally, the COVID-19 virus has so far killed at least 1,383 people and infected more than 64,460. Not for Distribution to United States News Wire Services or for Dissemination in the United States VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2020 / First Mining Gold Corp. ("First Mining" or the "Company") (TSX:FF)(OTCQX:FFMGF)(FRANKFURT:FMG) is pleased to announce that it has closed the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") for gross proceeds of $2.5 million (the "First Tranche"). Pursuant to the First Tranche, the Company issued 10,000,000 flow-through units of the Company (the "FT Units") at a price of $0.25 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of $2,500,000. Each FT Unit consists of one flow-through common share of the Company that qualifies as a "flow-through share" for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (a "FT Unit Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.33 at any time prior to February 14, 2023. The gross proceeds raised from the sale of the FT Units under the Offering will be used by the Company for expenditures that qualify as "Canadian Development Expenses" ("CDE") as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) on the Company's Springpole Gold Project in Ontario, and renounced to subscribers effective no later than December 31, 2020. The FT Unit Shares issued under the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from closing, expiring on June 15, 2020. Closing of the remainder of the Offering is expected to occur on or about February 28, 2020. 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 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 (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About First Mining Gold Corp. First Mining Gold Corp. is an emerging development company with a diversified portfolio of gold projects in North America. Having assembled a large resource base of 7.4 million ounces of gold in the Measured and Indicated categories and 3.8 million ounces of gold in the Inferred category in mining friendly jurisdictions of eastern Canada, First Mining is now focused on advancing its material assets towards a construction decision and, ultimately, to production. The Company currently holds a portfolio of 24 mineral assets in Canada, Mexico and the United States. ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING GOLD CORP. Daniel W. Wilton Chief Executive Officer and Director For further information, please contact: Mal Karwowska | Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations Direct: 604.639.8824 | Toll Free: 1.844.306.8827 | Email: info@firstmininggold.com www.firstmininggold.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: (i) the completion of the remainder of the Offering and the timing thereof; (ii) the use of the gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Units issued under the Offering for expenditures at the Company's Springpole Gold Project that qualify as CDE and the timing of renouncing such expenditures to subscribers of FT Units; (iii) the Company's focus on advancing its assets towards production; and (iv) realizing the value of the Company's gold projects for the Company's shareholders. All forward-looking statements are based on First Mining's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. 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. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: failure to obtain regulatory approval; demand for the Units and FT Units; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities, indigenous populations and other stakeholders; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; title to properties.; and the additional risks described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on EDGAR. First Mining cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to First Mining, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. First Mining does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law. Cautionary Note to United States Investors This news release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates included in this news release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum 2014 Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC, and mineral resource and reserve information contained herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term "resource" does not equate to the term "reserves". Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. The SEC's disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of information concerning "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" or "inferred mineral resources" or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute "reserves" by U.S. standards in documents filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. U.S. investors should also understand that "inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an "inferred mineral resource" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimated "inferred mineral resources" may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an "inferred mineral resource" exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of "reserves" are also not the same as those of the SEC, and reserves reported by the Company in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards. SOURCE: First Mining Gold Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576467/First-Mining-Closes-First-Tranche-of-Private-Placement-Financing Do you know what economists mean when they talk about the nations economic fundamentals? I thought I did until I heard what Reserve Bank governor Dr Philip Lowe said they were. When Lowe had a meeting with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg after last years election, I was puzzled by him saying that the economys fundamentals were sound. How could he say that when the economy had grown by an exceptionally weak 1.8 per cent over the year to March? Illustration: Dionne Gain Credit: But at his appearance before the House of Reps economics committee last week, he had to respond to a challenging description of the state of the economy by Labors Dr Andrew Leigh, a former economics professor. We have seen declines in labour productivity for the first time on record, the slowest wage growth on record, declining household spending per capita, record household debt, record government debt, below average consumer confidence, retail suffering its worst downturn since 1990 and construction shrinking at its fastest rate since 1999, Leigh said. New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is planning to hold its two-day National Council meeting in March before Holi. More than 10,000 leaders and workers from across the country are expected to participate in the meeting, sources told IANS. Although the date and the place of the meeting have not been decided yet but party sources said that the meeting will be held in Delhi like last year. The sources also said that this year it might be organised at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium instead of Ramlila Maidan. The National Council meeting is held once every year where the top leadership of the party share the achievements recorded in a year with the organisation. At the same time, decisions are taken on various issues. J.P. Nadda's appointment as the National President of the party will also be approved at the meeting. The sources said that Nadda will also finalise the national office bearers in the meeting. The meeting was slated to be held between January and February, but due to the Delhi Assembly elections it couldn't take place. It will now be held in March, reliable sources in the BJP told IANS. A senior BJP leader told IANS that the meeting could take place before Holi while another said that it will be held by March 20. Last year, before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the National Council meeting was held in Delhi on January 11 and 12. Earlier a limited number of leaders used to attend the meeting but the then BJP National President Amit Shah increased the number of leaders for the meeting. The meeting will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with the current president, former president, chief ministers of party-ruled states, deputy chief ministers, ministers, all MPs, MLAs, national executive members, state executive members, district heads and district general secretaries. A senior BJP leader told IANS, "Although the location and date for the National Council Meeting has not been decided yet but it is scheduled to be held in March. It is more convenient to have such a big meeting in Delhi. Ramlila Maidan and Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium are the two options. While tents are required at Ramlila Ground, there will be no such requirement in the stadium. Possibly, the meeting could be organised in the stadium this time." (Navneet Mishra can be contacted at navneet.m@ians.in) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed with Turkey on the construction of a town in Kherson region for internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the occupied Crimea. He said this during a meeting with Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Anton Korynevych and his deputies Darya Svyrydova and Tamila Tasheva on Thursday, the press service of the head of state reported. In particular, the president informed of the plans to build a settlement in Kherson region for IDPs from Crimea, including more than 500 families of Crimean Tatars. According to Zelensky, the relevant agreements were reached during his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to the president, a special hub with developed infrastructure will be created at Chonhar checkpoint on the administrative border with the temporarily occupied Crimea for the comfortable crossing of the checkpoint by Ukrainians. In addition, high-quality roads will be built and transport connections will be provided. Zelensky also emphasized the importance of implementing a program that simplifies the procedure of studying in Ukrainian higher education institutions for children from the occupied territories. Anton Korynevych thanked Volodymyr Zelensky for his attention to the activities of the Representative Office in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and stressed the importance of further joint work on the problem of the occupied territories "to keep Crimea on the agenda". ish If Ms. Warren is the progressive of high-minded policy, Bernie Sanders is the progressive of belligerent revolution. Much of his appeal, dating back to his 2016 presidential run, lies in his grouchy, Im-not-here-to-make-friends pugilism. For voters spoiling for a fight whether against Mr. Trump, the Democratic establishment, the 1-percenters Mr. Sanders has become a cult hero. But many Democrats fear that the democratic socialist and his rowdy revolutionaries would usher in a second Trump term. This is especially true of moderates, who see Mr. Sanders as so far outside the mainstream that he would drag down other Democrats on the ballot. For much of this race, Mr. Sanders languished in Ms. Warrens shadow, dismissed as too divisive to be the standard-bearer for a nervous party to which he does not even belong. But as Ms. Warren has faded, Mr. Sanders has consolidated progressives behind him, while moderates remain split between multiple contenders. After a narrow loss in Iowa to Pete Buttigieg (at least at last count), Mr. Sanders scored a solid win in New Hampshire, which borders his home state. The victory was far from overwhelming, edging Mr. Buttigieg by less than two percentage points. But it was enough to make him the presumptive front-runner. If he is to lead the entire Democratic Party, Mr. Sanders needs to find a way to reach beyond his core supporters and reassure the moderates who fear he would be a disaster in the general election. This is no small challenge, in part because of his passionate some might say rabid following. The so-called Bernie Bros have a nasty reputation on social media for abusing those who dare to criticize their guy, spewing invective and issuing threats against offending organizations and individuals. A fight along these lines is brewing in Nevada, whose Feb. 22 caucuses are next on the primary calendar. Organized labor is a powerful force in the state, thanks to the legions of workers who keep the casinos and hotels humming. Recently, the states Culinary Workers Union issued a flier outlining the candidates positions on top issues. Under health care, they noted that Mr. Sanderss plan would end the unions hard-won benefits. This did not sit well with the Bernie Bros, who, the union reports, viciously attacked its members with ugly emails, calls and tweets. The union issued a statement condemning the behavior. Bernie fans turned up the heat, blaming union bosses, the media, political elites and the rest of Democratic field for the controversy. HOLYOKE Stephen Zrike, who has been the Holyoke Public Schools receiver since 2015, has been chosen as the new superintendent for the Salem public school district. The Salem School Committee voted unanimously on Feb. 13 to enter into contract negotiations with Zrike, who will finish out the school year in Holyoke in June. He would begin at the Salem Schools on July 1. Zrike tendered his resignation as the head of Holyokes school district in December, saying it was "the most rewarding and challenging experience in my career. He said he was hoping to find a position closer to his home so he could spend more time with his wife and children. His family lives in Andover. Zrike was appointed to the Holyoke post by then Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester in June 2015. During a public forum in Salem on Feb. 5 Zrike said the Holyoke assignment was never meant to be long-term. It was a temporary assignment and I committed to five years in the district and I have honored that commitment, he said. Zrike said he hopes to spend the next seven to 10 years in a district where he can grow. This is a school district with amazing resources and there is a lot of really good things happening in the schools here, he said of Salem. Before coming to Holyoke, Zrike was superintendent of schools in Wakefield. Previously, he served as chief of elementary schools for the Pilsen-Little Village Network in the Chicago public school system. He has also served as a principal in the Boston public school system. Zrike received his doctorate from the Urban Superintendents Program and his masters degree in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He also holds a bachelors degree in history from Dartmouth College. DUBLIN, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "India Room Air Freshener Market Overview, 2020-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report provides you with historical and forecasted performance of the market and profiles of top players in the market. Room fresheners has been a well settled market with the products reaching a large consumer base. Room air fresheners have held a strong foothold in the market with a growth CAGR of above 13% over the last couple of years. This is because the increased purchasing power, improvement in living standards, emphasis on aesthetics, and exposure to internationally available air care products has broadened the scope of room fresheners market in India. People nowadays are concerned about the quality of air they breathe or live in. The air freshener market in India has witnessed a noteworthy transformation, from a segment consisting of small, localized, unbranded players, and where traditional offerings like incense and dhoops held unrivaled monopoly in the air fragrances market to a fast growing household accessories market, which is seeing an influx of new brands, huge investments, product innovations, and product category extensions. Rising urban as well as youth population, heightened sense of having good quality air at homes/offices, easy availability of new products and innovations and increase in disposable income of Indian population are some of the major reasons that will assist in the growth of market. Room fresheners come in a variety of formats namely Aerosol/Spray, Gel, Electric (Plug-In) Diffuser, liquid diffuser, candles and many more. There is a large adaption of room fresheners over the years which have allowed number the major companies to shifting their focus to the home and commercial segments also to capture the immense market. The scope of room air freshener market in India and wider consumer acceptance are perhaps the reason why all players are moving beyond conventional room fresheners and fragrances, and infusing a fresh fragrance in the air fresheners market with a gamut of scent selections and product innovations. Room fresheners are more than just fragrance products be it home or office it has bigger emotional connotations where the consumers see themselves as taking better care of their surroundings, hence the category has a lot of potential for deep penetration in these years. Residential section is one of room air freshener segment includes the products of home excluding the bathroom and kitchen. Aerosols, liquid, gel, electric/automatic, candle etc as room fresheners products. These products are easily available through general retail such they have its presence widely in every corner of the residential area. Corporates, Hotels, malls, hospitals, railways, public bathrooms, theatres, gov. buildings & institution are the main consumers of business to business room air freshener market. Electric/automatic sprays, reed diffuser oil, refill sprays etc. are mostly used in this section. Both these sectors have been constantly growing without any description over the last couple of years has seen huge consumers adaption. Major Companies The companies have been developing themselves with lot many innovations and giving tough competition to each other. Odonil the brand of Dabur India Limited, Aer the brand of Goderj, Air wick the brand of Reckitt Benckiser (India) Private Limited, J.K. Helene Curtis Limited with its premium brand, Ambipur the brand of Procter & Gamble Home Products Private Limited have its huge presence in the market. Considered in this Report Geography: India & Global & Global Base Year: FY 2018-2019 Estimated Year: FY 2019-2020 Forecast Year: FY 2024-2025 Key Topics Covered 1. Executive Summary 2. Report Methodology 3. India Demographic Insight 4. Global Air Care Market Outlook 4.1. Market Size By Value 4.1.1. Overall Market 4.1.2. Europe Air Care Market 4.1.3. North America Air Care Market 4.1.4. Asia Pacific Air Care Market 4.1.5. Rest of the World Air Care Market 4.1.6. Retail Air Care Market 4.1.7. Business-to-Business Air Care Market 4.2. Market Share 4.2.1. By Company 4.2.2. By Region 4.2.3. By Product Type 4.2.4. By Application 5. India Air Freshener Market Outlook 5.1. Market Size by Value 5.1.1. Overall Market 5.1.2. Retail Air Care Market 5.1.3. Business-to-Business Air Care Market 5.2. Market Share 5.2.1. By Product Type 5.2.2. By Application 5.2.3. By Sales Channel 5.2.4. By Region 5.2.5. By Tier wise 5.2.6. By Company 6. India Room Air Freshener Market Overview 6.1. Market Size by Value 6.1.1. Overall Market 6.1.2. Retail Air Care Market 6.1.3. Business-to-Business Air Care Market 6.2. Market Share 6.2.1. By Product Type 6.2.2. By Sales Channel 6.2.3. By Tier wise 6.2.4. By Company 7. Product Price & variant Analysis 8. India Economic Snapshot 9. Company Profiles 9.1. Dabur India Limited 9.2. Godrej Consumer Products Limited 9.3. J.K. Helene Curtis Limited 9.4. Procter & Gamble Home Products Private Limited 9.5. Reckitt Benckiser (India) Private Limited For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/d9r8lr Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com Two Hamilton men, charged with mischief after cow manure was dumped in front of Premier Doug Fords constituency office in December, will appear in court next week. Climate activists shovelled manure outside Fords office on Albion Road in Etobicoke on Dec. 22, declaring the premiers climate action strategy a load of crap. A news release issued at the time said the act was in coordination with Extinction Rebellion, a non-violent, international climate activist movement. Cameron Topp, 49, and Dennis Alvey, 55, were each arrested in January and charged with one count of mischief under $5,000, police confirmed Friday. Topp is due in court on Tuesday at 2201 Finch Ave. W. and Alvey is scheduled to appear Feb. 21. David Venn is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @davidvenn_ Read more about: New Delhi, Feb 14 : In the backdrop of protests by the non-BJP ruled states to conduct National Population Register (NPR) exercise, the Centre has began an outreach programme to meet the Chief Ministers of such regions to allay their apprehensions, officials said on Friday. As part of the Government's outreach programme, Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India Vivek Joshi on Friday met Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and apprised him about the upcoming Census preparations. Punjab is among the non-BJP ruled states, including Kerala, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, which have opposed NPR expressing apprehensions about the exercise. Joshi, who will supervise both the census and the NPR exercise countrywide, is expected to meet the Chief Ministers of all the states that are critical of the NPR, the official said. The NPR data will be collected during the house-listing phase of the Census to be conducted from April 1 to September 30. The Centre has already said that disclosure of information such as birth place of parents to NPR enumerators is voluntary. The Punjab Assembly had also adopted a resolution, expressing its opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Several states, including Kerala, have said they will cooperate with the Census operations but not the NPR. Recently, Rajasthan and the representatives of a few other states raised objections to a few questions to be asked by the enumerators to people during the NPR exercise. During the outreach, RGI officials will tell the states about the need for an accurate census data and the NPR, another official said. The objective of the NPR is to create a comprehensive identity database of every usual resident in the country, he said, adding that the database would contain demographic as well as biometric particulars. The Union cabinet has approved Rs 3,941.35 crore for the NPR exercise. The notification for the house-listing census and NPR exercise came recently amid a furore over the contentious CAA. According to home ministry officials, most of the states have notified the provisions related to the NPR. The NPR is a register of the usual residents of the country. It is being prepared at the local (village/sub-town), sub-district, district, state and national levels under the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003. The rules have a provision for a fine of up to Rs 1,000 on those violating it. The data for NPR was last collected in 2010 during the house-listing phase of Census 2011. It was updated in 2015 by conducting a door-to-door survey. While updating the register in 2015, the government had asked for details like Aadhaar and mobile number. This time, information related to driving licence and voter identity card may also be gathered, officials said, adding that PAN card details will not be collected. Washington/New Delhi: The US is ready to supply oil and gas to energy-hungry India as much as it wants as there is a huge potential for bilateral cooperation in the key sector, a top White House official has said ahead of President Donald Trumps maiden visit to the country. Mr Larry Kudlow, economic adviser to Mr Trump, said that talks are going on between India and the US on a trade deal that could be inked during the visit of the president. He made the statement while responding to a question about the progress on a trade deal ahead of the presidential visit. On Tuesday, Mr Trump said he was 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. Mr Trump will pay a state visit to India on February 24 and 25 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Responding to another question on the increase in export of energy to India, Kudlow said there is a much greater potential. Could be, hope so. Lets remove all the barriers. They (Indians) need energy. We have the energy. When we had our bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister Modi, I said, you give me a number (to export energy from the US to India) and Ill meet it, Kudlow said. In his State of the Union address last week, US President Trump said: The US has become the number one producer of oil and natural gas anywhere in the world, by far. In the last few years, America's export of energy to India increased from zero to $8 billion last year and this year it is expected to increase to $10 billion. Our energy trade tou-ched close to $8 billion last year. Mind you, this was zero, a few years ago, Indias new ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh San-dhu said in his remarks at a reception hosted in his honour by the US India Business Council. In fact in 2013, I testified before the House Energy Committee advocating US energy exports to India. In 2017, our leadership decided to elevate our partnership to a strategic energy partnership, Mr Sandhu said. According to the US State Department, US energy exports are an important area of growth. PM trying to pull all stops for Trump visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to pull all the stops for the US presidents Feb. 24-25 visit, aimed at rebuilding bonds between the worlds largest democracies. In 2019, Trump suspended Indias special trade designation that dated back to 1970s, after Modi put price caps on medical devices, such as cardiac stents and knee implants, and introduced new data localization requirements and e-commerce restrictions. Trumps trip to India has raised hopes that he would restore some of the countrys U.S. trade preferences, in exchange for tariff reductions and other concessions. The US is Indias second-largest trade partner after China, and bilateral goods and services trade climbed to a record $142.6 billion in 2018. The United States had a $23.2 billion goods trade deficit in 2019 with India, its 9th largest trading partner in goods. India has offered to allow imports of U.S. chicken legs, turkey and produce such as blueberries and cherries, Indian government sources said, and has offered to cut tariffs on chicken legs from 100 per cent to 25 per cent . U.S. negotiators want that tariff cut to 10%. The Modi government is also offering to allow some access to Indias dairy market, but with a 5% tariff and quotas, the sources said. But dairy imports would need a certificate they are not derived from animals that have consumed feeds that include internal organs, blood meal or tissues of ruminants. New Delhi has also offered to lower its 50 per cent tariffs on very large motorcycles made by Harley-Davidson, a tax that was a particular irritant for Trump, who has labelled India the tariff king. The change would be largely symbolic because few such motorcycles are sold in India. Trump will be feted in Modis home state of Gujarat, then hold talks in New Delhi and attend a reception that the hosts have promised will be bigger than the one organised for former president Barack Obama in 2015. But it is far from clear whether Indias offers will be enough to satisfy U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who cancelled plans for a trip to India this week. Instead, he has held telephone talks with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. 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. Two new polls emerged today that seem to indicate Bernie Sanders has maintained his momentum after the New Hampshire primary and looks to be the clear frontrunner. The first and most important in the short term comes from Nevada, which hasnt been polled since Iowa. There, for the first time since last August, Sanders holds a lead over Biden: Las Vegas Review-Journal/WPA Nevada poll (conducted Tuesday through Thursday so not all post-NH) Sanders 25% Biden 18% Warren 13% Steyer 11% Buttigieg 10% Klobuchar 10%https://t.co/gfX7ZgVqTl Steve Kornacki (@SteveKornacki) February 14, 2020 The Nevada caucus is the next on the calendar, happening a week from this Saturday, and while it's not quite a must-win for Sanders, it is the first state with a strong minority population, and in order to make good on recent polling that shows strength with Hispanic voters, a win is the closest thing to necessary. More than a few candidates have been insisting that the primary is fluid, and based on fluctuations pre-Iowa, they're been right. At this point, though, Sanders doesn't want anymore fluidity, and winning Nevada would cement the idea that he's more than an early primary flash-in-the-pan. The more surprising poll, and the one that might pay the biggest dividends in the long term, comes from Texas: New UT/@TexasTribune poll of Texas primary: Sanders: 24% Biden: 22 Warren: 15 Bloomberg: 10 Buttigieg: 7 Yang: 6 Klobuchar: 3 Steyer: 3 Gabbard: 2 Others: 8 MOE: +/- 4.09%https://t.co/lTr57VUVVa Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) February 14, 2020 This is a dramatic reversal from the last Texas poll, and every poll that came before it. Just before the Iowa caucuses, a Dallas Morning News poll showed Biden with a 16-point lead, and though results from earlier in 2019 varied, none showed Biden trailing. This is the first time Bernie had led in delegate-rich Texas, and considering the fact that he leads in the other biggest Super Tuesday state, California, things are starting to look very good for him. Its clear, too, that Bidens poor showing in Iowa and New Hampshire has reverberated throughout the country. The other factor in his favor is viabilityif other candidates cant reach 15% within congressional districts or statewide, Sanders could win modest victories in both states and collect huge amounts of delegates if the rest of the vote is split. Former White House chief of staff John Kelly took aim Wednesday at President Trump's foreign policy during an event at New Jersey's Drew University, The Atlantic reports. The state of play: Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, defended Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman's decision to testify during the impeachment inquiry and said Trump's decision to condition military aid to Ukraine to investigate political rivals overturned long-standing U.S. policy. "Up until that phone call, the policy of the U.S. was militarily to support Ukraine in their defensive fight against the Russians," he said. "And so, when the president said that continued support would be based on X, that essentially changed. And thats what [Vindman] was most interested in." "[Vindman] did exactly what we teach them to do from cradle to grave. He went and told his boss what he just heard." What he said: On North Korea: "Again, President Trump tried thats one way to put it. But it didnt work. Im an optimist most of the time, but Im 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." "Again, President Trump tried thats one way to put it. But it didnt work. Im an optimist most of the time, but Im 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." On immigration: "[T]heyre overwhelmingly good people. Theyre not all rapists and theyre not all murderers. And its wrong to characterize them that way. I disagreed with the president a number of times." "[T]heyre overwhelmingly good people. Theyre not all rapists and theyre not all murderers. And its wrong to characterize them that way. I disagreed with the president a number of times." On Eddie Gallagher: "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." Reality check: Some of Kelly's statements now don't align with his public statements during his time in the administration. On North Korea in 2018: "I know [Trump] won't fall for it in the same way that past presidents have, that get strung along, strung along lifting sanctions, giving them money, and get nothing for it." "I know [Trump] won't fall for it in the same way that past presidents have, that get strung along, strung along lifting sanctions, giving them money, and get nothing for it." On immigration in 2018: "They're also not people that would easily assimilate into the United States into our modern society. ... They don't speak English; obviously that's a big thing. ... They don't integrate well. They don't have skills." Go deeper... John Kelly: Impeachment without witnesses "seems like a half trial PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti A fire swept through a Haitian childrens home run by a U.S. nonprofit group, killing 13 children, health care workers said Friday. Rose-Marie Louis, a child-care worker at the home, told the Associated Press that the fire began around 9 p.m. Thursday and firefighters took about 1 hours to arrive. The orphanage had been using candles for light due to problems with its generator, she said. About half of those who died were babies or toddlers and the others were roughly 10 or 11 years old, Louis said. Thirteen bodies were initially recovered. Justice of the Peace Raymonde Jean Antoine said two bodies were then removed Friday afternoon from the Orphanage of the Church of Bible Understanding in the Kenscoff area outside Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital. Rescue workers arrived at the scene on motorcycles and didnt have bottled oxygen or the ambulances needed to transport the children to the hospital, said Jean-Francois Robenty, a civil protection official. They could have been saved, he said. We didnt have the equipment to save their lives. The Associated Press has reported on a long-standing series of problems at two childrens homes run by the Church of Bible Understanding. The Pennsylvania group lost accreditation for its homes after a series of inspections beginning in November 2012. Haitian inspectors faulted the group for overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and not having enough adequately trained staff. Members of the religious group were selling expensive antiques at high-end stores in New York and Los Angeles and using a portion of the profits to fund the homes. The Associated Press made an unannounced visit to the groups two homes, holding a total of 120 kids, in 2013 and found bunk beds with faded and worn mattresses crowded into dirty rooms. Sour air wafted through the bathrooms and stairwells. Rooms were dark and spartan, lacking comforts or decoration. The Church of Bible Understanding operates two homes for nearly 200 children in Haiti as part of a Christian training program, according to its most recent nonprofit organization filing. It has operated in the country since 1977. It identifies the homes as orphanages but it is common in Haiti for impoverished parents to place children in residential care centers, where they receive lodging and widely varying education for several years but are not technically orphans. We take in children who are in desperate situations, the organization says in its tax filing for 2017, the most recent year available. Many of them were very close to death when we took them in. Evens Sanon, Michael Weissenstein and Ben Fox are Associated Press writers. VICTORIAPublicly, the mayor of B.C.s capital city said she would welcome the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to city hall. Privately, it appears the reaction of Victoria city staff to the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was much like that of the Royal Family: We are not amused. Emails between Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps and her communications team, obtained through a Freedom-of-Information request, show a conversation about how Helps might respond to media requests in the wake of news last month that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might decide to live in the West Coast city. Helps office received at least three different interview requests from U.K.-based media outlets in the four days after the royal couple issued a statement that they were planning on taking a step back from their official royal duties to spend part of their time in North America. The British medias attention had turned to Victoria, the major city closest to the mansion that had acted as the famous couples home for six weeks over the Christmas holidays. The couple has since dropped their royal highness titles and resumed living on Vancouver Island to begin a phase of life more separate from the British monarchy. It wouldnt be long before the British reporters were asked to lay off lawyers for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly sent a letter to the British press threatening legal action after Meghan and her young son Archie were photographed walking in a public park north of Victoria. But before lawyers weighed in, the British press was eager to learn all it could about the charming Vancouver Island city that seemed on the verge of poaching two of their favourite story subjects. One of the requests to Mayor Helps office came from London-based ITV news, which had flown out an entire television crew to Victoria to cover the surprise royal move. They reached out to Helps the morning they landed for a last-minute interview on camera about the city, and its excitement to welcome Meghan and Harry. A newspaper request from the Glasgow-based Sunday Post mused: I take it you would welcome the Royal couple as residents? While the mayors responses to these questions were not included in the Freedom-of-Information request, conversations with her staff appeared to be less than enthusiastic. Contemplating how to respond to the first request on Jan. 9, the citys Manager of Engagement Sheldon Johnson asked Helps if she wanted to respond at all. If youre lukewarm as I am, Id suggest something like: Im never surprised when anyone decides to move to Victoria or anywhere on Vancouver Island, Johnson wrote in an email to Helps. There is no shortage of beautiful surroundings, but the people are warm, kind and welcoming of anyone looking to make a home for their family. The mayor responded saying they would decline the interview requests by saying that they wanted to respect the couples privacy. If we have actual confirmation that they are moving here, then we will comment as you suggest, great quote! she wrote. Later, another communications adviser wrote that the advice was still to stay on sidelines when it came to requests about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Once Prince Harry rejoined Meghan on Vancouver Island, the mayor did make select comments in the media, telling the New York Times she would welcome the couple to city hall, while also expressing her opinion that declaring an oath to the Queen as a public official is an anachronism. Reached by the Star this week, Helps said she didnt have much to add about the couple. Ourselves and our residents are grateful that theyve chosen this slice of paradise to call home, she wrote. We welcome them here and want to give them the privacy they desire. With a file from The Canadian Press Read more about: CAYCE, S.C. Authorities on Friday identified a man whose body was found during the search for Faye Marie Swetlik, a South Carolina girl who was also found dead Thursday in Cayce. Coty Scott Taylor, 30, was found dead shortly after Faye's body was found Thursday morning, said Lexington County coroner Margaret Fisher and Sgt. First Class Evan Antley with the Cayce Department of Public Safety. Investigators said Taylor was linked to the investigation into Faye's death and that he was not a relative or friend of Faye's family. "He was merely a neighbor," Antley told reporters at a Friday afternoon news conference. Taylor did not have a criminal history and was not known to law enforcement, Antley said. Faye Marie Swetlik, 6, disappeared after getting off a school bus near her home in South Carolina. Six-year-old Faye Marie Swetlik was reported missing Monday afternoon about an hour after getting off her school bus from nearby Springdale Elementary near her home in the Churchill Heights neighborhood in Cayce. Selena Collins, Faye's mother, sounded desperate and distraught as she breathlessly described what her daughter was wearing when she was last seen playing in the front yard about an hour earlier, according to audio recordings of Collins' 911 call. Collins told 911 operators that she spent the time between last seeing her daughter and making the call searching for Faye asking neighbors whether they'd seen the girl. Investigators from Cayce Department of Public Safety, the Lexington County Sheriff's Office, the State Law Enforcement Division and the FBI searched the neighborhood for days. Early Thursday, investigators followed sanitation trucks around the neighborhood, emptying trash cans and inspecting the contents before they were taken away. Antley said a critical item connected to the case was found in a trash can at Taylor's home. "Based on that discovery, we narrowed down an area that we felt as an investigative team that we needed to go back to and look for more evidence," Antley said. Story continues As investigators were in the planning stages of the renewed search, Cayce Department of Public Safety director Byron Snelgrove found Faye's body in a wooded area near Taylor's home. Antley said the area had been searched before, and investigators do not believe she was in that location for long before her body was found. A short time later, investigators found Taylor's body inside his home. The investigation is ongoing. Antley said authorities are working to determine whether anyone else was involved. Autopsies are scheduled Saturday for both Faye and Taylor. This article originally appeared on The Greenville News: Faye Marie Swetlik found dead: Police identify SC man found in search She often cuts a glamorous figure at many a red carpet event. And Karen Gillan was at it again as she dazzled in a shimming gold dress and black blazer at the The Call of the Wild premiere at El Capitan Theatre, Los Angeles on Thursday. The actress, 32, looked delighted as she posed alongside St. Bernard/farm collie rescue dog Buckley, who served as the model for the CGI dog Buck in the film. Glamorous: Karen Gillan dazzled in a shimming gold dress and black blazer at the The Call of the Wild premiere at El Capitan Theatre, Los Angeles on Thursday Looking every inch the leading lady, Karen turned heads in her eye-catching flapper-style dress, which she teamed with a matching pair of pointed gold heels, which featured a quirky diamante detail. She brushed her auburn tresses into a poker straight style for the event, topping off her look with a cute headband with gem detailing. Upping the glam, Karen coated her face in a generous palette of make-up complete with a bold red lip. The Doctor Who star later shed her black jacket, where she showcased her gown in all its glory. Girl's best friend: The actress, 32, looked delighted as she posed alongside St. Bernard/farm collie rescue dog Buckley, who served as the model for the CGI dog Buck in the film Golden girl: Looking every inch the leading lady, Karen turned heads in her eye-catching flapper-style dress, which she teamed with a matching pair of pointed gold heels Stunning: She brushed her auburn tresses into a poker straight style for the event, topping off her look with a cute headband with gem detailing The Scottish beauty looked radiant as she posed up a storm on the red carpet. She also posed alongside her The Call Of The Wild co-stars including Omar Sy, Cara Gee, Harrison Ford. Also at the bash was director Chris Saunders, who attended with wife Jessica Steele-Sanders and his popular pooch Buckley - of who the film's dog was modelled on. In an Instagram post last November, Sanders explained: 'He was scanned, then animated, which allowed us to avoid putting any animals in danger AND allowed us to make him act/emote on cue.' Star of the show: Karen was almost outshone by the St. Bernard/farm collie rescue dog Furry friend: Karen flashed a huge smile as she stroked adorable pooch Buckley Adorable: Karen and Buckley made a great connection at the event The film is based on Jack London's 1903 novel about a dog called Buck who is stolen from his California home and sold as a working animal in the Yukon during the 1890's Gold Rush. Buck crosses paths with John Thornton, played by Harrison Ford, who runs a mail delivery dog sled team, and finds himself embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. The live action/animation movie utilizes cutting edge visual effects and animation technology to bring the animals in the film fully to life. All that glitters: The Scottish beauty looked radiant as she posed up a storm on the red carpet Group shot: She also posed alongside her The Call Of The Wild co-stars including Omar Sy, Cara Gee, Harrison Ford and director Chris Sanders (L-R) The Chris Sanders directed movie also stars Dan Stevens, Michael Horse, Colin Woodell and Bradley Whitford. Karen found international fame in The Rock's Jumanji reboot Welcome To The Jungle in 2017. She went on to be cast as Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her film credits also include Oculus, The Circle, Selfie and Not Another Happy Ending. New flick: The film is based on Jack London's 1903 novel about a dog called Buck who is stolen from his California home and sold as a working animal in the Yukon during the 1890's Gold Rush Adventure: Buck crosses paths with John Thornton, played by Harrison Ford, who runs a mail delivery dog sled team, and finds himself embarking on the adventure of a lifetime Home time: The star was later spotted leaving Cleo Restaurant in West Hollywood following the premire Looking good: Karen flashed a huge smile as she left the venue following a fun-filled evening Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ary Hermawan (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 16:31 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206492d21 1 Opinion Jokowi,science-and-technology,AI,technology,Terawan-Agus-Putranto,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,#commentary Free President Joko Jokowi Widodo is without a doubt a visionary. The nations seventh presidentwho once boasted that one day Indonesia would replace its lethargic bureaucracy with artificial intelligence (AI) believes that only a generation of progressive, creative minds like his education minister, the Harvard-educated start-up icon Nadiem Makarim, can bring Southeast Asias largest economy forward. The President is not wrong. Its just that his policies do not reflect that vision at all. A study conducted by Inaya Rakhmani and Zulfa Skahiyya has already led to a grim conclusion: Jokowis policymaking is not supported by quality research and academic freedom. The study, which includes a survey of 102 researchers, research administrators and policymakers, found that the governments policymaking is predominantly informed by research with poor theoretical engagement, with no strong tradition of peer review and with legal threats to academic freedom. That study alone is alarming, but recent events might have shown a more disturbing trend: the administration is virtually antiscience and is practically waging war on it. Only recently, Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto slammed research conducted by a group of Harvard scientists for suggesting that based on their statistical analysis, Indonesia should have detected several confirmed cases of COVID-19, the new coronavirus that has killed over 1,300 people and infected tens of thousands worldwide. That study, while not peer-reviewed yet, aimed to understand, with available data and a certain statistical model, how the deadly virus spreads globally through air travel, and to determine countries "that may not be identifying all imported cases". The health minister, however, found its findings somewhat insulting. Thats an insult. Our testing equipment is from the United States. [...] we have done everything according to standards, international standards, he said. Certainly, the Harvard study could be criticized and even proven wrong. Thats just how science works falsifiability is one of its prerequisites. Science is not a religious dogma that is immune to criticism and revisions. However, that is by no means a license to dismiss it just because you dislike its conclusions or find them disturbing or inconvenient. The problem is not Terawans contention that Indonesia is free from COVID-19 (the reasons for which experts are speculating on), but his attack on scientific methods and his refusal to respect alternative point of views. It does not help that Terawan keeps asking people to pray to avoid infection, which he apparently believes is the key reason why we are spared from the virus outbreak. When asked about the condition of Indonesians quarantined in Natuna after being repatriated from Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak, Terawan said: Those [quarantined] in Natuna are healthy. Why? Thats because of the prayers from all the people in Indonesia. Praying is the right of any religious believer but we really do not want our health minister to sell the idea that prayer is what prevents a person from contracting a lethal virus, especially in the face of a global pandemic. Terawan, a devout Christian, is a controversial figure in the Indonesian medical community. The military doctor raised eyebrows when he introduced the so-called brain wash therapy to cure stroke. Also known as intra arterial cerebral flushing, the therapy sets out to treat stroke patients with a combination of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and heparin injections. The Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) questioned the scientific and legal arguments for such a treatment and its ethics board recommended suspending his membership. Sadly, Terawan is not the only official having an issue with science. Science magazine has reported that French landscape ecologist David Gaveau was recently deported for visa violations after 15 years living and working in Indonesia. The scientist had to leave Indonesia after drawing officials ire for publishing an estimate of the damage of the 2019 land and forest fires that contradiced the governments figures. It is possible his study is flawed, but does it warrant an expulsion? His colleagues, according to the magazine, believe his deportation is another sign of the growing tension between the Indonesian government and the scientific community. In the past few years, the Jokowi government has clamped down on illegal foreign researchers on the pretext of protecting Indonesias historical legacies and genetic resources. Only last year, the country enacted a law on the national system of science and technology that imposes criminal charges against foreign researchers found guilty of violating visa regulations. Critics have said the law is excessive and could hamper academic freedom. Moreover, it gives the impression that the country is xenophobic and antiscience. Just a few days ago, the Immigration Office deported six Dutch and Australian scientists after accusing them of carrying out illegal research in Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara. The researchers, according to media reports, are archeologists who were conducting a study designed to answer the question of how Africans came to Australia about 70,000 years ago. Indonesia must enforce strict immigration rules, but if the country wants its science to flourish it also needs to cut red tape to allow more scientific collaboration with foreign researchers. President Jokowi has already drawn criticism from human rights activists for his illiberal tendencies and, as a consequence, a sharp decline in civil liberties including, and mainly, freedom of speech, under his leadership. But his administrations apparent enmity against science just because one or two scientific studies paint his administration in a bad light is a new low. Pak Jokowi, this is your final term, you should realize your dreams. To do that, you need to ask your ministers to stop waging war on science. College and university teachers in the state held a sit-in demonstration here on Friday, demanding the implementation of the revised UGC pay scale from 2016. Members of 16 teachers' bodies from across the state took part in the demonstration, said Partha Pratim Roy, general secretary of the Jadavpur University Teachers' Association (JUTA). The three-hour sit-in in the Moulali area was the first of a series of movements planned by the organisations, demanding immediate implementation of the revised UGC pay scale from January 2016. "We wrote to the Chief Minister's Office but till date, there has been no sign of our demands being considered. We will raise the momentum of the movement in the coming days," Roy said. The West Bengal Higher Department in a notification on December 30 said that college and university teachers will get the revised salary from January 1, 2020, but the teachers are demanding revised salary from January 1, 2016 as per the UGC recommendations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- WTAM radio host Geraldo Rivera interviewed President Donald Trump on his podcast Thursday. The two men, who are longtime friends, talked about a wide variety of topics over the course of the 45-minute discussion, from the Roger Stone controversy to impeachment and the 2020 election. Here are the five most interesting things the president said, in case you missed it. 1. On all the people listing to his calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky which led to the whistleblower complaint that sparked his impeachment. Trump: "Thats what theyve done over the years when you call a foreign leader, people listen. I may end the practice entirely. I may end it entirely. Sometimes you have 25 people. " Note: National security personnel and other administration officials typically listen in on calls with foreign leaders to document the call for the official record, follow up on the presidents policies, and prevent the other side for making false claims. 2. Whether or not he regrets sending Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine: Trump: Not at all... I deal with the Comeys of the world or, in other words, I was given a very bad taste of our intelligence department because, I see it, they spied on my campaign illegally... So when you tell me why did I use Rudy, No. 1 he was the best, one of the very best prosecutors and the best mayor. They [previous presidents] all had laywers and they do things for them and its really circumventing -- very legally -- and maybe getting things done faster. Note: Trump previously denied sending Giuliani to Ukraine. 3. On the four prosecutors who resigned from the Roger Stone case after the Department of Justice overruled their sentencing recommendation following a critical tweet by the president: Trump: I dont think they quit the case, I think what they do is they felt they got caught... 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? Note: Attorney General William Barr, in an interview Thursday with ABC News, said the DOJ decision came before Trumps tweet. However, Barr admitted the presidents tweets make it impossible for me to do my job. 4. On former New York City mayor and current Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloombergs use of the controversial stop-and-frisk policy: Trump: Bloomberg came in and said, you know what, this thing is so good Im going to stop every black person. If you were a black person in New York, you were stopped two times a day, three times a day, you couldnt go to your house, they were stopping you everyday. What Bloomberg did to black community was a disgrace. Note: Bloomberg inherited stop-and-frisk from Giuliani, but the practice increased sevenfold under his watch, according to the New York Times. Still, in a 2016 debate with Hillary Clinton, Trump defended the policy under Bloomberg, saying, Stop and frisk had a tremendous impact on the safety of New York City. Tremendous beyond belief. 5. On if America is ready to vote for a gay man for president: Trump: I think so. I think there would be some that wouldnt and you know I wouldnt be among that group. I think that, yes, it doesnt seem to be hurting Pete Buttigieg... There would probably be a group that wouldnt, but you or I would not be in that group. Note: On his show Tuesday, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh talked about the Democratic candidates. A gay guy, 37-years-old, loves kissing his husband on debate stages, can you see Trump have fun with that," he said of Buttigieg. Limbaugh added, Americas still not ready to elect a gay guy kissing his husband on the debate stage president." A week earlier, Trump awarded Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Geraldo in Cleveland airs weekdays at 9 a.m. on Newsradio WTAM 1100. On this week's Roadkill Podcast- Geraldo talks to the 45th President of the United States @realDonaldTrump. Listen here! https://t.co/gZuJm7Ae8q Newsradio WTAM 1100 (@wtam1100) February 13, 2020 Cut through the noise with our expert picks and recommendations for concerts, nightlife, movies, festivals, family fun, theatrical performances, art exhibitions & more with To Do Cleveland, delivered every Thursday straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our free To Do Cleveland newsletter Cut through the noise with our expert picks and recommendations for restaurants, bars, concerts, nightlife, movies, festivals, family fun, theatrical performances, art exhibitions and more with To Do Cleveland, delivered every Thursday to your inbox. SIGN UP NOW More Life + Culture stories Could iHeart layoffs be the beginning of local radios endgame? Rolling Stones stadium tour ticket buying guide 19 last-minute ideas on ways to spend Valentines Day in Cleveland C.W. Seiberlings historic Tri-Acres mansion in Akron asks $1.7M: House of the Week Great Lakes Brewing Co. to open Friday - a look at renovated brewpub (photos, video) Dear Annie: Readers need to educate themselves about blood clots and their symptoms Alea delivers dazzling Mediterranean fare in Clevelands Hingetown neighborhood The U.S. Army's top officials said today that there is no investigation into the conduct of the lieutenant colonel who recently testified at an impeachment hearing against President Trump. Trump suggested that Pentagon may review Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman's conduct earlier this week. The Army officer was dismissed from his job on the National Security Council on Friday, two days after the Senate acquitted Trump on abuse of power and obstruction of justice charges. Vindman testified before a House impeachment panel that Trump inappropriately pushed Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Trump said the Pentagon "can handle him any way they want" but also said that commanders may want to probe Vindman's conduct. "They are certainly, I imagine, going to take a look at that," Trump said. Related: Trump Wants Pentagon to Review Army Lt. Col. Vindman's Conduct Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy, speaking at a National Press Club event, was asked if the Army planned to investigate Vindman. Vindman was scheduled to come back to the Army in the "May-June timeframe" after being detailed to the National Security Council, McCarthy said. "So, we brought him back; he's got a basically a bridging assignment for a couple of months with an [Army headquarters] assignment," McCarthy said. "And then will be heading onto a senior service college this summer. And there [are] no investigations." Defense Secretary Mark Esper said recently that the U.S. military will "protect all of our service members from retribution or anything like that." Vindman's twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, who worked as an ethics lawyer at the NSC, was also removed from his job and reassigned to the Army's Office of the General Counsel. Robert O'Brien, Trump's national security adviser, said Tuesday that the Vindmans were not asked to leave the White House in retaliation for testimony in the Democrats' impeachment case. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Read More: Pentagon Chief Says Vindman Should Not Fear Army Retaliation The new PlayStation could be substantially more expensive than the old one, a new report has suggested. Sony is said to be trying to keep the cost of new console down, to compete both with its existing PlayStations and the Xbox Series X, which will be released around the same time. But it is struggling to keep the price low because of the cost of the components inside, according to a new report from Bloomberg. Sony has revealed that the new PlayStation will come with a variety of high-spec hardware, including a big and fast SSD for game storage. That will dramatically improve the speed of the console, allowing it to load games far more quickly than the existing PS4. But such high-speed, high-capacity SSDs are expensive, and their price has varied wildly in recent months with the market. 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 The company is also said to be including large amounts of RAM as well as an advanced GPU, both of which can be very expensive. That has led to troubles for Sony to keep the cost of the console down. The price of the materials inside the console is around $450 at the moment, according to the report. Recommended Only known version of mysterious Nintendo PlayStation goes on sale That would compare to a $381 estimate for the price of the components required to make the PlayStation 4. Sony sold the PS4 for $399 when it first came out, and it has been reduced since, suggesting that Sony could be comfortable with only thin margins on the console. But at the moment it would require either pushing up the price of the PS5, or selling it at a loss, both of which are likely to be difficult for Sony. In the past, companies have sold consoles at a loss when they have launched, with the aim of making the money up from services and games as time goes on. The PS4 was priced more conservatively, in the hope of avoiding the costs racked up when the PS3 was launched at a very competitive price. Sony is also working on a new version of the PlayStation VR headset, which is due to be released after the PS5, the same Bloomberg report claimed. The United States and the Taliban have reached a deal on a weeklong reduction of violence that could lead to U.S. troops withdrawing from Afghanistan, a senior U.S. official has said. The official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters on the sidelines of a security conference in Munich on February 14 that the deal to achieve a seven-day reduction in violence would take effect "very soon." However, he told reporters that the agreement on a week of reduced violence had yet to begin. The remarks came after a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of the conference. U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and General Scott Miller, the commander of the U.S.-led international force in Afghanistan, also attended the meeting. The U.S. official said the Taliban had committed to stopping roadside and suicide bombings as well as rocket attacks. The official said the deal was "very specific" and covered the entire country, including Afghan forces. The official said the United States would monitor the truce and determine if there were any violations. "It was violence that derailed the signing of the agreement in September," the official said, adding, "now we have an agreement on the reduction of violence. And, should the Talibs implement what they've committed to doing, we will move forward with the agreement." It would then be followed by the signing of a deal that would launch inter-Afghan peace negotiations within 10 days, the official said. The remarks came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said there were 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 February 13. Earlier on February 13, 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. With reporting by AP and Reuters The dramatic moment police discovered missing Madeline Mejia when they pulled over a car on the highway has been revealed in a video released by Florida cops. The three-year-old girl's mom, Tania Duarte, 18, was arrested in Tallahassee along with her boyfriend Kevin Olmeda-Velias, 19, and two unnamed suspects. Duarte, from Houston, said had been staying with the girl's dad Lester Mejia and his family in Apopka and told him she wanted to take her back to Houston, Tallahassee.com reported. She is reported to have taken the child when he refused to let Madeline go to Texas with her. An Amber Alert was issued for Madeline on Monday after Lester reportedly claimed she was snatched from his driveway in Apopka by people he did not recognize. It was later alleged that he fabricated the claims because cops refused to act when he initially called 911 and said she had been taken by her mom. Madeline with her father Lester after they were reunited on Monday (left). He has since admitted he knew she had been taken by her 18-year-old mother Tania (right) Video captured on Tuesday shows Duarte, who did not have legal custody of the child, being led from the car with her hands in the air after the car she was traveling in with the three other suspects and her daughter was pulled over. Madeline is seen being pulled out of the car and carried away by a cop. Duarte and Olmeda-Velias were booked on charges of interference with child custody and the two other unnamed men were released to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Duarte and Olmeda-Velias appeared in court on Tuesday. During their first court appearance Tuesday, Leon County Judge Augustus Aikens Jr. ordered them to be held without bond until they were transported to Orange County, according to Tallahassee.com. 'The mother knew the father had full custody of the child,' court records state. The girl's father told police that his daughter had been snatched from the driveway of their home in Apopka 'The mother told the father earlier in the week that she wanted to take the child to Texas, and the father refused to let the child go. [She] waited for the father to go to work and she had her boyfriend pick her and [her] daughter up to take her to Texas.' When the four suspects were arrested on Monday, Lester initially said he had no idea why they took his daughter. However on Tuesday Apopka Police Department alleged Lester had made the story up. Lester had phoned 911 but was told by the dispatcher that there was no crime to investigate because the girl was with her mother. He allegedly went on to make up the abduction story to get their attention. 'Mr. Mejia was scared he would not see his daughter again so he provided the abduction story in hopes it would assist in recovering his daughter,' a police statement on Wednesday read. An Amber Alert was issued by police after her father Lester called 911 to say she had been kidnapped on Monday morning 'Although Mr. Mejia was not forthcoming with the information he provided to the Apopka Police Department he did have lawful custody of his daughter and Ms. Duarte unlawfully removed Madeline from his custody,' police said. 'The Apopka Police Department continues to investigate this matter, and is thankful that Madeline was found safe and returned to Mr. Mejia.' After the Amber Alert was issued for Madeline police mobilized a Cessna plane to patrol the highways, which eventually found the kidnappers' black Honda almost 250 miles from Madeline's home in a little under six hours. They notified cops on the ground who then surrounded the vehicle and arrested the girl's mother, boyfriend, and the two other men on the side of the road. No charges have been brought against Lester, but authorities say they are still investigating. One-fourth of large firms add another penalty to push smokers to quit: an extra charge on their health premiums. The fee usually amounts to about $600 a year for workers, according to survey data from consultant Mercer, which designs corporate health and wellness plans. About 10% of employers provide other incentives, such as points that can be redeemed for prizes. French multinational giant Capgemini says it will hire 12,000 to 15,000 freshers this year through college campus recruitment. The French IT multinational firm had recruited similar numbers of students last year. Capgemini gives an average annual salary of Rs 3.8 lakh to the freshers. However, the annual package for IITs and NITs students go up to Rs 6.5 lakh. At present, 1.2 lakh employees work in the Indian offices of Capgemini. With this, India accounts for more than half of the French IT services company's global strength. In fact, India is the largest delivery engine of Capgemini. Capgemini India CEO Ashwin Yardi said the company was betting on 5G technologies and had set up two labs-in Paris and Mumbai-to find a solution for it. Capgemini has hired Airtel's Monica Gupta as Vice President to drive its 5G and communication technologies business. Overall, the company has 200 VPs in India. Besides, in the company's 26-member Group Executive Committee (GEC), it has four Indian figures. Yardi is among them. Apart from Capgemini, US-listed IT company Cognizant also said that it was considering hiring over 20,000 students from college campuses this year. The IT services company has also jacked-up annual campus salary packages for engineering graduates by 18 per cent to Rs 4,00,000. Also read: Cognizant to hire over 20,000 graduates this year, offers 18% hike in salaries New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/13/2020 -- The connected automotive has been the most seen and known instance of Internet of Things. However, as todays vehicles are becoming progressively software-driven, the real IoT growths in the auto sector are behind the scenes, as software and automakers producers both claim to the driver's seat. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a framework of interconnected computing devices, digital and mechanical devices and autonomy in data transfer. Further, the launch of automotive IoT market encourages the need for automated gadgets that help analyze real-time data on vehicle users and fleet operators. Additionally, it is connected with internet of smart automotive that allots three types of communications for example in-vehicle, vehicle-to-vehicle, and vehicle-to-infrastructure. The automotive are linked for years, in methods that by now it pretends to be routine. Certainly, automotive companies have begun linking cars to data streams. And, when it comes to connecting technology and drivers, the automotive sector has a richer and longer record of accomplishment than any other industry. Get Access to Sample : https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/sample/48149 Some of the major enterprises presently working in automotive IoT market are Audi AG, Google Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors, Texas Instruments,Intel Corporation,TomTom,Cisco,Vodafone,NXP Semiconductors Global Automotive IoT Market: Key Drivers & Restraints The auto manufacturers and government funding on next generation vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication technologies will boost the development. This projects the automotive IoT market to experience a significant growth in the forthcoming years. This is due to real-time incident and traffic alerts along with surge in R&D expenses. Autonomous vehicles are estimated to change the automotive IoT market, maintenance alert, and increase in need for smart gadgets, increase in telematics orders by governments, and requirement for smartphone features in vehicles will drive the automotive IoT market. Nevertheless, absence in cellular connectivity coverage and best costing are estimated to hamper the growth of the automotive IoT market. In addition, owing to the rise in per capita income of people, automated infotainment facilities in the vehicle are also becoming essential part. Individuals anticipate their digital lifestyles must be stretched into their vehicle also, with the help of automotive IoT technology. These are expected to boost the automotive IoT market. Global Automotive IoT Market: Geographical Outlook North America at present serves as the leading among all economy for automotive IoT market, particularly from the emerged economy of the Canada and U.S. This resides R&D units of numerous major enterprises. The North American is leading the market due to its users in the economy have high awareness levels and purchasing power for the new technology. The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications. Global IOT in Automotive Market: Type Segment Analysis (Consumption Volume, Average Price, Revenue, Market Share and Trend 2013-2023): Embedded Tethered Integrated Global IOT in Automotive Market: Application Segment Analysis (Consumption Volume and Market Share 2013-2023; Downstream Customers and Market Analysis) Infotainment System Navigation Telematics Get Discount on the Report : https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/discount/48149 Major driving forces behind the growth of the market are the increase in government funds for better traffic management, safety assurance, energy savings and the development of connected vehicles. On the other hand, lack of infrastructure, Government regulations and additional cost burden on consumers may hinder the growth of IoT in Automotive Market. Few Points of TOC : Chapter 1 Overview of IOT in Automotive 1.1 Definition of IOT in Automotive in This Report 1.2 Commercial Types of IOT in Automotive 1.2.1 Embedded 1.2.2 Tethered 1.2.3 Integrated 1.3 Downstream Application of IOT in Automotive 1.3.1 Infotainment System 1.3.2 Navigation 1.3.3 Telematics 1.4 Development History of IOT in Automotive 1.5 Market Status and Trend of IOT in Automotive 2013-2023 1.5.1 Global IOT in Automotive Market Status and Trend 2013-2023 1.5.2 Regional IOT in Automotive Market Status and Trend 2013-2023 Chapter 2 Global Market Status and Forecast by Regions 2.1 Market Development of IOT in Automotive 2013-2017 2.2 Sales Market of IOT in Automotive by Regions 2.2.1 Sales Volume of IOT in Automotive by Regions 2.2.2 Sales Value of IOT in Automotive by Regions 2.3 Production Market of IOT in Automotive by Regions 2.4 Global Market Forecast of IOT in Automotive 2018-2023 2.4.1 Global Market Forecast of IOT in Automotive 2018-2023 2.4.2 Market Forecast of IOT in Automotive by Regions 2018-2023 Chapter 3 Global Market Status and Forecast by Types 3.1 Sales Volume of IOT in Automotive by Types 3.2 Sales Value of IOT in Automotive by Types 3.3 Market Forecast of IOT in Automotive by Types Chapter 4 Global Market Status and Forecast by Downstream Industry 4.1 Global Sales Volume of IOT in Automotive by Downstream Industry 4.2 Global Market Forecast of IOT in Automotive by Downstream Industry Chapter 5 North America Market Status by Countries, Type, Manufacturers and Downstream Industry 5.1 North America IOT in Automotive Market Status by Countries 5.1.1 North America IOT in Automotive Sales by Countries (2013-2017) 5.1.2 North America IOT in Automotive Revenue by Countries (2013-2017) 5.1.3 United States IOT in Automotive Market Status (2013-2017) 5.1.4 Canada IOT in Automotive Market Status (2013-2017) 5.1.5 Mexico IOT in Automotive Market Status (2013-2017) 5.2 North America IOT in Automotive Market Status by Manufacturers 5.3 North America IOT in Automotive Market Status by Type (2013-2017) 5.3.1 North America IOT in Automotive Sales by Type (2013-2017) 5.3.2 North America IOT in Automotive Revenue by Type (2013-2017) 5.4 North America IOT in Automotive Market Status by Downstream Industry (2013-2017) Continue View full Report : https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/48149/iot-in-automotive-market-research The research provides answers to the following key questions: - What will be the market size of the IOT in Automotive Market industry by 2023? What will be the estimated market share over the next few years? - What are the key driving forces fueling the growth of the IOT in Automotive Market industry across different regions? - Who are major vendors expected to dominate the market for the forecast period 2013 to 2023? - What are the current and emerging trends likely to influence the progress of the industry worldwide? - What are the type of opportunities market vendors can rely on to stay competitive over the years? Highlights of the report: - A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent market - Important changes in market dynamics - Market segmentation up to the second or third level - Historical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volume - Reporting and evaluation of recent industry developments - Market shares and strategies of key players - Emerging niche segments and regional markets - An objective assessment of the trajectory of the market - Recommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the market About Market Growth Insight Market Growth Insight is a one stop solution for market research reports in various business categories. We are serving 100+ clients with 10000+ diverse industry reports and our reports are developed to simplify strategic decision making, on the basis of comprehensive and in-depth significant information, established through wide ranging analysis and latest industry trends. We are striving to provide the best customer friendly services and appropriate business information to accomplish your ideas. CONTACT US: +1 347 767 5477 ( US ) +44 131 463 4161 ( UK ) + 91 8956 767 535 ( Apac ) Sales@marketgrowthinsight.com Website- https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com Follow Us:- LinkedIn | Twitter | Google+ | Facebook Some of the rabid and loyal fans of the legendary sitcom Friends thought Matthew Perry all but confirmed the rumors of reunion show when he tweeted out: 'Big news coming...,' last week. With the reunion chatter growing to a fever pitch in proceeding days, former co-star David Schwimmer was put on the spot about whether the famed characters -- Monica, Phoebe, Rachel, Ross, Joey and Chandler -- will be back onscreen together in one form or another. 'First of all, Im so glad I finally get to answer this question,' Schwimmer, 53, joked when asked during an an interview with Matt Baker and Alex jones on BBC's The One Show. Comic relief: David Schwimmer dodged the question of whether there will be some sort of friends reunion 'I really wish I could confirm or deny, There's nothing official to report,' Schwimmer, 53, added. Jones pressed even farther on the potential of a reunion show by asking: 'But maybe?' In keeping with his, and his Friends character Ross's penchant for a good one-liner, the actor shot back: 'Maybe Matthew Perry is pregnant,' in reference to the 'big news coming' tweet. The spark: Perry sent Friends fanatics into a frenzy with this tweet on February 5 The question! In reference to Perry's 'Big new coming... ' tweet, Schwimmer responded on BBC's The One Show by asking: 'Maybe Matthew Perry is pregnant' Promotional ploy: Perry was promoting one of his upcoming projects when he posted the 'Big news coming' tweet earlier this month Just days ago The Wall Street Journal reported that all six of the original castmembers were close to signing a deal for a one-hour special for HBO Max that would be hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. The special would reportedly feature insightful interviews with the cast, rather than a scripted episode. There's also word that each of them could earn between $2.25 million and $2.5 million for the show. Deals are also said to be in the works to have the hit sitcoms creators, Marta Kauffman and David Crane, take part in the event. Friends for life: Jennifer Aniston marked the occasion when all six Friends castmembers officially became Instagram friends in October 2019 with this photo If the special does in fact come to fruition, it will mark the first time the cast will appear together on-screen in about 16 years, although the group have regularly stayed in contact in their personal lives. Friends first debuted on NBC back in September 1994, and went on to reach the pinnacle of success during its 10 season run that ended in May 2004. During its run it ranked in the top ten in the television ratings race in all 10 seasons, ultimately hitting number one in its eighth season. The series finale was watched by 52.5 million viewers in the US, making it the fifth most-watched series finale in television history, and the most-watched television episode of the 2000s decade. TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Roof Engineering Associates of Palm Harbor, FL has joined the Florida operations of REI Engineers, Inc. REA was formed in 2007 by Bill Schultz, PE, RRC. Bill has more than 40 years of experience in building enclosure consulting experience, working primarily with government, commercial clients, and school districts. REI President Scott Hinesley, PE, RRC states this strategic partnership will join two firms that share common philosophies for providing building enclosure engineering and consulting services. "The integration of our firms will enhance our presence throughout Florida and provide our clients access to the best building enclosure professionals in the industry." REI Engineers, Inc. specializes in the science of roofing, waterproofing, exterior walls, and pavement engineering and consulting services. Established in 1997, REI is an employee-owned company with eight offices and more than 90 employees. The firm has maintained industry presence in the Southeast US and has provided engineering services worldwide. Additional information on our services can be found at www.reiengineers.com. Contact: Nikole Pastore, Marketing Director, REI Engineers, Inc. 843.300.5864 | [email protected] SOURCE REI Engineers, Inc. Related Links http://www.reiengineers.com Hyderabad: Telangana state Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan on Thursday emphasised the need for the preservation of nature and environment. She was addressing the valedictory function of the 80th All India Industrial Exhibition. She said whatever may be the environment of our business, people should love and protect nature. We should prevent cutting of trees. We have to safeguard the greenery of the state and as well as of the nation. We have to plant trees. The state government is coming out various schemes like the Haritha Haram to preserve the environment. We should encourage Green Telangana. Activities for protection of nature have to be increased, she said. The Governor said it is heartening to know that the Exhibition Society has been conducting Numaish annually for the last eight decades for a noble cause, particularly for education. The society is patronising 18 educational institutions, mostly meant for girls, which is highly appreciable. Conducting the 46-day exhibition, popularly known as Numaish very safely is not an easy task, she said. The Governor said it was in late 1938 that few graduates of Osmania University conceived this idea of organising an exhibition to display products indigenously manufactured with a view to encourage and promote industrial development in the erstwhile Hyderabad. It is highly appreciable, because whatever may be the efforts put into manufacturing, but the marketing and the exhibition of materials encourage and boost the manufacturers. She remembered Ms Sarojini Naidu on her birthday and said she was fond of nature. She delayed her release from prison one day to see the blooming of a rose on the plant which was planted by her. She came out and lived a public life and served as a first Governor of the state in an era where the women hesitated to come out of their house, she said. WASHINGTON A former clerk to Stephen R. Reinhardt, a prominent liberal appellate court judge who died in 2018, told a congressional committee on Thursday that he routinely and frequently sexually harassed her and other female clerks and raged against the #MeToo movement, contending that women lodging allegations of rape and abuse against men should not be believed. Detailing her experience working for Judge Reinhardt in 2017 and 2018, Olivia Warren, the former clerk, testified before a subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee that Judge Reinhardt openly commented on his female clerks physical appearances and on her sexual relationship with her spouse. In one instance, Ms. Warren testified, Judge Reinhardt instructed her to analyze which of the two female candidates competing for a clerkship had nicer or longer legs and was more attractive. More frequently, Ms. Warren said, he would disparage her physical appearance and speculate sometimes in front of other employees that her husband must either lack a penis, or not be able to get an erection in her presence because she was so unattractive. There may have been a day in which I was not harassed, Ms. Warren said. But I cannot remember one after searching my memory. The article, which was hugely popular online, was taken down just hours after it was posted. A news website run by the city authorities of Dongying, in the eastern province of Shandong, published an article late last month praising the online censor Guo Qiqi: She sleeps just four hours a day, and monitors the internet for 20. The article included photos of a policewoman whose job was to monitor Twitter and Facebook, which are blocked inside China. The piece swept Weibo like a storm but not as the authorities had intended. Trying hard to build a Brave New World, said one comment. The article and the comments have since been deleted. The censors cant keep up, though: Maybe what goes up online must come down, but what comes down will go up again. Which might explain why, in addition to trying to prevent people from openly discussing Dr. Lis death, the information blackout in the early stages of the outbreak and the governments handling of the crisis overall, the authorities are also trying to peddle an alternative narrative and one that co-opts Dr. Lis story. As ever, the central government in Beijing is scrambling to project the image that it has everything under control. Instead of admitting to any large-scale inefficiencies or errors, it has sent a team to Wuhan to investigate Dr. Lis death. Two senior provincial party officials were sacked on Thursday. The government is also trying to cast Dr. Lis death as the nations sacrifice meaning, the Chinese Communist Partys own. The veteran epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan, who is credited with identifying the coronavirus that causes SARS and is widely revered, wept as he spoke about Dr. Li in an interview with Reuters this week. The majority of people think hes a hero of China, Dr. Zhong said, in English, tears welling. Im so proud of him. He told people the truth at the end of December. Many people share that view. New Delhi, Feb 14 : Amid the much-hyped visit of US President Donald Trump this month-end and possibility of a mini trade deal with India, RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) has said that it remains opposed to any tariff concession or market access for products that hurt religious sentiments and impact farmers' income. "If it is related to the livelihood of the people or religious issue or supplementation of the farmers' income, one can not support (it)," SJM National Co-convener Ashwini Mahajan said referring to media reports of India offering to open up dairy and poultry sector for American companies. Mahajan said he would not oppose moves such as allowing lower tariff for a manufactured product (Harley-Davidson bikes) but can not endorse a move that will impact the majority of the population. The SJM and many farmers' groups had last year asked the government to not include dairy sector in the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a mega trade deal including China, Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand apart from 10 ASEAN countries as it will adversely affect the livelihood of millions of people in the country. The government later pulled out of the proposed pact saying the deal was not in national interest. After India put price caps on medical devices such as stents and knee implants, the Trump administration had, in 2019, suspended India's preferential trade status, thus withdrawing duty benefits for various items shipped from India. During President Trump's visit on February 24-25, it is widely expected that India and the US would sign a limited trade deal. Further, in order to get some of the preferences restored, India may offer some concessions such as opening the dairy sector and cutting tariff on chicken legs from 100 per cent to 25 per cent. "For US, chicken legs are waste products as they do not consume it and prefer other parts. The higher tariff is aimed at protecting our poultry industry," SJM's Mahajan said. Industry sources said that Indian government is well aware of the concerns of the local dairy and poultry sectors and would unlikely go against them. In what seems to be giving credence to it is that the US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer this week put off his trip to India suggesting that any trade deal compromising the interests of local farmers would be difficult to finalise. SPion allows scientists to bring the accuracy and specificity of a mass spectrometer to their sample in native state, and experience unprecedented sensitivity in remote and in vivo analysis Somerville, Massachusetts-February 11, 2020-Trace Matters Scientific today introduced SPion -a revolutionary technology that enables the world's most sensitive and versatile remote analysis with mass spectrometry. Until now, a lack of proper instrumentation for efficient ion transfer from a remotely located sample to the mass spectrometer made sensitive in situ analysis for such a sample nearly impossible. SPion overcomes this major roadblock by redefining the front-end architecture of a mass spectrometer and transforming it into a simple lightweight handheld probe. SPion allows scientists to bring the accuracy and specificity of a mass spectrometer to their sample in native state, and experience unprecedented sensitivity in remote analysis. This allows for, amongst other applications, in vivo or living sample molecular profiling. This will be revolutionary for health and biological sciences including cancer surgery because the tissue or sample doesn't need to be altered or treated to sensitively measure the biomarkers. "SPion addresses one of the significant challenges that had remained unsolved for many decades in the field of mass spectrometry: the capability to efficiently transfer ions over relatively long distances, similar to how photons are contained and guided through optical fibers," said Mazdak Taghioskoui, Ph.D., Trace Matters Scientific's CEO and the inventor of the technology. "Mass spectrometry is one of the most powerful techniques for capturing molecular information and is a power tool for precision and personalized medicine. The capabilities that SPion brings to the table extends the use of mass spectrometry to even more applications, importantly, point-of-care in vivo direct tissue analysis. Our goal is to turn a mass spec into a medical device -a tool that will provide highly accurate tissue biopsy results in real-time in the operating room." The in vivo sample analysis capability is a game changer because it allows observing the biology and chemistry of living tissue without disruption. Typically, samples must be removed for analysis, and in the process, a great deal of time and accuracy is sacrificed. In addition to producing more relevant data via in vivo analysis, SPion addresses many problems associated with ex vivo techniques, such as tedious sample preparation, cross-contamination, bias trends, and instability of analytes. With SPion, it is now possible to produce molecular information directly from a living tissue with the same sensitivity of a standard mass spectrometer. In the first ever implementation of this technology, Trace Matters is working with Nathalie Agar, Ph.D., Department of Neurosurgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School to demonstrate the technology in cancer surgery. "Over the past decade, the focus of my research has been on the potential of mass spectrometry in supporting and guiding surgical decision-making, with the goal of fully integrating mass spectrometry in the clinical setting," said Professor Agar, the director of the Surgical Molecular Imaging Laboratory at the Brigham. "We are happy to have the opportunity to work on validating, optimizing, and implementing this new exciting technology." ### Trace Matters is planning to present the results at the 68th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics (ASMS) 2020 in Houston, TX. Learn more about SPion at http://www.tracematters.com/technology Availability In the initial Select Release, SPion will be made available to a small group of leading scientists world-wide with the most demanding urgency. Learn more about the Select Release at http://www.tracematters.com/selectrelease About Trace Matters Scientific Trace Matters is a technology startup focused on developing the next generation of mass spectrometry technologies for a variety of demanding applications. Trace Matters technologies include innovative mass spectrometry hardware, methods, and applications to solve the most demanding mass spectrometry analysis needs in various industries. Press Contact media@tracematters.com Disclaimer SPion is neither offered, marketed, nor intended for use as a "medical device," as defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's regulations, or other counterpart foreign entities. SPion is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, in man or animals. SPion is intended and marketed solely for use in research settings. By Trend Export of electrical goods from Turkey to Georgia increased by 12.13 percent in 2019 compared to 2018, amounting to $118 million, Turkeys Ministry of Trade told Trend. In November 2019, Turkeys export of electrical goods to Georgia increased by 39.30 percent compared to November 2018, exceeding $14.2 million. In 2019, export of electrical goods from Turkey dropped by 0.5 percent compared to 2018, amounting to $11.2 billion. Turkeys export of these goods amounted to 6.2 percent of countrys total export. In December 2019, export of electrical goods from Turkey increased by 2.2 percent compared to December 2018 and amounted to $977.9 million or 6.4 percent of country's total export. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Les membres du Cabinet ont pris note des retombees de la mission du Premier Ministre a Addis Ababa, des arrivees touristiques pour le permier mois de 2020, la mise en place prochain dun National Road Safety Observatory, dun recensement de la population et des ahabitations en 2021 entre autres. 1. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Prime Minister to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he attended the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU Summit). The theme of the Summit was Silencing the Guns Creating Conducive Conditions for Africas Development. During his intervention at the Summit, the Prime Minister thanked the AU Member States for their ongoing efforts to complete the decolonisation of Mauritius and re-affirmed his confidence in their continued support. He informed that Mauritius would continue to engage with the Continent to help accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2063 and invited African Youth, through their respective countries, to take advantage of the scholarships offered yearly by Mauritius. He also emphasised that Government was committed to make of Mauritius a Green, Sustainable and Inclusive country where the quality of life and well-being of the people would remain central to the development of the country. The AU Summit adopted a Decision on the Decolonisation of Mauritius expressing concern about the UKs failure to withdraw from its unlawful occupation of the Chagos Archipelago by the deadline of 22 November 2019. During his intervention on the theme of the Year, Silencing the Guns Creating Conducive Conditions for Africas Development, the Prime Minister noted that peace and security were fundamental pillars for the economic growth and prosperity of Africa and urged that Member States work towards the creation of conditions for peace and security which included the need to address multiple other challenges such as Climate Change and Gender-based violence. In the margins of the AU Summit, the Prime Minister had bilateral meetings with: (a) eight of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) contracting parties, namely the Presidents of Somalia, Sierra Leone and Comoros, the Vice Presidents of Tanzania and, Seychelles, the Prime Minister of Mozambique, the Foreign Ministers of Kenya and Madagascar and the Permanent Representative of Eritrea and Sudan; (b) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada and discussions focussed, inter alia, on the Blue Economy, investments, climate change and Chagos Archipelago; (c) President Macky Sall of Senegal with whom he discussed cultural cooperation, including the setting up of the Intercontinental Slavery Museum in Mauritius as well as the finalisation of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement; (d) President Paul Kagame of Rwanda with whom he discussed a number of issues including a General Framework Agreement between Mauritius and Rwanda, as well as on tourism, the textile sector and air connectivity; and (e) President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa regarding his forthcoming State Visit to Mauritius. 2. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the setting up of a Reseau des etudes francaises a Maurice (REFM) between the Government of the Republic of Mauritius and the Government of the Republic of France. The Memorandum of Understanding aims, inter alia, at creating a network comprising public and private educational institutions in Mauritius providing French degrees and the main objectives of the network are to: (a) contribute to the sharing of information and promote Mauritius internationally as an Education Hub; (b) target countries of the Indian Ocean, Africa and Asia; and (c) better market Mauritius and increase the countrys visibility and attractiveness, which are in line with the aim of the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology at internationalising the higher education sector, thus targeting an increase in the number of international students in Mauritius. 3. Cabinet has taken note that a new state-of-the-art Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) would be constructed at La Vigie as announced in the Government Programme 2020-2024. The construction of a new building for the FSL would contribute to: (a) a reduction in bottlenecks to ease the smooth administration of justice by issuing timely and quality reports; (b) the expansion of forensic services provided in Mauritius and an increase in scope of forensic testing; and (c) enhance the capacity of the FSL to become a revenue-generating organisation by providing private services. 4. Cabinet has taken note of the short term strategies that would be implemented by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority to boost the tourism sector. The strategies would be implemented across the source markets of Mauritius to sustain the growth of the tourism sector in the coming months: (a) Proximity Markets: Promotional airfares are being extended during the holiday period in Reunion Island until June 2020; (b) Traditional Markets: An aggressive social media campaign and above the line advertising campaign would be carried out in Europe to prompt last-minute bookers to choose Mauritius; and (c) Emerging Markets: Co-branding campaigns both online and offline in the UAE and Saudi Arabia would be conducted in collaboration with Etisalat, the largest and most influential mobile operator in the Middle East region, during the Easter period to attract expatriates from Dubai and during the Ramadan period to attract tourists from Saudi Arabia. 5. Cabinet has taken note that according to the last monthly Report published by the Statistics Unit of the Ministry of Tourism, tourist arrivals increased by 12.4% in January 2020 as compared to January 2019, i.e., tourist arrivals reached 137,419 in January 2020 as compared to 122,273 in January 2019. An increase has been noted in tourist arrivals from France (+15.1%), Germany (+26.1%), Italy (+19.5%), China (+21.6%), Reunion Island (+2.2%), South Africa (+28.7%), Austria (+17.6%), Hungary (+28.0%), Poland (+0.7%), Romania (+74.7%), Turkey (+47.6%), Russia (+43.7%) and Saudi Arabia (+137.1%). 6. Cabinet has taken note of the status in the implementation of the recommendations of the National Export Strategy (NES), launched in March 2017. With a view to pursuing the NES objectives, a Steering Committee was set up and it instituted 13 Sub-Committees to oversee the implementation of recommendations made in respect of: (a) seven priority sectors, namely agro-processing, cultural tourism, financial services, fisheries and aquaculture, jewellery, medical devices and software development; (b) five cross-sectoral themes, particularly, branding, innovation, institutional alignment, skills development, Small and Medium Enterprise internationalisation; and (c) the dedicated strategy for Rodrigues. The NES Action Plan spans over the period 2017 to 2021. 7. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Land Transport and Light Rail, in close collaboration with the University of Mauritius, would set up a National Road Safety Observatory in line with the National Road Safety Strategy for Mauritius 2016-2025. The Road Safety Observatory would, among others, be responsible for leading research in road safety, delivering training, coordinating data collection, monitoring, reporting and serving as a Centre of Excellence for road safety. 8. Cabinet has taken note of the evolution of the Novel Coronavirus outbreak and the additional measures being taken by the Ministry of Health and Wellness to deal with all incoming passengers. As from 11 February 2020, all incoming passengers on all flights are being screened both manually and by means of thermal cameras. The Ministry of Health and Wellness has also intensified its sensitisation campaign by targeting a wider audience through Press and television coverage and the distribution of pamphlets to all incoming travellers at ports of entry. 9. Cabinet has taken note of developments in the Urban Terminal projects at Quatre Bornes, Vacoas, Curepipe, Rose Hill and Victoria, Port Louis. 10. Cabinet has taken note that the launching of the communication campaign Ansam Avek CSU would be held at CAB Office, St Pierre on 15 February 2020. 11. Cabinet has taken note of the proposal to conduct a Housing and Population Census by Statistics Mauritius in the Republic of Mauritius in the year 2021. The Housing and Population Census is the most important exercise for collecting information on the demographic, social and economic characteristics of the population and households in the Republic of Mauritius. It would be carried out in two rounds first the Housing Census followed by the Population Census. 12. Cabinet has taken note that the Computer Emergency Response Team of Mauritius (CERT-MU) is organising a Cybersecurity Month in February 2020. The following activities would be organised: (a) a workshop on Internet Safety for Children with Disabilities on 19 February 2020 which would target kids with special needs; and (b) a Cybersecurity Drill on 27 and 28 February 2020 for the Government sector. The objective of the drill is to train and assess the participants capabilities in responding to incidents and managing crisis situations. A workshop has been also organised to celebrate the Safer Internet Day 2020 and the theme was Together for a better internet. The objective of the workshop was to promote safe and responsible use of the internet and mobile devices amongst youngsters. 13. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology to UK where she participated in the Education World Forum 2020 and the British Educational Training and Technology Exhibition. The overall theme of the EWF 2020 was One generation what does it take to transform education?. Various recommendations to improve global education emerged from the discussions of the Forum, including: (a) the importance of pre-primary education, particularly with regards to how it can promote continuing education as children grow up; (b) the potential of developments in Edtech for improving education as well as access for disabled children; and (c) the need to work together and innovate, as well as the imperative for leaders to recognise the importance of collecting data. The Vice-Prime Minister participated in a meeting chaired by the Rt Hon Gavin Williamson, the UK Secretary of State for Education. During the meeting, she had discussions with representatives from Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Tanzania and Ghana on High-Quality Teaching Profession and Skills for Employment. The Vice-Prime Minister visited the BETT Exhibition, which aims at leading global education innovation transformation. The BETT is a platform for leading Edtech companies across UK to showcase, with evidence, the effectiveness of the latest digital technological support to learning that can be made available to schools. She also had meetings with: (a) the Chairperson and Director of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and sought the support of the QAA for the newly-set up Higher Education Commission and Quality Assurance Agency in Mauritius; and (b) Mr Daniel Owens, Special Advisor of the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and discussed ways and means of improving quality standards in schools. 14. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Board of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) with Mr Nilen Vencadasmy as Chairperson. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Dmytro Sherembei was told he would soon die. He was HIV positive. And his lungs were perforated. The 22-year-old was lying on a bed in an isolation ward of a Kiev hospital. The doctor gave him perhaps two more months to live. He found himself caught in a trap with no way out but to fight. More than 20 years later, Sherembei is very much alive. He is a force of nature as he hustles around the Kiev headquarters of 100 Percent Life, the healthcare advocacy group he co-founded. The organisation boasts a sparkling and well-equipped clinic inaugurated in 2018 with the blessing of Sir Elton John, scores of full-time employees sprawled across a complex near the Podil district of the Ukrainian capital, as well as a nationwide network of 16,000 activists. He and a cadre of other Aids and healthcare advocates have used dramatic protests such as carrying coffins or giant tablets into the streets in front of parliament to demand reform of the countrys corruption-riddled healthcare system. The doctor that gave him the death sentence? Sherembeis group now advises him on patient care. Nigerias electoral commission, INEC, has insisted on taking a wider look at the Supreme Courts ruling that annulled the November 16 Bayelsa governorship election results, before it would issue a certificate of return to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Diri Duoye. A spokesperson for the commission, Festus Okoye, while responding to inquiries from PREMIUM TIMES on the issue, said INEC would not immediately issue a certificate of return to Mr Diri until the commission is done studying the ruling of the Apex court ruling. He added that after the review, the commission would make a decision if it should issue a certificate of return on the basis of Mr Duoye having lawful votes or if to order fresh elections. The commission will look at the exact wordings of the enrolled Order and the context of the Order and make a determination of what the Supreme Court wants the commission to do. The moment that determination is made, we will decide whether a certificate should be issued or not, Mr Okoye said. The commission will act in the best interest of the nation and expeditiously give effect to the judgement of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court gave the commission the sole responsibility of determining the party and candidate that scored the majority of lawful votes and secured the requisite spread and the Commission will not share this responsibility with any individual or groups. The Supreme Court affirmed the lower courts judgement in a pre-election matter and the implication is that if the candidate was not qualified to be on the ballot, whatever votes they got are wasted votes. A determination that the votes are wasted votes leads to a new computation of votes. The commission will not be found wanting in the discharge of its duties, he said. The Supreme Court Ruling On Thursday, a five-member panel of the apex court led by Mary Odili annulled the election of the candidate the All Progressives Congress (APC), David Lyon, as the winner of the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa. Mr Lyon was sacked 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. No Swearing-In A new Bayelsa governor is expected to be sworn in on Friday, to take over from Seriake Dickson, who is finishing his tenure. The national chairman of the ruling party APC, Adams 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 APC chairmans utterances has been trailed by controversies. Members of the main opposition have reacted. The governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday evening, said Mr Oshiomholes remarks were capable of destabilising the country. Gunmen killed at least 21 people early Friday in central Mali in a village that suffered a massive attack last year, the government said. The gunmen attacked the village of Ogossagou in the Bankass circle in the central Mopti region, the government said. The attackers burned homes and looted livestock, it said. Mali's government condemned the attack, saying it will investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice. The UN mission in Mali said it sent a quick reaction force to the village, where several were also wounded. It also provided air support to prevent further attacks and evacuate the wounded, it said. The head of the UN mission in Mali, Mahamat Saleh Annadif, said he was shocked and outraged by the attack. "At a time when we were receiving positive developments from the north of the country, what is happening in the center is appalling. I strongly condemn it. There is an urgent need to break the spiral of violence in this region," he said. The Peuhl organization in Mali, known as Tabital Pulaku, blamed members of the Dogon militia. In March, more than 150 civilians were killed in the same village in an attack also blamed on the Dogon militiamen. More than 450 civilians were killed in central Mali last year by armed groups, making it the deadliest year in the region since the country's crisis began in 2012, according to Human Rights Watch. Ethnic clashes have been ongoing and exploited by Islamic extremists who have been recruiting men from the Peuhl ethnic group to their cause. Dogon militias have also arisen and are accused of supporting Mali's military crackdown on jihadis. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It was recently revealed that she 'splits up' with boyfriend Scott Disick 'all the time'. And Sofia Richie was obviously keen to remind her beau what he has, as she scared a very sexy snap of herself posing topless in just a pair of jeans on Thursday evening. The influencer, 21, posed in just as pair of stone wash straight leg leans, while covering her modesty with her hands for the sultry shot. Wow! Sofia Richie was obviously keen to remind her beau what he has, as she scared a very sexy snap of herself posing topless in just a pair of jeans on Thursday evening The blonde beauty wore her locks in a loose flowing style, while sporting a neutral pallet of make-up with a matte nude lip and a touch of mascara. Sofia was teasing her upcoming jeans collaboration with Rolla, and penned in the caption: 'Can't wait for you guys to see.' Hours earlier Sofia was snapped with her pal Vas J Morgan in Los Angeles, looking dressed down in a tie-dye top and a pair of khaki cargo pants. Dramatic: It was recently revealed that she 'splits up' with boyfriend Scott Disick 'all the time' Sexy: The influencer, 21, posed in just as pair of stone wash straight leg leans, while covering her modesty with her hands for the sultry shot Sofia was rocking a pair of black oversized shades and wore a cross body Prada bag, which no doubt held all of her essentials for the day ahead. Meanwhile, Vas also opted for a casual look as he donned a black Hera hooded jacket with yellow writing, teamed with a pair of navy Adidas Originals sweatpants. Sofia was later seen leaving a salon in the area after hanging out with her British pal. Stepping out: Hours earlier Sofia was snapped with her pal Vas J Morgan in Los Angeles, looking dressed down in a tie-dye top and a pair of khaki cargo pants Casual: Sofia was rocking a pair of black oversized shades and wore a cross body Prada bag, which no doubt held all of her essentials for the day ahead Stepping out: Sofia was later seen leaving a salon in the area after hanging out with her British pal Camera shy: Sofia was seen leaving the salon sporting a bandage on her finger and wrist Her outings come after it was reported in People magazine that she has a rocky relationship with her boyfriend Scott, 36. Sofia went Instagram official with her reality star boyfriend in 2018 and sources told the magazine that drama has surrounded their relationship ever since. 'Scott and Sofia are the type of couple that constantly split up and get back together,' the source said. 'It's all very dramatic, and then all good again.' The pair first sparked romance rumors in the summer of 2017 when the pair were spotted on a yacht together with friends during the Cannes Film Festival. Love is in the air: Her outings come after it was reported in People magazine that she has a rocky relationship with her boyfriend Scott, 36 In a since-deleted tweet around the time of their boating adventure, Lionel Richie's daughter wrote: 'Just so everyone can get their panties out of their asses, Scott and I are just homies #relax.' E! News reported just weeks after that the pair were spotted arm-in-arm while leaving a romantic dinner at Nobu in Malibu. Shortly after she took to Twitter saying: 'The last time I'm gonna say it. Scott and I are just friends. I'm single and focused on friends, family and work. #againrelax.' They finally made things official online in September 2017 with his-and-hers posts from a sunny holiday in Miami Beach. And while Scott found fame dating Kourtney Kardashian for nearly 10 years, he was hesitant to invite Sofia on a trip while filming the family's famous show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians. 'I definitely think this trip, out of the other trips weve been on, has a little bit more pressure because the truth of the matter is, there are camera crews everywhere, tons of people walking around that Kourtney and I have known for over 10 years,' he said. Kourtney and Scott dated for years before finally calling it quits on their relationship in 2015; they share three children together: Mason, Penelope and Reign. 'Sofia has never really done anything like this before. It's hard,' he said during an episode in 2019. 'I don't want her to feel out of place, I don't want her to feel like she's not as comfortable as I am. I'm just trying to be cautious of everyone's feelings.' AstraZeneca posted its results. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Here are the top business, market and economic stories you should be watching today in the UK, Europe, and abroad: The UK drugmaker AstraZeneca (AZN.L) has warned it expects the coronavirus to hits its growth targets. It admitted its guidance for 2020 was disappointing, and assumed the outbreak would have an unfavourable impact on its sales in China for up to a few months. The company said in its it expected 10% revenue growth in 2020 on Friday. Analysts had warned anything below double-digit sales growth marked a disappointment, according to Reuters. But Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said the 2019 results were fairly decent. He added that the company was focusing on developing treatments that were harder for rivals to replicate, after suffering from over-reliance on blockbuster drugs that later lost patent protection in the past. Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS.L) nearly doubled annual profits for the second year in a row on Friday, as new chief executive Alison Rose announced a sweeping new strategy and plans to rename the bank. RBS reported a 27% rise in pre-tax operating profit for 2019 to 4.2bn ($5.48bn), and a 93% rise in profit attributable to shareholders to 3.1bn. Both measures were well ahead of what analysts had been forecasting. The strong profit growth shows continued momentum at the state-owned lender. RBS turned its first profit in a decade in 2017, before doubling profits in 2018. The bank remains 62% owned by the UK government after being bailed out at the height of the financial crisis. Total income rose almost 6% in 2019 to 14.2bn, which was also ahead of forecasts. Facebook (FB) CEO Mark Zuckerberg will on Saturday give his backing to global tax proposals that would likely see tech giants pay higher levels of tax. In prepared remarks for a speech at the Munich Security Conference, Zuckerberg will say that Facebook accepting the scheme may mean we have to pay more tax. Story continues The social media boss plans to say that he understands that there is frustration with how tech companies are taxed in Europe. Britain saw a new chancellor appointed in Thursdays cabinet reshuffle, with Rishi Sunak taking the top finance job after Sajid Javids shock departure weeks before the UK budget. Sunaks elevation to the Treasurys top job represents a remarkably rapid rise. He has never held a senior ministerial position before and only entered parliament five years ago. Read more: New UK chancellor Rishi Sunak is Goldman Sachs and hedge fund veteran Britains new chancellor is the son-in-law of a billionaire and spent his formative years in the City of London at hedge funds and top US investment bank Goldman Sachs (GS). Analysts called it a blatant power grab, saying the choice of more junior Sunak paved the way for a populist spending boost in next months budget. The pound rose on expectations the new chancellor could turn up the spending taps, with cash for infrastructure and even tax hikes potentially on the cards. Stimulus hopes dispel markets virus fears Leading stock markets largely tread water on Friday morning, as hopes of new central bank stimulus dispelled fresh fears about the coronavirus outbreak. Markets had been hit on Thursday by a significant leap in cases and the global death toll after a change in how the virus is diagnosed in the Chinese province at the centre of the outbreak. Leading European shares edged to record highs, with the pan-European STOXX 600 index (^STOXX) up 0.1%. The FTSE 100 (^FTSE) was also up 0.1% in London, while Germanys DAX (^GDAXI) rose 0.2% on Friday morning. But Frances CAC 40 (^FCHI) was down 0.2%. "China is already easing its monetary policy and providing more liquidity while more stimulus is likely. Factories are starting to reopen albeit with some delays," Yukino Yamada, senior strategist at Daiwa Securities, told Reuters. Asian stocks saw the most gains overnight. Hong Kongs Hang Sen Index (^HSI) rose 0.3%, while Chinas SSE Composite Index and Japans Nikkei (^N225) both rose 0.4%. What to expect in the US US stocks also looked set to rise on the open. Dow Jones futures were trading flat (YM=F), S&P 500 futures were up 0.1% (ES=F), and the Nasdaq looked set for a 0.2% rise (NQ=F). The stringent National Security Act (NSA) has been slapped on Dr Kafeel Khan, who is lodged in Mathura jail, in connection with his anti-CAA speech at the Aligarh Muslim University. Khan was arrested by the UP Special Task Force from Mumbai on January 29 for allegedly promoting enmity between different religions through the speech he had delivered during a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at the Aligarh Muslim University on December 12. "NSA has been slapped on Dr Kafeel. He will remain in jail," Aligarh Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Akash Kulhari to PTI over phone. Criticising his detention under the stringent law, Khan's his brother Adil Khan said the government wanted him to "remain quiet". The NSA allows preventive detention for several months if the authorities believe the person is a threat to national security or law and order. Kafeel Khan is currently lodged in Mathura jail depsite bail granted to him by a court in the case, registered against him at the Civil Lines police station in Aligarh for promoting enmity between different religions. Adil Khan said, "The government is trying to silence my brother. A few days ago, during a programme on a TV channel, he had revealed that at BRD Medical College (Gorakhpur), many children are dying daily but the government is hiding the facts and data." "The (Mathura) jail was about to release him on Friday at 6 am. My brother Kashif along with the lawyer reached the jail but by 9 am police presence at the jail was increased and we were told verbally by jail authorities that the NSA has been invoked on him," Adil Khan said. After his arrest in Mumbai, Kafeel Khan was brought to Aligarh, from where he was immediately shifted to the district jail in neighbouring Mathura. According to the police, this was done as a precautionary measure in view of the anti-CAA protests on the AMU campus and at the Eidgah grounds in the old city. Police had said that Kafeel Khan's presence in the Aligarh jail could have worsened the law and order situation in the city. The doctor was earlier arrested for his alleged role in the death of over 60 children in one week at the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur in August 2017. Short supply of oxygen at the children's ward was blamed at that time for the deaths. About two years later, a state government probe cleared Kafeel Khan of all major charges, prompting him to seek an apology from the Yogi Adityanath government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Made Anthony Iswara (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 14:11 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2064884cb 1 Business census,population-survey,Statistics-Indonesia,BPS,South-Korea,Jokowi,Dukcapil,administration,demography,demographic-bonus Free Indonesia will hire around 390,000 volunteers starting early April to help the 2020 census fieldwork in July as it aims to replicate South Koreas census success. Statistics Indonesia (BPS) will combine door-to-door interviews and data gathering from the Home Ministrys Population and Civil Registration Directorate General for the 2020 census, making it the countrys first time to use such a method. However, BPS head Suhariyanto said on Thursday that the country could continue to improve its administrative system so that the agency would solely rely on the directorate general to obtain data in the future, similar to how South Korea executed its census. I hope that we will one day reach that point. We need to take examples from those who are progressive because administrative data is really important, Suhariyanto told reporters in Jakarta. The population census is done every 10 years and aims to update data the countrys demographics, which are crucial to supporting certain policy interventions, Suhariyanto said. The 2015 intercensal survey projected that Indonesia would have a population of around 266.9 million in 2019 and leap to 319 million by 2045. The 2020 census will provide insight on the population, in addition to age and gender composition, among other things. Such information could help Indonesia keep track of its demographic dividend, which the country is expected to benefit from with its huge working-age group projected to reach 70 percent of the total population by 2030. The 2020 census will put BPS credibility and name on the line, Suhariyanto said in a separate press statement on Friday. He said the online census would be available from Feb. 15 to March 31. President Joko Jokowi Widodo and several governors will be among the first to put their data into the system tomorrow, he said. People can register online through BPS website, which will require family card and ID card numbers. The questionnaire will have 22 questions that range from the registrant's name, birth date, place of birth, religion, education level, to occupation. No questions on earnings or related questions will be asked. In July, BPS volunteers accompanied by neighborhood unit (RT) heads will then record those who have yet to register online. Suhariyanto said that it aimed to obtain census results by January next year. He added that the BPS had worked with the National Cyber and Encryption Agency (BSSN) and Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), among others, to ensure data security during online registration. Gambo Delivers Chapel Message Feb. 14, Challenges Students to Share Their Testimony February 14, 2020 Dr. David Gambo, assistant professor of Christian ministry, delivered the chapel message Friday, Feb. 14. He preached from John 14. The message was the conclusion of OBUs Focus Week and was delivered in Raley Chapels Potter Auditorium on OBUs campus in Shawnee. Gambo told students the story of William Borden, a wealthy man who grew up in a rich family. After he received a call to ministry from God, he decided to sell all of his possessions and become a missionary to Muslims in East Asia. Unfortunately, he never made it there. When Borden passed away from spinal meningitis at age 25 in Cairo, Egypt, his mother received his Bible. She opened it up and found that he had written three phrases that correlated with his life decisions: No reserves. No retreats. No regrets. Gambo reminded students that because Borden knew who Christ was, he was able to do something that no one really understood. Only those who have their eyes on eternity will do what William did, Gambo said. Eternal life means that your life is indestructible. It cannot be destroyed or broken and knowing God is eternal life. Gambo urged students to think about their relationship with God and how having a personal relationship with Him was how they know Him. He also reminded students that they share him through their personal testimony. Your testimony is so powerful because you can show others what God did for you, he said. Nobody can take your story away from you and say it did not happen because you can tell people about how you were before and how, because of Jesus Christ, you were changed forever. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A federal judge will hear arguments Friday on a political campaign committee's bid for a preliminary injunction blocking new donor disclosure rules enacted by San Francisco voters in November. The rules, approved as part of Proposition F of 2019, require that newspaper and broadcast campaign ads must list donor names and amounts for the top three contributions of $5,000 or more. When one of the top donors is a committee, the ads must also identify the top two so-called "secondary contributors," or the people behind the committee. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer will consider the political committee's claim that the rules violate the its free-speech rights because the required disclosures take up so much space they "effectively drown out" the the political message. City lawyers defending the rules argued in a brief, "The public interest favors disclosure of the information the voters need to make informed decisions." The committee opposing the rules is supporting Proposition B, an earthquake safety bond measure on the March 3 ballot. The group calls itself "Yes on Prop B, Committee in Support of the Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response Bond." But in a dispute that is not part of the federal case, San Francisco Firefighters Local 798 President Shon Buford says that a committee he leads also uses the name "Yes on B" and is the measure's official campaign committee. In a letter this week, he asked the other committee to cease and desist using "Yes on B" in its name. The arguments before Breyer will focus on the rules concerning primary and secondary donors in the cases of newspaper ads larger than 5 inches by 5 inches and audio and video ads lasting more than 30 seconds. In their Feb. 7 brief, city lawyers conceded that the rules would burden free speech when applied to small print ads less than 5 inches by 5 inches, and in radio and televisions ads of less than 30 seconds. At the city's request, Breyer issued a partial preliminary injunction on Wednesday, blocking implementation of the rules for the smaller newspaper ads and digital and audio ads lasting less than 30 seconds. The rules for larger-format ads remain in dispute. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited by Chief Minister-elect Arvind Kejriwal for his swearing-in ceremony at the Ramlila Maidan on February 16, senior party leader Gopal Rai said on Friday but it was unclear whether he will attend the event. Rai, the convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party's Delhi unit, said a letter was sent to the prime minister on Friday morning. It was, however, not clear whether Modi would attend the swearing-in ceremony. According to his schedule, he is travelling to his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Sunday to inaugurate over 30 projects. Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind appointed Kejriwal as the chief minister of Delhi. According to an official notification, the President has also appointed six MLAs -- Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gehlot, Imran Hussain and Rajendra Gautam -- as ministers of the Delhi government following the advice of the chief minister. "The President has been pleased to appoint Shri Arvind Kejriwal to be the Chief Minister, National Capital Territory of Delhi with effect from the date he is sworn in," the notification said. All seven Delhi MPs and the eight newly-elected BJP MLAs have been invited for the oath-taking ceremony, Rai told PTI. Another party leader said all municipal councillors have also been invited. No chief minister or political leader from other states will be part of the event as it will be a "Delhi-specific" ceremony, Rai had said on Thursday. Kejriwal, through front-page advertisements in newspapers, has urged Delhiites to attend the ceremony as he is set to become the chief minister of Delhi for the third consecutive term. He will take oath as Delhi chief minister along with his cabinet at 10 am on Sunday for which preparations are afoot at the historic Ramlila Maidan. The police too have made elaborate security arrangements for the event. An official said nearly 3,000 security personnel will deployed for the event. CCTV cameras will be fitted at and outside the venue. Ramlila Maidan, which served as the battleground for the 51-year-old bureaucrat-turned-politician during the Anna Hazare-led India Against Corruption movement, is getting decked up and workers are busy making arrangements. The Delhi government, North Delhi Municipal Corporation, which owns the ground, and Public Works Department are working in tandem to make the venue ready for the occasion. "We had levelled the ground during the prime minister's event that took place recently. So, other ground work needs to be done. We have handed over the charge to the Delhi government and PWD is making other necessary arrangements," a senior NDMC official said. Toilet blocks already are in place in and around the Maidan. Arrangements for other sanitation facilities like mobile toilets, are being done, he said. Rai will visit the venue on Saturday to assess the preparations for the event, officials said. The sprawling ground has a capacity of about 1.25 lakh people. Officials said besides seating arrangements, there will be provision for people to stand as thousands are expected to attend the swearing-in. In 2015 too, Kejriwal's oath-taking ceremony took place at the Ramlila Maidan. It was held on February 14, coinciding with Valentine's Day. In 2013 after his party's first poll victory, the swearing-in ceremony was again held at the same venue. The Delhi Police has also issued a traffic advisory for Sunday's event. Traffic regulation will be in place in the area from 8 am to 2 pm, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) French carmaker said Friday it went into the red last year for the first time in a decade on lower sales and a falling contribution from its Japanese partner Nissan. said in a statement it suffered net losses of 141 million euros ($152 million). It added the outlook for 2020 was bleak with a fresh fall in operational profitability expected and did not rule out possible plant closures. Last year saw group operating margin drop from 6.3 per cent to 4.8 per cent, though stated that it "achieved its targets, revised in October," despite "a troubled context." The auto giant in 2019 marked its first full year without former emblematic CEO Carlos Ghosn, arrested in Japan in November 2018 over allegations of financial misconduct, including under reporting salary and misuse of company assets at Renault partner Nissan. Brazilian-born Ghosn, who also has French and Lebanese nationality, is now in Lebanon, where he fled in December after jumping bail in Japan. In a struggling global auto market Renault saw group revenues slide 3.3 per cent to 55.5 billion euros while confirming sales dropped 3.4 per cent at 3.75 million vehicles. Unveiling operating income down almost a third to 2.11 billion euros, the group said it expected 2020 to bring a further profitability hit, with revenues of a similar order to 2019. "Visibility for 2020 remains limited by expected market volatility ... and the possible impacts of the coronavirus," said acting CEO Clotilde Delbos. Delbos said she did not rule out potential site closures in the teeth of current difficulties. "We have no taboos and we exclude nothing," stated Delbos in allusion to a three-year programme of two billion euros of savings cuts. "We are going to reassess all our cost types and charges ... some of these costs will imply restructuring charges," added Delbos, noting the group was in the throes of a strategic review of its activities. Renault also took a hit from a decline in the financial contribution of a likewise struggling Nissan, in which it has a 43-percent stake, coming in at 242 million euros, down from 1.51 billion in 2018. Thursday, Nissan said its net profit plunged more than 87 percent for the nine months to December as it struggles with weak demand and fallout from the Ghosn case. Nissan also revised downwards its full-year sales and profit forecasts, but warned that the impact from the spreading coronavirus crisis was not yet included in their figures. Friday's results marked the first time Renault -- which said it would slash its dividend by more than two thirds to 1.10 euros a share -- had plunged into the red since 2009 in the throes of the financial crisis when it made a 3.1 billion euro loss. Last year saw further upheavel, post-Ghosn, in the Renault hierarchy as director general Thierry Bollore was forced out. Delbos took the position on an interim basis but will give way to Italian Luca de Meo, most recently boss at Seat, Volkswagen's Spanish subsidiary. One of his first tasks will be to restore flagging investor confidence in the marque with Renault's share price having slumped by around half over the past year to a 10-year low. Bala Chauhan By Express News Service BENGALURU: When a soldier, who is paralysed in the ongoing civil war in his country is airlifted to a hospital with bedsores in a distant country for medical treatment and rehabilitation, it tells you of two things: that the war in his country is real and that their medical infrastructure has also fallen casualty to war.Mohammed Ahmed, a 38-year-old soldier from Yemen was airlifted two years ago and brought to Bengaluru for neuro rehabilitation at MS Ramaiah (MSR) Memorial Hospital after he fell victim to gun shot injuries in the ongoing civil war in his country. The injury had rendered Ahmed a paraplegic. Ahmed was brought on a stretcher to the neuro centre for spinal cord injury rehabilitation with T9 complete Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), said Partha Sarathi, chief of neuro-rehabilitation centre at MSR Memorial Hospital. Ahmed had zero bed mobility and bed sores. He had poor trunk control, impaired basic bed mobility, flaccid lower limbs and impaired bowel and bladder functions. He required assistance for all his daily functions, said Partha Sarathi. Ahmed spent a year at the centre. When he left for his country in December 2018, he had gained bladder and bowel control, complete independence with dressing, wheel chair ambulation and his bed sores had healed. We are told that he now has a desk job in Yemen, he added. The Neuro Rehabilitation Centre at the MSR Memorial Hospital headed by Dr Savitha Ravindra has helped more than 50 Yemeni men aged between 20 and 40 years soon after the civil war broke out in the Arab country in 2015. All of them were brought here with spinal cord injuries either because of landmine blasts or gun shots. They are men in their most productive years, who were wheeled in on stretchers. They have been rehabilitated and sent back with improved abilities such as independent wheel chair ambulation and improved functional mobility. The hospitals association with Yemen goes back to before the civil war, said managing director, MSR Hospital, Dr Naresh Shetty. Some of our doctors and nurses had spent three years in a military hospital in Yemen during which, we had trained their doctors and nursing staff. This was just before the civil war, Dr Shetty said. Mubarak Sarwan Alkatheri (18) from Hadhramaut in South Yemen, was completely bedridden due to a gun shot injury. Alkatheri was completely dependent on others for all his daily activities. He has been with us for the last six months and is undergoing rehabilitation with physiotherapists, spine surgeons, rehab nurses, urologists and orthotists, said Saarthi. Alkatheri is now independent with his dressing, toilet activities, wheel chair ambulation, self-transfers from bed to chair and vice versa and is able to walk interdependently with orthosis and walker, he added. Speaking to The New Indian Express in Arabic (translated to English by his Sudanese translator), Alkhateri said: I cannot describe what condition I was in when I was brought to India. I was lying on the bed motionless. Now I can walk on my feet. I can live as before and I can believe in myself. Shukran (thank you), said the teenager. He will head home early next month to pursue his studies. SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia (AP) After being stranded at sea for two weeks because five ports refused to allow their cruise ship to dock, the passengers of the MS Westerdam were anything but sure their ordeal was finally over. Then the authoritarian leader of Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen, agreed to let the Westerdam dock. Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Guam had earlier turned the ship way because they feared its passengers and crew could spread the deadly new virus from China, but Hun Sen declared he would welcome them. The first batch of hundreds of passengers who disembarked Friday saw the Cambodian leader arrive by helicopter and then personally hand them flowers as they made their way to land. Today, although Cambodia is a poor country, Cambodia has always joined the international community to solve the problems that the world and our region are facing, Hun Sen said as the first passengers disembarked. The grateful passengers sang his praises. How wonderful it is to be here. Thank you very much to the prime minister. He has a wonderful heart, said Anna Marie Melon, from Queensland, Australia. Im very excited (to be here)," she said as she waved a rose Hun Sen had handed to her. The passengers cheered as they walked toward waiting buses and waved goodbye to other passengers watching from the ships deck. "Cambodia alone, even the United States, Guam, did not let us land, but Cambodia did, so thats wonderful. Absolutely wonderful," Joe Spaziani, from Florida, told reporters. "We appreciate it very very much. Its been a long struggle and we appreciate everyone being here. He and many other passengers wore a krama, a traditional Cambodian scarf, around their necks. John Stanley, of Evesham in England, who with his wife Olive had been on the ship since it departed from Singapore in January on the first leg of its journey, recounted some of the stresses of the last two weeks. After some uncertainty, they came to accept the ship's doctor's declaration that none of the passengers had the feared COVID-19 viral illness. Story continues But there was concern that some people's supplies of necessary medication would run out and there were many text messages from worried family members back home.. So it was a question of being really, really thankful to the Cambodian government and really, really relieved that we can go home," Stanley said. To be honest, until we'd actually gone off the ship, we didn't really believe it because we had one or two situations before where we thought we were getting off. The Westerdam's operator, Holland America Line, had said no cases of the virus had been confirmed among its 1,455 passengers and 802 crew members. Some 20 passengers reported stomachaches or fever, but tests for the virus done at the Pasteur Institute in Phnom Penh showed none had the illness. Hun Sen said he acted for humanitarian reasons and that he wanted passengers to be able to return to their home countries. If Cambodia did not allow this ship to dock here, where should this ship go? he said. "I want to inform Cambodians and the world that I coming here even for a short time means this is no time for discrimination and to be scared, but a time for everyone to be in solidarity to solve the problems we are facing now." A strong supporter of China, Hun Sen has downplayed threats from the new virus, and unlike other Asian nations, he declined to ban direct flights between Cambodia and China, saying that would disturb bilateral relations and hurt his country's economy. Cambodia has only one confirmed case of the virus, a visitor from China, despite its popularity with Chinese tourists. The decision to let the passengers disembark also won Cambodia praise from President Donald Trump, who tweeted: Thank you to the beautiful country of Cambodia for accepting the @CarnivalCruise ship Westerdam into your port. The United States will remember your courtesy! Acting as a good Samaritan is an unusual role for Hun Sen, who has been in power for 35 years. His party swept 2018 elections that drew sharp condemnation as neither free nor fair after a court dissolved the only credible opposition party. The U.S. has imposed diplomatic sanctions due to Cambodia's repressive political climate, and the European Union earlier this week declared its intention to do the same, citing human rights and trade union violations. Taking advantage of the opportunity to boost his country's tourism profile, Hun Sen said the passengers were free to go to the beach, go sightseeing in Sihanoukville, where the ship docked, or even visit the famous centuries-old Angkor Wat temple complex in the northwest. Mang Sineth, the vice governor in Preah Sihanouk province, told reporters 414 passengers were to leave the port Friday and fly to Cambodia's capital before traveling to their final destinations. Three flights from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh were arranged to take all the ship's passengers. He said that if the flying arrangements went smoothly, all passengers would probably be leaving Sihanoukville by Sunday. The COVID-19 illness has sickened tens of thousands of people in China and a few hundred elsewhere, including 218 on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which made stops in Hong Kong and other ports before arriving in Japan last week, where it has been quarantined. The Westerdam began its cruise in Singapore last month and its last stop before it was refused further landings was in Hong Kong, where 56 cases of the disease and one death have been confirmed. Several hundred new passengers boarded the ship there for the second leg of the planned monthlong cruise. For the first time, the Syrian Parliament recognised the Armenian genocide, as well as the genocide of Assyrians, and Syriacs by the Ottoman Empire reports Al-Masdar. On Thursday, the Syrian Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution that called for the recognition and condemnation of the genocide of Armenians, Assyrians, and Syriacs that took place in the early part of the 20th Century. The Syrian Parliament adopts a resolution condemning and recognizing the crime of genocide committed against the Armenians by the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 20th Century, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on Thursday. In the official statement, the genocide of Assyrians and Syriacs was also mentioned in the text. The Syrian government previously announced their recognition of the Armenian Genocide a few years ago when a delegation from Yerevan visited Damascus. However, this latest move comes from the Syrian Parliament, which issued a statement along with the resolution. In the past, Syria allowed the recognition of the genocide inside the country, but the government did not officially recognize it due to ties with Ankara. 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. ROCKVILLE, Md. Feb. 13, 2020 Asia Israel Detroit, MI Michael Chopp the United States About RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.regenerx.com) China Japan Australia Forward-Looking Statements December 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --("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,andRegeneRx in-licensed the intellectual property relating to the use of T4 from the Henry Ford Hospital System inbased on work performed by Dr.and his colleagues. The patent will expire in December of 2032.An estimated 20 million people inhave 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.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.,, Pan Asia (Korea,, and, 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.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, 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. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/regenerx-partner-receives-canadian-patent-for-treatment-of-peripheral-neuropathy-301004730.html SOURCE RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. By Express News Service BALASORE: A 33-year-old man was killed while three others sustained injuries after an argument over the price of cigarette led to a clash in Kasaphal village within Sangla police limits on Wednesday night. The deceased is Subash Patra. The incident occurred when four persons came to a betel shop owned by one Srikant Patra at Rajdhani Chowk and asked for a cigarette. While the price of cigarette was `6 per piece, they were not willing to pay more than `5. This led to an argument following which Srikant asked his elder brother Subash to come to the shop. The two brothers confronted the group and the altercation turned violent with both parties attacking each other with sticks and sharp weapons. Srikant and Subash sustained critical injuries in the crash and were rushed to FM Medical College and Hospital (MCH) here. Later, Subash was shifted to SCBMCH, Cuttack where he succumbed. Two of the four persons, while trying to flee the spot, were caught by locals and beaten up. Their car was also vandalised. They were later handed over to police. Irked over the incident, locals staged a road blockade at Rajdhani Chowk demanding compensation of `5 lakh for the deceaseds next of kin. They also demanded the closure of liquor shops in the area. Basta SDPO Jalandhar Jali said no case has been lodged by either party in this regard. TWO weeks ago, no one knew who I was, said Jenny Blake of the Social Democrats, who was happy with how her campaign went despite failing to get a seat in the 33rd Dail. It is what I hoped for, I suppose. I feel great, I am proud of what we achieved. We ran a 17-day ground campaign. Two weeks ago, no one knew who I was. We are ready for the next election, said Ms Blake, who was eliminated on the fourth count with 2,650 votes. This is just the beginning. I see this result as a victory. I will continue to build my profile and I want to encourage more young women to progress in the party. I will run again, she added. Ms Blake took to Twitter following the results to thank everyone who voted for her. Finished on the fourth count after a wonderful campaign and a great day at the count centre. Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me yesterday and my incredible team. I am hugely proud and excited to build on what weve started, she said. Despite the result, Ms Blake said this election is a clear sign that the people of Limerick want a left alliance. I think what is very clear is that the people of Limerick want a left alliance, people of Ireland want a left alliance. People have had enough of the two big parties that havent prioritised the wellbeing of families and communities and for me it is about building from this now. Jenny was supported by her wife Ann Blake and a number of members of the Limerick Social Democrats. There was no rest for the Dublin woman, as she returned to work in The University of Limerick Students Union the next day. The Social Democrats have six TDs, including its four new members after the election. I look forward to offering my support to the TDs that did get in, said Jenny. Following the election, Jenny also took to Twitter to pay respect to Labours Jan OSullivan who lost her seat. Jan OSullivan has represented Limerick with strength and integrity throughout her career. Today is a loss for Limerick. As a champion of equality, Jan has paved the way for women in politics and I would like to thank her for being an inspiration and a role model. Fianna Fails James Collins, Fine Gaels Maria Byrne, Labours Jan OSullivan, and Independent candidate Frankie Daly followed Jenny out in the following counts, with Rebecca Barrett National Party, Mary Cahillane Solidarity, and Michael Ryan Aontu being eliminated before her. The four successful candidates were Maurice Quinlivan of Sinn Fein, Willie O'Dea of Fianna Fail, Kieran O'Donnell of Fine Gael, and Brian Leddin of Green Party. Romance was in the air as popular hangout zones, malls and restaurants in Delhi were soaked in the colour red on Valentine's Day on Friday, while many paid homage to the 40 CRPF personnel killed in Pulwama terror attack a year ago. Anti-CAA protesters, who have been camping at Shaheen Bagh for over two months, also celebrated Valentine's Day at the protest site with a performance of children at midnight. Valentine's Day saw couples roaming on the streets, exchanging gifts, roses and thronging cinema halls, with the young and old displaying their affection for their loved ones in many ways. While India Gate, Connaught Place and other similar hotspots saw a huge turnout on the occasion, many thronged a church in Central Delhi to light candles for the 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel killed in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir last year. "We decided to celebrate Valentine's Day this way. Last year, we were at a restaurant for dinner when of the attack broke. This year, we decided to come to a church to pray for the martyrs," said 24-year-old Priyanshi Bhardwaj. Sandeep Arora, 32, went to Bangla Sahib Gurudwara's community kitchen to offer service as a homage to the slain CRPF personnel. "Me and my wife come to Gurudwara very often to offer service whenever we want to make any wish or offer prayers. This time we thought of doing it for Pulwama martyrs. That is our way of celebration of love," he said. Richa Kanodia, who works at an MNC, celebrated the day with her partner, "The day I met him, everything started to feel right. It was a feeling which cannot be expressed in words. For us everyday is a Valentine's Day. We are looking forward to take this relation further." Anti-CAA protestors at Shaheen Bagh also extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come celebrate "the day of love" and talk to them about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Red colour, which signifies love, was the theme at many restaurants and joints in the national capital that had made special arrangements for youngsters who were seen making a beeline in front of these outlets. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 23:46:30|Editor: yan Video Player Close SINGAPORE, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Singapore announced on Friday that it will re-activate a special clinics scheme from Feb. 18 to better detect and manage novel coronavirus infections. The country's health ministry said that about 900 general practitioner clinics, previously activated to deal with haze and the H1N1 influenza pandemic, will be reactivated as Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) to provide subsidized treatment, investigations and drugs during public health outbreaks. According to the ministry, the PHPCs will be progressively activated to provide special subsidies for Singaporean citizens and permanent residents diagnosed with respiratory illnesses. In addition, Singapore's polyclinics will also enable patients to apply for the special subsidies. With the special subsidies, citizens and permanent residents diagnosed with respiratory illnesses will pay a flat rate of 10 Singapore dollars (7.19 U.S. dollars) for medical treatment. Elderly people will pay five Singapore dollars. "The activation of PHPCs and polyclinics will allow us to enhance disease surveillance," said MOH. "We will be able to better detect the virus earlier, and reduce the risk of further transmission." The ministry also announced that it has confirmed nine additional cases of novel coronavirus infection as of Friday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Singapore to 67. Fifty patients remain in hospital while 17 were discharged after they fully recovered. Six patients are in critical condition. Derry District Judge Barney McElholm today said that instead of the British government spending '15 to 20 billion' on a bridge which 'frankly we don't need' they should fund clinics to treat addicts. He was speaking in a case involving Catherine Patterson, 30, from Top of the Hill in Derry, who admitted three separate offences of disorderly behaviour. The court was told one of the disturbances occurred in Altnagelvin Hospital on June 17 after Patterson was attending A&E. A police officer observed her shouting and swearing and waving her arms about. Another disorderly occurred in 'a domestic setting' outside her own home on September 20 after police were called to a domestic incident. When they took Patterson outside to talk to her she began shouting and swearing and was arrested for disorderly behaviour. The last similar disorderly occurred in the Bracken Park area of Derry on June 6 when once again police were called and when they tried to talk to Patterson she shouted and swore. Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said it was not as if Patterson was in court every other week. He said she had an alcohol problem that led to her offending. Judge McElholm said instead of spending money on bridges and the likes clinics could be established 'where people could be confined and get over their addiction.' He said they then could go back out and have a chance of 'conquering their addictions.' Judge McElholm said that for all the good that addiction services and voluntary organisations do 'they cannot police people 24 hours a day'. He added: "There are people who need confined particularly those who are offending to help them get off their addictions." The judge said that it was not going to work simply putting people back out onto the streets particularly people like Patterson who offends. He warned Patterson that if he saw her in front of him again she would face 'a lengthy period'. Stating that this was Patterson's' final warning' he imposed a 12 month sentence suspended for 3 years, a 2 month probation order and 60 hours community service. PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-14 22:00:27 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 860 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2020 / TerraX Minerals Inc. (TSX-V:TXR) (Frankfurt:TX0) (OTC Pink:TRXXF) is pleased to announce a corporate rebranding and name change to Gold Terra Resource Corp. ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") to reflect a renewed focus on the development of its wholly-owned Yellowknife City Gold ("YCG") Project, located in the Northwest Territories, Canada.The new name Gold Terra comes with a refreshed energetic team led by Gerald Panneton, Executive Chairman (founder of Detour Gold) and a new focused approach to unlock the under-explored potential of the YCG Project.The name change to Gold Terra is effective immediately; however, the Company will begin trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under its new name and new trading symbol (YGT) at the opening of trading on or about February 19, 2020. The Company's website has changed to www.goldterracorp.com . Any visitors to the Company's current website and any communications to the Company's current email addresseswill beredirected automatically.Executive Chairman, Gerald Pannerton stated, "The name change reflects a reset for the Company towards expanding the current gold resources and defining the potential for new discoveries on our district-scale land position, located next to the city of Yellowknife where the Con and Giant mines have produced over 14 million ounces of gold." About Gold Terra Resource CorpGold Terra owns a 100% interest in the YCG Project, encompassing 790 sq km of contiguous land within 10 kilometers of the city of Yellowknife. The Company announced an inferred mineral resource estimate of 735,000 ounces of gold in November 2019, (News release November 4th 2019). The YCG Project which is located in the same archean belt where the former high-grade Con and Giant gold mines have produced over 14 million ounces of gold. The YCG project is located north and south of the city and along the same mineralized district scale as the past producer Con and Giant Mines.For more information on the YCG project, please visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com On behalf of the Board of Directors,"DAVID SUDA"David SudaPresident and CEOFor more information, please contact:Samuel VellaManager of Corporate CommunicationsPhone: 604-689-1749 / Toll-Free: 1-855-737-2684svella@ terraxminerals.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.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking InformationCertain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation ( "forward-looking information"). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by 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 statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will," "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will be taken," "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof.All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently 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 forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the anticipated timing for the commencement of trading under the Company's new name and trading symbol and the anticipated development of the Company's YCG Project. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. 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. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information.SOURCE: Gold Terra Resource Corp. Ten women have filed a class-action lawsuit against Canadian clothing mogul Peter Nygard, accusing him of sexual assault and sex trafficking over a decades-long period. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Ten women have filed a class-action lawsuit against Canadian clothing mogul Peter Nygard, accusing him of sexual assault and sex trafficking over a decades-long period. Nygard allegedly lured young women, including several who were 14 or 15 years old at the time, to his Bahamian mansion under the pretence of modelling opportunities in order to sexually assault them, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. court Thursday. Peter Nygard, left, and Courtney Stodden arrive at the 24th Night of 100 Stars Oscars Viewing Gala at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 2, 2014. Clothing retailer Peter Nygard is facing a class action lawsuit by 10 women who have accused him of sexual assault sex trafficking, including several who were under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged incidents.The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that Nygard lured young women under false pretences of modeling opportunities to his mansion in the Bahamas in order to sexually assault them. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Invision - Annie I. Bang The women who filed the lawsuit are said to have been between the ages of 14 and 29 with one listed simply as "adult" when the alleged incidents occurred. The suit does not give their names out of what it calls concern for their safety and privacy. Some of the women would be forced into long-term relationships with Nygard that included continued sexual assaults, as well as the expectation they would acquire new sexual partners for him "the younger the better," according to the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Nygard's lawyer, Jay Prober, says his client denies the allegations, which have not been proven in court. No criminal charges have been filed. "It's a lawsuit which contains nothing but false allegations," Prober said, adding "we will defend the claim vigorously." Prober dismissed the claims as part of a long-standing feud between Nygard and a rival billionaire. The detail of the women's accounts doesn't make them true, he said. "They're detailed, but anyone can make up false allegations." Nygard founded his fashion company in Winnipeg in 1967, where it grew from a partial stake in one women's garment manufacturer to a brand name sold in more than 170 stores in North America, as well as space in more than 6,000 department stores around the world. The lawsuit lists Nygard, who is chairman of Nygard International Partnerships, as well as privately held Nygard Inc., Nygard International and Nygard Holdings Ltd. as defendants. The company did not reply to a request for comment. It alleges he and these companies "using interstate and foreign commerce, recruited, lured and enticed young, impressionable and often impoverished children and women, with cash payments and false promises of lucrative modeling opportunities to assault, rape, and sodomize them." Nygard routinely held so-called pamper parties on Sundays at his nearly 14,000-square-metre (or 150,000-square-foot) compound at Lyford Cay, a gated community on New Providence Island, Bahamas, according to the lawsuit. The property, which Nygard built 1987, became known as Nygard Cay and has "an additional fortress-like gate surrounding" it, as well as a "fence equipped with barbed wire." Women and girls preferably young and slim would be invited to these "pamper parties" under the pretence of receiving free massages, pedicures, photo shoots and other indulgences, according to the suit. Upon arrival, they would register at the gate, providing personal information and posing for photographs. This information allegedly would be uploaded into a database hosted on a company server that the lawsuit claims contains the information of more than 7,500 women and girls dating back to 1987. "Nygard would then use this information to select his potential victims for the night," the lawsuit reads. He allegedly lured victims into his room or had staff bring them there to discuss potential modelling contracts, but instead sexually assaulted the women and girls, according to the suit. His personal security guard often stood outside the bedroom door and victims could not leave Nygard Cay without Nygard's permission, the lawsuit says. "Nygard expected a sex act before he was willing to consider releasing any person," the lawsuit reads. He allegedly paid victims varying sums of money, and entered ratings into the database based on their looks and sexual performance. Some of the women became full-time girlfriends, according to the lawsuit, and would accompany him on trips, engage in sexual acts with him and recruit new partners for him. He allegedly punished his girlfriends for failing to provide "an easily exploitable victim each night" and rewarded them for doing so. These women were expected to cater to Nygard's daily needs, waking up at 5:30 a.m. to prepare his breakfast and taking care of other tasks, including bathing him, clipping his toenails and preparing his clothes. The women came from and recruited women from countries around the world, including Canada. Nygard allegedly drugged or had others drugs several women and girls so they would comply with his demands for sex. The lawsuit says Nygard used company resources to run the sex trafficking venture. The lawsuit claims company accounts were used "to pay for drugs, alcohol, entertainment and food" at the parties and cash for accomplices and victims among other resources. The lawsuit claims "Nygard used his financial resources, influence, power in the Bahamas, and psychological manipulation to intimidate his victims and to ensure that his crimes were not reported." 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. It claims Nygard paid police and other people to protect him. Protection included threats of arrest by police or having other people slash the tires of former girlfriends, according to the suit. Nygard, who was born to Finnish immigrants, is "the classic rags-to-riches story" and "the ultimate self-made man," according to his biography on the company site. He started his success by using his life savings and borrowing a further $8,000 to purchase a portion of a women's garment manufacturer. He became the sole owner in a few years. The lawsuit estimates his net worth at about US$900 million. The plaintiffs are asking for a trial by jury and are seeking yet-to-be-determined damages. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2020. Yes, I suppose Henry Olsen is correct that President Trump has the right to remove Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman (along with his identical twin brother), as Mr. Olsen claimed in his Feb. 11 op-ed excerpt, Trump was entitled to fire Vindman and Sondland. Did Mr. Trump also have the right to frog-march Lt. Col. Vindman out of the White House as if he had committed a crime and had to be forcibly removed lest he commit another offense? How about humiliating him on Twitter with nasty insinuations or perhaps indicating in remarks at the White House that Lt. Col. Vindman should be investigated by the Defense Department for disciplinary action? Where does this stop, Mr. Olsen? How difficult must it be to continue to defend the indefensible. Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray to be hospitalized for treatment of neck pain Lockdown-like restrictions to return in Maharashtra? Here's what CM Uddhav Thackeray has to say Bhima Koregaon case: NCP Minister upset over Uddhav Thackeray's nod to NIA India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P Mumbai, Feb 14: It looks like clashes have erupted in Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Agadi. These fissures have erupted with respect to handing over of Bhima Koregaon case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Recently, Maharashtra Home Minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh reportedly said that he was overruled by the Maharashtra Chief Minister. "The chief minister has the powers. He overruled my proposal and granted consent to NIA to take over the probe," a media report quoted Deshmukh as said. Deshmukh further said that the state government should have informed the Union ministry about the reconsideration of its decision. "I was overruled by the chief minister," Deshmukh alleged. Earlier, the Maharashtra government had said that the state government had no objection with NIA taking over the investigation in Bhima Koregaon case. In January, the Centre had transferred the case from Pune Police to the NIA. However, the Maharashtra's Maha Vikas Agadi criticised this move by the Centre. Bhima-Koregaon: NIA seeks transfer of all case records from Pune to Mumbai Uddhav Thackeray had said that the Union government has all the rights to step into the probe. However, it should have taken the state government's take on this case before handing over to the NIA. The Bhima Koregaon case is related to the speeches that were delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave, in Pune on December 31, 2017. On the other said, the Pune Police had claimed that the conclave was backed by maoists, and the speeches had opted for violence. During the investigation, the police arrested activists Rona Wilson, Sudhir Dhawale, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Shoma Sen, Varavara Rao and Sudha Bharadwaj for alleged maoist links. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, February 14, 2020, 11:26 [IST] Supporters of Paul McIntyre face off with police outside Derry Magistrates Court before he was remanded in custody charged with the murder of Lyra McKee 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 Derry Magistrates' Court between police and supporters of Paul McIntyre, who was remanded in custody following yesterday's hearing. Ms McKee (29) was shot dead by dissident republicans while observing a riot in Derry last April. An extremist group styling itself the New IRA said it carried out the killing. During a 50-minute remand hearing, Mr McIntyre's 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." SCAPEGOAT Ms McKee was standing near a police vehicle when she was hit by a bullet fired by a masked gunman toward officers. Ahead of proceedings, supporters of 52-year-old Mr McIntyre held placards saying he was 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 Mr McIntyre left a Range Rover and was taken inside. Mr 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. Mr Harvey said the case rested on a "snapshot" of low-quality mobile phone footage which the prosecution claimed showed a man wearing clothing matching what his client was wearing earlier in the day. A PSNI detective, who said she could connect Mr 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 making a documentary in the area. The officer objected to bail on the grounds of potential interfering with witnesses, risk of further offending and of fleeing the jurisdiction. Mr McIntyre appeared before a judge last May charged with riotous behaviour and arson linked to the disorder that culminated in the murder of Ms McKee. Addressing the issue of potential intimidation of witnesses, District Judge Barney McElholm expressed concern regarding sinister graffiti in the Creggan area in which Ms McKee was killed, and "vile" posters showing a badly wounded police officer. He remanded Mr McIntyre in custody to next appear in court on February 27. A year after Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) head constable Jaimal Singh died in the Pulwama terror attack, the district administration, on behalf of the state government, handed over a cheque for 5 lakh to his family on the occasion of his first death anniversary at a gurdwara in Kot Isse Khan town of the district on Friday. Jaimal, a resident of Ghalauti village in Moga district, was driving the CRPF bus that was blown up by terrorists on February 14, 2019. The government had promised monetary aid of 12 lakh to the family, but gave 7 lakh. Additional deputy commissioner Subhash Chander gave the cheque for the remaining amount to Jaimals wife Sukhjit Kaur on Friday. Officials also handed over a cheque for 43,750, a part of the contribution of one-day salary donated by Punjab ministers, MLAs and IAS officers Association to the family. Paying homage to the CRPF man, the ADC assured every possible help from the district administration and the Punjab government to his family. Meanwhile, on the request by the family, the job to be given to a family member has been reserved for Jaimals six-year-old son Gurparkash. EMBEDDED DINANAGAR HEROS BROTHER TO GET JOB IN PUNJAB POLICE GURDASPUR: Dinanagar MLA and state social security, women and child development minister Aruna Chaudhary said on Friday that CRPF constable Maninder Singhs younger brother Lakhvish Singh will be appointed as constable in Punjab Police. He will get the appointment letter within a week, said the minister. Maninder was among 40 CRPF personnel killed in the February 14, 2019, Pulwama terror attack. Lakhvish, a constable in the 153 battalion of the CRPF in Assam was transferred to the 13 battalion in Fatehgarh Sahib, resigned from the post in July 2019 in the hope that he will get a job in Punjab Police as promised by the state government. Betelgeuse, the red supergiant star that marks the armpit of Orion the Hunter, has been dramatically and mysteriously dimming for the last six months. Some astronomers and excitable members of the public have wondered if the star is about to explode as a supernova. Others have suggested more prosaic explanations, involving long-term cycles of variability, sunspots or dust. Now new light, so to speak, has been shed on the mystery. Recent high-resolution photographs of the star suggest that it is changing shape, astronomers from the European Southern Observatory said in a news release on Valentines Day. Instead of appearing round, the star now appears squashed into an oval. A team led by Miguel Montarges of KU Leuven in Belgium used a special camera on the Very Large Telescope of the European Southern Observatory in Chile. The camera, called Sphere, for Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet Research instrument, was designed to take pictures of worlds that orbit distant suns. Capitol Notebook by Spotlight PA provides updates on important news and notes from the halls of power in Harrisburg. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. Story by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA HARRISBURG With $4 million in state funding, Pennsylvania is buying ads and preparing to award grants to nonprofit organizations, grassroots groups, and colleges to ensure every resident is counted in the 2020 census. We are making sure that we are counting everyone from rural, suburban, and urban areas in Pennsylvania, said Norman Bristol Colon, executive director of Gov. Tom Wolfs Complete Count Commission. We also recognize that our state is more diverse than ever before, so we have to concentrate our efforts on the hard-to-count populations. The census takes place every 10 years to count each person in the country. The information is used to determine each states share of billions of dollars in federal funding and number of U.S. House seats. For the first time, the U.S. Census Bureau is asking most people to fill out the survey online. Every household will be invited to participate by April 1. The commission a coalition of advocacy, education, housing, and religious organizations created by Wolf in September 2018 originally requested $13 million from the legislature for outreach efforts, a dollar for each Pennsylvanian. But lawmakers were hesitant to make an investment of that size, Bristol Colon said. Finally, they recognized the important work that needs to be done, especially when it comes to the $27 billion in federal funds we get through the census [each year], he said. They came back to the table and they provided us the opportunity to have the $4 million to do the complete count. The funding was included in a voting reform package passed in 2019. Neighboring New York is putting $20 million in state funding toward the census, while New Jersey and Maryland have appropriated $9 million and $5 million, respectively. Unlike the 2010 Census seen here, most households will have the option to respond to the 2020 Census online.Matt Smith | lehighvalleylive.com contributor The state has a $2.5 million contract with Red House Communications to produce and place census ads through radio and television stations, and in traditional print media, according to a Department of Community & Economic Development spokesperson. The state has also targeted Latinx and black news outlets, Bristol Colon said, as well as social media platforms. The department is also reviewing applications for the $1 million Census 2020 Outreach Grant Program, which will award nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and higher education institutions with up to $50,000. The money will be used to target hard-to-reach groups through outreach efforts, including buying local media ads or sponsoring census-related events. The application process closes Feb. 14. The other $500,000 in state census money is allotted for miscellaneous expenses, including printed materials for communications purposes, a department spokesperson said. Hard-to-reach populations a blanket term for groups like minorities, immigrants, low-income earners, renters, farmworkers, and rural residents are a priority for the states Complete Count Commission. Some immigrants can be hard to reach because of language barriers, mistrust in the U.S. government, and fear of repercussions, according to commission member and immigrants-rights group CASA. Pennsylvania is home to a growing Latinx population, including Puerto Ricans who sought refuge in the state after Hurricane Maria in 2017. More than 10,000 people arrived in Pennsylvania after the devastating storm, according to CASA. President Donald Trump had sought to add a question about citizenship to the census, leading to concerns about an undercount of immigrant households, but ultimately did not prevail. Second Lady Gisele Fetterman, who was born in Brazil, is touring select counties to promote participation. Although the survey is being offered online, Complete Count Committees locally focused groups formed by municipalities or community leaders are still depending on census workers to canvas areas. But finding workers to count these critical populations has been difficult. February data from the Census Bureau shows successful recruitment efforts in Pennsylvanias largest counties, including Allegheny and Philadelphia. But several rural counties in the state are under 40 percent of the hiring goal. It has been a great challenge for the Census Bureau to fill all the temporary jobs for census 2020 due to a low unemployment rate and the digital component to the application process, Bristol Colon said. 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: Do questions about criminal records belong on Pa. college applications? With Senate President Joe Scarnatis departure, the Pa. Legislature loses a great compromiser Millions of dollars in Pa. tax credits may not be paying off for taxpayers Ramkrishna Badseshi and Maruti Bavidoddi By Express News Service BIDAR: A Bidar court on Friday granted conditional bail to Farida Begum, the headmistress of Shaheen Urdu Medium Primary School, and Nazabunnisa, the mother of one of the students, who were arrested over an anti-NRC play during which children allegedly abused Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The duo were booked under sedition laws and have been behind bars since January 30. The judge of the Principal and District Sessions Court of Bidar Managuli Premavati who pronounced the order on Friday evening asked the counsel of Farida Begum and Nazabunnisa to give surety of Rs 1 lakh for each of the accused. The judge also asked the accused not to leave the headquarters without the permission of the court and not to tamper with the evidence. A team of four advocates headed by BT Venkatesh, a senior advocate from Bengaluru, and including advocate Prasanna from Bengaluru and Keshav Shirimale and Narayan Ganesh from Bidar argued for bail on behalf of Farida Begum and Nazabunnisa in the court on Tuesday. As the arguments from the advocates of both the accused and the prosecution were completed on Tuesday, the court posted the case for orders on Friday. Advocate Keshav Shirimale said that Farida Begum and Nazabunnisa could come out from Bidar jail on Saturday as some formalities are yet to be completed for their release. It may be recalled that the police arrested Farida Begum and Nazabunnisa on 30th January on the basis of a complaint lodged by a social activist Nilesh Rakshal on 26th January. The students enacted a drama against the CAA, NPR and NRC in the school on 21st January in which the daughter of Nazabunnisa in her dialogue asked to beat with chappals those who come asking for proof of citizenship for implementation of NPR and NRC. She allegedly also abused Prime Minister Narendra Modi in her dialogue. The court will hear arguments from the public prosecutor on the anticipatory bail application of members of the school management on Monday. Arguments on behalf of members of the school management including its president Abdul Khadeer have already been completed by the advocates. They make it so convenient for your to get it, Alexander said. He added that a bill had been filed to look at drive-thru alcohol stores. By the time you get to the end, its all going to be drunk, Alexander said. Alexander also added that he had a bill on his desk to regulate the sale of CBD in the state. He said he had spoken with a friend who works as a deputy in Richland County who told him that the sheriffs office had tested the oil from several stores and that some of the oil was well over the legal limit of THC content and some of the oil was pure olive oil. He also spoke about charter schools, saying that he was not opposed to charter schools but that if the regular schools were better, there would be little need for them. Alexander also discussed the need to level out the funding of school districts in South Carolina. He said school districts receive their funding from two primary sources: the state and local property taxes. State funding, he said, was equal across districts. The new service by American Airlines will provide connectivity to tech hubs in both the countries. Bengaluru will get the first non stop flight to US in October with American Airlines announcing a daily service from Seattle. Currently Mumbai and Delhi are connected with non stop flights to the US, Canada and the new service by American will provide connectivity to tech hubs in both the countries. The daily service with Boeing 787 aircraft will take around 17 hours to complete the trip, it is learnt. "Beginning west coast international service from Seattle will complement Americans strong existing international network from Los Angeles, said Vasu Raja, Americans senior vice president, Network Strategy. India is a grossly underserved market, despite the number of businesses with a major presence in both India and the West Coast. By adding Seattle to Bangalore, were giving customers from more than 70 US cities access to India in one stop or less - versus the two, three or four stops theyd have to make to get there in the past," Raja said. In 2019 international traffic from Bengaluru grew by 14 per cent largely due to new flights by IndiGo, launch of new service to Addis Ababa and resumption of flight to Amsterdam. In summer schedule Bengaluru will get connected with Munich and Tokyo with Lufthansa and Japan Airlines launching their services. Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters LONDON : British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed Alok Sharma as his new business minister, the government said in a statement on Thursday. Sharma, 52, was also appointed as the minister in charge of the UK's COP26 climate change summit. With a background in banking, Sharma was elected Member of Parliament for Reading West in 2010 with one of the largest swings to the Conservatives in the country, according to his website. Sharma has held various roles, becoming the prime minister's infrastructure envoy to India in 2016 and a minister for housing the next year. He became the minister for international aid in 2019. Sharma was born in India and he moved to Reading in southern England when he was only five years old. Sharma is married and has two daughters. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics A Non-Governmental Organization, Ghana Diaspora Women visited Volta and Eastern regions in Ghana on 12th February, 2020 to make donations to some selected schools and communities. Among the items they donated are exercise books and sanitary pads for the young girls. In the Volta region, they visited Hohoe Constituency where the team were honoured to be welcomed by both the Incumbent Member of Parliament Hon. Bernice Heloo and the newly elected Parliamentary Candidate of the National Democratic Congress who is most likely to ascend the seat due to the partys dominance in the area Dr. Margaret Kweku and her team. The team educated women, young girls and the youth in the constituency on the role of women and the impact that they can make together through partnership. The women organizer and her team together with others in the community pledged that they are solidly behind them and offered very motivating words of encouragement. They also had the opportunity to be taken on a tour of the constituency to visit the children and girls of GBI Special School where they were told some of the kids are doing so well on international platforms in sports. " We met 3 medalists including Gold who recently returned from Dubai", the team said. The Ghana Diaspora Women in a speech appreciated the efforts of Hon Bernice Heloo, Professor Dr Kweku, the Headteacher and staff of GBI Special School and Queenmother Mama Gadzersi who gave them a warm reception and embraced their vision. They added in a statement that all their two visits yesterday were experiential. The leadership of GDW also stated that they are glad to have received deep education on the state of affairs back home and the important role that Ghanaians in the Diaspora have to play via partnership with their sisters and brothers home for the advancement of national development. "Once again we send a massive thank you Hon Dr Bernice Heloo, Dr. Margaret Kweku, Hon. Paul Ansah and Hon Wabenzi. We are grateful to our Ghana Chapter especially the head of the team Mrs Doryce Ayim for her commitment. To Mrs Agnes Wiafe -Global Coordinator, Mrs Amanda Rashid Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Darko- Mensah and everyone who made yesterday a success for our team. "It's not integration. It's incorporation. I will never agree on it", the Belarusian leader said Open source The Russian government is hinting on the incorporation of Belarus in exchange for the common price for energy carriers. Aleksandr Lukashenko, the Belarusian leader said so during the meeting with Svetlogorsk cardboard mill workers. Belta, the Belarusian outlet reported that on February 14. According to him, the Russian leadership treats the idea of integration as the incorporation of Belarus. "It's not integration. It's incorporation. I will never agree on it", the Belarusian leader said. He also added that the Belarusian people would never walk this path. Lukashenko claimed that after his presidency is over, he will continue to stand for the sovereignty of Belarus, but Minsk and Moscow will carry on in terms of integration road maps. "There's nothing bad about it", Lukashenko said. Previously, the Belarusian president stated it was impossible that his country would join the composition of the Russian Federation. In December, activists held rallies in Minsk and Kyiv, protesting against the Russia-initiated incorporation of Belarus. Martin Haugh (right) is among the ex-Jehovah's Witnesses who have testified for a Pennsylvania grand jury that is investigating allegations that the religion's leaders have covered up widespread reports of child sex abuse. Haugh and his wife, Jennifer, told The Inquirer in 2018 about abuse their daughter suffered as a small child. Read more Brian Chase listened carefully from his Tucson, Ariz., home last July as an investigator from the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office introduced himself over the phone. After some idle chitchat, the investigator asked: Was Chase familiar with the offices 2018 grand jury report, which showed that priests had sexually abused thousands of children at six Roman Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania? Just what was in the papers, Chase responded, and what I saw on Facebook. The investigator explained that the AGs office was now working on a similar state inquiry, this time focused on the Jehovahs Witnesses. But the agency was unsure of the scope of sexual abuse within the often-misunderstood religion, which was founded in Pittsburgh in the 1870s. Chase, 52, had been raised a Jehovahs Witness in Corry, a small town in Erie County. In the 1980s, when he was a teenager, Chase said, he was drugged and raped by a man who belonged to his congregation. Decades would pass before Chase understood that their stories were common within Witness communities across the country, but rarely reported to police. The scope, Chase told the AGs office official, is pretty big. The existence of a Pennsylvania grand jury investigation into the Witnesses handling of child sex-abuse cases the first of its kind in the country was disclosed only a week ago, in a story by USA Today, which was met with a no comment from Attorney General Josh Shapiro. READ MORE: A Pennsylvania grand jury is investigating Jehovahs Witnesses But The Inquirer this week interviewed five ex-Witnesses who have testified for the grand jury, including Chase, and their recollections paint a portrait of an investigation focused on shattering the wall of silence that has long surrounded the religions reclusive leaders, and unearthing secretly maintained records about suspected pedophiles. In a statement released after news of the grand jury became public, Witness leaders said they welcome an opportunity to explain our beliefs and practices to government officials and look forward to any recommendations they may have as we continue to focus on educating and equipping parents to protect their children from the horrible crime of abuse. Investigators have traveled to several states as part of the grand jury probe, and recorded testimony from former elders the Witnesses equivalent of parish priests as well as abuse survivors. I can tell you firsthand, Ive been up to the grand jury a couple of times now, and Im testifying next week, said Jeffrey Fritz, a Philadelphia attorney who represents Chase and his wife as well as several other ex-Witnesses. They are dead serious about going after [the Witnesses leaders] in any way they can, similar to the Catholic Church. Such a declaration would have seemed unthinkable for much of the last two decades, which saw a muted law enforcement response to ex-Witnesses who described in the pages of court documents horrific sexual assaults they suffered as minors, and the religions ongoing efforts to hide their accounts from the public. Sarah Brooks is another of Fritzs clients; when she alerted her parents in the early 2000s to the fact that she was being abused as a teenager by a family friend and a relative, she was publicly shamed by an elder at her York County kingdom hall, and then shunned by other Witnesses. She twice reported the assaults to police, and her abusers were ultimately arrested in 2013, and pleaded guilty to corruption of a minor. Brooks, now 32, testified before the grand jury in Harrisburg last year. READ MORE: For Jehovahs Witnesses, archaic rules have created a recipe for child abuse Investigators asked her to explain the Witnesses inner hierarchy, the system of elders and overseers who ultimately take direction from members of a small governing body whose orders must be closely followed by the religions eight million followers, which number more than 7,000 in Philadelphia. At least three grand jury witnesses said investigators want to question governing body members, who work out of the organizations sprawling headquarters in Tuxedo Park, N.Y., where they relocated several years ago, after selling their former Brooklyn headquarters for more than $1 billion to a real estate company run at the time by Jared Kushner, President Donald Trumps son-in-law. I am completely ecstatic," Brooks said. "Its all I can do to not skip everywhere. I just feel like after all of the numerous people Ive gone to, I finally have gotten to a point in my life where someone is listening. Martin Haugh, a former Witness elder whose 4-year-old daughter was molested inside a Red Lion, York County, kingdom hall in 2005, was so relieved to have testified before the grand jury that he recently tweeted a photo of the subpoena he received beforehand. They are so close to you, the jurors, he said. When I was talking to the investigator about what happened to my daughter, one [juror] dropped his pencil. I heard a couple of gasps. Haughs daughter had been abused by an adopted relative, John Logan Haugh, who was finally arrested in 2018, after another elder read an Inquirer investigation that detailed the case, and then shared the mans whereabouts with police. Martin Haugh, 42, said investigators were particularly interested in discussing how elders compile child abuse records, and the direction they receive from the religions lawyers. We need the FBI to break down their doors, he said. Mark ODonnell, a former Witness who has twice testified in front of the grand jury, told The Inquirer he spoke last year to an elder who had been alerted to an instance of three children who were being sexually abused by their father. The elder told ODonnell, 52, he had contacted the Witnesses legal department, which advised that he shouldnt share the information with police. The same department later instructed the man to destroy handwritten notes he had taken about the conversation. READ MORE: Video shows Jehovahs Witnesses official calling for records to be destroyed He became so distraught that he resigned, said ODonnell, who has spent years collecting and publishing documents about abuse cases that the Witnesses never reported to police. Pennsylvania investigators traveled to meet that former elder in Missouri, and later flew him to Harrisburg to testify. ODonnells second appearance in front of the grand jury centered on Witness documents, some of which date back to the 1980s, that have been leaked by whistle-blowers, and show how Witness leaders instructed their underlings to stymie law enforcement inquiries and withhold information about suspected pedophiles from unsuspecting congregations. The religion has faced increased scrutiny in recent years, from a 2018 episode of an A&E series, Cults and Extreme Belief, to a story in the Atlantic last year that focused on ODonnells efforts, and a recent Oxygen documentary, The Witnesses, which highlights ongoing reporting from Trey Bundy, a reporter at Reveal, from the Center for Investigative Reporting. For years, many ex-Witnesses had little choice but to grapple with their trauma silently. Survivors eventually began forming communities on social media Reddit, YouTube, Facebook and hoped that the religions leaders would be held accountable, either in a news story or a courtroom, for enabling abusers. Meanwhile, in Arizona, Brian Chase can still trace the fallout from the rape he survived. He was reprimanded by Witness elders who learned that he had been abused, and then kicked out of his house by his parents, who mistakenly believed he was abusing drugs. He was shunned by those closest to him, and had to muddle through a period of homelessness and years of heartache and confusion. He now works with nonprofits that advocate for legislation to benefit and protect abuse victims, a tangible way of healing and helping others who have had to dig out of their own personal hells. Traveling 2,000 miles back to Pennsylvania, to testify for the grand jury, offered another chance to make a difference. I felt relief, and that I was doing a good thing, he said. I want to do whatever I can to prevent this from happening to other people." The Inquirers investigative reporting is supported in part by the Lenfest Institutes Investigative News Fund. Editorial content is created independently of the funds donors. A listing of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org. Gifts to support the Investigative News Fund can be made at www.inquirer.com/donate. The Election Commission on Friday termed as "landmark" the Supreme Court order for the decriminalisation of politics, saying it is bound to go a long way in setting new moral yardsticks for the betterment of electoral democracy. The poll panel also said that that it will suitably modify its instructions about the publicity of criminal antecedents by the candidates to implement the directions of the Supreme Court in letter and spirit. In a press release, the Election Commission said it has consistently espoused "rigorous and loftiest" normative standards in public life. The panel said that the Supreme Court had on Thursday directed that 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 if charges have been framed, the concerned court, the case number) of candidates. The parties are also required to give reasons for such selection, as also as to why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates. The reasons for selection shall be with reference to qualifications, achievements, and merit of the candidate concerned and not mere "winnability" at the polls. The court had said that the information shall also be published in a local vernacular newspaper and one newspaper and on the official social media platforms of the political party including Facebook and Twitter. The court also gave directions that details shall be published within 48 hours of the selection of the candidate or not less than two weeks before the first date for filing of nominations, whichever is earlier. 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. The court also said that if a political party fails to submit such a compliance report with the Election Commission, the panel will bring such non-compliance by the political party concerned to the notice of the Supreme Court as "being in contempt of the court's orders/directions." "Election Commission of India whole-heartedly welcomes this landmark order, which is bound to go a long way in setting new moral yardsticks for the overall betterment of electoral democracy," an official release said. The commission said it had in October 2018 issued detailed instructions and guidelines for ensuring the publicity of criminal antecedents by the candidates and the concerned political parties. "This is being implemented in all the elections since November 2018. Now, the Commission proposes to reiterate these instructions with suitable modifications in order to implement the directions of Supreme Court in the letter as well as in spirit," the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Friday said neither his policy towards Bangladeshi and Pakistani infiltrators has changed nor his party's flag. The MNS, in January this year, unveiled its new flag which featured Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's royal seal, also called 'raj mudra', and his speech at the workers convention at the time indicated a turn towards hardline Hindutva Speaking to reporters here, Thackeray said, "Neither has my policy towards Bangladeshis and Pakistanis changed, nor has my flag." He said his party had sent a letter to the state election commission about the new flag and that it was one of the many flags registered three to four years ago. He added that the flag with the royal seal was also displayed at several party events earlier. Thackeray claimed the state government got rickshaws and taxis driven by 'Bangladeshis' off the roads after his party raised the issue. Taking a potshot at the Shiv Sena, Thackeray said others have come into power by changing their policies. When asked about the Elgar Parishad case being handed over the National Investigation Agency, and the tussle between state and Centre over it, Thackeray said, "It doesn't matter which agency conducts the inquiry, the probe should reach a conclusion. We see many inquiries commence, but they never end. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WATERBURY, Conn., Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE: WBS), the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A. and its HSA Bank division, announced today that its board of directors has scheduled the corporation's annual meeting of shareholders at 4:00 p.m. EDT, April 23, 2020 at the New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington Street, New Britain, Connecticut. The record date for shareholders to vote at the meeting is February 26, 2020. About Webster Webster Financial Corporation is the holding company for Webster Bank, National Association and its HSA Bank division. With $30.4 billion in assets, Webster provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, financial planning, trust, and investment services through 157 banking centers and 309 ATMs. Webster also provides mobile and online banking. Webster Bank owns the asset-based lending firm Webster Business Credit Corporation; the equipment finance firm Webster Capital Finance Corporation; and HSA Bank, a division of Webster Bank, which provides health savings account trustee and administrative services. Webster Bank is a member of the FDIC and an equal housing lender. For more information about Webster, including past press releases and the latest annual report, visit the Webster website at www.websterbank.com. SOURCE Webster Financial Corporation Related Links www.websteronline.com Armed police took over Manchester's Arndale shopping centre last night to complete a terrorism training exercise in preparation for any upcoming attacks. Greater Manchester Police staged the major terrorist incident alongside the North West Ambulance Service staff and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. They warned locals not to be alarmed by any loud noises coming from the town centre. Armed police took over Manchester's Arndale shopping centre last night to complete a terrorism training exercise in preparation for any upcoming attacks Greater Manchester Police staged the major terrorist incident alongside the North West Ambulance Service staff and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Armed police in full riot gear were seen running around the shopping centre wielding large semi-automatic rifles and shields. Police assured the public that there was nothing to suggest an immediate threat to Manchester. Last year it was announced that a major training exercise would take place in 2020 following the Manchester Arena attack. Armed police in full riot gear were seen running around the shopping centre wielding large guns and shields Police assured the public that there was nothing to suggest an immediate threat to Manchester Last year it was announced that a major training exercise would take place in 2020 following the Manchester Arena attack Police released a statement which read: 'During this time, if you are within the area you may hear loud noises coming from the centre however please do not be alarmed or concerned' The police released a statement which read: 'Officers from Greater Manchester Police alongside partners from NWAS and GMFRS will be taking part in a pre-planned routine training exercise within Manchester City Centre at Manchester Arndale this evening after the centre has closed. 'During this time, if you are within the area you may hear loud noises coming from the centre however please do not be alarmed or concerned. 'This activity forms part of GMP's on-going commitment to ensure officers have substantial training in real-life scenarios. 'There is nothing to suggest an immediate threat in Greater Manchester.' By Abdul Kerimkhanov Azerbaijani community of Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region is ready for intercommunity contacts with Armenians, Head of community Tural Ganjaliyev has said. Ganjaliyev made the remarks while meeting with Andrzej Kasprzyk, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, according to the information published on the communitys website on February 13. During the meeting, Ganjaliyev emphasized that he will work more closely toward the intercommunity contacts between the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of the Nagorno-Karabakh as a newly-elected MP from Khankandi in Nagorno-Karabakh. Furthermore, Ganjaliyev noted that internally displaced persons want to return to their lands that are under occupation, and the Azerbaijani Community of Nagorno-Karabakh supports the initiatives put forward in this field. Community members also attended the meeting, which was held in the office of the community. The Azerbaijani community of Azerbaijans Nagorno Karabakh region has recently held numerous meetings with the ambassadors of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries in Azerbaijan, as well as other officials and public figures. They stressed during the meetings that the Azerbaijani community is ready for joint coexistence with the Armenian community on the conditions of peace and Azerbaijans territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders. Baku strengthens the role of Karabakhs Azerbaijani community and wants to ensure equal access to negotiations of the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities in the region. The Azerbaijani community, which as a result of ethnic cleansing was forced to leave their homes, has the legal right to participate in determining the future legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Without the recognition of this right, a comprehensive and fair settlement of the conflict cannot be achieved. Nagorno-Karabakh is Azerbaijans breakaway region which along with seven adjacent regions was occupied by Armenian forces in a war in the early 1990s. The occupation displaced hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. The Minsk Groups Co-Chairs are mandated to provide an appropriate framework for conflict resolution in the way of assuring the negotiation process; to obtain conclusion by the Parties of an agreement on the cessation of the armed conflict in order to permit the convening of the Minsk Conference, and to promote the peace process by deploying OSCE multinational peacekeeping forces. For nearly 25 years, the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh have yielded no results. To this day, Armenia has not implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz US criminal charges allege the Chinese tech giant Huawei engaged in a "decades-long" effort to steal trade secrets from American companies. AFP/DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS 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. 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. Senators Richard Burr and Mark Warner, members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, welcomed news of Thursday's indictment. "The indictment paints a damning portrait of an illegitimate organization that lacks any regard for the law," the lawmakers said in a joint statement. "Intellectual property theft, corporate sabotage, and market manipulation are part of Huawei's core ethos and reflected in every aspect of how it conducts business. It uses these tactics indiscriminately against competitors and collaborators alike." The US administration has had mixed results in persuading allies to steer clear of Huawei for 5G networks. France announced on 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. 14.02.2020 LISTEN Sarkodie and Stonebwoy are set to perform at the Beale Street Music Festival 2020 alongside Lil Wayne, Nelly, Lumineers, Weezer among others. Recognized as one of Americas premier heritage music festivals, the award-winning Beale Street Music Festival enters its 44th year in 2020. The kick-off event to the annual month-long Memphis in May Festival, the Beale Street Music Festival is held in picturesque Tom Lee Park, a river bluff park overlooking the Mississippi River in downtown Memphis, TN at the foot of historic Beale Street. Past headliners include Dave Matthews Band, Post Malone, Cardi B, Kings of Leon, Ed Sheeran, The Black Keys, The Killers, Logic, G-Eazy, Tyler the Creator, Shinedown, Neil Young, David Byrne and more, the annual event features 60+ artists on four stages over its three-day run. Ghana has been included in this years line-up. Representing Ghana are BET Award winners Stonebwoy & Sarkodie On Wednesday, John Kelly, the former secretary of Homeland Security and former White House chief of staff, told an audience at New Jerseys Drew University that Donald Trumps instructions to national security personnel regarding Ukraine amounted to an illegal order and that migrants at the Southern border are overwhelmingly good people. Kelly left the Trump White House 14 months ago, after helping lead the implementation of the zero tolerance policy that separated those overwhelmingly good people, migrants seeking asylum, from their even more overwhelmingly good young children; additionally, as youll recall, a Senate impeachment trial at which the presidents Ukraine diplomacy was at issue concluded on Feb. 5. Kellys criticism was timed (and locatedNew Jersey? Come on) so as to have no effect at all on the activities he purportedly objected to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Kellys remarks were praised by former National Security Adviser John Bolton. Bolton has written a book manuscript that reportedly describes Trumps Ukraine policy as an extortion scheme set up explicitly to benefit his reelection campaign. Juicy revelations from the book kept leaking out during the Senate trial, each one arriving more or less 24 hours after the Senate had made one or another decision that might have been affected by the revelation, had it come sooner. In the end, Bolton didnt testify during impeachment hearings or the Senate trial and hasnt spoken publicly about the matter. He, too, has let everyone know that he doesnt like whats going on in a way that is otherwise irrelevant. Advertisement At the impeachment trial, Republican Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, whose vote could have compelled Boltons testimony, gave a speech in which he said he was convinced that Trump had, in fact, withheld congressionally appropriated funds from Ukraine in an effort to solicit the announcement of investigations that would benefit him politically, and that doing so had been inappropriatebut that he would nonetheless vote against calling Bolton to testify, and in favor of acquitting Trump on charges of abuse of power. Advertisement Earlier this week, federal prosecutors recommended that longtime Trump consultant Roger Stone, who was convicted by a jury in November of lying to Congress and witness tampering, receive a seven-to-nine-year sentence. Trump tweeted that Stones treatment was very horrible and unfair, after which Attorney General William Barr intervened to request a shorter sentence, causing all four U.S. attorneys whod worked on Stones prosecution to quit the case. When it was widely observed that this intervention was very obviously corruptStone was convicted of obstructing the investigation into Trumps campaign, after allBarr gave an interview to ABC in which he said he objects to Trumps statements about Stones case because they create the impression that he is not handling it objectively. This interview, given while he is in the very process of not handling the case objectively, may have achieved the maximum possible gap between signaling your awareness that what Trump is doing is improper and illegal and preventing anything improper and illegal from happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And what are the Democrats doing? Not much. The websites of the House Judiciary, Intelligence, and Oversight committees dont list any imminent full-committee hearings. This week, the Judiciary Committee announced that it plans to take testimony from Barr at the end of March. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that House Democrats would not, going forward, spend all of our time going after every lie that the administration henchmen make to the Congress of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Well! You cant expect Congress to oversee everything, can you? Democrats also havent obtained Trumps tax returns; havent held public hearings or issued subpoenas related to the substantial payments that foreign governments and executive branch agencies have made to Trump Organization properties during the current presidential term; havent made any public inquiries as to what else might be stored on the classified server to which the White House moved a summary of Trumps call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after aides realized it might be incriminating; havent made any public inquiries into the administrations contacts with Saudi Arabia during the time it was choosing not to retaliate for the kingdoms kidnapping and murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi; havent made any public inquiries into whether Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, whose application for a security clearance was initially denied by nonpartisan career officials over concerns that he was subject to foreign bribery, has engaged in business transactions with any of the parties involved in the Middle East peace plan he recently released; and havent even ever heard testimony from Michael Flynn, Trumps first national security adviser, about why he was told to deescalate tensions with Russia during the presidential transition, or why he later lied about doing so to the FBI.* Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aside from Mitt Romney, who cast the lone Republican vote in the Senate to convict Trump, the Republicans who are aware that Trump is unfit for office have declared they will let voters decide what will happen to him rather than doing anything in public when it might make a difference. Democrats, with a few exceptions, also appear determined to leave Trumps fate to the voters instead of issuing subpoenas, enforcing those subpoenas, using the appropriations process as leverage for investigations, or doing anything else that would give the voters relevant information about the choice of whether to renew the Trump presidencyand they are definitely not organizing mass protests or doing anything else that might lead voters in the right direction. Advertisement The president is unpopular on a national level, but Republicans deliberate uselessness is motivated by a concern that if they speak out against him, his inflamed and loyal base will vote them out in primaries or threaten their careers in other ways. The Democrats motivations are more difficult to figure out, and perhaps have not been figured out by the Democrats themselves. Trumps election triggered a grassroots resistance that helped the party gain a House majority by flipping formerly Republican seats, but its leaders are occupied by fear that seeming too partisan will cause those frontline seats to flip back. The easiest way out of the pickle is to wait until November of this year for voters to resolve the tension on their own, which is what Pelosi was trying to do until Trump got to work in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, to win an election, you have to win an election, which requires motivated partisans. The Democratic base is thus being told simultaneously that working to punish Trumps corruption at the polls is a matter of historic urgency, and that Trumps corruption is not urgent enough to be subjected to even routine congressional scrutiny. When each new scandal breaks, the party sends hyperbolic mass emails to its supporter lists asking for campaign donations to defend the rule of law, then strategically declines to actually defend the rule of law. Having successfully proved via impeachment that Republicans will protect Trump even when polls find, consistently, that Americans believe he should be removed from officeand even gotten a vote to remove from the 2012 Republican presidential nominee in the processtheyve rested their case, electorally. But the defendant is out out on bail, going wild in the streets, and the jurys not coming in for another nine months. Turbulent start for new London City aircraft: BA apologises British Airways and Loganair have sincerely apologised to Isle of Man passengers who suffered disruption earlier this week. The service between the Isle of Man and London City is operated for BA by Loganair who have a new aircraft on the route. The ATR aircraft is said to be more fuel-efficient, but was dogged with technical problems on its first day of service earlier this week(Monday). This lead to effects on crew and maintenance schedules and caused major disruption to the flights on Tuesday and Wednesday. A spokesperson for BA told Energy FM News that services were now operating on time. The United States and the Taliban have agreed to a significant reduction in violence for seven days, a senior Trump administration official said Friday, the first step in a plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan and possibly end the long war there. A successful reduction in hostilities, though short of a blanket cease-fire, is seen as a precursor to signing a formal agreement. The senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, briefed reporters in Munich after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met there with Ashraf Ghani, the president of Afghanistan. The decrease in hostilities would be the first step in a plan leading to withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, though there have been indications that the United States would want to keep some counterterrorism and intelligence forces there. All sides are keenly aware that there will be multiple chances for the deal to break down, but it is the closest they have come to President Trumps goals of withdrawing many of the U.S. troops in Afghanistan and ending the United States longest war, which has lasted more than 18 years. The initial seven-day reduction in violence is seen as a test not only of good intentions, but also of the ability of the Taliban and the Afghan government to rein in their forces and those of their allies, in a war made more complex by internal rivalries and local disputes. The deal would lay out a 135-day timetable for drawing down U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan from about 13,000 to 8,600; U.S. officials had indicated that they planned to make the reduction with or without an agreement in place. It calls for a complete withdrawal within three to five years. It also calls for the start of negotiations between the government in Kabul and the Taliban something the Taliban has long refused on a long-term power-sharing settlement. Afghan leaders have been frustrated by the United States acceding to the Talibans demand that negotiations, held over the past year in Doha, Qatar, exclude the government. In September, American and Taliban negotiators were close to an agreement, and Trump planned to meet Taliban leaders in person, before he dropped the deal after a Taliban attack. Richard Perez-Pena is a New York Times writer. By Philip Giraldi February 13, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Admittedly the news cycle in the United States seldom runs longer than twenty-four hours, but that should not serve as an excuse when a major story that contradicts what the Trump Administration has been claiming appears and suddenly dies. The public that actually follows the news might recall a little more than one month ago the United States assassinated a senior Iranian official named Qassem Soleimani. Openly killing someone in the government of a country with which one is not at war is, to say the least, unusual, particularly when the crime is carried out in yet another country with which both the perpetrator and the victim have friendly relations. The justification provided by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking for the administration, was that Soleimani was in Iraq planning an imminent mass killing of Americans, for which no additional evidence was provided at that time or since. It soon emerged that the Iranian was in fact in Baghdad to discuss with the Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi a plan that might lead to the de-escalation of the ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran, a meeting that the White House apparently knew about may even have approved. If that is so, events as they unfolded suggest that the U.S. government might have encouraged Soleimani to make his trip so he could be set up and killed. Donald Trump later dismissed the lack of any corroboration of the tale of imminent threat being peddled by Pompeo, stating that it didnt really matter as Soleimani was a terrorist who deserved to die. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The incident that started the killing cycle that eventually included Soleimani consisted of a December 27th attack on a U.S. base in Iraq in which four American soldiers and two Iraqis were wounded while one U.S. contractor, an Iraqi-born translator, was killed. The United States immediately blamed Iran, claiming that it had been carried out by an Iranian supported Shiite militia called Kataib Hezbollah. It provided no evidence for that claim and retaliated by striking a Kataib base, killing 25 Iraqis who were in the field fighting the remnants of Islamic State (IS). The militiamen had been incorporated into the Iraqi Army and this disproportionate response led to riots outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, which were also blamed on Iran by the U.S. There then followed the assassinations of Soleimani and nine senior Iraqi militia officers. Iran retaliated when it fired missiles at American forces, injuring more than one hundred soldiers, and then mistakenly shot down a passenger jet, killing an additional 176 people. As a consequence due to the killing by the U.S. of 34 Iraqis in the two incidents, the Iraqi Parliament also voted to expel all American troops. It now appears that the original death of the American contractor that sparked the tit-for-tat conflict was not carried out by Kataib Hezbollah at all. An Iraqi Army investigative team has gathered convincing evidence that it was an attack staged by Islamic State. In fact, the Iraqi government has demonstrated that Kataib Hezbollah has had no presence in Kirkuk province, where the attack took place, since 2014. It is a heavily Sunni area where Shia are not welcome and is instead relatively hospitable to all-Sunni IS. It was, in fact, one of the original breeding grounds for what was to become ISIS. This new development was reported in the New York Times in an article that was headlined Was U.S. Wrong About Attack That Nearly Started a War With Iran? Iraqi military and intelligence officials have raised doubts about who fired the rockets that started a dangerous spiral of events. In spite of the sensational nature of the report it generally was ignored in television news and in other mainstream media outlets, letting the Trump administration get away with yet another big lie, one that could easily have led to a war with Iran. Iraqi investigators found and identified the abandoned white Kia pickup with an improvised Katyusha rocket launcher in the vehicles bed that was used to stage the attack. It was discovered down a desert road within range of the K-1 joint Iraqi-American base that was hit by at least ten missiles in December, most of which struck the American area. There is no direct evidence tying the attack to any particular party and the improvised KIA truck is used by all sides in the regional fighting, but the Iraqi officials point to the undisputed fact that it was the Islamic State that had carried out three separate attacks near the base over the 10 days preceding December 27th. And there are reports that IS has been increasingly active in Kirkuk Province during the past year, carrying out near daily attacks with improvised roadside bombs and ambushes using small arms. There had, in fact, been reports from Iraqi intelligence that were shared with the American command warning that there might be an IS attack on K-1 itself, which is an Iraqi air base in that is shared with U.S. forces. The intelligence on the attack has been shared with American investigators, who have also examined the pick-up truck. The Times reports that the U.S. command in Iraq continue to insist that the attack was carried out by Kataib based on information, including claimed communications intercepts, that it refuses to make public. The U.S. forces may not have shared the intelligence they have with the Iraqis due to concerns that it would be leaked to Iran, but senior Iraqi military officers are nevertheless perplexed by the reticence to confide in an ally. If the Iraqi investigation of the facts around the December attack on K-1 is reliable, the Donald Trump administrations reckless actions in Iraq in late December and early January cannot be justified. Worse still, it would appear that the White House was looking for an excuse to attack and kill a senior Iranian official to send some kind of message, a provocation that could easily have resulted in a war that would benefit no one. To be sure, the Trump administration has lied about developments in the Middle East so many times that it can no longer be trusted. Unfortunately, demanding any accountability from the Trump team would require a Congress that is willing to shoulder its responsibility for truth in government backed up by a media that is willing to take on an administration that regularly punishes anyone or any entity that dares to challenge it. That is the unfortunate reality in America today. Sam Tobis never intended to open a Jewish bakery. The New York native moved to the Bay Area 12 years ago to attend UC Berkeley. Like many other Cal grads, he stayed. And even though he hadnt joined a synagogue or felt particularly tied to Jewish life, he gradually felt a longing: for the Jewish foods that seemed ubiquitous in New York, for the connection to his roots. In 2017, with no real baking experience, Tobis purchased Grand Bakery in Oakland, a long-running kosher bakery that had closed several months earlier. It was a combination of nostalgia and insanity, he says. Nostalgia for New York, for Israel is behind a number of new or recently reopened Jewish bakeries in the Bay Area. They take many forms: a kosher bagel shop in Berkeley inspired by New York legend H&H Bagels; a bread bakery in San Leandro that makes unusually dark, shiny loaves of challah; a home kitchen in Santa Clara that delivers stretchy Yemeni flatbreads. Michael Short / Special to The Chronicle For many of these bakers, food was a second career something they just had to do. Theres nothing like food from your home country, said Doreet Jehassi, who started the Malawah Bar last year. Its going back to your roots and enjoying the comfort foods. Jehassi, who is Yemenite Israeli American, quit her tech job to start her delivery-only bakery out of her Santa Clara home. It takes 18 hours to make the doughs for her two signature items: jachnun and malawah. Both require stints of rolling out the dough; adding a thin film of fat; and folding, resting and repeating until many layers form, all techniques she learned from her mom. Jehassi estimates that 85% of her clientele is Israeli or Jewish people already familiar with these Yemeni specialties. But other bakers are finding a much wider audience. At Emily Winstons Boichik Bagels in Berkeley, long lines form daily for her chewy, malty bagels. In the last year, Iliana Berkowitz has quadrupled her wholesale accounts for San Leandros As Kneaded Bakery, a purveyor of stellar challah and bialys and also pointy baguettes and custardy porridge loaves. Ayelet Nuchi, who recently closed her 1-year-old Palo Alto bakery Babka by Ayelet but plans to reopen soon in Los Altos, was surprised to see her yeasted Jewish cakes become a hit with the Asian community. Michael Short / Special to The Chronicle Babka by Ayelet currently only taking online orders is the only American bakery Nuchi knows of to focus on babka. While most bakers just make chocolate or cinnamon babka, Nuchi creates unusual renditions like halvah, raspberry-cheese and Nutella. Each loaf starts with a buttery brioche-like dough infused with orange zest and vanilla bean. Its rolled super-thin and spread with a thick layer of filling a recent experiment saw almond cream with slivered almonds and lots of orange zest before getting twisted and baked. The result is stunningly layered and more moist than the breadier versions made elsewhere. You take the tradition and you upgrade it, she said. Nuchi remembers that when she moved from Israel to the Bay Area 20 years ago, she was unable to find much Jewish food at all. A turning point was certainly the 2012 arrival of Wise Sons Deli, which proved there was huge unmet demand for Jewish eats in the Bay Area, a region with 350,000 Jews the fourth-highest concentration in the country. Now, Wise Sons pastrami on house-made rye, bagel sandwiches and classic sweets like babka and rugelach are available across six locations, including one in Japan not to mention Wise Sons farmers market stands and growing wholesale business. Nuchi and Jehassi say theyve noticed more Israelis these days in the Bay Area, too, drawn to Silicon Valley after working in Tel Avivs booming tech sector. That trend coincides with the soaring popularity of Israeli food in the United States a product in part of Israeli chef Yotam Ottolenghis bestselling cookbooks like Jerusalem and Plenty that introduced many Americans to the wonders of zaatar and tahini. Last year, Zahav, an Israeli restaurant in Philadelphia, won the countrys biggest food industry honor: the James Beard Award for outstanding restaurant. Israeli restaurants have been opening in droves, such as Sababa, which has two San Francisco locations, and Orens Hummus, which has five restaurants in the Bay Area. Its easy to see why Israeli food has taken ahold of San Francisco. Isaac Yosef, owner of San Franciscos Israeli and kosher Frena Bakery, noted its light and vegetable-forward two traits Bay Area diners have been wanting more of. It also tends to be vegan-friendly 60% of Frenas menu is incidentally vegan. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. And thanks to the domestic rise in Israeli cuisine which draws from the traditions of Jews who migrated to Israel from North Africa, Yemen, Ethiopia, Syria, Turkey and other countries non-Jewish Americans are increasingly aware of the immense diversity of Jewish food. Its not just challah and black-and-white cookies. Israel is a melting pot of food. It doesnt matter where you are from, there you are going to eat Yemeni food and cook Moroccan food, Yosef said. Michael Short / Special to The Chronicle Sure, customers still wander into Frena and ask why there arent bagels and lox. But as soon as Yosef explains Frena is Sephardic Jewish that is, from the Mediterranean as opposed to the Ashkenazi Jewish culture from Eastern Europe those customers quickly understand and order one of Frenas burekas, flaky Turkish pastries stuffed with cheese, or sambusaks, pita-like pockets baked in a brick oven. At Oaklands Grand Bakery, Tobis has been working to subtly evolve the 60-year-old legacy business. He recently added bagels as well as house-cured gravlax, though the staple items of challah, hamentashen and coconut macaroons remain prominent fixtures. Grand Bakery is solely a wholesale operation, but Tobis likes the idea of opening a cafe one day it could expose Grand Bakery to more people beyond its core customer base of Jewish moms and rabbis. Some of the Bay Areas best new Jewish bakeries As Kneaded Bakery 585 Victoria Court, San Leandro. 510-924-7490 or www.askneadedbakery.com. Chewy bialys, with a center full of onions and poppy seeds, can only be found at the retail bakery, which opened in 2018. But As Kneaded also supplies many Bay Area grocery stores with gorgeous, crusty loaves of many types of bread. Fair warning: The challah is only sold Fridays and Saturdays. Babka by Ayelet www.babkabyayelet.com. The Palo Alto bakery closed in January after roughly a year, but its rich, moist babkas in different sizes and different flavors - including chocolate, halva and Nutella - are still available for online orders and delivery throughout the Bay Area. A new brick-and-mortar is planned for Los Altos. Boichik Bagels 3170 College Ave., Berkeley. 510-858-5189 or www.boichikbagels.com. The lines haven't ceased since Boichik opened in late 2019. Fans say the bagels really taste like they were made in New York - a comment that rarely follows other Bay Area bagel spots. Most customers walk off with a bagged dozen or two, and there are also sandwiches loaded with lox, whitefish salad and more from this kosher shop. Daily Driver 2535 Third St., San Francisco. 415-852-3535 or www.dailydriver.com. Handsome, New York-style bagels are the ideal vehicle for Daily Driver's excellent cultured butter and cream cheeses. The original location - a stunning, enormous operation - opened in the Dogpatch in 2019, while a kiosk in the Ferry Building followed earlier this year. Frena Bakery 132 Sixth St., San Francisco. 628-444-3666 or www.frenabakery.com. Modeled after an Israeli bakery, Frena debuted in 2016 with a focus on savory breads and pastries as opposed to sweets. Try stuffed puff pastries known as bourekas or one of the lunch-appropriate pockets, filled with options such as slow-cooked chickpeas or feta and olives. Grand Bakery 510-465-1110 or www.grandbakeryoakland.com. Reopened in 2017 as a strictly wholesale operation, Oakland's Grand Bakery supplies more than 40 Bay Area stores with kosher treats like hamentashen, honey cakes and macaroons as well as bagels. It's best known for pillowy challah. Look for products at Berkeley Bowl, Draeger's Market, Mollie Stone's and some Safeway stores. The Ma'lawah Bar www.themalawahbar.com. A delivery-only bakery started last year out of the owner's Santa Clara home, the Ma'lawah Bar specializes in Yemenite-Israeli breads, including jachnun, a slow-cooked layered bread; kubaneh, a pull-apart yeasted bread; and lachuh, a spongy pancake. Don't miss the namesake ma'lawah, which is flaky, stretchy and puffs up beautifully in a frying pan. Delivery is available throughout the Bay Area. - Janelle Bitker See More Collapse On a personal level, running Grand Bakery gives Tobis a stronger sense of Jewish identity. Purim is coming up, and hes excited to make thousands of hamentashen, the triangle-shape pastries filled with jam that symbolize evil Hamans hat or ear, or pocket, depending on whom you ask. (Purim celebrates the Jewish people being saved from Haman.) Regardless, Judaism is manifested in its traditional foods: the round challah for Rosh Hashanah, the latkes and sufganiyot fried in oil for Hanukkah. One of the things I love about being a Jewish bakery, Tobis said, is making these foods that are meaningful. Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @janellebitker Lucknow: The Lucknow district administration has issued notices to 13 persons for recovery of over Rs 21 lakh as damages for vandalising public property during the anti-CAA protests here on December 19. The recovery notices were served by an additional district magistrate and they have been asked to deposit the fine within 30 days, Lucknow Commissioner Mukesh Meshram said on Thursday. .A total recovery of Rs 4.5 crore has to be made to offset the damage caused during the anti-CAA stir in the state capital and this is the first list of people to whom notices have been issued, he added. The country has witnessed nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed by Parliament in December last year. Critics say the citizenship law, which fast-tracks citizenship for non-Muslims from three neighbouring countries, goes against the country's secular constitution. The law along with the proposed nationwide NRC has instilled fear among the country's Muslims, who form nearly 15 per cent of India's 1.3 billion population. Pyotr Pavlensky, the Russian artist provocateur who forced a top French politician to drop out of a key election Friday, is well known for his shock and awe "performances," usually involving pain and discomfort for all involved to highlight causes he thinks are worth fighting for. Too hot to handle in his home country, the gaunt looking Pavlensky, 35, fled to France where he has caused uproar by putting a sex video online which forced President Emmanuel Macron's candidate for Paris mayor, Benjamin Griveaux, to withdraw from the race. The 42-year-old Griveaux said he dropped out to protect his family after a website published video excerpts of a man masturbating, accompanied by screengrabs of racy text messages. "My family does not deserve this. No one should ever be subjected to such abuse." The Liberation newspaper said Pavlensky claimed to have put the video online to expose Griveaux's "hypocrisy". "He is someone who constantly brings up family values, who says he wants to be the mayor of families and always cites his wife and children as an example. But he is doing the opposite," Pavlensky told the daily. Pavlensky has a track record for outrage. He made global headlines in 2013 after nailing his scrotum to Red Square in Moscow and two years later doused the doors of the FSB secret police headquarters with petrol and set them on fire. "What I denounce, is how the individual has been reduced to the state of an animal by the state, propaganda and the instruments of power," he said shortly before leaving Russia in 2017. The video tape scandal was not his first stunt in Paris. - Engaged art or 'idiotic'? - In October 2017, he set fire to offices of the Bank of France on Place Bastille, site of the attack on the infamous fortress at the start of the French revolution in 1789. The bank's presence on such hallowed revolutionary ground was "historically shameful," Pavlensky said. Ultimately, he was sentenced to three years jail, two suspended, for the destruction of other people's property. Jail time only proved, however, that prisoners were "treated like animals," he said. Pavlensky and his companion Oksana Shalygina obtained asylum in France after leaving Russia, claiming that he faced 10 years in a camp, although at the time Russian press reports said he was threatened by legal action over alleged sexual assault against an actress. Pavlensky rejects such charges. Asked in 2017 why he chose to come to France without being able to speak the language -- nor English -- he said: "France is the alma mater of the Russian revolution... Everything that is worthwhile in Russia came from France." A graduate of the Academy of Art and Industry in Saint Petersburg and father of two children, Pavlensky on several occasions has demanded that he should be charged with terrorist acts. In 2013, he laid down in front of the Saint Petersburg assembly stark naked and wrapped in barbed wire in protest against what he said were repressive laws in Russia. His hardline stance and eye watering protests have elicited a mixed response among Russian opposition groups. Some defend his actions as a form of engaged art but others such as late rights activist Lyudmila Alexeyeva were blunter, branding his actions "idiotic." Pavlensky published the sex video to expose 'hypocrisy' The Russian government hopes assisted in vitro fertilization (IVF) can help boost the country's falling population. The procedure is covered by Russians' state health insurance and, since last year, the state will now reimburse patients for IVF undergone at private clinics to cut waiting times. The global leader in the pool and wellness equipment business reaches a deal to acquire the Australian based electronics designer and manufacturer Fabtronics This deal strengthens Fluidra's position worldwide by expanding its research and development capabilities Fluidra, the global leader in the pool and wellness equipment business, has acquired Australian manufacturer Fabtronics to strengthen its R&D capabilities and to incorporate complete, efficient and cost-effective electronics design and manufacturing solutions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005148/en/ (Photo: Fluidra) The purchase price for 80% of the shares was AUD 15M, with an implicit price for 100% of AUD 18.75M. The agreed takeover also includes a set of earn-outs to take place during the following three calendar years. Fabtronics is based in Melbourne, close to Fluidra's main manufacturing facility, and includes a team of c.45 people as well as a state-of-the-art PCB design and manufacturing plant of over 3,000 sqm. The company features an annual turnover and EBITDA of AUD 18M and AUD 6M respectively. In the past 15 years, Fabtronics provided research and development support to Fluidra's Australian business and played a key role in many significant products, establishing itself as one of the leading electronic designers in the country. Many of Fluidra's products designed and manufactured in Australia, like the Viron and EQ chlorinators, which Fabtronics assisted in designing and developing, have gone on to be sold throughout the world via Fluidra's global network. "This acquisition strengthens Fluidra's position worldwide, helping us expand our R&D capabilities and enabling us to accelerate innovation to meet local market needs," said Bruce Brooks, CEO at Fluidra. Fluidra is committed to expanding its portfolio of technologies with acquisitions tailored to growing the business, like Fabtronics, which has been an essential R&D contributor in the region. About Fluidra Fluidra, a Spanish listed firm, is the global leader in the pool and wellness equipment business. It provides innovative products, services and Internet of Things solutions. The company operates in over 45 countries and owns a portfolio of some of the industry's most recognized and trusted brands, including Jandy, AstralPool, Polaris, Cepex, Zodiac, CTX Professional and Gre. To learn more about Fluidra, visit www.fluidra.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005148/en/ Contacts: Media contacts: Sarah Estebanez, sestebanez@tinkle.es, +34 636 62 80 41 Xana Pena, xpena@tinkle.es, +34 674 73 47 82 Bluestone Extends Development Drift and Samples 26.5 g/t Au Along 29.3 meters of Vein Posted by Publisher Internet Bluestone Resources Inc. (TSXV:BSR | OTCQB:BBSRF) (\Bluestone\ or the \Company\ https://www.commodity-tv.com/play/bluestone-resources-drilling-new-veins-project-financing-coming-soon/ ) 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 8 g/t Au and 44 g/t Ag along its total length of 22.4 meters (26 samples) Drift S314 along Vein VS-10 in the South Zone was extended by 7.7 meters and averaged 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. 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. I dont know enough about it, so I dont know how broad in scale it was within the department or how long it lasted, whether it was just a small cell or group of police officers or whether it had some broader impact in terms of the whole force or in terms of the amount of time that went on, said Goldman, who represents Maryland. New Delhi [India], Feb 15 (ANI): Afghanistan Envoy Tahir Qadri, who was a part of second batch of 25 foreign envoys who visited Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday said that the visit was a good experience and that the diplomats got the opportunity to speak to people from civil society and senior military officials. "It was really good. For the 25 envoys, it was a very good opportunity to go there and see the Valley for themselves, to talk to people. During the two-days time that we had, we spoke to groups of people from the civil society, journalists, traders and businesswoman and also locals, politicians, the government local officials and senior officers from military units. Its always good to have the first account of the situation there. So it was very good and eye-opening," he said while speaking to ANI after meeting National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. "For us, going and talking to people, it was a good experience. A lot of good voices from the people, especially young people that I spoke to...they have good aspirations for the future," the Afghan Ambassador said. Delegation of 25 foreign envoys, which undertook a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir met National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval at Hyderabad House. The foreign envoys, including those from Germany, France and Mexico, were on a visit to the newly-formed Union Territory to witness the ground situation in the region six months after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. The group comprised 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. German Ambassador Walter J Lindner after meeting the NSA said: "We exchanged our experiences from our visits to Jammu and Kashmir. I think it was also done last time when the first group went to Jammu and Kashmir. It was a good meeting." (ANI) Talage, a Reno, Nev.-based digital insurance platform, closed a $5m Series A funding. The round was led by Merus Capital, with participation from Calibrate Ventures, WTI and Hallador Investment Advisors. The company intends to use the new funds to scale its engineering and business development teams. Founded in 2015 by Adam Kiefer, Matt Donovan and Zachary Draper, Talage provides a SaaS based platform enables small business owners to purchase essential commercial coverage from agents online. The platform is now live across the country, having sold over $1 million in insurance coverage to businesses in over 40 states via its solution. The companys 12 carrier partnerships allow agents to instantly sell coverage under their licenses and appointments via any digital channel. FinSMEs 14/02/2020 Panaji, Feb 14 : In a queasy Valentine's Day story, a 50-year-old woman tourist from the UK was rescued while attempting suicide at a popular Goa beach after her partner, also a UK national, abandoned her, leaving her without any travel documents. According to a statement issued by the Drishti Marine, a lifeguard agency mandated by the state government to prevent drownings on Goa's beaches, Michelle (full name not known) was rescued using life-support gear by lifeguards after she was spotted running into the sea off Baga beach in North Goa. "The lifeguard on duty, Sanjay Yadav, spotted a lady who was visibly distressed running into the waters and heading out into the deep. He relayed a call to the tower for backup and rushed into the water to retrieve the lady," the statement said. "Yadav reached the lady and attempted to secure her to the rescue tube but she refused and stated that she wanted to end her life. As she was in great distress, the lifeguard calmed her down, secured her to the tube and brought her back to the shore," the statement said. The rescued woman hails from Newcastle in the UK. "She was in Goa on a holiday with her husband. Further queries revealed that the lady's husband had abandoned her, taking all her travel and other documents with him," the statement said. The police are in the process of ascertaining her contact details and have contacted the immigration department to seek details about her travel documents. After Russia, tourists from the UK top the foreign passenger arrival charts to the coastal state. Last year, Goa attracted more than seven million tourists, nearly half a million of which were foreigners. Latest updates on Valentine's Day 2020 (CNN) The number of novel coronavirus cases has risen to more than 64,000 worldwide, after China reported another major increase at the epicenter of the outbreak following a change in how authorities there diagnose cases. As of Friday morning, over 100 more people had died of the virus, officially known as Covid-19, in central China's Hubei province -- raising the global death toll to 1,383. Of those, all but three have died in mainland China. Chinese health authorities also confirmed an additional 5,090 cases across the country. That's a major spike, but nowhere near the 14,840 new cases reported Thursday -- the largest single-day rise since the epidemic began. The government explained the spike was due to a change in how cases are tabulated -- the total will now include "clinically diagnosed cases" -- people who demonstrate all the symptoms of Covid-19 but have either been unable to access a test or are believed to have falsely tested negative. The hope is that more people will be able to receive treatment by receiving this diagnosis. The health system in Hubei, particularly in the capital Wuhan where the outbreak began, has struggled to handle the influx of patients, even with the help of several purpose-built hospitals dedicated to treating Covid-19. Provincial authorities said there are about 37,000 patients in hospital, 1,685 of whom are in critical condition. More than 6,723 patients in China have recovered and been discharged since the outbreak began. Beijing purge As the number of deaths and cases at the epicenter of the outbreak continued to rise, China moved to purge several officials in the region, replacing them with loyalists of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has now taken personal charge of the response. State media announced Thursday that the Communist Party chiefs of Hubei and Wuhan had both been removed. Ying Yong, the former mayor of Shanghai, will become the new Hubei chief, while Wang Zhonglin will take over Wuhan itself. Ying is a key protege of Xi's, and the two men have worked together since the early 2000s when they were both officials in the eastern province of Zhejiang. Another Zhejiang veteran and Xi ally, Chen Yixin, is already in Wuhan. Chen arrived in the city last week to lead the response to the epidemic -- his appointment there was seen as Xi moving to take charge of the crisis after it was mishandled in the early weeks by Wuhan and Hubei officials, who have been accused of downplaying the severity of the virus, resulting in its spread nationwide. The removal of the Wuhan and Hubei party chiefs might only be the beginning of the provincial purge. Last week, amid nationwide outrage over the death of whisteblower doctor Li Wenliang -- who was reprimanded for spreading "rumors" by Wuhan police -- Beijing dispatched an anti-corruption team to the city to investigate the matter. Wuhan Mayor Zhou Xianwang, one of the public faces of the crisis, previously offered to resign "to appease public indignation," but the central government has yet to take him up on that. Worldwide spread While the vast majority of Covid-19 are in mainland China, the virus has been confirmed in more than two dozen countries worldwide, and concern is growing over its potential spread outside the epicenter. "This outbreak could still go in any direction," World Health Organization 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. Three additional cases were confirmed in Hong Kong as of Friday morning, bringing the total to 53 in the semi-autonomous Chinese city, which has been in partial shutdown for weeks and closed most of its borders with the mainland. One of the three deaths outside mainland China occurred in the city. The third of those deaths occurred in Japan on Thursday -- a woman in her 80s, according to health officials. She was not a passenger on board the Diamond Princess cruise liner currently quarantined at Yokohama, south of Tokyo. The ship is currently home to the largest outbreak outside mainland China. Another 44 cases of the virus were confirmed Thursday, bringing the total of cases on the ship to 219, as Japanese health authorities continue to test the more than 3,500 people on board. Japanese health minister Katsunobu Kato said that people who had tested negative for the virus and were over 80 years old, or had a non-virus medical condition requiring attention, would be allowed to leave the ship and move to a government medical facility. He did not give a timeline for that process. Already on Tuesday, an unknown number of passengers with non-virus medical conditions had been 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 feared the crew were at greater risk of being exposed to the outbreak because they were not being quarantined in the same way as the passengers and were 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 feared that the virus may be spreading around the crew. At least five have tested positive. There was better news for passengers on board MS Westerdam, another cruise ship. After several days in limbo at sea due to ports not being willing to accept it -- despite no coronavirus cases being confirmed on board -- it was finally able to dock in Cambodia Friday, where passengers were greeted by Prime Minister Hun Sen. A HEADTEACHER has said his school did "everything in its power to protect students" after it received a threat of an armed gang turning up at the school which never transpired. Maltby Academy principal Richard Wood said staff had taken immediate action following the threat from an "off-site student" on Tuesday. The school alerted the police at 10.10am that it had received a call reporting that a number of people would attend the premises with weapons. "We reacted to the potential threat immediately and did everything in our power to protect our students," said Mr Wood. "This involved alerting the police and staffing the perimeter fence. "Thankfully, it was a false alarm but we are pleased to have dealt with the matter so efficiently and successfully." Mr Wood said an "off-site student" was an excluded pupil or someone not meant to be on-site at that particular time. He said reports the school had gone into "lockdown" were false. A police spokeswoman said: "It is understood that the school received a call reporting that a number of people would attend the premises with weapons. The school notified police and implemented its own safeguarding processes. "Nobody showed up at the school and officers did not have to attend." With the novel coronavirus outbreak killing nearly 1,500 people in China, SpiceJet on Friday announced that it would be suspending Delhi-Hong Kong flights from February 16 to 29. IndiGo and Air India have already suspended all their flights between India and China. "SpiceJet has decided to temporarily suspend its daily Delhi-Hong Kong passenger flight from February 16th to 29th, 2020," the budget carrier's spokesperson stated. He draws from his personal story to try to help those he evicts, telling them that instead of putting blame on others, they should instead learn what options are available and ask, Where do I go from here? Molson Coors deploys new analytical tools to bolster online sales Molson Coors is hoping a new digital analytics partnership will help boost its online sales. The global brewing giant, whose bank of brands includes Coors Light, Staropramen and Carling, has signed a deal with e.fundamentals to analyse how its beers are performing on various retailers' websites. e.fundamentals will report on Molson Coors's performance against eight elements found to be key in influencing online sales, informing and driving the group's retail improvement strategy. Companies already making use of its analytical tools include McCain, Twinings and Weetabix. Molson Coors digital marketing manager, Sean Ferguson, said: "We wanted an ecommerce partner that could move beyond fixing the basics. The actionable insights the e.fundamentals tool provides will allow us to develop our online sales channel and bring our category vision to life." e.fundamentals CEO John Maltman added: "Molson Coors produce some of the worlds finest beers so were delighted theyve chosen to partner with us." 14 February 2020 - Bethany Whymark President Donald Trump before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on June 27, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Trump Says He Does Not Mind If Philippines Cuts Military Pact With US U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he did not mind Philippines President Rodrigo Dutertes 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 Philippine military chief, armed forces commander General Felimon Santos, backed Dutertes termination of the 1998 VFA and said doing so would allow the Philippines to expand its modernization program and its engagement with Australia and Japanboth U.S. allies. U.S. Marines arrive in an amphibious assault vehicle during the amphibious landing exercises of the U.S.-Philippines war games promoting bilateral ties at a military camp in Zambales province, Philippines, April 11, 2019. (Reuters/Eloisa Lopez) Santos said planes and ships were being procured from countries other than the United States, such as South Korea, while Filipinos were now doing the leg work on intelligence gathering on Islamist extremists. You know these sentiments of soldiers, we are all high morale, he told reporters. It will make us more eager to build up our own capabilities. Two Osprey aircrafts are flown during the amphibious landing exercises of the U.S.-Philippines war games promoting bilateral ties at a military camp in Zambales province, Philippines, April 11, 2019. (Reuters/Eloisa Lopez) The U.S. embassy in Manila called it a serious step with significant implications. Dutertes decision, sparked by the revocation of a U.S. visa held by a former police chief who led Dutertes bloody war on drugs, takes legal effect in 180 days and U.S. officials have expressed hope it can be reversed or delayed. I dont 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 Dutertes 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 ISIS terrorists. He said he had a very good relationship with Duterte and added: well see what happens. Dutertes decision could complicate U.S. military interests in the broader Asia-Pacific region as Chinas ambitions rise. Some Filipino senators quickly sought to block the move, arguing Duterte had no right to unilaterally scrap international pacts the countrys 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 Dutertes complaints that include allegations of U.S. hypocrisy and ill-treatment. Ending the VFA complicates Washingtons 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. U.S. Secretary of Defence Mark Esper speaks at a news conference following a NATO defence ministers meeting at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, February 13, 2020. (Francois Lenoir/Reuters) Esper referred to the period before Dutertes decision takes effect when speaking to reporters on Tuesday. One hundred and eighty days. Weve got to work through it, and well just take a deep breath and take it one day at a time I dont get too excited about these things. Weve 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 Defense 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. By Steve Holland and David Brunnstrom Medic Bound would provide up to $6,000 for a qualifying Hammond resident to attend EMT school and training. This program would also pay for turn-out gear and uniforms and other expenses. Residents must have lived in the city for three years prior to applying for the program and remain Hammond residents for three years following EMT school graduation, the ordinance states. A banks tribute to Black History Month has stirred an unusual question on social media: Is Harriet Tubman doing the Wakanda Forever! salute from Black Panther?' OneUnited Bank, the largest African-American owned bank in the U.S., introduced a limited edition Harriet Tubman Visa Card on Thursday to honor the Central New York civil rights hero. The debit card features a painting of Tubman with her arms crossed in an "X" in front of her, similar to the salute from the fictional country of Wakanda depicted in Marvels 2018 movie Black Panther. In a press release, OneUnited Bank said Tubman deserves to be on the $20 bill, and hopes the card will help make it happen sooner. We have the power to place Harriet Tubman on a global payment device in celebration of Black History Month, OneUnited Bank President & COO Teri Williams said. This symbol of Black empowerment in 2020 will pave the way for the Harriet Tubman design on the $20 bill. Harriet Tubman and Wakanda Forever quickly became trending topics as Twitter users questioned the use of Tubmans image. Gonna get this just so I can drop it on the table while splitting the bill, and then look everyone in the eye while humming spirituals, one user tweeted. DO YOU THINK HARRIET TUBMAN WAS WALKING AROUND SALUTING WAKANDA WHILE SHE WAS TAKING SLAVES???? TO FREEDOM? another said. Others called it tone deaf and disrespectful. According to a press release, the picture is from the painting The Conqueror by the internationally acclaimed artist Addonis Parker. The bank also said Tubmans arms were crossed to represent love" in sign language. Harriet Tubman is the ultimate symbol of love - love that causes you to sacrifice everything, including your own life. The gesture is the sign language symbol for love. Its so important that we love ourselves, @oneunited wrote. Some took issue with the banks response, questioning whether Tubman ever did the sign for love in her life. Others argued that Tubman risked her life, but didnt sacrifice it; she died in her early 90s in 1913. The famed abolitionist, who lived in Auburn, N.Y., escaped slavery during the 19th century and helped lead dozens of others to freedom through a network of safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. During the Civil War, she served as an armed scout and spy for the U.S. Army. Tubman was announced as the new face of the $20 bill back in 2016, and scheduled to debut in 2020 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. However, President Donald Trumps U.S. Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin, said last year that Tubman wont appear on any U.S. currency until 2028 at the earliest. Ive always said that if there's anything on this Earth that I've always wanted on my debit card it woul be Harriet Tubman throwing up "Wakanda Forever" https://t.co/hVwNi49qPq y'all some bammas (@Deion_Slanders) February 13, 2020 When I pull my Harriet Tubman VISA out my wallet at a racist location pic.twitter.com/14m8NhnPi3 Al-Shabazz (@shabazz_jab) February 13, 2020 even if the image was more...well wasn't this image...but a better rendition of Mrs Tubman, my question: any money going back to organizations or missions that she would have supported? You should not exploit this extraordinary hero's legacy & likeness without giving back. Peace hanamabay1967 (@hanamabay1967) February 13, 2020 it's amazing how differently the idea of harriet tubman on u.s. legal tender feels than putting her face on a debit card. https://t.co/y7Y5wtmsPX bomani (@bomani_jones) February 14, 2020 Im getting this card and all of my future transactions will go down like this: And how will you be paying for this, maam? It depends. Wakanda payment methods do you accept? Slams down Harriet Tubman Wakanda Card. pic.twitter.com/2eLraOvBK4 Dr. Victoria Dooley (@DrDooleyMD) February 14, 2020 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone conversation with President of Russia Vladimir Putin on Friday, the presidents press service has reported. The parties discussed the implementation of the agreements reached during the Normandy Four summit in Paris on December 9, 2019, as well as the preparation for the next meeting of the Normandy Four leaders. Zelensky and Putin paid special attention to the release of Ukrainian citizens held in the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea, as well as in the Russian Federation. The parties agreed on the need to intensify work at the level of the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk in order to implement the agreements reached. ish He's one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Yet even Harrison Ford is prepared to play second fiddle to a dog. The veteran Hollywood star walked the red carpet Thursday night at the Los Angeles premiere for his new movie The Call Of The Wild. Star power: Harrison Ford, 77, walked the red carpet Thursday night at the Los Angeles premiere for his new movie The Call Of The Wild The film is based on Jack London's 1903 novel about a dog called Buck who is stolen from his California home and sold as a working animal in the Yukon during the 1890's Gold Rush. Buck crosses paths with John Thornton, played by Ford, who runs a mail delivery dog sled team, and finds himself embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. The live action/animation movie utilizes cutting edge visual effects and animation technology to bring the animals in the film fully to life. Ford stars as Thornton in the movie along with Karen Gillan, Dan Stevens, Bradley Whitford and Omar Sy. Wild: Ford plays John Thornton, who adds a dog called Buck, stolen from a California home, to his sled team during California's Gold Rush. The movie is based on Jack London's 1903 novel Ageless: Ford looked dapper in a black blazer and indigo jeans Scottish actress Gillan found international fame in The Rock's Jumanji reboot Welcome To The Jungle in 2017. She went on to be cast as Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She walked the red carpet Thursday in a glamorous golden flapper girl-style dress. Gillan paired the sleeveless number with matching shiny gold heels and wore her reddish-brown hair held back from her face with an embellished Alice band. Golden girl: Scottish actress Karen Gillan, 32, stars in the movie opposite Ford and put on a shimmery show as she arrived for the special screening Eye-catching: Gillan walked the red carpet in a glamorous golden flapper girl-style dress. She paired the sleeveless number with matching shiny gold heels and an embellished Alice band The film's director Chris Sanders brought along his wife Jessica Steele-Sanders and his St. Bernard/farm collie rescue dog Buckley who served as the model for the CGI dog Buck in the film. In an Instagram post last November, Sanders explained: 'He was scanned, then animated, which allowed us to avoid putting any animals in danger AND allowed us to make him act/emote on cue.' The pup appeared to take his red carpet moment in his stride as he posed with the couple. Also on hand for the premiere were castmembers Michael Horse, Colin Woodell and Omar Sy with wife Helene. Called the shots: The film's director Chris Sanders brought along his wife Jessica Steele-Sanders and his St. Bernard/farm collie rescue dog Buckley The canine's the star: Buckley served as the model for the CGI dog Buck in the film In the spotlight: Supporting cast Colin Woodell, left, and Michael Horse, right, also attended the event held at the El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard Co-star: French actor Omar Sy, who has a role in the movie, attended the premiere with his wife Helene Karen and Buckley: Karen Gillan poses with the dog Buckley at the Call of the Wild premiere Red carpet style: Karen Gillan pets the dog Buckley on the red carpet When Karen Randall was 11 years old, she worked hard on her family farm, washing and packing vegetables. She could hardly wait to turn 14 because it meant she would graduate to the farm stand, helping to stock goods, interacting with customers and working the cash register. Today, Randall owns Randalls Farm & Greenhouse in Ludlow, and she does the same work and more, carefully nurturing and growing her business, which has evolved into a true staple to the Western Massachusetts community. At Randalls its personal, she adds. Some customers I have now were customers when I was 14. Theyve watched me grow, and Ive watched them grow! Randalls parents, Elsie and Bill, began their family business by delivering eggs all across the region. My parents had chicken houses, and while delivering eggs my dad would bring home different local farm products to sell with our eggs at our little roadside stand, she says. In 1962, Bill Randall built his first farm stand at the age of 30. Today, thats the Elsies Creamery Building, his daughter explains. That was our original farm stand. Randall and her sisters assisted their parents as they yielded many field crops on 40 acres of land, including tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, and they even had a pick-your-own strawberries patch. Randall eventually left for college and graduated with a degree in elementary education, but her roots at the farm ran deep. She continued to work there, and when her father passed away her soul-searching led her to purchase Randalls. It was in 1990 that she hatched her idea to build Randalls bigger and to offer more for their customers and community. In 1997, we built what we have today, she says. Although its 22 years old, I still call it my new store. Randalls mother, Elsie, is still very much involved with Elsies Creamery, and her sisters, Tammy Marquis and Anna Arciszewski, came back to work in 1996 and 1997. We are doing this together, Randall says. We grew up with the same work ethic, and we are four women who get along really well, growing this business together. Randall credits their success thanks to great managers and loyal employees, who all contribute to the growth of Randalls. Our employees share new ideas and help us to keep up with buying trends. When my dad was alive we would talk about getting bigger, Randall recalls. My dad would say, What do you want to get bigger for? You have to work harder. Twenty-two years later, Randall says she still hears her dads voice asking that key question. But when Randall was acquiring a large loan to move forward with her idea, someone told her to believe in herself. I took a leap of faith and my goal with the new store was to have happy customers and happy employees, and thats still the goal. Today, Randalls offers a fresh produce section, a deli, bakery and a very large prepared foods section, which is their most popular among customers. Twenty-two years ago, the thought of having a big kitchen staff and a great chef preparing meals each day wasnt on my radar, Randall adds. Its become the biggest department in the store which is a surprise to us! Randalls has a menu for each day of the week, containing different lunch and dinner entrees, various potato and pasta salads and veggie slaws, along with fresh pies, cookies and their signature cider doughnuts and homemade ice cream. Its very labor intensive because we offer so many different options, she adds. Randalls also has a specialty gluten-free and allergy-free grocery department with fresh and frozen items. Ten or 15 years ago, my sister wanted to start carrying gluten-free foods before gluten-free was mainstream, she says. Everything is taste-tested by us before offering to customers. Although Randalls does not yield their own vegetable crops, they sell produce from their lifetime farmer friends up and down the Pioneer Valley. They also sell micro-brews from regional breweries and have a diverse selection of wines. Their greenhouses produce a variety of annual flowers, vegetable plants and hanging plants. The farm cultivates pumpkins, hay and straw. Randalls offers an annual fall festival and scarecrow contest, with hayrides, a pumpkin patch and corn maze. They also offer wine and beer tastings weekly and host monthly workshops in the greenhouse. Randalls sells Christmas trees and makes specialty gift baskets for all events year-round. I think the most challenging thing is staying competitive in this changing world with Amazon, grocery deliveries and online purchasing, she adds. We try to keep things personal and to not offer self-check out. All of these things take a good balance. Randall says their roots are in farming, and they work hard to stay close to their roots. You dont need flowers, but they sure make your world better, she notes. And, ice cream is sheer happiness! Check out Randalls online at randallsfarm.net or on Facebook, and customers can sign up for the email newsletter that contains coupons, specials and events at Randalls. Four West African populations Yoruba, Esan, Mende, and Gambian derive 2 to 19% of their genetic ancestry from a yet-undiscovered species of archaic hominin that diverged before the split of modern humans and the ancestors of Neanderthals and Denisovans, according to new research from the University of California, Los Angeles. Contemporary people who have ancestors from Europe, Asia, and Oceania carry DNA from two archaic species, Neanderthals and Denisovans, making up 1-4% of their genome. These genetic segments arrived in modern humans through introgression, the process by which members of two populations mate, and the resulting hybrid individuals then breed with members of the parent populations. Recent studies have shown that, though modern West Africans do not have Neanderthal or Denisovan ancestry, there may have been introgression by other ancient hominins in their past. In a new study, University of California, Los Angeles researchers Arun Durvasula and Sriram Sankararaman compared Neanderthal and Denisovan DNA with genomes of 405 individuals from West Africa. The scientists focused on four contemporary West African populations: Yoruba from Ibadan, Esan from Nigeria, Mende from Sierra Leone, and Gambian. They found differences that could be best explained by introgression by an unknown archaic hominin whose ancestors split off from the human family tree before Neanderthals. The data suggest this introgression may have happened relatively recently, or it may have involved multiple populations of archaic human, hinting at complex and long-lived interactions between anatomically modern humans and various populations of archaic hominins. Combining our results across the West African populations, we estimate that the archaic population split from the ancestor of Neanderthals and modern humans 360,000 years to 1.02 million years ago, and subsequently introgressed into the ancestors of present-day Africans 0-124,000 years ago, contributing 2 to 19% of their ancestry, the authors said. Dr. Durvasula and Dr. Sankararaman also examined the frequencies of archaic DNA segments to investigate whether natural selection could have shaped the distribution of archaic genetic variants. We found 33 loci with an archaic segment frequency of over 50% in Yoruba and 37 loci in Mende, they said. Some of these genes are at high frequency across both Yoruba and Yoruba, including NF1 (a tumor suppressor gene), MTFR2 (a gene involved with mitochondrial aerobic respiration in the testis), HSD17B2 (a gene involved with hormone regulation), KCNIP4 (a gene involved with potassium channels), and TRPS1 TRPS1 (a gene associated with trichorhinophalangeal syndrome). Three of these genes have been found in previous scans for positive selection in Yoruba: NF1, KCNIP4, and TRPS1. On the other hand, we do not find elevated frequencies at MUC7, a gene previously found to harbor signatures of archaic introgression. The team calls for more analysis of modern and ancient African genomes to reveal the nature of this complex history. The signals of introgression in the West African populations that we have analyzed raise questions regarding the identity of the archaic hominin and its interactions with the modern human populations in Africa, the researchers said. A detailed understanding of archaic introgression and its role in adapting to diverse environmental conditions will require analysis of genomes from extant and ancient genomes across the geographic range of Africa. The results were published in the journal Science Advances. _____ Arun Durvasula & Sriram Sankararaman. 2020. Recovering signals of ghost archaic introgression in African populations. Science Advances 6 (7): eaax5097; doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aax5097 Norwegian Cruise Line has denied a passenger on board one of their cruise ships docked in Sydney Harbour has been taken for testing over coronavirus fears. The Australian reported it understands a man arriving in Sydney on the Norwegian Jewel was being tested by NSW Health after he fell ill with a respiratory complaint. However in a statement to Yahoo News Australia, a Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson denied any passengers have displayed coronavirus symptoms. We have no guests with any respiratory-related illness on board. The vessel remains in operation, and all guests on board are in good health, a spokesperson said. There are various false, inflammatory media reports regarding the ship. There is absolutely no truth to those stories. The Norwegian Jewel docked in Circular Quay. Source: 7News The spokesperson said several guests had fallen ill with a stomach-related illness and stringent sanitation procedures were taken to mitigate any impact. A thorough inspection and rigorous cleaning and disinfection of the ship was also performed on Friday. The vessel arrived from New Zealand on Friday morning and passengers have since disembarked after initially being kept on board. The cruise ship has a passenger capacity of 2,376. A NSW Health spokesperson said one person had been tested for a respiratory illness as a precaution but there was no indication they had contracted coronavirus. As cruise ships have large number of passengers (often thousands), many of whom are older and have chronic medical conditions, passengers often require medical management while on the cruise or on disembarkation, unrelated to infectious diseases, they said. As part of this effort, passengers on a cruise ship arriving into Sydney this morning were assessed. None had been in China in the previous 14 days and there was no outbreak of any disease on board. There were three routine medical transfers, none related to respiratory illness. One person has been tested for respiratory illness on board with results expected this afternoon. Story continues Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. Dr. Kafeel Khan, the former pediatrician at the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh who was arrested by the UP Special Task Force from Mumbai on January 29 was scheduled to be released from jail. But in the last minute development, the stringent National Security Act (NSA) was slapped on Khan, meaning that his detention in Mathura jail, just got extended. BCCL The NSA allows preventive detention for several months if the authorities believe the person is a threat to national security or law and order. Dr. Khan was arrested from Mumbai by the UP in connection with his anti-CAA speech at the Aligarh Muslim University for allegedly promoting enmity between different religions through the speech he had delivered on December 12. "NSA has been slapped on Dr. Kafeel. He will remain in jail," Aligarh Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Akash Kulhari to PTI. BCCL Kafeel Khan is currently lodged in Mathura jail despite bail granted to him by a court in the case, registered against him at the Civil Lines police station in Aligarh. After his arrest in Mumbai, Kafeel Khan was brought to Aligarh, from where he was immediately shifted to the district jail in neighbouring Mathura. According to the police, this was done as a precautionary measure in view of the anti-CAA protests on the AMU campus and at the Eidgah grounds in the old city. Police had said that Kafeel Khan's presence in the Aligarh jail could have worsened the law and order situation in the city. "The (Mathura) jail was about to release him on Friday at 6 am. My brother Kashif along with the lawyer reached the jail but by 9 am police presence at the jail was increased and we were told verbally by jail authorities that the NSA has been invoked on him," his brother Adil Khan said. Adil also alleged that he was booked under NSA as the government wanted him to "remain quiet". "The government is trying to silence my brother. A few days ago, during a programme on a TV news channel, he had revealed that at BRD Medical College (Gorakhpur), many children are dying daily but the government is hiding the facts and data." AFP Dr. Khan first shot into fame during the death of over 60 children in one week at the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur in August 2017, allegedly due to a short supply of oxygen at the children's ward. Khan was hailed a hero after he arranged oxygen cylinders and saved many lives. However, the Yogi Adityanath government suspended Kjna accusing him of negligence and corruption. AFP About two years later, a state government probe cleared Kafeel Khan of all major charges, prompting him to seek an apology from the Yogi government. President Donald Trump is being accused of seeking another quid pro quo -- this time with New York state. Trump met with Gov. Andrew Cuomo at the White House on Thursday to negotiate an end to the Trump administrations decision to prevent New Yorkers from enrolling in Global Entry and other trusted traveler programs. Hours before the meeting, Trump suggested he wouldnt allow New York residents to have access to faster border crossings and shorter airport lines unless it benefits him personally. [Cuomo] 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 tweeted Thursday. Build relationships, but dont bring Fredo! Politico reports Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.) responded by accusing Trump of expanding his abuse of power to blackmailing U.S. states (threatening millions of people he supposedly works for). In this case, hes holding New York state hostage to try to stop investigations into his prior tax fraud. Trump is publicly admitting that he is holding Global Entry for New Yorkers hostage in exchange for dropping lawsuits against him and his familys lawbreaking behavior. This is corrupt, illegal, and authoritarian, Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) added. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) said Trumps tweet was similar to the quid pro quo that led to his impeachment, when the president withheld millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine to pressure them into investigating his political rival, Joe Biden, and the former vice presidents son, Hunter Biden. Dear @SenateGOP, This is what another quid pro quo by the President of the United States looks like, Nadler wrote on Twitter. Trump said the decision to ban New Yorkers from trusted travelers was due to the states new law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses, while barring federal immigration agents from accessing state DMV records. The Department of Homeland Security said it endangers public safety by making it tougher for immigration and border agents to confirm an ID, check for fugitive warrants or see if a person has a criminal record. Cuomo called it political extortion during an interview with CNN Thursday, accusing Trump of retaliating against New York for lawsuits against the federal government and Trump personally, including efforts to see his tax returns. Trump admitted in 2019 that he misused funds from his charity, the Donald J. Trump Foundation, and paid $2 million as part of a legal settlement. When you stop violating the rights and liberties of all New Yorkers, we will stand down, New York State Attorney General Letitia James wrote on Twitter. 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. Cuomo said he offered giving federal officials access to some DMV records, but only for those who apply to trusted traveler programs. An agreement was not reached Thursday, but the two sides said they would continue talks next week. This is what happens when an administration believes they are above the law, Cuomo told CNN. There are no rules. Its all politics. Its all self-serving. 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 If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here A 28-year-old New Jersey woman admitted she accepted $1,500 to enter into what authorities said was a sham marriage with a Nigerian man hoping to become a U.S. citizen. Ajia Strauss, of Newark, pleaded guilty in federal court in Pittsburgh to conspiracy to defraud the United States, the U.S. Attorneys Office for Western Pennsylvania said in a statement. Strauss and Monsuru Ogunbiyi, 36, got married in New Jersey on June 3, 2016. Ogunbiyi, though, was already living in western Pennsylvania and returned there following the ceremony, authorities said. The next year, Ogunbiyi used Strauss Newark address when he began the process of becoming a citizen, according to court papers. The two also exchanged texts on multiple occasions so they could learn about one another, opened a joint bank account and took staged photos of themselves together ahead of an appearance before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Ogunbiyi previously pleaded guilty and is likely to be deported, according to court papers. Strauss is scheduled to be sentenced in Pittsburgh on June 3. She could face up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines, authorities said. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. 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. Bhupesh Baghel will be the first Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh to have been invited to deliver a keynote address at the Harvard India Conference. A press release from Chhattisgarh's Department of Public Relations said: "It is a matter of pride for a tribal-dominated and agriculture-oriented state like Chhattisgarh." "Although the Chief Minister has been invited to a discussion on the topic 'Caste and Politics in Democratic India', he will share his experiences on recent innovative initiatives in agriculture and allied sectors in Chhattisgarh with policymakers and researchers present there," the press release said. The Chief Minister will also provide information on other issues, including an increase in the purchasing power of people of Chhattisgarh despite the economic recession. The press release said: "The researchers of Harvard University have been impressed by the state's ambitious plan, Narwa, Garwa, Ghurwa and Badi scheme so much that they have also expressed their desire to study and research the scheme in the state." At the same time, the students in the university will research how the optimum use of rainwater is promoted through water management structures which will result in recharging the groundwater table. The press release further said: "It is noteworthy that in December last year, US Council General David Ranz visited Chhattisgarh, during which he had closely monitored the economic schemes of the Chhattisgarh government and had also inspected 'Adarsh Gothan.' Last year in July also, US Ambassador to India Kenneth Ian Juster had visited Chhattisgarh." "Getting invited for a lecture from a prestigious institute like Harvard is a major achievement. The India Conference of Harvard University, one of the best educational institutions in the world, is held annually for dialogue, discussion, etc., on contemporary topics related to India, in which eminent personalities from all over the world participate. The event is one of the world's largest forums for connecting people," the press release said. Harvard University in Boston is counted among the world's highest educational institutions. Many US Presidents, Nobel laureates and famous personalities have studied at Harvard so far. "It is a matter of pride for the country and the state to share the innovation in the field of development in a tribal-dominated state like Chhattisgarh in a university like Harvard," added the press note. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Relatives of the late Kahawa Wendani MCA, Cyrus Omondi, have appealed to the government to conduct thorough investigations into his death. Cyro, as he is popularly called by the youth, reportedly died of a heart attack in his hotel room in India. However, his family appeared to suggest that they dont believe the ward rep succumbed to a heart attack. Omondis younger brother, Stephen Odhiambo, said they dont have a history of heart-related diseases in the family, and, therefore, the claims that Omondi died of a heart attack on Wednesday, February 12, should be investigated. The family also wondered why word got around so quickly that Omondi died from a heart attack, yet a postmortem hadnt been conducted to ascertain the cause of death. Read: SHOCKING: Kahawa Wendani MCA Cyrus Omondi is Dead We have been told that his body is in Mumbai, India. A family representative should fly to India and take part in transporting his remains back to Kenya. A comprehensive postmortem examination should be conducted to establish the exact cause of my brothers death, Stephen Odhiambo told K24. Our appeal to the Government of Kenya is that a thorough probe into his death be conducted. It would be remembered that Cyrus was dedicated to the Jubilee administration, he added. A family friend, Rose Karimi, added: We are yet to receive concrete information on what caused his death. The State should ensure investigations into Omondis death are conducted. Cyrus Omondis kin spoke at the ward reps home in Kahawa Wendani, Ruiru Sub-County. The Late MCAs mother, Millicent Odhiambo, and his widow, Jacqueline Omondi, were too distraught to speak to the media. Students with UC Berkeley's "Bears for Israel" hold a counter-demonstration at a Students for Justice in Palestine rally in the fall of 2018. (JNS)-The student government at the University of California, Berkeley, erupted into chaos on Monday, delaying a vote on a measure to censure a display by a pro-Palestinian student group. The Associated Students of the University of California Senate's University and External Affairs Committee met to debate student Milton Zerman's resolution titled "Condemning Bears for Palestine for Their Display in Eshleman Hall Glorifying Violent Terrorists." In December, the student group Bears for Palestine put on a display in the student union featuring convicted Palestinian terrorists Rasmieh Odeh, Fatima Bernawi and Leila Khaled. "Jewish students were repeatedly harassed, heckled and threatened with physical threats of violence... Jewish students should never feel threatened and should NEVER fear for their safety while on campus," posted Tikvah: Students for Israel, a pro-Israel group on campus, on Facebook. "Despite multiple threats of violence, the ASUC administrator and moderator refused to get involved. One BFP member stepped into a student's face and said 'I'm going to kick your ass,' while another Jewish student was chased out of the room by BFP members," continued the post. "We, as a community, decided that enough was enough and that we were not going to sit idly by as our members were threatened and harassed, so we walked out." "Yesterday wasn't just a harassment of Palestinian students. Every marginalized group on this campus was threatened, and ASUC chose to adjourn the meeting before each of those threats was accounted for," posted Bears for Palestine on Facebook. "Anxiety is running high among all the Palestinian students and allies on campus, but we know yesterday was a win for us." Pro-Israel groups rebuked Bears for Palestine "Bears for Palestine's glorification of terrorists is morally repugnant. Even worse was the display of hatred and anti-Semitism directed at the Jewish students who introduced a resolution to condemn this targeted discrimination," CAMERA's Zac Schildcrout told JNS. "No one on campus would even think of openly supporting terrorists such as Dylan Roof or Brenton Tarrant, the perpetrator of the [2019] Christchurch massacre. Why should it be any different when the victims are Israeli Jews?" Roof was convicted of murdering nine African-Americans in 2015 at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. "We're proud of the Jewish and pro-Israel community at Berkeley for speaking out against hate and standing up for themselves," Carly Gammill, director of the StandWithUs Center for Combating Antisemitism, told JNS. "The anti-Israel extremists, many of whom were community members, should be ashamed for defending the glorification of terrorist murder, attempted murder and hijacking. Incidents like this make clear that the university must do much more to fight anti-Semitism, ensure a safe environment on campus and protect free speech." JNS has not gotten a response from administrators at the university. Mayor London Breed admitted to letting former Public Works chief Mohammed Nuru pay about $5,600 for expenses involving repairs to her car a gift the mayor said she wasnt required to disclose because the two had dated and been friends for decades. Breed disclosed her romantic relationship with Nuru in an explosive online post Friday morning. Mohammed Nuru and I have been close personal friends for more than 20 years. We dated for a brief time, two decades ago, long before I ever ran for office. Nevertheless, he, and his now-adult daughters, have remained close friends for all those years, Breed said in the post. The gift from Nuru may have violated city ethics laws, and it was quickly picked up on by Breeds opponents Friday. Nuru was arrested on fraud charges, alongside San Francisco restaurateur Nick Bovis, on Jan 28. His arrest sparked a crisis in City Hall as public officials scrambled to react to the alleged government corruption scandal, and to understand how deep the self-dealing might go. In recent days, the citys Department of Building Inspection was visited by the FBI in connection with the federal governments ongoing investigation into wrongdoing, along with the office of the longtime and deeply politically connected building permit consultant, Walter Wong. On Tuesday, City Attorney Dennis Herreras office issued subpoenas demanding a litany of financial documents showing how money might have moved between eight companies and nonprofits and government agencies, including Public Works. To be clear: I never asked Mohammed Nuru to do anything improper, and he never asked me to do anything improper, Breed said in her post Friday. I was not aware of the schemes alleged by the FBI until shortly before they became public, and when I was informed, I immediately reported the information to our City Attorney. While Breeds relationship with Nuru may have ended two decades ago, the news drew sharp criticisms from San Francisco public officials and residents who have long complained about a culture of coziness among top officials that rewards personal loyalties and ignores potential wrongdoing. In terms of the car repair, Breed wrote that Nuru, acting as my friend, took her personal car to a private mechanic for repairs last year. When problems with the car persisted, Nuru arranged for a rental car. The total value of both the auto work and the rental car came out to about $5,600, Breed estimated. She said she intended to sell the car and use the money from the sale to reimburse Nuru. But that has not yet occurred. Breed claimed that state government ethics laws didnt require her to disclose the gift because her friendship with Nuru predates their work together as top San Francisco officials. She cited state government ethics laws that exempt officials from having to report gifts from an individual with whom the official has a long term, close personal friendship unrelated to the officials position. She also said she disclosed the gifts Friday to be as transparent as possible: she is not required to report gifts received in 2019 until April 1, 2020. Its unclear how that rationale meshes with San Francisco government-ethics law that forbids officials from accepting gifts from subordinates. San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin said in a statement, I have been asked about details that emerged today regarding possible ethical violations by Mayor Breed. My office will investigate any potential criminal liability, as we take public corruption very seriously. However, the Mayor, like everyone else, is presumed innocent. Supervisor Hillary Ronen called for Breeds resignation Friday, citing city ethics laws. Focusing on their romantic relationship from 20 years ago was ridiculous, Ronen said. The only relationship that matters is that she is the mayor and he was the director of Public Works and thousands of dollars of gifts have passed between them. We cant continue to normalize corruption in San Francisco. And we cant call out Trump for his corruption and ignore whats happening in our own backyard. London Breed broke the law, Ronen said, referring to city ethics laws. She should resign. Back in 2018, on the night the Board of Supervisors voted to remove Breed as interim mayor following the death of Ed Lee, Ronen delivered an impassioned speech arguing that Breed had to be ousted to prevent tech moguls and real estate billionaires from wielding influence on city politics through Breed. Supervisor Matt Haney, another reliable critic of the mayor, said, these revelations are very serious and likely illegal. You arent allowed to accept gifts from your subordinate. Period. This is a deep betrayal of the public trust and likely a violation of the law. Haney said there were a lot of unanswered questions about the donation. The city attorney and likely the district attorney should launch a full investigation into the details and circumstances of this gift specifically. Theres a lot about it that doesnt seem to add up, he said. The attack from Breeds opponents is not unexpected. She said in the Friday post that some will seek to exploit what I have shared here, to harm me politically. I, and others, may be weighed down from guilt by association as a result of this episode. But I cant worry about that now, stressing the need to hold ourselves accountable to the people of San Francisco. In her post Friday, she added she will not apologize for dating someone two decades ago. I will not apologize for remaining close friends with him and his family for 20 more years, Breed said. But neither will I make excuses for any misdeeds. He will have to live with any consequences, and we in government must work to ensure our institutions live up to the highest levels of integrity. 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. Lateefah Simon, president of the BART Board of Directors and a longtime friend of Breed, leapt to the mayors defense. We want our leaders to be forthright and thats what shes doing, Simon said. Black public officials especially women are always judged differently than their counterparts. Shes a black homegirl from San Francisco. Anything shes done in her past, she knows itll be litigated, she said. I dont feel like this mayor in particular would sacrifice the integrity of her service to the city for any staff member or any leader. Bevan Dufty, a BART director and San Franciscos former homelessness czar and a former supervisor, has known Breed for decades. A rift emerged when he threw his support behind former state Sen. Mark Leno in the 2018 mayors race. Still, he said, It was heartbreaking to read her post. But I thought there was beauty in her honesty and I hope she can move on and rise above this as the investigation proceeds, Dufty said. Im kind of shook-up. I had a good working relationship with Mohammed, too, and I really respected him. I was crestfallen to see someone trade their name for so little. Rumors of a romantic relationship between Breed and Nuru whipped around City Hall in the days following Nurus arrest. The news of the relationship comes days after Nuru resigned his post as director of San Francisco Public Works. Nurus and Bovis alleged schemes are detailed in the Justice Departments 75-page criminal complaint that lays out information gathered from undercover officers, wiretaps and confidential sources. Nuru and Bovis, the owner of the now-closed Lefty ODouls restaurants, are accused of concocting several plans, some of which were allegedly intended to steer city contracts to Bovis. Nuru has also been accused of accepting gifts from a billionaire Chinese developer in exchange for help with a real estate deal, lying to the FBI, and receiving free and discounted building materials that he did not disclose. The fallout from the arrests continues. In addition to the FBI investigation, the city attorney and controllers offices are engaged in far-reaching internal probes. Supervisor Haney has said he plans to propose a ballot measure to cleave Public Works in two, forming an entirely new city agency: the Department of Street Cleaning and Sanitation, which would focus on street and sidewalk cleaning, waste management, illegal dumping and maintaining public toilets. Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa People walk past Google privacy and security settings signage displayed inside Union Station in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019. Spending by Alphabet Inc.'s Google on lobbying dropped almost 50% to $2.8 million from $5.5 million during the same period last year as it reshuffles its Washington lobbying operations under Karan Bhatia, the global policy chief who joined the company last year. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg Europe's data protection laws are some of the strictest in the world, and have long been a thorn in the side of the data-guzzling Silicon Valley tech giants since they colonized vast swathes of the internet. Two decades later, one Democratic senator wants to bring many of those concepts to the United States. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has published a bill which, if passed, would create a U.S. federal data protection agency designed to protect the privacy of Americans and with the authority to enforce data practices across the country. The bill, which Gillibrand calls the Data Protection Act, will address a "growing data privacy crisis" in the U.S., the senator said. The U.S. is one of only a few countries without a data protection law (along with Venezuela, Libya, Sudan and Syria). Gillibrand said the U.S. is "vastly behind" other countries on data protection. Gillibrand said a new data protection agency would "create and meaningfully enforce" data protection and privacy rights federally. "The data privacy space remains a complete and total Wild West, and that is a huge problem," the senator said. The bill comes at a time when tech companies are facing increased attention by state and federal regulators over data and privacy practices. Last year, Facebook settled a $5 billion privacy case with the Federal Trade Commission, which critics decried for failing to bring civil charges or levy any meaningful consequences. Months later, Google settled a child privacy case that cost it $170 million about a day's worth of the search giant's revenue. Gillibrand pointedly called out Google and Facebook for "making a whole lot of money" from its empires of data, she wrote in a Medium post. Americans "deserve to be in control of your own data," she wrote. At its heart, the bill would if signed into law allow the newly created agency to hear and adjudicate complaints from consumers and declare certain privacy invading tactics as unfair and deceptive. As the government's "referee," the agency would let it take point on federal data protection and privacy matters, such as launching investigations against companies accused of wrongdoing. Gillibrand's bill specifically takes issue with "take-it-or-leave-it" provisions, notably websites that compel a user to "agree" to allowing cookies with no way to opt-out. (TechCrunch's parent company Verizon Media enforces a "consent required" policy for European users under GDPR, though most Americans never see the prompt.) Story continues Through its enforcement arm, the would-be federal agency would also have the power to bring civil action against companies and fine companies of egregious breaches of the law up to $1 million a day, subject to a court's approval. The bill would transfer some authorities from the Federal Trade Commission to the new data protection agency. Gillibrand's bill lands just a month after California's consumer privacy law took effect, more than a year after it was signed into law. The law extended much of Europe's revised privacy laws, known as GDPR, to the state. But Gillibrand's bill would not affect state laws like California's, her office confirmed in an email. Privacy groups and experts have already offered positive reviews. Caitriona Fitzgerald, policy director at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, said the bill is a "bold, ambitious proposal." Other groups, including Color of Change and Consumer Action, praised the effort to establish a federal data protection watchdog. Michelle Richardson, director of the Privacy and Data Project at the Center for Democracy and Technology, reviewed a summary of the bill. "The summary seems to leave a lot of discretion to executive branch regulators," said Richardson. "Many of these policy decisions should be made by Congress and written clearly into statute." She warned it could take years to know if the new regime has any meaningful impact on corporate behaviors. Gillibrand is the only sponsor on the bill. But given the appetite of some lawmakers on both sides of the aisles to crash the Silicon Valley data party, it's likely to pick up bipartisan support in no time. Whether it makes it to the president's desk without a fight from the tech giants remains to be seen. During a phone interview, one can see playwright Mark Crawford maintains a 416 area code on his cellphone. But he is quick to point out he lives in Stratford, Ont., after moving from Toronto with his partner a few years ago. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. During a phone interview, one can see playwright Mark Crawford maintains a 416 area code on his cellphone. But he is quick to point out he lives in Stratford, Ont., after moving from Toronto with his partner a few years ago. Smaller towns are a comfort zone for the actor-playwright, who was raised in the southwestern Ontario farming community of Glencoe. Rural communities tend to be where his plays are set, including The Birds and the Bees (which played at Prairie Theatre Exchange in its 2016-17 season), and his 2015 comedy Bed and Breakfast, about a gay couple who leave the big city to open a small-town B&B. Playwright Mark Crawford Crawford returns to the small town as the location for his comedy The New Canadian Curling Club at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, which sees a closed-minded guy named Stuart MacPhail (Doug McKeag) suddenly recruited to lend his expertise in the mysterious sport of curling to a quartet of new Canadians. "The phrase that got thrown around a few years ago was the old stock Canadians, and he is very much an old-stock Canadian," explains Crawford. "Hes seventh-generation Scottish and very proud of that fact and hes got some very old-school, entrenched ideas." The other element of the play the team was an even more important component. "I was interested in writing a play about people who come together for a common goal just as a big narrative structure disparate people who come together and form an allegiance. I love that kind of story." The Syrian refugee crisis jump-started the process, he says, referring to the brutal civil war that began in 2011 and that has seen 6.2 million Syrians displaced out of their home country. "We were trying to figure out how to welcome these people into our country and I was very interested in that," he says. "I was especially interested in refugees who were going to rural communities and ending up in small towns, as opposed to big cities, and seeing how they were welcomed, but also some of the challenges that they face." For Crawford, the biggest challenge may have been reintroducing himself to the sport of curling, for which, he admits, he has little proclivity. Leif Norman photo From left: Doug McKeag as Stuart MacPhail and Omar Alex Khan as Anoopjeet Singh "Im not a very good curler, Ill tell you that," he says, adding that growing up on the farm, there would occasionally be curling at birthday parties or a kids gathering. So I did go curling a handful of times as a kid and in high school a little bit, but I hadnt done it for many years," he says. "Writing this play, I thought I should at least fact-check some of my stuff and make sure I knew what the lingo was." Luckily, his brother, who lives in Orangeville, Ont., curls twice a week, so Crawford was able to pick up some pointers from him. "And then I went out with a church group and it was pretty wild," he says. "I was already a few drafts into the play and I had connected with this curling club and asked for the good night to come, and they said, Why dont you come to the Friday night because we actually have a Syrian refugee family? It was like a church league and the church sponsored the Syrian refugee family and the dad had taken up curling that year. "So I curled on the team opposite him and it was like life-imitating-art-imitating-life moment," he says. "It was great to chat with him and his wife about their experience and just ask him some questions like: Hey is this correct? This is what my research tells me. Can you confirm?" Leif Norman photo Sophie Smith-Dostmohamed, left, as Fatima Al-Sayed and Lorraine James as Charmaine Bailey. "So that was really a great moment." He hopes the result is unique on the Canadian stage. "I felt like maybe that wasnt a play that we see a lot," he says. "There have been a certain number of plays about the immigrant experience or new Canadians in an urban centre. "I thought this would be an opportunity to write a play about new Canadians living in the rest of the country," he says. "And then the curling thing was just another piece of the puzzle." randall.king@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @FreepKing If you value coverage of Manitobas arts scene, help us do more. Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism. BECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER Click here to learn more about the project. A driver accused of leading police on two wild chases in a stolen car is facing a number of charges, including eluding, the Somerset County Prosecutors office announced. Nigel Hill, 22, of Bound Brook, was charged on Thursday following the chases, officials said. He remains at large. The first one took place on Feb. 4 in Bridgewater, when police were called to Washington Ave. on the report of a suspicious person, police said. After recognizing Hill as a suspect in a number of burglaries in the township and flagging the car as stolen, police tried to pull Hill over, officials said. Hill fled, and the search was suspended for safety reasons, officials said. The next day, Franklin Township police saw the stolen car parked on the side of the road, officials said. Hill got in the car and drove off; police again tried to pull him over, but Hill lead them on a second chase, officials said. The second chase was called off when it ended up on Route 27. The stolen car was found on Feb. 6 in New Brunswick, but Hill has not yet been arrested. Police are asking for the publics help in locating him, and ask that anyone who sees Hill not approach him. Anyone with information is asked to call Bridgewater Township Police Department at 908-722-4111, the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533, or the Somerset County Prosecutors Office at 908-231-7100. 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. OTTAWAPrime Minister Justin Trudeau rejected Conservative calls Friday to order the national police force to break up rail blockades that have paralyzed passenger and freight service in Canada, hoping instead that weekend efforts at dialogue will peacefully resolve the escalating crisis. One key effort at that dialogue will unfold Saturday morning when federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller is scheduled to meet with Mohawk leaders of Tyendinaga nation in a bid to end protests at CN rail tracks near Belleville. Speaking in Germany where he attended a global security conference, Trudeau flatly dismissed demands by Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer that the federal government direct the RCMP to act. We are not the kind of country where politicians get to tell the police what to do in operational matters, Trudeau said. Instead, Trudeau set his eye squarely on letting sensitive talks between Indigenous leaders and key federal and provincial ministers play out in the days ahead. Yet Scheer urged a more forceful response to the protests, particularly those in central Canada that prompted CN and Via Rail to halt service, saying activists have no legal right to hold the economy hostage. The Conservative leader insisted the federal minister of public safety has the power to instruct the RCMP to enforce injunctions by the pipeline construction company in B.C. and the rail companies which won injunctions to halt the blockade near Belleville. And Scheer slammed protesters who sympathize with the B.C. Wetsuweten, where the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline construction project has stalled, saying they should check their privilege and halt their blockades. Scheer expressed the frustration of many in the business community as a series of weeklong protests in support of Wetsuweten chiefs in British Columbia escalated sharply Thursday when CN announced that it was suspending all freight service on its eastern network because of rail blockades. That in turn prompted Via Rail to scrap service on its entire network. Dennis Darby, president and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, warned of factory slowdowns and possible layoffs if the rail shutdown stretched many more days. The Teamsters union has warned it could affect 6,000 of their members. Darby urged the Liberal government to take in account not just their reconciliation agenda but the overall economic impact that even a short rail shutdown will exact. I think they need to step up and solve it because I dont think just hoping that it will end is good enough, Darby said in an interview Friday. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, however, stopped short of demanding Trudeau act. When asked at a press conference if Justin Trudeau should get involved or not, Kenney replied: Thats for the prime minister to decide. But Kenney said the situation is not just a regional issue and urged leaders from all levels of government to get involved if the situation gets worse with the potential for the entire CN network getting gummed up. This has become a national economic crisis, Kenney said. Kenney said if shipping crude oil by rail is affected, for example, that could take 400,000 barrels of oil out of commission costing the economy billions. But the very serious threat extends past Albertas borders too, said Kenney, and impacts farmers in Saskatchewan and manufacturing businesses in Ontario. I think Canadians are losing patience with this, he said. I know Indigenous people are. Brad Morse, dean and professor of law at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, B.C., said in a telephone interview from New Zealand, said Scheers proposition fundamentally misunderstands the constitutional structure of Canada. But Morse expressed concern that the crisis risks eroding support from Canadians for Trudeaus Indigenous reconciliation project. The sympathy strikes in other parts of the country; they can generate a backlash which would clearly be unfortunate. Trudeau set his eye squarely on talks that were being scheduled between Indigenous leaders and federal and provincial cabinet ministers. In addition to Millers meeting, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett was to join B.C.s Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser to meet with Wetsuweten and Gitxsan hereditary chiefs. However late Friday no time had been established. Although Trudeau has been travelling in Africa for the past nine days, he insisted he, his senior officials and ministers have been closely engaged with the province of B.C. since anti-pipeline protests began affecting freight and passenger rail traffic across Canada nine days ago. And he cautioned Canadians that the governments response had to be measured, saying the path forward is fraught with challenges and obstacles to overcome. You need to know we have failed our Indigenous peoples over generations, over centuries. And there is no quick fix to it, Trudeau said, adding that all parties must move toward reconciliation. We also are, obviously, a country of laws. And making sure that those laws are enforced, even as there is, of course, freedom to demonstrate and to protest, he said. Getting that balance right and wrapping it up in the path forward is really important. The Ontario Provincial Police also pushed back at critics, defending its use of police discretion as a tool to de-escalate the tensions. The proper exercise of police discretion should not be confused with a lack of enforcement. The OPP calls on those involved to abide by the court injunction and to not put public peace or anyones safety in jeopardy, said OPP spokesman Bill Dickson. The OPP respects the right of everyone to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, but we also recognize the rights of the general public, local residents and businesses to a safe environment. He added that the police will continue to follow its policy for dealing with Indigenous critical incidents which provides guidance for a measured and sensitive response. Once again our goal is to seek a safe and peaceful resolution to this situation. CN spokesman Jonathan Abecassis said the company continues to work closely with the OPP on the enforcement action, but he declined say whether the company is impatient for the police to act. Nor would he put a figure on the economic cost to the halted rail and passenger shipments. The shutdown has also caused problems in Halifax. Though its too early to determine the financial impact, the absence of the CN trains has the potential to cause logistical nightmares, said Lane Farguson, manager of media relations and communications for the Port of Halifax on Friday. About 60 per cent of the cargo coming into the terminals is going to inland Canada and the mid-west States. That cargo usually never sees a truck. It goes straight from ship to rail to its markets, said Farguson. If you cant put it on the rail, you have to store it on the dock. And the longer this goes on, the more challenging that issue will be. The RCMP in B.C. is acting under contract to the provincial NDP government of Premier John Horgan, who has also turned aside demands that he order the police in, saying that is not done in a democratic state where police are independent of government. Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau acknowledged Friday he is deeply concerned about the mounting economic toll but stuck to the government line that dialogue holds the best hope of a lasting resolution. He criticized Scheers response, saying it is a complex situation and I think that does not indicate an understanding of the situation. Garneau held up the removal of a blockade in New Hazelton, B.C. as evidence that dialogue works. That blockade of a CN rail line was removed after provincial and federal officials agreed to meet with local Indigenous leaders. A blockade that had cropped up in Manitoba was lifted Thursday, but Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says his government will seek injunctions against any more that might be erected in the province. In British Columbia, protesters had blocked the B.C. legislature earlier in the week and threatened more demonstrations at government buildings in Victoria Friday. Late Thursday a B.C. Supreme Court judge granted an injunction against further blockades at the legislature. With files from Kieran Leavitt, Steve McKinley and The Canadian Press Read more about: Colorectal Cancer Screening Market 2020 Global Industry Analysis To 2026 report will help you out to determine how the market will evolve, to make confident decisions to capture new opportunities. Colorectal Cancer Screening Market Report also explains supply and demand situation, Competitive scenario, and Market Size, Share, Trends and Competitive landscape. The report covers the growth prospects over the coming decades & discussion of the key vendors. Colorectal Cancer Screening Market Size, Share and Global Trend By Test Type (Stool-based tests, Colonoscopy, CT Colonography, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, Others), By End User (Hospitals, Specialty Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centres, Diagnostic Centers, Others) and Geography Forecast till 2026. Request Sample Copy of the Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/Colorectal Cancer Screening-market-101807 Scope of Report: Global Colorectal Cancer Screening Market to Witness Notable Growth Backed by Rising Demand for Advanced Detection Techniques, says Fortune Business Insights. Colorectal Cancer Screening Market 2020 global industry research report is a professional and in-depth study on the Colorectal Cancer Screening market trends, share, size, growth, as well as industry analysis. The stool-based test segment is expected to acquire a significant percentage of global colorectal cancer screening market share during the forecast period. This is because patients prefer it more due to its cost-effective nature and hassle-free procedure. It is hence, used the most as a primary screening test. Global Colorectal Cancer Screening Market growth provides information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, price, cost, capacity, production, revenue and contact information. The report offers dynamic insights into the prevailing trends of the Colorectal Cancer Screening market. It shares an all-inclusive study of all the segments and provides comprehensive data on all the aspects, with regional analysis. The report further focuses on growth driver and opportunities, including strategic collaborations, innovative product launches, agreements, joint ventures, and major key players based on region. It offers significant insights to manufacturers, readers, stakeholders, suppliers, service providers, and distributors for evaluating the colorectal cancer screening market. Colorectal Cancer Screening market development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. It is projected to give a compressive illustration of the market size. Global Colorectal Cancer Screening Market analyzes on key Colorectal Cancer Screening manufacturers and studies the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans for the next few years. Factual figures have been evaluated through trusted sources. Other forecast valued have been gathered through interviews and opinions of experienced market research professionals. Top listed manufacturers for global Colorectal Cancer Screening Market are: Exact Sciences Corp. Eiken Chemical Alere Inc Hemosure Epigenomics AG Clinical Genomics Novigenix SA Beckman Coulter Quidel Corporation Sysmex Corporation Abbott Regional Analysis: Geographically, this report is segmented into several key regions, with sales, revenue, market share and growth Rate of Propionyl Chloride in these regions, from 2020 to 2026, covering North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Turkey etc.) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam) South America (Brazil etc.) Middle East and Africa (Egypt and GCC Countries) Out of these, North America is anticipated to lead the global colorectal cancer screening market in the forthcoming years. The growth is attributed to a rise in the demand for molecular diagnosis techniques as well as the growing guidelines put forth by the government for diagnosis. The American Cancer Society declared that approximately 44,180 new cases of rectal cancer and 101,420 cases of colon cancer are projected to be diagnosed in the U.S. in the year 2019. It will, in turn, impact the global colorectal cancer screening market growth positively in the coming years. The colorectal cancer screening market in Asia Pacific, on the other hand, is expected to exhibit an astonishingly high CAGR during the forecast period owing to the investment of huge sums in research and development activities by key market players, growing patient pool of colorectal cancer, and increasing awareness programs regarding this disease. Browse complete report at: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/colorectal-cancer-screening-market-101144 Key questions answered in the report: What will the market growth rate of Colorectal Cancer Screening market in 2026? What are the key factors driving the global Colorectal Cancer Screening market? Who are the key manufacturers in Colorectal Cancer Screening market space? What are the market opportunities, market risk and market overview of the Colorectal Cancer Screening market? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis of top manufacturers of Colorectal Cancer Screening market? Who are the distributors, traders and dealers of Colorectal Cancer Screening market? What are the Colorectal Cancer Screening market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global Colorectal Cancer Screening industry? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by types and applications of Colorectal Cancer Screening market? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by regions of Colorectal Cancer Screening industry? Market Growth Factors: According to the report, increasing incidence of colorectal cancer has led to a rise in the demand for efficient diagnostic techniques. Combined with this, the advent of cytogenetics, in-vitro diagnosis, and molecular diagnosis have further augmented the process of the colorectal cancer detection process. Several private and government organizations are conducting awareness campaigns to inform the populaces regarding colonoscopies and early detection of colorectal cancer. All these factors are expected to escalate the global colorectal cancer screening market sales during the forthcoming years. Olympus Corporation, a manufacturer of optics and reprography products, headquartered in Japan, announced that it is supporting the promotion of National Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Awareness in March 2019. The company is doing so by sponsoring the Colon Cancer Coalitions Get Your Rear in Gear 5K run/walk, the Colorectal Cancer Alliances Big Colon Tour, and by educating the patients via colonoscopytoday.com. Metabolomic Technologies Inc., a developer of innovative metabolomics-based diagnostics, announced in October 2018 that it launched a project worth $1.4 million. It was undertaken to evaluate a modern colorectal cancer screening strategy by utilizing its only urine test called PolypDx. The project will engage patients, expert physicians, laboratory specialists, and clinicians in analyzing colorectal cancer screening in approximately 3000 patients in and around Alberta, Canada. Global Colorectal Cancer Screening Market report 2020-2026 offers overall business strategies and market trends to those who are actively seeking an effective way to grow in the industry. Market Report covers the present circumstances and the growth scenarios of the trade for the 2020-2026 period. Colorectal Cancer Screening Market Report helps in computing the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sales internationally. Research objectives: To understand the structure of Colorectal Cancer Screening market by identifying its various sub segments. Focuses on the key global Colorectal Cancer Screening manufacturers, to define, describe and analyse the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years. To analyze the Colorectal Cancer Screening with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market. To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks). To project the consumption of Colorectal Cancer Screening submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries). To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies. In the end, Colorectal Cancer Screening Market report provides details of competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market for forecasting, regional demand and supply factor, investment, market dynamics including technical scenario, consumer behaviour, and end use industry trends and dynamics, capacity, spending were taken into consideration. Major Table of Content: Global Colorectal Cancer Screening Market 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 4.1. Prevalence of Major Cardiovascular Diseases by Key Countries 4.2. Overview of Novel Oral Colorectal Cancer Screening (NOACs) 4.3. Pipeline Analysis 4.4. Key Industry Developments Such as Mergers & Acquisitions 4.5. New Product Launches 4.6. Regulatory Scenario in Key Countries 4.7. Reimbursement Scenario by Key Countries Global Colorectal Cancer Screening Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026 5.1. Key Findings / Summary Continued List of Tables: Table 1: Global Colorectal Cancer Screening Market Revenue (US$ Mn) Forecast, By Country 20152026 Table 2: North America Colorectal Cancer Screening Market Revenue (US$ Mn) Forecast, By Country 2015-2026 Table 3: Europe Market Revenue (US$ Mn) Forecast, By Country, 2015-2026 Table 4: South America Colorectal Cancer Screening Market Revenue (US$ Mn) Forecast, , 2015-2026 Table 5: Middle East and Africa Colorectal Cancer Screening Market Revenue (US$ Mn) Forecast, By Country, 2015-2026 Table 6: Asia-Pacific Colorectal Cancer Screening Market Revenue (US$ Mn) Forecast, By Country, 2015-2026 Continued Related Report: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Market 2020 Population Health Management Market Size Cardiac Biomarkers Market 2020 Global Companion Animal Healthcare Market About us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Our reports contain a unique mix of tangible insights and qualitative analysis to help companies achieve sustainable growth. Our team of experienced analysts and consultants use industry-leading research tools and techniques to compile comprehensive market studies, interspersed with relevant data. Contact Us: US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com A woman has died and a one-year-old child has been rushed to hospital after a two-vehicle crash in central Queensland on Friday. Forensic crash unit officers are investigating the fatal crash at Hay Point, about 40 kilometres south of Mackay. Police said a car was travelling on Hay Point Road just before midday, when it crashed with a small truck travelling in the opposite direction. The driver of the car, a 40-year-old local woman, died at the scene while a one-year-old child, who was a passenger in the car, was taken to the Mackay Base Hospital with serious head injuries. The driver of the Isuzu light truck, a local man in his 50s, was also transported to the Mackay Base Hospital with serious injuries. DONGGUAN, China, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Worries about the Chinese economy occur as many provinces of the country have postponed business operations of some companies, shops and factories in an effort to curb the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). However, Dongguan, the south China manufacturing city, has been taking actions to help local companies address difficulties and impacts brought by the epidemic. The Information Office of the Guangdong Provincial Government held the press conference recently, on which the work resumption situation of Dongguan was introduced. By the night of Feb. 10, Dongguan has seen the orderly and off-peak work resumption of 4,491 local enterprises, with 79.54% of them belonging to the manufacturing industry. "The epidemic poses no threat to Dongguan's future overall development," said Liu Jintang, deputy director of Bureau of Industry and Information Technology of Dongguan. The city's industry has 7.4% average annual growth rate, occupying 13.3% of the added value of industrial companies above the designated scale of Guangdong province, with the added value of advanced manufacturing and hi-tech manufacturing industries accounting for 54.2% and 42.2% respectively. "Data prove the resilience and anti-risk ability of Dongguan's economy." added Liu. The epidemic will have adverse impact on Dongguan's industrial growth to some extent in the first half of this year, especially in the first quarter. But in the long run, its positive economic fundamentals and high quality development remain unchanged, as Liu estimated. To cope with the negative influences of the epidemic, Dongguan announces positive policies. On Feb. 7, 15 policies were introduced to support local enterprises, including 55 preferential measures like rental-exemption or rental-free, tax reduction, loan transfer and renewal, talents introduction. The move aims to promote the resumption of small and medium-sized companies and reduces the bad influences of epidemic to businesses to the minimum level. It is estimated the measures will help relieve the burden of companies with a total value of 2.5 billion yuan. Specifically, the measure of providing subsidies to stabilize employment formulated by the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau of Dongguan will help relieve the burden of companies with a total value of 168 million yuan. More than 190 thousand companies and 1.21 million employees will benefit from it. Companies face such unexpected challenges brought by epidemic control and work resumption delay as labour insufficiency, bearing negative impacts on the normal operation and production of manufacturing companies in Dongguan. To help enterprises recruit suitable employees as soon as possible, Dongguan has launched an online job fair, releasing a total of 83,000 job demand information from 1,153 enterprises. A special post column for job demand on epidemic prevention and control necessities has been set up, which can improve recruitment efficiency. Song Qinggang, an entrepreneur in local advertising industry, said the policies Dongguan released to support enterprises are very useful, like tax reduction and rental reduction, reducing the burden for operation and giving great support and encouragement to manufacturing enterprises. In addition, Dongguan has also promoted a number of measures just in time to support the local manufacturing industry, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. On Feb. 6, Dongguan released the upgraded action plan to support local enterprises, introducing ten measures from the two aspects of increasing capital and expanding production, and optimizing development environment, to facilitate the city's industrial transformation and upgrading. Meanwhile, Dongguan further strengthens its service capacity for small and medium-sized enterprises. The local government comprehensively integrates data related to enterprises, coordinating resources elements of land, technology, capital, talent and other aspects, and further optimizes relevant functions of the information platform called "Qi Guan Jia". Offline and online measures are combined to improve service quality. Moreover, the working mechanism of enterprise service specialist has been specially set up to make the service more professional. Local government and enterprises are optimistic about whether businesses will be affected after the outbreak. "Once the outbreak is under control, the consumption and investment delayed earlier will be released, and the industrial economy of Dongguan will show compensatory growth," said Liu. The temporary suppression of market demand might lead to a rebound in orders across industries. SOURCE Bureau of Industry and Information Technology of Dongguan Mobile Radiography Systems Market Highlights The global mobile radiography systems market is expected to grow at an approximate CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period, 20182023. Mobile radiography systems are the advanced paradigms of medical imaging, enabling the critical patients and healthcare givers an ability to address the emergency setting at ease while maintaining the diagnostic accuracy. Factors such as increasing emergency and critical hospital admission, increasing global burden of diseases, a rising number of radiologic technologists, the growing number of medical imaging procedures, and increasing healthcare expenditure are some of the major drivers for the global mobile radiography systems market. According to an article published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2017, there were ~12.3 million emergency hospital admissions within the US in 2015. Such high cases of emergency admissions are followed by an immediate need for medical attention (diagnosis and medication). However, stringent FDA approvals and the high cost of the diagnostics procedures followed by the associated risks restraints the market growth. Get Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/7570 Mobile Radiography Systems Market Segmentation The global mobile radiography systems market is segmented on the basis of system, power source, imaging type, application, end user, and region. Based on system, the market is segmented into general radiography system, computed radiography (CT) system, fluoroscopy system, magnetic resonance imaging system, others. The power source segment is sub-segmented into In-line mobile radiography systems and battery-powered mobile radiography systems. On the basis of imaging type, the global mobile radiography systems market is segmented into film type and digital. Based on application, the market is sub-segmented into imaging and image-guided procedures & biopsies. The imaging segment is further divided into orthopedic imaging, chest imaging, dental imaging, and others. By end user, the market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, academic & medical research institutes, and diagnostic centers. Mobile Radiography Systems Market Regional Analysis The Americas dominates the global market for mobile radiography systems. Factors such as suitable reimbursement policies, the presence of major players, and high healthcare expenditure within the Americas provides the suitable driving force for the market. Following similar trends, Europe stood second in the global mobile radiography systems market. On a regional basis, the European market is segmented into Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Western Europe is estimated to lead the market due to the presence of developed economies, increasing radiologists workforce, and rising government funding for healthcare. Asia-Pacific was the fastest growing region for the global mobile radiography systems market in 2017. This can be attributed due to the rapidly growing medical diagnostic sector, increasing awareness and rising prevalence of diseases. On the other hand, the Middle East and Africa holds the least share in the global mobile radiography systems market. This can be attributed to the presence of stringent government policies and poor economies within the African region. A majority of this region is held by the Middle Eastern region owing to the developed healthcare sector, high healthcare expenditure and presence of developed economies like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and others within the region. Mobile Radiography Systems Market Studied by Top Key Players Some of the key players in the global mobile radiography systems market are AGFA Healthcare, BMI Biomedical International, CAT Medical, DMS Imaging, GE Healthcare, Idetec Medical Imaging, Innomed Medical Developing and Manufacturing, Konica Minolta, Philips Healthcare, Shimadzu, Siemens AG, and others. Browse Complete Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/mobile-radiography-systems-market-7570 Two more cruise ships have had their journeys disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak after they were turned away by Vietnam over infection fears. The AIDAvita and Norwegian Jade were sailing for the Thai port of Laem Chabang today after they were denied permission to dock in Vietnam. The crew of the Jade reassured passengers that there were no cases of the virus on board, while Germany's AIDA Cruises has yet to comment. The AIDAvita has docked in the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore which have all reported cases of the virus, Vietnamese media said. Cruise ship AIDAvita (file photo) was one of two liners turned away by Vietnam over fears of the deadly coronavirus The crew of the Norwegian Jade (pictured in the UK on a past voyage) reassured passengers that there were no cases of the virus on board Health authorities have had a suspicious eye on cruise ships since the Diamond Princess was quarantined in Japan and proved to have hundreds of cases on board. 'Not allowing AIDAvita's passengers to disembark is just a temporary solution to prevent the intrusion of diseases,' a local official told the Vietnam News Agency. The liner left the Philippine port of Coron on February 10 bound for Vietnam and had been due to visit Ha Long Bay in Vietnam tomorrow. It was then due to proceed to the Vietnamese ports of Da Nang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City over the next six days, according to the website CruiseMapper. AIDA Cruises, the owner of the AIDAvita, has not responded to requests for comment. The German operator belongs to the same family as Princess Cruises which is running the ill-fated Diamond Princess cruise. As of Friday evening, the AIDAvita was just over 100 miles south of the Thai capital Bangkok, according to tracking data. It will dock at Laem Chabang tonight where health officials will board it tomorrow to examine passengers before allowing them to disembark, a Thai marine department spokesman said. Meanwhile, the Norwegian Jade was also denied permission to dock in Vietnam because of 'growing concerns' over the virus, the Norwegian Cruise Line said. The ship had no cases of the virus, its captain Frank Juliussen said in a letter to passengers. The AIDAvita and Norwegian Jade were sailing for the Thai port of Laem Chabang (pictured) today after they were denied permission to dock in Vietnam The crisis on the Diamond Princess (pictured in Yokohama yesterday) deepened on Thursday after another 44 cases were confirmed on board 'There is no illness onboard the ship and no guests or crew members on the ship who hold Chinese, Macau or Hong Kong passports or have visited or transited through any of these areas,' he said. 'Still, the port has proven to be unreasonable during this process and late last night informed us that despite previously approving our calls and despite the actions we've taken to accommodate their new protocols, that they are denying our upcoming calls,' he said. It was not clear which port he was referring to and Vietnamese port authorities have declined to comment. By Friday evening, the Norwegian Jade was also heading for Laem Chabang, but Thai authorities have yet to say whether it will dock. Passengers on another ship, the Westerdam, finally began disembarking in Cambodia today after five countries denied them entry. Officials in Cambodia said no cases of the virus had been found on board despite the fears of Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines and the US territory of Guam. In Yokohama, thousands of people on the Diamond Princess face five more days in quarantine with the number of confirmed virus cases now at 218. Some passengers began leaving the ship today after the Japanese government said certain elderly people who tested negative could finish their quarantine on the mainland. Vietnam tightened its quarantine measures yesterday after a series of villages were placed under lockdown when six cases of the virus were confirmed there. ANN ARBOR, MI A mans appeal of his conviction and consecutive prison sentences for threatening to kill his ex-wife while they were in a child support dispute has been denied. The Michigan Court of Appeals reaffirmed the conviction and sentence of Kevin Lyn Beverly, 47, who was accused of threatening his former wife, Nicole Beverly, in 2012, and instructing her on what to say at a child support proceeding. While incarcerated with the Michigan Department of Corrections, prosecutors said Beverly contacted his ex-wife at her Wayne County workplace and threatened to kill her and their two children for filing a police report regarding his abuse. In a 10-day period in October 2012, Beverly called his ex-wife between 30 ad 100 times a day and sent multiple text messages to her saying if she did not drop the case against him, he would make them suffer, court records show. Convict gets 13 to 35 years prison for threatening ex-wife from prison He later threatened her again during a sentencing hearing in spring 2013 for aggravated stalking, records show. In 2017, the Michigan Attorney Generals Office charged Beverly with multiple witness intimidation and extortion charges spanning Washtenaw, Jackson and Wayne counties, records show. While he pleaded guilty to witness intimidation and making threats in the Wayne and Jackson county cases, he took the Washtenaw County case to trial where jurors found him guilty in April 2018, records show. He was ordered to serve consecutive sentences of five to 15 years in prison for witness intimidation, and eight to 20 years in prison for extortion. Beverly called his convictions for witness intimidation and extortion unconstitutional as they violated double-jeopardy protections, according to his appeal. The high court disagreed and dismissed the claim, arguing each offense contain elements the other offense does not, the court wrote. Additionally, the appellate court dismissed Beverlys claim that the trial court abused its discretion in sentencing him consecutively and not concurrently. The trial court may impose a consecutive sentence when the convictions arise from the same transaction, the appellate court wrote in its decision. The court also noted that Beverlys actions deprived his ex-wife of a significant amount of child support, about $30,000, which impacted the way that she and the children lived, and went beyond the nature and elements of the extortion offense. Beverly will be eligible for parole in 2030. More from The Ann Arbor News: Truffles and bath bombs: 5 things to do in Ann Arbor Feb. 14-16 Prescription medication stolen in one of two Ypsilanti Township home invasions, police say LGBTQ activist running for Ann Arbor council, Ackerman wont seek re-election Ypsilanti office hours extended for presidential primary absentee ballots WASHINGTON The Pentagon plans to divert $3.8 billion intended for military equipment to the construction of a wall at the southwestern border, it informed lawmakers on Thursday, drawing bipartisan outrage and reviving a long-running battle with Congress over funding for President Trumps signature campaign promise. The formal notification to Congress on Thursday, which was obtained by The New York Times, was the latest bid by Mr. Trumps administration to circumvent congressional control of federal spending and unilaterally seize funds that lawmakers had designated for other purposes to finance the construction of the wall. The move came on the same day that Mr. Trump confirmed that the national emergency he had declared almost exactly a year ago to allow him to take money Congress had allocated for other purposes and spend it on the border wall would remain in place for another year. The Pentagons decision to divert funds was greeted on Thursday with criticism by a few prominent members of Mr. Trumps party, who joined Democrats in saying the presidents team had overstepped its constitutional authority by second-guessing congressional spending decisions. Once those choices have been made, the Department of Defense cannot change them in pursuit of their own priorities without the approval of Congress, said Representative Mac Thornberry of Texas, the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee. Attempts to do so undermines the principle of civilian control of the military and is in violation of the separation of powers within the Constitution. The 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 US 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. 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 Department's attempt to irrevocably damage Huawei's 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. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-14 18:47:02 AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of MAPFRE Panama S.A. Salvador Smith Financial Analyst +52 55 1102 2720, ext. 108 salvador.smith@ambest.com Alfonso Novelo Senior Director, Analytics +52 55 1102 2720, ext. 107 alfonso.novelo@ambest.com Christopher Sharkey Manager, Public Relations +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159 christopher.sharkey@ambest.com Jim Peavy Director, Public Relations +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644 james.peavy@ambest.com AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of a+ of MAPFRE Panama S.A. (MAPFRE Panama) (Panama City, Panama). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) remains stable. The ratings reflect MAPFRE Panamas balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). The ratings reflect MAPFRE Panamas strong risk-adjusted capitalization, the geographic and strategic importance of its Central America presence to Spains leading insurer, MAPFRE S.A. (MAPFRE Group), the integration of the MAPFRE Groups practices and procedures into MAPFRE Panama, as well as the synergies and operating efficiencies derived from being a group member. MAPFRE Panama maintained its market position in 2019, having ranked as Panamas third-largest insurer in 2019. Partially offsetting these positive rating factors are the competitive dynamics that persist in Panamas property/casualty (P/C) segment despite healthier growth rates. MAPFRE Panama ranked second among Panamas health insurers and third in the countrys auto and P/C segments. While Panamas insurance industry showed signs of contraction in 2019, MAPFRE Panama grew 3.7% during this period, after recovering from 2.8% decline in 2018. Fluctuations in growth are explained by a material decrease in assumed reinsurance business led by the growing competition from the bancassurance sector in 2018. MAPFRE Panamas solid capital level and good reserve position provide a solid base for financial flexibility and strong risk-adjusted capitalization levels. AM Best expects that the companys ERM practices and procedures implemented from the MAPFRE Group will continue to affect MAPFRE Panamas future performance positively. MAPFRE Panamas combined ratio for 2019 improved to 95.3% due to lower loss ratio, as underwriting, mainly in the health and automobile business lines, was adjusted to reflect its risk experience. Administrative and acquisition expenses have remained stable and well-contained. The strong competitive environment in Panamas insurance market, especially in segments in which MAPFRE Panama has leading positions, continues to generate challenging conditions and has increased risk appetites across the industry, presenting operating performance challenges in specific segments such as auto, individual life and health. Positive rating actions taken on its ultimate parent, MAPFRE S.A., also could result in further positive rating actions for MAPFRE Panama. Negative rating actions could result from a significant reduction in MAPFRE Panamas risk-adjusted capitalization, either by constant deterioration in its underwriting performance or unexpected losses that result in a level that no longer supports the current ratings, or if the company deviates significantly from the policies, practices and benefits assumed from its association with MAPFRE Group. Additionally, negative rating actions at its ultimate parent could lead to a downgrade of MAPFRE Panama ratings. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Bests Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper [..]. 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 Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005 But Huang cautioned against seeing the figure as the final word on medical workers, given discrepancies in case reporting so far. If it is coming from an official source, we have to take it always with a grain of salt, he said. Erdogan expresses importance of Pakistan to Turkey Turkey will continue supporting Pakistan's fight against terrorism, President Erdogan tells Pakistan's parliament in historic speech. The issue of Kashmir is as important to Turkey as it is to Pakistan, Turkeys president said on Monday. "KASHMIR ISSUE CAN BE SOLVED ON BASIS OF JUSTICE" The Kashmir problem can be solved not by conflict or oppression, but on the basis of justice and equity, Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Pakistans National Assembly and Senate during his official visit to the country. His remarks come some seven months into a lockdown on Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian-administered section of the disputed Kashmir region, a move widely decried by human rights groups as well as the global Islamic community. Erdogan expresses importance of Pakistan to Turkey WATCH Turkey will continue supporting Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, he added. Erdogan also said Turkey would support Pakistan against the application of political pressure by the intergovernmental Financial Action Task Force. On the so-called Deal of the Century on Jerusalem, announced last month by U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House to widespread condemnation, Erdogan blasted the plan as an occupation project. Fraudsters are using a wide variety of online platforms to target lovelorn victims in elaborate romance scams, including a growing shift towards finding targets on unlikely apps like Words with Friends. The popular app which allows users to play one-on-one games of scrabble with strangers from around the world has been used as a portal by scammers to steal nearly $600,000 from Australian users in 2019. Ahead of Valentines Day, the ACCCs Scamwatch warned that official figures are likely just the tip of the iceberg. A new trend emerging in 2019 involved scammers increasingly turning to apps like Google Hangouts, or online games such as Words with Friends and Scrabble to con their victims, the ACCC warned. No longer are dating websites the only contact method for dating and romance scams, with an increasing number of reports coming from these emerging websites and apps, said the ACCCs deputy chair Delia Rickard. Scammers have different scripts Its believed that many of the scammers are operating out of African nations such as Ghana and Nigeria and target people around the world. British man Craig Buck works in IT and is a frequent Words with Friends player. He says the number of scammers operating on the app seemed to increase around September last year. All of a sudden I was getting these messages from people claiming to be Americans but from their grammar it was obvious they werent, he told Yahoo News Australia. After initiating conversation, the scammer typically asks if the person is single before insisting on moving the conversation to Google Hangouts where its less likely they will have their account shut down. Theyve got different scripts they run through. Ive had people on oil rigs in the Middle East, people who have had sick relatives, Mr Buck explained. Ive got one scammer that Im dealing with at the moment, theyve tried to scam me three different ways for Amazon gift cards. The first time it was their birthday, then their aunty was sick and now their phone is broken. Story continues Scammers will quickly try and move the conversation off platform and onto Google Hangouts. Source: Craig Buck Mr Buck strings along the scammers trying to get as much information out of them before reporting their account and exposing the tricks they use on his blog Against Scammers dedicated to warning people. But getting them fully removed is all but impossible. His efforts to report scam accounts to Zynga, the parent company of Word with Friends, and to Google often fall on deaf ears. These big companies arent doing anything about it, he said. Just from routinely playing the app, Mr Buck says he encounters about one scam artists a week. When talking to them on Google Hangouts, inconsistencies in their story are a dead giveaway of their fraudulent nature, he says. I was not in control of anything While Mr Buck knows what to look for, others arent so circumspect. Perpetrators are deliberately targeting people to get them to fall in love. Because by doing that they know they can have power over them, says Victorian woman and scam victim Jan Marshall. The business model is working. Ms Marshall was duped in a particularly ruinous online scam in 2012. After speaking to a man online for 72 days, and falling in love with him, she sent her scammer $260,000 which she never saw again. Making matters worse, she took money out of her self-managed super fund incurring a hefty tax bill, adding to her loses. She has since set up an advocacy group for other victims called Life After Scams to help people deal with the shame of being duped in a romance scam. Ive had hundreds of people contact me from all around the world, both men and woman of all ages who have been scammed, she told Yahoo News Australia. Often they will say I am the only person they have spoken to. Jan Marshall 'loaned' her scammer $260,000 in 2012 , which she never saw again. Source: Supplied Ms Marshall said scammers are increasingly contacting people on any online platform that allows users to chat. Particularly platforms that are not associated with dating and users are less suspicious. Ive had number of people report that they met their scammer on Words with Friends, she told Yahoo News Australia. While one woman was scammed while on a language learning site. Another growing trend she has seen is scammers targeting people on LinkedIn. They are very sophisticated, they certainly know what works ... Its just a question of where they can talk to people. While it can be hard for most people to imagine sending money to someone theyve never met in person, Ms Marshall says the romance element is crucial in prying a loan out of their targets. The victims dont get told theyre special, they dont get told theyre loved by anybody else. When I was in that scam, I was not in control of anything, she said of her own experience. Scammers typically use a stolen picture and fictitious identity to lure their victims. Numerous online forums detail their incessant tactics which, judging by the figures, are effective enough to fleece meaningful amounts of money from people. Aussies lost $28.6 million to romance scams last year The $598,075 that Australians were duped out of via scams originating from Words with Friends was just a fraction of the $28.6 million that Aussies lost in romance and dating scams last year, with social media platforms being a hotbed of scams. Of the roughly 4000 reported dating and romance scams reported last year, about 37.5 per cent involved a financial loss to the victim with the average loss being $19,000, according to the ACCCs Scamwatch. Scammers are increasingly targeting people on apps like Words with Friends and sites like LinkedIn. Source: Getty The highest losses occurred via social media with Instagram being the most popular social media platform to contact victims. Romance scams are particularly devastating because not only are there financial losses, but there is also an emotional toll for the victim, which can have lasting psychological impacts on people, the ACCCs Ms Rickard said. But despite the emotional and financial turmoil that can be wreaked, it is an almost impossible thing to stamp out. Given the transnational nature of the scams and the difficulty in tracing people, police face a futile exercise when cases are actually reported. There is no record of police doing anything about it, Ms Marshall lamented. There is no prosecution. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. A five-day anti-polio drive kicked off on Friday in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where more than 6.7 million children under five years of age will be vaccinated against the crippling disease. The campaign is part of a revamped approach adopted by the provincial government to achieve 100 per cent result, a top official said. The Pakistan government had to suspend the anti-polio drive and post-campaign evaluation last year following the increasing number of attacks on polio workers in different parts of the country. As many as 23,309 teams of trained health workers have been constituted and more than 30,000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure safety and security of the polio teams. Minister for Finance & Health Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Minister for Information Technology Kamran Bangash and Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Kazim Niaz inaugurated the anti-polio drive separately. Responding to a question, the Chief Secretary said that "though the last year was not so encouraging about polio cases, the provincial government was fully committed to eradicate polio virus from the province". "The provincial government has revisited and revamped the entire polio campaign and it is being launched with a totally new and different approach so that 100 per cent result is achieved," the Chief Secretary said. Jhagra said the polio eradication was a top priority of the government and urged parliamentarians to play an active role in their respective constituencies. He said it was unfortunate that Pakistan was among the last two endemic countries in the world where polio virus was paralysing children. Attempts to eradicate the crippling disease in Pakistan have been seriously hampered by deadly targeting of vaccination teams in recent years by militants, who oppose the drives, claiming the polio drops cause infertility. Attacks on immunisation teams claimed nearly 70 lives since December 2012. In January, two women polio workers were killed when unidentified assailants attacked a vaccination team in Swabi town of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. Last year in December, gunmen killed at least two policemen in an attack on a polio vaccination security team in Lower Dir district of the province. In January 2014, three workers were killed while in late 2012, five workers including four female workers were killed in Qayyumabad area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Democratic US presidential candidate and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg (right) looks at his husband Chasten at his New Hampshire primary night rally in Nashua, New Hampshire, US, 11 February, 2020: Brendan Mcdermid/REUTERS Days after Donald Trump awarded him the highest civilian honour in the US, right-wing mouthpiece Rush Limbaugh has faced a wave of outrage after the radio host expressed homophobic claims on his show, suggesting Americans would be disgusted seeing candidate Pete Buttigieg kissing his husband on stage. The conservative talk show radio host made at least five references to Democratic frontrunner Mr Buttigieg kissing his husband Chasten during his programme on Wednesday. Mr Limbaugh said the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana would not perform well in a debate standing next to the president, who Mr Limbaugh called "Mr Man, suggesting his sexuality makes Mr Buttigieg less of a man. He told his listeners: They [voters] are sitting there and theyre looking at Mayor Pete a 37-year-old gay guy, mayor of South Bend, loves to kiss his husband on the debate stage and theyre saying, OK. Hows this gonna look, a 37-year-old gay guy kissing his husband on stage next to Mr Man, Donald Trump? Whats gonna happen there?' They gotta be looking at that, and theyve gotta be saying that despite all the great progress and despite all the great wokeness and despite all the great ground thats been covered, Americas still not ready to elect a gay guy kissing his husband on the debate stage president. They have to be saying this, dont they? Mr Limbaugh went as far as to suggest some Democrats believe the best way to win is to ram gay kissing down Trumps throat and beat him in the election. Having fun envisioning that, he added. Actor and activist George Takei, who is gay, said: "Rush Limbaugh asked how parents would explain to their kids [Mr Buttigieg] kissing his husband ... Easy. They're in love and married. That's a whole lot easier than explaining why a misogynistic, racist, homophobe has a damn Presidential Medal of Freedom." Radio host Mr Limbaugh, 69, has been a prominent and powerful supporter of the president, who awarded Mr Limbaugh the presidential Medal of Freedom at his 2020 State of the Union address. Story continues Mr Limbaugh announced his lung cancer diagnosis the day before he received the award. On CNN, host Jim Sciutto accused conservative commentator Ben Ferguson of "justifying bigotry" by defending Mr Limbaugh's comments and claiming that the president appears more masculine than Mr Buttigieg. Mr Sciutto pointed out that the president had several medical deferments for "bone spurs" to avoid military service while Mr Buttigieg voluntarily joined the US Navy Reserve and served in Afghanistan. He has run his radio programme, The Rush Limbaugh Show, for more than three decades after it first aired in 1988. During that time, the show rose to become the highest-rated talk radio show in the US. On Tuesday, Mr Buttigieg finished in second behind Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders during the New Hampshire primary election to nominate the Democratic candidate in the fall election Read more Sanders and Buttigieg are on a mission to prove their electability Sanders narrowly seizes victory from Buttigieg as Klobachur surges Marine vets criticise Buttigieg for overstating his military time Buttigieg laughs off claims of inexperience as he leads Democrat pack Trump mocks Buttigieg as 'whoever the hell that is' Land prices are booming in Sazlibosna. Over a tulip-shaped glass of tea in one of the villages cafes, local governor Oktay Teke says that a few years ago, a square meter of land here in the farming community northwest of Istanbul sold for as little as 10 Turkish lira, about half the price of a pack of cigarettes. Recently, speculators have flocked to the area, snapping up swathes of farmland and pushing prices to up to 700 lira ($126) per square meter. Besides the realtors offices that have mushroomed next to its central square, there is little to suggest Sazlibosna, pop. around 1,500, is the epicenter of the battle over the largest infrastructure project Turkey has ever undertaken. On the cafes terrace, middle-aged men play cards and smoke around a stove as a hawker proffers a string of lamb sausages between tables. But after Turkeys Minister of Transport and Infrastructure this month promised Canal Istanbul will break ground before the end of 2020, life in Sazlibosna, and dozens of villages like it, is set to change irrevocably. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was still prime minister in 2011 when he proposed a trio of integrated pieces of infrastructure in Istanbuls northern forests he referred to as his crazy projects. The first, a $3 billion third bridge over the Bosphorus with pylons higher than the Eiffel Tower, officially opened in 2016more than a year behind schedule. Connected to a new $7.3 billion motorway, it failed to meet earnings projections, requiring Ankara to boost operators revenues from taxpayer money, according to local media reports. The second project, Istanbuls new airport, is expected to serve 200 million travelers a year when all six of its runways are in operation, more than any other airport in the world today. The achievement has been marred by the dozens of workers believed to have died in the rush to complete it on time. Story continues But the third could eclipse the bridge and the airport in cost, scale, and controversy. The Canal Istanbul, a 28-mile long artificial waterway linking the Black Sea with Turkeys inland Sea of Marmara is set to cost up to $25 billion. It has drawn a fierce backlash from economists who say it would place an unacceptable burden on Turkeys fragile economy, scientists who warn of catastrophic ecological fallout, and political analysts concerned that its potential to undermine a near-century long multinational maritime accord will exacerbate Turkish tensions with Russia. Canal Istanbul will transform the citys topography, environment, and urban landscape, says Soner Cagaptay, author of The New Sultan: Erdogan and the Crisis of Modern Turkey. The project has also become a focal point in the battle over Turkeys leadership, pitting Erdogan against Istanbuls new mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition figure who is the most significant challenger to the Turkish presidents 17-year rule. Imamoglu, who has called the canal a betrayal of Istanbul, told TIME on Feb. 6 that polls show most people in the city are against it. We are going to use every legal means at our disposal to stand up for their universal rights, the mayor said, speaking in Turkish through an interpreter. On Feb.13, Imamoglus office filed a formal legal objection to the canals development. Erdogan, meanwhile, says it will go ahead whether they like it or not. Says Cagaptay: the fight between Erdogan and the opposition is now going to center around the future of the canal. For Sazlibosna, the attention has been unprecedented. When environmental groups went on a Feb. 2 trek through the sleepy villagetrailed by a smattering of news crewsthe presence of European activists roused governor Tekes suspicions. If there is a construction project in Holland, Belgium or wherever its not up to us to say whether it can go ahead, he says. These are the same protesters that opposed the third bridge, the airport, and the motorway. Who are they? They are paid agents. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, with his wife Emine Erdogan by his side and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, right, during the opening ceremony of a road tunnel underneath the Bosporus Strait in Istanbul in December 2016. | Ozan KoseAFP/Getty Images Turkeys Bosphorus Strait, which bisects the 15-million population city of Istanbul between Europe and Asia, has been a vital commercial and military traverse since the 5th century BC when it was used to transport Scythian grain to the city-state of Athens. Today, it remains one of the worlds busiest shipping lanes. Over 41,000 vessels used the strait in 2019, far more than the combined maritime traffic of the Suez and Panama canals. So congested has the S-shaped waterway become that marine biologists refer to the dolphins that feed there as street children. They dodge passenger ferries, fishing trawlers, and tankers that transport tens of millions of tonnes of oil through the strait annually. Turkeys government says a new waterway is needed to reduce environmental risks, pollution, and navigational hazards in the Bosphorus. That argument became more pressing after a Liberian-flagged 191-meter cargo ship ran aground on December 27, forcing the Straits temporary closure. The preceding year, a 225-meter ship crashed into a luxury waterfront mansion. Another grounding in 2003 spilled 480 tons of oil into the strait. Located around 20 miles west of the Bosphorus, in an area sometimes known as Istanbuls lung, Turkeys man-made waterway would be crisscrossed by eight new bridges. Like the Bosphorus, it would join the Mediterranean-fed Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea, which in addition to Turkey borders Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, and Georgia. In addition to mitigating the risk of collisions, groundings and oil spills, Turkeys government says the new canal will create 10,000 jobs in construction, a sector that employs some 2-million people in the country. But it would also effectively turn Istanbuls most densely populated area, and its historic city center, into an island perched atop one of the worlds most active fault lines. Environmental scientists have voiced grave concerns about the projects potential impact. According to an Environmental Impact Assessment approved in January, Canal Istanbul will uproot a 25-year-old dam near Sazlibosna village, which is part of an ecosystem connecting two natural lagoons that together supply almost 30% of Istanbuls water supply. Hydrologists have warned that the canal would alter the depths of the two seas it connects and play havoc with Bosphorus currents that balance the Black Seas cold freshwater with the warm salty water in the Sea of Marmara. According to prominent oceanographer Cemal Saydam, the artificial channel could dry up the Black Sea, while dragging polluted water into the Sea of Marmara and then the Mediterranean, harming marine life in both. There is also a high risk all groundwater reserves will be contaminated by salty water, which is an irreversible process, says Akgun Ilhan, a water management expert at Sabanci Universitys Istanbul Policy Center. In addition, the megaproject brings with it heightened geopolitical risks. The movement of ships through the Turkish straits is governed by a 1936 agreement known as the Montreux Convention. This allows merchant ships free passage during peacetime but limits the size of military vessels that can enter the Black Sea from the Mediterranean and the length of time they can stay, helping assure Russian naval supremacy in the body of water. Yet Erdogan in January told CNN-Turk that Canal Istanbul would be totally outside Montreux potentially giving NATO-flagged warships unimpeded access to the Russian coastline, a move that would horrify Moscow if it came to pass. Its not clear whether Turkey could unilaterally overrule the Montreux Convention. Its just not possible from an international law point of view, says Gonul Tol, a Turkey expert at the Washington-based Middle East Institute. Erdogans threat might be merely a way of strengthening his hand against Moscow at a time of increasing tension, she adds. In the past two weeks, two Russia-backed strikes killed 13 Turkish soldiers in a sharp escalation of clashes between Turkey-based rebels and regime forces in northwest Syria. But if Montreux stands, Turkey might face problems charging commercial vessels to transit the artificial waterway, potentially robbing it of a means to help pay for the hugely expensive project. An aerial view of the Canal Istanbul project on Jan. 2, 2020. | Erdem SahinEPA-EFE/Shutterstock The canal has also become a political issue domestically. Since winning a landslide victory against former prime minister Binali Yildirim in municipal elections last June, Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu has rarely confronted Erdogan directly. That changed when Canal Istanbul became an imminent prospect. Istanbuls mayor, who represents the opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), told TIME on Feb. 6 that Erdogans plans amounted to little more than a real estate project. The presidents finance minister and son-in-law, Berat Albayrak, is reportedly among those who have purchased land near the projects planned route though news reports revealing that were blocked by a Turkish court in January. While the canal may be a boon for speculators, the government has been inconsistent on how much it will cost, Imamoglu says. Erdogan has priced the project at 75 billion Lira (around $12.4 billion). But some economists have predicted it could end up costing double that, arguing that Turkey, which returned to growth last year after entering a recession in 2018, cannot afford such uncertainty. Besides, says Imamoglu, the new waterway is unnecessary. The theory Canal Istanbul is going to relieve congestion in the Bosphorous is dead in the water, he says, adding that existing underground oil pipelines offer a more efficient way to transport hydrocarbons. Instead of solving the Bosphorus navigational hazards, he argues, the canal would duplicate them, in the process creating an island of eight million people and increasing the citys vulnerability to earthquakes. Istanbul lies close to one of the worlds most active fault lines and seismologists have predicted that a major earthquake in the region could kill up to 30,000 people. When a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkeys southeastern provinces of Elazig and Malatya in January, killing at least 38 people, Turkeys Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu told CNN Turk that the government is seriously working on the possible scenario of the earthquake. But Imamoglu warns the development along the canals route could make the impact of an earthquake more devastating. In a series of tweets late last year, prominent Turkish geologist Dr. Naci Gorur predicted that massive excavations, facilitated by explosives, and the projects plan to build small islands from the excavated earth in the Marmara Sea, could exacerbate the risks posed by underlying fault lines in the region. The mayor says that, after more than 40 experts attended a Jan 10. workshop hosted by the municipality, we couldnt find a single scientist who would defend the canal. Still, opposing Turkeys megaprojects can be risky. At a cafe on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, architect Mucella Yapici, the former general secretary of the Istanbul Chamber of City Planners (TMMOB), says plans for the canal make no sense at all. Of late, however, Yapicis objections have been forced to take a backseat. This month, a Turkish court is expected to pass a verdict on whether the 68-year-old and 15 other defendants are guilty of attempting to overthrow the government or partially or wholly prevent its functions. Those charges relate to Yapicis role in the 2013 Gezi Park protests, which began as a sit-in to oppose plans to build a commercial center in one of central Istanbuls few remaining green spaces. Human rights groups say the charges are solely motivated by political interests. But Yapici, who faces the possibility of life without parole, believes the timing of the Gezi trial will suppress potential opposition related to [the canal] and warns the atmosphere of oppression has impeded rigorous assessment of the projects viability, especially among the academic community. They are intimidated, she says. A real estate advertisement offers apartments with a view on the canal in the small coastal village of Karaburun, Turkey, in June 2018. | Yasin AkgulAFP/Getty Images Beyond the minarets of Sazlibosnas mosque, bucolic views over the site of the new canal are only interrupted by an array of electricity pylons skirting a ridge along the horizon. Local realtors have boasted that development on either side of the canal will make villages like this look like Paris or New York, replete with shiny apartment complexes, marinas, parks, and hospitals. For many, its a tempting proposition. We are happy because this place is going to evolve, says local governor Teke, whose familys roots in Sazlibosna date back to 1862. Teke has reviewed the governments environmental impact report and says he is assured that no villagers will be forced to leave their land. There will be a lot of financial benefits for us, he says. Others are not so sure. Hasan, a farmer in his 50s recently sold off about half his land to speculators but doesnt seem happy about it. Were all against the canal, he tells TIME, standing next to some old agricultural equipment and the upturned hull of a rowboat. They are building this canal just so one or two ships can pass by, but in the process, theyre killing our way of life. With reporting by Engin Bas / Istanbul AASP/MA has expressed support for HB4122 as part of its endeavors to improve the collision repair industry in Massachusetts, and Executive Director Lucky Papageorg attended the January hearing to urge legislators to support the measure which, he argued, would grant information to independent shops that could improve cycle times. House Bill 4122 proposes additional verbiage be inserted into the current Right to Repair law from 2013: Commencing in model year 2022 and thereafter a manufacturer of motor vehicles sold in the Commonwealth, including heavy duty vehicles having a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 14,000 pounds, that utilizes a telematics system shall be required to equip such vehicles with an inter-operable, standardized and open access platform across all of the manufacturers makes and models. Such platform shall be capable of securely communicating all mechanical data emanating directly from the motor vehicle via direct data connection to the platform. Such platform shall be directly accessible by the owner of the vehicle through a mobile-based application and, upon the authorization of the vehicle owner, all mechanical data shall be directly accessible by an independent repair facility or a class 1 dealer licensed pursuant to section 58 of chapter 140 limited to the time to complete the repair or for a period of time agreed to by the vehicle owner for the purposes of maintaining, diagnosing and repairing the motor vehicle. Access shall include the ability to send commands to in-vehicle components if needed for purposes of maintenance, diagnostics and repair. The bill also defines telematics, any system in a motor vehicle that collects information generated by the operation of the vehicle and transmits such information utilizing wireless communications to a remote receiving point where it is stored, as well as mechanical data: any vehicle-specific data, including telematics system data, generated, store in or transmitted by a motor vehicle used for or otherwise related to the diagnosis, repair or maintenance of the vehicle. While addressing the committee, Papageorg explained the vital need for current repair information since shops accept liability for ensuring vehicles perform as intended. He specifically pointed out the need for access to current, up-to-date information to avoid issues such as an accidental electrocution taking place, specifically when dealing with electric vehicles. Referring to the tremendous pressure insurance companies place on collision repair facilities to improve cycle time, Papageorg suggested, If we had that information readily available to us, we can cut down on that cycle time. Cycle time is paramount to collision repairers. It is critical for them to have timely information readily available at their shops as opposed to them having to send vehicles out and add to the overall expense of the repair and cause delays. Papageorg also stressed that shops have the correct tools but still need current information for the vehicles which changes daily. OEM trade groups have taken an opposing stance on House Bill 4122, arguing that independent shops already have access to all necessary information for repairing vehicles. Wayne Weikel, Senior Director of State Government Affairs for the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, insisted, There is a level playing field when it comes to access of repair information, and a level playing field guarantees consumer choice. Robert OKoniewski, Executive Director of the Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers Association, agreed, The current law [from 2013] works fine. The committee also examined House Bill 4302, the result of a ballot initiative thats nearly identical to House Bill 4122, but interested parties are hopeful that the Legislature will address this issue, rather than allowing such a complicated question to go to the ballot. House Bill 4122 was filed by Representative Paul McMurtry (D Dedham) who told the committee, Make no doubt about it. This is a consumer protection bill that closes a loophole on a matter that wasnt dealt with in 2012 and quite frankly probably wasnt well understood how reliant our automobiles would become on telematics. Committee Co-Chair Representative Tackey Chan (D Quincy) pointed out that, rather than being a loophole, the exclusion of telematics from the 2012 Right to Repair legislation was a concession made by collision repairers during negotiations. The Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition, of which AASP/MA is a member, supports the bill and has also collected over 100,000 signatures to ensure an initiative petition to enact the revised law reaches the 2020 ballot. Thomas Hickey, the Executive Director of the Right to Repair Coalition, stressed the need for revisions to the Right to Repair law to ensure consumer safety when vehicles are repaired at independent auto body shops. Cars are becoming computers on wheels. Ninety percent of vehicles have wireless technology that [neither] consumers nor independent repair facilities have access to, he said. This has nothing to do with personal information. This is about mechanical information necessary to diagnose, repair and maintain a car. Were hoping the Legislature take up this bill, but if they dont, were fully prepared to move to the ballot for November 2020. 11:25 | Lima, Feb. 14. Those portfolios used to be led by Juan Carlos Liu, Ana Teresa Revilla, Flor Pablo, and Edmer Trujillo, respectively. Today, the high-ranking official indicated that following the resignation presented by Juan Carlos Liu to the Energy and Mines post there was an opportunity to make a change in the Cabinet. In this sense, he ruled out that these changes were related to the meeting former State Attorney for the Odebrecht Case Jorge Ramirez held with the Brazilian company representatives and former Minister Liu on the issue of the arbitration lawsuit filed before the ICSID. "We had been evaluating how to strengthen the political lines of the Government before the new Parliament assumes duties, (that is) the new political scenario. We have the legitimate right to resort to a reshuffling. The entry and withdrawal of any minister is a political decision," he indicated In remarks to RPP, Zeballos said that talks with the President to refresh the Cabinet were held after the extraordinary parliamentary elections (January 26) and that it is the Executive supported by its powers the branch that decides the timing for those changes. We assumed duties on September 30 as an emergency and transition cabinet . All ministers have worked in a solvent manner. The Executive has every right to reengineer itself with a view to a new scenario, as we already have a new Congress since January 26," he concluded. Win McNamee/Getty When Santa Rosa Countys Board of Commissioners met Thursday morning, items on the agenda included improving the drainage on Tibet Drive, upgrading the local boat ramp, and allocating money to buy new scoreboards at Chumuckla Park. Then, at the end of the meeting, came a far more controversial and divisive matter, one that is likely to have an impact beyond the Florida community of 150,000 people. Dozens of local residents, many holding placards and pointing fingers, lined up to speak for and against a proposal to become the first abortion sanctuary city in Florida. The wackyand possibly unconstitutionalconcept, which co-opts a label used by liberal cities that protect undocumented immigrants, has taken off in small, deeply conservative towns across Texas in the last six months. Waskom, a Texas town of 2,000 people, was the first city in the U.S. to become a sanctuary city for the unborn after its all-male board voted unanimously last July. Eleven more Texas towns, mostly in the states east, followed suit, although a handful of towns have voted against proposed ordinances. Residents in Santa Rosa County spoke for and against a proposal to become an abortion sanctuary city. Santa Rosa County livestream The local ordinances vary in severity. Waskoms outlaws abortion (which it called murder with malice aforethought), makes it unlawful to assist someone to get an abortion, and prevents Planned Parenthood and other reproductive services (which it calls criminal organizations) from operating within city limits. Violating the local health ordinance can incur a fine. Some other towns ordinances allow family members of an unborn baby to sue the abortion doctor; not all have included provisions for rape and incest. Most are in towns with no abortion services anyway. The movement has been pushed by Mark Lee Dickson, a pastor from Longview, Texas, who first proposed the idea to Waskoms mayor and has since set up a website with printable petitions that people can submit to their local boards. I knew it was a crazy idea, Dickson said. Once it passed in Waskom, it was, Well, whats next? And it just made sense that if [abortion providers] arent going to come to Waskom now, theyre just going to go somewhere else, so we need to make sure other cities are safe as well. Story continues Dickson said hed been contacted by people in Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Indiana. In Santa Rosa County, which neighbors Pensacola and includes the small cities of Milton and Navarre, the vote on Thursday became so heated that the Board of Commissioners, which was split on whether to adopt the resolution, decided it should go to a county-wide referendum instead. Santa Rosa would become the first place outside Texas to adopt the concept, potentially kicking off a trend for other cities in the U.S.. One of the countys commissioners, Lane Lynchard, said he didnt think it was right for a local board to wade into divisive national issues. It has accomplished nothing other than pitting people against one another, he said on Thursday, adding that 80 percent of emails and messages hed received on the issue were against it. We cant legislate peoples beliefs. I think we need to stick with governing the county. Another commissioner, Dave Piech, was booed by attendees when he said the resolution had morphed into divisive name calling. The debate was so contentious that commissioners decided it should go to a referendum in November. Santa Rosa County livestream Actions speak louder than words, someone shouted as Piech insisted he was anti-abortion but thought it was beyond the purview of five male commissioners. Local resident Alison Hartman, a mother of 10, said the board needed to stand up and be a voice for the rest of the county. All you old people that stood up and said youre pro-choice and against babies, she said, pointing toward a small crowd of abortion-rights activists. If it was your grandbabies, itd be different. In Texas and Florida, where some form of abortion is legal, anti-abortion ordinances are likely to be unconstitutional, more a headline-grabbing move for small-town activists. But they scare women away and confuse them into thinking abortion is not legal in those places, abortion providers say. The idea of a sanctuary from ones constitutional rights is a new twist, The Very Reverend Katherine H. Ragsdale, president of the National Abortion Federation, said, adding that it was a new tactic from an old playbook of demonization and policy manipulation. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas called the Waskom ordinance a grandstanding mechanism and said abortion access was a constitutional right. Sara Latshaw, deputy political director of the ACLU of Florida, said they were disappointed that Santa Rosa commissioners have decided to prolong this political theater instead of focusing on local matters. Any such resolution or referendum is just a tactic to shame those in need of care. Several towns have voted down proposals due to the risk of potential lawsuits. Dickson likened the ordinances, which are stronger than largely symbolic resolutions, to local bans on cigarette sales or sugary sodas. He said cities that have passed ordinances have been subjected to threats; Waskom had clothes hangers mailed to the town recently. Its caused a lot of hate to come towards some of these cities and it is not something that any of them take lightly, he said. Residents in Santa Rosa will vote on the proposal in November. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: The budget session of the Odisha Assembly beginning from Friday is likely to be stormy with the opposition BJP and Congress planning to corner the ruling BJD over a range of issues, including crime against women, failure in paddy procurement and attacks on RTI activists in different parts of the State. However, Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik said the Government is ready to take any question from the opposition parties on the floor of the House. Addressing the meeting of the BJD Legislature Party (BJDLP) on Thursday, the Chief Minister underscored the need for the presence of all members in the House during the session and participation in the proceedings. The BJD will raise several issues during the session including reduction of Central assistance to the State, demand for a caste-based census during the 2021 census and Central neglect of Odisha, the latest being the slashing of allocation in the railway budget. Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Pradipta Kumar Naik said the BJP will raise several issues including alleged scam in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, deteriorating law and order situation, growing atrocities against women and children, drinking water crisis and shortage of doctors in hospitals. Criticising the anti-farmer policies of the Government, Naik alleged that paddy is not being procured at the mandis as a result of which farmers are suffering. Congress is likely to raise the issues like percentage commission practice (PC culture) in Government works, reduction in Central assistance to the State and secret nexus between the BJP and the BJD. Leader of the Congress Legislature Party Narasingh Mishra said the Congress will demand a discussion on deteriorating law and order in the state, prevailing corruption at all levels of the Government and farmers issues. Mishra said the farmers are suffering as the Government does not have space to store paddy. Besides, mill owners are being involved in paddy procurement, he said and added that law and order situation has deteriorated. Alleging that jungle rule is prevailing in Odisha, Mishra said rape, murder, robbery and theft have increased. An all-party meeting was convened by Speaker Surya Narayan Patro on Thursday for smooth conduct of House proceedings during the budget session. My instruction to the legislators will be to abide by the rules and regulations so that the Assembly can run in a disciplined manner, he said.The Assembly session will be held in two phases from February 14 to April 9. Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari is scheduled to present the 2020-21 State Budget in the Assembly on February 18. Governor Ganeshi Lal will address the House on the first day of the session. Myth and fact can be hard to disentangle when it comes to Valley Forge. Its true that Gen. George Washington celebrated his first ceremonial commander-in-chief birthday at the encampment on Feb. 27, 1778, but did he really rally his troops to survive a brutal winter, or was the weather in 77-'78 actually rather mild? Did Washington kneel in the snow and pray for the deliverance of his Continental Army, or was that a postwar invention of folklorist Mason Weems? For comedian Molly Clark, who grew up in nearby Devon, the questions are more basic. What was it like to kiss a guy with wooden teeth? So wonders Washingtons wife, Martha, in Clarks comedy short The Women of Valley Forge, which has just won a slot at the Chicago Comedy Film Festival, which Clark will attend next month. The short film has Clark at Valley Forge National Historical Park, playing Martha, Abigail Adams and Betsy Ross, riffing on life during colonial times from a womans perspective. In the film, which shes posted on Vimeo, Clark gives voice (sometimes in a Rocky Balboa accent) to Martha, et al, in a way that history does not record, because Clark made it all up. I just went out with a tripod and improvised the whole thing, said Clark, who made Women of Valley Forge as part of her senior year at New York Universitys Tisch School of the Arts. The biggest trouble I had was people thought I was a reenactor. They kept coming up to me and wanting a picture. Clark grew up in Chester County, where she attended every school but Valley Forge Military Academy, trying to find the right fit, finally locating it at Agnes Irwin, which gave her creative space to indulge her interest in making videos and performing. She spent a summer at an improv camp at Second City in Chicago, and fell in love with it, and immediately set to work doing guerrilla comedy back home. I wore a costume and went to the Whole Foods in Devon and pretended to be hot dog. People were cracking up, all the employees got involved, and that was the thrill that I keep on seeking. I always wanted to get back to being the girl in the hot dog suit, said Clark, who made Girl in the Hot Dog Suit LLC the name of her fledgling comedy production company. The inspiration for her interest in comedy can be traced back even further, to a chance meeting with Upper Darby native Tina Fey. Clark, still in middle school, was attending a taping of the Ellen DeGeneres talk show in Los Angeles, nosing around her hotel when she poked her head in a conference room and saw Fey alone and putting her signature to a stack of Bossypants books. I have a magazine thats signed by her and its framed above my bed. It says: next year will be awesome, love, Tina Fey," Clark said. "Its always relevant, because you always hope next year will be awesome. Clark has worked hard to make that prophecy come true, hustling to get internships at the The Late Show With Jimmy Fallon and the production company responsible for Broad City, where she was a gofer while Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson worked on the fifth season. A late night talk show is this big machine, and its a machine that never stops moving, said Clark, who did a little of everything, including keeping the green room stocked for visiting celebrities. The production of Broad City was more intimate, though not so intimate Clark had much time to rub elbows with Wayne native Jacobson. I brought milk once in to the writers rooms where they were working, and I tried to make a milk joke, but Im pretty sure she wouldnt remember it. Clark chose NYU so she could also complete the curriculum at the New York branch of the Upright Citizens Brigade, supervised by another comedy idol, Amy Poehler. [Fey and Poehler] are two of the women I really admire. They have that warm, funny voice, she said. Its so easy to be slapstick, or blue, but the women I look up to do really smart comedy, and if I can find any way of continuing that tradition, I hope to. Kevin Qiu, 42, was stopped at the Canadian border trying to come into the US. He claimed to have recently been in China and there was a warrant out for his arrest in Pennsylvania. Now, he's detained in New York, under watch for coronavirus symptoms A 42-year-old fugitive from Brooklyn is now being held under observation for coronavirus at a Buffalo, New York, detention center after he told agents at the Canadian border that he had recently been to China. Kevin Qiu has an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Pennsylvania, though it is not clear for what he was wanted. At some point, he made his way to Canada and, on Wednesday, attempted to come back to the US via the Peace Bridge. He admitted to Customs Border and Patrol officers that he had recently been to China. His name was flagged for the warrant, and the officers took him into custody. Qiu is being housed at the Erie County jail, where medical personnel are closely monitoring his temperature and vitals, in case he develops any signs of the virus. 'Qiu, who has recently traveled to China, is assessed as a "medium risk" individual for the virus,' said the Erie County Sheriff's Office in a statement. 'Although the individual is not symptomatic, precautions are in place until his judicial release or decision on extradition.' In addition to funneling all Americans returning from China into 11 airports, the White House has instructed agents on US land and sea borders to ask those attempting to enter the country about their travel histories. At least one person has been stopped and turned away at the Canadian border because they had recently traveled to China. US border agents are not asked with checking travel histories in an effort to contain the coronavirus Qiu is being closely monitored at the Erie County Sheriff's Office's jail while he awaits release or extradition The White House enacted a travel ban on any none-US citizens who have traveled to China within two weeks of attempting to come to the US in an effort to stem the spread of the virus in the US. Americans returning to the US from Wuhan, the outbreak's epicenter - however few there may be, as the city is itself on lockdown - are subject to a 14-day mandatory quarantine. People coming back from elsewhere in China have been directed to self-quarantine at home. Someone with a warrant out for their arrest, however, present a unique challenge. Jail house medical staff examined Qiu and, although he didn't present with any symptoms, they took precautions per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance to make sure he was a minimal risk to the staff and other inmates. 'The Sheriffs Office notified the New York State Department of Health and the Erie County Department of Health, and all parties are working to establish protocols, precautions, and protections for jail staff and other inmates,' the Sheriff's office said in a statement. 'Jail management has taken appropriate measures to ensure the health and welfare of other inmates and staff. 'In the meantime, medical professionals will be monitoring Qius temperature and other vitals on a set schedule.' It comes as Trump addressed the National Border Patrol Council and, incorrectly, said the number of cases of coronavirus in the US was 'like, around 12,' despite the CDC's confirmation of a 15th case yesterday. He also reiterated his assertion that the outbreak will subside as warmer weather moves in, an argument he first made accompanying praise for President Xi Jinping's handling of the outbreak. Fifteen cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the US, with the latest in Texas Trump again gave President Xi warm reviews, saying China was handling the outbreak professionally. However, the US has made numerous offers to send its experts to China to help the nation fight the outbreak that has killed 1,832 people there since it emerged in Wuhan in December. Despite cases surging to nearly 64,000 in China and approaching 65,000 worldwide, the government there has yet to accept the offer that Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar says is 'still on the table.' Larry Kudlow, an economic adviser to the White House, broke from the consistent praise of China on Thursday after an unprecedented spike of some 15,000 newly-reported cases in Hubei province (where Wuhan is located). He said the alarming increase called into question China's transparency, and said he was 'disappointed.' Friday, the US also offered aid to North Korea to help fight an outbreak that officials suspect the secretive and economically unstable nation may be hiding. So far, no cases or deaths have been officially confirmed in the isolated nation, but unverified sources have claimed that North Korea has at least some cases, and perhaps one or more deaths. CDC officials have said that the flow of Americans into the US from China has slowed, and the most recently reported cases have been in people in quarantines after returning from Wuhan on evacuation. Nonetheless, they believe the virus has a good chance at taking a 'foothold' in the US, making containment measures all the more important. Qiu isn't in quarantine per se, but local health officials have been alerted to the prisoner's travel history and detainment. Sheryl Sandberg is celebrating Valentine's Day by urging women to take charge of their proposals, revealing that she helped plan her engagement to her fiance Tom Bernthal. The Facebook COO, who announced her engagement earlier this month, took to social media on Friday to share an empowering message about how women should be more proactive in their romantic relationships. 'There's a conversation I keep having. I meet an amazing young woman. We talk about her career and goals. Shes full of plans and energy. Then we talk about her relationship and the vibe changes,' Sandberg, 50, explained. Taking charge: Sheryl Sandberg, 50, took to social media on Friday to post an empowering Valentine's Day message about women being more proactive in their romantic relationships Leaning in: Sandberg said she helped plan her own engagement to her fiance Tom Bernthal, explaining that they picked the weekend together and he planned the trip '"I'm waiting for him to propose." "I dont want to pressure him." "I hope Ill be engaged soon." It seems to me that many women take charge of their lives in every way except dating and marriage,' she noted. 'I mean dating between women and men. Same-sex couples aren't bound by the idea that one gender should propose.' Sandberg pointed out that women will plan their entire lives, but when it comes to marriage, they're too 'nervous' to tell their boyfriends they want to say 'I do.' 'They dont hand the reins of their educations or careers to someone else but they wait for their boyfriends to make this huge decision for them,' she said. 'Its like we want Prince Charming on a white horse. 'Were taught gender stereotypes: men are supposed to sweep us off our feet. Women learn that when we speak up for ourselves, were less likeable,' she continued. 'But Prince Charming has no horse. We need to walk into our futures on our own two feet.' Sandberg said this topic has been on her mind because she had just gotten engaged, explaining that she believes women can have both romance and a say in their proposals. Keeping it real: The businesswoman noted that many women 'wait for their boyfriends to make this huge decision for them' instead of telling them what they want 'Part of me wanted the fairy tale,' she admitted. 'But I think you can have it without taking yourself out of the decision.' The businesswoman said she and Bernthal, 46, said she talked about their engagement and planned it together, noting the conversations were 'quite romantic.' 'We chose the weekend together,' she explained. 'Then he planned the trip, hike, and picnic. Yes, he got down on one knee. And when he proposed, he had a letter for me and I had a letter for him, because we took this step together. 'Tradition can be beautiful. If you want that surprise proposal, I hope you get it,' she added. 'But if you cant talk to your boyfriend about marriage, youre either dating the wrong person or youre not giving him credit for being the right person.' Sandberg, who wrote about equality in her 2013 bestseller Lean In, reiterated that equality at home 'starts with equality in dating.' Look of love: Sandberg shared this photo to announce her engagement earlier this month, writing: 'Engaged!!! Tom Bernthal, you are my everything. I could not love you more' Finding love: The businesswoman was introduced to Bernthal by her late husband Dave Goldberg's brother Rob. She is pictured with Goldberg in 2013, two years before his death 'Equality is romantic,' she stressed. 'This Valentines Day, my wish is that half of candlelit dinners are prepared by men and half of proposals are made by women. And that Prince Charmings send their horses back to the barn.' Sandberg and Bernthal, the co-founder and CEO of Kelton Global, announced on February 3 that they are engaged after less than a year of dating. She posted the happy news online, writing: 'Engaged!!! Tom Bernthal, you are my everything. I could not love you more.' Their engagement comes five years after the death of her husband Dave Goldberg, who suffered a heart attack at age 47 while on vacation in Mexico to celebrate a friend's birthday. The couple, who were introduced by Goldberg's brother, went public with their romance last summer. Bernthal is understood to have popped the question with a ring that has five diamonds to represent each of their five children. A source told People that Bernthal proposed on February 1 after a hike in Vermejo Park Ranch on the border of New Mexico and Colorado that 'recreated their first date.' Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg led the congratulations, replying to Sandberg's post, writing: 'Congrats! You're wonderful for each other and I'm so happy for both of you.' Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said no meeting is planned between the kingdom's crown prince and Israel's prime minister, a statement apparently meant to quash reports circulating in Israeli media this week of an alleged summit between the two. There is no meeting planned between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Saudi Arabia's policy has been very clear since the beginning of this conflict," Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud told the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya English website in a report on Thursday. There are no relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel and the kingdom stands firmly behind Palestine, the minister said, adding that it's not unique to have shared interests with Israel in countering Iran since there are many other countries with a similar policy. Still, the statement was an unusual rebuttal by the kingdom's most senior diplomat to reports circulating in Israeli media, which had reported that a meeting was being planned between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two countries do not have formal diplomatic relations, despite quietly strengthening ties in past years. Reports emerged last week on the Israel Hayom website, which quoted unnamed Arab diplomats as saying there were discussions among the United States, Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to arrange a summit in Cairo that would include the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Bahrain and Oman. Whispers of a meeting with Saudi crown prince could help bolster a politically embattled Netanyahu as he tries to fend off a slew of criminal corruption charges and squares off for a third time in less than a year against an increasingly popular opponent in elections next month. The young crown prince is seen as less sympathetic toward the Palestinians and more amenable to security cooperation with Israel than his father, King Salman. Saudi Arabia continues to publicly stress it is not softening its policies toward Israel. It recently rebuffed suggestions that Israelis would be granted visas to the kingdom following a change in Israel and allow Israeli citizens to travel to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia expressed support for President Donald Trump's efforts at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but days later joined other Muslim nations in rejecting the White House's plan as biased. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is working to bolster Israel's ties with a range of Arab states in the absence of a peace deal with the Palestinians. He secured a rare meeting with the head of Sudan's transitional government in Uganda earlier this month and afterwards announced that the two countries were normalising relations." The meeting was seen as a chance for Sudan to use Israel's standing in Washington as leverage to help Khartoum come out of its international pariah status and rebuild its economy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) During the interview, I drew on my reporting background to question some of her claims. When Rotunno said that the criminal justice system favored alleged victims over the accused, I told her my investigations had turned up evidence of the opposite that all too often, victims had been ignored or mistreated by the police and prosecutors while perpetrators escaped punishment. When Rotunno suggested it was naive of women to agree to meet men in hotel rooms and not expect sexual advances, I pointed out that in the case of Weinstein, the producer often conducted business in hotel rooms, and many of his alleged victims were instructed to go there for official work meetings. But it was one of my last questions, which I had almost forgotten to ask, that created the most tension: Had Rotunno ever been sexually assaulted? I have not, she said. Because I would never put myself in that position. In the exchanges that followed, Rotunno argued that victims of sexual assault should take equal responsibility for what happened to them, as I kept pushing her to clarify her position. Judging by the outpouring of comments on social media and in emails that we received after the interview aired Feb. 7, listeners had strong reactions to what they heard. Some listeners said they valued hearing Rotunnos perspective. But many expressed outrage at what they saw as the lawyers victim-blaming. Under the hashtag #WhereIPutMyself, victims of sexual assault have been sharing the settings in which they were attacked, rebuking the notion that they were in any way responsible for what happened to them. The interview also caused a stir in court. When the prosecutor complained that Rotunno had violated the judges order that they not discuss the Weinstein case publicly during the trial, Rotunno claimed that the Daily episode had been recorded a long time ago, that she had not spoken to any reporters since the start of the trial and that she had no idea when the episode would air. Ranveer Singh shared an unseen side of his wife and actor Deepika Padukone on Valentines Day. The Gully Boy actor shared a throwback video of Deepika rapping his song Apna Time Aayega while sitting in a restaurant. Ranveer shared the video on Instagram with the caption, Ohh I think I found myself a cheerleader! #apnatimeaayega #throwback @deepikapadukone. Wearing a knitted white sweater with her middle-parted hair neatly combed at the back, Deepika begins the song once Ranveer gives her the cue with the countdown 3...2...1. She confidently sings, Apna Time Aayega, Tu Nanga Hi To Aaya Hai, Kya Ghanta Le Kar Jayega. A surprised Deepika reacted to the post, Oh Noooo! #mess. But it was too late to regret as the video got more than 3,83,000 likes within a few minutes. Actor Zareen Khan commented to the video, "So cute. A fan wrote, You ppl are goals! So cutee. Another called it, best video on internet today. One more fan wrote, Hahaha cute south indian accent of hers. Deepika also shared a candid picture of Ranveer wearing a beauty mask. She wrote in caption, In other news,Cleopatra is very busy as you can see... @ranveersingh. Ranveer reacted to it, saying, Meri nikhri twacha ka raaz toh ... tum ho! Deepika and Ranveer returned from their beach vacation in the early hours of Friday and were spotted in a jolly mood at the Mumbai airport. Ranveer left for Assam soon after where he is set to attend the Filmfare Awards. Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone at Mumbai airport on Friday. Ranveer Singh headed to Kalina airport soon after his arrival in Mumbai on Friday. Deepika has been sharing his and her photos from their vacation. She began the series by sharing a picture of two passports which were followed by two pairs of slippers, two umbrellas, two cycles, two plates of watermelon and two pairs of scuba diving kits. Also read: Valentines Day: From Ranveer Singh-Deepika Padukone to Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas, how these couples complement each other Ranveer was last seen as aspiring rapper named Murad in Gully Boy. The film was Indias official entry to the Oscars but failed to make to the final list. Deepika saw her latest release, Chhapaak, last month in which she played an acid-attack survivor. The two will now be seen together for the fourth time in Kabir Khans 83. Follow @htshowbiz for more [To read more provocative stories on race from The Times, sign up here for our weekly Race/Related newsletter.] AUSTIN, Texas She thrust a flyer into the hand of a tall young man who looked annoyed. She promised to give a woman a gift for hearing her out. And she practically wrapped her arms around another woman who bounded away shaking her head, uninterested and impatient. With each person, Alice Yi offered the same energetic greeting: Do you know about the census? Ms. Yi is the chairwoman of the Asian Complete Count Committee in Austin, a volunteer group that partners with the Census Bureau to raise awareness about the census among Asian-Americans. And this year, she said, it is more urgent than ever that Asian-American communities like the one in Austin where Vietnamese-American men and women crowded into a ballroom in the middle of a strip mall last month to celebrate the Lunar New Year be counted. Asian-Americans are the fastest growing population in the nation. But organizers and activists like Ms. Yi, 63, worry that Asian-Americans remain largely misunderstood. The population includes people from places as different as Nepal, Iraq, Vietnam and Taiwan, in occupations ranging from store clerk and taxi driver to lawyer and banker. The census, the activists say, is one of the best tools available to help capture that multiplicity, secure better resources and funding and harness untapped political power. PALOCH, South Sudan 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, according to four environmental reports obtained by the Associated Press. The reports also describe alarming birth defects, miscarriages and other health problems among residents of the region and soldiers who have been stationed there. Abui Mou Kueths 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. I am worried about his future. The Associated Press obtained the reports and supporting documents from people with close knowledge of the oil operations, one of whom works in the industry. Theyve never been released publicly. South Sudan is running one of the dirtiest and poorest managed oil operations on the planet, said Egbert Wesselink, former head of a European coalition of more than 50 non-profit organizations focused on the impacts of the countrys oil sector. I dont think theres a single major industrial operation on earth thats getting away with this, he said. Theres 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 accuse South Sudans 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 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 from 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, but little has been done to clean up the mess. The two earliest surveys were performed in 2013 and 2016 by South Sudans government. They found oil pollution across the region, and soil and water samples showed contamination, including mercury levels in the water were seven times what is permissible under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. Sam Mednick is an Associated Press writer. The Growing Weaponization of Space In his recent State of the Union address, President Trump gave a shout-out to space exploration, highlighting the newly-created Space Force branch of the US Military, and NASAs Artemis program of crewed lunar exploration. Artemis aims to put astronauts on the moon by 2024 (the first time since the 1972 Apollo mission), and use the lunar surface to train for missions to Mars in the 2030s. In reaffirming our heritage as a free nation, we must remember that America has always been a frontier nation. Now we must embrace the next frontier: Americas manifest destiny in the stars, Trump said during the nearly 80-minute speech. I am asking Congress to fully fund the Artemis program to ensure that the next man and first woman on the moon will be American astronauts, using this as a launching pad to ensure that America is the first nation to plant its flag on Mars. While Trump has made peaceful space exploration a priority of his administration, what he probably hadnt reckoned on was seeding the next generation of US weaponry that will help to fuel an arms race among the most advanced space programs. Indeed beyond the atmosphere of planet earth, and the range of the naked eye, an impressive arsenal of weapons have been, and are continuing to be developed, for a new theater of war. A brief history The Pentagon has known since the late 1990s that space could be a flash point, when it started using satellites and space weapons as part of its war games. Military top brass realized that attacking an adversarys ground-based satellite weapons before they were used, could be the trip wire that starts a war. Disrupting a satellites communications, say by firing a beam of microwave radiation at it, could also rapidly escalate a war and might even lead to an exchange of nuclear weapons. In fact the technology for fighting a war in space can be traced back to the USSRs launch of the first satellite, Sputnik, in 1957. The drive to place objects in orbit stimulated space research, including the demonstration of ballistic-missile technology, and by the late 1960 both the United States and the Soviet Union were regularly deploying reconnaissance satellites. These satellites had a strategic purpose in allowing the US and USSR to take photographs and spy on each others military installations. As the resolution and accuracy of satellites improved, anti-satellite weapons were developed that could either destroy or blind a satellite. At the same time, directed-energy weapons (focused energy including laser, microwave and particle beams), kamikaze-style satellites and orbiting nuclear explosives were researched, to varying success. Meanwhile as rocket technology grew in sophistication, the range of missiles increased and led to the first inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM), capable of targeting virtually any target on earth within seconds. The Cold War doctrine of developing so many nuclear weapons that the other side couldnt possibly win a nuclear war without provoking an attack that destroyed itself, came to be known as mutually assured destruction. In 1983, President Reagan proposed a cutting-edge technology called the Strategic Defensive Initiative (SDI). A space-based system designed to protect the United States from attack by missiles capped with nuclear warheads, the nick-named Star Wars plan was ridiculed by some as unrealistic and wildly expensive. However in retrospect, SDI was taken very seriously by the Russians and would hasten the collapse of the Soviet Union by forcing the Kremlin to either dedicate a large portion of its annual budget to countering SDI, or watch their substantial nuclear stockpiles rendered obsolete. United States Space Command was created in 1985 as a branch of the Military, to help institutionalize the use of outer space. USSPACECOM, headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado, shares its Commander in Chief with NORAD, the US-Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command. According to a Wikipedia page, Military space operations coordinated by USSPACECOM proved to be very valuable for the U.S.-led coalition in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. The U.S. Military has relied on communications, intelligence, navigation, missile warning and weather satellite systems in areas of conflict since the early 1990s, including the Balkans, Southwest Asia and Afghanistan. Space systems are considered indispensable providers of tactical information to U.S. war-fighters. When the Iron Curtain fell in 1989, so ended the three-decade-long US-Soviet space rivalry. However despite the eclipse of the USSR, America did not, and does not, have a monopoly over space exploration and militarization. Among the countries with active space programs are Russia, China, Japan, India and the European Union. Weaponry Current space militarization revolves around three areas: the continuing development of reconnaissance or spy satellites; the Global Positioning System (GPS), designed and controlled by the US Department of Defense; and network-centric warfare. The primary military purpose of GPS is to improve command and control through pinpoint location awareness, and to facilitate accurate targeting of smart bombs, cruise missiles and other munitions. GPS consists of a constellation of 24 satellites, which carry detonation detectors. Russia has its own global navigation system called GLONASS, while the Chinese Beidou system affords the country a regional navigation capability. Network-centric warfare uses high-speed communications to allow soldiers and other military personnel to view the battlefield in real time. For example a soldier can access satellite imagery and direct aircraft to attack a target, while a commander watches the events on a computer monitor hundreds of miles away. Space-based, directed-energy weapons can attack orbiting satellites, targets on earth or flying missiles. A 23-mm cannon that was fitted on the Soviet space station Salyut 3, successfully fired on satellites at ranges of between 500 and 3,000 meters. That brings up the point, how often have space weapons been used? Wikipedia states there have only been a few incidents and all were training missions: In the mid-1980s a USAF pilot in an F-15 successfully shot down the P78-1, a communications satellite in a 345-mile (555 km) orbit. In 2007 the People's Republic of China used a missile system to destroy one of its obsolete satellites (see 2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile test), in 2008 the United States similarly destroyed its malfunctioning satellite USA 193, and in 2019, India followed same by destroying a live satellite. To date, there have been no human casualties resulting from conflict in space, nor has any ground target been successfully neutralized from orbit. Todays armed forces use space-based assets for a number of purposes including reconnaissance, communications, navigation and weather tracking. According to Space.com, the US Air Force regularly launches GPS and missile-defense tracking satellites, and operates two X-37B robotic space planes. The main function of the reusable X-37B is to carry payloads, derived from experiments in space, back to earth for examination. Like the space shuttle, the solar-powered space plane launches vertically with the help of a rocket, and performs a runway landing like a regular aircraft. It is capable of operating at altitudes of between 177 and 805 kilometers. Last October an unpiloted X-37B landed back on earth after a record 780 days in orbit. Russias Vladimir Putin boldly declared in 2018 to have created a hypersonic missile (it travels 5 times the speed of sound) that is invincible to air defenses. The US Militarys Defense Advanced Researched Projects Agency (DARPA) is looking to prove him wrong by awarding $13 million to defense contractor Northrop Grumman, to develop interceptors to take such missiles out. DARPA and the Air Force are also reportedly working on two hypersonic missile concepts: the Tactical Boost Glide weapon and the Hypersonic Air-Breathing Weapon Concept, or HAWC. Last month the Air Force awarded Raytheon a five-year, $197-million contract to build FORGE, a system that gathers and fuses data from the Militarys space-based missile warning sensors. The technology enables the collection of data from the Air Forces main missile warning satellite system, known as the SBIRS constellation, and its eventual replacement system. These satellite systems use on-board sensors to detect the heat generated by a missile launch. For a look at some of the coolest past, present and future space weapons, including DARPAS MAHEM, a device that blasts streams of molten metal, and Project THEL (Tactical High-Energy Laser Program), a US-Israel project involving a ground-based defense system that successfully destroyed 46 airborne mortar rounds, rockets and artillery, visit this Space.com page. Space arms race Technology aside, the weaponization of space is a disturbing development that could easily destabilize international relations in an already unstable world. Countries with space programs already have the capability to destroy the satellites of its adversaries, or sabotage them through electronic warfare using directed-energy weapons like lasers. If you think these weapons are some unlikely version of Star Trek, consider that police forces already have technology to bring a speeding car to a halt by firing a microwave beam at it, disabling its electronic devices. Lasers can also be used defensively, to take out an attacking satellites solar panels. Destroying its power source leaves the satellite unable to communicate with its ground station, and it becomes lost in space. A super-EMP weapon is an enhanced hydrogen bomb that, detonated at high altitude, would attack all communications including cell and Internet coverage. A blast 400 kilometers above the United States would unleash a flood of gamma rays, causing a massive electromagnetic pulse that fries all electronics on the US Mainland, including the entire system of electricity grids, telecommunications and cellular phones. How about nuclear weapons? Apparently in the 1960s a small number of space-based nuclear tests were carried out including Starfish Prime. The tests caused radiation belts to form around the earth and disabled half a dozen satellites in low orbit. These radiation belts were detectable for decades after the event. As Space.com points out, If the results of Starfish Prime are anything to go by, then clearly it would take only a handful of nuclear detonations to make space unusable for any satellites for decades to come. While nuclear weapons in space are banned under the Outer Space Treaty and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty, not all nuclear-armed nations have signed the latter, including the US and North Korea. And while nukes in space probably arent much of a threat, clearly the US through the creation of Space Force, and demonstrated by a recent multi-national military exercise, sees space warfare as a very real possibility. Last September roughly 350 military and civilian experts gathered at the Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama for the 13th Schriever Wargame. Set in 2029, the scenario involving the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, explores critical space issues and examines the integration of multiple agencies associated with space systems, Air Force officials said. As an indication the US Military is aware it needs to adapt to space-based threats, read the comments from Matthew Wolfe Davidson, deputy combined force space component commander at the US Space Command and vice commander of the 14th Air Force at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, during a keynote address on Nov. 6. We certainly know we have an adversary that is attempting, in all different ways, to impact what we do, said Brig. Gen. Davidson. There is no question when you look at what our competitors, China and Russia, are doing with direct-ascent anti-satellite weapons there are not many dual-purpose needs for that. A more benign space competition is for who can be the first to establish a civilian lunar base. Just over a year ago Chinas National Space Administration landed a robot on the dark side of the moon (Pink Floyd, anyone?). The Change probe and its on-board Yutu-2 rover are reportedly photographing and scanning minerals, hatching fruit fly eggs and cultivating crop seeds, according to the Daily Beast. In 2017 China and Europe said they plan to cooperate on building a moon base. Or Europe could join Russia in sending a reconnaissance probe to the moon. As for the United States, the US Army had drawn up blueprints as far back as the 1950s for a moon base but the project, called Horizon, was shelved in the 60s. Surprisingly given their Cold War history, the US and Russia are working on something called the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) that would orbit the moon like the International Space Station orbits the earth. Ironically the MOL program's mission was to have US astronauts gather intelligence on the Soviets. The Moon Treaty bans any military use of celestial bodies, including weapon testing, nuclear weapons in orbit, or military bases. Conclusion The US Military is by far the most powerful military machine in the world. Its ability to project force, manpower and equipment to the furthest reaches of the globe is unparalleled. Could US hegemony be challenged by China and Russia, maybe Europe, in the final frontier? There is certainly evidence of a growing capability from Americas competitors in space warfare, but on the other hand, the US government under Trump seems to recognize the threats and is doing something about it through the creation of Space Force and promising funds for civilian lunar exploration. Its both fascinating and frightening to see space weapons technology advance, the kind of equipment that can kill and inflict massive casualties with the press of a button, or destroy communications and energy infrastructure we take for granted. Another good reason to own precious metals. By Richard (Rick) Mills www.aheadoftheherd.com rick@aheadoftheherd.com If you're interested in learning more about the junior resource and bio-med sectors please come and visit us at www.aheadoftheherd.com Site membership is free. No credit card or personal information is asked for. Richard is host of Aheadoftheherd.com and invests in the junior resource sector. His articles have been published on over 400 websites, including: Wall Street Journal, Market Oracle, USAToday, National Post, Stockhouse, Lewrockwell, Pinnacledigest, Uranium Miner, Beforeitsnews, SeekingAlpha, MontrealGazette, Casey Research, 24hgold, Vancouver Sun, CBSnews, SilverBearCafe, Infomine, Huffington Post, Mineweb, 321Gold, Kitco, Gold-Eagle, The Gold/Energy Reports, Calgary Herald, Resource Investor, Mining.com, Forbes, FNArena, Uraniumseek, Financial Sense, Goldseek, Dallasnews, Vantagewire, Resourceclips and the Association of Mining Analysts. Copyright 2020 Richard (Rick) Mills - All Rights Reserved Legal Notice / Disclaimer: This document is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment. Richard Mills has based this document on information obtained from sources he believes to be reliable but which has not been independently verified; Richard Mills makes no guarantee, representation or warranty and accepts no responsibility or liability as to its accuracy or completeness. Expressions of opinion are those of Richard Mills only and are subject to change without notice. Richard Mills assumes no warranty, liability or guarantee for the current relevance, correctness or completeness of any information provided within this Report and will not be held liable for the consequence of reliance upon any opinion or statement contained herein or any omission. Furthermore, I, Richard Mills, assume no liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage or, in particular, for lost profit, which you may incur as a result of the use and existence of the information provided within this Report. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Despite the end of the impeachment saga and the ongoing race to the national election in November, some bipartisan legislation is gaining traction within the U.S. legislature. A new bill introduced to the Senate last month hopes to allow entrepreneurs and small business owners another way to generate much-needed financing for the year ahead. Co-sponsored by Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Gary Peters (D-MI), the Small Business Start-up Savings Act would allow small businesses to create tax-deductible start-up savings accounts. This bill intends to help Americans on their small business journeywhether they are starting a business, or expanding an existing one. Having grown up in a family-owned business, Ive seen firsthand how difficult it can be to run a small business, make payroll, build capital, and comply with a complex regulatory system, said Sen. Gardner in a press release about the new legislation. Common Ways To Finance Should it proceed, the bill will provide American entrepreneurs assistance in one of the most common ways small businesses achieve financing. According to the Small Business Administration, personal and family savings are by far the primary way small businesses sustain themselves. Of course, business loans are still a major factor in finding outside financing to supplement these funds. We spoke with Jeffrey Bumbales, Director of Marketing with fintech lender Credibly to get perspective on how the legislative act might impact the financing options available for entrepreneurs looking to expand their new or existing business. Having ample initial capital is crucial for growing your business from a pre-revenue stage, and it's no secret that personal savings and capital from family and friends are frequently invested in early-stage businesses, said Bumbales. Doing so helps the company accelerate revenue to be reinvested in growth, while simultaneously positioning the company to obtain larger sums of financing from lenders who place more emphasis on cash flow than credit history. Story continues The S.3136 bill has been endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nations largest small business group. Senior Director of Federal Government Relations at NFIB, Kevin Kuhlman, believes this legislation will help small businesses with, cash flow, expenses, and investment; encouraging economic growth. Tax Concerns In An Election Year The new savings incentives come in the wake of 2017's sweeping tax overhaul, which has apparently worked its way through the small business ecosystem. The results of a 2019 fourth-quarter survey of small business owners from polling firm Gallup show that 21% of small business owners cite taxes, fair taxation, and tax relief as the most important issues they would like candidates for office to focus on. While businesses remain overall optimistic, small business owners are seemingly no longer anticipating benefits from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Part of this is due to the fact that the majority of tax breaks enacted for small businesses is that they arent permanent, making it difficult for business owners to make long-term decisions. We haven't really seen this play out in full but one would anticipate that banks and other longer-term lenders tighten their credit box to manage risk. Our capital solutions are pretty short term, so we would be happy to continue lending accordingly, said Bumbales. Given it stands to reason then that freshmen Senators Gardner and Peters (both of whom are running for re-election this year) attached their name to the new bill. Sen. Peters, in particular, has been unequivocal in his advocacy. I urge the Senate to advance this commonsense bill that would help address a challenge many of our Michigan entrepreneurs and small businesses face, said Sen. Peters. One of the main issues business owners have run in to with tax breaks enacted for small businesses is that they arent permanent. This issue makes it difficult for business owners to make long-term decisions. Referencing the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts, though the tax cuts helped some businesses save money, the continued effects of these tax cuts are not guaranteed and in other cases, expire. Now Is The Time With high tax rates and a lack of capital, starting a business may seem like an endeavor for a select few. In reality, there are currently more than 30 million small businesses in the U.S. and according to the Small Business Administration, small businesses generate 8.4 million jobsmore than of the new net jobs created in the market. A lack of capital can be discouraging, but in this booming economy with more small business legislation like this one and online loan providers being readily available, 2020 might be a good time to start or expand your business. Image source @ Pixabay See more from Benzinga 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. A young woman was left needing an operation and more than 20 stitches after she was attacked by a sea lion while swimming in Australia. Elena Precillia was swimming underwater with a raft of sea lions when one of them lunged for the bottom of her leg. The attack left her with stitches, a course of antibiotics and a medical bill of more than 2,000. The 25-year-old pastry chef said she was 'panicking' and struggling to breathe after she was bitten before her friend Mauro Signoretti pulled her to safety. Elena Precillia swims underwater with sea lions in Australia - before she was bitten by one of the creatures and left facing a 2,000 medical bill The 25-year-old suffered this wound on her leg after she was bitten underwater in Australia Elena in hospital where medics prescribed a course of antibiotics, fearing infection from the sea lion's bacteria Elena said she was told by locals that the sea lions were friendly and that many tourists swam at the spot in Geraldton, Western Australia. She decided to explore with her friend Mauro, but on her third trip to Seal Rocks she was bitten by one of the creatures. Fearing infection from the sea lion's bacteria, medics prescribed a course of antibiotics which added to her medical bills. Cleaning her leg required an operation and Elena will have to return to the hospital in 10 days' time for further checks. Describing the attack, she said: 'All of a sudden, all I saw was a sea lion in front of me, and when I turned my back, he bit me. 'It was on the back of my right leg, and straight away I could see he had drawn blood. 'The pain was shock - I couldn't really feel thanks to the adrenaline, but I couldn't swim to get out of the water. 'I was in panic, unable to breath well and was terrified as there were still four or five of the sea lions around us. 'My friend, Mauro had to get me back to shore as I was panicking.' Elena Precillia swimming underwater in what she said had been an 'amazing experience' with the sea lions 'dancing' around her before she was bitten The 25-year-old pastry chef swimming off the coast of Western Australia, where she said locals had told her that the sea lions were 'friendly' The pastry chef said she was 'panicking' and struggling to breathe after she was bitten before her friend Mauro Signoretti pulled her to safety Elena said swimming with the sea lions had been an 'amazing experience' until she was bitten because the creatures 'liked to dance with us, playing and jumping out of the water'. Locals had told her that the sea lions were 'friendly' and that 'many [tourists] went there without a tour guide or anything like that', she said. She added: 'We had to jump to the rocks where the sea lions were leaving or swim all the way back - but after the attack, swimming seemed safer so that's what we did. 'I couldn't swim at all so Mauro had to swim for two. 'I ended up needing over 20 stitches, and I have to go back to the hospital in ten days' time to see what needs to be done next. 'I'll definitely never go back to swim with sea lions and I will never recommend to someone to do it. 'They are still wild animals, and in such close proximity, we never know what can happen.' One of the sea lions which live in colonies on rocks and sandy shores, but move underwater to feed and cool off, according to wildlife experts Elena in hospital with her friend Mauro Signoretti who had to pull her to safety after she was bitten Union minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday said the 'sudden disappearance' of the Congress was responsible for the BJP's defeat in Delhi Assembly polls. Pune: Union minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday said the "sudden disappearance" of the Congress was responsible for the BJP's defeat in Delhi Assembly polls as it led to a direct fight between his party and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP swept the Delhi Assembly polls by winning 62 of the total 70 seats. While the BJP won eight seats, the Congress failed to open its account for the second consecutive election. "The (BJP's) defeat in Delhi elections was because of the sudden disappearance of the Congress. It is a different subject whether the Congress disappeared (on its own), people made it disappear or whether their votes got transferred (to AAP)," Javadekar said in a press conference. He said the Congress, which had got 26 percent votes in Lok Sabha elections, could win only four percent votes in Delhi elections. "Because of Congress's disappearance, there was a direct fight between the BJP and the AAP. We had expected 42 percent votes for us and 48 percent for AAP, but our prediction failed by three percent each. We (BJP) got 39 percent votes, while the AAP received 51 percent votes," he said. The minister said that ups and downs were bound to happen in elections. "But the BJP does an analysis of all these things," he added. When asked about his remarks, in which he had described Kejriwal as a "terrorist", he said he had never made this kind of statement. Earlier this month, Javadekar had said that Kejriwal had called himself an "anarchist" and there is not much of a "difference between an anarchist and a terrorist". Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that hate speeches like 'goli maro' and 'Indo-Pak match' made by BJP leaders during the Delhi Assembly election campaign may have resulted in the party's defeat. When asked about Shah's remarks, Javadekar said his observations are important. "But there are other reasons for the defeat and the review will be done," he said. "Ours is a party that keeps learning. We learn from our victories and defeats. So an analysis of the defeat will be done at the party level," Javadekar said. [February 14, 2020] Malta's Melita Providing Gigabit Broadband Service Nationally Sydney, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just released, this edition of Paul Budde Communications focus report on Malta outlines the major developments and key aspects in the telecoms markets. Click here to access the report : https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Malta-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses Maltas telecom sector is among the most advanced in Europe, with high mobile and broadband penetration rates and a strategy in place to capitalise on infrastructure to develop e-commerce opportunities. The sector has also been stimulated by regulatory measures designed to reduce consumer prices and develop a national FttP network. Interest in Maltese telcos continues to attract investors, with Melita having been sold to EQT in late 2019 and (subject to regulatory approval) Vodafone Malta having been sold to Monaco Telecom. There has also been some encouragement to increase market competition and so reduce prices for end-users. This led to the 2019 Virtual Unbundled Local Access (VULA) agreement between GO and Vodafone Malta by which Vodafone was able to enter the fixed broadband market using GOs fibre infrastructure. Melita provides a national gigabit service via its fibre and DOCSIS3.1 networks, while GO is currently investing in an extensive FttP network, which covered about 90,000 premises by late 2019. The company is investing 100 million to develop LTE and fibre through to 2023, while in early 2020 it also began work on a new submarine cable system linking to France and Egypt. Key developments: Vodafone Group sells its Maltese unit to Monaco Telecom; Melita launches 5G-ready network; completes project to deliver fibre networks to public schools; Melita providing 1Gb/s broadband service nationally; GO commits to 100 million five-year investment in fibre infrastructure, announces plans for submarine cable system linking to Marseille and Egypt; Regulator restarts 800MHz auction process; Government supporting a national FttP network; Report update includes the regulator's market data updates to June 2019, telcos' operating data to Q3 2019, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, recent market developments. Companies mentioned in this report: Vodafone Malta, GO, Melita, SIS, Ozone, Redtouch Fone, PING. Table of Contents Key statistics Regional European Market Comparison Europe Telecom Maturity Index by tier Market Leaders Market Challengers Market Emergents TMI versus GDP Mobile and mobile broadband penetration Fixed versus mobile broadband penetration Country overview Telecommunications market Regulatory environment Historical overview Regulatory authority Fixed-line developments Digital Society initiatives Telecom sector liberalisation Privatisation Interconnect Access Carrier PreSelection (CPS) Number Portability (NP) Mobile network developments Roaming Mobile Termination Rates (MTRs) Mobile Number Portability (MNP) Spectrum regulations and spectrum auctions Spectrum auctions Mobile market Market analysis Mobile statistics Mobile infrastructure 5G 4G (LTE) 3G Other infrastructure developments NB-IoT Mobile data Short Message Service (SMS) Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) Mobile broadband Major mobile operators Vodafone Malta GO Mobile Melita Mobile MVNOs Fixed-line broadband market Introduction and statistical overview Broadband statistics Fixed-line broadband technologies Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) netorks Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) networks Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP) networks Other fixed broadband services Satellite Wireless broadband Fixed network operators GO Melita Telecommunications infrastructure Overview of the national telecom network International infrastructure VoIP Wholesale Data centres Appendix Historic data Related reports List of Tables Table 1 Top Level Country Statistics and Telco Authorities - Malta 2019 (e) Table 2 Change in the number of fixed numbers ported 2007 2019 Table 3 Growth in roaming voice and data traffic (outbound) 2014 2019 Table 4 Change in the number of mobile number portings 2006 2019 Table 5 Change in blended mobile ARPU 2013 2019 Table 6 Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2009 2024 Table 7 Change in mobile market share of subscribers by operator 2007 2019 Table 8 Growth in mobile voice traffic 2009 2019 Table 9 Change in the proportion of contract and prepaid subscribers, all operators 2009 2019 Table 10 Change in the number of prepaid and contract subscribers 2009 2019 Table 11 Decline in the volume of SMS messages sent 2009 2019 Table 12 Change in the number of MMS messages sent 2009 2019 Table 13 Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2009 2024 Table 14 Growth in mobile data traffic 2015 2019 Table 15 Change in the number of Vodafone Maltas mobile subscribers 2005 2019 Table 16 Growth in the number of GO Mobile mobile subscribers 2009 2019 Table 17 Growth in the number of Melitas mobile subscribers 2009 2019 Table 18 MVNO subscribers by operators 2011 2019 Table 19 Change in the number of fixed broadband subscriptions by platform 2009 2019 Table 20 Growth in the number of fixed broadband subscribers and penetration 2009 2024 Table 21 Change in the proportion of broadband connections by data rate 2013 2019 Table 22 Development of fixed broadband market share by operator 2007 2019 Table 23 Development of fixed broadband ARPU 2012 2019 Table 24 Growth in the number of Melitas cable broadband subscribers 2009 2019 Table 25 Change in the number of DSL subscribers 2009 2019 Table 26 Increase in the number of GOs fibre broadband subscribers 2015 2019 Table 27 Increase in the number of fixed wireless subscribers 2007 2019 Table 28 Fixed wireless share of the fixed broadband market 2007 2019 Table 29 Development of fixed-line subscriber market share by operator 2007 2019 Table 30 Decline in the volume of outgoing fixed-line calls and traffic 2008 2019 Table 31 Development of GO Groups financial data () 2007 2019 Table 32 Growth in the number of fixed lines in service and penetration rate 2009 2024 Table 33 Change in the number of fixed lines by operator 2012 2019 Table 34 Increase in international internet bandwidth 2009 2018 Table 35 Historic - Telecom sector revenue 2009 2016 Table 36 Proportion of contract and prepaid subscribers, all operators 2005 2009 Table 37 Historic - Mobile voice traffic 2005 2009 Table 38 Historic - SMS messages sent 2005 2009 Table 39 Historic - Average cost of SMS messages () 2011 2016 Table 40 Historic - MMS messages sent 2006 2009 Table 41 Historic - Mobile termination rates by operator 2005 2010; 2012 Table 42 Historic - Mobile subscribers and penetration rate 1998 2009 Table 43 Historic - Prepaid and contract subscribers, all operators 2005 2009 Table 44 Historic - Mobile broadband subscribers by type 2012 2016 Table 45 Historic - Dialup internet subscribers 2005 2010 Table 46 Historic - Internet users and penetration 2002 2015 Table 47 Broadband subscriptions by platform 2002 2019 Table 48 Historic Broadband subscriptions by platform 2002 2009 Table 49 Historic - Broadband subscribers and penetration 2000 2009 Table 50 Historic - GO financial data (Lm) 2004 2007 Table 51 Historic - Fixed lines in service and penetration rate 2001 2009 List of Charts Chart 1 Europe Telecoms Maturity Index Market Leaders (top tier) Chart 2 Europe Telecoms Maturity Index Market Challengers (middle tier) Chart 3 Europe Telecoms Maturity Index Market Emergents (bottom tier) Chart 4 Overall view - Telecoms Maturity Index vs GDP per Capita Chart 5 Europe - mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration Chart 6 Scandinavia and Baltics: mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration Chart 7 Northern Europe mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration Chart 8 Southern Europe mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration Chart 9 Eastern Europe mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration Chart 11 Northern Europe fixed and mobile broadband penetration Chart 12 Southern Europe fixed and mobile broadband penetration Chart 13 Eastern Europe fixed and mobile broadband penetration Chart 14 Change in the number of fixed numbers ported 2007 2019 Chart 15 Growth in roaming voice and data traffic (outbound) 2014 2019 Chart 16 Change in the number of mobile number portings 2006 2019 Chart 17 Change in blended mobile ARPU 2013 2019 Chart 18 Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration 2009 2024 Chart 19 Change in mobile market share of subscribers by operator 2007 2019 Chart 20 Growth in mobile voice traffic 2009 2019 Chart 21 Change in the proportion of contract and prepaid subscribers, all operators 2009 2019 Chart 22 Change in the number of prepaid and contract subscribers 2009 2019 Chart 23 Decline in the volume of SMS messages sent 2009 2019 Chart 24 Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration 2009 2024 Chart 25 Change in the number of fixed broadband subscriptions by platform 2009 2019 Chart 26 Growth in the number of fixed broadband subscribers and penetration 2009 2024 Chart 27 Change in the proportion of broadband connections by data rate 2013 2019 Chart 28 Development of fixed broadband market share by main operator 2007 2019 Chart 29 Development of fixed broadband ARPU 2011 2019 Chart 30 Growth in the number of Melitas cable broadband subscribers 2009 2019 Chart 31 Change in the number of DSL subscribers 2009 2019 Chart 32 Increase in the number of GOs fibre broadband subscribers 2015 2019 Chart 33 Increase in the number of fixed wireless subscribers 2007 2019 Chart 34 Development of fixed-line subscriber market share by operator 2007 2019 Chart 35 Decline in the volume of outgoing fixed-line calls and traffic 2008 2019 Chart 36 Development of GO Groups financial data () 2007 2019 Chart 37 Growth in the number of fixed lines in service and penetration rate 2009 2024 Chart 38 Change in the number of fixed lines by major operator 2012 2019 List of Exhibits Exhibit 1 Generalised Market Characteristics by Market Segment Exhibit 2 Mobile operators and spectrum allocation range Exhibit 3 800MHz spectrum assignments April 2018 Exhibit 4 3G licence allocations 2005; 2007 Click here to access the report : https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Malta-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses Nicolas Bombourg [email protected] Within Australia (02) 8076 7665 Outside Australia +44 207 097 1241 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] They each controlled their own products, Mandler said. We didnt know where the seed was even planted. One key issue raised in the case is that new, low-volatility forms of dicamba spray less prone to vaporizing and drifting off target had not yet been approved for use, when the first varieties of dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybean seeds were introduced. The availability of the seeds without the intended spray led to a situation where some farmers illegally used older, more volatile forms of the chemical instead, knowing that their crops would be unaffected. Those off-label applications were blamed for driving dicamba complaints in the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons, before improved formulations were on the market. But even after new products debuted in 2017, reports of dicamba damage persisted, and even accelerated, as more acreage was sprayed with the chemical. Both Bayer and BASF argued that their product labels clearly warned farmers with dicamba-tolerant seeds not to spray illegal alternatives. The companies also pointed to the Environmental Protection Agencys independent approval of new dicamba sprays as a testament to safety, if used properly. After Supreme Court rap, the telecom department on Friday began issuing orders, asking firms such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea to clear past dues immediately. The DoT, which faced the ire of the Supreme Court for putting on hold recovery of dues from telecom companies, started issuing circle or zone-wise demand notices to firms, according to the order copies reviewed by PTI. The Supreme Court had asked companies to clear dues, totalling an estimated Rs 1.47 lakh crore, before the next date of hearing on March 17. Airtel responded to DoT order by offering to pay Rs 10,000 crore by February 20 and the remaining before March 17. Airtel owes nearly Rs 35,586 crore, including licence fee and spectrum usage charge, to the government. There was no word from Vodafone Idea, whose chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla had last month stated that the company will fold if it is forced to make payment of over Rs 53,000 crore dues. India has been divided into 22 telecom circles or zones for the issue of licenses to operators. And their revenues are calculated circle-wise. And so, the DoT issued circle wise demand notices to telecom firms. An order for the UP (West) Telecom Circle asked "all telecom service providers" to clear dues by 11.59 pm Friday. It asked companies to "make the payment of outstanding dues of licence fee and spectrum usage charges by 14.02.2020, 11:59 PM positively". Another order issued for the Rajasthan circle sought "immediate" payments, failing which action would be initiated. It sought "immediate payment of due licence fee and spectrum usage charges along with interest, penalty and interest on penalty (if applicable)" and warned that if the dues are not paid immediately, "necessary action will be taken in terms of the provisions of licence agreement without any further notice". "This may be treated as most urgent," it added. Prior to issuing the demand orders, the DoT withdrew its order which restrained action against any of the companies who fail to pay up dues by the Supreme Court-mandated deadline of January 23. The direction by the DoT says its previous order dated January 23, 2020 "stands withdrawn with immediate effect". "It is directed to take immediate necessary action in compliance with the judgement dated October 24, 2019 of the Supreme Court," said the fresh order issued by the DoT immediately after the Supreme Court took a strong view of non-compliance in payment of dues. In all, 15 entities owe the government Rs 1.47 lakh crore -- Rs 92,642 crore in unpaid licence fee and another Rs 55,054 crore in outstanding spectrum usage charges. Airtel owes nearly Rs 35,586 crore, including licence fee and spectrum usage charge, to the government. Bharti Airtel on Friday offered to pay the Department of Telecom Rs 10,000 crore by February 20 and the rest of the dues before the next date of hearing on the adjusted gross revenue case in the Supreme Court. "Nevertheless, in compliance with the judgement of the Hon'ble Supreme Court and their direction today, we shall deposit a sum of Rs 10,000 crore (on account) by 20th February, 2020, on behalf of the Bharti Group companies," Airtel said in a letter to Member (Finance) at the DoT. Airtel said that as directed by the Member (Finance), the company is in the process of completing the self assessment exercises. "You will appreciate this is a complicated process, covering 22 circles, multiple licenses and a substantial period of time and hence, is time consuming," the letter said. Telecom operators were required to clear their dues by January 23 as per the apex court judgement of October 24, 2019 in the matter. On Friday, the SC directed the managing directors and directors of telcos and other firms to explain why contempt action be not taken against them for non-compliance of its order to pay adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of Rs 1.47 lakh crore to the telecom department. At present there are three private players in the Indian mobile market -- Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio -- besides the ailing state-owned operators BSNL/MTNL. Vodafone Idea Ltd in its earnings statement on Thursday had also sounded out warnings on "material uncertainty" casting "significant doubt" on its ability to continue as a going concern. VIL had suffered staggering Rs 50,922 crore loss in the September quarter (highest ever loss posted by any Indian corporate), when it had made provisions for the statutory dues, although its losses in December quarter stood at Rs 6,439 crore. BofA Securities, in a note on Friday noted "overhang on VIL" and questioned if India is inching to a two-player market. "VIL is not in a position to be able to make the USD 3 billion payment upfront, while the recent QIP by Bharti makes them better placed to do so. If therefore it finally comes to the telcos making an upfront payment - VIL may look to shut shop, and in that event we see the possibility of government intervention to resolve the situation," it said. "Every incremental decision pushes India to a two-telcos market," it added. Market watchers, meanwhile, said in event of any further consolidation in the market, the tariffs could well rise 10-25 per cent. Bharti Airtel's liabilities added up to nearly Rs 35,586 crore. But, Airtel had already said that the previously-mentioned material uncertainty on the group's ability to continue as a going concern "no longer exists" after the recent Rs 21,502 crore fund raising by it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. says China wont let its health workers help fight the virus. Beijing says theyre welcome to come. The World Health Organization says nothing has been decided. The confusion surrounding a planned WHO mission of experts to China shows how lingering mistrust between the worlds biggest economies could hamper efforts to combat a pathogen quickly spreading across the globe. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the worlds preeminent public health agency, has often played a key role coordinating and funding global efforts to contain past outbreaks, including of Ebola. U.S. epidemiologists, virologists and medical doctors could assist China in measuring the effectiveness of their response, said Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations. They could also help prepare for a broader outbreak, provide technical advice, improve the bio-safety of Chinese labs and even improve treatment protocols and medicine combinations for patients, he said. My hunch is that all of this is politicized, said Huang, who also directs the Seton Hall Universitys Center for Global Health Studies. Thats made pure public health cooperation difficult. The failure to cooperate on a pressing global health issue that has killed almost 1,400 people and infected more than 64,000 others shows just how much the relationship between the U.S. and China has deteriorated over the past few years. While President Donald Trump often touts his relationship with Chinas Xi Jinping, the strategic competition between the countries has only deepened since they signed their phase-one trade deal last month. The U.S. this week charged members of Chinas military over one of the biggest data thefts in American history. On Thursday, Washington also increased the charges against Huawei Technologies Co. Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou -- who is currently fighting extradition to the U.S. from Canada -- to include racketeering conspiracy charges, which claim the Chinese company engaged in decades of intellectual property theft. Story continues Members of the Trump administration also hit out at China over its response to the virus, even while the president himself has offered praise. We thought there was going to be more transparency, but were a bit disappointed, Larry Kudlow, director of the U.S. National Economic Council, said Thursday. Were more than willing to work with the UN WHO on this, and they wont let us. I dont know what their motives are. I do know that apparently more and more people are suffering over there, and thats not a good thing. On Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China had worked with the international community in an open, transparent and highly responsible manner. He added that Chinese officials have been in regular contact with American counterparts to exchange information about the epidemic. We welcome foreign experts participation in the China-WHO Joint Mission, including those from the U.S., Geng said in Beijing. Still, the WHO said Friday that nothing had been resolved. We are still awaiting confirmation on the composition and program for the joint mission of experts, Teena Nery, a representative for the WHO in China, said by email. After initial praise for Chinas efforts, evidence that provincial officials censored early reports of the outbreak -- allowing the virus to spread unchecked -- fueled criticism around the world, as well as within China. Authorities in Beijing are now also trying to balance containment measures with efforts to maintain political stability and minimize the economic fallout. Beijing remains deeply concerned about the potential for foreign criticism of its containment efforts, said Carl Minzner, a law professor at Fordham Law School, who wrote a recent book on how Chinas authoritarianism is undermining its rise. They fear that negative analysis by authoritative foreign experts -- whether justified or not -- might feed domestic popular distrust or discontent with how Chinese officials have handled the epidemic. Part of the worry is economic: Vice Premier Hu Chunhua has called for all-out efforts to ensure stable employment amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Chinese officials have repeatedly slammed the U.S. for imposing harsh travel restrictions, while praising traditional developing country allies in Asia -- including Pakistan and Cambodia -- for expressing support, keeping flights routes open and even declining to evacuate their citizens. Battling against the global coronavirus outbreak together couldve been an opportunity to forge closer U.S.-China ties, according to Susan Shirk, a former deputy assistant secretary of state responsible for U.S. policy toward China, Taiwan and Mongolia. The epidemic is a lost opportunity to rebuild some goodwill between China and America and other countries, said Shirk, who is now a professor and chair of the 21st Century China Center at the University of California, San Diego. She said China hasnt provided any channel or outlet for people around the world who want to help, and has undermined foreign and local non-government organizations that typically provide relief during disasters. But she added that part of the blame lies with U.S. political leaders, who have not expressed much sympathy for Chinese citizens enduring a terrifying experience in quarantines. In the U.S., the Congressional Executive Commission on China -- a group headed by U.S. lawmakers to monitor human rights -- has blasted Beijing for silencing Li Wenliang, the doctor who raised the alarm about the virus and later died from it, and for detaining citizen journalists documenting the response. Transparency is key to addressing a global health crisis, not censorship or repression, the commission said on Twitter. Totally Wrong Secretary of State Michael Pompeo further irked China with a speech this week in which he warned U.S. state governors that their pension funds could be investing in companies that help Chinas military and repress Muslims in its western Xinjiang region, which Chinas ambassador to the U.S., Cui Tiankai, said was totally wrong. Competition with China is happening inside of your state and it affects our capacity to perform Americas vital national-security functions, Pompeo told the governors. Competition with China is not just a federal issue. On Friday, Chinas Geng spent about as much time criticizing Pompeo as addressing concerns about the virus response. A sound and stable bilateral relationship serves the interests of both countries and is what the international community wants to see, Geng said. We advise certain people in the U.S. step out of their Cold War mindset and ideological stereotypes, stop discrediting Chinas political system, and stop undermining bilateral exchange and cooperation. To contact the reporters on this story: Iain Marlow in Hong Kong at imarlow1@bloomberg.net;Dandan Li in Beijing at dli395@bloomberg.net;Peter Martin in Beijing at pmartin138@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Brendan Scott at bscott66@bloomberg.net, Daniel Ten Kate 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. Slamming the BJP-led central government on the first anniversary of Pulwama attack, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday questioned who has been held accountable for the "security lapses" and also asked about the outcome of the inquiry into the attack. "Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack?" tweeted Rahul Gandhi. It was around 3:00 pm on this day, last year when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist rammed a vehicle carrying explosives into the Central Reserve Police Force (CPRF) convoy on Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pulwama. Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2500 CRPF personnel were traveling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack. Nationwide protests erupted against the dastardly terror attack even as the country bid goodbye to its bravehearts. Leaders across the party lines and civil society condemned the attack and called for an appropriate response with Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing to punish perpetrators. Days after the attack, the Indian Air Force on February 26 carried out multiple aerial strikes at JeM terror camps in Pakistan's Balakot, killing "large number" of terrorists and destroying their infrastructure. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gardai maintained a presence at a South Kildare school this week in response to threats made online. The principal of Colaiste Lorcain community college said Gardai have the matter under control and their presence was to reassure students, families and staff. The Garda Press Office confirmed that patrols were carried out but nothing suspicious was detected and investigations are ongoing. Principal of Colaiste Lorcain, Eric Gaughran said this morning: "I understand that the Gardai are investigating a post on social media from some time back. "We believe the Gardai have the matter under control and their occasional presence here is to reassure students, families and staff." Replying to a query on the issue, a Garda spokesman confirmed Garda activity at the school due to threats made online. The spokesman said: "Gardai carried out patrols at a school in the Castledermot area as a result of online threats made towards an educational institution in the area. "Several patrols of the area have taken place this week. Nothing suspicious detected. "Investigations are continuing." Colaiste Lorcain is a co-education school teaching male and female students and was established in the 1980s. Its website says it has between 300 and 400 students and 30 staff. In a big surprise to their fans, the first teaser for Stranger Things season 4 was shared online on Friday, Valentines Day. It confirmed the return of fan-favourite character, Jim Hopper. The teaser is set somewhere in cold and icy Russia where prisoners are seen working on railroads. Evil Russian soldiers stand guard as the prisoners work hard. Playing one of the seniors guards is actor Tom Wlaschiha who played Jaqen Hghar on HBOs hit show Game of Thrones. However, the biggest reveal is David Harbours Hopper, who is also among the prisoners. One big change is that he is bald now. From Russia with love, Stranger Things Twitter handle wrote. The official Twitter handle of Netflixs other show You, joined the hype train. I cant believe you did that. made russia sound like somewhere id want to be, their tweet read. While fans loved seeing Hopper again, they also asked Netflix why they made everyone cry over his death in the last season. So, you all really made us cry for nothing, huh?, read one tweet. Yall had me crying about hop last season ... I wont ever forgive you for the tears, read another tweet. Also read: Batman first look: Robert Pattinson steps into iconic Batsuit, internet cant get over his Batjaw Last season, Hopper sacrificed himself to save his friends and daughter from the latest evil monster that attacked Hawkins. The final moments of show had made fans emotional. Turns out, he was only teleported to Russia, as hinted in the final shot of the show. Stranger Things is one of Netflixs most popular shows. It also stars Winona Ryder, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Joe Keery and others. Follow @htshowbiz for more A former Nyayo House detainee has disregarded calls by political leaders and clergymen that victims of the infamous torture chambers should forgive the late former president Daniel arap Moi. Tirop Kitur, who was held at Nyayo House for 18 days in 1986, said it was okay for people like Raila Odinga to forgive Moi but unfair to ask former detainees to do the same. It is okay for ODM leader Raila Odinga to forgive Moi. He has everything he needs. He was a prime minister, he is wealthy. Ask the poor people who sacrificed their lives if they want to forgive Moi. Some died and were forgotten. Others became alcoholics, their lives and families destroyed, Kitur said. It is upon others to say or find nice things to say about Moi. For me, all I have left is my Nyayo House torture and prison story. Read: Forgive Moi. He Had His Faults But He Loved Peace Religious Leaders The former Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Commissioner said the government had not shown it was serious about forgiveness and healing. Why are we being forced to forgive Moi? Whats the hurry to forgive Moi, you guys say youre Christians, l can forgive him in the next life. The government made it hard for us to forgive Moi by appointing Wagalla massacre perpetrator to head the TJRC, added Kitur. Kitur, who was expelled in his second year at the University of Nairobi, was arrested alongside former secretary-general of Release Political Prisoners Karimi Nduthu in June 1986. RPP was a movement formed by ex-political detainees soon after the country returned to multi-party democracy in 1992. They were held at the torture chambers before being arraigned in a Naivasha court on charges of sedition and destruction of property. Kitur was sentenced to 15 years in prison 8 years for sedition and 7 for property destruction but he only served years at the Naivasha Maximum Prison. He was speaking during an interactive session at PAWA254 on Wednesday. The session brought together former political detainees during Mois reign. The Journalists' Forum Assam (JFA) expressed concern on Friday over an incident of alleged eve-teasing of a senior woman journalist near the Guwahati Press Club. The incident happened on Monday evening when the journalist was walking towards her car, parked near the Club, after attending a function at the nearby Rabindra Bhawan. A group of young men allegedly made lewd comments at her from inside a parked car, following which she protested and was about to take their photograph when they sped away, a statement issued by the JFA said. "We are really shocked that the people inside the vehicle dared to verbally humiliate a journalist. It shows their audacity to target women anywhere and at any time as they perhaps believe that nobody can punish them," said JFA secretary Nava Thakuria. The journalist said that she has given the accused persons a day's time to apologise, failing which she will file a police complaint. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Friday directed the managing directors and directors of telcos and other firms to explain why contempt action be not taken against them for non-compliance of its order to pay adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of Rs 1.47 lakh crore to the Department of Telecommunications The Supreme Court on Friday directed the managing directors and directors of telcos and other firms to explain why contempt action should not be taken against them for non-compliance of its order to pay adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of Rs 1.47 lakh crore to the Department of Telecommunications. #AGR Judgment| Telecom cos should deposit dues before the next hearing on March 16, observes Supreme Court pic.twitter.com/wwdVqtyLmO CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) February 14, 2020 The apex court issued contempt notices to telecom giants Vodafone and Bharti Airtel over non-payment of AGR and summoned the managing directors of the firms for the next hearing in March, according to a report in The Indian Express. Taking strong note of the non-compliance of its order, a bench of Justice Arun Mishra, Justice S Abdul Nazeer and Justice M R Shah expressed anguish over the order passed by DoT's desk officer staying the effect of its verdict in AGR matter, according to a report in The Indian Express. #AGR Judgment | SC asks telecom companies, DoT to show cause as to why contempt proceedings should not be launched against them CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) February 14, 2020 Hearing pleas filed by Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel, and Tata Teleservices seeking more time for payment of AGR related dues, the apex court expressed serious displeasure as to how a desk officer can pass such an order which stays the effect of the apex court's judgment. "How can a desk officer do this to the Supreme Court's order. Is this the law of the country. Is this the way you treat the courts," the three-member Supreme Court bench said. Justice Arun Mishra, who was heading the bench, said, "We don't know who is creating this nonsense. Who is generating all this? Is there no law left in the country? I am literally anguished. I feel I should not work in this court and in this system. I am very anguished. I am saying this with full sense of responsibility." "I don't get angry like this, but I am totally lost how to work in this system and this country," he said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta tendered an apology before the bench also comprising Justice S Abdul Nazeer and Justice M R Shah, and said the desk officer cannot do this. "As the solicitor general of the country, have you asked him (desk officer) to withdraw this? This cannot be tolerated. We cannot function in this fashion. Let us wind up the Supreme Court if your desk officer has this audacity. News reports are being published. Who is sponsoring all this?" the bench asked. "I never bother about myself. You don't understand me, not even an inch. Your desk officer is staying the Supreme Court order. Is he sitting over the Supreme Court? How?," Justice Mishra said, adding it was "better not to live in this country, rather leave it". "We have to draw contempt against this man (desk officer) and also against these companies. How are they behaving? We had dismissed the review plea and not even a single penny has been deposited yet. The desk officer is staying our order. We are concerned with the health of judiciary, of this country and of this system," the bench said. Mehta requested the bench to defer the matter and said action should not be taken right now and they would file an explanation about the desk officer. "What kind of applications are being filed? What kind of mentioning is being made? If you want to avoid us, you do it and we will recuse," the bench said. It observed that the companies have violated its order in substance and this shows that they have scant respect for the order of the Supreme Court. Referring to the desk officer's letter to the attorney general, the apex court bench said, "This is nothing but a device to oblige the companies. This kind of order could not have been passed by a desk officer." The bench directed the managing directors and directors of all the telcos and companies concerned to appear before it on next date of hearing on 17 March and explain why they have not deposited the money and why coercive action should not be taken against them. Pay up by the next date of hearing. This is the last opportunity all companies have. We must do this. Corruption of all kinds must stop, a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said. After the SC judgment, shares of Vodafone Idea fell as much as 13.40 percent while stocks of Bharti Airtel was up 3.99 percent. #CNBCTV18Market | Bharti Airtel reverses its losses after the SC order on #AGR dues pic.twitter.com/Psp45LDXC3 CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) February 14, 2020 On 16 January, the Justice Mishra-led bench had dismissed review petitions of telcos seeking review of its earlier order asking them to pay Rs 1.47 lakh crore in statutory dues by 23 January, saying it did not find any "justifiable reason" to entertain them. The top court had on 24 October last year ruled that the statutory dues needed to be calculated by including non-telecom revenues in AGR of telcos. Vodafone seeks 10 years to make payment On 5 February, Vodafone said it has sought waiver of interest and penalty from statutory dues demand raised by the government from Vodafone Idea and a time of 10 years to pay only the principal amount with a two-year moratorium. The Supreme Court in October upheld the demand raised by the government from telecom operators to pay levies on the revenues earned by them. Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL), in which Vodafone holds 45.39 percent stake, is staring at unpaid statutory dues of Rs 53,038 crore, including Rs 24,729 crore of spectrum dues and Rs 28,309 crore in licence fee, and has already warned of shutdown if no relief is given. Specifically, we have requested an immediate two-year moratorium on spectrum payments, lowering of licence fees and taxes, waving off interest and penalties on the AGR (adjusted gross revenue) case and ability to make the payment on principal over 10 years with a 2-year moratorium," Vodafone Chief Executive Officer Nick Read said during investors presentation. In January, the Supreme Court rejected the review petition filed by VIL and other industry participants in relation to the AGR judgment. Both VIL and Bharti Airtel have subsequently filed modification petitions to request the court to order the Department of Telecommunications to determine a payment schedule in relation to AGR dues and other reliefs. VIL is actively seeking various forms of relief from the Centre to ensure that the rate and level of payments it makes to the government is sustainable and it can meet its other commitments also. "Following the AGR ruling of the Supreme Court, the situation in India is critical. The telecom industry in India has asked the government to take action urgently in order to support the continuation of three (private operators) plus one (public firm) player market," Read said. India business 'remains critical' says Vodafone's Global CEO Nick Read; adds that co is actively seeking various forms of relief from the indian Govt on the AGR issue CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) February 5, 2020 Vodafone in November wrote off the carrying value of its share in the loss-making joint venture. Read reiterated that there is no change in the Vodafone position announced in November and the company will not inject any additional capital in the Indian market. He said procedural delay in the merger of Indus Towers with Bharti Infratel is putting Vodafone Idea under "incredible strain". Bharti Infratel and Vodafone India hold 42 percent stake each in Indus Towers. VIL holds an 11.15 percent stake in the mobile tower firm which it plans to sell off once the merger is complete. Bharti Infratel on 24 December had extended the deadline for the second time for the merger with Indus Towers by two more months to 24 February, as it did not receive the necessary government approval. What is the case about Fifteen telecom companies owe the government Rs 92,642 crore in unpaid licence fee and another Rs 55,054 crore in outstanding spectrum usage charges. These liabilities arose after the Supreme Court in October last year held that non-core revenues have to be considered for calculating statutory dues from Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR). In the case of Bharti Airtel, the liabilities added up to nearly Rs 35,586 crore, of which Rs 21,682 crore is licence fee and another Rs 13,904.01 crore is the spectrum usage charge dues (not including the dues of Telenor and Tata Teleservices). Vodafone Idea -- which is staring at unpaid statutory dues of Rs 53,038 crore, including Rs 24,729 crore of spectrum dues and Rs 28,309 crore in licence fee -- has already warned of shut down if no relief is given. Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea Ltd, and Tata Teleservices have, meanwhile, jointly filed a modification application in the Supreme Court seeking more time to pay the statutory dues. The plea for relief on the payment schedule came after a three-judge Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra, earlier this month, dismissed the review petitions filed by telecom companies against the apex court's 24 October, 2019 verdict. The telecom department has also estimated another Rs 2.4 lakh crore in liability for non-telecom companies such as state-owned gas utility GAIL India Ltd and power transmission firm PowerGrid, which had taken licences to trade broadband on optic fibre running along their pipelines and transmission lines. The DoT has sought additional license fee of Rs 1.72 lakh crore from gas utility GAIL India Ltd, Rs 48,000 crore from OIL, around Rs 22,000 crore from Power Grid Corporation (PowerGrid), and has raised similar demands from RailTel and other public sector undertakings (PSUs). PSUs including Oil India Ltd (OIL) and Power Grid Corporation have filed a clarificatory/modificatory petition in the Supreme Court against demands raised by the telecom department. --With inputs from agencies Former White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow talks to media outside the White House in Washington in a Sept. 26, 2019, file photograph. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Trump Wants New Tax Cuts by September 2020: Kudlow President Donald Trump wants new tax cuts by September, economic adviser Larry Kudlow said. The package could center around 10 percent tax cuts for the middle class, Kudlow, the national economic director, said during an appearance on Fox Business Maria Bartiromos Wall Street late Thursday. The administration also wants to make other tax cuts permanent. Kudlow said administration officials will probably use Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Voughts $1.4 trillion budget request to craft the new package, dubbed tax cuts 2.0. The package containing the fresh round of cuts will come out sometime in September, according to Kudlow. In a recent meeting, the director recounted, Trump looked at him and said, Lets get it out by September. Trump has said multiple times that he wants another round of tax cuts passed sometime in 2020. In Baltimore last September, he told House Republicans that officials were working on a tax cut for middle-income people. Well be announcing it some time in the next year, but itll be a very, very substantial tax cut for middle-income folks who work so hard, he said. 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) Two months later, Trump spoke again of the planned tax cut but said it was dependent on the GOP winning back the House of Representatives, which is currently controlled by Democrats. Kudlow said that same week during an appearance on CNBC that that tax cuts would be strategic, pro-growth, and aimed at getting middle-income Americans the lowest possible rates. Trumps original tax cuts, passed in late 2017, reduced the individual income rate, cut the corporate income tax rate, and doubled the child tax credit, among other things. The cuts led to the average American paying about 25 percent less in taxes, according to data from H&R Block. Democrats have opposed the cuts and any future cuts, arguing theyre contributing to a rising national deficit. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Penn.) introduced legislation this week that would make permanent a provision of 2017 tax reform law, which is slated to wind down at the end of 2022. The immediate expensing provision allowed businesses to immediately write off purchases of new equipment. It led to workers becoming more productive, which resulted in higher wages and more jobs, Toomey said in a statement. My bill to make full expensing permanent would give manufacturers and businesses of all sizes certainty around investment planning and it would keep our economy humming. Violence. Netflixs first scripted African series, Queen Sono is described as an action-packed drama following a highly trained top spy in a South African agency whose purpose is to better the lives of African citizens. After the assassination of her mother, Queen Sono grows up to become a kick-ass yet unconventional spy. During a dangerous field assignment, Queen unknowingly uncovers shocking details about her mothers death, sparking her own truth-finding mission. Queen Sono stars Vuyo Dabula as Shandu, an ex-spy who has taken a different path. Sechaba Morojele plays Dr. Sid, director of the SOG, with Chi Mhende, Loyiso Madinga, and Rob Van Vuuren, playing agents on his team. Kate Liquorish plays Ekaterina, heiress of an oligarch family with ulterior motives. Khathu Ramabulana plays Queens childhood friend, William, now in a relationship with Enhle Mbali Mlotshwas character, Nova. Abigail Kubeka plays Mazet, Queens beloved Gogo, who has always supported Queen no matter the trouble she gets herself into. Friday February 28 on Netflix. REUTERS A Chinese woman found guilty of resisting arrest on President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago property was sentenced to six months in prison on Friday. Jing Lu was ultimately acquitted of the trespassing charge against her, but will go to prison for resisting officers during the December incident. According to the Palm Beach Post, on 18 December, Lu was touring a number of spots in South Florida, including Mar-a-Lago. She walked through an open gate at the resort and began taking photos inside, according to Palm Beach police. A Mar-a-Lago security guard approached her and told her to leave, but realised she did not speak English. He tried to signal to her to leave, which she did. Lu later returned and continued taking photos on her cell phone. She was again asked to leave by security. Lu continued on her tour, but was later intercepted by police who asked her about her visit to the resort. She showed them her photos and thought the police wanted her to delete them, but began to protest when the police attempted to arrest her for going to the club. During her court hearing, she explained her confusion through a Mandarin interpreter. Jing Lu (AP) I said No, what are you doing? I just took a couple of pictures, Lu said. Assistant Public Defender Schnelle Tonge told the jury that Lu made an honest mistake. A potential juror that was eventually dismissed before the final jury was chosen asked why were here and said the situation should have resulted with little more than a slap on the wrist and get on with your business. Assistant State Attorney Alexandra Dorman painted Lu as a nefarious actor, suggesting her decision to walk onto the property was not an honest mistake. This was a calculated decision. Lu is the second Chinese national to face punishment for their behaviour at Mar-a-Lago this year. Yujing Zhang trespassed at the resort in March and was found guilty in November of lying to federal officers and trespassing in a restricted zone. Last weekend Ireland went through a historic election. Although it has ended in a nearly three-way tie and a round of coalition bargaining, the two major parties that have dominated Irish politics since the founding of the modern state, Fianna Fail (Soldiers of Destiny) and Fine Gael (Family of the Irish), are in decline. Both lost seats after years in which Fianna Fail allowed a minority Fine Gael government to rule in a confidence and supply arrangement. Fine Gael a party affiliated with the center-right across Europe and the original beneficiary of Irelands economic crash a decade ago has finished third. The top vote getter was Sinn Fein (We Ourselves), the left-wing nationalist party that began its life in Northern Ireland, where it acted as the political wing of the Provisional IRA during the Troubles. Sinn Fein managed to get the most votes even though it ran only 42 candidates out of a possible 80. The world, looking in on Ireland to decipher the political winds across Europe, is misinterpreting this election, however. Remembering a few dim details about Sinn Fein, some commentators are leaping to a misunderstanding, and even some Irish commentators are reacting defensively. Yasmeen Serhan over at The Atlantic says the unprecedentedly strong result for Sinn Fein represents a nationalist moment in the country one in which anti-English sentiment, brought on by Brexit, has grown. A diagnosis like this has been common and has led some anti-Brexit commentators to suggest that the English nationalism they think powered that cause is exacerbating competing nationalisms or nearby nationalisms. In fact, Brexit wasnt a hugely significant factor. Though the issue took up much energy from the outgoing Fine Gael government led by Leo Varadkar, his position on Brexit opposing a hard Brexit and wanting the Northern Irish backstop to preserve an all-island economy was shared across all party lines. Small countries often have powerful reasons to converge on a national position, and this was true of Irelands stance on Brexit. Therefore Varadkars handling of it has been discounted; who would have proceeded differently? Story continues Instead, voters punished the two traditional parties in Ireland for longstanding domestic issues, related to soaring costs of housing and a poorly managed health service that is short on hospital beds but long on budget overruns and delays in new facilities. Some Irish commentators, I think, have been overanxious to deny the populist label that outsiders have attached to Sinn Fein. For many in Ireland, populist is not a synonym for a bad guy who is against the EU, doesnt like immigration, or is generally right-wing. Italys Matteo Salvini is a populist, and Law and Justice in Poland. The Irish arent like that, are they? Right now the EU has extremely broad if shallow support in Ireland; the nation treats it as an economic necessity, though is wary of a broader project that challenges its tax sovereignty and historic neutrality. Sinn Fein switched to a pro-EU stance many years ago. And it is generally associated with the Left and pro-immigration. But populist might be the right word for Sinn Fein. Ireland has often flattered itself as immune to continental populism because it has, in the living memory of older voters, experienced the reign of a conservative, nationalist, and deeply Catholic government that sought to protect rural ways of life and make the economy a tool of foreign policy and statecraft. Irelands two major parties did not grow out of a leftright division, but out of a split over a 1922 treaty with the U.K. Both parties have had conservative and progressive elements within them. Fine Gael had an openly fascist wing in the 1930s, but a socially progressive one by the late Sixties and Seventies. Fianna Fail was associated with farmers, urban workers, Gaelic nationalism, and the Church, but it was also welfarist. One can see the confusion lasting even today where Varadkar was often denounced as a Tory boy for his fiscal conservatism and pledge to work for people who get up early in the morning. He also bragged about his partys part in Irelands Quiet Revolution against the Church in successive referenda on same-sex marriage and abortion. But the truth is that toward the end of the Cold War and afterward, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have been converging on policy. Irelands post-colonial psychology means the country has a tendency to take an idea that seems to work for others Catholicism, Victorian morality, or the Wests postCold War political orthodoxies and try to practice it harder, and better than where it originated. Over the past decades, both parties have maintained Irelands international economic strategy, which depends heavily on foreign direct investment, and the direction of global capital flows through its extremely low tax system. This strategy of solicitousness toward multinationals combined with EU membership already begins to narrow the possibility for policy. Along the way these two clientalist parties seemed to be liberating themselves from native clients and increasingly serving corporations from Silicon Valley and commissioners in Brussels. While the economic growth rates since Irelands collapse a decade ago have been impressive, like those in the United Kingdom and other countries, gains have been concentrated at the top of the income distribution, housing prices in the productive capital city are unreachable save for the highest earners, and native small and medium enterprises feel squeezed and at a competitive disadvantage. Ireland may not fit Europes trends in that it is not quite lurching to the right. But the postCold War consensus whose breakdown has allowed the rise of populism elsewhere is officially broken in Ireland, too. The two big beasts of Ireland had been practicing what Josh Barro calls no-choice politics. It couldnt last. And Sinn Fein has simply capitalized on this. The partys leader, Mary Lou MacDonald, denounced the two traditional parties as a party of landlords and a party of developers. In other words, parties of the incumbent interests. She called her party the alternative. Within the Republic of Ireland, Sinn Feins traditional support was always firm in the border counties of Donegal and Monaghan and among working-class voters of Dublin. In this election it dramatically expanded into Irelands sprawling commuter belts. It won every age group except those over 65 who lived through the start of the Troubles. Sinn Fein may not even go into government; it may prefer that Fine Gael prop up a minority Fianna Fail administration and consolidate its position as the opposition. To keep its position solid north of the border where its voters really are motivated by nationalist aspirations, Sinn Fein will agitate toward bringing about a border poll on unifying the island. This will excite and terrify Northern Irelands unionists, who would fear most of all unity under a Sinn Fein government in Dublin. But the border poll was not the biggest issue in the campaign. Party leadership has discouraged elected members from celebrating with Irish republican anthems. South of the border, Sinn Fein doesnt market itself as the party with recapturing Irelands fourth green field at the top of its agenda. Sinn Fein is not quite a trusted party of Irelands establishment. Whereas the two traditional parties seemed to answer to the nations media class, Sinn Fein has a more self-possessed character, flattering itself as closer to the people. Irelands cultural and political ombudsman, Fintan OToole, has urged rapprochement of the establishment and Sinn Fein. That may be in the establishments interest, but it probably isnt in Sinn Feins. That distance between the established order in Dublin and Sinn Fein has had justification. Reports from Northern Irelands police service, the United Kingdoms intelligence agencies, and much journalism suggests that while the Provisional IRA has been disbanded as a paramilitary and terrorist organization, there remain holdover structures from it, like the Army Council, which still influence (or command?) Sinn Feins senior leadership. Is it a normal party? Does it still protect a few senior republican bigwigs who are involved in criminal activity? How much of their appeal with younger voters is the whiff of cordite, a sense of radical chic interrupting a national politics that seemed to run on autopilot? These questions didnt dominate the campaign, but they may begin to dominate Sinn Feins first taste of power in the Dail. The party may also face a test of its own internal coherence. Although it is widely considered a left-wing party because of its progressive position on social issues, its ties to the European Left, and so on, it is still possessed of its idiosyncrasies. Sinn Fein is in many ways an anti-tax party and has run on the abolition of social fees and against the imposition of water taxes that had been urged on Ireland by the EU itself. Its success in rural Monaghan and Donegal is among voters who may be the most instinctively conservative in Ireland. So no, Ireland isnt marching in the same direction as Law and Justice in Poland, Fidesz in Hungary, or Vox in Spain. But the success of Sinn Fein does fit the trend of Europes centrist parties declining into irrelevance, along with all the political certainties of the past two decades. More from National Review Brendan Cole warned that all the rumours around the so-called Strictly curse can ruin lives, as he discussed last seasons winners Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse being photographed together. The phrase Strictly curse was coined after several of the contestants romances suffered and broke down when they appeared on the BBC show over the years, with some ending up falling for the people they were paired with. Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Cole is no stranger to the gossip, as although he has insisted he didnt cross any lines, back in 2004 he split from fellow dancer Camilla Dallerup when he was paired with Natasha Kaplinsky on the programme. Read more: Kelvin Fletcher insists his marriage is amazing Speaking on Lorraine, he addressed recent rumours about Fletcher, who was in the headlines after he was pictured out with his dance partner Mabuse. Oti Mabuse and Kelvin Fletcher attending the the 2019 Pride of Britain Awards (Doug Peters/EMPICS) You have to be careful, said Cole. The thing about Strictly is, you are in a relationship with your dance partner, of sorts. Whatever kind of relationship that is, we dont necessarily know. Take lovely Oti and Kelvin this week, theyve been pictured going to the hotel for the big party with all the other guys. This sort of thing ruins lives. His wife Liz, Otis husband Marius, theyve got two children Liz and Kelvin, the rumours that fly around, its hopefully not true, theres nothing going on. Brendan Cole attends the 'Strictly Come Dancing' Season 8 Launch Show (Stuart Wilson/Getty Images) Host Lorraine Kelly interrupted to say that Fletcher had made it clear there was anything going on between him and Mabuse, and Cole responded: There you go. He went on: You do have to be careful but you create chemistry together, and Kelvin and Oti will probably be lifelong friends because they have been through something so they won it. Read more: Kelvin Fletcher in complete disbelief over win Cole was one of the original stars of Strictly Come Dancing, joining the show in 2004. In 2018 he announced that he was leaving, saying that the BBC had not renewed his contract. A Perth woman who ploughed her car into a group of boys in an "act of vengeance" after a southern suburbs brawl in 2017, killing a teenage boy, has been found not guilty of his murder by a jury. It took jurors just over two hours to find Aya Hishmeh, 23, not guilty of the murder of Jacob Cummins, 17, over the December 2017 incident, but she was found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter. Aya Hishmeh. Credit:Nine News Perth Hishmeh was also charged with the attempted murder of Robert Bell, Augustine Janga, Mark Kickett and Anwre Ige but the jury also found her not guilty of those charges - instead finding her guilty of causing bodily harm. The incident came after a brawl escalated when Hishmeh intervened in a fight between Mr Cummins' group of friends and her family, and later was led to believe one of the boys had injured her younger sister. M ulti-millionaire Nigel Wray may be reeling from the trouble at Saracens rugby club, which he chaired until last month, but one of his largest investments on AIM, Asimilar Group, is about to snap up a stake in Belgian AI company Sentiance. Asimilar, which changed its name from Yolo Leisure and Technology last December and invests in early-stage technology companies, had its shares suspended today pending an announcement. Its largest shareholders are Wray with 11% and tech entrepreneur Christopher Akers, who has a 7% stake. It is unknown how big the stake in Sentiance will be. A source said it would be significant. Sentiance was founded in 2015 and makes AI tech products for the home. Clients include taxi giant Uber. Growing up in a small town in Tasmania, Australia, not far from the coast, every summer we would spend seemingly endless carefree days at the beach swimming, sunbathing and eating freshly-caught fish. I was there again last year with my family, during the Christmas break, but this time rather than enjoying the beach we spent the holiday glued to the television screen, watching as small bushfires across the country rapidly grew into huge uncontrollable conflagrations, burning everything right down to the shoreline. My small home state was spared, but we know that summer in Australia will never be the same. Not only has the annual threat of fires grown, but Australians are now coming to terms with the fact that their government has no interest in dealing with the causes of this crisis and is, in fact, making it worse. The fires did not come as a surprise to the Liberal/National party government more frequent and intense fires were predicted in an official report in 2008. The National Disaster Risk Framework warned that with the driver of a changing climate there is growing potential for some natural hazards to occur at unimagined scales, in unprecedented combinations and in unexpected locations. No less than 23 former fire chiefs and emergency leaders attempted to warn the government for months in 2019 that more resources were urgently needed to tackle bushfires. What did the government do? Some would say, nothing. But actually, that is not true. On top of ignoring the warnings from their own fire experts, government officials spent most of their time actively opposing any moves to limit climate damage and prevent bushfires. Only weeks before the eruption of fires across the country, at Decembers international climate change meeting in Madrid, Australia was one of a handful of nations that thwarted a deal on the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement, using accounting tricks to reduce their emissions reduction commitment. This at a time when Australia is one of the worlds biggest carbon emitters per person. In absolute terms, in 2017, Australias share of global CO2 emissions from domestic use of fossil fuels was about 1.4 percent. Accounting for fossil fuel exports would lift Australias global carbon footprint to about 5 percent, making it the fifth-biggest emitter in the world, despite its relatively small population of 25 million. One might think that following the summer fires the government would start reducing carbon emissions. To the contrary, while Australia already has four of the 10 biggest coal mines in the world, they are planning to open an even bigger one Adani in Queensland, which once operative would more than double Australias coal-based carbon emissions. While standing in the incident control centre for a statewide bushfire emergency, National Party leader and Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack announced that Adani is going ahead. The fact is, this is going to lead to more coal exports. We need more coal exports. Australia recently became the worlds largest producer and exporter of liquefied natural gas and in 2018 became the worlds third-largest exporter of CO2 in fossil fuels. While the world is heating rapidly, Australia is literally throwing fuel on the fire. Comparing recent and planned coal extraction in Australia with Germany, one readily sees the opposing trends. Whereas Germany has been cutting back its coal mining, Australia is pushing forward as if climate science is fake news. Disregarding all environmental predictions, the government continues to throw massive fossil fuel subsidies at the industry estimated at $8bn annually. Solar power subsidies have been withdrawn, in a continent with the highest solar radiation per square metre in the world. Not surprisingly, photovoltaic energy in Australia still provides a lower percentage of electricity than in Germany. The governments myopic environmental policies can be traced back to different interest groups. Powerful mining corporations are calling the shots, to such an extent that even former Liberal Prime Minister John Hewson wrote recently that Prime Minister Scott Morrison is almost totally beholden to the fossil fuel lobby. In tandem, Australia has the worlds third most concentrated media market in the world, with Rupert Murdoch controlling nearly 60 percent of daily newspapers. The media has played a key role in putting climate deniers into government, and maintained a consistent policy in the recent bushfire crisis of arguing that climate change is not the key cause. The Australian governments focus even now is on resilience and adaption, or in other words, they are telling their citizens well keep mining, selling and burning the fossil fuels, and you better just get used to the consequences. Young Australians are angry. They are rapidly losing the right to enjoy the sort of innocent summers I had when I was young, with the bushfire crisis this year likely to be just the beginning of a new reality. Indeed, they have the sight every day of the Australian government busy burning their future. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) (L), South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), ormer Vice President Joe Biden, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) greet the audience ahead of the Democratic Presidential Debate at Tyler Perry Studios November 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Alex Wong | Getty Images With the Iowa and New Hampshire contests now behind us, and Joe Biden all but officially finished in this race, how do the remaining Democrats stack up against President Trump? Let's rate them all by the three most crucial criteria: personal persuasiveness, grass roots/emotional support, and Electoral College math. Persuasiveness The biggest reason why Sen. Bernie Sanders, (I-VT) is now leading the national Democratic voter polls is because he has a strong persuasion game. As he consistently sticks with his socialist message, even many of his biggest detractors give him credit for being genuine and believable. It's not an insignificant calling card when millions of Americans are convinced all politicians lie and don't hold any real beliefs. Sanders is the best potential challenger to Trump in this category. Mayor Pete Buttigieg comes in a distant second here, mostly due to his unthreatening "Mr. Nice Guy" persona. But some of that comes off as inexperience, and Buttigieg has diminished his nicer image a few times by saying Trump voters condone racism. Attacking the voters as opposed to other politicians is a bad persuasion technique, just ask the "deplorables." Senator Amy Klobuchar's suburban mom persona makes her seem persuasive on paper. She's also appeared to be more of a straight talker in recent debates. But she hasn't been tested in front of a national audience long enough to garner anything but an incomplete grade so far. Senator Elizabeth Warren has damaged her own brand and no longer appears to have voters' trust. Remember that her poll numbers took a big step down after she claimed Sanders told her a woman could not win the presidential election, while Sanders strongly denied saying that. The polls told us which candidate the Democratic voters believed. Her campaign also seems to be about to hit its expiration date. That leaves Mike Bloomberg at the bottom in this category. Bloomberg has a weak persuasion game, not because of any perceived dishonesty, but because he doesn't exude the warmth and approachability candidates still needed to connect with voters. There's a reason why Bloomberg often plays a very small role in his campaign ads, or sometimes doesn't appear at all. Emotional/Grass Roots Support This test isn't even close. Sanders has more of an enthusiastic, grass roots following than any Democrat. That's not only led to wins or near-wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, but it's also the reason for his impressive and growing fundraising figures. With Trump still jam-packing arenas at his rallies, the Democrats need someone who can counter that enthusiasm. Sanders is the closest to doing that. Mayor Pete is again a distant second here. But the openly gay Buttigieg has a chance to improve on this if he finds a way to position himself as the kind of transformative candidate Barack Obama was in 2008. For those who think Buttigieg has made his sexual orientation too much of an issue, just remember the now infamous Iowa caucus voter who did not know he was gay and tried to change her vote when she did find out. Bloomberg's entire candidacy is basically a test to see if record campaign spending and dislike for an incumbent can translate into an emotional movement. History tells us this is unlikely, even though Bloomberg is spending so much more money than any other candidate in history. Money has not been able to buy enthusiasm from voters in the past. Is that just because there wasn't enough money? Plus, will money be enough to erase the bad feelings from Bloomberg's comments about black Americans, stop & frisk, and the 2008 mortgage crisis? Unless the Democratic nominee gets a good turnout from black voters, Trump wins easily. Warren had a strong grassroots and enthusiastic following for months but lost it as the primaries approached. She can't match Trump now. Once again, Klobuchar gets an "incomplete" on this test. But by marketing herself as the more moderate choice, the chances of her drumming up very enthusiastic support seem minimal. Electoral College Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema Pallidum . It affects sexually active people of both genders. Syphilis manifests in various regions of the body, in many different ways, because of which it is called the great pretender. The varied clinical presentations may require multiple laboratory investigations before the diagnosis is clear. Test results and physical exam findings must be interpreted by the doctor with reference to the patients history. Mode of Spread The most common mode of acquiring syphilis is though unprotected intercourse with a person who has an open syphilitic chancre. It is not passed through objects that a person with syphilis has used. Syphilis can very rarely be spread through blood transfusion. Pregnant mothers who are infected may pass the disease to their children, which produces what is called congenital syphilis. There are three basic types of tests for syphilis. Direct demonstration of Treponema pallidum Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) Test Tissue biopsy with special stains Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (Polymerase Chain Reaction or PCR) Nonspecific serological tests (Nontreponemal tests) RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) test USR test (Unheated Serum Reagin) TRUST (Toluidine Red Unheated Serum Test) Specific serological tests for Treponema pallidum (Treponemal tests) Enzyme Immuno Assay IgM for early infection IgG becomes positive at 5 weeks It is the preferred test for screening Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination Assay (TPHA) Treponema Pallidum Particle Agglutination assay (TPPA) Fluorescent Treponemal antibody absorbed test (FTA-abs) Treponema Pallidum Chemiluminescent Assay Treponema pallidum recombinant antigen line immunoassay. Doctors may ask for a screening test in any person with symptoms and signs of syphilis. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ghina Ghaliya and Adrian Wail Akhlas (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 The government is set to reform the countrys labor regulations through a sweeping omnibus bill on job creation, in the face of workers objections and criticism from economists and businesspeople over several of the proposed bills provisions. According to a draft obtained by The Jakarta Post on Wednesday, the government-initiated bill will ease foreign-worker recruitment, cap redundancy payments for laid-off workers and provide a bonus, described by some as a sweetener, for employees. The government will also relax outsourcing requirements and open the possibility for outsourcing agencies to hire workers for various jobs, which can be for freelance or full-time work. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login In the race for the GOP nomination for Brazoria County Justice of the Peace Precinct. 4, Place 1, Pearland resident Pete Gamboa touts his extensive law enforcement experience, while his opponent, Angleton resident Sarah Linder, points to six years spent as court clerk in another justice of the peace office. The incumbent for the Precinct. 4, Place 1 post, Sharon Fox is retiring after being in the position since 1997. Linder, court clerk for Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, Place 2, and Gamboa, the police chief for Columbia-Brazoria County ISD, are vying to represent the Republican Party in the November election against Democrat F.J. Jones, who narrowly lost to Fox in the 2018 general election. Precinct 4 represents the western portion of Brazoria County from Shadow Creek Ranch south to West Columbia. Gamboa, 54, believes his 29-year experience in law enforcement, including 18 years as a criminal investigator for the Brazoria County District Attorneys Office assigned to grand jury and civil investigations, gives him an edge for justice of the peace, which includes duties such hearing cases such as civil disputes, issuing warrants, writing probable-cause affidavits, performing inquests, presiding at arraignments and setting bail. This hands-on experience provides me a strong foundation to know what our laws require for issuing warrants, the process of arraignments, setting bail and hearing cases on merit, he said. I am the only candidate with hands-on experience of writing probable-cause affidavits, who knows what is required by law to obtain a warrant and has the knowledge of the process and procedures of the court. Primary election Early voting: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 18-22 and 24-28; 1-6 p.m. Feb. 23 Election day voting: 7 a.m. to 7 p. m. March 3 Voting locations: Visit https://bit.ly/38vbbbU . See More Collapse Linder, 30, also points to more than 100 hours of training by the Texas Justice Court Training Center as qualifications to be next justice. Her run, she said, was also influenced was by Foxs departure. The idea of running for the position always sat heavily on my heart and mind, Linder said. After Judge Fox announced her retirement, I knew in my heart that this was the time and opportunity to seek my call to service. I know that I possess all the qualities that are needed for this position, and I will work tirelessly to uphold the laws, keep our community safe and will help keep intact the values that Brazoria County represents. Gamboa said his time in the DAs office as a criminal and civil investigator, which included performing inquests, informs his understanding of the court system and how to apply the law. As an investigator, I prepared and presented cases to the grand jury and I know what it takes to apply the law in a fair and just manner, he said. Both candidates reference the growth of the county as one deciding factor in their respective bids. Gamboa said, As a lifelong resident of Precinct 4, I have personally witnessed the growth of the county, which has led to a significant increase of criminal and civil cases at the JPs office. Linder said that as justice, she would have an eye toward innovation to meet the challenges of an expanding county. Our county is in the midst of a major population boom with ever-growing demographics, and I am very receptive to change, and I possess a very progressive mindset when it comes to meeting the needs of all individuals, she said. I will use my experience to help evolve with the changes and the different needs that will soon need to be addressed as Brazoria County continues to grow. Gamboa said that informing families of the loss of loved ones through his duties as a law enforcement official give him the perspective of how to deal with the more human aspects of the role of JP. These scenes are not easy to witness, but I know the importance as a public servant to hold your composure, provide compassion and treat victims and their loved ones with dignity and respect, he said. If elected, Linder said she wants to bring a sense of civility to how the law is administered and place an emphasis on compassion and judicial temperament in the court. My time at the JP 2-2 court has taught me that no two persons or cases are the same and that each case should be treated individually and respectfully, she said. I understand that having judicial temperament is a must when addressing each person and case, and making decisions not only requires understanding of the law and how to apply it but also the ability to b to remain calm and sensible in tough situations. Gamboa lives with his wife and their two children in Pearland. He previously sought the Brazoria County Precinct 4 constable office. Linder lives with her husband and two children in Angleton. yorozco@hcnonline.com Three people were arrested here on Friday on charges of being involved in preparing fake visas to the Gulf countries, police said. The arrested were Rellu Kubinder Rao, a resident of West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, Shaik Basheer Ahmed and Balu Prasad, both Tamil Nadu residents, a police press release said. The police seized Rs 2 lakh besides materials including 13 fake visa papers from them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on a plea challenging the bail granted by the Jharkhand High Court in one of the fodder-scam cases. A bench, comprising Chief Justice of India S A Bobde, and Justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant, sought response from Yadav on the plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The probe agency has challenged the July 12, 2019, order passed by the high court at Ranchi, saying it had "erroneously" suspended the sentence awarded by the trial court and released the RJD chief on bail in one of the fodder-scam cases. The high court had granted Yadav bail in the case of fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89.27 lakh from the Deoghar treasury on the ground that he had served half of his prison term of three-and-a-half years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Christian pastor and his 14-year-old daughter have been abducted from a predominantly Muslim refugee camp in Bangladesh after families were viciously attacked and robbed by an angry mob. Dozens of attackers beat up Christian residents, vandalized homes, and looted personal property in the sprawling Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazaar, Human Rights Watch reported. The pastor and his daughter were abducted the day after the attack and his wife claims the teenager has been forced to convert to Islam and marry. More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims live in the refugee camp after fleeing the Myanmar military's 2017 campaign of ethnic cleansing. Approximately 1,500 Rohingya Christians are among them. The sprawling refugee camp in Cox's Bazaar where Christian families were attacked by a mob The abducted pastor, named only as Taher, were abducted from their shelter in the camp on January 27. His wife Roshida told Human Rights Watch that she fears her husband has been killed. She added: 'No one can give me any clear information, but my relatives told me that my daughter has been forced to convert to Islam and marry.' Police said that scores of men attacked 22 Christian families living in Kutupalong Camp 2 in Cox's Bazaar the night before the abductions. At least 12 Rohingya Christian refugees were injured and hospitalized following the attack. A makeshift Christian church and school were also smashed. After the attack the families relocated to a United Nations transit centre and filed a police case against 59 alleged assailants. The Benar News Agency and Radio Free Asia have reported that camp residents believe that the attackers are linked to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), an ethnic Rohingya armed group. But an ARSA representative denied and condemned the attacks on Christians, saying the assailants were harming the group's fight for Rohingya rights. More than 700,000 people live in the refugee camp at Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh (pictured) Victims say the Bangladesh authorities, who described the attack as an 'ordinary law and order incident' and not an attack aimed at Christians, are not doing enough to protect them or to find Taher and his daughter. Camp officials 'try to avoid our queries,' said one man. Another said a police officer in Cox's Bazar told him that if the victims wanted to be safe they should 'go to the moon.' Rohingya Christians have previously reported facing threats and violence in the camps. The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, has expressed her concern for Rohingya Christian refugees who are facing 'hostility and violence.' The Bangladesh authorities should urgently locate Taher and his daughter and bring those responsible to justice. The government should also act immediately to protect all vulnerable groups in the country's refugee camps, including religious minorities like Rohingya Christians. Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald during the final TV leaders' debate at the RTE studios in Donnybrook, Dublin:Niall Carson/PA Wire MARY Lou McDonald has failed to explain why senior Sinn Fein politician Conor Murphy wont say the words Paul Quinn is not a criminal. Ms McDonald instead repeated her view that Mr Murphy and the murdered 21-year-olds mother Breege Quinn should meet. Mr Quinn was beaten to death by an IRA gang in 2007 in a brutal attack that broke every bone in his body. Speaking after the murder, Mr Murphy claimed Mr Quinn had been involved in criminality. Mr Murphy - now the Northern Ireland Finance Minister - finally apologised for the remarks and said he withdrew them after 13 years. It came after Ms Quinn raised the issue during the election campaign. However, the Quinn family still want Mr Murphy to explicitly say Paul was not a criminal. A letter Mr Murphy wrote to the family falls short of doing that. Expand Close Stephen and Breege Quinn at the graveside of their murdered son Paul (Liam McBurney/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stephen and Breege Quinn at the graveside of their murdered son Paul (Liam McBurney/PA) Read More 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." He said he wished to "strongly condemn" those responsible for the murder. Ms Quinn said: "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. Ms McDonald was confronted on the issue at Leinster House this afternoon and asked why Mr Murphy wont say those words. She didnt answer directly, instead saying: I think the Quinn family and Conor need to meet. I would also like to meet Breege. Ive spoken to her over the phone. I think it's important that we sit down and we discuss these matters out face-to-face. I'm always very conscious that dealing with a trauma like this over the airwaves or through third-party mediators. I don't think is the right way to do it. Ms McDonald added: I know that Breege has outstanding questions. We had that conversation, which I think was a good conversation but it's certainly something that we need to follow up on. What happened Shares of American Axle & Manufacturing (NYSE:AXL), a leading global automotive supplier with roughly 80 facilities in 17 countries, are down over 12% Friday afternoon after the company released mixed fourth-quarter results and underwhelming guidance. So what Sales declined 15.6% to $1.43 billion, compared to the prior year, missing analysts' estimates of $1.50 billion. Adjusted earnings per share checked in at $0.13, which was well ahead of analysts' predictions of a breakeven quarter. American Axle's stock price decline today was likely due to its subdued guidance: Management expects 2020 revenue between $5.8 billion to $6 billion, compared to analysts' $6.1 billion forecast. The company expects 2020 free cash flow of roughly $300 million, also below analysts' estimates of $323 million. Management noted there would be lower production in China as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. "AAM delivered solid operating and cash flow performance in 2019, as we adjusted our operations for lower global production volumes and the GM work stoppage," said AAM's chairman and CEO, David C. Dauch, in a press release. Now what Management plans to double down on free cash flow generation and debt reduction in 2020, as well as develope more advanced propulsion products to help stoke demand even as the U.S. automotive market plateaus. The company is less dependent on General Motors than it has been historically, and its cost structure gives flexibility during years of lower vehicle production volume, but it's clear the near term could be choppy for investors as vehicle production and sales slow in the U.S. market. Friday's 12% decline is a continuation of its move lower as the stock has shed nearly 40% of its value over the past year alone. This year marks three decades since U.S. forces took Panamas strong man Manuel Antonio Noriega into custody following Operation Just Cause, which was launched by President George H. W. Bush. It is a historic milestone worth noting, as it offered a hopeful turning point for my country, Panama an important and longstanding U.S. ally in the region. As President Eric Delvalles Ambassador to the U.S. at this pivotal time, I was privileged to lead Panamas Government-in-Exile in Washington, D.C., after Delvalles overthrow in February 1988 until August 1989. That made me an active participant of this historic period, helping shape some of the critical events that took place. Prior to Noriegas removal from office in 1990, Panama was in upheaval. The economy was in shambles; civil liberties were abrogated; Panamanians were leaving the country; and independent media had been silenced. As Commander of the Panama Defense Forces, General Noriega was backed by a military force of 12,000 soldiers. It was a de facto dictatorship, and under his illegitimate regime both human rights and international protocols were flaunted. On Thursday, Feb. 25, 1988, an important lunch was arranged between Noriega and Panamas President Eric A. Delvalle. The lunch had been arranged to formalize an agreement whereby Delvalle would propose a law limiting the leadership of a military commander to five years, retroactive, same as the term limit of the president. The provision of this proposed law meant that on August 1988, six months after the law would have been passed, Noriega would exit the Defense Forces and become a civilian. Delvalle thought that this would pave the way for the country to return to normality, knowing that Noriegas days had closure. The lunch would also be attended by Monsignor Sebastian Laboa, the papal envoy, who would act as witness and custodian of the documents that would be presented the following week to the National Assembly. Delvalle would never get the chance to secure Noriegas agreement. At 11 a.m. on Feb. 25, Noriegas secretary called Delvalle to cancel the lunch. No reasons were given, and no new date was offered. Delvalle felt that this was Noriegas way of clearly saying he had no intention of going through with the agreement that had been reached days before. Hedging his bets in case Noriega did not go through with the agreement, Delvalle had secretly filmed a video directive in which he summarily fired Noriega. After the lunch was canceled, Delvalle summoned three friends to his office, and gave each a videotape of the firing with instructions to deliver them to three television stations at 5 p.m. Then Delvalle left for home, leaving his desk intact so as not to arise suspicions. The last chance to resolve the confrontation peacefully had been lost, and that evening Panama had entered unchartered waters, never seen before in Panama or Latin America, whereby a civilian president fired a military commander. We dont know what would have happened if Noriega had signed and gone through with the agreement. What we do know is that his refusal threw Panama into a tragic, downward spiral that culminated 22 months later with the American intervention. We should never forget that 23 U.S. soldiers and hundreds of innocent Panamanians lost their lives during Operation Just Cause. Many more were wounded. It was a painful ending to a sad chapter in the history of two nations that had been friends and partners for more than a century. George H. W. Bush had been at the center of this drama beginning in his days as vice president. In the face of Noriegas intransigence, the Reagan administration had levied economic sanctions against Panama and supported the creation of a Government-in-Exile, run through the Embassy of Panama in Washington, D.C. Later, after the 1988 election, President Bush supported and strengthened this policy, aided by his trusted fellow Houstonian James A. Baker, III, the new secretary of state. From the beginning of his term, Bush engaged in efforts to end the nightmare of Noriega but to no avail. Panamas presidential election in May 1989 was nullified by Noriega after it became evident that his candidate had lost in a landslide. International election observers including former President Jimmy Carter documented widespread instances of ballot fraud and voter intimidation. This ran counter to Bushs assertion in his inaugural speech that the days of the dictator are over. Events finally came to a head later that year on Dec. 15, when Noriega declared war against the United States in a televised speech. The following day, Panamanian forces killed a U.S. serviceman and detained and abused another service member and his wife. As a result, President Bush ordered American forces into Panama to protect American lives, restore Panamanian democracy and enforce U.S. indictments against Noriega. Operation Just Cause was launched just after midnight on Dec. 20. Comprised of 27,000 Marines and Army troops, including elements of the 82nd Airborne, it was the largest U.S. military deployment since the Vietnam War. The U.S. armed forces overwhelmed the Panamanian military protecting Noriega, forcing him into hiding. He emerged several days later seeking refuge at the Vatican Embassy in Panama City and remained there until Jan. 3, 1990 when he turned himself into U.S. custody and was taken to Florida to face trial. After serving time in the United States and France, Noriega died in Panama in May of 2017 while also serving time. At the end, as options were being exhausted, Bush acted in what he thought was the last resort. The scars left by the loss of American soldiers and Panamas innocent citizens runs deep and only time has been able to mellow somewhat its implications and ramifications, but not erase them. It has always been a subject of conjecture if the painful ending could have been different, if the risk of having Noriega perpetuate his power would bring more sorrow and dislocation, as we are witnessing today in Venezuela. Could the continuation of the Panama tragedy become a pawn of the Cold War, bringing other countries into the fray? Was the Panama Canal and its orderly transfer in jeopardy? Privately, Bush spoke highly of the brave Panamanians who resisted Noriegas dictatorship. It was difficult for him to anticipate the pain that would engulf the U.S. military and the innocent Panamanians who lost their lives. He could only hope that a free Panama would give opportunities and a better future to the country. His quest for freedom and liberty, evidenced through his decorated career, were foremost in his mind. History has a way of moving slowly, sometimes too slow. Thirty years after the end of the conflict, Panama is a better country and Panamanians are savoring their freedom and right to make their own decisions. Panama has gone through six free and fair presidential elections, and the results have never been questioned. Some argue that the price paid was too high. History will make the final judgement, but we do hope that the experience will never be repeated. People should have the right to determine their own fate, devoid of terror and intimidation infringed by internal or external illegitimate forces. Sosa is the former ambassador of Panama to the United States. A closed-door meeting of some senior leaders of the opposition grand alliance in Bihar on Friday got the goat of Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal, which is the largest constituent of the five-party formation. At a city hotel, Rashtriya Lok Samata Party chief Upendra Kushwaha and Vikassheel Insaan Party founder Mukesh Sahni spent close to an hour with Sharad Yadav, a veteran socialist leader whose name they had proposed a day ago as the "face" of the grand alliance for the upcoming assembly polls. Also present at the meeting was Hindustani Awam Morcha president Jitan Ram Manjhi, a former chief minister, who has not revealed his cards on the issue though he is known to share, with Kushwaha and Sahni, the skepticism over young RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's ability to lead the coalition. The leaders refused to say what had transpired during the meeting, following which Yadav left for Ranchi where he is expected to spend the night and meet Lalu Prasad, who is serving sentences in fodder scam cases, on Saturday. RJD spokesman Mrityunjay Tiwari, meanwhile, reacted with indignation, saying, "Any group of people can hold a meeting. But do not call it a meeting of the grand alliance. Such a meeting can never be convened unless the RJD and Tejashwi Yadav are involved." He also seethed at the proposal regarding Sharad Yadav, who hails from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh but has spent most of his political career in Bihar where he is senior to most active politicians in age and parliamentary experience. "It should be remembered that Sharad Yadav was a candidate of our party from Madhepura Lok Sabha seat in the general elections held last year," Tiwari pointed out, adding that Tejashwi Yadav has already been declared as the leader of the grand alliance. "No more discussions are required on the same," he said. Notably, Tejashwi Yadav Lalu Prasad's younger son and a 30-year-old first-time MLA had been declared as the RJD's chief ministerial candidate in 2017, weeks before his father landed in jail. Yadav made a highly successful debut in the assembly polls of 2015 after which he became the deputy chief minister with plum portfolios. However, revelries in the camp came to an end in July 2017 with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's abrupt exit from the grand alliance and formation of a new government with the BJP. At the party's national council meeting a couple of months ago, Yadav's name was once again floated as the chief ministerial candidate though the party seemed to flounder under his unripe leadership, having drawn a blank in the Lok Sabha polls. Moreover, the "unilateral" declaration was resented by smaller coalition partners which felt that the RJD was still high on having the most number of MLAs and intent on steamrolling allies into submission. The grand alliance also includes the Congress, an old ally of the RJD, which has been keeping its cards close to the chest. It has refrained from challenging the RJD's stance on leadership but maintained that "a final decision would be taken jointly by all partners". The Congress also declined to comment on the meeting among Sharad Yadav, Kushwaha, Sahni and Manjhi, saying it was "not aware" of the development. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The couple have been 'inseparable' since marrying early last year. And on Friday, Idris Elba, 46 and wife Sabrina Dhowre, 29, announced they would be spending even more time together as they launch their lifestyle brand Sable Labs. Beginning with their first project, a podcast hosted by the actor and model couple named Coupledom, the pair will explain the ethos behind the new brand and answer in-depth questions about their relationship. The business of love: Idris Elba, 46 and wife Sabrina Dhowre, 29, announced they would be spending even more time together as they launch their lifestyle brand Sable Labs The couple aim to make Sable Labs a 'global community that celebrates partnerships of all kinds - romantic couples, business partners, creative duos, long standing friends, family ties and much more.' Speaking in a video shared to the brand's new website, Idris said: 'We've started something called Sable Labs - that's Elba's backwards! 'We believe if we can create a Coupledom community, we can share our experiences and help each other communicate better, and achieve more.' Podcast pals: Beginning with their first project, a podcast hosted by the actor and model couple named Coupledom, the pair will explain the ethos behind the new brand Sabrina continues: 'We'd love to explore couples and relationships of all kinds under the topic of Coupledom - which is two people coming together to make a shared dream a reality. 'My hope is that by listening to other partnerships, people will recognise themselves and their own relationships, finding common ground that they can apply to their own lives. 'We hope that Coupledom becomes an inspiring space to help one another grow.' Life partners: The pair hope that their podcast Coupledom becomes an inspiring space to help one another grow The 'Coupledom' podcast will be the first project to launch from Sabrina and Idris' joint partnership and will see the duo drill down into questions such as how did they meet, when did they 'know', why do they work and what lessons have they learnt from each other. The couple exchanged vows at the Ksar Char Bagh hotel in Marrakesh surrounded by 150 of their nearest and dearest in April 2019. Speaking of his decision to wed Sabrina, the British actor admitted: 'Weve been literally inseparable since we met. Inseparable. Beginnings: Idris and Sabrina met in Canada, where the former Miss Vancouver is from 'You know, Im 47 this year, been married and lived a full life before I even met Sabrina. It wasnt something that I wanted to do, get married again. But' He then detailed how the former beauty queen had changed his outlook on marriage, Sabrina has deepened friendships with people Ive known longer than [her], nurturing the best side of me to make me connect to my friends more.' Sable Labs says more projects will be announced in due course. Love: The pair exchanged vows at the Ksar Char Bagh hotel in Marrakesh surrounded by 150 of their nearest and dearest in April 2019 (pictured at the Met Gala in 2019) As many as 150 residents of unauthorized colonies of Delhi have so far been conferred property ownership rights. Of these 150 residents, 34 were handed over the conveyance deeds by Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on February 14. Almost one-third residents, who have received conveyance deeds so far, are women, housing ministry sources said. Puri also said the process to grant conveyance deeds did not come to a halt during the poll period. "As many as 20 people were handed over conveyance deeds on January 3, today 34 more received it. And, during the election period about 100 people had been handed over the document by the DDA authorities. It is a continuing process," Puri said. "Due permission was taken from poll authorities to give the conveyance deeds during the poll period, as this scheme had been announced before the model code of conduct came into force," he said. He said as many as 2.15 lakh people have registered on the DDA portal to get ownership rights under the Pradhan Mantri Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana (PM-UDAY) scheme. I am hoping that in addition to the 2.15 lakh people who have registered, 7-8 lakh people will also come forward to register, he said. "As many as 900 applications have been received," he said. The minister hoped the vetting process for the applications would be completed quickly. If the software is ready then the vetting will happen quickly. I have also asked DDA to simultaneously prepare the control norms. Work on the control norms may also be completed by the end of the month, the minister told reporters. I am hopeful that within the next six months the entire registration, the vetting process will be complete, the minister said. The money collected from the stamp duty and conveyance deed would be set aside for a special development fund and will be utilised for the development of social infrastructure in these colonies," Puri said. Under the PM-UDAY (Prime Minister - Unauthorized Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana), a portal had been developed by DDA for registration of residents and filing application for conferment of rights in unauthorised colonies. The beneficiaries would now be eligible to avail bank loans. For facilitation of residents of unauthorised colonies, the DDA has opened as many as 50 help desks spread across Delhi. PM-UDAY is for conferment of property rights to residents of Delhis 1,731 unauthorised colonies. Regularisation entails receiving approval of layout plans of the colony. Conferment of property rights would allow residents to sell or purchase properties, avail bank loans, receive building plans approvals in case there is need to make changes to the current structure or construct a house on a vacant plot. The conferment of ownership rights would also open the possibility of redevelopment. DDA will come out with relaxed development control norms and incentives in terms of higher FAR so that new development can take place, Tarun Kapoor, Vice Chairman, DDA, told reporters. The Union Cabinet last year paved the way to give ownership rights to more than 40 lakh citizens residing in 1,731 unauthorized colonies of Delhi. DDA notified the Regulations on October 29, 2019, for conferment/recognition of ownership/ mortgage rights to residents of UCs in Delhi. The exercise of delineation of boundaries is being carried out by DDA with the assistance of Survey of India (SOI) and Revenue Department, GNCTD. More than 500 UCs/Clusters have been delineated. DDA had developed an online portal for inviting claims/objections from RWAs/Federation of RWAs on the delineated boundaries with the help of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). DDA has also got on board MeitY to develop an e-portal where residents of UCs can apply for the ownership rights. The applicants have to attach documents such as General Power of Attorney, Agreement to Sell, payment and possession Documents, Site Plan and GPS Data along with their application. A 73-year-old beggar, Yadi Reddy, who has been seeking alms at the entrance of temples in Vijayawada, has donated Rs 8 lakh to the Saibaba temple here in the course of last seven years. He eked out a living as a rickshaw-puller for nearly four decades, and when his knees gave way, he was forced to beg. "I was a rickshaw-puller for 40 years. At first I gave Rs 1 lakh to the authorities of Saibaba temple. When my health started deteriorating, I did not feel the need for money. So, I decided to contribute more to the temple," Reddy told ANI. Reddy said after he started donating to the temple, his income only increased. "People started recognising me after I donated money to the temple. To my surprise, my income also increased gradually. Till date, I have given Rs 8 lakh. I swore to God that I will give all my earnings to the Almighty," Reddy added. Appreciating Reddy's gesture, the temple authorities said it has really helped in the development of the temple. "We have been able to build a Goshala with the help of Yadi Reddy. He has donated Rs 8 lakh to the temple. We appreciate his efforts and gesture. We never seek any kind of donation but people from around the city donate of their own accord," a temple authority said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Created and consolidated at a time of enormous upheaval during two world wars, the Commonwealth was a means for Britain to bind together its former colonial territories to promote peace and maintain the standing of the British Empire. One has to ask whether the 54-country association is still fit for purpose in the 21st century. The turmoil within the Commonwealth's governing body is not a good sign. Australia, New Zealand and Britain have all refused to hand over millions of dollars in funding to the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat after a damning investigation into a decision by its head, secretary-general Patricia Scotland, exposed deep governance problems inside the body. Baroness Scotland with Prince Charles, the Queen and then British prime minister Theresa May. Credit:PA Baroness Scotland a former Labour minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown "circumvented" normal tender rules to give $500,000 worth of work to a friend and former colleague, according to a leaked audit. Her supporters defend her with claims she is being targeted for cutting jobs in the secretariat by 20 per cent in response to a shrinking budget. But the forces trying to push her out are growing. When Britain polled leaders of the Commonwealth on whether Baroness Scotland's term of office should be extended for a second four-year term it was revealed that a clear majority wanted her kicked out. When most people quit a job they send a round-robin email saying farewell to their colleagues. But that wasn't the case for one fuming kitchen designer, who emailed a scathing resignation note to her firm's 4,500 staff in which she slammed her bosses' behaviour. Catherine Stewart, 25, quit her job after a Wren manager criticised her sales figures. Catherine Stewart (pictured), 25, quit with job with an email copied in to all 4,500 staff at her firm - signing it 'designer with the best a** but the body of a child' Miss Stewart send the email to the entire company of some 4,500 people Miss Stewart (shown left), 25, quit her job after a Wren manager criticised her sales figures The round-robin email - thought to be sent deliberately - described bosses as 'ungrateful, narcissistic men that don't know how to run a bath never mind a region or a store'. She said of one: 'If you weren't so busy chatting up the pretty girls while visiting, or commenting on our appearances you would maybe have a better understanding of what was going on'. The explosive email was sent after a boss had contacted Miss Stewart to inform her that her 'underperformance' had been flagged in a meeting, The Sun reported. The boss allegedly criticised her for having made only eight sales so far this year and asked: 'What will you do to fix this going forward?' Miss Stewart was also told: 'This is not good enough and needs your attention to improve immediately'. The explosive email was sent after a boss had contacted Miss Stewart (pictured) to inform her that her 'underperformance' had been flagged in a meeting Catherine Stewart sent a round-robin email to 4,500 staff criticising her bosses at Wren claiming that morale at her branch of the kitchen design store was poor. She claimed her bosses spent too much time 'chatting up the pretty girls' than doing their job In response Miss Stewart, who worked at a northern branch, said: 'Thanks for your concern regarding my performance. However I do believe you have bigger things to worry about like people not getting paid or even thanked properly for the work they put in.' She added: 'Since returning from the Christmas holidays I have been extremely unhappy with the morale of the showroom. I am definitely not the only one.' Referring to one boss in particular, Miss Stewart said: 'You can't put flowers in an a**hole and call it a vase'. Although heavily critical of bosses, Miss Stewart did however praise Wren founder Malcolm Healey for making the firm 'a good place to work' and added 'it is just a shame not everyone in the company shares this with him'. She signed the email as from 'The designer with the best ass in the showroom but the body of a child'. The kitchen company is based in Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire, and has more than 90 showrooms across the country. Wren was contacted for comment. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, February 14, 2020 As controversies about the use of facial recognition continue to swirl, lawmakers across the country are preparing to tackle the technology. California state Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), said Thursday she plans to introduce a bill to prevent law enforcement and other governmental agencies from using facial recognition technology for the next five years. Jackson's measure would also permanently prohibit the state Department of Motor Vehicles and other agencies from sharing photos for use in any biometric surveillance system, without residents' consent. Senate Democrats Cory Booker (N.J.) and Jeff Merkley (Ore.) also proposed a bill this week that would temporarily block the federal government from using facial recognition until Congress passes new legislation to regulate the technology. That bill has some exceptions, including one that would allow the police to use the technology after obtaining a warrant. advertisement advertisement News of the potential measures comes several weeks after The New York Times published a report detailing how the company Clearview AI created and sold a facial recognition database to police departments by scraping photos from Facebook. Since the report came out, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal told state prosecutors to temporarily stop using the technology company's program, and tech companies -- including Google, Twitter and Facebook -- have demanded that Clearview stop scraping their sites. Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai also recently called for a temporary block on the use of facial recognition technology until government officials weigh in with new rules. Even before news about Clearview emerged, the technology sparked debate. Some proponents say the technology can help solve crimes, but civil rights advocates argue that the use of facial-recognition software will lead to pervasive government surveillance. The threat that facial recognition poses to human society and basic liberty far outweighs any potential benefits, Evan Greer, deputy director of digital rights group Fight for the Future, wrote in a recent column for BuzzFeed. Its on a very short list of technologies -- like nuclear and biological weapons -- that are simply too dangerous to exist, and that we would have chosen not to develop had we had the foresight. Four cities -- San Francisco and Oakland, California, and Brookline and Somerville, Massachusetts -- have prohibited the police from using facial recognition software. Portland, Oregon is currently considering a similar prohibition. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vermont) said in August he supports a ban on the use of the technology by the police. In March, Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) proposed legislation to require private companies to notify people about the use of facial recognition technology, and impose testing requirements aimed at addressing inaccuracies in the technology. But Russia has also charged Turkey with breaching its obligation under the deal to rid the area of extremist militias such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate that is now the biggest opposition fighting group in Syria. The Syrian government, meanwhile, was to be given access to the strategic M5 highway, which links the capital Damascus to the major city of Aleppo. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) The author of a sweeping new California labor law said Thursday that she intends to ease its restrictions on freelance journalists and others after months of protests that it is already costing people their jobs. Democratic Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez said in a series of tweets that she already has proposed legislative language removing a requirement that any freelancer with more than 35 submissions to a single media outlet in a year must be considered an employee. It was just one of many efforts in the law to define which workers must be treated as employees rather than independent contractors. The law sets the nation's strictest test for which workers must be considered employees and could set a precedent for other states. But the freelancers objected to what they say is an arbitrary limit. SB Nation, owned by Vox Media, announced even before the law took effect Jan. 1 that it was ending its use of more than 200 California freelancers, switching instead to using a much smaller number of new employees. Gonzalez said her new bill will more clearly define freelancer journalism. In the next few weeks, we will be rolling out a number of asks, initiatives and bill language to help ease the implementation of AB5 and make clarifications to the law based on hundreds of meetings and discussions with individuals and groups, she said in one of nearly a dozen related tweets. A federal judge has set a hearing in March to consider a lawsuit by the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the National Press Photographers Association arguing that the law unconstitutionally affects free speech and the media. Caleb Trotter, an attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation who is representing the groups, said he has not seen the proposed changes. But we hope that the revised law will no longer treat journalists as second-class freelancers, Trotter said, referring to greater freedoms under the law for other freelance professions. Story continues Removing the limits would be a step in the right direction, he said. Gonzalez's Twitter threads came as she and other lawmakers also announced that they are asking that $20 million be included in the state budget starting July 1 for a grant program to help small non-profit community arts programs that are transitioning their employees under the law . Beyond the freelancers, she said she is negotiating over language regarding the unique situation regarding musicians, and plan to address that as well in the next round of amendments by March. A different federal judge has blocked the law from affecting more than 70,000 independent truckers, saying it is preempted by federal law when it comes to their profession. The focus of the law had originally been largely on ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft, which are separately challenging the law. A hearing on a lawsuit by Uber and food delivery company Postmates is set for Friday, and they are among those pushing for a November ballot initiative to exempt them from the law. Gonzalez said in a related tweet thread that I will fight Ubers attempt to exempt themselves through initiative." She apologized to anyone offended by her often blunt defense of the law on social media . For the added stress that has caused anyone, or the feelings of not being heard, I am truly sorry, Gonzalez said. I am direct & straightforward, passionate about workers rights and too busy to directly respond to everyone, but I do listen and I care about getting this right. The Midland Business Alliance recently welcomed a new member, with a ribbon cutting for Midland's new Mr. Appliance business. The new local franchise is owned by Martin and Carina Pons, who opened for business in November. The Ponses said they opened a Mr. Appliance franchise after many years of wanting to start their own business. Having recently moved to Midland from California, it seemed to them like the perfect time to pursue the opportunity. "Our purpose is to treat customers with an encore experience they can't wait to tell their friends about," Martin said. "We moved to Midland about a year ago for a job opportunity, this also led to a better place to raise our children. We love Michigan and the people here. It is a beautiful and blessed place in our country to live." At their office, they specialize in servicing appliances such as stoves, microwaves, washers, dryers and ice machines. They service all kinds of machines, from residential to commercial. They said the code of values used by the Mr. Appliance company was key in choosing it. "We like a challenge and are happy to apply our skill to any appliance you've got - big, small, and in between," Martin said. "We are confident in our abilities to fix appliances; we even offer one-year warranties on all repair services and parts." The Ponses said they have another technician besides Martin, and they are looking to hire two more since their service area is so large. They also plan to expand to the east in the future, however, their current territory is as far north as the Rhodes/Beaverton area down to Frankenmuth/Birch Run, and from Sanford to Linwood. Martin said the best part of their new business so far has been servicing the community. "With the need that is (in) our community in appliance services repair, just the fact that (customers) don't have to wait a long time to have their appliances fixed has been fulfilling and the fact that helping different customers and being able to help them with their appliance needs and of course, a perk of the job is meeting their furry and feathery friends as well," he said. Mr. Appliance in Midland is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. There is also a 24-hour answering service and online booking at MrAppliance.com. Photo: Iker Alonso/Flickr Missed the most recent top news in New York City? Read on for everything you need to know. Donald Trump backed "total racist" Mike Bloomberg's stop-and-frisk policy at 2016 election debate The president said the ex-New York City mayor's stop-and-frisk approach to gun crime was "tremendous beyond belief" when he went head-to-head with Hillary Clinton. Read the full story on Newsweek. Friends, colleagues stunned at social workers shooting death in East Harlem Purcell Gowie, 43, a Brooklyn resident who worked as a counselor for Services for the Underserved, was shot in the chest outside a storefront church on East 116th Street and Third Avenue Wednesday evening. Read the full story on New York Daily News. 14-year-old slashed in face on MTA bus in Upper Manhattan on way home from school A 14-year-old girl was slashed in the face and a 17-year-old had her phone stolen on their way home from school after a dispute on an MTA bus. Read the full story on ABC New York, WABC. New York State Senate Dems taking heat for bail reform changes Opponents of the tweaks are hammering Dems and accusing them of caving to fearmongering and misinformation from cops and prosecutors who have railed against the changes since they went into effect on Jan. 1. Read the full story on New York Daily News. Husband sentenced to 25 years for knifing wife to death inside a Queens hair salon William Rivas, 39, got the maximum sentence on a first-degree manslaughter charge. He pleaded guilty of plunging a knife several times into the chest of his estranged wife at the Tu Stilo Salon Spa in Queens in August. Read the full story on New York Daily 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. South Africa's far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) lawmakers protested rowdily in parliament on Thursday, forcing President Cyril Ramaphosa to abandon his annual state of the nation address. After nearly an hour of disruption, the National Assembly speaker Thandi Modise temporarily suspended proceedings, telling the EFF "when you think you have unlimited freedom of speech to infringe on the rights of others, that is a disruption". The EFF demanded F.W. De Klerk, South Africa's last apartheid-era president, who shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela for their efforts to end white rule, 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, the minute Ramaphosa was supposed to deliver his speech. Malema said parliament was wrong to invite to De Klerk. 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 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". "I therefore suggest we please request de Klerk to leave this house," said Malema, whose party has 44 lawmakers in the 400-seat National Assembly. Modise dismissed the request, saying the presence of De Klerk "is proper" and legal. The EFF also wanted Ramaphosa to fire the Minister of State Enterprises Pravin Gordhan, alleging he has run down state-owned enterprises. The EFF disrupted parliament on several occasions during former president Jacob Zuma's era and at times descending into chaos with the lawmakers being forcibly removed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, have discussed by phone preparations for a new summit in the so-called Normandy format and a possible prisoner swap, Zelenskiy's office said on February 14. "Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Vladimir Putin paid special attention to the process of releasing Ukrainian citizens being held in temporarily occupied territories of Donbas [districts controlled by Russia-backed separatists since April 2014], Crimea, and the Russian Federation," the office said. After his upset win in presidential elections last year, 41-year-old former comedian Zelenskiy managed to negotiate a long-awaited prisoner exchange with Russia that saw the two countries exchange dozens of prisoners in September and December. The two met for the first time in Paris in December under the auspices of the Normandy peace format which also includes France and Germany besides Russia and Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Kremlin said on February 14 that during the talks, Putin "directly" asked Zelenskiy if Kyiv plans to fully comply with the 2015 Minsk peace agreement -- a peace plan that was brokered by France and Germany in the Belarusian capital and set a series of cease-fires in eastern Ukraine which have generally failed to hold. "The Russian President stressed the importance of the full and unconditional fulfillment of all measures and decisions made in Minsk and adopted at the Normandy summits, including the one held in Paris on December 9, 2019... Vladimir Putin directly asked if Kyiv intends to really implement the Minsk agreements," The Kremlin's statement said. The Kremlin's relationship with Ukraine has been hostile ever since protests in Kyiv led to the overthrow of the nations pro-Russian leader Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014. Russia annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula shortly thereafter and backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, sparking an ongoing war in the Donbas that has resulted in more than 13,000 deaths. Two men were shopping Thursday afternoon at the Lehigh Valley Mall when two armed men robbed them and assaulted one of them, Whitehall Township police said. The victim in Thursdays robbery was actually a robber himself, police said, and had previously stolen from one of his attackers. The armed men from the Thursday fracas, Rufino Guerrero De La Rosa, 32, and Darwin Sandoval, 29, both of Allentown, were arraigned Friday morning on charges of robbery, conspiracy, simple assault and theft. Each was sent to Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. One of the victims, Isaiah Malachi Middleton, 22, of Catasauqua, was also arrested, on the warrant for his alleged robbery of De La Rosa Feb. 12 in Allentown. Middleton was arraigned Thursday night and sent to Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail. Investigators said De La Rosa got a phone call Thursday that the man that robbed him, Middleton, was at the mall. De La Rosa, Sandoval and a third unidentified man drove over to the mall. They saw Middleton and the other man walking and get inside a vehicle in the parking lot of the malls lifestyle center near Pocono Brewery. Police said the group used their car to block in Middletons car. De La Rosa reportedly said he was holding the men until police arrived. Sandoval allegedly opened Middletons door, pointed a gun at him, and yelled at him to get out of the car. While Middletown was on the ground, he was kicked, punched and hit in the back of the head with a bat, according to police. De La Rosa went to the other drivers side door, pointed a gun at him and took $200 in the victims wallet, police said. The victim was also ordered out of the car and onto the ground, police said, and one of the men took his shopping bags and put them in their car. De La Rosa allegedly admitted to taking the shopping bags. Police said they were called at 2:46 p.m. to the mall and initially arrested four people, including De La Rosa and Sandoval, who were both armed with handguns. Whitehall police detectives ask anyone with any information about the incident to contact Detective Leah Van Note at 610-437-3042. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Fijian soldiers may become guards of strategic assets in the United Arab Emirates under a memorandum of understanding the two countries are to sign after current negotiations conclude, Fijian media report. The most likely assets to be guarded by Fijian troops will, of course, be the Emirates oil fields. Most of the oil in the Gulf state are concentrated in Abu Dhabi, with reserves at 92.2 billion barrels out of the Emirates total 97.8 billion barrels. Last year, the UAEs Supreme Petroleum Council announced new discoveries had added 7 billion barrels to the countrys total, making it the six-largest holder of oil reserves in the world with 105 billion barrels. This year, the Emirates also discovered a major gas reservoir shared by Abu Dhabi and Dubai. With reserves estimated at 80 trillion cu ft of natural gas, the Jebel Ali field could become the largest gas discovery in the world in 13 years, Bloomberg reported earlier this month. The gas discovery is extra good news for the oil economy of the UAE. With oil prices trending down and the outlook less than favorable, the Emirates, like other Gulf producers, are seeking to reduce their dependence on oil revenues. This effort has become more important than ever now that oil demand in the worlds second-largest consumer and largest importer, China, has been affected by the coronavirus outbreak. In fact, OPEC itself had to revise its outlook for global oil demand by 230,000 bpd for this year in its latest Monthly Oil Market Report because of the effect of the epidemic on oil demand. This means OPEC now expects global oil demand to grow by about 990,000 bpd this year, to reach some 100.73 million bpd in total. Yet with non-OPEC production growth continuing, demand for the cartels oil, including UAE oil, may be affected more deeply than before. Asia and China in particular are key markets for Gulf oil and competition for these markets will only get more intense this year, judging by these forecast trends. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Kirkuk (Iraq): A rocket slammed into an Iraqi base where American troops are stationed in the remote province of Kirkuk, Iraqi and US security sources told AFP on Thursday night. There were no immediate reports of casualties. According to three separate Iraqi security sources, 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 base since December 27, when a volley of around 30 rockets killed a US contractor there and unleashed a dramatic escalation. Washington blamed the rockets on Kataeb Hezbollah, a hardline Iraqi military faction close to Iran, and conducted retaliatory strikes that killed 25 of the group's fighters. Supporters of the group then surrounded the US embassy in Baghdad, breaking through its outer perimeter in an unprecedented breach on the mission. Days later, a US drone strike at Baghdad airport killed Iran's pointman on Iraqi affairs Qasem Soleimani and his right-hand man, Kataeb Hezbollah co-founder Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. In outrage, Iraq's parliament voted to oust all foreign forces from the country, including around 5,200 US troops deployed to help local forces beat back remnants of the Islamic State group. Those troops, as well as the US embassy in Baghdad, have faced nearly 20 rocket attacks over the past four months. The most significant was Iran's response to Soleimani's killing, when Tehran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles at the sprawling Ain al-Asad base in western Iraq on January 8. The troops had prior warning and none were killed, but more than 100 have since been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says his government will announce very significant changes to its green plan in the provinces forthcoming budget. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says his government will announce "very significant" changes to its green plan in the provinces forthcoming budget. "I would say this is going to be the best budget in 25 years in Manitoba, and a particularly important aspect of it... is the green piece of that budget," Pallister said Thursday in an interview. While a date has not yet been announced, the premier said the 2020-21 budget will be delivered in the "not-too-distant future. The legislature reconvenes March 4. Pallister wouldnt reveal details of any new green initiatives, saying: "I dont want to preview too much." He has kept his cards close to his chest since announcing last month following a brief meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Winnipeg his government intended to reopen talks with the federal government on the carbon tax. Sixteen months ago, Pallister abandoned plans to impose a Manitoba carbon tax, after he failed to receive federal assurances he wouldnt be forced to raise it from his proposed level of $25 a tonne. After the pull-out, Ottawa imposed its own tax on Manitoba, and the province lost the ability to control the revenues from the tax. Manitobans are currently paying $20/tonne, with the amount set to rise in stages to $50/tonne by 2022. Manitoba has argued Ottawa has undervalued its investments in hydroelectric power and energy-savings measures. Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton posted a video on Twitter this week claiming Manitoba had spent $20 billion over 12 years on clean energy projects, "a remarkable $1,330 per Manitoban per year in a cleaner, greener future." Wharton also touted the creation of a new Crown corporation, Efficiency Manitoba, which has set new energy efficiency targets that would reduce annual emissions by 340,000 tonnes by 2022. "Our plan deserves the respect from Ottawa," he says in the video. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Federal officials said Thursday theyve discussed the carbon tax with Manitoba bureaucrats over the past few months, but they said Ottawa has yet to receive an official plan, nor any new proposals from the province. For months, the federal Liberals have said they need Manitoba to resubmit a plan for it to be assessed, including requests for leniency. The premier has argued Ottawa has unfairly cut deals with other provinces for example, allowing Prince Edward Island to slash an existing gas tax and replace it with the carbon tax while ignoring the provinces billions of spending on hydroelectricity. Manitoba launched a court challenge of the carbon tax on that basis in April 2019, but paused the suit pending next months Supreme Court hearings on the carbon tax, which is based on different legal arguments. with files from Dylan Robertson larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca The day dedicated to love, February 14, also saw the demise of one of the most beloved humorists of the 20th century. The creator of immortal characters like the gentlemanly Bertie Wooster and his valet Jeeves, Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse breathed his last on February 14, 1975. He was 93 at the time of his death. The third son of a British magistrate based in Hong Kong, Wodehouse spent most of his teenage at Dulwich College, London, the influence of which can be seen in many of his Jeeves novels. Born on October 15, 1881, Wodehouse even wrote a series of Broadway musical comedies and began writing for MGM in Hollywood in the 1930s. Career and knighthood Even though Wodehouse began his career at the Hong Kong and Shanghai bank situated in London (later renamed as HSBC), he soon got bored and embarked on a career in journalism in 1902. The same year saw the publication of his first novel The Pothunters and in 1903, A Perfect Uncle. More works would follow soon after. A lot of Wodehouses works were originally published in Punch, Cosmopolitan, Colliers, The New Yorker, The Strand, and Vanity Fair before being considered as collections. PG Wodehouse was considered a knighthood thrice, but the honour was twice blocked by British officials. In 1974, the British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, intervened to secure a knighthood (KBE) for Wodehouse. Controversies Despite making a name for himself as an author in the UK, Wodehouse settled in France and five years later, World War II broke out. He chose to remain in France after the war and was later arrested by the Germans. He was released a year later and went on to humorously narrate his encounters in American Radio broadcasts. In September 1914, Wodehouse married Ethel May Wayman, an English widow. The marriage was happy and strong for the remainder of his life. Even though, the couple had no children of his own, Wodehouse loved Leonara, Ethels daughter from an early marriage and adopted her legally. Unfortunately, she passed away in 1944. Here are a few profound, melancholy and sometimes outright funny quotes attributed to the author: 1. There is no surer foundation for a beautiful friendship than a mutual taste in literature. 2. The voice of Love seemed to call to me, but it was a wrong number. 3. There are moments, Jeeves, when one asks oneself, Do trousers matter? The mood will pass, sir. 4. He had the look of one who had drunk the cup of life and found a dead beetle at the bottom. 5. Everything in life thats any fun, as somebody wisely observed, is either immoral, illegal or fattening. 6. Freddie experienced the sort of abysmal soul-sadness which afflicts one of Tolstoys Russian peasants when, after putting in a heavy days work strangling his father, beating his wife, and dropping the baby into the citys reservoir, he turns to the cupboards, only to find the vodka bottle empty. 7. The fascination of shooting as a sport depends almost wholly on whether you are at the right or wrong end of the gun. PG Wodehouse was a prolific writer throughout his life, and published more than 90 books, 40 plays, 200 short stories and other writings. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Moody Bible Institute to sell 10 acres to Chicago high-rise developer Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Moody Bible Institute has entered into a preliminary agreement to sell off 10 acres north of the evangelical institutions main campus in the Near North Side of Chicago to a prominent high-rise developer, according to The Chicago Tribune. Citing real estate sources, the newspaper reports that the institution has entered an agreement with JDL Development in a deal that is expected to bring thousands of new apartments to the area. However, the deal hasn't been finalized. JDL Development was founded in 2003 and has gained a reputation as one of Chicagos premier companies focused on developing high-rise luxury apartments, condominiums as well as single-family homes. The price of the reported agreement or what Moody Bible Institute was asking for has not been disclosed. However, The Chicago Tribune reports that offers were expected to top $200 million since the available property is located so close to downtown Chicago. Moody Bible Institute is a fully accredited Bible college with other campuses in Illinois, Washington state and Michigan. It was founded in 1886 by Dwight Moody. Since its founding, the institutions main campus has been located in Chicagos Near North Side neighborhood. The sale of the 10 acres follows the 2017 closure of Moody Bible Institutes Spokane, Washington, campus, a move made to preserve the institutions financial standing at a time when many private higher education institutions are facing declining enrollment and financial difficulties. At the time, Moody also cut faculty and staff at its Chicago campus and closed an extension campus in California. Moody also adjusted undergraduate and seminary programs for cost reduction. Moody still operates its missionary aviation school in Spokane. Amid its financial repositioning, Moody put its 10 acres of nonessential Chicago property up for sale last year and hired a brokerage firm to sell the properties located on LaSalle Street, Oak Street, Chestnut Street and Franklin Street. A marketing flyer for the land claimed that the 10 acres could support up to 5.3 million square feet of development, according to ChicagoBusiness.com. The school said it hired the firm to help the school steward and get the greatest value from the sale of the properties. The Lord has strategically placed Moody in the heart of Chicago for such a time as this, and we are excited for this new season of opportunities, said Moody Bible Institute President Mark Jobe in a statement released in July 2019. We firmly believe the Lord calls us in Matthew 25 to be wise stewards of the resources He has entrusted to us, and it is our desire to exemplify the faithful servants who invested the talents given to them by their master for a greater return. In a statement emailed to The Chicago Tribune, a Moody Bible Institute spokesperson would not confirm or deny details of the reported deal with JDL. Moodys real estate team has been prayerfully evaluating the merits of bids received and has narrowed the field with the expectation of entering into an agreement with a trusted and collaborative development partner soon, the statement reads. In 2018, Moody Bible Institute underwent a leadership change following the resignations of the school's CEO and president amid allegations of questionable practices and a culture of "self-dealing." German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addresses the opening speech of the 56th Munich Security Conference in Munich, southern Germany, on February 14, 2020. "Our closest ally, the United States of America, under the current administration, rejects the very concept of the international community," he said. "'Great again' but at the expense of neighbors and partners," Steinmeier added without naming Trump but referring to his "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan. In his opening remarks, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that the United States would put its own interests first at the expense of allies. MUNICH Germany's president kicked off the annual Munich Security Conference on Friday by taking a swipe at President Donald Trump's "America First" foreign policy approach. "Thinking and acting this way hurts us all," he said. Attending Steinmeier's speech, delivered at the 56th Munich Security Conference, were Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. Adam Schiff along with other representatives, making it the largest U.S. delegation to attend the forum. Read more: Nuclear weapons and 5G among national security topics at Munich Security Conference Steinmeier also accused Russia and China of amplifying global insecurity in pursuit of "great power" competition. "In this scenario, the security of one is the insecurity of others," he said, adding that European leaders must create a unified policy to deal with increasing threats posed by Russia and China. The former German foreign minister also placed emphasis on the importance of NATO, the world's most powerful military alliance, which has been frequently dressed down by Trump. In December, Trump reiterated at the NATO leaders meeting that too many members were still not paying enough and threatened to reduce U.S. military support if allies do not increase spending. At the meeting in London, Trump singled out German Chancellor Angela Merkel for not meeting the 2% of GDP spending goal set in the 2014 NATO summit in Wales. Read more: What each NATO country contributes financially to the world's strongest military alliance "So we're paying 4[%] to 4.3% when Germany's paying 1[%] to 1.2% at max 1.2% of a much smaller GDP. That's not fair," Trump said at the time. Germany is only one of 19 NATO members that have not met the 2% GDP spending goal set at the 2014 summit. Steinmeier said that while Germany should continue to raise its defense spending, it should not be "the be-all end-all for our security." Correction: This article has been corrected to accurately reflect the names of the U.S. officials who were present at Steinmeier's speech. Dont adjust your volume during the first three minutes of Federico Fellinis 1963 masterpiece "8 1/2." There is very little sound on purpose: film, for Fellini, is a genre of images; the Italian director is recognized world-wide as a master of the image. Upon its release, The New York Times called the film pictorial poetry. And in this, Fellinis ninth film (or is it his halfway finished eighth film?), the audience is treated to a rich parade of lush images from Fellinis imagination. That imagination, shaped as it was by an Italian culture dominated by a fascist dictator, a pope who made apologies for Nazism, a postwar economic miracle, a childhood fascination with vaudeville and the circus, and ongoing desires for erotic love, companionship, and approval, is brought to life in beautiful black-and-white cinematography. As youll see in an opening scene of a floating man brought rudely down to earth, Fellinis imagery reflects the conflict between cerebral, creative labor and embodied, sensuous desire. "8 1/2," like Pedro Almodovars Oscar-nominated film "Pain and Glory," is an autobiographical journey though a directors struggle to stay engaged in the creative life, despite the inescapable reality of physical pain and pleasure. Many critics agree that "8 1/2" is the best film about filmmaking ever made. In 1964, it won Academy Awards for Costume Design and Best Foreign Language Film, putting Italy at the top of the list of Oscar-winning countries. Superstar actor Marcello Mastroianni plays Guido, a film director in trouble. He cant finish the science fiction movie he has planned to make. Instead of focusing on directing the film, he spends his time wandering through his memories and desires. He longs for his sophisticated wife and his tawdry mistress, but their attentions dont satisfy him. His writers and producers and associates and would-be actors press him into decisions hes unprepared to make. Guidos doctor suggests time at the spa in the hopes that the mineral water, steam baths, and forced relaxation will cure Guidos creative malaise. A common Italian prescription then and now, the spa scenes, with their dreamy architecture and performative affect, showcase the way Fellini blends the sacred and the profane in a way at once comical, poignant, and fantastical. Throughout the film, we get the idea that Guido is trying to piece together a narrative from the lived and imagined details of his life. This becomes Guidos central preoccupation, and indeed, the central preoccupation of any storyteller: which details should I include? Which details should I leave out? How can I weave together a story that makes sense? Its as if Fellini is confronting the very idea of storytelling by showing us all the raw images of Guidos imagination before they have been organized into a narrative. Fellini asks us to think about storytelling, and about boundaries. Where is the boundary between reality and fantasy? Between art and life? Between anguish and joy? "8 1/2" delivers all the questions, and none of the answers. "8 1/2" is a classic of surrealist film because Fellini gives expression to the unconsciousness; its a masterwork of the Avant Garde because it disrupts our understanding of narrative. Above all, it is pictorial poetry that is at once thoughtful and humorous. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Japanese policymakers on Friday braced for a sharp contraction in October-December growth and warned of the hit to output and consumption from the coronavirus outbreak, signalling alarm over a darkening outlook for the world's third-largest economy. Bank of Japan Executive Director Eiji Maeda said gross domestic product (GDP) may have suffered a "big contraction" in the final quarter of last year due to sluggish overseas demand and damage to consumption from last year's sales tax hike. "Japan's economy is expected to continue expanding moderately as a trend," thanks to robust capital expenditure and government spending, Maeda told parliament. "But we need to be vigilant against various risks such as the impact the coronavirus outbreak could have on output and spending by inbound tourists," he said. Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura also told reporters the virus outbreak, as well as unusually warm weather that hurts sales of winter clothing, were "fresh factors weighing on the economy." 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 Analysts polled by Reuters expect Japan's economy to have shrank an annualised 3.7% in the October-December quarter, which would be the fastest pace of decline since 2014. The GDP data is due 8:50 a.m. Monday (2350GMT Sunday). Japan is among countries worst affected by the epidemic outside China, with 251 confirmed cases including those on a cruise ship. Some analysts expect Japan's economy to suffer another contraction in the current quarter as China's virus outbreak hurts exports, output and consumption through a sharp drop in overseas tourists. The government decided on Friday to spend 10.3 billion yen from budget reserves to respond to the coronavirus. Finance Minister Taro Aso said the government was ready to take additional steps depending on how big the impact from the outbreak could be. BOJ's Maeda said the central bank will support the economy by maintaining its massive stimulus programme but stopped short of signalling additional monetary support. Maeda's remarks suggest the BOJ does not see the virus impact as big enough yet to alter its economic projections. But some in the BOJ worry that supply chain disruptions could hurt Japanese firms if Chinese factory shutdowns continue for weeks, sources familiar with their thinking say. The BOJ next meets for a rate review on March 18-19. The fun was in finding more of them as the years passed, almost always in New England. Each card showed a scene from Jewish life Moses with his tablets, for example, or an immigrant couple with a baby posed in front of the Statue of Liberty and each one typically featured hearts, doves and flowers, along with a decal that covered the valentines greeting. LOS ANGELES (AP) Three officials with a Philippines-based church in Los Angeles have been charged as part of an alleged scheme to trick followers into becoming fundraisers and arrange sham marriages to keep them in the U.S. Federal agents arrested the local leaders of Kingdom of Jesus Christ church during a raid last month. They were each charged Wednesday. Conspiring to commit forced labor trafficking and immigration and marriage fraud were some of the charges, the Los Angeles Times reported. Guia Cabactulan, 59, was the churchs top official in the United States, according to the indictment. Marissa Duenas, 41, allegedly handled immigration matters as the human resources leader and investigators believe Amanda Estopare, 48, tracked fundraising and funneled money to the churchs leadership in the Philippines, the newspaper reported Thursday. A magistrate judge had ordered all three women detained after their arrests last month. Attorneys for Cabactulan and Duenas didnt immediately respond to requests from the Times for comment. It was unclear from court records if Estopare had retained a lawyer. Israelito Torreon, an attorney for the church in the Philippines, previously denied all accusations. Torreon said the U.S. charges stemmed from a campaign, waged by disgruntled ex-members, to exact revenge and drag the church and its leader, Apollo Quiboloy, into a quagmire of shame, blatant humiliation and defeat. Quiboloy was neither charged nor identified by name in court documents; prosecutors and agents have referred only to the churchs leader, the Times said. Workers who say they managed to escape from the church told the FBI that they had been sent across the U.S. to work long hours soliciting donations for the churchs charity and were beaten and psychologically abused if they didn't make daily quotas, according to an affidavit filed last month in support of the charges. Some described having to live in cars at truck stops. Story continues The immigrants essentially became full-time workers, sometimes referred to as miracle workers, in a crusade to raise money for the nonprofit Childrens Joy Foundation USA, which was supposed to benefit poor children in their homeland. But the complaint said most of the money raised was used to finance church operations and fund the leaders' lavish lifestyles. The church claims a membership of 6 million people and backed the 2016 candidacy of President Rodrigo Duterte, a close friend of Quiboloy. Between 2014 and the middle of last year, $20 million was sent to the church in the Philippines, the FBI said. Investigators documented 82 sham marriages over a 20-year period between top fundraisers and church members who were U.S. citizens. A group of women are getting ready to go out. Theyre checking their makeup, doing their hair, sewing a quick repair on a dress. Its a scene familiar and different. The dresses sit somewhere between Japanese tradition and Western avant garde, kimonos evolving into inter-war eveningwear. The work employed the ground pigments and silk that Japanese artists had used for centuries, but it used them to paint high heels, a hair curler and a makeup compact. Women preparing for a party (Yosoo hitobito) 1935 by Taniguchi Fumie. Credit:Estate of Taniguchi Fumie And the life of the artist, too, was a journey walked between ancient and modern, a battle between expectation and experiment. For decades Taniguchi Fumie, her work, and even her era, were virtually lost to posterity. Now this screen, discovered last year in a private collection in Hawaii and purchased by the National Gallery of Victoria, is the hero piece of a new exhibition at the NGV International focusing on Japanese modernism, a reflection of the wave of cultural change that swept through Japan a century ago in an energetic pocket of time before the second world war. In her book Eating with History: Ancient Trade-Influenced Cuisines of Kerala, Tanya Abraham charts the culinary journey of growing up in a society influenced by multiple cuisines and belonging to parents of two different Christian communities. The book consists of a little over 100 recipes, and most of these were handed down in families with influences from the Paradesi and Malabari sects, Syrian Christians, Muslims, Anglo-Indians, Latin Catholics, among others. It was in her grandmothers kitchen in a small town in Kerala that author Tanya Abraham first took an interest in food and recipes. Called 'Kusinchya', a Portuguese derivative of the word kitchen, it nourished the soul of the household through its array of steaming dishes and jars of pickles flavoured by the smell of firewood and burning coal. In her book Eating with History: Ancient Trade-Influenced Cuisines of Kerala, the author charts the culinary journey of growing up in a society influenced by multiple cuisines and belonging to parents of two different Christian communities. The book consists of a little over 100 recipes, and most of these were handed down in families with influences from the Paradesi and Malabari sects, Syrian Christians, Muslims, Anglo-Indians, Latin Catholics, among others. While some of the Latin and Syrian recipes are from her family recipe books, the rest were scouted and sourced. The book isnt overtly pictorial, and the dishes take precedence, thereby ensuring that the focus is only on food. The recipes are narrated in a concise manner, making them easy to follow and try. In a conversation with Firstpost, the author delves deep into the history and heritage of food, as well as traverses the many influences of Kerala cuisine. How did the book happen? Growing up in a multi-cultural society, I was intrigued by cultural differences that existed within close quarters. My interest in heritage, culture and food led me to research on the cuisines that stemmed from Keralas famed spice trade. Some of the communities live(d) next to each other, and yet their food was strikingly different. This sparked my curiosity. How long did the research take? It took me three years. It was not that easy because there was very little documentation in the field. Also, to find authentic and undiluted recipes called for finding the right families and those willing to share them. What surprising facts about Kerala cuisine did you encounter while bringing this book out? When I started my research, I was aware that different cuisines had emerged from the spice trade, and that history had played a crucial role in creating them. This was sort of the periphery of things. Delving deep, it was surprising to know that various factors contribute to creating a cuisine. Religion, cooking techniques, family traditions, new ingredients...a tiny change creates a completely new flavour. It was intriguing to know that Kerala has such a deep food culture, so unique to it alone. And each family would add its special touch that shifted things a little bit. The evolution of food culture is not within the local alone, but it moves across shores. Thus, it also becomes the extension of a culture of a different country. To think that Paradesi Jews (who never married outside their community and kept to strict religious laws) have the same sweet meat as the Mappilas (Arab descendants) called Muttamalla. It is popular as a Mappila sweet, never as a Jewish sweet. It thus tells us that communities may have exchanged certain food items, either because of the proximity of residences, or traditions from another land. Again, the Vindhaloo, a Portuguese dish, varies between the Latin Catholics and the Kerala Anglo-Indians, both connected to Portuguese rule in Kerala. The secular ambience and the unity between communities is truly intriguing, with flavours merging or remaining distinctly different. What does the Kerala cuisine consist of today? How have its vast influences shaped it? The communities the book has traced specifically concern those influenced by foreign trade. Kerala food has certain dishes synonymous with the state the Sadya, for example. Syrian Christian and Mappila food are popularly known, but not the cuisines of the Jews, Latins, or the Kerala Anglo-Indians. You give an eclectic collection of recipes, like the nutmeg caramel custard. What are some of the dishes that are unique to the region? I would say Latino Meen polichathu for its simple flavour, the Ethaka appam is a favourite, influenced by the Portuguese who steamed or baked much of their goods (use of coconut milk, rice powder and steamed). Pada is a unique pickle made with garlic and mustard, again influenced by the Portuguese. Jewish pasthel is unique to Kerala Jews. You have talked about innovative ingredients and recipes, but did these travellers also bring with them different ways of making the dishes? The Mappila community has techniques like those in Arabia using coal kernels for cooking. The Jews do not mix milk and meat, this is because of religion. Thus, coconut milk, (which is) easily found in Kerala, was used and a new curry was thus created. All the recipes are unique because either ingredients were brought into the state, or religion called for a certain cooking procedure. You talk about growing up in your grandmothers kitchen as a child...is that the inspiration for the book? In many ways yes. I saw how it fed so many people, it really was the soul of the house. I also saw how through food connected the various communities were through friends, in a heterogenous town like Fort Cochin. Are our heritage and cultures linked through food? What can we learn about it through the changes in Kerala's cuisine? Food is a wonderful expression of who we are as people. It defines our identities, traditions and customs. It tells who we are, the flavours that came from generations of cooking. Food is culture and India can be proud of a rich food cultural heritage. As far as Kerala cuisines are concerned, not only did the existing cuisine undergo change, but it (literally) sprouted new cuisines. The ships plying across oceans to gather spices from Kerala brought with them food-cultures and religions, which resulted in new types of cuisines. Many of these are highly complex, with layers of techniques and several ingredients. The same ingredients, when married differently, gives rise to new flavours. The marrying depends on customs and traditions. This shows how new cultural aspects of heritage are formed, and explains that our history is intricately locked in food. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appear to be settling into life in North America quite nicely, enjoying a much more relaxed existence. Though they haven't just been cooking dinners and doing yoga. They recently jetted to Miami where Harry gave a speech at a private eventand they grabbed dinner with Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez. This week they reportedly took a surprise trip to Stanford University in northern California. According to People, the couple met with professors about the new charitable foundation they are planning to launch later this year. Today.com reports they held a several-hours-long brainstorming session after being greeted by university president Marc Tessier-Lavigne. And yes, they flew commercial, so there will be no private jet controversy surrounding this trip. We dont have a lot of details about what this charitable entity will look like yet, but the Sussexes seem to be doing a lot of research on that front. They are also making other moves to solidify the changes in their lives since their decision to step down as senior working members of the royal family. Hello! reports that the Sussexes office staff at Buckingham Palace has been let gowhich makes sense considering they will no longer be carrying out official royal duties. The staff was apparently notified in January and some of them may be offered other roles within the royal family. Markle also shared a never-before-seen video of her time guest-editing the September 2019 issue of British Vogue. The magazine sold out in 10 days, making it British Vogues fastest-selling issue ever and the biggest seller of the decade. The duchess appears alongside editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, who praises her as a someone with an editors eye. They also don silly hats to celebrate, and they call the cover stars of the issue like Yara Shahidi and Laverne Cox. Perhaps theres another big editorial moment in Meghan Markles future? Well all just have to wait and see. Originally Appeared on Glamour Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in a scene from Silver Lining Playbook filmed at the Llanerch Diner in Upper Darby Township. Read more The data firm Comparitech says Silver Linings Playbook is Pennsylvanias favorite romantic comedy, based on data culled from romcom-related searches on Google. Comparitech spokesman James Agate said the firm is assuming the most searched for movie is also a states favorite romcom, although in the case of Pennsylvania, it seems likely the immersion of Silver Linings Playbook in Philadelphia Eagles fan culture has something to do with the search frequency. That would explain why Silver Linings Playbook is also the favorite movie of neighboring New Jersey, according to Comparitech. The fact that Silver Linings stars native son and avid Eagles fan Bradley Cooper could also be a factor, although that would not explain why Will Smiths Hitch is the most searched for movie in South Dakota. Punxsutawney-set Groundhog Day is the favorite of folks who live in Utah. Next door, in Nevada, searches for the prostitution-themed Pretty Woman were most frequent. Also, while we still dont know whether Iowa prefers Pete Buttigieg or Bernie Sanders, we know that Google searches in Iowa identify The Philadelphia Story as the states favorite romantic comedy. Delaware prefers Clueless, also the favored romcom in Arizona and California. Comparitech started with Googles list of top romantic comedy movies, then searched each film individually on Google Trends to find which state scored the highest. For close calls, Comparitech favored the movie that accounted for the most searches over the previous 12 months. Vijayawada: The recent raids by the Income-Tax department on the former personal secretary of former chief minister and TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, and three prominent infrastructure companies considered close to the leader, revealed siphoning of funds to the tune of least Rs 2,000 crore. This amount is only a preliminary estimate and further investigations might reveal a higher fraud amount, I-T officials said. The Income-Tax department on Thursday issued an official press release stating that search operations carried out on close associates (of three infra companies), including a former personal secretary of a prominent person (read Mr Chandrababu Naidu, as searches were conducted at the premises of his ex-PS) and incriminating evidence was seized. The TD supremo, as a senior leader pointed out, was perplexed over the developments. One of the three firms raided belonged to Kadapa TD leader Srinivas Reddys R.K. Infra Corp. A close associate of Nara Lokesh, Mr Naidus son and TD party general secretary, was also raided. Sources in I-T department said that exchange of information between this associate and several top party leaders gave crucial leads to the I-T department. The I-T department says irregularities were found in infra companies. Government can take any action, Mr Nara Lokesh told Deccan Chronicle. Referring to the involvement of a former PS of the former CM, Mr Lokesh said that he was clueless on how a former PS was in possession of records of three large infra companies. We did nothing wrong. We will wait and watch, he said. Explaining the modus operandi of the raids and subsequent investigations, Surabhi Ahluwalia, I-T commissioner, said that the three companies had indulged in multiple transactions by sub-contracting works to bogus and non-existent companies. These transactions were layered through multiple entities, with the last in the chain being small entities, with a turnover of less than `2 crore to avoid maintenance of books of accounts and tax audits, Ms Ahluwalia said. Many of these companies werent found in the addresses mentioned in records or were found to be shell firms, she said. 25 bank lockers restrained, says I-T Several sub-contractors were controlled by the principal contractor, on whose IP address the re-runs of sub contractors were found. The I-T raids led to the busting of a major racket of cash generation through bogus sub contractors, over-invoicing and claiming of bogus bills. The searches resulted in unearthing unaccounted cash of `85 lakh and jewellery worth `71 lakh. More than 25 bank lockers were restrained, the IT department said. The FDI receipts received in group companies of one of the three firms raided are suspected to be round tripping of unaccounted funds. The department also chanced upon emails and WhatsApp messages, besides incriminating records and papers which revealed unexplained foreign transactions. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Peter Hutchison (Agence France-Presse) New York, United States Fri, February 14, 2020 12:05 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20647f943 2 Entertainment Harvey-Weinstein,#MeToo,sexual-harassment Free Harvey Weinstein's defense team urged jurors to be "unpopular" Thursday and acquit the ex-Hollywood titan of rape and predatory sexual assault charges, suggesting he was a victim of the #MeToo movement. In closing arguments lasting over four hours, lead attorney Donna Rotunno said prosecutors had created "an alternative universe" in which the former producer was a "monster" who preyed on aspiring actresses, but had not provided any evidence to convict. "He was innocent when he walked through the door. He was innocent when witnesses started to take the stand. He is innocent as he sits here right now," Rotunno told the New York court. Weinstein, 67, faces life imprisonment if convicted of predatory sexual assault charges in the high-profile trial that marks a watershed moment in the #MeToo global reckoning against men abusing positions of power. Six women took the stand to say they were sexually assaulted by Weinstein, allegations the fallen movie mogul denies. Rotunno reminded the 12 jurors that they are considering charges related to just two women: ex-actress Jessica Mann and former production assistant Mimi Haleyi. Mann says Weinstein raped her in March 2013 while Haleyi alleges he forcibly performed oral sex on her in July 2006. "From an overzealous media, from an overzealous prosecution, you are being asked to make an unpopular decision," Rotunno told the jury, asking them "to block out the noise" surrounding the proceedings. "Never let your emotion cloud your intellect. Use your New York City common sense. It will guide you to the right answer," she added. The trial has raised complicated issues surrounding consent and abuse of power for the jury of seven men and five women. Under cross-examination, both Mann and Haleyi acknowledged at least one consensual sexual encounter with Weinstein after the alleged assaults. Rotunno repeatedly referred to dozens of emails and texts the defense presented during the trial that show the accusers on friendly terms with Weinstein years after the alleged incidents. "The truth leaves a paper trail," she said, asking the jurors to study the "real-time evidence" not a world created by the prosecution "where women don't have free-will." Mistrial? "In their universe women are not responsible for parties they attend, the men they flirt with... or the jobs they ask help to obtain," Rotunno added, suggesting women used Weinstein to advance their own careers. She said the accusers only decided they had been assaulted after Weinstein became a global pariah when allegations against him ignited #MeToo in October 2017. Rotunno added that Weinstein became "the target of a cause" and said Mann had been manipulated by the prosecution. "I feel sorry for Jessica Mann. She's a victim of the state," Rotunno said. She highlighted the absence of forensic evidence and said it was unusual for a criminal trial not to feature testimony from police officers. The lawyer also suggested that the women who testified would have gotten themselves tested for sexually transmitted diseases if they had been attacked. Weinstein faces five counts, including predatory sexual assault, rape and engaging in a criminal sexual act. Rotunno reminded jurors that to convict they must be sure of the defendant's guilt beyond all reasonable doubt. "It's not a small doubt, it's not a little doubt," she said. Lead prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon complained to Justice James Burke that her counterpart had cited information that hadn't been included in evidence, an allegation Rotunno denied. The prosecution will present its closing arguments on Friday before jurors begin considering Weinstein's fate on Tuesday next week. They must reach unanimous verdicts on each count. If they are unable, the judge may be forced to declare a mistrial. A split verdict is possible where Weinstein is convicted of some charges and cleared of others. Accused of sexual misconduct by more than 80 women, Weinstein faces a separate sex crimes investigation in Los Angeles and is the subject of several civil complaints. Weinstein laughed and smiled as he left court, clearly delighted with Rotunno's performance. Kiran Balannanavar By Express News Service MARIYAMMANAHALLI (BALLARI): Close on the heels of the incident where the son of a Bengaluru MLA was allegedly involved in a car accident in which four people were injured, a road accident near Hosapete, allegedly involving son of a prominent minister, has raised several questions. Two people were killed on the spot on National Highway 50 at Mariyammanahalli near Hosapete on Monday when the car lost control and rammed a pedestrian. Ravi Nayak (18) died after he was dragged for several metres by the car. Sachin Sheshaiah, one of the occupants of the car, was also killed. Initial investigations have revealed that the car belongs to National Public School in Bengaluru South, in which Revenue Minister R Ashoka is believed to be a stakeholder. Talk of the ministers son being present in the car at the time of the accident spread after the medical officers at the Hosapete government hospital said the police requested them to complete the post-mortem that night itself. The police had reportedly told the doctors that the request came from the higher-ups. However, speaking to mediapersons in Bengaluru on Thursday, Minister Ashoka said the law will take its course and all details about the accident will come out after the probe. FIR doesnt name my son: Minister Side-stepping a specific question if his son was in the car he said the FIR registered by the police has not named his son. Ashoka also said they have nothing to do with the institution to which the car belongs. There is no question of any attempt to hide anything. One person who was in the car died in the accident and others sustained injuries. Everything will come out after the probe. It is not right for me to comment when the probe is under way, the minister said. A group of friends had reportedly arrived in Hampi for the weekend and were staying at a resort at Virupapura Gaddi in Anegundi of Koppal district. The accident occurred when they were returning.On the day of accident, the Ballari police had registered a case stating that the car was an Audi, but it turned out to be a Mercedes Benz (KA 05 MW 357). Later, they claimed that there was an Audi car too which was tailing the Mercedes when the accident occurred. The FIR was registered only on Monday night and the names of injured were not released till the next day. Residents of Mariyammanahalli tanda claimed that the ministers son was whisked away immediately from the spot. They said that local leaders had asked the families and relatives of the victim not to give any public statements. However, Ballari Superintendent of Police C K Baba dismissed the involvement of the ministers son in the accident. There was another car which was tailing the one involved in the accident and the police mentioned the wrong car in the FIR, leading to confusion, he said. The driver of Mercedes Benz car is now said to be absconding. The police had named Rahul, a resident of Jalahalli in Bengaluru as the driver. But on Wednesday, the police claimed that the injured were being treated in a hospital. The police have formed a team to nab Rahul. American, United push back 737 MAX return amid new approval delays An American Airlines airplane sits on the tarmac at LAX in Los Angeles By Tracy Rucinski and David Shepardson CHICAGO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - American Airlines Group Inc and United Airlines Holdings Inc are pushing back the return of Boeing 737 MAX flights until August and September, respectively, a fresh delay that comes after sources told Reuters that the timing of a key certification flight may not occur until at least April. American is cancelling 737 MAX flights until Aug. 18 and United until Sept. 4, the two said in separate statements on Friday. The other U.S. 737 MAX operator, Southwest Airlines Co , has extended its flight cancellations until Aug. 10. The new timelines mean that the three carriers will be flying without the 737 MAX for the second straight U.S. summer, an issue that hit their profits during last year's peak travel season. Boeing's 737 MAX was grounded worldwide last March after two crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that killed 346 people. The U.S. planemaker has spent months updating software believed to have played a role in both crashes, but fresh issues have surfaced, complicating regulators' efforts to reapprove the plane. The timing of a certification flight, a key step in the approval process, has been delayed repeatedly. The latest unofficial guidance was for the flight to happen this month, but now it is unlikely to occur while Boeing tries to resolve the new problems, sources said this week. American, Southwest and United had been planning to fly the jets in early June if regulators had approved the plane in the first quarter, but that now looks unlikely. One key issue yet to be resolved is whether Boeing must separate two wiring bundles that may be too close together, which could lead to a short circuit and crash if pilots do not respond appropriately. Boeing has told the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration it does not believe it needs to separate wiring bundles, people familiar with the matter said on Friday. Once regulators approve Boeing's fixes, airlines will still need around 30 days or longer to prepare their fleets and pilots before using the planes for commercial flight. Story continues The longer the 737 MAX is grounded, the more Boeing will ultimately have to compensate its customers. Boeing spent $1.4 billion on compensation for 737 MAX customers last year and Chief Financial Officer Greg Smith said this week the company expects "a good portion" of additional settlements to take place this year. Meanwhile, carriers including Delta Air Lines that do not operate the 737 MAX are picking up travel demand that United, Southwest and American have been unable to meet given their reduced fleets. (Reporting by Tracy Rucinski in Chicago and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Matthew Lewis) India on Friday inked pact with Portugal to set up a world class National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal in Gujarat. Both the countries also signed an agreement for cooperation in the area of maritime transport, the shipping ministry said in a statement. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of National Defence, Republic of Portugal for development of the Heritage Complex, the statement said. "With the signing of MoU today, it will facilitate developing of a world class National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat with the cooperation from the Republic of Portugal," it added. The MoU on National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC), Lothal will pave the way for cooperation between the two countries for showcasing common Maritime Heritage, the statement said. NMHC will consolidate all diverse and rich artefacts from ancient to modern times, and create awareness about India's rich maritime heritage among general masses. In a separate statement, the ministry said a cooperation agreement was signed between India and Portugal in the field of Maritime Transport and Ports. "It will open avenues for cooperation to promote Maritime Transport between the two countries for better operation of their merchant fleets," the statement said. The agreement will also help both the countries to coordinate accession to international conventions so that the objectives of this pact can be strengthened. Earlier, Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had welcomed Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on his arrival here on a four-day state visit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Theres a lot of communication that needs to go on regarding our expectations and even figuring out our expectations as well as knowing what the other persons parents expect, Garner said. It doesnt seem right to have my daughter have people she could be attracted to in her bedroom overnight, Garner said. 'Baby Mufflerman' Aavyan Tomar, who stole the hearts when he dressed up as Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal, will be a special invitee at the swearing-in ceremony at the historic Ramlila Ground in New Delhi on February 16. IMAGE: A woman holds a child dressed up as Delhi Chief Minsiter Arvind Kejriwal as she celebrates the party's success at the polls. Photograph: ANI Photo An AAP functionary said Tomar has been invited for the oath-taking ceremony. Tomar, who is little more than a year old, hogged the headlines after he was spotted at the party office dressed like Kejriwal -- with spectacles, party cap, a sweater and muffler. The child even sported a moustache like the AAP chief. "Big Announcement: Baby Mufflerman is invited to the swearing in ceremony of @ArvindKejriwal on 16th Feb. Suit up Junior!," Aam Aadmi Party tweeted along with a photo of him dressed like Arvind Kejriwal. Aavyan lives at Mayur Vihar in east Delhi. His father, Rahul Tomar, is an AAP supporter. He and his family were unable to meet Kejriwal at the party headquarters on February 11, a day when the results of the Delhi assembly elections were declared. After Aavyan's photos went viral, he was dubbed as 'Baby Kejriwal', 'Baby Mufflerman' and 'Chhota Kejriwal'. The AAP national convener will take oath on Sunday as the Delhi chief minister at the Ramlila Ground for the third consecutive time. The AAP won 62 seats in the 70-member Delhi Assembly, while the Bharatiya Janata Party bagged the remaining eight seats. The Congress drew a blank for the second consecutive time in the Delhi polls. FARGO, N.D. - A former Fargo city commissioner said Thursday he is spearheading plans to bring a mural honouring Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg to the eastern North Dakota city, after an arrangement by the artist to hang the outdoor image in his hometown of Bismarck received an unfavourable reception. Shane Balkowitsch had planned to put a 7-foot-tall (2.1-meter tall) mural of Thunberg on the brick exterior wall of a Bismarck bakery, but scrapped that idea after social media threats of boycotts and possible vandalism. Balkowitsch took the photo of Thunberg when she visited the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in October. Mike Williams, who served three terms on the Fargo city commission, said he has received permission from a downtown Fargo business owner to put the mural in an alley where other artwork is on display. Williams said he told Balkowitsch to print the panels. The project would be financed by donations, Williams said. At 16, Thunberg was Time magazines youngest Person of the Year. Balkowitsch donated his photograph of Thunberg looking into the distance on the southern North Dakota reservation to the Library of Congress in Washington. Fargo is located on the North Dakota-Minnesota border, 190 miles (305.78 kilometres) east of Bismarck. 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) Trump, Cuomo Fail to Reach Deal on Ban of New Yorkers From Trusted Traveler Programs President Donald Trump and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo failed to reach a deal during a meeting at the White House over the Trump administrations blocking of New Yorkers from trusted traveler programs. Trump, Cuomo, and others, including acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, met on Feb. 13 after New York Attorney General Letitia James sued the administration over the ban. Wolf said the meeting was productive but that no agreement was reached. We will continue discussions with the State of New York to find a mutually agreeable solution, he said in a statement. Cuomo, a Democrat, said in a radio interview a day before the meeting that he would offer the White House information from the state Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) database. The ban on New Yorkers from the trusted traveler programs, such as Global Entry, stemmed from New York authorities blocking federal officials from accessing the database. Cuomo said full access wouldnt be granted and information from the database would only be given on a case by case basis. He also said he will never give federal authorities access to information on illegal immigrants. Thats what they want: they want access to the undocumenteds so they can give it to ICE, and ICE can have a feeding frenzy assaulting undocumented people, he said, calling the decision to ban New Yorkers from the traveler programs pure politics. Cuomo said after the meeting: I restated my initial solution: NY is willing to provide DMV records for NYers applying to TTP. Hes open to working with us on this and well continue the conversation in the coming week, Cuomo stated. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo takes part in a regional cannabis and vaping summit in New York City, New York on Oct. 17, 2019. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters) Wolf and other federal officials have said blocking authorities from the information makes it impossible to verify peoples identities, sparking the ban. The law, which lets illegal aliens get drivers licenses, forbids the state DMV from providing drivers license and vehicle registration information, Wolf wrote in a letter to Mark Schroeder, acting commissioner of the state DMV, and Theresa Egan, executive deputy commissioner of the DMV. Customs and Border Protection, which runs the trusted traveler programs, has relied on data from the DMV to validate that a person applying for the programs qualifies for low-risk status or meets other program requirements, Wolf wrote. Agents also check on criminal history and use records to check on whether used vehicles can be exported. In a tweet before the meeting, Trump said Cuomo 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. Build relationships, but dont bring Fredo! Trump said, referring to Cuomos brother, CNN host Chris Cuomo. When you stop violating the rights and liberties of all New Yorkers, we will stand down, James said in a tweet in response. Also on Thursday, another law enforcement group expressed opposition to the Green Light Law, which enables illegal immigrants to apply for drivers licenses in New York state. The law also blocked federal authorities from the DMV database. The New York State Sheriffs Association said in a letter to Cuomo and state lawmakers that the provision that blocks access to the DMV is a law enforcement issue that the association has deep concern about. Our inability, under the new law, to share DMV data with federal immigration officers jeopardizes the safety of those officers, the association stated. This will give plug-and-play facilities, including safeguard measures in the labour laws, textile secretary Ravi Capoor said on Thursday during a meeting of the Confederation Indian Textile Industry (CITI). Chennai: The government will be announcing plans to develop 10 mega textile parks for promoting exports in its new National Textile Policy. However, not even half of the textile parks approved in 2005 have been completed yet. Moreover, it is also felt that the industry badly needs processing parks rather than mega parks at this stage. The 10 mega integrated textile parks will be developed in 1,000 acres of land closer to the ports. This will give plug-and-play facilities, including safeguard measures in the labour laws, textile secretary Ravi Capoor said on Thursday during a meeting of the Confederation Indian Textile Industry (CITI). According to Sanjay Jain, former chairman of CITI, scale of production is a major problem for the Indian textile industry. "Large integrated parks can provide the scale at which other textile producing countries work. It will also help the industry attract foreign direct investment. However, I am not sure whether this is a priority, as we had mixed success with the textile parks already approved by the government in the past," he said. The Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) approved during the 10th Five Year Plan in 2005 has met with limited success. While 59 textile parks were sanctioned under SITP by the Ministry of Textiles, only 22 have been completed. The rest are under various stages of completion, as per the ministry data. Delay in obtaining land and other statutory clearances from state governments and slow fund mobilisation by the textile parks are some of the reasons behind the slow progress of the parks. "The government had initially announced funding for the land. But later on, it removed that incentive. This also made several private entities develop cold feet on the parks," said Jain. He said perhaps some of the existing parks could be transformed into mega textile parks, but all parks cannot be upgraded. According to him, a bigger necessity for the textile industry is processing parks, with government funded or subsidised common affluent treatment facilities. CHICAGO, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Illinois' highest ranked cardiology and heart surgery program. Among the highest survival rates for heart failure and heart attack in the United States. The most minimally replaced aortic valves in Illinois. Fifteen years since the Valentine's Day founding of Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, the program has grown into a nationally ranked, innovative powerhouse of cardiovascular medicine, pioneering treatments and research into cardiovascular disease, considered the persistent number one killer of American men and women. The program stands as a destination for the latest, safest advances in cardiovascular care, from minimally invasive valve replacement to leading care for heart rhythm irregularities, from research into preventive medicine to complex cardiac surgery. The program started at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in 2005 when Chicago real estate developer and philanthropist Neil Bluhm joined noted cardiac surgeon Patrick M. McCarthy, MD, with the goal of creating a world-class, destination cardiovascular medicine program in America's third largest city. Steady, generous support from Bluhm and other donors increased access and treatment options for heart and vascular patients throughout Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. "For 15 years, the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute has proven excellence has no boundaries," said Dean M. Harrison, president and chief executive officer, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. "Today we recognize the remarkable achievements of our physicians, nurses and staff enabled by the strong leadership and dedicated support of Dr. Patrick McCarthy and Neil Bluhm. We are proud to be ranked 7th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and offer world-class cardiovascular care to patients throughout Chicago and from across the nation." Fifteen years since its founding, the cardiovascular program stands alone in Illinois for its outcomes, research, coordinated care and achievements in patient care. "We are tremendously grateful for Neil Bluhm's generosity that has now benefited hundreds of thousands of patients that we have treated at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute," said Dr. McCarthy, executive director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, chief of cardiac surgery and Heller-Sacks Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "Patients from the Chicago area, United States and beyond come to Northwestern because of the talent that we have recruited and trained. We are fulfilling Mr. Bluhm's vision to provide a world class heart program in our home in Chicago that has become a destination for patients and for medical teams who want to learn the latest and best care for cardiovascular patients." Since the Valentine's Day, 2005 founding of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute: The cardiology and heart surgery program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital rose from unranked to a top 10 national program for five consecutive years, as well as the top ranked cardiology and heart surgery program in Illinois for more than 10 consecutive years (U.S. News & World Report). for more than 10 consecutive years (U.S. News & World Report). Northwestern Memorial is the only hospital out of 3,500 in the United States providing high-quality, low-cost care for both heart attack and heart failure, according to recent data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The hospital has also had the highest acute heart attack survival in Illinois for five consecutive years, and the highest heart failure survival in Illinois for four consecutive years. providing high-quality, low-cost care for both heart attack and heart failure, according to recent data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The hospital has also had the highest acute heart attack survival in for five consecutive years, and the highest heart failure survival in for four consecutive years. The volume of complex cardiac surgery has risen 875 percent since 2004 at Northwestern Memorial under Dr. McCarthy's leadership. In 2018, the hospital set a new record in Illinois for the most hearts transplanted during a single calendar year with 56 heart transplants. for the most hearts transplanted during a single calendar year with 56 heart transplants. The Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute is currently at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital and will be expanding in 2020 to Northwestern Medicine McHenry and Northwestern Medicine Huntley hospitals. Through its Clinical Trials Unit, more than half of Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute's faculty are principal investigators, leading innovative research in cardiovascular disease and medicine. Currently, there are more than 100 active clinical trials. In 2019, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute started a new program to study artificial intelligence in cardiovascular medicine, investigating devices and algorithms for automated detection of cardiovascular abnormalities with the long-term goal of increasing access to life-saving treatments in rural hospitals or underserved communities, and improving the accuracy of diagnosis. Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute physicians were the first in the state to pioneer TAVR, or transcatheter aortic valve replacement, and also lead trials on minimally invasive mitral and tricuspid valve treatments. These options prevent many patients from undergoing open-heart surgery. With the expansion of access to care across hospitals, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute has physicians providing care at multiple sites, coordinated care protocols across the system, increased the number of patients treated at all locations, and offered new programs such as TAVR, atrial fibrillation ablation, and new minimally invasive surgical procedures. Physicians have led the development of premier specialty programs, including ones for diastolic heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, bicuspid aortic valve, among others, tailoring diagnosis and management of these conditions and increasing access to innovative treatments. Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute leadership has recruited and retained top cardiovascular faculty, including three American Heart Association Physician of the Year recipients, and several leaders of national cardiovascular organizations such as the American Heart Association and the American Society of Echocardiography. "From superior outcomes for patients to breakthrough research, including one of the first centers in the country studying artificial intelligence and cardiovascular disease, Northwestern Medicine's cardiovascular program rose to one of the top programs in the country and continues to sustain and grow upon that excellence," said Neil Bluhm, founder and president of JMB Realty Corporation. "At Northwestern Medicine, there is boundless enthusiasm and vigor for the coming decades of cardiovascular research, innovation and patient care throughout the Chicago area and beyond." For more information about the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, or to make an appointment, visit heart.nm.org or call (312) NM-HEART. For more information about Northwestern Medicine, visit news.nm.org/about-northwestern-medicine.html. SOURCE Northwestern Medicine (TNS) 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 operationsHusted 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. NCP president Sharad Pawar on Friday criticised Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray's decision to let the NIA take over probe into the Bhima Koregaon case from the state police. Kolhapur: NCP president Sharad Pawar on Friday criticised Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray's decision to let the NIA take over probe into the Bhima Koregaon case from the state police. Talking to reporters, Pawar said it was not right on part of the Centre to hand over the probe into the case, which was with the Pune Police, to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as law and order was a state subject. "It was not right for the Centre to hand over the investigation into the case to the NIA. But it was even more wrong for the state government to support the transfer of the case," said Pawar. The NCP is a key constituent of the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and its leader Anil Deshmukh is the home minister. The conduct of police and home department officials handling the case was objectionable, he said. The NIA was entrusted the case at a time when the process of setting up an SIT was initiated by the state government, he said. "Meetings took place between 9 am and 11 am (in Mumbai) and the Centre took the decision (to hand over the case to the NIA) at 3 pm (on 25 January)," he said. Pawar said it was not right for the Centre to encroach upon the rights of the state on law and order issue. "The Maharashtra government should not have supported the Centre's move," the former Union minister said. 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". On Thursday, Deshmukh said Thackeray had overruled him on the probe in the case, in which human rights activiBhists have been arrested for alleged links with Maoists. "State agencies were investigating the case, but the Centre handed over the investigation to the NIA. As Home Minister, my stand was that the Centre should have taken the state government into confidence before taking the decision. "We were putting up our stand in the court in this direction. The chief minister has the right to overrule my stand," Deshmukh had said. The Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government had initially criticised the Centre's move to hand over the case to the NIA. Deshmukh had then publicly expressed disapproval of the Centre's move and termed it as against the Constitution. The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave, held at Shaniwarwada in Pune on 31 December, 2017, which the police claimed, triggered violence near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in the district the next day. The Pune police have claimed the conclave was backed by Maoists. During the probe into the police, the Pune 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. SANILAC TOWNSHIP Several people are lucky to be alive after they were involved in a head-on collision that sent two people to the hospital Feb. 13. According to the Michigan State Police Caro Post, troopers were dispatched to the intersection of Applegate and South State roads in Sanilac Township for a two-vehicle head-on crash. SHELTON The districts pre-K service is not in compliance with state mandates, and school officials cannot rule out keeping the tuition fees as the program is brought back to code. The districts typical peer pre-K program calls for an even split between students with special needs and those without. But this years program presently has 69 students total, 58 of whom have special needs. Next year, officials said, as many as 65 special needs students will be eligible for the program. In order to meet Connecticut Early Learning Development Standards, the district must be ready to handle an estimated 130 students total. The program meets in three classrooms at Mohegan School four days a week. At present, parents of regular education students pay $2,000 for the four-day program. The program is free for parents of special needs students. We are going to submit a plan to the state that we hope will bring us into compliance, but that could result in expanding from three to four classrooms, schools Superintendent Chris Clouet told the Board of Education during a Feb. 10 budget workshop. Administrators requested $24,501 to hire a fourth full-time special needs paraprofessional for the pre-K program, but Clouet said that the cost is not part of the proposed $75,271,360 education budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year. The Board of Education has yet to vote on Clouets spending proposal which then must be approved by the city. The Board of Education is planning a vote Feb. 19. During the workshop, board members did not appear inclined to continue charging pre-K tuition, although Clouet said it remained an option. Were clearly out of compliance, said Clouet, and my advice would be to continue to charge tuition to help offset the costs of bringing the pre-K program into compliance. Board Chair Kathy Yolish said that the board two years ago began instituting the charge $2,500 per regular education student during the 2018-19 school year reduced to $2,000 this year. Parents were angry, and Yolish said she believes families chose other options. I do not want to charge (parents), said board member Kate Kutash. What we need to do is to make the program compliant at no charge, Yolish added that, after visiting the pre-K classrooms this year, she noticed an imbalance in instruction, with students not benefiting in socialization and learning skills because of the lack of regular education students. Clouet said Special Education Director Beth Smith is presently revamping the program and expects up to 66 special education slots will be filled. If everyone enrolls as projected, we would need a fourth classroom and a fourth teacher, said Clouet. The Shelton pre-K program is a special education program designed to provide services to students ages 3 and 4 who live in Shelton and are identified as having a disability. The district opens up spots in each of the 3s and 4s classrooms for typical peers to participate; parents are required to provide transportation. The district uses the Connecticut Early Learning Development Standards to identify candidates who might serve as strong language, behavioral, and social skill models for disabled peers in the class. Daily activities consist of free play, circle times on literacy and math, centers, snack time, storytime, table time to work on fine motor activities, gross motor activities work, outside play; Circle and music. brian.gioiele@hearstmediact.com The US killing of a top Iranian general was a miscalculation that has had the effect of bolstering support in Iraq for the removal of American troops, a longtime goal of Tehran, Iran's foreign minister said Friday. The US killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a January 3 drone strike as the commander of Iran's expeditionary Quds Force was leaving Baghdad's airport, saying he was planning attacks on Americans. Speaking to a group of reporters on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said "the US miscalculated," noting that since the killing, thousands of Iraqis have taken to the streets to protest against the presence of foreign troops in the country. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, in which Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed, a group of Iraqi lawmakers also passed a non-binding resolution to oust US troops and since then, the issue of American troops has monopolized Iraqi "The martyr Soleimani is much more effective than Gen. Soleimani," Zarif said. "We are seeing that in terms of demonstrations that are taking place in Iraq against the US presence." Zarif is expected to meet on the sidelines of the conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas to talk about ongoing European efforts to preserve the nuclear deal with Iran. The deal provides Iran economic incentives in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program in an effort to prevent it from obtaining a nuclear bomb something Iran insists it is not planning. Since U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington unilaterally out of the deal in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions, Iran's economy has been struggling. In an effort to pressure the other signatories to the deal Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China to provide economic incentives to offset the American sanctions, Iran has slowly been violating the deal's restrictions on its nuclear program. The US has been pressuring other members of the deal to pull out as well, but Maas told the forum that Germany rejected the U.S. tactic of "maximum pressure" on Iran. "We are sticking firmly to our course in the Middle East, and that is de-escalation instead of maximum pressure," he said. Zarif reiterated Iran's stance that all of its moves to ramp-up its nuclear program in the past few months are reversible, providing that Europe takes steps that are meaningful. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nay Pyi Taw : , Feb 14 (IANS) A 12-minute porn video shot by an Italian couple at Myanmar's tourist hot-spot Bagan has enraged the country's citizens. Bagan, which is home to over 3,000 pagodas and temples dating from the 9th to the 13th centuries, is a Unesco world heritage site which attracts a large number of tourists every year. The porn video by the couple was uploaded on popular porn website Pornhub.com on Thursday, generating hundreds and thousands of views soon after. The news of the porn video led to an outrage among locals in the country. The video shows the couple removing their clothes and getting raunchy next to an ancient pagoda. "Our Bagan pagodas are The Holy Land," one observer, Mg Khin Gyi, wrote on a Facebook post that also carried a number of angry emojis. According to a report in The Irrawaddy, both foreigners and locals are prohibited from wearing shorts or inappropriate dresses, especially at pagodas, temples and religious buildings. Myanmar also prohibits inappropriate behaviour such as kissing in religious buildings or on their grounds. "We were shocked by that video and feel terribly sad. Having sex outdoors and at religious buildings and pagodas is intolerable?moreover, it was in Bagan, our precious heritage of religion, culture and history," said Ko Myo Sat San of Save Bagan, a civil society group here, was quoted as saying. "These two foreign tourists are individual travelers who came on their own itinerary. Whoever they are and with whatever agenda they bring, they should respect the host country's religion and culture. Their behavior is totally inappropriate and insulting to the country," Ko Myo Sat San said. While some said that the incident suggest that security around the place need to be tightened, others urged government authorities to act quickly to identify tourists and put more effort into promoting responsible tourism. BOISE Those who have been wrongfully convicted would receive financial compensation from the state under a bill approved unanimously Thursday by the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee. The bill would provide $60,000 for every year a wrongly convicted person spent in prison and $75,000 for every year spent on death row. An additional $25,000 is available for those who wrongfully spent time on parole on the sex offender registry. Idaho is one of 15 states that does not offer compensation for exonerated people. Exonerees have a two year period to file a claim. They may also seek other forms of compensation, including health insurance, and job and housing assistance. The committee last week heard testimony last week from two men who served time in prison for crimes they did not commit, including Christopher Tapp, who was exonerated last year after serving more than 20 years for rape and murder. Four people would be eligible for compensation under the bills. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Emily Thornberry was last night knocked out of the Labour leadership race. The Shadow Foreign Secretary failed to garner enough nominations from local Labour branches to go forward to a vote of party members. She needed 33 constituency parties to nominate her but had reached only 31. Labour's Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry, pictured, has dropped out of the party's leadership election having failed to secure the support of 33 constituency parties Ms Thornberry, pictured, secured the support of 31 local constituency parties, two short of the requirement to go through to the next stage Lisa Nandy, Keir Starmer and Rebecca Long-Bailey will all go through to the final vote of party members. The result of the election to replace Jeremy Corbyn will be known on April 4 It means only three candidates will go forward Sir Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy. The website CLP Nominations said: It appears no longer possible for Emily Thornberry to achieve sufficient CLP (Constituency Labour Party) support to get onto the ballot. It came as Jewish Labour supporters overwhelmingly rejected Corbynite Miss Long-Bailey. She won just 1.4 per cent of votes cast by members of the Jewish Labour Movement, which endorsed Miss Nandy. The JLM is one of the largest of such groups with the power to nominate leadership candidates. This followed an event on Thursday at which all four candidates apologised to Jewish members over Labours handling of anti-Semitism. Miss Nandy, the MP for Wigan, said she was honoured to get the affiliate groups official nomination. She received 51 per cent of members votes, with Sir Keir second on 45 per cent and Miss Thornberry on 1.9 per cent. During the hustings at a synagogue in north London, the candidates were pressed on their record on and ideas to tackle anti-Semitism in the party. Jeremy Corbyn, pictured, will be replaced as Labour leader on April 4 when the new leader will be announced Labours handling of the issue has dominated the tenure of Jeremy Corbyn, who is standing down as leader after the partys defeat in December. All candidates committed to implementing recommendations of an inquiry by the Equality and Human Rights Commission into the issue. The watchdog launched the probe into whether the party had unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised people because they are Jewish in May last year. Sir Keir, regarded as the frontrunner in the contest, received a further boost yesterday by winning the backing of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association. The winner of the leadership race will be announced on April 4. The Starved Rock Killer, who was accused of beating three women to death in the 1960s, will be released from prison next week. Chester Weger, 80, became known as the Starved Rock Killer after the bodies of the women were found in Starved Rocks St Louis Canyon in Illinois. He will be released on 21 February after serving a nearly 60 year life sentence. Mr Weger was convicted of beating Lilliam Oetting, 50, to death and sentenced to life in prison. The bodies of Frances Murphy, 47 and Mildred Lindquist, 50 were found with Ms Oetting in a cave at Starved Rock State Park. At the time, the media called their final resting place the canyon of death. Mr Weger was not charged with the murders of the other women because he had already been given a life sentence for Ms Oettings murder. Illinois State Penitentiary At the time, Mr Weger confessed to the murders, but recanted later and said the confession was coerced by the sheriff at the time. In an interview with CBS 2, Mr Weger said the sheriff said Youre going to ride the thunderbolt, Chester! meaning that Mr Weger would be sentenced to die via the electric chair. Why should I feel remorse then if I never killed them? I mean I feel sorry for the people being dead, but Im not going to admit that I done something I never done, Mr Weger said. Mr Weger was 21 at the time and was a dishwasher at the Starved Rock Lodge. Police traced the murders to him by matching the cord used to bind the women to a spool from the lodges kitchen. The granddaughters of Mr Wegers victim have spoken out against his release, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board voted 9 - 4 in support of Mr Wegers request for release. Mr Weger has been requesting parole since 1972. A woman from the Gedeo community cooks at a site for displaced people in Ethiopia. UNHCR/Anna Hellge UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes Ethiopias ratification yesterday of the African Union (AU) Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Africa, known as the Kampala Convention. The Convention, a key regional legal instrument aimed at protecting, assisting and resolving the plight of IDPs, was unanimously passed by Ethiopias parliament. This represents a significant achievement for a country that has had to recently manage massive internal displacement within its borders. The ratification of this convention underscores the Governments concern and attention to the large number of people who are displaced, whether as a result of conflict or changing climatic conditions, said UNHCRs Representative in Ethiopia, Ann Encontre. UNHCR welcomes the opportunity to support the Government in implementing the tenets of the convention and honouring its commitments, including through the development of a national action plan for IDPs. Ethiopia is the 31st African Union Member State to ratify the convention since its adoption in 2009. It will now take effect domestically after the countrys President signs it into law within a few weeks. The Kampala Convention is the worlds first and only regional legally binding instrument for the protection and assistance of IDPs, who often face heightened risks of sexual and other violence during their displacement, while they struggle to access their basic rights. Cut off from their usual support networks and livelihoods, many IDPs find themselves in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Ethiopia has one of the worlds largest IDP populations, estimated to be 1.78 million individuals, according to the 2020 UN Humanitarian Response Plan. UNHCR is part of the inter-agency humanitarian effort in Ethiopia to assist those displaced by conflict and climate shocks and has been encouraging the Government to ratify the convention. UNHCR is also supporting national authorities in the drafting of an IDP policy, which will provide a domestic legal framework for the protection of and assistance to IDPs. Following the Government-led large-scale IDP return operation last year, UNHCR has been supporting reintegration and recovery efforts for displacement affected Ethiopians, including returnees and vulnerable host communities. For more information on this topic, please contact: Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 15:41:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The time limit of rescue and help provided for the homeless and beggars who have no means of living is extended to 14 days during the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 epidemic, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The limit could be further extended depending on the development of the epidemic and the situation of specific rescue institutions, the ministry said in a recently issued guideline. All of those who come to rescue centers for help and those who are already there should have their physical conditions checked and registered, according to the guideline. Those who have a fever, particularly when accompanied by symptoms of fatigue, dry cough and so on should be immediately reported and properly handled. Specific information about help seekers should also be gathered and registered, such as if they have been to virus-hit areas or if they had contacts with confirmed or suspected patients of COVID-19. For those who refuse to provide true information or have their body temperatures checked, rescue centers can refuse to offer help, the guideline said. The centers are also asked to suspend sending the homeless and beggars back to their hometowns during the epidemic. 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. [February 14, 2020] Corvias Foundation Leads Government-Focused Co-Op for Scholars and Alumni Corvias Foundation, a private foundation founded by Corvias CEO John Picerne to support education opportunities for military families, in collaboration with Holland & Knight LLP, hosted a three-day co-op program entitled "An Introduction to Washington D.C.: How Our Government Operates and How You Can Be a Part of It," for Corvias Foundation scholars and alumni pursuing Law, International Relations, Political Science and other related fields. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005350/en/ This week, five selected Corvias Foundation scholars and alumni took part in a three-day co-op program in D.C. Pictured here in front of the U.S. Supreme Court (left to right): Cody Long, Tisa Berry, Katelyn Mann, Sean Tolbert, and Brittany Broome. (Photo: Business Wire) "Corvias Foundation prides itself on providing our scholars with support that goes beyond the scholarship dollar," said Picerne. "This customized co-op program is a unique opportunity for current and past schoarship recipients to explore their passions firsthand." The co-op included daily educational roundtable sessions followed by outings to each branch of government. Scholars toured the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Federal District Court, the Pentagon and the White House. The program was led by Andrew Emerson, Esq., coordinated by Maria Montalvo, executive director of Corvias Foundation, and included assistance from various partners and policy professionals at Holland & Knight. "We are grateful to Holland & Knight for lending their expertise and taking the time to guide our scholars and alumni through the numerous branches and aspects of our nation's government," said Montalvo. "Personalized programming goes a long way in helping our scholars along their path to professional success. We are pleased to have provided our participants with a week of rich conversation, valuable education and exciting experiences." Since 2006, Corvias Foundation has provided nearly $14 million in scholarships and programming to support the academic and professional success for military spouses and children of active-duty service members. Selected Corvias Foundation Scholars and Alumni: Tisa Berry, a junior at Baylor University, is studying Child and Family Studies with a concentration in Family Life Education and a minor in Leadership Studies. Following graduation, Tisa plans to attend graduate school and study Human Development and Family Studies. Brittany Broome, a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is double majoring in Public Policy and Global Studies with a concentration in International Relations. She is additionally minoring in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Brittany plans to pursue a master's degree in Foreign Affairs and hopes to eventually become an international human rights lawyer. Katelyn Mann is a recent graduate from Green Mountain College where she received a degree in Sustainable Community Development and Agroecology. She will pursue a master's degree in Environmental Management and International Development and plans to work as a contractor for the United States Agency for International Development. Cody Long is currently in his third year of law school at Emory University and is interested in Foreign Policy, Immigration Policy and Criminal Justice reform (including gun control reform). Cody plans to continue working in these areas following his upcoming graduation. Sean Tolbert, a junior at Oklahoma State University, is currently studying Business Management with a focus in Sustainability and is pursuing a minor in Global Studies. He has a passion for social entrepreneurship and the use of business to serve social needs. Sean plans to attend graduate school once he completes his undergraduate degree. About Corvias Foundation Corvias Foundation is committed to inspiring students, college and university campuses, and military families to reach higher. Founded in 2006 as "Our Family for Families First Foundation," our work increases access to educational, internship, mentoring, and volunteer opportunities so that those we touch are empowered to pursue their dreams and to make a greater impact in service to their communities and their nation. We strive to create ever-increasing opportunities by providing the resources and networks needed to help our scholars and partners surpass their goals. We achieve this through a commitment to education, community engagement and high-impact charitable giving. To learn more, please visit: corviasfoundation.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005350/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] P sychological thriller The Stranger has been delighting fans since it landed on Netflix towards the end of January. Based on the novel of the same name by American writer Harlan Coben, the drama follows husband and father Adam Price, whose life comes crashing down around him when he learns that his wife is keeping a secret from him. Starring Richard Armitage and Dervla Kirwan, The Stranger has won over a legion of fans - thanks in no small part to is stellar soundtrack. From Walking on Cars to Cutting Crew, there are a whole host of great tunes featured in the show. Here are all of the songs from season one... Netflix What is the theme tune to The Stranger? Monster, by the Irish four-piece Walking on Cars, is being used as the series' theme tune. You can listen to the song here. The Stranger soundtrack 1) Desire - TORA 2) Not What You Came Here For - Gus & His Freaky Friends 3) I Love The Way You See the World - Petter Carlsen 4) At Sunrise - Secret Treehouse 5) Love Lost - State of the Arts 6) Twisted - The Como Brothers 7) Ride on Baby - Orbo 8) State Calling Man - Gus & His Freaky Friends 9) Morning Light - Simen Lyngroth 10) Save Your Breath - Vivillain 11) Killing My Love - THIS IS ELLE 12) Song For My Father - Norsk Rakk 13) Vinter i Nord - Pal Dahlberg 14) All Night Long - Seum Dero, Oliviya Nicole 15) Son Kuma - Entropy 16) S O U N D S, Young Ft. Brianna Corona 17) It All Stays the Same - Gus & His Freaky Friends 18) Right in Front of You - Berith 19) High - CCA Jones 20) Superwall - HVA 21) Waves - Jackbow 22) I'll Give In - Aber 23) Snowfall - William Hut 24) Deep Water - Philly Billg, AWR, NAKED KOALA 25) Hard Labor - Liqiud LTD 26) Catnip Cloud - Ocean 27) The Failure of Barney - Stinson Best laid plans 28) Shining Bright - Ask Carol 29) Champagne - Swing'it Dixieband 30) Imperfections - Celine Dion 31) It's a Sin - Pet Shop Boys 32) The Sun Always Shines on T.V. - a-ha 33) Save Yourself - Gus & His Freaky Friends 34) Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen 35) (I Just) Died In Your Arms - Cutting Crew 36) She - HVA 37) I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany 38) More Than I Can Do - Steve Earle 39) While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Regina Spektor 40) Try - Pink 41) Beirut - Elephant Gun 42) Walkin' On The Sun - Smash Mouth 43) Heartbeats - The Knife 44) Human Behaviour - Bjork 45) Closer - Tegan and Sara 46) My Secret - Skahjem 47) Close To Me - Ellie Goulding, Diplo, Swae Lee 48) Ohh La La - Goldfrapp 49) Up - William Hut 50) I Need My Girl - The National 51) God Don't Leave Me - Highasakite Just in time for Valentines Day, some good news about dating and romance in the Palmetto State. First, if youre looking for love, South Carolina is not one of the wrong places. It is one the best states for single guys looking for a date. South Carolina tied for third best among the states with Vermont, behind only Ohio and Rhode Island, in a study done by Zippia.com, which selected the best and worst states for getting a date. www.Zippia.com evaluated each state in four areas: Percent of residents married: Data came from the 2018 Census American Community survey. The lower the marriage rate, the more singles and the better chance a single guy has of convincing one of them to date him. Ratio of men to women: Data on the number of women for every 100 men came from the ACS. Typically, women outnumber men. Once again, the more women to men, the better for a single guy trying to get a date. Percent living with their parents: Data also came from the ACS. While dating isnt impossible when you live with mom and dad, its definitely a lot harder. Affordability: While getting a date is well and good, being able to afford a date helps obtain a second date. For affordability, cost of living was compared to average wage as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In case you were wondering, the 10 worst places for a guy to get a date are, from 1-10, Hawaii, New Jersey, Utah, Montana, Kansas, Virginia, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Maryland and Florida. So where to go on a date? The travel insurance comparison site www.InsureMyTrip.com ranked the most romantic cities to visit based on the latest data available for key categories: popularity of location for honeymoons and marriage proposals, price of accommodations over the Valentines Day holiday, quality of romantic hotels and wine bars, and quality of green space and parks. Not surprisingly, of the 67 cities analyzed, Paris, France, ranked first overall (7.53), with London (5.97), Santorini (5.64), Barcelona (5.44) and Ubud (5.37) completing the top five cities. But for those interested in a more local Valentines getaway, you dont have to go far. Charleston is rated as the most romantic U.S. city, ranking 21st globally overall. InsureMyTrip says, Charleston is known for its beautiful cobblestone streets, riverside restaurants and carriage rides, making it the perfect spot for couples. The South Carolina port city is also recognized as one of the best U.S. cities in the country overall. Charleston received near-perfect scores for its quality of wine bars (10.00) and quality of green space and parks (9.01). It also scored highly for its quality of romantic hotels (6.86) and accommodation prices around Valentines Day (5.41). Charleston narrowly missed the global top 20 due to its low scores for honeymoon popularity (0.11) and proposal popularity (1.23). Oh well, the latter two categories are less important anyway when looking for a good place for a date. So on this Valentines Day, consider the Palmetto State a good place to be if youre looking for love. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 realtor.com After Leah Culver, a tech entrepreneur, decided to buy her first home, she hunted for a turnkey house in San Francisco for about a year and a half. She wasn't thinking of putting in a ton of work on the home, but she also wanted something unique. A place with flair. Her home-buying plans were scrambled when she noticed that one of the famous "Painted Ladies", on what's known as the city's "Postcard Row," had appeared on the market earlier this year. Syracuse, N.Y. Its not all about chains. There are lots of small, locally owned retail businesses opening in Central New York all the time. Heres a look at some of the recent additions to the local retail scene. - A new CBD retail store, Mosley Manors Hemp Apothecary, is open at 7621 Oswego Road in Liverpool, across from Bayberry Plaza. Mosley Manor has been making CBD-infused products for more than three years and bath and body products for 12 years. The Hemp Apothecary showcases the company's various items, including lotions, hair products, balms and more. - Golden Bee Bookshop is now open in the village of Liverpool. The store is inside the Village Mall at 305 Vine St., across from The Retreat. Owner Casey Rose Frank believes there's room for independent bookstores, even in the age of Amazon. "Whenever I travel, I make a point of seeking out local bookshops," Frank said in a news release. "But when it comes to people visiting me in Syracuse, I had no independent bookshops in my area that I could recommend for new books." - Tiffanys School of Dance & Performing Arts Center is open in the former Jerrys Carpet building near the Western Lights Plaza. Jerrys, located at 1127 Grand Ave. in the town of Geddes, closed in 2015. The new center features four studios and offers dance, tumbling, theater, voice and piano lessons, ninja training, strength and conditioning classes for ages 18 months to adults. Owner Tiffany Mayer relocated the business from Skaneateles to the former Jerry's building, which she bought and renovated. - A new barber shop is open at 579 Main St. in Fair Haven. Main Street Barber Shop features a newly decorated interior, two chairs and a fireplace. Its also open on Sundays. - Finally, some news on a chain, but one born and raised in Upstate New York. Stewarts Shops, headquartered in Ballston Spa, is spending big on upgrades and expansion this year. The company expects to invest nearly $70 million in a plan to add new stores to its fleet, renovate others and increase the size of its distribution center and commercial kitchen by 60,000 square feet, according to the Albany Business Review. Stewart's plans to add 10 new stores, which will increase its store count to 346. It also plans to renovate 13 stores by adding cooler space for drinks and making room for more pizza, soup, sandwiches, pasta and other food-to-go products, according to the Business Review. The plan will add and renovate new stores in the Capital Region, Hudson Valley and Adirondacks, the Business Review said. Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598 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. SAN JUAN, P.R. As if Puerto Ricans needed another reason to worry about where their tax money was going, a senior official told the police on Wednesday that the islands government had unwittingly handed over $2.6 million to thieves after being fooled by a bogus email message. And it wasnt the first time. Ruben Rivera, the finance director of the government-sponsored Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company, said in the police report that the email message contained instructions to transfer money intended for the public pension system to a different bank account than had been used before. Mr. Rivera said his office sent the money to a foreign account on Jan. 17. Whose bank account that was, and what happened to the money, is under investigation. The police said the email had been disguised to seem as if it had been sent by a government employee who handles pension fund transfers. We think that the hacker might have breached the system through the retirement agency, said Jose Ayala, director of the bank robbery division of the islands police force. The theft was discovered when the pension-system employee called to ask why the money had never arrived. PORTLAND Efforts to begin cleaning up decades worth of contaminated soil on a riverfront parcel could begin as early as this spring. Residents in September overwhelmingly approved the purchase of the 5.4-acre property on Brownstone Avenue that was formerly the home of the Connecticut Tar & Asphalt plant. The town has worked with a Middletown-based environmental engineering firm since 2013 to acquire the property, remove contaminants, and ultimately restore it to the tax rolls. The Board of Selectmen held a truncated special meeting this week to finalize the agreement with the firm, Tighe & Bond, to begin the clean-up process. Because of the companys long involvement with the town on the project, the state Department of Economic and Community Development, waived the usual bid requirements. DECD is providing the town with a $750,000 Brownfield grant to clean up, or remediate, the property. The DECD granted the waiver because of Tighe & Bonds extensive site knowledge and understanding of the Brownstone Quarry Project, the agency said. DECD added that Tighe & Bond was originally hired via a competitive bid process. The site is made up of three individual parcels, 222, 230 and 248 Brownstone Ave., that represent a range of contamination. The southern-most parcel (222) has mild contamination, the middle parcel no discernible contamination, while the northern most - and largest parcel (248) has the most contamination, First Selectwoman Susan S. Banfield said . Amy Vaillancourt, an environment planner who works for Tighe & Bond, has proposed clearing the contaminated dirt from the first parcel and stockpiling it on the third parcel, Bransfield told the selectmen. That would enable the first and second parcels to be used over the summer for parking for the adjacent town Riverfront Park and, perhaps, the Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park. Vaillancourt, who did not attend the meeting, suggested removing the dirt could be done by the towns Department of Public Works. In response to a question from Selectman Michael A. Pelton, Bransfield said Tighe & Bond will be paid $210,500 to oversee the reclamation of the property. T&G froze its price for work to be done in 2021 and 2022 at the 2020 rate, she said. T&B will hire a contractor to conduct the clean-up of 248, which is studded with abandoned structures including five oil tanks, a fueling station, an office, and a garage. That work is expected to begin in the fall, Bransfield said. In addition to hiring and overseeing the contractor, Tighe & Bond will also be responsible for compiling extensive records for review by both DECD and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Bransfield said. Vaillancourt is working on a proposal that would offer the tanks free to anyone who will remove them from the site, Bransfield said. The grant program has two goals: to to get rid of any significant environmental contamination and, in doing so, restoring the property to the tax rolls. There have any number of suggestions about what should go on the parcels once the remediation has been completed, including, perhaps, a riverfront cafe. The selectmen last month established a focus group made up of nearly two dozen residents to review the various proposals and make a recommendations for their use. The panel, which has elected Robert Petzold as its chairman, is scheduled to begin its work at a Feb. 26 meeting. Passengers on a cruise ship that was turned away from ports around Asia over fears they could be carrying the new coronavirus finally began disembarking in Cambodia on Friday. Cambodia's strongman premier Hun Sen welcomed around 100 tourists who were handed flowers and scarves as they stepped ashore after an uncertain two weeks at sea. The Westerdam was supposed to be taking its 2,257 passengers and crew on a 14-day cruise around east Asia, beginning in Hong Kong on February 1 and ending on Saturday in Yokohama, Japan. But the vessel was barred by Japan, Guam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand over fears it was carrying someone with a new virus that has now killed around 1,400 people and sickened 64,000, mostly in China. Cambodia -- a staunch Beijing ally that receives huge sums of Chinese money every year -- announced this week that the boat could dock in Sihanoukville. Dozens of jubilant passengers took advantage of their new-found freedom and visited a nearby beach, while some hugged Hun Sen -- Cambodia's ruler for 35 years -- as they disembarked. One man even kissed the ground. "Cambodia pays more attention to human rights... we respect the rights of the more than 2,000 people on the boat," Hun Sen said, relishing the rare positive focus on a leadership more commonly hammered for rights abuses. "We don't have wealth like a rich country but we have sympathy for the passengers stranded on the ship." All passengers will be allowed to disembark, Hun Sen said, after no cases of the coronavirus were found aboard. - Solidarity - Christina Kerby -- who has been posting light-hearted updates from the ship since the ordeal started -- said she was "in tears" over the warm reception. "The show of support is overwhelming," she tweeted. Cambodia receives billions of dollars in soft loans, infrastructure and investment from China, which dispenses it with no questions asked over human rights abuses in the country. Hun Sen, Asia's longest serving leader, has been vocal in his praise of Beijing's handling of the epidemic, which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year. Unlike most Western nations, he refused to evacuate citizens from the epicentre, insisting that Cambodians should show their support for the Chinese. Last week he travelled to Beijing to meet with Premier Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping in a show of solidarity. The apparent act of compassion over the Westerdam by Hun Sen follows the partial withdrawal by the European Union of trade benefits to some Cambodian industries over the kingdom's woeful rights record. The fate of the Westerdam is in sharp contrast to the Diamond Princess, a cruise ship quarantined off Japan where more than 200 people gave been infected by the virus. Passengers aboard the Westerdam have been allowed to land in Cambodia after two weeks at sea with various Asian ports refusing them entry Passengers on the Westerdam were allowed to disembark in Cambodia on Friday after an uncertain two weeks at sea Cambodian leader Hun Sen has been vocal in his praise of Beijing's handling of the coronavirus epidemic One more Indian quarantined on Diamond Princess Cruise Ship tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on Friday, taking the total numbers of Indian nationals infected with the disease to three. Infected individuals have been taken to hospitals for further treatment. Their health conditions have been confirmed to be stable and improving. The Embassy of India in Tokyo said, in a statement that it has contacted all three Indian nationals who had tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently receiving treatment at medical facilities. The embassy is also in constant contact with the relevant Japanese authorities to ensure the well-being of all Indian nationals on-board the ship. Japanese authorities have confirmed that they are following the designated health protocols. At least 218 people on the ship have tested positive out of 3711 persons on-board (including 2666 guests and 1045 crew members) as of Friday. Among all, 132 crew members and six passengers are Indian nationals. The Embassy of India in Tokyo has reached out to the Indian nationals (crew members and passengers) through emails and telephone calls and has explained to them about the quarantine regulations of Japanese authorities. Many of them have responded and expressed their understanding. The embassy has been in constant touch with the ship management company and the employer of the six passengers for appropriate facilitation. As per information available with the Indian embassy in Tokyo, no other Indian national onboard Diamond Princess Cruise ship has developed any symptoms of infection. The Japanese government announced on 13 February 2020 that passengers age 80 or older will be given the option to disembark the ship if they test negative for COVID-19. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Alphabet Inc's Google is in talks with publishers on paying a licensing fee for content that would be packaged in a premium news product, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Talks are early, and it is unclear if agreements will be reached, according to the report. Most of the publishers in talks with Google are outside the United States, including in France and Europe, one of the people told the Journal. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. VANCOUVER - A fifth case of the novel coronavirus has been presumptively confirmed in British Columbia, bringing the total number of cases in Canada to eight. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/2/2020 (696 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. VANCOUVER - A fifth case of the novel coronavirus has been presumptively confirmed in British Columbia, bringing the total number of cases in Canada to eight. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Friday a woman in her 30s returned from Shanghai, China, in the past week through Vancouver's airport before travelling by car to her home in the Interior health region. Henry said the woman wore a mask on the plane and contacted health officials when she had symptoms of an illness before being tested positive Tuesday for the virus that the World Health Organization has named COVID-19. "We are very grateful and thankful that the people who are coming back from Hubei province and all over China are taking the advice seriously to self monitor and to connect with us and make sure that they can be tested, assessed and cared for safely," she said. The woman is in isolation at home, as are her close contacts, Henry said, adding that in all cases a further test will be conducted at a national lab in Winnipeg to confirm the results obtained provincially. Officials will be contacting passengers who sat three rows ahead and behind the woman on the aircraft that arrived from China but the risk to them is "very, very low," she said. The first person to be tested for the virus in the province is recovering well and has tested negative in the first of two tests that would indicate the virus no longer exists and isolation is no longer required, she said. Henry said 715 tests have been done on about 500 people returning from China based on a low threshold for testing of the virus that originated in Hubei province. Health Minister Adrian Dix said British Columbia has done more testing than any other jurisdiction. Earlier Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said health workers from Canada are assisting in Japan after 12 Canadians contracted the virus aboard a cruise ship. Three cases of the virus have also been confirmed in Ontario. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2020. 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. France's 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. 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." Iran would be willing to move back towards the 2015 nuclear deal if Europe provides "meaningful" economic benefits, the country's foreign minister has said. The European parties to the Iran nuclear deal -- Britain, France and Germany -- have been battling to save it since US President Donald Trump withdrew from it and reimposed tough sanctions on Tehran. Iran has responded to the US pullout with a series of steps back from its own commitments under the deal, including by increasing uranium enrichment. But Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the Islamic republic could be willing to move back towards compliance -- under certain circumstances. "We have said that we are prepared to slow down or reverse these measures commensurate with what Europe does," Zarif told reporters at the Munich Security Conference. "We will decide whether what Europe does is sufficient to slow down or to reverse some steps -- we have not even ruled out reversing some of the steps that we have taken." Europe has set up a special trading mechanism called Instex to try to enable legitimate humanitarian trade with Iran to offset some of the effects of US sanctions. But it has yet to complete any transactions and the Iranian side does not think it is sufficient. "We're not talking about charity. We're talking about Iranian rights and the rights of the Iranian people to receive the economic benefits," Zarif said. "We have received irreversible harm or irreparable harm because of US sanctions, but nevertheless we will reverse the steps that we have taken provided that Europe takes steps that are meaningful." The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell met Zarif in Tehran earlier this month to try to lower tensions after Britain, France and Germany triggered a complaint mechanism under the deal to try to press Tehran to return to full implementation. Washington accuses Tehran of seeking a nuclear weapon, which Iran has always denied. The renewed US sanctions have almost entirely isolated Iran from the international financial system, driven away oil buyers and plunged the country into a severe recession. Borrell has also been in consultation with the other countries still in the deal -- Russia and China -- who like their European counterparts want to save the accord. A meeting of the joint commission that oversees the deal is due to be held this month to consider the dispute mechanism. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday led the nation in paying tribute to the 40 CRPF personnel killed in a terror attack in Pulwama a year ago and said India will never forget their martyrdom. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, ministers Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani and Hardeep Puri as well as AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal were among those who remembered those killed when a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel was attacked on February 14 last year. Modi said the slain security personnel were "exceptional individuals" who devoted their lives to serving and protecting the nation. "Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom," Modi tweeted. Remembering those killed in the terror strike, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked who benefitted the most from the attack and what was the outcome of the inquiry into it. "Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack, let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack?" he asked on Twitter. A year ago, Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Adeel Ahmed Dar, driving an explosive-laden car, blew himself next to a convoy of security vehicles on the Jammu-Srinagar highway at Lethpora in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, killing 40 Central Reserve Police Force troopers. A memorial will be inaugurated at the Lethpora camp on Friday, a top official said. The names of all the 40 personnel along with their pictures will be part of the memorial along with the CRPF motto Seva and Nishtha' (Service and Loyalty). CPI-M leader Mohammed Salim demanded justice and asked how 80 kg of RDX had crossed the international border. "We don't need a memorial to remind us of our incompetence. The only thing we need to know is how 80kg of RDX got past the international borders to the 'most militarised zone on earth' & exploded in Pulwama. Justice for Pulwama Attack needs to be done," Salim said on Twitter. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the country was united in its fight against terrorism. "Remembering the fallen @crpfindia personnel who were martyred during the dastardly attack in Pulwama(J&K) on this day in 2019. India will never forget their sacrifice. Entire nation stands united against terrorism and we are committed to continue our fight against this menace," he said. Union minister Smriti Irani, said she salutes the "brave sons of mother India". "On the first anniversary of the dastardly Pulwama terror attack, I join the nation in paying homage to the sacrifice of our soldiers," said her colleague Hardeep Puri. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal called the personnel martyrs and offered them his "heartfelt homage". BJP president J P Nadda also hailed the sacrifice of the CRPF personnel. "India will always remember their martyrdom. We should all unite to completely end terrorism from its very roots," he said on Twitter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis slammed Madhya Pradesh government for the removal of a Chhatrapati Shivaji statue in Chhindwara, Nakul Nath, the Congress MP from the area promised on Friday to install a life-size statue on his own expenses. At Chief Minister Kamal Naths instructions a life-size statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajji will be installed at Mohgaon triangular crossing with a grand function. The entire expenses will be borne by me, said Nakul Nath, Kamal Naths son. Fadnavis had asked the MP government for the statues immediate restoration on the very same place and demanded the governments apology. People of India will not tolerate such insult of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he had said. The political atmosphere in the state heated up after a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji installed on Monday at Mohgaon crossing in Sausar town by a youth organization was removed by the local civic body the next day. BJP national vice-president Shivraj Singh Chouhan has rejected Nakul Naths offer and said the followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji were capable of installing his statue if the state government was not willing to reinstall it. Either the state government installs the statue at its expenses and with great respect to the warrior or the followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji will do the same on their own expenses. This is a Congress culture- first causing insult and then flaunting money power, Chouhan said. State Congress presidents media coordinator Narendra Saluja accused the BJP of playing politics on the matter. The civic body resolved unanimously to install a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji on February 11 but the BJP is playing politics on the same, he said. The political slugfest over Chhatrapati Shivaji statue comes close on the heels of a controversy over freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azads statue in Bhopal. The authorities from Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) installed a statue of late Arjun Singh at the triangular crossing in November last year but before it could be unveiled, the BJP objected calling it an insult to the great freedom fighter Azad whose statue was installed earlier at the place. The Congress leaders said Azads statue had been shifted from the place during the BJP regime itself to facilitate the widening of the road. Due to the protests Arjun Singh statue still stands wrapped up with no decision taken on its unveiling. JACKSON COUNTY, Mississippi -- A 54-year-old Ocean Springs man has been charged with murder in the death of a Florida woman missing since October 2019. According to Jackson County Sheriff Mike Ezell, county investigators, in conjunction with the district attorneys office, the Mississippi State Medical Examiner, Jackson County Coroner and the FBI Safe Streets Task force have executed search warrants and are working the crime scene at 13120 Sweetbriar Street in the St. Martin community. About 1:15 Friday afternoon, investigators located the victims body in the backyard of the residence. Ezell said the body will be taken to Jackson for an autopsy to be conducted Tuesday. On Feb. 6, Jackson County investigators began working with the task force, which has contacted the sheriffs office regarding a missing woman from Florida. Investigation uncovered evidence which led law enforcement to the St. Martin home. Phillip Allen York of Ocean Springs was arrested and remains jailed without bond at the Jackson County Adult Detention Center, charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Ezell said the womans identity has not been determined and the case remains under investigation. Oregons relatively modest state-funded financial aid grants of about $3,000 per low-income college student -- enable some who would otherwise drop out of college to stay enrolled and earn degrees, new research indicates. But low state funding for the program means only a fraction of students who qualify for the aid, known as Oregon Opportunity Grants, receive it. Ben Cannon, head of Oregons public higher education oversight agency, says his team is preparing to ask the 2021 Legislature to pump a lot more money into financial aid for the states low- and moderate-income college students. The Higher Education Coordinating Commission will make its recommendation later this year. Most of the need-based aid that Oregon awards goes to students with household incomes of $20,000 or less. The effectiveness of those grants is shown by two new research findings, Cannon said: >> More than 80% of Oregon students awarded an opportunity grant in fall 2016 were still enrolled in college during the 2017-18 academic year. Their 82% persistence rate was higher than the 77% rate for all other students, even though the other students came from generally much more favorable economic circumstances. >> Students who receive an opportunity grant proved just as likely as or more likely than other Oregon college students to earn a degree or complete their certificate program, he said. Community college students who were awarded a need-based grant of up to $2,700 were slightly more likely to earn an associates degree or complete a certificate program: 50% vs. 47% for non-recipients. And opportunity grant recipients at four-year schools were equally likely to earn a degree, with 65% of both groups earning degrees within six years. Those figures, Cannon said, illustrate the impact of the grants. The implication is that need-based awards, even at a modest level, have a positive impact on retention and completion. That has been the case so far for Kevin Figueroa, a Tualatin High graduate now in his junior year at Western Oregon University. Figueroa, a future high school math teacher who comes from a family of extremely modest means, says he would have fared poorly in college without his annual Oregon Opportunity Grant. Thanks to the money, he says he only needed to work 10 to 15 hours a week during his freshman year in Monmouth. The opportunity grant allowed me to focus on my own education. By limiting his work requirements, it allowed me to broaden my horizons, be involved on campus and keep my mental health alive while taking a heavy load that included a lot of pure mathematics courses, he said. If it werent for the opportunity grant right now, Figueroa said, I would probably be priced out. For those and similar reasons, Cannon said, significantly decreasing college costs is among the strategies we are likely to be advancing for consideration by the 2021 Legislature. Currently, the state pumps $75 million a year into the need-based grants, enough for about 35,000 students to get one. About half the students who get one attend community college and the rest attend public or private four-year schools in Oregon. Portland Community College has the most recipients, with Portland State University next in line. Cannon said he thinks Oregons economy would benefit if the state devoted significantly more money to need-based college grants, as Washington already does. He called Washington the nations top state for need-based aid, noting that it covers full tuition for students from families with incomes as high as about $55,000 and half-tuition to those from families earning up to about $90,000. And, he said, every student who qualifies gets the grant, whereas in Oregon, fewer than 25% who are eligible get one. With more money, Oregon could do two things that would help more students earn college credentials, Cannon said: award a need-based grant to more students, including the many whose modest family incomes qualify them for federal Pell grants but not for an Oregon grant, and give significantly more than $3,000 to Oregon students with the greatest financial need. A lot of folks have wondered, Do these awards make a difference? Cannon said. For those people, the new Oregon research findings provide reassurance they do, he said. But, he said, for researchers, these findings are not at all surprising. Cost presents among the very highest barriers to (college) access and success, and students and families know that. -- Betsy Hammond; betsyhammond@oregonian.com; @chalkup Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. The US Senate voted on 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 Trumps 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 dont 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 Arabias 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 contractors death set off an escalating crisis in which Trump ordered a drone strike at the Baghdad airport that killed Qassem Soleimani, Irans most powerful general. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates In order to accompany its newest flagship smartphones, Samsung introduced two new 25W power banks, and a 45W car charger. These new accessories are meant to accompany the companys Galaxy S20 flagships, and the Galaxy Z Flip. Samsung announced two new 10,000mAh fast-charging power banks for the Galaxy S20 series These new accessories have been listed on the companys official website. Both of these power banks pack in 10,000mAh batteries, though they are not that similar. The first power bank actually includes a Qi charging pad, for wireless charging. You can take advantage of 7.5W wireless charging speeds with this power bans, while it offers 25W charging via its Type-C ports. It has two of them, by the way. Advertisement This accessory also includes five LED lights which signalize whats the charge status of the internal battery. A single physical button is placed next to those indicators. The second power bank does not support wireless charging. It does come with a USB-A port, instead of two USB-C ports. You can still take advantage of 25W charging here, though. The companys new car charger offers 45W charging, and comes with both a Type-C USB port, and a USB-A port. Do note that only the Type-C port can offer 45W charging, the USB-A port is limited to 15W charging. Advertisement Only the Galaxy S20 Ultra & Note 10+ support 45W charging, as far as Samsungs phones are concerned Do note that only the Galaxy S20 Ultra and Galaxy Note 10+ support 45W charging, though, when it comes to Samsungs smartphones. Youll also need a 5A cable in order to take advantage of such charging speeds. The companys 10,000mAh power bank with wireless charging is priced at $80. Samsung still did not announce the price tag for the variant without wireless charging, though. The same goes for the dual car charger as well. These announcements were kind of expected, as Samsung customers will look for power banks and chargers for their new Galaxy S20 smartphones. Advertisement Speaking of which, Samsung introduced three Galaxy S20 handsets a couple of days ago. The company introduced the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra as part of its lineup. As already mentioned, only the Galaxy S20 Ultra and Note 10+ support 45W charging, while the Galaxy S20 and S20+ are limited to 25W charging. That basically means that only the Galaxy S20 Ultra can take advantage of the car chargers full speed, but all phones can take advantage of full speed charging from the two power banks. Advertisement Samsung's 10,000mAh power bank with Qi charging Samsung's 10,000mAh power bank with USB-A charging Samsung 45W dual port car charger Advertisement Samsungs 10,000mAh power bank with Qi charging: Samsungs 10,000mAh power bank with USB-A port: Samsung 45W dual port car charger: As a historically black institution of higher learning, Norfolk State University teaches students their history, including slavery, as they pursue career tracks such as business, engineering and technology. Founded in 1935, the school is adding the country's first masters program in cyberpsychology this year something that faculty members see as another tool in the educational arsenal for teaching African American students how to be free. For students in the program, learning how to fight cyber attacks will begin with an understanding of how psychological manipulation works, said Cassandra Newby-Alexander, a history professor and dean of Norfolk State's College of Liberal Arts, which houses the program. Not everybody thinks the same way, Newby-Alexander said. When youre thinking and designing ways to secure, you have to have a real understanding of the human element. Its never a good idea to fall prey to anybody using your fears, your hate. That level of manipulation is really a constant in our society. Hampton University Museum director Vanessa Thaxton-Ward in Hampton, Virginia, on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019. Knowing how to recognize and resist attempts at manipulation, combined with a background in history, literature, art, music and science, allows students to better understand and maneuver in their world, Newby-Alexander said. All of these different fields together teach you how to be free because it gives you knowledge in a wide variety of areas so you can be the master of your own life. Otherwise, you are a cog in a wheel and youre going to be manipulated. More than 400 years after the first enslaved Africans were brought in chains to what is now Virginia, Newby-Alexander punctuated her point about maintaining mental freedom as her students in the fine arts program crossed the Hampton Roads harbor last fall to visit Norfolk States friendly rival, Hampton University. It was the last day of an exhibit at the Hampton University Museum: A Taste for the Beautiful: African Impact on American Culture, a commemoration of the 1619 landing of the First Africans at nearby Point Comfort. The two floors of galleries at Hampton, founded in 1868, comprise the oldest African-American museum in the country with one of the largest private collections. Story continues Norfolk State University fine arts senior D'Shea Downey points to her favorite piece of art from the exhibit, "A Taste for the Beautiful: African Impact on American Culture," at Hampton University Museum in Hampton, Virginia, on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019. A painting by Mozambican artist Malangatana Valente Ngwenya is senior DShea Downeys favorite piece. She says she loves the texture and earth tones and talks about the importance of understanding each artists interpretation. As she browsed the exhibits, she absorbed nuances she intends to reflect on as she moves forward in the world. One of the artists purposes is to document whats going on, Downey said. A powerful and very strong history, she says. Newby-Alexander and Vanessa Thaxton-Ward, the Hampton museum's director, were appointed last year by Gov. Ralph Northam to help rewrite African-American history as taught in Virginia public schools. More: Enslaved labor built these universities. Now they are starting to repay the debt More: Forget what you know about 1619, historians say. Slavery began a half-century before Jamestown More: The US is grappling with its history of slavery. The blueprint for dealing with it? Some say Brown University Newby-Alexander predicts the 21st century will be "an untangling of history" that she likens to the blurred background in a photograph. That, she said, will allow the country to begin with a clean slate in the 22nd century. If we dismiss the slaves almost as a 'thing,' not human beings who brought technology and a culture with them that impacted everybody, then you miss the whole story. Emancipation Oak on the Hampton University grounds in Hampton, Virginia, on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019. Rising powerfully from the ground on Hampton Universitys campus is the immense Emancipation Oak bearing a history of slavery in its ancient tangled branches. It was under this oak that a free black woman, Mary Smith Peake, taught 20 black students in 1861 in defiance of Virginia laws prohibiting the education of blacks. It was also here in 1863 that black people, enslaved and free, gathered to hear the Emancipation Proclamation read for the first time in the South. (The Union controlled nearby Fort Monroe throughout the Civl War, so the area provided a haven.) One of Newby-Alexander's historical touchpoints is a photograph on her office wall called The Ancestors. When she gave a presentation two years ago on 1619 at Fort Monroe, a National Park Service site that includes the landing site of the First Africans, she received the photograph as a gift. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, history professor and dean of Norfolk State University's College of Liberal Arts looks at a photograph entitled "The Ancestors" by Elvira Welbeck inside her office on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019 in Norfolk, Virginia. Its from the vantage point of looking out on the body of water called the Hampton Roads, looking out from Fort Monroe, she says. The faces of African men, women and children are superimposed onto the rocks and in the waters as a way of remembering the people who came to the shores. When I saw it, tears came to my eyes, says Newby-Alexander. More: Slavery in America: Some historical sites try to show the horrors. Others are far behind. If you include the full story then you understand better what people are doing today," Newby-Alexander said. "Our narratives all need to change. The way we think about the origins of America needs to change. My hope is that Virginia will become once again a leader in pioneering a much more accurate, balanced narrative about not only who we really are but who we have been. As a society and as a nation. This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: HBCUs Hampton and Norfolk State reflect on connections to 1619 story Prompt treatment is necessary for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, in the absence of which it can cause serious damage to internal organs, such as kidneys and heart. In such cases the damage to internal organs usually occurs as a result of vasculitis, which is a condition in which the blood vessels begin to leak. Rickettsia rickettsii is the species of bacterium that is responsible for the infection. The illness caused is potentially life threatening because of the high risk of damage to vital internal organs. Despite its name, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is not a disease that is localized to the mountainous regions, but is one that is present throughout the Americas, both North and South. The disease earned its name Rocky Mountain spotted fever because this is where the disease was first identified. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a tick-borne illness that is caused by a bacterium which is passed on to humans from certain species of ticks. This infection is most common in the southeastern regions of the United States, but it is not uncommon in other parts of the continents including South and Central America, and even as far north as Canada. The bacterium responsible for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Rickettsia rickettsii, is passed on to humans through tick bites. The American dog tick is the most common source of infection in the United States and most prevalent just east of the Rocky Mountains. The Rocky Mountain wood tick is another potential source of transmission and is found mainly in the United States. The brown dog tick, which is found across the world, has also been implicated in the transmission of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), but this has been specific to the southwestern US and along the United States southern border with Mexico. In the recent past, the bulk of Rocky Mountain spotted fever cases have been reported in states in the eastern region of United States, in Virginia, Maryland, and North and South Carolina. There have also been reports of cases in Georgia, Tennessee and Oklahoma. The condition affects children more frequently, probably because they spend more time outdoors. This is also partly the reason for the dramatic rise in incidents during the spring and summer, when people spend more time outdoors. You dont need to panic and avoid outdoor activities altogether, as the bacteria is present in just 1 out of a 1,000 ticks. Risk factors include the following: Spending time outdoors, engaging in activities like hiking, trekking or climbing. This is obviously only a risk in areas where the problem is endemic. Pet owners can put themselves at risk if they are in the habit of removing and crushing ticks with their bare hands. The risk is higher during summer and under warmer weather conditions, not just because people spend more time outdoors, but also because ticks are more active in such weather. Rocky Mountain spotted fever isnt easy to recognize as the symptoms closely mimic those of other diseases. This does pose some problems as the disease can be a lot more threatening than the symptoms would suggest. Symptoms do not appear as soon as the infection takes place and may appear within the first week or even two weeks later. The initial symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever include: High fever and chills Severe headaches and muscle aches Loss of appetite Diarrhea Nausea and vomiting Disorientation and restlessness Insomnia The only distinctive feature of the infection is the associated Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the rash that appears around two to five days after the first symptoms surface. The rash is initially marked with the appearance of small pink dots or spots that are flat and non-itchy. These spots appear on the wrists, forearms, palms, ankles and progressively spread to cover the torso as well. Once the disease progresses you observe the petechial rash of the disease with dark red or purple spots. These spots do not appear until the sixth day after the initial symptoms, and they may not appear in all patients. This is a warning sign that the disease has progressed to become a serious threat. Ideally, treatment should begin well before the appearance of petechiae. Keep in mind that a rash does not always appear and this is what makes the condition so hard to diagnose. In cases where the rash does not appear, the disease may not be obvious until it is too late. Physicians are advised to err on the side of caution if other symptoms suggest the possibility of Rocky Mountain spotted fever even in the absence of the rash. There is a high risk of fatal complications developing once the disease progresses to the advanced stage as damage to the lining of blood vessels causes them to leak and the resultant bleeding or clot formation can cause kidney damage and failure, damage to blood vessels in the brain and seizures, heart and lung failure, retinal vasculitis and gangrene development in the extremities. Diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be a little tricky because of the confusing symptoms. Unfortunately, the risks of fatality and complications developing are extremely high as the condition progresses, which is why treatment cannot be delayed until an accurate diagnosis is made. Doctors usually make a diagnosis based on visible symptoms and based on information provided by the patient. If there is any suspicion of the disease, doctors are advised to begin treatment promptly. The diagnosis may be confirmed simultaneously with laboratory tests, but these can take time and they are also often not accurate as the infection often does not show up until in the advanced stages. Diagnostic tests that are used to confirm the presence of Rocky Mountain fever include: Blood tests to check blood count Kidney function tests Antibody titer test PCR or immunohistochemical (IHC) staining from a skin biopsy from the rash site Urinalysis to detect the presence of blood or protein in urine Treatment for Rocky Mountain spotted fever is extremely effective if treatment begins within the first five days of the appearance of symptoms. In such cases, the mortality rate of the disease is reduced significantly, from 20 percent to as low as 5 percent. Treatment for the disease involves the administration of antibiotics to fight off the infection. In severe cases, antibiotics are administered intravenously and hospitalization is often necessary. Photograph: Joshua Roberts/Reuters The US attorney general, William Barr, delivered a remarkable public rebuke of Donald Trump on Thursday, saying that the presidents tweets about the Roger Stone case make it impossible for me to do my job and that he would not be bullied or influenced over justice department decisions. In an interview with ABC News, the attorney general acknowledged his comments could leave him open to backlash from the president, who is notoriously intolerant of criticism from his aides. But Barr said he was determined to lead the justice department without being influence by outside forces, including the president. Related: The Roger Stone-Donald Trump controversy explained I think its time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases, Barr said. Ignoring Barrs criticisms, Trump tweeted on Friday morning, denying that he had attempted to interfere in the case but claiming he could have if he wanted to: The President has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case. A.G. Barr [] This doesnt mean that I do not have, as President, the legal right to do so, I do, but I have so far chosen not to! Barrs interview came as he faces fierce criticism from Democrats over his intervention in the case of Roger Stone, a longtime confidant of Trump who was convicted in November. Barr this week overruled prosecutors who had recommended that Stone be sentenced to seven to nine years in prison. The move prompted a crisis of credibility for the US justice system, as top lawyers warned it could undermine the integrity of federal prosecutors, politicize the legal handling of Trumps friends and enemies, and ultimately threaten democracy itself. The sense of crisis at the justice department continued to build through Friday, as multiple news outlets reported that Barr has appointed an outside prosecutor to look at the criminal case against Trumps former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Last month, Flynn asked a judge to allow him to withdraw his guilty plea to charges he lied to the FBI during the Robert Mueller investigation into Russian election collusion, accusing prosecutors of bad faith, vindictiveness, and breach of the plea agreement. Story continues Flynns petition was denied this week. According to NBC News, justice department officials have already intervened to help change Flynns sentencing recommendations from a six-month sentence to probation. But the appointment of outside prosecutors to examine cases normally handled by justice department career staff in Flynns case reportedly US attorney for St Louis, Jeff Jensen points to a broader breakdown of normal procedure. The New York Times, which first reported the Flynn development, said that over the past two weeks outside prosecutors have begun grilling Washington-based prosecutors over a number of cases. The move corresponds with another Barr decision to allow outside prosecutors to consider material sourced by Rudy Giuliani, the presidents personal attorney, on what Trump and his lawyer have claimed points to corrupt activities concerning Joe Biden and his family in Ukraine. The justice department also announced Friday that former acting FBI director Andrew McCabe would not be charged over lying to investigators about a media disclosure. McCabe, who had approved the investigation into alleged links between the 2015 Trump election campaign and Russia-linked operatives, leading to Muellers investigation and report, has long been accused of playing partisan politics by the president, who also repeatedly called for McCabes prosecution. In his interview with ABC, Barr emphasized that Trump never asked me to do anything in a criminal case, but he acknowledged the presidents comments undercut his authority. Despite Barr insisting he will not be bullied by Trump on justice department matters, some commentators were skeptical that Barr was actually trying to distance himself from the president or was working to protect the justice department from interference. I dont think hes fit for the office because I think what hes done is undertake a campaign to undermine the Department of Justice, former deputy attorney general Donald Ayer, told MSNBC. Ayer, who preceded Barr as deputy attorney general under George HW Bush, added that Barrs pattern of conduct since becoming attorney general involves intervening out of usual course to protect Donald Trump. Former US attorney Preet Bharara tweeted: I think Bill Barr is shrewd, deliberate, smart, calculating, careful, and full of it. An Obama-era justice department official, Matthew Miller, wrote on Twitter: Dont be fooled by this one, people. Barr is telling the president that his impulsiveness is making it politically harder for him to deliver the results he wants. If Trump would just shut up, Barr could take care of him much more effectively. The best indicator of future performance is past performance, wrote the US congresswoman Val Demings, of Florida. Attorney General Barrs past performance was to mislead the American people (about the Mueller Report) in order to cover up wrongdoing by the president. Why shouldnt we believe thats exactly what hes doing now? In his interview with ABC, Barr added that public statements and tweets about the department and its pending 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. EXCLUSIVE: Attorney General Bill Barr: If the president "were to say go investigate somebody...and you sense its because theyre a political opponent, then an attorney general shouldnt carry that out, wouldnt carry that out." https://t.co/lBtFOWpLkC pic.twitter.com/YcJ0GruGeB ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) February 13, 2020 He said: Im not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody ... whether its Congress, a newspaper editorial board, or the president. 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. The White House press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, responded by saying the president wasnt bothered by Barrs comments: [Barr] 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. The attorney generals comments come amid an intensifying fallout over the Stone case, after the justice department overruled its own prosecutors who had recommended that Stone, a longtime Trump ally and confidant, be sentenced to seven to nine years in prison. The four prosecutors on the case subsequently resigned in protest. The department has insisted the decision to undo the sentencing recommendation was made on Monday night before Trumps tweet calling the recommended sentence very horrible and unfair. Barr, a Trump loyalist, is also under fire for the reversal, which has drawn fierce condemnation from former justice department figures and leading Democrats who have warned of an abuse of power. The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, speaking on Fox News, said the president should heed Barrs advice. I think the president should listen, McConnell told the host Bret Baier. If the attorney general says its getting in the way of doing his job, the president should listen to the attorney general. Barr is not the only high-profile figure to have criticized Trump this week. On Wednesday, the former White House chief of staff John Kelly spoke out against the treatment of the fired impeachment inquiry witness Alexander Vindman. Stone was convicted in November of tampering with a witness and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia during the 2016 election. He is scheduled to be sentenced next week. Agencies contributed reporting CSSI Technologies now offers CSSI Device Lifecycle Management for Android mobile devices We are experiencing a major technology shift as companies replace aging Windows Mobile devices with new handhelds running the Android OS. We find companies struggling to keep pace with Androids rapid pace of change, thus we created CSSI Device Lifecycle Management. -- Joe Tosolt, President CSSI Technologies, Inc., a mobile technology firm based in Lewisburg, PA, announces a new service offering which solves the problems companies face in managing growing fleets of Android mobile devices. With CSSI Device Lifecycle Management, customers avoid the pain and disruption of keeping their Android devices current. Today we are experiencing a major technology shift as companies replace aging Windows Mobile devices with new handhelds running the Android OS. Companies accustomed to less frequent Windows updates find that they are unprepared to handle Androids rapid pace of change, said company president Joe Tosolt. As companies fall behind, they become increasingly susceptible to security risks. We created CSSI Device Lifecycle Management to solve this problem companies can utilize CSSIs superior skills in mobile device management (MDM) and Android mobile to keep their fleets up to date. CSSI Device Lifecycle Management includes 3 key support components: 1) CSSI works behind the scenes to stage Android updates on either an annual or more frequent basis. 2) White Glove provisioning -- CSSI sets up devices prior to arrival at the customer site so that handhelds are ready to go right out of the box. Further, when devices are sent out for warranty repair, CSSI restages devices so that they return to the customer correctly configured. 3) CSSI provides technical support for day-to-day device questions and problems. Beyond the security benefits of staying current with Android, we believe that customers will find tremendous value in the white glove provisioning included with this service, said Tosolt. Companies will be able to immediately deploy devices to the operating environment without having to wait for IT resources to come available. This service is of high value to any company with Android handhelds and limited time or expertise in Android and mobile device management. For questions about CSSI Device Lifecycle Management, visit the information page online or contact CSSI Technologies. About CSSI Technologies, Inc. CSSI Technologies, Inc. (https://cssi.com/) boosts business productivity with the smart integration of auto ID, mobile computing, and business software. CSSI offers a complementary range of services which include: Barcoding and Mobility Solutions, Custom Software Development, and sales & support for Microsoft Dynamics GP. From headquarters in Lewisburg, PA, CSSI supports customers across the US. CSSI Technologies, Inc., 145 North 15th Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837 (570) 524-4424 http://www.cssi.com A Briton who was stranded at sea for two weeks after five ports refused to allow a cruise ship to dock amid coronavirus fears has said he is really thankful to be going home after it was allowed into a port in Cambodia. John Stanley, of Evesham, Worcestershire, had been with his wife Olive on the MS Westerdam since it left Singapore in January on the first leg of its journey. After some uncertainty, they came to accept the ships doctors declaration that none of the passengers had the feared Covid-19 viral illness. But there was concern that some peoples supplies of medication would run out and there were many text messages from worried family members back home. So it was a question of being really, really thankful to the Cambodian government and really, really relieved that we can go home, Mr Stanley said. To be honest, until wed actually gone off the ship, we didnt really believe it because we had one or two situations before where we thought we were getting off. Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Guam had turned the ship away because they feared its passengers and crew could spread the deadly virus from China, until Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen agreed to let the Westerdam dock. The first batch of hundreds of passengers who disembarked on Friday saw the Cambodian leader arrive by helicopter and then personally hand them flowers as they made their way to land. Hun Sen greets the passengers (Heng Sinith/AP) Today, although Cambodia is a poor country, Cambodia has always joined the international community to solve the problems that the world and our region are facing, Hun Sen said as the first passengers disembarked. How wonderful it is to be here. Thank you very much to the prime minister. He has a wonderful heart, said Anna Marie Melon, from Queensland, Australia. Im very excited. The passengers cheered as they walked towards waiting buses and waved goodbye to other passengers watching from the ships deck. Story continues Cambodia alone, even the United States, Guam, did not let us land, but Cambodia did, so thats wonderful. Absolutely wonderful, Joe Spaziani, from Florida, told reporters. We appreciate it very very much. Its been a long struggle and we appreciate everyone being here. The Westerdams operator, Holland America Line, said no cases of the virus had been confirmed among its 1,455 passengers and 802 crew members. Some 20 passengers reported stomach aches or fever, but tests for the virus at the Pasteur Institute in Phnom Penh showed none had the illness. Hun Sen said he acted for humanitarian reasons and he wanted passengers to be able to return to their home countries. If Cambodia did not allow this ship to dock here, where should this ship go? he said. I want to inform Cambodians and the world that I coming here even for a short time means this is no time for discrimination and to be scared, but a time for everyone to be in solidarity to solve the problems we are facing now. (PA Graphics) A strong supporter of China, Hun Sen has downplayed threats from the new virus, and unlike other Asian nations, he declined to ban direct flights between Cambodia and China, saying that would disturb bilateral relations and hurt his countrys economy. Cambodia has only one confirmed case of the virus, a visitor from China, despite its popularity with Chinese tourists. Hun Sen said the passengers were free to go to the beach, go sightseeing in Sihanoukville, where the ship docked, or even visit the famous centuries-old Angkor Wat temple complex in the north west. Mang Sineth, the vice governor in Preah Sihanouk province, told reporters 414 passengers were to leave the port on Friday and fly to Cambodias capital before travelling to their final destinations. Three flights from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh were arranged to take all the ships passengers. Pia and Jay Kumar wanted to operate a business together. They were ready to leave behind the hustle of New York City and their Wall Street careers. They heard through a family friend about Universal Plastics in Holyoke, a manufacturer specializing in custom thermoforming. We felt it was the right business in terms of culture, size and what we could afford here, Pia Kumar, co-owner and chief strategy officer, says. We moved from New York City and never looked back. That was eight years ago. Since the Kumars took over the private company, it has grown threefold, and they have expanded the company beyond its 100,000-square-foot headquarters where they specialize in custom thermoforming for aerospace, medical and industrial products. Universal Plastics Group Inc. now has four other facilities, in Sutton, and Howes Cave, New York, which also feature custom thermoforming, and sites in Middlefield, Ohio, which offers injection molding, structural foam and gas assist, and Latrobe, Pennsylvania, featuring injection and blow molding. The facility in Holyoke is its largest. As of this year, all operate under the Universal Plastics name. Universal Plastics will remain focused on growth for 2020, Pia Kumar says. It has 110 employees in Holyoke and 400 company-wide. Women comprise 30% of Universals workforce. Were growing and always looking for new people, she says. While it can be difficult to find employees, Kumar notes recent relationships she has forged with Springfield Technical Community College and Bay Path University in Longmeadow to help with that effort. She recalls talking with her husband about staffing issues. I said, We have so many great schools in the area. Why arent we doing internships? Kumar says. I said, We have to connect with these schools. Kumar serves on the advisory board for STCCs mechanical engineering technology program, a role that helps give her a voice in the curriculum and a line to potential employees. A handful of workers have come from STCC over the past three years she has been involved with the college, she notes. STCC, with its manufacturing focus, has been an asset when it comes to finding new hires, according to Kumar. The person that goes to STCC is the person we want, Kumar says. They are looking to make their lives better. Kumar is similarly involved with Bay Path, where she also is looking for interns, and is in the process of hiring one for the corporate finance department. She notes that Bay Path caters to the first-generation college student and focuses on women. I got involved with Bay Path because I want to help break the stereotype that graduates from a womens college dont have opportunities at a manufacturing company like Universal Plastics, Kumar shares. Universal Plastics is family- and community-focused. It hosted a first-time homebuyers program workshop for employees and regularly donates books to Holyokes Morgan Elementary School, where many children of employees attend. It also sponsored a food drive, collecting more than 300 pounds of food for Lorraines Soup Kitchen in Chicopee and the Sutton Senior Center. In 2018, the company found itself facing a problem it had more work to do than it anticipated. To help employees rally, they offered overtime and bonuses to get the work done, Kumar says. They also instituted a lean initiative that Kumar said increased communication and accountability, and improved the companys culture. This was put in place with funding from MassMEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership). The initiative enabled the company to share information and metrics and create clarity on its workflow, Kumar explains. We believe its helping us retain people. Weve seen attrition go downward in the past year, she says. People want to come and work and do a good job, and weve given them the tools to do that. The items Universal Plastics makes are varied. Everything they make is custom. They do not stock parts, Pia Kumar explains. She said companies will have specific needs, and they will work with Universal Plastics engineers throughout the design and manufacturing process. The process of custom thermoforming entails heating plastic to a pliable temperature, then it is formed to a specific shape in a mold and cut to create a product. Multi-access CNC machines are used, Kumar says. They make everything from special compartments and containers for jet engines to items used in airplanes, including the plastics for seat backs, tray tables, screen holders, and foot and arm rests. The airline seating work is done in Holyoke. We have expertise in airline seating and have been doing it for a long time. In the last five to six years it ramped up, and we started doing it in much higher volumes than the business had ever done before, Kumar says. They also made the signs for New York City bus stops, as they are now plastic instead of metal, as well as kayaks, bows of submarines used by the Navy and air ducts for the Space Shuttle. The birthing tubs at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton and Baystate Medical Center in Springfield also are made by Universal Plastics. We are in a niche that works for us, Kumar says. Pia Kumar is a former investment banker at JP Morgan Chase and global director of strategic partnerships at American Express, while Jay Kumar is a former options trader at JPMorgan Chase. She says she enjoys working and living in Western Massachusetts. She and Jay have three children and a dog. While Jays father, Sunil Kumar, helped the couple find the business, his role today is that of a strategic adviser, Pia Kumar says. The Kumars took over the business from the Peters family, who are still involved. Joseph Peters is vice chairman and Michael Peters handles strategic sales, according to Kumar. The company was founded in Chicopee in 1966, and moved to Holyoke approximately 20 years ago. Pia Kumar is enthusiastic about the future of manufacturing in Western Massachusetts and the U.S. She says Universal Plastics has witnessed a lot of reshoring, the practice of bringing manufacturing back to the country from overseas because customers are not getting the quality they want overseas. There is a lot of hope for manufacturing, Kumar said, noting the rich history of manufacturing in Western Massachusetts. Jetstar baggage handlers and ground crew are set for a 24-hour strike over the Australian budget airline's current employment proposal. Transport Workers' Union previous demands included more rest breaks, a guaranteed 12-hour break between shifts, guaranteed 30 hours a week and annual wage increases of four per cent. Jetstar's package doesn't meet those expectations and is in with the Qantas Group's three per cent pay increase offer. Over 250 Jetstar workers are set for a 24-hour strike on Wednesday the 19th in a battle over Australian airlines current employment proposal The TWU on Friday said more than 250 workers would strike on February 19 at Sydney, Melbourne, Avalon, Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide airports. They accused Jetstar of proposing an employment agreement which was 'designed to keep Jetstar workers impoverished'. 'Jetstar workers do not take this decision lightly and we apologise to members of the public who will be unable to fly on Wednesday,' TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said in a statement on Friday. 'But these workers are in the fight of their lives for a decent standard of living, to be able to put food on the table and to ensure they and their kids have a future. 'At the moment that future is bleak.' Jetstar workers went on strike twice in December. Jetstar Group chief executive Gareth Evans said in a statement that the company had made a number of concessions on backpay and rostering after more than a year of negotiations with the union. 'The deal delivers annual wage increases well above private sector wage growth and more than what most companies are offering,' Mr Evans said. 'It also ensures we can keep offering the low fares our customers expect. 'The union keeps ignoring the fact that no part of Jetstar or the Qantas Group will do a wage deal more than three per cent.' Jetstar customers set to travel on February 19 would be provided with a full refund or flight reschedule if requested. With close to 60 per cent of Jetstar workers affiliated to the TWU, any agreement would heavily rely on the union's endorsement. Evan Stephens Hall is excited about going on tour. As a member of rock band Pinegrove, its a way to share his creations, but also a way to see the country. For the bands latest tour, theres a stop at Meow Wolf on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Weve been looking forward to the Meow Wolf show, he says. Its lauded. We love to go to museums and see art installations in the cities that we perform in. For this show, were going to actually be performing inside one. It blows my mind. Pinegrove is on tour in support of its latest album, Marigold, which was released on Jan. 17. Pinegrove formed in Montclair, N.J., in 2010. Players have rotated in and out over the years, and Hall and drummer Zack Levine have remained its core members. Hall and guitarist Sam Skinner produced the album, which was recorded and mixed Amperland, a rural farmhouse in upstate New York. Marigold is the bands first full-length on Rough Trade, where they have been signed since 2019. Hall says the album game about pretty quickly. It came right on the heels of finishing (2018s) Skylight, he says. I typically have songs that Im already working on. I ended up completing the batch in six months. We had it done for a while before it was released. After signing with Rough Trade, Pinegrove decided to look at the best way to market and release the album. The label and band developed a marketing plan to release the album in the first quarter of the year and then follow it with a tour. We wanted to make sure all hands were on deck before the release, he says of the marketing plan. We wanted to be more calculated with how we released it. It took a lot of planning, and were very happy with the way its been going. This year also marks 10 years since Pinegrove formed. Hall says it feels like theyve been going day by day, flying into the sun. Everything that we do is similar to when we started, he says. The process is refined. I was doing the same thing as an 18-year-old. Weve matured both as humans and as players. We set out to make music as long as possible. In some ways, the 10 years has felt like a long time, but also like a blink of an eye. Pinegrove With Whitney Allen WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 WHERE: Meow Wolf, 1352 Rufina Circle, Santa Fe HOW MUCH: $20, plus fees at meowwolf.com [February 14, 2020] Intuitive Technology Partners Achieves VMware Master Services Competencies in VMware Cloud on AWS, Data Center Virtualization and Network Virtualization EDISON, N.J., Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Intuitive Technology Partners (ITP) today announced that it has successfully achieved VMware Cloud on AWS, Data Center Virtualization and Network Virtualization VMware Master Services Competencies. These competencies demonstrate that ITP is committed to helping organizations accelerate their digital transformations by leveraging their validated services delivery capabilities around advanced VMware technologies. "Enterprises today need to leverage the power of public and hybrid cloud technologies, as they continue with their digital transformation journey. ITP is one of the very few global partners that has deep expertise with VMware, AWS, Kubernetes & HashiCorp platforms to help customers meet their transformation goals. ITP's achievement of the multiple VMware Master Services Competencies is a testament to our commitment to our partners and customers. Our mission at ITP is to serve and enable our customers, transforming their use of technology to solve complex business problems and deliver successful outcomes leveraging our global experienced and professional workforce," said Jay Modh, President & CEO Intuitive Technology Partners, Inc. "VMware is pleased to recognize Intuitive Technology Partners for achieving VMware Cloud on AWS, Data Center Virtualization and Network Virtualization Master Services Competencies. This achievement shows customers that partners like Intuitive Technology Partners are dedicated, invested and have validated expertise in advanced VMware technologies," said Jenni Flinders, Vice President and Worldwide Channel Chief, VMware. "We value Intuitive Technology Partners as a VMware partner, and appreciate their efforts in achieving this VMware distinction as they work to increase their service delivery capabilities." VMware Master Services Competencies are designed to help patners demonstrate customer-centric solutions and technical proficiency, with proven success and expertise in a specialized area of business. These competencies also allow partners to differentiate in five specific solution areas. VMware partners can achieve VMware Master Services Competencies in: VMware Cloud on AWS Data Center Virtualization Network Virtualization Cloud Management and Automation Digital Workspace The VMware Partner Network is the framework for collaboration between VMware and its partners, offering a wide range of benefits, training, certifications and rewards. The VMware Partner Network includes a range of programs to meet the needs of a variety of partner expertise. Read more about VMware Partner Network . About Intuitive Technology Partners ITP is an "Engineering Company Driving Enterprise Business Outcomes", a strategic technology solution & services provider for Cloud (Public/Hybrid/Private), SDDC, SD-WAN/SDN, Containerization and Automation supporting global enterprise clients across verticals. With extensive in-house SMEs talent pool, we are able to deliver globally with aggressive turn-around times from Pre-sales to Post-sales across public and private section customers. We take pride in solving complex business challenges around IT and Digital transformation leveraging best-in-breed technology solutions tailored to client needs delivering real business outcomes. ITP Core Strengths: SDDC, SD-WAN, SDN & DFW Cloud (Private/Hybrid/Public VMware & AWS) Cloud Transformation & Migration, DC Consolidation/Migration, App Rationalization VMware Cloud on AWS Cloud Database, Data Warehouse and Big Data Services Cloud DevOps/DevSecOps, IaC & Automation Cloud Network & Security Containerization & Management/Orchestration Project Management Scrum/Agile ITP Accreditations: VMware Consulting Services (PSSA) Partner VMware Master Services Competency - VMC on AWS, DCV, NV VMware Global Solutions Partner - VMC on AWS, DCV, NV AWS Advanced Consulting Partner AWS ProServe Partner - Global AWS Solutions Provider Partner (SPP) Kubernetes Partner HashiCorp Partner Dell Technologies Consulting Partner - Global Cisco Partner (Advanced-Enterprise Networks, Security, Mobility) 2020 Intuitive Technology Partners, Inc. | Privacy Statement | Terms Of Use VMware, vSphere, Workspace ONE, Horizon, and NSX are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/intuitive-technology-partners-achieves-vmware-master-services-competencies-in-vmware-cloud-on-aws-data-center-virtualization-and-network-virtualization-301005290.html SOURCE Intuitive Technology Partners, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] P aris may be for lovers for London is putting on a rather decent show to counter the City of Light's reputation thanks to the dating app Clikd. Since 2018, the app has run a competition to showcase images of love in all forms across the capital. With six categories focusing on the city itself, loving your community, partner, pets, friends and what you do, people across the city are encouraged to snap a moment of happiness and positivity and send it to Clikd for the chance to win a prize, as well as the opportunity to display their creativity. Scott Hamilton won the inaugural competition two years ago with his image Snuggle, which he entered into the love your partner category. The image ended up on billboards and digital advertising screens across the city. The competition is heating up this year with some of 2020s entrants displayed in the gallery above. However, theres still some time left: the deadline for the Love in London competition is March 3. Applicants are encouraged to enter via the competition website. 'Snuggle' won the London in Love competition in 2018 (Scott Hamilton ) / Scott Hamilton There's a 3 entry fee for the competition which all goes towards supporting the work of the charity Relate, which gives advice, support and counselling to over 4 million people every year regarding relationships. Even if you dont consider yourself a photography pro, you can enter just by posting on Instagram. Every week in the run-up to the competition, Clikd will be searching the platform for posts tagged using @loveinlondon2020 and #LoveinLondon2020 to repost on the official Instagram account. The post with the highest number of likes on the Love in London account will be crowned the peoples champion. Speaking about the competition, founder and CEO of Clikd, Michael Blakeley, said: Its fantastic to be organising a competition for such an important cause. Relate is an incredible charity that does fantastic work and were very excited to raise awareness of that through such a love-centric competition. "Love is something that brings everyone together and to help display the best of Love In London is a fantastic privilege. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Douye Diri, as the governor-elect of Bayelsa State. The electoral commission declared the PDP candidate winner of the November 16 governorship election. The INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, said this while briefing journalists at the commissions headquarters in Abuja. He said the decision was in compliance with the Supreme court order nullifying the election of the All Progressives Congress APC candidate, 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, as the winner of the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa. Mr Lyon was sacked 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. READ ALSO: The judge also ordered that INEC should immediately declare the party with the highest number of lawful votes and geographical spread, the winner. Mr Diri would be issued a certificate of return any moment from now. DETAILED RESULT BY ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT The Department of Justice said Friday that it has dropped its criminal investigation against former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe and will not press charges against him. McCabe was being investigated by the DOJ regarding allegedly improper leaks he made to journalists related to an investigation into Hillary Clinton, and his claims to investigators about those leaks. The DOJ's internal watchdog concluded that McCabe "lacked candor, including under oath" when answering questions about the leaks. But in a letter to McCabe's attorneys, the Justice Department said that "after careful consideration, the government has decided not to pursue criminal charges against your client." "Based on the totality of the circumstances and all of the information known to the government at this time, we consider the matter closed," the letter said. McCabe was a frequent target of President Donald Trump, who blamed the former official for what he has called a baseless investigation into whether the Trump campaign conspired with Russians to affect the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. "We learned this morning through a phone call from the D.C. U.S. Attorney's Office that was followed by a letter that the Justice Department's criminal investigation of Andrew McCabe has been closed," attorneys Michael Bromwich and David Schertler said in a statement Friday. "This means that no charges will be brought against him based on the facts underlying the Office of the Inspector General's April 2018 report." "At long last, justice has been done in this matter. We said at the outset of the criminal investigation, almost two years ago, that if the facts and the law determined the result, no charges would be brought," the attorneys said. "We are pleased that Andrew McCabe and his family can go on with their lives without this cloud hanging over them." The Justice Department's decision is likely to anger Trump. He has repeatedly fumed about the fact that several of his former aides and advisers have been convicted and sentenced to prison for a wide range of crimes during his presidency, while senior DOJ officials, such as former FBI director James Comey and now McCabe, have not been prosecuted. Trump targeted McCabe throughout the two year Mueller probe, frequently attacking both the FBI agent and his wife, Jill McCabe, on Twitter. Jill McCabe mounted a failed bid for Virginia Senate in 2015, and her campaign had received hundreds of thousands of dollars from a PAC overseen by Terry McAuliffe, a longtime ally of Bill and Hillary Clinton. Trump seized on the donations as proof that McCabe was protecting his 2016 opponent, Hillary Clinton, and using the F.B.I. to wage a covert "Deep State" war on Trump and his allies. In a CNN interview Friday, McCabe said having the investigation dropped is "a relief that I'm not sure I can really explain to you adequately." "The pursuit of political enemies and the use of the criminal justice system ... to exact some sort of revenge on those political enemies is not something that should be happening in the United States of America," McCabe added. Hong Kong: $25b fund for virus fight (To watch the video with sign language interpretation, click here.) Chief Executive Carrie Lam has announced the Government will set up a $25 billion fund to help local residents and businesses tide over the coronavirus situation. Todays initiative to announce the setting up of this fund with an estimated amount of $25 billion, is again one of those commitments to the people of Hong Kong. So my biggest concern now is really for us to overcome this public health crisis together, so that we can then focus on relaunching Hong Kong and rebuilding Hong Kongs economic strength. During a press conference today with principal officials, Mrs Lam noted that since it was first notified of the virus in December, the Government had put in every effort to fight it. She also vowed that the Government would continue to work very hard based on its good public health experience, the expertise of its advisory panel, the dedication of colleagues, as well as the amount of resources it was prepared to put into the fight against the disease. The Chief Executive acknowledged that $25 billion was a large amount, but stressed that Hong Kong was facing an almost unprecedented situation that was still evolving. This time, the Government has taken some bold and decisive steps to help different sectors and to ensure that we can continue to undertake all the infection control measures that have been put in place. If the public and members of the Legislative Council do feel that each and every one of these initiatives is necessary, then the amount is not the most important factor. Because if you want to do all these things, then you need to get the money. Mrs Lam added that the measures were justified and took into account feedback from the public, various sectors and Legislative Council members. This story has been published on: 2020-02-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Looking to prevent the spread of the the novel coronavirus, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked airlines and airports across the country to screen passengers arriving from South Korea and Japan. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): In order to prevent the spread of #CoronaVirus in India, it has been decided to expand universal screening for all passengers arriving in flights,directly from Japan,South Korea,Thailand&Singapore, besides flights from China&Hong Kong pic.twitter.com/i4GXzH8Wp9 ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2020 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: Preeti Sudan, Secretary (HFW) chaired a video conference with Health Secretaries from states/UTs along with senior officials to review their preparedness for prevention & management of COVID-19, today. #CoronaViruspic.twitter.com/2pkni8hzcZ ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2020 Earlier, only passengers arriving from Thailand, Singapore, China and Hong Kong were being screened.In a circular, the DGCA stated; Universal screening of all the passengers coming in flights directly from Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore besides the flights from China and Hong Kong shall be ensured immediately once they step out of the specific identified aerobridge.India has already recorded three coronavirus cases. All the victims were medical students from Wuhan, China. They were detected with COVID-19 after being brought back to India. Of the three, one has already been discharged. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said that the other two people have significantly decreased the "viral load". Visitors look at artificial-intelligence security cameras using facial recognition technology at the 14th China International Exhibition on Public Safety and Security at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing on Oct. 24, 2018. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images) Chinas AI Spending Difficult to Compare, Harder to Assess, Report Says As China pursues its ambition to lead the world in artificial intelligence (AI), it also broadcasts its financial commitments to funding large projects that support AI development. Western analysts attempting to gauge and compare Chinas AI spending versus spending in the United States, however, run up against barriers to the analysis, an Institute of Defense Analyses (IDA) report concludes. We are unaware of any persuasive discussion about whether such comparisons are credible, in light of uncertainties about the Chinese estimates, the report states. Building on a September 2019 IDA report, the current report looks into Chinese data gathered from official Chinese state sources. Focusing on four Chinese funding mechanisms known to support AI development, researchers came to an unexpected conclusion. Of billions of dollars of publicly announced spending on Chinese AI, only $138 million is found to be potentially comparable to U.S. expenditures on non-defense AI R&D, the report concludes. That doesnt mean that China isnt spending what it says its spending on AI, the report says; it also doesnt mean China isnt spending even more than it has announced. It indicates that the systems by which the United States and China disclose their relative data are so fundamentally different that no comparisons are possible. The Science & Technology Policy Institute (STPI), which produced the IDA report, benchmarked its own estimates with those made by other organizations. Our expenditure estimates are lower than others from the literature, when viewed as a percentage of total expenditures examined within each funding mechanism, they found. The mechanisms to which IDA refers are Chinese programs that are the result of a 2014 reform that consolidated a mixed and underperforming pool of science, technology, and innovation programs into five groups. All five of these programs are publicly competed in China, according to STPI researchers, which means that open-source data should exist. Four criteria were used to compare U.S. federal spending in AI research and development (R&D) to potential Chinese counterpart spending. Any Chinese expenditure had to be, first, made by the Chinese central government. Second, and logically, it had to be focused on AI. Third, it had to be focused on R&D. Fourth and finally, it had to be viable. The criteria of viability was then determined by deciding whether an expenditure was actual, estimated, budgeted, or aspirational. The research results were nearly unanimous in their analysis of the four national-level Chinese groups that IDA/STPI studied, which include the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), National Key R&D Programs (NKP), Megaprojects, and Government Guiding Funds (GGF) Because these funding mechanisms were specifically and deliberately chosen for their public competitiveness, the researchers argue that they are among the most transparent of Chinese funding mechanisms. Yet, only two of the four, NSFC and the NKPs, make sufficient data publicly available to analyze their entire R&D portfolio, IDA suggests. Megaprojects and GGFs, on the other hand, may not even have useful data in the public realm, making them impossible to compare with U.S. AI funding programs. But the NSFC and the NKPs whose data are public and comprehensive enough to be able to compare to U.S. programs are themselves only responsible for about 10 percent of the $60 billion that the Chinese central and local government expended on non-defense R&D in 2018. IDA/ STPIs final conclusion is stark. Given the opacity of the publicly competed funding mechanisms, we find it unlikely that the remaining 90 percent of Chinas non-defense R&D portfolio can be analyzed at a similar fidelity as the 10 percent that we have investigated. The impact of what is certainly deliberate obfuscation of hard numbers that the Chinese government is devoting to AI research can cause alarm among U.S. policymakers, the researchers state. Indeed, reports differ dramatically on what China may be spending on AI. Gregory Allen, a former adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) estimated last year that China has demonstrated significantly greater levels of strategic focus and funding when it comes to artificial intelligence. Allen referenced a program in Shanghai that purports to be spending $15 billion over 10 years just on its own municipal AI programs, while the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is spending $2 billion over five years. So, literally, we have the U.S. federal government at present at risk of being outspent by a provincial government of China, Allen says. They are really spending jaw-dropping sums on this area. The Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) at Georgetown University, however, comes to a completely different conclusion. Chinas government probably isnt dramatically outspending the U.S. government on AI R&D, it concludes in a December 2019 report. Ultimately, it concludes that Chinas government probably spent a few billion dollarsand at most, closer to $10 billionon AI-related R&D in 2018, with basic research comprising a small fraction of the total. In 2016, Paul Gruenwald, then-chief Asia economist at Standard & Poors, is reported by the Telegraph to have said, The joke with Asian analysts on China is that we dont need to forecast the actual rate of Chinese growth, we have to forecast what the Chinese authorities will say the rate will be. It seems that comment applies to other statistics releasedor perhaps more importantly, not releasedby Chinese officials. The U.S. assessment of AI spending in China may indeed be a victim of Chinas success in artificially and purposely clouding the issue entirely. PE funds investment into retail real estate grew almost three-fold in 2019 over the previous year. Retail real estate grabbed $970 million PE funds in 2019 against $355 million in the previous year, registering a growth of 173 per cent. Overall PE inflows into Indian retail touched $2.8 billion in the five years between 2015 and 2019. Chennai: Despite the slowdown in consumption, private equity funds are quite optimistic about the long-term prospects of mall properties. PE funds investment into retail real estate grew almost three-fold in 2019 over the previous year. Retail real estate grabbed $970 million PE funds in 2019 against $355 million in the previous year, registering a growth of 173 per cent. Overall PE inflows into Indian retail touched $2.8 billion in the five years between 2015 and 2019. Investors are betting big on selected Grade A mall projects which have high scope of business profitability. Despite the consumption slump, many malls are doing excellent business today - and investors are keenly vying for such projects, said Shobhit Agarwal, MD and CEO, Anarock Capital. According to Anarock, PE funds see the ongoing consumerism slump in India as a seasonal phenomenon and hope that enthusiastic government- backing to the retail sector will cause the tide to turn in the near future. Apart from the top cities, tier- II and III cities are also on the radar of many PE funds which see these cities actively driving the retail business, going forward. At least 36 per cent of retail-focused funds went to cities like Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bhubaneshwar, Chandi-garh, Nagpur and Mohali. JLL says rising incomes, increasing awareness and high aspirations in tier- II and III markets spell a big opportunity for retailers. These locations are unexplored and real estate cost here is 30-40 per cent lower than that in metros. By industry estimates, the market size of tier- II and III markets would grow from $5.7 billion in 2018 to $80 billion by 2026. Around 50-60 per cent of expansion by modern trade is taking place in tier- II and III markets. Hugh Jackman gave a puzzling display of love on Valentines Day as the stars got soppy (PA) Hugh Jackman paid a sweet and somewhat puzzling tribute to his wife as he led the stars sharing the love on Valentines Day. The Wolverine actor posted a picture of himself midway through a jigsaw puzzle for which the image was a picture of himself and his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness. Jackman, 51, also shared a picture of the original photo used in the puzzle, a snap of the couple standing on a beach together, his arm around her chest. He simply wrote #happyvalentinesday, and his fans were overjoyed at the way he marked February 14. Omg how cute, one wrote in the comments, while another said they are a beautiful couple. Australian Jackman and actress and producer Furness, 64, have been married since 1996. Other celebrities getting soppy on the most romantic day of the year on social media included Victoria and David Beckham, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Rochelle and Marvin Humes. Victoria shared a card written for her and dictated by daughter Harper on her Instagram Stories. Harper, eight, said: Happy Valentines Day, I love you so much. You put a smile on my face. Love ? Video of the Day Victoria Beckham shares an insight into her Valentines Day (Victoria Beckham/Instagram) The 45-year-old former Spice Girls star also shared clips of a large array of Valentines Day-themed balloons, flowers and a card from husband David to Harper, and a bizarre gift for herself from David. Along with a picture of a sharing bag of chocolate Minstrels and a copy of Country Life magazine, Victoria wrote: Its a long story I love you @davidbeckham x. On his own Instagram page, David, 44, shared throwback pictures of himself with Victoria and images with their children, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper. He wrote Happy Valentines @victoriabeckham @brooklynbeckham @romeobeckham @cruzbeckham #HarperSeven along with a love heart. Zeta-Jones, 50, posted a romantic image of herself kissing husband Michael Douglas, 75, on her Instagram page. The picture had been edited to include heart-shaped bubbles floating around them. My forever Valentine #HappyValentinesDay, she wrote. Marvin and Rochelle appeared to be in competition for their Valentines Day messages to each other on social media. Rochelle, 30, shared a picture of herself hugging her husband along with the caption: They say behind every man is a strong woman. For me Im strong because he loves me( I cant believe how cheesy that was. Im sorry.) And JLS star Marvin, 34, posted a single snap of his wife, saying: My forever Valentine and Im forever punching I mean come on @rochellehumes I love you x. Marvin also posted an adorable hand-written card from the their daughters Alaia-Mai, six, and two-year-old Valentina, which he said marked his greatest day ever as a Dad. The card read: To mummy and daddy, happy Valentines day, I love you so much, you work so hard. This year me and Valle love you so much, you are so spishe to us, no mummy or daddy are as good as you, love you so much, love from Alaia and Valle. Tamara Ecclestone showed off her rather lavish Valentines Day on Instagram. The 35-year-old daughter of former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone revealed a large floral heart-shaped display on a counter in her home, along with balloons, rose-inspired cakes, flowers and paper hearts trailing from the ceiling. Ecclestone, who is married to Jay Rutland, wrote: Nothing but love. DIY SOS star Nick Knowles, 57, took a slightly different approach and shared a message for his fellow singletons. Happy Valentines And if youre single like me dont worry, we dont have to join in everything every year I missed national prune day too Nick Knowles (@MrNickKnowles) February 14, 2020 He tweeted: Happy Valentines. And if youre single like me dont worry, we dont have to join in everything every year. I missed national prune day too. Alec Baldwin has compared to Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler in a scathing Twitter rant, warning the public to wake up before the president's 'fascist thinking' becomes the new normal. The 61-year-old actor is notorious for speaking out against the president and often portrays Trump on Saturday Night Live. The actor ripped into the president just a week after Trump was acquitted in his impeachment trial in the Senate. To add to the blow, this week the Department of Justice announced plans to reduce its original sentencing recommendation for Trumps longtime associate Roger Stone. 'Its official. The United States government is as lawless as the malignant dictatorships weve hated in our foreign policy since WWII,' Baldwin tweeted Wednesday. Alec Baldwin has compared to Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler in a scathing Twitter rant, warning the public to wake up before the president's 'fascist thinking' becomes the new normal 'Its official. The United States government is as lawless as the malignant dictatorships weve hated in our foreign policy since WWII,' Baldwin tweeted Wednesday He continued hours later saying that Trump espouses fascist ideals and warned that Americans are slowly normalizing his extremist ideas. 'Remember that fascistic thinking takes hold when a standard of living is threatened consistently. People think that things are changing, and downward for most Americans. And that this will become the new normal. They are wholly directed by $,' he added. Baldwin drew parallels between Trump and Hitler saying that the Republican-controlled Senate is behaving in a similar way to the Nazi regime. 'You wonder how Hitler took control of a once great country. For those of you too young to recall the War or its aftermath, simply watch how this GOP-controlled Senate behaves,' he said. 'Their sniveling fealty and lack of courage. And you begin to get it,' he added. Baldwin's rant was like triggered by news this week that the Department of Justice asked that Roger Stone, who is scheduled to be sentenced next week, be given a lighter sentence. The announcement led all four prosecutors on the Stone case to resign on Tuesday and sparked scrutiny over White House interference in judicial matters. Roger Stone was found guilty of seven charges including lying to Congress and witness tampering in the Russia investigation in November. Prosecutors had asked a federal judge to sentence him to seven to nine years behind bars. The 61-year-old actor is notorious for speaking out against the president and often portrays Trump on Saturday Night Live Last month Baldwin blasted Trump supports for what he described as the colossal destruction of everything that matters in the USA in a lengthy Twitter rant Last month Baldwin blasted Trump supports for what he described as the colossal destruction of everything that matters in the USA in a lengthy Twitter rant. 'The desecration of those ideals and the near moral collapse of this country falls squarely in the lap of Trumps supporters... as opposed to Trump himself, who is merely what psychology labels the "objective negative function,"' he said. 'Like fire, floods and earthquakes, it destroys, and only destroys, by its very nature. Without prejudice. It is Trump voters, particularly those who would re-elect him who bear the blame. For the undeniable and colossal destruction of everything that matters to us as Americans that cannot be merely monetized,' he continued. Speaking on The View last week Baldwin said his favorite 2020 Democratic candidate was Joe Biden. 'Well, the person who I think at this moment, and it's an eternity between now and the convention is probably Biden only so far as how he polls across different groups of people,' he said. Mounting a fresh offensive against the BJP government on the first anniversary of the Pulwama terror attack, the Congress on Friday accused it of using the sacrifice of soldiers for electoral gains and asked who benefited the most from the strike. As Pulwama occupied the political centrestage, several Congress leaders, including former president Rahul Gandhi, raised questions on the inquiry into the attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel and why it was not being made public. Gandhi asked who was made accountable for the terror attack on a security convoy in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14 last year. "Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack, let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack?" he posted on Twitter. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the entire nation paid homage to the martyrs of Pulwama and many questions remain. "Why is the report of Pulwama attack not being made public? Who is accountable? Who brought the 350 Kgs IED? Why were intelligence reports of attack ignored? Did Devinder Singh have any role," he tweeted, referring to the Jammu and Kashmir police officer arrested along with two Hizbul Mujahideen militants. "Every Indian is proud of Pulwama martyrs! Why can't Modi Govt tell the names of our brave jawans? Why is Govt not giving details of financial assistance given to families of our bravehearts? Why hide the investigation report? What is BJP Govt hiding? Nation wants to know," Surjewal went on to say on Twitter. Addressing a press conference, his colleague Jaiveer Shergill alleged that the BJP had used the attack and the sacrifice of soldiers for electoral gains. "BJP focus is only on vote security and not on national security. BJP after 26/11 not only did a press conference but also printed posters with blood of the sacrifice of our soldiers, asking for votes," the spokesperson said. The BJP, he added, had sought votes in the name of the Pulwama attack. "If the BJP government and the PM can spend Rs 4,500 crore on self advertisements and spend Rs 1.5 crore everyday on his SPG security, why did the BJP government not fulfil the promises made to the families of Pulwama martyrs," he asked. The Congress leader said the BJP had betrayed the families by not fulfilling the promises of a government job and Rs 25 lakh to their next of kin. Shergill also came to Gandhi's support after the BJP accused him of insulting the memory of Pulwama martyrs. "When Shri Narendra Modi held a press conference questioning the government from attack site of 26/11 he was a nationalist, but when Shri Rahul Gandhi raises questions on Pulwama he is anti-national? Shun the hypocrisy and stop this 'use and throw' policy towards soldiers of this country," Shergill said. He added that the BJP is the first to claim credit for national security but remains mum when it comes to issues of intelligence failure. "The world knows that Pakistan was responsible for the Pulwama attacks but the BJP government is silent about the big intelligence failure and security lapse that led to the attack," he said. According to him, the BJP government is "scared, allergic to answerability and accountability relating to lapses in national security". "During elections, the BJP approach towards soldiers is 'Hum Saath Saath Hai' but after elections their approach is 'Hum Aapke Hai Kaun?'," he said, referencing two Bollywood films to make his point. The Congress on its Twitter handle also asked why the Pulwama attack report had not been made public and whether the government was suppressing it to hide their failures. "After the election speeches and photo-ops the BJP govt has completely forgotten about the families of the martyrs. They promised them jobs and compensation, yet one year after the attack the families are forced to beg the govt for what is owed to them. "Pulwama is one of the most heavily guarded areas in the country, how is it possible that a a vehicle laden with such volatile explosives could enter without notice? Why were proper safeguards not in place?" it tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, February 14, 2020 The economic cost of Coronavirus remains uncertain, International Monetary Fund (IMF) spokesman Gerry Rice told reporters Thursday in Washington, DC -- but that hasn't stopped advertising industry insiders from speculating about the impact. On Friday China disclosed 1,716 medical workers have contracted the virus and six of them have died, according to one report. Few want to place a number on the impact of the virus that initially broke out in Wuhan, China, but a report on Seeking Alpha puts estimates on overall impact to businesses at $280 billion in the first quarter of 2020. Given the uncertainty, it seems the best insiders can do is make predictions and analyze numerous possibilities to see how they play out. advertisement advertisement We undoubtedly will see effects, but it will depend on how long this persists, said Brian Wieser, global president of business intelligence at GroupM. There are not a lot of signs of optimism. It's still expanding and getting worse. As we continue to see disruption in imports out of China and exports into China, it will have an effect on the broader world. China represents on average between 2.5% and 3% of imports and exports for every country on earth, he said -- even a country like the Netherlands. South Korea, Thailand and Australia are probably the most connected in terms of a percentage of that country's GDP, via trade for imports and exports. If it disrupts the countys supply chain, it could impact advertising budgets in that country, Wieser said. It depends on how long the virus continues and how broad it grows. The only thing you can say with some certainty -- it's difficult to imagine there will be no impact if things get worse. New products launches will be delayed, predicts Adam Simon, SVP, executive director of strategy at IPG Media Lab. One concern is the impact of products being delayed, he said. Right now Apple would be with Foxconn, their contract manufacturer, setting up product lines for the iPhones scheduled to ship in the fall. Obviously we';re not seeing that now or anytime in the near future. The Coronavirus will have less of an impact on advertising unless it goes on for a longer period of time. When Omnicom Group reported fourth-quarter 2019 earnings on Thursday, the company's Chief Financial Officer Philip Angelastro warned of softening revenue in China during the first half of 2020, due to uncertainty regarding Coronavirus. We, like most other people, are playing [this] day to day, said John Wren, Omnicom Group CEO. Our primary focus is the safety of our employees. ... [In] January, which we know, the results were fine. It wasn't until after that this became a full-blown public crisis. It depends on how long it goes on." The events business in China is one area during the first quarter that will likely be impacted, Wren said, because so many planned events have been cancelled. Mobile World Congress, which is held yearly in Barcelona, was canceled Thursday. Some industry executives compare the outbreak of the Coronavirus to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which also was a Coronavirus that originated in China. You have to go back to the days of SARS, said Jeff Greenfield, chief attribution officer at C3 Metrics. That was the last time we saw anything like this, except that now our economy is more linked to China. He hasn't seen companies cut advertising just yet, but as the industry nears the end of the first quarter in 2020, Greenfield believes marketers will make adjustments. Yangtze Memory Technologies, a semiconductor memory company located in Wuhan, hasnt seen a disruption in its fab operations, said Gaurav Gupta, Gartner senior research director, but they only account for about 1% of global production of nand memory. Unless the Coronavirus extends for too long there shouldnt be a disruption in supply, he said. The issue may come in another two to three weeks when the trucks carrying the raw materials cannot come in or out of the city. On LinkedIn, Ted Gaubert, CTO at Noodle.ai, pointed to a real-time tracking dashboard and open-sourced the data on GitHub developed by John Hopkins University. The dashboard is tracking confirmed recoveries, along with infections and deaths. As of Thursday, however, the data has not been adjusted to account for the change in infection classification on Feb. 12. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that new cases jumped after Chinese authorities changed the criteria for diagnosing the illness, raising questions about when the outbreak will peak. Even after some last-minute cancellations, the attendance for the 2020 Day of Action was our largest ever, representing a 22% growth over the previous year. We met representatives and lawmakers from 161 congressional offices. In addition, nearly a thousand messages were sent to Congress by Planetary Society advocates around the country who had pledged to take action. Our members came from 28 different states. They were young and old. Some fondly remember Apollo, while many have never seen humans depart low-Earth orbit. Some were scientists or engineers, though the vast majority were just fans of space. But they were all united by core beliefs: that space science and exploration are important. That it is worth doing. That it benefits the nation and the world. It is a testament to their commitment that these individuals used their time and resources to come to Washington, D.C. and advocate for space. It's not only impressiveit's inspiring. It's the essence of The Planetary Society. We came together to do the hard work of advancing space science and exploration. Together we were stronger than we were apart. Thank you to all of the members who joined us in 2020. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday moved the Supreme Court against the Jharkhand High Court's order granting bail to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in the fodder scam case. After the former Bihar Chief Minister completed half of his jail term in connection with the Deoghar treasury scam case, the High Court had recently granted him bail. Challenging the High Court's order, the CBI filed an appeal before the Supreme Court. In 2018, the RJD supremo was sentenced to 14-year imprisonment, seven years each under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act in the fodder scam case. He was also slapped with a fine of Rs 60 lakh. The case pertains to the fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 3.5 crore from the Dumka treasury by Animal Husbandry Department officials between 1991 and 1996 when Lalu served as the state's chief minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Donald Trump's attention span is so notoriously short that the organizers for a 2017 NATO summit redesigned the schedule to keep the new president from getting distracted. His aides reportedly rely on delays and misdirection in the hope that he forgets some of the more outrageous things he asked them to do. But it turns out that Trump's squirrel-like focus similarly derailed his staff. In the upcoming book Sinking in the Swamp: How Trump's Minions and Misfits Poisoned Washington, Daily Beast reporters Asawin Suebsaeng and Lachlan Markay document the merry-go-round of underlings Trump has brought into his administration. On Twitter, Suebsaeng lamented that one of his favorite parts wasn't likely to get excerpted in reviews: a portion of the book that recounts Trump obsessively pelting his former chief of staff Reince Preibus with questions about badgers. Suebsaeng was wrong. Business Insider published the excerpt this week, and it's as absurd as one would expect: After Trump was reminded that the short-legged omnivore was practically synonymous with the Badger State, he'd make a point of bringing it up at seemingly random occasions to his beleaguered chief of staff. "Are they mean to people?" Trump at least twice asked Priebus in the opening months of his presidency. "Or are they friendly creatures?" The president would also ask if Priebus had any photos of badgers he could show him, and if Priebus could carefully explain to him how badgers "work" exactly. F*ckin' badgers, how do they work? He wanted Reinceresident White House badger historian, apparentlyto explain to him Wisconsin's obsession with the animal, how the little critters function and behave, what kind of food they like, and how aggressive or deadly they could be when presented with perceived existential threats. Trump also wanted to know if the badger had a "personality" or if it was boring. What kind of damage could a badger to do a person with its flashy, sharp claws? 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 healthcare coverage. Story continues Trump often betrays a five-year-old's understanding of the natural world, from his absurd claims about wind power, to his idea about nuking hurricanes, to that time he looked directly at a solar eclipse. Unfortunately his ability to act like a infantilized grandparent one minute makes it all the more terrifying when he acts like a tyrannical autocrat the next. When a Psychic Reading Costs You $740,000 How much would you pay to protect your family from forces seemingly beyond your control? Is any price too high? Inside the strange, predatory, and lucrative world of psychics who have successfully scammed customers out of their life savings, and the private investigator who's trying to put a stop to it. Originally Appeared on GQ Spencer Platt/Getty Images Artists in prisons across Washington will have their work featured in an auction this weekend to raise money for programs serving people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. The event -- "UNGUARDED: Incarcerated Artists Art Auction for YWCA Programs" -- is the second statewide event of its kind. The first event featuring art from incarcerated artists happened in February 2018. This year's auction is being hosted by community change groups and the state Department of Corrections. Despite Barr's warning, Trump insists he has a right to intervene in criminal cases originally appeared on abcnews.go.com President Donald Trump on Friday morning broke almost 17 hours of silence following ABC News' exclusive interview with Attorney General Bill Barr, pushing back on Barr's warning not to interfere in criminal cases, insisting he has the "legal right" to do so. Trump repeated what he's said previously -- including just this past Tuesday -- that he has the "absolute" right to comment on how the Justice Department is handling criminal cases, including those involving his friends and associates. PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno in the Oval Office of the White House, Feb. 12, 2020, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP) (MORE: Barr blasts Trump's tweets on Stone case: 'Impossible for me to do my job': ABC News Exclusive) 'The President has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case,' Trump tweeted, quoting Barr. "This doesnt mean that I do not have, as President, the legal right to do so, I do, but I have so far chosen not to!" The President has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case. A.G. Barr This doesnt mean that I do not have, as President, the legal right to do so, I do, but I have so far chosen not to! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 14, 2020 PHOTO: Attorney General William Barr speaks to ABC News' Pierre Thomas during an interview on Feb. 13, 2020. (Jack Date/ABC News) As questions loomed about whether Trump's complaints about the seven-to-nine years sentence career prosecutors recommended for longtime friend and former campaign adviser Roger Stone caused Barr to intervene and push for a more lenient prison term, the attorney general told ABC News Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas on Thursday that the president "has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case." "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," Barr said. Story continues Im not going to be bullied or influenced by anybody.whether its Congress, newspaper editorial boards, or the president," Bill Barr tells @ABC News. "I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me. https://t.co/14rnEMD65c pic.twitter.com/QuoTgpUVHp ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) February 13, 2020 The Justice Department did not immediately respond to an ABC News request for comment. Hillary Clinton, President Trump's former 2016 opponent, reacted to the president's claim of authority of DOJ investigations with a tweet saying "Our democracy is in crisis." In the last 24 hours, the American president has: 1. Corruptly pressured a governor to drop lawsuits against him to reverse a punitive policy change 2. Claimed the power to personally direct the Justice Department to investigate anyone he wants Our democracy is in crisis. pic.twitter.com/ABSLtujGmn Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 14, 2020 PHOTO: File photo: Attorney General William Barr and President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on Nov. 26, 2019, in Washington. (File-Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Barrs interview comments were a rare break with a president who the attorney general has aligned himself with and fiercely defended. But it also puts Barr in line with many of Trumps supporters on Capitol Hill who say they support the president but wish hed cut back on his tweets. In the ABC News interview, Barr characterized Trump's comments as "disruptive" and "background commentary that undercuts me." Speaking on Fox News Thursday night, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, "I think the attorney general knows what he's talking about. I'm not the attorney general but I have confidence in Bill Barr. I think he's doing a good job and I think he's told the president, this is not helpful, making it difficult for him to do his job. I think the president will listen to him." ABC News' Alexander Mallin and Anne Flaherty contributed to this report. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Munich on Thursday, ahead of the Munich conference, which opens Friday. Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper's visit to Munich comes as the US 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 new coronavirus from China. The Munich conference 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 US-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. Imagine you are the CEO of a successful and thriving company. You wake up and think to yourself, Today is going to be a good day. You walk through the front doors with your head held high, say hello to your employees and co-workers as you work your way toward your office. But as you get closer to your door, you sense an odd tension. Several members of your leadership team are huddled together, speaking in hushed tones. You know something is wrong. Did a big customer fire you? Did something happen to one of your employees? No. Youve been hacked. This scenario has been playing out at small- and medium-sized businesses across the United States including right here in the Pioneer Valley. Cybercrime is the single greatest external threat to any business. And its only getting worse. Back to our hypothetical example for a moment. Lets explore three real scenarios that have occurred to several businesses right here in Western Massachusetts. Scenario 1: Your biggest vendor has called to report that you havent paid them. But Sally, your trusted CFO, says the payment was sent out days ago. How is this possible? A hacker sent out an email campaign to all of your employees, notifying them that their passwords were going to expire. Three of your employees fell for it, clicked the link and provided their passwords to the hacker. Nothing bad happened right away, no one reported it and business went on. Meanwhile, the hacker immediately logged into their email accounts, set up a rule to forward all of that employees emails to a Gmail account and then logged out. Now, even when that user changes their password, the hacker still gets access to their email. That hacker then sits, watches and waits for the next three, six, even 12 months, looking for the perfect opportunity. Then, they find it. They see that a payment is late for a very large purchase and the controller that normally processes those payments is out sick. The hacker pulls a few names from your website, looking for anyone else who might have the authorization to wire money. They take the chain of emails that has been going back and forth, forward it to all of those people and say that they need payment by end of day or else. They then fake the caller ID of the vendor the payment is owed to, call your business and say that they are following up on the urgent email they just sent. Once they have someone on the phone, they provide wiring instructions and trick your employees into wiring hundreds of thousands of dollars to the wrong place. Scenario 2: You arrive to a polite, yet concise message which is being displayed on every computer in your office, notifying you that your entire network has been encrypted and it will cost $1 million to unlock your data. For a moment, you fight the urge to panic, feeling confident that you can simply recover from backups. But then you see your IT guy standing in the corner shaking his head. The backups have been wiped out. Scenario 3: Your CFO gently grabs you by the arm and leads you to a quiet corner. He explains that earlier that morning he received an email from a hacker, explaining that they had stolen a copy of the CEOs email mailbox, sifted through it and found some very embarrassing emails that reference current and former employees, customers and vendors. The hacker is threatening to forward those emails to the parties involved unless a ransom is paid by the end of the day. Imagine yourself as the CEO in those scenarios or thousands of other similar ones. Think about the enormous pit in your stomach. That feeling of panic and fear. How could you have let this happen? What would you give to make it all go away? If businesses are to succeed and thrive in this new world of infinite cyberrisk, they cant until that moment to act. They cant wait until their networks are breached, their data is stolen or they have the proverbial gun to their head. To be successful, businesses must overcome that fear of the unknown, embrace the opportunity to learn and be willing to be vulnerable. Too many businesses are spending way too little time, focus and resources on identifying their risks, finding practical solutions and educating their employees. In the end, not only do they suffer the consequences, but so do their employees, their customers, their vendors and the communities in which they operate. In a world where cybercriminals are operating with virtual immunity from our laws, it is more crucial than ever that we admit that we can do more, we can do better and were not afraid to get the help we need. Delcie Bean is CEO of Paragus Strategic IT in Hadley. To learn more about Paragus and Bean, go online to paragusit.com. Kolkata, Feb 14 : West Bengal Police on Friday formed a 60-km green corridor to rush three critically injured students in a Hooghly district road accident to Kolkata for treatment, officials said. The three were among 5 students injured in the accident when the car in which they were going to school at Khadina More from Sreerampore fell into a canal at Kamdebpur crossing on Delhi Road in Polba. The injured driver and the students were first taken to the Imambara hospital in Chinsurah in the district, where the doctors recommended the three critically injured be transferred to Kolkata's SSKM hospital - the largest referral medical facility in the state. The other students and the driver were discharged after initial treatment. The authorities requisitioned three trauma-care ambulances and made a green corridor covering the 60 km distance from the accident site to the SSKM Hospital. "The first victim reached under an hour. The other two in just over an hour," said an official. They have been admitted to the trauma care unit at SSKM. Police said initial investigation revealed the car was being driven at a break neck speed in order to reach school in time. The driver apparently lost control leading to the accident. A 19-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stealing water motors and meters in southeast Delhi, police said on Friday. Acting on a tip-off, police laid a trap in Kalkaji Extension area on Tuesday and nabbed Bilal while he was attempting to steal a water motor, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) R P Meena said. During interrogation, the accused said he used to steal water motor and meter from the Govindpuri and Kalkaji. Six water motors and three metres were recovered from him, the DCP said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Faberge owner Gemfields joined the market on Valentine's Day, trading at 11p after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus Social media video producer Brave Bison got a better look this week after its new male grooming show racked up 2million subscribers since launching on Snapchat in December. Slick, aimed at young men looking to keep up with the latest haircuts and facial hair trends, is part of the new 'Snap Originals' section of the app where users can stream five-minute episodes, like a snappier version of Netflix. The shares scrubbed up well after the news, spiking 11 per cent to 1.2p, giving some respite to the struggling social media specialist. Last year the group's troubles worsened and the share price more than halved as losses continued and April brought a new content policy at Facebook that blocked advertisements on the company's four largest pages. After a management spring clean, incoming new boss Kate Burns pushed for entry into the 'less obvious' Snapchat market which is seemingly bearing fruit. Gemfields joined the market on Valentine's Day, trading at 11p after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus. The emerald, ruby and amethyst miner, owner of jewel eggs producer Faberge, was taken private under its old guise by Pallinghurst in July 2017. Looking at the wider market, the AIM All-Share was broadly flat at 965, same as the FTSE 100 steady at 7,454. Another top loser was Mosman Oil and Gas, which collapsed 42 per cent to 0.15p after executive chairman John Barr and technical director Andy Carroll bought 41million shares at a 40 per cent discount to Thursday's closing price. Management claims the cheaper shares were in lieu of A$120,000 worth of director and consultancy fees for the year to 30 June. Fellow oiler Ascent Resources descended 40 per cent to 0.06p after its chairman and finance director departed to make way for industry veteran James Parsons. The share price crash reflected an 800,000 fundraise at a 44 per cent discount on Thursday's closing price. Re-refiner of oil Hydrodec diluted 36 per cent to 6p as higher costs of feedstock in the first half of 2019 hit full-year revenues and earnings. Adhesive specialist Scapa slumped 27 per cent to 193p after forecasting 'significantly' lower earnings due to a sharp downturn in revenues from its industrial division. Similarly, retailer United Carpets tanked 24 per cent to 4p after warning profits will be half of the expected 500,000 due to a 'very competitive' market. Elsewhere, technology-focused investor MXC Capital plunged 15 per cent to 59p as it wants to delist from AIM. The company reckons it could save around 300,000 a year going private as it did not raise any fresh capital in the last four years and 'has no intention of doing so for the foreseeable future'. Audioboom advanced 19 per cent to 266p after confirming it is up for sale, though it has not yet received any bid approaches Financial advisor Frenkel Topping slipped 9 per cent to 41p on a failed takeover from investment manager Harwood Capital. We will see how it plays out for podcast outfit Audioboom, which advanced 19 per cent to 266p after confirming it is up for sale, though it has not yet received any bid approaches. But on top of the risers was Premier Oil, rocketing 56 per cent to 0.1p, after the majority of its creditors backed a financial restructuring necessary to buy BP's assets in the North Sea for $625million. Freight services manager Xpediator flew 26 per cent higher to 35p after posting 20 per cent turnover in 2019 boosted by acquisitions and organic growth. Meanwhile, polymers producer Itaconix polished up a 19 per cent gain to 1.6p as it signed agreements with supplier New Wave Global Services for a new dishwasher detergent formulation. Elsewhere, human resources firm ClearStar jumped 14 per cent after securing a job with an unnamed company bringing in at least US$400,000 a year. Pharma company Diurnal shot up 13 per cent to 28p after interim revenues for Alkindi, a treatment for hormonal diseases, soared 516 per cent on 2018. This week's movers may soon be joined by Bath-based glasses designer Inspecs, which is looking at a potential flotation in the coming months according to reports. Poland announces tax cuts meant to ease soaring inflation AP - 56 minutes ago WARSAW, Poland (AP) Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Tuesday announced a second round of sales tax cuts as part of the right-wing after it reached a 21-year high last month. $SPX : 4,699.06 (+0.62%) $DOWI : 36,179.61 (+0.31%) $IUXX : 15,807.60 (+1.24%) Corn Off Highs at Midday Barchart - 1 hour ago Corn futures are trading fractionally to 1 3/4 cents in the black so far on Tuesday. Earlier turnaround attempts were faded as prices had been up by more than 5 cents. South Koreas KFA booked 130k... ZCH22 : 600-4 (unch) ZCPAUS.CM : 5.8745 (+0.13%) ZCK22 : 601-6 (unch) ZCZ21 : 588-6s (+0.77%) ZCPZ21US.CM : 5.7930 (-0.49%) Wheat Markets in the Black for Midday Barchart - 1 hour ago Tuesday wheat futures are trading stronger through midday. CBT prices are up 5 to 6 3/4 cents so far. KC wheat is gaining as much as 10 1/2 cents. MPLS spring wheat prices are recovering with double digit... ZWH22 : 768-6 (+0.89%) ZWPAES.CM : 7.2724 (+0.93%) KEH22 : 791-2 (+1.67%) KEPAWS.CM : 7.7247 (+1.71%) MWH22 : 926-6 (+1.37%) Hog Market Mixed for Midday Barchart - 1 hour ago So far for Tuesday lean hog futures are trading in both directions. The front months are down 10 to 55 cents through May, with summer contracts as much as 30 cents in the black. USDAs National Average... HEG22 : 78.025 (-0.45%) HEK22 : 89.775 (-0.61%) KMG22 : 90.125 (-0.41%) Copper ETF $CPER Long Term Bullish Cycles ElliottWave-Forecast - 1 hour ago Firstly the CPER Copper Index Tracking instrument has an inception date of 11/15/2011. There is data in the HG_F copper futures before this going back many years. That shows copper made an all time high... CPER : 26.99 (+1.43%) $GLD ETF Long Term Cycles and Elliott Wave Analysis ElliottWave-Forecast - 1 hour ago Firstly the GLD ETF fund is one of the largest as well as one of the oldest Gold tracking funds out there since its inception date of November 18, 2004. From there on up into the September 2011 highs... GLD : 169.97 (+1.02%) Palladium Found Sellers & Can Resume The Downside ElliottWave-Forecast - 1 hour ago In this technical blog, we are going to take a look at the past performance of Palladium Futures, 1-Hour Elliott wave Charts. In which, the decline from 5/04/2020 peak is showing an incomplete to the... Elliott Wave View: Boeing (BA) Looking for Further Downside ElliottWave-Forecast - 1 hour ago Based in Chicago, Illinois, The Boeing Company is a supplier of commercial jet aircraft for passenger and cargo needs to several airline companies around the world, including United Airlines, American... BA : 215.72 (+3.06%) The recent rise in criminal activity is being labelled a cancer by Tauranga MP and Opposition leader Simon Bridges. Just last night, a man was shot by police after he lead officers in a pursuit and allegedly fired at them. The events unfolded when police attempted to stop a vehicle at 7.46pm on Carmichael Road in Tauranga on Thursday, in relation to the ongoing double-homicide enquiry. A number of people are also facing charges following a stabbing on The Strand on Auckland Anniversary weekend, a suspected arson at a business at Greerton, a shooting in Hairini and a shooting near Te Puke the week following the stabbing. One person is dead following a shooting in Tauranga last night. Photos: Daniel Hines/SunLive. Simon spoke to SunLive this morning about recent events. My phone has been ringing hot for weeks with concern and worry about the gang warfare in Tauranga. I thank police for the difficult work they do, but we want our Tauranga back. He says Tauranga has been seen as a great harbour, a great place to live and this is not our Tauranga. I think we have to do more than just the short term work, which is armed police and dealing with the immediate issues. We need a plan that cracks down on our gangs. If we continue as we are, we will continue to see the gang growth we have seen in recent years. Simon believes there needs to be a harder focus at the port. Simon believes there needs to be a focus on the ports, which he says is where methamphetamine and other drugs are coming in. Supplied photo. If you think about it locally, weve got to do more around the ports and the contractors where it is quite clear there are gang members and affiliates working there. Drugs are coming in through there. He says Customs at the moment are only just scratching the surface. I am not criticising them, but its a question of tools and resources to target more containers in a smart and effective way. In the next few months, Simon will be announcing a comprehensive, nationwide plan to crackdown on gangs. Its going to include things like banning gang patches, taking gangs assets such as their bikes, cars and property off them more aggressively and a unit like the Strike Force Raptor Unit in NSW to really deal to the gangs. What all of this is about, is harassing and disrupting gangs so there daily life become unbearable. If you dont do that, then like a cancer, they will continue to grow. Simon will be holding a public meeting in Tauranga to talk about gangs and the recent criminal activity that has been happening in the community. On February 27, we are holding a public meeting at the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club at 6.30pm on gangs and what we should do. File image: Vijay Mallya Liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya once again asked the Indian banks 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 Enforcement Directorate (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 Enforcement Directorate 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 Enforcement Directorate 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. - with reporting from Eoin English A convicted drug dealer has been deprived of almost 50,000 in either cash or in bank accounts as well as six-high powered cars worth around 170,000 following a massive operation in Cork. The Criminal Assets Bureau targeted the man, aged in his early 40s, after receiving a file on him from a local asset profiler based in the Cork West division. The intelligence-led operation culminated at 4am yesterday when more than 140 gardai swooped on 21 premises in Cork, mostly in the Bandon area, and on one premises in Roscrea, in Co Tipperary. Some of the cash seized during the raids in Bandon. Pic: Garda Press Office. They searched 11 residential premises, four businesses, six professional premises including solicitors and accountants offices and a hotel, where a room was searched. CAB took away: Six high-powered cars, worth around 170,000, including a 191 reg Renault Kadjar and a 171 Range Rover; 22,500 in cash as well as freezing more than 25,000 in four bank accounts; Two Louis Vuitton bags; A Rolex watch. Gardai also seized a small quantity of what is suspected to be cocaine, and some cannabis herb, as well as mobile phones and financial documentation. Two men were arrested, one on foot of a bench warrant and the other for separate drug offences. The main target, with an address in the Clonakilty area, is suspected by CAB of financing businesses in order to launder the proceeds of crime, particularly in the West Cork area. One of the watches seized during the raids in Bandon. Pic: Garda Press Office. CAB believe this has been done through beauty parlours and tanning shops, as well as a pub in the Bandon area. The target is also suspected of providing seed capital for a motor business. The operation involved gardai from the Cork West Division, the Emergency Response Unit, the Southern Armed Support Unit, and the Dog Unit. In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a worker inspects the operation of a 3D printer at the additive manufacturing research and application center of the Hunan Vanguard Group Co., Ltd. in the economic development zone of Changsha city in central China's Hunan Province, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. The company has been producing goggles for medical use with more than 50 3D printers working day and night for use in hospital fighting the novel coronavirus outbreak. (Xue Yuge/Xinhua via AP) (Xue Yuge / AP) Thousands of California prisoners who were convicted of nonviolent sex crimes, such as pimping and possessing child pornography, must be considered for early parole under a voter-approved initiative, a state appeals court has ruled, rejecting a contrary decision by state prison officials. Thursdays ruling by the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento was the latest and most far-reaching of a series of appellate decisions broadly interpreting Proposition 57, passed by a 64.5% vote in November 2016. It allows the state parole board to consider releasing inmates convicted of nonviolent crimes after they have served their term for the crime itself, without the added terms sometimes decades long for such things as prior convictions, gang participation and use of a gun. Californias prison population includes about 20,000 sex offenders, of whom about half were convicted of nonviolent crimes and would therefore be covered by the ruling, said attorney Janice Bellucci, executive director of the Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws, the nonprofit that filed the suit. That would make them eligible for parole, but would still allow the parole board to decide whether their release would endanger the public. We believe Prop. 57 says very clearly that everyone convicted of a nonviolent offense should get early consideration for parole, Bellucci said. Its going to keep the board very busy. The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, whose regulations denying early parole consideration were struck down by the board, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Bellucci said a lawyer for the state has told her the department would seek review in the state Supreme Court, which has already agreed to review a related issue: whether prisoners serving time for other nonviolent felonies are barred from early parole consideration because of a past conviction for a sex crime. The department has argued that any conviction requiring registration as a sex offender makes an inmate permanently ineligible for early parole. While Prop. 57 expressly allows inmates serving terms for nonviolent crimes to apply for early parole, the state prison department argued that it was authorized to exempt sex offenders because one stated goal of the ballot measure was to protect and enhance public safety. Noting that crimes such as incest and pimping of a minor are classified as nonviolent, the department said it has determined that such offenses demonstrate a sufficient degree of violence and represent an unreasonable risk to public safety and that offenders should be barred from early parole. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. But the appeals court said the departments position contradicts the plain language of the ballot measure, which makes all inmates serving sentences for nonviolent crimes eligible for parole consideration. It is up to the Board of Parole Hearings to decide whether a prisoner remains a current threat to public safety, Justice Elena Duarte said in the 3-0 ruling, which upheld a 2018 decision by a Sacramento County judge. She also noted that public safety was not the only stated goal of Prop. 57, which was also intended to save money by reducing wasteful spending on prisons. Duarte said this case and others rejecting the prison departments limits on Prop. 57 illustrate the departments repeated attempts to exclude categories of inmates undisputably classified as nonviolent from early parole consideration ... under the guise of public safety. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg used a rally at Houstons Buffalo Soldiers National Museum to tell a predominately black audience that he deeply regrets ever supporting the controversial stop and frisk policy he employed while mayor of New York City. Bloomberg told the audience that he knows now he was wrong to defend the policy that targeted black and Hispanic residents for pat downs to see if they had weapons. That program has become a major stumbling block for many Democratic voters as they weigh Bloombergs run for the White House. I should have acted sooner and faster to stop it, and for that I apologize, said Bloomberg, who was mayor of New York City from 2002 to 2013. Bloomberg, who turns 78 on Friday, says he has learned from that time and vowed to be the biggest champion in the White House for black and Hispanic communities. I am committed to using the power of the presidency to right the wrongs of institutional racism, Bloomberg told the crowd. It was Bloombergs fifth trip to Texas since December and his third stop in Houston. Most of those visits in Houston have been focused on the black community. But Thursdays speech was his most detailed apology yet for his support of stop and frisk. Know the candidates: The Chronicles 2020 primary election Voter Guide The program has come under intense criticism since a recording came to light in which Bloomberg can be heard defending the policy by saying we put all the cops in the minority neighborhoods because thats where all the crime is. I defended it, looking back, for too long because I didnt understand then the unintended pain it was causing to young black and brown families and their kids, Bloomberg said Thursday. I should have acted sooner and faster to stop it I didnt, and for that I apologized. Ive spent a lot of time speaking with black leaders and community members and listening to their stories. I heard their pain, their confusion, and their anger, and Ive learned from them, and Ive grown from them. But his speech on Thursday was also about touting a new program he is calling Mike for Black America which aims to address issues and concerns in the black community. Bloomberg said at the foundation of that program is addressing issues of wealth inequality in white and black communities. He said he plans to help 1 million more black families buy homes and double the amount of black owned businesses in America. Bloomberg also used the rally to tout his new endorsement from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. More Information Full text of Bloomberg's apology "Now, I didn't get everything right in my life - not by a long shot. And tonight I do want to address something that I did get very wrong so you understand where I stand, and what I believe, and what I will do as president. "I'm a leader who can be honest about my mistakes. And I believe that when you make a mistake, you must learn from it and - next time - do the right thing. "When I first took office, families in New York City were losing their children to gun violence at an alarming rate. My focus was clear: I wanted to save lives and respond with urgency to the crisis that was plaguing our communities. "While many of the ways we tried to reduce gun violence and invest in communities were right, and we reduced murder by 50 percent, there is one approach that I deeply regret: the abuse of a police practice called stop and frisk "I defended it, looking back, for too long because I didn't understand then the unintended pain it was causing to young black and brown families and their kids. "I should have acted sooner and faster to stop it - I didn't, and for that I apologized. "I've spent a lot of time speaking with black leaders and community members and listening to their stories. I heard their pain, their confusion, and their anger, and I've learned from them, and I've grown from them. "Now I know I can't change history. But what I can do is learn from my mistakes - and use those lessons to do right by black and brown communities who have suffered." See More Collapse Turner said he told Bloomberg his support was a nonstarter unless Bloomberg recognized that the policy put in place was not the right policy, that it was flawed. Sometimes in our desire to get it right, we can get it wrong, and we can make some mistakes, Turner said. Also attending the event were a number of African American mayors from outside Texas who have endorsed Bloomberg including Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins, who acknowledged in an interview that Bloombergs prior comments, and the stop-and-frisk policy, initially gave him pause. That was the first thing I thought about, Perkins said. It's indefensible. But the good news is that Mike Bloomberg did not try to defend it, and already apologized for it out front. It was the first thing that he did. In an interview after the event, Turner said he viewed Bloombergs use of the stop-and-frisk policy as insensitive and quite frankly wrong. But, Turner said, he considered Bloombergs whole record as mayor including job creation and making health care accessible for hundreds of thousands of people in deciding to endorse him. I think the sign of any good leader is recognizing the mistakes and then putting forth the path to go forward, Turner said. Bloomberg also used his stop in Houston to jab back at President Donald Trump, who earlier in the day used Twitter to say Mini Mike Bloomberg is a LOSER. That followed similar attacks earlier in the week. Bloomberg seemed to relish the attention, telling audiences that Trump is afraid of him. Were scaring the living hell out of him, Bloomberg said. Bloomberg then said he had a message directly for Trump. You cant bully me and I wont let you bully the American people, he said. Bloomberg jumped into the presidential race in November, six months after most of the other contenders. Instead of campaigning in early voting states like New Hampshire and Iowa, Bloomberg has built his strategy around Texas and 13 other states that vote on March 3, also known as Super Tuesday. Despite the late start, Bloombergs national polling numbers have jumped and is now among the top four or five contenders in most major polls. It was not the only presidential attention Houston received on Thursday. Earlier Bloomberg was one of two keynote speakers at the Harris County Democratic Partys annual Johnson Rayburn Richards fundraiser dinner. That event also included Julian Castro, who dropped out of the presidential race in early January and is now backing U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts for the Democratic nomination. Earlier in the day, California businessman Tom Steyer opened his first Texas campaign office in Houston. And just before the Johnson Rayburn Richards dinner, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanderss campaign opened a new office in Houstons East End. All the activity comes just five days before the start of early voting in Texas. jeremy.wallace@chron.com jasper.scherer@chron.com Port-au-Prince, Haiti: A fire swept through a Haitian children's home run by a US-based non-profit group, killing 13 children, healthcare workers say. Rose-Marie Louis, a childcare worker at the home, said that she saw 13 children's bodies being carried out of the Orphanage of the Church of Bible Understanding in the Kenscoff area outside Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital. Thirteen children died in the fire at the Orphanage of the Church of Bible Understanding. Credit:AP Marie-Sonia Chery, a nurse at the nearby Baptist Mission Hospital, confirmed that 13 boys and girls had died. Louis, who worked at the home, said the fire began around 9pm on Thursday, local time, and firefighters took about 1 hours to arrive. The orphanage had been using candles for light due to problems with its generator and inverter, she said. By PTI ISLAMABAD: Notwithstanding India's objection, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday once again raked up the Kashmir issue, vowing that Ankara will support Pakistan's stand as it is a matter of concern to both the countries. Addressing a joint session of Pakistan's Parliament, Erdogan, who arrived here on a two-day visit, announced that Turkey will back Pakistan in its efforts to come out of the Grey List of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which is meeting this week in Paris. "I also want to emphasise that we will give support to Pakistan which is subject to political pressure in the Financial Action Task Force meetings," he said on the upcoming meeting of the anti-terror financing watchdog. Voicing his country's support to Pakistan's stand on the Kashmir issue, he said it can be resolved not through conflict or oppression but on the basis of justice and fairness. "Our Kashmiri brothers and sisters have suffered from inconveniences for decades and these sufferings have become graver due to unilateral steps taken in recent times," Erdogan said, apparently referring to India revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August last year. ALSO READ | Group of Kashmiri Pandits in US hails PM Modi's remarks on community in Parliament "Today, the issue of Kashmir is as close to us as it is to you (Pakistanis)." "Such a solution (on the basis of justice and fairness) will serve the interests of all parties concerned. Turkey will continue to stand by justice, peace and dialogue in the resolution of the Kashmir issue," the president said. The Turkish President, in his address, likened the "struggle" of the Kashmiris with that of his country in World War I against foreign domination. Drawing comparison with the battle of Gallipoli which was fought in Turkey between the Allied Powers and the Ottoman Empire in which over two lakh troops were killed on the both sides, Erdogan said "there is no difference between Gallipoli and Kashmir". "Turkey will continue to raise its voice against the oppression," he told Pakistani lawmakers in his address to the National Assembly and Senate, which was his record fourth address to the Pakistani Parliament over the years. ALSO READ | SC notice to J&K administration over Omar Abdullah's detention under Public Safety Act In September last year, Erdogan raised the Kashmir issue during his address at the United Nations General Assembly. Reacting to his remarks in the UN, India said it "deeply regrets" the statement of Turkey on the Kashmir issue, and termed it an internal matter. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar called upon Turkey to have a proper understanding of the situation in Kashmir before making further comments. ALSO READ | All Kashmiris should have same rights as other citizens of country: Sara Abdullah India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5. Reacting to India's move, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties with New Delhi and expelled the Indian High Commissioner. India has always maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is its integral part and ruled out any third party mediation, including either from the UN or the US, saying it is a bilateral issue with Pakistan. Students should return to school only when safety is ensured: Deputy PM Students wear face masks when joining their class in Hanoi, January 31, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh. Schools need to ensure they are free of novel coronavirus infection before letting students return to class, Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam said. "Safety should be guaranteed both in terms of professional perspective and in the minds of students and parents. Students should not be sent back to school if there are still worries of getting infected and worries over whether they should wear a mask in class or not," Dam told a government meeting Friday. He requested the Ministry of Training and Education to provide detailed and clear guidance so schools, teachers, students and parents could maintain health safety whenever schools restart. All 63 cities and provinces across Vietnam had at first extended the Tet (Lunar New Year) break for students by one weak instead of commencing class on February 2 to prevent the spread of the virus. The break was extended by one more week until February 16 after more cases of infection were detected in Vietnam. The education ministry on Thursday directed localities that have not recorded any confirmed infections to put students back in school. Public opinion has so far been split on whether students should remain home. Some are worried for the safety of their children should classes resume while others hold the long break could disturb both lesson and work schedules. Dam responded by saying nothing could compare with health, safety, and public peace. A VnExpress poll showed by Friday afternoon 27,449 called for students to remain at home to avoid the epidemic versus 6,147 agreeing to send them back to school. The decision, however, depends on the administrations of each ciy and province, and the ministries of education and health would only work to give advice. By Friday, Vinh Phuc Province was the only locality that had decided to extend the break by one more week. The province in northern Vietnam has so far recorded 11 novel coronavirus cases out of the national total of 16, with the other four reported in Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City and Thanh Hoa. Da Nang in central Vietnam and 20 provinces across the country have decided to reopen schools on Monday. Others, including Hanoi and HCMC, have not announced any plans. For colleges, several have decided to let students take a break until month-end. Of the 16 infections in Vietnam, seven have been discharged from hospitals. The death toll from the epidemic had reached 1,491 people, three outside mainland China. The Madhya Pradesh government on Friday announced worth over Rs 3,000 crore by private firms in the state, with a potential to generate employment opportunities for 14,000 people, according to an official document. The announcement in this regard was made by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister during the textile and garment sector round table held here. The highest investment of Rs 3,000 crore with employment generation potential for 10,000 people was announced by Trident Group, it said. of Rs 100 crore and Rs 50 crore were announced by Mayur Uniquoters and Gokaldas Exports with a potential of generating 1,000 and 3,000 employment, the document said. Another firm-- Pratibha Syntex-- will set up a textile park for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) units in Indore with an investment of Rs 100 crore, it said. Besides these, the MP government has decided to implement several measures to further boost ease of doing business in the state. Chief Minister Nath said immediate clearances and licenses will be provided for up to 40 services within 7 working days. The state will take up policy for incentivising composite and integrated units in textile sector, he said. The government has urged private developers to come forward for the development of garment park at Barlai (20 kms from Indore on way to Dewas) on a public-private-partnership (PPP) model. "The state will devise more incentives for manufacturing of textile and apparels from organic cotton," Nath announced. He said any industry with investment lesser than Rs 100 crore but employing more than 500 people will be considered mega industry and will be eligible for customised package. As per the existing scheme, industries with Rs 100 crore or more investment were considered mega industries for which customised package used to be approved by cabinet committee for investment promotion. "Until now, garment units which are outside the limits of textile park or industrial parks were not eligible for incentives under the state government garment policy. Now, garment units outside the industrial parks will be eligible for incentives offered under the garment sector package," the chief minister said. He said 'plug and play' industrial park will be developed in Badiya Khedi (Sehore) in an area admeasuring 60 acres which is only 28 kms from Bhopal airport and close to Bhopal-Indore highway. worth crores of rupees were also announced during food processing sector round table discussion. "PepsiCo procures Rs 110 crore worth of potatoes every year from MP. It will double its procurement of potatoes in future for further processing. The company will also invest in potato manufacturing unit in the state," the document said. Adani Wilmar will invest enormously in wheat flour business, it said. They will also invest in Soya Badi and Basmati rice processing in Vidisha, according to the document. Coca-Cola will invest in fresh juice manufacturing unit of oranges and mangoes,it said. "Perishable commodity hub will be set up at Indore and Bhopal to promote export of fruits and vegetables," it added. Foreman called Goshen County Sheriff's Deputy Edwin Ochoa to the stand and went over the what happened the night Snyder was arrested, asking if he was acting weird and saying odd things. Ochoa said he had been. During closing arguments, Goshen County Attorney Eric Boyer told the jury that Snyder knew the difference between right and wrong, his clothes were found near the fort and he had seen a UPS driver and decided to go to a different spot from where he was so no one would see him get rid of his clothes. He was nervous about driving home in just his underwear, because then if he got pulled over, officers would know what he did. Boyer went on to say officers found the knife sheath with the clothing that he gotten rid of. Snyder had told authorities he had gotten rid of his clothing because he went mudding and got stuck, having to dig himself out. He said he had gotten all muddy, got mad and left his clothes, sheath and his favorite boots in the ditch. However, the boots didnt have mud on them, as shown in photographs introduced at trial. Foreman told the jury that Snyder has had many years of mental illness and that because Dr. Kathryn Mahaffey didnt like him, she had not given the man the correct diagnosis. Colorado Democrats vote down bill requiring doctors to help babies born-alive after abortion Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment 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. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 08:22:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Wei Chenyang, a nurse, cheers for herself before entering a ward at Xianghu Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, Feb. 6, 2020. Amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, numerous medical workers are engaged in the combat with the virus. At around 20:00 on Feb. 5, an ambulance sped in Xianghu Hospital, along with seriously-ill patients infected with novel coronavirus pneumonia from Fuzhou of Jiangxi Province. Doctors and nurses immediately put on protective equipment to perform treatment. Three hours later, another batch of medical workers arrived to take the shift till early next morning. Around 2:00 a.m. on Feb. 6, the patients were out of danger and steady. "We will never easily give up as long as there is a glimmer of hope," said a doctor who just walked out of the intensive care unit (ICU ). (Xinhua/Wan Xiang) Girls at a local school danced the night away at their annual father/daughter dance. Volunteers were there to make sure no girl was dad-less. This sock hop was full of Daddy-O's with their ankle biters. A 1950s theme for the annual father/daughter dance at the Ella P Stewart Academy for Girls. The party was the bee's knees. A handful of Toledo Buffalo Soldiers stepped in for any girl without a father figure present. "I'm very proud to be a part of being a father for one of these young ladies tonight. It really does my heart good," said Ken Reeves of the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers. "It's important for them to know that we care and we're here. We're showing them the love," said Earl Mack, president of the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers. The school hopes this dance emphasizes the impact a strong male presence has on a young girl. 'It gives them a little bit more courage when dealing with the opposite sex. Obviously we're an all girls school. So every interaction that's positive that we can in part to our girls with a male we try to encourage and incorporate that," said Shannon Carter, guidance counselor at Ella P Stewart Academy for Girls. "It's really important because our girls work exceptionally hard all of the time. We're girls of integrity who become ladies of prestige and it's just an opportunity for them to be treated like a young lady," said Principal Elberta Smith. Proving a father can be anyone willing to show up and be there. The goal is to give these girls the confidence to know their worth and set high expectations. Touching daddy/daughter moments big smiles when walking hand-in-hand and twirling around on the dance floor. Everyone had a blast right before Valentine's Day. "Sacred Games" star Neeraj Kabi says the struggle for him now is to remain consistent in his work everyday without taking anything for granted. Neeraj, who featured in "Ship of Theseus", "Talvar" and most recently "Sacred Games", said he is finally getting the kind of work he has been dreaming all his life. "The struggle is to sustain the quality. When I look at my work and the kind of responses I'm blessed with, I feel I need to do so much more. You go on a set like any other worker, who has to struggle to create this. When you approach your life like that, you don't take anything for granted at all," the actor told PTI. "Sometimes I look at other actors who are so chilled out on sets, who take their lines on the spot, memorise and then perform. I ask myself, 'why shouldn't I do that'? Then you tell yourself that this isn't why you've come here," he added. The 51-year-old actor has found a new voice with digital steaming shows and movies. He featured in the romantic-drama "Once Again" and will be on Netflix's latest, "Taj Mahal 1989". The series explores themes of love, friendship, politics and heartbreak. "There's a lot of opportunity on the web that you couldn't imagine some years ago. People are experimenting at a fast rate. Today when offers come your way, you have a choice to do something new. Such a wide range of characters are being created without any fear of losing money thanks to these platforms," Neeraj says. The actor credits the changing psychology of the audience for ensuring makers come up with better content. "They are filtering a lot. They are demanding new things and that for an actor becomes beautiful. I'm in a beautiful space where you're able to select the kind of roles you want to play." The Lucknow-set series will encompass the old-world charm of love and the complicated nature of relationships in small town India. Apart from Neeraj, it also stars Geetanjali Kulkarni, Danish Hussain, Sheeba Chaddha, Anud Singh Dhaka, Anshul Chauhan, Paras Priyadarshan. For Neeraj, the series offered another chance to explore romantic after "Once Again". "The fact that this was a love story made me say yes. When I met the director, I realised he had a clear idea of what he wanted from the film. His command over hindi and urdu was excellent. The script, the dialogues were a delight for an actor to read," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) English French NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. OTTAWA, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calian Group Ltd. (Calian or the Company) (TSX:CGY) is pleased to announce that in connection with its previously announced bought deal public offering of common shares, the Company and a syndicate of underwriters led by Desjardins Capital Markets (collectively the Underwriters) have agreed to increase the size of the offering to 1,364,000 common shares (the Common Shares) at a price of $44.00 per Common Share (the Offering Price) for aggregate gross proceeds to Calian of $60,016,000 (the Offering). The Company has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable, in whole or in part, at any time not later than the 30th day following the closing of the Offering, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Offering at the Offering Price for market stabilization purposes and to cover over-allotments, if any (the Over-Allotment Option). If the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full, the total gross proceeds of the Offering will be $69,018,400 . The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to pursue strategic growth initiatives and for general corporate purposes. The Common Shares will be offered (i) by way of a prospectus supplement (the Prospectus Supplement) to Calians short form base shelf prospectus dated January 31, 2020, which Prospectus Supplement will be filed with the securities commissions and other similar regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada; (ii) in the United States by way of private placement pursuant to the exemption from registration provided for under Rule 144A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended; and (iii) in jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States as are agreed to by the Company and the Underwriters on a private placement or equivalent basis. The Offering is expected to close on or about February 25, 2020 (the "Closing Date") and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange. 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 the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements thereunder. About Calian Calian employs over 3,400 people in its delivery of diverse products and solutions for private sector, government and defence customers in North American and global markets. The Companys diverse capabilities are delivered through four segments: Advanced Technologies, Health, Learning and Information Technology. The Advanced Technologies segment provides innovative products, technologies and manufacturing services and solutions for the space, communications, defence, nuclear, government and agriculture sectors. The Health segment manages a network of more than 1,800 health care professionals delivering primary care and occupational health services to public and private sector clients across Canada. Learning is a trusted provider of emergency management, consulting and specialized training services and solutions for the Canadian Armed Forces and clients in the defence, health, energy and other sectors. The Information Technology segment supports public- and private-sector customer requirements for subject matter expertise in the delivery of complex IT and cyber security solutions. Headquartered in Ottawa, the Companys offices and projects span Canada and international markets. For investor information, please visit Calians website at www.calian.com or contact the Company at ir@calian.com . Kevin Ford Patrick Houston Media inquiries: President and Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer Simon Doyle 613-599-8600 613-599-8600 613-599-8600 x 2205 Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes statements containing certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as plan, continue, expect, project, intend, believe, anticipate, estimate, may, will, potential, proposed and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions may or will occur and include, but are not to, statements regarding the filing of the Prospectus Supplement; the amount and terms of the Offering, the expected Closing Date and the proposed use of the net proceeds under the Offering. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this press release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management 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 projected in the forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, among other things: the impact of price competition; scarce number of qualified professionals; the impact of rapid technological and market change; loss of business or credit risk with major customers; technical risks on fixed price projects; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; international growth and global economic conditions, and including currency exchange rate fluctuations; and the impact of consolidations in the business services industry, the potential offering of any securities by the Company; uncertainty with respect to the completion of any future offering; the ability to obtain applicable regulatory approval for any contemplated offerings; the ability of the Company to negotiate and complete future funding transactions, as well as the risks identified under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Information Form for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly 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 applicable law. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via CannabisNewsWire -- The curtain of cannabis prohibition is steadily raising across many parts of the world, and emerging sectors are utilizing the increasingly legalized substance in new and innovative ways. One such arenathe cannabis beverage industryis forecast to experience incredible CAGR of 37% by 2026. An invaluable resource for all cannabis beverage industry enthusiasts, the Cannabis Drinks Expo is slated for multiple locations this year. The Beverage Trade Network will be bringing the expo to San Francisco on July 30th and Chicago on August 3rd. Historically drawing hundreds of cannabis industry leaders, the events stated theme, Growing Your Cannabis Drinks Business, is geared to prime attendees with critical information on a variety of important topics. Conference-goers will enjoy opportunities to interact with experts from all levels of the cannabis beverage ecosystem, including distributors and retailers, political and legal analysts, medical researchers, and marketing and branding experts. The Bay City location is symbolic of the industrys charted direction. Longtime host city of events for the global wine and spirits industry, beverage industry enthusiasts have met to discuss its growth for many years; now, that growth path includes cannabis beverages. Choosing San Francisco as the host city for our first event this year made a lot of sense, noted Beverage Trade Network CEO and founder Sid Patel. California has now emerged as an influential voice determining the future growth of the cannabis drinks industry. The one-day B2B expo and conference will partially focus on the emerging relationship between Californias wine industry and its freshly legalized recreational cannabis industry. Wine and cannabis industry experts will lead discussions on a myriad of topics, including the current regulatory and policy landscape for cannabis drinks, licensing requirements, and marketing opportunities within the hospitality and tourism sectors. Once viewed as a competitive threat, the cannabis beverage industry is recently being embraced by winemakers and grape growers to foster mutually beneficial collaboration, and the 2020 Cannabis Drinks Expo celebrates that evolving relationship. For industry enthusiasts located closer to the Midwest, the summers second Cannabis Drinks Expo will be held at the Midwest Conference Centre in Northlake, Illinoisapproximately 30 minutes from Chicago. The event will consist of both a business conference and a trade show floor for exhibitors and presents attendees with an opportunity to meet new partners with expertise in growing, manufacturing, distribution, packaging and branding. The expos tradeshow floor format allows for maximum interaction between participants and trade partners. With potential exhibitors in a variety of verticals, such as medical marijuana production, cannabis production, wineries, breweries, distilleries, pharma companies, marijuana-infused products, edibles providers and more, the exhibition is set to provide a well-rounded view of the cannabis beverage industrys future alongside other established sectors. Experts will offer sessions on a variety of industry-specific topics, including the following: Up-and-coming innovations Insights and innovations regarding the current legal and regulatory environment Emerging business models New routes to market and distribution channels For those interested in the fast-growing cannabis beverage sector, forecast to reach USD $1.4 billion by 2024, the Cannabis Drinks Expo is the place to be as game-changing cannabis legislation sweeps the beverage industry. Exhibitor registration is now open, but spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. For ticket information, visit https://cannabisdrinksexpo.com. About Beverage Trade Network Beverage Trade Network (BTN) is a producer of competitions, conferences, expos and trade shows for the alcohol beverage trade industry around the world. BTN is the alcohol beverage industrys leading network and is committed to helping importers and distributors find new suppliers from all over the world. BTN hosts events in London, New York, and San Francisco, including the highly acclaimed International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show (London and San Francisco), the London Wine Competition (London) and the USA Trade Tasting show (New York). Beverage Trade Network Contact: www.BeverageTradeNetwork.com 855.481.1112 Office Info@BeverageTradeNetwork.com Corporate Communications Contact: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) Denver, Colorado www.CannabisNewsWire.com 303.498.7722 Office Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com SACRAMENTO, Calif. - One of the nations highest profile post-9-11 terrorism cases fully unraveled Friday, with federal prosecutors saying they wont pursue charges after a judge last year overturned the conviction of a man who had been linked to a purported al-Qaida sleeper cell in California and spent 14 years in prison. Hamid Hayat, a cherry picker from the community of Lodi in the Central Valley agricultural heartland, was freed in August after completing more than half his sentence on charges of providing material support to terrorists and lying to FBI agents. A federal judge in July overturned his 2006 conviction on charges of plotting an attack in the United States after attending a terrorist training camp in Pakistan. The judge ruled that Hayat, who proclaimed his innocence, hadnt received a proper defence at trial. Hayats family and new legal team, led by the law firm of Riordan & Horgan, said in a statement that the case is a stark example of how, in the post 9-11 era, the governments effort to protect the public from terrorism could and did in this case go terribly wrong. Prosecutors could have appealed the judges decision or sought a new trial, but instead filed a brief motion to dismiss the case Friday. We have determined that the passage of time and the interests of justice counsel against resurrecting this 15 year old case, they said in a statement. Prosecutors noted that his conviction was overturned based solely on the effectiveness of the lawyer of his own choosing. The U.S. Attorneys Office in Sacramento, along with the U.S. Department of Justices National Security Division, reviewed the case and the evidence that would be available during a new trial before opting not to proceed, prosecutors said. Hayat said he didnt initially believe it when attorney Dennis Riordan told him the case is over. Honestly, it was like a dream, he said in a brief statement thanking his family, legal team and other supporters for standing by me every step of the way. Riordan said Hayat would not immediately comment beyond the statement. While we are grateful for the dismissal, the 14 years Hamid spent behind bars on charges of which he was innocent remain a grave miscarriage of justice, his family and lawyers said in their statement. Hamids exoneration is a cause for celebration, but the story of his case is tragedy that must not be repeated. They noted that both the federal judge and a federal magistrate found that multiple witnesses credibly testified, years after his conviction, that Hamid could not have committed the crimes. Both judges decided that Hamid would not have been found guilty had the powerful evidence of his innocence that won his freedom in 2019 been presented to his jury in 2006, the attorneys and family said in their statement. Investigators initially alleged that five men were part of an al-Qaida sleeper cell in Lodi. But only Hayat, who was born in California, was convicted of terror-related crimes, while three other suspects were eventually deported without charges. Hayats father, an ice cream truck driver, admitted to a customs violation after a jury was unable to reach a decision on whether he lied to federal agents about his sons activities. U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. found that inexperienced defence attorney Wazhma Mojaddidi failed to find those alibi witnesses, who would have testified that Hayat never had time to receive terror training while visiting relatives and getting married in his ancestral village in Pakistan. They said that the longest Hayat was absent from his familys ancestral village of Behboodi while visiting Pakistan with family members between 2003 and 2005 was one week. That directly contracted his purported confession to attending a training camp for three to six months. His defence attorney also should have provided a witness to testify that what prosecutors said was an incriminating note found in Hayats wallet was in fact a religious supplication commonly used by many Muslims, he ruled. Bill Portanova, a defence attorney and former prosecutor not affiliated with the case, noted that prosecutors had evidence including other witness testimony and Hayats self-incriminating statements. The case was legitimately brought, he said. Its not like there was a complete absence of proof. This one was very high profile, so the dismissal years later attracts a lot of attention, but it doesnt reflect poorly on the government, Portanova said. He disagreed with Basim Elkarra, executive director of the Sacramento Valley office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, who in a statement called the conviction an egregious injustice. An entire community was left traumatized due to prosecution taking advantage of anti-Muslim, post-9-11 hysteria, Elkarra said. Days of torrential rain across the Southeast left residents to deal with rising rivers, falling trees, weakened dams and mudslides Thursday as storms finally subsided. An Alabama town asked residents to cut back on water usage after a pumping station flooded, forcing officials to shut down schools, and multiple vehicles plowed into trees that fell across a highway in Mississippi. But with rivers and creeks out of their banks across Alabama and Mississippi, forecasters said the region should dry out some before rains return next week once storms finally move eastward out of south Georgia. Hartselle schools canceled for the day because water from a rising creek in north Alabama flooded a water pumping station, the Morgan County Sheriffs Office said in a statement posted on Facebook. Utility officials in the town of about 14,000 people asked residents to conserve water. With the current flooding along the Tennessee River, TVA is doing everything to try and manage the water levels in the rivers and creeks, said a statement from Bob Sittason of Hartselle Utilities. Along the Mississippi River in Vickburg, Mississippi, part of the parking lot at WaterView Casino and Hotel was covered with soil and grass after a soggy hillside collapsed, but no one was hurt and the gambling hall remained open. Near Vicksburg, one person was taken to a hospital after seven 18-wheelers and a minivan collided with two trees that fell across Interstate 20 overnight, news outlets reported. Officials in Starkville, Mississippi, were worried that around-the-clock pumping wasnt doing enough to relieve pressure on the rain-swollen Oktibbeha County Lake, where part of the dam collapsed in a mudslide last month. We encourage residents to make preparations now in the event they are required to evacuate, county emergency management director Kristen Campanella said in a statement. Gather important documents and have a `go bag readily available in the event they must leave their home quickly. Elsewhere, transportation officials shut down a major highway leading to Huntsville because of a crack that developed in the road after days of heavy rain. Crews were repairing both sides of U.S. 231 near Laceys Springs, forcing commuters to take detours. Flood warnings cover much of north and west Alabama. Workers had to clear roads in Lawrence County after strong winds overnight knocked down trees that toppled over in saturated soil. A flood warning for the Tennessee River at Florence, located in northwest Alabama, is in effect until Feb. 20. Parts of central Alabama have received more than 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) of rain since Tuesday, and rainfall totals in excess of 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) were common. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Flood Alabama Mississippi This is the editor's letter in the current issue of The Week magazine. The drone descended from the sky, its propellers whirring, and hovered over the head of an elderly Chinese woman. "Yes, Auntie, this drone is speaking to you," the voice of Authority said through a loudspeaker, as she looked up in concern. "You shouldn't walk around without wearing a mask. You'd better go back home." A video of this Orwellian encounter was put online by China's state media, evidently to boast of its use of drones and other technology to combat the spread of the new coronavirus. In another video, a drone zooms in on a group of people playing mah-jongg outdoors. "You've been spotted!" the loudspeaker admonishes. "Leave the site as soon as possible." To control the population, the government is also using facial recognition technology, robots, and the data it routinely gathers about who travels where and when. Those showing symptoms of illness are being hauled off to mass-quarantine facilities. It's chilling. It's dystopian. Americans would never put up with it. Would we? The truth is that we're already far down this road. Facial recognition technology is exploding, with a company called Clearview AI compiling a mammoth database of faces from social media that it's selling to businesses and police agencies. The apps on your cellphone are tracking your movements in exquisite detail, and data brokers sell this information to private companies and to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Your online activity is tracked, compiled, and analyzed, creating an elaborate dossier of your interests, your political views, your buying habits, your sexual tastes. Our email addresses, Social Security numbers, phone numbers, and addresses are culled, stored, and sold and sometimes hacked without our knowledge or consent. Tech experts agree: We are "sleepwalking" toward a future without privacy or anonymity. There is no government drone barking orders over your head not yet but you are already under constant surveillance. More stories from theweek.com The sidelining of Elizabeth Warren 5 scathingly funny cartoons about Trump's Justice Department takeover MLB commissioner points to potential grievances as reason behind lack of discipline for Astros players Thousands of delegates from telecoms and IT firms and State management agencies from more than 100 countries and territories worldwide will attend ITU Digital World 2020 (DW20), slated for September 6-9 in Hanoi. At the seminar The seminar was jointly held by the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications (MIT) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to discuss the main contents of DW20. ITU Digital World 2020, formally known as ITU Telecom World, will be co-organised by ITU Telecom, part of ITU, and the MIT. The new name, which was adopted following an initiative proposed by Vietnam at the 2019 event in Hungary, reflects the current global and regional digital transformation, focusing on partnerships and innovation in the development of digital governments, a digital economy and a digital society. ITU Digital World is a global platform for accelerating ICT innovations. It aims to deliver economic development faster through its exhibition of digital solutions, forums for sharing knowledge, and networking hubs connecting nations, organisations and individuals. Themed Building the digital world together, DW20, the first of its kind to be hosted by Vietnam, will feature a series of events, including a high-level forum, a ministerial roundtable, seminars, symposiums and connection programmes. In addition, an international exhibition is expected to attract hundreds of businesses who showcase ICT and telecom products and services. According to Nguyen Quy Quyen, a representative of the MITs International Cooperation Department, DW20 will focus on the three pillars of connectivity, innovation and digital transformation, and digital sustainability and corporate responsibility. DW20 will be an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm its central role in the ICT industry in Southeast Asia, while contributing to promoting the development of domestic digital firms, especially startups and small-and medium-sized enterprises./.VNA Theo en.vietnamplus.vn YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Head of the opposition Bright Armenia (LHK) faction of parliament Edmon Marukyan has commended the Syrian parliament for passing a resolution on recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide. I salute our colleagues at the Syrian parliament, who adopted yesterday an important decision regarding the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, lawmaker Edmon Marukyan told reporters in parliament on February 14. I remember how we went to Latakia with a parliamentary group during the capture of Kessab. Weve talked about this topic that time also. I believe that the Armenian Genocide issue should not become an issue to remember during tensions with Turkey, this shouldve been done earlier. I remember our meeting with President Assad, when he had said I was being told in Armenia that I shouldnt trust Erdogan so much, I didnt listen to you. On February 13th, the Syrian parliament unanimously adopted a resolution on recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan You are here: World Flash U.S. Defense Department confirmed on Thursday that one U.S. soldier had died in a non-combat incident in Afghanistan. The soldier, who was supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel, died on Wednesday at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, from a non-combat related incident, said the Pentagon in a statement. The incident is under investigation, the statement added. The United States reportedly maintains some 13,000 troops in Afghanistan, largely providing training missions to local Afghan forces while also conducting counterterrorism operations against terror groups. SCHENECTADY -- A former Guilderland elementary math teacher, forced to resign after pleading guilty in 2018 to a child endangerment charge over claims he fondled a female student, now works as a legal secretary for a freshman state Supreme Court Justice. Tod J. Mell is Schenectady County state Supreme Court Justice Michael Cuevas secretary, a $52,981-a-year position, according to the state Office of Court Administration. In October 2018, when Mell admitted to endangering the welfare of a child, he was earning about $94,000 annually as a math specialist at Lynwood Elementary School. Cuevas defended his hiring of Mell, 48, citing his background and knowledge of technology, which the court system has made a priority. Hes someone with great technical capabilities and his role does not require him to interact with the public except basically by telephone or email, said Cuevas, a Republican who was elected to the bench in November. In the month or so on the job, hes been an asset to not only our office but to others in the court system. Cuevas, who had worked as Glenville town attorney, said he knew Mell was looking for work and that there were lots of people in Glenville who knew him and spoke highly of him. Mell, a married father of two children, lives in Glenville with his family. Supreme Court judges can hire a secretary and law clerk of their choosing, said Lucian Chalfen, an OCA spokesman. While the OCA sets the criteria for the job, Cuevas and other Supreme Court justices hire who they want. If Justice Cuevas hired this individual, then he, like many others, believes in second chances, Chalfen said in an email. The general job description indicates that secretaries to judges provide personal and confidential legal secretarial services and perform other related duties. In 2018 a female student went to Guilderland police and told them Mell touched her in class during the 2010-11 year when she was about 10 years old. Interviewed by the Altamont Enterprise in a story last year, she said she was rubbed and groped. Police launched an investigation that led to the criminal charge. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. In October 2018, Mell, who had been recognized by the district for his work, admitted to one count of misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child. In the Enterprise story Mells lawyer said Mell categorically denied the victims allegations. Mell declined comment for this story through his boss, Cuevas. He was sentenced in January 2019 to two years of probation as part of a plea deal that also called for him to surrender his teaching license and be subject to conditions imposed on sex offenders. But he did not have to register as a sex offender, officials said. Cuevas noted that Mell got an early release and is off probation. Hes paid his debt to society, and closed that chapter of his life, so to now rehash it would be unfair to his wife and family and everyone else involved in this situation, Cuevas said. By 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. LUXEMBOURG, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Asteroid Foundation announces that Asteroid Day, the official United Nations' day of global awareness created to educate the world about opportunities and risks asteroids present, will celebrate worldwide leading up to 30 June with thousands of independent Asteroid Day events and in Luxembourg. Asteroid Day was co-founded in 2014 by musician Dr. Brian May of QUEEN; Apollo 9 Astronaut Rusty Schweickart ; Filmmaker Grig Richters ; and B612 President Danica Remy , to promote awareness and provide knowledge to the public about the importance of asteroids in our solar system history, and the role they play today and in the future. Events are scheduled leading up to 30 June, the date of the largest asteroid impact on the earth in recorded history (Tunguska). In 2016, the United Nations declared Asteroid Day an international day of education and awareness initiated in part, following the 15 February 2013 meteor impact in Chelyabinsk, Russia . "Asteroid Day was created to encourage the public and governments to learn more about asteroids and to support resources necessary to find and deflect asteroids," explains Dr. Brian May. Through the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA), which leads the SpaceResources.lu initiative that has been instrumental in the expansion of Asteroid Day, Marc Serres, CEO of LSA states "Luxembourg is proud to be headquarters for Asteroid Day and to aid in inspiring countries around the world to participate in this United Nations Day." "SES has been supporting Asteroid Day for several years, and we are proud to again join efforts with other partners on this campaign to enable raising awareness about asteroids and space," said Ruy Pinto, Chief Technology Officer at SES. Globally, thousands of events are independently organized. Highlights from a few of 2019 are here . The public can learn how to organize an Asteroid Day with the Asteroid Day Event Toolkit. Asteroid Day themes range from the science of asteroids in the formation of our solar system to discussions of new space industries accelerating technologies to advance space-based activities. Current missions advancing efforts develop greater detection, tracking and deflection techniques: DART and HERA the first demonstration of a kinetic impact technique to change the motion of an asteroid in space; (NASA/ESA); and two sample return missions: Hayabusa 2 , (JAXA); and OSIRIS-REx (NASA) along with the new NEO-Mapp project. Asteroid Day TV returns, with expanded 24 hour a day programming over 30 days with content and commentary from experts, astronauts/cosmonauts, scientists, physicists, educators, and government officials and special guests, with SES support. Asteroid Day LIVE, which debuted 2017 is the only general public global conversation about asteroids. It is broadcast from BCE in Luxembourg. Asteroid Day LIVE and Asteroid Day TV is distributed via satellite, available on local channels subscribing to SES satellite network , and via Asteroid Day website , and 2017, 2018 and 2019 LIVE shows are available online . 2020 ASTEROID DAY Events 1 June: Asteroid Day TV starts broadcasting online and via SES Satellites Asteroid Day TV starts broadcasting online and via SES Satellites 26 June: Asteroid Day LIVE Global Broadcast Asteroid Day Global Broadcast 30 June: Events organized worldwide(most are public). COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE About Asteroid Foundation Asteroid Day was founded in 2014 to promote awareness and provide knowledge about the opportunities and risks asteroids present. Partners include: Association of Space Explorers, B612, OHB SE, SES, BCE, EC GROUP, and Luxembourg Space Agency. Asteroid Day programs, including Asteroid Day LIVE, Asteroid Day TV are programs of Asteroid Foundation . A Media Kit, including quotes, photos available in Asteroid Day Newsroom. 2019 Asteroid Day Luxembourg photos available. SOURCE Asteroid Foundation Related Links http://www.asteroidday.org Jennifer Lawrence has been devouring all the information she can find about mobster life in postwar New York during the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies Jennifer Lawrence has been devouring all the information she can find about mobster life in postwar New York during the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies. The Oscar-winning actress is preparing to portray Arlyne Brickman, a minor Mafia player, in Mob Girl, which is based on Teresa Carpenters bestseller subtitled A Womans Life In The Underworld. Arlyne was a Jewish racketeers daughter who had a taste for Italian men, said Paolo Sorrentino, who will shoot the film in and around New York later this year. He explained how Brickman, who much to her mothers horror began entertaining men in the back seat of cars when she was 12, learned many secrets over the years. She didnt know how to be herself, Sorrentino told me over cocktails at an Oscar party in the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel, hosted by Charles Finch and Chanel. Sorrentino noted that Brickman modelled herself on Virginia Hill, Bugsy Siegels flame-haired girlfriend. (Annette Bening played Hill in Warren Beattys 1991 film Bugsy.) But in the late-Sixties and Seventies, Brickman turned FBI informant. The director has been beefing up the screenplay amid discussions with Lawrence. Next year he will return to the Arenella district of Naples, where he was born, to shoot a picture for Netflix based on his own adolescence. Arlyne was a Jewish racketeers daughter who had a taste for Italian men, said Paolo Sorrentino, pictured above, who will shoot the film in and around New York later this year It will tell how, after his parents were killed in a car accident, he was befriended by a local filmmaker. He wasnt a famous man but he helped me a lot, Sorrentino said. First I need to find an actor of 17 or 18 to play me! Secret screenings for Jamie the movie... Soon the whole worlds going to be chatting about Everybodys Talking About Jamie. Editing process: Butterell and Gillespie Sells The feature film version, starring Max Harwood as the teen who wants to be accepted as a drag queen, has had secret test screenings in London and Los Angeles. Director Jonathan Butterell told me at New Yorks Crosby Street Hotel, where he and composer Dan Gillespie Sells had been having meetings with Disney executives, that the prints shown were unfinished. Were still editing and shaping, he said of the big-screen Jamie, which also stars Richard E. Grant, Sarah Lancashire and Sharon Horgan. Its set to open on October 23 in the U.K. and U.S. smack in the middle of the next movie awards season. Meanwhile Nica Burns, producer of the stage version, told me that Katy Brand will join the show at the Apollo, Shaftesbury Avenue, playing teacher Miss Hedge from March 3 through June 20. Rufus Hound will take on the role of Hugo, who transforms into Loco Chanelle, from March 16 until May 30. In the film, Grant (who also plays Hugo/Loco) will sing a new number as this column reported last year written by Gillespie Sells and Tom MacRae. Just met a girl named Maria One of the great joys of watching Ivo van Hoves fresh, youthful, exhilarating production of the golden-age musical West Side Story is studying the audience: the young people seeing it for the first time and utterly transfixed by it. I saw an early preview at New Yorks Broadway Theatre last month and was bowled over, despite the fact that several of the leads were off with busted ankles, knees and arms. On Wednesday I got to see Isaac Powells Tony for the first time. Although Ive heard the number Maria more times than I care to remember, listening to Powells handling of the song was like hearing it anew. Bowled over: Isaac Powell and Shereen Pimentel go West. Initially, I thought the show reflected divisions here in America. But seeing it again, I realise its about what divides all of us This guy has just met a girl named Maria and hes so knocked out by her that the name will never sound the same again. And what a Maria! As played by Shereen Pimentel, who is new to me, shes like a lioness one minute; tender as a cub in love the next. Her voice reaches high registers with effortless ease. In fact, the singing throughout is sublime. Van Hoves stage is bare but for panels at the back that reveal Docs drugstore, Marias bedroom, a sweatshop and a gym. Anne Teresa De Keersmaekers exuberant choreography employs the entire space and is relayed by video on the enormous back screen, rendering it even more potent. Initially, I thought the show reflected divisions here in America. But seeing it again, I realise its about what divides all of us. On the way out I heard a rabbi observe that only love can bring us all together, and I thought, yep with a little help from Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Jerome Robbins, the giants who created this work of art in 1957. Love, music and dance is the way to go, daddy-o. Cynthia sets her sights on The Proms Cynthia Erivo was assigned her own reserved table at the Governors Ball that followed the Academy Awards ceremony where, a few hours earlier, shed stopped the show with her performance of the Oscar-nominated song Stand Up, from the film Harriet. Having a ball: Cynthia, sister Stephanie and mum Edith Cynthia sat with her mother Edith and sister Stephanie, who had been her dates for the night. Orbiting her were her agents, managers, various studio executives and other stars. Erivo was nominated for two awards but came away empty-handed. Yet she radiated the confident aura of a winner. She told me about a new film she will shoot called Carrier. She said: Its based on a podcast I did. For the film, Ill play a truck driver and it just so happens that shes carrying something in the back of her truck.Cant tell you what it is, because its a thriller. Shes also in discussions about filming a second season of the HBO drama The Outsider in which she plays Stephen Kings creation Holly Gibney, a private detective with expertise in dealing with the paranormal. Plus there are numerous other projects in the pipeline for her. Last month she did three concerts in front of 15,000 people in Tokyo. Now she has her eye on playing the Royal Albert Hall. Id love to be invited to sing at the Proms, or to do something there, she told me. Before she can do any of those things, though, she has to finish filming Genius: a television show in which she portrays Aretha Franklin. The Korean fried chicken at the afterparty at Soho House in West Hollywood for Bong Joon-hos best picture winner Parasite was finger lickin good even at 2am. Kudos to Sam Mendes, director of the great film 1917, for telling me he saw Parasite twice and hailed it as a masterpiece. Watch out for... Julian Fellowes, who has written a plot outline for a second feature-film version of Downton Abbey. This page noted months ago that another movie was a possibility. Now, I hear its to be a reality. Rumour has it the story line will start pre-World War II. Jacqueline Bisset, above, told me she was off to Hungary to shoot a film called Bird Of Paradise Executives at Carnival Films, Universal and Focus Features are looking into the availability of cast members such as Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Penelope Wilton, Elizabeth McGovern, Joanne Froggatt and many others. It is likely the production wont be ready to shoot for at least a year. Jacqueline Bisset, who told me she was off to Hungary to shoot a film called Bird Of Paradise. In it, she will play a ballet mistress. Quite a tough one, who takes no nonsense, she said. The actress, right, who starred in Bullitt and Day For Night, among others, mentioned to me that she watched 70 films over Christmas in order to vote for the Oscars. She called on the studios to spread the load through the year. I take it seriously, and watch the films, she said, but there are ones that the studios could show us in June and July. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Denpasar Fri, February 14, 2020 17:42 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20649ba96 1 National Bali-Airport,Wuhan-coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,China,Immigration-Office,Indonesia,foreigners Free The Bali Immigration Office has denied entry to nearly 100 foreigners since the government put in place a restriction on those who had recently traveled to China from entering Indonesias territory, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The Law and Human Rights Ministrys Bali office head Sutrisno said that as of Friday, a total of 91 foreign nationals had been rejected from entering Bali, as they had traveled to mainland China where the coronavirus first emerged in the last two weeks. They are citizens of various countries, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, the United States and others, Sutrisno said. According to the ministrys data, other foreigners denied entry to Bali include Armenians, Brazilians, Australians, Canadians, Britons and New Zealanders. The policy is in place based on the government-imposed travel ban to and from mainland China since Feb. 5, that bars travelers who have visited China over the past 14 days from visiting or transiting in Indonesia, and also halts the provision of visa-free and visa-on-arrival facilities for Chinese citizens. As a result of the ban, authorities previously estimated that at least 5,000 Chinese tourists in Bali are likely to be stranded there, since flights connecting Indonesia and mainland China have been temporarily suspended. Read also: Govt downplays reports of Chinese tourist who tested positive for coronavirus after Bali sojourn As of Thursday, some 300 Chinese nationals have applied to obtain emergency permits to stay longer in the country, which would be valid for one month, Sutrisno said. Jakarta has announced that it will facilitate and will not penalize Chinese tourists and workers who have overstayed their visas as result of the travel ban. If their countrys situation shows that it is still impossible for them to fly home, we can give them [another permit extension], Sutrisno said. He went on to say that the Chinese Consulate General in Denpasar would be responsible for facilitating other necessary support for Chinese citizens stranded in Bali. The death toll from the coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, has passed 1,300 globally, since it first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late December, 2019. More than 64,000 confirmed cases have been reported worldwide. Japan reported the first death from the virus on Friday, bringing the total deaths outside mainland China to three so far, with one in Hong Kong and another in the Philippines, Reuters reported. Indonesia has recorded no confirmed cases of coronavirus so far. (afr) Pastors worry most about reaching next generation in local churches, study shows Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Just over a week after leaders of a Minnesota church were accused of trying to get rid of older adult members from one of their campuses in an effort to attract a younger crowd, a new study from Barna suggests reaching the next generation is one of the biggest problems pastors in local churches worry about today. When presented with a list of possible challenges facing their church as part of Barnas State of the Church 2020 project announced earlier this month, just over half of Protestant pastors, 51%, said reaching a younger audience is a major issue for their ministry. Some 34% of pastors ranked the issue as a top three concern for their church while 12% said it was their No. 1 concern. The church leaders also noted declining or inconsistent outreach and evangelism as a major issue which some 50% of respondents agreed is a problem they are grappling with. More than one-third of pastors say declining or inconsistent volunteering is an issue facing their ministry today, with about one-quarter saying its one of their top three problems. Similar proportions also expressed worry in regard to stagnating spiritual growth. Some 23% of pastors also cited lack of leadership training and development as a major concern facing their church today. Previous studies by Barna showed that some 85% of pastors today are older than 40 and nearly 70% of pastors agree that it is becoming harder to find mature young Christians who want to become pastors. Overall, Barna also found that three-quarters of Catholic priests agree that reaching a younger audience is a major issue facing their parish today with nearly half ranking it as their top concern. Catholic priests also ranked declining or unpredictable giving patterns, declining attendance, declining or inconsistent volunteering and declining or inconsistent evangelism among the things they worry about. Last month, the Grove United Methodist Church leaders in Minnesota, in a plan to attract younger members, created controversy because its older adult members felt they were being pushed out. Pastor Daniel Wetterstrom explained that regular attendance at the Cottage Grove campus had been struggling with long-term viability with just 30 members. In response to the problem church leaders decided to employ a strategy known as the "relaunch," which had been used by other struggling Methodist churches in Minnesota with positive results. "We, for over the past decade, have struggled," Wetterstrom said. "Struggled to grow. Struggled to reach people." Under the relaunch, the Cottage Grove location is expected to close in June temporarily before reopening in December with a young new pastor named Jeremy Peters to help attract a younger crowd and create an intergenerational church. Thats not the message longtime member and older adult Bill Gackstetter said he and other older members received, however. Gackstetter said he and other members were asked to go worship at The Grove's second Woodbury location, if they would like, for 15 to 18 months after the relaunch as the church transitioned to new leadership. "It made me feel sick that they would treat other Methodists like that," Gackstetter said in an earlier report. "Like, who's gonna wait that long?" Gackstetter added. "I feel that's totally age discrimination, just wanting youth, the younger families." [February 14, 2020] Red River Awarded Two Five-Year, $95 Million Contracts with U.S. Air Force Red River, a technology transformation company, announced today that it has been awarded two U.S. Air Force LevelUP Cloud Services Basic Ordering Agreements (BOA). The contracts are each for five years and each have initial funding of $95 million. The first contract is for cloud services to support the Air Force's new LevelUP Unified Platform, a cyberspace operations system for future cyber mission force capabilities. The cloud services acquired through the contract will be used to create a secure DevOps platform for engineers to build, test and deploy new products on a variety of systems and architectures. The second contract is LevelUp's DevSecOps Tools, Pipeline and Platform Integration and Licensing contract, which provides access to the software titles, tools and other capabilities the Air Force needs to meet their next-generation mission requirements. "Red River is proud to have yet another opportunity to serve our warfighters and support the U.S. Air Force as it reimagines technology's role in achieving its mission," said Ross Woodley, ChiefPrograms Officer for Red River. "We look forward to partnering with the LevelUP teams to drive innovation with our cloud expertise and services." The Air Force's LevelUP program developed the Unified Platform tool to aggregate cybersecurity incident data into a single platform with visibility across the service, as well as with other military branches. The LevelUP team also launched Cyber Works in 2019, a program that will develop and field new capabilities at the speed and scale required in today's cyberspace operations environment. Red River's previous Department of Defense cloud experience includes moving the U.S. Navy's Data Center Consolidation and "Cloud- First" mandate forward with a dedicated commercial cloud hosting task order for Department of the Navy mission owners. Red River hosts cloud Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and a secure shared services virtual environment, as well as cloud assured managed services. About Red River Red River brings together the ideal combination of talent, partners and products to disrupt the status quo in technology and drive success for business and government in ways previously unattainable. Red River serves organizations well beyond traditional technology integration, bringing 25 years of experience and mission-critical expertise in security, networking, analytics, collaboration, mobility and cloud solutions. Learn more at redriver.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005422/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] New technologies have significantly helped Chinas nationwide efforts to fight pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Thanks to new technologies, citizens in home quarantine can check dynamic situation of the epidemic and the distribution density in a heat map at any time, which has been a great help for reducing travel and anxiety of people in quarantine. Chinese Internet giant Tencents information stream service platform has rolled out a function that enables people to search information about communities with cases of novel coronavirus infection. Covering more than 130 cities, including Beijing, and Shenzhen and Guangzhou in south Chinas Guangdong province, the function shows people the number of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and the location of the patients on a map. This is a drone equipped with an infrared thermal imaging lens, which helps to observe visible light and infrared light, said Yi Jinyu, a community worker who was taking residents body temperatures with a drone in Yiyang new area of Yichun, east Chinas Jiangxi province. Within the effective range of three meters, it can measure body temperature with an average error of around 5 percent. The error can be reduced to one percent if the measuring distance is within one meter, Yi disclosed. The drone helps workers avoid infection when they measure and register peoples body temperatures from door to door. Besides online information services for citizens in home quarantine, smart products are of great help to people fighting the epidemic in the front line of the battle. On Feb. 6, a driverless white vehicle running on Jilin street, Qingshan district of Wuhan, capital of central Chinas Hubei province, took an express parcel to the gate of Wuhan Ninth Hospital after passing several crossings. Then, the owner of the parcel claimed package by simply clicking on the screen of the vehicle. It was the first express parcel delivered since the epidemic outbreak. The vehicle was developed by smart delivery robot developed by JD Logistics, the supply chain arm under Chinese online retailer JD.com. The smart robot can not only deliver the supplies in shortage to us, but also minimize the possibility of infection by contact. It is such a big help for us, said the staff member of the hospital who received the parcel. With drone technology becomes increasingly mature, drones have witnessed more and more extensive application in work of the police. With wide observation range and broad vision, drones are helpful for reducing the work intensity and risk of infection in the work of the police, said Wen Saiwu, deputy director of the public security bureau of Ruichang, Jiangxi province. Drones have also helped improve the efficiency of the polices efforts to carry out epidemic prevention and quarantine inspection, Wen added. More advanced medical technologies are indispensable to Chinas battle against the epidemic and its race against time. On Feb. 5, a new virus detection lab named Huoyan (Fire Eye) was officially put into trial operation in Wuhan. The lab can test as many as 10,000 samples per day, and get the nucleic acid test results in an average of four to six hours. Huoyan has greatly enhanced the capacity of Wuhan and surrounding cities for detection of the virus since it was put into service. More high and new technologies are expected to provide all-round assistance for fighting the epidemic in the Huoshenshan Hospital and Leishenshan Hospital, two makeshift hospitals built in Wuhan for treating patients infected by the novel coronavirus. Chinas three major telecommunications operators - China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom, have cooperated with multiple manufacturers to complete the construction of a 5G network covering the whole area of Huoshenshan Hospital and a teleconsultation system for Huoshenshan Hospital and the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army General Hospital within 36 hours. Chinas tech giant Lenovo offered over 2,000 sets of computers to Huoshenshan Hospital, and sent a professional information technology team to build information system for the hospital. In addition, Beijing Orion Star Technology Co., Ltd. donated robots that can provide medical services to Huoshenshan Hospital. The robots can perform tasks including delivering laboratory test reports and drugs. Moreover, such new-tech products as medical apparatus and instruments, as well as air conditioners, thermal image chips, ultraviolet lamps, and dedicated air purifiers for intensive care unit (ICU) wards and operating rooms, have played important roles in fighting the epidemic in a scientific and accurate manner. Two persons, including an unidentified attacker, were killed in a shootout at the Children's Court in Peshawar on Friday, police said. An unidentified gunman shot at one Adnan, who is an accused in a case being tried at the children's court here, police said. While Adnan died on the spot, the attacker was killed in police fire. A case has been registered and investigation is on, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Im happy to say that, in fact, the president has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case, Barr told ABC. However, to have public statements and tweets made about the department, about our people ... 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. Defence Minister on Friday paid his tribute to CRPF personnel, who lost their lives in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on February 14 last year, when their convoy was targeted by a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit. "Remembering the fallen CRPF personnel who were martyred during the dastardly attack in Pulwama (Jammu and Kashmir) on this day in 2019. India will never forget their sacrifice," Singh tweeted. He said that the entire country stands united against terrorism and "everyone is committed to continue fight against this menace". At least 40 CRPF jawans were killed after the convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2,500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack. Following the dastardly attack, India had launched extensive diplomatic efforts to get JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist, which finally became a reality on May 1 last year when China lifted its technical hold on a proposal introduced by the US, the UK, and France in the 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council.Around 12 days after the terror attack, in the wee hours of February 26, Indian Air Force (IAF) jets bombed the JeM camp in Balakot, in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. A day later on February 27, IAF foiled an attempt by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to strike at military installations in Jammu and Kashmir. In the aerial skirmish, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman piloting a MiG-21 Bison aircraft shot down a much-advanced F-16 of PAF.However, his aircraft was also hit and upon ejection, his parachute landed in PoK, where he was taken captive by the Pakistani Army.Under international pressure, Pakistan released the IAF pilot two days later, who returned to his country to a hero's welcome. Title pages from Libro de Varios Guisados 1808 (left) and Recetas de Cocina Veracruz 1894, courtesy of UTSA Libraries Special Collections. FEBRUARY 14, 2020 Unique, handwritten recipes of traditional Mexican dishes dating as far back as 1789 can be viewed online as part of the digitization efforts of the UTSA Libraries Mexican Cookbook Collection, one of the nations largest of its kind. The books provide an intimate view of domestic life and culinary culture in Mexico and include a number of recipes such as pollo en agua dulce (chicken in sweet water), panque de mantequilla (buttered sponge cake) and guisado de chile (chili stew). Digitization of our materials is an important piece of what we do, said Amy Rushing, assistant dean of UTSA Libraries Special Collections. We aim to remove as many barriers as possible to accessing our collections, and digitizing materials allows us to put them online, make them discoverable and share them with the widest possible audience. We aim to remove as many barriers as possible to accessing our collections, and digitizing materials allows us to...make them discoverable. AMY RUSHING, Assistant Dean of UTSA Libraries Special Collections Special Collections has scanned more than 50 books to make the contents accessible online. It features a selection of the most rare and fragile pieces of manuscript cookbooks, preserving the one-of-a-kind source material. Our Mexican Cookbook Collection is one of our most used collections, Rushing said. We are proud to be able to share a piece of it with those who are unable to travel to San Antonio, and we will continue to add more online in the future. Digitization of the manuscript cookbooks is an ongoing effort, and most recently, Special Collections has begun transcribing portions of it, making the content more discoverable. The Mexican Cookbook Collection includes more than 2,000 texts in both English and Spanish from 1789 to present, with most dating from 1940 to 2000. View the digital collection and learn more about UTSA Libraries. Learn more about how to support the continuing digitization efforts of the Mexican Cookbook Collection and to help document the diverse histories of San Antonio and South Texas. In addition to broad general coverage the collection includes concentrations in the areas of regional cooking, healthy and vegetarian recipes, corporate advertising cookbooks and more than 100 manuscript recipe books. The UTSA Libraries Special Collections preserves and provides access to the legacies of UTSA, San Antonio and South Texas through a rich array of rare books, photographs and primary sources. Strengths of the collections include UTSAs institutional history, women and womens history, activists/activism, Mexican Americans, San Antonio authors and artists, Mexican and Tex-Mex culinary history, and urban development and growth. There are millions of people across the globe suffering from or have died due to vaccine-preventable diseases. We generally assume that the vaccinations we receive as children are enough to safeguard us throughout life. Contrary to this belief, our need for immunization does not stop with childhood. A few of the reasons are given below: Many adults have never been administered vaccines during childhood. Some of the vaccines available now were not available a few years ago. It is also established that immunity reduces as a person grows old. Childhood immunization is done very early and some of its effects are likely to wear-off, leaving individuals at risk for newer and different diseases. Regardless of age, we need immunization against a whole gamut of vaccine-preventable diseases to maintain good health and lead a disease-free life. Each country has its own guidelines regarding immunization in adults. An adults need for immunization is very specific and are determined by certain factors. These include the following: Age Health condition Previous immunization status Lifestyle Occupation Areas / locations where travel is to be undertaken Tetanus, Diphtheria and Whooping Cough: Tetanus is a serious infection that causes painful tightening of muscles. The disease is commonly known as lockjaw, where a person is unable to open the mouth, swallow or breathe. It is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which produces a toxin that affects the brain and nervous system, leading to stiffness of the muscles. It is transmitted through cuts or wounds. Diphtheria is a serious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The infection generally affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. Whooping cough or pertussis is an extremely contagious respiratory tract infection that is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Living with whooping cough can be traumatic as it involves periods of fitful coughing, difficulty in breathing, choking and difficulty in doing everyday chores. The condition can be quite severe for both babies and adults. Tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough infections can be prevented by administering the vaccine Tdap to an adult who has not been administered vaccines for these conditions earlier. Tdap is commercially available as Adacel (Sanofi) and Boostrix (GlaxoSmithKline). The CDC recommends the Tdap vaccine once in individuals who have not received the vaccine beyond the age of 11 years. The primary series should be 3 doses of Td [commercially available as Tenivac (Sanofi)] given at least 1 month apart; of this, one dose should be replaced by Tdap. Subsequently, Td boosters should be given every 10 years. Seasonal Influenza: Influenza, commonly known as flu, is a respiratory viral infection characterized by chills, runny nose, headache, body pain, fatigue and fever. It is caused by the viruses Influenza A and B. It is mostly seasonal and can cause complications especially in the elderly. All adults can be protected against the flu virus by taking the flu vaccine. Immunization can be carried out either with a trivalent inactivated vaccine (TIV) or a live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). Both LAIV and TIV contain strains of influenza viruses that are antigenically equivalent to the annually circulating strains as per the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Of the two types of influenza vaccines discussed above, your health care provider will decide on the correct one that you should take. Influenza vaccines are available commercially as Fluarix Quadrivalent (GlaxoSmithKline) and Fluzone Quadrivalent (Sanofi Pasteur). Annual vaccination against influenza is recommended for adults wanting to reduce the risk of coming down with the flu or of transmitting it to others. Moreover, for adults who are either at high risk of complications arising from flu, or are close contacts of persons at higher risk, should also be vaccinated. The vaccine has to be repeated every year. Chickenpox: Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious viral infection, which causes an itchy, blister-like rash on the skin. It is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). The infection can be more severe in adults than in children. Chickenpox can be prevented by vaccination. The varicella vaccine is a live-attenuated vaccine, which is commercially available as Varivax (Merck). The chickenpox vaccine is a two-dose vaccine that is administered to adults who have not received it earlier or who have not suffered from the infection during their childhood. Shingles: Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is an infection characterized by skin rashes, headaches, chills, and fever and is brought about by the same virus which causes chickenpox. Shingles can cause loss of eye sight if the virus attacks the eye. Herpes zoster vaccine is available commercially as Zostavax (Merck) and is licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for all adults, 60 years and older. People with a past episode of herpes zoster also can receive the vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease. Meningococcal Disease: Bacterial meningitis is caused by the meningococcus, Neisseria meningitidis. The pathogen causes infection of the brain and spinal cord, which can be prevented in adults through meningococcal vaccination. The vaccine may be administered to adults who are at high risk for the infection. Currently, there are three meningococcal vaccines that are available. Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccines: These include Menactra (Sanofi Pasteur), Menveo (GlaxoSmithKline) and MenHibrix (GlaxoSmithKline). These include Menactra (Sanofi Pasteur), Menveo (GlaxoSmithKline) and MenHibrix (GlaxoSmithKline). Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine: This is available commercially as Menomune (Sanofi Pasteur). However, this vaccine has been discontinued from February, 2017. This is available commercially as Menomune (Sanofi Pasteur). However, this vaccine has been discontinued from February, 2017. Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccines: These are available commercially as Bexsero (GlaxoSmithKline) and Trumenba (Pfizer). Hepatitis A and B: Hepatitis is a condition involving inflammation of the liver. It is brought about by Hepatitis A and B viruses (HAV and HBV). Hepatitis A is spread through food contamination while hepatitis B is spread most commonly from mother to child at birth (perinatal transmission), and through contact with infected blood products, unsafe sex with infected partner(s), and using infected needles in healthcare settings and among drug users. The symptoms of hepatitis include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin and the white of the eyes. Adults may be protected against these viral hepatitis infections by being vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B viruses if they did not receive the vaccines as children. Currently, two vaccines are available for Hepatitis A. These include Havrix (GlaxoSmithKline) and Vaqta (Merck), both of which are two-dose vaccines. The first dose is followed by the second dose between 6-18 months. Similarly, there are two hepatitis B vaccines that are currently available, both of which are made by recombinant DNA technology or Genetic Engineering. Both vaccines are based on the recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg or Australia antigen) protein, which is commercially called Recombivax HB (Merck) and Engerix-B (GlaxoSmithKline). These are three-dose vaccines and are administered at 0, 1 and 6 months. Rubella: Rubella is also known as German measles. The infection is caused by the rubella virus and is generally a mild infection. The infection occurs most often in children and young adults and is characterized by fever, sore throat, rash, headache, and red, itchy eyes. In pregnant women, rubella infection can cause fetal death or congenital defects in their children. It can be prevented with the help of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is commercially available as M-M-R II (Merck). The CDC recommends that adults born in 1957 or later without acceptable evidence of immunity to measles, mumps, or rubella should receive 1 dose of the MMR vaccine unless they have a medical contraindication to the vaccine, e.g., pregnancy or severe immunodeficiency. Pneumococcal Disease: Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae that is responsible for pneumonia, sinus infections, ear infections, meningitis and sepsis. Adults who have lower immunity are more prone to these infections, which can be prevented through pneumococcal vaccinations. There are two vaccines currently available for pneumococcal disease the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) and the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13). PPV contains purified capsular polysaccharide from 23 serotypes of S. pneumoniae and is recommended for children above 5 years, adolescents and adults. PPV is used as a single-dose vaccine for immunizing adults and is safe, effective and well-tolerated. It is available commercially as Pneumovax 23 (Merck). The PCV-13 is available commercially as Prevnar 13 (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc.) and is recommended exclusively for infants and children below 5 years. HPV Infections: The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer in females and genital warts in both males and females, which can be prevented by vaccination. There are currently two safe and effective vaccines available for HPV. These are the 9-valent Gardasil9 (Merck) and the bivalent Cervarix (GlaxoSmithKline). As per CDC recommendations, females should be vaccinated with three-doses in the age-group 19-26 years. Males should be vaccinated with three-doses in the age-group 19-21 years. Japanese Encephalitis: Japanese encephalitis (JE), also known as brain fever, is caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and is spread by the bite of Culex mosquitoes. There are currently three JE vaccines available in India: JENVAC : This vaccine is manufactured by Bharat Biotech International Ltd., a Hyderabad based company. It is an inactivated (killed) Vero-cell derived vaccine prepared from an Indian strain of JEV. It is a two-dose vaccine. This vaccine is manufactured by Bharat Biotech International Ltd., a Hyderabad based company. It is an inactivated (killed) Vero-cell derived vaccine prepared from an Indian strain of JEV. It is a two-dose vaccine. JEEV : This vaccine is manufactured by Biological E Ltd., based in Hyderabad. It is a purified inactivated (killed) vaccine that uses the SA 14-14-2 strain of JEV. It is a two-dose vaccine. This vaccine is manufactured by Biological E Ltd., based in Hyderabad. It is a purified inactivated (killed) vaccine that uses the SA 14-14-2 strain of JEV. It is a two-dose vaccine. SA 14-14-2: This vaccine is manufactured by the Chengdu Institute of Biological Products, China. It is a live-attenuated, single-dose vaccine. It is imported by India and used exclusively for mass vaccination campaigns by the Government of India. It is not available commercially. Although JE vaccines are recommended for children, as per new guidelines, adults in JE endemic areas who are susceptible to JE infection, as well as people traveling to JE endemic regions can also be vaccinated. Cholera: Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The disease causes profuse watery stool (called rice water stool), leading to rapid dehydration, and if not treated promptly can cause death within a matter of hours. An oral cholera vaccine is available and is commercially known as Shanchol (Sanofi). Shanchol is indicated for active immunization against Vibrio cholerae. The vaccine can be administered to anyone above the age of 1 year. Typhoid: Typhoid fever, also known as enteric fever, is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi, a highly virulent and invasive enteric pathogen. It is a major cause of morbidity and death in children and adults with a global annual incidence of 22 million cases and 200,000 deaths. Typhoid continues to be a major public health problem in developing countries like India. Typhoid can be prevented by vaccination. Three typhoid vaccines are commercially available. These include Typherix (GlaxoSmithKline), Typbar (Bharat Biotech), and Typhim Vi (Sanofi Pasteur). These are recommended for active immunization of adults and children 2 years of age and older for protection against Salmonella typhi infection. New Vaccines There are a couple of new vaccines that are yet to be available commercially. When these become available, recommendations will be made for adult immunization. These vaccines are briefly highlighted below: Malaria Vaccine: Malarial disease is caused by the Plasmodium parasite that is transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, and chills. The RTS,S is the most advanced malaria vaccine till date. It has been developed by PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). It is a recombinant vaccine, which consists of the P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP) from the pre-erythrocytic stage of the malaria parasite life-cycle. WHO has recommended a large-scale pilot implementation of RTS,S among children aged 5 to 17 months in 35 settings of moderate-to-high transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. Dengue Vaccine: Dengue is a mosquito (Aedes aegypti)-borne viral infection characterized by high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or rash. A recombinant dengue vaccine called Dengvaxia (CYD-TVD), developed by Sanofi Pasteur has been extensively evaluated in more than 40,000 individuals in 15 different countries, including India. The Sanofi vaccine is recommended by WHO for use in individuals aged between 9 and 45 years in areas of the world where dengue is prevalent. The vaccine has been evaluated in a 3-dose schedule (0/6/12 months) in Phase III clinical trials and was first registered in Mexico in December 2015 and first commercially available in 2016 in the Philippines and Indonesia. The vaccine has since been adopted in 7 other dengue-endemic countries around the globe, namely, Brazil, Paraguay, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Peru, Guatemala, and Singapore, where more than 500,000 people have already been vaccinated with over 1.5 million doses distributed so far. The vaccine is yet to be available in India. A consultation with a doctor will help you decide on the vaccinations that are required. If you are at risk for a disease because of your occupation or if you are traveling to a region that is endemic for a particular infectious disease, you may need to talk to your doctor about it and get vaccinated accordingly. As responsible adults, it is our responsibility to live a healthy life and to make sure that our family and loved ones are disease-free. Let us make it our duty to remind our near and dear ones, our colleagues and others in our community about the need to protect ourselves by getting vaccinated. The WFLIII Drums kit is close to euphoric sounding to me. They are the best drums Ive ever played, and Ive been doing this for five decades. - Bobby "T" Torello Drummers across a wide spectrum of musical genres are resonating with the sound and quality of WFLIII Drums by William F. Ludwig III, the only living Ludwig in the drum business. Touring, studio and garage band musicians playing Rock to Country to Jazz and everything in between are discovering their new favorite instruments. The companys expanding roll of endorsed drummers include Bobby "T" Torello (Johnny Winter, Classic Drummer Hall of Fame), Scott Williamson (Nashville Session Player), Kofi Baker (The Cream Experience), Greg Herrington (Martina McBride), Adam Ferraioli (Get the Led Out), Joe Corsello (Sonny Rollins, Educator/Author), Teddy Boldt (for KING & COUNTRY), Kelvin Sugars (Kings & Associates), Brian Beihl (Big Daddy Weave) and more. The WFLIII Drums kit is close to euphoric sounding to me, says Bobby T. They are the best drums Ive ever played, and Ive been doing this for five decades. What I love about WFLIII Drums is that every time I hit the drum, it sounds like the way I think a drum is supposed to sound, adds Williamson. Its just really warm, theres great stick attack, I dont have to work really hard to tune the toms to sound the way I want them to. Theres an even symmetry around the bearing edge. Every time weve set a kit up anywhere, its always been an improvement over what was there. Founding WFLIII Drums with a similar, uncompromising vision shared by his father and grandfather, Ludwig III (Bill III) says, We dont just make drums and percussion tools, we craft themand make every customer feel special. I want WFLIII Drums to be forward thinking and innovative. That's exactly the way my grandfather and dad would want it." Continuing to innovate, and personally sharing his new WFLIII Drums finishes and lug hardware during the recent NAMM event in Los Angeles, Ludwig III will travel to Vancouver, BC Feb 20-24 for the inaugural Drumeo Festival followed by a hometown appearance May 16-17 at the Chicago Drum Show, one of the largest and longest-running drum exhibitions in the world. Kofi Baker, son of the late Cream drummer Ginger Baker, will be the featured clinician at WFLIII Drums Chicago Drum Show booth. I worked with Ginger for decades, and now working with his son is really special, says Ludwig III. During the Chicago Drum Show, we also plan to do an instore event with our local dealer, Mikes Drum Shop in Villa Park. We might even reveal a new drum finish, he teases. For all the latest WFLIII Drums news, go to https://wfliiidrums.com/, where drummers can also find a user-friendly, custom ordering platform to select drums built to their specifications. WFLIII Drums is further on social media at Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal's visit to Shillong on Friday was met with pro-Inner Line Permit activists demonstrating on the streets. The activists from over 15 pro-ILP organisations under the umbrella of the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisation (COMSO) shouted slogans on the North-Eastern Hill University campus where the minister attended an official event. Several activists also held demonstrations near the NIT campus in Laitumkhrah area where the minister went for lunch. The state government had in December adopted a resolution in the Assembly urging the Centre to implement the ILP under the 1873-legislated Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and his colleagues have met Home Minister Amit Shah twice to press for the ILP in the state but were asked to wait. Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Pal Gurjar also faced similar demonstrations when he visited the state on Thursday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) walks to the Senate subway in the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 3, 2020. (Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images) Senators Introduce Bill Halting Funds to States That Give Drivers Licenses to Illegal Aliens Senators in the House and the Senate introduced legislation on Feb. 13 that would block federal funds from states that allow illegal immigrants to obtain drivers licenses. Known as the Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act, the bill would ban certain federal funding to sanctuary states, including those that defy federal immigration enforcement or that allow illegal aliens to get driver licenses without proof of lawful presence. In particular, the bill would halt the Department of Justices Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants, meaning non-complying states would no longer enjoy access to millions of dollars in funding under the program. The bill was introduced to the Senate by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) in an effort to crack down on sanctuary cities and states, improve public safety and national security, and ensure that state and local governments are cooperating with immigration enforcement officials. It is co-sponsored by Kevin Kramer (R-N.D.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), while Ken Buck (R-Colo.) will carry the bill in the House of Representatives. Blackburn said in a statement after introducing the legislation, that Tennesseans know all too well what can happen when illegal immigrants are granted driver licenses. While Tennessee and many other states prohibit driver licenses for illegal aliens, a growing number of states are moving in the opposite direction and unleashing dangerous open borders policies. Immigrants must follow the proper federal process and obtain citizenship or lawful status before obtaining a state driver license. In America, no one is above the law. According to the statement, the JAG program provides substantial support on a yearly basis to states for local law enforcement and criminal justice initiatives, and in 2019 states that issued drivers licenses to illegal immigrants received nearly $53 million from the program. States that fail to comply with the legislation (pdf) would be required to return unallocated funds to the JAG program within 30 days, and would be deemed ineligible to receive future JAG funds until they comply with the drivers license and federal information-sharing provisions. The bill comes amid escalating tensions over sanctuary policies, many of which limit local law enforcement from cooperating and communicating with federal immigration authorities. All sanctuary policies shield, in some way, illegal immigrants from federal immigration authorities. Trumps administration is fiercely opposed to the policies and has been attempting to highlight the dangers of sanctuary cities and states, with the president citing a recent case in New York in which a 92-year-old woman was raped and murdered by a criminal illegal alien. Tragically, there are many cities in America where radical politicians have chosen to provide sanctuary for these criminal illegal aliens. In sanctuary cities, local officials order police to release dangerous criminal aliens to prey upon the public, instead of handing them over to ICE to be safely removed, Trump said during a State of the Union address. President Donald Trump steps to the lectern for the State of the Union address in the chamber of the House of Representatives in Washington on Feb. 4, 2020. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) Just 29 days ago, a criminal alien freed by the sanctuary city of New York was charged with the brutal rape and murder of a 92-year-old woman. The killer had been previously arrested for assault, but under New Yorks sanctuary policies, he was set free. If the city had honored ICEs detainer request, his victim would be alive today, the president added. Earlier this week, Attorney General William Barr also expressed concerns over local and state policies and laws designed to thwart the ability of federal officers to take custody of these criminals and thereby help them escape back into the community. These policies are not about people who came to our country illegally but have otherwise been peaceful and productive members of society, Barr said. Their express purpose is to shelter aliens whom local law enforcement has already arrested for other crimes. This is neither lawful nor sensible. One of the most pressing problems when it comes to keeping our planet safe from space threats is data, which sounds so simple to address. It's not. That's why the U.S. Senate's Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation spent a 90-minute hearing on Wednesday (Feb. 12) asking experts what the priorities should be when it comes to threats like space weather , rogue asteroids and space debris . "It sounds like a movie script," joked chair Roger Wicker, R-Miss., in the livestreamed hearing from Washington, D.C., concerning the topic his group considered. "But it is reality," he added, "and where we are." Related: 5 reasons to care about asteroids There are, of course, many ways of collecting data about all of these threats. NASA has satellites in orbit, although many of them (such as the 24-year-old Solar and Heliospheric Observatory that watches flares from the sun) are aging and will need to be replaced soon. There are telescopes on the ground, although it's hard sometimes to find enough telescope time to monitor the skies. Then the data needs to be analyzed. Scientists rely on computer simulations and emerging forms of machine learning to predict what threats we should focus on first. Those models are only as good as the data that informs them, so more accurate data will produce better models for scientists and engineers to make decisions. The future of data collection in the U.S. will also require government departments and private industry to collaborate, which they are only just beginning to discuss. But once a model is established, it would "allow for a truly open exchange between commercial vendors, [U.S.] allies and others," Kevin O'Connell, director of the Department of Commerce's office of space commerce , told the committee. That department is a key player in this effort, due to its experience managing other emerging industries, such as the internet in the 1990s. The hearing focused on three threats to Earthlings. One is the sun. While the sun keeps our planet habitable for life, from time to time it throws temper tantrums in the form of flares or bursts of particles known as coronal mass ejections. If those particles come toward Earth, they can fry satellites and affect the power grid. NASA and other agencies keep an eye on the sun using solar-monitoring satellites, and recent solar missions such as NASA's Parker Solar Probe and the Solar Orbiter. The latter is a collaboration between the European Space Agency and NASA, and will fly very close to the sun to gather even more information. Another issue is space debris and "space situational awareness," meaning knowing where space junk is and whether it poses a threat to working satellites. Just two weeks ago, two defunct satellites passed within a few dozen feet of each other , and the threat is expected to worsen as OneWeb, SpaceX and other companies launch constellations of satellites that could number in the thousands . The Department of Defense maintains a catalog of space objects, but smaller objects can escape notice and it ignores classified objects. And tracking objects is complicated because their orbits are pushed around by the sun's activities. Lastly, there is the perennial problem of asteroids and other space rocks that periodically slam into Earth. Asteroids have been blamed for the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago, and smaller objects caused damage in Siberia in 1908 and in Chelyabinsk, Russia, in 2013 . NASA has a Planetary Defense Coordination Office that monitors the paths of potentially threatening objects with the help of telescopes around the world; if any danger is spotted, the office would coordinate with disaster relief agencies and other groups to help people get out of the way and cope with the aftermath. Monitoring each of these threats produces quite a lot of data, and scientists hope for more telescopes , satellites and other machines to produce more data. Managing and sharing all that information is key. But that, too, is complicated, since space is the domain of all countries on Earth and rules are still in their infancy, particularly for situations such as avoiding collisions between satellites. "Nothing is guaranteeing the protection of these things," said witness Moriba Jah, a space scientist and aerospace engineer at the University of Texas at Austin. To create the most comprehensive picture possible of satellites circling Earth , Jah led the creation of a crowdsourced, space-traffic-monitoring system that blends real-time data from governments, academia and industry. And in terms of solutions, satellite collisions are the most straightforward of the three threats to tackle. Compare that to a test mission NASA is planning, called Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) , that will launch in 2021 and slam into the asteroid Didymos' moon. It will take years to perform the test and evaluate how well it worked, before we can create future planetary defense systems to nudge a rogue asteroid out of way. So when Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA's associate administrator for the science mission directorate, was asked what his agency would do in case of a threat, he said the response would focus on moving populations instead of moving the asteroid . "In many cases," he said, "the right answer to 'How do we react to that?' is in fact running, because depending on which angle [the asteroid approaches Earth], the idea is to get out of the way of harm just like we evacuate our population with a hurricane." Similarly, there is no known way to deflect a sudden solar storm headed toward Earth, so the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would focus on mitigating the effects on infrastructure for the affected populations, its representative told the committee. "We alert the power grid [officials], in particular, give them as much notice as possible, and they take the action necessary to mitigate from the induced current" produced by particles hitting power lines, said William Murtagh, director of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook . Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin have had a phone conversation to discuss the process of releasing detainees in the self-proclaimed Donbas republics and Crimea, as well as the release of Ukrainian citizens in Russia; they also discussed preparations for the next meeting of Normandy Four leaders. "Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin paid special attention to the release of Ukrainian citizens kept in the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea, as well as in the Russian Federation," the press service for the Ukrainian presidential office said in a statement on Friday. The parties agreed on the need to intensify work at the level of the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk in order to implement the agreements reached, the statement said. The parties also discussed the implementation of the agreements reached during the Normandy summit on December 9, 2019, in Paris, as well as preparations for the next Normandy Four meeting. Two women filed a lawsuit Thursday against a Portland wellness cooperative, saying the business allowed a registered sex offender to masturbate while sitting in the sauna with them and did not take their complaints seriously when they reported him. The women are seeking $500,000 $250,000 each from Common Ground Wellness Cooperative, a Northeast Portland business that identifies itself as a clothing optional, body positive space where you can find your calm." The women allege William James Wimberly Jr. was allowed to return to the sauna after employees had received a complaint about his behavior. Wimberly has faced charges of public indecency in several incidents since 2015, repeatedly exposing himself in public. He has been convicted in two criminal cases, and two more are ongoing, including one related to his behavior in Thursdays lawsuit. The attorney for the two women, Barb Long, said the man was only banned from the facility after the second incident, and after one of the women pressured the business to make a police report. A representative from Common Ground said the cooperative had no comment on the suit. In January, Common Grounds general manager Melissa Di Rito said that Wimberly was not a member of the cooperative and that the two incidents happened on his first two visits to the spa. Di Rito said the second woman did not complain until a week after the incident. We took action immediately after learning about the incidents by banning him from Common Ground and filing a police report, Di Rito wrote in an email. We take incidents very seriously, and we took all the necessary actions to ensure a safe and healing experience for our customers. According to the lawsuit, the first woman visited Common Ground on Dec. 7. She had been a member at the cooperative for nearly four years. While she was in the sauna, Wimberly sat down next to her and began to masturbate, doing so at an angle so that the womans partner and another person in the sauna couldnt see what he was doing, the suit says. The woman and her partner left the room and reported Wimberlys behavior to an employee at the front desk. Wimberly came out of the sauna without a towel, stood in the doorway and yelled a crude remark, according to the suit. He then went into a room with employees, where the woman said she could see him yelling and arguing his case. The employees did not call the police, ban Wimberly from the business or take the complaint seriously, the lawsuit says. Long said that the woman in the first encounter had expected that employees of the spa would call her to get more details. She said when they didnt, the woman called to ask them what they were doing to follow up on her complaint and said that the employees did not ask her for her name or make an effort to get any more details from her. My client asked if (Wimberly) was going to be allowed back in the spa, and the manager said Thats not your decision to make," Long said. Two days after the first complaint, another woman was in the sauna at Common Ground when Wimberly again came in and masturbated while staring at her, according to the lawsuit. Only after receiving this second complaint about Wimberly did Common Ground ban him from the spa, the suit states. Both women have a history of trauma that made the impact of their experience worse, the lawsuit says. Especially for my client who was the initial reporter, its been really difficult for her that she wasnt believed, Long said. The suit alleges that Common Ground neglected several safety precautions for its customers, including screening customers for sex offenses and establishing polices that deter sexual misconduct. According to previous articles in The Oregonian/OregonLive about Wimberlys behavior, he has fetal alcohol syndrome. His defense attorney in a previous case said he had lived in an adult foster home and was ordered to go to sex-offender treatment. Wimberly was willing to go, the defense attorney said, but no treatment was immediately set up for him. Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. CAIRO An archaeological discovery does not always require months and years of research, imaging sonar or magnetometric scanning, drilling or sophisticated excavation tools. Occasionally, a passerby stumbles upon an artifact, just as an Israeli veterinarian claims he did, though some Egyptian experts claim that the whole story is a sham and the artifact was actually smuggled from Egypt. Israeli Haaretz newspaper reported Feb. 4 that Rafi Bahalul stumbled upon a 3,400-year-old Egyptian stone anchor engraved with hieroglyphs during a morning swim along Israels northern shores last year. The Israel Antiquities Authority said that the artifact is a granite stone depicting the ancient goddess Sechat. The hieroglyphs on the anchor date back to the 18th dynasty of Egypt (1550-1292 B.C.). Experts quoted by the Israeli daily speculated that the piece may be part of a mural decorating a temple or a royal palace. It might have been later used as an anchor for a commercial ship transporting merchandise between ancient Egyptians and Canaanites inhabiting Palestine, Lebanon, West Jordan and Syria for thousands of years. This pushed Egyptians to erase the picture of Sechat out of respect to the gods, Haaretz reported. Authorities on the Egyptian side agree with the narrative. Mohamed Abd El Maksoud, former general secretary of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said in a Feb. 6 press statement, The Egyptian artifact could have reached Israeli shores through commerce between ancient Egyptians and Canaanites. What makes the anchor interesting is that it might be the first hint at the existence of the sea trade between the ancient Egyptians and the people in Palestine. Maksoud said that the trade between the Pharaonic era in Egypt and the Canaanite era in Palestine around 1500 B.C. was by land, initially via the Horus military route that extended from the Tell Habouh fortress in Qantarah, on the eastern side of the Suez Canal, and passes through the Sinai desert where the Egyptians built 12 fortresses in the 18th and 19th dynasties (1550-1189 B.C.) The route ends in the Gaza Strip and Rafah, Egypt, where the last Egyptian fortresses are found. This is based on a detailed map of the fortresses on one of the walls of Karnak Temple. Yet archaeological discoveries are ongoing and constantly change our information about the history of ancient Egypt, Maksoud told Al-Monitor. "Although most historical references confirm that trade between the Egyptians and Canaanites was by land, nothing refutes the possibility of sea trade. The newly discovered artifact in Israel might be the first hint of sea trade, especially since ancient Egyptians knew how to build ships and fleets since the 4th dynasty. Adel El Sayed, a retired professor of Pharaonic history, however, said that the whole story of the discovery while swimming" was suspicious. Maksouds statements and those of the Israeli Antiquities Authority about the possibility of sea trade bringing the piece to Israel is logically and scientifically possible, but it ignores the difficulty of finding a sunken artifact 'by chance,'" he said. He noted that a dense granite stone could not have floated to the level where it would be seen by a swimmer. The stone should have also been blackened if it had really remained underwater for centuries," he said. He added that it somehow did not quite seem right that ancient Egyptians would use a mural from a temple or a palace as an anchor, as they respected these sites too much and there was no shortage of granite to use for anchors. "I would not be surprised if the piece was actually stolen from Egypt, and this narrative is being used so that the Egyptian authorities cannot claim it as it has done with other pieces," he told Al-Monitor. The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities repatriated 90 pieces in November 2013 from an auction house in Jerusalem after it attempted to sell the pieces in a public auction. Mohamed Ibrahim, the minister of antiquities at the time, told the local press then that Cairo had contacted the Israeli authorities as soon as they saw the Pharaonic pieces in the catalog of Arida Auction House. The auction was canceled and the auction house was asked to provide documents proving legitimate ownership. Because they could not prove this, the Israeli government returned the artifacts to Egypt. According to the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, there are around 700 Egyptian artifacts across museums in Jerusalem. The same reports say that 91 of the 700 are under scrutiny, following the Egyptian request to have them returned. Several experts in Cairo told Al-Monitor that a good part of these 91 pieces had been acquired illegally when Israel occupied the Sinai Peninsula between 1967 and 1973. Another scenario is that they have been stolen from Egypt and smuggled to Israel. Sayed said that the news of an Egyptian artifact being discovered on the shores of Haifa has started a debate among Egyptian archaeologists and historians. They wonder how the artifact got there and asked the Egyptian government to verify the Israeli narrative and find out if they were really found by mistake or if they were actually stolen. To verify the Israeli tale, Egypt has to send geologists, archaeologists and other experts to examine the piece. They need to verify that it has really been underwater all this time, he said. If the narrative proves to be false, the Egyptian authorities should start a procedure to have the piece repatriated. An anonymous source from the Ministry of Antiquities told Al-Monitor, Examining the piece requires first and foremost approval from the Israeli authorities. The UNESCO agreement for the protection of cultural heritage does not oblige them [Israeli authorities] to allow the Egyptian authorities to examine the piece. The source noted that artifacts are classified under two different categories, saying, The first category of artifacts are those that have been discovered and listed in the government registers or the UNESCOs heritage registers, and then stolen from a museum or site. It is possible to request their repatriation since they are already documented in the country of original ownership. A good example of this category is the Egyptian artifacts stolen from Sinai between 1967 and 1973 and those auctioned in Jerusalem in 2013. The other category contains artifacts found by smugglers. Those are never registered [by Egypt], so Cairo cannot prove ownership and it is very difficult to ask for their repatriation. The source added that the recently discovered anchor possibly falls in the second category. Chairman of this countys Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) is open to the media for any information. Ricardo Adams, into his third year at the helm of that body, encouraged media practitioners to contact him for news about the festival. The office of his institution is also accessible. His comments came last Tuesday at the CDC Office at Carnival City Victoria Park. Coordinator of the Beauty Shows Committee LaFerne Fraser announced October 31, 2020 as the date for the Miss SVG Pageant, coinciding with the culmination of the Renewal of Forty campaign. Details will be given March 3. Vincentian artiste Gamal Skinny Doyle organised an event in Maraval, Trinidad and Tobago yesterday February 13. That featured Vincentians L Pank and reigning Ragga Soca Monarch Hance John. CDC officials will use the avenue of the Trinidad and Tobago festival to highlight aspects of the Vincentian folklore. CDCs Chairman Adams pointed to the "global focus of event tourism, and justified this countrys thrust towards broadening the marketing impact. Ezzie Roberts has been assigned to the CDC in Marketing and Project Development. Television outlets in Trinidad will be used, especially Thursday, February 20 and 21, to highlight aspects of the Vincentian products. The build up to the June 26 to July 7 extravaganza takes shape May 2 with the genuine launch at Carnival City Victoria Park. Additionally, the CDC is enhancing its brand with a creation of a Vincy Mas Logo. A CDC website is expected to be running intime for the March 3 affair, and Roberts pointed to Facebook and Instagram bases. Ulster Bank has refused to rule out further sales of distressed mortgage loans to vulture funds despite a school of thought emerging that such transactions could end under a Sinn Fein or Fianna Fail led government. Late last year the bank announced the sale of around 800m worth of non-performing mortage loans to US vulture fund CarVal Investors. That deal, when it finally closes - roughly around the third quarter of this year - will bring the percentage of problem loans on Ulster Bank's lending books to approximately 5%, which would be in and around EU banking targets. The bank closed 2019 with non-performing loans forming slightly less than 10% of its overall loan book. Speaking on the back of a solid set of annual results, Ulster Bank chief executive Jane Howard said no further loan sales are planned, but the option isn't off the table. "You can never rule it out, but the priority and the focus is helping customers get onto a sustainable solution. That's good for us, as it keeps the income [stream], and it's good for the customer." "Our priority won't change. We will continue to help people get onto a sustainable solution. But, you do have to run a bank safely, and we don't want high non-performing loans," Ms Howard said. This week, mortgage debt advocate David Hall predicted "the end of the road" for vulture fund loan purchases in light of the election result. "We can only run the bank and control what we can control, but we'll work with whichever government is in power in line with regulation," Ms Howard said. Ulster Bank saw its operating profit surge to 55m last year, from 15m in 2018. Total income fell from 689m to 647m, partially due to a reduction in non-performing loan income. Regarding the ongoing tracker mortgage scandal, Ms Howard said Ulster has made all of its redress and compensation payments and has no outstanding issues. "We're not in dispute on trackers; there are no new or additional provisions. The appeals process is, obviously, still ongoing and as we get individual cases we'll deal with those," she said. Ulster's tracker costs have topped 312m to date, with half of that covering project costs and half customer compensation. An undisclosed provision for a still to be decided Central Bank fine has been set. Ulster's gross new lending increased by 13% to 3bn last year, with mortgage lending up 18% and business lending jumping 6%. The bank's share of the Irish mortgage market increased from 13% to 14.6% last year. Ms Howard said that the lender is "on plan" to grow mortgage market share further this year. "We have built strong foundations, but our performance doesn't yet match its full potential,"she said. Ulster Bank's parent Royal Bank of Scotland reported a better-than-expected pre-tax profit of 4.2bn (5bn) for 2019, with new CEO Alison Rose setting out a strategy around closer links to small business and improved climate awareness. RBS is also cutting back its loss-making investment bank and renaming the group NatWest. The British lenders profit was 24% higher than 2018 and above the 3.8bn average of analysts forecasts compiled by the bank. Ulster paid RBS a further dividend of 500m last year. The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks! Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics. The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc. The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics. The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates. Access to college recruiters and advisors its harder to line up higher education. Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family. Vote View Results Hobbs & Shaw actress Eiza Gonzalez went topless for the fireside shoot Bonjour B**** in honor of 'self love,' which was unveiled Thursday. In the photo series, the Mexican 30-year-old writhes on a mattress wearing nothing more than hot pants and gladiator strap stilettos. 'You no longer have access to me,' the subtitles read. Unveiled Thursday: Hobbs & Shaw actress Eiza Gonzalez went topless for the fireside shoot Bonjour B**** in honor of 'self love' 'You were perfect between my legs. You should have stayed there...You don't get to have this woman...I was craving whiskey in my dreams last night.' Sarah Bahbah wrote, shot, and directed Bonjour B**** - which gives viewers 'access into my inner dialogue, my story manifested in raw images.' Matisse got Eiza glamorous for the sensuous project littered with liquor and snacks like pizza styled by the Palestinian, Australian-raised artist as well as Ib Abdel Nasser. 'You were perfect between my legs': In the photo series, the Mexican 30-year-old writhes on a mattress wearing nothing more than hot pants and gladiator strap stilettos At the helm: Sarah Bahbah wrote, shot, and directed Bonjour B**** - which gives viewers 'access into my inner dialogue, my story manifested in raw images' 'You no longer have access to me': Matisse got Eiza glamorous for the sensuous project littered with liquor and snacks like pizza styled by the Palestinian, Australian-raised artist as well as Ib Abdel Nasser Subtitles included: 'You don't get to have this woman' Gonzalez last made headlines canoodling with two-time Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills on Monday as well as Super Bowl LIV in Florida on February 2. The Alita: Battle Angel stunner was previously romantically linked to Daytime Emmy winner Josh Duhamel, Killerman action star Liam Hemsworth, and her From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series castmate D.J. Cotrona. The former telenovela child star will next appear in Valiant Comics superhero flick Bloodshot - hitting US/UK theaters March 13 - alongside Vin Diesel, Guy Pearce, and Sam Heughan. Coy couple? Gonzalez last made headlines canoodling with two-time Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner (L) at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills on Monday as well as Super Bowl LIV in Florida on February 2 (pictured) Punjab DGP Dinkar Gupta on Friday reviewed the state's law and order situation with all the senior superintendents of police and other senior police officials of the state. During the meeting at Phillaur, the director general of police (DGP) reviewed the performance of districts on parameters like action against terrorism, organised crime, drive against drugs, untraced murders, rapes and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases. The meeting also deliberated upon issues like strengthening security of persons facing threat perception and places "in the wake of the latest internal security inputs". On Monday, Shiv Sena Hindustan youth wing president Honey Mahajan was injured while a trader died as unidentified assailants opened fire at Punjab's Dhariwal town in Gurdaspur district. Mahajan was hospitalised after the attack, while the deceased was identified as Ashok Kumar. In the meeting, the DGP said after extensive deliberations with inspector general (IG) Ranges, commissioners of police and SSPs, the police department has decided to earmark a designated police officer in the rank of assistant sub-inspector of police/head constable/constable, for each of the 12,700 villages of the state. The designated police officer would provide "a ready point of contact for the people living in the villages of the state". The DGP further said the names and phone numbers of the police officers would be shared with the people by displaying them on the Punjab Police website. The village police officer would visit a village once every week to understand the issues and concerns of the community, he said, as per an official statement here. In addition, it was also decided at the meeting to set up women help desks in all the 406 police stations with dedicated woman police officers of the rank of constable and above. The names of these woman police officers would also be displayed on the Punjab Police website along with their ranks. These officials would provide necessary interface, besides acting as a bridge between the police and people. The village police officer would emerge as a friendly village cop and help to build and populate a digital village information system, the DGP added. All the commissioners of police and superintendents of police made brief presentations highlighting their achievements during the previous year, innovations and projects launched, besides dwelling on their future plans. Punjab DGP Gupta emphasised the need for alertness "in the state in the wake of the latest inputs about the internal security scenario". The DGP, while addressing the field officers, stressed upon improving the basic policing in the state by intelligent planning of deployment, night checking of duties, crime mapping to identify "hotspots". Action taken against drug menace was also discussed in the meeting. The DGP directed all the SSPs and CPs to give complete attention to eradication to the drug problem in the state so as to make Punjab a "drug free" state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to review the status of 'Bharat Ke Veer' fund-raising initiative by his Ministry on behalf of members of the Indian paramilitary forces, is currently underway. Border Security Force Director General Vivek Kumar Johri and Central Reserve Police Force DG AP Maheshwari are present in the meeting. The contributions in 'Bharat ke Veer' are exempted from income tax.A number of corporate houses and individuals have come in support of the kin of CRPF personnel, who lost their lives during the ghastly Pulwama attack on February 14 last year. As many as 40 CRPF jawans were killed when a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the convoy of security forces in Pulwama. They were 2,500 in all and were travelling to Srinagar in 78 buses from Jammu. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To wit: Sierra Nevada manages to incorporate trends without outright chasing them. Some of my favorite Sierra beers of the last few years have been of-the-moment styles, perfectly executed in a way that makes sense for Sierra. My favorite of these: Otra Vez, a gose that was made with prickly pear when it was introduced in 2017 (now lime and agave), and Hazy Little Thing, a great hazy IPA introduced in early 2018 that saw sales in grocery, convenience and chain stores more than double to $52.7 million last year. Theres no seasonal beer I look forward to more every year than Celebration Ale. This fresh-hop IPA is just perfect for its late fall/early winter run: a robust, gorgeous and classically Sierra hop profile with a rich, caramelly malt backdrop. I wrote about it adoringly back in 2011, the first year of this column. If I could write about it every year, I would. Sierra doesnt just do hops well. Summerfest, a Czech lager. Narwhal imperial stout. Bigfoot barleywine. A now annual tradition of partnering with a German brewery to make whats without fail a fantastic and distinctive Oktoberfest. Sierraveza, its new-ish light lager. Theyre all good to great. 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. Kerala police maintained that no rifles were missing, a day after the CAG audit found shortage of 25 INSAS rifles and 12,061 live cartridges from the Special Armed Police Battalion here. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress and BJP slammed the state government on the issue and demanded action against the police chief. "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. 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 Vijayan and DGP Loknath Behera. "Both the Chief Minister and State police chief should resign and face action," he said. He alleged that a CBI probe will not bring out the truth as Behera was close to the Narendra Modi government. Leader of the Opposition 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 a NIA investigation into the missing rifles and cartridges need to be conducted. Meanwhile, Behara also met the Chief Minister at the Secretariat. The DGP is expected to leave for the UK 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.) Germany is this week marking the 75th anniversary of the Allied firebombing of Dresden. Some Germans have mixed feelings about this. Most Americans, rightly, do not. On the right wing of German politics, AfD (Alternative fur Deutschland) and likeminded groups tell an incoherent story: Germany is a world-bestriding great power when it suits them and a defenseless victim when it suits them. The Nazi era was, in this account, only a speck specifically, a speck of bird poop, as AfD leader Alexander Gauland put it, insignificant in comparison to more than 1,000 years of successful German history. But the bombing of Dresden, on the other hand, is an eternal infamy and a war crime. But even as AfD partisans seek to minimize the Holocaust, they remain strangely fixated on the Holocaust monument in Berlin. Germans are the only people in the world who plant a monument of shame in the heart of the capital, AfD leader Bjorn Hocke insists. He should perhaps visit the Slavery and Freedom exhibit at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, where he could meditate on small shackles made for the fragile ankles of a child, among other artifacts of inhumanity and terror. But Hocke, like practically every other politician of his ilk in the United States as in Germany has a story to tell. He also has a story to counter, the account of the war that, as he puts it, emphasizes only German perpetrators and not German victims. Perhaps your immediate gut reaction to the events of 193345 is not Oh, the poor Germans! But the mania for victimhood is remarkable. Here in the United States, but also in Western Europe, in Russia, in India, in China, and a few other places, the new breed of populist-nationalists revel in tales of national greatness and wallow in narratives of victimhood and vulnerability. They cannot quite seem to make up their minds about which they are: victors or victims. Story continues Our talk-radio friends, for example, insist that the United States has never been as strong as it is right now but also that the country is so fragile as to be only one election away from losing everything, forever: incredibly strong but incredibly weak at precisely the same time. Vladimir Putin tells of a Russia that is a great world power but also the easy victim of foreign governments. China is the eternal Middle Kingdom that somehow managed to get under the thumb of the puny English. Hindu chauvinists in India try to influence elections in the United Kingdom on the theory that the Labour Party is excessively solicitous of the interests of Muslims and that British Hindus who vote Labour are, as one campaign message put it, traitors to their ancestral land, to their family and friends in India and to their cultural heritage. Traitors now, thats a funny word. President Donald Trump has suggested that congressional Democrats should be charged with treason over his impeachment agony. Lou Dobbs escalated from the legal to the eternal, insisting that Senator Mitt Romney, who voted to convict President Trump on the abuse-of-power charge, must find himself in the company of such traitors as Judas Iscariot and Brutus. I picture the erudite Mr. Dobbs, one of the greatest anti-elitists ever produced by Harvard, sitting at home watching A Man for All Seasons on Netflix and cheering lustily for Cromwell, if not for the executioner. (In his Divine Comedy, Dante puts Brutus in the lowest part of Hell, in the very maw of Satan; as I argue in The Smallest Minority, all right-thinking Americans, heirs to glorious traitors as we are, should regard Brutus as the hero of his story. Julius Caesar had it coming.) As it is with nations, so it is with men. The purported hard men of our time spend their days and evenings (especially their evenings) on Twitter whining about the unfairness of it all. It has been amusing to watch the people who chanted Lock her up! at doddering old Hillary Rodham Clinton, who lied about her email, whimpering and blubbering as doddering old Roger Stone faces the prospect of being locked up for lying about his email. Oh, but hes old! they say. Its a nonviolent crime a process crime! Perhaps Stone will take a page from Harvey Weinsteins script and show up at his sentencing manning a walker. Bullies are almost always and everywhere cowards, and everybody is a tough guy until the verdict is read the verdict in court, or the verdict of history. And, then, the bullies are, as if by magic poof! made into victims. But, my, werent we beastly to the Germans! More from National Review WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has selected Rocket Lab of Huntington Beach, California, to provide launch services for the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE) CubeSat. Rocket Lab, a commercial launch provider licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration, will launch the 55-pound CubeSat aboard an Electron rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. After launch, the company's Photon platform will deliver CAPSTONE to a trans-lunar injection. The engine firing will allow the CubeSat to break free of Earth's gravity and head to the Moon. Then, CAPSTONE will use its own propulsion system to enter a cislunar orbit, which is the orbital area near and around the Moon. The mission is targeted for launch in early 2021 and will be the second lunar mission to launch from Virginia. "NASA's Launch Services Program (LSP) is pleased to provide a low-cost launch service for CAPSTONE and to work with Rocket Lab on this inaugural NASA launch from their new launch site at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Virginia," said Ana Rivera, LSP program integration manager for CAPSTONE at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. LSP will manage the launch service. "This mission is all about quickly and more affordably demonstrating new capabilities, and we are partnering with small businesses to do it," said Christopher Baker, Small Spacecraft Technology program executive at the agency's headquarters in Washington. "This is true from the perspective of CAPSTONE's development timeline, operational objectives, navigation demonstration and its quickly procured commercial launch aboard a small rocket." Following a three-month trip to the Moon, CAPSTONE will enter a near rectilinear halo orbit, which is a highly elliptical orbit over the Moon's poles, to verify its characteristics for future missions and conduct a navigation demonstration with NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. CAPSTONE will serve as a pathfinder for the lunar spaceship Gateway, a key component of NASA's Artemis program. "CAPSTONE is a rapid, risk-tolerant demonstration that sets out to learn about the unique, seven-day cislunar orbit we are also targeting for Gateway," said Marshall Smith, director of human lunar exploration programs at NASA Headquarters. "We are not relying only on this precursor data, but we can reduce navigation uncertainties ahead of our future missions using the same lunar orbit." The firm-fixed-price launch contract is valued at $9.95 million. In September, NASA awarded a $13.7 million contract to Advanced Space of Boulder, Colorado, to develop and operate the CubeSat. After a final design review this month, Advanced Space and Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems Inc. of Irvine, California, will start building and testing the spacecraft. CAPSTONE is managed by NASA's Small Spacecraft Technology program within the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate. Advanced Exploration Systems within NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate supports the launch and mission operations. To learn more about NASA's Launch Services Program, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/index.html To learn more about NASA's investments in space technology, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/spacetech SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov She's set to marry Matty 'J' Johnson later this year. And on Friday, The Bachelor's Laura Byrne shared a tribute to her fiance to celebrate Valentine's Day. The 33-year-old posted a throwback photo of Matty J as a teenager to Instagram and wrote: 'Happy Valentine's Day to this stud. Puberty was good to you my love.' 'Happy Valentine's Day': The Bachelor's Laura Byrne (right) shared a throwback photo of Matty 'J' Johnson (left) as a teenager as the couple celebrated Valentine's Day on Friday In the photograph, a young Matty J was posing and smiling for the camera while wearing a black buttoned shirt. Laura met Matty J on season five of The Bachelor in 2017 and they moved in together in August 2018. Four months later, the pair announced that they were expecting their first child and in April 2019 Matty J proposed to Laura while they were on vacation in Fiji. 'Puberty was good to you my love': In the photo, a teenage Matty J was posing and smiling for the camera while wearing a black buttoned shirt In November, he told The Daily Telegraph's Confidential the couple are hoping to tie the knot this year, perhaps in September. 'There's no date [set for the wedding]. We love the idea of doing it next year,' Matty told the paper at a Jimmy Choo fragrance launch in Sydney. 'It might be in September when it's not too hot and just starting to get warmer.' Wedding bells: In November, Matty J revealed that the couple are hoping to tie the knot later this year, perhaps in September He continued to say that the birth of their daughter Marlie-Mae in June has 'solidified' their relationship and it has made him appreciate Laura. 'She will get up at any hour of the night. She does so much work, way more than I do, so the appreciation I have for Laura now is so much more,' he said. Matty J also opened up about fatherhood, admitting that it is 'incredible' but can also be 'exhausting.' On the north edge of Portland, all that stands between thousands of residents and the mighty Columbia River is a 30-foot wall of earth. In some places, the levees are firm, topped with biking paths, townhomes and roads. Yet other spots along the levee need repairs to meet federal safety standards. A plan to shore up the levees, released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in January, calls for raising and widening the massive berms in certain areas, adding pumping capacity in others and constructing seawalls in a few select areas. The upgrades are necessary to keep in compliance with safety standards from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Without accreditation from the feds, homeowners who live behind the levees may not qualify for affordable flood insurance. The corps estimates the cost for the upgrades at roughly $157 million. However, that estimate leaves out some potentially pricey aspects of the project -- an omission thats troubling to Bob Sallinger, director of conservation with the Portland Audubon Society. This thing looks like a classic mega-project that will skyrocket before it's done, he said. Officials with the Corps, and with the City of Portland, one of more than a dozen jurisdictions involved in the plan, say the process is still in its early stages and there is room for improvement. A history of high water Before it was developed and filled with homes, warehouses and infrastructure, the area of North and Northeast Portland on the banks of the Columbia River was a vast floodplain, covered with marshes, seasonal lakes and wetlands. In 1917, farmers in the area built berms to protect the area from high water and four drainage districts were established stretching from the railroad bridge over the Columbia to the Sandy River to manage flood risk in the area. The 1930s saw the passage of the Flood Control Act and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers worked to upgrade the berms to federally authorized levees. By the time they were finished, 27 miles of levees lined the banks of the Columbia, with several cross-levees running perpendicular to the river along inland sloughs. But in 1948, high water burst through a railroad embankment and flooded the city of Vanport, killing 15 people and displacing nearly 20,000 of the communitys mostly African American residents. While the Vanport disaster was caused by the Columbias largest flood, it wasnt the only time high river levels have caused problems in Portland. The river has seen six high water events in the last 125 years and experts expect their frequency to increase as warmer temperatures, brought on by climate change, increase precipitation and exacerbate snowmelt. In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina led to flooding that swamped New Orleans, the federal government raised levee safety standards. Today, the levees that protect the vast area of North and Northeast Portland including the Portland International Airport, an Air National Guard Base, public transit infrastructure and the homes of 7,500 people do not meet the new standards. If the government were to revoke accreditation of the levees, homeowners would no longer qualify for the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides affordable coverage to people who live in flood zones. A mandate of environmental protection The four drainage districts, unable to pay for the upgrades on their own, partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to qualify for federal assistance that would cover 65% of the costs. In January, after three years of review, the Corps released a set of options to address the levee issues, ranging from doing nothing to spending $157 million to widen some levees, raise others, add retaining walls in some areas and replace outdated pumps. Last year, legislation was passed that would consolidate the four drainage districts into one entity, with a mandate to contribute to improved water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, floodplain restoration and landscape resilience. But Sallinger says the corps plan fails to meet the new entitys environmental mandate. The Corps fails to identify any natural resource benefits that will be accomplished by the project, Sallinger wrote in comments he submitted on the plan. Specifically, one option that was ultimately scrapped would have moved one levee back to create a natural floodplain. Officials with the Corps said that measure was removed from consideration because, a new levee would be required on what is currently a wetland area. But there are other fatal flaws in the plan, Sallinger said. He said it fails to include potential costs that will have to be paid by local jurisdictions or property owners and much of the area in question is industrial and any hazardous materials that need cleanup would not be covered under the current price estimate. The plan has already identified 23 sites that would need hazardous material remediation. Michael Jordan, director of the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, said that lack of information is concerning, but that cleanup of any hazardous materials found on private property would be the responsibility of the owner. In an added wrinkle to the study, Corps personnel were denied access to a railroad embankment used by Union Pacific and BNSF Railway on the western border of the study area. The embankment is not intended to serve as flood protection, but the quality and construction of the current embankment is unknown as the railroads have declined to allow access to obtain data to fully analyze the embankment, the Corps wrote in the plan. If you've ever dealt with a railroad on any project it can be very challenging, Jordan said. He said officials had been trying to work with BNSF and Union Pacific for years to get the companies to cooperate, but they have not been forthcoming in any capacity to do that work. Contacted by The Oregonian/OregonLive this week, both companies noted that railroad embankments were not engineered to serve as levees, but they intended to meet with the Corps in the near future. We live in Portland, too. Valerie Ringold, the Corps planning chief for the project, said that, based on the federal funding they receive, their primary criteria in evaluating the options was flood safety and economic benefit. The authority we are working under is specifically flood risk, not multipurpose, she said, though she added that one of the first things they did was to look at the projects impact on endangered species like Columbia River salmon. The alignment is the same. Were not building new levees, said Laura Hicks, the Corps project manager, who noted that any widening of existing structures would come on the inside of the levees to avoid impact to the river itself. As for the hazardous materials issues, the plan has some of those uncertainties built into the cost, Ringold said. Both Ringold and Hicks said they understood why people might be apprehensive about such a big and expensive project. We live in Portland, too," Hicks said, "and understand peoples concerns about livability issues. After the end of the public comment period on Friday at midnight, the Corps will take several months to work through the publics input and that of various stakeholders. Both Hicks and Ringold emphasized that they would be working in concert with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Environmental Protection Agency and other governmental agencies as they refine the plan to address areas of concern brought up by the comments. The revised plan should be ready in late 2021. Who will pay for the 35% of the project cost that isnt covered by the Corps -- around $55 million -- remains unclear. Still, Sallinger thinks the best option, given the uncertainty about costs and what he sees as a lack of environmental considerations, is to go back to the drawing board. We can either deal with it now or deal with it when it becomes a scandal, he said. -- Kale Williams kwilliams@oregonian.com 503-294-4048 @sfkale Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. GRAND RAPIDS, MI The attorney for Plaza Towers Condominium Association says the city owes millions in damages after a devastating flood along the Grand River in 2013. The association is claiming inverse condemnation after Plaza Towers riverside parking garage filled with 5 feet of water 1.6 million gallons. This is terrible, shameful, what the city is doing here, attorney Stephen Afendoulis told jurors on Friday, Feb 14. The association and its insurance company filed lawsuits in Kent County Circuit Court against the City of Grand Rapids. Jurors have listened to nearly two weeks of testimony before attorneys began closing arguments. The arguments have continued into the afternoon. Floodwaters rushed in through an opening in the flood wall, the plaintiffs attorneys said. The opening was cut into the wall to provide access to pedestrian traffic. The city, however, contends that ground water pushed underneath concrete slabs and caused flooding because of a poor drainage system at Plaza Towers. The flooded parking ramps of the Courtyard Marriott hotel Grand Saturday, April 20, 2013 in Grand Rapids Mich. Grand Rapids firefighters helped evacuate hotel guests and residents of Plaza Towers after flooding in the basement caused power to be cut off. (MLive File Photo) Plaza Towers, at 201 W. Fulton St., has since built a floodgate near the Blue Bridge after significant flooding on April 20, 2013. Power was shut off, with the business shut down two weeks, displacing about 1,000 residents. Vehicles in the parking garage were underwater. Plaza Towers, owned by Eenhoorn LLC, reported $12 million in damages, including repairs, loss of revenue and diminished value of the building. It received $5 million from Massachusetts Bay Insurance Co. Its time. The citys day of reckoning is here, Bruce Moss, an attorney for the insurance company, told jurors. He says the opening was constructed in the 1990s. The plaintiffs have to show, among other things, that the cut in the wall was a substantial cause, rather than the cause, of the flooding. The city has blamed faulty building design and a poor drainage system for the damage. Attorney Geoffrey Fields, representing the city, said that groundwater pushed underneath a slab of concrete under the cut-off wall. Until the rupture, no one could know what was going on below the concrete. He said water burst up under the slab. The city was not the cause of unforeseeable damage at Plaza Towers, Fields said. He added that the plaintiffs did not show at trial who cut the hole in the wall. Eenhoorn bought the complex completed in 1991 from Amway in 2001. Amway sunk millions into the development that was plagued by structural problems. The first lawsuit was filed in 2014. The state Court of Appeals later said the city could be held liable for damages. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Read more on MLive: City bites back on Plaza Towers flooding lawsuit, blames damage on faulty building design Plaza Towers would pay for river wall floodgate under city easement deal City back on the hook for Plaza Towers flood damage Sabaya Makhadet El-Kohl (The Young Girls of the Kohl Pillow), a play that explores the lives and constraints of women in southern Egypt, is playing in Cairo until Monday At the small El-Talia theatre in Cairo, folk motifs are displayed on the wall. A woman with Nubian features is sitting on a black chair. In front of her, a traditional bottle of kohl is placed on a cushion. The woman remains frozen for a moment. Then, once the audience is seated in the room, she gets up, takes the cushion and heads for another, older woman, to whom she gives kohl. She looks around, then looks at her sewing machine. Then begins to speak: "The little girl becomes a young woman ..." This is how the story begins. With The Young Girls of the Kohl Pillow, well-known director Intessar Abdel-Fattah has resumed his play Makhadet El-Kohl (The Kohl Pillow), which shed light on the world of women in the south of Egypt. The Kohl Pillow was one of the earliest and most successful plays by Abdel-Fattah when it was staged in the late 1990s, winning him the best play award at the Cairo International Festival of Experimental Theatre in 1998, and going on to complete extensive tours around the world. The sequel, Sabaya Makhadet El-Kohl (The Young Girls of the Kohl Pillow), draws more on Egyptian heritage while exploring the concept of polyphonic theatre. The play is currently being staged at El-Taliaa theatre, and closes on Monday 17 February. In it, Abdel-Fattah takes over and develops further the previous performance, taking us to a Nubian oasis culture, to a place where women hide their beauty products, including kohl, a rich, dark powder used as eye makeup since the Pharaonic era. Abdel-Fattah uses kohl to immerse us in the world of women in the south. The play breaks with the traditional dramatic structure. The dialogue, written by the poet Kawthar Moustafa, is limited to a few sentences inspired by proverbs and sayings from rural society. Little by little, we are unveiling the suffering and repression of women, imposed by habits and customs. Abdel-Fattah is inspired by polyphonic theatre, based on the decomposition of an idea into several levels and aspects, all brought together in the same scene. The stage space is divided into two planes: a large bed at the back of the theatre, then copper bars in the form of six cells, where women are imprisoned. The front of the stage is primarily reserved for the main characters: the grandmother with her sewing machine, a dancer whose movements express the idea of freedom, the young woman with Nubian features who has something mythical, and another covered with a scarf, alluding to the oppression she has suffered. The only man in the show is a dancer, often seated on the floor or lying down doing nothing. His movements are reduced to what is strictly necessary. Cultural heritage The songs, the music, the rhythms play an essential dramatic role and give rise to an elaborate choreographic expression. As such, Abdel-Fattah uses folklore songs from the oases of Sahara and Nubia, with rural children's songs evoking superstitions. Rhythms are often created by household tools and folk instruments. Young girls play with wooden clogs on which portraits of village women are painted. Several actresses use choppers, generating an overwhelming rhythm which reflects the crushing of women. With these rhythms, the dance becomes rebellious. The oppressed woman drops her scarf. The face-to-face meeting between her and the dancer testifies to the conflict between the desire for freedom and social constraints. The grandmother makes a speech, trying to control the girl in the headscarf again. The young girls in the cell echo the grandmother's sentences: they repeat them like a list of accusations. Its as if they are trying to judge the grandmother, blaming her for their condition. These women also express themselves through visually rich scenes. They lend themselves, for example, to a set of mirrors, playing with the pieces of polished glass that they hold in their hands. In another scene, they hold a white sheet which, under the effect of the lighting, reflects their silhouettes on a large screen. The play of shadows and lights gives access, in finesse, to the secret universe of these women who wash, wax, comb their hair, etc. The scene of the grandmother's judgment announces the end of the show. Abdel-Fattah sums up his work with a scene of collages that bring together the choir singing, evoking the stereotypical speeches and the dances that symbolise the feminine condition. The woman who has taken off her scarf heads towards the grandmother, but the latter disappears under her white sheet. The outcome of the play is different to the 1990s version, where a young woman replaced the grandmother in front of the sewing machine. This time, apparently, there is a chance to escape the vicious circle. This article was first published in Al Ahram Hebdo (issue 12 February). For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: The Congress accepted on Wednesday the resignations offered by two of its top Delhi unit leaders, while it also attempted to quell infighting that broke out a day after the party drew a blank in the assembly elections in the national capital. Congress president Sonia Gandhi accepted the resignations of Delhi unit chief Subhash Chopra, who offered to quit just hours after the disastrous showing in the polls, and PC Chacko, the partys Delhi unit in-charge, in a swift move, according to a notification by the party. Shakti Sinh Gohil, the Congresss Bihar in-charge, will take the baton from Chacko. The churn in the organisation came on a day the party faced controversies on at least two fronts one triggered by Chackos purported remarks on former chief minister Sheila Dikshit, and another that brought opposite views within the party to the fore. Delhi Mahila Congress president Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of former president Pranab Mukherjee, created a flutter on social media by questioning former Union minister P Chidambarams Twitter post that congratulated the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi. 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 Chidambarams tweet, in an apparent dig at the BJP. In her reply, Mukherjee posted: With due respect sir, just want to know- has @INCIndia outsourced the task of defeating BJP to state parties? If not, then why r we gloating over AAP victory rather than being concerned abt our drubbing? And if yes, then we (PCCs) might as well close shop! Mukherjee later told HT: I dont want to say anything more about it. In the February 8 assembly elections, the AAP won 62 of Delhis 70 seats, while the BJP bagged eight. Congress candidates lost their deposits in 63 of the 66 seats the party contested. Its vote share fell to 4.25% from 9.7% in 2015. Another row erupted after Chacko purportedly told news agency ANI that the Congresss downfall in Delhi began in 2013, when Dikshit was the chief minister. Dikshit, who died last July, is credited with leading a Congress government in the national capital for 15 straight years. In the election held in 2013, the Congress was relegated to the third position and offered outside support to the AAP in order to keep the BJP at bay. Chacko later said that his comment was misinterpreted and that he was deliberately targeted. My comments are being misinterpreted. I did not say that we lost this election because of Sheilaji. I said that we lost our vote share to the AAP in 2013, and she was incidentally the CM then. That was only a reference point, Chacko said. Former Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora said that it was unfortunate that Dikshits party colleagues were blaming her after her death. Sheila Dikshit was a remarkable politician and administrator. During her tenure as chief minister, Delhi was transformed and 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, Deora said. As controversies brewed, Congresss chief spokesperson, Randeep Surjewala, disapproved of the blame game. It would have been better if the leaders of the Congress party in Delhi or elsewhere, would have looked at, introspected upon their own role, their own responsibility, their own commitment to the Party and defining their own duty towards the campaign in Delhi, then things would have sorted out themselves, he said. Surjewala added that the party will go back to the drawing board, go back to the last worker of the Congress Party in Delhi, who toiled tirelessly bereft of any groupings whatsoever and worked for the Congress Party, although we could not secure the support of the people. He also lauded Dikshits role during the 15-year (1998-2003) Congress rule in Delhi and the pioneering work done by her. Off a bumpy dirt road in Gaza city, a group of children stood outside a half-open factory door, desperate to get their hands on what was being made inside. "We want chocolate!" they shouted at a worker as he left the Al-Arees factory, which despite daunting obstacles churns out treats ranging from chocolate-covered biscuits to a Gazan version of a world famous spread, dubbed here 'Natalia'. Buckling in the face of candy-crazed kids, the man popped behind the door and returned with enough free chocolate to rot their growing teeth. Al-Arees's products are Gazan but their components are not, as few of the basic raw ingredients are produced in the impoverished Mediterranean coastal strip. The factory relies on chocolate from as far as Argentina, sugar from African countries and dried eggs from the Netherlands, with other essentials imported from Turkey and Israel. Israel controls all goods that enter Gaza, imposing a blockade that tightened after the tiny enclave was seized by the Islamist group Hamas in 2007. Hamas has fought three wars with the Jewish state, which frequently strikes the strip in response to projectiles fired by militants at Israel. The exchange of fire has escalated since last month after US President Donald Trump unveiled his Middle East peace plan, angrily rejected by the Palestinians as a capitulation to Israeli objectives. But even last week -- amid rockets and mortars from Gaza and late night Israeli air strikes -- the chocolate factories kept whirring. - Double customs fees - Gaza has no airport. Goods for the strip are usually brought into Ashdod, an Israeli port around 35 kilometres (21 miles) north of the strip. Getting them into Gaza requires patience and money. "From Ashdod we pay for workers and trucks that take these goods to the Kerem Shalom border crossing (between Gaza and Israel)," said Wael Ai, head of Al-Arees. "Then you take them out of the truck for checks, then onto another truck from Gaza and after about 500 metres you have another checkpoint for Hamas," he added. "I pay customs twice," he told AFP, meaning once in Ashdod where Israel collects fees on behalf of the official Palestinian government based in the West Bank and then in Gaza to Hamas. Due to Gaza's electricity shortages, Ai has installed three fuel-guzzling generators. "If you want anything done in Gaza you have to do it yourself," he said. - 'Natalia' - Nutella may be a global phenomena, but Gazans clamour for Natalia, their own version of a chocolate and hazelnut spread. Local factories also make Crimpos, a large marshmallow coated in a thick layer of chocolate. The treats are popular, but not necessarily profitable. Four hundred grams of Natalia sells for just three or four shekels (about a dollar) while Crimpos sell for as little as five shekels per box of 20. With Gaza's unemployment rate at nearly 50 percent, there is little space to raise prices domestically. And exports to more lucrative markets are largely banned by Israel, which permits some vegetables and clothing to be sold abroad but not processed food. Maher al-Tabbaa of the Gaza Chamber of Commerce insisted that factories in the strip make attractive products that are "forbidden from leaving Gaza." - First exports of Gaza sweets - "They are banned from being exported even to the West Bank," he added. "In Gaza we have a limited market, so the banning of exports weakens the industry." Despite ongoing tensions, Israel and Hamas have reached a series of agreements over the past year that have slightly eased tensions. That fragile accord led to an event in December which, for a Gazan producer, could fairly be described as momentous: for the first time in years Gaza exported sweet goods. Eight tonnes of Crimpos were cleared for export to Bahrain, crossing through Israel and the West Bank to Jordan, and onward to the Gulf Arab state. "What I exported was one day's work only," said Wael al-Wadiya, chairman of Sarayo Alwadiya company that made the Krembos. "Right now we have 150 employees at the company. If they open the door to exports we will have people working three shifts -- each one eight hours." "So the number will go from 150 to between 300 and 450." But in recent days the situation has slipped backwards again. After increased Gaza rocket fire following Trump's peace proposal, Israel again tightened the export rules and cancelled 500 permits for Gazans to work in Israel. But Wadiya remains optimistic. "If you can succeed in Gaza, you can succeed anywhere." Nova Poshta International (part of the Nova Poshta group of companies) does not plan to suspend delivery of items to/from China, the company's press service has told Interfax-Ukraine. "As regards parcels from China, they are delivered as usual. For this, when ordering from Aliexpress, customers need to specify the Aliexpress Standard Shipping delivery service and select the nearest Nova Poshta office from the list of available ones," the company noted. At the same time, according to Nova Poshta, the delivery of shipments from Ukraine to China may be delayed due to the fault of the Chinese side. "For our part, we continue to deliver parcels from Ukraine to China, but local delivery within China itself may occur with delays. This is due to restrictions in the work of Chinese companies in connection with coronavirus. We warn our customers about possible delays in sending parcels," the company said. Nova Poshta also emphasized that the number of parcels from China is usually reduced in January-February, due to the celebration of New Year holidays in this country, during which business activity in the country decreases. "It is also known that due to the situation with the coronavirus, some suppliers ship goods with delays. Therefore, it is still difficult to analyze how coronavirus affected the volume of parcels from China," Nova Poshta said. This willingness to deal with a president deeply unpopular among Democrats was hardly surprising, given Cuomos identity as a pragmatist. The governor has a long track record of crafting deals with Democrats and Republicans alike on tricky issues including congestion pricing, the minimum wage and gay marriage. But he has not had a lot of luck in his negotiations with President Trump. In fact, it may be that Cuomos brand of politics are irrelevant or ineffective when dealing with a narcissist who thrives on division and offers up empty promises. The president has left the governor hanging after White House meetings on taxes, infrastructure and it now appears a move by the Trump Administration that makes New Yorkers ineligible for a program the Department of Homeland Securitys Trusted Traveler programs. This latest controversy began last week when DHS announced that it was rejecting New Yorkers applications into programs that make it easier to pass through airport security or immigration checkpoints, because the federal government could not access a state database for drivers licenses since a new law went into effect late last year that allows undocumented New Yorkers to get drivers licenses. Creating bureaucratic barriers to block federal immigration officials from using the personal information they gave to the state was important to assuaging concerns about raising the risk of deportation for undocumented immigrations. Not only did the move take the Cuomo administration by surprise, a memo from the department revealed by Buzzfeed found that the change happened in order to punish New York for its immigration-friendly policies. In a statement the next day, Cuomo called the memo a documented admission by the Trump administration that they are purposely targeting law-abiding U.S. citizens to play partisan politics. Cuomo was still willing to hash things out with Trump. After a period of mutual recriminations Cuomo said that he would allow the federal government to access DMV records when it was necessary to screen applicants for Trusted Traveler programs, the reasoning being that undocumented immigrants would not be among them. Cuomo and Trump then agreed to meet at the White House on Feb. 13. A little over an hour before the meeting was set to begin, a presidential tweet let everyone know what the meeting was really all about at least from his perspective. He must understand that National Security far exceeds politics, Trump wrote. New York must stop all of its unnecessary lawsuits & harrassment [sic], start cleaning itself up, and lowering taxes. Build relationships, but dont bring Fredo! In other words, the president was saying that letting New Yorkers cross the border with relative convenience all depended on Cuomo making state government do a variety of things beyond changing its policies about drivers licenses. The Fredo remark was another signal that the governor stood no chance of getting Trump to agree to end the impasse. Cuomo said months ago that comparing his brother Chris or any Italian-American to an inept character in The Godfather was an insulting ethnic slur. The governor went to the White House nonetheless. That both the Trump and Cuomo administrations described the hour-long meeting as productive was itself a minor miracle; many of Trumps meetings with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi do not go nearly as well. But that does not mean Cuomo wrangled any actual concessions from Trump, or that New Yorkers are any closer to getting their access restored to the Trusted Traveler programs. To do that, Cuomo would have to play under Trumps rules, meaning putting on the negotiating table issues like taxes, immigration policies and the states various lawsuits against the Trump administration. By putting all of them into one tweet, Trump was offering Cuomo a deal that he could never accept for a variety of reasons. The state has a lot of interests besides Trusted Traveler programs. The political cost to Cuomo among New York Democrats could be immense. Moreover, the governor was being asked to participate in a quid pro quo that, while perhaps legal, shared characteristics, such as Trump using presidential power to extort personal or political favors, with the presidents recent demands that Ukraine investigate former Vice President Joe Biden in exchange for the release of congressionally appropriated U.S. military aid to the Eastern European country. Thats not to say that Cuomo has no leverage in negotiating with Trump, who seems to desire praise and the appearance of political or personal victory more than substantive policy achievements. The governor could offer some concessions. For example, he could agree to push for changes to the new requirements on drivers licenses and do his best to make state lawmakers go along. Cuomo could agree to drop the lawsuit that the state filed against the administration after the Trusted Traveler freeze went into effect. There is even the possibility that Trump wouldnt mind getting a high-profile Democratic governor to make a deal with him so soon after his own impeachment trial. But, as of this writing, the governor has nothing tangible to show from their meeting. This fits in well with Cuomos past dealings with Trump. A 2018 meeting on a proposed project to build a rail tunnel under the Hudson River also described as productive after the two leaders met at the White House. A spokesman for Schumer told The New York Times at the time Trump wants to use Gateway as leverage to trade for the wall, referring to the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border that Trump wants to build. While Cuomo said at the time that the meeting did result in substantive progress, concerns continued into the following year that Trump was just stringing him along. The Trump Administration has continued signalling that it would approve the project, but has yet to sign off on the grants that would make that happen, Politico reported on Feb. 10. Cuomo had even less luck with convincing Trump to back changes to the new federal tax law that Republicans passed in 2017, which limited the State and Local Tax Deduction. Cuomo has called it an economic missile aimed at New York, but he has tried and tried and tried again to find ways to address the change in a way that would help New Yorkers avoid a big effective hike on the taxes they owe to the federal government each year. Trump listened to Cuomos concerns, but the SALT deduction is still capped at $10,000 per year. In Cuomos defense, it is not easy for any governor to take on a president. The president has a variety of ways to wield his power at the federal law, from pushing Congress to pass legislation to changing federal rules on a wide range of issues. Trump has only gotten better at this with time. He has become even more politically aggressive since the end of his impeachment trial by firing federal officials who gave damaging testimony against him and other moves that include his freeze of New Yorkers applications for the Trusted Traveler programs. While Cuomo has to get Gateway approved by the Trump administration, the wisdom of meeting with him could be proven if the federal government does end up supporting a project that had appeared to be a done deal with New York and New Jersey under the Obama administration. Ditto with efforts to get Trump to help with building an extension of the Second Avenue Subway and implementing congestion pricing, which requires federal approval. Cuomo acknowledged shortly before the Feb. 13 meeting that trying could be his first step towards failure in getting Trump to reverse the freeze on the Trusted Traveler programs. Youre asking me if I have a high expectation of success? No, he told reporters at a New York City press conference. But it makes me feel better knowing that I did everything I could to argue for the state of New York that is my role. Now that the meeting has come and gone, the two leaders will follow up on the issue next week, according to a Cuomo spokeswoman. Rather than fight Trump on Twitter, as former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg does, Cuomo has elected to give negotiation a shot in order to make something happen on an issue that has a big effect on his state, especially considering how international and domestic business travel to and from New York is so crucial to its economy. While some political observers might say that Cuomo was only setting himself up for failure by meeting Trump this week, there was a political benefit to doing so no matter what happens with Trump, according to political consultant Hank Sheinkopf. It doesnt matter if he gets anything from Trump or not, Sheinkopf said. What matters to the governor is that he appears to be an advocate for the state and his public profile continued to be heightened. Yet, if this latest round of negotiations with Trump fails to get Cuomo the result he desires, then he might want to heed an old adage about not being fooled by the same trickster more than once. If Cuomo does end up getting what he wants through negotiations with Trump, then the governors brand of dealmaking will have proved itself with the most unlikely of negotiating partners but Cuomo should be prepared for disappointment. BROOKLYN, N.Y., Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Long Island University is proud to announce that acclaimed writers Tina Chang, Susan Choi and Monique Truong will deliver this year's "Starting from Paumanok" lecture, at Kumble Theater on LIU's Brooklyn campus on Monday, March 2nd at 6:30 p.m. This annual event takes its name from a poem by Walt Whitman which first appeared in the 1860 edition of Leaves of the Grass. Its title invokes the Native American word for Long Island and acknowledges the University's geographic and cultural connection to one of Brooklyn'sand Long Island'sforemost literary figures. Among those who've previously appeared in this lecture series are the novelists John Keene, Sandra Cisneros, Gary Shteyngart and Edwidge Danticat; the poets Claudia Rankine and Tracy K. Smith; and the playwright Lynn Nottage. With ongoing support from the Mellon Foundation fund and LIU's John P. McGrath Fund, the Paumanok lecture is presented by the Department of English, Philosophy and Languages at LIU Brooklyn. Following the talk by Tina Chang, Susan Choi and Monique Truong, Professor Louis Parascandola will join the authors on stage for a short interview before taking questions from the audience. Afterwards, the authors will sign books in the Kumble Theater lobby, thanks to a partnership with Greenlight Books in Brooklyn. The lecture is free and open to the public. About the Authors: Tina Chang is an American poet, teacher, and editor. In 2010, she was the first woman to be named Poet Laureate of Brooklyn and she continues to serve in this role. She is the author of three poetry collections: Hybrida (W. W. Norton, May 2019), Of Gods & Strangers (Four Way Books, 2011), and Half-Lit Houses (Four Way Books, 2004). She is the co-editor of the seminal anthology Language for a New Century: Contemporary Poetry from the Middle East, Asia, and Beyond (W.W. Norton, 2008), which was hailed as, "One of the 10 greatest international anthologies, a timeless resource" by the Academy of American Poets, and was praised by the Financial Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post, Poets & Writers and many other periodicals. Chang's own work has been published in The New York Times and Ploughshares among others, and has been featured in the anthologies Asian American Poetry: The Next Generation and Identity Lessons: Contemporary Writing About Learning to Be American (Penguin Books). Tina Chang received her MFA in poetry from Columbia University. She teaches poetry at Sarah Lawrence College. Susan Choi's first novel, The Foreign Student (2004), won the Asian-American Literary Award for fiction. Her second novel, American Woman, was a finalist for the 2004 Pulitzer Prize. Her third novel, A Person of Interest, was a finalist for the 2009 PEN/Faulkner Award. In 2010, she was named the inaugural recipient of the PEN/W.G. Sebald Award. Her fourth novel, My Education, received a 2014 Lammy Award. Her fifth novel is Trust Exercise (April 2019) and her first book for children is Camp Tiger (May 2019). A recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation, she teaches fiction writing at Yale and lives in Brooklyn. Born in Saigon, South Vietnam, Monique Truong came to the U.S. as a refugee in 1975. She is a writer based now in Brooklyn, New York. Her first novel, The Book of Salt (Houghton Mifflin, 2003), was a national bestseller and the recipient of the New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award, Bard Fiction Prize, PEN/Robert W. Bingham Fellowship, Stonewall Book Award-Barbara Gittings Literature Award, PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles National Literary Award, Association for Asian American Studies Poetry/Prose Award, and an Asian American Literary Award. In 2003, The Book of Salt was honored as a New York Times Notable Fiction Book, a Chicago Tribune Favorite Fiction Books, a Village Voice's 25 Favorite Books, and a Miami Herald's Top 10 Books, among other citations. Her second novel, Bitter in the Mouth (Random House, 2010), received the American Academy of Arts and Letters' Rosenthal Family Foundation Award and was named in 2010 as a 25 Best Fiction Books by Barnes & Noble, a 10 Best Fiction Books by Hudson Booksellers, and the adult fiction Honor Book by the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association. Her third novel, The Sweetest Fruits (Viking Books, 2019), was named a best fiction of the year by Publishers Weekly, PopMatters, and Mental Floss. For more information on the Paumanok lecture series, contact Leah Dilworth, Professor of English and Chair of the Department of English, Philosophy, and Languages at LIU Brooklyn, 718.488.1050; [email protected] About Long Island University (LIU) LIU, founded in 1926, continues to redefine higher education, providing high quality academic instruction by world-class faculty. Recognized by Forbes for its emphasis on experiential learning and by the Brookings Institution for its "value added" to student outcomes, LIU offers more than 320 academic programs, with a network of over 265,000 alumni including industry leaders and entrepreneurs across the globe. LIU's renowned faculty, innovation in engaged learning, and strong career outcomes distinguish LIU as a leader among the nation's most respected universities. Visit liu.edu for more information. SOURCE Long Island University Related Links www.liu.edu Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Los Angeles is home to the most consequential school board elections in the country. L.A. Unified is the largest school district in the U.S. with an elected board. Board members' decisions touch the lives of 587,000 children. On top of being important, L.A.'s school board elections have become expensive. Very expensive. In fact, if the current rate of spending continues, this March's election will be the costliest LAUSD primary in history. With barely two weeks until Election Day, outside political groups have spent more than $3.7 million attempting to sway the three competitive LAUSD board races. That total is slightly ahead of the pace set in the 2017 school board elections, which saw more outside spending than any other LAUSD primary in recent history. The darker blue line shows"independent expenditures" totals through Feb. 13, 2020. Compare it to 2017 (orange line) and 2015 (light blue) the last time these same four seats were up for election. (KPCC/LAist Analysis; L.A. City Ethics Data) Here's what that $3.7 million total reflects: whenever an outside political group spends money trying to sway an election -- on mailers, advertising, or paid outreach like phone banking -- they must report it as an "independent expenditure." Independent expenditures have come to dominate LAUSD races in recent years because outside political groups aren't subject to the strict fundraising limits that candidates face in school board races. (Thanks, Citizens United.) Plus, unlike in L.A. City Council elections, LAUSD candidates aren't eligible for matching funds. There's a familiar storyline behind all of this spending: two rival factions with contrasting views on education policy -- charter school advocates and L.A.'s main teachers union -- are vying for control of the LAUSD board. WHY ARE CHARTER GROUPS SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY? For the schools represented by the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA), the stakes of the LAUSD election are high. In California, charter schools often need the permission of their district's school board in order to open -- and in July, a new law will take effect giving school boards more discretion to block new charters from opening. "The challenge is we have an organization -- the teachers union -- that's interested in closing down high-quality schools," said Gregory McGinity, executive director of the charter association's political arm, CCSA Advocates. "We just don't see how that's good for families and communities." CCSA is also looking to bounce back from almost two years of disappointments. In 2018, former LAUSD board president Ref Rodriguez resigned, breaking up a loose majority of CCSA-endorsed members on the board. CCSA then sat out the special election held to replace Rodriguez, and watched as an outspoken charter school critic, Jackie Goldberg, won the right to fill out Rodriguez's term. This time around, CCSA didn't endorse Goldberg's challenger, Christina Martinez Duran. But prominent pro-charter donor Bill Bloomfield has papered the district with anti-Goldberg ads. (More on those later.) Bloomfield's $1.5 million in independent expenditures -- much of which is going against Goldberg -- makes him the largest single source of outside spending in the LAUSD primary so far, according to a KPCC/LAist analysis of campaign finance figures. WHY ARE TEACHERS UNIONS SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY? For United Teachers Los Angeles, this pro-charter spending underscores the importance of the election. Ingrid Gunnell, chair of UTLA's political action committee, acknowledged the union is a traditional power in LAUSD politics -- but she said its power comes from 13,000 union members pooling small-dollar donations, rather than deep-pocketed philanthropists. "This is public knowledge: we don't have unlimited funds," said Gunnell. "We don't have people like Eli Broad, Bill Bloomfield, Richard Riordan, writing a $100,000 check the night before the election." In the union's view, a "friendly" school board could act as a buffer against the influence of pro-charter groups, and help the 30,000-member union -- which represents LAUSD teachers, nurses, counselors and others -- pursue its own goals. "If we had a friendly, consistent school board, we probably wouldn't have had to go out on strike," said Gunnell. Before the strike, Gunnell said UTLA had two reliable allies on the board. Even after Goldberg took office following the strike, UTLA says they're still one vote short of a solid majority -- termed-out incumbent Richard Vladovic, who's received both UTLA and CCSA endorsements in the past, is a swing vote. In short: for UTLA, a majority bloc on the board is at stake in March. WHO'S RUNNING AND WHERE: MORE: The full list of LAUSD and L.A. City Council candidates on the March 2020 ballot WHERE ARE THE UNION AND CHARTER FORCES SPENDING MOST? In the three competitive races, CCSA only endorsed one candidate: Marilyn Koziatek, who's challenging incumbent Scott Schmerelson in the race for the Board District 3 seat. But in races where the charter association declined to endorse, ally Bill Bloomfield has been actively spending. In Board District 5, he's spent almost $950,000 attempting to unseat Goldberg. Many of the mailers Bloomfield's purchased criticize Goldberg for concerns that date back to the 1980s, issues that came up during her first stint as a LAUSD school board member. In an email, UTLA executive director Jeff Good characterized Bloomfield's anti-Goldberg mailers as "race-baiting." For example, several ads claim Goldberg "forced Latino students to attend academically inferior and dangerous schools." The 1985 L.A. Times story cited to back up this statement covers a racially-fraught dispute over school attendance boundaries. The story doesn't mention Goldberg's name, though -- and in a message to supporters, Goldberg said she didn't represent the area where this dispute took place. (The board vote on the change in question was unanimous.) In a message to supporters, Goldberg called them "bald-faced lies." When asked to respond, Bloomfield stood by the claims in his ads. "Every single statement," he wrote in a letter, "in the mail we've supported has been factual and thoroughly researched and fact-checked." He also said, "LAUSD does not work well for low-income communities, especially Latino and African American children," and that he believed Martinez Duran is "the kind of person this district and its diverse families deserve." Meanwhile, UTLA has spent $144,000 attempting to ensure Goldberg keeps her seat, and $432,000 backing Schmerelson in BD3. But CCSA has outspent UTLA in BD3 by a two-to-one margin. The charter association has spent more than $489,000 to boost Koziatek's candidacy, and another $472,000 on negative ads against Schmerelson. The teachers union has also spent around $430,000 supporting longtime labor activist Patricia Castellanos in BD7, one of five candidates seeking to replace the termed-out Vladovic. CCSA didn't endorse a candidate in the BD7 primary, but here again, Bloomfield has stepped up. He has chipped in $580,000 to support two candidates -- Tanya Ortiz Franklin and Mike Lansing -- perhaps in a bid to force Castellanos out of the likely runoff between the top two finishers. HOW WILL THIS ELECTION PLAY OUT? In recent years, LAUSD races have played out in odd-numbered years in low-turnout elections. But this year, LAUSD elections are on the same ballot as California's presidential primary, meaning school board election turnout will certainly be higher. Both UTLA and CCSA theorize the alignment with a high-visibility election helps their side. CCSA's McGinity says polling data shows public support for charter schools, but that this broader sentiment wasn't always reflected in low-turnout election. Is he right? "There's all kinds of possibilities," said Raphael Sonenshein, the executive director of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State L.A. "We haven't had an experiment with this in L.A. yet, and this is going to be it." Still, Sonenshein's inclined to believe UTLA's contention -- that the Democratic presidential primary is likely to draw more progressive voters who are interested in supporting traditional labor powers. He says it's even possible the presidential candidates themselves may weigh in on the school board debate. Another dynamic: if a candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote on March 3, that candidate wins the school board seat. But if no candidate wins a majority, the top two finishers advance to a runoff election. In previous years, that runoff would've taken place only two months later. This year, failing to win without a runoff means a long slog to November. "The big gap between March and November is a problem for everybody," Sonenshein said. "It's the biggest flaw in this reform." Mail-in ballots have already been sent -- and voters can begin casting ballots in-person as early as Feb. 22. UPDATES: Feb. 14, 1:15 p.m.: This article was updated with additional information about spending in the Board District 3 race. This article was originally published at 6 a.m. Though Flores had been hospitalized for alcohol poisoning a few times over the two decades that he spent on the streets, he would get better and then continue drinking. The last time his liver was severely damaged and doctors warned him that if he drank one more drop of alcohol, he would die, Franciso Flores said. Bengaluru, Feb 14 : Japanese third seed Yuichi Sugita and Belarus' 13th seed Ilya Ivashka were both knocked out in gruelling three-setters in the quarter-finals of the Bengaluru Open on Thursday. 22-year-old Italian Julian Ocleppo ousted Ivashka of Belarus in a match that lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes. The final score read 7-6(4), 6-7(3), 6-4 in his favour. Sugita was beaten by unseeded Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6. Bonzi now meets second seed Stefano Travaglia of Italy who overcame a stiff challenge from 11th seed Blaz Rola of Slovakia before prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in 1 hour and 56 minutes. Ocleppo faces fourth seed James Duckworth of Australia who overcame ninth seed Thomas Fabbiano of Italy 6-7(5), 6-0, 6-2. Ocleppo was down 2-5 in the opening set after he got broken early in the second game. However, he came back strongly to win three games on the trot to tie at 5-5 and take the set into a tie-breaker which he won. "My comeback in the first set was very crucial because the match could have ended by the second set," said Ocleppo. After the opponents had traded a break each in the 3rd and 4th games, Ocleppo lost the tie-break even as he had two break points. A stiff battle ensued in the decider with none giving their rival an inch of ground. The Italian, who was on a break point in the ninth game, hit an awesome down the line shot to surge 5-4 ahead. "That was my best shot of the match today and it was very crucial," said the winner who held on to his serve to win the match. "I know Ivashka very well both personally and about his game. It is tough to return his serves and he is a very good player who could have won this tournament. I served very well today and once I got used to returning, it became a little easy. I am doubly happy to have beaten him," said Ocleppo. Three days before Valentine's Day, a Rhode Island man pleaded guilty to robbing a Massachusetts bank while on a first date with a woman who he turned into the getaway driver. Christopher Castillo, 33, of Cepachet, met the woman through an online dating app and she picked him up for their first date on Dec. 5, 2016, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office. She drove Castillo to North Attleboro while he sipped wine in the passenger seat. When they neared a Bristol County Savings Bank branch, Castillo asked the woman to stop the car. "He then exited the car, left for a few minutes and then came running back, sweating and carrying the hat, sunglasses, a gun, and cash," District Attorney Thomas Quinn's office said. Inside the bank, the DA said Castillo showed a teller an antique gun and demanded $1,000, saying he really needed the cash. Castillo told the woman to drive, which she did until she saw the flashing blue lights of pursuing police cruisers. She stopped in a Dunkin' parking lot and got out of the car. The DA said she was not charged in connection to the bank robbery. Officers found Castillo ducking down inside the car and pulled him out. "During the struggle, the defendant spit on the police, continued to struggle with them and said, 'The gun isn't even loaded,'" Quinn's statement said. In the car, officers said they found $1,000, sunglasses, a hat and a .44 caliber antique gun owned by Castillo's step-father. Castillo pleaded guilty Tuesday in Fall River Superior Court and was sentenced to spend three years in state prison, followed by another two years in the Bristol County House of Corrections. Related video: How to get out of an awkward date A group of evangelical women prayed over Donald Trump by laying hands on him when he unexpectedly appeared at their event in his Washington D.C. hotel. Video shows Trump in the center of the group of at least a dozen women, all with heads bowed and arms outstretched toward him or touching his shoulders in prayer. 'Holy Father, we thank you so much for this evening. We thank you for this man of God. We thank you for his courage of standing up when others would rather stay seated,' one woman led the prayer as the others called out in agreement. 'Father, we ask you that you protect him. That you to lift him up, that you give him strength and know that he must be tired at times. And we just pray that you give him power like none other. We love him, we hold him up, and we thank you. Amen.' The event took place at Trump International Hotel in Washington, D. C., but was not on the president's agenda for the day, blog 1100 Pennsylvania revealed. Trump made the appearance with televangelist and his longtime faith adviser Paula White as he continues to aggressively pursue evangelical and religious voters, having held a rally in Miami and being the first sitting president to attend a March for Life. President Donald Trump made an unexpected appearance Wednesday at his Trump International Hotel in D.C. where evangelical women prayed over him The president spoke in front of the crowd while standing at a podium inscribed with the Trump Hotels insignia, rather than the presidential seal One pro-life activist and ministry leader at the event said the group had 'no idea' Trump would be in attendance and the president's agenda from the day made no note of the reception, either Trump posed with Illinois-based activist Yvonne FlorczakSeeman, who is president of Taking Back Our Power - Protectors of Women's Equal Rights group, and advocates that 'abortion hurt' The White House press office's schedule for Wednesday said the president was at his hotel to deliver 'remarks at a Fundraising Committee Reception', but was seen on video obtained by DailyMail.com speaking in front of a room of women from Be Still Ministries and Love From Above Inc. Trump was accompanied by his faith adviser Paula White, who stirred up controversy last month after calling for 'all satanic pregnancies to miscarry' According to one woman in attendance, Rachel Faulkner Brown, the group had 'no idea' Trump was coming to their reception. Faulkner Brown, an Atlanta-based speaker for Be Still Ministries and pro-life activist, posted to Instagram about Trump's visit and referenced the prayer circle. 'We prayed tonight for @realdonaldtrump because we all need to be prayed for, we all need to be loved and we all will thrive in freedom. Hail to the Chief tonight...WHAT A DAY! #ifyoudonthavelifeyoucanhaveliberty #vote #prolife,' she wrote. The president spoke in front of the crowd while standing at a podium inscribed with the Trump Hotels insignia, rather than the presidential seal. He appears to have spoken about the 'founder of ISIS', calling him a 'tough character' that you 'don't find too easily'. He then thanked his supporters and gave a special thank you to evangelical preacher Paula White, who is in her third marriage to Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain. White made remarks as well, gushing about her decades-long friendship with Trump and told of how he would pray with her family for hours at a time before she called for 'four more years'. 'This is a longtime relationship, this is not a political relationship, this is a genuine family relationship that I love to tell about the man who's now leading the free world as President of the United States. White joined the White House in an official capacity in October, advising the president's Faith and Opportunity Initiative and handling outreach to religious groups. Just last month, White was hit with backlash after calling for 'all satanic pregnancies to miscarry right now' during a sermon. White, pictured with activist Yvonne FlorczakSeeman, made remarks during the reception, gushing about her decades-long friendship with the president Rachel Faulkner Brown (left), a speaker for Be Still Ministries and pro-life activist, posted to Instagram about Trump's appearance and referenced the prayer circle Women from the Taking Back Our Power - Protectors of Women's Equal Rights group posed with to evangelical preacher Paula White Also at the reception was Chicago suburb-based public speaker Yvonne FlorczakSeeman, of Love From Above Inc., which brands itself as 'not pro-life, nor pro-choice, but pro-women', but advocates about how 'abortion hurts'. FlorczakSeeman is also president of Taking Back Our Power - Protectors of Women's Equal Rights group and was joined by other members at the event with the mission to 'empower and educate women on their inherent, fundamental human dignity.' FlorczakSeeman took to Facebook to post about the night, writing: 'What an awesome, exciting night for women who are ready to take back our power! And a special thanks to President Trump for showing up to support our work! Together, there isnt anything that we cant do! Lets do this, ladies!' She was seen in photos at the event with Candy Carson, the wife of Dr. Ben Carson, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. And another photo was snapped of FlorczakSeeman posing with Paula White at a White House Policy Briefing. The women at Wednesday night's event posed for a picture with Candy Carson (center), the wife of Dr. Ben Carson, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development FlorczakSeeman took to Facebook to post about the night, thanking President Trump for showing up, adding: 'Together, there isnt anything that we cant do! Lets do this, ladies!' Another photo was snapped of FlorczakSeeman posing with Paula White at a White House Policy Briefing Faulkner Brown captioned her post from the night's events: 'Tonight I was in a room with the POTUS and precious @PaulaMichelleWhite sat at our table. I'm just not even sure what to say...but what I can say is ONLY JESUS and I am so so PROUD to BE AN AMERICAN. 'I always have been but this is next level and my freedoms as a ministry leader are being protected because this man is not afraid,' she wrote. Be Still Ministries, according its website, began as an 'intimate monthly gathering centered around stories and prayer' but has has since expanded into 'workshops, retreats, and curriculum that have crossed state lines into Georgia, Colorado, Maryland, and South Carolina.' 'The ministry exists to create a hunger and thirst for the gospel of grace and for every daughter to know she is His favorite,' the site states. The owner of Hedges On Broad and 100 Proof bars has been indicted by an Athens-Clarke County grand jury on charges of rape and kidnapping, according to an indictment filed in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court on Feb. 11. Turkish officials have increased security at the Russian Embassy in Ankara in the wake of threats addressed to Ambassador Alexey Yerkhov due to an escalation of tensions in Syrias Idlib, spokesperson for the Russian diplomatic mission in Turkey Irina Kasimova said. "Yes, it is true, tensions have escalated lately. Due to this, we asked the Turkish officials to apply additional security measures," TASS cited her as saying. According to the spokesperson, the Russian ambassador is receiving messages warning him against going out on the streets of Ankara. "We understand that the people who write this are unlikely to go out and kill, this is a way of expressing their anger. However, we need to take this into account," Kasimova noted. Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry noted a rise in tensions in the Idlib de-escalation zone in the past few weeks. The Russian and Turkish military attempted to establish a ceasefire in the region, however, terrorist attacks persisted. As a result, military specialists from Russia and Turkey were killed. A customer of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Prosper Kweku Tunnu, has sued the bank at the Circuit Court in Accra for breach of bank-customer relationship. He is seeking from the bank an amount of GH50,000 in damages for having to endure public embarrassment as a wrong target in EOCOs undercover investigations. The suit, which was filed in March 2019, is yet to have its first hearing after several adjournments. The plaintiff, who is also a Senior Accountant at the Ghana School of Law, filed a motion for default judgment in April 2019 as the defendant bank, UBA, had delayed in filing its defense statement. Background to the case Mr. Tunnu who has been a customer of the bank for more than 10 years, had gone to the Accra Central branch of UBA on December 28, 2016 to sign a valid counter cheque to withdraw some money, but was subsequently arrested by EOCO officials. According to him, EOCO had instructed the freezing of his bank account because UBA made misrepresentations to EOCO about his identity as one Bashiru Abdallah, an alleged Nigerian fraudster, who EOCO was looking for. But, Prosper who is not happy with the ordeal he suffered from EOCO, said the bank has refused to apologise to him although he has been a loyal customer of 10 years in good standing with the bank hence the suit. Trial Adjournments The plaintiff and the defendant were in court on 25th June 2019 for practice directions of the court and the case was adjourned to 30th August 2019 after the plaintiff and the defendant had both filed witness and defense statements by 31st July 2019 and 6th August 2019 respectively. On the 30thof August 2019, the date set for the hearing, the Circuit Court Judge adjourned the case to 22nd October 2019, of which would have been the second hearing of the case after the practice directions of the court were given on 25th June 2019. The plaintiff in an interview with the Business24 said his hope of first pre-trial in court could not materialise on 22nd October 2019 as it was adjourned for the third time to 3rd. December 2019, then to 14th. January 2020; and now to be held on 21stFebruary 2020. ---Benson Afful || thebusiness24online.com Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not return to the UK to celebrate Prince Andrew's 60th birthday - but will send a gift and a video message to be played at his party, a source has claimed. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been residing in Canada since they quit as senior members of the Royal Family last month. British media correspondent Neil Sean told Fox News it is an 'open secret' that the couple declined the invite to celebrate Harry's uncle's birthday. 'It's not very nice for the Queen as, whatever people say and think, [Andrew] is [still] her son and she wanted her close family around her,' he said. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, pictured last year, will not return to the UK to celebrate Prince Andrew's 60th birthday - but will send a gift and a video message to be played at his party, a source has claimed In November it was reported the monarch has scrapped plans to host a party for Prince Andrew (pictured last month at church in Norfolk) to mark his 60th birthday in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal 'The reason given is that they already have commitments on the day but also plan to send a gift/card and a video message to be played at the party.' In November it was reported the monarch has scrapped plans to host a party for Prince Andrew to mark his 60th birthday in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The Duke of York was sacked from his royal duties following a now-infamous Newsnight interview, after which he was accused of showing a lack of empathy with Epstein's victims. The Queen, 93, is said to be 'privately supportive' of her second son but also 'deeply frustrated' that the scandal is overshadowing the rest of the family's work. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be attending Harry's uncle's milestone birthday celebrations as they 'already have commitments on the day' but 'plan to send a gift/card and a video message to be played at the party' It is believed Prince Andrew will still walk his daughter Princess Beatrice down the aisle at her wedding at the Chapel Royal in St James's Palace on May 29. The pair share a close relationship, and her sister Eugenie will also 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'. Yesterday it emerged the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have axed all 15 of their staff and closed their Buckingham Palace office. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been residing in Canada with their son Archie since they quit as senior members of the Royal Family last month It is believed Prince Andrew, pictured left at the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance in November, will still walk his daughter Princess Beatrice down the aisle at her wedding at the Chapel Royal in St James's Palace on May 29 It is the surest sign yet that the couple and their son Archie, who turns one in May, are unlikely ever to return to the UK to live. The couple broke the news to their team in person in January following the announcement that they were stepping down as senior working royals. While one or two may be absorbed back into the royal household, most are now negotiating redundancy packages. British media correspondent Neil Sean told Fox News it is an 'open secret' that the couple declined the invite to celebrate Harry's uncle's birthday, but it's 'not very nice for the Queen'. Pictured left-right: Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, the Queen, Princess Eugenie, Prince Andrew, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Trooping of the Colour in 2019 They are the latest casualties of Harry, 35, and 38-year-old Meghan's bombshell decision to move to North America and make their fortunes outside the Royal Family. Last night Buckingham Palace said it did not comment on staffing matters. It is understood senior royals, including the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William are aware of the office closure and redundancies. If you look at the national Democratic primary polls, it might seem as if Bernie Sanders is only the front-runner because his many opponents have split up the partys moderates. The senator from Vermont currently leads in the Real Clear Politics polling average with 23.6 percent of the vote. Joe Biden, Michael Bloomberg, Pete Buttigieg, and Amy Klobuchar, by comparison, combine for 48.6 percent. Surely one of them could win in a head-to-head matchup against Sanders, right? Advertisement Maybe not. Yahoo News and YouGov are out with a new poll showing that Sanders beats all of his top competitors in head-to-head races. He currently wins at least 53 percent of the vote against Bloomberg, Buttigieg, and Klobuchar, none of whom break more than 38 percent. The matchup is closer with Biden, who gets 44 percent versus 48 percent of Sanders. But the tightest race is with Warren, who trails him 42 percent to 44 percent, with plenty of undecideds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A new Yahoo News/YouGov poll shows that Sen. Bernie Sanders would defeat each of the other Democratic presidential candidates in a one-on-one race" (via @YahooNews)https://t.co/OJyQI1YeT9 pic.twitter.com/C5AwRw6O4u YouGovUS (@YouGovUS) February 14, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement Its just one poll. But it does seem to reflect one of Sanders often overlooked strengths: The man is incredibly well-liked by normal Democratic voters. Sure, he might terrify some Democratic National Committee officials and cable news talking heads. Hillary Clinton and her hangers-on still have it out for the guy. But according to Morning Consult, hes got a 74 percent favorability rating within the party, higher than any other candidate. A lot of current Biden, Buttigieg, Warren, and even Bloomberg supporters currently list him as a second choice. Advertisement This might not make a ton of sense if you assume that voters pick their candidates on strictly rational ideological grounds. But thats obviously not how the world works. People vote for candidates because theyre familiar, because they seem trustworthy, or just because theyre kind of likable. There are some Democrats out there who are probably planning to vote for Bloomberg right now because theyve been inundated with his ads, but otherwise would default to Sanders because theyve been hearing his name since 2016 and kind of enjoy the guys attitude. It might not make sense to a news junkie, but in the grand scheme of American voters, news junkies are really the outliers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its possible that candidates like Klobuchar or Buttigieg could gain ground one-on-one against Sanders as they become more familiar to the national electorate. But if moderates take this latest head-to-head poll seriously, it really suggests thatas of nowtheir best shot at beating Sanders is to coalesce around Biden or Warren. Personally, Id suggest the latter. Biden still has residual love left over from his days as Joe the Veep. But watching him talk feels like staring into an RCA TV from 1985 with a busted antenna: The picture and sound are half static, and youre never really sure when the whole thing is going to break down for good. Warren, on the other hand, is a vibrant, avowed capitalist who has pretty much promised that she wont waste time trying to pass single-payer health care. Sure, her campaigns flagging, but in our current election cycle, this staunch progressive just might be the last great neoliberal hope. Im obviously pro-choice; theres obviously voters who didnt vote for me because theyre pro-life, he said in an interview. They might not like my orientation, it might not be consistent with what they would want for themselves, but Im completely convinced that if there were a pro-life candidate who was gay they would vote for that person over a straight person who was pro-choice. (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. raised the stakes in its battle with Huawei Technologies Co., using a law historically associated with prosecuting mafia figures to claim the Chinese company engaged in decades of intellectual property theft. Huawei, the worlds largest maker of telecommunications equipment, and Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou had already faced criminal charges. The fresh allegations, announced Thursday, up the ante by including racketeering conspiracy, increasing the potential punishment. They come as the global battle for supremacy in fifth-generation wireless technology, or 5G, is joined. Huawei broke the law to drastically cut its research and development costs and associated delays, giving the company a significant and unfair competitive advantage, the Justice Department said in a statement. The company even launched a bonus program to reward employees who got their hands on confidential information from competitors, prosecutors said. The new charges depict a company that won international standing by stealing trade secrets, evading U.S sanctions and lying to authorities. They are likely to increase tensions between Beijing and Washington, which has accused Huawei of spying for the Chinese government, even as Huawei won a brief reprieve from a proposed ban on buying parts. The indictment doesnt name the businesses from which Huawei allegedly stole intellectual property, but details of the allegations match descriptions of companies including Cisco Systems Inc., Motorola Inc. and Cnex Labs Inc. The indictment paints a damning portrait of an illegitimate organization that lacks any regard for the law, Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina, the Republican chairman of the Intelligence Committee, and Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the panels Democratic vice-chairman, said in an emailed statement. Intellectual property theft, corporate sabotage and market manipulation are part of Huaweis core ethos and reflected in every aspect of how it conducts business. Story continues Huawei doesnt abide by Western business practices, Rob Spalding, a Washington-based technology and security expert at the Hudson Institute who served on the National Security Council, said in an email. Which is why many U.S. companies are no longer competitive in the global marketplace. Read More: Why 5G Mobile Arrives With a Subplot of Espionage Huawei, in turn, has accused the U.S. of orchestrating a campaign to intimidate its employees and launching cyberattacks to infiltrate its internal network. Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged the U.S to stop unreasonably targeting Huawei and other Chinese enterprises. The new indictment is part of the Justice Departments attempt to irrevocably damage Huaweis reputation and its business for reasons related to competition rather than law enforcement, a representative of the company said Thursday. These new charges are without merit and are based largely on recycled civil disputes from the last 20 years that have been previously settled, litigated and, in some cases, rejected by federal judges and juries. Huawei was previously accused of violating U.S. sanctions against Iran and North Korea. Meng, the CFO, was charged with fraud last year, with the case rippling into Canada, where she is currently fighting extradition to the U.S. Mengs lawyers have argued in court that their client did nothing wrong. The U.S. said Huawei stole trade secrets, including copyrighted works, source code and user manuals for internet routers, to grow and operate its business. The company swiped antenna and robot testing technology, prosecutors said. Then, they said, it doubled down. 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, they said. Read More: U.S. Ramps Up Huawei Fight With Iran, Trade-Secret Charges The U.S. dates the thefts to 2002. But the government has also linked the 2016 alleged theft of a computer chip from a California tech company for Huawei with the latest charges. Bo Mao, a Xiamen University professor, was charged in September with stealing trade secrets. His lawyers said in a court filing Thursday that the prosecution is related to the Huawei case. In the new indictment, the government is wielding some prior allegations of wrongdoing, like Huaweis alleged theft of a phone-testing robot developed by T-Mobile US Inc., to build a more muscular case. The U.S. alleged that a Huawei engineer secretly took photos of T-Mobiles robot, Tappy, took measurements of parts and even stole a piece of it. When T-Mobile threatened to sue, the U.S. said, Huawei blamed rogue actors within the company. Intellectual property theft explains a lot of Huaweis success, said Jim Lewis, of the Technology Policy Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Huawei is the poster child for Chinas commercial spying. The case is U.S. v. Huawei Technologies Co., 18-cr-457, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York (Brooklyn). Read More Huawei Pleads Not Guilty to Bank Fraud Charges in New YorkU.S. Accuses Huawei of Trade-Secret Theft, Defrauding BanksProsecutors Say Government Used FISA to Watch HuaweiU.S. Charges Chinese Professor Accused of Theft to Help Huawei (Updates with Bo Mao case) --With assistance from Bob Van Voris and Natalie Obiko Pearson. To contact the reporters on this story: Patricia Hurtado in Federal Court in Manhattan at pathurtado@bloomberg.net;Alyza Sebenius in Washington at asebenius@bloomberg.net;Todd Shields in Washington at tshields3@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: David Glovin at dglovin@bloomberg.net, Joe Schneider, Peter Blumberg 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. Astros righty Brad Peacock entered camp as a candidate to take home a rotation spot, but hes had a recurrence of the nerve issue in his neck that plagued him last year, tweets Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. Peacock is throwing from 90 feet, but his overall program has been slowed down for the time being, lessening his chances of seizing a starting job. Peacock, 32, has been a solid arm for the Astros in both the rotation and bullpen across the past four seasons, pitching to a combined 3.48 ERA with 10.7 K/9 against 3.4 BB/9 in 320 1/3 innings of work. Hes posted a better ERA and much higher strikeout rate when working in short relief than out of the rotation, but Peacocks 3.62 ERA and 3.72 FIP in 218 2/3 innings as a starter certainly suggests that he could be a capable back-end starter. At present it seems to be more a question of just what his body will allow him to handle. Peacock missed significant time with shoulder and neck troubles late in the 2019 season, making only six regular-season appearances after June 27. After a month-long stint on the injured list, he returned for three appearances before quickly being placed back on the IL for close to another month. He did toss 5 2/3 innings between the ALCS and the World Series, though he walked four batters in that time. The Houston rotation looks more vulnerable than it has in quite some time. Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke will pair to create a formidable one-two punch, and the return of Lance McCullers Jr., who had Tommy John surgery in 2018, should be a boost if he can recapture his form. Right-hander Jose Urquidy is the front-runner to nab the fourth spot, and with Peacock slowed down, newcomer Austin Pruitt could be the favorite to land the final spot to open the year. Houston has plenty of other options with starting experience Josh James, Framber Valdez and Rogelio Armenteros among them so the back of that group could yet change composition. For Peacock personally, its a rough start to a pivotal year. The right-hander will cross the six-year threshold in terms of Major League service time in 2020, meaning hell be a free agent at seasons end. If hes able to quickly put these issues behind him, Peacock could yet build a strong free-agent case, but its a somewhat ominous start to the new season in light of last years health troubles. ROME, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Italy's head of state Sergio Mattarella hosted an extraordinary concert on Thursday, showing solidarity with the Chinese people dealing with the coronavirus emergency. Held at the Quirinale Palace, the special event, within the framework of Italy-China year of culture and tourism 2020, was performed by Chinese-born Italian pianist Jin Ju before a mixed audience of Italian and Chinese officials, cultural representatives and students. Chinese Ambassador to Italy Li Junhua attended the performance, which was broadcast live by state-run RAI radio and TV channels. "This concert highlights the relevance our country attaches to the Italy-China year of culture and tourism 2020, and it represents a sign of friendship from the Italian people to the Chinese people," Mattarella told media before the concert. He highlighted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Rome and Beijing, a relationship "shaped on the base of mutual friendship and common interest." "Italy conveys to China its faith and support in this emergency against the epidemic, and in the (Chinese) efforts to ensure health safety," said the president, adding that the ongoing epidemic is a common enemy. Jin Ju performed seven pieces overall at the concert, including the Chinese folk music "Honghu Waters, Wave upon Wave," which comes from Hubei province -- the place hit hardest by the current epidemic. The China-Italy year of culture and tourism kicked off here on Jan. 21. It would see a wide range of cross-cultural events in both countries. Dustin Haisler is the Chief Innovation Officer of Governing's parent company e.Republic. Previously the finance director and later CIO for Manor, Texas, a small city outside Austin, Haisler quickly built a track record and reputation as an early innovator in civic tech. As Chief Innovation Officer, Haisler has a strategic role to help shape the companys products, services and future direction. Primarily, he leads e.Republic Labs, a market connector created as an ecosystem to educate, accelerate and ultimately scale technology innovation within the public sector. Read his full bio. A plan forged by Serbia's opposition parties to boycott this year's elections is falling apart, providing a boost to the person it was designed to hurt. The move had called into question the Balkan country's democratic credentials as it ramps up efforts to join the European Union. Instead, the protest's collapse is boosting President Aleksandar Vucic, who can bat away critics accusing him of autocratic behavior and look forward to a solid majority for his party. The Alliance for Serbia, an umbrella opposition group that has led weekly anti-government protests, is sticking with its plan to field no candidates in the parliamentary ballot expected to take place in April. But EU officials are at pains to uphold democratic standards in both candidate and member states and want all parties to participate, particularly after the government postponed the ballot and changed voting rules to benefit smaller parties. "We're calling for all political parties to participate in the elections and not to boycott it," EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said last week during a visit to Belgrade. "Democracy only works if we all participate." The dispute has shined a spotlight on a region that's already under close scrutiny in terms of how it observes the rule of law as the EU struggles with other ex-communist members that are testing the limits of its liberal and multi-cultural values. The Alliance says its boycott is a warning signal against Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party, which it accuses of stifling democratic debate and letting corruption run rampant. Its argument is that there's no point contesting a vote when the government drowns out dissenting voices with exclusively pro-government messages on state-run media and uses the advertising budgets of publicly owned companies to financially squeeze opposition-leaning news outlets. Vucic, whose pledges of strong economic growth, higher salaries and infrastructure investment have propelled his Serbian Progressive Party higher in opinion polls, says the government has improved the media environment and that the opposition has a fair chance in elections. The Progressives pushed through a law lowering the threshold needed for parties to win seats in parliament to 3%. That has weakened the resolve to boycott among opposition forces that aren't in the Alliance, including the right-wing Radicals and liberal and conservative groups. "I don't see the potential to make the future government do anything after a boycott," said Milos Jovanovic, the leader of the opposition conservative Democratic Party for Serbia. "I'm always for a fight, even if it's not on equal footing." The Progressive Party remains dominant. It has backing of 53.6% of Serbian voters -- up from 48.3% in the 2016 elections -- followed in a distant second by the Alliance with 10.3%, according to a Faktor Plus survey conducted last month. The president's Socialist allies rank third with 9.5%. The Alliance is still sticking to its boycott plan, although some members may contest municipal ballots to defend positions at local levels. "A boycott is not an ideal solution," said Aleksandar Ivanovic, a leader of the Social Democrats, which are part of the opposition cluster. "But it's even worse to give legitimacy to Vucic's regime." If the Alliance stays on the sidelines, the boycott may increase both the share won by bigger parties and help give Vucic's party an even larger majority in parliament than the 131 of 250 seats it enjoys now. "Those in power could garner as much as 70% of votes in case of a boycott," Srdjan Bogosavljevic, senior consultant at the Ipsos pollster, said by phone. "It seems certain that the Progressives will win." - - - Bloomberg's Gordana Filipovic contributed to this report. Foroige Club members from counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Laois gathered at the Talbot Hotel in Carlow for a busy day of fun, discussion, information sharing, workshops and youth elections recentlY. Kilkenny Foroige members were represented at the event by young people from Cuffesgrange-Danesfort, Paulstown and Piltown. The Foroige Regional Conference is an annual event and its purpose is to give club members the opportunity to exchange views and to make recommendations at a local and national level in relation to the organisation of Foroige. Another important aspect of the conference is to elect young members from the region onto the National Reference Panel. The Reference Panel is a group of members aged between 14 and 18 years from all over Ireland who advise Foroige on issues that affect young people. It is a great opportunity for the voice of our local youth to be heard. Once the introductions and icebreakers were complete delegates shared their thoughts on what Foroige means to them, how Foroige can support young people in dealing with issues such as climate change, bullying and drugs and alcohol. Members also explored how Foroige can support young peoples mental health locally, regionally and nationally as well as putting forward their suggestions into dealing with bullying and cyber-bullying. Those in attendance also got to hear from two outgoing Reference Panel Members Chloe Delaney, Timahoe Foroige Club and Jack Nolan, Rathvilly Foroige Club on their experience of representing the region, while Jack shared his story and experience of being a current board member of the organisation. The final part of the day involved the election of two representatives to the Foroige Reference Panel, this was a highly contested with thirteen delegates seeking elect but once the votes were counted Adam Gordon, Paulstown Foroige Club and Jaden Doyle, Rathvilly Foroige Club were deemed elected. Photo provided by Eric Williams Port Arthur police are searching for two suspects after a pawn shop on Texas 347 was robbed Wednesday. Officers responded to the call of a robbery in progress at EZ Pawn at approximately 10:15 a.m., according to a press release from the Port Arthur Police Department. According to Sir Thomas Beecham, the great English maestro, there are no such things as good orchestras and bad orchestras, only good conductors and bad conductors. If so, then no Canadian orchestra has put a higher-powered roster of baton-wavers on its podium over the years than Montreals. As an example, consider than man who will lead the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in its now-annual visit to Roy Thomson Hall this coming Wednesday: Kent Nagano. This will be the last appearance here by the sansei, or third-generation Japanese-American, as the orchestras music director. The tenure he began in 2006 comes to an end in early June with performances of Mahlers Second or so-called Resurrection Symphony. Those performances will take place in Montreals Maison Symphonique, itself the crowning achievement of his music directorship a world-class concert hall that in 2011 rescued the orchestra from captivity in the cavernous Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. Pelletier, by the way, was the orchestras founding conductor in 1935. Though better known internationally for his work with the Metropolitan Opera, he inaugurated a list of music directors in Montreal that subsequently included such important figures as Igor Markevitch, Zubin Mehta and Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos. The one who had the biggest impact, however, was Switzerlands Charles Dutoit, under whose direction the Montreal Symphony Orchestra came to be known (in the words of Grammophon magazines Edward Greenfield) as the finest French orchestra in the world. The evidence is there for anyone to hear, thanks to a 20-year relationship with Decca/London Records during which Dutoit and company released upwards of 80 albums, an unheard-of achievement for a Canadian symphony orchestra. The 24-year Dutoit era ended acrimoniously in 2002 following a dispute with the musicians, leaving managers with the challenge of replacing, on a Canadian-size budget, a figure who by then was world famous. Nagano may have been born in California but much of his career has been spent as a European figure, including extended periods with the opera companies of Lyon and Munich and orchestras in Manchester and Berlin. Since 2015 he has also been general music director of the Hamburg State Opera, a contract scheduled to extend to 2025. His work in Montreal has involved broadening the repertoire, expanding educational activities and resuming active recording. Though there have always been naysayers, the orchestra reportedly did not want him to leave. He leaves in June an Honorary Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec, having preserved Montreals reputation as the best-known Canadian symphony orchestra internationally. His Toronto program typifies the catholicity of his taste, opening with the Royal Hunt and Storm from Berlioz opera Les Troyens, closing with Beethovens Pastoral Symphony and sandwiching between them a new work specially commissioned by the orchestra, an organ concerto called Waves by the French composer Pascal Dusapin. Under Dutoit the orchestra was particularly known for its recordings of French and Russian music, having entered the catalogues just in time to re-record on compact disc the repertoire previously associated on LP with Ernest Ansermet and LOrchestre de la Suisse Romande. Nagano had his own strong French connections. He even worked in Paris with Olivier Messiaen on the final stages of his opera Saint Francois dAssise and came to regard the Messiaens as his European parents. But he proved equally at home in the Austrian and German repertoire, building on the experience of his Berlin, Munich and Hamburg years. A true internationalist, he conducted the premiere of Lamour de loin by the Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho in Salzburg as well as the premiere of The Death of Klinghoffer by the American composer John Adams in Brussels. An easy man to replace? Of course not. Luckily for Montreal, the search committee is headed by an astute former manager, Zarin Mehta. Symphony orchestras nowadays have to be more versatile than in days of yore. Nagano recorded several pieces by Frank Zappa and even collaborated at Switzerlands Verbier Festival with the Icelandic rock star Bjork. With any luck we wont be hearing the last of Kent Nagano on Wednesday, and in any case we probably wont be hearing the last of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, one of Canadas greatest musical achievements and always a welcome visitor to Toronto. WASHINGTON Attorney General William P. Barr has assigned an outside prosecutor to scrutinize the criminal case against President Trumps former national security adviser Michael T. Flynn, according to people familiar with the matter. The review is highly unusual and could trigger more accusations of political interference by top Justice Department officials into the work of career prosecutors. Mr. Barr has also installed a handful of outside prosecutors to broadly review the handling of other politically sensitive national-security cases in the U.S. attorneys office in Washington, the people said. The team includes at least one prosecutor from the office of the United States attorney in St. Louis, Jeff Jensen, who is handling the Flynn matter, as well as prosecutors from the office of the deputy attorney general, Jeffrey A. Rosen. Over the past two weeks, the outside prosecutors have begun grilling line prosecutors in the Washington office about various cases some public, some not including investigative steps, prosecutorial actions and why they took them, according to the people. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive internal deliberations. Democratic lawmakers in Wisconsin and many other states are fighting against gerrymandering and for fair redistricting by a non-partisan board so the party with fewer votes doesnt gain the most seats in the legislatures. Skewing the district lines as they did here in Wisconsin should be against the law, but we can be sure a Republican majority in our legislature will never pass a bill thats fair to the voters and to both parties. Because this country spends more on defense than the other top ten industrialized countries combined, and because Republicans continue to give massive tax breaks to the wealthy, we have an historic budget deficit and an immense national debt. But instead of making the wealthiest pay their fair share, the presidents new budget would, among others, make cuts to Medicare, education, the food stamp program and the Environmental Protection Agency. Most of us wouldnt be here if it werent for our ancestors coming to this country as refugees from poverty or other dangerous conditions in their birth countries. Since the countrys beginning, immigrants have contributed to the economy, started prosperous businesses and have worked at jobs that established residents refuse to do. Yet the president and many of his enablers are making it almost impossible for new refugees to come here to work hard to be as successful as our ancestors were. They may as well take a bunch of Sharpies and cover up the words on the Statue of Liberty or push her into New York Harbor and let her sink to the bottom. I would hope were better than that. Mayor Sylvester Turner, two months removed from a re-election win over a self-funding millionaire opponent, said Thursday he would prefer billionaire Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg accept contributions instead of running an entirely self-funded campaign. I would prefer for Mike to be raising money, Turner said in an interview after an event with Bloomberg, whom he has endorsed. His response to me was, when you have as much as he has, hes uncomfortable with asking people to give money to him when he has more than enough to run a campaign. My response was that it's a way of allowing people to participate. Some knock on doors, some contribute. Turner, who was re-elected in December, defeated trial lawyer Tony Buzbee in a runoff after falling a few percentage points short of an outright win in November. Buzbee put $12.3 million of his own funds into the campaign and refused all contributions. Bloomberg, meanwhile, has deployed hundreds of millions of dollars on ads and campaign staffers, putting him in an increasingly strong position in various polls around the country. He has amassed a multi-billion-dollar fortune through his private financial data company, Bloomberg L.P. During an October debate in the Houston mayoral race, Turner expressed support for limits on how much city candidates can contribute to their own campaigns. City rules limit contributions to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per political action committee every two years. It's just one of those issues where we do differ, Turner said. But at the same time, I've looked at the totality of the circumstances and on balance, I said, OK, this is the person that I'm going to endorse. But I don't shy away from saying that my preference would have been, regardless of what you have, to allow people to contribute to you if that's what they so desire. After endorsing Bloomberg Thursday morning, Turner appeared with the former New York City mayor at an evening event to launch Bloombergs Mike for Black America program, which aims to address issues and concerns in the black community. There, Bloomberg said he deeply regrets ever supporting the stop-and-frisk policing policy he employed as mayor. Turner, before introducing Bloomberg, said he told the candidate his endorsement was a nonstarter unless he recognized that the policy was flawed. I think the sign of any good leader is recognizing the mistakes and then putting forth the path to go forward, Turner said. jasper.scherer@chron.com Last week I posted the sad tale of Alec, a man who bought a used Tesla at auction and was saddened when Tesla later remotely disabled the car's autodrive feature. Tesla justified the action by telling Alec that autodrive was "not a feature that you had paid for." The story of Tesla's mean-spiritedness spread quickly, and as you might guess, Tesla jumped into damage control mode. It restored autodrive to the car and told Alec, "if it wasn't for that meddlesome miscommunication, you would never have lost autopilot in the first place!" Let's hope Tesla had a stern word with miscommunication for causing such trouble. From The Verge: Tesla has removed features from used cars in the past, but typically does so before the car is sold off to a third-party dealer or a new owner. Since Tesla pulled these features both after it sold the car to the dealer, and after that dealer sold it to Alec, it caused some fear that the company was setting a precedent for yanking features on a whim. That now seems less likely to be true, although owners and potential customers should always be prepared to deal with changes. Tesla is pushing the boundaries when it comes to adding new features and generally making cars upgradeable via over-the-air software updates, and other automakers are (slowly) following suit. But the easier it gets for automakers to remotely update or change the features of a car, the easier it gets to take those features away, too. Exactly what Tesla's policy is here is hard to say, though. The automaker did not respond to multiple requests for clarification or comment. Photo by Bram Van Oost on Unsplash The most distinguished alumnus of HM Treasury, John Maynard Keynes, once described it as 'an essential bulwark against overwhelming wickedness'. That may be a trifle over the top. But it cannot be wise for No 10 to think that grabbing full control over economic and fiscal policy, in one of the most open economies in the world, is a great idea. New Chancellor Rishi Sunak has a CV to die for, including real-world experience at the mercurial hedge fund TCI and at Goldman Sachs. Whatever his analytical skills, one has to wonder whether his political and intellectual grounding is as strong as such modern predecessors as Denis Healey, Nigel Lawson, Ken Clarke and Gordon Brown. Money man: New Chancellor Rishi Sunak has a CV to die for, including real-world experience at the mercurial hedge fund TCI and at Goldman Sachs As someone who supported Leave, I was irritated by politicisation, in the shape of downbeat economic forecasts, made when George Osborne and Philip Hammond were at No 11. Fortunately, Osborne had put in place checks and balances in the shape of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility. Treasury orthodoxy can be deeply frustrating. It needed political willpower to commit to the 106billion HS2 project in the face of pushback from fiscal overlords. Yet it is also important that there is an institution responsible for monitoring public finances. Recently, for instance, the Treasury rightly insisted that the public finances take account of the cost of student loans, which had the effect of cutting back the headroom for spending by 11billion. That is 11 times what Downing Street's proposed 'mansion tax' might raise. All correspondence among department principal private secretaries passes through the Chancellor's office. This is not control freakery, but a means by which the Treasury monitors decisions that might impact the public finances. Among the reasons that the UK enjoys an elevated status in global economic institutions is trust in the Treasury. It was at the forefront of rescuing the banking system after the financial crisis. When, during the euro crisis, Cyprus went into meltdown, it turned to the UK Treasury, not EU masters in Brussels, to put things right. No 10 may fantasize that it can adopt a Trumpian approach to economic policy-making, but it can't. Ambitious: The Chancellor needs to act as a check on the sometimes unbridled ambition of the Prime Minister and the rest of the Cabinet The UK doesn't control a reserve currency. If the public finances were to fall into disrepair, because of the lack of a credible fiscal counterweight, then sterling would go into freefall, bond rates would surge and the necessary big spend on infrastructure would be stymied. The Chancellor needs to act as a check on the sometimes unbridled ambition of the Prime Minister and the rest of the Cabinet. If you don't believe me, listen to Keynes. Name and shame Alison Rose is right to ditch the tainted Royal Bank of Scotland brand for Natwest. She also is correct to pare back Natwest Markets, where the returns have been negative. But the new chief executive has to be careful that she doesn't hack too far. Failure to offer a full suite of bond raising, foreign exchange and other dealing services might drive away business clients and reduce commercial lending returns. New name: Alison Rose is right to ditch the tainted Royal Bank of Scotland brand for Natwest The best returns at Natwest come from personal banking, and the name change underpins that. But competition forces are huge. HSBC and Barclays' ring-fenced banks are overflowing with cash and rivals in the mortgage market are driving down returns. Challengers such as Monzo and Starling are making all the running on fintech, and Metro is counting on fancy branches to turn the tide. The big hope at Natwest is that it can gradually convert enough of its huge customer base to newly launched Bo, turning it into a go-to app, and migrate away from its spatchcock IT systems. That may be a 30-year war, and the taxpayer won't want to wait that long. Back water Now that electioneering is over, Britain's water companies are freed from looking over their shoulder. Four of them feel aggrieved enough about the Ofcom price settlement for the next five years to take their complaints to the Competition and Markets Authority. They point out the calamitous outcome of under-investment in climate change. Thames Water, the biggest supplier, is steering clear of the complaint. Anglian, among others, may have legitimate concerns. The complainants would not be appealing for clemency now but for past egregious behaviour when perceived payouts to investors trumped broader stakeholder interest. Soldiers of the Nigerian army burnt down three villages in Borno and Yobe states as a war tactic while battling Boko Haram insurgents,... Soldiers of the Nigerian army burnt down three villages in Borno and Yobe states as a war tactic while battling Boko Haram insurgents, Amnesty International (AI) says. In a new report released on Friday, AI said soldiers razed Bukarti, Matiri and Ngariri villages all along the stretch of Maiduguri-Damaturu road in early January, and claimed the occupants were rescued from Boko Haram. The rights watchdog said while most of the occupants were transferred to an internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp in Maiduguri, capital of Borno, some of the men were illegally detained and ill-treated for almost a month. Sagir Musa, army spokesman, did not immediately respond to enquiries for comment on the incident, which the army described as a rescue operation. The alleged assault is the latest of the numerous abuses which AI has accused the Nigerian military of in the war against Boko Haram which has lasted over a decade in the north-east. The organisation said while about 12 affected villagers narrated the incidents which they said happened on January 3 and 4, satellite data analysis confirmed that most houses in the villages were indeed razed. These brazen acts of razing entire villages, deliberately destroying civilian homes and forcibly displacing their inhabitants with no imperative military grounds, should be investigated as possible war crimes, Osai Ojigho, AI director in Nigeria, said in the report. They repeat a longstanding pattern of the Nigerian military meting out brutal tactics against the civilian population. Forces allegedly responsible for such violations must be suspended immediately and brought to justice. WE LOST EVERYTHING Residents from Bukarti were quoted as describing scores of Nigerian soldiers arriving during the late morning of Friday 3 January They said soldiers went house to house and to surrounding farmland, forcing everyone to gather under a tree and by a graveyard between Bukarti and the main road. Soldiers also rounded up people from neighbouring Matiri and brought them to the same area, the report read. Around 3 pm on 3 January, soldiers demanded everyone walk to the main road, where the villagers were forced to board large trucks. Witnesses said that, as they were loaded into the trucks, some of the soldiers returned to Bukarti. The witnesses then saw their village burning. We saw our houses go into flames, recalled a woman, around 70 years old, from Bukarti. We all started crying. The report added that the villagers Bukarti and Matiri, numbering over 400, were transferred to an unnamed IDP camp near Maiduguri, while a repeat of the incident played out in Ngariri, the next day. AI quoted those affected as saying they we lost everything as they could not bring their belongings along with them to the IDP camp. Everything we harvested was destroyed, and some of our animals died, a farmer in his 60s said. I had a year [of harvest] stored its what I wouldve sold to buy clothes and other things for my family. Another in his 30s said: Everything was burned, even our food it could feed [my family] for two years. Our clothes, our food, our crops, our kettles. Even the trolley we used for getting water. Only the metal dishes are there, but everything else is burned. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa held extensive talks on Friday exploring ways to deepen bilateral ties in a range of areas including trade and investment. Sousa arrived here on Thursday night on a four-day visit, his first to India. The last visit by a Portuguese President to India was in 2007. Officials said the talks covered entire expanse of bilateral ties including in areas of trade, investment and education. Sousa is accompanied by a high-level delegation. In the morning, the Portuguese president was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Ram Nath Kovind will meet the visiting president on Friday evening and host a banquet in his honour. Sousa will also travel to Maharashtra and Goa during his visit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Trump administration is deploying law enforcement tactical units from the southern border as part of a supercharged arrest operation in sanctuary cities across the country, an escalation in the presidents battle against localities that refuse to participate in immigration enforcement. The specially trained officers are being sent to cities including Chicago and New York to boost the enforcement power of local Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, according to two officials who are familiar with the secret operation. Additional agents are expected to be sent to San Francisco; Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Boston, New Orleans, Detroit and Newark, New Jersey. The move reflects President Donald Trumps persistence in cracking down on sanctuary cities, localities that have refused to cooperate in handing over immigrants targeted for deportation to federal authorities. It comes soon after the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security announced a series of measures that will affect both American citizens and immigrants living in those places. Lawrence Payne, a spokesman for Customs and Border Protection, confirmed the agency was deploying 100 officers to work with ICE, which conducts arrests in the interior of the country, in order to enhance the integrity of the immigration system, protect public safety, and strengthen our national security. The deployment of the teams will run from February through May, according to an email sent to CBP personnel, which was read to The New York Times by one official familiar with the planning. Among the agents being deployed to sanctuary cities are members of the elite tactical unit known as BORTAC, which acts essentially as the SWAT team of the Border Patrol. With additional gear such as stun grenades and enhanced Special Forces-type training, including sniper certification, the officers typically conduct high-risk operations targeting individuals who are known to be violent, many of them with extensive criminal records. The units work often takes place in the most rugged and swelteringly hot areas of the border. It can involve breaking into stash houses maintained by smuggling operations that are known to be filled with drugs and weapons. In sanctuary cities, the BORTAC agents will be asked to support interior officers in run-of-the-mill immigration arrests, the officials said. Their presence could spark new fear in immigrant communities that have been on high alert under the stepped-up deportation and detention policies adopted after Trump took office. In a statement, ICEs acting director, Matthew Albence, said the deployment comes in response to policies adopted by sanctuary cities, which have made it harder for immigration agents to do their jobs. As we have noted for years, in jurisdictions where we are not allowed to assume custody of aliens from jails, our officers are forced to make at-large arrests of criminal aliens who have been released into communities, he said. When sanctuary cities release these criminals back to the street, it increases the occurrence of preventable crimes, and more importantly, preventable victims. But Gil Kerlikowske, the former commissioner of CBP, which oversees tactical units along the border, said sending the officers to conduct immigration enforcement within cities, where they are not trained to work, could escalate situations that are already volatile. He called the move a significant mistake. If you were a police chief and you were going to make an apprehension for a relatively minor offense, you dont send the SWAT team. And BORTAC is the SWAT team, said Kerlikowske, who is the former chief of police in Seattle. Theyre trained for much more hazardous missions than this. The Border Patrol squads will be charged with backing up ICE agents during deportation operations and standing by as a show of force, the officials said. ICE agents typically seek out people with criminal convictions or multiple immigration violations as their primary targets for deportation, but family members and friends are often swept up in the enforcement net in what are known as collateral arrests, and many such people could now be caught up in any enhanced operations. ICE leadership requested the help in sanctuary jurisdictions because agents there often struggle to track down immigrants living in the country illegally without the help of the police and other state and local agencies. Law enforcement officers in areas that refuse to cooperate with ICE and the Border Patrol which include both liberal and conservative parts of the country often argue that doing so pushes people living in the country illegally further into the shadows, ultimately making cities less safe because that segment of the population becomes less likely to report crimes or cooperate with investigations. The goal of the new joint operation, one of the officials said, was to increase arrests in the sanctuary jurisdictions by at least 35%. The operation reflects an increasingly hawkish approach to immigration enforcement, following the firings and resignations of leaders who have been viewed in the White House as unwilling to take the harsh steps Trump and his advisers view as necessary to slow illegal immigration. Other recent attempts at aggressive enforcement by ICE have faltered, such as a series of raids targeting more than 2,000 migrant families that were planned during the summer of 2019. Trumps advance warnings on Twitter led many of those who were targeted to refuse to open their front doors, and ultimately, only 35 of those who had been targeted were arrested in the operations first several weeks. Even with the added show of force from BORTAC, agents will be limited in their abilities compared to the police or sheriffs deputies. Unlike operations on the border, where BORTAC agents may engage in armed confrontations with drug-smuggling suspects using armored vehicles, immigration agents in cities are enforcing civil, rather than criminal, infractions. They are not allowed to forcibly enter properties in order to make arrests, and the presence of BORTAC agents, while helpful in boosting the number of agents on the ground, may prove most useful for the visual message it sends. The agents will not be busting down doors or engaging in shootouts, said one official with direct knowledge of the operation, who like the other official would not be identified because he was not authorized to discuss it. Many ICE agents say their jobs have become increasingly difficult, three years into Trumps presidency, because of robust campaigns by immigrant advocacy organizations seeking to safeguard immigrants living in the country illegally by educating them on the legal limitations that ICE officers face. As a result, in many communities where immigrants living in the country illegally reside, when ICE agents are spotted, people now turn immediately to their phones to alert neighbors that they should stay inside. Trump campaigned on a promise to crack down on sanctuary cities. Within a few months of taking office, the Justice Department moved to withhold certain federal funds from the jurisdictions. Last week, the Justice Department filed suit against state and local governments in California, New Jersey and Washington over sanctuary policies there. Also this month, the Department of Homeland Security announced it would ban New Yorkers from enrolling in programs that allow travelers to speed through customs checkpoints in airports and at the border as a result of the states decision to offer drivers licenses to immigrants living in the country illegally and bar Homeland Security agencies from accessing the states motor vehicle database. The president again highlighted the issue in his State of the Union address, arguing that sanctuary cities release dangerous criminal aliens to prey upon the public. In January, a New York City Council member wrote an open letter for his fellow councilors expressing concern about increasing ICE activity in the region, including collateral arrests. Last week, an acquaintance of a man in New York who was being arrested by ICE was shot in an incident that the agency later blamed on sanctuary policies. The aggressive immigration enforcement tactics being implemented around the country are not limited to any one agency. In a widely circulated video recorded in El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday night, Border Patrol agents are shown subduing and using a taser to apprehend a man in a Burger King restaurant. The video shows the man pleading repeatedly with the agents while shouting that he had done nothing wrong. A female bystander asks the agents to leave the restaurant, as she cries while witnessing the episode. While the man was writhing in pain on the floor after being stunned repeatedly, another woman in the video approached the agents and asked, Why are you still hitting him? A Border Patrol spokesman said in a statement that the apprehended man was a suspected alien smuggler, without offering any evidence to support that assertion. The spokesman did not respond to a request for the mans name and nationality. The man refused to cooperate with the verbal instructions and attempted to avoid being handcuffed, and a struggle ensued, the Border Patrol spokesman said. In the same statement, the spokesman said that a citizen had notified law enforcement of a suspicious vehicle parked on his property. The Border Patrol said the man apprehended by the agents on Tuesday was the driver of the vehicle and that record checks indicated that the man was in the country illegally and had a positive criminal history. An ICE spokesman declined to comment on the specifics of the latest effort in sanctuary cities, citing the agencys policy against sharing information about enforcement operations before they have taken place. However, the spokesman added that the agency had made it abundantly clear for years that, in jurisdictions where we are not allowed to assume custody of aliens from jails, our officers would be redirected to make at-large arrests. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. As the deadly coronavirus has spread worldwide, it has carried with it xenophobia - and Asian communities around the world are finding themselves subject to suspicion and fear. A man decided to do something about it, and came up with a novel campaign. Massimiliano Martigli Jiang, an Italian-Chinese, stood blindfolded and with a mask in Italys Florence with a message board which read I am not a virus, I am a human being, free me from prejudice. Jiang lives in Florence and was touched by the responses he got. Many people hugged Jian, and some even removed the blindfold. He uploaded a video of the peoples reaction on his Facebook page and Instagram. This video was one of those things that didnt make me sleep the day before, it put me anxiety while waiting for filming, during and all the moments later. But now. Thanks to your beautiful words, you made me cry so much! he wrote on Facebook. The video, uploaded more than a week ago, has been widely shared in Italian media. He also cheered the people of Wuhan, the Chinese city at the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak. Come on Wuhan - Come on China, Jiang said in his Facebook post. China has put Wuhan and other cities where the virus has spread, under unprecedented lockdown. The diease is now officially known as Covid-19. There has been a spike in reports of anti-Chinese rhetoric directed at people of Asian origin, regardless of whether they have ever visited the centre of the epidemic or been in contact with the virus. Chinese tourists have reportedly been spat at in the Italian city of Venice, a family in Turin was accused of carrying the disease, and mothers in Milan have used social media to call for children to be kept away from Chinese classmates. In Canada, a man was filmed telling a Chinese-Canadian woman you dropped your coronavirus in the parking lot of a local mall. In Malaysia, a petition to bar Chinese people from entering our beloved country received almost 500,000 signatures in one week. Its a common phenomenon, said Rob Grenfell, director of health and biosecurity for Australias science and research agency CSIRO. Sure it emerged in China, he said of the coronavirus, but thats no reason to actually vilify Chinese people. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned against measures that unnecessarily interfere with international travel and trade, but this has not stopped scores of countries from introducing travel bans. Police in West Bengal created a green corridor to rush at least three students, who were seriously injured when a vehicle in which they were going to school met with an accident, from Hooghly to Kolkata for treatment on Friday, officials said. The accident happened around 8:30am when the driver of the carpool carrying at least 15 students lost control of the vehicle on Delhi Road and fell into a roadside canal. All the students and the driver sustained injuries in the accident and were taken to a hospital in the district. The condition of three of them was stated to be critical and the rest were discharged after being treated. Officials at least three trauma-care ambulances were pressed into service on a 60-km long green corridor to bring the injured students to Kolkata. They reached the state capital in less than an hour. The condition of the three students was said to be critical. They are being taken to Kolkata, a senior officer of Polba police station in Hooghly said. We have formed a green corridor. While one has already reached the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, two more are on the way, the official said. Kalyan Banerjee, Trinamool Congress member of Parliament from Serampore in Hooghly district, said he has spoken with the chief secretary and the additional director general of police. Three students, whose conditions were unstable since morning, are being brought to Kolkata. A green corridor has been created and the victims are being shifted in three ambulances, said Banerjee. CAMILLUS, N.Y. -- A suspect who fled police in the Walmart parking lot in Camillus died Thursday night, two days after he shot himself in the head during a police chase, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said today. The man, whose name has not been released, was approached by Syracuse police shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday in front of the West Genesee Street store, the DA said. They were looking for him there, based on a tip, regarding an older theft investigation. After a brief police chase in the parking lot, the man drove an SUV into a tree. When police caught up to him, the man had already shot himself in the head in an apparent suicide attempt, Fitzpatrick said. The man he was rushed to the hospital. He held on for two days -- his condition even improving -- before succumbing to his injuries Thursday night, the DA said. Fitzpatrick said he doesnt see any reason to continue investigating, beyond a review of the police departments report on the case. (Had the man lived, he would have likely faced an illegal gun possession charge, the DA has said.) But the DA said he still doesnt understand why the man -- who had been a suspect in a grand larceny case -- would have taken his own life. Certainly will dig deeper into his background to try and understand why, Fitzpatrick said. Grand larceny is any theft $1,000 or more. Depending on the amount of money stolen, the punishment upon conviction could range from probation to a long prison sentence. (The defendants criminal history, if any, would also play a role in potential punishment.) Fitzpatrick declined to identify the suspect, saying that information should come from police. Syracuse police have not released any information on the chase or shooting since the night of the incident, including the mans identity, why they were looking for him and details on what happened. Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard contacted Syracuse police again today for more information. 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. by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, February 13, 2020 A Democratic lawmaker on Thursday unveiled a proposed bill that would create a federal privacy agency to police companies' use of online data. The bill, proposed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), would create the new "Data Protection Agency," would would enforce a host of existing privacy laws -- including Can-Spam and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. The new agency would also advise Congress on encryption, deepfakes and other new tech developments that spur controversy. Your data is extremely valuable to many companies with unknown motives, who are looking to exploit your data for profit, Gillibrand says in a Medium post. As a result, your very existence is being parsed, split, and sold to the highest bidder, and there is very little you -- or anyone, including the federal government -- can do about it. advertisement advertisement Unlike some of the other privacy proposals floated in recent months, this bill is relatively light on specific prohibitions. Instead, it tasks the new agency with developing privacy regulations. By contrast, a measure introduced in the Senate last November appears to create an opt-in system for online behavioral targeting; a separate Senate proposal unveiled in October would create a national do not track regime that gives consumers the right to prevent information about them from being shared or sold by ad-tech companies. But Gillibrand's proposal does seems to contemplate at least two new restrictions -- a prohibition on so-called pay-for-privacy billing, and on privacy policies that don't give consumers any options. The agency would ensure equal access to privacy protection and protect against 'pay-for-privacy' or 'take-it-or-leave-it' provisions in service contracts -- because privacy, including online privacy, is a right that should be enforced, she writes. In the past, internet service providers have championed pay-for-privacy pricing. For instance, in 2013, when AT&T launched a high-speed network in Austin, Texas, the company said it would offer a cheaper plan to people who were willing to receive ads targeted based on their Web activity. Three years later, AT&T changed course and said it would charge all subscribers the lowest rates offered for their speed tiers. Comcast also once urged the Federal Communications Commission to reject broadband privacy regulations that would have prevented providers from charging higher fees to subscribers who decline behaviorally targeted ads. "A bargained-for exchange of information for service is a perfectly acceptable and widely used model throughout the U.S. economy, including the Internet ecosystem, the company wrote in a 2016 FCC filing. Comcast never began using a pay-for-privacy model. Currently, the Federal Trade Commission polices privacy and data security lapses by tech companies. The agency has drawn criticism from privacy advocates, who say it has been slow to respond to alleged privacy lapses. For instance, the watchdog Electronic Privacy Information Center -- which filed five separate FTC privacy complaints against Facebook since 2012 -- has criticized the agency for waiting until last summer to officially unveil charges. (The FTC disclosed a complaint against Facebook last July, on the same day the agency announced the company had agreed to pay $5 billion to settle privacy allegations.) For his part, Chairman Joe Simons told Congress last year the agency needs more personnel to investigate and prosecute privacy cases. Simons said in April that the agency only employees 40 full-time staff devoted to privacy and data security -- compared to around 500 employees in the U.K. Information Commissioners' office and 110 at the Irish Data Protection Commissioner. He said at the time that additional funding would enable the agency to create new units, including one that would focus on policy issues comparable to those flagged by Gillibrand. This unit would also include technologists to prepare original research on issues of interest, review referrals from privacy and security researchers, develop ideas for enforcement, and serve as a hub for technical expertise as needed on individual cases, Simons told lawmakers. MUNICH - Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who led a coalition with a far-right party in his first term, on Friday endorsed his German conservative counterparts refusal to co-operate with the far-right Alternative for Germany. German politics has been thrown into turmoil by the election last week of a pro-business state governor with the support of both Chancellor Angela Merkels centre-right Christian Democratic Union and Alternative for Germany, or AfD. Regional CDU lawmakers defied advance appeals from the partys national leader, who this week announced that she would step down, and broke what is widely regarded as a taboo in post-war German politics around co-operating with extremist parties. The new governor of eastern Thuringia state resigned a few days after his election. The CDU leadership has renewed its insistence that the party wont co-operate directly or indirectly with AfD. Kurz, who governed with Austrias far-right Freedom Party as his junior coalition partner until a scandal surrounding that partys then-leader brought down the government last year, said he sees differences between the Freedom Party a long-running fixture in Austrian politics and the upstart AfD, which has moved steadily further right in recent years. I think it is sensible that the (CDU) party has decided clearly that there must be no co-operation with AfD, Kurz said at the Munich Security Conference. Kurz returned to power in January after a seven-month absence, this time at the head of a strikingly different coalition with the environmentalist Greens. He suggested that a similar combination might come together after the next German election, due next year. The Intelligence Bureau in January started sending out directives to state police departments and central law enforcement and investigative agencies, asking them to monitor the activities of Naxalites and their supporters and sympathisers on the internet, especially the Dark Web. HT has reviewed a copy of the directive. Two senior law enforcement officials, who asked not to be named, said this is a follow-up of the Prime Ministers instruction in early December to agencies and police departments to set up teams to track the online activities of Left Wing Extremists (LWEs) and their supporters. Specifically, they added, the instruction, which came during the Intelligence Bureaus DGsP/IGsP conference in Pune from December 6 to 8, asked the agencies to unearth international linkages of Naxalites and intellectuals connected to them often termed urban naxals by analysing their internet activities and collecting data on their trips abroad. He also asked police and intelligence agencies to re-evaluate the surrender policies for LWEs to make sure only genuine naxals benefit from the incentives this policy offers. Currently, in different states, surrendering LWES get various benefits such as stipends, one-time payments and vocation training. The police departments were also asked to conduct an in-depth study of the supply chains used by LWEs for money, arms and ammunition, even food, and to disrupt these. The annual DGsP/IGsP conference is attended by chiefs of all state police forces and agencies to discuss issues related to internal and external security including insurgency in the North East, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the threat of left wing extremism, cyber crimes, narcoterrorism, new laws and ways to improve law enforcement. Various NDA ministers and BJP functionaries have targeted urban naxals in the past. The Prime Minister himself has said in some rallies that urban naxals, from the comfort of their air-conditioned homes, remotely control locals, especially tribals, in areas affected by left wing extremism. According to one of the two officials, the Prime Minister also asked the agencies to create a database of villagers from extremism affected areas who live in cities/towns so that they can be used to carry back messages of development and other positive information; preventing young people from being attracted to Naxalism. Targeting the ideological network of left wing extremists will yield better results as funding, recruitment in cities and propaganda activities are handled by these people. Following the PMs address at the DGsP/IGsP conference, there will be more visible action on urban naxals in coming years, said the second officer. To be sure, civil society activists have argued that the government has made a habit of targeting activists and intellectuals with a different point of view (than the state) and who work with underprivileged people and tribals in left wing extremism affected areas. They maintain that these activists largely focus on protecting the rights of the locals. During his interaction in December, the PM also asked the agencies to monitor the activities of pro-left wing extremism propagators in the Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka tri-junction, according to the officials. He further directed that a team of five to seven officers, who are academically inclined, should study the modus operandi, means of radicalisation and methods of reintegrating left wing extremists in society. Ratcheting up its pressure campaign against Huawei and its affiliates, the Department of Justice and the FBI announced today that it has brought 16 charges against Huawei in a sprawling case with major geopolitical implications (you can read the full 56-page indictment here). Huawei is being charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) statute. The DoJ alleges that Huawei and a number of its affiliates used confidential agreements with American companies over the past two decades to access the trade secrets of those companies, only to then misappropriate that intellectual property and use it to fund Huaweis business. An example of this activity is provided in the indictment. Described as Company 1, Huawei is alleged to have stolen source code for Company 1s routers, which it then used in its own products. Given the context, it is highly likely that Company 1 is Cisco, which in the indictment is summarized as a U.S. technology company headquartered in the Northern District of California. Huawei is also alleged to have engaged in more simple forms of industrial espionage. While at a trade show in Chicago, a Huawei-affiliated engineer was discovered in the middle of the night after the show had closed for the day in the booth of a technology company removing the cover from a networking device and taking photographs of the circuitry inside. Individual-3 wore a badge listing his employer as 'Weihua,' HUAWEI spelled with its syllables reversed. Huawei said that the individual in question did so in a personal capacity. In one case, a technology company looking for a partnership with Huawei sent over a presentation deck with confidential information about its business in order to generate commercial interest with Huawei. From the indictment: Immediately upon receipt of the slide deck, each page of which was marked Proprietary and Confidential by Company 6, HUAWEI distributed the slide deck to HUAWEI engineers, including engineers in the subsidiary that was working on technology that directly competed with Company 6s products and services. These engineers discussed developments by Company 6 that would have application to HUAWEIs own prototypes then under design. Story continues Together, the indictment lists multiple examples of Huaweis alleged conspiracy to pilfer U.S. intellectual property. According to the statement published by the Department of Justice, As part of the scheme, Huawei allegedly launched a policy instituting a bonus program to reward employees who obtained confidential information from competitors. The policy made clear that employees who provided valuable information were to be financially rewarded. Per the indictment: A 'competition management group' was tasked with reviewing the submissions and awarding monthly bonuses to the employees who provided the most valuable stolen information. In addition to conspiracy, Huawei and the defendants are charged with lying to federal investigators and obstructing the investigation into the companys activity. Per the indictment: For example, an official HUAWEI manual labeled 'Top Secret' instructed certain individuals working for HUAWEI to conceal their employment with HUAWEI during encounters with foreign law enforcement officials. Furthermore, Huawei has been charged in connection with its activities in countries like Iran and North Korea. The DoJs statement alleges that Huawei used code words and carefully selected local partners to conceal its activities in these states in order to avoid international sanctions that are placed on the two countries. It also alleges that the company and its representatives lied to congressional investigators when asked about the companys financial activities in the two countries. Among the defendants is Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Huawei who has been under house arrest in Canada while facing charges of fraud. The top two senators on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Richard Burr (R-NC) and Mark Warner (D-VA) said in a joint statement that "The indictment paints a damning portrait of an illegitimate organization that lacks any regard for the law." Huawei, in response to the indictment, said in a corporate statement that "This new indictment is part of the Justice Departments attempt to irrevocably 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 government will not prevail on these charges which we will prove to be both unfounded and unfair." The Trump administration has made targeting Huawei a major priority, attempting to block its access to Western markets. The administrations efforts have mostly been fruitless thus far, with both the United Kingdom and Germany in recent weeks allowing the companys technology products into their telecommunications networks. We have more coverage on these initiatives in an article TechCrunch published this morning: The full list of defendants include Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.; Huawei Device Co., Ltd.; Huawei Device Usa Inc.; Futurewei Technologies, Inc.; Skycom Tech Co., Ltd.; and Wanzhou Meng. Huawei representatives didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Updated 1:45pm EST to include additional details from the indictment. Updated 4:45pm EST to include comments from Huawei Russia has sent 12 peacekeepers to the United Nations' Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), while it initially had plans to deploy even more experts, Foreign Ministry's Department of Africa Director Andrei Kemarsky has said in an interview with Sputnik MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th February, 2020) Russia has sent 12 peacekeepers to the United Nations' Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), while it initially had plans to deploy even more experts, Foreign Ministry's Department of Africa Director Andrei Kemarsky has said in an interview with Sputnik. "As for our assistance and the work of our specialists who contribute to achieving peace and stability in the Central African Republic, it should be understood that MINUSCA includes a group of Russian experts. Our country's president has made a decision to send up to 30 Russian peacekeepers there, but, following consultations with the UN Secretariat on the available positions, 12 peacekeepers, including two women, have been sent," Kemarsky said. The Dal Lake and its surrounding areas in Srinagar will soon be declared an eco-sensitive zone, officials said on Friday. The famous lake has shrunk to less than half its original size with its capacity down to 40 per cent due to pollution and encroachment, they said. The Committee of Experts (CoE) on Dal and Nageen lakes shall submit the final proposal to the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD) by 20th of February, a senior official said. He said the recommendations of the committee will be sent to the Centre by February 29. It is expected that the Dal Lake and its surrounding areas will be declared as eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) by the first week of March, the official said. In November, the Jammu and Kashmir administration had set up a 10-member committee to declare the Dal Lake and its surrounding areas an eco-sensitive zone, following concerns over its shrinking size. The Committee of Experts (CoE) on Wednesday reviewed and discussed the draft notification for declaring the lake and its surroundings as ESZ, the officials said. The CoE comprises former additional chief secretary, government of Kerala, Dr Nivedita P Haran; MD Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, Dr Mangu Singh; advocate M C Mehta; environmentalist, consultant, and former MD, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Dr E Sreedharan besides top officials from the J and K administration. Pollution and encroachment have resulted in the Dal Lake shrinking from its original area of 22 square kilometers to about 10 square kilometers, according to an assessment by the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) in 2017. The DCI assessment also found that intense pollution by untreated sewage and solid wastes that flow into the lake, encroachments of water channels and clogging has diminished the circulation and inflows into the lake, leading to extensive growth of the weed water hyacinth which has emerged as a health hazard. Further, it was found that the depth of the lake has reduced at many places due to siltation and encroachment, and that continuing night soil discharge from houseboats causes extreme pollution in the water body. The officials said the J and K administration has sought the help of the Navy and other experts to tackle issues faced by the water body. PTI AB AQS AQS The University of Abuja has said it will award first-class certificates to 26 graduands at its 24th convocation, which will take place on February 15. Speaking at the pre-convocation briefing on Thursday in Abuja, the vice-chancellor of the university, Abdul-Rasheed Naallah, said a total of 26 students would be awarded first-class degrees, 866 students have second class upper degrees, 2317 students would be awarded second class lower. He also said 339 students will graduate with a third-class degree while 52 students would be awarded pass degrees. According to the vice-chancellor, a total of 10,331 students, who have completed their course of studies and met all necessary requirements, will be graduating. He said the institution had about 3000 of the graduates from its distance learning centres. Mr Naallah said the university will also confer honorary degrees on some individuals including the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, for his exemplary leadership. Zero tolerance to indiscipline Mr Naallah said the institution has a zero-tolerance policy towards indiscipline whether from student or staff. He said his administration was poised to making a difference in the institution by carrying out various programmes aimed at developing the students, the varsity and the nation in general. While explaining some projects to be undertaken by the university, he said there are plans to turn the university into a tourist centre where the guests and tourists attracted to the institution would enable students have access and opportunities to research and learn. He also said the study of foreign languages and entrepreneurship has been made compulsory for all students to make them globally competitive. The university has strategised, in many ways, to empower the students to solve the problems of Nigeria. It is now compulsory for our students to offer foreign languages whether Arabic, French or any other one because we do not want them to operate only in Nigeria but globally. He said no student from the institution will graduate without having learnt a foreign language. Very soon we will start railway engineering. We want the vision of the federal government to be supported by our university in ways that our students can be termed not only engineers of railways but also innovators of the twenty-first-century railway system. The VC said the university is working on expanding its admission process to ensure that every state of the federation is represented in the institution. Speaking on the suspension of the admission process, he said there were no irregularities in the institutions admission process. The vice-chancellor last year, established a Students Employment Scheme tailored towards engaging students who have distinguished themselves in their academic performance while studying in the university. He said such students must have a requisite Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), to be employed. Former Anglo Irish Bank executive William McAteer has been expelled from Chartered Accountants Ireland after a disciplinary tribunal found he had brought discredit on himself and the profession. Mr McAteer was previously sentenced in 2016 to serve a three-and-a-half-year prison term for his part in conspiring to mislead investors to make Anglo appear more valuable than it was in 2008, by using interbank loans of 7.2bn. He was later sentenced to a two-and-a-half year term for fraudulently obtaining an 8.2m loan from the bank. Mr McAteer did not attend the brief hearing in Dublin on Friday where the professional body Chartered Accountants Irelands Institutes Conduct Committee took the decision. Mr McAteer consented to his exclusion from membership of the Institute and has undertaken not to make any future application for reinstatement. Mr McAteer had accepted the facts of a formal complaint brought against him by the Institutes Conduct Committee following the opinion certified by the Special Investigator, Mr John Purcell. The Disciplinary Tribunal made an Order excluding Mr. McAteer from Membership of Chartered Accountants Ireland, the most significant sanction that the Disciplinary Tribunal can impose. Disciplinary matters in relation to Mr McAteer have now concluded. Supporting the old adage you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette, Elon Musks SpaceX company recently destroyed one of its rockets at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida in order to advance its program and safely launch astronauts into space in the near future. The exercise was the last of many crucial tests needed to make sure the capsules launch escape system properly operates in case of emergency. The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule detaches from the main rocket. The Demise of Falcon 9 Falcon 9, the rocket used to launch the abort test, had previously been used three times in the development of the program. It was destroyed on the fourth test, an ending that was both anticipated and signaled success in making the Crew Dragons actual launch a reality. Spectators had been cautioned to anticipate a flaming explosion during the exercise, and they certainly were not disappointed. A multitude of cameras was aimed at the sky as the Falcon 9 growled to an ear-splitting volume, shaking adjacent buildings and setting off car alarms in piercing blares. The abort happened on schedule 84 seconds later, and a ball of fire emerged through the clouds. Seconds after that, the expected sonic boom roared through the sky, followed by another bang when the crash debris smacked into the Atlantic Ocean. Images from the launch of Tesla's self-destroyed Falcon 9 rocket. Silence fell as the Crew Dragon floated back home, with four Mark 3 parachutes gently guiding it to the splash-down site in the Atlantic, around 20 miles east of the Cape Canaveral point of departure. The Path to Destruction As intended, the Falcon 9 met its fiery fate this time around. Crew Dragon took a while to arrive at its highly anticipated point of explosion. In 2018, the craft traveled into space three times. Its maiden voyage was to launch the first-ever Bangladeshi satellite. Next up was an Indonesian communications satellite. Last on the list was an astounding rideshare operation that simultaneously launched 64 satellites stacked on top of each other. The Importance of Falcon 9 The booster used on its latest mission was the first test of SpaceXs upgraded Block 5 Falcon 9 rockets. The In-Flight Abort (IFA) operation was designed to assess Crew Dragons SuperDraco-powered abort system, which detaches the capsule from its launcher if a mid-flight emergency necessitates immediately separating the crew from the craft, right after max Q the instant maximum aerodynamic stress on the rocket is detected. Story continues Images from the launch of Tesla's self-destroyed Falcon 9 rocket. Eight SuperDraco engines are entrenched within the outer hull of the Dragon capsule. If the onboard computer senses that something is wrong during the journey, it triggers these thrusters to fire. The SuperDracos then push the capsule up and away from the rocket. Once its far enough away, the Crew Dragon activates its parachutes and lands in the ocean for recovery. Kathy Lueders, NASAs Commercial Crew Program Manager, explained in a news briefing prior to the launch that the company would be purposefully failing a launch vehicle to make sure our abort system works. Thats a very, very different way for us to formally conduct a mission. Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley will be on-board Tesla's rocket just as soon as it's NASA-approved. SpaceX hopes that NASA will soon clear Crew Dragon to carry humans. Once that happens, SpaceX will fly two NASA astronauts, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, to the International Space Station. Their two-week stay there will focus on participation in a test mission called Demo-2. by Padre Pietro The authorities check that nobody leaves their house. Only in the past few days have those who have a job outside been allowed to leave the village. Masses and religious activities canceled until further notice by the Religious Affairs Office. A picture of daily life in a village in central China, at the heart of the coronavirus epidemic. Rome (AsiaNews) - For almost a month, the Chinese have lived in isolation in their homes because of the coronavirus epidemic: they cannot go out, visit neighbors or friends, or talk to anyone on the street. Every two days, one person per family can go out to buy basic necessities. Entry and exit from their village is under control. These are some of the aspects of village life in central China shared with AsiaNews by Fr. Pietro, the parish priest. On the orders of the Religious Affairs Office and on the advice of the bishops, parish life has been stopped: no masses, not even on Sundays, and no meetings or activities. Families gather at home to read the Bible, pray for Wuhan's heroic doctors and nurses, asking God to save China and convert people. Peter also tells of the fear that fills people's hearts, kept in the dark and forced to obey, and launches an appeal: I ask you to pray to the mercy of God that this disaster ends as soon as possible, so that we can go back to our normal life and our work ". The Chinese New Year of 2020 has come totally unexpectedly. From the beginning of the year until today, time seems to be suspended. All our lives have been severely interrupted, work and study turned on its . They ask us to stay indoors and not to go out and go around. They ask us to wear masks, wash our hands frequently, not participate in any group activities. But 20 days have already passed. The reality is a little different from what is said on TV, because we are increasingly isolated, almost completely isolated. In particular, in recent days, they asked us to leave the village [because of the resumption of work - ed]. They measured everyone's temperature and asked everyone to register with our identity card. If you are an employee, you must show the certificate of your company when you enter or leave the village; if you are not an employee, you are forced to stay at home, you are not allowed to move around, you cannot converse on the street, you cannot visit friends and neighbors. Every two days, one person per family can leave the village to buy what is needed. Fortunately, Chinese people have a habit of storing a lot of food and vegetables around New Year's Eve. So when the coronavirus came, what we had already stored was enough. But over time, we have less and less food and vegetables. I think there will be a lot of people going out to buy things in the near future. In this way many people will meet in markets or supermarkets and have contact with each other. This is what many fear, but we must do it. People are afraid. We don't know what will happen and when this disaster will pass. As a result we live with terror of the unknown each and every day. There are also people who are not aware of the disaster. Sometimes they live as if there is no problem, and this increases the chances of infection. Of course, all the activities of our parish have been stopped. We canceled daily mass and other parochial activities. Every Sunday we ask the faithful to meet in the family to read the Bible, to pray for the medical staff, especially those of Wuhan, to pray for the conversion of people. We lack the professional tools to give people the opportunity to follow the mass media live on TV, as they do in Hong Kong and Macau. But I learned that some priests use their cell phone to transmit the mass they celebrate. But I find it a bit funny for the faithful to attend mass with their cell phones in their hands while they sit on the sofa. For my part, I find it more appropriate to encourage the faithful to read the Bible and pray together. After all, the coronavirus will pass and the end of the world is not so close! If the end of the world comes, it is better to read the Bible than to attend mass on a mobile phone. Since the day we canceled the masses, until today, the Department of Religions has issued documents which warn us that we cannot resume celebrating mass until further notice: we must wait for them to tell us. I find it so strange that all our religious activities are controlled by them in such a widespread way! Whether mass is done or not, we must always follow their plans. This is our everyday life. People are distressed: they fear that they and their families will be infected with the virus; others are waiting with the hope that the disaster will end soon, others still are worried because they need to find a job and commit themselves to supporting the life of their family. I ask you to pray to the mercy of God for this disaster to end as soon as possible so that we Chinese can return to our normal life and work. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 Trend: The first meeting of the working group on energy between the governments of Azerbaijan and Hungary has been held in Budapest, Trend reports referring to Azerbaijans Energy Ministry. Speaking at the meeting, chairman of the working group from Azerbaijan, Head of the office of the Energy Ministry Zaur Mammadov shared his views on the current state and prospects of energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary. The working group on energy will contribute to the further expansion of this cooperation, reads the report. Zaur Mammadov noted the importance of studying the experience of Hungary in the field of geothermal energy and conducting joint activities. Head of the working group from Hungary, Ambassador-at-large for energy security Pal Sagvari highly appreciated the leading role of Azerbaijan in the successful implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project. Sagvari expressed his countrys interest in developing energy cooperation with Azerbaijan. The parties emphasized the importance of organizing energy events between the two countries, sharing experience and investing in energy, expanding cooperation in marketing and trade, including introduction of new technologies to the energy sector and the supply of crude oil and oil products, the report said. Azerbaijan and Hungary agreed to cooperate in the study of renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency, as well as explore opportunities for cooperation in the field of transportation and distribution of natural gas in the future, the report said. The sides expressed support for the development of strategic partnership between Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR and Hungarys MOL Group. Following the first meeting of the working group on energy, Zaur Mammadov and Pal Sagvari signed a protocol. It was decided to hold the second meeting of the working group in Azerbaijan. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SHARC International Systems Inc. (CSE:SHRC) (FSE:IWIA) (OTCQB:INTWF) (the Company or SHARC) announced today that, further to its news release dated February 12, 2020, it closed a non-brokered private placement of convertible debenture units (Units) for gross proceeds of $1,764,000 (the Offering). Each Unit consists of: (i) $1,000 principal amount of 2.0% unsecured convertible debentures (the Debentures); and (ii) 5,000 warrants (the Warrants). The Company will use the net proceeds of the Offering for the investment in sales and marketing activity for the Piranha system with a focus on developing Western North America and general working capital purposes. The Company has exercised its option to increase the Offering to $1,955,000 (the Greenshoe) and it intends to close on the Greenshoe within 30 days. The Debentures will bear interest from their issue date at 2.0% per annum calculated and payable semi-annually in arrears on June 30 and December 31 of each year commencing on June 30, 2020 and will mature three years following the closing of the Offering (the Maturity Date). The Debentures are unsecured and will rank pari passu in right of payment of principal and interest with all the existing and future unsecured indebtedness of the Company. The Debentures, (including any accrued and unpaid interest) will be convertible at the option of the holder into common shares of the Company (the Common Shares) at any time after February 13, 2021 and prior to the close of business on the last business day prior to the Maturity Date at a conversion price of $0.10 per Common Share. Each Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one Common Share (a Warrant Share) at an exercise price of $0.20 per Warrant Share for a period of three years following the Closing Date. The Units will be eligible for RRSP, RESP, RRIF, TFSA and DPSP accounts. The Debentures and the Warrants comprising each Unit, and any Common Shares issuable upon conversion or exercise thereof, will be subject to a statutory hold period lasting four months and one day following the issue date of the applicable Unit. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid eligible finders an aggregate cash fee of $88,200 and issued 176 compensation warrants to eligible finders (the Compensation Warrants). Each Compensation Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Unit of the Company at an exercise price of $1,000 for a period of three years following the date of issuance. The Units issuable upon exercise of the Compensation Warrants are on the same terms as the Units sold under the Offering. The Debentures and the Warrants comprising each Unit, and any Common Shares issuable upon conversion or exercise thereof, are subject to a statutory four month and one day hold period until June 14, 2020. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons 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 nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About SHARC International Systems SHARC International Systems Inc. is a world leader in waste water heat recovery. For commercial, residential and industrial buildings, SHARC products recycle thermal energy, generating one of the most efficient and economical methods for heating, cooling & preheating water. SHARC is publicly traded in Canada (CSE: SHRC), the United States (OTCQB: INTWF) and Germany (Frankfurt: IWIA). Further information about the Company is available on our website at www.sharcenergy.com or under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Lynn Mueller Chairman and Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Investor Relations Jamie Hyland SHARC International Systems Inc. Telephone: (604) 442-2425 Email: jamie.hyland@sharcenergy.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements 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. SHARC'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, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. SHARC 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. Largest-ever Loyalty Bonus dividend part of $35 million financial impact RALEIGH, NC / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2020 / This morning, Coastal Credit Union issued more than $3.7 million in special dividends to eligible members through its Loyalty Bonus program. The payout was shared among more than 69,000 members, making it Coastal's largest bonus dividend in terms of both dollars paid and number of recipients. The total Loyalty Bonus dividend was based on Coastal's overall performance in 2019. Individual shares of the payout were then calculated based on each member's aggregate relationship (year-end loan balances plus average deposits) with Coastal, as well as their length of membership. Individual members received anywhere from $5.00 up to $300. "Loyalty Bonus Day has become somewhat of a company celebration here," said Chuck Purvis, Coastal's President and CEO. "It's so much more than a monetary payout to our members. It's a day where we celebrate the very reason we're able to return that money to them. As a member-owned cooperative, we're not obligated to extract huge profits from consumers and pay them out to investors. Instead, the money we earn belongs to the members who use our products and services, and when we have a good year, we can give some of it back to them." Over the past nine years, Coastal has returned $21.1 million to members as special dividends. The credit union also looks at the overall positive impact it has by saving money for members on their everyday financial needs. "Loyalty Bonus is just part of how Coastal returns value to our members; our purpose is to do what's financially right for them, at every interaction" added Joe Mecca, VP of Communication. "Each year, we try to quantify that value, and have identified more than $35 million in member savings during 2019, or $130 per member. We calculate the difference between our loan rates, deposit dividends and fees, compared to the banks in our market, and add in the value of other incentives and programs that we provided as membership benefits throughout the year." About Coastal Coastal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned, financial cooperative, offering a full range of financial products and services. Coastal was chartered on August 31, 1967 with the mission of fostering the credit union philosophy of "people helping people." Today, with $3.4 billion in assets, Coastal serves 270,000 members from 1,700 business partners and is among the leading financial institutions in North Carolina. Coastal operates 23 branches in central North Carolina and serves members in all 50 states through a network of 5,000 shared branches, 80,000 surcharge-free ATMs, mobile banking featuring mobile check deposit, and a robust offering of online services at www.COASTAL24.com. For more Coastal news, visit our online newsroom. ### Ways Coastal saves members money 2019 Savings* Loan Rates Refinancing Mortgages $883,430 Auto Refinance Savings Guarantee $123,330 Refinancing Auto Loans $742,430 Auto Loans $6,534,770 Home Equity Lines of Credit $872,770 Credit Card Hurricane Relief Campaign $106,000 Deposit Dividends Go Green Checking Dividends $2,313,260 Money Market Dividends $4,506,900 Certificate Dividends $3,651,630 IRA High Yield Savings Dividends $506,720 Health Savings Accounts Dividends $181,580 Fees First Time Homebuyer Origination Fee $194,010 Mortgage Underwriting Fee $734,400 Bounce Guard/NSF Fee $843,830 Overdraft Forgiveness Program $3,618,850 Overdraft Transfer Fee (eliminated 2017) $1,285,940 Non-Coastal ATM fee (eliminated 2019) $175,000 Other Eliminated Fees $293,960 Incentives & Discounts Loyalty Bonus Dividends $3,720,230 Daymark Realty Member Savings $664,730 Join Days $215,680 Credit & debit card bonus incentives $27,570 Youth Certificate Incentive $4,880 Fast Lane at Coastal Credit Union Music Park $41,710 Coastal Music Park Concessions Discount $10,430 idAlly Identity Theft Recovery Services $2,430,690 Carolina Hurricanes discounts $6,370 NCFC / NC Courage Discounts $26,190 Coastal Family Day $375,290 Coastal Midtown Park Food Truck Events $21,500 Durham Bulls Sweepstakes $1,600 Total Member Giveback $ 35,115,600 *Member Giveback is estimated by comparing the average interest and dividend rates of Coastal's loan and deposit product portfolios versus average local bank rates for similar products from external sources like bankrate.com and S&P Global. We also compared Coastal's fees to the advertised fees of Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC, BB&T, First Citizens and SunTrust. Additionally, we quantify the actual cash value of product incentives and discounts that Coastal offers to members. Contact: Joe Mecca VP, Communication / Spokesperson 919-420-8044 jmecca@coastal24.com SOURCE: Coastal Credit Union View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576489/Coastal-Credit-Union-Returns-37-Million-to-Members The first look teaser launch of Rana Daggubati and Vishnu Vishal's Kaadan was held on Wednesday in Chennai. "The film is based on a real incident. A man in India has created a forest by planting thousands of trees, Rana has played this 50-year-old man. In one of the forest areas in India, a huge wall was created and confused by this obstacle on their routine path, a lot of elephants hit the wall with their head and it caused brain hemorrhage to them. This is an untold story," said the film's director Prabhu Solomon. The film's hero Rana who plays the titular role said: "I thoughtwas the most difficult film I've ever done in my done but within ten days,pushed me beyond my limits. It's a tough role to play, I had to perform the same scene in three languages and it was difficult."Vishnu Vishal said: "My character starts as a selfish guy but after meeting Rana, he slowly changes. In my real life too I'm a bit scared about nature and animals butchanged me a lot as a person. I was also injured during this film and it changed my life. I'm mentally and physically strong now only because the injury pushed me to work harder."Produced by Eros International, the film is all set to release on April 2.is the title of the Telugu version of the film andis the title of the Hindi version. A bioterrorism expert on Friday became Malaysia's first female counterterror chief, taking the helm of the Muslim-majority nation's agency in charge of fighting threats from Islamic State, al-Qaeda and other violent extremist groups. Police Inspector-General Abdul Hamid Bador confirmed Normah Ishaks appointment as the police branchs new chief. She succeeds Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, her former boss who was promoted to chief of police in southern Johor state after heading the federal polices counterterrorist force since 2016. Abdul Hamid described Normah as a highly qualified, very experienced, [and] tough professional of high integrity, and an excellent commander. She is a gutsy officer and there is no doubt she will carry out the task given to her to the best of her ability, the national police chief told BenarNews late Friday. On top of that, the division has dozens of equally determined and very experienced officers. The appointment took effect at 11 a.m. Friday. Abdul Hamid said one of Normahs first tasks would be to deal with the potential return of 56 Malaysians stranded in Syria, including families of fighters who had traveled to the region to join the Islamic State (IS) militant group. In January, Ayob said 19 men, 12 women, 17 boys and eight girls were living in refugee camps or were on the run in Syria after the military defeat of IS in the region last year. Previously, the government reported that 120 Malaysians had traveled to Syria since 2014 to engage in terrorist activities. Normah, who joined the police force in 1991, was appointed as Ayobs deputy in 2016, the year of the first attack claimed by IS in the Southeast Asian nation. Malaysian IS terrorist Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi masterminded a grenade attack that injured eight people at a pub in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur on June 28, 2016, officials said. A year later, Wanndy was killed in a drone strike near Raqqa, Syria. While working under Ayob, Normah assisted in foiling terrorist plots by al-Qaeda in foreign countries with the arrest of foreigners, including five Egyptians, who were part of the Muslim Brotherhood in February 2019. Normah could not immediately be reached for comment. A source at federal police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur said she was the right person to lead the counterterrorism unit. She is a woman, but gender has nothing to do with how one executes the task given. She is capable of carrying out the task as counterterror chief. She is very strict but humble, the source told BenarNews, adding that the units officers would respect her. Nisha David in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report. The U.S. is formally accused of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court By TeleSur February 13, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Venezuelas Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza arrived in The Hague (Netherlands) on Thursday to file a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the United States and its sanctions. During his meeting with the Court, Arreaza exposed the crimes against humanity perpetrated by the U.S. government in its failed attempt to overthrow Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. Currently, the economic, financial, and commercial sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump administration have prevented Venezuela from accessing international markets. As a consequence, the Venezuelan people's rights to health, food, and development have been systematically violated. "We have the right, the obligation, and the responsibility to protect our people," Arreaza said at a press conference held after handing over the documentation of the case to the Hague court. "The consequences of U.S. coercive unilateral measures are crimes against humanity and violate both international laws and the United Nations Charter." Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter #FOTOS | Por instrucciones del Pdte. @NicolasMaduro el canciller Jorge Arreaza llega a La Haya e introduce una denuncia ante la Corte Penal Internacional por los crimenes de lesa humanidad cometidos por el gobierno de EEUU contra el pueblo de Venezuela. #JusticiaContraElBloqueo pic.twitter.com/YHG0SkB6OZ Cancilleria Venezuela (@CancilleriaVE) February 13, 2020 "On instructions from President Nicolas Maduro, Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza arrives in The Hague and introduces a complaint to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity committed by the US government against the people of Venezuela. Justice against the blockade." During his presentation, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister also stressed that the U.S. unilateral coercive measures are "weapons of mass destruction" that affect various peoples of the world. Therefore, the action that the Venezuelan government is taking before the Criminal Court will set a precedent for international law and multilateral institutions. The most recent U.S. sanction was directed against Conviasa airlines, a public company that carries out non-profit operations for public programs such as "Return to the Homeland" and Mission Miracle. This article was published by "TeleSur" - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Publican Joel Alvey believes Mr Parker 'said the words everyone was thinking' Mr Parker has not had to pay for a beer at his local pub, Steampacket Hotel, since The video went viral and the firefighter from Nelligen became a national hero Volunteer firefighter Paul Parker told the prime minister to 'get f**ked' in January A firefighter who made headlines across the country for slamming Scott Morrison during the bushfire crisis has never had to pay for a beer at his local pub since. Paul Parker, from Nelligen on the New South Wales south coast, became an Australian hero after he was filmed shouting from his firetruck at the beginning of January. 'Are you from the media? Tell the prime minister to go and get f***ed from Nelligen,' he screamed. 'We really enjoy doing this s**t,' he continued sarcastically before giving a thumbs-up and driving off. He then collapsed to the ground from exhaustion and explained to reporters that he'd failed to save seven homes from the devastating Clyde Mountain Fire that tore through his community earlier that day. Paul Parker became an Australian hero when he pulled his fire truck over to the side of the road in Nelligen, on the NSW South Coast, to deliver a blunt message to the prime minister Pictured: Paul Parker and publican Joel Alvey at Steampacket Hotel in Nelligen. Locals have been donating money to Mr Parker following his honest message to Mr Morrison More than one-month later, the firefighter's blunt message continues to be praised by pubgoers at his local institution, Steampacket Hotel. Publican Joel Alvey told Daily Mail Australia: 'Everyone has been a great support by donating money for Paul.' Donors have left money to shout Mr Parker a schooner, while some cash has been given directly to the hotel. Mr Alvey said there was about $500 donated by Thursday and an additional $200 had been given on Friday morning following heightened media attention. The publican, who was an RFS member for the past 20 years, said Mr Parker visits the hotel 'quite regularly'. Mr Alvey thinks Australians were keen to throw their support behind the firefighter because he 'said the words everyone was thinking at that time'. 'That's Paul, he says what he thinks,' Mr Alvey explained. 'We already had a couple of weeks of fire and that was the breaking point. Everyone who was in that truck was feeling the same way. Publican Joel Alvey (right) said he thinks Australians are keen to throw their support behind Mr Parker (left) because he 'said the words everyone was thinking at that time' 'Everyone's sort of patting him on the back for what he said. It's what we were all thinking at the time.' Mr Parker admitted he was 'shocked' that his frank admission to the prime minister went viral. 'I've had no negative comments to what I said. A lot of people, even fellow firefighters said ''you just said what everyone is thinking'',' Mr Parker told Daily Mail Australia. 'If I was the PM, I wouldn't have left the country.' Mr Parker said he didn't want to take all the praise for his efforts and commended fellow firefighters. 'As far as people donating money and putting a bar tab, I don't want to make money out of it or anything,' he explained. 'Every time I go and have a beer, I shout the bar. 'There was a lot of other people who did work. I wasn't a single hero firefighter.' Mr Alvey and the Steampacket Hotel (pictured) are now facing an uncertain few months, as they attempt to recover from the devastation of the fires. 'It's been really tough [the bushfire season]. It's left us hanging a bit,' Mr Alvey said Mr Parker said the fires wouldn't have been as intense if they had done hazard reduction burns over the last few years. 'It was a catastrophic situation, and we all know that the RFS can't be everywhere,' he said. 'Control has got to be given back... All the political red tape has got to be taken away.' Mr Alvey and the Steampacket Hotel are now facing an uncertain few months, as they attempt to recover from the devastation of the fires. 'It's been really tough [the bushfire season]. It's left us hanging a bit,' Mr Alvey said. 'We've lost our entire summer trade which is what we rely on to get through winter. '[We're] trying to do what we can to pay the bills and keep the doors open.' Mr Alvey is hopeful that 'once everything settles down a bit' they'll see an increase in patronage around Easter. Mr Parker, who works by day as a tradesman, collapsed to the ground from exhaustion and explained he'd failed to save seven homes from devastating bushfires He wants to remind local residents and New South Wales holidaymakers that it will be business as usual. 'We're here, we're open,' he said. 'Hopefully the caravan park will be back in business, we'll try and pick up from here.' Mr Parker is also hopeful that Australians choose Batemans Bay as a holiday destination to 'get out and spend some money'. 'That pub really relies on the caravan park and local traffic coming down the Kings Highway and as we all know that was shut for weeks,' Mr Parker said. 'He lost a lot of money and they're really struggling and I really feel for him. 'We need the Canberra trade in particular. Without them, Batemans Bay wouldn't be the place it is. 'It really knocked this town around, the fires.' A central Pennsylvania funeral director who was temporarily suspended after four decomposing corpses were found on his property has now agreed on an indefinite suspension of his state license. Andrew Scheid struck that deal before he was to face a disciplinary hearing Friday before the State Board of Funeral Directors, WHTM reports. Scheid was placed on temporary suspension last month after the decomposing bodies were discovered in his funeral home in Lancaster Countys Manor Township. The bodies were found by members of the county coroners office, which investigated at the request of the district attorney. Investigators said the four corpses had not been refrigerated or embalmed and that two had been left in a preparation area for 17 and 12 days, respectively. State regulators accused Scheid of gross incompetency, negligence and misconduct. The DAs office continues to investigate. BRIDGEPORT There has been a recent increase in the number of Bridgeport students in possession of marijuana-laced items, prompting Acting Superintendent of Schools Michael Testani to send a letter to parents and guardians. In the letter, posted on the Bridgeport Public Schools website Friday, Testani said there have been a few incidents this school year where students have had adverse reactions when consuming these items. He said the products include cookies, brownies and chewable gummies. Testani later confirmed via text that there have not been a lot of instances, but that officials just wanted to ensure parents and guardians are aware and educated on the topic. Testani urged parents and guardians to speak to their children about marijuana in the letter. Ask what they have heard about using marijuana, he encouraged. Listen carefully, pay attention and try not to interrupt. Avoid making negative or angry comments. Testani also urged parents and guardians to offer facts about the risks and consequences of consuming marijuana. If you choose to talk to your child about your own experiences with drugs, be honest about why you used and the pressures that contributed to your use, Testani urged. Be careful not to minimize the dangers of marijuana or other drugs, and be open about any negative experiences you may have had. Testani said brownies are among the most common food products infused with marijuana, but clarified that almost any food can be infused with the drug and consumed. Some negative effects of marijuana edibles, according to Testanis letter, are psychotic episodes, hallucinations, paranoia, panic attacks and impaired motor ability. What are some indicators that youths might be using marijuana? Testani says the parents and guardians might notice their children acting very silly and out of character for no reason. He said they might start using new words and phrases like sparking up, 420, dabbing and shatter. Among other things, parents and guardians might notice their children have increased irritability; lose interest in and motivation to do usual activities; carrying pipes, lighters, vape pens or rolling papers. In a post on Twitter around 6:20 p.m. Friday, Testani shared a link to the letter. Information that all parents should ... know, the post said. States are legalizing a potentially dangerous drug and our kids are being put at risk. Corporate Email Address: You forgot to provide an Email Address. This email address doesnt appear to be valid. Please provide a Corporate Email Address. This email address is already registered. Please log in. First Name: You forgot to provide your first name. Last Name: You forgot to provide your last name. Company Name: You forgot to provide a company name. Job Title: You forgot to provide a job title. Seniority: Select... 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The sitting Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa-Nsuaem in Western Region who is seeking re-election, Mr. George Mireku-Duker has descended heavily on some NPP bigwigs in the Constituency who are trying to bring a mole to contest him in the party's parliamentary primaries. According to him, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is not for sale and will not allow the NDC to sponsor anybody to contest him in the party's parliamentary primaries. Mr. George Mireku-Duker became the MP for the area in 2016 after beating the longest-serving Member of Parliament in the history of this country, Mrs. Eugenia Kusi in NPP's parliamentary primaries in 2015. Mr. Mireku-Duker had the highest votes in Western Region in 2016 parliamentary elections of 42,594 as against the NDC parliamentary candidate, Comedian Kwame Dzokoto who polled 24, 044 votes. He made the statement before over 1,000 delegates and party sympathizers after submitting his nomination forms to the Tarkwa-Nsuaem NPP Constituency Parliamentary Election Committee at the party office at Tarkwa Market Circle to lead the party to Parliament for the second time. He was in the company of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Gomoa East, Member of Parliament (MP) for Mfantseman Constituency, Hon. Ekow Quansah Hayford, Council of Elders of the party, Executives of Friends of Mireku Duker, Executives of TESCON branch at UMat, the media among others. Amid dancing and drumming, hundreds of delegates clad in party outfits bearing his portrait, joined Mireku Duker at the party office, as he presented bankers draft of GHC20,000, passport pictures, CV and other requirements to complete his task. Addressing the enthusiastic gathering, Mr. Mireku Duker claimed the opposition National Democratic Congress in the area was sponsoring someone who according to him is not an NPP member to contest him in the party's parliamentary primaries. "...NPP is not for sale, NPP is not for sale, NPP is not for sale, NPP is not for sale, NPP is not for sale", he chanted. He said the NDC fear him so they were looking for a weak candidate to beat hence their involvement in the NPP parliamentary primaries. "Because the NDC in Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency fear me so anytime they go on radio stations, they attack me and they championing for a mole to contest our primaries so that when the person wins then they can beat the person easily but I want to tell them that the person they are rooting for is not a committed member because we didn't see the person in 2016 when I and the late Chairman and others were moving to hinterlands to campaign, we didn't see them, the NDC should tell the person to use his or her money to do different things but not contest in the NPP Parliamentary primaries", he stated. He emphasized that he was going to increase the 2016 vote difference from 20,000 to 30,000 come December 7 parliamentary election and also increase the votes of President Akufo-Addo. "I am saying that the 20,000 votes gab we gave to the NDC in Tarkwa-Nsuaem, this year's election we are going to open the gab to 30,000", he said. "NDC know that we NPP are coming, shame unto those NPP who have turned themselves as NDC members, they are now Judas in NPP, shame unto those Judas in NPP. We will not allow NPP to collapse in Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency here", he added. He said he would continue to serve the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency with humility and be God-fearing and therefore called on them to rally behind him and President Akufo-Addo. The MP touted government's achievements in the Constituency and said President Akufo-Addo deserves another term to do more. "...the good people of Tarkwa-Nsuaem were saying they need development and we have done so many things here, we have brought Free SHS, we have restored allowances for Teachers and Nurses, we have also brought NABCO to reduce unemployment , we have revamped Tarkwa-Takoradi railway lines and today we can use train", he listed. He mentioned some deplorable roads in the area and pledged government's readiness to fix those roads. He also promised to construct a school at Nsuaem to produce future leaders in the area, he urged "be patient with me and the NPP government". Mr. Mireku Duker didn't spare the NDC Parliamentary candidate called, Justice Abban alias DJ. He stressed that Parliament was a serious business but not for anybody at all. "Parliament is a serious business, not everybody can go to Parliament so we can't entertain any mediocrite in Parliament. We are serious Ghanaians (NPP) and we are determined to push the development of this country forward and we are not going to sell our NPP party to anybody", he heated up. He concluded, "...I want to send this signal to the NDC Parliamentary candidate that we are ready and we are coming after them and the gab will be widen because we are not to joke in Parliament". The two MPs who accompanied Hon. George Mireku-Duker to submit his forms, Hon. Kojo Asemanyi, Gomoa East MP and Hon. Ekow Quansah Hayford, Mfantseman West MP in their speech to the charging crowd, thanked the delegates for such a stupendous show of loyalty and commitment towards Hon. Duker and NPP. In their speech, they eulogized Hon. Duker's quality representation in Parliamentary duties and how he is delivering well and his enviable role of leading Young MPs in Ghana. They concluded by admonishing the delegates to work tirelessly to ensure that, Hon. George Mireku Duker is re-elected for a second term. They charged the delegates not to make a mistake by selling the NPP party to any mole who wants to contest Hon. Mireku Duker. Background The NPP has opened nomination forms for their sitting Members of Parliament and the party is expected to hold its parliamentary elections on Saturday, April 25, 2020. The NPP has I69 sitting Members of Parliament out of the total 275 seats in Parliament. The party has already elected more than 95 Parliamentary candidates who would be contesting on its ticket in orphan constituencies (areas the party does not have sitting MPs). The same April 25, 2020 date would also be used to elect a flagbearer for the party for Election 2020. The opening of the nomination forms would close on February 20, 2020. The prospective aspirants in the 169 Constituencies are expected to be vetted from February 28, 2020, to March 8, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the food festivals and events listed here have been cancelled or postponed to a later date. All throughout the Birmingham metro area in 2020, youll find food events celebrating everything from tacos and chicken wings to catfish and barbecue, as well as festivals honoring the cultures and cuisines of Greece, Lebanon, Mexico and the Caribbean, among many others. To help you make your plans, weve compiled our annual list of Birmingham Food Festivals to Put on Your Calendar, with dates, locations and websites to go to for tickets and more information. Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com Lenten Lunches What: Feed the body and nourish the soul at this noontime lunch and preaching series that has become Birmingham's most popular Lenten celebration. When: Weekdays from 12:05 to 1 p.m., beginning on Ash Wednesday on Feb. 26 and continuing through Maundy Thursday on April 9. Where: Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 Sixth Ave. North, Birmingham. Website: adventbirmingham.org Don't Edit Birmingham News file/Michelle Campbell MortgageBanc Chili Cook-Off What: Guests get to sample homemade chili from all the teams competing in this 16th annual event, which benefits the Exceptional Foundation. When: March 7; 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Macy's parking lot, Brookwood Village. Website: www.exceptionalfoundation.org Photo courtesy of Homewood Chamber of Commerce Taste of Homewood Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Taste of Homewood has been postponed until further notice, according to organizers. What: Sample dishes from about 30 Homewood restaurants, caterers, coffee houses and beverage vendors. When: TBA. Where: Rosewood Hall in SoHo Square, Homewood. Website: homewoodchamber.org Don't Edit Image courtesy of Southern Foodways Alliance Southern Foodways Alliance Spring Symposium UPDATE: The Southern Foodways Alliance has canceled the 2020 Spring Symposium due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What: Meet and eat with some of the South's finest food writers, chefs and storytellers at this annual symposium presented by the Southern Foodways Alliance. At this year's event, Food & Wine magazine restaurant editor Khushbu Shah and editor-in-chief Hunter Lewis will discuss the future of restaurant criticism; the SFA will screen a new film that profiles pitmasters Rodney Scott and Roscoe Hall and 21st century barbecue legacies; and chef John Hall will talk about Birmingham as a bold American food city. When: CANCELED . Where: Haven, 2515 Sixth Ave. South, Birmingham. Website: www.southernfoodways.org/event/spring-symposium-the-future-of-the-restaurant/ Don't Edit Photo courtesy of Girls Inc. of Central Alabama Girls Inc. Cajun Cook-Off UPDATE: The Girls Inc. Cajun Cook-Off has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What: Enjoy such Cajun dishes as gumbo, jambalaya, po' boys, shrimp and grits and bread pudding prepared by cook-off competitors at this 10th annual event, which benefits Girls Incorporated of Central Alabama. When: CANCELED . Where: Railroad Park, Birmingham. Website: girlsinccentral-al.org Don't Edit Don't Edit Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham Grill To Build UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Grill To Build has been postponed until a later date. What: Sample smoked meat from amateur teams competing in this 12th annual barbecue cook-off to benefit Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham. When: TBA. Where: Habitat ReStore, 7952 Crestwood Blvd., Irondale. More information: www.habitatbirmingham.org/grill-to-build. Don't Edit Facebook photo courtesy of Leadership Vestavia Hills Wing Ding UPDATE: Wing Ding has been canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak and will return in 2021, according to organizers. What: About 20 competing teams will prepare more than 20,000 chicken wings for festival patrons. Plus, there will be live music and a kids' zone. All proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. When: April 4, 4-7 p.m. Where: Vestavia Hills City Hall front lawn, 1032 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills. More info: facebook.com/VestaviaWingDing Don't Edit Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com The Market at Pepper Place UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Pepper Place Saturday Market has switched to drive-thru only service until further notice. Go here to read more. What: Every Saturday morning from early spring through late fall, farmers, purveyors, food producers, artists and crafters from around Alabama set up shop at Birmingham's premier farmers market. When: Saturdays, 7 a.m. to noon, from April 11 through Dec. 12. Where: Pepper Place, 2829 Second Ave. South, Birmingham. Website: www.pepperplacemarket.com Don't Edit Photo courtesy of St. Elias Maronite Church St. Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the St. Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival has been rescheduled for Aug. 7-8. Service is drive-thru only. What: The parishioners of Saint Elias Maronite Church prepare and serve a feast that includes such Lebanese dishes as baked kibbe, lemon chicken, grape leaves and spinach pies. When: Aug. 7-8; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Where: Saint Elias Maronite Catholic Church, 836 Eighth St. South, Birmingham. Website: www.stelias.org. Don't Edit Photo courtesy of Episcopal Place Gumbo Gala UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gumbo Gala has been canceled and is expected to return in 2021 . What: Teams from throughout the Birmingham area compete to see who makes the best gumbo, and festival guests get to sample and vote for their favorites. When: CANCELED . Where: Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, Birmingham. Website: episcopalplace.org Don't Edit Don't Edit Photo by Elaine Lyda Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival has been rescheduled for Sept. 12 . What: An afternoon of blues music and Bob Sykes barbecue in the park. When: Sept. 12; noon to 8 p.m. Where: DeBardeleben Park, 1623 Second Ave. North, Bessemer. Website: www.bobsykesblues.com Don't Edit Photo by Charity Ponter Corks & Chefs UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Corks & Chefs has been rescheduled for Nov. 7-8 . What: The food and wine component to the annual Magic City Art Connection features dishes from some of the city's top restaurants and chefs, paired with wines from local distributors. When: Nov. 7-8. Where: Linn Park, Birmingham Website: www.magiccityart.com Don't Edit Image courtesy of AIDS Alabama Dining Out for Life UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dining Out for Life has been rescheduled for Sept. 24 . What: Participating restaurants throughout Birmingham donate a minimum of 25 percent of their sales to benefit AIDS Alabama at this one-night-a-year dining event. When: Sept. 24. Where: Select restaurants in the Birmingham metro area. Website: aidsalabama.org Don't Edit Photo courtesy of Magic City Mac 'N Cheese Festival Magic City Mac 'N Cheese Festival UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Magic City Mac 'N Cheese Festival has been postponed. What: Festival participants get to taste mac and cheese dishes from several of Birmingham's favorite restaurants, food trucks and caterers. Proceeds benefit Community Grief Support, which helps fund grief counseling and support groups in the Birmingham area. When: TBA. Where: Back Forty Beer Company, 3201 First Ave. North. Website: macfestbhm.com. Don't Edit Photo courtesy of Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization Magic City Caribbean Food and Music Festival What: This annual event presented by the Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization celebrates the food and music of the Caribbean. Admission is free. When: June 13. Where: DeBardeleben Park, 1623 Second Ave. North, Bessemer. More info: www.cacaoonline.org. Don't Edit Don't Edit Tasha Gaines Photography Birmingham Taco Fest UPDATE: Birmingham Taco Fest will not hold an in-person event this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic but will instead sponsor a month-long Taco Trail promotion with an interactive map leading participants to some of the best taco spots in Birmingham. It will take place in September. More information: www.facebook.com/birminghamtacofest. Don't Edit Tamika Moore/tmoore@al.com Our Lady of Sorrows Fourth of July Barbecue and Festival What: This annual Fourth of July barbecue, which celebrates its 71st year in 2020, is one of Birmingham's longest-running food festivals. When: July 4. Where: Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 1728 Oxmoor Road, Homewood. Don't Edit Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com Night in New Orleans What: New Orleans chef Thomas Robey serves some of his restaurants favorite dishes at this three-night event at Bessemers 113-year-old Bright Star restaurant. When: July 30-31; Aug. 1. Where: Bright Star, 304 19th St. North, Bessemer. Website: thebrightstar.com Don't Edit Photo courtesy of Style Advertising Birmingham Restaurant Week What: Ten-day event features lunch and dinner specials at some of Birmingham's top restaurants. When: Aug. 14-23. Where: Restaurants throughout the Birmingham metro area. Website: www.bhamrestaurantweek.com Don't Edit Photo by Colin Peterson Kickin' Chicken Wing Fest What: Enjoy chicken wings from more than a dozen competing professional and backyard teams while also raising money and awareness for literacy programs in Central Alabama. When: Aug. 22. Where: Ghost Train Brewing Company, 2616 Third Ave. South, Birmingham. Website: litchicken.org Don't Edit Don't Edit Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com Saint George Middle Eastern Food Festival What: This annual festival, which celebrates its 39th year in 2020, features such Middle Eastern dishes as kibbe, grape leaves, meat pies and falafel. When: Sept. 10-12. Where: Saint George Melkite Greek Catholic Church, 425 16th Ave. South, Birmingham. Website: saintgeorgeonline.org/food-festival Don't Edit Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com Cahaba River Fry-Down What: Teams compete to see who cooks the best catfish and sides dishes, and festival-goers get to sample all the dishes and vote for their favorites. Proceeds benefit the Cahaba River Society. When: Oct. 4; noon to 4 p.m. Where: Railroad Park, Birmingham. Website: www.frydown.com. Don't Edit Photo by Elaine Lyda Greek Festival What: This annual festival, which began in 1972, celebrates Birmingham's Greek heritage and offers such dishes as lamb kabobs, souvlaki, gyro, pastitsio and baklava. When: Oct. 8-10; 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Where: Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 307 19th St. South, Birmingham. Website: www.bhamgreekfestival.com Don't Edit Image courtesy of Alabama Butterbean Festival Alabama Butterbean Festival What: This annual fall festival includes a beauty pageant, car show, fireworks, food vendors and the world's largest pot of butterbeans. When: TBA; typically held in early October. Where: Pinson. Website: alabamabutterbeanfestival.com Don't Edit Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com Breakin' Bread What: This annual, one-day festival, which has become one of Birmingham's premier grazing events, features many of your favorite dishes from some of the Magic City's best independently owned restaurants. When: TBA, usually held in October. Where: Pepper Place, Birmingham. Website: www.breakinbreadbham.com . Don't Edit Don't Edit Photo courtesy of Teresa Zuniga Odom Fiesta What: Day-long celebration of Alabama's Hispanic culture, featuring Latino music, dance and food. When: TBA, typically held in late September or early October. Where: Linn Park, Birmingham. Don't Edit Photo courtesy of Style Advertising Taste of the Magic City What: Taste of the Magic City invites Birmingham residents to taste fare from over 20 restaurants while enjoying live music and learning about how M-POWER Ministries helps provide paths out of poverty for the people of Birmingham. When: TBA; typically held in late October. Where: TBA More information: https://www.mpowerministries.org/ Don't Edit Photo courtesy of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church St. Nicholas Slavic/Russian Food Festival What: Parishioners at this 125-year-old church in rural Jefferson County prepare food and pastries from recipes handed down from relatives and friends who immigrated to Brookside from Western Ukraine and what is now known as Slovakia. Dishes include dumplings, meat pies and kolbasa and kraut. When: Nov. 7-8. Where: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Brookside. Website: www.stnicholasbrookside.org Maharashtra: Cabinet approves setting up a major port in Maharashtra at a cost of Rs 65,000 cr February 14,2020 | Source: Economic Times The government on Wednesday approved setting up a new major port at Vadhavan near Dahanu in Maharashtra at a cost of Rs 65,544.54 crore. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Cabinet gives in-principle approval for setting up a new Major Port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra. Total cost of the project is likely to be Rs 65,544.54 crore," an official statement said. Vadhavan port will be developed on landlord model, it said, adding a special purpose vehicle (SPV) will also be formed with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) as the lead partner with equity participation equal to or more than 50 per cent to implement the project. The SPV, the statement said, will develop the port infrastructure, including reclamation, construction of breakwater, besides establishing connectivity to the hinterland, and all the business activities will be undertaken under public private partnership (PPP) by private developers. The position of JN Port, the biggest container port in India, is 28th in the world with a traffic of 5.1 million TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units). Net Health Chief Executive Officer Josh Pickus explained that, "The Net Health Therapy Suite for Private Practice is designed for organizations that want to deliver great outcomes, operate efficiently and grow their business. It's based on our modern xfit platform and incorporates the functionality we've seen scores of clinics successfully leverage as they expand their best practices across providers and clinic locations." There are an estimated 38,8001 outpatient clinics in the US providing some combination of physical therapy or other rehab therapy services. Net Health's solution is best for those clinics that are scaling their clinical and operational processes across an increasingly complex business organization, planning for compliance in a value-based reimbursement structure, and driving a culture of optimal outcomes. Pickus continued, "The software you implement today needs to support your planned vision for the future and give you the confidence that your tools will allow you to move forward. The primary mission of any clinic is to serve patients, so our solution must enable them to accomplish the business aspects of therapy as efficiently as possible as they grow." Visit booth #1721 at APTA's CSM in Denver to learn more about the Net Health Therapy Suite for Private Practice or get details on nethealth.com. 1 LaRosa, J. (2019, July 1) U.S. Physical Therapy Clinics Constitute a Growing $34 Billion Industry. Retrieved from https://blog.marketresearch.com/u.s.-physical-therapy-clinics-constitute-a-growing-34-billion-industry About Net Health Net Health provides cloud-based software for specialty medical providers across the continuum of healthcarefrom hospital to home. Net Health's interoperable EMRs deliver end-to-end solutions that ensure compliance, improve outcomes, empower providers and inspire care. The company serves over 14,000 facilities, including 98 percent of the largest hospital chains, two thirds of skilled nursing facilities and many leading hospice organizations and private practices. Net Health is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, Level Equity and Silversmith Capital Partners. SOURCE Net Health Systems, Inc. Related Links http://nethealth.com Costa Rica is at the top of many travellers bucket lists. It is known for its beautiful beaches, rainforests, and nature. Tourists rarely travel to Costa Rica to immerse themselves in the culture, region, and community. Recently, award-winning photographer and cinematographer. Jeff colhoun visited various regions in Costa Rica to feature sustainable and transformational travel. He sought to capture and share more of the story behind sustainable tourism in Costa Rica, ecotourism, agro tourism, volunteerism, and cultural celebrations. The American photographers work often highlights travel, landscape, outdoor, non-profit, and other meaningful projects. Colhoun has experienced and captured some of the harshest conditions and regions of the globe. Filmmaker Jeff Colhoun From Rica's West Coast (Photo Credits: File Photo) RICA'S WEST COAST The artist is known for capturing humanizing moments in both cultural and natural landscapes. Costa Rica has diverse landscapes and animal life, making it one of the hot-spots of destination eco-tourism. Colhoun shared that Costa Ricans are known as kind, and that the locals say Pura Vida meaning Pure Life. The artist also said that travelling to Costa Rica will leave one transformed, and rich with life. As captured in Colhouns images, there are remote, eco-friendly, and diverse lodging and tours for visitors to explore. These businesses are committed to providing fully sustainable services while generating minimal impact. A Monkey From Costa Rica (Photo Credits: File Photo) Some tours also offer environmental education, a chance for visitors to get involved in volunteerism projects. This allows travellers to have fun, while they contribute to community efforts, help volunteer, and have a meaningful experience. Costa Rica is admired as a great model for preservation efforts. They have a number of preservation programs dedicated to youth, conservation, rainforest, oceans, and protecting the ecosystem. Colhouns work chronicling sustainable tourism in Costa Rica helps to raise awareness and bring further insight into these important and underserved efforts. Colhouns photojournalistic approach extends across multiple media platforms; links to more of his work can be found at www.JeffColhoun.com Follow Jeff on Instagram -: https://www.instagram.com/jeffcolhoun/ Renault looks set to stay in Formula 1 "in the long term", according to team boss Cyril Abiteboul. Rumours of an exit ramped up in 2019 as the works team's car struggled, Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn was brought down by a scandal, and interim replacement Clotilde Delbos said a departure from F1 at the end of 2020 is "on the table". However, new Renault CEO Luca de Meo - formerly at VW - took over in late January, and the Italian is said to be fond of Renault's racing programs. Not just that, Renault has developed its strategy around the incoming budget cap, and is confident that with more sensible spending, it can finally take on the top teams from 2021 and beyond. "I have every reason to believe that we will stay in Formula 1 in the long term," team boss Cyril Abiteboul told Auto Bild. "I assume that we will sign the new (Concorde Agreement) contract as soon as possible with significant improvements in our conditions." (GMM) If it took 14 minutes for the death to occur, he said, something did not go the way it should have, he said. An autopsy, presented as evidence to a grand jury, confirmed the toxicity of multiple lethal injection drugs as the cause of death. Drug testing showed Moore had a lethal blood level of fentanyl and the presence of diazepam and cisatracurium, three of the four drugs administered by the state to carry out Moore's execution. Frakes described those 14 minutes to the grand jury that witnesses were't allowed to view. "We do that out of respect," Frakes said. "We do that because we are then preparing for another phase where we'll be bringing in people that are connected to the execution team, and so, again, ensure that we don't disclose the identity of anyone that's on the team." Pansing Brooks' bill would allow anyone on the execution team that does not want to be identified to wear surgery masks or cover their identities in other ways. Several senators questioned how senators would be selected by the Executive Board to witness the execution, and whether, if no senator would volunteer, anyone should be required to be a witness the act. Federal prosecutors moved Friday to dismiss charges against Hamid Hayat, who spent 14 years in prison in a now-tarnished case that was once touted as a hallmark of the governments war on terrorism. Hayat, of Lodi, was convicted in 2006 of supporting terrorists by training with them in Pakistan, his family homeland, and was sentenced to 24 years in prison. The main evidence against him was his videotaped statement to FBI agents in 2005 that two years earlier he had attended a terrorist training camp for three to six months during a family visit to Pakistan. During his trial in Sacramento, his lawyer said the confession had been coerced by investigators who asked leading questions during a daylong interrogation. Later, attorneys appealing the conviction said his trial lawyer had failed to contact a half dozen Pakistani witnesses who would have testified that he had never left his familys village for more than a week during their stay. Jurors also heard a translation of a note, written in Arabic, that was in Hayats wallet when he returned from Pakistan. It read, Oh Allah, we place you at their throats and we seek refuge in you from their evils. Prosecutors said the note showed a jihadist mind-set. But Hayats appellate lawyers said his trial attorney had failed to contact expert witnesses, who would have said the note was part of a common prayer, with no sinister meaning. U.S. District Judge Garland Burrell, who presided over Hayats trial, overturned his conviction in July, saying his right to a competent defense had been violated by his inexperienced attorneys failure to call alibi witnesses. He was released soon afterward from federal prison in Arizona while awaiting prosecutors decision on whether to retry him. In a statement Friday, U.S. Attorney McGregor Scotts office said its prosecutors and the Justice Departments National Security Division had carefully reviewed the case and the evidence that would be available at a retrial. Having concluded that review, we have determined that the passage of time and the interests of justice counsel against resurrecting this 15-year-old case, Scotts office said. After Hayats conviction, then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales had issued a statement saying, Justice has been served against a man who supported and trained with our terrorist enemies in pursuit of his goal of violent jihad. The FBI started investigating Muslims in Lodi shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and said Hayat and his father, Umer Hayat, were part of a terrorist cell there. A prosecution witness in Hayats case was a paid informant who, before focusing on Hayat, reported seeing Osama bin Ladens chief deputy at a Lodi mosque as late as 1999. The Justice Department later admitted that there had been no terrorist cell in Lodi. 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. Umer Hayat, an ice cream vendor, pleaded guilty to charges of lying to customs agents and served less than a year in jail. Hayats appellate lawyers, including Dennis Riordan and Donald Horgan of Oakland, said they are grateful for the prosecutors decision, but the 14 years Hamid spent behind bars on charges of which he was innocent remain a grave miscarriage of justice. They serve as a stark example of how, in the post-9/11 era, the governments effort to protect the public from terrorism could and in this case did go terribly wrong. An innocent man spent nearly 14 years in prison, a family was torn apart and an entire community was left traumatized due to prosecution taking advantage of anti-Muslim, post-9/11 hysteria, said Basim Ekarra, executive director of the Sacramento Valley office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Hayat, 37, said he learned of the decision from Riordan, who congratulated him and told him the case was over. I didnt believe it, he said in a statement released by his supporters. Honestly, it was like a dream. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko A BIG name store will close its Rotherham town centre branch next month. Argos has announced it will close on Saturday, March 7, following a review of its estates. A spokeswoman said the closure was due to a range of factors and staff would be offered the opportunity to redeploy to other stores. The Parkgate Shopping store will remain open. WASHINGTON The Trump administration has reached an initial deal with the Taliban for a reduction in the deadly attacks that have ravaged Afghanistan for years, Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters on Friday. The United States and the Taliban have negotiated a proposal for a seven-day reduction in violence, said Esper, who is in Germany for an international security conference. The seven-day clock has not started ticking, but Trump administration officials hope it will lead to a broader Afghanistan peace deal and a significant withdrawal of U.S. troops. "We've said all along that the best, if not only, solution in Afghanistan is a political agreement," Esper said. "Progress has been made on this front, and we'll have more to report on that soon, I hope." There are about 13,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan whose mission is split between training Afghan security forces and conducting counterterrorism missions. The American military presence there dates to 2001 when U.S. troops helped topple the hardline Taliban government that had sheltered al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. "It is our view that seven days, for now, is sufficient," Esper said. But he cautioned that the next steps will be based on conditions inside Afghanistan, signaling the truce could go awry if Taliban or its allies violate the terms. "It will be a continual evaluative process, as we go forward if we go forward," Esper said. A senior U.S. official said the seven-day truce will take effect very soon and could lead to the withdrawal of an unspecified number of American troops from Afghanistan. The official said the reduction in violence agreement will be followed by peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. The official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the Taliban had committed to a halt in roadside and suicide bombings, as well as rocket attacks. Story continues U.S. Marines and Afghan Commandos stand together as an Afghan Air Force helicopter flies past during a combat training exercise at Shorab Military Camp in Lashkar Gah in Helmand province. A Taliban official familiar with the deal said that the second agreement would be signed on Feb. 29 and that the inter-Afghan dialogue would begin on March 10. The officials said Germany and Norway have offered to host the talks but there has been no decision on the venue. That Taliban official added that the withdrawal of foreign troops would start gradually and would be phased over 18 months. Fridays announcement is no guarantee of peace in the war-torn country. In September, U.S. negotiators hailed a breakthrough in talks only to see hope for peace dissipate after the Taliban claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack that killed an American. President Donald Trump then scrapped a planned meeting with the Taliban at Camp David. But Trump, visiting troops at Bagram air base north of Kabul, announced in November that he had restarted peace talks. In 2019, the U.S.-led coalition dropped more bombs in Afghanistan than in any other year of the war, including 2011, the year of peak U.S. involvement with 100,000 troops on the ground. The air campaign was intended in part to force the Taliban to negotiate. More than 2,400 U.S. troops have been killed there, and more than 20,000 wounded in the fighting. Last year, the Pentagon estimated the cost to taxpayers for the war there at $737 billion. A withdrawal of American forces also would likely take several months and require that some forces remain to protect the embassy and other U.S. interests. U.S. officials have not publicly spelled out their timetable for an initial drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. But Trump has said he wants reduce the U.S. presence there to 8,600 troops. The new developments came as Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Friday in Munich with Afghanistans President Ashraf Ghani. They spoke on the sidelines of an international security forum in Munich. A truce had been widely anticipated, and Trump agreed in principle to the deal, according to U.S. officials. The final details were hammered out in recent days by U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar. Khalilzad was in Munich and attended Pompeo and Espers meeting as did Gen. Scott Miller, the commander of the U.S.-led international force in Afghanistan. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US reaches deal with Taliban to reduce Afghanistan attacks, Esper says A bill to add law enforcement officers to the list of groups covered as victims under Alabamas hate crimes law won approval today in the House of Representatives. The House voted 92-0 in favor of the bill by Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, a former Huntsville police chief. The legislation comes amid tragic circumstances. Seven Alabama law enforcement officers have been shot to death in the line of duty since January 2019. Kimberly Police Officer Nick ORear was the latest. He was fatally shot last week in pursuit of a suspect. Attorney General Steve Marshall said Wednesday thats the most slayings ever in a 13-month period for Alabama law enforcement. Never in Alabamas history have we seen the murders and the assaults on law enforcement like we have in the past couple of years, Reynolds said after his bill passed today. Alabamas hate crimes law enhances the punishment for a crime and applies when prosecutors can show beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was motivated by the victims race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or disability. Reynolds bill would add employment as a law enforcement officer to that list. I wish we didnt have to stand there today and debate this bill, Reynolds said. Its very unfortunate we have to come like this with a strong message in Alabama to protect our law enforcement officers. The hate crimes law applies to felonies and misdemeanors. For example, if someone is convicted of a misdemeanor and prosecutors prove its a hate crime, the offender would be punished for a Class A misdemeanor, the most serious category, and would serve a minimum of three months in jail. Murder of a law enforcement officer is already a capital offense under Alabama law, punishable by death or life without parole, so the penalty enhancement under the hate crimes law does not apply. Other states are passing similar legislation. In 2016, Louisiana became the first state to pass what it called a blue lives matter" law that added police officers to the hate crime statute. Texas, Kentucky and other states have followed with their own laws. Reynolds bill now moves to the Alabama Senate. The Senate Judiciary Committee debated a similar bill on Wednesday but did not approve it. For years, lawmakers have considered adding people who identify as LGBTQ to the categories of victims under the hate crimes statute but have never given that final approval. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The footwear label with a social conscience that piqued Megan Markles interest is going global, writes Paul McLauchlan The Meghan Markle effect - the all-important seal of approval in the fashion world. Many have received it but few have had their styles called kick ass. Except for Zyne, a conscious footwear label updating traditional Moroccan slippers. Based in Casablanca, Zyne which means beauty in Arabic was founded by best friends Zineb Britel and Laura Pujol. Britel is a Central Saint Martins graduate with an impressive pedigree stints at Christian Dior and Sonia Rykiel, respectively. Pujol boasts business acumen with a background in luxury-goods marketing and time spent at Christian Louboutin. Known as babouches, the mule originates from Middle East where bedouins and monarchs were fond of the casual style. Traditionally, they were made from leather, often enriched with delicate embroidery, hand-loomed details, or in the case of Markles purchase, bold but not flashy embellishment. At a time when stilettos are unwelcome and impractical for daily life, Zyne enters the mix. Babouches are traditional Moroccan shoes worn everywhere in the house but never really outside. We wanted to transform them from something casual into a sophisticated and elegant shoe using the finest of leather and handmade craftsmanship, said Britel. Zyne modernises the style for the contemporary woman whose desire to wear heels might have abated in the decade that made flats chic. Here are elaborately embroidered styles, slippers, and kitten-heeled mules, suitable for cocktails, special occasions, and most importantly, the office or school run. They come in around 350 which, for a handmade product, is a fair price to pay. Babouches and kitten heel mules have become the au courant style in footwear amongst luxury brands in recent years with Gucci, Bally, and Celine all offering iterations. Few labels from the MENA region have emerged with the same international buzz as Zyne. We felt there was something missing in the market. We decided to create a flat shoe, or one with a low heel, that was as elegant as a high heel and as comfortable as a flat. Comfort is essential, so we added an additional layer of cushioning. Markle came across the label when meeting local businesses on a royal visit to Morocco. She was besotted by the pieces, purchasing two styles on her trip. First, a raffia mule with a kitten heel called El nid, the other a blue velvet babouche, called the Duc, inspired by the traditional Moroccan style, embellished with Swarovski crystals. It was such an experience and honour to be able to meet them, they were very friendly and encouraging. They loved the details and attention of the design and were very interested in the process and the handmade work by our women artisans. The Duchess was impressed by the details of the Moroccan craftsmanship and asked many questions about our process and initiative, the duo said. It was the meeting that nearly wasnt. Britel and Pujol knew the royals were visiting, but werent involved in the official visit. They took to Instagram, direct messaging the English Ambassador to Morocco, explaining the merits of their social project. Subsequently, they were invited to display their works at a fair the royal pair attended. We started this project three years ago. The idea was to launch a social project in my country to shine a light on heritage and help women didnt have the opportunity to be properly educated, explained Britel. It was important to mix the craft and social elements. Pujol said: We have a passion for bringing the painstaking craft of luxury-good-making to life and honouring those who dedicate their lives to the trades that make it possible. Our mission is spreading the Zyne passion and message across the world, while making new friends for the brand along the way. The current production involves a co-operative of 30 women based in Casablanca. The space provides training in handwork, beading, and embroidery for women by a woman who worked on embroidery for brands such as Chanel and Dior. Each shoe takes two or more days to be made, and two or more artisans to complete. Their signature styles are made of a natural raffia. The process is 100% natural, which means the shoe is completely biodegradable from production the manual dying process which has the utmost respect for the environment. Furthermore, they are handwoven by craftswomen at our workshops, the duo said. Its such a long and meticulous work that had been for years mainly made by men, and I am very proud that we had been able to insert women to this craftsmanship. The success would not have been possible without the Fashion Trust Arabia, a philanthropic initiative focused on scouting, funding and nurturing design talent across the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, while bringing global awareness to its burgeoning fashion industry. Founded by philanthropist and occasional British Vogue contributor Tania Fares, the participating designers are judged by experts - 2020s panel includes Naomi Campbell, Marc Jacobs, and Elizabeth Saltzman. Discussing their brands appeal, Tania Fares said: What strikes me most about Zynes aesthetic is that it remains true to the traditional babouche, which is still deeply rooted in the Moroccan culture. The designers have merged tradition with sustainability and social responsibility, while also showing us something innovative. The Zyne pair, winning the Shoes category, received $200,000 in financial grants alongside business, operational, and strategic support from FTA partners. This includes a year-long buying mentorship with global luxury fashion destination MATCHESFASHION, where Zyne will be stocked onsite later this spring and supported through social and editorial content, as well as opportunities to travel to meet with international press. Cassie Smart, head of womenswear at MATCHESFASHION, said: Zyne has managed to capture upon a trend we are seeing amongst many of our customers towards flat shoe options that feel elevated and unique. Their use of raffia on the babouche-style slippers and slides felt like a fresh new take on these styles and would appeal to the woman looking for the perfect summer shoe that still felt suitable to wear on vacation or for evenings in the city. Their next collection launches on www. matchesfashion.com later this spring. We already had plans to expand our production capacity. We increased our manufacturing by way of pop-up ateliers, to reach goals, said Britel. We offered an extensive list of training options at these temporary ateliers to keep our staff motivated and also help them build the skills needed so the company could continue to grow. A key goal of theirs is to use the FTA grant to launch their own cooperative. Zineb said: Our goal since the beginning of Zyne is to have our own cooperative in several cities in Morocco, where we could develop a formal working space for our artisans. Currently, most of the women work on a freelance basis, but it would be great to build a formal working space for them. Of course, we want to continue evolving with and educating the women we work with. This is what gives them a sense of confidence and self-worth. One conscious, well-soled step for women, one conscious leap for womankind. (Newser) A federal judge ordered a halt Thursday to the cloud contract the Pentagon awarded to Microsoft. Amazon has argued bias in the selection of Microsoft for the contract, which could be worth as much as $10 billion over 10 years, CNBC reports. After the winner was narrowed down to Amazon and Microsoft last year, President Trump said he was looking into the bidding process in response to complaints by IBM and other companies. Trump frequently criticizes Amazon and Jeff Bezos, its founder; Bezos owns the Washington Post, which Trump says covers him unfairly. Court filings show Amazon's suit accuses Trump of attacking the company "behind the scenes," leading to Amazon's failure to win the contract. Amazon's AWS wants the Defense Department to start over on awarding of the cloud contract. story continues below Amazon wants a deposition from Trump in the case, per MarketWatch. "President Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to use his position as President and Commander in Chief to interfere with government functions including federal procurements to advance his personal agenda," AWS said in a statement. A spokesman said the Pentagon is disappointed by the judge's decision to issue a temporary restraining order, which he said "deprived our warfighters of a set of capabilities they urgently need." He said the Defense Department remains committed to its decision to give the cloud contract to Microsoft, per the AP. (Read more cloud computing stories.) New Secretary of State Brandon Lewis has previously pledged that there will not be a border down the Irish Sea. In a BBC interview in December, the then Security Minister disputed the accuracy of a leaked government document which warned that customs declarations checks would be highly disruptive and would separate Northern Ireland from Britain. He acknowledged that some checks on goods leaving Britain for Northern Ireland would be required if those goods were then destined to leave the UK. But he told interviewer Andrew Marr: "We are not going to have a border down the Irish Sea." First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill will meet the new Secretary of State this morning to discuss Brexit and the government promises made in New Decade, New Approach. Mr Lewis replaces Julian Smith, who was sacked after just 204 days in the job. Government sources last night dismissed claims that he was fired because of Downing Street's unease about legacy pledges in New Decade, New Approach. They pointed instead to comments he made in the autumn on Britain's relationship with the EU which were interpreted as a put-down of Boris Johnson's powerful de facto chief-of-staff Dominic Cummings. Michelle O'Neill said she would be raising legacy issues with Mr Lewis at their meeting today. "Reports from London that Julian Smith was sacked as a result of commitments made to bring forward legislation to implement the legacy bodies agreed at Stormont House are very concerning for victims of the conflict and their families," she 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. It is unacceptable for the British government to backtrack on commitments made only weeks ago in the New Decade New Approach agreement. "The British government must honour its agreements regardless of who is in the office of British Secretary of State." Arlene Foster said she would raise the "key challenges" Mr Lewis is facing with him. "We want to get Northern Ireland moving forward again. The Secretary of State has a key role in that process," she said. "Mr Lewis will need to step up to the mark and show his commitment to the implementation of the New Decade New Approach deal and that he will be a positive voice for Northern Ireland at the cabinet table. "Whether it is our hospitals or schools or infrastructure such as broadband, we need to work hand in glove with Her Majesty's Government to achieve the right outcomes." SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: "There are many challenges facing the Secretary of State and I hope he acts with fairness and integrity in dealing with the Executive at Stormont and on issues relating to the past." Mr Eastwood said he looked forward to meeting Mr Lewis in the coming weeks. UUP leader Steve Aiken said Mr Lewis faced a massive in-tray and couldn't let the grass grow under his feet. He said: "I'll be asking the new Secretary of State to stand up for Northern Ireland and, even at this late stage, push back hard against the worst excesses of the Withdrawal Agreement which will impose a border in the Irish Sea. I hope that he'll show some mettle in cabinet and not be afraid to speak up against any further moves that undermine the integrity of the Union. "It looks like we'll have an Irish government actively campaigning against the Union so it's long past time that our own Government got off the fence and started actively campaigning for the Union." TUV leader Jim Allister said that with Sinn Fein poised to enter government in the Republic, it was vital that the new Secretary of State adopted a "robust pro-Union position". He said there must be a return to government policy that "Dublin has no say in the internal affairs of Northern Ireland". Politicians from across the divide united to pay tribute to Julian Smith after Boris Johnson's reshuffle. Concerns were expressed about the effect on Stormont's fragile institutions. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar hailed him as "one of Britain's finest politicians of our time". 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 Britain's finest politicians of our time. Thank you." Mrs Foster 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." Mr Eastwood had harsh words for the Prime Minister, calling the sacking a "strategic error" by the Tory leader. He said: "It defies belief that, after the successful restoration of power-sharing following a three-year collapse, Julian Smith's reward is a Cabinet Office P45." Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 08:08:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A staff member operates a 5G body temperature screening system at Nanning East Railway Station in Nanning City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Feb. 13, 2020. The 5G body temperature screening system, which is able to automatically check passengers' body temperature and issue warnings, has been put into use in Nanning East Railway Station to help fight the novel coronavirus epidemic. (Xinhua/Lu Boan) Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday that the trade ties between Pakistan and Turkey had a entered a new era as the two countries signed 13 agreements including a joint declaration on strategic economic framework to promote their multi-faceted relationship. The agreements were signed on the second and final day of the two-day visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Pakistan. The State-run Pakistan Television (PTV) reported that the agreements were about cooperation in the fields of tourism and culture, food security, postal services, railways, military training, trade, transport and infrastructure and information technology. An agreement was also signed for cooperation between the state-owned Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) and PTV and Radio Pakistan. President Erdogan and Prime Minister Khan also signed two documents, including the declaration of strategic economic framework and the joint declaration. Later, addressing a joint press conference, President Erdogan said that the two sides were committed to deepen economic ties. "In the last meeting in Ankara, we had agreed to bring the level of our foreign trade volume to USD 5 billion by 2023. The strategic economic framework and its next action plan is almost ready... It is the roadmap for how we can deepen our economic relations," he said. Erdogan offered to assist Pakistan in areas of transportation, energy, tourism, health care, education and law enforcement. He said the two countries also enjoyed good defence ties. Prime minister Khan thanked Turkey for its support on various issues, especially on Kashmir. He also said that Turkey was supportive of Pakistan on the issue of its efforts to come out of the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force. Khan said the trade relationship between the two nations entered a new era with the signing of MoUs for strategic economic cooperation. He also supported Turkey on its concerns over the threat of terrorism coming from Syria. Separately, Turkish defence minister Hulusi Akar called on Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and discussed "matters of mutual interest, regional security and measures to further enhance bilateral defence collaboration were discussed," according to a statement by the Pakistan Army. "The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan's contributions for conflict prevention in the region and for standing by Turkey and pledged the same for Pakistan," the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Danielle Outlaw, new Philadelphia Police Commissioner, talks with reporters at the Philadelphia Police Department on Wednesday, February 12, 2020. Outlaw is the first black woman to lead the 6,500-member department. Read more Its so easy to point out the story about Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaws nail polish drama and really lay it on. So in one of her first official actions as top cop, Outlaw changed the rule to allow for more stylish nails, one commenter said. Let me tell you something: This brouhaha is hardly about black nail polish, or red polish, or any polish, for that matter. Its about control. And Outlaw, who at 43 has been in law enforcement for more than 20 years, knew it. On her first day, Outlaw showed up to work in black nail polish. And police officer after police officer all her subordinates, mind you thought it was their role to point out that this was in violation of the departments directive on appearance, which allowed only clear polish. Sounds to me like these officers wanted to put her in her place. So Outlaw made the ultimate boss-woman move and changed the rule, making room for herself and others because she could. Do with your nails what you want, ladies. Thats what Im talking about. Outlaw told my colleague Chris Palmer Wednesday afternoon that the nail polish she wore this week had been among the last things on her mind her first day on the job. And, she thoughtfully added, although the action might have seemed narrow, it reflects a broader change she believes is needed in policing. Its the small things that allow us to feel not only welcome, but supported, Outlaw said. Its one thing to recruit me and say, Oh, yes, we want you. But if theres no support system in place to say, Not only do [we] want you, but we celebrate you and we recognize that you bring [something] different ... were not going to get the people that we say we want. That means women, people! Outlaws act supports women. And its not just for cosmetic purposes. She supports how police women choose to express their womanhood, or not. Shes drawing a line about what is, or isnt, an important measure of professionalism. When a woman, like any person, is comfortable in her own skin, she will work better. For far too long, women have been forced to submit to male workplace norms, especially those who serve in the military or in law enforcement. First responders and transit workers are often subject to dress codes that equate any expression of femininity with weakness. Defenders say we need uniformity because its key to maintaining authority within the ranks and with the public. But that uniformity has been built around a male body. READ MORE: Philly Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw: Excerpts from an interview on her third day This is the issue with dress codes. In nearly every walk of life, womens bodies are policed because of the fear of how men will react to them. If womens hemlines are too short, for example, they will not be taken seriously. In many rooms, women arent allowed to choose what they want to wear based on how they feel. When women speak up, we are chastised for worrying about things that are trivial" and not important. These arguments rob us of our voice in traditionally male environments. Well its 2020 now. We share the space. Men shouldnt be distracted by our legs or our hair or our nail polish. And to suggest that a woman who wears black nail polish or back-length dreadlocks or red lipstick cant do her job well is poppycock. I bet shell do it better. This rule change isnt throwing out the uniforms that officers wear every day. But in this one seemingly silly directive, Outlaw protected womens right to self-expression. And that is a story. In a single move, she gave women on her force a little bit more freedom to sit in their own truth. Because when we have agency over our bodies in the workplace, its easier to use our voices to defend ourselves against things like sexual harassment. Last I heard, that is an issue in the Police Department. Outlaws first order of business is protecting herself and her officers. The result is that they will better protect us. Im here for that. FILE - In this July 25, 2018 file photo, Stephen Bell, president and CEO of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance, shows parts of the 1000-acre site that he hoped would be a $1.8 billion Chinese paper mill in Arkadelphia, Ark. On Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, it was reported that Arkadelphia plans to pitch the site to other industrial prospects amid growing signs that the mill project's future is at risk because of trade tensions. (AP Photo/Karen E. Segrave, File) LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) A community in southwest Arkansas plans to pitch a site it has been holding for a $1.8 billion Chinese paper mill to other industrial prospects amid growing signs that the project's future is at risk because of trade tensions. Sun Paper announced in 2016 it would build a facility on the 1,000-acre site in Arkadelphia in 2016. The project has since faced uncertainty because of President Donald Trump's ongoing trade dispute with China, so the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance decided to market to other prospects. We just didn't want to wait a year or longer to see if a trade agreement is signed, said Stephen Bell, the alliance's president and chief executive officer. We feel like we should be proactive and market the site to industrial prospects and see what we get. Bell said the alliance hasn't given up on the project, but that Sun Paper officials told them during a visit to China in October that the mill was on pause because of the trade dispute. He said the site, which has already undergone engineering work and received water permits, could be attractive to another large project. The alliance's decision was first reported Monday by Arkansas Business. State officials said Arkansas and the company remain committed to the project about 65 miles (105 kilometers) southwest of Little Rock, Arkansas. While there have been delays due to multiple factors in China, we anticipate them moving forward with the project," Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston said in a statement. The community has been supportive and patient and understandably wants to be prepared for other opportunities." Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Sun Paper is committed to the project, noting that the company completed engineering work that led to the issuance of an air permit for the mill last year. But he acknowledged that trade tensions and tariffs disputes have led to delays. There has been no state incentive money going into the project to date and nothing will be at risk for the state except the possibility of missed opportunity," Hutchinson said in a statement. I understand the need for Clark County to look at alternatives for the site and the exact timing of the project will depend upon the global economic and trade climate. Story continues Local government had used revenue from a half-cent sales tax in Clark County to buy the site, located about 5 miles south of Arkadelphia. In 2017, officials said they expected the mill to create hundreds of jobs and employ 2,000 people during its construction. State incentives included $12.5 million for site preparation and equipment, and up to $3 million in workforce training funds. ___ Follow Andrew DeMillo on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ademillo Thousands of Spanish farmers were out protesting on Friday, their tractors gridlocking the streets of Spain's third-largest city as they demanded "fair prices" for their products. Since the end of January, thousands of farmers and livestock breeders have joined a growing wave of protest over low prices and rising production costs which unions say have eroded profitability across the sector. During the late morning, thousands of demonstrators and hundreds of tractors brought the coastal city of Valencia to a halt, with tractors also blocking many roads in the southern Andalusia region. Other rallies were taking place in Asturias in the north as well as in the northeastern region of Catalonia. "We provide food. The politicians are starving us to death," read one of many banners waved by the demonstrators. "Spanish agriculture in danger of extinction" said another. Others warned: "The countryside and the rural way of life is dying". Called by the sector's main unions, the protests are a collective cry for "prices that are just and fair," Carmen Quintero, a COAG union official in the Cordoba area, told Spain's public radio. "People from the country want to be able to make a living from their work, they want to keep on living in villages so that these villages remain alive," she said. "There is no other way than going on the warpath." Unions blame a combination of factors, pointing the finger at big distributors for putting unnecessary pressure on prices and leaving producers with a pittance; cheap competition from outside the European Union; and the government's move to raise the minimum wage. Deputy prime minister Pablo Iglesias, who is responsible for social rights, and Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz were to meet with union representatives on Friday. Agriculture Minister Luis Planas on Thursday met with low-cost German discounter Lidl and was to hold talks later on Friday with its low-cost Spanish rival Mercadona which has been accused of choking producers with its pressure on prices. Unions say the worst-hit sectors are those growing fruit and vegetables, but olive producers have been struggling since October with US tariffs. Spain is the world's top producer of olive oil. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NATO will resume its training mission in Iraq in the coming days or weeks, the alliance's top military commander said Friday, after activities were suspended following a US drone strike on Baghdad. US General Tod Wolters said the 500-strong mission would restart its work after receiving assurances from the Iraqi government. The mission was put on hold on January 4, and some NATO troops moved out of Iraq, amid fears of reprisal attacks after the US killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in the strike on Baghdad. "As a result of the letter of response from Iraq over the course of the last 36 hours, we will now recommence the NATO Mission Iraq," Wolters told reporters at the Munich Security Conference. Asked when this would happen, Wolters replied: "Soon. Days to weeks." "We want to get to it as fast as we possibly can but force protection for the troops is critical," he added. The comes after NATO defence ministers agreed to expand the Iraq mission by taking on troops and activities currently run by the US-led multinational coalition against the Islamic State group. Outraged by Soleimani's killing on its soil, the Iraqi parliament voted to kick foreign troops out of the country, but after weeks of backroom diplomacy they have now agreed to NATO staying on. The NATO mission -- led by a Canadian and with a strict non-combat mandate -- is seen as more acceptable to the Iraqi authorities than the US-led coalition. "We will subsume some of those train and advise activities that existed with Operation Inherent Resolve and bring those over to NATO mission Iraq duties, those consultations about that activity are ongoing," said Wolters, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Exactly how many troops will move and what activities they will do are matters still under discussion, though Spain has already said it is willing to transfer personnel. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg briefed a meeting of the anti-IS coalition at Munich on the plans for the Iraq mission. Further down the line, NATO plans to look at what more it can do help fight terrorism and build stability in the wider Middle East, responding to a call by US President Donald Trump. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the novel coronavirus epidemic still raging, Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang and the country's worst-hit Vinh Phuc have extended the prolonged school break by another one to two weeks. By Saturday morning, 22 cities and provinces across the country have announced to extend school closures to either February 23 or 29. Students in Hanoi will have their break extended until February 23, the municipal Peoples Committee Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung said at a meeting Friday. This is the third extension that the students are getting after their seven-day Lunar New Year break. Schools were set to reopen on February 3, but the break was extended by a week two times in succession as a precautionary measure against the Covid-19. Chung has also directed Hanois education and labour departments to work with the Ministry of Education and Training to rearrange the school holidays into four main breaks. Accordingly, students will get 30 days off for Tet, 35 days for summer, and two weeks each for the remaining two breaks. Reshuffling the school holidays this way will help stimulate consumption, balance out city traffic, and stimulate domestic tourism, Chung said. Vietnamese students normally get up to three months off every summer. In the event students are allowed to return to school after February 23, schools must disinfect premises every day at the end of each class, Chung said. As of Friday afternoon, Hanoi had not reported any patients testing positive for the Covid-19, but local authorities have instructed 1,620 people to isolate themselves at home and quarantined another 61, most of whom have recently returned from China, in hospitals. So far, 58 of the 61 have tested negative for the pneumonia causing virus. In Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, authorities have extended the school holidays for its students even further to February 29. The HCMC Peoples Committee said it will propose to the government and the Ministry of Education and Training that the break is extended to the end of March, and the schedule for the 2019-2020 school year gets adjusted to have students attend classes from April to July, break during August, then return in September as usual. "The decision is based on the citys assessment of the epidemic, which has developed in an unpredictable and complicated manner. The health and lives of people is our top priority," said Tu Luong, deputy head of the HCMC Department of Information and Communications. As of Friday, the city had recorded three Covid-19 infections, two are a Chinese father-son duo and one is a Vietnamese-American who transited in Wuhan for two hours en route. The two Chinese have been discharged from hospital. Hanoi's neighbor Vinh Phuc has also extended its school break to February 23. Vinh Phuc, which has recorded the highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country, has one grade 10 girl confirmed with the virus and is being treated at the Binh Xuyen District Health Center. The province has also quarantined six other students in the same class who had come into contact with the girl, and 35 remaining classmates have been instructed to isolate themselves and monitor their health at home, said Nguyen Thanh Hai, head of the Vinh Phuc Department of Health. Vinh Phuc Thursday locked down Son Loi Commune in Binh Xuyen District for a fortnight as eight residents tested positive for the Covid-19. Eleven of the 16 infections recorded in the country so far have been in Vinh Phuc, which neighbors Hanoi. The source of the infections are a group of eight workers of Japanese-invested Nihon Plast Company Limited who returned from China's Wuhan City, the virus outbreaks epicenter, on January 17. In total, Vinh Phuc 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 the patients. Minister of Education and Training, Phung Xuan Nha, on Friday evening asked the chairperson of the people's committees of cities and provinces to consider allowing their students to have school breaks until the end of February, in his letters sent to them. One day earlier, the Ministry of Education and Training had stated that localities that do not have Covid-19 patients can send students to school after detoxifying and disinfecting school facilities. "Localities with Covid-19 infections must continue monitoring and only send students to school when there are adequate disease prevention measures in place and no new infection cases are reported." Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said at government meeting Friday, "Safety should be guaranteed both from the professional perspective and that of students and parents. Students should not be sent back to school if there are still worries about getting infected and worries over whether they should wear a mask in class or not." Of the 16 infections in Vietnam, seven have been discharged from hospitals. The death toll from the epidemic has climbed to 1,384, three of them outside mainland China. Students on a field trip to the Franklin Institute from the Krieger Schechter Day School of Baltimore explore the Giant Heart, which recently underwent a renovation. Read more When WXPN host Robert Drake was on a first-grade field trip, he underwent a Philadelphia rite of passage one thats conjured everything from existential dread to unadulterated joy in millions of hearts across the region. He climbed through the Giant Heart at The Franklin Institute. Almost. Once inside the heart which is 100 times wider than a human ticker Drake, now 56, got so freaked he refused to budge and had to be rescued by staffers. Honestly I think it was the ever-present beating of the heart I recall it only got louder with each turn, he said. Now that beating sound which was computer generated has been replaced by the real sounds of a human heart as part of the first renovation to the beloved Philly artifact in 16 years. But dont worry this wasnt a total eclipse of the heart, just an upgrade. Pumped up in time for Valentines Day, the seven-week, $180,000 renovation to the 66-year-old heart also included new lighting and audio equipment as well as a paint job inside and out by V.U.R.T. Creative of North Philly, the same folks who painted the mural of a squirrel eating a SEPTA token. I was blown away by the chance to do it, said head painter Evan Lovett. To be able to paint a piece of history is something Ill remember for the rest of my life. In honor of Valentines Day, The Inquirer asked for peoples memories of the Giant Heart on Twitter. From a former Franklin Institute staffer who dished on what employees were told to look out for, to the universally recognized-but-hard-to-define odor of the oversize organ, people recall the Giant Heart as a visceral part of their Philly experience. But that happened by accident. The Giant Heart wasnt supposed to be permanent, but when Philadelphians fall in love with something and claim it as their own, you cant pry it out of their cold, dead hands. Even if it is made of chicken wire. This is a passionate city and its a city that loves its nostalgia and iconic pieces, said Larry Dubinksi, president and CEO of the Franklin. You never know whats going to get people excited, but for years and years, this has. Opened in 1954, the Giant Heart was the brainchild of physician Mildred Pfeiffer, who worked with a medical illustrator and engineer to design the 28-foot wide and 18-foot high heart out of wood, papier-mache, and chicken wire. Its one of those things, as a designer, youre like, How do you purposefully create something like that? said Abby Bysshe, the Franklins vice president of experiences and business development. Its this amazing experience that was well ahead of its time. That heart took a licking and kept on ticking until 1979, when it was rebuilt with fiberglass. The heart has gone through several upgrades since, the last in 2004. The new heartbeat which is now zoned based on your place within the heart was drawn from a database of heart sounds at Johns Hopkins University. Lovett used paints like crimson red and tutti frutti pink to make the colors vibrant and accurate. His favorite part? Re-rendering the fat deposits on the heart, he said. Its just a pop of color and texture that looks accurately gross. By repainting the heart and replacing the flooring, Dubinski said the museum has removed what many remember as the hearts distinctive smell. Philadelphians recollections of that odor range from stinky" and "strange to general funk and belly button. David Slade, 54, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., remembers the smell from when he visited while growing up in Wynnewood. It was the childhood equivalent of going into a basement dive bar (very cool),' he said. Narrow stairs, thumping bass, graffiti, smelled funny." Kissing your crush inside the heart was the pinnacle of puppy love for many kids in the area. If you didnt have your first kiss in the Giant Heart on a school field trip are you even Philadelphian? said Andrew Athias, 27, of Old City. Lauren Vidas worked as a science demonstrator at the museum and said staffers were told to be on the lookout for people canoodling inside the heart. We were trained on keeping an eye out for couples that spent too much time inside, Vidas, 39, of Graduate Hospital, said. Also one of the closing tasks was to do a final walk through to make sure people werent hiding in it. Local comic Nick Kupseys dream was to sleep inside the heart, but his fifth-grade class instead was forced to stay in the atrium during an overnight visit. To retaliate for our horrible lodging conditions, me and some friends snuck into the heart before everyone went to sleep and farted in it a few times, he said. Childish? Yes. Worth it? 100%. Some said the tight confines of the heart made them claustrophobic, while others said the heartbeat filled them with a deep sense of dread. But not Megan Neitzke, 30, who kept the heartbeat on during her wedding reception at the Giant Heart. You want a heart full of life if youre celebrating love," she said. In the mid-2000s, the Franklin hosted weddings at the Giant Heart, where as many as 16 couples were married and more than 100 couples renewed their vows at once. And staffers said theyve had doctors tell them they entered medicine because they loved the heart as a child. Justin Sherin, whose dad brought him from Palmyra, N.J., to visit the heart as a kid, said it was his favorite place on earth until he was 12. Now a playwright, Sherin, 38, remembers how the Giant Heart helped him realize the real heart is a perfect machine. All this power and efficiency in a tiny motor that never stops. It thinks of everything, gets the job done in a way you dont expect, he said. Which is what Ben Franklin tried to do in all aspects of his life. Thats why its there. The suspect charged with abusing a corpse in the case of Paighton Houston -- the missing Trussville woman whose body was found in a shallow grave in Hueytown last month -- has been extradited to Jefferson County to face the charges, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office said Thursday. Frederick Hampton, 50, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals after his capture in late January in Cleveland, Ohio. Hampton was transported back to Jefferson County on Thursday afternoon and is now being held in the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer, the sheriffs office said. Hampton, a convicted sex offender, is not charged in Houstons death, only with actions authorities say he took following her death, which in this case would be burying her. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office on Jan. 16 announced the felony warrant against Hampton and, along with U.S. Marshals, have been searching for him since the warrant was obtained. The Jefferson County Coroners Office released the cause and manner of Houstons death as an accidental drug overdose of morphine and methamphetamine toxicity. Authorities previously said there was no physical trauma to Houstons body that would have led to her death. Houston vanished Dec. 20. She was last seen at Tin Roof in the 2700 block of Seventh Avenue South in Birminghams Lakeview District.. According to Birmingham police, she left the bar about 10:45 p.m. with two heavy-set black males. Sgt. Johnny Williams said it was reported that Houston left the location willingly with the two men. Coroner: Paighton Houston died of accidental drug overdose The Jefferson County Coroners Office on Thursday listed the cause of death as morphine and methamphetamine toxicity. The manner of death is accidental. Jacksonville, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2020) - ATP Flight School and Endeavor Air have established a partnership and mutual commitment to the development of professional pilots through designating ATP an Endeavor Air Student To Endeavor Pilot (STEP) Program Academy Partner. ATP To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6924/52421_b49ca5cd54957860_001full.jpg ATP provides students with the most efficient path to a successful airline pilot career through quality airline-oriented flight training, from zero experience through an airline pilot job. Graduates complete the Airline Career Pilot Program in nine months and are guaranteed a flight instructor job to gain the flight experience required to fly as an airline pilot. Students and instructors that sign up for the STEP Program are able to receive one-on-one guidance from Endeavor recruiters and attend professional development presentations. Selected pilots are eligible for the opportunity to complete a First Officer interview 12 months before obtaining ATP minimums. "Our goal with the STEP Program is to help pilots prepare for a successful career in the airline industry," said Ginny Zarras, Director, Talent Acquisition and Development, Endeavor Air. "We are excited to launch STEP at ATP and partner with them to engage, encourage, and educate the next generation of pilots." As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, Endeavor Air offers pilots a defined career path to Delta. Through the Delta Guaranteed Interview (DGI) program, Endeavor pilots are eligible to receive a preferential scoring credit during the Delta panel interview and are not required to complete job knowledge testing. "We are proud to partner with Endeavor on the STEP Program, which expands the opportunity and options ATP graduates have to accelerate their airline pilot career," said Michael Arnold, Director of Marketing, ATP Flight School. "We are strongly committed to the career success of our students and are excited to share with them the professional development and support offered through Endeavor's STEP Program." Press Contact: Michael Arnold Director of Marketing ATP Flight School 904-595-7950 pr@allatps.com Related Images image1.jpg Related Links ATP Flight School Program Information ATP Flight School and Endeavor Air Partnership To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52421 AGR row: In what seems like an end of road for the telecom operators, the Supreme Court denied any relief to them on the AGR (adjusted gross revenues) issue. The court took a tough stance against them, and asked to pay up the dues of Rs 1.47-lakh crore by the end of February 14. The court said that it will initiate contempt against telcos as not even a single penny has been deposited yet as directed by the court in its October judgment. The court also said that "we draw contempt proceedings against the desk officer" at the DoT (department of telecom) for violating the court's earlier order. In addition, the three-judge court also summoned the top bosses of Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, MTNL, BSNL, Reliance Communications, Tata Tele and others to appear in court on March 17 - the next date of hearing in the case. "This case projects a very disturbing scenario. The companies have violated the order passed by this court in pith and substance. In spite of the dismissal of the review application, they have not deposited any amount so far. It appears the way in which things are happening that they have scant respect to the directions issued by this court," the order said. Soon after the court judgement, Airtel said that it's in the process of doing self-assessment of the dues, and shall submit Rs 10,000 crore (out of the total dues of about Rs 35,600 crore) by February 20. "We are confident we will complete the self-assessment exercise shortly... supporting documentation and calculations (financial year and license wise) in respect of the self-assessment and payments, will also be submitted by us in due course," said Airtel's letter to the DoT member. Also read: Non-payment of AGR dues: SC asks Airtel, Vodafone Idea why contempt action shouldn't be taken against them It has come as a big shock for telcos who were expecting some kind of relief from the court to negotiate easier payment terms with DoT which is supposed to collect the dues from telcos. Earlier, the apex court had dismissed the review petition of telcos seeking succour on the overall due amount. Devoid of any options, the telcos will have to submit the AGR dues now. While Airtel has recently raised some $3 billion - through qualified institutional placement (QIP) and overseas bond - to pay up the dues, it's not clear how the Vodafone Idea will clear its AGR liabilities. As on December 31, the telco had cash and cash equivalents of Rs 12,530 crore with net debt of Rs 1.03 lakh crore. Just last week, one of the telco's parent firms - Vodafone Group Plc - had said that the outlook for its India JV (Vodafone Idea) is critical whereas in December, Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla had suggested that the telco would shut shop if there was no relief from the government. Vodafone Idea has been posting net losses for three consecutive years, and in the September quarter, it posted the highest quarterly losses (of Rs 50,922 crore) in the history of corporate India. Also read: AGR case: DoT withdraws 'no-coercive action' order against telcos after SC slams dept Though weak, Airtel is in a much better condition, and not as fragile as Vodafone Idea. Its cash and bank balances stood at Rs 10,206 crore, and net debt at 1.15 lakh crore as on December 2019. The AGR liabilities of Airtel are just within the reach of its recent fund raising and existing cash balance. Given the recent judgment of the court, it seems that the government cannot help telcos even if it intends to. So far, the government has given half-hearted relief to the sector by way of two-year moratorium on their spectrum-related dues over 2020/21 and 2021/22. Even though telcos were hoping for relief, some industry experts saw this coming. "In order to show their bona fide, incumbent telcos should have at least deposited the principal amount pertaining to the AGR case, and would have sought clarification on other components such as penalty, interest and interest on penalty. In the current situation, Vodafone Idea must submit whatever cash resources it has so save itself from the court's punitive action," says a telecom expert. While Airtel's letter to the DoT, and its cash situation exude some confidence; Vodafone Idea's deepening crisis has made its future more uncertain than ever before. Also read: Reliance Jio pays Rs 195 crore AGR dues to DoT; Voda Idea, Airtel seek more time Also read: AGR fallout: Does Reliance Jio want Oil India, PowerGrid and GAIL to go bankrupt? The prominent Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan was summoned for questioning Thursday by investigating judges, more than a year after his last interrogation on charges of raping two women and other allegations of sexual assault. The 57-year-old Swiss national arrived at the Paris court shortly before 9:30 local time on Thursday, accompanied by his wife and lawyer. Ramadan, who declined to take questions from the media, was first summoned for questioning on 23 January but his case had to be adjourned after he fell ill. His last hearing dates back to 2018 when he stunned the public by admitting to 'consensual' sex with his accusers, months after denying he had had no sexual contact with them. Ramadan is accused of rape on two separate counts. One accuser is a disabled woman identified in media reports as Christelle, and the other is a feminist activist, Henda Ayari. On 16 November 2018, the academic was granted bail after paying 300,000 euros and agreeing to hand over his passport and report to police once a week. Last year, a third woman came forward accusing Ramadan of raping her nine times between 2013 and 2014. The case was later dismissed. Media witch-hunt However, since the 2018 hearing, the criminal investigation against him has been widened to include allegations from three potential new victims. One woman nicknamed "Elvira" became Ramadan's fourth accuser last summer, but police were unable to corroborate her statement. Two other women, whose photos were found on Ramadan's computer, have yet to be brought in for questioning. The prominent intellectual, renowned for his influential views on Islam in Europe, has denied all the charges against him and denounced a "media frenzy". Supporters of Ramadan, who is a professor of contemporary Islamic studies at Oxford's St. Anthony's College, have called the accusations against him part of a international Zionist plot to blacken his name. On leave from the University of Oxford since the start of the case at the end of 2017, the scholar wishes to resume consultations with British doctors who confirmed in 2016 his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Feb 14 (Reuters) - Canada's First Quantum Minerals Ltd does not require any expansion at its Kansanshi copper mine in Zambia to start operating until the end of 2024, Chief Executive Officer Philip Pascall said on Friday. The miner will publish a technical report on expanding the copper mine, Africa's largest, by the end of the first quarter this year but will not take a decision for at least three years, Pascall said. (Reporting by Jeff Lewis, Editing by Franklin Paul) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday sent a strong message that the judgement of the Supreme Court that restored the partys mandate in Bayelsa State cannot compensate for the controversial judgment of the apex court on the Imo governorship election in which the PDP victory was upturned and Hope Uzodinma of the APC was declared winner with creative votes and results that contradicted INECs results and records. The PDP acknowledged the Supreme Court judgment restoring its mandate in the Bayelsa State governorship election but insisted that the apex court must right the wrongs in the Imo State governorship election judgment. The PDP in a statement by Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary, maintained that the Bayelsa judgment will not change the course of its demand that the Supreme Court rectifies the manifest and widely rejected mistakes contained in its judgment on the Imo State governorship election. Our party insists that the Supreme Court will be redeeming its image and restoring public confidence on its infallibility by reviewing the Imo verdict given the manifold unjustifiable mistakes contained in that judgment the statement read in part. The PDP restated that the miscarriage of justice in the Imo State judgment is glaring given the established fact that the panel assumed the roles of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), by recognizing the votes concocted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Hope Uzodimma, which ended up increasing the total number of votes in the election to 950,952, over and above the INEC certified total accredited votes of 823,743. ALSO READ: Buhari booed in Maiduguri In another miscarriage of justice, the Supreme Court panel named Senator Uzodimma/APC as winner whereas it had on December 20, 2019 ruled that Uche Nwosu, and not Senator Uzodimma, won the APC governorship primary, the PDP argued. The party further argued that the Supreme Court had also disqualified Uche Nwosu from the election for having acquired the governorship ticket of two political parties; the APC and the Action Alliance (AA), which constituted an aberration to the electoral laws. PDP declared: Our party holds that a judicial review on Imo governorship election has become inevitable because by these earlier rulings of the Supreme Court, not only is Sen. Uzodimma not a candidate, the judgments also nullified all the votes that could have been accruable to APC and AA and their candidate, Uche Nwosu, in the election, leaving the PDP candidate, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, as the incontestable winner of the election. The PDP, thereafter, congratulated the people of Bayelsa State, the governor-elect, Senator Douye Diri and the deputy governor-elect, Lawrence Ewrujakpor, as their mandate has been restored. The inauguration is scheduled for Friday if INEC does not choose which judgment to obey whether the Supreme Court or APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, who vowed that no governor will be sworn in because of the Supreme Court judgment. In Davinder Singh case, NIA arrests president of LoC trade association India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 14: The National Investigation Agency has arrested the president of the Line of Control Trade Association. The arrest was made in connection with the Davinder Singh case. Singh, a police officer with the Jammu and Kashmir police was arrested while trying to give a safe passage to terrorists of the Hizbul Mujahideen. The arrested has been identified as Tanvir Ahmad Wani. Wani was arrested on the charge of providing funds to Naved Babu, the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, who was arrested along with Singh. NIA sources while confirming the development to OneIndia, said that Wani's role in providing funds to the Lashkar-e-Tayiba is also under the scanner. Tainted cop Davinder Singh claims threat to life The NIA which is probing the case has also learnt that Singh had taken the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists to Jammu last year too and facilitated their return to Shopian, interrogators have claimed. Singh is alleged to have brought Naveed Babu, Mir Irfan and Rafi Rather from Shopian to Srinagar earlier this month.They set out to Jammu, from where they were planning on going to New Delhi. However before he could leave, the police arrested him sources familiar with the developments confirmed. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEB 14th, 2020 Singh during his interrogation claimed that he was ferrying the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists to facilitate their surrender. Officials investigating him say that he had made this made claim during interrogation, but we are investigating the same further. Interrogators say that he has denied the charges against him. He says that he was facilitating a big catch, but there are several inconsistencies in his statements, the officer also said. Raids at multiple locations in Shopian to trace Davinder Singhs terror links However sources also said that Singh was helping the terrorists cross the Banihal tunnel in lieu of money. The source also said that an amount of over Rs 10 lakh was agreed upon. Singh however denied the charge during interrogation. The source however added that Singh was not being truthful and he had no authorisation to organise a surrender. The official cited above said that they were tracking their movements from Shopian. A police party in civvies was near his residence keeping a watch over their movements. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, February 14, 2020, 7:53 [IST] BCFC/iStock(EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif.) -- A California man was freed after spending 15 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, officials said. Ricky Davis was released Wednesday, one day after a new suspect was arrested in the 1985 murder of 55-year-old Jane Hylton in El Dorado Hills, Calif., according to El Dorado County District Attorney's Office Vern Pierson, who called the case and the developments "two of the most dramatic extremes" he had ever seen in his 28 years as a prosecutor. "On one hand, a person, Ricky Davis, was falsely accused, brought to trial, convicted and has spent the last 15-some years in custody for a crime that I can tell you with all confidence he did not commit," Pierson said Thursday. "It's not a matter of we don't have sufficient evidence. He did not commit this crime." The district attorney said a man who was identified in 1985 by Hylton's then 13-year-old daughter is now in custody. That man's DNA matched a DNA sample that was tested after Davis was convicted. Genetic genealogy helped create a family profile for that piece of DNA, which then helped identify the suspect, according to officials. Investigators used traditional forensics to confirm the DNA profile. Pierson did not name the man because he allegedly committed the crime when he was a minor, but the Sacramento Bee identified him as 51-year-old Michael Green. Hylton's daughter did tell investigators at the crime scene that she encountered a male named Michael the evening of her mother's murder. Davis' conviction in 2005 was brought on mainly because of "overly aggressive interrogation techniques" that led to a coerced confession from his then girlfriend, according to the district attorney's office. In transcripts from the interviews with Davis' girlfriend in 1999, which were posted by the Northern California Innocence Project, an organization that was working to free Davis, a detective appears to urge her to confess. "The train is coming through right now, and in my experience in law enforcement, the first one to jump on the bandwagon ... always gets the easiest ride," according to the transcript, which was cited by the district attorney's office. Murder charges were filed against Davis and his then girlfriend, Connie Dahl, testified against him, according to the Northern California Innocence Project. Davis was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 16 years to life in state prison. He had always maintained his innocence. He contacted the Northern California Innocence Project in 2006 and the nonprofit began investigating his case with the cooperation of the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office. The new piece of evidence that led to Davis' freedom came about in 2014 when DNA test results revealed an unknown male DNA profile that was found on Hyltons nightgown. Hylton had been stabbed 29 times during the attack and was bitten on her left shoulder. The DNA was found in the area of the bite mark and consistent with DNA that was also found under her nails. Though Dahl had told investigators that she bit Hylton, the DNA did not support that. Pierson on Thursday characterized the detectives who initially investigated Hylton's murder as ones who were "seeking a confession as opposed to seeking information." He said the two detectives that were involved have since been trained on science-based interview techniques. With the DNA evidence, the Northern California Innocence Project eventually proved that a different outcome would have been reached if the original jury heard the DNA results. In April 2019, a judge reversed Davis' conviction and a retrial was pending. He remained in custody until Wednesday. "It's a surreal thing in a sense because, as I said before, I'm not telling you that we can't prove it," Pierson said. "I'm telling you that Ricky Davis was wrongfully convicted." Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Friday expressed unhappiness over Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackerays decision to hand over Elgar Parishad case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Pawar said that while the central governments decision directing NIA to take over Elgar Parishad case was unfair, the state governments approval to it was more unfair. This is the first decision of the chief minister that has been criticised by Pawar since the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government made up of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress was formed on November 28, 2019. The MVA government has agreed to transfer the 2018 Elgar Parishad case to the NIA complying with a January 25 decision of the central government. The centre had directed the federal agency to take over the probe against the activists and the intellectuals linked to the Left and Dalit movements, who had given speeches at the Elgar Parishad gathering on December 31, 2017. Maintaining law & order is a state subject. It is unfair to encroach upon the rights of the state and Maharashtras support to the move is more unfair, Pawar told reporters in Kolhapur during a press conference. State home minister Anil Deshmukh, who is from the NCP, on Thursday said that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray used his discretionary powers to approve the handover. Deshmukh said that they are still of the opinion that the Centre should have taken the state government into confidence before handing over the probe to the NIA. 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 said. Incidentally, as soon as the MVA government was formed, Pawar wrote a letter to the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray demanding a probe by a special investigation team (SIT) in the case. The NCP chief had said the erstwhile BJP-led government abused its power to book activists and called their arrests a conspiracy. After Pawar wrote, home minister and deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar held a meeting with the home department officials to review the case. The home department was considering appointing a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the entire episode. However, before it could do so, the Centre directed NIA to take over the case. The NIA has the power to take over investigations with bearing on national security. Violence had broken out near the Bhima-Koregaon war memorial in Pune on January 1, 2018, leaving one dead and several others injured. Dalits visit the memorial in large numbers as it commemorates the victory of British forces, which included Dalit Mahar soldiers, over the army of the Brahmin Peshwa rulers of Pune in 1818. The Pune Police had filed cases against activists and intellectuals, who had delivered speeches at Elgar Parishad, for inciting violence and were picked up in raids across the country. The police had claimed the organisers of the event had Maoist links. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In later years he wore a hat for all seasons, whether it was the bitter cold of a Canberra winter or the tropical heat of Dili: a cap of checked tweed. James Dunn, who died on January 31 at the age of 92, was similarly unruffled by heated attacks and official freezes when, as an isolated official, he stood up against Australias foreign policy establishment over its endorsement of Indonesias invasion and annexation of East Timor. During his 16 years from 1970 as director of the foreign affairs group in the Legislative Research Service of the Federal Parliamentary Library, Dunn was instrumental in bringing the plight of the Timorese under the Indonesian occupation to the attention of the world. Former Australian consul in East Timor James Dunn arrives back in Australia on the first flight out of Dili in 1999. Credit:SMH Born in Bundaberg in a family of six children, Dunns humanitarian outlook was shaped by national service in the Australian Army, which provided most of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. China on Friday rejected US allegations that it is not transparent enough in sharing the details about the coronavirus outbreak, saying it was working with the international community in an "open and highly responsible manner" to contain the global crisis. China's comments came after Larry Kudlow, the director of President Donald Trump's Economic Council, said that the US is little disappointed over not being invited in the medical operations and the lack of transparency coming from the Chinese over coronavirus outbreak. Stressing that unanswered questions were mounting and there was no sign of the promised cooperation, Kudlow said: "We're more than willing to work with the WHO on this(coronavirus) and they won't let us". "I don't know what their motives are. I do know that apparently, more and more people are suffering over there," Kudlow said in Washington. The death toll in China's novel coronavirus outbreak has spiked to nearly 1,500 with 121 new fatalities reported mostly from the worst-affected Hubei province while the confirmed cases of infection jumped to nearly 65,000, health officials said on Friday. State-run CGTN reported that 505 cases of the virus were abroad, including 15 cases of the virus in the US. Ever since the coronavirus outbreak that shook China and the world, Beijing has not acceded to requests by the US to permit American specialists to visit the country to take part in the medical operations to counter the virus. Instead, China has permitted a team of the World Health Organisation (WHO) specialists to visit the country and assist it to contain the virus. While a 15 member WHO advance team has arrived on Monday, the rest expected to reach here soon. However, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that China has been working with the international community to tackle the epidemic in an open, transparent and highly responsible manner. China has been working with the international community to tackle the epidemic in an open, transparent and highly responsible manner for the sake of global public health security and all people's health," Geng was quoted as saying during an online media briefing here by the AFP. He also said that China has been active and open towards cooperation with the US. "China has been active and open towards cooperation with the US. Since the epidemic began, the health authorities of the two sides have been in close communication on policies, timely exchanging information on the epidemic, with the heads of the departments having talks through phone calls and messages," he said. Geng stated that the Chinese and American departments of disease control, medical R&D and technology as well as scientists have also been engaging in various forms of exchanges. "We welcome foreign experts' participation in the China-WHO Joint Mission, including those from the US. US President Trump and Secretary of Health Alex Azar commended China's transparent handling of the epidemic on many occasions," he said. China will continue working with the international community, including the US, to jointly tackle the epidemic and uphold global health security," he added. Contrary to Kudlow's remarks US President Trump is reported to have praised China's response. "I think they've handled it professionally and I think they're extremely capable and I think President Xi is extremely capable," he said. "We're working with them. We're sending a lot of people," Trump is quoted as saying by the international media. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The commerce ministry on Friday said the first consignment of Nagpur oranges was flagged off to Dubai from Navi Mumbai. Mrig crop (monsoon blossom) of oranges, which matures in February March, has great potential for export, it said. According to Maharashtra State Agriculture Department 40 lakh hectare land is under orange cultivation in Nagpur and major orange growing pockets are Warud, Katol, Saoner, Kalameshwar and Narkhed in Nagpur and Amravati districts. The international trade in 2018 for orange was USD 10.18 billion. India produced 8,781 thousand tonne of orange in 2018-19 (orange includes Mandarin, clementine). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2020) - Orestone Mining Corp. (TSXV: ORS) (the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement consisting of up to 5,000,000 units ("Units") at a price of $0.10 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $500,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole Warrant will be exercisable for one common share of the Company at a price of $0.15 for one year from the date of issuance. Subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") and applicable laws, the Company may pay a cash fee of 6% of the proceeds of the Offering to certain arm's length finders. The Offering is scheduled to close in March 2020 and is subject to regulatory approval. Resale of the securities distributed in connection with the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day following the closing date of the Offering. The net proceeds of the Private Placement will be used to advance exploration on the Company's Resguardo project in Chile and the Captain Project in British Columbia and for general working capital. It is anticipated that certain directors, officers and other insiders of the Company will acquire Units under the Offering. Such participation will be considered to be "related party transactions" within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") adopted in the Policy. The Company intends to rely on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of related party participation in the Offering as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involves the related parties, is expected to exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). The securities referred to 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 applicable securities laws of any state of the United States, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) or persons in the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws of the United States or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities within any jurisdiction, including the United States. Orestone Mining Corp. (TSXV: ORS) is a Canadian based company managed by mining industry professionals. The Company controls a portfolio of gold and gold-copper exploration projects in Chile and British Columbia, Canada. The Resguardo project is a drill ready project located 75 km northeast of the City of Copiapo in Region III, Chile. The region is host to many world class copper and gold deposits. The Captain project hosts a large gold/copper porphyry system located 30 kilometres south of the Mt Milligan Mine in British Columbia with numerous targets permitted for drilling. For more information please visit: www.orestone.ca ON BEHALF OF ORESTONE MINING CORP. David Hottman CEO For further information contact: David Hottman at 604-629-1929 info@orestone.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 News Release. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forward looking statements concern expected subscriptions and closing of the Offering, net proceeds from the Offering, the intended use of proceeds. Such forward looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; timing and amount of capital expenditures; and effects of regulation by governmental agencies. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward looking statements as a result of risk factors including: the availability of funds; the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities of mineral properties; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; and general market and industry conditions. Forward looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52437 Facebook has been left red-faced after being forced to call off the launch date of its dating service in Europe because it failed to give its lead EU data regulator enough advanced warning -- including failing to demonstrate it had performed a legally required assessment of privacy risks. Yesterday, Ireland's Independent.ie newspaper reported that the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) using inspection and document seizure powers set out in Section 130 of the country's Data Protection Act had sent agents to Facebook's Dublin office seeking documentation that Facebook had failed to provide. In a statement on its website, the DPC said Facebook first contacted it about the rollout of the dating feature in the EU on February 3. "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 writes. "Our concerns were further compounded by the fact that no information/documentation was provided to us on 3 February in relation to the Data Protection Impact Assessment [DPIA] or the decision-making processes that were undertaken by Facebook Ireland." Facebook announced its plan to get into the dating game all the way back in May 2018, trailing its Tinder-encroaching idea to bake a dating feature for non-friends into its social network at its F8 developer conference. It went on to test launch the product in Colombia a few months later. Since then, it's been gradually adding more countries in South American and Asia. It also launched in the U.S. last fall after it was fined $5BN by the FTC for historical privacy lapses. At the time of its U.S. launch, Facebook said dating would arrive in Europe by early 2020. It just didn't think to keep its lead EU privacy regulator in the loop, despite the DPC having multiple (ongoing) investigations into other Facebook-owned products at this stage. Story continues It's either an extremely careless oversight or, well, an intentional fuck you to privacy oversight of its data-mining activities. (Among multiple probes being carried out under Europe's General Data Protection Regulation, the DPC is looking into Facebook's claimed legal basis for processing people's data under the Facebook T&Cs, for example.) The DPC's statement confirms that its agents visited Facebook's Dublin office on February 10 to carry out an inspection -- in order to "expedite the procurement of the relevant documentation". Which is a nice way of the DPC saying Facebook spent a whole week still not sending it the required information. "Facebook Ireland informed us last night that they have postponed the roll-out of this feature," the DPC's statement goes on. Which is a nice way of saying Facebook fucked up and is being made to put a product rollout it's been planning for at least half a year on ice. The DPC's head of communications, Graham Doyle, confirmed the enforcement action, telling us: "Were currently reviewing all the documentation that we gathered as part of the inspection on Monday and we have posed further questions to Facebook and are awaiting the reply." "Contained in the documentation we gathered on Monday was a DPIA," he added. This begs the question why Facebook didn't send the DPIA to the DPC on February 3. We've reached out to Facebook for comment and to ask when it carried out the DPIA. Update: A Facebook spokesperson has now sent this statement: Its 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. We've asked the company why, if it's "really important" to get the launch "right," it did not provide the DPC with the required documentation in advance instead of the regulator having to send agents to Facebook's offices to get it themselves. We'll update this report with any response. Update: A Facebook spokesman has now provided us with a second statement -- in which it writes: Were under no legal obligation to notify the IDPC of product launches. However, as a courtesy to the Office of the Data Protection Commission, who is our lead regulator for data protection in Europe, we proactively informed them of this proposed launch two weeks in advance. We had completed the data processing impact assessment well in advance of the European launch, which we shared with the IDPC when they asked for it. Under Europe's GDPR, there's a requirement for data controllers to bake privacy by design and default into products which are handling people's information. (And a dating product clearly would be.) While conducting a DPIA -- which is a process whereby planned processing of personal data is assessed to consider the impact on the rights and freedoms of individuals -- is a requirement under the GDPR when, for example, individual profiling is taking place or there's processing of sensitive data on a large scale. And again, the launch of a dating product on a platform such as Facebook which has hundreds of millions of regional users would be a clear-cut case for such an assessment to be carried out ahead of any launch. In later comments to TechCrunch today, the DPC reiterated that it's still waiting for Facebook to respond to follow-up questions it put to the company after its officers had obtained documentation related to Facebook Dating during the office inspection. The regulator could ask Facebook to make changes to how the product functions in Europe if it's not satisfied it complies with EU laws. So a delay to the launch may mean many things. "We're still examining the documentation that we have," Doyle told us. "We're still awaiting answers to the queries that we posed to Facebook on Tuesday [February 11]. We haven't had any response back from them and it would be our expectation that the feature won't be rolled out in advance of us completing our analysis." Asked how long the process might take, he said: "We don't control this time process but a lot of it is dependent on how quickly we get responses to the queries that we've posed and how much those responses deal with the queries that we've raised -- whether we have to go back to them again etc. So it's just not possible to say at this stage." This report was updated with additional comment from Facebook and the DPC On Monday, President Donald Trump released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2021. The proposal touches on every area of economic activity, from taxes to spending, to regulation and the value of work. While the budget is a welcome step toward reduced spending, lower regulation, and a growth-oriented dynamic economy, bolder reforms are needed to establish fiscal solvency and restore the government to its constitutional prerogatives. Here are the facts you need to know. Total spending and the national deficit: The presidents Fiscal Year 2021 Budget: A Budget for Americas Future spends $4.89 trillion. It includes $4.4 trillion in savings bringing deficits down each year, and putting the federal government on a path to a balanced budget by 2035. His proposed budget would add $1.083 trillion to the national debt, which stands at more than $23 trillion, this year and nearly a trillion dollars in the following two years. The overall trajectory moves the United States toward greater stability. The current U.S. debt-to-GDP ratio stands at 81 percent, and would reach 100 percent of GDP by 2030. Under Trumps proposed budget, the debt would amount to 66 percent of GDP in a decade. Robust projected growth would mean that by 2030 less than one in every five dollars in the economy would be consumed by the federal government but thats the rub. Optimistic outlook: The president projects vastly larger economic growth than the Congressional Budget Office. The presidents growth projection for 2025 is literally double that of the CBO. The fact that the CBO repealed the use of dynamic scoring at the beginning of the 116th Congress may explain some of this difference. Extended tax cuts: The presidents budget assumes the tax reductions passed as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), scheduled to expire in 2025, will be extended permanently. However, the budget as presented does not continue immediate business expensing beyond the end of 2022; this practice rewards firms that invest in capital goods by letting them write off the full expense in the same year, rather than over several. Administration officials say a more robust tax reduction package will be proposed this summer. $4.4 trillion in spending cuts: The presidents proposed budget forecasts $4.4 trillion in budget cuts, about half of them ($1.9 trillion) by paring back non-defense discretionary programs. It is refreshing that these represent real budget cuts, not merely reductions in the rate of growth (which talking heads of both parties erroneously describe as cuts). Moreover, many of these cuts would occur within agencies that have the greatest regulatory footprint. The budget for the Department of Commerce would nearly be halved with the proposed 48 percent reduction. The Environmental Protection Agency would lose 26 percent of its budget, while the president would eliminate almost 50 wasteful programs that are outside of EPAs core mission or duplicative of other efforts, saving taxpayers over $600 million. Foreign aid would fall by 21 percent. The Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would see its budget cut by 15 percent, largely by returning authority over some housing programs to state or local governments. Those changes sound large but would represent just seven percent of projected federal spending over the next decade of $61 trillion, writes Chris Edwards of the Cato Institute. Commitment to further deregulation: The budget notes that the Trump administrations deregulatory-to-regulatory action ratio has been a remarkable 7.4-to-1, resulting in a total of $51 billion in net regulatory cost savings for the American people. This is a stark contrast to the $420 billion in net regulatory costs imposed by the Obama administration during the same amount of time. The president plans even bolder efforts during the remainder of 2020, citing concrete action on CAFE standards and allowing greater innovation for small businesses. School choice: Perhaps sending a message, the presidents FY2021 budget requests $66.6 billion for the Department of Education, a modest reduction. But this would consolidate 29 overlapping elementary and secondary programs into a new block grant, which saves taxpayers nearly $4.7 billion. The education budget would allocate up to $5 billion annually for Education Freedom Scholarships, a tax credit for those who donate to state-based scholarship funds for use at private schools. A lawsuit over a similar program is pending before the Supreme Court. While a commitment to school choice is welcome, some are concerned even an arms-length entanglement of federal money in private education could open the door to stifling regulation. Restoring work requirements for federal benefits: The proposed budget would require able-bodied, working-age individuals, aged 18-65 years old who receive federal benefits, such as Medicaid and Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), to work at least 20 hours a week. The law includes categories of exemptions but reestablishes the importance of work for all who are able, moving people from government dependence to self-reliance. This will also realize meaningful savings. The budget forecasts $182 billion in savings from reforming the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) and $193 billion by rolling back the Medicaid expansion and CHIP funding. Overall, the growth of Medicaid would be slowed from five percent annually to two percent. The relief will be felt nationwide, as swelling Medicaid rolls are straining state budgets from coast to coast. The border wall: The FY2021 budget requests a mere $2 billion to build the wall across the nations border with Mexico. At a glance, that might be seen as a sign Trump is giving ground, writes Niv Elis in The Hill. But in reality, it shows how he has successfully dodged Congress to provide funds for the wall without the cooperation of Democrats. President Trump declared a national emergency, which allowed him to repurpose money Congress allocated for other programs to border security. From the moon to Mars: Trump boosts NASA funding by 12 percent, including $3 billion to finance a new human lunar landing by 2024. (The last took place in 1972.) This mission will build a sustainable presence on the lunar surface as the first step on a journey that will take America to Mars. Modest Medicare reimbursement reform: Medicare pays a higher reimbursement rate for procedures performed at a hospital than in a doctors office. Paying the same rate for the same procedure would save $270.3 billion. However, the budget does not contain any bold, sweeping reform to the two largest federal entitlements: Medicare and Social Security. The Trump administration seems to believe the government can grow its way out of the structural issues present in both. Even if the most optimistic forecasted growth came to pass, it would not correct the unsustainable design flaws of intergenerational transfer programs. Partial privatization of government-run industry: The budget would privatize some of the assets of the Power Marketing Administrations. The federal government began the projects during the New Deal era. The Heritage Foundation notes, Originally intended to pay off federal irrigation and dam construction and to provide subsidized power to poor communities, the PMAs now supply such areas as Los Angeles, California; Vail, Colorado; and Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a good first step toward getting the federal government out of private industry. Federal funding of daycare: President Trumps FY2021 budget would make a $1 billion one-time investment via grants for state governments to build the supply of child-care providers. Pushing states to adopt paid parental leave policies: The president, spurred on by daughter Ivanka, has championed paid parental leave for new parents. The budget would push states to establish paid parental leave programs in a way that is most appropriate for their workforce. While many parents wish for greater paid leave, use is uneven between the sexes, and women express a far greater desire for overall workplace flexibility. Evidence exists that Californias program reduced employment by seven percent and would cost taxpayers up to $2,000 a year in additional taxes. The last thing anyone needs is another government program which lacks constitutional authority and could saddle future generations with even more debt. Potential impact: By continuing the regimen of economic freedom that has generated enviable economic growth, President Trump could set the United States on a course toward greater prosperity. Some pundits will say that the Trump spending cuts will hurt the economy, but that narrative is false. Large spending cuts would spur economic growth by leaving more resources in the private sector and allocated by markets. Federal spending causes microeconomic damage that undermines growth, explains Edwards. But it wont pass: Under the Constitution, all spending bills must originate in the House of Representatives. The budget is a statement of values, said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and once again, the president is showing just how little he values the good health, financial security and well-being of hardworking American families. Senate Democrats said, The Trump budget is breathtaking in its degree of cruelty and filled with broken promises, indicating unipartisan, bicameral backlash. As such, budget proposals act more as statements of political intention than as policy-crafting documents. Frankly, budgeting has become pretty much a joke in this country, where budgets are used as messaging documents and an excuse to trade insults, said Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. The presidents budget makes welcome cuts to programs that encourage government dependence and underscores the dignity of work. The latter is particularly valuable to those who look at the budget through a scriptural lens guided by the injunction that if any would not work, neither should he work. It provides a welcome contrast with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs Green New Deal, which guarantees federally funded economic security to those unwilling to work. However, the budget misses an opportunity to ask for bolder reforms to federal transfer programs, deepens the national debt, and entangles the government in new, unconstitutional programs. More fundamental reforms than those outlined in this aspirational budget would be necessary to return the federal government to its constitutional functions. That said, this clearly delineates many of the steps necessary to restore fiscal solvency, respect for conscience rights, independence, federalism, and economic growth values every person of faith should appreciate. (Photo credit: Public domain.) In Unconditional Love: A True Love Story, Karen Sacchetti writes of a time in her life that began as a thrilling love connection. Karen Sacchettis book, Unconditional Love: A True Love Story ($14.99, paperback, 9781545645420; $7.99, e-book, 9781545645437), is available for purchase. In Unconditional Love: A True Love Story, Karen Sacchetti writes of a time in her life that began as a thrilling love connection. Searching for love, Karen met Peter, a handsome charmer living in South Florida. After only four months of a long-distance relationship, Peter asked her to leave Rhode Island and move fourteen hundred miles to marry him. Soon after arriving in sunny Boca Raton, Karen realized that her dream was turning into a nightmare. Plagued by Peters alcoholism, womanizing, and incessant attention seeking, their fairy-tale romance quickly spun out of control, leaving Karen alone and disheartened. Her only confidant was MikePeters younger brother. Although Mike proved to be Peters polar opposite by giving her the love and the loyalty she sought, Karen soon experienced new challenges, this time with the love of her life. Her journey provides the reader with a piercing view of the ravaging and destructive effects of Mikes alcohol addiction and how their lives intertwined in a most unusual love story. Through all the adversity, Karen learned to press more deeply into Gods strength to see her through each day. When none of her friends or family members saw the darkness surrounding her, God knew what she was facing daily. Karen not only unveils the details of the dark maze she was in, but also illuminates how Gods promises were fulfilled in her life. She received unconditional love from an all-loving Father, God. Could she extend the same love and grace to those who had hurt and betrayed her? Karen Sacchetti is a creative dance educator, author, and creator of Adagio Stretch. She pursued her education at both Pennsylvania State University and Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in drama, dance, and education from the latter in 1998. Karen established Adagio Stretch, http://www.karensacchetti.com. She implements the foundations of dance through a therapeutic approach to optimize brain and body functioning. In the early to mid-1990s, Karen acted and danced at the Riverside Theater in Boston. Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the worlds largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 12,000 titles published to date Unconditional Love: A True Love Story is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are likely to be highly sought after once they step down from royal duties (Yui Mok/PA Wire PA) Oh, how Queen Elizabeth must yearn for the days of Carole Middletons former job as an air hostess being made into a scandal. Throughout her 65-year reign as Britains monarch, she has weathered more than her fair share of storms, but never has there been such a continuous wave of instability in such close succession. Even those with a passing interest in royals have become gripped by the goings on behind palace gates, but where did it all begin to unravel? Who: Prince Andrew When: November 2019 Expand Close Prince Andrew's interview with Emily Maitlis (Mark Harrison/BBC) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prince Andrew's interview with Emily Maitlis (Mark Harrison/BBC) It goes without saying that Prince Andrews friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted paedophile, and the accusations against him are not in the same league as the other lower tier scandals in comparison. But it was his downfall that marked the beginning of a series of events which made 2019 the queens second Annus Horribilis, which has poured into 2020. Throughout the ensuing Epstein scandal, who was in jail on charges of child sex trafficking when he died by suicide in August Prince Andrews name was regularly mentioned alongside him. While he has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing, his friendship with Epstein was proof of - at best, poor judgement. Andrew and Epstein - and Ghislaine Maxwell - have been friends for decades and remained friends even after Epsteins 2010 conviction for soliciting prostitution with underage girls. In an extraordinary interview with BBC Newsnights Emily Maitlis, Andrew, while seated in the gilded walls of Buckingham Palace, said he still did not regret their relationship. "The people that I met and the opportunities that I was given to learn, either by him or because of him, were actually very useful, he said. Throughout the exchange, he never once expressed sympathy for his victims and only repeated bizarre explanations as a means of denial for any alleged wrongdoing on his part. He denied improper conduct with teenagers because he claims he does not sweat, has no recollection of meeting Virginia Roberts, who says she had sex with Andrew on three different occasions and does not engage in public displays of affection. And most famously, said he could not have engaged in inappropriate behaviour on one occasion as he was at a Pizza Express in Woking on the night in question. The interview was an unmitigated disaster and unsanctioned by his mother, and it opened the floodgates of criticism, prompting more attention that ever into Andrew - ever the problem child - and the royal familys questionable behaviour over the years, including The Trouble with Andrew as a 2011 Vanity Fair profile put it. Video of the Day After the backlash, he retired from public life and was removed as patron for several charities and private organisations and has been largely hidden from the media - save for an appearance at church with his mother last month. What: Meghan and Harry leave When: January 2020 Expand Close The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are likely to be highly sought after once they step down from royal duties (Yui Mok/PA Wire PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are likely to be highly sought after once they step down from royal duties (Yui Mok/PA Wire PA) In January, when Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced their extraordinary decision to leave their positions as senior royals, it sent shockwaves throughout the world - including among family members and those in their inner circle. After less than two years as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, they called time on their public life in favour of a move to Canada with their son Archie to start life anew. It was reported that Queen Elizabeth knew of their intention to leave, but was unaware they would be announcing on the night (reportedly in response to a scoop by The Sun) and was deeply upset" by their decision to announce it so publicly and quickly after communicating it with her. Prince William and Prince Charles are said to have had just a few minutes notice about the announcement, prompting crisis talks over the following week, which culminated in the Sandringham Summit; a sit-down between the big four to iron out details of their exit. Harry arrived hours earlier than his father and brother to appeal to his grandmother on a familial level and spoke at length about the effects the immense pressure that was put on him and his wife was having on their mental health. They settled on a transition period to allow the couple to spend more time in Canada and move away from their full-time duties and set out a roadmap allowing them to eventually become private citizens, which will be up for review next year. The queens fondness for her grandson is well documented and she was said to be personally upset by their departure after providing both him and her granddaughter-in-law extensive support and bending the rules to make them both feel as welcome as possible. What: Megxit: the fall-out Ongoing Expand Close Meghan Markle visits Justice for Girls in Canada. Picture: Facebook / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Meghan Markle visits Justice for Girls in Canada. Picture: Facebook During the chaos of the Megxit fall-out, the media coverage was frantic - each outlet aiming to outdo itself and out-scoop each other. What followed was an unmitigated mess of a public relations strategy, including the ongoing mismanagement of Meghans estrange father Thomas Markle, who has promised to give an interview every month until his daughter cracks and initiates contact. He confirmed that he is ready to face his daughter in court as part of the defence for The Mail on Sunday, which Meghan is currently suing for alleged breach of copyright for publishing a private letter she sent her father. As recently as two weeks ago, he said he wants to apologise to Queen Elizabeth and the royal family. As the Sussexes are carving out their next chapter, most of which involves identifying viable long-term income streams, Prince Harry reportedly made $1 million for speaking at an event hosted by JP Morgan in Miami. Who: Autumn and Peter Phillips announce divorce When: January 2020 Expand Close Peter Phillips (left) and Autumn Phillips during day five of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse in 2019 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Peter Phillips (left) and Autumn Phillips during day five of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse in 2019 Before you ask, Who?, let me set the scene. Peter Phillips is Princess Annes eldest child and has earned the moniker, The Queens favourite grandson; a title which has been resurrected in recent days to legitimise the intensive reporting on his divorce announcement. Peter and his wife of 12 years Autumn announced on Tuesday their intention to split after it was leaked on Monday, "They had reached the conclusion that this was the best course of action for their two children and ongoing friendship," the statement read. "The decision to divorce and share custody came about after many months of discussions and although sad, is an amicable one." Its reported that they notified the queen of their decision last summer and she urged them to take their time. Peter and Autumn have hardly taken a central role in royal life, enjoying the same semblance of privacy as his sister Zara Tindall (nee Phillips) without the pressure of a title, a purposeful decision made by their mother at their respective births. Autumn (nee Kelly) was working as a management consultant when she met her now-husband in 2003, seemingly unaware of his royal connections. Because of their lesser status, they are not required to follow the usual royal divorce rules and released a statement via their own spokesperson instead of the Palace, as was done in the case of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, and Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York. "However, in the cases of the three divorces of the queen's children as well as Princess Margaret, they go through the same legal process as everyone else, royal expert Marlene Koenig said. What: Princess Beatrice's wedding When: May 2020 Expand Close A picture released by Buckingham Palace of Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, whose engagement has been announced / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A picture released by Buckingham Palace of Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, whose engagement has been announced Royal weddings are by their nature, the easiest (but most expensive) way for the family to earn universally positive coverage. But Princess Beatrices impending wedding - which was confirmed as taking place on May 29 at Buckingham Palace - will be overshadowed by the overwhelming distaste for her father. Beatrice, who works at a software company, originally intended on a small wedding in Italy with fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi; but settled on a similarly low-key event at home in the UK. Her sister Eugenies nuptials in November 2018 elevated the second-tier royals into the global spotlight and Eugenies decision to showcase her scoliosis surgery scar in a backless dress earned her kudos around the world. But Beatrice has always preferred the more glamorous side of royal life - access to A-listers and luxury holidays - and her wedding will be sullied by her fathers first public appearance since the car crash interview. Chinas leaders expanded a mass roundup of people possibly sickened with the coronavirus on Thursday, widening their dragnet well beyond the epicenter of the outbreak to at least two more cities in what the government has called a wartime campaign to stamp out the epidemic. But the campaign, first announced last week in the city of Wuhan, already has been marred by chaotic conditions that have isolated vulnerable patients without adequate care and, in some cases, left them alone to die. The expansion of the decree to round up everyone who should be rounded up in the Wuhan area of central China has deepened the nations sense of anxiety. In their zeal to execute the edict, officials in Wuhan, a metropolis of 11 million, have haphazardly seized patients who have not yet tested positive for the coronavirus, in some cases herding them onto buses with no protective measures where they risked infection from others, their relatives said. Bhopal: Describing decimation of Congress in Delhi Assembly elections as very disappointing, AICC general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday felt the urgency for reinventing Congress with new ideology, new thinking and new style of functioning. Talking to reporters at Prithvipur in Tikamgarh district under Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, Scindia said, The results of Delhi elections for the party are very disappointing. Party needs to reinvent itself with new thinking, new ideology and new way of functioning. In the kitchen or not, I quickly understand, taking on White can mean staring at the sharp edge of a cleaver. I am meeting the legendary chef, who is known as much for his modern British and French cooking as for his searing temper, at the J W Marriott Hotel in Aerocity on his first visit to Delhi. The wine is being poured rather generously for a Wednesday afternoon as I approach his table for a tete-a-tete. ... Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Reliance Industries Ltd is quoting at Rs 1497.9, up 1.61% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The stock is up 20.37% in last one year as compared to a 13.36% gain in NIFTY and a 3.8% gain in the Nifty Energy. Reliance Industries Ltd rose for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 1497.9, up 1.61% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.14% on the day, quoting at 12157.55. The Sensex is at 41396.05, down 0.15%. Reliance Industries Ltd has dropped around 1.7% in last one month. Meanwhile, Nifty Energy index of which Reliance Industries Ltd is a constituent, has dropped around 5.28% in last one month and is currently quoting at 15191.25, down 0.12% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 68.99 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 89.1 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark February futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 1499.05, up 1.7% on the day. Reliance Industries Ltd is up 20.37% in last one year as compared to a 13.36% gain in NIFTY and a 3.8% gain in the Nifty Energy index. The PE of the stock is 25.33 based on TTM earnings ending December 19. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The additions we made to the protocol simply add more checks and balances, more safeguards to the system to ensure that what has happened in the past wont happen again, Hunter said. The drugs remain the same in the updated protocol, he said. They have been successful in the past, not only in Oklahoma but in numerous other states, and they will continue to be just as effective as we continue with this method, Hunter said. Any issues with these drugs have always been connected with human error, not the efficacy of the drugs. Dale Baich is one of the attorneys for Oklahoma death-row prisoners challenging the states lethal injection protocol. Oklahoma officials announced the state will revert to its problematic midazolam protocol and provided no assurances that the state is prepared to carry out executions in a manner that comports with the Constitution, Baich said. Oklahomas history of mistakes and malfeasance recalls a culture of carelessness around executions (and) should give everyone pause. In the next few days, we will advise the federal court and continue with the ongoing litigation challenging the constitutionality of Oklahomas protocol. It was Petes time in the barrel. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images Pete Buttigieg has faced incoming fire from his fellow Democratic candidates before, but hes never been at the center of attention the way he was Friday night in New Hampshire. Did any of his rivals attacks dent his co-front-runner status heading into New Hampshire? I spoke with national political correspondent Gabriel Debenedetti, who offered his view from the debate venue at Saint Anselm College in Manchester. Ben: In many of our post-debate chats over the last few months, Ive asked a question to the effect of: Did Joe Bidens poor performance hurt him? And the answer has usually been: Nah, nothing seems to move the guys numbers. But now that he has finished a fairly disastrous fourth place in Iowa, his performance takes on a different tenor. So the question this time is: did he do anything to arrest his slide that looks set to continue in New Hampshire which he himself admitted right up top? Gabriel: When I spoke to some of his advisers in the last two to three days, a bunch of them said they hoped he would directly attack Sanders and Buttigieg, like hed been doing on the campaign trail in recent days. Their hope was that this would prove to voters he was still fighting here. He did that, a bit! But he also started off the night by previewing that he would probably do poorly in New Hampshire. So sure, expectations successfully lowered, but I dont recall any one moment that will obviously reorder things. Ben: With Mayor Pete having won Iowa (depending on how you measure it), he had a target on his back in a way that he hasnt really before, even during previous surges. Amy Klobuchar went after him repeatedly, especially for playing up the outsider credentials youve written about, and Bernie Sanders got a few blows in too. Did you think anyone knocked him down a peg in an actual lasting way? Gabriel: Ill be really interested to see if Klobuchars attacks which mirror, or even exactly echo, some lines shes had in recent days break through. Shes been claiming momentum, and it did feel like her attacks on Buttigieg were clearer and sharper than ever. However, a big question I have about that: Will that bring his numbers down? Or will Biden voters skeptical of Buttigieg skip over to Klobuchars camp? We, presumably, will see. Ben: Yeah, and I just saw someone tweet: Six months of hearing pundits praising a breakthrough debate night for Amy Kloubachar without Amy Kloubachar, you know, breaking through. Is it too late for a huge leap given that the primary is only four days away now? Could she peel a lot of votes from Biden if he well and truly collapses? Gabriel: Well I doubt shes going to win New Hampshire! But it wouldnt be all that huge a leap to think she could again compete with Biden for fourth, like she did in Iowa. But, of course, if Biden is really collapsing, its not like hed have all that much support to peel away, in the first place. And the places he does have a lot of support are places where shes shown no signs of growth at all, especially among nonwhite voters. Ben: Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as ever, seemed to mostly stick to their usual debate messaging, focusing laser-like on economic and racial injustice. Bernie is in the lead in New Hampshire, but Warren finished a disappointing third in Iowa and is on track to do similarly in the Granite State. What did you think of her performance? Gabriel: She definitely provided more contrasts with rivals including Sanders! than she has before. Did she have any obvious breakout moment? No, clearly not, but she stuck with whats worked for her in the past, and pretty strikingly tried distinguishing herself from the rest on campaign-finance terms. Ben: Anything else leap out to you about the evening? Gabriel: I think some folks here in the filing center were surprised not to see more Pete v. Bernie fireworks. But the ones that we did see suggest to me that the next few days may be pretty spicy. Ben: What do you think the central lines of attack will be? Bernie was certainly hitting the Pete loves billionaires thing hard today, not just at the debate. Gabriel: Right, and he did say it briefly at the debate. Pete, meanwhile, just doesnt like Sanders entire theory of change, and hes been amping up his problems with it since the final week of Iowa. Clearly he thinks its working. Sen. John McCollister initially envisioned Nebraska convening an independent commission charged with drawing the new political boundaries following the 2020 Census. On Wednesday, the Omaha senator conceded his previous plan to tackle the "most consequential process" given to the Legislature wasn't feasible in today's political environment. "It was a bridge too far," McCollister told the Legislature's Executive Board on Wednesday. "In my candid assessment, it would not pass this body or be signed by the governor." McCollister took another try at redistricting reform this year, including ideas from several other senators into a new bill (LB1207) aimed at reducing the partisan influence on how congressional, legislative and other districts are drawn. His bill would keep the Legislature's nine-member Redistricting Committee in place, but require the chair and vice chair receive the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the committee. The Redistricting Committee would include no more than five members from a single political party, and no more than four from a second party, while Nebraska's three congressional districts would each be represented by three senators. Once the Census information was in hand, the new political maps would be drawn without considering the political affiliation or voting history of the residents or registered voters living in a particular place, nor could the committee consider demographic information outside population figures. Any maps that emerge from the process would be subject to a public meeting in each of the three congressional districts. The Legislature could not consider the maps until 14 days after the last public meeting. McCollister's plan, which he called a "good first step" toward redistricting reform, was backed by farming and civil rights groups. John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, said the plan was "doable and represents a clear process" that would keep partisan politics out of redistricting. "A half a loaf is better than no loaf at all," Hansen said. The ACLU of Nebraska sees McCollister's plan, which has four co-signers, all senators from the Omaha metro area, as solid in terms of strengthening participation and transparency and decreasing partisanship, executive director Danielle Conrad said. "It's in line with our political culture in Nebraska," she said. "It's different. It's special. It's unique. It works for our citizenry." Sheri St. Clair of the League of Women Voters testified in support of the bill, but asked consideration be given to the at least one in five Nebraskans who are registered as political independents. Westin Miller, the director of public policy for Civic Nebraska, urged the Executive Board to advance the bill to the floor regardless of whether or not the senators believe it will pass in order to give citizens a chance to become more informed about the redistricting process. "I think that discussion itself has tremendous value to the state, has tremendous value to your constituents regardless of what happens to the bill itself," Miller said. The bill puts good protections in place to prevent gerrymandering, Common Cause Nebraska executive director Gavin Geis said, but the organization believes redistricting would be better conducted by McCollister's initial proposal of an independent commission. The Executive Board took no action on the bill Wednesday. During his pitch, McCollister said he's open to some changes to the bill. He said he would be amenable to requiring a supermajority of Redistricting Committee members send the maps to the floor, increasing the deviation from ideal district size from 1% to 5% and requiring maps be available that would better demonstrate the proposed changes to political boundaries. Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As many as 12 of the foreign envoys were Europeans. It may be recalled that the European Parliament had recently postponed until March a vote on a joint motion criticising Indias Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and also the revoking of Article 370 at Brussels. New Delhi: A day after a group of 25 foreign envoys concluded a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the European Union (EU) said the visit confirmed that the Government of India has taken positive steps to restore normalcy but added that it is important that the remaining restrictions be lifted swiftly. The EU also said that it recognises the serious security concerns of Indian authorities, and that the visit presented a welcome opportunity to see the situation on the ground and to interact with local interlocutors. The EUs statement is being seen as setting the stage for Prime Minister Narendra Modis expected visit to the Belgian capital Brussels next month for the 15th India-EU Summit. The EU ambassador to India along with some ambassadors of EU member states accepted the invitation extended by the Government of India to visit Srinagar and Jammu, on February 12-13 ... The visit confirmed that the Government of India has taken positive steps to restore normalcy. Some restrictions remain, notably on Internet access and mobile services, and some political leaders are still in detention. While we recognise the serious security concerns, it is important that the remaining restrictions be lifted swiftly. The visit presented a welcome opportunity to see the situation on the ground and to interact with local interlocutors, the EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy Virginie Battu-Henriksson said. The programme of the visit organised by the Government of India included meetings with civil and military authorities, some political representatives, as well as selected representatives of civil society and the business community. ...We look forward to continuing the dialogue with India on the situation in the region, the EU added. About half of the 25 foreign envoys who formed the second batch of foreign envoys visiting J&K had significantly belonged to the European Union member nations, including Germany and France. The envoys had visited Srinagar on Wednesday and Jammu on Thursday. As many as 12 of the foreign envoys were Europeans. While 11 were from EU member-nations, one was the EU envoy. Apart from the EU envoy, the EU member-nations nations represented were Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia. It may be recalled that the European Parliament had recently postponed until March a vote on a joint motion criticising Indias Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and also the revoking of Article 370 at Brussels. India had then said it had noted a clarification put out by the European Commission that the opinion expressed by the European Parliament and its members do not represent the official position of the European Union (EU). New Delhi had however said it would continue to engage with the MEPs (Members of European Parliament) and other stakeholders on the matter. WASHINGTON The U.S. Government Accountability Office is opening a review of President Trumps $28 billion bailout for farmers harmed by his trade war amid allegations that the money was mismanaged and allocated unfairly. The investigation came at the request of Senator Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat, who has been vocal in her concern that the aid program was biased, providing more funds to southern states that voted for Mr. Trump and favoring large and foreign agriculture companies over small farms. The Trump administration, which signed an initial trade deal with China last month, said the farm subsidies would end this year. The program began in 2018 as a $12 billion effort to mitigate losses for farmers who lost sales or faced retaliatory tariffs from China, the European Union, Canada and Mexico as a result of the trade war. The program grew to $28 billion last year as Mr. Trumps conflict with China festered. Critics have faulted the program for the formulas it used to determine payments for certain crops and for providing funds to big corporate farms. The program, which used a Depression-era fund, allowed farmers earning less than $900,000 a year to receive money if they produced one of the agricultural products that faced retaliation. The government also purchased certain products, such as apples, oranges and pork. Let Virginia pass good legislation to end gerrymandering in 2020 and take the time to create a good amendment before 2029 for the 2031 redistricting. No Democrat is saying wait until 2031. We are saying we want to pass good legislation in 2020 and make sure it works before changing our constitution. Thats not hypocrisy; thats prudence. A former GCHQ agent was so shy he proposed to his girlfriend using a top secret messaging service. The intelligence officer met his future wife at the organisation in the 1950s but struggled to pluck up the courage to propose and decided to send the message via a pneumatic tube system. The former RAF serviceman, who joined GCHQ as a linguist, wrote a letter to his girlfriend and sent it off through the system known as Lamson tubes before nervously awaiting her response. The spy struggled to pluck up the courage to propose and decided to send the message via the tube system. A young man is pictured sending a message in a similar tube system in a stock image, pictured above [File photo] The network of tubes spanned the different buildings across the intelligence and security agency's former offices in Cheltenham to send sensitive documents up to 400 yards away in a matter of seconds. His girlfriend - who worked in the same building as an analyst on the Soviet air force - walked around to his office and accepted the proposal in person. A woman is pictured above operating a 1950s Lamson tube in GCHQ But his girlfriend - who worked in the same building as an analyst on the Soviet air force - walked around to his office and accepted the proposal in person. The pair were happily married for more than 30 years, the organisation said. GCHQ historian Tony Comer, who met the officer and learned of his romantic gesture, said: 'He was the shy and retiring type and never quite found the right moment to ask her face to face. 'So he drew on the GCHQ tradition of finding ingenious solutions to the toughest of problems to pop the question. 'They married, and lived happily ever after, and all thanks to the aid of a Lamson tube. 'We've always prided ourselves on our ability to think outside the box.' GCHQ, which rarely speaks publicly about its work but has tried to become less secretive in recent years, decided to reveal the story to mark Valentine's Day. The network of tubes spanned the different buildings across the intelligence and security agency's former offices in Cheltenham to send sensitive documents up to 400 yards away in a matter of seconds. A section of Cheltenham's GCHQ building is seen above The identities of the couple have been kept secret because of their work and the contents of the letter remain private. GCHQ was set up in November 1919. It moved to Bletchley Park during the Second World War to decrypt German messages, most famously by breaking the Enigma code. Lamson tubes were used throughout the Second World War, including at Bletchley Park, and during the Cold War until the late 1980s. Notes would be rolled up into the Lamson carrier, sent in the tube with directions to the exchange room. They were then sent on their way to the relevant room known as 'tube stations'. While the tube network was largely used to send top secret documents, it is said chocolate eclairs were sometimes piped down the network due to their convenient shape. Tucker Carlson has doubled down on his support for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine: Fox News Fox News host Tucker Carlson has attacked one of the jurors who convicted Roger Stone while sharing her social media details to millions of people after she spoke out in support of Justice Department prosecutors. Tomeka Hart, who served as the foreperson of the jury that found Mr Stone guilty of seven counts including witness tampering and lying to investigators, initially planned to keep quiet on her involvement in the case for fear of retribution. However, when four career prosecutors withdrew from the case after Donald Trump was accused of pressuring the Justice Department into offering up a softer sentence for his former adviser, she decided to speak out in a Facebook post praising their stand. Her intervention has brought to light a series of posts critical of Mr Trump and his aides prompting anger from right wing figures including the Tucker Carlson Tonight host who accused her of being an anti-Trump zealot. Mr Carlson, whose show reaches an average of 4.7 million viewers, kept Ms Harts personal details - including her twitter handle and her home city - on screen for a full minute as he accused her of lying to the judge over her impartiality. He told his audience During the jury selection process at Roger Stones trial lawyers asked the eventual foreman of the jury if there was anything that would affect her ability to judge Stone fairly. "No, she claimed, she hadnt paid much attention to the Russia probe. That turned out to be a lie, and a stupid one at that. While such questions do routinely make up part of the jury selection process, it is unclear if there is any evidence to support the TV pundits claim Ms Hart misled the judge ahead of the case. Mr Carlson added: Shes an anti-Trump zealot who closely followed the Muller investigation this is not a neutral person. This is not someone capable of judging this trial fairly. This is a partisan who lied about who she was. He went on to imply some blame for the guilty verdict which was agreed unanimously by the 12-person jury - lay at the foot of the Obama appointed judge who allowed Ms Hart to oversee the jury process. Story continues In the now-deleted comment reprinted by US publication Commercial Appeal Ms Hart, a former labour lawyer, said she wanted to stand up for the prosecutors who, she believed, had acted with the utmost intelligence, integrity, and respect for our system of justice. However the employee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, who has made multiple donations to Democratic presidential candidates, has since come under fire for tweets criticising the Trump administration referring to him as the klan president while appearing to endorse the Mueller investigation which eventually implicated Mr Stone. While not mentioning her by name, Mr Trump wrote on Twitter in reference to Fox News coverage of Ms Hart: 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. While Ms Hart appears to have removed a number of posts referencing her latest contributions to Commercial Appeal from November last year, she has been targeted by hundreds of critical tweets from supporters of the president since revealing her involvement in the case. Lawyers for Mr Stone are now considering whether the posts are enough to push for a retrial of the 67-year-old, who first made his name working on the Nixon campaign when he was implicated in the Watergate scandal but not found to have broken any laws. Attorney Grant Smith told CNBC: We are reviewing all of the recently posted new information, and we will evaluate and take the appropriate action. Read more Here's why Roger Stone is back in the news and going to jail Ghosts of the Po River Valley Finding the Lost Flyers of the Italian Air Campaign by Moreno Aguiari When many of us think about combat in the European Theatre during WWII, it is easy to focus upon the well-known battles, such as D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. Indeed, we celebrate D-Day each year. But too often we neglect to consider some of the other significant regions of conflict, such as the Italian Campaign of 1943. This seems strange, in a way, as the September 1943 invasion of Italy represented the Allies first major foothold on the European continent during the war. And it was a bloody conflict here, despite Italys surrender, because German forces dug in deep. Combat on the ground and in the air over Italy was fierce, and progress was slow and costly. It took 19 months of grinding endeavor to move the lines from southern Italy to the Po River Valley along the Alpine foothills bordering France and Switzerland. There were many aerial combats over this region between the Allies and the German-aligned ANR (Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana). Many airmen died in these battles, their remains lost seemingly forever in the wrecks of their crashed aircraft, buried deep in Italian soil. But in recent years, several groups have formed in Italy with the intent of finding these lost pilots and their machines. One of these groups is called Air Crash Po, and Warbird Digests Moreno Aguiari recently had the opportunity to interview one of its founders Luca Gabriele Merli. When asked why his group searches for these lost pilots, Merli responded, We do it out of respect for those whom lost their lives in the line of duty and for their families. We do it for passion. We do it out of a sense of duty. Luca Gabriele Merli, who founded The Air Crash Po Project with his brother Stefano Daniele Merli and three fellow researchers in 2007, with the aim of collecting as much information as possible about the Po Valley air raids which took place between July 1944 and April 1945. This is very important historical research. Only a few years ago, it would have been impossible to access the records of the period concerned. Now, with the help of e-mail and the Internet, parts of the research have became easier. However, its a real race against time to collect and preserve all the memories of those times during World War II. Because of the lack of official documentation, we are often forced to resort to the memories of people present at the battles of those years. We evaluate the data, comparing and contrasting the memories with the retrieved documents in the archives. The group has researched, located and retrieved parts from more than 80 aircraft including the remains and personal belongings of some of the airmen. Meeting with the families of pilots thought to be lost forever is an incredible experience. It is very emotional, but it also gives a sense of accomplishment, Said Luca. It is what makes us continue with our mission. Lucas favorite story is the one of Lt. Hall, a U.S. Air Army Forces pilot. German forces shot down Halls Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 44-6271 Magnificent Malfunction over Italy. This is a 3-minute video showing the Air Crash Po Team using metal detectors, searching for the remains of magnificent Malfunction. The members of Air Crash Po note, We assure you that reconstructing the history of those years is not a small job. Putting together the pieces that make up the puzzle of our recent past involves a considerable expenditure of energy in all respects. However, the desire to know the history of our territory causes us to persevere, and our commitment is stronger every day. For this reason, we invite anyone with this passion to join us. Anyone in possession of documents, photographs, stories or information useful to this cause, please contact us HERE. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) and head of the EU delegation to Vietnam, Ambassador Pier Giorgio Aliberti (Photo: VNA) At a reception in Hanoi on February 13 for head of the EU delegation to Vietnam, Ambassador Pier Giorgio Aliberti, the PM thanked the Ambassador for his effort to push for the approval of the two agreements. He affirmed that the Government, ministries and sectors of Vietnam will do their best to deliver on their commitments under the agreements, which will benefit both sides. PM Phuc informed the guest that he had instructed ministries and agencies to quickly proceed with internal procedures for early submission of the two agreements to the National Assembly for ratification. According to him, the NA is scheduled to consider and ratify the two agreements in the upcoming session. The PM asked the EU to help Vietnam enhance its capacity in implementing the agreements. He affirmed that Vietnam always supports and creates the best possible conditions for EU investors to do business in the country. He said Vietnam is serving as the Chair of ASEAN in 2020, which is an opportunity to promote EU-ASEAN relations. Ambassador Pier Giorgio Aliberti attributed the result to the joint efforts of both sides, noting that the high approving votes demonstrated the EUs positive assessment for Vietnam and trust in the countrys reform process. He appreciated Vietnams cooperation in addressing recommendations and issues of the EUs concern. The EU commits to work closely with Vietnam to ensure success of the deals implementation, he said, adding that the EU will work to popularize the two agreements and the benefits that they will bring about among the people and business community in 27 member states. The EU diplomat asked Vietnam to spread the word about the agreements to its people and businesses. Beirut: A military offensive on an opposition-controlled region of northwestern Syria has created one of the worst catastrophes for civilians in the country's long-running war, sending hundreds of thousands of people fleeing, many of them sleeping in open fields and under trees in freezing temperatures. Syrians walking outside their tents at a displaced people camp near Turkish border, in Idlib province, Syria. Credit:AP The military campaign in Idlib province and the nearby Aleppo countryside has also killed hundreds of civilians, and a bitter winter has compounded the pain. The weather has contributed to at least 10 deaths, including four who suffered hypothermia, a family of four that died of suffocation in their tent and two who burned to death when their tent caught fire, according to Mohammed Hallaj, a coordinator for the area's Response Coordination Group. Nizar Hamadi, 43, lost his brother and three other family members, including a three-year old. Their family had been displaced multiple times to escape the swift government offensive, ending up in a settlement made up of rudimentary tents stitched together with sticks and cloth. The UK government announced plans this week to grant Ofcom with the power to fine social media companies if they fail to protect users from harmful content. Conservative party discussions around regulating online content have taken place since David Cameron was party leader, with a Home Office press release from 2015 stating the former Prime Minister was "prepared to legislate [against under 18s access to pornographic websites] if the industry fails to self-regulate". Cameron stood down less than a year later, leaving the issue of age-verification technology in the hands of his successor Theresa May. While Part 3 of the Digital Economy Act 2017 brought the issue back into the headlines by proposing age verification for online pornography, it was ultimately shelved in October of 2019 due to a catalogue of errors. Somewhat crucially, social media sites were not included in the remit of the proposed 2017 legislation. However, the Online Harms white paper that included the age verification proposal also made reference to a "duty of care" requirement on technology companies and content providers to protect vulnerable people from harmful content. These are the plans the government has moved forward on this week. The new powers explained Under these new proposals, Ofcom the UK's communications regulator will not be allowed to remove posts but will have the power to impose penalties relating to illegal and 'harmful' content. Currently, providing theyre not seen to endorse posts that contain illegal or harmful material, social media companies are largely exempt from penalties, even if a user uploads pro-terrorist material or child abuse imagery onto their platforms. This new legislation will grant Ofcom the power to force companies to remove the material more quickly, and prevent most of it from being posted in the first place. The regulators will also be given the power to police content that is deemed to be harmful, but not illegal, by ensuring social media companies properly enforce their own terms and conditions. While the government is yet to provide a concrete definition of harmful content, its Online Harms white paper makes reference to content that is hateful or has a psychological and emotional impact. Companies such as Facebook, Twitter and Google will be required to explicitly outline which content is permitted on their platforms, allowing Ofcom to hold them to account if these pledges are not adhered to. The regulations will only apply to companies that host user-generated content. The penalties for failure are still unknown, although the government claims they will be fair, proportionate and transparent. Home secretary Priti Patel sought to justify the governments decision, stating: While the internet can be used to connect people and drive innovation, we know it can also be a hiding place for criminals, including paedophiles, to cause immense harm. It is incumbent on tech firms to balance issues of privacy and technological advances with child protection. Divided opinion Full details of the legislation and the new powers granted to Ofcom will be announced later in the spring, however, opinion is already divided on this new policy proposal. Ofcom has welcomed the decision to be appointed regulator and in a statement said it will work with the government to help ensure that regulation provides effective protection for people online and, if appointed, will consider what voluntary steps can be taken in advance of legislation. Lobbying group techUK, as well as child protection charity the NSPCC, are two other prominent voices that have come out in support of the proposals. Vinous Ali, associate director of policy at techUK, said the organisation is pleased to see continued progress being made by government on the issue of online harms". The evolution in thinking demonstrates a commitment from government to building a framework that is effective and proportionate protecting and empowering users whilst ensuring the UK remains pro-innovation and investment, Ali continued. While Ali commented that the direction of travel was "encouraging", she erred on the side of caution around scope and process, advising the government to provide further clarity on these points. Others were less encouraging, with some media organisations such as the Daily Mail and News Media Association claiming that the governments proposals could unintentionally result in censorship of their own websites. Furthermore, the white paper states: Under our proposals we expect companies to use a proportionate range of tools including age assurance, and age verification technologies to prevent children from accessing age-inappropriate content and to protect them from other harms. Given the governments failure to make its age-verification policy workable, questions are already being asked about whether parts of this new proposal will fall foul to some of the same errors. There is also the issue around the burden such requirements would place on smaller businesses that are unable to afford the same level of resources as a company like Facebook which currently employs roughly 30,000 content moderators. Nicola Cain of London law firm RPC believes the legislation could introduce red tape and place added pressure on many UK businesses. Whilst the government seeks to defend this legislation by saying that less than five percent of all UK businesses will fall under the new legislation, in reality it will not just be social media platforms and content providers, but most businesses with a website, including retailers and ecommerce sites, that will be affected to some degree, Cain said. "Even for internet giants, that already have well-established procedures in place, these reforms will potentially remove crucial legal protections, requiring them to be far more pro-active in removing content and threatening freedom of expression." Is this a workable policy? Backlash from tech companies has already caused the government to delay its final proposal until spring, with the Internet Association (IA), which represents online firms including Google, Facebook and Twitter, outlining a string of major concerns relating to the policy. Others questioned the impact it could have on freedom of speech. Acting executive director of human rights non-profit Article 19, Quinn McKew, said that while the governments desire to protect children from harm is well intentioned, it must ensure free speech rights are not thrown out in the process. [The proposals] will almost inevitably result in the removal of legitimate expression. In the face of possible fines and personal prosecutions, companies will err on the side of caution and use algorithms to remove content at scale, she said. What is certain however is that Ofcom doesnt currently have the capacity to regulate the internet in the way the government is proposing, and will need to undergo some major changes in order to become fit for its new purpose. On Wednesday, the Financial Times reported that over the next 18-24 months that regulator will need to expand its headcount by at least a third, or roughly 300 people. In 2017, Germany introduced the NetzDG Law, which states that social media platforms with more than 2 million registered German users can face fines of up to 50m (42m) if they fail to review and remove illegal content within 24 hours of being posted. In July 2019, Germany's Federal Office of Justice fined Facebook 2m (1.7m) for underreporting the number of complaints it had received about illegal content on its platform. The social media platform was accused of skewing the extent of such violations by selectively reporting complaints. The impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump didnt end the way Democrats on Capitol Hill might have wanted, but the ordeal managed to boost the national reputation of at least one rising star in the party. Hakeem Jeffries, one of the impeachment managers who presented the case against Trump to the Senate, represents parts of Brooklyn and Queens (and made headlines when he quoted the Notorious B.I.G. in his closing arguments), and was elected in November to chair the House Democratic Caucus. Now, the 48-year-old is seen by many as Nancy Pelosis heir apparent when she eventually steps down from the Speakers chair. But the past year has been tricky: His affiliation with the more establishment wing of the Democratic Partyand his acceptance of campaign donations from interests they opposehas at times landed him in the crosshairs of the fiery progressives in the new freshman class. Earlier this week, he sat down in his House leadership office with GQs Julia Ioffe to discuss the aftermath of impeachment, the most exciting new faces in the Democratic Party, and how Trump can be beaten at the ballot box. GQ: Now that its all said and done, do you think it couldve been done differently, or was it doomed from the outset because of the Senate? HAKEEM JEFFRIES: House managers proved our case against the president with overwhelming evidence. Its clear that Donald Trump corruptly abused his power, and several Republican senators acknowledged that fact even though they voted to acquit him. We did the right thing in defending our democracy and presenting a decisive case both to the Senate and to the American people. Donald Trump corruptly abused his power, and he obstructed a constitutionally mandated impeachment inquiry. The Senate has acted, but now its in the hands of the American people, who are the ultimate jurors. You got Romney to come over. Do you think theres anything your team couldve done to pick off more Republicans? Story continues Heading into the impeachment trial, the president seemed confident that he would hold every single Republican vote and possibly gain Democratic senators like Doug Jones, Joe Manchin, and Kyrsten Sinema. The case the House managers presented was so strong that we held every single Democratic vote and gained Mitt Romney, who became the first senator in American history to vote to remove a president of his own party. Now, the president clearly feels vindicated, he is more popular than ever, and Rudy Giuliani is out there saying hes going to keep investigating Joe Biden. If Giuliani continues using the powers of the executive branch to do that, what options do you have? Rudy Giuliani is totally out of control. He is a failed mayor, a failed lawyer, and a failed presidential candidate. Someone needs to undertake a clinical intervention as it relates to Rudolph Giuliani running around the world, trying to do the presidents political bidding Clinical intervention? Are you saying he should be institutionalized? in a manner that resulted, in part, in Donald Trumps impeachment. But ultimately, Donald Trump is the one who is responsible for executing a corrupt scheme and a geopolitical shakedown to solicit foreign interference in the American election. House managers made clear that we dont believe that Donald Trump will learn a lesson from his political near-death experience. It is clear that Donald Trump is further emboldened to cheat in the electionand thats on the United States Senate. Does the House have any recourse? Is a second impeachment in the cards? In my view, no. Its in the hands of the American people at this point to decide the fate of Donald Trump. Senate Impeachment Trial Of President Trump Getty Images What if hes re-elected, would you undertake a second impeachment? Its my expectation that he will not be re-elected. In fact, I disagree with the premise that some have articulated, which is that President Trump has emerged from the impeachment more popular than ever before. A Quinnipiac poll that came out this week showed President Trump decisively losing to every single Democratic candidate. To be fair, polls had him losing to Hillary Clinton, but we know how that worked out. He says he feels totally vindicated, and he fired two of the witnesses who testified in the impeachment trial. Should we just stay off Fifth Avenue if hes in the area? Well, Donald Trump clearly feels that he can shoot holes in the Constitution on Pennsylvania Avenue and get away with it. But ultimately I believe the American people will have the final decision and that his out-of-control, erratic, corrupt behavior will not be tolerated and he will be decisively defeated in November. What did you think of Speaker Nancy Pelosi tearing up Donald Trumps State of the Union speech? Divisive or a good move? As far as Im concerned, a shredder wasnt available so she did the right thing. Looking ahead, would you like to be speaker someday? Thats the furthest thing from my mind, because weve got a tremendous speaker right now in Nancy Pelosi, and Ive got a job to do and that is to be the best possible Democratic Caucus chair as I can be. Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez the future of the Democratic Party? The future of the Democratic Party rests between a wide variety of members, and Im not going to pick and choose between this particular member or that particular member. I have great respect for every single member of the House Democratic Caucus. From Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Max Rose and everyone in between. We have a phenomenal class of new members, many of whom, like Max Rose and Abigail Spanberger, have served this country in an extraordinary fashion before arriving to the House of Representatives. Collectively, its a tremendous class, theyve been a great asset to the Congress and the American people, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for all of them. So youve made up with the Justice Democrats? I know they were talking about primarying you. From my standpoint, primaries are a beautiful thing and I look forward to taking my case and record to the people of the 8th Congressional District should someone decide to come forward with a primary challenge. In fact, from my standpoint, feel free to primary me! This is a democracy and we can battle it out on the streets of Brooklyn and Queens. So youre saying bring it? Come on in, the water is warm. Lets talk about the Democratic presidential primary. We started off with a tremendously diverse field, and now were left with a bunch of white folks. What happened? The field is what it is at the moment, but I do think it is unfortunate that some of the extraordinary candidates of color, like Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, felt compelled to drop out prior to the first vote being cast. That said, every single one of the Democratic candidates who are competing in the primary right now would be a better president than Donald Trump. Youve said that Bernie Sanders is presumptuous on race. Do you think he has improved his rhetoric and his policy positions? His current campaign has certainly done a better job of more explicitly and directly addressing the problem of racial injustice in America, but beyond that, I reserve judgment. I am aggressively neutral in the Democratic presidential primary. Even with Michael Bloomberg? You made your name in New York trying to undo stop-and-frisk. Audio from his 2015 speech at the Aspen Institute was just released in which he defends the policy. We fought Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly to dismantle the unconstitutional and out-of-control stop-and-frisk program as implemented in New York City. It was outrageous, it was harmful, and it was destructive in the manner in which communities of color were treated. Im on record in that regard and worked with then [New York State] senator Eric Adams to move legislation that forced the New York Police Department to dismantle the database that was maintaining the names of millions of innocent people who were stopped and questioned but who were let go because they did nothing wrong. That said, I do believe that Mayor Bloombergs apology was heartfelt and authentic, in part because Mike Bloomberg prides himself on evaluating the data. In fact, when he was mayor of New York, he would often say, Trust in God. All others bring data. Thats what hes all about. Any evaluation of the data after stop-and-frisk was dismantled suggests that crime didnt go up; it went down significantly. The data makes clear that stop-and-frisk, as aggressively practiced during the Bloomberg years, had nothing to do with the decline in crime because crime went down dramatically once stop-and-frisk was declared unconstitutional. As a result, I believe that Michael Bloomberg, looking at the data, could authentically conclude that he was wrong and therefore should apologize. Why didnt he look at the data and apologize until he decided to run for president? Its a good question, and certainly its a question that I think hes going to have to answer moving forward. It is important for Mayor Bloombergand Ive said this publicly and privatelynot simply to talk the talk as it relates to an apology, but to walk the walk and deal with some of the racial-justice issues that continue to infect the criminal justice system. You said that any of the Democratic candidates would be a better president than Donald Trump. Is that true for Michael Bloomberg? Michael Bloomberg was a self-made billionaire who was fired from a job at Salomon Brothers and then had to reinvent himself at a point where a lot of people, having been knocked down on the ground, may not have gotten up. Unlike Donald Trump, Michael Bloomberg did not inherit his wealth from his father. He is a successful entrepreneur, and that is a textbook part of the American dream. Hes also used his wealth, unlike Donald Trump, to give back to causes, like dealing with climate change as well as addressing the gun-violence epidemic in America, in a way that is positive in terms of civil society. Donald Trump has done the exact opposite. To the extent that he has any discretionary wealth to share, he certainly has not done so throughout his life. But does it set a certain precedent that only the ultra-rich can become president? Ultimately, I trust the American people, both in the context of who becomes the Democratic nominee and who ultimately becomes the 46th president of the United States of America, to make a decision that is in the best interests of our future. The African-American community is obviously diverse and is not a monolith, but do you think it can trust Pete Buttegieg given his handling of the police shootings when he was mayor of South Bend? In my view, the biggest obstacle that Pete Buttegieg will have to overcome is the contentious relationship that appears to exist between the mayor and the African-American community back home in South Bend, Indiana. If Bernie Sanders is the nominee, do you think he risks alienating the moderates in the party and throwing the election to Trump? Michael Bloomberg and Joe Biden have both said that if Bernie Sanders is the nominee, theyre going to support Bernie Sanders and do everything possible to bring everybody together. I agree with them that its the right perspective, and its my hope that supporters of folks like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders draw the same conclusion, that whoever emerges as the Democratic nominee deserves the full support of every single person of good will in America so we can change direction and kick Donald Trump out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Why are Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren struggling by comparison? Do you think a woman can be president? I certainly think a woman can be president. I campaigned throughout the country for Hillary Clinton because she was phenomenally qualified and would have made a spectacular president. In fact, Hillary Clinton may have been the most qualified individual ever to run for the presidency, and its very disappointing that she lost. Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren are spectacular public servants who have a great vision for the country, and its not over until its over. We only have begun the process of selecting a nominee, and the overwhelming majority of states have not even had the opportunity to have their voices heard. Right, but Im talking more about the added barrier of sexism that female candidates have to face. America has come a long way on a whole host of issues, but we still have a long way to go. And we need to deal with issues like gender equality, and at some point that glass ceiling at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will be broken. Hillary Clinton would have been a phenomenal president. Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren would be excellent presidents as well, should they make it through the Democratic primary. Do you wish Rep. Rashida Tlaib hadnt booed a reference to Hillary Clinton at a Sanders event earlier this month? I was in the midst of the impeachment trial at that point in time so But you saw the clips afterwards, surely. Barely. So Im not really in a position to comment. I think Rashida Tlaib clarified what was done in a manner that indicated, to me at least, that had she had an opportunity to do it all over again, she would not have booed. So you wish she hadnt booed. Well, I mean, listen, I think its obvious in terms of her own perspective that she wished that she hadnt done it, and I think thats exactly correct. Do you think Hillary Clinton shouldnt have made the comments critical of Bernie that elicited Tlaibs reaction? Do you wish Clinton had stayed out of it? Welland mind you, Im not going to get into the back-and-forth between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sandershes doing a good job as a candidate right now and has excited a lot of people and should be credited with that fact. I stood squarely behind Hillary Clinton in 2016, and I have no regrets. Do you think she should play an active role in the primary or keep her peace? Its my expectation that shell keep her peace as a prior nominee, as other individuals have done, like John Kerry and Al Gore and certainly President Barack Obama. Okay, last question: Who killed Biggie? You know, that is a great mystery that needs to be resolved, as well as the unsolved mystery of the death of Tupac Shakur. These were two phenomenal, inspirational voices whose prophecy through lyrics has withstood the test of time, and its a shame that we havent been able to figure out who pulled the trigger as it relates to these two dynamic individuals. Hopefully, at some point, for the sake of closure, those crimes can be solved. Sorry, I asked because you quote Biggie a lot. Absolutely! You never thought that hip-hop would take it this far. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Julia Ioffe is a GQ correspondent. Originally Appeared on GQ Central Michigan University trustees this week approved new room and board rates for 2020-2021 and received updates on initiatives such as strategic envisioning and the website redesign. President Bob Davies and Provost Mary C. Schutten highlighted significant progress on the strategic envisioning process and the Presidents and Provosts Fund for Program Innovation and Excellence. At committee meetings Wednesday, Schutten announced that 17 recipients were selected out of more than 60 nominations requesting nearly $14 million in support. She told trustees that funded projects focus on a variety of themes, including technology, student support, data science, health and gaming. Davies elaborated on the fund process and recipients in his opening report to the board. I strongly believe that the projects we have selected are transformational and will improve our ability to serve our students now and in the years ahead, Davies said. I look forward to hearing from our award recipients as they begin work on these exciting initiatives. Trustees approved a 2% increase in room and board rates for residence halls and university apartments for 2020-2021 and a 5% increase for graduate housing. Barrie Wilkes, vice president for finance and administrative services, said the university continues to develop new options to meet student needs and demands. Examples he noted are the addition of a fourth, lower-rate dining plan option and the continuation of a 30% room discount for students opting to live with three other roommates instead of two in three of the four original Towers residence halls (Troutman, Trout and Cobb). Trustees also heard from Abby Dean, director of integrated marketing for University Communications, on the universitys website redesign project that launched in summer 2019. Also at the formal session, trustees approved or accepted: Upgrades to Carey Hall a $4.8 million project that will provide students with new suites designed to accommodate two students, featuring full-size beds, upgraded closets and chairs, wood-like flooring, and more. Common areas, including study lounges, are being updated with fresh paint and finishings. Sabbatical leave for two faculty members and tenure and promotion for 23 others. Nearly $3.3 million in external grant funding of faculty and student research. This brings total grant and award dollars after six months this fiscal year to $9.4 million. A motion authorizing Davies to sign and ratify collective bargaining agreements for 2020-2021 and beyond for two employee union groups: Union of Teaching Faculty, Michigan Federation of Teachers (AFL-CIO). Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM). Nearly $5 million in contributions to the university for the second quarter of the fiscal year, bringing the year-to-date total to $8.3 million. Two new endowments the Grams Family Scholarship and the Ridenour Family Scholarship and six naming opportunities within the Chippewa Champions Center. Presidents report to the board In his opening report, Davies elaborated on strategic envisioning progress. All of our strategic pathway working groups have been meeting, and several are beginning to seek input from divisions and departments around the university, he said. We launched a new website for the process to ensure we are transparent in our work and to enable all stakeholders to easily participate. Davies also updated the board on new food insecurity initiatives launched last month. To date, more than 520 students have received a block of meal swipes, and $1 meals are served in the Down Under Food Court twice a week, he said. In addition, Davies noted that CMU is taking additional steps to address student mental health, moving forward a proposal for a fall wellness break for this October, which will be scheduled soon. We continue to look for innovative ways to support our students health and well-being. I appreciate our communitys commitment to helping them succeed on their personal and educational journeys at CMU, he said. Davies also recognized: Church of England officially apologizes for racist past Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Leaders of the Church of England unanimously passed a motion apologizing for past racism, in particular regarding the treatment of African and Asian immigrants. The General Synod passed the motion on Tuesday, with the motion focusing on a group of immigrants known as Windrush Generation. The generation were minority British citizens from the Caribbean who immigrated to the United Kingdom between the years 1948 and 1971. They were named after the ship Empire Windrush, which brought 500 of them in 1948. According to the motion, the Synod offered a lament and apology for the conscious and unconscious racism experienced by countless black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) Anglicans in 1948 and subsequent years, when seeking to find a spiritual home in their local Church of England parish churches The motion also called for, among other things, the Archbishops Council to research the impact of discrimination, gratitude for the contributions racial minorities have made to the Church, and for an independent person external to the Church to investigate how the ecclesiastical body can better achieve racial reconciliation. The General Synod also called on the church body to resolve to continue, with great effort and urgency, to stamp out all forms of conscious or unconscious racism. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby delivered a speech before the General Synod, informing them that the problem of racism still remained. I'm ashamed of our history and I'm ashamed of our failure. There is no doubt when we look at our own Church that we are still deeply institutionally racist, stated Archbishop Welby, as reported by the BBC. I said it to the College of Bishops a couple of years ago and it's [still] true, he added, calling upon the church body to change its "hostile environment" to a "hospitable, welcoming one. The motion was championed by Synod member the Rev. Andrew Moughtin-Mumby, who said in comments reported by The Guardian last month that he believed the church body needed to get our house in order. We know that many people did not find a home and simply left the C of E a scandal for us, stated Moughtin-Mumby, who added that while some Windrush generation did find acceptance in the Church, others experienced bigotry. We need to admit that the church is in some ways institutionally racist because we have not managed to create a space in which everyone can flourish. The motion was part of the official meeting of the General Synod, which began on Monday and is scheduled to conclude on Thursday. Considered the national assembly of the Church of England, the General Synod debates church legislation, worship forms, the budget, and other matters. The leadership body has 483 members divided among three branches: the House of Bishops, the House of Clergy, and the House of Laity. Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren says she's raised about $6 million from online donors since last week's first-in-the-nation caucuses, fueled by people who want to see her stay in the 2020 race despite underwhelming performances in Iowa and New Hampshire. The Massachusetts senator told The Associated Press on Thursday that she had spoken to Senate colleagues about the primary and that 'right now, it's wide open.' 'There's a lot of froth. It's going to be a long process,' Warren said during an interview in the hallways of the Senate. Hours later, during a raucous evening rally at a high school gym in Washington's Virginia suburbs, Warren didn't seem like a candidate worried about leaving the race. The state is one of more than a dozen voting on 'Super Tuesday' on March 3. Warren finished third in Iowa, behind the race's other strong progressive voice, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. But she was fourth in New Hampshire's Tuesday primary, trailing those two and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar. I'm still in it: Elizabeth Warren used a rally in Arlington, Virginia, to come out fighting after a week which saw her slump to fourth in the New Hampshire primary Not the message she wanted: A Sanders supporter trolled Warren at the rally but she vowed to stay in the race, calling the first two polls - Iowa and New Hampshire - 'froth' The results were especially disappointing because Warren had built an impressive campaign infrastructure in Iowa, and New Hampshire borders her home state. Her campaign says she's in the race for the long haul, noting that it has staffers in about 30 states. 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 But the results so far have left some wondering about Warren's fundraising, which relies heavily on small donors giving online around the country - and could evaporate if supporters see her as having little chance to win. Warren herself provided an answer Thursday, saying, 'I've gotten nearly $6 million online since Iowa because a lot of people out there are very committed to seeing me stay in this race.' That pales in comparison to Sanders, who reported raising more than $25 million in January alone, but is still respectable. Klobuchar said she raised more than $6 million in the days after last week's debate in New Hampshire, while Buttigieg reported collecting $4 million in four days following the Iowa caucuses. Former Vice President Joe Biden, who finished worse than Warren in Iowa and New Hampshire, raised $4.5 million since the start of the month. 'There are a lot of different ways to interrupt where those votes are,' Warren said when asked if Sanders has been more successful in winning over the Democratic Party's progressive wing. 'I'll leave it to the pundits.' Asked if anyone suggested she drop out and support Sanders, she said, 'Nope,' but declined to say whether she would endorse the Vermont senator should she leave the race. A top Sanders aide also said Thursday that the pair hadn't spoken about the race. In Virginia on Thursday, Warren's campaign said the crowd featured more than 4,000 people, many of whom were funneled into overflow rooms. Attendees were fired up and so was Warren. She hit her standard themes of creating 'structural change' to remake America's political and economic system but did so with a harder edge than usual, saying, 'Rich people don't want to pay taxes' and 'If you don't attack the corruption head-on, you can't do anything else,' both drawing wild applause. It was a stark contrast from the last time she addressed supporters, shortly after the New Hampshire polls closed Tuesday night. That's when she earnestly called Sanders and Buttigieg 'great people,' but insisted she could best unite Democrats. Looking to rebound, Warren's campaign has increased the number of national television appearances she's done in recent weeks, trying to contrast the perception that a New Hampshire loss raises questions about where Warren might actually win. Warren, who once earned a debate scholarship to college, is also focusing on improving her standing during a debate next week in Nevada. Momentum: Warren supporters say that she can capitalize on Joe Biden's struggles That comes after a strong New Hampshire debate performance gave Klobuchar a bounce heading into the primary. Those close to Warren also see an opportunity for her to pick up former supporters of Biden if he continues to struggle. 'The most important thing is to enter Super Tuesday with momentum,' said Adam Green, head of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. 'That can happen through one or multiple stellar debate performances, especially as Joe Biden loses supporters and they look for something new.' In Virginia, Warren may have previewed what was to come, slamming Mike Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York City who is competing hard in Super Tuesday states, over his 2008 comments that ending redlining, a discriminatory housing practice, helped trigger the financial crisis. 'That crisis would not have been averted if the banks had been even bigger racists, and anyone who thinks that should not be the leader of our party,' she said, drawing huge cheers and boos for Bloomberg. Warren said the crowd was so large that she couldn't stay to take her trademark 'selfie' photos, but she vowed that if she wins Virginia on March 3, she'd come back and do the photos then. 'We've now had three years of Donald Trump,' she said to boos. 'It's beyond boo. It's that there are a lot of people who are afraid.' 'The danger is real. Our democracy hangs in the balance,' Warren said. 'Do you fight back? Me, I fight back. Fighting back is an act of patriotism.' Dr. Deborah Elms, executive director of the Asian Trade Centre in Singapore The UK and the EU are about to untangle decades of increasingly close regulatory patterns that encompass all manner of topics, from agriculture to services to health. Most other countries and regions are less tightly intertwined, but the basic issues remain similar. Regulations are typically put in place to ensure the health and safety of domestic consumers, as well as to protect animals, plants, and more. There are often other reasons for imposing trade-related regulations, but these are the primary objectives. To understand why regulations matter to businesses in trade, it is easiest to start with a simple example. Take a company that makes tables and then sells them in Europe, they must currently comply with a variety of specific regulations. The EU has two sets of regulatory policies in place for the timber or wood used in the crafting of the table. The first, the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR), helps to ensure that timber is legally harvested. The second, called the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, is used to ensure wood products do not involve endangered species. Furthermore, the finished table must be manufactured in a way that is not harmful, so companies must comply with the General Product Safety Directive. A basic coffee or dining table has fewer specific product safety rules than some wood products like baby cribs or cots, but the final product must not harm consumers. The table company must also ensure that the chemicals used in the manufacturing process, including paints, glues, and varnishes, are not damaging to consumer health by following Europes Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals regulations. The most important elements for tables may be the prohibitions on lead and mercury. If the tables are shipped in wooden boxes, cases, or pallets, these items also need to comply with International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures packaging. The rules help ensure that specific pests are not present in packaging materials. There are also likely to be a variety of standards or regulations that the EU buyer might demand, such as specific labelling requirements, sustainable harvesting of wood, or the use of particular packaging, but these are not government rules that must be followed. In short, a table manufacturer inside the UK (or anywhere else in the world) has to ensure that the finished product meets EU standards to be allowed into the EU. After Brexit, the UK government is currently suggesting that it no longer wants to follow EU regulations in whole, or even in part. What might this mean for the table manufacturer? While the company may assume less stringent rules are ahead, it is not automatically the case. For instance, the EUTR requirements allow voluntary certification. The UK might decide to tighten these rules on timber harvesting and demand that all wood imported into the UK (and potentially used by the table company) undergoes mandatory certification of sourcing. If so, it may be the case that existing timber can no longer be used and new suppliers will be needed. The costs to the table company could increase. On product safety and chemical usage, it is highly unlikely that the UK would opt to allow lead paints or be significantly less concerned with other safety issues. But, like with the sourcing of timber, these regulations could be tightened for the UK. The UK may opt to add in additional layers of regulations to ensure, for instance, sustainability criteria or carbon footprint labelling. With every change, the UK business will face increasing regulatory divergence, as the rules needed to make a table in the UK will differ from the rules allowed in the EU. As long as the divergence stays within a magnitude of degree, businesses can typically cope. The UK could adjust a rule like this: Painted articles shall not be placed on the market if the concentration of cadmium (a soft metal similar to zinc or mercury) is equal to or greater than 0.1 per cent by weight of the paint on the painted article to allow a greater weight of cadmium in paint at 0.2 per cent. Businesses could decide to manufacture for the domestic British market with a table that contains 0.2 per cent cadmium or, if they intend to send tables to the EU at some point, ensure that cadmium levels remain at or below 0.1 per cent. The differing degree of regulation for cadmium is still not ideal, as the business in the UK might start manufacturing to 0.2 per cent and suddenly discover that they cannot send their products into the larger, more lucrative EU market. Worse for businesses, however, is when regulations are completely different. If the UK has no requirements on cadmium at all in a post-Brexit world, manufacturers might slop on the chemical onto tables in the future, only to realise that their tables will have to be completely redesigned to send to EU customers. If the testing regimes in the markets are different, this is also a nightmare for firms. Tables that get certified for sale in the UK, even if they meet the EU requirements, may need to be retested in the EU prior to entry. Duplicative testing is a particular challenge for smaller businesses that cannot afford the process. Governments may like the idea of specific regulations that can be matched to the specific conditions in each country. But for businesses, overlapping and contradictory or confusing regulatory regimes can halt trade completely. Of course, governments sometimes use regulatory powers precisely for this reason to keep out foreign goods from the domestic market. This is not allowed under World Trade Organization rules, which generally calls for the same treatment of foreign and domestic products, and has conditions that are meant to apply to the use of regulatory regimes to ensure they do not become unfair trade barriers. After Brexit, the UK has argued that regulations need to change to allow businesses opportunities to thrive. But for most companies, regulatory convergence, has been critical to their success. Making products that meet the widest possible marketplace allows businesses maximum opportunities to succeed. 5.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Now that Donald Trump has been fake acquitted following a sham trial orchestrated by Senate Republicans, the president is admitting that, yeah, hes guilty. During a podcast interview with Geraldo Rivera, of all people, Trump said that he did, in fact, personally send Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine to dig up dirt on his political opponents. As CNN put it on Thursday, President Donald Trump now openly admits to sending his attorney Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine to find damaging information about his political opponents, even though he strongly denied it during the impeachment inquiry. When asked by Rivera whether it was strange to send Giuliani to Ukraine, or whether he was sorry for it, Trump responded, No, not at all. Heres my choice: I deal with the Comeys of the world, or I deal with Rudy, the president added. So when you tell me, why did I use Rudy, and one of the things about Rudy, number one, he was the best prosecutor, you know, one of the best prosecutors, and the best mayor. The full interview with Rivera on his appropriately named podcast, Roadkill: Listen to Geraldo Speaks To President Donald Trump on Spreaker. The Susan Collinses of the world should be ashamed of themselves Prior to his impeachment, Trump was already abusing his power on a daily basis. Following his sham acquittal, his behavior has become more lawless and unhinged. We saw it quickly in Trumps firing of those who testified during the impeachment hearings, including Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and his brother. Weve seen it this week as the Justice Department under William Barr demonstrates that going forward, the DOJ will be used solely to attack Trumps enemies and protect his criminal friends. And now, even though the American people didnt need such confirmation, Donald Trump is admitting that, yeah, he sent Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine to orchestrate a plot meant to sink his political opponents. People like Susan Collins, who let Donald Trump skate based on the false belief that he learned a lesson, should be ashamed of themselves. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter Feb. 17, Connecting with Your Creativity through Writing 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Ste. 108 In this class, you will learn tips and tricks to help you find your creativity, so come to class ready to play with letters and words. Register at thechattery.org. $20 Feb. 18, Creating a Business Plan 9-11 a.m. INCubator, 100 Cherokee Blvd. A business plan is critical for all small businesses (especially those that are seeking funding). This class is for those that have identified who, what, when, how and where they are selling, but need guidance with putting it on paper. Whether youre just starting your business, or youre refocusing your mature business, this course is for you. Register at tsbdc.org. No cost. Feb. 18, Red Bank/Signal Mountain Chamber Council Meeting 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Red Bank Community Center, behind Erlanger, 3620 Tom Weathers Dr. Speaker: Mimi Nikkel, Loves Arm $12 Feb. 18, The Fear Factor: Eliminating Risk in Your Environment, presented by Logically 4-6 p.m. STIR, 1444 Market St. Register at http://bit.ly/37trrJo. No cost. Feb. 19, Southside Community Coffee 8-9 a.m. Fountainhead Taproom, 1617 Rossville Ave. Join the Southside Chamber Council for their monthly Morning Joe. This event is held on the third Wednesday of each month. No cost. Feb. 19, Ooltewah/Collegedale Chamber Council Meeting 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. The Bridge at Ooltewah, 5901 Snow Hill Rd. Speaker: Darde Long, CEO & President of the Chattanooga Zoo Topic: The Best Little Zoo in America No cost. Feb. 19, Hixson Chamber Council Meeting 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. North River Civic Center, 1009 Executive Dr. Speaker: Katherine Elverd, Director of Music Therapy UTC $10 Feb. 19, ChattaNewbies at Flying Squirrel 5:30-7 p.m. Flying Squirrel, 55 Johnson St. Come mingle with ChattaNewbies + Chattanooga locals to learn what is going on in #CHA. Grab all the newbies you know and join us for this casual happy hour. Register at www.facebook.com/chattanewbies/. No cost. Feb. 19, Money Mindset 6-7 p.m. The Chattery, 1800 Rossville Ave., Ste. 108 Learn about how to view the world from an abundance perspective vs. a lack perspective. We will discuss old stories we tell ourselves about our ability to acquire abundance. Come ready to open your perspective and release the stigma around talking about money. Speaker: Christina Wright, The Sustainable Soul Register at thechattery.org. $15 Feb. 20, Small Business Orientation (Morning) 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. INCubator, 100 Cherokee Blvd. Have you been thinking about starting your own business, but don't know where to begin? Maybe you recently started a business but you're worried you skipped something. In this class, we will cover business entity options, tax registration, the importance of business planning, financing options and much more. We will also provide a startup checklist and other resources that will ensure you are on the right track. Register at tsbdc.org. No cost. Feb. 20, North Hamilton County Chamber Council Meeting 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Budweiser, 200 Shearer St. Speaker: Amy Maxwell, CEM, Public Relations Manager for Hamilton Co. Office of Emergency Management $10 Feb. 20, Meet the Founders noon-1 p.m. INCubator, 100 Cherokee Blvd. (Park across the street in the Republic lot) Tour the INCubator at the Hamilton County Business Development Center a goldmine in NorthShore and home to over 50 startups. Meet business resources in Chattanooga's entrepreneurial ecosystem, superstar CEOs and available spaces for you to start your own business. Register at https://conta.cc/38sazUL. Feb. 20, Business After Hours | MBI Companies Inc. 5-7 p.m. MBI Companies Inc., 651 E. 4th St., Ste. 500 Business After Hours brings an average of 100 business professionals together for networking and refreshments. Business After Hours in Feb. is sponsored by MBI Companies Inc. Register at https://conta.cc/3bzcwkd. No cost. Feb. 20, Small Business Orientation (Evening) 5:30-7 p.m. INCubator, 100 Cherokee Blvd. Have you been thinking about starting your own business, but don't know where to begin? Maybe you recently started a business but you're worried you skipped something. In this class, we will cover business entity options, tax registration, the importance of business planning, financing options and much more. We will also provide a startup checklist and other resources that will ensure you are on the right track. Register at tsbdc.org. No cost. Feb. 21, East Brainerd Chamber Council Coffee 8:30-9:30 a.m. Jason's Deli, 2115 Gunbarrel Rd. Join our East Brainerd Chamber Council for their monthly coffee on the third Friday of every month at Jason's Deli. No cost. Feb. 21, Ribbon Cutting for Pedego Chattanooga 4-4:30 p.m. Pedego Chattanooga, 157 River St. Join the Chattanooga Chamber for a ribbon cutting event for Pedego Chattanooga. Two new Indian-origin individuals have been inducted in the newly re-shuffled Boris Johnson cabinet. Rishi Sunak and Alok Sharma have been appointed to important ministries. The ministers now hold key roles like finance minister and business secretary. Last year, Indian-origin Priti Patel was also elected as Home Secretary in Boris Johnson's government. Overall, there are three Indian-origin leaders in the UK cabinet currently. Here's what you need to know about the new Indian-origin British MPs: 1. Rishi Sunak: The 39-year-old Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been the Conservative MP for Richmond in Yorkshire since 2015. He was born in 1980 in Hampshire. His parents are of Indian origin, who came to the UK from east Africa. Rishi Sunak is Infosys founder Narayana Murthy's son-in-law. Sunak has done his MBA from Stanford University. He also went to Oxford University to study Philosophy, Economics and Politics. He has worked for Goldman Sachs as well as a hedge fund. Later, he co-founded an investment firm. Sunak and wife Akshata Murthy have two daughters. Also read: Rishi Sunak, Narayana Murthy's son-in-law, is the new UK Finance Minister 2. Alok Sharma: Alok Sharma is a trained accountant and has worked in banking. The 52-year-old was born in India, and moved to Reading in Southern England when he was five years old. He was elected Member of Parliament for Reading West in 2010. Sharma has held various roles, becoming the prime minister's infrastructure envoy to India in 2016 and a minister for housing the next year. He became the Minister for International Aid in 2019. Also read: Boris Johnson appoints Alok Sharma as UK's business minister, COP26 president On July 24, 2019, Gujarati-origin politician, Priti Patel became was handed charge of UK's home ministry. The 47-year-old Brexiteer became the Home Secretary of Britain, replacing Sajid Javid. Patel was born in London to Ugandian-Indian migrant family. She studied economic from Keele University and pursued her post graduation from University of Essex. Patel, who is a prominent guest at all major Indian diaspora events in the UK, is seen as an avid supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the UK. Also read: Boris Johnson unveils his cabinet; appoints Indian-origin Priti Patel as home secretary The murder-suicide was another indictment of Illinois failure to reduce the backlog of people deemed too dangerous to possess firearms. The issue first came to light last year after a convicted felon fatally shot five co-workers and wounded several others at a warehouse in Aurora with a pistol he never should have been allowed to keep. SALEM, Ore. - Thursday was the day that a federal agency had been expected to make a decision on a proposed natural gas pipeline and marine export terminal in Oregon, and both opponents of the project and the Canadian energy company behind it awaited word from Washington. But Thursday came and went, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, only announced that the mega-project would be part of a crowded agenda when it meets on Feb. 20. If the commission approves the project, which lacks state permits, it would likely set up a court battle over states rights. State Sen. Jeff Golden, a Democrat and former river guide, insisted recently that Oregon law cannot be preempted by the federal government. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, also Democrat, said through a spokeswoman last month that she would consider all available options to safeguard the health and environment of Oregon if the federal government were to ignore state permitting processes. The Trump administration in August proposed streamlining approval of gas pipelines and other energy projects by limiting states certification authorities under the U.S. Clean Water Act. The proposed natural gas terminal and a 230-mile (370-kilometre) feeder pipeline would permit shipment of natural gas from the United States and Canada to Asia and would be the West Coasts first liquefied natural gas export terminal. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has already denied a water quality certification for the Jordan Cove natural gas export project proposed by Pembina, the Canadian energy company. Pembina withdrew its application for a different state permit and said that it awaits a final determination by the federal commission. Its three current members were all appointed by President Donald Trump. Paul Vogel, a spokesman for the Jordan Cove project, had been anticipating a decision by FERC on Thursday, but noted it has a busy schedule. FERC spokeswoman Mary ODriscoll said the commission is still considering records in the case. The Commission will meet on Feb. 20. The item is on the agenda. Thats all I can say, ODriscoll said in an email. Supporters of the project say it would create local jobs. Opponents say it would ruin habitat and that the increased use of a fossil fuel would contribute to global warming. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, on Jan. 27 wrote to President Donald Trump, noting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had two vacancies. Wyden urged the president to appoint a full and bipartisan five-member commission before the agency rules on the project. He said failure to do so would mean any decision could be interpreted as lacking full, fair consideration and therefore being politically motivated. ___ Follow Andrew Selsky on Twitter at https://twitter.com/andrewselsky Perched beside a south finger of Fort Peck Reservoir, Hell Creek State Park is a favorite Eastern Montana summer destination for campers, anglers and boaters who want to enjoy the outdoors far from city lights. Hunters also use the 327-acre park. For years, Hell Creek's future has been in doubt, largely because the park needed and still needs costly infrastructure improvements. Park management also is challenged by ongoing disputes between the FWP, the Corps of Engineers and the private owners of the Hell Creek marina concession. The state has invested nearly $3 million in this sprawling Missouri Breaks park since 2017. Montanans should get to enjoy a return on that investment. The 2017 Montana Legislature appropriated $2 million in parks money to the state transportation department and Garfield County to improve the bumpy, 26-mile gravel road between Jordan and Hell Creek. The 2019 Legislature invested $700,000 in a new sewer and water system for Hell Creek that was recently completed. Hell Creek State Park is a critical site for many Montanans and visitors to our state, with important access to Fort Peck Reservoir, said FWP director Martha Williams, in a press release Tuesday. Weve made significant infrastructure improvements to the site and look forward to managing it as a state park for decades to come. Williams' press release announced that FWP is starting negotiations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to renew a long-term lease on the entire Hell Creek Park. This state park is on federal land, which the state has leased for no fee for 30 years. The lease expires in April 2021. Just five years ago, the newly established Montana State Parks Board classified Hell Creek as a site that shouldn't receive further investment as the board set priorities for extremely limited funding. The deferred maintenance backlog for Montana's 55 state parks has been estimated at $26 million and the annual operations/maintenance budget is less than $10 million. Now Hell Creek is back on the FWP priority list. Hell Creek needs an investment of at least $4 million to make it "a genuine park destination," Tom Towe of Billings told Gov. Steve Bullock in December. Bullock appointed Towe, who previously chaired the state parks board, to lead the discussion of funding for the park. The 2019 Legislature and Bullock approved a new law that raises the optional park fee on vehicle registrations from $6 to $9. The fee, which vehicle owners may opt out of, is projected to increase state parks maintenance funds by nearly $1 million a year. That money will be allocated to projects by the 2021 Legislature. Modest increases in park user fees for camping and other activities are scheduled for this year. Those revenue increases will be tremendously helpful, but won't fix the entire maintenance backlog in all the state's 55 parks. Friends of Hell Creek in Garfield County and beyond will need to work with the state to pull together resources for improving the park they love. Hell Creek should stay a public park, providing recreation opportunity in Eastern Montana. We applaud the announcement Tuesday that Montana FWP is negotiating a long-term lease renewal with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Billings Gazette Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 1 In Port Saint Lucie, Florida, a gentleman undergoing kidney dialysis several times a week is very angry that medical staff told him he is not allowed to bring his life-sized cardboard cutout of Impeached and Super Corrupt Klepto-President Donald Trump for emotional support. From AP: Nelson Gibson told WPBF that his family can't sit with him during his three-and-a-half-hour treatments. To help, he began bringing a picture of Trump as a comfort item. "It just feels like bringing something from home to make you comfortable," Gibson told the West Palm Beach area television station. Gibson said no one complained about the photo. Next, he started bringing a small cardboard cutout of himself standing next to a Trump photo. No one complained about the small cutout, and Gibson told the station that some people even took photos with it. On Saturday, Gibson took a life-sized cutout of Trump to his treatment at Fresenius Kidney Care in Port St. Lucie. He said that again, no one took issue with this new emotional support item. But when he returned Tuesday for treatment with the presidential cutout, Gibson ran into a roadblock. "They told me it was too much and it wasn't a rally," he told the TV station. The meeting will be held at Baycourt this Thursday, Feburary 20 at 7pm. Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell wants to hold the meeting to assure the public they are safe and provide information about the how the criminal landscape has changed. Police commander inspector Clifford Paxton will provide an update on the current situation and outline the issues which are contributing to the current spate of gang violence. Tenby says there would be opportunities for people attending to ask questions, or put forward suggestions. "Im very aware that there is a significant level of concern at the way the confrontations between gangs have developed in the western Bay and the level of violence that has occurred. "This meeting will update the community on whats behind the current situation and what we can do to help," he says. This meeting follows a fatal shooting last night after in relation to a double homicide on Ormsby Lane in Omanawa. At around 7.40pm, several patrols spotted a vehicle wanted in connection to a double homicide earlier this week go through the intersection of Otumoetai and Bellevue roads. They followed the vehicle onto Millers Road, then put on their siren and lights in an attempt to pull the driver over. The driver kept driving onto Carmichael Road, where he leaned out the window and fired a volley of shots at police. The pursuit lasted for six to seven minutes and ended when the offender again, leaned out the window and fired a volley of shots. At this stage, the police returned fire, during the exchange the offender was wounded and the car slowly came to a stop. In the past three weeks there have a number of incidents involving firearms and suspicious fires. The incidents began on January 25, with the smashing of windows at Greerton business Bladed N Faded barber and tattoo studio, the same business has been gutted by a suspicious fire on January 27. A stabbing occurred on January 26 where two men are alleged to have stabbed a man on The Strand. During one of the defendants first court appearance Judge Michael Crosbie said he had been told by police the pair are allegedly prospecting for the Mongol gang. On January 28 shots were fired in Hairini, police responded to a firearms incident just after midnight. Later that day Police attended an incident on No.2 Road Te Puke where shots were reportedly fired and roads were cordoned off. Western Bay of Plenty Police continue to investigate a series of recent incidents involving damage to properties and shots being fired, says Western Bay of Plenty area commander inspector Clifford Paxton. We are investigating each of these incidents separately, as well as any possible links between them, and any potential gang involvement. District Commander Superintendent Andy McGregor says the homicide investigation into the Omanawa killings is separate to the incidents that occurred in Te Puke. All we know at this stage is that the vehicle was wanted in relation to the homicide inquiry. This homicide inquiry is completely different from the shooting we had in Te Puke. They are not related. They are completely different situations. Both Tenby and Garry commend the police for their efforts in trying and challenging circumstances. I want to commend the police for the outstanding job that they're doing. I've been trying to give a level of assurance, as the police have, that this is very well contained. There were shots fired in public and it was contained very quickly. That's key message here is that community safety is paramount. There is absolutely nothing more important than community safety and the police are doing a sterling job and ensuring that, that is managed. Garry says he will support police in whatever role they ask local government to fill. Its of concern that our community has that sort of element in it. But having said that, I have real confidence in the police, that they have it under control. They are doing their best. Its not a local government issue, its a police issue. I have been meeting with the mayor of Tauranga City and the senior police hierarchy just to make sure that whatever they want from local government we are there to give it to them. They have got it under control. By Azernews By Abdul Kerimkhanov The volume of Azerbaijans defence-related imports from Turkey surged 39.85 percent year-on-year in January-February to $88,675,000, the Turkish Ministry of Trade told local media. In December 2019, export of Turkish defence industry goods to Azerbaijan also increased by 103.03 percent, amounting to $52.672 million. Overall, in December 2019, Turkeys defence-related exports worldwide grew by 1.9 percent compared to $288,660,000 million. It should be noted that Turkey exported defence-related products worth $2,74 billion in January-December 2019. Earlier President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey will strengthen the defense industry and become one of the world leaders in the production of defense products. Azerbaijan and Turkey have stepped up military cooperation in the recent years. The two countries armies conduct military exercises with the aim of developing coordination between the armed forces. The joint exercises held in May 2017, brought together 1,000 military personnel, 80 tanks and armored vehicles, 60 cannons and mortars, 12 attack and transport helicopters Mi-35 and Mi-17 and air defense systems. Azerbaijan has been actively strengthening its armed forces in recent years. It's army is equipped with modern weapons from the best manufacturers. Azerbaijan ranked 23rd globally for the volume of imports of weapons in 2014-2018. The country spent $22,7bn on defence-related products in 2009-2016, thereby becoming Europes largest weapons importer, according to Bloomberg. According to the Global Firepower ranking, Azerbaijani army ranks 52nd among 137 countries. Azerbaijani army reserves the right to be called the strongest army in the South Caucasus region. Azerbaijani Armed Forces have three branches: the Azerbaijani Land Forces, the Azerbaijani Air and Air Defence Force, and the Azerbaijani Navy. Associated forces include the Azerbaijani National Guard, the Internal Troops of Azerbaijan, and the State Border Service, which can be involved in state defense under certain circumstances. Nigerian entertainer, Charly Boy, has teamed up with popular rapper, Falz, for the video of his new single, God of Men (Fake Pastors). Charly Boy dropped the video of the socially conscious song on Friday. The song borrows from Felas classic, Amen and features Nollywood star, Segun Arinze as Fake Pastor. The Afrobeat track was produced by Acesoundz while Unlimited L.A directed the video. Explaining the idea behind the video, Charly Boy, 68, said he chose to title it, God of Men, having realised that many Nigerians worship their pastors. So the pastors have become gods of men. The song talks about fake pastors and I mentioned names of some fake pastors that I know. Charly Boy released his debut highlife album in 1982. He attained critical acclaim with the 1985 Polygram Nigeria release of Nwata Miss, which included the title track. READ ALSO: His most popular album was titled 1990. The album was a reference to Nigerias corrupt military government which was expected to hand over power to civilians in that year, although civilian rule did not start until 1999. Check out the video for Fake Pastors below. A visit to Jamia Millia Islamia where students and others have been sitting in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act has convinced him he is "alive", an impassioned Anurag Kashyap said on Friday. The filmmaker, at the forefront of the criticism against the amended citizenship act, assured the students that he and many others stood behind the students in their long fight. "I have come here for the first time. If we talk about the time before the past three months, I used to believe that we are finished and dead... but coming here today I'm convinced we are alive," Kashyap told the gathering. The fight, he said, was to "take the constitution, country and everything" back. "This is a very long fight. It won't end tomorrow, the day after or with the next election. But you need to have a lot of patience for this. They are waiting for people here to get tired and go home. So we need to have patience and stick to your ground," he said. The outspoken director of films such as "Gangs of Wasseypur" and "Dev D", who also went to Shaheen Bagh, the epicentre of the anti-CAA protest, said people in power are waiting for the protesters' spirit to weaken. "We have to be patient and sit in protest till you don't come and answer all the questions that we have in our hearts to our satisfaction. We will not believe everything you say," he said. The students of Jamia are also protesting against what they term repeated instances of alleged police brutality. On February 10, they alleged, police personnel kicked them on their private parts, tore their hijabs, questioned their patriotism and abused them when they tried to march to Parliament on February 10 against the CAA and the NRC. Kashyap said he had left Twitter but returned to it in December after police allegedly attacked students and entered the Jamia campus. "I had left everything and went away but I changed my mind after what happened in Jamia in December. I saw a video of a girl and that gave me courage to return to Twitter. Now I will not stay silent," he said. What started in Jamia has spread to different parts of the country, the director said. "Everyday I read stories and watch videos about you people. This gives me strength. What is happening gives us the understanding and strength that we have an existence," he added. Kashyap, who has been speaking out on Twitter and other platforms, joins personalities from the film industry such as Swara Bhasker and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub who have not just voiced their opinions on social media but also been on the ground in Delhi and Mumbai to speak to the protesters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) London, Feb 14 : The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has claimed over 1,300 lives in China and the rise of fake news could be making disease outbreaks worse, say researchers, adding that efforts to stop people sharing false news, misinformation and harmful advice on social media could save lives. Researchers from UK's University of East Anglia (UEA) focused on influenza, monkeypox and norovirus across two studies - but they said their findings could also be useful for dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak. For the study, published in the journal Revue-Depidemiologie-Et-De-Sante-Publique, the researchers' team set out to test the effect of sharing dangerously wrong information on human health during a disease outbreak. "Worryingly, research has shown that nearly 40 per cent of the British public believe at least one conspiracy theory, and even more in the US and other countries," said COVID-19 expert and study's researcher Paul Hunter, Professor at UEA. According to the researchers, when it comes to COVID-19, there has been a lot of speculation, misinformation and fake news circulating on the internet - about how the virus originated, what causes it and how it is spread. Misinformation means that bad advice can circulate very quickly - and it can change human behaviour to take greater risks. For the results, the researchers created theoretical simulations which took into account studies of real behaviour, how different diseases are spread, incubation periods and recovery times, and the speed and frequency of social media posting and real-life information sharing. They also took into account how a distrust in conventional authorities is closely linked to the tendency to believe in conspiracy theories, the phenomena that people interact within 'information bubbles' online, and the fact that people are more likely to share false stories than correct information online. The researchers also investigated strategies to fight fake news - such as drowning bad information with good information and "immunising" people against bad information though better education. "We found that misinformation during epidemics of infectious disease could make those outbreaks more severe," said the study's researher Julii Brainard. "We tested strategies to reduce misinformation. In our first study, focusing on the flu, monkeypox and norovirus, we found that reducing the amount of harmful advice being circulated by just 10 per cent - from 50 percent to 40 per cent - mitigated the influence of bad advice on the outcomes of a disease outbreak," Brainard added. "Our second study, which focused on norovirus, showed that even if 90 per cent of the advice is good, some disease will still circulate," Brainard said. In the second study, the researchers were also interested in the 'herd immunity' levels required to "immunise" people against fake news. According to the study, the modelling suggests that any 'immunity' against bad advice reduces outbreak impacts. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Technavio has been monitoring the optical modulators materials market and it is poised to grow by USD 6.39 billion during 2019-2023, progressing at a CAGR of 6% 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/20200214005286/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled global optical modulators materials market 2019-2023 (Graphic: Business Wire) Expansion of telecommunication networks has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, adoption of sustainable and non-combustible energy sources might hamper market growth. Request a free sample report Optical Modulators Materials Market 2019-2023: Segmentation Optical Modulators Materials Market is segmented as below: Application Telecommunications Data Centers CATV Others Material Optical Material Non-optical Material Type Fiber-coupled Optical Modulators Free-space Optical Modulators 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=IRTNTR32149 Optical Modulators Materials 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 optical modulators materials market report covers the following areas: Optical Modulators Materials Market Size Optical Modulators Materials Market Trends Optical Modulators Materials Market Industry Analysis This study identifies development of high-speed optical fibers as one of the prime reasons driving the optical modulators materials market growth during the next few years. Optical Modulators Materials Market 2019-2023: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the optical modulators materials market, including some of the vendors such as Beijing Jiepu Chuangwei Optoelectronic Technology Co. Ltd., Bluebean Optical Tech Ltd., CASTECH Inc., CLaser Photonics, Inc., Cristal Laser SA, Fabrinet, Gooch Housego Plc, HC Photonics Corp., Inrad Optics Inc., Optolita UAB and Photon LaserOptik GmbH. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the optical modulators materials 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 Optical Modulators Materials Market 2019-2023: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2019-2023 Detailed information on factors that will assist optical modulators materials market growth during the next five years Estimation of the optical modulators materials market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the optical modulators materials market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of optical modulators materials 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/20200214005286/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ 'The Modi doctrine of national Budget is clear now.' 'If six of these in a row did not convince us, we have the seventh now.' 'Modi has euthanised the Budget,' points out Shekhar Gupta. Among the first things Narendra Damodardas Modi had done after he came to power with a majority in 2014 was abolish the Railway Budget. For a little while some people complained, especially politicians from Bihar, West Bengal and former rail ministers and as usual, old socialists. Now nobody misses the rail Budget. In the course of time, a generation of Indians will go to vote with no memory or reference to something called the rail Budget. No one day of new train announcements, tricked price increases or cuts, claims of electrification and so on. Railways are now managed on a running, routine basis. There is no story for the media, at least not one big story, no excitement. This is the Modi doctrine for the annual national Budget too. The markets fell as Modi's seventh Budget also belied the expectations of a Big Bang. The dismay was rational, but the expectation was entirely irrational. There was nothing in any of the six Modi Budgets so far to suggest he believed in such a Big Bang theory. He likes the Budget to be low-key, routine, and increasingly just an annual statement of accounts, along with much verbiage, platitudes, virtue-signalling and some shlokas and poetry thrown in. The bangs, if any, have been on the side that the markets wouldn't want: To hurt the rich, and thereby give the poor vicarious satisfaction. Beyond that, the Budget passes uneventfully, and dies after a day's headlines. The bangs come across the year, whenever the prime minister so wishes, or sees the need. It can be a really big one, like demonetisation, a plethora of amnesty schemes accompanying it. Or it can also be a roll-back bang, even a series of them. What followed the disastrous 2019 Budget is a good case in point. The 'soak the rich to please the poor' spirit went too far, the markets broke out in rashes, stories of millionaires and entrepreneurs buying foreign passports spread, FIIs got furious, and Modi got his finance minister to roll back that Budget almost on a Friday-to-Friday basis. Last year's corporate tax rate cut has been the most spectacular reform under Modi and would usually be described as a largesse for the richest. It was announced without discussion, debate, like just another routine administrative decision. Such as launching another new train. In this particular case it was more in the nature of a mea culpa as the truly povertarian 2019 budget had wrecked the market sentiment. But, imagine, if such a tax cut had been made the centre-piece of an annual budget, with studios packed with 'experts', Opposition out with sharpened knives. So many of the free-market, privatisation backers, including this writer, fretted that even after winning his second big mandate Modi did not bring in any 'big bang' divestment in the Budget. But, does he really need to do such things, and draw criticism and debate, when he can do it one fine evening at a hurriedly called press conference? Just as his government did with BPCL and others. He is underlining the fact that a government does not need the Budget to do such things. Just be watchful Friday, the finance minister's favourite, and Wednesday (the Cabinet meeting day), evenings. It is nobody's case that Modi doesn't love spectacle. Nobody likes it more than him. But he also wants to be in control of the spectacle, always. A big Budget is problematic. Because if it pleases the poor, it usually angers the rich and the markets as 2019 showed. If it is what might be called market-friendly, the poor don't like it, Rahul Gandhi calls you 'suit-boot ki sarkar', and that is the last thing you need. The Modi doctrine of national Budget is clear now. If six of these in a row did not convince us, we have the seventh now. In journalism, usually, we follow the 'three is a straight line' rule. This is seven. Modi has euthanised the Budget as a news story. You can find evidence scattered all over. This Budget shows the defence allocation almost stationary despite the pension bill having zoomed. There is criticism for now. But, at the same time, the defence ministry has written to the finance commission, complaining of lack of resources. The finance commission is setting up a committee to examine the idea of a rolling acquisition fund and may be a defence cess. When it is announced, probably at another evening press conference, it won't be half a story of what a sizeable defence budget increase would have been. And because it is defence, nobody would dare complain. That is the Modi approach to the political economy. The only thing that borders on the adventurous in this Budget is talk of greater privatisation, and the Life Insurance Corporation of India IPO. With Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Air India, Concor, Shipping Corporation etc, the public opinion groundwork for privatisation has already been done. That's why LIC has now been slipped in. But, if there's too much noise, especially from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and swadeshis, don't be surprised if it is deferred. Exactly as happened with the plan for sovereign debt bonds last year. Narendra Damodardas Modi's is the most political, ideological and statist government in India yet. More than even Indira Gandhi's. Every decision or move here is determined by its implication on voters. He will not take economic risks on the reformist side. Market players, fund managers, the money people, get used to this. If you let your voting preferences colour your market judgement, you will build irrational expectations, as leading up to the Budget. So, learn to watch the big picture through the year, not just the headlines on February 1. With special arrangement with The Print This couple met on a plane and now flies on lifesaving missions together originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Love blossomed for Peter and Cheryl Pitzer at the controls of a FedEx charter plane. The now-married pilots met in 1999 when Peter, 55, was a flight engineer and Cheryl, 52, was a first officer for FedEx. After training together, the couple fell in love, managed their busy international flight schedules together for more than a decade, and finally married in 2011. MORE: Valentine's Day by the numbers: The average person spends $196 on their significant other In the years since becoming husband and wife, the Pitzers have been using their piloting skills to help people around the world regain sight. PHOTO: Peter and Cheryl Pitzer pose together in the cockpit of an Orbis plane. (Orbis) They are both volunteer pilots for Orbis, a non-profit organization that turns airplanes into mobile teaching hospitals and brings eye care and ophthalmology training to places around the world, according to its website. The organization's Flying Eye Hospital that the Pitzers fly together is a fully-accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on board an MD-10 aircraft that was donated by FedEx, according to Orbis. "Im about to take my mother to get cataract surgery and for us [in the U.S.] its nothing," Cheryl told "Good Morning America." "For so many in the developing nations its everything, so its pretty amazing to be such a small part of a big vision, literally and figuratively, and be able to give back." The Pitzers flew their first flight together with Orbis in November, a journey that took them from Dubai to Saudi Arabia and finally to Ghana, a country in West Africa that is still plagued by malaria and faces "ruralurban disparities in health care services," according to the United Nations. MORE: Celebrate Valentine's Day with 10 inspiring celebrity musings on love and marriage The couple stayed an extra week after landing the plane in order to be on the ground to help other Orbis volunteers treat people in need, and to train medical staff in the community. Story continues "There was a woman named Mary and when we met her on Monday she was almost completely blind and when we left she could see," recalled Peter. "It was incredible." PHOTO: Peter Pitzer departs an Orbis plane in Ghana with a woman treated for a vision problem. (Orbis) "They also did surgeries in the local hospitals with the local staff and doctors and their equipment, and they provide continuing education afterwards," Cheryl said of the team's work in Ghana. "The idea is to leave the knowledge behind so that people will have access to proper eye care after the plane is gone." "When Orbis trains doctors to do surgeries to help people, those people then help their families, and it helps economic development and the future of these countries that have lack of access to health care and things that we take for granted," she said. The Pritzers are next scheduled to fly together with Orbis to Zambia in May. The Dallas-based couple, who occasionally are in the cockpit together for FedEx flights, say they are grateful to share an occupation that they love -- one they can do together and that allows them to give back. "Its awesome that we can share that experience together, to be there and see that together," said Peter. "Cheryl and I have a great personal and working relationship and to be able to fly together and do stuff like this together, it's just an interesting and incredible way to give back." Cheryl noted the intense planning and coordination it takes to fly a major plane carrying a teaching hospital to sometimes-remote locations. She said she and her husband have an advantage with that complex task because they "understand each other." PHOTO: Peter and Cheryl Pitzer pose together outside an Orbis plane. (Orbis) "We can get in the cockpit even though we dont fly together a lot, and it makes that part go easy and so that makes it enjoyable," Cheryl said. "And we know were getting there safely and everything is going to be done the right way." "It's a great feeling," she said. "Im looking forward to many more years, I hope." A British-born K-pop star who moved to Seoul as a child to train to join a girl group has revealed the grueling reality of no days off, strict monitoring and sleeping on the floor in cramped dorm rooms. Euodias, 21, from Sunderland, spent two years living in a trainee house while she pursued her dream of stardom in South Korea. She told the BBC that girls would regularly starve themselves and pass out during rehearsals due to exhaustion, while the company 'encouraged' them to have plastic surgery to look more like a popstar. There were also 'uncles' who closely monitored the girls' behaviour to ensure they didn't miss strict curfews. Despite being placed in a girl group, Euodias ended up walking away from her dream at the end of her contract before the band launched, and returned to the UK. The 21-year-old now works as a YouTuber and has over 38,000 followers on Instagram. Euodias, 21, dreamed of being a K-pop star and spent two years in intensive training with a company in Seoul before she walked away. Pictured, in an Instagram snap shared last year Euodias, pictured in an Instagram snap, had dreamed of being a K-pop star, but has now revealed the brutal training regime which she was forced to undertake in South Korea After two years training with the group, Euodias decided to move back to the UK and gave up on her K-pop dream. Pictured, in an Instagram snap shared from Japan last year Euodias, who is of Chinese and Korean heritage, grew up watching South Korean TV dramas and dreamed of being a star. When she was 10 she started sending videos to companies and ended up getting an audition alongside 2,000 others while on holiday in Seoul. Within days she was asked to return with a parent to discuss a contract, which outlined how she would leave her family and move to South Korea in order to live and train with the company. It stated that if she left before the end of her contract, her family would have to repay the full cost of her training, which could run up to thousands of pounds. Her mother signed the shortest contract available, two years, and Euodias moved into the building with the other trainees, who were all between the ages of nine and 16. Euodias returned to England and was reunited with her family and friends. She did an art foundation course before going to fashion school in Paris. Pictured, a recent Instagram snap Relatives could visit, but only if they had approved permission from the company in advance, and she was only allowed to use her phone for 15 minutes at night. Training was rigorous, starting with pre-school dance practice at 5am, with many trainees staying up till 11pm for late-night dance sessions in order to impress their instructors. And the group had a strict curfew to ensure they were back in the dorms before the staff locked the building for the night. Many girls had an 'uncle' who would text to ensure they were in their rooms. Euodias said there were 'no such thing as weekend or holidays' for the group. Euodias dreamed of being a star from a young age, having grown up in the UK watching South Korean TV dramas (pictured, as a youngster during a modelling shoot) The dark side of K-pop In January, K-pop stars began speaking out about how they are expected to be perfect as they lifted the lid on the cutthroat industry in the wake of a string of suicides from high-profile stars. The culture of K-pop is one of South Korea's most lucrative soft power exports and has drawn a massive audience of young people internationally. But the suicide deaths of two popular female stars less than two months apart drew attention to the industry's darker side and the intense pressures that artists face. K-pop star Sulli, whose given name is Choi Jin-ri, took her own life in October. Her friend and fellow star, Koo Hara, killed herself a month later. Both stars had been victims of severe bullying on social media. In an interview with CBS in January, K-pop artist Amber Liu said there was an industry expectation to be perfect in looks, performance and discipline. 'If you aren't under a certain weight, you can definitely get cut,' Liu said. 'You're told what to do, what to say, what to think.' Liu, who was Sulli's former bandmate, said she has witnessed firsthand the toll the industry, as well as cyberbullying, can have on its stars. 'When (people) hear you're getting help they're like, 'What? Why are you getting help? That's weird',' she said. 'That stigma against mental health is just so strong.' K-pop stars, who are often referred to as 'idols', usually have an average retirement age of about 30. In some extreme cases, stars can undergo training for 10 years before they can make their debut in the industry. Many stars face tremendous pressure to look and behave perfectly in an industry powered by so-called 'fandoms' - groups of well-organised admirers who spend enormous amounts of time and money to help their favored stars climb up the charts and attack their perceived rivals. In return, the stars are expected to tread carefully in an industry where today's most-fervent fans can be tomorrow's most vicious critics if their idols fail to meet their expectations - or 'betray' them. Drug use or drunken driving are seen as career-breakers, while behavior that causes a 'stir' - anything from a social media gaffe to a failure to smile ceaselessly at public appearances - could be criticized for years. Many are constantly chased by paparazzi and camera-touting fans who share or sell every single detail and images of the stars' daily lives online for public scrutiny. Advertisement Within the building, trainees did not use their own name, but instead instructors gave them each a number. Euodias was a favourite of the company because of her petite size, with instructors regularly praising her for her tiny frame. She said: 'Weight was the constant obsession of everyone there. Everyone was required to be no heavier than 47kg (7st 6lb or 104lb) regardless of their age or height.' During weekly weigh-ins, each trainee's body would be analysed before their weight was announced to the room. While living in the training house, every element of Euodias life was strictly monitored, including her whereabouts, what she ate and drank. Pictured, as a young teenager She revealed many of the girls living in the house suffered from anorexia and bulimia, while she passed out twice during dance rehearsals from exhaustion. Pictured, aged 18 If anybody was over the 47kg (7st 6lb) weight, food would be rationed or taken away completely. As a result, Euodias revealed: 'Starving yourself was really normalised. Some trainees were anorexic or bulimic, and many of the girls didn't have periods.' She said it was also 'common' to pass out from exhaustion, and the group would often find themselves carrying an unconscious trainees back to the dorms. She passed out twice during dance practice, waking up in bed not knowing how I got there. Euodias was delighted when she was asked to join a K-pop group, but was also told that another girl was competing against her for the spot of 'visual'. The visual is the face of the group, with the selected girl chosen for her appearance, and how she might look in the future. Euodias, pictured in 2018, was encouraged to have cosmetic surgery to make her look more like K-pop star and said the company wanted to change her jaw-shape and her nos Euodias became concerned about her upcoming role in a K-pop group after learning more about her assigned 'character' and eventually left. Pictured, in a recent Instagram snap While Euodias felt her competition was prettier than her, the company encouraged her to get plastic surgery because they said it would make her more attractive. Trainers encouraged her to change the bridge of her nose and shave her jawline. Later, after learning she had beaten out the competition for the spot as visual, Euodias learned more about the group and started to feel 'iffy'. She was told the character behind her stage name Dia was 'very reserved, sweet and innocent.' However she ultimately decided to leave at the end of her two-year contract. Euodias returned to England and was reunited with her family and friends, going on to do an art foundation course before going to fashion school in Paris. Rabbit Holes is a recurring series in which writers pay homage to the diversity and ingenuity of the ways we procrastinate now. To pitch your personal rabbit hole, email humaninterest@slate.com. During undergrad, most of my classes were graded entirely on the quality of one final essay. There were no attendance marks, no coursework requirements, no pop quizzes or midterms or topic proposalsjust you, your thoughts, and your empty Word document. This was always the worst part of writing, trying to push past the jumble of fear and anxiety in my brain to deposit some scrappy words on a blank page. I would stress fruitlessly over first-year English Lit classes, wondering how to make my essay smart and interesting and unique. What if my essay wasnt just badwhat if it was repetitive? Derivative? Orworstunoriginal? I regularly locked myself in my room for a week, surviving on tea and toast and alcohol, convinced that my teenage brain would come up with something of unparalleled poignancy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fortunately, when these creative droughts hit, I had a plan. Drink a glass of wine. Open up TV Tropes. Search for the text I had spent two months thinking about. Have another glass of wine. Read the list of tropes, according to whoever took the time to create and curate a page dedicated to Cleo de 5 a 7. Complain to nobody about how inaccurate the analysis was. Drink another glass of wine. Feel better. Click a link to one of the tropes listed. Click another. Inevitably waste the next three hours reading unrelated TV Tropes pages and drinking more wine until I fall asleep. Repeat. I had discovered TV Tropes at around 15, probably while procrastinating from a high school essay. I regularly lost hours to the site. Its a wiki that catalogs recurring ideas, characters, or patterns that exist across different works. Fandom battles may rage on the back pages, but the site overall has a very unified tone. You can search for almost anything (Breaking Bad, Super Mario Bros., Lizzo, Toronto) to see a list of its tropes. Or you can search for tropes (Jack-of-All-Trades, Batman Gambit, You Gotta Have Blue Hair) to see a list of all the places they appear. Just open up a page and experience the meditative calm of reading alphabetized lists that are parceled into neat little sections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tropes break up big, complicated things into small building blocks. How do you make sense of something sprawling like Harry Potter? You divide it into digestible pieces. The Chosen One goes to a Wizarding School and forms a Power Trio. Hes opposed by the Evil Overlord who is Only Mostly Dead. The books get Darker and Edgier leading up to a Final Battle and a widely mocked Distant Finale. But almost everything that happens has some kind of trope attached to it. (Theres a whole set of tropes that exists just to catalog how representations of fantastical creatures differ from their classic versions: Our Vampires/Werewolves/Fairies/etc. Are Different. So even consciously subverting tropes can still end up with you walking into another trope.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But TV Tropes means more to me than just a way to waste time. In my teens, when I still had time to read and write for fun, I thought Id publish a bestselling, totally original YA novel before I turned 25. At 18, I interned at Bloomsbury and acquired three dozen prereleased proofs over the course of two weeks, reading almost every one of them with the conviction that if it was published, it must be brilliant. Some were more brilliant than others. I convinced myself that even the less original ones were not my taste or paying homage to traditional themes. But whatever I wrote seemed like it had been done before. So I stopped writing. Advertisement Advertisement Even so, whenever I got into a new band or played a new game or watched a new movie, I still looked it up on TV Tropes. I had to understand itand seeing the same tropes appearing over and over again made me realize that I was holding myself to an impossible standard. Nothing is original. Every great work of artevery film, movie, game, book, character, painting, or songis just a mash of ideas. Someone else has already thought those thoughts. Somebody much smarter than you has written that plot arc. Some earlier director has already used that exact motif. And, actually, thats fine. Advertisement Advertisement Making anything is tough. Its an act of creatio ex nihilo, where you conjure a whole new tiny universe just through the power of your squishy human brain. Writing is an absolute horror show. I am constantly terrified that my writing (I did eventually try again) is irredeemable garbage that makes the world worse by existing. When its all been said and done before, whats the point of trying? And TV Tropes says: Yes, that has been done before. But no two properties share all the same tropes. Its about how you combine things. Tomatoes, onion, and garlic might be boringbut mix them with stock or chili seasoning, or serve with crostini and spaghetti, and youll end up with meals that look nothing like each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And listen, I know reading about writers complaining about how hard writing is seems a lot like navel-gazing. But thats not the point. Humans naturally want to create stuff. And early humans painting the Lascaux caves probably worried if drawing another horse was boring. If only theyd had a resource dedicated to listing all the Cool Horses. I still browse TV Tropes on an almost daily basis, usually while anxiously waiting for something else. When the world is scary and confusing, scrolling down an organized list of tropes is a little slice of calm. Everything is in order here. Everything is relevant. And if all these other people can create, so can I. New Delhi, Feb 14 : Amid novel coronavirus outbreak in China, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the border guarding Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) to adopt airport-like screening procedures at the borders as preventive measures to deal with the deadly infection. In an advisory issued this week, the MHA has instructed the ITBP, the SSB and other departments concerned to maintain alertness on the borders regarding novel coronavirus -- which originated in China's Wuhan city last year and has now been renamed by World Health Organisation as COVID-19. Sources said that the advisory specifically mentioned directing the paramilitary forces and other departments to follow airport-like procedures at the border checkpoints. The advisory has been issued to the two paramilitary forces as the ITBP is mandated to guard the 3,488 km India-China border while the SSB is in-charge of guarding the 1,751 km India-Nepal and 699 km India-Bhutan borders. Meanwhile, Indian port authorities have decided not to allow the disembarkation of crew of ships from China, as well as Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand and Singapore, to avoid the spread of the deadly coronavirus, officials said. The restrictions came as the novel coronavirus death toll in China reached 1,367, up by 254, as total cases rose to 59,804. In Hubei, the infections have jumped by 14,840 as the death toll reads 242. Wuhan, the worst affected city is the capital of Hubei province. Chinese health authorities on Friday said that 1,716 medical staff had been infected with the novel coronavirus, accounting for 3.8 per cent of the overall confirmed cases in the country. The novel coronavirus is a new strain of viruses that originated in Wuhan at the end of December and brought the city to a lockdown. It also spread in more than 20 countries outside China and affected hundreds of people. India continues to take all preventive measures to avoid and contain the virus entering here. The Indian government is also cooperating and helping neighbouring countries including Maldives and Afghanistan. The government evacuated 654 people, including seven Maldivian nationals, from China. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) According to a senior United Nations official, most are women and children. The exodus is expected to continue with entire villages and communities on the move. Snow and intense cold complicate the situation, tires and waste burnt in search of heat. But toxic fumes are deadly. Idlib (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Over 800 thousand Syrians, most of them women and children, have left their homes and lands since 1 December last, to escape the joint offensive on Idlib launched by the Syrian government, with the support of the Russian ally. A high level United Nations official yesterday confirmed the dramatic situation on a humanitarian level as stressed in recent days to AsiaNews by the apostolic nuncio in Damascus, Card Mario Zenari. The most critical situation is in the north-west, where the Syrian military launched a massive offensive in the Idlib region, the last stronghold in the hands of rebel groups (supported by Turkey) and jihadist movements. Local sources report that the exodus is expected to continue, with thousands of people on the move and entire villages and communities fleeing to the border. David Swanson, UN representative for the Syrian crisis and the Office for Humanitarian Affairs (Unocha), underlines that "the number of internally displaced people, the vast majority of whom are women and children, has now exceeded 800 thousand". The inhabitants of the area "flee thousands on board of open trucks or on foot", often in the middle of the night "despite the freezing temperatures". As denounced by Card Zenari, UN experts say that the region is on the verge of a catastrophe. Almost 400 thousand people sought refuge from Idlib in the province of Aleppo, the same ones who had previously abandoned refugee camps on the Turkish border. Refugees fleeing sleep on the streets, looking for shelter; to try to stem the intense cold they burn piles of garbage and tires, giving rise to intense columns of black smoke. According to humanitarian agencies, the largest displacement of civilians is taking place in nine years of conflict, however there are no shelters or structures where they can stay to escape the cold temperatures and the snow that has fallen abundantly in the region in recent days. Houses and tents are already crowded with people, who because of widespread poverty are not even able to buy fuel and stoves. Eyewitnesses report that at least 10 children have died in the past week; an entire family suffocated in their sleep because of the fumes given off by the clothes and shoes set on fire. Although this week marked 30 years since Nelson Mandela was released from prison, the State of the Nation Address was one of the week's top trending topics. As he promised during a media conference on Sunday, 8 February, Julius Malema and the Economic Freedom Fighters disrupted the proceedings over the presence of FW de Klerk in Parliament and later demanded President Cyril Ramaphosa dismiss Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan before he can address the nation. After more than an hour of 'Point of Order' and hecklings, the EFF left the chamber and the President delivered his speech.This week also saw the homecoming of Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi as she was welcomed by hundreds at the OR Tambo International Airport, and commenced her victory tour to South Africa's major cities. And by far the saddest news of the week, Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Tshabalala passed on and tributes to the great artist flooded social media.Other topics that topped the trends list include the 'imaginary' annual Men's Conference set to take place over the Valentine's weekend, a fatal train crash in Roodepoort, Eskom suspending load-shedding and Adam Catzevelos' sentence being delayed. And finally, it was also reported that the deadly Coronavirus outbreak may be over by April and a vaccine may be ready in 18 months. CHANDIGARH: Pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Himachal Pradesh are facing a shortage of raw material from China following the coronavirus outbreak though there is no disruption in the availability of medicines in the market at present. Himachal Drug Manufacturers Association president Dr Rajesh Gupta says that the industry is dependent on imports from China on a large scale and due to prolonged delay in procuring raw material, there is apprehension that manufacturing would be hit. First there was the Chinese New Year and there was no supply for a fortnight in January. Now this virus outbreak has hampered the import of raw material, he said. Manufacturers are dependent on China for 85% of the imports, he said. They keep an inventory of more than 30 days so production has not stopped but the crisis can loom if the situation continues to be the same after March, he added. PRICES GO UP Rajesh Bansal, the owner of Baddi-based BRD Pharma, said that the price of Paracetamols active pharmaceutical ingredient a month ago was between Rs 270 and Rs 275 a kg but it has now increased to Rs 400 a kg. Similarly, the raw material of antibiotic Azithromycin that cost Rs 7,500 a kg has now increased to Rs 10,500 kg. Uma Shankar, the owner of Dhanvantari Herbal, Baddi, said: Vials and packing material are also imported from China and traders have increased their prices after the coronavirus outbreak. NO NEED TO PANIC The Chemist Association of Chandigarh has cautioned people against panicking as medicine stocks for three months are available in the market. Association general secretary Vinay Jain says, Stocks are available for at least three months at different levels so theres no need to panic. Pharma is a big market and people in the industry from the manufacturer to the retailer keep stocks for a minimum of three months so theres no shortage of medicines in the region. The Landshut-based start-up HiveMQ complements its MQTT platform with new cloud services. The MQTT protocol makes it easier for companies to transfer IoT data between devices. HiveMQ supports its customers with an appropriate platform. The young company extends its platform with its own cloud service. HiveMQ, developer of an MQTT platform for enterprises, announces the launch of the new cloud service HiveMQ Cloud. With this service, the Landshut-based company simplifies the provisioning and management of its MQTT platform. Especially for IoT applications, the new services offer reliability and security. The new cloud service enables bidirectional communication between cloud and IoT applications. Based on the MQTT protocol, it allows IoT devices to stream telemetry data into the cloud. For applications in the cloud, it in turn allows sending notifications to devices. Christian Gotz (left), founder and CEO and Dominik Obermaier (right), founder and CTO of HiveMQ. Working with MQTT brokers The HiveMQ Cloud makes it easier for companies to deploy and manage MQTT brokers. With automatic scaling, it can balance peaks in device activities. The new clustering architecture ensures high availability. No messages are lost and connection interruptions are avoided. The fully managed platform is operated with three different cluster nodes in three data centers. By default, enterprise-level security is set to require Transport Layer Security (TLS) communication, device authentication and authorization. HiveMQ Cloud is designed to run IoT applications without installation, setup, or configuration. Our mission at HiveMQ is to connect billions of IoT devices via MQTT and our HiveMQ technology, explains Dominik Obermaier, CTO and co-founder of HiveMQ. The cloud offers a transparent pricing structure that makes it easy for customers to budget their usage costs. For example, the cloud will be available at an hourly rate of 7.50 US-Dollar/hour. HiveMQ Cloud is currently available on AWS (Frankfurt region). Support for MS Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and other AWS regions will follow. 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. At least twenty villagers were massacred in an attack in the Malian village of Ogossagou, in the center of the country, medical sources said Friday. The assault was carried out overnight by around thirty armed men, a few hours after the Malian army withdrew from the locality. Twenty people were killed in an attack overnight on a village in central Mali, local officials said Friday. In a spate of ethnic violence in the deeply troubled region, clashes have multiplied between the Peuls, mainly breeders, and the Bambara and Dogon ethnic groups, practicing farming, who have created their self-defense groups, notably by relying on the traditional dozos hunters. In March 2019, a carnage imputed to Dogon hunters had killed more than 160 Fulani. Relatedly, a Malian soldier was killed in the night from Thursday to Friday in an attack against a military camp in Mondoro, in central Mali, according to security sources. Attacks against the military are often ascribed to the Islamist and Muslim Support Group (GSIM), the main jihadist alliance in the Sahel. It is affiliated with Al-Qaeda. Malis President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Monday said his government is ready to talk with jihadist groups in the hope of ending insurgency in the West African nation. Why not try to contact those who we know are pulling the strings, Mr. Keita said in a recording of the interview published by Radio France Internationale. The number of dead in the Sahel is becoming exponential. Its time for certain avenues to be explored. Two years ago, 17 people died in a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Fla. In the intervening years, both those who survived it and those who observed it from afar have tried to figure out how something so terrible could have happened. That is understandable. Unfortunately, the tone of public debate on this matter was set early, and unhelpfully, on just one subject: gun control. The morning after the shooting, Parkland school superintendent Robert Runcie said that now is the time to have a real conversation about gun control laws in our country. Just a few days later, Broward County sheriff Scott Israel said: While the people who are victims of mental-health illnesses in this country are being treated, in the opinion of this sheriff, they should not be able to buy, surround themselves with, purchase or carry a handgun. Those two things dont mix. David Hogg, a Stoneman student at school on that evil day, demanded national action on gun control shortly after as well. We are children. You guys are, like, the adults, he said. Take action, work together, come over your politics, and get something done. Hogg then helped spearhead a mass political rally in Washington, D.C., the next month, the March For Our Lives, that again emphasized this call for federal action on gun control. Those who survived something as horrendous as the Parkland shooting do not deserve unnecessary opprobrium. But the fact remains that it was not Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, President Donald Trump, or the National Rifle Association who were responsible for the murder of 17 people on that February day. It was a depressing cascade of actions (and inactions) by local actors over a series of years, and even on the day of the shooting, that sealed the victims fate. The collective failure to recognize and accept this, even years later, may be a consequence of a political culture that insists on all problems being made national. In any case, it simultaneously does nothing for the victims of Parkland and does little to prevent future similar slaughters. Story continues This story turns, sadly, on the shooter himself. (As recent research has suggested that media coverage of mass shootings can inspire subsequent ones, it is best not to use his name.) The shooter displayed violent tendencies from a young age, and through multiple schools, all the way up to the day he killed those 17 people. As a young child raised mostly by an adoptive single mother, he often fought with neighborhood children. He tortured animals. He argued frequently with his own family, quickly escalating verbal confrontations to physical ones. At one point, he required a physical harness to ride the school bus without attacking other students. Throughout his grade-school and middle-school years, he physically and verbally assaulted students and bragged about his mutilations of animals. He attempted to commit suicide during a fire drill. When transferred to a school for students with special needs, he openly obsessed over guns and violence, at one point bringing a weapon to the school. He continued virtually all of these behaviors as he matriculated into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, getting into several fights, sending death threats to ex-girlfriends and others, openly proclaiming his desire to shoot up the school to anyone who would listen, dressing in full camouflage gear, bringing dead animals to class, and, once again, bringing weapons (knives and bullet casings) to school grounds. All of this happened before February 14, 2018; he was seriously punished for surprisingly little of it. Could hindsight be 20/20? After the fact, many of these school shootings seem obvious, and their perpetrators fit a similar pattern: young, isolated, troubled, aggrieved, male. But it is impossible to overlook the sheer number of times somebody actively warned about the Parkland shooters tendencies only to be ignored. Florida mental-health officials declined on multiple separate occasions to institutionalize him. On February 5, 2016, the shooter posted a picture of himself posing with a gun to his Instagram account with the caption: I am going to get this gun and shoot up the school. A woman alerted a Broward County sheriff about this; he said there was nothing he could do. There were literally dozens of police visits to his house over the years. After he entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas, something his therapist advised against, school staff held a meeting in which they pegged him as the likeliest school shooter among their student body. Eventually, he was forbidden from bringing a backpack to school. When ultimately forced out of the school for academic reasons, he trespassed on school grounds on the first day of the 201718 academic year. A YouTube account in his actual name commented on a video that he wanted to become a professional school shooter; the videos uploader contacted the FBI, which did nothing. Another woman, a family friend, alerted both the Broward County sheriffs office and the FBI about the shooters consistently violent Instagram posts; neither acted on the tip. And a former Secret Service agent warned Parkland officials of the likelihood of a mass shooting given their security protocols. Little, if anything, was done. Demonstrating a horrifying and ultimately damning passivity, a series of ostensibly responsible adults passed up every chance to thwart an increasingly obvious imminent evil. But the failures of those in charge at and around Marjory Stoneman Douglas did not end in the lead-up to the shooting itself. On the very day, their actions enabled, prolonged, and worsened the massacre. The shooter walked right onto school grounds through a gate that security protocols said ought to have been closed. When he got there, campus-security monitor Andrew Medina saw him, recognized him, and knew he no longer belonged at the school. He declined to initiate school security procedures, as Ty Thompson, the principal, had reserved that authority for himself but was away from campus. Medina radioed David Taylor, another campus-security monitor, who went into the building where the shooter had entered, then hid in a closet when he began hearing gunshots, also without initiating security procedures. Meanwhile, school resource officer Scot Peterson, the only other armed person on school grounds, had been informed of gunfire in the school yet stood idly outside of the affected building for almost an hour, awaiting the arrival of Broward sheriff deputies. They too did little but wait outside the building. And finally, due to miscommunication, Jan Jordan, the captain of the Parkland district of the Broward sheriffs office, thought that recorded security footage of the shooter was live and delayed allowing both deputies and medics into the building until it was empty (on the basis of out-of-date information). By the time officers entered the building, the perpetrator had already fled school grounds with evacuating students. It was a shocking display of incompetence, inaction, and indecision that allowed the Parkland shooting to become what it did. (This is not even an exhaustive account; read the book by education-policy writer Max Eden and father of Parkland victim Andrew Pollack, Why Meadow Died: The People and the Policies That Created the Parkland Shooter and Endanger Americas Students for more.) Seen in this light, the after-the-fact statements by Runcie, Israel, and others blaming the lack of gun control seem more like deflection than any genuine attempt to figure out what happened that day. For they would have to blame themselves, not pat themselves on the back for their amazing leadership, to get to the bottom of the events that unfolded. The proximate causes of the tragedy were choices various local actors made or, in most cases, did not make. They, not some far-off villain with only marginal influence on their day-to-day lives, deserve to be held responsible. As Pollack puts it in Why Meadow Died, Parkland was the most avoidable mass shooting in American history. As for Hogg and those like him, it is unfortunate that they followed the lead of these deflecting adults in seeking blame afar. They still have every right to be angry. But the proper target of ire ought to be the officials and policies that directly failed him and all the rest at Stoneman Douglas that day, those who lived and those who died. On the second anniversary of Parkland, let us hope that we can think clearly about the best way to stop anything like it from happening again. More from National Review Centre renames 2 prominent institutes after Sushma Swaraj on the eve of her birth anniversary The joy of our lives: Sushma Swaraj's husband warm birthday wishes for late leader India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Feb 14: It is former external affairs minister and late Sushma Swaraj's 68th birth anniversary today, and her husband Swaraj Kaushal took to Twitter to share a warm message on this occassion. The former Governor of Mizoram Swaraj Kaushal also uploaded a picture of his beaming wife, sporting a radiant smile with a knife in hand, and a cake in front of her. Swaraj Kaushal captioned the picture with a heart-touching message. Check out the tweet: The duo, often hailed for having 'one of the greatest love stories in modern India' who met in college while studying law in Delhi. Their 44 year marriage began at the height of the Emergency period on July 13, 1975. But beyond the political turmoil of the time, their families too were opposed to the match. Sushma came from rather orthodox family in Haryana. Despite both families raising their objections, the duo got married, and Sushma took her husband's name. Sushma Swaraj 68th birth anniversary: Some striking facts about 'People's Minister' Born on February 14 in 1952, Swaraj was one of the firebrand leaders of the BJP, had served as the Minister of External Affairs from May 2014 to May 2019. She had died on August 6, 2019, following a massive cardiac arrest. Earlier this year, she was conferred Padma Vibhushan posthumously. Swaraj had restored our faith in bureaucracy and had received applause from all around the world. She 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. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, February 14, 2020, 11:15 [IST] Most moms dont make history when they deliver a baby but Jennifer Gobrecht did. The Philadelphia-area mom, 33, had a baby boy in November, making her the second woman in the U.S. to have a baby after having a uterus transplant from a deceased donor as part of a research study at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The first birth after a uterus transplant from a living donor was in Sweden in 2014. The first transplant from a deceased donor was in Brazil in 2017. In Dallas, the Baylor University Medical Center has had six babies born after living donor uterus transplants. PEOPLE spoke to the two principle investigators of the Uterine Transplant Trial at Penn Hospital to learn more about historic transplant trial. Q: Jennifer said she found about this trial on a Facebook group for women with MRKH, she said it sounded like you like you were looking for someone exactly like her. Dr. Kathleen ONeill, The medical director of the Uterus Transplant Program at Penn: Thats very true. Q: What made her a great candidate for this? Dr. ONeill: Were looking for somebody who is, from a medial perspective and a surgical perspective, a good candidate. Also, somebody who has considered and been educated on all of the ways to expand their family. Jennifer, before the trial had even started, had gone through the process of creating embryos through IVF. She had really thought about the options, and had been educated about the options. She said, I understand this might not benefit me directly, but if you can learn from it, and it can potentially benefit me, or somebody in the future, Im 100 percent in. Which, really, you cant ask for any better than that. Q: How did the transplant go? Dr. Paige Porrett, Jennifers Transplant surgeon and Assistant professor of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania: It went well. It was a long surgery. It was about 10 hours. This is a unique procedure and a new procedure. The core components of operation are: One, we have to sew the blood vessels of the donor organ, to blood vessels in Jennifers body. This is a key moment in all organ transplants. Prior to this moment, the organ has come from the deceased donor packed on ice in a special, organ preservation solution, and then doctors proceeded with the connection between Jennifers vagina and the vagina of the donor that comes with the donor organ itself. We need to have access to the uterus, so Dr. ONeill can place the embryo. Story continues Q: So you connected the donors vagina to her vagina? Dr. Porrett: Correct Q: How? Dr. ONeill: The vagina is like a cul de sac, the very top is the cervix, and the cervix has a canal that you go through the cervix to the endometrial canal, the inside part of the uterus, where the embryo implants and the baby grows. Women with MRKH have a blind vagina its a cul de sac with nothing at the top of it. We make a hole at the top of the vagina, and we connect the top of the vagina from the donor, and the rim of the vagina and right past it, is the cervix and goes up into the uterus. Dr. Porrett: Six months after the transplant, Dr. ONeill transferred an embryo and she got pregnant. Q: On the first try? Dr. ONeill: She did. It was very exciting. I do a lot of mental preparation so I dont get discouraged if it doesnt work the first time. But then she went and got pregnant off of the first transfer. I was happy to be wrong. Q: The delivery went well? Dr. ONeill: Very well. We wanted to make sure we had all of the staff we needed and more in the operating room. I was there, Dr. Porrett was there. We were more emotional support than anything else. Q: Jennifer said that since a uterus is not an essential organ, she didnt want to keep taking the anti-rejection medications, so she decided to be a super mom to her one baby, and not try for a second baby. Dr. ONeill: I always say with fertility treatment in general, the goal is one healthy baby. Anything beyond that is gravy. With Jennifer, being on those immunosuppressant mediations can have long-term risk. She said, I have one. Im grateful to have one. If all I have is one Im happy. We had a discussion with all of the doctors involved and the pediatrician and made the decision together that that would be the best course of action. Q: Why do think this is important for people to know about this baby? Dr. ONeill: We still have a long way to go. We are the third baby in the world. We had 500 babies born from IVF before people thought it was something that wasnt going to destroy humanity. We have a lot more work to do before we can say its clinical care. But this shows its making steps in that direction. Dr. Porrett: Collectively, between Baylor University Medical Center, The Cleveland Clinic and Penn Hospital, weve been working together for some time to advance this treatment. We have learned about 1,500 women in the U.S. have come forward to volunteer to participate in the three trials at these three institutions. And 1,500 women who came forward and volunteered for 35 transplants. That speaks to the value of this transplant more than anything else in terms of how much people want it. Theres really great interest in this procedure. Dr. ONeill: After our announcement over 100 people applied in less than 24 hours to be recipients. And over 25 applied to be living donors. Its amazing speaking to these women. Theyre like, I have a family, Im grateful I have my family. I know how much it meant to me. If I can help someone else. Q: What else do you think is important for people to know? Dr. ONeill: You think about the 17 year old that gets the diagnosis that she doesnt have a uterus, and shes not going to have regular periods like her friends, and shes not going to be able to carry children. She can use a gestational carrier or adopt, but it is a loss. They feel a complete loss of control when they are told their ability to expand their family will most certainly rely on someone else. Even if they dont decide they would like to pursue a uterus transplant, maybe they want a carrier, maybe they want to adopt, maybe they want to be child-free. But knowing the possibility that it may be in your control, that is beneficial to the 17-year-old girl. The vast majority of people with MRKH are not going to have a uterus transplant. But knowing its possible and understanding the option is beneficial to the entire community. Q: What else is important? Dr. ONeill: Uterine factor infertility has been a little bit forgotten as a condition and a medical diagnosis. But we need to explore ways in which to treat it. Dr. Perrott: We hope it will transition from a research trial to a widely available treatment for this disease thats afflicted so many. Q: How many does it afflict, do you know? Dr. Perrott: We estimate in the U.S. there are approximately 500,000 women who have uterine factor infertility. Q: Any other thoughts on the Gobrechts? Dr. Perrott: We wish them the best. Were so happy for them. Jennifer, shes an inspiration, not just to women who will hopefully benefit from her courage, but also for us as providers. I just cant say enough great things about her and her resilience, and her courage. Good things happen to those who wait is the best cliche I can happen to offer. Dr. ONeill: Its so wonderful when good things happen to good people. They are just wonderful people. Im grateful we were able to help them, and they helped us a lot too. For more on about Jennifer Gobrechts Uterus Transplant, pick up this weeks issue, on newsstands Friday. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Global case counts of the novel coronavirus continue to strain upwards, with Chinas number surging after a shift in how patients are diagnosed, new cases in the U.S. and U.K., and dozens more aboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship, including 12 Canadians. In Ontario, the case count has actually dropped: a patient in London was confirmed free of the virus on Wednesday. Two other patients continue to recover at home in Toronto. Health officials say the risk to the public here continues to be low. But behind the scenes, the city, the province, and the country are ramping up efforts to prepare for and contain the outbreak. The SARS crisis 17 years ago taught all three that a manageable infectious disease outbreak can quickly become catastrophic without preparation, communication and vigilance. Here is what Toronto, Ontario and Canada are doing. Threat of face mask shortages Amid global and local concern, Ontarios Ministry of Health is seeking to reassure health-care workers and the public that the province-wide supply of face masks and other protective equipment is sufficient for the current situation. Last week, the World Health Organization warned of worldwide shortages of personal protective equipment, or PPE, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Of particular concern are the N95 face masks that health-care workers wear to protect themselves from respiratory droplets. WHO said demand is up to 100 times higher than normal and reported depleted stockpiles and backlogs of four to six months. A Ministry of Health document issued Wednesday suggests health-care workers are concerned about shortages here, too. Have Your Say! The ministry has set up a dedicated email account for health-care workers questions, feedback and concerns related to personal protective equipment, and says it is receiving a large volume of emails and is following up to make sure critical shortages are addressed. The document cites several concerns. Many hospitals have developed their own stockpiles of personal protective equipment in anticipation of an influenza pandemic or other serious outbreak but according to the document, for many organizations, the PPE in their stockpiles has expired. The materials in disposable respiratory masks can degrade over time, making them less effective. Secondly, manufacturers of such masks are not automatically fulfilling bulk orders, according to the document. Instead, they are prioritizing areas with the greatest need so building up a stockpile now, especially in an area like Ontario with so little transmission of the virus, is difficult or impossible. The WHO has asked countries with low transmission, like Canada, not to stockpile PPE in order to reserve supplies for countries that really need it, especially China. Thirdly, the ministry is encouraging PPE stewardship only using these supplies when really needed. That may include developing more robust protocols to secure your PPE inventory in order to discourage theft, inappropriate usage and other loss. The Ministry of Health emphasizes that we are confident that we have sufficient inventory across the province to respond to the situation on the ground today. In the document, the ministry says it is in touch with manufacturers and other organizations involved in the PPE supply chain almost daily, and that it is working to understand and collect information on the existing supply in the province. The province maintains its own PPE stockpile, and the Canadian government has a National Emergency Strategic Stockpile of medical equipment and supplies that can be requested by provinces and territories during infectious disease outbreaks. A spokesperson for Ontarios Ministry of Health did not answer questions about how long the provinces stockpile is meant to last, because the inventory of supplies is fluid as products are used within the system. The WHO director-general and Ontarios chief medical officer have both warned that unnecessary use of N95 masks and other protective equipment is straining the system. Working with partners across the health sector, the Ministry of Health has developed systems to identify organizations who are having challenges getting the supplies they need, and have processes in place to ensure that providers are able care for their patients safely now and in the future. Following WHO direction, we are prioritizing use of supplies for health workers, a spokesperson said. Emergency Operations Centre activated In late January, after the province confirmed its first presumptive case of COVID-19, the Ministry of Health quietly activated its Emergency Operations Centre. This is not the same as declaring a state of emergency: only the premier, the Lieutenant Governor in Council, or the mayor or other head of a municipality can make that call, as several towns battling floodwaters did last April, and as premier Ernie Eves did during the vast 2003 power blackout. The COVID-19 outbreak is nowhere near that level of concern. Activating the Ministry Emergency Operations Centre provides a central co-ordination point for responding to threats to Ontarians health and to the health-care system as a whole, a spokesperson says. The ministry has been conducting a daily teleconference that loops in people from throughout the health-care system, during which it provides updates on the situation globally and in the province, such as how many COVID-19 cases are under investigation and have lab results pending. That number has dropped steadily over the past week: on Feb. 6, there were 62 being investigated as potential cases and had lab results pending. On Thursday, there were only 15. City changes its quarantine protocol Toronto Public Health previously told the Star only two people were in self-isolation: the husband and wife both confirmed to be sick with COVID-19. But recently, the department announced a change. The Public Health Agency of Canada, Toronto Public Health said last Friday, is now recommending that anyone who has travelled to Chinas Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak, should self-isolate at home for 14 days too, regardless of symptoms. Those travellers should also contact their local public health agencies within 24 hours of arriving in Canada. Anyone who has travelled to mainland China should monitor themselves for fever or respiratory symptoms, and if any develop they should immediately seek care and cite their travel history. Asked how these changes have changed Toronto Public Healths caseload for the COVID-19 outbreak, a spokesperson would not provide exact numbers. The number of people we are tracking related to this situation changes daily and we are therefore not sharing this information at this time, said Lenore Bromley. Research boost Over 300 scientists from around the world gathered in Geneva, Switzerland this week for a rapidly organized COVID-19 research forum. The summit was intended to clarify the most urgent questions on how to tackle the outbreak, and to organize support from many different national funding bodies, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Canada said Thursday it would funnel $6.5 million into research helping to stop the spread of the virus. Scientists, including several from Canada, organized around critical topics like short-term medicines, the longer-term development of vaccines, the efficacy of public health interventions and the social impacts of the outbreak. We need a vaccine against misinformation as well, Dr. Michael Ryan, the WHOs emergencies chief, said of the research goals Thursday. Mexicans have voiced increasing frustration with violence against women. The country recorded more than 1,000 deaths classified as femicides last year, part of a historic high of 35,588 killings. Women have marched in scores of protests in the past two years over gender-based killings, rape and harassment. In recent months, they have launched strikes at universities throughout the country to protest sexual violence. By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 02/13/2020 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. star Mindy Shiben believes Zach Justice didn't take their marriage seriously on the Lifetime reality series' tenth season.During Wednesday night's episode of : Unfiltered, Mindy opened up about how she and Zach seemed to view their relationship and the process differently based on Zach's nonchalant behavior."Do you feel like [Zach] is taking this marriage seriously?" Unfiltered host Jamie Otis asked Mindy."Absolutely not," Mindy admitted. "There is just no indication that he is taking it seriously."Mindy made that statement after watching back a Season 10 clip of her final night with Zach in Panama.Over a nice dinner out, Mindy noticed Zach wasn't wearing his wedding ring, so she confronted him about her concerns. Zach claimed he tends to forget to put his jewelry on when he goes out, but Mindy saw it as a sign Zach didn't really care about their marriage.Jamie pointed out on Unfiltered that Zach was wearing both a watch and a bracelet at the time, so she clearly wasn't buying his explanation.Mindy also watched back how her conversation with Zach at dinner shifted to his lack of attraction towards her, which resulted in Zach asking Mindy to help him figure things out.Mindy didn't know what she could possibly do to address the situation, so she sarcastically asked Zach if he wanted her to get breast implants or something -- a suggestion he totally shot down."Oh my God, I'm sorry. I'm tearing up because I'm laughing," Mindy responded after watching the clip on Unfiltered."I thought our last night [in Panama], we were just going to go out and have a good time, and of course, the attraction thing comes up again. Come on, just let it go and get to know me!" Mindy begged.Mindy previously revealed Zach had mentioned he wasn't attracted to her several times after their wedding day."It's really frustrating at this point," Mindy added.Mindy's co-stars Meka Jones and Austin Hurd joined her on the Unfiltered broadcast and offered their opinions on Mindy and Zach's struggling relationship."Honestly, I got pissed when [Zach] said, 'I forget to wear jewelry.' That is the Rule No. 1 of being married," Meka said."You don't have to take it off -- like, ever," Jamie pointed out."Exactly," Meka responded. "That's something that's so simple. And, like, I shouldn't have to remind you to put your ring on."Austin then joked he doesn't have any jewelry to keep track of other than his wedding ring, which he clearly wears and had on at the time Unfiltered filmed."So, I'm good," Austin noted with a laugh.When asked if he takes his ring off often, Austin replied, "I don't take it off, no.""I don't know the rules of wearing a ring," Austin said, "so I just keep it on at all times.""That's probably a good idea," Jamie joked.'s tenth season has since featured Mindy and Zach trying to move on from their awkward exchanges about Zach's lack of attraction to his wife.The pair seemed to bond during a Panama excursion and have a good time together as friends, but Mindy left her honeymoon feeling disappointed and rejected.Mindy viewed Zach as being confusing and cold, and she vented about how her husband barely kissed her or even held her hand during what was supposed to be a romantic, exotic honeymoon.The couple's relationship issues lingered once they returned to the Washington, D.C. area.As shown in the latest episode of the series, Zach refused to move into a "neutral" apartment with Mindy the show had provided for them as a couple, so Mindy moved into the place by herself."I'm following through on my commitments. I'm hoping Zach will eventually decide to move in and really make this work, but only time will tell," Mindy told the cameras.After Mindy moved into the new apartment, she said Zach hadn't been in much contact with her and she felt like she was the only person in the marriage. One of Mindy's friends told her that Zach was "full of sh-t" and she deserved better.Zach claimed he was doing what felt right and comfortable to him and his goal was to allow his relationship to proceed naturally rather than forcing it by moving in with his stranger wife."I don't want to try to just put on a show," Zach said, explaining that he didn't want to go against what he believes in for the sake of the process.Zach said he and Mindy were a great match on paper but he just felt like there was something missing and he genuinely didn't know what to do. Zach was hoping that by being apart from Mindy, he'd miss her and want to reach out and spend time with her.But Pastor Cal told the cameras, "Zach needs to man up and at least move in, get to know [Mindy], find out who she is, and see whether or not this woman can enhance your life."'s tenth season also stars Meka's husband Michael Watson and Austin's wife Jessica Studer as well as Brandon Reid and Taylor Dunklin and Katie Conrad and Derek Sherman currently airs on Wednesday nights at 8PM ET/PT on Lifetime.Interested in more news? Join our Married at First Sight Facebook Group Four bishops, a priest and a man religious were acquitted from the same charges a few days ago. Fr Alejo and fr Villanueva posted a 10,000-pesos (US0) cast bond but are expected to be arraigned on 17 March along with one of the presidents bitter rival. Manila (AsiaNews/Agencies) Two priests have avoided jail time by posting bail today after they were charged with trying to destabilising the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. The Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court issued a warrant of arrest for Fr Albert Alejo (picture 2), Fr Flavie Villanueva and nine others over a supposed conspiracy to commit sedition. The two priests were indicted in connection with an online video linking Duterte and his family to the illegal drug trade. Three days ago, the Philippines Department of Justice (DOJ) acquitted four bishops, a priest and a man religious of the same charges. The Quezon City Court withdrew the arrest warrant against the priests shortly after Frs Alejo and Villanueva posted 10,000 pesos (US0) cash bond. The two will be arraigned on 17 March, together with a bitter rival of the president, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV. The latter is presently out of the country. In a statement, he said: I intend to post bail once I arrive in Manila late next week, adding, I will face this case just as I have faced all the other harassment cases Duterte's minions have filed against me. For many Filipinos, the case is part of a strategy of intimidation by the administration to silence critics. Frs Alejo and Villanueva have always denied any involvement in actions to discredit Duterte. Its pure harassment and meant to send a chilling message to the others (critics), Fr Alejo said. The two churchmen are members of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), a group of men and women religious working with marginalised people in the poorest rural communities. The government of President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly accused the RMP and other Catholic associations of being "fronts" for the underground communist movement. I have a house in Maine, which I love. I was there for a whole six weeks this summer. I have a place in New York City, a place in Berlin, a place in London and a place in Paris. I spend part of the summer in France. I love my life, I love my freedom. The fact of the matter is that I just decided I want to live here and there. ''I have a theory about life and that is that it always looks better with a return air ticket. I think that applies to a lot of relationships as well. That is why the affair was invented, because it is the ultimate return air ticket. Credit: Affairs are on his mind because his new book, Isabelle in the Afternoon, is about a callow, naive American law student, Sam, who on his first trip to Paris meets an older, sophisticated, married Parisian woman, Isabelle, and begins an incandescent affair that takes place strictly between five and seven oclock in the afternoons and on her terms. She has no plans to leave her older aristocratic husband he also has affairs for the lovesick boy. So far so French. But the deep, complicated connection lasts through the decades, as Sam lives out his prescribed life of marriage, partner in a law firm, impressive apartment in Manhattan. It is a psychological drama and there are times when one offers to leave their marriage but it is not the right timing for the other. So the balance of power shifts and shifts again. This is a departure for Kennedy, a book in a minor key, quiet, erotically charged and without the noise and galloping pace of previous novels. I wonder if there is something of himself in Sam, the aloneness, the jazz, the foreign films in late-night cinemas. I know what it is like to be alone in Paris, as a man. I did live in that [scuzzy] hotel he did when I first came to Paris. And as a girlfriend of mine who is also a writer once said, even though it is not autobiographical, it is autobiographical because you are writing it. You are bringing your entire experience to it. This is a book about intimacy, really. Everyone says France is a very romantic country, and there is a sense of the sexual everywhere, but it is also very compartmentalised. The French are Cartesian, there is that sense that in an intimate life there are many rooms. What interests me most of all is human mess. How we entrap ourselves into situations that make us unhappy. Modern anxiety is a primal theme because like everybody I am anxious. His books are huge sellers in France several are set in Paris and he was awarded the Chevalier de lOrdre des Arts et des Lettres in 2007. It took him eight years of private language lessons before he cracked it, but he is now fluent in French. He did, however, do the quotidian thing in a 23-year marriage to an Irishwoman, Grace Carley, when he lived in London, very much a Londoner, and is close to his adult children, Amelia and Max. He talks at length about them. Another marriage to a psychiatrist in Montreal lasted five years, but didn't work out. It is only when a book is finished, he says, do I discover what it is about. This is my 20th book, I have never had a theme when I start, but I have always had an idea. Never underestimate the subconscious when you are writing fiction, there are a lot of things going on. I just start writing and things start to fall into place as I work. I dont really understand it very well but I have been doing it for 31 years now. ''Every time I write a book there is a moment of doubt.'' Douglas Kennedy Writing books that are bestsellers as well as being literary is tricky. Usually it is one or the other. Here in France professors and philosophers like my books but so does my concierge downstairs. And I have met taxi drivers who read me. I love the fact that I can play both sides of the street. But even after all these years, all those millions of books sold, it doesn't get any easier. It is always complicated but it is something I am always engaged in doing. Every time I write a book there is a moment of doubt. Is it any good, will this work? Doubt is your constant neighbour. But I always figure a way through those moments. Fundamentally when I am writing what I am always asking is what do we do with this time we have in this life of ours?. Chennai, Feb 14 : Indian port authorities have decided not to allow the disembarkation of crew of ships from China, as well as Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand and Singapore, to avoid the spreading of the deadly coronavirus, said an official. "Disembarkation of crew of ships from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand and Singapore are not allowed in order to avoid any risk of coronavirus spreading here. This condition is applicable in all the Indian ports," S. Senthilnathan, Health Officer, Chennai Port, told IANS. He further said that the ships from these countries are allowed to berth but the crew will not be allowed to disembark regardless of their nationality. The berthing ships will also not be allowed to dump their garbage. According to Senthilnathan, pre-arrival health data of the crew from all the ships are collected even before they berth. Data about crew joining the ship midway will also be collected. According to him, special focus is on ships coming from Chinese ports with or without Chinese crew; ship though it has not called on a Chinese port but has one or more Chinese crew and one or more crew who are not Chinese, but boarded the ship at a Chinese port. Senthilnathan said once a ship with the above 'China connection' is berthed, the health condition of the crew will be monitored continuously. He had earlier said that an average 20 cargo ships from China call on the Chennai and Kamarajar ports. Each ship have about 25 crew members, a total of 400 crew per month. The average number of crew who would join the ships in a China port will be only about 10-20, he said. He had said ships calling on Chennai, Kamarajar, Adani and Nagapattinam ports in Tamil Nadu and the Karaikal port in Puducherry are monitored from here. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE A year after conditionally approving a new tax rate for top-earning New Mexicans, legislators are considering putting the change on hold. A bill headed to the full Senate for consideration would delay the effective date of the new top tax tier until 2026. Its now scheduled to take effect next year. Backers of the legislation, Senate Bill 274, said the state should not be increasing taxes while it sits on an oil-fueled budgetary windfall theres nearly $800 million in new money projected for the coming budget year. I just think that when we have (budget) surpluses like we have right now I dont think its good to be increasing taxes at this point, Sen. Clemente Sanchez, D-Grants, the bills co-sponsor, said during a Thursday hearing of the Senate Finance Committee. The proposal passed the committee 11-0 after little debate. Approving the bill would have fiscal consequences, as a five-year delay of the personal income tax change would cost the state roughly $40 million in forgone revenue by the 2022 budget year, according to a fiscal analysis of the measure. The higher income tax rate was part of a broad tax package approved by the Democratic-controlled Legislature during last years 60-day session, but legislators tied its implementation to future revenue levels as part of a compromise. Top state and legislative economists said last summer that the new tax rate was indeed likely to take effect, although a final certification has not happened. Under last years bill, a new top personal income tax bracket of 5.9% will be created, unless its delayed, for individuals making more than $210,000 a year. The higher rate will be levied only on income above that amount. The states top bracket is now 4.9%. For married couples filing jointly, the same new tax bracket would apply to annual income in excess of $315,000. Once it takes effect, the tax change will represent New Mexicos first personal income tax increase since 2003, when former Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, signed off on tax cuts that were touted as a way to boost the states economy. Other provisions in last years tax package included the expansion of a tax break for working families, an increase in the state vehicle excise tax rate and authorization for state and local governments to start levying a tax on online sales. The BBCs documentary flagship Panorama, Britains Killer Motorways? revealed that 38 people have been killed on smart motorways in the last five years. This is the case although smart motorways account for just 200 miles of the British motorway system. Britains Killer Motorways? produced by the BBCs Panorama investigative documentary series This is the first time the death toll has been revealed, giving the lie to Highways Englands claim that smart motorways are as safe as conventional motorways. In the words of Edmund King, President of the AA (Automobile Association) breakdown and rescue service, Smart motorways are a scandal because, as weve been saying from the outset, they are dangerous, theyre not fit for purpose. Britains Killer Motorways? which aired on January 27, reported a huge rise in near miss incidents on smart motorways. A Freedom of Information request for information on a section of the M25a major road encircling almost all of Greater London and one of the busiest motorways in the UKrevealed that there had been 72 such incidents in the five years before it was converted to a smart motorway. The five years after that conversion saw 1,485 near misses, a more than twentyfold rise. A near miss is categorised as an incident with the potential to cause injury or ill health. Some of the near miss footage shown by Panorama in this section of the film was horrifying to watch as to the carnage that smart motorways are responsible for. Any one of these misses could have resulted in a tragic loss of life. Smart motorways were introduced in a cost-cutting measure, as a means of easing congestion without expanding the existing road networkby turning the hard shoulder of conventional motorways into a live traffic lane. The scheme was piloted by the Labour government in 2006 on the M42 near Birmingham. Following this test, the plan was signed off by the Conservative-led coalition government in 2010. Smart motorways have been introduced across 200 miles of motorway so far. However, Highways England, the government company charged with operating, maintaining and improving Englands motorways and major A roads plans to add more than 4,000 miles of extra capacity through smart motorways. Without the emergency refuge of the hard shoulder, smart motorways depend solely on live control and monitoring technology to identify broken-down vehicles and close the affected lane. In the absence of a hard shoulder, drivers also need access to an Emergency Refuge Area (ERA) so they can get urgently get off the live motorway. Provision of both is catastrophically inadequate, and many people are dying as a result. The police say they were told the technology would be so advanced as to be instantaneous. In fact, as Panorama reveals, one M25 warning sign was out of action for 336 days, while the radar Stopped Vehicle Detection (SVD) technology promised for smart motorways has only been installed on about 6 percent of the smart motorway networktwo sections of the M25. The response of Highways England to any criticism has been one of murderous complacency: they now pledge that radar will be installed within three years. Highway Englands chief executive Jim OSullivan has acknowledged that radar technology could have saved lives. The organisation told a transport committee in 2016 that they would adopt it for subsequent schemes, but nothing has been done. A Highways England report has admitted that CCTV operators take an average of 17 minutes to spot stranded vehicles and then another three minutes before the lane closure sign is activated. It then takes on average another 17 minutes for the vehicle to be recovered. Drivers, as Panorama stated, are left a sitting duck for more than half an hour. The same report also found that drivers were three times more likely to break down in a live lane if there was no hard shoulder. On the M42 test area, ERAs were around 600 metres apart. As the network has been rolled out, ERAs have been up to two-and-a-half miles apart. According to documents seen by the Times, greater distances between ERAs were adopted as a savings measure. The Department of Transport raised concerns that this might result in corporate manslaughter charges. The hard shoulder is generally not as wide as a live lane in any case. In the process of conversion smart motorways gain an extra live lane by reducing the width of all lanes. In the event of a breakdown, therefore, drivers and their passengers confront the terrifying and dangerous alternatives of staying in their vehicle in the hope that the obstruction will be recognised and the lane closed quickly enough to protect them, or of ending up in a narrow band of live motorway lane. Both are extremely dangerous for those stranded and all motorway users. Panorama broadcast a harrowing 999 call made in December 2017 from a driver who had broken down on the M6 with his family in the vehicle. He is explaining that they are stranded in a lane of traffic when we hear him say, Shit, and then the terrible sound of a collision. BBC reporter and programme narrator Richard Bilton shows photographs of the crumpled vehicle that had been hit by a lorry at 50 mph. Miraculously, there were no fatalities. Many others have died. In June last year, Jason Mercer, aged 44 and Alexandru Murgeanu, 22, were involved in a minor collision on a smart motorway section of the M1 between junctions 34 and 35, near Sheffield. They stopped to exchange the legally required insurance details, but there was no ERA for a mile. Jason and Alexandru were trapped on the inside lane of an All Lanes Running (ALR) motorway. These have had the hard shoulder permanently removed and changed into a live lane. Smart motorways depend on the flawed notion that stopped vehicles are noticed immediately and that lane closure follows instantaneously. Jason and Alexandrus stopped vehicles were not noticed for more than six minutes. In Biltons words, There was nowhere for them to go all they could do was stay in this lane. The lane was only closed after the two men had been hit and killed by a lorry. The deaths of Jason and Alexandru meant that four people had died just on that stretch of motorway within the space of a year. Claire Mercer, the widow of Jason, is interviewed by Bilson and says of smart motorways, They dont look that different. There is still that lane there. Its still there. Its just that nobody knows how to use it. Claire Mercer speaking to Panorama The governments own guidelines reflect the chaotic situation facing motorists as they advise using an emergency area if you can reach one safely. If it is possible to leave your vehicle safely they advise contacting Highways England via roadside emergency telephones. If you cannot reach an ERA but the vehicle can still be driven, move it to the hard shoulder (where available) or as close as possible to the nearside (left hand) verge or other nearside boundary or slip road. This epitomises the confusion facing driversthat Highways England are responsible forabout how to drive on smart motorways and what to do in a crisis situation. This can only worsen if Highways England achieve their ambition of more dynamic hard shouldersthat is a lane which is sometimes a hard shoulder and sometimes a live traffic lane. Transport Minister Grant Shapps confirms to Bilton that the breakdown advice is stay put, but this, as the needless loss of life proves, is enormously dangerous if the lane remains open or emergency vehicles cannot access the site because there is no hard shoulder to use. The emergency vehicles sent after Jason Mercer and Alexandru Murgeanu were killed were delayed by lengthy traffic queues. Meera Narans eight-year-old son Dev was killed on the M6 in May 2018 outside Birmingham. The car, driven by his grandfather, got into trouble on an elevated section of motorway where the hard shoulder was a live lane. The car had only been stopped 45 seconds when it was hit by a lorry. The lorry driver, speaking anonymously on Panorama, and explaining that he had had no time to stop, said the accident happened because there was no hard shoulder. His pain at going back to the car and finding Dev was evident. The Sunday Telegraph learned of an earlier fatality at the same spot. Jamil Ahmeds broken-down car was not spotted, the lane was not closed, and he was hit and killed by a lorry. The coroner in that case announced a fear of future deaths report, but this was not issued owing to administrative error. At the inquest, Jamils wife begged Highways England to stop scrapping hard shoulders because there would be more deaths. Dev died just months later. Sir Mike Penning, the Tory Transport Minister responsible for agreeing the scheme in 2010, now heads an all-party parliamentary group on roadside rescue and recovery. This group has just called for further rollout of smart motorways to be halted. On screen Bilton tells Penning he signed off on something that wasnt delivered, and what was delivered is dangerous. Penning responds that the present scheme should never have happened. Highways England deny responsibility by shrugging that it had been signed off by ministers. The body have been criticised for their disingenuous presentation of statistics, blandly maintain that smart motorways are as safe as conventional motorways. In calling for a suspension of further rollout, Penning accused Highways England of a shocking degree of carelessness. In an admission of government callousness that has cost dozens of lives, Penning insists ERAs must be built every 800 metres, in line with the M42 pilot: smart motorways today do not resemble the designs I signed off. Last October, due to growing concern and media coverage of the number of deaths, the government was forced to launch a review into smart motorways. Shapps is seen squirming on Panorama as he tries to defend the indefensiblethe continued existence of growing sections of the motorway network that are inherently unsafe. A major weakness of the Panorama film is that it says nothing about the determined fightback underway against smart motorways. Claire Mercer, with the assistance of her family, launched the Smart Motorways Kill website and campaign last September which in a few months has done much to alert the public to how dangerous smart motorways are. The website publishes news and information regularly exposing the danger of smart motorways. It has also served to connect bereaved families together. A leaflet produced by the campaign explains the three types of smart motorways. It states that Budget restrictions mean these motorways have been forced on unsuspecting road users with no education on how to use them, with disastrous results. We have to settle for this option (i.e. unsafe roads) while the same government department has managed to increase the number of highly paid executives by 10 fold in just 6 years. The campaign has launched legal action in pursuit of a judicial review of the decision to allow smart motorways to be brought in. It has raised, through a crowdfunding appeal, 9,000 of the required 20,000 needed to take the case to court. Claire is also suing Highways England for corporate manslaughter with the aim of bringing criminal prosecutions against individuals. The Facebook page for the Smart Motorways Kill campaign is here and the Twitter page here. Donations to support the judicial review can be made here. Britains Killer Motorways? Britains Killer Motorways? can be viewed by UK residents here. It will be available online via the BBC iPlayer for another 11 months. Vietnamese Ambassador to Finland Dang Thi Hai Tam (L) and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto (Photo: baoquocte.vn) 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. Juliette Shedd, Associate Dean, School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, and Sheherazade R. Jafari, Director, School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, received funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development for: "Burma Leadership Activity." The Burma Leadership Activity is a scholarship program for promising young individuals in Burma to improve technical competencies and leadership. The scholarship program also prepares participants to promote respect for ethnic and religious diversity. Shedd and Jafari are developing a graduate-level conflict resolution training course that will supplement master's degree curricula of approximately 100 Burma Leadership Activity scholars. The participants will be spread across two to three cohorts over a five-year period. The researchers received $40,934 in funding for the first year of the project. Total funding for the work will be $330,000. Funding began in January 2020 and will conclude in July 2024. ### Why it matters: Big tech has come under fire recently for improper use of consumer data. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has introduced legislation to create the Data Protection Agency, a new federal government agency charged with protecting consumer data and investigating any mishandling of that data. While this legislation has little chance of bipartisan support, it is yet another indication of the increased scrutiny placed upon companies that rely on customer data for revenue. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced legislation called the Data Protection Act. This act establishes the creation of a new government agency called the Data Protection Agency (DPA). This new agency would be responsible for protecting consumer data and investigating possible misuse of that data. "Your data is extremely valuable to many companies with unknown motives, who are looking to exploit your data for profit," the senator remarked in a Medium blog post. "As a result, your very existence is being parsed, split, and sold to the highest bidder, and there is very little you or anyone, including the federal government can do about it." According to Sen. Gillibrand, the DPA's primary functions will include enforcing data protection rules through the use of civil penalties as well as to conduct investigations on data privacy issues and share its findings. The DPA would work to ensure fair competition across the internet by promoting tools and resources that strengthen data protection and privacy. Finally, the DPA would advise Congress on issues concerning privacy, such as deep fakes and encryption, as well as represent the United States at international forums. "Our personal data is under assault. Congress must establish a data protection agency. Senator Gillibrand has put forward a bold, ambitious proposal to safeguard the privacy of Americans." For now, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the primary agency charged with protecting consumer privacy. However, it seems that the agency hasn't been effective in its duties. Facebook was slammed with a $5 billion fine following the Cambridge Analytica scandal and other privacy issues but ended up adding $10 billion to its market valuation. Google was fined $170 million for violating COPPA, but much of the responsibility of policing content aimed at children now falls on the creators. One of the primary hurdles the Data Protection Act will face is the reluctance of the Republican Party to create another government agency. Many hard-line conservatives will bristle at the thought of creating another government bureaucracy. Still, the actions of almost every American tech giant have come under increased scrutiny as of late. Just days ago, the FTC opened an antitrust investigation against several big names, including Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook over their acquisitions in recent years. The proposed merger of T-Mobile and Sprint was in limbo for months because of the lawsuit by several states attempting to block the deal. However, US District Court Judge Victor Marrero recently approved the merger in a controversial ruling. The Data Protection Act has garnered support from various consumer privacy groups, including the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC). Caitriona Fitzgerald, EPIC's Policy Director, praised Gillibrand's efforts saying, "The US confronts a privacy crisis. Our personal data is under assault. Congress must establish a data protection agency. Senator Gillibrand has put forward a bold, ambitious proposal to safeguard the privacy of Americans". Russia turned off the oil taps to Belarus on January 1. Now Minsk is hitting back. Belarus on Friday threatened to siphon off oil from Russias transit pipeline to Europe unless Moscow restarted crude supplies. Minsk also accused the Kremlin of using energy prices as leverage to try to swallow up its former Soviet neighbour. The threat, from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, escalates a dispute between the two countries over oil supplies, and lifts the lid on a bigger geopolitical dispute that has seen Minsk accuse Moscow of trying to bully it into a unified state. Russian oil flows to Belarus have slowed to a trickle since January 1, after Moscow and Minsk failed to agree on terms for 2020 supplies, prompting Belarus, traditionally a close Moscow ally, to search for fuel elsewhere and to nurture ties with the West. If Russia doesnt supply oil in necessary volumes, we would start taking it from the transit pipeline, Lukashenko was quoted as saying by the Belta news agency. The Druzhba pipeline, which crosses Belarus territory, supplies about one million barrels per day of Russian oil to Europe, including Poland and Germany. In some of his strongest comments on the subject yet, Lukashenko suggested Moscow was pressuring him to merge his country with Russia to get cheaper Russian oil. By integration, they mean the takeover of Belarus, said Lukashenko. This is not integration, this is incorporation, he added, saying Minsk would never go for that. They are already saying: become part of Russia, then we will supply spare parts, then there will be other prices for oil and gas. Lukashenko said refineries in Belarus had received only 500,000 tonnes of Russian oil in January, down from a planned two million tonnes. Belarus was in talks with Poland to receive supplies of US and Saudi oil via a pipeline from Gdansk, he said. The oil dispute is part of a wider political discord between Moscow and Minsk over setting up a unified state, plans for which were originally announced in the 1990s. Lukashenko met Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin last week, but they failed to agree on a new oil deal for 2020. China cracked down on the sale of exotic species after an outbreak of a new virus in 2002 was linked to markets selling live animals. The germ turned out to be a coronavirus that caused SARS. The ban was later lifted, and the animals reappeared. Now another coronavirus is spreading through China, so far killing 1,380 people and sickening more than 64,000 eight times the number sickened by SARS. The suspected origin? The same type of market. With more than 60 million people under lockdown in more than a dozen Chinese cities, the new outbreak is prompting calls to permanently ban the sale of wildlife, which many say is being fueled by a limited group of wealthy people who consider the animals delicacies. The spreading illness also serves as a grim reminder that how animals are handled anywhere can endanger people everywhere. There's a vast number of viruses in the animal world that have not spread to humans, and have the potential to do so, said Robert Webster, an expert on influenza viruses at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. SARS and the current outbreak of COVID-19 are not the only diseases in people traced back to animals. The killing and sale of what is known as bushmeat in Africa is thought to be a source for Ebola. Bird flu likely came from chickens at a market in Hong Kong in 1997. Measles is believed to have evolved from a virus that infected cattle. Scientists have not yet determined exactly how the new coronavirus first infected people. Evidence suggests it originated in bats, which infected another animal that spread it to people at a market in the southeastern city of Wuhan. The now-shuttered Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market advertised dozens of species such as giant salamanders, baby crocodiles and raccoon dogs that were often referred to as wildlife, even when they were farmed. Of the 33 samples from the Wuhan market that tested positive for the coronavirus, officials say 31 were from the area where wildlife booths were concentrated. Compared with long domesticated livestock like chickens and pigs, researchers say less is known about the viruses that circulate in wild animals. The Wuhan market was also like many other wet markets in Asia and elsewhere, where animals are tied up or stacked in cages. Activists say it's difficult to distinguish between those that were legally farmed and those that may have been illegally hunted. The animals are often killed on site to ensure freshness. The messy mix raises the tiny odds that a new virus will jump to people handling the animals and start to spread, experts say. You've got live animals, so there's feces everywhere. There's blood because of people chopping them up, said Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, which works to protect wildlife and public health from emerging diseases. And more frequent global travel and trade means there's greater risk for outbreaks to spread, Daszak said. China's taste for wildlife is relatively new, prompted by the country's economic growth, said Peter Li, who studies Chinese politics at the University of Houston. But with the outbreak upending lives across the country, many on Chinese social media are expressing frustration that rich people's appetite for wild animals is again endangering everyone else. This is the second time the first is SARS, this time is Wuhan. We don't want a third time," Lai Xinping, a project cost assessor, said by phone from her home in Sichuan. We hate them too, and we are blamed, said Tao Yiwei, a 36-year-old homemaker. She is among those who want the temporary ban on wildlife, enacted to contain the current outbreak, to be permanent. There are signs the Chinese government may make more lasting changes to how exotic species are raised and sold. This month, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said the country should resolutely outlaw and harshly crack down" on the illegal wildlife trade because of the public health risks it poses. In the eastern province of Anhui, officials sealed farms breeding species like badgers and bamboo rats. In the port city of Tianjin, authorities say their crackdown on the sale of wildlife caught six traders, including three who were selling pythons and parrots. All told, officials say about 1.5 million markets and online operators nationwide have been inspected since the outbreak began. About 3,700 have been shut down, and around 16,000 breeding sites have been cordoned off. It's not clear how the measures will play out over time. Before the outbreak began, it was legal in China to sell 54 species like pangolins and civets as long as they were raised on farms . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hands down, the hardest part of my job is letting an employee go. Even the word fire makes people cringe and lower their eyes. But as any business leader knows, sometimes, the right thing to do for the company is to dismiss an employee. It is, after all, pretty common. Forty percent of Americans have lost a job, according to a recent Harris poll. So how can you make the dreaded process go smoothly, both for the employee and the person doing the firing? By doing it respectfully. A study of nearly 20,000 employees around the world from Harvard Business Review and Tony Schwartz found that being treated with respect was the most critical thing they wanted from their employer. They ranked it higher than recognition and appreciation, providing useful feedback or opportunities for learning, growth and development. This respect should extend to when things arent working out. Here are my four strategies for terminating a contract with compassion and integrity. Related: When Is It Time to Fire an Employee? 1. Make sure you offer opportunities for improvement first At my company, Hint, we have two types of terminations: performance-based and attitude-based. If a staff member isnt meeting clear criteria, we would never just let them go. We make sure their manager has an extensive conversation with that employee to let them know where they missed the mark. Together, theyll strategize ways for the employee to succeed. That way, the employee is aware of their performance and becomes part of the solution. We then give the employee a timeline typically between 30 to 90 days and schedule check-ins along the way, helping us gauge whether a staffer can continue with the company. They usually show progress, because goals are broken down into manageable milestones. A study from the University of Michigan found that 76 percent of participants who wrote down their goals and actions and provided weekly progress to a friend achieved their goals. But if the employee still hasn't made progress by the end of the trial period, its time for that hard conversation. Were especially careful when an employee appears to have a negative attitude or exhibits toxic behavior. Recent research from Harvard Business Review shows that one bad employee can corrupt a whole team. The study looked at how employees act when they are around someone who misbehaves. It found that 37 percent of those studied were more likely to do something dishonest if they worked with someone with a history of bad behavior. If this happens, we have a transparent but kind conversation with the sour-attitude employee. We may tell them, When you say this, your attitude impacts the organization this way. Or we may ask, How can we teach you to start a phrase differently so that it's better received? 2. Consider all the alternatives and CYA Before we let someone go, we make sure they wouldn't be happier elsewhere in the company. Sometimes, an employee doesn't realize they're headed toward burnout until you have an honest conversation about their output. I often suggest moving someone laterally or to another department when they show signs of dissatisfaction. Maybe they've got a great skillset, but they've been in sales for many years, and an opportunity in marketing would be a breath of fresh air. Or perhaps they're in logistics and would enjoy a career pivot. No matter the course of action, it's essential for managers to document everything to stay compliant with termination laws and to show the employee why things arent working out. Empower your managers to take detailed notes on a problem employees performance or attitude so that everything is in writing. Saying someones not a good fit can open you up to legal risk, so focus on issues with performance or behavior. 3. Work with HR to ensure that termination is handled correctly My company has recently doubled in size. That means I dont personally fire anyone anymore; thats in the jurisdiction of our Director of People. I work closely with her so that I'm involved in the process, and I suggest you do the same at your startup. Whether its an entry-level hire or someone more senior, a leader needs to be aware of anyone who isn't pulling their weight on the team and understand why. If you decide to fire the employee, develop a termination plan with HR to ensure youre following the law and your companys procedures. You might have an HR rep present at any meeting where you discuss an employee's future at the company. Or you might hire an outside party for an independent review or show your best practices. Related: 9 Reasons Talented Millennials Get Fired 4. Be as transparent as possible with the employee When youve exhausted your options and its time to let an employee go, do it swiftly. Be as clear and detailed as possible. Explain logistics like how the final paycheck will be handled, any severance pay and how company property should be returned. Make sure youre not waffling or giving them the impression that you might change your mind. Transparency is critical. Employee distrust is pervasive in the U.S. workforce, according to the American Psychological Associations 2014 Work and Well-Being Survey. Its research found that nearly one in four workers dont trust their employer, and only about half believe their employer is open and upfront with them. Be prepared to answer any questions during the termination meeting, and remember to show empathy. Consider scheduling a termination at the end of the workday, where you may even walk the person out when its closing time. At Hint, we help bridge the gap between an employee's last day and their next career move. We discuss what a transition will look like and help as much as possible. The support may include introductions to different firms, providing a reference and keeping the lines of communication open after their last day. Not all firings will be amicable, but they needn't entail bridges burned. Related: 4 Ways Diversity Is Directly Linked to Profitability How the 'Gratitude Effect' Can Reshape Your Life and Its Direction How to Dazzle Your Audience in the First 7 Seconds of Your Speech Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved The coronavirus might change the old saying, When America sneezes, the world catches a cold. With rising global concerns about the fatal virus, America has been replaced with China, which topped the worlds merchandise traders in 2018, according to World Trade Statistical Review 2019. As for Egypt, the impact will trigger price hikes if the crisis gets out of control, economists and traders said, citing possible declines in cheap imports from China. On Jan. 28, in an immediate response to the crisis, the Importers Division at the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce warned Egyptian importers, estimated at around 60,000, against traveling to China. The countrys national carrier, EgyptAir, said Jan. 30 it would suspend its flights from and to mainland China until Feb. 29. The suspension began on Feb. 1. Hangzhou flights will be suspended starting from Feb. 1 and then Beijing and Guangzhou starting from Feb. 4, until the situation stabilizes. This decision is to keep EgyptAirs customers and cabin crew safe and to avoid the coronavirus [that is spreading rapidly] recently in mainland China and other countries, the company said in a statement on its website. There has been no impact on Egypt yet. The picture will be clearer soon, Ahmed Shiha, former head of the Importers Division, told Al-Monitor. There are two scenarios for this crisis. In case of escalation, there will be a direct impact on all countries, including Egypt, because China is the worlds top exporter. So far we have seen South Korea's Hyundai shutting down five plants [in South Korea] due to lack of automotive parts imported from China, Shiha noted. As for Egypt, in that prolonged scenario, the impact will affect both the industrialists and consumers as China accounts for around 25% of Egypts total imports. Closure of Chinese seaports will stop supplies of merchandise to Egyptian manufacturers and merchants. That will hike up prices on the local market, Shiha said, adding that China is Egypts top supplier of electronic devices, electrical appliances and textiles. China topped Egypts trading partners in 2018 with $6.5 billion, the Central Bank of Egypt reported on May 26, 2019. Shiha said many Egyptian industries namely electronics, textiles and automotive depend heavily on China, which exports most of manufacturing inputs to Egypt. In a bid to soothe public worries, the Vegetables and Fruits Division of the Cairo Chamber of Commerce said Feb. 9 that Egypts food imports from China are garlic, carrots and green ginger. Imports of these items have been suspended [since the outbreak of the virus], it said in a statement. In the second scenario, the impact will be very limited if the Chinese authorities contain the crisis fast. Egypts imports from China stand at around $14.5 billion to $16 billion [annually] of which roughly 85% are raw materials and manufacturing inputs, Shiha said. I believe there would be an impact if this crisis continues. The longer the coronavirus persists in China, the more serious the impact will be on global trade and the world economy in general. In this case, Egypt will be affected by a decline in Chinese exports, Rashad Abdo, head of the Egyptian Forum for Economic and Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor. However, if the Chinese put an end to the coronavirus fast, there would be no impact whatsoever on trade and world tourism, Abdo said, pointing out that the spread of the virus would also consequently impact Chinese tourist arrivals in Egypt. Following the flight suspension to and from China, tourist arrivals are expected to decline. Mohamed Othman, head of the Cultural Tourism Marketing Committee in Luxor, told Al-Masry Al-Youm news portal on Feb. 2 that companies operating in the Chinese tourism market were directly affected. Othman said that Chinese tourists would have reached 250,000 this year, up by 50,000 last year, if it werent for the virus. The outbreak of the coronavirus started during the Chinese public holidays. The Egyptian merchants have a large stock of Chinese-made merchandise. The local market is still intact. With the crisis exacerbating, the consumers in Egypt will be affected as prices of electronics, for instance, will shoot up, Abdo explained, referring to China's spring festival between Jan. 24 and Feb. 2. From the global perspective, the world economy would be highly affected if the coronavirus turns epidemic, Abdo said. A slowdown in China would inevitably usher in a decline in global demand for fuel and raw materials. China is the worlds top importer of oil and natural gas. Moreover, American manufacturers rely heavily on cheap Chinese-made inputs, Abdo said, noting that the sooner the crisis ends the better for China and the world economy as a whole. However, some Chinese companies may be gainers if the coronavirus is well contained, Abdo said, pointing out that a number of European firms operating in China may exit. The Chinese investors would take over these firms cheaply, he concluded. Panellists from Richemont, Mars, Spectris and British American Tobacco shared insights on how to start a conversation with company executives on patent value, at this years MIP International Womens Leadership Forum in London on January 30. Unlike technology or pharmaceutical companies, which rely heavily on patents, the panellists all came from brand-focused businesses that traditionally depend on copyright and trademarks to protect their products. But as their business models shift, panellists said that patents are becoming more important to their IP strategy. Their best advice to other women in the boardroom who need to communicate the value of their patent portfolio was simple: tell a good story. Long story short Sheila Henderson, chief IP counsel at Richemont in the UK, demonstrated the value of storytelling from working for a luxury company protecting top brands such as Cartier and Montblanc. She told the conference members that the first thing they needed to do when talking to the C-suite was to understand the audience. This will sound terribly basic, but the data points have to be relevant. We are telling stories with our brands so I also need to create legal stories. Its about using the relative data at our fingertips, so I present samples of counterfeits and examples of what is on social media, she said. Emily ONeill, chief counsel of IP and litigation at instrumentation company Spectris in the UK, said that she gets her board to listen by illustrating a story of how IP supports the company. She told the audience that her difficulty in protecting IP was complicated because she had many divisions in her company, which made knowing her competitors challenging. Being able to illustrate a story of how IP supports the company is important. To get our board to understand where our risk lies and manage that appropriately has been a work in progress, she said. After we work out a consistent vocabulary, we can then talk about how IP can support the technology strategy. For example, looking at our brands and how we are stopping counterfeits in our online business in Asia has specifically helped win over our C-suite. Communication challenges Lizzie Morters, patent counsel at British American Tobacco (BAT) in London, said that one of her challenges in communicating IP value to her C-suite was that her company has morphed from a traditional cigarette business that relied on brand protection to one that was technology driven and protected by patents. For her company, this means relying on innovation to stay one step ahead of the competition. Right now is a very volatile landscape for tobacco because we are moving away from the traditional cigarettes. Before, we had a patent portfolio and we knew who our competitors were, she said. Patents have become much more of a commercial tool, when they werent so much before. We are constantly having discussions with our C-suite that we need to increase our portfolio and match our competitors. I have to explain that if we dont keep up, we wont have the tools available to be competitive. From Nestle to Mars Amira Mukhtar, European counsel for IP at Mars, also works for a well-known company that relies heavily on trademarks to protect its innovations. With many different chocolate bars on the market, customers recognise the trademarked logos of her companys different confectioneries. This does not mean, however, that patents are any less important to her company. For sure, consumers dont buy a Snickers bar because it is patented. They associate it with the brand and the logo, which is not to undersell the patent because they might buy a KitKat bar because its crispy, she said. She explained that in her previous role at Nestle, the board understood the value of innovation to the company and that filing patents for trailblazing technologies was an exciting part of her job. One example she gave was patenting a natural sugar that would help her company keep up with customer pressure to have more health and wellness products. I was working at Nestle a few years ago and it had a good understanding of IP on its board. We had regular visits of the R&D sites, which gave scientists the opportunity to showcase their inventions. There was always a question about filing patents, and they had a good understanding of the technological developments, she said. Sob story The panellists shared the belief that as companies become more technology driven, more money should be allocated in the budget for patent protection. Henderson from Richemont said that one method she used to communicate to her C-suite that her budget needed to increase was to compare the money spent on patents to other areas of the budget. I find it really hard to present patent data in an interesting way, but we have benchmarked it against influencers and it is terrifying that we spend more on patents than we do on influencers, she said. If you tell the board you pay somebody 20,000 to go to a dinner, it can get them to think about increasing your patent budget. She added that she tried to get in front of her board twice a year to make the point of how her company was doing compared to its competitors and to be sure it was winning all the IP fights it needed to. I tell the board that if it wants to cut the budget, that will mean fewer raids. We will reduce the online takedowns by 10%. Then we tell the C-suite that the business can make a choice, and sometimes the budget is reassessed. Sometimes they think you can do more with less, which, of course, you cant. She added that while nobody is perfectly happy with their IP budget, what a lawyer does with the allocated money can be one way of proving their talent. I take the view that a mediocre lawyer can do well with a huge budget. Its when the budget is cut and you need to prioritise that people really begin to shine, she said. For Morters at BAT, her struggle is getting her C-suite to understand that shifting its business strategy from being brand focused to innovation driven means getting her executives to fund their patent division. Now they want to utilise the technology to build the brand and this means they have a very different take on how to use the IP. They need to give us more money, she said. Whether in-house teams present their IP strategy through social media stories or tales of counterfeit infringement, the important thing, it seems, is to present IP in an easily understandable way that will make the C-suite sit up and pay attention. For more information about the conference, visit: https://www.managingip.com/stub.aspx?stubid=34791 The material on this site is for law firms, companies and other IP specialists. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. Share this article Florin Ghinea, 45, was arrested by officers from the National Crime Agency's Armed Operations Unit (NCA) in August 2018 (NATIONAL CRIME AGENCY) A man accused of being the head of an organised crime network has been extradited to Romania 18 months after his arrest in Hertfordshire. Florin Ghinea, 45, was arrested by officers from the National Crime Agency's Armed Operations Unit (NCA) in Watford on August 14, 2018. The operation was supported by Hertfordshire Police on on a European Arrest Warrant and had been described as one of Europes most wanted men. Nicknamed "Ghenosu", he was wanted by the Romanian authorities on human trafficking, conspiracy to murder, blackmail and money laundering charges. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Man visited by police at work over 'transphobic' tweet wins High Court battle Government says flights from China still allowed as UK cases rise to 9 Sajid Javid quit because he didn't want to 'rock the boat' Ghinea is also accused of orchestrating a trafficking ring which saw Romanian women sent to Ireland, Finland and Dubai for the purposes of sexual exploitation, as well as conspiring to kill a criminal rival. The NCA said he was flown out of Heathrow to Bucharest to face trial following UK extradition proceedings at Westminster Magistrates' Court. Head of European Operations for NCA International, Dave Hucker, said:Ghinea was arrested as a result of some excellent joint working between the NCA and Romanian law enforcement. His departure is a huge success, and Ive no doubt our streets are safer as a result. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Volunteers will show some love for San Francisco's Ocean Beach on Valentine's Day, according to the Turtle Island Restoration Network, which is hosting a beach cleanup on Friday. The Love Your Beach Cleanup will start at 10 a.m. and last until noon and groups and individuals are welcome to join in. People will gather at the north end of the Ocean Beach parking lot to start the cleanup. 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. Its the beginning of the year, everyone is setting New Years resolutions, the gyms are full, people are struggling their way though dry January, and its back to work for most. Maybe your New Years resolution is to find a new job this year? Or are you looking to switch careers entirely? Well, if its one of those, nijobfinder can help. Make your CV perfect and get an employers attention by creating a CV that stands out. Your CV is the first chance you get to impress an employer and ultimately boost your chances of getting invited to that all-important job interview. Why should an employer choose you over the hundreds of others that have applied for the position? Your CV is your chance to sell yourself. You need to differentiate yourself from the other candidates, this means highlighting your skills and expertise. Whats your unique selling point? Nijobfinder has listed five top CV writing tips to help you create a great CV and ultimately, get you job interviews in 2020. Five CV writing tips for 2020 1. What to include when writing your CV Your CV has roughly seven seconds to grab an employers attention so make your personal profile count. This is the first thing the employer will read, bar your name and contact details at the very top. Your personal profile should be a short paragraph outlining who you are and what you can offer the company. Then its time to outline your career history. Make sure you read the job description thoroughly and include all your experiences that make you the perfect candidate for the job you are applying for. Next outline your education and qualifications in reverse chronological order. Now youll need to discuss your key skills. Make sure you read the job person specification and job description and try to tailor your CV around this. Its not necessary to include your hobbies and interests if you have plenty of work experience. Only include this section if you have limited experience or just left school/university. 2. Formatting your CV Presentation is key. If your CV is sloppy and full of mistakes, itll go to the bottom of the pile. Your CV must be professionally presented. A few crucial things to remember when formatting your CV are: Keep it to two pages or less List points in reverse chronological order Use bullet points for key pieces of information Make section headings larger to stand out Pick a professional font They may seem basic but its surprising how many people make formatting errors whilst writing a CV. Take your time to get your CV right - itll be worth it. 3. Tailor your CV Tailor your CV for every job you are applying for. Youve probably heard this a million times, nevertheless no employer wants to read a CV that isnt tailored specifically for the role in which they are hiring for. Read the job description and person specification carefully and make sure you mention how you match the criteria throughout your CV. 4. Update your CV regularly Its surprising what you can forget if you dont update your CV regularly. Keep a note of your weekly/monthly duties at work and write down key achievements whilst in your current role. This will make it quicker and easier to edit your CV when youre applying for a new job. 5. What not to include in your CV Its impossible to talk about writing your CV without mentioning what you shouldnt include. There are a few simple things to avoid: Bad punctuation, poor grammar and spelling mistakes Annoying buzzwords Unrelated work experience Salary information Lies References It can be hard to write a CV that impresses, but nijobfinders quick tips on how to create a killer CV will point you in the right direction. Start your job search today on NIJobfinder Indian Youth Congress on Friday staged a protest outside the Petroleum Ministry at Shastri Bhawan demanding a roll back of the hike in LPG cylinder prices. "Just because people did not vote in BJP's favour, they are punishing them by increasing the LPG price. This decision is cruel and harsh against poor and also shows anti-poor mindset of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," IYC President Srinivas BV said in a statement. The party also organised a symbolic protest march against the hike by displaying a gas stove and cylinder placed on a cart. 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. The Congress and other opposition parties have demanded rollback of the LPG price hike. 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). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The president then went on Twitter again, praising Barrs decision. But all four of the lawyers prosecuting the case withdrew from it, and a public outcry followed. Many of the presidents detractors worried that after his acquittal on impeachment charges, it would be impossible to prevent him from meddling in cases that concerned his own alleged misconduct. But on Thursday, Barr offered a rare rebuke to Trump during an interview with ABC News. I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me, he said. Those comments represent some of the strongest pushback that Trump has received from a member of his cabinet during his administration. But they also might have been basically obligatory: Barr wasnt exaggerating when he said his job was becoming impossible. As our reporter Katie Benner notes, Speaking up could have put Mr. Barr at risk of losing the backing of the president, but remaining silent would have permitted Mr. Trump to continue attacking law enforcement and all but invited open revolt among the some 115,000 employees of the Justice Department. Still, critics of the attorney general saw his comments mainly as a way to deflect responsibility for his role in carrying out the presidents political wishes. A Federal High Court in Calabar, has admitted journalist and rights activist, Agba Jalingo, to bail in the sum of N10m and one surety. Mr. Jalingo has spent 175 days in detention before bail was granted by Justice Sule Shuaibu on Thursday. KanyiDaily had reported that Jalingo is being tried for treason after publishing a report on his online news platform, Cross River Watch, questioning the whereabouts of the N500m approved and released for the floating of the Cross River Microfinance Bank. Justice Simon Amobeda had denied Jalingo bail on two previous occasion October 4 and 30, 2019 saying the journalist had not given enough reason as to why he should be admitted to bail. Justice Amobeda recused himself from the case following a leaked audio where he was caught saying Jalingos life was in his hand and he would treat him like Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was sentenced to death by hanging under military rule. At the resumed hearing before Justice Sule Shuaibu on Thursday, Jalingo pleaded not guilty to a fresh four-count charge preferred against him bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, cultism and attempt to topple the Cross River State Government. Jalingos counsel, Attah Ochinke, moved the motion for bail with the prosecution counsel, Tanko Ashang, refusing to oppose it. The judge subsequently set the bail bond at N10m with one surety in like sum. The surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and his address must be physically verified. Also, he must show means that he will be able to forfeit the bail bond, the judge ruled. The judge also ordered that the surety was expected to deposit N700,000 cash with the registrar of the court, who will then pay it into an interest yielding account with a commercial bank. Justice Shuaibu also ruled that Jalingo must seek the permission of the court to travel out of the country if he wants to travel and that he must depose to an oath that he will be available in court while he and his surety must present two passport photographs. The judge also ordered that the proceedings of the court on the matter shall not be a matter of public discourse. He subsequently adjourned the matter to April 6, 7 and 8, 2020 for the prosecution to open and close its case. After David John Thistle, a resident of The Woodlands, nabbed 53 votes in the Feb. 11 Democratic presidential primary in New Hampshire, his alleged false claims to have been an elite U.S. Navy SEAL drew scrutiny from veterans, including Don Shipley, a retired Navy SEAL senior chief who now resides in Maryland. Shipley is widely known in military circles as a detective of sorts who has made it one of his lifes missions 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. After news of Thistles showing in the New Hampshire primary, Shipley posted another video on his website decrying the alleged claims of being a SEAL that he says Thistle has made. The Villager did a quick telephone interview with Shipley about the issue. Shipley became an official SEAL in 1985 and retired in 2003, making him one of the longer serving SEALs in the services history. QUESTION: Why do people fabricate their military credentials or armed service resume? Is there something they are gaining from the ruse? SHIPLEY: They only do it for three reasons. One is to gain respect for something they didnt do, theyre underachievers. Most of the time, if they actually did serve, they had a bad run in the military that theyre terribly ashamed of and they crave that respect. They tell you theyre a Navy SEAL so youll drool all over them. The other kind of guy does it to intimidate you. He he scares women, he scares kids, he scares the neighbors telling you, I can kill you with a plastic spoon or a rolled up (newspaper). He is just a bully. The third kind of guy does it to build trust. I dont understand why this happens, but when you tell someone you were a Navy SEAL, it instantly builds trust. And (imposters) will take full advantage of that, especially on dating sites. It is the guy who will put a roof on your house and say that he needs all the money up front, then you never see him againwanting to be pool boys for widows. They really hit up churches a lot for money, (saying), Im homeless, give me money. (It is) to build trust. QUESTION: What motivated you to become a so-called detective trying to catch military service imposters? SHIPLEY: There are other sites that do what I doArmy guys, Marinesbut by and large, if you ask them, it was because (weve) been taken by (an imposter) and embarrassed by one. I certainly did (get fooled). I was taken by a Marine. He did serve, but did not do what he was (falsely) claiming. I labeled him a hero in front of a bunch of young guys. That really, really upset me. I think he just got released from prison for frauding the VA. The first phony SEAL (I discovered), I was just verifying it from the database. I have access to the guys in that (official U.S. Navy) database, I would just tell people: that guy is lying to you. There are two kinds of phonies I really hate, the first is the religious guy who will wear a crucifix and lie and lie about being a SEAL. The second one is the guy who will freely give advice to young guys aspiring to be SEALs. I went after one of those guys who was giving bad information, as if the training isnt hard enough, and he threatened to have me killed. That is when (my website) took off. jeff.forward@chron.com Agreements intended to bring an end to violence in eastern Ukraine are poorly observed and beginning to falter. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday urged Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stick to peace agreements to de-escalate the five-year conflict between Kyiv forces and Moscow-backed separatists, the Kremlin said in a blunt statement on Friday. Putin and Zelenskyy discussed the settlement of the conflict, the Kremlin said, adding that Putin stressed the importance of the complete and unconditional implementation of Western-brokered peace agreements. Vladimir Putin has posed a direct question does Kyiv intend to implement Minsk agreements in earnest, the Kremlin said. France and Germany helped broker the so-called Minsk agreements in the Belarusian capital but they are poorly observed and the peace process has essentially ground to a halt. 191223202610520 The 2015 deal calls for the withdrawal of heavy weapons, the restoration of Kyivs control over its borders, wider autonomy for separatist-held regions of Donetsk and Lugansk and the holding of local elections. But Ukraines newly appointed chief of Zelenskyys staff, Andriy Yermak, this week cast doubt on the possibility of holding elections in eastern Ukraine in the presence of illegal armed groups, and without Kyiv controlling the borders in the east. Yermak, a close Zelenskyy ally, has led talks on Russia and a source in the Ukrainian presidency has told AFP news agency that he will remain the main negotiator with Moscow. Zelenskyy, a 42-year-old comedian with no previous political experience, won a landslide victory in Ukraine last year on pledges to end the conflict and improve ties with Russia. He and Putin met for the first time during a Western-mediated summit in Paris in December. On Friday, Putin and Zelenskyy also discussed a further troop pullback in eastern Ukraine and de-mining operations, the Kremlin said. Readiness was expressed to continue efforts aimed at the release and exchange of people held by Russia and Ukraine, the Kremlin added. Kyiv, for its part, said on Friday the talks with Putin focused on preparations for a new summit, adding the two leaders agreed to ramp up the work of negotiators to implement the existing agreements. Release of prisoners Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin paid special attention to the process of releasing Ukrainian citizens being held in Russia, Crimea and Ukraines separatist-controlled regions, Kyiv added. 200112151615079 Zelenskyy managed to negotiate a long-awaited swap with Russia that saw the two countries exchange a total of 70 prisoners in September. Zelenskyy and Putin last spoke by phone on December 31. The Kremlin announced this week it had appointed a new point person for Ukraine, who is seen as a less divisive figure than his predecessor. The move could herald a new phase in the talks, a French presidential official has said. Ties between Ukraine and Russia were shredded after a bloody uprising overthrew a Kremlin-backed government in 2014. Moscow went on to annex Crimea and support fighters in eastern Ukraine. More than 13,000 people have been killed in the conflict, Europes only active war. Its good news: Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Sluder, a boatswains mate responsible for littoral combat ship operations and rescue swimming, is one of the sailors serving aboard the USS Jackson home ported in San Diego. FYI: Littoral combat ships were first introduced more than a decade ago to the Naval fleet to increase forward presence and complete diverse missions. "My favorite part of the job is meeting people from so many different backgrounds, said Sluder, a 2009 St. Peters Boys High School grad and Staten Island native. According to Sluder, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found on Staten Island. Staten Island taught me to take care of everyone, Sluder added. With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the worlds international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy. Littoral combat ships are considered the future of the Navy because of their technologically advanced engineering and versatility to deter multiple threats. Jackson is named after the capital city in Mississippi. It has a crew of 40 sailors, is 418 feet long, 104 feet wide and weighs 3,104 pounds when fully loaded. The ship is equipped with two gas turbine engines, two diesel engines and four water jets, allowing it to navigate the water at 47 knots. According to Admiral Mike Gilday, the Chief of Naval Operations, the focus of todays Navy is squarely on war fighting, war fighters and the capabilities needed for the Navy of the future. I am confident we will maximize the Navy we have today while delivering the Navy that our nation will rely upon tomorrow, said Gilday. And we will do so with urgency. Our fleet will be a potent, formidable force that competes around the world every day, deterring those who would challenge us while reassuring our allies and partners. Sluder is most proud of being a casket barrier for the Navy Ceremonial Guard and conducting funerals in Arlington. You are bringing a lot of families closure for losing a loved one, Sluder continued. For Sluder, serving in the US Navy is a tradition passed down from generations and one Sluder hopes to continue. Both my grandfathers have served, he said, before adding: I was really proud to be able to carry on the family legacy of service. Serving in the Navy is like having a family away from my family that I left in New York." Megan Brown of the Navy Office of Community Outreach, contributed to this report. For folks in rural areas, innovations in telemedicine improve health and quality of life. A federal net neutrality law could spur investment in telehealth by ensuring startups and investors 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 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 this year has focused on reclassifying broadband under utility rules from the 1930s, which experts warn would discourage broadband investment in rural areas. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona, are leading a bipartisan effort to permanently protect net neutrality and create a modern regulatory framework for broadband services that encourages the network investment we urgently need in our state. Montanas senators should consider joining that working group. Telehealth deserves the protection of a permanent net neutrality law, but not at the expense of rural broadband. Trish Dick, Helena You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 On Feb. 24, BTS will appear in a special episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The group will take part in an extended interview with Fallon, explore New York City, and perform a new song. The one-of-a-kind episode will come just a few days after BTS release their album Map of the Soul: 7. BTS with Jimmy Fallon | Andrew Lipovsky/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon asked BTS fans to submit questions On Feb. 6, Fallon announced that BTS would appear on the show. ARMY knew something special was in the works after the official Twitter account for the show dropped hints about a big announcement. We have a very special show coming up. Its unlike any other Tonight Show weve ever done. And our guests will be global sensation BTS, Fallon said. Ill be interviewing them, and I want your help. If youre a BTS fan and theres a question youve always wanted to ask the band, were going to give you that chance. Fallon then gave instructions on how fans could submit questions for the interview segment. .@BTS_twt is coming back to #FallonTonight and Jimmy wants to ask them YOUR questions! Tweet your questions for BTS using the hashtag #FallonAsksBTS! pic.twitter.com/rDJfU8A6nM Fallon Tonight (@FallonTonight) February 7, 2020 Just go on Twitter or Instagram and send in your question to us at @FallonTonight. Be sure to use the hashtag #FallonAsksBTS. Just send in your questions, well read them all. And who knows, we might ask BTS your question, Fallon said. BTS will explore New York City with Jimmy Fallon Fans knew BTSs appearance would mark a special episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, but a new announcement shows this episode is something completely unprecedented and unexpected. Typically, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon features multiple guests and a performer in the studio. For this upcoming episode, BTS and Fallon will explore New York City together. BTS are the only guests and performers on the episode, meaning the entire episode is dedicated to them. We wanted to do something special for BTS and, at the same time, celebrate New York City. BTS really knocked it out of the park. Youre not going to believe how big and fun their performance is they took over Grand Central Terminal, Fallon said. secrets out! we did a fun NYC centric show with @bts_bighit and they took over grand central terminal for just a HUGE performance. and wow, those guys are talented. and funny. and very, very cool. feb 24 yall. https://t.co/NHyCn4GI7C Gavin Purcell (@gavinpurcell) February 13, 2020 Gavin Purcell, the showrunner of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, confirmed this is one of the most expansive episodes the show has ever put on. He also complimented the members of BTS for how talented and humble they are. In terms of the production side, this [episode] was a pretty heavy lift. I cant tell you how many people went into the making of this it was the entire staff rallying together to make this really cool show. And on the BTS side, it was amazing to see how they rallied and how hard they worked. Thats something their fans know, but not only are they incredibly talented, theyre also so hardworking and humble, Purcell told Rolling Stone. The group will perform a new song After debuting Black Swan on The Late Late Show with James Corden, BTS flew to New York City to film The Tonight Show. BTS are not only appearing on the show, its acting as their comeback stage. The episode will show the group performing a new song in Grand Central Terminal. Purcell also confirmed that Fallons interview with BTS takes place on the subway, the group visited Katz Deli, and they will play a new one-on-one tournament game. This means fans can expect a concert, BTS: Bon Voyage, and Run BTS! all in one talk show. The female bald eagles today laid their first eggs of 2020 in all three Pennsylvania nests being monitored by livestreaming nest cams. The Pennsylvania Farm Country female deposited her first egg at 4:26 p.m., the Hanover female at 6:02 p.m. and the Pittsburgh Hays female at 6:30 pm. Each of the females probably will lay a second egg within the next few days. In addition to defending the nests, they and their mates will incubate the eggs for about 35 days. The nestlings will be dependent on their parents for food and protection for another 9-10 weeks, when they will be ready for their first flights. Here are links to those nestcams and one other Pennsylvania nestcam: Pennsylvania Farm Country bald eagle nestcam, a project of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, HDOnTap and Comcast Business. Hanover Bald Eagle nestcam near Codorus State Park in York County, a project of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, HDOnTap, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association and Comcast Business. Pittsburgh Hays Eagle Cam , a project of CSE, Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, Arborel Tree Service and JASE Construction Services. And, here are some previous stories about Pennsylvanias birds of prey: 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. Contact Marcus Schneck at mschneck@pennlive.com. David Hogg in the documentary 'After Parkland': YouTube / kinolorber A new documentary chronicles the lives of survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, two years after the attack. David Hogg, Victoria Gonzalez, Dillon McCooty and more feature in the 90-minute After Parkland, which documents students and parents efforts to advocate for gun legislation reform, while dealing with the personal aftermath of the shooting. Seventeen people and three staff members died in just six minutes after a gunman opened fire on 14 February 2018 at the school in Parkland, Florida. After Parkland, directed by Emily Taguchi and Jake Lefferman, never mentions the shooter by name, nor does it show his face, turning viewers attention instead to the victims and those left to grieve. It premiered on 12 February with a series of showings across the US. The film begins with the mass shooting then takes viewers along as students return to Stoneman Douglas to finish the school year, exploring milestones such as prom and graduation while honouring the memory of their classmates. It also documents the rise of the Never Again movement against gun violence, which culminated at the time with the March for Our Lives demonstration on 24 March, 2018. In a telling sequence, David Hogg, who became one of the most vocal advocates of the student-led movement after the shooting, discussed the toll his activism has taken on him, says hes been losing weight because the news cycle has kept him so busy he often doesnt have time to prepare food. Im beyond exhausted at this point, Hogg, who was 17 years old at the time of the shooting, says. Its just something Ive got to work through and sleep off. But its hard doing [that] when you get half a million notifications every day. ...I dont have time. Ive been dropping weight from not being able to eat. In an earlier sequence, Hogg discusses the anxiety of having to return to school after the attack as such: If people want to know what its like to go back to school every day where something like this occurred: imagine getting in a plane crash, surviving, and getting on the same plane every day, when the one issue that caused it isnt fixed. Story continues One profoundly moving passage features Victoria Gonzalez, whose boyfriend Joaquin Oliver died aged 17 in the shooting, going to prom with Dillon McCooty, a close friend of Oliver. Both Gonzalez and McCooty found that attending the event together would be the best way of honouring his memory, with Gonzalez wearing Olivers baptism necklace as a tribute. I was already planning to go with Joaquin, Gonzalez says. That wasnt on my mind until recently, when I heard all his friends talking about it. Were going to make it the best time we can, for him. Parents also play an important role in the film, where theyre shown developing their own forms of activism. Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow Pollack died in the shooting, is seen speaking from the White House the week after the attack, saying in front of Donald Trump and others: Were here because my daughter has no voice. She was murdered last week and she was taken from us shot nine times on the third floor. ... My beautiful daughter, Im never gonna see again. How many schools, how many children have to get shot? It should have been one school shooting and we should have fixed it. Olivers father, Manuel Oliver who poignantly tells the camera he prefers to use the present tense to talk about his son also gets involved. A creative director by trade, he has created the nonprofit Change the Ref, the goal of which is to oppose the influence of the NRA and gun manufacturers. The father is seen in the documentary spray-painting his sons portrait onto a poster, adding the words Vote them out next to the teenagers image. This is graphic activism, he says. No risk, no fear. Coming from him, coming from the victim. Later on in the film, the elder Oliver travels to Chicago, Illinois, to paint a wall with an image of his son. Along with his wife, Patricia Oliver, he visits a store, looking to buy spray paint but struggles to do so because the product is banned in the city. Were trying to get laws to prohibit the selling of assault weapons and Im not able to buy spray paint for it, the father laments. After Parkland follows students until the beginning of the next school year, with some of them moving out of Parkland for college. Gonzalez, who is about to begin her senior year, reflects candidly about her grieving process, explaining: There are times when I still cant believe that he [Joaquin Oliver] is gone. Im still fighting it. So I have to find a way now to understand that life has to go on and I have to find a way to accept it. Theres no choice. I just have to do it. The film concludes with footage of several shootings that occurred after the one in Parkland, in Santa Fe, Texas; Annapolis, Maryland; Chicago, Illinois; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Thousand Oaks, California. Read more It's up to American millennials to save ourselves from gun violence The US attorney whose nomination for a top Treasury Department job was yanked because she ran the office that oversaw Roger Stone's prosecution has resigned, an administration official tells CNN. Jessie Liu, who previously headed the US attorney's office in Washington, submitted her resignation to the Treasury Department, effective Wednesday evening. She went to the Treasury Department with the intention of filling a Senate-confirmed position, which is no longer available after her nomination was withdrawn earlier Wednesday, the official said. The revoked nomination -- paired with the mass withdrawal of the career prosecutors from Stone's case on Tuesday -- punctuated a stunning cascade of developments set into motion on Monday. Prosecutors from the DC US Attorney's Office, who are Justice Department employees, wrote Monday in a filing that a judge should issue Stone a seven- to nine-year sentence after he was convicted on seven charges last year that came out of Mueller's investigation, including lying to Congress and witness tampering. Top Justice Department officials later overruled that recommendation after Trump complained publicly on Twitter, though he has insisted he did not intervene directly. While head of the US Attorney's Office in Washington, Liu inherited many of the major ongoing cases from Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation and was also handling the politically charged case of former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, a frequent target of Trump's ire who is also a CNN contributor. Trump's decision to abruptly withdraw her nomination was directly tied to her former job. As Trump and administration officials weighed pulling Liu's nomination to serve as the Treasury Department's under secretary for terrorism and financial crimes, a central factor in the talks was how she had run the US Attorney's Office. The problem wasn't that she necessarily did anything wrong, one person familiar with the thinking said, but that she didn't do more to get involved in those cases, though it's not clear what leeway she would have had. Liu was nominated in December to serve as the Treasury Department's under secretary for terrorism and financial crimes. Previously she headed the US attorney's office that oversaw the prosecution and conviction of Trump's longtime political adviser until Attorney General William Barr replaced her last month. She also led the team that worked on the sentencing of former Trump deputy campaign manager Rick Gates. Fox Business anchor Lou Dobbs, who counts Trump among his viewers, on Tuesday accused Liu of softening her office's case against a former Senate aide convicted in relation to sensitive leaks, and suggested that she had helped "cover up" his ties to the origins of the Russia investigation. Both of Dobbs' claims were presented without evidence. Attorney General Bill Barr had advocated for the President to stick by Liu's nomination in recent weeks as the campaign against her nomination kept building and appeared to be making headway with Trump, according to a person familiar with the matter. Justice Department officials were surprised to learn on Tuesday that Trump had pulled her nomination. Four members of the gang have been jailed for 60 years. (SWNS) A ram raid gang that attacked a security guard and stole from a college have been jailed for a combined 60 years. Larry Barnett, 33, Jamie Lambie, 43, Lee Barnett, 32, and Michael Dunleavy, 37, took about 200,000 during their three month crime spree across Birmingham and Solihull. A bank, supermarkets and convenience stores were also targeted by the thieves, who would steal cars before ramming them into buildings, and tie straps to cashpoints before ripping them free of walls. The men committed 14 offences during the three months, mostly targeting cashpoints, but they also stole around 40,000 worth of cigarettes. They stole a total of 13 vehicles in the spree, which started in March 2019. Lee Barnett and Larry Barnett have been sentenced for their part in the gang's crimes. (SWNS) The gang attacked a security guard in an incident where a cash box with 20,000 was stolen, took 2,000 from Solihull College after causing 20,000 of damage and hit a Co-op, a Tesco Express and a Morrisons in broad daylight. A Nationwide bank in Shirley, West Midlands was also targeted, and a police car was rammed head on leaving two officers with minor injuries. They then tried to launder the money at bookmakers in Shard End, Birmingham and Coventry. Detective Sergeant Martin Kelly, of West Midlands Police, said: The actions of this gang were shocking. "Their behaviour was blatant, often spending long periods of time trying to steal cash machines with no care for the people around them. "They had no regard for the law and were determined to do what they wanted with no thought about the consequences. Jamie Lambie and Micheal Dunleavy were both given sentences. (SWNS) A still from CCTV footage of one of the gang's ram raids. (SWNS) They also used unnecessary levels of violence towards various security guards and staff members and also rammed a police car head on in an effort to evade us. Their crime spree also left a trail of destruction, with damage thought to be in the region of 200,000. Four members of the gang were jailed at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday. Barnett, of Stechford, Birmingham, was jailed for 21 years while Lambie, of Smith's Wood, Birmingham, was given a 19 year sentence. Story continues Barnett, of Shard End, Birmingham, was sentenced to 12 years behind bars and Dunleavy, of Balsall Common, Birmingham, was jailed for nine years. Seven other men were also convicted of being part of the gang and will be sentenced for their involvement next month. Body-cam footage of a ram raider being arerested in Hollywood, Worcestershire. (SWNS) The gangs spree came to an end when investigators identified the men after the strapping they used was traced to a local supplier. Similar strapping had been sold two days prior and CCTV led officers to Larry Barnett. Thanks to great police work, we were able to build up a detailed picture of the gang, their vehicles and movements, DS Kelly added. "We even seized CCTV from Larry Barnetts own house showing him and others trying to work out how to use a power tool that we know was used in one of their crimes. We continue to work with the cash machine industry to help increase security awareness to reduce the risk of them being targeting by criminals in this way in the future. I hope their lengthy prison time will be of some comfort to those people affected by their wild three-month crime spree. "These dangerous offenders are now off the streets and being punished for their actions." Of the PMs memorable statements made at Delhis Ramlila Maidan in the wake of the CAA-NRC protests that have shaken up the country, one is recalled with particular emphasis by ruling party spokesmen and cadres that the National Register of Citizens (which is so intrinsically tied to the CAA in a particular chronology, to quote the home minister) has not once been considered officially by his government, thus suggesting that the protests against NRC are an artifice, a low tactic of the BJPs opponents to rally public opinion on a false premise. Obfuscation is part of military science, as the Mahabharata story about Ashwathama informs us. Recent observations of the top tier of the ruling party appear to have extended this to the electoral battlefield and the wider ambit of politics. This is evident from observations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah not so long ago in the context of the CAA-NRC, and the recently held election to the Delhi Assembly. Indeed, the two appear to have been closely linked since the BJP campaign for the Assembly election in Delhi was focused on the specific issue of CAA-NRC and punishing the peaceful protesters of Shaheen Bagh. Of the PMs memorable statements made at Delhis Ramlila Maidan in the wake of the CAA-NRC protests that have shaken up the country, one is recalled with particular emphasis by ruling party spokesmen and cadres that the National Register of Citizens (which is so intrinsically tied to the CAA in a particular chronology, to quote the home minister) has not once been considered officially by his government, thus suggesting that the protests against NRC are an artifice, a low tactic of the BJPs opponents to rally public opinion on a false premise. Fact-checkers immediately set about the relatively easy task of showing this was not the case. President Ram Nath Kovinds address to a joint session of the two Houses of Parliament was fished out. It revealed the governments intention to make the NRC a reality. When the NRC comes up for discussion now, BJP-RSS spokesmen have found a new technique to play their hand. They say this is not yet on the menu. They no longer deny it outright. Just like his leader, the home minister resorted to outright denial in order to get out of an unenviable situation at a media event in the national capital on Thursday. In the recent poll campaign in Delhi, he asserted in response to a question that no one had spoken of bahu-betiyon ka balatkar or the rape of women (in Hindu homes by those protesting at Shaheen Bagh). Such an observation by one of BJPs most significant leaders in a generation is apt to cause surprise as millions of Indians have seen on their television screens the BJPs MP from West Delhi rant exactly on those lines at a poll meeting. He was castigating Muslims by implication and seeking to demonise the Shaheen Bagh protesters. It is noteworthy that after such an execrable remark he was not de-rostered by the BJP as its lead speaker in the debate on the motion of thanks on the Presidents address in the Lok Sabha. It is no less remarkable that the home minister, who conceived and led his partys failed Delhi campaign, did not see it fit to have the man arrested for his inflammatory ravings, causing enmity amongst the people. It is evident that Mr Shah was obliged to fudge about his MPs words precisely because this MP was chosen to expound on the BJPs ideology in Parliament. The gold standard of leadership is met when top bracket politicians are true to responsibilities set by their office. Seeking the softer way out is for lesser beings. However, the defeat of Reichs army in Leningrad, currently Saint Petersburg, and the advance of the Red Army toward the gates of Berlin, caused Hitler to lose his chance for achieving these destructive weapons. In our time, the covert attempts of the Iranian government to work on nuclear technology and ballistic missiles capability are another example of relentless attempts of another authoritarian regime to terrorize the civilized world and boost its hegemony inside the country. Since the 1980s, the Iranian government engaged in nuclear projects, resuming efforts launched by the toppled monarchical regime. In this respect, when the world was focusing on Iraq, Kuwait, and other developments in the Middle East, the ayatollahs seized the opportunity and pursued their costly nuclear programs by using several North Korean and Pakistani scientists like Abdul Qadeer Khan, the father of the Pakistani bomb. Many years of secrecy by the highest officials of the Iranian government and spending billions of dollars and the national properties show the importance of achieving nuclear weapons for the ayatollahs. Additionally, possessing an atomic bomb and long-range, ballistic missiles enable the religious regime to strengthen its military structure and enter the club of nuclear-weapon states. Thanks to efforts of the Iranian opposition, including dozens of disclosure conferences, meetings, and interviews, the world gradually realized the threat of the most dangerous state in the world obtaining the most dangerous weapon. However, the ayatollahs could deceive the world by a misinformation campaign and push the then-U.S. administration and 40 other countries who had made up the Multi-National Force. The Iranian government successfully diverted the international communitys attention to Iraq and continued its atomic ambitions. The propaganda and fake news, of course, have been continued as the intelligence community of the U.S. claimed that the Iranian government obeys the nuclear deal signed in 2015 between the P5+1 and Iran, which is known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Finally, the Iranian government was only compelled to restrict nuclear projects when the United Nations Security Council decided to end turning a blind eye to the covert nuclear activities on Iran. After that, the ayatollahs couldnt continue their atomic ambitions and signed the JCPOA given international sanctions. However, they didnt completely comply with their obligations under the nuclear deal regarding the appeasement policy implemented by the former U.S. administration. Iran has lost nothing as a result of signing the agreement and history will prove this. We have preserved our capabilities in the field of enrichment. We arecontinuing to manufacture new centrifuges. We are doing everything we need to do, Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization, said in an interview in January 2019. On the other hand, Iranian authorities took advantage of flaws in the JCPOA and opposite to the goals of the accord, which were expected to be comprehensive, they improved their ballistic missiles capability under the pretext of scientific research. One of the famous research was the launch of communication satellites. Fourth Failure in Fourth Attempt Since January 2019, the Iranian government tried to send a satellite to space three times. All attempts failed. On the eve of the 41st anniversary of the Iranian Revolution, the government tried to launch its most progressive satellite under the name of Zafar to Earths orbit. However, this attempt failed like many other failures the Islamic Republic has suffered over its history. Pentagon recently reported that, only in 2017, the ayatollahs government spent more than $20.7 billion on improving military programs. These contributions enabled the Iranian government to produce and contain the biggest arsenal of missiles even as they simultaneously made the Iranian people poorer and needier. Meanwhile, the governments failures are not limited to the nuclear scene alone. Due to the vibrant conditions of the society, any failure of the Islamic Republic is synonymous to losing more credit and authority, which directly causes more defection among the pro-government people on one hand, and also pave the way for more anti-establishment protests and demonstrations. In this context, as the Iranian people have said, the ayatollahs adventurous failures along with its scandalous ceremony on occasion of the 41st anniversary of the revolution, have spelled the countdown to the regimes downfall. However, the people were and are the first victims for cost foreign policies as the February 10 satellite eventually landed in a suburb in Zahedan, southeastern Iran. Read more: Iran Is Testing the Worlds Will With Its Centrifuges Dublin, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Atomic Force Microscopy Market (AFM) by Offering (AFM, Probes, Software), Grade (Industrial Grade, Research Grade), Applications (Materials Science, Life Sciences, Semiconductor & Electronics, Academics), and Region - Global Forecast to 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global market for atomic force microscopy is projected to reach USD 586 million by 2024, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2019 and 2024. This research report categorizes the global computational photography based on offering, grade, application, and geography. The report describes the major drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities pertaining to the Atomic force microscopy market and forecasts the same till 2024. One of the key drivers of atomic force microscopy is the committed support from several governments to promote nanotechnology and nanoscience research and development. Also, the high demand for 3D ICs from the semiconductor and electronics industry is expected to lay new growth opportunity for the atomic force microscopy market during the forecast period. The major players in Atomic force microscopy market are Bruker (US), Park Systems (South Korea), Hitachi (Japan), Horiba (Japan), Oxford Instruments (UK), Nanosurf (Switzerland), WITec (Germany), NT-MDT (Russia), NanoMagnetics Instruments (UK), Nanonics Imaging (Israel). Probes to grow at the highest CAGR between 2019 and 2024 The market for probes is expected to grow at the highest CAGR. Probes play a dominant role in the AFM market, in terms of volume, as the lifecycle of probes is shorter than the complete atomic force microscope, thereby leading to a higher requirement for probes than AFM. Industrial grade AFMs to grow at the fastest rate for atomic force microscopy Industrial grade is expected to grow at a significant rate between 2019 and 2024. There is a great importance of high-quality images to detect defects in miniaturized products. Hence, industrial-grade AFM are more in demand owing to their high precision in detecting and visualizing even the smallest surface structures and defects in nanomaterials. Semiconductors and electronics market to offer a lucrative opportunity for atomic force microscopy applications Semiconductors and electronics are expected to grow at the highest rate. The semiconductor industry is one of the major industries using advanced microscopes such as transmission electron microscopes, atomic force microscopes, 3D optical microscopes, and confocal microscopes. AFM is used extensively in the semiconductor industry for R&D, quality control (QC), monitoring process development, and failure analysis. The growing demand for miniature transistor chips, nanoelectronics, quantum dots, and optoelectronics is the key factor surging the demand for microscopes in the semiconductor industry. APAC continues to grow significantly for the atomic force microscopy market APAC atomic force microscopy market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of the atomic force microscopy market can be attributed to the growing R&D funding for the development of microscopes, increasing nanotechnology research, and growing expertise and academic excellence, along with the availability of nanomaterials at lower costs. Key Topics Covered 1 Introduction 2 Research Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Premium Insights 4.1 Attractive Opportunities in Market 4.2 Market, By Application 4.3 Market, By Grade 4.4 Market in APAC, By Application and Country 4.5 Market, By Region 5 Market Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Market Dynamics 5.2.1 Drivers 5.2.1.1 Committed Support From Several Governments to Promote Nanotechnology and Nanoscience Research and Development 5.2.1.2 High Demand for 3D ICS from Semiconductor and Electronics Industry 5.2.2 Restraints 5.2.2.1 Damage to Samples Due to Contact-Mode AFM 5.2.2.2 High Cost of Equipment 5.2.3 Opportunities 5.2.3.1 Growing Investments in OLED Production and Expansion 5.2.3.2 Increasing Need for High-Speed Diagnostics 5.2.4 Challenges 5.2.4.1 Lack of Skilled Professionals 6 Atomic Force Microscopy Market, By Offering 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Atomic Force Microscopes 6.2.1 Contact Mode 6.2.1.1 Contact Mode Or Repulsive Mode is the Simplest Mode of Operation for AFM 6.2.2 Non-Contact Mode 6.2.2.1 Non-Contact AFM Operates With Increased Separation Between Tip and Sample 6.2.3 Tapping Mode 6.2.3.1 Tapping Mode Overcomes the Limitations of Contact Mode 6.3 Probes 6.3.1 Probes Expected to Continue to Dominate Market, in Terms of Volume, During Forecast Period 6.4 Software 6.4.1 Software Can Be Integrated Into AFM to Scan the Probe Tip 7 Atomic Force Microscopy Market, By Grade 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Industrial Grade AFM 7.2.1 Industrial Grade AFM to Continue to Hold Largest Market Share During Forecast Period 7.3 Research-Grade AFM 7.3.1 Research-Grade Atomic Force Microscopy Attain Sub-Nanometer Resolution Far Beyond Optical Diffraction Limit 8 Atomic Force Microscopy Market, By Application 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Materials Science 8.2.1 Polymers 8.2.1.1 AFM is an Essential Tool for the Depiction of Polymer 8.2.2 Nanomaterials 8.2.2.1 AFM Highlights the 3D Characterization of Nanoparticles With A Sub-Nanometer Resolution 8.3 Life Sciences 8.3.1 Cell Biology 8.3.1.1 AFM Provides A Flexible Platform for Imaging and Manipulating Living Cells 8.3.2 Biotechnology 8.3.2.1 AFM has Benchmarked Its Capabilities in Addressing Several Biological Issues 8.3.3 Pharmaceuticals 8.3.3.1 AFM Offers an Unmatched Tool to Develop Novel Drug Delivery Systems 8.4 Semiconductors and Electronics 8.4.1 Data Storage 8.4.1.1 AFM is One of the Critical Equipment for Analyzing Data Storage Products 8.4.2 3D Integrated Circuits and Fin Field-Effect Transistors 8.4.2.1 AFM is Used to Analyze the Structureof Chips, Using A Tiny Probe 8.4.3 Displays 8.4.3.1 AFMs are Employed to Review Devices at Nanometer Resolution in Displays 8.4.4 Carbon Nanotubes 8.4.4.1 AFM is Used for Investigation of Properties of Carbon Nanotubes 8.5 Academics 8.5.1 AFM is Powerful Tool to Understand Applications of Nanotechnology 8.6 Others 8.6.1 Solar Cells 8.6.1.1 Surface Characterization By AFM is Significant to Examine the Quality of the Formed Structures in Solar Cells 8.6.2 Geoscience 8.6.2.1 AFM Imaging Systems is A Versatile Analytical Tool Used for Extensive Investigation of Geological Samples 8.6.3 Forensic Science 8.6.3.1 AFM is A Device That is Employed for the Generation of Forensic Information 8.6.4 Food Technology 8.6.4.1 AFM is A Non-Invasive Examination Tool That has Been Widely Employed for Imaging of Surface Ultrastructure 9 Geographic Analysis 9.1 Introduction 9.2 North America 9.2.1 US 9.2.1.1 Growing Investment in Research and Development is Expected to Boost Market Growth 9.2.2 Canada 9.2.2.1 Increasing Investments in Medical Devices Enabling Canada to Account for Second-Largest Market Share 9.2.3 Mexico 9.2.3.1 Rising Number of R&D Activities in Nanotechnology are Likely to Enable Mexico to Be the Fastest-Growing Market in North America 9.3 Europe 9.3.1 Germany 9.3.1.1 Germany Expected to Continue to Hold Largest Size of European Market Owing to Growing Investments in Automobile Industry and Nanotechnology 9.3.2 UK 9.3.2.1 Increase in R&D Investments in Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, and Life Sciences are Expected to Surge Demand for AFM in UK 9.3.3 France 9.3.3.1 Announcement of 3 Times Increase in Investment in Biotechnology By French Government Would Boost Atomic Force Market Growth in France 9.3.4 Spain 9.3.4.1 High Expenditure of Spanish Government on R&D Pertaining to Life Sciences and Nanotechnology to Increase Demand for AFM 9.3.5 Italy 9.3.5.1 Nation's Participation in Mission Innovation Would Result in Development of Cutting-Edge Technologies, Thereby Augmenting Growth of Market 9.3.6 Netherlands 9.3.6.1 R&D to Be Boosted By Future Fund Initiative 9.3.7 Russia 9.3.7.1 Large Number of Patents Owing to Increase in Research and Development Activities in Country 9.3.8 Switzerland 9.3.8.1 Government Focuses on Investing in Generic Research 9.3.9 Rest of Europe 9.4 Asia Pacific 9.4.1 China 9.4.1.1 China is Biggest Manufacturer of Consumer Electronics Thereby Driving the Demand for AFM 9.4.2 India 9.4.2.1 India Emerging as Technically Strong and Fast-Growing Economy in Market 9.4.3 South Korea 9.4.3.1 South Korea is Among Leading Countries Spending on Research Activities, Thereby Influencing Growth of Market 9.4.4 Japan 9.4.4.1 Japanese Government Funding for Research Centers Drives AFM Market Growth 9.4.5 Taiwan 9.4.5.1 Government's Funding on Applied Scientific Development Led to Technological Developments in Taiwan 9.4.6 Australia 9.4.6.1 Tax Credits and Incentives in Australia Encouraging Companies to Engage in R&D 9.4.7 Singapore 9.4.7.1 Rie2020 Plan to Boost R&D Capabilities of Singapore 9.4.8 Malaysia 9.4.8.1 11th Malaysia Plan 2016-2020 to Foster R&D Investments in Malaysia, Thereby Enabling Growth of Market 9.4.9 Thailand 9.4.9.1 Thailand 4.0 to Drive Country Toward Innovation, Which, in Turn, Accelerating Market Growth 9.4.10 Rest of APAC 9.5 Rest of the World 9.5.1 Middle East 9.5.2 Africa 9.5.3 South America 10 Competitive Landscape 10.1 Overview 10.2 Key Players in Atomic Force Microscopy (2018) 10.3 Competitive Leadership Mapping 10.3.1 Visionary Leaders 10.3.2 Dynamic Differentiators 10.3.3 Innovators 10.3.4 Emerging Companies 10.4 Competitive Benchmarking 10.4.1 Strength of Product Portfolio (25 Companies) 10.4.2 Business Strategy Excellence (25 Companies) 10.5 Competitive Scenario 10.5.1 Product Launch and Development 10.5.2 Partnership 10.5.3 Acquisition 10.5.4 Expansion 11 Company Profiles (Business Overview, Products Offered, Recent Developments, SWOT Analysis) 11.1 Key Players 11.1.1 Bruker Corporation 11.1.2 Park Systems 11.1.3 Hitachi 11.1.4 Horiba 11.1.5 Oxford Instruments 11.1.6 Nanosurf 11.1.7 Witec 11.1.8 NT-MDT Spectrum Instruments 11.1.9 Nanomagnetics Instruments 11.1.10 Nanonics Imaging 11.2 Other Companies 11.2.1 AFM Workshop 11.2.2 Attocube Systems (Wittenstein Group) 11.2.3 Anton Paar 11.2.4 Semilab 11.2.5 Concept Scientific Instruments 11.2.6 Nano Scan Technologies 11.2.7 RHK Technologies 11.2.8 Getec Microscopy 11.2.9 Advanced Technologies Center 11.2.10 Nanoscience Instruments 11.2.11 Anfatech Instrumentts 11.2.12 Integrated Circuit Scanning Probe Instruments Corporation 11.2.13 Tokyo Instruments 11.2.14 Molecular Vista For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/eyaih6 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. This analysis shreds an implicit assumption of Sanders and other members of the turnout-will-solve-everything crowd: that if they polarize the election by highlighting progressive issues, their nonvoters will show up at the polls, but none of the nonvoters from the other side will. That view is also contradicted by many political science studies. Stanford political scientists Andrew Hall and Daniel Thompson, for example, studied House races between 2006 and 2014 and found that highly ideological candidates who beat moderates for a party nomination indeed increased turnout in their own party in the general election but they increased the opposition turnout even more. (The difference was between three and eight percentage points.) Apparently, their extreme political stances did more to turn out the other side to vote against them than to turn out their own side to vote for them. The US on Friday (local time) said it has imposed sanctions on Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, current Commander of the Sri Lanka Army for his involvement in gross violations of human rights during the final phase of Sri Lanka's civil war in 2009. "The Department of State has designated Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, current Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and Acting Chief of Defense Staff, as required under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, due to credible information of his involvement, through command responsibility, in gross violations of human rights, namely extrajudicial killings, by the 58th Division of the Sri Lanka Army during the final phase of Sri Lanka's Civil War in 2009," US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo said in a statement. In addition to the public designation of Shavendra Silva, the Department is also designating his immediate family members, the US Secretary of State said. The designation makes Silva and his immediate family ineligible for entry to the United States. Pompeo said the allegations of gross human rights violations against Shavendra Silva, documented by the United Nations and other organizations, are "serious and credible." "His designation underscores the importance we place on human rights in Sri Lanka and globally, our concern over impunity for human rights violations and abuses, as well as our support for promoting accountability for those who engage in such acts," the top US diplomat said. He also urged the Sri Lankan government to promote human rights, hold accountable individuals responsible for war crimes and human rights violations, advance security sector reform, and uphold its other commitments to pursue justice and reconciliation. Stressing that his country deeply values its partnership with the Sri Lankan government, Pompeo said the United States remains committed to strengthening the bilateral relationship with Sri Lanka and helping reshape its security forces to tackle current and emerging threats. "Security cooperation will continue to emphasize respect for human rights as a fundamental component of our training, assistance, and engagements," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The man fatally struck by two cars in Manalapan was a resident of a nearby group home that town leaders have repeatedly sought to have closed over safety concerns and filthy living conditions, officials confirmed. The 38-year-old man was crossing from the eastbound lane of Route 33 and Woodward Road around 7:20 p.m. Wednesday when he was first hit by a Toyota Rav 4 going east, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office. Another vehicle - a Lexus RX - traveling behind the Toyota also struck the man. He was not in a crosswalk when he was hit and the vehicles had a green light, authorities said. Police Chief Michael Fountain confirmed the man lived at a nearby facility known as Manalapan Manor, licensed as a residential healthcare facility. His name has not yet been released by police. In a letter Thursday, Deputy Mayor Susan Cohen again urged state regulators to close the Manor. The facility, she said, puts its residents in danger, has disgusting living conditions, and has seen multiple residents killed by vehicles, and other causes. Three Manalapan Manor residents were killed by vehicles on Route 33 near the facility between 2014 and 2016 as they crossed or walked along the thoroughfare to reach nearby stores, according to a previous letter sent from town officials. Police have responded to numerous calls at the facility, including for mental health concerns, disorderly people and harassment. Complaints about the facility include multiple inoperative toilets at the same time, backing up sewage in bathtubs, infestations of cockroaches, bedbugs and flies, strong odors of cigarettes, insufficient food and generally dirty and un-clean conditions, according to the township. Manor residents were often reported to be unsupervised wandering on the state highway and panhandling in the road. In the letter that we sent on Nov. 6, 2019, we clearly stated, Residents of Manalapan should not have to fear driving down Route 33 and killing someone or driving into a panhandler, the deputy mayors most recent letter said. The township does not believe the owner of the facility is capable or willing to operate a quality facility in accordance with applicable regulations for the benefit of the citizens who reside there, a statement from the town said. That is why we strongly urge the NJ Department of Community Affairs to revoke their license. Officials with the Bureau of Rooming and Boarding House Standards, an agency within DCA, found Manalapan Manor was in compliance with state standards after an unannounced Nov. 7 inspection, according to a News12 report at the time. Cohens letter was sent to DCA staff and copied to Gov. Phil Murphy and Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who also serves as community affairs commissioner. Spokespeople for the Department of Community Affairs and governors office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Thursday evening. Calls to Manalapan Manor went unanswered late Thursday. 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. It's been two days since the Justice Department was thrown into upheaval after senior officials made the unorthodox decision to overrule Roger Stone's sentencing recommendation. The spectacle of political appointees intervening to help one of President Donald Trump's biggest allies has resurfaced very serious concerns about the politicization of investigations. The four career prosecutors on the case soon moved to withdraw from it, while the former U.S. attorney who oversaw the case had her nomination to a Treasury Department job withdrawn - shortly before her confirmation hearing, no less. Attorney General William Barr offered his first public comments on situation Thursday in an ABC News interview, confirming that he personally decided to overrule Stone's recommended sentence of seven to nine years. Barr, though, said he made the decision before Trump tweeted about it Tuesday morning and repeatedly urged Trump to knock it off with the tweets. Many questions remain unanswered, though. Below are the biggest ones. 1. Why was this so important, given the bad optics? One thing we have learned about the decision - at least according to how Barr has described it - is that it was made before Trump tweeted in the wee hours of Tuesday morning that the recommendation was too harsh. There's a reason Justice officials have clarified this: Because it looks less like the Justice Department was acting on Trump's marching orders. Trump has also said he didn't specifically ask it to take such an action (even though he claims that's his right). But just how long before? And if the decision was made Monday, after the initial sentencing recommendation was filed, then why was it not disclosed until Tuesday, after Trump tweeted? Trump has also made little secret of his feelings on Stone's case, saying repeatedly that his ally had been treated unfairly. "I think it's very tough what they did to Roger Stone, compared to what they do to other people on their side," Trump said on Christmas Eve. He also scoffed at the idea of sending Stone to prison for years in a November tweet. So it's not like officials even needed the Tuesday morning tweet to know what Trump desired. It's exactly the reason presidents like Trump are discouraged from commenting on ongoing criminal matters: Because it raises the specter of them trying to influence those matters. And even if there was no direct influence from the White House, this was still a top political appointee intervening to help a presidential ally - when he didn't have to. Barr needs to be asked why he thought this was so important, given the appearance of it all, which is bad even if you divorce this from Trump personally. 2. How on earth were senior officials "shocked?" Another key and perhaps questionable part of the Justice Department's explanation here is that senior officials were somehow "shocked" by the sentencing recommendation - and that this whole thing stemmed from a massive miscommunication. "That recommendation is not what had been briefed to the department," a senior Justice Department official said Tuesday, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive case. As The Post's Justice Department reporter Matt Zapotosky noted on Wednesday's Post Reports podcast, though, that's difficult to swallow. There were extensive discussions about the recommendation in the days before it was filed, with career prosecutors pushing for a harsher sentence and more senior officials disagreeing. How is it possible that a final recommendation that was within the guidelines - however harsh - would have been a surprise, much less a "shock?" What's more, why the need to intervene in this case, given prosecutors are generally allowed to make such guidelines-based recommendations? It just doesn't make much sense at this point. 3. Has DOJ done this for a non-Trump ally? It's a question The Post's team posed on Tuesday, but didn't get an answer: The official could not point to another instance of Justice Department headquarters overruling and replacing a sentencing memorandum a day after a filing but insisted it was not unusual for law enforcement officials to "correct the record." It would sure be good for the Justice Department to pin down when this might have happened in the past. If the Stone case is as exceedingly rare as it seems, that makes it more difficult to believe there weren't politics at play here, on some level. 4. Does the Michael Flynn situation play into this? Speaking of the above: It's clear this is unusual, to one degree or another. But what if it's not even the first time there's been such an intervention to aid a Trump ally? Last month, prosecutors recommended zero to six months in prison for Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn and wrote about his offenses in harsh terms. Then, a few weeks later, they followed that up with a filing that took a very different tone toward Flynn and said a sentence of probation would be "appropriate." (The initial sentencing recommendation hadn't even mentioned probation.) It wasn't quite as stark as reversing a sentencing recommendation, but it turned more than a few heads at the time. It may turn out to be a pure coincidence that the language on Flynn was scaled back, but it's certainly fair to ask questions about that situation, too. 5. The Jessie Liu question The withdrawal of the four prosecutors on Tuesday was the big headline, but next was the decision to pull Liu's nomination to a Treasury Department post. She had been the U.S. attorney overseeing the Stone case but was replaced by a top Barr ally two weeks ago. Liu was nominated last month to a Treasury Department position and took an unconfirmed job there while awaiting confirmation. And then that nomination was pulled. The most obvious potential reason: She was slated to testify Thursday, which is not great timing with everything blowing up in the Stone case. Trump had also been lobbied by allies who argued she had mishandled Stone's case and other matters, The Post reported. But if it's more the former than the latter, it suggests there is real concern about what might come out of having someone put under oath - which doesn't exactly speak to this all being on the up-and-up. 6. Does anyone speak out? We're not hearing from Liu today, nor have we heard from the four prosecutors since they withdrew Tuesday. That may not be a huge surprise, given three of them remain employed in the Justice Department and aren't empowered to give interviews, but one of them - Jonathan Kravis - has resigned from government entirely and could ostensibly speak out. The decision has also so thoroughly roused concerns in the legal community that you have to think there might be some people internally who'd like to say something - even anonymously. Of course, coming forward these days isn't a terribly attractive prospect, given what we've seen on the Ukraine whistleblower and Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman. One way or another, though, we'll probably learn more. And answers are certainly needed. 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. Vicat reports 6% increase in consolidated sales for 2019 14 February 2020 Vicat has reported a 6.1 per cent increase in consolidated sales to EUR2.74bn for 2019, rising from EUR2.58bn in the previous year. EBITDA showed a similar 6.9 per cent YoY growth to EUR526m from EUR492m, while the EBITDA margin edged up to 19.2 per cent from 19.1 per cent in 2018. "The Vicat Groups solid performance in 2019 reflects the relevance and robustness of its business model. Strong growth in France, India, the USA, Africa and Kazakhstan helped offset difficult market conditions in Turkey and Egypt. Furthermore, in line with our strategy of targeted acquisitions, the purchase of Ciplan in Brazil, in January 2019, allowed the Group to continue its international growth in a region offering strong potential by integrating teams and assets of the highest quality," said Guy Sidos, chairman and CEO. The companys cement segment saw a two per cent decline in sales volumes to 22.388Mt from 22.833Mt in 2018. However, operational sales for the division climbed 5.7 per cent YoY to EUR1.57bn. In concrete & aggregates, the companys operational sales were up 8.6 per cent YoY to EUR1.09bn. Vicats strong EBITDA result was supported by India (19.9 per cent YoY rise in EBITDA), the USA (+12.7 per cent), France (+3.5 per cent), Africa (+4.4 per cent) and Kazakhstan (+5.8 per cent). These results offset a significant 44.3 per cent YoY fall in EBITDA for Turkey in 2019, on the back of a volume decline, alongside a 45.5 per cent decrease for Egypt and 1.9 per cent drop in Switzerland. Published under A labor ministry report says 5,112 Chinese workers returning to work in Vietnam after the Lunar New Year holiday have been quarantined. The report, released Thursday, says the Chinese employees are being isolated in their companies' dormitories, local hotels, while some suspected infection cases are being monitored at medical facilities. A Chinese man is quarantined at the dormitory of a company in Ha Nam Province, northern Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Anh Duy. This has effectively meant that only about a third of the 33,770 Chinese nationals working legally in Vietnam are at work now. Before the Lunar New Year break, 26,000 had gone back home for their biggest and most important festival, the Lunar New Year, and only a little over 7,600 Chinese people returned to Vietnam to resume work. On February 2, the ministry asked businesses and employers to stop accepting Chinese workers to return to work in Vietnam and foreign workers going through epidemic-stricken areas. Preliminary reports from 41 out of 63 localities in the country show that of the Chinese nationals quarantined, 248 have been in Vietnam for more than 14 days, 1,085 for 10-13 days and the remaining 3,779, less than 10 days. A man coming from China receives body temperature check in Hai Phong, northern Vietnam, February 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Chinh. Vietnam has confirmed16 infections of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) confirmed, 11 of whom are from the northern province of Vinh Phuc. Of the remaining five, three were detected in Ho Chi Minh City and one each in Khanh Hoa and Thanh Hoa. Vietnam declared the nCoV outbreak an epidemic on February 1. As of Thursday the global death toll had climbed to 1,491, including the first fatality in Japan and one each in Hong Kong and the Philippines. Confirmed infections topped 65,000. Over 7,000 patients have recovered. When Hurricane Dorian slammed into the Bahamas in September, it not only leveled entire communities and killed dozens of people, it also destroyed about 30 percent of the coral reefs around the islands, according to a report issued Friday by the Perry Institute for Marine Science. We saw on several reefs that a significant amount of corals were broken, rolled around on the bottom and killed, or just smashed up to the point that the actual structure of the reef itself was reduced to rubble, said Craig Dahlgren, lead researcher at the Perry Institute, which has been examining effects of the hurricane since October. Reef structures the size of small cars were dislodged or buried in debris, mud and sediment several feet deep in some instances, Dr. Dahlgren said. Reef diving and snorkeling are an important part of the of the countrys tourism industry, which accounts for some 50 percent of G.D.P. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 15:16:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BANGKOK, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Thai police have arrested a gunman who opened fire from a shophouse in downtown Bangkok on Friday morning. The gunman fired more than 40 gunshots from a shophouse in Pathumwan district of Thai capital Bangkok, but nobody was reportedly killed or injured, according to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Phakkhaphong Phongphetra. The 44-year-old gunman, dressed in a T-shirt and shorts, fired shots from the sportswear store which he has resided alone in a row of 20 shophouses on Banthat thong Road near Suphachalasai national stadium, according to the police commissioner. He initially opened fire from the rooftop of his shophouse at a group of teenagers who safely took cover and called the police for help. Then he fired gunshots to policemen including those from an Arintharat police commando unit as they were laying siege around the scene, but no casualty was reported. The policemen finally managed to arrest the gunman and brought him to Pathumwan police station for investigation. Last Saturday, an army gunman opened fire with an assault rifle in an unprecedented shooting rampage in which 30 people were killed and more than 50 others injured at Terminal 21 shopping mall and elsewhere in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The gunman, an army sergeant major, was gunned down and killed by police commandos nearly 18 hours later. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) New York, United States Fri, February 14, 2020 07:00 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206467407 2 World #Belgium,#IslamicState,repatriation,children,Syria Free Belgium is working to bring home all children of Belgian jihadists held in refugee camps in Syria, providing their mothers' consent, the country's top diplomat told AFP on Thursday. So far, 42 children in two camps in northeastern Syria have been identified as those of Belgian jihadists, according to aides of Belgian Foreign Minister Philippe Goffin. Brussels first wants the Kurds, who control the camps, to know that it wants to take back all children of Belgian nationality, said Goffin, who also holds Belgium's defense portfolio. "Obviously, mothers must agree," said Goffin, speaking on the sidelines of meetings at the United Nations, where his country chairs the Security Council in February. Goffin visited a camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan, which he said are nothing like the "appalling" condition of the camps in Syria. "But what I have seen in Jordan is already unbearable. I am told that what is happening in Syria is not comparable, and that it is much more serious," he said. Such repatriation, Goffin said, is allowed under international law. The ideal solution "is to bring the children to the Iraqi-Syrian border. Let's see what can be done," he said. The minister, however, declined to set a timetable, and said an operation could be organized with other countries in a similar situation such as France. Belgium has identified 42 children of Belgian jihadis in Syria. Thirty children and 13 mothers were counted in the Al-Hol camp, and 12 children and 10 mothers in the Al-Roj camp, Goffin's aides said. Both camps are located in north-eastern Syria. At least four of the mothers, however, have begun legal procedures through the Belgian legal system to stop being separated from their children. YANGON (Reuters) - At least 19 children were wounded when a primary school was hit by shelling in Myanmar's Rakhine state, a lawmaker and a military spokesman said on Thursday. Clashes between government troops and ethnic insurgents have intensified in Rakhine, from where tens of thousands of people have been displaced since clashes began in December 2018, bringing new chaos to the region from which more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims fled a military crackdown in 2017. The Arakan Army, which recruits from the mostly Buddhist majority, has been fighting for greater autonomy for the western region from the central government. YANGON (Reuters) - At least 19 children were wounded when a primary school was hit by shelling in Myanmar's Rakhine state, a lawmaker and a military spokesman said on Thursday. Clashes between government troops and ethnic insurgents have intensified in Rakhine, from where tens of thousands of people have been displaced since clashes began in December 2018, bringing new chaos to the region from which more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims fled a military crackdown in 2017. The Arakan Army, which recruits from the mostly Buddhist majority, has been fighting for greater autonomy for the western region from the central government. Artillery fire hit the school in Khamwe Chaung village in Buthidaung township on Thursday morning, Tun Aung Thein, a local member of parliament, told Reuters by telephone. He said he did not know who was responsible. "According to the health department, 19 students are injured and one is seriously injured," the lawmaker said. A military spokesman put the number of wounded at 20, and blamed the insurgents for the attack. A spokesman for the AA did not answer phone calls by Reuters seeking comment. "We medically treated the students at the nearby military post and sent five to the hospital," Brigadier-General Zaw Min Tun told Reuters by phone. The British embassy in Myanmar issued a statement urging an end to the violence, which follows the reinstatement last week of an internet shutdown in the region. "The increased violence in Rakhine State over the past few days is causing misery for many of the people living there," said Dan Chugg, British ambassador to Myanmar. "Todays reported shelling of a school on Myanmars Childrens Day, following recent deaths of women and children, highlights the impact this is having on innocent people." The statement urged all sides to do their utmost to protect civilians and called on the government to lift the internet restrictions. A months-long internet blackout in four Rakhine townships including Buthidaung - and one in neighboring Chin state had been lifted in September as peace talks sought to end clashes. Officials cited "security requirements and public interest" for the reinstatement. (This story has been refiled to remove extraneous word in first paragraph). (Reporting by Yangon bureau, Editing by Timothy Heritage) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. A 77-year-old North Carolina woman is missing from Berkeley and police are asking for help finding her, police said Thursday. Sophia Brooks has gone missing from North Berkeley. Brooks is 5 feet 6 inches tall with gray hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a brown leather jacket and pants. CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Founders Advantage Capital Corp. (TSX-V: FCF) (FAC or the Corporation) is pleased to announce that its investee Dominion Lending Centres Limited Partnership (DLC) achieved record annual funded mortgage volumes of $40.1 billion in 2019, an increase of 10.2% over the prior year (2018 - $36.4 billion). Further, DLC had record Q4 funded mortgage volumes of $11.6 billion in Q42019, an increase of 28.9% over the same quarter in the prior year (Q42018 - $9.0 billion). The Corporation anticipates its proportionate share of investee adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2019 to be between $20.75 million - $21.50 million. The above preliminary results are for continued operations only (excludes discontinued operations from Astley Gilbert) and are prior to FACs corporate expenses, including G&A. Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures Management presents certain non-IFRS financial performance measures which we use as supplemental indicators of our operating performance. Non-IFRS financial performance measures include proportionate share of investee adjusted EBITDA. Readers are cautioned that these non-IFRS measures should not be construed as a substitute or an alternative to applicable generally accepted accounting principle measures as determined in accordance with IFRS. For greater certainty, the non-IFRS financial performance measures reflect the adoption of IFRS 16 - Leases. Please see the Corporations MD&A for a description of these measures and a reconciliation of these measures to their nearest IFRS measure. About Founders Advantage Capital Corp. The Corporation is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange as an Investment Issuer (Tier 1) and employs a permanent investment approach. The Corporations common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol FCF. For further information, please refer to the Corporations website at www.advantagecapital.ca . Contact information for the Corporation is as follows: James Bell President & Chief Executive Officer 403-455-2218 jbell@advantagecapital.ca Robin Burpee Chief Financial Officer 403-455-9670 rburpee@advantagecapital.ca Amar Leekha Sr. Vice-President, Capital Markets 403-455-6671 aleekha@advantagecapital.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. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Financial Information Certain statements in this document constitute forward-looking information under applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "will", "expect", "plan", "schedule", "intend", "propose", or similar words suggesting future outcomes or an outlook. Forward-looking information in this document includes, but is not limited to: the Corporations expected proportionate share of investee adjusted EBITDA from continued operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them as the Corporation can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information is based on expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Corporation and described in the forward-looking information. In particular, there can be no assurance that the final reported financial results of the Corporation will be consistent with the preliminary results provided herein. The forward-looking information contained in this document is made as of the date hereof and, except as required by applicable securities law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Chennai, Feb 14 : The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President M.K. Stalin on Friday said the 2020-21 Tamil Nadu budget lacks any long-term plans or programmes. Talking to reporters, Stalin said the budget does not have any long-term plans. It has burdened each citizen with about Rs. 57,000 of debt. Deputy Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam who also handles the finance portfolio while presenting the state budget for next fiscal said a sum of Rs. 59,209.30 crore will be raised as net debt to finance the fiscal deficit. He said the net outstanding debt as at the end of 31.3.2021 is expected at Rs.4,56,660.99 crore and debt to GSDP ratio will be 21.83 per cent which is well within the norm of 25 per cent. Expressing a similar view AMMK leader T.T.V.Dhinakaran said the budget is like a painting in the air. Reacting to the budget, MDMK leader Vaiko also said running up a huge debt is the only achievement of the AIADMK government. The Tamil Nadu Congress President K.S. Alagiri too criticised the budget as lacking in: long term plans, announcement on job creation and others. A Russia-backed Syrian regime offensive on the last major rebel bastion in the countrys 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 Nations humanitarian coordination office, OCHA. The Idlib region, including parts of neighbouring Aleppo province, is home to some three million people, half of them already displaced from other parts of the country. It has become a refuge in recent years for people fleeing or being evacuated from previously rebel-held areas elsewhere in Syria.- But now that Idlib is under attack, there is nowhere left to go. AFP correspondents in Idlib have seen vast convoys of families with their mattresses stacked on trucks trekking across the war-torn province, amid an unusually bitter winter. Many are sleeping in cars and in fields despite snowfall and sub-zero temperatures, raising fears of a major humanitarian catastrophe. OCHA estimated that some 82,000 people are sleeping in the open air. Shelter is the most urgent need, as millions of people have been pushed into small areas not equipped to support that many people, especially during the cold winter, OCHA said. It called the situation in Idlib one of the worst crises in the nine-year war. The conflict in Syria has killed more than 380,000 people since it erupted in 2011 following the brutal repression of popular demonstrations demanding regime change. More than half of Syrias population had already been displaced, but the latest regime offensive against the countrys last rebel enclave has sent the numbers soaring again. OCHA said some 142,000 people were displaced between February 9-12 alone. Aid organisations have called for a halt to the violence. SOURCE: AFP | PHOTO: AFP "This is the peak tourist season, but the rush of tourists that used to be witnessed in the past is missing," said Ved Gautam, tourist guide. Agra, Feb 14 (IANS) Coronavirus scare has badly hit tourism in Agra. "This is the peak tourist season, but the rush of tourists that used to be witnessed in the past is missing," said Ved Gautam, tourist guide. However, many in the local tourism industry feel that there are several other factors behind the drop in tourist footprint in Agra, as coronavirus is a recent phenomenon. "Anyone who looks Mongloid or of Chinese descent is greeted with a frown or suspicion," a Taj Ganj shopkeeper commented. Though there is a steady flow of tourists from Europe and the US, there is a discernible decline in the number of tourists from the East. The district hospital and the SN Medical College hospital have made arrangements to isolate suspected patients coming from abroad, but the level of confidence in government health services is low. "We are only praying to god that India be spared the kind of grim scenario China is facing, as our health infrastructure can not cope with a crisis of that dimension," said Shravan Kumar Singh, a social activist . Three locals who have returned from China have been screened and their blood samples have been sent to Lucknow for investigation. The state government has asked local authorities to remain alert and keep the level of preparedness high, as Agra is a major tourist centre visited by over 5 million tourists annually. Doctors in Agra hope that conditions will improve with the temperature rising. Tourist data available with the Agra Development Authority indicate a shortfall of one million compared to last year. Tourism industry leaders have expressed concern over the falling number of tourists this year which could affect travel trade, emporiums, handicraft sales and the hospitality industry. An Archaeological Survey of India official said the number of visitors at the Taj Mahal is on a decline, which is not a healthy sign. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) A 3-day-old girl who was stabbed with a sharp weapon in Madhya Pradesh's Shajapur district a day after she was born died while undergoing treatment at Indore's MY Hospital, a senior health official said on Friday. The child was born to daily-wage labourers in Shajapur on Tuesday and was attacked with a sharp weapon in a hospital there a day later, said an official of Mohan Badodiya police station. "Despite out best efforts, the infant died late Thursday night. She was wounded in the chest, neck and back and had lost a lot of blood by the time the local hospital at Shajapur transferred her to the ICU here. We had conducted a surgery but in vain," Dr Brajesh Lahoti of MY Hospital said. Police in Shajapur said the infant's parents Manju and Darivay Banjara have alleged that a nurse at the local hospital was behind the attack, though an official said the parents will also be questioned. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Home making is a phrase so fraught with political and social overtones that before opening this book I went to Google for a sterile definition: The creation and management of a home, especially as a pleasant place in which to live. This two-part framework is helpful. While Matalones Home Making is partially concerned with the aesthetics and processes of domestic labor, its that last part, that magic by which a woman for this is nearly always womens work, no? transforms a physical structure into a place of comfort and safety, that is the subject of this heady and somber debut. The architecture of the story is solid. A young freelancer named Chloe struggles to create and manage (so to speak!) a new home, acquired for her by her husband, from whom she is separated after her brief affair with another man. Apart from this, the novel features less of a plot than a collection of characters, all of whom bear their own secrets and hurts. Theres Chloes ob-gyn mother, Cybil; Beau, Chloes nurturing, bisexual best friend who assists her domestic efforts; her husband, Pat, who, having asked her to move out, suffers through his cancer in isolation: From his private island, our home, he would watch the disease come closer and closer, sitting solo on the shore as the ship puttered into port. Each character has a story to tell, though sometimes these are lost in Matalones superseding mission: to catalog all the ways in which a house can function as a metaphor. At times, Chloes house is a refuge; at others, a burden. Those closest to her record their interpretations; most notably, Cybil, a biracial immigrant, teaches Chloe that she, and by extension, me, did not belong to some Waspy vision of America. Our house could never be surrounded by a white picket fence. That experience was not for us. And then there are the quotes (Le Corbusier: A house is a machine for living in) that dot the novel like philosophical bric-a-brac. I was reminded of Heidi Julavitss lament about the mechanical obligations of fiction: When writing novels I cannot seem to escape the trap of a plot. Though Matalone sometimes struggles to balance the theoretical with good storytelling, its nevertheless exciting to see her wrestle so artfully with her ideas. A neighborhood went to investigate after noticing a vehicle had been parked in an alley in the 9900 block of South State Street for hours Thursday morning, and found a man with a fatal gunshot wound to the head, Chicago police said. Conservative commentator Milo Yiannopoulos climbs over a barrier as he is escorted out of the University of California, Berkeley campus where he spoke to dozens of supporters on Sept. 24, 2017. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images) Ohio State Senate Would Ban Free Speech Zones on Campus; Professors Object The Ohio State Senate has unanimously approved legislation outlawing so-called free speech zones, which limit free speech to specific areas on college campuses. The vote comes almost a year after President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 13864 on March 21, 2019, directing the nations colleges and universities to defend free speech on campus or lose federal research funding. Under the guise of speech codes and safe spaces and trigger warnings, these universities have tried to restrict free thought, impose total conformity, and shut down the voices of great young Americans like those here today, he told a gathering of students at the White House. The legislation came after institutions of higher learning across Ohio and the nation have banned conservative speakers or imposed what the speakers considered to be exorbitant fees to provide security for campus events. Passed 330 on Jan. 28, Senate Bill 40, the proposed Forming Open and Robust University Minds Act, is currently working its way through the General Assembly, the other chamber in Ohios state legislature. State Sen. Andrew O. Brenner, a Republican and a co-sponsor of the measure, told The Columbus Dispatch that the bill was inspired by events such as the violent demonstrations led by Antifa activists and left-wing students that took place when controversial conservative Milo Yiannopoulos unsuccessfully attempted to give a speech Feb. 1, 2017, at the University of California, Berkeley. Rioters who demanded Yiannopoulos be silenced reportedly caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage to the campus and the surrounding city. When he introduced the bill last year, Brenner said that conservative ideologies have been stifled by the administrations of colleges and universities due to bias, fear, or both. The bill would prevent state-funded entities from encouraging behavior that stifles constitutionally-protected speech. It would prohibit colleges from making free speech zones or designating other outdoor areas of campuses where expressive activities are prohibited, block colleges from forbidding noncommercial expressive activity, prevent colleges from interfering with petition circulation, literature distribution, and the display of signs, and forbid colleges from charging 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 eliminate a section of the Ohio code that permits universities to forbid communist or seditious groups from accessing school property. Im not a fan of communismIm against themand Im not even a fan of socialism, but they have a right to free speech, and that shouldnt be infringed, Brenner said. There is a First Amendment for a reason. In a statement provided to Campus Reform, James Smith, chairman of the Ohio State University Young Americans for Freedom (YAF), praised the legislation, which he said would help to make college campuses more of a marketplace for ideas and less dominated by leftist groupthink. David Jackson of the Ohio Conference 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 said in testimony presented to Ohio lawmakers last year. If legislation like this would be approved, thus taking these decisions out of the hands of the institutions, we would expect that the legislature would also provide funding to cover the costs of the crowds and necessary security that hosting controversial speakers would entail, he said. Sanders has a solution: storage. If we had the means to store electricity on a massive scale, such as batteries, there would be no need for backup power. But we are not even close to having the kind of storage capacity we would need to make this work. One example: The Clean Air Task Force, an energy policy think tank, calculated that for California to reach 100 percent electricity from renewables, it would need 36.3 million megawatt-hours of energy storage. It currently has 150,000 megawatt-hours of storage. In other words, the state would need to increase storage by 24,000 percent in a matter of years. Batteries are getting cheaper, but not quickly enough. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his swearing-in ceremony on Sunday at the Ramlila Grounds where the former will take oath as Delhi chief minister for the third time. Kejriwals AAP stormed back to power in handsome fashion trouncing the BJP and winning 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. Wishing Kejriwal on his Delhi success, the PM had tweeted: Congratulations to AAP and Shri @ArvindKejriwal Ji for the victory in the Delhi Assembly Elections. Wishing them the very best in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Delhi. Also Watch l Delhi gives thumbs up to Kejriwal: What it means for AAP, BJP & Congress The BJP ran a tough campaign against Kejriwal with home minister Amit Shah fronting the rallies in the absence of a chief ministerial face. In the run-up to the polls, Kejriwal was even called a terrorist by a BJP leader. Acknowledging the wishes from the PM, Kejriwal tweeted back: Thank u so much sir. I look forward to working closely wid Centre to make our capital city into a truly world class city. Earlier AAP leader Gopal Rai said that the oath-taking ceremony of Kejriwal will be a Delhi specific event. No chief minister or political leader from other states will be invited for the ceremony that is going to be specific to Delhi, Rai said. Kejriwal is also likely to retain all the cabinet ministers who were part of his previous government, senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) confirmed on Wednesday. The swearing-in ceremony in 2015, when the AAP won 67 seats, was also held at the Ramlila Maidan on February 14. Two years ago Friday, 17 people were shot to death at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., by a man who should not have had a gun. When a friend reminded me of this anniversary a couple of weeks ago, I asked him if he believed that was an appropriate word for the occasion. I hadnt thought about it, he said. The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that our gun violence problem is also a language problem euphemisms, distortions, misdirections. But it turns out the Parkland students are addressing this problem in their own unique way. My anniversary is July 7, the day my wife, Anne Marie, and I were married. It was one of the happiest days of my life. She was pregnant with Galen, who was born on Sept. 27, 1974, another happiest day. Eighteen years later, on Dec. 14, 1992, Galen was killed in a school shooting. It always felt obscene to associate that event with an anniversary. It gets worse. Our son wasnt taken, as common parlance has it. He was shot and killed by a man who should not have had a gun. People sometimes tell me how tragic it was that Galen happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is intended as consolation, but its no help to me. It was Galens killer who was in the wrong place in every sense. Police at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport were forced to taser a man to subdue him after he allegedly got aggressive with gate agents. The incident was said to have taken place on Thursday and began after a gate agent told the man - who has not been identified - to extinguish a cigarette. A traveler who filmed video of the moment the man was taken into custody said that the man was 'yelling at the gate agent dumping water on him mocking him.' Officers at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport were forced to use their tasers to subdue a man (in brown boots). The officers are seen here trying to calm down the man, who tries to hit one of them The traveler said that the man then pushed a female agent and tried to hit her. A some point, the man was then walked over to another part of the airport, where it was less crowded, in an effort to calm him down, but as video of the incident showed, it didn't work. 'He was just being crazy and causing a scene and started swinging so they dropped him,' the traveler told Newsflare, also noting that after observing and listening to him, the man seemed like 'he was straight up on another planet.' Video of the incident begins as two officers, standing on either side of him, are seen trying to calm the man down. 'What is this for? Are you going to do something with this?' the man says to the officer who has his taser gun in his hand. After daring the officers to 'shoot' him, one of the officers hits him with his taser (left). The man then runs forward and attempts to attack the second officer (right) Once the man is on the ground, four bystanders rush over to help the officers subdue him As the men work together to hold down the man, an officer can be heard telling the man to put his hands behind his back, while travelers keep back out of harm's way The man then reaches out and tries to hit the officer in the head. The officer dodges the strike, while his partner - standing behind the man - pulls out his taser. 'Shoot me!' the man dares the officers, before they do exactly that. The man dances around a little as he's shocked, before attacking the first officer again, managing to hit him a few times before falling to the floor. As he's flailing around, the man shouts 'Son of b***h!' and other choice statements. Surrounding travelers can be seen scuttling to safety and are heard being told to 'get back.' While the officers wrestle the man to the ground, several brave men rush up in an effort to help subdue the man, holding down his kicking legs and jumping on top of him. The officers command the man to put his hands behind his back multiple times. The video ends as an officer says: 'Do you understand? Do it now. Put your hands behind your back. Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth? Put your hands behind your back.' All told, six people - two officers and four bystanders - were involved in trying to get the man under control. It's unclear if the man will face any charged stemming from the incident. The death toll from China's virus epidemic neared 1,400 with six medical workers among the victims, underscoring the country's struggle to contain a deepening health crisis. Nearly 64,000 people are now recorded as having fallen ill from the virus in China, with officials revealing that 1,716 health workers had been infected as of Tuesday. The grim figure comes a week after an outpouring of grief and public anger over the death of a whistleblowing doctor who had been reprimanded and silenced by police after raising the alarm about the virus in December. reuters The scale of the epidemic swelled this week after authorities in central Hubei province, the epicentre of the contagion, changed their criteria to count the number of cases, adding thousands of new patients to their tally. The health emergency in China has caused fears of more global contagion, with more than two-dozen countries reporting hundreds of cases among them. Three people have died outside mainland China. The United States accused China of lacking transparency. reuters The majority of cases of infections among health workers was in Hubei's capital, Wuhan, where many have lacked proper masks and gear to protect themselves in hospitals dealing with a deluge of patients. Some 80,000 medical workers were involved in combatting the epidemic in Wuhan, the city government said earlier this month. After the death of whistleblower Li Wenliang, a 34-year-old ophthalmologist in Wuhan, 10 academics circulated an open letter calling for political reform and freedom of speech in the Communist-ruled country. Under criticism over the handling of the crisis, China's Communist Party sacked two top-ranking officials in Hubei, and replaced them with senior cadres with security backgrounds. reuters Authorities in Hubei province on Thursday started counting patients who were "clinically diagnosed" via lung imaging, in addition to those who undergo lab tests. The revision added nearly 15,000 patients to Hubei's count in a single day, with officials explaining that past cases were included. The first cases emerged in December in Wuhan. On Friday, Hubei's health commission said another 116 people had died and more than 4,800 new cases were reported. Of those cases, more than 3,000 were "clinically diagnosed". The WHO said the numbers included cases going back weeks. The sharp one-day increase "does not represent a significant change in the trajectory of the outbreak," said Michael Ryan, head of WHO's health emergencies programme. reuters The move will ensure patients get treated as early as possible, instead of having to wait for laboratory tests, health officials said. "There have been some backlogs in testing and this is also going to help in ensuring that people get adequate care," Ryan said. The National Health Commission said the new criteria would only apply to Hubei. The commission reported five other deaths and 217 new cases elsewhere in China, as the number of new patients outside Hubei fell for a 10th straight day. It also disclosed a statistical error, saying it removed 108 previous deaths in Hubei that had been double-counted. The nationwide toll still rose to 1,380. Authorities have placed some 56 million people in Hubei under quarantine since late last month, in an unprecedented effort to stop the new coronavirus from spreading. reuters Some cities in Hubei tightened restrictions this week, sealing off neighbourhoods in what they liken to "war-time" measures. Authorities have scrambled to deploy protective equipment to Wuhan's hospitals, where doctors and nurses have been overwhelmed by an ever-growing number of patients. The government has also built two field hospitals within two weeks and converted public buildings into makeshift clinics to relieve Wuhan's hospitals. While the WHO has praised China's handling of the epidemic -- in contrast to its cover-up of the SARS outbreak in 2002-2003 -- a top White House official on Thursday said Beijing should be more open. "We are a little disappointed that we haven't been invited in and we're a little disappointed in the lack of transparency coming from the Chinese," Larry Kudlow, the director of the National Economic Council, told reporters. reuters Kudlow said President Xi Jinping had assured President Donald Trump that Beijing would accept US help, but "they won't let us". Kudlow's comments contrasted with Trump's apparent confidence in China, with the US leader telling a radio show that Xi is "extremely capable" and that the US was "working with them" and "sending a lot of people". Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Beijing has had an "open and transparent attitude" with the global community since the start of the epidemic. "The Chinese side has always a positive, open attitude toward cooperation with the US side," Geng told reporters, adding that US and Chinese health departments have maintained close communication and exchanged epidemic information in a "timely manner". Several countries have banned arrivals from China, while major airlines have halted flights to and from the country. The US State Department said it was "deeply concerned" about the vulnerability of China's northern neighbour, North Korea, and offered to support aid work in the country. 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 Officials Suggest Backing Huawei Competitors, Providing Alternatives At least two U.S. administration officials have publicly voiced concern about the importance of finding an alternative to Chinas Huawei Technologies for 5G infrastructure and of developing potential partnerships with the telecom industry as one of the actions that could achieve this. Experts told The Epoch Times that it would be a good move by the United States to promote competitors to Huawei. China currently dominates the global 5G technology market, capturing 40 percent through companies Huawei and ZTE. A partnership between the United States and the telecom industry would be very different from buying shares with taxpayers money, Robert Blair, White House special representative for international telecommunications policy, said at the Munich Security Conference in Germany. Blair, at the Feb. 14 conference, also said the United Kingdom needs to take a hard look at its decision to use equipment made by Huawei. Washington has repeatedly stated that Huaweifounded in 1987 by a former Peoples Liberation Army engineeris an extension of the Chinese state and that it helps Chinese intelligence steal secrets. Huawei denies the claims. U.S. Attorney General William Barr offered a similar proposal last week, noting that the United States and its allies have a five-year windowthe time within which he says global 5G dominance will be determinedto launch a viable competitor. He suggested that the United States and its allies should actively consider the possibility of backing Huaweis two main overseas competitors: Nokia and Ericsson. The time is very short, and we and our allies must act quickly, Barr said at a Washington conference on Feb. 4 on the Department of Justices efforts to combat Chinese threats. But just days after Barrs comments, the White House appeared to dismiss the suggestion. Great respect to Attorney General Barr, but we believe the best way forward is what Ajit Pai announced just over the last several days, Vice President Mike Pence said, referring to the Federal Communications Commission chairmans efforts to free up more spectrum for 5G wireless use. The United States, however, is working closely with Nokia and Ericsson, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said, adding that the companies equipment is essential to building 5G infrastructure. But he said that the U.S. government is not in the business of buying companies, whether theyre domestic or foreign, adding that theres nothing to prohibit American tech companies from acquiring them. John Boyd, principal of The Boyd Co., a firm providing location and management counsel to IT corporations globally, said U.S. officials are well aware of the consequences if Huawei dominates the 5G and artificial intelligence market. Boyd told The Epoch Times that Barrs suggestion of boosting 5G alternative providers such as Finlands Nokia and Swedens Ericsson would be a wise and timely investment, in my judgment. The U.S. Senate recently proposed spending $1 billion for enhancing our 5G capabilities, he said. This suggests to me that Barrs trial balloon may have some ready followers in Congress. 5G is the next generation of mobile network technology, which will offer internet connectivity at speeds that are 10 to 100 times faster than 4G. The fast connection is set to revolutionize many industries, including transportation, healthcare, and manufacturing. The pace of 5Gs innovation and deployment worldwide is only quickening, according to Tyler Cooper, editor-in-chief of BroadbandNow, which tracks U.S. broadband serviceability data, including 5G. In terms of alternatives [to Huawei], three major players are already operating infrastructure at-scale in the United States: Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung Networks, Cooper told The Epoch Times via email. Im confident that these and other companies can rise to the demand and ensure that 5G is rolled out uniformly and on-pace, especially with assistance from the FCCs proposed funds. In December last year, Pai announced a plan to start a $9 billion fund to bring services to rural areas in the country. Meanwhile, on Feb. 13, federal prosecutors from the Department of Justice charged Huawei and several subsidiaries with conspiracy to steal trade secrets and violate anti-racketeering laws. These charges are in addition to previous charges facing Huawei that relate to violations of U.S. sanctions on Iran. 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. Weeks ago, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the UK to rethink its decision to allow Chinas Huawei a role in the countrys 5G networks. The United States has previously asked countries around the world to refrain from using the telecom giant in their communications systems. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson granted Huawei a limited role in Britains 5G mobile network on Jan. 28. Our view is that we should have Western systems with Western rules, and American information only should pass through trusted networks, and well make sure we do that, Pompeo told reporters. U.S. officials this year have increasingly spoken out about countries opening their arms to Chinese companies. Epoch Times reporter Cathy He and Reuters contributed to this report A Channel 4 employee was taken to hospital to be tested for coronavirus after falling ill at the broadcaster's London headquarters. The staff member, who is understood not to be a journalist, had travelled to Asia in the last month. They were picked up from the offices by medical staff in protective suits, the Guardian reported. A Channel 4 spokesman confirmed that a member of staff had been taken to hospital on Thursday. Covid-19: Which worldwide events have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak? He said: On Thursday a member of staff who had travelled to Asia within the last month felt unwell. As a precautionary measure they decided to seek medical advice and, in line with the latest public health advice regarding the coronavirus, they were taken to hospital for a precautionary test. "We have informed our staff of this and continue to follow all the latest public health guidance. It comes with at least one case confirmed in London, while attendees of the UK Bus Summit in Westminster have been warned someone who visited the conference has been tested positive for the virus. The bus conference listed about 250 delegates as gathering at the event. Labour MP for Leeds North West, Alex Sobel, attended and has called NHS 111 to be assessed. Alexander McQueen has established a new scheme which will redirect the brand's surplus house fabrics to international fashion students and institutions across the UK. The brand's Creative Director Sarah Burton was inspired to start the initiative after holding talks and workshops with students at the Alexander McQueen store. Its inspired all of us, and reminded me of being a student, and how tough it is when you cant afford to buy fabric for your final collection," Burton commented. "I was so lucky because when I first worked at McQueen, Lee helped me source fabrics for my final collection. Its even harder today, and at a time when we all feel precious resources must be properly used. The British fashion house introduced its series of open access installations at its Bond Street store in January 2019. The first installation, Unlocking Stories, showcased the workmanship which goes into five select pieces from the brand's spring/summer 2019 collection. So popular was Unlocking Stories that the brand then curated its latest exhibit, Roses, which includes archival pieces from Lee McQueen's time at the brand. The brand's first activation under its new discarded fabric initiative is this evening. Many of the fabrics used in the Central Saint Martins and University of Westminster graduate shows have been donated by McQueen. One such graduate showcasing his designs tonight is University of Westminster student Steven Stokey-Dayley, who has designed his pieces using discarded fabric from the brand. You go into studying fashion fantasising about your final collection, but you have no idea what its going to cost. Its only when youre two years deep into it that you suddenly realise that people are spending 10,000 to 15,000 on their shows," mused Stokey-Daley, ahead of tonight's showcase. For Burton though, who's helmed the brand since Lee McQueen's death in 2010, it seemed a no-brainer to donate these surplus materials, as the brand has "never thrown anything away." The ethos at Alexander McQueen means that everything we use in researching and designing collections has always been archived and stored, Burton noted. ITHACA, N.Y. -- Twelve people were arrested Thursday after protesting at a Chase Bank in Ithaca for the second straight day, according to Ithaca police. Eight of the protesters were adults and charged with third-degree criminal trespass while four others were juveniles and released to parents or guardians, police said. On Wednesday, protesters blocked traffic at S. Cayuga and E. Green streets and then protested at Chase Bank, according to police. According to the Ithaca Voice, the people protested the Coastal GasLink pipeline in British Columbia, Canada, through lands of indigenous people. The pipeline would be constructed by TransCanada, the same company that proposed the Keystone XL pipeline. Protesters occupied the bank again on Thursday just before noon, police said. The protesters talked with bank officials and police for several hours and refused to leave, according to police. Ithaca police asked for help from the Tompkins County Sheriffs Office and New York State Police to arrest the protesters, police said. The eight adult protesters were released and will be arraigned in Ithaca City Court on Feb. 26, police said. REDWOOD CITY (BCN) Police in Redwood City on Thursday arrested a suspect in connection with an assault. Scott Deasy, 32, was arrested on suspicion of assault with serious bodily injury, false imprisonment and strong-armed robbery, according to the Redwood City Police Department. On Thursday, officers responded to a report of a physical altercation between a mother and her adult son. Police said the victim suffered injuries to her head, face, neck and arms. The suspect, identified as Deasy, fled the scene before police arrived. Deasy was ultimately located in San Francisco and was later taken into custody without incident. 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. Despite the coronavirus shaking up Chinese stocks, one market expert said there's actually hidden value in large-cap Chinese names. Chantico Global CEO Gina Sanchez said that while the coronavirus outbreak could further slow growth in China, as was the case with the SARS outbreak, the FXI China Large-Cap ETF is worth a second look by investors. "Remember that the FXI [is made up of] large-cap companies, and they've actually been more affected by trade talks," she said Thursday on CNBC's "Trading Nation." "So the signing of a phase one trade deal, while it does ensure that we have tariffs, it provides some certainty." Given that the tariffs also actually ended up hitting small-cap Chinese stocks more than their large-cap counterparts, Sanchez said there is "probably value" that will be "trapped for a period of time" as the market determines the true impact of the coronavirus. Ascent Wealth Partners' Todd Gordon, however, said the technical picture of FXI, which carries Tencent as its largest holding, bodes ill. Most notably, the stock has been trading in a consolidation that Gordon said straddles the $50 to $55 range. "I think there are other places to place your capital that are moving much more sharply than this chart that is extremely range-bound," he said in the same "Trading Nation" interview. Gordon is specifically eyeing the $52.50 level. If FXI can break above that price, Gordon said, investors could start possibly looking at the ETF. FXI is down almost 3% this year. Two women who accused a former Temple University fraternity president of forcing or trying to force them into sex acts in his frat house bedroom are making something out of nothing, the mans attorney told a Philadelphia jury Friday. One of the women, then a Temple junior, used Ari Goldstein as her sex boy, attorney Perry de Marco Sr. told a packed courtroom in his closing argument. We know in the real world, no, no has many shades of gray, said de Marco, who contended that the woman was accustomed to having rough sex with Goldstein. But Assistant District Attorney Zachary Wynkoop told the panel of eight women and four men that the two women who didnt know each other were unwavering in their accounts over the last two years, and that as Temple students they had a lot to lose by speaking to authorities. When they didnt want sex, they said, No, Wynkoop said of the womens encounters with Goldstein. They said, No. They said it over and over again. There was no shade of gray in that word, the prosecutor said. The women sat together in the second row of the gallery during the arguments. Both had testified during the trial at the Stout Center for Criminal Justice, as had friends in whom they allegedly confided after their encounters. The Inquirer does not identify sexual assault victims without their permission. Jurors deliberated for two hours Friday afternoon without reaching a verdict, and then were dismissed for the day by Common Pleas Court Judge Timika Lane. They will resume deliberations Tuesday. Goldstein, 23, of Wrightstown, Bucks County, a former president of Temples Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter, is charged with sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and indecent assault in connection with a November 2017 incident with the then-Temple junior, who was a member of the fraternitys sister sorority and a friend of Goldsteins. He is separately charged with attempted sexual assault, attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and indecent assault in connection with a February 2018 encounter in his bedroom with a woman who was a Temple freshman at the time. Goldstein, who has been free on bail, has had numerous friends and relatives in court to support him. Throughout the three-day trial, both attorneys painted different pictures of what they said had transpired between Goldstein and the women. Goldstein did not take the stand, but his sister, a childhood friend, and his family doctor testified on his behalf as character witnesses. De Marco contended in his closing argument that the accusers were part of college life that was full of rampant sex, drug use, and endless drinking." The Temple junior only used [Goldstein] for sex, didnt want to date him, and was pursuing Ari that night, the attorney said. De Marco told jurors that the woman wanted to give Goldstein oral sex that night so he would calm down and she could then leave. The freshman, de Marco said, went up to Goldsteins bedroom at the frat house at 2000 N. Broad St. after being invited there to smoke marijuana. Although she expected other people to be there, she ended up on his couch and the two engaged in various sexual positions, he said. Not until the trial, he said, did she testify that Goldstein bit my left breast, pointing out that she previously told authorities he kissed her breast. If someone bit my nipple, Id whack the daylights out of him, de Marco told jurors. Both women had the ability to leave Goldsteins bedroom but did not, nor did they immediately go to authorities, the lawyer said. Wynkoop, however, told jurors that the women were courageous for stepping forward, even though months later and at great personal cost. They were speaking out against the president of the most popular fraternity on campus, he said. The woman who was a junior had been a friend of Goldsteins for three years and trusted him, the prosecutor said. She testified during the trial that on a November 2017 night, things didnt get more aggressive, but aggressive, the prosecutor said, saying that Goldstein pressed his arm on her collarbone and put his fingers down her throat. And Goldstein kept forcing her to give him oral sex even though she fought back and kept saying, No, Wynkoop said. After the freshman went to Goldsteins room on Feb. 25, 2018, Goldstein, a former high school wrestler twice her size, had her pinned to the couch and thrust his hips toward her mouth, even though she repeated, No, and screamed, Wynkoop said. She fought him and got away, the prosecutor said. He wanted what he wanted and he was going to take it, Wynkoop said. Temple suspended Goldsteins fraternity in April 2018, after the freshman reported her allegations to police. He was arrested in May 2018 and charged with the attempted assault against the freshman. The other woman reported her assault to police after that set of charges had been in the news. BROOK PARK, Ohio -- A Cleveland woman, 26, told police Jan. 3 that a coworker intentionally ran his Nissan Infiniti into her Mitsubishi Endeavor while she was driving on northbound Ohio 237 earlier that day. The incident stemmed from a workplace conflict at Sure-Foot Industries Corp. in Middleburg Heights. The woman said the coworker, a 35-year-old man, had told her something was going to happen to her. The woman was driving home in the center lane of Ohio 237 when she noticed the coworker driving behind her in the high-speed lane. He then swerved into her lane and entered the lane to her right. The coworker then passed the woman and cut in front of her in the center lane. The man then used the rear of his car to hit the front of the womans car, knocking off her front bumper. It wasnt clear whether the womans car was moving at the time. The man sped away. Police advised a Sure-Foot manager of the vehicle crash. The manager said that Middleburg Heights police had been called to the company earlier that day regarding a menacing complaint. It wasnt clear whether the complaint was related to the two workers or the crash on Ohio 237. Another Sure-Foot worker witnessed the crash and corroborated the victims story. Police issued a warrant for the mans arrest and left a voicemail message with him. Read more from the News Sun. New Delhi, Feb 14 : The European Union (EU) on Friday acknowledged New Delhi's efforts to restore normalcy in Kashmir following the nullification of Article 370, while sharing its feedback with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. In an interaction with the NSA, all the 25 foreign envoys, including that of the EU, who visited Kashmir two days ago, shared their review and experiences from the trip. The group had gone to assess the situation following the reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir into a Union Territory and revocation of its special status on August 5 last year. Virginie Battu-Henriksson, EU spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said the EU ambassador to India along with some other envoys of EU member states held meetings with the civil and military authorities, some political representatives, as well as selected representatives of the civil society and the business community. "The visit confirmed that the government of India has taken positive steps to restore normalcy," she said. The acknowledgment of the Narendra Modi-led government's efforts comes just weeks after the EU Parliament attempted to pass a resolution against India on Kashmir at the behest of a Pakistan backed member. However, the EU spokesperson added that some restrictions remain, notably on internet access and mobile services, and some political leaders are still in detention. "While we recognise the serious security concerns, it is important that the remaining restrictions be lifted swiftly. The visit presented a welcome opportunity to see the situation on the ground and to interact with local interlocutors. We look forward to continuing dialogue with India on the situation in the region," she said. The group of diplomats told the NSA that it was very appreciative of India's efforts to restore normalcy in Kashmir and their trip was very useful for gaining first hand experience of the ground situation. The Washington Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA) educated local youths on Thursday as they partnered with the American Historical Theatre brought to life both the first president and first lady for a group of Laredo area students in a performance at the TAMIU Student Center Ballroom. READ MORE: You can win $100k during Main Event Laredo's opening week John Lopes portrayed George Washington while Carol Spacht acted as his wife Martha as they treated students of local elementary schools to a look into the past by presenting them with some historical facts while interacting with them in a lively atmosphere. The process helped immerse all students into the history of the colonial experience. Our program is primarily geared for fifth graders throughout Laredo, and so we try to invite both from LISD and UISD as well as private schools to come, said WBCA board member Norma Moore, who leads the American Historical Theater for the organization. Almost all students present during the performance wanted to lend a helping hand in the presentation, as the event was a hit with the children. I was very touched that these young ladies, these children, just gathered around Mrs. Washington after the event, and I think they wanted to adopt her, Moore said. They thought it was so cute and just thought she was a rock star. Its really nice to see their interest and what they get out of it. Aside from the WBCA events focusing on having fun and gathering in the community, Moore attests that another major part is to educate the area on why the events are celebrated and why the first president specifically is chosen as the one to be focused on. This is why we do what we do, Moore said. Yes, we put on a great party, but we also wanted to be educational in all of our events to some extent, and this is all about education. Sister Melissa, a religion and science teacher at the Mary Help of Christians School, can certainly agree with Moore as her school children came to learn more about Washington and why Laredo commemorates the first president. We love to educate our kids, Sister Melissa said. This is a very timely event because the big celebration for Washingtons birthday is coming up, and we really want to help them learn not only about our countrys history and why our city celebrates this, but really just to learn the rich heritage in it. Some of the children that attended the performance included fourth-grade students from various schools. Among them included a trio from Mary Help including a pair of 9 year olds in Octavio Martinez and Daniel Rodier along with 10-year-old Sebastian Palos. READ MORE: See how Astros players spent their offseason, according to Instagram They showed us a lot of stuff like women surprisingly entered the war when they couldnt, and they had to practice a lot to participate in the war, and that George Washington was born in Virginia, Palos said. The young Palos also added that he was surprised to find out that both Washingtons were also British subjects who went against the English monarchy for independence. I learned to always respect, and that even if things are tough to believe in yourself. Most of it I did not even know, Rodier said. Others of the students, however, enjoyed the comical parts of the performance such as the name of Washingtons pets and the mischief they caused. I learned about George Washington and their past life, and how their dogs were named and things were called back then, Martinez said. This is a very creative and fun way for them to learn about the beauty behind our countrys heritage, Sister Melissa said. The WBCAs George and Martha Washington agreed with that sentiment. The enthusiasm of the children they are so eager to come up and help us tell the story, Sister Melissa said. That it is very much part of our performance is their interaction with them, and I think it helps them remember things better too if they can personally help with the program. Martha agreed with Georges assertions about interaction, however, she also noted the value that it is for her to present the stories of several women who formed a vital part during the days of the American Revolution that get little to no recognition in history books. For myself, I think I am privileged to speak about the women, Spacht said. We have so often forgotten that women also sacrifice during war and the ability to share about women they may not have known and hope they will rise as examples with these young girls to become great women someday too. Some of the children will also be participating in other WBCA events such as in the IBC Youth Parade Under the Stars and the International Bridge Ceremony Sponsored by La Posada Hotel. In fact, both will be participating in other WBCA events such as Rodier being part of the Martha Washington Presentation. He will be one of the presenters, and Palos will be participating in the international abrazo at the bridge representing Mexico. As for George and Martha, they say they will be returning back to Virginia. Well, I must return to Philadelphia City and have many duties as the first president of the United States as our duties must continue, Lopes said. READ MORE: See the most notable mugshots in Laredo last month For those who missed the performance, they can rest assured to catch it next year as the event always hosts four performances and is free and open to the public. Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media As heads of the ADL and the NAACP in Connecticut, we are disturbed by the growing number of hate crimes and hate incidents in Connecticut and around the country. Swastika vandalism and teens putting on blackface have seemingly come back into fashion among our states youth. The history of these symbols and actions is critical for all young people to understand. They are not innocent, they are not funny and their impact can reverberate far beyond our corner of the world. And outside of school, were seeing assaults, arson, graffiti and harassment. And while organizations and our politicians generally are quick to strongly denounce these bad acts, it is not enough to just react. We must get down to work together to prevent this behavior from becoming normalized. We must unite and call on our leaders to create a safer and more accepting climate in our state. Fortunately, under the enhanced hate crimes laws that our organizations helped to pass, the Chief States Attorneys Office can set up a council to address this very issue. Cuddling your partner's T-shirt and being able to smell their unique scent might be the secret to high-quality sleep. A study from researchers at the University of British Colombia found sleeping with the natural odour of a lover improves the quality of rest. Sleeping with their scent, even if they aren't there physically, improves sleep length by nine minutes a night - the equivalent of an hour a week - and decreases tossing and turning. The benefit is as strong as taking sleeping aides such as melatonin supplements, the scientists claim. Scroll down for video Cuddling your partner's T-shirt and being able to smell their unique scent might be the secret to high-quality sleep. People who slept with their partner's smell had, on average, nine minutes more sleep a night despite their partner not even being present (stock) Scientists conducted experiments in which 155 participants slept with two different T-shirts as pillow cases. One carried their partner's scent and the other was completely clean and bland. The shirts had been worn by their romantic partner for a period of 24 hours in order to capture their body scent. The partners had also been asked to not use deodorant, scented body products, smoke, exercise or eat certain foods, such as spicy dishes to avoid distorting their body odour. They were then hermetically sealed and frozen to preserve their smell. The other shirt had either been worn by a stranger or was clean. A study from researchers at the University of British Colombia found sleeping with the natural odour of a lover improves the quality of rest. The effect is as strong as taking sleeping aides such as melatonin supplements, the scientists claim WHAT IS MELATONIN? Melatonin is a hormone which controls how asleep or awake people feel. The hormone is produced in the pineal gland in the brain and its release into the body is controlled by light. During the day, when the eye absorbs light, melatonin levels in the body are low and, as a result, we feel awake. But when darkness settles and the amount of light being absorbed by the eye reduces (although this is disrupted in modern societies because of artificial light), more melatonin circulates round the body. Melatonin prepares the body for sleep by slowing the heart rate, reducing blood pressure, and changing how heat is stored in the body the body's core temperature drops while the outside of the body and the limbs become warmer. The hormone also makes people feel sleepy. Melatonin supplements can be taken to aid sleep in people who have problems with it, as well as for certain medical conditions such as tinnitus or Alzheimer's disease. Sources: Medical News Today and Journal of Applied Physics Advertisement The participants were asked to sleep with each T-shirt over their pillow for two consecutive nights without knowing which was which. Their sleep quality was measured using an actigraphy sleep watch, which detects movement throughout the night. The data from the watch revealed participant's with their partner's smell next to them had a more peaceful sleep and did not toss and turn as much. The next morning, participants were asked to fill in a survey saying how well rested they felt. People who slept with their partner's smell had, on average, nine minutes more sleep a night despite their partner not even being present. Over the course of a week, this adds up to more than one hour of extra rest. Study author Marlise Hofer, at the University of British Columbia, in Canada, said: 'Our findings provide new evidence that merely sleeping with a partner's scent improves sleep efficiency. 'Our participants had an average sleep efficiency improvement of more than two per cent.' She added: 'We saw an effect similar in size to what has been reported from taking oral melatonin supplements - often used as a sleep aid.' Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Friday expressed unhappiness over Chief Minister Uddhav Thackerays decision to hand over Elgar Parishad case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He said that while the central governments decision directing NIA to take over Elgar Parishad case was unfair, the state governments approval to it was more unfair. This is the first decision of the chief minister that has been criticised by Pawar since the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government - made up of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress - was formed. The MVA government has agreed to transfer the 2018 Elgar Parishad case to the NIA complying to a January 25 decision of the central government. The Centre had directed the agency to take over the probe against activists and intellectuals linked to Left and Dalit movements, who had given speeches at the Elgar Parishad gathering on December 31, 2017. Maintaining law & order is a state subject. It is unfair to encroach upon the rights of the state and Maharashtras support to the move is more unfair, Pawar told reporters in Kolhapur in a press conference. State home minister Anil Deshmukh, who is from the NCP, on Thursday said that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray used his discretionary powers to approve the handover. Deshmukh said that they are still of the opinion that the Centre should have taken the state government into confidence before handing over the probe to the NIA. 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 said. Incidentally, as soon as the MVA government was formed, Pawar wrote a letter to the chief minister demanding a probe by a special investigation team (SIT) in the case. The NCP chief had said the erstwhile BJP-led government abused its power to book activists and called the arrests of activists a conspiracy. But Thackeray waited for the NCP to take up the home department and take the decision. In the wake of Pawars letter, home minister and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar held a meeting with home department officials to review the case. The home department was considering to appoint a SIT to probe the entire episode. However, before it could do so, the Centre took over the case. The NIA has the power to take over investigations, which it feels has a bearing on national security. Violence had broken out near the Bhima-Koregaon war memorial in Pune on January 1, 2018, leaving one dead and several others injured. Dalits visit the memorial in large numbers as it commemorates the victory of British forces, which included Dalit Mahar soldiers, over the army of the Brahmin Peshwa rulers of Pune in 1818. The Pune Police had filed cases against activists and intellectuals, who had delivered speeches at Elgar Parishad, for inciting violence and were picked up in raids across the country. The police had claimed the organisers of the event had Maoist links. The NIA has the power to take over investigations, which it feels has a bearing on national security. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Reshuffle 1) Javid fires warning shot at Johnson Sajid Javid quit as chancellor in protest at a No 10 power grab yesterday and warned that Boris Johnson risked wrecking the Treasurys credibility. The prime minister backed Dominic Cummings, his senior adviser, in demanding that Mr Javid sack his entire team of aides in the reshuffle. Instead the 50-year-old former leadership contender resigned and questioned the character and integrity of those around Mr Johnson. Rishi Sunak, the new chancellor, who was a junior minister under Theresa May, has accepted what Mr Javid said no self-respecting minister could a joint No 10-No 11 economic team. The Times How ex-Chancellor lost the battle of power between Number 10 and 11 Daily Telegraph Johnson dropped his bombshell and low-key reshuffle exploded The Times Prime Minister brings Treasury to heel Daily Telegraph Insulting nickname (*Chancellor In Name Only) helped trigger huge bust-up Daily Mail What now for UK economic policy? FT Javid may now be remembered as the second Chancellor never deliver a Budget Daily Telegraph >Today: ToryDiary: Reshuffle 1) The lesson of this PJ Masks shakeup. For Johnson and Cummings, it is truly Do or Die. >Yesterday: Reshuffle 2) Rumours that Sunak was in line for Number 11 never far from the surface Rishi Sunaks elevation to Chancellor of the Exchequer may have been dramatic, but the 39-year-old has long been marked out as a rising star in the Conservative party. The wealthy Winchester-educated son of Indian immigrants entered Parliament in 2015, taking over William Hagues old seat of Richmond in Yorkshire, and won first his junior ministerial role under Theresa May. The committed Brexiteer was catapulted rapidly into the cabinet as Chief Secretary to the Treasury by Boris Johnson last July. The rumours that he was likely to replace Sajid Javid who backed Remain in the referendum were never far from the surface. Daily Telegraph The Yorkshire maharajah The Times >Yesterday: Profiles: Rishi Sunak, rising star of the Johnson project Reshuffle 3) Daniel Finkelstein: This is not the way to bring the Treasury to heel The best way to achieve harmony between Nos 10 and 11 is for the prime minister to appoint his or her closest ally to the job. But Theresa May and Boris Johnson share one characteristic, perhaps a surprising one given that Mr Johnson is so gregarious and Mrs May is so not. Both of them are loners. So Mr Johnson didnt have a parliamentary best friend he could appoint. His relationship with Mr Javid was cordial because both of them are cordial people but they werent partners. And Rishi Sunak (also a cordial person) isnt his partner either. I suspect they dont know each other all that well. An alternative is to appoint a chancellor who is at least philosophically aligned with the PM and committed to the same goals. But its not yet obvious what those goals are and therefore who that person should be. The Times This is Boriss show and he wants to pull all the levers of power Fraser Nelson, Daily Telegraph Reshuffle shows weakness at heart of No 10 Philip Collins, The Times Johnson has backed Cummings over Javid, and there will be a cost Robert Shrimsley, FT Javid stood in the way of Treasury reform, Boris was right to get rid of him Nick Timothy, Daily Telegraph Reshuffle was a ruthless crushing for enemies of henchman Cummings Simon Walters, Daily Mail Treasury will bide its time over Johnsons radical changes Larry Elliott, The Guardian Johnson should beware threat from his own side Iain Martin, The Times Javid was pushed before he jumped despite being a most pliant MP Trevor Kavanagh, The Sun Post-Brexit Chancellor needs to be unafraid to challenge the Treasury Annunziata Rees-Mogg, Daily Telegraph Sunak: Why our exceptional new Chancellor is the bright person for the job Grant Rollings, The Sun Sunak has won the Treasury, but its long-fabled power is now broken Tom Kibasi, The Guardian Sketches: It all started so cheerfully, then came a mighty prang Quentin Letts, The Times The day The Saj stormed out Michael Deacon, Daily Telegraph Javids self-worth wasnt part of the plan for Cummi sorry, Johnson John Crace, The Guardian Editorial: Prime Minister may come to regret his seizure of control of the Treasury The Times The dangers of this power grab FT Johnson is entitled to overhaul the Treasury but mustnt lose sight of the balance sheet The Sun >Today: Chris White in Comment: Reshuffle 4) It isnt just Ministers who get fired. A third of SpAds are set to lose their jobs. Reshuffle 4) Smith, Minister of the Year, dismissed Leo Varadkar, Irelands prime minister, called Julian Smith one of Britains finest politicians of our time, but on Thursday Boris Johnson dismissed him from his post as Northern Ireland secretary. Only last month Mr Smith was being garlanded as Minister of the Year by the Spectator magazine for his role in bringing the Stormont assembly in Belfast back to life after three years in the deep freeze. But his sacking revealed the depth of animosity felt by the prime minister towards Mr Smith, a pro-Remain survivor from the Theresa May era. Mr Smith, chief whip under Mrs May, was somewhat surprised to survive Mr Johnsons first reshuffle last July but threw himself into his role in Northern Ireland, whose future was bound up with Brexit. FT Northern Ireland peace deal hangs in balance after Johnson axes its architect The Sun Decision upsets Ulster leaders The Times Smith sacked over risk of more prosecutions for Troubles veterans Daily Telegraph Johnson kept in the dark over decision to sanction investigations Daily Express >Yesterday: Reshuffle 5) Bravermans views, set out views on ConservativeHome, scrutinised The governments new chief lawyer condemned the growing power of judges over politicians weeks before her appointment. Suella Braverman, the new attorney-general, is a prominent supporter of Brexit and has criticised decisions by the Supreme Court around Britains departure from the EU. Brexit has served as a flashpoint of the shrinkage of politics and the ascent of law, Ms Braverman, 39, the MP for Fareham, wrote in a blog on the Conservative Home website last month Her views will add to the row between the legal profession and the government over Mr Johnsons plan to review the role of the senior judiciary and the expansion of judicial review. The Times Data case defeat increases Tory pressure to quit ECHR FT More: Diversity goes backwards in reshuffle The Times Sharma appointed president of Cop26 climate conference The Guardian Johnson rewards trusted allies in shake up FT Prime Minister assembles youngest ever post-war cabinet Daily Telegraph Leadsom took her team for a champagne lunch after Johnson fired her Daily Mail >Today: ToryDiary: Reshuffle 2): Live Blog Berry turns down a Foreign Office post and leaves the Government, citing family commitments. Reshuffle 6) Trevelyan has expressed scepticism over her new brief The new international development secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, has previously expressed apparent scepticism about the value of foreign aid, comments that will prompt fresh concerns that the department could become marginalised. While aid groups welcomed the fact that her appointment meant the Department for International Development (DfID) had not, at least for now, been incorporated into the Foreign Office, as mooted, her comments indicate at least doubt about the sector. In 2012 three years before she became MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed she replied to a tweet from DfID saying: No one in Africa should go hungry, by saying: Nor in the UK. There r kids in NE who have no regular meals due to chaotic parents. Should they go hungry? The Guardian Charity begins at home for woman in charge of aid The Times >Today: Iain Dales column: Reshuffle 3) Its a scandal that Housing is now on its tenth Minister in ten years. Prime Minister risks deepening row with US by cancelling visit Boris Johnson has risked deepening tensions with Donald Trump by scrapping a visit to America next month to see him. The US President is desperate to seal a trade deal with Britain before his re-election campaign begins in the Autumn. Mr Trump wants to begin trade talks with the PM during a high profile visit to the White House. But the PM has repeatedly delayed the trip, which was expected in January, then later this month. It has now been decided to suspend any meeting between Boris and the president altogether until June, when the PM is due at Trumps official retreat Camp David for a summit of G7 leaders. Confirming the cancellation, No10 sources insisted it was because the PM is determined to stay in No10 to drive through his domestic agenda. The Sun and faces investigation over holiday Boris Johnson is facing an investigation by parliaments sleaze watchdog after a Conservative donor said that he had facilitated his free stay on a Caribbean island. Mr Johnson had claimed that the 15,000 cost of the holiday on the private island of Mustique was paid for by the Carphone Warehouse boss David Ross, who owns a property there. But his declaration in the register of MPs interests was contradicted by Mr Ross, who denied that he had paid for the holiday Mr Johnson took with his partner, Carrie Symonds. Yesterday he said that he had merely facilitated accommodation for Mr Johnson. Labour reported the prime minister to the commissioner for standards, Kathryn Stone, questioning whether he had knowingly made a false entry. The Times He failed to declare the villa is owned by an elusive hedge fund boss The Sun Labour leadership candidates divided over trans pledge card A controversial pledge card calling on the Labour party to expel transphobic members has split the partys leadership contenders. Lisa Nandy has joined Rebecca Long-Bailey in signing the 12-point pledge card by the Labour Campaign for Trans Rights (LCTR) that also describes some organisations including Womans Place UK as trans-exclusionist hate groups. Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Today programme Nandy said: Its a very tough pledge but its important that we are tough. But Emily Thornberry has spoken out against the pledge card, and Keir Starmer, the frontrunner in the race, has not signed it and on Thursday chose instead to endorse a less contentious 10-point pledge by LGBT Labour. The Guardian >Yesterday: Max Young in Comment: Labours London Assembly candidates stress their Corbynista credentials News in Brief: Love seems to be flying high and quite literally for Delhi Airport as on Valentines Day, it chalked out its own way for expressing love to several airlines. Taking to the micro-blogging site, Twitter, Delhi Airport on Friday treated social media users to light-hearted affectionate exchanges. On Twitter, Delhi Airport had a long and pun-filled conversation with Indigo. It said, "Hey IndiGo, promise me youll never run away from my runway!" To this Indigo replied, "Oh darling, your love brings me back on-time, every time!" The public display of affection between the two did not end here. Delhi Airport further tweeted, "My love, IndiGo, we have so many future planes together! Im just plane crazy about you." Acknowledging the love from Delhi Airport, IndiGo replied, "Whenever you say that kuch kuch hota hai. I know your love affair goes beyond one!" Hey @airvistara, its valentines day, want to continue flying higher with us? #DELlovesYou #ValentinesDay2020 Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) February 14, 2020 Hey @flyspicejet, love how you turn my hub red, hot and spicy! #DELlovesYou #ValentinesDay2020 Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) February 14, 2020 Apart from IndiGo, the Delhi Airport tweeted its affection to Air India, Air Vistara, and SpiceJet. Tweeting out its love for Air India, the Delhi Airport said," Hey Air India, youll always be my love at first flight! I love how you are so plane and simple." To this AI replied, "It feels great to have a special place in your hub." Expressing its love for Air Vistara, the Delhi Airport tweeted, "Hey Air Vistara, its Valentines Day, want to continue flying higher with us? Why thank you, we get this new feeling with you and it never gets old, runway with me?" To this Air Vistara replied, "Delhi Airport, cheesy but landed well, just like all our aircraft thanks to you." Delhi Airport's repartee ended with SpiceJet. "Hey SpiceJet, love how you turn my hub red, hot and spicy! Keep it spicy!" SpiceJet repied with "You're always in our Dil, Dilli!" Tributes were paid to the 40 CRPF martyrs on first anniversary of the Pulwama terror attack at an event organised at the Southern Sector, CRPF, here on Friday. The families of martyrs residing in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were felicitated. Remembering the martyrs, Telangana municipal administration minister and ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi working president K T Rama Rao tweeted: "We will not forget, we will not forgive!" "Telangana Govt is always at the forefront when it comes to standing by the families of Martyrs who sacrificed their lives!" he said. At the CRPF Southern sector, M R Naik, IGP Southern Sector, CRPF, Hyderabad, welcomed the families of the martyrs who laid down their lives in the service of the nation while countering cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, and Naxalism in Left Wing Extremism affected areas. DRaju,ChairmanCII,TelanganaandKrishna Yedula,GeneralSecretary, Society for Cyberabad Security Council, promised to provide employment opportunities to the kin of martyrs belonging to Andhra Pradesh andTelangana. Around 28 next of kin of CRPF martyrs from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were honoured during the felicitation, an official press release said. Bajrang Dal and VHP activists paid homage to the martyrs at different places in the city on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Pulwama attack. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It was unfortunate to see them go when they have been in that location for so long, he said. When you look at corporate restructuring, it was not a huge surprise. They were certainly doing well at that location. A lot of people are disappointed theyre not there anymore. MUNICH - The United States and the Taliban have agreed to a temporary truce that, if successful, would open the way for a deal that would bring American troops home from Afghanistan and end 18 years of war. The peace deal would call for negotiations between Afghans on both sides of the conflict to start next month, an eventual countrywide cease-fire and a commitment from the Taliban not to harbour terrorist groups like al Qaida, while setting a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The truce marks a milestone in efforts to end Americas longest-running conflict and fulfil President Donald Trumps campaign pledge to bring U.S. troops home from foreign conflicts. But prospects for a real and lasting peace remain unclear. Details were provided separately Friday by a senior U.S. official and a Taliban official, who were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The U.S. official said the agreement for a seven-day reduction in violence is very specific and covers the entire country, including Afghan government forces. There were indications a formal announcement could come as early as the weekend. The official said the Taliban had committed to a halt in roadside and suicide bombings as well as rocket attacks. If the Taliban uphold their commitments, a U.S.-Taliban peace agreement would be signed within 10 days. The Taliban official said the signing had been tentatively set for Feb. 29, with the start of the Afghan talks planned for March 10. The official said Germany and Norway have offered to host the talks but there has been no decision on the venue. That Taliban official said the agreement would provide for the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners before the start of the negotiations. Much will depend on the results of the all-Afghan negotiations, if and when they get off the ground. The presence of spoilers those happy with the status quo will remain a threat to peace efforts throughout the process, the U.S. senior official acknowledged. Also uncertain are the gains made for Afghan women and girls since the fall of the Taliban months after the U.S. military response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks ordered by Osama bin Laden from Afghan soil. But, for the Taliban, the proposal represents a way to gain the political legitimacy they never had in the late 1990s when they first came to power. The new developments came as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper met Friday with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of an international security forum in Munich. To make good on its promise to release Taliban prisoners, Washington is going to need the co-operation of Ghani, who has been critical of the way U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has conducted the talks with the Taliban, complaining about being kept in the dark. Ghani has also bickered with his partner in the current Unity Government, Abdullah Abdullah, over who will represent Kabul at the negotiating table. Ghani has insisted he lead the talks, while his political opponents and other prominent Afghans have called for more inclusive representation at the negotiating table. The Taliban and those familiar with the details of the Afghan negotiations say the representatives from Kabul will include government officials but they will sit across from the Taliban as ordinary Afghans and not as government representatives. U.S. officials have not publicly spelled out their timetable for an initial drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, but the expectation is that a reduction from the current total of about 12,000 to approximately 8,600 will begin after the signing of a U.S.-Taliban deal. That initial reduction is likely to stretch out over a period of weeks or months. The Taliban official said the withdrawal of foreign troops would start gradually and be carried out over 18 months. A senior U.S. military officer told a small group of reporters that U.S. counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan against the Islamic State group and al-Qaida will continue, separate from the truce agreement. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive aspects of military operations ahead of an expected announcement of the U.S.-Taliban deal. He also said the United States has sufficient intelligence-gathering assets to be able to determine within the seven-day period whether the Taliban is making a good-faith effort to reduce violence, even if some limited violence persists. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy on Friday called the U.S. agreement a first step in the process. Its going to take several weeks for this to unfold, but its very encouraging that were heading down a path to a political solution, he said in response to a question during remarks at the National Press Club. A truce had been widely anticipated, and Trump agreed in principle to the deal, according to U.S. officials. The final details were hammered out in recent days by Khalilzad and Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar. Khalilzad also was in Munich and attended Pompeo and Espers meeting, as did Gen. Scott Miller, the commander of the U.S.-led international force in Afghanistan. ___ Gannon reported from Islamabad. AP National Security Writer Robert Burns and Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report. SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia - After being stranded at sea for two weeks because five ports refused to allow their cruise ship to dock, the passengers of the MS Westerdam were anything but sure their ordeal was finally over. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A passenger, right, is hugged by Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen after she disembarked from the MS Westerdam, owned by Holland America Line, at the port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. Passengers finally disembarked on Friday from the cruise ship allowed to dock in Cambodia following two weeks of being stranded at sea after being refused entry by four Asian governments because of virus fears. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia - After being stranded at sea for two weeks because five ports refused to allow their cruise ship to dock, the passengers of the MS Westerdam were anything but sure their ordeal was finally over. Then the authoritarian leader of Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen, agreed to let the Westerdam dock. Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Guam had earlier turned the ship way because they feared its passengers and crew could spread the deadly new virus from China, but Hun Sen declared he would welcome them. The first batch of hundreds of passengers who disembarked Friday saw the Cambodian leader arrive by helicopter and then personally hand them flowers as they made their way to land. A passenger leads a girl after they disembarked from the MS Westerdam, owned by Holland America Line, at the port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. Passengers finally disembarked on Friday from the cruise ship allowed to dock in Cambodia following two weeks of being stranded at sea after being refused entry by four Asian governments because of virus fears. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) Today, although Cambodia is a poor country, Cambodia has always joined the international community to solve the problems that the world and our region are facing, Hun Sen said as the first passengers disembarked. The grateful passengers sang his praises. How wonderful it is to be here. Thank you very much to the prime minister. He has a wonderful heart, said Anna Marie Melon, from Queensland, Australia. Im very excited (to be here)," she said as she waved a rose Hun Sen had handed to her. The passengers cheered as they walked toward waiting buses and waved goodbye to other passengers watching from the ships deck. A man waves to passengers of the MS Westerdam, owned by Holland America Line, docked at the port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. Hundreds of cruise ship passengers long stranded at sea by virus fears cheered as they finally disembarked Friday and were welcomed to Cambodia. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) "Cambodia alone, even the United States, Guam, did not let us land, but Cambodia did, so thats wonderful. Absolutely wonderful," Joe Spaziani, from Florida, told reporters. "We appreciate it very very much. Its been a long struggle and we appreciate everyone being here. He and many other passengers wore a krama, a traditional Cambodian scarf, around their necks. John Stanley, of Evesham in England, who with his wife Olive had been on the ship since it departed from Singapore in January on the first leg of its journey, recounted some of the stresses of the last two weeks. After some uncertainty, they came to accept the ship's doctor's declaration that none of the passengers had the feared COVID-19 viral illness. A helicopter carrying Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen prepares to land near the MS Westerdam docked at the port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. Hundreds of the cruise ship passengers long stranded at sea by virus fears cheered as they finally disembarked Friday and were welcomed to Cambodia. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) But there was concern that some people's supplies of necessary medication would run out and there were many text messages from worried family members back home.. So it was a question of being really, really thankful to the Cambodian government and really, really relieved that we can go home," Stanley said. To be honest, until we'd actually gone off the ship, we didn't really believe it because we had one or two situations before where we thought we were getting off. The Westerdam's operator, Holland America Line, had said no cases of the virus had been confirmed among its 1,455 passengers and 802 crew members. Some 20 passengers reported stomachaches or fever, but tests for the virus done at the Pasteur Institute in Phnom Penh showed none had the illness. Hun Sen said he acted for humanitarian reasons and that he wanted passengers to be able to return to their home countries. Passengers react after they disembarked from the MS Westerdam, back, at the port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. Hundreds of cruise ship passengers long stranded at sea by virus fears cheered as they finally disembarked Friday and were welcomed to Cambodia. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) If Cambodia did not allow this ship to dock here, where should this ship go? he said. "I want to inform Cambodians and the world that I coming here even for a short time means this is no time for discrimination and to be scared, but a time for everyone to be in solidarity to solve the problems we are facing now." A strong supporter of China, Hun Sen has downplayed threats from the new virus, and unlike other Asian nations, he declined to ban direct flights between Cambodia and China, saying that would disturb bilateral relations and hurt his country's economy. Cambodia has only one confirmed case of the virus, a visitor from China, despite its popularity with Chinese tourists. The decision to let the passengers disembark also won Cambodia praise from President Donald Trump, who tweeted: Thank you to the beautiful country of Cambodia for accepting the @CarnivalCruise ship Westerdam into your port. The United States will remember your courtesy! Acting as a good Samaritan is an unusual role for Hun Sen, who has been in power for 35 years. His party swept 2018 elections that drew sharp condemnation as neither free nor fair after a court dissolved the only credible opposition party. 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 U.S. has imposed diplomatic sanctions due to Cambodia's repressive political climate, and the European Union earlier this week declared its intention to do the same, citing human rights and trade union violations. Taking advantage of the opportunity to boost his country's tourism profile, Hun Sen said the passengers were free to go to the beach, go sightseeing in Sihanoukville, where the ship docked, or even visit the famous centuries-old Angkor Wat temple complex in the northwest. Mang Sineth, the vice governor in Preah Sihanouk province, told reporters 414 passengers were to leave the port Friday and fly to Cambodia's capital before travelling to their final destinations. Three flights from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh were arranged to take all the ship's passengers. He said that if the flying arrangements went smoothly, all passengers would probably be leaving Sihanoukville by Sunday. The COVID-19 illness has sickened tens of thousands of people in China and a few hundred elsewhere, including 218 on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which made stops in Hong Kong and other ports before arriving in Japan last week, where it has been quarantined. The Westerdam began its cruise in Singapore last month and its last stop before it was refused further landings was in Hong Kong, where 56 cases of the disease and one death have been confirmed. Several hundred new passengers boarded the ship there for the second leg of the planned monthlong cruise. China is not sharing important data that may help contain the coronavirus outbreak, experts have said, according to a Voice of Americas report. According to Jennifer Nuzzo, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, countries are looking for information on whether the situation in China is getting worse or better as people are trying to develop their own control strategies against COVID-19. However, that information is not forthcoming, she said. According to the report, China is releasing a daily count of newly-identified cases. But, it is not disclosing the date when those patients became ill, which is important because without the date of symptom onset, epidemiologists cannot tell if an epidemic is growing or waning. The daily count of identified cases indicates when testing labs are processing samples but it does not reveal much about the course of the outbreak, experts were quoted as saying. Larry Kudlow, the director of US President Donald Trump's Economic Council, also expressed disappointment for the lack of transparency on the part of China. "We are a little disappointed that we haven't been invited in and we're a little disappointed in the lack of transparency coming from the Chinese," said Kudlow. Former US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief Tom Friedman, who currently heads public health non-profit Resolve to Save Lives, said that they did not have very basic information. Beijing has reportedly declined the offer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to send top experts to the country reeling under massive coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, a team from the World Health Organization (WHO) has arrived in China to help respond to the COVID-19 outbreak spreading out of the central city of Wuhan. We hope that information will be coming out, said Friedman. As per the latest information by Chinas health officials, the death toll in coronavirus epidemic has gone up to 1,483 with Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak, reporting 116 new fatalities. The hard-hit province has reported 4,823 new confirmed cases. In a bid to promote use of Sanskrit in Uttarakhand, the Railways ministry decided to rename the name of its stations in the state. The signboards which have names of railway stations written in Hindi, English and Urdu will now be written in Hindi, English and Sanskrit. So, Dehradun railway station became Dehradunam and Rishikesh was renamed as Rishikeshah. But this has led to controversy over getting the names right. How the controversy started The move to have a Sanskrit name for railway stations in Uttarakhand started when a local BJP leader wrote to railway officials in January asking why the names of the places on railway signboards were not in Sanskrit as it was mandatory under railway manual to have names of places on such boards in the second official language, which in Uttarakhands case is Sanskrit. Last week, name of Dehradun railway station was written in Sanskrit as Dehradunam, along with Hindi and English, when the station re-opened for public after three months. The name for Doiwala railway station also in Dehradun has been written Doiwalah and a new railway station in Rishikesh as Yog Nagari Rishikeshah. Challenge of finding the right Sanskrit names Rekha Sharma, senior divisional commercial manager Moradabad railway division, which manages the stations falling under Garhwal region, said though no official notification had been received by the division from the railway headquarters for writing of the names in Sanskrit, they have started work for getting the Sanskrit names right. First of all, the state government has to provide us with how the names of the railway stations are to be written in Sanskrit. Only then we would be writing to the railway headquarter to clarify on that fact of adding a fourth language on station signboards, said Sharma. Speaking on the name of Dehradun railway station being written in Sanskrit, which was later changed, Sharma said, The name was written by the construction agency which was renovating the station. They had put up a board with the name written in Sanskrit. The board was removed as soon as the matter came to light. The railway official, however, agreed that the name of a new railway station in Rishikesh (Yog Nagari Rishikeshah) has been written in Sanskrit along with Hindi and English, as the name was suggested by the state government. Rajendra Kumar Singh, public relations officer for Izzatnagar railway division that manages the railway stations falling under the Kumaon region, said the names of stations would be written in Sanskrit after orders are received from railway headquarters. However, a senior railway official from Kathgodam railway station in Nainital, wishing not to be named, said, Even though official orders have not been received, preparations are afoot to write names of stations in Sanskrit. Protests over not having Sanskrit railway signboards Meanwhile, the Sanskrit School-Colleges Teachers Committee submitted a memorandum to Dehradun station director on Wednesday protesting against removing Sanskrit name from Dehradun station signboard. The memorandum states, Sanskrit is the second official language of the state and writing the name of one of the main railway stations of the state in Sanskrit indicates the due respect is being given to the language. But changing it back to Urdu is a sign of disrespect. If the stations name is not changed back to Sanskrit within 24 hours, then members of the committee will be forced to make the changes on its own. Janardhan Kairwan, president of Haridwar-based Uttarakhand Sanskrit Teachers Association said that if the name of Dehradun station is not written in Sanskrit, then the association will sit on a protest. As per rules of the Indian Railways; names of stations are written in the second official language of the state. So it is only right that the name of Dehradun station be written in Sanskrit. The change of name at Dehradun station shows the lack of interest by the state government to give the second official language its due respect, said Kairwan. The rationale behind Sanskrit as second language In 2010, former chief minister of Uttarakhand, Ramesh Pokhriyal gave Sanskrit the status of second official language of the state. According to Sanskrit scholars, Uttarakhand is Dev Bhoomi (sacred land) and as such it is natural to have Sanskrit as its official language. They emphasised that until the language is brought into public domain, it will not become the language of people. Madan Kaushik, cabinet minister and official spokesperson of the Uttarakhand government, said that being Dev-Bhoomi, Sanskrit has been spoken in Uttarakhand since time immemorial, therefore, it is natural for the language to be an official language of the state. People have been speaking in Sanskrit since ages in this land, from saints to common people, every one spoke in Sanskrit earlier. Over the years, the speakers of the language have reduced but that does not reduce the importance of the language in the state. Slowly with efforts like introducing Sanskrit in schools and adopting villages where the language can be spoken for day-to-day conversation, we will be able to revive Sanskrit language again, said Kaushik. What Sanskrit scholars have to say? Manoj Kishor Pant, assistant professor and president of teachers association in Uttarakhand Sanskrit University Haridwar said that efforts taken by the state government to promote the language are mostly stuck to promises on paper. If changes are made in road sign board or names of offices, and they are written in Sanskrit along with Hindi and English, then people will eventually start noticing those words and at least know certain words in Sanskrit. Only by these small efforts can the language be used more often by people, added Pant. Two villages where officials are promoting speaking of Sanskrit on a daily basis To keep the Sanskrit language alive in Uttarakhand, the states Sanskrit Academy has also adopted two villages in Garhwal and Kumaon each where officials are promoting speaking the language on a daily basis. Ashok Kimothi, a retired government inter-college teacher who hails from Kimotha village in Chamoli district, one of the adopted Sanskrit-grams, said Sanskrit is not the mode of communication in the village, but most people know how to speak the language. Day to day conversations in Kimotha village are done in Garhwali, but around 70% of the population know Sanskrit because children from an early age are taught the language in the Sanskrit Acharya Vidyalayas, so they know language, but people do not always talk in Sanskrit, said Kimothi. This undated image released by CourtneyMilan.com shows romance writer Courtney Milan. The Romance Writers of America, which bills itself as the voice of romance writers, has been upended over the way over the way it has treated Milan, a Chinese American writer. The association initially accepted the vote of its ethics committee that Milan had violated the group's code of ethics with negative online comments about other writers and their work. Photo: Jovanka Novakovic, HONS / Associated Press Photo: Jovanka Novakovic, HONS / Associated Press The Houston-based Romance Writers of America announced this week that the rest of its Board of Directors has been completely cleared out, and the embattled organization will hold a special election next month to find new leadership to carry it forward after the most tumultuous of its 40 years. The RWA ended 2019 in a disastrous manner, as member concerns about its lack of diversity nearly split the organization into pieces. The chain of events was fairly simple: One RWA author who had worked to diversify the organization's ranks made a comment on Twitter about another author's work being a "racist (expletive) mess." That first author, Courtney Milan (the pen name of attorney Heidi Bond), was censured by the RWA, prompting an exodus of members from the RWA and its board in protest. The flashpoint was a long time coming, as RWA authors had decried their lack of representation -- both in publishing and the organization's RITA Awards. This year's RITAs were cancelled as the organization dealt with fallout from its internal conflict. The RWA announced this week its remaining Board of Directors members had resigned, and before doing so, they set up a special election to create a new board. Voting runs March 13-20. RWA members will vote in a new board to fill current terms, which expire on Aug. 31, 2020. A statement from the board members who resigned: We believe that stepping down to allow for new leadership chosen by the membership is in the best interests of the association. The Board has always wanted what is best for Romance Writers of America, and we still do. This desire has been the driving force behind every decision we have made to try to navigate RWA during this difficult time. We have tried hard to keep the best interests of RWA front and center as we have confronted the challenges of the last eight weeks." The RWA is reported to be connected to a $1 billion industry, as romance fiction has long flown under the radar of mainstream North American book publishing. And the organization has deep ties to Houston. It began to form when Houston native and New York-based book editor Vivian Stephens came to a writers conference in her old hometown in 1979. She urged a group of romance writers to organize and a year later, the RWA formed. The group held its first conference in Houston in 1981, and continues to be based in Houston. NSW Police are seeking a review after seven people linked to a Blue Mountains circus school had more than 100 charges relating to the alleged sexual abuse of three boys dropped in a Sydney court. Four adults and three young people were arrested in 2018, charged with 126 offences linked to the alleged sexual abuse of three young boys at The Arcade Circus at Katoomba over two years. Police had alleged the boys were subjected to sexual abuse, kidnapping, intimidation, assault, made to abuse each other and forced to appear in child abuse material filmed by adults on their mobile phones. Therese Ann Cook. Credit:Facebook Some of the worst allegations involved defecation, that the child victims were cut with knives, their tongues were bitten and needles were stuck in their eyes. PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-14 11:00:23 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 358 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 HOLLYWOOD, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2020 / Water cleanup, hemp cigarettes, cannabis industry, solar power, coronavirus, bullschiff impeachment; this week on MoneyTV with Donald Baillargeon.MoneyTV is the internationally syndicated television program all about money and what makes it happen, ( http://www.moneytv.net) , featuring informative interviews with company CEOs and executives, providing insights into their operations and outlooks for their futures. MoneyTV is seen in over 200 million TV households in more than 75 countries.Free information packages from the featured companies can be requested by sending an email to info@ moneytv.net The television program can also be viewed online immediately at www.moneytv.net Featured companies on this week's program include:Singlepoint, Inc. (OTCQB: SING) CEO Greg Lambrecht discussed the success of their hemp cigarette brand.Resonate Blends, Inc. (KOAN) Director of Product Development Skyler Quisenberry talked about the Entourage effect. Chineseinvestors.com , Inc. (OTCQB: CIIX) CEO Warren Wang discussed market reaction to the Coronavirus.OriginClear, Inc. (OTC PINK: OCLN) CEO Riggs Eckelberry provided a video update of their work in Spain.Solar Integrated Roofing Corporation (OTCPINK: SIRC) CEO David Massey introduced Brian Milholland and discussed details of the acquisition.MoneyTV Executive Producer and Anchor Donald Baillargeon is also the host of MoneyRap Radio, http://www.moneyrap.com and the television program Crowdfund Television, http://www.crowdfundtelevision.com MoneyTV with Donald Baillargeon television program, Copyright MMXX, all rights reserved. MoneyTV does not provide an analysis of companies' financial positions and is not soliciting to purchase or sell securities of the companies, nor are we offering a recommendation of featured companies or their stocks. Information discussed herein has been provided by the companies and should be verified independently with the companies and a securities analyst. MoneyTV provides companies a 3 to 4 month corporate profile with multiple appearances for a cash fee of $6,950.00 to $11,995.00, does not accept company stock as payment for services, does not hold any positions, options or warrants in featured companies. The information herein is not an endorsement by Donald Baillargeon, the producer, publisher or parent company of MoneyTV.Contact:Donald Baillargeoninfo@ moneytv.net 949 388 5267SOURCE: MoneyTV, Singlepoint, Inc., Resonate Blends, Inc., Chineseinvestors.com , OriginClear, Inc., Solar Integrated Roofing Corporation Members of a civic group hold a press conference in front of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Friday, to protest against the alleged U.S. plan to push Korea to fund a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) base in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province. They demanded that the U.S. and Korea remove the anti-missile system from Korea. / Yonhap By Kang Seung-woo Korea is back in the hot seat as the U.S. military has announced plans to improve its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries including the one here. As the upgrade is focused on extending the range of its defense area, the plan is raising speculations that the launchers may be transferred to Seoul or its surrounding areas, or that additional launchers may be deployed, which may reignite disputes with China over the anti-missile system. A report has also sparked concerns that the U.S. may push Korea to fund the construction of the THAAD base, which could run counter to the allies' agreement on the issue. The battery system upgrade was disclosed earlier this week by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. "Additionally in fiscal year 2021, we will complete the integration of missile defense capabilities on the Korean Peninsula. We will initiate the development of an improved THAAD interceptor for layered homeland defense," John Hill, the director of the agency, said in a press briefing at the Department of Defense, Feb. 10. In 2017, an anti-missile battery was deployed in the southeastern county of Seongju, north Gyeongsang Province, to counter North Korean missile threats. According to Hill, the improvements to the layered missile defense system will give it extended range by remotely controlling the launchers of THAAD. "If you can separate the launchers away from the battery that gives you a lot of flexibility on the Korean Peninsula. So you could put the battery further back, you can move the radar back, you can put the launchers forward, you can bring in additional launchers. And so that capability is not in a typical THAAD battery today," he said. THAAD, designed to shoot down short- and medium-range and intermediate ballistic missiles in their terminal phase, is currently controlled by wires but the U.S. military has made efforts to remotely control the missile defense system. Actually, the U.S. Army successfully conducted its first test of a remotely fired THAAD interceptor, Aug. 30, 2019. Hill also said the U.S. is working on launching Patriot missiles using the more efficient THAAD radar. The THAAD system on the peninsula has been criticized for its lack of coverage that cannot defend Seoul and its surrounding areas, but Hill's remarks are prompting speculation that the THAAD launchers could be moved from Seongju and stationed elsewhere although he did not elaborate on how far the U.S. plans to separate the launchers from the battery. In response, the South Korean defense ministry said nothing on the issue has been discussed between Seoul and Washington. "The relocation of the THAAD battery needs bilateral agreement between the two countries," a ministry official said. If the plan is implemented, Korea is highly anticipated to face backlash from China, which adamantly opposes the missile system, claiming it is used to spy on China's military. The THAAD deployment on Korean soil resulted in economic retaliation from the Chinese government, including a still-effective ban on its people's group tours to Korea. Another controversy surrounding THAAD is the U.S. may request for South Korea to share the expenses required to construct facilities at the Seongju base. The fiscal year 2021 budget proposal of the Department of the Army dated Feb. 3 showed that the U.S. earmarked $49 million (58 billion won) for the development of the THAAD base, addressing the possibility that the "host nation" will cover the costs. "The possibility of Host Nation funding has been addressed," it said. "Funds from Host Nations programs are available to support this requirement." The funding is counter to the South Korean government's previous statements that the U.S. shoulders the cost of the THAAD deployment. The Korean defense ministry reaffirmed the government's stance. "There is no agreement between allies that the host nation will cover the construction cost," the ministry official said. Speculation is that the U.S. has or will use the THAAD system cost in negotiations to raise Korea's share in the ongoing defense cost-sharing talks. Seoul and Washington have not yet made a deal for this year's cost-sharing agreement for the upkeep of United States Forces Korea troops, with the U.S. demanding a huge hike in South Korea's share. Beauty is woven into the ghazal with such deep feelings of love that the focus is always on seeking oneness with the other, notes Gopi Chand Narang. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com In this discussion of the characteristics and concept of love, we now come to the part that is really the zenith of Urdu verse and, at this junction, we meet the two giant pillars of the grand structure of the Urdu ghazal who stand tall and would remain so in the times to come: Mir Taqi Mir and Mirza Ghalib. Their poetry goes to the very source of the idea of love. They recognise love as the central binding force that keeps this universe going. It does not mean that they do not talk of the beloved's tresses, enchantment or elegance. They describe beauty like no other poet has done before. Yet it is woven into the ghazal with such deep feelings of love that the focus is always on seeking oneness with the other, and this effort is always of an enduring nature that has no end. Tasavvuf is helpful in opening the doors of a spiritual or existential understanding and beyond. But a great poet need not be a follower of any particular doctrine to do exactly that with the power of his words and his ideas. The time when Mir and Ghalib lived was the time when tasavvuf had already become a part of people's thinking and refl ection. Mir was born in a household where tasavvuf was already a way of life. His father lived like a dervish. Because of this, Mir had a chance to meet other dervishes. His father used to tell him, 'ay pisar ishq bavarz, ishq ast k dariin kaarkhaana mutasarrif ast which meant: O my son, adopt ishq, it is the dynamic of ishq and only ishq that governs and runs this whole universe. Ghalib was born in a prosperous family where Sufi ideas were well understood, but both Ghalib and Mir did not select any doctrine to be their guiding light in their lives. They appreciated varied influences of tasavvuf, but it was not something that they fully embraced. They looked upon love as a most powerful dynamic of life. Their concept of love respects basic human aspirations. Both Mir and Ghalib are earthbound, but their reality is part of the universe where both the unreal and the real meet and fuse into one another. To critique Mir's poetry from the worldly and other-worldly standpoint is unfair. He starts with the self -- his own self -- and what he experienced. His deep suffering in love at a young age broke his heart and he became nearly insane. With time he recovered but perhaps never fully so. The way he expresses his pain passes on to the reader inasmuch as that one man's pain becomes the pain of everyone else. Asar Lakhnavi said that Mir experienced feelings of love with great intensity and, as a poet, he wanted to convey those feelings through his words with equal intensity. His heart melted and dripped one drop at a time and he wanted others to know how it felt. Communicating to others his deep hurt was the speciality of his poetry. His love story was earthy like every other love story, but the experience of love's failure became a part of his psyche and an inspirational force that he narrated at a very high aesthetic level. Ghalib's idea of love, like that of Mir is also earthy, but the intensity of his feelings is different. Mir looks upon love as a sacred fire. Ghalib's love is restrained and self-possessed. There is a pain of separation and the pleasure of union, but it is well-modulated; nothing is out of control. The heart gets hurt and bleeds, but is under restraint. Love is the most vital aspiration and impacts one's whole life. It is emotional, but not uncontrollable and bordering on madness as with Mir; it is more material than spiritual. But materiality does not fall a victim to lustfulness or pleasure-seeking. It is a part of personal dignity and a deep inspirational force. Despite some differences, both Mir and Ghalib share a common foundation of love poetry and that is the awareness of love's dynamic nature and human dimension. They are neither pleasure seekers like the poets of Lucknow nor mourners at love's grave like some earlier Delhi poets. They do not fly high like the Sufi poets. They make a conscious effort to stay as grounded as possible. There is a difference of almost a century between the two. Mir is mainly an 18th century poet who laid the foundation of the classical ghazal, while Ghalib belongs to the 19th century, almost around the end of the classical era of Urdu poetry. Mir, Mohammad Taqi (1723-1810) Mir Taqi Mir, recognised as Urdu's first truly great poet, was born in Agra -- a city he was forced to leave after his father's death when Mir's affair with a girl from within the family became known. He spent many years in Delhi, years of great suffering, and then he moved to Lucknow in 1782. He experienced first-hand the destruction of Delhi by the invading army of Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1748 that caused him great personal suffering. Although Mir wrote his autobiography that covered a major portion of his life, it is believed that he left out many details, especially his love affair about which he wrote two masnavis. Known as a poet of deep pathos and melancholy, Mir wrote extensively. His complete works consists of six divans and nearly 14,000 couplets. Each couplet written by Mir is like a carving in stone in which everything stands out as a fragment of perfection. Ghalib, Mirza Asadullah Khan (1797-1869) Generally acknowledged as Urdu's greatest poet, Ghalib lived through a most tumultuous period, a social and cultural transformation of society -- the failure of the 1857 rebellion, the end of the Mughal empire and the subjugation of India under British rule. Ghalib moved from Agra, the city of his birth, to Delhi after his marriage at an early age where he spent the rest of his life. He travelled to Kolkata in 1828 for the resolution of his pension case and this travel was one of the signature events of his life. He had a glimpse during his stay in Kolkata of a new style of city planning, public parks, open vistas, street lighting, modern shipping and the use of telegraph for communication. As a supporter of new ways of thinking, Ghalib broke with the tradition and as such he is considered to be 'the last of classicists and the first of the modernists'. He was open in his thinking and opposed all forms of authoritarianism and oppression, religious bigotry and narrow thinking. He supported a political system in which people had a voice. These are the qualities that endear Ghalib to readers of different viewpoints -- from conservatives to progressives, from traditionalists to moderns He was a friend of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and he prodded Sir Syed to focus on the problems of the day rather than looking to the glories of the past. He had a large number of disciples and his Urdu letters published after his death set a new standard of Urdu prose writing. Ghalib wrote both in Urdu and Persian but his popularity rests on his Urdu divan which is the most loved and cherished book of Urdu verse. Excerpted from The Urdu Ghazal: A Gift Of India's Composite Culture by Gopi Chand Narang, with the kind permission of the publishers, Oxford University Press. Inaccurate forecasting, an urban focus and weather warnings are among the most frequent causes of complaints from members of the public to Met Eireann. Transcripts of complaints sent to the national forecaster reveal a huge range of issues were raised in 2019, including frustrated members of the public who think there are too many - or too few - colour-coded weather warnings. The forecaster was described as the boy who cried wolf. There were claims that the weather warnings are issued so frequently that people simply don't pay them any attention. There was also a number of complaints about the accuracy of forecasting, with some - including cyclists and hikers - claiming they can no longer rely on Met Eireann's forecasts when planning days out. Some pointed to Norwegian and Canadian broadcasters as being more accurate, while others said local and amateur forecasters provide more detailed forecasting on social media channels. Overall, Met Eireann received just over 300 complaints through met.ie, its app or email. It was a significant drop from 2018 when nearly 700 were received. Some simply criticised the frequency of weather warnings. One said: "The general populous only hear warning, not yellow, green or amber. You are putting lives at risk and damaging businesses by issuing these fictitious warnings as people will not heed the serious warnings in the future." Another said that the forecasting was too vague. "It appears to me that anyone could predict the weather in Ireland. Sunshine, showers, wind. When are you going to give a detailed account of what is going to happen, instead of what has happened?" In early October, when Storm Lorenzo was forecast to hit Ireland and didn't, people vented their frustration. "I'm sick of weather warnings, making people afraid and very often it doesn't even materialise," said one complaint. "Not for the first time your alarming forecasts have not materialized and you have panicked people into unnecessary precautions. I am a taxi driver in Shannon and my takings are down about 150 for tonight. You have overreacted again. Tonight is a normal pleasant October evening and it's not right that you continue to make huge drama over a non-event," said another. The naming of the storms was also a frequent topic. On December 8, 2019, one person complained about the name of Storm Atiyah. The storms for 2019/20 were named in conjunction with the Dutch and UK meteorological offices. The complaint read: "What kind of name is Atiyah for a storm around Ireland? We're not Lebanon. We are Ireland. GO RAIBH MAITH AGAT!!! Cop yourselves on with the names." Another simply implored Met Eireann to stop naming the storms entirely as nobody would want their name associated with potentially tragic conditions. There was one much happier correspondence in March, though: "Just wanted to say thanks for naming the storm Gareth as it is my name and you named it on my birthday. Best present ever." By AFP BAMAKO (Mali): Twenty people were killed in an attack overnight on a village in central Mali, local officials said Friday, in an apparent spate of ethnic violence in the deeply troubled region. The attack occurred in Ogossagou, a village mainly inhabited by Fulani people where around 160 died last March in a massacre blamed on Dogon militiamen. About 30 gunmen carried out the new attack, village chief Aly Ousmane Barry told AFP. "I counted the numbers while soldiers and the medical services were there," he said. "We have 20 dead. Some of them have been burned." A local government official, who requested anonymity, earlier confirmed that the attack took place and gave a toll of 11. He said that the attackers moved in several hours after government troops had pulled out of the area. Central Mali has been torn by ethnic violence as a result of a jihadist revolt that broke out in the north of the country in 2012. The insurgency has claimed thousands of lives and spread to neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso. Tit-for-tat attacks in central Mali flared after Fulani people, also called Peul, became associated with jihadists. Led by a firebrand Islamic preacher Amadou Koufa, a militia called the Katiba Macina recruited members from among the Fulani and became accused of ethnically-motivated attacks. Other ethnic groups such as the Bambara or the Dogon began to form self-defence groups that in turn became accused of reprisal massacres. In addition to the latest attack at Ogossagou, 14 Fulani were killed in central Mali in January. Around 75 Dogons were killed in the villages of Sobane Da, Gangafani and Yoro in June last year, in an attack blamed on Fulani militants. Human Rights Watch this month pointed to the ethnic patchwork of central Mali as the country's "epicentre" of violence. It said over 450 civilians had been killed in the region in 2019, "the deadliest year for civilians" since the jihadist insurgency began. Reflecting the chronic instability in the centre, Malian soldiers are themselves frequently targeted. On Friday, one soldier was killed in an attack on a military camp in Mondoro, security officials said. It had already been hit before -- as part of a joint raid by militants that also targeted the military camp of Boulkessy near the border with Burkina Faso, killing at least 25 soldiers. On January 26, Al-Qaeda-linked militants attacked a military camp in Sokolo, central Mali, killing 20 gendarmes and wounding five more. The violence in central Mali coincides with renewed hopes that the fragile government can reassert control over the widely lawless north. Troops returned on Thursday to Kidal, a northern town that had been a bastion of Touareg rebels, after a six-year absence. Regular forces returned to the town accompanied by former rebels who have been integrated into the army under a regional peace agreement. The deal, reached in Algiers in 2015, is considered one of the few avenues Mali has for escaping the cycle of violence. When two Annandale men dedicate half a century of their lives to fighting fires, those who theyve fought beside dedicate a night to honoring them. Volunteer firefighters Randy Emery and George Cramer were recognized for their 50 years of service to the Annandale Hose Company #1 at the departments annual banquet and awards ceremony, held on Saturday evening at the Annandale-based Beaver Brook Country Club. In addition to being awarded small bronze fire bells mounted on wood platforms by the fire company, both Emery and Cramer received proclamations from the New Jersey State Firemens Association, Assemblyman Erik Peterson (R-23) on behalf of the New Jersey Legislature, and Clinton Township Mayor John Higgins on behalf of the town council. Higgins described Emery and Cramers five decade-long commitment to the Clinton Twp. and Annandale communities as remarkable." I grew up in a fire service family; my father was a deputy fire chief in Elizabeth. And he only had 25 years. We lost him in a fire down on Broad Street. So fire service is near and dear to my heart, Higgins said. Lifelong residents of Annandale, both Emery and Cramer joined Annandale Hose Company #1 in 1970, the former serving as fire chief from 1983 to 1984, the latter from 1978 to 1981 and again in 1985. Emery, who has owned the shoe repair shop Charlies Bootery in Clinton since 1965, described firefighting as a family tradition. My father was involved from the mid-50s into the 70s, and then I got involved as a 21 year old in 1970," Emery said. My brother just retired as chief; my son was a junior member for awhile; my niece was a junior member for awhile. My nephew was a full-time member; he is now a career fireman in North Charleston, South Carolina. So its been in the family for a long, long time. Cramer, who has worked in both the Lebanon-based NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife office and the state Fire Marshals office, credited the active spirit of Annandale -- which he described as an everybody knows everybody town" -- for motivating him to join the team. Its a great way to serve your community. Im not a club guy -- Lions, Elks, all of that, just did not appeal to me. But the fire service did," Cramer said. Reflecting on their many years of service to the department, Emery and Cramer agreed that since 1970 the fire department has evolved to become a more structured environment. When I joined in the 70s -- for lack of a better term -- the volunteer firemen were beer-drinking firemen," Emery said. And now weve become very professional, well-trained -- we have to continue our education every year with refreshers ... and its a big, big commitment. The dynamic of it has changed a lot. Back in the day there was a lot of social drinking. Now they probably drink more soda in that firehouse than they do beer, Cramer echoed. According to Cramer, the growth of automatic fire alarm systems in residences over the years has greatly expanded the number of calls made to the department, increasing the level of commitment demanded by the fire company. Back when (Emery) and I started, if we had 50 fire calls a year, it was a lot. Now, this past year, we had over 400," Cramer said. Its time-consuming, at this point. And unfortunately a lot of people out in this area dont have a lot of time to contribute." Regardless of how firefighting has changed, Emery and Cramer emphasized that the qualities sought after in potential volunteers have long been both a willingness to sacrifice and a desire to service the community. Youre on call 24/7, 365. My family has suffered -- and I hate to use the word suffer -- but holiday dinners, different special events -- when the alarm sounds, you respond, Emery said. "So you have to be willing to give that time to become a good volunteer and a good fireman. It has to be in your blood," he added. I know it sounds trite because everybody uses it, but you have to be willing to put your life at risk anytime. Firefighters, as they say, are the ones that run into burning buildings when everybody else is coming out," Cramer said. And its not always a crisis, but when people call the fire department, its a crisis to them. Whether it be a cat in a tree, their child lost, or a senior citizen with dementia that is lost ... theres just so many ways to service the community, and its satisfying to know that you can help in those ways, he added. Still active in the department to this day, Cramer and Emery expressed their particular excitement to continue working with and educating younger volunteers. We still have things that we can contribute to the younger people that are just coming in, as far as guidance. How to do this, how not to do this ... We still have a lot of knowledge to share, and I think thats important," Cramer said. (Firefighting) is still something I enjoy, and take pride in being a part of," Emery said. We have a lot of excellent young firemen at Annandale Hose Company. And they are the future, so without them we are in trouble. Current Fire Chief of Annandale Hose Company #1 Chris Sloss commended Emery and Cramer as true mentors within the fire department. Theyre always the go-to guys to ask simple questions -- tradition and history of the fire company, or opinions on routes, Sloss said. And the young kids look up to them. Theyre very involved in the fire company, and a lot of people go to them for advice. Theyve obviously seen a lot over the years. Marc Strauss, a Clinton Township Council member and president of the Annandale Hose Company #1, orchestrated the honoring of both Emery and Cramer during Saturdays ceremony. Thats just not regular members; theyre actually active members. Members who still come out and drive and participate. So, its a really great accomplishment, and we wanted to have them recognized, Strauss said. In addition to securing the proclamations Emery and Cramer received from both state and local legislators, Strauss is currently working to arrange for the Hunterdon County Board of Freeholders to issue their own resolutions acknowledging the service of the two firefighters. Strauss emphasized that the actions he has taken to honor the two men illustrate his belief in the significance of service, and his gratitude for the tremendous extent to which Emery and Cramer have given their lives to it. Volunteerism is becoming less and less because everyones schedules are more and more busy. And theres such a demand in the number of fire calls, and the amount of training hours thats required by the state," Strauss said. So, fifty years, I mean, Im fifty years old. "Fifty years of service is -- wow. Caroline Fassett can be reached at cfassett@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us.nj.com/tips Utica, NY - The Boilermaker in conjunction with Mohawk Valley Community College hosted a meet and greet and presentation with two American Ninja Warriors. Five- time national finalist of the NBC competition series, Daniel Gil and two-time Olympic medalist Jonathan Horton started off their day touring area schools and spreading their knowledge of physical and mental wellness. The day concluded with a meet and greet at MVCC for Boilermaker volunteer committee members and their families and a presentation by the two athletes in Schafer Theater in Wilkes Hall. The message from the athletes was simple. Horton says, "My message here for the kids and my message here for everybody throughout my story is that you dont have to be the most gifted and talented person in the world to do big things." Gil added, "Training became a form of therapy for me. One it was an outlet for me just to release the stress and the tension and to be able to set goals,like i want to be able to perform this or complete this task or get on and do well on American Ninja Warrior has been incredible for me. So John and I both love the experience to go out whether its schools or camps or things like that and just share that message with those that watch and know us." Both Daniel and Jonathan are publishes authors and say that they hope their experiences inspire others to stay mentally and phyiscally fit. In case you missed them today, Daniel hinted that he may be back for the Boilermaker in July. One of the sign boards put up outside the Old City. Hyderabad: Residents in the Old City have started displaying notice boards on their houses telling enumerators of the National Population Register (NPR) survey not to knock on their doors unless the additional questions are removed from the form. As part of the campaign against the Citizenzhip Amendment Act, National Register of Citizens and the NPR, people have started hanging the boards on the gates of their houses and posting it on social media to mobilise others. Ms Najam Rasheed, a resident of Panjeshah, who had displayed a notice board on her house, said, We are not allowed to express our concerns in a democratic and peaceful manner, which forced us to adopt alternatives. She said, We have decided not to provide any kind of information regarding personal details which will be used in the NRC. We are ready to face the consequences. Mr Mohammed Faheem said the government should realise the panic created among the general public over NPR and NRC. Unless the doubts of the citizens are not cleared, the government should not start the household and Census survey. These warning boards are a sign of the alarm which shows fear developed among the public, he said. It will create difficulties and problems for the enumerators. If the authorities provide the police security to the enumerators, it will invite more disconcert. Nobody has even bothered to challenge U.S. Rep. Al Green in a primary election in 14 years. And the last candidate to challenge U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, one of the most senior Democrats in Congress, lost by 70 percentage points. But this year, even they are not inoculated from a wave of younger progressive candidates around the nation determined to challenge not only every Republican seeking re-election but also every Democrat, no matter how long the odds. Six Democrats are running against Jackson Lee in Houstons 18th Congressional District. And for the first time in his career, Green faces a Democratic challenger in Houstons 9th Congressional District. Were putting these folks on notice and making them defend their careers, said Stevens Orozco, a 33-year-old activist who is opposing Jackson Lee. Its not just for Congress, either. Texas State Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston, and longtime Houston state Reps. Senfronia Thompson, Harold Dutton Jr., and Garnet Coleman all find themselves with primary challenges, too. Early voting Early voting in Texas primary elections starts on Feb. 18 and ends on Feb. 28. Election Day is March 3. See More Collapse Know the candidates: The Chronicles 2020 primary election Voter Guide History shows how rare it is to defeat an incumbent in a primary. Since 1946, there have been 14,684 candidates who have run for re-election in the U.S. House. Just 237 failed to win their primary. That is a 98 percent success rate, according to data compiled by the University of Virginia on every congressional re-election since World War II. Nevertheless, as Orozco walked door-to-door in the Heights with a group of six volunteers last weekend, it was hard not to hear echoes of U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a political giant-killer in 2018 who shocked the Democrats by defeating a 20-year incumbent in a primary in New York. Support for the Green New Deal, Medicare for All and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, are all a big part of Orozcos plea to voters. His campaign stresses that Jackson Lee has been in Congress since 1994, when he was in elementary school. Shes been there long enough, Orozco, a school teacher, said of Jackson Lee, as he talked with Heights resident and Democratic voter Ralph Ellis. Democrat Jerry Ford, 60, a retired firefighter and another Jackson Lee opponent, has been even more blunt. Shes a typical career politician, Ford said. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Thats not dissimilar to the message that mortgage broker Melissa Wilson is taking to voters in the 9th Congressional District as she talks about Green. No one has even challenged him, the 36-year-old Wilson said. I am not going to be bullied out of challenging him. If I dont step up, then who is going to? Jackson Lee says shes not bothered at all by the rare primary challenge. Its indicative of being a vocal member of Congress, said Jackson Lee, 70. Its easy to draw individuals to run against you. Green said hes not sure why he is getting opposition this year, or why he went so long without a primary opponent in the past. You can do a great job and still get an opponent, Green said. The system allows for that. I respect the system. People are allowed to run regardless of how well you are doing. Incumbents take on Trump Jackson Lee was first elected to Congress in 1994 after having served two terms on the Houston City Council. In Congress, she has distinguished herself as a prolific filer of legislation and as an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump on the House Judiciary Committee that played a key role in his impeachment. Jackson Lee has been a lead advocate of creating a commission to study reparations for slavery. Just last month, she was able to get Trump to sign legislation to study creating a National Historic Trail from Galveston to Houston that would mark the migration of former slaves after they were finally emancipated in Texas two years after the rest of the nation. She said shes going to continue to listen to voters and talk about the issues that are important to improving the economy of the 18th District. In campaign mailers, Jackson Lee is stressing her long experience in Congress and is touting her work to restore funding for childrens health insurance programs, protect early education programs such as Head Start, and push for increased funding for public education. Jackson Lee knows a thing or two about defeating incumbents in primaries. In 1994, Jackson Lee was leaving the Houston City Council when she took on U.S. Rep. Craig Washington in a primary. She beat him by 26 percentage points. Green, 72, has a similar story. In 2004 he challenged incumbent U.S. Rep. Chris Bell and defeated him in a newly redrawn district by 35 percentage points. Green, an attorney and former president of the Houston NAACP, has been as aggressive as anyone in Congress in calling for Trumps impeachment starting in May 2017, just four months after Trump was sworn in. It was not a political expedience, but a moral imperative that Green said made him push for votes on impeachment long before most of the rest of the House was ready. It was important to have to have those votes because those votes laid the foundation for the presidents final impeachment, Green said. But Green said his tenure is about a lot more than just impeachment. He said hes fought for consumer protections, to create jobs and to streamline the disaster relief process. Green said although he hasnt had a primary election since he took office, he treats every day like he is facing challengers. Im involved and engaged, he said. I run every day. I dont run just on election day. Shoe leather and shoestring Green and Jackson Lee hold two of the most Democratic-leaning districts in Texas. They are also have the 3rd and 2nd highest concentrations of black residents among Texass 36 Congressional Districts. Trump won just 20 percent of the vote in Jackson Lees 18th Congressional District and just 18 percent in Greens 9th District. The rarity of Green facing a primary opponent is evident on his campaigns Facebook page. As of Wednesday, that page had not had a new post since October 2014. Both Jackson Lee and Green are witnessing a new reality within the Democratic Party, said University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus. There is a youth moment in the Democratic Party that is coming sooner than a lot of incumbents recognize, Rottinghaus said. After 2018, it is clear a lot of candidates think they can do what Ocasio-Cortez did in New York, University of Virginia political science professor Jenn Lawless said. Ocasio-Cortezs opponent raised 12 times as much money as she did. Ocasio-Cortez kept her campaign donations in a jar as she tended bar. Few experts saw then-U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley in any danger of losing the primary. But he did and Ocasio-Cortez became a national figure. That left a lot of people thinking maybe its possible to do what she did, Lawless said. Its not that Marc Flores doesnt know the odds are against him. Still, the 40-year-old Democrat has left his job as a construction project manager to join the half-dozen candidates challenging Jackson Lee for re-election. Flores has raised the most money of the candidates running against Jackson Lee, with $78,000 for his campaign, including $5,000 from his own pocket. Jackson Lee had raised just over $400,000, according to her last campaign finance report filed late last month. No other candidate in the field has raised more than $70,000 in the race. On a shoestring budget and with a lot of shoe leather, Flores said of his strategy. That is how we are going to win. In 2018, it was a different Democrat that ultimately inspired Flores to run. He said after he volunteered with Beto ORourkes U.S. Senate campaign, he was hooked on politics and started to believe he had something to offer voters. We are in a position to give them an option, Flores said. Thats what people want. Ford has been a big self-funder in his campaign, putting more $50,000 of his own money into the race a sign he said hes also serious about taking on Jackson Lee. Ive walked through fire before, the former firefighter said. So Im kind of fearless. The UK's first Muslim Pride festival will be held in London this year as Europe's leading LGBTQI Muslim charity celebrates their 20th anniversary. The event, organised by charity Imaan, will take place on Saturday April 11, and tickets for the soon-to-be announced venue will go on sale in two weeks. The event comes after the organisation successfully raised 10,563 and garnered 467 supporters in 42 days last year. Taking to Twitter, the group excitedly penned: 'It's happening! We've set the date for the first EVER Muslim Pride event. Tickets go on sale in two weeks!' The UK's first Muslim Pride festival will be held in London this year as Europe's biggest charity supporting LGBTQI Muslims, Imaan, celebrate their 20th anniversary. Pictured, members of Imaan at London Pride in 2019 However, despite making the announcement just two days ago, the charity has already been hit with a slew of negative tweets from online trolls. After received a series of Islamophobic comments, the organisation insisted they wouldn't let abuse stop them from holding the event, and posted the hashtag: 'Islamophobia won't stop us'. In response, others took to social media to praise the event, with one hailing the forthcoming parade 'absolutely incredible'. 'Fantastic news - well done to all involved in getting it off the ground,' commented one, while a second enthused: 'Gosh, well done guys! I wish you all the luck in the world.' 'I wish I could make it, I am very far away but I will definitely try because this sounds epic.' A third praised: 'This is absolutely incredible. Huge congratulations! Sending all our love and support to you all!' The event organised by Imaan LGBTQI, will take place on Saturday April 11, and tickets for the soon-to-be announced venue will go on sale in two weeks (pictured) The organisation shared a series of Islamophobic comments they received, before insisting they wouldn't let abuse stop them from putting on the event Imaan was founded in London in November 1999 by lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans Muslims, and this year will mark the the charity's 20th year in operation. The group has put out calls for queer Arab speakers, as well as well-being practitioners and service providers who are interested in taking part in discussions. The organisation's crowdfunding page says that LGBTQI Muslims often feel 'isolated, without community and frequently facing homophobic, biphobic, transphobic and Islamaphobic abuse'. And so the event will 'build on the incredible events we organised in the past and feature panels, discussions, speakers, arts, culture and history and will be a 'first for LGBTQI Muslims.' A project lead at Imaan, Rose, previously told how the event will 'open up the conversation' for LGBT Mulsims to speak about their sexuality. 'This is going to help the next generation to know it's okay for them to be LGBT and also be Muslim,' she said, speaking to the Evening Standard. 'When people talk about Muslims they don't really talk about sexuality - this will open up the conversation.' Washington/IBNS: The United States has welcomed the conviction of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed in terror financing cases. "Todays 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," the US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) tweeted. Todays 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. State_SCA (@State_SCA) February 12, 2020 In a crucial development, a Lahore court on Wednesday convicted Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed, who was arrested last year, in two terror financing cases, media reports said This is the first time when the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind has been convicted in a terror case. He was slapped with a prison sentence of five and a half years and a fine of Rs15,000 in each case. The sentences of both cases will run concurrently. The court also granted him the benefit of Section 382-B of the Code of Criminal Procedure (reduction of period of sentence of imprisonment), reported Dawn News. He was convicted under the Anti-Terrorism Act Section 11-F(2) pertaining to membership, support and meetings relating to a proscribed organisation and 11-N (punishment under Sections 11-H [fund-raising] to 11-K [money laundering]), reported the Pakistan-based newspaper. The Lahore court also directed authorities to keep Saeed under custody until further orders. The verdict was announced by ATC judge Arshad Hussain Bhatta. Saeed is wanted in India for several terror attack cases The US government had earlier placed a 10 million bounty on his head. He is considered as a mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai attack. The 2008 Mumbai attacks were twelve coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai by members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The attacks, which drew widespread global condemnation, began on Wednesday, Nov 26, 2008 and lasted until Saturday, Nov 29, 2008, killing 164 people and wounding at least 308. The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking to issue guidelines to the central government for a banning online sale of unregulated medical devices. A bench head by Justice NV Ramana said the government had already enacted medical device rules so no further direction may be given.The Public Interest Litigation filed by Dr Rohit Jain sought government action on the online sale of medical devices - specifically glucometers and in-vitro diagnostic medical devices. "Unregulated medical devices, the suit contends, are widely available online and action is needed to prevent them from falling into the hands of individuals who lack the requisite licensure, authorisation, or qualification to operate them on behalf of patients," the plea said. It further stated that these medical devices are vulnerable to the lives of the common people as there is no regulation enforced on part of the operation of these medical devices. "It is the need of the hour to formulate a comprehensive guideline to regulate the medical devices being used for generating a clinical report to ascertain its authenticity for proper and accurate treatment," it added. It claimed the government has become "completely insensitive" to the enormity of the problem being faced by the common people, who are not getting proper medical treatment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Directed by David Michod; written by Michod and Joel Edgerton William Shakespeares famed Henriad, loosely based on events that took place during the 15th century, encompasses Richard II, Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 and Henry V. The works chronicle the general ascension of the Lancaster branch of Englands House of Plantagenet, recounting the complex political struggles, warforeign and domesticand endless treachery. Inspired by Shakespeares plays, The King, directed by David Michod and written by Michod and Joel Edgerton, is a Netflix historical drama broadly tracing the life of Henry V (13861422), with a vaguely anti-war coloring. Steven Elder, Sean Harris, Ivan Kaye, and Timothee Chalamet in The King As the movie opens in the early 15th century, England is enmeshed in a civil war with Scotland, and the Hundred Years War (13371453) with France. Before long, Prince Hal (Timothee Chalamet), previously a wayward youth enjoying rude and even criminal company, assumes the throne following the death of his father, Henry IV (Ben Mendelsohn). One disgruntled villager quips: A boy who but weeks ago was a drunken boor from the sewers of Eastcheap [in central London] now wears Englands crown. The new monarch, Henry V, is tired of his fathers madness for wars that need not be fought. He claims that Civil strife has consumed us. The war drains the purse like little else. This strife must end. And it will end by conciliation. We shall pardon our adversaries. But he is eventually goaded into war with France. In 1415, Henry and his army set sail for the continent. They successfully capture the town of Harfleur, but the month-long siege takes a heavy toll on the kings men. The films core is the sanguinary Battle of Agincourt in October 1415, in which French troops greatly outnumber the British. But Henrys secret weapon is the longbow, the machine gun of the Middle Ages, which was vital to English victories over French forces in a number of important battles in the Hundred Years War. At Agincourt, some 6,000 French soldiers were killed, to only a few hundred English dead. Joel Edgerton in The King In preparation for the battle, the king puts Falstaff (Edgerton), his friend and confidant, in military command: But I have tasked Sir John to join this campaign for one most vital reason alone: he respects war as only a man who has seen its most monstrous form can. He lusts after it not, but rather regards it with the grim sobriety that you and your men should hope he would. Edgerton-Falstaff gets most of the best lines: We will most surely sacrifice souls. Thus is the nature of war. It is bloody and soulless, and Too often have I seen men of war invent work for themselves, work that leads to nothing but vainglory and slaughtered men. Im not that man. And this here is the war that you have chosen to wage. The killing field is strewn with corpses, but Henry has all the French survivors slaughtered (according to his defenders, he was concerned that the French prisoners, outnumbering their captors, would seize weapons and overpower the latter). The defeated French monarch, the mad Charles VI (Thibault de Montalembert)his son The Dauphin is well played by Robert Pattinsontells Henry: This conversation we are about to have has been had many times before, and will be had many times again for centuries to come between men of vanity and men of good reason. I would hope that you and I are men of good reason. We are leaders of lands and peoples, and yet it is family that moves us. Family consumes us. Is that really the case? Do the filmmakers think so? Charles urges Henry to marry his daughter Catherine (Lily-Rose Depp). Through her, Henry learns that his closest advisor William Gascoigne (Sean Harris) tricked him into invading France based on the lie that there was a terrorist plot against the English thronethis is the films most overt and telling reference to present reality. As it turns out, Gascoigne planned to add French territory to his already sizable English estates. Robert Pattinson in The King The King holds the viewers attention. It is intelligently written and filmed, and its mood is embellished by Nicholas Britells score. One becomes keenly aware, however, that the film has virtually nothing to do with Shakespeare. Most perplexing of all perhaps is the fact that Michod and Edgerton have completely excised the humor and dangerous disorderliness from one of the most famous and unsettling characters in English literatureFalstaff, who appears memorably in four of Shakespeares plays. Literary critic Harold Bloom termed Falstaff, variously, the true and perfect image of life itself, the representative of imaginative freedom and the veritable monarch of language. But we are deprived of his personality almost entirely. It seems the films creators had decent intentions, both to call attention to Shakespeares work and to produce an anti-war film. However, they have not genuinely succeeded on either score. Stage and film adaptations and updatings of Elizabethan and Jacobean works for contemporary purposes were relatively common in the 20th century. German playwright Bertolt Brecht called on Shakespeares assistance in his Saint Joan of the Stockyards (192931) and Arturo Ui (1941), and adapted Christopher Marlowes Edward II (1924) and Shakespeares Coriolanus (195153) in their entirety, all with considerable success. Orson Welles directed theater productions of Macbeth and Julius Caesar in the late 1930s with distinct and forceful political and social themes. The list goes on. Unhappily, The King is neither fish nor fowl, not Shakespeare and not a scathing social drama in its own right either. As for anti-war and anti-establishment material, the creators might have begun with Henry IV, Part 2 itself. Shakespeare, who had some grasp of the political process, has his ailing Henry IV explain in Act IV that as an usurper he has spent much of his reign justifying or defending his position. He suggests that his son, as Henry V, will have a firmer claim to the crown, but anger is still fresh and his former friends, who helped him originally seize power, have only recently been disarmed. The king goes on to explain that he planned a new Crusade to the Holy Land as a means of distracting the population at home and making them forget about his past misdeeds. Therefore, my Harry, he concludes, Be it thy course to busy giddy minds with foreign quarrels; that action, hence borne out, may waste the memory of the former days. Diverting the minds of a people with foreign wars has not gone out of style. Enigmatic street artist Banksy has confirmed that he is responsible for a new Valentines Day mural that showed up in Bristol earlier this week. The new artwork appeared on the side of a building in Barton Hill on Marsh Lane overnight on Thursday (13 February), with residents discovering it on the side of a house around 6.20am. Numerous locals tweeted a photo of the 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 many noted 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. Research by an international team of scientists led by University of New Mexico Professor Yemane Asmerom suggests contraction of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) during a warming Earth, leading in turn to drying of the Neotropics, including Central America, and aggravating current trends of social unrest and mass migration. Positioned near the equator where the trade winds of the northern and southern hemisphere converge, the ITCZ is the world's most important rainfall belt affecting the livelihood of billions of people around the globe. Globally, seasonal shifts in the location of the ITCZ across the equator dictate the initiation and duration of the tropical rainy season. The behavior of the ITCZ in response to the warming of the Earth is of vital scientific and societal interest. Previous work based on limited data suggested a southward migration of the ITCZ in response to global cooling, such as during the Little Ice Age a few hundred years ago. In contrast, modeling and limited observational data seemed to suggest the ITCZ expands and contracts in response to cooling and warming. Which of these scenarios is correct has a huge implication for understanding rainfall variability and its economic and social impacts across the tropics. In order to resolve these seemingly contradictory alternatives the authors undertook this paleoclimate reconstruction study from the margin of the ITCZ and combined that with existing data from across the full annual north-south excursion of the ITCZ. The study titled, "Intertropical Convergence Zone Variability in the Neotropics During the Common Era," was published today in Science Advances. In addition to UNM, the research also includes scientists from the University of Durham (UK), Northumbria University (UK) and the University of California, Santa Barbara. "Much of our understanding of ITCZ variability was based on records from South America, especially the Cariaco Basin (Venezuela), which was the gold standard," explained Asmerom. "But these studies were only able to present half of the picture. As a result, they suggested southward movement of the mean position of the ITCZ during cool periods of Earth, such as during the Little Ice Age, and by implication it shifts northward during warm periods. "This would imply regions in the northern margin of the ITCZ, such as Central America would get wetter with warming climate. This contradicted modeling results suggesting drying as a consequence of warming." With two testable hypotheses, Asmerom and his colleagues used 1,600 years of new bimonthly-scale speleothem rainfall reconstruction data from a cave site located at the northern margin of the ITCZ in Central America, coupled with published data from the full transect of the ITCZ excursion in Central America and South America. The combined data elucidate ITCZ variability throughout the Common Era including the warmer Medieval Climate Anomaly and the cooler Little Ice Age. The results of this study are consistent with models suggesting ITCZ expansion and weakening during global periods of cold climate and contraction and intensifying during periods of global warmth. "Stable isotopic data obtained at Durham University, and trace element data and a precise uranium-series chronology, with an average 7 year uncertainty, obtained at the University of New Mexico, provided us with a nearly bi-monthly record of past climate variability between 400 CE to 2006. This level of resolution is unprecedented for continental climate proxies", said Polyak. "What we found was that in fact during the Medieval Climate Anomaly Southern Belize was very dry, similar to modern central Mexico. In contrast, during the Little Ice Age cool period, when it should have been dry by the standard old model, it was the wettest interval over the last 2000 years," said Asmerom. "The pattern that emerges when all the data across the full transect of ITCZ excursion is supportive of the expansion-contraction model." The implication of this that regions currently in the margins of the ITCZ are likely to experience aridity with increased warming, consistent with modeling data from Central America. These data have important implications for rainfall-dependent agriculture system on which millions of people depend for food security. Co-author and UNM Professor of Anthropology Keith Prufer is an environmental archaeologist, who has been conducting research in Belize for 25 years. "In the last five years there have been mass migrations of people in Guatemala and Honduras - partially driven by political instability, but also driven by drought-related conditions and changes in seasonality. This is creating enormous problems for agricultural production and feeding a growing population. There is growing evidence that these changes are a direct consequence of climate change." "This work highlights the convergence of good science with policy relevancy. It also illustrates the strength of cross-disciplinary collaborative work, in this case international," said Asmerom. ### Additional co-authors include James Baldini, Lisa Baldini, Colin Macpherson and Harriet Ridley (University of Durham), Valorie Aquino (UNM), Sebastian Breitenbach (Northumbria University) and Douglas Kennett (The University of California, Santa Barbara). WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement is being issued by DLA Piper LLP. This lawsuit claims that McCormick improperly implemented a price increase by decreasing the quantity of black pepper in certain McCormick brand pepper containers and certain store-branded pepper containers which were supplied by McCormick (collectively "Black Pepper Products"), while keeping the non-transparent containers the same size. McCormick denies all of the Plaintiffs' claims and denies that it engaged in any unlawful or improper conduct. The Court has not decided who is right and who is wrong. Instead, both sides agreed to a settlement. Am I a Class Member? The Parties have asked the Court to approve a settlement involving the following class: All persons residing in California, Florida, or Missouri who purchased any McCormick brand or private label brand Black Pepper Product(s) between January 1, 2015 and January 27, 2020. A list of the specific Black Pepper Products included in the settlement may be found on the settlement website. If you are still not sure whether you are a Class Member, you can visit the website, www.BlackPepperSettlement.com, call 844-702-2783, or write to Heffler Claims Group, P.O. Box #58238, Philadelphia, PA 19102-8238 for more information. What am I Eligible to Receive? If you have proof that you purchased one or more listed Black Pepper Products between January 1, 2015 and January 27, 2020 (such as a receipt, or the container itself), you may receive the greater of Four Dollars ($4.00) per container or the actual cost per container purchased during this time period. If you do not have proof that you purchased one or more Black Pepper Products between January 1, 2015 and January 27, 2020, you may receive Four Dollars ($4.00) per container for up to two (2) containers of Black Pepper Products that you claim to have purchased. Depending upon the number of claims submitted, the target payment of $4.00 per container may be increased or decreased pro rata. What are My Options? Submit Claim Form This is the only way to get money from the settlement. By submitting a Claim Form and receiving money, you will be giving up your right to sue, or continue to sue, Defendant about the same or similar legal claims that are involved in this case, now or in the future. You will be legally bound by the Court's judgment in these class actions. Go to www.BlackPepperSettlement.com to learn how to file a Claim Form. Exclude Yourself From the Class If you exclude yourself from the Class, you will not get any money from the settlement nor will you be able to object to the settlement. However, you may sue or continue to sue Defendant about the same or similar legal claims that are involved in this case, now or in the future. You will not be legally bound by the Court's judgment in these class actions. Go to www.BlackPepperSettlement.com to learn how to exclude yourself from the Class. Object to the Settlement You can write to the Claims Administrator about why you don't like the settlement. You must remain a Class Member to object to the Settlement. If the Court approves the settlement in spite of your objection, you may receive money from the settlement. You will also be giving up your right to sue, or continue to sue, Defendant about the same or similar legal claims that are involved in this case, now or in the future. You will be legally bound by the Court's judgment in these class actions. Go to www.BlackPepperSettlement.com to learn how to object to the settlement. Go to the Hearing You can ask to speak in Court about the fairness of the settlement. You must remain a Class Member to speak at a hearing concerning the settlement. If the Court approves the settlement, you may receive money from the settlement. You will also be giving up your right to sue, or continue to sue, Defendant about the same or similar legal claims that are involved in this case, now or in the future. You will be legally bound by the Court's judgment in these class actions. Go to www.BlackPepperSettlement.com to learn how to request permission to speak at the hearing. Do Nothing By doing nothing, you will not get any money from the settlement. However, you will remain a member of the Class and will be giving up your right to sue, or continue to sue, Defendant about the same or similar legal claims that are involved in this case, now or in the future. You will be legally bound by the Court's judgment in these class actions. This is only a summary. For more detailed information, please visit www.BlackPepperSettlement.com or call 844- 702-2783 (toll free). SOURCE DLA Piper LLP Related Links http://www.blackpeppersettlement.com Harvey Weinstein believed he was so powerful he could get away with denigrating aspiring actresses drawn into a world where the Hollywood big shot considered them "complete disposables", a prosecutor said on Friday in closing arguments at his New York City rape trial. "The universe is run by me and they don't get to complain when they get stepped on, spit on, demoralised and, yes, raped and abused by me the king," Joan Illuzzi-Orbon said, mimicking Weinstein. Using a TV monitor next to the jury box, the prosecutors displayed photos of "Sopranos" actress Annabella Sciorra and five other accusers who also testified. Illuzzi told jurors that aside from the more successful Sciorra, the others were "complete disposables. They were never going to be in his world." Illuzzi also showed a side-by-side comparison of Sciorra's testimony about confronting Weinstein in the mid-1990s after he allegedly raped her and similar testimony by his rape accuser about how the mogul reacted when she told him she had a boyfriend in 2013. "His eyes went black and I thought he was going to hit me right there," Sciorra testified. With the click of a button, the rape accuser's testimony popped up: His eyes changed and he was not there. They were very black and he ripped me up. At times, Weinstein sat back in his chair staring ahead at a screen in front of the defense table that mirrored what was being shown to the jury on the big screen. Illuzzi's closing comes a day after the defense offered an epic, hourslong closing argument painting the prosecution's case as a sinister tale absent proof needed to convict Weinstein. Prosecutors created an alternate universe that strips adult women of common sense, autonomy, and responsibility. ... Regret does not exist in this world, only regret renamed as rape," Weinstein lawyer Donna Rotunno argued. Illuzzi countered on Friday by focusing on allegations by Mimi Haleyi that Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her in his Soho apartment in 2006. When an adult goes to another adult's home, should they expect that they have to engage in sex?" the prosecutor asked. "By going to Harvey Weinstein's home, did she deserve what she got? She added: There are no blurred lines here. This is a crime and a wanton disregard of other people. Weinstein, 67, is charged with raping a woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and forcibly performing oral sex on Haleyi in 2006. The Associated Press has a policy of not publishing the names of people who allege sexual assault without their consent; it is withholding the name of the rape accuser because it isn't clear if she wishes to be identified publicly. Other accusers including Sciorra testified as part of a prosecution effort to show he used the same tactics to victimize many women over the years. In response to defense claims that Haleyi and the alleged rape victim were opportunists who had consensual sex with Weinstein because they thought it would help their careers, prosecutors are seeking to focus the jury's attention on accusers' harrowing accounts alleging rapes, forced oral sex, groping, masturbation, lewd propositions and casting couch experiences. Some women testified that Weinstein ignored pleas of no, no, no as he assaulted them. The woman Weinstein is charged with raping said he would turn violent when he couldn't get his way and that, If he heard the word 'no,' it was like a trigger for him." Another woman recalled Weinstein sneering, "You'll never make it in this business, this is how this industry works, when she laughed off his advances. The prosecution's task has been complicated because the women he's charged with raping kept in contact with Weinstein after the alleged encounters. But Illuzzi said that part of his scheme was to keep in contact with them so he could point to those encounters as evidence nothing happened, essentially preparing for a moment just like this. Case in point, she said: In October 2017, Weinstein replied to an email from a publicist giving him a heads up that Sciorra was about to go public in a Ronan Farrow story by writing: Annabella did cop land. Instructing his publicist on how to respond to the article, Weinstein wrote: this was consensual or deny it. I submit to you that was a confession, Illuzzi told jurors over the defense's denied objection. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 22:15:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson Friday slammed Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority for banking on the novel coronavirus outbreak to seek independence, warning that their moves are doomed to face a shameful defeat. Since the epidemic outbreak, the mainland has offered prevention services and help to Taiwan compatriots in the mainland, treated those infected among them and sending some of the Taiwan compatriots stranded in Hubei back home on a charter flight, said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, adding that many Taiwan compatriots also donated money and materials to the epidemic prevention and control efforts. In contrast, the DPP authority has been stepping up political manipulation, provoking confrontation and undermining cross-Strait relations, Ma said. Ma criticized the DPP authority for rolling out discriminatory measures that ignore people's benefits and basic human conscience and morality, impeding the return of Taiwan compatriots stranded in Hubei, spreading false information and rumors to slander the mainland and attacking the World Health Organization for upholding the "one China principle." Noting that "Taiwan independence" is a political epidemic more poisonous than the coronavirus, Ma said the mainland is capable of and confident in winning the fight against the virus, and also has the resolve and capability to thwart any forms of "Taiwan independence" activities. The Federal Government on Thursday announced a 36m cash prize for any Nigerian that finds cure for coronavirus and Lassa fever. The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, announced the reward while speaking at the send forth party organised in honour of the former director of Chemical Technology in the ministry, who recently retired. He challenged Nigerian scientists to find solution to the dreaded Coronavirus currently threatening the world, and Lassa fever, a seasonal disease that usually breaks out in parts of Nigeria during the dry season and most infections usually result in death. Mr Onu explained that the N36 million reward was to encourage Nigerian scientists to venture into 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. I challenge all Nigerian scientists to go out and find cures for coronavirus and Lassa fever. Any scientist that is able to do this will be given N36m. There is nothing that we want to do that we cant do. Nigeria will be making contributions to the world. We want our scientists to know that we place value on them. We want them to know that they are important. If you dont do things like this, the scientists will think we dont value them. Research takes a lot of time and energy, and we will be very happy to fulfil our pledge. This prize is open to the universities; it is also open to private laboratories and research institutes. Meanwhile, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that confirmed cases of coronavirus being transmitted by people who have never travelled to China could be the tip of the iceberg. Ghebreyesuss remarks come as members of a WHO-led international expert mission flew to China on Monday to help coordinate a response to the outbreak that has so far infected more than 40,000 people and killed 908 in the country. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 18:57:45|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's oil giants ramped up production and donated massive capital and supplies to virus-hit areas amid the country's efforts to contain the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 epidemic. So far, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has donated 50 million yuan (about 7.14 million U.S. dollars) to Hubei, the hardest-hit province, and provided 20 million yuan worth of natural gas to 39 designated hospitals in the province free of charge. China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has donated 53 million yuan, 18,000 liters of diesel, and almost 700 tonnes of disinfectant to Hubei and other places so far. Sinopec Group has donated 50 million yuan and 200 tonnes of disinfectant to Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, and offered free gas to the makeshift Leishenshan Hospital. The oil firms produced at full capacity to meet booming demand for medical supplies. As of Feb. 9, The CNPC has produced 64,300 tonnes of medical raw materials, while the CNOOC has manufactured 32,500 tonnes of polypropylene and polyethylene products. Meanwhile, the three companies also saw stable production of oil and gas. The CNPC said its daily output of crude oil and natural gas rose 2.2 percent and 12.6 percent year on year, respectively, during the Spring Festival holiday. The CNOOC said its 870 filling stations across the country were in normal operation while promising sufficient market supplies and no hikes in prices. In January, Sinopec's crude production reached 2.98 million tonnes, flat from one year earlier. Its gas output hit 2.62 billion cubic meters, up 5.7 percent year on year. The orphanage had been using candles for light due to problems with its generator and inverter, the homes workers say. A fire swept through a Haitian childrens home run by a US-based nonprofit group, killing 15 children, healthcare workers said on Friday. Rose-Marie Louis, a childcare worker at the home, told the Associated Press that about half of those who died were babies or toddlers and the others were roughly 10 or 11 years old. The fire that ravaged the Orphanage of the Church of Bible Understanding in the Kenscoff area outside the capital, Port-au-Prince, started at about 9pm on Thursday (02:00 GMT Friday), according to Louis. It took firefighters about 1.5 hours to arrive. The orphanage had been using candles for light due to problems with its generator and inverter, she said. It could have been me, said Renadin Mondeline, a 22-year-old who lived in the home with her son, now 6, for about two years until she started making enough money as a street vendor to start renting her own home last year. These little girls inside were just like my baby. People outside the Orphanage of the Church of Bible Understanding where a fire broke out, killing 15 children [Dieu Nalio Chery/AP Photo] Rescue workers arrived at the scene on motorcycles, lacking bottled oxygen or the ambulances needed to transport the children to the hospital, said Jean-Francois Robenty, a civil protection official. They could have been saved, he said. We didnt have the equipment to save their lives. Late Friday afternoon, police raided another home also run by the Church of Bible Understanding and took away several dozen children despite protests from employees. The Associated Press has reported on a long-standing series of problems at two childrens homes run by the Church of Bible Understanding. We are aware of the fire in the childrens home in Haiti, said Temi J Sacks, a spokesman for the group, which is based in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It would be irresponsible for us to comment until after all the facts are in. The Church lost accreditation for its homes after a series of inspections beginning in November 2012. Haitian inspectors faulted the group for overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and not having enough adequately trained staff. Members of the religious group were selling expensive antiques at high-end stores in New York and Los Angeles and using a portion of the profits to fund the homes. Orphanage staff crying outside the childrens home the morning after a deadly fire broke out there, killing 15 children [Dieu Nalio Chery/AP Photo] The Associated Press made an unannounced visit to the groups two homes, holding a total of 120 children, in 2013 and found bunk beds with faded and worn mattresses crowded into dirty rooms and other signs of neglect and overcrowding. The Church of Bible Understanding, based in Scranton, Pennsylvania, operates two homes for nearly 200 children in Haiti as part of a Christian training programme, according to its most recent non-profit organisation filing. It has operated in the country since 1977. The homes are identified as orphanages but it is common in Haiti for impoverished parents to place children in residential care centres, where they receive lodging and widely varying education for several years. We take in children who are in desperate situations, the organisation says in its tax filing for 2017, the most recent year available. Many of them were very close to death when we took them in. The non-profit reported revenue of $6.6mn and expenses of $2.2m for the year. The United States added to its series of charges against China's Huawei Technologies on Thursday, accusing the Chinese telecoms giant of stealing intellectual property from six US companies and covering up its involvement in projects in North Korea. Racketeering, obstruction of justice and money laundering have been added to the criminal case, unsealed in January last year, accusing Huawei of financial fraud. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn said the new charges related to a decades-long effort by Huawei and four of its subsidiaries, both in the US and in China " as well as Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, who is facing extradition proceedings in Canada " to engage in racketeering activities to grow its brand into one of the most powerful telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics companies in the world. Those efforts were successful and resulted in the company obtaining nonpublic intellectual property about robotics, cellular antenna technology and internet router source code, the prosecutors said. The new indictment also accused Huawei of involvement in a number of projects in North Korea since at least 2008 and of covering up its actions. Meng, the daughter of the firm's founder, Ren Zhengfei, was charged with making false representation to a bank that led to a decision by the financial institution to continue its business relationship with Huawei, the court document said. Meng faces possible extradition to the US, and her case is being handled by the British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver, where she resides. A Huawei spokesman said the company was reviewing the new charges but did not comment further. Purchase the China AI Report 2020 brought to you by SCMP Research and enjoy a 20% discount (original price US$400). This 60-page all new intelligence report gives you first-hand insights and analysis into the latest industry developments and intelligence about China AI. Get exclusive access to our webinars for continuous learning, and interact with China AI executives in live Q&A. Offer valid until 31 March 2020. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2020 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. The last few years have seen a massive explosion in information technology the world over. The confluence of electronics and telecommunications has opened new vistas of transmission, storage, and retrieval of information as never before. These are being increasingly used for decision-making, not only in the corporate world, but even in public administration. The increasing population and its massive burden on civic amenities and the socio-economic infrastructure is unimaginable. With this transformation, e-Governance becomes not only a necessity but an integral part of every nation. e-Governance initiatives in India have traditionally being confronted by the dual challenges of automating government departments and taking online services to the common man. e-Governance has moved beyond government departments. It is about transforming the way governments work to reinvent people's participation in the democratic process. e-Governance provides a platform to integrate solutions and services between Government-to-Citizens (G2C), Government-to-Business (G2B) and Government-to-Government (G2G), empowering both the government and the citizen like never before. According to a recent report by McKinsey, an average Indian mobile data user currently consumes more than 8 GB of data per month, which exceeds the average in more digitally advanced countries such as China and South Korea. It is expected that India will witness an increase in the number of internet users to 800 million by 2023, driven by the increasing availability and decreasing cost of high-speed connectivity and smartphones. The Government's Digital India initiative is bringing broadband internet access to 250,000-gram panchayats or self-governing village councils to make it easier for millions to connect online. With a strong foundation of digital infrastructure and expanded digital access through Digital India Programme of the Government, India is now poised for the next phase of growth creation of tremendous economic value and empowerment for citizens as new digital applications permeate sector after sector. India can create up to $1 trillion of economic value from the digital economy in 2025, up from around $200 billion currently. Improving the trust between governments and citizens is fundamental to good governance and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is progressively becoming an essential tool for promoting accountability, convenience and transparent governance. State governments around the country are pushing hard to deploy information and technology in their operations. From utilising ICT for elections, census, computerising all the government offices, to digital lockers e-Transportation, e-Health, e-Education and e-Taxation, new India has paved its way in the realm of e-Governance. The government is working with stakeholders to build India on this digital dynamism to deepen, widen, and scale up its digital economy in the coming years, creating huge economic value and empowering millions of people across all walks of life. Numerous schemes introduced by the government like Jan Dhan Yojana to provide financial inclusion to unbanked people has enabled banking, pension (PMSBY and PMJJBY) and insurance (Atal Pension Yojana) services to common citizens, thereby digitally empowering the citizens. An impressive number of more than 1.21 billion Indians have already enrolled for the government's biometric digital identity programme (according to Unique Identification Authority of India). Aadhaar is one of the examples of digital amplification that brings massive number of users onto a common digital platform. Data generated through Aadhaar-based identification is also helping the government maintain health records under its ambitious healthcare programme, Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme, to make it accessible to all citizens. Driven by technology, e-Governance is transforming citizen services by providing access to information, integrating various systems and services between government and citizens, thereby empowering and enhancing citizen's social, environmental and economic values. The government has been spearheading radical digitalisation to induce economic inclusiveness and social transformation through initiatives like 'Digital India', 'Make in India' and 'Skill India'. India as a result, is gearing up for an era of increased digitalisation, heralding the advent of Industry 4.0, powered by new age technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics. Policymakers have been formulating innovative ways to usher in progress on paper. With private players collaborating with the government in fostering a digitally empowered India, the country shall likely see efficient and safer modes of functioning at different levels. Apart from these already digitised sectors and activities, India stands to create more value if it succeeds in nurturing new and emerging digital ecosystems in sectors such as agriculture, education, energy, financial services and healthcare. Globally and in India, Hitachi, through its Social Innovation Business, has been engaged in transforming governance, businesses and societies with its strength in Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT). It has its ethos embedded in its businesses that are aimed at touching the lives of millions. Hitachi has partnered with the Government of India in its initiatives like 'Digital India' and 'Make in India', leveraging its superior technology innovations and global expertise to address India's unique challenges. Large scale government initiatives, both at the central and state level, in sectors like electrification, agriculture, and healthcare are the areas where Hitachi's multiple businesses have brought in specialised expertise. Over the years, numerous initiatives have been undertaken by various State Governments and Central Ministries to promote e-Governance in a holistic manner and improve the dissemination of public services to the citizens. This encapsulates an evolving countrywide infrastructure reaching down to the remotest of villages, and large-scale digitisation of records to enable easy, reliable access over the internet. Supporting the government in this direction, a colossal testimony to this burgeoning collaboration is adduced through Hitachi Consulting Software Services Pvt. Ltd., a Hitachi Group Company, partnering with the Andhra Pradesh Government to set up the Real Time Governance Center at Amravati, which is a stellar example of an enhanced Public Service Delivery utilizing OT (Operational Technology) X IT. The system centralises management of items such as real time security and traffic camera footage, ambulances' GPS information, temperature, humidity, water levels, smart infrastructure and agriculture sensors, and air pollution data in each locality around the state, and then visualises the data for use in risk analysis. For example, when a cyclone hits, the water levels of river can be assessed and immediate instructions to evacuate can be issued to those at risk using the predictive function. In addition, as history builds up, it offers feedback for the next time when the analysis is conducted. Disaster response accuracy, which conventionally relied solely upon human experience, has improved dramatically. The system can also be used to increase agricultural productivity by installing and centrally managing water level sensors in irrigation canals to grasp drought or flood damage and to prevent damage to crops. In addition, soil, weather, and irrigation conditions can be applied to the algorithm, making it possible to determine the optimum crop for each plot of land and increase the harvest. With the help of Real Time Governance, the Andhra Pradesh Government can now swiftly resolve citizen grievances and monitor infrastructure projects, incidents, weather and climatic events across the state in real time, leveraging technology services. Big data sets, gathered from various sources with the assistance of Hitachi, are leading to insightful decisions that vibrantly transform citizen services. Hitachi is enabling a seamless digital transformation for its customers through e-Governance initiatives and collaborating with multiple stakeholders including the government. To strengthen the foundations of e-Governance, Hitachi has undertaken projects including digitalisation of land records; the single-window handling of grievances and maintenance of essential services; easing tax payments and government dues; along with internet-based citizen delivery of services. The impressive outcomes of e-Governance are not -limited to public service delivery systems. Identifying education as an element for a country's sustainable growth, the government has sought to bring vital changes in the sector through e-Governance. Hitachi, through Hitachi MGRM Net, is helping children with its Information Communication and Technology solutions (ICT), ensuring that every child enters the most crucial part of their exploration with tenacity. Hitachi MGRM Net, widely recognised for its advanced OT (Operational Technology) X IT solutions, envisioned with the entire Human Life Cycle at its core, is co-creating e-Governance solutions to digitally transform institutions to optimise student's learning curve and help the nation achieve its Sustainable Development Goal for education, thereby helping the institution, teachers and parents to cohesively work towards a child's growth. With both private and public-sector action promoting digital usage, financial technology innovation has grown rapidly. India's universal banks have also driven significant digital innovation across the spectrum of financial services, and their regulator, the Reserve Bank of India, outlining possible steps for the adoption of blockchain technologies in the financial sector. Hitachi Systems Micro Clinic Pvt. Ltd. is helping financial institutions with deep rural presence to safeguard banks and their customers against growing cyber threats and breaches. To monitor threats and security incidents vigorously, the company has integrated Identity Access Management (IDAM) and SIEM (Security Incident and Event Management Solution) into the system. As a result, it is contributing towards protecting critical banking information in the growing digital network scenario, assuring access to safe and reliable digital banking facilities to millions of citizens in remote locations across India, and providing a robust channel for real-time banking transactions. What's noteworthy is that Hitachi's multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach has been in perfect sync with the government's own initiatives to stay open to multiple possibilities and a macro-perspective. The outcome is a new level of e-Governance, focused towards increasing economic growth and improving the lives of the citizens. Learn More About Hitachi Social Innovation Know more about our Railway Solutions Kevin Rudd has slammed Peter Dutton's decision to send Wuhan evacuees to Christmas Island, suggesting the home affairs minister would have treated them differently if they were 'white'. The former prime minister criticised the government's treatment of coronavirus evacuees in a scathing attack on ABC's Afternoon Briefing. Mr Rudd weighed in on the issue as hundreds of Australians remain quarantined on the island - historically used as an immigration detention centre. He admitted to being wary of policies proposed by Home Affairs Minister Mr Dutton, who he said had a 'long history' of dealing with race-related issues with 'less than appropriate sensitivity'. Kevin Rudd has slammed Peter Dutton's decision to send Wuhan evacuees to Christmas Island, suggesting the home affairs minister would have treated them differently if they were 'white' 'I supposed the question I'd like to hear Mr Dutton answer, is simply this: If the dual-nationals we were rescuing from this virus happened to be Brits or happened to be Americans, would he be so quick to lodge them on Christmas Island and to mining camps outside of Darwin? I don't think so,' he said. 'The bottom line is you could secure quarantine facilities in a range of other places closer to civilisation in Australia, so I'm always concerned when Mr Dutton puts his hands to these questions.' Mr Rudd said if he were still prime minister he would happily comply with the advice of health authorities, but questioned whether the government had been presented with other options. 'I would love to see publicly released the menu of options handed to Mr Dutton from the medical authorities outlining where these folks could've been quarantined. 'I would like to see the menu of options and why Mr Dutton chose these two particular options, and what he would have done had we been dealing with white people with a virus as well. 'I'll leave that and I look forward to his answer at some stage.' Australian nationals who were among the Wuhan evacuees walk inside the Australian Immigration Detention Centre on Christmas Island, last week Mr Rudd said he would like to see the options that were presented to the government for quarantining evacuees and why Mr Dutton chose Christmas Island Mr Rudd went on to slam the government's alleged lack of support for China in the wake of the outbreak, despite happily taking billions of dollars in export revenue from visiting tourists. 'So far, we've seen very few expressions of genuine solidarity, sympathy and support, from the Australian government to the Chinese people because first and foremost whatever we think of China's political ideology this is a humanitarian crisis of massive proportions.' Mr Rudd's comments come after the Chinese embassy in Australia criticised the federal government's 'extreme' decision to extend a coronavirus-related travel ban for another week. From Friday, foreign nationals who have been in mainland China will not be allowed to enter Australia for 14 days from the time they left. 'We did not take this decision lightly,' Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday. 'We are very mindful of the disruption and economic impacts of these arrangements, but I note Australia is one of 58 countries that has introduced some form of travel restrictions.' But the Chinese embassy said the ban should be lifted, saying the World Health Organisation didn't recommend travel or trade restrictions on China. 'We express our deep regret and dissatisfaction over the Australian government's announcement,' a spokesman said in a statement. 'Only Australia and a small number of countries have taken such extreme measures which are an overreaction indeed.' 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. Mr Rudd weighed in on the issue as hundreds of Australians remain quarantined on the island - historically used as an immigration detention centre Australia's Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said the key concern was the spread of the virus, officially known as COVID-19, across China. There are now more than 60,000 confirmed cases of the virus, most of them in the province of Hubei where it was first detected, and 1357 people have died. More than 240 deaths were reported on Wednesday alone, the highest number of fatalities on a single day since the virus was first reported in December. Of the 15 cases in Australia, six have been cleared and the remaining nine are all stable. No quarantined Australians at Christmas Island and 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. Work is underway on extending existing domestic tourism campaigns to help businesses impacted by the downturn in foreign visitors. 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 advice to the government. More than 200 Australians are passengers on the ship, with 11 of them testing positive for the virus. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 21:17:07|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAIRO, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The final agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will be concluded by the end of February, Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday. "The final deal will be submitted by the U.S. side in cooperation with the World Bank to Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan within the coming few days in order to finalize and sign the agreement before the end of February," the statement said. Negotiations on the rules regulating the filling and operation of GERD have been wrapped up in Washington, it added. "The negotiations discussed the coordination mechanism among the three countries that would be responsible for following up the implementation of the deal on filling and operating the dam," according to the statement. The talks also touched upon the items specifying technical data and information that shall be circulated to verify the implementation of the agreement. The negotiations, sponsored by U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, were attended by foreign and water ministers of the three countries and representatives of the World Bank. The GERD that has been constructed since 2011 on the Blue Nile in the northern Ethiopia highlands is expected to produce over 6,000 megawatts of electricity and become Africa's largest hydropower dam upon completion. However, Egyptian officials are concerned that filling the reservoir behind the dam too quickly could significantly reduce the amount of Nile water available to Egypt. Ethiopia wants to fill the reservoir whose total capacity is 74 billion cubic meters in five to six years, while Egypt seeks to prolong the period to avoid the negative effects of water shortage, which is a main point of the talks. When Daniel Kehlmann read the news that former Nissan executive Carlos Ghosn, facing financial misconduct charges in Japan, fled the country in a box, he couldnt help but feel a twinge of admiration. It was the kind of caper that he might have written into one of his novels, where escape artists, pranksters or con men often outwit their adversaries. For example in his latest book, Tyll, which Pantheon will publish in an English translation by Ross Benjamin on 11 February. It has sold nearly 600,000 copies in Germany since it was published there in 2017 and is being adapted into a television series by Netflix. Tyll transmits the 14th-century tale of jester Tyll Ulenspiegel about 300 years into the future, plopping him into the Thirty Years War. Tyll travels through a Europe devastated by conflict, encountering fraudsters, soldiers and royalty, including Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia, whose love of Shakespeare chimes with Tylls own sense of theatrical spectacle. Recommended Ousted Nissan boss flees to Lebanon ahead of trial in Japan Kehlmanns eighth novel and the sixth one to come out in English, Tyll is also his second book of historical fiction, following his 2005 bestseller Measuring the World. Tyll has either been or is being translated into more than 20 languages. But for a long time it was a novel that Kehlmann, who turned 45 in January, was reluctant to write. It might sound very weird now, but I actually dont like historical novels, he says. When I wrote Measuring the World, I told myself: This is an experiment, Im never going to write another historical novel. Measuring, which is set in the late 18th century, follows the adventures of two historic Germans naturalist Alexander von Humboldt and mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss as they set out to measure the world from its highest mountain to its deepest cave. With Tyll, Kehlmann envisioned something darker, about wars of religion and the impotence of statecraft. Kehlmann (far left) onset of the film adaptation of his novel Measuring the World alongside cast and crew including director Detlev Buck (second from left) (EPA) In a way, its a serious literary experiment in trying to imagine what the world was like before the Enlightenment, he says. What it was really like to live in a world before Voltaire, Newton and all these people. Its great to write about, but of course you wouldnt want to spend even an hour in this world. At one point, Tyll goads the residents of a German village to take off their shoes, throw them into the air and then reclaim the ones that belong to them watching with amusement as a brawl ensues. I was about 7 years old when I heard this story at school, which was presented to us as something didactic as if Tyll is showing people their folly, Kehlmann says. But thats not true. The only thing that story actually demonstrates is that everyone had the same kind of shoes, and hes just being a really mean prankster. The idea of a jester character appealed to Kehlmann, he says, because hes someone who could go anywhere and meet anybody at a time when there was not much social mobility. Tyll took him five years to write, twice as long as any of his other novels. Kehlmann was about two-thirds of the way through when Donald Trump was elected president in 2016. Kehlmann, his wife, human-rights lawyer Anne Rubesame, and their son, Oscar, live in Manhattan, after years shuttling between New York and Berlin. I was always captivated by stories of escape, especially escape by means of tricks and brilliance of the mind When Trump won, I was so shocked and worried that for a while I couldnt write anymore, Kehlmann says. But then I thought of Tylls resilience and his way of making fun of anything. It was revelatory because Id never had any experience of my own character helping me to finish something or to cope. One of Kehlmanns hallmarks as a novelist is the impish humour that he injects into bleak and absurd situations. It is there in Tyll and Measuring, but also in his modern-day novels, such as Me and Kaminski (2003), Fame (2009) and F (2013), where the vanities of artists, actors, writers and businessmen are exposed by their appetite for outlandish quests. Kehlmann is interviewed about Tyll by a live panel and audience (EPA) (EPA-EFE) His fascination for comic writing is very unusual in German literature nowadays, especially the way he combines it with elements of horror, says Alexander Fest, Kehlmanns longtime editor at his German publisher Rowohlt Verlag. I think he grew fascinated by Tyll Ulenspiegel because two of the things hes interested in came together in this one character. Tyll is an uncanny figure in the way he makes fun of people and is funny not for the people he makes fun of, but for the others standing around. Kehlmann, who was raised in Vienna, credits his Austrian roots for this sensibility. There is quite a lot of comic literature in Austria which didnt travel a lot because the canon of German literature is still very much formed by northern Germany, he says. My growing up in Austria gave me a certain distance from the funny side of German culture, and the ability to make fun of it that maybe I wouldnt have had if Id grown up in Berlin. Cover art for the novel (Penguin Random House) He studied philosophy and German literature at the University of Vienna but was more interested in Latin American magical realists like Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Mario Vargas Llosa. I was always captivated by stories of escape, especially escape by means of tricks and brilliance of the mind, he says. Part of this fascination also stemmed from the experiences of his family during the Second World War. His paternal grandparents were assimilated Austrian Jews who survived thanks to forged documents that disguised their identity. His father, Michael, was imprisoned in the Maria Lanzendorf concentration camp but was released about a month before the end of the war. Michael Kehlmann went on to have a productive career as a TV and theatre director. Daniel Kehlmann regrets that his father never got to read Measuring the World, as he was suffering from dementia and died two months after it came out. But without knowing it, a baton had been passed. While Michael Kehlmann was alive, his son never considered writing for the theatre. I always felt like theatre was my fathers world, so I didnt want to get close to it, Daniel Kehlmann says. But when I wrote Measuring the World, one of the upsides of writing a big bestseller was that it freed me up to try out many things. He recently completed his fourth play, The Voyage of the St. Louis, about Jewish refugees who left Germany in 1939, were refused entry in Cuba and the United States, then turned back to Europe. Later this year it will be performed as a BBC radio play in an adaptation by Tom Stoppard. For Kehlmann, the new play feels like a corrective. German fans for years congratulated him on writing books that had no relation to Nazi Germany. I told them that I knew where they were coming from, but I didnt set out to be official proof that we have left that past behind, he says. We havent, and we shouldnt. New York Times India Inc witnessed quite a bit of action this week (February 10-14) in the banking, telecommunications, autos and pharma sectors. While serious concerns are being raised over the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on businesses in India, the Supreme Court hauling Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and Tata Telecommunications for not paying AGR on the due date was the spotlight of the week. In this edition of the Corporate Buzz podcast, Moneycontrols Jerome Anthony talks to Corporate Bureau Chief Prince Thomas to find out the top developments of the week. Researchers at MIT say the voting app Voatz, which is being used by at least 4 states in the 2020 elections, has major security flaws that could allow an attacker to intercept and alter votes, while making voters think their votes have been cast correctly, or trick the votes server into accepting connections from an attacker. Here's the MIT research paper on Voatz. Excerpt from Kim Zetter's reporting for VICE: An attacker would also be able to alter the user's vote and trick the user into believing their vote was transmitted accurately, researchers from the Massachusetts Technology Institute write in a paper released Thursday. The app, called Voatz, also has problems with how it handles authentication between the voter's mobile phone and the backend server, allowing an attacker to impersonate a user's phone. Even more surprising, although the makers of Voatz have touted its use of blockchain technology to secure the transmission and storage of votes, the researchers found that the blockchain isn't actually used in the way Voatz claims it is, thereby supplying no additional security to the system. Read the full report at VICE NEWS: 'Sloppy' Mobile Voting App Used in Four States Has 'Elementary' Security Flaws [Kim Zetter Feb 13 2020] Worth noting that in addition to today's MIT research warning of significant vulns in Voatz, we also have a DHS report that found no evidence of malicious activity but plenty of recs for improved security. Voatz hadn't previously made any reports public.https://t.co/4WEqslXXxp Kevin Collier (@kevincollier) February 13, 2020 Calling the app 'Voatz' didn't really inspire confidence to start with. https://t.co/D7AH36w99Z Martin SFP Bryant (@MartinSFP) February 13, 2020 Another reminder that in 2018 Voatz boasted on their website that Qualys provided a security audit. For Qualys they linked a free SSL certificate checker as proof they were secure (screenshot) which completely misunderstands third party security auditing. pic.twitter.com/zGKhAIT1gP Kevin Beaumont (@GossiTheDog) February 13, 2020 Today, the NYT covered research by @mspecter, @jimmykoppel, and @djweitzner into the security of Voatz, a mobile app that's been used for online voting in US elections:https://t.co/yXd2P6z3D3 This found serious issues, but they're just some of the many problems with @Voatz. 1/ Eric Mill (@konklone) February 13, 2020 Election security is hard enough without snakeoil salesmen like Voatz trying to distract election officials into buying inherently defective products like Internet voting schemes. matt blaze (@mattblaze) February 13, 2020 You can tell more about the security of a product from the reaction by the vendor to a vulnerability than from the vulnerability itself. By this measure, Voatz has failed miserably. They have squandered any reason anyone might have had to trust them. matt blaze (@mattblaze) February 13, 2020 So Voatz did a press call this afternoon where they: * Said paper was "riddled with holes" * Didn't offer evidence of researchers' supposed malicious agenda * Declined to name their outside auditors, citing terms of the NDA they wrotehttps://t.co/7xReuDtvFN Eric Geller (@ericgeller) February 13, 2020 When an MIT study showed Voatz e-voting software to be a security dumpster fire, the company apparently had the ingenious idea to attack the researchers and accuse them of being publicity hounds. https://t.co/6JtCeaKmfX Karl Bode (@KarlBode) February 13, 2020 [via techmeme.com] A 56-year-old man was killed when an artillery shell exploded at the Army's Karjune Khare range in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra on Friday, police said. The incident took place around 11.15 am, an official "The deceased, Bhiva Sadhu Gaikwad, had entered the defence area and was collecting the artillery shells that were fired from tanks as part of the shelling exercise," he said. "While collecting the scrap, Gaikwad picked up an artillery shell. When he was tampering with it, it exploded," the official said. Gaikwad suffered serious injuries and was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival, he said. A case of accidental death has been registered at the MIDC police station in Ahmednagar, the official added. Spread over 30,000 acres, the Karjune Khare range has the largest display of military tanks in the country. The village is around 1.5 kms from the firing range. According to police, this is the fourth incident at the range in the last three-and-a-half years where a villager has died in a similar blast. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New York, Feb 14 : The Manhattan District Attorney said he was reviewing the 1965 murder case of civil rights activist El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz or better known as 'Malcolm X' after a documentary series raised questions about the convicts in the case. On Thursday, Cyrus Vance Jr. said he was reviewing the activist's case after the Netflix documentary series "Who Killed Malcolm X?" raised questions about the murder, reports Efe news. "Vance has met representatives from the Innocence Project and associated counsel regarding this matter," the Attorney's spokesman Danny Frost said in a statement, adding that the district attorney would begin a preliminary review and inform the office about what steps can be taken. The review occurs as the streaming platform recently began broadcasting the documentary series to mark Black History Month in the US. Malcolm X was killed on February 21, 1965 while giving a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in the Washington Heights neighbourhood in Manhattan, New York. About a year before his murder, Malcolm X had left the political and religious movement Nation of Islam, from whose members he later received death threats. Three men were charged with his murder: Mujahid Abdul Halim (also known as Talmadge Hayer or Thomas Hagan), Muhammad Abdul Aziz (or Norman 3X Butler) and Khalil Islam (or Thomas 15X Johnson). All of them were sentenced to life imprisonment. While Halim said he was involved in the plot to kill Malcolm X, he claims Aziz and Islam were innocent. Aziz, 81, was released on parole in 1985 and has maintained his innocence. Islam died in 2009 and also said he was not involved. The Netflix series focuses on the alibis of Aziz and Islam. Earlier this week, the Manhattan district attorney's office said it was reviewing the case along with the Innocence Project, a nonprofit entity that helps exonerate unjustly convicted people. The accused started threatening her and even terrorised her by saying that he would kill her son, after she refused to talk to him. Hyderabad: Among the cases that the Cyberabad She Team received this January were various cases of sexual predators, harassment and blackmail. The police arrested the accused in three instances and also 51 others who were found misbehaving and eve-teasing at public places. A married woman working at a private hostel in Hyderguda was facing severe harassment by her supervisor Venkatesh, 25, who was forcing her to talk to him. The accused started threatening her and even terrorised her by saying that he would kill her son, after she refused to talk to him. Venkatesh did not stop with that but started to threaten to defame her in front of her relatives. Unable to bear the harassment, the victim approached the She Team and the accused was arrested. In another incident at Balanagar, accused Sompally Mahesh, 26, was arrested for harassing his friends wife to fulfil his lust. The accused had morphed the pictures of the victim and threatened to share the pictures with her husband and other family members. In another incident at Dundigal, a woman purchased a cake from Marri Vivekananda Reddy, 24, of Jinnaram. When she paid money through an electronic payment application, he saved her number. Vivekananda then started messaging her on WhatsApp and started calling her repeatedly. The accused was arrested after the woman approached the She Team. At Kukatpally, the police arrested Neeraj Rajuldev, 25, for creating a fake profile of a woman on a social networking app, when she refused to have a physical relationship with him. Cyberabad police said that about 225 complaints were received from women on various kinds of troubles faced by them, among which 75 cases were booked in which 54 persons were held. The accused were counselled in the presence of their family members and warned about stringent action, the police added. SEOUL, South Korea The United States said it would approve humanitarian assistance to North Korea to help international aid agencies fight the coronavirus there, amid fears that the impoverished country may be hiding an outbreak. North Korea has not reported any cases of the new coronavirus. But in the past week, some South Korean news reports, citing unnamed sources within the secretive North, said there had been deaths that were suspected to be related to the virus. The reports could not be confirmed. North Korea shares a 930-mile border with China, where the coronavirus emerged. It has since spread to numerous countries; more than 1,500 deaths have been reported, almost all of them in China. North Korea has taken aggressive steps to keep the virus out, including suspending all flights and trains to and from China. But the border has long been porous for smugglers, who ferry goods across the shallow river frontier that separates the two countries. There is palpable tension amongst traditional rulers in Osun State, following a report of Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi beatin... There is palpable tension amongst traditional rulers in Osun State, following a report of Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi beating up another monarch during a peace meeting. It was gathered that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of zone 11, Bashir Makama, had called for a peace meeting amongst royal fathers from Iwo axis over land disputes. According to the source, it was in the middle of the meeting, which had other monarchs, including some top police personnel, as well as government functionaries in attendance, that Oba Akanbi allegedly stood up from where he was sitting and descended on Oba Dhirulahi Akinropo, Agbowu of Ogbaagbaa town, inflicting injury on him. Confirming the incident to journalists at the Osun State General Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo, where the assaulted monarch was receiving treatment, the Olu of Ile-ogbo, Oba Agbaje Habeeb Adetoyese, who spoke on behalf of other monarchs said the development came as a shock to everyone at the meeting. He said such act was strange and alien to the tenets of the traditional institutions in Yoruba land. He called on Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to quickly intervene and caution Oluwo to avert a break down of law and order in the area. He accused Oluwo of threatening other monarchs at the meeting even after the unfortunate incident. He said: This is indeed a bestial conduct that is highly unbecoming of an ordinary individual, let alone a royal father. How could a monarch of Oluwo status descend so low to the level of physically assaulting another king in the presence of AIG; this is strange to say the least. He just stood up from where he was sitting without any provocation and started beating a revered monarch from Ogbaagba, it was the AIG himself that rescued the monarch from him. We are calling on Governor Oyetola to quickly suspend Oluwo with immediate effect, keeping him on that throne portends great danger to other kings and the state at large. Reacting to the allegation through a phone conversation, Oluwo simply said, there is no issue at all, I wonder why they are so sensational about the issue, we would take care of it, why are they inviting you guys over such an issue, I dont think it is necessary. he said The death toll in China's novel coronavirus outbreak has spiked to nearly 1,500, including six medical workers, while the confirmed cases of the infection are now around 65,000 even as the cases outside the worst-hit Hubei province dropped for the 10th consecutive day. The coronavirus has posed a big threat to the medical staff in China as more than 1,700 Chinese health workers have been infected by the virus while treating the patients and six of them have died. The worst-hit Hubei province and its provincial capital Wuhan reported 116 new fatalities on Thursday, lower than the highest toll of 242 on Wednesday. The province reported 4,823 new confirmed cases on Thursday. Overall death toll in China has climbed to 1,488 while the total number of cases have increased to 64,894 as of Thursday, according to health officials. On Friday, the Chinese government highlighted the continued drop of coronavirus disease, officially termed by the WHO as COVID-19, all over the country except in Hubei province. China's daily new confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease outside Hubei have been dropping for 10 consecutive days, the National Health Commission said. The cases in rest of China other than Hubei declined for the 10th day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told online media briefing. He also said Chinese hospitals discharge 6,723 recovered patients of coronavirus infection. But big sacrifice in the fight against coronavirus is being carried out by China's medical professionals. According to the official figures 1,716 Chinese medical workers had been infected with the novel coronavirus till February 11, accounting for 3.8 per cent of the overall confirmed cases in China. Among them, six people died from the virus. This reportedly included the whistleblower Chinese doctor Li Wenliang who was reprimanded by police for alerting about the virus over the social media in December last. Considering the plight of the medical workers, Chinese authorities have allocated USD 3.71 billion to improve their working conditions. Ou Wenhan, assistant minister of finance told the media here the money will be used to purchase medical equipment and protective materials and upgrade facilities in medical institutions. Each frontline medical and epidemic prevention worker would receive a subsidy of 300 yuan or 200 yuan per day according to different risk levels, Ou said. Those recovered included a four-month-old baby infected with the novel coronavirus after recovery in east China's Jiangxi Province. The baby was the youngest cured patient in the province. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the use of digital technology such as big data, artificial intelligence and cloud computing to better support epidemic monitoring and analysis, virus tracing, prevention and treatment, and resource allocation. His call came amid deployment of robots in hospitals in Wuhan treating the virus patients to supply and other materials. More than 580 cases have been confirmed outside mainland China and three deaths, one each in the Philippines and Hong Kong and now a Japanese woman in her 80s. Health officials are investigating how she got infected. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the focus tightens on allegations of harassment against women in New Jersey politics including in his own campaign Gov. Phil Murphy said Thursday the state government will re-evaluate its current workplace standards and training. The goal, the Democratic governor said, is to make sure all state employees are treated equally, regardless of sex, race, or gender identity. I have said time and time again that my goal is to make New Jersey stronger and fairer for everyone," Murphy said in a statement. Make no mistake: I believe that a more respectful culture for women in our state is a moral imperative. The governors office said it is searching for an expert partner in labor to assess workplace training programs and "make recommendations on how to move forward. That includes evaluating the current steps taken in state government to report and prevent sexual harassment or workplace issues. Murphy said he will invest time and resources to do in-person and interactive training and allow more people in government to become trainers. While we have made progress, I recognize that our state has a long way to go, Murphy said. Patricia Teffenhart, executive director for the Coalition Against Sexual Assault of New Jersey, praised the governors announcement. These are really good next steps, she said. Teffenhart said she appreciated Murphys willingness to rethink training strategies, such as the online courses offered by many large employers that are regarded as outdated and ineffective. Online trainings are not effective ways to convey sensitive information. and is what many big entities do, she said. The movement around safety and equity in the workplace has reached a heightened status in this administration," Teffenhart added. There has been a renewed focus in recent months on how women are treated in New Jersey politics after a Dec. 29 report from NJ Advance Media in which numerous women working in the field detailed how they had been harassed or sexually assaulted. In his State of the State address last month, Murphy called on lawmakers and other leaders to "work together to tear down the existing system and replace it with one that treats everyone with equal dignity and respect. Still, Murphys 2017 campaign has been dogged by allegations of toxicity, especially for women. A former adviser, Julie Roginsky, publicly said the campaign was the most toxic workplace environment I have ever seen in 25 years of working on political campaigns. Other women on the campaign have made similar accusations, some anonymously. Murphy on Tuesday apologized to those we failed on the campaign. But Roginsky said Murphy didnt go far enough because a number of campaign officials who have been the subject of complaints still either work for the governors administration or still advise him. Meanwhile, state Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, formed a panel to examine how women are treated in New Jersey politics. At the groups first meeting Tuesday, a female union official accused state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, of making a threatening comment during a heated exchange a decade ago. Sweeney apologized and promised to help eliminate the misogynistic culture that continues to infect politics 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. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Latino students at a Chicago high school held a sit-in protest after a school staffer allegedly told a female student to "go back to your country" when she refused to stand for the pledge of allegiance. Videos of the protest surfaced on social media where students can be seen chanting "we want justice" and calling for the removal of a teacher amind claims he discriminated against a student in last month's assembly. The student was identified as 17-year-old Yesica Salazar. She said they sat down during the national anthem in protest against U.S. immigration policies as well as police brutality. According to a social media post, two teachers approached them "in an aggressive manner" after they refused to stand. Salazar said one of the teachers asked her if her legs were broken after they left the auditorium, to which she replied no. Salazar began explaining why she chose to sit down during the pledge to which the teacher responds "Go back to your country." The teacher also asked if the Latino student was eligible for the school's free lunch, saying she was disrespecting those who died for the country. "I notified my network. I notified CPS. I notified everybody within three hours of receiving the report. It is all in writing. It is all timestamped. I did my job," Mary Beck, the school's principal, said during the protest. "I continue to follow through based on the guidelines and policies that we have in place." A student who also took part in the protest on Wednesday said the teacher made fun of his disability two years ago. "What did Principal Beck say? 'Well that's how he is.'" the student said in a video. In a letter sent to parents and families, Beck said she learned of the incident "a few weeks ago". She said she met with the students involved in the incident and created solutions to increase student voice and safety. The principal also stated additional CPD officers were at the school on Wednesday as a precaution. A 15-year-old girl was arrested during the sit-in protest on Wednesday after she allegedly pushed a 55-year-old man and causing him to fall. Police took the student in custody and charged her with battery. According to a 2018-2019 school year data, Nicholas Senn High School's student body is mostly Latino and black. 25.8 percent of their students are black, 42.3 percent Hispanic, 11.2 percent white, and 17.5 percent Asian. A CPS spokesman said they are aware of the incident at the assembly and has since opened an investigation into the allegations. "CPS is committed to fostering learning environments that support all students," district spokesman James Gherardi said in a statement. "The actions of the teacher run counter to our beliefs and priorities as a school district." The district said the teacher violated its anti-discrimination policy after using "unacceptable language." CPS it will continue to work with students and address their concerns. The school district refused to comment on whether the teacher is still in classroom. - Monica Geingos said she is on a mission to change the image of African first ladies and tackle sexism and inequality - The 43-year-old lawyer said that inheritance was the biggest driver of inequality - She runs a charity that lends money to entrepreneurs, gives grants to students and supports victims of gender-based violence - The charity's board members include a security guard and a domestic worker - Monica married her husband in 2015 - a month before he was sworn in as president of Namibia - The couple then voluntarily declared their combined assets of some KSh 705 million Namibia's First Lady, Monica Geingos, is on a mission to change the image of African first ladies and tackle sexism by pledging to give away all her wealth. Monica promised to give away her wealth estimated at $3 million (KSh 300 million) to charity when she dies. READ ALSO: UK man linked to 11 cases of coronavirus discharged from hospital after recovering Namibia's First Lady Monica Geingos is on a mission to change the image of African first ladies and tackle sexism . Photo: UCG. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Desperate Nairobi mom accused of killing son ready to sell kidney to make ends meet The 43-year-old lawyer and former head of Namibias first and largest private equity fund told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in an interview that inheritance was the biggest driver of inequality. If I am telling poor children that they must be well educated, have the right attitude, and they must stay away from self-destructive behaviour and they will be fine, then surely that message should apply to my kids too? she posed. While presidents wives are often portrayed as promiscuous, materialistic or political meddlers, Monica's contemporaries are in reality doctors, economists and academics READ ALSO: Nairobi landlord kills tenant over KSh 2,500 rent arrears She threw her weight as the first lady behind the One Economy Foundation which she founded in 2016, and plans to leave all her money to it when she dies. Of all my achievements, the title of first lady resonates the least with me because it is the one title that I have really done nothing to deserve, that I got by virtue of marriage, said Monica It is, to me, a form of unearned privilege but...it has changed a lot of my views on socio-economic issues in the country," she added. READ ALSO: Itumbi ajipata pabaya baada ya mahakama kumwachilia Jowie Her charity lends money to entrepreneurs, gives grants to students and supports victims of gender-based violence with its board members including a security guard and a domestic worker. She offered free legal and psychosocial support to victims of sexual harassment in 2019 when Namibias own #MeToo movement with women naming and shaming sexual predators. Monica married her husband, Hage Geingob, on Valentines Day in 2015 - a month before he was sworn in as president of the southern African desert nation. READ ALSO: Cyrus Omondi: Kenyans mourn humble mechanic who became Kahawa Wendani MCA The couple then voluntarily declared their combined assets of some 110 million Namibian dollars (KSh 705 million), a rare move in a continent where politicians grab headlines over unexplained riches. The first lady and her veteran politician husband, who is about 30 years her senior, both have children from previous marriages. Monica faced criticism in 2019 in the fishrot scandal involving allegations that two ministers received kickbacks from an Icelandic fishing company in exchange for fishing quotas. 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 want to give away my baby - Esther Kimotho | My Story | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke According to people familiar with the matter, Barr has tasked outside prosecutors in the deputy attorney generals office and from the U.S. attorneys office in St. Louis to review the handling of the criminal case against former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn and other sensitive national security and public corruption prosecutions in the U.S. attorneys office in Washington. Among the other cases are the investigation into Blackwater founder Erik Prince for potentially lying to Congress, along with other matters that have not yet been made public, a person familiar with the matter said. Plans for a new education and research building in the St Stephen's Green area of Dublin, has been given the go-ahead. The development by the Royal College of Surgeons will be up to seven storeys high. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 18:11:40|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) meets with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Berlin, Germany, Feb. 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Qing) BERLIN, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that trust and cooperation between China and Germany will be further upgraded following the test of the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic. Wang made the remarks during his meeting in Berlin with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the 56th Munich Security Conference (MSC). During their talks, Merkel noted that China has taken resolute and strong prevention and control measures, saying that the German side appreciates China's huge efforts, and stands ready to offer support and cooperate with China. Merkel expressed confidence that China will win the battle against the epidemic. Wang said the Chinese government and people, under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping, are collectively fighting the epidemic, adding that the declining number of confirmed cases and growing number of cured patients suggest that the disease is controllable and curable. "We are first protecting the health of the Chinese people, and at the same time trying to stop the epidemic from spreading on a global scale, thus contributing to global public health security," said Wang, adding that the Chinese side has full confidence and capability to win the fight and cope with the temporary impact of the epidemic so as to achieve this year's economic and social development targets and the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The German side has taken a calm and rational attitude towards the epidemic, attached importance to the recommendations by the World Health Organization, stayed committed to normal exchanges between the two countries, which China appreciates, he said. Merkel noted that this year will see a series of major agendas between German and China, as well as between China and the European Union (EU), saying that she is willing to keep close contact with the Chinese leadership, and actively push forward Germany-China cooperation. Commenting on the 5G construction, she said the German side would like to join China in opening up their respective markets, and will not exclude any particular enterprises, adding that she hopes the EU and China can work together to quicken the talks on a bilateral investment agreement. She also said that her country attaches importance to China's key role in major international and regional issues, and is ready to enhance their communication and coordination. China and Germany are major countries and comprehensive strategic partners, said Wang, adding that it is necessary to step up political mutual trust, enhance strategic coordination and jointly handle the common challenges facing today's world. He said he hopes the German side can provide Chinese firms with open, non-discriminatory and fair investment environment, adding that the Chinese side is willing to join hands with Germany to upgrade the China-EU relationship, maintain multilateralism and international rules, and build an open world economy in a bid to prove that China and the EU are partners for cooperation, not competitors. Tribals of Markabeda village in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region have alleged that security forces tortured them after three suspected Naxals were arrested from there. Villagers of Markabeda, situated on the border of Kanker and Narayanpur districts, over 120 kilometres from here, said the assault by security personnel took place on February 4. However, police refuted the allegations claiming no operation was carried out in the village at that time, and the arrests were made from another village on a later date. "The police thrashed villagers. They demolished a makeshift school run by us for our children as there is no government education facility nearby. Security forces also looted Rs 25,000 from two women from the village and broke utensils," two villagers told local reporters. These villagers also claimed police took along with them women who were voluntarily teaching their children in the makeshift school. A purported Maoists statement being circulated on social media said two women functionaries teaching in the school operated by its 'Janatana Sarkar' outfit were picked up by police from Markabeda on February 4. Denying the allegations, a police official said three Naxals, including two women, were arrested from another place in Narayanpur and not Markabeda. "A District Reserve Guard team was out on a counter- insurgency operation on February 10 when they spotted some suspects on a hill between Metanar and Maspur villages in Narayanpur district. When they tried to escape, three of them were nabbed," Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Mohit Garg told PTI. He identified them as Ramsu Wadada (28), a member of Kanknar LOS (local organization squad member), Sunita Gawde (40), Kiskodo LOS deputy commander and Maini alias Sugantin Anchla (35), Partapur area committee member. "During interrogation, they admitted to involvement in an IED blast incident near Sonpur village (Narayanpur) on January 10 this year in which two ITBP jawans were injured," Garg said. "Anchla and Gawde were carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh on their heads respectively, while Ramsu had a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head. They are involved in several Naxal crimes in Kanker. These three were not picked up from Markabeda as is being claimed," Garg said. He said security forces had not visited Markabeda in the recent past so there was no question of atrocity on villagers as is being alleged. The statement issued by the Raoghat area committee of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) claimed Gawde and Anchla were teachers in the school being run by them in Markabeda, and the third person held was an "innocent villager from Hirangar". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A British couple stuck onboard a cruise ship quarantined off the coast of Japan have appealed to billionaire Richard Branson for help. David Abel made the appeal during a Facebook live video in which he asked the Virgin boss to charter a special plane to fly all the British passengers home to carry out their quarantine. He added despite being a 'staunch Tory' he had 'no confidence' in Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Mr Abel said: 'When he (Johnson) just says 'keep calm, don't panic' - I'd like to see you in this situation, mate. I really would.' Abel made the appeal during a Facebook live video in which he asked the Virgin boss to charter a special plane to fly all the British passengers back to the UK to carry out their quarantine He has become an unlikely celebrity due to his videos and now he and his wife Sally have featured in news outlets across the world. In the wake of his viral fame he said was now 'appealing to one man'. 'So, Richard Branson, I want to ask you a question, pal,' he said in a video posted on Valentine's Day. 'If you and your family were in this situation, what would you do? And please don't say 'chill out, stay calm', that's not what we want to hear. 'I'm asking, what would it cost to hire one of your smaller planes, put all the Brits onboard, no flight attendants, packaged food? 'Take us to Brize Norton, take us straight into the medical facility and let us do our quarantine there by people who can speak our language.' Mr and Mrs Abel previously said they have been given the option to leave and continue their quarantine ashore if they test negative for the virus but have chosen to remain onboard. 'I'm serious, Richard Branson, absolutely serious,' Mr Abel said. Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group Ltd., speaks at the New York Stock Exchange in New York in October last year 'I think he is the man, he's not afraid to speak his mind. He's the guy who could resolve this for the Brits.' He added: 'Whatever the cost, we will somehow find a way of paying for that plane. 'Don't know how but we wouldn't want you to be out of pocket on that. 'But this is just how damned desperate some of the passengers are becoming.' Becoming visibly emotional, he added: 'We've had enough, we've really had enough.' Syra Madad Photo: Demetrius Freeman On December 27, Syra Madad published an op-ed in the Washington Post co-written with Ronald A. Klain. The piece warned lawmakers that vital funding needed to prepare hospitals for infectious-disease outbreaks would expire in May. We do not know when the next dangerous pathogen will arrive in our country, it read, but we do know that it will happen sooner or later. Four days after the article was published, on December 31, the government in Wuhan, China, reported to the World Health Organization that it was treating dozens of patients for pneumonia of unknown cause. That was the beginning of a busy January for Madad. As the senior director for the systemwide special-pathogens program for NYC Health and Hospitals, it was her job to prepare the citys 11 hospitals for an outbreak. Madad also happened to be the star of Pandemic, a six part docuseries that premiered on Netflix on January 22 a week after she gave birth to her third child. New York has yet to have a single confirmed case of the novel coronavirus, but the city remains on high alert. With nearly 65,000 confirmed cases worldwide and nearly 1,400 deaths, it is only a matter of time before the virus lands in the city. Madad made time to explain to Intelligencer what will happen when it does. For weeks now, experts have been saying its inevitable that coronavirus will come to New York. So, where is it? As of today, all of the suspected cases have all been ruled out, which is great. As Mayor de Blasio said a couple of weeks ago, its not a matter of if, its a matter of when. We know this outbreak is very early its only six weeks in. Right now, the U.S. policy has bought us time. Thats basically what it has done. As the weeks progress, this outbreak is unfortunately going to get worse before it gets better. I think were lucky that weve been bought this window of opportunity so that we can continue our preparedness measures and our risk communication letting the public know what to do. When you say the U.S.s policies have bought time, are you talking about the travel ban? The travel ban, the restrictions, exactly. Theres been a lot of criticism of the travel ban. Youre saying it bought more time to prepare. Does that mean its a good thing? Historically, weve seen that bans dont work, based on past outbreaks. It usually causes a lot more trouble than good. At the same time, from a basic infection-control standpoint, any way you can limit what we call social distancing is good because it buys us time. In the long run, whether it proves to be effective or not, its one of those things that time will tell. Your job is to make sure that we are ready and prepared. Thats right. So why do you need more time? We want more time to continue our trainings, so we can continue to prepare our front lines for the inevitable surge of cases that we may potentially see. We may not get a whole lot of cases or we may get a number of cases, but either way its best for us to prepare for the worst-case scenario. If we have a surge of cases present, were looking at it from a 4S standpoint or the emergency-management approach: staffing, stuff, space, and system. Based on those four high-level domains, were looking at how we can bulk up staffing. Because the No. 1 asset in the health-care system is our people, and without our people we cant take care of patients. Do we get volunteers involved? Do we look at our memorandum of agreements with other agencies to bulk up our staffing? Things like that. Dr. Craig Spencer was the first patient in New York diagnosed with Ebola in 2014. After that experience, he wrote, When we look back on this epidemic, I hope well recognize that fear caused our initial hesitance to respond and caused us to respond poorly when we finally did. In terms of New York, what has changed since then? Our overall preparedness in maintaining our readiness thats a key phrase we use has exponentially increased since 2014 because were constantly collaborating, coordinating, and communicating at all levels local, state, national, and even international. Weve been given funding on a national scale to prepare for Ebola and special pathogens. It wasnt just specifically for viral hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola; it gave us funding to prepare for coronavirus disease, for MERS, for SARS, the full gamut. From that funding we were able to do more drills, exercises, collaborative public health. The unfortunate part is that funding was only for five years, and it actually expires in a matter of months in 2020. So this entire infrastructure that weve built across the nation is going to get dismantled in a couple of months, which is mind-boggling knowing were in a potential pandemic situation and were letting our guard down. The other thing weve also done is, we want to make sure were giving patients the opportunity to tell us what they have. Before, it was you come in, come to the front desk, and they ask, What are you here for. By that time its basically too late. Because youve come in through the door, there are probably 50 people waiting in the waiting area, if youre coming in with something respiratory and youre coughing and sneezing, youve probably infected a number of folks around there. One of the strategies weve implemented is something very basic: respiratory stations, which basically have simple masks, hand sanitizer, a tissue, and a sign that says, Do you have a fever? Do you have a cough? Do you have a rash? Yes? Please take a mask. If a mask is not there use a tissue and sanitize your hands. And it tells you, If you have travel history let us know immediately. So now were letting patients self-identify. It helps expedite that triage process. Before this outbreak and the Ebola outbreak in 2014, we only had those stands during seasonal flu time, and once seasonal flu was done we would take out that stand. Now we know these infectious diseases are all around us, so its all season long. Where were you when you found out about the novel coronavirus? I was following it from the get-go. As soon as I saw that ProMed post, I saw it was an unknown etiology of pneumonia very early on. This was before the World Health Organization was even notified of a cluster. I actually sent this email to my public-health colleagues and my co-workers, and I said, This looks pretty worrisome. We should begin following this because this seems like something that may go out of control. From there on we started monitoring the situation. When I delivered my baby on the 13th I was still following the outbreak, and at that point we realized as a system that we needed to begin our response strategy because this is something that we should prepare for. Four days after the delivery, I clocked back in, and Ive been leading our response with our system chief medical officer ever since. Im helping build the response strategy we have for the city hospital system. So its been a little bit crazy, but its just one of those things where you cant predict it. I keep telling my friends, Its Murphys law! Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Were you on your phone right up until I was! I have emails from colleagues saying, Youre in labor can you stop? And I had a very long labor, so it just gave me something to do. It was 17 hours. So I have these text messages from my friends saying, You need to stop working. And I said, Listen, theyre not giving me my epidural. They say its going to slow the progression, so this is just keeping me busy right now. I was pushing emails and doing my thing up until I delivered. But thats why my program exists at New York City Health and Hospital, to continue monitoring these world and domestic events. In the United States, there are a number of infectious-diseases outbreaks, like measles, so were constantly monitoring and preparing for these types of instances. Theres been a lot of talk in this current epidemic about misinformation. The spread of misinformation is faster than ever. A contagion of misinformation. Do you see misinformation seeping into the decisions that you guys are making at the executive level? We have experts on the tiger team, as we call it, and we are heavily relying on public health. Were not even looking at the articles that are being published. Were only looking at credible sources, and thats how we make our decisions, and thats how we strategize. So were looking at whats coming out of the CDC and what is coming out of the local public-health department. Were also keeping a pulse on whats coming out of credible journals. Thats what we base our decision on. There is a lot of rhetoric; there is a lot of rumor. Our experts on the tiger team can help us differentiate rumor versus science. A lot of times things will look like theyre true, they seem pretty compelling, but at the same time we have experts who basically help us say, No. Its very early on in the outbreak, for example, and the case fatality rate, while theyre saying its 2 percent, it may be higher or lower. We cant tell. We dont know if this is a mild virus or a severe virus. We dont even know the mode of transmission. I read that you use secret shoppers to test your systems? Yes. Can you tell me a bit about them? Have your secret shoppers been showing signs of coronavirus lately? Weve done that for a number of infectious diseases. We did it for Ebola because theres still an Ebola outbreak happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We want to make sure that, while theres still an outbreak, were still keeping our guard up. The way these things work is, I sit down and I make a scenario, and I look at whats happening around the world and I tie it into an actual outbreak. With the coronavirus, we basically have actors who are going to go into our health system and pretend to be patients. The scenario that we have is that theyve just traveled from mainland China and have signs of symptoms, or we have some sort of epidemiological linkage to tie them to China, so maybe they havent traveled but theyve come into contact with someone who has traveled. We develop a bunch of data points in terms of identify, isolate, and inform. I collect over 30 data points, and this includes, as soon as you walk in I want you to tell me, is there a respiratory station? How many are there? Is it stocked? Are there masks available? Were also collecting information on how long it takes to identify a patient. As soon as you walk into one of our facilities, does it take five minutes to identify you? Or ten minutes? What are you most concerned about right now sitting here? Whats going to keep you up tonight? Based on everything that weve been seeing, reading, looking at whats happening in China, it doesnt seem like this virus is containable. Its not the fault of the government itself or China itself, its the nature of the virus. You just cant stop a respiratory virus, especially a respiratory one in nature where its the sheer form of breathing and having droplets develop you just cant control it. Its one of those things we know we cant contain, so we need to continue to prepare very aggressively for it. And thats exactly what were doing. Whats keeping me up at night is knowing that these cases are going to continue to occur, and thats what the CDC has stated, that were going to see an increased number of cases. We need to make sure that were able to identify every single one. It just takes one person coming into one of our facilities to start an outbreak. Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health problem across the globe, with many diseases becoming harder to treat. Now, a newly discovered antibiotic group shows promise in the fight against superbugs as it has a unique way of killing bacteria. A team of scientists at McMaster University has found a new group of antibiotics that can fight infections in a new and unique way. These antibiotics fight infections in a way researchers have never seen before, according to the findings of the study described in the journal Nature. Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria - 3d illustration. Image Credit: Shutterstock 'Holy grail' of antibiotics The newly found group of antibiotics, consisting of corbomycin and complestatin, can kill bacteria by blocking the function of the bacterial cell wall. These drugs come from a family of antibiotics known as glycopeptides, which are produced by soil bacteria. The two antibiotics attack peptidoglycan, the main component of the bacterial cell wall that is vital to the growth and survival of almost all bacteria. They inhibit the action of autolysins, which are important for cell division and growth. Other antibiotics, such as penicillin, work by preventing the bacteria from building its wall, which is the source of its strength. In killing the bacteria, removing its wall will make it vulnerable and easier to kill. These new antibiotics work by doing the opposite. Instead of preventing building the wall, it halts the wall ll from being broken down. As a result, blocking the breakdown of the wall would make it impossible for them to divide and expand just like being trapped in prison. Unique bacteria killer The two new antibiotics are known as glycopeptides. The team studied the genes of the group to see if they lack resistance mechanisms. The team believes that if the genes that made these drugs different, perhaps the way they kill will also be different. In collaboration with scientists from the Universite de Montreal, including Yves Brun, they found that the drugs act on the bacterial cell wall to prevent it from dividing and proliferating. "Knowing the detailed structure at the atomic level of this connection between the surface layer and the surface of the cell offers enormous potential to then develop molecules that can target this attachment and make the cell more sensitive to antibacterials," Yves Brun, study co-author, said. "Combined with the discovery of the new mode of action of two antibiotics, this development opens up prospects for weakening the action of bacteria and making them more vulnerable," he added. The researchers believe the group of drugs is a promising clinical candidate in the hopes of stemming bacteria from becoming resistant to antibiotics. Fight against antibiotic resistance Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to global health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Though it happens naturally, the misuse of antibiotics is hastening the process, making it easy to treat infections in the past harder to curb now. Further, antibiotic resistance increase hospital stays and medical costs. For instance, diseases in the past that were responsive to certain antibiotics may become resistant and difficult to stem, such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, gonorrhea, and other infections. Now, as the diseases become stronger and more resilient, outbreaks may become inevitable, unless new drugs are discovered. In the United States alone, at least 2.8 million people become infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria each year, while more than 35,000 people die. Research in medicine, psychology and neuroscience demonstrates the powerful effects of love on our physical and mental health. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Research in medicine, psychology and neuroscience demonstrates the powerful effects of love on our physical and mental health. Feeling loved and being able to express love for others are linked to the reduction of chronic pain, anxiety and depression, improved functioning of the immune system, reduced risk of cancer, improved cardiovascular health, increased life expectancy and feelings of positive self-esteem, happiness and general well-being. A multi-decade Harvard study found positive links between perceptions of being loved during childhood and reduced incidence of multiple diseases associated with middle age. Research using data from the Canadian National Population Health Survey found that perceptions of being loved had a greater positive impact on human health than the negative impacts of daily smoking. The negative impact of a loveless life Extensive research also highlights very serious negative effects of not being loved, particularly for children. A meta-analysis of 551 studies conducted over 41 years, from 1975 to 2016, on five continents involving a total of 149,440 respondents found strong causal connections between a lack of parental love and "psychological maladjustment of children and adults regardless of differences in races, ethnicities, cultures, age [and] gender." The same review concluded that "children who feel unloved are likely to develop a pattern of psychological maladjustment and personality dispositions including hostility/aggression, dependence, low self-esteem, low self-adequacy, emotional unresponsiveness, emotional instability, negative worldview, anxiety and insecurity." The power of love seems to be based on its role in reducing chronic stress by triggering the release of biochemicals that have positive effects on stress reduction, incuding endorphins, endocannabinoids, endogenous morphine, dopamine, vasopressin and oxytocin. By helping to reduce chronic stress, love can also reduce the rate of cellular aging in the human body, which reduces risk of illnesses and disease. Why dont governments focus on love? Given all the evidence of the importance of love for our well-being, why dont governments take love more seriously? Governments probably cant make people better lovers and most of us probably hope they wont even try. As former Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau famously commented: "Theres no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation." However, governments around the world can and do pass laws and implement policies that undermine the capacity of many people to love and feel loved, with serious long-term impacts on their physical and mental health and associated costs for public health-care systems and economic productivity. Pause for a moment to reflect on the stories of residential school survivors in Canada and the impact of the denial of love on their own capacity to love. As one survivor explained: "Because of that experience, us survivors never learned how to live as a loving family because we were separate from our family." Residential schools no longer operate in Canada, but the high rates of separation of Indigenous children from their parents by child protection services across the country points to ongoing policies that undermine the ability of both children and parents to love and feel loved. Love devalued Or consider the separation of children from their parents at immigration detention centres in the southern United States, which psychologist Andrew Solomon describes as a "devaluation of love." Solomon also studied the long-term negative health impacts on British children who were separated from their parents as safety precautions from bombing raids during the Second World War and found widespread evidence of "permanent emotional scarring." More than 70 countries around the world also criminalize same-sex relationships. Anti-LGBTTQ+ laws dont make love impossible, but they do make it harder and much more dangerous to express. A growing number of governments around the world (including some Canadian provinces) promote labour migration as an economic development strategy that separates workers from their family and loved ones. 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. Its still possible to blow kisses on Facetime or Skype, but anyone in a long-distance relationship knows that it doesnt feel the same as the real thing. Medical research shows that prolonged separation from the people you love can also have serious health effects. As a folk song about Mexican labour migrants made famous in the film Paris, Texas wistfully lamented: "Now that Im so far from you, I live without light and love; And seeing myself so lonely and sad like a leaf in the wind, I want to cry, I want to die of sorrow." Love matters. A lot. This Valentines Day, governments around the world need to reflect on how laws and public policies may undermine peoples capacity to love and be loved and the long-term costs of lost love for public health and human happiness. John D. Cameron is an associate professor in the department of international development studies at Dalhousie University. This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca. CITY HALL -- When Staten Island secession was struck down by former state Democratic Assemblyman Speaker Sheldon Silver more than two decades ago, he stopped the legislation from proceeding because he said it needed a home rule message from New York City. Today, Councilman Joe Borelli (R-South Shore) is trying to move plans to study secession forward, but the question of whether a home rule message from the city is still needed if secession advances remains unknown. Our position was you dont need a home rule message because the Legislature created the city, and therefore it would not require the home rule message, said former South Shore Assemblyman Robert Straniere, who helped lead the legal challenge against Silvers decision in the state Supreme Court in the early 1990s. A home rule message essentially serves as a check on the state Legislature. Home rule was adopted in New Yorks Constitution to ensure the state does not pass laws that affect the affairs of local governments without their sign off. According to the New York Constitution, the state Legislature is allowed to act unless a home rule request is received from an affected local government Straniere, alongside former Island Assemblyman Eric Vitaliano, now a senior U.S. District Judge, sued to challenge Silvers decision. But the Court of Appeals affirmed two lower court decisions upholding Silver's home rule verdict, keeping in place Island lawmakers major hurdle to moving secession through. The state Legislature has a home rule counsel who reviews legislation in the state and determines whether a home rule message is needed by a locality. The counsels recommendations are then given to the speaker of the Assembly who makes the final determination on whether a home rule message is needed. HOME RULE COUNSEL COULD DECIDE DIFFERENTLY TODAY, SOME SAY Though some think today the political odds are already stacked against Borelli, who would have to see secession through a Democratically controlled City Council and state Legislature, they say the states home rule counsel and speaker today could have a different opinion. But the odds are slim, they say. I think the bottom line is that the decision will really in the end, again, be up to the home rule counsel who reports to the speaker, said Steven Reiss, an attorney who represented Silver in Straniere and Vitalianos suit. The political stars were aligned very differently back when we had this issue, he continued. You had a Republican-controlled Senate, which you dont have anymore, and you have a Republican governor, which you dont have anymore. And they were both on board because Staten Island is so heavily Republican. The Assemblys home rule counsel declined to comment when reached. Nearly three decades ago, the late Republican state Sen. John Marchi who led the Islands previous secession efforts, had the votes in the Republican-controlled state Senate to move secession forward. Once Gov. George Pataki succeeded Gov. Mario Cuomo, who signed off on the secession study, many believed that had secession passed the Assembly, the new Republican governor would have signed off on a bill authorizing secession. After the Court of Appeals decision, Silvers former spokeswoman Patricia Lynch said the ruling put secession where it always belonged -- in the City Council -- where a two-thirds vote is needed to provide a home-rule message to the Legislature. But the city never held a secession vote and the measure for Staten Island to secede died in committee. Judge Vitaliano thinks that because Borelli is moving the secession study forward at the City Council level today, the chances of getting a home rule message could be easier. If you have the votes to pass it in the [City Council], then you obviously have the votes to pass a home rule message, Vitaliano said. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Speaker Carl Heastie have both been mum about whether they support secession and studying the endeavor. Mayor Bill de Blasio is vehemently opposed to Staten Island secession and the study. Meanwhile, though City Council Speaker Corey Johnson thinks the Island leaving the rest of the city is a bad idea, the potential mayoral candidate who is a close ally of Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore), said he is undecided on whether he supports a secession study. A LONG WAY TO GO Borelli said he has not heard any opposition to the secession study from his City Council colleagues and noted it still has a long way to go. If his legislation proceeds into 2021, Borelli pointed out that a new mayor and City Council speaker could have more of an open mind about secession. I dont see the home rule as that much of a hang-up because the way the mechanics work in the [City Council] are much different," Borelli said. Its less driven by leadership than the state Legislature and theres opportunities for horse-trading. For now, Borellis legislation only looks at putting together a task force to study secession and has been introduced but not moved forward for discussion. Virtually all of Staten Islands state and local elected officials except Councilwoman Rose have expressed interest in studying Staten Island secession. But no legislation other than Borellis has been introduced in the state Senate or Assembly. The Staten Island secession commissions former Executive Director Joseph Viteritti, who now chairs Hunter Colleges Department of Urban Policy and Planning, thinks that even if the City Council approves a secession study and were to ultimately sign off on secession, the state will always have the final say and likely ask for a home rule message again. There are really two questions politically: one is would the state want a home rule message, and I think the answer to that is most probably yes, Viteritti said. And then number two, would the city be willing to give a home rule message, and I would probably say the answer to that is probably no politically. If the state wants [a home rule] the state can get it, thats for sure, thats the most definite thing I can tell you, Viteritti continued. Whether or not the state is going to ask for it, whether or not the city would go along with it, thats speculative, but the law is pretty clear on this. FOLLOW SYDNEY KASHIWAGI ON TWITTER. A New Hampshire man was arrested after allegedly slapping a teenager across the face at a polling site because the boy was wearing a MAGA hat. Patrick Bradley, 34, of Windham, New Hampshire, now faces three counts of simple assault and disorderly conduct charges following the incident which occurred Tuesday. Police said Bradley had gone to Windham High School - a polling location - to vote in the state's first-in-the-nation presidential primary when he walked by a Trump campaign tent. Patrick Bradley, 34, was arrested after he allegedly slapped a MAGA hat-wearing teenage boy across the face at a New Hampshire polling station Tuesday The teen had been volunteering at the Trump campaign tent outside the polling station. Donald Trump Jr. (center with beard) tweeted a photo showing him meeting the teen (far right) the day of the incident Don Jr. said that the Trump family supports the teen who was allegedly assaulted Bradley then 'slapped a 15-year-old juvenile across the face,' at which point two adults tried to protect the teen, police said, according to Patch. The adults later accused Bradley of assaulting them. During the same incident, 'Bradley was also accused of throwing TRUMP campaign signs and attempting to knock over the aforementioned tent,' police said. The 15-year-old boy - who Donald Trump Jr. has since identified as being called Nate in a photo he posted on Twitter - was wearing a red 'Make America Great Again' hat and had been volunteering in the Trump tent at the time of the incident. The boy's mother, Cathy Campbell, told Fox News that although he is a student at Windham High School, he was not in school because he had a doctor's appointment that day. But, she did drive him to the school so she could vote in the primary. 'When we got there, we saw Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle, and my son was over the moon,' Campbell told the news station, calling the boy 'the most patriotic kid youd ever meet in your life.' Bradley (pictured) was said to have exited the polling site and seen the teen wearing the MAGA hat, before saying 'f**k you' to him and then slapping the boy across the face Bradley (pictured) then allegedly threw Trump campaign signs around and attempted to knock over the campaign's tent, while two adults tried to stop him Bradley (pictured in previous mugshots) has been arrested in the past on charges including felony drug trafficking of marijuana and reckless conduct The incident occurred outside the Windham High School, a polling location for the first-in-the-nation presidential primary, Tuesday Campbell said that Trump campaign later invited the teen to volunteer and hold Trump signs outside the school. She said that the teen chose to wear the divisive hat while volunteering, noting that she was 'apprehensive about him wearing the MAGA hat, because we know it can provoke and we know people dont like Trump.' However, she said that her son wanted to wear the hat because 'hes a proud 15-year-old and he doesnt know what people are going to be like.' Campbell said that the teen stood out on the sidewalk, telling people to 'have a nice night,' but the words 'triggered' Bradley. She claimed that Bradley said 'f**k you' to her son, then 'wound up his hand as fast as he could and slapped him across the face.' Campbell said that a MAGA hat-wearing man who tried to help her son was left with a fractured jaw during the incident. New Hampshire man Stephan Leclerc tried to stop Bradley from knocking over the Trump campaign tent and that Bradley hit him New Hampshire man Stephan Leclerc claimed to have been one of the people involved in intervening between the teen and Bradley. Leclerc posted on Facebook that Bradley 'threatened us walking in front our Volunteer booth (VOTER INTIMIDATION) , he struck a minor , struck me trying to stop his stampeding in our Volunteer tent.' He said that police initially let Bradley go, despite his having a warrant. 'All the witnesses were upset that the vigilante Antifa like man was let go,' Leclerc said. The day after the incident, Don Jr. took to Twitter to reveal that he had met the teen and that the Trump's are on his side. 'So it turns out that I actually met the 15 year old victim shortly before he was attacked by a sick leftist,' Don Jr. tweeted. 'I asked an aide to find his number & just got off the phone with him & his mother. I thanked them for being such strong supporters. My family has your back Nate!' Don Jr. also tweeted out a picture of the teen posing for a picture with him and Guilfoyle. The teen is not wearing a MAGA hat in the image. Campbell told Fox News her son is 'the sweetest kid' and that he is now 'pretty traumatized' by what happened Tuesday. She said that the teen 'certainly did nothing wrong' and that 'It sickens me that people would be angry at a kid for wearing a stupid hat.' Campbell said that she and her family are Trump-supporting Republicans. She added that her son is back in school and that his peers are giving him support. After the incident Bradley was held on $5,000 cash bail, in addition to an administrative hold for a probation violation. Bradley has been arrested several times in the past, according to reports. In January 2017, Maine State Police arrested him on a felony drug trafficking charge after allegedly finding 7.7 lbs. of vacuumed sealed marijuana in his car, according to News Center Maine. In March 2017, Bradley was arrested on charges including felony reckless conduct, simple assault of an officer, disobeying an officer and driving after suspension, following an incident in which he allegedly rammed his car into another driver's car, Foster's Daily Democrat reported. Bradley is expected to be arraigned on Friday. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 12:31:57|Editor: yhy Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Trump administration on Friday expressed optimism about a possible peace deal with the Taliban that could lead to gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops after over-18-year war in Afghanistan. U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly said in a radio interview on Thursday that the two sides are "very close" to reach an agreement in the coming weeks. "I think there's a good chance that we'll have a deal and we'll see," said Trump. "That doesn't mean we have one, but we'll know over the next two weeks," he added. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday that "real progress" has been made over the last few days with the Taliban. "The president gave us the authority to continue to have the conversations," Pompeo told reporters on his plane to Germany. "We hope we can get to a place where we can get a significant reduction in violence." "It's complicated. We're not there yet," the top U.S. diplomat also cautioned. U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced on Thursday in Brussels that the United States and the Taliban have negotiated a proposal for a seven-day reduction in violence in Afghanistan. Without giving any clear timetable, Esper only said "progress has been on this front, and we have more to report on that soon." It has been reported that the United States and the Taliban are mulling about a one-week slowdown in fighting before any peace agreement is signed. America and the Taliban were on verge of a similar deal in September, but Trump suddenly called off the talks, citing a Taliban attack which led to the death of an American citizen. There are currently about 13,000 U.S. forces in Afghanistan. A U.S.-led coalition invaded the country following the 9/11 attacks on the United States in 2001. The longest war in American history has reportedly killed over 2,400 U.S. troops and tens of thousands of Afghans. The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 16:04 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206490cc7 1 Food paniki,bushmeat,Grab,Gojek,Tokopedia,dog-meat,shark-fin,bat-meat,crocodile-meat Free Grab Indonesia is the latest digital company to join Tokopedia and Gojek in the effort to eliminate "exotic meats" from its menu, in response to pressure from an animal welfare group amid the ongoing global health emergency. The company said it had taken the move to protect consumers according to Law No. 8/1999 on consumer protection, Law No. 18/2012 on food and other regulations. Also as a mitigation measure with regard to warnings on the dangers of [the spread of] the novel coronavirus in Indonesia, Grab Indonesia marketing head Hadi Surya Koe said in a written statement on Wednesday, kompas.com reported. Hadi said that aside from concerns over the coronavirus, the company made its decision after meeting on Feb. 7 with Animal Defenders Indonesia, which cemented its commitment to ban dishes that used exotic meats from its online food delivery service. Hadi said GrabFood would take proactive measures against those merchants that continued to sell such items through its app, from "deleting the menu to closing the merchants GrabFood account, temporarily or permanently. GrabFood has also called on its customers to participate actively in supporting its efforts. Grab customers and driver partners can report any exotic meats they find on the app through a dedicated channel it has set up. Please report to us [using] the form provided on our [desktop] site or the Grab application, Hadi said. Read also: Manado supermarkets keep selling bat meat 'paniki' despite coronavirus fears GrabFood's exotic meats ban applies to the meat of bats, dogs, cats, ferrets, mice, pangolins, sharks, stingrays, crocodiles, lizards, geckos, turtles (including softshell turtles), snakes and scorpions. The coronavirus disease has been confirmed as a zoonotic disease, and while the virus has not been traced to a particular animal, researchers have suggested that it may have originated in bats or snakes. Tokopedia and Gojek have already joined the movement to ban exotic meats from their services following their meetings with Animal Defenders Indonesia. The two companies said separately that they would improve their digital filters and implement screening measures. The animal welfare group, which has been protesting the online sales of wildlife products since the beginning of this month, visited Tokopedia on Feb. 3 and Gojek on Feb. 5, reported wartakota.tribunnews.com. We are pleased to hear that Grab has also been made aware of this matter and is [cooperating] with our campaign to ban dog meat from the menus available on GrabFood, Animal Defenders Indonesia founder Doni Herdaru Tona said in a written statement on Feb. 7. Doni also called for the public to participate in the movement, since traders often came up with different names for exotic meats, such as B1, B Sada or BI. Take a screenshot [of the item] and send it to us via [WhatsApp] at 082211438940," said Doni, being sure to provide information on where the item was found. He stressed that the identity of the person making the report would be kept strictly confidential. (ydp) ESO telescope sees surface of dim Betelgeuse Using ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT), astronomers have captured the unprecedented dimming of Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star in the constellation of Orion. The stunning new images of the star's surface show not only the fading red supergiant but also how its apparent shape is changing. Betelgeuse has been a beacon in the night sky for stellar observers but it began to dim late last year. At the time of writing Betelgeuse is at about 36% of its normal brightness, a change noticeable even to the naked eye. Astronomy enthusiasts and scientists alike were excitedly hoping to find out more about this unprecedented dimming. A team led by Miguel Montarges, an astronomer at KU Leuven in Belgium, has been observing the star with ESO's Very Large Telescope since December, aiming to understand why it's becoming fainter. Among the first observations to come out of their campaign is a stunning new image of Betelgeuse's surface, taken late last year with the SPHERE instrument. The team also happened to observe the star with SPHERE in January 2019, before it began to dim, giving us a before-and-after picture of Betelgeuse. Taken in visible light, the images highlight the changes occurring to the star both in brightness and in apparent shape. Many astronomy enthusiasts wondered if Betelgeuse's dimming meant it was about to explode. Like all red supergiants, Betelgeuse will one day go supernova, but astronomers don't think this is happening now. They have other hypotheses to explain what exactly is causing the shift in shape and brightness seen in the SPHERE images. "The two scenarios we are working on are a cooling of the surface due to exceptional stellar activity or dust ejection towards us," says Montarges [1]. "Of course, our knowledge of red supergiants remains incomplete, and this is still a work in progress, so a surprise can still happen." Montarges and his team needed the VLT at Cerro Paranal in Chile to study the star, which is over 700 light-years away, and gather clues on its dimming. "ESO's Paranal Observatory is one of few facilities capable of imaging the surface of Betelgeuse," he says. Instruments on ESO's VLT allow observations from the visible to the mid-infrared, meaning astronomers can see both the surface of Betelgeuse and the material around it. "This is the only way we can understand what is happening to the star." Another new image, obtained with the VISIR instrument on the VLT, shows the infrared light being emitted by the dust surrounding Betelgeuse in December 2019. These observations were made by a team led by Pierre Kervella from the Observatory of Paris in France who explained that the wavelength of the image is similar to that detected by heat cameras. The clouds of dust, which resemble flames in the VISIR image, are formed when the star sheds its material back into space. "The phrase 'we are all made of stardust' is one we hear a lot in popular astronomy, but where exactly does this dust come from?" says Emily Cannon, a PhD student at KU Leuven working with SPHERE images of red supergiants. "Over their lifetimes, red supergiants like Betelgeuse create and eject vast amounts of material even before they explode as supernovae. Modern technology has enabled us to study these objects, hundreds of light-years away, in unprecedented detail giving us the opportunity to unravel the mystery of what triggers their mass loss." ### Notes [1] Betelgeuse's irregular surface is made up of giant convective cells that move, shrink and swell. The star also pulsates, like a beating heart, periodically changing in brightness. These convection and pulsation changes in Betelgeuse are referred to as stellar activity. More information The team is composed of Miguel Montarges (Institute of Astronomy, KU Leuven, Belgium), Emily Cannon (Institute of Astronomy, KU Leuven, Belgium), Pierre Kervella (LESIA, Observatoire de Paris - PSL, France), Eric Lagadec (Laboratoire Lagrange, Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur, France), Faustine Cantalloube (Max-Planck-Institut fur Astronomie, Heidelberg, Germany), Joel Sanchez Bermudez (Instituto de Astronomia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico and Max-Planck-Institut fur Astronomie, Heidelberg, Germany), Andrea Dupree (Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, USA), Elsa Huby (LESIA, Observatoire de Paris - PSL, France), Ryan Norris (Georgia State University, USA), Benjamin Tessore (IPAG, France), Andrea Chiavassa (Laboratoire Lagrange, Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur, France), Claudia Paladini (ESO, Chile), Agnes Lebre (Universite de Montpellier, France), Leen Decin (Institute of Astronomy, KU Leuven, Belgium), Markus Wittkowski (ESO, Germany), Gioia Rau (NASA/GSFC, USA), Arturo Lopez Ariste (IRAP, France), Stephen Ridgway (NSF's National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory, USA), Guy Perrin (LESIA, Observatoire de Paris - PSL, France), Alex de Koter (Astronomical Institute Anton Pannekoek, Amsterdam University, The Netherlands & Institute of Astronomy, KU Leuven, Belgium), Xavier Haubois (ESO, Chile). The VISIR image was obtained as part of the NEAR science demonstration observations. NEAR (Near Earths in the AlphaCen Region) is an upgrade of VISIR, which was implemented as a time-limited experiment. ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It has 16 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile and with Australia as a Strategic Partner. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope and its world-leading Very Large Telescope Interferometer as well as two survey telescopes, VISTA working in the infrared and the visible-light VLT Survey Telescope. Also at Paranal ESO will host and operate the Cherenkov Telescope Array South, the world's largest and most sensitive gamma-ray observatory. ESO is also a major partner in two facilities on Chajnantor, APEX and ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky". Links * Photos of the VLT - http://www. eso. org/ public/ images/ archive/ category/ paranal/ Contacts Miguel Montarges FWO [PEGASUS] Marie Sk?odowska-Curie Fellow / Institute of Astronomy, KU Leuven Leuven, Belgium Tel: +32 16 32 74 67 Email: miguel.montarges@kuleuven.be Emily Cannon Institute of Astronomy, KU Leuven Leuven, Belgium Tel: +32 16 32 88 92 Email: emily.cannon@kuleuven.be Pierre Kervella LESIA, Observatoire de Paris - PSL Paris, France Tel: +33 0145077966 Email: pierre.kervella@observatoiredeparis.psl.eu Barbara Ferreira ESO Public Information Officer Garching bei Munchen, Germany Tel: +49 89 3200 6670 Cell: +49 151 241 664 00 Email: pio@eso.org This story has been published on: 2020-02-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. A file image of Daniel Kawczynski (WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP via Getty Images) Leading Jewish and Muslim groups have reacted furiously after a Tory MP was given a mere slap on the wrist for attending a festival with fascists. Earlier this week, Daniel Kawczynski sparked uproar when he spoke at the National Conservatism conference in Rome. Among the fellow speakers were Viktor Orban, Hungarys far-right prime minister who has been accused of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. The Conservative Party immediately came under pressure to suspend the Shrewsbury and Atcham MP. On Thursday, however, a spokeswoman only said Kawczynski had been given a warning. Daniel Kawczynski in the House of Commons last week (UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/handout via REUTERS) She said: Daniel Kawczynski has been formally warned that his attendance at this event was not acceptable, particularly in light of the views of some of those in attendance, which we utterly condemn, and that he is expected to hold himself to higher standards. Daniel has accepted this and apologised. However, the contents of his apology are not known, something picked up by the Jewish Labour Movement as it reacted to the news. Read our reaction to the news that the Conservative Party issued Daniel Kawczynski with a warning before he attended the National Conservatism Conference pic.twitter.com/1jChxOyyqr Jewish Labour Movement (@JewishLabour) February 6, 2020 It said: We note what a spokesperson for the Conservative Party has said but we understand that Daniel Kawczynski was warned about attending the conference in advance. Is there a consequence for Conservative MPs who ignore such warnings? We have yet to hear what Kawczynskis apology consists of and all we can judge him on are his Twitter likes supportive of his attendance at this festival with fascists. This also begs the question of who funded his trip in the first place. A Muslim Council of Britain spokesman said: Serious questions must be asked about why this was allowed in the first place, why the party now feels it was unacceptable, and why it feels a mere slap on the wrist is sufficient. Story continues Kawczynski should have the whip removed, and be subject to a thorough investigation if the Conservatives want to claim, at least in this case, a zero tolerance policy on all forms of racism. The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism also called for Mr Kawczynski to make a public apology, something his office did not have immediate plans to do. Read more from Yahoo News UK Leading Lib Dem leadership contender says party could start 'rejoin EU' campaign within 11 months Coronavirus: Third case confirmed in the UK Government to introduce emergency terror law one day before offender is due to be freed Other speakers at the conference included Ryszard Legutko, the Polish Law and Justice MEP who described homophobia as fictitious, and Giorgia Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party who has promoted anti-Semitic figures. Earlier this week, Kawczynski was unapologetic in an open letter to his local paper, the Shropshire Star, in which he dismissed the hysterical criticism. ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday, took to his verified Facebook wall to raise ala... The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday, took to his verified Facebook wall to raise alarm over an ongoing arrest and kidnapping of mourners, along Enugu-Igweocha(Port-Harcourt) by the Nigerian Army. He claimed that the arrested mourners were being taken to unknown places by the Nigeria Army. Kanu said the mourners were on their way to attend his parents burial holding today at Afaraukwu Umuahia Ibeku in Abia state. The late Eze Israel Kanu and wife, Sally are the parent of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu and would be committed to mother Earth today, Friday, 14, February, 2020. Recall that Nnamdi Kanu had blamed President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government of being responsible for his parents death, which he attributed to the alleged invasion of his Afaraukwu Ibeku residence by men of Nigeria Army. According to the IPOB leader on his Facebook page, with picture attached, As the provocation, harassment, intimidation, kidnapping and arrest of mourners continue unabated along Enugu-Igweocha (Port Harcourt) Expressway, there are confirmed reports that 3 coaster buses conveying mourners to Afaraukwu were hijacked by Nigerian soldiers at Ubakala Junction. We hope the world can see what these vandals in uniform are doing and duly taking note for future reference. Facebook Nigeria, it appears are working hand in hand with the murderous Nigerian army and police, that failed woefully in the fight against Boko Haram in the north, by preventing real-time dissemination of live video coverage of events on their platform, thereby aiding and abetting human rights abuses in Biafraland. The pro-Biafra leader also disclosed names of persons(Mourners) allegedly kidnapped by the Army, as Ifechukwu Okoye, Emmanuel Osita, Ugochukwu Akachukwu, Ebube Okpara, Edwin Orji. He, however, called for their immediate release to enable them to proceed to the burial ceremony. Jacy Lewis/Reporter-Telegram Midland County sheriff candidate Joe Lozano has a history of run-ins with the law and most recently was convicted of workers compensation fraud, according to a press release from Texas Mutual Insurance Co. He was sentenced in October 2019 to pay $6,049 in restitution fees and serve one day in jail, according to the release. He reported a job-related injury while working as an appliance repairman and claimed he was unable to work. However, he continued working while simultaneously receiving benefits from Texas Mutual related to his injury, according to the release. The Diamond Princess cruise ship has been under quarantine since February 4, after several guests were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China. There are more than 3,500 passengers and crew members stranded on the ship, which was scheduled to dock a week ago. The number of people from the ship who've been diagnosed with the coronavirus has ballooned to at least 174. Many have been let off the boat for treatment, while for others who are healthy, the quarantine is scheduled to last until next Wednesday. People aboard have had mixed reactions, with some loving the room-service treatment and others desperate to get off and find more booze. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. The Diamond Princess cruise ship, which can house up to 3,770 passengers and crew members, boasts the largest Japanese bath at sea and typically offers over 20 bars and restaurants for passengers to choose from. Now it holds another distinction as a temporary sick bay for the largest number of people with the coronavirus outside of mainland China: at least 174 cases so far. The entire ship is now on lockdown until next Wednesday seven more days of mandatory room service. Have a look. The Diamond Princess has become a floating home to 2,666 guests and 1,045 crew members in the port of Yokohama, Japan. diamond princess interior Princess Cruises The passengers and crew members were supposed to finish up a 14-day cruise on February 4. Instead, Japanese public-health officials climbed on board in protective suits and discovered 10 cases of the novel coronavirus. The cruise line suspects the contagion started sometime after January 20, when a man from Hong Kong boarded the ship in Japan. diamond princess meds on board @daxa_tw via AP The man stayed on board for five days, then disembarked in his hometown. He was diagnosed with the coronavirus on February 1, alerting health officials to a potential outbreak on the Diamond Princess. Since the ship has been quarantined, at least 174 of the roughly 3,700 passengers and crew members have tested positive for the new virus. Story continues diamond princess ambulance AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko The coronavirus spreads easily through close contact between people. Because testing takes a day or more and involves filling machines with spit and mucus samples, it's not practical to test every one of the thousands of people on board. People aboard have been unfurling signs that read "Lack of medicine!" and "Thank you, media" in recent days. diamond princess no medication.JPG Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon On Monday evening, a crew member told passengers that as many as 1,850 people on board (who weren't expecting to be stuck there for this long) had requested and been given more prescription medications. It's unclear which medications. The medical staff on board is made up of "45 doctors, 55 nurses, 45 pharmacists, most of whom are volunteers," a crew member told passengers on Tuesday. Source: Twitter Passengers have been tweeting pictures of their meals and giving the room service mixed reviews. One passenger has posted photos on Twitter of just about every meal served aboard the ship with few complaints. Another person, however, was less than thrilled about the distribution of noodles. Passengers stockpiled water ... ... but were running out of alcohol options. In addition to the food and drinks, passengers were also given face masks. Crew members are wearing them too. diamond princess crew in masks AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko Even as down below deck some people were begging to be rescued. The masks are not great at preventing wearers from contracting the novel coronavirus, but they may help protect others from being exposed. diamond princess crew repair work in full gear AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko Source: Business Insider Passengers in interior staterooms on the Diamond Princess are allowed to step out on deck for some precious fresh air ... diamond princess pool Princess Cruises ... But only if they wear masks. diamond princess strolling on deck.JPG Kyodo/via Reuters One Australian family staying in a bunked interior room were let outside for an hour on Friday, their first time in the fresh air since the previous Tuesday, BuzzFeed News reported. Public-health experts have advised people to maintain a 6-foot distance to keep the virus from spreading. But that can be difficult in the close quarters of a cruise ship. Most of the time, passengers are stuck in their rooms. diamond princess room Princess Cruises The most affordable rooms aboard the Diamond Princess have no windows or balcony. diamond princess interior room.JPG Sawyer Smith/via Reuters At about 160 square feet, they're the size of a shipping container and include either two twin beds, one queen bed, or, in some cases, bunk beds. Sick passengers have been taken ashore for medical care. diamond princess resort wear protective suits AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko A crew member said on Tuesday that 65 people with newly diagnosed cases of the coronavirus were getting off the ship and that officials were "prioritizing cases for disembarkation based on immediate need." Since then, 39 more cases of the novel coronavirus, named COVID-19, have been diagnosed on board. "We have to remember that quarantines protect those outside the quarantine, not those within," John Lynch, an associate professor of infectious diseases at the University of Washington, told The New York Times. diamond princess clothesline AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko Source: New York Times The ship has added eight TV channels to the rooms and started offering activity packages for kids. (On board the Diamond Princess / ) (@daxa_tw) February 10, 2020 Diamond Princess announced on the second day of the quarantine that, in addition to the extra TV channels, it would add more than 80 video-on-demand releases to its offerings and lots of trivia and games for people to pass the time. Disinfect before you sudoku, though. One crew member said they were doling out an "unprecedented amount of bandwidth" on the ship for people to stay connected. diamond princess some masked some not.JPG Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon "We're also offering our guests and crew specialized telephonic mental-health counseling," Rai Caluori, a Princess Cruises executive vice president, said in a YouTube video on Friday. Screen Shot 2020 02 11 at 2.59.43 PM YouTube / Princess Cruises TAs Source: YouTube "We recognize that this situation is not ideal on any dimension," Caluori said, adding that it "can create unprecedented stress." diamond princess passengers on balcony.JPG Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon Family members of passengers quarantined on board the ship have started showing up at the pier in Yokohama to wave at their kin from afar. diamond princess hello family.JPG Reuters/Issei Kato About half of the ship's guests are from Japan, but there are also passengers from around the world. Sick passengers and crew so far have hailed from countries including Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, the Philippines, Ukraine, the UK and US. "Ladies and gentlemen, the sun has set on us once more, and we have only eight days to go," a crew member announced on Tuesday evening. Public-health experts have stressed that because the illness is chiefly transmitted through virus particles in a sick person's mucus and spit, one of the best things to do to stay healthy is to wash your hands. diamond princess on board handwashing @daxa_tw via AP Avoid touching your face, and cover your coughs and sneezes too. Read the original article on Business Insider WASHINGTON - Seven days after his closed-door testimony in the House impeachment hearings - seven days after his face was plastered across every screen in America - William B. Taylor Jr. found himself in Mariupol, some 5,000 miles from Washington and just 12 miles from the front lines of a war between the Ukrainian military and Russian-backed separatists. The setting was an economic conference sponsored by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that spoke volumes about the country's uncertain state. The nearest airport to Mariupol had been destroyed in the fighting. For many of the attendees, the fastest route to the conference was a brutal 18-hour train ride. Among the conference's big attractions was a chance to pitch Ukraine's president ideas for sparking the economy. Each of the hundreds of attendees got two minutes. The other big lure was Taylor. Well-wishers swarmed him. The governor of the war-scarred Luhansk region, still partially controlled by Kremlin-backed separatists, told him that he had read all of his prepared testimony and quoted back a few of the kind words Taylor had said about Ukraine. By early January, Taylor was back home in the Washington suburbs trying to make sense of the surreal swirl of his time in Ukraine, his testimony before Congress and the rancorous aftermath. His mind turned to Mariupol and then to Trump, whose antipathy toward Ukraine was, for him, among the biggest mysteries of all. "I'm trying to figure out where [it] came from," he said, "this deep suspicion of this little country. I mean it's 44 million people. It's not that big a deal." Trump has emerged from his acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial aggrieved and triumphant. Those who testified against him - a mix of political appointees and career bureaucrats - are trying to figure out their place in the Washington left behind following his acquittal. Last week,Trump banished Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman from the White House and suggested he should face disciplinary action from the military for testifying against him. Vindman returned to the Pentagon, which has said it isn't investigating him. Marie Yovanovitch, forced last spring from her position as ambassador in Kyiv by Trump, left the government and delivered a powerful speech lamenting the costs to the State Department and America's standing in the world. "An amoral, keep-'em-guessing foreign policy that substitutes threats, fear and confusion for trust cannot work over the long haul," she warned on Wednesday. The aftermath for Taylor, who was hurriedly dispatched to Ukraine as an emergency fill-in for Yovanovitch, has been quieter. He's currently taking time off, catching up with his family and considering his next move. Like Yovanovitch, he has had plenty of time to ponder the damage. Taylor dedicated his life to service within the vast foreign policy institutions that the United States built following the war. Since his days as an infantry officer in Vietnam, he lived by their rules, which he saw as "cumbersome, but thorough," a necessity for a great power whose routine decisions could alter the course of millions of lives in faraway places like Kyiv or Mariupol. Trump was the first president Taylor had served who held these institutions in contempt. He doubted their loyalty and distrusted their expertise, often preferring the musings of television commentators or his conspiracy-minded personal attorney to the experts on his White House staff and in his intelligence briefings. Most Americans describe Trump in Manichaean terms - he's brilliant or terrible, compassionate or irredeemably cruel. To Taylor, he was beyond his comprehension. "I don't understand the president," he said. "I can't get in his head to see what motivates him and what he thinks." Sometimes, he wondered if it was even worth trying. Last spring, Taylor was out of the government and serving as the executive vice president at the U.S. Institute of Peace, a nonpartisan think tank established by Congress, when George Kent, a former State Department colleague and future impeachment inquiry witness, asked if he might "hypothetically" be interested in serving as the ambassador to Ukraine. Yovanovitch was fighting a smear campaign fomented by self-interested Ukrainian politicians and the president's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. The following day, Kent called him back. "It's no longer hypothetical," he said. Taylor's wife, Deborah, urged him to reject the job. A big worry was her husband's reputation. Nearly five decades of government service had instilled in him a respect for his chain of command and an instinct for compromise. Both were potentially lethal traits inside the Trump administration. "Bill's Achilles' heel - and everyone has them - is wanting to find agreement," she said. "I was concerned he'd sully himself. . . . He passed that test." Shortly before he left for Ukraine, Taylor got a lesson in how power works in Trump's Washington. In May, he learned from officials in the White House that Trump had refused to sign a letter congratulating Ukraine's president on his resounding election victory. Taylor raised his concerns about Trump with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "I think your boss doesn't like Ukraine," Taylor said, still doubtful that he would take the job. "You're right and it's my job to turn him around," Pompeo replied, according to several U.S. officials familiar with the meeting, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak frankly. Taylor then mentioned the unsigned letter. "Find out about this," Pompeo told his staff. Within 36 hours, a new letter had been drafted and signed by the president. Taylor tucked a copy of it in a briefcase and headed off to Ukraine. Each morning at 8:30 a.m. in Kyiv, Ukrainian troops gather in formation outside the Ministry of Defense. A soldier rings a bell. Shots are fired. An officer then reads the names of the Ukrainian soldiers killed on that day over the course of the country's six-year war with Russian-backed separatists. When Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., visited Kyiv last fall, Taylor took them to the ceremony. He wanted them to see a bit of Ukraine as he saw it: patriotic, fragile and under daily assault from Vladimir Putin's Russia. Taylor arrived in Ukraine in June 2019, just weeks after Zelensky won the presidency in a landslide. He believed that the 2013 Ukrainian revolution, followed by Russia's invasion a few months later and annexation of Crimea, had created a new sense of solidarity in the country. Corruption was still rampant. The war had ravaged the economy. But, there was a hope for Ukraine that wasn't present when he left in 2009, after concluding his stint as ambassador under President George W. Bush. "There's an idealism, a spirit of youth, a charm represented by this new president," he said. "It's a chance. A real chance, which you don't get very often in the history of countries." About a month after Taylor arrived in Kyiv, he learned via a routine conference call with Washington that Trump had ordered a hold on $391 million in aid to Ukraine. Initially, he assumed it was a misunderstanding. Weeks passed and the hold remained in place. Kurt Volker, the administration's special representative to Ukraine, and Gordon Sondland, a Trump megadonor serving as ambassador to the European Union, blamed the problem on Giuliani. Both later became impeachment witnesses. Their fix was to broker a deal that might get Giuliani to back off. Giuliani was looking for dirt on former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter, who had been paid between $50,000 and $100,000 a month to serve on the board of a Ukrainian gas company. The Ukrainians wanted an Oval Office visit for Zelensky. Taylor urged Zelensky's top advisers to keep their distance. "Rudy is up to no good. If you think he's doing this because he cares about Ukraine, you're wrong," he warned Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Zelensky. On August 27, national security adviser John Bolton visited Kyiv for a meeting with Zelensky, who still did not know the aid was frozen. Before Bolton left, Taylor asked for five minutes with him at his hotel. Taylor worried that if the aid freeze became public, it would undermine Zelensky and strengthen Putin. Bolton asked Taylor to make the case for the aid to Pompeo in a cable. "It'll get noticed," he promised. In the cable's last line, Taylor made it clear that if the hold wasn't lifted, he wouldn't be able to support the policy and would resign. It was the first time in almost 50 years of government service that he had threatened to quit. At that point, Taylor had no idea a CIA whistleblower had accused Trump of using "the power of his office to solicit interference . . . in the 2020 U.S. election." The complaint, emailed to the intelligence community's inspector general on Aug. 12, was a bomb ready to explode. By early January, it was clear that Trump was most likely going to be acquitted. In Kyiv, Taylor got a glimpse of the likely aftermath. He was finishing his tour as acting ambassador and preparing for a Pompeo visit on Jan. 2. A senior aide to the secretary informed him that Pompeo wanted to meet with the Ukrainian president in Kyiv one-on-one, without embassy staff to take notes. "I'm going to protest," Taylor told officials in Washington. "I'm going to become a pain on this." Taylor worried that such an arrangement would signal that Pompeo didn't trust his embassy staff. Ukrainians might conclude that they couldn't trust the embassy either. In Kyiv, Taylor quickly realized that he - not the embassy - was the problem. Taylor hadn't spoken to Pompeo since his meeting in May, prior to taking the job. But, he knew that his testimony had upset the president, who blasted him as a "never Trumper," a subset of Republicans Trump described as "human scum." So, Taylor proposed that his deputy accompany the secretary to the meeting. Pompeo's staff agreed. Then they asked Taylor to leave his position six days early so that he would not be in charge when Pompeo arrived in Kyiv. Last month, Taylor returned to Washington and the modest bungalow that he and his wife bought in 1983 as he was beginning his government career. Scattered amid a lifetime of mementos from postings in Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine and Israel, were reminders of the last few tumultuous months. On the coffee table by the front door, there was a picture of Taylor testifying before Congress - a gift from Yovanovitch. Upstairs, a block of wood with the message "Stand Your Ground," etched in Russian, sat on Taylor's desk. He had been given it a few days earlier by another impeachment witness. At the dining room table, Deborah, a biblical scholar, was translating a text from ancient Greek. A bracelet from Ukraine bearing an anti-Putin epithet dangled from her wrist. Taylor had caught snippets of the Senate trial in the car. His wife, who had watched "every frigging second" of the House hearings, was avoiding it. "I am not learning anything," she said of the Senate proceedings. "I am just experiencing the emotion." Earlier that day, Pompeo made his visit to Kyiv, which had been delayed a month. Taylor was pleased to see a photograph of Kristina Kvien, the acting ambassador, with Pompeo and the Ukrainian foreign minister. After his meeting, Pompeo pledged that America's support for Ukraine "would not waver." To back up that promise, the Trump administration said it was budgeting another $400 million in aid to Ukraine for 2021. The move had strong bipartisan backing from Congress. Some former officials, such as Yovanovitch, were warning of the damage wrought by Trump. "Right now, the State Department is in trouble," she said. Taylor tended to focus on how well Washington's institutions had held up, in spite of the battering. Trump might still despise Kyiv. His strange affection for Putin almost certainly remained. At the highest levels of government, senior officials still had to work around Trump's grudges, impulses and rages. But for all the chaos of the past few months, Taylor noted that the administration's official policy toward Ukraine and Russia - articulated by Pompeo, supported by Congress and codified in White House strategy documents - remained essentially unchanged. Ukraine was still America's ally. Russia was still an adversary. This was one more lesson of the impeachment saga. In much of institutional Washington - Bill Taylor's Washington - the president was strangely the outsider. Afghanistan's first-ever robot waitress has started functioning in a restaurant in Kabul. According to reports, the robot was imported from Japan and was designed to look like a hijab-wearing woman. Media reports further suggested that the robot is named Timea and is designed to speak in Dari, one of the two main languages of Afghanistan. Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: People Travelling To China Henceforth Will Be Quarantined On Return, Says DGCA People started flocking in the restaurant after they saw the news on television. Restaurant manager Mohammad Rafi Shirzad while talking to the media said that the robot is already pulling in a lot of customers as it is interesting for many people to see a machine delivering food here. Machine waitresses have become quite popular in places like Japan and China, but for people in Afghanistan, it is a new experience. Read: Coronavirus: China Lodges Diplomatic Protests Over Suspension Of Flights By International Airlines Humanoid robot In 2018, a newly-launched restaurant in Kathmandu, Nepal started using robot waiters under the slogan 'where food meets technology'. The Naulo restaurant in Nepal started using five robots to serve food in an attempt to lure customers. The robots were designed by Paaila Technology, a Nepali company started by six young engineers. Read: 'Improvement In Condition Of 2 Indians Infected With Coronavirus On Board Cruise Ship Off Japanese Coast' Recently, netizens were left amazed after Chinese hospitals started using robots to deliver food and medicines to patients infected by contagious coronavirus. While in the United States a robot was kicked out of a park in Manhattan after it was sent for detecting coronavirus without proper permit and documentation. The robot, created by Pennsylvania-based company Promobot, arrived at Bryant Park to detect possible cases of coronavirus but got barred due to lack of requisite paperwork. Read: Priyanka Chopra Comes Out In Support Of 'friend' Meghan Markle Amid Feud Rumours, Says Negativity Against The Duchess Has To Do With 'racism' In 2017, an all-female robotics team from Western city of Herat rose to global fame when they were initially refused and later cleared to compete in a robotics competition in the United States. Renault reported its first loss in a decade and cut its 2020 margin target on Friday, as it attempts to draw a line under the Carlos Ghosn affair and reboot its Nissan alliance. The French carmaker is trying to move on from the internal turmoil sparked by the scandal involving its former boss Ghosn with a management shake-up. Meanwhile, it is also grappling like other automakers, including Japan's Nissan, with tumbling auto demand in some key markets like China. "It has been a tough year for Groupe Renault and the alliance," acting Chief Executive Clotilde Delbos told a conference call, adding that the broader autos downturn had hit the company "right when we were facing internal difficulties." Speaking to CNBC's Charlotte Reed Friday, she said 2019 had been a difficult year for many reasons. "One of the reasons is the market itself, the market has been difficult. A lot of volatility especially in the countries where we are strong ... We also had internal difficulties like the governance issue that we went through over the year but also our cost structure. We spent too much on R&D (research and development) and capex (capital expenditure) and we have too much cost," she said. Renault posted a loss of 141 million euros ($153 million) for the group share of net income, in part as a result of charges linked to some of its Chinese joint ventures. The contribution from Nissan, in which Renault has a 43% stake, also fell and it was hit by a French deferred tax charge. Martin should not have been allowed to have a gun. He was convicted in 1995 of felony aggravated battery in Mississippi, prohibiting his gun ownership. But the conviction was not included on key national databases and Martin obtained the handgun he used in Aurora in 2014. The state police discovered the discrepancy through the fingerprints he submitted in an effort to get a concealed-carry permit and revoked Martin's FOID card later that year. But the state police only generated a letter advising Martin to surrender his guns, which he apparently ignored. Since the shooting, Kelly noted improved digital links with local law enforcement agencies and asserted thgat 90% of new FOID applications 300,000 in the past year were processed within the required 30-day limit, but at a cost of 14,000 hours of overtime. He also noted over 200 operations in which state officials visited and collected guns from people who no longer are allowed to have firearms. What is the coronavirus? How does it spread? Should I be worried? When a new virus surfaces, the unknowns loom big. When a new virus comes out of China, potentially clarifying information needs to be weighed and considered alongside the realities of practicing science and research there. I am a social scientist, specializing in psychological anthropology and mental health in China. I was born in China and immigrated to the U.S. as a child with my parents, who came for graduate school. Ive been working with psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists and other medical professionals in China since 2011. Ive worked on research projects that were commissioned by Chinese Communist Party departments, as well as more personal projects driven by a researchers passion for improving the life and health of an underserved community. Although Ive not worked on research projects concerning the coronavirus, Ive experienced and observed firsthand the challenges a research scientist faces in China across a variety of health-related projects. Research life on a Chinese university campus Since I began fieldwork pre-2013, also known as pre-Xi Jinping, theres been a noticeable progression in how both I and Chinese researchers approach projects. In addition to fulfilling the requirements for a research visa, it is normal practice for researchers anywhere to depend on collaboration with local universities for access to data, interviewees and sites. As Chinas fast-growing higher education system is mostly state-owned, politics has always influenced Chinese academics. Not all university researchers are members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), but I have found every department typically has at least one if not more among both faculty and students. During fieldwork, I would attend department meetings, talks and classes that some students and faculty would routinely miss due to mandatory attendance at Party meetings and classes held on campus. Party ideology classes on Marxism, Mao Zedong thought, etc. are mandatory courses for undergrad and graduate students, though to be fair, I should note that many students skip or take naps during these large lecture classes. The taboo Ts It has never been advisable or especially feasible for foreign scientists looking to conduct research on certain sensitive topics, such as the famous Three Ts Tiananmen, Tibet and Taiwan. Potential local research collaborators must make their careers within institutions embedded with CCP members and party ideology. Concern about how research may reflect on the CCP stands even for research not on the Three Ts, though. Research funding still comes from the government, and academic careers in China rely almost exclusively on researchers ability to do and publish research. Professors get paid for each paper they publish. The amount varies depending on the rank or impact factor of the publication. It is interesting to note that, because international journals and publishers are generally ranked much higher than Chinese publications, Chinese researchers often end up publishing research on problems in China for the eyes of outsiders. Ive helped edit articles about grief processing in Chinese children orphaned by the HIV/AIDs blood donation scandal, internet gaming addiction in youth and PTSD screening in rural Chinese children. Any of these articles could be potential jumping-off points for serious criticism of the corruption, inefficiency and negligence of the CCP system. But those connections to the system are not made publicly explicit, at least to my knowledge. Research gets separated from the social and political context, localized and individualized. The grief-processing and PTSD articles that I helped edit, for example, focus on testing and developing diagnostic models and interventions. The emphasis is on what can and should be done now, which in and of itself is an important research project. By providing minimal insight into what led to the situation in the first place, however, a reader unfamiliar with the greater Chinese context misses out on unequal and powerful structural forces created and enforced by the CCP-led system. Instead, researchers and officials alike often invoke traditional Chinese culture and place responsibility on the immediate individuals involved. Or, they claim that local politics are holding up the central governments directives somehow. Research as risk On a research trip to rural Hunan province concerning the lack of effective primary medical care, I saw local party members try to deflect blame not by criticizing the CCP per se but by blaming lack of resources and asking us, the foreign researchers, for funding. Even at the local level a researcher has to be careful, as access to rural communities can be ruled tightly by local officials who are somewhat outside the reach of the central CCP in Beijing. In my experience, the move toward decontextualizing research from larger social and political structures has gotten more absolute over time. Now it can be risky to write at all about any potentially unflattering social reality, especially when it comes to health. Buzzfeed News recently reported on arrests for spreading rumors about the coronavirus, including the detention of the initial eight in Wuhan who raised the alarm. Its no longer just the Three Ts that are off-limits; the boundaries have become opaque. The opaqueness of CCP actions is only matched by their real impact in peoples everyday lives. I saw this firsthand during the passage of the mental health law in 2013, which among many things, eliminated a counseling licensing system overseen by the Ministry of Labor and created an unclear, undefined distinction between psychological counseling () and psychotherapy () that is more medicalized and favors hospital care. Even though a few of the most senior professors in the psychology department I was affiliated with were supposedly consulted and invited to meetings during the writing of the law, there were multiple department meetings where psychology and counseling students and faculty alike struggled to understand the vague rules and purpose of the law. A popular theory was that the law was the result of an internal struggle between the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labor, with the Ministry of Health gaining the upper hand this time. Another consequence of the opaqueness of the CCP is the businessfication of higher education. For example, the psychology department I affiliated with has spun off a business development group. Some professors and their graduate students are working on developing books and courses they can sell to the general public. As a viable career in truthful and rigorous research becomes more and more limited, I see Chinese academics redirecting their energy towards packaging their existing knowledge to sell to consumers as a long-term business outside the university. In a system where conducting research can be at great professional and personal risk to a scientist, it is not hard to imagine the challenges involved in current scientific work on the coronavirus in China. [ Youre smart and curious about the world. So are The Conversations authors and editors. You can read us daily by subscribing to our newsletter. ] Wenrui Chen, Fellow at the India China Institute, The New School This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was escorted out of the White House complex on Feb. 7, according to his lawyer, following his testimony in impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. Read more WASHINGTON Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said Friday there is no investigation into the Army officer who until last week worked at the White House National Security Council and was a key witness in the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. McCarthy said Lt. Col. Alex Vindman has been moved to a short-term assignment at Army headquarters until he starts a regularly scheduled stint at a military college later this year. McCarthy's comments at the National Press Club appeared to put an end to any debate about potential punishment of the officer, who came under fire for raising concerns about Trumps July phone call with Ukraines president. Trump on Tuesday suggested the Pentagon should review Vindman's conduct and said any potential disciplinary action would be up to the military. He said military officials can handle him any way they want, but added that the military would certainly take a look at his conduct. Vindman was detailed by the Pentagon to the White House and testified before the House impeachment panel that Trump inappropriately pushed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Last week, just two days after the Senate acquitted Trump on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges, Vindman was ousted from his NSC job. His twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, who worked as an ethics lawyer at the NSC, also was removed from his job and was re-assigned to the Army General Counsel's Office. Vindman also got support from Trump's former chief of staff earlier this week. John Kelly, a retired four-star Marine general, said that Vindman did exactly as he was trained by raising concerns to his superiors after hearing questionable comments from Trump, according to a report by The Atlantic magazine. Trump on Thursday lashed out against former White House chief of staff John Kelly for being disloyal after he came to the defense of the former national security aide who offered key testimony in the impeachment inquiry. The president's 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 president's impeachment trial, which ended in acquittal last week. McCarthy did not provide details about Vindman's new assignment. Its routine for up-and-coming officers to go to war college or another advanced school when they are lieutenant colonels, as part of the process for likely promotion to higher rank. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rob Lever (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Fri, February 14, 2020 08:16 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20647027a 2 Business #USA,#Huawei,charged,Trade,secrets Free Chinese tech giant Huawei was hit Thursday 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 Justice Department said. 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, one of the largest tech firms and a major telecom equipment maker, 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. The company did not immediately respond to an AFP inquiry. It has previously strongly denied any use of "backdoors" for Chinese intelligence. 'Long-running deception' The new 16-count indictment says Huawei used 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. According to the 56-page indictment, Huawei used its subsidiaries around the world to conceal its deal 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. The earlier charges against Meng allege she lied to the HSBC bank about Huawei's relationship with its Iran-based affiliate Skycom, putting the bank at risk of violating US sanctions against Tehran. Senators Richard Burr and Mark Warner, members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, welcomed news of the indictment. "The indictment paints a damning portrait of an illegitimate organization that lacks any regard for the law," the lawmakers said in a joint statement. "Intellectual property theft, corporate sabotage, and market manipulation are part of Huawei's core ethos and reflected in every aspect of how it conducts business. It uses these tactics indiscriminately against competitors and collaborators alike." (@ChaudhryMAli88) Russia intends to promote the design and adoption of a road map on gradual legalization of the Central African Republic (CAR)'s diamond production and trade within the Kimberley Process, Foreign Ministry's Department of Africa Director Andrei Kemarsky has said in an interview with Sputnik MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th February, 2020) Russia intends to promote the design and adoption of a road map on gradual legalization of the Central African Republic (CAR)'s diamond production and trade within the Kimberley Process, Foreign Ministry's Department of Africa Director Andrei Kemarsky has said in an interview with Sputnik. In November, Russian Deputy Finance Minister Alexey Moiseev told Sputnik that the country, as the 2020 chair of the Kimberley Process, would seek full legalization of the car diamond market. He also said that the volume of illegal mining in CAR exceeded 300,000 carats annually and sanctions were only aggravating the situation. "As the char, we intend to contribute to . .. designing a clear road map, which would enable gradual implementation of different demands and therefore allow then full legalization of CAR diamond production and trade. Taking into consideration the tough situation in the country, it is a very difficult process, time and significant effort will be needed, including within the road map, which will be the basic document," Kemarsky said. Since the full ban on CAR diamond trade, imposed in 2013, was lifted, the country is divided into so-called green areas, from where export is allowed, and red areas in the CAR's north and east, controlled by anti-governmental armed groups, where the ban is still active. Illustrative image (Source: VNA) The GSO forecast the number of foreign tourists to Vietnam at 644,000 in the first quarter, declining by about 800,000 compared to the non-nCoV scenario. A survey of foreign visitors shows that each Chinese tourist spends about 743.6 USD in Vietnam on average, while per capita expenditure by travellers from other countries is about 1,141.5 USD. If the epidemic lasts through Q1, the country could suffer losses of about 2.3 billion USD in revenue from foreign tourists, the GSO said, noting that during the epidemic period, there are no Chinese visitors to Vietnam while the number of holidaymakers from other countries is also falling sharply since Vietnam is adjacent to China, where the 2019-nCoV is raging. The statistics office of the southern central province of Khanh Hoa said Nha Trang city is predicted to be hardest affected as Chinese visitors account for the largest proportion of foreign arrivals there, over 70 percent in 2019. Meanwhile, many meetings and conferences have also been delayed to contain the disease spread, leading to a considerable decline in MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions) tourists in big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The GSO noted air transportation will be heavily influenced by the nCoV outbreak, adding that the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has halted licensing regular flights between Vietnam and China until the Government issues new directions. Eleven airlines of China are operating 32 routes from 14 destinations in China to five destinations in Vietnam, namely Hanoi, HCM City, Da Nang city, Cam Ranh city (Khanh Hoa province) and Phu Quoc island (Kien Giang province), with 240 flights per week. Meanwhile, three Vietnamese carriers, Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific Airlines and Vietjet Air, are operating 72 regular and charter routes linking with 48 destinations in China with 401 flights per week. Due to the suspension of all Vietnam-China flights since February 1 afternoon, more than 80 flights between the two countries are cancelled every day on average. Road and railway transportation has also been affected due to weaker travel demand, resulting in contracted transportation support services, the GSO said. The office suggested that to boost tourism, businesses and localities should maintain promotion activities in the markets with good growth in visitor numbers in 2019, as well as new and potential markets like Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, the UK and Australia. Relevant agencies should also step up the establishment of Vietnams tourism promotion offices in key markets to attract more foreign travellers. An 18-year-old woman was arrested Thursday and charged with vandalizing the Islamic Center of Charleston in January. Hailey Elizabeth Riddle, of Charleston, faces one charge of malicious injury to a place of worship, a felony for which punishment ranges from a fine to 10 years in prison. Riddle's attorney, Scott Bischoff, said he believed a misdemeanor vandalism charge would be more appropriate because Riddle hadn't realized the building she was marking was a place of worship, and was prepared to cooperate with police. The College of Charleston student turned herself in Thursday and her bail was set at $5,000. "We were blindsided by it," Bischoff said. "There's no malicious intent ... we fully intend to apologize to the imam and thank the gentleman who cleaned up." The King Street building's leader called police Jan. 31 when he found the words "utterlly blessed" and some black marks spray-painted on the side of the building. Cameras on the north side of the building captured images of people and a vehicle there about 3:30 a.m. Jan. 29. When police released stills from the surveillance, community tips to Crime Stoppers led them to Riddle, Francis said. Council on American-Islamic Relations communications director, Ibrahim Hooper, thanks police in a statement for a "swift and professional" investigation. "The college condemns any act of aggression, hatred or disrespect toward any individual or place of worship based on religious affiliation," College of Charleston President Andrew Hsu said. "Out of respect of the judicial process, we will withhold judgment at this time." The investigation is ongoing. Police declined to answer questions about another person of interest whose photo was released. Sajid Javid was right to resign. Some will say that his was a noble, principled, act of self-sacrifice and that if other Ministers showed even a drop of the same integrity and loyalty, Westminster would be a better place. Others will counter that he had no choice that, having lost one SpAd, Sonia Khan, to Dominic Cummings, he could scarcely afford to lose all the rest. And then walk through politics with a sandwich board round his neck proclaiming Chancellor In Name Only like the fabled man who wanders central London with one declaring that the End is Nigh. These takes are not mutually exclusive, and both are correct. We will return later to Javids future, pausing only to add that his departure is a loss to the Government, and that we very much hope he will return. So it seems does the Prime Minister. For one point is clear to us from this defining incident of the reshuffle. Boris Johnson wanted his Chancellor to stay, pleading with him not to quit. Dominic Cummings wanted him out. Which brings us to the rest of the changes. The sacking of Julian Smith; the promotion of Alok Sharma, Oliver Dowden, Brandon Lewis, George Eustice and Ann-Marie Trevelyan; the dismissal of Andrea Leadsom, Theresa Villiers and Geoffrey Cox; Michael Goves modest but significant increase in responsibilities; the modified return outside Cabinet of Penny Mordaunt and James Brokenshire; the sending-to-CCHQ of Amanda Milling: all these have a theme in common. It is that Johnson, not Cummings, is ultimately in control, insofar as anyone can be for, as we have seen, Javid would still be in Number 11 if the Prime Minister had had his way. Johnson has never been powered by the Christian ethic and though he will often shrug off grudges, slights and grievances, with the curious breadth and humour that marks him forgiveness is nowhere near the centre of his moral code. Rather, he is looking from his Ministers for a combination of loyalty and grip. Some of those who have gone, like Smith, were seen to have the latter, but not the former. Others, the other way round. Leadsom was a rival leadership candidate. Villiers was slow to come out for his Brexit deal. Look further down Governments food chain, and you will find the same. Nus Ghani, tipped for promotion but fired yesterday, backed Jeremy Hunt last year. For what its worth, we think the Prime Ministers judgement on those he fired is wide of the mark. For example, we would have moved Andrea Leadsom to be Leader of the House. She excelled in the post under Theresa Mays haunted premiership, and few recognise Theresa Villiers successes. If Smith is to be praised for his role in bringing Northern Ireland a settlement, what about Villiers own earlier role in achieving the same in 2014? There is a double standard here among the Green Jersey Cognoscenti, doubtless because Villiers was originally for Brexit while Smith was not. But ConHome doesnt rule the world, which is doubtless just as well. Nor, despite claims to the contrary this morning, does Cummings. None the less, Johnson is inclined to let him have his way, at least most of the time, on personnel, if not on policy. If Johnson is the monarch, Cummings has vice-regal powers. He jested this week that the cast of PJ Masks would provide a better Cabinet than its then members. (On second thoughts, maybe he wasnt joking.) At any rate, he now has what he wants Ministers that he and his circle rate as operators. Pow! Here comes Catboy Rishi Sunak. Wham! There goes Owlette Anne-Marie Trevelyan. Look over there! Its P.J.Robot Oliver Dowden. The most interesting senior appointment of all, to our mind, is that of Gekko Alok Sharma. To him falls the fearsome responsibility of helping to deliver the the techonology, procurement and business revolution that Cummings yearns for. As for the new Chancellor, this rising politician, who performed so durably during Decembers election, is now the tallest of tall poppies. We trust that he grows, and isnt scythed down. To travel further down the appointments is to see Number Tens oversight wane and the Whips grip wax. This is a very good shuffle for them as an institution. Amanda Milling was Deputy Chief Whip as well as a former member of Johnsons exiled court. Chris Pincher, Andrew Stephenson, Stuart Andrew, Jeremy Quin: up the ranks these whips or former whips go. Meanwhile, the restoration of Mordaunt, Brokenshire and Greg Hands sends an institutional signal. Keep your nose clean and you can return, though not at the level at which you left. Among the promoted women, Chloe Smith, Michelle Donelan and Helen Whately are now Ministers of State, and contenders for Cabinet next time round. (By the way, Number Tens targets for more female Ministers are less ambitious than they look.) So then: neither Johnson nor Cummings has taken back control in this shuffle because neither of them ever lost it. It confirms what Decembers election, the Prime Ministers nose-thumbing at Brexit extension, his contempt for that notorious Supreme Court judgement, and Cummings own original appointment should have taught us by now. Johnson and his top team are on a mission. For them, this time and always, it is truly Do Or Die. Talking of forgiveness, or the lack of it, watch Suella Braverman. On this site only recently, she tore into the judges: As we start this new chapter of our democratic story, our Parliament must retrieve power ceded to another place the courts, she wrote. Braverman has undoubtedly been put in place to help restore the constitutions balance. Policy Exchanges Judicial Power Project is about to take flesh. Today, cunning old Johnson the greased albino piglet, as David Cameron calls him will be out of the line of fire, and P.J.Masks very own Splat Monster Cummings will be bang in it. He will take the blame or the credit for yesterdays changes. We cheer the aim as we ponder the future. To be sure, the Prime Minister has a whacking majority, and Cummings judgement is surely right: for the moment, MPs and the media have no leverage. But tomorrow is another, darker day. Sunak must scramble to put a Budget together in less than a month. Current spending is tight, and he new Chancellor will be looking for some tax rises. Huawei is not a settled issue as far as the Commons is concerned nor veterans, say, if one turns specifically to Conservative MPs. A big defence spending row looms. Nor is the policy shape of this Government clear: what return will consumers, rather than producers, get out of all that spending on schools and hospitals? What happened to reform? Cummings answer may be: PJ Masks, were on our way. Into the night, to save the day! But life is not a cartoon strip. It is lived in three dimensions. Government needs more compromise, art, tact and accomodation than referendums and elections allow. KALAMAZOO, MI You can now buy cannabis, without any medical reason, at several licensed retail shops in Southwest Michigan. And people are lining up for the chance to take home legal recreational marijuana products. In Niles, people have lined up every morning before the ReLeaf Center opens its doors, Inventory Manager Alex Bauman said on Feb. 12, about three weeks after the business first opened for recreational marijuana sales. It is craziness, she said, referring to an apparent constant demand for their products. Overseeing the stores lobby on Feb. 12, Bauman said about 75 people were inside waiting to buy cannabis products. The store opened for business on Jan. 23. Bauman said the average wait has been about an hour and a half. Were getting a lot of Indiana people, she said, and others from outside Michigan. A lot of them are thankful its an option and theyre not happy with their own governments for not offering it there." It pulls on her heartstrings, Bauman said, to see someone in pain without any legal access to marijuana in their home state. Indiana, for example, does not allow medical or recreational marijuana sales. Happiness is the main reaction she sees from customers, she said. The business was excited to be featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live soon after it opened for recreational cannabis sales, Bauman said. Some customers from the area said they learned of the opening via the national television show, she said. The segment featured an interview with a stoner from Michigan" that aired on Jan. 29, soon after the Niles store opened. Breedsville Provisioning Center had a big showing on its first day of recreational sales, during a soft opening on Feb. 1, budtender Linda Price said. It was a record-breaking day for sales, Price said, when compared to daily sales at the medical marijuana facility that has existed there previously. She estimates there has been about a 30-minute wait for customers during peak times. The fastest selling products have been edibles, followed by vape cartridges and then marijuana flower, she said. On Wednesday, Feb. 12, the store was offering Grape Cola, considered an indica strain; Sunshine, labeled a sativa strain; as well as three hybrid strains: The White, Dr. Gonzo and Skunkberry. Its your typical skunky, danky, cheesy weed, she said, describing Skunkberry. Price and other bud tenders give out information about each of the types of marijuana to customers, offering advice about the expected effects and the percentage of THC and other components of the products. Customers have been diverse, including some who have never used it before. Some have never seen marijuana before, which is really neat, Price said. Many customers want to see what its like and have someone walk them through the process, she said. Its a great time in human history right now, Price said. You can go to store and buy marijuana and dont have to worry about being arrested. No one should be in prison for consumption of a plant, she said, and she has seen marijuana help people though it has been demonized at times. Though many shops report some wait for recreational buyers, medical marijuana cardholders are allowed to skip the lines, according to each of the businesses in the region currently selling. Each business also offers medical marijuana sales. Here are all of the licensed recreational marijuana shops in Southwest Michigan: Breedsville Provision Center, 77 E. Main St., Breedsville. Phone: 269-427-2200 Green Door Bangor, 126 W. Monroe, Bangor. Phone: 269-427-1435 Battle Creek Provisioning, 1525 West Michigan Ave., Battle Creek. Phone: 269-719-2360 Battle Creek Provisioning, 293 E. Columbia Ave., Battle Creek. Phone: 269-589-6726 The ReLeaf Center, 1840 Terminal Road, Niles. Phone: 269-220-6565 Aim High Meds, 15776 M-60, Tekonsha. Phone: 517-583-1063 All of the above listed businesses said they are selling recreational marijuana now, except The Green Door in Bangor, which now expects to open on Feb. 24, according Green Door General Manager John Shipkosky. The Bangor recreational marijuana shop has been working on its inventory, and aiming for a Feb. 24 opening date, he said. Green Doors medical marijuana business has been operating there since 2017, Shipkosky said, and the recreational store will be located adjacent to it. Were very excited, he said. Were also nervous, but were excited. Weve been working for this for a long time. Notably missing from the list of locations, the city of Kalamazoo has no recreational marijuana businesses and currently precludes them from opening in town. The city held meetings in February to solicit input on ordinances to regulate recreational marijuana businesses. Related: 420 Festival brings legal marijuana to Bangor Main Street Outside city limits, in Kalamazoo Township, plans are in the works now to allow recreational marijuana businesses in the future. Medical marijuana shops have operated in the region for several years and multiple medical marijuana shops currently operate in Kalamazoo. More: Medical marijuana dispensary lights up former Wayside West building Doja medical marijuana dispensary opens in Portage Kalamazoo Township approves recreational marijuana business New recreational marijuana shop offers different type of Valentines Day flower The arrested Chinese nationals 14.02.2020 LISTEN Some 14 Chinese nationals suspected of engaging in illegal mining activities also called galamsey, in the Western Region, have been apprehended. They were arrested in a massive operation conducted by the Western Regional Operation Base of Operation Vanguard personnel in a forest at Wassa Dunkwaw near Asankragwa in the region. Their names were given us Li Yan Yin, 36, Chou Minchong, 42, Chen Yundun, 20, Huang Wenyu, 44, Wan Tunden, 55, Wu Xin Lni, 32 and Wan Dundon, 47. The rest were Wan Li Fun, 33, Che Chi Yun, 50, Wan Chin Chou, 36, Huang Jia Wei, 36, Qin Xixi, 50 and Zhang Jin Fon, 45 years. According to sources, the Chinese nationals were illegally working with about 15 excavators. The Operation Vanguard, team numbering about 30, stormed the site upon a tip-off to effect the arrest of the Chinese galamseyers. The successful operation led to the arrest of the 14 Chinese nationals. The team also burnt about 13 changfan machines, retrieved four foreign pump action guns and 50 boxes of AAA ammunition cartridges. Some military and paramilitary accoutrements were retrieved as well. The suspects were subsequently sent to Accra and to the Inter Ministerial Committee on illegal mining for further action. ---Daily Guide Air Traffic Control Equipment Market Report 2020-2030 LONDON, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Forecasts by Component (Hardware and Software), by Sector (Commercial and Defence), by Airport Type (Greenfield and Brownfield) and by Geographical Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and South America). Plus, Analysis of the Leading Players in the Market Space FAA spending $36 billion to upgrade air traffic control system Inmarsat signs agreement to start commercial flight trials of Iris air traffic modernisation programme Logicalis lands mega air traffic computer deal Finmeccanica announces contracts worth around 120 million for Air Traffic Control Management systems Qatar Civil Aviation Authority awards air traffic control tower simulator contract to Micro Nav These are just some of the business-critical headlines that have surfaced about your industry in the past few years. How are you, and your company, reacting to news such as this? By ordering and reading our new report today, you will be fully informed and ready to act. What does the future hold for the Air Traffic Control Equipment market? Visiongain's new study supplies the answer to you and provides it to you NOW. In this new, 254-page report, you will receive over 250 tables and charts as well as independent, impartial and objective analysis. By ordering and reading this report today, you will be given: A concise and comprehensive analysis of the Air Traffic Control Equipment market from 2020 to 2030. An understanding of not only the financial prospects of the ATC Equipment industry but also the growth potential of several submarkets - including different component, sector, and airport types. An informed forecast of the sales of 14 countries - United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, China, India, Australasia, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and 'GCC countries'. A description of the main drivers and restraints that are affecting the development of the ATC Equipment market. Profiles of the key players in the industry as well as up-to-date information on the latest financial performances and R&D expenses. To request sample pages from this report please contact Sara Peerun at sara.peerun@visiongain.com or refer to our website: https://www.visiongain.com/report/air-traffic-control-equipment-market-report-2020-2030/download_sampe_div Predictions for the global market and submarkets - what's possible? Along with an evaluation of the current level of international investment in the Air Traffic Control Equipment market, this Visiongain report provides measured forecasts for four submarkets covering the period 2020 to 2030. Air Traffic Control Equipment Market by Component, 2020-2030 Hardware Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030: Communication Equipment Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Navigation Equipment Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Surveillance Equipment Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Software Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Air Traffic Control Equipment Market by Sector, 2020-2030 Commercial Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Defence Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Air Traffic Control Equipment Market by Airport Type, 2020-2030 Greenfield Airports Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Brownfield Airports Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030 Air Traffic Control Equipment Market by Region & Country, 2020-2030 North America Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030: United States Canada Rest of North America Europe Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030: United Kingdom Germany Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030: Japan China India Australasia Rest of Asia-Pacific Middle East & Africa Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030: South Africa GCC Countries Rest of MEA South America Submarket Forecast, 2020-2030: Brazil Argentina Rest of South America To request a report overview of this report please contact Sara Peerun at sara.peerun@visiongain.com or refer to our website: https://www.visiongain.com/report/air-traffic-control-equipment-market-report-2020-2030/ Did you know that we also offer a report add-on service? Email sara.peerun@visiongain.com to discuss any customized research needs you may have. Companies covered in the report include: Abu Dhabi Airport Company (ADAC) ACSS Aeron Aeronautical and General Instruments Limited Air Navigation Service of Czech Republic Air Services Australia Air Traffic and Navigation Services SOC Limited (ATNS). Airbus ProSky Airservices Altran Amor Group ATC ATOS SE Avianca AviBit Air Traffic Solutions BAE Systems Barco NV Bayanat Engineering Biz Logicalis Boeing Co. CAE USA UFA CASA Cobham Plc COMMS UK Limited Comsoft Copperchase Limited Delair Air Traffic Systems GmbH DFS ENAV Envision Etihad Airways Exelis Inc Finmeccanica Frequentis GA Electronic Garmin General Dynamics Harris Corporation Hensoldt Honeywell International Indra Sistemas SA Intelcan Jeppesen KMI Lockheed Martin National Air Traffic Services Nav Canada Naviair Northrop Grumman Systems One Network Enterprises Park Air PASSUR QuoVadis Rockwell Collins ARINC Rohde & Schwarz Saab AB Searidge Technologies SENEAM Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Thales SA United Technologies Corporation (UTC) US Air Force US Department of Defense Organisations Mentioned Agency for Air Navigation Security in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB) Airports Authority of India (AAI) Airservices Australia Airways New Zealand Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) Canadian ANSP Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Department for Transport (DfT) Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) Direction des Services de la Navigation Aerienne (DSNA) Ente Nazionale di Assistenza al Volo (ENAV) EUROCONTROL European ANSP European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Federal Ministry of Transport Federal Public Service (FPS) General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Indian Ocean Strategic Partnership to Reduce Emissions (INSPIRE) Indonesia Infrastructure Initiative (IndII) International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Italian ANSP Mexican ANSP NATS NAV Canada Naviair - Denmark Skyguide - Switzerland South African ANSP FIFA Nigeria Air Traffic Controllers Association Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS) Dubai Civil Aviation Authority Departamento de Controle de Espaco Aereo (DECEA). Comissao de Implantacao do Sistema de Controle do Espaco Aereo (CISCEA) To see a report overview please e-mail Sara Peerun on sara.peerun@visiongain.com Related reports: Air Traffic Control Training Simulator Market Report 2020-2030 Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) Market Report 2020-2030 Air Traffic Management Market Report 2020-2030 Aircraft Engine Machined Parts Market Report 2020-2030 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/523989/Visiongain_Logo.jpg By Abdul Kerimkhanov Analyst of The Baku Network think tank Elkhan Alsgrov has said that Yerevan bears the responsibility for the death of Armenian saboteur Manvel Saribekyan about whom the European Court of Human Rights recently passed a ruling. The saboteur in question - Armenian citizen Manvel Saribekyan - was detained on 11 September 2010, with several espionage equipment, while a group of Armenian saboteurs were prevented on the north-west direction of the line of contact of the armed forces of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Saribekyan committed suicide a month later while in prison. "It is Yerevan that should be blamed for his tragic death, rather than only Baku. Obviously, the death of Saribekyan, as well as common political goals behind the accusations made against Baku concerning the violation of the international law, do not concern the Armenian authorities," Elkhan Alsgrov said. Commenting on the Armenian Foreign Ministrys statement about Saribekyan, Alasgarov noted that Yerevan seeks to mislead the international community. "The main thesis of the [Armenian MFAs] document is that, allegedly, the threat is upon life of every Armenian who falls under the control of the Azerbaijani authorities, regardless of his/her status. Thus, the Armenian Foreign Ministry is disseminating a new myth that upon the decision concerning Saribekyans case, the ECHR confirmed the impossibility of Karabakh Armenians living in Azerbaijan as this poses a threat to their lives," Alasgarov noted. "While recognizing the jurisdiction and legitimacy of the ECHR and rejoicing at the decision regarding Saribekyans case, Yerevan should recognize not only other decisions of the European Court, but also four UN resolutions and numerous resolutions of international organizations," he stressed. Furthermore, Alasgarov believes no positive changes occurred in the ideology of the Armenians with Pashinyans coming to power. "The ruling by the ECHR quite resembles primitive statement of criminal Robert Kocharyan, who is in the Yerevan prison, about the genetic incompatibility of Azerbaijanis and Armenians and the slogan by fascist Garegin Nzhdeh that there shouldnt be a day without fighting the Turk," the analyst said. Instead of preparing the Armenian people for reconciliation, he noted, Pashinyans team uses rhetoric that cuts off all roads leading to peace. "The Armenian side still hasnt learned that false theories have sad consequences," Alasgarov stressed. Alasgarov pointed out that Yerevan must recognize the rulings by the ECHR on numerous violations of human rights in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. "Without recognition of the rights, first of all, of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani IDPs violated by the invaders in Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts, as well as compensation for the damage caused to them, it is better for the Armenian Foreign Ministry to keep silent about the Saribekyan case," Alasgarov said. He called the previous decision of the European Court of Human Rights, issued regarding the case of Chiragov and Others v. Armenia, as one of the most important decisions in connection with the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that have been accepted till now. Alasgarov said that the peculiarity of the decision is that it is the first judicial document in connection with the Karabakh conflict, in which Armenia is recognized as the culprit of the crimes committed. "The European Court of Human Rights-ECHR, the most authoritative court of the world, adopted a decision on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in which it confirmed the fact of occupation of Azerbaijani territories and the fact that Armenia is an occupying country. The European Court has entrusted all responsibility for the violation of human rights in the occupied territories upon Armenia, which is to restore human rights, in the first place, of the hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions," Alasgarov stated. He considers that ECHRs decision puts before Yerevan the obligation to unconditionally withdraw the Armenian forces from the conflict zone. "In addition, Armenia must pay compensation in the Chiragov and Others v. Armenia case. At the same time, this payment will set a precedent, which will entail claims from 800,000 internally displaced persons regarding the payment of compensation to them by Armenia," he said. Alasgarov further recalled the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg dated 17 December 2013, in the case of Perincek v. Switzerland. "The European Court decided that, unlike the Holocaust fact proven in the legal field, the narrative about the so-called "Armenian genocide" is not a historical fact, but a fiction of one of the parties, and by no means the only one," Alasgarov told. Speaking about opinion of international academic circles on the so-called "Armenian genocide", he said that there is no consensus, it is unlikely to be reached, and any criminal prosecution for expressing an opinion is a violation of the articles of the European Convention on Human Rights. "Over the course of many years of practice of the ECHR, not a single case of non-enforcement of its decisions by member states of the Council of Europe has been recorded. Otherwise, according to the Statute of the Council of Europe, this can lead to suspension of a states membership and, in the end, in accordance with the decision of the Committee of Ministers, to expulsion from the Organization," Alasgarov added. He noted that Armenias unwillingness to comply with the judgments of the ECHR regarding the Perincek v. Switzerland case, to stop the unilateral interpretation of the so-called "Armenian genocide", as well as restoring the rights of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani IDPs, the case Chiragov and Others v. Armenia, is a clear evidence of Yerevans rejection of international law. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Its a rotten night, the rain is bucketing down and the roads out of Dublin are blocked up. Inside the function room of the Ashbourne House Hotel in the commuter town, theres a small enough gathering of just 44 people scattered across the 100-odd seats laid out to hear the Annual Thomas Ashe Commemorative Lecture on Building sustainable communities in a housing crisis. Ashe was a Republican who led the Volunteers in the successful Battle of Ashbourne during the Easter Rising and died on hunger strike a year later. In other words, its a Sinn Fein meeting under a different name. The meeting is held and chaired by Darren ORourke, the local Sinn Fein councillor who scraped across the line for the last seat in the local elections a few months earlier, finishing eighth on the first count with just 501 votes. His chances of making an impact in the next general election are pretty slim. The star attraction hasnt exactly drawn a crowd. Eoin O Broin is dressed casually in jeans, a green check shirt, brown belt and brown shoes. His hair is cut neat and short, with a fringe and he has a short beard. Combining his old-fashioned round spectacles with a sack jacket, the image is deliberately hipster crossed with Soviet-era proletariat worker. Expand Close Hopes talks will bear fruit: Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald jokes with a stall owner on Dublins Moore Street watched by Eoin O Broin. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hopes talks will bear fruit: Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald jokes with a stall owner on Dublins Moore Street watched by Eoin O Broin. Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty The lecture is more of a chat about the state of housing in the country, the lack of supply, the rise of rents. Rents are up 37pc since 2016. Thats 4,000 a year. Has anybody here had a pay rise of 4,000? he asks rhetorically. The solutions proffered are around what was government policy in the 1930s and 1940s, with the State building large numbers of houses and offering finance to homeowners to buy. He marks 1987 as the turning point, when the State pulled back and the banks stepped in, and brings the audience up to the modern-day problems of shortage of supply. The address is gently littered with statistics, quotes from experts and references to European models of housing. The style is engaging without being too dense. The speech is based on O Broins book Home: Why Public Housing is the Answer. In the book, published last year, he argues for a new style of public housing, covering local authority houses, cost-rental where the rent is set at a low rate that just seeks to pay back the cost of the building, and affordable housing that is in reach of ordinary people. He cites Aneurin Bevan, the reforming Labour Minister from post-war Britain as an inspiration. Bevan saw housing as a service similar to the NHS and it was about supply and quality, ensuring everyone had access to decent and affordable homes, with people still having the option to live in owner occupation or the private sector if they chose, with funding available to homeowners and landlords to bring accommodation up to standard. The small attendance at the lecture is probably reflective of the partys standing. Read More The cost and scarcity of housing is a preoccupation of many people, impacting upon lives up and down the country, but it isnt catching on as a protest issue like the water charges did. O Broin is a ready-made campaign in search of a following. We have to build a State-wide movement to change, he says. Afterwards he signs copies of his book and casually predicts that his candidate in the forthcoming by-election in his constituency of Dublin Mid-West, Mark Ward, is one to watch and in with a real shot of winning. Given the hammering the Shinners took in the local and European elections, it seems like far-fetched propaganda. But he was right. Four months later, Darren ORourke would take out a Fine Gael Cabinet minister, when Regina Doherty became the biggest Sinn Fein scalp as the Shinner Storm hit the country in the general election. Adamstown: November 30 Mary-Lou McDonald is grinning like the cat that got the cream. In the count centre in Adamstown Community Centre she walks up to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who congratulates her. Her candidate, Ward, is about to be declared the victor in the by-election, taking the seat held by former Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald and defeating Fine Gael candidate Emer Higgins. Expand Close Dublin mid West election winner Mark Ward TD with his son Oisin Ward 11 during a press briefing by Sinn Fein at Leinster House Dublin. Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dublin mid West election winner Mark Ward TD with his son Oisin Ward 11 during a press briefing by Sinn Fein at Leinster House Dublin. Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins Its a sweet victory. During McDonalds term as leader, the party has taken a pasting in the Presidential election, local elections and European elections. Support in opinion polls remains static and there are doubts about McDonalds ability to bring the party on after replacing Gerry Adams. The Dublin Mid-West win is an important turning point in the partys fortunes and a harbinger of whats to come. And its come about because O Broin and Sinn Fein have gone back to basics. In a set of four by-elections, marked by profound disinterest on the part of voters, Sinn Fein made sure their voters turned out. The constituency covers the sprawling suburbs, beyond the M50 of Clondalkin and Lucan and villages that have turned into towns such as Newcastle and Rathcoole. The scars of bad planning in the past, particularly in the 1980s, are in evidence here every day. This was the Wild West of planning in Dublin. A lack of public transport and massive estates built away from community centres, shops and facilities is the hallmark. Sinn Fein now has two seats in Dublin Mid-West and wont give them up easily. Twas far from the sprawling housing estates of west Dublin Eoin Ruairi O Broin was reared. He grew up in the rarefied surrounds of Cabinteely in south Co Dublin. His father, Sean, was a bank official with the old Hibernian Bank and then Bank of Ireland, and was seemingly apolitical. However, he was reared in working class Dolphins Barn and educated at Colaiste Mhuire, where his love for the Irish language blossomed. Although it was rarely referenced, his father, Eoins grandfather, was active in Clann na Poblachta, with Sean McBride and Maud Gonne McBride, and later supported the Workers Party and Democratic Left, canvassing for Eric Byrne, who would ultimately go on to become a Labour Party TD. His mother Catherine, maiden name Corcoran, was from Tipperary town and her family were also rural Labour supporters, but politics wasnt huge in the house. She was an admirer of local Labour TD Barry Desmond, who was Minister for Health in the Garret FitzGerald Fine Gael-led coalition in the 1980s. O Broin went to that bastion of south-side privilege, the elite fee-paying Blackrock College. Music, not politics, was his passion as a teenager. He was in the brass band in school and went on to play guitar in rock and folk bands, including a group called The Foremen, whose claim to fame was once supporting Rory Gallagher at a small festival. There was little sign in late 1980s and early 1990s that the southside Dublin boy with shoulder-length blond dreadlocks would go on to become a cultural revolutionary, bringing the middle classes to the Republican socialism cause. The political bug hit when he attended the left-leaning University of East London, where he studied cultural studies. Working in restaurants, he became involved with the catering trade union, and also gravitated to the Irish Centre, becoming chairman. He met many people from Northern Ireland and got involved with Sinn Fein. Now deeply politicised, he returned to Dublin in the mid-1990s, working on Sinn Feins propaganda newspaper, An Phoblacht. Heading to Belfast, he studied an MA in Politics at Queens University and became a Sinn Fein councillor in north Belfast from 2001 to 2004, where his interest in housing issues grew. He also worked as Sinn Feins Director of European Affairs during the period, when future party leader and fellow privately-educated party colleague, McDonald, was the partys MEP and rising star. Returning to Dublin, he ran for Sinn Fein in his native Dun Laoghaire in the 2007 general election, coming last. He took three years away from Sinn Fein to work as policy adviser for Focus Ireland, the housing charity. During this time he lived in Monkstown, Co Dublin and tried again in the local elections, running in the Ballybrack ward of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Again, he came last. Back on his home turf, he flops. Dun Laoghaire is not fertile ground for Sinn Fein, but even still there are dismissive murmurings within the party at the time that O Broin is too academic and bookish for elected politics. By this time, he has published two books, Matxinada, Basque Nationalism and the Radical Basque Youth Movements in 2003 and Sinn Fein and the Politics of Left Republicanism in 2009. The breakthrough comes when O Broin, as chair of Dublin Sinn Fein, is on a group tasked with finding candidates to run in certain constituencies in the capital. In the absence of anyone else, he is chosen. He relocates to Clondalkin, runs in the 2011 general election, fails to win a seat, but is just 1,000 votes off. He is co-opted on to the council in October 2013 and tops the poll in the following years local elections. By the time the 2016 general election comes along, O Broin tops the poll and finally makes it into the Dail. He joins the Sinn Fein frontbench as housing spokesman. Unlike Pearse Doherty and McDonald herself, at times, he is not a shouty Shinner, who bark at ministers in confrontations. O Broin is more deliberative in his debating style. The 47-year-old is regarded as the new face of Sinn Fein and yet hes been around the party for 25 years and is a long-time member of the partys strategy team. He proceeds to draft the partys policy on the issue that goes on to become central to the 2020 general election. Central to his policy is the building of 100,000 social and affordable homes, a rent freeze and tax refund for renters. Its a bold statement and critics question how it can actually be delivered. The rent freeze is deemed to be unconstitutional by the outgoing government as it interferes with property rights. And when it was introduced in Berlin, it resulted in investors leaving the market and a severe fall in construction. The 100,000 homes figure would involve a huge ramping up of the construction sector and a massive increase in the public investment, well beyond the amount allowed for within current Exchequer spending limits. Although local authorities would deliver the housing, private sector builders would construct the homes. It envisages developers switching from commercial office building to houses and apartments. Experts in the sector say it is overly ambitious, given the availability of workers. The number of new builds and old stock refitted that became available last year was 24,500, which was up substantially, but also shows how the industry is stretched. However, other observers of the market say it is so straightforward its radical in its simplicity. The policies around energy efficiency, land use, generic designs, more inspections, more rented properties and elimination of red tape appear sound, provided they can be paid for. Yet Sinn Fein also wants to abolish property tax, which is a direct funding source for local authorities, albeit the party says it will fund council from central funds. The overall 22bn package of spending and tax cuts from Sinn Fein is highly questionable too. Building 100,000 social and affordable homes is aspirational, leading to questions about how it will be done. Moreover, the housing policy appears to be a paean to the home-building drives by the 1930s Fianna Fail governments of Eamon de Valera another past pupil of Blackrock College with its Spiritan ethos of fearless and bold. Clondalkin: February 8 As the wind and the rain of Storm Ciara whip in around Dublin from the west on election day, O Broin is knocking on doors in Lealand Drive, an estate in the Bawnogue area of Clondalkn. Despite the massive swing towards Sinn Fein in the previous fortnight, the party is still implementing the Torrent Strategy. This professional, systematic approach to electioneering is named after the local election in the Torrent ward of Dungannon in Co Tyrone in 1990 where it was first employed. No matter where the party is canvassing on the island, the same method applies. The party canvasses neighbourhoods with the electoral register, chalks up houses where support is expressed. That is then loaded into a database. In the final 24 hours and on polling day, the get-the-vote-out phase kicks in as party activists go back to those houses to remind people to vote. Only the houses where support was expressed are canvassed at that point. And you only do it in local authority estates. People in private estates tend not to like it. Party units in Northern Ireland pair off with those in the Republic to work on each others campaigns. On this occasion, West Belfast activists have come down for the last few days to help out in Clondalkin and Lucan. The party sets up a base in a supporters house for the day. In the beautiful hardwood and tiled kitchen of her house in Lealand Avenue, Rita Doyle churns out tea, homemade scones and sandwiches to the canvassers who come in cold, wet and with muddy shoes, stock up on leaflets, check where to next and go again. Driving around the polling stations of west Clondalkin, where there are 3,000 council houses, to check the turnout at teatime, O Broin explains if the turnout is particularly low in an area, they will send in a team to knock on doors of supporters. O Broin points to council and private estate that were once strongholds for Fianna Fail or the Labour Party. Not any more. These are now Sinn Fein estates. The surge has brought what Sinn Fein has always wanted: to break out of its working class base into the squeezed middle coping classes. The approach of McDonald on families, Doherty on insurance costs, Louise OReilly on A&E overcrowding and O Broin on housing have connected with the general view across rural and urban, young and old and all socio-economic classes. These are the people who were Fianna Fail voters up to the crash, then went to Labour, but got angry at water charges and property tax. By now the rain is lashing down, carrying out some last checks, he meets a family just back from voting. We voted you No 1, No 2 for Mark and No 3 for Gino to get yiz all in. Thats what we want, replies O Broin. Mark is his running mate, Mark Ward, and Gino is the Solidarity-People Before Profit TD, Gino Kenny. All three were elected the following day, with Kenny being dragged back to life from the Sinn Fein surplus. Among the canvassers are O Broins partner, Lynn Boylan, the former Dublin MEP. Expand Close Former Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan, Sinn Fein TD Eoin O' Broin & their dog Cooper arrive to vote during the European Election, Divorce referendum & Council election at Scoil Aine, New Road, Clondalkin. Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Former Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan, Sinn Fein TD Eoin O' Broin & their dog Cooper arrive to vote during the European Election, Divorce referendum & Council election at Scoil Aine, New Road, Clondalkin. Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins Although viewed as a diligent member of the European Parliament, she got caught in the Sinn Fein purge last summer. Ironically, as she would be viewed as influential in the shaping of Sinn Feins environmental and climate change policy, she got taken out by the Green Party. Ultimately, the party planned to run her for the Dail, but their scaling back of candidates before the surge put this on hold. From Kilnamanagh in Tallaght, the 43-year-old ecologist was a park ranger in Killarney when she ran for Sinn Fein in the first decade of the century before coming back to Dublin. The couple are together for 10 years this month. They live with their dog, Cooper, in Clondalkin Village. Their rented cut-stone cottage in the heart of Clondalkin village, built by the adjacent Anglican Church in 1979, is just a stones throw from the Happy Pear restaurant in the nearly Round Tower centre. The couple share a love of cooking intricate recipes from organic food. They frequently travel to the Basque country, where O Broin is godfather to the child of one of his best friends. They also dispatch themselves to Bothar Bui, on the Beara Peninsula in west Cork, where he researches his books and writing. Far from the stereotypical Shinner, the slightly bohemian lifestyle would be more akin to the typical Green Party activists. Beneath his middle-class background, O Broin though is a true ideologue who subscribes to a united Ireland and subscribes to classic left-wing philosophy of mobilising the masses to subvert the elite. He just says it more politely. Hes bright, hes sharp, hes much more pragmatic than people might think. Hes not one to cut off his nose to spite his face, letting ideology get in the way, an observer notes. After converting the middle classes to his thinking on housing, the longer-term project remains on track. As of now, it looks like O Broin wont become the Minister for Housing. Instead, hell be opposing the minister and pointing to another way. Housing is now what water charges were four years ago the issue the ruling parties got the most kicking from in a general election. Unlike water charges, housing is not an easy fix. Although Sinn Fein wont be in power, the new governments housing targets will have to live up to the expectations the party has set. Alliant Insurance Services Inc. has named Casey Parvey vice president. The Portland, Ore.-based Parvey will provide risk and insurance solutions to a client base throughout the region. Parvey has a background in workers compensation, property, liability and other lines of coverage. Prior to joining Alliant, he was vice president at USI Insurance Services. He was an account executive at Providence Health & Services before that. Newport Beach, Calif.-based Alliant provides property/casualty, workers compensation, employee benefits, underwriting, surety, and financial products and services. Topics Oregon Alliant Attorney General William Barr took the unusual step Thursday of going on President Trump's favorite medium, TV, to complain that Trump's tweeting about Roger Stone's sentence and other Justice Department matters makes it "impossible for me to do my job." Barr's criticism wouldn't have come as a surprise to Trump, a person familiar with the situation tells Politico. "The attorney general had talked to the president a number of times and told him he was getting frustrated with these statements." Congressional Republicans agreed with Barr that Trump should curb his tweeting. Democrats suggested Barr was really complaining that Trump is making it "impossible" to quietly do his bidding. White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said Trump "wasn't bothered by the comments." This "benign response from the White House prompted speculation from some quarters that Barrs message was aimed more at calming the furor at the Justice Department over the episode than actually scolding Trump," Politico reports. Not all of Trump's allies responded so benignly, though. "I am so disappointed in Bill Barr," Fox Business host Lou Dobbs exclaimed Thursday night. Barr's job is to stomp out "the deep state," not join it, he said. "I don't want to hear any crap about an independent Justice Department. This Justice Department, as does every one, works for the president." Lou Dobbs attacks Bill Barr, suggests he's part of the "deep state," calls the Justice Department "rancid, corrupt" pic.twitter.com/PzjnieGrlK Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) February 14, 2020 Dobbs was giving public voice to months of Trump's behind-the-scenes raging "toward the Justice Department more about whom the department has not charged with crimes than about whom it has charged," like Stone, The Washington Post reports. After Barr's Justice Department declined to charge former FBI Director James Comey, for example, Trump "complained so loudly and swore so frequently in the Oval Office that some of his aides discussed it for days." Story continues Slate's Dahlia Lithwick noted the disconnect between congressional Republicans always waving off Trump's tweeted attacks on various targets judges, jurors, New York and "Bill Barr saying, 'Oh, no, these tweets are ... real and they're consequential, and they're making it hard to do my job.'" It's "just head-snapping," she said on MSNBC, "that we can't pick whether these tweets are a joke or whether they're real." More stories from theweek.com The sidelining of Elizabeth Warren 5 scathingly funny cartoons about Trump's Justice Department takeover 6 books Erik Larson keeps returning to WASHINGTON Congressman Bryan Steil and Congresswoman Gwen Moore urged President Donald Trump Thursday to approve Gov. Tony Evers request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee counties. If approved, Federal Emergency Management Agency aid will be dispersed to the affected counties. Infrastructure along the Lake Michigan shoreline was damaged after a storm on Jan. 11 resulted in about $10 million worth of damages. Weve seen the damage firsthand and met with residents affected by these storms. Kenosha, Milwaukee and Racine counties need our help. FEMA aid will assist our communities as we begin to rebuild. We will continue to fight for Southeast Wisconsin and ensure this request is a priority, said Steil, R-Janesville, and Moore, D-Milwaukee. In part, Steil, who represents Racine County, and Moore wrote, While the state has committed to helping those in need with all resources available at the state level, without federal assistance, our communities will face immense difficulty recovering fully. The personal losses not eligible for federal assistance have already caused great hardship for so many of our citizens, but they pale in comparison to the greater regional economic losses that await if the public infrastructure we depend upon is not repaired expeditiously, the representatives said. The letter was co-signed by all members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation. Local impact In the City of Racine, Pershing Park and Pershing Park Drive were hit the hardest as pounding waves sent debris flying onto the roadway. There was also damage to the breakwater, drainage systems and an electronic touch screen pay kiosk for the boat launch. North Beach was also hit hard with debris scattered along the sand and severely compromising a bluff supporting a portion of the Lake Michigan Pathway near Augusta Street, according to Department of Public Works Commissioner John Rooney. There was also damage at Carre-Hogle and Samuel Myers parks in Racine and Shoop Park in Wind Point. A full copy of the letter to Trump is available on Steils website. In Evers letter to the federal government, he said, Large waves and shoreline flooding across southeastern Wisconsin badly damaged infrastructure that helps protect communities and enhances the valuable natural resource that is Lake Michigan. He continued, Federal disaster assistance would help ensure those areas can be repaired quickly and restored to what they looked like before the storms. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Inspectors observed an employee garnishing food barehanded and partially burned cigarettes stored among food utensils at a Houston restaurant last week, according to health inspection records. At a second Houston restaurant, inspectors condemned pork, rice and cheese puffs not safe for human consumption, the records show. Sparked by the outbreak and high prices after the holiday, supermarket food quickly depleted, Photo: Le Toan After finishing work at the office, Ngo Thai Bao in Cau Giay district, Hanoi dropped by the nearby VinMart to buy some food, but there were only a few shrivelled old cabbages and carrots left on the shelves. With the coronavirus spreading across the world, I do not feel like letting my family eat out, and will keep our children at home. For this, I need to stock up our fridge but there are no vegetables left and most of the fresh meat is also gone, she said, leaving the shop empty-handed. A cashier at the same store explained, We receive a lot of vegetables and meat every morning, but most products are sold in only half a day. Just an hour ago, a woman filled her car with food. She added that since the end of January when the coronavirus was first detected in Vietnam, people have been buying food in far larger quantities to hoard at home in case the epidemic strikes the area. Tran Phuong, a resident from Hanois Thanh Xuan district, told VIR of very similar difficulties, failing to find satisfactory vegetables or meat on the shelves. It is the same with cookies and bread the popular brands are always sold out, said Phuong, who then had to go to the wet market to buy food for dinner. Last week, Trinh Hoa, a teacher at a primary school in Hanois Hai Ba Trung district, left the building earlier than usual to visit the Intimex supermarket on Le Duan street to buy groceries, with her usual buying habit of asking her husband to come along and carry home as much food as possible. On the TV, in the media, on Facebook, and at every office, everyone recommended avoiding crowded places to eat, so I will only eat food I made by myself, Hoa said. That day, they bought 30kg of rice, three cartons of noodles, and dozens of cartons of milk, along with almost 10kg of meat, dozens of eggs, and canned food. These should last her family for two weeks. I will make breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, instead of having breakfast and lunch out like we did before. Anything we buy outside could lead to us being infected, so I would rather not touch anything to keep my family away from the virus, she explained. Due to worries about the coronavirus, city dwellers have been flocking to supermarkets, some of which have been running empty. VinMart+ convenience stores stock their shelves full of vegetables every morning. We managed to draw in a lot customers because wet markets are too expensive after the holiday, while our prices remained unchanged during and afterwards. Especially, with the coronavirus outbreak, retail units like us are working much harder than last year to ensure adequate supply, a cashier at VinMart+ told VIR. At an MM Mega Market supermarket, a staff member from the imported meat division, also told VIR that sliced beef, of which they imported 150 plates after the Lunar New Year, was sold out within two days. Customers kept asking for it, and we are waiting for new shipments, she explained. The rising demand has contributed to increasing the sales of meat and vegetable suppliers. Vu Anh Tuan, vice senior general director of C.P. Vietnam, the largest farming company in the country, told VIR that the group sold an average of 16,000-17,000 pigs a day, up 5 per cent on-year. According to the groups forecast, its sales will retain that growth momentum in the coming time. Raised awareness According to international medical professionals such as Food Standards Australia and New Zealand and the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, the chance of the coronavirus being transmitted via food is unlikely, as was the case during the SARS and MERS outbreaks previously. However, in the words of Bui Bich Lien, CEO of Orfarm, an organic farm operated by Japanese standards, the current epidemic highlights the need for people to pay more attention to food hygiene and safety, which plays a key role in strengthening the immune system. Vietnamese people stock up on medicines while improving their immune system, Lien said. In recent times, the increasing sales at our stores come from regular customers who are aware of the importance of clean food. They also prefer cooking at home instead of going out to make sure their food is safe and that they can avoid crowds. Besides that, sales have also increased thanks to foreign customers however, they still spend less than our Vietnamese customers, Lien said. A growing preference for safe food products is apparent among customers, who turn in larger numbers to brands they have faith in and are even willing to fork out more for it. This is apparent in the newly-earned popularity of Masan Groups MEAT Deli products. Before the holiday and the coronavirus outbreak, these chilled fresh meat items were often bypassed on the shelves of VinMart+ for cheaper alternatives that were also perceived as safe just for being on the shelves of VinMart+. However, MEAT Deli products have been selling in increased numbers since the epidemic due to the brands stronger reputation as safe and clean factors some customers seem to be willing to splash out on. Customers also have a strong preference for supermarkets over wet markets because they believe the former are cleaner and deemed safer for shopping. Supermarkets also offer stable prices, even during the outbreak. Chicken and pork currently cost approximately VND130,000-160,000 ($5.60-7) per kg, while vegetables remained at the same price as before the Lunar New Year, at around VND5,000-10,000 (20-40 US cents) per pack. Numerous supermarkets in Vietnam such as Big C and Lotte Mart came under fire last year for selling goods of poor quality or unknown origins, including withered vegetables, unlabelled food, non-certificated chicken and meat, and in the case of Big C, even veal overrun by maggots. The coronavirus epidemic becomes the right time for customers to pay closer attention to the quality of the food they purchase and eat, and plans by authorities to stage irregular inspections at retail outlets to check the quality of goods and maintain market stability may be just what is required to change shopping, eating, and safety habits. According to Article 17 of Decree No.109/2013/ND-CP issued in 2013 on penalties for administrative violations against the law on pricing, fee management, and invoicing, a fine of VND20-30 million ($870-1,300) shall be inflicted on taking advantage of economic crises, natural disasters, wars, fires, epidemics, unusual circumstances, and state policies to impose irrational prices. Remedial measures include compulsory remittance of the money earned from irrational pricing to the government budget. Minister of State for Home Affairs (MoS) G Kishan Reddy on Friday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for asking if anyone has been held responsible for the "security lapses" which led to Pulwama terror attack last year on February 14. Accusing Rahul of insulting security forces through his comments, Reddy told ANI: "Did surgical strike or airstrike ever take place under the Congress rule? For the first time, Pakistan is afraid of us. Rahul Gandhi has insulted security forces by commenting on them." "Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack, let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack?" tweeted Rahul Gandhi. It was around 3 pm on this day last year when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist rammed a vehicle carrying explosives into the Central Reserve Police Force (CPRF) convoy on Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pulwama. Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2500 CRPF personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack. Days after the attack, the Indian Air Force on February 26 carried out multiple aerial strikes at JeM terror camps in Pakistan's Balakot, killing "large number" of terrorists and destroying their infrastructure. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TORONTO, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inter-Rock Minerals Inc. (TSX-V: IRO) (Inter-Rock or the Company) today announced that it has filed and received acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV) to commence a normal course issuer bid (the NCIB) to purchase for cancellation from time to time up to an aggregate of 1,130,891 common shares of the Company, representing 5% of the Companys 22,617,811 common shares issued and outstanding as of February 14, 2020. Inter-Rock may purchase common shares under the NCIB over the next twelve month period beginning on or about February 18, 2020. The NCIB will terminate upon the earliest of (i) the Company purchasing 1,130,891 common shares, (ii) the Company providing notice of termination of the NCIB and (iii) the date that is 12 months following the commencement of the NCIB. Inter-Rock has engaged Canaccord Genuity to act as broker for the NCIB. Any purchases under the NCIB will be conducted on the open market through the facilities of the TSXV or alternative Canadian trading systems at market prices or by such other means as may be permitted under applicable securities laws. Any daily purchases on the TSXV under the NCIB will be subject to all limitations as set forth in the TSXVs rules. All common shares purchased by Inter-Rock will be cancelled. The purchase and payment for the common shares will be made in accordance with the requirements of the TSXV and applicable securities laws. The actual number of common shares which may be purchased pursuant to the NCIB will be determined by the board of the Company in its discretion and the funding for any purchase pursuant to the NCIB will be from the working capital of the Company. The NCIB is being undertaken as the Company believes the share price of its common shares, from time to time, is not reflective of the underlying value of the Company and its future prospects. The Company believes the purchase of common shares is an appropriate use of its financial resources and is advantageous to shareholders when common shares are purchased at a price below their underlying value and cancelled, as this increases the proportionate share of ownership of the Company for the remaining shareholders. The NCIB will also afford an increased degree of liquidity to those shareholders of Inter-Rock who wish to dispose of their common shares. To the knowledge of the Company, none of the directors, senior officers or other insiders of the Company, none of their respective associates and no affiliate or associate of the Company has any present intention to sell any common shares to the Company during the NCIB. A copy of the Form 5G Notice of Intention to Make a Normal Course Issuer Bid filed by the Company with the TSXV in respect of the NCIB can be obtained from the Company upon request without charge. Company Contact: Robert Crombie, CFO 416-367-3004 Company website: www.interrockminerals.com About Inter-Rock Inter-Rock owns three operating businesses: Papillon Agricultural Company Inc. (Papillon), MIN-AD, Inc. (MIN-AD) and Mill Creek Dolomite LLC (Mill Creek). Papillon is a US based marketer and distributor of toll manufactured premium dairy feed nutritional supplements, including MIN-ADs products. MIN-AD and Mill Creek are engaged in the production and marketing of high purity dolomite, primarily to the animal feed, glass, roofing and aglime industries in the United States. 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 news release. Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain Forward-Looking Statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by use of words such as might, will, should, anticipate, plan, expect, believe, estimate, forecast and similar terminology. Such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, estimates, opinions and analysis made by management in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and its expectations of future developments as well as other factors which management believes to be reasonable and relevant. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties are more fully described in the Companys annual Managements Discussion and Analysis available at www.sedar.com. While the Company believes that the expectations expressed by such forward-looking statements and the assumptions, estimates, opinions and analysis underlying such expectations are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. A few years back when my son was working toward his MBA at Tel Aviv University, he and I decided to do a father/son trip around Israel over a break in his studies. It was about this time of the year when the temperature was mild and Israel was relatively past its major winter storms. Having survived the flight, I was met by my son carrying a hand made cardboard sign with my English name emblazoned in Hebrew letters. I speak, read and write a little Hebrew, but for me the hardest Hebrew words to read are those that phonetically spell out English words and proper names. It was great to be back in Israel after a 16 year hiatus and 10 hours on an EL AL airplane. Much to my chagrin, EL AL was still packing its passengers into tight seats as had been the case on previous flights dating back many years. Their interior designers must have gotten their training at Norwegian sardine canneries. Although I had been coming to Israel since 1963, my most previous trip to the Jewish State had been in December 2001, a few months after 9/11. At that time Israel was isolated from the world. Its only global air connection was EL AL. Because of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, when four commercial airliners were simultaneously hijacked and used as destructive missiles and the persistent terrorist threat, all other major international airlines had immediately suspended flights to Israel and had yet to resume flights to and from the Jewish State. I had arrived in Israel on that December afternoon after a midnight EL AL flight from Newark Airport. Both Orlando International and Newark airports were heavily guarded by armed National Guard troops and bomb sniffing dogs. Despite any danger, I felt compelled to go to Israel to attend a conference of the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurors in Jerusalem which had been scheduled well before the Islamic terrorist attack and just as importantly, to demonstrate with my attendance that Israel was not alone, and that terrorism will never defeat the Jewish people. It was a somber time in Israel. So few flights were arriving in Israel during that post 9/11 period, that the shuttle driver taking us to our Jerusalem Hotel asked us to wait for another EL AL flight arriving from Europe in the next hour. He explained that he needed to fill his van with fares as that would be his only revenue for the day. Joined by a number of other arriving attendees for the conference, we quickly agreed to his request. Many taxi and shuttle drivers had been laid off and the few lucky ones still working were pooling their services on staggered days. The suspension of air service to Israel by every major world airline created a feeling of depression and isolation that was palatable in the air. However, this current trip to be with my son was definitely not depressing. When I arrived at Ben Gurion Airport, the terminal was joyfully bustling with activity and filled with passengers arriving from around the world. Hundreds of family members, local tour guides and greeters were there to welcome them. In the 16 years since my last visit, Israel had expanded the terminal and other airport facilities into a world class airport. I still had to wait for arranging transportation to my final destination, but this time it was because 10 people were in line ahead of me at the Enterprise car rental kiosk. As we drove out of the airport I was amazed at the newly built highways and infrastructure and the fantastic skyline as we approached Tel Aviv. I could not believe the expansion of residences and skyscrapers as we fought the traffic to Ramat Aviv where my son shared a very modern apartment with two Israeli roommates. I felt I was visiting the Jewish State for the very first time and I could not wait to begin our father/son trip the next morning to Eilat and the anticipated anxiety of crossing the land border into Jordan for our first nights stay in Aqaba. If you wish to comment or respond you can reach me at melpearlman322@gmail.com. Please do so in a rational, thoughtful, respectful and civil manner. Mel Pearlman holds B.S. & M.S. degrees in physics as well as a J.D. degree and initially came to Florida in 1966 to work on the Gemini and Apollo space programs. He has practiced law in Central Florida since 1972. He has served as president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando; was a charter board member, first vice president and pro-bono legal counsel of the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida, as well as holding many other community leadership positions. Government-backed Iranian hackers have targeted universities in Europe, the United States, and Australia in the past months, consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers has found, according to Dutch broadcaster NOS. The hackers were attempting to steal academic literature and teaching materials, the NOS reported on February 14. It said it was unclear whether the attempts to break into computer systems, including those of three Dutch universities and another higher education institution, were successful. A year ago, the United States charged nine Iranian citizens over their alleged involvement in a state-sponsored large-scale hacking and intellectual property theft scheme. The U.S. Treasury Department also slapped sanctions on 10 individuals and an Iranian company, which it accused of hacking hundreds of universities on behalf of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Tehran rejected the accusations as "false." "We can see from the infrastructure they use that the same group of attackers is still active," NOS quoted Gerwin Naber of PwC Netherlands as saying. "At least they were still busy in November," Naber added. Based on reporting by NOS A ban on Chinese tourists visiting Australia could plunge the economy into a recession for the first time in three decades. A veteran economist also fears a global coronavirus pandemic could spark a new global financial crisis, which could potentially unleash a 40 per cent plummet in Australian house prices. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has today extended by another week a travel ban on holidaymakers who have transited through China - Australia's biggest source of international tourists. With the summer bushfires and weak retail sales already undermining the economy, Digital Finance Analytics principal Martin North, an economist, said he feared the coronavirus could plunge Australia into recession this year for the first time since 1991. 'Chinese tourism, very critical: definitely gone off the boil and my owns sense is that it's probably going to hit people hard,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Friday. Scroll down for video A ban on Chinese tourists visiting Australia could plunge the economy into a recession for the first time in three decades. A veteran economist also fears a global coronavirus pandemic could spark a new global financial crisis, which could potentially unleash a 40 per cent plummet in Australian house prices. Pictured: people in Sydney wearing face masks in January following newws about the coronavirus outbreak 'The unknown, of course, is how long this is going to go on for. 'Before coronavirus, we were going to be in some difficulty: this is just another weight on the camel's back.' One Nation leader Pauline Hanson wants the border closed with 21 Australians so far testing positive to the coronavirus, including six in China and Japan. The respiratory disease with no cure has killed more than 1,300 people in China and it's expected to get worse, with Hong Kong epidemiologist Professor Gabrielle Leung fearing it could infect 60 per cent of the world's population if left unchecked. Before the onset of the deadly flu-like illness, China was Australia's biggest source of international tourists with 1.458million visiting in the year to November, Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed. China, Australia's biggest trading partner, is also the No.1 source of international students, who contribute $12billion a year to the economy. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has today extended by another two weeks a travel ban on holidaymakers who have transited through China - Australia's biggest source of international tourists. Pictured: Norwegian cruise ship Jewel in Sydney Harbour after a passenger was suspected of having coronavirus before being cleared They made up 38.3 per cent of foreign education enrollments in 2018, with Department of Education figures showing 152,591 were studying in Australia. The summer bushfire crisis had ravaged the New South Wales South Coast and Victoria's East Gippsland region in late January when the Chinese authorities confirmed the first cases of coronavirus in Wuhan. In another ominous sign, the Australian Banking Association feared the coronavirus could hurt small businesses. Its chief executive Anna Bligh, a former Queensland Labor premier, urged struggling business borrowers to ask their bank to allow them to refinance or defer their loan repayments. 'Thousands of businesses have had a horror start to the year with drought, bushfires and floods,' she said today. 'Now the coronavirus having a severe impact on both their ability to create products and also export them to markets overseas. 'Banks have hardship teams in place to walk businesses through the assistance on offer if they have been impacted by events outside of their control.' Mr North said the coronavirus announcement from Australia's banking lobby group was a sign the economy was in danger of sinking into a technical recession, as spending from China dried up. 'That's a sign that this is already starting to hit,' he said. 'I personally think that the tourism and the education dollar is going to have a very significant impact on the economy here unless things turn around.' With household debt to income levels close to a record high, this in turn, could spark a 40 per cent slide in Australian house prices. Pictured: apartments in Sydney's eastern suburbs The coronavirus is expected to hit the global economy in 2020 than the SARS outbreak did in 2003. In a worst-case scenario, Mr North feared it could spark a new global financial crisis, which would be worse than the American sub-prime mortgage crisis a decade ago. 'The coronavirus could be a big, external shock so essentially, if that goes really badly then it could be the sort of trigger that would create a GFC Mark II,' he said. 'I don't think Australia would be immune partly because we're so leveraged from a banking perspective.' With household debt to income levels close to a record high, this in turn, could spark a 40 per cent slide in Australian house prices. 'This is still looking pretty shaky,' Mr North said. 'We've always got that risk of properties reverting to that 40 per cent drop.' I still think kids know the score. They must know deep down that in an active school shooter situation, your survival is very much at risk. Simply the idea of someone in school shooting a gun has to be terrifying. Preparing for the eventual reality of such a situation has to be as traumatic, or even more so, than preparing to be vaporized in a nuclear blast. The deployment of the first THHAD battery in Seongju in the southeast, which remains incomplete, got Korea into massive trouble with China and forced it to endure a yearlong boycott that devastated businesses here and is still not fully over. Vice Adm. Jon Hill, the director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, was speaking at a Pentagon press briefing on Monday. "If you can separate the launchers away from the battery, that gives you a lot of flexibility on the peninsula," he said. "So you could put the battery further back, you can move the radar back, you can put the launchers forward, you can bring in additional launchers." A senior U.S. military officer has stirred up a hornets' nest by hinting at the possibility of deploying more launchers for a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery in South Korea. Seoul has already pledged to Beijing that it would not permit the U.S. to station more THAAD batteries here. Whether Beijing would consider the deployment of extra launchers a violation of that promise remains to be seen. Hill made the off-the-cuff remarks when he was talking about the "joint emergent operational need (JEON)" for the U.S. Forces Korea. JEON is a concept for integrating missile defense resources such as THAAD, Patriot missiles and Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptors to make them more effective. Hill said that this integration was exactly what former USFK chief Vincent Brooks was asking for when the THAAD was deployed here in 2017. "So that -- that's exactly what [Brooks] at the time was asking for, is that ability to -- to move the battery back, add additional launchers or move them forward and take care of southern ports, for example, instead of protecting the north," he said. The THAAD anti-missile system the USFK has deployed in Seongju is controlled by wires, so launchers are immobile once attached to the battery. But the U.S. military has been testing a remote-control system to overcome this constraint since last year and achieved some success. The Pentagon is also working out a plan to launch THAAD missiles using the Patriots' radar system. China might see that as a fresh deployment if they are connected to Patriot radars in various locations where USFK troops are stationed. But Beijing is chiefly concerned about the powerful X-band radar that comes with the THAAD battery, which it believes could be used to spy on its military maneuvers, rather than about the actual rockets. "It's been pointed out that a single THAAD battery couldn't defend the entire Korean Peninsula," said Prof. Park Won-gon of Handong Global University. "The U.S. presumably feels the need to reinforce the defense system because it could now be breached by a series of new North Korean weapons" like the Iskander-class missiles the North unveiled last year. For now, the USFK still has difficulty delivering fuel to the THAAD battery because protesters continue to block the access road and it has to be helicoptered in. An ongoing study on environmental impact, which had been skipped in the hasty deployment by the previous government, seems to be dragging on. "We just don't know how much longer it will take before the THAAD deployment is complete," a military officer here said. Sixteen animals were killed at a safari park after a pack of African wild dogs escaped from their compound due to damage caused by Storm Ciara. Staff at West Midland Safari Park in Bewdley, Worcestershire, were left 'extremely saddened' by the loss of six deer and 10 sheep last weekend. A spokeswoman for the park said 12 wild dogs were able to enter a neighbouring compound in the early hours of February 9 as the storm hit the country. The compound housed Persian fallow deer and Barbary sheep. A pack of African wild dogs escaped from their compound and killed sixteen animals. The African wild dog is 'one of the world's most endangered mammals', with only about 1,400 left in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) [File photo] 'At no point was there a risk to public safety and there was no danger of any animals escaping the park's perimeter fencing,' the spokeswoman said. She said the wilds dogs were returned to their compound unharmed. 'The wild dogs entered the neighbouring compound through a gated entrance which had been damaged in the storm which hit Worcestershire earlier that morning,' the spokeswoman explained. She added: 'Given their personal attachment to our animals, our staff are extremely saddened by the incident.' Commenting on the impending arrival of Storm Dennis on Saturday, the spokeswoman said: 'We are aware of the current weather warnings in place for this weekend and will monitor this closely, making our decisions, as always, in the best interests of our animals and public safety.' According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the African wild dog is 'one of the world's most endangered mammals', with only about 1,400 left in the wild. The largest populations remain in southern Africa and the southern part of East Africa. The predator, which gathers in packs, hunts species such as gazelles and can reach speeds of more than 44mph. LANE COUNTY, Ore. -- A big, anonymous donation is helping families across Lane County stay warm on cold winter nights. Catholic Community Services in Springfield received 340 brand-new coats through the non-profit Operation Warm in Pennsylvania. Money for those coats came from an anonymous donor who wanted to help residents in Lane County. The coats were distributed Thursday to those who need them, along with hats and scarves and other clothing from Catholic Community Services. Katie Ayers said she and her family sometimes visit Catholic Community Services, and she was glad to receive a new coat. We go here now and then for food boxes and stuff and we came to get coats because it's getting colder, Ayers said. Ayers said her family lives in an apartment. While she could wear multiple layers to stay warm, that means more laundry, which costs more money. All the clothing items were given free of charge. There are a lot of people struggling just to make ends-meat, and to have a new coat is something that they may not be able to afford. But today they might be able to provide for their families, said Catholic Community Services Development Director Jerry Ragan. Ragan said his organization is also looking for more donations, particularly hygiene items and toothbrushes. You can also donate money on their website here. A city man has jumped to the defense of his brother over the alleged murder of a tenant in Kawangware, Nairobi. Initial reports indicated that Charles Nganga Gitau stabbed his tenant, 26-year-old Warren Jirongo, over rent arrears amounting to Ksh 2,500. The Tuesday incident sparked protests that saw the landlords semi-permanent rental units set ablaze the following day. On Thursday, Dagoretti Sub-County Police Commander George Seda said they were still looking for the landlord. Meanwhile, the landlords brother, John Waweru, gave a different account of events leading to Jirongos death. Warren lived in my sisters house and my brother found him stealing the old version token kits in one of the houses. When my brother saw this, he raised an alarm. When asked why he was stealing the token kits, an argument ensued (On Sunday). On Monday, my brother asked him to return the stolen kits and thats when the fight between the two parties started, Waweru told Kenyans.co.ke. He said some of the tenants joined in the fracas and beat up Jirongo before locking him inside his house. By mistake, they hit his head and locked him in his house. On Tuesday, the tenants got worried and went to his house, only to find him dead. The tenants started claiming that my brother was responsible for his death, Waweru recounted. These houses were left to us by our parents when they died. We do not have anywhere to live now, he lamented. He confirmed that his brother fled after the incident and could not be traced. The Supreme Court on Friday refused to give any interim relief to Sajjan Kumar, sentenced for life in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, and said it will hear former Congress leaders bail plea during the summer vacation. Sajjan Kumar is the main accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and is serving a life term in a case relating to the killing of five members of a family in Raj Nagar following the assassination of Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. He had approached the top court last year challenging the conviction and life imprisonment. He had also sought bail during the pendency of his appeal in the court. The Supreme Court had said in August last year that it would hear Kumars bail plea in May 2020 as it was not an ordinary case and required a detailed hearing before any order is passed. The Delhi High Court had convicted Kumar in this case in December 2018 and awarded him a life term in the Raj Nagar incident. Kumar had surrendered before a trial court in Delhi on December 31, 2018, and was sent to Tihar Jail. The case against Sajjan Kumar and others was registered in 2005 on a recommendation by the Justice GT Nanavati Commission. A convicted terrorist has been refused permission to take his partner to the Republic of Ireland for a five night break over concerns he may flee the jurisdiction. Lawyers for Liam Hannaway (50), of White Rise, Dunmurry in west Belfast, had applied to vary his bail conditions to facilitate the short break across the border. Last month Hannaway was one of seven men who pleaded guilty to a large number of terrorist charges arising out of a MI5 bugging operation on a bungalow in Newry's Ardcarn Park where the leadership of the Continuity IRA were holding meetings to plot terror attacks. At Belfast Crown Court today, a prosecution barrister objected to the bail variation, saying that although Hannaway had been on bail for some time now, he had pleaded guilty on Friday, January 31 to "quite significant and very serious offences''. Hannaway pleaded guilty to charges of belonging or professing to belong to a proscribed organisation, providing weapons and explosives training, conspiring to possess explosives, firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life. He further admitted conspiracy to possess explosives, firearms and ammunition with intent, along with preparing acts of terrorism and collecting information likely to be of use to terrorists. The prosecution barrister told Mr Justice Colton: "He has a very significant entry on his record. He received ten years imprisonment in 2008 for explosives offences. "There is also a real concern given that he has been convicted of these offences and faces a lengthy sentence, he might not return to this jurisdiction and may take the opportunity to even leave these islands. "In our view he does not have particularly significant ties to Northern Ireland. He has some relatives who live overseas.'' However, the barrister said that if the court was minded to vary the bail conditions, the officer in charge of the case had made inquiries with police in the Republic who could facilitate Hannaway signing bail on a daily basis. "If he failed to sign on one of those days, the authorities in the Republic would be fairly quick on his case and there is good liaison between the two forces,'' he added. Defence barrister Tom McCreanor said Hannaway had been granted permission before to travel to the Republic and had complied with his bail conditions and "that should give confidence to the court''. He denied that Hannaway had relatives overseas, saying his children and grand children all lived in north or west Belfast. Mr McCreanor said that Hannaway's partner was "currently awaiting a diagnosis'' on a medical condition and given that the outcome could be serious he wanted to take her away on a short break to Co Monaghan. He added that any concerns that the court might have about a risk of flight "would be met by daily reporting'' with Gardai in Monaghan. Refusing the bail variation, Mr Justice Colton said: "Mr Hannaway has pleaded guilty to very serious offences. "I had considered on the day of the pleas that bail should be revoked but I took the view that would not be appropriate and to allow them time to prepare their mitigation. "Given his plea of guilty to very serious offences I don't think it would appropriate in the circumstances to vary bail,'' added Mr Justice Colton. Hannaway and his co-accused will be sentenced next month. In the papal conclave that elected Angelo Roncalli in 1958, there were cardinals from just 21 countries. Europe was very much still the centre of power of Christianity. The man who emerged as pope, taking the name John XXIII, was to be a transitional pope, Vatican-watchers said. At almost 77 years of age, the cardinals perceived him to be a safe pair of hands to give them a breather after almost 20 intense years of the great war-time Pope Pius XII. Papa Roncalli didn't exactly follow the script and quickly went about organising a major council of bishops to see how the Church could be more relevant to a rapidly modernising world. He also knew that the centre of gravity was shifting from Europe to the new world and many bishops from far-flung places made their way to Rome for the first time. What became known as Vatican II met from 1962-65 and threw open the windows of the Church. It ushered in reforms like the Mass being celebrated in the local language. The altars were also turned around and the priest now no longer faced the same direction as the congregation, but towards the people, in a bid to make things appear more participatory. There were also warm words for Protestants, the followers of other religious traditions and gone was the traditional hostility to the secular world. Looking back, most of Vatican II's reforms were modest. Many liberal-minded Catholics had expected a shift away from mandatory celibacy for priests, the ordination of women and a lifting of the Church's traditional ban on artificial birth control. Priests who were in seminary at the time tell me of a time of flux when it seemed like everything was up for grabs. A less-than-impressed Maynooth professor coined the iconic line that "before the council there was night prayer and lights out, now there is light prayer and nights out". It became known as the 'spirit of Vatican II' - not so much because there was any hint at such reforms in the formal decrees of the council, but because it captured a feeling that was in the air that the Church was following the rest of society and moving away from age-old certainties. Liberals were to be inevitably disappointed and one of the final nails in the coffin was the publication of Humanae Vitae in 1968 which insisted that there would be no change on birth control. Authoritative decrees also ruled out married clergy and women priests. Reformers lamented their belief that 'the spirit of Vatican II' had been strangled and many laypeople, who had been assured by priests that seismic shifts were on the way, were baffled. But, in truth, the 'spirit of Vatican II' referred to little more than liberal desires for change rather than anything the Church hierarchy was actually considering. The election of John Paul II in 1978 and his successor Benedict XVI in 2005 confirmed in the minds of many that the 'spirit of Vatican II' had been laid to rest. Fast forward to 2013 and a Church mired in scandal and a seeming inability to present a coherent face to the world. Benedict achieved much, but eventually stepped down having failed to reform the Roman Curia. In their bewilderment, the cardinals, now from 48 countries, looked for something new and to Latin America - the beating heart of the 21st-century Church. They saw in the relaxed persona of Jorge Bergoglio a man who could grasp the nettle. His rejection of the trappings of office showed the humble face to the world that observers felt the Church desperately needed. Jaded liberal Catholics liked the cut of his jib and a papacy in crisis was transformed by a prelate who was soon named 'Time' man of the year and hailed by the 'Harvard Business Review' as a model for leaders all over the globe. The editorial gushed "we can't stop talking about Pope Francis". Those who had been on the fringe saw in Francis a friend and believed he would bring them in from the cold. They weren't entirely wrong - he did tell them to pull up a seat by the fireside and rehabilitated some theologians who had been disciplined under previous papacies. But he also quickly made it clear that while the mood music would change, there would be no shifts on key doctrines and teachings. That's why his decision this week to shelve a call for married priests and definitively rule out the ordination of women shouldn't really come as a surprise. Time and again, Francis has insisted that the Church must be more merciful and welcoming to people while still remaining definitively the Catholic Church with its core teachings. Francis is happy to entertain the discussions and debates between conservatives and liberals in the Church which gives some the impression he is open to radical departures. However, Francis has demonstrated once again that the Pope really is a Catholic. What this week's exhortation does do is set out to change a mindset where priesthood is always associated with power towards a culture where priesthood is seen as service. He insists laypeople must be given more voice and authority within the Church, though he doesn't spell out what exactly that space is. What he does make clear is he doesn't see adding new layers of clerics to a clericalised Church as meaningful reform. Francis can be difficult to read. He doesn't easily fit in to boxes. He's a traditional Catholic without being a conservative, open to discussions without being a liberal. What he has proved this week is that the job of the pope is to ensure that the Catholic Church remains the Catholic Church. That won't please liberals, but many Catholics love their Church because of the doctrines rather than in spite of them. Following the Congress debacle in Delhi Assembly elections, party interim president Sonia Gandhi has launched an exercise to meet leaders for a feedback on the dismal showing of the grand old party. Congress leader Alka Lamba, a former MLA from Chandni Chowk, met Gandhi to give a feedback on the reasons for the poor showing in Delhi, where it was last in power from 2003 to 2013 on its own. Alka Lamba said that they discussed the election results and the steps to strengthen the party in the national capital. Lamba said that she would meet people in her constituency to thank them for their support. Incidentally, Lamba left the Aam Aadmi Party to join the Congress but failed to save even her security deposit in the 2020 Assembly elections. Jammu, Feb 14 : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), on Friday presided over the 37th Board Meeting held at Raj Bhavan, Jammu, an official said here. Regarding the duration and date of commencement of the Yatra 2020 pilgrimage, based on the approach set out by the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Committee, which had been set up to advise on the duration and schedule of future Yatras, and keeping in view the the safety and security of the pilgrims, the Board decided that a 42-day Yatra would commence on June 23, 2020, on the auspicious day of the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra festival and conclude on the occasion of Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan festival) on August 3, 2020. The Board noted the steps taken by the CEO for registration of pilgrims through 442 designated branches of the Punjab National Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank and YES Bank, located in 32 states and union territories (UTs), and directed him to take all required measures to commence the advance registration of pilgrims from April 1, 2020. Considering the success of the Pilot Project of Online Registration of a limited number of intending pilgrims in 2019, the Board decided to increase the quota of online registrations. The Board also directed that wide publicity be made, through the electronic and print media, informing intending pilgrims to timely secure the prescribed Compulsory Health Certificates issued by the Doctors or hospitals nominated by their home states or UTs and only, thereafter, seek advance registration from the nearest designated bank which would issue the pilgrim a Yatra permit valid for the specified date and route. The Board also advised the CEO to appeal to all the potential pilgrims to consult their doctors before starting the pilgrimage. The CEO was also directed to widely publicize that no person below the age of 13 and above the age of 75 years shall be permitted to undertake the pilgrimage. The Board further directed the CEO to take timely steps for ensuring uninterrupted telecom connectivity in the Yatra area. Appreciating the important services rendered by the 'langar' (free kitchen) organisations, the Board looked forward to their continued support during the ensuing Yatra. The Board directed the CEO to caution all potential pilgrims to particularly take into account the difficult climate and terrain in the high altitude region of the Yatra and prepare themselves fully for undertaking the pilgrimage. According to the official, as in the past, an awareness campaign would be launched in cooperation with the Information Ministry all details relating to the Yatra would be placed on the Board's website www.Shriamarnathjishrine.com. The Board reviewed the action plan drawn up for the conduct of Yatra 2020, particularly the arrangements being made for medical care, sanitation facilities, installation of the railings at all vulnerable points along each of the two routes, as well as the measures being taken to preserve the environment on the pilgrimage route by ensuring garbage removal in a scientific and environment-friendly manner. Instructions were also issued to ensure that the Yatra routes and camps remain plastic-free and completely prohibited the entry of single use plastic. The Romanian Orthodox Church believes the granting of autocephaly to the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine established on the basis of non-canonical religious organizations was lawful, the Greek church news agency Romfea said on Friday. According to the article, the Synod of the Romanian Church came to the conclusion that it "inherently agrees to the granting of autocephaly, but a consensus should be achieved between the Ecumenical and Moscow patriarchates. For that reason, the Romanian Church decided to send its delegates to the all-Orthodox meeting "on the Ukrainian issue" in Amman to take place at the initiative of the Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem in late February. "The Romanian Church's participation is justified by the fact that all autocephalous churches are responsible for the common effort to preserve the unity and Eucharistic communion as demanded by the Holy Gospel," the Synod said in a statement. At the same time, the Synod in Bucharest decided that the Romanian Church would be represented in the all-Orthodox process by its bishops rather than Patriarch Daniel. Quezon Province (CNN Philippines, February 14) Two police officers survived an attack by communist rebels in San Narciso, Quezon province Friday morning. According to the Quezon Police Provincial Office, Patrolmen Millan Kenn Parco and Kennedy Piamonte were on patrol in their vehicle in Barangay San Juan when rebels fired at them, resulting in a gunfight. People in the area helped the wounded policemen. Police said a rebel was shot as well. The police have coordinated with the military to go after the rebels. BAGHDAD Feminists in pink and purple marched on Feb. 13 in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, Nasiriyah and other cities in the south. Women have had a central role in the protest movement since it started last October, participating in the protests alongside men and supported the movement by preparing food and providing first aid. Now they and their supporters have marched to challenge the distortions being circulated about their cause as part of the rising feminist movement in Iraq and the region in general. The feminist march faced accusations from opposers who consider the participation of women in protests to be immoral and unethical. Pro-Iran Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, for example, has criticized womens presence at protests and called for separation of the genders. In an 18-point statement providing instructions for protests, Sadr said, Protesters must respect the rules of Sharia and the social context of the country as much as possible. The two genders must not mix in protest tents. Protesters responded on social media with messages of support for womens political action. Many people crossdressed to express equality between men and women and calls for a specifically feminist march rose. Women's rights activist and former diplomat Ahlam al-Kilani told Al-Monitor that women have played an important role in the protest movement since it started, standing against oppression and terrorism and making great sacrifices. Some have even lost their lives in the protests. Kilani believes that the presence of women at the protests reflects social changes in Iraq and protesters' ambition to include all segments of society, to fulfill their national duty without falling victim to sectarianism and social inequality. In response to the feminist pushback, Sadr intensified his discourse against womens participation in marches, describing it as immoral and sinful. Today, there is a rise in voices demanding liberation, nudity, mixing genders, drunkenness and debauchery. This is blasphemous and an attack on God and the pillars of Sharia. It is an attack on prophets and holy messengers. Sadrs Blue Hats were allegedly instructed to spread rumors on social media about illicit and blasphemous practices like drinking alcohol in the Turkish restaurant near Tahrir Square, a business they later occupied. Sadr warned against what he called the immoral perverse terrorists of urbanization and liberation. He called on the people to avoid getting carried away with their animalistic instincts and threatened, We will not sit idle while others insult our religion and country. We will not allow them to erase us just like we wont allow the occupier to stifle Iraq. Sadr added, They do not want Kandahar; they want Chicago. Today, we cannot allow Iraq to become Kandahar, a realm for religious extremism, and we cannot allow Iraq to become a place like Chicago, where immorality, sexual perversion, homosexuality and debauchery are pervasive. Secretary of the Iraqi Hope Association Hana Edward stated in an interview with Al-Monitor that the feminist protest has spread to religious cities such as Najaf and Karbala. Sadr called his followers to participate in his own feminist march on Feb 14 in an attempt to distract the public from the ongoing protests, which he tried to take advantage of and claim as his own. After failing to do so, he has opposed the movement. In January, Sadr organized a massive march against what he called the American occupation to sideline the protests while his Blue Hats attacked the protesters. Around 10 protesters were killed in Najaf, allegedly by the Blue Hats. The Sadiqoun bloc of militant grouop Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq issued a statement in line with Sadrs position expressing disapproval of what it called the debauchery and moral looseness observed in feminist marches. It blamed the United States for encouraging perverse behavior that is not in line with the values of our society. Such perverse behavior includes drinking, using drugs and the intermingling of men and women. This does not respect Sharia, morality or community. Kilani said, The accusations against women in protests are unfair. The purpose is to cripple their role in the process of collective determination and national and social debates. "The wide participation of young women in the feminist march on Feb. 13 was a thundering blow to the discrediting of women's participation in the revolution, especially Muqtada al-Sadr's position," said Edward, adding, "The women in the protest, like their brothers, faced beatings, kidnappings, assassinations and threats of all kinds." Feminist activist Oum Khaled believes that women have attended the protests to assert womens role in society and prove their role in the Iraqi social fabric, which has isolated them. Women are rejecting this isolation through peaceful protest and civil action. 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Targeting Cookies We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated sale of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website. Attendees hold up their candles at a candlelight vigil for the victims of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 15, 2018. (Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo/File) Florida Red Flag Gun Law Used 3,500 Times Since Parkland A 23-year-old man who posted on Facebook, I dont know why I dont go on a killing spree. A West Palm Beach couple who shot up their home while high on cocaine. A 31-year-old Gulf Coast man who pointed a semiautomatic rifle at a motorcyclist. All four Florida residents had their guns taken away by judges under a red flag law the state passed three weeks after authorities say a mentally disturbed man killed 17 people in a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland two years ago on Feb. 14. The law, supported by legislators of both parties, has been applied more than 3,500 times since, with the pace accelerating during the last half of 2019. Even so, an Associated Press analysis of the law showed its use is inconsistent, with some counties and cities using it rarely and others not at all. Advocates of Floridas red flag measure say before it existed, it was often difficult to remove firearms from those making threats or suffering severe mental breakdowns. Investigators did not act on reports that the Parkland shooter was threatening to carry out a school massacre. But even if they had, it is likely he would have been allowed to keep his guns because he had no felony convictions or involuntary, long-term mental commitments, they say. Nikolas Cruz, 19, a former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where he allegedly killed 17 people, is seen on a closed-circuit television screen at the Broward County Courthouse, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Feb. 15, 2018. (Susan Stocker Pool/Getty Images) Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who leads a commission that investigated the massacres causes, says the shooter would have easily qualified for a red flag order. Gualtieri says while it is impossible to say that would have prevented the shooting, the gunman wouldnt have been able to legally buy weapons or ammunition, making his preparation difficult. We have needed this law for decades, said Gualtieri, who started a unit in his department that handles only red flag cases. But the law also has vocal critics: those who say it violates the U.S. and state constitutions, including the right to bear arms, and others who argue that laws already on the books in Florida made it unnecessary. Still others say it discriminates against the poor: Because the hearing with a judge is not a criminal proceeding, low-income defendants arent provided with a free lawyer. Sixteen other states plus the District of Columbia have similar laws, 11 of which were enacted after the Feb. 14, 2018, shooting at Stoneman Douglas. President Donald Trump has at times supported a federal proposal, but has not strongly advocated it before Congress. To get an order in Florida, police agencies must file a request with a civil court, citing serious mental illness or threats a person has made. If the judge agrees, the person must surrender their firearms to police. Within two weeks, a hearing is held during which the judge decides whether to take the persons weapons away for a year. Police agencies can apply for an extension if there is evidence a person remains a threat after a year. If not, the guns are returned. Orlando attorney Kendra Parris, who is trying to get a case before the state Supreme Court to overturn the law, says it doesnt adequately define some terms, such as what constitutes serious mental health issues. And in any case, she says, other Florida statutes, such as misdemeanor breach of the peace, already allow police to take firearms from the truly dangerous before they act. That statute could easily have been invoked against the Stoneman Douglas shooter, she said. Probably two dozen times this guy could have been charged for breach of the peace and had his firearms removed, Parris said. Alyssa Kramer (C), a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student, is comforted by her mother Tonja Kramer during a prayer vigil Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 15, 2018. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) The AP analysis shows that from March 2018, when the law was enacted, through December 2019, there was a wide disparity in its per capita usage in Floridas 67 counties. Twenty issued at least one for every 5,500 residents during that time period, the statewide average. Three issued at least one for every 2,000 residents, including Gualtieris Pinellas County, which includes the Tampa Bay area, and has nearly 1 million people. Highlands County, near Lake Okeechobee, ranked No. 1, issuing one for every 850 residents. On the other extreme, 12 counties issued one for every 30,000 residents or less. Two neighboring Panhandle countiesEscambia and Santa Rosaissued one for every 100,000 residents or more. Another nine small, rural counties issued none. Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman said he doesnt know why his county is No. 1, but he noted that his deputies average two calls daily for mental health crises. The county has just over 100,000 residents and was the scene of a bank shooting last year that left five women dead. If someone has made a threat to hurt themselves or others and is intent on using a firearm, we will try to get a risk protection order against them so we can take away those guns, Blackman said. But the law isnt a guarantee: Two Highlands men who received orders still killed themselves, one with carbon monoxide and the other with an illegally obtained gun, he said. The sheriffs whose counties had no or few red flag orders during the reviewed period said in an AP questionnaire that they are not philosophically opposed to the lawthey just havent needed it. Santa Rosa Sheriff Bob Johnson said it was a fluke that his county of 155,000 had only issued one order. Baker County Maj. Randy Crews explained that the lack of red flag orders from his county on the Georgia border west of Jacksonville has to do with the fact that his deputies know most of the 27,000 residents and can intercede quickly if someone is having a breakdown and making threats. Crews said most potential red flag cases are asked to surrender their guns to a relative, who is told to not return them until the person finishes mental health treatment. He said that approach works better than confrontation and has never backfired. He said the office would not hesitate to use the law, however, if someone didnt cooperate. By Terry Spencer It is the big Valentine Day weekend at the box-office. There are a few releases in multiple languages in Chennai. Let us hope the Valentine Day Weekend brings some additional footfalls, as the Chennai Box-Office is at an all time low. The big Tamil releases are Hip Hop Aadhis third release as hero Naan Sirithal directed by short filmmaker Raana and produced by Sundar C. The other release is the romantic fantasy Oh My Kadavule, which carries very good reports as press screening was before release. The third Tamil release is Day Knight. Vijay Deverakondas Telugu romantic World Famous Lover including its Tamil dubbed version is releasing this week. The other Telugu film is Oka Chinna Viramam. The lone Hindi release is Aryan Karthiks Love Aaj Kal2. The Hollywood release of the week is the action, horror thriller Fantasy Island. There are two Malayalam releases in Chennai this week Prithviraj Biju Menons Ayyappanum Koshiyum and Dulquer Kalyani Priyadarsan Varane Avashyamund. Both these films have released last week in Kerala. This week saw Spain's economy minister Nadia Calvino trying to reassure investors and executives, many of whom are concerned about her Socialist party's power-sharing arrangement with anti-establishment Podemos. In an interview with the Financial Times, she said that the government would consult the business world about proposed labour reforms, which are aimed at undoing those made by former conservative prime minister Mariano Rajoy in 2012, at the height of the crisis. To put it another way: Spain's left-wing government is going to ask companies if they want to change a setup that has, broadly speaking, made life easier and more cost-effective for them over the last few years. One wonders how smoothly the negotiations will go. Calvino said that it was the government's concern that none of its projected reforms will "endanger job creation", which under Mariano Rajoy progressed at the rate of around two million new positions a year. Yet perhaps job creation - specifically, the status and stability of new contracts - is one of the things that should be under discussion when the government consults industry. The much-vaunted "two-million-a-year" figure of which Rajoy was so proud starts to appear less impressive when one remembers that around a quarter of the country's workforce is on temporary contracts. In fact, Spain has the highest number of temporary workers in the EU and in 2017, around 60% of the contracts they signed were for six months or less. Such positions are of much more benefit to employers than they are to employees, so Calvino faces a tough task in convincing companies to create more full-time jobs, especially after two substantial raises in the minimum wage in as many years. She will also have to negotiate with the government's employment minister, Communist Party member Yolanda Diaz, who's unlikely to be enthusiastic about the idea of watering-down Podemos' flagship policies, one of which is making pay negotiations industry-wide rather than company-wide. Conflicts of interest, both within the government and between the government and industry, are bound to arise. The fact that Calvino's government is already slashing its deficit-reduction and GDP-expansion forecasts and increasing public spending by around 3% this year isn't going to help reassure investors. Indeed, the Socialist-Podemos alliance must perform a precarious balancing act to keep everyone happy: concerned parties include the business world, the EU, Podemos, an electorate whose distrust of politicians is at an all-time low and right-wing, separatist and centre-right parties, whose support in congress is crucial for passing legislation. It's hard to imagine a more disparate group, one with priorities ranging from increasing profits to reducing unemployment and social inequality. If there's one skill that's going to be key for members of Pedro Sanchez's new leftist government, it's negotiation. OTTAWAA member of the Canadian military based in Toronto faces several charges including sexual assault in connection with a number of alleged incidents in Halifax. The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service says Master Cpl. Anthony Chand also faces charges of sexual assault causing bodily harm, forcible confinement, harassing communication and conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline of the military. Chand is a regular force imagery technician currently assigned to the Canadian Forces College in north Toronto. The charges are in connection with a number of incidents that allegedly occurred between December 2014 and July 2015 in Dartmouth and Halifax, while Chand was serving with the Military Operations Support and Intelligence Centre, known as Trinity. The investigation began last June following a complaint by an individual who was a member of the military at the time of the alleged incidents. A date and location for a court martial hearing have not been determined. Read more about: The Syrian Safety and Defection Center is working to secure a safe place for those who have defected from the regime army and are looking for safety reports Zaman Al Wasl. During the first stages of the Syrian revolution, many officers and soldiers defected from the Syrian army and joined the ranks of the rebels to defend their families and their homes. However, with Russias military, political, and even media and psychological meddling, and with the receiving of settlement deals, that stopped. Consequently, a number of activists established the Syrian Safety and Defection Center (SCSD) to help those who defect and to find a safe place to settle. Ibrahim Nizar al-Tawil, 22, is one of the recently secured elements. He was one of the young men who was tricked by the Russian settlement. The center was able to bring him to safety and he was given the choice of either staying in rebel-held areas or moving to any other place where he feels safe, even if it is outside Syria. A number of activists were contacted, who explained the difficult conditions, the liquidation and detention of many, as well as the weariness of the soldiers in the ranks of the Russian occupation forces. Many Syrians were arrested at their universities and workplaces and were forced to face their countrymen on the battleground. The source explained that he had met with volunteers from a number of fields and worked to establish the SCSD, in coordination with various revolutionary factions, in order to help save these young men and secure their escape, not only from the fronts, but from any other place in Syria where they do not feel safe. The main goal of the center is to provide the soldiers and officers who were exploited with an opportunity to escape the grip of occupation forces. The Center faces several logistical obstacles, but with a great deal of help, they were able to overcome them and, within a few days, they could secure any defecting elements serving in the ranks of the occupation or any of Assads civil or military institutions. The source disclosed that the center was able to secure a number of soldiers as well as an important figure from the regimes government, whose identity will be announced within the next few days. 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. Francis Chan says he healed deaf boy, girl in rural Myanmar village: 'My faith was at another level' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment 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: On the day the nation paid its tribute to the CRPF jawans who were killed in a terrorist attack in Pulwama, an autorickshaw driver in Odishas Koenjhar district gave a unique tribute to the jawans by offering free rides to passengers. Narendra Kumar of Anandpur town in Keonjhar district started free auto ride for passengers in the area to remind people about the jawans who lost their lives in the terrorist attack. Terrorists from Pakistan had killed 40 CRPF jawans and injured another 20 on February 13 last year. The free auto service is my small tribute to the jawans, said Kumar, who is the president of the local auto association. Passengers can avail the free ride from Anandpur Bazaar to Ghasipura medical and Uttareshwar temple to Jhadeswar temple on to and fro basis, he said. The service will be available till February 16 between 7 am and 5 pm. Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik also paid tribute to the deceased jawans through his sand art at Puri beach in Odisha. Pattnaik took to Twitter and posted a picture of his sand art and wrote Jai Hind. Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy was targeted by the suicide bomber of Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on February 14, 2019. Among the 40 jawans killed in the attack, Prasanna Kumar Sahoo and Manoj Behera were from Odisha. Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after the attack. Leaders across the party lines condemned the attack and called for an appropriate response. The response came in the form of the unprecedented air action against the Jaish-e-Mohammeds facility at Balakot. United Nations and several countries from across the globe condemned the Pulwama terror attack and extended their support to India in the fight against terrorism. Economic reforms, consistent policymaking in India and with investors looking to de-risk from China amid coronavirus (COVID-19) scare puts India in a sweet spot, says K Balasubramanian, Head Group Corporate Banking, Citibank. Global manufacturing companies have been thinking about a dual Asia strategy, or China + one, to balance out production. India can clearly become a beneficiary, particularly given the policy and tax measures the government has taken since last July, he told the Economic Times. Citi has close to 30 percent market share of the MNC businesses with large exposure to manufacturing. While the shift has usually been toward ASEAN countries, Balasubramanian feels that Indias telecom industry may see immediate benefits; followed by the electrical and electronics. Then, in another 18-24 months, investments in semiconductor manufacturing is only a matter of time and electric vehicles (EVs) could be another big opportunity. Indias English-speaking workforce, legal system and positive momentum from the IBC give the country an advantage, Balasubramanian added. Speaking about the Budget and MPC, he said the government did deliver considering fiscal constraints. Noting that foreign capital is necessary to support planned infrastructure and consumption, he added: incentives for sovereign wealth funds are in the right direction. Canada is investing in India, Middle-Eastern funds are also increasing allocation, and Singapore and Japan have historically been big supporters of India, he observed and expects impending trade deal will accelerate trade with the US. He further pointed out that COVID-19 has put the markets back by four to six weeks, but it is early days and one has to wait and watch. BMS Scholar Helps Lead Team Studying Worldwide Patented Innovations Available for Gene Therapy Treatment This illustration shows how a team of scientists from Purdue University and institutions around the world have come together to better understand the growing number of worldwide patented innovations available for gene therapy treatment. (Image provided) The global gene therapy market is expected to reach $13 billion by 2024 as new treatment options target cancers and other diseases. Dr. Marxa Figueiredo, associate professor of basic medical sciences in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, has helped lead a team of scientists from Purdue and other research institutions around the world who came together to better understand the growing number of worldwide patented innovations available for gene therapy treatment. Dr. Figueiredo and her fellow team members specifically focus on nonviral methods, which use synthetic or natural compounds or physical forces to deliver materials generally less toxic than their viral counterparts into the therapy treatments. The possibility of using nonviral vectors for gene therapy represents one of the most interesting and intriguing fields of gene therapy research, said Dr. Figueiredo, who works with the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization to patent her technologies related to health. This is an innovative method for identifying the technological routes used by universities and companies across the world and uncovering emerging trends for different gene therapy sectors. The scientists used big data, patent, and clinical data mining to identify technological trends for the gene therapy field. The teams work is presented in the February 7 edition of Nature Biotechnology. They envision that their analysis will help guide future developments for gene therapy. The research project brought together investigators from across the globe in a joint effort to use new databases and methods to better understand the trends of the gene therapy field in respect to nonviral vectors. Dimas Covas, coordinator of the Center for Cell-based Therapy, affiliated with the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, lent his extensive experience in cell therapy. Dr. Figueiredo, Aglaia Athanassiadou, and Virginia Picanco-Castro contributed their extensive experience with nonviral vectors for gene therapy. Cristiano Pereira and Geciane Porto brought their expertise in economics and business administration to the analyses. Each contribution was fundamental to achieving a new way to identify technological trends in this field. This work brought together investigators from very diverse disciplines to create a different perspective on the gene therapy field, Dr. Figueiredo explained. Our groups continue to work individually or in collaboration to generate and patent new vectors to help fill the needs of this re-emerging field of nonviral gene therapy. The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Services provided by the office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the universitys academic activities through commercializing, licensing and protecting Purdue intellectual property. Click here to view a complete news release about the research. Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu Lu Jing, a 56-year-old Chinese tourist, said she just wanted to take photographs of President Donald Trumps estate in December and that she was dropped off there by a Chinese tour guide she had hired online. On Friday morning, Palm Beach County judge Mark Eissey sentenced Lu to an additional six months in Palm Beach County Jail after a seven-member jury convicted Lu on Wednesday of a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest without violence. She absolutely, positively must not go near Mar-a-Lago, Eissey said Friday. He gave her credit for 59 days she has already served and added $373 in court costs. She is on notice. Lu, clad in prison garb and chained at the wrists, dabbed at her eyes as she stood near her court-appointed lawyer. Lu Jing, who allegedly intruded at Mar-a-Lago, takes the witness stand in her own defense in a West Palm Beach courtroom on Feb. 11, 2020. Lu asked, through her attorney, for a light sentence, saying shes a law-abiding citizen, WPTV reported. Prosecutors had argued for a year sentence, saying that they wanted to send a message to others who might want to do as Lu did: wander onto the private property without authorization, WPBF 25 reported. Happening now : Prosecutors are asking the judge to sentence Lu Jing to 1 year in prison, to send a message that her actions at #MarALago are NOT acceptable. @WPBF25News Caroline Coles (@CarolineCWPBF) February 14, 2020 On Wednesday, Lu was acquitted of the more serious trespassing charge after prosecutors said Lu went through an open front gate of the private, members-only club in Palm Beach on Dec. 18, and then tried to access the presidents primary residence through an un-gated service road accessible from South Ocean Boulevard. Prosecutors had called Lus Mar-a-Lago breach a calculated decision. Jurors doubted whether Lu knew she shouldnt have been on the grounds after her public defenders pointed out that the members-only club failed to post warning signs against trespassing or taking photographs. Story continues She was, instead, convicted on the resisting arrest without violence charge. Trump weekend at Mar-a-Lago President Trump is expected to be at Mar-a-Lago Friday evening through the Presidents Day weekend. The stay will be Trumps 30th visit since he assumed the presidency in January 2017, The Palm Beach Post reported. Security, of course, is boosted when the president is on the grounds. Last March, federal authorities arrested another Chinese national, Yujing Zhang, for unlawfully entering the club. TOKYO, Feb 14, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - The Charter-of-Trust (CoT) partners have agreed to deliver next-generation products with preset cybersecurity, following a clear "Security by Default" philosophy. At present, there are no uniform regulations governing this issue - many products leave the factory solely dependent on safety systems that do not provide comprehensive protection. Users often have to adjust security settings afterward. As a first step, the Charter partner companies have now defined which security features should be activated by default in next-generation products - ranging from strong authentication features to unique product identity and the requirement that passwords must be changed upon first use. The CoT partners also believe that no undocumented functionalities or possibilities for remote connection should be part of the initial device setup - another aspect that is not yet a general rule today. All these requirements are now being rolled out step by step within the relevant portfolios of the Charter of Trust member companies.At the Munich Security Conference in February 2018, Siemens and eight partners from the industrial sector launched a joint charter for more cybersecurity for the first time. Two years after signing, the Charter of Trust (CoT) has grown to 15 members. In addition to Siemens and the Munich Security Conference, the companies AES, Airbus, Allianz, Atos, Cisco, Dell Technologies, Deutsche Telekom, IBM, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, NXP, SGS and TUV SUD have committed themselves to the document. Furthermore, the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), the National Cryptologic Center (CCN) and Graz University of Technology are accompanying the Charter's work as Associated Partners. Today, the Charter of Trust is gaining two new members in NTT, the Japanese IT service provider for consulting and managed services, and the German semiconductor manufacturer Infineon. With the Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Engineering GmbH (HPI), one of Germany's leading IT institutes is now also contributing to the cybersecurity initiative as an Associated Partner."As a provider of various critical infrastructures to society, cybersecurity is of utmost importance to MHI, our customers and partners. We are delighted to see more organisations join the Charter of Trust and strengthen our collaboration towards global cybersecurity rules and standards," said Eisaku Ito, CoCTO, Senior Vice President, Technology Strategy Office, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.Last year, the partners already agreed on 17 concrete baseline requirements with which they can increase the security of their supply chains. Since then, numerous suppliers of CoT companies have already committed to meeting these requirements. Siemens has been introducing them step-by-step since February 15, 2019, and they have been internationally anchored and made binding as part of the general ordering conditions. This primarily affects suppliers of safety-critical components - such as software, processors or electronic components. Existing suppliers are expected to implement the requirements gradually if they are not already being fulfilled. The aim is to better protect the digital supply chain from hacks. The baseline requirements include, for example, that suppliers incorporate safety standards, processes and methods into their products or services. This concerns both technical features and organizational measures relevant to products, services and the corresponding IT infrastructure. The goal here is to reduce risks caused by weaknesses in the software and malware functions. Suppliers bear the responsibility to carry out regular safety checks, tests and corrections. The CoT partners have agreed to these requirements for themselves as well. The supply chain is the weakest point in a company's cybersecurity ecosystem: The origins of 60 percent of cyberattacks can be traced back to parts of the supply chain, and in 60% of those cyber incidents, it is smaller companies who are affected, according to a Verizon study.The CoT partners have also decided to promote education and training on cybersecurity issues, including for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks. For example, in Germany, the Charter of Trust partnered with the "Alliance for Cybersecurity," and developed a set of materials with an emergency card that explains quickly and easily what to do in the event of a cyberattack. In addition, the partners have developed further training material that are made available to SMEs free of charge. In doing so, they aim to prevent cybercrime, but above all to highlight the opportunities for effective cybersecurity measures. The partners have developed a special cybersecurity simulation for schools to give students and teachers a clear and easily digestible overview of the challenges.According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, cyberattacks will cause more than EUR500 billion in global damage in 2018. And the threats are constantly increasing in a digitalized world: According to Cisco, there are around 50 billion networked devices in use in 2020 - double the amount than in 2015, and the figure is expected to rise to 500 billion by 2030.The text of the Charter of Trust can be found at: www.charteroftrust.com.About Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world's leading industrial firms. For more than 130 years, we have channeled big thinking into solutions that move the world forward - advancing the lives of everyone who shares our planet. We deliver innovative and integrated solutions across a wide range of industries, covering land, sea, sky and even space. MHI Group employs 80,000 people across 400 locations, operating in three business domains: "Power Systems," "Industry & Infrastructure," "Aircraft, Defense & Space." We have a consolidated revenue of around 40 billion U.S. Dollars. We aim to contribute to environmental sustainability while achieving global growth, using our leading-edge technologies. By bringing people and ideas together as one, we continue to pave the way to a future of shared success.For more information, please visit MHI's website: https://www.mhi.comFor Technology, Trends and Tangents, visit MHI's new online media SPECTRA: https://spectra.mhi.comSource: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Copyright 2020 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. Look, Issa Rae was just trying to mind her own business, like you Twitter philosophers so often recommend. Let me back up. On Thursdays Watch What Happens Live, Andy Cohen got Issa Raes reaction to a viral photo of her sitting next to Lisa Rinna and her daughters front row at New York Fashion Week. Rinna and the girls look good, but the Insecure star looks like she was freestyling a rap about trifling white people in her head. (Meanwhile, on the other side of Rinnas daughters is YouTuber bestdressed serving face!) But, but, but, but, Issa Rae explained on the show, where she was promoting The Photograph with co-star Lakeith Stanfield, she was just trying to be polite. The photographer wasnt trying to take a picture of me, so I just moved, she told Cohen. She was also rubbing my shoulders a lot so I wanted more shoulder room and that was it! Speaking from no experience, just from staring at that one photo of Lupita Nyongo and Rihanna a lot, the seats at runway shows are very close to each other. So, really the only drama here is the Hollywood starlet vibes Issa Raes hair is giving. Issa Rae disassociating in this photo has me spiraling. pic.twitter.com/s4qncMiept van Ross Katz (@evanrosskatz) February 11, 2020 A five-year-old boy has been hailed a hero for pulling his toddler sister through the window of their burning bedroom before going back in to rescue his dog - and raising the alarm to wake his sleeping family. Noah Wood, from Kingston, Georgia, saved seven relatives from the blaze at their home on Sunday morning. The fire started in the room he shares with his two-year-old sister Lily and is believed to have been caused by an electrical device but it is unclear what exactly started it. Noah woke up first and dragged his sister out of the ground floor window to safety. He then ran over to his uncle's house next door to get help, then returned to his burning house to retrieve his family dog, according to the local fire brigade. Noah suffered a minor burn on his wrist. Lily burned her feet. Noah Wood, from Bartow County, Georgia, has been hailed a hero for evacuating his toddler sister through the window of their burning bedroom After carrying them to safety outside through his ground floor window, he ran back next door to alert his uncle Josh. The two of them raised their remaining relatives who were dozing upstairs in the burning building, unaware of the growing peril Grandfather David Wood - who is now raising $75,000 on a GoFundMe page, claiming the family's insurance policy 'lapsed', said in an interview with WSB: 'If it wasn't for Noah, I mean, we were all asleep, so we wouldn't have known what was going on. We could've all lost our lives.' After carrying his little sister to safety outside through his ground floor window, he ran back next door to alert his uncle Josh. The two of them raised their remaining relatives who were dozing upstairs in the burning building, unaware of the growing peril. Speaking after Bartow County fire crews had extinguished the blaze, Noah humbly downplayed his feat and said: 'I picked Lily up, got to the window with Lily, got the dog and got out. 'That's it.' The youngster said he did not know how the fire ignited, but investigators later said the cause was electrical. Today, Noah is being named an honorary firefighter and will receive a lifesavers award from his efforts. On Friday, the little boy was given a certificate at the local firehouse and was hailed a hero Noah was given a cake declaring him a 'hometown hero' on Friday Noah with his certificate on Friday. His family credits them with saving their lives Local fire chief Dwayne Jamison told CNN: 'We've seen children alert their families before. 'But for a 5-year-old to be alert enough to do this, that's pretty extraordinary.' Scorch marks lay bare the extent of the fire's damage, prompting the family to appeal for $75,000 public donations as they had not updated their insurance. David said on GoFundMe page: 'Due to a recent lapse in our home insurance, this has made a difficult situation a little worse. 'We are planning to rebuild and will likely need to stay in a motel for some time and likely rent a small house while we work to earn funding and build. 'It's difficult for us to ask for help from our community however, we know this feat is too great for us to achieve alone.' As of Friday morning, he had raised just over $14,000. WHO underestimates the spread of the Coronavirus The coronavirus probably has a stronger ability to spread than the World Health Organization has estimated so far. This according to a review of previous studies of the coronavirus' transmissibility performed not least by researchers at Umea University in Sweden. "Our review shows that the coronavirus is at least as transmissible as the SARS virus. And that says a great deal about the seriousness of the situation," says Joacim Rocklov, professor of sustainable health at Umea University and one of the authors of the study, published in the scientific Journal of Travel Medicine. The World Health Organization estimates that the coronavirus has a transmissibility, expressed as a reproduction number, of between 1.4 and 2.5. A reproduction number is a measurement of how many people a contaminated person transmits the virus to in a previously healthy population. The higher the number, the more transferable the virus is and the higher the risk for rapid spread. When the reproduction number falls below 1.0, the epidemic is likely to die out. Researchers in Umea in Sweden, Heidelberg in Germany, and Zhangzhou in China have carried out a review of several scientific studies of the novel coronavirus, COVD-19. In total, the researchers found twelve studies of sufficiently high quality. The studies consisted of estimations of the growth rate based upon the cases observed in the Chinese population, and based upon statistical and mathematical methods. The earliest studies of the coronavirus indicated a relatively low transmissibility. Thereafter, the transmissibility rose rapidly to stabilise between 2-3 in the most recent studies. The reproduction number in the studies summed up to a mean of 3.28, and a median of 2.79, which is significantly higher than the World Health Organization's estimation of 1.4-2.5. "When looking at the development of the corona epidemic, reality seems to correspond well to or even exceed the highest epidemic growth in our calculations. Despite all intervention and control activities, the coronavirus has already spread to a significantly higher extent than SARS did," says Joacim Rocklov. ### This story has been published on: 2020-02-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story has been updated. Read the latest here. SPRINGFIELD A retired Westfield police detective accused of killing his wife and staging it as a suicide made a second bid for pretrial release Friday as dozens of supporters in the gallery including family, former colleagues and his church pastor looked on. Brian Fanion, 56, was arrested on Nov. 7 and charged with his wifes murder. Amy Fanion, 51, died on May 18, 2018, from a gunshot wound to the head. Her death was originally treated as self-inflicted, until police began to suspect her husband actually killed her with his service weapon on his lunch hour. Fanion has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The couples two children and many members of Amy Fanions immediate family including her brother, who was at the couples house on the day of the shooting stand behind Brian Fanion, said defense attorney Jeffrey Brown. They accept that Amy Fanion killed herself, Brown told Hampden Superior Court Judge Michael Callan during a bail hearing, proposing that his client be released after posting a $75,000 bail. Mr. Fanion has every reason to clear his name in this case and to answer to these charges. He has every intention of doing just that, Brown argued, adding that Fanion knew he was a suspect since shortly after his wifes death and has been cooperative with investigators. Fanion was a member of the Westfield Police Department for 34 years, retiring as a detective in 2018. Hampden Assistant District Attorney Mary Sandstrom opposed Fanions bid for pretrial release. Prosecutors have argued Fanion killed his wife amid an extramarital affair with a mutual friend of the couple from church. Sandstrom contends Fanion had designs on keeping his his entire pension and starting a new life with another woman. There was only one way to enjoy his retirement and his new love affair ... that was to kill his wife, Sandstrom told Judge Frank E. Flannery during a previous bail hearing, asking that Fanion be held without the right to bail. Flannery declined to release Fanion at that time. The prosecution also contends ballistics and other forensic evidence show Amy Fanion could not have killed herself. Those factors included the trajectory of the bullet and other factors. Brown disputed this on Friday. The Commonwealth told the court bullet entered above and to the rear of the ear of Ms. Fanion, Brown argued to Callan. The bullet was very clearly above and forward of the ear of Amy Fanion." Callan told attorneys in the case he will take the matter of pretrial release under advisement and issue a ruling in short order. Thousands of Uzbek students studying in neighboring Central Asian countries are rushing to transfer to universities in Uzbekistan after Tashkent eased restrictions for such transfers. The Uzbek Education Ministry on February 7 offered an opportunity for the students -- mostly in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan -- to submit applications to transfer to an Uzbek university with minimal paperwork and no exams, as was previously required. Uzbeks studying abroad at other Central Asian universities must only submit proof of their studies and a copy of their passport with the transfer application by March 15. The ministry said returning students will be provided a place in schools in their home cities or the nearest cities that offer the degree the applicants were studying for at their foreign universities. However, it recommended that students enroll in evening classes or distant learning courses, due to a shortage of places at universities, where faculty and classrooms are often already full or even overcrowded. Some Uzbek education officials said they were scurrying to find additional resources and facilities to accommodate the new transfer students. The Uzbek government has not stated why it surprisingly decided to set conditions that would cause thousands of students studying abroad to want to immediately return to their home country to attend university. The ministry extended the initial February 15 deadline until March 15 after the announcement led to long lines and chaos at several host universities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. RFE/RL correspondents in the Kazakh city of Shymkent reported on February 12 that thousands of Uzbek students gathered at administrative offices at South Kazakhstan University to get proof of their study. Some said they had been lining up for several days despite rain and cold weather. The university administration told RFE/RL that they were writing up to 1,000 letters a day for Uzbek students wanting to transfer to a university in Uzbekistan. Financial Benefits "I just received my document," Tabassum Jumanazarova, a student at South Kazakhstan University, told RFE/RL. "I'm planning to transfer to Urgench State University. It's a great opportunity for me. It's much better to study in your own country." The students say the rent and other living costs as well as well transport costs to go home during the holidays put a financial strain on their often limited budgets. Another Uzbek student said she had come to study in Shymkent after she wasn't able to get a place at universities in Uzbekistan. "I'm 52 years old. I decided to study after many organizations in Uzbekistan started firing employees who didn't have a university degree," Mutabar Usmonova said. "Now, I'm here to get my papers so I could submit for a transfer." There are some 15,000 Uzbek students studying in the southern Kazakh city, which is near the Uzbek border. Nearly half of them study at South Kazakhstan University, according to Sadykbek Beisenbaev, the deputy head of the school. "There are many students willing to leave. We didn't expect this," he told RFE/RL on February 12. But the university is leaving the door open for Uzbek students who might change their mind upon returning to Kazakhstan. "They can come back to Shymkent and continue their studies if Uzbek universities can't accept them for some reason or another," Beisenbaev said. Similar crowds and chaos were seen at universities in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and Osh, Kyrgyzstan, with Uzbek students asking for official documents so they can transfer. At the Dushanbe Teacher Training University, some Uzbek students could be seen accompanied by their parents. Some came with their bags already packed, eager to get their documents and head home. The teacher-training school has some 2,500 students from Uzbekistan, but not all of them are willing to transfer to Uzbekistan. "I want to stay here and complete my five-year study in Tajikistan. It's my second year here," said Shoahmad Taghoev, a student from Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan's Education Ministry downplayed any potential impact of Uzbek students' so-called exodus from the country. "It won't have any impact on our universities, which have more than half a million students. The number of Uzbek students in Kazakhstan is over 10,000," the ministry said. The total number of Uzbek students in Central Asian states is estimated at around 25,000, though an exact total is difficult to confirm. 'It's Against The Rules' Meanwhile, university officials in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan say the Uzbek Education Ministry's announcement to facilitate the transfers in the middle of the academic year violates some of the host countries' rules. "Transfer to another school is allowed only after completing the full first year," said Saadi Kosimov, the deputy head of the Dushanbe teacher-training school. A similar rule has created a financial problem for first-year students at Osh State University in southern Kyrgyzstan. "The university administration says it wouldn't give us the necessary document we need unless we pay for the rest of the academic year," a parent from Uzbekistan's Namangan Province was quoted by local media as saying. The woman, whose name wasn't published, said she had come to Osh to take her son -- a first-year student -- back home to continue his study in Namangan. "The annual fee is $1,300 and we paid half of it at the beginning of the year. Now, we need to pay the second half, too," the woman said. Officials at the Uzbek Education Ministry told RFE/RL's Uzbek Service the ministry will also consider extending exam-free transfers for students beyond the current March 15 deadline to enable Uzbek students to complete the full year and avoid making a double payment before transferring for the next academic year. RFE/RL's Uzbek, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, and Tajik services contributed to this report Former veteran detective Ron Iddles has for months insisted a confession to the murder of Melbourne's vampire gigolo Shane Chartres-Abbott was never made. On Friday, he was forced to accept he has been wrong. "I still dont have any recollection, but I can see theres only one logical conclusion, it was there," Mr Iddles, told a royal commission. Former Victoria Police homicide detective Ron Iddles leaves the Royal Commission on Thursday. Credit:AAP The confession in question is that of career criminal Mark Perry, who allegedly told lawyer-turned-police-snitch Nicola Gobbo he had organised the 2003 murder of Chartres-Abbott. CAIRO Comments by the top US diplomat in Cairo have renewed hopes among Egyptians for the potential of a long sought bilateral free trade agreement. US Ambassador to Cairo Jonathan Cohen said Jan. 28 that negotiations at the official government level between Egypt and the United States are scheduled to begin next year on a bilateral free trade agreement. A bilateral free trade agreement allows unrestricted import and export of goods free of customs duties between its signatories. Cohen's announcement came on the sidelines of the conference of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham Egypt). He said that the discussions between the two countries on the free trade agreement are in the best interest of both sides, recalling the countries' strong strategic relations dating back more than 41 years. Washington and Cairo have been engaged in talks on a free trade agreement to varying degrees of intensity for the better part of two decades. So far, however, a deal has remained elusive. Egypt is the fourth-largest export market for U.S. goods and services in the Middle East, and the largest market for U.S. goods and services exports on the African continent, Cohen said in his speech at the conference. On Nov. 18, 2019, President of the Board of Governors of AmCham Egypt Sherif Kamel had stressed the need to take serious steps to sign the free trade agreement between Egypt and the United States. On the sidelines of his participation in the US- Egypt Future Prosperity Forum, he urged for moving quickly, noting that the time is favorable for such an agreement that would allow US exports to access African markets. Al-Monitor spoke to Kamel about the free trade agreement. He indicated the volume of trade exchange between Egypt and the United States amounted to $5.2 billion in 2019, which entrenches the idea of establishing a bilateral free trade area in the near future. He affirmed that the signing of the free trade agreement could take place by 2021, after the end of the negotiation process between the two sides. He noted that in preparation for signing the agreement Egypt should produce all the evidence and special credentials to facilitate trade exchange and customs procedures, and ease bureaucratic complications. Kamel explained that the free trade agreement would boost the relations between the two countries by allowing US products to reach the African continent in light of the existence of trade exchange agreements between Egypt and African countries. He added that Egypt's distinctive strategic geographical location to US exports at the regional, African and Arab levels enhances the chances of success of the free trade agreement negotiations. Abdel Khalek Farouk, an economist and director of the Nile Center for Economic and Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor that the idea of a free trade agreement between Egypt and the United States emerged more than three decades ago, but Egypt has yet to meet the US conditions for signing this agreement. He added, Egypt has worked hard to negotiate a comprehensive free trade agreement with the United States. After signing the framework agreement for free trade with the United States known as the Qualifying Industrial Zone [QIZ] agreement Egypt has endeavored to meet a number of conditions and acquire capabilities to support its economy so that the comprehensive free trade agreement can be signed. The QIZ agreement is a cooperation protocol signed between Egypt, the United States and Israel on Dec. 14, 2004. It allows duty-free access of Egyptian exports to the United States provided Israel supplies 11.7% of the materials used in the exported items. The Israeli content requirement was decreased to 10.5% in October 2007. Farouk talked about several conditions set by the United States before signing the comprehensive free trade agreement, most notably strengthening the infrastructure in Egypt, establishing a number of airports, developing old airports and improving roads, railways and seaports to serve the economy, as well as facilitating customs-related procedures. To this date, Egypt has failed to fully meet these conditions. He argued that the United States requires less bureaucracy in government work. The United States asks for greater protection to the rules of intellectual property, which Egypt sees as a thorny issue, he said. Not much progress has been achieved in this respect, which might foil or obstruct negotiations. Mohamed Negm, an economic researcher at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, expects Egypts negotiations with the United States on a bilateral free trade agreement to succeed. He said that Egypt is witnessing a significant economic improvement with high growth rates, which boosts the confidence of foreign countries and major world financial institutions in the Egyptian economy. A number of international indicators show a noticeable improvement in the Egyptian economy and place Egypt on the right track, he told Al-Monitor. Moodys has upgraded Egypt's credit rating from B3 to B2. The World Bank praised in its report on Egypt the macro-economic and structural reforms that restored Egypts economic growth. All this heightens Egypts attractiveness of foreign investments, especially in light of major promising projects and major investment hubs, most notably the promising Egyptian construction and real estate sector and the energy sector, Negm added. Negm described Egypt as the US gateway to Africa with a population surpassing 1 billion. The United States views Egypt as a major partner with whom it has major economic interests beneficial to both sides, he said. He noted that the great improvement witnessed by the Egyptian economy raises the chances of success of the negotiation process on the free trade agreement with the United States. This is in light of the Egyptian ongoing economic reform process praised by many international institutions. The United States will surely tap into this improvement, Negm concluded. An Iron Age temple discovered at Tel Motza, near Jerusalem, calls into question the Biblical claim that Solomon's temple was alone in the ancient Kingdom of Judah. Solomon's Temple which is also known as the First Temple stood from the 10th Century BC until its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 BC. According to the Bible, the Jewish people were prohibited from worshipping outside of Solomon's Temple and the other 'high places' of worship were destroyed. However, experts unearthed another temple in Judah what is today southern Israel which dates back to between around 900600 BC and is attached to a granary. This 'other' temple and had 150 congregants who worshipped Yahweh but also used idols in order to commune with the divine. Experts think the granary was powerful enough to have its Temple excused hinting that the Kingdom of Judah was not initially as strong as it would later become. Scroll down for video An Iron Age temple discovered at Tel Motza near Jerusalem, pictured, calls into question the Biblical claim that Solomon's temple was alone in the ancient Kingdom of Judah The Iron Age site at Tel Motza, pictured which was first discovered in the early nineties lies around 4 miles (6.4 kilometres) outside of Jerusalem The Iron Age site at Tel Motza which was first discovered in the early nineties lies around 4 miles (6.4 kilometres) outside of Jerusalem. The temple at the site was only unearthed in 2012, however with in-depth excavations taking place last year in advance of a road construction project. According to archaeologists Shua Kisilevitz and Oded Lipschits of Tel Aviv University, the temple was in built around 900 BC and remained in operation for around 300 years. This means that the temple was in use in the eighth and seventh centuries BC, during which worship outside of Solomon's Temple was beginning to be outlawed. 'The Bible details the religious reforms of King Hezekiah and King Josiah, the researchers wrote in the magazine Biblical Archaeology Review. '[They] assertedly consolidated worship practices to Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem and eliminated all cultic activity beyond its boundaries.' 'If a group of people living so close to Jerusalem had their own temple, maybe the rule of the Jerusalem elite was not so strong and the kingdom was not so well established as described in the Bible,' Ms Kisilevitz told Live Science. The only other known temple within the Kingdom of Judah from this time was 'a small temple in the southern border fort of Arad, which served the local garrison,' Ms Kisilevitz added. Solomon's Temple, pictured which is also known as the First Temple stood from the 10th Century BC until its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 BC. According to the Bible, the Jewish people were prohibited from worshipping elsewhere The temple at Tel Motza was a rectangular structure with an open courtyard in front, which 'served as a focal point for the cultic activity, as the general population was not allowed into the temple itself,' Ms Kisilevitz told Live Science. Pictured, a horse figurine found at Tel Motza Perhaps, the researchers propose, the continued existence of the Temple was sanctioned, despite flying in the face of Hezekiah and Josiah's reforms. The Tel Motza site was home to a granary, with dozens of silos for grain storage and movement as well as what appear to be administrative buildings. The duo believe that Tel Motza became so successful as a granary that it ended up catering to Jerusalem and becoming powerful in its own right enough so that its associated Temple was exempted. 'It seems that the construction of the temple and the worship conducted in it were related to [the granary's] economic significance,' the researchers wrote. 'Cultic finds in the courtyard include a stone-built altar on which animals were sacrificed and their remains discarded into a pit dug nearby,' Ms Kisilevitz added. Pictured, a horse figurine Excavations have also recovered four broken clay figures that were buried in the courtyard, likely as part of a cultic ritual. Two of the clay statuettes resembled humans, pictured, while the other two appear to be the oldest known depictions of horses from Judah's Iron Age The temple at Tel Motza was a rectangular structure with an open courtyard in front, which 'served as a focal point for the cultic activity, as the general population was not allowed into the temple itself,' Ms Kisilevitz told Live Science. 'Cultic finds in the courtyard include a stone-built altar on which animals were sacrificed and their remains discarded into a pit dug nearby,' she added. Excavations have also recovered four broken clay figures that were buried in the courtyard, likely as part of a cultic ritual. Two of the clay statuettes resembled humans, while the other two appear to be the oldest known depictions of horses from Judah's Iron Age, the researchers said. Instead of worshipping these idols, however, Ms Kisilevitz thinks they were used as 'a medium through which the people could communicate with the god [or gods].' Pictured, one of the human-shaped idols found broken and buried in the courtyard of the Tel Motza temple Instead of worshipping these idols, however, Ms Kisilevitz thinks they were used as 'a medium through which the people could communicate with the god [or gods].' 'Evidence of cultic activity throughout the Kingdom of Judah exists both in the biblical texts (depicted as royally sanctioned, with the notable exception of Hezekiah and Josiah who conducted cultic reform) and in archaeological finds,' she added. The adherence to old cultic practices may also have been a reaction to the emergence of new political groups in the Levant the region that today includes Israel and its neighbouring countries the researchers said. In volatile times, people tend to stick to familiar practices, they added, noting that the artefacts and the design of the temple at Tel Motza appear to hark back to religious traditions from the ancient Near East practised since before 2,000 BC. The Iron Age site at Tel Motza which was first discovered in the early nineties lies around 4 miles (6.4 kilometres) outside of Jerusalem. The temple at the site was only unearthed in 2012, however with in-depth excavations taking place last year in advance of a road construction [February 14, 2020] AutoAlert partners with DealerCorp to offer innovative desking capabilities & enhanced customer-centric experiences KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- AutoAlert has added innovative desking capabilities to its industry-leading customer experience management (CXM) platform via a partnership with automotive software leader, DealerCorp. AutoAlert Desking, powered by DealerCorp, integrates customer-centric, easy-to-convert personalized offers from AutoAlert, while adding greater transparency and streamlining the CXM purchasing experience. The new tool makes desking and finalizing all deals easier than ever before, including those initiated in the service lane with current and new customers via AutoAlert's Service Lead Management. AutoAlert Desking is also fully integratable with dealerships' DMS and CRM, making it seamless for delerships to desk and work deals from anywhere and record finalized sales. "Speed and transparency are as critical to customers as personalization," said Don Favero, Global Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "Bottom line is they want an efficient, easy, and enjoyable purchasing experience. And dealers want tools that help them provide one. We're excited to be partnering with DealerCorp to expand our comprehensive customer-centric portfolio." AutoAlert is committed to consistently expanding the capabilities of the only comprehensive automotive SaaS ecosystem available, its customer-centric CXM platform, to enable OEMs and dealerships to gain a leading edge on their competition. About AutoAlert AutoAlert is the original disruptor and the recognized leader in innovation in the automotive software space. Its Customer Experience Management (CXM) platform continues to focus on the dealership-customer relationship, creating direct opportunities, both online and offline, for meaningful connections and seamless customer-centric experiences. Press Contact AutoAlert Communications 816-883-3174 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/autoalert-partners-with-dealercorp-to-offer-innovative-desking-capabilities--enhanced-customer-centric-experiences-301005399.html SOURCE AutoAlert, Inc. A close ally of Boris Johnson quit the Government last night after turning down a new job in the Cabinet reshuffle because it would have taken him away from his family too much. The standalone Cabinet role of Northern Powerhouse Minister, created after Mr Johnson became Prime Minister last year, was axed in yesterday's reshuffle. Downing Street was forced to insist it was still committed to its 'levelling-up' agenda for the North of England today after axing the ministerial post for the region. The MP for Rossendale and Darwen in Lancashire has three children aged under three, including a baby born just days ago. He said family will always come first and he could not accept a role which would have required substantial amounts of foreign travel. Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry quit the Government last night after rejecting a move to become a junior Foreign Office minister because of his young family (pictured with wife Alice and their three children) He had held the post, created after Mr Johnson became Prime Minister last year, but it was axed in yesterday's reshuffle The move would have been a demotion because his new role would have been outside of the Cabinet. Announcing his decision on Twitter, he said: It has been the greatest privilege of my life to fight for the North in Westminster. For the last two-and-a-half years I have helped move the Northern Powerhouse from concept to Cabinet table. I firmly believe that the Northern Powerhouse was the foundation stone of the blue wall that delivered a Conservative majority Government. He added: I chose to leave Government after being offered another role that would have required substantial amounts of foreign travel. I have three children under three - the youngest of whom is less than a week old. Family will always come first and I felt unable to accept the offer. I will continue to support the Government and the Prime Minster from the back benches and will keep actively campaigning for my constituents in Rossendale and Darwen. There remains confusion over who will take on responsibility for the brief. Mr Johnson held the first meeting of his new look Cabinet in Downing Street this morning Middlesbrough MP and Housing Minister Simon Clarke announced last night he had taken it on, but his role is below a Cabinet post. And the Prime Minister's deputy official spokesman added to the confusion today, telling reporters 'it will be a Cabinet minister who has that responsibility - alongside other things'. Mr Johnson remained 'fully committed' to helping boost prosperity in deprived areas of the North, many of whom voted Tory for the first time in December, he added. A No 10 source suggested that the set-up could be confirmed by the end of today when the reshuffle is expected to be completed. Mr Berry was a strong campaigner for infrastructure investment in the North. Northern Powerhouse Partnership director Henri Murison praised Mr Berrys impact, in particular during his time around the Cabinet table. He said: As well as acting as a champion of devolution, [Jake Berry] spoke up for projects such as HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail at the Cabinet table, standing up for his fellow northerners - an ally to business and civic leaders who worked incredibly hard in his brief. Brexiteer Mr Clarke later tweeted that he had been tasked with delivering the Governments #levellingup agenda', adding: 'The #NorthernPowerhouse is my home. Its battles are those I know so well through my role as a proud Teessider. 'Levelling up is a central task of this Government, and I am massively grateful to my predecessor Jake Berry for all his hard work in this brief.' New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Delhi High Court has agreed to hear on Monday a plea filed by Advocate M.L. Sharma seeking CBI monitored probe in the Gargi molestation incident. Sharma on Friday made an urgent mentioning before a division bench of the high court presided by Justices G.S. Sistani and C. Harishankar. Sharma said, "Till today nothing has been done. On 9th they registered an FIR, they arrested 10 persons just two days back." The bench enquired, "What's the urgency?" Responding to the same, he said, "They will destroy the evidence." The advocate had on Thursday moved the Delhi High Court seeking court-monitored CBI probe into the alleged molestation of female students during the annual cultural festival at the Gargi College here last week. Sharma had filed a similar petition before the Supreme Court but was asked to move the Delhi High Court. He moved the court pursuant to the directions of the apex court. In his plea sought court's direction to the investigating agency to probe, siege all video, CCTV recording of cameras surrounding Gargi campus (inside and outside), arrest to the all accused person, including the political leaders behind this planned criminal conspiracy, and file their report before this Hon'ble court for further action and prosecution u/s 354 & 376/511 r.w. 120-B of IPC to provide complete justice to the girl student who are victim of such heinous crime. A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant, earlier in the day, declined to hear his plea and asked him to move the plea before the Delhi High Court. Sharma had contended that he apprehended the electronic evidence connected with the matter might be destroyed or tampered meanwhile. The bench 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. WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Transvaginal Endoscopy 2020 Global Market Outlook,Research,Trends And Forecast To 2026. Transvaginal Endoscopy Market 2020 Description: This report focuses on Transvaginal Endoscopy volume and value at global level, regional level and company level. From a global perspective, this report represents overall Transvaginal Endoscopy market size by analyzing historical data and future prospect. Regionally, this report focuses on several key regions: North America, Europe, China and Japan. At company level, this report focuses on the production capacity, ex-factory price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer covered in this report. Get a Sample Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/4964248-global-transvaginal-endoscopy-market-research-report-2020 For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.com Major Key Players Included are:- Karl Storz Boston Scientific Stryker Corporation Richard Wolf Olympus Corporation Ethicon Inc. Blazejewski MEDI-TECH Endoservice GmbH Alltion (Wuzhou) Co., Ltd. Emos Technology Endoservice GmbH A thorough analysis of the global Transvaginal Endoscopy market has been presented in the report. The latest trends that are prevalent in the dynamic industry have been captured along with the key factors that mold the industry performance. The market overview provides a comprehensive definition of the market along with the primary application of the industry offerings in end-user industries. The employed production methods have been critically investigated as they influence the overall performance of the market. A holistic investigation of the Transvaginal Endoscopy market has been presented to ascertain its growth potential during the forecasted period of 2020 to 2026. Drivers and Constraints in the market Numerous internal and external elements exist in the Transvaginal Endoscopy market that influences the industrys performance to a substantial extent. For comprehending the core dynamics that shape the performance of the industry, the report examines numerous elements such as the impact of rapid technological advancement, the impact of the growing population at the global level and alterations in the demand and supply pattern in the Transvaginal Endoscopy industry. Similarly, external factors that impact the industry have been identified and investigated such as the high intensity of competition and government policies. These elements could impact market performance during the forecasted period. Evaluation of geographical segmentation The Transvaginal Endoscopy has been categorized based on various elements, including the geographical regions where it has its presence. The geographical segmentation has helped to critically assess the industry at the global level and at the regional level. Some of the key geographical regions that have been thoroughly evaluated in the report include North America, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, and Europe. The thorough assessment has helped to ascertain that varying factors exist in different regional segments that mold the industry performance and profitability. Research method An integrated research method has been adopted in the report so that the Transvaginal Endoscopy market can be analyzed in an in-depth manner. Some of the key tools that have been used are Porters Five Force model and SWOT framework. The Five Force model has assisted to evaluate the competitive intensity in the dynamic market setting. The SWOT analysis has shed light on the opportunities and threats that arise in the market It has also helped to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the key market players. Major market players The market players that operate in the Transvaginal Endoscopy market play a key role as their performance impacts the ultimate market performance at the global level. The industry players have been identified and the strategies that they employ to survive and sustain in the market have been analyzed in the report. The report focuses on the market players as their role is critical to mold the Transvaginal Endoscopy market performance during the forecasted period. Enquiry About Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/4964248-global-transvaginal-endoscopy-market-research-report-2020 Table of Contents Major Key Points 1 Transvaginal Endoscopy Market Overview 2 Global Transvaginal Endoscopy Market Competition by Manufacturers 3 Transvaginal Endoscopy Retrospective Market Scenario by Region 4 Global Transvaginal Endoscopy Historic Market Analysis by Type 5 Global Transvaginal Endoscopy Historic Market Analysis by Application 6 Company Profiles and Key Figures in Transvaginal Endoscopy Business 7 Transvaginal Endoscopy Manufacturing Cost Analysis 8 Marketing Channel, Distributors and Customers Continued. CONTACT US: NORAH TRENT Partner Relations & Marketing Manager sales@wiseguyreports.com www.wiseguyreports.com Ph: +1-646-845-9349 (US) Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK) ABOUT US: Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 21:02:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOSCOW, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed after a Russian Mi-8 helicopter made a hard landing in the country's northern Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area on Friday, local media said. Amid pressure to end Indigenous protest blockades of vital Canadian rail links, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the disruptions must be resolved through dialogue, not by ordering in the police. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. People stand near the train train tracks on day 8 of the train blockade in Tyendinaga, near Belleville, Ont., on Thursday Feb. 13, 2020, in support of Wet'suwet'en's blockade of a natural gas pipeline in northern B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg Amid pressure to end Indigenous protest blockades of vital Canadian rail links, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the disruptions must be resolved through dialogue, not by ordering in the police. Trudeau acknowledged the difficulties the blockades have caused for travellers and businesses, but he made it clear Friday the federal government had no plans to make the RCMP dismantle them. "We are not the kind of country where politicians get to tell the police what to do in operational matters," Trudeau said in Munich, Germany, where he was attending a global security conference. "We are a country that recognizes the right to protest, but we are a country of the rule of law. And we will ensure that everything is done to resolve this through dialogue and constructive outcomes." Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said the situation had become ridiculous and called on Trudeau to take swift action. Scheer said the prime minister should tell Public Safety Minister Bill Blair to use his authority under the RCMP Act to end what he called the "illegal blockades" by Indigenous Peoples at the centre of a dispute over a British Columbia pipeline project. The disruptions are harming the Canadian economy and the livelihoods of farmers and small-business owners, Scheer told reporters in Ottawa. "These blockades are illegal," he said. "So far, the prime minister has refused to come out and call them that himself." Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer speaks to reporters about rail blockades by activists protesting the Coastal GasLink project, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang The blockades began last week after the RCMP enforced an injunction against Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs and their supporters, who were blocking construction of the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline, a key part of the $40-billion LNG Canada export project. Coastal GasLink has signed agreements with all 20 elected band councils along the pipeline route. However, Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs assert title to a vast 22,000-square-kilometre area and say band councils only have authority over reserve lands. Scheer said a small number of demonstrators cannot be allowed to hold the economy hostage and threaten thousands of jobs. "These activists may have the luxury of spending days at a time at a blockade, but they need to check their privilege," he said. Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau dismissed Scheer's remarks as unhelpful. "This is a complex situation and I think that that does not indicate an understanding of the situation," he said. Demonstrations continue as political leaders look to negotiate solutions, while business leaders, opposition politicians and members of the public call for immediate action to end the disruptions, which have already resulted in more than 80 arrests. Tensions were expected to heat up on Friday with the threat of activists planning to shut down government offices in British Columbia's capital. However, protesters numbered only in the dozens by midday and Victoria police posted on Twitter that the "peaceful" demonstrations appeared to be wrapping up in the afternoon. Trudeau and B.C. Premier John Horgan spoke Thursday about the need to work together to resolve the disputes that have resulted in solidarity blockades in Ontario, Manitoba and B.C. A person walks behind a banner as Wet'suwet'en supporters and Coastal GasLink opponents protest 20 government buildings throughout Victoria, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito Indigenous leaders in B.C.'s northwest have invited federal and provincial politicians to meetings to find solutions, and said they would ensure a blockade of a Canadian National Railway track near New Hazelton, B.C., would come down during talks. CN spokesman Jonathan Abecassis confirmed Friday morning the New Hazelton blockade had been lifted. The railway said Thursday it was starting a progressive shutdown in the East, while Via Rail cancelled all service on CN tracks in Canada. The Mohawk Nation said its members have agreed to meet with federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller on Saturday morning at a blockade on Tyendinaga Mohawk territory near Belleville, Ont., which is now in its ninth day. The minister's office did not immediately reply to an email seeking confirmation he is attending the meeting, although Miller did request one on Thursday. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney blamed the blockades and subsequent rail shutdown on "angry fringe groups" ignoring the democratically expressed wishes of First Nations in northern B.C. "This is becoming a very serious threat to the entire Canadian economy," Kenney said in Edmonton. "This is a commodities-producing country, and we ship those commodities by rail." In eastern Quebec, the president of a railway company said a blockade in the region is costing his company about $15,000 a day in revenue. About five or six people from the Mi'kmaq community of Listuguj have set up a campsite about a metre from the tracks, said Eric Dube, president of the Gaspesie Railway Society. "It seems like they are going to be there a while," he said. "They are very determined." Groups including the Grain Growers of Canada, the Forest Products Association of Canada and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters have said rail delays are hurting members and the economy. Teamsters Canada, the country's largest union in the transportation sector, called on the federal government to intervene. The union warned the impasse could put up to 6,000 employees at CN and other rail companies out of work. Garneau said freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest are among the most cherished of rights, but added he is "deeply concerned" about the rail disruptions. There is a risk of seeing the stoppages merely as interference with the operations of profit-making companies, yet they affect all Canadians, he told a news conference Friday in Toronto. 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. "It is about people's jobs and livelihoods and about the transport of key supplies like food, propane, heating oil and chemicals for water treatment, agricultural products for export and so many other products." Garneau, who was meeting his provincial and territorial counterparts, as well as representatives of national Indigenous organizations, stressed the desire for peaceful resolutions. Horgan has rejected calls from the Opposition Liberals to seek immediate injunctions to end blockades and protests in B.C. "We can't just use force," he said in the legislature. "It needs to be dealt with by co-operation, by consultation, by discussion so that we can all move forward." B.C. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson said Horgan was taking an "entirely passive approach in the face of implacable protesters who are intent on shutting down constituency services, shutting down the universities, shutting down our transportation arteries." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2020. The 2020 Toyota Supra was praised up and down when it was launched, and yet, it always felt like it deserved better. After all, the BMW Z4 it was based on was more powerful and faster. Well, Toyota has remedied all of that for 2021 by injecting the Supra with more power, better technology, improved driving dynamics, and theres now a four-cylinder model available. The downside? Well, if you bought a 2020 Toyota Supra, Toyota kind of stuck it to you without the thought of lube. More Six-Cylinder Power The 2021 Toyota Supra is now available with a four-cylinder or the original BMW-sourced, inline-six. However, this time around, that six-cylinder pumps out 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. That brings it in line with the BMW Z4 M40i (it has the same engine) and represents an improvement of 47 horsepower and three pound-feet of torque. According to Toyota, that makes it two-tenths of a second faster to 60 mph than before (3.9 seconds vs. 4.1 seconds) and, sorry to say, that youre still limited to that eight-speed automatic transmission. 2021 vs 2020 Toyota Supra lineup 2020 GR Supra 3.0 2021 GR Supra 3.0 2021 GR Supra 2.0 Engine 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder with twin-scroll single turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder with twin-scroll single turbo 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder with twin-scroll single turbo Horsepower 335 HP @ 5,000 - 6,500 RPM 383 HP @ 5,800 - 6,500 RPM 255 HP @ 5,000 - 6,500 RPM Torque 365 LB-FT @ 1,600 - 4,500 RPM 368 LB-FT @ 1,800 - 5,000 RPM 295 LB-FT @ 1,550 - 4,400 RPM Transmission ZF 8-speed automatic ZF 8-speed automatic ZF 8-speed automatic Weight 3,396 lbs 3,400 lbs 3,181 lbs 0 - 60 mph 4.1 seconds 3.9 seconds 5.0 seconds Improved Driving Dynamics As if the Supra wasnt already a drivers car, Toyota also made some subtle updates to the chassis, steering, and suspension of the car as well. The shocks, aka dampers, have been tuned, which should lead to slightly improved handling in the corners and a better ride overall. The electric power steering system has been updated, as has the algorithm for the adaptive suspension, stability control, and active differential. To improve rigidity, the strut towers are now connected to the front core support (where the hood latches) via new aluminum braces. 2021 Toyota Supra Four-Cylinder Remember when we told you that the four-cylinder Supra was the one you really want? Well, we were right.kind of. The Supra 2.0 comes with the same four-cylinder engine found in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i. It produces a turbocharged 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque and can hit 60 mph in as fast as five seconds flat. Thats impressive for a four-cylinder ten years ago, but its a common figure today. What really matters here is that the four-cylinder Supra is also some 200 pounds lighter with a curb weight of just 3,181 pounds. That also puts it just 405 pounds heavier than the current Toyota 86. The downside is that, since the four-cylinder model is less powerful, Toyota has also removed some of the standard equipment too. Four-piston calipers have been replaced with single-piston units. Active differential and active suspension? That was cut right out too. The 14-way power seats inside? Nope, those have been replaced with old-school, manually adjustable bucket seats. Most of the cool safety features have also been ditched as has navigation, the 12-speaker audio system, and wireless Apply Carplay unless you opt for an optional safety package that has yet to be given a price. 2021 Toyota Supra 2.0 specifications Engine 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder with twin-scroll single turbo Horsepower 255 HP @ 5,000 - 6,500 RPM Torque 295 LB-FT @ 1,550 - 4,400 RPM Transmission ZF 8-speed automatic Weight 3,181 lbs 0 - 60 mph 5.0 seconds What Makes the Four-Cylinder Supra Worth Having? So, outside of the drop in weight, why would you want a four-cylinder Supra thats been robbed of all the cool active bits and safety technology? Well, the bulk of the engines weight is now positioned closer to the center of the car. Toyota hasnt disclosed weight distribution quite yet, but you cant bet its pretty damn close to 50:50, and the center of gravity will be impressively low too. Were willing to bet that the four-cylinder Supra will out-handle the six-cylinder model all day long. It might not win any straight line sprints (its also limited to 155 mph, by the way), but when it comes to maneuvering tight roads or tracks, you can be assured that the four-cylinder Supra will hold its own. Plus, nobody will know that youre driving the four-cylinder model as Toyota hasnt added any special badging to it. Revised Technology There isnt a lot that has changed on the technology front, honestly, but Toyota is dropping that boring, subpar 6.5-inch infotainment system altogether. Instead, all models of the Supra will come with an 8.8-inch infotainment system. A new Safety and Technology Package will bring optional features: Dynamic Cruise Control Blind Spot Monitoring Rear Cross-Traffic Look Parking Sensors with Emergency Braking Navigation 12-Speaker Audio System Wireless Apple CarPlay Toyota hasnt insisted on a price for the package yet, but logic would dictate that it will come with a price tag in the area of $2,000 - $2,500. If You Bought a 2020 Supra, You Kind Of Got Screwed There Wont Even Be a Retro Fit Okay, so I know that the multiple dyno tests and test drives have hinted that the 2020 Supra Might be Faster and more powerful than rated. However, Toyota is still standing by the original figures announced in 2020. During the 2021 Supras launch, the Supras Chief Engineer, Tatsuya Tada, said that retrofitting could be done, but wont be done. You could theoretically add the components to get the increase, but there are a lot of sensitive software components youd have to change And, it honestly makes some sense. Toyota has, apparently, upgraded the engine rather thoroughly, including: New Pistons Lower Compression Ratio Suspected Boost in Turbo Pressure Six-Port Dual-Branch Exhaust Manifold (up from two ports) Significant Software Updates So, the truth is, even if Toyota was willing to retrofit the 2020 models of the Supra, they would have to tear the entire engine apart, and youve probably already paid enough for a model that, obviously, wasnt as good as it should have been, to begin with. It kind of makes us wonder if Toyota intentionally took advantage of people by releasing the Supra at less-than-stellar potential just to make it impressively better the following year to increase sales momentum. I dont know about you, but if I bought a 2020 Toyota Supra, Id feel like Toyota took advantage of me. Friday, February 14, 2020 Kevin Jae, a member of our Emerging Fellows program inspects the drivers of migration in his second post for our EF blog. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the APF or its other members. Migration is an overdetermined phenomenon. Unlike a science experiment, we are unable to identify a series of dependent and independent variables to construct a predictive framework. As with many complex, real-world problems, we can turn towards history for inspiration. History may not repeat itself in perfect imitation, but the present moment often sounds out like a variation of the past. With a patient ear, we may be able to detect a melody, a theme, a musical structure - this will help us better understand and contextualize migration in the contemporary world. The melodies of the pre-historic past are too faint to hear out. With this in mind, we can listen to the migrations of the past century for our purpose. Migration can be roughly categorized into migrations by push factors and by pull factors. This conceptual framework separates the migrations that happen by necessity (the push factors) and the migrations that happen by choice (the pull factors). Push factors include poverty and military conflict. In these cases, migrants find the prospects of the unknown better than the present circumstances before them. An example of the former are the two million Italian migrants travelled to the United States in between 1900 and 1910. One case of the latter is the Vietnam War and spread Vietnamese diasporic populations all across the world. Pull factors include voluntary, long-term immigration for a better life and short-term movements of skilled labour across national boundaries. The former are immigrants to Canada and the latter are expats. However, whether migration happens by push factors or by pull factors, in none of these situations was migration a predictable and foregone conclusion. The historical circumstances that provide the impetus for migratory desires are elusive and they escape hard predictions. One must maintain constant vigilance to multifarious trends. The future is constantly being shaped and reshaped. Historical circumstances are only one part of the dialectic. Migration does not happen in a vacuum: there is always a political and institutional structure that facilitates and guides the flow of these migratory desires. The German gastarbeiter (guest worker) program in the mid-20th century was created to address labour gaps, leading to the Turkish migration to Germany. One purpose of the European Union was for the creation of a free market for capital flows and labour. While history provides the drivers of migration, the political and institutional framework of the present moment directs to where migrants are driven. On a more fundamental level, political and institutional structures define the discourse of migration. Above, migration was separated into those by push factors and by pull factors, but even this is an artificial categorization. Intolerable political and economic circumstances may push migrants away from the home country and pull them to one that will improve their situation, but there is no moment when migrants by necessity transform into migrants by choice. Participants of the German gastarbeiter program may have left because of a lack of economic opportunities and because of their desire to earn higher wages. Politics and clever framing play a significant role as an intermediary force. Additionally, institutions, whether national or international, provide the larger structure for migration. Even when migrants do not use these formal frameworks - by crossing illegally, for instance - these transgressions are negatively defined by the established institutional structure. Migration and migrants are ultimately a political category for analysis. What are the drivers of migration in the past? Above, two separate dimensions that drive migration are discussed. The first are the historical circumstances that create the impetus for migration. While we can make careful conjectures about latent migratory events, one must be nimble and open to multiple possible futures. The second is the institutional and political structure. The institutional and political structure fundamentally defines the discourse of migrants and migration. Through it, migratory desires are directed to a tangible destination. THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL FUTURISTS is a global community of futurists advancing professional foresight. Our credentialed members help their clients anticipate and influence the future. https://www.apf.org Kevin Jae 2020 The Trump administration is sending officers from a special operations unit of the Border Patrol to assist in raids by Immigration Customs and Enforcement in so-called sanctuary cities. The officers from BORTAC, the Border Patrols version of a SWAT unit, will deploy to New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and various other cities whose local governments forbid law enforcement from working with federal immigration officials, the New York Times reported on Friday. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Lawrence Payne confirmed the initiative. BORTAC officers will be deployed in order to enhance the integrity of the immigration system, protect public safety, and strengthen our national security, Payne said. As we have noted for years, in jurisdictions where we are not allowed to assume custody of aliens from jails, our officers are forced to make at-large arrests of criminal aliens who have been released into communities, ICE acting director Matthew T. Albence said in a statement. When sanctuary cities release these criminals back to the street, it increases the occurrence of preventable crimes, and more importantly, preventable victims. BORTAC usually operates in hot, rugged areas along the U.S.-Mexico border and specializes in capturing criminals and cracking down on smuggling operations. While embedded with ICE in sanctuary cities, BORTAC officers will engage in more run-of-the-mill arrests. The news comes after Attorney General William Barr announced Monday that the Justice Department would begin a significant escalation against sanctuary cities. Barr said the department would move to file lawsuits against sanctuary cities and locales that actively impede federal immigration enforcement. More from National Review GENEVA, Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The powerful, full-length documentary film expose discussing the current state of the Swiss Child Protective Services, "Trees of Shame," is being re-released with new information on the story behind the film's challenging production and even more challenging distribution. "Trees of Shame - Switzerland's Crimes Against Children" was the subject of immediate controversy upon its initial release in November of 2019. Today this shocking documentary is online again for the world to watch and comment. A Symbolic Tree In Relation To This Film "Trees of Shame - Switzerland's Crimes Against Children" tells the story of Switzerland's Child Protective Services system, from the mouths and experiences of parents whom have lost custody, sometimes parental rights, of their children, and includes captivating interviews with parents, children, lawyers, judges, politicians and others caught up in an questionably controversial, often unknown, sector of Swiss society. While maintaining the original French and Italian, spoken words of the participants in this film, this final cut has been fully translated into English, including a full English voice-over and English subtitles, with the goal of sharing this controversial subject matter with an American and Worldwide audience. "Trees of Shame" can be rented immediately at the film's new website, www.TreesOfShameFilm.is. Contact: Neal Sutz 1-212-796-4120 Phone [email protected] www.treesofshamefilm.is Related Images trees-of-shame-documentary-film.jpg Trees of Shame Documentary Film A Symbolic Tree In Relation To This Film SOURCE Trees of Shame Related Links https://www.treesofshamefilm.is A week ago, at an emergency meeting of the OPECs Joint Technical Committee, Russia refused to agree to the cartels proposal to reduce production by an additional 600 000 barrels per day (bpd). Explaining Russias position, Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that in order to make such a decision, it takes time to evaluate the effect of coronavirus on the oil market. It is really not yet clear how much the coronavirus will reduce global demand for crude oil. In February, amid the unfolding epidemic, OPEC lowered its demand growth forecast for 2020 by 230 000 bpd to 0.99 million bpd. The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies is more pessimistic: according to its estimates, in China alone, demand in Q1 2020 will decrease by at least 500 000 bpd. Russian Energy Minister Novak, on the other hand, retains moderate optimism, believing that the global decline will not exceed 200 000 bpd. An Elusive Asian Market However, even if the coronavirus turns out to cause more damage than the most pessimistic estimates, Russia should still not further reduce its oil production - on the contrary, its time to start preparing for a phased exit from the OPEC+ deal. This is first of all, due to increasing competition in the Asian market, where Russian companies have redirected exports in recent years. According to BP, from 2016 to 2018, Russia reduced oil supplies to Europe by 14 percent (from 177.4 million to 153.3 million tons), while increasing exports to China and India by more than a third (from 52.8 million to 73.8 million tons). A similar strategy was employed by Saudi Arabia, which over the same period managed to compensate for the reduction in supplies to Europe (by 1.7 million tons) with their total increase to India and China (by 4.7 million tons). The same applies to the United States, which last year reduced its exports to China by more than twice their original value due to trade war (5.8 million tons compared to 12.6 million tons in 2018, according to Refinitiv). In the next couple of years, the U.S. will inevitably increase exports, as a result of the Phase 1 trade deal, in which China pledged to purchase $52.4 billion worth of oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and other energy products from the United States by the end of 2021. Related: A Third Of Fossil Fuel Assets May Soon Be Stranded The increasing competition will complicate entry into Asian markets for Russian companies that intend to monetize East Siberian oil reserves through exports. This is not only the Kuyumbinskoye field of Gazprom Neft and the Yurubcheno-Tokhomskoye field of Rosneft, but also the Lodochnoye, Tagulskoye, Vankorskoye and Payakhskoye fields, which are the basis of the Vostok Oil project, which in itself is worth 10 trillion rubles (over $157 billion), which will increase Russian GDP by 2% annually, according to the estimates of Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin. The increase in production at these fields will inevitably lead to non-compliance with the OPEC+ output cut deal, which the cartel hopes will keep oil prices above $60 per barrel. However, such a price level is disadvantageous for the Chinese and Indian economies, which in 2019 showed the lowest growth rates over the past 30 and 11 years, respectively (6.2% and 4.8%), according to data from IHS Markit. This, in turn, slows down oil demand - the International Energy Agency predicted a quarterly decline for China back in December (from 13.84 million bpd in Q4 2019 to 13.53 million bpd in Q1 2020), when the coronavirus had not yet affected the commodity markets. The US Market: A Dangerous Alternative In this regard, the fall in oil prices will certainly spur demand in India and China, and may therefore be beneficial for Russia, for which the Asian market is the only reliable alternative to supplies to Europe. The American market can hardly claim the role of being such an alternative in the long run, even if in 2019, Russia entered the top three largest suppliers of oil and petroleum products to the United States, increasing exports from 9.9 million bpd in January to 20.9 million bpd in October, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). This jump in exports can be credited to the U.S. sanctions on Venezuela, which since July 2019 has not delivered a single barrel of oil or petroleum products to the United States. The same applies to Iran, whose crude exports fell from 1.2 million bpd in January 2019 to 0.1 million bpd in January 2020, according to Refinitiv. If the geopolitical situation changes, traditional suppliers will surely return to the American market (which is a risk for Russian companies), and at the same time they will face a decrease in US dependence on commodity imports. In reality, this is already happening: in September, American exports of oil and petroleum products exceeded imports for the first time since 1973, when statistical observations began. In November, net exports (exports minus imports) reached 771 000 bpd in the United States - in 2020 it will increase to 790 000 bpd, according to the February forecast by the EIA, and in 2021 this number is expected go up to 1.16 million bpd. It is likely that the actual figures will exceed forecasts, as consolidation has already begun in the American shale industry, which will in turn contribute to its financial recovery. This is evidenced not only by the acquisition of Anadarko by Occidental ($57 billion), which agreed to take over the debt of its former competitor, but also by the recent transactions between relatively small oil-producing companies in the Permian basin - Callon and Carrizo ($2.74 billion), WPX and Felix ($2.50 billion), as well as Parsley and Jagged Peak ($2.27 billion). Related: Global Oil Inventories Set To Soar As OPEC Fails To Take Action Coronavirus as a Catalyst for Change Improving financial stability will not only support the growth of oil production, but also future exports. Besides consolidation in the shale patch, increasing investment in the U.S. Gulf Coast export facilities is expected to boost exports to 8.4 million bpd by 2024, according to last years IEA forecast. This will help the United States come closer to Russia and Saudi Arabia in terms of export volume (5.5 million and 7.2 million bpd, according to the BP data for 2018). For OPEC and Russia, it is better to prepare for such a turn ahead of time than to wait for the moment when the policy of reducing production will finally lose its economic meaning. In this context, the coronavirus is just a catalyst for processes that have been taking place in the market for a long time. It is self-evident for Russia that it should move towards a phased exit from the OPEC+ deal in order to prevent losing market share to its competitors. For OPEC, this is nothing new. It has seen its share in global oil production fall from 38.6 percent in Q4 2016 (when the first OPEC + agreement was signed) to 34.1 percent in Q4 2019, according to Refinitiv, while the share of OECD countries grew from 27.6 percent to 32.4 percent. A further decrease in market share will inevitably reduce the cartel's influence on oil prices. Therefore, it is reasonable for Russia to shift the responsibility for reducing oil production entirely to Saudi Arabia, which, within the framework of existing agreements, can expand its own quota for reducing production by 400 000 bpd (up to 900 000 bpd to the level of October 2018). Such a decision could be a first step towards a gradual suspension of the agreements, which will allow Russia to compete in the global oil market, and not just remain a passive witness. By Dr. Fares Kilzie for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Former police officer Harry Miller with supporters outside the High Court, London, ahead of the ruling that his allegedly "transphobic" tweets were lawful. (PA) A man visited at work by police over alleged transphobic tweets has hailed a watershed moment for liberty after winning a High Court battle against a force. Former police officer and businessman Harry Miller, 54, who founded the campaign group Fair Cop, said the polices actions had a substantial chilling effect on his right to free speech. Miller, from Lincolnshire, claims an officer who visited his workplace told him that he had not committed a crime, but that his tweeting was being recorded as a hate incident. On Friday, the High Court in London ruled Humberside Police unlawfully interfered with his right to freedom of expression. Miller said Humberside Police's response interfered with his right to freedom of expression (PA) Mr Justice Julian Knowles said: I find the combination of the police visiting the claimants place of work, and their subsequent statements in relation to the possibility of prosecution, were a disproportionate interference with the claimants right to freedom of expression because of their potential chilling effect. The judge added that the effect of the police turning up at Mr Millers place of work because of his political opinions must not be underestimated. He continued: To do so would be to undervalue a cardinal democratic freedom. In this country we have never had a Cheka, a Gestapo or a Stasi. We have never lived in an Orwellian society. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Stunning Google Earth View images show our planet at its most spectacular Government says flights from China still allowed as UK cases rise to 9 Sajid Javid quit because he didn't want to 'rock the boat' Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice after the ruling, Miller said: Mr Justice Knowles was very clear we have never had a Gestapo or a Stasi in Great Britain. Well, the actions of Humberside Police came way too close for comfort. This is a watershed moment for liberty: the police were wrong to visit my workplace, wrong to check my thinking. Humberside Police said in a statement: We accept the judges decision today and his findings in the judicial review. Story continues The judge added that the effect of the police turning up at Mr Millers place of work because of his political opinions must not be underestimated (PA) The mere recording of the incident by Humberside Police as a hate incident has been ruled as not unlawful and in accordance with the College of Policing guidance. Our actions in handling the incident were carried out in good faith, but we note the comments of the judge and we will take learning from this incident moving forward. The College of Policings guidance defines a hate incident as any non-crime incident which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Officials on Thursday decided to drop a request to revoke the bond of an alleged captain of the Gambino crime family who prosecutors say organized a clandestine meeting on Staten Island to investigate the death of boss Francesco (Franky Boy) Cali, court records show. 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 U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, in a memo asking a federal judge to revoke the bond. Three days later Donoghue notified federal Judge Rachel Kovner that the government decided to withdraw its motion to revoke the defendant Andrew Camposs bond pending further investigation. The decision was based upon new information, court records show. A persons liberty should not be the subject of the governments whim, attorney Henry E. Mazurek, who represents Campos, said in a written statement to the Advance. The governments motion to detain Mr. Campos was a scary overreach that could have put an innocent person in jail for taking his daughter to a doctors visit. 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." (Court filing by the U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of New York) A federal judge had granted Campos permission to take his daughter to the doctors appointment in Connecticut, court records indicate. Next time rather than moving to revoke bail, they should actually investigate first, Mazurek said. 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, federal prosecutors unsealed a detention memo that alleged 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. Cali, the reputed boss of the Gambino family, was shot in front of his house on March 13, 2019. On March 16, Anthony Comello, 25, of Eltingville, was arrested in connection with the slaying. Comello has been in custody since and made several inconsistent statements to investigators when he detailed what happened that night in March. Prosecutors have not made any statements linking the slaying to the Mafia. Last week Comello appeared in court and, during bizarre and rambling 20-second monologue, said his phone had contained information on human sex-trafficking and drug smuggling. Then, in quick succession, Comello referenced Australia, Russia and Ukraine, as well as Operation Mockingbird, without further details. As the Trump administration ramps up the countrys nuclear capabilities in the latest Fiscal Year 2021 budget proposal, the clock is ticking on the only remaining arms control treaty that keeps the worlds two leading nuclear powers -- Russia and the United States -- in check. In a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Thursday, ranking member Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said the treatys expiration would signal for the first time in more than four decades that "there is no arms control regime in the world" -- which could potentially lead to arms proliferation. "When we combine the huge numbers of arsenals and potentially even higher numbers of arsenals as New START goes away ... that's a recipe for sort of that return to Cold War-style arms racing that I think people are worried about," Pranay Vaddi, a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace fellow, told ABC News. MORE: President Trump releases 2021 budget proposal, calls for cuts to social safety net programs Vaddi, who helped work on New START during his time at the State Department, said that he had expected the increased nuclear investments as a result of an Obama-era nuclear modernization framework and the subsequent impact of the Budget Control Act. But Vaddi said the efforts to recapitalize U.S. nuclear programs against growing nuclear capabilities from adversaries could not come at a more inconvenient time as the treatys days are numbered. Commander of U.S. Strategic Command Charles A. Richard, who testified at the hearing, addressed concerns over a potential arms race, saying that the idea "baffles him," as no other nation has done more to reduce reliance on nuclear weapons. He acknowledged how critical New START has been in providing transparency and information on nuclear threat levels from Russia, but pointed out its shortcomings. "It does not address a very large class of weapons that the Russians have a significant advantage in and it is a bilateral treaty," Richard said. "Ultimately a decision to extend a treaty is a political decision." Story continues The White House has put off extending the 2011 Obama-Medvedev negotiated treaty in an attempt to bring China into a multilateral nuclear arms agreement. PHOTO: President Donald Trump, right, meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, June 28, 2019. (Susan Walsh/AP, FILE) Tuesday at an Atlantic Council forum, National Security Adviser Robert OBrien fielded reporters' questions regarding the United States' timeline and position on extending New START. "I think well be sitting down with our Russian colleagues very soon and well be talking about those important issues," OBrien told one reporter. In response to another question, OBrien invoked the White Houses desire to bring China into negotiations. "Once any potential agreement takes shape, well have to see how the issue of China plays into it. But well get through that as part of the negotiating process." A deadline to form a position on New START, however, is something OBrien said the administration could not predict right now. As for Russias position, the countrys Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke at a news conference in January, saying that President Vladimir Putin made an offer to extend the treaty as an "insurance policy" while planning multilateral negotiations. "We suggest extending the New START Treaty without any preconditions ... I hope that the Americans have heard us," Lavrov later said. MORE:Trump budget proposes cuts to global health amid two global health crises Many arms control experts have criticized the administration for not moving forward with extending New START as leverage to bring China into negotiations. The Arms Control Association responded that the notion of using New START as a bargaining chip is useless, "unless the administration is willing to walk away from the treaty if Russia and China dont meet U.S. demands for talks." Moreover, using the treaty as leverage would be a dangerous risk because the treaty "is too important to be gambled away," the association said in a statement. Vaddi also challenged the White Houses strategy of leverage, saying that it only made sense if the administration had an idea of what it wants out of an agreement with China, which the White House has yet to identify. He critiqued the idea of bringing China into multilateral negotiations since the countrys number of nuclear warheads pales in comparison to that of the U.S. and Russia, a counterpoint that other arms experts have raised. China also does not perform its nuclear operations in the same manner that U.S. and Russia do. MORE: Landmark Cold War-era arms-control pact officially dead, fueling fears of new nuclear arms race As the U.S. continues to hold off, lawmakers, advocates and political figures have echoed a growing concern over the fate of New START. On February 5, the treatys anniversary, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Sen. Bob Menendez and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Eliot Engel published a joint statement urging for its extension, calling the treaty an "indispensable pillar of security." Former U.S. Secretary Madeleine Albright and former Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov penned an op-ed in the New York Times earlier this week as a Hail Mary to push for the extension of New START. Last year, Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., introduced a bipartisan bill that calls for the extension of New START following the United States' withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. "The collapse of New START would be a global disaster and can be avoided at the stroke of a pen," said Derek Johnson, executive director of the international Global Zero movement, an international group that seeks to eliminate all nuclear weapons. Whether an arms race will happen or not, Vaddi suggested that it would be in Russias interest to play the responsible party as opposed to producing more nuclear weapons if the treaty were to expire. "The U.S. and Russia would not benefit from engaging in any kind of conflict that involves these weapons," he said. ABC News' Conor Finnegan contributed to this report. Lawmakers, experts warn of potential arms race as New START Treaty expires in less than a year originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Justin and Hailey Bieber release wedding footage, say they trust God so much with their love story Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment 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. Cybercrime victims in Australia were behind the fifth largest number of complaints to the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in 2019. Australian consumers and businesses filed 1,298 complaints with the FBIs Internet Crime Center (IC3) last year, according to the agencys IC3 2019 Internet Crime Report released today. This volume made it the fourth largest source of complaints from non-US countries over the year, behind the UK, Canada and India. The figures need to be put in perspective. For example, Australias IC3 complaint ranking doesnt mean Australians were the fifth largest victim of cybercrime worldwide. It does however mean there were a substantial number of Australian victims of cybercrime who reported incidents to IC3. On the other hand, IC3s figures only represent a portion of incidents affecting Australian organizations and citizens. The Australian Signals Directorates Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) responded to 2,164 incidents in the year after July 1, 2018, which also only account for a portion of cybersecurity incidents affecting Australians. Complaints from the UK far outnumbered those from Australia at 93,796 for the year, followed by 3,721 complaints from Canada, and 2,901 complaints from India. Other nations in the FBIs top 10 victim list behind Australia included France, Belgium, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. Across all countries the FBU received 467,361 complaints, mostly from victims within the US. Complaints were up from 351,937 in 2018. According to the FBI, total losses hit USD$3.5 billion in 2019, up from $2.7 billion in 2018, and $1.4 billion in 2017. Almost half of financial losses from cybercrime in 2019 were as a result of business email compromise (BEC) fraudsters, totaling $1.7 billion. BEC scammers often conduct in-depth research on a target organizations behaviors and business practices with the aim of duping individuals within a target to transfer funds to a fraudster-controlled bank account. Last year IC3 observed an uptick in complaints about fraud that convinced HR or payroll departments to divert payroll funds. The scam usually involved sending an email appearing to be from an employee requesting an update to their direct deposit information for the current pay period. The funds typically end up in a pre-paid card account. However the style of fraud takes many shapes and targets a all industries, including tech, construction, real estate and basically any organization that makes large transactions. Tech support scammers continue to be a problem with 13,633 complaints reported last year from victims in 48 countries. Losses associated with tech support fraud exceeded $54 million, up by 40% on 2018 reported losses. The FBI says most victims were over 60 years of age. IC3 received 2,047 complaints about ransomware in 2019 and estimated losses of $8.9 million. The figure however is likely to be much higher than what the losses quoted. IC3 notes that ransomware loss estimates dont include cost losses caused by disruption to business, such as wages, equipment and fees for third-party remediation services. Also, the figure only accounts for what was reported. The FBI reiterated its advice for ransomware victims not to pay the attacker because it doesnt guarantee the victim regains access to their data. People over 60 were the largest group of victims, with over 68,000 filing complaints and total losses of over $835,000. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jason Lange (Reuters) Washington, United States Fri, February 14, 2020 10:00 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206474982 2 World #USA,#Elections,Democratic-party,michael-bloomberg Free US Democratic presidential candidates took aim on Thursday at a rival whose name has not yet appeared on the ballot in the early-voting states, but whose television ads have blanketed the airwaves: former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who trailed in contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, targetedBloomberg over past policing tactics in the United States' largest city and his comments about a mortgage practice widely seen as racially discriminatory. A late entry to the presidential race, Bloomberg drew crowds of hundreds of people in North Carolina, one of the 14 states that vote in March 3's Super Tuesday contest, where he will first appear as a declared candidate. Voters at those events said they were evaluating whether Bloomberg, a self-made billionaire, could beat Republican President Donald Trump in November. "I think Mike Bloomberg can stand up to Trump," said Maureen Scott, 68, a retiree in Winston-Salem. Below are highlights from the campaign trail on Thursday: NEVADA UNION WILL NOT ENDORSE Nevada's largest labor union, Culinary Workers Local 226, on Thursday said it would not endorse any of the eight leading Democrats ahead of its state's caucuses, de-escalating a war of words with Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. The 60,000-member union, with outsized influence in a state heavily dependent on tourism, opposes Sanders' proposed Medicare for All government takeover of healthcare funding, amid fears of losing members' hard-won union health coverage. The union's criticism of Sanders plan in recent days raised the possibility it could have endorsed a centrist like Biden over Sanders. The Las Vegas Weekly endorsed both Biden and a fellow Democrat, Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, both moderates. Several current or former Democratic officials were more decisive on Thursday. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, U.S. Representative Ted Deutch of Florida and former North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue all endorsed Bloomberg. TARGET BLOOMBERG Biden, a moderate whose early front-runner status has been dented by poor performances so far, said he planned to debate Bloomberg on his record on racial discrimination, while Warren slammed the former New York mayor's past defense of a discriminatory housing practice known as redlining. Bloomberg, who is self-financing his campaign, has come under fire for comments he made in 2008 that tied a collapse in the U.S. housing market to a ban on redlining, a practice in which banks decline to make mortgage loans to entire neighborhoods. "Once you started pushing in that direction, banks started making more and more loans where the credit of the person buying the house wasn't as good as you would like," Bloomberg said in remarks that resurfaced in a report by the Associated Press. Redlining has long been associated with racial discrimination, although Bloomberg's 2008 comments described the practice as banks avoiding poor neighborhoods. Biden suggested he would challenge Bloomberg on the matter and on Bloomberg's past support for a policing strategy known as "stop and frisk" that Bloomberg employed as mayor and which ensnared disproportionate numbers of blacks and Latinos. "I'm going to get a chance to debate him on everything from redlining to stop and frisk," Biden told ABC's The View. Bloomberg has not yet qualified for the Feb. 19 Democratic debate in Nevada, which will be held just ahead of the state's Feb. 22 nominating contest. Bloomberg is not competing in Nevada or South Carolina, which votes on Feb. 29. Warren also attacked Bloomberg on redlining. "We need to confront the shameful legacy of discrimination, not lie about it like Mike Bloomberg has done," she wrote on Twitter. The Bloomberg campaign declined to comment on Biden and Warren's statements. Bloomberg apologized for stop and frisk in November a few days before announcing his candidacy. BLOOMBERG TAKES AIM AT TRUMP At a coffee shop in Winston-Salem, Bloomberg said he had called Trump a "con man" before his 2016 election, adding, "He's worse than I thought." "I am a New Yorker. I know how to deal with New York bullies. I'm not afraid of Donald Trump," he said. Trump on Thursday lobbed a fresh series of insults at Bloomberg, calling him a "loser" on Twitter. Bloomberg's personal fortune, estimated at around $60 billion, dwarfs that of the president. Several voters in the crowd in Winston-Salem said they wanted a moderate candidate who could beat Trump in November. Some said they were looking for an alternative to Biden after becoming concerned by his debate performances and weak showings in the first two voting states. Cassaundra El-Amin, a black voter, said she was concerned about Bloomberg's stop-and-frisk policy but felt his apology was sincere. "I just feel like he might be able to beat Trump," she said. Rebecca Ruck Keene, head of rural services for the South Central region at leading property consultancy Fisher German, made the comments after the case of deceased farmer Thomas Gill, who owned a small farm in Lancashire. Although he was very active on the farm in the past, in later life Mr Gill did not own any animals and allowed neighbouring farmers to graze their livestock on his land although he still checked on the livestock every day and helped maintain the land. When he died, his executors claimed Agriculture Property Relief (APR), paid to working farms, and Business Property Relief (BPR), paid to working businesses that are not simply investments. But HMRC initially refused both APR and BPR on the property as they argued Mr Gill was not using the farm for agriculture and that it was an investment rather than a working business. However, at a First-Tier Tribunal, a judge ruled the property was in fact eligible for APR and BPR, as the farming activity on Mr Gills farm was enough to qualify for APR, and the activity on the farm implied it was much more than simply an investment. In the wake of this tribunal, Rebecca has advised farmers to be as active as possible on their farms, and keep evidence of any kind of grazing activities to make it clear to HMRC that their farm is still being used. (@FahadShabbir) Moldovan President Igor Dodon accused on Friday ambassadors from the European Union member states of blocking the new Moldovan cabinet's relations with Brussels through providing disinformation to European authorities CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th February, 2020) Moldovan President Igor Dodon accused on Friday ambassadors from the European Union member states of blocking the new Moldovan cabinet's relations with Brussels through providing disinformation to European authorities. The new cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Ion Chicu, was appointed in November, after the previous government did not survive a no-confidence vote. "I support dialogue with EU countries' ambassadors, accredited in Moldova, and we see that some of them are trying to block the new government's dialogue with Brussels through misinforming Brussels and other European capitals. At least three or four ambassadors, dealing with bilateral relations with EU member countries, are going to different agencies, blocking the projects that have already been launched, and saying there is no need to give money to the government," Dodon said in a video address that he published on Facebook. The president said he preferred not to disclose Names, but added that those ambassadors were paying too much attention to some of Moldovan opposition parties. Since the ambassadors care so much about the Moldovan policy, they should obtain citizenship and then engage in some political activity, Dodon suggested. Officials from Colorado Parks and Wildlife have confirmed the presence of wolves in the state after analyzing scat samples found near an elk carcass in January. The samples were collected from an area called Irish Canyon in the northwestern corner of the state, near the borders of Wyoming and Utah. Park officials discovered the elk carcass on January 19 and observed several wolf-like tracks around it. Scroll down for video Colorado officials confirmed scat samples collected in January came from wolves, claiming the state had its first permanent wolf residents since the 1940s While investigating the surrounding area, they heard howls and, using binoculars, were able to spot a pack of what they believed to be six gray wolves. The officers observed the wolves for around 20 minutes before losing sight of them again. Lab analysis of four scat samples gathered from around the elk carcass after the sighting confirmed the animals were indeed wolves, according to a report from Fox 31 in Denver. While lone wolves have visited our state periodically including last fall, this is very likely the first pack to call our state home since the 1930s, Colorado governor Jared Polis said in January, after the initial discovery. The last of the state's wolves were finally killed off in the 1940s by hunters, but small wolf populations still live in both Utah and Wyoming. After discovering the elk carcass in January, park officials heard howling and were able to spot the wolf pack with binoculars. They maintained visual contact for around 20 minutes before losing sight of them again Though there's been no evidence of a wolf pack making permanent residence in the state, there have been many sightings over the years. In 2007, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife manager recorded a gray wolf in the mountains outside of Walden in the northern part of the state. In July 2019, another wolf was spotted in the wilderness west of Boulder. In October 2019, a hunter captured footage of six wolves in the northwestern part of the state. Wolf sightings have occurred in Colorado throughout the years, including in 2019, when a state official observed what they believed to be a lone gray wolf The previous sightings were believed to have been wolves that lived in neighboring states, including Utah and Wyoming, and wandered into Colorado without staying Many Colorado residents have welcomed the idea of wolves returning to the state. This November, state residents will vote on a ballot initiative to fund an eight-year, $5.7million program to reintroduce wolves to the state. A recent poll showed that 84 percent of Colorado residents support the initiative. Local ranchers and hunters have formed a group called the Stop the Wolf Coalition to fight against the ballot initiative, citing fears that a renewed wolf population would endanger the states livestock. The ballot initiative includes funding to pay for any potential livestock losses, but some ranchers feel as if its their way of life thats at stake, not just their money. I've got 60 years of breeding into this herd, so it's more than the market value of that animal, Jay Fetcher, who raises cattle near Steamboat Springs, told NPR. Polis has warned locals against taking matters into their own hands should wolves eventually see their numbers grow further. Its important that Coloradans understand that the gray wolf is under the protection of the Endangered Species Act, he said. While the animals have naturally migrated to our state and their presence draws public interest, its important that people give them space. Due to their Protected status, there are severe federal penalties for anyone that intentionally harms or kills wolves in our state. The federal penalty for killing a wolf is a $100,000 fine and up to a year in prison. Vijay And Sangeetha Vijay met Sangeetha Sornalingam, who is a Srilankan Tamilian in the UK. The couple eventually fell in love and tied the knot on August 25, 1999. Even though she prefers staying away from the limelight, Sangeetha has always stood by Vijay's side as his pillar of support throughout all these years. Ajith And Shalini Ajith fell in love with Shalini and proposed to her during the shooting of the blockbuster movie Amarkalam. The couple later tied the knot in April 2000. Shalini happily settled down as a homemaker post-marriage but stood with Ajith throughout all the ups and downs in his career. According to Ajith, Shalini made him calmer, which was a major change in his life. Suriya And Jyothika Suriya and Jyothika are one of the most-celebrated onscreen pairs of Tamil cinema. The couple fell in love during the shooting of Kaakha Kaakha and dated for seven years before tieing the knot. Even though she decided to quit acting after marriage, Jyothika eventually made a comeback in 2015 with Suriya's production debut 36 Vayadhinile. The actress has always stated that her husband is her backbone. Jayam Ravi And Aarthi Jayam Ravi married Aarthi in 2009, after a few years of courtship. According to the actor, he met Aarthi at a party through common friends and eventually fell in love with her. Aarthi has always been the biggest support for Jayam Ravi and she has even got his nickname Cuckoo tattooed on her wrist. Nayanthara And Vignesh Shivn Nayanthara and filmmaker Vignesh Shivn fell in love during the filming of the blockbuster movie Naanum Rowdy Thaan, in 2015. The couple has been dating for the past five years and it was even rumoured that they have secretly tied the knot. The couple finally made their relationship official last year. Nayanthara had openly thanked Vignesh for bringing happiness and stability to her life at a recently held event. FILE PHOTO: The Vodafone logo is seen at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona BENGALURU (Reuters) - Vodafone Idea Ltd reported a third-quarter loss on Thursday, as the troubled Indian telecom company shed millions of mobile subscribers due to intense competition. The quarterly results come as Vodafone Idea and other Indian telecom firms are pressured by government demands to pay $13 billion in overdue levies in a long-contested dispute. Indian telecom carriers have increased prices in response and Vodafone Idea, which owes at least $4 billion in dues, has sought a "modification" of India's top court's October ruling which upheld the government's demand. The prospect of paying the dues even prompted Vodafone Idea's billionaire chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla to warn of "shutting shop" if the company doesn't get relief. The company, a joint venture between Britain's Vodafone Group Plc and billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla's Idea Cellular, said on Thursday there was still material uncertainty about its ability to continue as a going concern. Rival Bharti Airtel said earlier this month the company no longer faced any threats about its ability to continue as a going concern. In the three months to Dec. 31, Vodafone Idea shed another 7 million subscribers, as it battles Reliance Industries Ltd's Jio and Bharti Airtel for customers. Vodafone Idea posted a loss of 64.39 billion Indian rupees ($903.48 million) in the three months ending Dec. 31, compared with a loss of 50.05 billion rupees a year earlier. Analysts had expected the company to report a loss of 47.16 billion Indian rupees, according to Refinitiv estimates. Revenue fell 5.8% to 110.89 billion rupees in the reported quarter. Vodafone Idea had reported a loss of 509.22 billion rupees in the second quarter of 2019, the biggest loss ever by a company in Indian corporate history. (Reporting by Philip George in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta) minister K T Rama Rao on Friday hit out at the N K Singh-headed 15th Finance Commission's recommendation to decrease devolution, terming it as "penalising, disincentivising and demotivating" for well-performing southern states. The minister for IT also reminded the Centre to deliver on its legal commitments and ensure that the GST compensation is paid. The reduction in devolution to 41 per cent from 42 per cent earlier will lead to an up to Rs 4,000 crore hit to Telangana, Rao told reporters on the sidelines of the NTLF here. "Why do you want to penalise a performing state and bring down our devolution from 42 per cent to 41 per cent? This is disincentivising and demotivating, he said. Rao added that all the southern states have "suffered" despite delivering well on human development indicators like literacy and healthcare. When asked about the options before the state to tide over the difficulties, he declined to comment on the strategy forward but added that the recommendations have happened despite several consultations with the Commission. On the GST compensation payment, he said the 14 per cent revenue compensation is embodied in the Act and is a commitment made by the Union while passing the law. We didn't go to a court of law, but we demanded the GST compensation be paid. Hopefully, Government of India will pay in the second tranche because the first tranche has been paid. We demanded and protested in Parliament. Hopefully they will pay," he said. Rao, whose father K Chandrashekhar Rao is the chief minister of the state, also pitched for a leeway in fiscal responsibility targets for well performing states. "We should be given more leeway. Right now it (fiscal deficit) is about 3.5 per cent for Telangana, it should be 5 per cent, he said. We want it to be increased and we be allowed to borrow more. you can stipulate a condition that whatever you borrow, you have to put it in the productive sector. Don't spend it on freebies, we are ready to do that, he said. He also alleged that the Union Finance Ministry's Department of Economic Affairs does not allow the states to borrow directly from foreign investors, and underlined that the Union government should be playing the role of enabler for states. He also claimed that the Centre did not support Telangana's scheme for having two parks dedicated for the pharmaceutical and the textile sectors. Rao rued that the congruence between states and the Centre is missing and warned that goals like USD 5 trillion economy will be difficult to achieve sans that. He also questioned the need to have sectors like education, healthcare and agriculture in the concurrent list, demanding that states should be given the leeway to decide for themselves on such aspects where local factors play an important role. The minister said we need to focus on infrastructure, innovation and inclusive growth to achieve economic growth, and urged the Centre to emulate efforts undertaken in these areas. He also sought for regulatory changes to ensure that Indian pension money needs to be invested to create infrastructure, just like how overseas money from Canadian pensioners gets invested here. Rao urged the tech world to develop solutions for the real sector, making it clear that innovations have no use if they can't be used for changing local peoples' lives. He also said that the state wants to create two varsities dedicated for pharmaceuticals and aerospace. The state investigations, prompted by complaints filed by Deputy Gov. Jesse Ruiz on behalf of some of the children in the story, were limited to the previous 12 months and did not review schools use of physical restraint, which the series also examined and found was misused. Investigators looked at whether schools used seclusion for appropriate reasons and removed children from isolation when it was no longer necessary, whether the spaces met physical requirements, whether employees properly documented incidents and notified parents, and whether staff were properly trained. RESTON, Va., Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE: LDOS), a FORTUNE 500 science and technology company, will participate in the Barclays Industrial Select Conference in Miami, FL. Chris Cage, Leidos senior vice president and corporate controller, and Kelly Hernandez, Leidos senior vice president of Investor Relations, will present an overview of the company's strategy and participate in a question and answer "fireside chat" on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020 at 3 p.m. ET. A live audio webcast of the event will be available on the Leidos Investor Relations website at http://ir.leidos.com, where related materials will be posted prior to the presentation. A replay of the webcast will be available following the presentation at the same link listed above for 30 days afterward. 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, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $10.19 billion for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2018. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com. SOURCE Leidos Holdings, Inc. Related Links http://www.Leidos.com The Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday announced that it has started a doorstep baggage transfer facility for passengers flying to and from its Terminal 3. This service will also be extended to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the airport, stated the press release by GMR group-led Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL). "The service has been introduced (at Terminal 3) in collaboration with Bengaluru based 'CarterX'," it said. To avail the facility, a passenger can make a booking through CarterX website or app or counters at the airport for the baggage to be picked from their home in the National Capital Region (NCR). "Each bag thus booked is then secured in a separate tamper-resistant sealable bags, which are marked and bar-coded for easy identification. On arrival at the airport, passengers can collect their baggage at the departure forecourt area and proceed for check-in," the press release explained. Similarly, if luggage has to be sent from the airport, passengers can book the service online or at the baggage pick-up and drop counter, located in meeters and greeters area of Terminal 3. The baggage can be delivered from the airport to locations in Delhi/NCR region, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, the press release noted. "All the baggage booked for pick-up and drop facility are insured by the service provider agency...Soon, this booking facility would be available through Delhi airport's website," it stated. Passengers availing this facility will have to provide the date of service for pick-up or delivery, flight details, delivery location, it added. "After payment of service fee, the baggage would be brought to arrival/departure area. The passenger can also track their baggage in transit on phone/tablet," the release stated. MR. YANG Whats interesting, Matt, is that when you talk about the tying up of a presidential campaign its actually very much a multiday affair. Im in Nevada right now to thank the team and also show up at an event that we already sold tickets to. Its a different affair now. But you still want to come out and thank donors and staff and volunteers. Its not that you go back and then you give a speech and then you can go and get on with your life or something. My phone started blowing up with text messages and calls. I received a phone call from each of the other candidates, and so there was a lot of time and having those conversations and responding to people. The thing Im looking forward to most is getting home to my kids because I miss them terribly. There are people who put months and months into making you successful, and then you have to pull the rug out from under the campaign in a snap second. How were those conversations? Most of the folks Ive spoken to have been very proud of everything weve done. They do have a sense of perspective, that if you had something like 28 people, that 27 of them are going to end up falling short. We outperformed expectations at just about every stage. So people were upset. But many people also felt a sense of accomplishment. And I think in some cases, a sense of a return to normalcy. Because like you just said, people are working hard, and theyre also not making time for their loved ones or personal time or for their friends birthdays and on and on. SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2020 / TPT Global Tech, Inc. ("TPTG or the Company") (OTCQB:TPTW) announces today it has successfully paid off a Merchant Cash Advance loan of $753K provided by Advance Funding located in New York City. The term of the loan was a principal loan amount of $500K, 10 months term with weekly repayments of $17,800 per week with a total payoff of $753K. The $500k loan was used as part of the debt and convertible debt facility TPT Global Tech raised to purchase SpeedConnect a rural wireless Internet Service Provider (ISP in Middle America) with 16,000 customers. "As we keep moving forward in our debt restructuring efforts to tackle the toxic debt we acquired to purchase SpeedConnect, I am pleased that the company keeps moving in the right direction. Freeing up to close to $80K per month in free cashflow will surely help the company in its current 4G+/5G rollout." said Stephen Thomas CEO TPTG. This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of various provisions of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, commonly identified by such terms as "believes," "looking ahead," "anticipates," "estimates" and other terms with similar meaning. Specifically, statements about the Company's plans for accelerated growth, improved profitability, future business partners, M&A activity, new service offerings and pursuit of new markets are forward looking statements. Although the company believes that the assumptions upon which its forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these assumptions will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements should not be construed as fact. The information contained in such statements is beyond the ability of the Company to control, and in many cases the Company cannot predict what factors would cause results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements. All forward-looking statements in the press release are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and by reference to the underlying assumptions. About TPT Global Tech TPT Global Tech Inc. (OTC:TPTW) based in San Diego, California, is a Technology/Telecommunications Media Content Hub for Domestic and International syndication and also provides Technology solutions to businesses domestically and worldwide. TPT Global offers Software as a Service (SaaS), Technology Platform as a Service (PAAS), Cloud-based Unified Communication as a Service (UCaaS) and carrier-grade performance and support for businesses over its private IP MPLS fiber and wireless network in the United States. TPT's cloud-based UCaaS services allow businesses of any size to enjoy all the latest voice, data, media and collaboration features in today's global technology markets. TPT's also operates as a Master Distributor for Nationwide Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) and Independent Sales Organization (ISO) as a Master Distributor for Pre-Paid Cellphone services, Mobile phones Cellphone Accessories and Global Roaming Cellphones. Frank Benedetto 619-915-9422 SOURCE: TPT Global Tech, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576482/TPT-Global-Tech-Pay-Off-768K-Merchant-Cash-Advance-Loan-Frees-Up-80K-Per-Month-In-Operating-Cashflow Roger Bullman went on the run after killing Amitpal Singh Bajaj in Thailand last August A fugitive body builder wanted for choking to death a British father in a Thai hotel has revealed that he is prepared to hand himself in provided he can return to his native Norway to face justice. Roger Bullman is at the centre of a global Interpol hunt after being charged for the murder of IT consultant Amitpal Singh Bajaj, who was staying in an adjoining room in a luxury hotel in Phuket last August. Bullman, 54, fled Thailand just 24 hours after being granted bail following a hearing in September and has been on the run since. Speaking from a secret location in Asia, where he is in hiding, Bullman said that he was prepared to return to Norway to stand trial and a possible prison sentence so that he could be near to his daughter and because he is more likely to get a fair hearing. 'That's just what I am thinking of now. I feel I have disappointed her so much,' he added. 'To come home and just be with my daughter. If I'm put in jail and things like that, it doesn't matter. If only we are in the same country, and she can come to visit me.' He admitted that he was determined to remain on the run because he is too afraid of the harsh prison conditions in Thailand, where he was due to stand trial and believed that the justice system there is against him. Amitpal Singh Bajaj (pictured with his wife Bandhna) was brutally beaten to death in his hotel room in Phuket last year after getting into a row with Bullman in the next room over his singing Mrs Bajaj has previously told how her husband died a hero when he fought off the naked stranger who got into their room - and saved her life and that of their two-year-old son, Veer The alternative is so damn bleak. I do not want to turn myself in (to Thai authorities) because they have prepared such a big case against me now, he added. 'They have increased the charge of violence with death, to murder, without my understanding. I was stabbed with a knife, and he was alive when I left the hospital, so I don't understand it.' Bullman, a burly 6ft 2in bodyguard and martial arts expert has been described by authorities as 'dangerous' and was last known to be in Vietnam. He was tracked down by Norwegian television channel TV 2 Nyhetene, which has not revealed his exact location. Bullman was released on bail by police in Thailand 12 hours after the killing and he has since gone on the run. Here he is pictured relaxing in a hotel swimming pool just before vanishing The decision to release Bullman (pictured on bail) has angered his victim's widow. Mrs Bajaj said: 'He would never have been given bail if this had happened in the UK.' Bullman (pictured) and his lover Elvira had flown to Phuket from Oslo via Bangkok on August 17 on a two-week package holiday. His wife told police she slept through the whole incident Bullman stands accused of choking to death 34-year-old Mr Bajaj in front of his wife, Bandhna, also 34 and their two-year old son Veer after breaking into their hotel suite. The two men became embroiled in a heated argument after the Norwegian started singing opera and yodelling on the balcony of his room at 4am. Bandhna's husband, an IT expert living in Singapore, was killed during the 4am attack Following the altercation, both were rushed to hospital, where Mr Bajaj eventually died. Breaking down in tears, Bullman said that he is filled with remorse that Veer has lost his father. 'I think it's horrible to think that a little boy has lost his dad. I think about my daughter like that, too. 'As soon as we start with the kids stuff, I cannot speak any more. Sorry. They are the ones that go above and beyond,' he said. Since going on the run, he estimates that he has spent around 167,000, sold all his belongings and rarely ventures out. 'I don't know how long I can continue like this,' he adds. 'I stay in a small room 23 hours a day, in fear of going out. The most days I have stayed in the room without going out the door are 11 days.' Bullman, a Norwegian martial arts expert, is pictured by a Thai police officer in the hotel after being stabbed in the shoulder with a butter knife during the scuffle with his victim Mr Bajaj Bullman repeated his earlier claim that he acted in self-defence and that it was Mr Bajaj who initially attacked him with a knife. He said: 'Then he banged on my door. I thought there were hotel guards. Then I open the door, and then he is standing there. 'The first thing he does when I open the door is to put a knife into my shoulder so that my whole arm dies out. After that, it's black for me.' Following the Brits murder, Mr Bajaj's widow gave a completely different version of events to that presented by Bullman. Police in Thailand search the room where the British father - who was on holiday celebrating his tenth wedding anniversary - died from his injuries in the early hours of August 21 Bullman killed Mr Bajaj by putting him a choke hold during a melee as his victim stabbed him with a butter knife. Bullman then dragged him on to a walkway in front of their rooms (above) Bandhna revealed: 'Bullman suddenly appeared in our room. He was red in the face, fully naked, and charged quickly towards us while making animalistic sounds. 'He was kicking and punching all the time. I said into the phone words to the effect of 'he's in come quickly send someone'. 'My husband is hero. He fought off this naked stranger who got into our room and saved the lives of me and our young son.' A nurse's undiagnosed gambling addiction has been blamed for motivating him to steal thousands of dollars from a criminally insane patient at a Brisbane psychiatric hospital. Yogeshkumar Patel will be allowed to continue to treat patients after stealing $11,000 worth of Centrelink payments from a patient who had been under a forensic order at The Park Centre for Mental Health at Wacol since 1995. Yogeshkumar Patel admitted he gambled away the stolen money. File photo. Credit:Peter Braig The patient received treatment for a number of mental health conditions, including paranoid schizophrenia, anti-social personality disorder and poly-substance abuse, and had also received treatment for a gambling addiction, a court judgement said. In May 2016, Mr Patel helped the patient install a gambling app on their phone, and in doing so obtained their bank account details. China cracked down on the sale of exotic species after an outbreak of a new virus in 2002 was traced to food markets selling live animals. The germ was a coronavirus later named SARS. The ban was soon lifted, and the animals reappeared. Now another coronavirus is spreading through China, so far killing more than 1,000 people and sickening more than 42,000 five times more than SARS. The likely origin? The same type of market. "During SARS epidemic, we saw some bans," said Jinfeng Zhou of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation, but added that after the outbreak had been contained, a "large black market" was quickly re-emerging. With millions of people under lockdown in a dozen Chinese cities, the new outbreak is prompting calls to permanently ban the sale of wildlife, which many say is being fueled by a limited group of wealthy people who consider the animals delicacies. The spreading illness also serves as a grim reminder that how animals are handled anywhere can pose a risk to people everywhere. SARS and the current outbreak of COVID-19 are not the only diseases in people traced back to animals. The killing and sale of what is known as bushmeat in Africa is thought to be a source for Ebola. Bird flu likely came from chickens at a market in Hong Kong in 1997. Measles is believed to have evolved from a virus that infected cattle. Scientists have not yet determined exactly how the new coronavirus first infected people. Evidence suggests it originated in bats, which infected another animal that spread it to people at a market in the southeastern city of Wuhan. Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market advertised dozens of wild species some likely raised on farms, others hunted like giant salamanders, baby crocodiles and raccoon dogs. "The perfect place really for a virus to spread, to jump from one species to another is a market place where dozens of different animals are brought together with the viruses in close contact. And of course, people in the children and the elderly people are in there and they get exposed too, " said Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance. Of the 33 samples from the Wuhan market that tested positive for the coronavirus, 31 were from the area where officials say wildlife booths were concentrated. Unlike with domesticated livestock like chickens and pigs, researchers say less is known about the viruses that circulate in wild animals. The Wuhan market was also like many other "wet markets" in Asia and elsewhere, where dozens of animal species are tied up or stacked in cages. The animals are often killed on site to ensure freshness. The messy mix raises the tiny odds that a new virus will jump to people handling the animals and start to spread, experts say. And more frequent global travel and trade means there's greater risk for outbreaks to spread. China's taste for wildlife is relatively new, prompted by the country's economic growth,. There are signs the Chinese government may make more lasting changes to how exotic species are raised and sold. This month, Chinese Communist Party Chairman Xi Jinping said the country should "resolutely outlaw and harshly crack down" on the illegal wildlife trade because of the public health risks it poses. In the eastern province of Anhui, officials sealed farms breeding species like badgers and bamboo rats. In the port city of Tianjin, authorities say their crackdown on the sale of wildlife caught six traders, including three who were selling pythons and parrots. All told, officials say about 1.5 million markets and online operators nationwide have been inspected since the outbreak began. About 3,700 have been shut down, and around 16,000 breeding sites have been cordoned off. It's not clear how the measures will play out over time. Before the outbreak began, it was legal in China to sell 54 species like pangolins and civets as long as they were raised on farms. That made it difficult to distinguish between legal and illegal wildlife in wet markets, and enforcement was lax shares Jinfeng Zhou of China Biodiversity, Conservation and Green Development Foundation, an environmental group based in Beijing. Others disagree, arguing that banning all wildlife trade is not a realistic way to reduce risk, especially in poorer regions of the world where it can be an important food source. They say better monitoring, regulation or public education may be better ways to control the problem. Even if China successfully regulates or bans it, the wildlife trade is likely to continue elsewhere. Recent visits to wet markets in the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia and in the coastal city of Doula in Cameroon revealed similar conditions to wet markets in China. Vendors were slaughtering and grilling bats, dogs, rats, crocodiles and snakes, and sanitary measures were scant. Ongoing destruction of species' habitats will likely bring people into closer contact with animals and their viruses. Beijing (Gasgoo)- The pressure is extreme to find a vaccine or adequate medical material after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, which also requires substantial resources. From late January on, automakers have made sizeable donations to help the biggest auto markets fight against the novel coronavirus. Apart from cash, automakers have also set up special funding for the treatment and research, and sent medical supplies, equipment and ambulances to those virus-affected regions. Some mobility service provider, owned by automakers, also gave their aid by offering free service to residents, medical staff after the public transportation has been suspended in Wuhan, the epicenter. Dongfeng Motor Group, based in Wuhan, donated a total of RMB36 million, along with its subsidiaries, to three cities of Hubei Province, namely Wuhan, where it is headquarted, Shiyan, where the company started from, and Xiangyang, one of its major production bases. Dongfeng Sokon, the joint venture between Dongfeng and Chongqing Sokon, gave Hubei province many vehicles, which are worth RMB5 million. Geely Holding announced a RMB200 million funding to help prevent further spread of the virus. The special funding will be used to buy masks, respirators as well as to build new hospitals in virus-hit regions. The company has also committed to donating fifty Geely-branded MPVs to assist with the transportation needs. Many international automakers also made contribution to the fight. Volkswagen Group, along with its brands and joint ventures in China, donated RMB120 million to support the fight. Apart from a donation of RMB5 million in cash, Tesla also offers free Supercharging, which may help facilitate owners daily life even in cities that are currently locked down. On the list, we can also see some startups, including NIO, WM motor, Xpeng Motor, etc. Some automakers even donated negative pressure ambulances. Thank you. New Delhi, Feb 14 : Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader J.P. Nadda is all set to constitute his new team after becoming the party's National President. The party organisation of all states including Uttar Pradesh has names of several leaders on being sought by the central BJP team as Nadda is likely to include leaders with good track record in his team, party sources said. According to the sources, Nadda may announce his 'national team' by the end of February. It's also being said the BJP president is not much keen in making too many changes in the team and is looking to strike a balance between the old and new faces. Sources also believe that in the new party, the responsibilities of old faces may change. Some leaders holding the post of party's national secretary could also be promoted as general secretary. BJP sources also said that Uttar Pradesh would be given "special care and attention" during the reshuffle in the core party organisation. This would be mainly done as Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in the state in 2022. Sources said that out of the quota of Uttar Pradesh, a total of three leaders could be appointed as national secretaries. The Uttar Pradesh state quota seats in the national team are already running vacant since Siddharth Nath Singh and Shrikant Sharma became ministers. However, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das may be given a new role in the form of national vice-president or national general secretary in the new team as the party wants to shift him from the state politics and rejoin the national team, Sources said. It is to be noted that when Amit Shah became BJP president for the first time in 2014, he had included Das in his team as the national vice president from Jharkhand quota. (Navneet Mishra can be contacted at navneet.m@ians.in) A mother diagnosed with breast cancer wrote gut-wrenching letters to her one-year-old son and husband for them to read after her death. Tarah Hastie, from Brisbane, told her son Chester to 'give daddy a cuddle' on his first day of school and said she would be 'by his side watching him' when he had his first child. The 35-year-old wrote the moving letters for her loved ones to open at crucial stages of their lives in case she was not around to witness them. She also told her husband Adam to 'follow his heart' whenever he felt lonely, frustrated or unsure of how to raise their son. But eight years after she had her breast removed, Ms Hastie is in remission and has had another child, a daughter named Valerie. She shared the letters she wrote with Daily Mail Australia as she campaigns for other women to get regular check-ups. Tarah Hastie (pictured with husband Adam and children Chester and Valerie), now 35, found a lump on her breast while she was lying in bed shortly after she relocated to Brisbane after living abroad with her husband Adam and son Chester, who was 18 months old Mrs Hastie wrote letters to her son for his first day of school or when he has his own first child In the letter for her son to open when he had his first child, she wrote: 'The joy you get from holding your child for the first time is indescribable. Meeting you was the greatest moment of my life. 'Congratulations my darling, love them well, keep them safe and enjoy every moment you have together.' She also wrote tips for her husband when he was feeling unsure, such as to hug Chester every day. 'Teach Chester to follow his heart, and when you're not sure, follow yours,' she advised. On Chester's first day of school she asked him to hug his father extra tight because she knew it would be a tough day for him. 'Today might be tough for daddy so make sure you give him a cuddle,' she wrote. Mrs Hastie found a lump on her breast while she was lying in bed in Brisbane after returning from living abroad in 2012. She thought it was just a cyst and was not worried because doctors had told her all her life she had 'lumpy breasts'. Mrs Hastie was devastated to find out she had cancer and was rushed to meet with a surgeon about a mastectomy, where she was told she had aggressive cancer that fed on the estrogen on her body. Pictured after surgery in 2012 But Mrs Hastie was told she had cancer and was rushed to meet with a surgeon about a mastectomy, where she was told she had aggressive cancer that fed on the estrogen on her body. 'She told me I would need a mastectomy regardless if it had spread and that is when it really hit me,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'This could claim my life, and that gave me the enormity of what this disease was. 'I felt helpless because I didn't feel sick and I didn't look sick - I was fit and healthy. I never smoke or drank and exercised regularly. I felt so out of control.' She said she immediately thought about Chester and what this would mean for him. Mrs Hastie became fearful she would get to see her son grow up so she began to write letters for him 'The thought I might not see him grow up was just heartbreaking. I just had that wave of emotion and feeling so lost,' Mrs Hastie said. 'In the days leading up to my surgery, which was only three days later, I began drafting letters to my son and making videos for him and my husband to help him navigate raising our son alone, because it was a very touch and go situation,' she said. She said Chester was around for a lot of her treatment - bar her chemotherapy - because they had to prepare him for the chance he would no longer have a mother. 'We were telling him before the surgery "mummy won't be able to pick you up, you'll have to climb up on her lap" because I knew I would have a drain bag,' she said. 'Just in case he accidentally opened up my chest wall or something like that.' She said the initial part was hard because he was so young. Mrs Hastie was concerned she would become infertile and not be able to have children - however she gave birth to Valerie five years after her diagnosis 'As we got more into it, he seemed to think it was kind of cool because I had no hair and he could wear my wigs. I was also still showering with him when he was still young, so he could see the scar on my chest,' she said. 'It happened quite organically - he's just grown up around it. We talk to him openly about mortality.' She said she and her husband try to make him realise it's not something to be scared of. The deadly gene that makes cancer more likely Ataxia-Telangiesctasia mutated gene is a gene that can increase the risk of certain types of cancers as it manipulates the cells. ATM is typically meant to repair damaged DNA but when it is mutated it can impact development. It can increase the risk of female breast cancer by 52 per cent. Advertisement However, a lot of the illness was overwhelming for Mrs Hastie. She recalled one particular moment that struck her as one of the worst during her battle with the illness. 'I had really long blonde hair and as a woman it is so much of your identity,' she said. 'I woke up one day after my second round of chemotherapy and I went to my husband in the shower and asked him to shave it off.' She said it had already felt like a waste of time and had been cut short. 'As he helped me shave it off he was giving me words of affirmation like we will get through this but his voice was shaking,' she said. 'I was faced away from him - but when I got out of the shower and looked in the mirror for the first time I looked like a sick person.' Doctors removed a 6.5cm tumour from her right breast, her breast tissue and all her lymphnodes due to three being cancerous during her mastectomy five days after diagnosis. She embarked on chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy for two years before doctors began to use the word remission. Mrs Hastie eventually had her left breast removed and had a reconstruction on both. She said there was a chance she would become infertile due to her treatment so she removed some of her eggs pre-chemotherapy. There were also concerns about the pregnancy due to the increased estrogen that would be in her body, which the cancer fed on. She also wrote tips for her husband when he was feeling unsure such as hug Chester every day 'Within eight days of having the transfer of our last embryo, I knew something was different,' she said. 'I didn't find out the gender. It was very different from being pregnant with Chester. I was pretty unwell. 'It was really surreal for me because the last time something was growing inside me it was trying to kill me.' She said she was nervous but tried to do her best to get through it and be healthy while doing it. Then Valerie was brought into the world. 'To find out she was a girl on the day she was born I just thought "this is why I need to fight the fight, because there is another girl in the world",' she said. At the two year mark Mrs Hastie's scans looked positive. 'It's still a really anxious time because the thought of 'you didn't think you were sick last time and you were",' she said She said they never used the word cured but said it was looking really positive. However during scans in 2019 her oncologist dropped in the word 'cured'. 'We bought a big bottle of champagne and drank the whole thing that night,' she laughed. 'Having had all those scans and having had a child since my diagnosis I feel pretty in the clear.' Mrs Hastie is an advocate of the National Breast Cancer Foundation and has been since 2012 Mrs Hastie is an advocate of the National Breast Cancer Foundation and has been since 2012. On Thursday the foundation announced it's goal to have zero breast cancer deaths by 2030, which they believe is possible with $100million in funding. 'When I joined at the end of my diagnosed year the statistic was one in nine woman would be diagnosed with breast cancer and now it is one in seven,' she said. 'To me with increased diagnoses I think wouldn't it be wonderful if in ten years time women have a diagnosis like mine and not have to think about having to connect with their children despite not being there.' She said as a mother that is the worst possible thought. 'In 2012 it was an inspirational goal and now it is possible. That, to me, is unbelievable' she said. 'It makes me happy knowing my children have a bright future, particularly when it comes to this disease that they're possibly pre-disposed to.' Mrs Hastie said she began to feel like a sick person after her husband helped her remove her hair Mrs Hastie was recently found to have the Ataxia-Telangiesctasia mutated gene, which manipulates how cells grow and divides and can impact cancer. She said there is a 50/50 chance this could be passed on to her children. NBCF plans to spend the funding on personalised medicines, research on why certain patients don't survive the five years, immunotherapies and predictive testing. Professor Sarah Hosking, CEO National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia, said: 'No-one should have to lose a loved one to this devastating disease and we are working tirelessly to change Australias future for the better. 'Our research investments are made with a focus on our goal of zero deaths by 2030 and are guided by Australias leading breast cancer researchers and clinicians, as well as people affected by breast cancer.' PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-14 13:30:26 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 840 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Multiple acquisitions to drive significant growth of customer baseLEHI, UT / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2020 / Frelii, Inc. (OTC PINK:FRLI) ("Frelii" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company working to commercialize its patent-pending DNA gene sequencing artificial intelligence technology, announced today an update regarding its previously announced revenue sharing agreement with GATC Canna Corp. ("GATC").GATC recently announced the closing of two diverse acquisitions, detailed below, that are expected to significantly increase the Frelii customer base while generating ongoing revenue as per the terms of its revenue sharing agreement.GATC's acquisitions;GATC secured a 51% controlling interest in Dvija Health Sciences Corp (DHSC). Contracted with DeckerMed, a leading Continuing Medical Education (CME) provider in North America, DHSC will create up to 25 modules for doctor training and certification in the medicine of cannabis. GATC Canna will also white label modules on the DeckerMed e-Learning Platform under the GATC Canna brand, marketing to over 100,000 medical professionals in all areas of medicine. This agreement formalizes several important revenue streams for GATC Canna; revenue from sales of DeckerMed's CME modules followed by the co-branded modules, as well as GATC Canna subscriptions paid by physicians and other medical professionals who will be introduced to GATC Canna through the CME modules.Through a share exchange agreement GATC secured a 100% interest in Mandala MD LLC, a telemedicine group based in Quad Cities area of Iowa and Illinois that specializes in cannabis-based medicines. The transaction brings considerable medical, technical and marketing expertise to GATC Canna, and is a key component of its vertically integrated DNA-based medical cannabis platform. Mandala MD will exist as a subsidiary of GATC Canna Corp. Prior to this acquisition, Mandala MD was given a valuation of $50 million during an equity round of funding.Frelii CEO, Ian Jenkins, stated, "In structuring our growth strategy we believed in our technology and its ability to scale through various licensing partners such as GATC Canna. With the addition of GATC's new interests and assets, we anticipate the subsequent flow-through growth across the board to surpass our previous expectations. We look forward to continuing the progression of our revenue sharing agreements in support of our commitment to building long-term shareholder value." About FreliiFrelii Inc. is a biotechnology company utilizing human DNA gene sequencing and artificial intelligence (AI) to assess more than 3.2 billion markers on the human genome. The resulting data provides valuable insight into an individual's DNA which are aligned and leveraged against its AI as a means of creating a robust data platform for use by a variety of sectors, including Health & Wellness, Healthcare, Medical Cannabis and Pharmaceutical.About DHSCFounded 35 years ago as a traditional print publishing company based in Toronto, DeckerMed has evolved into a world-class e-learning platform with a life-long learning focus. Today, DeckerMed e-Learning Platform provides over 100,000 medical professionals with over 700 programs covering 18 different specialties. DeckerMed is a trusted education partner of Harvard, Yale, Cleveland Clinic, Tenent Health, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, HCA, McMaster and hundreds more.About Mandala MDMandala MD LLC is a telemedicine group based in Quad Cities area of Iowa and Illinois that specializes in cannabis-based medicines.For more information, please visit www.frelii.com or follow us online at:Frelii Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/livefrelii/ Frelii Twitter Feed @livefreliiFrelii Instagram Page @livefreliiFrelii LinkedIn Page linkedin.com/company/frelii/ For questions or inquiries please contact Seth Jones: sethjones@ frelii.com Safe Harbor Statement:This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of the Company. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein are "forward-looking statements" including statements regarding: the continued growth of the e-commerce segment and the ability of the Company to continue its expansion into that segment; the ability of the Company to attract customers and partners and generate revenues; the ability of the Company to successfully execute its business plan; the business strategy, plans, and objectives of the Company; and any other statements of non-historical information. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects" or similar expressions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website ( http://www.sec.gov) . All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume any duty to update these forward-looking statements.SOURCE: Frelii, Inc. Cheryl and Neil Swindells at the Rosemont Theatre on Feb. 13, 2020, during intermission of the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance. (Valerie Avore/ The Epoch Times) ROSEMONT, Ill.Freedom. Freedom of belief, thats what stood out about the Shen Yun Performing Artss performance for Captain Neil Swindells. The United Airlines pilot and his wife, Cheryl, saw the traditional Chinese music and dance company on Feb. 13, 2020, in Rosemont, Illinois, about 30 miles outside of Chicago. In the United States, not in China. Despite its mission to revive ancient Chinese arts, steeped in traditions and values millennia-old, New York-based Shen Yun is not even allowed into the country once known as Land of the Divine. Distill the traditional music and dance of Shen Yun to its essence, and at the bottom, its based on spiritual values such as courage and integrity, truthfulness and compassion, gentleness and conversely strength. These spiritual beliefs come across clearly in Shen Yun. From the opening, when the background screen depicted the Spirit in the sky, as Mrs. Swindells noted, to the middle of the program when the soprano sings of salvation, as Mr. Swindells mentioned, the whole of the performance carried a spiritual message. Mr. Swindells was a little surprised by that. Its a unique way to put across that spiritual message, he said. To come to a dance event where theyre giving that kind of information through dance, as well as through song, and with the visuals too, I think theyre getting their spiritual message across very well. Mr. Swindells has served on the Board of Directors of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), as chairman of the Chicago chapter of ALPA, as well as a director on the board of the ALPA Federal Credit Union, among other notable responsibilities. One of the freedoms that we have here is the freedom of religion, to believe what we want to believe in the safety of our home and the sanctity of our lives, he said. In China things are different. In 1949 the Chinese Communist Party came to power. It saw this spiritual heritage as an ideological threat and for decades tried to destroy these traditions, the program notes state. Two of this years 16 dances tell stories of the persecution of people of faith in China today. Others showcase legends, such as that of the famous Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai (701762), who after experiencing a vision of celestial fairies, was inspired to write a poem. Oh, its beautiful, its absolutely beautiful, Mrs. Swindells said. The dancers were justthey tell the stories extremely well through just movement. You can really understand whats going on. Not all of the dances are serious, though. One of the things that I was surprised by was theyve put a little comedic element in there, you know. There are a few laughs every now and again I think a little humor in there too goes a long way, especially with an American audience, Mr. Swindell said. In one such piece, The Miraculous Flute, a licentious official gets paid back for his bad behavior, many times over when his wife finds out what hes been up to. The dancers were impeccable, Mrs. Swindells said. I absolutely love the performance and theres so much to look at all at once, you could hardly take it in, its beautiful. As one of the emcees explained, the type of dance that Shen Yun is best known for is classical Chinese dance, with its signature tumbling, leaping, and flipping. The dance is fluid, often circular in movement, and extremely expressive. I appreciate [the] ease and grace of movements, its really something else, she said. Mr. Swindells had a similar idea: Obviously, the dancers are technically perfect and everything is visually stunning. But what he mentioned most was Shen Yun missions to express their beliefs. Its very important to know that people across the world are able to express their own beliefs, and they dont live in a society where those beliefs are suppressed and sometimes violently suppressed. And I think we should all be aware of that, whether we believed in what they believe, or whether we believe in something else, its very important, he said. I think its very important that people anywhere should get that opportunity. With reporting by Valerie Avore and Sharon Kilarski. 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. File image In the wake of Congress's drubbing in Delhi Assembly polls, party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia 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. Investigators have arrested an Ontario-based married couple accused of acting as money mules in the Canada Revenue Agency phone-and-internet scam, Mounties announced Friday, hailing the move as a significant development in their ongoing fight against the widespread scheme. Wednesdays arrests were expected to make a dent in the prevalence of the scam in which fraudsters impersonate Canada Revenue Agency employees, along with the smaller bank investigator and tech support scams, Insp. Jim Ogden told a news conference. We have disrupted the necessary flow of money from Canada to India, which will have a big impact on the operation and the bottom line of the scammers, he said. Between 2014 and 2019, the CRA scam has resulted in victims losing more than $16.8 million. When combined with the other two scams, it jumps to a total of $30 million over that period, police said. Ogden alleged the couple would receive boxes of cash from Canadians and forward the money to the scams base in India. He didnt say how much money theyre accused to have laundered, but noted $27,000 cash and more than $100,000 in jewelry was allegedly seized from their Brampton, Ont., home. Both Gurinderpreet Dhaliwal, 37, and his wife Inderpreet Dhaliwal, 36, of Brampton, Ont., are charged with fraud over $5,000, laundering the proceeds of crime and property obtained by crime. Theyve also issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for Shantanu Manik, a 26-year-old foreign national who they believe is now in India. The developments come as part of the ongoing Project Octavia, which is being run by the RCMP Greater Toronto Area Financial Crime section. It was initially conceived as a campaign to inform Canadians about the scams and provide intel to investigators in India, Ogden said. The probe has helped lead to call centres being broken up in India, he said, but this is a milestone. This was a big step we were able to take, to actually find Canadians who were involved as money mules, he said. He added that the damage caused by the scam goes beyond the money Canadians have lost. The scam has caused fear due to the threat of arrest by the fraudsters who claim to be from various Canadian government agencies, Ogden said. This has led to Canadians becoming wary or suspicious even when the CRA is attempting legitimate contact. The governments fight against the scammers has been multi-pronged, with some telephone providers being called on to update their technology to protect against spoof calls. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission announced late last year that it expected telecom companies to implement systems by Sept. 30, 2020, that will give consumers who use Internet Protocol or VoIP-based phones, or mobile phones, the ability to verify whether calls they receive are from legitimate people, businesses or government agencies. Ogden said the police probe is far from over. Further arrests and charges may result from this investigation. We remain steadfast in our pursuit. Read more about: WITH 74 killings in 46 days, Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith is once again defending the Police Service, saying it is doing all it can. With Texas job openings for registered nurses expected to more than double in the next decade far outpacing the number of RNs University of the Incarnate Word officials are looking to fast-track some nursing students. Next fall, the private Catholic university will launch an accelerated program that will allow students who already have bachelors degrees to earn a nursing degree in as little as 16 months. These are often people who decided to go into nursing a little later in life, said Holly Cassells, professor and interim dean of UIWs Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professionals. Tuition and fees will total about $63,000. The first cohort is expected to include 24 students. Its very intense, Cassells said. But they already have a bachelors degree, so theyre accustomed to going to school. We thought we could move them along faster. On ExpressNews.com: UIW receives $10.8 million for medical residency programs in San Antonio The hybrid program will combine online coursework with clinical rotations at area hospitals. UIW partnered with Indianapolis, Ind.-based company Orbis Education Services, which has created online accelerated-learning programs at 22 U.S. universities. Daniel Briggs, founder and CEO of Orbis, said the online portion includes advanced simulations using mannequins and virtual reality. Were trying to meet students where they are, he said. They dont have to drive through traffic or sit in a classroom. Briggs said Orbis launched in 2003 with an eye on the national nursing shortage. One of the companys goals, he said, is ensuring that students who complete the program are ready to practice in the field. Before a registered nurse starts practicing, they must pass the state licensing exam, known as the NCLEX-RN. Briggs said its students have an average first-time pass rate of 94 percent. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing lists more than 260 accelerated BSN programs in the nation on its member directory, 17 of which are in Texas. Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox UT Health San Antonio offers a bachelors of science in nursing program that takes 15 months to complete, at a cost of less than $20,000. Cynthia ONeal, associate dean for undergraduate studies in the UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing, said that between 90 and 100 students are admitted into the program, housed on the UT Health campus in the South Texas Medical Center. Our program is essentially a second-career program for people who have a bachelor's degree in another field, she said. These students come to us with a vast array of life experiences. These students are a different type of learner, and we've deemed that they can handle an accelerated type of track. Most hospitals prefer to hire nurses with bachelors degrees. And if they do hire associate-degree prepared nurses, often they have a policy that the nurses have to go back and complete their baccalaureate within a certain time frame, ONeal said. RNs generally earn good salaries and benefits. On ExpressNews.com: Less than 6 percent of doctors are Latino. Researcher says shortage will affect patient care The median annual salary for registered nurses in 2018 was $71,730, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Texas Nurses Association CEO Cindy Zolnierek, an RN for 39 years, said nurses usually dont have trouble finding work, especially in rural areas and long-term care settings. Throughout her career, she has worked directly with patients, and in management roles in which she was responsible for budgets, staffing and supplies. She also was a nursing school teacher. It's not a stagnant degree or position, she said. There's a lot of opportunity, and as health care continues to change, I think that there will be increasingly diverse roles for nurses. BLS officials project the need for an additional 203,700 new RNs each year through 2026 to both fill both new positions and replace retiring nurses. The need is greatest in California and Texas. In South Texas, there will be a shortfall of nearly 6,000 full-time RNS by 2030, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Laura Garcia covers the health care industry in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her stories and more local coverage on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | laura.garcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @Reporter_Laura Thae declares candidacy in general election A high-profile North Korean defector has announced his bid to run in the upcoming April 15 general election. Thae Yong-ho, a former ranking North Korean diplomat, said Tuesday that he will run in a constituency in Seoul for the election. His announcement came one day after he joined the main conservative opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP). His candidacy is drawing lots of attention as he is the first North Korean defector to run in an election here. A defector from the North served as a legislator under the proportional representation system between 2012 and 2016. He is Cho Myong-chol, a former professor at Kim Il-sung University, who defected to South Korea in 1994. Thae, if successful, will emerge as a popularly-elected lawmaker. Therefore his ambitious bid for a National Assembly seat carries significant meaning. Running in any election is a challenge for anyone here in the South. It is all the more challenging for anyone from the North. It is particularly difficult for defectors to woo voters because of a lack of a support base. Yet, considering his vigorous activities since his defection to the South in 2016, Thae may stand a high chance of winning the race on the ticket of the LKP. He worked as a researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy from 2017 to 2018. He has basked in the media spotlight for his efforts to reveal the true picture of the brutal North Korean regime. He has repeatedly pointed out that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will never give up his nuclear arsenal. He has warned of risks involving denuclearization talks between Pyongyang and Washington. For this reason, Thae may succeed in appealing to conservative voters who value security more than inter-Korean reconciliation. Announcing his election bid, he promised to work for the unification of the divided nation if elected. As he said, his potential win could give inspiration to the nearly 40,000 defectors from the impoverished North. It could also give hope to North Koreans suffering under the dictatorship. Furthermore his possible election may serve as a catalyst for moving the two Koreas toward unification. The LKP recruited Thae as part of its efforts to expand its conservative support base in the run-up to the elections. So this is seen as a strategic move to promote conservative causes in a showdown with the liberal Moon Jae-in government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). However, the LKP should be careful not to escalate ideological confrontation with the ruling camp by fielding Thae as a candidate. The conflict between the left and right has already reached a dangerous point which could hamper fair competition among rival candidates. Under this situation, Thae and his party had better go beyond narrow-minded ideologies and promote universal values including freedom and human rights. Otherwise, they may fail to win the hearts and minds of voters. They also must present policies to root out discrimination against North Korean defectors and better protect their rights. It is also necessary to present new visions for unification with the North and peace on the peninsula. Dates have been announced for the Waitress UK and Ireland tour. The tour will open at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre on 14 November, before visiting Bromley (24 November to 28 November), Manchester (30 November to 5 December), Edinburgh (12 to 16 January), Sheffield (26 to 30 January), Sunderland (1 to 6 February), Hull (8 to 13 February), Southend-on-Sea (15 to 20 February), Aberdeen (23 to 27 February), Bristol (9 to 13 March), Eastbourne (15 to 20 March) and Birmingham (29 March to 3 April). Further dates are to be announced, with tickets going on sale later this month. Full casting to be announced soon. The WhatsOnStage Award-nominated show will close in the West End in July, after opening last February at the Adelphi Theatre. It has an original score by seven-time Grammy nominee Bareilles, book by Jessie Nelson, direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus and choreography by Lorin Latarro. Based on the film of the same name, it follows a waitress in a diner who dreams of leaving her job and forging a life of her own. The view of the Wuhan Keting in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province started converting three existing venues, including a gymnasium and an exhibition center, into hospitals to receive patients infected with the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), the headquarters for the epidemic control said late Monday. BEIJING China's health commission said Friday it removed 108 deaths from the total figure due to a double-count in Hubei province, the epicenter of the global coronavirus outbreak. The pneumonia-causing virus has killed a total of 1,380 people in mainland China as of the end of Thursday, the commission said in its Chinese-language daily online report. In parentheses after the death count, the statement added, per a CNBC translation: "Because of duplicated Hubei province statistics, 108 are written off." The National Health Commission had reported 1,367 cumulative deaths as of midnight Wednesday, following Hubei's report of 242 additional deaths from the virus that day. Friday's report is the second day in a row the province's data has caused major changes to a nationwide figure. And it adds to doubts many have about the accuracy of the data. On Thursday, a senior administration official told CNBC the White House does "not have high confidence in the information coming out of China" regarding the count of coronavirus cases. During his monologue on Wednesdays The Late Show, Stephen Colbert laid into Republicans for letting Donald Trump off the hook in his impeachment trial, especially Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who he likened to a Lovecraftian monster. The impeachment trial on Wednesday reached its almost completely predictable conclusion when, despite all the evidence that Trump abused his power, he was acquitted anyway after almost every Senate Republican voted not to convict him. There it is, its official: Nothing means anything. Right is wrong, up is down, Missouri is Kansas, Colbert said about the acquittal. Now we know that asking a foreign power to interfere in our election is the new normal. The Democrats have no choice but to do the same thing. Also Read: Senate Acquits Trump in Impeachment Trial, Mitt Romney Casts Lone GOP Guilty Vote Then, in what sounded like an impersonation of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Colbert said Russia, if youre listening, I could really use that pee pee tape. Milk milk, lemonade, around the corner justice is made. Colbert then got to mocking Republicans, specifically those who made unconvincing claims that they believe Trump will change his behavior despite not being convicted. Like Collins, who has been widely mocked for saying on Tuesday that she believes Trump will be much more cautious in the future. By the way Mr. President if you need help getting rid of a body, Im your girl, Colbert said, imitating Collins. The secret is removing the hands and teeth then killing the guy who sold you the shovel. Theres a reason that the master of horror Stephen King lives in Maine; I seem really folksy but if you listen closely to what Im justifying, suddenly I seem like a skinbag filled with writing tentacles. But Colbert wasnt done. He noted Collins turned around and on Wednesday said she probably shouldnt have said she believes Trump would change for the better and that a better word would be hopes. Story continues Yes, Colbert said about that. And a better word for Senator Susan Collins would be former Senator Susan Collins.' Watch the clip below: TONIGHT: Trump was not legit but the Senate still voted to acquit. #LSSC pic.twitter.com/DhwPZw66WZ The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) February 6, 2020 Read original story Colbert Has Nothing but Contempt for Republicans Who Acquitted Trump Especially Susan Collins (Video) At TheWrap TORONTO, Ont. Last year, it was the first fully electric vehicle to win an Automotive Journalists Association of Canada top category award. This year, the Jaguar I-PACE is the first to win an AJAC top category award two years in row, once again named the Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year during the annual presentation that kicks off Media Preview Day at the Canadian International AutoShow. The Mazda 3 was named AJAC Canadian Car of the Year. The Jaguar I-PACE is the best car we have ever built, said Jon Lindo, Director of Public Relations and Marketing with Jaguar Land Rover Canada, upon receiving the award. It is truly a technological marvel. Media Preview Day at the 2020 Canadian International AutoShow featured the unveiling or debut of nearly 40 new cars and trucks that will be hitting Canadian showrooms later this year or concepts that are inspiring the next generation of the automobile. More than 1,135 members of the media attended at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. There is a lot of excitement generated at Media Preview Day that sets the pace for the opening of the Canadian International AutoShow, says AutoShow General Manager Jason Campbell. We have an incredible lineup of cars, trucks, SUVs and concepts in this years show, and are witnessing the dawn of the future with more electric vehicles than ever and new technology that is changing our relationship with our vehicles. The keynote address during the opening ceremony was delivered by Larry Hutchinson, President and CEO of Toyota Canada, who discussed the growth and benefits of electric vehicles in the Canadian market. At a time when some people question the value of auto shows, I think theyre more beneficial than ever, said Hutchinson. They offer a first-hand opportunity for Canadians to learn about and even test drive new technologies. And get a peek into the future of mobility on our roads and on the race track. Pushing the envelope, and driving toward a cleaner, more sustainable future. And reconnecting Canadians with the passion and sense of adventure that a truly great automobile can deliver. The day concluded with a special reception in the ever-popular Auto Exotica (100 Level, North Building at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre) where the FELINO cB7R the only Canadian-made supercar currently in production made its first appearance in Ontario and the Pininfarina Battista, presented by Pfaff Automotive, made its Canadian debut. The Canadian International AutoShow takes place February 14th to 23rd, 2020, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. For more information or to buy tickets, please visit autoshow.ca. Media accreditation to the 2020 AutoShow is now online and can be requested at autoshow.ca/media-registration. Stay connected with the Canadian International AutoShow on Instagram @cdnintlautoshow, Twitter @autoshowcanada and Facebook /autoshowcanada. About the Canadian International AutoShow, presented by The Toronto Star and wheels.ca With more than 650,000 square feet of exhibits, displays and attractions at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the Canadian International AutoShow is not only the largest automotive expo in Canada, it is also the countrys largest consumer show a leader in lifestyle, technology and all things automotive. It boasts more than 1,000 cars, trucks, SUVs, concept cars, exotics, classics, muscle cars, fully electric and autonomous vehicles each year. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The global furniture market size is expected to reach USD 718.3 billion by 2025, according to a study conducted by Grand View Research, Inc. It is projected to expand at a CAGR of 5.1% over the forecast period. High demand for branded home furniture coupled with rising spending capacity of consumers on home decor products are some of the driving factors for the growth of this market. Additionally, government initiatives to provide housing for all is also expected to positively impact the growth. For instance, since the last few years, Germany has witnessed immigration of various refugees and migrants resulting in rising demand for housing or shelter. Owing to this, the government of Germany is encouraging public and private developers to build new rental flats to solve the issues like shortage of affordable housing, resulting in a supplementary demand for furniture products. The commercial segment includes hotels, offices, and other public buildings. It held a market share of more than 30.0% in 2017 and is anticipated to register substantial CAGR over the forecast period. This growth is attributed to extensive industrialization due to expanding development of corporate offices and hotels. For example, India is one of the key countries witnessing an extensive establishment of IT parks. Furthermore, increasing job opportunities and employment across the globe creates a need for additional office spaces, which subsequently fuels demand for office furniture. This is also a prominent factor expected to bolster growth of the furniture market. Companies are adopting innovative furniture to enhance workforce productivity and to inculcate creativity in workspace. For instance, in March 2017, Microsoft Corporation announced its collaboration with Steelcase. Steelcase offers a diverse range of architecture, furniture, and other technology products. This collaboration was intended to introduce creative and modern furniture in the work space with a view to boost productivity and creative thinking. Additionally, growing global population has led to a requirement for an increase in the number of schools, colleges, and other educational institutions, resulting in rapid infrastructural growth. The growing demand for furniture from the hospitality industry is also a key factor boosting growth of the commercial segment. Furthermore, rising requirement for furniture from restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, among others is expected to accelerate market growth. Increasing global competition, high cost of raw material processing and labor, and ageing workforce are some of the key challenges likely to hinder market growth. The residential segment in North America is expected to expand at the highest CAGR over the forecast period owing to the presence of key players offering luxurious interior design products. Consumer inclination towards purchasing luxury furniture can further drive the regional demand. Additionally, increasing adoption of modern furniture and the growing popularity of online distribution channels that offer convenience and time-saving during furniture purchase are anticipated to fuel growth. Furthermore, growing demand for multi-functional products, in addition to the rising awareness about environmental concerns and the use of eco-friendly products are anticipated to gain prominence in U.S. Middle East is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period owing to booming commercial and industrial sectors. The government of Kuwait has invested substantial amount of capital in the construction of public hospitals and other healthcare infrastructure. Additionally, increasing investments from private and public sectors aimed at expansion of commercial and residential construction projects in the country is another factor contributing to market growth. Request a Sample Copy of the Global Furniture Market Research Report @ www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/furniture-market/request/rs1 Further key findings from the study suggest: In 2017, the wood furniture segment accounted for more than 30% market share in terms of revenue attributed to usage of wood in combination with other materials for the production of different furniture products. For instance, objects classified as metals also use wooden components or wood in furniture fittings. Middle Eastern and African is also anticipated to witness substantial growth over the forecast period accredited to growing residential and commercial construction industry The furniture market is highly fragmented and has an array of players across different regions holding varied market shares. Major players include Herman Miller, Inc.; Kimball International; HNI Corporation; and KOKUYO These players engage in partnerships and collaborations with a view to expand their market presence. For instance, in June 2018, HNI Corporation announced partnership with Nowy Styl Group, a Europe-based manufacturer of office furniture and chairs. As a result of this partnership, both companies expect to establish a homogenous support and service network to ensure consistency in client services and solutions. Grand View Research has segmented the global furniture market based on material, end use, and region: Furniture Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025) Metal Wood Plastic Glass Others Furniture End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025) Residential Kitchen & Dining Living Room Bedroom Outdoor Others Commercial Office Hotels Others Furniture Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025) North America U.S. Canada Europe U.K. Germany France Italy Asia Pacific China India Japan Singapore Malaysia Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East & Africa Access full research report on global furniture market: www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/furniture-market Law enforcement requests for transit riders Presto information increased by 64 per cent last year compared to the year before, according to a new Metrolinx report. The provincial agency, which oversees the Presto fare-card system used on the TTC, GO Transit and nine other Ontario transit systems, received 154 formal requests for riders card information from law enforcement agencies in 2019. Metrolinx provided information in response to 37 per cent of those requests, roughly the same portion as in 2018. While the volume of requests has substantially increased, the report notes the number of Presto cards in use also rose last year, by 41 per cent. There are now more than 4.2 million cards in circulation. Metrolinx committed in 2017 to issue annual reports about Presto requests, following a Star story that revealed the agency had been quietly sharing riders card information with police. Agency spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins said that since then theyve instituted more stringent policies. We feel its a strong enough system in place that it protects peoples privacy and ensures everyone stays safe, while also making sure Metrolinx doesnt impede a lawful investigation, she said. Metrolinx requires agencies to fill out forms that ask why the Presto information is required and what it will be used for. The agencys privacy office reviews each form before any information is disclosed. The process applies to outside law enforcement agencies as well as Metrolinxs own transit officers. Aikins said the process is thorough enough that some agencies will make an initial request but then drop it when they realize what is involved. It isnt an easy thing to do. They cant just phone us and ask for information, she said. Roughly half of the requests Metrolinx received last year were related to investigations for alleged criminal offences or other matters. The rest were related to emergencies or missing persons cases. Of the 80 requests related to investigations, Metrolinx supplied all or some of the information requested in 47 instances. Privacy experts have previously argued that except in missing persons cases or emergencies, Metrolinx should always require a court order to disclose Presto information. The agency required a court order in just six requests related to investigations last year. According to the report, Metrolinx generally requires a court order if the investigation relates to a crime or other incident that didnt take place on a member transit system. For incidents that occurred on a transit system, the agency generally doesnt ask for a court order. Aikins defended that policy. Theres additional layers of oversight we put in place that we think protects peoples privacy, she said. The most common type of Presto information Metrolinx shares is a persons travel history. If the customer has registered their card, the agency also has access to personal information including the riders name, address, phone number, email and truncated financial information. Requests for Presto data last year came from a variety of agencies, including Metrolinx and Mississauga transit officers, McMaster University special constables, the RCMP, the OPP, and police forces in Toronto, Hamilton, York Region, Ottawa and New York. In one instance, an agency sought information related to 62 cards in a single request in order to help identify people on board a GO bus as part of a murder investigation. Metrolinx provided the information after receiving a court order. Ben Spurr is a Toronto-based reporter covering transportation. Reach him by email at bspurr@thestar.ca or follow him on Twitter: @BenSpurr Read more about: The Turkmen-Afghan seminar on ensuring the security of regional infrastructures within the framework of the Istanbul Process ended today. Representatives of the ministries of foreign affairs, defense, energy, and the oil and gas sector of the two countries discussed issues of promoting the construction of the TAPI gas pipeline, which faces security problems: there is a large concentration of militants in the Afghan border. According to experts, there is an accumulation of forces for attacks on the infrastructure of the project. Activization of militants near the Turkmen border is observed after the start of practical work related to the implementation of the TAPI project (Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India). In January 2020, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a resolution that allows the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs to conclude financial agreements with the Saudi Development Fund to finance the TAPI project. Ashgabat continues to procure gas pipes for the project. One of the suppliers, the Chelyabinsk Tube Rolling Plant, received an order worth $ 219 million. Last year 150 thousand tons of pipes were delivered. The length of the Turkmen part of the highway is 214 km. Nevertheless, the question of the degree of completion of work in the Turkmen sector remains open. There are several reasons. The issue of financing the project has not been resolved. The situation did not change even after the cost of announcing the gas pipeline was officially reduced from $ 10 billion. up to $ 7.6 billion. All the hopes for investors that Ashkhabad hopes to find in Dubai at the international oil and gas road show of Turkmenistan. The event, to be held on February 25, will bring together more than 200 delegates from 20 countries. Ashgabat also intends to offer interested parties cooperation in gas production at the Galkynysh field. Serious work on the territory of Afghanistan and Pakistan has not yet been carried out, although, as the representative of the Board of Directors of TAPI Pipeline C. L. said at the end of last year Muhammetmyrad Amanov, preliminary design and feasibility study for the gas pipeline project is completed. Topographic and geodetic work, as well as work on assessing the environmental impact of the project in these countries, were also completed. Islamabad promised to begin construction of TAPI in January 2020, but so far no information has been received that the work has begun. Another delay was caused by disagreements between the parties on the terms of the contract for gas export. Islamabad, before starting work, requires a review of the price of gas supplied, which was set at 350 dollars. per thousand cubic meters, which in the current conditions is excessively high. According to experts, due to the continued growth in LNG supplies to Europe from the United States in 2020, the price of natural gas could drop further to 120 dollars. per thousand cubic meters The terminal point of the India gas pipeline, which is in no hurry to get involved in the project. Afghanistan has its own reasons for discontent. According to the Afghan publication Heart of Asia, Kabul is unhappy that it has not received the promised 12 billion dollars from Ashgabat. for the construction of their pipeline section. This was announced by the Minister of Economy of Afghanistan Mustafa Mastur at the end of last year. "As for ensuring the safety of the construction and operation of this gas pipeline, there are more questions than answers. The number of personnel in the armed forces, police and special services exceeds 250 thousand, this is a lot on the scale of Afghanistan, but the quality of their training is extremely low, Alexander Knyazev, a doctor of historical sciences, an expert on Central Asia and the Middle East, told Vestnik Kavkaza . In his opinion, the only really combat-ready are only special units, of which a group of 700 military personnel is most likely formed, focused on ensuring the safety of the TAPI route. They will serve in five provinces: Herat, Farah, Nimrosh, Helmand and Kandahar. However, the formation created may not be enough to ensure the security of the Afghan section of the 774-km gas pipeline. According to Knyazev, an analysis of all the experience of the activities of these units suggests their focus on one-time assault actions. Often, they successfully release one or another village or county from the control of the Taliban (an organization prohibited in the Russian Federation), but soon this area is again under the control of the Taliban, and this happens throughout the country. "For statements about the possibility of security control along the TAPI route, as well as throughout Afghanistan, it is necessary to assess not the combat effectiveness of a special group of 700 people, which is very small for five provinces, but the ability of the state as a whole to achieve stability in these territories. All these provinces are among not the simplest government bodies in Afghanistan in terms of the effectiveness of state bodies. In the best case, only provincial centers are relatively confidently controlled, "said Knyazev. "At the same time, reports began to appear about the appearance of unidentified militants just at the place where the planned gas pipeline should cross the border of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. Turkmen tribes live in this area," Turkmen expert Serdar Aitakov told the Vestnik Kavkaza. According to him, one should not underestimate the ability of the armed forces of Turkmenistan to stop minor problems on the border independently. In recent years, the Turkmen authorities have made serious efforts to train and equip anti-terrorist units. There is information that the Russian border troops, as well as the Russian Air Force, are training the Turkmen military and special services in anti-terrorism skills. Judging by the rather frequent visits of high Russian authorities to Ashgabat (the last one was 10 days ago), there is a constant exchange of intelligence information, "the expert noted. Of course, all this will not help the construction of TAPI in Afghanistan, but it can prevent terrorist attacks on gas infrastructure in Turkmenistan. Aitakov believes that instability in Afghanistan, especially along the route of the gas pipeline, can freeze the project for many years. Investors and contractors may terminate their field development and pipeline construction activities. This may be the ultimate goal of those who really stand behind the appearance of militants in Turkmenistan. According to the expert, Turkmenistan, beginning to actively promote the construction of TAPI, has entered a zone of serious conflicts of interest. "The gas markets of Pakistan and India are a zone of interest for Qatar and Iran. If Qatar already supplies liquefied gas to these markets, then Iran expects to continue the construction of the Mir gas pipeline, which it has already brought to the border with Pakistan, but construction has stalled due to US sanctions The appearance of the TAPI project directly contradicts the interests of both Qatar and Iran. It is worth noting that two years ago, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov tried to negotiate with the leadership of Qatar on a joint presence on the market of India and Pakistan and even applied for investments for the construction of TAPI during a personal visit to Qatar, but the visit ended in nothing, the expert emphasized. A United Airlines flight from San Francisco to London was held at Heathrow airport Friday morning after a person was suspected of having coronavirus. Flight 901 was one of eight planes on hold at the airport, according to the Daily Mail. A passenger on board told the news site that airline staff took a passenger to the back of the plane and waited for health officials to arrive. When Barack Obama vowed five days before he was first elected to fundamentally transform the nation he soon would lead, few who voted for him thought to ask themselves, Transform it into what? America always needs improving, but is it such a sorry place that it must be fundamentally transformed? Apparently so, according to Obama. And that goes double for the Democrat who would follow him, post-President Trump, Bernie Sanders. To fundamentally transform a nation means to bring about profound changes to its principles, values and institutions. In the case of America, that means radically transforming the economic and governing systems that made it the greatest nation the world has ever known. Bernie Sanders is leading Democratic polls, and in this regard, he's assuming the mantle of Obama, like death again knocking at America's door. Which is why the Obama presidency should be re-examined. A long trail of circumstantial evidence indicated that Obama was intent on upending our two-party constitutional democracy in favor of single-party socialist rule. That's not different from what Sandes openly espouses. If not for a corrupt mainstream media, Obama would never have succeeded in hiding his socialist ideology. Dating to his childhood, he has been influenced by a long trail of hardcore socialists, including his parents and the revolutionary communists listed below. Frank Marshall Davis A 20th century African-American journalist and labor activist, Davis was an unapologetic communist who loathed his country and its capitalist system. The subject of a 600-page FBI file, Davis was a card-carrying, pro-Soviet member of the Communist Party USA. His loyalty to communism ran so deep that he was placed on the FBI Security Index, meaning he was a prime suspect for treason had the U.S. gone to war with the Soviet Union. During the time Davis lived in Hawaii, he was introduced to a young Barack Obama by the latters maternal grandfather. The two developed a close and trusting relationship, with Davis arguably serving as Obamas single most important adolescent mentor. In his 1995 memoir, Dreams From My Father, Obama acknowledged a deep admiration for Davis, mentioning him in glowing terms 22 times, without once disclosing that Davis was a hardened communist who loathed America. When Obama released the audio version of his memoir in 2005 as an aspiring presidential candidate, all references to Davis were quietly purged, a fact that went unreported by the mainstream media. That Daviss communist leanings rubbed off on Obama is evidenced throughout Dreams, including the part where Obama acknowledges an affinity he had for Marxist professors and student groups when he was in college. William Ayers When Obama moved to Chicago after graduating from Harvard Law School, he was introduced to unrepentant domestic terrorist Bill Ayers, who attempted to incite a violent communist revolution in the 1960s as a leader of the Weather Underground. Ayers is a self-declared communist revolutionary who has devoted his entire adult life to destroying Americas capitalist system: I wake up every morning and think, today is the day I will end capitalism. I go to bed disappointed every night, but am back at work tomorrow because that is the only way you can do it. Although Obama knew about Ayers strident anti-American views, he chose to launch his political career in the living room of Ayerss Chicago home. When explosive revelations about Obamas close association with Ayers were reported by Fox News during the 2008 presidential campaign, Obama tried to dismiss Ayers as just a guy who lives in my neighborhood, not somebody I regularly exchanged ideas with. The evidence shows otherwise. The two served together for five years on the board of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge (CAC), a progressive educational foundation that appointed Obama as its executive director. According to an investigative report in The Wall Street Journal, Obama operated CAC in a manner wholly consistent with Ayers concept that public school classrooms should be used as political lecture halls to indoctrinate students with his belief that America is such a racist and unjust place that things can be made right only by the total dismantling of its economic and governing systems. Saul Alinsky Another radical socialist who loathed America and its capitalist system became one of Obamas most important political mentors years before Obama moved to Chicago. The win-at-all-costs political theories of Saul Alinsky, who died in 1972, had so much influence on Obama that Americas future first black president taught Alinskys ends-justify-the-means election tactics at University of Chicago. Alinsky believed that destroying the character of political opponents is far more effective at getting Democrats elected than trying to sell the utopian promises of socialism. In his book Rules for Radicals, Alinsky wrote this: The despair is there. It is now up to us to rub raw the wounds of discontent and galvanize them for radical social change. The radical change to which he referred is the takedown of Americas free-market capitalist economy and its two-party constitutional democracy. In keeping with Lenins observation that a lie told often enough becomes the truth, Alinsky taught Democrats that the most effective way to defeat Republicans is to relentlessly slander them as racists. Forty-eight years after his death, the Chicago community organizer who despised his country remains the most revered political strategist of the modern Democratic Party. Jeremiah Wright When Obama arrived in Chicago, he sought to gain street creds for his political ambitions by joining Trinity United Church of Christ, a predominately African-American congregation led by its firebrand pastor, Jeremiah Wright. Rev. Wright taught Black Liberation Theology, a religious teaching based on victim vs. oppressor ideology, the essence of Marxism. By their own admission, Barack and Michelle Obama regularly attended Trinity United for 20 years. During that time, they listened to hundreds of Wrights God d**n America sermons in which he angrily blamed his country for problems in America and the rest of the world. A passage from the audio version of Dreams From My Father reveals sympathy Obama had with the anti-white views of Wright, whom Obama quotes in Dreams as saying, White folks greed runs a world in need. Obama and Wright are known to have associated with Louis Farrakhan, the anti-Semitic, anti-white and American-hating minister of the Nation of Islam. Hidden from voters by the mainstream media until after Obamas re-election was secured, this photo shows Obama and Farrakhan at a 2005 meeting of the Congressional Black Caucus, an organization whose members have lavishly praised Fidel Castro and Cubas communist system. The photo doesnt necessarily mean Obama is close friends with Farrakhan, but does show he has no problem socializing with a man who hates his country with every fiber of his being. Obamas trip to Cuba In early 2016, when Obama no longer faced re-election, he visited Cuba, where he defiantly posed before a six-story likeness of Ernesto Che Guevara. Standing in front of a massive image of Guevara that adorns the Ministry of the Interior in Havanas Plaza de la Revolucion (Revolution Plaza), Americas first black president stood shoulder to shoulder with officials of the brutal communist regime that worships Guevara as a national hero. That Obama would stage such a photograph leaves little doubt in the minds of many about the true ideological beliefs of the man who vowed to fundamentally transform the United States of America. The only difference between self-avowed socialist Bernie Sanders on the one hand, and Obama and the party he leads on the other, is that Obama and his party are being coy about their unbreakable affinity for socialism. Wake up, America. Death is knocking on your door. Image credit: Daily Wire // Twitter screen shot American Thinker also published Red Tide Rising, another John Eidson article about the troubling rise of communism in America. NCP president Sharad Pawar on Friday criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's decision to let the NIA take over probe into the Elgar Parishad case from the state police. Talking to reporters here, Pawar said it was not right on part of the Centre to hand over the probe into the case, which was with the Pune police, to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as law and order was a state subject. "It was not right for the Centre to hand over the investigation into the case to the NIA. But it was even more wrong for the state government to support the transfer of the case," said Pawar. The NCP is a key constituent of the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and its leader Anil Deshmukh is the home minister. The conduct of police and home department officials handling the case was objectionable, he said. The NIA was entrusted the case at a time when the process of setting up an SIT was initiated by the state government, he said. "Meetings took place between 9 am and 11 am (in Mumbai) and the Centre took the decision (to hand over the case to the NIA) at 3 pm (on January 25)," he said. Pawar said it was not right for the Centre to encroach upon the rights of the state on law and order issue. "The Maharashtra government should not have supported the Centre's move," the former Union minister said. 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". On Thursday, Deshmukh said Thackeray had overruled him on the probe in the case, in which human rights activists have been arrested for alleged links with Maoists. "State agencies were investigating the case, but the Centre handed over the investigation to the NIA. As Home Minister, my stand was that the Centre should have taken the state government into confidence before taking the decision. "We were putting up our stand in the court in this direction. The Chief Minister has the right to overrule my stand," Deshmukh had said. The Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government had initially criticised the Centre's move to hand over the case to the NIA. Deshmukh had then publicly expressed disapproval of the Centre's move and termed it as against the Constitution. The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave, held at Shaniwarwada in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claimed, triggered violence near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in the district the next day. The Pune police have claimed the conclave was backed by Maoists. During the probe into the police, the Pune 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.) MIDDLETOWN City police have arrested a suspect they believe used an ax to break into the Greater Middletown Military Museum Tuesday and steal a fake firearm. Authorities, who used a police dog to track the person of interest, allegedly found the nonworking firearm during their search. Videotape of the early morning burglary was captured on camera and released to the public Wednesday afternoon. Isaiah Nemecek, 22, of Phedon Parkway, Middletown, was charged Thursday afternoon with third-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, first-degree criminal mischief and sixth-degree larceny. He appeared in court Thursday. Officers responded to a separate burglary Dec. 12 in the same neighborhood, Lt. Heather Desmond said in a press release Thursday afternoon. The complainant found damage to the inside of a home he was in the process of purchasing and called police, she said. During the investigation, officers learned Nemecek was involved in the museum burglary, Desmond said. He had two outstanding warrants against him for allegedfailure to appear and was taken into custody, according to the report. The residential burglary is still under investigation. An item taken from the museum was recovered last night. Great job by our patrol division investigating a separate incident [which] discovered the link between the cases. The Major Investigations Division worked late into the night on this case, and are back at it early this morning, Desmond said in a press release Thursday morning. Museum President Ken McClellan was pleased how quickly police worked to track a suspect. If he stayed in the building another minute, he probably would have been caught, said McClellan. I am disappointed someone would come in there and do the damage they did. Im thankful they didnt do more damage. Well be putting that (firearm) back in the display case, he said. To come in there, do the damage, and take something of no monetary value just baffles me, McClellan said. All the firearms in the museum are disabled. If anyone comes in there and thinks theyre going to get a working rifle, thats not going to happen, McClellan said. Founder and former museum president Ron Organek was amazed at how quickly police apprehended a suspect. Im very happy to have the suspect in custody. It is pretty amazing really amazing. Im hoping it is him, he said Thursday afternoon. Organek also was overwhelmed by the support he said he has received, saying people have been emailing and calling him since the incident. It was really devastating to take even that one piece. This is a history of what we, and the military, have gone through, the history of Middletown, in a sense, Organek said. Members of the museum board will be reviewing security measures with police to determine whether any changes need to be made, McClellan said. The museum houses an array of military memorabilia from Connecticut and beyond, including models of the Pratt & Whitney Spitfire Mark I and Lockheed Hercules aircraft, a library of war books and other publications, U.S. Navy and other uniforms, and a Huey helicopter from former members of the Laotian Special Guerilla Unit. Yale-affiliated scientist finds that even a few hours' exposure to ambient ultrafine particles common in air pollution may potentially trigger a nonfatal heart attack. Myocardial infarction is a major form of cardiovascular disease worldwide. Ultrafine particles (UFP) are 100 nanometers or smaller in size. In urban areas, automobile emissions are the primary source of UFP. The study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives is believed to be the first epidemiological investigation of the effects of UFP exposure and heart attacks using the number of particles and the particle length and surface area concentrations at hourly intervals of exposure. "This study confirms something that has long been suspected -- air pollution's tiny particles can play a role in serious heart disease. This is particularly true within the first few hours of exposure," said Kai Chen, Ph.D., assistant professor at Yale School of Public Health and the study's first author. "Elevated levels of UFP are a serious public health concern." UFP constitute a health risk due to their small size, large surface areas per unit of mass, and their ability to penetrate the cells and get into the blood system. "We were the first to demonstrate the effects of UFP on the health of asthmatics in an epidemiological study in the 1990s," said Annette Peters, director of the Institute of Epidemiology at Helmholtz Center Munich and a co-author of this paper. "Since then approximately 200 additional studies have been published. However, epidemiological evidence remains inconsistent and insufficient to infer a causal relationship." The lack of consistent findings across epidemiological studies may be in part because of the different size ranges and exposure metrics examined to characterize ambient UFP exposure. Chen and his co-authors were interested in whether transient UFP exposure could trigger heart attacks and whether alternative metrics such as particle length and surface area concentrations could improve the investigation of UFP-related health effects. With colleagues from Helmholtz Center Munich, Augsburg University Hospital and Nordlingen Hospital, Chen examined data from a registry of all nonfatal MI cases in Augsburg, Germany. The study looked at more than 5, 898 nonfatal heart attack patients between 2005 and 2015. The individual heart attacks were compared against air pollution UFP data on the hour of the heart attack and adjusted for a range of additional factors, such as the day of the week, long-term time trend and socioeconomic status. "This represents an important step toward understanding the appropriate indicator of ultrafine particles exposure in determining the short-term health effects, as the effects of particle length and surface concentrations were stronger than the ones of particle number concentration and remained similar after adjustment for other air pollutants," said Chen. "Our future analyses will examine the combined hourly exposures to both air pollution and extreme temperature. We will also identify vulnerable subpopulations regarding pre-existing diseases and medication intake." BEIRUT - It is arguably one of the most coveted prizes in Syrias civil war, and after eight years of fighting, Syrian President Bashar Assad has got it back. The Damascus-Aleppo highway, or the M5, is known to Syrians simply as the International Road. Cutting through Syrias major cities, the motorway is key to who controls the country. Assad gradually lost control over the M5 from 2012, when various rebel groups fighting to topple him began seizing parts of the country. Protests against his familys rule had erupted the year before amid a wave of uprisings in the Arab world. This soon turned into a civil war, following a brutal government crackdown on dissent and the intervention of foreign powers in the growing conflict. Historically a bustling trade route, one Syrian analyst, Taleb Ibrahim, called the M5 the most basic and strategic highway in the Middle East. For the Turkey-backed rebels fighting Assad, the highway was a cornerstone in holding together their territory and keeping government forces at bay. Its loss marks a mortal blow for opposition fighters whose hold on their last patches of ground in northwestern Syria is looking more and more precarious. Heres a look at the M5, and its place in Syrias nearly nine-year-long civil war: WHAT IS IT? The M5 is a strategic highway that starts in southern Syria, near the border with Jordan, and runs all the way north to the city of Aleppo near the Turkish border. The 450-kilometre (280-mile) highway links the countrys four largest cities and population centres: Damascus, Homs, Hama, and Aleppo, cutting through Idlib province. Before the war, the M5 motorway served as an economic artery for Syria mainly feeding the countrys industrial hub of Aleppo. Experts estimate the road carried business worth $25 million a day at the height of Syrias trade boom before the war. The highway was a passageway for the crossing of wheat and cotton from the Syrian east and north to the rest of the country. It was also a road used for the exchange of commodities with regional trade partners like Jordan, Saudi Arabia and other Arab states, as well as Turkey. ___ RECOVERING CONTROL Regaining control over the highway has been a top priority of the Assad government since the early days of the war. Its slow and tortuous recovery, in many ways, traces the arc of the Syrian war, which has killed nearly half a million people and uprooted half the countrys pre-war population. The Syrian government began winning back segments of the highway, starting in 2014. Thats when Russia joined the war on the side of Assad, and essentially tipped it in his favour. Towns and cities located along parts of the highway, including in the Ghouta region in the suburbs of Damascus, now lie in ruins after long sieges and incessant bombardment forced them into submission. The Russian-backed recapture of Aleppo in December 2016 was another major game-changer. ___ END OF THE REBELS ROAD Under a September 2018 agreement between Russia and Turkey, the M5 and M4 highways were supposed to be open for traffic, linking the governments stronghold on the coast with Aleppo before the end of that year. That never happened, as insurgents refused to move away and allow joint Russian-Turkish patrols to protect the traffic there. That eventually led to the latest government offensive in Idlib, the last rebel-held bastion in the country. Government troops backed by Russia carried out several major advances in Idlib, retaking towns and villages on both sides of the motorway. The capture of Khan Sheikhoun was the first major breakthrough, followed by Maaret al-Numan and Saraqeb, located on the intersection between the M4 and M5. This week, Syrian troops recaptured the last rebel-controlled section of the highway around Khan al-Assal. That brought the road under the full control of Assads forces for the first time since 2012. The victory statement came not from the Syrian government, but from Russias defence ministry. It said in a statement Wednesday that Syrias most important transport artery had been freed from rebel control. ___ WHY IT MATTERS The highways capture is possibly the most significant victory for Assad, whose forces have been making solid gains since the end of 2015 with the help of Russian airstrikes and Iran-backed fighters. Ibrahim, the political analyst, said the highway is so vital because it links the countrys two powerhouses the capital of Damascus with the former trading hub of Aleppo, now mostly in ruins. In other words it links Syrias political capital with its economic capital, he said. It also links up with the M4 highway at the Saraqeb knot, opening up traffic to the governments coastal stronghold of Latakia and the port. Fighting continues in areas near the highway, and much of Idlib province remains in rebel hands. But the M5s seizure goes a long way to re-connect government-controlled areas, after they had been severed from each other for years. ___ Associated Press writer Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria, contributed to this report. (Natural News) Just when you thought that things could not go more wrong for longtime GOP operative Roger Stone, an ally of President Trump, it gets worse. Earlier this week Stone supporters were stunned as were top officials in the Justice Department when the four prosecutors handling the case recommended an outlandish sentence of between 7 and 9 years. The outsized recommendation led the Justice Department, at the direction of Attorney General William Barr, to intervene and recommend a much lower, more appropriate sentence in Stones case, which was heard by U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, an Obama appointee. But then, within 24 hours of that outrage new reports began to surface about the extremely biased nature of the lead juror in the case, Tomeka Hart. As reported by Cernovich.com and The Daily Caller, she admitted to being a Stone juror in a Facebook post in which she expressed outrage that the four prosecutors two of which had ties to the Robert Mueller team and one of which actually worked on the Stone investigation quit the case. Mind you, they recommended that Stone receive up to nine years in prison for one count of lying to Congress, obstruction into the investigation of the Russian collusion hoax, and witness tampering involving a witness, Randy Credico, who laughed off the allegation. 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 on Facebook, adding But I cant keep quiet any longer. Its important to note that CNN initially reported on Harts post, but of course failed to mention she was a Democrat, let alone a Democratic congressional candidate in Tennessee in 2012. But it gets worse. Upon further investigation, Hart had made several anti-Trump comments on social media, in particular Twitter, and was actually posting actively during the trial. That discovery alone raises legitimate questions about how she answered specific questions on the juror questionnaire regarding the investigation into Stone, the Mueller probe, and running for public office. Absolutely entitled to a new trial In a separate story, Daily Caller investigative journalist Chuck Ross noted that Hart told lawyers during the pretrial questioning of jurors she was generally aware of developments in the Russia investigation but that she did not pay that close attention to it. Also, she insisted that Stones association with Trump would absolutely not taint her views of the defendant. However, in one Twitter post, she directed a question to the #KlanPresident, meaning Trump. In another, the African-American Hart claimed that all Trumps supporters were racist. Then stop being racists. Co-signing and defending a racist and his racist rhetoric makes you racist. Point blank, she wrote on Aug. 2, 2019. Her remarks and obvious bias make for conditions that demand a new trial for Stone, according to Fox News legal analyst and former state judge Andrew Napolitano. According to BizPac Review: The Fox News senior judicial analyst has known Stone for over four decades but said that has no bearing on the fact that the long-time Trump ally is absolutely entitled to a new trial in light of an inherent bias from a jury member. He is absolutely entitled to a new trial with a member of the jury making these types of revelations about the politics involved in the decisions to prosecute him, Napolitano told Fox & Friends Thursday, adding that, as a New Jersey Superior Court judge, he presided over 150 such trials. It is the duty of the judge to ensure that both the government and the defendant get a fair trial and if the judge discovers afterwards that there was a built-in inherent bias on the part of a member of a jury against the defendant, that is an automatic trigger for a new trial, he said. Sources include: BizPacReview.com DailyCaller.com TheNationalSentinel.com Researchers investigating the drug prescription response to a "superbug" enzyme that renders bacteria resistant to antibiotics are available to discuss why such resistance is posing a growing risk during pandemics such as the current coronavirus. Manuel Hermosilla, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business, and Chirantan Chatterjee, professor at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, are studying whether India ground zero for one of the most dangerous superbugs known as NDM-1 has reduced its high levels of antibiotic use. India has one of the world's highest levels of antibiotic resistance due to over-prescribing by medical professionals, excessive consumption of over-the-counter versions, and an abundance of the drugs used in chickens and other animal food products. "According to the World Health Organization, one of the biggest threats to global health is the growing number of infections including pneumonia and tuberculosis that are becoming harder to treat because of antibiotic resistance," Hermosilla and Chatterjee wrote in a summary of their proposed efforts, which recently won a grant from the JHU Alliance for a Healthier World. "India is at the center of the crisis due to the high levels of antibiotic resistance among its population, but also because it was the first country in which the NDM-1 'superbug' was identified." A World Bank report called Pandemics: Risks, Impacts, Mitigation says antibiotic resistance is a threat that "could amplify mortality during pandemics of bacterial diseases such as tuberculosis and cholera and even viral diseases (especially for influenza, in which a significant proportion of deaths is often the result of bacterial pneumonia coinfections)." The NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1) has been detected in 70 countries and "has been touted as a 'doomsday scenario of a world without antibiotics' by public health experts," Hermosilla's summary states. To counter the growth of antibiotic resistance, nations should be working with their health sectors to reduce the use of the strongest, last-resort antibiotics in order to preserve their effectiveness. If Hermosilla and Chatterjee find that India has not slowed excessive use of such antibiotics, they aim to develop and recommend "robust policy interventions." "Antibiotic resistance can lead to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, and increased mortality," their summary states. Resistance is highest in poorer nations that can least afford such demands. The issue has been a worldwide concern for several years. The World Health Assembly passed the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in 2015. It called on nations to establish national plans to address antibiotic consumption and resistance, in part, by "optimizing the use of antibiotics through stewardship and appropriate prescriptions," according to Disease Control Priorities: Major Infectious Diseases, a World Bank report. The Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy, which has offices in New Delhi and Washington, D.C., maintains the Drug Resistance Index to track antibiotic resistance. India ranked at the top of the list. "In the highly connected world in which we live, the disparity in efficacy is a threat to global public health as resistant pathogens can rapidly spread between countries," the report states. Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has decided to increase confinement expenses paid to pregnant women for getting maternity services from other hospitals, to Rs 7,500 from existing Rs 5,000 after factoring in higher cost of living New Delhi: Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has decided to increase confinement expenses paid to pregnant women for getting maternity services from other hospitals, to Rs 7,500 from existing Rs 5,000 after factoring in higher cost of living. Confinement expenses are paid to those women beneficiaries who go for treatment in other hospitals due to inaccessibility of maternity services at ESIC dispensaries and hospitals. The decision was taken at an ESIC meeting chaired by Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar on Thursday. "Keeping in view the rise in the cost of living index resulting increase in expenditure related to confinement, existing amount of confinement expenses has been increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,500," a Labour Ministry statement said. According to statement, this facility is for pregnant ladies who are not able to avail maternity services of ESIC dispensaries or hospitals due to unavoidable reasons and take treatment in other hospitals. The ESIC has also approved the operationalisation of economically weaker section (EWS) quota and admissions to ESIC Medical Institutions from academic year 2020-21. Besides this, provisional Admission Policy-2020 for Admission to MBBS/BDS Seats under Insured Persons' (IPs) Quota in the ESIC Medical Colleges has also been approved. The revised estimates for 2019-20 and budget estimates for the following year (2020-21) have been adopted and approved during the meeting of the ESIC. As of now, the total beneficiary population of ESI Scheme stands over 13.56 crore. In an era of a lot of strange ideological overlaps, one thats particularly interesting to me is the overlap between two groups of people: those who invoke science to whip interlocutors into submission on everything from climate change to religion, and those who talk a lot about body positivity, fat shaming, etc. Theres absolutely zero scientific uncertainty as to the detrimental health effects of being overweight. (I say this as somebody who has been overweight since high school.) Obesity hurts people, full stop. Science says so. Yet if you dip into the socially conscious movements that make a lot of headlines nowadays, it wont be long before youre catechized in the body-positive movement, which says that categorizing people as overweight is an assault on their personal dignity. There is no normal size, it is suggested, and diversity of body type is to be celebrated as unconditionally as diversity of skin color or gender. Pressuring people to lose weight is fat shaming, a grievous social sin that has no place in a compassionate society. Of course, that is a militantly anti-science worldview. There is no question that there is such a thing as overweight, and there is no question that being overweight strains personal health and increases the risks of major complications. These facts are every bit as solid and universally attested as climate change or macroevolution. Yet it has become common for the same folks who invoke scientific consensus in their public-policy arguments to double down on body positivity, swiftly and unequivocally condemning any public observation that someone should lose weight. This is a nicely transparent example of just how useless invoking science has become in contemporary discourse. Useless does not mean untrue, of course, it just means useless, as in: Even near-unanimous scientific consensus matters very little in practice if it runs afoul of certain shibboleths. Scientific consensus itself is becoming a slippery concept nowadays, as certain kinds of science are routinely ruled out of bounds if they produce politically undesirable data. Story continues Lisa Littman, a professor at Brown University, was censored by her own institution for a peer-reviewed paper in which she asked whether rapid-onset gender dysphoria among teens was attributable to the pressures of peer culture rather than to actual transgender feelings. Littmans research is formidable, and she does not describe herself as skeptical of transgenderism. Nonetheless, the mere suggestion that peer contagion could be contributing to a surprising uptick in teen trans identification was enough for the schools administration, which defended the censorship with rather stunning bluntness: The universitys school of public health, its dean said in a statement, had heard from Brown community members expressing concerns that the conclusions of the study could be used to discredit efforts to support transgender youth and invalidate the perspectives of members of the transgender community. Not even two years later, Brown hosted a forum on combating climate-change denial. Professor Mark Blyth opened the panel by noting that so much of politics is about affect rather than facts how does it make you feel. . . . We try as social scientists to take the veil away. Lets talk about the facts; lets find things as they really are. The inconvenient truth is that there is no party of science, just as there is no right side of history. All ideological tribes use scientific research when the result supports their priors and downplay it when it doesnt. There is a meaningful difference, though, between cultural conservatives and progressives. Conservatives, at least historically, have been willing to take their ideas above the rim of materialism, to argue against scientism and emphasize the transcendent and spiritual. For almost a century, arguably dating back to the Scopes trial, progressives have taken the opposite approach, forming an unwritten alliance with irreligious partisans of higher ed and instinctively deferring to science when it collides with faith or tradition. Its not that one party believes in science and one party disbelieves it. Its that only one party claims thats the case. In asserting themselves as people of rationality and objective facts (as opposed to people of blind faith), secular progressives intend to seal away their ideological opponents. That strategy arguably peaked with the so-called New Atheism movement, which now feels every bit as distant and irrelevant as the mid-20th-century fundamentalism it so often mimicked. Once a darling of the anti-Bush Left, Sam Harris now finds himself a lead character in the intellectual dark web, a vaguely libertarian, right-leaning coalition of free-speech advocates and critics of political correctness. It turns out that when you make a lot of money from telling people that Christianity is a plague on civilization, they might come to agree with you and then reach for as strong an anti-Christian repellant as they can find (namely, authoritarianism). Atheists since Hume have insisted that society does not need transcendence in order to be moral and rational. An evidence-based, materialist account of the universe should be perfectly sufficient for reasonable people. But what shall we infer from the fact that university campuses, the intellectual environments most shaped by scientism, are also the ones producing the most-zealous crusaders for social justice, including causes that put them at clear odds with norms of scientific inquiry? One possibility is to note an unintended consequence of the movement to secularize the public square, a movement not begun but certainly befriended by elected officials. Instead of secular rationalism, we are witnessing secular fundamentalism: an emergent new religion of social activism and neo-Marxism that is all the more buffered against criticism because of its ideological partnership with the secular scientific community. As Eric Cohen has written, scientism has its own theology, whose effects are visible especially in the triumph of technology at the expense of community and meaning. Scientism and social-justice partisanship are so often seen together in elite culture because they are, each in its own way, both post-Christian religions. Too many activists, similar to those assembled at Brown, ridicule skeptics of their data and skeptics of their policy prescriptions. Such skeptics are (to use Blyths words) more concerned about feelings than facts. That posture may give, for example, the trans activists and the body-positivity gurus on Browns campus a sense of solidarity that is illusory but powerful. They look at the scientists in the classroom, then at the activists on campus, then back at the scientists, then back at the activists . . . until, like Orwells farm animals, they cant tell which is which. That is why it is useless to appeal to science to explain why gender is real rather than a construct, or that a fetus really is a human being, genetically unique. Anyone on either side of such arguments believes he belongs to the party of science . . . because he knows that you, if you belong to the other side, are not. The culture-war impasse is not inevitable. What needs to happen is simple: We need to un-deify science in public discourse. As a Christian, I agree with Richard Dawkins and others who hold up scientific progress and inquiry as vital to civilization. I agree with them about that much because, like Isaac Newton, I believe that the world is imprinted with order, structure, and laws that reflect an orderly Creator. Atheists and religious folk can disagree on where science ultimately comes from while agreeing on its importance. The problems come when science is used cynically. Using science to demonstrate why religious belief poisons everything is no more legitimate than ignoring it for the sake of canceling others for their point of view. The New Atheists craved the first kind of fundamentalism and now decry the latter. They dont recognize the bed theyve made. Lets agree that science is a critical but insufficient discipline. It needs be accompanied by others, such as philosophy (which science bros need to stop ridiculing), law, history, art, and yes, religion. Lets agree that scientism is not science but rather a worldview, and then debate it as a worldview that is not self-evidently true. And lets agree that we are all ideological creatures who can find data to support our beliefs, and that therefore we should deliver the verdicts of science with humility, not triumphalism. More from National Review Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 20:28:58|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen speaks as he greets passengers onboard the Westerdam cruise ship at southwest Cambodia's sea port of Sihanoukville on Feb. 14, 2020. The cruise ship, which had been turned away over fears of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, docked at Sihanoukville port on Thursday. (Photo by Li Lay/Xinhua) PHNOM PENH, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Friday welcomed passengers disembarked from the Westerdam cruise ship in southwest Cambodia's Sihanoukville after all had tested negative for the novel coronavirus. In a live broadcast on the state-run National Television of Cambodia, Hun Sen shook hands with the passengers and presented each of them a rose. The prime minister said his act sent a message to the world to eliminate discrimination and fear over the disease, recently dubbed COVID-19. "I would like to send this message to the Cambodian people as well as to the international community that this time is not the time of fear and discrimination, but it is the time of solidarity," he noted. Hun Sen said about 100 passengers took flights to their home countries today (Friday), and the rest would leave later based on their flight schedules. All passengers were allowed to disembark from the ship, and they could visit Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap Province while waiting for their flights, he added. The cruise ship, carrying 1,455 passengers and a crew of 802, had been turned away in some ports due to fears over the novel coronavirus, docked at southwest Cambodia's sea port of Sihanoukville Thursday. According to a statement released by the Cambodian Health Ministry late Thursday, 20 out of the passengers had been ill, and their samples taken to the Pasteur Institute test found that all were negative for the novel coronavirus. Holland America Line, the cruise ship operator, said in a press release Friday that the company sincerely thanked Cambodia for welcoming the ship with an open mind. "We are pleased with the successful resolution of this challenging journey that was complicated by unfounded fears stemming from erroneous information with respect to the medical condition of Westerdam's guests and crew," said Stein Kruse, chief executive officer of the company. The ship will stay at the port until next Monday for disembarkation. New Delhi, Feb 14 : Two-wheeler major Hero MotoCorp on Friday said that ongoing issue of Coronavirus in China has affected the supply of some components used at its manufacturing facilities in India. According to the company, this is likely to impact its planned production by around 10 per cent for the month of February. "However, the wholesale dispatches of our vehicles to the dealers during the month remain unaffected," Hero MotoCorp said in a statement. "Any further impact on our production will depend on the developing situation in China. We continue to track the developments and keep evaluating our options." The novel Coronavirus originated in Wuhan at the end of 2019. The overall death toll due to Coronavirus increased to 1,380 in China at the end of last Thursday, with 63,851 confirmed cases. The new virus, which is of the same genre as SARS which broke out in 2003 but has spread at a much faster pace, was first reported in the WHO Disease Outbreak news on January 5. It has progressively spread across many countries from its epicentre in Wuhan. In a bid to curb the spread of the virus, Chinese authorities have closed transportation services across many parts of the country, including Wuhan. Many factories producing auto parts, electronics componenets and even activated pharmaceutical ingredients have been shut to contain the spread of the virus. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) By PTI NEW DELHI: The European Union on Friday sought the swift lifting of existing restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir but at the same time noted the "positive steps" initiated by the union government to restore normalcy in the region. The comments by the European Union came a day after a group of 25 foreign envoys concluded a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to have a first-hand account of the situation over six months after the Centre announced withdrawing its special status. "The visit confirmed that the government of India has taken positive steps to restore normalcy. Some restrictions remain, notably on internet access and mobile services, and some political leaders are still in detention," said Virginie Battu-Henriksson, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. "While we recognise the serious security concerns, it is important that the remaining restrictions be lifted swiftly," the official said. Battu-Henriksson said the visit presented a "welcome opportunity" to see the situation on the ground and to interact with local interlocutors in Jammu and Kashmir. ALSO READ | Kashmir issue close to both Turkey, Pakistan: Erdogan rakes up Article 370 despite India's objection "We look forward to continuing the dialogue with India on the situation in the region," the official added. The visit was organised by the government to help the foreign envoys know about the situation in the Union Territory. The EU official said the programme included meetings with civil and military authorities, some political representatives as well as selected representatives of civil society and the business community. Last month, the government had taken 15 envoys to Jammu and Kashmir but the European countries had declined to be part of it. After announcing the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir and withdrawal of its special powers, India 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 By Eldar Janashvili - Trend: As many as 226,200 people from 136 countries arrived in Azerbaijan in January 2020, which is 18.1 percent more than in January 2019, Trend reports with reference to the country's State Statistical Committee. About 30 percent of the total number of tourists came from Russia, 28.2 percent - from Georgia, 10.6 percent - from Turkey, 5.8 percent - from Iran, 3.2 percent - from Saudi Arabia, 2.3 percent - from the UAE, 2.1 percent - to India, 1.8 percent - from Ukraine and Kuwait each, 1.4 percent - from Kazakhstan and Pakistan each, 1.1 - Turkmenistan, 0.9 percent - Iraq, 0.8 percent - the UK and Israel each, 7.7 percent - from other countries, 0.1 percent - stateless persons. According to the committee, 71.1 percent of those arrived in Azerbaijan in January 2020 were men, while women accounted for only 28.9 percent. The largest increase was observed in the tourist flow from Saudi Arabia, which was equal to 4.2 times. The number of tourists from Israel has also increased significantly - 2.6 times. Also, there was increase in the number of tourists from India (80.2 percent), Kuwait (73.3 percent), Bahrain (69.8 percent), Malaysia (62.5 percent), China (54 percent), Hungary (42.9 percent) , Belarus (29.5 percent), Moldova (28.6 percent), Japan (26.6 percent), Iran (26.4 percent), South Korea (21.7 percent), Ukraine (21.1 percent), Russia (20.4 percent), Kazakhstan (19.6 percent) and Pakistan (15.3 percent). Moreover, the number of arrivals from the Gulf countries increased by 21.2 percent to 34,600, from the CIS countries - by 20.4 percent to 80,900 people. The number of guests from the EU increased slightly, by 1 percent, and amounted to almost 6,000 people. According to the committee, 64.1 percent of tourists who arrived in Azerbaijan in January 2020 used the rail and road transport, 35 percent opted for air transport, while only 0.9 percent traveled by water transport. Five times longer than War and Peace, the mountain of documentsmore than 6,000 pages of evidence files, witness depositions, and a trial transcriptarrived just in time for the start of the semester, and now everything was in the hands of a group of eight budding lawyers who had only days to sift through it all. There was no legal version of CliffNotes to help them. The students would have to read every word of every line, because somewhere in a Florida prison, an inmates future was on the line. At the University of Miami School of Laws Innocence Clinic, the cases and clients are real, and the stakes often are high: perhaps exoneration for the wrongfully convicted or the continuation of a sentence that can drag on for decades, if not life. The clinic, which started in 2011, operates as a bona fide law firm. Second- and third-year law students work as the firms associates, taking up the mantle for justice and representing Florida inmates who have been convicted of criminal offenses but have compelling claims of innocence. They dig into cases. They get their hands dirty, Innocence Clinic director Craig Trocino, who runs all facets of the clinic, said of how diligently his student interns search for the truth. Innocence Clinic director Craig Trocino and law students, from left, Jacqueline Martinelli and Mackenzie Garrity, discuss an upcoming evidentiary hearing. Each week, his students open dozens of letters from inmates, reviewing each one in detail to see if a case meets the clinics initial criteria for representation. If it does, the students request more information, and the investigation starts. Their clients have been convicted of serious crimesrapes, robberies, burglaries, and homicides. But in some cases, there is a flawsomething that was missed, something that was done maliciously at either the initial police investigation phase or at trialthat led to the wrong person being found guilty. It could be a false confession, prosecutorial misconduct, bad forensic science, a mistaken identification, perjured witness testimony, or a jailhouse snitch with ulterior motives. But whatever the reason for a wrongful conviction, its the students job to find out and start the legal process to fix it. They do so by interviewing witnesses, reading transcripts, talking to prior counsel, and filing post-conviction motions. The case of a 19-year-old male convicted in the armed robbery of a Pensacola, Florida, tuxedo store has been particularly frustrating for the students. Two eyewitnesses testified that they saw the man rob the store, but when students reviewed the witnesses deposition testimony and compared it to their testimony given at trial, they found glaring inconsistenciesmost notably differences in the way they described the defendants hairstyle and tattoos. Another discovery uncovered by students working the case: Two alibi witnesses who placed the defendant somewhere else at the time of the crime were never called to testify. The case is currently winding its way through the appeals process. While solid DNA evidence would help solve many cases beyond a reasonable doubt, such evidence, said Trocino, exists in only a small percentage of criminal cases, making efforts to clear a client doubly challenging. And when youre not dealing with a DNA case, its incredibly difficult, he said, even if your case is a strong one. He points to a Jacksonville, Florida, armed robbery case where the defendants employer was pacing up and down the courtroom hallway, set to testify that the accused was at work during the time of the crime, but was never called by defense attorneys. Youd think that would be an easy one, Trocino said, but its not. These cases require herculean efforts no matter what, and they take on average five to seven years to get through. The 32 cases taken on by the clinic are in various stages of litigationfrom investigation to hearings pending before circuit and district courts. In one case, students have filed a federal habeas petition in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Floridaan especially complicated filing in which the legality of an inmates incarceration is reviewed. Our students handle cases by tearing them down from the beginning and looking at all the things that went wrong, Trocino said. They learn legal analysis from the start, how to structure a defense, how to deal with lots of paper. They strategize what claims theyre going to argue, then they draft those claims. And then, they go through them again and get it ready to file. If it gets denied, then they go back to square one and strategize for the appeal. Trocino said his students often feel like Sisyphus, the legendary Greek king of Corinth condemned eternally to repeatedly roll a heavy stone up a hill only to have it roll down again as soon as it neared the summit. Its tough, challenging, sometimes disheartening, and ultimately frustrating work, said Trocino, who started his legal career as a Miami-Dade assistant public defender and eventually became an assistant capital collateral regional counsel for the Southern Region of Florida, representing death row inmates. The clinic is part of the Innocence Network, an affiliation of 67 organizations from all over the world dedicated to providing pro bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove innocence of crimes for which they have been convicted. Its work is critical, said Trocino, for it is estimated that the rate of wrongful convictions in the U.S. is between 1 percent and 6 percent. Those figures may seem low, but when they are applied to the U.S. prison population of 2.3 million people, the numbers are actually staggering. Virtually every person who has been wrongfully convicted and incarcerated is indigent, and the vast majority of them70 percentare people of color, Trocino said. It is a population that is most at risk for abuse by the system. The Miami Law Innocence Clinic and the other network members are truly the lawyers of last resort for the wrongfully convicted. Students in the Innocence Clinic pair up, litigating at least one case of significant importance while balancing several smaller ones. Many of the cases have been in the post-conviction appeals process longer than the students have been alive. And often, they graduate before a case has been resolved, handing if off to the next team of students who rotate through the clinic. For Mackenzie Garrity, working at the clinic has been both rewarding and a challenge. We take a hard look at all of our cases, and its challenging to see all the evidence, believe that our clients are innocent, but not know what other new evidence is out there that might convince the court to look at the case again, she said. Thats what were often up against. For Gianna Fina, the year she spent interning at the clinic convinced her even more that she wants to go into criminal law after graduation. Its given me a different perspective on the law, showing me what good lawyers should and shouldnt do, she said. When I applied for this clinic, I just knew that it would provide an experience that was invaluable in so many different ways, said clinic intern Samantha Enescu, a third-year law student. It has given me a different lens through which to see criminal defense. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid his tribute to the 40 CRPF personnel who were martyred in the deadly Pulwama terror attack on February 14 last year. Taking to Twitter, Modi wrote, "Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom." Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2020 Earlier in the day, Union Home Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Congress former president Rahul Gandhi paid their tributes to Pulwama martyrs. "I pay homage to the martyrs of Pulwama attack. India will forever be grateful of our bravehearts and their families who made supreme sacrifice for the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland," tweeted Amit Shah. I pay homage to the martyrs of Pulwama attack. India will forever be grateful of our bravehearts and their families who made supreme sacrifice for the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland. Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 14, 2020 "Remembering the fallen CRPF personnel who were martyred during the dastardly attack in Pulwama (Jammu and Kashmir) on this day in 2019. India will never forget their sacrifice," Rajnath tweeted. He said that the entire country stands united against terrorism and "everyone is committed to continue fight against this menace". Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday (February 14, 2020) made a stinging attack on the ruling Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre and sought to know from it who benefitted the most from the Pulwama attack on its first anniversary. Taking to Twitter, the Congress MP raised three questions and sought to know from the BJP regime what came out of the inquiry into the February 14, 2019, Pulwama attack. The Gandhi scion finally asked who in the BJP government has been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack?. Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? pic.twitter.com/KZLbdOkLK5 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 14, 2020 President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted: A grateful nation salutes the supreme sacrifice of our brave soldiers who lost their lives in the dastardly attack by terrorists in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir on this day last year. We remain firm in our resolve to defeat and eliminate terrorism in all its forms & manifestations. A grateful nation salutes the supreme sacrifice of our brave soldiers who lost their lives in the dastardly attack by terrorists in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir on this day last year. We remain firm in our resolve to defeat and eliminate terrorism in all its forms & manifestations. President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 14, 2020 Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: A soulful tribute to soldiers who were martyred on this day in Pulwama terror attack. _______ ___ ________ ____ ___ __ __ __ ___ ____ ___ ______ __ ________ ____________ Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 14, 2020 On February 14, 2019 afternoon, a convoy of 78 buses carrying almost 2,500 jawans came was on its way from Jammu to Srinagar after Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Adeel Ahmed Dar, driving an explosive-laden car, blew himself next to a convoy of security forces. The attack claimed lives of at least 40 CRPF personnel. In the meantime, a memorial for the CRPF personnel, who were killed in the Pulwama attack, will be inaugurated at the Lethpora camp on Friday. "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 in Srinagar 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 CRPF- "Seva and Nishtha" (Service and Loyalty). The memorial has been set up inside a CRPF camp adjacent to the place where the JeM terrorist had blown himself to a convoy of security forces. 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. A forensic psychiatrist who assessed Jeremy Christian for the prosecution told jurors Friday that the MAX train stabbings defendant doesnt have any major mental illnesses and isnt a psychopath. Rather, Christian has a way of interacting with the world common to many criminals, said Dr. Alan Newman. Newman diagnosed Christian with antisocial personality disorder, which is characterized by violence, aggression, lack of compassion for others and criminal thinking. He said Christian also has shown a lack of ability to control his behavior and a tendency to act impulsively. Christian can rapidly become angry or aggressive over trivial issues, Newman said. He testified on the 12th day of Christians trial in the stabbing of three men on a train as it pulled up to the Hollywood Transit Center in Northeast Portland on May 26, 2017. Friday was the last day of witness testimony. Closing arguments are scheduled Tuesday. Christian is charged with the first-degree murders of Taliesin Namkai-Meche, 23, and Ricky Best, 53, and the first-degree attempted murder of Micah Fletcher, then 21. Christian stabbed all three in the neck. Fletcher was the only one to survive. Christians attorneys have contended that he was acting in self-defense and that he has cognitive deficits -- including autism spectrum disorder -- that make it difficult for him to properly size up social situations and led to his violent response on the train. Earlier this week, a defense-hired psychologist testified that Christian went into auto pilot and wasnt aware of what he was doing when he took out the knife and repeatedly stabbed the men. Newman criticized the finding that Christian has autism, saying Christian simply doesnt meet the criteria for such a diagnosis. Among the areas where Christian didnt have autistic traits: he was very conversational, had no trouble communicating his thoughts, developed friendships, didnt maintain rigid routines and didnt fixate on things, Newman said. He was engaging, said Newman, who interviewed Christian in person and over the phone. ... He was very courteous with me the entire time. Newman said Christians polite demeanor seemed to fit with what he understood of Christian -- who might be respectful and cordial with those he thought showed him respect but the opposite to those who offended him. When asked about the many thousands of comic books that Christian collected and whether that seemed to be a point of fixation, Newman said it didnt. It wasnt any different than people I would meet at a comic book convention, Newman said. In many ways, he said, Christian hasnt lived a life that follows societys norms, and thats typical of people with antisocial personality disorder, Newman said. Christian last sought employment in 2012 and hasnt held down a job for many years, he doesnt have his drivers license, has never bought a home and hasnt maintained long-term romantic relationships or been married, Newman noted. Although many people with the disorder show no remorse for their victims, Newman said, Christian did seem to be genuine when he said he felt bad about Bests children growing up without a father. For his other victims, the psychiatrist said, Christian showed no compassion. Newman also diagnosed Christian with alcohol use disorder, meaning that Christian drank regularly and it affected his life, putting him or others in danger at times. But, Newman said, he couldnt determine if alcohol had a big impact on Christians behavior on the train because of the time that passed between the stabbings and when Christians blood was drawn for alcohol testing. He noted that video didnt show Christian staggering and witnesses didnt remark that they thought he looked drunk. Defense attorney Greg Scholl was critical of Newmans findings, which contradicted those of defense-hired psychologists. Scholl asked if Newman had the same credentials and standing, such as whether hes a neuropsychologist like one of the defense experts or whether he specializes in autism like another defense expert. Newman replied no. But Newman said he has significant experience. Im a board certified psychiatrist," Newman said. Ive treated hundreds of patients with (autism)." Christian has said he was exercising his free speech on the Green Line train that day. Witnesses said he unleashed a racist and xenophobic rant and then stabbed the men. Namkai-Meche had held up his cellphone, Christian threw the first shoves and Fletcher pushed back. Video appears to show Best had no contact with Christian. Some witnesses testified that Christian was targeting two teenage girls, one who was wearing a hijab, with a hateful torrent about Christians, Jews and Muslims dying. -- Aimee Green agreen@oregonian.com o_aimee Keep up with key trial events and takeaways by signing up for The Oregonian/OregonLives Jeremy Christian trial newsletter at oregonlive.com/newsletters. Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- An NYPD officer from Bay Terrace bought illicit images of minors from the account of a Twitter user purporting to be a 14-year-old girl, then a subsequent search of his computer found several hundred photos of child pornography, federal prosecutors allege. Timothy Martinez, 40, was arrested on Feb. 7 and charged with possession of child pornography, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York told the Advance. The arrest comes after the Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) Unit began investigating a Twitter account with an IP based on Staten Island that was interacting with the account of a user that claimed to be under the age of 18 and allegedly paid the minor in exchange for videos and images containing child pornography, according to an affidavit and complaint filed in support of an application for an arrest warrant. An HSI special agent later determined, based on data he received from Apple and Charter Communications, Inc., that the Twitter account was associated with Martinez, the complaint alleges. On Sept. 24, HSIs Child Exploitation Investigation Unit searched Martinezs Bay Terrace apartment and seized a laptop that included over 600 images of child pornography, according to the complaint. Some of the pictures showed a girl believed to be within the age of eight and 11 with a strap or leash fastened around her neck while performing oral sex on an adult male; another one showed an adult male holding his genitals near a childs buttocks, the special agent detailed in the complaint. We are contesting the charges. We have reason to doubt the governments allegations against Mr. Martinez, who has an impeccable background given his history of service to his country and to the community, attorney Angela Lipsman, who is representing Martinez, told the Advance. Lipsman added that Martinezs legal team has not received any evidence at this time. Martinez has been a member of the NYPD since 2006, according to public records. He also serves in the U.S. Army Reserves. The matter is under internal review, a spokeswoman from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information told the Advance. Martinez is current suspended without pay, the spokeswoman said. The defendant was released on a $150,000 bond on Feb. 7, court records show. It is not clear when his next court date is. The U.S. Justice Department has accused Huawei Technologies of helping Iran track protesters in its latest indictment against the Chinese tech giant as Washington steps up pressure on the world's largest telecommunications equipment maker. In a new indictment unsealed on February 13, Huawei was also charged with conspiring to steal trade secrets from six U.S. technology companies and to violate a racketeering law typically used in the fight against organized crime. The indictment supersedes one unsealed last year in federal court in Brooklyn, New York. According to prosecutors, Huawei provided surveillance equipment to Iran that enabled the monitoring of protesters during anti-government protests in Tehran last year. "Huawei assisted the government of Iran by installing surveillance equipment, including surveillance equipment to monitor, identify, and detain protesters during the anti-government demonstrations of 2009 in Tehran," the prosecutors said in the indictment. The indictment also alleges Huawei employed at least one citizen in Iran, which is a violation of U.S. law. Following a move by Iranian authorities to impose gasoline rationing and raise prices in November 2019, anti-government protests erupted in more than 100 cities and turned violent before security forces put them down amid an Internet blackout. The company already faces charges of lying to banks about deals that violated economic sanctions against Iran. The indictment also alleged that the company sought to hide business it was doing in North Korea despite economic sanctions against Pyongyang. The company called all the allegations "without merit" in a statement released late on February 13. It said the new indictment was "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." A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry urged the United States to "immediately cease its unreasonable oppression of Chinese enterprises." The U.S. administration has raised national-security concerns about Huawei and has pressed Western allies to block the company from wireless, high-speed networks. U.S. national-security adviser Robert O'Brien this week asserted 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." With reporting by AP, NBC, and Reuters A federal judge has approved the $26 billion merger between the United States' third and fourth wireless carriers, T-Mobile and Sprint. The ruling of the merger was made on Sunday by United States District Court Judge Victor Marrero. The decision of the judge to approve the merger of the two telecom giants is expected to dramatically change the telecom landscape in the country in terms of the wireless market. In an interview, Judge Marrero said that he "didn't envision the companies would pursue anticompetitive behavior and rejected the lawsuit brought by thirteen U.S. states and the District of Columbia that sought to block the deal." The merger of T-Mobile and Sprint will create three similarly sized competitors in the wireless carrier business. This includes the New T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. Meanwhile, the satellite company Dish Network is planning to use the deal between T-Mobile and Sprint as a new wireless provider. Judge Marrero said that Sprint could no longer continue to operate as a strong nationwide competitor. Even though Sprint is currently in fourth place as a wireless provider, the company has rapidly lost customers and its plan to deploy a 5G network without T-Mobile is still uncertain. Marrero believed that Dish Network will help to fill the gap that Sprint left. However, for the states' attorney general, the approval of the merger of two telecoms will just make wireless services and prices worse for Americans. But Marrero said that he does not believe in the AG's economic theories and analytical modeling. Although the AG said that he based his decision on his skills and frontline experience. In a statement, he wrote: "How the future manifests itself and brings to pass what it holds is a multifaceted phenomenon that is not necessarily guided by theoretical forces or mathematical models." After the merger was approved, it was observed that the stock of Sprint spiked to 70 percent while T-Mobile seen an increase of 12 percent during early trading on Tuesday. John Legere, CEO of T-Mobile, said that the approval to merge the company with Sprint is a huge victory. He also said that the company will have its name retained and that the merger would benefit its consumers and is also great for wireless business competition. The two companies said that the merger will create new jobs. They said that this will allow them to employ more than 11,000 employees over the next four years compared to standalone companies. They also added that they will be hiring for an additional 12,000 jobs to staff 600 new stores and five new customer service centers. The proposal to merge the two companies started in April of 2018. The Federal Regulators, U.S. Department of Justice, and the Federal Communications Commission approved the merger in 2019. However, the companies also need the approval of the state where they continued to battle for the approval in a Manhattan federal court in December of last year. Moreover, the DOJ and FCC lauded the decision of the judge. Makan Delrahim, Justice Department antitrust chief, said in a statement that he was glad that the judge agreed with the DOJ's decision to allow Dish Network as the fourth wireless competitor. Ajit Pai, the FCC Chairman, was pleased with the decision and cited that the companies will be expanding its 5G Networks. He said: "This transaction represents a unique opportunity to speed up the deployment of 5G throughout the United States, put critical mid-band spectrum to more productive use, and bring much faster mobile broadband to rural Americans. This is a big win for American consumers." By Sarah N. Stern (JNS)Sitting in the East Room of the White House last week, I experienced an emotion as close to euphoria as I have ever experienced perhaps in my lifetime. I was finally beginning to witness that moment in history when some rather fatal delusions that the international community has held dear for decades were finally beginning to erode, at least within certain quarters of the United States. I have been more than a passive player in the history of trying to expose the truth about the real intentions of the Palestinian Authority. I have witnessed their duplicitous game of talking peace in English and in Arabic, inciting their children to hatred and violence. I have seen the Palestinians play the international community to engender world sympathy and receive billions of dollars in donations, simultaneously eroding the communitys belief in the rightness of Israels cause, while eroding that belief in some circles within Israel. I have become close friends with many parents whose children have been lost in suicide-bombings, knife-stabbings and car-rammings, and had been revolted when I heard diplomats from both sides of the Atlantic cavalierly dismiss the profound pain of their losses, calling them euphemistically, sacrifices for peace. I have always felt that the greatest litmus test of Palestinian intentions is what they teach their children and have seen that their textbooks incite towards violence, demonize Jews and teach them maps with all of Israel, calling it Palestine. I have kept some notes throughout. Just one example: On July 24, 2000, the day that the Camp David talks between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Palestinian Liberation Organization chairman Arafat and U.S. President Bill Clinton broke up, I was in the audience at a prominent Washington think tankthe Washington Institute for Near East Policywhen Attorney General Elyakim Rubenstein who had been with the Israeli negotiating team came to address the group. I can look every one of you in the eye, he told his audience, and I can assure you, we went as far as any responsible Israeli government could possibly go. In fact, he continued, what we offered was so breathtaking that many would argue that we werent acting like a responsible government. The terms were simply incredible for Arafat, mused Eli, almost as though he was still trying to digest the news of the days events, trying to make some sort of sense of it. What we offered was shared sovereignty of Jerusalem, with the Palestinians maintaining control of the Temple Mount, or the Haram el Sharrif. We would give back 95 percent of the West Bank, and all of Gaza, and offer a land swap within the Negev for the five per cent that would not be returned. We would dismantle all of the Jordan Valley settlements, which have always been our eyes and ears to the East. And finally: We were offering a right of return for thousands of Palestinian refugees from the 1948 war, and a compensatory package for those who could not be absorbed. Many of our delegation are right now, in their limousines, on the way to the airport, crying. We felt that if we just made Chairman Arafat an offer that was so good, he couldnt refuse it, he wouldnt. In fact, many could argue that this offer was so generous, it wasnt responsible for us to offer it. Well, he didnt say yes, and he didnt say no. He simply walked away from the table. That was almost two decades ago. After that offer came an even more generous one in 2008 from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas. This included giving the Palestinians the entirety of Judea and Samaria, (the West Bank), with eastern Jerusalem, and placing the old city with the Western Wall under international control. Again, the Palestinian leader walked away from the table. Each time, the response to these exceedingly generous offers was met by a renewed round of violence, resulting in more than 1,000 Israeli fatalities. The Palestinians have never once accepted the right of the Jewish people to have a sovereign state. They have never once abided by the basic premise that the Oslo Accords were conditioned upon the total abdication of violence and incitement to terrorism Yet the same, tired, old, stale thinking was recycled. The international community, as well as the United States, under every other president would come back with a more and more generous offer for the Palestinians. Each time, Israel was denied the chance to have defensible borderssomething that is absolutely essential, particularly in the volatile Middle East. But this plan is different. It gives Israel, for the very first time, real, defensible borders with the natural topographic boundary of the Jordan Valleysomething so important in an age of increasing Iranian hegemony. It does not erase the Jewish peoples history or claim to the holy sites. It demands that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state. It demands that the Palestinians abolish the incitement in the textbooks. It calls for the end of the revolting pay-for-slay program, incentivizing terrorism with greater payments for the greater number of Israelis they murder. And it calls for something that the Arab world has found very difficult to do since 1948: accept the reality of Israel as a Jewish state. It would give the Palestinians 70 percent of the West Bank and $50-plus billion in investment in an economic infrastructure to build institutions of democracy, and for an educational path so their people can climb out of the cycle of poverty and self-imposed victimhood. This time, Abbas would not even take Trumps phone call, calling him a dirty dog, among other worse epithets. But this time, the Palestinians will have to learn that the patience of the international community is not infinite. For once, time is not on their side. After continually walking away from the negotiating table and resorting to violence, they have come to the point where their bad behavior will not be rewarded. They will have to learn that Israel is here to stay and cannot be wished away. The Palestinians will have to learn that by refusing to negotiate in real faith, they are losing, both figuratively and literally, the ground that they have been planning to be standing on. Sarah N. Stern is founder and president of the Endowment for Middle East Truth, a pro-Israel and pro-American think tank and policy institute in Washington, D.C. The Manitoba pork industry has had to deal with all sorts of challenges over the past decade a moratorium on new barns, trade issues with the U.S., disease outbreaks that wiped out hundreds of thousands of piglets, and a brief blockade by China but its back on solid ground. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Manitoba pork industry has had to deal with all sorts of challenges over the past decade a moratorium on new barns, trade issues with the U.S., disease outbreaks that wiped out hundreds of thousands of piglets, and a brief blockade by China but its back on solid ground. After the Chinese blockade of Canadian pork exports was lifted in November, Manitoba is on track to export about $200 million of pork products to that country this year. While diseases, including the porcine epidemic diarrhea that forced the destruction of about 400,000 pigs in Manitoba over the last couple of years, are not currently present in Manitoba, efforts are being taken to develop risk-management tools to help producers if and when another disease outbreak occurs. On Thursday, federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced a grant of just under $500,000 for Manitoba Pork to investigate the creation of an insurance product that would help hog producers mitigate the risk of losses due to outbreaks of disease. For instance, while it is not present in North America, the African swine fever is wreaking havoc on the Chinese and Asian markets. George Matheson, the chairman of Manitoba Pork and a producer in Stonewall, said although its tough to get accurate information, the Chinese market may have lost as many as 200 million pigs to that disease. World production of pigs is about 1.5 billion annually, with about half of them produced in China. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Andrew Dickson says Manitoba could export more than $1 billion in pork products this year. "Its closing in on 15 per cent loss of pork production globally," Matheson said. "It is extremely significant." Andrew Dickson, general manager of Manitoba Pork, said the two-year study to develop an insurance product will consult with the same industry experts that assisted the Canadian poultry industry to come up with an insurance solution to guard against the effects of avian influenza and other diseases. "Well study it and try to develop a model," he said. "We have to determine what the premiums and coverage would be, adjusted to what the market is prepared to pay and what reasonable coverage would be with the intent on applying it to the country as a whole." Manitoba is Canadas largest hog producer, at about eight million head per year. Last year, the province exported about $1 billion worth of pork, with about half of that going to Japan. Last year, the province was on pace to export about $200 million worth of pork to China until the blockade took effect and disrupted trade for close to four months. Dickson said totals for the year are not yet available but he said the province is looking to get back to that $200-million mark this year. With two large processing facilities Maple Lead Foods in Brandon and HyLife Foods in Neepawa it is a model agri-food industry. It produces the hogs, which are processed here, and the value-added product is exported. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announces a grant of about $500,000 to look into the creation of insurance to protect hog farmers in case of disease outbreaks. About 90 per cent of the pork processed from Manitoba hogs is exported. The industry is responsible for about 14,000 jobs including truck drivers, veterinarians, the hog feed mill industry as well as the on-farm and processing plant workers. (The Maple Leaf Foods plant on Marion Street produces about one half of hams sold in Canada.) 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. Rick Bergmann, chairman of the Canadian Pork Council and vice-chair of Manitoba Pork, said "We are a big economic engine and we are reliant on trade. We want to make sure people have comfort in the fact that we have a good program on the farm and a good safe product for the consumer." He said the concept of an insurance product for the industry has been gaining traction. "In todays society, there is insurance for all kinds of different things," he said. "Why not us." Dickson said if everything goes right in addition to about $700 million in exports to China and Japan, Manitoba is forecasting pork exports of about $220 million to the U.S., $90 million to Mexico and about $50 million to South Korea. "The industry is always full steam ahead, but sometimes there are roadblocks," he said. "If nothing untoward happens, we should have a decent year." martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca Correctional officer arrested for sexual assault with 16-year-old girl A Modoc County Correctional Officer has been arrested after deputies say he sexually assaulted a child. Modoc county deputies arrested Tristan Anthony Compton on Wednesday night. Investigators say Compton had an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old girl. Compton resigned from his position with the county and is set to be arraigned next week. Chico Police arrest 2 people for Motel 6 murder in January Two people are now behind bars in connection with a murder at a Motel 6 in Chico. A gunman shot and killed John Noonan at the Motel 6 on Manzanita Court, three weeks ago. Wednesday, police arrested Justin Cozakas and Monica Ruggeriero on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Investigators are not commenting on a motive. Downtown Chico antique shop vandalized, caught on camera Vandals targeted another downtown business. This latest incident happened early Wednesday morning at Country Squyres Antiques shop on 3rd street. And it was all caught on camera. Video shows the man-bashing the window 3 times. This was the second time a downtown business was vandalized in the past few weeks. Calif. man free after DNA site leads to new arrest in murder DNA evidence and updated crime-fighting techniques have led a judge to overturn a murder conviction of a man who spent 14 years in prison. A jury convicted Ricky Davis in 2005 of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of 54-year-old Jane Hylton. Davis was convicted largely on the testimony of his then-girlfriend, Connie dahl, prosecutors say genetic genealogy helped investigators determine the DNA evidence did not belong to Davis. California voters can switch party status on election day With the March 3 primary just a few weeks away, theres a change for California voters. You can now register and change your party affiliation on the morning of the election. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the measure Thursday and it takes effect immediately. The change will allow the states 5.6 million independent voters to register with a party for the primary. Coronavirus daily update Chinese health representatives are confirming over 1,700 medical workers have been infected and six of them have died. In China, the death toll from the coronavirus has now reached close to 1,400 hundred people, with 121 more deaths Friday, alone. The total number of confirmed cases is close to 64,000 people. All 4 federal prosecutors quit Stone case after DOJ overrules prosecutors on sentencing request Controversy continues on Capitol Hill over comments made by the president about the sentencing of his longtime associate Roger Stone. In an interview Thursday, attorney general William Barr said the tweets from President Donald Trump not helping Barr do his job. Attorney General Barr is scheduled to testify before the house judiciary committee, March 31. The recovery notices were served by an additional district magistrate and they have been asked to deposit the fine within 30 days Lucknow: The Lucknow district administration has issued notices to 13 persons for recovery of over Rs 21 lakh as damages for vandalising public property during the anti-CAA protests on 19 December, an official said on Thursday. The recovery notices were served by an additional district magistrate and they have been asked to deposit the fine within 30 days, Lucknow Commissioner Mukesh Meshram told PTI. A total recovery of Rs 4.5 crore has to be made to offset the damage caused during the anti-CAA stir in the state capital and this is the first list of people to whom notices have been issued, he added. Honesty is always the best policy, and when it comes to getting your message across, these brutally truthful children pull no punches. Hilarious photos from parents across the globe, collated by Shareably, reveal how some youngsters really know how to tell it like it is. One child openly admitted that while she was thrilled with her older brother,she would have preferred a puppy, while another vowed to 'break his family' unless he was let outside. Another forthright child said he would 'never forgive' his parents if they cut his hair, while a mini critic left a note on the apple juice in the fridge to say it 'tastes horrible'. Moo-ving! This child, from the US, wrote his mother a poem where he told her that he loves her more than a cow Not a fan! This child, from the US, made sure his parents knew not to buy this brand of juice ever again Second best! Joyce, from an unknown location, wrote a strongly worded letter to god complaining that although her baby brother is good, a puppy would have been better Hairy situation! This child, from the US, admitted that while he loves his parents, he loves his hair more and would never forgive them if they made him cut it Threats! Evan, from the UK, told his mother that if he wasn't allowed to go outside, he would start causing serious problems Extreme! Patrice, from an unknown location, made her intentions very clear after one of her classmates was mean to her Disappointing! Catherine, from an unknown location, was dismayed to see that her assassination attempt had failed Rejected! This child, from an unknown location, took away his 'love' from a card before branding himself the 'saddest person in the world' About 40 CRPF personnel were killed when the military convey was targeted by the suicide bomber of Pakistans Jaish-e-Mohammad in J&Ks Pulwama District on 14 February 2019. What all happened on 14th February 2019? AFP At 3.00 PM on February 14 2019, a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist forced a vehicle carrying explosives into the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) convoy on the Jammu - Srinagar national highway. Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when the convey was targeted by the suicide bomber of Pakistan-backed terrorists in Pulwama district. Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after the convoy of 78 buses in which around 2500 CRPF personnel were travelling from Jammu and Srinagar came under the attack. AFP The nation came out and protested against the deadly terror attack and the country also bade goodbye to its brave hearts. Leaders from all national parties came forward and condemned the attack and called for an appropriate response. On this Prime Minister Narender Modi declared I feel the same fire in my heart thats raging inside you He had also said all tears will be avenged" and the armed forces have been given "full freedom to decide the place, time, intensity and nature of the retaliation against the enemy". How the world reacted: United Nations and countries across the globe came forward and condemned the Pulwama terror attack and also extended there support to fight against terrorism. Following this deadly attack, India had launched extensive diplomatic efforts to get Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist. After the long efforts and right approach this became a reality on May 1 when China lifted its technical hold on a proposal introduced by the US and the UK and France in the Committee 1267 of the UN Security Council. This is how India reacted to the attack: AFP About 12 days after the dastardly terror attack in the early hours of February 26, Indian Air Force jets bombed the Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot, in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In a press conference later Foreign Secretary spoke about the incident and said In an intelligence-led operation in the early hours of today, India struck the biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot. In this national operation, a very large number of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists, senior commanders and group of Jihadis who were trained for fidayeen were eliminated. This troop was headed by Maulana Yousaf Azhar, the brother-in-law of Masood Azhar (chief Jaish-e-Mohammad). Wikipedia A day later on February 27, Indian Air Force foiled an attempt by Pakistan Air Force to strike at military installations in Jammu and Kashmir. In the aerial fight , Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was piloting a MIG-21 Bison aircraft shot down by a much advanced F-16 of PAF. After this his aircraft was also hit and upon ejection, he landed in POK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir), where he was taken captive by the Pakistan Army. After the immense international pressure, Pakistan released the IAF pilot two days later. He returned to his country to a heros welcome. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will say that Facebook acknowledges it may have to pay for tax as part of new global proposals. (Liu Jie/Xinhua via Getty) Facebook (FB) CEO Mark Zuckerberg will on Saturday give his backing to global tax proposals that would likely see tech giants pay higher levels of tax. In prepared remarks for a speech at the Munich Security Conference, Zuckerberg will say that Facebook accepting the scheme may mean we have to pay more tax. The social media boss plans to say that he understands that there is frustration with how tech companies are taxed in Europe. His remarks suggest that Facebook will support the international taxation reform that is being debated at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Read more: France pauses big tech digital tax to avoid US-Europe trade war Under the proposals, large global firms would be taxed on their revenue or sales in a particular country, rather than on their profits, which are often booked in lower-tax jurisdictions. We also want tax reform and Im glad the OECD is looking at this. We want the OECD process to succeed so that we have a stable and reliable system going forward, he will say. And we accept that may mean we have to pay more tax and pay it in different places under a new framework. Zuckerbergs support follows a dramatic showdown between the US and France over digital tax proposals. Last month, France agreed to postpone its 3% tax on the revenues of large digital services companies while similar international proposals were being debated. Read more: What is the digital services tax? How it impacts big tech companies and the US The US, which had not been supportive of international proposals, said that the French tax would unfairly target American firms, and, in retaliation, threatened to impose 100% tariffs on $2.4bn (1.8bn) worth of French goods, including champagne and handbags. France agreed to put the plan on hold after the US agreed to come back to the table at an international level. The UK will soon introduce a similar 2% tax on tech giants, and has been reticent to put its plan on hold even after the OECD urged the country to wait for international agreement. Int'l travellers who test COVID positive at the airport will not be allowed to go to their destinations Who is Firhad Hakim? Know Kolkata's New Mayor Age, Education, Family and Other Details NIA court convicts Bangladesh national in fake Indian currency case India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 14: A special NIA court in Kolkata has convicted a man in connection with a fake Indian currency case. Mijan S K, a Bangladeshi national was arrested by the Bengal police, following which Rs 8 lakh worth fake Indian currency was seized from him. The notes were in the Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 denomination. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEB 14th, 2020 The NIA later took over the case and filed a chargesheet against two accused persons, Rahim and Mijan, both Bangladeshi nationals. During the investigation, it was found that the accused along with their associates from Bangladesh hatched a criminal conspiracy to procure and circulate fake Indian currency notes in India. The probe also found that the notes were smuggled in through the India-Bangladesh border. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, February 14, 2020, 7:34 [IST] The Houston Police Department announcing the arrest of an alleged serial rapist shocked the city this week, along with a tragic murder-suicide that spanned from Sugar Land to San Marcos. Other news this week includes a body that was found shot and dumped on the side of a southwest Houston roadway, and a pickup driver killed after being thrown from his truck. That driver wasnt wearing a seatbelt, police said. Workers rebuild homes for Christian Rohingya at the Kutopalong refugee camp in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar district. Feb. 13, 2020. Bangladeshi police said Friday they had uncovered no evidence to confirm that a Christian Rohingya family had been abducted from a refugee camp, while a rights group demanded that the government find the missing people and bring those responsible to justice. Authorities opened an investigation last month after two groups of refugees filed police complaints accusing each other of launching attacks that wounded at least 12 people. During one of the attacks, masked men seized a Christian named Taher and three members of his family, according to witnesses and a Dhaka-based association that protects the rights of minorities. We havent found any evidence of any missing Christian Rohingya, Inspector Samir Chandra Sarker, the case investigator, told BenarNews. But we are trying our best to find the missing family. But authorities have arrested and detained 14 Muslim Rohingya on suspicion of involvement in the alleged attack on Christians, as investigators sought to untangle claims from two groups of refugees, Sarker said. Witnesses told BenarNews that machete-wielding Muslim Rohingya men attacked 22 Christian families at the sprawling Kutupalong refugee camp in Coxs Bazar district on Jan. 27. The attackers beat up residents, vandalized homes and looted personal property, witnesses said. Authorities responded by relocating at least 17 Christian Rohingya families to a U.N. shelter. Police said the Christians had filed a case against 59 Muslim refugees, accusing them of involvement in the attack. Zohar, a 28-year-old Christian refugee who uses only one name, told BenarNews at a UNHCR transit center on Thursday that Taher and his family, including his 14-year-old daughter, were still missing. We havent yet found any trace of Taher [and his family], Zohar said. We reported [their abduction] to police and also informed the camp in charge, but no effective measures were taken. Tahers wife, Roshida, expressed fears that her husband could have been killed and her daughter abducted. No one can give me any clear information, but my relatives told me that my daughter has been forced to convert to Islam and marry, Roshida told New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW). A refugee also told the rights advocacy group that camp officials try to avoid our queries about the alleged abduction. The Bangladesh authorities should urgently locate Taher and his daughter and bring those responsible to justice, Brad Adams, HRWs Asia director, said in a statement. The government should also act immediately to protect all vulnerable groups in the countrys refugee camps, including religious minorities like Rohingya Christians, he said. Bangladeshi authorities had described the attack on the Christians as an ordinary law and order incident. ARSA attacked us But one of the alleged victims, Saiful Islam Peter, a Christian Rohingya, told BenarNews that members of the rebel group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) were behind the attack. The ARSA attacked us, the Christians. They looted our houses and beat up many Christian members, Saiful told BenarNews. Two days after the alleged attack, an India-based group called Rohingya Christian Assembly, in an email sent to Radio Free Asia, an online news service affiliated with BenarNews, identified the missing family members and alleged that the abductors wore face masks. But ARSA, in an audio message released Feb. 10 on its Twitter account, said it was fighting for Rohingya of all faiths. Among Rohingya population we have people of different faiths, such as Muslims, Hindus and Christians, ARSA said. You will be mistaken if you think our fights and struggles are only bounded to Muslim Rohingya. It was not immediately clear if the message was related to the reported allegations that the group was involved in the attack against Christians. ARSA, an armed insurgent group, carried out attacks on police and army posts in Myanmars Rakhine state in August 2017. In response to those attacks, Myanmars security forces launched a brutal crackdown that forced 740,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee their homes and cross into neighboring Bangladesh. Bangladesh officially denies the presence of Rohingya rebels in the refugee camps, but government and police sources have privately acknowledged arresting several of the insurgents in recent months. There are an estimated 1,500 Rohingya Christians among more than 700,000 predominantly Muslim Rohingya forced to flee to Bangladesh as the result of a brutal Myanmar military offensive in Rakhine State in 2017, said HRW, which described the campaign as ethnic cleansing. The alleged attack on Christians took place a month after Yanghee Lee, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, said in a statement that she had visited refugee camps in Coxs Bazar numerous times in recent years and met a group of Rohingya Christians. They told me they were persecuted due to their religion by the Myanmar Government while they lived in Rakhine, and now they face hostility and violence from a small number of other camp residents, she said. This worries me. Rebuilding homes for Christians Bangladeshi authorities collaborated with the UNHCR to rebuild the makeshift homes destroyed during the attack, but refugees expressed fears on Friday that they could be subjected to future attacks in the camp. Christians are not safe in Kutupalong camp. We may face scores of ARSA attacks there, Anower Hossain, a 20-year-old Rohingya Christian, told BenarNews. But Khalilur Rahman Khan, a senior official at the refugee relief and repatriation offices in Coxs Bazar, allayed those fears. The building of new houses to take Christians back to the original location is ongoing with the help of UNHCR, Khan told BenarNews on Friday. They will be provided with high security. Mostafa Mohammad Sazzad Hossain, UNHCRs local spokesman, told BenarNews on Thursday that 87 Christian refugees who took shelter in the U.N. transit center following the attack will go back to their own homes soon. We have already started rebuilding their houses, he said. Charges filed against 19 suspected traffickers Meanwhile, Bangladeshi authorities on Friday said 19 people had been charged on suspicion of involvement in human trafficking following the sinking of an overloaded boat carrying Rohingya refugees toward Malaysia. Survivors and officials believe that 138 people, including many Rohingya women and children, were packed into the wooden boat when it struck a slab of coral in shallow water and capsized in the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday, officials said. Rescuers saved 73 people, but police said another body was recovered on Friday, bringing the death toll to 16. Coast guard officials filed charges on Wednesday at the Teknaf police station against the suspected human traffickers, most of whom remain at large, police outpost inspector Mohammad Liaqat Ali told BenarNews. So far we have arrested nine of the 19 accused people, he said. Jesmin Papri in Dhaka contributed to this report. There were times when I felt like he was more of a cultural ambassador than fixer. The first thing he wanted to do for the story about pesticide smuggling was take me to a park, an expansive grounds anchoring the city. What we found, while walking through it at dusk, werent people living in fear, but parents pushing strollers and children playing games as the sky turned dark orange. This was the town he wanted to show me. The entire board of the 'French Oscars' has resigned just two weeks ahead of the gala ceremony amid an angry row over Roman Polanski's inclusion. The Cesar Academy has come under fire after Polanski's new film An Officer And A Spy topped the list of nominations. Polanski has been wanted in the US since 1978 for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl and is shunned in Hollywood. He launched the new film in France last year just days after a French actress accused him of raping her during a ski holiday in 1975, when she was 18. Roman Polanski (pictured) has been wanted in the US since 1978 for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl and is shunned in Hollywood 'To honour those men and women who made cinema happen in 2019, to find calm and ensure that the festival of film remains just that, a festival, the board has unanimously decided to resign,' the Cesar Academy said in a statement. 'This collective decision will allow complete renewal of the board,' it added. The inclusion of Polanski's film on the Cesars' shortlist has been condemned by France's equality minister, women's groups and film critics. A number of feminist groups have urged Cesar voters to snub Polanski's film, which is about the Dreyfus affair of the 1890s. 'When we mobilise, things happen!', said feminist collective Nous Toutes amid calls for a protest outside the Paris auditorium. Another group, Osez Le Feminisme, said: 'Imagine what's next. A new voting panel without male self-confidence, opacity and sexism. 'Will we finally stop applauding rapists and paedophiles on the run?' The Cesar Academy has said it could not be expected to take 'moral positions' when evaluating films. More than 200 actors, producers, directors and movie personalities had denounced the 'dysfunction' at the academy in an open letter on Wednesday. A Cesar Award trophy is displayed in Paris last month. The whole board of the academy has now resigned They also complained that the founding statutes of the Cesars had not changed in a long time and that the academy's nearly 5,000 members have no say in decision. The Cesar Academy said it would ask the government-backed National Centre for Cinema to appoint a mediator to oversee 'deep reform'. The academy had previously announced measures to boost female representation in its membership and representation. The ceremony takes place in Paris on February 28. Polanski, now 86, fled the United States after pleading guilty in 1977 to having unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl in Los Angeles. His history has come under renewed scrutiny since the start of the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment in 2017. Last year a French actress accused him of raping her in 1975 during a ski holiday in Gstaad, Switzerland. He denies this. Polanski was expelled from Hollywood's Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which awards the Oscars, in 2018. Multibillion-dollar investments in fossil fuel stocks by Australia's largest super funds has reignited debate over whether divestment or engagement with producers is the most effective strategy in the push to curb emissions. The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald this week revealed five of the largest industry funds in Australia's $2.9 trillion super sector - Unisuper, HESTA, AustralianSuper, CBUS and Hostplus - have billions of dollars invested in fossil fuel stocks, despite championing their green credentials. Despite taking a vocal stance on the need to address climate change, some of Australia's biggest super funds have billions invested in coal and other fossil fuel firms. Credit:Nine The investments range from bankrolling local open cut coal mines to major global state-owned facilities, some of which were prosecuted for chronic pollution and deadly gas explosions. The revelations sparked a fierce reaction from members, many of whom had no idea where their retirement savings ended up, with some declaring they would divert their money into new funds. As insurers introduce artificial intelligence into pricing and claims handling activities, regulatory focus on disparate impact will grow into one of the biggest topics of the next 10 years, a well-known insurance analyst predicted at an industry conference. V.J. Dowling, managing partner of Dowling & Partners Securities LLC, made the forecast during a session of the 2020 Joint Industry Forum last month titled, Insurance Vision: Seeing Beyond 2020, responding to a question from moderator David Sampson, president and chief executive officer of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. While U.S. regulators talk about the importance of innovation and enabling technology on the one hand, efforts to restrict even existing actuarial factors that can be used in underwriting continue, Sampson said, asking Dowling to comment on what will play out as carriers add data analytics to pricing toolkits. Whats fascinating today is how the whole AI comes into play, said Dowling. Offering a personal example, Dowling imagined image recognition software capturing his facial characteristics as part of a pricing algorithm. So, Im an Irish guy, and maybe I drink too much. All of a sudden, if Irish is a protected class and I am buying life insurance and they look at my face, they say, hes a little chubbier, he drinks too much as do all those other Irish guys, and you have to pay more for insurance. Thats illegal because theres a disparate impact on that group, he said. And this is just beginning. Its not just not on underwriting. Its on claimsWhat is going to happen when one particular group disproportionally gets sent to the special investigation unit? he asked. Dowling said that 30 years ago, personal lines insurers might have put insureds into broad risk buckets to set a price for each. Technology and data has allowed the number of buckets to increase until arguably, you get to a point where each individual person has their own price based on their specific characteristics. And what that means is, you get a much bigger dispersion of rates from high to low. The subsidization starts going away, he said. Then, on top of that, AI goes in and looks at data and comes up with a price. Its not saying because you lived here. Its doing stuff, you dont even know what its doing. But in the end what happens is, you get the infamous disparate impactthat certain protected groups end up paying more. Dowling recommended that executives in the audience read a recent blog item written by Daniel Schreiber, the CEO of rental insurer Lemonade, which described the same history of pricingfrom large buckets to tiny ones possible through AI. Unlike Dowling, however, Schreiber argues that algorithms we cant understand can make insurance fairer in the blog post titled, AI Can Vanquish Bias. Lemonade Logic Following the logic of the article, Schreiber would argue that with AI, each Irishman would not be treated as a stereotypical drinking Irishman. Instead, an AI algorithm that would identify someones proclivity to drink and charge them more for the risk that this penchant actually represents. In the article, Schreiber actually uses his own religious background to make the point, observing that Jewish people engage in the practice of Shabbat candle-lighting every Friday to usher in the Sabbath and burn through about two hundred candles over the eight nights of Hanukkah. Writes Schreiber: The fact that such a fondness for candles is unevenly distributed in the population, and more highly concentrated among Jews, means that, on average, Jews will pay more. It does not mean that people are charged more for being Jewish. Electricity Less Significant Than AI: Alphabet Googles chief executive officer has left no doubt about how important he thinks artificial intelligence will be to humanity. AI is one of the most profound things were working on as humanity. Its more profound than fire or electricity, Alphabet Inc. CEO Sundar Pichai said. IBM Calls For Rules to Curb Bias in AI IBM called for rules aimed at eliminating bias in artificial intelligence to ease concerns that the technology relies on data that bakes in past discriminatory practices and could harm women, minorities, the disabled, older Americans and others. As it seeks to define a growing debate in the U.S. and Europe over how to regulate the burgeoning industry, IBM urged industry and governments to jointly develop standards to measure and combat potential discrimination. Administration Seeks to Limit Overreach of AI Regulation The White House on Tuesday proposed regulatory principles to govern the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) aimed at limiting authorities overreach, and said it wants European officials to likewise avoid aggressive approaches. In a fact sheet, the White House said federal agencies should conduct risk assessment and cost-benefit analyzes prior to any regulatory action on AI, with a focus on establishing flexible frameworks rather than one-size-fits-all regulation. Accenture Offers Way to Erase Bias in AI Consulting firm Accenture has a new tool to help businesses detect and eliminate gender, racial and ethnic bias in artificial intelligence software. Companies and governments are increasingly turning to machine-learning algorithms to help make critical decisions, including who to hire, who gets insurance or a mortgage, who receives government benefits and even whether to grant a prisoner parole. But, in a number of well-publicized examples, algorithms have been found to discriminate against minorities and women. He underscored his point with the observation that while all cows have four legs, not all things with four legs (chairs, for example) are cows. Then, he invoked the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. : We dream of living in a world where we are judged by the content of our character. Schreiber said everyone wants to be assessed as an individual, not by reference to racial, gender, or religious markers. If the AI is treating us all this way, as humans, then it is being fair. If Im charged more for my candle-lighting habit, thats as it should be., he wrote Schreibers blog urges regulators how to recognize unfair pricing; he proposes a uniform loss ratio test for pricing outcomes. According to Schreiber, a pricing system is fairby lawif each of us is paying in direct proportion to the risk we represent. Regulators can tell whether this is a case since loss ratios will be constant across the customer base when an insurance company charges all customers a rate proportionate to the risks they pose, according to the Lemonade executive. Wed expect to see fluctuations among individuals, sure, but once we aggregate people into sizable groupings say by gender, ethnicity or religionthe law of large numbers should kick in, and we should see a consistent loss ratio across such cohorts. If thats the case, that would suggest that even if certain groupson averageare paying more, these higher rates are fair, because they represent commensurately higher claim payouts, he suggests. No Easy Answers While Schreiber promotes the uniform loss ratio test as being simple, objective and easily administered, Dowling suggests that easy answers arent coming in the near term. Whats going to happen when all of a sudden the underwriting and the claims start coming up with disparate impact? Watch this. Its going to be one of the biggest topics the next 10 years, he said. We are only beginning to see what is going to happen. While West coast technology companies think they can use this technology, were about to have a huge battle that has already started in New York, he said, referring to a letter that the New York Department of Financial Services wrote to life insurers last year. If you havent read it, you should. It basically says, you can do this, but if it has a disparate impact on the end result, you cant do it. To me, there was a double negative. You effectively cant do it, he concluded. New York Regulator The actual language of the letter Dowling seemed to be referencing, Insurance Circular Letter No. 1 (2019), issued on Jan. 18, 2019, begins by stating that the N.Y. department fully supports innovation and the use of technology to improve access to financial services. Indeed, insurers use of external data sources has the potential to benefit insurers and consumers alike by simplifying and expediting life insurance sales and underwriting processes, the letter says. External data sources also have the potential to result in more accurate underwriting and pricing of life insurance. But, the circular letter continues, an insurer should not use an external data source, algorithm or predictive model for underwriting or rating purposes unless the insurer can establish that the data source does not use and is not based in any way on race, color, creed, national origin, status as a victim of domestic violence, past lawful travel, or sexual orientation in any manner, or any other protected class. It continues: An insurer may not simply rely on a vendors claim of non-discrimination or the proprietary nature of a third-party process as a justification for a failure to independently determine compliance with anti-discrimination laws. The burden remains with the insurer at all times. Lawyers commenting on the letter note the more typical application of such rules to homeowners insurers. The circular letter adds that an insurer should not use any of those innovations unless the insurer can establish that the underwriting or rating guidelines are not unfairly discriminatory. The letter outlines rules about transparency in explanations of pricing results from insurers using predictive models and external data to customers. The reason or reasons provided to the insured or potential insured must include details about all information upon which the insurer based any declination, limitation, rate differential or other adverse underwriting decision, including the specific source of the information upon which the insurer based its adverse underwriting decision, and insurers cant hide behind the proprietary nature of a third-party vendors algorithmic processes to justify the lack of specificity. At the forum, APCIAs Sampson asked a second panelist Hayley Spink, head of global operations at Lloyds, to describe the headaches that insurersand all companiesfaced to come into compliance with the general data protection regulation in 2018. GDPR is a regulatory and legal framework that covers how companies handle, collect and process personal data, levying monetary fines for companies that are not in compliance. Especially in our industry, we deal with personal data all the time and we share that personal data between ourselves and third partiesMGAs, coverholders, brokers, Lloyds, insurers and regulators. So this has had a big big impact across the EU, Spink said. GDPR affords individuals protection over how people are using their personal data, but it starts to create a bit of a tension between how we [in the insurance industry] make best use of our customer data to ensure were getting them products [they] need, [while] making sure were using that appropriately as well. This is an edited version of an article originally published by Carrier Management, Wells Medias publication for the P/C insurance C-suite. Topics Carriers Legislation InsurTech Tech Abuse Molestation New York Europe Underwriting Data Driven IVECO has won the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD 2020 for the IVECO S-Way in the Automobiles/Vehicles Category of the Product Discipline. Recognized as a symbol of design excellence, the annual award competition is organised by iF International Forum Design GmbH, one of the oldest independent design institutions in the world. London, February 14, 2020 IVECO, the commercial vehicle brand of CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNHI/ MI: CNHI), was awarded the accolade for its IVECO S-Way heavy duty truck, which was selected by an international jury of 78 independent experts from 7,298 entries submitted from 56 countries. The selection criteria ranged from an assessment of the product's uniqueness, execution and workmanship, to evaluating its aesthetic and emotional appeal as well as considering its environmental standards and carbon footprint. The IVECO S-Way perfectly meets these criteria with numerous innovative elements throughout. The vehicle offers a complete package of features developed with a focus on driver centricity, sustainability and a new, extended level of connectivity - everything logistics operators need to ensure their fleets benefit from top-level uptime, efficiency and productivity. The IVECO S-Way design encapsulates both technical and aerodynamic features into a harmonious and integrated body capable of communicating simultaneously technology and power, dynamism and balance, and a refined aesthetic quality. The seamless integration of key vehicle components is designed to bestow a strong sense of continuity between the front and the side of the truck. The upper roof design maximizes interior living space and contributes to a sense of strength and stability. IVECO S-Way is characterized by all the styling cues that identify the IVECO DNA such as the logo dominating the highly detailed and iconic grille, the sharp headlamps, and the perfect surfaces and balanced proportions typical of the Italian design heritage. CNH IndustrialN.V. Sign up for corporate news alerts from the CNH Industrial Newsroom: bit.ly/media-cnhindustrial-subscribe Media contact: Laura Overall Corporate Communications Manager CNH Industrial Tel. +44 www.cnhindustrial.com Attachments PHILADELPHIA A Nether Providence attorney has been temporarily suspended from practicing law in the commonwealth after he pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of wire fraud, Social Security fraud and theft from an employee benefit fund. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court entered its order Thursday against Daniel Vermeychuk, 66, of the Wallingford section of Nether Providence. The suspension will take effect March 14. Vermeychuk entered his guilty plea Nov. 14 before U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno, according to online court records. He faces a maximum possible sentence of 90 years imprisonment, full restitution, a fine and a period of supervised release at sentencing, scheduled for Mar. 12. Vermeychuk was charged with four counts of wire fraud, one count of Social Security fraud and one count of theft from an employee benefit fund in March 2019 following an investigation by the Social Security Administrations Office of Inspector General, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service. According to an indictment, Vermeychuk obtained nearly $60,000 worth of Social Security and pension benefit funds intended for a deceased tenant of an apartment building owned by his wife. The tenant, identified as J.B. in the indictment, had added Vermeychuk to a bank account receiving the SSA and pension payments in 2003, according to the indictment. Vermeychuk found the tenant dead inside his apartment in July 2013, but never informed SSA or the pension plan of J.B.s death. Payments from both continued to go into the account between July 2013 and April 2017, according to the indictment. Vermeychuk withdrew these funds, totaling $59,491, and converted them to his own use, according to the indictment. Myanmar President Win Myint officiates a ceremony for new foreign diplomats at the presidential palace in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw, Sept. 4, 2018. Myanmar President Win Myint on Thursday warned the countrys powerful military to limit its involvement in politics, citing a mandate issued decades ago by independence hero General Aung San, during a ceremony inaugurating a new statue of the general and father of leader Ang San Suu Kyi in the capital Naypyidaw. Touching on a sensitive fault line in Myanmar politics as the country prepares for year-end elections, Win Myint said that Aung San issued a directive that members of the armed forces should refrain from participation in government administration, politics, and political party activities. I have read that he issued guidelines for the Burmese revolutionary military that they were not to interfere in the administration or in politics, while the military officers and soldiers were not to interfere in political parties and administrative activities, he said in a speech marking what would have been Aung Sans 105th birthday. They are to work on the unity of the state, Win Myint added. Myanmars military known as the Tatmadaw, ran the country for five decades after a 1962 coup. Its political power is enshrined in the 2008 constitution drafted by the then ruling military junta, and efforts to amend the charter remain an uphill battle. Military lawmakers who are appointed, not elected, control a quarter of the seats in parliament and retain a critical veto over proposed constitutional amendments. The military also controls three security and defense ministries. Win Myint also said he is unhappy that promises made in the 1947 Panglong Agreement between Aung San and ethnic leaders have not materialized, though the current government is trying hard to make them happen. Aung San arranged the Panglong Conference 73 years ago to grant autonomy to the Shan, Kachin, and Chin ethnic minorities before Myanmar gained its independence from colonial rule by Britain in 1948. 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 have continued for decades. State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi has resurrected the historic peace summit by holding the 21st-Century Panglong Conference, a series of peace talks between government officials, military officers, and leaders of ethnic armies and political groups, in an effort to forge peace in the country. Military to fade out involvement In response to Win Myints remarks, Myanmar military spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun said that the militarys involvement in politics is conditional and will cease once the country realizes internal peace. Government forces are fighting some of Myanmars ethnic armed groups in far-flung border regions where the rebel armies seek greater autonomy. The ongoing hostilities have prevented the government from advancing the peace process to end the wars and create a democratic federal union that includes ethnic minorities. Military leaders frequently say that the militarys involvement in politics is determined by the requirements of the time and of the situation, Zaw Min Tun said. The current involvement will only be for a certain period of time. When there is peace and stability in the country, the military will fade out its involvement in politics. Rakhine lawmaker Oo Hla Saw, who represents Mrauk-U township in Myanmars lower house of parliament and is a member of the Arakan National Party, dismissed the spokesmans comments. They always say that, he said. They are telling the same old story. We are not taking them seriously. Myanmar forces have intensified their fighting with the states rebel Arakan Army (AA) for more than a year, with hostilities leaving dozens of civilians dead and displacing more than 100,000 others, according to a Rakhine relief group. Khu Kyu Phae Kay, a member of the Karenni Youth Union, chastised leaders from the ruling civilian-led National League for Democracy (NLD) government for wasting time creating statues of Aung San rather than taking measures to realize the terms of the original Panglong Agreement. The ruling government said it is implementing the promises of the Panglong Agreement signed between General Aung San and the ethnic leaders, but where has equality been for minorities up to today? he asked. The ruling government hasnt implemented the demands of the ethnic groups, and instead they are wasting time on other issues such as erecting and inaugurating giant statues, he added. They say these statues are signs of unity. Its such a joke. In fact, they are trying to accumulate political power through idolatry, Khu Kyu Phae Kay said. Many ethnic minorities oppose the erection of Aung San statues in their states because the general came from the ethnic Bamar (Burman) majority that dominates the country, and because they believe that the current government should focus on achieving equal rights for them. Reported by Wai Mar Tun for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Advertisement They say that love is all around. And these amazing pictures prove that it really is. They have been shortlisted from 11,823 entries to a photography contest run by photo app Agora, which asked photographers to capture what love means to them. The images range from a sweet shot of two seals sharing a kiss in Namibia to a heartwarming image of a mother and her son sheltering from the rain in India and a cute shot of a boy getting a playful bite on the nose by his pet parakeet. The public has until February 18 to vote for their favourite out of the 50 shortlisted pictures. The winner will be crowned as having shot the 'best photo in the world of #Love2020' and will claim a prize of $1,000 (768). Scroll down to see some of the shortlisted entries and prepare to have your heart melted... Photographer @anskar, from Germany, captured this sweet snap of two brown fur seals sharing a kiss in Namibia. He said: 'There are hundreds of thousands of seals in this area, which of course comes with a certain smell and noise!' British photographer Carl Brightman was setting up to take a landscape shot of the Dorset coast when he spotted a couple admiring the view out to sea. He said: 'I was positioning my drone and waiting for the light to change when the young couple walked into the shot and stood to face the sea, admiring the view. It beautifully shows human emotion and adds scale' Indian photographer @jayeshvijuda captured this tender moment of a mother and her child trying to keep dry in a downpour in Chhota Udaipur, India. He said: 'It started raining as I was heading home, at that moment I spotted a mother and her child trying to stay dry under a plastic blanket. They warmed my heart' A parakeet gives a little boy a playful bite on the nose in an image Indian photographer @pranab_basak calls 'Love Bite'. Pranab captured the shot in West Bengal, India. He said: 'During the summer storm season in the rural area of Bengal, parakeet nests often get destroyed. This baby parakeet was rescued by this rural kid who takes care of it with so much love and kindness' This moving image, left, was shot by German snapper @a.rosenthal in Cologne Zoo. He said: 'The mother kept drawing the infant close to herself, taking care of it with all her love. The little one was very playful and just like us humans, it tried to free itself from the clasp of its mother again and again to explore the world alone.' Pictured right are photographer @Mondscheinfotografie's dogs posing for the camera in Dusseldorf, Germany. She said: 'My two Australian shepherds happily struck a pose for me! These two are best friends who always go paw-in-paw' This heart-warming image was snapped by Indonesian photographer @georock888 on Samosir Island in Indonesia. He explained: 'I visited an area, which is quite famous for its Ulos handwoven textile fabrics. The craftswoman's grandson hugged her from behind, and she welcomed him with a happy smile. This is what true love looks like to me' This image by @dikyedarling, snapped in Indonesia, is called 'bird kiss'. The Indonesian photographer said: 'It is true what they say, love is all around us' French photographer @florianbrioude snapped this image, left, of a couple kissing on colourful steps in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. Pictured right is a sweet image of a mother and her baby looking out of the window during a train journey in Bangladesh. It was captured by @Hedayet1000. He said: 'They were enjoying the view from the window with absolute joy, playing and laughing together in their very own bubble' Turkish photographer @fdilekuyar captured this shot of a woman embracing a goat in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. She said: 'When you love someone, you get rid of all the chaos that surrounds you and focus only on that special feeling. It was so hard to take this photo because goats don't really abide by photographers when it comes to striking a pose' Countries around the world are taking measures to stem the spread of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19, as the death toll continues to rise. This page has updates from Feb. 14. For updates from Feb. 15, click here. Egypt Sees First Confirmed Case in Africa Egypt has confirmed its first case of COVID-19, which also marks the first case in Africa. The patient is under isolation in hospital, and is not an Egyptian national, according to local media, citing a statement released by Egypts Ministry of Health earlier Friday. One news outlet reported that the person is a Chinese national. The person has yet to show any symptoms of being ill, the ministry also said, adding that they were identified based on travel patterns, thanks to the ministrys contingency and prevention plan, which involves electronically registering and monitoring people coming from coronavirus-affected countries. The ministry said it informed the World Health Organization about the case. WHO Egypt confirmed the news on Twitter. Egypt suspended all flights on its national carrier to China earlier this month. The suspension is expected to last until at least the end of this month. AFP reported that 301 Egyptians were earlier evacuated from Wuhan the epicenter of the virusand have remained in quarantine for 14 days. In other parts of Africa, suspected patients have been quarantined in Ethiopia, Kenya, Cote dIvoire, and Botswana. An article in The Lancet said that WHO has prioritized support for 13 countries on the basis of their close transport links with China: Algeria, Angola, Cote dIvoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Eight Planes Locked Down at Heathrow Airport Eight planes have been simultaneously put on lockdown at Londons Heathrow Airport on Friday morning over coronavirus fears, the Daily Mail and ITV reported. A United Airlines flight from San Francisco was among the eight planes to be held on the tarmac after a passenger aboard the plane complained of having symptoms suspicious of the new coronavirus. One passenger on that flight, Andy West, told ITV News that the captain informed them just after touchdown at around 9 a.m. local time that seven other planes also had suspected cases. West added that flight staff took a passenger to the back of the planewith no protective gear or face masksand waited for health officials to arrive. Passengers were allowed to leave the plane about half an hour later. The Daily Mail reported about another plane among the eight placed on lockdowna British Airways flight from Kuala Lumpur. The news outlet reported that the plane appeared to have been held for two hours after landing at 6:45 a.m. Cabin crew suspected that a Malaysian family of about eight people may have the virus. The airport is thought to have since resumed normal operations with all runways open, the news outlet reported. US Will Test People With Flu-Like Symptoms The United States will start testing people in five cities who are showing flu-like symptoms for the new coronavirus COVID-19, a top Centers for Disease Control (CDC) official said on Friday. The cities are Los Angeles and San Francisco in California, Seattle in Washington state, Chicago in Illinois, and New York City. More sites will be announced in the coming weeks. Testing previously only took place among those who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19coughing, fever, and respiratory issuesand who have been to places where the outbreak is spreading or had contact with confirmed or suspected cases. Read more here. Global Oil Demand Hit Hard by Coronavirus: IEA Global oil demand is expected to suffer its first quarterly contraction in over a decade, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), with OPEC also revising downward its crude demand projections, and both organizations blaming the coronavirus for the sectors woes. The spread of the deadly virus, known officially as COVID-19, has both disrupted the economy of China, the worlds biggest importer of crude, and shaken energy markets. Brent crude oil futures have fallen over 20 percent since the beginning of the year and have remained choppy into February, struggling to retrace any significant gains. Read more here. US Lawmakers Want Americans Evacuated From Cruise Ship House lawmakers are calling on the White House to evacuate hundreds of Americans who are being held in medical isolation on a cruise ship off the coast of Japan over an outbreak of coronavirus, or COVID-19. A letter from House lawmakers, led by Rep. Phil Roe (R-Texas), wrote that U.S. citizens being held on the Diamond Princess should be evacuated, tested, and allowed to finish their quarantine in the United States instead of Japan. We are concerned about the existing level of care available on the ship, particularly to the 428 U.S. citizens aboard, as well as the national security concerns posed by reported quarantine conditions, the lawmakers wrote to the Department of Human Health Services, Department of State, and Department of Homeland Security. The lawmakers understand the situation is unpredictable due to the fast-moving nature of the outbreak, but they are urging for the testing of asymptomatic U.S. citizens as soon as possible and evacuate and quarantine those who test negative for the coronavirus in a U.S.-based facility. Read more here. WHO Officials Vague on Team Landing in China World Health Organization (WHO) officials declined to give details on a team of experts landing in China, including how long the team will be there and which areas theyll be traveling to. For how long will they stay depends on the scope of work they will have there. So they will, just based on the need for them to stay, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, told reporters in Geneva via teleconference while in Africa. The team is composed of experts from different countries, he added. For now we prefer to keep it as such but we will give you more information about the experts whenever its necessary, he said. Only two members, Canadian doctor Bruce Aylward and WHO expert Maria Van Kerkhove, have been named. The United States said this week that China has still not accepted an invitation to send American experts to the country, including on the WHO team. The advance team of three people, led by Aylward, landed in China on Monday. The rest of the team will land this weekend, WHO said. 1,716 Health Workers Infected: China The new coronavirus has infected 1,716 Chinese health workers and killed six, authorities in China said on Friday. The duties of medical workers at the front are indeed extremely heavy; their working and resting circumstances are limited, the psychological pressures are great, and the risk of infection is high, Zeng Yixin, vice minister of the National Health Commission, said during a press conference. Zeng said the number of infected medical staff is increasing. Chinese officials and hospitals have repeatedly noted a shortage of protective equipment, including face masks, as the disease took hold in Hubei Province and spread throughout the country. The true number of infected is widely believed to be much higher. Imperial College London said in a study this week that scientists estimated that only one in 19 people infected in Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus, were being tested for COVID-19, and therefore being reported as confirmed cases. And statements by officials at a crematorium in Wuhan show their intake skyrocketed in recent weeks, suggesting a higher number of deaths than officially reported. An undercover phone call by the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times to the Hankou Funeral Home confirmed that its crematorium was using 20 furnaces to cremate bodies 24 hours a day. Vietnam Turns Away Cruise Ship Vietnam has turned away a German-owned cruise ship with more than 1,000 passengers on board over fears of coronavirus infections on board, state media reported on Friday. Authorities in Quang Ninh province, home to the UNESCO world heritage site Ha Long Bay, decided on Tuesday not to allow passengers of the ship AIDAvita to disembark on Thursday, the official Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported. The vessel has docked in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore, which have all reported coronavirus cases, VNA said. Not allowing AIDAvitas passengers to disembark is just a temporary solution to prevent the intrusion of diseases, VNA cited a local official as saying. Germanys AIDA Cruises, the owner of the AIDAvita, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. AIDA Cruises is a subsidiary of Miami-based Carnival Corp. The cruise liner left the Philippines port of Coron on Feb. 10 bound for Vietnam via the South China Sea, according to data published by the Marine Traffic ship tracking website. It had been scheduled to visit Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam on Saturday, then proceed to the Vietnamese ports of Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City from Feb. 16-20, according to CruiseMapper, a website which tracks cruise ships. As of Friday evening, the AIDAvita was 109 miles south of the Thai capital Bangkok, according to Marine Traffic. Passengers on another Carnival Corp. cruise ship, the MS Westerdam, spent two weeks at sea after being turned away by five countries, including Thailand, over coronavirus fears before they began to disembark in Cambodia on Friday. First Case in Okinawa, Japan A female taxi driver in her 60s has tested positive for COVID-19, local outlet NHK reported on Friday, citing local government officials. Officials said that the taxi driver was very likely to have come in contact with some passengers aboard the cruise ship Diamond Princess. A total of 218 passengers on the cruise ship have been infected with the virus. The quarantined ship is currently docked in Yokohama. Certain passengers have been allowed to disembark and complete their quarantine in Japanese government housing. The total number of confirmed cases on land in Japan is 35, with one death of a woman in her 80s. 3 New Infections in Hong Kong Three new cases of Novel Coronavirus appeared in Hong Kong on Friday, according to Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the Center for Health Protection. One case involves a 53-year-old woman, who is a relative of another infected patient. On Jan. 26, she took part in a family gathering with 24 other adults and four children at a local restaurant. Among the 29 people, six have tested positive for the virus. The second case involves a 75-year-old man who lives by himself. The man claimed that he had not traveled outside of Hong Kong recently, contrary to the data by Hong Kongs immigration department. The third case involves a 61-year-old woman, who had a fever on Feb. 12 and was hospitalized on the following day. She visited her two sons in southern Chinas Guangdong Province from Jan. 23 to Jan. 28. The two sons are not infected with the virus. With the three new cases, Hong Kong has 56 known cases of COVID-19, among them one has died, one has been discharged after recovering, while the rest remain hospitalized. 181 French Released After Quarantine The first group of 181 French nationals repatriated from China has been released from their two-week quarantine, Reuters reported on Friday, citing local French health officials. None of them has tested positive for the Novel Coronavirus, according to officials. An additional 157 repatriated French nationals remain in quarantine in southern France. Among them, 122 will be released on Feb. 16, and the remaining a week later. Currently, France has 11 known cases of COVID-19. 2 Counties in Hubei Province Announce Wartime Regulation Dawu County and Yunmeng County in Hubei province announced a set of measures on Thursday to enforce wartime regulation. One measure calls for banning all vehicles from entering and leaving local districts with a few exceptions, such as medical vehicles, police cars, and firefighting vehicles. Daigou, or surrogate shopping, is now enforced in all villages and districts, meaning that residents must buy living necessities and drugs through third-party sellers. The daigou service is guaranteed at least once every three days for every household. People are also banned from entering and leaving buildings, except medical personnel, volunteers, and people working for daigou. People will be detained, in accordance with wartime regulation, for entering buildings and districts that have been sealed off. On Wednesday, Zhangwan, a district in the city of Shiyan in Hubei province, also announced its own measures for wartime regulation. Thousands of Chinese Workers Quarantined in Vietnam A local newspaper VnExpress reported on Friday that 5,112 Chinese workers, who recently returned to Vietnam following the Chinese New Year holiday, have been quarantined, citing the countrys labor ministry. These workers are being isolated at their companies dormitories and local hotels, while some workers suspected of having the novel coronavirus are being monitored at medical facilities. About 26,000 Chinese nationals went back to China before the holiday, but only about 7,600 have returned to Vietnam. Among those quarantined, 3,779 have been isolated for less than 10 days, 1,085 between 10 and 13 days, and 248 for more than 14 days. Currently, Vietnam has 16 known cases of coronavirus. South Korea Pledges Emergency Steps as Coronavirus Hits Economy South Koreas two economic policy chiefs pledged on Friday to deploy emergency measures to minimize the impact on the economy from the coronavirus outbreak in China. Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki and Bank of Korea Governor Lee Ju-yeol made the remarks at start of their meeting, as South Koreas economy is widely expected to be hit hard by the epidemic because of its close business ties with its giant neighbor. Governor Lee said the central bank was working on financial aid packages for those sectors directly affected by the spreading coronavirus, but gave no indication on whether it would lower interest rates to support the economy. Japan Launches $136 Million Emergency Plan Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved a $136 million emergency package on Thursday to help the countrys effort to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak, local outlet NHK reported. The package includes increasing the capacity of the countrys National Institute of Infectious Diseases to test samples suspected of having the virus, and providing financial support to prefecture governments to establish outpatient services for checking suspected cases. A part of the money will be used to support small firms in the tourism sector. The package also includes working with the private sector to develop anti-viral drugs and a vaccine. On Friday, NHK also reported that a man in his 70s living in Wakaya Prefecture is in serious condition after testing positive for the virus. The man began to have a fever on Feb. 5 and was admitted to Saiseikai Arida Hospital in Yuasa, a town located in Wakaya Prefecture, the following day. He was moved to another medical facility on Feb. 13. A Japanese surgeon in his 50s who works at the same hospital tested positive for the virus on Thursday after being hospitalized three days earlier. Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun reported according to local government officials, the two had not come into contact. A Japanese woman in her 80s died on Thursday in the second death recorded outside of mainland China. US Refrigerated Products Diverted Away from China Jim Sumner, president of the trade group USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, told Reuters on Thursday that Chinese ports have run out of space for refrigerated containers. These containers, carrying food products such as frozen meat, must be plugged into electrical outlets after they are offloaded from ships, Sumner added. The novel coronavirus outbreak has slowed both purchases at stores and the unloading at Chinese ports as people are confined to their homes in city-wide lockdowns, according to Reuters. As a result, refrigerated cargo containers are being diverted to other ports in Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Vietnam, according to Sumner. He added that Chinese authorities are now giving priority to shipments of medical supplies and pork. Everything else is being considered not a priority and is not allowed entry, Sumner said. China is basically shut down right now. He said about 300 to 400 refrigerated poultry containers, currently in transit, are being diverted. All Abroad Cruise Ship in Cambodia Free to Go All 1,455 passengers and 802 crew abroad a cruise ship docked in Cambodia are free to disembark, local newspaper Khmer Times reported on Friday, after 20 ill passengers tested negative for the novel coronavirus COVID-19. We have just received information from Pasteur Institute that all 20 samples tested negative for COVID-19, said local health ministry spokesman Or Vandine. The Westerdam cruise ship, operated by Holland America, was stranded for days in the South China Sea after it was turned away by Thailand, the Philippines, Taiwan, and the U.S. territory of Guam amid coronavirus fears. The ship finally docked in Sihanoukville, a port city in Cambodia, on Feb. 13. Kheang Phearom, spokesman for Preah Sihanouk Province, said the 1,455 passengers were of 41 different nationalities, including 271 Canadians, 79 Australians, and 57 Germans. The 802 crew members included 362 Indonesians, 260 Filipinos, and 15 Americans. Phearom added that 36 buses were ready to take the passengers to Sihanoukville International Airport for flights to Phnom Penh International Airport, from where passangers could go their separate ways. Emily Zeeberg, spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia, told the Khmer Times via email that the embassy was helping U.S. nationals on the ship. We will continue to work with the Westerdam and Cambodian authorities in assisting U.S. citizens to disembark and transfer to onward destinations, Zeeberg said. The cruise ship is expected to leave the port on Feb. 17, Preah Sihanouks provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun said, according to the paper. New Infections in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore In Hong Kong, the Centre for Health Protection issued a statement at 8 p.m. local time on Feb. 13, announcing three additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus. All three new patients have no recent travel history outside of Hong Kong. One case involves a 43-year-old man, a resident in Tuen Mun, who is the relative of another infected patient. The second case involves a 67-year-old woman, who is the younger sister-in-law of a 75-year-old patient who already tested positive for the virus. The third case is a 37-year-old man who developed a fever on Feb. 8 and consulted a private doctor the following day. The statement does not specify whether the man had come in contact with any infected patients. In Malaysia, a 39-year-old tourist from Wuhan became the latest patient to be infected with the virus, local newspaper The Star reported, citing the local health director-general Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah. The woman arrived in Malaysia from China on Jan. 25 with four other women, the health official said. Her mother and a friend, also Chinese nationals, tested positive for the virus in early February. Singapores Ministry of Health announced eight new cases on Thursday. None of them have recently traveled to China. Two of the new cases involve Bangladesh nationals, aged 30 and 37, with a Singapore work pass. Five new patients, two aged 54 and others aged 26, 48, and 55, are connected to a local church. The eighth case involves a 30-year-old Singaporean man, who tested positive on Feb. 13. The man is a relative of a previously infected patient who had no recent travel history to China. With these new cases, Hong Kong has 53 known cases of the virus, Malaysia 19, and Singapore 58. Frank Fang, Zachary Stieber, Eva Fu, Cathy He, Mimi Nguyen Ly, and Reuters contributed to this report. For updates from Feb. 13, click here. From The Epoch Times BEIRUT - A military offensive on an opposition-controlled region of northwestern Syria has created one of the worst catastrophes for civilians in the countrys long-running war, sending hundreds of thousands of people fleeing, many of them sleeping in open fields and under trees in freezing temperatures. The military campaign in Idlib province and the nearby Aleppo countryside has also killed hundreds of civilians, and a bitter winter has compounded the pain. The weather has contributed to at least 10 deaths, including four who suffered hypothermia, a family of four that died of suffocation in their tent and two who burned to death when their tent caught fire, according to Mohammed Hallaj, a co-ordinator for the areas Response Coordination Group. Nizar Hamadi, 43, lost his brother and three other family members, including a three-year old. Their family had been displaced multiple times to escape the swift government offensive, ending up in a settlement made up of rudimentary tents stitched together with sticks and cloth. It was Gods destiny that it was really cold. The temperatures was no less then -8 or -9 (degrees Celsius, 15 degrees Fahrenheit) and this is rare in Syria, he said, speaking to The Associated Press from the Idlib town of Binnish. He said his brother, Steif Abdel-Razak Hamadi, had moved north as Binnish also came under attack to set up his familys next shelter in Killi. On Tuesday, he set up a coal heater and by nightfall, as the fire died down, he moved it inside the tent and went to sleep with his family including his wife, two children and his grandchild. For the whole night, the heater was sucking out all the oxygen in the tent, Hamadi said. When the son sleeping in another tent woke up and came to their tent, he found them all dead. The governments Russian-backed assault on Idlib, the Syrian oppositions last stronghold, has uprooted more than 830,000 people since Dec. 1, most of them fleeing toward safer areas near the border with Turkey, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Friday. At least 143,000 people have been displaced in the last three days. Humanitarian needs are increasing exponentially, Dujarric said. The ongoing emergency compounds the already dire humanitarian situation for people in the northwest, who have been made vulnerable by years of crisis, violence, economic downturn and, of course, multiple displacements, Dujarric said. Terrified families piled on trucks and vehicles, sitting on top of mattresses and blankets, clogging sludgy rural roads in harrowing scenes of exodus that have been recurrent in Syrias conflict, now in its ninth year. Around half the territorys population had already been displaced from other parts of Syria, so formal camps are full. Its cold, its snowing and our life is terrible, we cant take this cold and neither can the kids, said a woman, who identified herself by her nickname Um Muhammad, who recently fled and was staying at a tent camp near the Turkish border. This life, what can I say? We are broken now. I am an old woman with kids, no one is taking care of us, she said, her face wrapped up in big black scarf against the cold. The fighting has killed 1,700 people since last April, and the latest military campaign is disrupting aid operations, according to the United Nations. As of Feb. 11, at least 72 health facilities have suspended services due to insecurity or mass displacement, it says. The U.N. Security Council held a closed meeting Friday on the escalating violence in Idlib at the request of its European Union members France, Germany, Belgium and Estonia along with former member Poland. Afterward, the five EU nations issued a statement expressing alarm at the military escalation and demanding an immediate end to the attacks. This is one of the worst man-made displacements that we have seen anywhere in the world in years. And it has been and continues to be entirely avoidable, the five EU nations said in the statement. The United Nations World Food Programme said it was forced to temporarily stop food distributions because the recent upsurge in hostilities disrupted the movement of trucks carrying supplies into the region from Turkey. In the camps, refugees dig up mud from their flooded tent, others dust off the snow dumped by unusually cold spell. New trucks pull up with new arrivals, and mattresses piled on top. Hooriya Al-Essa, a camp resident who arrived with his family last month from the Idlib countryside, said they lacked heaters, blankets, mattresses and firewood. Our situation is very bad. This entire camp is poor. We have nothing. We need help money, heating, blankets, mattresses, he said, standing next to a snow-covered tent. On Friday, a government helicopter was shot down and its crew killed amid the fighting in Idlib. It was the second helicopter shot down in a week. Another government helicopter gunship was downed three days earlier, near the village of Nairab. Videos posted online Friday showed a helicopter spiraling downward from the sky, with flames trailing behind as onlookers cheered. A military official told Syrian state media that the helicopter was hit by a hostile rocket in the western countryside of Aleppo province. The unnamed official said the helicopter crashed and its crew was killed. Turkey-backed opposition fighters claimed responsibility, saying it was hit in response to the Syrian armys indiscriminate targeting of civilians. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of activists on the ground, said the helicopter was downed Friday in the village of Qibtan al-Jebel, north of Aleppo city. It said two crew members were killed and their bodies were found near the site of the crash. The Observatory said the helicopter was downed Friday by Turkish military forces stationed in the opposition-held region. There was no immediate comment from Turkey. Insurgents have sought to acquire portable defence systems to target government warplanes, often acquiring them from seized stockpiles or from outside supporters. Turkey, a backer of Syrias opposition, has been deploying equipment and troops in the region, which is home to more than 3 million people, in an attempt to halt the Syrian militarys advances. But the increased Turkish footprint has also resulted in confrontations with the Syrian troops and clashes between the two sides have killed 13 Turkish military personnel and 13 Syrian troops. ___ Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report. Despite fears of higher prices and job cuts, a judge has approved T-Mobiles takeover of Sprint, saying it isn't likely to substantially lessen competition. Thus ends a years-long attempt to combine Americas third- and fourth-largest wireless carriers. The new company will be the third biggest in this space, after AT&T and Verizon, with a combined value of around $146 billion, including debt. U.S. District Court Judge Victor Marrero concluded that the proposed merger "is not reasonably likely to substantially lessen competition" in the wireless market, disagreeing with a coalition of 16 state attorneys general that sued to block the deal. However, Nevada and Texas later settled with the two companies and left only Democratic attorneys general fighting the merger. In his ruling, Judge Marrero said he was persuaded not to presume anticompetitive effects, as T-Mobile "has redefined itself over the past decade as a maverick that has spurred the two largest players in its industry to make numerous pro-consumer changes." Meanwhile, the judge said that Sprint "is falling farther and farther short of the targets it must hit to remain relevant," and that he was not convinced that Sprint could survive as a major competitor. In other words, the judges ruling was a lifeline to the only companies that could rival AT&T and Verizon--together. T-Mobile Chief Executive Officer John Legere said in a statement that the ruling was a huge victory for this merger. We are finally able to focus on the last steps to get this merger done! The two companies said they expect to close as soon as early April. The states lawsuit was the last major hurdle to the deal after it was approved by regulators at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Justice Departments antitrust division. DoJ approved the merger in July while in November, in a completely partisan 3-2 vote, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has formally approved it. FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who voted against the approval, warned at that time that mindless consolidation has a proven track record of making things worse for US consumers, not better. Related: Trader Compares Current Market Environment To 2007 Instead of promoting vigorous competition among providers, todays order justifies increased concentration by jerry-rigging a new provider dependent on the government dictating who sells what to whom and when, Rosenworcel said in a statement. For their part, two companies pledged not to raise prices for three years and to expand rural coverage that will cover 97% of the US population within three. However, opponents seeking to stop the merger claimed that it would lower competition and slap an extra $4.5-billion annual tab on customers. In 2018, a similar concern was raised during the $85 billion merger between AT&T and Time Warner. At that time, the two companies pledged that the merger would allow lower TV prices. The US Department of Justice tried to stop the merger, arguing that it would raise prices for consumers. They have argued that consumer bills could rise by $400 million annually or 45 cents per month per consumer. However, a federal judge sided with AT&T and the merger was completed. However, since the finalization of the merger, AT&T has informed its customers three times that prices would go up. The first increase happened just two weeks after the merger and since then subscribers prices went up by nearly 60%. So much for that. Over the last year, AT&T has lost over 2.3 million TV subscribers. By Michael Kern for Safehaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com: Catfish exports remain stable despite the coronavirus epidemic The significant impacts of the epidemic have put a damper on Vietnam's export activities. Especially seafood companies that previously depended on exporting to China were hit particularly hard. However, by shifting business to the other markets, most of them have managed to mitigate the consequences of the epidemic. Ho Quoc Luc, chairman of shrimp company Sao Ta Food JSC or Fimex Vietnam (HSX: FMC), said that China currently occupies about 0.5 per cent of their total exports as they mostly ship to Japanese restaurants a niche market with high-profit margin. Luc also said that the seafood demand of the Chinese market could rise slightly because China has been stockpiling food in great amounts. In addition to the plentiful stocks of pork and beef, seafood is also major export product of China. Specifically, the country has been a leading exporter of tilapia, however, the supply has been pulled down by the prolonged US-China tensions. Regarding catfish, general director of Vinh Hoan Corporation (HSX: VHC) Ngo Thi Vi Tam said that the company mainly exports to China through sea routes. Therefore, its goods have been delivered before imports were restricted. On the other hand, Nam Viet Corporation (HSX: ANV) stated that catfish exports to China may slow down in early 2020 because of the health crisis. Nevertheless, the issue will not last long due to the prolonged effects of the African swine fever and the return of the H5N1 epidemic. Thus, catfish and other seafood products will benefit from a foreseen shortage in pork and poultry. Cell phones most likely will be silent at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., today. The same for students who were there two years ago. Feb. 14 marks the date of the worst high school shooting in our nations history, and lets hope that terrible distinction is never surpassed. A gunman entered the school that day, shot and killed 14 students and three staff members and injured another 17. Survivors will never forget, but on the anniversary of the shooting they would rather not talk about it. Natalie Barden, a senior at Newtown High School, understands perfectly. Her little brother Daniel was one of 20 first-graders killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting on Dec. 14, 2012. Her phone is turned off on the anniversary of the day that forever changed her family and her life. She Snapchats with Samantha Sam Fuentes, a Parkland survivor, every day but not today. She knows Im here for her now, but you just want to turn phones off and not look on this day. Sam, a senior at the time, was in her History of the Holocaust class when the shooters AR-15 blasted through the locked door. Shrapnel hit Sams face and legs, a bullet struck her thigh; three other classmates were injured, two died. Sam was still recovering from her injuries when she began speaking out against gun violence. The first time, she threw up giving her speech. Seeing the Parkland students immediately fighting for change was a turning point for Natalie. I was shocked they were speaking out so soon, so raw and emotional, she recalled Tuesday afternoon in the kitchen of the family home in Sandy Hook. At 17, she speaks openly, with self-reflection and poise, her passion fired by tragedy. If theyre able to talk about it so soon afterward, why not me? Finding her voice Natalie was just 10, in fifth grade, when her 7-year-old brother was killed. Days after the shooting she hand-wrote a letter to then-President Obama pleading that only police officers and the military should get guns. If people want to do it as a sport than they could go to a shooting range and the guns would not be able to leave there. Anderson Cooper, who was in Newtown, read the letter on a CNN broadcast. But mostly Natalie preferred to be on the sidelines as her parents picked up the cause. Her father, Mark Barden, became a co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing gun violence and protecting children through programs and policies. I didnt understand myself what happened, Natalie recalled. Obviously I knew my brother had been killed, but it didnt sink in until high school. I was in denial, I didnt want to think about it or talk about it. But one day in her sophomore year she heard an announcement over the loudspeaker about a meeting of the Jr. Newtown Action Alliance and knew she had to be there. If anyone should be a part of this club, its me, she decided. The youth group is a branch of the Newtown Action Alliance, another grassroots group formed in response to the Sandy Hook shooting, that fights for legislative change at the federal level. Then, just months later, Parkland happened. I dont honestly remember that day. We all turned our heads and didnt want to think about, she said. Eventually we realized what happened and it was devastating and frustrating. It was like again? you know. Nick Joseph was among the first Parkland students she met. Teen Vogue magazine invited them to a roundtable discussion that resulted in a March 23, 2018 article Gun Violence Will Be Stopped By These 9 Young Activists, the faces of the #NeverAgain movement from Parkland, Ferguson, Newtown, and beyond. It was so strange, Natalie said, everything he was saying I related to so well. Nick lost his best friend, Joaquin Oliver, in the shooting. After lunch that day, Nick walked Joaquin to the classroom where the shooter later sprayed bullets from his semi-automatic weapon. I understand your condolences, but the condolences arent gonna really help until theres actually a change, Nick said in the TeenVogue article. Those people that are in office, they cant relate to what were going through. If [lawmakers] are against us, then were gonna get them out of there. The connection was powerful. Natalie met Emma Gonzalez, who became the face of the Parkland activists and co-founded the Never Again advocacy group for gun control. Emma was one of the organizers of the student-led March for Our Lives mass demonstration the month after the shooting. Natalie became good friends with Jaclyn Corin, another march organizer who coordinated the Road to Change tour in the summer of 2018 that concluded in Newtown. In Florida, she has met with survivors, such as Sam, who she now considers friends, and with Annika and Mitchell Dworet, whose son Nicholas, captain of the swim team, died in the shooting. He was in the History of the Holocaust class that day. And she met with Nicholas younger brother Alexander, who survived a head wound, and is an activist now seeking common ground with those on the other side of gun control. No, they dont constantly talk about what theyve been through. They share an understanding that often needs no words, Natalie said. Get involved Natalie found a channel for activism with Jr. Newtown Action Alliance. She is now co-president with Danielle Johnson, who also was in fifth grade in 2012. She has learned what its like to lobby for change and its a hard lesson. In Washington last December for the National Vigil for Victims of Gun Violence, students paired to speak with members of Congress about the 26 legislative changes they seek to make the country safer. Natalie was assigned to Republican Sens. Marco Rubio and Mitch McConnell. Neither would meet with the students. McConnells staff didnt understand what we were asking, Natalie said, they were disregarding. It was very frustrating. Disappointment with politicians isnt new. After the Feb. 14, 2018 high school shooting, President Donald Trump indicated support for measures such as expanded universal background checks, a bill supported by a majority of the public. It was passed by the House but McConnell has yet to call it in the Senate. Trumps support evaporated. We didnt think he would do anything, Natalie said, we expected that. Undeterred, the activism continues. Natalie is helping organize the second annual New England Student Gun Violence Prevention Summit at the Yale School of Public Health on March 27-29 in New Haven for the Jr. Newtown Action Alliance. Partners include the Newtown Action Alliance, Connecticut Against Gun Violence and the Yale School of Public Health. Many paths are open to get involved with gun violence prevention. March. Work for mental health initiatives. Provide solutions for kids, such as through Sandy Hook Promise or the many foundations created by families. Vote. After Natalie graduates from Newtown High School in June, new leadership will take the helm of the student-led group. She intends to stay an activist in college. If a group isnt there, shell create one. Us Kids At the end of January Natalie met again with her friends Sam and Jackie, Emma and others. They were brought to the Sundance Film Festival in Utah for the premiere of Us Kids, a documentary about student activism in response to the high school shooting in Parkland. The directors filmed the documentary Newtown after the Sandy Hook school shootings. Natalie was in some of the Us Kids footage taken in Florida, but didnt make the cut. That doesnt matter, she said with a laugh, whats important is the message from her Parkland friends who are the main focus. They all have a different voice than other people, she said. Hearing the personal stories, as difficult as they are to tell sometimes, can make people relate and want to do more. Theyre very cool, very different, but we share this insane thing, Natalie said of her young activist friends from Parkland. Its hard to wrap your head around. Jacqueline Smiths column appears Fridays in Hearst Connecticut Media Group daily newspapers. It is solely her opinion. She is also the editorial page editor for The News-Times in Danbury and The Norwalk Hour. Email: jsmith@hearstmediact.com. Follow on Facebook and on Twitter @JackyNT. M ariah Carey has been confirmed as headliner for this years Brighton Pride. The Grammy Award-winning star and best-selling female artist of all time will follow in the footsteps of Kylie Minogue and Britney Spears, having been rumoured to appear for months. Carey will play a 75 minute show at Brightons Fabuloso Pride in the Park on Saturday August 1. She joins the newly-reformed Pussycat Dolls, who were confirmed yesterday as Sunday performers. This will be her first UK show outside of London in more than four years. Carey is now the first artist to have a chart-topping hit in four decades, thanks to her festive anthem All I Want For Christmas Is You reaching Billboards Hot 100 Chart at the turn of the year. How to get tickets to see Mariah Carey at Brighton Pride Individual day tickets for Fabuloso Pride in the Park are on sale now, with prices starting at 32.50. Buy them here. Be patient and prepared to sit in a long queue! I just think its a banana republic when we go down that road and we have those type of statements being made that are conceivably, even if not, influencing the ultimate decision, Judge Reggie Walton said. I think there are a lot of people on the outside who perceive that there is undue inappropriate pressure being brought to bear. He added later, I think as a government and as a society were going to pay a price at some point for this. Sri Lankan police is investigating into the discovery of a mass grave at a construction site in the premises of hospital in Mankulam in the Northern Province, officials said on Friday. Mankulam hospital officials on February 7 alerted the police of skeletal remains. Five days later, the Magistrate of Mullaithivu visited the site for an inspection. "On the orders of the magistrate, the judicial medical officer at the Kilinochchi Hospital conducted the digging of the site. It has been found that the skeletal remains found there date back 20 years," the police said in a statement. The case would be heard on February 26, police added. Kilinochchi district, where Mankulam is located in the north, was a major battlefield during Sri Lanka's civil war. Since the end of the military battles, Sri Lanka has faced international accusations of rights abuses by its troops. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The specter of the 1990s BSE crisis means the European Union is likely to reject U.S. demands it ease strict food safety rules, even with President Donald Trump threatening car tariffs if EU countries do not start importing more U.S. farm products. With European food and farming exports to the United States worth up to $12 billion a year more than imports, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue told the EU last month it should adapt its food regulations to reflect sound science. But there seems little prospect Brussels will agree. Europeans who remember BSE, nicknamed mad cow disease, will not accept any lowering of food standards and no politician could support a trade deal perceived as doing so, said Johan Bjerkem, trade specialist at the European Policy Centre. On top of that, youre negotiating with Trump, for whom not many Europeans have great sympathy, he said. Combine these things and it will be very difficult to accept a deal on those issues. Trump, who has long complained that the EUs position on trade is worse than China, said on Monday he was training his sights on Europe, raising the prospect of a new trade war. The EU bans imports of meat treated with growth hormones or poultry washed with peracetic acid, often dubbed chlorinated chicken. Both are standard U.S. farming practices. Washington points to inconsistencies EU salad leaves are regularly washed with chlorine and says EU rules are a smokescreen for protectionism. They undoubtedly do benefit EU farmers. Brussels response is that antimicrobial poultry washes mask otherwise far less strict and hygienic standards. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that the various washes are not a safety concern, but do not replace the need for good hygienic practices during processing of poultry carcasses. The agencys study of hormone-treated meat similarly does not conclude that it is unsafe, but says there is insufficient data to prove it is safe. CAUTIOUS EU APPROACH The distinction is important, highlighting the precautionary principle that guides EU food safety law. The U.S. has strict liability for lawsuits, which we dont have so much in the EU ... Here, the sense is more wanting to minimize the risks, said Mute Schimpf, food specialist at Friends of the Earth Europe. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), which passed to humans and resulted from cattle being fed the remains of other livestock, led to a worldwide ban on British beef exports and the culling of millions of animals. It and other food scandals, such as dioxin in feed in Belgium, led to the founding of EFSA in 2002 and inform its safety-first approach. It led to the introduction in Europe of the precautionary principle, the idea that if youre not certain, dont take unnecessary risks, said Erik Millstone, professor of science policy at the University of Sussex. Instead of reporting to agriculture ministries or commissioners also concerned about the welfare of farmers and the food industry, food safety agencies became part of policy on health and consumer protection. EU labeling laws also tightened at a similar time. In 2003, labels were required to show the presence of more than trace elements of genetically modified (GM) crops. The result was that, while millions of tonnes of GM animal feed are imported into Europe, there are no GM food items on sale to EU consumers. The United States does not require labeling of GM food and some of its farming lobbies believe Europe is unfairly stigmatizing their products with labels. The restrictions though are not only in Europe. The United States bans cheese made with unpasturised milk unless it has been aged for 60 days, ruling out imports of French brie and camembert. Kinder Eggs, a chocolate encasing a plastic toy, are also banned. A lot of standards essentially boil down to local customs and a suspicion of standards elsewhere, particularly practices promoted by big foreign business. We work on the principle that if we dont do it, it must be bad. Whether that is protectionist or not I leave for others to dwell on, said Hosuk Lee-Makayama, director of trade think tank ECIPE. TWO members of staff who saved the life of a squash player at Henley leisure centre have been recognised for their actions. David Wright collapsed on court during a match and his heart stopped for 10 minutes. Duty manager Josh Fahey and recreation assistant Liam Peachey gave him CPR and then got his heart restarted using a defibrillator. Mr Wright, 65, of St Marks Road, Henley, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading where he had emergency surgery to deal with a blockage in one of his arteries. He had a stent put in the artery to keep it open and spent four days in hospital before being discharged. The men were presented with certificates of meritorious action for lifeguards by Iwan Williams, presidents of the Thames Valley branch of the Royal Life Saving Society UK. Mr Fahey, 28, from Long Wittenham, said: Im proud. Its something Liam and I can look back on for the rest of our lives and say we did that. It could have gone either way so the fact that the outcome has been positive is amazing. The main reward is seeing David walking in, smiling and happy. Its just the best feeling to know that if we didnt do what we did, he wouldnt be around. Mr Peachey, 21, from Peppard, said: Im quite proud actually and recognition is always nice. David is in good health and thats all we want everything else is just a bonus. The men were the only staff on duty at the centre in Gillotts Lane when the incident happened. Mr Wright, who is chairman of Henley Squash Club, was playing the last game of a match against Bounty of Basingstoke when he suddenly collapsed. Mr Fahey said: I was on reception and a couple of squash players ran in and said you need to call an ambulance. I called the ambulance then ran to the squash courts. As I went in I could see David in the recovery position. I went up to him and saw that he was unconscious. I checked his breathing. That was the scariest 10 seconds of my life and then the training kicked in. I started CPR and I got two or three of the players to run to the pool and get Liam. Mr Peachey fetched the defibrillator, which is kept behind reception. Mr Fahey said: I just kept going until Liam had the defibrillator and it said shock required and we had to shock David. In between we did CPR. Mr Wright momentarily came round and then lost consciousness again so the pair had to resume CPR. He regained consciousness again before the ambulance arrived. Mr Fahey said: I held Davids hand and kept speaking to him and made sure the squash players went outside to meet the ambulance and show them in. Mr Peachey said: I dont think I slept that night. We didnt know what the outcome was until the next day. We knew we had done all that we could. Mr Williams said: They saved a life and thats why they have got a certificate. Mr Wright, a retired vascular surgeon, who is chairman of Henley Squash Club, said he was grateful to the men for acting quickly. He said: I was very happy to see Josh and Liam receive their awards which are very well deserved. What they did on that night in October really saved my life and my family and I are truly grateful for their intervention. Since my heart attack I have had further treatment at the Royal Berkshire Hospital under the care of Dr Nicos Spyrou, consultant cardiologist, which went well and provided excellent service. He had an angiogram followed by further stenting in December. Mr Wright said: This has had massive impact on our family and a lot of other people too but I hope it encourages others to get themselves trained and familiar with using CPR and defibrillators. In November he returned to the centre to present the pair with a bottle of champagne each, some money and mugs hed made himself at home bearing his initials. Centre manager Kevin Williams said: Were very proud of the guys and what they did. The impact this has had on the whole has team been unbelievable. It has really focused them and helped deliver a better service. The U.S. energy secretary does not believe the ultimate impact of China's fast-spreading coronavirus is a cause for concern for markets. His comments come shortly after both OPEC and the International Energy Agency (IEA) dramatically lowered their oil demand growth forecasts this year as a result of the deadly flu-like virus. "I think we are going to pay close attention to what is happening with the virus itself. We are still analyzing, not only the actual virus to learn more about it, but also the response to it," Dan Brouillette told CNBC's Hadley Gamble in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Friday. "So, we are looking to see if the Chinese government will be able to contain or at least help contain the spread of the virus. At this moment, while we are seeing some slight reductions in production as a result of the virus, we are not yet concerned about its ultimate impact." International benchmark Brent crude traded at $56.40 Friday morning, up around 0.1%, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stood at $51.49, around 0.15% higher. Both crude benchmarks have fallen nearly 20% since climbing to a peak in early January, dragged lower by concern over demand in China during the coronavirus outbreak. by Ray Schultz , February 14, 2020 Email scammers have ramped up their efforts to exploit fears about Coronavirus, and are spreading conspiracy theories about purported cures that are being withheld, email security specialist Proofpoint reports in a blog post. In addition, the attackers have added new forms of malware, including AgentTesla Keylogger and the NanoCore RAT, expanding beyond Emotet and the AZORult information stealer. One email claims that government entities are using the virus as a bioweapon and are hiding a cure. The purpose is credential theft. Another extremely well-crafted email directs recipients to a fake Microsoft website, where they are directed to enter credentials. Once that is done, they are redirected to the legitimate World Health Organization (WHO) site, which provides a veneer of credibility. The email targets employees in companies. advertisement advertisement Proofpoint adds that attackers abusing the World Health Organization name to distribute an attachment that will install the AgentTesla Keylogger. The attackers are sending fraudulent emails to manufacturing and shipping firms, using the subject "Coronavirus Update: China Operations." This includes an attachment titled "Factory Contacts and Office Resumption, which recipients would be well advised not to open. Proofpoint has also seen attacks of various types against construction, education, energy, healthcare, industry, manufacturing, retail, and transportation companies. In addition to Japan and the United States, Proofpoint says, various scam attacks are targeting Australia and Italy, the latter in Italian-language lures. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb.14 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: The contracts recently signed by Azerbaijan, ACWA Power (Saudi Arabia) and Masdar (United Arab Emirates) on renewable energy can attract investments in Azerbaijan by other Gulf Cooperation Council members as well, Mohammed Alrmizan, a researcher at King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (Saudi Arabia), told Trend. According to the agreements signed with Azerbaijans Energy Ministry, pilot projects will be implemented for the construction of wind power plants with a capacity of 240 MW with ACWA Power, and for the construction of solar power plants with a capacity of 200 MW with Masdar. In general, production of about 1.4 billion kWh of electricity on wind and solar energy projects annually is predicted. "ACWA Power, another Saudi company owned by Saudi public and private assets, announced earlier in January the signing of an agreement with Azerbaijans Ministry of Energy for a big investment project. The recent agreement signed between ACWA Power and Azerbaijans Energy Ministry shows how effective the bilateral relations are, not only in political, but also in economic sphere. Saudi companies opening offices, or bringing up business and investments in Azerbaijan should be seen as another layer of cooperation that is needed in both countries bilateral cooperation. Azerbaijan could also attract other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members to come and invest," said the expert. Alrmizan noted that historical and current relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Azerbaijan reflect a good bilateral and cooperative perspective not only between the states, but also between the peoples of both countries. "Saudi Aramco, the Saudi leading global oil company, just opened a representational office in Baku. Saudi Aramcos opening office in Baku should be seen as a strong step for future cooperation between one of the largest oil companies in the world and Azerbaijans state and private entities. It could allow for both countries to exchange experience in business, to look up for further cooperative strategies in oil markets, and to jointly train engineers and technicians. Saudi Arabia seeks to continue build up its cooperation with countries worldwide in all spheres of economy as a producing and consuming country. Azerbaijan is an important oil and gas producing country and has a good strategic position for Saudi Arabia to expand its economic and trade activities," he concluded. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Twitter was founded in 2006. Fourteen years later, and perhaps thanks to the influential example of President Trump, the masters of the universe have apparently learned to post to it. This week alone, a plethora of influential politicians and business leaders have at least attempted to use the social media platform with the same air of casual authenticity coupled with severity that characterizes many of Mr. Trumps tweets. On Thursday, Mike Bloomberg responded to a taunting tweet from Mr. Trump pitting him against his rival for the Democratic candidacy, Senator Bernie Sanders by telling Mr. Trump that their mutual connections had nothing but contempt for him. We know many of the same people in NY. Behind your back they laugh at you & call you a carnival barking clown, he said. They know you inherited a fortune & squandered it with stupid deals and incompetence. LIMERICKS new major branding has officially gone global, as it launches an ambitious international marketing programme in New York Limerick: Atlantic Edge, European Embrace will showcase Limerick as a globally competitive, international city. It follows months of research by creative agency M&C Saatchi between late 2018 and early 2019, which cost around 70,000. The result is a massive new campaign that will focus on Limerick's strengths in areas such as tourism, business, and education. Now, Irelands third-largest city has declared a bold ambition for US inward growth and investment with the unveiling in New York of a new brand positioning and international marketing campaign. Limerick: Atlantic Edge, European Embrace was unveiled to an audience that included representatives from the New York business and arts communities, Tourism Ireland and the Limerick diaspora at the Irish Consulate on Park Avenue last night (Thursday). The creation of the Limerick brandmark involved key inputs from a range of stakeholders, from members of the public and business community during early-stage focus groups through to students of the renowned Limerick School of Art & Design one of the top 50 third level art and design institutions in the world. In addition to M&C Saatchi, the creative process also saw a number of local companies, including True Media, Limerick Printmakers, Treaty City Brewery, and Limerick Chocolate Shop, engaged by Limerick City and County Council. Irelands largest marketing communications company, Core Media, will be involved in rolling out the programme nationally and internationally with a bespoke media buying campaign across traditional and social media. A major multi-market campaign, Percentages, is a cornerstone of the programme which aims to quantify Limericks combination of edginess and friendliness. The character and culture of Limerick will also be articulated through a roll-out of Limerick local heroes, which will see inspirational people tell their stories on video and become faces of the campaign to amplify the sense of edge and embrace that typifies the city and county. These include aeronautical engineer and author Dr Norah Patten, who is hoping to become Irelands first astronaut; and Michelin-starred chef Michael Tweedie, acclaimed tattooist Ross Nagle, Irelands queen of style Celia Holman Lee, hurler Cian Lynch and climate activist and schoolgirl Saoirse Exton. Speaking at the US launch, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Michael Sheahan said: It is great to be here in New York City at the launch of this new branding of Limerick which is a sign of a new found confidence in who we are, what we are, what we have to offer and our delight in the place we live. This is a real milestone for Limerick. Weve had an economic transformation over the past decade and we are now rightly going out proudly to the world and inviting them to experience our vibrant city and county. Whether through inward investment, coming here to enjoy our dynamic tourism offering or, indeed, coming to work in and enjoy the affordability of our city and county, we have a compelling offering here now and its right that we would take that to the world, By harnessing the power and potential of our diaspora, we can work to make Limerick the economic, cultural and educational powerhouse that we know it can be added Mayor Sheahan. Also speaking at the launch, Consul General of Ireland in New York Ciaran Madden said: Limerick has transformed hugely over the last 10 years while staying true to its heritage and identity. This is reflected in the new branding for Limerick and we are delighted to host the New York launch of this brand in the Consulate. Limerick has a strong reputation here in the United States, for people, for business, for culture and for sport and the new branding will be a renewed focus on that reputation. Pat Daly, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council said this brand positioning and marketing campaign will play a key role in accelerating the economic momentum already gathered in Limerick, which has seen record jobs growth over the past decade. We now have dynamic new assets for Limerick that will give us an edge to generate more inward investment, more tourism and more people to come and live and work here. In doing that they will join a city and county on a very exciting journey that will benefit all. Our Limerick 2030: an Economic and Spatial Plan is a framework for the future. It was set in place in 2013 but we have already surpassed the job targets for it over a decade out. So now we go again and this brilliant new asset is a timely and exciting lever to propel us forward. Said Limerick City and County Council Head of Marketing & Communications Laura Ryan: A huge amount of work has gone into getting us here today but today is really just the start. Weve captured the essence of Limerick and we now take that story stateside to wherever we believe there are opportunities for Limerick. Today is a reflection of the new ambition that Limerick has. The brand reflects the confidence of a transformed Limerick. One that welcomes all, that has grit, determination and resilience in abundance and one that is at the worlds most dynamic crossroads, where Europe and the Atlantic meets. Mary Harris, Managing Partner, M&C Saatchi, said: Were incredibly proud to have taken the creative lead on developing the first brand for Limerick City and County. The brand and campaign we have developed represents a major statement of intent for Limerick and sets out its global ambitions. Atlantic Edge, European Embrace immediately locates Limerick in the world and captures its grit, determination, and warmth. It also helps establish the City and County as the gateway to Irelands premier tourist proposition the Wild Atlantic Way whilst underlining Limericks strong cultural links to Europe, both now and in the past. Working with Limerick has been a true delight everyone we have encountered has been so generous with their time and their insight. There is a palpable passion for the county and a belief that the time is now for Limerick to come into its own and take its place on a global stage. Its a very special place and Im looking forward to seeing it fulfil its potential. KYODO NEWS - Feb 14, 2020 - 11:15 | All, World, Coronavirus (Yang Jiechi) TOKYO - China's foreign policy chief Yang Jiechi will visit Japan on Feb. 28 and 29, a Japanese government source said Friday, amid speculation that Chinese President Xi Jinping may postpone an upcoming state visit to deal with the coronavirus outbreak. Xi had been expected to visit Japan around early April for meetings with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Emperor Naruhito, becoming the first Chinese leader to make a state visit in more than a decade. Plans for his visit follow a recent improvement in bilateral relations, with Abe stressing the importance of stepping up cooperation despite a territorial row over a group of Japan-controlled islets in the East China Sea and other issues of dispute. According to the source, Yang will meet with Shigeru Kitamura, Abe's national security advisor, to discuss the timing of Xi's visit. Yang will also meet with Abe during the trip, which will be his first to Japan since June 2019 when he accompanied Xi to a leaders' summit of the Group of 20 major economies in Osaka. While both countries have publically maintained they are preparing for Xi to make the state visit as planned, sources say a preparatory meeting between government officials has been pushed back as China struggles to contain the epidemic that has claimed nearly 1,500 lives and infected more than 64,000 on its mainland. Underscoring the havoc the outbreak is wreaking, China is also considering postponing the annual meeting of its national parliament scheduled in early March. The probe into last year's Pulwama terror strike that left 40 CRPF personnel dead has virtually reached a dead end with five persons, who were either conspirators or executers of the ghastly attack, being eliminated by security forces in various encounters. However, the case threw unique challenges for the NIA, the anti-terror probe agency formed in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror strikes in 2008, as it there is no solid information about the perpetrators or the mastermind behind the attack. "It was a blind case for us. There were lot of murmurs but everything needs to be established beyond doubt in the court of law," a senior official, who is part of the probe, said here. The first challenge was to establish the owner of the car used by suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar. There was nothing available from the vehicle which carried a cocktail of explosives like Ammonium Nitrate, Nitro Glycerine and RDX, the official said. But with the help of forensic methods and painstaking investigations, the serial number of the car that was blown into pieces beyond recognition was extracted and within no time the ownership of the vehicle was established -- from the first to the last owner. However, the last owner of the car, Sajjad Bhat of Bijbehara in Anantnag district, had disappeared hours before the February 14 attack and joined Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit. He was subsequently killed in an encounter in June last year. "While it was clear that the suicide attacker was Adil Ahmed Dar but the same had to be established with evidence. After picking up human remains from various spots, it was sent for DNA profiling. "The suicide attacker was identified and confirmed by matching the DNA extracted from the meagre car fragments with that of the DNA of his father," the official, who requested anonymity, said. The role of other conspirators which included Mudasir Ahmed Khan, Qari Mufti Yasser and Kamran came to light but all of them were killed in different encounters with security forces. Khan was killed on March 10, Kamran on March 29, Sajjad Bhat on June 18 of last year while Qari yasser was shot in an encounter on January 25, this year. After JeM spokesperson Mohd Hassan in a video claimed that his group was responsible for the attack, it was sent for forensic examination and the Internet Protocol address was traced to a computer based in Pakistan. The official said that during the investigation, the NIA stumbled upon another case of over ground workers of Jaish-e-Mohammed which was subsequently busted. "Eight people have been listed in a charge sheet in this case so far," the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a press conference in Pretoria, South Africa on 6 February. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/DPA via Getty German chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that the cooperation between her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to elect a state premier was unforgivable. Speaking during her visit to South Africa on Thursday, Merkel said the unforgivable process which saw the Alternative for Germany become kingmakers in the eastern German state of Thuringia after teaming up with the CDU "broke with core beliefs for the CDU and for me." Merkel said the deal between the AfD and the CDU was a bad day for democracy and the result of Wednesdays state-premier vote must be reversed. Germanys political establishment was shaken on Wednesday after the Christian Democrats teamed up with the AfD to support the election of a new leader in the state of Thuringia. Thomas Kemmerich of the Free Democratic party beat the incumbent state premier by one vote. Politicians slammed the CDUs decision to ally itself with the AfD as a shameful act that legitimises a radical right-wing party, and a dark day for German democracy. Merkels CDU and Germanys other political parties have said repeatedly they would not work with the AfD. Wednesdays shock vote has not only drawn condemnation for the CDU, but has put the spotlight on the future of countrys federal government, after its Social Democrat coalition partner said they would insist on an investigation into how the Thuringia alliance could have been allowed. READ MORE: Uproar in Germany as Merkels party allies with far-right in state vote The new state premier Kemmerich has said he would not form a state coalition government with the AfD in Thuringia. The radical anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim AfD entered the German parliament as the countrys third largest party after the last election in 2017 and is present in all state parliaments. It attracted support particularly in the states of the former East Germany in the wake of the migrant crisis with its nationalist message of Germany for Germans. The party has been polling at between 11% and 15% in the past year. The leader of the AfD in the state of Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, is one of the partys most extremist leaders. He has often been compared with Adolf Hitler, and has repeatedly called for an end to Germanys commitment to atoning for the atrocities of the Nazi era. Obstruction by the rebel Huthi authorities in northern Yemen has put the world's biggest humanitarian lifeline at risk, threatening millions with starvation. Senior officials, UN leaders and humanitarian groups met on Thursday at the European Commission in Brussels, and heard that vital aid supplies could be cut off. "It can not continue, the biggest lifeline on earth is at stake. There are 20 million people in need in Yemen," Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, told AFP. Earlier, Egeland had addressed the meeting, called by the European Commission and the government of Sweden, to address the latest crisis in the five-year-old civil war. Before the talks, The European commissioner for crisis management Janez Lenarcic, declared: "Yemen is the world's biggest humanitarian crisis. "The parties to the conflict must uphold international humanitarian law and guarantee safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian organisations." Yemen has been driven to the brink of famine during fighting between the Iran-backed Huthi group based in Sanaa, and the Saudi-backed government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. - Attempts to tax aid shipments - The Brussels meeting heard that, while both sides have made trouble for humanitarian and UN agencies, the Huthi attempts to tax shipments triggered the latest crisis. "It's always been very difficult to work in Yemen," Egeland, a former senior Norwegian diplomat and UN undersecretary general, told AFP in an interview. For a long time, he said, the Saudi-led blockade of the port of Hodeida and bombing campaign had been the problem. "But today it is the authorities in the north who are sitting in Sanaa, Ansar Allah, that have the majority of the restrictions," he said, using the Huthi movement's official name "It's also difficult to work in the south with the Hadi government, but the main interference, the main problems we have are in the north," he said. Egeland said -- in addition to various other forms of harassment and interference -- the northern authorities had threatened to impose a two percent levy on NGOs. - Devastating consequences - "We cannot pay donated aid money to one of the parties to the conflict. So that is one of the many red lines that we are fearful of having to cross. We cannot do it," he said. Only a negotiated settlement between the two sides can end the conflict, he said, but in the meantime donor groups and UN members must pressure them to allow aid through. Of the 20 million people civilians under threat in Yemen, aid reaches 14 million, in what Egeland describes as a "major achievement" for the UN and aid groups. But the World Food Program and some other international donors may be forced to halt supplies if local officials insist on taking a cut. "The UN agencies, including the WFP have already on several points frozen assistance, had a pause in the assistance, which is of course devastating," Egeland said. "That led to some improvements in the situation. We're now back to as bad as it has been, really. "The aid may come to a halt, and it shouldn't be like that, we should be allowed to help the innocent, to cite the Koran," he said. "We should be able to keep people alive until the politicians, the people with guns and with power, make it up on the negotiating table." - 'This blackmail of reducing aid' - The Huthi authorities have previously dismissed criticism, including allegations of systematic interference and layers of bureaucracy imposed by SCMCHA, the rebel's aid body. "Some UN agencies play a political role and use aid as a card with which to threaten the Yemenis," said the head of SCMCHA, Abdul Mohsen al-Tawoos. The secretray genweral of the Norwegian Refugee Council Jan Egeland says that Yemeni authorities must allow aid agencies to do their job / AFP "This blackmail of reducing aid doesn't work on Yemenis, and if they continue with this threat, then things will turn against them," he said, according to Huthi media. But Egeland insisted that the humanitarian operation was strictly neutral, and the only thing standing between millions of innocents and starvation. "Of the 20 million people in need there's various degrees of severity. All are in great need, it's bigger need than anything you see here in Europe," he said. "But there are millions one step away from starvation, which means that if that lifeline to 14 million people is partly or wholly cut it will have devastating consequences." Former pastor who shot himself after killing wife, son choked out surviving daughter too, police say Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Richard Logan, a former pastor and CEO of faith-based anti-poverty nonprofit Attack Poverty who fatally shot himself after killing his wife and young son in the family home, also tried to strangle his daughter who survived, police revealed Thursday. While authorities in Sugarland, Texas, are still investigating the motive for Richard Logan's actions, the Fort Bend County Medical Examiner said Logan shot his wife, Diana, 48, multiple times and then shot their 11-year-old son, Aaron, once, KHOU reported. He then drove to San Marcos where his daughter, Ambrielle, is in her final year at Texas State University and tried to strangle her before taking his own life, police said. Police believe Richard Logan shot and killed his wife and son in their home before driving to San Marcos in Guadalupe County, physically assaulting his adult daughter and committing suicide. The handgun recovered at the scene of the suicide is believed to be the same weapon that was used to kill Logans wife and son. Forensic testing results are pending, Sugar Land Police said in a statement, noting that Logans daughter did not report the physical assault. Authorities further told ABC News affiliate KTRK that Logans wife and son were killed sometime over the weekend of Feb. 8-9. The familys pastor at River Pointe Church said he last saw them together on Saturday about 5 p.m. They believe Logan tried strangling Ambrielle on Monday evening and then sometime between that night and Tuesday around 8 a.m. he fatally shot himself. According to news station KPRC, police officers went to the home of the 53-year-old CEO 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 as well as their 11-year-old son. He said the bodies of Diana and Aaron 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 a missions 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. "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 said. February 13, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - The US has deployed low-yield nuclear missiles on submarines, saying its to discourage nuclear conflict with Russia. The move is based on a Russian strategy made up in Washington and will only bring mass annihilation closer. In a statement released earlier this week, US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood announced that the US Navy has fielded the W76-2 low-yield submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) warhead. This new operational capability, Rood declared, demonstrates to potential adversaries that there is no advantage to limited nuclear employment because the United States can credibly and decisively respond to any threat scenario. The threat underpinning justification for this new US nuclear deterrent had its roots in testimony delivered to the House Armed Services Committee in June 2015 by US Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work, who declared that Russian military doctrine includes what some have called an escalate to deescalate strategy a strategy that purportedly seeks to deescalate a conventional conflict through coercive threats, including limited nuclear use. However, any review of actual Russian nuclear doctrine would have shown this to be a false premise. Provision 27 of the 2014 edition of Russian Military Doctrine states that Russia shall reserve the right to use nuclear weapons in response to the use of nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction against it and/or its allies, as well as in the event of aggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is in jeopardy. The decision to use nuclear weapons shall be taken by the President of the Russian Federation. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Russian threat, made in America Despite this, the concept of escalate to deescalate as official Russian military doctrine had become ingrained in official US nuclear doctrine by 2018, with the publication of the US Defense Departments Nuclear Posture Review (NPR). Moscow, the 2018 NPR claimed, threatens and exercises limited nuclear first use, suggesting a mistaken expectation that coercive nuclear threats or limited first use could paralyze the United States and NATO and thereby end a conflict on terms favorable to Russia. Some in the United States refer to this as Russias escalate to deescalate doctrine. In response to this made in America Russian threat, the 2018 NPR identified a requirement to modify a number of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with low-yield nuclear warheads to strengthen US nuclear deterrence by providing US military commanders with a weapon that addresses the conclusion that potential adversaries, like Russia, believe that employment of low-yield nuclear weapons will give them an advantage over the United States and its allies and partners. As was the case with Robert Works 2015 congressional testimony, the 2018 NPR did not provide the source for the existence of a Russian escalate to deescalate doctrine, except to note that it originated in the US not Russia. Nonetheless, based upon the 2018 NPR, President Donald Trump requested that the Defense Department acquire a new low-yield nuclear warhead for the Trident SLBM, setting in motion a process which culminated in the recent announcement that this new warhead had reached operational capacity. Voices of reason fall on deaf ears In response to President Trumps request, a letter, signed by a laundry list of notable American statesmen, politicians and military officers, including former Secretary of State George Schultz, former Secretary of Defense William Perry and the former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General James Cartwright, was sent to the Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, stating that there was no need for this new low yield warhead. The letter furthermore noted that the premise of this warhead the so called escalate to deescalate Russian doctrine was derived from a false narrative combining non-existent Russian intent with an equally fictitious deterrence gap that could only be filled by the new nuclear weapon. This letter fell on deaf ears. At a meeting of the Valdai Club in October 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the issue of Russian nuclear doctrine, prompted by questions raised by the publication of the 2018 NPR. There is no provision for a pre-emptive strike in our nuclear weapons doctrine, Putin declared. Our concept is based on a reciprocal counter strike. There is no need to explain what this is to those who understand, as for those who do not, I would like to say it again: this means that we are prepared and will use nuclear weapons only when we know for certain that some potential aggressor is attacking Russia, our territory[o]nly when we know for certain and this takes a few seconds to understand that Russia is being attacked we will deliver a counter strike. This would be a reciprocal counter strike. Why do I say counter? Because we will counter missiles flying towards us by sending a missile in the direction of an aggressor. Theres no such thing as limited nuke use In a 1982 article published in Foreign Affairs entitled Nuclear Weapons and the Atlantic Alliance, four senior American statesmen (McGeorge Bundy, George F. Kennan, Robert S. McNamara and Gerard C. Smith) who had a hand in crafting US nuclear policy declared that No one has ever succeeded in advancing any persuasive reason to believe that any use of nuclear weapons, even on the smallest scale, could reliably be expected to remain limited. This fact holds as true today as it did when the article was written. Perhaps there is no better voice to emphasize this point than Russian President Vladimir Putin, again addressing the 2018 Valdai Conference. Of course, [the decision to launch nuclear weapons in defense of Russia] amounts to a global catastrophe, but I would like to repeat that we cannot be the initiators of such a catastrophe because we have no provision for a pre-emptive strike. Yes, it looks like we are sitting on our hands and waiting until someone uses nuclear weapons against us. Well, yes, this is what it is. But then any aggressor should know that retaliation is inevitable, and they will be annihilated. And we as the victims of an aggression, we as martyrs would go to paradise while they will simply perish because they wont even have time to repent their sins. The Trump administration would do well to ponder these words as they embrace the false deterrence of the new low yield nuclear-armed Trident SLBM. The fact of the matter is it deters nothing, and only invites global annihilation. Scott Ritter spoke out against the case being made by the US government for war with Iraq. After the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003, Ritter spoke out against the war. He continues to do so today, offering critical analysis of American foreign and national security policy. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Handouts via Tempe Police and Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Police arrested an Arizona man Wednesday for allegedly causing an autonomous car to ram his own vehicle. But what might sound like just another day in the desert paradise of Tempe got weirder when the suspect turned out to have a history as a vehicle operator linked to the manufacturer of the high-tech car in question, Googles Waymo. According to Tempe police, Raymond Tang, 31, admitted to Tempe police that he was brake checking a Waymo caror slamming the brakes at unexpected times, in hopes of being rear ended. He was allegedly successful, and a self-driving vehicle slammed into his Mazda sedan around 10:30 p.m. January 30, as a local ABC affiliate previously reported. The Waymo vehicles autonomous driving was not engaged at the time of the crash, according to Tempe police, and the driver was the only one inside the vehicle. His initial statement was that a pedestrian ran out into the road, but on reviewing the videos, its clear that isnt the case, Greg Bacon, a spokesman for the Tempe police department, told The Daily Beast. He admitted to brake checking the car in his interview with the detective, and we are treating it as an intentional act. Feds: Ex-Uber Bigwig Stole Googles Self-Driving Secrets Footage viewed by The Daily Beast showed a car swerving towards multiple Waymo vehicles and braking in front of them on open roads nowhere near traffic lights, including the hard brake that caused the eventual wreck. Tang was in the Tempe city jail awaiting a February 20 arraignment on charges of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, felony criminal damage, endangerment, and reckless driving, according to a Maricopa County sheriffs office database. It was not clear if Tang had an attorney, and he could not be reached for comment for this story. A former vehicle operator with Waymo contractor Genesis 10, according to LinkedIn profile appearing to belong to him, Tang saw his contract with the autonomous carmaker lapse a year prior to the crash after a failure to meet safety standards, Waymo said in a statement. The company said it was cooperating with the investigation, and its parent company Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Story continues According to Waymo, Tang had engaged in similar activity that resulted in misdemeanor charges against him in November 2019. But Bacon said that this type of autonomous vehicle harassment is the first time where anything like this has been reported in Tempe. The nearby Chandler police department was investigating other vehicular incidents that may involve Tang, Tempe police said. If the charges stick, Tang wouldnt be the first person to have a public beef with an ostensible car of the future. Tesla took out a restraining order against a well-known critic and short-seller after he allegedly stalked three of the companys employees and drove recklessly close to a Tesla Model 3 as it tested its autopilot feature on a Bay Area highway. As one of the few cities where self-driving cars can operate, Tempe has also been the site of controversy over the vehicles that has nothing to do with possibly disgruntled former contractors. In March 2018, an autonomous car run by Uber hit a woman at 40 mph and killed her while the next-generation vehicles human safety driver was watching The Voice. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. People wanted to kick the government and Sinn Fein provided the shoe to do the kicking, says Christy Parker, a journalist from the beautiful but de-industrialised town of Youghal in county Cork. He speaks of the chasm between the elite benefiting from Irelands impressive economic progress and the large part of the population that has been left behind. Youghal never recovered from the loss of its carpet and textile factories that flourished when I grew up there in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, surveys show that many of its people still yearn for the return of the factories that once provided good jobs. One can see why: the main street is today lined with closed shops, though the cost of renting a flat is high and has doubled over the last eight or nine years. The town is one of many places in Ireland untouched by the original Celtic Tiger or the economic recovery from the 2008 recession. Every week people are hearing some new shocking story about the homeless trying to live off food banks somewhere in the country, says Parker. I have heard exactly the same phrases being used in the UK to explain why people voted for Brexit. In former coal mining and steel making towns in the Welsh Valleys, I was told that they felt betrayed by everybody in authority from the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff to Westminster and Brussels, but it was the EU against which people decided to push back. A man from Walsall said that people there did not care if the GDP of the UK went up or down after Brexit, because they did not consider it to be their GDP. The general election on 8 February was Irelands Brexit moment when a wide variety of establishment chickens came home to roost, as many voters expressed deep dissatisfaction with the status quo. An exit poll showed that 63 per cent of voters believed that they had not benefited from recent economic improvements. Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Show all 23 1 /23 Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Sinn Fein candidate Donnchadh O'Laoghaire celebrates with supporters Reuters Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald speaks to the press at a count center in Dublin. Exit polls in the Irish general election suggest a three way tie between Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein EPA Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie An activist dressed up as a giant stick of celery who targeted two Irish politicians at a polling station at Kilgarvan Central School in Co Kerry Peta/PA Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Sinn Fein's Paul Donnelly celebrates with his mother Bridie after winning Dublin West Getty Images Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Bonnie, a terrier cross waits for her owner outside a polling station in Drumconda Getty Images Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Sinn Fein's Donnchadh O'Laoghaire was the first TD to be elected as he topped the poll in Cork South Central PA Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin is greeted by a supporter during the Irish General Election count at the Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork PA Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Taoiseach Leo Varadkar casts his vote Getty Images Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Sinn Fein candidate Aengus O Snodaigh with supporters in Dublin EPA Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Counting begins in the Cork South-Central constituency Getty Images Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Sinn Fein's Paul Donnelly celebrates with his mother Bridie after winning Dublin West Getty Images Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Sinn Fein's Donnchadh O'Laoghaire with his partner Eimear, their four-month old baby Fiach, and their son Se, aged 9 PA Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Counting staff PA Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Sinn Fein supporters celebrating EPA Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald during the Irish General Election count at the RDS in Dublin PA Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie AFP via Getty Images Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina Coyne vote in the Irish General Election at St Mary's Hospital in Phoenix Park PA Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Counting begins in the Cork South-Central constituency Getty Images Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie AFP via Getty Images Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie PA Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Counting begins in the Cork South-Central constituency Getty Images Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Counting begins Getty Images Ireland Election 2020: Sinn Fein gains suggest three-way tie Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald, with local councillor Seamas McGrattan, arrives to cast her vote PA Politicians and commentators on all sides confirmed the exit poll evidence that the issues which mattered most to voters were health care, housing and homelessness. This is true but tends to obscure the fact that in Ireland, as in the UK and US, voters chose a vociferously nationalist party as the vehicle through which they expressed their rejection of the status quo. In Ireland, Sinn Fein stumbled on a winning political formula whose potency it at first underrated but raised its share of the vote from 9.5 to 24.5 per cent between disastrous local council elections last May and the triumphant general election nine months later. The change in the partys political prospects may have been astonishing, but nobody believes them to be a flash in the pan protest vote. There is a general assumption that, if there is another general election, and Sinn Fein makes no calamitous mistakes, the party will field enough candidates, as it failed to do this time around, and will win a more complete victory. The motives of the Irish voters may have been social and economic, but the fact that a quarter of them plumped for Sinn Fein will have a profound influence on Northern Ireland and Irelands relations with Britain. For the first time a single party, Sinn Fein, will be politically powerful on both sides of the border, a partner with the DUP in Belfast and potentially either a leading partner in the next Irish government in Dublin or the main opposition to it. This creates a degree of de facto Irish unity never experienced before and will be deeply resented by unionists who see the balance of power swinging against them. Sinn Feins political dominance in the nationalist/Catholic community in the north, that had been showing signs of faltering, will be reinforced. But the unionist/Protestant community, which last year saw Boris Johnson renege on his promises of support, by agreeing to a customs barrier separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, is feeling the ground beginning to give way under its feet. Brian Feeney, a columnist for the Irish News in Belfast, says history shows that northern nationalists like republican politics, but they dont like republican violence. Destabilisation is most likely to come from the unionist side and a sign of this may be hoax bomb threats against nationalist targets in Belfast in recent days. A further cause of instability is the British government itself: the highly regarded Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith was summarily dismissed in the cabinet reshuffle this week, despite winning plaudits from all sides for brokering the power-sharing deal between Sinn Fein and the DUP that reopened the assembly at Stormont. Smiths was reportedly sacked due to pledging to investigate alleged crimes committed by British soldiers during the Troubles. Getting rid of Smith may be an early sign that, under Johnson, English nationalist sensitivities will get priority over keeping Northern Ireland stable. The arrogance and ignorance of Brexiteers when it comes to Ireland has infuriated Irish opinion over the last few years with the Home Secretary Priti Patel famously suggesting that the Irish, who have vivid memories of the Great Famine, could be starved into making concessions. Voters say that Brexit was not a significant influence on the way they cast their vote in the election, probably because they wrongly supposed that the problem was solved. But Ireland remains the EUs front line state, which gives it influence in Brussels but ensures constant friction with the UK. From Sinn Feins point of view, it has been a successful 40 years march since it first started winning elections during the hunger strikes of 1980/81 as Daniel Finn describes in his important book One Mans Terrorist: A Political History of the IRA. The initial slogan was that Will anyone here object if, with a ballot box in this hand and an Armalite in this hand, we take power in Ireland? These are not words that Sinn Fein's many enemies are likely to allow it to forget, but during the election campaign just finished, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail claims that the shadow of the gunman still tainted Sinn Fein were mostly ignored. The accusation may resonate with older voters, but not with younger ones with no experience of physical force republicanism. Constitutional action has worked too well for Sinn Fein to try anything else. It has also cut the ground from under dissident republicans seeking to return to violence. Northern nationalists know that demographic change is propelling them towards a voting majority. In the south, they are no longer hobbled politically by memories of The Troubles. Sinn Fein may well congratulate itself that years of struggle have produced its present successes. But it has also been extremely lucky: after trying and failing to make Irish partition an international issue for almost a century, the Brexit vote in 2016 automatically did so by potentially turning the border into an international frontier between the UK and the EU. Sinn Fein chose the right issues on which to campaign in the general election, but it was also the almost accidental beneficiary of disillusionment with traditional parties, and that disillusionment has been leading to these parties shock defeat in elections across the world. Social clusters including mothers' groups play an important role in the life of southern Australian bottlenose dolphins, a new study shows. Like giraffes, lions, hyenas and grey kangaroos, bottlenose dolphins appear to form social bonds with kin and other females in similar reproductive condition, while maintaining moderate and loose social bonds with some same-sex individuals. A study at a popular holiday destination in South Australia found female bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops cf. australis) raise young in select group and local bays, further highlighting the need for more protection from marine sanctuary and controls on aquaculture and fishing. Marine biologist Dr Fernando Diaz-Aguirre, who studies and photographs marine wildlife, has supported long-term observations of bottlenose dolphins in the Coffin Bay region of SA's Eyre Peninsula. Just like in human communities, he says the dolphins tend to form family groups, with those females most closely related genetically forming close social relationships in specific areas of the large open Coffin Bay. "These close social groups among related females appear to be vital for them while raising young calves, or for those without calves who also combine due to similar biological requirements related to feeding and mating," Dr Diaz-Aguirre says. "As well as key pointers on social evolution and behaviour in these highly complex marine mammals, our study also provides important information for the conservation of the Coffin Bay population." Depending on kinship and other ties, specific females and their young either live in Kellidie Bay, Mt Dutton or near Port Douglas -- giving key clues for reducing anthropogenic threats such as boat strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, or habitat displacement due to aquaculture and pollution. Dr Diaz-Aguirre is lead author of the latest study, published this month in Scientific Reports, with Flinders University Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab (CEBEL) researchers. Senior author, dolphin and whale expert Flinders University Associate Professor Luciana Moller, says the study sheds light on how dolphin societies are developed and maintained, including special adaptations such as hunting skills, and how social learning is passed from one generations to the next. "Our field studies are not only important for understanding the evolution of complex animal societies, but for providing information to conservation managers to sure the future survival of these unique dolphin populations," Associate Professor Moller says. "Small resident populations of dolphins, as the one in Coffin Bay, are particularly vulnerable to changes in the environment, and represent sentinels of the health of coastal ecosystems." Oil gained for a fourth session, the longest rising streak this year, amid signs that the worst impacts of the coronavirus outbreak may be easing. Chinese refiners have used oils earlier drop to snap up cheap cargoes, taking many traders by surprise. That follows the World Health Organizations view that the sharp increase in the number of virus cases reported in Chinas Hubei province this week doesnt necessarily reflect a sudden jump in new infections. Its not just crude prices that have staged a recovery since falling to the lowest level in a year on Monday. The markets structure also rallied into a backwardation, indicating some of the oversupply may have eased. PREVIOUSLY: Oil slides again on renewed fear over virus threat to demand The three major oil-forecasting agencies have shown a wide divergence on how severely they expect the virus to affect energy consumption. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the International Energy Agency and the U.S. Energy Information Administration have all cut their demand estimates, but the IEAs reduction is three times as big as the impact seen by OPEC. Yet as prices extend gains, analysts and traders are asking whether the biggest repercussions for oil demand may now already be known. The physical buying spree by Chinese teapot refineries defies the current picture of a decline in Chinese oil demand, said Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodities analyst at SEB. Instead, it aligns with the view that we have now seen the worst -- the virus outbreak is now contained and under control. FUEL FIX: Get our energy news in your inbox each weekday West Texas Intermediate crude for March delivery rose 73 cents to $52.15 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange as of 11:17 a.m. London time. Its up 3.6% this week. Brent for April settlement gained 1.5% to $57.17 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange, and is 5% higher for the week. Prices have also neared buying points for high-frequency, systematic traders known as CTAs, or commodity trading advisers. Those levels were at $56.75 for Brent and $51.90 for WTI, according to Keith Wildie, senior commodities broker at R.J. OBrien. The IEA is the most bearish of the three forecasters. Its predicting an oil demand contraction of 435,000 barrels a day this quarter, which would be the first drop in a decade. That outlook is 1.3 million barrels a day lower than its own estimate a month ago, a downgrade three times as big as OPECs. The EIA is in the middle. --With assistance from James Thornhill. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. The Opposition DMK in Tamil Nadu on Friday drew parallels between the lengthy budget addresses by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and state deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to allege that the ruling AIADMK was "following" the Central government. Panneerselvam, who also holds the Finance portfolio, presented the incumbent AIADMK government's last full-fledged budget on Friday as the state goes to polls next year. His budget address, considered one of the lengthiest, went on for about 3 hours and 15 minutes. DMK president M K Stalin, whose party has been charging the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu with 'towing' the Central government line on various issues including the amended Citizenship Act, lashed out at the budget proposals, saying it lacked both vision and schemes for growth. Referring to Sitharaman's budget address on February 1, Stalin said while it went on for about 159 minutes, that of Panneerselvam stretched for almost 196 minutes. "This itself is an example that this regime is following the Central BJP government," he told reporters in his first post-budget reaction. Responding to the budget, Panneerselvam's tenth since the AIADMK came to power in 2011, Stalin said it was a "deficit" one for all. "It is deficit budget. There is no adequate (initiatives) for anyone," he said, indicating it had little provisions for all-round benefit. The fiscal and revenue deficit, besides debts, were only increasing and this was burdening the common man, the state Leader of Opposition said. "This budget lacks both vision and schemes for growth," Stalin added. On chief minister K Palaniswami's recent announcement that the Cauvery delta districts, including the rice bowl of Thanjavur, would be categorised as a protected agriculture zone, Stalin wondered if the state government can implement it on its own. Referring to reports that Palaniswami had sent a letter to the Centre through his cabinet colleague D Jayakumar in this connection, Stalin demanded the contents of the communication be made public by Friday. "Else, I myself will release the letter," the DMK chief added. However, his party concurred with the ruling AIADMK on according the said categorisation to the Cauvery delta districts, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RTL Today contributor Thomas Tutton looks into the traumatic history of the three partitions of Luxembourg. At 998 square miles, or 2,586 square kilometres, Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in the world. More precisely, it ranks 167th in size out of the 193 member states of the United Nations. It wasnt always like this. Present-day Luxembourg is only a shadow of the historic Duchy of Luxembourg, which governed the region from 1354 to 1795. The reduced size of the modern Grand Duchy is a consequence of the three partitions of Luxembourg. The First Partition: 1659 The first partition of Luxembourg came about as a result of the Treaty of the Pyrenees, which ended the Franco-Spanish War of 1635-59. At the time, the Duchy of Luxembourg was in the hands of the Spanish Habsburgs; the nominal Duke of Luxembourg was King Philip IV of Spain and Portugal, although it is extremely doubtful that he ever set foot in his possession. The conflict coincided with the latter stages of the Thirty Years War and was part of the wider Bourbon-Habsburg rivalry that dominated European politics in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Although the Spanish Netherlands (roughly modern Belgium) were the site of many battles during the war, the Duchy of Luxembourg seems to have been spared invasion, and the war eventually came to an end in 1659. Nonetheless, under the Treaty of the Pyrenees, Spain ceded the Luxembourgish fortresses of Montmedy, Stenay and Thionville to France, a loss of around 410 square miles (1,060 square kilometres), or 10% of the Duchys territory. The Partitions of Luxembourg. / By Spanish_Inquisition - LuxembourgPartitionsMap_english.jpg, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14648192 The Second Partition: 1815 The ancient Duchy of Luxembourg was finally abolished in 1795 by French revolutionary forces, and its territories were absorbed directly into France, becoming part of the Departments of Forets, Ourthe and Sambre-et-Meuse. When the French Empire under Napoleon was defeated in 1814 (and again at Waterloo in 1815), the major European powers met at the Congress of Vienna to rebuild the shattered map of Europe. In Vienna, it was decided that the former Duchy of Luxembourg would be elevated to a Grand Duchy ruled by King William of the United Netherlands. The town of Bitburg, known for its brewery, used to be in the Duchy of Luxembourg. This elevation would come at a price, however. The northern and eastern parts of the former Duchy, including towns such as Saint-Vith (now in Belgium) and Bitburg (now in Germany), were ceded to Prussia. Luxembourg thus gained an honorific title, but lost around 880 square miles (2,280 square kilometres), roughly 24% of the former Duchy. Was it worth it? I guess Grand Duchy does have a ring to it The Third Partition: 1839 Unfortunately for Luxembourg, the worst partition was saved for last. In 1830, the Belgian Revolution broke out, leading to the creation of an independent Belgium under King Leopold. The Kingdom of the Netherlands refused to recognise the Belgians secession until 1839, when the European powers came together to sign the Treaty of London. Under the new treaty, Belgium was granted 1,830 square miles (4,730 square kilometres) or 65% of the territory of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Bastogne, the site of the Battle of the Bulge in 1944-5, was Luxembourgish until 1839. The French-speaking towns of Bastogne, Neufchateau and Durbuy, among others, became part of the new Belgian province of Luxembourg, along with Arlon, which to this day retains a population of Luxembourgish speakers. Thus, it was the Treaty of London created the shrunken Luxembourg that we know and love today. At 998 square miles, the modern Grand Duchy is less than a quarter of the size of the old Duchy before 1659. Lets hope there are no more partitions. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi and Gemma Holliani Cahya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 07:30 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20646a362 1 National Wuhan-coronavirus,Chinese-tourists,Jin-COVID-19-patient,Bali-Airport,Bali-tourism,Lion-Air,Garuda-Indonesia,health-ministry Free The Health Ministry has played down the news that a Chinese tourist who traveled from Wuhan to Bali last month tested positive for the novel coronavirus a few days after he left the resort island. The Health Ministrys disease control and environmental health directorate general secretary, Achmad Yurianto, said on Thursday that the patient could have been infected in Shanghai after he returned from Bali and reiterated that Bali had yet to detect any positive coronavirus cases. Therefore, Balis condition was insufficient to infect people. Authorities in Huainan city in Anhui province, China, reported via Weibo on Feb. 5 the travel history of a Chinese national identified as Jin who had tested positive for the new coronavirus. The patient flew to Denpasar, Bali, on Jan. 22 on a Lion Air flight from Wuhan (JT2618) and left on a Garuda Indonesia flight from Denpasar to Shanghai (GA858) on Jan. 28. Chinese authorities advised passengers who had been on either flight to quarantine themselves and check for fever. Read also: Tourist tests positive for coronavirus eight days after return from Bali: Chinese authorities The Indonesian Health Ministry, however, did not have any plans to advise the passengers similarly. "If we find this Jin, we will speak up. Theres no way we will tell people, Hey, you are under observation because you might get infected by someone that I suspect [of being infected by the virus]. Its just a suspicion, and people would get panicked. One thing is for sure: on Jan. 22 all [Lion Air] passengers were examined and received a health alert card [upon entering Indonesia], Achmad said in a press briefing. Achmad said his office had sent queries to both Lion Air and Garuda Indonesia and had found two passengers with the surname Jin, one an adult and the other a minor. Both flew on Lion Air JT2618 on Jan. 22 and Garuda Indonesia GA858 on Jan. 28. Our suspicion falls on two passengers on those flights: the young Jin and the older Jin. However, their seats are far apart so theyre probably not family, he said. The health ministry official went on to say that it was possible that Jin, who reportedly tested positive on Feb. 5, was not infected in Indonesia. Achmad said that the average incubation period of the novel coronavirus was 10 days and, therefore, by his own calculations, Jin should have been infected by the coronavirus on Jan. 27 or 28. Assuming that he was in Indonesia on Jan. 27, that was a time when we did not have any positive cases of the novel coronavirus. We tested specimens from two Indonesian citizens and 12 foreigners, and all of them tested negative, Achmad said. This photo taken on Feb. 4 shows a medical staff member showing a test tube after taking samples taken from a person to be tested for the new coronavirus at a quarantine zone in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, in China's central Hubei province. (AFP/-) As the ministry had not recorded any significant increase in influenza-like illnesses during that period, Achmad said he believed that Balis condition at that time was insufficient for him to be infected by the novel coronavirus. We also know that he got on a taxi or other public transportation upon returning to Shanghai on Jan. 28. He might have been infected there. Achmad said the ministry would try to confirm Jins identity with relevant authorities, including the Huainan CDC, through the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing and the Immigration Office. Once the ministry obtained Jins full identity, officials would determine which hotels he stayed at in Bali, Achmad said. This is not simply about this specific Jin but about how we prepare for strong protection and detection. He is in his country now. We wish him a speedy recovery. Our focus is on Bali right now, he said. More on Jin On Thursday, The Jakarta Post obtained new information from the Huainan city government website about a coronavirus patient in Huainan identified as Jin with a matching travel history from Huainan to Wuhan on Jan. 22 and a matching infection chronology to the Jin referenced in the Weibo announcement. According to information posted the Huainan Municipal People's Government Health Committee website on Feb. 5, a male, 35-year-old patient named Jin was confirmed to have COVID-19, the illness resulting from the novel coronavirus, on Feb. 4. He lived in an apartment in Tianjia'an district and was admitted to an isolation room in a city hospital on Jan. 30. The entry did not mention any travel history to Bali, but it did mention that he was in Wuhan on Jan. 22, which is consistent with the information that he had traveled to Denpasar from an airport in Wuhan on Jan. 22. Earlier, the Post reported separate information from the Huainan Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announced via Weibo, that a patient named Jin departed on Lion Air flight JT2618 from Wuhan the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak to Bali on Jan. 22. He took Garuda Indonesia flight GA858 from Denpasar to Shanghai on Jan. 28 and checked into a hotel in Shanghai at 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 29. Read also: Garuda disinfects aircraft following report of confirmed coronavirus case on Bali-Shanghai flight The CDC also wrote that on Jan. 29 Jin boarded the fourth car of the G1814 train from Shanghai to South Nanjing at 2:15 p.m. After arriving in South Nanjing at 3:22 p.m., he continued his journey to South Huainan Station by boarding the 15th car of G2809 train. He arrived at South Huainan Station at 3:42 p.m. on Jan. 29. He later took a taxi to Huaihe Xincheng at 6 p.m. Authorities said they had determined the taxi drivers identity. The Post attempted to contact the Huainan Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Huainan Health Commission on Thursday by phone, but the officials with whom reporters spoke decline to provide any information. Combining information on the patient from the Huainan Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Huainan Municipal People's Government Health Committee website, it is likely that the chronology of his trip from Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, to him being quarantined at Huainan is as follows. Jan. 22 at 3:05 p.m. (Wuhan time): departed on flight JT2618 to Denpasar, Bali Jan. 22 at 10:55 p.m. (local time): arrived at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali Jan. 28 at 4:45 p.m.: flew on GA858 from Bali to Shanghai Jan. 29 1:30 a.m. (Shanghai time): arrived in Shanghai and went to a hotel Jan. 29: took a train from Shanghai to South Nanjing and later to South Huainan Station Jan. 30: admitted to a hospital in Huainan Feb. 4: tested positive for COVID-19 Feb. 5: Huainan CDC issued health advisories to passengers who had been on flights JT2618 and GA858 and those on Jins other modes of transportation. (aly/hol) Victims relatives say government should spearhead recovery of relatives bodies as they stage searches for remains. The families of people killed in Mexicos drug war are accusing the government of not taking the lead in recovering the remains of their relatives. More than 60,000 people have gone missing in the country since the start of its war on drugs in 2006, and drug gangs or security forces have been blamed for their deaths. Frustrated by the governments inaction, they have taken to excavating possible sites in the hope of finding closure. Al Jazeeras Manuel Rapalo met volunteers helping at a dig in Veracruz, east of Mexico City. Lisa Magill moved from Northern Ireland with her family when she was only eight years old. Settling into her new life in Australia was a challenge, but it was nothing compared to the fight that lay ahead. When she was just 30 years old Lisa was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer, and just a few years later doctors gave her the crushing news that the disease was incurable. However, Lisa reacted to that with the same determination she displayed as a youngster finding her way in a strange country on the other side of the world. One of the first things she did was start up a blog, Terminally Fabulous, where she could record her emotions as she grappled to come to terms with the prognosis. However, it very quickly became a global sensation, with almost 65,000 followers on Facebook alone. Old friends from Northern Ireland signed up to follow their pal's battle, as well as countless strangers from around the world, as Lisa posted no-holds barred updates on the reality of living with a terminal disease. Now, nearly three years after her tragic passing, Lisa's mum Geraldine has turned her daughter's searingly honest cancer journey blog into a book. "A few months before Lisa turned 34 we were told she was terminal," says Geraldine. "We all struggled so badly with this news, Lisa in particular. She was devastated. "She decided to write her thoughts and worries down in the hope of helping her to get her head around it somehow. Expand Close Lisa, Geraldines mum Ellen Loughran and Geraldine on a trip to Tasmania / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lisa, Geraldines mum Ellen Loughran and Geraldine on a trip to Tasmania "It wasn't long before her following of 'Rock Stars', as Lisa referred to her blog followers, grew by thousands, sharing their own tragic experiences with cancer and providing her with so much love and support. They were amazing. They always knew what to say when she was at her lowest. "Lisa responded to hundreds of private messages from others crying out for help with a terminal illness or one of their family members going through it. "She found this rewarding as she felt she was making someone else's journey a little less difficult." Lisa was just a child when she and her family left their home in Antrim and moved to Australia. Geraldine continued: "She settled well, though she struggled at school initially as a result of her Irish accent. "She hated standing out amongst the crowd and as a result of this, both Lisa and her brother Steven, who was five at the time, learned the Aussie twang extremely quickly." The years passed and Lisa excelled at school - according to Geraldine she was the type of child who came home and did her homework without being told. Geraldine continues: "Her school reports were always excellent although she could be a bit of a talker. She studied hard and got the results she needed to study criminology at university but opted to take a year out before starting her course." During her gap year Lisa began working for a local politician and enjoyed the PR side of it and working for the community so much that she never took up her place at university. She was living in Sydney and had just celebrated her 30th birthday when her life was changed forever. "Lisa hadn't long turned 30 when she was visiting her dad and I in Brisbane," explains her mum. "We were out for a walk when Lisa asked me to feel a lump that had appeared to the left of her abdomen, which stretched up to her ribcage and looked the size of half of a large Easter egg. Expand Close Geraldine with a copy of the new book about Lisa / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Geraldine with a copy of the new book about Lisa "I was so shocked to see it but tried my best to remain calm for Lisa's sake. She was always quite mature, she wasn't the type to ignore medical issues and she told me she'd been to a local doctor in Sydney, not her normal GP, and he advised her she may have a kidney infection. "I wasn't convinced as we all know kidney pain normally starts in your back, Lisa was doubtful herself and had made an appointment with her own GP for the day she arrived back in Sydney. "Her GP knew immediately it was a large tumour and had her booked in for surgery within the next week or so. It was a nightmare of a time for us all. "My dad flew over from Antrim to be with us when Lisa was having the tumour removed. Because gastrointestinal sarcoma is rare, the pathology was sent to multiple pathologists in Australia and the US before it was confirmed as an undifferentiated gastrointestinal sarcoma, in other words a cancer that hadn't been seen before. "In total the diagnosis took two months, the longest two months of our lives." Lisa began treatment, determined that she would beat the disease. In the early days she stayed in Sydney and her parents travelled to her to accompany her to her hospital appointments. However, once Lisa was told her condition was terminal she made the decision to move to Brisbane to be closer to family. It was during this time that she started her blog. No subject was off limits - she wrote about her fear of dying and even covered dating while terminally ill. Her hugely popular blog culminated with a heartbreaking video message from Lisa, made just days before she passed away, in which she described her overwhelming pain. Geraldine continues: "What truly made Lisa courageous in her fight with cancer was her love of life and fear of death. Lisa loved everything about life. I don't believe I could have fought like Lisa did, her suffering was immeasurable but she would go to any length to see another day. "She enjoyed having real conversations and finding out new things about people, that's probably why she found connecting with others through her blog so easy, she genuinely cared for others and their lives whilst hers was slipping away. "That's what makes us most proud. The most challenging times for us both was when Lisa's pain was at its worst and she was on the highest dose of multiple medications. "As much as the meds were keeping her alive, they also had some nasty side-effects. They played havoc with her moods, she tried to control them but it was difficult and as with anyone in these situations she would take her frustration out on me. "That was difficult for us both, but as soon as she would lash out she would regret it, as I always knew she would. Lisa never, ever meant to hurt. Sadly cancer takes away everything, it has full control." In the months after losing Lisa, Geraldine fulfilled her promise to her only daughter that she would turn her blog into a book. And while Geraldine is extremely proud of the finished product, the writing process was extremely difficult. "Each time I would revisit a chapter or have to edit something I felt like I was back living that horrific nightmare once again," she admits. "Selecting photos was heartbreaking. At times I put the book down and couldn't touch it again for weeks on end. It was like reliving your worst nightmare time and time again. "Now the book has been launched I feel a mixture of relief and pride - I know Lisa would have been so proud of the responses we received." So, how does Geraldine remember her daughter? "She loved socialising, shopping, family and making others happy," she says. "She had a heart of gold. She often told her dad and I before she passed that one of her biggest regrets is that she wouldn't be here to look after us when we got older. That was Lisa. "She had a strong belief about being honest, she called a spade a spade with no beating about the bush, you never had to second guess what Lisa was thinking as she always told you. "But she was also loyal, as an employee, a friend, a girlfriend or a family member, she always had your back. "She loved family get-togethers, a nice meal, a glass of wine and lots of laughs. "And Christmas time was her absolute favourite time of the year, especially the lead-up. "She'd make sure every gift she bought for someone was something they truly wanted and it would be wrapped to perfection. "Seeing others happy made her truly happy." Terminally Fabulous: A young woman's fight for dignity and fabulousness on her terminal cancer journey by Lisa and Geraldine Magill, 19, available on Amazon Islamabad, Feb 14 : Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday called for treason proceedings against Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for remarks regarding the ouster of the government. "There should be a case under Article 6 against maulana for his statement regarding the ousting of the government," he said, during an informal conversation with journalists, Dawn reported. "The government will complete its term, it's not going anywhere," Prime Minister Imran added. Earlier this week, Rehman said that he had ended his Azadi sit-in because he had been given assurances that Prime Minister Imran will step down and elections will be held in three months. The JUI-F had staged a 13-day (from Nov 1 to 13, 2019) sit-in on Kashmir Road in Islamabad that came to an abrupt end as the party chief announced going for Plan B, blocking various major roads across the country. Rehman did not say where the assurance came from, and analysts are of the view that throughout the JUI-F protest and dharna there was no indication that the PTI government was vulnerable or it may agree to the JUI-F's demand for re-elections. Khan also said that his government would introduce electoral reforms to ensure that free and fair elections are held in future. He said that a bill will be introduced in the Parliament to introduce biometric voting. He said that the government also plans to bring changes in elections of senators to stop use of money. He also commented on the countrywide shortage of wheat and sugar and revealed that there has been an investigation in the matter. Students are facing higher accommodation costs in September as universities raise rents for on-campus residences by the maximum 4pc - or very close to it. The cap was applied to student apartments last August to ensure rent predictability in the sector, in the same way as it does in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZ). As campus accommodation rates for 2020-21 are finalised, most universities have also confirmed increases hitting the legal limit. It has sparked a furious reaction among student leaders. Union of Students of Ireland (USI) president Lorna Fitzpatrick said: "It's extremely concerning, students are already choosing between eating dinners and paying bills. "A further increase by these institutions is really worrying for students and their families. They're struggling under severe financial pressure, we have the highest fees in the EU and spiralling rents." Ms Fitzpatrick said the universities lobbied against the legislation, "so we find it extremely convenient they're using it to increase the rent by the maximum allowed". All seven traditional universities provide on-campus housing and five have confirmed rents will rise in September. Meanwhile, decisions are awaited from the other two. University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin City University (DCU) and NUI Galway are all applying a 4pc rise, University of Limerick (UL) is bringing in a 3.5pc-4pc rise, while Maynooth University is raising rents by 3pc. Trinity College Dublin (TCD) said: At present there are no plans to increase on-campus rents. They are periodically reviewed but any changes must be approved by Trinitys Finance Committee. The USI president said she believed a 4pc increase was under discussion at Trinity. University College Cork (UCC) said: No decision on campus accommodation rates has been made yet for 2020-21. Student representatives are members of the board that agrees all campus accommodation rates. Rents continue to rise despite the addition of thousands of new bed spaces, both on-campus and in purpose-built student apartment blocks off-campus. In the latter, rents tend to be higher than on campus and students must commit for longer than the typical 38 weeks for on-campus accommodation. The provision of more students beds is necessary to cater for the ongoing rise in demand, both from the surge in school-leaver numbers and the influx of international students. Universities defend the rent increases on the grounds they are not adequately funded by Government and they foot the bill which includes borrowing for construction and refurbishment. UCD said it was applying the cap of 4pc a year for each of the next three years in order to secure adequate funding for the maintenance of existing accommodation and the provision of 3,000 new beds, 924 of which will be available in September. DCU pointed to its ongoing accommodation refurbishment programme, as well as plans for a further 1,240 student bedrooms and that as there are no grants available for such developments this significant capital investment will be made by DCU itself. NUI Galway attributed the rise to increased operating costs and the requirement for significant investment in the upgrade of the 30-year-old, 764-bed residence Corrib Village. UL said it had spent 20m in refurbishing and upgrading campus accommodation over the past five years. UCD Students Union has called for the immediate retraction of the decision to increase on-campus rents. Clare Austick, NUI Galway Students Union president, said they did not know the increases were coming, adding: Wed be completely against rent increase. The rates are extortionate. It really puts pressure on students in terms of some having to work more than one job in college. For those who have two or three children in college, it can be really straining on them. CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, IntraHealth International's board of directors announced Polly Dunford will be IntraHealth's next president and CEO. She will assume the role on March 16. Dunford is joining IntraHealth after nearly 20 years of service with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Cambodia, Haiti, Jordan, Mozambique, Nigeria and Washington, D.C., most recently as the global director for HIV/AIDS. In this role, she led the agency's efforts to help countries achieve and sustain epidemic control of HIV/AIDS under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This included overseeing a $2.5 billion annual budget, leading a team of 160 staff and providing guidance and direction to 50 USAID missions worldwide. "I'm delighted to welcome Polly," says Jean Gilson, cochair of the board. "She brings to our team a fantastic mix of international and U.S. government experience, global health technical and leadership expertise, a proven record of getting results and a commitment to health equity. She is a visionary and pragmatic leader. I can't think of a better person to lead IntraHealth's next chapter." Dunford's experience at USAID also includes serving as mission director for Cambodia, Southern Syria Assistance Coordinator, USAID/Jordan deputy director for Syria Related Programs and deputy director of the USAID Mission in Mozambique. Dunford has managed large, diverse portfolios targeting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, reproductive health and nutrition. She helped launch PEPFAR in Haiti and led the rapid scale-up of PEPFAR in Nigeria and Mozambique. She also oversaw the development of the Global Health Initiative strategy in Mozambique, including the President's Malaria Initiative and Feed the Future. Before joining USAID, Dunford served as the country director of the Near East Foundation in Morocco and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Cote d'Ivoire. A native of New York City, Dunford earned a master's degree in public health from Tulane University and a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University. "I'm excited and honored to join IntraHealth," Dunford says. "I admire the organization's focus on health workers as the drivers of health care and its reputation for partnering with host country governments and local organizations for greater, long-lasting impact. I am excited for the opportunity to further enhance the IntraHealth model of driving strategic intersections with emerging technologies, health information systems, and robust analytics to target our response to emerging development and health challenges." Dunford will succeed outgoing president and CEO Pape Gaye, who has been at the helm since 2004. Early in 2019, Gaye announced his decision to step down, and the board undertook a global search for his replacement. Under Gaye's leadership, the organization has improved health care and systems in over 80 countries and grown its revenue from $20 million to over $100 million. On March 16, Gaye will assume the role of president emeritus and continue to contribute to the organization with a special focus on the organization's work in his native West Africa. "We are deeply grateful for Pape's service and his long and rich legacy at IntraHealth," says Helle Weeke, cochair of the board. "His dedication to and advocacy for global health and local health workers have influenced the development agenda, led to profound impact in the countries where IntraHealth works, fostered partnerships and built a strong foundation for IntraHealth's future." IntraHealth International believes everyone everywhere should have the health care they need to thrive. Its mission is to improve the performance of health workers and strengthen the systems in which they work. SOURCE IntraHealth International Related Links https://www.intrahealth.org Orlando Bloom attends Amazon Studios Golden Globes after party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in January 2020 (Paul Archuleta/WireImage) Orlando Bloom paid a heartfelt tribute to his son by getting a Morse code tattoo of his name but it turns out it was misspelled. The Hollywood star recently showed off a new inking on his arm, which was supposed to be of his nine-year-old son Flynns name in Morse code as well as the time and date of his birth. New #tattoo can you guess who? he asked his Instagram followers. Read more: Orlando Bloom returns to the West End However, some eagle-eyed fans spotted that something was off with the sequence of dots and dashes. Many posted messages on social media about the blunder, saying that what Bloom actually had etched onto his arm was the word Frynn. OMG who did this??? Its WRONG SPELLED, said one person, while another posted: Think a trip back to the tattoo artist is required. Hate to be the one to tell you, but youre missing a dot. It spells FRYNN right now, said one fan, while another joked: Who is Frynn?? Read more: Orlando Bloom and Liv Tyler reunite for selfie Blooms tattoo artist Balazs Bercsenyi has now assured fans that the gaffe will be rectified. He wrote on Instagram: A beautiful reminder for @orlandobloom of his son and yes, a dot is missing, we know, it will be fixed :). Flynn is Blooms son from his former marriage with Australian model Miranda Kerr. Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom (l-r), when they were husband and wife The pair tied the knot in 2010 and welcomed Flynn in January 2011. They split up in 2013 and the Pirates Of The Caribbean actor has now found love again with pop star Katy Perry, The singer confirmed last year that she and Bloom are engaged. The administration of Ho Chi Minh City has approved a proposal by the municipal education department to allow students citywide to enjoy two more weeks off school to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The school break, which has lasted since February 3, will be extended until February 29, the Standing Committee of the municipal Peoples Committee said on Friday afternoon. All kindergarteners and school students in Ho Chi Minh City have stayed home since the Lunar New Year holiday, which began in late January. Their back-to-school day had been initially scheduled for February 3 but was delayed twice to February 17 due to the COVID-19 epidemic. This is the third time the school break has been extended in less than a month. Vietnam confirmed its first infections on January 22, when two Chinese nationals were hospitalized in Ho Chi Minh City and tested positive for the new coronavirus. Both patients have recovered and been released from the hospital as of Wednesday. All 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam have allowed K-12 students to take at least one extra week off after the Lunar New Year holiday. Hanoi said on Friday afternoon students in the capital city will stay home until February 23. Meanwhile, around two dozen other provinces and cities in Vietnam have announced their schools will reopen next week. According to a dispatch issued by the Ministry of Education and Training on Thursday, schools in provinces and cities that have not recorded an outbreak of the virus can reopen once they have finished fumigating classrooms. For localities where there have been confirmed COVID-19 infections, schools can only start again once there are preventive measures in place to make sure students will not get sick. The novel coronavirus, officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday, has killed 1,383 people and infected over 64,400 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 virus, including 13 Vietnamese, one Vietnamese American, and two Chinese. Among them, seven have fully recovered and been discharged from the hospital. They were all treated for free. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the new coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern. The organization said on Tuesday the first vaccine targeting the virus could be available in 18 months, according to Reuters. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! STAMFORDPolice arrested a Bridgeport woman parolee who they say stole four bras worth over $200 from Victoria Secret at the Stamford Town Center mall last September. Shamora Scales, 37, of Roberts Street, was charged with sixth-degree larceny and is being held in lieu of a $25,000 court appearance bond, but because she is a parolee has been remanded to the custody of the state Department of Corrections. Photo: Julia Gross/Flickr Read on for the most recent top news you may have missed in Berkeley. Berkeley Law puts Shylock in the docks Read the full story on Berkeleyside. In brief: Explore health care policy options in Berkeley on March 3s ballot Read the full story on East Bay Times. Golden Gate Fields horse trainer arrested for alleged sexual assault Read the full story on KPIX CBS San Francisco Bay Area. 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. Everyone needs a good lawyer. But Shylock, one of Shakespeares most historically fraught villains, is a special case. On Sunday, Berkeley Law takes over the Freight to give the old usurer another shot at justice. Health Care policy will play a pivotal role in the 2020 elections. What do voters need to know to make an intelligent choice in the March 3 primary? [February 14, 2020] Celebrating a century of Quebec engineering - The Ordre des ingenieurs du Quebec turns 100 years old today MONTREAL, Feb. 14, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - On this very day 100 years ago, the Ordre des ingenieurs du Quebec (OIQ) was founded to ensure the competence and ethical behaviour of some 500 engineers. A century later, its 65,000 engineering professionals form the largest profession in the field of applied sciences in Quebec. "Quebec engineering has shown impressive growth in the last one hundred years. Every day, in all regions of Quebec, and in all economic sectors, engineers contribute scientific and technological solutions to our society's needs," explains OIQ President Kathy Baig, Eng., FEC, MBA. An evolving profession Today, Quebec engineers are active in more than twenty fields of practice. In addition to traditional fields like civil engineering, building engineering and industrial engineering, several new disciplines have emerged. Though often less visible than our bridges, large dams and public buildings, our innovations in biomedical engineering, computer engineering and environmental engineeringto name just a fewdeserve to be celebrated as well. Demographically speaking, the profession is also becoming increasingly diverse, with women making up 15% and internationally trained professionals 12% of membership. "The Ordre des ingenieurs du Quebec has evolved as well, making sure that members of the profession are well equipped to meet the ever greater technical and ethical challenges, such as those linked to the quality of the environment, the social acceptability of projects or the development of artificial intelligence," adds Baig. Programming for the 100th anniversary The OIQ is taking the opportunity provided by the centennial year to put a spotlight on achievements and excellence in the profession. A special issue of PLAN magazine features a dozen prominent figures who have all left their mark on Quebec engineering. engineering. Until February 21 , an advertising campaign designed to promote the profession with the theme "Being an engineer means making an impact on the world!" will be broadcast by all major media outlets in Quebec. , an advertising campaign designed to promote the profession with the theme "Being an engineer means making an impact on the world!" will be broadcast by all major media outlets in Quebec. In March, the OIQ and engineers who volunteer on regional committees are participating in National Engineering Month, an initiative that promotes the profession to young people aged 12 to 18. On April 20 , the President of the OIQ will give a speech to the Canadian Club of Montreal . , the President of the OIQ will give a speech to the Canadian Club of . On May 27 , the OIQ is holding the Soiree de l'excellence en genie 100th anniversary gala. Over 350 participants are expected at the Montreal Science Centre for this event, which will honour outstanding engineers. Ten key dates in the OIQ's history 1920 The Corporation of Professional Engineers of Quebec (CPEQ) is founded on February 14 . That same year, engineering associations are founded in five other Canadian provinces. 1932 An official seal is adopted for engineers. It is used to authenticate plans, reports and official documents prepared by engineers. 1964 The Quebec government passes the Engineers Act, a law that is still in force. 1974 The Corporation becomes the Ordre des ingenieurs du Quebec, due to the creation of the professional system under the stewardship of the Office des professions du Quebec. 1975 A woman becomes President of the OIQ for the first time: Danielle W. Zaikoff, Eng. 1976 The Code of Ethics of Engineers is adopted. It replaces a code of ethics that dated back to 1959. 1991 The Grand Prix d'excellence is created and remains to this day the highest distinction awarded by the OIQ. Several giants of Quebec engineering have received it, such as the late Roger Nicolet and Bernard Lamarre. 2013 Regional committees are created to take over for the Regional Sections. They provide an active extension of the OIQ in Quebec's regions, thanks to the volunteer efforts of members. 2019 The Quebec government tables a bill that will modernize the Engineers Act, among other laws, to reflect the developments that have occurred in the profession in the last few decades. 2020 The OIQ has 65,000 engineering professionals (members and candidates to the engineering profession). About the Ordre des ingenieurs du Quebec The Ordre des ingenieurs du Quebec turns 100 years old in 2020. It has a membership of some 65,000 engineering professionals in all fields, except forest engineering. The OIQ's aim is to be a unifying organization and a reference for professionalism and excellence in engineering. Its mission is to protect the public by acting to ensure that engineers serve society with professionalism and integrity, in compliance with the laws, regulations and standards that govern the profession and in the public interest. For more information, go to oiq.qc.ca. For a quick update on OIQ news, join its virtual communities: Facebook www.facebook.com/oiq.qc.ca Twitter https://twitter.com/OIQ LinkedIn http://bit.ly/LinkedInOIQ YouTube http://bit.ly/YoutubeOIQ Instagram www.instagram.com/ordreingenieursqc/ SOURCE Ordre des ingenieurs du Quebec [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 02:20:46|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The top UN envoy for Guinea-Bissau on Friday asked for international support for the West African country amid political instability. Rosine Sori-Coulibaly, the UN secretary-general's special representative and head of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau, saw renewed tension among political stakeholders that hampers stabilization and the government's ability to focus on the country's economic performance and on improving the living conditions of the population. Domingos Simoes Pereira, who was leading in the first round of the presidential poll on Nov. 24, lost to Umaro Sissoco Embalo in the run-off on Dec 29. Pereira has refused to concede and is challenging the outcome. The legal process has yet to be resolved, in order to allow for the first-ever peaceful transfer of power to a democratically elected head of state in the country, Sori-Coulibaly told the Security Council in a briefing. In addition, given the deep mistrust between the two political camps, divisions in the executive branch, and shifting political alliances in the Parliament, the swearing-in of the future president will unlikely bring about stability, she warned. Therefore, continued engagement by the Security Council and the wider international community will be essential, said Sori-Coulibaly. On the positive side, she observed that Guinea-Bissau should be commended for completing its electoral cycle given the fact that the country plunged into political turmoil just weeks before the first round of the presidential poll, as a result of President Jose Mario Vaz's sudden dismissal of the government led by Prime Minister Aristides Gomes, while Gomes rejected the decision and branded it illegal. Other areas that registered progress include the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, where a landmark case involving the seizure of 1.8 tons of cocaine in September 2019 is being heard. State institutions in Guinea-Bissau have also shown resilience, and should be commended for resorting to legal means to resolve political disputes in connection with the presidential election results. Moreover, the country has witnessed no interference by the military in the political arena, the media have been enjoying the freedom of speech, and there have been no major violations of human rights, she said. The upcoming post-electoral period could represent a window of opportunity for sustainable peace and stability, national cohesion and reconciliation, should there be political will and commitment by national stakeholders, said the UN envoy. It is important for the international community, and the Economic Community of West African States in particular, to remain committed to Guinea-Bissau in support of political dialogue, confidence building, while encouraging a culture of democracy, inclusivity and national unity, she said. During the past 20 years, the United Nations has invested considerably in Guinea-Bissau, she said. "Now, ahead of the reconfiguration of the UN presence in the country, we have a collective responsibility to safeguard the democratic and peacebuilding dividends. It is imperative that Guinea-Bissau is kept high on the agenda of the regional and international community." She asked the Bissau-Guinean political leaders to engage in constructive dialogue to overcome their differences and respect their national institutions in order to rebuild their country for the next generation. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has ramped up the pressure on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar by saying he would enter government-formation talks with Fine Gael. Mr Martin's U-turn on talking to Fine Gael came after he firmly ruled out Fianna Fail entering government with Sinn Fein. However, the country is braced for weeks of uncertainty as Mr Varadkar will speak to Mr Martin only as a last resort. The Fine Gael leader will begin negotiations with Mr Martin only after Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail fail in their attempts to form a government. "If Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein fail in its negotiations then we will consider matters at that point," the Taoiseach's spokesperson said. With talks set to go on for weeks, the spokesperson also revealed the Government would not be making any "major financial or policy decisions" until a new administration was formed. Mr Martin yesterday held a four-and a-half hour meeting with his parliamentary party in an attempt to ease tensions after a disastrous General Election campaign. He sought permission to enter into talks with all political parties - apart from Sinn Fein. The proposal was supported by the majority of his party but concerns were raised by a group of TDs about doing a deal with Fine Gael. Asked on RTE's 'Six One' whether a grand coalition was now in sight, Mr Martin said it would take a lot of work to create a programme for government. "Any government that's formed has to be sustainable. I believe a government should be formed, he said. In terms of the future, I cant be certain how this is going to work. I wouldnt rule out another election because this is going to be so difficult. Mr Martin said each of the main parties would nominate leaders for Taoiseach when the Dail returned next Thursday but none would succeed. We wont get a resolution next Thursday, he said. But he added that finding a new government shouldnt take 70 days like in 2016. Put to him that he was breaking his pre-election promises on coalition formation, Mr Martin noted Sinn Fein had changed its position from two days ago. Sinn Fein did say two days ago the last party they want in government is Fianna Fail and two days later I get a letter, he said. Yesterday, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said it would be quite a challenge for Fianna Fail to sign up to the government of change she was proposing, but said there was an obligation on the party to consider the matter. After writing to Mr Martin to seek discussions, Ms McDonald said the position of Fianna Fail not to speak to Sinn Fein at all was untenable. She also criticised efforts by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to form a grand coalition, saying it would be a slap in the face to the Irish electorate. The Taoiseachs spokesperson said there was a responsibility on Sinn Fein to form a coalition with left-wing parties or with Fianna Fail and negotiate a republican socialist programme for government that keeps the many promises they have made. In the meantime, the Government will continue with its duties as required by the Constitution and any major financial or policy decisions will be deferred until a new government is formed, he added. The Social Democrats last night met Mr Martin after which the party said: We had a cordial and respectful conversation but our concern is it didnt sound a lot like change. A Green Party source said that while it would hold exploratory talks with all parties, they did not expect substantial developments until next week. The five main strands for us are how are we going to pay for it all, what are we going do on housing, how are we going to pay for Slaintecare, what are we going to do on climate change and Brexit and the future of Europe. Meanwhile, Independent TDs attempts to form alliances have seen three distinct groups beginning to emerge with Sligo-Leitrim TD Marian Harkin, a former MEP, seeking an alliance with like-minded independents. However, this is likely to be separate to the reconstituted Rural Independent Group from the last Dail, which includes Mattie McGrath, Michael Collins, Carol Nolan, Michael Healy-Rae and Danny Healy-Rae. However, Tipperary TD Michael Lowry is no longer involved with this group. Northern Ireland vegetable side-dish company Mash Direct has been fined 2,000 for illegal discharges to NI Water's sewage network. The Co Down company has also been ordered to pay almost 1,000 in legal costs for actions which showed "complete disrespect for the sewer network" according to an NI Water chief. Mash Direct was founded by Tracy and Martin Hamilton and now has around 200 employees. It produces around 40 processed vegetable and potato dishes, supplying major chains such as Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda. The company received a cash boost from HSBC UK to the tune of 10m in January to become more environmentally friendly by installing solar and wind energy machinery as well as a new wastewater treatment facility. Head of Environmental Regulation at NI Water Andrea Halpenny said the case taken against Mash Direct had been long and frustrating. "Despite engagement with Mash Direct over a long period of time, the breach of discharge consent was not resolved, which has led to todays proceedings being taken by NI Water. "The irresponsible actions of this company towards our assets and those residents living around the area is not a victimless crime and have been reflected in todays judgment and fine." She said NI Water's priority is to protect the wastewater network. "If this is threatened in any way, we will step in to resolve it," she said. In a statement, a spokesperson for Mash Direct said: "Any incident that impacts our local sewage system is unacceptable and we sincerely regret this accidental breach. "We fully investigated the matter at the time and have pit corrective measures in place at a cost in excess of 650,000 and NI Water have confirmed that the Company is in full compliance with consent limits. "Upholding the highest operational and environmental standards is of the greatest importance to us and we continue to monitor all our processing procedures closely." Among the names being mentioned for inclusion as ministers are Tejasvi Surya, the 29-year-old MP from Bangalore South, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, the 35-year-old MP from Ladakh, Locket Chatterjee, the 45-year old MP from Hooghly, and Dilip Ghosh, MP from West Medinipur and president of the BJP's West Bengal unit. R Rajagopalan reports. IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party President Jagat Prakash Nadda, Home Minister Amit Anilchandra Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi. Photograph: ANI Photo Following the Bharatiya Janata Party's electoral debacle in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi has initiated an exercise to overhaul his council of ministers as well as revamp the organistion in tune with BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda's thinking. By early April, Janata Dal-United, YSR Congress and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leaders will be inducted into the Union council of ministers. While Bihar goes to the polls in October, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu will go to the polls next year. The process of consultations on giving the Modi ministry a new look is currently underway and will be completed in the next few weeks, sources said. On February 11, the day the Delhi election results were announced, Union Home Minister Amit Anilchandra Shah and his successor as BJP president Nadda held a two hour meeting with Modi, at which a draft proposal to revamp the party organisation is also said to have figured. Despite the pushback from senior BJP leaders who fear that they may be replaced, Modi is expected to go ahead with inducting younger leaders into his council of ministers. When the BJP's central parliamentary board is reconstituted by early March, many of these senior leaders will be inducted as general secretaries in Team Nadda. Among the names being mentioned for inclusion as ministers are Tejasvi Surya, the 29-year-old MP from Bangalore South, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, the 35-year-old MP from Ladakh, Locket Chatterjee, the 45-year old MP from Hooghly, and Dilip Ghosh, MP from West Medinipur and president of the BJP's West Bengal unit. Apart from these inductions, speculation is rife that some ministers will be dropped, including the controversial Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur, he of the 'desh ke gaddaron ko' notoriety. Even as the BJP's Big Three held deliberations, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy flew into New Delhi for a meeting with Modi on Wednesday. Modi asked him to meet Shah as well, and Reddy will once again fly to New Delhi on Friday for the meeting. The formula that is being worked out with the NDA partners will be on these lines: The YSR Congress, with 22 MPs in Lok Sabha, will get one Cabinet rank and one MoS post as will the JD-U with 16 MPs. The AIADMK has only one MP, but it may still get two MoS posts, it is expected, keeping in mind the dynamics between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. Sources said the YSR Congress might propose P V Mithun Reddy, the MP from Rajampet, and V Vijayasai Reddy, a Rajya Sabha member, as ministers. From the AIADMK, it will be O P Raveendranath Kumar, the MP from Theni and Panneerselvam's son, along with R Vaithilingam, a Rajya Sabha member and a confidant of Palaniswami. The JD-U might nominate Rajiv Ranjan 'Lalan' Singh, the MP from Munger, and Kavita Singh, the MP from Siwan. Whichever way you look at it, the buzz in Delhi is that the assembly election debacle has given the BJP a severe jolt, and if an overhaul of the organisation and ministry is not done now, Modi's image is bound to suffer. This has added a sense of urgency to the whole exercise. Geelani stable, Pakistan indulging in rumour mongering India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 14: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have geared themselves up for a possible security situation in the aftermath of reports suggesting that the health of separatist, S A S Geelani is deteriorating. Sources in the Home Ministry tells OneIndia that Geelani had undergone a health check up and he is fine at the moment. The MHA suspects that these reports could be a ploy on the part of Pakistan to spread rumours and incite trouble in the Valley. In case of any such eventuality, there is bound to be a large gathering at the funeral, which could turn out to be a nightmare for the security personnel. On Thursday, there were reports that the separatist was very ill. Further there were also messages urging the people to pray for his recovery. Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat polls to be held in 8 phases from March 5-19 NEWS AT 3 PM, FEB 14th, 2020 Geelani who has been ailing for several years now has been confined to his home. It may be recalled that in the wake of rumours, mobile services had been snapped in the Valley on Wednesday. However by Thursday the services were restored. His family too clarified that he was stable. However security agencies are leaving nothing to chance owing to Geelani's age and illness. Geelani in his will had said that he wants his funeral to be held at Hyderpora in Srinagar. However the Hurriyat Conference says that the funeral should be held at the Eidgah Ground. Officials say that an emergency medical check up had been held and Geelani has been declared as stable. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, February 14, 2020, 8:00 [IST] Just a few days after Storm Ciara, who saw three people die with its 97mph winds, another storm is headed for UK. In just 24 hours, a month's worth of rain is expected as Storm Dennis makes his way to the United Kingdom, this weekend. The Meteorological (Met) Office has warned families to consider cancelling their half term travel plans due to the risk of fast flowing flash floods and deep waters which may affect large parts of the country and may cause serious risk to life. One hundred and twenty to 140 millimeters of rain is expected in parts of south west, south east, north west and South Wales. Amber weather warnings have also been issued. As Britain deals the second storm system forecast in a week, roads are likely to be shut and trains cancelled. Southeastern has also warned that speed restrictions may be put out on some routes this coming Saturday and Sunday due to the weather. Apart from disrupted transportation, the flooding may also affect homes and business. Met Office has announced that some communities are likely to be cut off by flooded roads. According to Bonnie Diamond of the Met Office, Storm Dennis will bring a little more rain than that of Ciara, but will come with a less winds. He further added that a lot of rain is expected on Saturday and Sunday that's why they have put out Amber warning. Also read: East Africa Experiences Biggest Locust Swarm in 70 Years Dennis will be bringing more rainfall over the weekend than the average rain for the whole month of February in the North West and South West of England, which averaged about 97mm and 98mm of rainfall, respectively. Diamond also added that rainfall brought by Dennis may be hazardous given that its already wet from Storm Ciara's aftermath. Thus, with the storm coming half term travel trips to areas like the Yorkshire Dales, Dartmoor or other holiday hot spots may need to be cancelled to ensure safety. Early morning on Thursday, Storm Dennis exploded into a "bomb cyclone". A "bomb cyclone" is a storm system undergoing bombogenesis or rapid strengthening, this usually happens in the ocean before the weather system makes a landfall. Traditionally, windstorm season in the U.K., Ireland and the Netherlands run from September through April. Storm Dennis is already the fourth-named windstorm of this season. Storm Dennis intensified rapidly during its course over the nothern Atlantic Ocean which allowed its central pressure to plummet 1.38 inches of mercury in just a 24 -hour period. A storm only needs to drop 0.71 of an inch of mercury before being considered as a "bomb cyclone." Dennis, on the other hand has dropped in pressure almost two times greater than this, making it an incredibly terrifying "bomb cyclone." The Met office has also already released Yellow Weather warnings for rain across the United Kingdom as Storm Dennis makes his way bringing along heavy rainfall and possible life ending floods. Updates about the flooding and the weather system is available on Met Office's website. Related news: Bahamas Struggle to Rebuild Aftermath of Hurricane Dorian Devastation @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Democratic presidential candidates are building up their campaigns presence in Michigan with less than a month left before residents cast their vote in the primary election. Winning Michigan back after the state narrowly flipped for President Donald Trump in 2016 is essential to Democrats 2020 general election strategy. Michiganders are already voting due to new absentee ballot laws, but because the states March 10 primary is scheduled a week after Super Tuesday, when the most delegates are up for grabs on a single day, Democratic candidates have been more focused on visiting other parts of the country. Campaigns are building up their volunteer networks and dispatching more staff to Michigan in lieu of visits from the candidates themselves. Several campaigns said they are focused on informing voters about automatic registration and other changes that will make it easier to cast a ballot. The Michigan Democratic Party spent the last year building a grassroots army in all of the states 83 counties. MDP Chair Lavora Barnes said Democrats are spreading the word about Trumps broken promises in their effort to "turn every corner of Michigan blue. Any candidate hoping to win Michigan will have to speak to the diverse interests represented in communities across the state," Barnes said. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said nearly all of the Democrats running for president have reached out to her for advice on how to win Michigan. Whitmer recommended they come visit voters in the state early and often. Heres a look at what the leading Democratic campaigns are doing across Michigan. South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks during a democratic presidential candidate forum at the NAACP National Convention at Cobo Center in Detroit Wednesday, July 24 2019.Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com Pete Buttigieg Buttigiegs campaign built volunteer networks in Michigans 14 congressional districts but has yet to dispatch paid staff to the state or open any field offices. The campaign said it has 150 active volunteers hosting Pete Ups," debate watch parties, phone banks, policy discussions and other events. Supporters have gathered for community service projects like cleaning public parks and walking dogs at animal shelters in addition to more traditional organizing events. A campaign official said the idea is to give voters a stronger sense of belonging in their community. Buttigiegs campaign is also putting a focus on mobilizing first-time voters and college students. "Students for Pete coalitions are active at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Grand Valley State University. The former South Bend, Ind. mayor hasnt spent much time in Michigan during the last year. He participated in an NAACP forum and appeared at events in Detroit around the July Democratic debate but hasnt held any public events in Michigan since. Buttigieg held a private fundraiser in Saugatuck last summer. Buttigiegs husband, a Traverse City native, also appeared at a fundraiser in Ingham County last summer. The campaign said Buttigiegs surrogates will hit the ground in Michigan in the next few weeks, putting a particular focus on 12 counties that voted for Trump after previously supporting Democratic President Barack Obama. Trump also held campaign events and dispatched representatives several of the swing counties, including Macomb, Calhoun, Saginaw. Trumps ability to reverse poor Republican performances in past presidential elections was pivotal in his surprise win four years ago. Trump picked up 99,000 more votes than his Democratic opponent in those 12 counties and ultimately won the state by 10,700 votes. Buttigieg earned the endorsement of Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and state Sen. Adam Hollier, D-Detroit. Other candidates, particularly former vice president Joe Biden, have accused Buttigieg of not being ready to sit in the Oval Office. Hollier defended the former small-town mayors lack of experience in a column in The Detroit News, writing I trust him to make the best decisions on everything from infrastructure to Iran. Buttigieg raised $983,731 from Michiganders in 2019, according to Federal Election Commission data. Notable donors include Michigan philanthropists Kate Wolters and James Offield and former MSU Trustee Nancy Schlichting. - U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., visited striking United Auto Workers on the picket line outside General Motors' Detroit-Hamtramack Assembly plant Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Malachi Barrett | MLive.com) U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Sanders is seeking a repeat victory in Michigan after pulling off a closely contested 2016 Democratic primary win. The self-described democratic-socialist took Michigan by a 1.4-point margin last time, though he did not win the Democratic nomination. Sanders supported progressives candidates in the 2018 midterm elections and was among the first candidates to hold 2020 campaign events in Michigan. This week, the Sanders campaign announced the expansion of its Michigan campaign team. The campaign hired a state coordinator and tapped Michigan League of Conservation voters Affairs Manager Alia Phillips to serve as its Michigan field director. Sanders himself hasnt campaigned in Michigan since October 2019, when he held a Detroit rally and accepted the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit. The Vermont senator previously joined the picket line with striking United Auto Workers union members in September, held various events around Julys Democratic debate in Detroit and made several stops across the state in April. Meanwhile, Sanders campaign has held nearly 700 voter engagement functions across Michigan, with many more scheduled in February. Most of the events were organized by volunteers. Door-knocking campaigns, debate watch parties and phone banks scheduled this month focus on communities in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties while also reaching across the state to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Lansing, among others. The Sanders campaign is also holding official volunteer training events to connect potential organizers with campaign staff. February meetups are scheduled in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Holland, East Lansing, Ferndale and the campuses of Central Michigan University and the University of Michigan. Sanders has kept a focus on union workers, collecting the backing of more union groups than any other 2020 presidential candidate. The campaign has also dispatched supporters to strikes and protests in Michigan, like a Feb. 14 protest at the Detroit Metro Airport organized by airline catering workers. Sanders secured endorsements from 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, state Rep. Abdullah Hammoud, D-Dearborn, Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad, and Michigans chapter of the Young Democrats of America. Michiganders have made 175,000 donations to Sanders, according to the campaign, totaling more than $2.8 million. FEC filings show Sanders collected $460,089 in individual contributions from Michigan residents in 2019. Notable donors include Mark Sellers, who owns the parent company of HopCat, Stellas Lounge and Grand Rapids Brewing Co. Former Vice President Joe Biden sits with NAACP Detroit President Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, and Biden's sister Valerie Biden at Detroit One coney island Thursday afternoon, the day after the second Democratic debate night in Detroit, Aug. 1, 2019.Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com Former Vice President Joe Biden Biden faced crushing defeats in the Iowa caucus in New Hampshire primary, failing to crack into the top three in either race, but promised supporters he would do better more diverse states. As Biden puts his focus on Nevada and South Carolina, his surrogates in Detroit are also keeping busy. Biden picked up the endorsement of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan fairly early in the primary. The campaign also scored endorsements from several Democratic lawmakers representing Detroit, including Sen. Marshall Bullock and state Reps. Joe Tate, Karen Whitsett and Tenisha Yancey. Tate hosted an event to kick off organizing efforts in metro Detroit at the end of January and Duggan hosted a phone bank for the campaign last month. A Students for Biden coalition also held an organizing kickoff at the University of Michigan last month. Biden was also endorsed by the Michigan Democratic Party Black Caucus and state Rep. Sarah Cambensy, D-Marquette. A Biden official said the campaign will lean on surrogates to spread its message across the state this month. The former vice president hasnt held any public events in Michigan since meeting voters at a Detroit coney Island after the Democratic debate last summer. Biden raised $413,953 from Michigan donors in 2019, according to FEC filings. Notable donors include former Democratic Gov. Jim Blanchard, Detroit Medical Center Senior Vice President David Katz, former MSU Trustee Nancy Schlichting, Detroit Regional Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah, businessman Linden Nelson, and Detroit businessman Dennis Archer Jr., who hosted a fundraiser for Biden last year. Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks at a town hall event held at Focus Hope in Detroit on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Warren was the first candidate to hire a state director for Michigan and open a field office in the state. The campaign said it has dozens of paid staff organizing a statewide outreach program in all 14 congressional districts. The Massachusetts senator held five public appearances in Michigan so far this cycle, including rallies in Detroit and Lansing and appearances at forums hosted by the NAACP and United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. Warren also joined striking United Auto Workers on the picket line last September. While Warren campaigns in early-voting states, U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, D-Bloomfield Township, has been the face of the campaign in the metro Detroit area. Levin represents Warren and other Democratic-leaning cities in the southern part of Macomb County, a key battleground in the general election. Warrens Michigan campaign scheduled voter outreach events in various cities throughout the month of February. Daily phone banks are also organized from the campaigns Detroit field office. The campaign holds Michigan Weekends of Action with volunteer events across the state to persuade undecided voters and encourage Warren supporters to take advantage of no-reason absentee voting. Activist Jamira Burley hosted a Black Women for Warren brunch in Detroit in early February. The campaign is also holding an outreach event for black artisans in the Detroit area later this month. Warrens campaign scheduled an LGBTQ Summit in Ferndale on Feb. 15. The event features Pulse nightclub shooting survivor and gun violence activist Brandon Wolf, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, and Michigan activists. In addition to McMorrow and Levin, Warren scored endorsements from state lawmakers like Sens. Rosemary Bayer, D-Beverly Hills; and Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit; and state Reps. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia; Jim Ellison, D-Royal Oak and Bill Sowerby, D-Clinton Township. Warren also has the endorsement of local officials like Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor, Macomb County Democratic Party Chair Ed Bruley and former Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer. The campaign said it has the support of nearly 50 Michigan elected officials and progressive leaders. Warren raised $306,147 from Michigan donors in 2019, according to FEC filings. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, left, shows reporters a map of Great Lakes shipping routes while visiting Nicholson Terminal & Dock on a tour of Midwest states Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 in River Rouge, Michigan. (Malachi Barrett | MLive.com) U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. Klobuchar has touted her Midwest sensibilities in Democratic debates and her six public visits to Michigan during the last year. We need someone that has peoples back, Klobuchar said during the Detroit Democratic debate. We also need someone that can win. And I have won in these red districts. I win in the Midwest. I can win in states like Wisconsin and Michigan and Iowa. While Klobuchar has visited Michigan more than any candidate, a look at her campaign website shows no grassroots organizing events planned for February. Her campaign hasnt announced any endorsements from Michigan surrogates and did not provide any details about the size of its operation in the state. Klobuchar was the first presidential candidate to visit striking General Motors workers on the picket line last summer, bringing doughnuts to union workers outside the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant during a bus tour of blue wall" states. The last time Klobuchar visited Michigan was for a September 2019 forum held by the United Food and Commercial Workers International. A spokesperson for Klobuchars campaign said the Minnesota senator will continue ramping up operations in Michigan. Klobuchar raised $132,615 from Michigan donors in 2019, according to FEC filings. Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks before a democratic presidential candidate forum at the NAACP National Convention at Cobo Center in Detroit Wednesday, July 24 2019.Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg Bloomberg has made a big push in Michigan during the last two months, scooping up endorsements and dispatching an army of paid staff across the state. Bloomberg visited Detroit twice since launching his campaign last fall. He attended the opening of a campaign office in Detroit last December and addressed a crowd of 450 people at an Eastern Market venue in early February. The campaign claims it has the most robust field organization in Michigan of any Democratic presidential candidate. Bloomberg is skipping the first four primary contests and pouring resources into Michigan and Super Tuesday states. The former New York mayor hired 65 organizers for his Michigan operation and will raise that number to 90 in the next few weeks, according to the campaign. Bloombergs team also announced plans to open 10 field offices throughout the state and cut the ribbon on offices in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint, Warren and Bloomfield Hills. Bloomberg scored an endorsement from U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Rochester Hills, who said he can beat Trump on economic issues. Stevens flipped Michigans 11th House District in 2018 and received $2.2 million from a political action committee Bloomberg funded. He also picked up endorsements from Wayne County Executive Warren Evans and the former mayors of several Michigan cities, including Lansings Verg Bernero, Flints Karen Weaver, Inksters Byron Nolen and Adrians Jim Berryman. The campaign held 30 voter contact events across Michigan last week. It already launched an outreach program targeting seniors and retirees and Bloomberg met with more than 50 mayors and ministers across the state during a February visit to Detroit. Bloomberg is self-funding his campaign, so he hasnt accepted donations from anyone in Michigan. FEC filings show no contributions for Bloomberg in 2019. Other candidates Billionaire activist Tom Steyer hasnt had much of a presence in Michigan. He hasnt held any public appearances and Steyers website lists no upcoming events in February. The campaign did not respond to a request for comment for this story. While Steyer hasnt stepped foot in the state, he spent $166,481 on Facebook ads targeting Michigan users during the last three months. Steyer has also purchased two political ads that ran in Michigan since November, according to a candidate tracker published by FiveThirtyEight. Steyer raised $1,967 from Michigan donors in 2019, according to FEC filings. No donor has given more than $250. U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, also hasnt campaigned in Michigan outside her appearance at last years Democratic debate in Detroit. Her campaign website lists no upcoming events in Michigan. Gabbards campaign could not be reached for comment. Gabbard raised $64,367 from Michigan donors in 2019, according to FEC filings. Notable donors include Manoj Bhargava, a Farmington Hills billionaire and GOP donor. As the opioid crisis continues across New Jersey, legislators and local communities are working to find solutions. Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg recently hosted the first screening of Fentanyl Factor, a documentary presented by the Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties to educate viewers about the role of fentanyl in the nationwide opioid crisis. The film is the third in a series of documentaries produced by the coalition to spread awareness of substance abuse. Over 200 were in attendance at the screening, which included a panel session featuring family members who starred in the film and a recovering former substance abuser. State Sen. Kip Bateman (R-16th), former Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III and Acting Prosecutor of Hunterdon County Michael Williams also served on the panel, which was moderated by Co-CEO of Prevention Resources, Inc., Karen Widico. 4 "Fentanyl Factor" The 20-minute film includes interviews with Hunterdon and Somerset families affected by the opioid epidemic, including both those who have lost loved ones as well as individuals in recovery. It also features interviews with local law enforcement officers and footage of a laboratory where drugs like fentanyl are tested. The documentary draws attention to the escalation of accidental overdose deaths throughout the state as a result of fentanyl being mixed with or being dealt in place of substances such as heroin, cocaine, and counterfeit prescription pills. According to Co-CEO of Prevention Resources, Inc., Lesley Gabel, the film has already garnered over 6,000 views and counting through both online sharing, support of local school systems, and a second screening at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of Americas 16th annual conference, held on Feb. 3 in Maryland. The film was primarily created to alert residents of the state to the fact that the families sharing stories of loss and addiction in the film could be any family, Gabel said. We created this film here because often our communities feel that these sorts of things do not happen in this part of the state, so we needed to take these national and state problems and bring them to a local level," Gabel explained. In the last year alone, 3,000 people died in the state of New Jersey due to use of fentanyl, according to Gabel. Building upon that statistic, Acting Prosecutor of Hunterdon County Michael Williams said that the number of people dying because of opioid abuse has quadrupled in less than a decade. Back in 2010, we had approximately two people a day dying of opioid overdoses in New Jersey. Skip ahead less than a decade ... its over eight people a day," Williams explained. Each year this decade, basically the equivalent of a small New Jersey town was lost during the opioid crisis. Here in Hunterdon County we can think of a West Amwell or a town of Clinton -- thats the kind of populations that have died just in New Jersey each year," he added. Gabel said that the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office became involved in the film, the producing of which began in spring of last year, extremely early on to help the filmmaking crew gain access to state laboratories and provided drug and fentanyl use statistics to supplement the documentary. To promote the documentary, Gabel and Williams also teamed up with Senator Kip Bateman (R-16), who in the past has sponsored legislation to grant immunity to witnesses of drug overdoses who contact law enforcement and to expand state drug courts in order to keep more substance abusers out of prison. Bateman has attended the documentarys multiple screenings and sent a link of the film to his fellow legislators and a number of his constituents. After we saw this film, Fentanyl Factor, we were so moved by it that we have sent the film to all the superintendents, all the schools in my legislative district, to have them show it, because thats the vulnerable population, obviously -- high schoolers, Bateman said. And we need to spread the word that even accidentally ... fentanyl is so strong that even just a couple specks the size of salt grains can actually kill you. Bateman described the reception to the film at the panel held last month as gut-wrenching. "Individuals had lost their children due to this fentanyl. So its bad, and we need more recovery centers, we need to educate the public, we need to educate the legislature on how deadly this is. Looking forward, Gabel expressed her hope that the film would not only diminish the stigmatization of drug addiction, but illustrate the lack of screening tools, medicated assistance recovery usage, and number of recovery centers available across the state. We need awareness, we need to reduce stigma around this disease, and we need a lot more resources to help those that are in recovery," Gabel said. Because unfortunately, as this film highlighted, almost all of them who were working in their recovery relapsed and lost their lives. Gabel also emphasized her desire that individuals in the states diversion programs showing early signs of substance abuse be required to watch the film. She added that she will continue to share the film with local medical communities, school systems, and places of worship. All these partners are great partners of ours (to) utilize as learning tools for young professionals or people that are working with opioids," Gabel said. Reflecting upon ways to best battle the epidemic, Williams said that he hopes the public is aware that the county Prosecutors Office does more than persecute crimes and put people in jail. Were also trying to be proactive, because if we could prevent a person who is in recovery (to relapse) or someone who has a substance use disorder -- we want to try to get them help before they get over to our side of the fence, Williams said. Gabel said that the coalition will weigh the impact of the film will through pre- and post-surveys circulated at screenings, and through monitoring its effect upon individuals in diversion programs and in drug courts. While Gabel, Williams, and Bateman all agreed that the the opioid epidemic continues to affect too many lives, whether or not the film is successful can be determined by its influence on one. If we save one life, its worth it, Bateman said. Individuals can view the documentary and learn more about opioids and local resources for battling against substance abuse at www.safecoalition.org/ff. Those interested in hosting a documentary screening accompanied by a discussion panel should contact Lesley Gabel at lgabel@njprevent.com. Prevention Resources, Inc. manages the staff and funding of the Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties. Funding for the film was provided by organizations including Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers; One Voice of Hunterdon County; Rotary Club of Clinton Sunrise; Rotary Club of North Hunterdon; Hunterdon County Partnership for Health; NJ Dept. Of Human Services Div. Of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Raritan Valley Community College, Hunterdon County Sheriff Fred Brown, the Flemington Police Department, New Jersey State Police, Deb Len of Central NJ GRASP, and the family of Harry Hillard also participated in the films creation and circulation. Fentanyl Factor was produced by Harry Hillard, a film professor at Raritan Valley Community College who passed away due to natural causes in fall 2019. Caroline Fassett can be reached at cfassett@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us.nj.com/tips Members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Friday staged a protest outside Shastri Bhawan here over the LPG price hike. The protest was led by IYC president Srinivas BV. The protesters demanded that the government should rollback the LPG cylinder price hike. State-owned oil marketing companies increased the prices of non-subsidised LPG cylinders to the tune of Rs 149 per cylinder from February 12. As a mark of protest, the IYC members also cooked food by using cow dung. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Express News Service KOCHI: Just as the state is coming to terms with the health scare caused by novel coronavirus, another virus is now posing a major threat, albeit to milch animals. Capripox virus or lumpy skin disease, which infected at least 265 animals in the district until now, has left dairy farmers here worried. However, Laiby Paulin, district animal husbandry officer, sought to allay fears saying the outbreak has been contained. The newer cases show only mild infection, she said. She said the disease was first reported at Valayanchirangara, seven km from Perumbavoor, on January 21. This is the first time the disease is being reported in the country. In the state, the disease was first reported from districts like Palakkad and Kozhikode in November last year, she said. A vector, biting fly (Stomyxos calcitrans), and mosquitoes transmit the disease endemic to African nations like Zambia. The mortality rate is between one to five per cent and the morbidity between 10 to 15 per cent, Laiby said. No cattle deaths have been reported from the district due to the disease, which damages hides and leads to loss of milk, abortion and sterility. Until now, the outbreak has affected cattle in 39 panchayats in the district and 3,500 doses of vaccines were provided, Laiby said. The disease starts with fever which lasts two to three days. Nodules measuring 2-5cm appear on the skin. When the infection becomes severe, pus forms in the nodules and causes pain, she said. To curb the spread of vectors that spread the disease, the department has recommended strict vector control. The trade and industry in this industrial region on Friday welcomed the Tamil Nadu budget for 2020-21 saying the allocation of over Rs 11,894 crore for the agricultural sector would benefit the farmers. President of the local chapter of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry V Lakshminarayanasamy thanked Chief Minister K Palanisami and Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam for presenting the budget without any new tax. It welcomed the allocation of Rs.500 crore for the Athikadavu-Avinashi irrigation scheme for which Environmental Clearance has been obtained and said Rs.11,894.48 crore for the farm sector which will boost agricultural activities and support the farmers. The chamber lauded the proposal for establishment of Agro Processing Clusters in eight Districts under Prime Minister Kisan Programme during 2020-21. The announcement for reduction in stamp duty for rental agreements under the new Tenancy Act and allocation of Rs. 200 crore for Labour Welfare and allocation of Rs.2,500 crore for industry development were also hailed by the chamber. However, it noted no funds had been allocated for implementation of Metro Rail project, a long felt need of Coimbatore. In a statement, Tirpur Exporters Association president, Raja M Shanmugham welcomed the Government decision for providing, Rs.1,224.25 crore for handlooms and textiles. Expanding the benefits available under Prime Ministers Employment Generation Programme and the Unemployed Youth Employment Generation Programme, enhancement of the existing project size limit of Rs.10 lakh to Rs.15 lakh and the eligible subsidy under the scheme will encourage thousands of budding entrepreneurs, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) LONDON Treasury chief Sajid Javid unexpectedly resigned on Thursday after resisting a reduction in his power, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson sought to tighten his grip on the government with a Cabinet shake-up. Javid had been widely expected to keep his job the second most powerful in the government as Johnson fired some Cabinet members and promoted more junior ministers to top jobs. He smiled as he entered the prime ministers 10 Downing St. office on Thursday 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. Britains Press Association news agency reported that Javid had resigned after being told to fire all his aides and replace them with staff appointed by the prime ministers office. The government quickly replaced him with Rishi Sunak. He was previously a deputy to Javid at the Treasury and is regarded as a dependable Johnson loyalist. Javids resignation follows 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 at the helm, said John McDonnell, finance spokesman for the opposition Labor Party. Javid had been due to deliver his annual budget in less than a month a crucial financial plan as the government tries to boost Britains economy in the wake of the countrys departure from the European Union last month. Johnsons government faces the challenge of negotiating a new relationship with the 27-nation European Union by the end of this year. Johnson also has ambitious infrastructure plans, including a $130 billion high-speed railway connecting London to central and northern England, and has vowed to boost poorer regions outside the economic hub of London and southeast England. The resignation was a curve ball in a Cabinet shake-up that was intended to tighten Johnsons grip on government after winning a big parliamentary majority in Decembers election. That victory allowed Johnson to take Britain out of the European Union last month, delivering on his key election promise. Jill Lawless is an Associated Press writer. The Trump administration has widened its war against the Chinese telecom giant Huawei with the announcement by the Department of Justice (DoJ) yesterday that it was bringing a series of new charges against the company. The move follows decisions by both the British and German governments earlier this month not to specifically exclude Huawei from the setting up of their 5G networks in the face of US demands they do so. [Credit: Flickr.com, A4-Nieuws] The new indictments by the DoJ add to the charges already laid against Huawei by the US in 2019 accusing it of financial fraud in relation to the breaking of unilateral sanctions imposed by the US on Iran and the theft of technology from T-Mobile. A statement issued by the DoJ said: The new charges in this case relate to the alleged decades-long efforts by Huawei, and several of its subsidiaries, both in the US and in the Peoples Republic of China, to misappropriate intellectual property, including from six US technology companies to grow and operate Huaweis business. The bringing of the new charges underscores the distinctive approach taken by the US state towards what are in essence commercial disputes. The stealing or misappropriation of intellectual property is as old as capitalism itself and there is hardly a major firm in the US, Japan, South Korea or elsewhere that has not advantaged itself in this way. In the recent period technology giants, including Apple, Qualcomm and Samsung have all been engaged in a series of lengthy court battles with each other over intellectual property theft. However, in the case of Huawei, starting with the extradition proceedings against its chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou who is being held in Canada, as well as other Chinese firms, the US is using the DoJ to bring criminal charges. This is a key component of the broader US objective to stymie the industrial and technological development of China which it regards as existential threat to American economic and military dominance. This campaign enjoys bipartisan support as indicated by a joint statement issued by Republican Senator Richard Burr, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on National Intelligence, and his vice chairman Democrat Senator Mark Warner on the DoJ decision. The indictment paints a damning portrait of an illegitimate organization that lacks any regard for the law, they said. Representatives of the Trump administration have been conducting a global campaign to have Huawei excluded from the installation of 5G networks above all by its so-called strategic allies, But apart from the exclusion of Huawei by Australia, this campaign has enjoyed little success, largely because the development of the new technology by Huawei is more advanced than its rivals and cheaper. The latest decision is clearly a response to the major setbacks in its anti-Huawei campaign in Britain and Germany. Earlier this month the Johnson Tory government in the UK announced it would allow Huawei to participate in the development of the countrys next generation cellular phone network despite strenuous opposition from senior members of the Trump administration claiming it would endanger national security and jeopardise the intelligence ties between the two allies. The Financial Times reported last week that Trump vented apoplectic fury against Johnson in a phone call following the British decision, which was taken against opposition from senior figures in the Tory party. A group of so-called Tory grandees have since written a letter to Johnson calling for a better solution to the development of the new network and insisting that the government exclude high-tech from untrusted, high-risk vendors. The major problem is, however, as British officials have noted, that the US cannot propose a viable alternative to equipment from Huawei. Their views have received confirmation from a somewhat unlikely source. Last week, US Attorney-General William Barr floated the possibility that US firms seek to obtain a controlling interest in the Scandinavian firms Nokia and Ericsson in order to compete with Huawei. Barr said it was all very well to tell our friends and allies they shouldnt install Huaweis, but whose infrastructure are they going to install? The same issue lies behind the German decision not to rule out participation by Huawei in the roll-out of the 5G network there. The fear in German ruling circles is that having been something of a laggard in the development of internet and communications technology, it will drop even further behind in the rollout of 5G technology if it falls in completely behind US demands. This week, after a protracted dispute over whether to allow Huawei to participate, the Merkel government adopted a strategy paper that sought to strike a compromise between the pro- and anti-Huawei camps. It said the government would ban untrustworthy companies deemed to be subject to state influence from taking part. But Huawei was not excluded outright as had been demanded by the US. The German government said companies would be considered trustworthy if they had a clearly defined security catalogue that excluded the possibility of a foreign state from exerting influence on the 5G network. Huawei has consistently denied it is subject to directives by the Chinese government and that it is a private company, making the point that one of the reasons for the US opposition is that it has backdoors operating in the networks of US companies that would be more difficult to install in Huawei gear. Those assertions received confirmation this week with the revelations that both the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) had been spying for five decades on governments around the world through the CIA-ownership of a Swiss firm that supplied encryption technologies. In 2015, WikiLeaks revealed that the NSA had spied on German government officials for many years and had tapped the phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel as well as targeting the phones of 125 top government officials. The issue has resurfaced in the conflict over US demands to ban Huawei. Last November, Germanys economy minister, Peter Altmaier, told a TV talk show that Germany had not imposed a boycott on US firms after the spying on Merkel was revealed and the US demanded from its companies that they pass on information deemed necessary to combat terrorism. The level of tensions over the Huawei issue was indicated by the furious response from the US ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell. He said the remarks were an insult to the thousands of American troops who help ensure Germanys security and there was no moral equivalency between China and the United States. The decision by the US to open new charges against Huawei indicates that, notwithstanding the phase one US-China trade deal signed last month, none of the underling conflicts have been resolved and that they are set to intensify. A new skate park in the Huerta Julian park in Rincon de la Victoria, which was officially opened last Saturday, has been named after Ignacio Echeverria, the 39-year-old Spanish man who lost his life during the London Bridge terrorist attack on 3 June 2017. Echeverria was hailed the "skate board hero" after trying to save a woman who was being stabbed by one of the terrorists. Tragically Ignacio was killed during the attack. Ignacio's parents, Joaquin and Ana, unveiled a plaque bearing their son's name. Malaga-born BMX world champion Ruben Alcantara, who designed the park, said he was "very happy" with the results. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 21:28:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- A number of world leaders have expressed their sympathies to and support for China's battle against the epidemic caused by novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro noted that China has adopted innovative measures to tackle the epidemic and has made enormous efforts to protect its people, which demonstrates the advantage of the Chinese system. He also expressed belief in China's final victory. Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi said that China's comprehensive and effective measures have not only protected its own people, but also foreign nationals, which fully displays a spirit of friendliness, kindheartedness, cooperation and coexistence. President of Tanzania John Magufuli expressed appreciation for the Chinese government in taking swift and forceful measures, and for the Chinese people's courage and resolution. Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte said the Chinese government and people have great courage and power, and he firmly believes that China will closely coordinate with the World Health Organization (WHO) to bring the epidemic under control. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressed appreciation for China's resolute and decisive measures to control and prevent the COVID-19, saying that her country is willing to provide assistance to China to win the battle against the virus. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stressed that the international community must continue to cooperate at this difficult and uncertain time, adding that his country is always ready to provide assistance to China. Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, speaking at the opening of the 33rd AU summit, extended sympathies to the Chinese people who are suffering from the COVID-19, and voiced full support for China's fight against the epidemic. Arab League (AL) Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the AL appreciates and supports China's great efforts in combating the COVID-19, adding that it believes China is capable of surmounting the challenge. Guyana, which holds the chair of the Group of 77 (G77), said the G77 fully supports the Chinese government's huge efforts in battling COVID-19, stressing that the international community should address the epidemic together in the spirit of responsibility, transparency, unity and cooperation, and avoid discrimination, stigmatization and misinformation. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking at the opening of a global forum on the disease, paid tribute to the Chinese people, praising them for showing courage and patience at this extremely difficult time. Vowing to stand together with the Chinese people, Tedros wished them early success and health. Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretary-General Vladimir Norov said the Chinese government and people have taken decisive and effective measures to combat the epidemic, pledging that the leaders of the SCO countries firmly and unconditionally support China's efforts. In addition, support and sympathies has also been expressed by the Republic of the Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso, Namibian President Hage Geingob, President of Gabon Ali Bongo Ondimba, King Letsie III of Lesotho, President of Slovenia Borut Pahor, President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado Quesada, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare, the executive director of the United Nations (UN) Population Fund, the chair of the UN Commission for Social Development, the president of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States, the executive secretary of the Southern African Development Community and the president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Over the past six months, executives at Hong Kong-based investment firm SC Lowy have been inundated with calls from bankers in China hoping to sell them distressed debt. That is a first in the 11 years since the $2 billion firm was established and underscores how China, after spending two decades trying to clean up bad debt by itself, is finally warming up to foreign capital. The recent phase one trade agreement with Washington paves the way for U.S. financial services companies to apply for asset management licenses that put them on par with their Chinese peers when it comes to buying distressed debt. Once an asset management license is granted, U.S. institutions can directly buy nonperforming loan portfolios from banks and bypass the Chinese companies that currently act as middlemen. Warnings are galore, too, with critics such as Republican U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida urging caution when it comes to buying soured Chinese loans. Republican U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, in a recent opinion column, urged caution when it comes to Wall Street buying distressed debt from China. AP Republican U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, in a recent opinion column, urged caution when it comes to Wall Street buying distressed debt from China. AP "A majority of Chinese nonperforming loans go to state-owned enterprises," Rubio wrote last month in an opinion piece for The New York Times. "In the past, when a Chinese bank struggled with financing nonperforming loans on its books, Beijing had to bail it out with Chinese money. But now, under this accord, American savings can do it." PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates China's nonperforming loans and other stressed assets at $1.5 trillion as at the end of 2019 and says the figure has yet to peak. Foreign players such as Oaktree Capital Management, Lone Star Funds, Goldman Sachs, Bain Capital, PAG and CarVal Investors have already moved into the market, and others such as Nomura Holdings and Deutsche Bank see it as an opportunity. Savills Research in a note said that purchase of bad-loan portfolios by foreign players nearly tripled in 2018 to 30 billion yuan from the previous year. That could increase further if investors get clarity on collateral management, pricing and legal recourse, analysts say. "The local liquidity in China is clearly drying up," said Soo Cheon Lee, SC Lowy's chief investment officer. "Over the last six months, we've received an increasing number of inquiries from brokers based in the mainland seeking our investment in distressed debt. This is a marked change for a market which over the past few years has tried to tackle the bad-debts challenge locally," he said. That approach has only delayed and multiplied the problem. Banks powered much of the economic expansion over the past few years, and regulators ignored loose lending as banks used the growth in loans to keep headline numbers in line with levels prescribed by regulators. But with a slowdown well underway, the challenges are fanning out. For the first time in two decades, authorities last year had to intervene and bail out lenders, with Baoshang Bank, Bank of Jinzhou and Hengfeng Bank all needing help. S&P Global Ratings said in a report late last month that more banks will need to be recapitalized, with China Bohai Bank, China Zheshang Bank and Shengjing Bank likely to come under more pressure. To compound the situation, Chinese financial institutions established over the past 20 years -- primarily with state support to relieve the pressure on banks -- simply do not have the capacity to keep a lid on bad debts. As banks two decades ago were struggling under the weight of bad debts that stood at a fifth of all loans, China set up asset management companies in 1999 to swallow up toxic assets from banks. What started as four centrally controlled asset management companies, or AMCs, back then has now mushroomed to 60. Most of those were set up post-2015, after the big four struggled to take on the bad-debt explosion from the five-year debt binge that Beijing relied on to stimulate the economy. Now, not even 60 are enough, and Chinese financial media reported in late December that authorities were setting up another national asset management company. But economists and analysts who have watched the bad debt scenario unravel over the past decade are not convinced that is the answer. "Opening a new AMC brings in capacity to the market at a time when NPL generation is surging and banks need to get rid of them," Sean Hung, senior analyst at Moody's, said. "However, a new firm will lack the 20-year expertise and data the big four have garnered. That takes time to build up." A hedge fund analyst who monitors China's banking sector said: "It's just not that the banks are saddled with bad debt -- the distressed debt market by itself is in duress." "I put a high probability of one or more countrywide AMCs -- either new ones or national status -- to be awarded to regional players," the analyst said. "Still, that won't be enough, and we need offshore funds to play a bigger role." Despite mounting bad debts, the rate of loan disposal by banks slowed last year, yet another indication of their inability to keep up the pace. They offloaded 2 trillion yuan ($286.8 billion) in soured assets in 2019, only a slight increase from a year earlier and compared with 1.4 trillion yuan in 2017, according to regulatory data. The asset management companies branched out into banking, leasing, securities, futures, trust services, insurance and shadow banking to boost their income, but that has caused trouble. The expansion into shadow lending and other investments has meant the big four are "facing their own bad debt issues, while also being exceptionally overleveraged with an asset-to-equity ratio of more than 900%," the hedge fund analyst said. "They are thus incapable of buying large pools of bank [nonperforming loans, or NPLs]. That kind of ratio is fine for a bank, but NPLs and excessive leverage go together like orange juice and toothpaste." What is more, the nonperforming loans they bought over the past two years are largely from stressed regional lenders. Such loans and the investment products are "highly illiquid" and generally take two to three years to generate a cash flow. As such, there are questions over whether their 5 trillion yuan balance sheets can meaningfully take on a bigger pile this year, the analyst said. Chinese commercial banks held a total of 2.37 trillion yuan of nonperforming loans as of September 2019, according to the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, up from 2 trillion yuan nine months earlier. Special-mention loans, or lending potentially at risk of becoming nonperforming, totaled 3.8 trillion yuan in September, up from 3.4 trillion yuan at the end of 2018. Nonperforming-loan ratios for commercial banks ranged between 0.83% for foreign banks to 4% for rural banks. However, that is just the headline data, with the devil in the details. Chinese commercial banks typically classify loans into normal, special-mention, substandard, doubtful and loss, and economists estimate the declared soured loan ratio is not reflective of reality. On an internationally comparable basis, analysts estimate the measure could be 6% on a conservative basis, with some putting the marker back at the 1997 high of 20%. "To put that in context, that [levels of over 6%] is comparable with NPLs the European banks were nursing post the European sovereign crisis in 2014," Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief Asia-Pacific economist at Natixis in Hong Kong, said. "So that number is not small, and with the economy slowing, it will be a challenge to absorb more NPLs and maintain bad debt ratios." Chinese banks are not as resilient as the numbers suggest, and some will require "sizable" recapitalization, S&P said in its report. Its findings were based on an analysis of stress tests carried out last year by the People's Bank of China on 30 of the country's largest banks, each with assets of at least 800 billion yuan. S&P said China's nonperforming loans remain highly sensitive to economic growth, even for sizable banks. As a result, the financial system remains vulnerable to a slowdown in China's economy, contagion and idiosyncratic risks, it said. China's economic growth, which slowed to 6.1% in 2019, is expected to deteriorate further this year due partly to the coronavirus outbreak. Economists' mean estimate for 2020 is now 5.4%. Reuters China's economic growth, which slowed to 6.1% in 2019, is expected to deteriorate further this year due partly to the coronavirus outbreak. Economists' mean estimate for 2020 is now 5.4%. Reuters China's economic growth, which slowed to 6.1% in 2019, the weakest in nearly three decades, is likely to slip further. Economists expect further deterioration, partly due to the coronavirus outbreak, with economists' mean estimate now at 5.4% for this year. That sharper-than-expected slowdown could further boost nonperforming loans, analysts say. Analysts estimate a new asset management company would be able to take up nonperforming loans that carry a face value of as much as 200 billion yuan in the first year. But that requires a generous capital infusion, with reserves set at a minimum of 8% to 9% of total assets. That would not be enough to solve the problem. Authorities are aware of the magnitude of the challenge, and that is why they are opening up the market to Wall Street, analysts say. SC Lowy says a market-driven resolution would be the answer, while Natixis says the size compared with 20 years ago when the asset management companies were first introduced means that a localized effort alone would not work. Chinese commercial banks typically sell portfolios of bad loans to the state sponsored asset management companies. These companies then try to resolve the debt by working with creditors or reselling them to domestic and foreign investors of China's banking system. Faced with capacity constraints, this model is struggling to keep pace. Sensing an opportunity, firms such as Bain Capital are setting up credit funds. Nomura Holdings over the past 24 months has steadily built up its China investment team to tap the markets. So far, foreigners have focused on distressed debt backed by properties, including hotels, warehouses and other commercial or residential buildings. They buy loans at a 30% to 50% discount, with the aim of buying loans at deep discounts to the properties' market value, then making a return of as much as 20% by selling the real estate. The portfolio aspirations are now changing. "After a long wait and several false starts over the years, banks and funds believe the time is now," an investment specialist at a global bank said. "Yields on all NPLs are attractive -- so is the risk, though. But it is time to move in as Chinese are also acknowledging they need the due diligence foreign capital applies." The banker, who is active in the market, suggests partnering with local law firms and accountants to buy and monitor the portfolio. He also recommends buying one or two nonperforming loans first to understand all the challenges that come with it, explain the risk and return profile to investors before jumping in. SC Lowy, for instance, plans to continue participating in the offshore market for Chinese debt instead of moving onshore for now. "The entry of more foreign funds with rich experience should help with the [bad debts] resolution," Michelle Lam, the greater China economist at Societe Generale in Hong Kong, said. "But foreign investors often face problems coming from legal, the collateral process, and its pricing. It is still early days, and more transparency and reform to facilitate the deal process will be needed to increase the attractiveness of the stressed loans." Nikkei The move by the New York Police Department against one of the citys biggest tabloids was unusual: It issued a subpoena demanding information about a New York Post reporters Twitter account and cited an antiterror law passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The legal maneuver has raised concerns that the department, the nations largest police force, is taking aggressive steps to control the medias coverage of the agency. The subpoena was issued Dec. 9, just days after Dermot F. Shea became police commissioner. Before his promotion, Commissioner Shea was the head of the departments detective bureau, where he had gained a reputation for being reluctant to release information to reporters. The subpoena sought internet service provider addresses, emails and other information affiliated with the Twitter account of Tina Moore, the chief police reporter for The Post. When you look at the impact (red-light cameras) have on safety in the village, there is a benefit, but its a slight benefit when you look at the public almost feeling abused by these things where theyre triggered so often that people look at it as a cash cow kind of thing, she said at a November board meeting. Theres other ways we could be safer. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 11:32 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20647c9a5 1 Business Pertamina-Hulu-Energi,Oil-and-gas-production,pertamina Free Upstream oil and gas company PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE) Offshore Southeast Sumatra (OSES) plans to start oil and gas exploration in the Thousand Islands, north of Jakartas coast, next month. Prior to the exploration, we will carry out several procedures, including informing residents living nearby the exploration area, PHE spokesperson Ifki Sukarya said in Jakarta on Thursday as quoted by Antara. The subsidiary of state-owned oil and gas holding company Pertamina met with officials of Thousand Islands regency and its regent, Murad Husein, to inform the relevant stakeholders on the matter. Efforts to disseminate information regarding the project will be gradually conducted. The PHE is set to announce the plan to residents of Kelapa Island subdistrict and other Thousand Island dwellers on Feb. 18 to 19, he added. We will inform residents so that they will know about [the exploration] and we will receive [public] support so that the drilling process can run smoothly, Ifki said. Last year, PHE Offshore North West Java (ONWJ) administered oil and gas exploration in Thousand Islands. According to previous The Jakarta Post reports, Pertamina spent hundreds of billions of rupiah to deal with a broken well at its ONWJ block due to a misfired explosion during the drilling of the YYA-1 oil well, in July last year. In September, the broken well caused a massive oil spill that affected nine islands in Thousand Islands regency. The Environment and Forestry Ministry estimated at that time that the spill would take as long as six months to clean up. (ydp) Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has ramped up pressure on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar by saying he would enter government formation talks with Fine Gael. Mr Martin's U-turn on talking to Fine Gael came after he ruled out Fianna Fail entering a coalition with Sinn Fein. However, the country is braced for weeks of uncertainty as Mr Varadkar will speak to Mr Martin only as a last resort. The Fine Gael leader will begin negotiations with Mr Martin only after Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein fail in their attempts to form a government. "If Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein fail in its negotiations then we will consider matters at that point," his spokesperson said. With talks set to go on for weeks, the spokesperson also revealed the Government would not be making any "major financial or policy decisions" until a new administration is formed. Tensions Mr Martin yesterday held a four-and-a-half hour meeting with his parliamentary party in a bid to ease tensions after a disastrous election campaign. He sought their permission to enter talks with all political parties apart from Sinn Fein. The proposal was supported by the majority of his party but concerns were raised by a group of TDs about doing a deal with Fine Gael. Asked on RTE's Six One whether a grand coalition was now in sight, Mr Martin said it would take a lot of work to create a programme for government. "Any government that's formed has to be sustainable. I believe a government should be formed," he said. "In terms of the future, I can't be certain how this is going to work. I wouldn't rule out another election because this is going to be so difficult." Mr Martin said each of the main parties will nominate leaders for taoiseach when the Dail returns next Thursday but none will succeed. "We won't get a resolution next Thursday," he said. However, he added that finding a new government shouldn't take 70 days like in 2016. Put to him that he was breaking his pre-election promises on coalition formation, Mr Martin said Sinn Fein had changed its position from two days ago. "Sinn Fein did say two days ago the last party they want in government is Fianna Fail and two days later I get a letter," he said. Yesterday, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said it would be "quite a challenge" for Fianna Fail to sign up to the "government of change" that she was proposing, but said there was an obligation on the party to consider the matter. After writing to Mr Martin to seek discussions, Ms McDonald said the position of Fianna Fail not to speak to Sinn Fein at all was "untenable". She also criticised efforts by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to form a grand coalition, saying it would be "a slap in the face to the Irish electorate". The Taoiseach's spokesperson said there was a responsibility on Sinn Fein to form a coalition with left-wing parties or with Fianna Fail and negotiate a "republican socialist programme for government" that "keeps the many promises they have made". "In the meantime, the Government will continue with its duties as required by the constitution and any major financial or policy decisions will be deferred until a new government is formed," he added. A Green Party source said that, while it will hold exploratory talks with all parties, it does not expect to see any substantial developments until next week. "The five main strands for us are how are we going to pay for it all, what are we going do on housing, how are we going to pay for Slaintecare, what are we going to do on climate change, and Brexit and the future of Europe," the source said. Nirbhayas mother and father at the Patiala House Court, in New Delhi on Thursday. (PTI) New Delhi: The Supreme Court, on Thursday, reserved its verdict on a plea by Vinay Sharma one of the four death row convicts in Nirbhaya case challenging the rejection of his mercy petition by President Ram Nath Kovind. Vinay Sharma has challenged the rejection of the mercy petition citing flaws including lack of procedural fairness while considering and rejecting the mercy petition. A bench comprising Justice R. Banumathi, Justice Ashok Bhushan, and Justice A.S. Bopanna reserved the order with solicitor general Tushar Mehta producing the entire record relating to Vinay Sharmas mercy petition demonstrating that there was no procedural infirmity and everything was followed to the last dot. Advocate A.P. Singh told the court that Vinay Sharma was ill-treated in the jail, was beaten up several times, subjected to indignities and torture by the jail staff and other jail inmates. The court rejected Mr Singhs plea that he may be permitted to peruse the file relating to Vinay Sharmas mercy petition. The court will pronounce its order on Friday (Feb. 14) and will also hear the Centres plea for separate hanging of three convicts Vinay, Akshay, and Mukesh who have already exhausted all the legal remedies, including mercy petition. The Centre and the Delhi government have approached the top court challenging the Delhi high courts judgment holding that all the four death row convicts in Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case will be executed together and not individually. Notice to the four convicts on Centre and Delhi governments plea for separate execution of death sentence was issued on February 11, 2020. A Delhi court, on 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 District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) as legal aid. 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. 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 that is decided in-chamber. He also has the option of filing a mercy plea. The court was hearing applications moved by Nirbhayas parents and the Delhi government, seeking fresh death warrants for the four convicts. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh returned from their private vacation in the early hours of Friday and were spotted together in a cheerful mood at the Mumbai airport. The two had shared a glimpse of their scuba diving session before they left for home. While Ranveer was seen in a white tee and denims, sans his Jayeshbhai Jordaar hairline moustache, Deepika was in an orange crop top and denims as they walked out hand in hand at the arrivals. The two were all smiles for the paparazzi who were ready to click them together. Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh at Mumbai airport. (Varinder Chawla) Deepika had started the his and her picture series to share updates of their romantic vacation with husband Ranveer on Instagram without giving out too much information. The actor had last shared a picture of two scuba diving kits and captioned it on Instagram, water babies...#his&hers. She also shared a picture of two plates of watermelon cut into triangular pieces and wrote in caption, We didnt even spare the watermelon! #his&hers #vacation. Pictures shared by Deepika Padukone from her and Ranveer Singhs vacation. Deepika had earlier shared a snap from their exotic vacation and wrote, twos company... #his&hers #vacation The beautiful frame had two bicycles parked in a shed captured amid soothing sunlight. On Sunday, she shared a picture of two umbrellas with a lovely caption that read, come sunshine or rain... #his&hers #vacation. Earlier, the Chhapaak actor had shared a photo of her and Ranveers passports and air tickets. His & Hers... #vacation, she captioned the photo. Deepika Padukone shared glimpses from her and Ranveer Singhs vacation on Instagram. Also read: Valentines Day: From Ranveer Singh-Deepika Padukone to Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas, how these couples complement each other The couple tied the knot in Lake Como, Italy in a traditional Konkani ceremony on November 14, 2018, while a Sindhi wedding was organised the next day, both of which were attended by close-knit relatives of the duo. While Deepika last appeared as an acid attack survivor in Chhapak, Ranveer wrapped up the shooting of his next, Jayeshbhai Jordaar before taking off for their intimate holiday. The two will now be seen together in Kabir Khans 83, set to hit theatres on April 10. Follow @htshowbiz for more The economy of New York is the third-largest economy in the United States after California and Texas with a GDP of $1.7 trillion. Although the state covers only 1% of the US total area, it accounts for about 8% of the nations GDP. Midtown Manhattan in New York is the worlds largest central business district. New York Citys GDP is expected to rise to $2.5 trillion by 2035, placing it ahead of Tokyo which is currently the worlds richest city. New York has about 103 billionaires, more than any state. If the state were a separate country, it would be the worlds 12th largest economy. Its GDP is comparable to that of neighboring Canada and slightly smaller than Brazil. Here are some of the countries with a bigger GDP than New York. China China is one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world. The countrys economy is currently the second largest in the world with a GDP of $13.5 trillion after the United States ($21.4 trillion). New Yorks economy is almost eight times that of China in terms of GDP. The economy of China is the largest in the world by PPP ($27.3 trillion). Although Chinas economy is much larger than that of New York, no single region or city in the country can compare to the US state. The economy of China is majorly supported by the private sector which accounts for 60% of the GDP and responsible for most innovations and urban employment. Japan Japan is a highly developed country with the third-largest economy in the world by GDP after the US and China. According to the 2019 estimates, the East Asian country had a GDP of $5.1 trillion, three times more than that of New York. Japans developed economy is the second-largest after the US. Tokyo, which is the nations capital, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, boasting of a GDP of about $2 trillion. Japans economy is supported by high innovation and manufacturing activities. It is one of the largest importers and exporters and runs on an annual trade surplus. Germany Germany is one of the four countries in Europe with larger economies than New York. The economy of Germany is the largest in Europe and the fourth-largest in the world with a GDP of $4 trillion. In 2018, Germany accounted for 28% of the economy of the euro area. Its economy is supported by the large export, abundant natural resources, and large industries. The country is one of the biggest exporters globally, exporting goods and services worth $1,448 billion in 2017. Germany is a leading location for trade fairs, with two in three leading trade fairs taking place in the country. United Kingdom The United Kingdom has a highly developed and market-oriented economy. The nations economy is the 5th largest by GDP at $2.8 trillion. The UKs GDP accounts for 3.3% of the Gross World Product compared to New Yorks GDP which accounts for 2% of the GWP. The economy of the UK is one of the most globalized because of the high imports and exports. The economy is dominated by the service sector, which contributes about 80% of the GDP. London, the second-largest financial center in the world after New York, contributes 22% of the UKs GDP. France The economy of France is the 7th largest by nominal GDP and the 10th largest by PPP. The country has a highly diversified and developed economy which is slightly larger than the economy of New York. With a GDP estimate of $2.7 trillion, the economy of France is the second largest in the EU after Germany. The countrys key sectors are the chemical industry, tourism industry, and financial services. France is a member of the OECD, with the organization headquarters located in Paris. India The economy of India is the second-largest in Asia. The nations economy is categorized as a developing market economy. Indias GDP estimate as of 2019 was $2.6 trillion, making it the worlds 7th largest economy and ranking it slightly above New York. The countrys average annual GDP growth rate has been 6-7% and was the fastest-growing major economy between 2014 and 2018. India accounts for 3% of the global manufacturing output (6th largest in the world). The service sector is the fastest-growing sector of the economy and accounts for 56% of the national GDP. Italy The economy of Italy is the 3rd largest in the European Union after Germany and France and the 8th largest in the world by GDP. The countrys GDP ($2.1 trillion) accounts for about 2.5% of the worlds GDP which currently totals $84.8 trillion. Italy is one of the worlds largest exporters (8th largest), with major trading partners including Germany, France, the US, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK. The country has the third-largest gold reserve in the world and is one of the leading manufacturers and exporters in the EU. Brazil Brazil is the only South American country with a larger economy than New York. The economy of Brazil is the largest in Latin America and the 9th largest in the world with a GDP of $1.9 trillion, about $0.2 trillion more than the GDP of New York. The countrys GDP per capita of about $8,967 is the 73rd largest in the world. Brazil is naturally endowed with about $22 trillion worth of natural resources including gold, timber, and iron. The service sector is the largest contributor to the GDP at 67% followed by the service industry at 27.5%. Agriculture contributes about 6% of the GDP and accounts for 10% of the countrys total workforce. Canada With a nominal GDP of $1.73 trillion, the economy of Canada is more or less equal to that of New York. The countrys economy is the third-largest in the whole of the Americas after the US and Brazil and the worlds 10th largest by GDP. Canada has a highly globalized economy and one of the top ten trading nations. It has the third-largest proven petroleum reserve and the 4th largest exporter of the product. Natural resources in Canada are valued at $33 trillion (2016). The economy of Canada is dominated by the service sector which accounts for about 75% of the total workforce. Users of various social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, TikTok, etc. will have to reveal their identities if the Indian government asks them to, Bloomberg has reported. This will be in line with a new set of rules, for social media companies and instant messaging apps, expected to be published later this month. The requirement for users to reveal their identities comes when governments of nations across the world are trying to hold social media firms accountable for the content that goes out on their platforms, vis-a-vis fake news, child porn, and terrorism related content. However, as per the report, Indias new guidelines will be tighter than most countries, requiring blanket cooperation with government inquiries, without the need of a warrant or judicial intervention. In December 2018, India had proposed these guidelines and asked for comments on them from the public. The Internet and Mobile Association of India, a consortium which includes Facebook, Amazon and Google as its members, responded to the proposal saying the requirements "would be a violation of the right to privacy recognised by the Supreme Court". Yet, a government official privy to the matter told the publication, that the IT Ministry will publish the new rules later this month without major changes. An earlier draft of this proposal directs social media platforms to trace the origins of a request within 72 hours of a request. The companies would also have to preserve their records for 180 days in order to help government investigators. The rules covered encompassed all social platforms. Of the 1.3 billion people in India, about 500 million are on the internet, the report has pointed out. However, it isnt immediately clear if identities of foreign users would come under the governments scrutiny. WhatsApp alone boasts of 400 million Indian users, whose privacy, the platform claims, will not be compromised. For most of us, tipping around the world is an awkward exercise, whether it be taxi drivers, in restaurants or the staff in our hotel. But we have only ourselves (or our ancestors) to blame. For the tip originated way back in Tudor England, when it became the norm for overnight guests staying in private homes to leave vails, or a small sum of money for the servants who had attended them. Since then, although we may have become fairly accustomed to the 12.5 per cent extra often added to a restaurant bill here in the UK, tipping and gratuities elsewhere are a cultural minefield of small change and (potentially) huge offence. So take a tip from us: heres how it works in a few popular holiday destinations . . . A graphic showing a guide to tipping in 10 popular tourist destinations around the world United States Cash is still much more widely used here than it is in credit, debit and contactless card-saturated Europe. Be sure to have a decent range of one, two, five and ten dollar bills on you at all times. Its worth noting that restaurant and bar staff really do work for tips in the U.S, with wages as low as 5.50 an hour hence why a 15 per cent tip is absolutely obligatory to your waiter, with as much as 20 per cent expected in the smartest restaurants. Taxi drivers expect 15 per cent, but round it up to 20 per cent if they help with your luggage. At a hotel, leave a couple of dollars a day for housekeeping and tip the same to room service and the hotel porter and concierge if they have helped with bags or a booking. Japan If youre against the entire practice of tipping, then welcome to your happy place. Most Japanese restaurants require customers to pay for their meals at the front register, rather than leave money with waiters. In Japan, most restaurants require customers to pay for their meals at the front register, rather than leave money with waiters The only possible exception to the no tip rule that applies across Japan is if you have a personal tour guide who does an exceptionally good job. But if you do decide to tip (no more than 10 per cent of the cost of the service would be appropriate), dont simply pull some yen out of your wallet because this is considered crass. Put the bills into an envelope (preferably a decorative one) and hand it discreetly to your guide, giving a slight bow. South Africa Tipping culture in South Africa is similar to the UK in almost all regards except two. First is the car guard. If youre parking on the street in a major city such as Cape Town or Durban, then it is almost certain that someone in a high-vis jacket will direct your car into place. Sometimes these guards are employed by the City, and sometimes they are informal and self-appointed. The custom, however, is that when you return, you should always tip somewhere between five and ten rand (25p-50p). Also, almost all petrol stations have attendants who will fill up your vehicle with fuel while you stay in the car. Again, a tip of around five to ten rand is expected for this service. Dubai If a restaurant that is not attached to a hotel adds a service charge to your bill in Dubai (or Abu Dhabi), they are breaking the law it was banned more than ten years ago, deemed to be against consumer protection laws. Tipping is not expected, but is, naturally, always appreciated by waiting staff and taxi drivers. During Ramadan there is a custom to tip more generously. And, its worth remembering that any poor service during this time may be down to fatigue, because your tour guide or waiter will have been fasting all day. The tip originated way back in Tudor England, when it became the norm for overnight guests staying in private homes to leave vails, or a small sum of money for the servants who had attended them Australia Comparatively high wages for workers in the service and hospitality sectors, plus service charge being included in restaurants and cafe bills, makes tipping a rare act for most Australians so dont feel that you have to leave a gratuity anywhere. However, they are appreciated by tour guides and most waiters. In Australia, a tip is considered more of a thank you for excellent service rather than an obligation. Thailand Youll never be expected to tip a street-food vendor in Thailand but, when youre in sit-down cafes or restaurants, a small tip is expected simply round up your bill to the nearest ten baht (25p). Bangkok is notorious for having taxi drivers who dont use their meter. If you do find yourself in a cab where the driver is using one then, again, round your fare up to the nearest ten baht as a thank you. If the meter is off, be sure to get a quote before the journey begins. Maldives Despite the Maldives having its own currency (the rufiyaa) tipping in U.S. dollars is the norm Despite the Maldives having its own currency (the rufiyaa) tipping in U.S. dollars is the norm. If 10 per cent is added to your bill in your resort restaurant its far from certain that your waiter will actually receive it, so try to leave your tip in cash. Also be aware that the infrastructure of the Maldives, where resorts are always built on uninhabited islands, means that resort workers are often away from their families for months at a time. A little extra on top of the generally low wages they receive can make a huge difference. Czech Republic Tipping appears to be in a state of transition in the Czech Republic, particularly in Prague, with the traditional trend of merely rounding up the bill to the nearest ten crowns (33p) being slowly usurped (mainly thanks to increased tourism from Western Europe) by the habit of giving a 10 per cent tip in restaurants. Its worth noting that being a waiter is one of the worst-paying jobs in the Czech Republic (they earn on average around 4.50 an hour) and, although its unlikely a waiter will complain if you merely round up the bill, leaving a little extra is probably expected if youre a tourist. [February 14, 2020] CPI AEROSTRUCTURES ALERT: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Is Investigating CPI Aerostructures, Inc. on Behalf of Stockholders and Encourages Investors to Contact the Firm Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized shareholder law firm, is investigating potential claims against CPI Aerostructures, Inc. (NYSE: CVU) on behalf of CPI stockholders. Our investigation concerns whether CPI has violated the federal securities laws and/or engaged in other unlawful business practices. Click here to participate in the action. On February 14, 2020, CPI announced that its financial statements for fiscal year 2018, the last three quarters of 2018, and the first two quarters of 2019 should no longer be relied upon due to errors in those financial statements relating to the Company's recognition of revenue from contracts with customers under ASC (News - Alert) Topic 606. In addition, the Company announced that investors should no longer rely upon the independent auditor's reports on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting for the year ended December 31,2018, as well as management's reports on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, press releases, and investor communications describing the Company's financial statements for such these periods. The Company also announced the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer. On this news, CPI's share price dropped sharply, to close at $4.87 per share. If you purchased or otherwise acquired CPI shares and suffered a loss, have information, would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Melissa Fortunato or Marion Passmore by email at [email protected], or telephone at (646) 860-9156, or by filling out this contact form. There is no cost or obligation to you. About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York and California. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005531/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The district felt that greater understanding of transgender identity had advanced for the better within our immediate communities and in society, and that it was time, said the districts statement, which touched on the recent policy change as well as the settlement. Total legal costs for the combination of complaints fall slightly below $500,000. To spare further expense and use of resources, and since both parties endorse the policy that provides for the access sought in the original complaint, the district agreed to settle and resolve this legal dispute. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 08:33:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Staff members work in a laboratory in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Xiong Qi) Epidemic prevention and control in Hubei Province, particularly in the capital city of Wuhan, remain the top priority, said Premier Li Keqiang. 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. A medical team member poses for a photo before leaving for Xianning City of Hubei Province at Changshui International Airport in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Feb. 12, 2020. (Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao) 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. KALAMAZOO, MI The Kalamazoo City Commission will discuss proposed ordinance changes meant to address structural racism and inequality in housing, including banning landlords from discriminating against potential renters based on arrests or convictions, among other changes. A work session on the topic will be held beginning at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, in the Community Room at Kalamazoo City Hall, 241 W. South Street. No action is scheduled for the upcoming meeting, and the Kalamazoo City Commission would have to approve the changes before they take effect. The proposal would update Chapter 18 of the Kalamazoo Code of Ordinances, which addresses community relations and discrimination, to eliminate blanket housing rejections for any demographic. Among the changes proposed would be new protections for people using housing vouchers or county identification cards, as well as those who have previously been incarcerated, according to a news release from the city. Additionally, rental housing application fees would be regulated and a civil rights board would be established to review contested cases of discrimination that would come under the purview of the ordinance. It is necessary to address access and barriers to rental housing, Kalamazoo Vice Mayor Patrese Griffin said in a prepared statement. Too often the conversation is only about affordability and not on the reality that even people who have jobs, income, or housing subsidies are still being denied access. This will also help to ensure that landlords and property managers are abiding by applicable ordinances and treating all renters fairly. Griffin, who was elected vice mayor in 2019, said she is introducing the proposal. The change to ban discrimination based on convictions is meant to make landlords look at other factors beyond just the conviction, and stop landlords from using blanket policies to deny people based on convictions. Its really about giving them a chance to show they could be a viable resident, Griffin said. It would not require landlords to rent to people with convictions, Griffin said. It doesnt eliminate the landlords ability to screen tenants, its intended to decrease a landlords opportunity to discriminate, Griffin said. A portion of the proposed ordinance reads: No person shall use any criminal history information, other than convictions contained in a conviction record, to deny an individual any aspect of housing. An individuals conviction record may only be used to deny the individual any aspect of housing if the landlord considers an applicants conviction record on a case-by-case basis, using objective criteria, and taking into account such factors as evidence of rehabilitation or other mitigating factors, the length of time since conviction, the severity of a criminal conviction, the relevance of the conviction to housing, and any circumstances surrounding the conviction relating to disability or domestic violence. This provision shall not bar a landlord from considering criminal conduct occurring on the premises of the landlords property, regardless of whether that conduct resulted in conviction. Another part of the proposal reads: Regarding applicants and their household members, a landlord may base an adverse action in whole or in part on directly-related convictions that have a direct and specific negative bearing on the safety of persons or real property, given the nature of the housing, and includes one or more of the following: (1) Any conviction where State or federal law prohibits the applicant from being eligible for public housing; or (2) Any conviction that leads to the applicant becoming a lifetime registered sex offender. Read all of the proposed changes here (shown in red text) The changes are meant to de-concentrate areas of poverty, or areas where people are forced to live no other option, and creating a healthy housing flow, Griffin said. Griffin, whose family was once forced out of its home because it became condemned due to an electrical issue, said she has seen the housing issues in Kalamazoo firsthand. The conversation is often about building more housing, but more has to be done than just building, she said. I knew if we didnt address the barriers people have to get into housing it wouldnt matter if we built more," she said. The proposed ordinance is a collaboration between several community partners with expertise and firsthand experience in these areas, including the Interfaith Strategy for Advocacy and Action in the Community (ISAAC), and Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Kalamazoo. At ISAACs 2018 public meeting, elected officials and public leaders in attendance agreed that updates were needed to address these issues and committed to supporting these changes, according to the citys news release. Griffin said the proposal has been in the works for about a year and a half. The public is invited to give additional input a the work session, she said. Griffin pointed out that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also has a policy in place that bans discrimination based on convictions or arrests. Kalamazoo City Attorney Clyde Robinson said convictions such as drug use, drug manufacturing, fraud, property destruction, sexual offenses requiring a person to be on the sex offender registry, and others could be the basis for an application denial, if a landlord also considers the totality of the applicant and the other factors of the housing being rented. Robinson said a landlord would be required to consider each case, giving an example of a person applying for housing who is required to register on the sex offender registry because the person, as a 16-year-old, had a relationship with a 15-year-old that led to a conviction. But is that person really a threat to your other tenants? Probably not, he said. However, a landlord may not want a person convicted of window-peeping or pedophilia to live in housing units, he said. The proposal states the city managers office or its designee would investigate complaints. It would create a civil rights board that would have the last word on the city process to determine a resolution or if someone is in violation of the ordinance, Robinson said. The boards purpose is to eliminate practices, policies and procedures that have a discriminatory effect, the proposal states. If youre discriminating on the basis of criminal history, that can have a disparate impact on minorities because they can find themselves in the dragnet of the criminal justice system, Robinson said. Violations under the ordinance would remain a civil infraction, and the maximum penalty would be increased from $500 to $2,000, plus all costs of enforcement. Each day a violation occurs shall constitute a separate and new violation under the proposal. There would be an appeal process available through Circuit Court, Robinson said. ISAAC Executive Director Dr. Charlae Davis said, We developed these ordinances using powerful local voices and testimonies directly from those most impacted by inequity." In 2018, the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) awarded an innovation fund grant to community organizations in Kalamazoo through the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR). The grant-funded community engagement and data collection to better understand housing issues in the Kalamazoo area, and the engagement from the GARE work strongly supports the concerns addressed in this ordinance. The partner organizations include the city of Kalamazoo, MDCR, ISAAC Kalamazoo Housing Task Force, Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan, and the TRHT initiative hosted by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, according to the city. If adopted, this would be the first major change to address housing issues in Kalamazoo since gender identity and sexual orientation were added as local protections in 2009, according to the city. Homelessness and affordability are central to the dialogue around housing in our community, but a key issue related to this is discrimination, TRHT Kalamazoo Director Sholanna Lewis said in a prepared statement. If we dont address these systemic issues, people in our community will continue to be at risk of experiencing homelessness and housing instability. The current ordinance prohibits discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, marital status, physical or mental disability, family status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. This proposal would expand protections to include educational affiliation, source of income, status as a victim of domestic violence, personal identification method, prior arrests, or conviction record. Under the proposal, application fees would be limited to actual costs of conducting a background check, and vouchers or housing subsidies would be considered income for purposes of income verification. More: Landlord Resource Fair aims to increase housing access in Kalamazoo County $15M affordable housing complex in Kalamazoo gets state funding The father and brother of a British volunteer fighting against ISIS in Syria have appeared in court charged with terrorism offences after allegedly sending him 150. A small group of protesters gathered at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on Friday after Paul Newey, 49, and Samuel Newey, 19, were charged with illegally assisting Daniel Newey. Paul was accused of funding terrorism, even though Daniel's Kurdish-led military unit was backed by Britain and trained by the SAS. After the defeat of ISIS, the Kurdish units have now found themselves in conflict with Turkish forces. The father and brother (pictured, Samuel Newey, 19) of a British volunteer fighting against ISIS in Syria have appeared in court charged with terrorism offences after allegedly sending him 150 'ISIS fighters get to come home and settle back down no problem,' Mr Newey said last night. 'Yet my son and me are treated like terrorists. The UK has got its priorities all wrong.' Mr Newey, wearing a Barbour-style quilted jacket and dark trousers, pleaded not guilty to sending 150 to his 27-year-old son, knowing or reasonably suspecting that the money would or may be used for terrorism. Mr Neweys younger son, Samuel, who appeared beside him in court wearing a blue suit, was not asked to enter pleas relating to a charge of engaging in conduct to assist his older brother. Front line: Dan Newey with a YPG comrade in 2017. His Kurdish-led military unit was backed by Britain and trained by the SAS Security officers had to be called to the courtroom after one demonstrator got into an argument with a West Midlands Police officer before the short hearing on Friday. The two men, from Solihull in the West Midlands, were bailed to appear at the Old Bailey next Friday. Dan Newey, who had no previous military experience, gave up his job as an insurance salesman in 2017 to join the YPG, a Kurdish-led army based in Syria which, at the time, was leading the international military coalition against the threat of ISIS. A year later, he returned to Britain and was put on a Home Office watchlist. But two months ago he went back to fight with the YPG for a second time. Paul Newey, 49, is accused of funding terrorism for sending his son 150 and was arrested at his flat in Solihull Britain's backing for the organisation and the efforts of its UK volunteers helped to bring down ISIS's murderous caliphate. However, a recent chain of international political events means that Dan and other British YPG volunteers are now fighting not against ISIS but against Turkey which remains an ally of the UK and a member of the Nato defence alliance. Speaking of his arrest at his flat in Solihull, West Midlands, earlier this month, Mr Newey, who requires constant medication, said: 'I was asleep when I heard this frantic banging on the front door and non-stop buzzing on the intercom.' Bengaluru: The Bengaluru police have categorically said they have CCTV evidence that Mohammed Nalpad, son of Congress MLA SA Haris, was indeed driving the Bentley when it ran crashed into a motorcycle and then an autorickshaw on Frebruary 9. The accident left four people including a six-year-old child, injured. Nalpad denied he was at the wheel when the car careened out of control. The Sadashivanagar traffic police, who are investigating the case, have collected CCTV footage from throughout the stretch of the Kempe Gowda International Airport (KIAL) road. Sources said the footage shows the vehicle travelling on airport road. Police say they have clinching evidence of Nalpad driving the car. Joint commissioner B R Ravikanthe Gowda stated, There may be doubts about this (Nalpads role in the accident) in sections of the media, but we dont have any doubts., Because of his involvement in the accident, notice has been issued to him and investigation will continue in the right direction. A day after the accident, Nalpad appeared before the cops with his advocate to obtain station bail, and spoke to the media. He pleaded not to be called a goonda and emphasized that that he was not driving the Bentley when the accident happened. However, sources in the police maintained that, as the investigation progresses, his role will come out. In an earlier case, Nalpad was arrested and spent 116 days in prison before obtaining bail. Seniors are an important part of Canadas social fabric and now, thanks to a new initiative from Dals College of Continuing Education (CCE), seniors are going to be given even more opportunities to contribute to Canadas future. Monday (February 10), the Honourable Deb Schulte, the federal Minister of Seniors, announced an investment of more than $3.4 million in funding through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) for a project led by CCE that will help increase social inclusion of seniors in New Glasgow, Truro and Kentville. In collaboration with its partners, CCE is working to implement a mentoring program called Mentoring Plus that will encourage intergenerational connections. Through this initiative, seniors will be able to share their skills and knowledge about their careers and life experiences with youth and young adults, with special emphasis on those that are unemployed and underemployed. Acting as mentors, seniors will help Nova Scotia youth explore possible career paths while becoming more connected to and engaged in their communities. The Government of Canada is empowering seniors by investing in opportunities where they can benefit from and contribute to their communities, said Minister Schulte in a release. This project will allow seniors to share their knowledge and connect with younger generations. It is important to recognize and value the contribution and experience of seniors in our society. Projects like this one will not only increase seniors social inclusion and well-being, and also allow them to make a meaningful impact in their communities. Cross-generational connections Seniors are the fastest-growing demographic group in Canada. By 2037, the number of seniors will reach 9.6 million, representing close to one quarter of Canadas population. In Nova Scotia, seniors currently represent 20 per cent of the population, but in rural towns like New Glasgow, Truro and Kentville, that number is in the rage of 35-40%. And when seniors become more socially isolated, they are at greater risk of health concerns and often enter residential care sooner. Mentoring Plus combats senior social isolation by providing an opportunity for seniors to become involved in meaningful activities within their community sharing their skills and knowledge about their careers and life experiences with youth of a variety of age groups and backgrounds. The program was initially piloted in New Glasgow, Truro and Kentville and now, with federal funding, will expand its operations in those communities for full implementation over a four-year period. The Mentoring Plus initiative utilizes the vast knowledge and expertise of Nova Scotias large senior population to help young adults explore and connect to career paths, said Dal President Deep Saini in a release. With the support of the New Horizons for Seniors Program, we can implement this program in three communities and help support young people at a critical point in their career while also facilitating meaningful and robust social interactions for seniors. Former State Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell leaves the Stout Center for Criminal Justice surrounded by family and supporters last month after pleading guilty to stealing from her nonprofit, Motivations Education & Consultation Associates. Read more Clout delivers a good news/bad news scenario today. The good news: Former State Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrells life story will be performed as a play next month at the Rotunda, a theater space in University City. The bad news: She wont get to see it, because she is in jail. Johnson-Harrell reported last week to the Riverside Correctional Facility to serve at least three months of a 11- to 23-month sentence after pleading guilty last month to theft, tampering with public records, and perjury. From Tragedies to Triumphs: The Movita Johnson-Harrell Story takes the stage for two back-to-back performances on Friday, March 13. Johnson-Harrell is a big fan of the production, promoting it on her Facebook page up until the day before she reported to jail. She emphasized the $20 tickets were to raise money for gun-violence prevention, a personal cause since her son was murdered in 2011. They are not looking to make money, Johnson-Harrell said of the plays producers on Facebook on Feb. 5. They want to bring awareness and get people engaged. She also posted a picture on Jan. 28 of her meeting the cast during rehearsals and on Jan. 31 again asked people to purchase tickets. People that know me know that contrary to the rhetoric I am a giver not a taker, said the former legislator from West Phillys 190th District. I am asking everyone that knows me to buy a ticket for this play. A grand jury impaneled by the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office accused Johnson-Harrell of stealing more than $500,000 from a nonprofit she founded, spending the money on vacations, designer clothes, fur coats and personal bills. READ MORE: CLOUT EXTRA! Theres a new Trump Store in the suburbs for supporters who wouldnt dare wear one of these shirts in Philly If this were a musical, the lead song would be, Dont Cry for Me, West Philadelphia. Producer Brian King said the play has been in the works for more than two years and he had no idea Johnson-Harrell was in legal jeopardy until just before the charges were announced. What I know of Movita, I think she should still be honored, he said. I didnt give it a second thought. I told her it would still go on. King, who hired writer Dorothy Harris to produce the script, confirmed that the plays proceeds will go to a gun violence prevention program, though he does not currently have an arrangement for that with any specific program. I just know every dollar is going to gun violence, he said. Harris said she was unfamiliar with Johnson-Harrells work before being hired to write the play but joined her in the meeting with the cast. They were excited to meet her, Harris said. She told them a little bit about her story and how she plans to be an activist when she gets out. READ MORE: CLOUT EXTRA! The U.S. attorney in Philly compared Jim Kenney and Larry Krasner to slaveholders and civil rights opponents Pollster: How do you feel about magazines for hipster Marxists? We told you former South Philly ward leader Nikil Savals Democratic primary challenge to State Sen. Larry Farnese would be a clash between new Philadelphia and old Philadelphia. Then came the pollsters, calling last week from Farneses camp, pushing and testing negative information about Saval. For instance, did voters know Saval founded a magazine for hipster Marxists?" Two Saval supporters fielded the calls and gave Clout the download. The poll started in a traditional manner, asking about political knowledge and voting history. But then it swerved, asking if voters knew that Saval, a magazine writer, had started a dark money group." Thats an apparent reference to Reclaim Philadelphia, the group he co-founded with fellow 2016 Bernie Sanders staffers. Reclaim has a nonprofit arm that posts financial information online and a political action committee that discloses donors and how the money is spent. The pollster also suggested Saval is fomenting tension among Democrats at a time when they should be unifying to defeat President Donald Trumps bid for a second term. Saval, who sees this as a push poll" a negative messaging effort masquerading as an opinion survey notes that he helped increase Democratic voter turnout during his time as the 2nd Ward leader. Dan Siegel, a political consultant for Farnese, said the campaign has no interest in or need for push polls. Its not useful for us, he said. If there is polling in the field, it is for actionable data, not to move numbers in the polling. The curious case of that push poll about U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle Speaking of polls, a Clout fan alerted us to a push poll that he thought came from the Democratic primary campaign of Salem Snow, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyles bid for a fourth term in Philadelphia. The poll, our tipster said, was a robo-call from TPC Research, using a phone number with a Pittsburgh area code. The poll knocked Boyle for taking contributions from special interests and touted Snow as the true progressive in the race. That matches Snows campaign messaging. But Snow, via Twitter messages, said he had nothing to do with the poll. We havent heard of this company until your inquiry, said Snow, who declined a formal interview. Snow found time to tweet last week about media outlets seeking to report on him. A little history there: He was registered to vote in Philadelphia under a former name from March 2016 to October 2019, then legally changed his name to Salem Snow last September and entered the race in November. Anthony Bellmon, a Boyle campaign spokesman, called his boss a tireless worker who has the support of every major progressive organization and said he "looks forward to running for re-election on his strong record. Roh Tae-moon, Samsung Electronics' mobile chief, previews the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G during the Galaxy Unpacked 2020 event at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, Calif., the United States, Feb. 11. EPA-Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul Industry experts anticipated that offline smartphone sales would dwindle due to coronavirus concerns, keeping consumers home rather than in stores. Yet, Samsung and LG said Friday the virus will have a "limited" impact on their 5G mobile businesses. The assumption is based on findings and observations by top-tier investment banks that the magnitude of the impact won't be as big as predicted because the ramp is backed loaded to start with. "Even in the worst-case scenario, we don't believe the outbreak of COVID-19 will have a major impact on our 5G mobile and relevant equipment businesses. The Chinese 5G smartphone market will be hit; however, there will be more 5G handsets in the latter half of this year," an official at Samsung Electronics said by telephone. The official added Samsung plans to promote 5G smartphones using online channels focusing on China. Because China accounts for 25 to 30 percent of the total global smartphone market, the company may experience lower-than-expected returns a reduction of 6 to 7 percent due to the outbreak of the virus, according to estimates by major investment banks. 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. Boris Johnson has increased the proportion of cabinet ministers from privately educated backgrounds, with nearly two-thirds of his top team having attended a fee-paying school. Despite boasting he would put together a cabinet to truly reflect modern Britain when he entered Downing Street, members of his top team are nine-times as likely to have been privately educated than the general population. The research comes after the unexpected resignation of chancellor Sajid Javid, who attended a comprehensive school, in protest at Dominic Cummings-driven power grab to give No 10 greater control over the Treasury. Of the 26 ministers now attending cabinet, 17 received a private education or 65 per cent compared with just 7 per cent of the general population. Two ministers also attended grammar schools while seven received their full education in a state school, or 27 per cent. 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 Seizing on the make-up of the new cabinet, the Liberal Democrats said: Boris Johnsons claims that Brexit can unleash the full potential of the UK is a hard pill to swallow when his cabinet does nothing more than reflect the same, entitled old boys network. Christine Jardine, the partys equalities spokesperson, added: Beyond all the bluster, the make-up of Boris Johnsons cabinet reinforces just how little the Conservatives care for ensuring opportunities are spread fairly across our country. According to the educational charity Sutton Trust, the proportion of alumni of independent schools in Mr Johnsons last cabinet stood at 64 per cent more than twice that of the team assembled by Theresa May in 2016. The figure is also higher than David Camerons cabinet in 2015, where 50 per cent had attended fee-paying schools, but significantly lower than the 91 per cent in Margaret Thatchers first administration in 1979. Thatchers first administration in 1979 (Getty) The analysis also points out that of the 26 ministers attending the cabinet, including the prime minister, 50 per cent also attended either Oxford or Cambridge. Yet, in July last year, when Mr Johnson won the Tory leadership race, Downing Street vowed: Boris will build a cabinet showcasing all the talents within the party that truly reflect modern Britain. Sir Peter Lampl, founder and chair of the Sutton Trust, said: Decembers election led to a seismic shift in the political landscape. The falling of the red wall means Conservative MPs now represent a much more diverse range of constituencies than before, with constituents from many different socio-economic backgrounds. Yet in terms of educational background, the make-up of Johnsons cabinet is still over 60 per cent from independent schools. Todays findings underline how unevenly spread the opportunities are to enter the elites and this is something Boris Johnson must address. In relation to gender, just seven women are now attending cabinet down from eight in the cabinet put together by Mr Johnson when he became prime minister in July 2019. There is also one fewer black, asian and minority ethnic member of the cabinet. Johnsons second ministry at their first meeting on Friday (AP) Andrea Leadsom, Theresa Villiers and Esther McVey were all sacked in Thursdays remoulding of the cabinet, while former culture secretary Baroness Morgan left her role. Priti Patel, Liz Truss, Therese Coffey and Baroness Evans kept their jobs and Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Amanda Milling and Suella Braverman were promoted. On Thursday, two hereditary chiefs at the heart of the dispute over a natural gas pipeline in British Columbia went to court once again to try and stop the project. They launched a constitutional challenge in Federal Court, arguing that Canada has a duty to meet international targets on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. If they win, they say, it could lead to cancellation of the Coastal GasLink pipeline across traditional lands of the Wetsuweten people, who have been supported over the past week by nationwide protests that, among other things, shut down the countrys main east-west rail link. But if the chiefs arent successful in court? Given the long legal battles over the gas pipeline and similar energy projects, does anyone seriously think they will shrug, accept the decision, and let Coastal GasLink go ahead after all? Not a chance. If the Federal Court rules in their favour, they are sure to hail it as a victory and demand that the company and the B.C. government scrap the project. But if they lose, odds are they will fight on, and their supporters will dismiss the courts decision as irrelevant to their battle against pipelines and resource projects in general. In other words, they seem to be operating under the rule of heads I win, tails you lose. I get to use the legal system when convenient, and ignore it when it doesnt give the results I like. In the case of the B.C. pipeline, the company went through an exhaustive process to obtain regulatory approvals and consulted with Indigenous communities along the 670-km route. It concluded benefits agreements amounting to some $1 billion with all 20 elected band councils directly affected. But, as we know, that turned out not to be enough. Leadership of the Wetsuweten Nation is divided, and hereditary chiefs who claim authority over a larger traditional territory orchestrated protests and blockades to derail the project. Protesters, including those who blocked the CN rail line where it runs through Mohawk territory near Kingston, align themselves with the hereditary chiefs. But that does an injustice to the elected band councils, which represent some 13,000 Indigenous people in remote and mostly impoverished parts of the B.C. Interior. And it sweeps aside the interests of Indigenous people who support the project and stand to benefit by working on it directly or through contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars awarded to local First Nations businesses. Troy Young, a Wetsuweten contractor, put it like this to the Vancouver Sun: The elected chiefs want to break the bondage of poverty that exists within our communities. So Indigenous people are far from united against the pipeline, despite what those blocking rail lines and roads in solidarity with them may claim. Nor can some groups be allowed to ignore the courts indefinitely. The B.C. Supreme Court ordered an end to the pipeline blockade in December, and RCMP eventually moved in to enforce that order. Courts have issued injunctions against other protests, including the one that has shut down east-west rail traffic for a week now. Police have wisely chosen the path of patience and negotiation so far, but the blockade cant go on indefinitely. No one has the right to hold the countrys vital transportation links hostage to make a political point. The courts are crystal clear on the principles involved here. Just last week, the Federal Court of Canada issued a strong decision asserting that while First Nations have a right to be consulted on resource projects, indeed a right to deep consultation, the law does not give them a veto. Nor, said the court, do Indigenous groups have a right to manipulate the consultation process in such a way that it becomes simply a tool to kill a project. In the end, after the consulting and the protesting are done, the rule of law must prevail. And those who turn to the courts for support must accept, and respect, both their victories and their setbacks along the way. SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE:CFR) today announced that it has called for redemption all 6,000,000 outstanding shares of its 5.375% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A ("Series A Preferred Stock") (NYSE:CFR PrA). The redemption price per share of the Series A Preferred Stock, as specified in the prospectus at the time of issuance, is $25.00. Payment of the redemption price will be made on the redemption date of March 16, 2020. The Depository Trust Company will redeem the Series A Preferred Stock in accordance with its procedures and notify the holders. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock need not take any action to receive payment of the redemption price. March 16, 2020 is also the final dividend payment date for the Series A Preferred Stock. The record date for that dividend is February 28, 2020. Payment of the final dividend will be made on the redemption date of March 16, 2020. Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., Cullen/Frost's paying agent for the redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock, can be reached at the following telephone number: 866-252-0444. Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE: CFR) is a financial holding company, headquartered in San Antonio, with $34.0 billion in assets at December 31, 2019. One of the 60 largest U.S. banks, Frost provides a wide range of banking, investments and insurance services to businesses and individuals across Texas in the Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Permian Basin, Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio regions. Founded in 1868, Frost has helped clients with their financial needs during three centuries. Additional information is available at frostbank.com. A.B. Mendez Investor Relations 210.220.5234 or Bill Day Media Relations 210.220.5427 SOURCE Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. Related Links http://www.frostbank.com It should come as no surprise that the figures from China about coronavirus infections and deaths have been massaged. As the crisis in Xi Jinping's government from his mishandling of the situation mounts, the biggest winner is now becoming clear. It's looking more and more likely that Donald J Trump will win re-election in November - and equity markets love it. Napoleon said that he'd rather his generals be "lucky" than "good" - and Mr Trump is turning out to be a very lucky general indeed. The coronavirus outbreak has given the US president a "get out of jail free card" when it comes to the phase-one trade deal, signed just a few weeks ago. The coronavirus has done something that Donald Trump failed to do with his trade policy - smash supply chains in China. Credit:AP The preliminary deal was met with much cynicism, as the level of purchases - particularly of agricultural products from his rural base - looked utterly unrealistic. The agreement called for Chinese purchases of US farm goods to increase by $32 billion over two years, or roughly $16 billion a year. When combined with the $24 billion US agricultural export baseline in 2017, the total gets close to $40 billion. But this was never going to happen. The outbreak of African swine fever in the country's pig population led to mass slaughter of animals on infected farms, so demand for soya beans as feed has plunged. China's output of pork slumped 21.8 per cent year on year in 2019, the lowest level since 2003. There was a deep-rooted conspiracy in the 6,670 crore PMC Bank fraud case and the board of directors, who flouted the basic Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines resulting in the fraud, were guilty of willful omission and commission, revealed a supplementary charge sheet filed last week by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) at the Esplanade court. The charge sheet which is based on the forensic audit report said the banks auditors, chairperson Waryam Singh, and Housing Development Infrastructure Ltd (HDIL) promoters- Rakesh Wadhwan and Sarang Wadhwan-- had old ties which were exploited for carrying out the fraud. On February 5, the EOW filed a supplementary charge sheet against the banks former board of directors (BODs)-- Rajneet Singh (45) (son of former BJP MLA Sardar Tara Singh), Jagdish Mookhey, Trupti Bane and Mukti Bavisi and statutory auditors, Jayesh Sanghani and Ketan Lakdawala and concurrent auditor Anita Kirdat (48). The charge sheet says the loan facilities extended to the HDIL group of companies was frequently discussed and sanctioned with the majority of votes in board meetings and that the directors did not care to look into the loan facilities. The charge sheet alleges the board of directors did not follow the basic Dos and Donts guidelines specified for the board in 2012 which led to the fraud. The final audit report is awaited and a second supplementary charge sheet will be filed in the fraud case in the near future. The charge sheet revealed that in the financial year 2007-08, the RBI levied a fine of 5 lakh on PMC bank for six violations including the grant of unsecured loans of 10 crore and window-dressing of the balance sheet. Thus based on the above facts, the RBI had already raised red flags for multiple irregularities in the operation of PMC bank but the BODs never discussed these irregularities. Hence, willful omission and commission (was) done by them, stated EOW in the charge sheet. They intentionally did not disclose 31 accounts of HDIL to RBI inspection team. These 31 accounts were neither classified as non-performing assets (NPA). Neither was sufficient collateral/security against the loans taken. Certain property purchased at potential higher price and advances were given to HDIL against the purchase of property but the said property was never transferred to PMC bank, read an excerpt from the charge sheet. Commenting on the role of the auditors, the charge sheet cites potential conflict of interest and says auditing firm Ashok-Jayesh associates, which was previously run in partnership by Ashok Gupta, a chartered accountant who had ties with the WadhwansRakesh and Sarang-- was hired by the bank between 2008 and 2011 and again from 2014 to 2017. Not just that, the charge sheet says Gupta was inducted as a director in HDIL companies-- Derby Developers Pvt Ltd and Bluestar Realtors Ltd after he left the auditing firm in 2005. Gupta was also co-opted as a director of the PMC bank till April 2015. In this period Ashok-Jayesh associates, which was then being run by Guptas ex-associate Lakdawala (60)-- also a chartered accountant--made a total of 2.12 crore as fees, says the charge sheet. Lakdawala made 70 lakh in fees as an auditor between 2017 and 2019. The hefty fees was paid for filing audit reports as desired by Joy Thomas, former managing director of PMC bank. Lakdawala has been arrested in the case. Representative image live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Jindal Poly Films share price gained 9 percent intraday on February 14 after the company approved the expansion plan and reported good numbers for the quarter ended December 2019. The company board approved the expansion plans for the company's India operation by way of investment of approximately Rs 700 crore in polyester film line - I and biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film line -9 The company's Q3FY20 net profit rose 120 percent to Rs 120.81 crore against Rs 54.69 crore in the year-ago period. Revenue of the company jumped by 12 percent to Rs 975.62 crore against Rs 870.09 crore, YoY. At 11:58 hrs Jindal Poly Films was quoting at Rs 277.30, up Rs 7.85, or 2.91 percent on the BSE. The prosecutor and defense attorney talked with Local 6 after former McCracken County Jailer Tonya Ray was found guilty of perjury Thursday. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Bay Area mayors called for increased state funding with a focus on housing production to help address the homelessness in the region and throughout the state, during a California State Assembly subcommittee hearing on Thursday. The hearing, called the State of Homelessness Funding and Gov. Gavin Newsom's 2020 Budget Proposal on Homelessness, in front of the State Assembly Budget Subcommittee was held in San Francisco with San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo in attendance. "We've seen, not only in San Francisco but throughout the state, homelessness has really taken front and center," said Breed. "It is like nothing I've ever seen before. In San Francisco alone we have over 8,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, and 5,000 people are living unsheltered on streets. "Everyday when I walk the streets of this city, I witness the suffering, even on my way here to this hearing; the families hustling from the bus stops to the shelters, the young adults forced to set up tents on the sidewalks, the veterans struggling to hold onto their dignity. It has really been challenging to witness and frustrating not to be able to move faster to be able to deal with this crisis," she said. "Cities and counties cannot address this crisis alone, we need to work in partnership with the state to allocate the funding required to turn the tide on this crisis," she said. With more than 151,000 people experiencing homelessness in California, Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, said, "It's not just a San Francisco or Los Angeles phenomenon... this is an issue that has now crept into the Central Valley. "We wanted to make sure this hearing was held in the Bay Area, where we have really felt the crux of this issue for so many years, and now that it has really gotten to the epidemic level across the state, I'm really happy the state has decided to be a critical partner in working to eradicate homelessness in California," he said. Last month, Gov. Newsom signed an executive order to create a $750 million fund for providers statewide to use for rent subsidies and to fund affordable housing or assist residential treatment facilities. Schaaf said the city of Oakland currently spends about $32 million annually on homelessness, "And roughly half of that is one-time money that we are spending on operations. "I recognize that that is irresponsible financially, but I believe it is completely necessary morally," she said. "My goal is that we don't need a permanent ongoing source to combat homelessness if we make the capital investments that we need, that will actually get people housed," said Liccardo. Schaaf agreed with Liccardo that housing is key in addressing not just homelessness, but addiction and mental health issues. "We know housing first works; you cannot effectively treat someone's drug addiction or health ailment until they are stably housed. Housing is health," Schaaf said. San Francisco Department of Homelessness Director Jeff Kositsky said, "What we're trying to do is ration a resource that everyone needs but there's not enough of. So I really hope the state will focus strongly on the need for more housing, because at the end of day we can have the best systems, the most well-defined systems in the world, but if there's not enough housing, this will continue to be a problem." 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 Trump administration plans to use billions of dollars intended to purchase combat equipment including F-35 stealth jets, transport aircraft and an amphibious assault ship to fund construction of the border wall with Mexico. The Pentagon notified lawmakers Thursday that it intends to reprogram $3.8 billion in appropriated funds from its 2020 budget, including $2.2 billion from its base budget and $1.6 billion from the overseas contingency operations account. This marks the first time the Trump administration has sought to shift funds away from equipment procurement for use on the border. Last year, the Pentagon reprogrammed more than $6 billion from military construction and drug interdiction funds, but none of that money had been appropriated specifically for combat equipment. The latest transfer will bring the total of Pentagon funds used for the border wall in the last year to about $10 billion, according to Politico. Some details: The money will be moved from procurement accounts to the drug interdiction accounts the Pentagon tapped last year for border projects. The equipment cuts include: Two Marine Corps F-35B fighters ($223 million) Two Air Force C-130J transport aircraft ($196 million) The Air Forces light attack aircraft program ($180 million) The Army National Guard's Humvee modernization program ($100 million) The Navys amphibious assault ship replacement program ($650 million) The Navy Expeditionary Fast Transport ship program ($261 million). Lawmakers protest: House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey (D-NY) and Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Pete Visclosky (D-IN) released a statement expressing their opposition to the move: President Trump is once again disrespecting the separation of powers and endangering our security by raiding military resources to pay for his wasteful border wall. The Constitution gives Congress, not the President, the power of the purse. Congress rejected President Trumps full request for wall funding, which is why he is now orchestrating this backdoor mechanism to prop up a political vanity project. Republican Mac Thornberry of Texas, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, also expressed disapproval, saying the plan runs "contrary to Congress's constitutional authority." Other Republican lawmakers likely have concerns as well, Defense News said, since many of the items targeted by the Pentagon were specifically added by Congress to the 2020 defense appropriations bill, including equipment manufactured in districts represented by lawmakers from both parties. Like what you're reading? Sign up for our free newsletter. Photo: CTV News Dr. Bonnie Henry UPDATE 2 p.m. A fifth case of the novel coronavirus has been presumptively confirmed in British Columbia, bringing the total number of cases in Canada to eight. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Friday a woman in her 30s returned from Shanghai, China, in the past week through Vancouver's airport before travelling by car to her home in the Interior health region. Henry said the woman wore a mask on the plane and contacted health officials when she had symptoms of an illness before being tested positive Tuesday for the virus that the World Health Organization has named COVID-19. "We are very grateful and thankful that the people who are coming back from Hubei province and all over China are taking the advice seriously to self monitor and to connect with us and make sure that they can be tested, assessed and cared for safely," she said. The woman is in isolation at home, as are her close contacts, Henry said, adding that in all cases a further test will be conducted at a national lab in Winnipeg to confirm the results obtained provincially. Officials will be contacting passengers who sat three rows ahead and behind the woman on the aircraft that arrived from China but the risk to them is "very, very low," she said. The first person to be tested for the virus in the province is recovering well and has tested negative in the first of two tests that would indicate the virus no longer exists and isolation is no longer required, she said. Henry said 715 tests have been done on about 500 people returning from China based on a low threshold for testing of the virus that originated in Hubei province. Health Minister Adrian Dix said British Columbia has done more testing than any other jurisdiction. The Canadian Press ORIGINAL 1 p.m. A woman in her 30s is the fifth person in B.C. registering a presumptive positive for the COVID-19 virus. According to provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, the patient is somewhere in the Interior, and she's being monitored by Interior Health. She would not say exactly where the woman is, but indicated she is at home and doing well. Henry says confirmation is still required from the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg. The woman reportedly flew to Vancouver from Shanghai. This is the fifth case of the deadly coronavirus detected in B.C. The other four are said to be recovering at home. Dr. Henry did not indicate where the the fifth patient resides, but the Interior Health region covers a large area, from 100 Mile House to Cranbrook. Worldwide, more than 64,000 cases of the virus have been reported. In China, 1,380 people have died from the virus. The new name for the coronavirus, COVID-19, was announced by the World Health Organization on Tuesday. Hilton has closed 150 hotels across China in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The hotel chain says the temporary closures come at the request of local authorities. The firm has also revealed it expects that earnings for 2020 could be impacted by between $25milllion (19.2million) and $50million (38.4million) due to the virus. The Hilton Wuhan Optics Valley Resort, one of the 150 hotels that Hilton has closed across China in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak Hilton has four hotels in Wuhan, the city at the centre of the outbreak, and 225 others across Greater China. In a conference call to investors, Hilton's CEO Christopher Nassetta confirmed: 'At this point, roughly 150 of our hotels in China totalling approximately 33,000 rooms are closed.' China represents 2.7 per cent of the hotel chain's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (payment spreading). Nassetta added that assuming the impact and recovery from the virus lasts up to 12 months, earnings would take a hit of between $25million and 50million. However, he noted: 'Were reporting at a time where we know a bunch, but not that much relative to where this thing is going. 'But we thought the only responsible thing to do was to sort of look at historical perspective and give everybody the best sense that we have and use science around the data that we have.' Hilton says that it hopes to re-open the affected properties 'as soon as we can'. It added that customers who are travelling to, from or through China and have rooms booked can modify or cancel their reservations without penalty. More than 64,000 people have caught coronavirus worldwide with the death toll now at more than 1,380. Pictured are people queuing outside a pharmacy to buy protective masks in Hubei, China A spokesman explained: 'This currently includes reservations up until February 29, but we will continue to monitor the situation and adjust accordingly. 'The Hilton Guest Assistance team is available to help with any questions.' More than 64,000 people have caught coronavirus worldwide with the death toll now at more than 1,380. Typical symptoms include a runny nose, a cough, a sore throat and fever (high temperature). The illness can spread between people through coughs and sneezes, making it extremely contagious. It may also spread even before someone has symptoms. It is believed to travel in saliva and even through the water in the eyes, therefore close contact, kissing, and sharing cutlery or utensils are all risky. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday demanded that the Centre withdraw the amended Citizenship Act to maintain peace and harmony in the country. "The NDA government should reconsider the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), which is against the spirit of the Constitution, and should come forward to withdraw it so that peace and harmony can be maintained," he said, addressing a dharna against the CAA and a proposed-NRC at the Shahid Smarak here. Gehlot assured the protesters that the Congress and the state government were with them and if required, he would be the first to go to a detention centre. The chief minister claimed that information on birthplace of parents was being sought for NPR. "If I am not able to furnish the details, I too would be asked to live in a detention centre. You stay assured, if such situation comes then I would be the first to go there," Gehlot said. The chief minister said that the BJP government in Assam has refused to implement NRC. "It is the right of a government to make a law but a government should rule as per the sentiments of the people. Like Delhi's Shaheen bagh, protests are being held at many places across the country, including Rajasthan. The government should understand public sentiments," he said. Gehlot said several chief ministers were against the CAA. "We want the Centre to reconsider its decision," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man has admitted murdering his housemate whose wrapped body was found in bushland in Sydney's north, almost seven weeks after her disappearance. Shuo Dong, 20, pleaded guilty on Friday to murdering Qi Yu, 28, on June 8, 2018, the day she was last seen at her Campsie unit which she shared with him and another woman. He entered his plea in the New South Wales Supreme Court through an interpreter. Justice Elizabeth Fullerton adjourned the matter to May 18 for a sentencing hearing. Shuo Dong, 20, pleaded guilty on Friday to murdering Qi Yu, 28, on June 8, 2018. Pictured: Berin Ms Yu's wrapped body was found in bushland in Sydney's north, almost seven weeks after her disappearance Dong spent the evening of June 8 bickering with Ms Yu over cutting his lease short and bond money he owed her, according to documents previously presented to the local court. Ms Yu's parents, who were speaking to her from China via WeChat, could hear the argument in the background when the power to the unit was shut off. They later contacted a neighbour who lived nearby to check on their daughter. Blood-like stains were found through the home and car, which was parked a few kilometres away. Dong was charged with her murder less than a week after she disappeared. Numerous searches of bushland were fruitless but on July 25, 2018 her body was found in bushland near an emergency stop on the M1 highway at Mount Kuring-gai. Detectives said searches for 'penalty for murder' were found on Dong's phone. The many airport terminals en route to San Diego Frankfurt and San Francisco, in my case are no matter, for the beguiling, seaside city with the same February weather as New Delhi is, quite literally, a breath of fresh air. I take it in deep gulps as plentifully as the Napa Pinot Noir, along with leisurely walks by the marina with its boats, and a quaint village with bars and shops. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor By PTI MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Friday refused to grant anticipatory bail to civil rights activists Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde in the Elgar Parishad- alleged Maoist links case. Justice PD Naik rejected the pre-arrest bail pleas filed by them. The court, however, extended the interim protection from arrest granted to them for a period of four weeks so that they can approach the Supreme Court in appeal. Navlakha, Teltumbde and several other activists have been booked by the Pune Police for their alleged Maoist links and several other charges following the violence at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district on January 1, 2018. According to Pune Police, "inflammatory" speeches and "provocative" statements made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017 had triggered caste violence at Koregaon Bhima the next day. The police alleged that the conclave was backed by Maoists. Teltumbde and Navlakha had approached the high court seeking pre-arrest bail in November last year after a sessions court in Pune rejected their pleas. In December last year, the high court had granted them interim protection from arrest pending disposal of their anticipatory bail pleas. Although the Pune Police was investigating the case, the Centre had last month transferred the probe to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Two inmates of USP Allenwood have been indicted by a federal grand jury for seriously injuring another inmate in an attack. Alexander Palmisano, 35, and William Oloane, 30, were indicted Thursday, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Palmisano and Oloane attacked another inmate in the prison on April 5, 2019, according to the release. As a result of the attack, the inmate sustained ten broken ribs, two collapsed lungs, and injuries to his head and face that required hospitalization. USP Allenwood is located in Union County. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Rocktashel is prosecuting the case. 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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) announced on Feb. 11 that it has developed a fully automated, rapid, multi-diagnostic system that can detect 30 to 40 pathogens involved in respiratory infections within an hour, including the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. (Courtesy of PolyU) Hong Kong Scientists Develop Technology to Detect COVID-19 and Other Viruses But Denied Funding The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) announced on Feb. 11 that it has developed a fully automated, rapid, multi-diagnostic system that can detect 30 to 40 pathogens involved in respiratory infections within an hour, including the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. According to a press release by PolyU, the technology consists of a fully automated machine with a multiplex full-screening panel for the point-of-care genetic testing (POCT) of respiratory infectious disease. The system can test 30 to 40 kinds of pathogens in one test within an hour, including seasonal influenza viruses (such as H1, H2 and H3 influenza A), avian flu (H5 and H7 and H9), respiratory syncytial virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS, SARS-CoV), the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and COVID-19. The system can be operated by clinic nurses or laboratory assistants, as the operator only needs to place a patients specimen into the device to get the testing going. PolyU collaborated with the University of Hong Kong (HKU) in 2015 to establish a respiratory virus research fund dedicated to the research and development of various innovative technologies. The research team was led by professor Terence Lau Lok-Ting, Director of Innovation and Technology Development at PolyU. He said the cost of each test is about 200 to 300 HK dollars ($25.70 to $38.62), an expense the general public would be able to afford. Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, Chairman of Infectious Diseases at HKU, played an important role in supporting the research team. He said the versatility and detection capability of the system will provide for comprehensive monitoring during disease outbreaks or routine surveillance. It will become a crucial technology for ensuring the effective control of infectious diseases, medical diagnosis, and treatment, according to the report. The research team received support from Avalon Biomedical Management, a local biotechnology company, the report said. We are honored to be able to participate in this project and are delighted to see this important milestone in the collaboration between Professor Lau and Professor Yuen. We believe this advanced point-of-care diagnostic system can revolutionize the current diagnostic paradigm and provide a powerful tool to fight against infectious diseases, said Dr. Manson Fok, Chairman of the Board of the company, and the Dean of the University Hospital at Macau University of Science and Technology. According to the report, the project applied for funding from the Hong Kong governments Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) but received no support, said Fok. He expressed hope that the authorities would pay more attention to important scientific achievements, especially from the citys top scientists. The press release did not mention why the project was denied funding. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 01:19:40|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- German parliament's upper house Bundesrat announced on Friday that it passed a reform on law to better and regularly inform citizens of organ donation to increase the number of registered organ donors. However, organ donations in Germany would still be only permitted with explicit consent by the donors, according to the passed law which had already been approved by the Bundestag. The reform is expected to come into force in 2022. In the future, German citizens who apply for an identity card or renew passport, would receive informational material about organ donations at least every 10 years, according to the reform. Doctors in Germany should also play a greater role in providing regular information about organ donations once the reform comes into effect. If necessary, doctors should inform patients of organ donations every two years. The Bundesrat regretted that the new law also applied to German immigration authorities. Language barriers could lead to the misunderstanding that there was a link between migrants' willingness to donate organs and an official decision on residence applications. However, such misunderstandings were to be avoided and the German government was asked to take action so that immigration authorities were not required to provide information about organ donations, the Bundesrat noted in a statement. Its clear that climate change has gone from a distant threat to an urgent crisis. 2019 was the second hottest year on record, were seeing increases in extreme rainfall and flooding, and winters continue to get warmer. Polls show that more than two-thirds of Pennsylvanians think that Congress should do more to address climate change. So I was excited to learn that Sen. Bob Casey signed on as an original co-sponsor to the Clean Economy Act of 2020. Introduced by Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, the Clean Economy Act would require the Environmental Protection Agency to create a plan to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions nationwide by 2050. This goal is in line with what the worlds top climate scientists have said we must do to stop the worst impacts of climate change. Im thankful that Casey joined 33 other senators in co-sponsoring this important legislation and taking the climate crisis seriously. Now its up for the rest of Congress, including Sen. Pat Toomey, to follow their lead. Flora Cardoni Climate defender campaign director, PennEnvironment Philadelphia It has been a year since ARMBUSINESSBANK began developing new banking services for Small Businesses in a completely new format. Pursuant to the Banks development strategy for 2019-2021, support and servicing of small and medium-sized businesses in Armenia and Artsakh is considered as a target area by the Bank. Based on the results of the first year, after a complete restart of banking services for small businesses ARMBUSINESSBANK was able to offer an expanded range of loan products covering the full spectrum of business needs. This has contributed to the creation, expansion and development of more than 700 small business projects. Today, five clients of various Small Business loans were invited to ARMBUSINESSBANK to summarize and celebrate achievements together. "Such indicators over a year are really impressing", - said the Chairman of the Executive Board of ARMBUSINESSBANK Artavazd Sargsyan in his welcome speech. He congratulated and thanked small business clients and the employees of the Bank who immediately deal with these functions. The Chairman of the Executive Board remarked that in the face of our bank they have constant and reliable financial partner. All credit facilities offered by ARMBUSINESSBANK for all representatives of Small Business are distinguished by prompt processing of transactions, ease of loan issuance and minimal cost for customers. Such simplified conditions for getting financing for business development are of interest to many organizations and individual entrepreneurs of Small business. ARMBUSINESSBANK stays loyal to its slogan and will continue in the future to provide its customers affordable and easy for purchase and use products that will increase their financial stability and create all conditions to build a reliable future in their home. ARMBUSINESSBANK a reliable way to the future The Bank is controlled by the CB of Armenia. Power cut, roads closed and trains cancelled after storm Strong winds and heavy rain between February 8 to 10 caused power cuts, road closures and the cancellation of train services on the Peninsula. Trains from Gosford and Hornsby were cancelled and rail commuters from Woy Woy were being transported by buses while infrastructure damage was repaired. Brickwharf Rd at Woy Woy was closed and several roads in Umina were flooded. Grandview Cres in Hardys Bay was blocked when a tree fell over the road, Residents in many areas of Umina, Ettalong, Pearl Beach and Patonga were without power for several days. A statement issued by Ausgrid said it was one of the worst storms to hit the network in the past 20 years, with damage including fallen and snapped power lines. Power was not expected to be restored in some areas until the end of the last weekend. Gosford State Emergency Service deputy commander Mr Werner Klumpp said the flooding was exacerbated on the Peninsula by high tides. "The aggravating fact is that with the high tides we've been having in some areas of the Peninsula and around Woy Woy, the drains draining into Brisbane Water actually don't work because the level of the Brisbane Water is higher than the drain," he said. "It's tidal, so when the tide goes out the water can drain away." Community facilities which opened for residents to shower or get access to power included Peninsula Leisure Centre, Umina Surf Club, Wagstaffe Hall and Ocean Beach Surf Club. All beaches were closed last week and warnings issue to avoid waterways because of risk of pollution due to stormwater run-off after extended heavy rainfall. The government on Friday set a minute-to-midnight deadline for telecom companies, including Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel, to pay the Rs 1.47 lakh crore they owe towards spectrum charges and licence fees, after a livid Supreme Court took the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and cellular operators to task over the non-enforcement of an October ruling by the top court. ...you are hereby directed to make the payment of outstanding dues of LF and SUC (license fee and spectrum usage charges) by 14.02.2020, 11.59 pm positively, read one DoT order sent to telecom operators, shortly after it withdrew a January 23 order that no coercive action be taken against the defaulters. The orders were sent from DoT offices at each of Indias 22 telecom circles. The twin moves came in response to the Supreme Court warning of contempt action against the chiefs of defaulting telecom companies as well as the DoT desk officer responsible for the June 23 order that was issued in the backdrop of extreme stress in the telecom sector. Bharti Airtel responded immediately, offering to pay Rs 10,000 crore by February 20 and the rest of its dues before the next date of hearing, March 17. ... in compliance with the judgement of the Honble Supreme Court and their direction today, we shall deposit a sum of Rs 10,000 crore (on account) by 20th February, 2020, on behalf of the Bharti Group companies, Airtel said in a letter to member (finance) at DoT. Airtel, which owes nearly Rs 35,586 crore by way of licence fees and spectrum usage charges, said it was in the process of completing a self assessment exercise. You will appreciate this is a complicated process, covering 22 circles, multiple licenses and a substantial period of time and hence, is time consuming, the letter said. There was no immediate statement from Vodafone Idea. On October 24, the Supreme Court allowed the central government to recover Rs 92,641 crore in adjusted gross revenue (AGR) from telecom companies in a verdict that hit Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea the hardest. The court accepted the governments definition of AGR that it includes their income from revenue lines that are not central to their main business. Income from sales of handsets, termination and roaming charges, rent and dividends should count as part of AGR, which determines what telecom companies pay as licence fee and spectrum usage fee, the court ruled in a verdict that came at a time when debt-laden service providers were already under intense pressure because of adverse regulatory orders,hefty levies and intense competition amid a price war set off by the entry in 2016 of Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Jio Infocomm. Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel both posted record losses in the September quarter. The court order came in a 16-year-old case stemming from DoT claims that telecom companies had under-reported their revenue and thus paid less for spectrum and in the form of other levies. On Friday, a Supreme Court bench of justices Arun Mishra, S Abdul Nazeer and MR asked telecom companies to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them and took to task the DoT desk order who issued the January 23 order that had effectively put the Supreme Court ruling in abeyance. The officer has to file his reply by March 17. We draw contempt proceedings against the Desk Officer for passing the order and violating the order passed by this Court. The Managing Directors/Directors of the companies also to show cause why we should not initiate contempt proceedings against them for violating the order passed by this Court by not depositing the amount, on the next date of hearing. Let the concerned Officer, sitting over the order passed by this Court, also file a reply, the order said. The court also directed that if its order is not complied with, the managing directors and directors of the defaulting telecom companies should be present in court on March 17, the next date of hearing. Vodafone Idea owes over Rs 50,000 crore to DoT, while Bharti Airtel has to pay Rs 35,586 crore. Tata Teleservices, which sold its mobile services business to Airtel, has dues of Rs 14,000 crore. Jio is the only company that paid its dues. It was a small amount, only Rs 60 crore, as the company started operations relatively recently. A total of 15 companies owe DoT money on account of AGR. In the case of Vodafone-Idea, the split of licence and spectrum fee dues is roughly Rs 28,000 crore and Rs 24,000 crore. At the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit on December 6, Aditya Birla Group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla sounded a stark warning, saying Vodafone Idea, a joint venture between Vodafone (which has the majority stake) and his group, would have to shut shop if no relief is forthcoming from the government to soften the blow from the Supreme Court verdict that telecom operators pay DoT the dues they owe in three months. Birla,who is also chairman of Vodafone Idea, said he is hopeful the company doesnt find itself in a situation where it needs to exit from the market. But, at the same time, if you ask me specifically, it is true we will shut shop if we dont get relief. Because there is no company in the world that can pay that kind of fine in three months, it just doesnt work like that, Birla said at the time. Fridays observations by the Supreme Court came during a hearing on applications by telecom companies seeking extension of the time for paying their dues. When the matter was taken up for hearing on Friday, justice Mishra observed that no payment had been made by the telecom companies. Not even a penny has been deposited so far by the companies and a stay by a desk officer (ensued). The judicial system of this country has been taken away, he said. The scenario was disturbing because it reflected scant respect for the directions of the top court, the bench said. The companies have violated the order passed by this Court in pith and substance. In spite of the dismissal of the Review application, they have not deposited any amount so far. It appears the way in which things are happening that they have scant respect to the directions issued by this court, the order passed by the court said. The apex court said that the office direction by DoT issued on January 23 (seeking no coercive action against the companies for non-payment) was a device to scuttle the order of the top court and such a direction should not have been passed at all. A Desk Officer of the Department of Telecommunications has the temerity to pass the order to the effect of issuing a direction to the Accountant General, another Constitutional Authority, not to insist for any payment pursuant to the order passed by this Court and not to take any coercive steps till further orders. This is nothing but a device to scuttle order of this Court. This kind of order should not have been passed by the Desk Officer at all, the order stated. The notification of January 23, Mishra said, should be withdrawn immediately or the concerned DoT officer will have to face penal action. If he does not withdraw it within an hour, he will go to jail today itself, the judge said. Immediately after the order of the court, the DoT withdrew the controversial office direction of January 23. It also ordered that steps be taken to comply with the October judgment of the apex court. The office letter dated 23.01.2020 stands withdrawn with immediate effect. It is directed to take immediate necessary action in compliance with the judgment dated 24.10.2019 of the Honble Supreme Court, the fresh direction issued by DoT on Friday said. According to an official from the telecom ministry, who asked not to be named, the January 23 order was issued without the secretary or the minister being aware of it. We are now looking into why that order was issued, this person said, asking not to be named. The cumulative burden on 16 telecom companies following the top courts order came to around Rs 92,461 crore. Out of the Rs 92,461 crore, the principle amount was only Rs 23,188 crore and the interest component, penalty and interest on penalty accounted for the remaining Rs 69,273 crore. Review petitions against the judgment were dismissed by the court on January 16. Subsequently, at least four telecom companies, Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel, Tata Teleservices and Hughes Communications India, filed applications in the Supreme Court seeking an extension of the three-month deadline to pay the dues. The dispute concerns the license fee payable by the telecom companies, which in turns depends on the gross revenue of the company. Gross revenue was defined under clause 19 of the licensing agreement between the central government and telecom companies which provided for exclusion of revenues under certain heads so as calculate AGR. When the DoT raised demands from telecom providers, they approached the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) arguing that the DoT illegally included elements of income in the definition of AGR that do not accrue from their operations under the license like dividend income, interest income on short term investment, discounts on calls, revenues from other activities separately licensed, reimbursements under the Universal Service Fund (USF), and so on. After various rounds of litigation, the matter eventually reached the Supreme Court which in October ruled against the telecom companies. Besides private telecom companies, various state-owned firms including GAIL India, Power Grid Corporation, Oil India, and Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilisers that held telecom licenses for internal communications were also hit by the Supreme Court judgment. Vodafone Ideas shares closed 23.21% lower at Rs 3.44 on the Bombay Stock Exchange on Friday. Bharti Airtels shares rose 4.69% to a record Rs 565.10 because investors felt it was in a better position to pay off its debt. Shares of banks with exposure to the telecom sector also fell, with the BSE Bankex falling 1.1% to 35,359.65 points. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have come to an agreement with the Queen and the royal family. When they asked to step back as senior members of the royal family, they promised that it will not be immediate and there will be a transition. However, it is crystal clear that is not what is happening, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are moving without regard to their "Megxit" deal. Royal Rebels Breaking Rules Buckingham Palace announced in January that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will officially step back from their royal duties in Spring 2020. As a consequence, the couple will be stripped off their HRH titles, though they can keep the Duke and Duchess of Sussex honors. Moreover, when it takes full effect, the couple will no longer rely on public funds and will have to be financially independent. However, it seems the two have already started to pursue private work, which means a breach in their agreement with Queen Elizabeth II. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been spotted in Miami at the JPMorgan event last weekend, something that should not have happened since they are still in the transition period of their post-royal life. While they may be living in North America, they still have responsibilities as royals until "Megxit" becomes official. Harry reportedly delivered a speech wherein he talked about his mental health, the trauma of losing his mother at a young age, and the story behind "Megxit." The Palace is yet to confirm if it was paid appearance or not. According to the reports released by The Mirror, Prince Harry also had a meeting with American investment bank Goldman Sachs about a possible partnership. A public relations expert told the publication that the royal couple could earn as much as $1.3 billion in corporate deals as brand ambassadors. However, if any of these corporate deals go through before March, it could jeopardize the terms stated in "Megxit." Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might find themselves in even greater trouble. Bidding Their Royal Life Goodbye Until their final exit in Spring, Prince Harry and Meghan are still members of the royal family. The two could be making their final appearance at Westminster Abbey's celebration of Commonwealth Day in March. Although Buckingham Palace could not confirm it yet, they did say that the members of the royal family -- including Harry and Meg -- have been invited to attend the service. "Their agreement with the Queen will technically take effect in Spring," said Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal commentator. He also emphasized that Meghan and Prince Harry have been very vocal about their desire to be financially independent. "It is not known whether they were paid at the JPMorgan event in Miami, but it looks like that is where everything is headed," Fitzwilliams added. "The connection they are trying to build with Goldman Sachs will likewise be as lucrative considering how he could help them build up their Sussex Royal into an international brand." Not only will the couple be like successful in seeking financial independence, but they could heighten their profile as activists for various charitable works. Prince Harry and Meghan are also expected to receive private funding from Duchy of Cornwall, as it is managed by Harry's father Prince Charles. However, their agreement might become a little bit more flexible. New Delhi: Ahead of US President Donald Trump`s visit, a top government source on Friday said that India is "deeply interested" in acquiring the drone technology used by the Americans to kill Iranian military leader Qaseem Soleimani last month. "We would be deeply interested in acquiring the technology used by the Americans to kill the Iranian military commander as the drone quietly sneaked in and launched its missile accurately to kill him," he said. On January 3, Iranian Revolutionary Guards Commander Maj Gen Qaseem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike by the US troops in Baghdad. Sources said the technology can help in targeting th e Indian fugitives hiding in countries such as Pakistan or other countries if there is any need for such an operation. Several perpetrators of heinous terrorist attacks in India like the 26/11 in Mumbai and February 14 Pulwama attacks are hiding in Pakistan and are termed as "non-state" actors by Islamabad. Both Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed have been roaming openly in Pakistan continuing their activities against India at the behest of the Pakistan Army there. Sources said India has expressed interest in the technology and the issue may come up for discussion during the US President`s visit. Trump is slated to pay a two-day visit to India on February 24-25. During the operation to kill Osama Bin Laden in 2009, the American Navy Special Forces had used a special stealth chopper to land and attack their target hiding next to the Pakistan Military Academy near Islamabad. Sources said India may also move ahead with the Predator drones deal with the US during the visit but the drones being acquired may not be as effective as the ones used in the Iranian strike in carrying out selective target attack as they can be shot down by fighter aircraft. New concept EV extends Hyundais design philosophy Sensuous Sportiness to the next level Prophecy will be unveiled on March 3 and will remain on display until March 15, 2020 SEOUL, February 13, 2020 Hyundai Motor Company will unveil its new concept EV, Prophecy, expressing the companys latest design language, at the upcoming Geneva International Motor Show, on March 3, 2020. The concept will remain on display until March 15. In line with Hyundais Sensuous Sportiness design philosophy, the new concept embodies a beautiful silhouette accentuated by graceful curves flowing over broad rear flanks that provide excellent aerodynamics. The boat-tail line created by the rear quarter panels are complemented by the integrated spoiler and pixel lamp taillights. Prophecy does not follow trends. It accentuates timeless beauty that will stand the test of time, said SangYup Lee, Head of Hyundai Global Design Center. Its iconic design stands to expand Hyundais design spectrum toward even broader horizons. The name Prophecy reflects the concepts purpose, defining the direction of future Hyundai designs, while establishing itself as a design icon for Hyundais EV lineup. The Hyundai Prophecy concept EV will be unveiled to the world on March 3 at the Geneva International Motor Show (11:45 CEST, Stand 4252 / Hall4). Hyundai Motor will be showcasing electrification strategy under the concept of 'Real Progress is in the Air, which is inspired by new brand vision(Progress for Humanity) and exhibition contents. ### About Hyundai Motor Company Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company offers a range of world-class vehicles and mobility services in more than 200 countries. Hyundai Motor sold more than 4.4 million vehicles globally in 2019, and currently employs some 120,000 personnel worldwide. The company is enhancing its product lineup with vehicles designed to help usher in a more sustainable future, while offering innovative solutions to real-world mobility challenges. Through the process Hyundai aims to facilitate Progress for Humanity with smart mobility solutions that vitalize connections between people and provide quality time to its customers. More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at: http://worldwide.hyundai.com or http://globalpr.hyundai.com Disclaimer: Hyundai Motor Company believes the information contained herein to be accurate at the time of release. However, the company may upload new or updated information if required and assumes that it is not liable for the accuracy of any information interpreted and used by the reader. Highlights: Cyclops Nickel-Cobalt project license fully compliant under updated mining registration process National, provincial and local support received for project Strategic partner / investor discussions have commenced VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp. (the Company or Pacific Rim Cobalt) (CSE: BOLT) (OTCQB: PCRCF) (FRANKFURT: NXFE) is pleased to announce it has received approval from the OMBUDSMAN of the Republic of Indonesia for the registration of the Cyclops Nickel-Cobalt Project license in the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia. The project license will be transferred into a Foreign Investment License where it will be administered by the central government. The license will then be fully compliant with the regulation of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources No. 11 of 2018 regarding the procedure for the granting of licenses and reporting on mineral and coal mining business activities. Ranjeet Sundher, CEO of Pacific Rim Cobalt, commented: 2019 was a pivotal year for us, and were pleased to carry this momentum into 2020. Obtaining approval from Indonesias OMBUDSMAN is an important step toward our goal of securing strategic partnerships and participating in Asias growing battery metals supply chain. During 2019, the Company carried out an extensive exploration and development program at its flagship 5000 hectare, Cyclops Nickel-Cobalt project, located in Papua Province, Indonesia. Drilling identified significant horizons of nickel mineralization and bench-scale scoping tests returned positive results for processing of this nickel rich material. The Cyclops Project is mining and environmentally permitted with year round access. The recovery percentages form the bench-scale test program are set out below (for further information, please refer to the Companys press release of October 28, 2019): Sample Nickel (%) Cobalt (%) Iron (%) Limonite 99.26 98.82 97.77 Low Iron Transition 99.75 97.03 99.22 Saprolite 99.77 >99.9 99.74 Selected elevated nickel drill results are provided below from the Companys shallow drilling program (for further information, please refer to the Companys press releases of March 5, April 1, April 23, June 13, June 20 and September 10, 2019): Intersection length (metres from surface) Nickel (%) Cobalt (%) 7.0 2.15% 0.03% 4.0 1.96% 0.04% 2.0 2.00% 0.01% 2.0 1.91% 0.05% The company is currently in discussions with several strategic partners and investors who have expressed interest in the Cyclops project, and will update the market accordingly on any formal developments. The Company also announces that it closed a non-brokered private placement (the Offering) for aggregate gross proceeds of $742,165 through the issuance of 6,184,704 units in the capital of the Company (each a Unit and together, the Units) at a subscription price of $0.12 per Unit. Each Unit is comprised of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Common Share") and one (1) transferable Common Share purchase warrant (each, a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one (1) Common Share for one year at an exercise price of $0.16 per Common Share. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid a total of $17,543 in cash to eligible finders who introduced subscribers to the Offering. All securities issued under the Offering, including securities issuable on exercise thereof, are subject to a four month resale restriction expiring June 7, 2020. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to fund development of its nickel-cobalt business in Indonesia as well as general working capital purposes. The Company further announces that it has granted stock options to acquire up to 3,600,000 Common Shares of the Company to certain employees and consultants, 1,550,000 of which were granted to certain directors and officers of the Company. Each of the stock options is exercisable for a two-year term expiring on February 14, 2022 at a price of $0.26 per Common Share. On February 14, 2020, the last day that the Common Shares traded prior to the granting of the stock options, the closing trading price of the Common Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange was $0.26. Any Common Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the stock options will be subject to a four month hold period expiring on June 15, 2020. National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Garry Clark, PGeo, independent director of Pacific Rim Cobalt and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Pacific Rim Cobalt Pacific Rim Cobalt is a Canadianbased exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of production grade nickel and cobalt deposits, key raw material inputs for the growing lithiumion battery industry. Visit https://pacificrimcobalt.com/ to find out more. Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp. Ranjeet Sundher President and CEO (604) 922-8272 rsundher@pacificrimcobalt.com Steve Vanry CFO & Director (604) 922-8272 steve@vanrycap.com Sean Bromley Director & Investor Contact (778) 985-8934 sbromley@investfortuna.com Reader Advisory This news release may contain statements which constitute forward-looking information that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements herein, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company and with respect to the results of exploration and prospective plans in regards to the Cyclops project. The words may, would, could, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking information are based on reasonable assumptions, such information is not a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information. Information provided in this document is necessarily summarized and may not contain all available material information. Although Pacific Rim Cobalt 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. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, success of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, 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 news release, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. OncoDNA ("OncoDNA or "the Company"), the healthcare technology company making precision medicine a reality, today announced that it has completed a 19 million ($20 million) Series B equity financing. The new funding will support rapid international growth, accelerate software development and hiring initiatives. The round was led by Vesalius Biocapital III and Swisscanto Invest by Zurcher Kantonalbank with the significant support of SFPI-FPIM. Historical shareholders together with CPH Bank, Inventures, Sambrinvest, Sofinim (Ackermans Van Haaren) and SRIW have also participated. This represents another landmark achievement after the 8 million Series A fundraising closed in September 2016. OncoDNA is now maximizing the fast and proper rollout of its oncology clinical decision support software OncoKDM with the objective of becoming the European leader in oncogenomic data interpretation and reporting to further support molecular laboratories, healthcare professionals and the pharma industry in their daily research and clinical practice. Jean-Pol Detiffe, Founder Chief Executive Officer at OncoDNA: "We are delighted to have successfully raised sufficient new capital from such quality investors who will enable us to grow and increase our support to oncologists and cancer patients with our data driven solutions. OncoDNA is already positioned as the European champion for cancer precision medicine as we built a worldwide network of more than several thousand oncologists. Our next move is to connect molecular laboratories to our advanced data interpretation tools, which we pride ourselves on now being possible thanks to the support of our new investors." Guy Geldhof, Partner at Vesalius Biocapital III S.C.A. SICAR said: "We are excited about co-leading the Series B investment in OncoDNA. It is thrilling to work with a team that has both world class experience in genomic molecular profiling and a strong desire to serve patients by offering best-in-class support to oncology professionals. We are confident OncoDNA will accelerate the development and commercialization of its valuable new solutions, especially through closer collaborations with the biopharma industry, with the final objective of contributing to better healthcare Robert Schier, Partner at Swisscanto (CH) Private Equity Switzerland Growth I KmGK added: "OncoDNA has grown significantly over the past years and are continuing to add the necessary clinical expertise and know-how to act upon its mission. Its disruptive vision and highly integrated market approach make it to be the perfect candidate to rapidly become the European leader in oncology big data. We are delighted to partner with OncoDNA as we firmly believe the company contributes to both a more sustainable healthcare system and improved patient health outcomes." "Considering our important investment in OncoDNA, alongside players like Vesalius Biocapital III and Swisscanto, we are convinced that the company has all the necessary means at a key moment of its development to successfully carry out appropriate projects to assist and support oncologists in prescribing the most optimal therapeutic treatments to patients. We are happy to count on the support of our colleagues from SRIW and Sambrinvest as historical stakeholders" concludedFrancois Fontaine, at SFPI-FPIM. OncoDNA OncoDNA is a private, oncology-focused healthcare technology company that combines advanced, comprehensive testing of all clinically relevant cancer biomarkers (DNA, RNA and protein profiles) from both solid and liquid biopsies with a proprietary cancer treatment knowledge database. This one-stop-shop analysis and interpretation service gives oncologists actionable results to enable the selection of treatments tailored to the individual patient's cancer profile. For laboratories worldwide with NGS facilities who would like to reach the same level of expertise, we provide them with state-of-the-art interpretation software to improve their oncology-oriented analyses routine work. The software OncoKDM is a web-based tool that processes oncology raw NGS data to turn data into clinical insight such as treatment options or clinical trials. OncoDNA also works in collaboration with the biopharma industry to develop and deliver the treatments of tomorrow by assisting with design, enrolment and assessment of clinical trials as well as increasing access to approved precision medicines. The company is based in Gosselies, Belgium, employs 50 employees in 4 countries, works with an international network of 35 distributors covering approx. 50 countries and is collaborating with a sub-contracted laboratory of 300 collaborators. www.oncodna.com www.vesaliusbiocapital-3.com www.swisscanto.ch www.sfpi-fpim.be/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005149/en/ Contacts: OncoDNA Jean-Pol Detiffe, CEO Pierre Flamant, CFO +32 (0) 71 18 35 00 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to visit his Parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, on Sunday (February 16). Modi is scheduled to participate in the closing ceremony of the Centenary Celebrations of Shri Jagadguru Vishwaradhya Gurukul. The Prime Minister shall also be releasing the translated version of the Shri Siddhant Shikhamani Granth in 19 languages, according to an official statement. Dr Chandrasekhar Shivacharya Mahaswami, Head of the Gurukul, said Modi would also release a mobile app of the Granth. Later, the Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Memorial Centre. At the event, he shall also unveil a 63-feet 'pancha loha' statue of Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya. This is the largest statue of the leader in the country. Over 200 artisans have worked for a whole year in order to complete the statue, read the statement. The Memorial Centre shall also have the engravings of the life and times of Deendayal Upadhyaya. About 30 Odisha craftsmen and artists have worked on the project during the last year, the statement added. Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate over 30 projects, including a 430-bed super speciality government hospital, and a 74-bed psychiatry hospital at Benaras Hindu University. The Prime Minister shall also be flagging off the IRCTC's Maha Kaal Express through video link. The train will connect the three Jyotirling pilgrim centres - Varanasi, Ujjain and Omkareshwar. Prime Minister Modi shall also inaugurate the two-day 'Kashi Ek Roop Anek' exhibition at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Hastakala Sankul. He will interact with buyers and artisans coming from different countries of the world including America, England and Australia. 'Kashi Ek Roop Anek' will showcase products from over 100 artisans from all over Uttar Pradesh. Artists and weavers at the event will also be imparted skills for improving the quality and branding of their wares suitable to the larger and international markets. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Friday sought Jawaharlal Nehru University's response on a plea challenging the varsity's decision to change selection criteria for vacant teaching positions in its Centre for Historical Studies (CHS) after the posts were advertised. While issuing notice to JNU seeking its stand on the petition, Justice A K Chawla directed the varsity not to fill the advertised vacancies till the next date of hearing on May 6. The plea was moved by two professors of CHS, Sucheta Mahajan and Mahalakshmi Ramakrishnan, who contended that the varsity "illegally and unilaterally altered the selection criteria for the posts of assistant professor in CHS during the selection process". The petitioners said that the varsity, represented by central government standing counsel Monika Arora and advocate Harsh Ahuja, also shortlisted candidates for the posts based on the new criteria. The petition sought quashing of the list of candidates shortlisted on the basis of the new "diluted criteria" and the interviews conducted thereafter. It contended that JNU, after advertising the posts along with the requisite qualifications, decided to "dilute" the criteria during the selection process by asking the screening committee to remove the need for specialisations. The petition has claimed that by removing the requirement of specialisation, the varsity has rendered the posts as "open posts" for which someone with a Master's degree can also apply. It said that interviews of the illegally shortlisted candidates were carried out on February 11-12, but no appointments have been made. "It is submitted that the respondents (JNU, its recruitment cell and internal quality assessment cell) have acted in total contravention of the JNU Act, statutes, ordinances and UGC regulations on minimum qualification for appointment of teachers and other academic staff in universities and colleges," the petition claimed. It also alleged that "in addition to illegality committed by the respondents, it is also pertinent to mention that the removal of the specialisation requirement in the criteria results in the dilution of academic, teaching and research standards within the centre". According to the petition, in the advertisement, the selection criteria contained an additional requirement of a PhD in the specialisation concerned, which was done away with subsequently after selection process had commenced. The petition contended that the vacant posts were advertised with specific specialisations as certain faculty members from those specialisations had retired. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Spokesman says that in line with President Rodrigo Dutertes stand on US ties, two other longtime treaties must go. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will not entertain any initiatives of US President Donald Trump to save a two-decade-old military agreement between the two countries, and favours the termination of all defence deals with the United States, including the Mutual Defense Treaty, his spokesman has declared. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters in Manila on Thursday that reading the body language of Duterte, it is logical what he wants to do next. To be consistent with his stand, then all treaties must go, Panelo said. More: If he says that we have to stand on our own and not rely [on others] that means well have to strengthen our own resources. We dont need other countries, Panelo explained in a mix of Filipino and English. On Tuesday, Duterte had formally announced the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US. The agreement provides a framework for the temporary entry of US troops to the Philippines for joint-training exercises with Filipino forces. The termination will take effect 180 days after the Philippines delivers the notice to the US. Aside from the VFA, the Philippines has a long-standing Mutual Defense Treaty with the US signed in 1951. That agreement requires the Philippines and the US to extend military support to each other in case either parties is attacked by another country. A second supplemental agreement, signed in 2014, allows the US to maintain weapons and station American troops inside five Filipino army bases. This agreement played a pivotal role in the Philippine militarys defeat of armed groups in southern Philippines allied with the ISIL (ISIS) group. There are now concerns that without the VFA, the two other pacts would become irrelevant. What is important to the president is that this is the time to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement. The more we rely on them, the more our position weakens, Panelo said, adding that what Duterte wants to do next remains to be seen. Assault on sovereignty Panelo also said that Duterte wont anymore talk to Trump, and wont entertain any initiatives of the US government. Trump had earlier shrugged off Dutertes decision to end the VFA, saying he never minded that very much, adding it will save a lot of money. Dutertes decision was sparked by the revocation of a US visa held by the former police chief and now Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who led his so-called war on drugs that left thousands of people dead. Panelo earlier explained that Dutertes decision was a consequence of US legislative and executive actions that bordered on assaulting our sovereignty and disrespecting our judicial system. Previously, Duterte had accused the US of using the agreements to conduct clandestine activities such as spying and the building of a nuclear weapons stockpile which he says risks making the Philippines a target for Chinese aggression. Some Filipino senators sought to block Dutertes move soon after news of it broke, arguing that without Senate approval he had no right to unilaterally scrap international pacts it had ratified. Supporters of the agreements argue they have deterred Chinese militarisation in the South China Sea while $1.3bn of US defence assistance since 1998 has been vital in boosting the capabilities of under-resourced Philippine forces. On Wednesday, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario described Dutertes decision to terminate the VFA as a national tragedy. Philippine nationalists, however, say the US did nothing to stop China building islands in the South China Sea equipped with missiles and say the VFA is tilted in favour of the Americans, including the granting of immunity from prosecution for US servicemen. Since becoming president in 2016, Duterte has signalled a shift in alliance away from the US, and closer to China. 511 Shares Share On my final day of work before beginning my self-imposed burnout sabbatical, a colleague asked, Why dont you just get on medication? I remember thinking, What am I medicating? I feel nothing. I was in the vice grip of burnout, overwhelmed, and physically and emotionally exhausted. But mostly, I was numb. But in reality, I have always self-medicated with work. As a professional ballet dancer turned doctor, my life has been defined by immersion in learning and achieving, being the best, perfection. I left home at thirteen for Russia to pursue a life and career in dance. This move was exhilarating, lonely, and the studio became my safe space. I could just move, turn off my brain, and not feel anything. When I later endured the rigors of medical training, my 80+ hour work weeks could similarly block out any thoughts or emotions of my life outside of work an unhappy marriage, stresses of raising small children, and personal conflict. A physician friend jokingly asked me recently, At what stage in your training did you learn to give up feeling anything? I remember very clearly. It was my second year of residency in the ICU. I lost two patients who were my age as well as a member of my ICU team. Instead of processing these losses, our team kept rounding. I carried my grief for years. I internalized the belief that when a patient died, it was my own personal failure. If I were smarter, worked harder, read more, learned more, or researched more, I could somehow cheat death. I worked obsessively to mute grief, fear, inadequacy, and rage. This made me a highly-skilled resident and an emotionally muted human being. With a new baby and tenuous marriage, I began therapy within a month of completing residency. Appropriately, the therapist would ask how I was feeling, and I would guess, Um, anxious? Is that right? I literally could not name what I was experiencing. I was numb after decades of avoiding the reality of my life. I was emotionally comatose. By disallowing the pain, I had cut myself off from all emotions even the ones that make us feel alive. I can point to specific examples of how my emotional muting developed and sustained me through many grueling years. When imposter syndrome crept into my medical training, I worked harder and longer. When I ran my first code on a very young patient, to avoid the terror, I learned everything I could about septic shock. When the nanny of our small children was murdered, I avoided my grief by jumping into the pragmatics of arranging new childcare and logging on to EMR until well after midnight. The inherent problem is this: There is no RVU compensation for bereavement, for seeking help in dealing with the emotional toll of practicing medicine, for modeling self-care for colleagues and trainees. In a culture where productivity is rewarded, and self-sacrifice is praised, we as individuals, groups, and organizations must recognize and give margin for the emotional work required not only provide excellent care for our patients, but for ourselves. In medicine, I can work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and still have more to do. This false comfort and escape can be likened to an alcoholic with access to a 24-hour liquor store. Always there, welcoming me. Always masking the pain or fear. And, for me, giving me a feeling of redemption and value because what I do, what we do, is worthy, important, noble work. What I did not realize until I was nearly 40, is that I cannot selectively mute my feelings. My joy, humor, love, kindness, and compassion were also reduced, numbed. My emotional bandwidth was so narrow that I could no longer experience any intense feelings. There were no highs or lows. In fact, love and joy felt just as scary and unmanageable as fear and grief. My friends and family were the collateral damage of this coping mechanism. Not surprisingly, nearing mid-career, I found myself burned out and in need of a reset. I needed time to find out who I was as a physician, a wife, a mother, a human being. I was finally ready to feel again. By giving myself permission to step away from my work, I was also admitting I would no longer be defined by that work. There was more that I wanted, needed. It didnt happen overnight. It was a solid two years before I felt the sun. It was terrifying, grueling work in therapy, requiring me to be vulnerable and exposed. I asked for and received help both from within my medical community and from friends who had watched me hit bottom and wanted to help lift me back up. In the end, I surprised myself by choosing to return to my patients and clinical practice. The life I live now, I could never have imagined ten, even five years ago. Its like watching a technicolor movie for the first time. Everything is more vibrant, more vivid. I know I can experience self-compassion, forgiveness, mercy, love, and grace in a way that I never have. I know that I can withstand anger, fear, loss, and disappointment, not by suppressing and avoiding these emotions, but by embracing them. I can love myself and others in a way that was previously impossible. I am a better wife, mother, friend, and doctor because of this. Kara Pepper is an internal medicine physician and can be reached at her self-titled site, Physician Life Coach: Kara Pepper, MD. Image credit: Shutterstock.com STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is set to hold a Stapleton information session on the controversial bail reform laws that went into effect on Jan. 1. The event, which will be held in the Central Family Life Center, 59 Wright Street, on Feb. 26 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., will include a panel discussion with policy experts and legal service providers, according to an event announcement. The event is part of a citywide effort with events occurring in other boroughs in the coming days and weeks, the announcement said. Community members will have the opportunity to connect to resources and get support from partners of the session. District Attorney Michael E. McMahon has shared his concerns over the new legislation multiple times, including in a commentary on SILive.com, defining it as a slap in the face to every family that has suffered the loss of a loved one to crime. Mark J. Fonte, a St. George-based criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor, said McMahon and others spread fear with rhetoric used in regard to the laws, adding, Staten Islanders have nothing to fear from the new bail reform laws and release of these non-violent offenders from Rikers Island." To RSVP for the public advocates event, visit this link. China's Hubei province, the center of the coronavirus outbreak, reported nearly 15,000 new cases Thursday, a stark rise that dashed hopes that the epidemic was slowing down and raised new concerns about its true scale across the country. Most of the new cases were reported in Wuhan, the capital of the province, where the virus, now named COVID-19, is believed to have originated. Across all of China, nearly 60,000 cases of the virus have been reported, with the latest death toll at 1,367. The latest spike came after officials in Hubei started using new technology to diagnose cases. Hubei had previously allowed infections to be confirmed only by RNA tests, which can take days to process. RNA, or ribonucleic acid, carries genetic information allowing for identification of organisms like viruses. But it has now begun counting cases that have been clinically diagnosed. The Hubei health commission did not spell out the details of the new diagnosis method, but it said clinically diagnosed cases of COVID-19 are suspected cases with "pneumonia imaging features." Citing health officials, Reuters reported that the cases were diagnosed using computerized tomography scans, which can reveal lung infections. As a result, 14,840 new cases were reported Thursday in Hubei, up from 2,015 new cases across mainland China on Wednesday. The new diagnosis method will help patients get treatment as early as possible and improve the success rate, the Hubei health commission said. However, the new testing methodology is being used only in Hubei province, Chinese officials said. Download the NBC News app for breaking news Before the rise in cases was reported in Hubei, the World Health Organization said Wednesday that the number of cases in China had stabilized but that it was too early to say the epidemic was slowing. "This outbreak could still go in any direction," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing Wednesday in Geneva. Story continues "Wartime control measures" were announced Wednesday in the Zhangwan district of the city of Shiyan in Hubei province, northwest of Wuhan, the first time Chinese authorities have announced such rules since the outbreak began. Those who defy the measures will be detained, local authorities said. The measures, which include the closing of all buildings, took effect Thursday and will last for at least 14 days. As China struggles to get the outbreak under control, top officials in the center of the epidemic are paying the price. China's Xinhua news agency reported Thursday that the secretary of the provincial party committee of Hubei province, Jiang Chaolian, had been removed and would be replaced by Ying Yong, the mayor of Shanghai. Jiang's departure follows the firings of two other senior officials in Hubei. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday said that the Maharashtra government's alleged decision to transfer the Bhima-Koregaon case to the Centre is constitutionally wrong as the investigation of crime falls under state's jurisdiction. "Behaviour of some people in Maharashtra Police (involved in Bhima Koregaon investigation) was objectionable. I wanted that the role of these officers is investigated. In the morning, there was a meeting of Maharashtra government ministers with police officers. At 3 pm, the Centre ordered the transfer of the case to NIA. This is wrong as per the Constitution because crime's investigation is state's jurisdiction," he said. "The Centre taking out investigation out of state's hands in this manner is wrong and Maharashtra government giving support to their decision is also wrong," he said. Last month, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had said that the Centre should not have transferred the Bhima Koregaon case to NIA without taking the state government in the loop. "The Centre should not have transferred the Bhima Koregoan case to NIA without taking us into the loop. Today, we met the Advocate General to discuss what should be done after receiving the letter," he had said. "We have not received any letter regarding probe in Bhima Koregaon case. We will decide our next step after reading the letter and seeking a legal opinion on it. People from many organisation have told me that some people have wrongly been charged in the case," Deshmukh had claimed. On January 1, 2018, violence had erupted during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle. One person lost his life while several others were injured in the incident. Police had filed 58 cases against 162 people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Eyewear Market 2020 Global Healthcare Industry Forecast 2020-2026 Report provides comprehensive information on Global Eyewear Market by Product Type (Spectacles, Sunglasses, Contact Lens), Distribution Channel (Retail Store, Online Store, Ophthalmic Clinics), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026. Eyewear comprises of accessories and items that can be worn over the eyes. The global eyewear market size was USD 115.90 billion in 2018, and is projected to reach USD 178.95 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast Period of 2020-2026. Report will help you out to determine how the market will evolve, to make confident decisions to capture new opportunities. Eyewear Market Report also explains supply and demand situation, Competitive scenario, and Market Size, Share, Trends and Competitive landscape. The report covers the growth prospects over the coming decades & discussion of the key vendors. Request Sample Copy of the Eyewear Market Report Scope of Report: The global eyewear market size is anticipated to expand owing to the increasing awareness about ocular diseases, coupled with the rise in prevalence of vision abnormality. Fortune Business Insights Predicts Global Eyewear Market Size to Expand Owing to Surge in the Adoption of Premium Eyewear Products, Coupled with Rise in Disposable Incomes of Consumers Global Eyewear Market growth provides information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, price, cost, capacity, production, revenue and contact information. The report offers dynamic insights into the prevailing trends of the Eyewear market. It shares an all-inclusive study of all the segments and provides comprehensive data on all the aspects, with regional analysis. The report further focuses on growth driver and opportunities, including strategic collaborations, innovative product launches, agreements, joint ventures, and major key players based on region. It offers significant insights to companies, readers, stakeholders, suppliers, service providers, and distributors for evaluating the Eyewear market. Eyewear market development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. It is projected to give a compressive illustration of the market size. Global Eyewear Market analyzes on key Eyewear companies and studies the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans for the next few years. Factual figures have been evaluated through trusted sources. Other forecast valued have been gathered through interviews and opinions of experienced market research professionals. Top listed companies for global Eyewear Market are: Fielmann AG Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. Alcon (Part of Novartis AG) Safilo Group S.p.A Bausch Health Companies Inc. EssilorLuxottica Carl Zeiss CooperVision Other Prominent Players Regional Analysis: Geographically, this report is segmented into several key regions, with sales, revenue, market share and growth Rate of Propionyl Chloride in these regions, from 2020 to 2026, covering North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Turkey etc.) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam) South America (Brazil etc.) Middle East and Africa (Egypt and GCC Countries) North America generated an eyewear market revenue of USD 35.60 billion and dominated the market. This domination is attributable to factors such as a rise in awareness about ocular disorders, and preference for premium eye care products. On the other side, Europe eyewear market will rise at a remarkable rate owing to an increase in affordability to buy expensive sunglasses in nations such as UK, France, and Germany. Moreover, the market in Asia Pacific is likely to witness high CAGR in the eyewear market share on account of the rise in geriatric population, prevalence of ocular diseases, rise in disposable incomes of people, and brand advertising that urges people to opt for the expensive branded eyewear products. Browse complete Eyewear Market 2020 Report Key questions answered in the report: What will the market growth rate of Eyewear market in 2026? What are the key factors driving the global Eyewear market? Who are the key companies in Eyewear market space? What are the market opportunities, market risk and market overview of the Eyewear market? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis of top companies of Eyewear market? Who are the distributors, traders and dealers of Eyewear market? What are the Eyewear market opportunities and threats faced by the leaders in the global Eyewear industry? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by types and applications of Eyewear market? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by regions of Eyewear industry? Market Growth Factors: Eyewear comprises of accessories and items that can be worn over the eyes. They are used for various purposes, such as for protection against environment, embellishment or fashion purpose, or for enhancing or improving vision. Eyewear products are basically in the form of contact lenses, sunglasses, and spectacles. In addition, they help to protect against UVB and UVA sun rays and aid to treat ocular diseases such as short or long-sightedness, and others. Rise in the availability of spectacles in online channels and retail stores from both developing and developed nations is expected to increase the demand for higher-value sunglasses. The surge in brand advertising has urged consumers to become brand conscious, thus adding a boost to eyewear market growth. Rise in the geriatric population and their vulnerability towards eye disorders, infections, and diseases will promote the use of spectacles and contact lenses. This, in turn, is prognosticated to increase the eyewear market share in the forthcoming years. Global Eyewear Market report 2020-2026 offers overall business strategies and market trends to those who are actively seeking an effective way to grow in the industry. Market Report covers the present circumstances and the growth scenarios of the trade for the 2020-2026 period. Eyewear Market Report helps in computing the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sales internationally. Research objectives: To understand the structure of Eyewear market by identifying its various sub segments. Focuses on the key global Eyewear companies, to define, describe and analyse the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years. To analyze the Eyewear with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market. To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks). To project the consumption of Eyewear submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries). To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies. In the end, Eyewear Market report provides details of competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market for forecasting, regional demand and supply factor, investment, market dynamics including technical scenario, consumer behaviour, and end use industry trends and dynamics, capacity, spending were taken into consideration. Major Table of Content: Global Eyewear Market 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 4.1. Prevalence of Major Cardiovascular Diseases by Key Countries 4.2. Overview of Novel Oral Eyewear (NOACs) 4.3. Pipeline Analysis 4.4. Key Industry Developments Such as Mergers & Acquisitions 4.5. New Product Launches 4.6. Regulatory Scenario in Key Countries 4.7. Reimbursement Scenario by Key Countries Global Eyewear Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026 5.1. Key Findings / Summary Continued List of Tables: Table 1: Global Eyewear Market Revenue (US$ Mn) Forecast, By Country 20152026 Table 2: North America Eyewear Market Revenue (US$ Mn) Forecast, By Country 2015-2026 Table 3: Europe Market Revenue (US$ Mn) Forecast, By Country, 2015-2026 Table 4: South America Eyewear Market Revenue (US$ Mn) Forecast, , 2015-2026 Table 5: Middle East and Africa Eyewear Market Revenue (US$ Mn) Forecast, By Country, 2015-2026 Table 6: Asia-Pacific Eyewear Market Revenue (US$ Mn) Forecast, By Country, 2015-2026 Continued Related Report: Global Drug Discovery Informatics Market DNA Sequencing Market Size Cardiac Biomarkers Market 2020 Medical Tourism Market Size About us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Our reports contain a unique mix of tangible insights and qualitative analysis to help companies achieve sustainable growth. Our team of experienced analysts and consultants use industry-leading research tools and techniques to compile comprehensive market studies, interspersed with relevant data. Contact Us: US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Flavored nicotine vape products dodged another bullet after Oregon lawmakers killed a proposal to ban them. Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson, who championed the bill, said the priority is now to create a program to license all nicotine retailers. The flavor ban is gone, the Gresham Democrat said at the beginning of Senate Bill 1577s work session Thursday afternoon. The proposal to ban all flavored nicotine vaping and e-cigarette products came in the midst of an explosion of public awareness about the potential dangers of the minimally regulated industry. Concerns escalated with a lung illness epidemic that has been attributed primarily to black market marijuana oil vape products. That crisis brought attention to an entirely different one a spike in youth addiction to nicotine, driven by addictive, available and easily concealable vaping products. Monnes Andersons bill would have banned the sale of all nicotine vape products with flavors, such as mango and mint. Only those that actually tasted like tobacco would have been allowed. In a crucial distinction from a federal ban on flavored products already on the books, the bill would not have distinguished between types of vaping devices it would have banned disposable, refillable and cartridge-based flavored vape products. Each violation would have been punishable by up to $5,000. Monnes Anderson said she didnt have the votes in the Senate. She attributed that to a variety of concerns lawmakers had, including the potential hit to state revenue if both the bill and a November ballot proposal to increase tobacco taxes pass. In a memo handed to Monnes Anderson and other lawmakers, a lobbyist for tobacco company Reynolds American estimated that a ban on flavored nicotine products would make a substantial dent in state revenue. The November ballot measure includes a proposal to tax vaping products for the first time. With a ban on flavored products, the lobbyist estimated that the state would pull in $22.6 million less in potential revenue in the 2021-23 biennium and $24 million less in the following biennium. The calculations are based on legislative estimates of how much a vaping tax would bring. According to 2019 estimates, the state would collect $25 million in 2021-23. Assuming about 90 percent of vape products are flavored, revenue would drop 90 percent as well, according to the lobbyists memo. Monnes Anderson said her staffs calculations fit the lobbyists estimates. Under the amendment to the bill voted in Thursday, the bill would create a statewide licensing system for all stores that sell nicotine products. Oregon is one of the few states without such a system, which is vital to enforcing nicotine sales laws. The bill would have a $1.5 million fiscal impact in the 2019 to 2021 biennium, according to the Legislative Fiscal Office, and $3.1 million in the 2021 to 2023 biennium. It is now going to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. -- Fedor Zarkhin fzarkhin@oregonian.com desk: 503-294-7674|cell: 971-373-2905|@fedorzarkhin Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Just 24 hours before his inauguration as governor of Bayelsa state, the supreme court nullified the election of David Lyon, candidate of... Just 24 hours before his inauguration as governor of Bayelsa state, the supreme court nullified the election of David Lyon, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who was declared winner of the governorship election in the state in November 2019. Lyon was expected to take over the leadership of the state from Seriake Dickson, the incumbent, whose tenure expires on Friday, and he was already rehearsing for the inauguration before the verdict came. The apex court asked 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. The panel of justices was led by Mary Odili, and its decision affirmed the judgment 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. The court of appeal had, however, upturned the decision of the trial court and affirmed the candidature of Lyon and Degi-Eremienyo, but Diri proceeded to the apex court, which sacked the APC candidates. A British woman, distressed over being abandoned by her husband during their Goa trip, entered the sea at Baga beach to commit suicide on Friday, but was rescued by lifeguards, police said. The woman, in her fifties, was rescued by lifeguards on duty at Baga beach near here in North Goa when they found her walking into the sea beyond the area marked for tourists, they said. When lifeguards approached the lady, she went deep into the sea and refused to accept any help, police said. One of the lifeguards pulled her out of the seawater even as she insisted she wanted to end her life, a senior officer of the Calangute police station said. During questioning, the woman said her husband abandoned her during Goa trip and went away with all travel documents, he said. She was distressed over this and hence wanted to end her life, the officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An 18-year-old senior is dead, a high school and community are in mourning, but officials are remaining mum about the vehicle accident that took her life Wednesday night, casting unwanted mystery on what occurred. As WFMZ-69 News reports, few details of the fatal accident that killed Olivia Mae Gingrich, 18, of South Heidelberg Township, Berks County, are being released. In fact, Bethel Township police told 69 News they won't release any information about the crash without a right-to-know request being filed with the department. This, after the Conrad Weiser High School student was killed in the crash that occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Route 501, between Airport Road and the Schuylkill County line, in Bethel Township, emergency dispatchers told the TV station. No other details have been released. However, unofficial sources have said Gingrichs vehicle struck a tree and overturned, citing slippery road conditions as a contributing factor in the fatal crash. This account of a tragic but relatively ordinary crash makes the officials silence appear all the more strange. Meanwhile, the high school and community are in mourning, as 69 News reports: Its a tragedy, Chief Leon Grim, with the South Heidelberg Township Police Department, told the station. Theres no other way to describe it having someone, a school senior, a high school senior at the peak of their life, ready to move on, to be involved in such a tragic incident like this. The school district's superintendent, Randall Grove, told 69 News that counselors were on hand at the high school on Thursday to help Gingrich's classmates cope with the tragedy. It was a challenging day," Grove told WFMZ. The family is in our thoughts and prayers. READ MORE: Someone is shooting and killing cows in Pa.: state police Pa. woman faces aggravated DUI charges after hitting girl, 12, getting on school bus Pa. district attorney under investigation by children and youth refuses drug tests, home inspections Pa. man out to beat drug test is foiled when young sons bottled pee drops from his pants Hunt on for 3 women caught on video brutally robbing 4th woman on Pa. street Pair of $3,000 puppies dog-napped from Pa. kennel Woman found in blood-soaked blanket; man accused of imprisoning her for sex: Pa. cops Its lunacy: Pa. cops still busting plenty of people for pot despite de-criminalization, report says Pause for a cause: No one wakes up saying, Im going to kill somebody with my car Finger gun by Down syndrome girl, 6, triggers Pa. school to call cops, mom says Cards 4 Haley: Strangers touched by story of girl run over by tractor show their big hearts I heard him yelp: Pa. dog on leash killed with bow and arrow in backyard She's been dividing her time between London and Cape Town whilst hosting Love Island. And Laura Whitmore made the most of her time in the UK as she attended the Central Saint Martins MA fashion show during London Fashion Week on Friday. The winter Love Island host, 34, looked effortlessly chic in a metallic blue blazer and matching skirt as she led the front row (FROW) at the runway collection. Chic: Laura Whitmore made the most of her time in the UK as she attended the Central Saint Martins MA fashion show during London Fashion Week on Friday Laura teamed the items of clothing with a white crop top, black handbag and barely-there heeled sandals. The Irish presenter styled her blonde locks into a sleek blow-dried hairdo, she added a slick of glamorous make-up. Laura's outing came after her boyfriend Iain Stirling poked fun at their long-term relationship on his his show CelebAbility. Metallic: The winter Love Island host, 34, looked effortlessly chic in a metallic blue blazer and matching skirt as she led the front row (FROW) at the runway collection Details: Laura teamed the items of clothing with a white crop top, black handbag and barely-there heeled sandals Irish beauty: The Irish presenter styled her blonde locks into a sleek blow-dried hairdo, she added a slick of glamorous make-up Glamorous: Ella Eyre, left, and Jessie Ware, right, were also in attendance at the event on Friday night In a yet to air episode of the ITV2 show, the TV funnyman, 32, discusses what it's like to date the TV beauty while offering an anecdote of a situation where is was completely dismissed as her boyfriend. Iain leads the discussion with guest panellist Stacey Solomon who appears on the show up against Aljaz Skorjanec, Janette Manrara, Matt Richardson and Jayde Adam with her three pals. During a chat about dating beautiful women, Iain jokes that a taxi driver once drove off after he'd walked Laura to the door of her Uber because he didn't associate the voice over with being her partner. Work it: Adwoa Aboah looked sensational in a blue sports jacket and a pair of wide-leg trousers FROW: The model, 27, joined Michael Ward on the front row at the fashion show event Star-studded: Also joining the stars was Billy Porter, far left, who wowed in a grey outfit Iain revealed: 'Me and Matt [Richardson] go out with our partners in public and we have the pleasure of other human beings look at us, and you can see them with their eyes going how the f**k has that happened? Offering example, he said: 'I've give you a perfect example of what it's like going out with Laura, we were at a hotel and we're going for dinner in a restaurant. 'I booked an Uber and because I'm a gentleman I walked Laura to the Uber, opened the door for her and she got in, shut the door for her. That Uber driver drove away.' French leaders from across the political spectrum have called for private life to be respected after the release of a sex tape led to the resignation of Paris city hall hopeful Benjamin Griveaux. But Griveaux's withdrawal from the race is also a major blow to Macron's bid to control City Hall. Leaders of France's main parties took to social media Friday to denounce the lynching of Benjamin Griveaux who resigned as LREM candidate to become mayor of Paris after a website published an explicit sex video, which it said came from the former government spokesman. According to Liberation newspaper, the video was put online by Russian performance artist Pyotr Pavlensky who became famous for nailing his scrotum to Red Square. Pavelensky claimed to have put the video online to expose the ex-candidate's hypocrisy over his stance on family values. He said he got the video from a source who had a consensual relationship with 42-year old Griveaux, married with three children. Griveaux's political rivals rallied around him on Friday. Let us refuse this flood of voyeurism in French public life, Jean-Luc Melenchon, the head of hard-left France Unbowed party tweeted, describing the publication of intimate images [designed] to destroy a rival as odious. Some blows are not allowed, he added and called on his party faithful not to take part in a settling of scores. Socialist Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who is leading the race in opinion polls, called for "the respect of privacy and of people." Dissident candidate Cedric Villani, who left LREM to run against Griveaux, called the attack undignified" and a serious threat to our democracy. Green candidate David Belliard meanwhile noted this difficult decision" and said the respect for private life was a fundamental right which shouldn't be called into question by any public engagement. Stanislas Guerini, LREM's general delegate, thanked Griveaux for putting group [interests] before himself, following hideous attacks which are not worthy of our democracy. The fall from grace Griveaux began in local politics and rose up in the ranks of former Socialist minister and disgraced head of the IMF Dominique Strass Kahn (DSK). He worked as an adviser to DSK and supported the latter's unsuccessful bid to lead the Socialist Party in 2006. His career took off in 2015 when he was asked to help create Emmanuel Macron's En Marche! Movement. Seen as one of Macron's closest political allies, he was appointed government spokesman following Macron's election in May 2017 and also worked as Secretary of State at the Finance and Economy ministry. He had a frank style which some, even within his party, called arrogant. In January 2019 he had to escape his office after Yellow Vest protestors rammed a truck into his ministry. Shortly after being named as LREM candidate in Paris Mayor elections, his image took a blow when a recording of him insulting several of his colleagues was made public. His campaign Paris together with Benjamin failed to generate much enthusiasm and he was mocked on social media for planning to move Gare de l'Est and create a Parisian Central Park in its place. Recent polls showed him trailing in third place in Paris, where Macron had won comfortably in the 2017 presidential elections. Blow for Macron Griveaux has said LREM's project for Paris would continue better without [him] adding that Parisians deserve a dignified campaign. LREM are meeting Friday to plan a new strategy for the party. It's far from clear whether it could rally round dissident Cedric Villani or field another candidate. But there is little doubt the Griveaux scandal is a blow to Macron's ambition to retake control of Paris city hall. While Griveaux had never been a frontrunner in the campaign, there were hopes a good score in Paris would help consolidate Macron's base ahead of his re-election bid in 2022. In the upcoming local elections on 15 and 22 March, LREM risks facing heavy losses in rural areas where Macron's policies have met with resistance and fired the Yellow Vest protest movement. It was hoped a decent performance in the capital would offset those anticipated losses. Macron's ruling party meanwhile is losing support. Three MPs defected in early February, leaving the party with 300 members in the National Assembly, down from 314 at the start of its term. Recent opinion polls suggest less than a third of the French now view Macron favourably. File image: Congress leader P Chidambaram Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram 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 National 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 National 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. Some designers changed or cancelled their shows due to factory shutdowns in China as global coronavirus worries spread. Fashionistas sported face masks and clutched their hand sanitizers at Fridays opening of London Fashion Week in what is expected to be a lacklustre turnout as the world reels with growing anxiety over the coronavirus outbreak. The annual gathering is taking precautions against the spread of the virus by making hygiene a priority, assured British Fashion Council Chief Executive Caroline Rush. London Fashion Week is also working to ensure that Chinese journalists, buyers and social media influencers unable to attend can still join in by promoting content and encouraging conversations on Chinese social media platforms Weibo and WeChat, Rush told Reuters News Agency. Lower Chinese attendance is potentially a major blow for fashion brands since Chinese spending accounted for a third of luxury global market sales in 2018, according to Bain & Company. The shutdown of transport links and factories in China, the worlds leading supplier of textiles, also threw a wrench in the showings. Weve had one designer that isnt able to show because their collection hasnt arrived from China due to the logistics issues, Rush said. Still, the show must go on for the celebrities, fashion buyers, magazine editors and social media influencers in attendance. Overcoming several logistical barriers, Chinese designer Yuhan Wang presented her first solo collection on Friday. Inspired by Victorian-era waisted jackets, Wang said delayed shipments of some items meant that the show was not exactly as she had envisaged. Due to the virus, all the handcrafted things that were made in China werent able to arrive, and all the factories shut down, and the couriers [were] not working, so I had to cut down the looks, Wang told Reuters. A model wears a Yuhan Wang creation at London Fashion Week, February 14, 2020 [Henry Nicholls/Reuters] With a reputation for being a launchpad for bold new designers, London Fashion Week is also showing collections from established brands such as Burberry and Vivienne Westwood. The fashion industry, however, is bracing for a problematic few months if restrictions on travelling and working continue. Luxury labels such as Gucci owner Kering have already said the coronavirus will mean smaller crowds at the month-long catwalk season. The London leg is due to be followed by shows in Milan and Paris later this month. The coronavirus outbreak has already forced the cancellation of many international business gatherings and sporting events. Shanghai Fashion Week has been postponed from its end-of-March date. The virus, which originated in Wuhan Province late last year, has claimed more than 1,380 lives and spread to other countries. Eric Sartana Horner is soft-spoken and somewhat reserved, a surprising contrast for someone who fronts the doom and black-metal band, Throne of Malediction. I'm a really shy person, the 42-year-old Butte resident said. I have a lot of social anxiety, so it was kind of tough to come here. The Montana Standard recently met with Horner to discuss his latest EP, Dark Days. He produced the three-track EP entirely remotely, collaborating with musicians from the United Kingdom, Uraguay and Finland. Horner said he crafted the songs from his Butte home, swapping audio files, sharing lyrics, and trading ideas virtually. Its a lot of work, he said. My friends just send in their parts and I mix them in and I have to do the production. In person, Horners calm demeanor masks the struggles and tragic experiences he suffered for much of his adult life. At 19, Horner ended up on the street and was living behind dumpsters and train tracks in central California.It was just dumb things that happened, he said. I had mental health problems and was undiagnosed. I've been in and out of the mental health system since the 90s, he said. Im actually bipolar, so that's kind of where music ties in. Music is really just a way to get this mania out, I guess. Playing dark metal music has been cathartic for Horner. I'm med-free nowadays. It's just time management and a lot of music, he said. Its also my kids, my family and my wife that keep me strong. When you hear Horners doom and gloom black-metal in Dark Days, the lyrics are dark and melancholic, reflecting themes of death, destruction and despair. Horner describes the first track, Moonlight, as a hypnotic, fantasy song with a ghostly feeling. But the two tracks, Desperate Caress and The Empty Road are what Horner described as very personal. A lot of it is really personal, and it's kind of hard to talk about, Horner said, his voice cracking mid-sentence and tears welling up in his eyes. He bent his head down trying to blink away the tears as he struggled to recount his previous life. I try to make it relatable to other people or put it in metaphors or poetry, he continued. The lyrics just try to reflect what it was like dealing with my mental health stuff, Horner said. I've had a lot of problems such as thoughts of suicide, anxiety and PTSD sorts of things. Born in Bakersfield, California, Horner spent half his childhood in the golden state and the other half in Northern Montana. Growing up, Horner said he moved around a lot due to family dysfunction and poverty. I was mainly raised by a single mom, Horner said. He said he spent half his childhood in Kalispell to live with his grandparents. But it was in southern California where Horner began to develop his musical taste for dark metal. When I was younger, I hung out with members of a band called Edema down in Bakersfield, he said. I used to get into bars as a teenager because I'd walk in the back of the bar carrying drum parts. But I wouldn't come and drink; I just wanted to watch. Horner said he learned to play the guitar as a teen and started performing in shows in his mid- to late-twenties. I actually got my start playing the guitar for a local rapper, Pop-A-Pill, in Kalispell, he said. Horner was living in Kalispell when he formed the Throne of Malediction in 2007 with his first wife. The two played together until 2011, when their lives took a turn and became homeless. I was laid off from work and it started going downhill. I had been working for Applied Materials doing electronic assembly for a long time. So after that, it was hard for both of us to find work, Horner said. We moved down to Burbank, California and were living out of our car...We then divorced in 2012. Horner has since continued Throne of Malediction alone, he said. Thats what a lot of my music is about. Its about coming out of from the bottom, Horner said. Ive thought about ending it all so many times. But no, I had to bounce back. Today, Horner is happily married with his wife of four years and their two kids. He said they moved to Butte two years ago to be closer to his wifes family. Since then, Horner has kept a stable job as a part-time pizza delivery driver at Dominos Pizza. My wife works a lot as a manager at a store, while I help with taking care of the kids so we can save on childcare, Horner said. With the release of Throne of Maledictions third EP, Horner said he doesnt plan to tour any time soon. I need to wait until my two little kids are a little older, Horner said. In the meantime, Horner is hoping to meet more local musicians. My biggest goal right now is finding other musicians around here that like this type of music and wholl actually come and show up and play, he said. Love 8 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Guillaume Glass, general manager of KLM for Japan, Korea and New Caledonia, reads a statement of apology during a media conference in Seoul, Friday. / Courtesy of KLM By Jun Ji-hye Dutch carrier KLM made a public statement on Friday, apologizing for actions taken by its crew that raised accusations of racial discrimination associated with the new coronavirus against Korean passengers who were on board the KL855 flight to Incheon from Amsterdam earlier this week. The incident was brought to light after a Korean passenger posted on Instagram an image of a sign on the lavatory door, which read "Toilet for crew use only," written only in Korean, while passengers of various nationalities were on board. When she asked a Dutch senior purser about it, he said it was a protective measure against health issues in Asia. "We would like to express our sincere apologies to all passengers who were offended by the operation and announcement of crew-only lavatories," Guillaume Glass, general manager of KLM for Japan, Korea and New Caledonia, said during a press conference in Seoul. "The decision was taken by the crew, and the announcement was written in Korean only. The English version was only added after it was pointed out by a passenger. This is a human mistake and we apologize for it." Glass continued, "We take the allegations that we have discriminated against a part of our passengers very seriously. We are deeply sorry that this was viewed as discrimination, which was absolutely not the intention of the crew." Guillaume Glass, second from right, general manager of KLM for Japan, Korea and New Caledonia, along with other executives including Country Sales Manager MJ Lee, second from left, bow during a media conference in Seoul, Friday, to apologize for what was seen as the KLM crew's racial discrimination against Korean passengers. / Courtesy of KLM 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. (Alliance News) - Predator Oil & Gas Holdings PLC said Friday it has conditionally placed 89 million new shares at a price of 4 pence each to raise GBP3.56 million. The Jersey-based oil and gas company with operations in Trinidad, Morocco and Ireland said the placing was "significantly oversubscribed and it utilises all of the company's existing headroom." The company said the proceeds will be used for the drilling of the Moulouya well onshore Morocco. Predator said it will continue with rapidly progressing the project towards spudding. In addition, the company said it will be upscaling the potential for profits from Enhanced Oil Recovery utilising carbon dioxide, onshore Trinidad and for general working capital. Predator said this further capitalisation creates the ability to secure an in-country rig to drill the Moulouya well, resulting in a significant saving in rig mobilisation costs compared to sourcing overseas. It also facilitates the earlier return to the company of the first USD1.0 million of the USD1.5 million Bank Guarantee in place with ONHYM after the completion and reporting of drilling operations, the company noted. Chief Executive Officer Paul Griffiths said: "I am very pleased to announce this oversubscribed placing that results in the business being very well capitalised as we enter a period of potentially transformational business operations." Predator shares were trading 16% lower in London at 4.20 pence each on Friday. By Loreta Juodagalvyte; loretajuodagalvyte@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. The work week will end with some clouds, some light rain, and some sun breaks. Friday is the calm before Saturdays storm. Some metro areas could see an isolated shower or two, but overall the day will be mostly dry and partly sunny. The high is expected to reach 48 degrees. A strong system moving south from the Gulf of Alaska will drop into the metro area early Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. This will bring rain to the valleys and plenty of snow to the Cascades. Valley rain could add up to as much as an inch. Gusty winds are likely, and the high will reach about 47 degrees. Snow levels will start out low, at 2,600 feet, then climb slightly to 4,000 feet by the afternoon when the bulk of the precipitation arrives. Ski areas will see around 20 inches of new snow through the weekend. Pass locations could see 10-16 inches. Travel through the passes will be hazardous. Be ready for winter driving conditions, and use required traction devices. Also, travelers should have an emergency kid in the vehicle, and make sure theyve got a full tank, or full battery. Drivers should be ready for snow, heavy at times, through the Cascade passes Saturday. File photo, Oregon State Police.LC- A cold front will follow directly behind Saturdays storm and transition rain to showers overnight into Sunday. The day will feature showers and a likely high temp of 49 degrees. Snow levels are expected to drop back to 2,500 feet Sunday morning, but precipitation rates will lower enough that not a lot of new snow is predicted to fall on the foothills. Be prepared for winter travel conditions across the Cascades this weekend & be sure to check with the @OregonDOT for the latest road conditions & travel restrictions. Heavy snow will fall across the Cascades Saturday afternoon into Saturday night. #pdxtst #orwx #wawx #pdxtraffic pic.twitter.com/JDz3BkdAD0 NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) February 13, 2020 For those with a 3-day weekend, Presidents Day will be cool with a chance of showers. The high is forecasted to be 48 degrees. Author had been arrested in 2016 as part of an investigation into alleged links to Kurdish fighters. A court in Istanbul has acquitted renowned novelist Asli Erdogan of the charge of membership of an armed terror organisation. Erdogan, who is now living in self-imposed exile in Europe, was one of some two dozen staff from the pro-Kurdish Ozgur Gundem newspaper who were arrested in 2016 as part of an investigation into their alleged links to Kurdish fighters. The court on Friday also acquitted her of undermining national unity, while the charge of spreading terrorist propaganda was dropped. Two of her colleagues were acquitted of the three charges, while the cases of six others were separated. The court did not set a date for the next session of their trial. Erdogan who has no relation to the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was held in pre-trial detention for four months in 2016 but later released. She did not attend Fridays hearing but in a statement read out by her lawyer Erdal Dogan, Erdogan said her columns did not contain any violent element. Their political content is limited to human rights violations, she said. Erdogan had faced a sentence of up to nine years and four months in jail if found guilty. At the time of her arrest, a court closed the newspaper on grounds of spreading propaganda of the armed group Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), deemed a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. The paper was among more than 130 media outlets which Turkey closed during a state of emergency declared following a failed military coup in July 2016 in a crackdown which alarmed Ankaras Western allies and rights groups. Ozgur Gundem had focused on the PKK conflict in Turkeys mainly Kurdish southeast and had faced many investigations, fines and the arrest of correspondents in the years before it was closed. The PKK took up arms against the Turkish state in 1984 and more than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict. The partners from NATO agree that the accession of Ukraine to this program will be the key element of enhancing of European security and deepening of the cooperation Defense Minister Andriy Zahorodniuk meets NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Canadas Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan in Brussels on February 13 Andriy Zahorodniuk Facebook Defense Minister Andriy Zahorodniuk expects that in October 2020 Ukraine will join the NATO Enhanced Opportunity Plan as TSN reported. The accession of Ukraine to the NATO Enhanced Opportunity Plan is expected in October. It will be a great step for us. They also understand it and due to these reasons support it. There, in EOP, are a number of benefits for us, the minister underlined. Zahorodniuk concluded on Facebook that Ukraine reached sufficient progress in the implementation of NATO standards and it is quite consistent with the military criteria necessary for accession to the Enhanced Opportunity Plan. The defense minister is sure in the agreements of the partners from NATO with the opinion that the accession of Ukraine to this program will be the key element of enhancing of European security and deepening of the cooperation. He reached such a conclusion on the results of the discussions with NATO Secretary-General and defense ministers of the state of Alliance changes plan in defense sector of Ukraine in Brussels, February 13. As we reported, NATO positively assesses the implementation of reforms in Ukraine, but insists on the need to pay special attention to the reform of the Security Service and the defense industry. Besides, the reform of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) was discussed during the session of the Commission Ukraine-NATO in Brussels. On January 15, 2020, Ukraine and NATO have finally agreed to conduct a joint exercise to protect critical infrastructure in the Black Sea region, Indestructible Sustainability 2020 in Odesa. Pro-Trump groups raised more than $60m (55m) in January and have more than $200m on hand for this year's general election, shattering fundraising records on the path toward a goal of raising $1bn this cycle. The Republican National Committee and President Donald Trump's campaign have raised more than $525m since the start of 2019 together with two joint-fundraising committees. The RNC and the Trump campaign provided the figures to the Associated Press. The January haul coincided with most of the Senate's impeachment trial, which resulted in the Republican president's acquittal earlier this month. "We already have 500,000 volunteers trained and activated, and this record-breaking support is helping us grow our grassroots army even more," said RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. Mr Trump's 2020 campaign manager, Brad Parscale, said the Democrats' "shameful impeachment hoax and dumpster-fire primary process" have contributed to the "record-breaking financial support" for Mr Trump's re-election. "With President Trump's accomplishments, our massive data and ground operations and our strong fundraising numbers, this campaign is going to be unstoppable in 2020," Mr Parscale said. The pro-Trump effort said it has gained more than one million new digital and direct mail donors since Democrats launched their push to impeach Mr Trump in September 2019. The investigations proved to be a fundraising boon for Mr Trump's campaign, even as the president was personally frustrated by the scar it will leave on his legacy. The Trump team's haul and cash on hand were twice that of former president Barack Obama's campaign and the Democratic National Committee at the same point ahead of his 2012 re-election. In the week since his acquittal Mr Trump is demonstrating his determination to assert an iron grip on government, pushing his Justice Department to ease up on long-time friend Roger Stone while using the levers of presidential powers to exact payback on real and perceived foes. Mr 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 impeachment process. UPPER THUMB The Unionville Moravian Church will celebrate an important milestone Sunday. The church, which was founded on Feb. 13, 1870, will celebrate its 150th anniversary during Sundays 9:15 a.m. service with communion, and there is a special communion written for the anniversary of a congregation. The congregation will also sing several hymns written by former pastors of the church. Following the service there will be ice cream and cake social in the fellowship hall. No matter a persons religious following, all are welcome the help with the celebration. As part of the historic event, there will be a large display of artifacts collected from the church over the years. Some of the items include original lamps that hung in front of the church, old Bibles the congregation previously used, a lot of photographs from bygone years, hand-carved offering plates, and some wooden puppets used in former Sunday School programs. The display will also include a 160-year-old woodworkers hatchet that was found preserved in the former belfry of the church. To get ready for such a milestone celebration, a new steeple was put in place on the top of the church. A tradition of Moravian pastors is keeping journals about the church and congregation. The journals are being reviewed now for other significant dates that could be celebrated throughout the coming year. The Unionville Moravian Church began in 1870 with a church built on the main floor and a parsonage above. They quickly outgrew the space and built a separate church building in 1872. Just as Moravian ancestors were ecumenically minded, Unionville has carried on the tradition, being involved with area churches in various events from worship to fellowship. Members at Unionville are often part of volunteer organizations from ambulance and fire to various committees. While the church is celebrating its history, its pastor, Timothy Naisby, has only been with the church since July 2019. But he has settled in. The Moravian Church is one of the oldest Protestant denominations. It dates back to 1457 in Europe and came to America in 1735. Moravians have a strong tradition of ecumenical work and are best known for their missionary work and rich musical heritage. The name "Moravian" started out as a nickname in eastern Germany in the 1720s because refugees belonging to the church came from Moravia. The Unionville Moravian Church is located at 2711, Cass Street in Unionville. The coronavirus, which surfaced in a Chinese seafood and poultry market late last year, has spread to 24 countries, killing more than 1,000 and sickening tens of thousands of people in a matter of weeks The coronavirus, which surfaced in a Chinese seafood and poultry market late last year, has spread to 24 countries, killing more than 1,000 and sickening tens of thousands of people in a matter of weeks. The World Health Organisation has declared the situation a global health emergency. Heres a timeline of what we know so far about the outbreak. 31 December Chinese authorities were treating dozens of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause. On 31 December, the government in Wuhan, China, confirmed that health authorities were treating dozens of cases. Days later, researchers in China identified a new virus behind an illness 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 were monitoring it to ensure that the outbreak would not develop into something more severe. 11 January China reported its first death. On 11 January, Chinese State media reported the first known death from the illness caused by the virus, which had infected dozens of people in China. The 61-year-old man who died was a regular customer at the market in Wuhan, where the illness is thought to have originated, and he had previously been found to have abdominal tumours and chronic liver disease. The report of his death came just before one of Chinas biggest holidays, when hundreds of millions of people travel across the country. 20 January Other countries, including the United States, confirmed cases. The first confirmed cases of the coronavirus outside mainland China occurred in Japan, South Korea and Thailand, according to the WHOs first situation report published 20 January. The first confirmed case in the US came the next day in Washington state, where a man in his 30s developed symptoms after returning from a trip to Wuhan. 23 January Wuhan, a city of more than 11 million, was cut off by Chinese authorities. After Chinese officials urged people not to travel to or from Wuhan, severe travel restrictions were put in place. On 23 January, authorities closed off Wuhan by canceling planes and trains leaving the city and suspending buses, subways and ferries within it. At this point, at least 17 people had died and more than 570 others had been infected, including in Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, South Korea and the US. 30 January The World Health Organisation declared a global health emergency. Amid thousands of new cases in China, a public health emergency of international concern was officially declared on 30 January by the WHO. The countrys foreign ministry spokeswoman said that China would continue to work with the WHO and other countries to protect public health, and the US State Department warned travellers to avoid China. 31 January Airlines suspended service to China, while the Donald Trump administration restricted entry into the US. On 31 January, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines said they would suspend service, for at least two months, between the US and mainland China. The Trump administration said it would suspend entry into the US by any foreign nationals who had travelled to China in the last 14 days, excluding the immediate family members of US citizens or permanent residents. By this date, 213 people had died and nearly 9,800 had been infected worldwide. 2 February The first coronavirus death was reported outside China. A 44-year-old man in the Philippines died after being infected by the coronavirus, officials said on 2 February. The mans death was the first reported outside China. By this point, the number of deaths had risen to more than 360. 5 February Hundreds, mostly Americans, were evacuated from Hubei province. About 350 people, mostly Americans, who were evacuated from Hubei province in China, arrived in California on 5 February. The group would be held at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California, and at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego for 14 days, which is the maximum time it takes a person to become sick after being exposed to the coronavirus. By 13 February, the number of coronavirus cases in the US had risen to 15 in seven states. 5 February A cruise ship in Japan quarantined thousands. On 5 February, after a two-week trip to Southeast Asia, more than 3,600 passengers began their 14-day quarantine aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama, Japan. Officials began screening passengers, and the number of people who tested positive became the largest number of coronavirus cases outside of China. By 13 February, the number stood at 218. 7 February A Chinese doctor who tried to warn others died from the coronavirus. When Dr Li Wenliang, a Chinese doctor, died on 7 February after contracting the coronavirus, he was hailed as a hero by many for his attempt to sound early alarms that a cluster of infections could spin out of control. In early January, authorities tried to silence him when he was called in by both medical officials and the police, and he was forced to sign a statement denouncing his warning as an unfounded and illegal rumor. Lis death provoked anger and frustration at how the Chinese government mishandled the situation by not sharing information earlier and by silencing whistleblowers. 10 February The death toll in China surpassed the number SARS killed worldwide. On 10 February, the death toll in China rose to 908, surpassing the global number of dead from the SARS epidemic in 2002-03, which killed 774. At this point, the number of confirmed cases of infection in the country had risen to 40,171. 11 February The death toll in China topped 1,000. Chinese officials said the death toll had reached 1,016 while the number of infections had grown to 42,638 on 11 February. A US citizen died in Wuhan, officials said on 8 February; it was the first known American death. 13 February The Communist Party fired top officials of Hubei Province and Wuhan. Chinas ruling Community Party ousted Jiang Chaoliang, the party secretary of Hubei province, and Ma Guoqiang, the top official in Wuhan, on 13 February amid widespread public outrage over the handling of the outbreak. There were more than 14,000 new cases in Hubei province. Officials added more than 14,840 cases to the total number of infected in Hubei province. That set a daily record, coming after officials in Hubei seemed to be including infections diagnosed by using lung scans of symptomatic patients. Derrick Bryson Taylor c.2020 The New York Times Company (Alliance News) - Draper Esprit PLC said Friday it has sold its stake in one portfolio firm and another raised USD40 million in a series B founding round. The digital technology investor has sold its stake in electric vehicle charging provider Pod Point to EDF Energy. Draper said the sale represents a return of 2.3 times and an internal rate of return of 39% over three years. Since its foundation in 2009, Pod Point has shipped over 69,000 charging points across the UK and Norway. The sale of Pod Point takes Draper's total cash generated from exits in financial 2020, ending March 31, to GBP36 million. "The disposal of our holding in Pod Point is a great outcome both for Pod Point and for Draper Esprit. We've worked closely with Erik and the Pod Point team through a critical point in the company's development as the electric vehicle charging market approaches the mainstream. EDF Energy is absolutely the best partner to support the company on the next stage of this journey, as it looks to accelerate the role out of charging points, and help it become a market leader," Chief Executive Martin Davis said. Draper also noted Finnish cloud software company Aiven raised USD40 million in a series B funding - where Draper's value saw an GBP8 million uplift. The investment company said Aiven is a portfolio company through its the partnership with Earlybird Venture Capital. Davis said: ""We're also delighted that Aiven has raised funds to support its continued growth and pleased that it is able to welcome IVP as a new investor." He added: "Draper Esprit has continued to build on the momentum we demonstrated at the half year stage." Draper's NAV per share at September 30, 2019, stood at 574 pence, up 26% from 454p at the same point a year earlier, and 9.5% higher than the 524p seen six months earlier. Shares in Draper Esprit were trading 1.4% higher in London on Friday morning at 568.00 pence each. By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Michael Bloomberg has nearly caught up with Joe Biden for second place in national polling of the Democratic race. Bernie Sanders is ahead of both. According to FiveThirtyEights latest poll averages, Sanders has the support of 22.7 percent of Democrats. Biden is next with 16.8 percent. Then comes Bloomberg at 15.4 Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg follow at between 11 and 12 percent. Absent those recordings of Bloomberg making common sense statements about issues pertaining to race, things would be looking rather rosy for the former New York City mayor. Recent polling shows Bloomberg faring well among African-Americans, probably for the same reasons Biden did hes well known and thought to have a decent shot at defeating President Trump. But now word is coming out that Bloomberg talked about the virtues of stop and frisk and of heavy patrolling of certain minority neighborhoods (because thats where the crime is). To make matters worse, Bloomberg drew the obvious connection between banks yielding to pressure to make loans to people with bad credit and the near collapse of the banking system in 2008. Bloomberg has apologized abjectly for the first set of statements. I assume he will now apologize for the second. Straight talk about race is not permitted. Will black voters forgive him for his straight talk and the cold way he delivered it? Will white Democrats view Bloomberg askance for kowtowing? Im pretty sure the answer to the second question is no. Im not sure about the answer to the first. Even without much black support, Bloomberg might do well in some primaries. But I dont see a path to anything like a pre-convention majority for Bloomberg without a good showing among black voters. If Bloomberg runs well but loses to Sanders, might he run as a third candidate in the general election? Our colleague Steve has been pointing to this possibility for some time. He notes that Bloomberg has hired staff (and lots of it) for the full year of 2020, not just through the Democratic convention. Bloomberg might be particularly inclined to run in the general election if he believes he was denied the Democratic nomination because of charges that hes a racist. A Bloomberg candidacy presumably would work to the considerable advantage of President Trump, while severely injuring Bernie Sanders (if hes the nominee). But I dont assume that this prospect would deter Bloomberg from running. During our most recent Power Line VIP show, I asked how Bloomberg would vote in a Trump-Sanders race. The consensus was that he would either vote for Trump or not vote. So I dont expect Bloomberg to sit on sidelines during the general election out of fear of helping Trump. Even before the race tapes emerged, Bloomberg must have expected that if his candidacy got off the ground, he would come under vicious attack from the Democratic left. I wouldnt be surprised if leftists like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hate him as much as they hate Trump. Bloomberg entered anyway. He has convinced himself that, as Trump might say, only he can save this country from falling apart due to partisan hatreds. He also seems determined to bestow on the electorate the honor of voting for him. Thus, Steve might be on to something when he suggests that the Bloomberg campaign will persist until November whether or not the Democrats nominate him. In any event, Bloomberg has to be delighted with his surge in the polls. 13.02.2020 LISTEN Dear Dr. Bawumia, I must admit that I like the way to play with figures to get your unsuspecting public smiling and nodding in agreement. Your convenient choice of what fits your arguments and not what the economic modules and conventions support are what makes you be able to swindle your listeners and hoodwink the Ghanaian into believing everything you say is the gospel truth. Thats a good skill by an economist-turned-politician. Before I proceed with my remix version of part 1 of my 170 questions to HE Dr Mahmoud Bawumia, I would like to pay a glowing tribute to the gentle soul of the late VEEP, HE P.K.B Amissah-Arthur. In his attempt to gently discount the 170 questions, PKB Amissah-Arthur questioned in part ...since when did statements and claims become questions? I didnt understand the above until I took my time to go through what was claimed to be the 170 questions. I must say that most of them are statements of claims from a skewed perspective of Dr Bawumia and about 80 of them are a catalog of achievements under President Kufuor. I didnt know when achievement such as -question-146...The renovation of Peduase Lodge became a question. But in my attempt, I will try to pose very concise and practical questions. The following are my questions: 1. Is borrowing to fund infrastructure still a lazy mans approach to managing an economy? 2. The public debt of Ghana has increased in nominal terms from GHC 120bn in 2016 to GHC 225bn by end of 2019...with your government alone borrowing about GHC 105 in three years, what is your take on this as the man who said we dont need to borrow to build Ghana? 3. What percentage of what has been borrowed is used for Capital expenditure/capital investment? 4. Did you read the World Bank Report where Ghana was cautioned of its rising debt and the possibility of we crossing the debt sustainability threshold? 5. Are you aware as the Chairman of the Economic Management Team (EMT) that our debt servicing as a growing economy has increased from GHC 11.5 bn by end of 2016 to GHC 21.6 bn in 2019/20? BoG MPC report. 5. How many ministries annual budgets can the above amount finance? 6. Sir, as the chairman of the EMT, has Ghanas Economy moved from taxation to production? Refer to your own statement you made on 10th February, 2020 at the Barclays Bank ceremony...you said the government will increase the number of people who pay taxes from 2m to 16m. What does that mean sir? 7. As an economist, what is your definition of a nuisance tax? 8. From the above definition, will you still classify the Energy Sector Levy Act (ESLA) introduced by President Mahama as a nuisance tax? 9. If you answer from 8 is yes, then, why is ESLA still in our books and its threshold increased and even used as collateral for more loans since you have the opportunity to scrap it as you promised in opposition? 10. If the answer to 8 is a no, could you do as a favor by apologizing to President Mahama and Ghanaians for all the attacks on him after the introduction of this levy? 11. Do you now trust the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Statistical Services and their relative figures the churn out which mostly form the basis of your public engagements since you became the Chairman of the EMT? 12.Are you aware that the IMF has disputed figures as released by the BoG statistical bulletin report on the International Reserves of Ghana? 13. Are you aware the IMF says the $8bn and the 3.8 month import cover as quoted by the BoG was not accurate and that the real figures should be $5.1bn with 2.4 months import cover? 14. Are you aware as the chairman of the EMT that the BoG added oil revenues as part of the reserves which is not a standard practice over the years? This is so because the oil revenue per the Petroleum Management Act is not readily available to be used in times of need by businesses. 15. Sir, do you think this is just a deception to shore up the artificial strength of the cedi in order to deceive the unsuspecting Ghanaian businessman to do wrong projections? 14. Sir, what is the role of the Economic Management Team in its entire sense? Does this team has any relationship with the BoG and its monitory policy committee? 15. Sir, was there the need to set up the FX 40 member committee ( even minus you) when the Economic Management Team has the vast responsibility including that of managing the exchange rate in Ghana? 16. Dr Bawunia, you described the National Fiscal Stabilization Levy as a nuisance tax, are you aware it was first extended from 2017 to lapse in 2019 and has been extended by another three years after 2019 by the Minister for Finance, Hon Ken Offori Attah? 17. Sir, have port charges on imports reduced as claimed by your government? If yes, why are importers including the Abosokai spare parts dealers still cry of exorbitant charges which is crippling their businesses? 18. As the head of the EMT, and if given the second chance, would you have adopted a different approach in the handling of the banking crisis and its attendant job loses today in Ghana? 19. Dr Bawunia, take it that you are a private businessman with two different businesses rendering almost the same services; one of the businesses is sick and need capital injection to survive while the other is doing well relatively; if you were given GHC 30bn to use in your business, will you prefer to inject it into the sick business to make it viable and operating at equal strength with the second one or you would prefer to use the money to collapse the first one so that the second get the monopoly to operate? 20. As an economist, what makes the banking sector safe for the government and Ghanaians at large; strong but continuous local participation or an almost 100% foreign monopoly? 21. Are you aware the Atuabo Gas Plant alone saves the government some $350m annually? 22. From 21, will you still describe the about $800m invested in building this gas plant a debt or an investment (asset or liability) 23. Are you aware that the Energy Sector Levy introduced by President Mahama in 2015 which you described as a nuisance tax is the most reliable financial vehicle in clearing government obligations in the energy sector? 24. Are you aware that about GHC 600m of the ESLA proceeds was used to pay pension arrears somewhere 2018? Is the said action within the regulations as specified by the Act? 25. RE: question 18 of your 170 questions states in part... 66% of Ghanas debt, thus GHC 69bn of the GHC 120bn was accumulated by the John Mahamas administration... I can count the physical infrastructure to show for this borrowing...Can you show the physical infrastructure aside the Mahamas projects like the Pokuase Interchange, etc that your government has used the GHC 105bn borrowed for? 26. RE: question 27 amongst the 170 narrates how under the Kuffour administration, capital expenditure exceeded interest payments as against the declining capital expenditure and interest payments ratio under John Mahamas administration. As the head of the Economic Management Team, can you show us the relative ratios of capital expenditure as against interest payments for the three years you have been in power? 27. Candidate Nana Addo said on one of the platforms that utility tariffs (electricity bills and water bills) as at then were higher than rent. As a concerned government in the midst of the ongoing propaganda that government has reduced utility tariffs, what is the current relationship between utility tariffs and rent? 28. In nominal terms, fuel prices (petrol) has increased from GHC 15 per gallon in 2016 to about GHC 26 per gallon as at the end of 2019...which one of the above makes the driver and ordinary Ghanaian who patronize public transports happy or sad? 29. Are you aware that Ghana is a net exporter of crude oil as a result of the investments made by President Mahama and the NDC in the TEN oil fields since 2009? As per the available reports, Ghana in 2018 exported $2.8bn worth of crude oil and imported $1.7bn worth of finished petroleum products...this gives a positive net balance of $1.1bn dollars. 30. Do you agree as a sincere economist that the economic growth for 2017, 2018 and parts of 2019 were oil driven as was projected by the World Bank in the last quarter of 2016? 31. Can you show us the growth in the real sector vis a vis your input in terms of practical economic policies that engineered this growth? 32. In your manifesto, page 17 paragraph(d) captures the NPP government will facilitate the provision of community-owned and managed small-scale irrigation facilities across the country especially, in Northern Ghana through the policy of One Village One Dam. Sir, have you seen the kind of dams being built? Are they irrigation dams or dugouts? 33. Do those dams which cost GHC 2.5m for each were what you promised your people in the North? Are you proud of what you see in the media since I believe you havent been to the ground to see for yourself? 34. Can those dams support dry season farming through irrigation as you want us to believe or they were dugouts prepared for animals to drink from? 35. Are you aware that installed capacity in terms of power was increased from 1,985MW as at 2008 to 4,132MW by end of 2016 under the incompetent John Mahama and the NDC. 36. Are you aware that this has put Ghana on the map of countries that export power to the West African Power Pool as was targeted by President Mahama, and now Ghana export power to the neighboring Burkina Faso? 37. Sir, can you tell us how much megawatts your government has been able to add three years in government in order to make Ghana energy sufficient and net exporter of power? 38. Your Excellency, were you part of the Cabinet that gave the executive approval to the botched Ameri Novation Agreement which nearly got $800m of the taxpayers money stolen? 39. Page 14, paragraph 4 of your 2016 manifesto captures The hard, cold truth is that despite the recent election-inspired, artificial semblance of stability in the power supply situation, the fundamental challenges leading to DUMSOR remain, and the quick fixes have instead resulted in the imposition of high cost emergency plants on Ghanaians, CORRUPTLY procured from AMERI and KARPOWER. From 38 above, do you still stand by your assertion that the AMERI and KARPOWER were corruptly procured? 40. Sir, are you aware that KARPOWER agreement which was supposed to lapse in 10 years as an emergency plant has been increased by another 10 years more? Is it still an emergency plant by your own description? 41. Sir, are you proud of the Northern Development Authority as established by your government to replace SADA? 42. By your assessment so far, what strategic policy has the Authority been able to design and implement within the period of its establishment to drive the development of the local economies within the Savannah Ecological Zone? 43. As a Northern Vice President, was your office notified of the missing 700 motorbikes and 400 tricycles? 44. Are you aware the CEO, Alhaji Dr Haroun Majeed was fired the same day (12th December, 2019) the CID replied to his request to investigate the Deputy CEO, the Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP and one other National Security Person? 45. Did you read the CEOs (Dr Haroun) letter to the CID where he alleged that Hajia Lariba Abudu, the Deputy CEO gave authorization for the said missing tricycles and motorbikes to be taken without the consent of her boss? Have you read in the media that Hajia Lariba has a hand in the missing 400 tricycles? How do you relate to the Deputy CEO Sir? 46. Your Excellency, has your constituency (Walewale) received its share of the $1m per constituency? It should be $3m by now if it has been released to the Constituency. 47. Page 18 under the Agriculture and Rural Development in your 2016 manifesto, you captured in parts...we will also ensure availability as well as the effective and transparent distribution of pre-mix fuel to fisherfolk... Your Excellency, are you are that in 2017 alone about 200 cases of diversion of premix fuel was recorded by the NPA? And are you aware that it is alleged the chairman of this premix committee is the brother to the Minister for Fisheries? 48. Sir, as the Chairman of the EMT, are you aware the World Bank has rejected your governments 2018 audit report presented by private audit firms instead of the Ghana Audit services? Are you also aware that the World Bank says some information were either missing or misrepresented by the Private audit firms? Are you also aware the World Bank has directed the Economic Management Team under your chairmanship to use the Ghana Audit Service for all public accounts auditing? 49. Dr, you promised that by end of 2018, all villages in Northern Ghana wont have problems with toilet facilities and water. Please, in your recent visits to Walewale, have all the villages in that single constituency received their toilets and water facilities? 50. Your Excellency, you promised us that by end of 2018, all Ghanaians will have bank accounts, how far with this promise sir? 51. Page 27, paragraph (d) of your 2016 manifesto, your party promised to comprehensively protect our water catchment areas, through the Clean Rivers Programme (CRP). Have you heard of the recent amalgamated-galamsey-excavators-scandal? Has your office taken the pain to visit the riversides (Pra, Ankobra, etc) to see the level of damage to these catchment areas? 52. Your Excellency, should we celebrate the current exchange rate which is pegged at about GHC 5.6 to $1? Is this better to the businessman as compared to GHC 3.92 to $1 by end of 2016? Your Excellency, the above are my first 52 questions as a remix to your 170 claims and statements put as questions to the late P.K.B Amissah-Arthur and the NDC. I shall be back with the part 2. Enjoy your Presidency as it last. I am a patriotic citizen. An emotional father was able to hear his son's heart beat again inside the chest of a woman whose life was saved by the organ transplant. Matthew Spahn, from Brenham in Texas, was tragically killed in October 2018 when a vehicle crashed into him as he walked home. The 21-year-old, who was an award-winning runner, fought for his life in hospital for ten days before he passed away on October 17 - and his father Jordan Spahn, 47, 'never left his side'. As an organ donor, Matthew saved five lives after his death as seven of his organs, alongside skin and tissue, were donated to those in need. Jordan Spahn, 47, hears the heartbeat of his son Matthew Spahn inside the chest of Kristi Richard Russ after her life was saved by an organ transplant His heart was a 'perfect fit' for Kristi Richard Russ, 54, who received the organ in a transplant after she suffered a heart attack. Mr Spahn and his wife Summer Mossbarger, 32, met with Ms Richard Russ for the first time at a pizza restaurant on February 10, where they talked for hours. The father, who is a construction worker, was also given the incredible opportunity to hear his son's heart beat again - inside Ms Richard Russ' chest. In a clip from the five-hour meeting, Mr Spahn is seen pressing a stethoscope to his ears as Ms Richard Russ holds the resonator to her heart. The 54-year-old, who received the organ after living with 10 per cent heart function 'for a long time', comforts the construction worker for a moment as they stand in silence. Mr Spahn and his wife Summer Mossbarger, 32, met with Ms Richard Russ for the first time at a pizza restaurant on February 10 after Matthew's death in 2018 Pictured: Matthew Spahn, who died ten days after he was struck by a car as he walked home in October 2018 'You know I heard his heart beating for ten days straight,' Mr Spahn says, referring to the time Matthew spent in hospital before he sadly passed away on October 17. 'On the monitor, just watching it.' 'It's so strong,' he adds, clutching the stethoscope and smiling with his eyes closed. 'That it is', Ms Richard Russ says. 'When it's quiet at night, even without the stethoscope'. Mr Spahn adds 'he's probably out there running laps' as the emotional clip comes to an end. Speaking after the meeting, Ms Mossbarger admitted she and her husband were both 'nervous and excited' before the visit. Pictured: Mr Spahn, Ms Mossbarger and Ms Richard Russ during their meeting on February 10 In a clip from the five-hour meeting, Mr Spahn is seen pressing a stethoscope to his ears as Ms Richard Russ holds the resonator to her heart 'We were both very nervous and excited before the visit. We all greeted each other with hugs and we talked for five hours at a local pizza place,' she said. 'Jordan was happy, peaceful, with tears of joy that Matthew was brave enough to be an organ donor - unbeknownst to family - and blessed that he has a little bit of Matthew still living through someone else. 'Jordan is the strongest man I've ever met.' She added that after Matthew's tragic death in 2008, his brother Jonah was killed on February 1, 2019 - also in a car accident. 'This whole experience has been one of healing and moving forward,' she said. 'We feel really blessed and honored to have known such an amazing person that Matthew was, and to meet the woman whose life he helped save. 'Kristi is a blessing to our family and very grateful that she has been so open and loving though all of this.' TICKERS: LGO Source: Streetwise Reports (2/14/20) Largo Resources' Q4/19 results and 2020 guidance are reviewed in a CIBC research report. In a Feb. 6 research note, CIBC analyst Bryce Adams purported that Largo Resources Ltd.'s (LGO:TSX) record Q4/19 production and 2020 operational guidance portend a positive outlook for the company after its contract with Glencore will expire in May, a near-term catalyst. "The [Glencore] agreement, coupled with declining commodity prices, has been particularly punitive in 2019 and a significant overhang on the stock," Adams wrote. "In three months' time, this overhang should be removed." The firm has an Outperformer rating and a CA$2.50 per share price target on Largo Resources. The stock is trading now at around CA$1.105 per share. "We believe current trading levels offer compelling risk to reward," wrote Adams. As for Q4/19, Largo achieved "strong operational performance," Adams noted. The company produced 3,011 tons of vanadium pentoxide, or V2O5, from its Maracas Menchen operation in Brazil. This was nearly identical to CIBC's projection of 3,108 tons. The company achieved a record with its full-year 2019 V2O5 production, which came in at 10,577 tons, around the midpoint of guidance. Adams relayed Largo's guidance for full-year 2020, which he described as "solid." It calls for production of 11,750122,500 tons of V2O5 and sales of 9,50010,000 tons of V2O5, "with the delta attributable to working capital as it takes sales in-house after the Glencore offtake agreement expires," the analyst explained. Largo projects cash operating costs, excluding royalties, to be US$3.303.50 per pound. Looking even further into the future, CIBC expects Largo will "focus on supply contracts in 2021 that should disconnect from the vanadium spot price due to its high-purity product," Adams indicated. Accordingly, the company already has branded its high-quality product as VPURE and VPURE+. Adams reported that CIBC revised its model on Largo to reflect a Q4/19 average vanadium price of US$5.25 an ounce, a Q4/19 earnings per share of CA$0.03 (from CA$0.01) and an EBITDA of CA$14.3M (from CA$4.7 million). Also, it accounted for the Q4/19 pricing revisions in Largo's CA$25 million due to Glencore. [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. 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Disclosures from CIBC, Largo Resources Ltd., February 6, 2020 Analyst Certification: Each CIBC World Markets Corp./Inc. research analyst named on the front page of this research report, or at the beginning of any subsection hereof, hereby certifies that (i) the recommendations and opinions expressed herein accurately reflect such research analyst's personal views about the company and securities that are the subject of this report and all other companies and securities mentioned in this report that are covered by such research analyst and (ii) no part of the research analyst's compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed by such research analyst in this report. Analysts employed outside the U.S. are not registered as research analysts with FINRA. These analysts may not be associated persons of CIBC World Markets Corp. and therefore may not be subject to FINRA Rule 2241 restrictions on communications with a subject company, public appearances and trading securities held by a research analyst account. Potential Conflicts of Interest: Equity research analysts employed by CIBC World Markets Corp./Inc. are compensated from revenues generated by various CIBC World Markets Corp./Inc. businesses, including the CIBC World Markets Investment Banking Department. Research analysts do not receive compensation based upon revenues from specific investment banking transactions. CIBC World Markets Corp./Inc. generally prohibits any research analyst and any member of his or her household from executing trades in the securities of a company that such research analyst covers. Additionally, CIBC World Markets Corp./Inc. generally prohibits any research analyst from serving as an officer, director or advisory board member of a company that such analyst covers. In addition to 1% ownership positions in covered companies that are required to be specifically disclosed in this report, CIBC World Markets Corp./Inc. may have a long position of less than 1% or a short position or deal as principal in the securities discussed herein, related securities or in options, futures or other derivative instruments based thereon. Recipients of this report are advised that any or all of the foregoing arrangements, as well as more specific disclosures set forth below, may at times give rise to potential conflicts of interest. Important Disclosure Footnotes for Largo Resources Ltd. (LGO.TO) 2g CIBC World Markets Inc. expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking services from these companies in the next 3 months: Largo Resources Ltd. The Mumbai police have arrested a Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card-holder from Chennai Airport when he was returning from Sri Lanka where he stays, an official said on Friday. He said 34-year-old Godwin Wilson Mahendran's arrest was part of a probe by the Mumbai Crime Branch's Social Service Branch into an online sex racket, he said. "The racket was busted by the SS Branch in May last year after a guest house was raided in Colaba and four people were arrested. Two women who had been forced into prostitution were rescued at the time. Our probe found Mahendran was the one who created the website through which customers were being solicited," he said. "A lookout notice was issued at the time. On Thursday, acting on a tip-off, the SS Branch nabbed Mahendran at Chennai airport. A Mumbai court has remanded him in police custody till February 20. There are two others wanted in this case and efforts are on to arrest them," he added. Police recovered Rs 17.15 lakh cash, two cars, 17 mobile phones, two laptops, Rs 1800 in Sri Lankan currency, seven SIM cards, Aadhaar card, Pan card, Bank passbook, cheque book, three air tickets, two passports and OIC card, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) FSSA Secretary Dr. Jennifer Sullivan said a 10-year HIP renewal would allow staff to set long-term goals for operating and improving HIP, rather than wondering if the program will continue beyond the two- or three-year prior renewal periods. In addition, Sullivan said a long-term renewal would, in effect, lock-in Indiana's commitment to HIP, eliminating the need for the state to participate in the Medicaid "block grant" program proposed by the Trump administration that could spur radical changes to health programs for low income residents in other states. "We are focused on the renewal of our existing waiver, which already contains many of the elements (Medicaid) recently encouraged states to pursue," Sullivan said. "While we're excited that the recently announced program may help other states discover new avenues for health reform within their Medicaid programs, we feel the model we already have is the right one for Indiana." At the same time, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill Jr., a Republican, is supporting a federal lawsuit pending in Texas that seeks to strike all of Obamacare from the books, including the authorization and funding for HIP. Patna: The women cell of Bihar Congress in Patna on Thursday staged a protest march against skyrocketing cooking gas cylinder prices saying the Modi-led government at the Center had failed to stick to its promise of keeping prices of essential items in check. The march began at Sadaqat Ashram, the state Congress headquarters in Patna, and ended at the Boring Road Crossing where the protestors chanted anti Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar slogans while also burning an effigy of the Prime Minister. The march was led by Bihar Pradesh Mahila Congress chairperson Amita Bhushan who said that the Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah were punishing the voters for their support to Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the recent Delhi elections where BJP was limited to only 8 seats while AAP won handily at the remaining 62 seats. "The nation's economy was already suffering under the Modi rule but now things have become even worse with cooking gas price reaching a new high. We will launch a stage-wise stir against growing prices of essential items under the NDA rule at the Center and in Bihar," she said. Incidentally, the cooking gas (LPG) price has gone up by Rs. 149 per cylinder since the Delhi election results were announced. According to the new rates, a 5 kg cylinder (domestic use, non-subsidy) will now sell for Rs. 350 in Patna nearly Rs. 15 more than the Delhi rate. The commercial version of the same cylinder will now sell for Rs. 472.50. The 14.2 kg non-subsidy tank is priced at Rs. 956.50 while a 19 kg cylinder is priced at Rs. 1650. Currently, the government makes twelve 14.2 kg cylinders available for home use each year. Anything over 12 cylinders are sold at the normal market rate that is many times higher than the subsidized rate. Interestingly, it was BJP's Smriti Irani who was sitting on a dharna with empty gas cylinders in her hand to oppose the rising cost of LPG under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh government. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 00:36:54|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Technicians arrange melt-blown nonwovens at a workshop of a new material company in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb 12, 2020. The demand for face masks has witnessed a large increase since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). (Xinhua/Liu Kun) A U.S. professor of economics said the disease caused by the novel coronavirus will have some negative impact on the Chinese economy in the first quarter, but things will go back to normal in the rest of the year. CHICAGO, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The effect of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, on the Chinese economy will be limited, said Khairy Tourk, a professor of economics with the Stuart School of Business of the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. "In the first quarter, there's definitely going to be some negative impact, but in the rest of the year, things would go back to normal," Tourk told Xinhua in a recent interview. "The World Health Organization commended China for its quick response. As a matter of fact, China achieved almost real time response," Tourk refuted the rumor of China being late in responding the virus outbreak. Tourk compared the fatality of COVID-19 with other epidemics such as Zika and Ebola, saying that it's much lower than other epidemics. "So all in all, there has been too much exaggeration of the negative effects of this epidemic," he said. "One positive thing about the Chinese economy is that it has already developed digital economy. So it's relatively easy for students to study online ... I was surprised to hear that some of Chinese courts are conducting trials online," Tourk said. "Chinese people are very inventive and they have taken so many steps to lessen the effect of spread of the disease ... The country is moving in the right direction as dealing with its crisis," he said. Tourk also called for worldwide efforts to fight the disease. "Nothing spares cooperation among nations like emergencies that deal with questions of life and death," he said. "A healthy China means a healthy world economy," Tourk added. Margot Robbie's beloved grandfather Herbert Kessler has 'died peacefully at his home on the Gold Coast.' According to News.com.au her grandfather, 96, passed away earlier this month on February 1, when Margot was in London promoting her new film Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey. The publication reports Herbert, who is the father of Margot's mother Sarie, was sweetly called 'Grandie' by his grandchildren. Margot Robbie's secret heartbreak: Australian actress's beloved grandfather Herbert 'died peacefully at his home on the Gold Coast' earlier this month (pictured together in 2015 while attending church) Herbert's wife Verna, Margot's grandmother, died in April last year and Herbert was living in a retirement home. His funeral was held on Friday in Dalby, Queensland. It is unclear if Margot attended the service. She was pictured filming The Suicide Squad sequel in Panama City, Florida, on Thursday. The Courier Mail reports that Herbert was a former dentist and a member of a local church. Sad: In May last year, shortly after her grandmother's funeral, Margot was seen with her brother Lachlan visiting their grandfather at his retirement home on the Gold Coast. Verna Kessler, who was affectionately called 'Narnie' by her grandchildren, passed away on April 13 aged 92 (Verna and Herbert are pictured) On set: Margot was pictured filming the upcoming Suicide Squad sequel in Panama City on Thursday In May last year, shortly after her grandmother's funeral, Margot was seen with her brother Lachlan visiting their grandfather at his retirement home on the Gold Coast. Verna Kessler, who was affectionately called 'Narnie' by her grandchildren, passed away on April 13 aged 92. The family had decided to delay the burial in order for Margot to arrive home in time. The Wolf of Wall Street star, 29, was primarily raised by her mother after her father Doug Robbie left the family when the children were young. Family: The Wolf of Wall Street star, 29, was primarily raised by her mother Sarie (pictured), after her father Doug Robbie left the family when the children were young Margot's maternal grandparents, Verna and Herbert, had a significant influence on her childhood. Back in 2019, Margot and her mother recalled a story about her late grandfather in an interview with Vogue magazine. The Neighbours star said her mother told her of a time when her grandparents held a dinner party and Herbert offered some words of wisdom when the chatter turned into gossiping. Margot described the story as being a 'life lesson' for her. 'They were talking about someone and gossiping about someone,' Margot said. 'And Grandy said, "well, he's not here to defend himself right now, so let's talk about something else". 'Life lesson': Back in 2019, Margot and her mother recalled a story about her late grandfather in an interview with Vogue magazine. Margot described the story as being a 'life lesson' for her 'I want to be that type of person who hears people gossiping and says let's talk about something else,' she added. She sweetly added: 'I think between you, Grandy and so many people in our family, I have a lot to live up in terms of being a good person.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted a representative of Margot for comment in relation to this story. Mumbai, Feb 14 : Shahid Kapoor's sister Sanah Kapoor will be back in the film "Saroj Ka Rishta", and she says shooting for the film was a blast. The film, about the relationship between a father and a daughter, also features Kumud Mishra in a significant role. "It was a great experience working on this film because a bunch of young people came together to make the film, on a subject we all believed in. Each day on the set was just so much fun. We had a blast and it did not seem like work. I hope that when audience watches it, they can see how much fun we had making the film. I hope they love it as much as we loved making the film," said Sanah. The film, a wedding comedy, is directed by Abhishek Saxena. "In the film, the father talks with his daughter about her studies, her future and also her affairs. He is very concerned about his daughter and he discusses which boy is right for her. We will release the film on July 3, and very soon we will release the trailer," said the director. " 'Saroj Ka Rishta' is a wedding comedy. It is based in Ghaziabad. Supriya Pathak has a guest appearance in the film. It is a 'desi' story of a small middle-class family. It depicts the beautiful relationship a father shares with his daughter," he added. Sanah, daughter of veteran actors Pankaj Kapoor and Supriya Pathak, made her Bollywood debut with "Shaandar" alongside brother Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in 2015. She also acted in Harsh Chhaya's 2018 satire, "Khajoor Pe Atke". Sanah plays the titular Saroj in "Saroj Ka Rishta". Talking about her character, she said: "When I read the script, I instantly fell in love with it. I fell in love with this character, and I thought this was someone I wanted to bring to screen, someone I wanted to play. She has so many shades to her character, which was a lot of fun to portray. This film talks about something that I do not feel I have done enough justice to. It is still a subject very close to my heart and I wanted to do more with it. Plus, it's a romantic-comedy, which is one of my favourite genres. I feel the film can make people laugh. I wanted to be a part of the genre." "Saroj Ka Rishta" is is set to release on July 3. A Montgomery County prosecutor said the request of a former police officer to serve time for manslaughter in a county jail rather than in Alabamas crowded and violent prisons, shows the ex-cop believes he is above the law and deserves special treatment because he wore a badge. Montgomery County Deputy District Attorney Benjamin McGough filed an objection to the request from the attorney for Aaron Cody Smith for a new sentence. In November, a Dale County jury convicted Smith in the death of Gregory Gunn of Montgomery. Gunn, 58, was walking near his home and unarmed when Smith stopped him for a random frisk in the early morning hours of Feb. 25, 2016. When Gunn fled the pat-down, Smith pursued and used a baton and Taser to try to subdue him before shooting him seven times. A grand jury indicted Smith for murder but the jury convicted him of the lesser charge of manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. Retired Dale County Circuit Judge P.B. McLauchlin sentenced Smith to 14 years. (Smiths trial was moved from Montgomery to Dale County because of pretrial publicity.) Smith, 27, is incarcerated at Limestone Correctional Facility, one of the states five maximum security prisons. Smiths attorney, Dwight Tray M. Richardson III, filed a motion Sunday asking the judge to change Smiths sentence to a split sentence, with three years to serve in the Dale County jail and 11 years on probation. Richardson noted that the Justice Department alleged last year that the violent conditions in Alabama prisons violate the constitutional prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. Richardson argued, in part, that Smith would be in even more danger than the average inmate because he is a former police officer. Sentencing him to imprisonment in unconstitutional conditions would be an especially egregious violation of his constitutional rights under the 8th and 14th amendments respectfully, Richardson wrote.. McGough responded with his objection on Thursday. His request to serve a reduced sentence in a county jail is just one more instance of his attitude that he is due special treatment and extra respect because he was a police officer," McGough wrote. "Were it not for this attitude, perhaps Mr. Gunn would be alive and the defendant wouldnt be a convicted killer. Smith is appealing the conviction to the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. Smiths defense team argued during the trial that Smith shot Gunn in self-defense and in the line of duty as a police officer after Gunn armed himself with a painters pole he picked up on a neighbors porch. Smith was alone on patrol in a neighborhood plagued by burglaries, the defense argued. Prosecutors said the evidence did not support the claim that Gunn posed a deadly threat to Smith. Richardson has also filed a request for Smith to be released on bond pending his appeal. The judge has not ruled. Eve Kelliher takes a look at how 19th-century photgraphy, art and interiors inspired 21st-century movie Little Women It took home an Academy Award for its visually stunning costumes this week and Little Women is also poised to bring its caped crusade on to the catwalks for the upcoming fashion season. The visually stunning project garnered six Oscar nominations and it was Jacqueline Durran who was awarded the gong for best costume design. Overall, the film is a visual feast it really is a moving picture, from the inside out: Think gloriously authentic-looking 19th-century New England interiors to rolling beach scenes and Paris parkscapes that bring Impressionist paintings to vivid life in all their Technicolor glory not to talk of the golden-infused vignettes (reminiscent of the Pre-Raphaelite movement) that bring to life the March sisters childhood. Writer-director Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird) crafted a Little Women that draws on both the classic novel and the writings of Louisa May Alcott. ART OF RESEARCH Gerwig has spoken of the immersive research into art, photography and literature she and her team carried out. It is common practice to research period drama by viewing historic paintings and drawings. Also, the time period in which the film is set falls within photographic record; however paintings would be used to reference colour, a spokesperson for the National Gallery of Ireland told the Irish Examiner. In Gerwigs take, the tale of the March sisters four young women each determined to live life on her own terms is both timeless and timely. Few stories hold out so much potential for costumes, interiors and scenery to unite character, persona and period as Little Women. Thats why Gerwig brought aboard costume designer Durran, whose work has included both transporting costume dramas such as Pride and Prejudice and Anna Karenina, for which she won the Academy Award, and the contemporary films of Mike Leigh. That combination was exactly what Gerwig was seeking. Jacqueline completely understood that what I wanted was something strongly designed and authentic and tactile but also just to feel like the everyday clothing and not costumes, because thats part of what makes it feel modern, Gerwig says. I wanted every piece of it to be researched and able to be footnoted as based in fact, but also to feel part of the March familys world. Durran had adored the book as a child but she had never seen any previous adaptations. My starting point really was Gretas script and Gretas vision, says Durran. She had done so much research had completely absorbed the world of the Alcotts, this household of artists, free thinkers and radicals, so we had a very strong place from which to begin. CAMERA READY Soon Durran joined Gerwig perusing vast collections of Victorian photography, including the work of Julia Margaret Cameron, the 19th-century master photographer who brought her deep love for literature to her work, and focused the camera on children and families, allowing both to be seen in new ways. The 1860s was the very beginning of photography so you had a lot of art photographers doing exciting work, notes Durran. Incidentally, the National Gallery of Ireland has a photograph by Cameron in its collection. Julia Margaret Camerons photographic practice itself was certainly influenced by paintings, although there is no guarantee that Gerwig was inspired by our particular image, added the National Gallery of Ireland spokesperson. IN THE FRAME Naturally, Durran was also soaking in the painters of the era. Of course, Impressionism, both European and American Impressionism which came a bit later, is a big influence on the film. But for me, Winslow Homer was a particular revelation, Durran says of the enduring American painter known for his expressive portraits. I felt his work was so appropriate to what we were trying to create. In fact, that unusual floppy hat that Jo wears on the beach is an ode to Winslow Homers High Tide. Following his experience as an illustrator during the American Civil War, Homer turned his attention to lighter scenes of contemporary life, often focusing on fashionable young women. This painting of three bathers on a Massachusetts beach was his most daring subject to date. In addition, the National Gallery of Ireland recommends a look at the work of Mary Cassatt. Like the character Amy in Little Women, Cassatt was an American artist who spent time in Paris. There are visual parallels with the film, according to the gallery spokesperson. Durran divided the film into two contrasting arenas: one inside the March house in the bohemian atmosphere of freedom and creativity Marmee cultivates, and the other in the world-at-large with its bigger possibilities but more rigid rules and high costs. She also set out to constantly weave in bits of clothing passed from one sister to another, and one time period to another, to reflect a hand-me-down economy. She delineated a very clear colour palette for each of the sisters: Jo displays flashes of fiery red, Meg is in romantic shades of lilac and green, Beth in tender pinks, and Amy in tones of light blue. Similarly, Meg and Amy are typically seen in the crinoline cage that defined womens clothing of the era, whereas Jo eschews corsets and Beth remains in the more easy-going dresses of childhood. Durran had the chance to work with two legends of British costuming in creating the films sprawling wardrobe: filmmaker Christine Edzard (Little Dorrit), who gave Durran access to the veritable time machine in her Sands Films Costumes wardrobe warehouse; and Jon Bright, an Academy Award winner for Room With A View. BUILDING A WORLD From the start, Gerwig always knew she wanted to bring audiences directly into the lived-in, chaotic world of the sisters. Equally, as Jo and Amy venture into New York and Paris, viewers are taken on a whistlestop tour of an era rife with radical thinkers, modern art movements, the wages of war and changing fashions and social ideas. The March home was the linchp n of the design. The idea for the March house is that its rundown on the outside but when you go inside, its like opening a velvet jewel box, says production designer Jess Gonchor. Inside it is colourful and warm and the ambience just makes you feel really good. We wanted everybody leaving the theatre to want to live in that house. Alcott never named the town where the family lives, but all signs point to her having loosely utilised her own hometown of Concord, Massachusetts, home to Revolutionary War sites and to Thoreaus Walden Pond. It took 12 weeks for Gonchors team to build the March house by hand. They used nearby Orchard House Louisa May Alcotts preserved home, which is now a popular museum as a reference. The interiors of the March home the warm, inviting downstairs, the bedrooms and the attic that becomes such fertile ground for the girls imaginations came to life in a warehouse in Franklin, Massachusetts. The more cavernous interiors of the grander Laurence house were found within a sprawling mansion in Lancaster, MA. In visual terms its a tour de force and calls to mind Alcotts words in the novel: I want to do something splendid... something heroic or wonderful that wont be forgotten after Im dead. I dont know what, but Im on the watch for it and mean to astonish you all someday. Last weeks decision of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Free Democratic Party (FDP) in the federal state of Thuringia to collaborate with the extreme right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the selection of a governor exposes the filthy state of German politics. Seventy-five years after the collapse of the Third Reich, a party led by apologists for Hitler and out-and-out Nazis is accepted by the ruling elite as a legitimate political partner. The rise of the political right in Germany during the past decade has been among the least covered stories in the international media. But in the aftermath of the events in Thuringia, even the New York Times has come to recognize that the resurgence of German fascism as a significant political force cannot be ignored. In an article in its edition of February 7, the Times wrote: Sometimes, it takes an earthquake to reveal whats below the surface. In the eastern German state of Thuringia this week a regional election displayed the disastrous state of Germanys political centerand how far the country now stands from the anti-fascist consensus it proclaims to maintain. The Weimar Republic, Germanys first, short-lived experience of democracy until it was abolished by the Nazis, has become a popular reference point in the current Germany. The Times acknowledged that the collaboration of the CDU and FDP with the AfD broke a taboo that has been in place in German politics since the end of the Nazi era. Mr. Kemmerich [of the FDP] became the first high-ranking German politician since World War II to be elected by relying on votes from a far-right party. The decision of the CDU and FDP to collaborate with the AfD, the Times continued, is especially worrying in Thuringia, where the AfD is not only the second strongest party in the regional parliament, but also more extreme than in any other state. The AfDs boss there, Bjorn Hocke, is the leader of a hard-line movement inside the party known as Der FlugelThe Wing. In a 2018 book, he warned of the coming death of the nation through population replacement. Last year, a court ruled that he could legally be termed a fascist. The Times concluded: For the far right, this week has been an outstanding success. AfDs leaders have long predictedand hoped for a convergence between centrist and conservative parties. On Wednesday, when shaking hands to congratulate the newly elected Thuringia governor, Mr. Hocke smiled. The scene reminded many Germans of a famous picture from 1933 in which Adolf Hitler greets Paul von Hindenburg, Germanys president at the time. Germany in 2020 is not Germany in 1933. But German politics have shifted in recent years in a disturbing way. Centrists and the far right share talking points on immigration. They share what they perceive as a common enemy in the left. And now, for the first time in decades, they even share a governor. Readers of the Times, having previously read or heard almost nothing in the media about the existence of a serious neo-Nazi revival in Germany, might be led to believe that the events in Thuringia are a sudden and unforeseen development. This is far from the case. The events confirm the persistent warnings of the German Trotskyists of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP), published in numerous articles posted on the World Socialist Web Site. The political manoeuvring in Thuringiathe very state that played a major role in the growth of Hitlerismis the outcome of a political conspiracy involving all the main parties of the German political establishment, unfolding for more than five years, to actively encourage and legitimize the growth of a neo-Nazi political movement. The use of the word conspiracy in explaining the rise of the AfD is entirely appropriate. The major difference between the AfD and the Nazis of the 1920s and 1930s is that this modern-day fascistic organization is not based on a mass movement. Arising out of a split with the CDU and FDP at the beginning of 2013, a large proportion of AfD members have been recruited directly from the state apparatusabove all from the military, judiciary and police. Most of their personnel were previously members of another establishment party. For example: AfD Honorary Chairman Alexander Gauland, who glorifies the Wehrmacht and describes Hitler and the Nazis as merely bird shit in over 1,000 years of successful German history, was a high-ranking CDU functionary for 40 years. Guido Reil, who is a leading AfD deputy in the European Parliament, is a member of the IG BCE industrial trade union and was a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) for 26 years before joining the AfD in 2016. Georg Pazderski, Chairman of AfD Berlin, is a former army officer who served in NATO headquarters, including the United States Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa and with the Allied Joint Force Command Lisbon. In its efforts to promote the growth of the AfD, the ruling class has been confronted with one fundamental problem. The fascists are hated by the overwhelming majority of the population. When the AfD entered the Bundestag (federal parliament) in September 2017 with only 12.6 percent of the votes, there were spontaneous mass protests throughout the country. After the fascist riots in Chemnitz in September 2018, in which the AfD played a central role, hundreds of thousands took to the streets. In Berlin alone, a quarter of a million people demonstrated on October 13, 2018. Spontaneous mass protests against racism and fascist violence also took place after the terrorist attack on the synagogue in Halle last October and most recently following Kemmerichs election in Thuringia. In the face of massive popular hostility, the elevation of the AfD into positions of power has depended upon the complicity of the major parties. The decisive mechanism for leveraging the influence of the AfD has been the Grand Coalition federal government of the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats. After the 2017 elections, all parties in the Bundestag spent more than six months behind closed doors working out the framework for a new government. In the process, far-reaching agreements were reached, particularly regarding the comprehensive remilitarisation of Germany, massive attacks on social and democratic rights, and systematic cooperation with the AfD. At the end of November 2017, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier invited the then AfD cochairs Alexander Gauland and Alice Weidel to a joint meeting at his official residence, Bellevue Palace. The meeting is documented in pictures from the Federal Press Office. When the Grand Coalition came to power in March 2018, it adopted large portions of the policies of the extreme right and swiftly integrated the AfD into the political system. The SPD played a key role in this process. As a consequence of the SPDs decision to rule jointly with the CDU, the AfDthough it had received the support of one-eighth of all votersbecame the official opposition party. This vastly increased the parliamentary and media presence of the AfD. Gauland and Co. have been able to spread their fascist filth in the media at the beginning of every Bundestag session and during prime time. Notorious right-wing extremists have been hoisted to the top of important parliamentary committees with the support of the SPD. Accommodating the AfD, the justification of Nazism and the fight against the socialist lefttwo core issues of the AfDare an essential component of the Grand Coalitions arsenal. In 2018, the government-mandated report by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution [Verfassungsschutz], as Germanys secret service is called, cited the SGP as an object of surveillance on the grounds of its intransigent opposition to the AfD and imperialist militarism and its advocacy of an anti-capitalist socialist program. The AfD and The Wing are sympathetically referenced by the Verfassungsschutz as victims of alleged left-wing extremists. It is a matter of public record that right-wing terrorist networks extend far into the army, police and secret services. They maintain death lists with tens of thousands of targets. Their activities are largely ignored by the German state even after the murder of prominent CDU politician Walter Lubcke on June 2, 2019. It is widely suspected that Lubcke was murdered because of his criticisms of the AfD. Within a few weeks, reporting on the assassination of a high-ranking politician was dropped by the media. The politically spineless Left Party [ Die Linke ]which hangs on to the coattails of the SPDis reacting to developments in Thuringia with yet another cowardly shift to the right. It is not only courting the CDU, but also indicating that it is prepared to collaborate with the AfD. There is another critical element in the rise of the AfD and the deliberate legitimization of neofascist politics in Germany. In order to overcome the resistance of the population to the revival of militarism and authoritarianism, there is an effort among German academics to create a new historical narrative based on ferocious anti-Marxism, the trivialization of Nazi crimes, and the rehabilitation of Hitler. The central role in this insidious process has been played by the administration of Humboldt University in Berlin, which has provided unstinting institutional support for Professor Jorg Baberowski, the head of its Department of East European Studies. Baberowski is notorious for his lying claims that Hitler was not vicious and that the Fuhrer did not want to know anything about Auschwitz and the mass extermination of the Jews. The universitys president, Sabine Kunst, a former functionary of the SPD, has declared that criticism of Baberowski is unacceptable. Even after Baberowski, who conducts himself in the manner of a Nazi gauleiter, physically attacked a left-wing student at the universityan event captured on video and viewed on YouTube more than 20,000 times (see video)Kunst refused to permit criticism of Baberowski. With the support he has received from Humboldt University, Baberowski has become an increasingly prominent political figure. He is scheduled to deliver a major speech at a public event commemorating the seventy-fifth anniversary of the collapse of the Third Reich. He will, with high-level political support, utilize the opportunity to deliver an anti-communist tirade. The political situation in Germany demands the attention of the European, American and international working class. In the light of history, it is impossible to adopt a complacent attitude toward the resurgence of neo-Nazism in Germany. However, there is a fundamental and profound difference between the situation that exists today and that of the 1930s. Fascism is by no means a mass movement in Germany. There exists among masses of German workers, students, artists and intellectuals an intense hatred of the Nazi past and all those who trivialize its crimes. All over Germany, there are memorials that recall the crimes of the Nazis and honour the memory of its millions of victims. The horrors of the Third Reich are deeply embedded in the collective consciousness of the German people. At the same time, the intellectual and political traditions of Marxism are rooted profoundly in the culture of the country, despite all the efforts of the official parties, corrupt media and academic mandarins to eradicate them. One can be certain that the bicentenary of Friedrich Engels birth in November 1820 will be warmly commemorated throughout Germany. But the very absence of mass support accentuates one striking and dangerous similarity to the political process that led to the victory of the Nazis in 1933, and that is the element of conspiratorial activity within the political establishment to strengthen the extreme right. This processand its reactionary consequenceshave been exposed by the events in Thuringia. The only party that consistently fights against the growth of the AfD and the return of fascism and militarism in Germany and internationally is the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei. Its warnings have been confirmed. As SGP leader Christoph Vandreier wrote in his invaluable exposure of the political conspiracy underlying the rise of the AfD: The AfD has neither a mass base of support nor combat-ready units like Hitlers SA (storm troopers) which recruited its members among uprooted war veterans, socially ruined members of the petty bourgeoisie, and despairing unemployed workers. The AfDs strength arises exclusively out of the support it receives from political parties, the media, the government, and the state apparatus. As is the case throughout the world, a process of political radicalization is underway in Germany. The events in Thuringia, which have shocked the public, will accelerate this process. But its timely and politically conscious development requires the building of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei and the International Committee of the Fourth International as a revolutionary party of the German and international working class. The Irish government will organise fairs in five Indian cities for students who wish to pursue higher in Ireland. The ' in Ireland' fairs are slated to be held in Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai from February 22 to March 1. Leading Irish institutes will be present in the fairs to address, discuss, speak about programmes available, intakes, offer acceptance, speak about campus life, accommodation, international student support, scholarships among others under one roof to provide students and parents with integrated solutions for all their queries. "In addition to meeting the institutions, the annual fairs are designed for the benefit of the student to access end-to-end education market in Ireland while getting a broader perspective on the variety of courses being offered, the job opportunities given post studies and to understand the visa procedures without bearing any financial risk or investment of time," said Barry O'Driscoll, Senior Education Adviser, India Education in Ireland. At this edition of the fair, a hospitality master class will also be organised in Mumbai to provide a platform to students who are interested in hotel management and culinary arts. Apart from the wide range of sponsorships from multiple Irish sources, 'Education in Ireland' will also offer 3000-euro worth scholarships to two students present at the fair from each city. Enterprise Ireland which manages the Education in Ireland national brand under the authority of the Minister for Education and Skills is responsible for the promotion of Irish higher education Institutions overseas. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MANILA, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has called on Filipinos to visit local tourism sites amid fears of international travel and restrictions due to the threat of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In a taped message posted on social media, Duterte urged the public to help boost local tourism by visiting the countrys scenic spots and discovering other awe-inspiring hidden gem attractions. To my fellow Filipinos, I encourage you to travel with me around the Philippines. I assure you that everything is safe in our country, be it an issue of health, be it an issue of law and order and be it an issue of accessibility, the President said. Come with me and be my travel companion. Ill be traveling around the Philippines. Pasyal tayo dito sa atin. Unahin natin yung atin. Mabuhay ang Pilipino. Mabuhay ang turismo ng Pilipinas, he added. The chief executive issued the call after the tourism sector reported at least P10 billion in revenue losses due to an entry ban on travelers to and from China, the countrys largest tourism market, after it was hit by coronavirus outbreak. Duterte said local airline companies and hotel operators have agreed to offer discounted rates to counter the negative effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, and to promote the countrys tourism sector to local tourists. Maraming magagandang mapuntahan sa Pilipinas, wala kayong dapat alalahanin, he said. The Philippines has imposed an entry ban on foreigners who travelled from China, Hong Kong and Macau within 14 days in an effort to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus strain. It later expanded the bans coverage to include Taiwan. The post Its more fun in the Philippines: Duterte invites Filipinos to visit local tourism sites amid Covid-19 fears appeared first on UNTV News. BROCKPORT, N.Y. (AP) State University of New York Chancellor Kristina Johnson said Thursday she is taking steps to improve the racial climate at the College at Brockport after the mayor of Rochester and students raised concerns over the dismissal of its chief diversity officer. In a letter to Mayor Lovely Warren, Johnson said a delegation from SUNY's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion were on campus earlier this month to listen to student and staff concerns. Johnson's letter coincided with a student protest outside the office of Brockport President Heidi Macpherson. Warren had written to Johnson following the recent dismissal of the college's chief diversity officer in what the college said was a confidential personnel matter. The firing led to peaceful protests by students. Johnson said she would visit the western New York campus in the near future and that steps would be taken to improve the bias reporting process and create a more inclusive and diverse environment. A simmering feud between two elected officials erupted publicly Friday after Bexar County Clerk Lucy Adame-Clark removed her two deputies and all the case files from County Court-at-Law Judge Grace Uzombas courtroom over allegations the employees had been mistreated. Neither Adame-Clark nor Uzomba would discuss the allegations, but Administrative Judge John Longoria confirmed what had virtually the entire courthouse buzzing all day. Ive been made aware that some deputy county clerks have made complaints about Uzomba, said Longoria, who oversees the countys 15 courts-of-law and also is presiding judge of County Court-at-Law No. 5. He declined to give details because it could be a personnel matter, adding: I have seen letters, but my knowledge is limited. Longoria called Adame-Clarks action an extraordinary and unusual step that he never had seen in the more than 40 years he has held elected office. Sources said the controversy stems over having the clerks work weekends and nights and trying to force them to work on holidays, among other work condition complaints. Uzomba, of County Court-at-Law No. 2, presided over a trial most of Friday. She would say only that she suggested investigation of rumors and all facts, adding she would reserve her comment. Adame-Clark, who officiated at mass weddings for Valentines Day starting at midnight in front of the Bexar County Courthouse, said late Friday that her responsibilities are to keep the integrity of the countys records and to protect the people who work for her. Its not me running this place, its my staff, she said. They are the front line of the county clerks office. Im doing everything I can regarding the responsibility to my staff. Adame-Clark also cited a lack of respect, communication and transparency between the two elected officials, without going into details. But she added she felt the issues could be resolved. The county clerk is the official custodian of records in Bexar County, responsible for hundreds of thousands of records, including civil and misdemeanor court files, property deeds and birth, marriage and death certificates. Deputy clerks, who handle most of the paperwork for misdemeanor court cases, are employees of Adame-Clark, but they take direction from the judge in the court to which theyre assigned. Each judge hires his or her own court coordinator and court reporter. Longoria said clerks are required to be in the courtroom to issue oaths to jurors, maintain court files, stay late if juries are deliberating and register verdicts. Clerks generally work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless they are in trial, when they might stay past 5 p.m. and rarely work weekends, unless a judge asks a jury to continue deliberating. If clerks work past regular hours, they must be paid overtime. Adame-Clark said Uzombas court continues to operate as it should, despite her deputy clerks and the files not being there. If a clerk is required to be there in person, another county employee will be sent in. I want people to know that we are not hurting her, she said. We pulled the county court files, but we are providing her with all files needed for court. She added that her deputy clerks continue to do their duty just not in the same office as the judge. The clerks assigned to Uzomba and the records removed late Thursday from her courtroom on the first floor of the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center are now in an office in the basement of the old courthouse next door. Until the issue is resolved, deputy clerks will take files for the cases on Uzombas dockets to her office each morning and return them to the basement in the evening, said Dianne Garcia-Marquez, general administrative counsel. In the year shes been in office, Uzomba has fired one court coordinator and another has resigned. Her first court reporter also left. Adame-Clark and Uzomba took office in January 2019, defeating Republican incumbents in the Democratic sweep of 2018. Their terms expire in 2022. This is the first time in office for both women. Uzomba, a native of Nigeria, is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army and is licensed to practice law in the United States. Adame-Clark, a San Antonio native, was a long-time Bexar County Sheriffs Office employee who trained with the FBI. She was the first Latina and first woman elected Bexar County clerk. Longoria said the allegations were troubling and concerned him, but he was careful not to take sides on the issue. The judge is well-intentioned, shes got her own way to do things. I will stand by her, he said of Uzomba. Thats not to say I wont stand by Lucy. Shes working hard to improve her office. Elizabeth Zavala covers county and state courts in San Antonio. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2020) - Young Mining Professionals ("YMP") is pleased to announce that the winners for 2020 of the YMP Eira Thomas and Peter Munk Awards are Ashley Kirwan of Orix Geoscience and David Cataford of Champion Iron Mines. The YMP Awards, presented in association with The Northern Miner, recognizes two young mining professionals, a female and a male, who over the past year, and during their careers, have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and innovative thinking to provide value for their companies and shareholders, as well as for themselves. The YMP Awards are named after two iconic entrepreneurs in the mining industry, Eira Thomas and the late Peter Munk. The Awards will be presented to Ashley and David at the YMP Awards Gala on Saturday, February 29th, 2020, at 6 pm at the Shangri-La Hotel in Toronto, Canada as the kick-off event for the mining industry's Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada's Conference. Tickets are now on sale by following this link: Click Here to Buy Tickets for the YMP Awards Nominees for the Awards must be under 40 years of age in 2019 and active in some aspect of the mining industry. Voting on a selection of nominees was held in January by a committee representing the global YMP chapters and The Northern Miner. YMP would like to thank our generous sponsors and supporters of the YMP Awards: Barrick Gold, KPMG, Cassels Brock and Rio Tinto, whose commitment to our industry's next generation is invaluable to recognizing the talented and committed professionals within the mining sector. About this Year's Eira Thomas and Peter Munk Award Winners Ms. Ashley Kirwan: Ashley Kirwan is the Co-founder, President, CEO and Principal Geologist at Orix Geoscience Inc., a leading geological firm that partners with junior, mid-tier, and major mining clients to provide geological expertise and business strategy. The company is a leading geological firm in terms of culture, quality of work, and creative business partnerships and prides itself on diversity. With over 60 employees, 50% are female and 26% foreign-born. Raised in Sudbury, Ashley earned both a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Geology at Laurentian University. In 12 years, Ashley has worked throughout North and South America, including Sudbury, Nunavut, Nevada and Ecuador; as an Exploration Geologist with Bridgeport Ventures Inc. in Nevada, and on both exploration and underground projects with QuadraFNX Mining Ltd. (now KGHM International) in Sudbury, Ontario. She co-founded Orix Geoscience in 2012 and has had an active role in growing the company from a start-up to a successful and sustainable business. Since its inception in 2012, Orix has exponentially grown in revenue, employees, and projects during a market downturn. The company currently operates out of three offices (Toronto, Sudbury, and Winnipeg) and provides a full cycle of geological and geomatic services to junior, mid-tier and major companies. Corporate culture is a fundamental value at Orix. The company received the Employee Recommended Workplace Award from Morneau Shepell and the Globe and Mail in 2019. In 2016, Ashley was named in the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining and was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Rising Star Award from Laurentian University in 2018. More recently Ashley was selected as one of the Top 40 Under 40 award winners for the City of Greater Sudbury. Ashley is committed to leading a new generation of geoscientists in the mining industry, and with her team at Orix they are breaking boundaries for many women geoscientists. Mr. David Cataford: David Cataford is the CEO and Director of Champion Iron Limited, an iron ore producer whose flagship asset is the Bloom Lake mine in Quebec, Canada. David has been working in the iron industry and the Labrador Trough for the past 15 years. David joined Champion Iron in 2014 as Vice President, Engineering, served as Chief Operating Officer from 2017 to 2019 before being promoted to his current role of CEO and Director in 2019. David played a key role on the management team, delivering the successful restart of the Bloom Lake Mine by managing its construction and commissioning and building a team composed of more than 400 top mining talents. Prior to joining Champion Iron, David held senior management positions within Cliff Natural Resources Inc. His experience in iron ore mining includes mineral characterization projects at Bloom Lake and for AccerlorMittal at Mount Wright, as well as adapting the recovery circuit to meet new customer demands to maximize profit margins. David is also the co-founder of the North Shore and Labrador Mineral Processing Society. David holds a bachelor's degree in mining engineering from Laval University. About YMP YMP is a global association of mining professionals that share the goal of advancing the global profile and leadership of the mining industry. YMP has chapters in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Sudbury, London UK, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Johannesburg. YMP was established to assist participants in obtaining the skills, support and knowledge to successfully advance their careers, develop a network of contacts within the industry and identify career and mining-related investment opportunities. YMP facilitates these objectives through scholarships, networking and social events, as well as high-profile guest speaker events throughout the year. For more information on YMP, its chapters, the YMP Awards, YMP events and Career Connect, or the YMP Scholarship Fund please visit our website at www.youngminingprofessionals.com or email us at info@youngminingprofessionals.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52461 The first phase of 2021 Census in Haryana will be conducted from May 1 to June 15 and close to 58,000 enumerators and supervisors will be deployed for canvassing data, officials said on Friday. The information was shared at a state-level conference of divisional and deputy commissioners and principal census officers held to review the preparedness for the 2021 Census and updation of NPR, an official statement said here. The conference was held under the chairmanship of Haryana Chief Secretary Keshni Anand Arora. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, Vivek Joshi was also present in the meeting, it said. According to the statement, Joshi said citizens will not be asked to furnish any document. They will only be asked to answer a few questions. The chief census officer should keep in mind that questions are to be asked only from the pre-set questionnaire, he added. Joshi said personal data collected during the census will be confidential. Data will be collected and stored digitally and codification of responses would go a long way in timely release of data, he added. Census data would be captured through specially designed mobile apps. In a first, all Census activities and progress would be monitored in real-time basis through the Census Monitoring and Management System (CMMS), Joshi said during the meeting. The chief secretary said this dynamic census will help the state in getting data analytics at the right time for policy formation. "During houselisting operations, questions on the quality of houses, amenities available to households and assets possessed by the households will be canvassed. The second phase, that is population enumeration will be conducted from February 9 to February 28, 2021, with a revisional round from March 1 to 5, 2021," Arora said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court asked Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to respond to the petition filed by Sara Abdullah Pilot challenging detention of her brother and former chief minister Omar Abdullah. The administration has to respond by March 2, the next date of hearing. Plea by senior counsel Kapil Sibal, appearing for Sara Abdullah Pilot, to have the case on an earlier date was turned down by the bench of justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee. It is a Habeas Corpus petition My Lord. Please have it next week, said Sibal. No no. We cannot have it next week. Why did you wait for a year (to move the court)? remarked justice Mishra. Also Watch l Omar Abdullahs sister moves Supreme Court against his detention under PSA We were hopeful that, as this is a habeas corpus case, the relief would be sooner. But we have full faith in the justice system. Were here because we want that all Kashmiris should have the same rights as all citizen of India and were waiting for that day, Sara Abdullah said after the hearing. Omar Abdullah, 49, was booked under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA) on February 5, which allows authorities to detain a person without trial for a maximum period of two years. Abdullah, was earlier detained in August 2019, when the central government had scrapped Article 370 and placed Kashmir valley in a state of lockdown. His detention in 2019 was under Section 107 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) which empowers executive magistrate to order a person to execute bonds for keeping the peace. Omar Abdullahs detention was set to expire this month, but a new order under PSA has extended it further. Abdullah, who was the chief minister of J&K from 2009 to 2014, was accused of favouring radical thoughts and of planning and projecting his activities against the Union of India under the guise of politic while enjoying the support of gullible masses. It was alleged that after revocation of Article 370, he instigated people on social media sites to undermine the unity and integrity of India. His sister rushed to the Supreme Court against the detention order arguing that Omar Abdullah was a votary of peace and there was overwhelming evidence in the form of tweets and public statements to prove the same. Sara Abdullah Pilot also extensively quoted from the governments dossier on the former chief minister that formed part of the material which formed the administrations decision to issue the detention order. The detention order, she claimed, is vague and irrelevant without any material facts and particulars. Further, it was her argument that none of the grounds in the detention order disclose as to precisely which prohibited action listed in Section 8(3)(b) of the PSA was committed or likely to be committed by Abdullah. A New Jersey-based hedge fund manager, whose ownership of the National Enquirer landed it in hot water with New Jersey pension fund officials, may soon control one of the countrys largest newspaper chains. McClatchy, the publisher of such newspapers as the Miami Herald and the Sacramento Bee, on Thursday filed for bankruptcy protection that, if approved, would put the newspaper in the hands of Chatham Asset Management, the Washington Post reported Thursday. According to the Post, McClatchy bowed under the weight of pension and debt obligations after its 2006, $4.5 billion takeover of Knight Ridder that came just as the bottom fell out of newspapers, which saw huge losses in print revenue. As McClatchys largest creditor, Chatham stands to take control of the company and its 30 publications, the Post said. Chatham is also the majority owner of American Media Inc., publisher of the National Enquirer supermarket tabloid that became embroiled in an investigation of President Donald Trumps former lawyer, Michael Cohen. As part of that investigation, the National Enquirer parent company admitted to paying a woman to conceal her allegations of an affair with Trump to help his presidential campaign, according to the Post. Cohen told federal prosecutors that he worked with National Enquirer executives to secure a catch and kill contract with Karen McDougal, in which the tabloid paid the former Playboy playmate $150,000 to sign away rights to her story of a nine-month-long affair with Trump. The Enquirer then shelved the story. New Jersey officials overseeing the states public-worker pension fund said the scandals warranted a gut check." The State Investment Council has invested $200 million and $300 million, respectively, with investment vehicles managed by Chatham. Adam Liebtag, vice chairman of the council, has said that through both investments the pension fund has small but direct investments in Chathams holding in American Media Inc. The estimated value of those investments is much less than the $500 million invested with Chatham Asset Management, according to the Division of Investment. The Treasury officials have declined to comment on whether the state has requested a redemption (repayment) from Chatham. We dont typically comment on individual investment decisions, Treasury spokeswoman Jennifer Sciortino said. Tom Bruno, a member of the State Investment Council, told NJ Advance Media this fall the panel was examining all of its hedge funds as it scales back the pension funds allocation to hedge funds from 6 percent to 3 percent. The reduction comes nearly three years after the Investment Council first cut back from the funds in response to growing public concerns that the returns did not justify the high fees paid and amid similar moves by other institutional investors. Bruno said the council must be mindful both of its fiduciary duty to some 800,000 active and retired workers and its focus on socially responsible investing. We have a fiduciary responsibility not to take it on the chin financially for our members, he said, clarifying he was not speaking for the council. Were talking about getting into areas where were using our members money to basically bolster these companies that are engaged in, or at least theres an allegation that theyre engaged in these illegalities. We certainly have an obligation to make sure that our members money is not tainted in that way, he said, adding thats why the council established a committee to assess the environmental and societal impacts of its investments. It was unclear Thursday whether New Jerseys investment in the hedge fund includes the McClatchy assets. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Notorious MS-13 leader Alexander 'El Porky' Mendoza escaped after a fierce gun battle A gang of 20 gunmen stormed into a court building and shot dead three police officers yesterday to free the notorious MS-13 leader Alexander 'El Porky' Mendoza in Honduras. CCTV footage shows the gunmen, dressed in military fatigues and police uniforms, in a fierce gun battle with cops before they flee with Mendoza in the city of El Progreso, 108 miles north of the capital, Tegucigalpa. Mendoza, who was jailed for 20 years in 2015 for murdering two prosecutors, had been on his way to a trial hearing. President Juan Orlando Hernandez offered a reward of two million lempiras (62,000) for information that leads to Mendoza's recapture. The dramatic five minute footage shows the gang firing military assault rifles at the police and soldiers outside as bullets ricochet around the court entrance. CCTV footage shows a fierce gun battle as the gang fight their way out of the court building Soldiers carry a covered body of a dead police officer at a crime scene where about 20 gunmen dressed in military and police uniforms on Thursday killed three policemen and wounded two others The footage was aired by Honduras' HCH broadcaster and shows Mendoza in handcuffs wearing a white vest being led into the building by armed security forces. Moments later, armed men in similar uniforms storm in and force people into rooms before throwing their mobile phones on the floor and stamping on them. They are then seen pacing around in the lobby for a few tense minutes before Mendoza reappears without handcuffs and carrying a machine gun and a pistol. As the gang try to leave, security forces open fire from outside the court and the gang return fire before they flee. Four police officers were killed and four others injured. The security ministry offered a further reward of one million lempiras (31,000) 'to the person who provides conclusive information leading to the immediate recapture' of Mendoza, who was described as 'a dangerous criminal.' MS-13 leader Alexander 'El Porky' Mendoza is seen here being led into court by armed soldiers The armed gang enter the court dressed as soldiers and order people into side rooms Mendoza reappears, now without handcuffs, holding a machine gun before the gang escapes The notorious MS-13 crime group was founded by Salvadorans in Los Angeles in the 1980s and spread to El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala as the United States deported waves of migrants. MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, alongside other gangs such as Barrio 18 and drug traffickers have turned Honduras into one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Its 2019 murder rate of 44 per 100,000 inhabitants was one of the highest in the world and is partly responsible for the waves of migrants fleeing towards the United States in search of a better life. Agents of the Honduran Military Police of Public Order and of the Criminal Investigations remain outside the Justice Palace after the escape of Mendoza Honduran forensic authorities inspect the scene of the shooting at the headquarter of the Justice Palace in El Progreso Police stand guard outside the court building after notorious gang leader El Porky escaped A Honduran military police ambulance sits next to the headquarter of the Justice Palace in El Progreso where four officers were killed and four wounded in the gun battle One of the dead police officers is removed from the scene by fellow officers after the escape The most important MS-13 leader on the northern city of San Pedro Sula, Mendoza had been captured in 2015 and sentenced to 20 years in jail on charges of illicit association and money laundering. 'We are going to recapture this man and arrest those who helped him escape,' said Deputy Minister of Security Luis Suazo. Local television showed images of about 20 uniformed men and with their faces covered shooting and then climbing into several vehicles to escape with Mendoza. MS-13, along with its rival Mara 18, are among the most powerful gangs operating in Central America, with most of their activities dedicated to extortion, assassinations and drug trafficking. A bloody gun battle ensued with security forces outside the court before Mendoza flees 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 English Italian RECORDATI: PRELIMINARY 2019 RESULTS CONFIRM CONTINUED GROWTH OF SALES AND PROFITS. SALES +9.6%. EBITDA +9.0%. Consolidated revenues 1,481.8 million, +9.6%. EBITDA (1) 544.0 million, +9,0%. 544.0 million, +9,0%. Operating income 465.3 million, +5.2%. Net income 368.8 million, +18.1%, includes an extraordinary tax benefit of 27.0 million from the so-called patent box agreed with the Italian tax authorities in December 2019. Excluding this benefit net income would have been 341.9 million, +9.4%. Net financial position (2) : net debt of 902.7 million. : net debt of 902.7 million. Acquisition of global rights to Signifor, Signifor LAR (pasireotide) and Isturisa (osilodrostat) from Novartis completed on 23 October 2019. Isturisa approved in EU in January 2020 for Cushings syndrome. Objectives for 2020 target further growth of revenues and EBITDA(1) in line with the three year business plan. Milan, 14 February 2020 The Board of Directors of Recordati S.p.A. examined the preliminary consolidated results for 2019 and 2020 objectives. The companys definite consolidated annual financial reports will be submitted to the Board for approval on 18 March 2020. Financial highlights Consolidated revenues in 2019 are 1,481.8 million, up by 9.6% compared to the preceding year. International sales grow by 10.7%. in 2019 are 1,481.8 million, up by 9.6% compared to the preceding year. International sales grow by 10.7%. EBITDA (1) , at 36.7% of sales, is 544.0 million, an increase of 9.0% over 2018. , at 36.7% of sales, is 544.0 million, an increase of 9.0% over 2018. Operating income , at 31.4% of sales, is 465.3 million, an increase of 5.2% over the preceding year. , at 31.4% of sales, is 465.3 million, an increase of 5.2% over the preceding year. Net income, at 24.9% of sales, is 368.9 million, a significant increase of 18.1% over 2018, due to operating income growth and to the tax benefit from the so-called patent box agreed with the Italian tax authorities in December 2019. The total benefit amounts to 35.3 million of which 27 million from previous years and 8.3 million related to 2019. Excluding benefit related to prior years net income would have been 341.9 million, up 9.4% and 23.1% of sales. at 24.9% of sales, is 368.9 million, a significant increase of 18.1% over 2018, due to operating income growth and to the tax benefit from the so-called patent box agreed with the Italian tax authorities in December 2019. The total benefit amounts to 35.3 million of which 27 million from previous years and 8.3 million related to 2019. Excluding benefit related to prior years net income would have been 341.9 million, up 9.4% and 23.1% of sales. Net financial position (2) at 31 December 2019 records a net debt of 902.7 million compared to net debt of 588.4 million at 31 December 2018 reflecting dividends distributed for an amount of 190.9 million and payments for an important acquisition, milestones and licenses for a total of 425 million. (1) Net income before net interest, provision for taxes, depreciation, amortization and write down of both property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. (2) Cash and short-term financial investments less bank overdrafts and medium/long-term loans which include the measurement at fair value of hedging derivatives. Management Comments During the year just ended significant results were obtained and important transactions concluded for the growth and the reinforcement of our group declared Andrea Recordati, Chief Executive Officer. Thanks to the quality of our product portfolio we grow in all the main geographic areas both with our Specialty and Primary Care business as well as with our business dedicated to rare diseases. To further reinforce the Group, the most significant transaction is the agreement with Novartis for the acquisition of worldwide rights to Signifor and Signifor LAR for the treatment of Cushings disease and acromegaly. The agreement, which was completed in October, also covers the acquisition of worldwide rights to Isturisa (osilodrostat), an investigational innovative drug for the treatment of endogenous Cushings syndrome, approved by the European Commission in January 2020 and filed in the USA. These important additions to our product portfolio of treatments for severe rare diseases represent a fundamental step in the execution of our strategy to become a true global player in the treatment of rare diseases and to continue providing innovative therapeutic solutions for patients with rare serious conditions and unmet medical needs, continued Andrea Recordati. We are very pleased with the success and excellent results obtained in 2019. Going forward we will continue to develop the business, both organically as well as through a focused acquisition strategy, with the objective of strengthening our product portfolio and further reinforcing our pipeline, especially in the rare disease business segment. 2020 is going to be an important year of investment behind these new opportunities and of continued growth, in which we aim to achieve sales ranging from 1,550 million to 1,580 million, EBITDA of between 580 and 590 million, EBIT of between 490 and 500 million and net income of between 360 and 370 million. Declaration by the Manager responsible for preparing the companys financial reports The manager responsible for preparing the companys financial reports, Fritz Squindo, declares, pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 154-bis of the Consolidated Law on Finance, that the accounting information contained in this press release corresponds to the document results, books and accounting records. Conference call Recordati will be hosting a conference call today 14 February at 4:00 pm Italian time (3:00 pm London time, 10:00 am New York time). The dial-in numbers are: Italy +39 02 8058811, toll free 800 213 858 UK +44 1 212818003, toll free 800 0156384 USA +1 718 7058794, toll free 855 2656959 France +33 170918703 Germany +49 69 255114451 Callers are invited to dial-in 10 minutes before conference time. If conference operator assistance is required during the connection, please digit * followed by 0 or call +39 02 8061371. A recording of the conference call will be placed on the website www.recordati.com. A set of slides which will be referred to during the call will be available on our website www.recordati.com under Investors/Company Presentations. Recordati, established in 1926, is an international pharmaceutical group, listed on the Italian Stock Exchange (Reuters RECI.MI, Bloomberg REC IM, ISIN IT 0003828271), with a total staff of more than 4,100, dedicated to the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Recordati has operations throughout the whole of Europe, including Russia, Turkey, North Africa, the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, some South American countries, Japan and Australia. An efficient field force of medical representatives promotes a wide range of innovative pharmaceuticals, both proprietary and under license, in a number of therapeutic areas including a specialized business dedicated to treatments for rare diseases. Recordati is a partner of choice for new product licenses for its territories. Recordati is committed to the research and development of new specialties with a focus on treatments for rare diseases. Consolidated revenue for 2018 was 1,352.2 million, operating income was 442.2 million and net income was 312.4 million. For further information: Recordati website: www.recordati.com Investor Relations Media Relations Marianne Tatschke Studio Noris Morano (39)0248787393 (39)0276004736, (39)0276004745 e-mail: investorelations@recordati.it e-mail: norismorano@studionorismorano.com Statements contained in this release, other than historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These statements are based on currently available information, on current best estimates, and on assumptions believed to be reasonable. This information, these estimates and assumptions may prove to be incomplete or erroneous, and involve numerous risks and uncertainties, beyond the Companys control. Hence, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All mentions and descriptions of Recordati products are intended solely as information on the general nature of the companys activities and are not intended to indicate the advisability of administering any product in any particular instance. Attachment An oft-cited Accenture study from 2013 predicted that millennials would truly come into their own in 2020, with projected spending from this group expected to grow to $1.4 trillion annually, representing 30% of total retail sales in the US, though the report also noted that millennials will have a major economic impact in other markets that Accenture surveyed. Meanwhile, Generation Zs are following closely on the heels of millennials, with some studies pointing to an overall spending power of $143 billion in the United States alone. While these numbers are tempered by the fact that younger people are reportedly taking fewer trips to the store than the average shopper, amid dealing with uncertainties brought by climate change, growing debt levels, and political instability, these demographic groups clearly make up an important segment of insurance-buying clientele. Read more: Liberty Mutual: Busting myths about millennials insurance buyers Insurance associations are helping agents and brokers reach these consumers, with many putting on education sessions and events about selling insurance to millennials in particular. One noted that while the baby boomer generation is still a sweet spot for agents and brokers, ignoring a segment that is shifting the digital expectations of consumers would be a missed opportunity. So how do millennial consumers differ from other generations, besides the fact that theyre digitally-savvy? For one, theyre not as responsive to traditional marketing techniques think radio, print, and TV ads and they tend to comparison-shop since they have a lower median income and less disposable income than past generations, according to Forbes. They also prefer to spend their hard-earned money at local businesses with ethical mindsets, which bodes well for brokers and agents who have built strong connections within their communities. Gen Zs are similar to millennials on many of these points, though they are more apt to use the sharing economy rather than owning their own physical assets and they tend to rely on social media platforms to receive information. With all of the sessions offered by broker and agent associations on the topic of selling to young people, there appears to be some concern among insurance professionals around reaching these up-and-coming generations. However, though their insurance needs might be unique in some respects compared to older generations, are they really so hard to reach? People require different types of insurance at different stages of their lives, but many young people still plan to own cars and homes. In fact, a recent Bloomberg story read, Data show millennials arent really less interested in owning vehicles than previous generations. Some will, down the road, also potentially own their own businesses, meaning that commercial insurance would appear on their radar, too. Many will get married (exposing them to liquor liability coverage), rent apartments (which means getting rental insurance), bring pets into their homes (in turn looking into pet insurance), or take trips around the world (and purchasing travel insurance to accompany them). At all of these critical moments, there are opportunities for brokers and agents to prove their value. But, they need to meet these consumers where they shop, which is on websites, blogs, and social media channels. Read more: Vlogging 101: How agents can benefit from this content creation vehicle Brokers and agents would also do well to underscore the value of their independence from insurers as a comparison-shopping method that these younger consumers can rely on to find the best coverage for the right price. Providing young people important information on their policies and whats covered versus whats not in easily digestible resources that they can access anywhere from their phones is likewise a good way to stand out. And bringing young people into the office by attracting new talent to brokerages and agencies isnt a bad way to get a fresh perspective on reaching exactly this demographic. The rewards for getting this young clientele in the door today are big. By attracting millennials and Gen Zs to the broker and agent channel while theyre young, insurance professionals can win the trust of a new generation of clients, ensuring their businesses long-term viability. P harmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca today warned that the coronavirus outbreak would hit its revenues. The FTSE-100 drugsmaker said that, depending on the severity of the spread of Covid-19, total sales will increase by a high single-digit to a low double-digit percentage if it lasts a few months. The City had been expected a mid-to-high-teens percentage rise and the shares tumbled as much as 6%, before settling down 174p, or 2%, at 7460p. Shore Capital analyst Adam Barker said: AstraZeneca has been proactive in trying to forecast the outcome in its guidance, which is why the shares have come off today. In the event that its not as bad as feared, theres an upside for the shares. Barker pointed out rival GlaxoSmithKline had not attempted to quantify the viruss impact in its revenue guidance. China accounts for around 20% of Astras revenues and the company has 16,000 staff in the country. Astra was one of the first big companies in China and it has been a strong growth area, although the US, Japan and EU remain its key markets, said Barker. Astras total annual sales rose 10% to $24.4 billion (18.8 billion) last year, aided by growth in new medicines, but profits were down 14% at $2.9 billion. The World Health Organisation today said the number of coronavirus cases is not rising dramatically outside China, leaving stock markets treading water. Around 65,000 people have been diagnosed with the virus worldwide. In Singapore oil giant Shell sent some staff on its trading desk home as a precaution after it emerged an employee had had contact with a coronavirus case. HSBC, which employs 21,000 people in Hong Kong, said one of its employees is under government quarantine as a relative has the virus. The banking behemoth is contacting staff who may have been in contact with the worker. In London it emerged that a person who attended last weeks UK Bus Summit at the QEII Centre in Westminster has since been diagnosed with coronavirus. Two Chinese districts in virus-stricken Hubei Province have issued wartime management orders barring people from leaving their apartment buildings, as the country battles with the deepening coronavirus crisis that has spread mounting fears across the globe. Zhangwan district in Shiyan city of Hubei Province was first to implement the order and lock down residential buildings. Starting from Feb. 13, all residential areas in the district will be placed under wartime management, according to a notice posted on Wednesday evening. Individuals in the districtexcept for medical workers, outbreak prevention officers, and those delivering basic living suppliesare no longer allowed to leave their apartment buildings, it said. Extraordinary Move The districts outbreak containment unit said the measure was an extraordinary move implemented as it was left with no alternatives. It said they will roll out the measure for two weeks before deciding on whether or not to continue with the restrictions. Earlier on Monday, residential neighborhoods in the entire Hubei Province had banned visitors whose body temperatures were over 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Local cadres and property management officers will be on shift 24 hours to enforce the policy, the notice said. Anyone who tries to break this rule will be arrested. The notice added that neighborhood committee officers will arrange to deliver food and other basic living supplies to peoples doors at specific times. The authorities will also set the prices and decide what types of goods to deliver. A few hours later, Dawu County, also located in Hubei, similarly issued a 14-day residential building lockdown. In one sentence: dont go outdoors, a staff member at the Dawu government office told Chinese newspaper National Business Daily. Some over 80 cities across China, including Beijing and Shanghai, have restricted movement to varying degrees. Inner Mongolia on Feb. 13 also issued a notice shutting down all non-necessary public facilities. Weddings will be halted and all families should remain at home, with only one member going out to purchase groceries, it said. State of War The party branch within Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control on Tuesday also issued a statement, asking all Party members at the agency to fully recognize the sense of urgency and importance at the critical juncture, and enter a state of war. To prevent cross infections, the statement prohibited staff from visiting other departments unless its work-related. It said people should resort to phone calls or other telecommunication methods to reduce face-to-face interactions where possible. In a recent appearance in Beijing, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said they are waging an all-out war against the outbreak, in which he said the communities are at the forefront. Xiao Xu, the vice director of Zhangwan district, told state-owned radio network China National Radio that the new lockdown measure was an attempt to control the virus further spread as the district has seen an 80 percent jump in infections. He added that they chose the wording wartime management to emphasize the gravity of the situation. Qin Peng, a political affairs commentator, said he suspects the Chinese authorities are doing a trial run in the district. If the results proved effective, they might replicate the measures in other regions, he said. The state of war policy in Beijing appeared to be a way for the city to ease into such a measure and allow people to adjust to it gradually, he said during a live program on the Chinese-language Epoch Times. Challenges Mounting Tong Zhaohui, the vice director at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital who was sent to Hubei to help fight the outbreak, said he had observed a higher rate of severe respiratory failures among the coronavirus patients. Compared to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in 2003, the respiratory failure this time comes even faster this time, and the lack of oxygen at times can be very apparent, he said in a Thursday press conference in Hubei. The virus also attacks the patients hearts, creating challenges in treatment, he said. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization Director-General, branded the coronavirus public enemy number one in a Feb. 11 press conference, warning that it can create havoc, politically, economically and socially. From The Epoch Times WINNIPEG - Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says he is open to discussing a possible oil pipeline to the Port of Churchill as a way of getting western energy to ocean tankers. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister speaks to reporters on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang WINNIPEG - Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says he is open to discussing a possible oil pipeline to the Port of Churchill as a way of getting western energy to ocean tankers. The idea has been revived recently by Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, among others, and comes seven years after Manitoba's former NDP government rejected shipping oil by rail to the subarctic town on Hudson Bay. "The previous NDP government dismissed the very idea of shipping oil products out of Churchill out of hand, without even looking at it," Pallister said in an interview this week. That's not the approach of his Progressive Conservative government, he said. "We're very, very big on northern development and I'm very, very committed to working in partnership with affected people in northern Manitoba including First Nations and Metis people to make sure that we find great job opportunities and economic development opportunities for northern communities." Pundits and politicians have pushed for a pipeline to Churchill as a way to get oil from Alberta and Saskatchewan onto tankers bound for international markets. There is no company planning to build such a pipeline, but the idea was brought up again this month in Saskatchewan, where the government has formed a committee to look at ways to get more pipelines built. The Saskatchewan Party government also has a 10-year economic plan that includes "supporting efforts to export oil by tanker through the Port of Churchill." When Denver-based Omnitrax proposed shipping oil by rail through the port in 2013, Manitoba's NDP government, environmental groups and many area residents opposed the plan over fears a spill could devastate the environment and ecotourism in Churchill. The town of 900 is known as the polar bear capital of the world and also bring in tourists to watch beluga whales and the northern lights. Opponents also pointed to the boggy terrain that heaves and shifts. It has long been one source of slowdowns and disruptions in rail traffic. Eric Reder with the Wilderness Committee recently said a pipeline would face tremendous stress along the hundreds of kilometres of subarctic ground. Dave Daley, president of the Churchill Chamber of Commerce, has said opinions in the town are mixed. Some people see big economic benefits from greater traffic through the port. Pallister said any pipeline proposal would have to undergo environmental assessments. "Our environmental policies are very clear in our province ... so we're going to have to balance those considerations as we look at this project proposal that has yet to be clearly defined," he said. "But ... we're certainly ready to work in partnership with the people of the region, and with other provinces, to examine fully the potential for projects like this." Manitoba New Democrats, now the official Opposition, said a pipeline should be a non-starter. "We oppose building a pipeline to Churchill that would put the community, the environment and our vulnerable polar bear species at risk," environment critic Lisa Naylor said in a written statement. "We're proud to stand with the community who have already rejected this project." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2020 There is hope for transplant patients, from technology which may keep a heart alive for 24 hours. At the moment, a donated heart can usually only last around four hours as it is rushed to the person who needs it. But by pumping fluid through its blood vessels, and using pulses of oxygen which mimic a heartbeat, scientists have been able to keep pigs' hearts for 24 hours. They say the technology could be available for human hearts in a year. The breakthrough, using a device which fits into a small suitcase, could cut waiting lists for transplants. How the pioneering device would work, keeping organs oxygenated and alive for 24 hours There is hope for transplant patients, from technology which may keep a heart alive for 24 hours The latest figures show there are 328 people in the UK on the waiting list for a heart, including 39 children. Many are forced to wait until it is too late, and figures suggest around three-quarters of donated hearts cannot be used in the UK. Dr Rafael Veraza, from the University of Texas Health at San Antonio, presented the findings on pig hearts, which still appeared to be oxygenated with viable cells after 24 hours, at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Seattle. He said: 'The first heart was transported more than 50 years ago by putting it on ice, and decades later it is done much the same way. 'But being able to keep a heart viable for 24 hours means you could transport it almost anywhere in the world, and this could save many lives.' While the main reason that hearts are not taken from UK donors is because they are unsuitable, experts say the time between removing an organ and transplanting it is 'crucial'. Heart transplants: the facts A heart transplant is an operation to replace a damaged or failing heart with a healthy heart from a donor who's recently died. It may be recommended when a person's life is at risk because their heart no longer works effectively. Why heart transplants are carried out A heart transplant may be considered if you have severe heart failure and medical treatments are not helping. Conditions that may eventually require a heart transplant include: coronary heart disease a build-up of fatty substances in the arteries supplying the heart, which block or interrupt blood flow to the heart cardiomyopathy where the walls of the heart have become stretched, thickened or stiff congenital heart disease birth defects that affect the normal workings of the heart If your doctor thinks you might benefit from a heart transplant, you'll need to have an in-depth assessment to check whether you're healthy enough to have one before being placed on a waiting list. What happens during a heart transplant? A heart transplant needs to be carried out as soon as possible after a donor heart becomes available. The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic, where you're asleep. While it's carried out, a heart-lung bypass machine will be used to keep your blood circulating with oxygen-rich blood. A cut is made in the middle of the chest. Your own heart is then removed, and the donor heart is connected to the main arteries and veins. The new heart should then begin beating normally. Outlook for heart transplants Most people can eventually return to their normal activities after a heart transplant and experience a significant improvement in their symptoms for many years. But it's a major operation and some of the complications can be life threatening. Overall: 80 to 90 in every 100 people will live at least a year 70 to 75 in every 100 people will live at least 5 years 50 in every 100 people will live at least 10 years Some people have survived for more than 25 years after a heart transplant. Source Advertisement The average person waits almost three years - 1,085 days - for a heart transplant, with NHS Blood and Transplant reporting in 2018 that one man, 45-year-old Gareth Evans from Stockport, had been on the waiting list for nine years. The key to preserving hearts for a full day is to mimic the conditions in the human body as much as possible. That means flushing a preservation solution through arteries, delivering 60 pulses of oxygen per minute like a heartbeat, and suspending the heart in a solution, similarly to how it sits in the body, to keep it from collapsing under its own pressure. The US researchers tested their system, called ULiSSES, in five pig hearts, finding they appeared viable after 24 hours, with little of the swelling which indicates cell death. The next step is to transplant the hearts back into pigs, to ensure that they function properly, before moving on to human hearts. The researchers plan to test donated hearts which are not suitable for transplant within three months, and are already discussing this with hospitals. If the necessary official approvals are granted, the scientists say hearts kept for 24 hours could be given to people within a year. They also hope to use the technology to preserve and transport limbs lost in war, road crashes or industrial accidents, so these could be reattached, although this has only been done using pigs' limbs so far. The researchers say they have a grant from the US Government to research this. The hearts are currently being stored at 4C (39F), but are hoped in future to be kept at room temperature, doing away with the need for organs to be carried on ice. Donor hearts, stored in this way, have previously appeared to work normally for a short time in dogs. Dr Veraza, a post-doctoral fellow at UT Health, said: 'The important thing about our research is how portable this device is. 'We hope it will make more organs available, which can be kept at a good quality, so that there are more matches and fewer rejections.' The waiting list for a heart transplant has more than doubled from 126 people in March 2010 to 295 in March of last year. John Forsythe, medical director for organ donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: 'For a heart transplant to be successful, the time between retrieval and transplantation is particularly crucial. 'The use of machines to stabilise and preserve organs is one important area of development, and the use of oxygen 'perfusion' techniques has proven extremely successful in other organs, including liver and pancreas. 'UK teams are exploring the use of similar techniques for heart transplantation, through our world-leading DCD (death after circulatory death) heart programme - and also looking at how the machines and techniques being pioneered as part of this programme, might also be applied for hearts transplanted after brain stem death. 'We welcome any research that builds on this.' Hyperlipidemia, one of the most common threats to human health, refers to an abnormal increase of cholesterol and/or triglycerides in the blood. One effective method for prevention and treatment of the disease is cholesterol-lowering therapy, such as the drug simvastatin. Alkaline hydrolysis of lovastatin to produce monacolin J is an intermediate step to obtain simvastatin. Enzymatic synthesis using a specific and efficient lovastatin hydrolase is one of the alternative methods for green production of monacolin J. Recently, the research team led by Prof. LU Xuefeng from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), revealed the catalytic mechanism and structure-function relationship of the specific and efficient lovastatin hydrolase PcEST. It is the first report describing the mechanism and structure-function relationship of lovastatin hydrolase and provides insights about further lovastatin hydrolase screening, engineering, and commercial applications. The results were published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Structure-based biochemical analyses and mutagenesis assays revealed that the Ser-57 (nucleophile)-Tyr-170 (general base)-Lys-60 (general acid) catalytic triad, together with the hydrogen-bond network around the active site and the specific substrate-binding tunnel determine the efficient and specific lovastatin hydrolysis by PcEST. Furthermore, using structure-guided enzyme engineering, the researchers developed a PcEST variant, D106A, which improved solubility and thermostability, suggesting a promising application of this variant in industrial processes. ### This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation, the Science and Technology Service Network Initiative of CAS, and the Shandong Taishan Scholarship. Protests against the Coastal GasLink pipeline that will deliver natural gas to Canadas first LNG plant are having repercussions across industries as they paralyze railway transport, prompting business leaders to lash out at the protesters and the CEO of Canadian National Railways to warn that the company may have to start laying off people if the protests continue. This is a good case of insanity, the head of a car parts making company told Bloomberg. This situation is regrettable for its impact on the economy and on our railroaders as these protests are unrelated to CNs activities, and beyond our control, the chief executive of Canadian National Railways said in a statement. In the past week alone, the company has had to cancel 400 trains as environmentalists and rights activists blockade rail lines and ports, as well as road intersections and government offices as a demonstration of solidarity with members of a First Nation, the Wetsuweten, who oppose the Coastal Gaslink pipeline. The railway operator has started shutting off its operations in eastern Canada and its chief executive warned that it would have to lay off up to 6,000 people if the blockades continue, although the layoffs will be temporary. With over 400 trains cancelled during the last week and new protests that emerged at strategic locations on our mainline, we have decided that a progressive shutdown of our Eastern Canadian operations is the responsible approach to take for the safety of our employees and the protesters, J. J. Ruest said as quoted by the Globe and Mail. The federal Indigenous Services Minister, Marc Miller, called on the protesters to lift the blockades. My request, that I ask you kindly to consider, is to discontinue the protest and barricade of the train tracks as soon as practicable, he said in a statement. Meanwhile, TC Energy, which is building the pipeline, has had to resort to police assistance to keep working on the pipeline. The infrastructure is vital for the LNG Canada projectthe first of its kind to be built in Canadato which it will supply natural gas from Dawson Creek, close to the border with Alberta, to Kitimat, where the liquefaction trains of LNG Canada will be built. LNG Canada is a project of Shell, with a 40-percent stake, Malaysias Petronas with 25 percent, PetroChina with 15 percent, Mitsubishi with 15 percent, and South Koreas Kogas with 5 percent. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Lucknow, Feb 14 : Even though all eight suspected cases of the deadly coronavirus have tested negative, the Uttar Pradesh government is not taking any chance when it comes to preparedness. "We need to remain prepared because of the porous UP-Nepal border. One case has been reported from Nepal and we are not taking any chances," said UP Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh. According to sources, students who have returned from China in the past one month are under the scanner. "We have directed all families of these students to immediately report if any symptoms of the virus are seen," said a senior medical official. The state government has put on alert all districts on the UP-Nepal border. Dr R N Singh, campaigner, Mission Save in India, said, "The virus is deadly and has already claimed lives in many countries. A case has been reported from Nepal, too. We share 1,751- km long open border with Nepal and checking virus only at the airport and not on borders will be an exercise in futility. Health check-posts have been established at entry points on Indo-Nepal border to check the entry of virus in the country." Checking for virus has already started at airport but open border between the two countries is also being monitored, he said. Medical experts in the region feel that there is an urgent need to create awareness about the deadly virus in the area, especially in the rural interiors. The symptoms of Coronavirus are similar to any other upper-respiratory infection, including runny nose, coughing, sore throat, and sometimes a fever. "When the symptoms appear, people believe that it is a normal flu which is normal in this season. It is only when the condition gets beyond repair that people come to hospitals and by then, the patient is firmly in grip of coronavirus," said Dr M M Sahay, a local medical practitioner. Gorakhpur, which is close to Indo-Nepal border, has a sizeable population that commutes daily to Nepal through Sunauli and Badhni borders. Steps have already been initiated for screening of the virus at the airport but experts believe that health check-up along the open border is more important to check its entry in India. Dr R N Singh further said that health check posts should be set up, along the UP-Nepal border just like it had been done during the SARS epidemic in 2002. "Around half-a-dozen cases of Coronavirus have also been detected in Thailand. Many people from here also go to Thailand and people from the country visit Gorakhpur. Health check-posts are the need of the hour," he said. Meanwhile, medical officials said that an isolation ward had been set up at district hospitals. "As of now, no case of coronavirus has been reported in Gorakhpur but the department is ready to deal with the situation," the official said. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) SEATTLE, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- n2uitive, the leading claims interview and recorded statement management platform for auto, home, and workers compensation insurers, today announced $1.3 million in funding led by Cascade Seed Fund, headquartered in Bend, OR. The investment will be used to launch the company's next-generation claims interview platform, which will feature comprehensive workflow automation and interview intelligence capabilities. n2uitive currently serves 35+ enterprise P&C insurance customers and 15,000+ claims adjusters which impact billions of dollars in claim expense and outcomes each year. "The recorded statement claims interview process is disjointed and time consuming for claims adjusters and often interferes with the insurers providing the most accurate and timely claim outcomes for their customers," said Joel Gendelman, CEO of n2uitive Corporation. "n2uitive takes the pain out of this process by moving enterprise insurance customers and claims adjustors away from outdated processes that result in merely 'compliance artifacts' to delivering claims intelligence and insights into the interviews and investigations themselves. This latest round of funding will fuel our ability to help insurers make accurate and consistent liability decisions and unlock value from their recorded statements." Today, the claims interview process looks a lot like it did in 1995. The process still relies heavily on handheld recorders, manual file uploads, paper interview guides, emailed audio files and other time-consuming manual tasks. Because the information captured in these recorded calls are difficult and time consuming to review, insurer claims organizations have very little systematic insights into the interviews themselves. As a result, information that may significantly reduce loss incurred from error or oversight often goes undiscovered. "Cascade's investment in n2uitive is aligned with our philosophy of investing in software, data and intelligence that automates complex B2B workflows and processes," said Robert Pease, Managing Director at Cascade Seed Fund. "n2uitive plans to use this growth capital to serve a broader set of customer needs. We believe n2uitive is positioned to build on its interview recording experience to create a robust automation and intelligence solution powered by speech recognition, machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies." n2uitive's platform streamlines the claims investigation and interview process for claims adjusters while providing valuable insights for insurance companies to improve claim outcomes. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 75% of each premium dollar made by insurers is spent on claims due to claims administration costs or loss payouts, making recorded interviews foundational to minimizing adjustment expense and delivering more consistent and accurate claim outcomes. About n2uitive Corporation n2uitive is the leading Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) claims interview and recorded statement management platform for auto, home, and workers compensation insurers. The company has the largest repository of claims statement recordings in the industry, managing more than 70,000 new recorded interviews per month and storing over 2,300,000 hours of recorded conversations. n2uitive's customers include many of the Top 200 U.S. Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance companies. For more information, please visit www.n2uitive.com. SOURCE n2uitive Related Links https://n2uitive.com/ [February 14, 2020] Former Akin Gump Litigation Co-Chair Joins Lateral Link Lateral Link, a prominent legal recruiting firm with offices across the United States and Asia, announced today that David Comerford, the former Co-Chair of Akin Gump's Litigation Practice, has joined as a Senior Director in their Philadelphia and Washington D.C. offices. His focus will be on placing partners and groups into top law firms throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005037/en/ David Comerford, Senior Director at Lateral Link (Photo: Business Wire) Per Comerford, "Lateral Linkoffered an efficient, collaborative, nationwide platform that embraces the realities of today's legal market. Without artificial geographic or practice limits, Lateral Link takes a practical approach that maximizes recruiters' assets to the mutual benefit of lateral attorneys and law firms. In addition, the people I met at Lateral Link are down to earth, have practiced at the highest level with some of the biggest and most prestigious law firms in the world, and are 100% committed to providing first rate service." Comerford holds a B.A. in History from the University of Virginia and a J.D. with honors from Rutgers University School of Law. During his 22 years at Akin, he held many leadership roles, including membership on the Partner Admissions Committee, Co-Chair of the Litigation Group, and Partner-in-Charge of the Philadelphia office. In those positions, Comerford vetted hundreds of partner candidates, analyzed strategic and firm culture fit, and helped integrate lateral partners into the firm. "I was fortunate to contribute to the continued evolution of a great firm in many ways, including through organic and lateral growth. For my next act, I wanted something that similarly would bring the satisfaction that comes from helping people build something, while leveraging my assets of experience, market knowledge, network, and judgment," he noted. Ryan Belville, Co-Managing Principal of Lateral Link, added, "David is a fantastic addition to the team. His background, appetite to build, and breadth of network all sync perfectly with our growth plans in the Northeast." As a high stakes Commercial Litigator, Comerford helped businesses and individuals solve complex problems and protect their brands and assets, for which he received recognition for by The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation, Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business for Securities Litigation, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and the Irish Legal 100. Comerford brings with him to Lateral Link 28 years of BigLaw experience and trusted judgment to help partners, associates and law firms find their next great opportunity. About Lateral Link The major Am Law 200 and specialty firms partner with Lateral Link as their go-to legal recruiter. With offices in over a dozen cities across the United States and Asia, Lateral Link's established relationships and reputation position the firm to attract and deliver the best legal talent. Over the past fourteen years, Lateral Link has completed thousands of successful placements as a best-in-class legal recruitment agency. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005037/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. SALEM, Ore. The Oregon House version of a divisive cap-and-trade bill, House Bill 4159, has yet to emerge from the committee stage of this legislative session, but it has already stirred up its fair share of dramatic gestures. On Thursday, House Republican members of the Committee on Energy and Environment said that they walked out of the session and refused to vote as the committee considered cap-and-trade. In a symbolic gesture, we have decided to step out of the room and not take a vote on a bill that would devastate Oregons economy, said Representative Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, vice-chair of the committee. We have tried to engage with our colleagues on this issue, but have repeatedly been denied the opportunity to represent our districts in this conversation. Cap and trade will raise costs of living on all Oregonians, drive business out of the state, and hand control over to unelected bureaucrats. Oregonians are being denied access, and we wont stand for it. RELATED: Timber Unity supporters plan another convoy to Salem in protest of returning cap-and-trade bill An earlier statement from House Republican Leader Christine Drazan, R-Canby, indicated that the sticking point came from a lack of public hearings on the bill. This move denied Oregonians the opportunity to provide testimony and discuss this very complicated legislation, said Drazan. "The cap and trade proposals currently in front of the legislature give unelected bureaucrats the power to raise costs for businesses and Oregon families. I am calling on Speaker Kotek to schedule public hearings on this bill to give Oregonians an opportunity to be heard. The Senate version of the bill, SB 1530, has already had several public hearings, one of which coincided with the Timber Unity rally last Thursday that drew flocks of opponents of the bill. HB 4159 now moves onto the House Committee on Rules, while SB 1530 has been referred to the Joint Ways and Means Committee. Our broad coalition is encouraged to see the cap-and-invest bill pass out of its first committee. There is no time to waste and we cannot turn our backs on climate action in Oregon, said Tera Hurst, executive director of Renew Oregon. At the same time, were disappointed to see the clean air protections and investments continue to slip backward in this amended version. Those who have delayed this bill for years continue to work in ideas from polluting industry. Even still, this is a good step toward meaningful climate action, which well continue to push for on behalf of a vast majority of Oregonians who want to see it happen now. Bazaar Corporate Radar | Feb 22, 2021, 12:00 AM IST Bazaar Corporate Radar Bazaar Corporate Radar is your window into the minds of top CEOs, Boardrooms, global economists, fund managers and sector analysts. If it?s making news, you?ll find it on Bazaar Corporate Radar. A United States warship has seized a cache of Iranian-manufactured weapons heading to war-torn Yemen. The USS Normandy boarded a dhow sailing vessel in the Arabian Sea on Sunday and found 150 anti-tank guided missiles and three surface-to-air missiles. American Navy officials said the weapon design could be traced back to Iran, which is banned from shipping arms outside the country unless approved by the UN. The USS Normandy (pictured patrolling the northern Gulf this week) boarded a dhow sailing vessel in the Arabian Sea on Sunday and found 150 anti-tank guided missiles and three surface-to-air missiles American Navy officials said the cache of weapons (pictured) could be traced back to Iran A military statement said: 'The weapons seized include 150 'Dehlavieh' anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), which are Iranian-manufactured copies of Russian Kornet ATGMs. 'Other weapons components seized aboard the dhow were of Iranian design and manufacture and included three Iranian surface-to-air missiles.' 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. Under a UN resolution, Tehran (Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei pictured) is prohibited from supplying, selling or transferring weapons outside the country unless approved by the Security Council In recent years, US warships have intercepted and seized Iranian arms likely bound for Houthi fighters in Yemen, which Tehran is backing in a bloody proxy conflict against Saudi Arabia. Under a UN 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. Last year, a drone strike on a Saudi oil production compound was blamed on the militias. A 71-year-old woman has been stabbed in a Chinese supermarket by a 17-year-old girl when the teenager was said to be fighting for a bottle of disinfectant. The attacker was vying for the sterilising product with a nine-year-old girl, whom she also stabbed, when the pensioner intervened and got wounded, according to online accounts. The suspect is mentally ill and has been detained, police said. The video, which has not been verified by police, appears to capture the elderly victim lying next to a pool of blood as a worker at the supermarket tries to keep her conscious in China The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon in the county of Baoying in eastern China's Jiangsu Province. Footage circulating on social media purports to show the elderly woman crying and falling onto the ground after being assaulted. The video, which has not been verified by police, appears to capture the victim lying next to a pool of blood as a worker at the supermarket tries to keep her conscious. Other shoppers are filmed watching the bloody event in horror. Other shoppers are filmed watching the bloody event in horror in a supermarket in Baoying According to independent video outlet Orange Video, the perpetrator had argued with a nine-year-old girl over a bottle of 84 Disinfectant Liquid. It is claimed that the pensioner was trying to mediate in the dispute, however the teenager slashed her as well as the child after finding a knife on a stall next to her. The post did not explain whether or not the fight was caused by panic buying in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. Baoying police were alerted of the incident at 3:43pm and took control of the attacker at the scene. Officers said all of the three individuals were locals. Chinese paramilitary police officers wearing protective gears transfer pails of disinfectant in Yunmeng county outside Xiaogan City in China's central Hubei province on February 12 A worker wearing a protective mask sprays disinfectant at a market in Beijing on February 10 According to a statement released through Baoying police's social media account, the 17-year-old culprit, surnamed Wang, was shopping when she stabbed the nine-year-old girl, surnamed Zhu, and the 71-year-old woman, also surnamed Wang. The police did not explain the suspect's motives or comment on the online allegations about the cause of the argument. The police said that the suspect's family members claimed that she had been mentally ill for the past year and often thought that other people would harm her. Both victims were taken to hospital and in stable condition, the statement added. The case is being investigated further. Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex don't appear to be planning a visit to the UK any time soon. Now an expert has claimed Harry and Meghan also wont be attending Prince Andrew s 60th birthday celebrations later this month. Meghan and Prince Harry visit the Joff Youth Centre in Peacehaven, Sussex on October 3, 2018 in Peacehaven, United Kingdom. / Getty Images UK media correspondent Neil Sean told Fox News the Queen has planned a small family dinner for her son. Plans for the Duke of Yorks birthday have reportedly been scaled down since he stepped back from public duties late last year following the scandal surrounding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein . A mole [told] me, Its an open secret they declined the invite but its not very nice for the Queen as, whatever people say and think, he is [still] her son and she wanted her close family around her, Sean said. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, and Meghan the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry / AP The reason given is that they already have commitments on the day but also plan to send a gift/card and a video message to be played at the party, he added of Harry and Meghans absence. Since their departure from the Royal Family was made official in late January, Harry and Meghan (and baby Archie, of course) have spent much of their time in Canada, where it was rumored they would be purchasing a home of their own. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, leave Canada House in London, Britain January 7, 2020 / REUTERS But in recent weeks, Harry and Meghan have ventured over to the US, speaking at the JP Morgan Alternative Investment Summit in Miami. While attending the event, which took place at 1Hotel South Beach, it was also reported that the former royals had dinner with Jennifer Lopez and her fiance, Alex Rodriguez. The Bayelsa State Police Command has imposed a three-day dusk to dawn curfew on the state. The curfew was imposed following violen... The Bayelsa State Police Command has imposed a three-day dusk to dawn curfew on the state. The curfew was imposed following violence that broke out over Supreme Court ruling declaring Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, winner of the last governorship election in the state. Commissioner of Police in the state, Uche Anozia, made the disclosure on Friday in Yenogoa, the state capital. Anozie disclosed that the curfew will run from 8pm to 6am. Recall that the Supreme Court had sacked David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and declared Diri winner of the election. Following the ruling of the court, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Diri winner of the governorship election and issued him with Certificate of Return. The action of INEC had led to crisis in the state as some angry youths said to be loyal to APC attacked PDP secretariats and some properties belonging to Diri. Some angry youths has occupied major streets and the Government House on Friday morning, armed with APC flags and bearing placards, protesting the ruling of the apex court. The Voatz blockchain-secured mobile voting app took a shellacking from researchers at MIT, who reported they uncovered several security vulnerabilities. The MIT researchers said their security analysis pointed to weaknesses that would allow hackers to "alter, stop, or expose how an individual user has voted," poses "potential privacy issues for users" and has limited transparency, limiting security researchers' ability to assure the apps integrity. "Our findings serve as a concrete illustration of the common wisdom against Internet voting, and of the importance of transparency to the legitimacy of elections," they wrote in a paper describing their analysis of the Voatz system. For their analysis, the MIT researchers reversed engineered the app and created a model of the Voatz server. They said the company's "minimal available documentation of the system" prevented them from running tests on the actual voting process, so their study presents "an analysis of the election process as visible from the app itself." Before releasing the paper, the MIT team took its findings to the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, whose Hunt and Incident Response Team (HIRT) investigated whether there was any evidence of current or previous malicious activity in the Voatz network environment. According to the week-long evaluation conducted in September 2019 focusing on Voatz's corporate and cloud networks, CISA found no evidence of active threats, according to a report by Coindesk. In the HIRT report, investigators said they uncovered some issues that could pose future concerns, but overall they commended the company for its "proactive measures in the use of canaries, bug bounties, Shodan alerts, and active internal scanning and red teaming." HIRT did not assess the security of the app itself. In a blog post titled "Voatz Response to Researchers Flawed Report," the company detailed three "fundamental" flaws with the research. First, company officials said, the MIT team used an Android version of the Voatz app that was "at least 27 versions old at the time of their disclosure and not used in an election." Second, the app never connected to the Voatz servers, which are hosted in Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure clouds, making the researchers unable to register with the app, verify their identity or receive or cast a ballot. Third, the company said that rather than accessing the Voatz servers, the researchers "fabricated an imagined version" of the servers, hypothesized as to how they worked and made assumptions "that are simply false." Addressing the researchers complaints about the company's lack of transparency, Voatz said it works with "qualified, collaborative researchers." It also emphasized that in all the elections that have used the Voatz app which have involved less than 600 voters no issues have been reported. "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 blog said. The Voatz app has been used most extensively in West Virginia. Secretary of State Mac Warner first tested the option for qualified overseas military service members to cast absentee ballots in county primary elections in May 2018. It was also used in the state's November 2018 election, where 144 voters in 30 different countries were able to cast their ballots. In February, the app will be made available to absentee voters with physical disabilities. Users download the app to their smartphones, verify their identities by providing a photo of their drivers license, state ID or passport that is matched to a selfie. Once voters' identities are confirmed, they receive a mobile ballot based on the one that they would receive in their local precinct. The distributed ledger technology ensures the votes cannot be tampered with once they've been recorded. The app has also been used in Colorado and Utah. One Voatz advocate contacted by CoinDesk said the accessibility benefits of the app far outweigh any security risks. Amelia Powers Gardner, an election auditor in Utah County, Utah, who supervised her use of the Voatz system for disabled voters and service members deployed overseas, said the Voatz system is a much better option than email ballots for otherwise disenfranchised voting groups. While these concerns of around mobile loading can be valid, they don't rise to a level of security that causes me to even question the use of the mobile app, she told Coindesk. Whether you love Valentine's Day or not, the holiday that celebrates romantic love is here. People who are in a relationship are excited for it since it is the day they feel extra loved. However, for those who are not into Valentine's Day at all -- for whatever reason they may have -- Galentine's Day is here to be celebrated instead. Galentine's Day is yet to be an official holiday, but it was made famous by the character Leslie Knope in "Parks and Recreation." It is basically the day before Valentine's day, but it could also be celebrated on any other day. An Accidental Holiday Discovery In an episode of the hit television series "Parks and Recreation," the character of Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler) gathered all her girlfriends for lunch. "February 14th, Valentine's Day, is all about romance," Knope explained to the camera. "But February 13th, Galentine's Day, is all about celebrating girl friendships. It is wonderful and it should be a national holiday as well." Although it may not be recognized or celebrated all over the world, Knope would probably be happy to know how the phrase has helped empower women all over the world. The phrase "Galentine's Day" has become popularly used since that episode aired in 2010. In fact, it has expanded to not only celebrating women's friendships. It has become a celebration of womanhood, leaving husbands, boyfriends and significant others at home to be one with female friends. Celebrating Friendships For Good Health As it turns out, there is a whole different reason to celebrate "Galentine's Day." In the data released by a research study conducted by Mayo Clinic in 2019, good friendships can be good to maintain good health. Adults with a strong support system have a reduced risk of developing serious health problems like high blood pressure, depression and unhealthy BMI. The study also showed that adults who have a richer social life are likely to live longer than those who have fewer friends in their circle. Apparently, even medical science supports women in celebrating friendships with other women. However, this does not mean that women should collect as many friends as they could. The quality of friendships that they keep is more important than the quantity. While it may be important to have a diverse network of acquaintances and friends, the key is to nurture truly good friendships. It is best for women to have her circle of friends who will be there for her through thick or thin. Galentine's Day Celebration While everyone else may be busy preparing for a special surprise on Valentine's Day, there are a number of Galentine's Day celebrations happening around, too. In Maine, the Bangor Wine and Cheese Company on Hammond Street is hosting a wine tasting event. It is already in its second year. So far, a lot of women and their friends enjoy the activity and are looking forward to more of it in the coming years. Galentine's Day is not just about a celebration of friendship. It is also a special day to remind every woman to love herself more than anything or anyone else in the world. "Loving yourself is a great way to celebrate life," Eric Mihan said, owner of the Bangor Wine and Cheese Company. President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday appointed Arvind Kejriwal as the new Chief Minister of Delhi after his Aam Aadmi Party bagged 62 of the 70 seats in the recent Delhi Assembly elections. According to an official notification, the President has also appointed six MLAs as ministers of the Delhi government following the advice of the chief minister. The six ministers who will take oath along with Kejriwal on February 16 are: Manish Sisodia, Satyender Jain, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gehlot, Imran Hussain and Rajendra Gautam. "The President has been pleased to appoint Shri Arvind Kejriwal to be the Chief Minister, National Capital Territory of Delhi with effect from the date he is sworn in," the notification said. A separate notification said the President has also accepted the resignation of Kejriwal as chief minister of the NCT of Delhi along with his council of ministers with immediate effect. He will, however, continue to act as the chief Minister till the new chief minister is sworn in, it said. In the Delhi polls, the AAP recorded a massive victory winning 62 of the 70 seats while the BJP bagged the remaining eight seats. The Congress drew a blank for the second consecutive time. Kejriwal will take oath on Sunday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) will meet industry bodies on Tuesday to asses the impact of the outbreak on Indian trade and businesses. The virus outbreak in China has claimed nearly 1,500 lives and infected over 60,000. The deadly virus has spread to many countries, including India. "To assess impact of Coronavirus, presently endemic in China, on Indian trade & industry, Smt. @nsitharaman would be meeting Industry associations on Tuesday along with Secretaries in the Ministry," the finance ministry said in a tweet. Several sectors, specially electronics, mobile and textiles, are expected to be hit due to supply restraints in China in the wake of the epidemic. AFP This week Bernie Sanders, fresh from his victory in the Democratic primary in New Hampshire, was attacked by a vampire squid. Or rather he was attacked by the former boss of that Wall Street banking vampire squid (thats how it was described by Rolling Stone magazine) known as Goldman Sachs. Lloyd Blankfein, a registered Democrat supporter, tweeted that: Sanders is just as polarizing as Trump AND hell ruin our economy. Sanders was unphased. Let me see, a billionaire executive on Wall Street doesnt like me, he told CNN. Hmm, I am shocked by that. But is Blankfein right? Would the Vermont senator ruin the US economy if he won the White House? What are Sanders economic policies? His website lists a host of objectives such as free-at-the-point-of-use healthcare for all, a jobs guarantee, a cancellation of student debts, a wealth tax on the richest 0.1 per cent and a major investment in public housing and green energy. Wealth taxes? Free health care? A jobs guarantee? Isnt that socialism? Well, Sanders is perfectly happy to describe himself as a socialist. But while policies such as free universal healthcare are seen as extreme in the US they are perfectly ordinary in Europe. The higher tax and spending proposed by Sanders would also not be out of place on the other side of the Atlantic. The economist Paul Krugman says Sanders is better described as a European-style social democrat rather than a socialist, not least because Sanders isnt proposing to nationalise private industries. OK, but would this ruin the American economy? Given similar policies have not ruined European economies its hard to see why, prima facie, why they would prove so destructive in the US. The French economist Thomas Piketty even argues Sanders policies could be beneficial to the US economy by raising the countrys growth rate, and says that his wealth distribution policies tap into an older tradition of American policymaking. Remember that the US is actually the country that invented progressive taxation of income and wealth in the 20th century, Piketty points out. Story continues Others have described Sanders as a New Dealer, referring to the progressive economic policies put in place by former Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt in the wake of the Great Depression of the 1930s. So why are people describing Sanders as dangerous? A cynic would say its because they dont personally want to pay more tax. But it may also be that the genuinely fear Sanders policies, even if they are in the mainstream of the European tradition, will do damage in the US context. Or they may be assuming that Sanders, if he won power, would pursue policies that go much further than those he has proposed, with the 78-year-old proving more radical in office, perhaps like Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. Against this, though, is the institutional fact that US presidents are constrained by Congress in what policies they can enact. Sanders might be in favour of relatively radical redistribution, but thats not true of the wider Democratic party. Even some of Sanders rivals for the Democratic nomination, such as Pete Buttigieg, are critical of his policies such as the $15 federal minimum wage. Thats why many analysts even those who support the principle of medicare-for-all think there is little chance he could actually deliver it, even if he won power. And while some financiers are sounding the alarm, others are more sanguine. Another Wall Street Bank, JPMorgan, recently told its clients that, even if Sanders were elected, we put the probability of major changes like medicare-for-all or a wealth tax at less than 5 percent. All of which raises a question: is the risk less that Sanders ruins the US economy than that he disappoints his supporters? Read more Cardi B and Mark Ruffalo among celebrities backing Bernie Sanders Why the rise of Bernie Sanders is making some Democrats nervous Will bitter moderates vote for Bernie Sanders? Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. U.S. Manufacturing: Engines are assembled as they make their way through the assembly line at the General Motors (GM) manufacturing plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, on Aug. 22, 2019. (Reuters/Harrison McClary/File Photo) Energy Department to Fund R&D for Battery Storage and Advanced Manufacturing in the US Funding aimed at strengthening US manufacturing competitiveness The Department of Energy (DOE) announced on Monday that approximately $187 million in funding is being made available for 55 projects across 25 states to support research and development in innovative advanced manufacturing. According to the DOE, projects have been chosen in the fields of critical manufacturing technologies, materials science, and process technology. A statement from the DOE said that the funding will help to advance the Trump Administrations goal to strengthen domestic manufacturing competitiveness and position the United States for global leadership in advanced manufacturing. The manufacturing sector is on the leading edge of American innovation and plays an integral role in our economy, said U.S. Under Secretary of Energy, Mark W. Menezes. By investing in advanced manufacturing projects that enhance energy productivity, were supporting the competitiveness of the entire U.S. manufacturing industry. The Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) at the DOEs Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will provide funding for the projects. One of the tasks of the AMO is to support R&D projects that explore novel energy-efficient, next-generation materials and innovative process technologies that have a high impact or lead to significant energy savings. The AMO also seeks to bring together R&D consortia from industry, academia, and government, while fostering technical partnerships. Projects will be funded in three areas, with the first tranche of $124.6 million set aside for 36 projects surrounding innovations for the manufacture of advanced materials. This will include the development of novel manufacturing processes to boost battery production in the United States, energy-storage materials to promote innovation in heating and cooling technologies, as well as focusing on special materials that can withstand extreme environments. Over half of the $124.6 million will go to funding the DOEs Energy Storage Grand Challenge, which aims to boost American battery technology by lowering the cost of energy storage via innovations in manufacturing. Announced at the end of January by Secretary of Energy, Dan Brouillette, the vision for the Challenge is to create and sustain global leadership in energy storage utilization and exports, with a secure domestic manufacturing supply chain that does not depend on foreign sources of critical materials. According to the DOE, the Grand Challenge will help American innovators bring new energy storage solutions to market, while ensuring the United States continues to play a leading role in energy storage technologies globally. Energy storage is key to capturing the full value of our diverse energy resources, said Brouillette. Through this Grand Challenge, we will deploy the Departments extensive resources and expertise to address the technology development, commercialization, manufacturing, valuation, and workforce challenges to position the U.S. for global leadership in the energy storage technologies of the future. A second portion of $28.7 million is earmarked for eight projects that focus on lowering thermal requirements for industrial processes, thus improving industrial efficiency and productivity. These projects will research innovative heating and drying methods for industrial processes, which, if realized, would lead to substantial cost savings and make American manufacturing more competitive. Heating and cooling processes are an area where substantial energy savings could be made, as they make up approximately 70 percent of all energy used in manufacturing processes in the United States. The third portion will fund manufacturing systems and energy solutions centered around flexibility and efficiency, with some $33.5 million set aside for funding eleven such projects. These initiatives will focus on making power conversion equipment more efficient, the conversion of process energies into electrical energy, improving grid integration, and advanced semiconductor technologies. More efficient combined heat and power systems will also be a focus. For example, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, will receive $3.2 million from the DOE to assist in the development of special electronic devices that can withstand extreme operating environments. Another funding recipient will be Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, where almost $3.5 million in funding will help develop innovative and energy-efficient drying processes and technologies for energy-intensive manufacturing systems such as those found in the foodstuffs and paper-making industries. Further information on individual projects can be found here. A homeowner shot and killed an intruder late Thursday in Vancouver, police say. An investigation indicates the intruder kicked open a rear door to an occupied home in the 6000 block of Southeast Beach Drive, according to Vancouver police. The homeowner confronted the intruder, who charged toward him, police said. The homeowner then shot the intruder, who fled and collapsed outside, where he died, according to police. The homeowner and his family werent hurt. Police said Friday afternoon that the intruder hasnt been identified. Police have not publicly identified the homeowner. An investigation continues. -- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. President Donald Trump is reportedly not 'bothered' by Attorney General Bill Barrs shocking rebuke that he should 'stop tweeting' about criminal cases because it 'undercuts' his ability to do his job. On Tuesday Barr, a Trump loyalist, shared his surprising admonishment to the president during an interview with ABC News saying: 'I think it's time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases.' 'I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me,' added Barr, who held the same position under President George H.W. Bush. 'The president wasnt bothered by the comments at all and he has the right, just like any American citizen, to publicly offer his opinions,' White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said to Fox on Thursday. President Donald Trump is reportedly not 'bothered' by Attorney General Bill Barrs shocking rebuke that he should 'stop tweeting' about criminal cases because it 'undercuts' his ability to do his job On Tuesday Barr, a Trump loyalist, shared his surprising admonishment to the president during an interview saying: 'I think it's time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases' Trump's administration then defended his excessive Twitter use. '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 added. Barrs rebuke of Trump came days after the president launched a Twitter spree criticizing Justice Department prosecutors for recommending his former advisor Roger Stone serve a nine-year prison sentence. Senior Department of Justice leaders then intervened lessened the sentence, causing all four prosecutors on the case to resign within hours. The move led powerful Democrats including Rep. Adam Schiff to accuse the president of violating the 'rule of law' be interfering in a system of justice that is meant to be non-political - and one said 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' . Barr has 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. 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. 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!' 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. To hear Susan Rees tell it, her groundbreaking career with the Corps of Engineers, which included leading critical recovery work after Hurricane Katrina, was nothing special. Two major coastal Alabama environmental groups have made a point of disagreeing. The relationship between the Corps and environmentalists can be contentious, so it stands out that the two groups recently honored Rees, who retired in early 2019 after a 38-year stint with the Corps Mobile District. In December, she received a recognition of service from the Mobile Bay National Estuary Programs annual breakfast. On Jan. 31, the Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) honored her with its Lifetime of Conservation Achievement Award, whose short list of past recipients includes luminaries such as E.O. Wilson and Ann Bedsole. As Rees was presented with the ACF award, in the form of a custom sculpture by Bruce Larsen, ACF Board President Rebecca Dunn Bryant explained that the honor was personal as well as professional. She was selected for this award not only because of her public and behind-the-scenes leadership, in terms of coastal planning and environmental restoration, community resilience and sustainable development, but also because shes been a role model to so many of us, Bryant said. At the Mobile Bay National Estuary Programs breakfast, its director, Roberta Swann, said Rees had demonstrated to us the value of stick-to-it-ness. George Crozier, who as longtime head of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab was a leader in research on the regions marine ecosystems, said she led the way in so many areas, for the Corps. Perhaps the most remarkable thing is that when you went to the Corps in 1978, it was extraordinarily rare to be a biologist, Crozier said. There werent that many. The Corps was full, as it should have been, of engineers, and appreciation of what the biology in the region meant was something that was somewhat lost upon the engineers. He continued, There werent that many women practicing science or engineering in the Corps. So I think as a pioneer, as long ago as that was, its extraordinarily important to recognize what she brought to the Corps. Rees came to coastal Alabama in 1975, fresh from earning her doctorate in marine science at the University of South Carolina. She said that while her specialty was biology, shed come through a multidisciplinary program that gave her a broad appreciation of the marine environment, including aspects such as currents, sediments, tidal effects and geology. Though employed by the University of Alabama, she was stationed at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, where her duties included serving as director of graduate students. Ironically, the opportunity to work for the Corps came about through a hiring freeze. That lockdown, called by Ronald Reagan after his inauguration in early 1981, left the Corps Mobile District in a bind. It had lost someone who had been leading a study of the Mississippi Sound, and needed to fill the vacancy to move on. The study was in itself something unusual, Rees said. If you look at the structure of the Corps historically, the Districts didnt do a whole lot of science. It was more, Congress said, Go out and build this, she said. For some reason the leadership in the Mobile District was very different. They took a hard look and said, We dont know a whole lot about the environment that were working in. There was a loophole in the hiring freeze: Because Rees worked for a state entity, the University of Alabama, she was able to go to work for the Corps under an inter-agency agreement between the state and the Corps. Essentially she was on loan, but when the hiring freeze ended thats where she stayed. Just by having that [multidisciplinary] background, I was able to come in, and I knew enough about engineering or physics that I could talk to a lot of different folks, she said. She worked as a physical scientist and oceanographer before becoming the chief of the Districts Coastal Environment Section in 1996. In 2006, she became the program manager for the Districts Coastal Resilience Program and the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program, which guided post-Katrina recovery strategies along the Gulf Coast. That work earned her the Corps 2010 Lt. Gen. John W. Morris Civilian of the Year Award. As she has done with her more recent honors, Rees firmly rejected the idea that she deserved sole credit. Our team should have gotten that recognition, she said. Everything Ive done has been a team effort. Rees recently agreed to sit down with AL.com for an interview looking back on her career: Q: In his remarks at the NEP breakfast, George Crozier suggested that for the Corps to employ a biologist was unusual at the time, and you had to grapple with a culture focused on engineering concerns. Was that a challenge? Rees: When I got there they had a couple of biologists because all of the environmental laws were passed in the late 60s or 70s. I guess I really get along with people. I like a challenge. As far as working with a lot of engineers, at that point in time, that was a challenge. Now, the younger ones that had started coming in, and it was fun working with them. Because they were still in the mode of wanting to learn stuff. We just became such a multitalented group, and at the Corps its all about teamwork. We just kept doing different and innovative things. Q: Whats an example of that? Rees: Wed figure out how to work our way through things. We started what was called the beneficial use program, which was looking at how do we use dredge material, which typically was considered waste, but how could we use it as a product? I mean, its dirt and its sand. And it smells bad. And it looks bad. But you can do different stuff with it. If you do it right, you can build wetlands with it. It sort of became How do we keep overcoming obstacles to do what we think is the right thing to do? It was a fun job. I cant say that enough. I enjoyed getting up on Monday morning and driving down Airport Boulevard to downtown and just working with the different people and teams I worked with. Retired Corps of Engineers biologist Susan Rees, left, receives a symbol of the Alabama Coastal Foundation's Lifetime of Conservation Achievement Award, a statue by Bruce Larsen presented by ACF Board President Rebecca Dunn Bryant. (Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com)Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com Q: It sounds like an era when the culture was changing. Rees: It started at the very top. A lot of our district engineers went on to become chiefs of engineers. And then, the leadership in the Planning Division, they were really supportive of knowing stuff. A lot of them had been through the era of the Tenn-Tom Waterway. And I think that sort of changed their mindset, that we cant just keep doing what weve bene doing for the past 150 years. Obviously we built a lot of dams. In the last 15 years, weve been tearing a lot of dams down. Q: You werent just a woman in science, you were one of few women in professional roles in the Corps. Was that a struggle? Rees: For me it was fine, because when I went through graduate school there were not many women in the disciplines that I was in. So my graduate compadres were all male. So I didnt have any problem at all. When I started there were two other women there, one was an engineer and one was a biologist Now I think its becoming more equal because there are more women in the professional fields. So the hiring pool is a whole lot bigger. The women that I did go to graduate school with all stayed in academics, and I think thats what a lot of women did. But I was more of an outdoor type, I didnt mind getting dirty. I was always into fixing stuff, you know, I helped my dad work on his car. It didnt bother me to get dirty and greasy. Q: You were honored for your leadership of the rebuilding effort on the Mississippi coast after Katrina. How much have we learned from that storm? Rees: I think we have learned a lot. The recovery model after Frederic was: Build it back the way it was. The recovery after Hugo in Charleston was build it back the way it was. A lot of the storms, that was sort of the approach that really the whole federal government took. And the local governments were trying to get their economies back. After Katrina we had to take a little bit of a pause. We had to look at things a little differently. A lot of what we started doing with the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program was not just fix it but make it to where it could withstand another Katrina. Q: For example? Rees: If you take seawall that was over at Bay St. Louis, it was a very low seawall, it was probably three or four feet high. It had been built after the 1916 hurricane, and then people built on top of it. We did a number of studies on what it would take to reduce the impact. Not prevent it, because you cant prevent from a hurricane but what would we have to do to reduce the impact of another 28-foot surge? So that seawall went from four feet to, I think, 14 feet, with a beach in front of it and a lot of other stuff. Then the state and the city came in and started requiring additional work for buildings around that area. It was a joint effort there. Q: Is the central Gulf Coast be in a better position for the next big storm? Rees: I think it is. Theres still a lot of things we could do. Part of our plan was a buyout of people that were within that 100-year flood plain. And we had a lot of people who were interested, but we never got the money to do that. Q: Youre retired, but what do you think will be the major concerns going forward? Rees: In my mind its not necessarily economic development but its mans desire to be within X number of miles of the water. If you look at population growth, its not necessarily well planned. All the flooding issues weve been seeing lately, its because of development that was not thought out real well. And the Corps doesnt have anything to do with that, but we end up having to take care of the aftermath. Look at development right now out in west Mobile, where we live. Its crazy. Totally crazy. And I dont know if the infrastructure can take more of it. The state agencies are totally overwhelmed, the cities are overwhelmed, the county, they dont have the staff to go out and look at stuff, and they rely on the developer. I think thats the real big thing. Sea level rise is a major concern in the coastal areas. And not so much right along the Gulf Coast yet, but we can show you data that sea level is rising here in Alabama. Weve got 150 years worth of records. But you look along the east coast: Norfolk floods at high tide, Charleston floods at high tide. God forbid we ever have a hurricane with a big surge come into south Florida. I mean, thats going to be something that were not going to get over in a long time. Q: Many people still write off climate change and sea level rise as political issues, but youre seeing them being addressed in the planning of very practical, conservative entities such as the Corps. Is the risk assessment of storm surges changing along with that? Rees: I dont even know if its going to take a surge. Sea level is rising. Well, that waters going to go somewhere. And its going to go into those low-lying areas that didnt use to flood. I try not to get in the climate change debate, but I go to Alaska every year. Weve seen the impacts of the climate changing. Glaciers that we saw 25 years ago are gone. All of that water is going into the ocean. Q: What change would you like to see? Rees: The science and the thought of the Gulf and our bays and estuaries being special needs to get put into the grammar school teaching system and it needs to move throughout. The Sea Lab has a program thats aimed at students, but thats just one. And theres not a whole lot of research money thats ever been focused into the Gulf. A lot of it goes back to the lack of money for education, especially lower, kindergarten through high school, to instill in everybody whos here the value of where we live. Q: What would you like people to understand about the Corps? Rees: We work for Congress and we work for the administration. Before 90s we did not have a mission relative to environmental benefits. Congress finally changed that, and we could recommend building wetlands and things like this, or using dredge material beneficially. Now, whether we got the money to do that, that was all in Congress. It wasnt like the Corps controlled its own destiny. I think we were willing to listen. But we cant always do exactly what you want. I guess what sometimes gets me a little riled up is that theyll say this is research or science the Corps did, so we cant trust it. Well, no. This is research that trained professionals oversaw. Were going to tell you, heres what the benefits are and heres what the impacts are going to be. Then its sort of out of our hands as to whether it gets done or not. Dont blame the Corps. We do what were told. Were a damn good construction agency. Its a fantastic place to work, especially Mobile District. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Over 1,700 Chinese medical professionals have been infected with novel coronavirus, six of them have died, China National Health Commission Vice Minister Zeng Yixin informed during Fridays press conference, reports TASS. As of 24:00 (19:00 Moscow time - TASS) on February 11, 1,716 cases of infection have been documented among health workers. Six of them tragically passed away, he said. Zeng Yixin noted that the number of those infected among medical personnel is on the rise. On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus. The disease spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam. WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency. Currently, the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeds 63,800 in China with 1,380 people reported to have died from the disease. Meanwhile, over 6,700 people are said to have recovered from it. Newly installed chancellor Rishi Sunak. (PA) The shock departure of Sajid Javid as UK chancellor has cast fresh uncertainty over Britains economic policy, with growing questions over the timing and direction of the next budget. The promotion of Rishi Sunak to the job comes just weeks before his predecessor was due to unveil the governments tax and spending plans in the UK budget next month. Javid warned prime minister Boris Johnson not to risk the credibility of the Treasury in his resignation letter after the cabinet reshuffle on Friday. He walked out after reportedly being told he could only stay on if he replaced all his advisors with candidates picked by the prime ministers team. The Times reported the budget could be delayed, and claimed the new chancellor was under pressure from Downing Street to loosen the governments current tight rules to increase day-to-day public spending. Read more: Analysts predict populist spending boost after Javid walks Asked whether the budget would go ahead on 11 March as planned, a source in Number 10 told news site Politico the chancellor should be allowed to get his feet under the table. But the source said no decision had been made. Housing, communities and local government minister Robert Jenrick told BBC Radio 5 Live on Friday the budget would be held next month, but did not confirm the date. The Treasury did not respond to a request for comment. Jenrick also denied Sunak would be a puppet of Johnson, but confirmed the prime minister and new chancellor would now share a team of special advisers. The shakeup is widely seen as showing Johnsons desire to have more control over economic policy, with one analyst calling it a power grab. Read more: Who is Rishi Sunak? Profile of the new chancellor Forrmer Conservative chancellor Norman Lamont even told BBCs Newsnight late on Thursday the move reeks to me slightly of vulnerability, suspicion, paranoia. Javid had been seen as reasonably aligned with the prime ministers aims. But Javid himself said he was presented with terms any self-respecting minister could not accept. Story continues The pound rose on Friday as it fuelled expectations Johnson will order the new chancellor to loosen the purse strings on public spending in the budget. Jenrick promised major increases in investment in infrastructure, a key part of Johnsons drive to hold on to voters in the North and the Midlands since the election. He added that Sunak had been involved in budget preparations already in his previous role as chief secretary to the Treasury. But questions remain over how far Sunak will look to assert his independence, with chancellors typically fighting off demands for cash to keep a rein on spending. The March budget has already been delayed. It was previously due to held in February, as Johnson had vowed to hold it within 100 days of his re-election in December. A November budget statement was also cancelled when Johnson called the poll. The United States has been lobbying European nations to exclude Huawei from helping to build their next generation of wireless networks, but it has faced an uphill battle, with the United Kingdom announcing last month that it will allow the company to play a role. Washington would still have to take a hard look at the impact, said Robert Blair, a senior adviser to President Trump, but the flow of intelligence would not be affected. Serious violations of UEFAs financial fair play regulations have resulted in a hefty penalty for Manchester City. European soccers governing body announced Friday that it has banned Manchester City from all UEFA club competitions including the Champions League for the next two seasons and fined the club 30 million pounds ($32.5 million) at the recommendation of the organizations Club Financial Control Body. The CFCBs Adjudicatory Chamber found that Manchester City had overstated its sponsorship revenue from Etihad Airways in information submitted to UEFA from 2012 to 2016. It also found that the club failed to cooperate with the investigation. The decision can be appealed to the international Court of Arbitration for Sport. Manchester City calls UEFA prejudicial in response Citys official response to the UEFA punishments had some bite to it. In a three-paragraph statement, City called the process flawed and consistently leaked and ultimately prejudicial. Manchester City is disappointed but not surprised by todays announcement by the UEFA Adjudicatory Chamber, the statement read. The Club has always anticipated the ultimate need to seek out an independent body and process to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence in support of its position. City confirmed its plans to pursue a judgment with the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the earliest opportunity. What did Manchester City do that was illegal? It was reported back in May that UEFA was investigating Manchester City for a leaked scheme in which the clubs executives hid cash injections from the clubs owner, the royal family of Abu Dhabi. To launder the money, it was reported as sponsorship income from Etihad, the national airline of Abu Dhabi. UEFAs financial regulations forbid clubs from receiving more than a capped amount of investment from ownership, and this clearly violated those rules. Manchester City has strongly denied the allegations. Story continues City may face points deduction in Premier League To top it all off, Manchester City could be docked points in the Premier League. The Independents Miguel Delaney reports that Citys punishment will force the Premier League to act on its licensing rule. In order to get a license to play in the league, clubs must submit information regarding their operation, and it must match the information given to UEFA. Delaney reports the Premier League was already having discussions regarding potential punishment for City, and a points deduction is now seen as highly likely. With City already banned from European competition next season, its point total is rendered mostly meaningless, but its still worth keeping an eye on how the league reacts to UEFAs first major exercising of its authority. Yahoo Sports Joey Gulino contributed to this report. More from Yahoo Sports: YEREVAN. Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is in Berlin on a working visit, visited the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung) where he met with the German scholar and analytical circles. This was reported by the Information and Public Relations Department of the Prime Minister's Office. Klara Geywitz, co-chair of the foundation and member of its Chairmanship Council, thanked the Prime Minister for his willingness to visit the foundation and present the changes taking place in Armenia. Geywitz said Armenia has always been at the crossroads of different cultures, but has maintained its identity, today it plays an important political role, they see that it has good neighborly relations with Russia, is a member of the EEU, but at the same time has a relevant agreement signed with the EU. The Friedrich Ebert Foundation official stated that Germany has good relations with Armenia and considers the opportunities for deepening cooperation to be important. Klara Geywitz noted that Armenia can become an appealing country for foreign investors. But she added that the new government is confronted with the old burden, it is not easy to achieve change, and Germany can contribute to these developments. Geywitz recalled that that the Friedrich Ebert Foundation has a representative office in Armenia and has assisted the country. The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition by one of the December 2012 gang-rape convicts, Vinay Sharma, challenging the dismissal of his mercy petition by President Ram Nath Kovind. A bench of justice R Banumathi, justice Ashok Bhushan and justice AS Bopanna held Vinay Sharmas medical reports assert that he is psychologically fit and his medical condition is also stable. The bench also held that all relevant material was considered by the President while rejecting his mercy plea. Vinay Sharmas mercy plea was rejected by the President on February 1 and his curative petition was dismissed by the Supreme Court on January 14. He had claimed in his petition that he developed a mental illness because of the brutal physical and mental torture in jail. Given the brutal forms of physical and mental torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment that the petitioner suffered during his incarceration, he developed a mental illness which also led him to attempt suicide and inflict self-harm on several occasions, the petition said. The plea also pointed out the economic condition of Sharmas family and other relevant material, which may not have been considered by the President. Sharma also said there was a bias and non-application of mind by the council of ministers of the central and Delhi governments 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. 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 woman in a moving bus in Delhi on December 16, 2012, 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. The review petitions filed by Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta and Vinay Sharma against the Supreme Court judgment were also dismissed in 2018 and the review petition by Akshay was dismissed in December 2019. Pawan Gupta is the only convict who is yet to file his curative and mercy petitions. Delhi High Court had on February 5 ruled that all death row convicts in a given case should be executed together. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Tourists and locals have been advised to remain outside a two-mile radius of Indonesias Mount Merapi, one of the worlds most active volcanoes, following an eruption that sent clouds of grey ash 2,000m into the sky. Commercial planes have also been warned to take caution in the area while authorities have raised the status of the rumbling volcano to "caution", the second-highest level in Indonesias four-tiered alert system. Falling ash was detected in villages more than six miles south of Merapi, according to a statement by Hanik Humaida, the head of the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Centre (BPPTKG). There has been an increase in Merapis volcanic activity from mid-December 2019 to mid-January this year, both under and on the ground, Ms Humaida added. Similar eruptions can still happen in the future as an indicator that the magma chamber is still supplying magma. Lighting strikes volcano during eruption: In pictures Show all 7 1 /7 Lighting strikes volcano during eruption: In pictures Lighting strikes volcano during eruption: In pictures Lighting strikes the Ebeko volcano in Russia as it erupts Martin Reitze / SWNS Lighting strikes volcano during eruption: In pictures Photographer Martin Reitze captured the extraordinary event as he was out to take pictures of the northern crater of the Ebeko volcano Martin Reitze / SWNS Lighting strikes volcano during eruption: In pictures The volcano expert was standing around a kilometre away from the northern crater when it erupted Martin Reitze / SWNS Lighting strikes volcano during eruption: In pictures Mr Reitze said he spent around seven hours waiting for an eruption to happen and felt "extremely lucky" that he managed to get the shot Martin Reitze / SWNS Lighting strikes volcano during eruption: In pictures The 55-year-old from Munich, Germany said he previously captured thousands of pictures of volcanic eruptions but "never managed to get one like this." Martin Reitze / SWNS Lighting strikes volcano during eruption: In pictures He said: "It shows that there are many wonders on this planet and how powerful nature really is. Martin Reitze / SWNS Lighting strikes volcano during eruption: In pictures Photographer Martin Reitze at the Ebeko volcano in Russia Martin Reitze / SWNS Merapi erupted on Thursday at 5.16am local time, lasting 150 seconds in total, Indonesias National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said. The Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG) has told residents and tourists not to go within 1.86 miles of the volcano, which is located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta in Indonesia. Experts have warned that a collapse of Merapis lava dome could cause slides of pyroclastic rocks and other volcanic materials. Concern has also been raised over the possibility of lava floods near the volcanos slopes during heavy downpours. Mount Merapis last major eruption in 2010 killed more than 300 people and forced the evacuation of some 280,000 residents. Early last year, a river of lava flowed 4,593 feet down Merapis slopes, which authorities dubbed an effusive eruption phase. It is one of more than 120 live volcanoes in Indonesia and has been active since around 1548. Merapi sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a vast zone of geological instability where the collision of tectonic plates causes frequent quakes and major volcanic activity. Samsung and LG are making portable smartphone monitors that should arrive in Q2 2020. Smartphone monitors from Samsung and LG to arrive Q2 2020 The new smartphone monitors will allow users to connect their smartphone to them and utilize the larger screen to do work on their smartphones. Users can connect via wire cable or Bluetooth to access their phone home screen and files from the portable monitor. Both LG and Samsung will work on portable monitors for smartphones. Its fitting, seeing that both of these Android OEMs are Korean rivals in the mobile space. Advertisement Samsung DeXBook Samsungs smartphone monitor will be called Samsung DeXBook. The device will utilize Samsungs DeX phone feature. DeX lets users connect a wired cable to a laptop computer to bring up their smartphone screen. The feature is evolving, as Samsungs Galaxy Note 10 announcement last Fall now uses a USB-C cable for pairing a smartphone and laptop. Previously, DeX users had to dock their phones into a charging dock that connected to a PC monitor to experience the feature. As for Samsung DeXBook specs, the device will feature a 14.1-inch Full HD (1080p) display and a 10,000mAh battery. It will weigh less than 1kg. LG Cloud Top LGs smartphone monitor, called the LG Cloud Top, will have a 14.1-inch Full HD display (as does Samsungs DeXBook but will have half the battery capacity (5,000mAh instead of 10,000mAh). It will weigh 600 grams. Advertisement Both Samsungs DeXBook and LGs Cloud Top will operate with a tablet that supports smartphones. These tablets, called smartphone monitors, will not have an operating system or built-in keyboards. Users must buy their own keyboards if they so choose. The Samsung DeXBook and LG Cloud Top will cost somewhere between $340-$420 when they go on sale in Q2 2020. Samsung smartphone monitors continue big-screen push Samsung is no stranger to making big screens. The company has been pushing screen real estate limits since the first Galaxy Note back in 2011. The forward-thinking push for larger screens has changed the industry. Large screens are no longer an anomaly in smartphones but rather, a standard feature nowadays. Advertisement But even with smartphone screens going wider, smartphone screens still limit what users can do. Samsungs new Galaxy Z Flip has a 6.7-inch screen in a pocketable form factor, but the screen still appears to be rather on the small side. And even with smartphone screens getting close to 7 inches diagonally, theyre still not large enough. The idea behind smartphone monitors is that these wider screens are to accommodate smartphones. Since mobile users are primarily smartphone users, and theyre more likely to always have their phone with them, it makes sense that the monitor would complement the smartphone and not drive it. Apart from these smartphone monitors, Samsung has also been pushing screen boundaries with its foldable phones. The Galaxy Z Flip is a smartphone for those who want a flip phone form factor. Those who dont, however, can choose the first-generation Galaxy Fold. The Fold, Samsungs first foldable, takes a 7.3-inch display and folds it in half when used as a smartphone. The smartphone display is about 4.6 inches, a comfortable one to hold in hand. The Fold gives users the best of both worlds (phone and tablet screen), though it didnt come without its design flaws. Advertisement Apart from the uni-fold display that can only be folded once, Samsung is working on a tri-fold design for upcoming premium smartphones. The company has patented a tri-fold design to provide wider screens but maintain a compact form factor. Family members of Taiwanese nationals stuck in China called on their government to bring their relatives back to the democratic island on, as Taipei accused Beijing of dragging its feet on a second evacuation flight from the central Chinese city of Wuhan, at the heart of the COVID-19 epidemic. After much wrangling between Taiwan and China over the evacuation of Taiwanese in Hubei province, a charter flight brought the first group of evacuees home to Taiwan on Feb. 3. Since then, efforts to organize a second flight have proved heavy going. Family members of people still stuck in Wuhan gathered at the island's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), the executive department in charge of handling relations with China, to complain about the ongoing delay. "Taiwanese want to go home! We want to go home!" the group chanted. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said Beijing had "refused to cooperate." "The Chinese side has used all kinds of reasons to stall and refused our plans and recommendations. We deeply regret this," he told reporters. The delay in repatriation flights has been complicated by the decision by Taiwan's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ban non-Taiwan nationals from returning home with family members from the epidemic zone. A woman who gave only her surname Lee said her 16-year-old son is stuck in Wuhan after going there to visit relatives over Lunar New Year. "My son said his textbook said that the government of a country should guarantee the rights of its citizens to be educated and to return to that country," Lee said. "The Taiwan government has been saying that they are worried that they could be sick and that they won't let them go home." "He said he's not sick, and that he's not a virus, so why are Taiwanese in Wuhan suddenly public enemies? I didn't know how to answer that," Lee said. Public anger mounting in Hong Kong A Taiwan resident surnamed Wu said his wife and child are also in Wuhan, and the MAC has been reluctant to give a time frame for future evacuation flights. "We are fighting a virus, not our family members," Wu told RFA. "This is a human rights issue. They are refusing to let our family members come home because [they could be] sick." "I call on the MAC not to shirk its responsibilities, and incite prejudice and discrimination," he said. Meanwhile, public anger is mounting in Hong Kong amid an ongoing shortage of face masks and basic necessities like rice and toilet paper, as well as the government's policy on the repatriation of Hong Kong residents. The city's secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs, Patrick Nip, said the city's government and immigration department are following up on the status of some 2,200 Hong Kong people in and around Wuhan. "We have been maintaining contact with them, arranging to send drugs to those in need by batches," he said. "Some have already arrived while some are on the way, and also providing them with hotlines as well as all the necessary assistance and support." "Those who went to Hubei to visit their relatives did not anticipate that they would have to stay there for so long and they are anxious to come back," he said. "We have already started planning for their return arrangement." But he said the city had to take into account the "actual situation," including the availability of quarantine facilities. Wasted opportunity Chief executive Carrie Lam said the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection (CHP) was also liaising with the Japanese health authorities over the Hong Kong residents quarantined aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship. A recent poll by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute found that more than 75 percent of respondents were dissatisfied with the government's handling of the COVID-19 crisis. The institute's head, Robert Chung, said the government has wasted an opportunity to restore public trust and popularity. "It hasn't just wasted this opportunity; it has sunk even deeper, because of the anti-mask law," he said, referring to the highly controversial emergency law banning the wearing of masks in public during the protests of 2019. "I think it is very likely that the public response to the outbreak is related to the political situation that preceded it," he said. Hong Kong, with a shared border and close economic and family connections with mainland China, has seen 56 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one death. Many suspect that the authorities can now only impose border restrictions on Beijing's say-so, in spite of promises that the city would be in control of its own immigration after the 1997 handover to Chinese rule. Taiwan, with its population of 23 million, says its 18 confirmed COVID-19 cases remain isolated from the community, and has reported no deaths so far. Reported by Hwang Chun-mei and Lee Tsung-han for the Mandarin Service, and by Chung Kuang-cheng and Man Hoi-tsan for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. The increasing prevalence of psychiatric disorders has become a global issue affecting millions of people worldwide each year. Psychological research has advanced alongside this, meaning several contributing biological factors of particular psychiatric disorders have been identified. However, genetic studies have failed to account for phenotypic variation fully, causing some to argue that the prevalence of disorders is linked to neurochemical, genetic, and environmental factors such as pollution. Image Credit: Fotos593 / Shutterstock What is Mental Health? Mental health, defined by the World Health Organization, is a state of well-being in which the individuals realize his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can make contributions to his or her community. The World Health Organization also places particular emphasis on the fact that mental health should not be viewed simply as an individual being free from psychiatric disorders. Pollution and Mental Health A growing body of literature has discussed the potential link between environmental pollution and an increased risk of developing psychological disorders. Researchers from the United States and Denmark investigated the impact of pollution exposure and the prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Observational studies were used in both the US and Denmark and involved the analysis of environmental factors such as air pollution and the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Specifically, they gathered insurance information from 2003 to 2013 for 151 million people in the US and 1.4 million in Denmark to calculate the number of people in each region who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar, personality disorder, Parkinsons disease, major depression, and epilepsy. Information regarding the climate, average salary, the ethnic background of residents, population density, and other socioeconomic factors were analyzed to establish whether any of the factors were linked to an increased or decreased prevalence of each psychiatric disorder. They found that those in Denmark who lived in highly polluted regions during the first ten years of life were at a greater risk of developing schizophrenia, depression, bipolar, and personality disorders. In the US, highly air polluted areas were associated with a higher prevalence of depression and bipolar compared to less polluted areas. It is important to note that despite the association observed between mental health disorders and air pollution, direct causation is not yet established. Due to the nature of the study, there may be a variety of other influential contributing factors that were unaccounted for. Furthermore, the researchers had to draw assumptions about residents environmental exposure based on their postal address. Therefore, the researchers were unable to note definitive environmental toxins and other influential factors. Complementary research has found links between air population and the severity of mental health issues in children. Researchers from the division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center conducted research investigating the effects of short-term exposure to air pollution on the severity of pediatric psychiatric disorders. They found that short-term exposure of PM2.5 was linked to exacerbations in the childrens psychiatric disorders in one to two days following the exposure. This was marked by an increase of visitation to the Childrens emergency department due to concerns about their psychiatric disorder. Image Credit: su prasert / Shutterstock Additional notable findings include that children who reside in disadvantaged areas were considered to be at greater risk of being susceptible to the effects of air population compared to children residing in well-off neighborhoods. This was particularly relevant to anxiety disorders and suicide. Research by the same department identified a potential link between pollution and anxiety. Specifically, the researchers found that recent exposure to traffic-related air population (TRAP) was associated with increased generalized anxiety. The research involved analyzing MRI imaging of children specifically looking at their prevalence of Myo-inositol, a metabolite found in glial cells. Following exposure to high levels of TRAP, the researchers noted a significant increase in Myo-inositol. High levels of the metabolite were also linked to increases in generalized anxiety symptoms. Childhood Lead Exposure, Adult Personality, and Later-Life Mental Health Play Sources World Health Organization (2004). Promoting mental health: Concepts, emerging evidence, practice: summary report. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/42940/9241591595.pdf Khan, A., et al. (2019). Environmental pollution is associated with increased risk of psychiatric disorders in the US and Denmark. PLOS. doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000353 Brokamp, C., et al. (2019). Pediatric psychiatric emergency department utilization and fine particulate matter: A case-crossover study. Environmental Health Perspectives. doi: https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4815 Brunst, K. J. (2019). Myo-inositol mediates the effect of traffic-related air pollution on generalized anxiety symptoms at age 12 years. Environmental research. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.05.009 Sancar F. Childhood Lead Exposure May Affect Personality, Mental Health in Adulthood. JAMA. 2019;321(15):14451446. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.1116 Reuben A, Schaefer JD, Moffitt TE, et al. Association of Childhood Lead Exposure With Adult Personality Traits and Lifelong Mental Health. JAMA Psychiatry. 2019;76(4):418425. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.4192 Further Reading According to the Presidents declaration, the vacation did not affect his financial status at all The National Agency for Prevention of Corruption (NAPC) has begun reviewing President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky's declaration due to his trip to Oman. Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko reported about it and posted a copy of the agency's response to his request on Facebook. "NAPC has begun checking why Zelensky had not indicated the expenses for the trip to Oman. Earlier, Bohdan (former Head of the Presidents Office ed.) said that the trip had been unofficial and that it had not been a state visit. But, according to the Presidents declaration, the vacation did not affect his financial status at all. Well, we will wait for news," Honcharenko wrote. As we reported earlier, on January 5, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky was in Oman, where he went with his family on a regular flight at his own expense. However, on the same day, he held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah. Some Ukrainian media resources reported that the Head of Ukrainian state had also met with Russian Secretary of Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, Zelensky's press secretary Yulia Mendel disproved this information. YEREVAN. Past daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: After the mini-referendum, the RA authorities plan to make substantial changes to the Constitution, for which a relevant commission has been set up. According to preliminary information (...), radical changes are foreseen in some cases. Past newspaper has learned that the idea of a bicameral parliamentwhich has been a topic of discussion from time to time in the past, too, but has always been rejectedis put on the authorities' table as a discussable option still in its embryonic stage. Proponents of the bicameral parliament include those who suggest that representatives from Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] and the Diaspora should also be included in the Lower House. As one of the representatives of the authorities mentioned in our conversation, this change may be of crucial importance in terms of inclusiveness in the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity. Assam Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal on Friday said the Singpho community of the North East can play a vital role in forging ties with South East Asian nations as its members also live in such countries as Myanmar and Thailand. Announcing a grant of Rs 25 lakh for the socio- economic upliftment of the Singpho community, he said the Narendra Modi government has been taking steps to bring rapid development to Assam and Northeast by forging close ties with South East Asia through its Act East Policy. "The initiatives taken by the government to bolster ties with South East Asian countries can be augmented by the Singpho community as they are residing not only in Northeast region but also in various South Eastern countries like Myanmar and Thailand," the chief minister said. Speaking at a cultural festival of the Singphos here in Tinsukia district, Sonowal said the community has been enriching the cultural identity of the greater Assamese society shaped by Swargadeo Cholung Sukapha, the founder of Ahom kingdom in medieval Assam. Terming Margherita as the melting pot of various tribes and communities, he underlined the importance of the place as a border town. Union ministers Rameswar Teli and Sanjay Kishan, Chief of the Singpho community Dichanong Singpho and others were present at the programme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form They are the two words that nobody wants to think about when it comes to the discussion surrounding the Mariner East pipeline. Energy Transfer, the Texas-based company and parent company of the old Delco Sunoco icon that is building this multi-billion dollar project to transport hundreds of thousands of barrels of highly volatile liquid natural gases to a facility Marcus Hook, consistently contends that Mariner East is being built and will be operated to the highest industry standards. But there are two words they avoid like the plague. Two words that haunt every public official who has signed off on this project, every citizen who has protested against it, every home owner who has seen this unwanted visitor invade their backyards. What if? What if, God forbid, there is a leak, or worse, an explosion along the line as it snakes 350 miles, across the full width of Pennsylvania, from the states Marcellus Shale region here to Delaware County? Along the way, Mariner East cuts through densely developed neighborhoods, in close proximity to schools and senior centers. Delaware County Emergency Services boss Tim Boyce, who would direct the response to any such incident here in Delaware County, recently offered written testimony to just such a scenario to the Public Utility Commission in Harrisburg. It wasnt pretty. In short, Boyce said there is little the county or first responders could do to help people enveloped inside the cloud that would form after such a leak in the event of a delayed ignition event. The HGLs highly volatile liquids are not like other material that rises in the air and quickly dissipates. Instead, since its heavier than air, it stays close to the ground, moved by the wind. Should it encounter what is termed a delayed ignition event, the result would be catastrophic. Boyce estimates it would likely encompass a large amount of people. Boyce admitted little can be done for people inside the danger zone. In effect, in this kind of worse-case scenario, those inside the zone would act as their own first responders and attempt to self-evacuate. Literally evacuating on foot in the opposite direction the wind is blowing if they are able to do so. And Boyce added he was confident that a large release of HVLs in Delaware County will find an ignition source, so any self-evacuation must be rapid to have any hope of success. Even at that, Boyce downplayed the chances of such a self-evacuation being successful, especially at night or in inclement weather. He wrote that it is virtually impossible for the public to accurately assess the size, shape and extreme hazard associated with an unignited combustible vapor cloud. Pretty sobering stuff. At this point we would remind residents of the risk evaluation study done on the Mariner East project for Delaware County Council by Texas-based G2 Integrated Solutions. The study concluded the risk of being killed in a pipeline incident are about the same as other common risk sources, such as a car accident, house fire or fall down the steps. Thats the good news. The bad news is that the study also noted that if there were to be such an incident, it likely would be catastrophic. No one is arguing that moving these materials by pipeline is much safer than having them rolling along the roads in trucks, or even by rail. But that what if factor has not gone away. Sen. Tom Killion, R-9 of Middletown, which is crisscrossed by the Mariner East project, also has offered testimony to the PUC. He hit on another sore point with residents and officials. That would his assertion of Sunocos failure to adequately detail to both officials and citizens an emergency response plan. Killion has proposed legislation that would mandate that pipeline operators provide emergency response plans to the PUC for sharing with county emergency services agencies in confidentiality in order to coordinate a response plan for a pipeline incident. Mariner East has been plagued with delays and work stoppages, some ordered by the state, and encountered any number of runoffs, spills and sinkholes along the way as it traverses 11 miles of western Delaware County and another 23 miles through the heart of Chester County. Despite the fact that completion of the project now is not predicted for perhaps another year, materials are flowing through the system now. Energy Transfer is utilizing an existing, smaller, older pipe in sections where Mariner East 2 has not been completed. Once finished, production on Mariner East 2 and 2x will carry a much higher volume of materials than is currently flowing through it. The project has sparked intense opposition in the community, where residents have complained long and hard about the lack of communication on the part of the company, little in the way of an emergency response plan, reduced property values, and a scarred landscape during construction. And that is nothing compared to the outrage at the decision to run the pipeline through densely populated neighborhoods. Proponents maintain the pipeline is safe, necessary and a potential economic juggernaut for the region. They point out the region already is dotted with pipelines. In five years, they are fond of saying, no one will even know Mariner East is there. But there are two words they and everyone else connected with this project dont like to think about, let alone say out loud. What if? live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Vodafone Idea, which is staring at statutory dues of about Rs 53,000 crore, has postponed its post-earnings conference call with analysts, which was earlier scheduled for Friday. "...further to our letter dated February 11, 2020 on results conference call scheduled for February 14, 2020. We hereby wish to inform that the aforesaid conference call has been postponed," Vodafone Idea said in a regulatory filing. The filing, in late evening on Thursday, said the new date of the call will be intimated separately but did not give any reason for the postponement. The Supreme Court on Friday directed the top echelons of telecom firms to explain why contempt action should not be taken against them for non-compliance of its order to pay adjusted gross revenue of Rs 1.47 lakh crore to the telecom department. Taking strong note of the non-compliance of its order, the top court expressed displeasure over an order passed by the Department of Telecom's desk officer, staying the effect of its verdict in the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) matter. Of the three private players operating in the Indian telecom market, Vodafone Idea is considered to be in the most vulnerable position. It is staring at dues worth Rs 53,000 crore that includes up to Rs 24,729 crore of spectrum dues and another Rs 28,309 crore in licence fee, and the company had earlier warned of shutdown if no relief was given. Vodafone Idea in its earnings statement on Thursday had also sounded out warnings on "material uncertainty" casting "significant doubt" on its ability to continue as a going concern. The company's ability to continue as a going concern is essentially dependent on a positive outcome of its modification application in the Supreme Court on the AGR matter and any relief from the telecom department on payments, VIL had said on Thursday. Last week, Vodafone Chief Executive Officer Nick Read had said the situation in India is critical, following the AGR ruling of the Supreme Court. The British telecom major holds 45.39 per cent stake in VIL. VIL had suffered staggering Rs 50,922 crore loss in the September quarter (highest ever loss posted by any Indian corporate), when it had made provisions for statutory dues following the Supreme Court's order in the adjusted gross revenue matter, although its losses in December quarter stood at Rs 6,439 crore. Rival Bharti Airtel's liabilities added up to nearly Rs 35,586 crore, including licence fee and spectrum usage charge dues. But, Airtel had already said that the previously-mentioned material uncertainty on the group's ability to continue as a going concern "no longer exists" after the recent Rs 21,502 crore fund raising by it. Most of the remaining liability is with state-owned BSNL/MTNL and some of the shut/bankrupt telecom companies. (Natural News) Even the most hardened, nature-loving, tree-hugging, environmentally conscious animal lover would draw the line at allowing cockroaches to roam free in their home. Quite frankly, cockroaches are super gross, and anybody who detects them in their environment would be quick to call out the exterminator to get rid of them. But theres a problem: German and American cockroaches are the two species most commonly found in U.S. homes, and a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports has found that German cockroaches have evolved resistance to multiple pesticides, making them virtually impossible to kill. (Related: The essential oils of ginger repel cockroaches naturally.) Cockroaches: The nastiest of all creepy crawly home invaders Cockroaches are not just nasty looking; they also pose some serious health risks, as explained by the University of Florida: The German cockroach is the cockroach of concern, the species that gives all other cockroaches a bad name. German cockroaches adulterate food or food products with their feces and defensive secretions, physically transport and often harbor pathogenic organisms, may cause severe allergic responses, and in extremely heavy infestations have been reported to bite humans and feed on food residues on the faces of sleeping humans. In addition, some scientists suggest that German cockroach infestations may cause human psychological stress and that the stigma associated with infestations alters human behavior. For example, people with infested houses do less entertaining, and avoid the kitchen at night for fear of encountering a cockroach. Clearly, unstoppable hordes of German cockroaches marching across the United States would pose massive problems. (Related: VA hospital found to be serving up cockroaches in meals to patients U.S. medical care continues plunging toward Third World status.) What the study found For their study, the researchers tested the effects of three different insecticides, in various combinations, and in multiple apartment buildings, over a six-month period. Live Science explains: They exposed one group of roaches to a single insecticide. A second roach population received two insecticides from different classes. And a third was dosed with rotations of three insecticides one per month, for two three-month cycles. The scientists also tracked roaches resistance to insecticides across multiple generations, trapping live roaches to take back to the lab in greased baby food jars baited with beer-soaked bread. The scientists found that in most cases, irrespective of the type of insecticide used, the numbers of cockroaches either remained stable or even increased. The team determined that the reason these insecticides proved to be mostly ineffective was cross-resistance. Baby cockroaches were being born already resistant to insecticides their parents had previously been exposed to, and surprisingly, were even found to demonstrate resistance to several other classes of insecticide. Only the single pesticide proved effective in one population of roaches that did not exhibit resistance to that specific poison. However, where the researchers tried to use that chemical on a group that were even slightly resistant, the number of cockroaches actually increased among those born to the survivors. Since even one female cockroach can produce dozens of babies within just a few months, their numbers are quickly replenished. This means that if no poison exists to contain them, they would very quickly grow to unmanageable proportions. Certainly, this is yet another example of how human attempts to control nature are almost always doomed to failure. In one case after the other, evidence is mounting that trying to spray toxic chemicals to contain weeds, insects or other invaders is not only harmful to humans and the environment, but ultimately, a waste of time. Learn more about the issues facing our environment at Environ.news. Sources include: LiveScience.com EntnemDept.UFL.edu Purdue.edu When considering all the tastes and flavors of different ethnic cuisines, Chinese delivery food does not always top the list of authentic culinary experiences. But Austin-based Tso Chinese Delivery says it is on a mission to change the reputation of the cuisine, and several influential local investors have already bought in. The company, which opened its first store in August 2017, has two locations in Austin. Tso Chinese Deliverys business model is built around an online platform -- developed by one of the companys founders -- that tracks orders and collects data to streamline delivery routes. On HoustonChronicle.com: Lubys partners with DoorDash to offer on-demand meal delivery The company takes orders through its website, and only does delivery or carryout. The company also does not accept tips and does not add delivery fees, according to its website. Min Choe, its CEO, said the company recently closed a $2.3 million seed funding round with participation from former Whole Foods co-CEO Walter Robb, as well as Brett Hurt, co-founder of Bazaarvoice, an Austin-based digital marketer. The funding will allow the company to add three locations, including a south Austin site that is on track to open this year, Choe said. We have the good fortune of being a profitable startup from the beginning, so were not using capital to extend our runway, Choe said. Instead, this is specifically growth capital, so were going to use the capital to open more stores and reinvest into the software. Robb said Choes previous experience as a restaurateur instilled values that carried over to his current startup. There is no guarantee in business, but theyre careful, frugal with their money and thoughtful, he said. Theyre not going around with big egos and checkbooks; theyre doing this very, very responsibly. Hurt said he was sold by the companys no delivery fee and tipping policy, but was also impressed with the companys tech-focused strategy. On HoustonChronicle.com: Nuro's next generation autonomous vehicles to hit Houston roads I almost never meet a restaurant entrepreneur that is thinking about scaling as quickly and is doing so with technology being at the core of their business, as opposed to technology as an afterthought, Hurt said. Choe said he got the idea for the company during his 15 years operating Chinese American-style restaurants in Austin. It occurred to me that the Chinese food industry is something that is highly sustainable and scalable, especially when the food is good, Choe said. But there are so many aspects of the restaurant industry that are cost-prohibitive, like rent and labor. Choe said he and his wife, Jenna, met the other co-founders of the company, Angell and Eunice Tsang, while running one of their previous restaurant businesses. Angell Tsang had worked at several startups in Austin, including Bazaarvoice, and created the software for Tso Chinese Deliverys online platform. Eunice Tsang, who has a background in nursing, is the companys chief marketing officer. Min always has a new idea brewing and he is a true entrepreneur at heart, Eunice Tsang said. So when he started talking about this concept, Angell and I fell in love with the idea. Angell Tsang said his previous work developing software with startups helped him create an online platform that can easily be modified and added onto as the company adds new stores. Release Notes: Get Dwight Silvermans weekly tech newsletter in your inbox each Monday We had to build everything from scratch, and we had to basically create an e-commerce front end where customers shop online, and convert the results of that sale into a kitchen back end, Tsang said. Tsang said Tso Chinese Deliverys platform can interpret online sales into actionable data for improving delivery logistics. The platform, for example, can anticipate when a large number of orders might come in so that the team can plan ahead. Tsang said data collected through the platform helps stores decide when orders should be started in the kitchen as well as what delivery routes should be taken by drivers. Before even cooking the food, we can plan the service out from a delivery standpoint, Tsang said. And unlike many other delivery services, Choe said Tso Chinese Delivery does not take tip or charge delivery fees. Though his drivers do not make tips, Choe said the company believes in paying drivers a fair wage that depends less on tips from deliveries. None of our employees start below $12 an hour, and thats from the kitchen, the packers all the way to the delivery drivers, Choe said. This year, were moving up to $13 an hour as the minimum pay. And were paying for the cars, the fuel and the insurance. Because the company only takes delivery and takeout orders, Choe said, it can open more locations without having to worry about parking lot and size requirements that dine-in restaurants deal with. We are a concept that is built on low rent, Choe said. That is one of the attractive investor profiles for us. Breaking News: Get email alerts from Chron.com sent directly to your inbox Another challenge for the business is getting people to respect a cuisine that can often be disregarded as unhealthy or unauthentic, Choe said. The culture of Chinese American food being this guilty meal shouldnt be true, Choe said. Some historians tie to roots of Chinese American cuisine to the mid 1800s, when Chinese immigrants came to the West Coast as part of the California Gold Rush. Though often prescribed specifically to Chinese culture, Chinese American cuisine is something that can be embraced by many other Americans of Asian descent, said Eunice Tsang, who is Korean American. In a sense its something that we all enjoyed together and there is something cool about that, she said. Its very recognizable and approachable, and thats what we find charming about the cuisine. Weekly briefing: Over 2,000 aborted babies buried, Conservative Baptist Network, NH primary Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment We've compiled the top stories of the week. Here's what you need to know: Over 2,000 aborted babies buried The remains of 2,411 aborted babies, which were found in abortionist Ulrich "George" Klopfers home and car, were laid to rest at an Indiana cemetery this week. "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. Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill The remains had been discovered in plastic bags after Klopfer, who performed tens of thousands of abortions, died last year. New conservative network launched amid woke trend in Southern Baptist Convention A group of Southern Baptists launched the Conservative Baptist Network amid growing concern that the denomination is increasingly "woke" and drifting from biblical orthodoxy. CBN is not a new denomination but an effort to restore the SBCs emphasis on evangelism and the sufficiency of Scripture. I want our pastors to know that we champion the position that the Bible is enough. We want to make sure that anything we say about the Bible, that we hold the Bible in its proper esteem as not only the Word of God but enough to handle all the issues of life. Lee Brand, dean of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary NH Democratic primary: Who religious voters supported In Tuesdays New Hampshire Democratic primary election, Sen. Bernie Sanders came out on top, followed by Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, respectively. As for who religious voters backed, exit polls show that 28% of those who attend religious services weekly chose Klobuchar and 16% chose Buttigieg. Meanwhile, 34% of those who never attend religious services voted for Sanders and 22% backed Buttigieg. Air Force removes commanders name from prayer breakfast invitation A U.S. Air Force base in Illinois was forced to remove a commanders name from a prayer breakfast invitation after a secular organization complained. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation argued that having Col. Jerimiah Heathmans name on the invitation with an RSVP request constituted an endorsement of religion. The invitation was edited to no longer show the commanders name. In case you missed it: CPs feature: A detransitioner in agony recounts how gender doctors manipulated him into castration, hormones CPs interview with Christian artist Tauren Wells Pray for: Family of 14-year-old Huma Younus, a Christian in Pakistan who was kidnapped and forced into an Islamic marriage Ambrielle Logan, a college student whose father shot himself after killing his wife and son New releases Albums: Called by Avalon (Feb. 14) Brand New by Matthew West (Feb. 14) Books: Acres of Diamonds: Discovering God's Best Right Where You Are by Jentezen Franklin (Feb. 11) The Possibility of Prayer: Finding Stillness with God in a Restless World by John Starke (Feb. 11) Many Algerians say they are still fighting for freedom, 58 years after independence from France. Larger than normal Friday protests are expected in Algeria. It is the first anniversary of the beginning of the mass movement that overthrew Algerias longest ruler. Despite the downfall of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, protesters demand freedom and democracy as well as the removal of who they call the ruling elite. Al Jazeeras Victoria Gatenby reports. Shimla, Feb 14 : Shortage of life-saving drugs procured by Indian pharmaceutical companies from China has severely hit the output in Asia's largest pharmaceutical hub Baddi in Himachal Pradesh, trade insiders said on Friday. They attribute the acute shortage mainly of paracetamol and antibiotic azithromycin to closure of pharmaceutical units in China following the coronavirus outbreak. Also the shortage of raw material has led to a spike in rates. Indian drug manufacturers, mainly concentrated in Baddi, depend on Chinese companies and suppliers for close to 90 per cent raw material, a drug manufacturer said. "Each drug manufacturer normally maintains a stock of raw material for a month or so. Ahead of the Chinese New Year (in February), we prefer to have a buffer stock for two months. This time with the coronavirus outbreak, the supply was hampered for over a month. If the crisis continues, it will drastically hit the overall production of many drugs," a Baddi-based drug manufacturer told IANS. According to him, the shortage of raw material resulted in price rise. Paracetamol's salt, which was available for around Rs 270 a kg, is now costing up to Rs 400 a kg. Likewise, the raw material of azithromycin that cost Rs 7,500 a kg is now available for Rs 10,500 kg. Trade insiders say Indian drug industry also depends highly on China for packaging material and vials. Chandigarh Chemist Association General Secretary Vinay Jain said there is no need to panic at this point as most of the companies have sufficient buffer stock of medicines for at least three-four months. "If the Chinese companies remain shut for a longer duration, then there is a matter of concern. We are hopeful the supply chain of raw material will be restored soon," he said. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) By PTI WASHINGTON: When President Donald Trump travels to India this month to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two leaders will outline an ambitious vision for the next chapter of the "natural alliance" between the two countries, according to a top American diplomat. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will pay a state visit to India on February 24 and 25 at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, it was announced this week. In addition to New Delhi, Trump will also visit Ahmedabad to address a joint public meeting with Modi at a newly-built stadium. Commenting on Trump's maiden visit to India, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Alice G Wells, said the US president and prime minister Modi enjoyed a very special rapport. "President Trump is eager to travel to India to make his mark on this very important relationship," she said on Thursday at a reception hosted by US India Business Council in honour of the new Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu. "We are approaching an important inflection point in the US-India relationship," Wells said. "When President Trump and Prime Minister Modi meet later this month in front of thousands of roaring fans, they're going to outline an ambitious vision for the next chapter of this natural alliance," Wells said. She reminded the American business community that it was two decades ago that the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee described India and the US as "natural allies". "This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Prime Minister Vajpayee's historic visit to Washington during which he invoked that famous phrase, natural allies. We have come such a long way over the last two decades and are turning that vision into a reality," Wells said. Ambassador Sandhu also described the upcoming trip of President Trump as historic. "Within 10 days, we will witness the historic visit of President of United States to India. This visit will help to solidify our partnership across all spheres," he said. India-US partnership, he said, is between people of the two countries and not just two governments. The strong and enduring bonds between the American and Indian people have been the foundation of our relationship, he said. "During the forthcoming visit of President Trump, you will witness the warmth of Indian people for the United States," Sandhu said. Democratic Party Senator Mark Warner, who co-chairs the Senate Indian Caucus, also spoke on the occasion. Most know it as the holiday for lovers, but not everyone realizes that Valentines Day derives from a Catholic feast day celebrating the patron saint of love. St. Valentine was a priest in Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius II, according to Christian tradition. Claudius was having difficulty enlisting enough soldiers for his army, which he attributed to men being reluctant to leave their wives and families. "He wished to extend his empire," said the Rev. Brian McKay, prior of the Carmelite Monastery in Dublin, Ireland, which claims to have the bones of St. Valentine in its church. "And he believed that in order to do that, all his young men should be available to fight. And so he didn't want them to get married." So Claudius banned marriages and engagements. "Their strength was to be kept purely for the battlefield," McKay said in an interview with Catholic News Service. "This presented a huge problem for the Christian church. For Valentine, it was most important that with the new Christian religion that sexuality was kept within the sacrament of marriage." Valentine defied the edict and continued to perform marriages. He was arrested, beaten and beheaded. He was executed on Feb. 14, in about 269 A.D., according to church tradition. St. Valentine, it seems, was a martyr for upholding the importance of love and marriage. "He literally gave his life to achieve this purpose," McKay said. The bones of St. Valentine were sent to Ireland in 1836, a gift from Pope Gregory to a Carmelite priest in Dublin, McKay said. The church is a year-round pilgrimage site for lovers. I think Valentine speaks hugely of the importance of commitment, that love is not something that one has today and that one discards tomorrow, McKay said. But that couples come to St. Valentine, hoping that his blessing will ensure that they stay together - commitment, endurance, constancy, and above all, belief in the sacrament of matrimony. 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 Mr Guaido as the legitimate interim president of Venezuela. "I have a big problem with Spain's position on a lot of aspects in relations to Venezuela and in particular the European attitude," the Independent politician said. "Do you not agree that the recognition 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***e?" The Wexford MEP was reproached by European Parliament vice-president Rainer Wieland, who was chairing the meeting. Through a translator, he said: "You did use the word gobs***e, sir, and I would reprimand you over that." ST. LOUIS COUNTY A south St. Louis County woman and her husband have been charged with neglecting her incapacitated 81-year-old mother who was hospitalized after suffering from a stroke, bedsores, gangrene and extreme dehydration. Lori A. Stevens, 47, and her husband, Gordon Stevens, 57, each were charged Feb. 6 with felony domestic assault and misdemeanor elder abuse. On Nov. 29, Stevens mother was admitted to a South County hospital with altered mental status after she suffered a stroke and treated for bedsores and dehydration, charges said. The couple was living at Stevens mothers home in the 2800 block of Owendale Court at the time and were caring for her. According to court records, Lori Stevens has been on probation for abusing her mother in 2015. Its not clear why she was allowed to return and care for her mother. Earlier in November, a health aide discovered the womans bedsores and told the couple how to care for them, according to charges. The aide also noted the womans dehydration and reminded the couple to provide her water. (Newser) President Trump has been to nearly 50 "intimate gatherings" with top-level GOP donors over the past two-plus years, per estimates by the Washington Postbut his latest will be his steepest of those fundraisers so far. Billionaire Nelson Peltz is the host, Peltz's estate in Palm Beach, Fla., is the location, and the cost of entry for the Saturday evening event is $580,600 per couple. The Week quips you'll need to "sell that old Renoir on the wall, quickly marry an oligarch ... or ask Mike Bloomberg for a loan" to attend. Republican officials point out that past presidents, including President Obama, also held expensive fundraisers with elite donors. But some are raising eyebrows, pointing to Trump's 2016 vow to "drain the swamp" against practices like these in DC, as they could make candidates beholden to donors. story continues below About 30 people are expected to attend Saturday's event, bringing in at least $10 million for the 2020 reelection war chest for Trump and the GOP. Although it's not clear what's on the menu for this particular happening, past fundraisers usually include photo ops with the president and Trump's favorite foods (including strip steak and vanilla ice cream). Trump is said to be "highly engaged, conversational, and charming" at such events, per past attendees. What's not allowed inside the events anymore: cellphones. (Read more campaign fundraising stories.) New Delhi: Grappling with leadership issues at the helm after its rout in last years Lok Sabha polls, the Congress is likely to hold an AICC plenary in Udaipur, Rajasthan, in Aprils first week. Sources said the one-day plenary may address the need for a full-time president and organisational changes within the party. The exact date would be decided at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee to be called soon, the sources said, adding it can be anytime after the end of the Budget Session, which will be on till April 3. It may be recalled that Rahul Gandhi had resigned as Congress president, taking moral responsibility for the defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, after which the party remained headless for the next two months. After that, former party chief and former UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had taken over as interim president. While a section claimed Mrs Gandhi would remain as interim president, another said Rahul Gandhi might make a comeback at the plenary. However, Mr Gandhi has distanced himself from any such possibility. He also said the Congress should look beyond the Gandhi family for a president. After Mr Gandhis resignation as party chief, an all-out war had erupted within the party between the old guard and the new guard, and Mrs Gandhis taking over as the interim chief was meant to be a peace-making exercise. Recently, however, Mr Gandhi has begun an outreach to the nations youth through a series of rallies on economic issues and unemployment, the first of which was held in Jaipur on January 28. Besides the issue of the presidents position, the plenary may also decide to make some radical changes in the organisational structure. The demand and need for an overall organisational restructuring comes amid the huge drubbing the party got in the Delhi Assembly elections, where its voteshare plunged to a mere four per cent. Offering a Welcome to Country at the breakfast, chairwoman of Sydneys Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council Yvonne Weldon noted that Aboriginal suffering could not be allowed to become a memorial in itself. Loading In various speeches and public statements made this week, the lines can be traced of an ongoing debate about the apparently constant failures of Closing the Gap. Morrison told parliament that, despite the best intentions, investments in new programs and bipartisan goodwill, Closing the Gap has never really been a partnership with Indigenous people. We perpetuated an ingrained way of thinking passed down over two centuries and more, and it was the belief that we knew better than our Indigenous peoples. We don't. We also thought we understood their problems better than they did. We don't. They live them. We must see the gap we wish to close, not from our viewpoints, but from the viewpoint of Indigenous Australians." He advocated for a new approach on Closing the Gap that would be more locally-led and more collaborative [which] will take us much further than the top-down, one-size-fits-all, government-led approach ever could. Pat Turner, the co-chair of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap - which includes representatives of state, federal and local governments as well as from the national Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations - echoed some of those sentiments. "Governments say they are listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," she said. "However, the true test in listening is translating the priority reforms into real, tangible and funded actions that make a difference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people right across our country. Pat Turner said the Closing the Gap framework was "doomed to fail" when it was designed without Indigenous input. Credit:Glenn Campbell She also warned of the destructive impact of constant failure to meet the targets. "The danger of this seemingly endless cycle of failure is that it breeds complacency and cynicism, while excusing those in power, she said. People begin to believe that meaningful progress is impossible and there is nothing governments can do to improve the lives of our people." Rudd rejects elements of this argument. Closing the Gap was not invented by a bunch of white fellas, he said in his speech on Thursday morning. It was provided to us by the Aboriginal social justice commissioner Tom Calmas report in 2005, calling on us as a nation to close the gap between white Australians and black Australians. We listened. Calma, now the Chancellor of the University of Canberra, says his report spurred an activist movement called Close the Gap which in turn evolved into the Closing the Gap strategy. But he agrees that in the process the targets that the federal government reported on were defined by bureaucrats rather than the Indigenous peak bodies and campaigners that had started the process. Australian National Universitys Professor Nicholas Biddle, who researches demographic and socioeconomic outcomes for Indigenous Australians, says the objective to reduce the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians was the starting point. That was Indigenous led and Indigenous driven and then other targets were added to it and adapted along the way, he says. Tom Calma, Calma, now the Chancellor of the University of Canberra, pictured in 2010. Credit:Jacky Ghossein The targets have not been static. A seventh on Indigenous school attendance rates was added by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in 2014. And four of the seven targets set in 2008 were due to expire in 2018 so the government developed the Closing the Gap refresh where targets would be updated in partnership with Indigenous people. Former prime minister Julia Gillard said 2013 was a significant year for Closing the Gap because the first of the targets would be achieved - ensuring all Indigenous four-year-olds living in remote communities has access to early childhood education within five years. But some targets have been on track one year then off track the next. The 2019 report revealed the goal to narrow the difference between Indigenous and non-Indigenous child mortality, for instance, was not being met despite being on track in previous years. These fluctuations make it difficult to gauge the effectiveness of long-term policy settings, says Biddle. On top of that, the targets vary greatly in scale and complexity, meaning some will be easier to achieve than others. Biddle describes several as intermediate goals - such as getting children to attend school - while others are hugely ambitious end goals, such as lifting rates of numeracy and literacy and extending life expectancy. He points out the two targets achieved so far on pre-schools enrolments and year 12 attainment are in areas where governments have some direct control. However, Biddle says improvements to the way social and economic data is collected and evaluated is one lasting positive from the Closing the Gap agenda. The focus of the discussion now seems to be more on policy failures - and sometimes policy success - rather than arguing over the data, he says. Illustration: Dionne Gain Credit: The lack of progress over a prolonged period has raised concerns the Closing the Gap measures may have helped entrench a deficits view of Australias Indigenous population. Professor Heidi Norman, a researcher at the University of Technology, Sydney, and descendant of the Gomeroi people of north-western NSW, says the Closing the Gap targets seemed reasonable when first announced but had, over time, constructed Aboriginal people as deficit in need of meeting a norm. I wonder if there are other measures that Aboriginal people and communities might look very good against, she says. The main economic target to boost Indigenous employment has highlighted deep challenges. The latest figures put the Indigenous employment rate at around 49 per cent compared to about 75 per cent for non-Indigenous Australians. That yawning 26 percentage point gap has hardly moved for a decade. One reason for the lack of progress is that many Indigenous people live in remote areas where jobs are scarce. They face the tough choice between their mob or a job because the only option for employment is to move a long distance from home. Biddle says that upheaval can be extremely difficult. If someone moves from a remote area to a non-remote area their employment outcomes get worse, at least in the short-term, he says. And the targets omit one fundamental indicator of Indigenous welfare which has been deteriorating: incarceration rates. Research published recently by Labor MP Andrew Leigh found the share of Indigenous adults in prison has more than doubled over the past three decades from 1124 per 100,000 adults in 1990 to 2481 per 100,000 adults in 2018. Leigh, who is a former economics professor, estimates almost a quarter of Indigenous men born in the 1970s have spent time in jail. His analysis shows Indigenous Australians are more likely to be in jail than African-Americans in the United States, a community in the Western world known for the staggering inequality faced in the justice system. Indigenous Australians are now the most incarcerated people on earth, he says. Australias progress towards Closing the Gap would be even worse if the targets included incarceration rates, but Leigh says incarceration should be added. I think we should be tracking Indigenous incarceration because we know the exposure of Indigenous Australians is so high, he says. Rudd disagrees, saying that when the process began, his government focussed on Calmas advice that health and education inequality was a crucial starting point. He also argues that failure to hit the targets does not mean that progress has not happened. I ask you to consider this, if it were not for the Closing the Gap strategy of the last decade or so would we now be on track to achieving our national target of year 12 retention rates? he said in his speech. I think not. If it were not for the Closing the Gap strategy would we now be on track for having virtually all Indigenous little ones in preschool? I think not. If it were not for the Closing the Gap strategy would we now be seeing improvements in virtually all the numbers across all the measures of Closing the Gap in literacy, numeracy, health housing and the rest. I would suggest not. Because, notwithstanding the fact that progress in five of these seven areas has been patchy and there is still much to be done until we focus our national energies around a particular objective, around Closing the Gap, then it doesnt happen. Rudd said he was wary of politicians from either party seeking to alter the targets because they had not been met, suggesting that they may be seeking to crab walk from their responsibility to tackle inequality and achieve reconciliation. The Corvallis School Board of Trustees met on Feb. 12 and chose six finalists to interview for the position of superintendent. The public, students and staff are invited to meet the finalists at a public reception and ice cream social to be held from 4:306:30 p.m., on Sunday, March 1, at the Corvallis High School Library. Interviews will be March 2, 3, at the high school library and are open to the public. We have selected excellent candidates to interview and look forward to hearing about how their experiences can help them lead our schools and be an active member of our community, said Board Chair Becky Anderson. Corvallis is a unique district with outstanding students and staff. The Trustees are excited to find our next superintendent. We appreciated the communitys participation in the survey we commissioned. The Board relied on the responses in our discussions about who we wanted to interview. The six finalists selected are: Corey Austin Austin currently serves as superintendent of the Target Range School in Missoula. He previously served as superintendent at Southeast Fountain School in Indiana and as principal at North Vermillion High School and North West Hendricks School Corporation in Indiana. He holds a Ph.D. from Indiana State University and a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts from Oakland City University. Tim Bronk Bronk currently serves as superintendent at Chester-Joplin-Inverness School District in Chester. He previously served as superintendent at Laurel School District, superintendent at Darby School Districts and superintendent at Highwood School District. He holds a Master of Science from Winona State University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Montana-Western. Gerald Chouinard Chouinard currently serves as superintendent at Lame Deer School District in Lame Deer. He previously served as principal at Lame Deer Elementary School and as principal at Inspire-The Idaho Connections Academy. He holds a Master of Arts from Idaho State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Montana State University. Jon Konen Konen currently serves as principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Great Falls. He previously served as principal at the Power School District in Power and as a teacher at Somers School District in Somers. He holds a Master of Arts from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Arts from Montana State University. Larry Markuson Markuson currently serves as superintendent at White Sulphur Springs School District in White Sulphur Springs. He previously served as superintendent at Augusta School District in Augusta and superintendent at Hot Springs School District in Hot Springs. He holds a Master of Education and Bachelor of Science from Montana State University. Brian Rayburn Rayburn currently serves as superintendent at Lima School District in Lima. He previously served as superintendent at Essex-Caledonia Supervisory Union and as principal at Blue Mountain Union School District and Sutton School in Vermont. He holds a Master of Education from Plymouth State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young University-Hawaii. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 4 Should Democrats be the party of the left, or should they tack toward the center? Its an old debate, but in this years Democratic presidential race, it has a new twist: Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, has captured the most votes in Iowa and New Hampshire. Centrists say Sanders doesnt represent the party, because more people voted for the three moderate candidatesSen. Amy Klobuchar, former Vice President Joe Biden, and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigiegthan for Sanders and his ally on the left, Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Whos right? Advertisement There are a lot of ways to try to answer that question. Lets start with the metric most people are using: Whos getting more votes? In Iowa, on the first alignmentthe vote that was taken before many caucus-goers had to switch to their second or third choices43 percent chose Sanders or Warren. Forty-nine percent chose Buttigieg, Biden, or Klobuchar. Andrew Yang, a businessman, got 5 percent, and everybody else got peanuts. Thats a slight plurality for the centrists. In New Hampshire, Buttigieg, Klobuchar, and Biden got 53 percent of the vote, while Sanders and Warren got 35 percent. (The remaining 12 points were largely divided among Yang, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, and businessman Tom Steyer.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That looks good for the centrists. But even if Buttigieg and Sanders can be reasonably slotted into their respective positions of centrist and leftist, voters cant be. Voting for Buttigieg doesnt necessarily mean youre a centrist, any more than voting for Sanders requires you to be a leftist. According to the New Hampshire exit poll, 19 percent of voters who called themselves moderate or conservative went for Sanders or Warren, while 30 percent of those who called themselves very liberal went for Buttigieg, Biden, or Klobuchar. So if you classify everyone who voted for the centrists as a centrist, youre short-changing the left. Policy alignment isnt the only thing that influences voting. Perceptions of a candidates electability are usually a factor. Many people, instead of voting for the candidate they wanted, voted for the candidate they thought other people wanted. In both states, more than 60 percent of voters said it was more important to nominate a candidate who could beat Trump than to nominate one who agreed with them on the issues. And about 60 percent of these electability-oriented voters threw their support to Buttigieg, Klobuchar or Biden. Advertisement Advertisement If you take those voters out of the equation and look only at voters who focused on choosing a candidate based on issues, Sanders and Warren got a 53 percent majority in Iowa and a 44 percent plurality in New Hampshire. That seems to prove that Democrats, in their hearts, prefer the left. But it doesnt, because people who prefer moderation are more likely to focus on electability than are people who want radical change. So if you remove electability-oriented voters from the calculation, youre stripping out more centrists than leftists, which isnt really fair. Advertisement Maybe its simpler to categorize voters the way they categorize themselves. In Iowa, 25 percent of caucus-goers said they were very liberal, 42 percent said they were somewhat liberal, 30 percent said they were moderate, and 2 percent said they were conservative. In New Hampshire, 21 percent of voters said they were very liberal, 40 percent said they were somewhat liberal, 35 percent said they were moderate, and 4 percent said they were conservative. So in each state, more than 60 percent called themselves liberal. Does that settle the question? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, because the results were probably affected by how the question was asked. If you give respondents a range of options, people who prefer to be in the middle tend to choose one of the middle options. In the Iowa entrance poll and the New Hampshire exit poll, somewhat liberal was one of the two middle options. That could be why it was the most popular choice. In fact, in both states, most voters who called themselves somewhat liberal went for Buttigieg, Biden, or Klobuchar, the ostensibly centrist candidates. Its hard to know what each person means by moderate or somewhat liberal. So lets try an objective standard instead. The New Hampshire exit poll asked voters in the Democratic primary whether the next president should return to Barack Obamas policies, change to more liberal policies, or change to more conservative policies. Three times as many voters chose more liberal policies (39 percent) as chose more conservative policies (12 percent). But 40 percent chose Obamas policies. So although the numbers lean to the left, you could also read them as a 52 percent majority against going further than Obama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One question in the New Hampshire exit poll bears directly on Sanders. The survey asked voters in the Democratic primary whether each candidates positions were too liberal, not liberal enough, or about right. Two-thirds said Buttigieg was about right; only 6 percent said he was too liberal. But 40 percent said Warren was too liberal, and a 50 percent plurality said Sanders was too liberal. If half the voters in the Democratic primary think Sanders is too far to the left, that seems damning. Before you draw that conclusion, consider two things. First, lots of people who voted in that primary werent Democrats. In Iowa, 22 percent of people who participated in the Democratic contest identified themselves as independents. In New Hampshire, the figure was 45 percent. And the independents in New Hampshire were more conservative than the independents in Iowa; they voted more for the centrist candidates than for Sanders or Warren. These centrist independents may have artificially inflated the percentage of Democratic primary voters who rejected Sanders as too liberal. Advertisement Advertisement Second, Sanders does better when you ask about his policies than when you ask about his ideology. In both states, by about 20 percentage points (57 percent to 38 percent in Iowa, 58 percent to 37 percent in New Hampshire), most voters endorsed replacing all private health insurance with a single government plan for everyone. In New Hampshire, the exit poll also asked about making tuition free at public colleges and universities. Two-thirds of voters in the Democratic primary supported that idea; only 28 percent opposed it. None of these numbers settles the debate. No matter which side youre on, you can find a metric that supports your view. And so far, weve only heard from voters in two of the whitest states in the country. As more diverse states vote, well have a bigger, broader pool of data for Democrats to argue about. And they will. Because regardless of whether theyre leftists or centrists, thats what Democrats do. Justice AS Bopanna, while rising, said that the order in the matter will be passed in-chamber New Delhi: Supreme Court judge Justice R Banumathi fainted in the courtroom on Friday while dictating the order on the Centre' plea seeking separate hanging of the four death row convicts in the 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder case. Justice Banumathi soon regained consciousness and was taken to the chamber by other judges on the dais and Supreme Court staff. She was taken on a wheel chair for medical treatment. Justice AS Bopanna, while rising, said that the order in the matter will be passed in-chamber. Justice Ashok Bhushan was also part of the three-judge bench hearing the matter. Five boys have been charged after the serious assault of a 20-year-old man at Stirling Train Station on Thursday afternoon. The victim remains at Royal Perth Hospital in intensive care with head injuries. He is in a critical condition. Police said it was believed the group of boys were all wearing their school uniform at the time of the incident. The 'school boys', aged 14 to 16, were charged with aggravated robbery and acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm. Wuhan, capital of central Chinas Hubei province and epicenter of the novel coronavirus epidemic, is making all efforts to leave no patient unattended. Since Feb. 9, the city started all-out efforts to locate four categories of people -- patients confirmed or suspected to be infected with the virus, their close contacts and patients with fever. Once identified, these people must be timely treated or placed in quarantine. To guarantee strict prevention and control of the epidemic and cut the source of infection, Wuhan carried out a large-scale health examination for its citizens based on the principle of early discovery, diagnosis, quarantine and treatment. As of Feb. 9, authorities have visited 10.59 million people from 4.21 million households in 3,371 communities and villages, or about 99% of the citys population and 98.6% of all households. By the noon of Monday, February 10, Wuhan authorities have discovered 1,499 patients in critical conditions through door-to-door health checks and sent them to hospital. Hu Mingrong, chief of the Jiangxinyuan community in Wuhans Hanyang district has made around 400 phone calls to screen the residents on Feb. 9 alone. The 59-year-old woman whos responsible for serving all 9,800 residents in the community, said the community discovered 15 confirmed cases and 26 patients with fever that day. The total number of the people falling into the "four categories stood at 73, she added. We had screened all the people by the last afternoon, and we are doing a double-check today, Hu noted. Wuhan has also stepped up efforts to test all suspect cases. By 24:00 Feb. 9, there were 10,372 patients of the novel coronavirus receiving treatment at hospitals, including 3,082 in critical conditions and 838 in need of intensive care. According to Hu Yabo, member of the standing Committee of the Wuhan Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and deputy mayor of Wuhan, the city now has over 8,800 beds in all of its 28 designated hospitals, and 2,600 beds in the Huoshenshan and Leishenshan Hospitals specially for those in critical conditions. There would be some additional 9,600 beds for patients with mild symptoms to be made available in the three already operational fangcang hospitals and other medical facilities renovated from schools. By the night of Feb. 9, the three fangcang hospitals have received a total of 2,865 patients with mild symptoms, including 1,400 at the Wuhan International Exhibition and Convention Center in Jianghan district, 1,000 at Hongshan Gymnasium in Wuchang district and 465 at a cultural building complex dubbed Wuhan Livingroom. The fangcang hospitals generally comprise of medically functional units, ward units and technical guarantee units, and have multi-functions such as emergency aid, surgery treatment and clinic diagnosis. Wang Chen, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences noted that compared with small and closed quarantine wards, the fangcang hospitals are able to receive more patients, and the open wards can also improve the efficiency of caring, which allows doctors and nurses to take care of more patients. As the hospitals only receive diagnosed cases, cross-infection will not be a problem, Wang added. Over 700 medical staff across the country went to Wuhan to assist the fangcang hospitals in recent days, most of whom are nurses. After receiving training from Gao Yongzhe, associate chief physician of the department of neurology at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University and Zhou Junhui, head nurse of the hospital, they started working in groups to guarantee smooth operation of the fangcang hospitals. Every bed of the hospitals is equipped with power supply, an electric blanket, and a long coat to meet the basic demand of the patient. Besides, there are also books and TVs at the hospitals for publicity and psychological counselling. We keep close monitoring of every patient and offer psychological support through communication, so as to help them build confidence, said Zhou. Though many of the medical staff are working day and night, and even dont have the time for a cup of water, they never complain about it, and their only wish is to cure the patients as early as possible. New York police say there is a credible threat of attempts to assassinate officers in the same Bronx precinct where a gunman shot and wounded two cops in two separate shootings just four days ago. The Sergeants Benevolent Association, one of the largest police unions in New York City, posted a tweet that showed an internal memo that was to have been disseminated to all men and women on the force. The all-caps message reads: INVESTIGATIVE UNITS HAVE RECEIVED A CREDIBLE THREAT OF AN INDIVIDUAL THAT MAY ATTEMPT TO SHOOT A NYPD MOS (member of service), IN PARTICULAR, A 41 PCT MOS. ALL MOS ARE BEING ADVISED TO BE VIGILANT AND ALERT. The Sergeants Benevolent Association, one of the largest police unions in New York City, posted a tweet that showed an internal memo that was to have been disseminated to all men and women on the force warning of a 'credible threat' The memo was issued just three days after Robert Williams (center) was arraigned in Bronx Criminal Court on Monday STATIONHOUSE SECURITY MUST BE POSTED ON ALL TOURS. PLEASE ADVISE ALL MOS AND CONTINUE TO READ THIS MESSAGE AT ROLL CALLS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. The 41st Precinct in the Bronx was where a gunman ambushed police officers - first in a patrol van late on Saturday night and then at precinct headquarters hours later on Sunday morning. WCBS-TV reports that the NYPD confirmed that there is a 'credible threat,' but a police spokesperson told DailyMail.com that there is an investigation into who leaked the memo. When reached by DailyMail.com, an NYPD spokesperson refused to confirm that authorities are looking into a 'credible threat' against officers. Williams allegedly opened fire on a lieutenant manning the front desk of the 41st precinct on Sunday morning. When the lieutenant returned fire, the suspect fled into another room and shot at other police personnel Williams is seen diving on the floor and surrendering after he ran out of bullets Several officers then swarmed the suspect after he surrendered his weapon Emergency vehicles rushed to the 41st precinct after a lieutenant was gunned down at the front desk on Sunday morning Williams (left) was reportedly out on parole after a 2002 attempted murder conviction. Authorities were also questioning a woman believed to be Williams' girlfriend Liza T Valdez (right), a communications technician for the NYPD The man accused of ambushing the officers was arraigned Monday on attempted murder and other charges. The shootings have led to recriminations from police officials and union leaders who criticized recent demonstrations as creating an 'anti-police' atmosphere as well as pushback to that characterization from police reform advocates who said making that connection was irresponsible. Under the watching eyes of the police officers who packed a Bronx courtroom, a handcuffed Robert Williams, 45, made his first appearance following his Sunday arrest, wearing a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants, one eye swollen shut and a bandage on his ear. Williams, of the Bronx, was charged with multiple counts of attempted murder. He is accused of approaching a police patrol van on Saturday night and firing at two officers inside, wounding one before escaping on foot, and also of opening fire Sunday morning at the 41st precinct headquarters, where he wounded a police lieutenant before being arrested. Williams was remanded into custody after his appearance and is due back in court on February 14. He was represented in court by an attorney from The Bronx Defenders. 'There is still much that we don't know about what happened and what led up to this incident,' attorney Tom Klein said in a statement. 'We look forward to investigating and learning more so that we can best represent Mr. Williams.' Earlier Monday, Lt. Jose Gautreaux, who was wounded at the 41st precinct, was greeted by lines of waiting officers as he left the hospital. The suspect is seen raising his gun and firing at cops in security camera footage from Saturday's incident The suspect (pictured) was filmed walking away from the scene of Saturday's shooting, which police say was unprovoked The first officer was shot at 906 Simpson St in the Bronx New York on Saturday, authorities said His arm in a sling and a police jacket over his shoulders, Gautreaux got out of a wheelchair at the hospital entrance, walking to a waiting car and giving the crowd a thumbs-up. Among those there was NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea. The officer who was wounded in that earlier attack, Paul Stroffolino, was released from the hospital on Sunday evening. Police said Williams had a long criminal history, including a 2002 shooting and carjacking in which he fired a gun at police. He was paroled from prison in 2017. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio (pictured in Washington last month) told reporters he was 'disgusted' by the comments of Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) president Ed Mullins A tweet by Ed Mullins, president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, 'declaring war' on de Blasio. The New York mayor called the words 'destructive' Shea has been vocal in condemning criminal justice reform activists for engaging in protests that he suggested have been part of creating what he called an anti-police environment. ''These things are not unrelated. We had people marching through the streets of New York City recently,' Shea said Sunday. 'Words matter. And words affect people's behavior.' His comments were echoed by Mayor Bill de Blasio. 'Anyone who spews hatred at our officers is aiding and abetting this kind of atmosphere; it is not acceptable,' de Blasio said. Sergeants Benevolent Association president Ed Mullins launched an attack on de Blasio after an officer was shot inside a patrol van Saturday night and another outside a Bronx police station the following morning 'You could protest for whatever you believe in, but you cannot vilely attack those who are here to protect us. It creates this kind of dynamic.' But de Blasio came under criticism from the Sergeants Benevolent Association, which on Monday tweeted: 'Mayor DeBlasio, the members of the NYPD are declaring war on you! 'We do not respect you, DO NOT visit us in hospitals. 'You sold the NYPD to the vile creatures, the 1% who hate cops but vote for you. 'NYPD cops have been assassinated because of you. This isn't over, Game on!' Freddi Goldstein, the mayor's spokeswoman, called the comments 'absolutely reprehensible.' Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, condemned the attack on the officers. She said there were also concerns about Shea's words. 'Implying without any basis in fact that protesters or protest slogans are responsible for these attacks is irresponsible and needlessly polarizing,' she said. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Saudi Arabias foreign minister said no meeting is planned between the kingdoms crown prince and Israels prime minister, a statement apparently meant to quash reports circulating in Israeli media this week of an alleged summit between the two. There is no meeting planned between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Saudi Arabias policy has been very clear since the beginning of this conflict, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud told the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya English news website in a report on Thursday. There are no relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel and the kingdom stands firmly behind Palestine, the minister said, adding that its not unique to have shared interests with Israel in countering Iran since there are many other countries with a similar policy. Still, the statement was an unusual rebuttal by the kingdoms most senior diplomat to reports circulating in Israeli media, which had reported that a meeting was being planned between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two countries do not have formal diplomatic relations, despite quietly strengthening ties in past years. Reports emerged last week on the Israel Hayom news website, which quoted unnamed Arab diplomats as saying there were discussions among the United States, Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to arrange a summit in Cairo that would include the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Bahrain and Oman. Whispers of a meeting with Saudi crown prince could help bolster a politically embattled Netanyahu as he tries to fend off a slew of criminal corruption charges and squares off for a third time in less than a year against an increasingly popular opponent in elections next month. The young crown prince is seen as less sympathetic toward the Palestinians and more amenable to security co-operation with Israel than his father, King Salman. Saudi Arabia continues to publicly stress it is not softening its policies toward Israel. It recently rebuffed suggestions that Israelis would be granted visas to the kingdom following a change in Israel and allow Israeli citizens to travel to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia expressed support for President Donald Trumps efforts at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but days later joined other Muslim nations in rejecting the White Houses plan as biased. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is working to bolster Israels ties with a range of Arab states in the absence of a peace deal with the Palestinians. He secured a rare meeting with the head of Sudans transitional government in Uganda earlier this month and afterwards announced that the two countries were normalizing relations. The meeting was seen as a chance for Sudan to use Israels standing in Washington as leverage to help Khartoum come out of its international pariah status and rebuild its economy. 14.02.2020 LISTEN Special Aide to the Leader of Ghana Freedom Party, Emmanuel Abankwah Kesse, widely known as Olumanba has jabbed the NDC to keep shut for His Excellency Nana Akufo Addo and his Ministers to do their work. According to him, the NDC is in serious hardship hence the nagging. 'Only four years in opposition, look at the way the National Democratic Congress is wailing. The recent Airbus scandal even authenticates that, they don't have the Nation at heart. Why would you escalate the price of something you are buying for the Nation if you really care for the Nation? There is no doubt that they were feeding in the state's coffers' Buttressing his assertion that the NDC is in serious hardship, he said, 'When I was a journalist with my former Radio Station, I remember we went to cover NDC's Constituency elections and they couldn't even afford to give us transportation fare, stating that, the party couldn't even meet the main budget drawn for the programme' He is also challenging His Excellency John Dramani Mahama to come out and deny the Airbus Scandal levelled against him and his government if the allegation is not true. 'What is needed imperatively is, John Mahama himself should come out and deny the Airbus scandal if he thinks the allegation is not true.' A union of physical teachers in Himachal Pradesh on Friday threatened to go on a hunger strike if the state does not fill 4,000 vacant posts in government schools. The physical teachers' union has decided that if the government does not accept their demand in the upcoming cabinet meeting, they will go on a hunger strike. He said the proposed strike would continue till the government fulfils their needs. Physical teachers' union vice-president Sandeep Ghai said, "Despite repeated demands, neither the department nor the government is doing anything. The unemployed trained physical teachers have met with the chief minister, other cabinet ministers and officers several times." Even memorandums have been submitted but nothing has been done so far except empty assurances, Ghai said. He claimed that 4,000 posts of physical teachers have been lying vacant for the past two years. Trained teachers are unemployed but the government is neither worried about their unemployment nor filling up the pending vacancies, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly and Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria , Rt. Hon. ( Dr) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa has described the recent ban or restriction of Motorcycle and Tricycle on some major roads as a measure to guarantee safety of the citizenry. Rt. Hon. Obasa made this assertion at parley with Associations of motorcycle and tricycle operators at his constituency office in Agege area of Lagos. Speaking at the meeting, Rt. Hon. Obasa commended the associations for been calm and law abiding since the pronouncement of restriction/ban of motorcycles and tricycles on major highways in the state. He said the restriction was not to deny them of their means of livelihood but to ensure safety of lives in the metropolis. We are aware of the violence that trailed the restriction of your activities in some part of the state. I want to use this opportunity to commend and appreciate you for staying calm and law abiding here in Agege. New Delhi, Feb 14 : The BJP on Friday held a day-long meeting at its Delhi headquarters where it found one main reason for its debacle and a solution. There was a unanimity over Congress "going silent" in the last few of days of polling, a fact that could have cost the BJP. Yet it was decided to plan ahead for 2025 Delhi polls, keeping the Congress out of mind. A BJP general secretary said, "We have come to realize that the Congress, by cedeing its remaining space and minority vote bank to the Aam Aadmi Party, has committed suicide. The Congress can't take back the vote share it ceded. On the other hand, we have secured almost 39% vote share. In 2025, we will work to make it 50% of the vote share. That should be our target." The BJP may have faced a humiliating defeat in Delhi, but its vote share has gone up significantly, making it the highest in the last 27 years. In 1993, the BJP had nearly 48% of total votes polled. The 2020 performance, has been its next best in terms of vote share, ever since. "It's too early. We have been getting feedback from those who worked on the ground. But 50% vote share is something we will have to aim at next time to win the state," he added. In a way, the BJP is readying itself for a situation where it won't have to depend on Congress playing spoilsport to AAP. "We may not like it, but Congress would have been BJP's best bet to success, or so we thought. In the last leg, the party not only went completely silent, but some of our 'booth prabharis' told us that in some booths, Congress representatives guided voters towards the AAP desk," said a senior BJP leader who was present at the BJP review meeting. "In one instance, according to our karyakartas (workers) present, an old man and a diehard Congress supporter was told by a Congress booth worker at a polling station to vote for AAP," said a senior BJP leader. The veracity of his claim could not be verified. This is in sync with the BJP's Delhi in-charge and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar reportedly pinning the blame on "sudden disappearance" of the Congress. "The (BJP's) defeat in Delhi elections was because of the sudden disappearance of the Congress. It is a different subject whether the Congress disappeared (on its own), people made it disappear or whether their votes got transferred (to AAP)," Javadekar said at a press conference. Though there are many other factors such as non-availability of a chief ministerial face, overstretching Shaheen Bagh, bickering in the Delhi unit and inability to sell regularisation of more than 1,700 illegal colonies; 'Congress' factor emerged as the primary reason for its poll debacle in Friday's postmortem. Friday's meeting was attended by Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari, national general secretary Arun Singh and Anil Jain among others. The meeting was not only attended by BJP candidates who couldn't make it but also by counsellors, zonal leaders and even booth level workers. The review came a day after Tiwari, with whom the BJP seems not to be very happy with, had a long meeting with BJP's national President J.P. Nadda and General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santosh. (Anindya Banerjee can be contacted at anindya.b@ians.in) Left: Maurice Horne, a veteran stage personality, will be expected to bring a real Vincy flavor to Brooklyn. Right: Earl Ole George Daniel will cross over from his ice-cold residence in Canada for the Brooklyn show. A Vincentian High School Alumni group in Brooklyn, New York, is hosting an inaugural comedy show in which a Battle of the Sexes will be an integral part. Janet Wyllie, General Secretary of the Marriaqua Secondary School/St. Josephs Convent Marriaqua (MSS/SJCM) Alumni Association, told THE VINCENTIAN that the Battle of the Sexes will be a feature of the groups maiden Night of Comedy and Laughter, on Feb. 28, at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center, 671 Prospect Pl., Brooklyn. "This comedy show is a show with a difference, Wyllie said. "It is going to be interactive, as we have two segments where the audience is involved. One is the Battle of the Sexes comedy show, where the answers to the questions do not have to make sense but (are) funny. She said that, in the other segment, If you Think You Funny - Apollo Style, "Members of the audience will be invited on stage to give a joke and, if you are not funny within a minute or two, they will be pulled off the stage. Wyllie said the three funniest audience performers will be given undisclosed prizes. As far as choosing a comedy show was concerned, Wyllie explained: "We chose a comedy show because we see the need for shows of this nature in our Caribbean community, particularly in the Vincentian community here in Brooklyn. We notice that most of the Vincentian organizations in Brooklyn are having events such as dance, barbeque, dinner and bingo we thought that our organization would do something different, and a comedy show is the way we see as this avenue. Night of Comedy and Laughter, Wyllie said, will also feature popular Vincentian comedians Earl Ole George Daniel and Maurice Horne. Daniel who resides in Montreal, Canada, has been doing stand-up comedy since 1988 and has performed with "the best in the Caribbean, such as Trinidadians Spranalan, Nickie Crosbie and Errol Fabien, and Barbadians McFinngal and Trevor Eastmond. Daniel said his comedy routine is "suited for the entire family (clean), adding that the "greatest skill is knowing the audience and how to tailor routine to suit. Horne a retired civil servant, who resides in Kingstown, the Vincentian capital is also a playwright, and the first Vincentian to write, direct and produce a TV drama, The Bitter End. In 2008, Horne won the Courts OECS (Organization of Eastern Caribbean States) King of Comedy title. For the past 20 years, he has also been a radio announcer in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, currently hosting "Sentimental Magic Sunday on the local Magic FM Radio 103.7. In addition, Horne said he has been Master of Ceremonies for the past 40 years, 25 of which he worked for the local Carnival Development Corporation. The MSS/SJCM Alumni Association was formed in mid-2018 and officially launched on Nov. 10, 2018. The group hopes to use the proceeds from the show to assist their alma mater particularly in developing the library, science lab and the home economic center (kitchen). "We also hope to make this an annual event to engage the folks in the art of comedy in our North America Vincentian communities, Wyllie said. The MSS/SJCM) Alumni Association is headed by Kenny Browne. The Union of the Ukrainians of Romania (UUR) was established on December 29, 1989 and received the status of legal entity on February 14, 1990, according to the civil decision of the the Bucharest District 1 Court, shows the work ''Dictionar al partidelor si coalitiilor politice si al uniunilor etnice din Romania'' (Dictionary of Romania's political parties and coalitions as well as ethnic unions) published by ROMPRES (1993). UUR is an organization with an ethnic, non-governmental and non-profit profile, with legal personality acquired under Law no. 246/2005, with full autonomy, which carries out its activity in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and of the laws in force in Romania, of its status, as well as with the international documents regarding the rights of national minorities. At the same time, UUR is a parliamentary representative organization of the Ukrainian community and is part of the Council of National Minorities in Romania, and through its publications, it is also a member of the Press Association of the National Minority in Romania.According to Article 62 of the Romanian Constitution and the provisions of the electoral laws of Romania, the UUR is an organization assimilated with political parties and organizations.UUR's goals are to harmoniously collaborate with the majority population, with the other minorities in Romania, as well as preserving the Ukrainians' national traditions and customs. The logo of the organization includes an open book and a flaming torch above it.The first Congress of the UUR was held in Bucharest on April 27-29, 1990, attended by 150 delegates and almost 50 guests. Stefan Tcaciuc, interim president until the date of the congress, was elected president for a four-year term.On the same occasion, it was decided that the UUR should have five county organizations, as follows: the Banat Region, Bucharest and its surroundings, Maramures, Bukovina and Dobrogea. Each of the five counties had its presidency, elected by secret ballot, the county presidents also holding the office of vice president of the UUR. The National Conference of the UUR was due to take place once every two years, the first time being scheduled on April 25-26, 1992.In 1991, the UUR became a member of the World Congress of Free Ukrainians based in Toronto, Canada. Currently, the UUR is also a member of the European Congress of Ukrainians, the Ukrainian Universal Coordination Council and the Ukrainian Liaison Office ("Ukraine - The World" Association).Since its creation, the UUR official newspapers have been "Nas Holos" ("Our Voice") and "Ukrainskei Visnek" ("Ukrainian Courier"). The first is a literary magazine, and the second can be considered a spokesperson of the UUR. Other publications supported by the UUR are "Vilne Slovo" and "Ukrainian echoes", according to uur.ro.The UUR was represented in the Romanian Parliament by Stefan Tcaciuc (born January 13, 1936, in Danilea commune, Suceava county; deceased July 27, 2005, Bucharest) in the 1990-1992, 1992-1996, 2000-2004 legislatures and part of the 2004-2008 legislature. After his demise, he was replaced by deputy Stefan Buciuta, who was also part of the 2008-2012 legislature. In his turn, Ion Marocico was the UUR deputy in the 2012-2016 legislature. From 2016 to the present, the UUR deputy has been Nicolae Miroslav-Petretchi, who is also the Union's leader, according to uur.ro.According to the 2011 census, as many as 50,900 ethnic Ukrainians live in Romania. Of these, over 32 thousand live in the northern region of Romania, especially in the counties of Maramures and Satu Mare. About six thousand can be found in Suceava and Botosani counties, and in Timis and Caras-Severin counties there are over eight thousand. About one thousand five hundred ethnic Ukrainians live in Tulcea and Galati counties, informs romania.mfa.gov.ua. Burt joined Kemin in 2016 as Worldwide Communications Manager. Since then, she has successfully implemented various strategic global communication functions to elevate the Kemin brand footprint across multiple disciplines, including corporate communications, public relations, digital and social media. Her work also includes managing global community engagement efforts, such as expanding Kemin's relationship with the United Nations' World Food Programme, the company's largest global community partner. Mostly recently, Burt led the company through a global rebrand and new corporate vision project in 2019. With her leadership, multiple Kemin teams around the world implemented a new logo and new corporate vision to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services by 2042. "When Lauren joined the company, she brought expertise in corporate communications and public relations disciplines we had identified within Kemin that needed strategic focus and dedication," said Dr. Chris Nelson, President and CEO, Kemin Industries. "After leading our large-scale global rebrand and vision project last year, Lauren successfully demonstrated capabilities to enhance and grow the Kemin brand with our teams and external partners. I am thrilled to have her serve in this new capacity." In this newly created position, Burt will lead worldwide corporate communications for all global internal and external communications at Kemin. This includes developing strategies and tactics to promote the Kemin brand, both internally and externally, along with leadership and employee communications, global community engagement and outreach to various Kemin audiences on multiple platforms. Burt will continue to serve as the global spokesperson for Kemin, and her team will be located at the worldwide headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., and Herentals, Belgium, Kemin's EMENA (Europe, Middle East, North Africa) regional headquarters. "As Kemin continues to grow rapidly around the world, it is increasingly important to have alignment with our global communications so we can continue to deliver on our promise to customers and engage our employees and communities where we do business," said Haley Stomp, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Kemin Industries. "In her time at Kemin, Lauren has elevated the functionality and importance of corporate communications, and I'm excited to have her on the team as we advance the Kemin global vision to transform the quality of life." Prior to joining Kemin, Burt was Manager of Corporate Communications at Meredith Corporation and Director of Media & Marketing for the Greater Des Moines Partnership. She also served in the Governor's Office for the State of Iowa after graduating from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication. About Kemin Industries Kemin Industries (www.kemin.com) is a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services. The company supplies over 500 specialty ingredients for human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies and textile industries. For over half a century, Kemin has been dedicated to using applied science to address industry challenges and offer product solutions to customers in more than 120 countries. Kemin provides ingredients to feed a growing population with its commitment to the quality, safety and efficacy of food, feed and health-related products. Established in 1961, Kemin is a privately held, family-owned-and-operated company with more than 2,800 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, India, Italy, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa and the United States. Media Contact: Katie Miner, Worldwide Communications Specialist, [email protected], +1 515 559 5183 Kemin Industries, Inc. and its group of companies 2020. All rights reserved. TM Trademarks of Kemin Industries, Inc., U.S.A. Certain statements, product labeling and claims may differ by geography or as required by government requirements. SOURCE Kemin Industries Related Links http://www.kemin.com STEINHAUSEN, Switzerland, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) today issued a quarterly Fleet Status Report that provides the current status of, and contract information for, the companys fleet of offshore drilling rigs. Since its last Fleet Status Report in October, Transocean added approximately $366 million in contract backlog, bringing total backlog to $10.2 billion. This quarters report includes the following new contracts: Leiv Eiriksson. Awarded a two-well contract, plus three one-well options in Norway; Discoverer Inspiration Awarded a three-well contract, plus three one-well options in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico; Deepwater Asgard Awarded an estimated 200-day contract, plus four 74-day options in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico; Development Driller III Awarded a one-year contract in Trinidad; Dhirubhai Deepwater KG2 Awarded a 180-day contract, plus three one-well options in Myanmar; Leiv Eiriksson Awarded a one-well contract in Norway; Deepwater Invictus Customer exercised a one-year option in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico; Transocean Norge Customer exercised two one-well options in Norway; Deepwater Nautilus Customer exercised 180-day option in Malaysia; and Deepwater Asgard Customer exercised a 74-day option in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The report can be accessed on the companys website: www.deepwater.com . About Transocean Transocean is a leading international provider of offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells. The company specializes in technically demanding sectors of the global offshore drilling business with a particular focus on deepwater and harsh environment drilling services, and believes that it operates the highest specification floating offshore drilling fleet in the world. Transocean owns or has partial ownership interests in, and operates a fleet of 45 mobile offshore drilling units consisting of 28 ultra-deepwater floaters, 14 harsh environment floaters, and three midwater floaters. In addition, Transocean is constructing two ultra-deepwater drillships. Forward-Looking Statements The statements described in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements contain words such as "possible," "intend," "will," "if," "expect," or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations and assumptions, and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, actual results could differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, estimated duration of customer contracts, contract dayrate amounts, future contract commencement dates and locations, planned shipyard projects and other out-of-service time, sales of drilling units, timing of the companys newbuild deliveries, operating hazards and delays, risks associated with international operations, actions by customers and other third parties, the future prices of oil and gas, the intention to scrap certain drilling rigs, the success of our business following the acquisitions of Songa Offshore SE and Ocean Rig UDW Inc., and other factors, including those and other risks discussed in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, and in the company's other filings with the SEC, which are available free of charge on the SEC's website at: www.sec.gov . Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize (or the other consequences of such a development worsen), or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the company or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur, or which we become aware of, after the date hereof, except as otherwise may be required by law. All non-GAAP financial measure reconciliations to the most comparative GAAP measure are displayed in quantitative schedules on the companys website at: www.deepwater.com. This press release, or referenced documents, do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and do not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of Transocean and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of Transocean. Analyst Contacts: Bradley Alexander +1 713-232-7515 Lexington May +1 832-587-6515 Media Contact: Pam Easton +1 713-232-7647 The man known as the Starved Rock Killer, who was jailed in 1960 for life for beating to death three grandmothers and brutalizing their bodies in the Illinois state park, will be released from prison next week aged 80 after serving 60 years behind bars. Chester Weger was 22 when he was arrested for the deaths of Lillian Oetting, 50, Frances Murphy, 47 and Mildred Lindquist, 50. The women had gone on a winter vacation and were hiking in the Starved Rock State Park when they were attacked. Weger was a dishwasher at a nearby lodge at the time. Police connected twine that was found at the crime scene to the same type used at the lodge. Initially, he confessed, telling police he killed the women after robbing them. Chester Weger, 80, (shown in 2016) known as the Starved Rock Killer, who was accused of beating to death three women who were vacationing in an Illinois state park in March of 1960, is set to be released on Feb. 21 after serving nearly 60 years of a life sentence Frances Murphy, 47, from left, Mildred Lindquist, 50, Lillian Oetting, 50. All three were murdered at Starved Rock State Park near Utica while on a hike in 1960 Weger, pictured after the triple killings in 1960 He later recanted his confession, claiming it was coerced, and to this day maintains that he is innocent. He was convicted of Lilian's murder and sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors did not bother charging him with the other two women's deaths because he was already serving life for Lilian's murder. Weger would have been released sooner after he was granted parole in November, had been held over while he was being evaluated to ensure that he would not commit an act of sexual violence upon his release from prison. An evaluation ordered by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul under the state's Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act cleared Weger and he is now expected to be released on Feb. 21. Weger, who suffers from asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, had been the second-longest serving inmate within the Illinois state prisons, the Chicago Tribune reports. The body of a victim is carried out of St. Louis Canyon in Starved Rock in March 1960 The bodies of the three Riverside women were found in March 1960. Shaw Media Illinois reports the case confounded investigators until they determined that the cord used to bind the womens hands matched twine from a spool in the kitchen of the Starved Rock Lodge The brutalized bodies of the three victims were found in a cave at the state park after they went on a daytime hike. The case confounded investigators until they determined that the cord used to bind the women's hands matched twine from a spool in the kitchen of the Starved Rock Lodge. The 21-year-old Weger was a dishwasher at the lodge and had a juvenile record. Jurors convicted him on March 3, 1961, his 22nd birthday, but only in the Oetting case. The panel declined to sentence him to death, opting for life in prison. Granddaughters of the slain women have spoken out publicly against his release along with the LaSalle County state's attorney, reports the Tribune. However, his supporters insist he poses no threat to public safety. Guards at the Pinckneyville Correctional Center where he is serving his life sentence report Weger keeps to himself and doesn't cause trouble, said parole board officials. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board had voted 9-4 to approve Weger's 24th request for release in November. He had sought parole since 1972. A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Index of turnover in industry 2021, November Published: 14 February 2020 Turnover in manufacturing grew by 6.7 per cent in December According to Statistics Finland, working day adjusted turnover in manufacturing (TOL BCD) increased in December by 6.7 per cent year-on-year. Of the main industries, turnover grew most in the electronic and electrical industry, by 45.4 per cent, and in the metal industry, by 22.2 per cent. Seasonally adjusted turnover in manufacturing (TOL BCD) grew by 4.0 per cent compared with November. Annual change in working day adjusted turnover in manufacturing (BCD), % (TOL 2008) In December, turnover decreased most in mining and quarrying, by 13.8 per cent, and in the forest industry, by 12.1 per cent from one year before. Turnover in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply also decreased by 8.7 per cent from one year back. Annual change in working day adjusted turnover in manufacturing by industry, December 2019, % (TOL 2008) Export turnover grew in November in nearly all main industries Export turnover adjusted for working days grew in November most in the electronic and electrical industry, by 32.9 per cent year-on-year. Export turnover in the food industry grew by 11.8 per cent and in mining and quarrying by nearly as much, 11.0 per cent from one year before. Export turnover also increased in the metal industry, by 7.1 per cent and in the chemical industry, by 4.6 per cent. Export turnover decreased in November in two main industries. The export turnover of the forest industry, which has decreased for several months, declined most in November, by 11.8 per cent from the year before. Export turnover in the textiles, wearing apparel and leather industry was 8.3 per cent lower than one year ago. Annual change in working day adjusted export turnover and domestic turnover in manufacturing by industry, November 2019, % (TOL 2008) Domestic turnover decreased in November for most of the main industries. Domestic turnover declined most in the chemical industry, by 14.7 per cent, and in the electronic and electrical industry, by 10.7 per cent from the year before. Domestic turnover in the forest industry decreased by 6.4 per cent. Domestic turnover was growing in mining and quarrying, by 3.8 per cent, and in the food industry, by 2.8 per cent year-on-year. Trend series of turnover, export turnover and domestic turnover in manufacturing (BC), January 2007 to November-December 2019, % (TOL 2008) The index of turnover in industry describes enterprises whose main industry is manufacturing. The calculation of the indices is based on the Tax Administrations self-assessed tax data which are supplemented with data obtained with Statistics Finlands sales inquiry. The monthly turnovers of manufacturing enterprises can vary considerably, especially in the metal industries. The variation is mainly due to invoicing practices. The final invoice for major machinery deliveries and projects may be recorded in the sales of one month, even if the delivery had required the work of several months or years. 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. In terms of turnover, data for the latest month are preliminary and are released at a delay of around six weeks. The data may become significantly revised particularly on more detailed industry levels in coming months. Export turnover and domestic turnover are, for the time being, still released at a delay of two and a half months. Industries of enterprises have been revised in the data released in February Starting from this statistical release 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: Index of turnover in industry 2019, December, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Maija Sappinen 029 551 3348, Heli Suonio 029 551 2481, myynti.teollisuus@stat.fi Director in charge: Mari Yla-Jarkko Publication in pdf-format (339.3 kB) Updated 14.2.2020 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Index of turnover in industry [e-publication]. ISSN=1798-596X. December 2019. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 11.1.2022]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/tlv/2019/12/tlv_2019_12_2020-02-14_tie_001_en.html BOISE Property tax collections would freeze for one year under a bill approved Thursday by the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. The decision followed three days of strong opposition from local government officials who said the bill would limit their ability to provide services. Rep. Mike Moyle, R-Star, said a freeze on property taxes is needed to give homeowners relief after years of increased taxes driven by Idahos rapid growth. Many local governments don't have out of control taxes, but some are on unnecessary spending sprees and need to be reigned in, Moyle said. There is the ability for us sometimes to fall into this trap of believing that local governments cant tighten their budgets just a little bit, Moyle said. Its disingenuous for us to say what about government, and I want to say what about the widowed lady, what about the young family. We need to look at them too. The bill would apply to all non-school local taxing districts, including cities and counties. If passed, the bill would prevent districts from raising the property tax portion of their budget by the currently allowed 3%, plus annexations and new construction. They could, however, still raise property taxes with supermajority approval on a bond. Other portions of budgets would not be affected. A freeze would allow an interim committee to study the issue and force local governments to find a compromise, Moyle said. Theres a path forward if we choose to work together but right now there is no hammer, there is no incentive to force them to come work with us because they think theyre going to drag the clock out, he said. They think that they can sit back convince you that we should do nothing, and give them one more year to pray about it, and nothing is going to happen. The committee took testimony for three days, mostly from local government officials from all parts of Idaho who opposed the bill. They said it wont freeze rising expenses and will leave local governments without a way to pay for the services the state obligates them to provide. Twin Falls County Assessor Brad Wills said the bill wont stop growth, but it would inhibit the countys ability to pay for the infrastructure required by growth. Taxes would still go up for homeowners under a freeze because the market value for residential property is still growing, Wills said. And since the residential market is growing faster than other sectors, the property tax burden would further shift to residential property owners and away from commercial and agricultural property. Were not freezing property taxes, Wills said. Were freezing budgets. The bill would affect rural counties, too, Lincoln County Commissioner Roy Hubert told the committee. We do need to have some of these funds in order for us to survive, Hubert said. Camas County Commissioner Marshall Ralph said the county doesnt have huge infrastructure demands related to growth, but a property tax freeze would still strain their budget. Were driven to do the things we do we cant stop plowing roads, we cant stop transporting sick and injured people and burying dead people if it comes to that, Ralph told the Times-News on Tuesday. The world isnt going to burn down, but our strategic ability to retain employees might be affected. The blame for rising taxes is misplaced and local governments arent the ones causing the problem, he said. Some of those counties like Canyon and Ada are in a terrible problem because the invisible hand of the marketplace is making a rude gesture at them, he said. Unfortunately this is the result of the free market in real estate, and as free markets do, it can just run people over. This is a pretty brutal solution to an exquisitely difficult problem, Ralph said. The committee ultimately approved the bill 13-3 on a party-line vote, with Democrats voting in opposition. Rep. Lauren Necochea, D-Boise, called the bill reckless. This bill is a sledgehammer approach on a complex issue, Necochea said. My hope is that then we can start to have serious conversations about property tax reforms that will actually reduce these property taxes. Rep. Jim Furniss, R-Rigby, said the issue was created by the Treasure Valley and larger districts that arent spending responsibly. You pushed the growth of your counties and your cities onto the taxpayers backs, Furniss said. This is your problem. Moyle said the bill is necessary to find a solution and local governments need to stop crying and whining. Im not trying to hurt or destroy local government, he said. Im trying to say, lets take a breather. Live on what you had last year while we try to figure out a path forward. Chairman Gary Collins, R-Nampa, thanked committee members following the vote. Its been a hard last couple of days, Collins said. I honestly believe the discussion is just beginning. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir administration on the plea of Conference leader Omar Abdullah's sister challenging his detention under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978. A Bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra asked Jammu and Kashmir administration to file a reply by March 2. The apex court inquired whether any similar plea filed by any person is pending before the High Court. On this, senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who is appearing for Omar's sister Sara Abdullah Pilot, said "no". Later, while speaking to media reporters, Sara said she has full faith in the judiciary. "We were hopeful that, as this is a habeas corpus case, that the relief would be sooner. But we have full faith in the justice system. We are here because we want that all Kashmiris should have the same rights as all citizens of India and we are waiting for that day," she said. In her plea, Sara, wife of Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, said the order of detention is manifestly illegal and there is no question of him 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."The intent of exercise of power was to incarcerate not just him (Omar Abdullah) but the entire leadership of the 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," the petition stated.The plea added that the grounds for the detention order are wholly lacking any material facts or particulars which are imperative for an order of detention.The Jammu and Kashmir administration on February 5 had invoked the stringent PSA against former Chief Minister Abdullah and People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti.Both the former Chief Ministers were detained after the government abrogated Article 370 last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 12:15 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206480aee 1 World Indonesia,ASEAN,mikta,diplomacy,multilateralism,geopolitics,cooperation Free Indonesia has used a meeting of loosely associated and like-minded countries in Mexico City to promote the ASEAN vision of an inclusive Indo-Pacific region, underlining the importance of dialogue to foster cooperation instead of competition, the Foreign Ministry has said. Leading an Indonesian delegation at a meeting of the Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia (MIKTA) grouping on Monday and Tuesday, the ministrys multilateral affairs director general, Febrian Ruddyard, said ASEAN was committed to making the Indo-Pacific a theater of cooperation and not [...] competition and rivalry. The Indo-Pacific is a recently popularized term for the region straddling the Indian and Pacific oceans, replacing the previously preferred Asia-Pacific concept as part of a shift in strategic interests, which some experts argue aims to take the focus away from Chinas meteoric rise. All MIKTA countries have a strong interest in opening access to the Indo-Pacific region, as major powers compete for influence in an area with some of the worlds busiest trade routes. The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific reinforces ASEAN's position in its role of maintaining peace, security, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region through dialogue and building mutual trust that was agreed upon at the 2019 ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Febrian said in a press statement received on Thursday. Representatives of MIKTA countries acknowledged in the statement Indonesias leadership in pushing the Indo-Pacific order towards a strengthening of regional cooperation. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the members of MIKTA are among the worlds 20 largest economies and altogether, they account for a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of more than US$6.1 trillion, or about 7 percent of the world's total GDP in 2019. Formed in 2013 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, MIKTA is an informal consultation forum that groups the five middle-power countries led by their top diplomats. The idea to establish MIKTA was first discussed during an informal meeting of the Group of 20 (G20) foreign ministers in Los Cabos, Mexico, in 2012. Members take turns coordinating the groups activities every year, with the foreign ministers meeting annually on the margins of the UNGA. Mexico ended its 2019 coordinatorship and handed its responsibilities over to South Korea, which looks to focus on the issues of multilateralism, sustainable development goals and peace and security, as well as establishing a formal network among MIKTA countries. (dis) Topics : Indonesia ASEAN mikta diplomacy multilateralism geopolitics cooperation YSR Congress Party MLA Alla Ramakrishan Reddy on Friday accused TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu of illegally benefiting from the taxpayers' money during his term as the Chief Minister of the state. "After six-days of the raid, a press note was released by CBDT which informed about the illegal transaction worth Rs 2000 crore. And we believe Naidu illegally benefited from Andhra's taxpayers' money," Ramakrishan Reddy told ANI. "Before YSR Congress came to power in Andhra Pradesh, we were talking about the corrupt practices of TDP and that of Chandrababu Naidu," he added. YSRCP MLA also demanded a non-partisan investigation by the central government This comes at the backdrop of IT raid on former Chief Minster's Personal Assistant for a graft case. Meanwhile, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader K Atchen Naidu slammed YSRCP for trying to link the Income Tax (IT) raids with TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu. "IT raids are conducted on infrastructure companies all over the state. Linking them to TDP alone is inappropriate. These IT raids are being used to sling mud on Chandrababu Naidu... YSRCP govt is intentionally acting in a vengeful manner. Whereas Rs 85 Lakhs are caught, YSRCP is smear campaigning that thousands of crores are caught," a press release by TDP quoted Atchen Naidu. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Every name on the BrandBucket marketplace is exclusively listed with BrandBucket. That means that all of our sellers are very responsive, making for quick domain transfers. A dedicated BrandBucket agent will manage your domain transfer from beginning to end, ensuring a secure and easy transaction. They will manage the receipt of the domain into one of BrandBuckets secure registrar accounts and then complete the transfer to you. 1. Verification and registrar choice After we receive the payment and verify it, we will reach out via email to confirm which registrar you want the domain transferred to. We also provide a link to our tracking system, where you can communicate with us, check on the status of your transfer, view your invoice, and download your logo files. In most cases, if a domain is moved between accounts at a single registrar, the transfer is quick and usually completes within 48 hours. If a domain changes registrars (in other words, you would like to move it away from where it is currently registered), the transfer is slower. The total transfer time can then be anywhere from 48 hours to 7 days. BrandBucket has vetted and supports the following registrars: GoDaddy Namesilo Uniregistry NameCheap Google Domains Network Solutions Name.com Dynadot Amazon Route 53 123 Reg Gandi 2. We request the name from the seller. Once we know where you would like the domain transferred, BrandBucket will request the domain from the seller. All of our sellers are very responsive, making for a quick process. 3. Transfer the name into your account As soon as we receive the name from the seller, we start the transfer into your account and guide you through the whole process. 4. Verify with the buyer that the transfer is complete Once we confirm that you have received the name, we consider the escrow process to be complete. Only then do we release payment to the domain seller. A storyline with emotionally evocative details may reduce feelings of nausea, disorientation, and eye strain associated with virtual reality (VR) in some people, according to a study. Researchers from the University of Waterloo in Canada found that storylines that provide context and details can help users feel immersed in VR experiences, and reduce cybersickness. "We found that people who had little to no experience playing video games had reduced cybersickness if they received this enhanced narrative, but regular video gamers did not need it because they were not predisposed to feeling symptoms," said Seamas Weech, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Waterloo. "What that tells us is that the actual design of the VR simulation's storyline itself can reduce the negative impact some people experience with VR technology," Weech said. The study, published in the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, recruited 42 participants from the university, then 156 at a new media technology exhibition in Ontario, Canada, and had them experience virtual reality. Before entering the simulation, the participants listened to a story about what they were about to experience. Half of participants were given bare-bones details, and the other half were given an enhanced narrative, which included emotionally evocative details. All participants who heard the enhanced story reported significantly more "presence" in VR -- the feeling of being there -- but only the non-gamers experienced reduced cybersickness. "People with little gaming experience are highly sensitive to conflicts between VR technology and the information they are taking in," said Michael Barnett-Cowan, a professor at the University of Waterloo. "Enriched narratives seem to enhance presence and reduce cybersickness due to the decreased focus on problems with the multiple inputs to their senses," Barnett-Cowan said. The researchers saw the benefits of enriched narratives across a sample of people from 8 to 60 years of age. "This brings us closer to an inclusive way to enhance experiences in virtual reality through game design," said Sophie Kenny, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Waterloo. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There is palpable tension as all is set for the burial today of Eze Israel Kanu and his wife, Sally, the parents of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. The burial will hold in Isiama Afaraukwu in the Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State. The Punch observed on Thursday that there was heavy presence of policemen at the commands headquarters ready for action during the burial. Earlier in the day, the Commissioner of Police in Abia State, Mr Ene Okon, ordered the removal of Close Circuit Television installed by unknown persons around Isiama Afaraukwu Umuahia ahead of the burial of Eze Israel Kanu and his wife Sally. He said while individuals had the right to install CCTV in their homes, nobody had the right to install one on public properties on the street because of its security implications. Okon spoke during a final meeting with the elders of the three communities that made up Afaraukwu on Thursday at the commands headquarters in Umuahia. The meeting was meant to avert crisis. He said the command had made plans to police the burial venue and would implement it to the latter. He maintained that the state police command was ready to provide security during the burial of the monarch and his wife, adding that he had no plans to scuttle the burial. He said, I invited the elders of the Afaraukwu communities to tell you how prepared we are for the burial of the deceased monarch and his wife. Im sure that the community selected February 14 as the burial date for the King and his queen to indicate the love they have for each other and I commend you for that. I want to assure that we are prepared to provide security during the burial of the monarch and beyond; but the police would not fold its arms and watch any group truncate the peace of Afaraukwu and Abia State in the name of IPOB, which is a proscribed organisation. The CP urged the elders to warn the Leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, to desist from playing propaganda with his parents burial. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates The police have declared a three-day curfew in Bayelsa as violence erupted in Yenagoa following the political development in the oil-rich state. The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, David Lyon, who won the November 2019 governorship election in the state, was sacked Thursday by the Supreme Court because his running mate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, presented false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the election. The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Douye Diri, who scored the second highest votes in the election, was on Friday sworn in as the governor of Bayelsa. Violent protests, apparently led by aggrieved APC supporters, erupted in the state capital, Yenagoa, and other parts of Bayelsa. The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa, Uche Anozia, told journalists that a three-day curfew has been declared in the state from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to forestall the breakdown of order. The curfew which begins today would last till Sunday. The police commissioner said eight persons have so far been arrested in connection with the protest. Some buildings, including PDP secretariat in Yenagoa, was touched by the protesters. A radio station belonging to the Bayelsa state government was said to have been vandalised and looted by protesters. The PDP has accused the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, of instigating the violence in Bayelsa, apparently because of the comment he made that INEC should not issue Certificate of Return to Mr Diri whom he wrongly said did not meet the constitutional requirements to become governor. The PDP therefore charges the people of Bayelsa, the security agencies and Nigerians at large, to hold Oshiomhole responsible and accountable for the violence in Bayelsa state and deal with him accordingly in line with the provisions of our laws. The PDP calls on the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, to immediately pull in the factional National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, for questioning and prosecution for incitement, the PDP spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, said in a statement Friday evening. Suspended ruling Congress legislator N Dhanavelou on Friday sought more time to reply to the notice issued to him by Puducherry assembly Speaker V P Sivakolundhu on why no action should be taken against the former under the anti-defection law. Dhanavelou, in a letter presented to the Speaker, sought two more weeks' time to submit his reply to the notice issued to him on February 8. The suspended MLA was earlier given a week's time to give his reply. Accompanied by his lawyers, the legislator met the Speaker and submitted the letter to him. Official sources said the Speaker told him that he would peruse the legislator's letter and take a decision. Dhanavelou was suspended by the PCC on January 15 for his alleged anti-party and anti-government activities by holding a rally in his constituency of Bahoor in the first week of January and also levelling allegations against the Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and other ministers through a petition to the Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi. A delegation of Congress legislators, headed by government whip R K R Anandaraman, had presented a petition to the Speaker on January 30. The petition sought disqualification of Dhanavelou as member of the House as he had indulged in "anti-government activities" by meeting Lieutenant Governor and seeking a probe into alleged corrupt practices of Chief Minister and his relatives and also of other Ministers. The Speaker issued a notice to Dhanavelou in the wake of the petition for his disqualification and gave him time to show cause as to why action should not be taken against him. However, Dhanavelou attended the one-day special session of the Assembly on February 12. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The stream of schoolyard taunts and thinly veiled threats showed how the third impeachment in American history has done little to rein in a president who has spent the week since his Senate acquittal pursuing vendettas against perceived enemies. Attorney General William P. Barr added to the sense of drama by publicly criticizing the presidents attacks on the Justice Department, saying Trumps comments made it hard for him to do his job. ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In a substantial defeat for a major developer in the $10 billion timeshare industry, a Florida district judge has ruled that timeshare developer Westgate Resorts failed to show that advertisements from Reed Hein & Associates (doing business as Timeshare Exit Team) caused the damages to consumers that developers had claimed, and dismissed both federal and Florida State claims related to false advertising and unfair business practices. On February 11, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Presnell entered an order dismissing Westgate's claims of false advertising under the federal Lanham Act and Florida State law claim for deceptive and unfair trade practices. The judge said that Westgate could not prove its accusations and that consumers are not harmed by Timeshare Exit Team. The Judge then granted Reed Hein's request for "Summary Judgment" on those claims, which the company feels is a significant win and a clear sign that Westgate doesn't have the facts to back up its allegations. This ruling comes on the heels of Timeshare Exit Team successfully negotiating a path out of timeshare contracts for over 1,000 customers of Orange Lake Country Club in Orlando. These frustrated Orange Lake customers had reached out to Timeshare Exit Team for assistance, often after other companies, including so-called "resale" companies, had failed to deliver on promises. Just before trial, Federal Judge Wendy W. Berger issued an order advising Orange Lake that she had "serious doubts about Plaintiffs' ability to prove causation and damages" at trial, and tossed the developer's federal Lanham Act claims for false advertising/unfair business practices. So to avoid what was shaping up to be an embarrassing public loss, Orange Lake decide to settle on the eve of trial. "While fed-up consumers continue to pay the price with absurd maintenance fees and contracts designed to keep them trapped, major timeshare developers like Westgate are trying to fool the public by lobbing these frivolous complaints intended to distract," said Brandon Reed, CEO of Timeshare Exit Team and a founding member of the Coalition to Reform Timeshare. "But between this judge's decision and Orange Lake's recent decision to settle, it should be clear to everyone what has been clear to us all along: these accusations are totally unwarranted, and with each win we're going to come back even stronger so timeshare owners can get the help they so desperately need. Timeshare companies should turn their focus and resources on doing good for their customers by helping owners out of their timeshares when necessary, because no one should be stuck in a timeshare forever." Timeshare Exit Team, the leading timeshare exit company in the U.S., has successfully assisted more than 20,000 people get out of their timeshares since its founding in 2012, despite intense pushback from the industry. About Timeshare Exit Team Timeshare Exit Team is the industry leader in helping people exit their unwanted timeshares. Understanding this hardship, Timeshare Exit Team started in 2012 with one goal in mind: help consumers find financial and emotional freedom from their timeshare situation. To date, it has helped more than 20,000 timeshare owners exit their timeshare contracts. For more information, visit the company online at https://timeshareexitteam.com. SOURCE Timeshare Exit Team Heavy snow will make for hazardous driving conditions Saturday across the Cascade passes. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the Cascades and in the communities of Government Camp, Detroit and Oakridge. The watch is in effect from Saturday morning through early Sunday. Forecasters expect snow accumulations of 12-18 inches are possible. Winds will be strong with gusts up to 35 mph at times. Its a reminder that winter is still in full force. Travelers should be ready for difficult driving conditions. Traction devices will be required. Crashes or slow moving traffic could delay travel. Make sure to leave with a full tank of fuel, or a full charge before heading over the passes. Emergency kids should include extra food and water, gloves, dry clothing, blankets, cell phone chargers and flares. *** GATEWAY 8:40 a.m.: Crash on Northeast 104th Avenue at Glisan Street. *** DOWNTOWN 8:15 a.m.: Crash on I-405 southbound near the I-5 split has a lane blocked. Expect slowing. Update 8:50 a.m.: Cleared. *** BEAVERTON 7:53 a.m.: Crash involving a semi on U.S. 26 eastbound just prior to the exit to OR 217 southbound. Right lane is blocked. Update 8:04 a.m.: Cleared. #pdxtraffic Crash involving a semi on U.S. 26 EB just prior to the OR 217 SB exit. Right lane blocked. pic.twitter.com/7eXEc5aEjQ PDX Traffic Alerts (@TrafficPortland) February 14, 2020 *** SYLVAN 7:40 a.m.: Crash on U.S. 26 eastbound is blocking the right lane at the Sylvan onramp. Update 8 a.m.: Cleared. *** HELVETIA 7:25 a.m.: Crash reported at the intersection of Northwest Phillips and Dick roads. *** DOWNTOWN 6:53 a.m.: Crash on I-5 southbound at the exit to Southeast McLoughlin blocks the left lane of the exit ramp. Update 7:13 a.m.: Moved to shoulder. *** The City of Tigard has installed red light photo enforcement cameras at three intersections this year. Photo courtesy of the City of Tigard Tigard Police are now issuing $265 tickets for red light running at OR 99W and Hall Boulevard. Tigard has installed three new red light cameras at various intersection in the city. Two cameras are currently active. The camera at Southwest Hall Boulevard was the first installed. Another camera was activated late in January at OR 99W and Southwest 72nd Avenue near Fred Meyer. When cameras are installed, the city offers a 30-day warning period before tickets are sent to drivers. The 30-day period for the Hall camera ended Monday. Photo traffic enforcement take high-resolution photos and videos of infractions that then are reviewed by police. Once a violation is confirmed, the ticket is mailed to the motorist. The ticket includes a photo and a link to the video. The fine amount is set by the State of Oregon. Tigard police note that the equipment at these intersections has the capability to monitor speeding violations. This option is being considered. For more details log onto www.tigard-or.gov/police Check back throughout the morning for the latest commuting updates and follow us on Twitter: @trafficportland NASA astronaut Christina Koch is helped out of the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft just minutes after she, Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov, and ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, landed their Soyuz MS-13 capsule in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. Koch returned to Earth after logging 328 days in space --- the longest spaceflight in history by a woman --- as a member of Expeditions 59-60-61 on the International Space Station. Skvortsov and Parmitano returned after 201 days in space where they served as Expedition 60-61 crew members onboard the station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Astronaut Christina Koch made the return trip from the International Space Station (ISS) early on Thursday, along with ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov. The three boarded a Soyuz capsule docked at the ISS at around 12:50 AM EST, and had a safe landing as planned at around 4:12 AM EST (3:12 PM local time) in Kazakhstan. Koch's trip was significant because it set a record, officially making her the U.S. astronaut with the second-longest stay in space with 328 consecutive days at the Station. She's second only to Scott Kelley, who spent 340 days in space, and she's officially the woman with the longest stay in space worldwide, passing fellow U.S. astronaut Peggy Whitson's record of 289 days. As NASA notes, Koch's tour included 5,248 orbits of the Earth, with a total distance traversed of 139 million miles in terms of how far the Space Station traveled during its orbit while she was on board. Koch also spent quite a bit of time outside the station, completing six spacewalks, including the record-setting first ever spacewalk involving all women with fellow astronaut Jessica Meir and two more all-women spacewalks after that. Koch and her fellow returning space travellers all appeared to be in good shape upon landing, but will get the standard medical checks common for all returning astronauts before returning home. And Koch's science mission isn't done now that she's back. She's participating in NASA research about long-duration spaceflight that will pave the way for trips further out into the solar system, including the Moon and Mars under the agency's Artemis program. What will I miss? The exquisite beauty of both the planet Earth and this marvel that its amazing people created. pic.twitter.com/VWIFXuJMTp Christina H Koch (@Astro_Christina) February 5, 2020 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js A Malian police officer captured by jihadists escaped and trekked 80 kilometres (50 miles) to freedom, officials said. Al-Qaeda-linked militants attacked a camp in Sokolo, central Mali, on January 26, killing 20 gendarmes and wounding five more. The Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM) claimed responsibility and said it had also captured three gendarmes, members of a police force under military control. But one captive managed to slip away and walked 80 km south through arid terrain before reaching the town of Niono, a local gendarme said on Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity. The individual was identified as a non-commissioned officer but his name was not given. A military medical officer, who also requested anonymity, said the gendarme followed a tributary of the Niger River and used bushes for cover during his escape. Once reaching Niono, the gendarme was transferred to the town of Segou for medical treatment. "He's holding up well," the medical officer said on Thursday. The circumstances of his escape and the timeline of his exploit are unclear. Mali has been struggling to contain an Islamist insurgency that erupted in the north in 2012 and has claimed thousands of military and civilian lives since. Despite the presence of foreign troops, the conflict has since spread to the centre of the country, as well as neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. (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) -- 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 Generated $124 million Net Revenue, up from $76 million in Q2 2020 Excluding portfolio restructuring charges in Q2 2020, Net Revenue up 13% Achieved Gross Margin of 34% Total Operating Expenses down 14% versus the prior quarter Adjusted EBITDA loss decreases to $92 million SMITHS FALLS, Ontario, Feb. 14, 2020 /CNW/ - Canopy Growth Corporation ("Canopy Growth" or the "Company") (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019. All financial information in this press release is reported in millions of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 Financial Summary Gross revenue1 Net revenue Gross margin2 Adjusted EBITDA3 Free cash flow4 Reported $135.6 $123.8 34% $(91.7) $(359.6) % change vs. Q2 2020 15% 62% NM 41% 16% % change vs. Q3 2019 39% 49% 800 bps -23% -20% 1 Excludes the impact of other revenue adjustments in Q2 2020, which represent the Company's determination of returns and pricing adjustments. 2 Gross margin is before fair value impacts in cost of sale, and is a non-IFRS measure. See "Non-IFRS Measures" below. 3 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure. See "Non-IFRS Measures" below. 4 Free cash flow is defined as operating cash flow less capital expenditures, and is a non-IFRS measure. See "Non-IFRS Measures" below. Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 Corporate Financial Highlights Revenues : Reported Net Revenues increased 62% over Q2 2020, or 13% excluding the impact of portfolio restructuring charges. Gross Recreational B2B revenue increased 8% over prior quarter due, in part, to over 140 stores becoming active in the quarter and higher sales of premium dried flower and pre-roll joints. Our acquired businesses including Storz & Bickel and This Works also performed well, contributing to organic growth this quarter. : Reported Net Revenues increased 62% over Q2 2020, or 13% excluding the impact of portfolio restructuring charges. Gross Recreational B2B revenue increased 8% over prior quarter due, in part, to over 140 stores becoming active in the quarter and higher sales of premium dried flower and pre-roll joints. Our acquired businesses including Storz & Bickel and This Works also performed well, contributing to organic growth this quarter. Gross margin : Gross margin before fair value impacts was 34%. Gross margin performance in quarter benefited from lower period costs due to higher facility utilization : Gross margin before fair value impacts was 34%. Gross margin performance in quarter benefited from lower period costs due to higher facility utilization Operating expenses : Total operating expenses decreased 14% versus Q2 2020 primarily due to a $20 million reduction in G&A expenses and over $31 million lower stock-based compensation versus the prior quarter : Total operating expenses decreased 14% versus Q2 2020 primarily due to a reduction in G&A expenses and over lower stock-based compensation versus the prior quarter Adjusted EBITDA : Adjusted EBITDA loss of $92 million , a $64 million narrower loss versus Q2 2020 driven by higher sales, improved gross margins and lower operating expenses : Adjusted EBITDA loss of , a narrower loss versus Q2 2020 driven by higher sales, improved gross margins and lower operating expenses Cash Position: Gross cash balance was $2.3 billion , down from $2.7 billion in Q2 2020, reflecting the EBITDA loss, capital investments and M&A Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 Business & Operational Highlights Maintained leading market share in retail, at an estimated 22%, of the Canadian recreation market as we saw a strong demand for both premium and value priced dried flower and pre-rolled joints Continued market share gains and increase in the number of patients, to over 76,700, in the Canadian medical cannabis market Named David Klein as new Chief Executive Officer as new Chief Executive Officer Completed first shipments of cannabis-infused edible chocolates and JUJU Power 510 batteries in December 2019 Storz & Bickel expanded product line with launch of Crafty+ vaporizer in November 2019 Announced initial line of First & Free Hemp-derived CBD products and began sales online through www.firstandfree.com, one quarter ahead of Q4 2020 target "In Q3 we executed across Canada, in our international markets and in our strategic acquisitions to drive revenue growth," said David Klein, CEO. "We have a lot of work to do. We are eager to capitalize on the opportunity to create an unassailable position through a tight focus on the consumer and on critical markets." "We delivered significant gross improvement in the third quarter driven by stronger revenues and higher capacity utilization. Actions taken earlier this year are expected to meaningfully reduce stock-based compensation in FY21, and we have started to implement tighter cost controls across the organization," said Mike Lee, EVP & CFO. "We plan to take further steps to reduce our costs and right-size our business to ensure that we can generate a healthy margin profile and cash generation in the coming years." Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 Financial and Operational Review Q3 2020 Q2 2020 % Change Q3 2019 % Change Canadian recreational cannabis - Business to business1 $53.5 $49.4 8% $60.1 -11% - Business to consumer $15.2 $13.1 16% $11.5 32% Canadian medical cannabis $14.8 $14.1 5% $15.9 -7% Canadian cannabis $83.5 $76.6 9% $87.5 -5% International medical cannabis $18.7 $18.1 3% $2.7 593% Cannabis gross revenue excluding other revenue adjustments $102.2 $94.7 8% $90.2 13% Other revenue $33.4 $23.6 42% $7.5 345% Gross revenue excluding other revenue adjustments $135.6 $118.3 15% $97.7 39% Other revenue adjustments2 $- $32.7 -100% $- NM Excise taxes3 $11.8 $9.0 31% $14.7 -20% Net revenue $123.8 $76.6 62% $83.0 49% 1 Excludes the impact of other revenue adjustments. 2 Other revenue adjustments represent the Company's determination of returns and pricing adjustments. 3 Excise taxes is presented net of the impact from other revenue adjustments. Canadian Cannabis Recreational B2B sales increased 8% over Q2 2020, due to over 140 stores becoming active in the quarter and higher sales of premium dried flower and pre-roll joints Recreational B2C sales increased 16% over prior quarter, due in part to an 11% increase in same store sales Medical sales increased 5% over the prior quarter primarily attributable to the broadening of our brand and product offerings, including the availability of products from additional CraftGrow partners, as well as an increase in number of customers to over 76,700. International Cannabis C3 revenue increased 5% over Q2 2020 Germany cannabis sales higher than expected due to opportunistic sales into the German market to fill a supply gap that resulted from a regulatory enforced sales halt of cannabis products offered by another vendor Strategic Acquisitions Storz & Bickel vaporizer revenue increased 46% over Q2 2020 due to solid organic growth and seasonal sales This Works revenue increased 42% over prior quarter due to strong organic growth Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 Cannabis Product Revenue Highlights Q3 2020 Q2 2020 % Change Q3 2019 % Change Canadian recreational - Business to business Dry cannabis $55.8 $47.4 18% $39.3 42% Cannabis oil and softgels excluding other revenue adjustments $3.0 $2.0 50% $20.8 -86% Other revenue adjustments1 $(5.3) $(32.7) -84% $- NM $53.5 $16.7 220% $60.1 -11% Canadian recreational - Business to consumer Dry cannabis $13.5 $11.6 16% $10.9 24% Cannabis oil and softgels $1.7 $1.5 13% $0.6 183% $15.2 $13.1 16% $11.5 32% Canadian medical Dry cannabis $5.3 $5.5 -4% $8.1 -35% Cannabis oil and softgels $9.5 $8.6 10% $7.8 22% $14.8 $14.1 5% $15.9 -7% International medical Dry cannabis $3.9 $4.1 -5% $2.7 44% Cannabis oil and softgels $14.8 $14.0 6% $- NM $18.7 $18.1 3% $2.7 593% 1 Other revenue adjustments represent the Company's determination of returns and pricing adjustments. Third Quarter Fiscal 2020 Adjusted EBITDA Q3 2020 Q2 2020 % Change Q3 2019 % Change Adjusted EBITDA1 $(91.7) $(155.7) 41% $(74.8) -23% Attributed as follows: - Operations and corporate overhead $(44.4) $(109.0) 59% $(52.8) 16% - Strategic investments and business development $(39.1) $(36.2) -8% $(8.9) -339% - Non-operating or under-utilized facilities $(8.2) $(10.5) 22% $(13.1) 37% 1 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure. See "Non-IFRS Measures" below. Non-IFRS Measures Gross margin percentage, before fair value impacts in cost of sales, a non-IFRS measure, is a key operational metric that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. This measure is calculated as net revenue less inventory production costs expensed to cost of sales, divided by net revenue, and may be computed from the consolidated statements of operations presented within this news release. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-IFRS measure, is a key operational metric that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, fair value changes and other non-cash items, and further adjusted to remove acquisition-related costs. The Company attributes Adjusted EBITDA to its operations and corporate overhead, strategic investments and business developments, and non-operating or under-utilized facilities. The Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation is presented within this news release and explained in Management's Discussion & Analysis under "Adjusted EBITDA (Non-IFRS Measure)", a copy of which will be filed on SEDAR. Free Cash Flow, a non-IFRS measure, is a key operational metric that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. This measure is calculated as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less purchases and deposits of property, plant and equipment. Transition to U.S. GAAP Reporting As part of our U.S. financial reporting requirements, Canopy Growth confirmed that, as of September 30, 2019, it no longer met the criteria for qualification as a foreign private issuer because (1) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are held by residents of the United States, and (2) the majority of Canopy Growth's directors are United States citizens. Therefore, as of April 1, 2020 Canopy Growth will be considered a United States domestic issuer and a large accelerated filer. As a result of this change, as of April 1, 2020, Canopy Growth will be required to prepare its consolidated financial statements, including the Company's March 31, 2020 audited annual consolidated financial statements, in conformity with United States generally accounting principles, with such change being applied retrospectively. The extent of the impact of this change in accounting framework has not yet been quantified. Canopy Growth will also be required to provide an auditor attestation report under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. This press release is intended to be read in conjunction with the Company's Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements ("Financial Statements) and Management Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A) for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2019, which will be filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and will be available at www.canopygrowth.com. The basis of financial reporting in the Financial Statements and MD&A is in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Webcast and Conference Call Information The Company will host a conference call and audio webcast with David Klein, CEO and Mike Lee, CFO at 10:00 AM Eastern Time on February 14, 2020. Webcast Information A live audio webcast will be available at: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2171215/8311836AC24F7988B042B4BB0FA5622A Replay Information A replay of the call will be accessible by webcast, until 11:59 PM ET on May 14, 2020, at https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2171215/8311836AC24F7988B042B4BB0FA5622A About Canopy Growth Corporation Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED, NYSE:CGC) is a world-leading diversified cannabis, hemp and cannabis device company, offering distinct brands and curated cannabis varieties in dried, oil and Softgel capsule forms, as well as medical devices through the Company's subsidiary, Storz & Bickel GMbH & Co. KG. From product and process innovation to market execution, Canopy Growth is driven by a passion for leadership and a commitment to building a world-class cannabis company one product, site and country at a time. The Company has operations in over a dozen countries across five continents. The Company's medical division, Spectrum Therapeutics is proudly dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners, conducting robust clinical research, and furthering the public's understanding of cannabis, and has devoted millions of dollars toward cutting edge, commercializable research and IP development. Spectrum Therapeutics sells a range of full-spectrum products using its colour-coded classification Spectrum system as well as single cannabinoid Dronabinol under the brand Bionorica Ethics. The Company operates retail stores across Canada under its award-winning Tweed and Tokyo Smoke banners. Tweed is a globally recognized cannabis brand which has built a large and loyal following by focusing on quality products and meaningful customer relationships. From our historic public listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange to our continued international expansion, pride in advancing shareholder value through leadership is engrained in all we do at Canopy Growth. Canopy Growth has established partnerships with leading sector names including cannabis icons Snoop Dogg and Seth Rogen, breeding legends DNA Genetics and Green House Seeds, and Fortune 500 alcohol leader Constellation Brands, to name but a few. Canopy Growth operates eleven licensed cannabis production sites with over 5.2 million square feet of production capacity, including over one million square feet of GMP certified production space. For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "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" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Canopy Growth or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. Examples of such statements include statements with respect to the Company's expectations with respect to future harvests, the Company's expectation for additional finished inventory available for sale in future quarters, bringing CBD products to market by the end of fiscal 2020, the accelerated market expansion for Acreage, the anticipated benefits of the rebranding of Spectrum Therapeutics on the Company's market share, the potential opportunity for cannabis products in Europe and the anticipated Increase in Canadian and Danish product availability, the anticipated increased sales from Storz & Bickel, the expectation that facilities will be fully operational in the months ahead, the launch of new CBD consumer products and brands in fiscal 2020, the timing for implementation of the transaction with Acreage. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including changes in laws, regulations and guidelines; compliance with laws; international laws; operational, regulatory and other risks; execution of business strategy; management of growth; difficulty to forecast; reliance on licences; risks inherent in an agricultural business; contracts with provincial and territorial governments; constraints on marketing products; risks inherent in acquisitions and investments; expansion into foreign jurisdictions; governmental regulations; cannabis is a controlled substance in the United States; Farm Bill risks; assumptions as to the ability of the parties to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms, the necessary regulatory and court approvals for the transaction with Acreage; and such risks contained in the Company's management information circular of the Company dated May 17, 2019 and in the annual information form dated June 24, 2019 and filed with Canadian securities regulators and available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information and 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 information or forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws. CANOPY GROWTH CORPORATION CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION UNAUDITED December 31, March 31, (Expressed in CDN $000's) 2019 2019 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,561,664 $ 2,480,830 Marketable securities 705,921 2,034,133 Amounts receivable 108,822 106,974 Biological assets 59,107 78,975 Inventory 622,575 262,105 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 114,637 107,123 3,172,726 5,070,140 Investments in equity method investees 123,077 112,385 Other financial assets 351,952 363,427 Property, plant and equipment 1,725,333 1,096,340 Intangible assets 567,185 519,556 Goodwill 2,068,696 1,544,055 Other long-term assets 37,073 25,902 $ 8,046,042 $ 8,731,805 Liabilities Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 225,181 $ 226,533 Current portion of long-term debt 21,652 103,716 Other current liabilities 171,476 81,414 418,309 411,663 Long-term debt 536,107 842,259 Deferred tax liability 65,733 96,031 Share repurchase credit liability 1,301,322 - Other long-term liabilities 194,737 140,404 2,516,208 1,490,357 Shareholders' equity Share capital 6,359,643 6,026,618 Other reserves 2,768,725 1,673,472 Accumulated other comprehensive income (45,904) 28,630 Deficit (3,826,095) (777,087) Equity attributable to Canopy Growth Corporation 5,256,369 6,951,633 Non-controlling interests 273,465 289,815 Total equity 5,529,834 7,241,448 $ 8,046,042 $ 8,731,805 CANOPY GROWTH CORPORATION CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018 UNAUDITED Three months ended Nine months ended December 31, December 31, December 31, December 31, (Expressed in CDN $000's except share amounts) 2019 2018 2019 2018 (Restated - see note 2(d)) (Restated - see note 2(d)) Revenue $135,546 $97,703 $324,558 $146,946 Excise taxes 11,782 14,655 33,699 14,655 Net revenue 123,764 83,048 290,859 132,291 Inventory production costs expensed to cost of sales 81,953 61,329 241,456 90,358 Gross margin before the undernoted 41,811 21,719 49,403 41,933 Fair value changes in biological assets included in inventory sold and other charges 60,546 28,105 175,765 105,989 Unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets (78,964) (22,267) (300,303) (90,500) Gross margin 60,229 15,881 173,941 26,444 Sales and marketing 62,104 48,324 171,814 107,199 Research and development 20,795 5,264 41,191 7,964 General and administration 67,385 46,088 217,517 102,777 Acquisition-related costs 3,256 4,520 19,000 9,606 Share-based compensation expense 56,763 40,062 217,611 108,159 Share-based compensation expense related to acquisition milestones 4,916 23,849 24,311 81,674 Depreciation and amortization 16,530 5,015 42,953 11,640 Operating expenses 231,749 173,122 734,397 429,019 Loss from operations (171,520) (157,241) (560,456) (402,575) Loss on extinguishment of warrants - - (1,176,350) - Other income (expense), net 24,903 233,142 (51,759) 54,445 Total other income (expense), net 24,903 233,142 (1,228,109) 54,445 (Loss) income before income taxes (146,617) 75,901 (1,788,565) (348,130) Income tax recovery (expense) 22,451 (1,041) 8,611 1,398 Net (loss) income $(124,166) $74,860 $(1,779,954) $(346,732) Net (loss) income attributable to: Canopy Growth Corporation $(120,969) $67,582 $(1,778,208) $(349,831) Non-controlling interests (3,197) 7,278 (1,746) 3,099 $(124,166) $74,860 $(1,779,954) $(346,732) (Loss) earnings per share, basic Net (loss) income per share, basic: $(0.35) $0.22 $(5.13) $(1.45) Weighted average number of outstanding common shares: 348,530,622 303,281,549 346,877,660 241,806,351 Loss per share, diluted Net loss per share, diluted: $(0.35) $(0.38) $(5.13) $(1.45) Weighted average number of outstanding common shares, diluted: 348,530,622 315,974,639 346,877,660 242,044,821 CANOPY GROWTH CORPORATION CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018 UNAUDITED December 31, December 31, (Expressed in CDN $000's) 2019 2018 Net inflow (outflow) of cash related to the following activities: Operating Net loss $ (1,779,954) $ (346,732) Adjustments for: Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 57,926 15,703 Amortization of intangible assets 26,680 7,869 Share of loss on equity investments 6,668 9,021 Fair value changes in biological assets included in inventory sold and other charges 175,765 105,989 Unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets (300,303) (90,500) Share-based compensation 241,922 194,686 Other assets - (16,908) Loss on extinguishment of warrants 1,176,350 - Other income and expense 93,162 (44,476) Income tax recovery (8,611) (1,398) Non-cash foreign currency (3,945) 1,394 Changes in non-cash operating working capital items (233,918) (129,547) Net cash used in operating activities (548,258) (294,899) Investing Purchases and deposits of property, plant and equipment (610,858) (495,236) Purchases of intangible assets (7,800) (40,140) Redemption (purchase) of marketable securities, net 1,324,682 (802,247) Investments in equity method investees (4,719) (27,201) Investments in other financial assets (46,647) (74,071) Premium paid for Acreage Call Option (395,190) - Net cash outflow on acquisition of non-controlling interests - (1,996) Net cash outflow on acquisition of subsidiaries (511,080) (344,472) Payment of acquisition related liabilities (29,837) - Net cash used in investing activities (281,449) (1,785,363) Financing Payment of share issue costs (245) (18,617) Proceeds from issuance of common shares and warrants - 5,072,500 Proceeds from issuance of shares by Canopy Rivers 1,062 91,218 Proceeds from exercise of stock options 39,149 28,730 Proceeds from exercise of warrants 446 18,684 Issuance of long-term debt 10,268 600,000 Payment of long-term debt issue costs - (16,380) Payment of interest on long-term debt (13,738) - Repayment of lease obligations (9,331) (2,728) Repayment of long-term debt (112,705) (3,499) Net cash (used) provided by financing activities (85,094) 5,769,908 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (4,365) 103,664 Net cash (outflow) inflow (919,166) 3,793,310 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 2,480,830 322,560 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 1,561,664 $ 4,115,870 Adjusted EBITDA1 Non-IFRS Measure Three months ended (In CDN$000's) December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Adjusted EBITDA1 Reconciliation Loss from operations - as reported $ (171,520) $ (157,241) IFRS fair value accounting related to biological assets and inventory Fair value changes in biological assets included in inventory sold and other charges 60,546 28,105 Unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets (78,964) (22,267) (18,418) 5,838 Share-based compensation expense (per statements of cash flows) 61,679 64,179 Acquisition-related costs 3,256 4,520 Depreciation and amortization (per statements of cash flows) 33,342 7,890 98,277 76,589 Adjusted EBITDA $ (91,661) $ (74,814) Nine months ended (In CDN$000's) December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Adjusted EBITDA1 Reconciliation Loss from operations - as reported $ (560,456) $ (402,575) IFRS fair value accounting related to biological assets and inventory Fair value changes in biological assets included in inventory sold and other charges 175,765 105,989 Unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets (300,303) (90,500) (124,538) 15,489 Share-based compensation expense (per statements of cash flows) 241,922 194,686 Acquisition-related costs 19,000 9,606 Depreciation and amortization (per statements of cash flows) 84,606 23,572 345,528 227,864 Adjusted EBITDA $ (339,466) $ (159,222) 1 Adjusted EBITDA is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, fair value changes and other non-cash items, and further adjusted to remove acquisition-related costs. Contact: Kyna Boyce Media Relations media@canopygrowth.com 613-485-2480 Judy Hong Vice President, Investor Relations (USA) Judy.hong@canopygrowth.com Tyler Burns Vice President, Investor Relations (Canada) Tyler.burns@canopygrowth.com 855-558-9333 ext. 122 Rick Cosnett of The Flash has come out as gay. The 36-year-old actor opened up about his orientation with a candid Instagram video on Friday, Valentine's Day. 'Hi everyone. Dramatic pauseI'm gay,' he told his 226k followers. Out and proud! The Flash's Rick Cosnett has just come out as gay, opening up about his sexual orientation on Instagram Friday Explaining why it was his time to come out, Rick said: '[I] just wanted everyone to know because I made a promise to myself to live my truth everyday.' '...Sometimes, that is a really hard thing to do when you have all these subconscious things you don't even know about from childhood and from society and from being, you know, just lifeso there you go. I'm sure most of you probably knew anyway.' Fans and friends flocked to the comments to show their support for the Zimbabwean-Australian actor. In a flash: Rick is best known for his role as Detective Eddie Thawne on CW's The Flash Support system! Fans and friends flocked to the comments to show their support for the Zimbabwean-Australian actor Flash star Candice Patton commented: 'You're one of the good ones. Love u.' Brazilian actor Hugo Bonemer write: 'So proud of you,' along with a rainbow and a clapping emoji. Fellow Flash star Danielle Panabaker also chimed in, keeping things simple with just a red heart. Other roles: He was also previously on The Vampire Diaries and Quantico Rick is best known for his role as Detective Eddie Thawne on CW's The Flash. He was previously on The Vampire Diaries and Quantico. Cosnett also had a part in the queer-themed Bolivian film Tu Me Manques last year. Watch The Flash on The CW, or on Stan in Australia. The 2.2 billion-year-old asteroid impact may explain the end of an ice age, scientists say. An image of the Yarrabubba area taken from the International Space Station Scientists have identified the world's oldest asteroid crater in Australia, adding it may explain how the planet was lifted from an ice age. The asteroid hit Yarrabubba in Western Australia about 2.2 billion years ago - making the crater about half the age of Earth, researchers say. Their conclusion was reached by testing minerals found in rocks at the site. The scientists say the find is exciting because it could account for a warming event during that era. The Curtin University research was published in the journal Nature Communications on Wednesday. How did they date it? The crater was discovered in the dry outback in 1979, but geologists had not previously tested how old it was. Due to billions of years of erosion, the crater is not visible to the eye. Scientists mapped scars in the area's magnetic field to determine its 70km (43 miles) diameter. "The landscape is actually very flat because it's so old, but the rocks there are distinctive," researcher Prof Chris Kirkland told the BBC. To determine when the asteroid hit Earth, the team examined tiny zircon and monazite crystals in the rocks. They were "shocked" in the strike and now can be read like "tree rings", Prof Kirkland said. These crystals hold tiny amounts of uranium. Because uranium decays into lead at a consistent pace, the researchers were able to calculate how much time had passed. It is at least 200 million years older than the next most ancient impact structure - the Vredefort Dome in South Africa. "We were interested in the area because the Western Australian landscape is very old but we didn't expected [the crater] to be as old as this," Prof Kirkland said. "It's absolutely possible that there's an older crater out there just waiting to be discovered, but the difficulty is in finding the crust before it erodes and you lose that early Earth history". Could it have ended an ice age? The timing of the impact could also explain why the world warmed around this time, according to the researchers. Scientists believe the planet was previously in one of its "Snowball Earth" periods, when it was largely covered in ice. At some point, the ice sheets melted and the planet began to rapidly warm. "The age of the [crater] corresponds pretty precisely with the end of a potential global glacial period," Prof Kirkland said. "So the impact may have had significant changes to our planetary climate." Using computer modelling, the team calculated that the asteroid struck a kilometres-thick ice sheet covering the Earth. The event would have released huge volumes of water vapour, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. This could have helped the planet's warming during the Proterozoic era - a stage when oxygen had just appeared in the atmosphere and complex life had not yet formed. "Obviously we were very excited just with the age itself," Prof Kirkland said. "But placing that right with the context of Earth's other events makes it become really very interesting." There is not enough modelling from the time to comprehensively test the theory, but "the rocks tell a story about the massive impact into the planet". Another theory for the warming event is that volcanic eruptions may have pushed carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. BBC A woman onboard a cruise ship who was tested for the deadly coronavirus has been cleared and the vessel will leave Sydney on Saturday as planned. The Norwegian Jewel docked in Circular Quay on Friday before three people were taken to hospital before 7.30am after they complained of stomach issues. A woman, aged in her 50s, was tested for several respiratory illnesses including the coronavirus but the results came back negative. A spokesman for NSW Health said: 'One passenger was tested for a range of respiratory illnesses, including CoVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and influenza. The test results were negative to CoVID-19.' Scroll down for video A woman onboard a cruise ship who was tested for the deadly coronavirus has been cleared and the vessel will leave Sydney on Saturday NSW Health said the woman was screened as a precaution. A spokesperson from the cruise liner said staff quickly took action and the ship was disinfected once it reached the terminal from Auckland. 'We have no guests with any respiratory related illness on board,' they said. 'The vessel remains in operation, and all guests onboard are in good health.' There were no restrictions on the movements of passengers who were allowed to leave while the testing took place. The ship, Norwegian Jewel, arrived in Sydney on Friday morning after a 10-day tour of New Zealand. Pictured is one of the passengers The cruise ship arrived in Sydney after a 10-day tour of New Zealand. It will now make its way to Melbourne on Saturday. The 294-metre ship has a guest capacity of 2376 people and 1060 crew. 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. When the artist Jordan Casteel arrived on campus as a college freshman, her mother marched her into the dining hall not for a meal, but to greet the kitchen staff. They had met the president and dean, but these were the people, her mother explained, who would truly be taking care of her. Ms. Casteel recalls being shy, but her mother was right: The first person she approached, a baker named Betty, became a surrogate parent. She cooked me Sunday meals, would bring me birthday cakes, said Ms. Casteel. Nearly a decade later, they still talk on the phone. Theres really something magical that can happen when you take that risk, she said. This particular alchemy, the kind that begins with a nervous hello and transforms strangers into family, lies at the core of Ms. Casteels practice. Nearly 31, she has attracted widespread acclaim for colossal portraits of friends and neighbors, works celebrated for their tenderness, keen social commentary and technical brio. Her first institutional show in New York an exhibition of nearly 40 canvases spanning seven years opens at the New Museum on Feb. 19. What we see when we look at one of Jordans portraits is her ability to represent her subjects in their fullness, said Thelma Golden, the director of the Studio Museum in Harlem, where Ms. Casteel completed a residency in 2016. She is able to capture a sense of spirit, a sense of self, a sense of soul. The International School of Luxembourg has shared a press release the day after parties in the labour dispute took part in a first meeting under the lead of the National Conciliation Service. Whilst employees of the International School of Luxembourg formed a picket outside the Ministry of Labour on Thursday, unions and staff delegates met with the school's management at the ONC conciliation offices. On Friday, the ISL published a press release describing the first meeting under the supervision of the ONC as bringing "a necessary clarification on the offers and requests of both sides". The meeting ended with both sides agreeing to return to the table to discuss salary scale proposals. The meeting will take place on 27 February. The conciliation meetings come after discussions surrounding the finalisation of a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) broke down in December. The social dialogue between both sides reached an impasse, leading the school to ask the National Conciliation Service to help find an agreement. For more on the picket line held on Thursday, visit our article here: International School of Luxembourg: ISL labour dispute continues - employees hit picket line in front of Ministry of Labour TORONTO, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North Bud Farms Inc. (CSE: NBUD) (OTCQB: NOBDF) ("NORTHBUD" or the "Company") provides shareholders with the following corporate update: Status of Cultivation Licence Application for Cannabis Production Facility in Low, Quebec As previously announced, the Company was informed on a conference call with the regulators in late January of one outstanding item that was required before the Company could be issued its cultivation licence. The Company is pleased to update shareholders that it has addressed this outstanding issue and has provided Health Canada with the required information requested. The Company is now awaiting the issuance of its standard cultivation licence. Board of Directors Change Dr. Teresa DeLuca has advised the Company of her desire to step down from the Board of Directors effective immediately in order to focus on her other professional obligations. Dr. DeLuca served on the Board since the Companys initial listing in 2018 and we would like to thank her for her service and wish her well in her future endeavors, said Ryan Brown, Executive Chairman of NORTHBUD. About North Bud Farms Inc. North Bud Farms Inc., through its U.S. subsidiary Bonfire Brands USA, has acquired cannabis production facilities in California and in Nevada. The Salinas, California 11-acre farm is actively cultivating cannabis in its 60,000 sq. ft. of licensed greenhouse production space. The Reno, Nevada property is located on 3.2-acres of land which was acquired through the acquisition of Nevada Botanical Science, Inc. a world class cannabis production, research and development facility with 5,000 sq. ft. of indoor cultivation which holds medical and adult use licenses for cultivation, extraction and distribution. Through its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, GrowPros MMP Inc., the company is pursuing a license under The Cannabis Act, to cultivate in its state-of-the-art purpose-built cannabis production facility located on 135-acres of Agricultural Land in Low, Quebec, Canada. For more information visit: www.northbud.com Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking statements Certain statements and information included in this press release that, to the extent they are not historical fact, constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions anticipate, believe, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, should and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. Forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those regarding the success of the Companys licence application in Quebec and the Companys transition into a revenue generating operational phase of development are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. 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 any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the risk factors included in the Companys final long form prospectus dated August 21, 2018, which is available under the Companys SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com . Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company's management to predict all of such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect information, events, results, circumstances or otherwise after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law including securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities of the Company. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: North Bud Farms Inc. Edward Miller VP, IR & Communications Office: (855) 628-3420 ext. 3 investors@northbud.com Tony Messenger Tony Messenger is the metro columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Tony Messenger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today WRIGHT CITY This is a story about how Aimey Stude almost lost her toe. The tale begins on June 13, 2015. That was the day that Stude and her husband, Michael, had an argument at their Wright City home. Heres how the Warren County Sheriffs deputy described what happened: During the disturbance, (Aimey) struck (Michael) in his right arm several times and threw beer bottles across the bedroom. During a conversation with (Aimey), she told me that is exactly what happened. Indeed, Stude told me the same thing. Her husband wasnt hurt. Shes not even sure why he called the police. At the time, she thought he was joking. But he did. So she went with the deputies to the police station. They were very nice, she remembers. Her father picked up the kids for the night. The next day they were all back at home and all was well. The Studes dont have a history of domestic violence at their home. Aimey has no record, except for a couple of traffic tickets. Medical Tourism Market Overview Market Research Future (MRFR) published its current report on the medical tourism market. The report details dynamics of the medical tourism market and the influence of key players on its expansion. MRFR findings suggest that the global medical tourism market is expected to surge at 21.4% CAGR from 2017 to 2023. Medical expense is increasing owing to factors, such as lifestyle changes and laborious work life of people. The need to cut down on medical assessment price is observed to encourage medical tourism. This is expected to boost the medical tourism market growth. Prolong medical procedures consuming ample time is intolerable in case of a medical emergency. This is noted to provide an impetus to the expansion of the medical tourism market. The affordability and feasibility of international travel is another factor that can tweak the medical tourism market progression. However, extensive regulatory procedures can inhibit the expansion of the medical tourism market. Latest Free Sample PDF Available @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1975 Medical Tourism Market Segmental Outline The market of medical tourism is studied by type of treatment. The market segments are; orthopedic or spine treatments, dentistry treatments, fertility or IVF treatments, neurology or neurosurgery treatment, oncology or cancer treatments, cosmetic treatments, and cardiovascular or cardiology treatments. Surgeries are primary intentions for compelling medical tourism. Psychiatric guidance, dental care, alternative medicine, and fertility solutions are other purposes to take a medical tour. The cosmetic tourism segment is a lucrative segment. Inclination of people towards aesthetic enhancements, such as breast reconstruction and facial rejuvenation, is likely to impel the global medical tourism market. Medical Tourism Market Regional Analysis MRFR study observed that the medical tourism market in Asia Pacific is expected to boom in the years to come. The development of medical infrastructure and cost-effectiveness of medical aids are expected to contribute significantly to the expansion of the APAC medical tourism market. Governments, across the globe, are increasing their healthcare budget, supporting medical tourism market dynamics. China boasting of advanced effective medical facilities is noted as a lucrative regional segment of the medical tourism market. Japan owing to their advanced technology is observed to construct intelligent medical infrastructure. South Korea is observed to attract large population of medical tourist for cosmetic surgery. Thus, APAC medical tourism market is likely to experience robust health across the assessment period. Medical Tourism Market Studied by Key Players CHRISTUS MUGUERZA (Mexico), Bumrungrad International Hospital (Thailand), Schon-Kliniken (Germany), Samitivej PCL (Thailand), Gleneagles Global Hospitals Group (India), Anadolu Medical Center (Turkey), Prince Court Medical Centre (Malaysia), Bangkok Hospital (Thailand), Shouldice Hospital (Canada), Fortis Healthcare (India), Asklepios Kliniken Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH (Germany), and Clemenceau Medical Center (Lebanon) are some reputed companies in the medical tourism market. Companies are focusing on deploying advanced technologies to modify the existing medical tourism system. They are developing software and are lining new products that can make medical tourism an economical and make involvement for patients and their families seamless. Medical Tourism Market Market Trend Ayurveda is observed to attract a large pool of medical tourists in APAC, especially India. Other eastern countries, such as China, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan practicing Ayurveda are noted to captivate medical tourists. In Jan 2020, the CEO of eExpedise Healthcare, a medical tourism startup in India supposed the competitive edge provided by Ayurveda to the APAC medical tourism market for international people are wanting to pursue wellness. The active deployment of disruptive technologies to ensure transparency in the process can increase traction for the medical tourism market growth in the assessment period. Industry News January 2020 An insurance company in Mexico unfurled medical tourism coverage that will provide affordable treatment to Americans in the south of border. To view the full report, visit at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/medical-tourism-market-1975 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: Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Mr. Wolf says that without access to New Yorks DMV database, immigration enforcement agencies cant see records they need to build cases and . . . investigat[e] criminal networks. Thats a dubious assertion; multiple databases containing criminal records and terrorist information are available to federal enforcement officials, including those maintained by the FBI. Even if it were true, how would it empower federal authorities to hold hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers hostage by canceling their eligibility for Global Entry? Nor is there any nexus between New Yorks DMV records and Global Entry. More than 3 million adults in New York state lack state-issued drivers licenses, but most are eligible for Global Entry, which generally requires proof of citizenship but no drivers license. LONDON, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest issue of World Finance is out and has revealed that CSX has been named the Most Sustainable Company in the Logistics Industry as part of the magazine's Sustainability Awards 2019. The award win recognises the company's longstanding commitment to sustainability in an industry that is not always the most effective at championing its green credentials. The freight rail transportation sector has played a vital role in the economy of the US for nearly two centuries, but what is less well known is the way it has established an impressive set of environmental achievements. Nowhere is this better embodied than at CSX, where greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by more than eight percent since 2011. Away from its environmental programmes, CSX also takes great pride in its community support initiatives, including both charitable investments and volunteer opportunities. In an exclusive article, Bryan Tucker, the company's vice president of corporate communications, told World Finance that these projects are part of a broader desire for constant improvement. "Beyond corporate goals, CSX operates a robust community engagement programme Pride in Service through which we are committed to having a positive impact on the lives of more than 100,000 US military service members, veterans, first responders and their families by the end of 2020," Tucker wrote. "This dedication to sustainability, safety, operational performance and social responsibility is driving CSX towards a successful future." Whether in terms of its safety record, train speeds or emission levels, CSX is constantly searching for ways to create new efficiencies. It is this unwavering commitment that saw the firm honoured at last year's World Finance Sustainability Awards. To learn more about CSX and its sustainable initiatives, check out the latest issue of World Finance, available online, in print and on tablet now. www.worldfinance.com World News Media, the parent company of World Finance, is a leading publisher of quality financial and business magazines, which enjoys a global distribution network that includes subscriber lists of prominent decision-makers around the world. Contact Information World News Media Barclay Ballard Editorial Department +44-(0)-20-7553-4177 [email protected] SOURCE World News Media Houston ISD trustees shelved a request from administrators late Thursday to authorize up to $3 million for metal detectors, arguing district officials need to provide more concrete recommendations and plans for school security before the board votes to allocate money for the machines. The boards decision comes as Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathans administration continues to solicit feedback and analyze security protocols following last months on-campus fatal shooting of Bellaire High School student Cesar Cortes, 19. Lathan said she has not yet decided whether to install metal detectors in some middle and high schools, but her administration wanted quick access to funds for the machines if district leaders decide to buy them. Some trustees suggested they remain open to possibly deploying metal detectors at access points in schools, though they said administrators and the board first need to conduct more detailed conversations about districtwide security plans. Several trustees questioned why Lathan asked for authority to spend on metal detectors now, rather than waiting until she decided to purchase the machines. Its so easy to try to put a metal detector out there as a quick fix, Trustee Anne Sung said. I just want to make sure were being thoughtful and utilizing a strategy. Over the past several weeks, Lathan has said district officials strongly are considering the installation of metal detectors in the wake of Cortes death. Prosecutors said a 16-year-old Bellaire student shot Cortes on Jan. 14 with a semiautomatic pistol, apparently by accident, while showing off the firearm. The Chronicle is not naming the teen because he is charged with manslaughter as a juvenile. Lathan said district leaders already have identified 20 middle and high school campuses that could receive metal detectors within the next several months. The only HISD schools currently employing metal detectors on a daily basis are alternative education campuses, which serve students subjected to disciplinary actions. However, the interim superintendent said her administration still is meeting with students, staff and local leaders to gauge opinions on security upgrades. Community members also are being asked to complete an online school safety survey. On HoustonChronicle.com: HISD to explore addition of metal detectors in wake of Bellaire shooting Lathan said the prospect of installing metal detectors has received some public support, but three other security measures top her list of potential recommendations as of now: increasing the number of police officers on campuses; bumping up police officer pay to reduce vacancies and turnover; and adding social workers to address students social and emotional needs. Students attending the districts high schools have been particularly supportive of placing more police officers on campuses, Lathan said. Her comments came after closed-door meetings with about 25 Bellaire students last month and 35 high school students from across the district earlier this week. I thought that was powerful, Lathan said. Especially in this day and time, when theres still animosity in some communities when it comes to police officers, what I heard is, we want more police officers. Bellaire junior Annie Zhu, who attended last months meeting, said the addition of metal detectors certainly was a point of discussion, but not the top one during the discussion with Lathan. She said some students voiced support for metal detectors, while others emphasized the need for increased trauma training and improved relationships with students. A big topic was increasing education regarding gun safety by amplifying the amount of communication that happens within the school system, Zhu said Friday. HISD trustees have not yet held extensive discussions about specific security recommendations, many of which would require the board to authorize additional funding. A few board members have asked Lathan to present data on the efficiency of metal detectors in schools, though relatively little national research exists. I think we need to have a conversation on what our philosophy and approach is as a district, rooted in conversation with community members and students which I know weve begun to do but also research and policies, Trustee Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca said Thursday. On HoustonChronicle.com: Path to HISD school bond election clears key hurdle Some trustees, including Kathy Blueford-Daniels, Dani Hernandez and Elizabeth Santos, have voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of metal detectors, arguing they perpetuate negative perceptions about campuses and contribute to whats known as the school-to-prison pipeline. I am not a fan of metal detectors, said Blueford-Daniels, who invoked the 2006 murder of her 20-year-old son, Patrick, when discussing school security Thursday. However, I am a fan of keeping our children safe. I actually support additional money if we used it to run a campaign of See something, say something. Lathan did not provide a timeline Thursday for returning to the board to discuss security measures or request funding for metal detectors. Trustees did vote Thursday to authorize up to $100,000 to replace metal detectors already in use at the districts alternative education campuses. No other schools routinely use metal detectors when students enter the premises. jacob.carpenter@chron.com English French OTTAWA, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NAV CANADA today announced that a tentative agreement has been reached with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2228 which represents approximately 671 members across Canada. The tentative agreement is subject to the union ratification process. NAV CANADA will not be commenting until the agreement is ratified. About NAV CANADA NAV CANADA is a private, not-for-profit company, established in 1996, providing air traffic control, airport advisory services, weather briefings and aeronautical information services for more than 18 million square kilometres of Canadian domestic and international airspace. The Company is internationally recognized for its safety record, and technology innovation. Air traffic management systems developed by NAV CANADA are used by air navigation service providers in countries worldwide. For further information, please contact: Brian Boudreau Manager, Media Relations 613-563-7303 Media Information Line: 1-888-562-8226 Love Aaj Kal Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Sara Ali Khan, Randeep Hooda, Aarushi Sharma Director: Imtiaz Ali First thought that comes to your mind after watching Imtiaz Alis Valentines Day offering, Love Aaj Kal is what could have prompted the filmmaker to tell a decade old story again, with modern characters who are messed up, uncertain and frivolous? Or was it just a mindless decision to cash in on the craze his lead pair - Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan - generated ever since Sara expressed her wish to date Kartik, on Koffee With Karan? Watch Love Aaj Kal trailer here Irrespective of the reason, with this reboot of his own 2009 film by the same name, Imtiaz once again invites you into the world of imperfect people, complex situations and dysfunctional relationships, and fails to weave it all together. A visibly off and awkward Veer (Kartik) meets a career-driven, high-on-life-and-booze Zoe (Sara) at a bar and they end up together in bed. However, Veer stops midway, leaving her high and dry because he feels they need to be more serious before they make love. He soon turns into a stalker, landing up at the same co-working space where Zoe works, which is owned by Raghu (Randeep Hooda). Now, Raghu is a brooding loner who once gave up everything in Udaipur to be with the girl he loved, Leena (newcomer Aarushi Sharma) in Delhi, but soon turned into a Casanova who hooked up with almost every woman he met. Back to the lead pair, while Zoe has her five-year plan in place she wants to start her event management company and only then get into a long-term relationship; Veer, a techie, is not much of a planner. He just lands up on his bike to pick and drop Zoe at her meetings/dates each time an Uber fails to reach her location. After resisting initially, Zoe eventually falls for him and a series of conflicts with each other and their inner selves soon follow. Sara Ali Khan and Kartik Aaryan as Zoe and Veer in Love Aaj Kal. On one hand, you have Kartik telling Sara that, The day you feel Ive started to annoy you, Ill move away from your life, and on the other, Randeep cant stop narrating his own fairy-tale and becoming the reason why Sara questions her own choices. Whoever said complex love stories make for great cinema, please wake up and smell the coffee. You can either deal with complex characters or a complex story but mix up both and its the audience that ends up feeling helpless and confused. Thats somewhat the emotion I was left with after watching Love Aaj Kal. While Kartik and Sara put their best foot forward as Zoe and Veer to make you believe in their unbelievably complex love story, its the tedious narrative and screenplay that ruined it for me. A slow and boring first half is followed by a seemingly predictable second half, making you yawn at multiple places. Just like the original, this film, too, cut between two timelines but awfully choppy editing doesnt let you remain invested in either of them. The flashback sequences of Randeeps story gets interrupted way too often to accommodate the present-day setup. Given that the film is non-linear, a cleaner narrative was needed. If we compare Kartiks twin act, he is way more intriguing as the young Raghu, a small town boy with his set of eccentricities and obsession for a girl. I wouldnt have minded if Imtiaz just played on that plot as a standalone story. As Veer, he lacked that connection somewhere. In terms of his onscreen presence, you see a more mature and sorted Kartik than what we saw in Punchnama films or his earlier big screen outings. Kartik Aaryan as Raghu from another time zone in Love Aaj Kal. Sara, though she gets a bit loud and over-the-top at times, fits in Zoes part effortlessly. She looks gorgeous on screen and well, her wardrobe is envy-inducing. Aarushi is subtle, simple and lets her expression and face impress more than her dialogues. Randeep looks great with that handlebar moustache and honestly, he is the best thing to watch out for in the entire film. Theres something about his character that sparks an instant curiosity and you want to see more of him. His scenes with Sara are endearing and at one point, you actually think there could have been a spark between them. Also, Saras onscreen chemistry with Kartik is cute but in most parts, she looks more smitten by him just like in real life. As a director, Imtiaz -- once known as the best storyteller in the romantic genre -- clearly got carried again one more time, trying to recreate something that he has already made. The problem is that he actually believed a story like this would work in 2020 where you dont see people like Veer and Zoe in real life, which is too fast-paced to worry about anything. Also, harping on stereotypes wasnt really a good move. Showing a woman being indecisive of her relationship because she cant balance it with her career is something that made sense years ago. Now, you talk of women as multi-taskers. So, Imtiaz needs to refresh his idea of love and romance. Agreed, his tries to go in the depth of things and bring out the insights of his layered characters but you need to understand, a film in totality had to resonate. It cant just about how you perceive love; it has to be more real and relatable and Love Aaj Kal lacks that. Also read: Love Aaj Kal can be Kartik Aaryans highest opener at 10 cr, to ride on his and Sara Ali Khans chemistry Storyline aside, the music of the film does a good job in offering support to its narrative. The meaningful lyrics and mood uplifting score breaks away from the monotony of same things being hammered into our minds. Love Aaj Kal is a film thats for the millennials only because its a modern day love story but even then, it needed a way better treatment. Watch it maybe if you get free couple tickets and have no better V-Day plans with your significant other. Hindustan Times doesnt use star-rating system in its movie reviews.) Follow @htshowbiz for more As the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party won 62 of the 70 seats in the recently-concluded Delhi Assembly elections, a crucial social demographic contributed to the second consecutive victory for the party women. According to a report in The Indian Express, not only did women match men in terms of voting percentage falling short by a measly 0.07 percent they also voted overwhelmingly in favour of AAP. A post-poll survey conducted by Lokniti-CSDS suggests that the gender divide in voting preferences was so much this time around, that had women not voted this election, AAP would not have won so handsomely, and might have inked out a victory by a narrow margin. According to the survey, about 60 percent women voted for AAP, as compared to 49 percent men. On the other hand, only 35 percent women voted for the BJP, which won eight seats, as compared to 43 percent men. The pattern shows a departure from the long-held belief that women vote on the advice of their husbands or other male members in their family. The survey concluded that this has been the largest gender divide over voting preferences since 1998, and that such a divide wasnt evident even during the times when Sheila Dikshit was at the helm of affairs in Delhi. Besides, this gender divide cuts across nearly all castes, communities, classes and age groups. According to the survey, women from all communities have voted more in favour of AAP than the BJP, or Congress. The gap was the most pronounced among lower/middle caste Hindu communities, the survey pointed out. For instance, the gap between Dalit women voting for AAP and their male counterparts voting for the party, was a good 25 percent. Among the Jats, Gujjars and Yadavs, the gap between women and men voting for AAP was 18 percent. Among the Brahmin community too, more number of women supported the AAP as compared to men. However, the disparity was not as drastic. The report has attributed this pattern to the many measures rolled out by the ruling AAP government. For instance, free bus rides in DTC and cluster buses for women. Secondly, women, especially homemakers, were more affected by price rise and punished the BJP for it. For women, economic matters as well as water and electricity subsidies were bigger issues, as compared to their male counterparts. Another reason could be women getting put off by various controversial remarks made by BJP leaders against women protesters at Shaheen Bagh, as well as alleged excesses by the Delhi Police against women and students. In fact, the survey pointed out that women were far less supportive of CAA and NRC than men, and that they were far more critical of the police action against protesting students than men. The first cloned cows in Vietnam are expected this year under a project implemented by Prof Nguyen Van Thuan and his co-workers. Thuan is known as the master in cellular differentiation, who refused professorship in South Korea and returned to Vietnam to work as a lecturer at the HCM City International University, a member school of the HCM City National University. Prof Nguyen Van Thuan and his co-worker He is the dean of biotechnology at the university. Asked about the reason behind his decision to implement the project, Thuan said in 1976, Japan gave two male and two female high-quality cows to the US and Australia. With advanced farming technique and crossbreeding technologies, the two countries successfully created cows with high economic value, and have been exporting the cows to other countries, including Vietnam. In principle, commercial products must not be multiplied. Thuan and his research team want to use the cell nuclear transfer technology to clone the infertile slaughtered cows and create cows with normal reproduction capability. With advanced farming technique and crossbreeding technologies, the two countries successfully created cows with high economic value, and have been exporting the cows to other countries, including Vietnam. Thuan said he becale familiar with the technologies during his study and research overseas for many years. He studied reproductive biotechnology, cellular differentiation and animal cloning in 1994 in Japan. In 2007, in South Korea he both taught and learned the technique for creating transgenic animals. I want to apply the knowledge I got to create significant products for Vietnam, the homeland. I decided to come back to Vietnam in 2012 partially because I want to turn by dream to reality, Thuan said. Thuan and his co-workers have had to set up and running a laboratory, transfer technology, creati'e cloned embryos,and prepare surrogate cows and others. We work day and night. In daytime, I give lectures at school. From 5pm to 10pm, I work for the project. On weekend, I go to the cow farm, Thuan said. In November 2019, the researchers successfully implanted cloned embryos into 12 surrogate cows and will continue the implantation to have 50 surrogate cows. Thuan hopes that the first cloned cows will be born in Vietnam in 2020. We are bursting to know the results. If we succeed, we can prove that not only developed countries master high technology which can create new animals from the cells of dead animals, but Vietnam also can, he said. Thuan said this will pave the way for new medical research on recombinant protein production for humans and biological organ production. Cloning cows is a national project implemented with partial funding from the Ministry of Science and Technology. Mai Chi AI-based technology used in genetic analysis Gene analysis is the use of DNA (Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid) in the cells of human body to identify genetic factors such as physical conditions and disease risk in each person. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 01:30:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Political leaders from across the world have expressed their confidence in China's efforts to fight the novel coronavirus, saying China will achieve greater social and economic development after winning the battle against the epidemic. In a message to the the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee said they sympathize with the Chinese people in the face of the epidemic, and believe that with the right decisions and strong leadership of the CPC and the Chinese government, the Chinese people will defeat the novel coronavirus at an early date. The CPV and the Vietnamese government and people will continue to do everything in their capacity to cooperate with China and support its fight against the epidemic until the final victory, it added. Sheikh Hasina Wazed, head of Bangladesh's Awami League and Prime Minister of Bangladesh, said in her message that following directives of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping, China has quickly mobilized resources to build makeshift hospitals and treat those infected in specific facilities. China's efforts have effectively contained the spread of the virus, which is highly admirable, she said. The Bangladeshi government and people will stand together with the friendly Chinese government and people throughout their fight, she said, while thanking Beijing for taking care of a large number of Bangladeshi nationals in China at this difficult time. Phankham Viphavanh, a member of the Political Bureau of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and standing member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat, said his party supports China's resolute measures to combat the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) epidemic. He also expressed his confidence that the Chinese people will win their fight at an early date under Xi's strong leadership. Meanwhile, the Lao side opposes any ill-intentioned smear campaigns targeting China using the pretext of the epidemic. For his part, General Secretary of Sri Lanka's Communist Party D.E.W. Gunasekara said that Chinese leaders have decisively resorted to all resources and measures to effectively contain the spread of the virus, which threatens the life of people in China and even beyond. Gunasekara expressed his appreciation to the CPC for its contribution to human causes, adding that he has witnessed the leapfrog development of the Chinese economy in the past four decades, and firmly believes that under the leadership of the CPC, China will eventually win the battle against the epidemic and revive its economy. Sophia Shaningwa, secretary-general of Namibia's ruling party South West Africa People's Organization, said that the Chinese nation keeps forging ahead despite having experienced difficulties and hardships, and the current epidemic will only make the Chinese people stronger and more united. We will firmly stand together with the CPC and the Chinese people and we believe China will surely overcome the challenge, she added. Binalf Andualem, head of Ethiopian Prosperity Party Main Office, said his party stands resolutely together with the CPC and the Chinese people, and firmly believes that the CPC and the Chinese people will win the battle against the epidemic soon, adding that the recent positive changes in the epidemic situation have also intensified our confidence. Former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf said that the Chinese people are rallying around the CPC, and showcasing China's strength to the whole world through actions. The epidemic will by no means destroy China, but will make it stronger instead, he said, adding that China will become more powerful after the crisis. Besides the above-mentioned political leaders, more have expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with the CPC to fight the epidemic, including President of Myanmar's Union Betterment Party U Shwe Mann, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India D. Raja, President of Lebanon's Union Party Abdul Rahim Mrad, President of parliamentary group of the Yisrael Beiteinu Party Oded Forer, General Secretary of Sierra Leone People's Party Umatu Napoleon Koroma, General Secretary of Cape Verde's Movement for Democracy Miguel Monteiro, President of Niger's Party for Democracy and Socialism Mohamed Bazoum, General Secretary of Chad's Patriotic Salvation Movement Mahamat Zene Bada, General Secretary of Brazil's Democratic Labour Party Manoel Dias, President of the Communist Party of Australia Vinicio Molina, Chairman of the German Communist Party Patrik Kobele. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday took a swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his disapproval of slogans like "goli maro" during the Delhi election campaign, saying it was as inconsequential as doctor coming after the death of patient. Breaking his silence on the BJP's Delhi poll debacle, Shah had on Thursday disapproved of slogans like "goli maro" and "Indo-Pak match" used during the campaign and said these remarks may have been one of the possible reasons for the party's defeat. Nowadays some people are openly threatening to shoot protesters just because they don't agree with them, she said, in an apparent reference to BJP leaders. "If you don't agree with them, they are saying 'boli nahi toh goli". They are threatening to shoot everybody. Now what's the use of saying (slamming the statements) it was not right? What's the use of doctor coming after the patient is dead?" Banerjee said without naming Shah. She was participating in the debate on the motion of thanks to the governor's address to the state assembly at the start of the budget session. Without naming Railway Minister Piyush Goyal but obviously referring to his statement that the central government wants to give more projects to Bengal but the state is not allowing that to happen, Banerjee accused the centre of constantly depriving the state of adequate funds. She also raised the issue of alleged deterioration in law and order situation in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and crimes against women. "In Bengal, we have strengthened laws for protecting women. Police immediately file complaints in cases of crime against women. But look at UP where victims are burnt alive and their families attacked," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Azernews By Abdul Kerimkhanov Azerbaijani community of Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region is ready for intercommunity contacts with Armenians, Head of community Tural Ganjaliyev has said. Ganjaliyev made the remarks while meeting with Andrzej Kasprzyk, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, according to the information published on the communitys website on February 13. During the meeting, Ganjaliyev emphasized that he will work more closely toward the intercommunity contacts between the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of the Nagorno-Karabakh as a newly-elected MP from Khankandi in Nagorno-Karabakh. Furthermore, Ganjaliyev noted that internally displaced persons want to return to their lands that are under occupation, and the Azerbaijani Community of Nagorno-Karabakh supports the initiatives put forward in this field. Community members also attended the meeting, which was held in the office of the community. The Azerbaijani community of Azerbaijans Nagorno Karabakh region has recently held numerous meetings with the ambassadors of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries in Azerbaijan, as well as other officials and public figures. They stressed during the meetings that the Azerbaijani community is ready for joint coexistence with the Armenian community on the conditions of peace and Azerbaijans territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders. Baku strengthens the role of Karabakhs Azerbaijani community and wants to ensure equal access to negotiations of the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities in the region. The Azerbaijani community, which as a result of ethnic cleansing was forced to leave their homes, has the legal right to participate in determining the future legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Without the recognition of this right, a comprehensive and fair settlement of the conflict cannot be achieved. Nagorno-Karabakh is Azerbaijans breakaway region which along with seven adjacent regions was occupied by Armenian forces in a war in the early 1990s. The occupation displaced hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. The Minsk Groups Co-Chairs are mandated to provide an appropriate framework for conflict resolution in the way of assuring the negotiation process; to obtain conclusion by the Parties of an agreement on the cessation of the armed conflict in order to permit the convening of the Minsk Conference, and to promote the peace process by deploying OSCE multinational peacekeeping forces. For nearly 25 years, the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh have yielded no results. To this day, Armenia has not implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions. [February 14, 2020] JEOL: Release of a New Ultrahigh Atomic Resolution Analytical Electron Microscope JEM-ARM300F2 (GRAND ARM(TM)2) JEOL Ltd. (TOKYO:6951) (President & COO Izumi Oi) announces the release of a new atomic resolution analytical electron microscope, JEM-ARM300F2 (GRAND ARM (News - Alert)(TM)2) to be released in February 2020. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005977/en/ JEM-ARM300F2 (Photo: Business Wire) Product development background In Electron Microscopy, a great number of microscopists and engineers have continued to pursue the improvement of resolution. Meanwhile, JEOL has made efforts to improve the stability of the transmission electron microscope (TEM). Combining aberration correction technologies with these efforts, we have successfully achieved superbly high resolution. The JEM-ARM300F (GRAND ARM(TM)) is an atomic resolution TEM focused on achieving the best-in-class resolution. But the demands for the modern TEM include characterization of not only hard materials but also soft materials. Under these circumstances, TEM users request further improved resolution and analysis with a higher degree of accuracy. JEOL has developed a new TEM, the JEM-ARM300F2 (GRAND ARM(TM)2), which meets these requests. This ultrahigh atomic resolution analytical TEM has many features. In particular, with a new objective lens polepiece, "FHP2", the GRAND ARM(TM)2 achieves an optimal combination of superbly-high atomic resolution imaging along with best-in-class, large solid angle EDS (News - Alert) elemental analysis. The standard configuration of GRAND ARM(TM)2 includes an enclosure that mitigates external disturbances, thus leading to higher stability of the instrument. Main features 1. An optimal combination of ultrahigh spatial resolution with high sensitivity X-ray analysis. The features of the newly developed FHP2 objective lens polepiece are as follows: 1) Compared with the previous FHP, the FHP2 provides higher X-ray detection efficiency (1.4sr), more than double that of the FHP. 2) A low optical coefficient, low Cc coefficient & low Cs coefficient enable ultrahigh spatial resolution and high sensitivity X-ray analysis to be performed over a range of accelerating voltages. (Guaranteed STEM resolution: 53pm at 300kV, 96pm at 80kV)* *This is when the STEM Expanding Trajectory Aberration (ETA) Corrector is configured. 2. The Wide Gap Polepiece (WGP) for the objective lens enables ultrahigh sensitivity X-ray analysis. This polepiece, with a wide gap between the upper pole and lower pole, has the following advantages: 1) The WGP allows large-area SDDs (silicon drift detectors) to be brought closer to the specimen, achieving ultrahigh sensitivity X-ray analysis (total solid angle of 2.2sr). 2) The WGP accommodates thicker specimen holders, allowing for various types of in-situ experiments. 3. Spherical aberration (Cs) correctors developed by JEOL are integrated into the microscope column and provide ultrahigh spatial resolution. 1) Combined with the FHP2, the GRAND ARM(TM)2 achieves a STEM resolution of 53pm at 300kV. 2) Combined with the WGP, the GRAND ARM(TM)2 achieves a STEM resolution of 59pm at 300kV. 3) JEOL COSMO(TM) (Corrector System Module) makes it possible to perform aberration correction quickly and easily. 4. A cold field emission gun (Cold-FEG) is provided as standard. The GRAND ARM(TM)2 is equipped with a Cold-FEG which provides a smaller energy spread from the electron source. 5. An enclosure that mitigates external disturbances This new enclosure is standard for reducing external disturbances such as air flow, changes of room temperature and acoustic noise. Main specifications Guaranteed resolution HAADF-STEM image: 53pm (with ETA corrector and FHP2) Electron gun: Cold field emission gun (Cold-FEG) Accelerating voltage Standard: 300kV and 80kV Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer Large-area SDD (158 mm2): Dual detectors are possible Solid angle: 1.4sr (with FHP2) Annual unit sales target 10 units/year JEOL Ltd. 3-1-2, Musashino, Akishima, Tokyo, 196-8558, Japan Izumi Oi, President & COO (Stock code: 6951, Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section) www.jeol.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005977/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] ONE of the worlds leading lights in the visual effects industry has been named the Limerick Person of the Month. Max Dennison who grew up in Kildimo is one of the most respected artists in special visual effects. Last September Max along with his team at DNEG, one of the worlds leading visual effects companies, took home an Emmy award for outstanding special visual effects in a supporting role. He scooped the most coveted prize in the television industry for his artistic touch on the hit HBO show that captured the fallout of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Speaking to the Limerick Limerick from London, Max said of the Limerick Person of the Month award: Id like to take this opportunity to thank The Limerick Leader, the Southern agency, and the Clayton Hotel for this very prestigious honour. It gives me an enormous sense of pride to be named Limerick Person of the Month and I am sorry that I cannot be there in person to collect this award. Limerick is my home town and Im delighted to have been given a part in its long and special cultural heritage. This award recognises the singular achievements of ordinary people doing extraordinary things and I feel especially privileged to be included with such alumni. Max, who attended St Michaels primary school and Villiers secondary school in Limerick city, was represented at the monthly award presentation by his parents Jim and Valerie. Interestingly, Maxs interest in film was sparked during the 1980s when the Neil Jordan-directed High Spirits was being filmed in Dromore Castle near Pallaskenry. During the summer of 1988 Max would cycle up to Dromore Castle and was allowed onto the set to see the world of film in action. He got to know Daryl Hannah and all the actors and actresses and he met a man there called Derek Meddings who was the owner of a company called Magic Camera, Jim explained. He was interested in Max and invited him over to Shepperton Studios, whenever he would get a chance. Max was about to do his Leaving Cert when he told his father Jim that he would like to pursue a course in special effects. A talented illustrator Max spent the first year of his college career in Limerick in the school of art and design. He then went to De Montfort University in Leicester to do a degree in product design. He was also very good on computers. He had computer skills and illustrative skills. He went on to London to set up his own business producing painted furniture for special clients in hotels etc, Jim explained. Coincidentally, after that he ended up working by chance for Derek Meddings in Shepperton Studios. He started work with Magic Camera and the first job he worked on was The Borrowers with John Goodman. From there he went on to work on Shakespeare in Love and a number of other big films. He was then headhunted by Peter Jackson, the director of Lord of the Rings, to go out to New Zealand and head up the matte painting department at Peter Jacksons company for the Lord of the Rings series. A matte painting is a painted representation of a landscape, set, or distant location that allows filmmakers to create the illusion of an environment that is not present at the filming location. Julie, Maxs then partner, now his wife, went with him and they spent three and a half years there while he was working on Lord of the Rings. On Lord of the Rings there were five special effects teams and between them they won three Oscars. Max was heading one of the teams, said Jim. When Lord of the Rings was finished he went to Industrial, Light and Magic (ILM) based in San Francisco to work on Star Wars. After a year or so there, his wife, a fashion buyer in merchandising was headhunted by Dorothy Perkins to go back to London to be their buyer and Max at that time thought 'well, she has given up three of four years of her career' so they came back to London and he began working with a company called DNEG in the televisions section of the industry. Two and a half years ago Max was approached by the Chernobyl producers to work on the five-part series. He picked up another award a fortnight ago in Los Angeles at the Visual Effects Society Awards. They are also nominated for a Bafta award. I have read reviews from Russia and they are amazed by the accuracy of the series, said Jim. I was told even the shoe laces were from the period. It demonstrated the degree of accuracy they were aiming for. Max and Julie - who teaches fashion merchandising at the London University of the Arts - have two children, Isabella, 13, and Oscar aged nine. His sister Shauna meanwhile, is a leading textile and wallpaper designer in the UK. According to Jim, his sons extraordinary career is down to being good at what he does. He had just finished Lord of the Rings and was working in America when an American book company produced a book of the top three matte painters in the world at the time and Max was one of them, said Jim. In his profession he is well-respected. We are happy that he is healthy and enjoying it. Dublin, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Aircraft Lighting Market by Aircraft Type (Commercial, Military, Business Jets & General Aviation, Helicopters), Light Source (LED, Fluorescent), Light Type (Interior Lights, Exterior Lights), End User (OEM, Aftermarket), Region - Global Forecast to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The aircraft lighting market is projected to grow from USD 1.1 billion in 2019 to USD 2.1 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period. This market study covers the aircraft lighting market across segments. It aims at estimating the market size and the growth potential of this market across different segments, such as end-user, type, aircraft type, light source, 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. Key players in the aircraft lighting market are Astronics (US), Cobham (US), Diehl Stiftung (Germany), Heads Up Technologies (US), Honeywell (US), Luminator Technology Group (US), Oxley Group (UK), Collins Aerospace (US), Soderberg Manufacturing Company (US), STG Aerospace (UK), SELA (France), Bruce Aerospace (US), Precise Flight, Inc. (US), AeroLeds (US), Whelen Aerospace Technologies (US), Hoffman Engineering (US), Madelec Aero (France), IFE Products (US), Talon Aerospace (US), and Beadlight Limited (UK). Increasing demand for an efficient alternative to incandescent lights across the globe is driving the market growth An increase in aircraft orders across the globe and shift from incandescent lights to LED lights are the major factors driving the market for aircraft lighting. However, longer lifespan of LED lights is limiting the overall growth of the market. Based on end-user, the aftermarket segment is estimated to account for a larger share of the market in 2019 Based on end-user, the aftermarket segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the overall market in 2019. The aircraft lighting OEM segment is projected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period, owing to increasing deployment of new LED lights with the objective of reducing operational costs and enhancing passenger experience as well as comfort. Based on light type, the interior lights segment estimated to account for a larger share in 2019 Interior lights include reading lights, ceiling and wall lights, signage, floor path lighting strips, and lavatory lights, among others. Airlines are focusing on deploying multi-colour interior lighting, to create an ambience as per passenger's mood. The growing demand to enhance passenger experience and comfort are anticipated to fuel the growth of the interior lights segment. North America is estimated to lead the aircraft lighting market in 2019 The aircraft industry in North America has witnessed strong growth in the past few years. It is one of the most profitable industries in the region. The high demand for aircraft lighting products in North America can be attributed to the presence of major aircraft manufacturers such as Honeywell International (US) and Collins Aerospace (US) in the region. Increasing passenger traffic, demand for new aircraft, high demand for helicopters in civil and commercial applications, and the rapid replacement of traditional lights with advanced lighting solutions are other major factors driving the aircraft lighting OEM market in North America. Key Topics Covered 1 Introduction 2 Research Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Premium Insights 4.1 Attractive Opportunities in Aircraft Lighting Market 4.2 Aircraft Lighting Market, By End-user 4.3 Aircraft Interior Lights Market, By Type 4.4 Aircraft Exterior Lights Market, By Type 5 Market Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Market Dynamics 5.2.1 Drivers 5.2.1.1 Rise in Aircraft Orders 5.2.1.2 Shift From Incandescent Lights to LED Lights 5.2.2 Opportunities 5.2.2.1 Demand for Lightweight Aircraft Components 5.2.2.2 Technological Advancements in Interior Lighting Systems 5.2.3 Challenges 5.2.3.1 Longer Lifespan of LED Lights 6 Industry Trends 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Emerging Trends in Aircraft Lighting Market 6.2.1 Traditional Lighting Systems 6.2.2 Photoluminescent Lights 6.2.3 LED Lights 6.2.4 OLED Lights 6.2.5 Custom Controlled Lights 6.3 Fixed Wing Aircraft Light Requirements 6.4 Aircraft Light Installations 6.4.1 Fixed Wing Light Installations 6.4.2 Rotary Wing Light Installations 7 Aircraft Lighting Market, By End User 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) 7.2.1 Increasing Aircraft Deliveries Projected to Drive the OEM Market 7.3 Aftermarket 7.3.1 Increasing Focus to Enhance Passenger Travel Experience is Contributing to the Growth of the Aircraft Lighting Aftermarket 8 Aircraft Lighting Market, By Aircraft Type 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Commercial Aviation 8.2.1 Narrow Body Aircraft 8.2.1.1 Adoption of Aircraft Lights is Growing in Narrow Body Aircraft With the Increasing Demand of These Aircraft From Asia Pacific 8.2.2 Wide Body Aircraft 8.2.2.1 Increasing Demand for Wide Body Aircraft for Long-Haul Routes is Driving the Demand for Lights in These Aircraft 8.2.3 Very Large Aircraft 8.2.3.1 Demand for Very Large Aircraft From the Middle East is Increasing the Adoption of Aircraft Lighting in These Aircraft 8.2.4 Regional Transport Aircraft 8.2.4.1 Rising Domestic Air Passenger Traffic in Emerging Economies is Contributing to the Demand for Regional Transport Aircraft 8.3 Business Jets & General Aviation 8.3.1 Business Jets 8.3.1.1 Demand for Business Jets Increases to Cover Short-To-Medium Distances 8.3.2 General Aviation 8.3.2.1 Presence of OEMs in North America and Europe is Driving the Adoption of Lights in General Aviation Aircraft 8.4 Military Aviation 8.4.1 Fighter Aircraft 8.4.1.1 Increasing Procurement of Combat Aircraft Due to Increasing Military Budgets Influence the Growth of Aircraft Lighting 8.4.2 Transport Aircraft 8.4.2.1 Military Transport Aircraft Performs Crucial Duties Such as Mid-Flight Refueling and Strategic Airlifting 8.5 Helicopters 8.5.1 Commercial Helicopters 8.5.1.1 Growing Demand for Helicopters in Corporate and Civil Applications Increases the Adoption of Lights in These Aircraft 8.5.2 Military Helicopters 8.5.2.1 Military Helicopters are Majorly Used to Transport Troops 9 Aircraft Lighting Market, By Light Type 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Interior Lights 9.2.1 Signage 9.2.1.1 Signage Lights Provide Inflight Messages Or Information to Passengers Through Signs and Symbols 9.2.2 Ceiling & Wall Lights 9.2.2.1 LED Ceiling & Wall Lights Save Weight and Energy Consumption of Aircraft 9.2.3 Floor Path Lighting Strip 9.2.3.1 Floor Path Lighting Strips are Useful During an Emergency to Guide Passengers 9.2.4 Reading Lights 9.2.4.1 Reading Lights are Majorly Used By Passengers and Cabin Crew to Read Maps and Manuals During Flights 9.2.5 Lavatory Lights 9.2.5.1 LED Lavatory Lights are Easy to Retrofit and Maintain 9.3 Exterior Lights 9.3.1 Emergency Lights 9.3.1.1 Focus to Reduce Aircraft Weight By Manufacturers is Increasing the Adoption of LED Emergency Lights 9.3.2 Navigation Lights 9.3.2.1 Position Lights 9.3.2.1.1 Position Lights Helps Aircraft to Recognize Each Other During Flight 9.3.2.2 Anti-Collision Lights 9.3.2.2.1 Rising Demand for Passenger Safety is Expected to Fuel the Growth of Anti-Collision Lights 9.3.2.3 Landing Lights 9.3.2.3.1 Landing Lights are Used By Pilots as Visibility Support During Takeoff and Landing 9.3.2.4 Taxi & Takeoff Lights 9.3.2.4.1 Takeoff Lighting Helps the Pilots in Providing Visibility Aids During Flight Takeoff 9.3.2.5 Runway Turnoff Lights 9.3.2.5.1 Runway Turnoff Lights Illuminate the Runaway Turnoff Area 9.3.3 Wings & Engine Inspection Lights 9.3.3.1 Wings & Engine Inspection Lights Help Detect Ice Formation on Wing Leading Edges 9.3.4 Cargo & Service Lights 9.3.4.1 Need for Good Visibility for Handling Cargo Efficiently 9.3.5 Special Purpose Lights 9.3.5.1 Search Lights 9.3.5.1.1 Mean Time Between Failure of Search Light is More Than 50,000 Hours 9.3.5.2 Logo Lights 9.3.5.2.1 Logo Lights Help Enhance the Brand Recognition of Airlines 9.3.5.3 Formation Lights 9.3.5.3.1 Rise in Demand From Military Aviation to Enhance Night Vision is Anticipated to Drive the Adoption of Formation Lights 10 Aircraft Lighting Market, By Light Source 10.1 Introduction 10.2 LED 10.2.1 Focus of OEMs and Airlines Towards Installing LED Lights 10.3 Fluorescent 10.3.1 Fluorescent Lights have Been Out-Performed By LEDs 11 Aircraft Lighting OEM Market, By Region 11.1 Introduction 11.2 North America 11.2.1 Us 11.2.1.1 Presence of Large Aircraft Manufacturers Propel the Growth of Aircraft Lighting in the Us 11.2.2 Canada 11.2.2.1 Increasing Demand for Business Jets Contribute to the Growth of Aircraft Lighting in Canada 11.3 Europe 11.3.1 France 11.3.1.1 Increase of Aircraft Orders is One of the Factors Attributing to the Growth of the Aircraft Lighting Market in France 11.3.2 Germany 11.3.2.1 Increased R&D Investments to Enhance Air Travel Experience Influence the Growth of the Aircraft Lighting Market in Germany 11.3.3 Italy 11.3.3.1 Demand for Aircraft Lights From Aircraft Manufacturers in Italy is Contributing to the Aircraft Lighting Market 11.3.4 Rest of Europe 11.4 Asia Pacific 11.4.1 China 11.4.1.1 Rise in Demand for Regional Transport Aircraft for Short and Medium-Haul Routes Will Increase Adoption of Aircraft Lighting 11.4.2 India 11.4.2.1 Growth of Military and General Aviation Aircraft Market Projected to Increase the Adoption of Aircraft Lights in India 11.4.3 Japan 11.4.3.1 Presence of Aircraft Manufacturers to Contribute to the Growth of Aircraft Lighting Market in Japan 11.4.4 Rest of Asia Pacific 11.5 Latin America 11.5.1 Increasing Aircraft Orders By Airlines in Latin America is A Major Driver for the Rise in Adoption of Lights in Those Aircraft 12 Aircraft Lighting Aftermarket, By Region 12.1 Introduction 12.2 North America 12.2.1 US 12.2.1.1 Replacement Demand for Aircraft Lighting in the US is Driven By the Presence of Airlines in the Country 12.2.2 Canada 12.2.2.1 Aircraft Modernization Programs Drive the Aircraft Lighting Aftermarket in Canada 12.3 Europe 12.3.1 UK 12.3.1.1 Presence of Mro Providers in the UK Boost the Aircraft Lighting Aftermarket 12.3.2 France 12.3.2.1 Presence of Mro Service Providers is Driving the Growth of the Aircraft Lighting Aftermarket in France 12.3.3 Germany 12.3.3.1 Growing Government Initiatives to Replace Aging Aircraft Equipment Drives the Demand for Aircraft Lights Replacement 12.3.4 Italy 12.3.4.1 Presence of Independent MRO Service Providers Expected to Fuel the Growth of Aircraft Lights Aftermarket in Italy 12.3.5 Rest of Europe 12.4 Asia Pacific 12.4.1 China 12.4.1.1 China is Looking Towards Replacing Its Aging Fleet 12.4.2 India 12.4.2.1 Airlines are Placing Immense Aircraft Orders Which May Influence the Aircraft Lighting Aftermarket 12.4.3 Japan 12.4.3.1 Growing Air Traffic and Foreign Investments for Mro Services are Driving the Aircraft Lighting Aftermarket in Japan 12.4.4 Australia 12.4.4.1 Growth in Air Traffic is Driving the Market for Aircraft Lighting Replacement in Australia 12.4.5 Rest of Asia Pacific 12.5 Middle East 12.5.1 UAE 12.5.1.1 Growing Aircraft Fleet Size in the UAE Drive the Aircraft Lighting Replacement 12.5.2 Saudi Arabia 12.5.2.1 Increasing Demand for Aircraft to Meet the Passenger Growth is Driving the Aircraft Lighting Aftermarket 12.5.3 Rest of Middle East 12.6 Rest of the World 12.6.1 Latin America 12.6.1.1 Latin America's In-Service Fleet Will Double in the Next 20 Years 12.6.2 Africa 12.6.2.1 Africa is Encouraging Foreign Investments for Aftermarket Services for the Replacement of Aircraft Interiors 13 Competitive Landscape 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Competitive Leadership Mapping 13.2.1 Visionary Leaders 13.2.2 Innovators 13.2.3 Dynamic Differentiators 13.2.4 Emerging Companies 13.3 Ranking of Key Players, 2018 13.3.1 Winning Imperatives, By Key Players 13.4 Competitive Scenario 13.4.1 New Product Launches 13.4.2 Contracts 13.4.3 Acquisitions and Partnerships 14 Company Profiles 14.1 Astronics Corporation 14.2 Cobham PLC 14.3 Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG 14.4 Heads Up Technologies 14.5 Honeywell International Inc. 14.6 Safran 14.7 Luminator Technology Group 14.8 Oxley Group 14.9 Collins Aerospace (a United Technologies Company) 14.10 Soderberg Manufacturing Company Inc. 14.11 STG Aerospace Limited 14.12 Sela 14.13 Bruce Aerospace 14.14 Precise Flight, Inc. 14.15 Aeroleds 14.16 Whelen Aerospace Technologies 14.17 AGI Holdings LLC (Hoffman Engineering) 14.18 Madelec Aero 14.19 IFE Products 14.20 Talon Aerospace, LLC 14.21 Beadlight Limited For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dcy4kz Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. United States President Donald Trump on February 13 reportedly said that he thinks that there is a good chance that the US will reach a peace deal with the Taliban in Afghanistan. According to international media reports, it is also speculated that the US-Taliban deal will be signed on February 29 which will put an end to the 19-year-old war. After the deal signing, the US troops are further expected to pull out of the South East Asian country within 18 months, that is till August 2021. The US secured a seven-day reduction in violence in Afghanistan that it hopes that it will allow it to strike a deal with the Taliban, as President Donald Trump said a peace accord was "very close." The talks between Taliban-US were reportedly resumed in Qatar in December 2019 and three months after Trump abruptly halted the diplomatic efforts and called it 'dead'. However, the peace deal is also expected to focus on the 'reduction of violence' through a ceasefire and intra-Afghan negotiations. The deal would further call for the Taliban and US to refrain from conducting attacks or combat operations for seven days. READ: Ambassador Sandhu Says Trump's Visit Will Solidify India-US Partnership Across All Spheres 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 group of reporters at the Bagram Air Field on November 29. according to reports, other conditions in the deal would also include a Taliban pledge not to associate with al-Qaida, the Islamic State group or other militant groups. Taliban no longer seek monopoly of power The Taliban, who ruled Afghanistan with a harsh version of Islamic law from 1996 to 2001 and hosted al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, reportedly said that they no longer seek a monopoly on power, however, the militant group still controls or holds sway over roughly half of the country. There are also fears that a full withdrawal of some 20,000 NATO troops, including about 12,000 U.S. forces, would leave the Afghan government vulnerable, or unleash another round of fighting in a war that has reportedly killed tens of thousands of Afghans and also claimed the lives of 2,400 U.S. servicemen and women. READ: Trump, Modi To Outline Ambitious Vision For Next Chapter Of Indo-US Ties: Wells Afghan civilians have paid the heaviest price. The United Nations says that between 2009, when it first began documenting civilian casualties, and October 2019, approximately 34,677 Afghan civilians were killed, either in insurgent attacks or they were caught in the crossfire of battles between militants and Afghan security forces and their U.S.-led coalition allies. READ: Trump Says He Might Keep Others From Listening In On Calls READ: Barr: Trump Tweets On Cases Make It impossible To Do Job 5 of the world's best kite festivals Travel in search of elaborate kite displays Did you know that Kite Flying Day falls on 8th February? Giant kites, kite fighting and kite workshops are a flight away. Read on for five of the best kite festivals from around the world... The Barrilete Festival, Guatemala Head to Sumpango on All Saints Day, Sunday 1st November, to join Guatemalans as they fly huge kites around 15 to 20 metres wide as part of the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) hangover. The tradition dates back to the Mayans who would fill the skies to ward off bad spirits after their 24-hour stint with mortals. The complex designs take up to five months to create from scratch. The Zilker Kite Festival, USA March in Austin, Texas has meant almost only one thing for the past 90 years: the Zilker Kite Festival. Long before the famed SXSW music festival, the city founded its kite fest to encourage creativity in kids. Bring your own kite or purchase one at the Zilker Park venue to fly uncompetitively, the choice is yours. The family-friendly day welcomes pets and hosts a fun run and musical concert alongside a traditional flying contest. The Festival of the Winds, Australia Over 70,000 visitors flock to Sydney in September for a coastal kite flying bonanza. Bondi's pristine beaches welcome enthusiasts parading their handmade creations, with the helpful gusts of fresh sea air. The free event has been held here for more than four decades and crowds today are entertained by more food stalls, kite making workshops and art installations than ever. International Kite Festival, India The state of Gujarat celebrates its kite festival every January after months of preparation. Patang Bazaar, a dedicated kite market, opens 24 hours a day in the final week before the festival to make sure nobody misses out on the seven-day celebration. Festival highlights include the 500-kite chain, fixed to a single string and handmade by the master kitemaker of Ahmedabad. When night falls tukkals or lighted paper lanterns take to the sky in their thousands. Hamamatsu Festival, Japan When the Lord of Hamamatsu Castle's first son was born in the 16th century, the nation celebrated with the help of kites. The tradition of marking your firstborn son with a flight remains to this day, but extended to mark the birth of daughters too. Keep your eyes peeled for kite fights the fading custom sees skilled flyers use friction to cut the twine of their opponents. Fancy taking to the skies yourself? Don't forget your insurance At World First we offer worldwide travel insurance so you can follow your kite in skies across the world. Notwithstanding India's objection, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday once again raked up the Kashmir issue, vowing that Ankara will support Pakistan's stand as it is a matter of concern to both the countries. IMAGE:Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan walks with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on his arrival in Islamabad on Thursday. Photograph: Prime Minister's Office Handout via/Reuters Addressing a joint session of Pakistan's Parliament, Erdogan, who arrived in Islamabad on a two-day visit, announced that Turkey will back Pakistan in its efforts to come out of the Grey List of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which is meeting this week in Paris. "I also want to emphasise that we will give support to Pakistan which is subject to political pressure in the Financial Action Task Force meetings," he said on the upcoming meeting of the anti-terror financing watchdog. Voicing his country's support to Pakistan's stand on the Kashmir issue, he said it can be resolved not through conflict or oppression but on the basis of justice and fairness. "Our Kashmiri brothers and sisters have suffered from inconveniences for decades and these sufferings have become graver due to unilateral steps taken in recent times," Erdogan said, apparently referring to India revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August last year. "Today, the issue of Kashmir is as close to us as it is to you (Pakistanis). "Such a solution (on the basis of justice and fairness) will serve the interests of all parties concerned. Turkey will continue to stand by justice, peace and dialogue in the resolution of the Kashmir issue," the President said. The Turkish President, in his address, likened the 'struggle' of the Kashmiris with that of his country in the World War I against foreign domination. Drawing comparison with the battle of Gallipoli which was fought in Turkey between the Allied Powers and the Ottoman Empire in which over two lakh troops were killed on the both sides, Erdogan said 'there is no difference between Gallipoli and Kashmir'. "Turkey will continue to raise its voice against the oppression," he told Pakistani lawmakers in his address to the National Assembly and Senate, which was his record fourth address to the Pakistani Parliament over the years. In September last year, Erdogan raised the Kashmir issue during his address at the United Nations General Assembly. Reacting to his remarks in the United Nations, India said it 'deeply regrets' the statement of Turkey on the Kashmir issue, and termed it an internal matter. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar called upon Turkey to have a proper understanding of the situation in Kashmir before making further comments. India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5. Reacting to India's move, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties with New Delhi and expelled the Indian High Commissioner. India has always maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is its integral part and ruled out any third party mediation, including either from the UN or the US, saying it is a bilateral issue with Pakistan. Office of the President of Ukraine will suit the Skhemy (Schemes) television program with the demand to deny its report about alleged meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev in Oman and apologize for it. "The Office of the President of Ukraine states that the information in the report of the Skhemy program about an alleged meeting between the president of Ukraine and a Russia's high official in Oman is absolutely not consistent with the facts," the presidential press service said in a statement on Thursday. "The president of Ukraine never (in person or during international events) met, spoke to or communicated in any other way with Nikolai Patrushev," reads the statement. The press service also said that the Office of the President evaluates the publication of conclusions based on speculations and information from some secret sources, and not on the facts or evidences, as it was in the Skhemy program, as open manipulation of public opinion. The Office of the President will sue the Skhemy program with the demand to deny the fake information and assumptions made on its basis and apologize for this report. As reported, the "Skhemy: Corruption in Detail" program, a joint project of the Ukrainian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Ukrainian television channel UA: Pershy, released on February 13, said that the charter flight, which urgently transported Zelensky from the Omani capital of Muscat to Kyiv on January 8 arrived in Oman from Moscow. The journalists said that Patrushev came to Oman from Moscow by that charter flight on January 8. The Office of the President of Ukraine reported on January 5 that Zelensky was in Oman, where he arrived together with his family by a regular flight and at his own expense. Later that day Zelensky met with Oman's Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah and noted the interest of Ukraine in direct investments from Oman. Zelensky met with Executive President of the State General Reserve Fund Abdulsalam Al Murshidi on January 6 to discuss ways of stepping up bilateral cooperation. Paul Buckowski/Times Union ALBANY This week's episode of "New York Now," the award-winning coproduction of WMHT and the Times Union, features Dan Clark's look at the debate over how the state should regulate the "gig economy" and a talk with Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul about her recent visit to Puerto Rico. The Reporters Roundtable has Yancey Roy of Newsday and Bernadette Hogan of the New York Post talking with the Times Union's Casey Seiler about the proposal from state Senate Democrats to amend aspects of the recent criminal justice reforms, and the latest in the war between Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and President Donald J. Trump over the state's Green Light Law. This article is part of the Free Speech Project , a collaboration between Future Tense and the Tech, Law, & Security Program at American University Washington College of Law that examines the ways technology is influencing how we think about speech. A couple of weeks ago, I went to lunch with a prominent journalist who wanted to ask me about Wikipedia. I had been general counsel for the Wikimedia Foundation for a few years during a time when the online encyclopedia had really taken off in growth and funding. The journalist was curious how Wikipedia remains so information-rich and useful when the rest of the internet (in his view) is filled with divisive, corrosive misinformation. I said that Wikipedia couldnt exist without the work that cyberlibertarians had done in the 1990s to guarantee freedom of expression and broader access to the internet. Advertisement The journalist took the more jaundiced view, one Ive heard many times: that the internet has brought us to the unhappy historical moment were now living in, and that the only way to rescue society is to impose more discipline online, through tougher laws and fewer legal and constitutional protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hear this too-much-free-speech argument a lot these days, but I cant get used to it. For 30 years, I have been a cyberlibertarian orthe term I preferan internet lawyer. Sure, Ive worked on copyright law, encryption, broadband access, digital privacy, data protection, and more. But the roots of my career have always been in civil liberties and criminal law. That is, Ive (mostly) been arguing against censorship and against those who want to punish (mostly) law-abiding people for what they say or do with their digital tools on or off the internet. Advertisement Advertisement I hear this too-much-free-speech argument a lot these days, but I cant get used to it. But increasingly, Im hearing from politicians, activists, and people like my journalist friend who say that maybe we 1990s-era internet activists blew it. The story goes that we were so shortsighted in our focus on things like internet free speech and digital privacy that we overlooked a whole spectrum of long-term threats posed by digital technologies, the companies that sell them, and the governments that deploy them. This perspective suggests that the internet freedom my colleagues and I championed has instead chained us all by corrupting democracy and poisoning relationships. In recent years, my views have evolved. I no longer think that tolerance of disruptive speech is invariably the best answer, although, even now, I believe its typically the best first response. I also think the too-much-free-speech folks are being shortsighted themselves, because weve entered an era in which we need more disintermediated free speakers and free speech, not less. Advertisement Advertisement Although the First Amendment was chiseled into the Bill of Rights in the 18th century, most of what were referring to when we talk about American free-expression law is only about a century old. Still, cases like Near v. Minnesota (1931), New York Times v. Sullivan (1964), and Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) have always seemed as foundational to me as the First Amendment. And the 20th centurys First Amendment cases helped inform the development of international freedom-of-expression principles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1976). Advertisement Advertisement When I was finishing law school in the late 1980s, I loved those digging into those cases, but I also enjoyed taking frequent breaks from studying to participate in the earliest digital forums onlinebulletin-board systems but also bigger distributed systems like Usenet, where I could talk with people from all over the world. By my last semester of law school, my interests in criminal law, free expression, digital technologies, and online forums had converged, and I was hired as the Electronic Frontier Foundations first staff lawyer in 1990. Advertisement Advertisement In the earliest days of EFF, a big part of the job of expanding cyberliberties was just the work of getting the legal and constitutional issues recognized. Todays EFF has an admirable and diverse portfolio of casework and public advocacy, but 30 years ago we were a fledgling civil liberties startup focused more on consciousness-raising and proof of concept. My primary work as an attorney in those early years centered on advising other lawyers about handling hacker cases, email-privacy cases, and some of the earliest defamation and obscenity cases. Advertisement Advertisement Some commentators, including April Glaser in a 2018 article for Slate, have interpreted EFFs early years as disproportionately anti-government and incomplete because the organization did not address the fact that corporate decisions, no less than government decisions, could and frequently did undermine justice, human rights, and creativity. But we spent plenty of time chiding private corporations, ranging from the early IBM-Sears platform Prodigy to the incumbent telephone companies, for falling short of citizens reasonable expectations about free expression, privacy, and access to the larger digital world. Advertisement In addition to advising other lawyers and speaking and writing about cyberliberties issues, I also practiced some law myself in the 1990s. Most importantly, I was co-counsel in Reno v. ACLU (1997), a constitutional challenge to the Communications Decency Act that rocketed through a trial-court victory and a quick appeal to the Supreme Court. The Supremes voted unanimously to strike down most of the CDA, which was aimed at banning indecent but otherwise legal pornography from the internet. Our victory left in place only the acts Section 230, which was designed to empower internet companies to remove offensive, disturbing, or otherwise subscriber-alienating content without being liable for whatever else their users posted. The idea was that companies might be afraid to censor anything because in doing so, they would take on responsibility for everything. But now Section 230 is in some legislators crosshairs because the companies (in Congress view) censor either too much or not enough. The Reno case established the fundamental constitutional and statutory protections for new online forums and did so in such a massive, categorical way that it left me wondering, for a year or two in the late 1990s, whether I ought to retire from civil liberties work, my job being mostly done. I took time off and finished a book about my EFF years, from the early days to the CDA fight, in 1998. (Internet law was moving fast back then, and I published a revised, expanded edition five years later.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was wrong to think the big wrangles were over, though. For one thing, debates in the United States about digital copyright, encryption, surveillance, and building broadband access were becoming more heated. Notably, after having failed to block the spread of encryption technologies in the 1990s, the postSept. 11 U.S. government began to explore ways of compelling the tech companies to break or sidestep encryption in response to warrants and subpoenas. Government demands of this sortnot just from the United Stateshave only gotten worse in the past few years, a trend that will continue, to judge from the anti-crypto stylings of Attorney General William Barr. For another, EFF and other American cyberlibertarians gave inadequate attention to the international environment. We rationalized this U.S. focus because we werent yet big enough to be present elsewhere around the world, and because the U.S., as Internet Ground Zero, encountered lots of cyberliberties issues earlier than most other nations did. But since my departure from EFF in 1999, Ive worked with activists in more than two dozen countries whose constitutions and laws may be different, but whose issues regarding censorship, privacy, and human autonomy are strikingly similar to our own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, the original big internet-policy debates never disappeared or even really shrank that muchthey have been reincarnated in new forms and new places, as when the movie industry promoted civil and criminal cases against programmers who published source code that, in effect, explained how to bypass DVD copy protection. (The idea that publishing source code might itself be a crime underpinned some of the hacker cases in 1990, the year EFF was founded.) Another thing we clearly got wrong is how large platforms would rise to dominate their marketseven though they never received the kind of bespoke regulated-monopoly partnership with governments that, generations before, the telephone companies had received. In most of todays democracies, Google dominates search and Facebook dominates social media. In less-democratic nations, counterpart platformslike Baidu and Weibo in China or VK in Russiadominate their respective markets, but their relationships with the relevant governments are cozier, so their market-dominant status isnt surprising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We didnt see these monopolies and market-dominant players coming, although we should have. Back in the 1990s, we thought that a thousand website flowers would bloom and no single company would be dominant. We know better now, particularly because of the way social media and search engines can built large ecosystems that contain smaller communitiesFacebooks Groups is only the most prominent example. Market-dominant players face temptations that a gaggle of hungry, competitive startups and long tail services dont, and wed have done better in the 1990s if wed anticipated this kind of consolidation and thought about how we might respond to it as a matter of public policy. We should havethe concern about monopolies, unfair competition, and market concentration is an old one in most developed countriesbut I have no reflexive reaction either for or against antitrust or other market-regulatory approaches to address this concern, so long as the remedies dont create more problems than they solve. Advertisement Advertisement Whats new and more troubling is the revival of the idea, after more than half a century of growing freedom-of-expression protections, that maybe theres just too much free speech. Theres a lot to unpack here. In the 1990s, social conservatives wanted more censorship, particularly of sexual content. Progressive activists back then generally wanted less. Today, progressives frequently argue that social media platforms are too tolerant of vile, offensive, hurtful speech, while conservatives commonly insist that the platforms censor too much (or at least censor them too much). Both sides miss obvious points. Those who think there needs to be more top-down censorship from the tech companies imagine that when censorship efforts fail, it means the companies arent trying hard enough to enforce their content policies. But the reality is that no matter how much money and manpower (plus less-than-perfect artificial intelligence) Facebook throws at curating hateful or illegal content on its services, and no matter how well-meaning Facebooks intentions are, a user base edging toward 3 billion people is always going to generate hundreds of thousands, and perhaps millions, of false positives every year. Advertisement Advertisement On the flip side, those who want to restrict companies ability to censor content havent given adequate thought to the consequences of their demands. If Facebook or Twitter became what Sen. Ted Cruz calls a neutral public forum, for example, they might become 8chan writ large. Thats not very likely to make anyone happier with social media. Advertisement Advertisement Still others, on both the left and the right, argue that weakening (or outright removing) Section 230s protections would bring the tech platforms into some kind of reasonable balance. These would-be reformers havent given enough attention to what law professor Eric Goldman has called the moderation dilemma. Alternatively, as in this 2019 piece by Matt Schruers, the newly appointed president of the Computer & Communications Industry Association, its sometimes called the moderators dilemma, where opposing incentives lead either to the suppression of viewpoint diversity or to websites plagued with off-topic content, trolling, and abuse. Advertisement One reason we need to keep Section 230 safea reason I didnt have the foresight to champion back in the 1990sis that its crucial to fighting disinformation: It allows internet platforms to curate their content without necessarily increasing liability. My colleague Renee DiResta and I have been arguing in the past year or two that empowering tech companies to partner with governments and multistakeholder efforts in fighting disinformation is properly characterized as simply good cybersecurity. I remain skeptical as to whether tactics like microtargeting and demographic profiling, whether used by political campaigns or foreign governments, are as effective at manipulating people as some critics fear, but I see nothing wrong with using legal and policy tools to stop malicious actors from trying to use these tools. Advertisement Advertisement Ive come to believe our society should take reasonable steps to limit intentionally harmful speech, but I also find myself increasingly embracing a broader, more instrumentalist vision of freedom of speech than I typically championed in the 1990s. Back then, I was much more focused on encouraging tolerance and pluralismthe idea that an open, democratic society should be willing to let people say outrageous things, to the extent possible, because we ought to be strong enough in our democratic convictions to endure disturbing dissent. I still believe that, but here in 2020 Im also haunted by the challenges we face everywhere in the world in this century, ranging from climate change to income inequality to the (not-unrelated) resurgence of populist xenophobia and even genocidal movements. Advertisement Advertisement Its been argued that internet forums for free expression have incubated real-world violence. But humanitys capacity for war, violence, and self-destruction predate social media, and todays internet platforms are often the first channels where we see the evidence of crimes (Myanmarese persecution of the Rohingya, for example, or Chinese repression of the Uighurs) that governments and closed societies used to be better able to hide. More important, though, is the fact that the problems well face in this century are going to need everyones attention and contributionsnot just that of our leaders and policymakers and journalists and thought leaders. Theyll need help from people we love and people we hate, from you and from me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats the biggest thing I learned at the Wikimedia Foundation: When ordinary people are empowered to come together and work on a common, humanity-benefiting project like Wikipedia, unexpectedly great and positive things can happen. Wikipedia is not the anomaly my journalist friend thinks it is. Instead, its a promise of the good works that ordinary people freed by the internet can create. I no longer argue primarily that the explosion of freedom of expression and diverse voices, facilitated by the internet, is simply a burden we dutifully have to bear. Now, more than I ever did 30 years ago, I argue that its the solution. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. File image The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday on a plea filed by Sara Abdullah Pilot challenging the detention of her brother and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah under the Public Safety Act. A bench, comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee, said it would hear on March 2 Pilot's plea challenging Abdullah's detention. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for Pilot in the apex court. Pilot had on Monday approached the top court challenging her brother's detention under the Public Safety Act, saying the order was "manifestly illegal" and there was no question of him being a "threat to the maintenance of public order". At the outset, the bench asked Sibal as to "what are the grounds of detention". Sibal referred to the dossier handed over to Abdullah by Superintendent of Police and said the grounds of detention are already mentioned there. "Has any petition been filed in the Jammu and Kashmir high court by anybody on your behalf? Verify whether anything is pending there," the bench told Sibal. Sibal told the bench that nobody has filed anything in the high court on their behalf. After issuing notice, the bench said the matter will be heard after three weeks. Sibal urged the court that the matter be heard next week as it is a habeas corpus petition concerning liberty of an individual. When Sibal said that it would delay the matter, the bench said," you have waited for so long. Wait for 15 more days. "It can't be heard overnight," the bench said and posted the matter fore hearing on March 2. The plea has sought quashing of the February 5 order detaining Abdullah, former chief minister of 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". TORONTO, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acrow Bridge , a leading international bridge engineering and supply company, announced that its Canadian company, Acrow Limited, will move to new headquarters on Tuesday February 18, 2020. The new address is 2150 Islington Avenue, Suite 206, Toronto, ON M9P 3V4. The new phone number is 416.551.3836. The move comes amid a push to attract top talent at the firm. In the wake of substantial 2019 growth, Acrow Limited will relocate to a new facility in Toronto on February 18, said Gordon Scott, Director of Operations and Sales, Acrow Limited. We are excited to continue the extraordinary growth weve experienced in the last few years and are anticipating that our new location will be attractive to the top-level talent we hope to bring on board. Added Bill Killeen, Acrow CEO, In the wake of our recent combination with Mabey Bridge, we have attained a broader mass. The combined Acrow Mabey team is able to more effectively meet the needs and requirements of government agencies and contractors within Canada and worldwide. Our move to the financial and business hub of Canada will enhance our ability to serve our Canadian clients and to attract the best talent. About Acrow Bridge Acrow Bridge has been serving the transportation and construction industries for more than 60 years with a full line of modular steel bridging solutions for vehicle, rail, military and pedestrian use. Acrows extensive international presence includes its leadership in the development and implementation of bridge infrastructure projects in over 150 countries, covering Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.acrow.com . Media contact: Tracy Van Buskirk Marketcom PR Main: (212) 537-5177, ext. 8; Mobile: (203) 246-6165 tvanbuskirk@marketcompr.com A coronavirus survivor has lifted the lid on what it's like to contract the killer disease - including a soaring temperature, pains, and a cough so bad 'I thought I might die'. The 21-year-old student, going under the pseudonym Tiger Ye, said he first noticed symptoms on January 21 while at home in Wuhan, ground zero for the disease. Ye said that the first signs he was ill came when he was too weak to finish his dinner, and noticed that he had a raised temperature. A 21-year-old student, going under the pseudonym of Tiger Ye, has revealed the three-week ordeal he suffered after catching coronavirus on January 21 in Wuhan (file image) With news of a new and potentially lethal virus spreading, Ye took himself to the city's Tongji Hospital to get tested - only to find a waiting room filled with dozens of other people who also feared they were infected. Facing an hours-long wait, Ye said he went to another hospital to get some medication that he thought might help, before quarantining himself at home. Speaking about the first four days of his illness to Bloomberg, he said: 'I suffered from a high fever and pains that tortured every part of my body. 'I was coughing like I was going to die.' After four days he went back to Tongji for a follow-up appointment where CT scans revealed that he likely had coronavirus, and that it had spread to his lungs. But medics refused to give him a test that would confirm whether he had the virus, because they were running low on kits and his symptoms weren't severe enough. He was sent home to self-isolate a second time when his symptoms suddenly worsened. Ye said his temperature soared to 102F (39C) and he thought he was 'knocking on hell's door'. The hospital finally admitted him, gave him anti-viral drugs to bring his temperature down, and a test which confirmed he had the virus. After him symptoms began easing then sent him back home with another course of medication after running out of beds. Ye said he suffered a temperature of 102F (39C), pains 'all over my body' and a cough so bad 'that I thought I would die' On February 7, he was moved to a hotel that had been converted into a hospital where he was quarantined under medical supervision, with police posted outside to stop anyone leaving. Ye was allowed to go home on February 12 after his symptoms vanished and tests showed he was negative for the virus. The death toll neared 1,400 on Friday with six medical workers among the victims, underscoring the country's struggle to contain a deepening health crisis. Nearly 64,000 people are now recorded as having fallen ill from the virus in China, with officials revealing that 1,716 health workers had been infected as of Tuesday. That follows a huge spike in cases after officials began recording patients diagnosed by CT scan instead of only those diagnosed with testing kits. The grim figures come a week after grief and public anger erupted over the death of a whistleblowing doctor who had been reprimanded and silenced by police after raising the alarm about the virus in December. The scale of the epidemic swelled this week after authorities in central Hubei province, the epicentre of the contagion, changed their criteria for counting cases, adding thousands of new patients to their tally. The health emergency in China has caused fears of further global contagion, with more than two-dozen countries reporting hundreds of cases among them. Three people have died outside mainland China. Yes said he was eventually quarantined and given anti-viral drugs which helped his body fight the infection, before being allowed home (pictured, workers in Wuhan eat lunch on a rooftop separated by plastic dividers to stop the spread of the infection) The United States has accused China of lacking transparency. The majority of cases of infections among health workers was in Hubei's capital, Wuhan, where many have lacked proper masks and gear to protect themselves in hospitals dealing with a deluge of patients. After the death of whistleblower Li Wenliang, a 34-year-old ophthalmologist in Wuhan, 10 academics circulated an open letter calling for political reform and freedom of speech in the Communist-ruled country. Under criticism over the handling of the crisis, the Communist Party sacked two top-ranking officials in Hubei, and replaced them with senior cadres with security backgrounds. Battling the epidemic is a 'big test for the country's governance system and governance ability,' said Chinese President Xi Jinping, who chaired a political meeting on government reforms, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The outbreak has exposed 'shortcomings,' Xi acknowledged, adding that China needed to reform its public health and epidemic prevention and control systems. A man convicted of conspiring to set fire to his Maryland business to collect insurance money has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. The office of the U.S. Attorney in Maryland said Demetrios Stavrakis, 54, of Lutherville-Timonium, was sentenced Wednesday. He was also ordered to spend three years on supervised release and to forfeit more than $15 million. Stavrakis was found guilty in October of malicious destruction of property by fire, use of fire to commit a federal felony and wire fraud. Evidence presented during his seven-week trial showed that after the fire in July 2015, insurance adjusters submitted claims totaling more than $21 million, and the insurance company paid approximately $15 million. Prosecutors alleged that a portion of the money was transferred to an account in the name of Stavrakiss wife, which prosecutors say was used to buy luxury cars, a motorcycle and jewelry. Defense attorney Steve Levin told the Baltimore Sun his client will continue to fight his conviction. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Maryland The letter went out to about 1,900 Californians a few weeks ago from law firms bringing a class-action suit against one of the countrys largest assisted-living chains. If the recipients, or their family members, had lived in a community operated by Sunrise Senior Living in recent years, we would like to speak with you regarding your residency and experience, the letter said. It was the latest action in an ongoing campaign: Since 2013, a group of law firms has systematically sued several major chains operating in the state, employing an unusual strategy. It all boils down to the use of assessments, or lack thereof, said Kathryn Stebner, the trial counsel in the case. These are a la carte facilities the more needs you have, the more you have to pay. So, they assess you. Washington, Feb 14 : US President Donald Trump's ability to wage war on Iran without congressional approval has been limited in a Senate bill passed by his fellow Republicans. The Iran war powers resolution was approved by a vote of 55-45 - hours after Trump warned that it would make America less safe from Iran, the BBC reported on Thursday. The House passed a version of the bill in January, after Trump ordered the killing of a top Iranian general. Trump is expected to veto the bill once it reaches the White House. On Thursday, eight Republicans bucked the president's party, which has a majority in the Senate, to vote in favour of forcing Trump to consult with Congress before conducting military operations against Iran. A day before the vote, Trump tweeted: "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... 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." The resolution requires Trump to remove troops who are engaged in hostilities with Iran unless Congress declares war or passes a resolution allowing the specific use of force. It adds that no part of the resolution "shall be construed to prevent the United States from defending itself from imminent attack". The war powers resolution passed the Senate hours after the US Navy announced that it had seized weapons believed to be of Iranian "design and manufacture" from a Iranian dhow in the Arabian Sea. In a statement, the US military said the USS Normandy seized "150 'Dehlavieh' anti-tank guided missiles" as well as "three Iranian surface-to-air missiles, Iranian thermal imaging weapon scopes, and Iranian components for unmanned aerial and surface vessels". Medical personnel from the Peoples Liberation Army get off a military transport aircraft at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in Hubei province on Thursday, marking the first civilian-related mission carried out by the PLAs Y-20 transport aircraft. The 1,400 military medical workers, boarding 11 aircraft, will be joined by another 1,200 colleagues in the latest effort to fight the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan. CHEN XIAODONG / FOR CHINA DAILY China can minimize the impact of the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, maintain the country's momentum of economic development and work to achieve the goals and tasks for this year, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday evening. He made the remark in a phone conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, whom Xi described as an "old friend of the Chinese people". Mahathir's phone call at such a critical period when the Chinese people are fighting the contagion shows Malaysia's friendly feelings and support for China, Xi said. Xi stressed that the Chinese government has adopted the most comprehensive, strictest and most sweeping preventive measures since the outbreak of the epidemic. The fatality rate remains at a relatively low level, breakthroughs are being made in treatment methods and the recovery rate continues to rise, he said. Xi said that the Chinese government will lead its people to win the war of epidemic prevention and control with greater confidence, stronger resolve and more targeted measures. Meanwhile, China will keep marching toward its long-term goals with determination, he added. Xi noted that China's strong measures to curb the contagion not only show its responsibility for the health of its own people, but also its contribution to global public health. This has been fully affirmed by other countries and the World Health Organization, he said, adding that China will continue to strengthen cooperation with the international community to fight the epidemic. In particular, the governments and people in neighboring countries with friendly relations with China, including Malaysia, have taken positive steps to provide timely assistance to China, he said. This is a vivid example of how countries in the region help each other in times of need, Xi said. He said China will continue to enhance preventive cooperation with member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in a transparent and open way to jointly safeguard public health in the region. China will continue to treat citizens of Malaysia and other countries in China the same as Chinese citizens and take care of them, he added. Xi also said that the profound friendship between the people of China and Malaysia is unshakable although the epidemic has temporarily affected normal personnel exchanges between the two countries. While the two countries are joining hands to deal with the challenge, Xi called on the two sides to continue to deepen bilateral ties especially in cooperation on jointly building the Belt and Road to produce more outcomes that benefit both countries and peoples. Mahathir, on behalf of the Malaysian government, expressed condolences to the Chinese government and people over their suffering as a result of the epidemic. Malaysia greatly appreciates the efforts and positive progress that China has made to deal with the contagion, which is China's contribution to maintaining global public security as a responsible country, he said. Mahathir said that as a sincere friend of China, Malaysia has already provided a batch of medical supplies and is willing to continue to provide assistance. The Malaysian prime minister stressed that his country believes that China's development can return to normal under Xi's leadership. Studies Suggest Link Between High Pollution Levels in China and Coronavirus News Analysis China, as the fifth worst polluted nation in the world and Wuhan as its fourth most polluted city, appears to be more susceptible to the new coronavirus (formally named COVID-19) because air pollution levels increase rates of respiratory infections, according to various studies. The first COVID-19 reported cases and most of the deaths have been centered in Wuhan, the most populous city in central China, with a population of 11 million. As a huge inland port and industrial city located at the convergence of the Yangtze River and the Han River, Wuhan is the 30th worst polluted city in the world, only slightly less polluted than the Chinese cities of Tianjin, Beijing and Shenyang, according to a 2019 Word Index Pollution report by STC, a data and research firm. STC reviewed 182 world cities. The Journal of the American Medical Association reported on Feb. 7 an analysis of the characteristics of 138 patients hospitalized in Wuhan for symptoms of acute lower respiratory pneumonia associated with COVID-19. The study found the median admission age was 56 years old; the median age of the 26 percent requiring intensive care was 66; and almost two thirds of the 4.3 percent of patients that died were already suffering from underlying comorbidities associated with heart or lung disease. The highly reliable data reinforces general observations that COVID-19 tends to hit weakened older individuals already suffering from chronic heart and lung disease associated with living in Chinese cities with high levels of air pollution. It is not fully understood why children seem to be escaping the worst effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus. But a similar pattern holds for many infectious diseases, such as common outbreaks of measles and chickenpox, and acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronaviruses. Dr. Andrew Pavia, the chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Utah told Live Science Magazine: One hypothesis is that the innate immune response, that is the early response that is aimed broadly at groups of pathogens, tends to be more active in children. A 2018 study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine reported that exposure to each 10 millionth of a gram increase per cubic meter of small particle air pollution (10 PM 2.5 g/m3) over a 1 to 4 week period was associated with 1532% higher odds of getting an acute lower respiratory infection. The STC report explains: PM 10 is particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter, whereas PM 2.5 is particulate matter 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter. Particulates are the most harmful form of air pollution because they can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstreams unfiltered. That can cause, heart attacks, respiratory disease, and even permanent DNA mutations. The higher the density of these particles, the higher the risk. Wuhans seasonal peak month for PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 , SO 2 , and CO component levels of air pollution occurs in December due to increased local emissions and severe weather conditions, while its seasonal low air pollution in July due to peak days of rainfall. There is a close seasonal similarity between the first reported cases for the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak that occurred in early-December 2019 in Wuhan and the mid-November 2002 outbreak of SARS coronavirus in rural Guangdong Province. The World Health Organization has reported that the number of cases for coronavirus outbreaks accelerated rapidly in the first couple of months. The WHOs comprehensive after-action Consensus Document on the Epidemiology of SARS report tracked the rapid rise of SARS cases that peaked in March 2003, then trended down during April and expired in May. That seasonal pattern tracks with Chinas seasonal pollution levels that peak in the year-end dry season and fall in the winter rainy season. There is no reliable statistics from the Chinese regime regarding the number of infections and deaths from COVID-19, but online reports speculate up to 60 cities and 400 million Chinese are under some form of quarantine to halt the outbreak. EDWARDSVILLE Kathryn Bentley, director of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Theater and Dance, has earned a 2020 Saint Louis Visionary Award in the Outstanding Working Artist category. The award celebrates her work in the arts at SIUE and in the community. I am humbled to win this award, said Bentley. There are so many phenomenal women artists in St. Louis, so being recognized in this way is significant to me. I am grateful to my fellow artists with whom I collaborate on a regular basis. Bentley joined the SIUE Department of Theater and Dance in 2004 and has been directing the Black Studies program since 2018. She has also served as the artistic director of SIUEs Black Theatre Workshop since 2006. In addition to her work at SIUE, Bentley has performed and directed with numerous theater companies regionally and nationally, most recently directing the 2019 Shakespeare in the Streets production of Love at the Rivers Edge with Shakespeare Festival St. Louis. In 2018, she joined Bread & Roses Missouri as artistic director for the Workers Theater Project and directed the companys first full-length production, Jailbird, in 2019. She has been instrumental in developing the CHIPS In Motion program at CHIPS Health and Wellness Center in North St. Louis. This program continues to utilize performance to teach the community about pertinent health and wellness issues. I have committed the last 20 years of my career to educating through theater, said Bentley. Its important to me that I utilize the arts to impact change whenever I can. There is not a more powerful way to effect change than through heart-centered interactions, she said. Theater challenges us to go past the intellect and make personal connections to difficult topics. Bentley will receive her Saint Louis Visionary Award during a ceremony held on Monday, April 27, at 6 p.m. at the Sun Theater in Grand Center. Visit vizawards.org for details. SIUEs College of Arts and Sciences offers degree programs in the natural sciences, humanities, arts, social sciences and communications. The Midwives Association of Ireland has reacted to the Maternity Overview Report from HIQA and its comments on the National Maternity Strategy. The report released on Wednesday, found that staffing shortages and poor infrastructure are threatening the long-term sustainability of Ireland's maternity services. HIQA also criticised the Health Service Executive's role in implementing the 2016 National Maternity Strategy, and has urged it to develop a "comprehensive, time-bound and costed" implementation plan for that strategy. The report acknowledges that while 60,000 babies are born annually in Ireland, in recent decades some women have experienced "failings in their maternity care that have revealed significant service deficits". The Midwives Association of Ireland has said that midwives have become increasingly concerned with the lack of progress of implementation of the Strategy published over four years ago. Patricia Hughes, Chairperson of the Midwives Association of Ireland (MAI) said: "We are concerned not only with the lack of action but with the apparent lack of accountability in respect of implementation of this, the first National Maternity Strategy in the history of the State, a strategy born out of the too many avoidable injuries and deaths to women and babies in recent decades." Ms Hughes also noted that secondary victims to current maternity services failures include "staff working in woefully inadequate facilities, underfunded, chronically understaffed, poorly supported in a system of outdated, non-evidence based practice". "We note that the funding provided to implement the Strategy to date is but a fraction of what was costed," she said. We are calling for urgent action to address these issues without further delay in the interests of safety for women, babies and their families. "Failure to do so will result in further burnout and migration of staff who can no longer tolerate the constricted conditions and configuration of care which meets the needs of no one and completely fails the needs of women, babies and families." The Supported Model of Care, with midwives leading and delivering care within a multidisciplinary framework, is not an optional luxury. If we are to improve quality, we must improve this. "The MAI stresses that the primary and essential foundation for the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy is to immediately and rapidly establish the Supported Care Model as the basis upon which all other care is built, i.e. fund, enable and progress the Supported Care Pathway to take effect without further delay. Advertisement Of Victoria Falls, David Livingstone swooned that scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight. Charles Dickens fell hook, line and sinker for Niagara Falls: What fall of bright green water! It came upon me in its full might and majesty . . . I felt how near my creator I was standing. Meanwhile, when she laid first eyes on the majesty of Iguacu Falls in South America, Eleanor Roosevelt was so blown away she simply said: Poor Niagara! Waterfalls have always attracted purple prose and these days they are big business, drawing millions of visitors across the globe annually. It is estimated that the Canadian side of Niagara Falls alone generates 1.4 billion each year from tourism, while the less busy U.S. side pockets around 35 million. Roughly a million people a year visit Victoria Falls on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. And the 250 or so waterfalls tumbling and foaming away in New Zealand are one of the countrys big tourist lures, which attract around four million visitors a year spending roughly 32 billion. Here is our pick of ten of the worlds very best waterfalls. Thunder in Africa Victoria Falls in Africa, pictured, which are named after Queen Victoria. The curtain of water spans the entire mile width of the mighty Zambezi river David Livingstone arrived at Africas Victoria Falls in 1855. The first European visitor, he named them after Queen Victoria but locals prefer to use Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders). The curtain of water spans the entire mile width of the mighty Zambezi before dropping into a gorge. Dont miss: Batoka Skys 15-minute microlight flight over the falls (from 138pp, livingstonesadventure.com). How to do it: BA (ba.com) London to Victoria Falls via Johannesburg from 511 return; Avani Resort in Zambia, right by the falls, doubles from 185 (avanihotels.com). North American hat-trick Niagara Falls, pictured, which straddles the Canadian province of Ontario and New York state. It attracts 30million visitors a year Of the three waterfalls that make up Niagara, straddling the Canadian province of Ontario and New York state, the Horseshoe Falls is the most impressive. The water cascades from four of the Great Lakes and attracts 30 million annual visitors. Passengers once crossed under the falls in rowing boats but, since 1846, the Maid Of The Mist tour boats have been getting souvenir-ponchoed tourists closest to the action. This year visitors can expect new electric craft. Dont miss: The Prospect Point Observation Tower and two viewing portals which cut through the rock at the base (niagarafallsstatepark.com). How to do it: Air Canada (aircanada.com) London to Toronto from 443 return; DoubleTree Fallsview Resort, doubles from 89 (doubletree3.hilton.com). California thrills Yosemite Falls are 2,425ft high and are set amid the spectacular Californian National Park. It is a six-hour hike to the top Set amid the spectacular Californian National Park, Yosemite Falls are 2,425ft high. The six-hour hike to the top is not easy, but those who make it will be rewarded with views of the surrounding valley and the imposing granite mountains Half Dome and Sentinel Rock. Dont miss: Gold panning in the rivers of nearby Mariposa county from 38pp (prospectyosemite.com). How to do it: BA (ba.com) London to San Francisco from 429 return. San Francisco to Yosemite transfer from 46.80 one-way (viator.com). Doubles at the Yosemite Valley Lodge (yosemite.com) from 148. A Faroe beauty The Mulafossur waterfall, pictured, in the Faroe Islands, which tumbles 200ft into the Atlantic Ocean The village of Gasadalur (population 13) on Vagar, one of the 18 Faroe Islands, has just opened its first guest house. Your hardiness in braving the elements in this wildest outpost, situated halfway between Iceland and Norway, will be rewarded by the sight of the Mulafossur waterfall, which tumbles 200ft into the Atlantic. Dont miss: Rast (fermented mutton) and Faroese bread. How to do it: Atlantic Airways (atlanticairways.com) London to Vagar, via Copenhagen, from 160 return. Doubles at Hjalgrimsstova guesthouse at Gasadalur from 125 (gasadal.com). Worth an Amazon hike Gocta Falls, pictured, in the high forests of Perus Amazon. In the early 2000s, a German explorer discovered the double-drop 2,500ft waterfall Locals long kept quiet about the magnificent Gocta Falls in the high forests of Perus Amazon for fear of invoking the curse of a white-haired mermaid who supposedly lives in the waters. In the early 2000s, a German explorer discovered the double-drop 2,500ft waterfall and the secret was out. Now, visitors hike for three hours to hear the roar. Dont miss: Gocta Lodge, a nearby hotel (details below) that offers guided walks. How to do it: BA (ba.com) London to Lima from 409 return. Its a four-hour drive to Gocta Lodge, where all 18 rooms have views of the falls, from 83, B&B (goctalodge.com). South American spectacle Iguacu Falls means big water in the Guarani Indian language. The falls straddle the Brazilian/Argentinian border Straddling the Brazilian/Argentinian border, Iguacu Falls means big water in Guarani Indian language. This is apt, as 275 cascades culminate in a vast horseshoe, the Devils Throat, with 14 different falls of its own. Dont miss: Raft along the Rio Iguacu to the base of the falls from 61pp (adatours.com). How to do it: Virgin Atlantic (virginatlantic.com) London to Sao Paulo return flights from 685. LATAM (latam.com) Sao Paulo to Iguacu from 72 return. Belmond Das Cataratas offers private views of the falls, with B&B doubles from 268pp (belmond.com). Icelands golden falls Gullfoss in Iceland plunges 100ft over two tiers into a deep gorge. It is named Gullfoss (golden falls) because glacier sediment turns the water a golden hue in sunlight Gullfoss in Icelandic means golden falls, and they are so named because glacier sediment turns the water a golden hue in sunlight. The Hvita river, east of Reykjavik, plunges 100ft over two tiers into a deep gorge. A plaque commemorates local landowner Sigriour Tomasdottir, who in 1907 saved the waterfall from energy investors by walking 60 miles to Reykjavik to do battle and threatening to throw herself down the 230ft canyon walls She succeeded and in 1979 they became a protected conservation site. Dont miss: The Northern Lights. How to do it: Wizz Air (wizzair.com) London to Reykjavik from 87 return; car hire from 28 a day (sixt.co.uk); Hotel Gullfoss, doubles from 95, B&B (hotelgullfoss.is). Magnificent in Croatia Skradinski Buk, the longest waterfall in Krka National Park near Sibenik, Croatia. The water is often various shades of turquoise Krka National Park, near Sibenik, Croatia, was created to protect the 45 miles of Krka River, within which Skradinski Buk is its longest waterfall. The stepped beauty is made up of 17 falls that tumble for half a mile. Thanks to the light hitting the whirlpools, the water turns various shades of turquoise. Dont miss: Try Sibenik countys local babic wine. How to do it: EasyJet (easyjet.com) London to Split from 147 return, then take a bus to Sibernik from 5 one-way (getbybus.com). D-Resort Sibenik, doubles from 98, B&B (dresortsibenik.com). New Zealand marvel The Purakaunui Falls are 65ft of three relentless, graceful tiers on New Zealand's South Island in Catlins Forest Park New Zealand isnt short of natural wonders. You will find one on the South Island in the Catlins Forest Park, an hour and a half south of Dunedin. The Purakaunui Falls are 65ft of three relentless, graceful tiers. So beautiful, they have long reached celebrity status, adorning calendars and postcards. Don't miss: Two other falls in the national park, Matai and McLean, are both within walking distance How to do it: Air New Zealand (airnewzealand.co.uk) London to Christchurch from 863 return; Greenwood Farmstay, doubles from 99, B&B (greenwoodfarmstay.co.nz). Umbria wonder Cascata delle Marmore, pictured, in the Nera River Park, near Terni, Umbria. The flowing white waters are supposed to represent a bridal veil Cascata delle Marmore in the Nera River Park, near Terni, Umbria, was built by the Romans in 271BC. Its 540ft and was described as horribly beautiful by Lord Byron in 1817 while on his Grand Tour. The flowing white waters are supposed to represent a bridal veil. They run to a schedule and are best seen when the gates are opened twice a day, so check the timetable (piediluco.eu). You can also climb to the viewing platform at the top. Dont miss: Halfway up and through a tunnel, you will find the secluded lovers balcony tucked away behind the water. How to do it: Ryanair (ryanair.com) London to Perugia from 25 return; trains from Perugia to Terni from 6 (thetrainline.com); Hotel Valentino, doubles from 73 (hotelvalentinoterni.it). New York politicians said we would be safe. Democrats told us to register our guns so the criminals would be disarmed. New York Democrats said we needed to have fewer cartridges in our guns so the bad guys couldnt hurt us. Last week, a convicted felon shot police officers in New York City. We were told this couldnt happen because of New Yorks strict gun laws. Clearly, the Democrats lied to us. If it could happen to the police, then it could happen to any of us. It isnt the tool that does harm, it is the evil person who kills with any tool he wants to use. We were fools to believe the old lies, and wed be bigger fools to believe the New York politicians now. New York Democrats passed the SAFE act in 2013. This 'gun control' legislation was passed in the middle of the night because it was emergency legislation that we needed desperately to insure public safety. The legislation outlawed many handguns and long guns. The law limited the number of cartridges honest gun owners could carry in their guns. It required a background check before law abiding individuals could transfer a gun or buy ammunition. Provisions in the SAFE act meant honest gun owners could be disarmed if someone questioned their mental health. Democrats said that would keep us safe. It didnt work at all. Disarming the good guys doesnt stop the bad guys. ..... In September 2016, presidential candidate Donald Trump gathered evangelical pastors, whose support he had courted assiduously, to discuss the political beliefs that they shared. The Rev. Robert Jeffress, who leads the megachurch First Baptist Dallas and would preach at the church service Trump attended on the morning of his inauguration, recalls looking at the agenda and starting to discuss the first item. Trump interrupted him. "Pastor, don't you think we ought to pray first?" Trump said, according to Jeffress. Jeffress laughs about the memory now. Trump, known to others as a thrice-married, trash-talking, pugnacious businessman. "He had to remind the pastor to pray." As president, Trump has surrounded himself with a tightknit group of pastors like Jeffress, evangelical leaders who heap praise upon him for his socially conservative stances, his judicial appointments and his support for Israel's government. Trump often invites these pastors to pray and seems to enjoy hearing their professions of faith. Many of the pastors insist that Trump is a Christian believer. But Trump - who recently mocked the expressions of faith of two devout politicians, the Catholic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and the Latter-day Saint Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah - very rarely puts his own religious beliefs on display. He does not belong to a church in Washington, though he refers to himself as a Presbyterian. He only occasionally attends a service, including multiple visits to St. John's Episcopal across from the White House, which past presidents historically have attended, and Christmas and Easter worship at the Florida Episcopal church where he was married or at Washington National Cathedral, another Episcopal church. The president says the Bible is his favorite book but has declined to name a verse that is particularly meaningful to him. And he has said multiple times that he does not like to ask God for forgiveness, which is traditionally seen as a core part of the Christian faith. Christians preach of the importance of evidence, or "fruit," that shows that a person has had some kind of conversion moment. "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved," reads a crucial text from the book of Romans. Once they have converted, Christians tend to take up certain spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, church attendance, tithing and reading the Bible. In interviews with several religious leaders and observers, there is no indication that Trump engages in any of those practices regularly. "Anybody who says 'I've never asked for forgiveness' is not in the born-again camp," said Stephen Mansfield, an evangelical author who wrote books on the faiths of former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush. Of Trump, he said: "Submit your life to Jesus, born again, conversion: that heart of Christianity is not something he has absorbed." Still, a host of evangelical pastors whom Trump frequently invites to the White House tell their followers that the president is a Christian. "I think there's no question he believes," said the Rev. Franklin Graham, who has followed in the footsteps of his father, Billy Graham, as a faith adviser in the White House. Graham said he believes Trump has had a conversion moment, but he doesn't know when it might have happened. Instead of an ecumenical faith advisory council, Trump chose to create an evangelical advisory board, with no members from Catholic, mainline Protestant, Jewish, Muslim or other traditions. Johnnie Moore, an unofficial leader of that advisory board, said Trump speaks "multiple times a week" with spiritual advisers including Graham, Paula White, Georgia pastor Jentezen Franklin and Texas pastor Jack Graham. "I absolutely believe he's a born-again Christian," Moore said. "I see it in things he's said publicly and privately. I've seen it in his desire to stand up for what he believes is right." A spokeswoman for Trump did not respond to a request for comment. Many of Trump's faith advisers, including White, who is now a part of his White House staff, also declined to comment. Evangelical leader James Dobson has credited White with bringing about Trump's Christian conversion. In the months before the 2016 election, Dobson told voters that Trump was a "baby Christian," who might not have behaved as a religious man ought to earlier in his life but has since changed. Even though Obama regularly spoke of his faith and described how he converted to Christianity as a young man, many evangelical Trump supporters say they believe that Trump prays in the White House and that Obama did not. Last month, Trump became the first president to speak in person at the annual March for Life, an antiabortion event with religious overtones. Michael Capps, who brought his three children to the rally, said Trump had "put God back in the spotlight, which is amazing for the country" and was "the most religious" president ever. Trump, who was raised in the mainline Presbyterian tradition, does not have an evangelical background. He has cited a pastor he knew early in this life, the late Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, author of "The Power of Positive Thinking," as influential in his worldview. He says the book helped him overcome bankruptcy. "His idea of religion was Norman Vincent Peale and making a lot of money," said Tony Schwartz, who co-wrote Trump's bestseller "The Art of the Deal," spent time with him in the 1980s and is now a vocal Trump critic. "I never heard him use the word 'God.' He never cited any religious beliefs." Peale officiated at Trump's first wedding. The next two were also officiated by mainline Protestant ministers, one Presbyterian and one Episcopalian. First lady Melania Trump said in 2017 that she is Catholic. Most of Trump's current relationships with evangelical pastors, particularly with believers in Pentecostal, charismatic and prosperity gospel strains of Christianity, appear to have developed only as he considered running for president. Trump also changed some of his beliefs in recent years, including his shift to oppose abortion. Several pastors, as well as two former White House officials, said they have never seen Trump pray in front of others. Instead, he regularly asks for Vice President Pence or for one of his many evangelical Cabinet members to pray. He does not regularly reference God in making his decisions, these aides say, and they have never seen him open a Bible. But he has long coveted the visual of having pastors pray for him, including the distinct image of the laying on of hands. Sean Feucht, a Christian musician running for Congress in California, attended a meeting in December organized by White, which brought about 50 Christian leaders, most of them Pentecostal, to the Oval Office. Trump asked the guests to pray for him. "It was bold, loud prayer" in the charismatic, Pentecostal style, Feucht said. "We were all praying at once, lifting our voices. It wasn't solemn and organized. It was lively and loud. I think that he's drawn to that." Trump was a silent appreciator, not joining in. The president's first line to the pastors that day, before the prayer, was a jab at Pelosi for claiming to pray for him, Feucht said. Last week, Trump returned to that theme at the National Prayer Breakfast, an annual event that is a prime opportunity for a president to talk about his faith. Speaking about Romney, who said his religious beliefs guided him in casting his vote against Trump during the impeachment trial, and Pelosi, who has said she prays for the president, Trump said: "I don't like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong. Nor do I like people who say, 'I pray for you,' when they know that that's not so." He rewrote his speech on his way to the prayer breakfast to include the barbs at Romney and Pelosi, White House aides said. Several aides said that Trump genuinely thinks the two members of Congress are falsely claiming to act based on faith, something they say the president would never do. - - - The Washington Post's Josh Dawsey contributed to this report. Most of the media along with other Democrats are having a collective cow because the Trump administration has reassigned some people from the White House and fired an ambassador who clearly disagreed with Trump's policies who used hearsay evidence and personal opinion to destroy him. We are hearing from the Democrat talking points that Trump is weaponizing the government and exacting revenge. It's as if the media and other Democrats are so arrogant that they can indoctrinate people to believe that other presidents and politicians don't make staff decisions based on whether subordinates support their policies. Why the heck would any president keep people who are so insubordinate on their staffs? Would Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff just ignore subordinates on their staffs who sought to destroy them? What would Schiff do if a staff member told the truth about the leaker, the person now lionized as "the whistleblower"? As for the puppets in the media, do they just ignore when their journalists disagree with their talking points? The media frequently bury stories that might hurt political candidates or policies they support and will continually run false stories against political candidates and policies they oppose. How else to explain the years of fake stories on Russian collusion; seeking to destroy white Christian boys for wearing MAGA hats; trying to destroy Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh with no evidence; and the false "hands up, don't shoot" narrative? How else do you explain the burying of stories about all the mental and sexual abuse of women by the Clintons and the burying of stories or the lack of investigation into the clear corruption and kickbacks of the Clintons and Bidens if not by pure bias? How many people are the media willing to destroy in order to get power back for the Democrats? Isn't that pure weaponization and revenge? Remember these incidents? Ashe Schow on ABC Burying Epstein Story: What The Media Doesn't Cover Is Indicator Of Bias CBS fires employee tied to leak of ABC hot mic video on Epstein: report Harvey Weinstein's trial is underway in NYC. Here's a timeline of the 2-year conflict between journalist Ronan Farrow and NBC, the network accused of trying to kill his expose. Why did NBC News bury its Avenatti expose? Meanwhile, as soon as Obama took office, he weaponized government to reward political supporters and inflict harm on political opponents. That is revenge. One of Obama's first acts was to violate bankruptcy law by rewarding unsecured auto unions and greatly harming more secure creditors along with other unsecured creditors. Obama used the IRS to shut down political opponents. On September 11, 2012, less than two months before a presidential election, Americans were under attack in Benghazi. Obama and Hillary did not lift a finger to help those under attack, and they died. Instead of telling the truth, they concocted a lie about a video. They even lied to the families of those who died. They sent out minions to lie through the media. They were so consumed with power and vengeance that they even arrested the man they blamed. He went to jail and in 2016 was homeless. The complicit media showed little concern for those who died or the man with the video whom they railroaded. They also were consumed with doing whatever they could to keep Obama in power. Remember this? Blamed for Benghazi: Filmmaker jailed after attack now lives in poverty, fear Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, the Coptic Christian whose short video "The Innocence of Muslims" was initially faulted for sparking the Sept. 11, 2012 terror attack at U.S. diplomatic compounds in Libya, is now living in a homeless shelter run by First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, Calif. He has served time in prison, been shamed publicly by the White House and threatened with death. It was Obama who used government funds to meddle in Israel's election. His staff also lied through the complicit media to get the dangerous deal done with Iran, which pledges death to Israel and the United States. He truly must despise Israel to do what he did. He also dictatorially had the weaponized Justice Department stop a years-long investigation into drug-running by terrorists to appease Iran. Very few journalists and other Democrats have ever cared about all the people who died from terrorism and drugs because of Obama's appeasement of Iran. That is revenge on the American people as he sought to remake America. It was Obama who shook down corporations and created slush funds at the EPA, Justice, and the CFPB to use for political purposes and to reward political supporters. It was Obama who said he would rule with his pen and his phone when Congress wouldn't do what he wanted. It was Obama who said anyone who disagreed on climate change should not be listened to. It was Obama who used the FBI, intelligence agencies and others to spy on and destroy people surrounding Trump. It was Obama who changed the rules so classified information could be shared and who had people working under him who questionably unmasked names of people to destroy them. It was Obama who illegally spied on thousands of Americans, including reporters. It was Obama who imprisoned and spied on reporters. But Trump is mean for telling the truth about the bias and false reporting by the press. After Trump was elected, much of the media, many bureaucrats and other Democrats immediately set out to destroy and impeach Trump. It never mattered how many lies they had to tell and how many lives the vengeful people had to destroy to get Democrats back in power. The truth hasn't mattered for a long time. But Trump is somehow the vengeful one for moving some people around and firing a few people. If you want to see a purely vengeful person consumed with power all you have to do is look at a person named Nancy Pelosi, dressed as if she were as pure as driven snow as she rips up the president's State of the Union speech because she's a petulant little child who didn't get her way on impeachment. But Trump is the problem as he seeks to move the power, purse and freedom back to the people as fast as he can because that is where the power and money belong. He is the opposite of a dictator but the media doesn't give a damn about the truth. They are also consumed with power and revenge. Image credit: USAF, public domain. Zaky-Regeni mural removed in Rome Street artist complains on Instagram (ANSAmed) - BOLOGNA, FEBRUARY 14 - Street artist Laika complained Friday via Instagram that a mural she had made near the Egyptian embassy in Rome showing student Patrick George Zaky being hugged by Giulio Regeni, an Italian murdered in Egypt in 2016, had been removed. The words ''this time everything will go well'' in Italian and ''freedom'' in Arabic were written on the mural. Mr Zaky, 27, was arrested earlier this month on his arrival at the Cairo airport. He works as a gender and human rights researcher but since last summer had been doing a master's degree in gender studies at the University of Bologna in Northern Italy. ''Someone removed it...did it scare them that much?'' the artist commented. She said that the mural had been ''a small gesture'' to ''spur the media to put the spotlight more on the Zaky case''. Laika told ANSA that the work had been removed at some point on Thursday but that it is not clear exactly when. ''It was to be expected,'' she said. ''Fortunately it took them a long time: the embrace between Giulio and Zaky has entered the homes of everyone, helping to raise the level of attention to the Zaky case. This is a huge victory. The poster scared 'someone', clearly. 'Someone' showed their utter weakness with this act. That white silhouette, that shadow that remains draw even more attention to it than before. The work has served its purpose...maybe.''(ANSAmed). (Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) This February 14 is more than just another Valentine's Day. It's also the 100th birthday of the League of Women Voters. And to celebrate, local and state Leagues around the country took to the streets for a nationwide day of action called "Women Power the Vote." At the Trenton Free Public Library, members and friends of the Lawrence League of Women Voters, which represents Ewing, Trenton and Hamilton, as well as Lawrence, assembled on the steps of a building erected in 1850 on the site of the first municipal building in Trenton. Don't Edit People begin to assemble on the library steps. (Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, describes its missions as "empowering voters" and "defending democracy." The library, located at 120 Academy Street, is hosting an exhibit in two large cases on women's suffrage in New Jersey and on the League. Lawrence League member Ellen Maak, who did the display, pulled it together using items from many sources, including yard sales and purchased items she customized. "The league is here to provide voter services for all citizens," she said. "What we care about is that people use their right to vote." The exhibit runs through Friday, Feb. 28, and in March will move to the Lawrenceville Library to commemorate women's history month. Don't Edit Nicole Plett, center, co-chair of the Lawrence League of Women Voters, on the steps of the library. (Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Nicole Plett, co-chair of the Lawrence League of Women Voters, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to partner with the Trenton Free Public Library for the displays. "The league is very committed to full participation in the electoral process," she said. "And right now we're advocating for civics education bills in the state legislature and we have a wonderful Girls Scout program coming up in four districts in New Jersey." Don't Edit New Jersey delegates in front of Congressional Union headquarters in this photo from Harris & Ewing, Washington, D.C. (1913 - Library of Congress > Free to Use and Reuse Sets) New Jersey is tied for 5th place for the number of local league organizations per state, with Minnesota at 37. California has 67, New York, 50, Massachusetts, 48 and Illinois, 42. The complete breakdown is here. The woman suffrage movement is considered to have begun in 1848, when a women's rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York. Don't Edit Joining the chant of "Women Power the Vote" Ellen Maak, 2nd from left, designed and installed the Woman Suffrage commemorative display cases at the Trenton Free Public Library. (Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Don't Edit Don't Edit Don't Edit Kate Schumacher, State Board of League of Women Voters, holds her son, Luke, 8 months, on the library steps. (Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Don't Edit (Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Don't Edit (Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Don't Edit In photo at top right; the suffrage torch, a symbol for the cause; is passed between suffragists on a tugboat from NY to another tugboat bearing suffragists from New Jersey. (Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Don't Edit Don't Edit A Susan B. Anthony doll is part of the exhibit. (Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Don't Edit 2000 Mattel/Barbie - Grolier Special Edition of Barbie and "The Front Window" which is a book about a woman publishing a newspaper in the American West (Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Don't Edit (Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Don't Edit Michael Mancuso may be reached at mmancuso@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @michaelmancuso. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com's newsletters. You may aslo like these stories: But amid the spread of the new virus, the government is leaning towards postponing the meeting to late March or even later, numerous officials told Kyodo News. A final decision will be made based on when the outbreak reaches its peak, they said. Every year, the National Peoples Congress takes place for around 10 days from March 5 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where around 3,000 delegates gather from across the nation to discuss and endorse key policies for the coming year. BEIJINGChina is considering postponing the annual meeting of its national parliament scheduled for early March, as the country grapples with the outbreak of a new pneumonia-causing coronavirus, sources close to the matter said Thursday. Flags fly over the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. / Kyodo Flags fly over the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. / Kyodo Myanmar Election Commission Says No Campaigning, No Polls Near Military Barracks Members of Religious Orders Should Have Right to Vote, Myanmars Cardinal Bo Says American Dies of Coronavirus in China; Five Britons Infected in French Alps 60 More Test Positive for Coronavirus on Cruise Ship in Japan Myanmar Maid Quarantined in Yangon After Boss in Singapore Infected With Coronavirus Local Woman Who Worked for US, Myanmar Operators of Cannabis Farm Is Freed Another 65 Test Positive for Coronavirus on Cruise Ship in Japan Recruiters Face Ban as Myanmar Assesses Their Efforts to Aid Sailors Held in China Virus cases top 200 in Japan as 40 more found infected on cruise ship We do not encourage viewing this site in this width. Please increase the size of your window. This is a transcript of Episode 1 of Season 3 of Slow Burn. Listen in the player below, or subscribe here. This podcast has language that some people might find offensive. Ronald Ray Howard grew up in South Park, a tough neighborhood in Houston. He described it as a war zone. Like Tupac Shakur, he moved around a lot as a child. Howard attended nine different elementary schools and was held back three times. When he was 16, he dropped out of high school. Advertisement Howard ended up selling drugs in the town of Port Lavaca, two hours down the Gulf Coast from Houston. Thats where he was headed the night of April 11, 1992, when a Texas Highway Patrolman pulled him over. Howard wasnt a fan of law enforcement. This is Allen Tanner, a criminal defense lawyer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALLEN TANNER: Heres a young kid from Houston who had had problems with police in his neighborhood where a lot of the kids are brought up there to hate cops to begin with. Howard had another reason to be wary: he was a drug dealer driving a stolen car. The patrolman who pulled Howard over was named Bill Davidson. Hed been on the force for about 20 years. He and his wife Linda had raised two children in the town of Edna, population 5,500, where he was a city council member and the president of the little league. Advertisement Advertisement As Davidson approached Ronald Ray Howards car, Howard shot him in the neck with a 9-millimeter pistol. Davidson died three days later. Howard was arrested not long after he fled the scene. He confessed to the crime soon after. In most cases, the murder of a highway patrolman would have remained a local tragedy. But the killing of Bill Davidson became a national story one that would change the shape of the music industry. Thats because of the cassette tape that was playing in Ronald Ray Howards car: a dubbed copy of 2Pacalypse Now. How did gangsta rap push America to confront police brutality? How was fear of gangsta rappers used to prevent a reckoning with police violence? And would a jury believe that rap music could turn black listeners into cop killers? Advertisement This is Slow Burn. Im Joel Anderson. ICE-T: The cops in America actually kill kids. REPORTER: The rap music promotes violence against authority, and consequently violence against law enforcement. ICE-T: The way this LAPD was operating, they needed to get killed. CHARLTON HESTON: Im about to bust some shots off, Im about to dust some cops off. Advertisement Advertisement Episode 2: Cops on My Tail In the summer of 1989, a spokesman for the FBI sent a one-page letter to the Los Angeles office of Priority Records. The New York Times said the letter was historic: until then, the bureau had never taken an official position on a work of art. The work of art in question was the song Fuck tha Police, by the rap group N.W.A short for Niggaz With Attitudes. Advertisement Advertisement Milt Ahlerich, assistant director of the FBIs office of public affairs, accused NWA and Priority Records of encouraging violence and disrespect for law enforcement. He noted that 78 officers had been killed in the line of duty in 1988. And he said, I believe my views reflect the opinion of the entire law enforcement community. No doubt, Fuck Tha Police was provocative. In their lyrics, the members of N.W.A fantasize about retaliation. Advertisement Advertisement Fuck tha PoliceN.W.A [From Fuck tha Police by N.W.A] Ice Cube will swarm On any motherfucker in a blue uniform Just cause Im from the CPT Punk police are afraid of me! Huh, a young nigga on the warpath And when Im finished, its gonna be a bloodbath Of cops, dyin in L.A. Advertisement N.W.A was a loose fraternity of rappers and DJs from southern California. The groups leader was Eazy-E and its stars were Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. Together, they created raw and profane music from the things they saw in their neighborhoodgangs, guns, and drugs. Fuck tha Police was a response to decades of racist abuse, particularly the gang sweeps that had become common in southern California. Police said they were trying to stop the drug trade and gang violence. But many residents, especially the black and brown ones, called it racial profiling. Advertisement When N.W.As debut album, Straight Outta Compton, came out in August 1988, it didnt get much radio play. MTV wouldnt air their video. Rolling Stone didnt publish a review. Advertisement Most of the groups early buzz came from local shows, autograph sessions, and small black-owned record stores. Advertisement But not long after the album caught on with black hip-hop fans, it crossed over to white audiences. A Priority Records salesman called Straight Outta Compton illicit, forbidden fruit for junior high students. REPORTER: Obviously somebody is listening: in just 6 weeks, SOC has gone gold, selling more than half a million copies. Rebellious teenagers and hip-hop heads werent the only people paying attention. Local police departments faxed the lyrics to Fuck tha Police from city to city. Many officers refused to work security at N.W.A concerts, which made it difficult for promoters to book the group. At a concert in Detroit in 1989, the members of N.W.A were chased off stage by police, after performing a few lines of the song. Advertisement The controversy got N.W.A a lot of news coverage. REPORTER: Many in law enforcement fear that N.W.As rap entices youngsters into crime by glamorizing street gangs and making police out to be the bad guys. MC REN: We was just letting everybody know that black people was fed up with getting harassed by the police and getting beat by them. All that attention, positive and negative, helped make N.W.A a national sensation. Dr. Dre thanked Ahlerich for writing the FBI letter. You made us a lot of money, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Over the next three years, few other rap artists succeeded in drawing attention to police brutality in such an intense way. Advertisement Advertisement Then in March 1991, police abuse reached millions of American living rooms. Advertisement REPORTER: The 3 police officers facing felony criminal charges were among a group of 15 who stopped 25-year-old black man last Saturday night, then beat him, kicked him, and clubbed him, unaware that an amateur photographer was recording the incident on video tape. The beating of Rodney King was recorded by a L.A. resident who sent the tape to a local TV station. It was one of the first widely seen videos of police brutality. And it went whatever it is we called viral in the 1990s. REPORTER: Prior to his release from jail last night, 25-year-old Rodney King showed his injuries to reporters. The bruises, broken leg, and the scars from the stun gun which jolted him with 50,000 volt shocks. RODNEY KING: Like I said, after the first 3 good licks, one with that shocker, the next with the billy club across the face Advertisement For decades, members of minority communities had argued that police brutality was under-reported. The Rodney King video was evidence that they were right. Advertisement After the tape came out, rappers joined civil rights activists in leading a national conversation about police brutality. Their music also took on a new urgency. While America reckoned with the Rodney King video, Tupac was putting together his solo debut, 2Pacalypse Now. Tupac rapped about police harassment and brutality throughout the album. In a 1991 interview with Davey D, a Bay Area hip hop journalist, he explained his relentless focus on police violence. TUPAC SHAKUR: In some situations I show us having the power and the other situations I show it as its more apt to happen with the police or with the power structure having the ultimate power. I show it both ways. I show ways how it really happens and ways I wish it could be. Advertisement Advertisement The first single from 2Pacalyspe Now was called Trapped. In the lyrics, Tupac fantasized about getting revenge on the officers who harassed him. Trapped2Pac [From Trapped by 2Pac] They got me trapped, can barely walk the city streets Without a cop harassin me, searching me, then askin my identity Hands up, throw me up against the wall, didnt do a thing at all Im telling you one day these suckers gotta fall Advertisement Advertisement On October 17, 1991, Tupac was crossing a street in downtown Oakland when two policemen stopped him. They accused him of jaywalking and asked to see his ID. In the police report, officers refer to Tupac by his middle name Amaru and call him angry and hostile. They said Tupac told them, this is just two white cops who wanna stop a nigger. Advertisement ATTORNEY: Good morning, I am here today with my client: Tupac Amaru Shakur. In a press conference about a month later, Tupac told his side of the story. TUPAC SHAKUR: Next thing I know my face was being buried into the concrete and I was laying face down in the gutter and waking up from being unconscious, in cuffs. With blood on my face, and Im going to jail for resisting arrest. Thats harassment to me. That I have to be stopped in the middle of the street and checked like were in South Africa, and asked for my ID. Tupac sued the Oakland Police Department for $10 million, alleging false arrest and imprisonment. The case eventually settled for a reported $42,000. Advertisement On the same day Tupac filed his complaint against Oakland police, November 12, 1991, 2Pacalypse Now appeared in record stores. It was the first major rap release for Interscope Records, which was partly owned by Warner Music Group. Advertisement Advertisement 2Pacalypse Now was no best-seller. It peaked at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 200. But what it lacked in commercial success it made up for in social resonance. Tupac rapped about the plagues of poverty and violence. And his righteous anger at the police carried echoes of his Black Panther lineage. Tupac told Billboard magazine the album was like a battle cry. The police didnt pay much attention to 2Pacalypse Now. The record that set off the next battle between hip-hop and the cops wasnt rap at allit was a heavy metal album put out by Ice-T. Advertisement Ice-T was one of the first gangster rappers. His landmark song, 6 in the Mornin, named for the LAPDs early a.m. battering ram raids, helped to define the genre in the mid-1980s. But Ice-T was also a fan of thrash metal, and in 1990 he formed a metal band with his high school friend Ernie C. Ice sang and wrote the lyrics, which covered the same street-level subjects he rapped about. They called the band Body Count. Their first album, released in March 1992, featured the songs KKK Bitch, Evil Dick, and Mommas Gotta Die Tonight. Advertisement Advertisement But the one that caused all the fuss was the last song on the album. Cop KillerBody Count [From Cop Killer by Body Count] Im a cop killer - better you than me Cop killer, fuck police brutality! Cop killer, I know your familys grievin (fuck em!) Cop killer, but tonight we get even! Advertisement Cop Killer mentioned Rodney King by name, and also namechecked LAPD chief Daryl Gates. Ice-T called it a protest song. Body Counts album, released by Warner Brothers Records, didnt top the charts. Heres Dan Charnas, who wrote about rap for The Source and signed hip-hop acts for record labels. Advertisement DAN CHARNAS: What happens is this album comes out and its really not that successful commercially. Its a media event. You know in terms of, Oh, Ice-Ts doing a heavy metal thing and thats cool. But its not really getting airplay. Then the verdict came in. A month after the release of Body Count, the LAPD officers who beat Rodney King were acquitted of almost all charges. Advertisement The jurys decision ignited one of the biggest race riots in American history. REPORTER: Since darkness fell last night, the City of Angels has been a perfect vision of hell. REPORTER: As the numbers swelled, they suddenly about a half an hour ago got more militant and started burning things. REPORTER: Nearby, dozens of thieves strip an auto store, some sick Christmas has exposed the worst in all of them. REPORTER: 1992 and Los Angeles is ignited by the fires of riots, sparking a war of words over justice in America. UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: I feel that the jury in Simi Valley gave the OK to continue to abuse and oppress and suppress black people in this country. Advertisement In the midst of the riots, news media turned to Ice-T to explain what was happening in Los Angeles. Advertisement REPORTER: Well young rap musicians have opinions of their own about what caused the deadly violence. ICE-T: We definitely knew it was a lot of tension down here, and we tried to explain to people, but nobody wanted to listen. We were like the voices in the hood down here, yelling out to people on rap records. During one interview, a TV news anchor in LA asked Ice-T to do something to stop the riots. But he refused to play that role. I cant honestly say that if I didnt have this money in my pocket, and I wasnt who I was, that I wouldnt be there too, Ice-T said. Advertisement When the fires died down, sixty-three people were dead and nearly 2,400 were injured. Police had made 12,000 arrests. Estimates of the damage ran as high as a billion dollars. And thanks to Cop Killer, Ice-T was one of the public faces of the violence and destruction. Advertisement In the weeks after the riots, a Dallas police officer came across the Body Count album. One of his teenage daughters friends had brought it over. Advertisement Advertisement The officer got the lyrics from Cop Killer printed in his police unions newsletter, next to a call for a boycott of Time Warner products. If we want this pulled from the record stores, it read, were going to have to make it happen ourselves. Soon the campaign expanded to police unions nationwide. Heres Dan Charnas: DAN CHARNAS: This jeopardizes all of Time Warners upcoming business in getting cable franchises all over the country. And then nationwide, police unions begin to join with Texas, because all of them are sort of, like, on the defense after the L.A. riots and the Rodney King thing. So, theyre basically trying to paint themselves as the victim. See? You know, people dont have respect for the police. But its the same thing as saying Blue Lives Matter today. Advertisement The protests from law enforcement got the attention of elected officials, including those on Time Warners home turf. The LA city council and county board adopted motions condemning Ice-T and the label. California Attorney General Dan Lungren sent letters to record stores urging them to stop selling the record. The National Rifle Association promised to give legal assistance to the family of any police officer shot or killed if it could be shown that the violence was incited by Cop Killer. Advertisement Advertisement Sixty members of Congress signed a letter to Time Warner calling Cop Killer vile and despicable. And then Vice President Dan Quayle got involved. DAN QUAYLE: Take for example the work of the rapper Ice-T. [booooo!] Advertisement Quayle was speaking at a convention of police officers who were involved in an anti-drug program. DAN QUAYLE: I am sure youre all familiar by now with Ice-Ts record, distributed by Time Warner, which says that its OK to kill cops. Time Warners defense is that this is free speech, and it is constitutional. Well, of course we all believe in free speech, and it may be constitutional. But that doesnt make it right. It is wrong for Time Warner Corporation to do what it is doing! These were calls for censorship of a single record from local, state, and federal officials. Their implication: that rap music might cause listeners to murder police officers. Advertisement Ice-T and his defenders tried to keep the focus on the reality of police abuse, rather than hypothetical violence against cops. Here he is being interviewed on Australian TV in 1992: ICE-T: American people are really up in arms about this song, which doesnt kill, its just a song. But the cops in America actually kill kids. This is a very angry song. Its a song about rage. ICE-T: American people are really up in arms about this song, which doesnt kill, its just a song. But the cops in America actually kill kids. This is a very angry song. Its a song about rage. ICE-T: They have no trouble with killing what they consider brutal kids. See, my attitude is that just because you have a badge, doesnt give you the right to murder me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a while, Time Warner defended the rapper and the song. In a June 1992 op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, CEO Gerald Levin called Cop Killer a shout of pain and protest and asked why critics couldnt hear what rap is trying to tell us? Everything changed after the companys annual shareholders meeting. That meeting was held in July, at a hotel in Beverly Hills. Outside, shareholders were met by nearly a hundred police officers with picket signs. Ice-T cruised by in a Rolls-Royce and gave the protesting cops the finger. Inside the hotel, boycott supporters brought in the big guns. The actor Charlton Heston, whod become a right-wing activist and prominent member of the NRA, was there to speak. Advertisement Heres Heston recounting his performance years later. CHARLTON HESTON: I asked for the floor, and to a hushed room of 1,000 average American stockholders, I simply read the full lyrics of Cop Killerevery vicious, vulgar, dirty word they were selling. [applause] I got my 12-gauge sawed off / I got my headlights turned off / Im about to bust some shots off / Im about to dust some cops off. Advertisement Following Heston, Time Warner board members heard from two officers whod been shot in the face and disfigured. After the meeting, the Burbank headquarters of Warner Bros. Records was under siege. Executives were bombarded with hate mail and received threatening phone calls. Bomb threats forced police to clear the building. Advertisement Eventually, Ice-T caved. In his memoir, he wrote that Time Warner never pressured him to make a decision. He said he felt awful for the corporation, and he realized the controversy wasnt going away. Id been dissing rappers for years; they didnt do shit, he wrote. Then I dissed the cops and they came after me like no gang Ive ever encountered. Advertisement Ice-T decided to re-release the album without Cop Killer, and police groups called off the boycott. In January of 1993, Warner Brothers let Ice-T out of his contract. He signed with Priority Records, which had distributed N.W.As Straight Outta Compton. DAN CHARNAS: The upshot for music artists and hip hop of Cop Killer is that Warner Brothers is going to start to tamp down all kinds of things that can cause problems in the future. Were going to have to look at every lyric that you guys are doing. And if you dont like it then well let you go. You dont have to be with us. But we have too many irons in too many fires, corporately speaking, to risk everything because somebody is going to get upset at your lyrics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the battle over Cop Killer, no one could point to a single incident in which rappers had directly incited violent behavior. That changed when Ronald Ray Howard killed Texas state trooper Bill Davidson. Heres Howards defense attorney, Allen Tanner. ALLEN TANNER: The prosecutor in the case, whose name was Bobby Bell, called me one day when I was in Houston and said, We found some recordings that were in the vehicle that Ronald Howard was in. And I think youd be really interested in hearing them. And so I said, OK. And he said, Drive on down here to Jackson County and well listen to them. So Tanner heard the tapeincluding the song Souljas Story. That song describes a traffic stop that ends with a gunshot. Advertisement Souljas Story2Pac [From Souljas Story by 2Pac] Cops on my tail, so I bail til I dodge em They finally pull me over and I laugh Remember Rodney King? and I blast on his punk ass Now I got a murder case Advertisement As Tanner listened, he realized he could argue that Tupacs words, had gotten inside of Ronald Ray Howards head. ALLEN TANNER: I didnt know what gangsta rap music was at the time, but, you know, heres a young kid from Houston who had had problems with police in his neighborhood. And I was kind of fascinated by this music that he was listening to. And thats where I got the idea to use that as a potential defense as to why all of this happened. Advertisement Advertisement As soon as the press reported that Ronald Ray Howard had been listening to 2Pacalypse Now, Tupac replaced Ice-T as Americas most dangerous rapper. Dan Quayle jumped back into the fray, demanding that Time Warner pull 2Pacalypse Now from stores. DAN QUAYLE: Once again, were faced with an irresponsible corporate act. There is absolutely no reason for a record like this to be published by a responsible corporation. 2Pacalypse Now didnt end up getting pulled. But Tupac was now part of a national story. He was 21 years old. Hed appeared in one movie and released one album. Now the Vice President was calling him a villain and a menace. Heres Andrea Dennis, the co-author of Rap on Trial: Advertisement ANDREA DENNIS: I think Tupac helped solidify the perspective of police and law enforcement that gangsta rap right is violent, gangsta rappers are violent. There was no dispute about Ronald Ray Howards guilt. Allen Tanner conceded that reality in his opening statement. Theres no doubt about it: Ronald Howard is going to be convicted of capital murder, he told the jury. And he was right: on June 8, 1993, jurors found Howard guilty in less than an hour. Advertisement Advertisement The only part of the trial that was truly contested was the penalty phase: Would Howard get a life sentence, or lethal injection? Advertisement In a jailhouse interview, Howard said that Tupacs song was so intoxicating it had driven him to murder. Advertisement He told a reporter: The music was up as loud as it could go with gunshots and siren noises on it and my heart was pounding hard. I was so hyped up, I just snapped. Tanner asked the 12 members of the jury, only one of whom was black, to consider the possibility that Tupac had made his client snap. He then played a series of gangsta rap songs for the jury. The judge wore earplugs while the music played. ALLEN TANNER: They all had a lyric book and they were able to follow through with the words as to each song. And we played like 15 songs. From Tupac and from the Geto Boys. And I think maybe N.W.A and maybe Gangsta N-I-P, I remember. But the jurors heard all the lyrics. We blasted the courtroom. It was loud. They heard everything. Advertisement Houston Chronicle reporter Roy Bragg remembers how stressful things were at the Austin courthouse. Advertisement ROY BRAGG: You had this throbbing mass of anger in the crowd. These state troopers and Mr. Howards family and you know security everywhere. It was just really intense the whole time. The tension grew as the jury continued to deliberate. ROY BRAGG: And so at that point, when the jurys out now for more than one day, you know even beyond lunch, now its an even bigger story. Because now, Why is the jury out this long? The sense was you know things are going, were hurtling into the sun because were not going to execute this guy. The jury twice said they were hopelessly deadlocked. The judge sent them back in. Advertisement ALLEN TANNER: And then they folded after like, six days. I dont know why they folded. Advertisement On the sixth day of deliberations, July 14, 1993, the jurors sentenced Ronald Ray Howard to death. He was executed 12 years later. Another lawyer tried the blame-rap defense in 1995, after two Milwaukee teenagers shot and killed a police officer. This time, the defense pointed to Tupacs guest verse on a song by South Central Cartel. The attorney for one of the boys said that Tupacs Violent anti-police lyrics appear to have acted as command hallucinations which influenced his behavior. Advertisement Advertisement The strategy didnt work that time either. Both of the teenagers were convicted and sentenced to long prison terms. Back in Texas, Bill Davidsons widow blamed Tupac and his music for the troopers death. LINDA SUE DAVIDSON: What weve been through has been devastating to hear how my husband was killed. And I feel like companies should be responsible for, and liable for, the products that they produce and sell. The day after Ronald Ray Howard was sentenced to die, Linda Sue Davidson moved forward with a lawsuit against Tupac, Time Warner, and Interscope Records. By the time Tupac was deposed in that lawsuit, he was doing time for sexually abusing Ayanna Jackson - the case we talked about in our previous episode. In a meeting room in the Clinton Correctional Institution, Tupac sparred with Linda Sue Davidsons attorney about whether his songs encouraged violence against police. Tupac said the message in his music was clear. ATTORNEY: Was it your intention to try to get young black people to be violent to police? TUPAC SHAKUR: No. ATTORNEY: Were you trying to provoke anybody to do anything in particular? TUPAC SHAKUR: Yes. ATTORNEY: What? TUPAC SHAKUR: Think. Use your head. Advertisement Next week on Slow Burn: Who Shot Ya? Slow Burn is a production of Slate Plus, Slates membership program. You can sign up for Slate Plus to hear a bonus episode of the show this week and every week this season. Advertisement In this weeks bonus episode, youll hear more about how rap lyrics have been used as criminal evidence in court. I talk with law professor Andrea Dennis about how cops and prosecutors have used Tupacs songs and other hip-hop music to convict and incarcerate men of color. To hear it, sign up for Slate Plus at slate.com/slowburn. Slow Burn is produced by me and Christopher Johnson, with editorial direction by Josh Levin and Gabriel Roth. Sophie Summergrad is our researcher. Our mix engineer is Jared Paul. Donwill composed our theme song. The artwork for Slow Burn is by Lisa Larson-Walker. Special thanks to Slates Chau Tu, Derreck Johnson, Katie Rayford, Lowen Liu, Allison Benedikt, and Jared Hohlt. Thanks to Nine Australia and journalist Davey D for some of the audio you heard in this episode. And by the way, we created a playlist on Spotify to go with this season. Well be updating it each week with new episodes, and songs by Tupac, Biggie, and their collaborators. Check it out every week at the link in the show notes. Thanks for listening. Peace. DALLAS, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the face of historic economic uncertainty and disruptive competition, CIOs around the globe are being called on to fearlessly lead their organizations through tumultuous times. By modeling a forward-looking mindset and promoting a culture of innovation, these industry frontrunners can help their companies reimagine and reinvent themselves around their most critical business goals. And by seizing on emerging sources of technology-driven innovation, CIOs can propel their organizations forward toward winning business outcomes and competitive advantage. These topics and more will set the tone for the discussion at the HMG Strategy 2020 Dallas CIO Executive Leadership Summit, taking place on April 2, 2020, at the Westin Galleria Dallas. To learn more about the HMG Strategy 2020 Dallas CIO Executive Leadership Summit and register for the event, click here . In this era of incredible disruption, pioneering thinking, resilient leadership and technological foresight will be the determiners of success, said Hunter Muller, President and CEO of HMG Strategy. CIOs who demonstrate these attributes will be the ones whose organizations and careers - flourish, even through challenging times." The HMG Strategy 2020 Dallas CIO Executive Leadership Summit will open with an executive briefing from a RingCentral executive who will discuss Systems of Experience and the role of the CIO in shaping the future of work. Other noteworthy sessions will include: A panel of IT leaders who will describe how CIOs can capitalize on sophisticated technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics and the Internet of Things to help their organizations amplify competitive differentiation, boost business agility and accelerate time to market A group of security experts who will detail advanced, real-world threat protection and mitigation approaches that can help enterprises fortify their defenses in the face of escalating riskwithout stifling innovation and agility An HMG Lead, Reimagine, Reinvent Tech Talk from a Nutanix executive Nutanix executive Luncheon updates from SIM Dallas/Fort Worth and NPower An HMG Lead, Reimagine, Reinvent Tech Talk with Patricia Connolly, CEO and Founding Partner of SMC Squared, who will explain how global insourcing models (GICs) can help companies maximize the performance of IT teams while eliminating the risks of traditional offshore models A panel of prominent technology search executives who will offer advice for career-minded technology executives seeking to enhance their professional brand, position themselves as industry thought leaders, accelerate their career trajectories and draw top talent to their teams An executive briefing from Zoom An HMG Lead, Reimagine, Reinvent Tech Talk with Colleen Berube, CIO of Zendesk A group of sitting board members who will discuss why CIOs and CTOs tend to be underrepresented on company boards, and share strategies to help technology executives reverse this trend, take their seat at the boardroom table, and drive success and impact in the role An HMG Lead, Reimagine, Reinvent Tech Talk from an Adobe executive an Adobe executive A panel of pioneering IT leaders who will examine the role of the CIO in todays fast-changing economy, as well as the innovative mindset, pioneering leadership and technological acumen they must demonstrate to position their organizations for competitive advantage Presenting Partners at the Dallas summit will be Adobe, Nutanix, RingCentral, SMC Squared, Zendesk and Zoom. Gold Partners will include Apptio, Appian, Fortinet, Info-Tech Research Group and Okta. The Trailblazer Partner will be DataStax and the Preferred Research Partner will be Info-Tech Research Group. Strategic Partners will include Egon Zehnder, Heidrick & Struggles, Korn Ferry and Spencer Stuart. Alliance Partners will be Amplify Partners, Glynn Capital, Greylock Partners, Lightspeed Venture Partners and Sequoia. Association Partners will be NPower, SIM Dallas/Fort Worth and Year Up Dallas/Fort Worth. To visit the HMG Strategy 2020 Dallas CIO Executive Leadership Summit website and register for the event, click here . About HMG Strategy HMG Strategy is the world's largest independent and most trusted provider of executive networking events and thought leadership to support the 360 degree needs of technology leaders. Our regional CIO and CISO Executive Leadership Series, newsletters, authored books, and digital Resource Center deliver proprietary research on leadership, innovation, transformation, and career ascent. The HMG Strategy global network consists of over 400,000 senior IT executives, industry experts and world-class thought leaders. To learn more about the 7 Pillars of Trust to HMG Strategys unique business model, click here . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/82654007-4cb3-4820-bcb2-dac88cd056be Tom Hoffman 203-221-2702 TomHoffman@hmgstrategy.com As the new coronavirus continues to spread across the globe with no known cure, an experimental drug made by Foster Citys Gilead Sciences in one of the highest-profile clinical trials under way for coronavirus patients is generating excitement. The drug, an injectable antiviral called remdesivir, was given in late January to the first confirmed case of coronavirus in the United States, a 35-year-old man in Washington state, after he returned from Wuhan, China, and his symptoms worsened after a week in the hospital. His condition improved the next day. By Feb. 6, Gilead began enrolling patients in Chinas Hubei province, believed to be where the virus originated. The company will examine the drugs effects on 760 people, some with severe cases of coronavirus and some with mild to moderate symptoms. Results for both trials are expected in April, said Gilead spokeswoman Sonia Choi. Gilead is now amping up manufacturing of remdesivir, even though its too early to say whether it would be safe or effective against the new coronavirus named COVID-19. It was given to the Washington patient on a compassionate use basis when the FDA allows unapproved drugs to be used on small numbers of patients facing life-threatening diseases as a last-ditch effort because other treatments are not working. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention In anticipation of potential future needs, we have accelerated manufacturing timelines to increase our available supply as rapidly as possible, Choi said in a statement. We are doing this before knowing whether remdesivir will be determined to be safe and effective to treat patients with COVID-19. ... We have expanded our network of manufacturing partners to increase capacity and production, casting a wide net to engage new partners in multiple geographies. In the past, remdesivir has shown some effectiveness against two other types of coronavirus diseases, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), in animals or in test tube experiments. It has also been given to Ebola patients in a clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but was discontinued in 2019 after other drugs were found to be more effective. Gilead has provided remdesivir to a small number of coronavirus patients in the U.S. and Europe, but declined to specify the location of the compassionate use cases or how many doses it has provided. Paul Sakuma / Associated Press 2009 There are no antiviral drugs that have been approved to treat the new coronavirus. Other antivirals, including an HIV drug made by AbbVie, are also reportedly being tested by Chinas National Health Commission as a potential coronavirus treatment. AbbVie said it has donated $2 million of the HIV drug Aluvia to Chinese health authorities. Antivirals did not play a significant role in helping curb previous coronavirus outbreaks SARS and MERS largely went away on their own through public health measures that helped contain the spread. But antivirals have played a major role in containing other epidemics like HIV and herpes, said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, an infectious disease physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. Infectious disease experts are tracking the remdesivir trial with interest. It could end up being used as an investigational emergency drug drugs that are not formally approved or marketed for widespread use but can be obtained by health care providers to treat patients with severe cases of diseases for whom more common treatments are ineffective or cause harmful side effects, said Dr. David Witt, an infectious disease specialist at Kaiser Permanente. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Investigational drugs, for instance, have been granted for patients with malaria, highly resistant tuberculosis, and the parasitic diseases Leishmaniasis and African sleeping sickness, said Witt, who estimates that in his own practice he has obtained the investigational drug sodium stibogluconate to treat Leishmaniasis patients three times in the past 10 to 15 years. This is not a rare thing to have that happen, at least in infectious diseases, Witt said. There are diseases so infrequent here companies cant go through hundreds of millions of dollars to get marketing approval when its going to be used on a few dozen patients a year. The majority of coronavirus patients are not receiving experimental drugs. The recommended treatment is similar to that for pneumonia or respiratory infections: bed rest, hydrating, using an inhaler for trouble breathing, taking ibuprofen to bring down a fever and, in very severe cases, using a ventilator for oxygen. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Coronavirus toll 64,437 confirmed cases 15 cases in the U.S. 1,383 deaths Source: Johns Hopkins University See More Collapse Theres really no treatment or preventive measure at this point, Maldonado said. Most of the time youre doing supportive care youre treating the symptoms. If you have severe respiratory failure, most of those people will need ventilator care or oxygen. Theyre going to need to be hydrated because they may not be able to eat or drink on their own. Many of the 15 confirmed coronavirus patients in the United States have had mild to moderate symptoms and have not needed hospitalization. At least five have been hospitalized two San Benito County residents who were treated at UCSF, the Washington state patient and two in San Diego. Others have self-isolated in their homes to avoid contact with others and monitor their symptoms. Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho Matthias Knab, Opalesque: It is with great sadness that we have received the news that Hans-Willem Reinier Baron van Tuyll van Serooskerken, heer van Vleuten, Knight in the order of Oranje-Nassau, has deceased 11 February 2020 in Nyon, Switzerland. He was born 27 June 1938 in The Hague, the Netherlands. Hans-Willem was a friend to many in the financial and alternative investment industry and will be remembered for a long time and very much missed. He began his career with Cargill Group in 1969. After various positions in Holland (training), Brazil (grain trader), Belgium (building and operating a Holiday Inn franchise motel), New York (metal trader for Cargill subsidiary) and Tokyo, he returned to Geneva in '79 to concentrate on non grain related acquisitions. He joined the brokerage company of the group (CIS) in 1984 as futures broker, but concentrated, since 1989, on Hedge Funds and their developments. The last years of his career with Cargill Group were spent in the futures brokerage arm, where he directed his energy on the development of Cargill's fund and hedge fund businesses. In 1992 he was elected to the board of the Cargill International Pension Board and also served as Member of Advisory Board of PerTrac Financial Solutions. He retired from Cargill in 2003. Hans-Willem was elected to the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA, London) Board from 1995-2003. In 2001, he was elected chairman, having been deputy chairman before that....................... To view our full article Click here German chocolate cake isnt named for the fact that it was made from a famous recipe from Germany. The term comes from Samuel German who concocted the recipe. in 1959, there were 27 different western programs a week on TV, many of them in prime time. Examples: Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Wagon Train, Have Gun, Will Travel, The Virginian. After Van Gogh cut off his ear, he gave it to a woman he knew. Goghs paintings now sell for millions, yet, he died penniless. In the late1970s, Norway banned skateboards, declaring them to be irresponsible nuisances. Skateboards originated in the late 1950s when their use was referred to as sidewalk surfing. Jan and Dean had a hit song of that same title. The Knights Templar was a group organized for the purpose of protecting Christians from Moslem attacks as they made pilgrimages to the Holy Land. According to the mythology, the Knights ostensibly discovered the Holy Grail, Ark of the Covenant, and King Solomons gold. The Knights of Malta were organized to try and recapture Jerusalem from the Saracens. In one battle, the enemy threw flaming liquid naphtha on them as they tried to breach the citys wall. Many knights lost their lives trying to extinguish the flames to save their brothers in arms. The Knights of Malta thus became known as the first firefighters. All modern firefighters in America pay tribute to the Knights by wearing a badge in the shape of the eight-pointed Maltese Cross. Mickey Rooney said the role he most regretted was when he gave a comedic portrayal of a Japanese photographer in Breakfast at Tiffanys, which featured Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. It was a totally World War II stereotypical depiction as Rooney is bucktoothed and myopic, with Coke bottle lenses. There was little criticism at the time, but in later years the yellowface performance fell under condemnation. The Volkswagen company once gave a savings bond to any couple where the wife gave birth in one of their cars or van buses. Huntsville, Alabama is known as Rocket City USA. Werner von Braun and hundreds of other scientists were sent here in the early 1950s to develop the Redstone booster rocket to hurl satellites and lunar capsules into space. Explorer I, Americas first satellite, was launched in January 1958. Explorer I was the satellite that discovered the Van Allen radiation belt. Carl Faberge was a Russian jeweler. He created his first exquisite egg in 1885 for emperor Czar Alexander III to give to his wife. Inside the egg was a golden hen. Abe Lincoln had a bodyguard that ill-fated night in 1865 at Fords Theater. Unfortunately, John Parker left his post and went to a tavern next door to have a drink. Iron is an important nutrient that the human body needs to prevent anemia. It helps your red blood cells carry oxygen, which is necessary for producing energy throughout the body. Thats why an iron deficiency can present itself with feelings of exhaustion. Shrimp is a good food source of iron. Amazingly, a healthy adult has about three grams of iron, enough that, if it were pulled out and melted down, it could form a nail up to three inches long. Englands loss in our Revolutionary War was a blessing in disguise. They no longer had to pay the cost of stationing troops here for defense of the colonies. Their textile mills now had easy access to southern cotton and indigo dye. After the war, the British sold more manufactured goods to America than before the War of Independence. The Spanish-American War claimed the lives of 3,000 Americans, but only a small fraction of these soldiers died in combat. Malaria and Yellow Fever claimed the most. It was Dr. Walter Reed who later found it was the bite of mosquitoes that caused the diseases. Quinine, from the bark of the cinchona tree, is the drug of choice to fight malaria. Glen Carbon resident Bull Nunes, a retired teacher, has written 33 books on various aspects of St. Louis and Illinois. Karnatakas newly-appointed Forest Minister Anand Singh, who is in the middle of a controversy with over a dozen cases pending against him, said Friday he is ready to give up his portfolio if that's what Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa wants. Whatever is being said about me, and whatever I have declared in my election affidavit - yes, there are 15 cases against me. I dont want to keep people of the state in the dark. Thats not the kind of politics I want to do, Singh told reporters at Vidhana Soudha. But the media and Opposition leaders should look at what happened to these cases. Let anyone open chargesheets and see. If theres any direct charge against me, then anyone can question me, he said. But if me being there will lead to the loot and deterioration of Karnatakas forests...if thats what CM thinks and wants to change my portfolio, then Im ready, he said. According to Singh, of the 15 cases pending against him, 12 have been stayed by court and three are under trial. In his election affidavit that he filed for his December 2019 byelection, the Vijayanagar MLA has declared 15 cases pending against him. These are offences under the Indian Penal Code and the Mines & Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act read with sections under the Karnataka Forest Act. He has one case specifically under the Karnataka Forest Act charging him with carrying out activities prohibited in reserved forests, counterfeiting or defacing marks on trees or timber and altering (forest) boundary, according to his affidavit. Singh was one of the 17 legislators who defected from the Congress-JD(S) coalition, which helped the BJP come to power. A party hopper, Singh was a minister when the BJP was in power from 2008-13. He joined the Congress for the 2018 Assembly polls, but jumped ship again last year. He was inducted into the Cabinet earlier this month and was initially given the Food & Civil Supplies portfolio. In a quick reshuffle of portfolios, Yediyurappa made Singh the Forest minister, which has caused furore on social media. Singh has since clarified that he did not ask for the Forest portfolio. After the Supreme Court's rap, the Department of Telecommunications has ordered firms, including Bharti Airtel Ltd. and Vodafone Idea Ltd., to clear AGR dues before Friday midnight. In response, Airtel in a letter to the DoT said it will deposit Rs 10,000 crore by Feb. 20, 2020, and the balance before the next date of hearing, i.e. March 17, 2020. The DoT, which faced the ire of Supreme Court for putting on hold recovery of dues from telecom companies, has started issuing circle or zone-wise demand notices to firms, according to an order seen by the Press Trust of India. The order asked telcos to clear dues by 11.59 pm Friday. Earlier in the day, soon after Supreme Court's ruling in the AGR dues case, the DoT withdrew its order that asked for no coercive action against telecom firms defaulting on annual gross revenue dues. The apex court's order also directs field offices to take "immediate necessary action" in compliance with its October judgment. The direction by the DoT says its previous order dated Jan. 23, 2020, "stands withdrawn with immediate effect". "It is directed to take immediate necessary action in compliance with the judgement dated October 24, 2019, of the Supreme Court," said the fresh order issued by the DoT. Also Read: India's wholesale inflation rose to 8-month high of 3.1% in January Also Read: Non-payment of AGR dues: SC asks Airtel, Vodafone Idea why contempt action shouldn't be taken against them Also Read: Anil Ambani's 'zero net worth' claim has employees scurrying for jobs outside Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat on Friday lashed out at the Narendra Modi government for the steep hike in prices of LPG cylinders and said the Centre was "pickpocketing" the savings of the common man. She was addressing a press conference in Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Cooking gas LPG price on Wednesday was hiked by a steep Rs 144.5 per cylinder due to spurt in benchmark global rates of the fuel. But to insulate domestic users, the Union government almost doubled the subsidy it provides on the fuel to keep per cylinder outgo almost unchanged. LPG price was increased to Rs 858.50 per 14.2 kg cylinder from Rs 714 previously, which is the steepest hike in rates since January 2014 when prices had gone up by Rs 220 per cylinder to Rs 1,241. "With this hike in LPG cylinder prices, the Narendra Modi government is pickpocketing the savings of the common man," she said. "The country ranks 102nd in the hunger index of 130 countries. Yet the Centre curtailed funds for food security by Rs 75,000 crore. Allocation for SC/STs, which should be 16 per cent as per population, is merely 2-3 per cent under the Modi government," she added. She attacked the Centre for planning to sell assets like Air India and Life Insurance Corporation. Karat said the CPI(M) would hold door-to-door campaign against the Citizenship Amendment Act, the National Register of Citizens, and the National Population Register as these moves are the Centre's "political trishul" to attack the Constitution. "The Maharashtra government should clear its stand on CAA, NRC and NPR," she demanded. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) East Africa is facing a widespread famine if plagues of locusts devouring crops in the region cannot be brought under control, the UN has warned. Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Eritrea and Djibouti - with a combined population of 276million - could all run short of food. The locusts are already thought to number more than a billion and their population could increase by 500 times in the next four months if nothing is done. Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Eritrea and Djibouti are all facing potential famine with 13million people left without food due to plagues of locusts, UN officials say David Beasley, director of the UN's World Food Programme, has called for $76million (53m) to pay for pesticides and planes to spray the swarms. He also warned that the countries being affected do not have the resources to combat the insects alone. Mr Beasley also warned that some 13million people will need food supplies if the plague goes unchecked, at an estimated cost of $1billion. The locust invasion is the worst infestation in Kenya for 70 years and the worst in Somalia and Ethiopia for 25 years. Kenya has begun spraying the swarms with pesticides, Uganda is sending the military to spray the insects, while Somalia has declared a state of emergency. It is thought the locust swarm began in war-ravaged Yemen three months ago, before moving to Ethiopia and Somalia in December. David Beasley, of the World Food Programme, warned they world could be left with a $1billion food aid bill if they fail to take action to stem the swarms There are around a billion locusts currently in Africa, and if action is not taken then their numbers could swell by 500 times in the next four months (pest controllers in Uganda) By the end of the month they had reached Kenya, then crossed into Uganda in recent weeks. Desert locusts are typically solitary creatures, but can form into huge swarms under the right conditions. It is thought that heavy rainfall, which causes the population to boom, followed by a drought which forces the creatures into a smaller area is to blame. As the group is forced together the locusts' bodies flood with a hormone called serotonin, which produces the swarming behaviour. The change is so dramatic, that for decades scientists thought the solitary locusts and swarming variety were actually two different species, until it was disproved. The swarm then moves away from its traditional territory in search of more food, and will keep going until the numbers fall back to sustainable levels, or the food runs out. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Friday accused the ruling YSR Congress Party of trying to malign the image of its supremo N Chandrababu Naidu over an income tax raid in the state. This was an attempt "to divert the attention of the people" from the corruption cases faced by Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, a TDP press release here said. The party cited IT officials as saying that "Rs 2,000 crore irregularities were noticed in the country (apparently various locations, including in AP) and accused the YSRCP of having "started a false campaign that the amount was found" from a former Personal Secretary of Naidu and 'blamed' TDP. The former Personal Secretary was "relieved from Chandrababu Naidu's office nine months ago," it said, adding, the former was "harassed" in the name of Income Tax raids. TDP also accused the ruling YSR Congress party of "trying to malign the image of" Naidu. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Preger Prize Campus Announcement A student who swept the competitions could find themselves $8,000 richer by commencement this year. Sierra Nevada University is kicking off the year with a set of business idea competitions, including a newly endowed program that seeks original ideas. The Preger Prize Creative Idea Challenge seeks non-derivative ideas and requires a plan for implementation as part of the process. These competitions are open to all full-time students currently enrolled at the Incline Village Campus of Sierra Nevada University. As endowed, the Preger Prize offers a first-place award of up to $5,000 and runner-up prizes of as much as $2,000. Projects presented must meet the following criteria: The idea must be the individual participants own and not derived by collaboration with any other person or information source; it must be useful to a specific demographic or business segment; it must be novel and not an obvious variation of an idea in existence; it must be implementable in order to deliver value to the demographic or business segment for which it was conceived; the submission must include the participants plan for implementation. Robert Preger, who endowed the Creative Idea Challenge, spent 25 years in the software industry, eventually becoming part of the original management team at Oracle in 1980. He and his wife Eleanor have lived in Incline Village since 1987 and have served on the Board of Trustees for Sierra Nevada University for over ten years. The Preger Prize joins the Haldan-Pascotto Pitch Competition, and Haldan-Pascotto Presidents Cup Business Plan Competition this spring. All of these contests are open to all students on the Incline Village Campus of Sierra Nevada University, regardless of major. A student who swept the competitions could find themselves $8,000 richer by commencement this year. Schedule of events: The Haldan-Pascotto Pitch Competition: February 27th, 2020 The Preger Prize Creative Idea Challenge: March 26th, 2020 The Haldan-Pascotto Presidents Cup Business Plan Competition: April 20th, 2020 All events take place at Sierra Nevada University, College of Entrepreneurial Leadership, in Incline Village, Nevada. For more information, contact Jonathan Breiter, jbreiter@sierranevada.edu or Justin Spees, jspees@sierranevada.edu. Sierra Nevada University is Nevada's only accredited private non-profit four-year university. Sierra Nevada University is committed to fostering a culture of competition, guiding students to think on their feet, communicate persuasively, and acquire the higher-order thinking skills necessary to thrive in the real world. The hilarious hit comedy, A Holy Show, presented by Verdant Productions, is coming to the Backstage Theatre on Friday, February 21, and is guaranteed to be an entertaining production. Writer and director, Janet Moran, is looking forward to bringing the show to Longford. Its a fast-paced comedy about the real life hijacking of an Aer Lingus plane in 1981 by an ex trappist monk who wanted to force the pope to reveal the third secret of Fatima, she explained. About 10 years ago, I saw an episode of Reeling in the Years, which featured footage from the event. The footage is funny and moving and features Albert Reynolds in the full glare of the international press, struggling to answer the question from a very English reporter in response to a statement about the third secret. What on earth is that? (Audiences can expect) a laugh out loud hour in the company of two of the finest and funniest actors I know in a really physical and theatrical performance that looks at a range of Irish characters and their faith in a compassionate and funny way. Janet cant wait to bring the production to Backstage and, much like any other actor, director or person in showbiz, shes in love with the local venue. Listen, dont tell the other venues, but the Backstage Theatre is the favourite venue of every actor I know who has toured Ireland, she said. The welcome you get there is like no other. The backstage sandwiches are a particular highlight. Its not the first time weve heard that to be honest - we must sample these sandwiches! Tickets for A Holy Show are on sale via backstage.ie. Seven workers were killed on Saturday night when a fire erupted at the Nandan Denim garment plant in Ahmedabad, in the western Indian state of Gujarat. The company, which employs over 4,500 workers, manufactures jeans and other denim products for major global retailers. The fire is the latest in a series of similar factory fires in recent months. Last December, 43 garment workers died in factory blaze in New Delhi. Five workers bodiescharred beyond recognitionwere found after 55 fire fighters fought for 22 hours to extinguish the blaze in the two-storey building. Two more bodies were recovered from the debris on Sunday. The deceased are Arvind Desai (36), Raunak Ben Rawal (38), Kunjalben Tiwari (45), Ganesh Patel (46), Lala Makwana (46), Govind Singh Kushwaha (22), and Sumitra Patel (47). The distraught families of those killed were still waiting yesterday outside a hospital mortuary in Ahmedabad to take possession of their loved-ones bodies. They were told they would have to wait until today and the completion of DNA tests. Mahesh Patel, a relative of one of the deceased, told the Associated Press (AP): We cant even mourn our dead because we dont know which one is ours. Zeel Makwana displays a photograph of her father Bhalabhai Makwana, one of the victims of Saturdays fire at Nandan Denim garment factory, one of the largest denim suppliers in the world, in Ahmedabad, India [Credit: AP Photo/Ajit Solanki] According to police and safety department officials, the fire started at around 6.30 p.m. in the factorys shirt department. More than 60 workers were on the first floor, resting after long shifts in the plant. While many were able to escape, several workers were trapped. Eyewitness said they could hear the workers screaming for help inside the factory. Rajesh Bhatt, a senior fire official, told the AP that the building only had one door, which could only be reached by climbing a steep ladder. There were hardly any means of escape from the blaze, he said. While the cause of the fire is not yet known, it rapidly engulfed the factory, which was packed with highly flammable denim, fabric and textile dust. According to initial reports, there was no fire safety equipment, proper fire escapes or other basic emergency apparatus. Preliminary police investigations have revealed that the factory violated multiple safety regulations. In other words, it was typical of the thousands of garment factories in Gujaratand elsewhere in the country. Indias state and central governments turn a blind-eye to these exploitative and dangerous conditions, while offering tax concessions and other generous profit-boosting benefits to national and international investors. Nandan Denim is owned by the Chiripal Groupa highly profitable corporation involved in garments, textiles, dyeing and petrochemicals and which employs over 20,000 people. Gujarat state produces 65 percent of all denim in India and is the third largest denim manufacturer in the world. To divert the anger of the surviving workers and outraged people, police arrested Chiripal Group managing director Jyoti Chiripal, chief executive officer Deepak Chiripal and four others. Local health and safety authorities have called for the companys license to be suspended. Nandan Denim, which last year earned $US218 million, has agreed to pay the families of those killed a pittance of just $14,000 each. Indian laborers sit near burnt remains after the fire that broke out at Nandan Denim (AP Photo) Survivors told AP about the harsh conditions they confront. The mainly women workers, who toil long hours, are only paid 35 US cents per hour. They have to stitch more than 400 pieces, forcing many of them to work at a frantic pace. One worker said: We work almost 14 hours a day. But do we have an option? Every once in a while, there is a fire in some factory or the other. Nobody cares and we keep on working. Nandan Denim exports to more than 20 countries, supplying global brands such as Target, Ann Taylor, Mango and Wrangler and giant retailers like Walmart and H&M, who all reap massive profits. As soon as news of the fire disaster hit the headlines, some of these retailers claimed that they did not purchase from Nandan Denim and washed their hands of any responsibility. Neighbouring Bangladesh has experienced numerous factory fires and building collapses in recent years. In 2012, more than 112 garment workers were burned to death when a fire tore through the multi-floor Tazreen Fashion factory in the Ashulia district on Dhakas outskirts. In 2013, the eight-storey Rana Plaza building near Dhaka, which housed five garment factories, collapsed. More than 1,200 people were killed, mainly garment workers, and thousands more were injured, in one of the worlds worst industrial disasters. Though cracks had been found in the building on previous day, the owners of the factories forced workers to attend the work next day regardless. The author also recommends: The Bangladesh factory collapse and the drive for profit [27 April 2013] Machines: An unflinching look at an Indian textile mill [15 May 2018] The UK's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle were reportedly sacking all of their 15 staff members in the country and also closing their Buckingham Palace office as part of the couple's transition away from royal life, it was revealed on Friday. According to a Daily Mail report, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex broke the news to the staff members in person last month following the announcement that they were stepping down as senior working royals. While one or two may be absorbed back into the royal household, most were now negotiating redundancy packages, the report added. However, the Buckingham Palace on Thursday night said it did not comment on staffing matters but according to the report, it was understood senior royals, including the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William were aware of the office closure and redundancies. "Given their decision to step back, an office at Buckingham Palace is no longer needed. While the details are still being finalised and efforts are being made to redeploy people within the royal household, unfortunately there will be some redundancies," a source told the Daily Mail. "The Duke and Duchess have a small team, less than 15 people. The team are very loyal to the Sussexes and understand and respect the decision they have taken," the source added. Among those to lose their jobs were the couple's newly appointed private secretary, Fiona Mcilwham, their hugely experienced communications chief Sara Latham and Prince Harry's long-standing programme co-ordinator Clara Loughran. The other press officer to lose her job is Julie Burley, who worked for Harry, William and Kate on their successful mental health campaign Heads Together, said the Daily Mail report. David Watkins, poached from British fashion house Burberry last August as the couple's social media expert, was also sacked. The Sussexes are currently living in Canada with their baby son Archie as they prepare to drop their 'HRH' styles and quit the monarchy in favour of financial freedom, the Metro newspaper reported. They had initially hoped for a dual role, supporting the Queen, the Commonwealth and Harry's military associations, but the idea was deemed unworkable. Buckingham Palace has said the Sussexes' new life away from royal duties will begin this spring. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Partly cloudy early then becoming cloudy and windy this afternoon. High 43F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies. Windy this evening. Low 37F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2020) - Canuc Resources Corporation (TSXV: CDA) ("Canuc" or the "Company") announces the closing of a non-brokered Private Placement for gross proceeds of $850,000. The closing of this Private Placement results in issuance of 8,500,000 Units. Each Unit consists of one common share ("Common Share") priced at 10 cents and one half of one warrant ("Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional Common Share at 15 cents for a period of two years from the closing of the Private Placement. All securities issued under this Private Placement will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of closing. Proceeds of this Private Placement will be used for exploration at the Company's San Javier Silver-Gold Project, and for general working capital. Three Officers of the Company (collectively, the "insiders") have invested in this Private Placement subscribing for in aggregate 480,000 Units, or gross proceeds of $48,000. The participation of insiders in the Private Placement constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of the Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") and the policies of the TSX. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that participation in the private placement by insiders will not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report at least 21 days prior to the completion of the private placement since the existence of any placement or insiders' participation therein was not determined at that time. Closing of this Private Placement is subject to final approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. About Canuc Canuc is a junior resource company holding the San Javier Silver-Gold Project in Sonora State, Mexico. The Company generates cash flow from natural gas production at its MidTex Energy Project in Central West Texas, USA where Canuc has an interest in eight producing gas wells and has rights for further in field developments. Canuc also has exclusive rights, through a Partnership Agreement with Ioticiti Networks Inc., to sell Industrial IoT applications and infrastructure in the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada and in the State of Texas, USA. For further information please contact: Canuc Resources Corporation. (416) 525 - 6869 cberlet@canucresources.ca Forward Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information. All information, other than information of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" and includes any information that addresses activities, events or developments that the Corporation believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the Corporation's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance. When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other indications of future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is based on current expectations and applies only as of the date on which they were made. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to fund the exploration expenditures required under the Agreement. Other factors such as uncertainties regarding government regulations could also affect the results. Other risks may be set out in the Corporation's annual financial statements, MD&A and other publicly filed documents. The Corporation cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, the Corporation does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52472 On January 28, the Congressional Budget Office released The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2020 to 2030, and it projected annual trillion-dollar budget deficits for the entire decade. The largest expenditure of the federal government is for social programs, the biggest of which is Social Security. Some progressives in Congress, however, contend that Social Security should not be a part of any effort to balance the budget. But if Congress is ever again to get control over the budget, reform of the social programs must be a part of the solution. In the Social Security Administrations Annual Statistical Supplement, 2019, the first block of data, Table 4.A1 Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, 19372018 (in millions of dollars), is divided into Receipts, Expenditures, and Assets. Lets focus for the nonce on two columns: Net payroll tax contributions on the Receipts side, and Benefit payments on the Expenditures side. The drill here is to sum the two columns, payroll tax receipts and benefits, and then subtract the latter from the former -- for three significant time frames. Our three time frames are delimited by 1937, 1984, 2010, and 2018. Those years are for Social Securitys startup, the year the big payroll tax hikes kicked in, the year that the program went cash-flow negative (whereby receipts from the payroll tax hikes werent enough to pay benefits), and the last year of the table. Our time frames are 1937-1983, 1984-2009, and 2010-2018. To simplify, lets drop off the rightmost digits and express our sums in billions. So, for time frames of 47, 26, and nine years, Social Security produced differences between payroll tax receipts and benefits of, respectively, -$15B, +$1,043B, and -$766B. If one adds up those three sums one gets +$262B, which figure youll also get if you do the routine for 1937-2018. That might seem like a bit of cushion, but the difference between payroll tax receipts and benefits in 2018 was -$129B. If that size shortfall between income and outgo were to continue, then Social Security will have become cash-flow negative over its entire history in early 2021. For those of you who voted for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, thats next year. The burn rate indicated by the 2010-2018 shortfalls (-$766B) was more than twice as fast as the rate that SS produced surpluses for 1984-2009. It appears that SS will have burned through, i.e. spent to offset the payroll tax shortfalls, an amount equal to the entire $1T surplus generated over 26 years in a bit over 11 years. However, there are two other sources of tax receipts besides the payroll tax. The larger of these two is Income from taxation of benefits. Since 1984, benefits have been subject to the personal income tax. Call it claw-back, for this is a type of means testing. (What the SSA giveth, the IRS taketh away.) For 1984-2018, the total revenue from the taxation of benefits was $482B. The older of the two other sources of tax receipts is Reimbursements from the general fund of the Treasury, as the first entry in this column was in 1947. The total for reimbursements for 1984-2018 was $208B. For 2010-2018, the three sources of tax receipts together are $391B short of being enough to cover total expenditures. So, for the period, SS has been cash-flow negative not just for payroll tax receipts, but for all tax revenue. The $391B shortfall was made up for with interest. When we subtract the $391B shortfall from Net interest accrued over the period, we get $461B, which happens to be the total we get if we sum Net increase during year over in the Assets section on the right. (Actually, when I summed that column, I got a $2M discrepancy, but hey, close enough for government work.) In 2018, total expenditures were $853B while total payroll tax receipts were $715B, a difference of $138B. To pay total expenditures with the payroll tax alone, its receipts would need to rise by about 19.3 percent. That would entail a rate hike for the payroll tax of 2.39 points. So instead of being 12.4 percent, the SS portion of the payroll tax rate would be 14.8 percent. And rather than 6.2 percent, workers would have 7.4 percent skimmed right off the top of their wages. But do we really want to burden wage earners and their employers with a payroll tax rate hike? Perhaps there are better ways to raise revenue. The three sources of tax receipts for 2018 totaled $750B, which makes for a shortfall of $103B. One reform to help close that shortfall gap is the expansion of means testing in the taxation of benefits that weve had since 1984. We could claw back more of the SS benefits paid to high-income earners. High-income folks who would object to further claw-back of their SS benefits should consider that they are the ones who are already paying to make up for the shortfalls. Another reform might be the creation of a new surtax levied on all income currently subject to the federal personal income tax. Instituting a new tax is rather progressive, and contains a whiff of Bernie Sanders and other leftists who for years have been advocated taking the cap off the payroll tax. But the rate on the new surtax could be quite low. Look at this chart from the St. Louis Fed and youll see that personal income, the target of the surtax, was $18.9T in December. If PI, personal income, were an even $20T, we could cover a $100B shortfall with a tax rate of 0.5 percent. Democrats, however, would say there is no need for any of this, as interest receipts have been enough to pay the shortfalls that began in 2010. And if interest in a year is not enough to cover any shortfall from the three sources of tax receipts, then SS can tap its so-called Assets, i.e. its $2,797B trust fund. And tapping the so-called trust fund is just what happened in 2018. Notice in Net increase during year that there was no increase in 2018 and that the value of Assets decreased by $22B, the first such decrease since 1983. Just where do Democrats think the money to cover shortfalls comes from? Back when SS was in surplus, interest didnt need to come from anywhere; it was merely a number added onto the trust fund. But now that SS is cash-flow-negative, interest and trust fund transfers can come only from two sources: other taxes, such as the income tax, or loans, i.e. the sale of U.S. Treasury securities. Since Congress has resumed running trillion-dollar deficits, it seems fair to say that SS shortfalls are being made up for with new debt. This writer urges that SS be put on a strict pay-as-you-go basis. That is, the system should operate on a cash-flow basis, whereby benefits are paid for with tax revenue only. Social Security needs to be put under its own budget, where each year Congress balances income and outgo, i.e. taxes and benefits. If in any year SS spends more than it takes in, then Congress would be required to make up for that shortfall in the next year, either by raising taxes or cutting benefits or both. Raising the payroll tax rate, clawing back more of the benefits sent to high-income earners, instituting a surtax, or a combination of the three could close the shortfall gaps and thereby make Social Security a self-sustaining system. NOTE: To verify the numbers above, click on the Excel link in the upper right corner of the first link above and download the spreadsheet, its named 4a and on my system it went in the Downloads folder. If you use Zoho to work with the spreadsheet, click on Browse, then select and open 4a, and then click on View. To sum a column, click inside a cell for your year and drag the plus sign downwards; the sum will appear in the lower right-hand corner. Have fun. Jon N. Hall of ULTRACON OPINION is a programmer from Kansas City. Prepare for a twist in the upcoming season of Netflixs prized 1980s-set, inter-dimensional series. Jim Hopper, police chief of the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, may be returning in the fourth season of Stranger Things, according to a trailer dropped Friday. Were excited to officially confirm that production on Stranger Things 4 is now underway and even more excited to announce the return of Hopper!, brothers Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer, writers and directors of the show, said in a statement, according to an article from The Hollywood Reporter. The beloved character, played by David Harbour, was thought to have died at the end of the previous season in an explosion caused by characters trying to close an opening to the Upside Down, a hellish dimension the Russian government was trying to gain access to. Hopper was apparently obliterated in the blast, though the new trailer shows the police chief sporting a newly shaved head while working in what appears to be a Russian labor camp. From Russia with love," the show tweeted. He is imprisoned far from home in the snowy wasteland of Kamchatka, where he will face dangers both human... and other, the Duffer brothers statement said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "Meanwhile, back in the states, a new horror is beginning to surface, something long buried, something that connects everything, Stranger Things is one of Netflixs most watched original series, The Hollywood Reporter wrote. More than 64 million people tuned into season three of the show in the four weeks after it premiered. Related Content: Pranab Mondal By Express News Service KOLKATA: The political landscape in Bengals Jungalmahal, where Kurmis and tribals form a majority, looks for a change triggering embarrassment for the BJP, which made deep inroads in the region by bagging all four Lok Sabha seats, with the influence of assembly elections results in neighbouring Jharkhand state. Aiming Kurmi community, which comprises Mahatos and forms more than 35 per cent of total electorate, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is expecting a shift in the communitys political allegiance from the BJP. In an attempt to secure Mahatos vote-bank, the ruling party is likely to portray Chhatradhar Mahato, a popular face of Maoist-backed Lalgarh movement in Jungalmahal. The region witnessed an impact of election results in 2014 in Jharkhand in the panchayat polls in 2018. The BJP made deep inroads in the rural polls in Trinamools bastion but since it failed to retain the state, it will have an impact in Jungalmahal region. The Mahatos and tribals, who had voted for the BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, are expected to shift their political allegiance and we will have to swing their mood in our favour before 2021 Assembly elections, said a senior Trinamool leader. The All Jharkhand Student Union (AJSU), a political outfit comprising supporters of Mahato community, has a significant influence over the kurmis in Jhargram, Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts. The AJSU broke the alliance with the saffron camp in Jharkhand polls. It is a good sign for us. The change in AJSUs political stance will have an impact in Bengals backward region and a major chunk of Mahato voters is expected to shift their loyalty from BJP to Trinamool Congress, said the leader. The Bengal BJP, however, claimed they are not bothered about Jharkhand election results and break up with the AJSU. "Though we and AJSU parted ways in Jharkhand, but we maintain good relation with its president Sudesh Mahato. The Trinamools plan to bring Mahato votes in its favour will not work," said a state BJP leader. The political leaders, however, admitted the electoral mood in Jungalmahal is not predictable. WASHINGTON As Russian-Turkish relations have been strained over the Moscow-backed Syrian offensive in Idlib that has killed a dozen Turkish soldiers and sent 800,000 Syrians fleeing toward the Turkish border since December, both Turkey and the United States have looked for opportunities to improve ties. A delegation of Turkish parliamentarians visited Washington this week to meet with US lawmakers, journalists and experts, and express hopes that the allies of 70 years could get past congressional threats to impose sanctions for Turkeys purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system and invasion into northeastern Syria last fall to push Syrian Kurdish forces away from its border. 'No is never an answer in diplomacy, Volkan Bozkir, the chairman of the Turkish parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee and member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leading the six-member delegation, told journalists at a briefing at the Turkish Embassy Feb. 12. Everything is negotiable, the former Turkish diplomat said. The Turkish parliamentary delegation visit to Washington came as the top US Syria envoy, James Jeffrey, visited Ankara and gave an upbeat assessment of US-Turkish alignment of views on both Syria and Libya. We have very close geostrategic objectives with Turkey in the two areas where you have forces committed right now. In Libya and in Syria, Jeffrey told Turkeys NTV in an interview Feb. 12. I dont want to get into the details of some of these conversations because we are still at a point before further decisions might be taken, but we have, first of all, a very close analysis of the situation between the Turkish side and the American side of what the problems are. Were committed to continuing close coordination, and information exchange to be helpful, Jeffrey continued. We are both very concerned about the role of Russia in Libya and in Syria in general and in the Idlib offensive. We have made it clear to our Russian counterparts that this activity is unacceptable. The Turkish parliamentarians praised the words of support from Washington for Turkey amid the Idlib offensive and Washingtons condemnation of the Syrian offensive and Russias failure to restrain it. They also argued against the possible congressional triggering of sanctions, including under the 2017 Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). They noted that the Trump administration itself has argued against sanctions legislation proposed by the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and ranking Democrat Bob Menendez of New Jersey in a seven-page document sent by the State Department to US lawmakers in December, first published by the Daily Beast. Trump is the firewall for them, the only one who isnt ready to sanction them, Aaron Stein, a Turkey expert who heads the Middle East program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, told Al-Monitor, referring to Turkey. Its nebulous, Stein mused, on when the CAATSA sanctions might be triggered. Trump needs to implement it. The next crisis point will be in April, when the S-400 in Turkey is activated. Democrats on Capitol Hill said the reprieve is temporary. We have been recently discussing how to refocus Congress attention on S-400 sanctions, a Democratic congressional aide, speaking not for attribution, told Al-Monitor. It is one of the few spots where we are all in lockstep. There is plenty of will to push the administration and shame them into doing the right thing. But another former Democratic congressional aide said it was his sense that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may prevent the sanctions bills from coming to the floor. The Turkish lawmakers may be visiting at a particularly opportune moment, but Congress is unlikely to be permanently charmed off-course from its deep concerns with Turkeys trajectory, said Aykan Erdemir, a former Turkish opposition parliamentarian who heads the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. The Turkish government sees this as a moment when they might have a friendlier ear in Washington, Erdemir told Al-Monitor. This also gives them a better opportunity to make the case against CAATSA sanctions and the potential fines and the [Southern District of New York] court case against the Turkish public lender Halkbank. In 2020, avoiding CAATSA sanctions and Halkbank fines tops [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogans agenda. Erdogan knows that he can enjoy good one-on-one rapport with [US President Donald] Trump, who shares his transactional approach to foreign policy, Erdemir continued. But with Congress, Erdogan knows that he has to reach out on multiple fronts. Hence, the Turkish government has been spending millions on an army of lobbyists, but this blitz doesnt appear to have succeeded in burnishing Erdogans tarnished image. At this point, Trumps strategy will be twofold: If he is forced to issue CAATSA sanctions against Ankara, he will take this as slow as possible and select the lightest sanctions on the menu, Erdemir suggested. Given the current tensions in Turkish-Russian relations, it is quite natural for Washington to see this as a unique opportunity to bring Turkey back into the fold of the trans-Atlantic alliance, Erdemir said. But he was pessimistic that the US effort to pull Turkey closer would succeed. Erdogans Turkey has pivoted so far away from the US not only from the trans-Atlantic alliance but also its values, especially parliamentary democracy, human rights and rule of law that it is extremely difficult to pivot back, he said. Rebuilding a liberal democratic order in Turkey is mission impossible Erdogans Turkey can fit in a purely military alliance, but not a political one that enshrines democratic values. At this point, the Erdogan government only has a welcoming home among the authoritarian bloc of countries. And for now, at least, a friendly ear and open door with Trump, who has also shown a predilection for the belief that everything is negotiable, for a price. 14.02.2020 LISTEN Nana Obiri Boahen, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Deputy General Secretary, has appealed to supporters of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to desist from acts that might affect the stability of the country. He said the Electoral Commission (EC) should be given the opportunity to collate and declare the winner of the presidential election as constitutionally mandated. Let us respect the Constitution. The EC is doing its work, he said. He urged the opposition party to rather concentrate on compiling lies into their green book. EC is an independent entity. The President of the land is even not in a position to influence their decisionWhat is the NDC so much afraid of about the change of the voters register or is there something they are not telling us?, Nana Obiri Boahen told Adu Gyamfi Marfo on Anopa Nkomo on Accra-based Kingdom TV The need for a commission of integrity, a commission that is not the subject of manipulation by anybody, Nana Obiri Boahen stressed, is absolutely vital to the direction which the Ghanaian people have decided to go, i.e. the attachment to multi-party democracy. Obiri Boahen has reiterated that President Akufo-Addo does not need the Electoral Commission (EC) to win an election. The EC is a critical feature of democracy and should be protected by all and sundry save, of course, those who could not care a hoot about good governance and civility. ---KingdomfmOnline Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be on a two-day official visit to Hyderabad and Bengaluru on February 16 and 17 to hold interactive sessions with various stakeholders on Union Budget 2020-21. "Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be on two-day official tour to Hyderabad and Bengaluru on February 16 and 17, respectively. She will be holding detailed interactive sessions with various stakeholders on the different themes of Budget 2020," the Ministry of Finance tweeted. In the first session, in each city, Sitharaman will interact with representatives of trade, industry, investment bankers and farmers organisations, among others. In the second session, she will meet economists, tax practitioners, academia and policymakers. The Finance Minister had held similar interactive sessions in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata last week. On February 1, Sitharaman had presented her second Union Budget on behalf of the NDA-2 government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.In the longest Union Budget speech in history, Sitharaman talked about tax regime, finance, agriculture, irrigation, water, sanitation, healthcare, education, infrastructure, women and digital connectivity, among others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Boris Johnson's general election victory has prompted a 'rebound in confidence' in the British economy and there could be a silver lining to Brexit, Mark Carney has said. The governor of the Bank of England is due to step down from the role next month after a nearly seven-year term. In recent years he has been one of the leading critics of the UK's departure from the European Union with Brexiteers frequently accusing him of making 'Project Fear' predictions. But Mr Carney has now appeared to soften his warnings relating to Britain's split from Brussels. Mark Carney, pictured at the Bank of England in London yesterday, said Boris Johnson's election win helped the UK economy 'rebound' In an interview with the Reuters news agency, Mr Carney said the UK was now moving to address its main economic problem - weak productivity. Mr Johnson this week gave the green light to the 100 billion HS2 high speed rail network to better connect major cities in England and he has also promised further help for regions where growth has fallen far behind London. Asked about the potential upsides for the economy resulting from Brexit, Mr Carney said: 'In an environment where everything is getting a fresh look, it's fertile ground for taking a step back and making bigger changes than otherwise might have been made. 'It's early days but there are several initiatives - the budget will be telling - that suggest that some of these opportunities are being grasped.' Canadian Mr Carney became governor in 2013 and three years into his term the UK voted to leave the EU despite warnings from him and many other analysts that Britain's economy was likely to suffer as a result. He said that the data was 'absolutely clear' that Brexit 'had an impact, a notable impact on investment'. But he then said that Brexit could prove to be 'a conceptual positive' for the UK. Mr Johnson, pictured alongside his new Chancellor Rishi Sunak at a meeting of the Cabinet today, won a crushing 80-seat Tory majority at the December election 'It is a major reordering of our relationship not just with the European Union but our trading relationships with the rest of the world and it is prompting a reassessment of economic policy, structural economic policy in the country,' he said. Mr Carney said the clear election victory for Mr Johnson in December which ended Brexit uncertainty and ensured the UK finally left the bloc on January 31 had caused an upturn in the UK economy. 'We are already seeing a rebound in confidence, business confidence and to some extent a firming of consumer confidence,' he said. In this file photo, President Donald Trump shakes hands with Attorney General William Barr before Trump signed an executive order creating a commission to study law enforcement and justice at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Convention in Chicago. AP photo Attorney General William Barr publicly swiped at President Donald Trump on Thursday, declaring the presidents tweets about Justice Department prosecutors and open 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 7 to 9 years in prison and took the extraordinary step of lowering the amount of prison time it would seek. The department didnt offer an amended number. Barr himself has been under fire for the reversal. Still, it was a highly unusual move for a member of the Cabinet to criticize the president especially a Trump loyalist who shares the the presidents views on expansive executive powers. Thursdays comment served as a defense of his own integrity an effort to salvage his own reputation and that of the Department of Justice by publicly rebuking the president hes propped up from Day One of his tenure. The remarks, made so quickly after the decision to back away from the sentencing, suggested Barr was aware the reversal had chipped away at the departments historic reputation for independence from political sway. But he stopped short of acknowledging wrongdoing by anyone. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Trump wasnt bothered by the comments at all and he has the right, just like any American citizen, to publicly offer his opinions. She added, The President has full faith and confidence in Attorney General Barr to do his job and uphold the law. But Trump has a low tolerance for criticism, especially public criticism, from his allies and often fires back in kind. And the tempered White House response raised questions of whether Barrs comments were coordinated with the White House. Barr said Trumps tweets created perception problems for the department that called into question its independence, but he denied there was any order from Trump and said Trumps tweets did not factor into the decision. Barr joined a roster of high level aides who have publicly criticized Trump, thought the rest left the job first. 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. Im 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 ... 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. National security adviser Robert OBrien told reporters Thursday evening at the White House that Trump tweets to bypass the mainstream press and speak directly to the American people. Its just a different method of communicating with the American people and the president has every right to weigh in, OBrien said. Hes got First Amendment rights, even though hes president. And hes got a right to weigh in with his opinions on the big issues of the day and I think hes going to continue to do that. 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. Hes scheduled to be sentenced next week. Barr said he was of course prepared to deal with any ramifications from the president for his comments. Administration officials said senior White House aides were not informed of the contents of Barrs interview before it aired. 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. Meanwhile, the Chief Judge of the D.C. District Court, Beryl A. Howell, also did something unusual: She issued a statement Thursday on the firestorm around the sentencing. 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, she wrote. Public criticism or pressure is not a factor. What they did to Roger Stone was a disgrace, Trump said Thursday during an interview with Geraldo Rivera on Clevelands Newsradio WTAM. He said of the prosecutors who resigned in protest: I dont think they quit the case. ... 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. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsay Graham said in a statement that Barr has my complete confidence and is the right man at the right time to reform the department and stand up for the Rule of Law. Earlier this week, Graham said, and Barr later confirmed, that Justice was accepting information that Trumps personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani is gathering in Ukraine about Democratic presidential contender 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 its because theyre a political opponent then the attorney general shouldnt carry that out, wouldnt carry that out. Democrats decried the Justice Departments reversal on Stone and called for immediate investigations. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for the Justice Departments 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 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. He declared that the FBIs Russia investigation, which resulted in charges against Stone, had been based on a bogus narrative. Barr also appointed U.S. Attorney John Durham to lead a criminal inquiry into the origins of the Russia investigation, including examining what led the U.S. to open a counterintelligence probe into the Trump campaign and the roles that various countries played. MBABANE - A police raid on a large mansion at the high-end Tubungu Estate in Matsapha has led to the busting of a Chinese syndicate that deals in illegal gambling machines. An amount of E205 312.66 in E2 coins, nine slot machines with their various components, 506 mobile phones and five motor vehicles were recovered by the police during the raid. Also to be found in one of the rooms were electronic components that were used for programming the gambling machines. Some of the lottery gambling machines were retrieved from two motor vehicles. The motor vehicles were reportedly used to run the gambling business by transporting the slot machines to shops, as well as collecting the proceeds received from running the business. The investigations by the Royal Eswatini Police Service came after there was an outcry in Matsapha concerning pupils who were absconding classes to gamble in the nearest shops. Permits The six Chinese nationals who were found inside the mansion claimed to be working for a big boss who lives in China. It was discovered that some of them were staying in the Kingdom of Eswatini without valid permits. According to the police, the Chinese nationals who were found in the mansion are Jiafei Cheng, Gen Cheing, Chen Shuxiang, Wang Xunnan, Wang Xunjie and Lin Wei. Inside the mansion there were also five emaSwati who upon been interviewed by the police, indicated that they were employed by the Chinese as drivers. As per Section 42 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) 2018, the State has obtained an order to seize all the items that were found in possession of the five Chinese nationals, including the money. Principal Crown Counsel Elsie Matsebula, who is the head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit in the office of the director of public prosecutions (DPP), deposed to an affidavit outlining circumstances leading to the investigations. She told the court that the relevant facts showed that the items and the money were the proceeds of unlawful activity and instrumentality of an offence. The police received information to the effect that there were Chinese nationals staying in the Kingdom of Eswatini without valid permits around Tubungu. There was further an outcry in Matsapha concerning school children absconding school, submitted Matsebula. According to the principal Crown counsel, it was reported that the pupils were involved in some gambling activities using some lottery machines placed at different shops around the area. Retrived She said the police then visited Tubungu Estate where the Chinese resided. The head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit said a search on the premises was conducted and E205 312.66, nine slot machines, four Toyota X Trail motor vehicles and a Nissan Rav4 were retrived. According to Matsebula all the Chinese nationals were in possession of travel documents. The travel documents showed that they will be stamped now and again. The passport will be stamped now and then for purposes of extending their stay in the Kingdom of Eswatini, submitted Matsebula. She told the court that information received from the Immigration Department was that all the Chinese had applied for work permits in the Kingdom but none of them had been issued with same. Investigations, according to Matsebula, led the police to various shops and one of them was at Mathangeni, trading as Highway Grocery. The police reportedly found a lottery gambling machine placed at the veranda of the shop. A statement was recorded from the owner of the shop, Nuro Richard Changendo, who informed the police that the machinery was placed by some Chinese nationals for purposes of gambling, averred the principal Crown counsel. Changendo disclosed to the law enforcers that he was promised 30 per cent of the proceeds of the machinery and collections were made on several occasions by the Chinese. Admitted Information led the police to a business styled Ngwenya Supermarket and the owner of the shop, Mfanzile Sandile Ngwenya, admitted to have received one gambling machine from a certain Fakudze, who was in the company of a Chinese man, averred Matsebula. Ngwenya is said to have also indicated that the lottery machine was utilised for gambling purposes and he was promised 20 per cent share of the proceeds. The court heard that while the police were investigating, Ngwenya received an instruction from Fakudze to hide the gambling machine. Matsebula highlighted that the Chinese nationals who were arrested at Tubungu were identified as the owners of the slot machines that were recovered from the shops. Investigations also revealed that some of the slot machines were quickly removed from the various shops upon receiving information that the police were investigating the existence of these gambling machines, said the principal Crown counsel. She submitted that in court, two of the Chinese nationals pleaded guilty to a charge of contravening the Lottery Act 40/1963. Investigations have revealed that some people would take chances and use other coins, including Mozambican coins other than the E2 coin. Mozambican coins were found among the coins recovered at the Tubungu house, contended Matsebula. Purchased She disclosed that the two X- Trail motor vehicles registered NSD 822 CH and NSD 772 CH were purchased by Jianfei at ZME Investments in December 2019. The purchase price was an amount of E140 000. Matsebula submitted that evidence had revealed that when Jianfei purchased the X- Trail vehicles he was in possession of coins amounting to E65 000. The garage owner refused to take the coins and ordered him to go and deposit same in the bank, averred the State lawyer. The Ohio House has once again approved a measure covering post-traumatic stress disorder for emergency responders who havent suffered a physical injury. Police and firefighters have been pushing for the coverage under the state insurance fund for injured workers for years. The groups argue that its wrong for coverage to be available for responders who suffer a traumatic injury but not for those affected by witnessing or experiencing traumatic events. The legislation will help prevent first responders deaths by suicide by offering benefits and treatment for PTSD, said Rep. Tom Patton, a Strongsville Republican and the bill sponsor. The House approved a similar measure as part of its Bureau of Workers Compensation budget last year before the Senate rejected the idea after lawmakers said they wanted more time to study the concept. The bill passed Wednesday moves next to the Senate, where Senate President Larry Obhof, who supports the idea, promised a full and fair process. State senate lawmakers have been working on the issue, including a version that would offer the same benefits but outside of the Workers Comp budget, Obhof said. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Workers' Compensation Ohio HDIL promoters Rakesh Wadhawan and Sarang Wadhawan, who are in jail in connection with the multi-crore rupees Punjab & Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank scam case, on Friday withdrew their bail pleas from the Supreme Court. A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde did not agree to the submission of senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Wadhawans, that the trial court has not been entertaining their bail plea on the ground that the apex court was seized of the matter. "Where is the order in which it has been said (by the trial court) that it will not hear the bail application," said the bench which also had Justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant. Rohatgi said the Bombay High Court allowed the accused to be shifted to their homes from Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail and this order was stayed by the Supreme Court and now the trial court is not entertaining their bail applications on merits. As the bench was reluctant to grant any relief, the counsel for the jailed HDIL promoters decided to withdraw the plea. "Mukul Rohatgi, senior counsel appearing for the petitioners prays for withdrawal of this petition. Prayer is allowed. Accordingly, the special leave petition is dismissed as withdrawn," the bench said in its order. Earlier, the top court had stayed the Bombay High Court order directing sale of bankrupt Housing Development and Infrastructure Ltd (HDIL) to ensure repayment of dues of crisis-hit Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank. Prior to this, it had also partially stayed the high court's order allowing shifting the Wadhawans from Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail to their residence. The Bombay High Court had set up a three-member committee for valuation and sale of encumbered assets of HDIL to expeditiously recover dues payable by the firm to PMC Bank. The high court had passed the order while hearing a PIL seeking direction for expeditious disposal of HDIL assets and properties attached by the Economic Offence Wing and the Enforcement Directorate and repaying PMC Bank depositors at the earliest. The fraud at PMC Bank came to light in September last year after the Reserve Bank of India discovered that it had allegedly created fictitious accounts to hide over Rs 4,355 crore of loans extended to HDIL. According to RBI, the PMC Bank masked 44 problematic loan accounts, including those of HDIL, by tampering with its core banking system, and the accounts were accessible only to limited staff members. The Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing and the ED registered offences against senior bank officials and HDIL promoters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Walnut Creek Police Department An Orinda man arrested Feb. 7 after leading police on a chase and engaging them in a standoff has been charged with six counts of raping and molesting a teenage girl over four years, authorities said Thursday. David Martin Justice, 41, raped and molested the girl, who is now an adult, six times between 2015 and 2019, according to the charges filed by the Contra Costa County district attorneys office. He remains in custody in the Martinez jail on $5 million bail, and is scheduled for arraignment next week. In a bid to expedite hearings in death penalty cases -- possibly prompted by delays in the hanging of the four men convicted of the December 2012 gang-rape and murder in Delhi that shocked the country -- the Supreme Court has decided that it will list for hearing, appeals from high courts challenging death penalty sentences within six months from the date on which the matter is admitted by the top court for hearing. Such appeals will be listed before a three-judge bench within six months irrespective of whether all documents and records relating to the case have been filed or not. These directions were given by the apex court on February 12 by way of an office order issued by the court on its administrative side. The order also laid down deadlines for obtaining records of the case from high courts and for parties to file additional documents in the case. The order states that as soon as an appeal involving a death penalty is filed, a communication will be sent to the concerned high court by the Supreme Court registry calling for the original records of the case within sixty days. This includes translation of documents which are in vernacular language. Further, the order also said that once Supreme Court admits the matter, additional documents should be filed by parties within thirty days from the date on which registry of the court intimates the parties of the same. If records or additional documents are not received or filed within the prescribed time period, the case will be listed before judge in chambers so that appropriate directions can be passed. This marks a departure from the current practice of listing those cases in which filings have not been completed, before the registrar court. These procedural changes come in the backdrop of the events surrounding the hanging of the four convicts in the 2012 Delhi gang rape case. The four men, Mukesh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma and Akshay were convicted for the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student in a moving bus in Delhi. They were sentenced to death by the trial court in 2013 and their conviction and sentence were confirmed by the Delhi high court in 2014. However, after the appeal was filed in Supreme Court in March 2014, it took more than three years before the top court eventually confirmed their death sentence in May 2017. Further, another two-and-half years passed before review petitions of the convicts were dismissed. While the review petitions of three of the four convicts were dismissed in July 2018, a fourth convict filed his review petition only in December 10, 2019. It was dismissed on December 18, 2019. The curative petitions filed by three of the convicts have also been dismissed but one convict, Pawan Gupta is yet to file his curative petition since there is no time limit prescribed for filing curative petitions. After the trial court issued death warrant to execute the convicts, they pointed out the fact that they have not exhausted their legal remedies leading to postponement of the hanging date. There is a good ground for classifying death penalty cases and expediting the hearing in Supreme Court. This is to reduce the time spent by the death row convicts awaiting their fate. As far as death row convict is concerned, his chances of death sentence getting commuted to life imprisonment on account of delay might reduce since the time spent on death row might be reduced. But the fact that there is no time limit to file remedies such as curative petitions might mean that these changes might remain an empty letter, advocate Philip Mathew said. West Basin Launches New Program to Provide Rebates and Free Water Saving Devices to Eligible Residents West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) announced the launch of its Change & Save program, a water savings device and rebate program designed to assist communities in West Basins service area that have historically lower water conservation program participation rates. The new program is aimed at helping participants reduce water consumption and save money. For a limited time, the Districts Change & Save program is offering eligible residents free water savings device kits and a $500 rebate for a qualifying high-efficiency clothes washer. West Basin was awarded a $500,000 Water-Energy Grant from the Department of Water Resources to help fund the program. West Basin, in partnership with the South Bay Environmental Services Center, will start scheduling appointments for the programs in-home water surveys beginning February 11. Upon completion of the survey, residents will receive their water savings kit containing a high-efficiency faucet aerator and shower head estimated to produce a water savings of 2,000 gallons annually. Participating residents will also have the opportunity to apply for a $500 rebate for a qualifying high-efficiency clothes washer. We anticipate a high response to Change & Save due to the $500 rebate being the highest amount offered in the State of California for a program of its kind, said West Basin Board President Gloria D. Gray. We encourage local residents to take advantage of this limited opportunity to conserve water using innovative water saving devices and high efficiency appliances, which could ultimately lower their water bills and save money. ADVERTISEMENT High-efficiency clothes washers use approximately 55% less water than standard clothes washers, potentially reducing water use by about 11,000 gallons a year. Change & Save aims at helping District residents put money back in their pockets through the efficient use of water. Clothes washers represent a significant amount of indoor water use and energy demand. Change & Save device kits will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and the in-home survey is required. Appointments can be scheduled by calling the South Bay Environmental Services Center at (310) 371-4633 or emailing [email protected]. More information on the program is available at www.change-save.com. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 17:09:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close VIENTIANE, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Members of Lao government's steering committee met on Wednesday to discuss on the draft of the ninth five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2021-2025). Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Investment Sonexay Siphandone, the meeting involved senior government officials, members of government organizations, and provincial authorities, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Friday. The meeting enabled officials from various ministries to provided comments on the draft of the ninth five-year National Socio-economic Development Plan (2021-2025). They also share their views on the implementation of the current economic development plan. Participants discussed the draft of the next five-year plan with a focus on six priorities, aiming to make the content more specific and accurate prior to its final consideration. The first goal is to achieve sustainable, balanced and quality growth of the nation's economy. The second is to improve the standard of human resources, research capacity and the use of technology and science, in order to boost productivity and produce more value-added goods. The third goal is to improve living standards and the fourth is to create more green spaces and pursue environmentally-friendly development. The fifth goal is to promote strong and modern internal, regional and international cooperation, and the final goal is to increase the effectiveness of public administration through the rule of law and public unity, according to the report. Sonexay called for officials in key sectors in charge of the draft to consider the most essential and strategic components for inclusion in the next development plan. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 21:51:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIRUT, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Clashes erupted on Friday between supporters of Lebanon's Future Movement party and civil society protesters in Beirut's downtown ahead of the commemoration of late Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, MTV local TV Channel reported. Supporters of Future Movement chanted slogans in favor of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who is the son of Rafic Hariri and the head of the Future Movement, while expressing their annoyance about the presence of civil society protesters in Beirut's downtown during such an occasion. Lebanese citizens began to gather earlier in the day in the streets, surrounding Saad Hariri's downtown residence in preparation for a speech to be given by Saad Hariri to commemorate his father. On Feb. 14, 2005, Rafic Hariri was assassinated in a big explosion in Beirut which also killed 21 others while injuring a lot of people who were in the area at that time. The European integration offices will open in all regions of Ukraine. The first office will open in Kherson in May this year, the second one - in Kharkiv in 2021. This year, we will set up one office and monitor its activity. This will be an office in Kherson, and it is expected to open in May. Accordingly, we will adjust its activity by the end of the year and elaborate the legislative and financial changes for the coming years. And I think that next year we will come back to Kharkiv to open the European integration office together, Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba announced during a working visit to Kharkiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. As the Vice Prime Minister noted, the offices will be set up to attract investment and promote European values at the regional level and provide training for the united territorial communities managers on the development of programs with the European Union. The end result of this project is to ensure Ukraine's synchronized path towards European integration so that the regions are also involved in the process apart from the capital. So that every citizen feels the specific benefits and the benefits of the European integration which help to improve the quality of life and create the proper, good business environment, Kuleba said. Kharkiv will become the second Ukrainian city where the European integration office will open. Kuleba noted that the region had a positive trend towards exports to the European Union. According to Chairman of the Kharkiv Regional Council Serhiy Chernov, the EU countries account for 30% of Kharkiv regions foreign trade. ol In every presidential race, there is the candidate who espouses smart ideas but, for one reason or another, does not possess the rock star charisma Americans desire in a president. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota falls into this category. But as this dark horse of the Democratic primary gains ground, her positions require examination. Over the past three months, Ive written columns on the Democratic candidates economic and health care policies, trying to cut through the mudslinging, psychoanalyzing and handicapping to study the ideas they represent. I am not making any endorsements, just trying to give each candidate a fair shake. Tomlinsons Take: Biden offers moderates a throwback administration Klobuchars middle-of-the-pack standing in polls and election results are perhaps a reflection of her middle-of-the-road policies. She does not throw any bombs, which is probably why she gets so little attention. Look closely, though, and Klobuchar stays true to Minnesotas Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party heritage. The DFL, as the states Democrats call their party, traces its unique egalitarianism to the early 20th centurys Midwest farm and labor movements, which prize self-sufficiency while opposing exploitation of labor. Klobuchar agrees with President Donald Trump that the system is rigged against the average American worker. But she proposes different solutions, which, like those of many other Democrats, involve raising taxes and expanding government programs. Her more unique proposals center on women in the workforce. She supports New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrands Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act, which guarantees Americans paid family leave to deal with a new child or family crisis. Tomlinsons Take: Buttigieg is a very liberal moderate The law would help women, many of whom are caught between caring for young children and elderly parents, by guaranteeing incomes and future employment when they leave the workforce. The FAMILY Act would create a new government office to manage paid leave and levy a new payroll tax that would cost the typical worker $2 a week. Klobuchar also believes the government should guarantee affordable child care by ensuring low-income workers never pay more than 7 percent of their income. She would expand government-financed preschool and guarantee child-care workers the same pay as elementary school teachers with similar credentials. To pay for this, she would raise the corporate income tax rate 1 percent and eliminate deductions that she believes encourage companies to move jobs overseas. Tomlinsons Take: Trump delivers on unemployment and economic growth Improving education is also a key to her economic agenda of making sure Americans have the skills that employers need, Klobuchar said at the Democratic debate in Des Moines, Iowa. We are going to have over a million openings for home health care workers that we don't know how to fill in the next 10 years. We are going to have open 100,000 jobs for nursing assistants, Klobuchar said. We're not going to have a shortage of MBAs. We're going to have a shortage of plumbers. Where should our money go? It should go into K-12. Summing up her labor policy, she proclaims: When unions are strong, our country is strong. She would roll back right to work laws and guarantee greater union access to workplaces. Klobuchar also supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. Tomlinsons Take: Warrens got 50 plans because central planning always works When it comes to health care, like every Democrat, she supports universal coverage. The difference is in the details. I have long believed that the way that we expand health care to more people and bring down premiums is by building on the Affordable Care Act, with a nonprofit public option, Klobuchar said at the New Hampshire debate. The Affordable Care Act is now nearly 10 points more popular than the president of United States. So why would we talk about blowing it up? Klobuchar would bring down costs through market-based initiatives rather than her opponents regulations. She wants to expand reinsurance, which is insurance for insurers to pay for unexpected losses and thereby limit premium increases. Her program also includes more creative financing methods for long-term care insurance. Tomlinsons Take: Sanders Medicare for All is all bad for the U.S. To reduce health care bills, she supports a system that pays doctors and hospitals for keeping patients healthy rather than paying them fees for services. She also promises to take a harder line negotiating drug prices with pharmaceutical companies. To pay for her health care plan, she would raise the personal income tax rate for the two highest brackets back to what it was in 2017. To conservatives, Klobuchar will sound like just another big government liberal, and in many ways she is. Her policies will also fail to satisfy Bernie Sanders-type socialists, who want even bigger taxes and spending. But looking back over the last century of American politics, Klobuchar is exactly what she claims to be: a typical American Democrat. Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and policy. twitter.com/cltomlinson chris.tomlinson@chron.com Sullivan is the coauthor of Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland, a No. 1 New York Times bestseller in 2015, and The Prison Angel. He contributed to Trump Revealed, the Posts 2016 biography of Donald Trump, and to Nine Irish Lives. Sullivan graduated from Brunswick High School in 1977 and University of New Hampshire in 1981. During his visit to Bowdoin, Sullivan gave a public talk at Kresge Auditorium before holding a seminar with Bowdoin Public Service students. He is one of seven public service professionals that BPS students are meeting with leading up to their one-week trip to DC during spring break. During the seminar, Cole Van Miltenburg 22 asked, How do you report on issues with emotional weight, such as high mortality rates in Sierra Leone? Sullivan responded: You have to approach people as a human before you approach them as a journalist. Cases with great levels of emotional involvement require you to develop leather skin. Sullivan is currently working on a book about the impeachment of President Trump. At times in his reporting, he has faced challenges from conservative politicians who sought to call into doubt his and his colleagues credentials. He said such backlashes have only made his team's reporting skills sharper and their commitment to getting it right stronger. When Journey Browne 22 asked, How do you deal with fake news? Sullivan responded, Fake news is a money-making operation. The people who do it are fueled by greed and fraud. This is why journalists in The Washington Post have fact-checking and editing operations. The morning after Donald Trump was elected president, I wrote out a list of things to prepare my kids for the coming storm. I included items such as how to fight with words, which rules are breakable, how to break them unnoticed, and how to be the kind of Mexican who people forget is Mexican at all. I realize now, three years later, that this listand how I conceived of itis flawed, born out of fear rather than indignation, a desire to hide from the worlds events rather than resist them. If I were to write out a new list, it would be much different. And it would start with how to make tacos. After the climate strikes and local protests against Trumps Muslim bans and his draconian immigration policies, after shouting and marching in the streets of Lexington, Kentucky, and Williamstown, Massachusetts, cooking might seem like a weak form of resistance, or like no form at all. But as far as Im concerned, teaching my kids how to cooknot just any food, but Mexican food, and not just any Mexican food, but the kind of slipshod Tex-Mex my mother made for me and my sister when we were kidsmight be the strongest form of resistance I can give them. This food reminds them where they come from, who they are, and, more importantly, to be proud of who they are. Because without this pride, resistancethe kind of sustained resistance we need nowis almost impossible to maintain. Maybe here you could formulate a metaphor: The ever-present tacoadaptable, crowd-pleasing, resilient, pliablemade with ingredients as simple as beans and rice, or as extravagant as scallops or ribeye or fried chicken strips and gravy or Korean barbecue and kimchi. Fold a tortilla around practically any ingredient and suddenly that combination becomes a taco. Maybe thats like Mexicans too: ever-present, adaptable, resilient. But if I told my kids this, theyd roll their eyes or stare blankly. Theyd say, Youre being weird again, Dad. So instead, Ive decided to teach them to cook. Story continues Im not sure which night the lessons began. Maybe the one after Trump told Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to go home (she was born in New York). Maybe the one when we found out a sixth child died in custody at the border. Its hard to say; they all start to bleed together. But on this night, we start simply: ground beef tacos. The boy, who is nine, is on stirring-and-pouring duty. Stir these beans on the stove, pour this salt into the picante. The kitchen smells like my mothers, the mingling garlic and onions and comino. I give my son a wooden spoon and show him how to break up the ground beef sizzling in the skillet. The girl chops onions. Im nervous when she grabs the knifeshes loosey-goosey with it, the way that gangly 13-year-olds are prone to bebut she does not slip. Perfect, I tell her, as she slides them gently into the skillet to brown. Fresh into teenagerhood, my daughter is very aware of this strange political moment. When we lived in Kentucky, she stood up to the fifth-grade boys in her classroom practically every day. She argued against cruelty, against injustice. She argued for protecting the most vulnerable in society: immigrants, refugees, the poor. She argued so fiercely, the boys began scratching her name off any list they found it onwhiteboards, class rosters. It was their way of trying to silence her, I suppose. It was a difficult year, but not once did she back down or silence herself when it came to what she believed was right. My son, though still in elementary school, is not far behind. But I worry that, while my kids grasp the large-scale problems of this moment in our countrys history and are willing to go to the mat for their beliefs, they dont understand the singular bearing this moment has on them, specifically. I worry they dont realize that what the president says about Mexicansthat were rapists and drug dealers and thugshes saying about them too. I made a mistake three years ago, wanting my kids to be the kind of Mexicans people forget are Mexican. Being Mexican is one of my favorite things about me, about us. Mexicans are loving, caring, full of grit. We have a dark sense of humor, an ability to laugh and cry in the same breath. We know how to hustle. And the most Mexican thing about me is the food I cook, which is the same food my mother learned to cook from her mother. Teaching my kids to do it too is my way of telling them, Look, people didnt want your great-grandmother here, and some of those same people didnt want your grandmother here, and some of those same people dont want us here either, but here we still are. This is our food, and we are still us. On this particular night, whichever night it was, the meat is cooked and ready. After chopping onions, our daughter made the guacamole and our son stirred some more. I did the rest. The kids attention spans are limited and they quickly got bored of the process, the waiting. But when we bring the food to the table, they both chime in: We helped. We sit and eat and laugh and talk about school and what we want to do this weekend. We talk about things that make us happy and safe. We talked about how good these tacos are. We dont talk about Trump. And thats resistance too. Manuel Gonzales is the author of The Miniature Wife and Other Stories, which won the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction and the John Gardner Prize for Fiction, and the novel, The Regional Office is Under Attack! He teaches writing and literature at Bennington College in Vermont. Want More Stories From Taco Nation? Right This Way... Originally Appeared on Bon Appetit Analysis How Does the NLDs Push to Amend Myanmars Constitution Differ From the USDPs? A session of the Union Parliament in Naypyitaw is held on Jan. 27, 2020. / Htet Wai / The Irrawaddy YANGONThe current government, led by the National League for Democracy (NLD), is not the first to attempt to amend the undemocratic 2008 Constitution. In 2013, its predecessor, led by the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), gave it a try. But the USDPs two-year attemptwidely viewed as lacking the will for genuine reformultimately proved fruitless, failing to amend even a single article of the Constitution. Since it was launched early last year, the NLDs push for constitutional reform has faced strong resistance from unelected military lawmakers and their allies in the USDP. Despite strong public support for charter change, the success of the NLDs effort is far from guaranteed. The main hurdle for constitutional reform is the effective veto wielded by the military, for which the Constitution reserves 25 percent of Parliament seats. Under Article 436, proposed changes to the charter require the support of more than 75 percent of lawmakers, meaning no change is possible without military approval. Lets look at the differences between the USDP and the NLDs approaches to charter change. On July 25, 2013, the then-ruling USDP established a joint committee with 109 members from all parties in Parliament to examine the countrys Constitution and consider changes to it. The NLD didnt oppose the formation of the committee proposed by USDP vice chair and former general Thura Aye Myint. On Feb. 21, 2019, the NLD formed a 45-member joint committee with proportional representation of members of Parliament, and started reviewing the entire Charter for possible amendments. U Tun Tun Hein, the deputy speaker of the Union Parliament and an NLD lawmaker, said the party reduced the number of committee members believing that having too many members on the committee had been an impediment to the USDPs charter amendment efforts. The USDP lawmakers and military appointees rejected the NLD-proposed committee and all of its activities as unconstitutional, and even warned that such unlawful activities could destabilize the country. 44,221 Recommendations vs. 3,765 Recommendations On Jan. 31, 2014, the USDPs joint committee submitted a report on its findings to the Parliament that included a total of 44,221 recommended changes to provisions of the Constitution, collected from both inside and outside of Parliament. On July 15, 2019, the NLDs joint committee put forward to Parliament a total of 3,765 recommendations collected from more than a dozen political parties represented on the committee. The USDP and military lawmakers rejected the recommendations and criticized the NLD and ethnic parties for attempting to change the entire charter, which it said could harm the nation. USDP vs. NLD: Submission of Amendment Proposal USDP -The USDP formed an additional 31-member committee for implementation. -It submitted a package of two constitutional amendment bills on June 10, 2015, nearly two years after the amendment process was launched. -In the bills, the party proposed 34 amendments to the Constitutions articles, and 54 to its additional schedules. The USDPs bills were signed by 43.52 percent of lawmakers, including members of the opposition NLD. NLD The NLD didnt form an additional committee. It submitted a package of two constitutional amendment bills on Jan. 27, 2020, nearly one year after the amendment process was launched. The party proposed 114 amendments to the Constitutions articles in the amendment bills. The NLDs bills were signed by more than 50 percent of parliamentarians. Neither the USDP nor the military supported the bills. USDPs Failure: No Major Constitutional Change Of the USDPs proposed changes to the Constitutions articles, only one received approval from more than 75 percent of lawmakers. This would simply have changed the word military to defense in a clause in Article 59(d) stipulating that a president must be well acquainted with the political, administrative, economic and military affairs of the Union. But as Article 59 is one of the provisions covered by Article 436(a), requiring approval of more than 75 percent of Parliament and more than 50 percent of voters in a referendum in order to pass, the amendment was not approved. The Union Election Commission estimated it would cost more than 4.72 billion kyats (about US$4.3 million at the time) to hold a referendum for that single amendment, so approval of the change was put on hold. Only proposed amendments to the Constitutions additional schedules were approved. These related to management of development projects and investments in states, regions and self-administered regions. What Is the Main Aim of the NLDs Proposals? Among the 114 proposed amendments submitted to Parliament, the NLD has prioritized two in particular. The first would reduce the proportion of seats in Parliament reserved for the military. The NLD suggests gradually reducing the militarys share of seats from 25 percent to 15 percent after the 2020 election, 10 percent after 2025 and 5 percent after 2030. The second would remove the militarys effective veto over any proposed amendment to the Constitution. The NLD proposes changing the requirement for approving a charter amendment from more than 75 percent of Parliament to two-thirds of elected representatives, excluding the military appointees. If one of the above two proposals is accepted, it will be enough to begin the process of democratizing and demilitarizing the Constitution, as the military would be deprived of its ability to block constitutional reform. It is expected that lawmakers will start discussing the NLDs proposals next week. Lets wait and see how far the second attempt to amend the Constitution in Parliament gets. US store chain Rutter disclosed a security breach, 71 locations were infected with a point-of-sale (POS) malware used to steal customers credit card information. The Rutters, a U.S. convenience store, fast food restaurant, and gas station chain owner, has disclosed a security breach. The company confirmed that attackers gained access to its stores network system and infected payment systems at 71 locations with a point-of-sale (POS) malware. The US store chain Rutters operates more than 75 locations throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia. According to a Notice of Payment Card Incident published by the company, attackers have stolen some payment card data from cards used on point-of-sale (POS) devices from convenience stores and fuel pumps. Threat actors planted PoS malware into the payment processing systems that was specifically designed to steal card data. Rutters started the investigation after it has received a report from a third party claiming there may have been unauthorized access to data from payment cards that were used at some Rutters locations. The company hired a cybersecurity firms to assist it into the investigation and notified law enforcement. On January 14, 2020, the investigation identified evidence indicating that an unauthorized actor may have accessed payment card data from cards used on point-of-sale (POS) devices at some fuel pumps and inside some of our convenience stores through malware installed on the payment processing systems. reads the notice issued by the company. The malware searched for track data (which sometimes has the cardholder name in addition to card number, expiration date, and internal verification code) read from a payment card as it was being routed through the payment processing systems. The malware was present with different timeframes for each location, the general timeframe beginning October 1, 2018 through May 29, 2019. The hackers were able to steal card numbers, expiration dates, and internal verification codes from credit cards used for the payments by the customers, in some cases, the PoS malware was also able to capture the cardholder names. However, chip-enabled (EMV) POS terminals are used inside our convenience stores. EMV cards generate a unique code that is validated for each transaction, and the code cannot be reused. continues the notices. As a result, for EMV cards inserted into the chip-reader on the EMV POS devices in our convenience stores, only card number and expiration date (and not the cardholder name or internal verification code) were involved. Rutters pointed out that the PoS malware involved in the attack didnt copy payment data from all of the cards used at the affected locations. Payment systems at Rutters car washes, ATMs, and lottery machines in Rutters stores were not infected with the malware. The company confirmed that the PoC malware has been removed from infected systems, it also announced the implementation of enhanced security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Experts suggest users reviewing their payment card statements for any unauthorized activity. Customers should immediately report any unauthorized charges to their card issuer. Rutters customers should also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and a police report in case of fraud or identity theft. Rutters also set up a dedicated call center at 888-271-9728 for additional questions. Pierluigi Paganini COPENHAGEN - A container ship that is owned and operated by a German shipping group has been attacked by pirates off the coast of Guinea. A spokesman for the Peter Doehle Schiffart and Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement company that is operating Maersk Tema told Denmarks Ekstra Bladet tabloid that two small vessels approached the container ship Friday off Guinea. The staff on the ship saw that the vessels were approaching and followed the emergency procedures, said Dustin Eno. We have immediately reported the incident to the local authorities. The Maersk Group in Copenhagen, Denmark, said that despite the name, it was not one of their ships. We, of course, do our utmost to support in this terrible situation, the Danish shipping company said in a statement to The Associated Press. ___ This story was corrected to show that pirates boarded the ship off the coast of the nation of Guinea, not in the Gulf of Guinea. "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. New Delhi: Around the time US President Donald Trump will be visiting India this month, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella will also be in the country. 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. He became a household name in 2015 after starring as The Bachelor. And five years after giving wife Snezana Markoski his final rose, Sam Wood has shared a hilarious keepsake from his time on the show. The 39-year-old personal trainer shared a photo to Instagram on Thursday of the handy 'cheat sheet' that helped him remember the names of the 21 women vying for his heart. 'We were meant to be': Five years after giving Snezana Markoski (left) his final rose, Sam Wood (right) has shared a hilarious keepsake from his time on The Bachelor in 2015 'Having a big clean up and found this gem,' he captioned the snap. 'It was always you Snez and it always will be.' The cheat sheet was presumably given to Sam by one of the producers, and it's likely he studied it closely in-between takes. While some of Sam's followers enjoyed the romantic gesture, others felt it was 'unnecessary' for him to compliment Snezana while dismissing the other women. Clever hack: Sam shared this photo to Instagram on Thursday of the handy 'cheat sheet' that helped him remember the names of the 21 women vying for his heart 'Not sure this sits well with me. I love you guys and I love that you chose Snez. I love that you've found love and family but... the others?' one fan wrote. They added that sharing the other women's photos alongside a caption about Snezana made them look like 'losers' in a competition. 'I know your intention is to honour the incredible woman you got to choose and love, but this sits a little uneasy with me,' they added. Thanks! The cheat sheet was presumably given to Sam by one of the producers, and it's likely he studied it closely in-between takes. Sam is pictured with his daughter Charlie, six months Meanwhile, another follower simply commented: 'That's creepy.' Sam's cheat sheet also caught the attention of ex-Bachelorette Georgia Love, who had to learn the names of her suitors the old fashioned way. She wrote: 'Oh my god, is this a cheat sheet?! I never got one of those!' 'I never got one of those!' Sam's cheat sheet also caught the attention of ex-Bachelorette Georgia Love (pictured), who had to learn the names of her suitors the old fashioned way Earlier this month Sam told New Idea that he and Snezana were 'meant to be' and that 'meeting [her] was weirdly fate'. 'We're so well-suited, and when we met, we desperately wanted to grow a family. We balance each other, and now our life is all about our girls, and that brings us closer together still.' he added. The Woods share two children together, Willow, two, and Charlie, six months. Snezana also has a 14-year-old daughter, Eve, from a previous relationship. The couple tied the knot in Byron Bay in December 2018, and recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary. Dubai, Feb 14 : The Indian Consulate in Dubai has repatriated the mortal remains of one of the two Indians who were killed in a fire on board an oil tanker off the coast of Sharjah on January 29. The mission announced on social media that the mortal remains of Shiva Naga Babu were sent to Andhra Pradesh on Thursday morning, reports Gulf News. The second victim was identified as Basudeb Haldar. Speaking to Gulf News, Consul General of India Vipul said: "We are expecting to repatriate the mortal remains of Basudeb Haldar to his hometown in West Bengal by tomorrow (Friday)." Besides Babu and Haldar, two other Indians had gone missing after the deadly fire on board the unloaded oil tanker 21 miles off the coast of Sharjah. Their bodies were retrieved on February 2, but were yet to be identified. Vipul told the Gulf News that the mission was awaiting DNA test reports from the local authorities to establish their identities. There were 12 crew members and 44 technicians on board when fire erupted. They included Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Ethiopian and other undisclosed nationalities. All Indian crew members were were technicians hired by a Fujairah-based company to do maintenance work on the vessel bound for India where it was due to be scrapped. God Sent an Angel: My 21 Near Death Experiences: a faith-filled account bringing true tales of a man who was saved by God from twenty-one disasters in his life. God Sent an Angel: My 21 Near Death Experiences is the creation of published author Richard Gene Arno, Ph.D., the founder of the National Christian Counselors Association in Sarasota, Florida. He served for seven years as a director of counseling for CBNs 700 Club and was a United Methodist minister for a decade before his appointment to CBN. Isaiah 54:10 says, For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. Dr. Arno shares, There are many words that can be used to describe Gods love and mercy: tremendous, great, incredible, etc. The fact is that His love and mercy towards us is extravagant, bountiful, and eternal. The one word that captures the way God makes me feel is awesome. He has intervened on my behalf over and over again, and the thought of it all takes my breath away. Indeed, God has demonstrated to me that His mercy is awesome, and that His love for me is eternal and unconditional. I have to tell the world that God sent an angel to save me from an impending disaster, not once or twice, but twenty-one times! He is so good. It is my prayer that this book will bless and encourage every person who reads it. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Richard Gene Arno, Ph.D.s new book brings a closer inspection in a life that has been graciously blessed by Gods divine presence and saw it through a series of imminent dangers. View a synopsis of God Sent an Angel: My 21 Near Death Experiences on YouTube. Consumers can purchase God Sent an Angel: My 21 Near Death Experiences at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about God Sent an Angel: My 21 Near Death Experiences, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 00:02:33|Editor: yan Video Player Close KIEV, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and discussed implementing agreements reached during a summit in Paris, the Ukrainian president's press service said Friday. At the last meeting of the Normandy Four leaders in Paris earlier this month after a three-year interval, Ukraine and Russia agreed on a comprehensive implementation of a ceasefire in Donbass by the end of 2019. The two leaders also paid special attention to the release of Ukrainian citizens held in the territories of Donbass and Crimea, as well as in the Russian Federation. The Normandy Four format, which groups Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany, was created in June 2014, when leaders of the four countries met on the margins of the 70th anniversary of the D-Day allied landings in Normandy to resolve the Donbass conflict, which erupted in April that year. SAGINAW, MI A few months after being paroled from prison, a Saginaw man is again facing criminal charges after he was accused of kidnapping his girlfriend and threatening to kill her 3-year-old son. Police say the incident began late Feb. 9 and continued into the early morning of Feb. 10. A 22-year-old woman arrived at her home within the city of Saginaw. In her vehicles backseat was her son, prosecutors said. Upon her arrival home, 25-year-old Marcellus D. Boop Jenkins Jr. entered the passenger side of her vehicle and ordered her to drive him to his home, located elsewhere in the city, prosecutors allege. Jenkins and the woman were dating, but hadnt spoken in several days, prosecutors said. Jenkins was armed with a handgun and, at one point, turned and pointed it at the womans son and threatened to kill him, prosecutors allege. Later, Jenkins fired a round from the gun out of the drivers side window, in front of the woman, prosecutors allege. A third-party called 911 and police located Jenkins, the woman, and her child at Jenkins house, prosecutors said. Police arrested Jenkins and recovered a handgun, prosecutors said. The woman and her child were not physically harmed, prosecutors said. The child is not Jenkins, prosecutors said. Jenkins on Feb. 11 appeared in Saginaw County District Court for arraignment on single counts of unlawful imprisonment, felonious assault, carrying a concealed weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle, and felony firearm. All of the charges are felonies, with the most serious being unlawful imprisonment, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. The arraigning judge set Jenkins bond at $100,000 cash-surety, though his parolee status means hell be held in custody regardless of his bond. A Saginaw County judge in July 2014 sentenced Jenkins to three, two-year terms in prison on felony firearm convictions, plus stints of two to six years, two to seven and a half years, and three to fifteen years stemming from assault convictions. The Michigan Department of Corrections paroled Jenkins on Nov. 14, 2019. He was to remain on parole until Feb. 14, 2021. Jenkins is to appear for a preliminary examination at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 28. "At its core, there's something that's very identifiable," Faxon says. "Do you know your partner or your spouse as well as you thought you did? And what are those questions that come in this high-stakes situation? What would you do? Just by nature of us taking on the project, it became American, in a sense, but it wasn't necessarily 'How do we get the film to be more American?' I think it was more a result of how we were setting up the film and who was in the film and that this was an American family. But a lot of the same themes run throughout the movie that are very universal to begin with." The United States and the Taliban have reached a truce agreement that will take effect 'very soon' and could lead to withdrawals of American troops from Afghanistan, a senior U.S official said Friday. The official said the agreement for a seven-day 'reduction in violence' to be followed by the start of all-Afghan peace talks within 10 days is 'very specific' and covers the entire country including Afghan forces. 'The reduction of violence agreement is very specific. It's nationwide and it includes the Afghans,' said the official, adding that it applies to 'everything. Roadside bombs, suicide bombs, rocket attacks is all written out.' Exactly when the 'truce' would begin was not announced. The prospect of a deal gives President Donald Trump the opportunity to make good on his promise to remove U.S. troops from Afghanistan. The U.S. and allies have been fighting there since October 2001, following the Sept. 11 attacks, which Al Qaeda operatives plotted from Afghanistan, where they had obtained sanctuary. U.S. negotiators led by Zalmay Khalilzad have spent weeks meeting with counterparts in Qatar seeking to hammer out a deal which could hold. The dramatic development comes months after Trump cancelled peace talks at Camp David in September after the Taliban claimed credit for an attack in Kabul. That set negotiators scrambling to rebuild trust and try to put a deal back together. The U.S. currently has about 13,000 troops in Afghanistan. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, shakes hands with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani,during the 56th Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, southern Germany, on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. The two discussed a peace deal with the Taliban U.S. troops patrol at an Afghan National Army (ANA) Base in Logar province, Afghanistan August 7, 2018. American forces have been fighting in Afghanistan since October 2001 U.S. Secretary for Defense Mark Esper speaks during a press conference on the first day of the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)b Trump said Thursday there was a 'good chance' of a deal. 'I think we're very close,' Trump told Geraldo Rivera on a podcast interview. ;I think there's a good chance that we'll have a deal ... We're going to know over the next two weeks,' he said. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper met Friday with Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani amid signs that a truce between the United States and the Taliban is imminent. Pompeo and Esper met Ghani on the sidelines of an international security forum in Munich as officials said a 'reduction in violence' agreement is on the table and could be announced as early as the weekend. President Donald Trump has agreed in principle to the deal, which could lead to the start of significant U.S. troop withdrawals from Afghanistan, according to U.S. officials. 'We are working to finally end America's longest war and bring our troops back home,' Trump said in his State of the Union speech. He said Thursday the sides were close Afghan security forces inspect the scene after a suicide attack targeted a checkpoint in downtown Kabul, Afghanistan, 05 September 2019 National army soldiers arrive at the site of explosion near the military academy in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. The explosion occurred early Tuesday near the military academy in a southern neighborhood of the Afghan capital, a government spokesman said People who were injured in a bomb explosion outside a polling station, receive medical treatment at a hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan, 28 September 2019. At least 16 people including a police were injured in the incident The final details were hammered out in recent days by U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar. Khalilzad was in Munich and attended Pompeo and Esper's meeting as did Gen. Scott Miller, the commander of the U.S.-led international force in Afghanistan. People familiar with the plan's 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 country's political future. U.S. officials have brushed aside claims that a Taliban ultimatum forced their hand. And they noted that, despite Trump's campaign pledge to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan and elsewhere, the Republican president has nixed previous deals that appeared close in response to attacks on U.S. forces. Trump addressed the prospect of peace during his State of the Union speech last month. 'We are working to finally end America's longest war and bring our troops back home,' Trump said. He also repeated a statement that carried with it a warning of U.S. might. 'I am not looking to kill hundreds of thousands of people in Afghanistan, many of them totally innocent.' 'It is also not our function to serve other nations as a law enforcement agency. These are war-fighters, the best in the world, and they either want to fight to win or not fight at all,' said Trump, expressing his frustration with a semi-permanent force propping up the Afghan government. The name of the state is going to give the state-level cultural award to the Yogi government to the artists who will make the country proud. The Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh will give this award in various disciplines. Culture Minister Dr. Neelkanth Tiwari on Thursday directed the officers to chalk out a plan to give state-level awards to the officers. It has not been decided yet what the prize money will be. CM Yog on Indo-Nepal relationship, says- "There are two bodies since ancient times, but..." According to the media report, Minister Dr. Neelkanth Tiwari held a meeting with officials at the Tourism Bhawan in Gomtinagar and said that a plan should be made to give the state-level cultural award on the same lines as the Begum Akhtar Award is given. In the Begum Akhtar Award, artists are given five lakh rupees, Angavastra, and citation. A similar award should also be given in other genres. Gujarat: Wife Kinjal claims, Hardik Patel missing for last 20 days Minister Dr. Neelkanth Tiwari also deliberated deeply on the revised proposal of Uttar Pradesh's new culture policy. He also gave necessary instructions to the officers. Actually, no other government distributes due to being in the Yashbharati award disputes started in the Samajwadi Party government. These awards have not been given in Uttar Pradesh since the BJP government came in 2017. The pension of 50 thousand rupees received by its artists has also been banned. Governor Anandiben's big statement, says- "Realizing the vision of Ram Rajya" Hundreds of French farmers have called for the release of a farmer who shot and seriously wounded a 19-year-old. The demonstration occurred outside the Court of Appeal in the north-eastern city of Reims on Thursday (13 February). Members of the agricultural group Federation Nationale des Syndicats dExploitants Agricoles (FDSEA) planned the protest. Farmer Jean-Louis Leroux is being investigated after he seriously wounded the teenager, who is now in hospital in a coma, the BBC reports . The 46-year-old, who says he has been a victim of robberies in the past, admits firing his shotgun as he purportedly believed people were trying to steal diesel from his farm. A statement by the FDSEA said: Victim of around fifty thefts since 2015, Jean-Louis Leroux suffered a new incident in Ambrieres, on his farm, during the night of January 31 to February 1 2020. Our thoughts are with the two families concerned and their relatives who are living in a very difficult situation. We hope for the young man's speedy recovery. We wish to support the family of Jean-Louis Leroux for the financing of the costs of his defence. A great movement of solidarity from his friends and from the agricultural and rural world is committed to his side. Following the court hearing on Thursday, Jean-Louis Leroux has been released from detention until his trial date. The Indian and the British armies began the fifth edition of their joint exercise, 'Ajeya Warrior on Thursday, February 13 at Salisbury Plains. The exercise is aimed at conducting training of troops in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in urban and semi-urban areas. A defence ministry press release said the exercise was a great step for the armies of the two democratic countries to train together and gain from each other's rich operational experiences. The 5th edition of Exercise 'AJEYA WARRIOR-2020' between India and United Kingdom Army commenced today at Salisbury Plains, UK. The aim of the exercise is to conduct training of troops in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations. pic.twitter.com/TP3ymvc2N3 ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2020 Read: 7th Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Exercise 'MITRA SHAKTI-VII' at Pune UK welcomes India The Commander of UK 7 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier Tom Bewick welcomed the Indian contingent during the opening ceremony. The press release by the ministry further added that as part of the exercise, important lectures, demonstrations, and drills related to counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations will be conducted. The release also said that both armies will also share their experiences in countering such situations as also refine drills and procedures for joint operations wherever the need so arises. Read: Indian & Uzbek troops perform heliborne training during Dustlik 2019 Joint Military exercise with Sri Lanka Earlier, The Indian and Sri Lankan troops carried out specialised joint training in Pune on December 6. The training included various exercises like special heliborne operations practice, silent insertion and jungle lane shooting and improvised explosive device familiarisation and handling. This came after the new Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 29. Read: NSA Ajit Doval calls on Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in New Delhi Indias joint military training with Uzbekistan During the Dustlik 2019, the India-Uzbekistan joint troops were seen performing a heliborne training exercise on November 7. This cames as the Indian troops visited Uzbekistan for the first time for the Indo-Uzbek Joint Exercise named 'Dustlik 2019'. The Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh attended the curtain raiser event of this joint exercise on November 4 along with his Uzbek counterpart Major General Bakhodir Nizamovich Kurbanov. The Joint Military Exercise was focused on counterterrorism, an area in which the two countries share a common concern. The exercise also enabled the sharing of best practices and experiences between the Armed Forces of the two countries. (With ANI Inputs) Read: PM Modi welcomes Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, upholds 'neighborhood first' As a career chaplain in the Federal Bureau of Prisons where I worked in maximum-, medium- and minimum-security prisons and as a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a brigadier general, I have learned a few things about transforming lives, and I can unequivocally say: When we give our incarcerated citizens access to education to increase their knowledge and skills to secure decent jobs, they are much more likely to experience success when they reenter the free world, and their success advances a safer public. The United States has made progress in advancing reforms to reduce recidivism (reducing the rate at which people return to prison), but it makes no sense to continue the punitive-minded 90s ban on federal Pell grants for people in prison. The next step in criminal justice reform is to repeal this federal ban. A study conducted by the Vera Institute of Justice and Georgetowns Center on Poverty and Inequality found that the vast majority of people in prison are Pell-eligible but cannot access postsecondary courses because of the federal ban. This inability to access higher education continues the cycle of poverty and incarceration. Nationwide, more than 95 percent of people in prison will eventually be released, but more than a third will return within three years. However, expanding access to quality postsecondary education in prison by reinstating Pell grants can change that. A study by the RAND Corporation found that people in prison who participate in postsecondary education and training programs are 48 percent less likely to return to prison than people who do not. Reentry goes better for people who have access to quality postsecondary education because education opens doors for economic opportunities. The Vera and Georgetown study estimates that repealing the Pell ban would increase employment among formerly incarcerated people by 10 percent, on average. Studies also show that 65 percent of all new jobs require some postsecondary education. However, only 22 percent of people in state prison have had at least some postsecondary education. A top priority for lawmakers should remain the safety of our courageous correctional staff. Alabamas prisons are overcrowded and understaffed. One way to increase safety and security is to increase access to postsecondary programs. Educational programs provide students with opportunities to build their leadership skills and apply those to improve the community in prison. The better we build the emotional maturity level of those who are incarcerated, the better we protect our staff. Currently, Alabama spends about $462.5 million per year on prisons, but it costs far less to educate someone than to incarcerate them. In fact, Alabama taxpayers could stand to save more than $3.8 million annually if the Pell ban is repealed, according to the Vera and Georgetown report. Providing access to quality postsecondary courses in prison is a common-sense, evidence-based measure. It not only honors the dignity of each person in prison, it also produces better outcomes for allincarcerated people, their families and loved ones, the prison units they inhabit, and the communities they return to. I urge Alabamas policymakers in Washington to support expanding access to quality postsecondary education for all people in prison by lifting the Pell ban. This is a basic step that can help disrupt mass incarceration and break the cycle of poverty that comes with it. Chaplain Carlton Fisher, D.Min., Baptist minister; retired chaplain (brigadier general), U.S. Army Reserve; and a retired supervisory chaplain from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He has worked in maximum-, medium- and minimum-security prisons and is the recipient of three bronze stars. Orange County School of the Arts, in Santa Ana, Calif. (Courtesy of Orange County School of the Arts) Famed Charter School Fights for Survival; Students Make Tearful Appeal SANTA ANA, Calif.In recent times, Californias charter schools have faced greater scrutiny, with the California Teachers Association spending millions last year to lobby for an overhaul of the charter system. Against this backdrop, a famous charter in Orange County has found its 20-year peaceful relationship with the local school district descending into a bitter feud. Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) has produced many famed alumni, including Pedro Pascal, or Oberyn Martell on Game of Thrones. Another is Hannah Elyse, who had a month-long appearance on NBCs The Voice. Alumni Matthew Morrison, who went on to star in Glee, has said his experience at OCSA was the cornerstone of his professional career. When OCSA applied for its regular 5-year license renewal last year, the Santa Ana School District took issue with dozens of charter policies and practices that have been in place for decades, according to school officials. The district also hit the school with a much-disputed $19 million bill last year for retroactive special education contributions. And it attempted to block millions of dollars in state funding to the school. The district argues that OCSA has a discriminatory enrollment process. It contends that the school does follow the rule for charters, that they cannot pick and choose their students; charters must accept all students. This latter charge has become a common one against charters in California. Enrollment processes that require essays, auditions, and grade reviews, have been under scrutiny by groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)a group that has spurred the Santa Ana district in its scrutiny of OCSA. On Feb. 5, OCSA presented its case to the Orange County School Board. OCSA hopes the board can take over authority before July. Thats when the school could lose its license. The district, which currently has authority over the school, did approve the schools license renewal Dec. 10, 2019but with conditions, which the school says is the same thing as denying it. The school charges that those conditions are unclear; they came in the form of a 37-page document broadly criticizing some of the main elements of the schools charter. The Santa Ana School District offices in Santa Ana, Calif., on Feb. 12, 2020. (Jamie Joseph/The Epoch Times) The districts lawyers claim the district must maintain authority over the school. The schools lawyers argue the board can take authorizing power. The school board has up to 90 days to respond to the Feb. 5 appeal. Put our childrens anxieties and fears aside During the appeal before the school board, students and their parents voiced concerns; many of the pleas were tearful. My daughter has finally found her tribe, OCSA is a gem. It is an amazing school, said Pattie Juarez, the mother of an 8th grader in OCSAs music conservatory. Please help us put our childrens anxieties and fears aside, because they think their beloved school is shutting down. We need your help. Louisa Ramero, a senior at OCSA, said, My mother is a single mother who has had to work multiple jobs to be able to support my family and my artistic endeavors. OCSAs unparalleled arts education is something that cannot be described in words, but rather something that must be experienced, she said. Even more beyond our students, just the fact that so many people could lose their job if this charter doesnt get renewed is quite a scary feeling. Me being a graduate, I shouldnt have to feel worried about this, but I would love for other students to get to experience this. Orange County School of the Arts, in Santa Ana, Calif. (Courtesy of Orange County School of the Arts) Another OCSA student said, I would just like to say that OCSAs has literally been nothing but wonderful to me, there is no other experience like it. I have been accepted there, my old school made me feel like an outcast. This school has been teaching me to make positive impactsthis school has given me so much self love, I wouldnt be where I am today without OCSA. Surprise Special Ed Shortfall OCSA, along with other Santa Ana schools, received notification from the district last spring that the district had retroactively discovered a shortfall in special education funding. For the past 17 years, the government contributions to special ed combined with the funds already withheld from each school in the district for special ed funding, did not cover the amount the district spent on it. The district billed the schools for millions. Representatives from three other schools thus billed co-authored an editorial in the Orange County Register stating: Not once in the nearly two decades our schools have been open has [the Santa Ana School District] ever claimed we owe them anything above the amount they already withhold. To our knowledge, no audit of [the districts] financial statements from the past 20 years has ever backed up this sudden shortfall claim. They used an analogy to describe how it felt receiving that bill March last year. It would be as if you had been paying your mortgage for 15 years on your house, only to have the bank claim that they made a mistake in calculating your payment and demand a million dollars, without providing proof of the error. And that was the beginning of the feud. The district has singled out OSCA as the most contentious school among those billed. OCSA has said paying the bill would be detrimental to school operations.The district has argued that OCSA has the money. The district had moved to withhold $500,000 monthly in funding against the bill. A court ruled last year that the district cannot withhold funds because of this amount owing. That would have bankrupted OCSA within six months, OCSA Executive Director Ralph Opacic said at the appeal before the school board. A court also urged the district not to block $2 million in state funding to the charter by listing it as not in good standing. The district complied and reinstated the charters good standing status. Alleged Discrimination in Enrollment At the board hearing, the district cited ACLU materials that claim OCSAs enrollment process is discriminatory. ACLU has reported that Although people of color make up about 90 percent of the population in Santa Ana, only 10 percent to 20 percent of students who attended OCSA were people of color. OCSA has required auditions for applicants. ACLU reported, When charter schools require essays or interviews but purportedly do not use them to select students, these hurdles give the appearance of selectivity, which may discourage applications from students from less-privileged backgrounds or students who lack confidence in their abilities. ACLU charges that this may violate laws that say charters cannot select students, but must be open to all on equal terms: Such policies may violate state and federal civil rights laws if they have an unjustified negative disparate impact on protected student groups such as students of color, English learners, or immigrant students. Opacic denounced the district for citing ACLU materials instead of the schools own policies. For example, he said, the school does not require identification documents that would discourage some immigrants from applying. The school provides many extracurricular programs for local, disadvantaged students, he said. For example, Camp OCSA is a series of after-school arts workshops available free of charge to Santa Ana elementary school students. Opacic said, In their findings, they talk about the fact that our demographics dont represent their district, and yetfor the first time in 20 yearsthey refused to distribute our flyers for Camp OCSA. He also argued that his schools rigorous enrollment process is what makes the school so successful. Established in 1987, the school has won many national recognitions, including being named the No. 1 Charter High School in California by Niche. The U.S. Department of Education and National Endowment for the Arts have recognized OCSA as a model arts education program. OCSA has received the distinction of Exceptional Charter School in Special Education by the National Association of Special Education Teachers for 2017, 2018 and 2019. OCSA has about 2,200 students grades 712, as well as about 550 faculty members. As the charter authorizer, we have the responsibility to ensure the charter meets the conditions, said Alfonso Jimenez, deputy superintendent of educational services for the district. We want to reiterate from our previous position, that [our] concerns stem from OCSAs operations and admission practices. The fact that OCSA has appealed to the county, in no way shape or form, alleviates them from their responsibilities to meet with us, Jimenez said. We are still the current authorizerOCSA is not entitled to, or legally authorized to switch authorizers or refuse to work with its authorizer. The next school board meeting, March 4, could reveal more clearly whether authorization can be, or will be, transferred. As the terrorist attack on the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Pulwama marks its first anniversary, the question arises of situating it and the counter-measures that followed in the wider context of relations with Pakistan over the past two decades. While terrorism has been a central feature of the relationship, our responses to it have varied. The response to the Parliament attack in December 2001 was a major military mobilization. The Mumbai attacks of November 2008 resulted in a diplomatic push for international pressure on Pakistan. In between variants such as the Joint Anti Terror Mechanism were put in place. The cross-Line of Control (LoC) surgical strikes following the Uri terror attach in September 2016 marked a new phase in responses. The Balakot strike after Pulwama was more than an evolutionary response principally because the target was not along the LoC and not in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The message was that our response to terrorism would not be constrained by past practices or be within the narrative confines of Pakistans perceptions of Kashmir. In many ways, the Balakot strike shares features with the 1965 India-Pakistan war. Pakistan had launched Operation Gibraltar in August 1965 a bid to use large numbers of infiltrators to create a civic breakdown in J&K in a prelude to military intervention. Indias response was not confined to J&K and extended across the international border. Many in the international community saw our response as a dangerous escalation of a localised conflict over Kashmir to the full spectrum of an India-Pakistan war. In Pakistan, our military response was seen then, as it is seen now, as unprovoked Indian aggression. Thus, September 5 since 1965 has remained a permanent fixture of Pakistans political calendar as Defence of Pakistan Day. The point is that Pakistans own reading of subcontinental history imparts to it the sense of entitlement that all its actions on Kashmir are legitimate and insulated from all other aspects of India-Pakistan relations. This sense of entitlement needed to be checked and the Balakot action in response to the terrorist attack in Pulwama did so. The withdrawal of most favoured nation (MFN) status to Pakistan post-Pulwama was largely a symbolic measure since the trade balance is in Indias favour by a factor of 4 or 5. Yet, it conveyed the same strategic message responses to terrorist provocations would not be localised but would affect the entire spectrum of bilateral relations. A significant lowering of Indias threshold to terrorist attacks is what the aftermath of Pulwama thus represents in strategic terms. This lowering has not taken place overnight. In the preceding two decades, every government, regardless of its political colour, has sincerely sought to de-securitize a deeply troubled bilateral relationship with Pakistan. Acts of terrorism have been the one factor disrupting each attempt. After Pulwama and Balakot, other events came to the centre of the India-Pakistan radar screen. The most significant were the legislative changes with regard to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in August 2019. Quite apart from the domestic debate in India, Pakistans reactions are perplexing. Its intensity of condemnation against changes made in constitutional provisions with regard to the erstwhile J&K state does not fit in with a long history of seeing Article 370, J&K statehood or other provisions regarding J&K as a sham. What explains this privileging of the erstwhile constitutional provisions now? This can be understood in terms of a sense of entitlement on J&K and Pakistans complex internal politics and civil and military issues. That the constitutional changes with regard to . J&K were made in the aftermath of Pulwama/Balakot and the high state of tension that existed adds further context. On the first anniversary of the Pulwama terrorist attack, the question is how does the road ahead look with regard to India-Pakistan relations. The current position does look somewhat dire: No high commissioners in place, frequent tactical firefights along the LoC, a charged Pakistani rhetoric with regard to Jammu and Kashmir and a freeze on trade and people-to-people contacts. There is also a changing regional context that induces changes in Pakistan-US relations plus there is a near constancy in the Pakistan-China relationship. Such factors also play a role with regard to other significant external relationships of Pakistan such as with Turkey or Malaysia. This is not a new position by any means and in the past too efforts were made to move forward from similar situations. What is however also clear is that older processes that attempted to restore some minimal stability- the Composite Dialogue, the Resumed Dialogue and the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue- have run their course. As far as India is concerned, the onus remains on Pakistan to recognise the danger that terrorism poses to stability. Whether Pakistans internal flux will permit such recognition is the real question for the months to come and on that the jury is still out. The future framework within which a rebuilding of relations will take place is still unclear, but its building blocks will be familiar trade, practical cooperation measures, people-to-people contact etc. The way ahead will ultimately depends, however, largely on political initiatives and these will rely, as in the past, on practical not perfect solutions. The author is a former High Commissioner to Pakistan and currently Director General, Indian Council of World Affairs. Views are personal. The Chinese community is being "gaslighted" in some quarters as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, the Australian Human Rights Commission has warned, as it calls for more funding for its anti-racism work. Race discrimination commissioner Chin Tan said on Friday he was hearing "a great deal of distress among diverse communities" as a result of the flu-like illness. "[People] are worried about being victimised and are concerned that not enough it being done to protect them by combating racism in the community," he told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Race discrimination commissioner Chin Tan says the Human Rights Commission does not have adequate funding for its anti-racism work. Credit:Eddie Jim He had heard reports of Chinese children being bullied at school, students ostracised at universities and people being denied rental accommodation as misinformation and fear about coronavirus spread. "There are clearly some people intent on gaslighting the Chinese community at a time when it is vulnerable and suffering on the front line of the coronavirus outbreak," Mr Tan said, referring to the practice of mocking those who call out racism or making excuses for it so they come to doubt their own perception or experience. Dont Read the Comments By Eric Smith (Inkyard Press, 357 pp, $18.99) The opening line of this engaging novel is one my kids have said to me. Mom. Weve been over this. Dont read the comments. Yet, over the years and for many publications, I have. I admit that trolls achieved their goal. Rattled, surprised and often disgusted, I never understood why anyone would waste time lobbing vitriol at someone. If you have the courage of these beliefs and think people need to read your racist, sexist rants, at least stand up and use your real name. A novel about trolls attacking young adults in the gaming world admittedly did not sound inviting to me. However, it also seemed, well, novel. Its a world I am not part of and should be open to at least in a book. So, after a few false starts, I am glad I stuck with Eric Smiths book. Smith, of Elizabeth, alternates between two narrators, Divya and Aaron. Aaron lives with his parents and younger sister. His mom, a doctor, continually pressures him to become one and makes him work in her home office over the summer. His dad had worked in restaurants and was treated shabbily. All Aaron wants to do is write video games, and thats how he eventually encounters Divya. She goes by the screen name of D1V, careful to cloak all indications of her actual identity a young woman living in Jersey City in a crummy apartment. Her dad left her and her mom broke. Though she should be in college, she instead is helping her mom finish her degree by earning money through sponsorships playing video games. She has a legion of followers. Smith takes a few chances, and they pay off beautifully. First, he gives us main characters that are a little older than the typical young adult milieu, but arent full-fledged adults. Theyre on the cusp, still living with parents, but leading more independent lives. Consequently, and happily, this book isnt easily labeled. Toward the end of this engaging novel, one of the main characters, a young woman, asks: What is it about a girl being popular on the Internet that pisses them off so much? While it may not be difficult for a bookish man to recall what its like for a sweet, shy guy tooling around on his computer, it has to be more of a challenge for an adult male to tap into the mindset of a young woman threatened by trolls. When these animals take it from avatars to real life, it gets harrowing. Some trolls, jealous of D1Vs success, unite and bring her down online. But its not enough to blow up her spaceship. They are intent on destroying her. A Hoboken pizzeria is the site of an ugly scene. Guys attack Divya and her gaming co-pilot and best friend in real life, Rebekah. Rebekah had been sexually assaulted. Having these dudes (trust me, they are not men, and are too old to be boys) attack her and push her around after suffering an assault is too much for her. Trolls also go after Divyas mother and throw eggs at her. Its impossible to stay sanguine. The real credit to Smith is that he sensitively and accurately writes about the fear and the bravery that wells up in Divya. It is often scary to be a young woman, to not know those guys in hoodies following you, yet you are the object of their rage. And to recognize that they can quickly overpower you is part of why going out as a young woman can feel like an act of defiance. This is not a knock on men. They are just lucky to not have to contend with the constant worry. Capturing that without dwelling on it or making Divya overly vulnerable while keeping her completely relatable is a feat. Smith solidly explains the other worlds explored in the video game of the book. The sky shimmers with an odd mix of vivid colors, and the soft light from two suns dances in the lens-flare patterns through the glass on the ships open door. As he explores a burgeoning relationship between Aaron and Divya, Smith also writes of the deep bonds between best friends. Here, Divya reflects on her father's abandoning them and on Rebekah's attack. The only safe place for either of us has been online. In these games. With beautiful strangers that make the world worth living. They learn some virtual friends become quite real and some real friends would be best as avatars. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) One couple had higher hopes for Valentines Day, not expecting they would be spending the holiday in jail. Identified as Jerome Declaro and Katrina Salvador, the two were arrested in a buy bust Thursday night in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City. The pair landed in jail after allegedly being caught in possession of around 13 grams of prohibited drugs, believed to be shabu with an estimated value of P90,000. The law enforcers familiar with the matter said the two are recidivists. Both of them were already arrested before for the same offense, they said. According to Declaro and Salvador, they expected to at least earn enough to buy food on this day for lovers. People across the globe celebrate Valentines Day, which is associated with love and romance, every February 14. Traditionally, couples celebrate by exchanging gifts such as flowers to commemorate St. Valentine of Rome, who was said to be a temple priest who helped Christian couples get married. Almost all land transport movements in China ground to a halt in the weeks following the first outbreak of novel coronavirus. A shortage of lorry drivers and rail freight cars made the transport of cargo within the country and to and from ports almost impossible. What has developed over the past few days up to Friday February 14 is a logistics scenario that remains patchy in many areas, while a few provinces are slowly returning to a degree of normal operations. Coast vs inland The first distinction to make is that there seems to be a remarkable difference in the ability of factories, and to some degree of the transport sector, to operate between coastal areas and Chinas interior. Some provinces on the coast, such as Liaoning in the north, have gradually restarted material movements, with local companies allowed to resume operations. Most magnesia producers in Liaoning reported to Fastmarkets that they have resumed all or part of their production this week, although some were still closed. Similarly, in Shandong province, a hub for graphite production, operations in the city of Qingdao have gradually restarted after a couple of weeks of closure. The proximity of Shandongs graphite producers to local ports seems to be a main indicator of their ability to resume operations before others that are based further away. Critically different is the situation in the countrys interior. Many of Chinas inland provinces, including Shanxi, Henan, Hubei, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia and Ganzhou, continue to see significant disruptions to land transport. At least two sources speaking to Fastmarkets this week said that authorities have imposed an extended period of closures on lorry companies and couriers operating in the provinces of Shanxi and Henan (potentially in nearby areas as well) that will last until the second week of March. What this means is that very little cargo can be moved on roads in these areas for almost another month. "The price of transport today, even by train, is up to 1,560 yuan [$223] per tonne to Tianjin," one seller said. "But road transport is impossible because no trucks are available and [anyway] they do not have permission to drive to Tianjin. Maybe next week it will change; we just dont know." Provincial borders shut Another critical point is that transport between provinces is very limited at present. Authorities want to be sure that they can track the origins of vehicles and contain the movements of people and goods. Consequently, provincial border checks have become much stricter. "Logistics is very patchy all across China," one local producer of bauxite and alumina said. "Crossing provincial borders is downright impossible now. So, if you are anywhere inland, you cant move material to the ports on the coast." "We dont expect to be able to ship anything out of our plant until the first or second week of March - there are no couriers available," a second producer, with operations in Shanxi, added. "What this means is that no ships are going to be loaded until March 18 at the earliest." Rail connections were reported to be working although only on limited routes. The availability of rail cars was also few and far between. "Moving material by train is possible, although limited," the producer said. He added that the lack of lorries to move material to and from rail terminals compounds the problem. "Even if I could get a rail car, I cannot find a truck to take the cargo to the train terminal," he said. "So there you have it." The first producer offered another example: "Yesterday, a truck wanted to come [to the plant] but could not. It had to get permission to come in, from the police, and this took more than 10 hours just for one truck." Late operations, late shipments Operations in many parts of China remain closed. The movement of people continues to be restrained, so workers who left industrial cities to visit their relatives for the Chinese new year celebrations are still, in many cases, unable to return to their places of work. As previously reported, those workers who have made it back are not immediately being allowed to return to work. They must spend as long as two weeks with their temperature being checked on a daily basis - to monitor for fever symptoms - before being allowed to resume work. This means that a lack of staff adds to companies inability to run. With logistics operations down, feedstock cannot be delivered to factories, nor finished products sent out for delivery to customers, blocking the supply chain at both ends. Considering that most land logistics is expected to remain under constraint until March, local sources have estimated that delays in sending shipments to destination markets may extend for more than two months, in some cases. "If you reach port in the second half of March, add more than 40 days for the vessel to reach a European port, one week on either end for loading/unloading and clearing, and a few more days to deliver to your customers plant," one distributor said. "In short, nothing is going to arrive from China into Europe before May probably the end of May." One refractories producer in Southern Europe said that he has been given even later estimated times of arrival from his suppliers. "Most of the inquiries I have put out," he said, "now estimate arrival in June or July." Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 04:01:11|Editor: yan Video Player Close CAIRO, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's imports of petroleum products decreased during 2019 to 9.4 billion U.S. dollars, while its petroleum exports increased to 4.9 billion U.S. dollars, Egypt's official statistics agency said on Thursday. In a statement, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAMPAS) said Egypt's imports of petroleum products amounted to 9429 million U.S. dollars in 2019 compared to 12313 million U.S. dollars in 2018, a decrease of 23.4 percent. Egypt's total exports of petroleum products amounted to about 4907 million U.S. dollars in 2019 compared to 4694 million U.S. dollars during 2018, an increase of 4.54 percent, CAMPAS added. Egypt aims to become a regional hub for the trade of oil and liquefied natural gas after major discoveries were made in recent years, including the Zohr gas field in the Mediterranean which holds an estimated 30 trillion cubic feet of gas. Since July 2014, Egypt has signed more than 82 gas and oil exploration deals with investors, with a minimum investment of about 16 billion dollars. The bobson is taking a back seat. A few months ago, Ashley Benson chopped her hair into a trendy bob and gave it a cute nickname: the bobson. But Bensons long hair at NYFW shows the short do is gonefor now, at least. She hit up the Longchamp show in New York City earlier in the week with longer, surprisingly blonder hair. She tagged hairstylist Joseph Maine as credit for those extra inches. But that wasnt her only new look in the exact same week. Girl is working overtime. Benson also went to the Michael Kors show and worked with Maine again on another new hairstyle. The blonde extensions... Continue Reading Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 06:53:24|Editor: ZD Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr said on Thursday that President Donald Trump "has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case" but should stop tweeting about the Justice Department because the president's tweets "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 told ABC News in an exclusive interview. Barr's remarks were widely seen as a rare public break with the president whom he has aligned himself with and fiercely defended since he took office as the attorney general one year ago. When asked if he was prepared for the consequences of criticizing Trump, Barr said "of course" because his job is to run the Justice Department and make decisions on "what I think is the right thing to do." "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 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." The attorney general has been sharply criticized due to controversy surrounding the Justice Department's decision to lessen a sentence for Trump ally Roger Stone after the president tweeted about his displeasure with the gravity of the original sentence recommendation. Four career federal prosecutors have resigned in protest after the Justice Department overruled them on the Stone case earlier this week. On Wednesday, Trump praised Barr on Twitter for the attorney general's intervening in the case: "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." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for the Justice Department's inspector general to investigate what pressure Trump and Barr might have exerted behind the scenes. The political corruption case against Stone was linked to the long investigation of the 2016 election won by Trump. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fri, February 14, 2020 10:33 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206477153 2 World China,health,Science,Wuhan-coronavirus,counting-methods,politics,COVID-19 Free China took action on two fronts to gain control of the spiraling coronavirus outbreak gripping the country: reporting a dramatic increase in cases and ousting top officials who failed to check the diseases expansion. First, health authorities revealed Thursday that cases in Hubei province, where the disease first emerged, had surged by 45 percent to almost 50,000 after they included a new group of patients. That raised the global tally to almost 60,000, dashing hopes that the epidemic might be easing. Additional cases announced Friday by China increased the total further to more than 64,000 worldwide. Authorities also announced the replacement of the two most senior Communist Party officials in Hubei and its hard-hit capital, Wuhan. Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong a former top judge who once served under President Xi Jinping was named to replace embattled provincial boss, Jiang Chaoliang. The shakeup represented the biggest political fallout yet from an outbreak that has in a little over two months shaken confidence in Chinas leaders and caused countries from the United States to Japan to restrict or block visits by its citizens. The decision on the heels of the expanded case tally was reminiscent of a boardroom reset, in which bad numbers are disclosed first to give the new team a clean slate. First of all, they are trying to clean up the backlog of untested people who havent been confirmed, said Ether Yin, partner at Beijing-based consulting firm Trivium China. Its politically important for them to get the number right before the new party boss comes in, so that all the new confirmed cases happened under Jiang Chaoliangs watch. The new party secretary needs a new starting line. The surprise revision came amid mounting speculation that China was undercounting cases of the new coronavirus strain, as countries around the world struggle to contain a disease that appears to spread when patients show only mild symptoms. Daily declines in new cases in Hubei earlier this week helped push US equity markets to record highs on Wednesday. Asia stocks were mixed Friday as traders continued to digest Chinas latest coronavirus data, after most global equity markets fell on Thursday. The moves came hours after Xi urged a meeting of the Politburos supreme Standing Committee to follow through on epidemic-control efforts, which he said had achieved positive results. Xi has ordered all-out efforts to contain the disease and forcibly quarantined more than 40 million people in Hubei, while the party appointed a task force led by Premier Li Keqiang to coordinate the nationwide response. In recent days, the central government sent two senior officials to help lead the response in Hubei, and removed two top members of the provincial health commission from their posts. Pressure has increased on the party after a nationwide outpouring of grief and fury over the death of Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang, who was accused by local police of spreading rumors after sounding one of the first warnings about the outbreak of the disease now known as COVID-19. Indications that news of Lis death from the disease was also censored by Chinese authorities prompted further outrage on social media. With the full support of the central leading team, the new frontline commanders, together with some newly appointed officials to head the local disease control and prevention systems, have been entrusted with the urgent mission of getting to grips with the situation in the hardest-hit region, the China Daily, a state-run newspaper directed at an English-speaking audience, wrote in a commentary published Thursday. The reset met was with skepticism on Chinese social media, where residents had long speculated based on anecdotes reported in local media and shared online that case numbers were higher than the official tallies. Many compared the approach to the actions of a troubled company. Past liabilities got cleared, so the new officials can start afresh, unburdened by the prior failures, wrote a Weibo user named Maitian with more than 200,000 followers. The post was widely shared on the Twitter-like platform before disappearing. By early Friday, Wuhan case number unclear had become a top trending topic on Weibo. The reshuffle raises the stakes for Xi as he takes greater personal responsibility for the response. Ying was appointed mayor of Shanghai in January 2017 after a career spent mostly in the financial center and neighboring Zhejiang province, including stints under the future president. Jiang, a former governor of Jilin province whos held posts at several banks, has led Hubeis provincial party committee since October 2016. He had previously led the Peoples Bank of Chinas Shenzhen and Guangzhou branches during the Asian financial crisis. Local officials often bear the brunt when crises threaten the ruling party. China fired more than 100 officials, including the health minister and the mayor of Beijing, after allegations that local governments suppressed information about a similar outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, in 2003. This is a critical juncture of the campaign, so you also want to show resolve that the central government is winning the war, and is even willing to change the leadership to get that done, said Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations and director of Seton Hall Universitys Center for Global Health Studies. This is a demonstration of resolve and the fact that theyre willing to take heed of public opinion. The change in counting method will renew concern over the effectiveness the tests currently used to identify stricken patients globally, and raise questions over the true scale of the outbreak that has killed almost 1,400 people, all but three on mainland China. The traditional nucleic acid test identifies the virus in a patients body through its specific genetic sequence, but reports of a severe lack of test kits and the unreliability of test results have circulated since the start of the crisis. In Wuhan, people with symptoms like fever and coughing wait for hours in line to get tested. Those who test negative are usually turned away from the hospital. The issue has cropped up outside China, as well. On Wednesday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that test kits shipped to labs around the world last week have proved faulty. The spike in number will likely intensify public anger against the governments handling of the crisis. In an update to its treatment guidelines on Feb. 5, Chinas National Health Commission added the category of clinically diagnosed cases in recognition of a shortage of nucleic acid tests. Hubei didnt include that category in its count until Thursday, a week later. Yin, the Trivium partner, said the revision could actually help counter skepticism about Chinas official data on the outbreak. If the government is willing to see numbers jump by over 10,000 overnight, I would say that actually shows the government is not hiding the numbers this time, Yin said. Last week, the Trump team tabled Peace to Prosperity otherwise known as The Deal of the Century, in which they set out their vision for achieving peace. It includes the creation of a Palestinian state. The Palestinian leadership was quick to reject it as did the Arab League and many others, including many Israelis. Nobody believes the state will come to be. Surely the Trump team knows this. So, why did they table the vision? In my opinion, the Trump team wanted to present a new vision to replace the old vision. During the next four years they will advance their vision and negate the old vision. The old vision was based on the Oslo Accords signed in 1993 and 1995, and the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, which demanded 100% withdrawal by Israel. In addition, it demanded the right of return for all Palestinian refugees and the division of Jerusalem. This vision was premised on the Palestinian narrative that presented the Palestinians as indigenous and the Israelis as interlopers, oppressors and occupiers. According to Peace to Prosperity, The Oslo Accords, however, left numerous key issues unresolved pending the completion of permanent status negotiations, including, among other items, borders, security, refugees and Jerusalem. Those agreements did not create an effective path for neutralizing the kinds of crises that emerged during the implementation of Oslo, including waves of terror and violence. The Accords became a permanent constitution articulating the division of powers between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) over Parts A, B and C as delineated by the Accords. (source) They enabled the PA to wage war on Israel and to reject any compromise. The final status issues were impediments to reaching agreement because the PA was not prepared to compromise. In fact, they were not prepared to make an end of conflict agreement on any terms. The new vision is built on recognizing the Israels valid legal and historical claims. President Trump, soon after he was inaugurated, began to undo the harm foisted on Israel by the US, the EU and the UN over the years. To this end, Trump has 1. Undermined UNRWA and cut its funding and questioning its legitimacy. 2. Undermined the PA, by kicking it out of Washington and reduced its financial support, 3. Recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and has moved the US Embassy to it. In other words, he took Jerusalem off the table 4. Declared the settlements as not illegal 5. Induced Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and others to abandon the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002 upon which the old vision is based 6. Challenged the UN and the EU for their efforts to delegitimize Israel 7. Questioned the number of real refugees remaining Peace to Prosperity also takes many issues off the table. It recognized that Jerusalem is the undivided capital of Israel, that the refugees will have to be settled in places other than Israel, and that Israel can extend its sovereignty over most of its settlements and the Jordan Valley long before an agreement with the Palestinians is reached. It also asserts: The State of Israel and the United States do not believe the State of Israel is legally bound to provide the Palestinians with 100 percent of pre-1967 territory (a belief that is consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolution 242). So why then require Israel to give them land from the Negev? As for the neglected Jewish refugees from Arab countries it provides; The Jewish refugees who were forced to flee Arab and Muslim countries also suered. Most settled in the State of Israel and some settled elsewhere. The Jewish refugee issue, including compensation for lost assets, must also be addressed. Additionally, the State of Israel deserves compensation for the costs of absorbing Jewish refugees from those countries. A just, fair and realistic solution for the issues relating to Jewish refugees must be implemented through an appropriate international mechanism separate from the Israel-Palestinian Peace Agreement. This is long overdue. While it does provide that the status quo at the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif should continue uninterrupted, it insists: Jerusalems holy sites should remain open and available for peaceful worshippers and tourists of all faiths. People of every faith should be permitted to pray on the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif, in a manner that is fully respectful to their religion, taking into account the times of each religions prayers and holidays, as well as other religious factors. This totally contradicts the present practice of limiting Jewish and Christian prayer there. It also provides preconditions to the establishment of the state. The following criteria are a predicate to the formation of a Palestinian State and must be determined to have occurred by the State of Israel and the United States, jointly, acting in good faith, after consultation with the Palestinian Authority: The Palestinians shall have implemented a governing system with a constitution or another system for establishing the rule of law that provides for freedom of press, free and fair elections, respect for human rights for its citizens, protections for religious freedom and for religious minorities to observe their faith, uniform and fair enforcement of law and contractual rights, due process under law, and an independent judiciary with appropriate legal consequences and punishment established for violations of the law. The Palestinians shall have established transparent, independent, and credit-worthy financial institutions capable of engaging in international market transactions in the same manner as financial institutions of western democracies with appropriate governance to prevent corruption and ensure the proper use of such funds, and a legal system to protect investments and to address market-based commercial expectations. The State of Palestine should meet the independent objective criteria to join the International Monetary Fund. The Palestinians shall have ended all programs, including school curricula and textbooks, that serve to incite or promote hatred or antagonism towards its neighbors, or which compensate or incentivize criminal or violent activity. The Palestinians shall have achieved civilian and law enforcement control over all of its territory and demilitarized its population. The Palestinians shall have complied with all the other terms and conditions of this Vision. Let us assume that all pundits are correct, namely that the state will not be created within the four years provided or ever. What are Israels options? She can extend sovereignty throughout all the land and contend with the Arabs living there. Thus, the Arabs will constitute 1/3 of the residents of Israel. Many Israelis have suggested offering them a path to Israeli citizenship, but others are vehemently opposed, preferring to induce them to emigrate with generous financial assistance. The present vision is to give Palestinian citizenship to all Palestinians, but if there is no Palestinian state then what? With the cooperation of Jordan, Jordanian citizenship can be given to them instead. In fact, all of them currently have Jordanian citizenship, but Jordan has attempted to retract or limit this citizenship. Jordan has been a big supporter of the creation of Palestine pursuant to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. King Abdullah saw that as the only way to prevent Jordan from becoming Palestine. After all, 80% of Jordanians are Palestinian. Let us imagine that Jordan changes its mind and agrees to become the Palestinian state in place of the one that fails to materialize pursuant to the Deal of the Century. This change of mind can come about either through the King having an epiphany or being replaced as ruler by Dr. Mudar Zahran, the Leader of the Jordanian Opposition. Were this to happen, all Palestinians in both sides of the Jordan River would become full Jordanian citizens without restrictions. The two roads connecting the proposed state to Jordan would be completed, facilitating transportation between the Palestinians on both sides of the Jordan R. Jordan would take over the administration of Areas A and B and Gaza in place of the PA and Hamas. Jordan would also fulfill the role of UNRWA in providing education, welfare and health care to all the current day refugees. Rather than build the tunnel connecting Gaza to the rest of the state, pursuant to the vision, at a cost exceeding $15 Billion, Jordan can invite all residents of Gaza and Judea and Samaria (West Bank) to relocate to Jordan to receive these benefits. Also, immigrants could be offered free housing in Jordan to sweeten the deal. It is not too far-fetched to believe that 2 million Arabs living in these areas could be incentivized to relocate to Jordan which is only 100 miles away, or to any other country prepared to accept them. It would not be necessary for Israel to give up any parts of its territory. Israel would extend its law to all the lands west of the Jordan River, including Gaza, and the Arabs would become foreign residents in Israel with Jordanian citizenship. The $50 Billion pledge in support of this vision could be provided to Jordan to enable it to become the home for all Palestinians and to provide them with jobs, education and healthcare. Instead of investing in industrial parks in Area C in Israel to benefit the Arabs as proposed by Min Bennett and PM Netanyahu, these zones will rightly be created in Jordan thereby incentivizing Arabs to emigrate to Jordan. This is a two-step solution. The first step is to change the vision as above set out. The second step is to make Jordan, Palestine. After her and Prince Harry's big Royal Family exit earlier this year, it seems that Meghan Markle will be heading back to the UK for Princess Beatrice's wedding. However, according to a royal expert, Meghan's return may overshadow the bride-to-be on her big day. According to Express UK, on the February 12 episode of "This Morning," hosts Philip Schofield and Holly Willough spoke to Camilla Tominey, a royal commentator about the latest news on the British Monarchy. The topic immediately went to the upcoming wedding of the Princess of York. Tominey also said that Meghan and Prince Harry decided to divide their time between Canada and UK after they stepped down from their duties as royals, this could mean that the two will be present at the royal wedding and may steal the attention from the bride and groom themselves. Princess Beatrice of the Buckingham Palace has officially revealed that she will be tying the knot with fiance Eduardo Mapelli Mozzi on the May 29 this year. The wedding will be held at The Chapel Royal in St James' Palace which is a rather intimate location and means that the guest list will probably be a little small for a royal wedding. Also read: Meghan Markle Orders Prince Harry to Get in Shape for Hollywood Although the wedding is set months after the controversial "Megxit," it is expected that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be present in Princess Beatrice's wedding since she was invited to their royal wedding as well. However, Tominer emphasized that while the wedding is the main event, it could be upstaged by Harry and Meghan because people are gonna talk about them more. After all, with an intimate wedding party of only around 150 guests based on the location, it is not going to be the big royal wedding like William and Kate's and could easily be overshadowed simply by Meghan and Harry's return from Canada. The Princess of York is yet to make an official comment on Meghan and Harry's exit from royal duties, but so far all that is out there is the correspondence by the Buckingham Palace. Preparations for the royal wedding are already on the works months before the wedding and the bride and groom has also a request to ask from their guests. The couple are asking attendees of their wedding to not provide them with any wedding present instead they asked them to learn more and possibly help out two charities that are close to the couple's heart. It can be recalled that the princess and her fiance got engaged last September, which happened after a romantic proposal from the groom to be in Italy. Whilst the past three royal weddings of Prince Harry, Prince William and Princess Eugenie were shared to the British Public via their televisions, the couple announced last month that their wedding will not be televised. Both BBC and ITV also confirmed that they will not be filming a coverage on Buckingham Palace's Princess Beatrice's wedding. Related article: Meghan Markle Denies Joining BFF Jessica Mulroney in 'I Do, Redo' @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Kitco News) - Gold and silver prices are steady to slightly up in tentative early U.S. futures trading Friday. The precious metals bears are likely to be in hibernation on this last trading day of the week and as U.S. market participants head into a three-day weekend, with the Presidents Day holiday on Monday. Its anybodys guess on what the coronavirus outbreak situation will be like come early next week. February gold futures were last up $0.30 an ounce at 1,579.10. March Comex silver prices were last up $0.056 at $17.67 an ounce. Asian and European shares were narrowly mixed overnight. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward modestly higher openings and new record highs when the New York day session begins. Here is the latest on the coronavirus outbreak: About 65,000 people around the globe have been afflicted with the virus, with Chinas total now above 60,000. Chinas hardest-hit Hubei province saw cases rise by over 4,800 on Friday. Some global shipping rates have fallen to record lows amid the outbreak, as some ships are being turned away at ports. One report said the Capesize index, which tracks freight rates for the largest carriers of dry bulk commodities, fell into negative territory last week for the first time since its creation over 20 years ago. The annual London Metals Exchange (LME) Week Asia 2020 seminar has been postponed and the LME Asia Dinner has been cancelled due to the outbreak. Chinas central bank said in a statement Friday the effects of the coronavirus outbreak will only be temporary. The bank encouraged foreign investors to set up businesses in China. The U.S. government on Thursday charged the big Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei with racketeering. The ramifications of this on U.S.-China relations and/or the U.S.-China trade deal signed in January, if any, are not clear. The U.S. Treasury sold its 30-year bonds at a record-low yield of 2.061% Thursday, beating the previous record low auction yield of 2.17% set last fall. The lowest yield the 30-year bond has ever reached in daily trading is 1.941%, set last summer. In other overnight news, the Eurozone fourth-quarter GDP was reported up 0.1% from the third quarter and up 0.9%, year-on-year. Those numbers were very close to market expectations. The key outside markets today see crude oil prices higher and trading around $52.00 a barrel. Meantime, the U.S. dollar index is slightly up in early U.S. trading and hit a multi-month high overnight. U.S. economic data due for release Friday includes retail sales, import and export prices, industrial production and capacity utilization, manufacturing and trade inventories and the University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey. Technically, the gold bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage and have stabilized the market. Bulls are working on restarting a nearly three-month-old price uptrend on the daily chart, but need to show more power. Bulls next upside price objective is to produce a close in April futures above solid resistance at $1,600.00. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $1,550.00. First resistance is seen at this weeks high of $1,581.70 and then at $1,590.00. First support is seen at Thursdays low of $1,568.50 and then at this weeks low of $1,564.40. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.5 March silver futures bears have the overall near-term technical advantage. A five-week-old downtrend is in place on the daily bar chart. Silver bulls' next upside price breakout objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $18.00 an ounce. The next downside price breakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $17.00. First resistance is seen at this weeks high of $17.825 and then at $18.00. Next support is seen at this weeks low of $17.435 and then at the January low of $17.28. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 4.0. India and on Friday exchanged 14 agreements and understandings in a number of key areas, including maritime, intellectual property rights, aerospace and scientific research, as President Ram Nath Kovind hosted his Portuguese counterpart. Kovind received Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on his first state visit to India. Kovind said Portugal-India relations are very special and the two countries enjoy 500 years of shared history. "The two countries are closely tied together through Goa and Mumbai, through our culture, language and kinship," he said. Kovind thanked for extending its support for the commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. The president said the India- bilateral agenda has expanded several folds. The two countries are collaborating in science and technology, defence, education, innovation and start-up, water and environment among other things, he added. Calling terrorism a grave threat to the entire world, Kovind said, "We should deepen our cooperation further to defeat and destroy this global menace." A high-level Indian delegation, led by Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal, will visit Dubai from February 16-18 to attend the Gulfood 2020, the Indian Consulate here has said. Badal will inaugurate the India Pavillion at the event on Sunday. Spread over 4,500 square metres, the pavillion will have more than 300 Indian companies will showcase a diverse array of food products. The government of India is being represented by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Tea Board India, Coffee Board India, Coconut Board of India and Cashew Export Promotion Council. During her visit, Badal will meet UAE's minister of food security to discuss ways and means to further enhance cooperation between the two countries in the field of food processing. The approximate value of the food trade between India and UAE is USD 1.4 billion with the major exports from India to UAE being cereals, edible fruits and nuts, coffee, tea, spices, vegetables, sugar, meat, fish and dairy. On February 17, she will address a business round table on the opportunities in the Indian food processing industry at the Indian Consulate. She will also meet select business organisations in the food processing and retail industry. India's food industry output is expected to reach USD 535 billion by 2025-26 and the country ranks first in milk, livestock, and millets production and second in fruits, vegetables and rice production. However, only two per cent of the fruits and vegetables and 35 per cent of the milk production is processed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Trump's Environmental Protection Agency might be taking another big step toward rolling back environmental protections. The Trump administration isn't exactly known for its planet-friendly policies, and established that record early on by withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. Mandy Gunasekara played a big role in supporting that withdrawal as the EPA's top air policy adviser, and while she departed the office a year ago, is reportedly likely to return as the EPA's chief of staff, two people briefed on the hire tell The Washington Post. Related Video: EPA Head Says Climate Change Is Not His Top Priority Gunasekara formerly oversaw the EPA's Office of Air and Radiation under then-administrator Scott Pruitt before leaving to start what she called a "pro-Trump" nonprofit, per the Post. But before she joined the administration, Gunasekara, just like now-EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, worked for the climate change-denying Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.). Inhofe wrote a whole book claiming climate change is "The Greatest Hoax," and once brought a snowball onto the Senate floor to apparently prove global warming is fake because it still gets cold sometimes. Gunasekara was the aide who handed Inhofe that snowball. Current EPA Chief of Staff Ryan Jackson, another Inhofe alumnus, is leaving the office later this month. An EPA spokesperson would only say Michael Molina would take over as acting chief of staff when Jackson departs. Also, because it apparently needs to be said: Human-caused climate change isn't negated by the fact that once in a while, it snows in Washington, D.C. More stories from theweek.com Giuliani claims he can 'prove' a 'Democratic scam' in Ukraine with iPad full of 'reports' he never actually shares 7 brutally funny cartoons about the Democratic primary fight Bloomberg vs. Trump would be a clash of oligarchs New Delhi: The Delhi High Court will on February 17 hear a petition filed by Advocate ML Sharma seeking CBI monitored probe in the alleged molestation of female students during an annual cultural festival of Delhi University's Gargi College. Advocate Sharma had filed the petition before the apex court but a bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde and comprising Justices BR 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. On February 13, the Delhi Police arrested two more persons in Gargi molestation case. One arrested accused (22) is preparing for competitive examinations and the other (19) works as a tele-caller in a company. A day before, on February 12, the police had arrested 10 people in connection with the case. All of them, in 18-25 age group, are students. 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 Gargi College students alleged that they were manhandled, molested and sexually assaulted on February 6. Delta Air Lines is to commit $1billion (768million) over the next 10 years in a bid to become the world's first carbon-neutral airline. The US-based carrier said that it will invest heavily in driving innovation in the clean air technology field and accelerate the reduction of carbon emission and waste as the global movement to cut carbon footprints in the travel industry continues. 'When customers choose to fly Delta, they should feel they're making a statement about taking care of our planet,' Delta CEO Ed Bastian said. 'Our commitment to carbon neutrality means flying with Delta represents far more than a great travel experience it's about joining arms to create a better world.' Delta Air Lines is to commit $1billion (768million) over the next 10 years in a bid to become the world's first carbon-neutral airline. Pictured is a Delta plane at Maho Beach in Sint Maarten in the Caribbean Delta said that the aviation industry accounts for around two per cent of the world's global carbon dioxide emissions, with 98 per cent of its own emissions coming via its fleet of aircraft. The company is set to tackle reducing its carbon footprint by decreasing the use of jet fuel and increase efficiency, as well as embark on an 'ambitious' fleet renewal program and the use of sustainable aviation fuels. The strategy isn't just for its airplanes - it intends to create new projects and methods to benefit local communities and other organisations who want to explore the same approach. Delta also said it will investigate carbon removal projects via forestry, wetland restoration, grassland conservation, and marine and soil capture. To afford this wholesale re-focus and to meet its ambitious goals, the airline intends to set up a dedicated fund that will invest in new, green tech and solutions. The drive towards carbon neutrality follows Delta's move to cap greenhouse gas emissions at 2012 levels voluntarily. It also added more than 80 new aircraft last year that were 25 per cent more fuel-efficient than the ones they replaced. Delta said it will investigate carbon removal projects via forestry, wetland restoration, grassland conservation, and marine and soil capture 'There's no challenge we face that is in greater need of innovation than environmental sustainability, and we know there is no single solution. We are digging deep into the issues, examining every corner of our business, engaging experts, building coalitions, fostering partnerships and driving innovation,' Bastian continued. 'We are on a journey, and though we don't have all the answers today, we know that our scale, along with investments of time, talent and resources will bring meaningful impact to the planet and ensure the sustainability of our business for decades to come.' This year, the airline was named America's Most Sustainable Company in the aviation field by Barron's financial news website. The February 21 parliamentary elections come amid high tensions between Tehran and Washington, which is at its peak in 40 years. 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. A high turnout in the polls will be seen as a vote of confidence in the country's Shia theocracy, something Iran has tried to showcase amid the crisis with Washington, Al Jazeera writes in the article Iran candidates kick off campaigns for parliamentary elections. Tensions with the United States could strengthen conservatives by reinforcing long-held distrust of the West. The crisis escalated further after a US air raid 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 near Tehran, killing all 176 people on board. The incident, 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 conservatives. The powerful Guardian Council, the country's constitutional watchdog which vets prospective candidates, had barred more than 9,000 people from out of more than 16,000 who had applied in December to enter the race. That left more than 7,000 candidates running in the upcoming vote. The majority of those rejected were reformist and moderate candidates but there were also some hardliners among those barred and 90 current legislators. 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 several well-known moderates and reformists on the list, with the rest not known to average citizens. The conservatives running for seats in the next parliament are headed by former Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. 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 towards collapse, and reimposed new and tougher sanctions on Iran, which sent its economy into free fall. When Sarah Morris was placed in residential care at the age of 12 - because alcoholism, neglect and family violence were a daily reality at home - she quickly discovered it came with a label. As a resi kid Morris felt she wasnt expected to aspire to an education or a good job, and would never be considered ambitious, smart or entitled to flourish. It can become a form of identity - I felt I couldnt achieve things. I didnt want that for my life but that was all I was surrounded by, she says. I didnt have role models in my life for higher achievement. Sarah Morris, one of an increasing number of people who grew up in residential care and has managed to study at university. Credit:Justin McManus The number of young Australians who go on to higher education after living in out-of-home care (which includes foster, kinship or residential care) is extremely low, the evidence suggests. As few as 1 per cent of care leavers go on to higher education, compared to about 40 per cent of the general population aged 25 to 35 years. There are many reasons for this: a culture of low expectations, a lack of day-to-day support, and people's fear of taking on debt without a parental safety net. Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, a lieutenant general, on Friday, ordered his convoy to evacuate some passengers whose vehicle broke down along Maiduguri-Damboa road in Borno State. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Buratai who was en route at the time, ensured that all passengers in the vehicle were evacuated into one of the vehicles in his convoy. The action was borne out of the fact that the road was recently reopened by Nigerian Army after over a year of closure. The passenger vehicles were usually escorted in convoy by team of security agencies to and from Maiduguri to their destinations. The driver of the vehicle, Emmanuel John, told journalists that he was part of the passenger vehicles convoy from Maiduguri on Friday morning before he lost its shaft along the road. Mr John said he and his passengers were in confusion and fear before the arrival of Buratais convoy, adding that the gesture was a prayer answered for them. He commended COAS for his commitment to the safety of citizens as well as the army for their service to humanity in Borno and the nation at large. The driver said he intended to manage his vehicle to the nearest military checkpoint and wait for incoming vehicles to help him tow it back to Maiduguri. I ply this road everyday to Chibok and back to Maiduguri, he said. NAN reports that the road is the shortest route from Maiduguri to different parts of the state like Damboa, Biu, Chibok and part of the neighbouring states. During the closure of the road, commuters had to spend about eight hours through other routes to get to their destinations. While on the route, Mr Buratai visited various troops locations and Headquarters 25 Task Force Brigade in Damboa. (NAN) Exposure: Irish banks have invested in funds with holdings in the real estate sector Despite strong economic growth that has put record numbers of people in work and boosted wages, Ireland faces big risks on trade, taxes and finance as well as in meeting its environmental goals, according to a new report. In its annual assessment of the State, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) warned that the red-hot growth of recent years meant the economy now risked hitting barriers that would damage future prospects. "The impressive economic growth of recent years has contributed to the economy beginning to run up against capacity constraints, with some skill shortages and strains on key infrastructure," the Paris-based body said. It expects economic growth to slow dramatically from 6pc last year to 3.6pc this year and 3.2pc in 2021, although Ireland will still outperform its rich-nation peers. While risks from banks have declined in the post-crisis era and the sector has returned to profitability, the dramatic growth of the offshore funds sector has exposed new avenues for contagion. Investment funds have increased their balance sheet more than six-fold since the end of 2008. By the middle of 2019 assets under management in the sector were eight times the size of the output of the entire Irish economy at 2.6 trillion. While around a third of this industry's financial links are to the US, the financial sector here is increasingly exposed thanks to Irish banks investing with the funds whose holdings in the real estate sector here have grown. "These tighter links increase the risk that a shock to the non-bank financial sector would affect real economy," the OECD assessment said. "Some segments of the non-bank market are highly leveraged. In particular, real estate investment funds notably increased their leverage over the past five years," It added. Earlier this month, two Irish real estate funds were gated as a result of a rash of redemptions. The OECD noted that while the strong economy and booming tax receipts had allowed the government to push the budget into surplus, overall fiscal policy "has been too loose". "The authorities should be vigilant to ensure that the historical pattern of fiscal policies that have amplified, rather than smoothed, the economic cycle is not repeated," it said. While growing risks to the Exchequer's tax take from multinational companies due to international tax changes have been recognised by the Government, the OECD said that unbudgeted spending over recent years has seen a large chunk of receipts spent. Police say a man fitting the same description walked into the Merrillville store the following week, pulled out a handgun and showed a clerk it was loaded with bullets before stealing 18 Apple iPhones, which he put in a duffel bag. Police said last week they were looking for that man as well as a red Chevrolet Impala he escaped in. Police said a man entered the Hazel Crest store Wednesday and robbed its employees of several cellphones in a similar manner. One employee ran after the suspect and photographed him fleeing in a red Ford Taurus. Shortly afterward, Hammond police located a Taurus with the same Indiana license plate parked on Missouri Street in Hammond near a Chevrolet Impala that appeared to be the same car seen at the Hammond and Merrillville robberies. Hammond officers asked the homeowner for permission to search her house. She initially refused, but consented to a search after officers warned they would request a warrant to search the home. Police said they found Smith hiding in the attic as well as a duffel bag containing all the cellphones stolen from the Hazel Crest store. (JNS)Leave aside, for the moment, the deepening rows about U.S. President Donald Trumps vision for ending the Middle East conflict. Leave aside the question whether the plans lead author, Jared Kushner, and the U.S. ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, backtracked on an immediate Israeli declaration of sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and the Triangle of disputed territory (they didnt; the need to first map out and agree on the details was stated from the start). Leave aside the uproar among Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria, along with certain southern areas of Israel, who are appalled by the prospect of a proposed Palestinian state (it wont happen because its conditional upon the Palestinians ending their war to exterminate Israel, which they wont ever abandon). Leave aside the way Israels beleaguered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be using the Trump proposal for electoral purposes (so hes behaving like a politician; big deal). Look instead at the reaction by Israels Arabs. Not the reaction by the Palestinian Authority, which was merely the latest of their many rejections of a state of their own alongside Israel. Look at the Arabs themselves for whom that state is intended. What is their reaction to the offer of more than 80 percent of the land for such a state? Theyre furious. This isnt because its not 100 percent of the land. Theyre furious at the idea that they might find themselves living in such a state. So furious that they demonstrated in the thousands against the prospect. Palestinian leaders and their Western supporters are shrieking that the plan would strip the Israeli Arabs in the Jordan Valley and the Triangle area of their Israeli citizenship, and transfer them into Palestine by the simple expedient of drawing its border around their villages. This is untrue. The Trump plan states that they will be able to choose between remaining citizens of Israel and becoming citizens of Palestine. So they wouldnt be stripped of their citizenship at all. Changing it would be their choice. And surely, they would all choose to become citizens of Palestinethe outcome weve been told is the absolute precondition for ending the Arab-Israel conflict? Well, guess what. Given this choiceas the evidence has consistently indicatedmany, if not most, would voluntarily choose to remain citizens of Israel. Who could possibly be surprised? As the authoritative Israeli Arab journalist Khaled Abu Toameh has written for the Gatestone Institute, the main reason these Triangle Arabs strongly oppose becoming citizens of a Palestine state is that it would extinguish the freedoms they enjoy as Israeli citizens. The Arab Israelis protests, he writes, are seen as a message to the world that they prefer to continue living in Israel and not under another Arab dictatorship. They hear daily about the oppression of Gazas Arabs at the hands of Hamas. And recently, several students, mostly at An-Najah University in Nablus, were arrested by the P.A. security forces and brutally tortured. Arab students living in the disputed territories, he says, can only envy Israeli Arab students who are free to hold political activities on Israels campuses. Regardless of this reaction to the proposed Palestine state, its important to note just how bizarre this particular aspect of the Trump proposal is. In other wars, the displacement of at least parts of a population is commonplace, which hardly occasions any comment. In no other conflict have the victims of aggression suggested, as under this plan, that members of this aggressive people should not only be allowed to stay in their own homes, not only be ruled by those they say they want to rule them, but that they should also be invited to remain instead citizens of the country their people have been trying to wipe out. And all this while these people are still led by a regime inciting them to continue their warand who are regarded as such a permanent threat that they can never be trusted with full sovereignty over their own airspace and other security issues. On the face of it, therefore, the proposal for such a Palestine state is suicidally stupid for Israel. So we should ask whyeven though its conditions mean theres zero possibility that the Palestinian Arabs would ever agree to itsuch an apparently perverse offer is being made at all. One answer is that many in the West, including, it seems, Jared Kushner, still naively believe that, offered the prospect of massively leveraged prosperity, the Palestinians will eventually realize that their interests lie in peace rather than war. This suggests a failure properly to internalize the true cause of this conflict, which is not the absence of a Palestinian state but the intention of exterminating Israel. For its own part, vulnerable Israel has felt obliged to go along with this misguided Western consensus because it is nervous of pushing too hard against its allies, even its two-faced friends in Europe and Britain. In addition, right from the start, the Jews of Israel have been strikingly ambivalent about the Arabs who lived in the land, despite the war waged by those Arabs to deny the Jews their rightful home. Thus, during Israels war of independence, the embattled Jews declared they didnt want the Arabs of the land to leave the Jewish state that they were at that very time desperately fighting the Arabs armies to establish. Even during that struggle for existence, they drew a distinction between the leaders and the led. Theres a direct line from that to the Israel of todaynot just to the two-staters on the left who seem blind to the potential threat that Palestine would pose, but to Jewish centrists who believe that the Palestinians are entitled to a state of their own. Yet by any normal moral standard, whatever rights the Palestinian Arabs may ever have had must be considered forfeit many times over as a result of their century-old war of extermination. So why are the Israeli Jews so benign towards these enemies? Maybe theres a submerged degree of guilt, particularly among secular Jews from a European background who originally felt themselves to be cultural outsiders and were therefore sympathetic to the situation of the Arabs living in the land. At the same time, maybe the Palestinian Arabs are a necessarily ambiguous enemy because they are family. A stepfamily, for sure: as the Torah tells us, the descendants of Ishmael who, with his mother Hagar, was driven out into the desert by his father, Abraham. But with that common father, family nevertheless. And however much your family hurts and threatens you, even with unconscionable barbarism and savagery, theres often still a part of you that against all the odds never stops yearning to repair the rift with those to whom you will always feel linked. Peace between the Arabs and the Jews, however, wont come through redrawing the map of the Middle East, but only if the Arab and Muslim world stops trying to wipe the State of Israel off it. But the generosity Israel is displaying towards their Arabs by offering them this choice of nationand the reason for their responseprovides an opportunity to educate Jews whose view of Israel is increasingly shaped by its enemies in what being a Jewish state actually means. And some Israelis need to learn that, too. Melanie Phillips, a British journalist, broadcaster and author, writes a weekly column for JNS. Currently a columnist for The Times of London, her personal and political memoir, Guardian Angel, has been published by Bombardier, which also published her first novel, The Legacy, in 2018. Her work can be found at: www.melaniephillips.com. BNP leader Khaleda Zia is taken to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital in Dhaka for treatment, Oct. 29, 2018. After other attempts failed, a top official from the party of jailed Bangladesh opposition leader Khaleda Zia for the first time has telephoned a counterpart in the ruling Awami League to appeal directly to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to free her ailing bitter foe on medical grounds. Since Zia was sentenced to prison to two years ago on corruption charges, the former three-time prime minister, supporters and family have tried through the courts or called on the authorities to free her so she can seek private health care or medical treatment abroad. Now, she and her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are hoping that Hasina will respond favorably to this latest attempt at persuading the government to intervene and free Zia, 74, after the countrys Supreme Court in December rejected a bail petition for her release. BNP standing committee member Zamiruddin Sirkar confirmed this was the first official call to ask Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to allow Zias release. It can happen in politics. Madam Khaleda Zia was the prime minister for three terms. There is no issue in requesting the incumbent prime minister agree to her release, he told BenarNews. On Friday, Awami League Secretary General Obaidul Quader said he had received the phone call from his BNP counterpart, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. He sought Khaleda Zias release from jail on behalf of his party and asked that I convey his call to the prime minister. I have conveyed the matter to the prime minister, Quader told reporters. Zia was convicted and sentenced to prison on Feb. 8, 2018, on charges of embezzling more than 21 million taka (U.S. $249,000) from the Zia Orphanage Trust, which she headed. She spent the first year of her incarceration as the lone inmate at the Old Dhaka Central Jail before being transferred to a state-run hospital named after Hasinas late father, the founding leader of Bangladesh. She has remained in custody while being treated as a patient at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital since April 2019, after her condition deteriorated. BNP officials and Zias family have filed a series of requests seeking her release to allow her to be treated by her own physicians at a private hospital. On Tuesday, Zias family members visited her at the hospital. Afterward, her sister, Selima Islam, appealed for the ex-prime ministers release on humanitarian grounds because she suffers from respiratory issues. Zia was the first woman to lead the Bangladesh government. In parliament the next day, BNP lawmaker G.M. Siraj proposed that Hasina should go to the hospital to visit Zia. Meanwhile, ALs Quader told reporters that BNP and Khaledas family had not submitted any petition to the Home or Law ministries requesting her release. It is not a political matter. Its a legal issue and needs to be solved through the court, he said. He also said the government wanted to ensure that Zia was getting proper care. However, the statements made by the BNP leaders regarding Khaleda Zias physical condition do not match with the reports provided by physicians, Quader said. Hospital official: She is doing quite well Kanak Kanti Barua, the hospitals vice chancellor, said Zias condition was being monitored constantly, but promised an additional checkup. There is a medical board monitoring the treatment of Zia that reports every week on her physical condition, he told BenarNews. According to information provided to us, Khaledas physical condition did not deteriorate she is doing quite well. Her family and the political party are saying that her physical condition is not well, so we will consider their concern and conduct another checkup. I can assure that there is no negligence on her treatment. In December, the Supreme Court ruled against allowing Zia to be freed on bail while ordering authorities to make sure she got advanced treatment in line with the medical boards recommendations, local media reported. On Friday, after a BNP standing committee meeting, Mirza Fakhrul said the party would stage demonstrations across the nation on Saturday demanding Zias release. Madam is ill and she needs proper treatment. We will not play politics in such a situation. The government, if necessary, must allow her to go abroad for better treatment, he said. A political analyst said ALs political luster could improve if it agreed to BNPs request. I think the governments image will be bright if they release Zia considering her physical condition and all other things, Tareque Samsur Rahman of Jahangirnagar University told BenarNews. He also said he did not believe Zias release would strengthen BNP because the party was in a weakened state. Hasina took the oath of office for a record fourth term following a landslide win the December 2018 general election. In addition, Rahman discounted calls for Zia to admit to her crimes. Some Awami League leaders are saying Khaleda Zia will have to confess and seek presidential mercy. I think she will not confess, which will be suicidal for BNP because it would lose all its political standing if she agreed, he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 09:07 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206472c8a 1 Business Indonesia,stock-market,CGS-CIMB-Sekuritas-Indonesia,retail-investors,students,iTrade,KSEI Free Securities firm PT CGS-CIMB Sekuritas Indonesia, a joint venture between China Galaxy International Financial Limited and CIMB Group, has launched an online stock trading platform to attract retail investors, including high school and university students. The companys retail equity director, Sugiharto Widjaja, said on Wednesday that the online trading platform, called iTrade, would give individual investors easier access to the equity market. The securities company, previously known as PT CIMB Sekuritas Indonesia, had also opened stock market galleries at several universities in the country, such as Islamic University (UII) in Yogyakarta, to disseminate information about the capital market to students, he said. Were going to promote capital investment starting with senior high school students, so they become more active as time goes by, Sugiharto said. Sugiharto said that, with such a business strategy, the securities firm was optimistic that it could book 10,000 new retail accounts this year. Companies such as CGS-CIMB Sekuritas are tailoring their business strategies to lure retail investors, as the low participation of individuals in Indonesias stock market at less than 1 percent of the population leaves ample untapped potential. The number of single investor identifications (SID) registered at the Indonesian Central Securities Depository (KSEI) stood at 2.4 million as of Dec. 27. The majority of investors were aged 21 to 30, with that age group accounting for 44.62 percent of total investors. The iTrade platform is equipped with historical stock charts, a heatmap feature to monitor stock price performance and stock analysts to provide investment guidelines to the retail investors. Sugiharto said iTrade had features for investors to receive assistance and market information from the company. Through iTrade, we are offering a one-stop-shop for investment services. For young buyers, there may be some investment that we wont introduce to them, as we tailor our wealth management to [a clients] profile, CGS-CIMB president director Lim Kim Siah said. (mpr) At first glance, it could seem that teenagers just really, really hate high school. When researchers at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and Yale Child Study Center asked more than 21,678 U.S. high school students to say how they typically felt at school, nearly 75 percent of their answers were negative. Tired topped the list, followed by bored and stressed, with positive words like happy distantly following. But bad memories tend to be stickier than good ones, so the researchers then took a different tack: At five high schools, they asked more than 470 students to report their feelings in the moment. Three times each school day over a four-week period, a students phone would send him a short survey on his feelings, with an hours grace time to complete it. Heres where it gets interesting: Students still reported feeling boredom and stressed, but in the moment they reported feeling calm, happy, and relaxed even more often. What didnt change was the one feeling the researchers hadnt expected at all: Students overwhelmingly reported feeling tired. It was the only feeling consistently named by more than half of the students. Now, we know from other research that sometimes people confuse physical experiences, such as an experience of being tired, with emotional ones , said Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, a co-author of the study and director of the Creativity and Emotions Lab in the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Being tired is generally unpleasant and it is also what emotions scientists call a low activation state. We have little energy and were kind of lethargic, and that is very similar to the experience of being bored. ... And similarly for stress, when you are tired and youre trying to pay attention in class, its just like having a weight around your waist and trying to run. In fact, as of 2016 the National Sleep Foundation found that 87 percent of high school students in the United States sleep significantly less than the recommended 8 to 10 hours per night. And on the heels of the Yale study, another in the journal Molecular Psychiatry also found that even preteen students who got insufficient sleep had higher rates of anxiety, depression, impulsive behavior, and poor cognitive performance. In that study, researchers from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom analyzed the sleep habits of 11,000 U.S. children ages 9 to 11 from the federal Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, finding those who had less than seven hours of sleep a night were more than 50 percent more likely to have those mental and cognitive problems. While the study could not prove that being tired causes students other negative emotions, from our data, we can say that they are correlated. So if one is experiencing one of them [tiredness, boredom, and stress], theyre more likely to experiencing another one, Ivcevic Pringle said. I would suggest [school leaders] to consider a later start to the school day. That is a very obvious take-home message from this study. Clarifying Emotions School leaders should take students positive emotions with a grain of salt, too, she said. Students reported feeling happy and calmperhaps better than bored, but equally passive emotions, nonetheless. They are not telling us that they are feeling interested and curious and proud. Feeling interested is related to greater engagement at school, more attention and effort, and better learning, said Ivcevic Pringle. Feeling happy or calm might not be those positive emotions which are going to be helpful for all the outcomes we are interested in. The study also found that boys and girls tended to experience school differently. Girls reported more negative feelings than boys overall, and in the moment, girls were much more likely to say they were stressed. Yet here too, Ivcevic Pringle cautioned that school leaders need to think more deeply about what exactly is driving students emotions in school, and how that might align with the schools culture more broadly. For example, Stress is not always negative. Oftentimes, we tend to use the word stress to describe an unpleasant experience, but whether the outcomes of stress are going to be negative depends on how we interpret the source of stress. If adults in school help students to interpret stress as challenge and give them resources to cope with it, stress can be a positive motivator , she said, while students who interpret the source of stress as threatening and out of their control and capacity to deal with will experience negative effects. Emotions matter for our ability to focus, for our ability to make reasonable and good decisions, for the quality of our relationships, for learning, for achievement, Ivcevic Pringle said. My take-home message to school leaders is to realize that emotions do matter and its something to pay attention to, not to disregard or control by suppressing. ... How they model it is going to have substantial influence on the school climate and student outcomes too. Image: Getty Related: Do you have a question about education research, or just want to know what the evidence says about that pesky instructional problem? Let me know! Drop me a line at ssparks@epe.org, or It appears to be a scene from a film. A large ship docked at a faraway harbour enveloped in grey mist. There are more than 3,700 people on the ship, a thousand of them crew members working hard below decks and the passenger staterooms. Yet, while the ship is docked, no one is permitted to get off except those who have already been stricken. To retrieve them, health workers arrive fully suited in white hazard protective gear. A makeshift decontamination chamber sprays both patients and health workers as they emerge from the ship. Everyone else must stay on board, where they have been confined since February 5. This is the very real story of the Diamond Princess, part of the Princess Cruises Line, which has been docked at Yokohama harbour in Japan for the past week. The ship, which was quarantined after it was discovered that a passenger who had boarded it at an earlier port had been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, has the highest number of confirmed cases for a single location outside of China. According to the latest count, 136 passengers have been found to have the coronavirus. According to Japanese health authorities, the passengers will be allowed to leave at the end of the two-week quarantine period on February 19, barring any special circumstances. There may well be special circumstances. Experts have expressed concerns that the virus can spread even from asymptomatic individuals during its incubation period. Allowing the passengers and crew to disembark and catch a plane to their homes in Australia, Canada, the US and many other countries might mean that anyone who may have the virus could carry it to their countries. For all of these reasons, the 3,700-plus people remain on the ship. A cruise ship that was supposed to be a vacation destination has become a floating prison. According to tweets and other reports, life on the ship is achingly boring and tedious. Even the best rooms are small, although passengers staying in these rooms at least have access to a balcony and hence fresh air. Those who have paid less are in interior rooms that have no windows at all. In these rooms, it is impossible to tell day from night, all of them melding into one long, interminable stretch. If the situation for the passengers is bad, that of the crew who continue to work non-stop below decks is even worse. According to the New York Times, at least two crewmembers are assigned to each one of the tiny cabins that function as their living space. Three, sometimes four, people have to share a bathroom. It is no surprise that at least 10 of the people reported to be infected are crew members. It is a sad illustration of the cruelty of class systems. The crew, most of them from the Philippines and India, prepare and deliver the three meals that each passenger is allotted per day to their rooms so that the passengers remain sequestered (as per the instructions of Japanese authorities). On Sunday, an Indian crew member (there are hundreds of them) recorded a video that quickly went viral. In the video, he begs the Indian government to rescue the Indian citizens on the ship. Otherwise, he says, the virus that is spreading its tentacles ever deeper into the ship will also claim them. There are moral dilemmas here. How long should the thousands on the Diamond Princess, or for that matter the millions in Wuhan, be quarantined for? Is it humane to make a random sample of human beings, rendered unfortunate through chance and circumstance and having to bear the cost of ensuring that humanity remains relatively safe? Currently, the answer seems yes. Videos emerging from Wuhan, where many have literally been locked into their houses (padlocks installed outside by the police) show that authorities have to use increasingly severe measures to maintain the quarantine. The situation on the ship is calmer, but one wonders whether it will continue to be so in the event that the passengers learn they will not be leaving the vessel on February 19. In the meantime, the rest of us who are lucky enough not to have the virus or face the quarantine should take a moment to consider those in such difficult circumstances. How would one pass the endless stretches of time; how would one prevent a psychological breakdown; who would one wish to be quarantined with were such a situation to arise? These are useful mind experiments; more practical ones include the procurement of face masks, disinfectant and hand sanitiser (which are manufactured in China and likely to face shortages in the coming days). Meanwhile, the Diamond Princess remains docked at Yokohama harbour, taking periodic journeys out to sea so it can dispose of the wastewater that the ship is producing. As it does so, one cannot help but wonder if the planet we live on, one which is afflicted with this disease, is not simply a larger version of the Diamond Princess, some of us more adept than others at passing the time until the virus takes us. The lucky and the unlucky, the healthy and the diseased, the poor and the rich all float together until the arrival of some unforeseen end. By arrangement with Dawn Dear Editor: When we started the Denizen Theatre in New Paltz 15 months ago, our mission was to tell powerful stories in our intimate space in order to help raise empathy in the world. We made a commitment to the next generation of theatergoers by having a $5 student ticket price for any show at any time. For our first five productions, we had over 1,000 students experience live theater for only $5. I want to give a special thanks to Brendan Burke, artistic director of Shadowland Stages and a teacher in the Theater Department at SUNY New Paltz, who brought 48 of his students to experience our production of Bo-Nita, by Elizabeth Heffron. (Bo-Nita, which runs through March 1, is a solo show starring Terri Weagant, who performed at Denizen last year in Every Brilliant Thing). Heffron shares a wild story as told through the eyes of a 13-year-old. This talented New York City actor transforms into seven different characters and takes the audience on a wild journey of laughter and pain. One, patron Micheal Gold, described his experience: So privileged to have attended one of the great, brilliant, virtuoso performances weve ever seen truly extraordinary, and even more extraordinary in your small intimate theater. Credit goes to Burke for his commitment to this art form and sharing his time, students and talents with the Denizen Theatre. Harry Lipstein Founder and Producing Artistic Director Denizen Theatre New Paltz, N.Y. SPRINGFIELD Illinois State Police officials said Thursday that theyve stepped up enforcement efforts in the past year to get guns out of the hands of people who shouldnt have them after a deadly workplace shooting, but they need more resources to do the job. The states top law enforcement official, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly, also called on state lawmakers to pass a controversial bill that would require people who want to get a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card to submit fingerprints. In Illinois, a FOID card is required to legally buy firearms and ammunition. The bill is in response to a 2019 mass shooting. State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, called Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kellys plan to an overreach and violation of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Director Kelly is pushing legislation that will require all legal gun owners in Illinois to give their fingerprints to the state police when requesting or renewing their FOID card, said Davidsmeyer, Assistant Republican Leader in the Illinois House of Representatives. This is a continued attack on law-abiding gun owners and it puts undue financial burden on many citizens just trying to protect their families. On Feb. 15, 2019, a man shot and killed five co-workers at a warehouse in Aurora before he was killed by police. Illinois State Police said the shooter, Gary Martin, bought a gun in 2014 with a valid Firearm Owners Identification card. Martin had a prior conviction in another state that made him ineligible to qualify for a FOID card, but he lied about that conviction when he applied to the Illinois State Police for a FOID card. The agency did a background check for Martin in Illinois. Illinois State Police later revoked Martins FOID card after he submitted fingerprints to speed up the processing of his application for a concealed carry license. Those prints alerted officials to his conviction in Mississippi, ISP officials said at the time. Kelly said that, in the wake of the Aurora shooting, state police had stepped up enforcement efforts. Since May 2019, Kelly said law enforcement agencies conducted more than 200 revoked FOID card details across the state. Its not easy, but you have to have the people to go out there and [say] hey there sir, you lost your FOID, you were just charged with a felony, Kelly said. He said state police were not going after some old fellow who got his FOID not renewed, or some nice lady who moved to Florida and no longer has Illinois residency and is therefore revoked. Were focused on the person who had a recent firearms purchase and recently was charged with a nasty violent crime in their jurisdiction, thats who were focused on, Kelly said. Kelly also called for lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 1966, which would double FOID card fees people pay to apply for the card. It would also require applicants to submit fingerprints. Davidsmeyer said the bill increases the costs for FOID card holders while doing nothing to increase public safety. Fingerprinting does not stop evil people from killing people, Davidsmeyer said. Not only does SB 1966 require gun owners to pay for their own fingerprinting, and would increase the cost of FOID cards to $50 for five years, instead of $10 for 10 years. Davidsmeyer said the Illinois State Police is currently being sued by the Illinois State Rifle Association and the Second Amendment Foundation in response to a report by the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, which he is co-chairman of, that found $29 million was swept from the Illinois State Polices FOID card program. I respect our law enforcement and all they do to protect our families and communities, he said. Let me be clear; the state police has been politically forced to operate a bad program and has shown the inability to process the current information in a reasonable amount of time. And Democrats are proposing to complicate the process even further for a Constitutional right. Illinois is not a bubble, and every person coming from outside of the state is able to purchase firearms and ammunition without a FOID card, making Illinois gun-owners second class citizens in our own state, Davidsmeyer said. The Second Amendment is a right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. It is my hope that these actions will be the straw that breaks the camels back, ridding us of the FOID altogether. Illinois State Rifle Association Executive Director Richard Pearson said lawmakers should return the money taken from the FOID card program before seeking more money from card holders. Its a well-funded program, Pearson said. Theyve probably taken in between $70 million and $80 million [since 2013], so if you cant do it with $70 million or $80 million, I dont think you should do it at all. Senate Bill 1966 passed the Senate, was amended in the House and passed, and was sent back in the Senate for concurrence. A concurrence vote could happen as early as this week. By Greg Bishop of The Center Square contributed to this story. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More SpiceJet has received an 'interim offer' of compensation from aircraft manufacturer Boeing over grounding of the 737 Max aircraft. The airline, which has 13 Max aircraft that have been grounded, has also calculated an expense of Rs 537 crore, because of the planes not taking off. "Company has initiated the process of claims on the aircraft manufacturer towards costs and losses, which are currently under discussion," SpiceJet said in a statement while announcing its quarterly results on February 14. The company listed out the costs incurred because of the grounding of the planes. These included: aircraft and supplemental lease rentals and 'certain other identified expenses relating to the Boeing 737 Max aircraft.' The costs aggregated to Rs 537 crore (including Rs 246 crore recorded in the quarter ended December 31, 2019), have been recognised as other income during the nine-month period ended December 31, 2019, the company added. Boeing was forced to ground its bestselling 737 Max aircraft in March 2019, after twin air crashes involving the plane led to death of over 300 fliers. "We were expecting the MAX to return to service by January 2020 but that hasnt happened. The continued grounding and the delay in its return to service has undoubtedly hit our growth plans adversely and resulted in inefficient operations and increased costs," said Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh. Boeing has been in discussion with its clients world over, and has settled the compensation amount with a few, including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Turkish Airlines. Demands for compensation increased after Boeing revealed that it will take more time, than earlier imagined, to get the Max aircraft back to operations. In the case of SpiceJet, apart from the 13, about 15 more of these planes were ready to be delivered. Overall, the airline had ordered 205 Max aircraft. "Based on current stage of discussions with, and considering the interim offer of compensation received from, the aircraft manufacturer, its own assessment and legal advice obtained by the Group, management is confident of collection of the above income recognised by the Group," SpiceJet added in its statement. A US-Taliban deal for a seven-day reduction of violence in Afghanistan will apply across the country, a senior American official said Friday, unveiling details of the agreement Washington hopes will lead to a full peace accord. The weeklong period has not yet begun but will do so "really soon", the official said, contradicting a Taliban suggestion it would start on Friday. The partial truce came after more than a year of gruelling talks between US officials and the jihadists as they seek an end to what has become the US's longest war. "The reduction of violence agreement is very specific. And... it's nationwide and it includes the Afghans," the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The US military, which has between 12,000 and 13,000 troops in Afghanistan, will monitor the reduction in violence to ensure the Taliban upholds its commitments, the official said at the Munich Security Conference. Some kind of communication channel between the US military and the Taliban is foreseen to address any problems that arise, including possible "false flag" attempts by outside actors to sabotage the accord. "We will be monitoring, there will be verification associated with it to see if the Taliban deliver -- if the Taliban deliver on their commitments we have commitments, in terms of reduction of forces that are also specific," the official said. The Taliban has long demanded the complete withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan but the official said any reduction in numbers will depend on the militants sticking to their side of the deal. The official added that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a "very good meeting" to brief Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the deal on the sidelines of the Munich conference. If the partial truce holds, the hope is that it could lead to a next stage of negotiations -- between the Taliban and the Kabul government, with an eventual comprehensive peace deal the ultimate goal. President Donald Trump hailed the reduction in violence as a sign that a fuller accord was "very close". But there have been previous false dawns, with a deal all but complete in September before Trump nixed it at the last moment amid continued Taliban violence. Washington and its NATO allies have been adamant that they will not allow Afghanistan to become a launchpad for terror attacks in the West. Facing an election later this year, Trump last month renewed his vow to bring troops home from Afghanistan, more than 18 years after the US invaded to overthrow the Taliban. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two councillors have resigned from the beleaguered City of Casey council just hours after The Age reported Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek had been advised to sack the entire council. Timothy Jackson, a Labor Party member, and deputy mayor Rex Flannery handed in resignation letters on Friday morning. Casey councillor Timothy Jackson quit the council on Friday. Credit:Internet Mr Jackson said he no longer had confidence in the councils ability to make decisions in the best interests of residents. It is clear that some individuals have put their interests above that of our community, he said, in reference to allegations of corruption heard against some councillors at the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission. Bookshop Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, Calif. and Changing Hands Bookstore with locations in Tempe and Phoenix, Ariz., have partnered in a drive to register Arizona voters and persuade them to vote Democrat in this year's presidential election. "We're trying to help support them in their efforts to turn Arizona blue," Casey Coonerty Protti, owner of Bookshop Santa Cruz, told PW. Protti said she was inspired to help after learning of the effort Changing Hands was putting into persuading voters. "It's a big risk for them because they are in a deep red state," said Protti, "but for us it is easier because we are in a deep blue state and being politically active is part of our brand." She said there is no risk of alienating Republican customers. In the past Bookshop Santa Cruz has offered George W. Bush and Donald J. Trump countdown clocks, and once sold a book by Rush Limbaugh for the price of baloney. This current campaign will see the bookstore host "action nights" where customers will be encouraged to write postcards, make calls, and fundraise for voter registration drives in Arizona. The first is next Monday, February 17. By the end of the year, Bookshop Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Indivisible and Changing Hands commit to: Mobilize 1000 Santa Cruz County residents to take action to support efforts in Arizona before the presidential election. Write over 5000 postcards to send to voters in targeted Arizona precincts. Make over 5000 phone calls or text messages to voters in targeted Arizona precincts. Recruit over 100 people to canvas with us this fall in swing districts. Hold three high profile community-wide events, including a recruitment fair, fundraiser and canvas weekend, to support identified high needs in Arizona. Protti said the store plans to share success stories with those who help in the effort and may organize a road trip to canvas voters in Arizona later in the year. For her part, Cindy Dach, co-owner of Changing Hands located in both Phoenix and Tempe Arizona said, More than ever the 2020 election is about the human condition. We have always been a politically engaged bookstore, but since 2016 we have stepped up that engagement in a more profound way. We know that a change in leadership will improve the human condition, and we will do all we can to help provide accurate and truthful information and engage all people in the process. Beijing : The death toll from China's coronavirus epidemic rose to 1,483 on Friday. China also reported 116 more death in Hubei. Wuhan, where the infection now known as COVID-19 is thought to have originated in late December, also reported a further 4,823 new cases of the infection, taking the total in the province to 51,986 and close to 65,000 across the country. Japan also confirmed its first coronavirus death on Thursday, a woman in her 80s living in Kanagawa prefecture near Tokyo Meanwhile, Vietnam has ordered a lock down on a community of 10,000 residents northwest of the capital Hanoi, becoming the first location outside of China to have ordered a quarantine for at least 20 days. Each week, we review the weeks news, offering analysis about the most important developments in the tech industry. Hello, Im Dai Wakabayashi, and I cover Google in San Francisco for The New York Times. For the most part, writing about smartphones over the last few years has been pretty boring. Can you get that excited about a phone going from two cameras to three? But this was an interesting week for smartphone news, illustrating both the promise of developments (pun alert) unfolding before us and the challenges of trying to do something new and different. A few days after Motorola (supposedly) started selling its foldable Razr phone, Samsung showed off its latest attempt at a bendable smartphone. The early reviews of Samsungs Galaxy Flip Z seem cautiously optimistic, with some reporters praising the glass screen and the sturdy-seeming hinges. I am more excited for these phones than my colleague Brian X. Chen, who made the levelheaded argument that these handsets were probably not ready for prime time and seemed like more trouble than they were worth. CRPF personnel pay tribute at a memorial to the 40 CRPF jawans, who were killed in the Pulwama terror attack in February last year, at Letapora of Pulwama District of South Kashmir on Friday. (PTI) New Delhi: Exactly a year after the Pulwama terrorist attack, which may have possibly swung the election towards the BJP, a bitter war of words broke out between the ruling side and the Opposition as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked who had benefited from the strike, while the BJP accused him of being a known sympathiser of terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The ruling party claimed the so-called Gandhi family can never think beyond benefits, and that they were not just materialistically corrupt, their souls are also corrupt. Earlier, paying homage to martyrs of the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country will never forget the martyrdom of the security personnel killed in last years attack and said the slain securitymen were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to protecting the nation. Last year, on February 14, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora in Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. While paying tribute to the CRPF martyrs, Congress Rahul Gandhi raised questions on accountability for the attack. Today, as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack, let us ask: 1. Who benefited the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the lapses? he tweeted. The BJP was quick to hit back at the Congress leader for his dastardly comment, saying he was insulting the memory of CRPF personnel, and sought an apology from him and his party. That was a dastardly attack. And this is a dastardly comment. Who benefited the most? Mr Gandhi, can you think beyond benefits? Of course not. This so-called Gandhi family can never think beyond benefits, tweeted BJP national spokesman Sambit Patra. The Presbyterian Moderator departed for Kenya yesterday, as he begins a 14-day overseas tour of the east African nation. Rt Rev Dr William Henry is making his second official visit to the country, having been there in 2018 when he visited an orphanage and a hospital alongside medical students. The latest visit will see Dr Henry spending time with missionary workers who have been seconded to serve with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA). The Belfast-born Moderator will be joined by his wife Nora. He has also paid for his three children to accompany him on part of the tour. "We have three missionary families in Kenya and I am looking forward to spending time with all of them. Seeing their work first hand and spending time encouraging and strengthening them is my primary reason for going," he said. "It is also important that they know that the whole church is engaged and prayerfully upholds them." The predominantly Christian country of Kenya is considered to be a key economic, transport and financial hub in the region. The country of 48 million currently has 450 PCEA pastors, alongside 45 presbyteries and over 1,000 congregations in its 310 parishes. Once in Nairobi, Dr Henry will spend two days journeying north to the village of Tuum where he will visit Stephen and Angelina Cowan. The pair, originally from Waringstown Presbyterian Church, have been serving as missionaries in Kenya since 1989. Also on his itinerary is a visit to the west of Nairobi to greet missionary workers Gary and Mary Reid. The Reids first went to Kenya from Templepatrick in 2000 and have been working in the Olkinyiei area of the country since 2005. They have been working with PCEA in church planting and literature distribution among the Maasai people in their spiritual heartland. "I am really looking forward to meeting and encouraging our Global Mission Workers in the work that they do. In their work, the Cowans and the Reids are working with people, often pastoralists, who are living day-to-day with the impact of climate change," Dr Henry added. According to the Moderator, climate change will represent a key theme of his visit to the country, with Dr Henry set to meet farmers in the country impacted by the crisis. "I will also be meeting with Christian Aid Kenya's theological advisor Bob Kikuyu, who I met in Belfast. He will be talking about how the climate emergency impacts Kenya as a whole," he explained. "While climate change has a greater intrinsic effect on those I will be meeting, we can all do small things that can make a difference." Rev Uel Marrs, Secretary of PCI's Council for Global Mission, which organised the visit, said: "The overseas visits are an important part of a Moderator's year in office. "They also contribute to the developing and strengthening of relationships with partner churches and organisations. "While Dr Henry is in Kenya he will take the opportunity to reflect with the leadership of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa on our missional relationship that has lasted for more than half a century now. "He will also hear of the PCEA's mission initiatives in Kenya and, more recently, their work in Tanzania and Uganda." Ulster Bank has reported pre-tax profits of 18m for 2019 with profitability hit by investment and the refund of interest to businesses. The bank said it had seen a 12% increase in new corporate lending, and an 8% growth in new small business lending. It had total income of 189m, with 153m operating costs, while profit before impairments and tax was 36m. The bank said the figures reflect most but not all of the profits generated in Northern Ireland by Ulster Bank, which is part of the Royal Bank of Scotland group. The bank has 44 branches in Northern Ireland. Mark Crimmins, head of Northern Ireland for Ulster Bank, said: This has been a solid year for Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland, with a strong underlying business performance allied to significant and visible investment in the bank to enable us to provide even-better service to our customers. Despite a challenging external environment and subdued borrowing appetite from businesses, we increased corporate lending in 2019 by 12% and saw a 8% increase in small business drawdowns. Supporting customers to own their own home also continues to be a strong priority for Ulster Bank, and in 2019, for instance, we opened more than 10,000 Help to Buy Isas to help customers save for a deposit. Ulster Bank recently announced the creation of over 100 new contact centre jobs and a multi-million pound refurbishment of its Belfast headquarters as it shifts its contact centre from Danesfort in south Belfast. But it said the investment along with a voluntary refund of interest to some businesses had hit profitability. However, the bank said its underlying performance was solid in a challenging environment. Royal Bank of Scotland also announced it will undergo a rebrand in the first major decision by new chief executive Alison Rose, changing its name to NatWest Group plc. Bosses said the move was because 80% of customers bank with the NatWest brand, rather than through RBS branches, adding that it will have no impact on customers or staff. A man injured in a Monday morning crash north of Jasper has died from his injuries, Alabama state troopers said. Troopers identified the victim as Jacob W. Christian. He was 32 years old. Christian was injured when his 2001 Toyota Celica collided with a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria on Alabama 195. The crash happened near mile-marker 17, about 9.5 miles north of Jasper, troopers said. Christian later died at UAB hospital, troopers said. Further information about the crash investigation was not immediately available, troopers said. This off-the-books economy is, strictly speaking, not legal. But it is crucial to dozens of residents from Inwood and the Bronx, many of them recent immigrants. Each carwash operates with informal teams of two to four people. When a customer stops, a symphony of tasks begins: One person dunks two large giant sponges into a bucket and soaps down the roof of the car, the doors, hood and the trunk by hand. Another person rinses the car with a hose with a power-washer attached to it. Another pulls out the car mats and hoses them down until they glint in the light. The exterior of the car is usually done in 10 minutes or less. As reliable as they are, the carwashes are threatened by future development. Mayor Bill de Blasios administration has opened this area to rezoning. A 27-story apartment building is part of the proposal being considered. Until then, theres not much for the car washers to do but keep washing cars. In November, on what felt like the coldest day of the fall, there were just a few young men on 201st Street and 9th Avenue washing cars. They were working quickly a black sedan and a silver S.U.V. were waiting in line. One man wasnt wearing gloves, and his hands had turned an orangy red. But he was moving too fast to be bothered. Prince Charles rubbed shoulders with celebrities at a black tie gala last night. Charles, 71, appeared in excellent spirits as he welcomed stars including Claudia Winkleman and Rob Brydon to The Prince's Trust Invest in Futures Gala at Kensington Palace. West End star Alexandra Burke, elegant in a black and white polka dot dress, was among the guests, while Chic's Nile Rogers got the dance floor started with his energetic set. Charles, 71, appeared in excellent spirits as he welcomed stars including Claudia Winkleman and Rob Brydon, pictured, to The Prince's Trust Invest in Futures Gala at Kensington Palace West End star Alexandra Burke, elegant in a black and white polka dot dress, was among the guests, while Chic's Nile Rogers (both pictured with Charles) got the dance floor started Astronaut Major Tim Peake also attended and was seen chatting to a jovial Prince Charles ahead of the dinner. The gala is the largest fundraising event of The Princes Trust, generating vital funds to support thousands of young people into jobs, education or training. Since its inception in 2005, the star-studded event has raised an astounding 23 million and has enabled The Trust to change the lives of over 22,000 young people. Astronaut Major Tim Peake also attended and was seen chatting to a jovial Prince Charles ahead of the dinner, pictured. The gala is the largest fundraising event of The Princes Trust This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby, patron of the Prince's Trust, donned a stunning pink and black Alex Perry gown for the occasion. 'Off to a wonderful night celebrating all the wonderful work the @princestrust has done and continues to do,' she wrote on Instagram ahead of the event. 'Championing young people, investing in futures... Always so proud to be a patron.' Alexandra shared photos and videos from inside the venue, including a clip of guests joining Rogers and the band on stage. Geri Halliwell, shared this photo from the event. Pictured l-r: Sir Rod Stewart, Penny Lancaster, Geri, Sally Wood, Holly Willoughby and husband Dan Baldwin, Christian Horner Line-up: Geri, 47, went for a bridal inspired look in a white strapless gown paired with a matching capped sleeve jacket as she posed with Rod and husband Christian Fun: Christian and Rod later joined forces for a fun video, as they danced together It marked the end of a busy day for the royal, who had earlier joined his wife the Duchess of Cornwall on a visit to the Tower of London. Charles, 71, and Camilla, 72, were on hand to mark 535 years since the creation of Yeoman Warders, better known as the Beefeaters. Charles and Camilla were then taken on a tour of the Royal Palace, which is situated on the banks of the Thames. All through my Emirates flight from Bengaluru to Stockholm via Dubai, followed by a SAS flight to Lulea (a good 11 hours of flying time through multiple time zones), I repeatedly read through my Swedish Lapland itinerary. The many experiences listed there made me feel like I was embarking on a magic carpet ride to a whole new world! And a whole new world it was filled with snow (lots of it!), encounters with reindeers, dog-sledding, hot-tubs under the Aurora Borealis aka Northern Lights, meals at White Guide restaurants, and so much more. Nederluleo Church. Pic: Ruth Dsouza Prabhu My journey began in Lulea and moved through the Arctic Circle and then beyond it to Kukkolaforsen and the Torne Valley, Kangos, Jukkasjarvi (home to the Ice Hotel and the Sami people, the oldest indigenous people of the region), and ended at Kiruna, the northernmost town of Sweden approximately 340 kms from Lulea, our starting point and 1,200 kms from Stockholm, our entry to Sweden. Reindeer spotting. Pic: Ruth Dsouza Prabhu Take a walk One of the best ways to explore towns in the Swedish Lapland region is to walk around. You can walk the perimeter of Lulea town comfortably in less than an hour. Bound by the Baltic Sea (which was on its way to being frozen solid when I was there) on one side, quite literally, every road you walk leads back to the center. So even for someone like me, who is geographically challenged, getting around was easy. Step into the 17th century Nederlulea Church and take in its serenity, or spend some time at the Gammelstad Church Town, a UNESCO-protected heritage site which has preserved a 400-year-old church village in its original form. These 424 wooden homes are barebones structurally, having just a living and sleeping space and a chamber pot for your ablutions. They were used on weekends by villagers who lived far away as places to stay in order to participate in Sunday church services. A guided tour is the best way to explore this town. Reindeer blood pancakes: Pic: Tina Strafen/VisitSweden Walking around Kukkolaforsen Turist & Conferens in Haparanda, you have the rapids of the Torne River thundering past you. Standing on the banks of this river, you can see Finland on the opposite bank and that is a quite a thrill. Huuva Hideaways (they reopen for bookings in January 2020), set in little village Liehittaja with only nine inhabitants, is an experience in itself in winter, with knee-high snow in some places. If you are at the Lapland Guesthouse in Kangos or Camp Ripan in Kiruna (and you will be well into the Arctic region by then), a small walk post dinner to scout out the Northern Lights should be on the cards. Inside the viewing dome on the dogsledding path. Pic: Tina Strafen/VisitSweden Driving around, what you need to watch out for is snow dust. Oncoming traffic can throw up a huge amount of snow, blocking your view for a bit. Navigating this, during heavy snowfall is for experienced drivers. Do keep your eyes peeled while driving you may spot reindeer walking alongside or the much large moose suddenly dart by. Tucking in Thanks to IKEA, its the meatballs that first come to mind when you say Swedish food. For a really authentic version, have your share at Cafe Metropole in Lulea, where the very dapper owner, Bengt Wikstrom, will regale you with stories of how his cafe is a hangout space for those over 55 years of age (of course all others are welcome too). For truly gastronomical experiences, restaurants from the White Guide are the places to be. The White Guide is a definitive authority that recognises efforts in gastro-nomy and sustainability of restaurants in the Nordic and Baltic regions, Denmark and Sweden. Kalix Lojrom showcase at VillGott. Pic: Tina Strafen/VisitSweden Lulea has six White Guide restaurants and you could do a dinner hopping tour like we did try a reindeer starter at Bistro Norrland; an Arctic Char main course at Restaurant CG, and indulge in dessert at Hemmagastronomi. Consider a meal at the artistic VillGott at Bryggeriet that overlooks the Lulea River. Here is a restaurant that is a brewery, a tattoo parlour, a music venue and a space for the arts all rolled into one. James Thomson, head chef, along with his international team put together a seven-course meal that had at the core of every dish, the Kalix Lojrom (vendace roe), Swedens first produce to be labelled Protected Designation of Origin. To present roe in seven different ways is not an easy task to pull off. But, it is the indigenous foods of Sweden that will steal your heart. Pickled herring is one dish that can take on so many avatars. Reindeer blood pancakes are for the adventurous. Considering the long winter months, a range of leaves from spruce, to birch to forest moss and lichen are foraged and frozen during the summer and used as garnishes, each adding their own distinct flavour. Among the many firsts for me was the ptarmigan, a small bird (very close to the quail, but less bony), which we cooked ourselves at Camp Ripan. The meat is soft and makes for a great main course. The vasterbotten cheese, a hard cows milk cheese has a mildly sweet flavour, a hint of spruce. It finds place on cheese platters and is used in some quiches. Entry to Ice Hotel. Pic: Tina Strafen/VisitSweden On the bean Coffee lovers have to try the kaffeost (coffee cheese) black coffee served in birch burl cups into which you drop chunks of cheese (made from reindeer milk traditionally, but now made with cows milk).This version of cheese absorbs coffee like a sponge and once you are done with your caffeine shot, you scoop up the cheese and eat it. Johan, the owner of Lapland Guesthouse in Kangos welcomes you with kaffeost made on an open fire, with cinnamon buns on the side. Shivering in my mitts, this was a great way to warm up. A great food experience is the cooking of sik (white fish from the coregonus lavaretus family) and gahkku, a flat bread with Johannah Spolander, the owner of Kukkaloforsen Turist. As you sit in a really old smoke room (built in the 1700s), listening to the Torne rapids, the traditional Muurikka, an iron pan is placed on a birch wood fire. The fish is gutted, scaled, scored and then skewered on pinewood. It is then placed vertically on the side of the fire during which the fish naturally releases oils onto itself. Once done, the skewers are dunked whole into a bucket of salt water and a few ladlefuls of water are poured on them, and it is served. The flatbread dough is made with flour, fresh cream, fennel, whole wheat and spices. This is shaped into balls and then flattened by hand and thrown onto the murrikka for a few seconds. Garlic butter is liberally applied to this and a whole lot of white fish salad spooned onto it. Besides reindeer, you can also eat meats like moose and elk. The region is known for its berries lingonberry, seabuckthorne, cloudberry and so many more. You will find these in jams, sauces, garnishes, juices, and in many other ways. Swedish Aquavit and its variants make for great shots and cocktail bases. And always is a good time for fika, the Swedish tradition of taking a break over coffee and snacks. Northern Lights. Pic: Lola Akinmade Akerstrom The great outdoors What I noticed about the Swedes in general is that they are in tune with nature and love the outdoors. Trekking, hiking, walking, hunting, skinny dipping in freezing waters are all a part of life. As is the sauna a steam room that is a part of most homes. Not only is it a great way to socialise with friends, family and colleagues, but is believed to be a remedy for simple illnesses and stress. The temperatures in a steam sauna go up to 47 C. You can follow that up by walking bare foot to an outdoor hot tub usually set around 35 C. The feeling of sitting in a swimsuit in -14 C and being as warm as a cookie is an example of contrasts. Kukkolaforsen has several variants of the sauna and hot tub for you to choose from. Camp Ripan has the Aurora Spa that is a delightful 14-step DIY style treatment system that ends in a hot tub outdoors. With both, you stand a chance to spot the Northern Lights as you soak. A real session of pampering can be had at Kropps Balans in Lulea that offers treatment packages that are based on specific Arctic herbs. Not only do you get pedicures and back massages with all things birch-based, but you also get to eat and drink foods with the herb as a base. Natures light show On top of the list for anyone visiting the Swedish Laplands is a sighting of the Northern Lights. The best months for sightings are December to early February. However, you must know that you are dealing with nature and sometimes, it can disappoint. An Aurora tracker can help you better your chances. I was at some brilliant Northern Lights spots Kukkola-forsen, Lapland Guesthouse and Camp Ripan, but it was only at Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi that the skies were kind to us and put on a spectacular show. Remember that you have to venture out as far away as possible from artificial light. When you do spot the Northern Lights, its your camera (this is when a DSLR is worth carrying around) that will capture the best of the lights, much more than what you see with the naked eye. The experience of staying in an Ice Room (you get a certificate for spending a night here successfully), having a drink at the Ice bar, dining on an Ice Menu at the hotels restaurant is perfectly topped with an Aurora sighting. Another brilliant way to experience it, is to get onto a dog-sled, like the one I went on by Lapland Wilderness Tours and be taken deep onto the frozen Torne River to Aurora Domes where you can watch the sky while you stay warm on reindeer fleece and over a cup of coffee, which was the perfect end to our Swedish Lapland discovery. QUICK TIPS Laplands, a magical winterland: Lappland (in Swedish) is located in the northernmost part of Sweden, covering more than a quarter of the countrys land area. It borders areas like Jamtland, Angermanland, Vasterbotten (yes the region of the famous cheese by the same name), Norrbotten and countries like Norway and Finland. If you are looking for a winter vacation, you couldnt ask for a better place. Depending on your level of comfort, you can fly or try the train or bus to get there from major cities likes Copenhagen and Stockholm. Smaller towns like Lulea and Kiruna have airports as well, giving you complete connectivity. Cars are available for hire if you would like to discover the region at your own pace. Experience Arctic winters: What makes the Lapland region a perfect winter vacation spot is the miles of snow covered landscapes, and temperatures going down all the way to -30 C in the peak of winter, which is January to February. With the right clothing, an itinerary that has a good mix of indoor and outdoor activities, you are sure to have a great time. If you are thinking thermals, you thought right but, cotton thermals do not work here at all. In fact, they make you colder. You ideally need Merino wool thermal wear and socks (try buying in Sweden, they have the most gorgeous prints), good fleece-lined leggings and sweaters, thick wool caps, ideally with a balaclava that protects your neck, face and mouth. You need thick, snow boots, particularly once you cross over into the Arctic zone. There are options to rent boots as well with most of the resorts in the region. Ski pants are a great addition. Wool-lined leather mittens are what will keep those fingers warm. Dress in layers the last thing you want to be is under-dressed for snow, or over-dressed when indoors. Ruth Dsouza Prabhu visited the country on invitation from VisitSweden Last updated on: February 14, 2020 10:45 IST Think you know everything about Donald Trump? Take our quiz to find out just how much you know about the American president. Over 150 people living in unauthorised colonies in Delhi have received ownership rights till date, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday and asserted that the process to grant it was not halted even during the election period. The Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, ahead of holding a press conference here, distributed conveyance deeds to 34 people living in different colonies. "Twenty people were given the conveyance deeds on January 3, today 34 more got it. And, during the election period about 100 people had been given (the document) by the DDA authorities," Puri said. Contrary to a "narrative being created" earlier that the process of granting ownership rights had been halted, "it actually went on", he said. Elections were announced in Delhi on January 6 bringing into force the Model Code of Conduct. The poll code has been lifted after the elections. "Due permission was taken from poll authorities to give the conveyance deeds during the poll period, as this scheme had been announced before the model code of conduct came into force," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 14.02.2020 LISTEN How true is the above verdict on the two parties? The above is not my claim, it's the sentiments of many Ghanaians. I disagree, I think they are different the same. But that is not the issue, the issue is, which of the two parties should feel disappointed and which should be happy when the people make such a claim at this material moment that the two main parties are the same? In January 7th, 2017, the NDC looked like a party destined for a long spell in opposition, all the people could envisage was mass imprisonment by Nana, the alleged Incorruptible One. Not that people felt the NPP was perfect, Mahama's NDC has deemed a calamity especially when it comes to corruption In fact, at the very early days of their reign, NPP communicators started talking about 16 years in opposition for them.. For a government in power to have lost by almost 1 million votes, the downgrading of the party was not just from empty rhetorics, it represented the sentiments of the people, at least almost one million more I was actively involved in the process leading up to the swearing-in, I queued for days for accreditation. You could see from the ISD office that expectations were high. At that time, no one expected 2020 to be competitive. Thanks to hindsight, we can way that it would be much closer even though a party in power-seeking a second term, for the most part, has the edge. By electing Mahama to lead again, the NDC gave NPP more rooms to make mistakes and sneak through in spite of that. But what has happened now is an admission by many people that both are the same. The notion is that everyone comes to improve themselves and their families and not necessarily better the lives of the people. This should hurt the NPP the more, they are the ones who have lost out the more on public confidence, not NDC. NDC was a party down, its the NPP that has joined them. The Corruption Perception Index by Transparency International shows that people od Ghana even think than Nana's government is more corrupt. In fact, Mahama's worst was 43% in 2016 whereas Nana's best has been 41% Below are the result for respective leaders 2013-46% 2014 -48% 2015-47% 2016 -43% 2017-40% 2018-41% 2019-41% Indeed, CPI cannot be the best measure of corruption because it is not about incidents of corruption but perception. The respondent though is people with an understanding of the issues and represents to a large extent the sentiments of the people. Looking at everything, it's NPP that has lost the goodwill of the people, the NDC didn't have much of that. When you say the perceived devil is the same as the self-acclaimed angel, it's the angel who has to be disappointed. The NPP and Nana presented themselves as angels, if the people think that they are the same, NPP should feel the more disappointed because in just 3 years, what looked like a nation headed towards a one-party state for sometime presents anything can happen outlook in 2020 2020 looks like a year of voter apathy, when that happens, the ruling party is likely to suffer the more. NDC's chances depend more on how many people decide not to vote. Even though I still maintain that Mahama was a wrong choice, he has about 45% to build on. 2020 is going to be a funny election. One thing for sure though, none of the candidates can restore the trust of the people in politics until something drastic happens. Ghana is heading towards citizens revolt, we are running desperately to this place because the political system has lost the trust of the people. The party and funfair on 7th January 2017 have given way to despondency. Not because the NPP under Nana hasn't tried to do something, in fact, they have made more attempts than any government in the 4th Republic. Unfortunately, the rush to do more took precedence over proper planning and hence even their best program like the Free SHS has its credits eroded by bottlenecks that could easily have been easily identified and mitigated against. Again, Nana formed a government bigger than the UN and institutionalized nepotism to the extent never seen in our history. All these have affected his ratings before the people, the myth around him that made him appear as though the last of perhaps the true generation of patriots has been broken and he looks more like everyday politicians as the days go by. Add that to the needless errors and repetition of the very acts of corruption that led to the previous government being voted against. In spite of everything, there is hardship today before this government took over, the said economic gains have not reflected or improved the lives of the people in any significant way The NPP was supposed to save us, to say both parties are the same means it's the NPP that has lost the confidence of the people. NDC should be happy with such equalisation even if they won't admit it publicly It means some people will just throw the dice and make do with any side that shows up, that seems like a good chance and a great departure from early 2017 when Nana and NPP looked invincible. Jammu, Feb 14 : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu on Friday paid rich tributes to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who lost their lives in 2019 Pulwama terror attack. Paying tribute to the CRPF personnel who made their supreme sacrifice for upholding the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, the Lt. Governor said that the country is indebted to all these martyrs and will always remember their valour and sacrifice. He also expressed his solidarity with the families of the martyrs. Murmu also said that the CRPF and other paramilitary forces are playing a crucial role in combating terrorism and ensuring safety and security of the people. Angry protesters broke into the residence of Douye Diri, Bayelsa governor-elect, in Yenagoa on Friday, vandalising some cars. The pr... Angry protesters broke into the residence of Douye Diri, Bayelsa governor-elect, in Yenagoa on Friday, vandalising some cars. The protesters, who had earlier blocked some roads in the state capital, also shattered some windows in the building. They had expressed dissatisfaction with the supreme court judgment which sacked David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was declared winner of the November 2019 governorship election. Its unclear if the governor-elect was at home at the time of the attack. Below are some pictures: The New Juaben North Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwadwo Boateng Agyemang wants Voltarians to curse National Democratic Congress (NDC) for failing to bring infrastructure projects in the Region during their administration. While accusing the NDC of peddling falsehood with the fake images in the Green Book, he said the listening Akufo-Addo government has secured funds to construct a number of projects in the Volta Region. The road infrastructure the NDC boasted in Volta Region off can only be found in the green book so the people in the Volta Region must curse NDC for deceiving them, Kwadwo Boateng Agyemang told Kwaku Dawuro on Pae Mu Ka on Accra-based Kingdom FM 107.7. He said the government has assessed the projects to bring closure to enable them determine how much it will cost to complete the buildings, adding that such projects will not be allowed to go waste. He assured that the governing party will fix roads, not with words and pictures [like in the NDCs Green Book]. Volta Region has voted about 90 percent for the NDC in every general election since 1992, for which reason the region has been described as the World Bank of the party. While Brady said the exit is at least five years away from reality if approved, Tweeten said he has been involved in talks with the village since 2016. He said a preliminary study at the time indicated an exit near the hotel would work best. A sign at California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) headquarters in Sacramento, California, U.S. on Feb. 14, 2017. (Max Whittaker/Reuters) US Lawmaker Calls for Ouster of CalPERS CIO Over China Ties: Letter WASHINGTONA U.S. Republican lawmaker on Feb. 12 urged California to fire the chief investment officer of its public pension fund, the nations largest, citing what he called the CIOs long and cozy relationship with Beijing, and assailed the funds investments in Chinese companies. In a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Representative Jim Banks of Indiana said Yu Ben Meng, the CIO of California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), should at least be investigated. 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, he added. A U.S. citizen born in China, Meng has twice worked for CalPERS, the first time starting in 2008 and the second time beginning in January 2019 when he became CIO managing $400 billion in investments, according to the CalPERS website. In between the CalPERS stints, Meng worked for three years as deputy CIO with Chinas State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), which oversees Chinas U.S. Treasury security holdings, the website says. Citing an online article in Chinas Peoples Daily, Banks asserted that Chinas Thousand Talents Program recruited Meng for the job at SAFE. According to the FBI, TTP is a part of Chinas non-traditional espionage against the United States. Reprehensible Attack CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost defended Meng in a statement. 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. A CalPERS spokeswoman declined to provide a method to contact Meng, saying they had no further comment. The Trump administration has been urging U.S. states to join the geopolitical battle with China. In a speech to governors on Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged states to be vigilant against local threats with consequences for our foreign policy, specifically pointing to CalPERS. Californias pension fund is invested in companies that supply the Peoples Liberation Army that puts our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines at risk, Pompeo said. Echoing Pompeos comments, Banks specifically criticized CalPERS investments in Chinas Hikvision, whose surveillance equipment is used in detention camps for Chinas minority Uyghurs. The Banks letter criticizes the fund for holding shares of China Communications Construction Co., which has helped build naval bases for Beijing in the South China Sea, it said. CalPERS Frost defended the holdings, saying, Weve had a globally diversified portfolio for decades. This is a politically opportunistic attempt to force us to divest, undermining our ability to perform our fiduciary duty to provide retirement security to Californias public employees. By Alexandra Alper Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks to supporters at a primary night election rally in Manchester, N.H., Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Associated Press Sen. Bernie Sanders called James Carville a "political hack," and the former Clinton adviser told Insider he agrees. "James, with all due respect, is a political hack," Sanders said on CNN on Wednesday. This came after Carville went on a viral rant about Sanders on MSNBC, suggesting he was turning the Democratic party into an "ideological cult." "He is correct when he calls me a political hack, and I am correct when I call him a fanatical ideologue," Carville told Insider. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday called James Carville a "political hack" after the veteran Democratic strategist went on a viral rant against the Vermont senator on MSNBC. The former adviser to the Clintons had suggested to MSNBC that Sanders was attempting to turn the Democratic party into an "ideological cult," and CNN's Anderson Cooper said he wanted to give the self-declared democratic socialist a chance to respond. Sanders told Cooper, "James, with all due respect, is a political hack." "We are taking on Trump, the Republican establishment, Carville, and the Democratic establishment," Sanders added. In a phone call on Thursday, Carville told Insider that he agreed with Sanders. "He got me, spot on. That's what I am...I am a political hack. I love politics. I've worked in 22 countries. For a good part of my life I earned my living in politics, I don't know what else you'd call me," Carville said. "He is correct when he calls me a political hack, and I am correct when I call him a fanatical ideologue," Carville added of Sanders. James Carville. Sarah Jacobs/Business Insider Carville said that Sanders thinks a political campaign is about "advancing a left-wing agenda," while he thinks a campaign is "about winning." Story continues "He doesn't like politics, I do. We're different people. We come from a different part of the country...And we have fundamental differences in what we think is the purpose of a political party," Carville said. Sanders is currently the Democratic frontrunner and won the Democratic primary in New Hampshire on Tuesday. But Carville was unimpressed with the Vermont senator's victory. "He won but he got 26% and he's the frontrunner, and we're gonna take that to a general election? Please! And it's a state right next to his own," Carville said. Though Sanders won the popular vote in both Iowa and New Hampshire, is dominating the 2020 field in fundraising, and at the top of recent national polls, Carville said he does not think Sanders can win the 2020 Democratic nomination. With that said, Carville conceded that he would vote for Sanders, in spite of their disagreements, over President Donald Trump. "I would vote for a fanatical ideologue before I'd vote for a career criminal," Carville said. "Every day, whoever I determine at a given point has the best chance to run Trump's a-- out of office is gonna be the person that I'm gonna be for." Read the original article on Business Insider Lowering the risk of developing a life-threatening condition while pregnant is as simple as taking low-dose aspirin every day, according to OB-GYNs at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). They are now recommending their patients take a low-dose aspirin of 81 milligrams daily to prevent preeclampsia as part of routine prenatal care, just like taking a prenatal vitamin. Preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by dangerously high blood pressure, is a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death. It has increased 25% in the last two decades, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Over the years, research has shown the use of low-dose aspirin in a high-risk population reduces the risk of preeclampsia without causing side effects. Aspirin causes decreased production of the hormone thromboxane A2, which is thought to increase the risk of preeclampsia." Nana Ama Ankumah, MD, maternal-fetal medicine specialist with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth New research from the National Institutes of Health shows low-dose aspirin reduces preterm birth among first-time mothers. Currently, ACOG recommends considering low-dose aspirin if a patient presents with one high risk factor or more than one moderate risk factor. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published a similar guideline. Ankumah said the risk factors for preeclampsia are "extremely common," ranging from high risk factors such as diabetes, chronic hypertension, and autoimmune diseases, to moderate risk factors such as being over the age of 35, obesity, and low socioeconomic status. However, by recommending prophylaxis, or proactive preventive measures, to all women instead of the selective approach, physicians hope to lower the rate of the condition while also saving time. "Selective screening requires providers to spend time and effort to identify those who might be at risk, leaving room for a significant percentage of those considered at risk to be missed," said Baha Sibai, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist with McGovern Medical School and international expert in preeclampsia. "This is similar to gestational diabetes screening, where initially a list of factors were used to determine risk, but it became obvious that providers were missing patients. As a result, routine screening became the standard." Sean C. Blackwell, MD, chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Services at McGovern Medical School, consulted with Sibai before implementing the departmental shift in standard clinical care at UT Physicians clinics. "This change especially makes sense for us because the majority of our patient population is considered at-risk," Blackwell said. "There is a very low cost and risk associated with this therapy, and we hope a universal approach minimizes missed opportunities for treatment at a population level." The routine use of low-dose aspirin could also reduce rates of other adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth and fetal growth restriction, while only costing less than $10 per pregnancy, Sibai said. "Most patients are amenable once they understand what preeclampsia is and how serious it is. The dose is so small and there's really no side effects, so most patients are fine with adding it to their prenatal vitamin. For perspective, people taking daily aspirin for heart attack are recommended to take 325 mg, about four times the 81 mg we're recommending," Ankumah said. Under this recommendation, low-dose aspirin is recommended beginning at 12 weeks and continued through delivery. According to ACOG, there is no increased risk of postpartum bleeding or placental abruption. Exclusions include women with allergies to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and women with vaginal bleeding. "This is a major paradigm shift in prenatal care and is just another way we are incorporating several novel aspects to care to provide cutting-edge, evidence-based treatments to our patients," Blackwell said. Researchers at UTHealth are also investigating how to prevent postpartum hypertension. A recent study led by Conisha Holloman, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine fellow with McGovern Medical School, suggests that all women should be informed about the symptoms of high blood pressure, also known as postpartum hypertension. The study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, looked at 164 women from September 2016 to July 2019 who gave birth at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston and were readmitted with high blood pressure. More than 64% of women were readmitted within seven days, and 39% of those women were not diagnosed with high blood pressure prior to being discharged. "Texas has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation. As clinicians, we're always looking for ways to tailor interventions so we can reduce deaths," Holloman said. "While clearly more research needs to be done on what causes high blood pressure after childbirth, what our study reveals is a strong need to educate all women, not just those who may be at a higher risk, about the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure before they are discharged." The U.S. reached an initial deal with the Taliban on Friday that could begin a drawdown of American troops from Afghanistan, AP reports, citing a senior U.S. official. The big picture: Top administration officials, including President Trump, had signaled that an agreement could be reached soon, allowing America's 18-year war in Afghanistan to end after thousands of lives lost and billions of dollars spent. But previous attempts to leave Afghanistan have not panned out. What we know: The "very specific" deal calls for a seven-day "reduction of violence" covering the entire country, to act as the precursor to all-Afghan peace talks within 10 days, a U.S. official said on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Thursday that the U.S. and Taliban had "negotiated a proposal for a seven-day reduction in violence." The full conditions remain unclear. If the administration deems theyve been met, it would then withdraw some troops and the Taliban would enter negotiations with the Afghan government about the country's political future. A U.S. exit likely wouldn't mean an end to the fighting. The Taliban have been unwilling to lay down their arms, rebuffing calls for a ceasefire during negotiations. Between the lines: Trump is not the first American president to want to end the conflict. "President Bush wanted out, President Obama wanted out, President Trump wants out," says Michael Morell, who held top roles at the CIA under both Bush and Obama. "Nobody can see a path to this ending, and the American people are getting tired of it." "What's held them back is a belief that once we leave, the Taliban's going to take over ... and offer al-Qaeda safe haven again." "That is a risk that President Bush wasn't willing to take, President Obama wasn't willing to take, and President Trump earlier in his term wasn't willing to take," says Morell, who hosts the "Intelligence Matters" podcast. What to watch: For now, Trump may be satisfied with a partial deal and a partial troop reduction. Ultimately, he clearly wants out. So do all of the leading 2020 Democrats, and many Americans. Go deeper: The Afghanistan conundrum Hot Topics Recap: Coronavirus Following are the latest Coronavirus news releases and story ideas for reporters, bloggers and media outlets. These recaps, curated by Business Wire, provide reporters and bloggers around the globe instant access to the latest news releases, providing relevant and trending content to share with their audiences. Discover more news via Business Wire's Hot Topic recaps or create a custom news feed specific to your needs here . This service is provided at no charge to members of the media and financial communities. NEW YORK--Oliver Wyman Sees Expansion Ahead for Aviation Industry Despite Challenges Source: Oliver Wyman MILTON KEYNES, England--Strategy Analytics: New Record for Smart Speakers As Global Sales Reached 146.9 Million in 2019 Source: Strategy Analytics (News - Alert) BURLINGTON, Mass.--Everbridge Launches New Coronavirus Risk Data Enhancement for Critical Event Management (CEM) Source: Everbridge, Inc. 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LOS ANGELES--AHF Urges WHO to Immediately Declare Novel Coronavirus an International Health Emergency Source: AIDS Healthcare Foundation MEMPHIS, Tenn.--FedEx Pledges Transportation Support to Aid in Coronavirus Emergency Source: FedEx Corp. SALT LAKE CITY--Co-Diagnostics, Inc. Designs Test for New Coronavirus Using CoPrimer Platform Source: Co-Diagnostics, Inc. CONCORD, Calif.--Coronavirus Inactivation Reported in Recent INTERCEPT Blood System Publication in Transfusion Medicine Source: Cerus Corporation CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--Moderna Announces Funding Award from CEPI to Accelerate Development of Messenger RNA (mRNA) Vaccine Against Novel Coronavirus Source: Moderna, Inc. TORONTO--At Times of Viral Global Outbreaks Like the Coronavirus, Ontario's Overcrowded, Underfunded Hospitals Severely Disadvantaged Source: Canadian Union of Public Employees FORT WORTH, Texas--Interest in EMist Electrostatic Technology Spikes as Coronavirus Spreads Around the Globe Source: EMist About Business Wire Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the global leader in news release distribution and regulatory disclosure. Investor relations, public relations, public policy and marketing professionals rely on Business Wire for secure and accurate distribution of market-moving news and multimedia. Founded in 1961, Business Wire is a trusted source for news organizations, journalists, investment professionals, and regulatory authorities, delivering news directly into editorial systems and leading online news sources via its multi-patented NX Network. Business Wire has 18 newsrooms worldwide to meet the needs of communications professionals and news media. Learn more at www.businesswire.com. Follow us on Twitter @businesswire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005028/en/ Another child crushed by home elevator, months after US regulators decided against safety recall. The little boy was pinned under the elevator. His face was turning blue. His dad, fearing he was dead, began to claw at the strip of metal sitting on his sons chest. His brother helped. They pried the metal piece free, stripping screws in the frantic effort. Kaleb Rice, four, began to breathe in ragged bursts. But he was still trapped. It was Thanksgiving Day 2019. Three generations of the Rice family gathered at Kalebs grandfathers home just outside Salt Lake City. The house had a residential elevator, installed for Kalebs grandmother, who could not use some limbs. Kaleb was caught under the elevator. No one in the family could imagine how it couldve happened. But the elevator industry understood. So did federal safety regulators. They had known for years that small children were injured and killed after being accidentally trapped between a residential elevators inner and outer doors, their tiny bodies crushed when the elevator car moved. They also knew about a simple way to prevent these accidents: a $100 (76) insert to block the gap. But the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) decided over the summer to not require companies to fix the elevators or conduct a safety recall, despite repeated pleas from victims families. The Utah case along with a previously unreported home elevator accident in North Carolina in 2017 highlights the potential costs of the governments reluctance to address some safety hazards, despite relatively simple solutions to a problem faced by children. Instead of a recall, the CPSCs acting chairwoman in August posted a brief safety alert about the elevator door gap on the agencys website and sent a similar notice to governors in every state. An agency spokesman had said the goal was to get a warning out quickly. Victims families, elevator safety officials and some CPSC commissioners called these actions inadequate at the time. It will fall on deaf ears, said Bob Shepherd, executive director of the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities, which certifies elevator inspectors. It will happen again, warned Mike Helvey, whose young son Jacob suffered a severe brain injury in a residential elevator accident. Four months later, it did. The CPSC has contacted Kalebs family but has not yet investigated the Utah incident. And the elevators manufacturer said it didnt know about it until the media reported it. And now a new family is asking why. It boggles the mind that they havent done more, said Kalebs mother, Mary Rice. Its not acceptable. Its just not. On Thanksgiving night, Mary Rice was helping set the dinner table when she heard her son screaming and crying. That was unusual for the boy. She ran towards the sound. It was coming from the elevator. She tried opening the outer door, but it was locked by an automatic safety device. Kaleb was trapped. But Mary Rice didnt understand the danger that her son faced. It didnt seem real or even possible, she recalls. Most residential elevators have two doors: a swinging exterior door and an accordion door on the elevator itself. The gap between these two doors has been recognised as a safety hazard for decades. At least eight children have been killed and two more seriously hurt in elevator entrapments since 1981, according to a CPSC database. But the true toll is hard to know. Some elevator safety experts suspect it is significantly higher. Otis Elevator which first identified the problem in the 1930s retrofitted thousands of its swing-door elevators with space guards to eliminate the gap after a child was killed in Maine in 2001. Otis officials also tried to sound the alarm that the problem was not unique to Otis, sending safety brochures and warning letters across the elevator industry in the mid-2000s. After a boy was fatally crushed by an elevator in 2003 in Michigan, elevator experts advocated shrinking the door gap to four inches, down from five inches, as codified by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), which sets voluntary safety standards. At first, the ASME rejected the idea. But as children continued to be killed or injured, the group finally agreed in 2016 to the four-inch rule. The ASME did not respond to a request for comment. Four inches is important. Thats the space often allowed between the railings on balconies and stairways because young children are too big to squeeze through. A four-inch gap between elevator doors should stop children from fitting into that space, elevator safety experts say. But not all states adopt the updated ASME codes. And the ASME code change applied only to elevators made after 2016. Nothing was done to address the gap on the 300,000 to 500,000 residential elevators already installed in homes and buildings across the country. The Rice familys elevator was manufactured in 2000 and installed two years later, according to interviews and photographs of the elevator. The elevator was made by National Wheel-O-Vator, which was acquired in 2008 by ThyssenKrupp Access, a division of the German conglomerate ThyssenKrupp. A company spokesman, Dennis Van Milligen, said in a statement: ThyssenKrupps top priority is the safety of both its employees and the riding public and that the company was still waiting to hear from the Rice family and the CPSC about the matter. ThyssenKrupp Access elevators were also involved in elevator door-gap accidents in Georgia in 2010 and Arkansas in 2017. Regulators have been uncooperative with requests made by families for answers (iStock) Three years after the 2010 accident the one involving Mike Helveys son Jacob ThyssenKrupp Access agreed to a deal with the CPSC. The company claimed it didnt know the locations of its residential elevators, but it agreed to send letters to its dealers to tell them about the problem and offer to pay 25 per cent of the estimated $75 (57) cost for a space guard to fix it, according to documents disclosed in a lawsuit. The letter instructed the dealers to mail warning notes to their customers and to tell the company about any responses. But those letters generated no response not a single dealer said it sent one out or got any response, according to documents from a lawsuit. The grandparents of Fletcher Hartz, who was fatally crushed by an elevator in Arkansas in 2017, said they never received a letter warning them of the danger. The Rice family, too, said it never got one. If my father-in-law had known, Mary Rice says, he wouldve fixed it in a heartbeat. As Kaleb cried, his mother hunted for the key to unlock the elevator door. Then Kaleb was silent. Alarmed, Mary Rice ran upstairs to see whether the elevator was there. Her husband, Kris Rice, ran downstairs. The elevator door downstairs was unlocked. And Kris Rice screamed. It was a sound I never want to hear again, Mary Rice recalled. She tried to run downstairs, but relatives held her back. Kris Rice recalls that he could see only his sons chest and face. Kalebs lower body was pinned under the elevator car. After Kris Rice and his brother pulled off the metal piece, the boy began to breathe. The boys grandfather, Kent Rice, ran to the homes garage and grabbed an automobile jack. The elevator sat on metal skids a few inches off the floor. Kaleb was trapped between them. There was just enough room for the jack to slide in, Kris Rice says. The men hoisted the car up a couple of inches and pulled Kaleb out. Kaleb was rushed to a childrens hospital, where he was checked for injuries. His mother sang him his favourite song over and over The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round to calm him. He suffered a bruise on his face and scrapes across his chest and back. But he appeared to have escaped serious injury. No one can believe how well hes doing, Mary Rice says. She soon discovered how lucky they were. That night in the hospital, she read an article from the previous summer describing the history of children being severely injured and killed in residential elevator accidents. Shortly after the accident, a CPSC investigator phoned Kris Rice and left a message. The agency also sent a letter to the family in mid-December. I am working on an investigation involving several similar incidents and I would like to ask you a few questions related to yours, read part of the letter. But the family was dealing with the holidays and the death of another relative. Kaleb was also frequently sick after the accident. The CPSC called again on 6 January. The Rices say they plan to talk to the CPSC. But they also say they feel a certain amount of distrust. Theyve seen how the agency has responded so far to the cases involving other parents. At the CPSC the safety regulator for 15,000 products, including residential elevators the elevator accidents continue to be a source of frustration and disputed decisions, according to interviews. More than one of the cases ended in serious injury, with one child unable to walk or talk (iStock) Last summer, four of the five agencys commissioners refused to sign on to the agencys safety alert because they didnt feel it went far enough, according to interviews and internal documents reviewed by The Post. These commissioners also didnt approve of allowing two elevator trade associations to sign on to the message. These two groups, the National Association of Elevator Contractors and the Accessibility Equipment Manufacturers Association, did not respond to requests for comment. The alert finally came from just then-acting chairwoman Ann Marie Buerkle, who resigned from the agency in October and is now working at the Washington lobbying firm Williams and Jensen. Buerkle also sent a letter to governors to ask for their help with the problem. But that letter did not find its target. The letter sent to Utahs governor never reached the states Labour Commission, which houses the states elevator safety program, so the group didnt know about it, according to a state government spokesman. It also didnt matter. The law in Utah, like many states, specifically excludes residential elevators from regulation. Now, after learning about the Utah accident, some CPSC commissioners want the agency to take another crack at fixing the problem. Its immoral for those involved in the manufacture of this product to leave this out there unaddressed, Elliot Kaye, one of the CPSC commissioners who declined to sign on to Buerkles letter, says. Commissioner Peter Feldman says he felt excluded from last summers negotiations with the elevator industry and supports tougher action by the agency. I dont know whats taking so long, Feldman says. He says the matter is complicated, but that still shouldnt prevent the agency from doing its job. One problem for the CPSC is figuring out who to go after: one company or an entire industry. Agency officials also struggled with the elevator industrys claim that the gap problem might be caused by the elevators installation, not its design, raising more doubts about who is responsible, according to agency officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. The result is more delays. The industry couldve solved this problem 10 times over in the time it would take any federal agency, says a senior agency official. Robert Adler, who took over as acting chairman when Buerkle left, says that the small regulatory agency lacks the resources to push back against industry opposition. In a more perfect world, we would never have to choose to prioritise one safety hazard over another. But the unfortunate reality is that this agency has never been properly funded. Until that happens, we triage issues, Adler says. But I can assure you, every childs death keeps me up at night, and we are exploring every option for action on this issue. Another elevator accident also recently surfaced a case that illustrates how attempts to alert authorities can be thwarted and points to the possibility that these incidents are much more widespread than believed. Last fall, Matt Reber tried to alert the CPSC to an elevator entrapment incident using the agency website designated for reporting potential product safety problems. SaferProducts.gov was created for this purpose. 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 says. Reber says 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 Norah stood in the gap, narrowly missing the young girl. Reber and a friend pulled out Norah before the elevator descended, he says. Shortly after the incident, Reber says he called the rental company, the elevator maintenance company and ASME to report what happened. No one was taking responsibility, he said. Everyone is just pointing the finger at someone else. Reber decided to file a report on SaferProducts.gov. On his online form, Reber noted that reading stories about what happened to other children, I consider my daughter extremely lucky. Why the installation of this spacer is not a requirement is beyond me. But he didnt know the elevators manufacturer or model name. It was a beach rental home. So he left those fields blank. In response, Reber received a form notice saying his Safer Products report was rejected because of the missing information. He never received any follow-up from the agency, despite leaving his contact information. Asked about Rebers case, the CPSC says it was checking what happened. Recently, Mike and Brandi Helvey were driving from their home near Atlanta to Orlando, Florida. Itd been nearly a decade since their son Jacob was seriously injured in a residential elevator accident. Jacob, now 12, cannot walk or talk. They were driving to another therapy session for Jacob when they learned about what happened in Utah. Another child, another elevator. It was the kind of scenario they had been warning about for years, including last April, when they had visited the CPSCs headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, to ask the agency to take action. Its just going to continue, Brandi Helvey says. The Washington Post Chinese business records show that Shu appointed Cong in 2018 as his company legal representative and later as manager. Shu stated that, at one stage, he had directed Cong to transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars to finance the disputed business venture at the centre of Shus lawsuit. He had done so, he said, due to daily limits on the amount I could transfer from my bank account. Back in 2014, Congs use of Australian bank accounts sparked a major Australian Federal Police money laundering operation. Police have alleged in court, in the prosecution of one of Congs co-accused, that Cong was directing Chinese students to launder millions of dollars. Police claim that at the direction of Mr Cong one criminal cash runner deposited $4,059,636 into various bank accounts on 68 occasions in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney. Shiyu Cong. This week, both the federal police and the NSW police confirmed a warrant was issued for Congs arrest in 2015 after he failed to show up at his court case and fled Australia. The first time Congs name has been mentioned in an Australian court since his aborted trial and a string of other money laundering cases was in January, when Shu described Cong as his trusted business partner. When Shu was asked by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald this week if he would tell the federal police where Cong was hiding, he answered: what Mr Cong experienced before becoming my colleague has nothing to do with the court case against swindler Wang Liqiang. Shu also has some other notable associations. He was previously a student organiser for the Australian Chinese Workers Association, a body linked to the Chinese Communist Party. He has also had dealings with billionaire Huang Xiangmo, who has been expelled from Australia by ASIO as a suspected agent of foreign interference. The Australian Financial Review reported in December that Shu has declined to answer questions about a 2016 donation at a Chinese Friends of Labor dinner in Sydney being examined by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption. ICAC has been probing if Huang Xiangmo used straw donors to funnel money into Australian politics, a claim denied by Huang. Shu also worked for Chinese Communist Party aligned NSW councillor Simon Zhous gold business, of which a subsidiary collapsed with an unpaid $2.3 million tax bill. Shu goes to court, and then ... Within hours of lodging his legal documents in late January, Mr Shus close associates were calling journalists across Sydney. Shu had time on his side. Wang was in hiding at an undisclosed location as the federal police investigated death threats from China linked to Wangs claims of being a Chinese intelligence operative. One experienced journalist who received Shus documents was sceptical, and decided not to rush into print without further checking. Another who reviewed the files before they had been given any publicity, the AFRs Neil Chenoweth, was also cautious. Chenoweth had broken the story about Shus involvement in a suspect donation being probed by ICAC. He thought it odd that Shu had brought a debt recovery action in Australia, where Wang has about $2000 in the bank. The obvious place for Shus claim, since it involves a dispute over a Chinese business deal and assets in China, appears to be China. Wang Liqiang, who claims to be a spy defecting to Australia. Credit:Steven Siewert If the case is a genuine attempt to get at Wangs Australian assets, it will likely be fruitless. Chenoweth wrote on Friday that to freeze Wangs meagre savings, Shu has already spent more than $20,000 on legal fees. But the story that Sydney woke up to on January 31 did not mention Shus ties to fugitive Cong Shiyu or to the ASIO target Huang Xiangmo. The attempt to discredit Wang Back in November, hours after Wang made public his explosive claims of Chinese spying, the Chinese government first publicised Shus fraud allegations. A few days later they released an unverified video purporting to show Wang accepting a legal sanction for separate financial crimes. Wang denies its him in the video, but the intention appeared to have been to discredit him. It is not suggested Shu worked with the CCP in coordinating the attack on Wang's credibility. Loading But Wangs claims of spying have sparked serious and ongoing investigations in Taiwan, and ASIO and the federal police have both stated they are taking Mr Wangs claims seriously. Some of his claims can not be proven but others check out, a source said. He was involved with players involved in that world [intelligence]. One of the people Wang said he was involved with was Xiang Xin, the man who Wang claims was his boss and who ran a Hong Kong intelligence front. Xiang was arrested in Taiwan in November and remains barred from returning to Hong Kong under the countrys National Security Law. Taiwanese authorities have confirmed some of Wangs claims about Xiang, including his past working for a Chinese military technology agency. Xiang denies all wrongdoing or even knowing Wang. Whether it's wine and chocolates in a hotel room or a takeaway and a night on the sofa at home, millions of people around the world will celebrate Valentine's Day today with special gestures for their loved ones. But not so in some parts of Muslim-majority Indonesia, where celebrations and displays of affection were banned for violating the country's 'culture and ethics'. Authorities in Makassar, on Sulawesi island, and Depok, near the capital Jakarta, both warned people against public shows of affection, while celebrations were also banned across the entirety of Sharia Law province Banda Aceh. Two dozen 'unmarried' couples were arrested after police raided hotel rooms in Makassar, Indonesia, on Valentine's Day in a crackdown on 'immoral' behaviour Those arrested included a German national who was given a stern lecture and released, while five alleged sex workers were sent to a rehabilitation centre Police in Makassar carried out raids on guest houses on Friday, arresting around two dozen unmarried couples found sharing rooms, including a German national. 'We caught the German with his Indonesian partner in a motel and they weren't husband and wife so that's why we arrested them,' Iman Hud, head of the local public order office, told AFP. The unlucky lovers were quickly released after a lecture about the evils of pre-marital sex, but five sex workers caught in the dragnet would be sent to a rehabilitation centre, he added. 'These social illnesses must be prevented. We need to remind the public to uphold our culture and ethics,' Hud said. Makassar has also banned the open sale of condoms and applied strict age checks to make sure those buying them are over the age of consent - which is 16. 'Condoms are for married adults,' public order chief Hud said. 'They're not supposed to be displayed and sold openly, particularly near snacks for kids like chocolate.' A group of Indonesian Muslim students take part in an anti-Valentine's Day rally in Surabaya Police in the city of Depok and in Banda Aceh province also warned couples against public displays of affection which violates the 'culture and ethics' of Indonesia Makassar's acting mayor Muhammad Iqbal Samad Suhae insisted the measures were necessary to prevent his city from being paralysed by rampant sex and drug use. 'Festivities like Valentine's Day usually attract youth,' he added. 'That's when they are out of control and doing things which violate our norms and traditions, like consuming drugs and engaging in free sex. 'We want to prevent that here.' In Depok city administrators also warned students against any Valentine's romance under threat of unspecified sanctions for violators. But, just 15 miles away in Jakarta, restaurants and cafe's openly displayed Valentine's decorations - underlining the different attitudes held in different parts of the country. Across the archipelago in conservative Aceh, the only region in Indonesia that imposes Sharia law, a government circular called for residents not to celebrate the romantic day and to report any violations. The document also told restaurants, cafes and hotels not to provide space for celebrations and asked clerics to deliver speeches on the danger of Valentine's Day. The latest crackdown comes after the national government last year backed off a bill that would have made pre-marital sex illegal. About 24% of Waco-area households aged 65 and older are cost-burdened, according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. That means more than 30% of their income goes toward housing. Additionally, the number of households headed by people 65 and older continues to grow, jumping from 27 million in 2012 to 31 million in 2017, according to a report by the Harvard University research and public outreach unit. The number of older adults with cost burdens reached a record high of 10 million in that time, as well. Val Deleon, vice president of development for Housing Trust Group, said the proposed development would have almost 100 units, half two-bedrooms units and the other half one-bedroom units. Rent is based on income and the number of family members in the household, but it ranges from $242 to $726 a month for a one-bedroom. The Brazos project is competing for tax credits against two other Waco developments, two in Temple and one in Bryan-College Station, Deleon said. The tax credit program is the most successful program thats ever been created to finance and develop affordable housing, he said. Episode 26: Fire and Water Producer/Director Andrea Schmidt Protesters clutching smartphones and wearing masks took to the streets. Armor-clad riot police fired water cannons and tear gas to reassert authority. For months, the two sides clashed in a spate of increasingly violent confrontations at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The siege of PolyU last November was the climax of intense confrontations between the Hong Kong police, who had exhausted their tolerance for dissent, and protesters who refused to give up their freedoms without a fight. Watch video from the front lines at PolyU as the area was turned into an urban battlefield. Listen to masked protesters, too frightened to speak openly, describe on camera how they barricaded themselves inside university buildings and desperately tried to escape days after riot police stormed the school. Featured reporters Reporters and editors in The New York Timess Hong Kong and Beijing bureaus collaborated with members of our visual investigations team to reconstruct the chaotic events leading up to the siege of PolyU for this episode of The Weekly. They include Keith Bradsher, the Shanghai bureau chief who used to be the bureau chief in Hong Kong; Javier C. Hernandez, a correspondent in Beijing; Barbara Marcolini of the visual investigations team; Tiffany May, who is based in the Hong Kong bureau; Edward Wong, a diplomatic and international correspondent in Washington who previously served as Beijing bureau chief; and Gillian Wong, The Timess China editor in Hong Kong. (@ChaudhryMAli88) WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th February, 2020) Oshkosh Defense has won a $407 million US Army modification contract to provide Joint Light Tactical Vehicles for two NATO member states in Europe - Lithuania and Slovenia, the Department of Defense said in a press release. "Oshkosh Defense [of] Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $407,335,834 modification... contract to procure Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and associated kits," the release said on Friday. Work on the contract will be performed in Oshkosh in the US state of Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of January 31, 2022, the Defense Department said. The US Marine Corps service has nearly doubled the number of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles it plans to purchase from 9,000 to 15,000 to replace its aging Humvee force. The Humvee is a military light truck, but during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq it proved vulnerable to improvised explosive devices and projectiles. The enigmatic artist posted two images of the Marsh Street mural to his Instagram account at the strike of midnight on Friday, emphasising the pieces Valentines Day theme. The artwork depicts a young girl firing roses from a slingshot which then erupt into a playful explosion of red flowers. Residents in the Barton Hill area of the city awoke on Thursday to find the striking piece, which was instantly linked to the Bristol-based artist and prankster. It appeared on a rented home owned by Edwin Simons, who celebrated his 67th birthday that same day. His daughter, Kelly Woodruff, 37, found out about it after being tagged in a Facebook post. Weve been down here all day and its just been a complete buzz of excitement, she said prior to this mornings revelation. Theres so many people coming and enjoying it, taking pictures, its fantastic. Theres been a lot of debate if it is a Banksy or not. Most people Ive spoken to think it 100% is, and theyre naming it the Valentines Banksy. Its incredible and beautiful. The family are looking to cover up the artwork with glass to preserve it. 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 My slight worry is, weve got this Storm Dennis coming on the weekend, so I really want to try and protect the roses, she added. News of the Banksy first emerged on Twitter, with Bristol Somali Community Association writing: 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. Thank you. One local resident, James Bullock, saw scaffolding on the wall at about 6.20am on Thursday. He walked past it later with his girlfriend and was stunned to see the artwork had appeared. 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 Banksy expert John Brandler told the Standard on Thursday he felt certain it was an original Banksy owing to its characteristic black stencil style and lack of signature. "He didn't sign it because he wanted the artwork to speak for itself, just like he did with 'Season's Greetings' in Wales. It shouldn't need a signature to tell you its a Banksy He added: "It's an amazing piece, by god I'd love to own it. The Karnataka high court on Friday stayed the Competition Commission of India (CCI)s investigation into alleged anti-competitive practices, including predatory pricing and preferential treatment of sellers, by Amazon India and Walmart-owned Flipkart. The court granted eight weeks to the e-commerce majors to file their responses, and is expected to resume hearing thereafter, three people aware of the development said. On February 10, Amazon had filed a writ petition before the HC against the CCIs January decision to launch a probe following complaints that the e-commerce platforms had misused their dominant positions. Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh (DVM), a group representing small- and medium-sized businesses, had approached the CCI alleging business malpractices by Amazon and Flipkart, which included preferential treatment to sellers affiliated with, or controlled by, the companies, predatory pricing, and exclusive arrangements with mobile phone brands. The CCI, in its order, had observed that the exclusive arrangements between brands and e-commerce companies, and the allegations of preferential treatment to certain sellers warranted an investigation. In its petition before the Karnataka high court, Amazon likened the CCIs actions to an open-ended fishing expedition and accused it of jurisdictional overreach. An advocate representing Amazon said that the company was compliant with foreign direct investment (FDI) laws and argued that it was being wrongly probed under the competition act by CCI. The court observed that the CCI order does not meet the test of prima facie opinion being formed about the need for an investigation, advocates appearing in the case said. The court order comes as a breather to Amazon and Flipkart amid intensifying scrutiny of e-commerce companies by Indian authorities. It is highly unusual for a CCI investigation to be thwarted even before it has been completed, experts said. A stay of an investigation initiated by the CCI is not normally granted unless there is an inherent question of jurisdiction, or there is a significant infirmity apparent on the face of the record, said Abdullah Hussain, partner, L&L Partners. (But) the high court has stayed the investigation only temporarily and the order of the CCI may yet be upheld in the final decision, he added. DVM, and its parent body, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), said they will file an appeal against the HC order. It also said that its representatives will meet commerce minister Piyush Goyal and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and requesting them to initiate an Enforcement Directorate investigation against the two e-commerce firms. On Thursday, Goyal said at a summit that e-commerce players should strictly adhere to foreign investment laws and that it certainly does not look and feel and smell right when a company makes a loss of 6,000 crore on a revenue of 5,000 crore. This was in reference to the huge losses reported by Flipkart and Amazon over the years. Goyal said the CCI or his ministry would not have to probe e-tailers if they adhered to the letter and spirit of the law. Flipkart and Amazon control an overwhelming majority of Indias fast-growing e-commerce market, which stood at $30.8 billion in 2019, according to RedSeer Consulting. Setting aside their rivalry, Flipkart and Amazon are sailing together against the observations of the regulator. Ranchi, Feb 14 : The Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand on Friday ordered the suspension of ADGP (CID) Anurag Gupta in connection with the conduct of the Rajya Sabha polls in the state in 2016. Gupta, a 1990-batch IPS officer, was accused of working in favour of a BJP candidate at the behest of the then state government headed by Raghubar Das. In an audio clip that went viral, the Additional Director General of Police (Gupta) was heard talking to Congress leader Yogendra Sao and asking the latter to vote for his legislator wife Nirmla Devi. He was accused of using foul language against the then Leader of Opposition and present Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Soren had lodged an FIR against Gupta at the Scheduled Tribes police station in Ranchi in 2016. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) had complained to the Election Commission against Gupta. Following EC orders, an FIR was lodged against the police officer and then CM's Press Adviser Ajay Kumar in 2018 at the Jaggnath police station. FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland By Stephanie Kelly NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices rose over 1% on Friday, posting their first weekly gain since early January as investors bet the economic impact of the coronavirus would be short-lived and hoped for further Chinese central bank stimulus to tackle any slowdown. Brent crude rose 98 cents, or 1.74%, to settle at $57.32 a barrel. It rose 5.23% since last Friday, its first weekly increase in six weeks. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures gained 63 cents, or 1.23%, to settle at $52.05 a barrel. The weekly rise was 3.44%. "The massive liquidation process that drove prices sharply lower last month has likely been completed and is being replaced by accumulation as well as short-covering from speculators who have recently entered the market," Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates, said in a note. Brent has fallen around 15% year to date in part due to worries the coronavirus outbreak would stunt the global economy. More than 1,380 people have died from the virus in China. However, market sentiment improved as factories in China started to reopen and the government eased monetary policy in the world's second largest economy. The World Health Organization said the jump in China's reported cases did not necessarily mean a wider epidemic but reflected a decision to reclassify a backlog of suspected cases. "Our baseline thesis remains that oil demand destruction remains largely a China story and has yet to spill over to impact global demand," said Helima Croft, head of commodity strategy at Citadel Magnus. The International Energy Agency (IEA) said the outbreak should knock first-quarter oil demand down from a year earlier for the first time since the financial crisis in 2009. (Graphic: Chinese, World Oil Demand Growth, y-o-y - https://tmsnrt.rs/31N6jMY) In response to the demand slump, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allied producers, known as OPEC+, are considering deepening production cuts. Story continues The Kremlin said it has not yet reached a decision on further output curbs. But industry sources said a growing oil glut in Russia and the promise of a flood of dollars from the sale of a leading bank are strengthening the case. UBS investment bank said in a note that commodity demand concerns were likely to linger and "the asset class should display a fair bit of volatility in the coming weeks." "We assume China's economic activity as well as commodity demand will recover" from the second quarter, it said. In the United States, energy firms increased oil rigs for a second straight week, adding two and bringing the total to 678, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said. Money managers cut their net long U.S. crude futures and options positions in the week to Feb. 11 by 15,446 contracts to 147,071, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said. (Additional reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in London, Roslan Khasawneh and Koustav Samanta in Singapore; Editing by Marguerita Choy and David Gregorio) It looked like the typical New York restaurant that is, real estate story. In May, the chef Jonathan Waxmans restaurant Barbuto closed after nearly 16 years as a treasured fixture of the West Village. The quirky building had been sold, and the landlord wanted the space for a different use. But on Feb. 25, less than a year later, it is set to reopen not far from the original. Were 300 steps away, Mr. Waxman said. I couldnt be happier. Barbuto, Italian for bearded and a reference to Mr. Waxmans own facial hair, was a neighborhood hangout that drew an artsy celebrity crowd thanks in large part to the chefs marquee prestige, and his cooking, which filtered Italy through a California lens. She sat there very quietly and still, he says. As I took the photos, we were discussing all sorts of things along the way, including the horror of her experiences in London. She is an extraordinary person. And that is evident in the image we see in The Look. In her book Portraits and Persons: A philosophical inquiry, US art writer Cynthia Freeland suggests that while the goal of portraiture seems strange to create an inanimate object/image that purports to represent a persons distinctive soul, essence or air there is certainly something mysterious about portraits, and we gravitate towards that enigma. Often, she writes, portraits depict people in a way that makes them look amazingly alive and present and they often seem to look directly back at us. Loading Exploring the diverse array of portraits in The Look including actors, sportspeople, models, musicians, activists, academics, artists, a chef, choreographer, racing-car driver and even some Play School presenters we might ruminate on Freelands proposition that portraiture explores issues such as the inner versus the outer self, as well as the very definition of self. How, Freeland asks, do alchemist portrait artists succeed in their project to make their sitters appear alive with psychological awareness, consciousness and an inner emotional life? The two curators for The Look, Gilmour and her former colleague Sarah Engledow, are thoughtful on these points. Gilmour says the show is an opportunity to dismantle perceptions about portraiture as being boring old paintings in boardrooms and town halls or august, stuffy, elitist institutions. This exhibition is a way of celebrating that portraiture can be a sexy, fun, surprising genre. She reckons the sitters are unified in being distinctly themselves and comfortable in their own skins when captured by their various photographers (many of whom are stars in their own right). And Engledow, writing in The Look catalogue, observes that the word look operates as both verb and noun in the show: there is the way the portrait sitters look us in the eye as we look back; and there is the look or attitude they adopt come-hither, quizzical, enigmatic or melting. If youre an actor, you can turn on a look of nonchalant heat, like Heath Ledger; a doubtful look, like Rose Byrne; or a sceptical look like Bryan Brown, she writes. Loading The Look grew out of a two-pronged idea: to demonstrate the possibilities for the portraiture genre and, simultaneously, to display a cross-section of the best contemporary photos in the NPG collection. That cross-section inevitably means there is a diversity of ages, cultures, vocations and demographics in the photos on show. There is also a great breadth of time stretching from Noni Hazelhurst (1977 Lorrie Graham) and Edmund Capon (1986 Neil Duncan) to Gary Edes portraits of The Saints (1978) and Steve Kilbey (1981), to Michael Hutchence (1997 Harry Borden) and Russell Page (1998 Tracey Moffatt), right up to the present. It is the whole NPG collection in microcosm, Gilmour says. This ranges from a very conscious projection of look, such as the Maggie Tabberer portrait (2015 Alana Landsberry) to something more casual Petrina Hicks magnificently direct 2008 portrait of surfer Layne Beachley. There is also a suite of gently piercing portraits from the Michael Riley portfolio, and an intimate, unconscious moment photographed by Brett Canet-Gibson in 1998 a 15-year-old Ian Thorpe moments before the race in which he became the worlds youngest-ever swimming world champion. As with his Thorpe photo, Canet-Gibson usually shoots against a black backdrop, and usually outdoors, and he is well-known for taking weekly, random streetside portraits of passersby, whom he invites to go before the lens. Among his many stunning images is one taken in 2016 of Indigenous performer Trevor Jamieson. It won the peoples choice award for the NPGs National Photographic Portrait Prize in 2017. Trevor Jamieson, 2016. Inkjet print. National Portrait Gallery, Canberra Credit:Brett Canet-Gibson Little wonder: the image is arresting for its brilliant clarity. Jamieson might be there in the flesh, so direct is his gaze and so detailed his immense beard. A WA actor, dancer and musician, Jamieson was performing on the day Canet-Gibson arranged to photograph him. They went outside, Jamieson stood there and, Canet-Gibson says, he seemed to project out of himself towards the camera. As soon as I got him in front of the camera it was on, he says. He is just magnetic. It is just one of those portraits you shoot, and you just know it has worked. Some people transcend themselves, and Trevor is one of them. He is so comfortable on stage and he has a certain energy he gives off. My thing is to try and get out of the way of the portrait. Adam Knott had heard all about the energy of his famous sitter-to-be, Bryan Brown: dont waste his time, he was told, because he can be prickly. Knott has had a stunning career shooting celebrity portraits for premier magazines in Los Angeles, New York and Australia, but he was still nervous about taking Browns photo in 2008. Celebrities are busy people, Knott says. I was told by his people not to waste any time, just do the job and get going. He is a living legend, a bit of an icon and when you meet your heroes, you want to impress. Or at least not upset them. The moment arrived and Brown walked straight up to Knott in the studio and said: OK, mate, what are we doing? Knott ran him through the process: the photographer had organised three different set-ups and he would shoot Brown in each one, quick as he could. Brown then went off to make-up and the stylists for 45 minutes, returned, and was put through the scenes by Knott. Bryan Brown 2008. Inkjet print. National Portrait Gallery, Canberra Credit:Adam Knott We moved along like a speeding freight train, Knott says. It was just him, myself and the studio his people had gone off. On the third set, I said Thats it, Bryan, weve got it. He was like, Youre kidding. After leaving the set to have his make-up removed, Brown returned and, in front of all the minders, stylists and other staff, said to Knott: I bloody love you mate. I said Why? He said Mate, you are so fast and so good, and now I can go and have lunch with my daughter. You dont know how much that means to me. He shook my hand and that was it, he was gone. Julian Kingma was far more leisurely when he did portraits of musician Gotye (Wally Wouter De Backer) in 2013. The pair visited De Backers parents Mornington Peninsula farm and in the soft light of morning moved about among the trees taking snaps. Wally (Wouter) De Backer 2013. National Portrait Gallery, Canberra Credit:Julian Kingma We were just walking around chatting, says Kingma, a former Sunday Age photographer. It was a combination of a great spot and nice light. I am a quiet photographer and he is quite a solitary, thoughtful person, so I made it about that. It was nothing spectacular I did I was in the right spot. But, as Kingma says, he shoots his photos quickly and instinctually and that means the suggestion that we are seeing somewhat into the soul of the subject certainly comes through. Can portraiture really do that? Hicks seems to think so. Her traumatic experiences in nearly losing her life in the London bombings have perhaps enhanced her appreciation of human experience. In The Look portraits, she is pleased to see so much evidence of human imperfections such as laughter lines and wrinkles, rather than flawless beauty. Tourists pose continued risks for disease transmission to endangered mountain gorillas 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. This story has been published on: 2020-02-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 09:49:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- China has stepped up efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Here are the latest developments: -- Hubei Province reported 4,823 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection and 116 new deaths on Thursday, bringing the total confirmed cases in the hard-hit province to 51,986. The new confirmed cases included 3,095 clinically diagnosed cases and the new deaths included eight who were clinically diagnosed. The capital city of Wuhan reported 3,910 new infections and 88 new deaths on Thursday. -- An expert from Wuhan called upon cured patients who had been infected with the virus to donate plasma at hospitals as antibodies have been identified in the plasma of some patients. -- A four-month-old baby infected with the novel coronavirus was discharged from hospital on Wednesday after recovery in east China's Jiangxi Province. -- Chinese authorities on Thursday stressed differentiated measures for different regions to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak and demanded efforts to improve patient treatment and expedite research on drugs at a high-level meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang. -- Vice Premier Hu Chunhua called for all-out efforts to ensure stable employment amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. In the first meeting with his new cabinet Boris Johnson and his team signed off on a new Ausralian-style points-based immigration system, which will prohibit any EU migrant earning under 23,000 per year from entering the country in a move to end reliance on unskilled labour. Home Office analysis estimates the system is expected to slash the number of low skilled workers arriving from the EU by 90,000 a year. In most cases, skilled migrants will have to have a job offer paying more than 25,600 - a lower threshold than currently applies to migrants from outside the EU. Migrants will also earn points for how well they speak English. In some cases migrants taking jobs paying as little as 23,000 could be granted visas, depending on their skills. All migrants will need to have a secure job offer in place, with more points awarded for areas there are shortages. Those with higher levels of education, or those who were educated in the UK, will also earn more points. 'The system will be simpler and fairer and ill not discriminae between countries and would return democratic control of immigration to the British people,' a Downing Street office spokesman said. Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel (R) and Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (L) arrive for the first meeting of the cabinet the day after a reshuffle at 10 Downing Street in central London earlier today British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during his first Cabinet meeting after a reshuffle the day before, inside 10 Downing Street, at Downing Street, London today 'The PM stressed that we must demonstrate that the UK is open and welcoming to talent from across the world but the new system would end reliance on importing cheap, low-skilled labour -bringing down immigration numbers overall.' Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel are understood to have agreed the framework of a new points-based system which will close the route for low-skilled migrants to come to the UK. Home Office analysis of the proposals suggests they will cut the number of migrants arriving from the EU each year by 90,000, all of them low-skilled. The most recent official figures show a total of 200,000 EU citizens a year come to the UK under free movement rules, so the new proposals could see this figure almost halved. The new points-based system, to be introduced on 1 January next year, will apply whether migrants are coming from the EU or the rest of the world. The Home Office will focus on introducing the simple system at the end of this year. Ministers will then spend next year considering possible refinements, such as awarding extra points for younger workers and those planning to work outside London. Those educated in the UK could also gain additional points, providing an incentive for foreign students to study in this country. Signage is seen at the UK border control point at the arrivals area of Heathrow Airport, London, September 3, 2018. Migrants will also earn points for how well they speak English. In some cases migrants taking jobs paying as little as 23,000 could be granted visas, depending on their skills The government will also consider potential short-term visa schemes for shortage professions, such as care work and construction, although ministers are keen to put pressure on business to train up home-grown workers rather than continue to rely on cheap labour from overseas. The new 25,600 salary threshold is lower than the existing 30,000 level that applies to migrants coming from outside the EU. Privately, ministers acknowledge that this will contribute to an increase in the number of skilled migrants moving to the UK. But they believe this will be offset by the fall in the number of low-skilled workers coming here, allowing the PM to keep his manifesto pledge to reduce overall immigration levels. Umesh Jadhav is a special guest at the wreath-laying ceremony at Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPFs) campus in Kashmirs Lethpora on Friday to mark a year of Pulwama attack. The Bengaluru-based musician travelled more than 61,000km across the country to meet families of the 40 troopers, who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack last year. The 40 men were killed after a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist rammed a vehicle carrying explosives into their convoy of 78 buses on Srinagar-Jammu national highway on February 14, 2019. Jadhav met the families of the CRPF personnel to collect soils from their homes, which has been placed at the memorial at CRPFs Lethpora camp. I am proud that I met all the families of Pulwama martyrs and sought their blessings. Parents lost their son, wives lost their husbands, children lost their fathers, friends lost their friends, Umesh Jadhav was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. I collected soil from their houses and their cremation grounds, Jadhav added. Jadhav was at the memorial which was inaugurated at the Lethpora camp on Friday and handed over the urn with the soil to CRPFs additional director general Zulfiquar Hasan. Investigation is being done by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). It is proceeding in the right direction. As far as I know, they have made huge progress. Weve tried our best to take care of martyrs families, Hasan said, according to ANI. The names of all the 40 personnel are part of the memorial near the place where Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Adeel Ahmed Dar, driving an explosive-laden car, blew himself next to a convoy. Reports said Jadhav, the 40-year-old pharmacist-turned-musician, began his journey to meet the families of the Pulwama martyrs after he saw the news of the attack being flashed at the airport in Rajasthans Ajmer. Almost all the conspirators behind the Pulwama attack have since been killed. Qari Yasir, the self-styled Kashmir chief of Jaish-e-Mohammad, was killed last month. NIA has filed a supplementary chargesheet against four Jaish-e-Mohammad operatives including Sajjad Ahmad Khan, who was in direct touch with last years Pulwama attack mastermind Mudassir Khan, who is now dead. Others charged under terror charges by NIA on February 12 include Bilal Ahmad Mir, Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat and Mehraj-ud-Din Chopan. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 03:27:08|Editor: yan Video Player Close MOSCOW, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The new Russian government approved Thursday amendments to the 2020-2022 federal budget aimed at funding measures outlined by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his address to the Federal Assembly last month. The amendments provide for maintaining the budget surplus at 0.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) this year, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said at Thursday's government meeting, according to an official transcript. He said budget revenues will rise by 214 billion rubles (around 3.4 billion U.S. dollars) in 2020, by 645 billion rubles in 2021 and by 755 billion rubles in 2022. The revenue increase will be provided by the growth of the proceeds from sales other than oil and gas resources and the rise of tax and customs payments, as well as of dividends of enterprises with a state stake, Siluanov added. Additional budget expenditures for measures outlined in Putin's address will exceed 2 trillion rubles in 2020-2022, he said. The Russian government headed by Dmitry Medvedev resigned after Putin's address, and a new cabinet headed by former Federal Tax Service chief Mikhail Mishustin was formed. ST. LOUIS Feb. 13, 2020 Tuesday, March 3, 2020 Wednesday, March 4, 2020 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) Michael F. Neidorff Jeffrey A. Schwaneke Canada 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Wednesday 9 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Thursday Canada /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today issued a reminder that it will provide its consolidated 2020 annual guidance, including WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (WellCare), after the close of trading on, and host a conference call onat approximately, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of Centene Corporation will host the call.Investors and other interested parties are invited to listen to the conference call by dialing 1-877-883-0383 in the U.S. and; +1-412-902-6506 from abroad, including the following Elite Entry Number:, to expedite caller registration; or via a live, audio webcast on the Company's website at www.centene.com, under the Investors section.A webcast replay will be available for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call for the next 12 months or until, March 3, 2021, at the aforementioned URL. In addition, a digital audio playback will be available until, March 12, 2020, by dialing 1-877-344-7529 in the U.S. and, or +1-412-317-0088 from abroad, and entering access codeCentene Corporation, a Fortune 100 company, is a leading multi-national healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach - with local brands and local teams - to provide fully integrated, high quality, and cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to nearly 1 in 15 Americans across all 50 U.S. states, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan) as well as individuals served by the Health Insurance Marketplace and the TRICARE program. The Company also serves several international markets. Centene emphasizes long-term growth by prioritizing its people, systems and capabilities so that it can better serve its members, providers, local communities and government partners.Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, http://www.centene.com/investors. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/reminder-centene-corporations-2020-consolidated-guidance-conference-call-301004288.html SOURCE Centene Corporation Supreme Court Judge Justice R Banumathi fainted during the hearing in the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case in the apex court today. She was hearing the submissions made by the Centre on separate execution of convicts in the case. She was taken into the chamber immediately after she fainted. The bench has adjourned the case and said that the order will be released later. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said "Justice R Banumathi was having high fever and she still has high fever. She is being examined by the doctors in the chamber. She was on medication when she was hearing the case." The top court on Friday dismissed the petition of Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder convict Vinay Kumar Sharma challenging the rejection of mercy petition by President Ram Nath Kovind. Supreme Court also said in its order that the medical reports stated that Vinay is psychologically fit and his medical condition is stable. The apex court dismissed his petition, finding it devoid of merit. Vinay Sharma, one of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape case, had filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court challenging the rejection of his mercy petition by the President of India. On February 1, President Ram Nath Kovind had rejected the mercy petition of Vinay Sharma in the case. The mercy petitions of convicts Akshay Thakur and Mukesh Singh have also been rejected. The Delhi High Court on February 5 granted a week's time to the four convicts to avail of all legal remedies available to them and said that the convicts cannot be hanged separately since they were convicted for the same crime. A Delhi Court had issued a death warrant against the four convicts -- Vinay Sharma, Akshay Thakur, Pawan Gupta, and Mukesh Singh -- on January 7 and they were scheduled to be executed on January 22 at Tihar Jail. Later, the execution was suspended indefinitely by a Delhi court. The case pertains to the gang-rape and brutalizing 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. The woman had 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 DC: The United States has called for making Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed accountable for his involvement in the planning of "numerous acts of terrorism, including 2008 Mumbai attacks". "We continue to call for Hafiz Saeed to be held accountable for his involvement in the planning of numerous acts of terrorism, including 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 innocent people, including 6 Americans," US State Department spokesperson said on Thursday (February 13, 2020). US State Department spokesperson said this while commenting on the Saeed`s conviction in terror financing cases. The spokesperson said Hafiz Saeed`s conviction on terror financing is a step towards curtailing the operation of a terrorist group that threatens peace and stability in South Asia. "We urge Pakistan to continue to take appropriate legal action against individuals who commit acts of terrorism, raise funds for, or advocate for terrorism," the official said. On Wednesday, Alice Wells, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of US for South and Central Asian Affairs had 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 Jamaat-ud -Dawa (JuD) Hafiz Saeed to five-and-a-half years in prison each in two terror financing cases. Pakistan based 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. COLONIE Former U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson will be the 12th president of Siena College, returning to his alma mater as the first non-friar to lead the school. The Loudonville college announced Gibson's appointment Friday in the Sarazen Student Union. "I believe at this time in our country's history, we need Siena graduates now more than ever," Gibson told the assembled campus community. The announcement follows a months-long search to replace Siena's former president, Brother Edward Coughlin, who died unexpectedly in July at age 71. Coughlin, a beloved figure known on campus as "Brother Ed," suffered a massive stroke during scheduled surgery to repair a congenital heart defect. Gibson's five-year term will begin in July, the school said in an announcement that was rich with praise for the 55-year-old former elected official. I am deeply grateful to the Board for the high privilege of serving as Sienas next president, and I am sincerely humbled to have been appointed as the Colleges first permanent lay leader, Gibson said in a statement. Siena played an instrumental role in shaping my values and ideals, and I am forever indebted to the faculty and staff, including the many friars who have been so influential in my life. Siena was founded by Franciscan friars from St. Bonaventure College in 1937. Traditionally, the college's Board of Trustees has chosen Franciscan brothers to lead the school. Gibson, who was selected from a pool of 79 candidates, graduated from the private Catholic college in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in history; he holds two master's degrees and a Ph.D. in government from Cornell University. Earlier: Rep Chris Gibson says he chose family over politics Chris Gibson: Stop fiscal madness Gibson talks book, Trump Gibson: 'Absolutely we made a difference' Rev. Kevin Mullen, a former Siena president from 2007 to 2014 and member of the presidential search committee, said in a video sent to students and faculty just before the formal announcement that the college has been prepared to have a non-friar lead the school, saying this search focused on picking a candidate with strong spiritual convictions and an appreciation for the Franciscan education. "We did not seek out a transition to lay leadership. We instead sought out the best man or woman for the job at this particular time in Siena's history," Mullen said. Siena Board of Trustees Chairman John Murray said that few in the ministry applied for the role, noting that Siena is working on "developing more academic tracks for friars." The shift at the Loudonville school reflects a nationwide trend among Jesuit colleges and universities. Siena's sister school, St. Bonaventure University, named its first lay leader in 1994. Gibson said in his statement that the connection he developed to the Franciscan tradition as an undergraduate "inspired my personal calling to servant leadership. The Franciscan tradition sets Siena apart, and it will inform every decision as I work with the Siena community to advance the legacy of my predecessors and promote the mission of Siena College." The retired Army colonel who served four combat tours in Iraq and was part of the NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo represented the 19th Congressional District for three terms but opted not to seek re-election in 2016. Instead, he took a professor's position at Williams College in Williamstown, Mass. Siena announced in October that he would serve as a distinguished visiting professor in public service leadership at the school beginning in the 2020-2021 school year. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The Kinderhook Republican is the author of two books, including 2017's "Rally Point: Five Tasks to Unite the Country and Revitalize the American Dream." He and his wife Mary have three grown children. Gibson considered a run for governor in 2018 but decided against it, saying the statewide run would force him to spend two years on a gubernatorial campaign and take time away from his family a choice that "was not a price I was willing to pay," he said. "I think most people would tell you (my political future) was looking quite bright," he told the Times Union at the time. "But at the end of the day, we're on this earth for such a short period of time, and you have to ... put priorities first things first." At a press gaggle after the event, Gibson ruled out a return to politics saying he'd rather be "in the front lines and serving in the classroom." He acknowledged the challenges in higher education: demographic changes, concerns about the rising cost in college, and a growing partisan divide, but he believes that Siena College graduates will be part of the solution. "I'm not pollyannaish here, I've studied history in great detail ... what's different now is the way we treat each other," he said. "What I want to say to America is, you're going to see an undertow. This tide is going to go out, and when it does, our graduates are in a position to make a difference, and it's really because of the ethos here." The appointment drew praise from educational leaders and elected officials in the region, including Rep. Paul Tonko who recalled working with Gibson in the U.S. House of Representatives. "While we didn't always agree I could recognize the integrity with which Chris carried himself and he does embody the values of the Franciscans," Tonko said. "I think he understands that higher education, and education in general, is a great equalizer, and it's a great academic ladder. Siena is well served with solid leadership." (Reuters) - Canadian telecom operator Telus Corp will soon begin rolling out its 5G network and its initial module will be with Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's equipment, the company's Chief Financial Officer Doug French said on Thursday. "It's important for us to launch our network when the time is right..." French said in a statement, adding that the company will continue to collaborate with the Canadian government in building the ecosystem. Canada is reviewing the security implications of 5G networks, including whether to allow Huawei to supply 5G network equipment. Telus on Thursday warned of higher costs related to setting up 5G wireless network if the Canadian government banned Huawei. Meanwhile, U.S. prosecutors on Thursday accused Huawei of stealing trade secrets and helping Iran track protesters in its latest indictment against the Chinese company. Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou is currently in Canadian custody awaiting a decision on extradition to the United States. The Conservative Party of Canada said in a statement Trudeau's Liberal Party has refused to take a position on Huawei. "Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government must take immediate action to protect our national security and Canadians' privacy and ban Huawei from Canada's 5G network." (Reporting by Arundhati Sarkar in Bengaluru and Moira Warburton in Toronto; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Uttaresh.V) Five people were arrested on Friday on charges of cattle smuggling and 44 animals rescued in Jammu and Kashmir, police said. Police teams intercepted three load carriers, which were enroute to Kashmir valley, at Jakhani Chowk and Chenani areas of Udhampur district, they said. They recovered 22 bovines and arrested Latief, Rashid Mohammad and Shabir Ahmed in connection with the case, officials said adding that a case has been registered. A truck, which was on its way to Kashmir valley from Punjab, was intercepted on Pathankot-Jammu-Kashmir highway at Lakhanpur belt of Kathua district, they said. Thirteen cattle were rescued but the truck driver escaped from the spot and a hunt is on to track him down, police added. In two separate incidents in Reasi district, police arrested four cattle smugglers Mohammad Khan, Firdous Ahmed, Yusuf and Mohammad Afzal at Kanjli and Budhan area and rescued nine bovines, they said. A case was registered and one vehicle has been seized, they added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CLEVELAND, Ohio - As cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus continue to climb, China has announced over 1,700 health workers have been infected with the virus and 6 have died. At home, a 15th case has been confirmed in the U.S. at a Texas military base housing evacuees from China. More than 64,000 have been infected with the virus and the death toll stands at nearly 1,400. Live coronavirus tracker Coronavirus news in the U.S. Would the U.S. health system be ready for a surge in virus cases? (NPR) CDC director: Novel coronavirus is probably with us beyond this season, beyond this year (CNN) California lab says it discovered vaccine in three hours (Yahoo) Fake flyers and face-mask fear: California fights coronavirus discrimination (Reuters) Third Oklahoman tested for Coronavirus tests negative (KFOR) Virus is impacting wedding industry, says boutique owner (New York Post) Coronavirus hitting South Florida lobster industry hard (WLRN) Coronavirus news around the world 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)AP China still not sharing information, experts say (Voice of America) Economic fallout from Chinas coronavirus mounts around the world (Washington Post) Pakistan wont evacuate students from Wuhan (Los Angeles Times) Coronavirus patient in London took Uber to emergency room (Fox News) Vietnam quarantines rural community of 10,000 (Reuters) People in China using video games to keep each other company (CNN) Hilton temporarily closes 150 hotels in China amid coronavirus outbreak (Fox News) Airbnb halts Beijing bookings until May due to coronavirus outbreak (CNBC) Indian man hangs himself after mistakenly believing he had virus (NY Post) Local coronavirus news No new suspected coronavirus cases reported in Ohio (cleveland.com) Pittsburgh woman quarantined after returning from China due to coronavirus concerns (WPXI) Westerville man in CDC quarantine after escaping virus epicenter in China (Columbus Dispatch) Read complete prior coronavirus coverage on cleveland.com New Delhi, Feb 14 : Emphasising on better rail connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir and northeast regions, the Indian Railways will complete the long pending railway projects of national importance in the region by 2023, Railway Board Chairman V.K. Yadav said here on Friday. Speaking at a press briefing, Yadav said the priority of railways in the next five years is to complete its 50 remaining super critical projects, augmenting capacity in order to introduce 1,500 new trains and wrap up its projects of national importance. He said the top on the list is the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project which was declared a 'National Project' in 2002 by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee led NDA government. The Chairman further said that the 161 km of the project has already been commissioned at a cost of Rs 6,000 crore while the remaining will be commissioned by 2022. "The project was scheduled to be completed by 2020 earlier. The total cost of this project is estimated to be Rs 2,79,49 crore," he said. Yadav also said that all these projects have been delayed due to land acquisition issues, litigation as well as difficult terrain. Pointing out at another project of national importance, Yadav said, the 51.38 km Bhairabi-Sairang project in Mizoram was sanctioned in 2008-2009, but remains to be completed. "The new deadline for the project is 2023 and a cost of Rs 5,021 crore has been proposed for it," he said. The railway budget 2020-21 has proposed an outlay of Rs 400 crore for the new broad gauge new railway line for the year. The railways has also set March 2023 deadline for the broad guage line connectivity from Dimapur (Dhansiri)-Zubza (Kohima) (82.50 km) in Nagaland which was sanctioned in 2006-07. The railway budget 2020-21 has earmarked Rs 300 crore for this project at a total cost of Rs 4,600 crore. Yadav said, in Sikkim, the Sivok-Rangpo new BG line (44.39 km) which was sanctioned in 2008-2009 but suffered due to delay in handing over of encumbrance free forest land by West Bengal government is now scheduled to be completed by 2023. This project has been allocated Rs 607 crore in the 2020-21 union budget. The Chairman said that the national transporter has identified another long pending project in Manipur connecting Jiribam to Imphal (110.62 km) which was sanctioned in 2003-2004, whose deadline of completion is now 2022. "This project has been given a layout of Rs 800 crore in the 2020-21 railway budget while its total cost is estimated to be around Rs 1,25,24 crore," he said. Yadav also said that seven of the 58 super critical projects (projects underway in congested routes), have been completed in 2019, while one has been wrapped up in 2018. He said that the remaining 50 will be completed by March 2022. 2,411 aborted babies buried, memorialized after shocking discovery at Ulrich Klopfers home Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment 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. Torontos 2020 budget which funds everything from the number of police officers on the street to sidewalk snowclearing is headed for a final debate at city council in the coming days. With all the back and forth, it can be easy to get lost in the numbers, so here is what you need to know. Mayor John Tory is banking on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to fill a $77-million gap in this years budget after his executive committee signed off on that plan Thursday. That money would help the city provide housing and services for refugees, but its funding that is not yet guaranteed in the upcoming federal budget. Tory and council are currently relying on the federal and provincial governments to help them meet the citys goals of building 18,000 new supportive housing units in the midst of a housing crisis; increasing the number of subsidized child care spaces in a city that ranks among the most expensive in the country; and fulfilling a plan to tackle gun violence as young people continue to be shot and killed. None of that funding has yet been promised. I will say that I received and heard a lot of positive comments and I realize that I cant take those to the bank, Tory told reporters in his office on Thursday ahead of a budget meeting and following a recent trip to Ottawa to meet with Trudeau, cabinet ministers and Toronto caucus members. Im going to keep at this. Ive said Im going to be relentless in pressing for this money because I think its an appropriate investment for the government of Canada to make and the government of Ontario. On Thursday, Torys hand-picked executive committee an inner circle of councillors that includes budget chief Gary Crawford agreed with the mayors plan to bank on funding that has yet to be pledged. The $13.53-billion operating budget includes $11.59 billion thats largely supported by the citys property tax base, with the rest supported by fees for water, garbage collection and parking. It was forwarded to council for approval next week with the $77-million gap for sheltering refugees remaining, as well as a lack of spending to meet previously approved goals on housing, child care and gun violence. Council made a similar decision in 2019, asking the federal government to cover a $45-million shortfall for refugee services. That smaller request was later met. Key plans that council has previously approved remain partially unfunded in this budget. They include creating 18,000 new supportive housing units over 10 years to transition those who are chronically homeless out of the citys more expensive shelter system. The 2020 budget only funds 600 of this years 1,800-unit target, with council calling on other levels of governments to fund the rest. Provincial budget cuts shook city hall last year, though most of the gaps created by those decisions have been plugged for now. Premier Doug Fords government earlier announced it would cut its funding for the expansion of child care from 100 per cent to 80 per cent, a $15-million blow to the citys 2020 budget. One-time funds from the province to bridge those cuts were provided after much protest, reducing the gap to $2.8 million. The remainder is being covered by the city so that all of the planned subsidies are funded. However, in order to keep up with the citys strategy to create subsidized child care spaces, it would need to find another $15 million to fund an additional 3,000 subsidies next year. In 2018, council committed to a plan to combat gun violence that was expected to cost more than $50 million, and which relied entirely on other levels of government to fund it. Today, $26.2 million in community-based programs remain unfunded. The city has not been able to significantly close that gap. Crawfords budget committee added new spending to the budget earlier in the process, decreasing the amount being banked in a rainy day reserve fund. That included $6 million for initiatives aimed at preventing youth violence, including the addition of 14 youth spaces. Have Your Say! The budget, as approved by Torys executive on Thursday, fails to fund a handful of new initiatives requested by city divisions and agencies, like the $5.1 million requested by Toronto Public Library to substantially expand its operating hours. Coun. Gord Perks (Ward 4 Parkdale-High Park) pointed out that the city has the means to meet its own targets, even without help from other governments. On Wednesday, as councillors discussed councils supportive housing goal, Perks laid out the math to show that the city could meet that goal now by asking residents for about $200 more on their property tax bill. It is completely doable even if the other governments dont come to the table, Perks said. As approved by the executive committee, the average residential property tax bill would be $3,141 in 2020, an increase of $128. Executive also approved the updated 10-year, $43.5-billion capital budget, which funds infrastructure projects. It includes $2.2 billion to rebuild and repair the aging Gardiner Expressway, the single biggest cost in the transportation divisions capital plan. Council meets Feb. 19 to finalize the budget. Correction- Feb. 14, 2020: The graphic showing the breakdown of the citys $11.5 billion budget was edited from a previous version that misstated the TTCs operating budget as $80 million. In fact, its $800 million. Read more about: 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/ Recently Varun Dhawan clarified rumours of his wedding with longtime girlfriend Natasha Dalal, and said that they were no such plans at present. The actor and his family were seen at Natasha's house on Wednesday, and it was reported that they were there to make the wedding plans. But they were in fact there for a birthday party. However, Varun's uncle Anil Dhawan said in a recent interview that the family really wants Varun to get married soon. Anil told Mumbai Mirror, "Hona toh chahiye. It's high time Varun got married. We all want it (to happen)." Talking about the celebration on Wednesday, Anil said, "We hadn't met each other in a long time and we don't know each other well. So, they invited us over for dinner. It was a birthday party, but they wanted the families to meet as well, as everyone is busy with their respective lives." When asked if Varun and Natasha were planning a May or June wedding, he replied, "No date or month has been fixed yet. It will be announced whenever it happens." Natasha and Varun have been in a relationship for a long time now. They are not very out there with social media PDA, but they are sometimes spotted attending events together. Recently, the two of them were seen holidaying in Switzerland, and were snapped with Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma. ALSO READ: Varun Dhawan And Natasha Dalal To Get Married In May? ALSO READ: Varun Dhawan Quashes Fake News Of His Roka Ceremony With Girlfriend Natasha Dalal A man who was found dead inside his South Carolina home as police investigated the death of schoolgirl Faye Swetlik has been identified as her neighbour. It emerged on Friday that, after police found an item of Fayes inside a neighbours rubbish bin, the body of 30-year-old Coty Scott Taylor was discovered inside the home. Police believe Fayes body was put in the woods after they found evidence inside the bin, Sergeant Evan Antley of the Cayce Department of Public Safety told a press conference. A Cayce police officer approaches a vehicle at a road block near an entrance to the Churchill Heights neighborhood / AP Mr Antley did not directly link the death of Mr Taylor to the girl's killing. But he said the item found in Mr Taylor's trash on Thursday was something that would have been listed on the missing person flyer created after she disappeared. Police have previously said there was no danger to the public and no arrests had been made. The girl's disappearance had brought more than 250 officers to the Churchill Heights neighbourhood in Cayce, just across the Congaree River from the state capital of Columbia. They also asked residents with doorbell cameras in the area to share footage. State police and the FBI are assisting local police. Flyers with Faye's picture had appeared all over Cayce and people in the area tracked every development in the case. "When she walks into a room she brightens it up. Everyone loves Faye," Mr Snellgrove said during an appeal earlier this week. "Faye loves dresses, fancy shoes, spending time with her family, cats and playing outside." The confirmed cases of infection are 63,932, the victims 1,381. 6,728 people recovered from hospitals. There is still no agreed estimate of how many fell ill in Wuhan. For the WHO there have been no "dramatic increases" in coronavirus cases outside China. Vietnam isolates a village of 10,000 inhabitants. Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The number of Covid-19 cases registered in China has increased by 5,093 between yesterday and today. The latest figures from the National Health Commission say that 121 other deaths have occurred in the country. This brings the confirmed cases of infection to 63,932, 10,204 of which are patients in serious conditions. So far there have been 1,381 victims of the virus in China; 6,728 people healed and discharged from hospitals. Without providing explanations, Chinese officials removed 1,043 previously confirmed cases from the count. Among the new deaths, 116 occurred in Hubei, the province at the center of the epidemic. Here the authorities claim that 108 twice counted deaths have been removed from official statistics. In China, there is still no agreed estimate of how many people may have been infected with the virus in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei where the epidemic broke out. A research paper published in the medRxiv medical research archive suggests that the number of infections as of February 9th could have amounted to between 54,000 and 90,000 people. 11 million live in the city. According to the publication, around 21,000 people have been infected with the virus in the rest of Hubei province. Yesterday the World Health Organization (WHO) said that there have been no "dramatic increases" in coronavirus cases outside China. The statements by Mark Ryan, head of the WHO health emergency program, came after yesterday's surge in the death toll. This was due to changes made by the Chinese authorities to diagnostic methods; nevertheless, the new data had a strong negative impact on the markets. The International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that oil demand this year will register the slowest growth rate since 2011, reflecting one of the most immediate economic consequences of the epidemic. The IEA has reduced the growth forecast for 2020 to 825 thousand barrels per day from the previous estimates of 1.2 million, as the emergency weighs on Chinese consumption and the global economy. Outside China, there have been 505 confirmed cases of contagion over 24 countries. Two people died, one in the Philippines and the other in Japan. One of the most delicate situations is taking place in Vietnam, where the authorities have ordered the isolation of a village with over 10,000 residents for the control of the coronavirus. Son Loi, in the north of the country, is located about 40 kilometers north-west of Hanoi. The village will remain isolated for 20 days, after a recent confirmed infection case has suggested that the virus is being transmitted to the area. More than 90 people in Son Loi have been under close medical observation since yesterday. Jin Yang, 28, who works in a department of China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange, has his temperature checked at an entrance to his office, in the morning on his first day of returning to work after the extended Lunar New Year holiday caused by the novel coronavirus outbreak, in Beijing, China, on Feb. 10, 2020. (Tingshu Wang/Reuters) Solo Lunches and Masks: Chinese Returning to Work Grapple With Coronavirus BEIJING/SHANGHAIChinese government employee Jin Yang returned to work in Beijing this week to find his usual workplace rules upended as China battles a coronavirus outbreak. His office has banned the practice of eating lunch in its canteen with colleagues, in favor of boxed meals, packaged in house and eaten at desks, he said. Its anything but normal, the 28-year-old told Reuters. Meetings are held online, instead of in person. Employees must wear masks all day and report their temperatures twice a day. Jin is one of millions of workers who began streaming back this week from Lunar New Year holidays extended by 10 days in Chinas struggle to rein in the new coronavirus, formally named COVID-19. But streets and subways are largely deserted in major cities such as Beijing, the capital, and the business hub of Shanghai, with many shops and restaurants empty or shut, while lots of office employees work from home. As many places still enforce containment measures, companies are adopting rules to prevent infection and banish employees fears of catching it, such as keeping them as widely separated as possible. Not all companies have resumed work. Many that have are asking employees returning from trips overseas or other provinces to quarantine themselves at home for up to 14 days. A manager at one foreign multinational said staff were concerned, particularly after Chinas tough step in locking down Wuhan, the central city of 11 million people where the outbreak began. They want no contact, said the manager, who sought anonymity as she was not authorized to speak to media. Some want people to sit with empty chairs between them at meetings, toilet visits to be assigned at staggered times, and no sharing of the water dispenser, she added, listing the precautions staff want followed. Employees dine at a company canteen of CMIC Raffles Offshore Engineering Pte Ltd. with partitions to minimize contact following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the country, on the first day of work after the extended Lunar New Year holiday, in Yantai, Shandong Province, China on Feb. 10, 2020. (China Daily via Reuters) Chinese media have posted photographs of office canteens where plastic sheets and wooden boards divide up tables to form segregated dining cubicles. An industrial zone in the central city of Changsha has started using unmanned robots to deliver meals, the state-run Peoples Daily newspaper said. Automaker GAC, which has joint ventures with Toyota and Honda, said no more than half its employees are allowed to work each day at its headquarters in the southern city of Guangzhou, with lunchtimes divided into four slots of 15 minutes each. It also rearranged its canteen, and shifted tables to an outdoor terrace, with each spaced 2 meters (7 ft) apart. It has also swapped its previous buffet service for a menu of pre-arranged options. E-commerce firm Pinduoduo said its employees must complete a daily health-check form. It disinfects offices at least twice a day, and provides meals for everyone to minimize exposure. On the Weibo messaging app, the term hardcore armor for returning to work has drawn 140 million views, with users sharing safety tips, using videos and pictures. Some images showed people wearing motorcycle helmets at their desks with others in costumes similar to space suits traveling on public transport, and some in homemade protective gear fashioned from plastic bottles. By Sophie Yu, Yilei Sun, and Brenda Goh New Delhi: Supreme Court judge Justice R Banumathi on Friday (February 14) fainted in the courtroom while dictating the order on the Centre' plea seeking separate hanging of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case. Justice Banumathi was immediately taken into the chamber by other judges on the dais and the court staff after she fainted during the hearing in the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case. The bench adjourned the case saying the order will be released later. Justice A S Bopanna said that the order in the matter will be passed in-chamber. Justice Ashok Bhushan was also part of the three-judge bench hearing the matter. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said, "Justice R Banumathi was having high fever and she still has high fever. She is being examined by the doctors in the chamber. She was on medication when she was hearing the case." Meanwhile, the top court today rejected Nirbhaya convict Vinay Sharma's plea challenging the rejection of his mercy petition by President Ram Nath Kovind. Representing Vinay Sharma, advocate AP Singh had submitted that his client was mentally unfit and the concerned documents were not presented before the President. Singh also submitted before the top court that Sharma was undergoing psychological problems due to ill-treatment and solitary confinement in jail, which was in violation of the prison norms. Asked us to remove undergarments as proof of periods: Bhuj college girls allege harassment India oi-Madhuri Adnal Bhuj, February 14: In the times when menstruation taboos are being busted with global campaigns, at least 68 female students and hostel residents of a college in Gujarat's Bhuj were allegedly forced to strip to check who was menstruating. This came after the hostel warden complained to the principal that some of them were violating religious norms during their menstruation. The incident took place when the Shree Sahajanand Girls Institute's principal Dr Rita M. Raninga reportedly paraded 68 girls from their classrooms to college washrooms amidst their lectures to check whether they were menstruating or not. However, no police complaint has been filed so far, but a committee has been formed to investigate the matter. The dean of Shree Sahajanand Girls Institute said the girls were not forced to take off their undergarments. "The matter is related to the hostel. It has nothing to do with the university or college. Everything happened with girls' permission, nobody was forced for it. Nobody touched them," Darshana Dholakia said, according to news agency ANI. The college comes under Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma Kutch University. It is run by followers of Swaminarayan Mandir in Bhuj, and is set up inside the premises of Shree Swaminarayan Kanya Mandir. The hostel warden had alleged that some girls were entering the hostel kitchen and mingling with other hostelers while menstruating. This came after a hostel warden complained that some girls on their periods had entered the college kitchen and ventured near the temple. According to the institute's rules, females on their periods are not allowed to enter the kitchen or venturing near the temple. They are also not allowed to touch other students, Ahmedabad Mirror reported. The college has over 1,500 students including 68 from remote villages who stay in the hostel. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, February 14, 2020, 16:13 [IST] Hardik Patel, the Patidar community leader, is missing for 20 days, according to his wife Kinjal Patel who also accused the Gujarat administration of targeting her husband. "My husband is missing for 20 days, we have no information regarding his whereabouts. We are deeply pained by his absence and want the people to think whether they can bear this kind of separation," Kinjal alleges in a video shared on the internet. "In 2017, this government was saying that all cases on Patidars will be taken back. Then why are they targeting Hardik alone, why not the two other leaders of the Patidar movement who joined BJP," she alleged. "This government does not want Hardik to meet and interact with the people and stop raising the issues of the public," Kinjal says. Though the whereabouts of Hardik Patel are yet to be traced, he had last congratulated Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on his victory in the assembly elections, through a message from his verified handle on Twitter on February 11. Earlier on February 10 through social media, Mr Patel had accused the Gujarat government of trying to lock him up in jail as the panchayat elections were drawing near in the state. In his tweet, Mr Patel said, "Four years ago Gujarat Police filed a false case against me, during the Lok Sabha elections I asked the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner for the details of cases against me, but this case was not against me. Fifteen days back, the police arrived at my house to take me into custody, but I was not in my house," Mr Patel's tweet, roughly translated in English from Hindi, read. "Hearing on my anticipatory bail petition is ongoing in this false case in the high court. Many non-bailable warrants have also been issued against me. Panchayat elections are drawing near in Gujarat, that is why BJP wants to lock me up in jail. I will continue the fight of the public against BJP. Will meet soon, Jai Hind," his second tweet read. Mr Patel was sent to judicial custody till January 24 after being arrested for failing to appear before a trial court in Ahmedabad in alleged connection with a sedition case. After getting free he had, through another tweet, hinted that he will continue his struggle. Mr Patel was accused by the Crime Branch in 2015 of sedition over his provocative remarks where he had allegedly asked his supporters to kill policemen rather than commit suicide for the cause of reservation. However, Mr Patel had asserted that there was no evidence against him in the charge-sheet filed by the Crime Branch with regard to criminal conspiracy and inciting people to dislodge the government during the violent agitation that followed August 25, 2015 gathering by the Patidar community. The Malian army has returned to the northern town of Kidal, the military said on Thursday, six years after they were driven out of the former rebel-held bastion that became a symbol of failing government control over parts of the country. The arrival of Malian troops in Kidal is considered a key step to Bamako's government reasserting authority over its vast and often lawless territory as it battles a growing jihadist insurgency. A detachment "has returned to the base in Kidal... Everything has really gone well," one army commander AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. The commander said "around 300" Malian troops had entered the town, with an escort of UN peacekeepers. His account was confirmed by a commander there with MINUSMA, the UN operation in Mali. Separatist Tuareg rebels captured much of northern Mali, including Kidal, in 2012. But their rebellion was then commandeered by jihadists, who have extended their Islamist insurgency to the centre of the country, and also across Mali's borders to Burkina Faso and Niger. Thousands of soldiers and civilians have died in the conflict, which Mali has struggled to contain even with the help of thousands of foreign troops. Large swathes of the country lie outside of state control. In 2015, the rebels signed a peace agreement with the government, although the accord was fragile and the issue of Kidal was especially delicate. Deployment of the troops ends a years-long absence, boosting the government at a time when it has opened the door to talks with jihadists. MINUSMA head Mahamat Saleh Annadif said in a statement on Thursday that the return of soldiers to the former rebel town was a "major achievement". He added that "there is still a long way to go," but that "the process towards peace will achieve other successes". The deployment was announced on Monday by President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. He had told French media the army was en route towards the town and was expected to reach it on Friday. - Rebel negotiations - Malian soldiers had not set foot in Kidal since 2014 after they had suffered a bitter defeat at the hands of rebels. The city has since been under the control of the Coordination of Movements of Azawad (CMA), a mostly Tuareg alliance of armed rebel groups. The CMA and several other rebel groups signed a peace accord with the government in Bamako in 2015. Among other things, the pact provided for former rebels to join the army, which would eventually return north. Working out the specifics of returning to Kidal has taken years, however. The various groups involved reached an agreement on how it would work several weeks ago. Of the 428 troops meant to return to the town under that deal, a third were to be Malian regular soldiers, a third CMA fighters, and another third former rebels from other groups. Yvan Guichaoua, a researcher at the University of Kent, said pulling off the return was a significant step forward. "Many symbolic obstacles need to be removed to create the minimum cohesion required to form a viable anti-terrorist front," he said. "The return of forces to Kidal provided for in the peace agreement was one of those obstacles." The peace deal has caused tension in some quarters. Mali's neighbouring governments are often wary of former rebel groups, for example, suspecting them of cooperating with jihadists. They view Kidal as a rear base for Islamist militants. However, implementing the 2015 peace deal is viewed by many as one of the few escape routes from deepening violence in Mali. Deploying another tactic, President Keita also said on Monday that the government was contacting jihadist leaders to engage them in talks. Malian army units returning to Kidal are so-called "reconstituted" ones, comprised of regulars and former rebels who joined the military after the 2015 peace accord. Other such units are expected to deploy in northern Malian cities such as Menaka, Gao and Timbuktu. Officials have emphasized that more students are on campus, regardless of part-time status, in hopes that they stick with degree programs as part-time students or become full-time students. Im thrilled our enrollment is growing. Our collaborative work on building a culture of students-first is proving to be successful. With our concerted recruitment efforts and program adjustments to meet market demand, were realizing positive changes at MSU Billings, said Chancellor Dan Edelman in a press release. Other fall trends have continued into the spring; the school has seen headcount increases for Native American students, first-time freshman, graduate students, and first-time non-traditional students. A fall-to-spring trend from last school year also carried over. The fall-to-spring dip of about 100 students is below the school's usual average drop of about 270. KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Malaysia has held its export tax for crude palm oil unchanged at 6% for March, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board said on Thursday, citing the national customs department. The reference price is set at 2,982.63 ringgit per tonne. The world's second-largest producer and exporter of palm oil had raised its export tax for February to 6% from 5% in January. The export tax structure starts at 3% for crude palm oil priced in a 2,250-2,400 ringgit-per-tonne range. The maximum tax rate is set at 8% when prices are above 3,450 ringgit a tonne. (Reporting by Mei Mei Chu; Editing by Tom Hogue) You may have never heard the term juice jacking and with good reason. When it happens, most people are not even aware. Juice jacking happens when hackers compromise a persons device after its been plugged into a public charging station like the ones found at airports or malls. Identifying potentially dangerous charging stations isnt easy. The practice happens around the world and experts say theyve been working on ways to prevent since at least 2012, according to Natalia Stakhanova, a Canada Research Chair who focuses on mobile security. Canadians should be worried, especially those who travel abroad, says Stakhanova, who is also an associate professor in the department of computer science at the University of Saskatchewan. Malicious chargers that comprise your information do exist. In 2019, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office issued a warning against public charging stations. There have also been reports of this happening in countries in Asia, Stakhanova says. The RCMP says theyre aware of this scamming practice, but dont have any reported cases. The Surete du Quebec and the Vancouver Police Department say that theyve had cases of identity theft, but the individuals sometimes dont even know how the suspects got their information. Juice jacking is hard to pinpoint, which makes it even more vital for you to know how to prevent it from happening. How does it work? The key part of this process is the USB port, which connects to a cable that can process both data and energy. Its what allows us to transfer our information from our phones to our computers, for example. The USB can be infiltrated with malicious hardware, small enough to fit into your phone charger, Stakhanova says. Once hackers have done this, they can pull information or even plant a virus onto your device. Where should I worry? The process of infiltrating a charging station at an airport isnt a labour-intensive process, but its not simple either. These areas in airports are monitored by security 24/7. This might explain why Canadas three major airports in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal have reported zero cases of juice jacking happening. Story continues But there is still a risk at public charging stations where security isnt as strong or even among people. I see people sharing their devices all the time, Stakhanova says. Theyll plug into a strangers laptop for a charge, or even use their charger ... As a hacker, you can just be walking around with a malicious charger. Another situation to be wary of is plugging your phone into a rental cars USB port. A hacker can infiltrate a car without the rental agencys knowledge. Its a simplistic hacking method, Stakhanova says. Most of the time, the hacker just uses an existing infrastructure. But what if I dont have anything important on my phone? Stakhanova says a common misconception is people thinking they dont have anything that could be of use on their phones. But your phone can serve as a gateway. It can provide access to other personal aspects of your daily life, such as your email address, which can be connected to your bank account. Having access to a phone can also help hackers participate in crypto mining, as well as perform transactions when passwords, and other private information are sent to your device for verification purposes. "You might have seen a public USB charging station at an airport or shopping centre. But be warned, a free charge could end up draining your bank account," says Luke Sisak, Los Angeles Countys deputy district attorney, in a video warning in November. If you still think your phone doesnt have anything important on it, remember that a hacker can steal your identity with just basic information about you, which can be found on your phone. How can I prevent this from happening? The key is to be more vigilant, Stakhanova says. That could mean not accepting free opportunities to charge your phone in public areas. Stakhanova recommends just carrying around your own AC charger. If you do connect your phone to another device, make sure its blocked from transferring information. In an email exchange with Yahoo Canada, Aeroports de Montreal says users can also look into devices that will help prevent their information from being shared. One item to consider is a USB charge-only adapter, which wont allow your phone to share and transfer data to another device. The Berks County Residential Center, one of three immigrant family detention centers in the United States. Read more A 7-year-old Guatemalan girl who has spent a record 233 days at the Berks County immigrant detention center has won an important legal appeal but not one allowing her and her father to leave the facility together. The decision late Thursday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit addressed a different aspect of the case. The court ruled that Maddie, as she is identified, and her father, named in court as Mr. H, have the right to challenge the governments authority to send them to Mexico while awaiting the outcome of their immigration proceedings. And, importantly, so do others in similar situations, the court ruled. This case raises the age-old question, If not now, when? the court wrote. For aliens who are challenging their removal from the United States, the answer is usually later. But not always. And not here. READ MORE: 'Free Maddie' becomes a rallying cry The decision came after a federal judge in Philadelphia dismissed the familys arguments. The appeals court returned the case to the district court. The court ruling was precedential, which means it will be binding or persuasive for courts deciding subsequent cases with similar facts. Maddie has been confined longer than any child currently held in any of the nations three family detention centers, her attorneys said. Maddies case has made law that will help every immigrant child in detention in the United States, said Amy Maldonado, a Michigan lawyer who represents the family. This was a huge win. A Department of Justice spokesperson said the agency had no comment on the ruling. The Trump administration has sent thousands of adult and child asylum-seekers to Mexico under its Migrant Protection Protocols, which advocates say typically leaves people homeless and stranded in dangerous cities. The decision did not decide the issue of releasing Maddie and her father to join the childs mother, who lives in New Jersey and has not been targeted for deportation. Last month, a federal judge in Philadelphia ruled that father and child must show more than noble goals and an empathetic case to win their joint release. The government has offered to immediately release Maddie to her mother. But not freeing her father, the familys lawyers argued, made the overture merely a different form of family separation, one they said would inflict more harm on a suffering child. The Berks County Residential Center, as its formally called, is a 96-bed lockup about 75 miles northwest of Philadelphia, operated by the county through a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Maddie and her father were detained last spring after illegally entering the United States near Tecate, Calif. They were soon sent to Mexico, where other returned migrants have reported being kidnapped, tortured, robbed, or raped. In Tijuana, Maddie and her father were chased and threatened, their lawyers said, and survived mostly because a woman allowed them to live in her home. In June, father and daughter were permitted into the U.S. solely for their Immigration Court hearing. Federal district courts rarely have the jurisdiction to hear deportation disputes, the appeals court wrote. Instead, migrants must litigate removal claims before an immigration judge and then, after a removal order is entered, before the Board of Immigration Appeals. READ MORE: A South Jersey migrant family with a cancer-stricken child can stay in the U.S. for treatment Only after that can a petition for review be filed with an appeals court. But some immigration claims cannot wait, the Third Circuit wrote. By the time there is a final removal to Guatemala (if that ever happens), it will be too late to review or remedy their return to Mexico in the meantime. The court said the Flores Settlement Agreement, which governs the detention, release, and treatment of children in immigration custody, applies if invoked, and that sending Maddie to Mexico would violate her rights under that agreement. The President's Office also draws the UA:Pershyi public broadcaster's attention to the distribution of false information via its facilities. The Office of the President of Ukraine has said it is going to sue the "Skhemy (Schemes): Corruption in Detail" program, demanding a retraction of a false report on President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Oman in January 2020. "The Office of the President of Ukraine declares that the information provided in the story of the 'Schemes' program about the meeting of the president of Ukraine with a high-ranking official of the Russian Federation that allegedly took place in Oman is completely false," the president's press service said in a statement on February 14. It says the president has never met (in person or as part of international events), talked or otherwise communicated with Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev. Read alsoZelensky meets with Omani top official (Photo) Zelensky's Office considers the publication of "conclusions based not on facts or testimony, but on speculation and information" from some secret 'sources' an open manipulation of public opinion by the "Schemes" program. "When such manipulation is carried out on social networks by anonymous accounts as part of the aggressor's information activities against Ukraine, this can be explained by the logic of the hybrid war. But when Ukrainian journalists do the same, it goes beyond the notion of free journalism per se," the statement said. "The Office of the President of Ukraine expects the 'Schemes' program to refute the untrue information and assumptions made on its basis. We are filing a lawsuit demanding a denial and an apology. We also consider it our duty to draw the UA:Pershyi public broadcaster's attention to the distribution of false information via its facilities, which is an outright manipulation of public opinion," reads the report. As UNIAN reported earlier, Zelensky was spotted in Oman on January 5 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 had travelled there with his family at his own expense. 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." On February 13, RFE/RL's investigative project "Schemes" published a material claiming that the charter plane used by Zelensky to urgently return from Oman to Ukraine on January 8, 2020, had allegedly arrived to Oman from Moscow, Russia. This was the plane used by Secretary of the Russian Security Council Patrushev to arrive in Oman, according to journalists who referred to "data from open online services used to track aircraft." Meghan McCain Wishes Husband 'Happy Valentine's Day' (Even Though They 'Dont Like' the Holiday) Meghan McCain sent her Valentines Day wishes to her husband Ben Domenech on Instagram with a loving tease on Friday. Happy Valentines Day, my love! Even though neither of us like Valentines Day, McCain wrote with the joking, tongue-out emoji at the end. The couple has been married since November 2017. McCain, 35, and Domenech, 38, were originally planning to elope until her father, Sen. John McCain, was diagnosed with brain cancer in July 2017. Four months later, the couple held an intimate wedding ceremony in McCains home state of Arizona so that her father could attend. We pushed everything up, Meghan told PEOPLE then, adding that although her father was doing well at the time, its a deeply unpredictable cancer. Youre really just living scan to scan, Meghan added. I wanted to make sure that he was that we were all there. Why wait? RELATED: See the First Picture of Meghan McCains Romantic Western-Themed Wedding Meghan married Domenech a conservative pundit in front of 117 friends and family members at the McCain familys ranch in Cornville, Arizona. This beautiful valley has some special meaning because thats where we spent all our time with our kids growing up, Sen. McCain said then. The wedding was a celebration of life and also a chance for us to revisit and celebrate the past. The late senator had torn his Achilles tendon in the days leading up to the wedding, leaving Meghans younger brother Jimmy to walk her down the isle. She later skipped a planned father-daughter dance at the reception. Im not disappointed, and I genuinely mean that, Meghan told PEOPLE. I felt really blessed and loved, and I dont feel like I missed out on anything. Story continues RELATED: John McCain Lived to See Daughter Meghan Get Married: I Felt Really Blessed, She Told PEOPLE Meghan continues to pay tribute to the late senator since his death in August 2018. The View co-host often marks holidays and other special events with social media posts in honor of her fathers memory. In January, Meghan returned to Arizona for the first time since her father died and marked the occasion by recreating a photo the two had taken together years before. 512 days, the photos caption read, highlighting how long it had been since Sen. McCains death on Aug. 25, 2018. But Fridays social media post was dedicated solely to her husband, Domenech, celebrating their third Valentines Day together as a married couple. We got engaged because we decided to sort of celebrate life, and celebrate being alive, Meghan said on The View before they married in 2017. Its not the most romantic story, but he is my partner. A British resident of Mallorca tested positive for coronavirus last Sunday, becoming the second person identified with the illness in Spain. He had returned from the French Alps where he was in contact with the British man from Brighton who was widely featured in the UK media this week as having brought back coronavirus from Singapore via his ski holiday. A Chinese woman in Valladolid, northern Spain, tested negative for the virus after starting to vomit in a pub. Other drinkers became alarmed and alerted the authorities. However it was later proved to be a false alarm. PATNA/ARA: Stones were pelted on the motorcade of Communist Party of India (CPI) leader, Kanhaiya Kumar, on Friday, the eighth such attack since January 30, while he was on his way to Ara from Buxar to address a rally, one of a series he has been holding across the state to amplify voices of protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register for Citizens (NRC). Kumar escaped unhurt but the vehicle in which he was travelling was damaged , police said. One person was injured in a related accident and been admitted in a local hospital, they added. Ara superintendant of police, Sushil Kumar, said Kumar and other leaders were rescued and escorted to safety. One young man reportedly got injured when his bike was hit by a vehicle in the motorcade, which tried to steer away from the stone-pelting crowd. We will question the injured person, the SP said, adding that 18-20 youmg men, riding motorcycles, attacked the motorcade and then escaped. It wasnt immediately clear whether the injured was one of them. Congress MLA and former Jawaharlal Nehru Students Union (JNUSU) leader Shakil Ahmad Khan, who was accompanying Kumar alleged that the convoy was attacked by Bharatiya Janata Party supporters riding bikes,and it was for the first time that the vehicle in which Kumar was travelling got damaged. The BJP denied the charge and said people are opposing what he termed Kumars nefarious design to divide the country. The attacks on him are all staged-managed to create sensation and get publicity. If he is so bothered about these attacks, he should lodge complaint with local administration, said BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand. Police said Kumars convoy was attacked seven other places, including West Champaran, Chapra, Katihar and Saharsa. Opposition leaders claim that the attacks are an indication of the lawlessness in the state and the bid of the BJP, part of the coalition that rules the state, to suppress any dissent. Some analysts see the rallies as Kumars attempt to project himself as a pan-Bihar opposition leader, who can take on the ruling National Democratic Alliance in the state assembly elections that will happen later this year. Yes, these rallies have helped Kanhaiya to project himself as a strong political face in the state. Till now, he was known only as a JNU student leader, said Nawal Kishore Chaudhary, former head of economic department at Patna University, referring to the fact that Kumar was previously headed the Jawaharlal Nehru University Student Union (JNUSU). But, Kanhaiya alone cannot do much electorally. He needs other opposition parties, said Chaudhary said. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the CPI was not part of the oppositions grand alliance as the Rashtriya Janata Dal was not willing to accommodate the Left party. Kumar contested from Begusarai, and came distant second. The seat was won by union minister Giriraj Singh, who received more than 50% of the total votes polled; RJD candidate, Tanveer Hassan, came third. The leaders of other grand alliance parties such as the Congress and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) are keen on an alliance with Kumar and his party. We dont want to repeat the mistake of Lok Sabha polls by keeping the left parties out. We want all opposition parties to contest the assembly elections under the banner of grand alliance, said a Congress leader who asked not to be named. This person added that the issue is being discussed with the senior partner in the alliance, the RJD. Chaudhary, however, doubted that the grand alliance would accommodate Kumar in the face of opposition from the RJD. Reacting to the attack, Kumar, whose rally has the theme of protecting the constitution, said such acts would not deter him from his drive to foil the nefarious design to divide the country in religious lines. His rallies, which started on Mahatma Gandhis death anniversary on January 30, are set to conclude with a final one in Patna on February 29. The rallies are part of nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act which fast-tracks Indian citizenship for non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. There are fears that this law will be used in tandem with a National Register of Citizens, as suggested by many BJP leaders and ministers. A similar NRC exercise in Assam last year left out 1.9 million people, both Hindus and Muslims. The fear is that a CAA-NRC combination would protect Hindus but not Muslims left out of any such exercise. To be sure, the government has since clarified that a NRC isnt in the works. Kumar has opposed only the National Register of Citizens saying that it would create a wedge between Hindus and Muslims. I am not opposed to the citizenship act but a drama is being executed by BJP-led Central government on the issue of National Register of Citizens (NRC) to create a divide in the society. NRC, Hindu-Muslim and India-Pakistan issues are being unnecessarily raked up to divert peoples attention from the core issues such as price rise, joblessness, poverty and a growing sense of insecurity due to hatred, he said at the rally at Ara. RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari condemned the attack saying that there is no place of violence in democracy. Being a leader of the CPI, Kumar has every right to put forth his view points, said Tiwari. He, however, refused to comment on whether RJD would agree to make Kumar part of the grand alliance or not. A thief who stole a still-wet painting worth up to $12,000 set to be auctioned off for bushfire victims has been arrested. The painting of native flowers by artist Laura Jones was stolen from a photography studio at Mascot in southern Sydney on Friday just days out from a charity event. The work was being stored ahead of the HOME Bushfire Relief Art Auction on Wednesday, aiming to raise funds for the Australian bushfire crisis. Police arrested a 24-year-old Balmain man in Marrickville around 10.30am on Thursday following an investigation. Award-winning artist Laura Jones' (pictured) valuable painting has been returned after it was allegedly stolen last week He has been charged with larceny more than $5,000 and was refused bail to appear in court on Friday. The painting, with an estimated value of $10,000 to $12,000 was recovered and has since been returned to Ms Jones. The alleged thief told staff at the photography studio he was 'looking for something to decorate their home' before walking out of the premises with the painting under their arm. After the piece was allegedly pinched, Ms Jones launched an appeal online offering amnesty in return for her work so it could be donated to raise funds. The painting of flowers, estimated to be worth $10,000-$12,000, was inspired by charred natives at family member's Blue Mountains property which was badly hit by this season's bushfires The painting of 'Flowering Gum and Burnt Banksia' was inspired by the charred natives at a family member's Blue Mountains property which was badly affected by the bushfires. 'The fires have been so emotionally exhausting for everyone's that been affected - even if you're in the city and you're suffering from bushfire smoke or if you know someone that you know got trapped or who's house is gonna burn down or did burn down- it just hasn't been the kind of Summer that we're all used it,' Ms Jones said. Laura Jones is an award-winning artist including being named a 2019 finalist in Australia's most lucrative art award- the Archibald. Her works are usually priced around $60,000 but typically fetch about double the amount at auction. - Additional reporting by Juno McEnroe Update 6:53pm: A fifteen minute phone call between Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin earlier this evening has been described as a conversation which lacked any forward movement. According to reports Mr Martin congratulated Mary Lou McDonald and her party on their tremendous result following Saturday's general election but said that Fianna Fail would would not enter coalition talks with Sinn Fein. Mr Martin told the Sinn Fein leader that there are huge gaps between the two parties, as he ruled out a coalition with her. This is despite warnings from within Fianna Fail that an alternative coalition route with Fine Gael - the only realistic option left for a stable government - could divide the party from top to bottom. Ms McDonald is believed to have expressed the anger felt by Sinn Fein voters that Fine Fail and Fine Gael were not prepared to talk to her party despite topping the polls on Saturday. In a statement after the 15-minute phonecall she said: I told Micheal Martin that people who voted for Sinn Fein and those who voted more widely for change are angry that Fianna Fail is denying them the respect of sitting down with the party that represents them. People voted for change and for a new government. They did not vote for a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael grand coalition. Speaking earlier at a visit to a community grouping in her Cabra constituency in north Dublin, she said that it was disgraceful that her partys democratic mandate could be ignored by the old boys club of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in the aftermath of last Saturdays general election. I have no sense of entitlement, but I can tell you this much, the people who voted for us in their hundreds of thousands are entitled to respect, she said. I think it is actually quite disgraceful that the the old boys club of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael believe that they can set aside the democratic mandate of Sinn Fein. Earlier: Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has said its disgraceful that her partys democratic mandate could be ignored by the old boys club of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in the aftermath of last Saturdays general election. Speaking at a visit to a community grouping in her Cabra constituency in north Dublin, Ms McDonald said that should either of the other two main parties end up in Government for a five-year stint it would cause very considerable anger among the electorate. I have no sense of entitlement, but I can tell you this much, the people who voted for us in their hundreds of thousands are entitled to respect, she said. I think it is actually quite disgraceful that the the old boys club of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael believe that they can set aside the democratic mandate of Sinn Fein. She acknowledged that she had received a voicemail from Micheal Martin saying he would be willing to meet, but not to discuss entering coalition with her party. She said she had responded, and would be phoning Mr Martin again later today. There is only one thing I want to discuss with him, she said, referring to discussions about forming a Government, adding that it is a little bit silly that Mr Martin will not discuss Government formation with her. I will be saying to him that we need to sit down and talk, not to shoot the breeze or to exchange Valentine's Day greetings, but to actually get down to the real business of the day, and that is about fashioning a government of change.| She added that nobody gets off the hook and their responsibilities simply because the mathematics are difficult - this is a matter of political will. The truth is that a Government has to be formed. I want him to sit down with us, not because we have identical policies, we dont. Just because Fianna Fail and Fine Gael dont like the result of the election doesnt mean that they can deny people a Government, she said. Ms McDonald said that she has no concerns about fighting another election, should one be required. I dont think that if we go back to the people that they will suddenly decide that actually they dont want change. What needs to change here is the mindset and sense of entitlement that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael hold that they alone are allowed to hold power. That day is over because the people have said so, she said. I actually happen to think as a political leader that my job isnt to sit on the sidelines. This isnt about Sinn Fein. This is about monitoring the mandate that has been given, and I havent heard anybody dispute the fact that the big theme of this election was change, she said. They want to keep us out because there has been a stranglehold on power and on Government by two parties for generations. She said that should she get to speak to Mr Martin today she would tell him what youre doing is very, very wrong, it is wrong to disrespect the views and wishes of hundreds of thousands of Sinn Fein voters. You have been told that people do not want Fine Gael back in with Fianna Fail in any guise. People want a Government for change. All of us have a responsibility to deliver that. Asked, meanwhile, what she would say to the other parties of the left like the Green Party and the Social Democrats should they be thinking of going into power with the other main parties, Ms McDonald was unequivocal: Dont do it. She said it would be wrong given the election results for either Fianna Fail or Fine Gael to be maintained in power. Its dangerous and I think it will not serve our people well so I would say dont do it. When President Vladimir Putin announced he planned to amend Russia's constitution he named a 75-strong working group to consider the changes including prominent figures such as two-time Olympic pole-vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva. On Thursday, Isanbayeva told Putin that she was grateful for the opportunity to take part because it meant "I read the Constitution of our country" during a meeting of the group to discuss progress in the work. "There was no reason or need to do this earlier," she continued. "I understand now that this is a very important book." The proposals, which may be put to a national public vote as early as April, are widely seen as an effort by the Kremlin to allow Putin to continue to rule beyond the end of his presidential term in 2024, when he must stand down under the existing law. It's the first major revision of the Russia's post-Soviet constitution since 1993. Lawmakers in the lower house of parliament gave initial approval to the amendments last month, days after Putin first unveiled them in a Jan. 15 speech. The measures would curb the powers of the next president, extend the authority of parliament and strengthen the State Council, now a largely ceremonial body that Putin heads, offering him a potential platform to retain control. Putin appointed the working group on the day he announced the plans, saying consideration of the changes "requires the highest legal and judicial skills." While "ideally" people should read the constitution, most Russians haven't done so and "they don't need to," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call Friday. "What's important for citizens is that their fundamental rights are guaranteed." Suggestions offered by the advisory team at Thursday's meeting included asserting Russia's status as a victor in World War II, declaring that families are an alliance only between a man and a woman, and stating that Russia will always be a nuclear power. One contributor wanted to ensure the constitution never permits the head of state to give away any territory, such as the Kuril Islands that are at the center of a decades-long dispute with Japan. Putin said he liked the ideas. Still, he didn't commit to include any of them in his new constitution. The Society For Range Managements Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado will feature local Sonora High School student, Gregory Crook. Crook was Fridays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. The 73rd annual meeting for the Society For Range Management (SRM) will take place from Sunday evening February 16th through Thursday, February 20th. Last Summer, the California Pacific Section of the SRM held a one week Rangeland Camp for students aged fifteen through eighteen in Half Moon Bay, California. The Camp topics included geology, ecology, soil sampling and the ins and outs of the cattle business. After two different tests, Crook placed first place. Crook will be representing California, Hawaii and the Pacific territorial islands along with two other high school students. A total of 22 high school students nationwide (including Crook) will participate in the High School Youth Forum. Crook will give a six minute speech that includes a power point presentation. His subject is the prescribed use of grazing animals in controlling fuels. The top five High School presenters will have their paper published and the top winner will be invited back to the SRM annual meeting next year. While in Denver, Crook will be able to tour local Colorado ecology and discover the latest in research and scientific advances in rangeland management. As for his future, Crook would like to eventually attend Cal Poly and study forestry in order to become a registered public forester. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. Lindsay Morrison, a mom and pastry chef, cooked up an idea for her son Graham's monthly milestone photos that's bound to give you hunger pangs. Over the last year, Lindsay has snapped photos to document Graham's growth with a Shake Shack theme. After seeing the adorable pictures on Instagram, we touched base with Lindsay to find out where she got her inspiration, and the backstory is . . . hilarious. "I never ate salty food until I was in pastry school and maxed out on sugar," Lindsay told POPSUGAR. "I had a burger from this place called Salvation Burger (RIP, it closed) and I told my husband I loved it so much I wanted to put a blown-up photo of it above our bed. He said no. I ignored him, putting a photo of his favorite burger on his side of the bed, and the Salvation burger on mine. When we found out I was pregnant, as a joke, we put a picture of a slider above a crib." Related: This In-N-Out Burger Newborn Shoot Will Have You Craving Fries in 3, 2, 1 . . . Pretty incredible, right? Fortunately, Lindsay's obsession didn't stop there. "The whole situation organically evolved - we called my stomach 'baby burger' - and I had a burger-themed shower. Then when Graham was born, I jokingly called him 'Graham burger' before coming up with 'GraHAMBURGER!' When it was time to do a monthly baby photo, I just didn't see myself doing something cheesy, no pun intended. I'd seen the doughnut baby and pizza baby photos and knew I just HAD to do shoots of my little burger baby!" "There was actually one day I had to change his diaper in the middle of the shoot, and my DOG ate one of the burgers!" Judging by the photos, a lot of work went into every shot. Imagine doing a Shake Shack run every single month! "In the beginning, I was like, 'Oh, this is fine!' I had a white presentation board that I'd lay on the floor, get my burger box and just lay him there, shake a rattle, and hope we could get him to crack a smile," said Lindsay. "As time went on, it definitely got more complicated! We moved from Florida to Georgia, and I'm not lying, the burger box and presentation board came in the car with us because I wouldn't let the movers touch it." Story continues Naturally, there was a mishap or two along Lindsay's year-long journey, because kids - and pets - can be hard to wrangle. "There was actually one day I had to change his diaper in the middle of the shoot, and my dog ate one of the burgers!" she said. "I had to go back to Shake Shack and get another one. I cried at the time, but looking back, it's hilarious. Once he started moving, and eating, and there were more and more burgers, it got harder, but also more fun!" As soon as Lindsay moved to Atlanta, she made the photo shoot an ongoing event with her family. "We'd do a 'burgers for lunch day' at my parents house," she explained. "I put it on everyone's monthly calendars and we'd stop and get the burgers on the way over and my whole family would come over for lunch once we finished the picture. It was definitely a group effort to make him laugh, sit still in the right place, and not grab a burger!" Staying in theme, Lindsay organized a baby burger-themed birthday party when Graham turned 1. And given her experience as a pastry chef, all of the treats looked absolutely amazing. Scroll through to get a look at Graham's sweet savory milestones. Related: This Mom Documented Her Baby's First Year in Pizza Slices - How She Chose the Toppings Is Hilarious 14.02.2020 LISTEN The Secretariat of NAHSAG has noted with grief the appalling trail of attacks on health personnel within the country. It saddens our hearts as a body to have the very people we are serving rise against us to the point of taking our lives from us. We could not resist but register our displeasure about this crime and add our voice to the teeming voices seeking justice for these victims. On the 3rd of February 2020, Ms Ruth Ama Eshun (May Her Soul Rest in Perfect Peace) was a victim of rape and gruesome murder at Ayuom in the Bosomtwe District, Ashanti Region. Just a week after, a student nurse undertaking her clinical attachment at Abura Dunkwa Hospital was also attacked and beaten unthinkably to a pulp while returning home from a late afternoon shift. She was inhumanly butchered in an attempt to defend herself. The police have apprehended and imprisoned the culprits to four (4) years imprisonment which we highly praise. We commend the Ghana police service for their commitment to the protection of the citizenry. We in the same vein entreat the police to swiftly act on finding all the culprits involved in Ms. Ruths murder and bring closure to this case through justice. We must feel safe and secure serving this nation as health students, graduates, and workers. The general public should see health personnel as partners in the development of this nation and should as much as practicable give us a helping hand with respect to protection when the need arises. The National Health Students Association of Ghana (NAHSAG) seek JUSTICE for Ms Ruth and any other person(s) who have suffered attacks in any form. We send our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Ms Ruth. NAHSAG stands with you in these hard times. #Justice4RuthEshun #Justice4RuthEshun #JUSTICE4RUTHNOW!! Signed Signed. Moses N. Bondong Faustina Aikins Mariamah Adama Issah President General Secretary Womens Commissioner Market Research Future Published a Cooked Research Report on Global Medical Device Coating Market that contains the information from 2016 to 2023. Medical Device Coating Market is expected to grow at a CAGR 5.16% during forecast period 2016-2023. Global Medical Device Coating Market is growing pervasively due to the prominence the coating materials hold in protecting devices and apparatus used in the medical sector. Medical Device Coating Is crucial when it comes to protecting multiple types of devices and implants used in the healthcare sector. These coatings protect medical devices from susceptible attacks of various microbial factors & other pathogens as well as reduce corrosion & friction, offering them a glossy and finishing touch. Moreover, these coating materials also extend the longevity of the medical devices, increasing their durability. The advantages that medical device coatings offer drives huge market demand. Patients safety being a paramount concern, it is a key driving force pushing up the growth in the Medical Device Coating Market. Medical devices are one of the pillars the flourishing healthcare sector is standing on today. Increasing uptake of medical devices impacts market growth positively. According to Market Research Future (MRFR), Global Medical Device Coating Market is poised to touch a valuation of USD 10,109.7 MN by 2023. MRFR, in its recently published study, also confirms that the market would register approximately 5.16% CAGR during the review period (2017-2023). Rising healthcare expenditures and well-spread awareness for the benefits of medical devices is stimulating market demand. Besides, the growing need for early detection and non-invasive therapies fosters market growth. Additional factors contributing to the growth of the Medical Device Coating Market include the augmented demand for quality healthcare growing with the increasing population, urbanization, and the improving economy worldwide. Also, increasing geriatric population and the growing demand for Minimal Invasive Surgical Instrument (MISI) are impacting the market growth positively. Various innovative and connected products such as advanced diagnostics products and wearable medical devices that are rapidly getting introduced in the market define the demand and the growth in the market. Technological advancements in coating technologies are boosting the market demand, bringing about advanced coatings such as hydroxyapatite, antimicrobial silver coatings, drug-eluting coatings, and heparin, a blood-compatible coating. Technology has also significantly improved techniques for coating application/ deposition processes. For instance, plasma spraying, dipping, and spin coating, and the most recent coating techniques such as low-temperature atmospheric plasmas, laser treatments, and micro-blasting procedures. Get a Free Sample @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2120 Medical Device Coating Market Segmentations The market is segmented into three dynamics to widen the scope of understanding, By Types: Drug-Eluting, Antimicrobial, Anti Therombogenic, Hydrophilic, and others. By Applications : Orthopaedics, Cardiovascular, Neurology, and Gynaecology among others. By Regions: Europe, North America, APAC, and Rest-of-the-World. Medical Device Coating Market Competitive Landscape The Medical Device Coating Market appears fiercely competitive, with the presence of many large and small-scale players operating in the market. Innovation in product and technologies in the market are also expected to create strong investment opportunities for global players. Players acquire promising companies in emerging markets to expand their footprints. Major Players: Players Leading the Global Medical Device Coating Market include Surmodics, Inc. (US), Materion Corporation (US), Hydromer Inc. (US), Sono-Tek Corp (US), Speciality Coating Systems Inc. (US), Biocoat Incorporated (US), Royal DSM N.V (The Netherlands), and Precision Coating Company, Inc. (US), among others. Industry/ Innovation/ Related News: October 10, 2019 PVA (the US), a global supplier of conformal coating systems, announced the acquisition of the additive manufacturing start-up from Create Orthotics & Prosthetics (O&P the US), a leading medical technology company. PVA also offers innovative fluid dispensing solutions and precision valve technology and now owns all Create O&P software and intellectual property. The acquisition is the foundation of a new Medical Device Division that PVA intends to expand diversifying its product line beyond the traditional core electronics assembly market. October 01, 2019 Trinseo (the US), a global materials solutions provider and manufacturer of plastics, latex binders, and synthetic rubber, announced the completion of its acquisition of Dow Chemical Companys latex production facilities & related infrastructure in Rheinmunster, Germany. Trinseo manufactures latex binders, plastics, and synthetic rubber for medical devices, automotive, and consumer electronics, among other several industries. Trinseo also plans to grow its latex binders business in applications serving the coatings, adhesives and sealants markets, as well as specialty paper. The acquisition is aligned with Trinseos strategy to accelerate growth through expanded product portfolio for adhesives and construction applications. With the full ownership and operational control of both latex production facilities and site infrastructure & services, Trinseos production network is expected to widen across Europe. Browse Key Industry Insights spread across 123 pages with 34 market data tables & 11 figures & charts from the report, Medical Device Coating Market Information: By Type (Antimicrobial, Drug-Eluting, Hydrophilic, and Anti Therombogenic), by Application (Cardiovascular, Orthopedics, Neurology, Gynecology, and Others), and by Region (Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa) Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast 2023 in detail along with the table of contents: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/medical-device-coatings-market-2120 Global Medical Device Coating Market Regional Analysis North America leads the Global Medical Device Coating Market. The largest share of the market attributes to the augmented demand for advanced medical devices and the presence of numerous matured manufacturers. With the rising uptake of advanced medical devices, the region is forecasted to continue with its dominance throughout the review period, as well. Europe stands second in the Global Medical Device Coating Market. Due to well-established healthcare sectors in the region, the size of the medical device coating market in the region. The improving economy in the region is spurring the adoption of medical devices. Further, continuing with the same growth trends, the region is expected to create a valuation of around USD 2,763 MN by the end of 2023. The Asia Pacific region is emerging as a promising market for the Medical Device Coating, accounting for a substantial market share globally. Growing markets in Japan, China, South Korea, and India, contribute to the regional market, hugely. Besides, improving economic conditions in the region impact the growth of the regional market. The APAC medical device coating market is projected to register approximately 6.39% CAGR during the review period. Related: Chemicals and Materials Market Research Report Click For Infographics Click For VIDEOS 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. Contact: Market Research Future +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 11:06:48|Editor: zyl Video Player Close CANBERRA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Refugees and migrants are missing out on important health services in Australia, a study has found. The study, published by researchers from Flinders University on Thursday, found that Primary Health Networks (PHNs) are not equipped to meet the needs of refugees and migrants. PHNs exist to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of treatment for patients in Australia, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes. Australia has welcomed more than 170,000 refugees over the last decade and millions of migrants. As of 2018, 29 percent of the nation's population was born overseas. Anna Ziersch from the Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity at Flinders University led the study of 31 PHNs across Australia, finding that more than half were not working with refugees and migrants at all. "Particularly in light of generally poorer health status of refugees and migrants, we found much more needs to be done for these groups," she said in a media release. "Regional primary health care organisations need long-term investment and organizational stability to build and maintain collaborations with migrant and refugee groups. "In one part of the study, we found that more than half of the PHNs were not working in migrant and refugee health at all and that only 16% of PHN respondents said they had been 'successful' or 'very successful' in migrant and refugee health. "Clearly public health service gaps for both refugees and migrants are not being adequately recognized and met." The study found that major hurdles for recent arrivals in Australia seeking medical care were the language barrier, consultant costs and difficulty navigating Australia's health system. It called for migrant and refugee health to be prioritized in population health planning, inclusion of refugee and migrant voices in PHN governance and more flexible funding models. PIGEON Two Chinese teachers who were visiting Laker Elementary School for a planned three weeks had to leave early due to flight cancelations by the Chinese government. The two teachers, known as Miss Alice and Miss Louise to the students, came from the Northeastern Chinese city of Changchun. The European Parliament ratified EVFTA and EVIPA. Vietnam News Agency spoke to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son in Paris about the... Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son. The European Parliament (EP) on Wednesday ratified the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-VN Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). Vietnam News Agency spoke to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son in Paris about the agreements. Could you please comment on the significance of this decision? The EP has just ratified very important strategic and economic decisions in VN and EU relations, opening a deeper, more comprehensive and effective cooperation between the two sides 30 years after they established diplomatic relations (1990-2020). Signed on June 30, 2019 in Hanoi, the EVFTA will take effect when it is ratified by Viet Nams National Assembly and the EP, while the EVIPA agreement should be approved by the National Assembly, EP and parliaments of EU member states. The EP's decision has given a "green light" to the implementation of the EVFTA and paves the way for parliaments of EU member states to consider and ratify the EVIPA. First of all, the decision approving the EVFTA and EVIPA with a high rate of support shows the respect and appreciation of parliamentarians and EU member states to the role and position of Viet Nam, as well as to the Viet Nam EU comprehensive cooperation partnership. The two agreements will create long-term bilateral cooperation frameworks in the direction of equality and mutual benefits, contributing to promoting international economic connection and sustainable development. Secondly, the ratification of the agreements also confirms the EU's policy to continue strengthening ties with Asia-Pacific in general and ASEAN in particular. As Chairman of ASEAN 2020, we are ready to coordinate to further promote multi-faceted cooperation between the EU and ASEAN. Thirdly, the EP's vote to approve the two agreements also shows the tremendous economic benefits that the EVFTA and EVIPA bring to both sides. The EVFTA will create opportunities for EU businesses to access the market of nearly 100 million people of Viet Nam, thereby gaining deeper access to ASEAN and regional markets. The EUs GDP is expected to increase by US$30 billion and exports by 29 per cent by 2035. For Viet Nam, the EU is the second largest market for exports. The implementation of the EVFTA is expected to increase the countrys GDP by 4.6 per cent and exports to the EU by nearly 42.7 per cent by 2025. Therefore, the EP's decision has received great applause from the community of businesses on both sides. Fourthly, although the views among EP parliamentarians are different, the support for the EU's first high-quality FTA with a developing country shows the EU's determination to continue promoting trade liberalisation, trading and investment based on laws. The EP's decision will create more confidence and strengthen the trend of international economic integration and free and open trade. This is important in the context of increasing protectionism that threatens the growth of the world economy, many regions and countries. We believe that the EVFTA and EVIPA will create a strong momentum for Viet Nam-EU relations, creating new milestones in Viet Nams socio-economic development and international integration process. Leaders of Viet Nam and the European Parliament at the conference to ratify the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in Strasbourg, France on Wednesday. What are the difficulties for both sides in achieving this important result? The EVFTA and EVIPA are the agreements with the deepest commitment of the EU to a developing country, so the approval process needs to follow strict regulations of the EP and national parliaments of EU member states. The approval must also ensure effective enforcement. In addition, with the increasing trend of protectionism, the fluctuations in internal politics of the EU, especially the Brexit process, the different views and interests within the EP, and the differences in development level also posed many challenges in the process of considering and ratifying the two agreements. The voting results at the EP show that the majority of parliamentarians support the EVFTA and EVIPA, but there is also a part that has not expressed positive opinion. There are parties in the EP that are determined to pursue policies protecting domestic markets and not supporting FTAs, although they support the promotion of relations with Viet Nam and appreciate the increasingly important role of Viet Nam. Many parliamentarians are particularly concerned with issues of sustainable development, combating illegal fishing, the enforcement of high labour standards, human rights, child labour and mechanisms to ensure effective implementation. Therefore, we have directly exchanged with them, providing them with information to help EU member states and more than 700 EP members understand the objective reality in Viet Nam, efforts to reform and integrate by Viet Nam, as well as coordination to solve issues of common concern promptly and effectively, which have been highly appreciated. Two days before the voting on the EVFTA and EVIPA, the EP was also forced to conduct a vote on whether to postpone the voting for the two agreements due to the pressure and demands of several EP parties and committees. It can be said that the EPs majority of support is the result of the great efforts of the Government, the National Assembly and many related ministries, departments and branches. It is important that leaders at all levels of both Viet Nam and the EU have supported the signing and ratification of the two agreements. In regular meetings and exchanges between the Party, State, Government, National Assembly, and leaders of many of our ministries, agencies and branches, with the leaders of the EP, EU member states and agencies, both sides are determined to promote the ratification of the EVFTA and EVIPA as soon as possible. Since then, the senior leaders of the two sides have closely instructed agencies to coordinate closely to accelerate this process. As comprehensive and high-quality trade and investment agreements signed with a leading economic and trade partner, what will the EVFTA and EVIPA bring to the economy and Vietnamese businesses? The EVFTA and EVIPA will create a new impetus to strongly promote and deepen economic-trade-investment relations between Viet Nam and the EU, commensurate with expectations and potentials of both sides. With a deep and comprehensive level of commitment between the two economies, the EVFTA will bring great benefits to both sides. Once the EVFTA takes effect, the EU will eliminate import taxes on nearly 86 per cent of tariff lines from Viet Nam, which will be increased to 99 per cent after seven years. Meanwhile, Viet Nam will immediately remove 48.5 per cent of tariff lines for EU goods in the first year and increase to 91.8 per cent of tariff lines after seven years. If we take advantage of the opportunities, Vietnamese businesses will have more competitive advantages in the EU market to increase exports significantly, especially in areas where we have strengths and enjoy preferential tariffs such as textiles, footwear, agricultural and aquatic products. In the context of complicated trade tensions among countries, the EVFTA will help our businesses promote the diversification of markets and partners, creating a firmer foothold in the EU market. Vietnamese people also have access to goods and equipment that Viet Nam has not been able to produce. The EVFTA and EVIPA will also contribute to further promoting high quality investment flows from the EU, accompanied by advanced technology, leading management knowledge and new areas of digital economy. In addition to economic commitments, the EVFTA also covers many new commitments on sustainable development, climate change adaptation, sustainable forest governance, high standards of labour and environment. The effective cooperation between the two sides in implementing these commitments will contribute to further promoting reform, sustainable growth, raising labour standards and the living standards of people. In order for the EVFTA to be implemented soon, relevant agencies need to complete necessary procedures to submit to the National Assembly for consideration and ratification of the two agreements. We also need to actively promote parliaments of EU member states to ratify the EVIPA soon. Ministries, departments, localities and businesses should urgently develop plans to implement the agreement and disseminate commitments and new regulations so that businesses can make good use of opportunities while responding to challenges that may arise when implementing the agreements. VNS VN to issue lists of preferential tariffs under EVFTA The Vietnamese Government is set to issue a decree on the lists of preferential export tariffs and special preferential import tariffs to implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) when the deal comes into force in Vietnam. Representative Marc Thornberry (R., Texas), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, released a statement Thursday which called the Trump administrations plans to reroute $3.8 billion in Pentagon funding to the construction of a border wall contrary to Congresss constitutional authority. Thornberry joining colleagues across the aisle in decrying the decision warned that while border security was important, the diversion of funds undermines the principle of civilian control of the military and is in violation of the separation of powers within the Constitution. To be clear, I continue to believe that the situation on our southern border represents a national security challenge for our country one that has been exacerbated by partisan politics in Washington, Thornberry said. The wall should be funded, but the funding must come through the Department of Homeland Security rather than diverting critical military resources that are needed and in law. The administration told Congress Thursday of the plan to divert further funding away from the Department of Defense, after already siphoning $6.7 billion from other government departments for barrier construction, with another $7.2 billion planned for this fiscal year. Most of the funding affects orders for new drones, Humvees, planes including F-35 fighter jets and ships, as well as $1.3 billion in unspecified National Guard and Reserve equipment. With the DoD bearing much of the funding hit, Thornberrys fellow Texan, Democratic Representative Marc Veasey who co-chairs the Congressional Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Caucus slammed the decision as one that endangers the jobs of thousands of North Texans that work every day to keep our country safe. Defense contractor Lockheed Martin is building the F-35 fighter in Fort Worth. Representative Kay Granger, the Republican who represents Fort Worth and Texass 12 Congressional District, released a statement praising the move. Story continues Democrats have refused to work with us on border security, which has forced the President to redirect funds from other defense programs in the short term in order to secure the southern border, Granger said. . . . I have confidence that the platforms manufactured by the world-class workforce in and around Texas District 12 will be preserved and jobs will be protected. More from National Review Its a fair bet that Jan isnt happy. Fresh from pocketing about $300 million from selling her shares in Bellamys in December and sealing the success of its takeover, Cameron will front up to Hobarts Magistrates Court in four weeks to face criminal charges for misleading the corporate regulator. The financial penalty for breaching the two sections of the Corporations Act has the potential to set her back about $40,000 - loose change for one of Camerons financial means. But the charges also carry the potential penalty of disqualification from company directorships. This would presumably become more of a problem for Cameron who has been a serial investor for decades. Jan Cameron will face Hobart's Magistrates Court in March. Credit:Erin Johanson For the regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), a win against Cameron would represent a juicy high-profile scalp and serve as a warning to others. Last September, the British Fashion Council (BFC) decided London Fashion Week would become the first of the four global fashion weeks to open its doors, at least partially, to the public. Last season Henry Holland and Self Portrait hosted four sell-out public shows each, proving the concept incredibly popular. This season, its Temperley London and De La Valis turn; each of whom will hold four ticketed runway shows (Temperleys on February, Saturday 15, De La Valis on February, Sunday 16) open to the general public. Its just really nice to be able to show everybody what we are doing, says British designer Alice Temperley as we meet in her beautiful four-storey Mayfair flagship store days before the show. Temperley, who launched her brand back in 2000 a year after graduating from the Royal College of Art, was immediately keen when the BFC approached. Its really nice to be inclusive of the public. I think everybody has to think about different ways of showing now, she says. Its a really nice way of engaging with people who are really interested. Not just media and buyer types, but actually members of the public. I think brands need to engage more with their consumer and do more in-store events, more trunk shows and I think this is just a really nice way of doing something different. Unlike traditional fashion shows which showcase a next seasons stock (which wont actually hit stores for another six months), Temperley is showing the public a see-now-buy-now concept of the current summer collection that, following the show, they can purchase at the pop-up onsite at fashion week or shop in store. I think showing the collection six months before its available confuses everybody with the amount of social media thats out there, when people cant have it straight away, says the Somerset-born designer. And really you should be showing your collection to those who are going to be buying it there and then. So I think its a really nice concept to work on. While the brand has become well-known for its bridal and eveningwear, the public show will in fact comprise 70 per cent daywear. Temperley I think we are going back to that original feeling the brand launched with. There are a lot more mini dresses, shorts, blouses that are affordable and really, really pretty, she says. Really simple, lovely summer dresses and separates. Its just really important for us to show that we are not just eveningwear. Eveningwear obviously sells very well for us, it sells well in the Middle East and it sells well here but we do amazing tailored coats and leather. We have some amazing leather suits in this collection actually. The brand is even launching denim for the first time, by way of jeans, denim jackets and amazing little high-wasted shorts. Not only are the clothes more wearable, but the price points are lower - think 495 and 595 for dresses and jackets. Temperley For autumn 2020, the brand will also be launching its first range of handbags and shoes. The bags wont feature in the public show (as they are winter collection), but they are available to pre-order online from today. With bags and shoes, I quite like very classic, very well made things, says Temperley, who named the bags in her debut collection after family members. The bags are just really classic bags. Im not really a fashion bag person and I want functional, really beautifully made bags that I can wear with everything and all the time. The bags start at 600 and come in six silhouettes in three classic colours; Somerset Green, Burnt Umber,and Black. We will relaunch them in different fabrics and different colours further down the line, says Temperley, but they will always be core collection. They are made in one of the best factories in Italy with beautiful metal ware and theyre just really very well executed. Shoes are on the way (think tango dance shoes, and lace-up velvet Victoriana booties), but aren't available to pre-order just yet. Entering the handbag market was a long thought-out process for Temperley London, with the brand's CEO, Luca Donnini, say: We thought long and hard, not only to identify the right supply chain and high standard of quality required, but also to be able to understand what our loyal clients were expecting from us. For Alice, its about ensuring Temperley Londons future by becoming more of a lifestyle brand. Ill want to do other categories, so Im thinking bags and shoes and beach and various other things. In part to make the brand more accessible, in part because if you like a brand and you want to buy into it then its nice if they do all those things. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Legalizing weed for recreational use would be one of the biggest changes in New York public health policy that many of us have ever seen. It deserves a full-throated, open debate. The pros and cons should be looked at. Everybody on both sides of the question should have their say. And give a public vote. It shouldnt be hidden inside the state budget. The fact that Gov. Andrew Cuomo included weed legalization as part of the state budget shows that there is still worry that weed wont prevail in a stand-alone vote. He said as much to the Wall Street Journal this week. Its a lot easier for lawmakers to vote for an overall state budget, which may contain some controversial items, rather than being forced to vote openly for any of those items as single bills. Because we have to have a budget, right? We cant not vote for a spending plan. Too many people rely on state funding for that. So, yeah, theres some stuff in the budget that I as a lawmaker personally disagree with. But its not like I voted for that individual thing. I voted for the whole budget. Hands clean! That means it would all have to be done in time for the start of the new fiscal year on April 1. Whats the big concern with a standalone vote? Poll after poll shows that New Yorkers widely favor legalizing weed for recreational use. Or, as advocate doublespeak calls it, adult-use marijuana. Nobody should be afraid to take a public vote on such a popular topic. And whos kidding whom here when it comes to adult use? You can set all the age limits you like, underage kids are still going to get their hands on weed. There are age restrictions on alcohol and cigarettes, and plenty of underage kids drink and smoke. And go to R-rated movies. And view inappropriate material on the Internet. Lets be real. And if making weed widely available has consequences on young people and their developing minds and psyches, then those lawmakers who voted in favor of legalizing weed, and in the middle of a deadly opioid crisis, should be held accountable. Same thing goes if theres a spike in highway mayhem as a result of weed-inebriated drivers. A report released by AAAs Foundation for Traffic Safety found that the number of drivers involved in fatal crashes with THC in their systems doubled in Washington state following the legalization of cannabis there, State of Politics reported. Meanwhile, lawmakers and Cuomo are dickering over just how much weed youd be allowed to possess under legalization. According to the Associated Press, a legislative proposal would allow people over 21 years old to possess three ounces of weed. That so people wont get caught up in the criminal justice system, which is one of the main reasons why lawmakers are working to legalize in the first place. Three ounces? Thats a lot of weed! Cuomo countered by saying that people should only be allowed to possess up to an ounce of weed. As if thats being some kind of buzzkill. Burnouts win either way. Everybodys already counting up all the weed revenue, but lawmakers still cant agree on how the money should be spent. Some lawmakers want money to go to communities of color where people suffered disproportionately from the enforcement of drug laws. Think of it as weed reparations. But if lawmakers outside of those communities are going to support legalization, with all its potential drawbacks, theyre going to want a piece of the revenue pie as well. Cuomo wants the money to go in a state cannabis fund, to be spent on administration of the weed program; public health education, and research on cannabis uses. None of which would be necessary without the legalization of weed, but why quibble? So we still have plenty of fun to sort through as the process rolls on. By ANI NEW DELHI: Ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit, a top government source on Friday said that India is "deeply interested" in acquiring the drone technology used by the Americans to kill Iranian military leader Qaseem Soleimani last month. "We would be deeply interested in acquiring the technology used by the Americans to kill the Iranian military commander as the drone quietly sneaked in and launched its missile accurately to kill him," he said. On January 3, Iranian Revolutionary Guards Commander Maj Gen Qaseem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike by the US troops in Baghdad. Sources said the technology can help in targeting the Indian fugitives hiding in countries such as Pakistan or other countries if there is any need for such an operation. Several perpetrators of heinous terrorist attacks in India like the 26/11 in Mumbai and February 14 Pulwama attacks are hiding in Pakistan and are termed as "non-state" actors by Islamabad. Both Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed have been roaming openly in Pakistan continuing their activities against India at the behest of the Pakistan Army there. Sources said India has expressed interest in the technology and the issue may come up for discussion during the US President's visit. Trump is slated to pay a two-day visit to India on February 24-25. During the operation to kill Osama Bin Laden in 2009, the American Navy Special Forces had used a special stealth chopper to land and attack their target hiding next to the Pakistan Military Academy near Islamabad. Sources said India may also move ahead with the Predator drones deal with the US during the visit but the drones being acquired may not be as effective as the ones used in the Iranian strike in carrying out selective target attack as they can be shot down by fighter aircraft. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment We all make decisions, weekly or even daily, that mold us into people who are either well suited for deep, spiritually satisfying relationshipsor not. The degree of our own spiritual and emotional health has incredible impact on our friendships or marriage. Our willingness to address sin issues in our own personalities and unhelpful habits weve developed is almost always directly proportional to our success in relationships. Obviously, theres a degree of responsibility on the other side you cant make a partnership work with someone whos unwilling to put in the effort on the other end but by and large, the old adage holds truth: Be a good friend, and you will find good friends. Strive for spiritual maturity, and you will find spiritually mature people who will care for you and entrust their own care to you. Dont get me wrong. Good mentors, friends and spouses are always a gift from God. We have our part to play, though, in becoming people who can be trusted with these gifts. Its a pattern thats found more than once in the Bible too. After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the kings son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself (1 Samuel 18:1,3 NLT). This friendship would save Davids life more than once as Saul tried to kill him; but more importantly, Jonathan played a key role in encouraging David to trust Gods promises. One day near Horesh, David received the news that Saul was on the way to Ziph to search for him and kill him. Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. Dont be afraid, Jonathan reassured him. My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father, Saul, is well aware (1 Samuel 23:15-18). This is an astonishing moment of friendship. Jonathan believes in Gods word to David so strongly that hes taken a stand against his own family who are fighting this promise and does everything he can to see it come true. I wonder if Saul ever looked at his son and David with a kind of wistfulness or wounded envy. He was warped after years of entertaining jealousy, nurturing fear and ignoring God, and yet he had known the Holy Spirits power. He knew what it was like to see the Lord of heavenly hosts go ahead of him. He had prophesied in the grip of the Spirit. He had known true glory. After all that, he chose his own security, ease and public image. He chose these things over and over, and each time he lost the one relationship that matters most and, as a result, every other personal connection in his life suffered. Pastor Mark Dever, president of 9Marks and council member of The Gospel Coalition, wrote four incredibly important steps to discipleship and building strong Christian relationships. 1. Talk Truth Growing in God only happens in the context of biblical truth. This means having spiritually meaningful conversations with each other that are based off the Bible or books and sermons from leaders whose teachings have a reliable basis in the Bible. Obviously, its important to connect over everyday, personal stuff; but a relationship wont grow into a spiritually solid one without intentional focus on God. 2. Correct Errors Not all answers are the right answers, and we all make mistakes, no matter how far along we are in our Christian walk. Lovingly pointing out errors or poor choices will help someone learn how to avoid making the same mistake or how to handle a certain situation better next time. Also, keep in mind that Pauls instructions in Colossians 3:16 describe a journey of mutual growth. If youre offering correction, you need to be willing to receive it as well (even perhaps especially if youre a little more spiritually seasoned than the other person). 3. Model Godly Living This is a call to check yourself regularly. Are certain issues cropping up in your life that you know you should address but havent gotten around to doing so yet? Do you have an addiction or reoccurring sin that may require an accountability partner? Chances are good its impacting your buddy, even if neither of you is specifically aware of its effects. Were not perfect, and part of continually building each other up is acknowledging this fact and actively allowing the Spirit to address those issues. Let your trustworthy people in on the process. Itll be a blessing to both you and them. 4. Love Well This step is a pivotal part of the command, Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25). We have to love the person were walking alongside because deep, meaningful relationships are never easy to build. They require lots of thought and energy and care to keep healthy. In a nutshell, thats love. Reflecting on the biblical command in 2 Timothy 2:2, Gary Thomas wrote, This priority to put our first and best efforts into reliable people is a biblical call, not a personal preference. Of course, as Gods followers we are always open, twenty-four hours a day, to divine appointments to love. The good Samaritan didnt check whether the beaten-up traveler was reliable. We want to be generous to all, but focused on a few as Jesus was. He healed and served and then often sent the recipients home. Gary Wilkerson also mused in a sermon how God uses other people to provide for us when we are in desperate need. Sometimes we need someone in our life who believes there's a way when we see no way. Sometimes we need somebody to pick us up when we can't pick ourselves up. Sometimes, when we don't believe anymore, we need somebody in our life who believes for us. When we've lost hope, when we've given up, when we say we're not able anymore, when were paralyzed, God will send somebody into your life to say, It's time to move. It's time to go. It's time to get up, and theyll pick you up. It stands to reason that God gives these commands not to burden us but for his glory and our own benefit. Good spiritual friendships are great blessings in our moments of triumph and our journeys through the valley of the shadow of death. Often these are the people whose voice the Spirit uses to remind us of Gods promises. Often these are the hands that comfort us when weve traveled beyond our own strength, beyond any hope we can see, beyond the reach of anyone else. They keep us forging forward when all we can see is an impassable mountain ahead. In his classic Winnie-the-Pooh, A. A. Milne wrote a line that I always think of when I am with my best and closest friend, one who makes me laugh so often and has faithfully walked alongside me through some of my most difficult trials. As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen. Rachel Chimits is a writer for World Challenge, a global ministry that encourages people to live a better life and make a better world through Jesus Christ. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) A Michigan company is recalling about 1,900 bars of chocolate that may contain milk that's not listed in the ingredients. Grand Rapids-based Gourmet International on Thursday issued an allergy alert for Butlers Irish Whiskey Dark Chocolate 3.5-ounce tablet bars. The chocolate bars are made by Dublin, Ireland-based Butlers Chocolates. The recall was initiated after FDA testing found high levels of milk in the product. The government says people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk are at-risk of a serious allergic reaction if they consume the product. No illnesses have been reported. The chocolate bars are packaged in cream-colored wrapping. They were distributed to specialty food stores in Michigan, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. They also were available through retail locations. An Aug. 16, 2020 expiration date is listed on the packages. The products lot code is 101048778. The UPC is 8-44984-17619-7. Several West Linn City Council members said Thursday they were shocked to read this week about the details of a Portland mans wrongful arrest lawsuit against their police force, saying a briefing earlier this week about the citys $600,000 settlement in the case revealed scant information. Council President Teri Cummings said no one who negotiated the settlement on behalf of West Linns insurance provider, City County Insurance Services, offered any significant background during a Monday night executive session about the deal. It was West Linn police captain, Pete Mahuna, who talked to them about it. When Cummings said she read The Oregonian/OregonLives report later that night about the racist and crude text messages uncovered in the case, "I was just floored.'' The text exchange was between Tony Reeves, a West Linn detective since promoted to sergeant, and Eric Benson, the owner of A&B Towing in Portland. The two men messaged back and forth during a surveillance operation against one of Bensons employees, Michael Fesser. West Linn police began the 2017 investigation of Fesser at the behest of their then-Police Chief Terry Timeus. Timeus took it on at the request of Benson, who was the chiefs fishing buddy. Benson said he was worried that Fesser, who is black, would cause him trouble over workplace discrimination complaints. "I think we were given a general idea that our police were assisting their police (Portland) in a situation,'' Cummings said. "I was wondering why we were assisting police in another town. I was left with the impression thats just the way things go.'' West Linn police asked Portland police gang enforcement officers to help them arrest Fesser in Portland on Feb. 25, 2017, on dubious allegations that he stole money from A&B Towing. "I just have a lot of questions because I realized all the evidence wasnt available at first, and those were pretty damning records,'' Cummings said. I am morally outraged,'' said council member Jules Walters. I believe its my responsibility that this doesnt happen again in this city.'' Council member Bill Relyea called the police behavior in Fessers case "unacceptable'' and said he believes it needs to be investigated further. Their comments were among their first public statements after days of silence in the wake of the published report on the West Linn settlement with Fesser. Fesser, 48, sued West Linn police, alleging racial discrimination and unlawful arrest. The citys insurance company agreed to pay $405,232 to Fesser in damages and $194, 768 to his lawyers by Thursday. West Linn attorney Tim Ramis, who serves as the city attorney, said earlier in the week that city councilors did not have to approve the settlement in a public session because the city was represented by City County Insurance Services. The decision is made by the insurance carrier, not made by the city, so it would not come before the city of West Linn, Ramis said. Local residents have expressed outrage over the case on multiple social media platforms and are expected to crowd a previously scheduled West Linn council work session at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Cummings said she wants to know if the citys insurance provider and its attorney shared any of the details of the case with the city manager at the time. Since the story was published, Oregons senators and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer have urged U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams to conduct a federal civil rights investigation. Williams, through his spokesman, declined comment Thursday. Clackamas and Multnomah County district attorneys also are investigating the involvement of West Linn and Portland police in Fessers arrest and his November 2017 Multnomah County indictment. All theft charges against him have been dismissed. The lead West Linn investigator, Reeves, was placed on paid leave Wednesday. Gov. Kate Brown directed the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training to investigate the case as well. Mike Stradley, a former West Linn lieutenant involved in the case who most recently has been a supervisor training new recruits at the states basic police academy, also was placed on paid leave Wednesday. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Subscribe to Facebook page Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Arli Aditya Parikesit (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 14, 2020 11:11 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20647acf7 3 Opinion coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-Indonesia-zero-case,Wuhan-coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,WHO,outbreak Free 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. The WHO and other experts still wonder why COVID-19 has remained undetected in Indonesia. The government has evacuated Indonesian citizens from Wuhan, the origin of the virus, to Natuna Island for quarantine. As the world lingers in crisis, global bioinformaticians, especially the Chinese, are trying their best to win the humanitarian and scientific battle against the deadly pathogen. Although most of the time they are working behind closed and confined doors, they have provided critical information to assist medical schools throughout the world in developing drugs, diagnostic tools and, eventually, a vaccine to beat COVID-19. The very first bioinformatic breakthrough in this outbreak was the detailing of the new coronavirus biological sequence. The genome of COVID-19 and the crystal structure of its protease enzyme have already been sequenced and elucidated by a consortium of Chinese universities and research institutes. The protease structure is attached with the N3 inhibitor and this is crucial information for the drug development effort. The sequence is a starting point in developing drugs, diagnostic tools and a vaccine for the dangerous virus. The effort to find the genes that are responsible for viral replication and the protein responsible for the host cell attachment have benefitted from this sequencing. Based on that preliminary information, scientists have developed diagnostic tools with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) endorsed by the WHO. The primers of the PCR protocol were designed with tools that were based upon the bioinformatics sequence alignment method. This demonstrates that bioinformatics played a role in the very early efforts to develop the lab protocol for diagnosing COVID-19. Developing drugs and especially vaccines will be a different game as it will be more challenging. Based on recommendations from scientists from the Public Health Clinical Center at Fudan University, China, utilizing existing drugs lopinavir or ritonavir, for instance, could be a viable option, although it should be tested in clinical trial. The vaccine development effort is about to start. As worldwide lead compounds repositories such as pubchem (a database of chemical molecules) and drug bank are available, scientists can leverage machine-learning-based computational methods to alter drug candidates swiftly. This can be done by modifying the chemical structure of the existing coronavirus drugs with computational chemistry tools. The next stage will be conducting massive molecular simulations using supercomputers to obtain the best lead compounds to be extrapolated as drug candidates in the wet laboratory setting. Modern supercomputers can simulate the complexity of the biochemical reaction in the cell, so they will have a stark resemblance to the wet lab environment. However, in the present emergency situation, quicker alternatives to peer-reviewed scientific journals are needed as disseminators of research results. Life sciences preprint servers bioRxiv and medRxiv, for instance, have played their role well as databases of open science to hasten the dissemination of research results in a time of emergency. While China employs its best scientific machinery to face this terrible crisis, some people have engaged in racist fearmongering. Racial slurs stemming from COVID-19 infections facing China and overseas Chinese are unscientific, inhumane and unjust. It should be halted immediately and the world should focus on the things that are important. China and the rest of the world need a scientific solution to the new coronavirus infection, not useless and painful racial humiliation or xenophobic sentiments. Thus, the extensive and super-fast bioinformatics research that has been conducted by Chinese scientists should be appreciated because it uncovered biological sequences that have served as crucial information for the WHO and other scientists throughout the world in the fight to develop definite drugs, vaccines and solid diagnostic tools for the virus. Based on the Chinese experience, in case of any dangerous infectious disease, Indonesia should develop a fine-grained standard operating procedure and manual procedure that can establish and disseminate biological sequences as soon as possible so the WHO and the rest of the world can help us quickly. The Health Ministry and especially the Research and Technology Ministry, which will be the supervisor of all public research institutes in the country including health-related ones, should think about the need for quick genetic sequencing because nobody knows what the future will hold. The very preliminary step that the research ministry should take is the establishment of a national sequences repository like the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in the United States. This central repository will facilitate strong coordination with the WHO and other prominent academics and research institutes in the world in a time of epidemiological crisis. ___________ Head of the Bioinformatics Department at the Indonesia International Institute for Life Sciences, member of the Indonesian Young Academy of Science (ALMI) and the Indonesian Society for Bioinformatics and Biodiversity (MABBI) Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. C hildren were today warned about the dangers of sexting as police revealed more than 350 under-14s have been investigated for sharing indecent images in three years. Detectives used Valentines Day to challenge youngsters to think twice about whether a boyfriend or girlfriend asking them to send naked pictures really loves them. Between January 2017 and October 2019, 353 suspects under the age of 14 were reported to the Met for possessing or distributing indecent images. Consensual sexting cases dealt with under Outcome 21, a police policy to avoid children being criminalised, leapt from 38 in 2018 to 90 last year. Pictures and videos have ended up on adult porn sites. Police said a third of illegal images found on such sites were made by young people themselves. Detective Superintendent Zena Marshall, of the Mets online child sexual abuse and exploitation unit, said a lot of children were more likely to send nude images of themselves to partners than Valentines cards. Once an image is out there, its very difficult to get back She said: Stopping young people sexting is an impossible task. But I want them to say first, Who do I want to see that image? If its just one person, then think twice before sending. Were not seeking to criminalise children for this behaviour, however making and sharing indecent images of someone under 18 is a criminal offence. Often you will get an indecent image that has been shared between two young people and then its out to the whole school. "Theres been instances where its been seen by over 100 people. Once an image is out there, its very difficult to get back. The vast majority of investigations are dropped because police decide it would not be in the public interest to bring charges. But details of the arrest or an Outcome 21 may be disclosed later in life during an employment background check. Sexting victim Eleanor, not her real name, was 14 when her boyfriend convinced her to share four naked pictures. When they broke up, a friend found the images had been posted on Snapchat along with details of her online profile. She was forced to move school and to a new house outside London. I felt so betrayed and lonely, she told the Standard. Sexting has become the norm. But you dont know who to trust. The Prime Minister has set the goal of exporting $300 billion worth of products this year, but with the coronavirus outbreak, this proves to be an impossible mission. Since the day coronavirus appeared in Vietnam, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh has held many meetings to discuss solutions to both prevent the epidemic and maintain production and business. According to Phan Van Chinh, director of the Import/Export Department, some border gates have opened again, but the cross-border trade has not been fully resumed because China is still trying to avoid crowding. Border markets have not opened and the workforce for loading and unloading goods faces a shortage. Exporters have been urged to seek new markets in the context of the Vietnam-China trade hindrances. However, this cannot be done overnight. It will take time to negotiate. The Prime Minister has set the goal of exporting $300 billion worth of products this year, but with the coronavirus outbreak, this proves to be an impossible mission. Chinh, at a February 7 meeting, mentioned the transport of farm produce to China by sea. However, to do this, Vietnamese enterprises need to export products through official channels, not across border gates. In the first period, the state should consider propping up transport costs to familiarize enterprises with the export channel, he said. If the epidemic lasts 1-3 months, Vietnams farm exports across border gates will see a decrease of $400-600 million. If the epidemic lasts more than 3 months, the figure will be $800 million or higher. Director of the Domestic Market Tran Duy Dong recommended re-organizing agricultural production in accordance with market demand, emphasizing that producers need to attach importance to food safety and traceability. If farm produce can satisfy requirements on food safety and traceability, it would be easy to find alternative export markets, Dong said, adding that people are buying food at supermarkets rather than traditional markets amid the nCoV outbreak because they think the products are traceable. If the epidemic lasts several months, Vietnamese producers will face input material shortage, because a large proportion of materials are sourced from China. The materials for production used now were imported before Tet (January 2020) and enterprises need more materials to keep up production in the upcoming months. Truong Thanh Hoai, director of the Industry Department, admitted that textile and garment, footwear and electronics manufacturers heavily rely on material imports from China. This is attributed to Vietnam"s weak supporting industries. The materials for some industries are just enough for one month use, Hoai said. Deputy chair of the Vietnam Textile and Garment Association Truong Van Cam also expressed his concern about the shortage of materials. Some companies are considering importing materials from South Korea, India, Bangladesh and Brazil. M. Ha Traders, exporters advised not to transport produce to northern border gates The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has asked local exporters to suspend the transport of farm produce to the northern border gates. Pension spiking can occur in dozens of ways. For example, some state and local governments apply overtime hours to total years worked, thus increasing the time factor so an employee's years of service are artificially increased. Other government agencies may permit their employees to include leave and allowances not ordinarily intended to impact retirement in their final years, thus increasing their final average salary and pensionable pay. Most commonly, state and local governments allow public employees to cash in sick leave and vacation leave, often accrued over the course of an entire career, during the employee's final few years. These lump-sum payments will then count toward the employee's final average salary, increasing that employee's pension payments. In 2014, the North Carolina legislature passed a law to curb "pension spiking" among public employees. Pension spiking is when a worker dramatically increases their compensation at the end of their career to boost their pension (usually by converting benefits such as vacation or sick time pay), which creates a liability in the pension fund.The law, however, hasn't put an end to pension spiking. The law doesn't ban spiking-it only requires government agencies to pay for the liability created by spiking. Among North Carolina's public colleges, pension spiking is an seven-figure problem that drives up costs for taxpayers.The University of North Carolina system and North Carolina's community colleges have been charged almost $8 million for pension spiking since 2015, according to public records from the state treasurer's office. UNC schools have the most instances of pension spiking, but community colleges have some of the largest totals for individual retirees.Thirteen UNC schools were billed for pension spiking, along with UNC Health Care and the UNC General Administration. Fourteen community colleges and the state community college's general administration were all invoiced as well. At Guilford Tech, Edgecombe Tech, Wake Tech, Nash CC, Lenoir CC, Robeson CC, and Caldwell CC, the pension spiking bills for individual retirees exceeded $150,000.When a retiree triggers the pension spiking law, the state treasurer sends an invoice to the agency responsible. The logic is that if local governments allow pension spiking, they have a responsibility to pay for it. UNC schools, cities, school districts, and even the General Assembly have received invoices. Since 2015, the treasurer's office has sent out 289 invoices to government agencies, who have been charged $25.8 million for pension spiking. The majority have been paid.If the goal of an anti-pension spiking law was to put a stop to spiking, though, it has failed. Among two- and four-year colleges, spiking has gone up and then leveled off since 2016. For all state agencies, it has increased, with a slight decrease in 2019.Though the legislature's anti-spiking law shows the cost of pension spiking, it's still a relatively hidden issue. The Asheville Citizen-Times covered spiking as part of a county government scandal in 2019, and the Raleigh News & Observer highlighted the problem in 2013 before the law took effect, but it attracts little media attention.Jonathan Riches, director of national litigation and general counsel at the Goldwater Institute, told the Martin Center.Riches wrote a 2014 policy report looking at how pension spiking happens:The state treasurer only tracks highly paid state workers. A government agency will only get a spiking invoice when the retiree's final average compensation exceeds $109,000. If the retiree was hired after 2015, they will either receive a limited pension or the employer or retiree can pay the funding shortfall so the retiree will receive their full pension.The state treasurer only looks at the math, not the motivation of the retiree. It's possible that invoices charge a local agency for a legitimate pay bump at the end of a worker's career. If a worker jumps from a small school district to a large college, for example, their pay increase might trigger an invoice from the state treasurer. But the important thing for the treasurer's office is that a liability has been created, and the government agency needs to pay for it.UNC system and community college employees enroll in the Teachers and State Employee Retirement System, which is one of the better-funded public pension systems in the country. The $8 million is a small burden on TSERS' $105 billion in assets and doesn't threaten the pension system's financial stability. Pension spiking does, however, create an extra tax on local governments.Colleges are not taken surprise by that extra charge. The treasurer's office sends out a monthly report to state agencies with workers who would trigger an anti-spiking invoice if they retired in the next 12 months. Most of those workers won't actually retire and cause a spike, but it's an early warning system for colleges.said Laurie Clowers, the vice president of communications and marketing at Wake Tech.Most colleges did not want to name the retirees or give out their job titles, calling it confidential personnel information. Some of the most expensive payouts, however, align with the retirements of community college presidents. Guilford Tech's $441,428 payout, for instance, happened the day after former president Randy Parker retired in 2019, according to a press release. In an email, Guilford Tech confirmed that the payment was for Parker, but declined to comment.At Edgecombe Tech, its $354,109 payout aligns with the retirement of former president Deborah Lamb, according to a press release. The college did not respond to a request for comment. And Lenoir Community College's $192,232 payout happened when former president Brantly Briley retired, according to an article in The Shelby Star. Lenoir CC would not confirm who the retiree was.Wake Tech's three retirees, an associate vice president and two senior vice presidents, triggered payments of almost $407,000, but Wake Tech declined to provide their names.East Carolina University and UNC-Chapel Hill did not respond to public records requests or requests for comment, while NC State referred the Martin Center to the system office. The system office then referred the Martin Center to UNC campuses for comment because the invoices do not go to the system office.That lack of comment ande reluctance to share information with the public is part of the problem. When employees pension spike, other employees-and taxpayers-must pay for the liability that is created. The public then pays without knowing it. At a time when North Carolina's public colleges keep expanding, along with its budget requests to the state government, the public deserves to know for what, exactly, it is paying. Northern Ireland's hospital waiting time crisis cannot be addressed until the row over doctors' pensions is resolved, it has been warned. Slashing the number of people waiting years for hospital appointments and surgical procedures is a key priority for the new Health Minister, Robin Swann. Earlier this week, Mr Swann said the health service needs an extra 661m to maintain existing services and to tackle the waiting list crisis. Health trusts will be expected to run additional clinics in order to meet the ambitious target laid out in the New Decade, New Approach deal. However, a senior doctor has said consultants will be unable to work the hours necessary while the current rules relating to doctors' pensions remain in place. Dr Tom Black, chair of the British Medical Association's (BMA) Northern Ireland council, said: "As it stands, if doctors work harder, they end up paying more tax than they are actually earning. The obvious solution to this is for doctors to stop working as many hours." Senior doctors have been dramatically scaling back their hours since pension reforms which mean they are being severely financially penalised for running extra clinics to help the health service cope with demand. There have been reports that some doctors have been forced to re-mortgage their homes to pay hefty tax bills, while it has also been claimed that more doctors are taking early retirement because of the situation. Last November, the Belfast Telegraph revealed that waiting times for cancer and dementia services here are growing as a result of the pension row. Dr Black continued: "Mitigations can be put in place by local governments to address this issue and that's already being done in Wales, Scotland and England. "Essentially it means that they can stop paying into the pension scheme on a short-term basis. "This is already happening in the other three countries and we have met with the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health to discuss this issue with him. Now we have a Health Minister in place, there is no reason why this can't be addressed. "We can only clear waiting lists if doctors work harder and they won't work harder if it means they're going to earn less." A spokeswoman from the Department of Health said: "This important issue is under active and urgent consideration by the minister. "He is very keen to establish a way forward as soon as possible." Sen. Bernie Sanders has a 7-point lead in Nevada over former Vice President Joe Biden with that state's caucuses just eight days away. Sanders also continues to lead in national polls - with Morning Consult showing him 10 points ahead of Biden in a survey released Thursday. That poll also shows former New York City Mike Bloomberg in a strong third, just one point behind Biden. Bloomberg's rise has gotten attention from Sanders, who complained Friday about a Democratic National Committee rule change that could allow the New York City billionaire to be onstage at the next Democratic primary debate. Sen. Bernie Sanders is head in a new Nevada poll by 7 points and a new national poll by 10 points after strong showings in both Iowa and New Hampshire The Nevada Poll, as it's called, has Sanders ahead of Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Both Biden and Warren need to perform well in Nevada and South Carolina after disappointing finishes in the first two states Former Vice President Joe Biden has fallen behind Sen. Bernie Sanders in both Nevada and nationally, new surveys show Sanders suggested the DNC was motivated by Bloomberg's money. 'That is what being a multi-billionaire is about,' Sanders said on 'CBS This Morning.' 'Some very good friends of mine who were competing in the Democratic nomination - people like Cory Booker of New Jersey, Julian Castro - work really, really hard. Nobody changed the rules to get them in the debate.' 'But I guess if you're worth $60 billion, you can change the rules,' the Vermont senator complained. 'I think that is very, very unfortunate,' the 2020 hopeful added. The rule change, which was announced in January, allows candidates to participate in the February debates if they earn at least 10 per cent of voter support in four national polls or 12 per cent in polls in Nevada or South Carolina - the two final states to vote this month. A candidate can also qualify by earning at least a delegate from the Iowa caucuses or the New Hampshire primary. Bloomberg's campaign tells DailyMail.com that he's just one poll away from qualifying. Bloomberg, who didn't enter the race until late November, is technically skipping the first four states - Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina - and will begin his hunt for delegates on Super Tuesday, when 14 states vote. The Nevada Poll, conducted by WPA Intelligence on behalf of the Las Vegas Review-Journal and AARP Nevada, doesn't have Bloomberg as an option because he's not on the ballot there. In that survey, the Vermont senator wins the support of 25 per cent of likely Democratic caucusgoers, followed by Biden with 18 per cent and Sen. Elizabeth Warren with 13 per cent. Billionaire Tom Steyer followed with 11 per cent and Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg are tied with 10 points each. Nevada voters will caucus next Saturday. Nationally, Morning Consult shows Sanders with 29 per cent, gaining three points since winning in New Hampshire. Biden is in second place with 19 per cent, losing four points since his fifth place showing in the Granite State. Bloomberg stands at 18 per cent in the Morning Consult survey. He's followed by Buttigieg with 11 per cent. Buttigieg also had the support of 11 per cent of Democratic voters nationally before the New Hampshire primary. Warren lost 1 point post-Granite State primary, and has 10 per cent support. And Klobuchar, who came in a strong third-place in New Hampshire, benefited by only growing her support by 2 points. She now has 5 per cent support nationally. A Yahoo News/YouGov poll also shows Sanders performing well in a make-believe metric. Pollsters surveyed Democratic primary voters to see how the 2020 hopefuls performed in head-to-head match-ups. When voters were asked to choose between Sanders and Bloomberg the Vermont senator won by 15 points. The democratic socialist beat Buttigieg by 17 points and Klobuchar by 21. When voters were asked to choose between Biden and Sanders, Sanders won by four points. Sanders' fellow progressive, Warren, came the closest to unseating him. In a two-person race between Sanders and Warren, he wins by just 2 points. Selfie taken by Tian Mingming (right) and his wife Si Jingru (left) Tian Mingming, Vice Director of the General Department of Qianzhan Wind Power Company, SPIC Guangdong Corporation, has refunded his homebound railway tickets to stay with his wife Si Jingru, a nurse of Guangzhou Xinzhao Hospital, in Guangzhou, and to support her work to fight against the pneumonia epidemic caused by the novel coronavirus. Living and working in Guangzhou, the couple realizes that nearly one year has elapsed since the last reunion with their three-year-old daughter Kexin. As early as half a month before the Spring Festival holiday, the couple has planned for a reunion with their family as early as possible, snapping up their homebound railway tickets, favorite toys for the child and sufficient nutritional products for their parents well in advance. It was on the evening of January 23 when a Class I Response to the Major Public Health Emergency was activated in Guangdong Province. Si Jingruhad a phone conversation with her Chief Nurse, and during their discussion regarding duty assignments during the public health emergency, Si Jingru volunteered for shifts at the fever outpatient department. Si Jingru wearing the medical protective clothing The outpatient department Si Jingru is affiliated to has dedicated consultation rooms where they would need to be in close contact with fever patients. As part of her job to pre-examine and triage patients, she is mainly responsible for measuring body temperature, registering fever patients, filling up the novel coronavirus screening forms and disinfecting consultation rooms for fever patients. When Tian Mingming asked his wife why she chose to work at the frontline, Si Jingru said, I made a choice that would leave me with no regrets. And I believe that you will support me doing so. To be able to offer her stronger support, Tian Mingming chose to have their homebound railway tickets refunded and stay with her in Guangzhou. Every day, Tian Mingming gets up at five in the morning to make breakfast for his wife, escorts her all the way to the railway station at six and picks her up at the railway station exit at ten in the evening. Tian Mingming remarks that his wife is susceptible to the fear of darkness although appearing fearless. Every day, Tian Mingmings emotions are influenced by any change in the number of suspected cases. Whenever they talk about the epidemic, Si Jingru would say soothingly to him, It will be gone. Everything will be fine. However, there have been two confirmed cases now in her hospital, so she and her husband would be isolated from each other in case of exposure to the virus. . Tian Mingming is convinced that everything will be fine and that his wife Si Jingru will return safe and sound after the epidemic is gone. We have love in our hearts. There of millions of nurses as angels in white like Si Jingru battling in the fight along with millions of fearless and selfless doctors. We should stand in solidarity with them as they gain victory over the pneumonia epidemic caused by the novel coronavirus, he remarks. New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tribute to the 40 CRPF jawans, who lost their lives in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on February 14 last year, and said that the country will never forget their martyrdom. Modi described the CRPF personnel as 'exceptional individuals' who devoted their lives by serving the country. "Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom," the Prime Minister tweeted. It was around 3:00 pm on this day last year, when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist rammed a vehicle carrying explosives into the Central Reserve Police Force (CPRF) convoy on Srinagar-Jammu national highway. Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy was targeted by the suicide bomber of Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pulwama district. Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after the convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2,500 CRPF personnel were traveling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack. Nationwide protests erupted against the dastardly terror attack even as the country bid goodbye to its bravehearts. Leaders across the party lines and civil society condemned the attack and called for an appropriate response. A young woman who had her jaw fractured and her front teeth smashed during an assault outside a nightclub has spoken of the 'trauma' she suffered as police continue to hunt her attacker. Cheyenne Mottishaw, 23, was queuing with friends outside the Honeycomb nightclub in Sheffield on April 21 last year when a man who was being kicked out of the club threw a 'large bottle' which hit her in the face. Her jaw was fractured, her lip split open and her front teeth were smashed, leaving the nerves exposed. Scroll down for video. Cheyenne Mottishaw, 23, was queuing with friends outside the Honeycomb nightclub in Sheffield on April 21 last year when a man who was being kicked out of the club threw a 'large bottle' which hit her in the face The bottle knocked her unconscious and left her needing significant facial and dental surgery. She was scared to go out at night and unable to work for months. She had to eat using a syringe following her surgery and is only just starting to feel confident leaving the house again. 'All I can remember is getting out of the taxi and then waking up in hospital,' she said. The bottle knocked her unconscious and left her needing significant facial and dental surgery 'I was on the floor and not responding. My friends told me they thought I was dead. 'The pain was awful. I couldn't shut my mouth and I didn't eat for days. 'The nerves in my teeth were hanging out so I had to wear a splint for 6 weeks to protect my mouth from infection.' On top of the physical injuries done to Chey's mouth and face when the bottle hit her, the shock of the assault took its toll mentally as well. A police investigation into the incident outside Honeycomb is ongoing. Officers have released CCTV footage of the incident in a bid for witnesses and those who can identify the man in the footage to come forward. Her jaw was fractured, her lip split open and her front teeth were smashed, leaving the nerves exposed 'People just seem to think they can throw bottles and there not to be any consequences, but it could kill somebody. And it seems to be happening more in Sheffield at the moment. 'I would also like nightclubs to stop selling glass bottles and using glass cups so this kind of thing stops happening.' If you have any information that can help officers with their enquires please call 101 quoting incident number 1067 of 21 April 2019. Officers have released CCTV footage of the incident in a bid for witnesses and those who can identify the man in the footage to come forward. Pictured is the attacker being kicked out of the club (centre with his back facing the camera) UNION CITY(BCN) Two suspects have been charged in the November killing of two boys at a Union City elementary school, the Union City Police Department announced Friday morning. The suspects, 18-year-old Jason Cornejo of Castro Valley and a 17-year-old boy from Hayward whose name was not released, have both been charged with shooting deaths of 11-year-old Kevin Hernandez and 14-year-old Sean Withington. The suspects were in police custody on unrelated charges when they were arrested, police said. The boys, both Union City residents, were gunned down at about 1:30 p.m. Nov. 23 while they were inside a van in the parking lot of Searles Elementary School on Sherman Drive. Withington was pronounced dead at the scene and Hernandez was pronounced dead while in route to a local trauma center, according to police. Police didn't give a motive for the shooting or explain what evidence allegedly ties the suspects to the killings but Union City Police Chief Jared Rinetti called the suspects "dangerous gang members," according to a news release sent out Friday morning. During the investigation, Union City police worked with several other law enforcement agencies and officers were able to serve search warrants at six different East Bay locations -- four in unincorporated Alameda County, one in Hayward and one in Richmond, police said. Officers were able to find about 40 pounds. of marijuana, 8 pounds of methamphetamine, 2 handguns, 3 assault weapons, more than $10,000 in cash, several high capacity magazines, ammunition and other evidence related to the boy's killings, according to police. "My heart goes out to the families of the victims. These were children who were murdered, and even though we cannot change the past or reverse this tragedy, I am relieved that we were able to control the outcome of this investigation with the arrest and charging of these dangerous gang members," Rinetti said in the news release. A news conference announcing the charges was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday and speakers including Rinetti, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Alameda County Chief Assistant District Attorney Kevin Dunleavy and Union City Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci were expected to attend. 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. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2020) - American Battery Metals Corp. (CSE: ABC) (the "Company" or "American Battery") announces that further to the proposed transaction (the "Proposed Transaction") with Bayshore Minerals Inc. ("Bayshore") referred to in the Company's news release dated January 15, 2020, the shareholders of Bayshore did not approve the Proposed Transaction. 65% of Bayshore shareholders voted in favour, 66.6% was required. The Company plans to continue constructive dialogue with Bayshore and is optimistic that a definitive agreement will be agreed upon in the future. About the Company American Battery Metals Corp. is a junior mineral exploration company engaged in the business of acquiring, exploring and evaluating natural resource properties. The Company has an option to acquire a 50% interest in the Fish Lake property located in Esmeralda County in the state of Nevada, USA. Jeremy Poirier Chief Executive Officer, President and Director Phone: 604.722.9842 Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news 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 American Battery'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", "to continue", "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 agreed", "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, information concerning the Private Placement including the intended use of net proceeds from the Private Placement and the payment of finder's fees. Although American Battery 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. In particular, there is no guarantee that the Private Placement will be completed. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this press release, and American Battery 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52468 Jerri-Lynn here. You can read this as a companion piece to yesterdays post by Ferguson, Chen, and Jorgensen, outlining one key element of the Sanders demographic: lower income towns in New Hampshire voted heavily for Sanders; richer towns did the opposite (Lower Income Towns in New Hampshire Voted Heavily for Sanders; Richer Towns Did the Opposite).Progressives are now reaching out to voters who remain skeptical of the self-described democratic socialist. By Jon Queally, staff writerg for Common Dreams. Originally published at Common Dreams While Sen. Bernie Sanders is now being declared the new Democratic frontrunner following his victories in both Iowa last week and in New Hampshire on Tuesday, progressives are reaching out to voters that remain skeptical of the self-described democratic socialist who preaches political revolution and whose multi-racial, working-class movement is upending what many thought was electorally possible in the United States. In an op-ed published at MarketWatch on Tuesday, Mark Weisbrot, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), explained to readers that despite how often Sanders is painted by the corporate media as a scary socialist who cant possibly win a general election, his politics are in fact quite pragmatic when it comes to addressing the very real needs of everyday people. In short, he wrote, Sanders is much more pragmatic and less ideological than his opponents would like to admit. According to Weisbrot: Sanders program is targeted at correcting a very harmful transformation of the U.S. economy that has taken place over the past 40 years. Unlike the first three decades after World War II, when income gains were broadly shared as the economy grew, most of the increase in income has gone to those who already had much more than their share. Since 1993, for example, the top 1% of families captured an astounding 48% of the growth in this countrys income. No wonder so many Americans feel like the system is rigged against them. For many voters, however, especially those who gain their political insights from cable news in the eveningsThe Weeks Ryan Cooper says its understandable why they remain unsure of Sanders viability even as his campaigns message is so appealing to those exposed to it. As polling continues to show, Americans across the political spectrum widely support universal healthcare, a higher minimum wage, cancellation of college and medical debt, and the call for urgent action to address the climate crisis. It can be hard to see this, Cooper wrote in a column published Wednesday morning, if you watch too much of the hysterically anti-Sanders coverage on supposedly-liberal MSNBCChris Matthews recently spoke of his fear that Sanders is a secret communist who might execute him in Central Parkbut the fact is most rank-and-file Democrats like Sanders just fine. Indeed, the Morning Consult poll found that his favorability rating among that group is 74 percentthe highest of any of the candidates, even better than Biden. trying to help people get over McGovern Syndrome today https://t.co/lrsARcBYCd ryan cooper (@ryanlcooper) 12 February 2020 Put in a historical context, Cooper argues that Sanders brand of politics and his economic vision is not unique in the American traditionit just hasnt been seen in over four decades, back before the Reagan revolution that decimated the nations working class and ushered in an era of corporate dominance of both major parties alongside soaring economic inequality, steady wage stagnation, and an erosion of working-class power. Like Weisbrot, Cooper says Sanders is not some loopy extremist, but rather a pragmatic policymaker who has successfully navigated government office at the local, state, and federal level for decades while remaining true to his progressive values. While he has always held uncompromising egalitarian views, Cooper argues, Sanders is a savvy legislative tactician who has negotiated dozens of compromises through Congress over the years, from community health center funding in ObamaCare to a bipartisan bill to end support for the Saudi war in Yemen. Sanders has been widely covered by the media since 2016, and most Democrats plainly like what he is saying. And as Weisbrot wrote: He has a 40-year track record as a politician. The things he is saying now are mostly what he has shouted from the mountain tops for pretty much the whole time. The main difference is that now, other Democratic politicians have joined him: on a $15 minimum wage, student-debt relief, free tuition at public universities, expanding Social Security, reducing income inequality, and some even on Medicare for All. His actions speak even more consistently than his words: he understands that politics is about compromise. He fights hard for what he has promised to voters, but then takes the best deal he can win if it will advance the ball down the field, and prepares to fight again the next day. Thats why he supported Obamacare when it was the best deal on the tableexpanding insurance coverage to 20 million Americans, without the life-threatening exclusions for pre-existing conditions. This despite the fact that Obamacare was still quite a distance from Medicare for Allhealth care as a human rightthat had been his passion and signature issue for decades. Of course, even as Sanders is positioned nicely in the primaries and continues to poll well in hypothetical head-to-head contests with Trump, theres no guarantee he will win in November. According to Cooper: A Sanders nomination would be a risk to be sure, but so would nominating anybody else. Trump really might win no matter who is nominated. Biden has tons of baggage and is plainly terrible at campaigning. Mike Bloomberg has even more baggage. Buttigieg has no experience. Klobuchar is infamous for abusing her staff. And even while both the corporate media and the right-wing agitprop machine attack Sanders as a deranged socialist, he still polls well ahead of Trump in general election match-ups within 1 point of Biden and ahead of everyone else. And lets not forget that in the most recent election, the moderate candidate lost to the biggest buffoon in the history of presidential politics. That inherent risk aside, Cooper judges that the energized movement Sanders is building is the most powerful weapon to march into the general election battle against Trump. In a crisis, gritty determination and commitment are surely more useful than timid hesitation, wrote Cooper. Who knows what dirty tricks the Trump campaign might try, or how inscrutable swing voters might react? concluded Cooper. Best to just go with a clearly good candidate and gear up for an all-out general election effort. On Tuesday, just ahead of the victory in New Hampshire, Sanders national press secretary Briahna Joy Gray put out a new video explaining why the campaigns vision for a big tent coalition in this years election is not about sacrificing shared values in order to accomodate the lowest common denominator, but is instead focused on bringing a coalition together by backing policies that are so helpful to such huge numbers of struggling people that folks from across the political divide see their differences as less important than the values which unite us. This week, I addressed the controversy over how to ethically build a big tent movement: It doesnt mean moving to the middle to appease an imaginary moderate. I was glad to be joined by several LGBTQ supporters to address this, including @yovimi & @thrasherxy! #hearthebern pic.twitter.com/vnZJztnjNw Briahna Joy Gray (@briebriejoy) 11 February 2020 The ethos of the campaign, concluded Gray, is about understanding how many of our needs are overlapping, and using those commonalities as the basis of a movement that can be powerful enough to defeat the strongest enemy. Political correspondent John Nichols, in his latest campaign trail dispatch for The Nation, wrote Wednesday morning that with victories in Iowa and New Hampshire under their belt, the Sanders campaign must now go beyond Bernie Beats Trump sloganeering and deliver a comprehensive and convincing argument that the senator is the most electable contender. According to Nichols, the campaign and its supporters are quite capable of delivering on that challenge. He writes: Instead of building his campaign around appeals to a dwindling universe of swing voters, Sanders is talking about building the electorate out to include new votersmany of them young, many of them from low-income and historically disenfranchised communities. In Iowa and New Hampshire, he has been successful in attracting young voters. He also had notable success mobilizing Latino voters and diverse immigrant communities in Iowa. In the upcoming Nevada caucuses and the South Carolina primary, hell have to keep proving himself. Actor and author John Cusack, who campaigned for Sanders in New Hampshire, argues that the candidate and his supporters must now amplify the message that his ideas represent the new mainstream. The center has moved to Bernie on policy, says Cusack, who notes that all the candidates are discussing ideas that were popularized by Sanders in 2016. That doesnt involve abandoning positions or principles, as presidential contenders frequently do when they gain traction. Rather, Sanders must define his campaign as a new center where Democrats, independents, and millions of new voters have a placein much the way that Franklin Delano Roosevelt did as he crafted a sprawling New Deal Coalition that reached across what had been lines of division to welcome the great mass of Americans who wanted a new politics. Despite the familiar consternation and hand-wringing by corporate media pundits, Nichols points out that while almost half of voters [in exit polls] said Sanders was too liberal, overwhelming majorities of those same voters embraced the issues most closely identified with his campaign. What cant be denied, according to Nichols, is that Sanders is looking extremely good coming out of the Granite State and looking forward to Nevada, South Carolina, and Super Tuesday in the coming weeks: Wins the most votes in Iowa. Wins the most votes in New Hampshire. Leads the national polls in race for Democratic nomination. Leads Trump in national and key state matchups for November. Golly, @BernieSanders just might be electable.https://t.co/PnIWH5tws5 John Nichols (@NicholsUprising) 12 February 2020 With the corporate media not likely to do Sanders any favors, opined Nichols, the campaign is going to have to do most of that messaging to voters itself. Clearly, Sanders can make a credible argument for himself as an electable candidate, added Nichols. But he will have to sharpen that message going forward. While the challenge of winning over increasing numbers of voters is the essence of any campaign, it was David Plouffe, former chief strategist for former President Barack Obama, who made it clear during comments on MSNBC following the New Hampshire results Tuesday night that out of all the 2020 Democrats still in the running, youd still rather be Bernie Sanders than anybody else. PM to chair first Cabinet after dramatic reshuffle Boris Johnson is set to chair the first meeting of his new-look Cabinet after a dramatic reshuffle which saw Sajid Javid quit as chancellor. Several senior heads rolled as the Prime Minister recast his top ministerial team yesterday. Mr Javid had been ordered to fire his closest aides and replace them with advisers chosen by Number 10. But the MP chose to quit instead and was replaced by his former deputy at the Treasury, Rishi Sunak, in the biggest shock of Mr Johnson's shake-up. Harry and Meghan 'axing 15 UK staff and closing Palace office' The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly axing up to 15 UK staff members and closing their Buckingham Palace office. Harry and Meghan are said to have told their team in person after announcing their decision to step down as senior royals. The Sussexes are now living in Canada with their baby son Archie as they prepare to drop their HRH styles and quit the monarchy. Mum 'terrified' as baby tested for coronavirus A mother whose baby was treated by a doctor with coronavirus has told how has been left "terrified" as she anxiously waits to hear if he has the deadly illness. Stephanie Adlam said her eight-month-old son developed symptoms of the virus after being treated by a doctor who was infected in West Sussex. He was admitted to Worthing Hospital on February 2 for an internal bleed on his leg after knocking it while playing. During his stay he came into contact with one of two GP who were later found to have coronavirus and he and his mother have since been tested. The results are due back today. Storm Dennis flood threat raised as more warnings issued Storm Dennis has sparked yet more warnings as its heavy rains are set to bring flooding severe enough to pose a danger to life this weekend. Four amber alerts have been issued across Saturday and Sunday as Britain braces for strong winds and downpours. The fourth named storm of the 2019-2020 season will hit the country from tomorrow morning. Severe conditions are likely to bring flooding to homes and businesses, causing damage to some buildings, the Met Office warned. Billie Eilish releases James Bond theme song Billie Eilish has released her sombre James Bond theme song No Time To Die. The 18-year-old pop sensation is the youngest artist ever to record a Bond title track. She joins an illustrious list of performers including Adele, Sam Smith, Madonna, Sir Paul McCartney and Dame Shirley Bassey. No Time To Die, which is just over four minutes in length, features heavy use of the piano as well as Eilish's signature ghost-like whisper. On this day... Circa 270: St Valentine was thought to have been martyred by Roman Emperor Claudius II. 1779: Captain James Cook, British explorer, was murdered by natives in Hawaii. 1822: Britain's postal services had to employ extra sorters as the fashion of sending messages to loved ones on this day continued to grow in popularity. 1895: The Importance Of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde had its premiere in London. 1929: The St Valentine's Day Massacre took place in a Chicago warehouse. Seven members of Bugs Moran's gang were gunned down, probably by mobsters from Al Capone's outfit. 1946: The Bank of England was nationalised. 1984: Britain's Torvill and Dean skated their way to a gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, getting maximum points for artistic expression. The Inspector General of Police and governors of the Southwest states have agreed that Amotekun, a regional security structure, should operate as state structure rather than the broad zonal apparatus in tbe region. The Southwest Governors Forum told the IGP, Muhammed Adamu, in Lagos on Thursday that, the development would spring up fresh efforts to secure local communities. The Forum spoke through its chairman and Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, at the Southwest Security Meeting on Community Policing convened at the instance of the IGP. The meeting was held at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos State Government in Alausa. At the end of the meeting, which held for about two hours behind closed doors, the IGP and representatives of each State okayed the framework of Southwest Regional Security Network (otherwise known as Operation Amotekun), but initiative will not be run as a regional security operations, as initially suggested. It will be state-led effort, the IGP said. Also, the meeting ratified community policing model proposed by the IGP and the initiative would be complementing Operation Amotekun and conventional police operations in all local communities. The host, Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, acknowledged that the security gathering was part of extensive meetings with the police leadership on adopting new strategies and initiatives towards securing lives and property of people in the Southwest. Lagos Government, Sanwo-Olu said, will continue to champion initiatives and frameworks that continue to provide support and logistics required for effective policing in the region. Akeredolu said the meeting was of great importance to the people of Southwest, confirming that the Forum had a fruitful discussion with the IGP. Speaking on the outcome, Akeredolu said: The Governors of Southwest and the IGP have held a very fruitful discussion and it is clear now to all of us that, community policing, which the Nigeria Police is anchoring is one that will benefit all of us. We have chosen that we will embrace community in its entirety. In addition, we have spoken and we want everyone to know that, Amotekun was not conceived as a regional police, but a state-based security outfit. We have come out of this meeting happy and we have agreed on the resolution. We have shed lights on dark areas and we are on the same page with the police with respect to these issues. ALSO READ: 4 contradictions that make Bishop Kukah recklessness not funny to Abubakar-led Peace Committee IGP Adamu substantiated Akeredolus claim, saying the participants at the meeting had fine-tuned Operation Amotekun and adopted it to be state-led initiative and not regional. He said: This is the second meeting we have held with the Governors of Southwest region concerning the creation of Operation Amotekun. The just concluded meeting was to discuss and fine-tune Amotekun. Out conclusion is what the chairman of Southwest Governors Forum has explained. Amotekun is not a regional security outfit. Every state has one form of security arrangement, whether it is vigilante or neighbourhood watch that are working security agencies in the states to fight crime. Amotekun is not different from these initiatives. We have agreed that community policing strategy be infused into the Amotekun structure, so that policing will be initiative of the community members. Adamu said the police would be part of the recruitment, training and deployment of personnel to be assigned for Amotekun operations, adding that the initiative would work in complementary with community policing model. The IGP said policing must start with the public, urging members of the public to unite and form an alliance against criminals in their communities. He said the police would support the residents effort to keep their communities safe, but added any decision to be taken must come from the public. The IGP praised Lagos Government for adopting a community-led policing arrangement, saying Lagos remained an example where a good structure of community policing had been effective. PV: 0 The ISBC Personal Strategic Direction Workshop is coming to the Nexus Innovation Centre and is calling all founders, managers, and key decision-makers in the business industry to attend an innovative workshop designed to create a safe environment that provides the necessary tools to build an ideal version of your business that will bring meaningful success. The Irish Social Business Campus (ISBC) is the organiser of the event and is the ISBC a collaborative initiative, set-up in the interest of providing a support system for social enterprises across Ireland. Their aim is to help foster a growing community of viable, robust and socially impactful businesses and individuals. Nexus Innovation Centre, Kemmy Business School, followed by Clare Local Development Company, South and East Cork Area Development (SECAD), North & East Kerry Development Company (NEWKD) and Ludgate Hub all came together with BNest to create the ISBC consortium a regional, collaborative and practical support structure to help the creation and growth of businesses for social impact. Eamon Ryan, CEO of ISBC, said, Our aim for these workshops is to help foster a growing community of viable, robust and socially impactful businesses and individuals. These workshops are the first steps and building blocks to great success stories. Spread out over four sessions, the Personal Strategic Direction Workshop will allow you to take a step by step approach that provides a deeper understanding of your business, you as a person, and the journey that is involved in achieving success including defining what success means to you; addressing any concerns and fears that block you; getting clear on your combined life and business plan and; setting yourself up for success. The workshop consists of four sessions and takes place from Wednesday, February 12 Wednesday, March 11 at 9:30 am- 1: 30 pm in the Nexus Innovation Centre, University of Limerick. Tickets cost 60 per organisation (2 people max.). Refunds up to 7 days before the event. Eamon added, The overall aim of the workshop is to unlock your full potential and to create a clear, confident view of your business, incorporating your personal and professional goals which will ultimately bring you the most meaningful success. See www.isbc.ie. Tickets for the Personal Strategic Direction Workshop are available from Eventbrite or contact Kasia@isbc.ie for more info. By Mark Peterson In my first articles for The Korea Times, over a year ago, I wrote about how my own views of Korean history are different from the orthodox history taught in Korea I described myself as a frog outside the well. I'm pleased to report that many of my views are receiving a welcome reception. I was fearful that my presentation of Korean history would be discarded, out of hand, because I've seen scholars and graduate students attack those who present new or unorthodox ideas. And I've had some criticisms, as well I guess we all have. But largely, my views are starting to win acceptance by a broad reach of Korean citizens. I am thinking of the responses my work has received on my YouTube channel. The majority of responses to my YouTube channel are positive and agree with me, and encourage me to continue to make my presentations. This has been greatly encouraging because I've seen scholars and students criticized severely for unorthodox ideas. In fact, I think there is a kind of "unhealthy oppressive orthodoxy" in Korean historical circles these days. Look at how the Seoul National University history department is being criticized for things one of their key professors did and said during the Japanese era. I am greatly encouraged to continue my presentations particularly about Korea's "peaceful history" I put the phrase in quotation marks because Korea has certainly has had its share of wars and turmoil. But I'm suggesting we don't need to let the war motif overwhelm the peace motif. This is especially true if we look at Korea after the Three Kingdoms period and before the 20th century. Yes, excluding those two bookends is excluding a lot, but still, there are so many aspects of the peaceful tradition of Korea that dominate from the Silla Unification (668) until the end of the 20th century nearly 1,200 years. Martina Deuchler and other prominent scholars have commented on the unbroken class of aristocracy that has controlled Korea for 1,500 years from the late Three Kingdoms period to the present day. This idea is reinforced in the appearance of surnames in Korea; 21 percent of the population today are named Kim. This is an exceptional image. And it's not just Kim 15 percent are Yi (Lee), and 9 percent are Pak (Park). Any of these three all names of past royalty would be a dominating surname group in most countries of the world. In fact, the number 10 name, Shin, and even the number 20 name, Hong, has a large enough percentage of the population to be a dominant surname in most other countries. There is a larger percentage of Hong in Korea than Sato in Japan, and Sato is the most common surname in Japan. The Korean surnames with the largest percentage of population are all names that originated in the Silla Kingdom. Silla is alive and well in Korea today. What I intend to do here is to present my ideas on "peaceful Korea" as they have developed in the last year through writing for this column and my YouTube page, "Frog Outside the Well". I have a "Top Ten" list of factors that argue for the view of Korea as a peaceful country actually any one of these factors is solid evidence but all 10 of them, I think, is overwhelmingly convincing that Korea has one of the most peaceful traditions of all the nations of the world. This is not to say they have had no war they've had their share of war but my position is we should not ignore the peace factors. Historiography likes war. It's interesting; it attracts ink. Peace is boring, even if it's a preferable thing. On the Top Ten list are: 1. The longest dynasties in the world (other countries have one or two; Korea has seven at 500 years) 2. Smooth transitions between dynasties 3. Relatively few invasions 4. Has never invaded another country 5. The longest unchanged border in the world 6. Royal tombs not plundered 7. Seonbi culture, not samurai culture 8. Balance of civilian and military control 9. Royal control of the court (not military or eunuchs) 10. Few surnames, a symbol of long-running aristocracy Over the next few weeks, I'm going to explain how I perceive these factors that describe the peaceful traditions of Korea. Again, any one of these factors makes one cock his head to the side and say this doesn't fit with a war-torn, war-like country. As a whole, they describe a history dominated by peace and civil culture. That is Korea! Mark Peterson (markpeterson@byu.edu) is professor emeritus of Korean, Asian and Near Eastern languages at Brigham Young University in Utah. Biologically important changes in DNA seen in smokers are also being found in people who vape, according to a new study published in the journal Epigenetics. A team of scientists at the Keck School of Medicine of USC have found people who vape exhibit similar chemical modifications in their overall genome and in parts of their DNA as people who smoke cigarettes. These specific chemical alterations, also known as epigenetic changes, can cause genes to malfunction and are commonly found in nearly all types of human cancer as well as other serious diseases. The findings add to a growing list of health concerns associated with vaping, which is perceived by many as a safer alternative to smoking. E-cigarette use has soared among youth, with more than 25 percent of high school students now using the products, according to the CDC. The new study, led by Ahmad Besaratinia, PhD, associate professor at Keck School, examined a group of people matched for age, gender and race, divided equally into three categories: vapers only, smokers only, and a control group of people who had neither vaped nor smoked. Blood was drawn from each of the participants and tested for changes in levels of two specific chemical tags attached to DNA that are known to impact gene activity and/or function: (1) methyl groups in a specific DNA sequence, named Long Interspersed Nucleotide Element 1 (LINE-1); and (2) hydroxymethyl groups in the genome overall. Changes in the levels of these chemical tags, which are important for genomic stability and regulation of gene expression, occur in various stages of development, as well as in diseases such as cancer. Of the 45 study participants, vapers and smokers both showed significant reduction in the levels of both chemical tags compared to the control group. This is the first study to show that vapers, like smokers, have these biologically important changes detectable in their blood cells. That doesnt mean that these people are going to develop cancer, Besaratinia said. But what we are seeing is that the same changes in chemical tags detectable in tumors from cancer patients are also found in people who vape or smoke, presumably due to exposure to cancer-causing chemicals present in cigarette smoke and, generally at much lower levels, in electronic cigarettes vapor. Earlier study showed vapers had abnormal activity in genes linked to cancer An earlier study conducted by Besaratinias team and published last year (IJMS, 2019) examined changes in gene expression in epithelial cells taken from the mouths of vapers and smokers compared to a control group. In that study, both vapers and smokers showed abnormal gene expression in a large number of genes linked to cancer. Our new study adds an important piece to that puzzle by demonstrating that epigenetic mechanisms, specifically changes in chemical tags attached to the DNA, may contribute to the abnormal expression of genes in vapers and smokers alike, Besaratinia said. He and his team plan to continue their research. The next step is to look at the whole genome and identify all the genes targeted by these two chemical changes in vapers versus smokers. Considering the established role many genes play in human diseases, this investigation should provide invaluable information, which may have immediate public health and policy implications, Besaratinia said. The epidemic of teen vaping and the recent outbreak of vaping-related severe lung injury and deaths in the U.S. underscore the importance of generating scientific evidence on which future regulations for electronic cigarette manufacturing, marketing, and distribution can be based. In addition to Besaratinia, the studys other authors are Andrew W. Caliri, Amanda Caceres, and Stella Tommasi, all of the Keck School. This work was supported by grants from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research of the National Institutes of Health (1R01DE026043 to AB) and the University of California Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program(26IR-0015 and 28IR-0058 to AB and 26IP-0051 to ST). By Laura LeBlanc USC TED DIBIASE SR.'S ORGANIZATION UNDER SCRUTINY FOR FUNDS RECEIVED FROM STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AFTER SON'S INDICTMENT The New York Post ran an article today noting that WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase's non-profit religious organization tHE Heart of David Ministries reportedly received more than $2.1 million in welfare from the state of Mississippi after his son Brett DiBiase began working for the State. The organization had received just $5,000 in grants in 2013, but pulled in $271,000 in welfare money, the same year Brett was hired as a senior official at the Mississippi Department of Human Services. DiBiases group received as much as $900,000 one year. The New York Times ran an article on 2/6 covering a massive embezzlement scandal in the State of Mississippi involving a state auditor and former WWE developmental talent Brett DiBiase. According to that article, the former director of the state welfare agency and five others are being charged in one of the biggest embezzlement scandals in the history of the office. Allegedly, Brett DiBiase was given funds to go to a drug treatment facility in Malibu that was earmarked for Mississippi's welfare programs. According to documents, DiBiase was allegedly given the money as payment for classes that he didn't teach for drug abuse. Now, questions have been raised about money directed to DiBiase Sr.'s organization, especially since, as The Post reported, "The state of Mississippi denied more than 98 percent of individual welfare applicants, while giving more than $2 million to DiBiases foundation." The Mississippi Office of the State Auditor released the following press release in regard to the case involving Brett DiBiase earlier this month: Auditor Arrests Former Director of DHS and Co-Conspirators in Largest Public Embezzlement Case in State History February 5, 2020 Defendants Accused of Obtaining Millions in Funds Intended for Poor JACKSON, Miss. Special agents from the office of State Auditor Shad White have arrested John Davis, the former Director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services (DHS); former DHS employee Latimer Smith; Dr. Nancy New, owner and Director of the Mississippi Community Education Center (MCEC) and New Learning, Inc.; Zach New, Assistant Executive Director of MCEC; Anne McGrew, accountant for MCEC; and Brett DiBiase in connection with a multimillion-dollar embezzlement scheme. The indictments include a range of violations involving fraud and embezzlement. Auditors concluded, after an eight-month investigation, that the accused conspired to illegally obtain millions in public funds from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program administered by DHS. Defendants used a variety of business entities and schemes to defraud the taxpayers. The funds that were illegally obtained in this case were intended to help the poorest among us. The funds were instead taken by a group of influential people for their own benefit, and the scheme is massive. It ends today, said Auditor White. Davis and Smith stand accused of fraudulently manufacturing documents to enrich Brett DiBiase using TANF money. Davis and Smith created invoices to pay DiBiase TANF funds for teaching classes about drug abuse, but DiBiase was in a luxury rehabilitation facility for his own drug use in California at the time and did not perform the services. Davis and Smith created documents and arranged payment knowing DiBiase was not performing the work he was hired to perform. Nancy New and her son, Zach New, stand accused of using the News non-profit, MCEC, to pay for DiBiases drug treatment using TANF funds. At Davis direction, MCEC used TANF money received from DHS to pay for DiBiases opioid treatment at the Rise in Malibu facility. The documentation submitted by the News claimed this was to pay DiBiase for conducting training classes that never, in fact, took place. The News also stand accused of transferring millions in TANF funds to their private businesses. They then converted funds to their personal use and concealed the conversion through various fund transfers, fraudulent documents, at least one forged signature, and deceptive accounting measures. Finally, Davis and the News are accused of creating a fraud scheme to take TANF funds to pay for personal investments in medical device companies (Prevacus, Inc., and PreSolMD, LLC) in Florida. I dont care how politically connected a person may be. You do not have the right to treat taxpayer money as your own or to lie to the taxpayers about what youre doing with that money. Others doing this kind of thing are on notice: this will not be tolerated now, said White. All accused were indicted by a grand jury assembled by Jody Owens, District Attorney of Hinds County. District Attorney Owens and assistant district attorneys will prosecute the case. The Hinds County District Attorneys Office looks forward to working with the State Auditor Shad White and his dedicated team to end public corruption in Mississippi, said Owens. The misuse of government funds designed for families in need will not be tolerated by our office and those who break the law will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. We have worked tirelessly in the Auditors office to uncover this sprawling conspiracy, so I want to thank the investigators, auditors, and analysts who all assisted, added White. The total amount of money lost to these schemes has not yet been determined, but the loss already exceeds any embezzlement scheme in the records of the Auditors office. Records are kept for all cases from the last twenty years. Because of the large amount of money involved, and until the full extent of the loss to the taxpayers is determined, this is considered an ongoing investigation by the Auditors office. There will be no additional comments at this time. If convicted on all counts, the accused face hundreds of years in prison. Persons arrested by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Additional suspected fraud involving this case or any other can be reported to the Auditors office online any time by clicking the red button at www.osa.ms.gov or via telephone during normal business hours at 1-(800)-321-1275. If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here! One of Britain's largest high street retailers has joined dozens of other major UK firms calling for 'urgent action' to be taken on business rates. Frasers Group, which includes Lillywhites, Jack Wills and Flannels among its brands, says the current business rates system 'is a significant contributor to the dire straits the high street currently finds itself in.' It reserves particularly strong criticism for the arrangements regarding transitional relief, which it states hurt those who most need relief. Mike Ashley's Frasers Group includes Lonsdale and House of Fraser among its brands Transitional relief limits how much the bill of a high street business can change every year as a result of revalution. This 'needs to be significantly modified to at least ensure the correct amount of rates are by the end of transitional relief periods,' the statement declares. 'The current system whereby downward transitions of just a few percent a year means that the correct amount is never reached or even close to, punishes those in greatest need of relief.' Consequently, they write, some of their stores are paying four times the necessary rates expenses. Frasers Group's intervention comes a day after executives from 52 of Britain's largest high street businesses wrote a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking for downwards phasing of transitional relief to be abolished due to its unfairness. It stated that downwards phasing means 'businesses who should have lower rates bills following a revaluation in fact go through a staggered process of reducing their rates liability over a period of time before reaching their 'true' rate liability. This forces retailers to effectively 'overpay' their business rates.' Executives from 52 of Britain's largest high street businesses have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking for downwards phasing of transitional relief to be abolished Scrapping downwards phasing would also assist in the government's desire to 'level up' every region of the UK, with businesses in the North particularly benefiting. The group, whose letter was organised by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), do welcome the government's review into business rates, but express dismay that no recommendations made by a Treasury Select Committee report on business rates last October have been implemented. Executives from Marks & Spencer, Specsavers, Debenhams, and Ann Summers are among the signatories to the letter, which said transitional relief has seen the industry forced to subsidise others to the tune of 543million over the last three years. However, the letter was sent to Sajid Javid in his role as Chancellor which he quit yesterday to be replaced by Richmond (Yorks) MP Rishi Sunak. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: 'It is essential our new Chancellor makes good on the Government's pledge to reform this broken system. 'Swift action at the upcoming Budget would show the Chancellor was serious about levelling up all parts of the UK and supporting a retail industry towards realising a brighter future. Shares in Frasers Group rose 0.8 per cent this morning to 493.8p. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission just ordered major technology companies to fork over details on waves of small acquisitions made during the last decade. A more sizable deal is also seen as a target for the regulator: Googles $1.1 billion (U.S.) purchase of mapping app Waze. The FTC quickly approved the 2013 transaction, but antitrust experts say the regulator will take a second look because it combined two popular digital mapping services under the same corporate roof, eliminated a fast-growing Google rival and solidified the internet giants grip on valuable data. Bilal Sayyed, the FTCs director for the Office of Policy Planning, told reporters on Tuesday that the agency is planning to examine many deals that were reviewed in the past, while declining to share specific examples. Certainly, Waze is one of them, said Robert Litan, a partner at Korein Tillery LLC and former Justice Department antitrust official. Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc.s Google has acquired dozens of startups over the years to add technical talent, fill product holes, gather new users and accumulate more data. Few of these transactions rang traditional antitrust alarm bells, but in aggregate they helped the company build the western worlds largest online search, digital mapping and advertising businesses. Global watchdogs are now investigating whether this dominance is harming business customers and consumers. Reassessing past acquisitions is part of this effort, and the Waze deal is a clear candidate. It was literally Google acquiring its number one competitor in maps, said Sally Hubbard, director of enforcement strategy at the Open Markets Institute, which is pushing for a crackdown on big internet platforms. It was a bad deal that should have been blocked. Back in 2013, the acquisition was a strategic coup. Google faced two existential threats at the time: social media and smartphones. Social networks, like Facebook, were stealing eyeballs and advertising, while mobile apps risked displacing key Google services, including its digital maps, that were mainly used on desktop computers. Waze was riding both trends. The startups mobile app drew in dedicated fans who posted frequent updates on traffic and interacted with one another, generating social and location-related data in new ways that Google couldnt match. When Google announced the deal, Mark Mahaney, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, said the move eliminates Waze as a potential acquisition target for competitors who could use the apps collection of data and 50 million users to bolster their own location-based products. Antitrust regulators in the U.K. launched a more in-depth investigation of the Waze deal, asking Google to keep Waze separate from the rest of its businesses while conducting the probe. The final report from the Office of Fair Trading, published in December 2013, cited concerns from other companies that Google was knocking out a threat to its mapping service. One complainant said the acquisition removed Googles closest competitor. Trustbusters didnt have to rely on rivals. Waze Chief Executive Officer Noam Bardin offered the same assessment two months before joining Google. Were the only reasonable competition to (Google) in this market of creating maps that are really geared for mobile, for real-time, for consumers for the new world that were moving into, he said at an industry conference. A Google spokeswoman said the companys employees have created more than 2,000 startups including companies like Pinterest, Quip and Instagram thats orders of magnitude more than the number of companies weve acquired. We always seek to work constructively with regulators and were happy to provide information about our business. In late 2012, Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook suggested his customers should use map apps, including Waze, sparking a surge of downloads. By 2013, the Israeli startup was close to a deal to pre-install its app on devices made by an unnamed smartphone company, according to the U.K. investigation. There was also the potential to work with Facebook Inc. to enable people to chat and meet up with friends driving to the same location, which could have given Waze more users, the report said. Googles acquisition abruptly halted those initiatives. The regulator concluded that the deal would not damage competition in the U.K., citing Apples Maps app as a rival. But last year, it asked economists to evaluate some of its past decisions, including the Waze ruling. That study found that the U.K. agency didnt consider how Google and Waze would make money from their maps even though this was already relevant when the deal happened. The merger with Waze might have made Google an even more relevant provider of location data, reinforcing its competitive position for the provision of online advertising across all its services, according the study from consulting firm Lear. European regulators have since targeted the data that big internet companies collect as a competition issue. If the FTC takes a similar approach, the agency could probe how much of Wazes driving data feeds back into Googles ads business. These free map apps are just data-suction tools, Hubbard said. Regulators are starting to figure it out. Google has kept Waze a separate service, but the internet giant has used data from the app to improve its ads, according to RBCs Mahaney. New ad formats in Google Maps have clear similarities to existing formats in Waze (coincidence?), the analysts wrote in a September note to investors. Google has now collected enough data through Waze to effectively roll out broader solutions for advertisers in Google Maps and provide them attractive returns on investment without severely impacting the user experience. Fiona Scott Morton, a Yale University economist and former Justice Department antitrust official, said Waze may be of particular interest to the FTC because location data makes Googles dominant Search advertising much more potent. Another party that wanted to be good at search advertising would need a good map, she added. On Tuesday, the FTC demanded internal documents from Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft Corp. to see if they are making potentially anticompetitive acquisitions of nascent or potential competitors. The regulator is eyeing deals that werent reported under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act, which requires companies to tell enforcement agencies about acquisitions of a certain size. While Google declared plans to buy Waze, it never filed the purchase under HSR, likely relying on an exemption related to the startups lack of U.S. revenue at the time. The FTC can investigate deals even when theres no HSR filing. The agency also has the power to probe acquisitions that it cleared in the past. In some ways, the recent attention on the tech sector in Washington and Europe is an attempt to revisit the earlier laissez-faire approach to industry consolidation. They werent examined carefully by the agencies, said Scott Morton. Now that they understand that these companies have acquired market power, theyre interested in finding out how that happened. Read more about: Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Camille Bas-Wohlert (Agence France-Presse) Copenhagen, Denmark Fri, February 14, 2020 14:03 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20648705f 2 News SAS,Scandinavian,Airlines,Advertisement Free A new commercial from airline SAS challenging the authenticity of Scandinavian traditions has provoked furor in the form of cyber attacks, a wave of social media anger and bomb threats against the ad agency behind it. On Thursday morning, Danish police cordoned off the area around the Copenhagen offices of the ad agency which created the newly released commercial, according to an AFP reporter at the scene. The cordon was lifted several hours later. Copenhagen police said a bomb threat had been emailed to the agency but that police had found nothing. Published to YouTube on Tuesday, the ad asks "What is truly Scandinavian?," and then answers with "Absolutely nothing... everything is copied". "We're no better than our Viking ancestors," says an actor, before an off-screen voice says: "We take everything we like on our trips abroad, adjust it a little bit et voila!" It then goes on to list the origin of iconic Scandinavian staples like Swedish meatballs -- which were originally imported from Turkey -- and Danish pastries, brought to Denmark by Austrian bakers. SAS, founded jointly by Sweden, Denmark and Norway in 1946, said in a statement that the commercial was meant to convey the message "that travel enriches us." But it sparked anger among some in Scandinavia, where the arrival of hundreds of thousands of migrants since 2015 has led to fiery debates about integration and Scandinavian identity. "What complete damn nonsense and self loathing," Richard Jomshof, a Swedish member of parliament representing the populist Sweden Democrats, wrote in a Facebook post. In Sweden and Denmark, neo-Nazi circles, typically very active online, also criticized the clip. "The ad is taking a political stance implying that everyone is welcome. This is obviously a sensitive message in a time of xenophobia," communications professor Lars Thoger Christensen of Copenhagen Business School told AFP. Read also: Northern Europe and Scandinavia dominate list of most livable cities for European expats 'Enough is enough' In Denmark, Soren Espersen, deputy head of the anti-immigration Danish People's Party that dictated the country's restrictive immigration policy for two decades, told newspaper Ekstrabladet he was shocked. SAS "is spitting on everything that is truly Danish," he said, adding: "The government has to say that enough is enough." Both he and Jomshof vowed to never fly with the airline again. Rival airline Norwegian also seized on the opportunity to poke fun at SAS by posting an image of a cheese slicer to Facebook with the caption: "Luckily, no one can take the cheese slicer from us." Another Twitter user joked: "If Greta (Thunberg, the teen Swedish climate activist) made this 'commercial' with the goal of getting Swedes to fly less, she succeeded." 'Travel enriches us' In Copenhagen, the editor in chief of Ekstrabladet, Poul Madsen, meanwhile said the advert "hit the nail on the head on the most Scandinavian thing of all: self-mockery." SAS, which transports around 30 million passengers every year and employs 10,000 people, is 70 percent controlled by institutional and private investors with the remaining 30 percent shared almost equally by Sweden and Denmark. Contacted by AFP, the Swedish and Danish governments had no immediate comment. Facing a barrage of reactions, SAS on Wednesday temporarily took the commercial down from their social media accounts. The company said, however, that the "pattern and volume" of reactions meant it suspected "an online attack and that the campaign has been hijacked." When asked by AFP, SAS did not indicate whether it intended to lodge a complaint, and the intelligence services would not confirm if they had opened an investigation. The campaign has since been reinstated and on Thursday the video had almost 320,000 views on Youtube. Comments had been disabled but the video had more than 60,000 dislikes, and only 4,000 likes. "We stand behind the message in the film that travel enriches us," SAS said in a statement. "It is regrettable that the film is misunderstood, that some choose to interpret the message and use it for their own purpose." Topics : SAS Scandinavian Airlines Advertisement The Justice Department has told former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe it isn't prosecuting him and it considers the matter 'closed' despite the president's string of furious tweets about McCabe and a judge's warning the a prolonged investigation had a whiff of retribution. Federal prosecutors closed an investigation into whether McCabe lied to federal officials about his involvement in a news media disclosure, McCabe's legal team said Friday. The end of the two-year probe of McCabe came just hours before it was revealed a federal judge scolded prosecutors and flagged President Trump's repeated tweets on the case as being like a 'banana republic.' U.S. District Court Judge Reggie Barnett Walton made the comment as he heard a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit in relation to the case. 'The public is listening to what's going on, and I don't think people like the fact that you've got somebody at the top basically trying to dictate whether somebody should be prosecuted,' Walton, a George W. Bush appointee, told prosecutors in September. 'I just think it's a banana republic when we go down that road and we have those type of statements being made that are conceivablyeven if notinfluencing the ultimate decision,' he lectured. 'I think there are a lot of people on the outside who perceive that there is undue, inappropriate pressure being brought to bear.' Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which sued for court transcripts, said it was 'not surprising' that the government announced it was dropping the case as the transcripts were ordered released, the Daily Beast reported. The decision not to charge McCabe revolves a criminal investigation that spanned more than a year and began with a referral from the Justice Department's inspector general, which said McCabe repeatedly lied about having authorized a subordinate share information with a newspaper reporter for a 2016 article about an FBI investigation into the Clinton Foundation. The IG found McCabe 'lacked candor' on multiple occasions during a leak investigation. McCabe's lawyers said in a statement they were told in a phone call and letter that the case is closed and 'no charges will be brought against him based on the facts.' In the clear: In a letter on Friday, prosecutors told McCabes lawyers that they decided 'not to pursue criminal charges against your client' after careful consideration. President Trump responded to Attorney General William Barr's statements by asserting his 'legal right' to intervene in criminal case President Trump said he had the 'legal right' to intervene in criminal cases 'but I have so far chosen not to!' That was just over 12 hours after Bill Barr told ABC News he wanted the president to 'stop the tweeting' McCabe, a frequent target of attacks from President Donald Trump, has denied that he intentionally misled anyone. He has said his 2018 firing - for what the Justice Department called 'lack of candor' - was politically motivated. He sued the Justice Department in August, saying officials had used the inspector generals conclusions as a pretext to rid the FBI of leaders Trump perceived as biased against him. In a letter on Friday, prosecutors told McCabe's lawyers that they decided 'not to pursue criminal charges against your client' after careful consideration. 'Based on the totality of the circumstances and all of the information known to the government at this time, we consider the matter closed,' said the letter, signed by the chief of the U.S. attorney's office's public corruption unit. McCabe cheered the outcome but blasted prosecutors for taking two years to resolve his case in an interview with CNN, where he is a contributor. He called it a 'disgrace' The Justice Department wrote McCabe's lawyer to tell him they consider the matter 'closed' The decision was announced hours after Trump slapped back at Bill Barr, asserting the 'legal right' to intervene in criminal cases, just over 12 hours after his attorney general warned him his tweets and comments made it difficult to do his job. Trump's pushback, which he issued publicly on Twitter, capped off a week of extraordinary statements about the criminal case of longtime advisor Roger Stone, who was convicted of witness tampering and lying to Congress about contacts with WikiLeaks. Trump began by quoting from Barr's extraordinary interview with ABC News, where he said: 'The President has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case. Then he added: 'This doesn't mean that I do not have, as President, the legal right to do so, I do, but I have so far chosen not to!' 'I think it's time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases,' Barr had told ABC News on Thursday afternoon. 'I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me.' McCabe is among a clutch of top former FBI officials who have been the focus of the president's rage. This week while venting about the Roger Stone case for what he called mistreatment, Trump fumed at the failure to charge former FBI director James Comey. Trump wanted McCabe to get charged after the release of the damning inspector general's report. He was also set off by two other prosecutorial decisions, the Washington Post reported the decision by prosecutors to seek jail time for former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn after he changed his legal posture and started going after the government, and the decision by U.S. Attorney John Huber not to bring charges against Hillary Clinton after reviewing the long history of her email controversy. Trump famously let cheering crowds calling to 'lock her up' during the 2016 campaign. McCain has been a regular subject of Trump's Twitter attacks. In late January, he retweeted a post about the Justice Department's response to McCabe's lawsuit. McCabe argues the FBI engaged in retaliation after the IG report. Trump last year linked McCabe to his favorite target, former FBI Director James Comey Trump retweeted Kellyanne Conway who had tagged an article accusing McCabe of 'lying nad leaks' In November, Trump railed against McCabe and other officials after he complained about a jury's conviction of Roger Stone and prosecutors' push for jail time Days earlier, he retweeted counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway, who tagged a Wall Street Journal opinion piece that said the FBI was a 'leakfest' and that 'Andy McCabe lost his job & part of his pension for lying about leaks.' Trump's constant commentary on the case could have furnished McCabe's lawyers that he was being singled out for political prosecution had charges been brought. Trump tweeted in November: 'So they now convict Roger Stone of lying and want to jail him for many years to come. Well, what about Crooked Hillary, Comey, Strzok, Page, McCabe, Brennan, Clapper, Shifty Schiff, Ohr & Nellie, Steele & all of the others, including even Mueller himself? Didn't they lie?' The IG found that McCabe 'lacked candor, including under oath, on multiple occasions in connection with describing his role in connection with a disclosure' to a Wall Street Journal reporter and that his 'disclosure of the existence of an ongoing investigation in the manner described in this report violated the FBI's and the Department's media policy and constituted misconduct. In just the latest sign of the rough waters Barr is seeking to navigate, he assigned an outside prosecutor to review the case against Flynn, the New York Times reported. Flynn cooperated for many hours with investigators and pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI then sought to withdraw his plea and accused the government of misconduct, a charge a federal judge rejected. McCabe took a victory lap on CNN, where he is a contributor. 'It is an absolute disgrace that they took two years and put my family through this experience for two years before they finally drew the obvious conclusion and one they could have drawn a long, long time ago,' he said. He linked his case to that of Roger Stone, and raised concerns about political pressure to punish Trump's enemies and go easier on his friends, what he termed the 'politicization of investigations.' 'We were getting more and more concerned about where this would end up,' McCabe said. 'We are seeing things happen every day in this country that many of us never thought we'd see here.' As per the recent developments from Iraq, a new rocket struck the Kirkuk base in Iraq housing the American troops on Thursday, February 13. This rocket was the latest in the string of nearly 20 rockets that have hit the Iraqi bases and the green zone since October. Media reports suggested that no casualties were reported in the incident. The USA has blamed Kataeb Hezbollah, a hardline Iraqi military faction close to Iran for the rocket attacks on the base. Out of all the missiles that have hit the US bases in Iraq, Iran has taken the responsibility of only one attack on the Al Assad and Ebril air basses which took place on January 8. The latest missile that hit the base on Feb 13 was another Katyusha rocket that dropped in an open area on the K1 base at around 8:45 pm local time. Read: US-Saudi partnership critical to confront Iran, says Pompeo after meeting Prince Faisal 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 on January 3. Post this, Iran had threatened "harsh retaliation" and subsequently, many airstrikes were reported near the US Embassy in Baghdads Green Zone and a lot of Iraqi airbases. Read: Trump justifies Soleimanis killing again, says he was targeting four US embassies Furthermore, a major attack was also launched on the Al-Assad and Ebril airbases in Iraq on January 8. The bases were hit by a ballistic missile 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. Read: Trump remains silent after Iran's admission, tweets on everything but Ukrainian jet crash Following the developments, Trump said that the US would strike 52 religious 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. The secretary of US state, Mike Pompeo has also met many of his counterparts and other leaders from US ally nations since the time these tensions have surfaced. (With ANI Inputs) Read: Justin Trudeau seeks answers from Iran, asks them to take 'full responsibility' By Abdul Kerimkhanov Two Armenian soldiers have died under unclear circumstances in Azerbaijans occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region. Both soldiers have sustained gunshot founds. As the Armenian media reported, twenty-year-old serviceman Tigran Manvelyan was fatally wounded in the southeastern direction of the frontline under unclear circumstances on February 12. Armenian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Artsrun Hovhannisyan said a second soldier (Tigran Mkhoyan) was killed in a different military unit (in the south direction of the frontline). The soldier was identified as a twenty-year-old serviceman. Mkhoyan was also fatally wounded under unclear circumstances. The investigation is underway to clarify the circumstances of the incident. Earlier, on January 24, servicemen of occupied Nagorno-Karabakh Henri-Hayk Zakarian (born in 2001) and Armen Mesropyan (born in 2000) sustained gunshot wounds in a northerly direction of the frontline, and under yet unknown circumstances. Zakarian was wounded in the head and his health condition was assessed as critical; he underwent surgery. As for Mesropyan, he was wounded in the right arm. On January 25, a criminal case on charges of suicide attempt and incitement to suicide was launched in connection with above-mentioned conscripts. In 2019, according to the Prosecutor's Office of Armenia, seven soldiers of the Armenian army, as well as puppet regimes army created in Nagorno-Karabakh committed suicide. Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with signing a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied nearly 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over one million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. Despite the ceasefire, Armenia continued the occupation in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Ilhan Omars husband discovered the truth about her torrid affair with her chief fundraiser when he went to her Washington D.C. apartment last spring and found the lovers lounging around in pajamas, DailyMail.com has learned exclusively. Ahmed Hirsi had long suspected that Omar, 39, was cheating on him with married Tim Mynett but the proof came when he caught the hijab-wearing congresswoman in a state that no Muslim woman would expect to be with a man who is not her husband. Two separate sources confirmed the account to DailyMail.com, saying that Hirsi was left angry and humiliated by the encounter. He suspected she was cheating but she kept telling him he was paranoid, one source said. He told her he wanted to move down to D.C. to be with her but she insisted he should stay in Minneapolis with the children. Eventually he surprised her down there and his worst fears were confirmed. It wasnt that he actually caught them in bed but they were clearly in a romantic situation. DailyMail.com revealed last October that Omar and Mynett were not only dating, but living together 'on and off' at a secret DC apartment, while plotting romantic vacations to Jamaica and making plans for a long-term future together Hirsi and Omar, 39, got engaged in 2002 and then had a faith-based marriage. They had two children before divorcing in 2008. She remarried Ahmed the following year (pictured). The two were granted a divorce in November 2019 Omar's campaign fundraiser strategist and lover Tim Mynett, 38, (left) left the courthouse in high spirits after officially divorcing Beth Jordan, 55, (right). He was grinning and clapping his hands in glee. He said he was happy with the proceedings but would not comment further Hirsi remarried on December 12, just 37 days after divorcing the freshman representative from Minnesota the mother of his three children. Mynett, 38, also divorced his wife Beth in December. He was seen clapping his hands in glee as he left the Washington courthouse following the final hearing. Omars campaign paid Mynetts fundraising company more than half a million dollars last year, according to newly released Federal Election Commission figures. The amount paid each month increased dramatically after their affair was revealed at the end of July. In December alone his E Street Company received $87,683, according to the figures reviewed by DailyMail.com. The sources say the families of Hirsi and Omar hammered out a financial settlement that would give Hirsi tens of thousands of dollars over several years but only if he did not speak publicly about the marriage breakdown. One source said the figure was as high as $250,000 over six years. Hirsi did not return DailyMail.com requests for comment. Soon after the agreement was reached last year Hirsi, 40, traded in his old Nissan Maxima for a BMW 528i, which sells for $54,000 new. Omar, 37, has refused to discuss her relationship with Mynett or the reason for her divorce from Hirsi. She was born in Somalia and after civil war broke out in 1991 she spent four years in a refugee camp in Kenya before coming to the United States when she was 12. Like thousands of other Somalis her family settled in Minnesotas Twin Cities. She won election to the Minnesota Statehouse in 2016 and followed that up with her Congressional victory two years later making her one of the first two Muslim women in the House. But now after just one term in office she is facing a strong election challenge with three opponents in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party primaries. Significantly one of her challengers, Leila Shukri Adan, 39, is Somali herself. She describes herself as a progressive Bernie Sanders supporter, but to the right of Ilhan. The other challengers are lawyer and Christian minister Antone Melton-Meaux, 47, and John Mason, 57, who says he is Minnesotas first openly gay black candidate. Caucuses will be held on February 25 to elect delegates to a convention that will decide if the DFL should endorse any of the four candidates before the August primary. The winner of that primary is almost certain to win election to Washington as Minnesotas 5th District is one of the 40 safest Democratic seats in the country. Somalis in Minneapolis say Omar has lost significant support in their community since her 2018 victory. Much of that is due to her affair with Mynett. Her decision to hold the first in a series of Happy Hours with Ilhan at a Minneapolis distillery on Thursday evening added to the distrust. The event attracted around 100 followers, but there was a distinct lack of Somalis in the audience. Omar arrived barely 20 minutes before the scheduled end of the event at Du Nord Craft Spirits as her plane from Washington was delayed. I dont know what she is thinking, holding a happy hour event, one local community leader told DailyMail.com. Its almost as if she is deliberately trying to turn her Somali supporters against her. She is as a figurehead for us, the most famous Somali in America and she had embarrassed us. She is the face of the Somali community. The source said Somalis in Minneapolis were already upset after DailyMail.com published pictures of Mynett carrying beer into Omars apartment. Omar's decision to hold the first in a series of Happy Hours with Ilhan at a Minneapolis distillery on Thursday evening added to the distrust. The event attracted around 100 followers, but there was a distinct lack of Somalis in the audience. Above, Omar at the event I dont know what she is thinking, holding a happy hour event, one local community leader told DailyMail.com. Its almost as if she is deliberately trying to turn her Somali supporters against her. Last September Tim Mynett went shopping at Safeway and get groceries and beer, and then headed to location we discovered was Ilhan Omar's apartment. with a six-pack of Stella Artois beer Mynett heading into Omar's DC home on September 15 with a six-pack of Stella Artois beer.The source said Somalis in Minneapolis were already upset after DailyMail.com published pictures of Mynett carrying beer into Omars apartment Now she is holding an event in a place where they actually make alcoholic drinks! the source exclaimed. The Quran describes alcohol as an abomination of Satan's handiwork. Omar was not seen to be drinking at the event, although most of her supporters were. The congresswomans affair with Mynett has also leeched off support as has her backing of gay and lesbian rights, a topic that has virtually no support among generally conservative Somali-Americans. First she is dancing with lesbians at a gay pride parade then she is cheating on her husband. These are things that are severely frowned upon, said one Minneapolis Somali leader. People never wanted to believe that she was having an affair with her fundraiser. It wasnt until pictures of the two of them together that many would accept the rumors. Then even the Imams had to accept it was true. It came as a big shock that she would do something so outside our cultural norms, added the source. Not only was she married, but so was he and there was anger that she had destroyed his family as well as her own. He had a son too. Ilhan Omar and boyfriend Tim Mynett campaign in Iowa for Bernie Sanders. Also present is Bernie's wife, Jane O'Meara Sanders at event in Des Moines January 31 Ilhan Omar's ex husband Ahmed Hirsi has married pediatric nurse Ladan Ahmed, who had worked on Omar's election campaign, DailyMail.com has learned. The couple are now on honeymoon in Saudi Arabia and made a pilgrimage to Mecca. Pictured: The newlyweds standing outside of The Kaaba, which is the center of Islam's most important mosque the Great Mosque of Mecca I dont think people were too bothered that she was having an affair with a white man but they felt very sorry for the mans wife I felt very bad for her. DailyMail.com first revealed that Omar had split with Hirsi last summer. We then obtained video of her dining at a romantic out-of-the-way Los Angeles restaurant with a mystery man. The man who took video of the 'date' said the couple were holding hands over dinner: 'He seemed very protective of her. It just felt to me like they were close,' he said. Insiders soon identified the mystery man as Mynett, whose company has been on Omar's payroll since July 2018, providing fundraising and strategy services. Latest figures filed with the Federal Election Commission show that Omars campaign paid the E Street Group $216,564 in the final three months of last year, a 47% increase on the $146,710 paid in the previous three months. It brought the total paid to the company to more than $523,000 for the year. Omars spokesperson said the congresswoman does not comment on her family or personal life as she is focused on the work her constituents sent her to Washington to accomplish. Akshay Thakur has become the third convict in the 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder case to file mercy plea before the President of India. Akshay filed a mercy petition to President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday, minutes after Home Ministry officials confirmed that President Kovind has rejected the clemency plea by Vinay Sharma, another convict in the Delhi gang rape case. So far, out of the four death row convicts, three have filed for a presidential pardon. Out of these two have already been rejected, leaving Pawan Kumar Gupta the only convict to have not sought clemency yet. The first to file the mercy plea was Mukesh Singh, followed by Vinay and now Akshay. After the President rejected his mercy plea Singh had filed a petition in the Supreme Court arguing that the due process was not followed and he was tortured in custody. The court threw out the petition saying that if a mercy petition is expeditiously dealt with, it cannot be assumed that it has been adjudicated upon in a preconceived mind. The court also said that alleged sufferings in prison can't be grounds to challenge the rejection of mercy petition. Thakur filed the mercy plea on the day the four convicts were originally scheduled to be hanged. A Delhi Court had issued black warrants against the four men and set February 1 as the date for the executions. But the four men got a reprieve on Friday, just hours before they were to be executed after a Delhi court stayed the hangings till further notice. The convicts had argued that since Vinay's mercy plea before the president is pending, the three others also cannot be hanged. This was the second time the execution has been postponed. On January 7 a court had issued the first death warrant and fixed January 22 as the hanging date. After the convicts filed the curative petitions, the date was postponed to February 1. Earlier the SC had rejected Pawan Gupta's plea of juvenility and had held that the issue has been decided on the basis of documents and cannot be re-exercised. The four men along with another accused, Ram Singh and a juvenile were arrested in December 2012 for the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old paramedical student on a moving bus in Delhi. Ram Singh was found dead inside his jail cell in 2013 in an apparent suicide and the juvenile who was tried under the Juvenile Justice Act was released in December 2015. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong told VIR that the ministry is expediting the collection of ideas and feedback from ministries, localities, and the business community to have high-quality input for the draft Law on Public Private Partnerships, before submitting it to the National Assembly for discussion this October. We expect that the draft law will be adopted soon, so that we can have a sound legal framework to attract infrastructure investment. Without such a law, it would be quite difficult to attract this type of investment, Phuong said. One of the key points of the law is the risk-sharing mechanism between the government and the investor, and such a mechanism is now under discussion. Infrastructure in Vietnam refers to many sectors, like telecommunications, power, transport, water and sanitation, rural and urban roads, railways, bridges, and seaports. Under the draft law, the government proposed two options for risk sharing mechanisms in terms of revenue. Firstly, the government would bear a maximum of 50 per cent of losses between the actual revenue and the committed one in the contract. Secondly, financiers will commit to share with the government not less than 50 per cent of the difference in proceeds between the actual and the committed figures. Nobufumi Miura, chairman of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that many Japanese investors are interested in implementing infrastructure projects in Vietnam. However, they need a clear public-private partnership (PPP) framework for them to carry out these projects. To encourage overseas participation in PPP projects, it is vital that the government clarifies the risk allocation between the government and the private party, and provides comprehensive support for the private party to ensure a reasonable return from their investment, said Miura. Vietnam released Decree No.63/2018/ND-CP in 2018 on PPP investment. However, Phuong asserted that a law on PPP would help protect investors rights and benefits more effectively. Last week, Standard Chartered Bank released its report Opportunity2030: The Standard Chartered SDG Investment Map, stating that in Vietnam, the greatest SDG investment opportunities are found in transport infrastructure and improving digital access, both key indicators of SDG 9, which encourages improvement in industry, innovation, and infrastructure. Opportunity2030 states that achieving universal digital adoption a combination of mobile phone subscriptions rates and internet connectivity will require private-sector investment of around $24.4 billion between now and 2030, while significantly improving Vietnams transport infrastructure will require an estimated private-sector investment of $20.1 billion. The potential private-sector investment opportunity in the water sector is smaller, but as 11 per cent of Vietnams population still do not have access to clean water and sanitation (a key SDG 6 indicator), investment will make a real impact. To help achieve universal access by 2030 will require an estimated private-sector investment of $1.3 billion. At last months meeting between the government and localities, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stated that in 2020, the government will boost the construction of many major infrastructure projects and facilities in the power, water, traffic, and urban development sectors. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) A Filipino mother decried the move of a New Zealand school amid the coronavirus scare to send home her children after learning they came from a trip to the Philippines. Mary Jane Dumalaon talked to CNN Philippines on Friday to recall the ordeal of her children. She said officials from Papakura Normal School in Auckland, New Zealand called her on Monday to pick up her young girls to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine. She tried to reason out to the school principal that they came from the Philippines, where there are only three confirmed cases and no local transmissions. She showed proof that they did not travel to coronavirus-hit China. "We said we didn't travel to China. Check [the passport] pages to make sure. I explained to the school how come we passed all the borders and we're fine then the kids had been sent home," she said. Dumalaon said the principal had the wrong information on the travel restrictions in their country. New Zealand, which has no confirmed case yet of the deadly coronavirus disease, has imposed a travel ban on foreign travelers who came from or passed through China. "They saw an email from Philippine Airlines that all passengers going to and from the Philippines need to have a 14 days in isolation. I was like shocked with it because I knew from the start in the Philippine airport itself it says mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau," she recalled. She said the school principal apologized to her on Wednesday for imposing quarantine on the children based on an unfounded information. She said the school refunded her for the clinic fees when she was forced to bring her children to the hospital. She added the school also called her employer to explain the work days she missed to care for her children in home isolation. Her children are back in school after three days, but admitted her girls were shocked with what they had to go through. "They got shocked also! They were like, 'What's going on?' So I explained to them and I said, 'I think they just overreacted. You know the panic about the coronavirus that we might have because we traveled from the Philippines,' she said. Dumalaon said her children were not discriminated when they went back to school. She gave them a simple advice: "If you know that it's right, you stand for it. No one should bully, discriminate us because we're here doing our thing." High Fidelity Top Five Heartbreaks Season 1 Episode 1 Editors Rating 5 stars * * * * * Previous Next Photo: Phillip Caruso/Hulu Going into the first episode of Hulus new adaptation of High Fidelity, viewers can be excused for feeling a little skeptical. A film adaptation of Nick Hornbys 1995 novel of the same name is already out there, and though its gender politics and spirited defense of overzealous cultural gatekeeping have aged poorly, it still has charms enough for this Generation X music nerd. And while maybe nobody was clamoring for another High Fidelity adaptation, by updating the setting (to present-day Crown Heights, Brooklyn) and the protagonists gender and race (a young biracial Black woman, still named Rob, now played by Zoe Kravitz), viewers are treated to a lively, fresh take on both the novel and film. What worked in the movie (Robs direct address to the camera; giving Rob permission to be both cluelessly self-absorbed yet fundamentally appealing; an abundance of nerdy and amusing cultural banter; wide-ranging, high-quality musical selections) all works very well here, too. Best of all, by retaining some of the films best elements while centering a young Black womans experiences, showrunners Veronica West and Sarah Kucserka have widened the scope of High Fidelitys potential audience. Robs fourth-wall breaking is a stylistic choice from the film thats now more immediately reminiscent of Fleabag, whose main character is a bit of a mess in a lot of the same ways Rob is. What a great age for messy female protagonists! I do think its a mistake for Hulu to drop the entire first season on viewers all at once, as the pieces are in place here for a deeply satisfying slow burn over a ten-week run. I also know that viewers who gulp it all down over a couple of evenings wont be sorry they did. Top Five Heartbreaks moves back and forth through time to ground us in both Robs current reality shes very tentatively navigating a potential new relationship with Clyde (Jake Lacy), a climbing gym member whos recently moved to New York and in her disastrous romantic backstory. This list-lover wants us to know all about the five worst, most formative heartbreaks of her life to date, so lets dive in! Heartbreak No. 1: In a flashback, we see cute little middle-schooler Rob reading Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut. Kevin Bannister rolls up and asks her what shes listening to, so she lies that shes listening to Weezer, because all white dudes love Weezer, but Frank Zappa, who shes really listening to, requires an explanation. Truth hurts, boys! Rob and Kevins three-day interlude of after-school smooching comes to a screeching halt when she sees Kevin kissing Hannah Shepherd on their bench. In this scene, Rob is wearing a Check Your Headera Beastie Boys T-shirt, and when we shift back to the present, shes in a Licensed to Illera Beastie Boys T-shirt, giving us a strong visual reminder that this is a story about the unreliable slipperiness of memory and the stories we tell ourselves. Sure, there were 13-year-olds in the early 2000s reading Vonnegut and loving Zappa and the Beasties, but were there, though? Who wouldnt, when retelling a mortifying story about themselves, want to sprinkle just a pinch of coolness dust on themselves to ease the pain? Well see how Kevins memory stacks up against Robs soon enough. Heartbreak No. 2 is Kat Monroe, a very cool lady-lover; we quickly see Kat and Rob making out on the dance floor, while Rob voiceovers that Kat was too cool for her. The idea that anyone embodied by Zoe Kravitz, particularly the Zoe Kravitz wearing a very severely turtlenecked black high-grade pleather ensemble for this scene, is less cool than literally any human currently alive beggars belief a tad, but its cute to see her looking a bit out of her depth as a walking heart-eyes emoji. Kats sweeping pronouncements about the horrors of Brutalism establish her as a true monster, so when she dumps Rob for someone more her type (Tall. Blonde. Very white.), its not a surprise. Hearing Kravitzs Rob yell KAT YOU FUCKING BITCH LETS WORK IT OUT in the pouring rain is plaintive and sympathetic in a way that John Cusack doing the same to Catherine Zeta-Jones in the film decidedly was not. Robs sad career trajectory, stumbling into buying this struggling record shop (with what money?, one reasonably wonders) and dropping out of college and having no life plan beyond that leads us to Heartbreak No. 3, with Simon (David H. Holmes). She describes her attraction to Simon as being a true match with him, based on his recognition of the obscure British band The Radio Stars during one of her DJ sets. The show puts into Simons mouth the books famous and understandable, if completely wrongheaded, theory of relationships: That the things you like are more important than what you are like. Rob agrees with this readily enough and thinks that their ideological alignment will carry their relationship through, but she quickly sees it wont, through the smudged glass of the laundromat where Simon is clearly getting the digits of a handsome fellow laundry-doer. The jig being fully up, Rob and Simon hug it out on the subway platform, with present-day Rob summing up, and that was the end of that. Well, not exactly: Simon went from being her boyfriend to her employee. Yes, he works at Robs all-vinyl record store, along with Cherise (an instantly iconic performance by Dolemite Is My Name breakout DaVine Joy Randolph). The chemistry among these three music nerds is effervescent, with an irresistible Squabbling Yet Loving Siblings Energy. Randolphs performance is so assured and crisply hilarious that she threatens to steal every scene shes in, while Holmes re-centers every scene by making Simon a keen, patient observer who never lets Cherise get too carried away by her soaring musical erudition. They both keep a surreptitiously loving eye on Robs emotional temperature. Lets pause here to acknowledge what a treat it is to watch a show where the womens obsession-level expertise in their field has also rendered them lightly insufferable and unfit for conversation with normals. Cherise issues a withering flirtation-rebuke of a customer using Shazam to identify a song instead of asking one of the knowledgeable shop staff to identify it, while on her first date with Clyde, Rob rushes headlong into a mini-dissertation on preferring Tusk to Rumours. Its lovely to feel so seen and understood while also being burned to ash. Back to Robs doomed romances, Heartbreak No. 4 was Justin, a stand-up comic with appalling taste in music. Their relationship was entirely based on sneaking around, and once his girlfriend found out, there was no reason to stay together. Rob closes out this one with the wise reflection, In retrospect, we were both assholes. Heartbreak No. 5 is, of course, Mac. Robs brother, Cam, introduced them, resulting in fireworks, sparks, the whole thing. Their relationship is very swoony and seems rock solid in this flashback, but Rob insists that she was completely out of [her] depth and was left so heartbroken by Mac moving to London without her that shes resolved never to let herself get so vulnerable in romance again. At this stage, we dont get to see yet what put Rob so out of her depth with Mac, who so far just seems dreamily handsome and like a person with goals that Rob cant join him in pursuing. Back in the present, Clyde the gym climber is back, having unintentionally ghosted Rob after their better-than-anticipated date the night before. By way of apology, hes brought her takeout French toast from his favorite local diner, leading to some flirtation on the steps to Robs building, which in turn leads to Rob, eating the French toast alone in her apartment and wondering aloud, Why did I just act like suuuuuch a dick? Well. Theres a reason for that. Mac is back in town. See, the previous evening, Rob very unexpectedly bumped into Mac on her way to meet Clyde. As Nick Drakes Pink Moon plays, Rob and Mac awkwardly catch up within view of a row of red Chinese lanterns. Illuminated, they look like a bunch of pink moons, and if you can resist that clever little touch, youre a stronger person than I. Mac clearly still has feelings for Rob, and she for him: if the world were ending, Rob would choose to spend the last hours of earthly existence with Mac, whose eyes, for the record, are very soft and beautiful. As thunder rumbles in and Rob acknowledges that the whole situation with Mac and her not being remotely over him is a gigantic, unavoidable mess, the episode closes with one final perfect musical cue, Ann Peebless I Cant Stand the Rain, and Rob smokes one more of the cigarettes she also cant quit. B-Sides 1) Questlove appears in the opening credits as the series executive music producer! Between him and the shows full music department of three supervisors and an editor, the official playlist is going to be good. 2) Every adaptation of High Fidelity has a strong sense of place. This time its all about New York, highlighted visually for us by an oversize Wu-Tang Clan logo poster, another of a delightedly grinning Notorious B.I.G. by the shop cash register, and Robs two Beastie Boys T-shirts. 3) Musical cue of the episode goes to the unexpected appearance of Come on Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners on Cherises special Monday Morning Playlist (its Tuesday, but time is a construct). It is indeed dope as shit! A joint team of the Ministry of Shipping and Kolkata Port Trust has undertaken a study of the infrastructure of four Land Custom Stations (LCS) of the north eastern region for transportation of goods from Chittagong and Mongla ports in Bangladesh, officials said on Friday. The team visited Agartala Integrated Check Post (ICP) bordering Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh on Wednesday, and Srimantapur Integrated Check Post in Sipahijala district bordering Comilla district of the neighbouring country, about 60 km from here, on Thursday. Kolkata Port Trust Chairman Vinit Kumar had met Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb here on Wednesday during which Deb had discussed fast implementation of a protocol route between India and Bangladesh. Assistant Director of the Kolkata Port Trust Prashant Kumar said that India was allowed access to Chittagong and Mongla ports in Bangladesh following a MOU signed between the two countries for standard operating procedures for use of the ports on October 6 last in Delhi. The MoU was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina. "From the two ports, goods would be transported to the four land ports of the northeastern region by using land routes of Bangladesh. This would save time and expenditure. If everything is in its right place, operations would begin within two months," Prashant Kumar told PTI. He said, goods would enter from the neighbouring country to four land ports Agartala and Srimantapur in Tripura, Dawki in Meghalaya, and Sutarkandi in Assam. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Express News Service JAGATSINGHPUR: The district administration on Thursday pressed a health team into service to locate a man who recently visited Chandpur village in Raghunathpur after returning from China. The move came after novel Coronavirus (nCoV) panic gripped residents of Chandpur following the visit of Jagbandhu Mohapatra to the village. Sources said Mohapatra, who works in a private company in Mumbai, had gone to China on January 8 for some official work. He returned to Mumbai on January 15. Mohapatra then went to his relatives place at Balasore and stayed there till January 29. Later he visited his native village Chandpur. After getting information, the Health and Family Welfare department sent a letter to the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Jagatsinghpur regarding presence of Mohapatra at Chandpur. CDMO Vijaya Panda then sent a medical team led by superintendent of Raghunathpur community health centre (CHC) Sukant Dalai to Chandpur to screen Mohapatra of any nCoV exposure. However, the team failed to locate him as he had already left for Mumbai on January 31 after staying in the village for two days. The health officials contacted Mohapatras mother who clarified that her son didnt have any symptoms of fever or cough after his arrival from China. Dalai said, As per the directive of the Union Health Ministry, we have requested Mohapatra to self-examine himself for nCoV symptoms. Meanwhile, the authorities of Paradip Port Trust (PPT) have put in place strong measures to prevent any possible outbreak of the virus. Thermal scanners have been installed at Gate No 4 and an isolation ward made functional at PPT Hospital. So far, 16 ships have berthed and 20 are in the anchorage of Paradip port. Of these vessels, only one ship with two crew members had visited China after January 15. On arrival of the ship at berth, a health team led by Chief Medical Officer of PPT Prahllad Panda scanned the crew and after their green signal, cargo operations were started. Shore leaving has been prohibited for the crew of vessels having visited ports of China, Macau and Hong Kong after January 15. Daily update of the health status of the crew has been mandatory for all the vessels till their stay in Paradip waters. BRANCH COUNTY, MI A suspected truck thief not only succeeded in making it south of the Michigan-Indiana border, but also made it to another border, located west of Angola, Indiana. Michigan State Police are currently investigating the disappearance of a beige 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Diesel that was reportedly stolen from a pole barn in the 200 block of West Southern Road in Kinderhook Township, just west of I-69. The truck was last seen about 20 miles south of the barn in the parking lot of a Taco Bell at 3075 W. Maumee St. near Angola, a news release from the Michigan State Police says. The truck is in good condition and has a white bed topper attached. The truck also has dark tinted windows and horse decals on the rear windows, the release states. The stolen truck is being driven by a male subject, the release states. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Michigan State Police Marshall Post at 269-558-0500. Also on MLive: Marijuana 'does a body good, says owner of new recreational pot shop Recreational marijuana stores draw buyers to Southwest Michigan The Supreme Court on Friday rebuked telecom companies for not paying up the money due to the government following the top courts October verdict on the interpretation of the Adjusted Gross Revenue. Last years ruling that came at the end of a 14-year-long legal battle required telecom companies to pay the government 92,000 crore. It held that companies could not exclude their non-telecom revenue to calculate the fee to be paid to the exchequer. The top court had set a 23 January deadline for the companies to clear the outstanding dues. Telecom companies including Airtel and Vodafone Idea approached the top court on Friday to ask the bench to modify this direction. A three-judge bench led by Justice Arun Mishra lashed out at the companies and the government. What is happening in this country? We want to use very harsh words because this is complete nonsense... Is there any law left in the country? The bench has summoned top officials of the telecom firms to explain why contempt proceedings shouldnt be initiated against them for non-compliance. The bench was particularly upset with a telecom official who, it said, had effectively stopped implementation of the top courts verdict. A desk officer is sitting in appeal over our orders, Justice Arun Mishra said, referring to a telecom official who issued the notification allowing delay in payment of the dues, effectively keeping the Supreme Court judgment in abeyance. All these companies havent even paid a single penny and your officer has the audacity to stay the order... Does the Supreme Court have no value... This is the outcome of money power, Justice Mishra said. We draw contempt against the companies. Let the desk officer also explain why appropriate action should not be taken and he should be present in the next date of hearing. Please ask the desk officer to withdraw that DoT order or he will go behind the bars by evening. We have to take action against him. The officer should understand where they should stop... It is clear contempt. the bench said. On 16 January, the bench, which also comprises justices Abdul Nazeer and MR Shah, had rejected review petitions filed by telecom forms on the verdict that required them to clear their dues running into thousands of crores by January 23. It had upheld the AGR definition formulated by the DoT and termed as frivolous the nature of objections raised by the telecom service providers. The Supreme Court verdict has not only hit telecom firms hard but also made non-telecom firms holding licences for internal communications and signalling liable to pay licence fee on their entire revenue, even if they do not offer telecom services. The telecom department had sought 1.72 trillion from GAIL (India) Ltd, 48,000 crore from Oil India Ltd, 22,168 crore from Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, 15,019 crore from Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd and 5,841 crore plus interest from Delhi Metro Rail Corp. Ltd (DMRC). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON JAMMU: A delegation of 25 foreign envoys, which visited Jammu and Kashmir, will meet National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval in the national capital on Friday (14, 2020). The meeting will take place in the evening during which they will discuss the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. On Thursday, the foreign envoys were briefed about the security situation in the region by Army. The foreign envoys later visited Jammu, where they held 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. The Punjab National Bank scandal is likely to cost India's second largest state-owned lender about US$2 billion. Sale of assets seized from the alleged perpetrators including diamond designer Nirav Modi, starting this month, suggests a long road to recovery. Through the Enforcement Directorate, the agency responsible for fighting economic crime in India, the government has engaged Mumbai-based Saffronart to auction a litany of luxury goods to recoup its losses. The list includes prized artworks by Indian and Chinese painters, Hermes' Birkin and Kelly handbags and a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch in platinum. A Rolls-Royce Ghost and a Porsche Panamera S are also going under the hammer. An on-site live auction is set for February 27 and an online bidding on March 3 and 4, with both events expected to raise US$5.7 million and US$7.1 million, the auction house estimated in an email to the Post on Wednesday. "These works are of significant interest to strong collectors and connoisseurs of Indian and Chinese art," said Dinesh Vazirani, CEO and co-founder of Saffronart, which has conducted 250 auctions over its 20-year history. "In terms of interest, the bags and cars have a much wider appeal." Diamond jewellery designer Nirav Modi fled India in 2018 after the Punjab National Bank scandal broke out. Photo: Mint via Getty Images Modi fled the country in early 2018, days before the scandal broke out revealing the issuance of letters of understanding for trade that bypassed Punjab National Bank's internal controls. The Enforcement Directorate has since attached at least US$1 billion worth of assets belonging to Modi and other people charged in the case. Modi is being remanded in the UK's Wandsworth prison until February 27 as he fights an extradition in a trial that is set to begin in May, according to an Economic Times report on January 30. In another UK courtroom, Vijay Mallya is appealing against his extradition as India's government seeks to recover loans tied to the collapse of his Kingfisher Airlines, the Hindustan Times reported on Wednesday. Story continues The two cases bear some semblance to some of Asia's biggest corporate scandals. Low Taek Jho has been in hiding since the US$4.5 billion scandal involving the looting at a Malaysian state investment fund. Carlos Ghosn fled to Lebanon after being charged for alleged financial misconduct while helming Japanese carmaker Nissan Motor. For India, they are emblematic of the state of its banking industry. Years of poor lending controls, weak recoveries and occasional frauds have saddled the financial system with ever more soured loans. The country's 42 commercial banks collectively wrote off 2.12 trillion rupees (US$29.7 billion) of bad loans in 2018-19, the Business Standard reported, citing official data released in parliament. That was 42 per cent higher than a year earlier, and equivalent to about one-fifth of their non-performing assets, it said. For Saffronart, its business can do with some stamp of recognition. The government last year engaged the firm to auction a cache of works by Indian and Chinese artists, raising almost US$8 million for the tax recovery department. Saffronart has set the industry standard for the process of valuation for artworks and collectibles, Vazirani said, "based on expertise and data analytics." This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2020 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. LOS ANGELES - Virgin Galactics spaceship VSS Unity, tucked under the wing of its special carrier aircraft, took a long-awaited ferry flight Thursday from Southern California to its new home in the New Mexico desert, where it will undergo final testing in preparation for commercial operations that will carry tourists on hops into space. 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 flight lasted more than three hours, giving pilots a chance to evaluate the spaceship at high altitude and cold temperatures for a prolonged period of time. The move to New Mexico marks a significant milestone toward commercial flights, which the company anticipates this year. We have a lot of work to do, but the significance of this day is massive and what inspires me is really the idea of the having the spaceship flying free over the New Mexico skies, CEO George Whitesides told The Associated Press in an interview. Thats what weve all been working for for a long time and today was a crucial step toward that. Virgin Galactic now has about 150 employees in New Mexico and last year inaugurated a program to prepare its first customers for the experience. The company in August debuted its astronaut lounge and mission control at the spaceport. Virgin Galactic is the anchor tenant of the taxpayer-financed Spaceport America the worlds first facility designed and built specifically for launching commercial passengers and payloads into suborbital space. The idea was first hatched some 15 years ago by British billionaire Richard Branson and former Gov. Bill Richardson to build a spaceport in New Mexico and launch paying customers into the lower fringes of space where they could experience weightlessness and get a view of the Earth below. Efforts to get the project off the ground has spanned three gubernatorial administrations. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is in her second year leading the state, congratulated Virgin Galactic and said she was glad to have them in New Mexico. We will have a genuine Space Valley in southern New Mexico, a hotbed of innovation and achievement and space tourism development, she said. More than 600 customers from 60 countries have put down deposits for flights with Virgin Galactic and over the last year, more than 3,500 people have registered their desire to fly. Virgin Galactic officials expect that interest will surpass the companys capacity for flights at least through 2023. The company says its spaceships also will carry experiments that require several minutes of microgravity. Virgin Galactic reported progress in the construction of the next two spaceships, which are being built at Mojave. The winged rocket ships are designed to be carried to high altitude by the mothership and released. A rocket motor will then propel the spaceships for a brief period before they glide back down to the runway. Founded by 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. TROY A felony drunken driving trial in Rensselaer County Court ended abruptly with a plea deal after the public defender said prosecutors failed to share complete information about the arresting city police officer's conduct in an unrelated traffic stop when he worked for another law enforcement agency. The prosecution downplayed as a hiccup the 2015 incident in which Officer Philip J. Milano, working then as a deputy for the Albany County Sheriff's Office, apparently issued a ticket for an infraction that never happened. Weve had a number of issues arise today, Judge Debra Young said from the bench after emerging from a nearly 30-minute conference in chambers with prosecutors and defense attorneys. The result was was Alexander Lewis pleading to misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child for a sentence of a $75 fine and a one-year conditional discharge. Lewis, 35, faced up to four years in prison if he had been convicted of felony aggravated driving while intoxicated or felony first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle for a July 16, 2019 traffic stop in Troy. Lewis felony jury trial was in its fourth day when Assistant Public Defender William Roberts launched a heated attack against the manner in which Assistant District Attorney Nick Dorando portrayed Milanos previous employment as a road patrol deputy with the Albany County Sheriffs Office in 2015. Roberts made a motion for a mistrial citing prosecutorial misconduct and raised issues about remarks Dorando made during his opening statement in Lewis DWI trial. Roberts made his arguments before he was to resume cross-examination of Milano. I had serious concerns relative to the way documents in the case were presented, Roberts said afterward. At issue were two letters, one from September 2019 written by Dorando describing an Oct. 11, 2015 traffic stop by Milano in Westerlo and another written by the Albany County District Attorneys Office in May 2016 about the incident involving a ticket Milano issued to a driver for not signaling soon enough for a turn. Roberts said Dorando knew of the Albany County DA office letter because it had been sent to him by Assistant Conflict Defender Joseph Ahearn. The Albany DA's office letter said Milano issued a traffic ticket for insufficient turn signal and a sheriffs internal investigation found the violation did not in fact occur. Deputy Milano was found to have created and sworn to materially false documents that were intended to support a fictitious violation which he knew or should have known to be false. Deputy Milano was subsequently removed from road-patrol and re-assigned to transportation, the Albany DA's letter stated. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Dorandos letter said the sheriffs investigation opined that the violation for which Milano issued a ticket did not occur and that Milano faced charges brought by the department that he created and swore to materially false documents that were intended to support a fictitious violation which he knew or should have known to be false. The letter said that Milano didnt admit guilt and requested reassignment to the transportation detail for six months. Roberts had Ahearn in the courtroom prepared to testify when the deal was reached. Dorando and Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hauf declined to comment. Milano joined the Troy police force in May 2016, about five months after the Albany County Sheriffs Office reassigned him from the road patrol to prisoner transport. We have no concerns whatsoever Deputy Chief Dan DeWolf said regarding Milanos disciplinary issues while he wa an Albany County deputy. Officer Milano does a fabulous job and that hiccup way back when with the Albany County Sheriffs Office is way too overstated. Were extremely happy with his performance at the Troy Police Department, DeWolf said. Bigg Boss 13, hosted by Salman Khan, is headed to its grand finale on Saturday. The show has been on air since September with Sidharth Shukla, Rashami Desai, Paras Chhabra, Arti Singh, Shehnaaz Gill and Asim Riaz emerging as the top six finalists. Looking at its length, you definitely need a recap of the incidents that should preferably not happen in the next season. While the producers are content with the shows TRPs this season, here are a few lows which didnt make the viewers happy: Hum Saath Saath Hain Every season, the makers of Bigg Boss try to introduce concepts that boost its TRPs but this time, it went a bit overboard by bringing in not just the distant relatives and friends of the contestants in the house but also exes and love interests. All from Shehnaaz Gills brother Shehbaaz, Vishal Aditya Singhs brother Kunal to Mahira Sharmas brother Aakash entered the house to spend time with their contestants, leaving the audience scratching their heads in confusion. Not only was it overcrowded but their arrival also led to more fights between the original contestants. Recall Kunals ugly fight with Mahira over a spoon! Bigg Boss 13: Mahira Sharma had an ugly fight with Vishal Aditya Singhs brother Kunal. Phir Milenge Bigg Boss went on air on September 29 last year and was supposed to conclude in January this year. But the channel was in no mood to let go of the steady TRPs and dragged it by five weeks until February, making it the longest season ever. It also came at a huge cost 8 wildcard contestants and a reported increment for Salman. As the show was expected to stick to the concept of evicting one contestant every week, it couldnt help calling back already evicted contestants on the show as guests. However, this did not go down with the viewers who questioned the makers for not valuing their votes and calling back contestants who were once evicted due to least number of votes. It wouldnt be a surprise if you cant recall some of the original contestants Abu Malik, Siddhartha Dey and Dalljiet Kaur it was a bit too long ago, wasnt it? Bigg Boss 13: Shefali Bagga, Arhaan Khan, Madhurima Tuli were among the wild card contestants. Andaz Apna Apna Bigg Boss 13 will undoubtedly go down in the history of television as the reality show with the most number of injuries. Several contestants such as Paras Chhabra and Rashami Desai were seen with bandages and had to visit a hospital for a brief period. Paras had hurt his finger during the transport task and had to undergo a finger surgery. Rashami had reportedly suffered a hairline fracture in her finger after she got hurt during another task. Siddhartha Dey had received burnt marks on his neck after his rival contestants used bleach and red chilli powder on him during another task. Regular health issues also kept the contestants low on energy. Sidharth Shukla suffered a bout of typhoid while Devoleena Bhattacharjee had to quit due to her back pain. When Madhurima Tuli beat Vishal Aditya Singh with a pan. Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? Every season there is at least one contestant, usually a male, who is unceremoniously thrown out of the Bigg Boss house for bad conduct. A new development was witnessed in this season as Madhurima Tuli, who had followed her ex Vishal Aditya Singh in the house, was thrown out for beating him with a frying pan. Madhurima had later said in a post-eviction interview that she should have used her hand to hit him instead of beating him with a pan. Also read: Bigg Boss 13: Sidharth Shukla, Asim Riaz, Shehnaaz, Rashami or Paras, who should be the winner? Vote here Hud Hud Dabangg Bigg Boss 13 had made headlines due to too much aggression by the male contestants during its initial days and even Salman had bashed them for not behaving appropriately. Sidharth Shukla was always on the radar for being too aggressive during the task which did not go down well with many of his co-housemates. He was heavily criticized for pushing Mahira Sharma during a task. Siddhartha Dey was also regularly taken to task for his disrespectful comments against Arti Singh and others. Salman Khan had to enter the Bigg Boss 13 house to counsel Rashami Desai and Arhaan Khan. Sanam Bewafa Bigg Boss 13 saw a new low as it turned into yet another Splitsvilla. Salman informed Rashami Desai about boyfriend Arhaans marriage and child before he could officially propose her. He also interrogated Asim Riaz about his love affair after he proposed to Himanshi Khurana for marriage on the show. Among those who washed their dirty linen in public was Paras Chhabra, who eventually broke up with girlfriend Akanksha Puri after moving closer to Mahira inside the house. She also confirmed moving on with life after his hurtful comments about her on the show. Follow @htshowbiz for more New Delhi: The Supreme Court will on Friday (February 14) give its verdict on Centre's plea seeking separate execution of four convicts in 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case and asked the convicts to file their counter reply by then. The court will also pronounce order on convict Vinay Sharma's plea challenging rejection of his mercy petition by the President alleging that it was done in a 'mala fide' manner. A bench of Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and AS Bopanna is expected to pass orders at around 2 pm today 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. Sharma, one of the four convicts on death row in the 2012 case, moved the apex court on February 11, 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 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'. 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. Advocate AP 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. 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. 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. Left-wing protesters have ambushed a Joe Biden Wall Street fundraiser with a coffin for his campaign and chants of 'drop out Joe.' Following dismal results in Iowa and New Hampshire, Biden was attacked by the New York Communities for Change organisation as he left the bash in Manhattan on Thursday night. 'Things are looking pretty grim,' said one of the protesters as he gave a mock eulogy, 'The campaign is pretty much done. The people have spoken. Young people have spoken.' Biden was in midtown hoping to drum up around $1million from 250 big donors but was heckled on his way out with chants of, 'Skip Nevada! Skip South Carolina! Go home early!' Former Vice President Joe Biden leaving the fundraiser in midtown Manhattan on Thursday night where some 250 Wall Street donors convened A guest list obtained by CNBC included 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, president of private equity firm Cranemere Group. Senator Kamala Harris was also on the guest list for the event which was split across two restaurants at different stages of the day, Sarabeths and the nearby Wayfarer. Biden reportedly attempted to reassure his supporters over the phone this week following his loss in New Hampshire, 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. 'Things are looking pretty grim,' said one of the protesters as he gave a mock eulogy, 'The campaign is pretty much done. The people have spoken. Young people have spoken.' 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.' 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.' 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, with Bloomberg and Buttigieg lying 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. Mumbai, Feb 14 : Reluctant to take up his elevation and transfer as Chief Justice of another High Court, the second senior-most judge of the Bombay High Court, Justice Satyaranjan C. Dharmadhikari on Friday resigned, citing "personal and family" constraints. Hailing from a prominent legal-judicial family of central India, Justice Dharmadhikari, 61, sent his resignation to President Ram Nath Kovind. "I have demitted office. Today is my last day," Justice Dharmadhikari informed a stunned courtroom here this morning, sending shockwaves in judicial circles. In a brief media interaction later, he said: "I have to quit purely for personal and family issues. I want to be with my family. I do not want to leave Mumbai and they were not willing to elevate me as (Acting) Chief Justice here." Appointed as a judge on November 14, 2003 and due to retire in 2022, Justice Dharmadhikari was the No. 2 in the seniority list of Bombay High Court after Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog who retires later this month. Touching upon his elevation as the CJ, he mentioned that it was in the offing since several months, but certain developments compelled him to take the decision to quit abruptly. There has been speculation in some quarters whether he was being elevated as CJ of Madhya Pradesh or Odisha high courts since recently. However, Justice Dharmadhikari plans to continue living in Mumbai along with his wife, a son and daughter and pursue law-related activities. The Dharmadhikari family was associated with Mahatma Gandhi, the Sarvodaya and Satyagraha movements, and is known for its legal and judiciary services since generations. Justice Satyaranjan Dharmadhikari's brother Ashutosh Dharmadhikari is an eminent lawyer, while their father, Justice Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari, a Padma Bhushan awardee, was once the acting CJ of Bombay High Court who passed away in 2019. DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland's centre-right Fianna Fail party will seek to form a government that does not include left-wing nationalists Sinn Fein, a senior member of the party said on Thursday following a meeting of the party's lawmakers. "We gave the party leader license to speak to whoever he needs to speak to, with the exception of a Sinn Fein," senior Fianna Fail lawmaker Niall Collins told Reuters. Two of the three largest parties will need to cooperate to form a government, with Fianna Fail on 38 seats, Sinn Fein on 37 and centre-right Fine Gael on 35 in the 160-seat parliament, while Fine Gael has already ruled out a deal with Sinn Fein. (Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Writing by Conor Humphries; Editing by Andrew Heavens) With more than 300 delegates in attendance, the NFAN Awards showcase the best in the industry and is classed as the Farm Attraction Oscars. This years glittering awards were part of the three-day annual conference in Yorkshire and were hosted by TV presenter and journalist Christa Ackroyd. The winner of the Large Farm Attraction of the Year (over 75,000 visitors pa) sponsored by Marsh & Co and AXA XL Insurance was Cannon Hall Farm from South Yorkshire. The winner of the Small Farm Attraction of the Year (under 75,000 visitors pa) sponsored by David Taylor Design went to Little Owl Farm Park in Worcestershire. Other winners on the night were 4 Kingdoms Adventure Farm from Berkshire which won the Innovation Award sponsored by Play Area Hygiene Services, Air Bouncers from Ireland which won Best Trade Supplier Award sponsored by National Farm Attractions Network, Mead Open Farm from Bedfordshire which won Best Food & Beverage sponsored by Booker Wholesale, Cannon Hall Farm from South Yorkshire which won Best Digital Presence sponsored by DigiTickets, Brimham Rocks Adventure Farm from North Yorkshire which won Best in Education sponsored by National Farm Attractions Network and Rhian McIntosh from Noahs Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol who won the Day Maker Award sponsored by Playscheme. Richard Powell, NFAN chairman said, Over 20 million visits a year are made to UK farm attractions and the annual awards celebrate the best farm parks in the UK. Id like to congratulate all the winners, highly commended and finalists. NFAN AWARDS 2020 Full list of sponsors and recipients: Jim Keetch Farm Attraction of the Year Award (Over 75,000 visitors) Sponsored by Marsh & Co and AXA XL insurance Winner Cannon Hall Farm, South Yorkshire Highly Commended York Maze, Yorkshire Finalists Bocketts Farm Park, Surrey; Cotswold Farm Park, Gloucestershire Jim Keetch Farm Attraction of the Year Award (Under 75,000 visitors) Sponsored by David Taylor Design Winner Little Owl Farm Park, Worcestershire Highly Commended Wynford Farm Park, Aberdeenshire Finalists Hall Farm Park, Lincolnshire; Thornton Hall, Yorkshire Need to learn how to make the most out of your travel, even when things go wrong? We've got some handy tips that aren't always the most evident. It might be highly ironic that I'm writing an article on travel tips, given my recent experience with flights has been...cursed, to say the least. But while I am far from a consumer expert, I do know that we as consumers can often clash with exceptionally reticent airlines when it comes to trying to claim compensation. So I figured I would share my experience of harassing (nicely, but still likely to make their customer service teams fed up with me)! EU compensation regulations Enough people know about the EU's compensation laws, but that doesn't mean everyone knows about their rights. As per EU regulations (specifically EC regulation 261/2004), passengers are entitled to compensation for delays, cancelled flights, and - crucially - missed connections. Obviously, this depends entirely on the circumstances. For instance, if your flight got cancelled because of Storm Ciara/Sabine, then you're out of luck in the compensation department. Adverse weather conditions, alongside other extenuating circumstances such as airport closures for security reasons or airline strikes, generally do not fall under the responsibility of the airline and consequently mean you are not liable for compensation. The base requires for compensation are that your flight is within the EU and operated by an EU or non-EU airline, your flight arrives in the EU from a non-EU destination and operated by an EU airline, or your flight departs the EU to a non-EU destination and is operated by an EU airline. For now, UK airports and airlines are still eligible. It appears the British government has expressed its commitment to adhering to the regulations. A further point worth remembering is that, if you're connecting, the relevant information pertains to your departure location and final destination if you booked your flights as a single booking. If your delay or flight cancellation falls under the airline responsibility, you are eligible for compensation. This usually concerns airlines overbooking or technical faults, the latter of which airlines have attempted to dispute in court, but have often been overruled. If your delay is the fault of the airline, you are entitled to compensation if your arrival is three hours later than scheduled or more. If your flight distance was 1,500 km or less, you are entitled to 250. Flights above 1,500 km in the EU and all other flights under 3,500 km leave delayed passengers entitled to 400. Finally, if you're delayed four hours or more on a flight of 3,500 km or more, you can receive 600. The same applies for missed connections based on how late you arrive at your final destination and regardless if the carrier operating the connecting flight is a non-EU airline and provided your journey originated at an EU airport. It's also worth knowing that even if your airline reroutes you and the delay remains their responsibility, you are still entitled to compensation. The caveat is if you arrive at your final destination within a delay of 2,3 or 4 hours, your compensation amount will be halved by 50%. However, this is something people do tend to forget. I was on a flight from LAX to London Heathrow which was delayed by a technical fault with a fuel pump. More than 200 passengers on that flight had connecting flights, myself included and many, like myself, were rebooked onto flights leaving the next morning. Not only are you entitled to claim compensation in this event, the airline has a duty of care and must provide you with an overnight stay at a hotel, or, if you're left waiting for your next flight for a substantial amount of time, with vouchers accounting for refreshments. Some people may receive their hotel voucher and rebooked flight, believing it is sufficient, but you nevertheless are entitled to compensation, provided you fulfil the above criteria. Compensation in Luxembourg Ken Fitzke Your first port of call if you have been delayed due to non-extenuating circumstances is the airline itself. Airlines should have guidance on filing claims for compensation, and if not, it is usually sensible to go through their customer service team. But what to do if an airline is being difficult? To refer back to anecdotal experience, both the outbound and return legs of my travel to Los Angeles were delayed - the outbound leg was subject to a six-hour delay to my final destination, as I missed my connecting flight thanks to a late incoming aircraft. My airline cited the weather as the cause and thus, my claim was not eligible. However, on the return leg it was a technical fault, thus making my claim eligible. When I did claim, I received another response to the first claim, telling me the matter was closed, which was the only communication concerning the return flight. Not to point fingers, but part of me certainly wondered whether the airline was feigning ignorance and attempting to brush me off in terms of chasing the complaint. In this consumer matter, it certainly does pay to be persistent. There are many resources online concerning template letters and third parties who will chase claims, and using one of those saw me receive a response the next day, after well over a week of no communication. In Luxembourg, guidance for air passenger rights has been supplied by the European Consumer Centre Luxembourg, which provides an overview of the different issues affecting passengers and offers a flight calculator to help you ascertain whether you are eligible for a claim. The CEC also urges consumers requiring further information on the topic to contact them. The Grand Duchy also has its own dedicated Ministry of Consumer Protection, which would be the next port of call in escalating claims. The ministry estimates that airlines take an average of two months to respond to claims. If unsatisfactory, passengers can then lodge complaints with the ministry's Air Passenger Rights service, either by emailing or downloading the form. Details can be found on the dedicated guichet.lu page, which is available in English. In 2019, the Ministry of Consumer Protection received some 600 flight-related complaints, which take between three and six months to process. If you do feel unsatisfied with the airline's response, do pursue the issue! Many airlines will try to avoid paying compensation, as documented by other media outlets. Whilst strikes usually do not fall under the remit of compensation, two Luxembourgish passengers did successfully take Ryanair to the magistrate's court in Luxembourg after their flights were cancelled during the summer 2018 strikes, and were awarded 250 in compensation each. Have you ever claimed compensation for a flight delay or cancellation? Let us know your experience in the comments! Amazon wins stay on $10 bn US military contract for Microsoft A US federal court has awarded temporary injunction on thus Defence Department awarding a multibillion-dollar cloud computing contract to Microsoft Corporation, after rival Amazon Inc claimed the process was tainted by politics. The temporary injunction, issued US judge Patricia Campbell-Smith, bars the Department of Defence from starting work on the contract known as JEDI as requested by rival Amazon Inc, according to a summary of the ruling available online. A court notice announcing the injunction was filed on Thursday but details of the ruling werent available as the documents were sealed. The Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure, or JEDI, cloud contract was awarded to Microsoft last October. The contract, which is intended to modernize the Pentagons IT operations, could be worth up to $10 billion for services rendered over as many as 10 years. Amazon, which has alleged vendetta by President Donald Trump to shut it out of the deal, is also seeking testimony from the president and other top officials on the reasons for awarding the $10 billion cloud computing contract to Microsoft. Amazon has been saying that it was driven in part by Trumps bias against the company. Trump often criticises Amazon and its CEO Jeff Bezos, who also owns The Washington Post, claiming the newspaper unfairly covers his administration. Last month, Amazons cloud-computing arm, Amazon Web Services, filed a motion asking the court to pause Microsofts work on the $10 billion cloud contract. Amazonns cloud-computing arm, Amazon Web Services, has been instructed to earmark $42 million for any costs and damages that could be incurred in the event that the injunction was issued wrongfully, the filing states. Amazon must file a notice with the courts indicating it has obtained the $42 million by 20 February. Microsoft and Amazon must respond to the filing by 27 February. A CNBC report citing Frank Shaw, Microsofts corporate vice president of communications, as saying that the Department of Defense awarded the contact after a detailed and fair process for determining the needs of the defence forces. We are disappointed in todays ruling and believe the actions taken in this litigation have unnecessarily delayed implementing DoDs modernization strategy and deprived our warfighters of a set of capabilities they urgently need. However, we are confident in our award of the JEDI cloud contract to Microsoft and remain focused on getting this critical capability into the hands of our warfighters as quickly and efficiently as possible, Department of Defense spokesperson Lt Col Robert Carver said. Last month, AWS filed a formal motion asking the court to pause Microsofts work on the JEDI cloud contract, claiming the evaluation process included clear deficiencies, errors and unmistakable bias. The court granted that motion on Thursday. Court documents filed last December alleged Trump launched behind-the-scenes attacks against the company, which caused it to lose out on the cloud contract. AWS has called for the Defense Department to terminate the award and conduct another review of the submitted proposals. Earlier this week, Amazon said in newly unsealed court documents that its looking to depose Trump, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and former Defense Secretary James Mattis as part of its protest of the JEDI cloud contract award. Amazon argues that it needs to hear from Trump to learn the scope of his involvement in the bidding process. Amazons top spokesperson Jay Carney told CNBC on Wednesday that the company is protesting the decision to make sure the award process was free of political interference. Microsoft has been staffing up in preparation for working on the JEDI project, despite Amazons protest. The company made attempts to lure talent from defense contractors and other companies, while there were numerous job openings for people with security clearances. Brad Smith, Microsofts president and chief legal officer, told CNBC that the company was moving even faster since the JEDI contract was awarded. Clearing the air in class may help students think more clearly, too, according to a New York University study. Los Angeles schools that installed air filters in every classroom and common area following a nearby gas leak saw significant boosts to reading and math achievementeven though the outdoor pollution didnt prove to be a problem. The findings suggest improving air quality may also help bolster school improvement efforts for disadvantaged students who often live in more polluted areas and attend class in older buildings. In fact, given the large test-score increases they generate, installing air filters substantially outperforms other education reforms such as class-size reduction on a cost-benefit basis, said Michael Gilraine, study author and assistant professor of economics at New York University. See Also: Why Lunch, Exercise, Sleep, and Air Quality Matter at School Schools are not required to track their indoor air quality, but the Environmental Protection Agency estimates nearly half of campus buildings contain unhealthy levels of dust, mold, chemicals, carpet fibers, and other pollutants. Moreover, efforts to make older buildings more energy efficient can lead to build-up of carbon dioxide if outside air does not circulate regularly. You can actually have pretty good indoor air quality and pretty poor outdoor air quality or vice versa, Gilraine said. Natural Experiment Gilraine used the 2015 Aliso Canyon gas leak, the largest in U.S. history, to explore the effects of air quality on students math and reading scores. Over a period of nearly four months, the Southern California Gas Company struggled to contain an inadvertent leak that emitted methane gas and other chemicals into a wealthy Los Angeles neighborhood. The amount released was estimated to equal the yearly emissions of 572,000 cars. Two schools within two miles of the factory tested as having high levels of methane; they were evacuated and students were relocated to other campuses. But the company also installed significant air quality improvements at 18 other elementary schools located 3 to five miles from the leaka distance chosen somewhat randomly, based on the furthest distance from which the company had received gas odor complaints. These air improvements included more than 1,700 plug-in air filters, in every classroom, office, and common area, and active-carbon filters in every heating and air conditioning system in each of the schools. Schools air quality was tested repeatedly before and after the filters were installed. It focused on both methane and volatile organic compounds like benzene, toluene, and xylene. Gilraine analyzed both the air quality and the math and reading test scores for students at the 18 schools, as well as a control group of elementary schools just outside the filter zone. Overall, none of the schools showed much contamination from the gas leak; in fact, the outside pollutant concentration in that part of Los Angeles during the four months of the leak was 9.1 grams of fine particles per cubic meter, lower than the average fine-particle concentration of 9.5 in New York City, 9.6 in Chicago, or 10.6 in Houston during the same time, based on EPA sensors. Fine particles"defined as having diameters of 2.5 micrometers or less, or about 20 times smaller than the diameter of a human hairhave been shown to penetrate and lodge deep in the tiny air sacs of the lungs, and have been linked to both respiratory damage and concentration problems. Academic Benefits But while little outside air pollution seemed to make it into the schools, the filters did seem to make a difference clearing schools indoor contaminants, Gilraine found. After installing the filters, the indoor volatile compound levels dropped 60 percent to 100 percent in schools. And by the end of the 2015-16 school year, in schools that received the new air filters, students improved by .18 of a standard deviation in reading and .2 of a standard deviation in math, compared to students performance in the schools that did not receive air filters. To put that in perspective, those gains are about equal to the learning benefits from reducing class sizes or providing intensive tutoring. Students sustained those math and reading gains the next year, particularly if they attended the same school or another that had installed new filters in the following year. Prior studies have found that better air quality can lead to fewer teacher and student absences, particularly for those with chronic asthma or other respiratory illnesses. While schools with the new air filters installed did have lower student absenteeism, Gilraine said attendance alone didnt seem to be driving the gains in math and reading achievement. Rather, he said, you can get a lot just from being able to think clearly while you take a test. And then you also might be learning a bit better because youre thinking clearer in class from day to day, he said. Separate longitudinal studies have found rising average temperatures likewise can increase indoor air pollution and reduce student achievement, particularly if students take tests on hot days. But the current study, which tracked air filter use over four months, found benefits two to five times larger than the benefits found for air quality improvements limited to a specific day when students took a test. Gilraine estimated the air quality improvements cost about $1,000 annually per classroom, including installation, electricity, and regularly replacing filters. Those cost benefits could be even greater in high-poverty areas, where students often live in older homes and neighborhoods with higher pollution, and attend school in older buildings. The Los Angeles study suggests that school and district leaders should start to think about improving their school climate more literally, he said. Weve had a decade or more of research into the effects of lead. Theres been much less research on the effects of air quality, especially on cognition. ... Were still in early days, he said. I think the main takeaway here is, indoor air pollution is a natural place to start focusing more attention, because most of students day is spent indoors. Vermont Governor Phil Scott announced that rates for workers compensation premiums will drop by about 11% when new rates take effect in April. Scotts administration said the reductions are part of a trend in workers compensation rates, which have decreased by 30% since 2016. Michael Pieciak, commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation, told the Rutland Herald that the decrease can be attributed to the agencys new approach to how it reviews the rate. Pieciak also said the agency has been more aggressive in matching experience levels to the premium charged. Scotts administration highlighted three industries with traditionally high workers compensation rates that will experience reduction. There will be a reduction of 16% to 20% for loggers, 8% to 12% for dairy workers, and 10% to 14% for the ski industry. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Trends Workers' Compensation Pricing Trends New Markets Parliament This Week in Parliament The Upper House of Parliament in Naypyitaw / The Irrawaddy Monday (Feb. 10) The Union Parliament approved President U Win Myints proposal to appoint the military-selected Lieutenant General Soe Htut as the home affairs minister, succeeding Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe, who has reached retirement age. Lt-Gen Soe Htut was previously the chief of military security affairs. Some military appointees raised objections when the parliamentary Joint Bill Committee proposed merging the militarys constitutional amendment bills with those submitted by the National League for Democracy (NLD) for discussion by Parliament. The NLD has submitted two bills and the military and its allies in the Union Solidarity and Development Party have submitted five. Tuesday (Feb. 11) Lower House member Dr. Sein Mya Aye asked about government measures to prevent a coronavirus outbreak in Myanmar, as the virus has killed more than 1,000 people in neighboring China. The health minister, Dr. Myint Htwe, said there were still no infections in Myanmar and the government had earmarked 300 million kyats (US$207,000) for emergency measures and formed a national-level committee to address the virus. U Saw Tha Le asked whether the government will return property confiscated under the 1963 Nationalization of Business Law to the rightful owners and heirs who have made claims. The deputy attorney-general of the Attorney-Generals Office U Win Myint said the Defense Ministry had rejected claims because they did not comply with the ministrys regulations. Wednesday (Feb. 12) Parliament took a day off to mark the 73rd annual Union Day. Thursday (Feb. 13) The deputy minister for planning, finance and industry, Dr. Min Ye Hein Paing, said the ministrys report on tax revenue for the second half of the 2018-19 fiscal year stressed the need for greater efforts to ensure taxes are collected in full. He said the ministry had failed to collect its target amount in stamp and customs duty and land use taxes. Friday (Feb. 14) U Khin Co asked the Lower House about the Thilawa, Kyaukphyu and Dawei special economic zones (SEZ). The deputy commerce minister, U Aung Htoo, said 112 companies from 19 countries had invested US$1.9 billion (2.8 trillion kyats) in the Japanese-backed Thilawa SEZ. The Kyaukphyu SEZ and port in Rakhine State would be implemented by China International Trust and Investment Company (CITIC) and the Myanmar Kyaukphyu SEZ Consortium Public Co., Ltd, which includes 42 private companies, he said. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is conducting a survey for the Dawei SEZ in Tanintharyi Region, which would be implemented jointly by Myanmar, Japan and Thailand, he said. You may also like these story: This Week in Parliament On the first anniversary of the Pulwama attack, the CPI(M) on Friday questioned the government about the inquiry report of the incident and demanded its accountability, while accusing the BJP of seeking for votes in the name of the CRPF personnel killed in the attack. Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Adeel Ahmed Dar drove an explosive-laden car next to a convoy of security vehicles and blew himself up on the Jammu-Srinagar highway at Lethpora in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district lat year, killing 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers. "Where is the Inquiry report one year on after the terror attack? Who has been held accountable for the loss of so many lives and the massive intelligence failure?" CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted. He paid homage to the slain CRPF personnel, and castigated the BJP for seeking votes in the name of the slain security personnel. "Modi and the BJP directly asked for votes in the name of the martyrs of Pulwama. What has been done for the survivors and the families of those who laid down their lives for the nation?" Yechury said in another tweet. Earlier, a controversy erupted when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and CPI(M) leader Md Salim questioned the government on the attack. Salim said the Pulwama attack was a result of "incompetence" as he questioned the need for building a memorial for the slain personnel. "We don't need a memorial to remind us of our incompetence. The only thing we need to know is how 80 kg of RDX got past the international borders to the 'most militarised zone on earth and exploded in Pulwama. Justice for Pulwama attack needs to be done," he tweeted. Rahul Gandhi on Friday paid homage to security personnel killed in the Pulwama attack last year and wrote on Twitter, "Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the Pulwama attack, let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack?" The ruling party's stinging response came almost immediately accusing the former Congress president of being a "known sympathiser" of terror groups LeT and JeM. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Export of grain and legumes from Turkey to Uzbekistan increased by 6.85 percent in 2019 compared to 2018 and amounted to $12.2 million, Turkeys Ministry of Trade told Trend. In December 2019, Turkeys export of grain and legumes to Uzbekistan increased by 1.56 percent compared to December 2018 and exceeded $1.2 million. In 2019, Turkeys export of these products amounted to $6.7 billion, which is 1.64 percent more compared to 2018. Export of grain and legumes from Turkey increased by 5.95 percent in December 2019 compared to the same month of 2018, and amounted to $628.8 million. Trade between Turkey and Uzbekistan increased by $466.4 million in 2019 compared to 2018, and amounted to $2.2 billion. Turkey's export to Uzbekistan amounted to $1.13 billion, and imports from Uzbekistan to $1.07 billion. In 2019, trade between Turkey and Uzbekistan increased by $36.6 million compared to 2018, and amounted to $198 million. In December 2019, Turkeys export to Uzbekistan exceeded $92.8 million, and import from Uzbekistan amounted to $105.1 million. ---- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 15:19:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) shakes hands with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas after a joint press conference in Berlin, capital of Germany, Feb. 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Qing) The Chinese foreign minister said China and the EU will explore the establishment of a China-EU green partnership and carry out cooperation in the digital sector. BERLIN, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Faced with new chances in the development of bilateral ties, China and the European Union (EU) have agreed on an array of key agendas for this year, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday. The two sides have agreed to strive to finish the talks on a China-EU investment agreement and initiate feasibility study on a free trade deal as part of key agendas for this year, Wang said here at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. The two sides will also work out a five-year plan for their cooperation and push for aligning the Belt and Road Initiative with the EU's Eurasia connectivity strategy, he said. The Chinese foreign minister said China and the EU will explore the establishment of a China-EU green partnership and carry out cooperation in the digital sector. As two major forces in the world, China and the EU are ready to work together to safeguard multilateralism and free trade, fight against protectionism and unilateralism, rise to global challenges and improve global governance, so as to inject more positive energy into world peace and stability, he said. The documents presented by journalist Boyko suggest that Artem Sytnyk, who heads an anti-graft body, is himself being investigated for obtaining illegal proceeds. Investigative journalist Volodymyr Boyko has released a video report, telling the story of NABU Director Artem Sytnyk having received an apartment in a new apartment block in Brovary by exerting pressure on the developer and through funding from a "charity fund". The documents provided by the journalist suggest that Artem Sytnyk, who heads an anti-corruption body, is himself being investigated for obtaining illegal proceeds. In this situation, Sytnyk's stay in office, after he has been put in the NAPC register of corrupt officials in another case, is becoming increasingly toxic for President Zelensky, who has vowed tackling corruption in Ukraine, Obozrevatel reports citing Ukranian News. Journalist Volodymyr Boyko spoke about the circumstances of this case in an investigation published on the Koza Nostra channel. The journalist cites documents agreements, court judgments, interrogation papers, and accounting documents attesting to the Sytnik's involvement in acts of corruption. In April 2008, CEO of Brovary Factory Building Plant, which had been developing the residential area in Brovary, was visited by Prosecutor of Kyiv region, Oleksandr Hardetsky, along with his nephew, Serhiy Shcherbina, who at that time held the post of Brovary's interdistrict prosecutor. "High officials demanded that the plant sell two apartments to Kyiv region's prosecutors with a 60% discount. The harassed plant director consented, and on November 14, 2008, a preliminary contract was concluded, according to which Sytnyk was to receive an 82.6 sq.m apartment after the block would have been put into operation," says Boyko. According to the preliminary contract, which was released by the journalist, head of department at the Kyiv region's prosecutor's office, Artem Sytnyk, was supposed to get an apartment in Brovary at a symbolic price of UAH 3,580 per square meter, that is, with a 60% discount, which falls under the scope of Article 364 of the Criminal Code "Abuse of power or official position", which provides for three to six years in prison. It is noted that NABU, which Sytnyk heads, has exclusive jurisdiction over investigation of this type of crime. In the preliminary contract, the apartment's price was estimated at UAH 288,000. But Sytnik contributed only UAH 63,000, while the rest of the sum in the amount of UAH 225,000, on November 17, 2008, was donated by the Vilna Hromada Human Rights Foundation charity. The journalist has shown the relevant accounting papers to confirm his claim. In 2010, Sytnyk took up ownership of the apartment. To make sure no unnesessary questions arise regarding the legality of acquisition of the apartment by Sytnyk, the sales contract was registered by a public notary Shcherbina, who is the wife of the Brovary-based inter-district prosecutor, the investigation said. The journalist also notes that Sytnik paid no taxes from the deal, that's despite the fact that the apartment was practically gifted to him by a charity fund. "Artem Sytnyk has become an active participant in the scam, which he arranged together with Hardetsky. To collect money from persons targeted in criminal cases Sytnyk investigated, a charity fund was used with the pompous name "Vilna Hromada Human Rights Foundation", to which these persons were supposed to transfer money to safeguard loyalty of the prosecutor's office," Boyko says. The organization's was Hordetsky and Sytnyk's crony in land plot deals, Kozyn Village Head Valeriy Hartyk, while his wife Lilia Hartyk headed the Fund." At the same time, he refers to the letter by Deputy Head of the Verkhovna Rada committee on legislative support of law enforcement, Stretovych, of November 16, 2009, to the then president Yushchenko and SBU Head Nalyvaychenko, in which these charges are detailed and the deal is mentioned where Sytnyk got to own an apartment in Brovary. Also, the journalist saw interrogation papers of Dudar, the plant CEO, who was forced to sell the apartments to prosecutors for nothing. "At a meeting, A.S. Hardetsky asked me to sell to his subordinates three residential apartments, which were being built by the Brovary Factory Building Plant in the town of Brovary. A.S. Hardetsky said verbatim: 'How can you help my employees buy three apartments?'" Dudar told investigators with the Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine as part of the criminal investigation opened on May 24, 2017. The plant CEO also said that the actual price per square meter at the time of that meeting was about UAH 8,000, while real estate prices at that period were constantly growing. Two apartments at a price per square meter at UAH 3,500 at the insistence of prosecutor Shcherbina were sold through a scheme with a charity fund, the journalist notes. The report says that, according to the Unified State Register of Judicial Decisions, funds used to buy an apartment for Sytnyk came from UAH 465,000 that had been received to the Vilna Hromada Human Rights Foundation charity fund's account on September 19, 2008, from LLC Orslana. It was at the same time when the Sytnik-led investigative department of the Kyiv region prosecutor's office investigated criminal case No. 471022 where first deputy chief of the Land resources department in Obukhiv district, Kyiv region, was charged with receiving a bribe in the amount of $7,300 for assigning a cadastral number to the land plot of LLC Orslana in Obukhiv district, Kyiv Region. This case was investigated by the current head of the Main Detectives Division at NABU, Andriy Kaluzhynsky. Artem Sytnyk represented the prosecutor's office in a court hearing on July 17, 2008, where an appeal was considered to the decision to initiate the case. The conclusion drawn by the State Audit Service says that this form of housing investment for prosecutors Olefirenko and Sytnyk equals "obtaining illegal proceeds." But, according to the current legislation, the journalist recalls, only the prosecutor general can report suspicion to the NABU director. Today PG is Ruslan Ryaboshapka, who the report says is Artem Sytnyk's friend. Bhopal, Feb 15 : For a second time in four months, a minister has apologised to the farmers for the delay in waiving off the farm loan in Madhya Pradesh. General Administration Minister Govind Singh said: "We couldn't fulfil our leader Rahul Gandhi's promise to waive off farmers' loan up to Rs 2 lakh within ten days of forming government in the state." The preceding chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had left the state in huge debts, the minister said during a government function at Bhind on Friday, while admitting to 'delay and difficulties' waving off the loans. The minister said the opposition is accusing the government of betrayal. This is not true since the waiver is continuing. It is behind schedule due to the economic crisis. The minister offered loan waiver certificates to the farmers during the function. Govind Sigh had in September had offered similar apology over delay in fulfilling the promise to the farmers. During the elections rallies in 2018, Rahul Gandhi had said he would replace his party chief minister if the loan waiver scheme was not implemented in 10 days. After Congress' return in Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath government waived off loans worth Rs 7,000 crore of 21 lakh farmers in the first phase of the waiver scheme. However, most of the loans were of Rs 50,000 and less. The party in its manifesto had promised to waive off loans to the tune of Rs 2 lakh. While the first phase saw loan waivers of Rs 7,154 crore, the loans amounting to Rs 11,675 crore were announced to be written off during the second phase in December 2019. BJP has alleged the waiver of about Rs 18,600 crore after the second phase would mean fulfilment of only half the promise made by the then party leader. The Union agriculture ministry had said in a reply in the Rajya Sabha in December last year that total loans to be waived in Madhya Pradesh were of about Rs 36,500 crore. "So, effectively, only 50 per cent of the promise will be met even a year after the government came to power," a BJP leader has said. The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh is going through financial difficulties after the Centre slashed the state's share in the revenue. "We are bearing the burden of previous BJP government and repaying Rs 14,000 crore debt drawn by the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government. During the last two financial years, the Centre has slashed the state's share of the revenue. Presenting the state's budget this time seem to be the most challenging job for me," state Finance Minister Tarun Bhanot had said in Bhopal. The state government has imposed a 50 per cent ceiling on expenditure for February and March, except on essentials such as salaries and scholarships, to meet the revenue shortfall expected after the Centre's reduction in revenue share during the recent budget. After days of ridiculous claims that a left-wing coalition was possible, Sinn Fein has finally re-entered the real world, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell. Finally, after five days of charades and gameplaying, some clarity and reality has entered the picture as to how a new Government will be formed. Since the final seats of the 33rd Dail were filled, a big lie has been circulated that Sinn Fein won the election. Mary Lou McDonald has declared it, some slavish members of the media have declared it even some within Fine Gael and Fianna Fail said it. The only problem is, its not true. While Sinn Fein has increased its vote and its seat total and got more votes than all other parties, on 25% of all votes cast, it most certainly did not win the popular vote. Having been humiliated into third place, Fine Gael would deeply love to run into opposition, and the bruised Blueshirts are more than happy to slow the pace of talks down and allow Mary Lou try and fail. After days of ridiculous claims that a left-wing coalition was possible, Sinn Fein has finally re-entered the real world. Friday began with a leading Sinn Fein TD admitting his party cannot form a stable Government without either Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. However, Eoin O Broin accused both of the old Big Two parties of arrogance and recklessness for refusing to talk to Mary Lou McDonald about a coalition. O Broin, one of Sinn Feins Government formation negotiators, said Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin is doing the most irresponsible thing by snubbing Sinn Feins voters. He also suggested that a new grand coalition Government that was rejected at the ballot box. Asked on RTEs Radio as to how Sinn Fein can form a Government without either Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, O Broin conceded bluntly: You cant. The most irresponsible thing to do is what Micheal Martin has said to say he wont talk to a party that now represents 24% of the electorate. Hes talking about putting back in power the Government that has just been booted out of power and he is threatening another election at a time when the public want politicians to do their job, form a Government for change, and start fixing the problems that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael created through four years of bad government. O Broin said political parties refusing to talk to others and who are threatening elections dont just smack of arrogance, but I actually think there is a certain recklessness. O Broin did not have to wait long for a response. Fine Gael TD Heather Humphreys said there is no point talking to Sinn Fein, as the parties wouldnt be able to agree a programme for government. [snippet1]977032[/snippet1] The policies of both parties are absolutely miles apart. It is up to those who won the election to form a Government and, in this case, Sinn Fein won the popular vote and Fianna Fail won the most seats, Humphreys said. Crucially, when pressed, the business minister declined to rule out going into Government with Fianna Fail ahead of her partys parliamentary meeting on Monday. Fianna Fails Dara Calleary said his party leader Micheal Martin would meet Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald but was very clear that they would not go into a coalition together. The Mayo TD said the policy issues are too incompatible between the two parties. There are too many bridges, he added. On the issue of a deal with the old enemy, Calleary said Fianna Fail will make an approach to Fine Gael at some stage, adding that the outgoing Government party has yet to meet as a parliamentary party. In the meantime, Fianna Fail is establishing its negotiating team and reaching out to other like-minded parties, he said. Despite the lies and gameplaying, it has been perfectly clear that for a Government to be formed, two of the three largest blocks Fine Gael, Sinn Fein, and Fianna Fail would have to come together and agree a deal. With both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail clearly now ruling out a deal with Sinn Fein, logic dictates that those two parties have to either examine a reverse confidence and supply arrangement, or examine the idea of the grand coalition, perhaps with the Greens involved. Well, as we reported today, Fine Gael senior figures are absolutely ruling out any notion of supporting or facilitating Fianna Fail from the opposition benches. Fianna Fail calls for Fine Gael to support it in Government from the opposition benches have been dismissed as arrogant and unworkable. Senior figures in Fine Gael told us that reversing the confidence and supply deal and facilitating a Fianna Fail-led Government from opposition is a non-runner. Fine Gael ministerial sources hit back to calls for them to consider paying back the deal agreed to in 2016. It wont work, said one senior figure. Not happening, we couldnt 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. Humphreys was also pretty clear. The public gave its verdict on confidence and supply. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail both lost seats, she said. So as the options narrow, it becomes clear that the so-called super grand coalition of Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Greens is the best and most viable option in terms of sorting the Dail numbers conundrum. With 80 seats needed for a majority, such a three-way arrangement gets you to 85, and if you add a few gene pool independents for security, a stable Government emerges. Neasa Hourigan celebrates with her family after being elected as a Green Party TD in Dublin Central. The partys finance spokesperson made it clear that the Greens inclusion in a coalition Government cannot be taken for granted, as many appear to be doing. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire I was on RTE Radio late on Thursday night with new Green TD Neasa Hourigan, the partys finance spokesperson. She made it clear that her partys inclusion in Government cannot be taken for granted, as many appear to be doing. She insisted her party will only commit if a complex set of priorities are agreed along with detailed implementation plans. She also made it clear that her party faces significant resistance from within their base to any deal with Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, or Sinn Fein. Meanwhile Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are happy to sit back and let Mary Lou McDonald try and fail in her bid before they get serious. While both parties can see the benefit of being in opposition, they know if a second general election is to be avoided, they will not have that luxury. The people voted for change. Perhaps we might actually get the change a large majority voted for. 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: 14 February 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 20,909 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 1,560 pence 20.32 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 1,550 pence 20.19 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 1,555 pence 20.25 USD Ticker: PSHD Date of Purchase: 14 February 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 11,815 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 20.25 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 20.25 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 20.25 USD Trading Venue: Euronext Amsterdam Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 14 February 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 24,812 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 20.25 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 20.00 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 20.24 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 203,621,923 Public Shares outstanding, or 209,316,776 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 7,334,827 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/20200214005454/en/ Contacts: Camarco Ed Gascoigne-Pees Hazel Stevenson +44 020 3757 4989, media-pershingsquareholdings@camarco.co.uk It was mentioned here that Armenia is moving toward Europe. Armenia is not going anywhere, Armenia is where it has been; we remain in our place. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this yesterday at the discussion that was held at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung) in Berlin. "Yes, we [Armenia] are implementing democratic reforms," Pashinyan said. Many people speak of European values when talking about democracy. Yes, it is a European value, and Armenia is also a part of Europe civilizational-wise. But I want to say that democracy is nothing imported for us. Democracy is a national value for us (). But geopolitically, we are not going anywhere. We are where we are, which has strong relations with Europe, with many Asian countries, with Russia, and is a member of the EEU." Pashinyan added that Armenia 's relations with Russia are strategic and allied. "Armenia has two major trade and economic partners: one is the EEU and the other is the EU," he said. But when we look at the trade lines, we see that Armenia mainly exports finished products and less mineral resources to the EEU territory, whereas Armenia exports a lot of mineral resources and few ready products to the EU territory; this image needs to be changed. Armenia should export more finished products to the EU than it does now. Of course, we understand that there is also a problem of standards here, but the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement also has that sense, and we hope that our relations with the EU in this direction will develop substantially." People in my circle and people who are working on the front lines in regards to communities impacted by violence and incarceration, we support her and what shes trying to do, said Kelly, who noted he does not make political endorsements. No one ever speaks to Jussie Smollett hes not even an issue here. We are dealing with real issues in regards to young people finding an alternative to carrying guns, young people feeling listened to and supported, young people finding jobs. Kelowna Secondary School is participating in a Move4MANA challenge to buy food for starving kids in Africa. At the challenge booth at the school are, from left, teacher Lori Hazel, students Kristina Hardy, Sophie Everest, Toni Willoughby, Hannah Robinson, Chiara Beirnes and Sienna Willliamson, and teacher Allie Light. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have fully settled down in a cozy home in Vancouver Island, and if the rumors are correct, they seem to have a pretty lovely time away from the royal family. Now that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their nine-month-old adorable baby Archie have found the independent life that they always dreamed of, mommy and daddy are also putting their sleeves up to do the real hustle and fund their "private life." Recently, the ex working royals are said to have attended their first joint appearance since "Megxit." The 35-year-old Prince attended a private investment summit sponsored by JPMorgan in Miami. While Meghan only introduced her loving husband in the event, the couple reportedly earned a whopping $1 million for the said speaking engagement. There are also left and right rumors that the 38-year-old Duchess is set to close a lucrative deal with Disney. Blackmailing Royals? Despite these efforts to hustle and be financially independent, the Sussexes are still allegedly making outrageous demands from the royal family, which could be considered as blackmailing. According to reports, the former actress turned royal is threatening the royal family to have a tell-all interview if they will not give her demands. "There is a veiled threat that if Harry and Meghan don't get what they want, they will cut all ties and give a blockbuster interview. It's almost blackmail," royal author Phil Dampier said in an interview with New Idea. The author of "Royally Suited, Harry and Meghan in Their Own Words" is not the first one to claim that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are working their way to "milk" a payout from the royal family. A source recently told Radar Online that Prince Harry and Meghan are threatening to have a blockbuster interview exposing all the "dirt" of the royal family. "Apparently, Meghan told friends that life behind the palace walls is toxic and even accused the royals of sexism and racism," the insider said. "The royals fear that she'll want $90 million from the coffers to finance their new life in return for keeping her mouth shut!" the source added. The report also stated that this strategy of Meghan and Harry particularly upset the next heir to the crown, as he shelled out millions of money from his own pocket to fund Harry and his family's newfound life. "(Prince Charles) secretly funneled millions of his own money to bankroll Harry and Meghan's luxury lifestyle," the insider said. Possible Interviews As of writing, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not made any deals to have an in-depth interview with any media outlet, not even the couple's good friend, Oprah Winfrey. There are rumors that Meghan is planning to have her first interview with the famous American host, Ellen DeGeneres, but neither the couple or Ellen has confirmed or denied the gossip. While tell-all interviews are still far from reality, Page Six reported that Prince Harry is also working on a deal with multinational investment bank, Goldman Sachs. The agreement is to have a speaking engagement that will be broadcasted on the company's YouTube channel. The Supreme Court will today hear a petition by Sara Abdullah Pilot against former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and her brother Omar Abdullahs detention unnder the Public Safety Act or PSA. The petition will be heard by a new division bench, comprising Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Indira Banerjee after one of the three Supreme Court judges in the previous bench recused from the case. Justice Mohan M Shantanagoudar announced his decision to step back from the case as soon as the bench took up the petition on Wednesday. I am not participating in this matter, he had said without citing any reason. The previous bench comprised three judges - Justices NV Ramana, MM Shantanagoudar and Sanjiv Khanna. Sara Pilot moved the Supreme Court on Monday challenging Omar Abdullahs fresh detention under the PSA. Terming the February 5 order under the PSA unconstitutional, Omars sister said it violated fundamental rights and filed a Habeas Corpus petition. Omar Abdullah, who has been in custody for six months, was detained hours before the Centre approached Parliament on August 5 last year to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution that granted special status to the erstwhile state, now split into two union territories. As he completed six months in custody, the government ordered his continued detention under the PSA that empowers authorities to hold any person for two more years. In her petition, Pilot argued that Omar Abdullah was a votary of peace and there was overwhelming evidence in the form of tweets and public statements to prove the same. Sara Abdullah Pilot also extensively quoted from the governments dossier on the former chief minister that formed part of the material which formed the administrations decision to issue the detention order. The reports on the contents of the police dossier on Abdullah have invited sharp political criticism. Omar Abdullahs sister has pointed to portions that cited Abdullahs political influence even during the peak of militancy to support his detention under PSA. In her petition, Pilot said: That the dossier states that the capacity of the subject (detenu) to influence people for any cause could be gauged from the fact that he was able to convince the electorate to come out and vote in huge numbers even during peak militancy and poll boycotts. In other words, the detenu is accused of convincing people to participate in elections in huge numbers and exercise their democratic right to vote despite threats from militants. Several check-in booths of Vietnam Airlines at Tan Son Nhat Airport, Ho Chi Minh City, are empty, February 11, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Ha An. Vietnamese airports have seen 20 percent less passenger traffic over the last year as fear of novel coronavirus keeps foreigners away. The number of tourists visiting major tourism destinations in Vietnam like Saigon, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Da Nang has reduced drastically, Lai Xuan Thanh, chairman of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), said Thursday. While passenger traffic has dropped at many airports, Khanh Hoa Provinces Cam Ranh Airport is among the worst hit as foreign visitors account for 60 percent of the total number of passengers. Hanois Noi Bai Airport is among the least affected by the epidemic, still seeing around 530-540 flights per day, a drop of only around 100 flights compared to certain peak periods like the Lunar New Year Festival, Thanh said. The number of foreign visitors is expected to continue dropping over the next one or two months, said Thanh. He said ACV will need to restructure its business plan. Attracting more flights from carriers from markets other than China would be one of the responses to the crisis, he said. All international airports in the country are equipped with body temperature scanners, medical personnel and facilities to quarantine those with fever and test for the nCoV virus. Vietnam has so far confirmed 16 nCoV infections, the latest being that a 50-year-old man in Vinh Phuc Province who caught the infection from his daughter who had returned from Chinas Wuhan City, the epicenter of the global outbreak, last month. The womans mother, sister, cousin and neighbor had already caught the infection, making the northern province home to 11 infection cases so far. Seven of the 16 infection cases in Vietnam have been discharged. The global death toll from the epidemic has reached 1,491 one person each in Japan, the Philippines and Hong Kong; and the rest in mainland China. By Trend The voting results of the recent parliamentary elections at the 33rd Khatai constituency in Baku were cancelled at the meeting of the Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) on Feb. 13, Trend reports referring to CEC. 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. Huseynbala Miralamov was the leading candidate in this constituency. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, February 14, 2020 Google is pressing a court to throw out a lawsuit by Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard, who claims the search company violated the First Amendment by briefly suspending her advertising account. In papers filed this week, Google reiterates its argument that it isn't the government, and therefore isn't bound by the First Amendment's prohibition on censoring political speech. Plaintiffs First Amendment claim is meritless and should be dismissed with prejudice, the company writes in papers filed with U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Wilson in the Central District of California. The battle dates to July, when Gabbard's campaign sued Google over a short suspension of her account. She alleged that her Ads account was suspended for several hours on June 28 -- two days after she participated in a debate with other candidates. advertisement advertisement Her complaint alleged that Google sought to silence her, noting that she had called for greater regulation of the company. Google said at the time its automated anti-fraud systems can suspend accounts due to unusual activity, and that her account was reinstated soon after its automated system triggered a suspension. Google initially urged Wilson to dismiss the complaint last year, arguing that as a private company it could decide what material to allow on its platform. Gabbard countered in papers filed last month that Google should be considered a state actor -- meaning equivalent to the government -- and subject to the same First Amendment rules as the government, due to its role in accepting and verifying election ads. The unique nature of elections makes it such that private entities that influence the outcome of elections can be considered state actors, Gabbard argued. Google is now asking Wilson to reject that argument. The company says that providing a platform for election ads doesn't transform it into an agent of the state. Plaintiff does not allege ... that Google is operating election machinery, that it is conducting an election, or that the state delegated to it the power to select public officials, the company writes. What Google does is operate (and set rules for) online advertising that, under certain conditions, can be used by political candidates. Google adds that accepting Gabbard's argument would have sweeping consequences, potentially converting into a state actor any private entity -- from newspapers to restaurants -- that chooses to limit what a political candidate may say on their property. Numerous judges have recently thrown out lawsuits accusing Google and other tech companies of censorship. Most recently, earlier this month U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose dismissed a lawsuit against Facebook by the Russian company Federal Agency of News, which claimed its free speech rights were violated when it was taken down by the social networking platform. Koh said in her ruling that Facebook wasn't a government entity, and therefore wasn't bound by the First Amendment's prohibition on censorship. Federal and state judges in California have also thrown out censorship lawsuits brought by Prager University against Google. Google alternatively argues the case should be transferred to the Northern District of California, given that the company's contract with advertisers provides that lawsuits must be brought in courts within Santa Clara County. Wilson has scheduled a hearing in the matter for March 2. Washington: The US Senate on Thursday approved a legislation to limit President Donald Trumps ability to wage war against Iran. The measure, authored by Senator Tim Kaine, said that Trump must win approval from the Congress before engaging in further military actions against Iran. In a dramatic development, eight Republicans joined hands with the Democrats to pass the resolution by a 55:45 vote. 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, he added. 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 GOP-run Senate would be needed to override an expected Trump veto. Answering a claim by some of Trump's 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,' that's a message of strength,'' Kaine said. While Republican Senator Mike Lee agreed on 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.'' 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, Kaine added. However, Trump disputed that, arguing in two tweets Wednesday that a vote against Kaine's proposal was important to national security and pointed to the January 3, drone attacks 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 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 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. Australians quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama have been offered a transfer to the Japanese mainland if they test negative for coronavirus, but face being separated from family or friends and may not have access to medical facilities, telephones or Wi-Fi. A leading Australian epidemiologist is expected to be sent to assist Japanese authorities with the quarantine this weekend, amid concerns the cruise ship could be incubating the coronavirus, which has killed 1486 people and infected 65,183. Some passengers are seen on the Diamond Princess as the cruise ship is anchored at Yokohama Port to replenish supplies. Credit:AP At least 15 Australians are among the 218 passengers to have tested positive to the virus aboard the ship, which is transferring those diagnosed to isolation units in hospitals on the mainland. More than 200 Australians quarantined on the ship received an email on Thursday night from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), advising those who took the "voluntary" option of disembarking the ship would be housed in a Japanese government staff training facility. Polling from Nevada is very infrequent; this is the first we've seen since the middle of January. Bernie Sanders leads Joe Biden by seven points in The Nevada PollTM, conducted by WPA Intelligence, that was released Friday. Sanders saw 25% support to Biden's 18%; both candidates are polling statewide above the 15% threshold for winning delegates. Also in double-digits are the four other candidates actively campaigning here: Elizabeth Warren (13%), Tom Steyer (11%), Pete Buttigieg (10%) and Amy Klobuchar (10%). Thus far, five of these six candidates have qualified for the debate next Wednesday at Paris Las Vegas. Tom Steyer is on the outside at this point; he has until February 18 to qualify via polling. Given the lack of accredited polling leading up to the deadline, Steyer has asked the DNC to expand the window for qualifying polls to earlier in January. Separately, although not on the Nevada ballot, Mike Bloomberg is just one poll away from making the stage. Early caucus voting begins Saturday and concludes Tuesday. The regular caucuses will take place next Saturday. 36 pledged delegates will be allocated based on the results. Yesterday, the State Democratic Party released details on how the vote will be transmitted, as it looks to avoid a results debacle like the one in Iowa earlier this month. CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pan Orient Energy Corp. (Pan Orient) (POE TSXV) provides an operations update. THAILAND Onshore Concession L53 ( Pan Orient Energy (Siam) Ltd., in which Pan Orient has 50.01% ownership ) Pan Orient Energy Corp. (Pan Orient) (POE TSXV) is pleased to announce that the L53-DD6ST2 appraisal well has averaged 967 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) over the past 24 hours from 7.4 meters of perforations within the BB/CC sand with a water cut of 4%. The well has been on production since February 11, 2020 and the water cut of 4% is dropping as the well continues to clean up. The well is being produced by downhole electrical submersible pump (ESP) with the fluid at approximately 464 meters (pump depth at 1,282.1 meters measured depth). Test results are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate recovery. Commenting today on Pan Orients operations update, President and CEO Jeff Chisholm stated: Concession L53 oil sales continue strong into the first quarter of 2020 backed up by the results of the recently drilled L53-DD6ST2 appraisal well that is currently on production at 967 BOPD from the BB/CC sand. Current production for the concession is 2,778, not including an additional 38 BOPD from L53-A coming on in the next five days after its workover is completed and 110 BOPD from L53-DD5ST1 in the new L53AA South field that has been shut-in since the 90 day production test period ended on January 17, 2020. L53-DD5ST1 is not expected to be brought back on until after environmental and production license approval is received in approximately June 2020. In addition to the firm four well exploration program that is currently underway, there will be four development/appraisal wells in the L53DD/L53AA South fields that will underpin production through 2020. We are now firmly backed by a new oil sales agreement effective February 1, 2020 that will better reflect the value of Concession L53s sweet, low sulphur oil that is experiencing increased demand since the implementation of the IMO2020 low sulphur regulations that came into effect on January 1, 2020. Under the Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) that received TSX Venture Exchange approval for the period May 16, 2019 to May 16, 2020 the Company has purchased 654,400 shares at an average price of $1.22 per POE share. There have been no purchases since December 20, 2019 as under the NCIB regulations the Company is restricted from purchasing shares while in blackout pending news such as reserve reports, financials and drilling results. The company has been in blackout since December 20, 2019 and will continue to be in blackout until sometime in mid-March, 2020, shortly after the planned brief pause in Thailand exploration drilling and the release of the companys year-end 2019 financials. Lastly, please take the opportunity to refer to the updated POE corporate presentation that can be found on the companys website at: www.panorient.ca." L53-DD6ST2 Appraisal Well L53-DD6ST2 was drilled into the northern portion of the main L53DD field, penetrating the main BB/CC sand target reservoir at a subsurface location approximately 425 meters northwest and 15.5 meters structurally higher than the nearest BB/CC sand penetration at L53-DD1. The BB/CC sand is currently being produced from the L53-DD3 well, and had produced from the L53-DD1 well in the past. The well is now on long-term production within the L53-DD Production License area and no further government approvals are required to produce from this well long term. The L53-DD6ST2 well encountered approximately 16.5 meters of high quality net oil pay, comprised of 11.5 meters within the BB/CC sand and 5 meters within the shallower AA2 sand. This interpretation is based on open hole wireline logs, oil and gas shows observed while drilling and analog to the offsetting L53-DD oilfield wells. The BB/CC sandstone reservoir was encountered at a true vertical depth (TVD) of 1,066.1 meters and the AA2 sand at 1017.3 meters TVD. This now marks the third well where the AA2 sand has been encountered as oil bearing (L53-DD4, L53-DD3 & L53-DD6ST2 within the greater DD oilfield area). No tests have yet taken place within the AA2 sand nor were reserves of any status attributed to it in the recently announced December 31, 2019 independent reserves evaluation. Through planned future 2020 drilling in the L53-DD field area, the intent is to produce from the AA2 sand and include this new zone in the next reserves evaluation. L53-BB1 Exploration Well The L53-BB1 exploration well commenced drilling on February 4, 2020 at a surface location 1.1 kilometers north of the L53-DD wellpad. After setting casing at a depth of approximately 150 meters, far above the estimated depths of any potential reservoir targets, the decision was made on February 7th to suspend the well in order to reinforce the L53BB wellpad. This work will be completed over the next 2 weeks. The rig has since moved to the L53AA wellpad to drill the L53-AA2 exploration well. The L53-BB1 well will re-commence drilling after the L53-AA2 and L53-AA1 exploration wells are completed. L53-AA2 Exploration Well The L53-AA2 exploration well commenced drilling on February 12 and is expected to be completed in approximately 14 days. The surface location is approximately 1.4 kilometers due west of the L53-DD wellpad and the well is targeting a structural closure approximately 973 meters northwest and up dip from the sub commercial hydrocarbons encountered in the L53-DD6ST1 well. Upon the completion of drilling, the rig will immediately skid to the next cellar at the same surface location to commence drilling the L53-AA1 exploration well. L53 Concession Production Oil sales averaged 2,447 BOPD, 2,542 BOPD, 2,404 BOPD and 2,081 BOPD in the months of October 2019 to January 2020 respectively. On January 17, 2020 the L53-DD5ST1 well was shut-in at the end of its 90 day production test period, producing approximately 110 BOPD at the time of shut-in. Current oil sales are 2,778 BOPD which includes production from the recently drilled L53-DD6ST2 well but not including an estimated 38 BOPD from a workover at L53-A to replace a sucker rod, and the 110 BOPD from L53-DD5ST1 in the new L53AA South field (which will resume production upon receiving environmental and production license approval which is anticipated in June 2020). Other than exploration and appraisal drilling, the biggest factor impacting L53 oil production will be the recovery factors in the various sands of the L53DD oil field. Results through 2019 were very encouraging with increased recovery factors given by the independent reserves evaluator for each of the L53DD field sands, mainly on the basis of evidence of strong water drive support. Currently, recovery factors are estimated at between 20% and 22% on a 2P basis and 30% on a 3P basis. Our field analogs to the immediate north and in the offshore Gulf of Thailand have demonstrated recovery factors for similar type reservoirs and quality of crude oil of between 30% to 50%. 2020 Drilling Program Pan Orient Energy (Siam) Ltd. has an approved Thailand capital budget of Cdn$24 million (100% basis) for 2020 that will include the drilling of four firm exploration wells, four development or appraisal wells (within the L53DD and L53AA South fields), one L53DD water disposal well plus ten workovers. This program will be funded through Thailand cash flow. Concession L53 Amended Oil Sales Agreement Historically, L53 oil sales have received an average price of approximately 10% discount to the Brent crude oil reference price. The basis of historic contract pricing with the refinery has been the price for various per barrel oil product yields, the majority of which was tied to high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO 3.5% Sulphur bunker fuel) in Singapore. This was despite the fact that L53 crude oil is low sulphur in composition at an average less than 0.3% and the contract reference to HSFO was simply a result of the fact that over 85% of all fuel oil traded in Singapore was HSFO, by far the highest volume, highest demand market. IMO2020 regulations that were implemented globally on January 1, 2020 specified that all bunker fuels after this date must be 0.5% sulphur or less. The impact of IMO2020 was seen in the Singapore market starting in October 2020 and has continued through to the present. The realized price for L53 realized crude oil sales from October 2019 to January 2020 saw an average discount to Brent of 23.4%. In accordance with the L53 crude oil sales agreement, discussions between Pan Orient Energy (Siam) Ltd. and the buyer have resulted in an agreed repricing effective February 1, 2020 that would see, on a comparable basis, the average 23.4% discount to Brent experienced through the October to January period reduced to a 2.75% discount to Brent. For comparison purposes, the discount to Brent estimated for the December 31, 2019 independent reserves evaluation was 10%. Pan Orient is a Calgary, Alberta based oil and gas exploration and production company with operations currently located onshore Thailand, Indonesia and in Western Canada. This press release contains forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by the terminology used, such as "expect", "believe", "estimate", "should", "anticipate" and "potential" or other similar wording. Forward-looking information in this press release includes references, express or implied, to drilling plans in Thailand, regulatory approvals, crude oil recovery factors and prices to be received relative to the Brent crude oil reference price. By its very nature, the forward-looking information contained in this press release requires Pan Orient and its management to make assumptions that may not materialize or that may not be accurate. In addition, the forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the control of Pan Orient, which could cause actual results, expectations, achievements or performance to differ materially. Although Pan Orient believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurances that those expectations will prove to be correct. Pan Orient undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Pan Orient Energy Corp. Jeff Chisholm, President and CEO (located in Bangkok, Thailand) Email: jeff@panorient.ca - or - Bill Ostlund, Vice President Finance and CFO Telephone: (403) 294-1770 With anti-CAA protests being held in Mumbra, Kalyan and Bhiwandi as well as Mumbai, protesters said they wanted to spread the message that their dissent is patriotic. In addition to special events that will take place over the weekend, a Maha Morcha will be held at Azad Maidan today. We want to propagate the term India, my valentine. It is our love for the nation, its secular and democratic values, that have got us together to fight against rules that do not stand by the nation, said Junaid Ansari, one of the protesters at Mumbra. The Maha Morcha at Azad Maidan will be held between 2pm and 5pm. Protesters from across the city and its neighbouring areas are expected to attend. Shahid Ansari, a protester from Bhiwandi, said, We will leave no stone unturned to ensure our voice is heard. Most of us will join the Maha Morcha in Mumbai. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Maj. Gen. Ahmed Abdel Khalek, the Egyptian intelligence officer in charge of Cairo's Palestinian portfolio, arrived in the Gaza Strip Feb. 10 as head of an Egyptian security delegation that made a field trip along the Egyptian-Gazan border as part of the new Egyptian preparations to boost border security and prevent extremists from entering the Sinai Peninsula from the Gaza Strip. The delegation also met with Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip. Speaking to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, tribal sources in the northern Sinai Peninsula stated that on Jan. 27 Egyptian armed forces embarked on the first phase of building a 2-kilometer-long barrier on the border with the Gaza Strip, starting from the Kerem Shalom crossing to the Rafah border crossing. Such a step went unannounced by the Egyptian armed forces, the sources added. They explained that the 6-meter-high barrier is made of reinforced concrete and goes 5 meters under the ground. It consists of a second barrier parallel to the old rock barrier built in early 2008 on the border with the Gaza Strip, separated by a distance not exceeding 10 meters. The barrier is designed to block the entry of gunmen from the Gaza Strip into Sinai and shut down the remaining Palestinian cross-border tunnels. The sources said the second and last phase involves building the barrier along unspecified segments of the border that Egyptian armed forces appraise as vulnerable or where underground tunnels are suspected. The sources anticipate completion of the barrier would drag out until mid-2020. Egyptian armed forces announced Feb. 3 having found south of the Rafah security camps yard a nearly 3-kilometer-long [underground] tunnel coming from the Gaza Strip to the heart of the [Egyptian border city of] Rafah, Palestine's Maan News Agency reported the same day. Maan News quoted Egyptian security sources as saying that the tunnel serves as [an underground means] for the infiltration of terrorists from the Gaza Strip, planting [roadside bombs] in the Egyptian side, pushing terrorist [Islamic State] supporters to Sinai, and for the transfer of arms and explosives. Ammunition and explosives were seized in the tunnel. Egyptian armed forces announced having discovered the tunnel a few hours after five Egyptian soldiers were killed and others were wounded Feb. 3 in a roadside bomb south of the town of Sheikh Zuweid, which borders the Gaza Strip. Previously, there were multiple Egyptian measures to close the Palestinian tunnels, including a buffer zone along the 14-kilometer-long Egyptian-Gazan border in October 2014. The 500-meter-deep buffer zone set up on the Egyptian side was expanded to 1,500 meters deep into the Egyptian side in October 2017. Such an Egyptian policy managed to close and destroy hundreds of border underground tunnels and caused Hamas a stifling financial crisis that has been ongoing to date. The recent developments on the border coincided with US President Donald Trump announcing Jan. 28 his Mideast peace plan, which assigns to the Palestinians new lands adjacent to Sinai in Israel. Mohammed Abu Harbeed, an expert on security affairs at the Interior Ministry in the Gaza Strip, told Al-Monitor, The construction of this barrier was highly coordinated with Hamas and the Gaza Interior Ministry. It is designed to bring about better security on [both] sides of the border. He explained that all of the security measures Egyptian authorities made, including building the barrier, serve the interests of both sides. Ending contraband, including the smuggling of drugs from Sinai to the Gaza Strip, and preventing the infiltration of extremists from and into the Gaza Strip are what Hamas seeks as well, Abu Harbeed added. He did not find it strange that Egyptian armed forces discovered a Palestinian tunnel on the border with the Gaza Strip. Prior to the Egyptian armys crackdown on the tunnels in October 2014, there were hundreds of tunnels underneath the Egyptian-Palestinian border some of which were wide enough for the smuggling of cars. Yet the number of tunnels has become small following the Egyptian crackdown. The [remaining] tunnels are unknown and are run by individuals who are smuggling goods from Egypt to the Gaza Strip with the intent to evade customs duties or contraband such as drugs, said Abu Harbeed. He affirmed that the Gaza Interior Ministry does not see a need for these tunnels as long as Egypt opens the Rafah border crossing to Gazans, adding that the ministry is preventing any attempt to dig any new tunnels. On the Palestinian side, Hamas took multiple measures to promote border security and prevent any infiltration attempt into Egypt. On June 28, 2017, it set up a 100-meter-wide buffer zone into the Palestinian side. Iyad al-Qara, a political analyst and journalist for the Hamas-affiliated Felesteen newspaper in Gaza, told Al-Monitor that in the past years, Hamas worked on boosting security on the border with Egypt, deploying dozens of its members and a series of observation towers and surveillance cameras mounted on the towers along the border to prevent infiltration attempts from the Gaza Strip into Egypt. The Gaza Interior Ministry announced Nov. 14 thwarting an infiltration attempt by three Islamic State supporters from Gaza to Egypt. Qara perceived that the Egyptian and Palestinian sides agreed on the construction of the barrier at their meetings in early 2018, noting that the arrival of an Egyptian security delegation in the Gaza Strip to inspect the border at this time points to this agreement. He indicated that Hamas in the Gaza Strip has great interest in securing the border with Egypt because bringing about security in Sinai will be positively reflected on the Gazan security. Talal Okal, a political writer for the West Bank-based newspaper Al-Ayyam, told Al-Monitor that Hamas hears the Egyptian concerns about the infiltration of extremists from the Gaza Strip into Sinai. He said this is particularly true since such extremists do not find the Gaza Strip to be a favorable environment, given that Hamas opposes the presence of extremist organizations that have religious motives behind espousing conflicts. Okal ruled out the possibility of a correlation between the construction of the barrier and the deal of the century. He said, I do not think that the construction of this barrier has anything to do with the deal of the century in any way. It is a security, not a political, measure." Agreements that fully comply with the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) cannot be amended and can be passed by a simple majority. But the USMCA did not comply: The implementing legislation was not submitted to Congress 30 days before a committee or floor vote on it, a requirement necessary if Congress is to perform its constitutional duty to establish trade policy. Also, the TPA requires that the implementing legislation contain only provisions strictly necessary or appropriate for implementation. Otherwise, the TPAs expedited process could be used to sneak extraneous matters into law without adequate scrutiny, or possible opposition through amendment, or a 60-vote threshold. But for the first time ever, implementing legislation contained appropriations, $843 million, including $50 million for salaries and expenses for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, which was designated an emergency. Australia investigator met other regulators before Citi, Deutsche charges FILE PHOTO: The Citigroup Inc logo is seen at the SIBOS banking and financial conference in Toronto By Byron Kaye SYDNEY (Reuters) - An Australian investigator who helped bring criminal cartel charges against Citigroup Inc and Deutsche Bank AG told a court he met agents from another regulator in a cafe to discuss the matter but the talks were "high level" only. Citi, Deutsche, their client Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd and several of their current and former executives are accused of forming an agreement during an A$2.5 billion (1.3 billion) ANZ stock issue to withhold selling unwanted shares to prevent them from falling when they hit the market in 2015. In pre-trial hearings, lawyers for the banks and their staff have suggested witnesses for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which brought the charges in Australia's biggest white collar criminal case, relied on evidence that was tainted by outside influences and pressure from above. ACCC enforcement director Michael Taylor was asked on Friday about a meeting with two investigators from another regulator, corporate watchdog the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in a Sydney cafe in early 2016, more than two years before charges were laid. "They would have told me they where they were at," Taylor told the packed Sydney court room, referring to the cafe meeting. "They might have said, 'we have' or 'we are about to issue notice," he added, referring to notices which ASIC issued to the banks telling them they were under investigation. Taylor denied "careful coordination" with ASIC, and said his meetings with its investigators were "very short" and "at a very high level". ASIC did not specify who they had issued notices on, other than the corporate entities, he added. Asked if he had requested ASIC get him recordings of two August 2015 conference calls between the bankers in which they allegedly discussed the share sale, evidence at the heart of the case, Taylor said, "it could have been discussed". Story continues "I just heard that they had done this. I didn't ask them to do it," he told the court. Asked why he had not kept an email or other record of the cafe meeting, Taylor said the ACCC "team knew I was meeting with them. There were lots of things that weren't necessary to put in an email." The case is being closely watched by investment bankers around the world because it could have implications on the way they are allowed to run share sales. If found guilty, the banks face hefty fines while the individuals face prison time. A year and a half since the charges were brought, the matter is still at a pre-trial stage and none of the accused has entered a formal plea, although all have said they will plead not guilty. The hearings continue. (Reporting by Byron Kaye; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) Know it or not, Laercio Guajajara is fighting for you. The 35-year-old indigenous Brazilian is a member of the Amazons Guajajara tribe and the leader of what is essentially a paramilitary group who have made it their mission to expel illegal loggers from the rainforest that has supported their people for centuries. Calling themselves the Guardians of the Forest, this small band of no more than 50 tribal fighters patrols roughly 1,600 square miles of federally protected land, disrupting and detaining the so-called invaders who cross their path. But for Laercio and his Guardians, this is no mere local skirmish. The pace of deforestation in the Amazon has alarmed world leaders who fear it could exacerbate the effects of climate change, putting the Guajajara on the front lines of a fight with global implications. This land help[s] us indigenous to survive, Laercio told ABC News. At the same time it serves the whole world, all the people who live on this planet. PHOTO: The Guajajara say the pace of deforestation in the Amazon has accelerated in recent years. (ABC News) Watch the full documentary Guardians of the Amazon on the streaming news channel ABC News Live Friday at 8 p.m. ET. A special version of the documentary will air on Nightline on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 12:35 a.m. ET on ABC. Last summer, ABC News was granted rare access to the Guardians and their operations, embedding within their ragtag convoy of trucks and motorcycles during a four-day patrol over several dozen miles of dense terrain. With cameras rolling, the Guardians pursued an illegal logging operation deep into the jungle, employing satellite imagery, intelligence gathering and old-fashioned tracking along the way. The portrait that emerged, which will be presented in documentary form on ABC News Live on Friday and broadcast as a special edition of "Nightline" on Tuesday, captured a complex struggle, featuring powerful industrial interests, complicit tribal villagers, indifferent government agencies and an ever-present fear of violent reprisals. Story continues Laercio, for his part, said he never leaves his house unarmed. I have to defend myself in every possible way, Laercio told ABC News. Because I don't want to die. PHOTO: Laercio Guajajara, 35, is a member of the Amazons Guajajara tribe and the leader of what is essentially a paramilitary group who have made it their mission to expel illegal loggers from the rainforest. (ABC News) Success for the group is often hard-fought and short-lived. After two days of patrolling often in the middle of the night in order to avoid detection Laercio and the Guardians donned masks and surprised a small cadre of illegal loggers in the act of looting the tribes land for resources. Armed with guns, machetes, clubs, and even bows and arrows, they quickly captured seven men who appear to have been collecting lumber for eventual sale to local ranchers. But its clear that these detainees are low-level players in the industry, a small part of a big problem. One of them, a younger man, told his captors that extreme poverty had made this type of work a necessity. I dont have anything, nothing, he said. I am very poor. So I came here to try and make a living. The Guardians burned the lumber and drove seven hours to deliver their prisoners to the federal police headquarters in Imperatriz, where they were charged with illegally entering indigenous territory and released the following day. Laercio expects the Guajajara will see them again. But I think it will remain the same, the justice will take them, but soon they will release them, Laercio told ABC News. Soon they will be in the forest destroying again, right? Because there will be no severe punishment for them. PHOTO: Laercio Guajajara and the 'Guardians' burn the lumber they find to prevent illegal loggers from coming back to collect it. (ABC News) Watch the full documentary Guardians of the Amazon on the streaming news channel ABC News Live Friday at 8 p.m. ET. A special version of the documentary will air on Nightline on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 12:35 a.m. ET on ABC. The Guardians are also standing against some of the most powerful political and economic forces in the country. According to the Guajajara, the devastation of their homeland has accelerated since the election of Brazils far-right president Jair Bolsonaro known as the Trump of the Tropics who has openly called for the development of the Amazon and has a history of disparaging the indigenous people who oppose it. The Indians do not speak our language, Bolsonaro said in 2015. They have no money. They are a sad people. They have to integrate into our society. Bolsonaro has faced widespread condemnation from the international community as slash-and-burn tactics to clear pastures for cattle ranching have led to rampant forest fires in the region. Scientists fear that the Amazon could be at a crucial tipping point, with its deforested areas emitting more carbon dioxide than they absorb, threatening its continued ability to mitigate global climate change. But Bolsonaros office declined ABC News request for an interview with the president and directed questions about the issue to much-criticized environmental minister Ricardo Salles. Since taking office, Salles has slashed his own agencys budget and reduced fines for businesses that commit environmental crimes. In response to questions from ABC News, Salles offered a series of commitments from the federal government to indigenous people that appeared at odds with their reality in the rainforest. If it's the group decision, Salles told ABC News, they want to continue their way of life exactly as it is, and some sort of assurance that they need for the federal government, that's for sure. Laercio suggested that the federal governments stance doesnt match the reality in the rainforest. Bolsonaro needs to see this, to realize who are the real criminal[s], Laercio told ABC News. If he supports this kind of thing in the forest, he is the same as these guys here. PHOTO: Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro holds a press conference at the Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Aug. 1, 2019. (Eraldo Peres/AP, FILE) Battles have casualties, and this one is no different. According to Survival International, an international advocacy group for tribal people, more than 80 members of the Guajajara tribe have been killed defending their land over the last two decades. Just a few weeks after ABC News left Brazil, Laercio and his friend and deputy Paulo Guajajara were ambushed, presumably by loggers, while they were hunting for food in the rainforest. Laercio was shot twice but managed to escape. Paulo, however, was killed. Two suspects have been charged with involuntary manslaughter for his death, but legal experts say the men are unlikely to be prosecuted for what the government considers an accidental shooting. Laercio does not expect justice for his friend, and though he is devastated by the loss, he believes the battle between the Guardians and the invaders, will continue for as long as there is a rainforest to defend. From what I've been observing for some time now, Laercio said. This represents the beginning of a war. PHOTO: Paulo Guajajara, a key deputy in the 'Guardians,' was shot and killed while hunting for food in 2019. (ABC News) Watch the full documentary Guardians of the Amazon on the streaming news channel ABC News Live Friday at 8 p.m. ET. A special version of the documentary will air on Nightline on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 12:35 a.m. ET on ABC. This report was featured in the Friday, February 14, 2020 episode of Start Here, ABC News daily news podcast. "Start Here" offers a straightforward look at the day's top stories in 20 minutes. Listen for free every weekday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, the ABC News app or wherever you get your podcasts. ABC News Dylan Goetz and Allie Yang contributed to this report. Deep in the Amazon rainforest, armed tribesmen battle illegal loggers for their future and ours originally appeared on abcnews.go.com How to deliver aid to the millions of Yemenis in need of medical care and sustenance was the chief topic when officials from aid groups, donor nations and the United Nations met in Brussels this week. Humanitarian groups say problems in Houthi areas have mounted since last year, including delays in securing approval for projects and travel permits for aid workers, as well as harassment of aid officials. Sudan's transitional government has reached an agreement to compensate the families of victims of the 2000 U.S.S. Cole attack, which killed 17 sailors and injured 39, it said Thursday. Why it matters: This is part of an effort to get off the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. Sudan previously harbored al-Qaeda, which carried out the attack. The designation carries restrictions on foreign assistance and financial transactions that have strangled Sudan's economy. The big picture: This is only one of several steps to clean up Sudan's international image taken by the joint military-civilian government that replaced brutal dictator Omar al-Bashir last year. The most high-profile act was the announcement this week that Bashir will go before the International Criminal Court to face charges for war crimes and genocide in Darfur. It's not yet clear where (or whether) a trial will take place. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok also made a historic visit to the Nuba Mountains, a rebel stronghold, and opened the isolated region to foreign aid. Meanwhile, the leader of Sudan's governing council, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, held a landmark meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after decades of hostile relations. What to watch: Sudan's economy is in shambles and its transition to democracy is far from certain. The delicate power-sharing deal with the generals is slated to continue until elections in late 2022. MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.About eight years ago, a local chef began offering a special chocolate menu during Valentines week. Christina Ferrari, owner of Shoreline Lake Boathouse and American Bistro, changes her cafes menu every February to celebrate Valentines Day. The special menu lasts from Feb. 814, and Ferrari calls it the Chocolate Amore Fest. Ferrari said she uses different varieties of chocolate from different continents. Menu items during the Fest include hot chocolate with raspberry marshmallows, torta di cioccolato with raspberry sauce, raspberry puree, and Valentines shortbread cookies with raspberry jam. Torta di cioccolato, a flourless cake, topped with raspberry sauce. (Christina Ferrari) A Family Tradition Ferrari wanted to pay homage to her Italian background and to celebrate love. She said she has had a sweet tooth since she was younga love for pastries and all things sweet. [Our] tradition of food is in the family, she said. Ferrari said that her nieces, ages 5 and 9, help her bake in the kitchen. She said they could very well be chefs someday. I have a very strong family that values being together and spending time together, and cooking is certainly one of those ways in which we come together and eat, said Ferrari. Theyre happy, and its enjoyable, and you also get to share this knowledge and share recipes so that those items can be carried on. Ferrari has a background in French pastry and mentioned that her fathers side of the family is Italian, while her mothers side is British. Christina Ferrari with a French cake. (Christina Ferrari) How it All Started Ferrari recalls during her childhood disrupting my mothers kitchen, pulling out pots and pans. My mother is known to hide boxes of chocolate on her own. They just disappear, she said. There is a love for chocolate in the family as well. Ferrari said she began appreciating chocolate when she studied abroad. [I] learned to make confections and truffles and bonbons, she said. Kind of experimenting with different flavor profiles and origins of the chocolate is fascinating to me. Theres continuous worldwide demand, and its projected to continue on an upward growth. Christina Ferrari pours a mixture from a bowl as she prepares a dish. (Christina Ferrari) Ferrari now owns the boathouse and bistro that serve visitors at Shoreline Regional Park in Mountain View, California. She said the goal of the park was to provide an escape for people to come learn something new and enjoy themselves. [Its a] place where people can have a stay-cation. They dont need to go very far to get away from the hustle and bustle of the valley, Ferrari said. Besides serving chocolaty confections during the Chocolate Amore Fest, her bistro has a regular menu that includes pastries, breakfast and lunch foods, and prepacked picnic baskets that guests can enjoy outside in the park. With reporting by Terentin Wang. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI From stories about continued outrage over racism at Saline schools, to questioning who;s responsible for clearing snow ridges after an Ann Arbor man died after slipping, there was a lot of interesting news in the Washtenaw County area this week. Heres are 10 top headlines from Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Washtenaw County you may have missed. Im embarrassed to be part of a school district that made national news just because of racist remarks, Saline student tells board Tension between Saline High School students and the districts Board of Education continue to mount as students demand the board and district address issues of racism and hire minority teachers. Students clashed with the board several times during its Tuesday, Feb. 11 meeting, expressing anger for making them wait three hours on a school night to speak during public comment after a lengthy discussion about board policy earlier in the meeting. Saline students stand, lock arms to protest school leaders response to racism As minutes, then hours ticked by, they grew frustrated, but stayed determined. A group of about 40 students attending the Saline School Board meeting Tuesday night waited three hours for their chance to be heard as the board concluded its business, and opened the meeting up to public comments. Saline students sue school district for punishment from racist Snapchat group Four Saline High School students have filed a federal lawsuit claiming the school district should not be able to discipline them for sending racist messages to fellow students in a Snapchat group. The four unidentified students filed the lawsuit Tuesday, Feb. 11, in U.S. District Court in Detroit, claiming the district suspended two students, who have since returned to classes, while expulsion has been recommended for two others. 10 date ideas for Valentines Day around Ann Arbor It's that time of the year again. Couples are scrambling to decide how to honor their partnership on Valentine's Day. Perhaps dinner at a fancy restaurant will make for an intimate celebration, if you can make a reservation. Or maybe it's a casual night out for people who are anti-Valentine's Day. After fatal fall, Ann Arbor clarifies who must clear snow ridges left by plows An 88-year-old Ann Arbor man had to step over a snow ridge left by a city plow truck just before he slipped on ice and fell, costing his life, his friends said. In the aftermath of Richard Dericks fatal fall at a crosswalk ramp along Division Street, some residents are questioning whos responsible for clearing such ridges, which can become icy and impede crosswalk accessibility and safety. Ann Arbor teacher named Michigan music educator of the year A Thurston Elementary School music teacher was honored as the states music educator of the year at a ceremony last month, the Michigan Music Education Association announced Wednesday. Yael Rothfeld received the annual award that goes to a teacher who has served their students, communities and profession in an exemplary manner, according to a news release. Moms clash at childrens dance recital at Ann Arbor school, police say An argument between two moms escalated into a physical fight Monday morning at an Ann Arbor middle school, police said. The disagreement stemmed from the mothers children not getting along, police said. Verbal sparring turned into a physical altercation. UM student dies after jumping from downtown Ann Arbor parking structure A University of Michigan student died Wednesday when he jumped from a downtown Ann Arbor parking structure, police said. Investigators determined the 19-year-old male student leaped from the Liberty Square parking structure, 510 E. Washington St., around 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Microsoft tip led to discovery of more than 190 child porn images on Michigan mans computer, police say An Ann Arbor man faces up to four years in prison after Microsoft Online Operations staffers spotted suspected child pornography coming from the mans internet address. The Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, investigating the cyber tip from Microsoft submitted through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, led to the August arrest of Brian Christopher Himlin. Zingermans baker, democratic socialist announces Ann Arbor council campaign Housing affordability and the climate crisis are two issues on the mind of the first 2020 candidate to officially file to run for Ann Arbor City Council. Dan Michniewicz, a Zingerman's Bakehouse baker, filed to run as a Democrat in the 5th Ward on Monday, Feb. 10. Previous top Ann Arbor headlines: Racism concerns in Saline, Zavier Simpsons suspension: Top Ann Arbor headlines Feb. 1-7 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) President Rodrigo Duterte does not believe that PLtCol Jovie Espenido is involved with illegal drugs, the Palace said, despite the Interior Department confirming that he was on the President's watchlist. "President Rodrigo Roa Duterte believes that Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido is clean," said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement on Friday. Malacanang said the police officer who previously led the deadly operations against drug-linked politicians, is a victim of "black propaganda" aimed at tarnishing his name. "Lt. Col. Espenido continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the President. PRRD believes that the reports of his alleged involvement in prohibited drugs are untrue," added Panelo. Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, who was Espenido's superior during the lawmaker's stint at the police force, said he hopes Espenido can "acquit himself" and disprove allegations against him. "Otherwise, he is just one of the many others I personally knew to have succumbed to the pressure," said Lacson. The senator also recalled Espenido as a person who "consistently performed his duty with integrity and dedication." Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano confirmed that Espenido was one of the 357 policemen on Duterte's narco list but maintains that he will still undergo due process. Ano said the officer's previous accomplishments could be "a big positive factor" during the validation and adjudication process. Espenido's career in the force was embroiled in controversy when the mayors of both towns that he was assigned to were killed under his watch. In 2016, Espenido was police chief of Albuera, Leyte when its mayor, Rolando Espinosa, Sr., was killed. The following year, Espenido was reassigned to Ozamiz in Misamis Occidental when city mayor Reynado Parojinog was also slain. Both mayors were on the President's narco list. Duterte then awarded Espenido for his efforts in the anti-drug campaign, even promoting him from mayor to lieutenant colonel last year. Philippine National Police Chief PGen Archie Gamboa kept mum on the issue but previously said he wanted to protect the identity of the policemen indicated in the watchlist. He added that the PNP targets to finish the adjudication and validation process in a month. 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. Related Video: Click here to See Video >> A Grand Island man was one of three people arrested for possession of child pornography or possession of methamphetamine in separate investigations this week by the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) Technical Crimes Division. On Friday, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence at 2325 N. Broadwell Avenue #105 in Grand Island. This investigation began with a cyber-tip received through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). During the search, investigators found multiple images of child pornography. Michael Taylor, 53, was arrested for possession of child pornography and lodged in Hall County Jail. On Wednesday, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence at 13850 Kenilworth in Waverly after receiving a cyber-tip through the NCMEC. The search revealed more than 100 images of child pornography in a cloud-based storage account and additional images on devices at the home. Colin Gierke, 24, was arrested for possession and distribution of child pornography. Gierke was lodged in Lancaster County Jail. Activists of the CPI(M)'s women's wing and the Youth Congress protested on Friday against the hike in LPG cylinder prices at two important junctions of the city, leading to major traffic snarls in some areas of north and south Kolkata, police sources said. Youth Congress members, armed with placards and banners, blocked the APC Road in Rajabazar for around 30 minutes at 3 pm, throwing traffic out of gear. Members of the CPI(M)-backed All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) also staged a demonstration outside the Indian Oil Corporation office in Dhakuria in the southern part of the city. The AIDWA protest caused traffic snarls for around an hour on the Dhakuria bridge, police sources said. LPG price was increased to Rs 858.50 per 14.2 kg cylinder from Rs 714 previously, making it the steepest hike in rates since January 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man wears a masks in Chinatown following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, in Chicago, Illinois January 30, 2020. The new strain of coronavirus that has created a deadly epidemic in China is "a lot more contagious" than the flu, a top pharma CEO told CNBC. Speaking to CNBC's Julianna Tatelbaum Friday, AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot said the virus, formally named COVID-19, was a highly contagious infection. "What we have all learned is that the virus leads to a lower mortality than the flu virus, but it's a lot more contagious, the virus is very contagious," he said. "I will not say it's totally controlled yet, but I'm hoping that over the next few months that we will see it get under control." At least 19 million people across the U.S. have been infected this flu season, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has resulted in 10,000 deaths and 180,000 hospitalizations. Despite the high contagion rate of COVID-19, Soriot told CNBC he was optimistic that Chinese authorities would be able to contain the virus, noting that "we got past" the outbreak of H1N1 also known as swine flu around a decade ago. "The Chinese government has really swung a lot of resources, a lot of effort at controlling the disease as much as they can in the country, there's been a lot of work already to control travel, to stop people from spreading the disease," he explained. "In the Hubei region Wuhan is really controlled. This effort should have an impact over time and that's why we believe that we'll get past this epidemic." Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 11:46:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) announced Friday it has decided to arrest Li Qian, former vice governor of north China's Hebei Province, for suspected bribe-taking. The National Supervisory Commission (NSC) has completed the investigation into his case and handed it over to prosecuting agencies, the SPP said. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the NSC announced last month that Li had been expelled from the CPC and dismissed from public office for multiple violations. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has congratulated the people of Bayelsa State over the return of its candidate in the Bayelsa State... The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has congratulated the people of Bayelsa State over the return of its candidate in the Bayelsa State governorship election, Douye Diri. PDP sent out its congratulatory message as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, issued its candidate a Certificate of Return, after the Supreme Court ordered it to do so in a unanimous judgment. During the event, the party also bragged that its mandate can not be taken away. INECs Commissioner in charge of Legal, May Agbamu-Uche Mbu had presented a certificate of return to Diri and his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjiakpo on Friday at its conference room. This was minutes after INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood declared Diri winner following Supreme court judgment sacking APC David Lyon. Recall that the Supreme Court had yesterday nullified the election of David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and subsequently declared Diri winner of the election. Following the ruling of the apex Court, INEC had enforced the ruling and declared Diri winner of the election. Reacting PDPs spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan in a tweet wrote: Congratulations to the good people of Bayelsa 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. Rosalind Williams, mother of U.S. Army veteran Corey Hadley, stands for a portrait outside Northeast High School, where she teaches science, in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. Williams believes that Hadley took his own life Jan. 2 as a result of traumatic brain injury suffered during combat. She is holding a photograph of herself and her son with a family friend. Read more Its been six weeks since Rosalind Williams 30-year-old son, Army veteran Corey Michael Hadley, took his own life. When grieving the death of a child, thats a moment. A blink of an eye, a flip of a calendar. Barely enough time for Williams to pick herself up and return to her Northeast High School classroom where she teaches science. And yet in that small window, 900 other military parents have been dealt the same blow left behind to try to find the rhythm of a life that theyve lost after losing their children to suicide. According to the most recent data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, about 20 veterans, active-duty service members and members of the National Guard and Reserve, die by their own hand every day. In the quiet that followed the initial flurry of collective shock and grief after his death on Jan. 2, Williams sat with her anguish. She went through old photographs, collected new ones from his funeral and military interment. She read, and reread, the numerous news stories written about her son after the family spoke unsparingly about his death. His wounds were slow-acting and invisible, but nonetheless crippling and fatal, the family said in a statement that spoke of his struggles with depression and PTSD after six years and three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Just as she did when she and the family struggled to find the right way and words to describe the loss of her son, Williams has continued to consider the cause of his death. His PTSD and the mental-health issues that medicines and other interventions failed to help those were merely symptoms, torturous as they were, of what really ailed him. Instead, his mother believed: What finally cost him his life was the traumatic brain injury he suffered after the Army sharpshooters multiple deployments. Even in his final letter to his family, which she read aloud to me at her dining-room table, he spoke about it. Im so sorry for doing this to you, Hadley wrote. I am so grateful to have been born into a loving, strong family. "Sadly Im not as strong as you may think I am. I have endured for as long as I could. My brain feels as though its swelling within my head. My ankles do not support my weight causing me to lose balance often and my heart ... my heart feels as though there is a black hole in the center of it sucking in all positive emotions allowing them to never leave and me never truly feeling happiness. Hadleys family knew his mental health had deteriorated after the infantryman and sharpshooter returned home in 2013. But the wounds he and so many others experience remain invisible to many, including the president of the United States. In January, Trump announced that no Americans were harmed when Iran fired over a dozen ballistic missiles at U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq. Even after the Pentagon said 34 U.S. troops were diagnosed with concussions or traumatic brain injury following the attack, he downplayed the injuries and said compared with people with no legs and no arms, they were not very serious injuries. He only doubled down after it was recently announced that 109 U.S. troops were diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury from the attack. I wont be changing my mind on that," he said during an interview with Fox Business. Veterans advocates, led by the 1.6 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars, demanded a presidential apology. Editorial boards called Trumps comments a cruel reflection of lingering ignorance on how to treat service members of the signature wound of Americas 21st-century wars. Since 2000, more than 400,000 troops have been diagnosed with versions of traumatic brain injury, many of them as a result to being exposed to blasts. The father of Ryan Larkin, a Navy SEAL in Iraq and Afghanistan who took his life at 29 at his parents home in 2017, wrote a letter to Trump about the invisible wounds his son sustained. Frank Larkin stood beside Trump last year when the president signed an executive order to prevent veteran suicides. He called the presidents comments a hard hit to the gut." Williams has some choice words, too. But her focus now is on honoring her son by trying to save other men and women who so valiantly fight and die for a country that mostly just gives lip service to supporting its troops. Leaving you for the fourth and final time is incredibly hard," Hadley wrote in that final letter to his family. "Know that at my end I am finally able to find peace. Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion at 5 PM. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. SC judge faints, Centres appeal on rape convicts execution deferred Supreme Court judge, Justice R Banumathi fainted during the hearing of 2012 Delhi gang rape case on Friday. The judge soon regained consciousness and was escorted out of the court. Read more Congress, BJP face-off on first anniversary of Pulwama attack War of words broke out between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress on the first anniversary of Pulwama attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed last year. Read more Ban on overnight construction in Delhi-NCR lifted by Supreme Court The Supreme Court on Monday completely lifted the ban on construction activities in Delhi-NCR. The order passed by the Court on December 9 last month which had barred construction activities during night from 6 pm to 6 am was recalled today by a Bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta. Read more Wendell Rodricks, the designer who dared to tell the truth Those who follow Indian fashion would know that designer Wendell Rodricks can be credited with many firsts in his career. He was the designer who made resort wear a mainstream idea much before the Herve Leger loving fashionistas in India discovered the sexiness of a kaftan. Read more Love Aaj Kal movie review: Sara Ali Khan, Kartik Aaryans Valentines Day offering is loves labours lost First thought that comes to your mind after watching Imtiaz Alis Valentines Day offering, Love Aaj Kal is what could have prompted the filmmaker to tell a decade old story again, with modern characters who are messed up, uncertain and frivolous? Read more Mi 10 Pro vs Galaxy S20 Ultra: The best of Xiaomi against the best of Samsung Just a day after Samsung showed off its flagship phone prowess, Xiaomi also unveiled its flagship offering. Xiaomis Mi 10 series features two phones namely Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro. Read more Valentines Day 2020: Delhi Airports flirty tweets for airlines are creatively hilarious To celebrate Valentines Day 2020, many are dropping all sorts of posts on Twitter. Now, Delhi Airport authority has joined in too and dropped a series of flirty tweets. Read more Logo ka kaam hai kehna: Virat Kohli reacts on Royal Challengers Bangalores new logo for IPL 2020 Reacting for the first time on the new logo of IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore, captain Virat Kohli said he was thrilled to see the embodiment of bold pride and challenger spirit in it. Read more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath on Friday named a conservator to oversee Harlandale Independent School District and lowered its accreditation status to accredited-warned. The move was one step short of the wholesale replacement of its board of trustees that Morath had vowed last summer to undertake. A letter from Morath to Superintendent Gerardo Soto and the board, made public by the Texas Education Agency, said he had carefully considered the boards arguments in a review of the probes findings and found some of them persuasive. Please note, however, my decision to proceed with the appointment of a conservator does not relieve the district and its governing board of the responsibility to, at all times, operate the district in compliance with the applicable (laws) and rules, Morath wrote. The agency reserves the right to implement all available interventions and sanctions to address the current, or any future, deficiencies identified for the district. Board president Ricardo Moreno said trustees would meet Tuesday. He said they were still digesting everything. It gives me a sense of relief knowing we can continue to focus on what is important, which is the day-to-day instruction of our kids, Moreno said. For more than a year, the prospect of a state takeover has loomed over Harlandale, which has more than 14,000 students in 31 schools in a swath of the South Side and a grade of B under the states accountability system. Morath said he was appointing Judy Castleberry as conservator, a job with broad powers of oversight over the district. She is a former executive director of the TEA Region 20 Service Center. Required Reading: Get San Antonio education news sent directly to your inbox TEA officials launched the investigation in August 2017, saying it was spurred by complaints regarding governance, contract procurement, and alleged nepotism and conflicts of interest. The accusation of nepotism couldnt be substantiated because of a lack of documentation available for review, according to a report sent to the board in November 2018. However, significant dysfunction exists among board of trustees in the form of distrust, in-fighting and bullying, biased bid ranking and alliances among the trustees, it stated. The next summer, the agencys investigators made the report public and recommended a full replacement of the elected board. Morath said he agreed. But even before the findings were released, the board began shedding trustees who had been serving during the years covered by the reports findings of board dysfunction and violations of procurement rules. Former trustee Carlos Quezada left the board after he won an election bid in November 2018 to become judge of the 289th Judicial District, which handles juvenile cases in Bexar County. Longtime board member David Abundis stepped down the following summer, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. The board then voted to remove Superintendent Rey Madrigal, and accepted his resignation after a brief negotiation. The board acquired three new members Norma Cavazos, Elaine Ayana-Ortiz, and Elizabeth Limon in 2019. On ExpressNews.com: Harlandale ISD officially hires operations director as superintendent It hired Soto, who had been the districts executive director of operations under Madrigal, as the new superintendent. Finally, a board delegation led by Moreno traveled to Austin to press the boards case with Morath personally. I think it was us showcasing who we are and what we represent as a board and how we collectively as a board collaborate with our superintendent and how were continuing to focus on those student outcomes and goals, said Moreno, an assistant principal at Losoya Middle School at neighboring Southside Independent School District. Besides presenting evidence, the visitors were able to change the perception of what Harlandale ISD used to be, Moreno added. That fall, the school districts lawyer, Kevin OHanlon, openly speculated that Harlandale ISD could join an ongoing lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of TEAs previously announced takeovers of Houston ISD and other districts, alleging they violated the federal Voting Rights Act. Morath cited the August visit in Fridays letter, in which he said the ouster of Moreno helped him decide. On ExpressNews.com: Harlandale ISD officials, in Austin, try to stave off takeover During the review on August 7, 2019, the district presented a complete record of text messages in which TEA was not in possession of during the investigation. Additionally, the procurement process and internal controls violations of contracts are actions managed by the superintendent. Consequently, the former superintendent was relieved of his duties and a new superintendent has been appointed by the district, Morath acknowledged in his letter. State intervention in a local school district has become a repeated spectacle in recent years in Bexar County. The TEA conducted similar investigations of Southside and Edgewood ISDs, and Morath replaced their boards with his own appointees in 2016. Morath appointed Castleberry as a conservator that year to oversee South San Antonio ISD in response to board infighting and high superintendent turnover. She served two years there. The TEA again is conducting an investigation into allegations of board misgovernance at South San ISD. Harlandale will be responsible for paying Castleberry $85 per hour plus necessary travel expenses, Moraths letter states. Moreno said the new board has been doing a good job in the past eight months, and can continue on that path with or without a conservator, adding of Castleberrys appointment: Its not the most catastrophic thing that could happen. 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 J. Phillips Crute, a native of Rocky Point, Long Island and father of two who quit school after tenth grade to join the Navy, has published his latest book Guidebook of How to Obtain Pureness of Heart Required to Enter Heaven: an inspiring manual addressing a myriad of topics relevant to the pursuit of spirituality in modern life. The author writes, Even if you think you dont need any help with your life, I am sure there is someone in your orbit that you love that does. By understanding the principles and information in this book, you can help them. And I believe almost everyone has someone they wish to help. It is frustrating when you want to help but dont know how. That might not be enough reason for you to want to buy this book. So lets go into what you learn from it. We all are governed by the rules of the spirit world. I call these rules AVPthe Alternate Viewpoint System. You will not only learn how the spirit world operates but what to expect when you get there. I think that piece of information would be valuable since fear of death is really fear of the unknown. This book was my task from before my previous life, as Elizabeth Reilly. Yes, my veil was lifted in 1989. I had a need to know, you see. So that brings us to the most important obstacle to using AVP. The entire system is predicated on the FACT that we have all lived before. Thats why I couldnt proceed until Sharon Holt did her job. Yes, that was a planned event. When you accept the fact that you have lived before, you can also accept that you are in the proper place to learn lessonsthe real reason we are here. That means you dont need to be jealous, envious, covetous, or do anything harmful against anyone. If you read this book, you will know how to fight temptation and desire. You will learn to purge your past of negative traits. Then, of course, you will learn how to purge the negative out of your heart and replace it with love, kindness, humility, and forgiveness, vital for a pure heart and required to get into heaven! Published by Page Publishing, J. Phillips Crutes engrossing book is a must-read for those interested in the concept of reincarnation and insightful advice on living a spiritual life. Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase Guidebook of How to Obtain Pureness of Heart Required to Enter Heaven 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. SPRINGFIELD Prosecutors have dropped indecent assault charges against Springfield Police Officer Angel Berrios five months after he was charged in Springfield District Court. The charges were brought in connection with a complaint by a woman who went to his auto body shop for repairs to her car on Aug. 12. The woman told investigators Berrios took out her breast after giving her a half-full Coors Light beer and offering a $300 estimate to fix the rear bumper of her Chevy Impala, according to a police report. The woman told police she and her family previously had gone for auto repairs at Berrios shop, Eastcoast Custom at 14 Napier St. in Springfield. While she and Berrios were discussing the terms of her repairs, Berrios allegedly leaned over and grabbed her breast from her tank top, bragged about his anatomy and made another lewd remark, the report said. Berrios, 55, denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges on Sept. 10. He was placed on inside duty at the police department as the case progressed, according to police spokesman Ryan Walsh. After the charges were dropped this week, defense attorney Jared Olanoff said the woman made up the entire story. Officer Berrios categorically denied the allegations from the outset and maintained that the complainant fabricated the allegations after a disagreement over the price of vehicle repairs, Olanoff said. Indeed, the investigation over the last five months revealed that the complainant told multiple people that she fabricated the allegations against Officer Berrios in order to obtain monetary compensation, he added. The Republican has a request for comment pending with the Hampden district attorneys office. Twenty people were killed in an attack overnight on a village in central Mali, local officials said Friday, in an apparent spate of ethnic violence in the deeply troubled region. The attack occurred in Ogossagou, a village mainly inhabited by Fulani people where around 160 died last March in a massacre blamed on Dogon militiamen. About 30 gunmen carried out the new attack, village chief Aly Ousmane Barry told AFP. "I counted the numbers while soldiers and the medical services were there," he said. "We have 20 dead. Some of them have been burned." A local government official, who requested anonymity, earlier confirmed that the attack took place and gave a toll of 11. He said that the attackers moved in several hours after government troops had pulled out of the area. Central Mali has been torn by ethnic violence as a result of a jihadist revolt that broke out in the north of the country in 2012. The insurgency has claimed thousands of lives and spread to neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso. Tit-for-tat attacks in central Mali flared after Fulani people, also called Peul, became associated with jihadists. Led by a firebrand Islamic preacher Amadou Koufa, a militia called the Katiba Macina recruited members from among the Fulani and became accused of ethnically-motivated attacks. Other ethnic groups such as the Bambara or the Dogon began to form self-defence groups that in turn became accused of reprisal massacres. In addition to the latest attack at Ogossagou, 14 Fulani were killed in central Mali in January. Around 75 Dogons were killed in the villages of Sobane Da, Gangafani and Yoro in June last year, in an attack blamed on Fulani militants. Human Rights Watch this month pointed to the ethnic patchwork of central Mali as the country's "epicentre" of violence. It said over 450 civilians had been killed in the region in 2019, "the deadliest year for civilians" since the jihadist insurgency began. Reflecting the chronic instability in the centre, Malian soldiers are themselves frequently targeted. On Friday, one soldier was killed in an attack on a military camp in Mondoro, security officials said. It had already been hit before -- as part of a joint raid by militants that also targeted the military camp of Boulkessy near the border with Burkina Faso, killing at least 25 soldiers. On January 26, Al-Qaeda-linked militants attacked a military camp in Sokolo, central Mali, killing 20 gendarmes and wounding five more. The violence in central Mali coincides with renewed hopes that the fragile government can reassert control over the widely lawless north. Troops returned on Thursday to Kidal, a northern town that had been a bastion of Touareg rebels, after a six-year absence. Regular forces returned to the town accompanied by former rebels who have been integrated into the army under a regional peace agreement. The deal, reached in Algiers in 2015, is considered one of the few avenues Mali has for escaping the cycle of violence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday (February 14, 2020) issued notice to the Jammu and Kashmir Administration on Sara Abdullah Pilot's plea challenging her brother and former chief minister Omar Abdullahs detention by the Centre under the Public Safety Act (PSA). The top court also directed the J&K Administration to file a reply by March 2, 2020. Reacting to its, Sara Abdullah Pilot said, ''We were hopeful that, as this is a habeas corpus case, the relief would be sooner. But we have full faith in the justice system. We're here because we want that all Kashmiris should have the same rights as all citizen of India and we're waiting for that day.'' The Supreme Court bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee passed the order on Sara Abdullah's plea challenging Omar Abdullah's detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA). The Supreme Court had on Wednesday (February 12) adjourned hearing in the case after one of the judges recused himself. Earlier, the Pilot's plea was to be heard by a three-judge bench comprising justices NV Ramana, Shantanagoudar and Sanjiv Khanna. Justice MM Shantangoudar recused himself from hearing the plea at the outset. The petition filed by Sara Abdullah challenges the National Conference leader's detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA). In her petition, Sara had said that Omar Abdullah's detention is "manifestly illegal" and there is no question of him being a "threat to the maintenance of public order". Sara also urged the top court to quash the February 5 order which put the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister in detention under the PSA and said that Abdullah should be produced before the court. Sara Pilot has also said that exercise of powers by the 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". "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 the Respondents (authorities of union territory of Jammu and Kashmir) over the last seven months in a wholly mechanical manner to other detainees, which suggest that there has been a consistent and concerted effort to muzzle all political rivals". Omar Abdullah and his father Farooq Abdulah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti have been kept under detention ever since the Centre abrogated Article 370 that gave special status to erswhile state of J&K. Gov. Charlie Baker isnt ruling out running for a third term, and when it comes to a more immediate election -- the March 3 presidential primary -- hes continuing to keep his plans to himself. In a radio appearance on Thursday, Baker said he hasn't made the call yet on whether he'll seek re-election, and characterized his lack of decision as "definitely not a no." "That is a subject for further discussion between me and my wife and some of the folks on the team," Baker said during his "Ask the Governor" interview on WGBH. "I haven't made a decision about that and frankly, I don't think I need to make a decision about that now." The Swampscott Republican is in the second year of his second four-year term, which he won with two-thirds of the vote over Democrat Jay Gonzalez in 2018. If Baker has made a decision for how he'll vote on Super Tuesday, it's not one he's sharing. A caller named Nicole from Boston asked Baker which presidential candidate he will vote for, quoting a remark Baker made in 2016 when he endorsed New Jersey Republican Chris Christie. "I don't ever want to be in a position where people say you didn't have a position on something of significance and importance," Baker said four years ago. The caller said she considered the presidential election "very significant." Baker reiterated comments he made Tuesday, saying he plans to vote but not to get involved in presidential politics. "I've said many times that I don't want to get into presidential politics because that's not my job, and it's not what I get paid to do," Baker said. "I get paid to worry about what's going on here in the commonwealth of Mass., working on many of the things that we've been talking about today." It appears Republican President Donald Trump has not won him over. "I have said many times that I didn't vote for the president when he was up four years ago," the governor said. "I was worried about a lot of things with respect to his ability to do the job. I haven't seen anything since then to change my mind." Asked by co-host Jim Braude if that meant he wouldn't vote for Trump this year, Baker said, "I think my statement kind of speaks for itself, Jim." He didn't answer when Braude asked if he'd vote instead for his one-time boss, former Gov. Bill Weld, who is running against Trump in the Republican primary. "I said I'm not going to engage in presidential politics and I meant it," Baker said. As Braude thanked the caller for her question, Baker continued: "And by the way, no one asks me about this when I'm out and about. No one." They want to talk about housing and transportation and health care and climate and all those things, and thats really what they expect me to focus on and worry about, he said. A British passenger being held on a cruise ship quarantined off Japan today issued an urgent appeal for rescue, saying conditions on board are growing desperate. David Abel, 74, whose social media videos alongside wife Sally have until now presented an upbeat appraisal of life on board the Diamond Princess, said passengers were in a bad way as it entered its tenth day on lockdown over coronavirus fears. In an emotional Facebook video filmed from his cabin he appealed for Richard Branson to send a plane to rescue around 80 British passengers still on board. Addressing the Virgin boss directly, he said: If you and your family were in this situation what would you do?" David Abel/Facebook He added: What would it cost to hire one of your smaller planes, put all the Brits on board, no flight attendants, just packaged food. All passengers will have to agree to wear facemasks for the journey, take us straight to Brize Norton. The ships quarantine is due to end on February 19 but the captain has announced that some passengers, include those over the age of 80, can leave to continue quarantine on the mainland. Coronavirus: Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined 1 /32 Coronavirus: Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined Cruise ship Diamond Princess is anchored off the shore of Yokohama, south of Tokyo AP Global interest: David Abel, who is on board Diamond Princess with his wife Sally, has been posting updates on social media David Abel Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), officials of the DFA-Philippines in Tokyo with Department of Health team wear protective suits as they prepare for the disembarkation of Filipino crew members on board the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship at Yokohama Port AP A man in a proctective clothing is seen on the sixth deck of cruise ship Diamond Princess in Yokohama via Reuters A woman holds a Japanese flag that reads "shortage of medicine" on the cruise ship Diamond Princess Reuters Passengers disembarking from the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked at Yokohama Port are pictured in Yokohama REUTERS/Kyodo Japan David Abel of the Diamond Princess cruise ship that has been quarantined in Japan. PA David Abel being treated David Abel Workers in protective clothes stand before passengers disembarkating off the Diamond Princess AFP via Getty Images Quarantine operation on the eighth deck of cruise ship Diamond Princess in Yokohama via Reuters An empty general view of Diamond Princess cruise ship PA The Diamond Princess cruise ship, in quarantine due to fears of new COVID-19 coronavirus, is seen at Daikoku pier cruise terminal in Yokohama AFP via Getty Images Sally Abel being treated David Abel/Facebook Men wearing protective gear are seen near the cruise ship Diamond Princess, Reuters The Diamond Princess cruise ship with around 3,700 people on board sits anchored in quarantine off the port of Yokohama after a number of passengers were confirmed to be infected with coronavirus Getty Images An empty general view of Diamond Princess cruise ship PA Medical workers in protective suits lead a passenger tested positive for a new coronavirus from the cruise ship Diamond Princess at Yokohama Port AP Buses carrying passengers who have been under quarantine on a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship off the coast of Japan, the Diamond Princess, leave RAF Boscombe Down in Amesbury Reuters An empty casino on the Diamond Princess cruise ship PA Workers in protective gear are seen on the Japan Coast Guard boats in Yokohama Jiji Press/AFP via Getty Images An empty atrium on the Diamond Princess cruise shi PA Workers in protective gear transfer a person under a blue sheet from the Diamond Princess cruise ship onto a Japan Coast Guard boat in Yokohama Jiji Press/AFP via Getty Images Medical workers in protective suits carry belongings of passengers of the cruise ship Diamond Princess at Yokohama Port AP Cruise ship Diamond Princess is anchored off the shore of Yokohama, south of Tokyo AP It comes as concern were growing for British honeymooner Alan Steele who had been expected to leave quarantine at a hospital on the Japanese mainland. Mr Steele was removed from the vessel after a positive test last week and left his wife Wendy behind. Passengers look out from their balconies on the Diamond Princess cruise ship / AFP via Getty Images But fluctuating test results have reportedly left doctors baffled and put his release in doubt. Mr Abel added: He is really on a downer. He wants to get home and have it sorted in the UK. Quarantine Officials on the Diamond Princess cruise ship / PA Meanwhile, more than 2,200 passengers and crew who been stranded at sea aboard the another cruise ship, the Westerdam, were today granted permission to dock in Cambodia. The ship, which has 127 British citizens on board, had been turned away from ports 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. They greeted by Prime Minister Hun Sen with handshakes and bouquets of roses. Bev Thurbin, 55, a legal assistant from Essex, who on the ship with her husband Mick, 57, praised the crew. Passengers are seen on balconies of the Diamond Princess cruise ship / AFP via Getty Images She said: Weve been fine on the ship, you get the odd people who got stressed about it. In a beautiful gesture, Padmashri award winner and sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik on Friday created a sand art to pay tribute to CRPF soldiers, who were killed in Pulwama terror attack last year. Taking to Twitter, Pattnaik paid homage to the jawans by posting a picture of his sand art at Puri Beach in Odisha. "Salute our martyrs of Pulwama attack. Jai Hind!!" he wrote. Last year after the ghastly attack on soldiers, Pattnaik conveying his condolences through sand art tweeted, "It is extremely painful to read about the attack on our brave CRPF jawans in Pulwama. My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of our martyred soldiers." On February 14, 2019, 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy was targeted by a suspected suicide bomber of Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pulwama district on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway.The convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2500 CRPF personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack at around 3.15 pm at Ladhu Modi Lethpora. Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) had claimed responsibility for the attack. Following the attack, India had launched extensive diplomatic efforts to get JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist, which finally became a reality on May 1 last year when China lifted its technical hold on a proposal introduced by the US, the UK, and France in the 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council. Around 12 days after the terror attack, in the wee hours of February 26, Indian Air Force (IAF) jets bombed the JeM camp in Balakot, in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.A day later on February 27, IAF foiled an attempt by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to strike at military installations in Jammu and Kashmir. In the aerial skirmish, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman piloting a MiG-21 Bison aircraft shot down a much-advanced F-16 of PAF. However, his aircraft was also hit and upon ejection, his parachute landed in PoK, where he was taken captive by the Pakistani Army. Under international pressure, Pakistan released the IAF pilot two days later, who returned to his country to a hero's welcome. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kim Kardashian has admitted that she has put on some weight since she dug into sweets during the holidays. And recently the 39-year-old siren stated that she wants to get back to her very slender 119lbs after gaining 18lbs in 2019. Her current weight is likely at 137lbs give or take a pound or two. So it's no wonder the mother-of-four was seen on an early morning workout with her personal trainer in Calabasas, California on Friday morning. Starting the say right:Kim Kardashian was seen on an early morning workout in Calabasas, California on Friday morning The wife of rapper Kanye West wore a SKIMS black crop top that looked very tight. And she added black leggings that showed off her slender legs and generous hips. The star also had on grey and purple Yeezy sneakers with low socks. And she carried her cell phone. The KKW Beauty founder also wore her long raven hair down in soft waves over her shoulders and had on barely any makeup. At one point she put her hair in a tie. Her trainer Melissa Alcantara - who goes by Fit Gurl Mel - was by her side, wearing a maroon crop top and grey leggings with white sneakers. Her workout uniform: The wife of rapper Kanye West wore a SKIMS black crop top that looked very tight. And she added black leggings that showed off her slender legs and generous hips Her arm tattoos were also on display as she flashes some impressive abs. The two were in a remote area with a dirt trail. There are plenty of Diamond Back rattlesnakes in the area as well as coyotes and mountain lions such as the world famous P-22. In November, Kim said she had gained 18lbs in the past year. 'We're doing a night workout before my dinner, which I never do with this one, but I figured we have to get into it at some point,' she said in a video. Her mentor: Her trainer Melissa Alcantara - who goes by Fit Gurl Mel - was by her side, wearing a maroon crop top and grey leggings with white sneakers 'Sometimes we fall off and sometimes you really gotta get it together, and this is one of my fallen-off times where I am, I think, 18 pounds up from what I was about a year ago, a year and a half ago.' She was with Alcantara as well in the clip. 'To feel good, I just want to get it like, a really good goal weight, and so that means working out at all costs. It's my eating. I work out, but it's my eating. But Melissa and I have a major goal for by the time I'm 40.' All week Kim has been sharing new images to her SKIMS Instagram page. From her sister: On Thursday evening Kim shared a look at a gift from sister Khloe, 35 On Wednesday that showed her modeling a leotard in light pink from her new line. The TV star has come out with a special light pink SKIMS line just in time for Valentine's Day which falls on Friday. 'Launching exclusively at SKIMS.COM: the Valentines Day Collection. A limited edition capsule collection of five of our most loved Solutionwear styles in Quartz, the perfect shade of dusty pink created exclusively for Valentines Day,' the caption said. Kim appeared to have gold powder all over her body which went nicely with the dusty pink leotard. The mother of four was seen with other models behind her as her hair was worn in a long braid and she had on big hoop earrings The reality star/entrepreneur revealed the limited collection online Tuesday, modeling the soft pink underthings herself. Think pink: Kim shared two new images to her SKIMS Instagram page on Wednesday that showed her modeling a leotard in light pink from her new line New look: The 39-year-old TV star has come out with a special light pink SKIMS line just in time for Valentine's Day which falls on Friday Kim looked like a knockout as she laid down on the ground to offer a glimpse of her toned thighs and taut tummy while wearing a look from the line. The star looked laid back yet sultry in the shots, which were set against a dusty rose backdrop that perfectly matched the beauty's shapewear set. Kim was in full glam, playing up her eyes with dark liner, thick lashes and smokey shadow. Le look: 'Launching exclusively at SKIMS.COM: the Valentines Day Collection. A limited edition capsule collection of five of our most loved Solutionwear styles in Quartz, the perfect shade of dusty pink created exclusively for Valentines Day,' the caption said Dressed to impress: Kim was in full glam, playing up her eyes with dark liner, thick lashes and smokey shadow. For hair, she tied her locks back into a plaited ponytail. Giant hoop earrings framed her face In the accompanying tweet, Mrs. West described the colorway Quartz as 'the perfect shade of dusty pink.' Kim showed off the range of the collection in another shot, where she was joined by a diverse group of models. Each girl was covered with golden shimmer, dazzling for the camera. The special Valentine's Day Skims release is made up of five-core pieces: a bra, bodysuit, 'core control thong,' 'sculpting mid waist brief' and bike shorts which reach about mid-thigh. The pieces range from $28 to $62. Skims' limited edition Valentine's Day collection will go on sale February 14 at 9am PST, but fans can signup for a waiting list now. Former Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters called President Trump a 'tyrant and mass murderer' and said America is a 'fool's hell,' while showing his support for Democratic nominee hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders. Waters made the dramatic statements during a Q&A following a screening of his concert film, Us + Them, in New York City Tuesday night. According to a Rolling Stone report, Floyd said that Trump 'is a man who has failed at f**king everything in his life except becoming the biggest tyrant and mass murderer and mass destroyer of everything that any of us might love or cherish in the whole [world], only because he has the power.' Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters (in 2019) lambasted President Trump during a Q&A. He said Trump had 'failed at f**king everything in his life' except becoming a 'tyrant' Waters also said Trump (on February 10) is a 'mass destroyer of everything that any of us might love or cherish in the whole [world]' Floyd also said that 'We're living here in a fool's hell.' 'The United States of America is not a fools paradise; its a fools hell,' he said, noting that watching his concert film, 'it reminded me that the great battle is the battle between propaganda and love. And propaganda is winning.' He went on to say, 'And sadly, the buttons of the propaganda machine are being pushed by people who are f**king sick. These sick, sociopathic f**kers, all of them, every single one of them. Believe it or not, Donald Trump is somewhere down here, floundering around in the muddy water at the bottom of the oligarchic pool.' During the Q&A, Waters appeared to throw his support behind Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders. During the Q&A, Water (in 2018) said that in the battle between love and propaganda right now, propaganda is winning Rogers said that Sen. Bernie Sanders (on February 11) is the only Democrat who could defeat Trump at the 2020 election polls At one point, moderator and BMG executive John Loeffler was said to have noted that he was 'moved [in the film] just to see kids all over the world getting the message that theyre not alone.' To which Waters replied, 'Funnily enough, they are [connecting to that message], but unfortunately not fucking here,' referring to America. 'Because if they were, you wouldnt have Donald Trump as a president, you wouldnt be having all this nonsense with the Democratic primaries, with them trying to destroy the only candidate who can possibly win against Donald Trump, Sanders,' he said, according to Rolling Stone. In November 2019, Waters told a Rolling Stone reporter that he was planning a 2020 tour with the intention of protesting Trump during the election year. Waters announced his North America tour dates in January, noting that 'This tour will be part of a global movement by people who are concerned by others to affect the change that is necessary,' AXS reported. The 31-city tour, called This is Not A Drill, begins July 8 and runs through October 3. Original details: A dining room in one of the homes at the upmarket Anglesea scheme in Dun Laoghaire freshly built apartment blocks don't suit all affluent downsizers. In Dun Laoghaire, those who are trading down from period properties aren't just accustomed to homes with sea views, they want a space that will suit the antique furniture they've accumulated over the years. This is the niche market that the developers of Anglesea had in mind. The scheme of 13 apartments and one penthouse is set within a restored Georgian building that overlooks Dun Laoghaire's seafront and was once a hotel popular among the gentry in the 19th century as a stopover en route to London. Rather than offering buyers fitted-out homes, Bourkes Builders retained the building's original fireplaces, multi-paned sash windows, shutters, 11ft-high ceilings and cornicing but left the interiors as a blank canvass. With the help of Bourkes, downsizers can customise all the finishes, from choosing wall colours, bathroom tiles and vanity units, right down to selecting their choice of stain for the solid oak floors. They can even opt for solid marble in the bathrooms, albeit at an extra cost. The development has also attracted a handful of Irish buyers who worked for the EU in Brussels and were accustomed to living in the Belgian city's period apartments. The Crofton Road building originated as the Anglesea Arms Hotel, which opened in 1832, back when Dun Laoghaire was known as Kingstown. According to ads placed in 1881, travellers staying at the Anglesea Arms could avail of a dining room, two ladies' coffee rooms, six sitting rooms, and a smoking room. Guests could have their servants housed nearby and their horses stabled in the yard. At the time, the hotel was furnished with walnut and rosewood furniture, crystal chandeliers, and damask drapes to the windows. By the early 1900s, the building was transformed into the Royal Mail Hotel, which operated until 1916, when it was occupied by the military, housing nearly 900 soldiers. After its closure in 1917, the property served a number of uses. Now the former hotel is enjoying a new incarnation as Anglesea, its Georgian architecture having been preserved and restored. Anglesea was launched in July and the final release of four homes there has just gone on the market. Each apartment has its own Irish maritime-themed name to reflect its individual character, such as the duplex named after polar explorer Ernest Shackleton. Prices for the development's last tranche start at 600,000 for the Beaufort, a two-bed duplex with 958 sq ft of living space. The Shackleton, a two-bed duplex measuring a hefty 1,970 sq ft, is priced from 1.125m, while the Holland, a three-bed duplex spanning 1,798 sq ft, costs from 1.25m. The most expensive unit for sale, at 1.795m, is the Tuskar. Measuring 2,390 sq ft, the Tuskar's size matches many a period home in the seaside town. It features a library with floor-to-ceiling windows - a contemporary addition to the period building - as well as a southwest-facing balcony. As well as choosing their own kitchen, bathroom and bedroom fit-outs, buyers at Anglesea get at least one designated parking space and a secure storage unit. While many of the apartments have either gas or open fireplaces, there is also a gas-fired central heating system and a constant supply of hot water. The development is a short walk from the Forty Foot bathing spot, the People's Park, the Lexicon Library and the Dart station, with Dublin city centre 12km away. Viewings are by appointment. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has berated the electoral umpire, INEC, for its decision to declare the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Douye Diri, as governor of Bayelsa State. Abiding by a Supreme Court directive, INEC on Friday declared Mr Diri governor-elect after it nullified the votes cast for the APC candidate, David Lyon, in the November 16 election in the state. Mr Lyon was sacked on Thursday by the apex court 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. Oshiomholes argument In a press briefing on Friday at the party secretariat in Abuja, the APC chairman faulted INEC for issuing a certificate of return to Mr Diri. INEC expressly disobeyed the Supreme Court order which insisted on (votes) spread. Democracy is a game of numbers, it would not have been the intention of the Supreme Court that the man who did not have the spread be sworn-in as a governor. That is why the Supreme Court made that provision. We will employ every peaceful legal means to upturn this illegal decision of INEC, Mr Oshiomhole said, suggesting the party could approach the Supreme Court again. The party chairman also cautioned PDP and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers against celebrating their victory through Supreme Court as the PDP has crossed one river and they still have many rivers to cross. In his argument, Mr Oshiomhole said the certificates presented by Mr Degi-Eremienyo to INEC when he contested for the Senate was the same he presented as a deputy governorship candidate. The qualifications for being a governor is the same qualification of being a senator. It is the same documents that they used for his election as a senator that he provided to INEC. There is no evidence that he subtracted or added. So, if he was eligible to be a senator in the eyes of the law and suddenly become illegible to be a deputy governor, he said. Mr Oshiomhole also claimed in his address that the just concluded governorship election in Bayelsa State was won by APC for the first time without firing a single shot. However, PREMIUM TIMES and other election observers witnessed several cases of violence and manipulations during the election. Reaction to Wikes comment Following the Supreme Courts Thursday judgement, Mr Oshiomhole said that nobody should be sworn-in as the governor of Bayelsa on Friday. Among the criticisms that trailed the APC chairmans reaction was from the Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike. The federal government should warn Oshiomhole to stop making remarks that will destabilise Nigeria. What he is doing in Edo State is not proper and he should not bring it to the rest of the Niger Delta, Mr Wike warned Oshiomhole. Between me and my very dear friend (Nyesom Wike), who has the history of electoral violence? The APC national chairman said in reaction on Friday. I have ran as a governor twice and to my credit I launched one man one vote. I fought the PDP godfather and I defeated them, without firing a gunshot. We emphasized the power of the ballot, peaceful ballot. Do you know how many lives were wasted, do you read your newspaper? Police officers were beheaded, where? Soldiers were beheaded, where? Rivers! Who was declared winner of such election violence, was it not Wike? When a tortoise continues to challenge the antelope for a race, know that something is wrong. He wants to use me to regain his dubious membership of the PDP, he alleged. The lawyer for an African American man arrested in a disturbing case of retaliation and racism was incensed this week when Portland police released a related report that hed never seen before. Attorney Paul Buchanan said the report should have been turned over long ago when he subpoenaed all the Portland Police Bureaus records after filing two civil suits stemming from the spurious arrest and indictment of his client, Michael Fesser. The November 2017 report contained misleading information about Fesser, Buchanan said. That police didnt divulge it until now is one more insult to injury in a series of police misconduct, he said. The Police Bureau posted the report on its website Wednesday in what Police Chief Jami Resch called an effort to be transparent. The report bolsters Fessers case that Mike Stradley, a West Linn police lieutenant at the time who had retired from Portland Police Bureau, made up claims against Fesser to justify police actions, Buchanan said. The report revealed that Stradley contacted a Portland police gang enforcement officer in November 2017 after a grand jury had indicted Fesser on first-degree theft charges. Stradley told the gang enforcement officer that there was a warrant for Fessers arrest and to be on alert because Fesser had made threats to assault his former boss at A&B Towing, Eric Benson, as well as Bensons employees and made threats to damage his business, according to the police report. Stradleys information, coupled with a notation that Fesser had a prior arrest for first-degree assault and a juvenile arrest (which was redacted in public release this week), led Portland police to flag Fesser in the computer dispatch system as a potential danger and provide extra protection to A&B Towing in Southeast Portland. The police report directly contradicted the sworn statements that Stradley and Benson gave to Fessers lawyer in the course of Fessers federal civil suit. Both said they had no knowledge of any threats Fesser had made. The police report also didnt note the year of Fessers assault arrest, which was 1997, and the fact that prosecutors had dismissed the charge. It is so scary that the police can so readily make up claims that are not true, Buchanan said. But in this case, they cant get away with it because we have sworn testimony in two civil cases and subpoenas that very clearly reveal the claims reflected in this November 2017 report from Stradley were lies. Stradley in 2017 told Portland police that Michael Fesser had made threats to his boss at A&B Towing and other co-workers, directly contradicting what he said in a sworn deposition to Fesser's civil attorney later. West Linn this week paid $600,000 to Fesser, 48, to settle a racial discrimination and unlawful arrest suit he filed against West Linn police in 2017. A&B Towing earlier paid Fesser $415,000 to settle a separate racial discrimination and retaliation suit. Fesser said they targeted him for arrest in Portland in February 2017 as a favor to a fishing buddy of former West Linn Chief Terry Timeus. The fishing buddy was A&B Towings Benson. Fesser said his arrest was in retaliation for his complaints about a racially hostile workplace at the Portland tow company. Stradley enlisted Portlands gang enforcement officers to assist West Linn in arresting Fesser on Feb. 25, 2017, on allegations that he stole from A&B Towing. Stradley had been on the gang team and told West Linn officers that Fesser was a gang associate. In a deposition, Stradley later admitted that he hadnt had contact with Fesser for more than 20 years and had no direct knowledge that Fesser was tied to a gang, beyond knowing he had been seen with gang members two decades earlier and had attended trials of known gang members. After Fessers arrest, prosecutors immediately dropped the aggravated theft charge. But he was indicted that November after he filed the lawsuit against A&B Towing. It was then that Stradley directly contacted Portland gang enforcement Officer Charles Asheim and relayed that Fesser had made threats against A&B Towing, according to the Portland police report. But in a sworn deposition, Benson said Fesser never threatened him. In his sworn deposition, Stradley admitted that he was aware of no particular instance where Fesser had threatened someone. He also said he wasnt involved in labeling Fesser as an officer safety concern. Fessers attorney said the newly public police report shows Stradley lied. This November 2017 report evidences a continuation of the West Linn Polices misconduct, aided and abetted by the Portland police, Buchanan said. This conduct is despicable and should result in termination of Mr. Stradley from his current position training new police officers at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training and criminal liability. Mr. Stradley cannot even keep his lies straight, as his deposition and the testimony of Mr. Benson make clear. Portland police Lt. Tina Jones, who signed off on the officer safety report as a sergeant for the gang enforcement team at the time, initially referred questions to the City Attorneys Office about why this report wasnt turned over in response to multiple subpoenas by Buchanan. The City Attorneys Office staff had communications with Mr. Fessers attorneys. They would be best suited to handle this inquiry, Jones said in an email. City Attorney Tracy Reeve called it an inadvertent oversight that the November 2017 report wasnt among the records shared with Fessers lawyer. The report apparently was written after the city had provided a batch of police documents to Fessers lawyer in response to an initial civil suit subpoena. When the city received an additional subpoena later for all police reports, the city asked the Police Bureau for all records and bureau officials said they had already provided them. "After a careful review, we have determined that due to an inadvertent error we failed to locate and release the November 10, 2017 record when we released the other responsive documents,'' Reeve said in an email. "We regret the oversight.'' -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Subscribe to Facebook page Strengthened by the failure of the Democrats impeachment drive, President Donald Trump has accelerated his efforts to expand the powers of the presidency in every sphere. On Thursday, the Senate approved a symbolic bill instructing the White House to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran. The bill is virtually certain to be passed by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, which passed its own version of the measure last month. President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto at the White House in Washington, October 2019 [Credit: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster] In response, the White House stated categorically that Trump will veto the bill that emerges from Congress, arguing in effect for unlimited and unilateral presidential powers to wage war. The White House said the bill should be rejected because it attempts to hinder the Presidents ability to protect United States diplomats, forces, allies, and partners, including Israel, from the continued threat posed by Iran and its proxies. The statement adds, Protecting the national security of the United States could foreseeably require the President to respond to Iranian threats beyond direct attacks on the United States. The response marks a continuation of the drive by Trump to expand the powers of the presidency beyond all constitutional restraints. Neither Trumps murder last month of Iranian General Qassem Suleimanian act of war against Irannor his misappropriation of money for the border wall played any role in the Democrats impeachment, which centered on their claim that Trump betrayed US national security by delaying military aid to Ukraine in what they called a hot war with Russia. During the Senate impeachment trial, which ended last week in Trumps acquittal, the White House based its legal defense on an assertion of presidential powers beyond any significant congressional oversight or restraint. Trumps lawyers argued that abuse of power and obstruction of Congress were not impeachable offenses, and that the White House would in principle be justified in taking any action provided the president believed it was in the national interest. Harvard law Professor Alan Dershowitz argued on the Senate floor that 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. Jonathan Turley, the scholar who testified for Trump during the House impeachment inquiry, said of the White House defense in the Senate trial, The presidents defense was then tied inextricably to this extreme and chilling argument. The war powers resolution on Iran, which passed the Senate when eight Republicans joined the Democrats to vote for it, is toothless. It includes a loophole rendering meaningless the requirement for congressional authorization for military action against Iran. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the United States from defending itself from imminent attack, it states. As the Wall Street Journal noted, this passage is an escape clause because Any President would define the defense of the U.S. to include a potential attack on American forces, diplomats, or other interests abroad. There is no doubt that a presidential veto will defeat the measure, since its supporters lack the two-thirds majority required to overturn a White House veto. In an equally naked power grab, the Pentagon announced Thursday afternoon that it will divert $3.8 billion in appropriated funds to build the wall along the US border with Mexico. This is being done under the provisions of a national emergency Trump declared in February of 2019 to circumvent Congresss refusal to allocate the money he demanded for construction of the wall. Trumps misappropriation of funds in defiance of Congress, for the second year in a row, is an egregious violation of constitutional limits on the presidency, which include giving Congress, not the executive branch, the authority to appropriate fundsthe so-called power of the purse. A measure of the spinelessness of the Democrats is their role in supplying the votes required in subsequent legislation to back fill to the Pentagon budget the money diverted from other military projects to build the border wall. This has gone hand in hand with their failure to take any action to hold Trump to account for his violations of the Constitution. Over the past week, Trump has carried out a purge of the National Security Council (NSC), firing more than 70 people, including Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who testified in the House impeachment hearings. After having Vindman marched out of the White House by security guards, Trump implied in a tweet that the military should discipline the former head of the Ukraine desk at the NSC. Trump has also moved to shield his associate Roger Stone, demanding a lighter sentence for him than that proposed by the US attorneys who prosecuted him and secured his conviction for lying to the FBI and Congress and witness tampering. Following the resignation of the US attorneys, Attorney General William Barr, who approved the lessening of the sentence to be imposed on Stone, criticized Trump, saying his public statements made it impossible to do my job. Also on Thursday, Judy Shelton, Trumps nominee to the Federal Reserve Board, testified before Congress at a confirmation hearing. Shelton had previously advocated an eclectic mix of unorthodox economic ideas, but her testimony focused on defending the presidents right to influence monetary policy as well as the Trump administrations efforts to promote the competitive devaluation of the US dollar and trade war. Trumps moves to expand the powers of the presidency in the wake of the impeachment debacle make clear that that the Trump administration and its drive toward dictatorship cannot be opposed through the Democratic Party. From the outset of Trumps tenure, the Democrats have focused their opposition to Trump on differences over foreign policy and worked to suppress and divert the broad and intense popular opposition to the fascistic billionaire president. At the same time, they have collaborated with his crackdown on immigrants, his tax handouts to rich, his slashing of regulations on corporations and his cuts in social programs. Trump embodies the dictatorial, criminal and oligarchic character of American capitalism. The struggle against his administration is inseparable from the fight against the capitalist system as a whole and can be carried out only under the leadership of the working class, rallying behind it all progressive sections of society in a struggle for socialism. CLEVELAND, Ohio A Cleveland man threatened to shoot or stab a man if he didnt hand over his Nintendo Switch in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, according to court records. Jean C. Domenech, 20, threatened a man with a revolver and a switchblade before taking the video game system Tuesday, court records say. Domenech is charged with aggravated robbery in the case. He is not in custody, but a warrant was issued Thursday for his arrest. The robbery happened just after 8:30 p.m. on Elton Avenue near West 76th Street. Domenech confronted a 22-year-old man and flashed a gun as he demanded the Switch, police said. The man hesitated, and Domenech pulled out switchblade. He told the man You can either get shot or get stabbed, its up to you, court records say. The man handed over the Switch before Domenech ran away. To comment on this story, visit Fridays crime and courts comments page. Read more crime stories: Mentor police will not pursue charges against Lake Catholic High School swim coach accused sexual contact with student Man charged in pistol-whipping, robbery at Cleveland store Teens arrested in more than 80 car break-ins tied to three robberies in Cleveland, police say Cuyahoga Falls man obsessed with mass shootings plotted high school attack, called in hoax to Kansas elementary school, feds say By Zhou Zhou and Liu Pinran US media recently revealed that the intelligence agencies of the US and the former Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) have secretly controlled Swiss crypto equipment supplier Crypto AG to obtain confidential information of other countries since the 1970s. West Germany soon stopped that after the German reunification. However, the US did not stop this intelligence stealing operation until 2018. Analysts point out that the US has always claimed to be a cybersecurity guard and has frequently accused other countries of launching cyberattacks while ignoring its own dirty work. The incident of stealing intelligence from other countries through equipment of a Swiss company once again highlighted the cyberbullying thinking of the US who plays the trick of a thief crying "Stop thief!" "Having stolen a lot of intelligence" The German media had suspected that as early as in 1996 Crypto AG's equipment was already rigged by the German and American agencies, but the Swiss company responded that the report was baseless at that time. This issue was thrown in the spotlight again by a long report published by The Washington Post on February 11. The classified CIA documents related to the issue were made public by The Washington Post and the Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, or ZDF, a German public broadcaster, in a joint reporting project. According to the report, the CIA and West German intelligence agency BND jointly acquired and actually controlled Crypto AG. The firm has sold encryption devices to more than 120 countries over the years, including Iran, India, Pakistan, and some Latin American countries. The US and West Germany obtained confidential information from other countries through backdoors on the devices. Foreign governments paid the US and West Germany a huge price and ended up letting these two countries (possibly up to five or six countries) read their most confidential communications. Such stealing methods once achieved outstanding results. According to the report, the US and West Germany monitored Iran's mullahs during the 1979 hostage crisis, fed intelligence about Argentina's military to Britain during the Falklands War in 1982, tracked the assassination campaigns of South American dictators and caught Libyan officials congratulating themselves on the 1986 bombing of a Berlin disco by way of Crypto AGs devices. It is reported that after the German reunification in 1990, the German intelligence agency considered that the above-mentioned intelligence stealing operations were too risky, and then withdrew from it. The CIA immediately bought the German stake and continued the operation until 2018. There were multitudes of network misdeeds committed by the US The above-mentioned actions disclosed by the US media are just one example of the evil cyber behavior of the US, and there are many such examples. According to Edward Snowden, a former US National Security Agency (NSA) contractor, NAS hacked into Chinese companies' systems to steal source code, read customer lists and internal emails in early 2009. In April 2017, the media exposed the news that a hacking organization related to the NSA attacked EastNets, the largest financial service provider in the Middle East of the transfer settlement system SWIFT, and stole a lot of host information and login credentials. US intelligence agencies were exposed to attack on some Iranian computer systems and paralyze Iran's rocket launch system last June. The US also implanted malicious program code into the Russian power system to spy on intelligence or launch a cyberattack on the Russian power system. In terms of system and strategy, the US government officially elevated its Cyber Command to the 10th unified combatant command in 2017, which has the same status as major combat commands such as US Central Command. The US released the National Cyber Strategy in 2018, emphasizing the "preemptive strike" in cyberspace. Some analysts believe that various trends indicate that the US is intensifying its preparations for cyber warfare. Public opinion points out that the US has endless dirty actions in the cybersecurity field including the implementation of monitoring, stealing information and undermining. However, the US has continued to accuse other countries of undermining cybersecurity, playing the trick of a thief crying "Stop thief!" and shifting the blame on to its victims. This double standard behavior highlights the US hegemonic thinking. Triggered unrest Following the exposure of the intelligence stealing operations, Germany and Switzerland, who are related to the operation, demanded investigation and expressed concerns. In Germany, several members of the German parliament have asked the government to investigate the incident. Free Democratic Party's Stephan Thomae said that "This kind of behavior is intolerable". The government must immediately break its silence and initiate "an unreserved and comprehensive investigation into these allegations," said Thomae. Andre Hahn of Die Linke said that the intelligence stealing operation is "the biggest historical scandal in the history of BND." In Switzerland, some media believe that this incident is likely to affect the "neutrality" of this permanent neutral country in future international events. Neue Zurcher Zeitung reported that Switzerland has always been known for maintaining neutrality in international affairs, and Swiss technology companies rely on the neutrality of the country to develop their businesses. US suppliers have been labeled as unsafe, and Swiss companies have taken the lead in the international market since the "Snowden Incident". If Crypto AG was actually part of the CIA's monitoring network until two years ago, it would have affected the reputation of the entire Swiss industry and undermined its competitive advantages. Met Eireann has issued weather warnings for Storm Dennis which is set to hit Ireland this weekend bringing gales and heavy rain which will carry a high risk of flooding. Just a week after Storm Ciara battered Ireland a particularly powerful jet stream is driving another powerful storm across the Atlantic. The Status Yellow alert for all of Ireland warns of spells of heavy, locally thundery rain, on Saturday that will lead to some flooding. It is valid from 6am to 9pm on Saturday, February 15. Weather Advisory for all of Ireland says Storm Dennis will bring some very wet and very windy weather over the weekend and into Monday. It warns some flooding is likely and damaging gusty winds with some disruption possible. It is valid from 3am on Saturday to noon on Monday. A Status Yellow Marine gale warning is also in place. Further warnings are possible. The weather forecast for Storm Dennis says that the weather through the rest of the weekend will be very disturbed. Met Eireann says the storm centre will be well to the northwest on Saturday night but coming closest to us later on Sunday. More below tweets. Our 7 day Atlantic Chart shows the precipitation and pressure forecast in 6 hour intervalshttps://t.co/9Giuj4UrWU A nationwide forecast and outlook covering the next week can be found here. https://t.co/9gKN6SDMVu pic.twitter.com/gDBlKetKnJ Met Eireann (@MetEireann) February 14, 2020 Low pressure systems will keep on coming through the next few days. Here's a look at the bigger satellite picture showing tomorrow's weather and the early stages of #StormDennis pic.twitter.com/7Xg00utOux Met Office (@metoffice) February 13, 2020 NATIONAL FORECAST issued at 11.50 am on February 14. TODAY - FRIDAY 14TH FEBRUARY Brightening up this afternoon with sunny spells and scattered showers. Strong and gusty southwesterly winds will gradually moderate. Afternoon temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees Celsius. TONIGHT Cool, and mostly dry early tonight with clear periods. Some frost in places for a time mainly northern and eastern areas as temperatures fall to between 1 and 5 degrees Celsius. Frost clearing as rain and strengthening southerly winds extend eastwards later tonight. TOMORROW - SATURDAY 15TH FEBRUARY The influence of storm Dennis will be felt on Saturday with the storm centre between Iceland and Ireland. There will be very heavy rain countrywide with flooding in places, strong and very squally south or south to southwest winds with gales or strong gales on coasts. Winds will moderate inland through the afternoon and evening. Afternoon temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees Celsius. NATIONAL OUTLOOK Very disturbed weather through the rest of the weekend, with storm Dennis continuing to affect us. The storm centre will be well to the northwest on Saturday night but coming closest to us later on Sunday. Saturday night: Further spells of heavy rain overnight with some thundery downpours likely and further flooding. Winds easing for a time inland, but gales will continue in coastal counties. Sunday: Extremely windy and very showery on Sunday with stormy conditions in Atlantic coastal counties, especially northwestern counties, with very severe and squally winds. Widespread heavy rain and hail showers with thundery downpours at times, but drier and brighter at times in parts of the east and south. Cold with afternoon temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees Celsius with a very significant wind chill factor. Showers and extremely windy conditions for a time on Sunday night. Early days of next week: The severe winds will ease by Monday morning, but both Monday and Tuesday will still be windy and cold days with sunny spells and heavy blustery showers, especially in southwestern, western and northern counties. Some of the showers turning to snow at times, especially on higher ground. Drier in the south and east. Afternoon temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees Celsius with some frosts by night. Rest of the week: Becoming less cold on Wednesday with rain moving in from the Atlantic after a mainly dry start. Staying very unsettled through the rest of the week with wet and windy periods. (Natural News) In the best indicator yet that the U.S. government is growing concerned that the Chinese government is incapable of containing the spread of the coronavirus beyond its borders, the Pentagon is ordering its various domestic commands to prepare for a pandemic. As reported by Military Times, U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) is currently executing plans to prepare for a wide outbreak of the virus, in large part by taking stock of available resources that would be called into action should a pandemic occur. The site noted: An executive order issued by the Joint Staff and approved by Defense Secretary Mark Esper this month directed Northern Command and geographic combatant commanders to initiate pandemic plans, which include ordering commanders to prepare for widespread outbreaks and confining service members with a history of travel to China. The order was distributed via service-wide messages to the Navy and Marine Corps, issued Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. They reference the order which directs NORTHCOM to begin implementing The Department of Defense Global Campaign plan for Pandemic Influenza and Infectious Diseases 3551-13. This is the militarys plan for dealing with widespread influenza and other diseases like coronavirus. The Pentagon attempted to downplay the issuance of the executive order, stating that in no way does the planning indicate a greater likelihood of an event developing. As military professionals, planning for a range of contingencies is something we owe the American people, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Mike Hatfield said. 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, Hatfield continued. I think we need to be prepared Perhaps. But then, as USA Features News reported, a series of experts told a Senate committee on Wednesday that they believe the U.S. should begin preparing now for a nationwide epidemic they believe is coming: Public health experts said during congressional testimony on Wednesday the United States should be preparing for thousands of new coronavirus cases rather than believing that only a couple will emerge. Asha George, executive director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I dont think we should be planning for the onesie-twosie cases that weve been seeing thus far in the United States. We have to plan for the possibility that we have thousands of cases, she added. George was one of five health experts senators called to testify about the potential spread of the virus, officially called COVID-19. The hearing came as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta identified the 14th U.S. victim. Scott Gottlieb, a former Food and Drug Administration commissioner, told the panel he expects an outbreak to reveal itself 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 noted. One of the biggest fears among U.S. military leaders and government health experts is the slow incubation period of the virus. Experts note that because it takes several days before symptoms can appear, people can be admitted to the country before anyone realizes they are stricken with the disease. Some of the modeling out of the UK suggests that were capturing about 25 percent of cases at best. So for every case we identify, theres three or four that we didnt identify, Gottlieb said. A former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Julie Gerberding, told the Senate committee because health officials were initially unable to control the spread of the virus, I think we need to be prepared for what are we going to do to try to slow down the spread. Sources include: USAFeatures.news MilitaryTimes.com NaturalNews.com CORNING, N.Y., Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation (OTCQX: CNIG) announced consolidated earnings of $393,017 or $0.13 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2019. This compares to consolidated earnings of $688,728 or $0.23 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. CEO Mike German stated, The company saw an earnings decline principally due to unusual regulatory reconciliations at Corning Natural Gas and Pike County Light & Power. He noted that the unusual reconciliations arent expected to occur in subsequent quarters. Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2019 is not necessarily indicative of expected results for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020. Quarterly earnings are affected by the highly seasonal nature of the business and weather conditions such as temperature variations. In addition, regulatory reconciliations, either negative or positive, can impact quarterly results. The revenue decline in the quarter was the result of a decline in purchased electric and natural gas costs that are a pass-through to customers. Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation provides natural gas and electric service to customers in New York and Pennsylvania through its operating subsidiaries Corning Natural Gas, Pike County Light & Power, and Leatherstocking Gas Company, a 50% JV with Mirabito Regulated Industries. From time-to-time, Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation may produce forward-looking statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products, and similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation notes that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experiences to differ materially from anticipated results or other expectations expressed in any forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Four people have been convicted in a Tennessee federal court of illegally distributing more than 11 million prescription opioid pills from four clinics, federal prosecutors said Friday. After a three-month trial, a jury in Knoxville convicted Sylvia Hofstetter, 55, of racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy, money laundering, and maintaining a building where drugs are involved, the U.S. attorneys office said in a news release. Courtney Newman, 44, Cynthia Clemons, 47, and Holli Womack, 46, were also convicted of maintaining drug-involved premises, prosecutors said. The drug conspiracy involved clinics in the Knoxville area, where millions of tablets of oxycodone, oxymorphone and morphine generated more than $21 million of clinic revenue, with a corresponding street value of $360 million, prosecutors said. All three drugs are opioids, a class of drugs linked to more than 400,000 deaths in the U.S. since 2000. Hofstetter, of Miami, worked at a so-called pill mill in Hollywood, Florida, which was raided by the Drug Enforcement Administration in December 2010, according to testimony presented at trial. The other three defendants are from Knoxville. All four defendants face up to 20 years in prison when they are sentenced later this year. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Rio de Janeiro, February 14, 2020 Authorities in Brazil and Paraguay must work together to promptly and thoroughly investigate the killing of Brazilian journalist Lourenco Leo Veras and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On February 12, at about 9 p.m., masked men shot and killed Veras, the owner and manager of Pora News, a news website covering organized crime, at his home in the Paraguayan city of Pedro Juan Caballero, which borders the Brazilian city of Ponta Pora, according to a report by Brazilian broadcaster G1. The men drove to Veras home in a white truck and raided the journalists home while he was having dinner with his wife, son, and father-in-law, according to Paraguayan daily ABC Color. Veras tried to escape, but the attackers shot him in the leg, and proceeded to shoot him 11 times, including once in the head, according to that report. He was brought to a local hospital following the attack and died shortly afterwards, according to ABC Color. Pora News covers organized crime, policing, and drug trafficking-related issues on the Brazil-Paraguay border. According to another ABC Color report, Ignacio Rodriguez, the director of police in Amambay, Paraguay, said the attack may have been retaliation for material published by Pora News. The Paraguay-Brazil border continues to be one of the most dangerous places for journalists in South America, said CPJ Central and South America Program Coordinator Natalie Southwick in New York. Authorities on both sides of the border must take swift action to investigate the killing of Leo Veras, bring those responsible to justice, and ensure other journalists in the region are not terrorized or killed for doing their jobs. Carlos Eduardo, an investigator with the Civil Police in Brazils Mato Grosso do Sul state, told CPJ in an email that Paraguayan authorities are responsible for investigating Veras killing, but said that the civil police are working with their Paraguayan counterparts to look into whether the killers fled to Brazil after the attack. According to a statement by the National Federation of Journalists in Brazil, an association of journalists unions, Veras had previously reported receiving death threats in relation to his work. In an interview with Brazilian broadcaster TV Record that aired on January 28, Veras described receiving numerous threats from drug dealers as a consequence of his reporting. Veras previously worked for six months as a regional correspondent for ABC Color, and worked occasionally as a correspondent for other media outlets in the Brazilian border state of Mato Grosso do Sul, according to ABC Color. The newspaper reported that during his time as a correspondent, Veras was granted police protection due to a series of threats he received from members of an organized crime group. The Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism (Abraji), a local trade and press freedom group, said in a statement that people close to Veras told the organization that the journalist was concerned about the escape of 75 detainees from a prison in Pedro Juan Caballero in January, many of whom had ties to Brazilian organized crime. A journalist working in Pedro Juan Caballero, who spoke to CPJ on the condition of anonymity, citing security concerns, said they were similarly afraid, and believed some of the escapees might try to target journalists they had previously threatened. The associations statement said that Veras had worked for more than 15 years in the border region around Pedro Juan Caballero and Ponta Pora, one of the main entry points of arms and drugs in Brazil. In 2015, Paraguayan radio journalist Gerardo Ceferino Servian Coronel was shot and killed in Ponta Pora, as CPJ documented at the time. ABC Color journalist Candido Figueredo Ruiz, who received CPJs International Press Freedom Award in 2015, has faced repeated death threats and has a round-the-clock police protection detail. CPJ emailed the Brazilian Federal Police, the Paraguayan National Police, and the Paraguayan Public Prosecutions Office, but did not receive any responses. When CPJ called the Paraguayan consulate in the city of Ponta Pora, a staffer who answered the phone said the consulate did not have any official statement to share. In a documentary made by Abraji in 2017, Veras spoke about the threats he had received, saying, My wife and I, we hardly attend any social events and parties around, unless it is in a place I know is safe. He added, We have to die one day. I always hope that my death wont be so violent, with too many rifle shots. Here, if a hitman wants to kill you he comes to your door, tells you to open it and he will shoot you. I hope that it will only be one shot in order not to cause too much damage. [Editors note: This article has been updated in its seventh paragraph to include a response from the Mato Grosso do Sul Civil Police.] by Brad Camara | Pelicans Correspondent | Thu, Feb 13th 8:05pm EST Brandon Ingram (ankle) will not play Thursdays game against the Thunder. (Will Guillory on Twitter ) Fantasy Impact: Ingram, who was game-time decision for Thursdays contests against Oklahoma, was ultimately ruled out. He will miss his third consecutive game due to a right ankle sprain. Josh Hart should see an expanded role with Ingram sidelined. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said Friday there is no investigation into the Army officer who until last week worked at the White House National Security Council and was a key witness in the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. McCarthy said Lt. Col. Alex Vindman has been moved to a short-term assignment at Army headquarters until he starts a regularly scheduled stint at a military college later this year. McCarthy's comments at the National Press Club appeared to put an end to any debate about potential punishment of the officer, who came under fire for raising concerns about Trump's July phone call with Ukraine's president. Vindman was escorted from the White House last week as was his twin brother, Yevgeny, who worked as a lawyer at the NSC and is also a lieutenant colonel. Asked if he was suggesting that Vindman face disciplinary action, Trump said Tuesday that would be up to the military. Witness: Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman Vindman, then the NSC's top Ukraine expert, testified to the impeachment inquiry that Trump's request for an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden, a potential Democratic political rival in the 2020 presidential election, and his son Hunter during a July phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was improper. No to the chief: Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said the Army is not investigating Vindman despite what Trump said in the Oval Office, that 'the military can handle him' 'He reported a false call. What was said on the call was totally appropriate,' Trump said of his infamous call with the president of Ukraine that sparked a whistle-blower complaint. 'I call it a perfect call. I always will call it a perfect call,' Trump said. 'There was not set up there was no anything, and he reported it totally differently. 'We sent him on his way to a much different location, and the military can handle him any way they want. General Milley has him now. I congratulate General Milley,' Trump said, referencing chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Mark Milley. 'He can have him. And his brother also,' Trump said. 'We'll find out,' he added, without explanation. Vindman was one of numerous officials who went to national security lawyers after the call, where Trump asked the Ukrainian president for a 'favor' an investigation of the Bidens. Vindman, then the NSC's top Ukraine expert, testified to the impeachment inquiry that Trump's request for an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden, a potential Democratic political rival in the 2020 presidential election, and his son Hunter during a July phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was improper. The call led to the Republican president being impeached in the Democratic-controlled House and later acquitted in the Republican-majority Senate. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who was formerly the army secretary until taking the top Pentagon post, said in November that Vindman should not fear retaliation over his testimony. Last week, just two days after the Senate acquitted Trump on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges, Vindman was ousted from his NSC job. Trump previously blasted Vindman online, even putting his military rank in quotes. Kelly lambasted Donald Trump during a speech and Q&A session at a New Jersey college Wednesday 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 This week John Kelly, the president's former chief of staff defended Vindman, prompting a furious response from the president. 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. 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. Trump then went on the attack against Kelly morning claiming he wasn't suited to be chief after staff. '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. TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES -- A former Moulton Middle School teacher was acquitted by a jury Thursday of having sex with a high school student despite testimony from the former student and a videotaped confession by the teacher that the two had sex. After a 52-minute deliberation Thursday, an 11-man, one-woman jury found Taylor Brooks Boyles, 30, of Moulton, not guilty on the Class B felony charge. If convicted, she could have been sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and been branded a sex offender for the remainder of her life. Immediately after the verdict was read, she fell into her chair and sobbed with joy. About 20 family members and friends attending the trial cheered the verdict. Defense attorney Mark Dutton said the state law his client was charged with is unfair to school employees and needs to be amended. The law says it is unlawful for a school employee to engage in a sex act or deviant sexual intercourse with a student under 19. In other circumstances, the age of consent in Alabama is 16. I believe the law is unconstitutional and very poorly written as we see it today in fairness to school employees, teachers, students, parents and the citizens of this state, Dutton said Thursday afternoon. I think this law needs to be modified by the state Legislature. This law is obviously way too broad and ambiguous in certain parts. ... I believe that there should be some limiting exceptions to this statute." After the trial, jury foreman Samuel Todd Kerby told The Decatur Daily the state failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. During testimony Wednesday, Greyson Wayne Long, 21, said he was 18 and a senior at Lawrence County High School when he and Boyles met at her home two times in the spring of 2017 and had sexual intercourse and oral sex. He testified he spent the night both times. Boyles did not testify at the trial. In a five-minute video interview with law enforcement authorities on May 18, 2017, she admitted to having sex with Long. The videotape was played for the jury. Taylor was under the impression she was being removed from her job as a teacher at that time and was being interrogated by investigators for a period of time, Dutton said in closing arguments. She was obviously confused and under stress in the video and she never gave a sworn statement there was ever any sexual activity involved. I saw somebody who was shell-shocked. After fielding a few questions from Moulton Police Capt. Adam Lentz and Lawrence County Sheriff Capt. Chris Waldrep in the video, Boyles quit answering and said she wanted an attorney. Boyles personnel record with Lawrence County Schools shows she was placed on administrative leave on May 18, 2017, and the school board terminated her contract May 22, 2017, the same day she was arrested on the felony charge. In a 36-minute closing argument Thursday, Dutton told the jurors he wondered why the state didnt present then-Moulton Middle School Principal Stacie Givens and Lentz as witnesses. And the state didnt prove that (Boyles) knowingly engaged in sex with the student, Dutton said in his closing argument. Was she awake? Was she cognitive? There was no physical evidence presented in this case. Superintendent Jon Bret Smith testified Wednesday that he met with Givens after he received an anonymous voicemail May 18, 2017, claiming Boyles was having an inappropriate relationship as a teacher. Smith said he and Givens then questioned Boyles about the allegations, and she acknowledged the sexual relationship. Dutton told the jurors Waldrep and Lentz misled Boyles with their questions. They didnt know anything at that point, he said. Dutton said Smith failed to produce any written documentation of the alleged criminal act in 2017. He also questioned the grand jury indictment, which didnt specify when the crime was allegedly committed. Can you find her guilty in good conscience when you dont even know the date when it happened? Thats another hole in the case, Dutton said to the jurors. Lawrence County District Attorney Errek Jett told the jurors an indictment doesnt have to have a date. The statute is clear, he said. While she was a teacher and (Long) was a student, they had sex. They had sex two times. Our Legislature passed a law and we are bound to follow it. Circuit Judge Mark Craig told the jurors consent was not an issue and not a defense in this case. Jett said he was disappointed in the jurys verdict and thought the evidence that a teacher had sex with a student under the age of 19 was proved and a clear violation of the law that was enacted in 2010. Im thankful that our freedoms include the jury system, he said. I presented evidence that I thought proved the case. However, I respect the jurys diligence this week and decision today. Dutton said his client is eager to get on with her life. On behalf of Taylor and her family, theyre glad to get this over with. Theyre extremely thankful the jury ruled in her favor, he said. They are people of faith and praise God for the outcome and they look forward to getting on with life. 2020 The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) Visit The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) at www.decaturdaily.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Mexican-American 'Toy Story 4' producer, Jonas Rivera, made history during this year's Oscars. He produced the animated film that grabbed the Best Animated Feature during the 92nd Academy Awards. This made him the first U.S. born Latino to grab multiple Oscars after he received his first award in 2016. It can be remembered that Jonas Rivera was awarded for the movie he produced 'Inside Out' which was directed by Pete Docter, his longtime collaborator. His journey towards success wasn't easy. He started his career in the film industry as a production office assistant in an animation studio before he started as a producer. According to a news report from Remezcla, Rivera was informed about his landmark achievement during a press conference prior to the awarding ceremony. He said: "Wow. I didn't know that and as if my mind couldn't be more blown about the last five minutes, thank you for that word because I'm a little bit - I'm a little bit out of my body right now. It means the world to me. I can't even really put it into words, to be honest with you. I'm so proud of this thing and working with these guys, but to have that added on top is just - sort of cements it. So thank you." Rivera is of Mexican heritage and he admits that he doesn't speak Spanish fluently because the only time that he ever heard the language used in their family during his childhood days was every time his grandparents would argue and fight. He said: "I'm a child of the '70s. The only Spanish I learned was when my grandparents would fight. That's the only time they'd speak Spanish in front of us." Nevertheless, even though he is not fluent in Spanish, he still honors his Mexican heritage and he said that he honors his grandfather, a Mexican who has a very hardworking mentality and dedication in his works, whom he emulated the virtues and guided him all throughout his career. In an interview, Rivera said: "My grandfather was from Jalisco, Mexico, and grew up in El Paso. My dad's side of the family is the Mexican side of my family. My grandpa always instilled in me the work ethic. He drove trucks of filleted fish, and always told me, 'You work hard mijo, no matter what you do, you work hard. And if you love what you do, it will pay you back.' And he was right. I wish he was here today, but I know he's looking down on me." With his victory in the recent Oscars, it made him one of the most celebrated U.S. born Latinos in the history of the award. It is already assumed that with his work in Emeryville Company is expected to bring more awards in the years to come. in 2021, Rivera will be producing features such as 'West Side Story' and 'In the Heights.' But the meeting set off alarms inside the White House, where officials learned about it only after reading reports from U.S. spy agencies. The Emirati government, a stalwart ally that had long pushed for a hawkish American approach toward Iran, was in secret talks with Iranian officials. National Security Council officials met to discuss the implications: A united front against Iran carefully built by the Trump administration over more than two years seemed to be crumbling. "The [Russian] Center for the Reconcilliation of the warring parties draws attention to the responsibility of officials from the Turkish ministry of defence for providing false information to the country's leadership in the Idlib de-escalation zone," the MoD-affiliated Center said in a statement Friday."Such irresponsible statements only contribute to the escalation of the situation and to the taking of hasty decisions which do not meet the mutual interests of Russia and Turkey," the Centre warned.Earlier in the day, the Turkish military reported on the 'neutralization' of 63 Syrian troops. Before that, Ankara reported on the elimination of 101 personnel in attacks on 115 Syrian Army targets in response to Monday's attack on a Turkish observation post in Idlib which killed several Turkish troops."Such statements about the 'shelling' of Syrian government forces by units of the Turkish Armed Forces, and moreover, about the deaths of Syrian troops as a result, are untrue," the Centre stressed.Also on Friday, Turkey's military reported that it had carried out a series of airstrikes against Kurdish-governed areas in northern Iraq, killing six members of the Kurdistan Worker's Party, a Turkish-Kurdish militia group which has been waging a low-intensity guerilla war with Ankara for several decades. Those attacks were said to have taken place in the mountainous area of Qandil.Tensions in northern Syria began escalating earlier this month, after eight Turkish nationals were killed by Syrian forces in an artillery strike on a Turkish observation post in militant-held Idlib province. The Syrian Army began a military operation in Idlib in late 2019 after militants in the region repeatedly violated a ceasefire brokered by Russia, Iran and Turkey in 2017 and claimed the lives of dozens of Syrian troops.Damascus has vowed to continue fighting terrorist groups in Idlib and throughout the country notwithstanding recent Turkish threats of intervention, and has accused the Turkish government of supporting, arming and training terrorist groups operating in the region.On Tuesday, a Syrian Army helicopter was shot down over Idlib by Turkish-backed militants believed to be allied to the Nusra Front.* On Friday, Nusra* militants reportedly shot down another helicopter in neighbouring Aleppo province.Apart from the Syrian Kurdish-controlled area in northeastern Syria, Idlib remains the last major province outside of Damascus's control. In addition to the tens of thousands of militants believed to be concentrated in the region, Idlib is home to hundreds of thousands of civilians. Syrian forces have accused the terrorists of using civilians as human shields, while Ankara has voiced concerns over the prospect of hundreds of thousands of refugees flooding into southern Turkey amid ongoing military operations in the region.On Thursday, amid deteriorating relations between Damascus and Ankara, Syria's parliament unanimously passed a motion recognizing the 1915-1923 ethnic cleansing and massacre of Armenians, Syrians and Assyrians by the Ottoman Empire. Turkey broadly condemned the gesture and accused Syria of "hypocrisy."Earlier, the Turkish military announced that it had 'neutralized' 63 more Syrian troops in Idlib province, with the two countries getting into a shooting war this week after the shelling of a Turkish observation post on Monday. (ANI/Sputnik) Justine Doswell at the launch for the St Patricks Day Festival Dublin's Merrion Square is going to be transformed into a "festival village" playground for four days before St Patrick's Day next month. A circus, an arcade, treasure hunts, food markets and live music are among the family-friendly events that will take place across Merrion Square from March 14 to 17 as part of the National St Patrick's Festival. Merrion Square will also host a ceili, as well as featuring a Gaeltacht area. Parade A new event, Festival After Dark, has also been added to the schedule for those looking to continue the celebrations later on. The St Patrick's Day parade kicks off at noon on March 17, and will feature more than 3,000 performers, actors, musicians and dancers. Speaking at the launch of the event, Deputy Lord Mayor Tom Brabazon said: "It's a great honour to launch this festival. "It's one of the biggest events in the city throughout the year. It's a huge honour for me. "The St Patrick's Day parade is a huge event. It brings in tourists from all around the world and it focuses attention on Ireland. "We see it celebrated around the world: the Great Wall of China being lit up, the Sydney Opera House, the United States obviously. St Patrick's Day is a big event there." St Patrick's Festival chief executive Susan Kirby said: "We have five days and nights of amazing events. "We have the festival and the ceili on March 17. We brought back the Dublin Port treasure hunt this year. "We'll have four days of festival village on Merrion Square so there's everything there from a circus to a Gaeltacht area to street theatre. [There's a] great food village that will also be on there. "That's before we get to our Festival After Dark programme. We have everything there from walking tours to spoken word, theatre events and gigs in beautiful spaces all over Dublin." The festival, which runs from March 13 to 17, is supported by Failte Ireland, Dublin City Council, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Other events taking place across the city centre include music from Irish acts such as Kojaque, Soule and Annie Mac, as well as spoken word acts and street performances. Company expects increase in scale of tZERO ATS SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Overstock.com, Inc. (OSTK) stockholders have voted to approve the proposed changes for the company to move forward with the issuance of its previously-announced Series A-1 Preferred Stock dividend on a 1:10 basis. The shares, which will be registered with the SEC, trade exclusively on the tZERO ATS under the symbol OSTKO. This is a big deal for Overstock and tZERO, said Overstock CEO Jonathan Johnson. I thank our stockholders for approving this historic dividend, which we believe will provide them real value. I expect it will increase investor interest and activity in the tZERO ATS trading environment and incentivize both issuers and broker-dealers to further utilize tZEROs revolutionary blockchain-meets-capital-markets technology. Stockholder approval enabled changes to be made to the OSTKO certificates of designation so that shares can be held more broadly and transferred more easily. Stockholders approved proposals 1-3, which are those necessary to move forward with the dividend as planned. Stockholders did not approve proposals 4 and 5 which means that the company must seek stockholder approval in order to make any future changes to the total number of shares of preferred stock designated as Series A-1 Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock. Overstock is working with industry participants to finalize the record and distribution dates for the Series A-1 Preferred Stock dividend, expects to notify investors soon of those dates and expects to distribute the dividend no later than this April. Investor Notice This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the Digital Voting Series A-1 Preferred Stock and no offer, solicitation or sale of the Digital Voting Series A-1 Preferred Stock shall be made in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. This press release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 134 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Offers, solicitations and sales of the Digital Voting Series A-1 Preferred Stock will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, forming a part of an effective registration statement. Investors should note that trading the Digital Voting Series A-1 Preferred Stock could involve substantial risks, including no guarantee of returns or liquidity, which could impact the price and ability to sell. Investors can only sell the Digital Voting Series A-1 Stock on the tZERO ATS through an account established with an ATS-subscribing broker-dealer, such as Dinosaur Financial Group, LLC, with clearing and carrying of Digital Voting Series A-1 Preferred Stock positions provided by ETC, a registered broker-dealer, and with Computershare as transfer agent. Story continues 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. This press release contains certain 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. Such forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact, including but not limited to statements regarding the timing of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock dividend. Additional information regarding factors that could materially affect results and the accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained herein may be found in the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, which was filed with the SEC on November 12, 2019, and any subsequent filings with the SEC. SOURCE: Overstock.com, Inc. Media Contact: pr@overstock.com Investor Contact: ir@overstock.com Bengaluru, Feb 14 : The Karnataka High Court on Friday issued a notice to the state government in response to a public interest litigation seeking action against the police for examining juvenile students of the Bidar school. However, the High Court has refused to pass interim orders saying that the interrogation of the students could not be stopped altogether. A bench of Chief Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Hemant Chandangoudar ordered the government to give its reply by February 19. Former advocate general Ravivarma Kumar appeared on behalf of the petitioners in the sedition case. Two women from Bidar's Shaheen Group of Institutions were arrested for an anti-National Register of Citizens skit, in which school children abused Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Police arrested the women after Neelesh Rakshyal filed a case against the school and the play. The school's principal Fareeda Begum, 50, and Nazbunnisa, 36, a mother of one of the students who acted in the play were arrested. According to the petition filed by Congress politician and advocate Nayana Jyothi Jhawar and the South India Cell for Human Rights Education and Monitoring (SICHREM), police questioned as many as 85 students. The petition complained that the police created an unfriendly environment for the students, disturbing their mental state of mind and education. The petitioners said police chose students for questioning without due process and randomly. In the light of the Shaheen Goup of Institutions case, the petitioners asked the court to direct Karnataka police to examine minors following the law and initiate action against the officers who did not follow the rules. They also asked for compensation to be paid to the legal guardians or the parents of the students. Meanwhile, former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said the play in the Bidar school had content critical of Modi and his policies. "In a play enacted in Bidar school, the content was critical of Modi and his policies. How can that amount to sedition? The arrest of the mother is unconstitutional and high-handed," he said. Siddaramaiah said the mothers of Karnataka will not pardon Chief Minister B. S. Yeddiyurappa for separating the mother (Nazbunnisa) and her daughter. The former chief minister said police took action at the behest of Yeddiyurappa and fell into the trap of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Modi. "He (Yeddiyurappa) seems to have lost his common sense. Archaic Indian Penal Code and other antiquated laws which were framed a century ago have also to be reviewed," he said. He visited Begum and Nazbunnisa on Friday in the jail and held talks with them. By arresting the women, Siddaramiah said BJP stooped to the level of exacting revenge on the women. He also met with the teachers of the school and students. CRPF jawans memorial inaugurated in Jammu-Kashmir; Umesh Gopinath Jadhav invited as special guest India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P Srinagar, Feb 14: A year after 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans lost their lives, senior officials of all the wings of the security forces laid wreaths and paid tribute at the newly-inaugurated memorial in Jammu and Kashmir. It was also noted that the names of all the jawans, who lost their life in the attack were displayed along with their ranks and battalions. Umesh Gopinath Jadhav from Maharashtra was the special guest at the wreath-laying ceremony. Earlier. Gopinath had travelled more than 60,000 km to meet the families of all 40 deceased jawans. He had also collected soil from their hometown and from their cremation that was later placed at the memorial. Speaking to reporters, Gopinath said, "I'm proud that I met all the families of Pulwama martyrs, and sought their blessings. Parents have lost their son, wives lost their husbands and children have lost their fathers. I collected soil from their houses & their cremation grounds." CPI(M) leader claims building memorial to Pulwama CRPF jawans only reminds India's incompetence On February 14, 2019, a suicide bomber from the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) outfit took responsibility for the Pulwama attack. Adil Dar from Pulwama, had detonated an explosives car near a CRPF convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway. Later, India launched an air strikes inside Pakistan in response to the attack and hit several terror militants camps. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, February 14, 2020, 14:10 [IST] T wo MPs have cancelled events after attending a UK bus summit with a person diagnosed with coronavirus. Labour's Alex Sobel and Lilian Greenwood both said they would be cancelling all their engagements until next week. Mr Sobel, MP for Leeds North West, wrote on Twitter that he has called NHS 111 to be assessed. It was first reported that Mr Sobel would be self-isolating for 14 days, but a spokesman for Mr Sobel has since confirmed he is no longer isolating himself after being established as low-risk by NHS 111. "He will stay away from public engagements as a precautionary measure," he added. Both Mr Sobel and Ms Greenwood were at the UK Bus Summit in the QEII centre in Westminster on February 6 along with 250 delegates from the nationwide bus and transport industry. Transport Times, the conference organiser, emailed attendees on Thursday afternoon, informing them that a person confirmed to be suffering from coronavirus illness - known as Covid-19 - had been at the event. Mr Sobel tweeted: "I attended the UK bus summit on the 6th Feb, where there was an attendee who has tested positive for coronavirus. "Whilst I have been informed that I am at very low risk, I have called 111 to be formally assessed." Speaking to Sky News, Mr Sobel said he had isolated himself in the back room of his constituency office before moving to his home office, which he intended not to leave until next Wednesday. He said: "I've got a pile of things to do, like MPs do. Things to read, things to write, Netflix to watch." He also warned the virus had potential to become a "pandemic" and must be the government's top priority. Ms Greenwood, who spoke at the summit, tweeted that she had received Public Health England's letter, advising her to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people if she were to develop symptoms of cough or flu. She wrote: "I'm feeling completely well but to be extra-cautious I'm cancelling my public engagements until 20th February. Sorry for any inconvenience." It is understood that the person who attended the event is not linked to the ninth patient with coronavirus in the UK. Dr Yimmy Chow, consultant in health protection at Public Health England (PHE), said: "One of our main priorities has been to identify any people who we think have been in close contact with confirmed cases of Covid-19 to provide public health advice, as they may be at slightly increased risk of catching the virus. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2020) - American Aires Inc. (CSE: WIFI) (the "Company" or "Aires") is pleased to announce the immediate availability of all Aires products for sale on Amazon.ca. With hundreds of millions of shoppers across Canada, United States of America, and Mexico, Amazon.ca gives Aires access to a massive audience, vastly increasing product visibility and helping to educate customers on Aires products and technology. "Demand for protection from the harmful effects caused from the electromagnetic radiation emitted from electronic devices such as cell phone and wi-fi routers is global. Selling our products on Amazon.ca is yet another step that Aires has initiated to capture as much of this global market place that exists before us today," commented Dimitry Servo, President and CEO. "Now with the global roll out of 5G technology and its widely known associated harmful effects, we expect to see sales increasing further as the concerns and need for protection becomes increasing topical and widely known throughout the world." At Amazon.ca, in order to drive sales, Aires will implement a complete marketing campaign using all the tools that the platform offers, such as Sponsored Products Ads and Keyword-targeted advertisements. Ads will appear to the right of a user's computer screen, where customers will see them as well as on the first page of search results and on product detail pages. These sponsored and brand ads are intended to fuel consumer demand, increase sales, allowing Aires to convert the exposure from Amazon.ca into revenue. Initially, Aires will spend $5,000 per month ($60,000 per annum) on advertising on Amazon.ca for Sponsored products, Sponsored brand and Product display ads. Each advertising campaign will track expenses and performance, so Aires can control the costs, paying only when the ad is clicked on, and learn what is working, and then, in turn, fine-tune the next campaigns for optimal sales outcomes. As sales increase, Aires looks to increase its monthly advertising spend to grow sales to the greatest extent possible. Aires has developed a scientifically proven technology that allows mankind to safely engage with the technology that surrounds us today. The total addressable market for Aires products is global. The Company initiated the Amazon.ca account on December 20, 2019, and on January 29th, 2020, the account went live and began displaying the Company's products. This will be one of many valuable sales conduits as Aires looks to sell its products worldwide. About Amazon.ca The online platform attracted more than 600 million visitors annually and over 130 million customers in USA and Canada. Amazon.ca is the largest online retailer, offering free shipping on eligible orders, and easy returns. Amazon has warehouses in 21 locations in the United States and Canada, offering Prime delivery (next day) to most of their members. About American Aires Inc. American Aires is an Ontario based technology company that is focused on the research, development and implementation of innovative technology solutions to allow consumers to safely engage with electronic products of the 21st century. The Company is currently engaged in the business of production, distribution and sales of products intended to protect persons from the harmful effects of electromagnetic emissions, which is produced from electronic devices such as cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, tablets and electric cars to name a few. The Company has developed a technology that restructures and transforms electromagnetic field haze into a more biologically-compatible form to reduce the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation. The Company's current principal products are the Shield Pro, Air Defender Pro and Air Guardian. For more information please visit: www.airestech.com On behalf of the board of directors Dimitry Serov, President & Chief Executive Officer Email: dimitry@airestech.com Phone: (905) 482-4667 Investor Relations: Samina Deen, Head of Partnerships Email: samina@airestech.com Phone: (416) 320-1634 wifi@airestech.com Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements may be discussed in this news release and the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis filed at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Shares 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. We seek safe harbour. 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 news release. Not intended for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of United States Securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52469 As a choreographer, Patricia Dickinson Wells enjoys the challenge of a production. With Dracula, a Love Story, Dickinson Wells finds herself, once again, pushing her boundaries. Although the production has been staged by Festival Ballet Albuquerque in the past, there are new elements, she says. This one is back by popular demand, she says. Its been three years since weve staged it, and were excited about it. The ballet will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, and Saturday, Feb. 15, at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. The ballet is based on Bram Stokers classic, with a few twists, Dickinson Wells says. The ballet begins with Prince Vladimir bidding farewell to his princess as he leaves to campaign against the Turks. When he is gone, his enemies send an arrow through the castle window, bearing a note announcing Vladimirs death in battle. The Princess believes the message and, despairing, throws herself out of the window to die in the waters below. Vladimir returns triumphant from battle, only to find the body of his princess lying on an altar, watched over by her loyal handmaiden. Upon being told she will not be given last rites because of her suicide, Vladimir goes mad. The valiant defender of Christianity turns against his faith, attacking priests, monks, and the holiest of symbols, the cross itself. Centuries later, in 1897, young Jonathan Harker, a solicitor from London, is preparing to travel to Transylvania to replace his colleague, Renfield, who for unknown reasons has gone mad during his visit to Count Draculas castle. Jonathan is accompanied to the train station by his lovely bride, Mina, and her best friend, Lucy Westenra. All the while, Dracula is wreaking havoc in England. New to the production are both Natalee Maxwell and Zane Barker, who play Lucy and Renfield, respectively. The production has dancers returning from three years ago. Kevin Gallagher is returning as Dracula and Lora Stern as Nina. Dominic Guerra and Antionette Segura will be the king and queen of the underworld. They are getting a more expanded version, she says of the roles. Ive been able to expand the choreography more with those that are returning. With the new characters, I enjoy the time of learning how their bodies adapt to the choreography. Thats the fun part. Flying by Foy from Las Vegas, Nevada, will be coming in to help Dracula fly. I mean, hes got a 26-foot cape, Dickinson Wells says. Theres mystery to this entire ballet, and its great to have the opportunity to present it again. NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - A cold-case slaying in South Carolina has been closed, as police believe the killer died in a Louisiana jail more than a decade ago. Shawn Marie Neal, 23, was found strangled in her North Myrtle Beach condo on June 2, 1996. The investigation went cold and police made no arrests. DNA in the case was tested and was a match to Ronald Lee Moore, a convicted serial burglar from Baltimore County, Maryland, North Myrtle Beach police told news outlets Wednesday. In 2014, the popular podcast Serial had named Moore as a possible suspect in the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee in Baltimore. Moore had left prison days before Lees death and his crimes were similar to Lees killing. But DNA evidence was tested in Lees case in 2018 didnt match either that of Moore or the man convicted in her death, Adnan Syed, The Baltimore Sun reported. Detectives reopened the case of Neals death in November 2017 and took DNA evidence from towels and a mattress spread found in the condo. The DNA was tested in the national database and it matched Moore. Authorities said Moore had no ties in North Myrtle Beach but did visit friends in Louisiana. Investigators said its possible Moore travelled through the area from Maryland to Louisiana. Moore was a named suspect in a series of burglaries, unsolved sexual assaults and homicide cases in Maryland in 1999, police said. In 2013, Baltimore police named Moore a suspect in the 1999 death of Annelise Hyang Suk Lee using DNA technology. Moore died in 2008 while he was jailed on unrelated charges in Louisiana, North Myrtle Beach police said. Courtesy Eaton County Sheriff's Office ROMEThe two daughters of Beverly McCallum remember vividly the night in May 2002 when they helped their mom lug a metal box into the back of the family van in Charlotte, Michigan, about 100 miles from Detroit. The girls were aged 9 and 11 at the time and the older of the daughters later said she was pretty sure that her father, Roberto Caraballo, was inside the box. Nevertheless, the mom and her kids drove several hours to a wooded area near a blueberry field close to Lake Michigan. They dumped the box and drove back home. The girls father was indeed stuffed inside the metal case; he had been beaten, suffocated, and burned beyond recognition. Thats why, when the box was found a few months later, no one had any idea whose remains were inside. The girls were told their dad had run off and left them, according to the Lansing State Journal. But in 2015, Dineane Ducharme, McCallums daughter from a previous marriage who was 21 in 2002, confessed that she had helped her mother kill Caraballo and then clean up the mess from her stepfathers murder in the basement of the family home. They were helped by a third person, Christopher McMillan, 40, of Grand Rapids, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last year. Beverly McCallum Courtesy Eaton County Sheriff's Office Ducharme told police that she had helped her mother push Caraballo down the stairs to the darkened basement before beating him with a hammer so viciously that it got stuck in his skull. McCallum then allegedly wrapped a plastic bag around her still-breathing husband and suffocated him. Then Ducharme says they burned his body in a basement fireplace and placed the remains inside the metal box that McCallum and her other daughters disposed of. Sure enough, when detectives then checked the DNA of the unidentified man found in the metal box near the blueberry patch years earlier, it was a perfect match to Caraballo. Last November, Michigan authorities officially reopened the case and charged McCallum, who had long-since disappeared along with Ducharme and McMillan, for murder, conspiracy, disinterment, and mutilation of a body. Ducharme is due to stand trial after a court ruling in December. Story continues She said that her mother had moved to Pakistan years earlier to live with a man she met on an online dating site. Police soon caught up with McCallum and late last year started the process of extraditing her from Pakistan back to Michigan to face charges for her husbands murder. But she disappeared while in Pakistan and authorities were again left with a cold case until early Wednesday morning when Italian officials arrested her in a hotel on the ring road around Rome. Italian police confirmed McCallums identity to The Daily Beast and said that they were working on a tip through Interpol that she was staying in the $40 a night hotel planning her next move. She was alone at the time of her arrest, but a hotel clerk at the hotel where she was arrested told The Daily Beast that she thought she had checked in with a man a few days earlier. Now Michigan police will have to apply to extradite the American fugitive from Italy, which could take a matter of months. No attorney for McCallum has yet been named and it is unclear whether she will fight extradition. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Meghan Markle gave up her life as an actress right after she married Prince Harry. However, now that she got her freedom back, royal watchers can expect to see the Duchess of Sussex to become "the second Princess Diana" who could look sexier and bolder soon. Before her royal wedding with Prince Harry, Meghan was a B-list star who held a number of odd jobs before her big break on "Suits" (including being a briefcase model on "Deal or No Deal"). Because of the nature of her job, she became used to attires that are considered somewhat inappropriate if she would wear it as a member of the royal family. However, right after dropping their bombshell announcement about their departure as senior royals, Meg could soon revert to her old lifestyle -- just like what Princess Diana did after getting a divorce with Prince Charles. Princess Diana 2.0? In Andrew Morton's 2018 book "Meghan: A Hollywood Princess," he stated that the Duchess of Sussex was fascinated with her mother-in-law though she never met her. According to the author, Meghan's childhood friend said that the former "Suits" actress wanted to be "Princess Diana 2.0." Though the Duchess of Sussex never mentioned why she sees the Princess of Wales as her ideal personality, she could freely copy her now that she left the royal family, too. Getting away from the monarchy, like what happened to Princess Diana, will allow her to maximize her efforts in recreating her mother-in-law's lifestyle without hearing disapprovals from the other royals. Now that she is not a call away from the palace, she can -- eventually -- have the life like the one Princess Diana had. What Happened to Princess Diana After Divorce? According to Morton, the late Princess of Wales used an official policy document which pushed her to to ditch the unfashionable clothes and change her hairstyle. Princess Diana apparently followed it in a bid to change her image and pave a way for a new future in her post-royal life. The changes started in 1996 after the divorce had been finalized. Princess Diana began to look more of a celebrity and even heightened her friendships with A-list stars such as Elton John. Moreover, during Morton's appearance in BBC Radio 5 Live's 2017 podcast series "Images of Diana," he identified a one particular photo of the Princess of Wales which showed how she started to enjoy her life away from the royal family. "At the time she was just licking her wounds after the separation from Prince Charles. This picture shows she had relieved herself from that burden," Morton said, referring to Princess Diana's snap with her sons, Princes William and Harry. That particular photo also showed how the late princess was "undermining royal behavior" as she started a carefree life. In addition, royal author Angela Levin revealed in her 2019 book "Harry: Conversations with the Prince" how Princess Diana went to a greater extent to fully explore the freedom outside royal boundaries by wearing the clothes she wanted to wear. Levin confirmed that since she gave up her royal life, Princess Diana wore clothes that were sleeker and sexier. Meghan may embrace the same changes in the future, but she would still be happier even without all royal riches for sure. UPDATE 2: Police on Friday said they girl on Thursday became lost in the woods and eventually made contact with rescue personnel she encountered as the search continued. She was checked out by medical personnel and found to be in good health, police said. There is nothing suspicious about the childs several-hour absence, police said. Although she approached the search and rescue personnel, the juvenile was located due to a large response from law enforcement, fire (and) EMS search and rescue crews, which brought a dangerous situation to a happy ending, Washington Township police Lt. John Kaufmann said. UPDATE: A missing 10-year-old Oxford Township girl was found safe about 10 p.m. Thursday, Washington Township, Warren County, police, who patrol that area, report. Details of how and where she was found were not immediately available. INITIAL POST: A search involving police, firefighters, a tactical team and rescue personnel continued at 8:45 p.m. Thursday after a 10-year-old girl when missing after leaving home about 3:45 p.m. near Oxford Townships downtown. Washington Township police, who are heading the effort, confirmed the the search was for the child. They were called at 5:32 p.m. to the 200 block of Route 31, Lt. John Kaufmannn said. The child, named Angelina Simkanin, is white, 4 feet tall, weighs 60 pounds, has brown hair and brown eyes and was wearing a light blue NorthFace jacket with a black stripe and sweatpants, Kaufmann said. A 10-year-old girl went missing Feb. 13, 2020, in Oxford Township.Courtesy photo For lehighvalleylive.com Searchers on ATVs were working a wooded area near the childs home, which is well back from Route 31 at Wall and Washington streets, but street-by-street searches were underway as well, according to a report from the scene. The approximately 70-acre property is near numerous hazards on adjacent properties, including water-filled mine shafts and the infrastructure for a housing development that was never built. There is a main house and two other rental buildings on the 70-acre property. A New Jersey State Police helicopter was used earlier but was not on the scene at 8:45. If anyone sees the child or knows where she may be, they can call police at 908-689-1111. Emergency personnel search Feb. 13, 2020, for a missing girl in Oxford Township.Rich Maxwell | lehighvalleylive.com contributor The Warren County Prosecutors Office, New Jersey State Police and their aviation unit, the Oxford Emergency Squad, the Oxford Fire Department, the Washington Rescue Squad and Fire Department, the Washington Township Fire Department, the Franklin Township Fire Department, the Harmony Fire Department, Warren County Search and Rescue and the Port Authority Police Department K-9 assisted at the scene, Kaufmann said. Freelance photographer Rich Maxwell contributed to this report. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Friday said it has seized almost 13 kgs of elephant tusks and arrested one person from West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district. Acting on a tip-off, DRI sleuths intercepted the person from a train at New Jalpaiguri station on Wednesday and seven pieces of elephant tusks were recovered from his possession, according to a statement issued by the agency. During interrogation, the person admitted that he had procured the tusks from Kokrajhar in Assam and planned to deliver the consignment to Varanasi for exporting the same to some South East Asian countries, a DRI official said. The person was arrested under the Customs Act, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CHICO, Calif. - For the fourth year in a row, the President is proposing eliminating a student loan program designated for workers in the public sector. How does this impact students in Chico? Action News Now reached out to the Chico State Financial Aid Office to find out. The program is called the "Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program," people have to be employed as a teacher, nurse or any public sector job. They would make 10 years of payments and cancel the remaining balance after that. Associate Director for the Chico State Financial Aid & Scholarship Office, Kentiner David said he has helped past students apply for the program since it was signed into law in 2007 by President George W. Bush. It's an incentive to stay in lower-paying public sector jobs. "This program was created to help them. They do have the skills but if they have a huge loan balance, they may go on to corporate law if you're a lawyer, rather than coming with your knowledge and helping the communities who don't have the money to pay for their services, but they sorely need that service," David said. In response, Action News Now reached out to the Chico State Republican's Club. Below is the clubs full statement. "Student debt forgiveness programs do little to fix the issues associated with the cost of higher education. All these programs do is pass the cost onto the taxpayer. In order to properly manage our government, we must cut wasteful programs that do not act as they are designed." On average, students at Chico State take out a $19,000 loan, according to David. The program doesn't come without problems, Congress didn't make all federal loans eligible and some borrowers found out they didn't qualify after paying off the loan for numerous years. There has been no indication from Congress to cut the program. In an unusual course of action, the Bombay high court, on Tuesday, directed that two writ petitions complaining about lack of appointments and infrastructure for the Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) be placed before the Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The bench of chief justice Pradeep Nandrajog and justice Bharati Dangre was irked to note the apathetic condition of the DRTs in Mumbai. The bench said, These two writ petitions should be placed before the Union minister of finance. Noticing that there was no point issuing expeditious hearing of separate proceedings initiated by International Asset Reconstruction Company and Kotak Mahindra Bank since posts of presiding officers of both DRTs in Mumbai were vacant. It has now directed the establishments to append their writ petitions and forward it to the department of financial services, which, in turn, has been ordered to ensure that the documents are placed before Sitharaman, expecting that she will issue necessary directions. International Asset Reconstruction Company has approached the high court through advocate Vinod Deshpande complaining about the delay in deciding one of its proceedings, initiated way back in 1989, by filing a suit before the high court. Ten years later, in 1999, the matter was transferred to a debt recovery tribunal in Mumbai after the Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993 came into force. The petitioner body has complained that the matter has not been decided primarily because of the lack of appointments on DRTs in Mumbai and also because of lack of infrastructure. Both the DRTs in Mumbai remained non-functional for a considerable period after a fire engulfed the building where the two DRTs and the debt recovery appellate tribunals were housed in Mumbai in June 2018. However, in January and February 2019, the presiding officers retired and additional charge of the two DRTs in Mumbai was handed over to the DRT in Pune. Recently, the presiding officer of the Pune DRT, too, has become vacant. Now the DRT at Vashi has been taking up only urgent debt recovery matters arising out of Mumbai. In this backdrop, the bench said, it was useless to speak about financial institutions being under a stress. It is useless to talk about giving an impetus to the economy by reviving the realty sector. It is useless to tell the citizens that if the realty sector and the infrastructure development sector grow, industries which supply raw material would prosper and in turn, the economy would grow, the bench added. Brit attributed the result to improving market conditions, a strong attritional performance, reduced major loss activity, solid prior year reserve releases, increased contribution from its managing general agent interests, and a good investment return. Gross written premium in the period rose 2.4% to $2.3 billion. I am pleased to report a return to profit for Brit, with our underwriting performance and investment return delivering a strong 2019 result, with a profit before tax of $186.3 million and a combined ratio of 95.8%, commented group chief executive Matthew Wilson. Given the ongoing market environment, I believe this is an encouraging set of results reflecting our clear strategy, which is focussed on leadership, innovation, and distribution, and the talent and commitment of our people. In 2019, Brit exited from certain classes written in the US and Latin America, and also made the decision to withdraw from the Lloyds platforms in Singapore and China. According to Wilson, the streamlining provides added focus to Brits core markets and products where they see the most potential. Looking ahead, a number of indicators give us increased cause for optimism, including continuing rate increases, the withdrawal of market capacity from certain business lines, and the measures taken by Lloyds to improve market competitiveness as highlighted in their Blueprint One, noted the CEO. While the market is not without its challenges, our clear strategy of embracing data-driven underwriting discipline and applying rigorous risk selection, coupled with innovative capital management solutions and continued investment in distribution, uniquely positions us to respond to todays opportunities and challenges. According to Sanjay Jain, former chairman of CITI, scale of production is a major problem for the Indian textile industry. The 10 mega integrated textile parks will be developed in 1,000 acres of land closer to the ports. This will give plug-and-play facilities, including safeguard measures in the labour laws, textile secretary Ravi Capoor said on Thursday during a meeting of the Confederation Indian Textile Industry (CITI). Chennai: The government will be announcing plans to develop 10 mega textile parks for promoting exports in its new National Textile Policy. However, not even half of the textile parks approved in 2005 have been completed yet. Moreover, it is also felt that the industry badly needs processing parks rather than mega parks at this stage. The 10 mega integrated textile parks will be developed in 1,000 acres of land closer to the ports. This will give plug-and-play facilities, including safeguard measures in the labour laws, textile secretary Ravi Capoor said on Thursday during a meeting of the Confederation Indian Textile Industry (CITI). According to Sanjay Jain, former chairman of CITI, scale of production is a major problem for the Indian textile industry. "Large integrated parks can provide the scale at which other textile producing countries work. It will also help the industry attract foreign direct investment. However, I am not sure whether this is a priority, as we had mixed success with the textile parks already approved by the government in the past," he said. The Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) approved during the 10th Five Year Plan in 2005 has met with limited success. While 59 textile parks were sanctioned under SITP by the Ministry of Textiles, only 22 have been completed. The rest are under various stages of completion, as per the ministry data. Delay in obtaining land and other statutory clearances from state governments and slow fund mobilisation by the textile parks are some of the reasons behind the slow progress of the parks. "The government had initially announced funding for the land. But later on, it removed that incentive. This also made several private entities develop cold feet on the parks," said Jain. He said perhaps some of the existing parks could be transformed into mega textile parks, but all parks cannot be upgraded. According to him, a bigger necessity for the textile industry is processing parks, with government funded or subsidised common affluent treatment facilities. 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. The district's school board unanimously approved the name change to honor Obama at the district's board meeting on Wednesday night. The Solano County coroner's office has identified a man who died when he crashed into a tree in Vallejo during a police pursuit Wednesday as Adrian McGee, 28, of Vallejo. The pursuit began after police dispatchers received two calls about one or more burglaries. A witness reported a vehicle burglary near 900 Admiral Callaghan Lane at 11:18 a.m., and the second call at 12:36 p.m. was from someone who confirmed the suspect's vehicle was a silver Honda Accord. An officer pursued the Honda but lost sight of it and ended the pursuit. Another officer located the Honda and pursued it onto Interstate Highway 780 but also lost sight of the fleeing vehicle, police said. A short time later, officers found the Honda crashed into a tree at Highway 780 and Glen Cove Road. The driver, McGee, died at the scene despite life-saving efforts by police. An elderly woman struck by a vehicle in Alameda on Tuesday afternoon has died from her injuries, according to the Alameda County coroner's bureau. Police said the collision was reported around 1:30 p.m. in the area of Walnut Creek and Encinal Avenue, near Alameda High School. The woman, whose name is not yet being released by the coroner's bureau, was in a crosswalk when the car hit her, police said. She was taken to a hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries. The driver stopped and cooperated with investigators. More details about the collision were not immediately available from police. Sonoma County officials this week released a report on its effort to find shelter for homeless people who were living on the Joe Rodota Trail located in a county park in Santa Rosa. In December, an estimated 250 people were living along 2 miles of the 8-mile trail between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol. The campers were informed in January they had to leave the trail no later than Jan. 31. County officials estimated 50 campers waited until the last day to leave or face arrest for trespassing. At least 105 of the campers were placed in housing, including 60 at a temporary tiny house village in the Juvenile Justice Center complex on Rancho Los Guilicos Road off of state Highway 12 in south Santa Rosa. Thirty-five campers went to emergency shelters, two to a medical facility, two to a residential treatment center and one to a motel, according to the report. The campers began living on the trail in the fall and the county declared a state of emergency on the trail in December because of squalid, unsanitary conditions, human waste, a rat infestation, used hypodermic needles and complaints from homeowners living along the trail. Voters throughout Napa County in March will consider approving Measure K, a quarter-cent sales and use tax to preserve and maintain parks and open space. The Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District would use the revenue to preserve watersheds, rivers, lakes, open space and wildlife habitat and maintain and improve public access to public open space. If approved, the tax will increase the existing sales tax in Napa, American Canyon, Calistoga, and Yountville to 8 percent, and in St. Helena to 8.25 percent. Measure K needs two-thirds approval to pass. The Napa County Taxpayers Association opposes the measure, saying it's an unnecessary new tax that would increase funding for the Park and Open Space District tenfold and create an expanded bureaucracy. Measure K proponents say the $9 million in annual revenue raised will reduce wildfire risks through improved forest management and vegetation removal, protect drinking water quality, enable the county to acquire 20,000 acres of natural open spaces and wildlife habitat and protect natural land that otherwise could be lost to development. A pedestrian struck and killed by a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light-rail train in San Jose early Monday morning has been identified by the Santa Clara County medical examiner's office as 37-year-old Daniel Spring. The medical examiner's office didn't have a city of residence listed for Spring, who was struck near state Highway 87 and the VTA's Curtner station at about 5:45 a.m. Monday. The fatal collision shut down train service Monday morning and bus shuttles took passengers around the affected area. No other details about the collision were immediately available from the VTA. A pedestrian struck and killed on U.S. Highway 101 in South San Francisco last weekend has been identified by the San Mateo County coroner's office as 45-year-old David DeJesus, a resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. DeJesus was walking in the center divider on northbound Highway 101 just north of Grand Avenue at about 9:30 p.m. Sunday when at least one vehicle struck him, according to the California Highway Patrol. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of at least one car that hit DeJesus stopped at the scene and cooperated with investigators, CHP officials said. A suspect was found and arrested with the help of a California Highway Patrol helicopter after a pursuit from Vacaville to Berkeley on Wednesday, according to the CHP. The CHP learned at about 11:50 a.m. of a pursuit of a stolen vehicle that went onto westbound Interstate Highway 80 from the area of Pena Adobe Road. CHP officers spotted the vehicle on Highway 80 in Vallejo but stopped their pursuit from the ground when the CHP helicopter crew arrived overhead. The helicopter followed the vehicle to Berkeley, where the suspect parked the car and fled on foot. However, CHP and Berkeley police officers were able to find him a short time later hiding in a backyard, CHP officials said. The suspect, whose name was not immediately available, has been booked into jail on suspicion of driving a stolen vehicle, felony evading, and hit-and-run, according to the CHP. San Jose police have released information about a suspect vehicle in a hit-and-run collision that injured a 13-year-old girl who was walking in a crosswalk in San Jose last month. The collision was reported at 7:36 a.m. on Jan. 6 at Snell and Calero avenues, according to police. The girl was walking west on Snell in a marked crosswalk at the intersection when a vehicle traveling east on Calero turned south onto Snell and struck her, police said. The driver fled in the vehicle without stopping or calling 911. The girl was taken to a hospital to be treated for her injuries, which were not life-threatening, according to police. Police on Wednesday released a description of the vehicle, an early 1990s black Toyota pickup truck. The Toyota emblem on the truck's tailgate was missing letters and only spelled "TOY." 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. Solid second-half growth overcomes first-half extreme weather headwinds Sales $13.6 billion (20181: $13.6bn), 4% higher at constant exchange rates Crop Protection sales up 1 percent, 5 percent CER2 Seeds sales down 4 percent, flat at CER2,3 Accelerating innovation to help farmers tackle the increasing effects of climate change EBITDA $2,927 million; $2,583 million excluding capitalized development, flat with 2018 adjusted for change of control royalties and divestments Free cash flow $1.39 billion (2018: $1.76 billion) 4 Syngenta Group formation announced: expected completion by end of Q1 Reported Financial Highlights 2019 $m 20181 $m Actual CER2 Sales 13,582 13,569 +4 Net Income 1,450 1,447 Adjusted Net Income5 1,426 1,384 +3 EBITDA 2,927 [2,5835 2,675 +9 [-6 +12 [+36 __________________________________ 1 After effects of accounting policy changes and restatements 2 Constant Exchange Rates 3 Before one-offs, excluding divestments and change of control royalties 4 Before US litigation settlement and acquisitions 5 Excluding capitalized development and restructuring and impairment 6 Excluding capitalized development, change of control royalties and divestments Erik Fyrwald, Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are very pleased with Syngenta's performance given large challenges in 2019 including historical floods in the US, drought in Australia and currency headwinds. Syngenta teams around the world responded to the impacts of extreme weather conditions by quickly adjusting our offer to the immediate needs of farmers. Sales for the full year were up 4 percent at constant exchange rates. We are extremely excited to have announced the new Syngenta Group. This further strengthens our ability to serve farmers all across the world with innovation for more sustainable agriculture, to help deal with weather extremes, reduce the impact of climate change, protect biodiversity and improve nutrition." Financial highlights Full Year 2019 Sales $13.6 billion Sales of $13.6 billion were flat with 2018, 4 percent higher at constant exchange rates including price increases in Brazil to mitigate the decline of the Brazilian real. Crop Protection sales of $10.6 billion were 1 percent higher, 5 percent at constant exchange rates, with a strong performance in Brazil more than compensating for a weak US market. Seeds sales of $3.1 billion were 4 percent lower than 2018, 1 percent at constant exchange rates, but were flat adjusted for change of control royalties and divestments. EBITDA $2.9 billion EBITDA of $2.9 billion included $344 million of development costs capitalized for the first time in 2019, bringing it in line with other parts of Syngenta Group. Otherwise, EBITDA of $2.6 billion was 3 percent lower than 2018, but flat adjusted for change of control royalties and divestments. Excluding the capitalization, EBITDA margin was 19.0 percent (2018: 19.7 percent) and adjusted for change of control royalties and divestments was 0.1 percent lower including the impact of higher oil prices and raw material costs. Net income $1,450 million Net income of $1,450 million (2018: $1,447 million) included $291 million related to the capitalized development costs. Excluding this, net income was 20 percent lower than 2018, which included pre-tax gains of $365 million on mandated divestments; before restructuring, net income was 3 percent higher, with a one-off deferred tax revaluation gain from Swiss tax reform, offsetting higher interest costs after the 2018 bond issuance and increased oil and raw material costs. Free Cash Flow $1.39 billion Free cash flow before acquisitions and the US litigation settlement was $1.39 billion (2018: $1.76 billion). 2019 included some increased factoring and $522 million proceeds from fixed asset disposals, while 2018 included $486 million disposal proceeds largely from the mandated product divestments. Business highlights 2019 Full Year Growth Adjusted3 Total Syngenta sales 2019 $m 2018 $m Actual CER Actual CER Crop Protection 10,588 10,454 +1 +5 +2 +6 Seeds 3,083 3,209 -4 -1 -3 Inter-business elimination -89 -94 n/a n/a Total Sales 13,582 13,569 +4 +1 +5 Full Year Growth Adjusted3 Crop Protection regional sales 2019 $m 2018 $m Actual CER Actual CER Europe, Africa, Middle East 2,665 2,871 -7 -1 -7 -1 North America 2,534 2,621 -3 -2 -3 -3 Latin America 3,450 2,975 +16 +21 +16 +21 Asia Pacific 1,385 1,404 -1 +2 +3 China 300 291 +3 +8 +3 +9 Other 254 292 Crop Protection Sales 10,588 10,454 +1 +5 +2 +6 Full Year Growth Adjusted3 Crop Protection by product line 2019 $m 2018 $m Actual CER Actual CER Selective herbicides 2,619 2,826 -7 -4 -7 -4 Non-selective herbicides 919 863 +6 +11 +6 +11 Fungicides 3,269 3,128 +5 +9 +5 +10 Insecticides 2,065 1,909 +8 +13 +9 +13 Seedcare 1,128 1,133 +3 +3 Professional Solutions 470 504 -7 -5 -7 -5 Other 118 91 Crop Protection Sales 10,588 10,454 +1 +5 +2 +6 Crop Protection regional sales performance Sales in Europe, Africa and the Middle East were 1 percent lower at constant exchange rates compared with 2018. Performance was solid in the face of challenging credit conditions in the East and the de-registration of some older products. A weaker euro reduced reported sales. In North America, sales for the full year were down 2 percent at constant exchange rates, with strong recovery from a first half heavily impacted by extreme weather conditions, but lower full year sales also reflected reduced planted area. In Latin America, positive momentum continued through the year with robust volume growth partially offset by the impact of weaker currency. In Asia Pacific, sales were up by 2 percent (CER), with strong growth in India and Pakistan offsetting the effects of drought in Australia. China experienced continued momentum with Crop Protection sales increasing by 8 percent (CER). Full Year Growth Adjusted3 Seeds regional sales 2019 $m 2018 $m Actual CER Actual CER Europe, Africa, Middle East 982 1,038 -5 +1 -4 +2 North America 738 929 -21 -21 -11 -11 Latin America 741 737 +1 +4 +1 +4 Asia Pacific incl. China 343 297 +16 +18 +16 +18 Other 80 8 Flowers 199 200 +4 +4 Seeds Sales 3,083 3,209 -4 -1 -3 Full Year Growth Adjusted3 Seeds by product line 2019 $m 2018 $m Actual CER Actual CER Corn and soybean 1,632 1,679 -3 -1 -3 -1 Diverse field crops 619 659 -6 -1 -4 +1 Vegetables 621 653 -5 -1 -5 -1 Other seeds 12 18 Flowers 199 200 +4 +4 Seeds Sales 3,083 3,209 -4 -1 -3 Seeds regional sales performance Seeds sales in Europe, Africa and the Middle East were 1 percent higher at constant exchange rates (CER) against 2018, up 2 percent adjusted for divestments. Reported sales reflect a weaker euro. In North America the market was reduced by extreme flooding, which severely delayed planting and reduced acreage. Adjusted for change of control royalties received in 2018, seeds sales were 11 percent lower. In Latin America, sales rose by 4 percent (CER) with volume gains. A weaker Brazilian real reduced reported sales. Sales in Asia Pacific, increased by 18 percent (CER) compared to 2018, driven by continued strong momentum in bringing new products to the market. More detailed financial information is available on: www.financial-results.syngenta.com About Syngenta Syngenta is one of the world's leading agriculture companies. Our ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet. We aim to improve the sustainability, quality and safety of agriculture with world-class science and innovative crop solutions. Our technologies enable millions of farmers around the world to make better use of limited agricultural resources. With 28,000 people in more than 90 countries we are working to transform how crops are grown. Through partnerships, collaboration and The Good Growth Plan we are committed to improving farm productivity, rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Syngenta and www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. For Syngenta, such risks and uncertainties include risks relating to legal proceedings, regulatory approvals, new product development, increasing competition, customer credit risk, general economic and market conditions, compliance and remediation, intellectual property rights, implementation of organizational changes, impairment of intangible assets, consumer perceptions of genetically modified crops and organisms or crop protection chemicals, climatic variations, fluctuations in exchange rates and/or commodity prices, single source supply arrangements, political uncertainty, natural disasters, and breaches of data security or other disruptions of information technology. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005987/en/ Contacts: Media Relations Switzerland Victoria Morgan +41 61 323 23 23 media.relations@syngenta.com Ethiopian officials said Friday that negotiations this week in Washington failed to resolve a long-running dispute with Egypt over a massive dam on the Nile. The two-day meeting was the latest round of talks facilitated by the US Treasury Department, which stepped in after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reached out to US President Donald Trump, a close ally. Ethiopia says the dam -- which will be the largest hydropower plant in Africa -- is crucial for its growing economy. But Egypt fears the project will disrupt the river that provides 90 percent of its drinking water. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits Ethiopia next week, and a senior US official said Monday that Washington hoped the talks were "close to resolution." Fitsum Arega, Ethiopia's ambassador to the US, said on Twitter Friday that this week's talks "ended without a final agreement". Seleshi Bekele, Ethiopia's water minister, said in his own Twitter post that progress was made this week, but "more work" was required to reach a deal by the end of the month, the current deadline. Seleshi said Ethiopia's water and foreign ministries "will make national consultation... in the coming week and build consensus on results and way forward." Ethiopia's state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported Friday that the latest talks concerned sticking points, including the filling of the dam's reservoir, which can hold 74 billion cubic metres of water. Egypt is worried Ethiopia will fill the reservoir too quickly, reducing water flow downstream. In a statement Thursday, the US Treasury Department said ministers participating in talks this week "continued their discussions on the remaining issues necessary for a final agreement" and "reaffirmed the importance of transboundary cooperation". "The United States, with technical support from the World Bank, has agreed to facilitate the preparation of the final agreement for consideration by the Ministers and heads of state for conclusion by the end of the month," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said. Canopy Growths (WEED.TO)(CGC) sales climbed to $124 million in the companys fiscal third quarter of 2020, topping analyst estimates while posting a narrower loss. The company largely attributed the revenue increase to over 140 pot stores opening their doors. The Smiths Falls, Ont.-based licenced producers net revenue for the three months ending Dec. 31, 2019 represents a 62 per cent increase from the $76 million reported in the previous quarter. Adding more stores is a pressure relief valve for some of the ills of the cannabis sector at the moment, chief executive officer David Klein told Yahoo Finance Canada in an interview on Friday. The biggest driver for us is being consistently on the shelf for more consumers. The company shrunk its EBITDA loss to $92 million, compared to $156 million in the prior period. SMITHS FALLS, ONTARIO - MAY 15: A cart full of bagged marijuana is rolled through the corridors at the Canopy Growth Corporation headquarters in Smiths Falls, Ontario, on May 15, 2019. Canada has recently legalized recreational marijuana. (Photo by Lane Turner/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) Toronto-listed shares shot up nearly 20 per cent in early trading. Analysts polled by Bloomberg expected net revenue of $105 million and an EBITDA loss of $110 million. Make no mistake, we have a lot of work to do, Klein said on a conference call with analysts on Friday. I am already taking actions to keep us in the leadership position in the cannabis industry. The former chief financial officer of Canopys largest shareholder, Corona beer-maker Constellation Brands (STZ), started leading the pot giant in January following a months-long search to replace ousted co-CEO Bruce Linton. In his first earnings call as Canopys chief executive, Klein spelled out his three-pronged set of priorities for the worlds largest cannabis producer by market capitalization. They include; improving relationships with customers, bringing more focus and discipline to the business, and defining a path to profitability and positive free cash flow. We will do this by delivering on our commitments in a thoughtful and measured fashion, he said. The industry has evolved and we need to focus on specific markets where we have the legitimate right to win. Story continues One market he intends to win is the United States. Canopy has a deal in place to acquire New York-based Acreage Holdings (ACRG-U.CN)(ACRGF) should cannabis sales become legal under U.S. federal law. The company recently commenced online sales of its U.S.-focused CBD brand First & Free. We want to and need to move faster and make bolder moves in the U.S., and are focused on creating brands that resonate with our consumers, he said. Kleins plan to steer Canopy towards profitability includes an ongoing strategic review of the companys cultivation footprint. Analysts have raised concerns about Canopys inventory outstripping demand in the legal market. We're prepared to take initial steps to right-size our business over the next 90 days, he said. Open for business The slower-than-expected roll out of physical retail locations in Canada, especially in Ontario, has been been a persistent headwind for the legal cannabis sector at large. Kleins predecessor, Mark Zekulin, said last November that delays in Ontario resulted in half of the expected market in that province simply not existing. Canadas most populous province overhauled is regulatory process for approving new stores late last year. The Ontario government expects store authorizations at a pace of 20-per-month beginning in April. Canopy reported a dominant 22 per cent share of Canadas recreational market. Recreational sales increased eight per cent quarter-over-quarter. The company attributes that strength to strong demand for both premium and value-priced dried flower and pre-rolled joints. The company said holiday spending in the quarter added about $5 million in incremental sales. We were particularly encouraged to see Canopy print a solid sequential increase in its recreational sales in a period where many of its peers are anticipated to see flat to lower revenues, Canaccord Genuity analyst Matt Bottomley wrote in a note to clients on Friday. He points out that Canopys recreational average selling price per gram was two per cent higher quarter-over-quarter at $5.79, while some peers reported declines of between 10 and 20 per cent. Canopy saw a five per cent quarterly increase in medical sales, stronger revenue from its international C3 cannabis business and improved medical sales in Germany. Canopy noted that cost-cutting measures and reduced stock-based compensation also led to the smaller quarterly loss. We plan to take further steps to reduce our costs and right-size our business to ensure that we can generate a healthy margin profile and cash generation in the coming years, chief financial officer Mike Lee said in the statement. CIBC analyst John Zamparo said the warm reception from investors on Friday may reflect relief among those who had braced for bad news. Many investors had expected this quarter had potential for noisy results stemming from further revenue provisions and potential asset impairments. The company announced none of either, he wrote in a note to clients. No word on drinks timeline Notably absent in the financial filings was a promised update on the status of the companys delayed cannabis drinks portfolio. Canopy said in December that its infused beverages would hit the market in early January, before announcing a delayed launch on Jan. 17. Yahoo Finance Canada reported on Thursday that issues related to the companys use of aluminum cans may be responsible for the setback. Canopy told Yahoo Finance Canada in an email that it was aware the packaging could be a risk, without offering specific details. Speaking on the earnings call, Klein did not address the specific cause of the delay. He suggested problems occurred in the transition from lab scale to commercial scale. Weve had some issues as weve made that jump. Also, understand that its a very involved quality process that were putting ourselves through, he said. Its just taking longer than we would like, but we think its worth getting the products right as opposed to rushing them out there to make an in-market date. Taiwan on Friday accused China of dragging its feet over the evacuation of citizens stranded in the midst of the deadly coronavirus outbreak, the latest spat between the two neighbours. Multiple countries have successfully arranged evacuation flights for nationals stuck in Hubei province where the epidemic is at its most intense and deadly. But nearly 1,000 Taiwanese have been waiting for the best part of two weeks for a flight out. On Wednesday, Chinese state media quoted local officials accusing Taiwan's government of "repeatedly delaying" their return. The reports said "political manipulation" was behind the delay but gave no concrete details. For days Taiwanese officials gave few clues on what was behind the hold up as officials tried to broker an agreement behind the scenes. But on Friday health minister Chen Shih-chung ended that silence, saying Beijing had "refused to cooperate". "The Chinese side has used all kinds of reasons to stall and refused our plans and recommendations. We deeply regret this," he told reporters. Taiwanese stuck in Wuhan said they have no idea what was causing the delays. "Most people who are still in Wuhan and Hubei are very anxious and worried and we want to go back to Taiwan," Hsiao Yung-jui, head of the Wuhan Taiwan Enterprises Association, told AFP. Taiwan did manage to fly 247 people from Wuhan on mainland-owned China Eastern Airlines flight on 3 February. But how that evacuation was carried out caused disagreements. Chen said China had promised to prioritise "vulnerable people" and take appropriate epidemic preventative measures. But one person who had a fever boarded the plane while the passenger list did not prioritise the elderly, children and people with chronic disease, he said. The relationship between the two sides is complicated by the fact that Beijing views Taiwanese people as its own citizens, not as foreign nationals. China's Communist Party regards Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to seize it one day, by force if necessary. Relations have worsened since President Tsai Ing-wen was first elected in 2016 as her government considers the island as a de facto sovereign nation and rejects Beijing's "one China" stance. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Guns were involved in a confrontation that ended with four people being taken into custody Thursday afternoon in the parking lot of the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township, according to a published report. A township police officer at the scene of the incident told WFMZ Channel 69 News that no shots were fired during the confrontation, which started off the property and somehow ended up in the malls parking lot. The incident was initially reported about 2:30 p.m. as an armed robbery outside Pocono Brewery in the lifestyle center area of the mall. By about 3 p.m., several police cars were at the scene and a portion of the parking lot in front of the brewery was cordoned off with yellow police tape. The township police chief said more information would be released later Thursday. GAS Networks Ireland and Applegreen have agreed to develop two fast-fill compressed natural gas (CNG) stations along the M7 to provide hauliers a green alternative to diesel. The stations, located in Portlaoise and Tipperary, are expected to open by the end of the year. They will join the nation's first public CNG station at Dublin Port. Seven more public CNG stations are currently in development. Ireland is among the last nations in Europe to develop a network of CNG filling stations. The alternative fuel - significantly cheaper than diesel with a much lower emissions profile - is commonly used by European hauliers, with particularly extensive filling networks in Germany, Austria, Italy, Sweden and the Benelux nations. Around two million CNG-powered lorries, vans and cars are already on Europe's roads, 25 million worldwide. The vast majority of vehicles queueing for CNG in Dublin Port are foreign. CNG-powered lorries registered in Ireland -fuelled in hauliers' private depots - still number in the dozens. Gas Networks Ireland is tasked with meeting an EU directive requiring CNG supply at least every 150 kilometres on major roadways by 2025. "Ireland's transport emissions continue to rise. While this is the by-product of much welcomed economic and employment growth, as a country we face significant challenges to meet our emissions reduction targets," said Declan O'Sullivan of Gas Networks Ireland. The M7 locations will be at Applegreen's forecourts in Midway, Portlaoise and Birdhill, Co Tipperary. Applegreen managing director Daire Nolan said they were discussing other potential CNG sites. He said Applegreen was "very proud to offer Ireland's commercial fleet operators a cleaner and more cost-effective fuel alternative". The coronavirus-affected passengers on a cruise ship quarantined off the coast of Japan are said they dont have much to do and want to go back home as soon as possible. All I can do is to wait and tweet, a Japanese national told news agency Associated Press onboard the Diamond Princess. Talking about life on the ship, he said he spends his days mostly taking photos of each meal and posting them anonymously on Twitter. The man did not reveal his name due to privacy concerns. Others, however, has been compiling regular food reviews on Twitter. One of them is Matthew Smith. Another home run for Princess food service. That's a generous chunk of pate with cranberry jelly, toast, and salad; stuffed bell pepper; fish and chips and mushy peas with tartar sauce, and a lovely pink cake. Happy Valentines Day to all! pic.twitter.com/B9y7QVhzRb Matthew Smith (@mjswhitebread) February 14, 2020 Every cabin gets an iPhone preloaded with an app to deal with medication needs, mental health consultations, and medical appointments. Also provides internet access to all. Courtesy the Japan's Ministry of Health etc. pic.twitter.com/6n6Dgksouq Matthew Smith (@mjswhitebread) February 14, 2020 A law student, meanwhile, described how it feels to contract the virus. Honestly, it just felt like your everyday cold. Like, I feel absolutely fine now, physically, Bianca DSilva, a law student in Australia, told a local TV channel. I had a bit of headache before and just a slight fever but thats about it, honestly, said the 20-year-old who was taken off the ship and to a hospital along with her mother. Some crew members whove tested positive for the virus are restaurant, bar or housekeeping staff who most likely had contact with passengers until February 5 when the first test results were released and restaurants and bars were closed. Until the quarantine started, everything was business as usual, and everyone was freely moving around on board, so there are various possibilities of infection during that time, said Kazuho Taguchi, director of global health cooperation at the health ministry. Crew members still share rooms, as the number of cabins for them is limited, Taguchi added. 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 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 for about an hour each day, as long as they keep 6 feet (2 meters) apart. Passengers chat and wave to each other from their balconies. A couple from Syracuse, Cheryl and Paul Molesky, can be seen in their YouTube videos lounging, often in plush bathrobes, on their balcony in the boat, enjoying the sweeping views of a glittering, sun-streaked ocean and, on occasion, snow-capped Mount Fuji. The ship has a sushi restaurant, Japanese style bath and theater, but passengers are now mostly confined to their rooms. Authorities in Japan say isolating people on board is the way to prevent the diseases spread; other experts say the measure could create more infection. Here comes another day-long storm system. The path of the storm looks like it should bring a March-like spread of different weather types across Michigan. Heres a timeline and where the different types of precipitation will lay out. The storm center, and its precipitation, will move into Michigan Monday afternoon and move out Tuesday afternoon. Heres the radar forecast. Radar forecast from 7 a.m. Monday, February 17, 2020 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2020. So we know we are going to have some precipitation. But now we have to go to a question we ask ourselves in March - what type of precipitation. The track of the storm center, shown as the smallest black circular line in the center, is the most important item to track. Right now both of the most-trusted weather models show a very similar track. The storm center is projected to track across central Lower Michigan. With that central Lower track, warm air will be pulled into the southern half of Lower Michigan. While precipitation may start as snow or even freezing rain, it would only be a six hour period of wintry precipitation before it changes to rain. Doesnt that sound like March? Heres the U.S. model radar forecast. Youll see its very similar to the model Im showing you above, the European Weather Center Model. Radar forecast from 7 a.m. Monday, February 17, 2020 to 7 a.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2020. To find precipitation that stays all snow with this track, youd have to be north of a Cadillac to Alpena line. 1 a.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2020 surface map A snapshot of the middle of the night Monday night shows rain across the southern half of Lower Michigan. Temperature forecast at 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2020 The temperature forecast above for Tuesday afternoon shows we will have melting up to the far northern part of Lower Michigan. Southern Lower will be well into the 40s with no wintry weather. This storm is still 72 hours away from starting (as of 12:00 p.m. Friday). There could be slight adjustments to the track and resulting weather. But the last five storms have not changed track much at all in what I feel is a very regular and predictable pattern. Storm systems in February that are looking like March storms. Is that another sign of a possible early spring? I think so. Australia will move to ensure its joint operations with the United States do not involve the use of anti-personnel landmines after Donald Trump lifted restrictions on the deadly weapons. The decision by the US president reverses a 2014 Obama administration ban on the weapons, which applies everywhere in the world except for in the defence of South Korea. An Afghan de-miner searches for land mines in the Zhari district of Kandahar, Afghanistan on Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. Credit:AP A coalition of international aid and advocacy groups has written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison urging him to guarantee Australias joint exercises with US forces did not involve the use or transport of landmines. As a signatory to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the move has the potential to put Australia in a difficult position with its major ally. WASHINGTON Russia is intensifying a pressure campaign on U.S. military forces in northeastern Syria following the American withdrawal from much of that area ahead of a Turkish cross-border offensive last fall, American military and diplomatic officials say. Russian military personnel have increasingly had run-ins with U.S. troops on highways in the region, breaking agreements between the two countries to steer clear of each other. Russian helicopters are flying closer to American troops. And on Wednesday, a U.S.-led convoy returned fire after it came under attack near a checkpoint manned by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, who are backed by Russia. American officials say these actions by Russian personnel and their Syrian allies are devised to present a constant set of challenges, probes and encroachments to slowly create new facts on the ground and make the U.S. military presence there more tenuous. About 500 American troops remain deployed in Syria with a mission to protect oil fields and help fight remnants of the Islamic State. These are not daily occurrences but they have been increasing in number, and thus is troubling, James F. Jeffrey, the top American diplomat overseeing Syria issues, told reporters last week. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 00:30:53|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close File Photo taken on April 27, 2016 shows the Big Ben in central London, Britain.(Xinhua/Han Yan) The cost of repairing the Elizabeth Tower housing the Big Ben bell will have to rise from 61.1 million pounds to 79.7 million pounds following the discovery of a bomb damage caused during World War II. 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). Photo taken on March 14, 2018 shows decorative roof parts being inspected in London, Britain.(Mark Duffy/UK Parliament handout via Xinhua) HOC MANDATORY CREDIT: UK Parliament/Mark Duffy 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. Photo taken on Jan. 29, 2019 shows the Elizabeth Tower, also known as the Big Ben, ahead of the Brexit deal amendments votes in the House of Commons in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Han Yan) 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. The Big Ben Clock shows 11 p.m. (2300 GMT), in London, Britain on Jan. 31, 2020. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua) Last month, a campaign to enable Big Ben to chime on the Brexit day failed due to high cost. Updated 3:12 p.m. A jury in Yamhill County has found that police can legally seize the home of a woman convicted of a felony drug crime in a case that tested the limits of Oregons civil forfeiture law. Sheryl Sublet, 62, was sentenced to six years in prison after she pleaded guilty in 2018 to selling less than 1,000 grams or about $10,000 of methamphetamine, court records show. The grandmother and military veteran also forfeited $50,000 in cashier checks that were found inside her Northwest Pike Road residence, located about 3 miles outside of the town of Yamhill, at the time of her arrest. The Yamhill County Interagency Narcotics Team, which led the criminal investigation, later tried to take Sublets $354,000 home, setting up a rare legal showdown. Under the states civil forfeiture law, authorities can seize items from a person only if they are first convicted of a crime and the property is suspected to be a proceed or instrument of the illegal conduct. But the statute also emphasizes that the value of the property forfeited should be proportionate to the conduct underlying the criminal conviction. The fate of Sublets home went before a jury this week, an unusual occurrence in civil forfeiture proceedings. After a two-day trial, the jury determined Wednesday that the womans home helped facilitate her criminal activity and that forfeiting it to police would not be excessively punitive. Zachary Stern, a lawyer for Sublet, said he plans to appeal the decision. We dont believe its appropriate for officers to police for profit, Stern said. Hopefully, my client is not homeless upon her release from prison. Alisa Ray, a deputy district attorney who handled the case for the countys narcotics team, did not respond to a request for comment. You can read more about the case here. -- 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. For three years after the birth of her child, Jenny used wine to smooth over the rough edges of parenthood. I would wake up after a couple of glasses of wine feeling like absolute shit, remembers the Seattle-based creative director. If I went out, on a Friday night, Id be hungover most of the next day. That was the time I had to spend with my girls. I was just tired. It impacted my parenting. I dont think there was one moment where I woke up in the gutter, but there were layers of stuff. When Jenny got together with other moms, glasses were passed. Everyone drank. And she enjoyed both the vino and the veritas. Slowly, she came to believe that wine was something she needed to handle the real-world demands of motherhood. It created a community and facilitated a sort of sharing that was, if not productive, cathartic and distracting. Very distracting. Once, while Jenny and her mom friends were putting it back and laughing, a toddler snuck out the front door. After failing to get back in, the child sat alone and unwatched on the front lawn watching cars go by. So Jenny quit, just to see if she could. And to see how it felt. For three months. Then, six. Now, for good. I didnt miss the drinking itself. I miss the taste of wine every once in a while but I dont miss the fuzziness, she says. It helped me cope with the stress but it created more stress. You start to feel sorry for yourself, you feel tired. For me, it wasnt worth it. Drinking wine is presented as a de facto part of the modern motherhood experience. In a sense, a corkscrew has become the calling card of a mom who gets it. Google new mom presents or really anything related to motherhood and results reveal hundreds of wine-themed glasses, cups, onesies, stickers, signs, bottle labels, socks, T-shirts, and sweats all of which feature pithy slogans like Youre the Reason I Drink, You Whine, I Wine, and This is Mommys Sippy Cup. Unsurprisingly, alcohol companies have sought to take advantage of and amplify this trend, marketing wine directly to an audience of exhausted women, an effort aided by a legion of mom bloggers looking for a meme-able way to communicate an acceptable, bourgeois frustration with their beloved spawn. The result? A sugar- and profit-heavy recipe for alcoholism and dysfunction. Story continues Its easy to consider mom wine another internet-ism to be ignored or met with an eye roll. But fetishizing the consumption of alcohol is extremely dangerous for mothers, many of whom are already struggling with anxiety and depression. Wine-as-respite rhetoric rationalizes consumption while obscuring a deeper issue: The lack of available coping mechanisms for mothers under pressure. In recent years, however, a shift has occurred. More experts and more women like Jenny are speaking out against the way mom wine has been commodified by companies and communities of women. The mom wine reckoning has begun. Women are drinking more. Talk to researchers, clinic workers, and women in recovery; the same stories are told again and again. Although its certainly worth noting that most problem drinkers in the United States are still men, women are rapidly catching up. A study published in JAMA Psychiatry in 2017, for instance, examined how drinking patterns have shifted between 2001 and 2013. The findings: High-risk drinking meaning four or more drinks a day for women rose 35 percent in that time period. Not only that, women are increasingly imbibing during their prime reproductive years. The conclusion to the JAMA study is jarring: Increases in alcohol use, high-risk drinking in the U.S. population and among subgroups, especially women.constitute a public health crisis. In the 21-34 age group is where we see the heaviest rates of binge drinking among women. Its also the prime childbearing age, says Dr. Deidra Roach, medical project officer for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Thats increasing at a rate of 14 percent per decade. If it continues at this pace, womens binge drinking will soon surpass mens. Part of the issue here is that women get addicted to alcohol faster than men. They often weigh less and, as a result, their bodies have not only less water but more fatty tissue. This is important because, as the Harvard Medical Mental Letter points out, fat retains alcohol while water dilutes it, a womans organs sustain greater exposure. Women also have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes, the purposes of which are to break down alcohol in the liver and stomach. As a result, the same letter points out, women absorb more alcohol into the bloodstream. If there was a patient zero a Chardonnay Mary if you will for mom wine culture, it would be the Facebook group Moms Who Need Wine. Birthed in 2009 by Marile Borden, an advertising executive who knew that Facebook would be a place to form communities, it was the first to lead the zinfandel-swishing charge. The group members expressed solidarity, shared parenting articles, advice, stories, and lots and lots of content about why moms need wine. Eventually it turned into a 600,000 member community. Now, it would be easy to blame the site that launched 1,000 mom wine memes, but the reality is much messier. For decades, women, in order to deal with the stresses of raising children and the cultural pressure to keep up with societys notions of what a perfect wife and mother look like, have been marketed numerous solutions. In the 1960s, for example, Valium was hawked as Mommys Little Helper, and prescribed to women by doctors as a way to take the edge off their anxieties and help them keep up appearances. When it comes to alcohol, social media only amplified what had started decades earlier. As the first generation of women graduated college en masse in the 1970s and 80s, alcohol companies began targeting them as part of what experts call the pinking of the alcohol industry. College-age women went from wine coolers to hard lemonade to regular wine. Magazines at the time were full of ads showing a woman relaxing with a glass in hand. This was a distinct shift in tone from the 1960s, when wine was marketed as a drink for sophisticated men. The trends continued and, in the 21st century, wine was positioned as more of a mark of individuality. Much of the wine aimed at women was the booze equivalent of shiny magazines: brightly-colored, with friendly labels and accessible names. And smaller brands more directly capitalized on the mom demographic. Mommys Time Out and Mad Housewife proliferated in liquor stores. It worked. In 2015, Millennials consumed roughly 160 million cases of wine. Today, roughly 52 percent of wine sales in the U.S. are to women, 40 percent to Millennials. The marketing is stunningly smart. Its zeroed in on female exhaustion and the need to relax and the female hunger for companionship, says Ann Dowsett Johnston, the author of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol. Its making a joke out of something that is incredibly risky. Risky, yes. But also profitable. The alcohol industry is there to meet moms. Its seen as equal opportunity imbibing, equal opportunity enjoyment, she adds. We dont talk about the whole culture that has evolved around mommy drinking. Its a small jump from mommys little helper to mom wine. The big difference is that mom wine is, at first glance, far more communal. Whereas uppers and downers were a covert solution, mom wine culture is out in the open. Its marketed as a movement, a rebellion. Being a mother is hard, it acknowledges, and if you drink wine you get it. Its a wink and a nod. The stresses of parenting on mothers is certainly significant. According to the Department of Labor, 70 percent of mothers with children under 18 are in the labor force, with more than 75 percent employed full-time. But even though division of labor in the home has slowly become more equitable in the past decades, women still take on much more. In 2016, according to the Pew Research Center, women spent an average of 25 hours in the labor force, but also dedicated 14 hours per week to childcare compared to eight hours on average for fathers. Women are working 10 or more hours a day, coming home to deal with math assignments and bedtimes and dinners. Its easy to understand why mom wine becomes a punchline of a joke or quick Instagram post, says Erin Shaw Street, a writer and mother of two who started Tell Better Stories, to draw attention to alcohol marketing and encourage anyone posting to be more mindful of their messaging around alcohol. Its just shorthand for Hey we all have a lot of stuff going on were also living in a really crazy time so mommy needs one. Shaw Street understands the urge to use wine as a means of decompression and mom group lubricant. And also the complexity of it. Shaw Street struggled with alcoholism as a young mother, binge drinking to deal with the stress of corralling toddlers and as a means of accessing a community of support. I was looking for that herd mentality. I definitely played into it because it was an easy out, she says. And the thing is it did work for a time for me. And then it didnt. It doesnt for an increasing number of women, who are seeking gender specific therapy, which focuses not just on the challenges of drying out, but also educates women about hormones and neurotransmitters and how that affects their relationship to alcohol. The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, for example, offers treatment programs specifically tailored for women at its 11 nationwide locations, as does the Lakeview Health rehab center in Jacksonville. And the GateHouse facility in Pennsylvania has created its own in-house community-driven space for women to continue their recovery after detox. Women are being encouraged to drink. Were choosing to drink more. Its become part of the package of asserting our full rights as human beings, says the NIAAAs Dr. Roach. Drinking was heavily stigmatized until the middle of the last century and then it became the norm. Women wanted to drink more. Media helped shape our behavior. Its in music, movies, and advertising. Its everywhere. Consider Bad Moms and the sequel A Bad Moms Christmas. In the movies, a group of mothers rebel against birthday party planning, the PTA, holidays, and their own never-ending to-do lists. Shots are had and this leads (through a variety of plot twists) to something resembling self-actualization.. The titular trio of bad moms Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, and Kristen Bell are charming enough to make this seem plausible, but not so charming that the movie doesnt fall apart on a second viewing. In a sense, these films present chaos as an antidote to stress while completely ignoring the side effects of that particular drug. We dont talk about it because we feel its the last refuge of normal. You think, I work hard. I pay my taxes. Im a good parent. Dont tell me what I can do on Friday with my drinking, says Dowsett Johnson. Our lives are stressful. Were in the middle of a social revolution that has not solved issues around women and work. Johnson goes as far to call wine the modern womens steroid. You have an evening of homework to oversee? Its much easier to pour yourself a glass of wine, she says. Its a decompression tool. One mom interviewed for this story recalls a boozy playdate where one child got his head stuck in a railing, because no one was watching. Another remembers passing out on the couch and waking up to find her toddler aimlessly wandering through the kitchen of her newly-empty house. When women do admit that they have a problem and seek treatment, they often run into gender-specific problems, says Lydia Burr, the director of clinical services at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. We cant stress enough the uniqueness and importance of the caretaker role as a barrier to treatment, says Burr. Child care specifically. In my experience, Ive seen women struggle with child care and securing child care and that makes it harder to be away from their children. I see women encouraged to leave treatment early because theyve run out of childcare and have run out of options. Mom wine culture isnt going anywhere. Its also not all entirely bad. Decompressing is important. Commiserating can be healthy. Finding communities of women who truly get the realities of motherhood is vital for a sense of connection. The balancing act is simply difficult as is navigating the unique social reality of American parenthood. Its very hard to talk about this without sounding like a prohibitionist, says Dowlett Johnson. Its seen as equal opportunity imbibing, equal opportunity enjoyment. We dont talk about the whole culture that has evolved around mommy drinking. The subtext is: this is a hard job, I need alcohol to get through it. Shaw Street, who has put aside Tell Better Stories in favor of discussing the myriad underlying issues that contribute to womens drinking, also notes how complicated the issue is and how hard it is to look at it discerningly in the moment. Hindsight, after all, is 20/20. She says that if someone were to tell her younger, in-the-weeds self about the danger of the lifestyle, she wouldve brushed it off. Discussions can get pretty defensive and seem judgemental, especially when theres a call-out culture involved, says Shaw-Street. So instead of calling out these issues, its important to delve deeper into whats behind them because, in the moment, I never wanted to. Over the past few years, Shaw Street has witnessed a shift. More women are sharing stories about the dangers of mom wine culture and how it affected them. Shes grateful for them and for the truth and empathy they provide. They might not sound exactly like her own, she says, but they all touch upon the struggles women face and how what was once a healthy coping mechanism can quickly turn. Thats important. Because stories matter to families and to children. Heres a story told by a mother who wished to remain anonymous. At a recent get together in her neighborhood, kids and parents were playing a silly game in which a parent asked: If this person were something other than themselves, what would they be? One child answered My dad would be a penguin. Another, My mom would be a paintbrush. When it came time for her child to speak, she said: Mommy would be a bottle of white wine. Heres another story from an anonymous mom. The students in her childs first-grade class in suburban New York were asked about their parents hobbies. Some children spoke of their parents playing guitar or running in the park. Her daughter testified that mommys hobby was drinking wine. The child wasnt being judgmental. She was lightly sharing a dark truth. Related Articles: The post Mom Wine, Wine Moms, and the Threat of Parenting Under the Influence appeared first on Fatherly. Taobao, Chinas leading online shopping site, announced the establishment of a 1-billion-yuan charity fund to help farmers find markets for unsold agricultural products on Feb.12. (Photo/Xinhua) According to Taobao, the campaign will continue until the country runs out of such products. In addition to Taobao, Chinas e-commerce platforms JD.com and Pinduoduo also recently announced plans to help farmers. Taobao has launched 10 measures for procurement, logistics, sales, operations and other aspects, such as the establishment of a dedicated line to help farmers, collecting information on unsold agricultural products. Resources are distributed according to the actual situation of unsold agricultural products, so as to provide sales solutions and help these products go online to be sold as quickly as possible. Taobao will launch a series of special zones for selling agricultural products on its website, increase the centralized purchase of agricultural products from core producing areas, increase input into green logistics lines for agricultural products, reduce the selling costs of agricultural products on the platform, and help farmers to put on live broadcasts for free. JD.com also released a letter to farmers nationwide on Feb. 10, announcing the opening of a green channel for fresh products across the country. The platform intends to collect nationwide information on agricultural products that were affected by the epidemic and are not selling well. The main website will provide merchants with settlement, operation, promotion and other supporting policies, such as quick reviews. At the same time, exclusive services to help merchants' growth have been provided for merchants in Hubei province, including a number of measures such as reduced and exempted platform usage fees and free agent operation services, during the epidemic. Pinduoduo officially launched its zone for anti-epidemic agricultural products to help poor areas and some agricultural production areas on Feb. 10 to solve the problem of agricultural products that could not be sold during this period. In the Pinduoduo APP, users can go directly to this zone and buy fruits and vegetables straight from the production area. At present, the zone covers agricultural products from nearly 400 agricultural production areas, including more than 230 state-level poverty-stricken counties. The products include navel oranges, apples and strawberries. LOVE story: the many sides of Robert Indiana In the 1960s Robert Indiana became famous for LOVE, a work that seemed to embody the decades idealism. Yet there was a more complex side to this politically engaged artist, who was never comfortable with the consumerist ethos of Pop art Robert Indiana (1928-2018) was once described by the historian Robert Hughes as a romantic artist. His signs act as symbols, wrote Hughes, and what they symbolise is a nostalgic past, for Indiana State in the 1930s, and America, before its traumas. This was back in 1969, when Indiana was at the height of his success as a Pop artist. His paintings, which took the form of oil-company logos and other symbols of American corporate power, seemed both affectionate and critical of the brute demands of consumption. Likewise, his sculpture LOVE had come to personify the 60s flower power generation. In fact, Indiana was, at best, ambivalent towards the art movement that made his name. Politically astute and outspoken, he was never entirely comfortable with the consumerist nature of Pop art. As the Vietnam war reached its peak, he sought to clarify his position, saying, Americans are absolutely incapable of pessimism, they cannot accept anything but reward, abundance and blessing. It is just unthinkable in respect to war that defeat is possible. Indianas art was informed by the 1930s Depression Born Robert Clark in New Castle, Indiana in 1928, the only child of Earl Clark and Carmen Watters, Indiana recalled of his early years, My whole life was very much affected and bound up with that phenomenon called the Depression. His father worked for the oil company Phillips 66, and Indiana credited the corporations logo as an early influence: It was one of the most fascinating visual objects of my entire youth it haunted my childhood. Robert Indiana (1928-2018), Love, 1967. 36 x 36 in (91.4 x 91.4 cm). Oil on canvas. Estimate: $1,000,000-1,500,000. Sold for: $1,155,000 on 5 March 2020 at Christies in New York His mother was a warm and vibrant woman who, according to Indiana, suffered from wanderlust. By the time the artist was 17 years old he had lived in 21 different houses, and this restless existence only came to an end when Earl left the family for another woman pursued by Carmen with a .38 revolver. Indiana rarely spoke about his parents, but the painting Mother and Father (1963-1966), which depicted the couple standing individually on the fender of their Model T Ford, his father barefoot and his mother bare-breasted, hinted at a darkness in their relationship. He considered being a funeral director One of Indianas earliest memories was seeing the funeral of the notorious gangster John Dillinger (1903-1934), who had been shot dead by federal agents outside the Biograph Theatre in July 1934. So impressed was the young Indiana by the solemnity and opulence of the occasion that he harboured an alternative ambition to become a funeral director, later explaining that it seemed to him the one profession that didnt suffer in the Depression. He formed a close bond with Andy Warhol It is perhaps no coincidence that when Indiana moved to New York in the 1950s, after graduate studies at Edinburgh School of Art, he became friends with Andy Warhol (1928-1987), whom he met through Claes Oldenburg (b. 1929), a fellow classmate from the Chicago School of Art. Warhol and Indianas experiences of growing up poor, during an era of intense deprivation and homophobia, led them to develop a close affinity for one another. Indiana later participated in Warhols anti-films, most notably the 1964 Eat in which he slowly ate a mushroom for 45 minutes. Robert Indiana (b. 1928), The Rebecca, painted in 1962. Oil on canvas. 60 x 48 in (152.4 x 121.9 cm). Sold for $1,049,000 on 14 May 2008 at Christies in New York Ellsworth Kelly inspired him to give up figurative painting Those early years in New York in the 1950s were pivotal for Indiana. He changed his name in order to avoid confusion with two other artists called Robert Clark, and met and fell in love with the painter Ellsworth Kelly (1923-2015), moving from his loft on Fourth Avenue (from where he could see into Willem de Koonings studio) into a ships chandlery next to Kellys studio on Coenties Slip. Other loft dwellers on the slip included Agnes Martin (1912-2004), Jack Youngerman (b. 1926) and Cy Twombly (1928-2011), with whom Indiana shared a studio for a while. Up until this moment, Indiana had classed himself as an anti-abstractionist, but Kelly inspired him to reconsider. This was my first head-on contact with painting of any geometric, or clean hard-edge style, he recalled. I never knew a painter who worked in this manner. EAT/DIE and LOVE The chance discovery of a group of brass stencils led the artist to start incorporating short words into his paintings and his wood sculptures. One of his earliest was the famous EAT/DIE, 1962, an indirect statement on consumer culture that confirmed Indiana as a Pop artist. There is a more poignant reading of the work too eat was the last word his mother said before she died. Indianas reservations about Pops impersonal nature continued throughout the 1960s, particularly in light of the Vietnam War. In 1962 he had created the work Yield Brother (below) in support of the philosopher Bertrand Russells nuclear disarmament campaign, and later produced what is considered his most famous work, LOVE, which came to be seen as an emblem of 1960s idealism. With the first two letters stacked on top of the other two, it looked as if the O had been swept off its feet. LOVE evolved through various different versions, starting life as a Christmas-card design for MoMA in 1965, then paintings and screenprints from 1966, before his first major sculptural version in 1970 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Robert Indiana (1928-2018), Yield Brother, from: Decade. Screen print: 39 x 31 in (991 x 810 mm). Price Realised: $1,750, 6 Mar 2020, Online The art historian Judith Heckler argues that LOVE is full of erotic, religious, autobiographical and political underpinnings... both accessible and complex in meaning. In fact the work had been made after Indiana split with Kelly, suggesting the slanted O was perhaps representative of something bleaker and less celebratory than it first appears. It remains a much-loved image, with Christies selling a version of the sculpture in 2011 for $4,114,500. In 1978 Indiana left New York for good, moving to the remote island of Vinalhaven in Maine, close to where his hero, the painter Marsden Hartley (1877-1943), had once lived. Here he became something of a recluse, rarely giving interviews or engaging with the art world, yet he continued to align himself with political causes, even designing the official poster for Barack Obamas Presidential campaign. Sign up today Christie's Online Magazine delivers our best features, videos, and auction news to your inbox every week Subscribe New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the plea of Vinay Sharma, one of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, challenging the rejection of his mercy petition by the President. A bench of Justices R. Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and A S Bopanna said that as pointed out earlier, the case records, judgments of the trial court, the High Court and the Supreme Court, clean copy of records of the case, nominal roll of the petitioner, medical report of the petitioner, Social Investigation Report and other relevant documents were forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs. "The note put up before the President of India is a detailed one and all the relevant materials were placed before the President and upon consideration of same, the mercy petition was rejected," the court said. As a result, it said: "We do not find any ground for exercise of judicial review of the order of the President of India rejecting the petitioner's mercy petition and this writ petition is liable to be dismissed." Sharma's counsel contended bias was caused to his client's case due to the statements made by ministers in Delhi government and also at the central level. The court replied that the public statements said to have been made by the ministers, "cannot be said to have any bearing on the "aid and advice" tendered by the Council of Ministers of Delhi to the Lt Governor or by Council of Ministers in the Central Government to the President." The apex court observed that the medical report suggested he is stable and dismissed Sharma's contention that he is mentally ill, and also rejected his plea of solitary confinement as a ground to challenge the rejection of the mercy plea. 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. The court noted that Social Investigation Report containing the economic conditions of the family of the petitioner was enclosed as enclosures with the mercy plea. "There is no merit in the contention that the Social Investigation Report was not placed before the President for consideration and the relevant materials were kept out of consideration of the President," said the court. Sharma's counsel contended that signatures of Delhi Home Minister and the LG were not obtained on the original files, which recommended rejection of his mercy plea. As far as other convicts are concerned, Akshay's mercy petition has also been rejected by the President, Pawan is yet to file a curative petition and mercy petition, while Mukesh has exhausted all the legal remedies. The 23-year-old physiotherapy intern, who came to be known as 'Nirbhaya' (fearless), was gang-raped and brutally assaulted on the night of December 16, 2012, in a moving bus in south Delhi. She succumbed to her injuries later in a Singapore hospital. --IANS ss/vd A Who says countdowns are only for Christmas when you can both count the days and get a chance to win a prize before the sweetest day of the year? realme Philippines celebrates the love month with a series of giveaways through its #ShareTheLove contest. From February 10 to 14, realme will post one question daily in its official community Facebook group. The fans must answer the question and share their cherished experiences with the entire realme family to qualify for the contest. Up to Php 20,000+ worth of exciting prizes including realmes latest lineup of smart wearables such as the Buds Air, Buds Wireless and Buds await the winners and some lucky nominees daily. Other freebies include branded 10,000 mAh powerbanks and shirts. The realme community holds a special place in our hearts for their continued support since we started our entry here in the Philippines. We always aim to give back the love to every Filipino as we encourage our fans to open up about the stories they hold dear. More than giving away prizes, it is also our priority to make every realme fan feel loved this Valentines Day, shares realme Philippines Marketing Director Austine Huang. A baby with a serious heart condition has died after she received an infection from mould in a Seattle hospital's operating room, her mother says. Elizabeth Hutt was born with a heart condition that she battled for the entirety of her six-month-long life. The young child underwent three open heart surgeries, and after the third one is when it's believed she contracted an Aspergillus mould infection in the hospital's operating room. Her mother, Katha Hutt, revealed in a Facebook post her daughter died early Wednesday morning at Seattle Children's Hospital. "Elizabeth Vera Hutt gained her wings on her 175th day of life at 4:40 am. Late last night, Beth told us she was ready," Mrs. Hutt wrote. "I cannot begin to express the gratitude we have for the team that worked through the night to make sure Beth's transition was as painless and smooth as possible. We will post when we've had the chance to make plans for celebrating our brave, courageous, beautiful warrior." World's smallest baby leaves hospital at five months Show all 5 1 /5 World's smallest baby leaves hospital at five months World's smallest baby leaves hospital at five months The world's smallest baby has left hospital five months after her birth AFP/Getty World's smallest baby leaves hospital at five months Baby Saybie weighed just 245g, when she was born AFP/Getty World's smallest baby leaves hospital at five months Saybie was born after just 23 weeks of gestation AFP/Getty World's smallest baby leaves hospital at five months Doctors told her father that he would have just one hour with his child before she died, the hour became two, then a day, a week, now months AFP/Getty World's smallest baby leaves hospital at five months Saybie was born in December 2018 at the Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns in San Diego, California AFP/Getty The mould in the hospital's operating rooms was first detected in November, around the same time as the child's third surgery. Ms Hutt created a Facebook page titled Beth's HLHS Journey to keep people updated on her daughter's condition throughout her surgeries. She revealed in January her daughter was battling an infection that stumped her doctors. It was later determined the infection was contracted from the mould discovered in three of the 14 operating rooms at the hospital in November. The mould came from the hospital's air-handling units in the operating rooms, and 14 patients have developed infections from the mould since 2001, the hospital revealed. Seven of those 14 children have since died from their infections. "I'm always going to wonder if there were different interventions that could've taken place, had the Aspergillus not been there," Ms Hutt said. Aspergillus is a common mould typically present in the air that people breathe. It normally does not cause one to get sick, but it can be harmful to people who lack strong immune systems or those who are surgical patients. Ms Hutt and her husband, Micah Hutt, told WBTV they knew about the hospital's Aspergillus problems in 2018, but they still picked the location for their daughter due to the quality of doctors and medical staff at the facility. At the time, the parents thought the mould problem was solved. They joined a class action suit against Seattle Children's Hospital in January, which alleges facility managers knew about the mould since 2005 and failed to fix the problem. The hospital currently has 11 of its 14 operating rooms shut down, as new HEPA filtration units are installed. The other three operating rooms received the new air units and are open for use. Seattle Children's Hospital said in response to the baby's death: "Losing a child is incredibly devastating for everyone whose lives were touched by that child. Our deepest condolences go out to families and loved ones who have experienced a loss." Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held delegation-level talks with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa at the Hyderabad House in the capital. Prior to the talks, the two leaders had witnessed the exchange of agreements between the two countries. A total of seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed between India and Portugal on the sidelines of Marcelo's visit in the fields of Nano-biotechnology, higher education, among other areas, while several other agreements have been exchanged. Marcelo is on a four-day visit to India, accompanied by Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Prof Augusto Santos Silva, Secretary of State for Internationalisation Prof Eurico Brilhante Dias and Secretary of State for Defense Jorge Seguro Sanche. The visit will provide an opportunity for the two sides to review progress in various sectors of bilateral relations and pursue new avenues of cooperation and exchange views on international issues of common interest, as per an official release. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Just last year in L.A., the Marciano and the Main Museum ended operations, and the year before that, the Pasadena Museum of Californian Art. In recent years there have been similar closings in Paris, London, Vienna, Moscow, Cape Town, Beijing, and Chengdu. Georgina Adams identifies three reasons for these failures funding, disengagement, and generational change that boil down to the same thing: the danger of relying on a single founder-donor. The Art Newspaper SANTA FE The state House late Thursday passed a bill that would prohibit enforcement of nondisclosure agreements in sexual harassment cases. The legislation, House Bill 21, would apply to agreements entered into May 20 or later between employees or former employees and private employers. The proposal now heads to the Senate, which must also grant approval for the legislation to reach the governors desk. The proposed law would cover cover discrimination and retaliation cases, in addition to sexual harassment. Confidentiality provisions would be permitted at the request of the employee. The bill gives victims of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation back one of the most important things that can be taken from them during and after the reporting process: their voice, Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil, an Albuquerque Democrat and sponsor of the legislation, said in a written statement. After tonight, New Mexicans have a much better chance of eliminating inherent power imbalances that exist with such claims and handing control of such settlements back to those most affected the victims. The EUs statement is being seen as setting the stage for Prime Minister Narendra Modis expected visit to the Belgian capital Brussels next month for the 15th India-EU Summit. New Delhi: A day after a group of 25 foreign envoys concluded a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the European Union (EU) said the visit confirmed that the Government of India has taken positive steps to restore normalcy but added that it is important that the remaining restrictions be lifted swiftly. The EU also said that it recognises the serious security concerns of Indian authorities, and that the visit presented a welcome opportunity to see the situation on the ground and to interact with local interlocutors. The EUs statement is being seen as setting the stage for Prime Minister Narendra Modis expected visit to the Belgian capital Brussels next month for the 15th India-EU Summit. About half of the 25 foreign envoys who formed the second batch of foreign envoys visiting Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday and Thursday had significantly belonged to the European Union member nations including EU powerhouses Germany and France. The envoys had visited Srinagar on Wednesday and Jammu on Thursday. The Egyptian Magic Cream is the celebrity loved all purpose skincare must have. (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. We are all on the hunt for the miracle beauty product we can use on our face and body, to moisturise our skin and help combat any skin complaints too. The Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream is the beauty must-have celebrities, including Kate Hudson, Cameron Diaz and Eva Mendes, are huge fans of. Hudson previously told Marie Claire US: Its my go-to skincare - I use it for everything." Buy it: Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream | 30 from Look Fantastic The natural serum is also a huge fan favourite with customers who have noticed a positive change in their skin after using the hero product. Some customers have praised the item for nourishing their dry skin and leaving their complexion looking more radiant than ever before. While others have claimed it has prevented any breakouts, soothed their irritated skin. The brand also promises to alleviate other skin ailments, including stretch marks, eczema, rashes, scarring, chapped lips, dry skin and burns. glossier milky jelly cleanser & balm dot com are holy grail status. egyptian magic cream is a staple as well for all my dry pals out in the world alexandra c. (@Alex_Livier) February 10, 2020 It will honestly change your life. My skin hates most things I put on it so I was scared but Ive been using it since November and its honestly the best. Havent broke out once. Princesa (@PrincesaAyesha) January 16, 2020 Ive been using lubriderm on my tattoo because it was suggested and it felt so dry and gross and itchy and I put that Egyptian Magic cream on it and it looks so fresh and was instantly moisturized jezeri (@extremegoogler) February 13, 2020 A separate shoppers review read: I have dry skin/eczema and bought this product in hopes that my skin feels more hydrated in the morning. Story continues Another added: Great body moisturiser that really makes my skin feel hydrated. However, the company has also advised customers to use the Egyptian Magic cream as a deeply nourishing hair conditioner, to help tame frizzy hair, nourish split ends and replenish the natural oils in your locks. The cult item is made from healing ingredients, including olive oil, bees wax, honey bee pollen, royal jelly, and bee propolis. But whats even better is the product does not contain any additives, parabens, preservatives, or GMO ingredients in the balm. The balm can be used day and night, although some may prefer to lather up in the evening as the cream is thick, which makes it deeply nourishing. The Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream is available to buy in two sizes, a large 118ml pot, which costs 30, or a 59 ml tub for 20. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo Style UK The United States promised to support and encourage the aid work in North Korea to counter and contain spread of novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in the region. Citing Norths vulnerability to the deadly virus, State Department spokesperson Morgan Orgatus, in a statement, said that the US strongly support and encourage the work of national and international health organisations to combat coronavirus. The United States is ready and prepared to expeditiously facilitate the approval of assistance from these organizations, said Orgatus. The death toll due to coronavirus has spiked to nearly 1,500 and around 65,000 confirmed cases have been detected till now. While most of the cases are from Hubei province of China and the city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, several other countries have also now reported deaths related to COVID-19. The latest cause of concern has been the deaths of people with no travel history to China. On February 13, Japan confirmed the death of an 80-year-old woman who was not even the part of the quarantined cruised off the Japanese coast. Chinas National Health Commission said that the total number of cases soared to 64,894 with 5,090 new cases. Read: Coronavirus Vaccine May Take A Year To Develop: Australian University WHO on coronavirus The World Health Organisation (WHO) has claimed that the sharp rise in the number of cases did not represent any kind of trajectory shift in the epidemic but was because of a change in counting methods. Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Michael Ryan, head of WHO's health emergencies programme, said that the increase in the number of cases is due to a change in how cases are being reported. Read: Singapore: Health Authorities Search For 'patient Zero' Who Spread Coronavirus Globally Meanwhile, the WHO has been frequently releasing situation report on COVID-19 and have found increasing evidence that established a link between the novel coronavirus and other similar known coronaviruses. Referring to the Rhinolophus bat sub-species, the WHO said that they are abundant and widely present in Southern China, and across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Recent studies indicate that more than 500 CoVs have been identified in bats in China, the report read. Read: Death Toll In China's Coronavirus Nears 1,500 With 5,090 New Cases Read: Condition Of Coronavirus-infected Indians On Quarantined Japanese Ship Improving: Embassy The governor-elect of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, David Lyon, may have mocked the gods of the land into provocation unto his political misfortune in Bayelsa State. Lyon might have tested the anger of the gods with his mock inauguration when he embarked on rehearsal on Thursday 24 hours to his swearing in scheduled for Friday, February 14, 2020. The unusual ceremony was circumvented by unexpected judgement of the Supreme Court two hours later. While Lyon undermined the gods at a crucial moment the Supreme Court was sitting and preparing to deliver judgement on the Bayelsa governorship election, the gods may have been listening to other consultations and, therefore, abandoned Lyon for abandoning them. Like some stakeholders adherent to spiritism remarked, David Lyon saw the Promised Land but unable to step into it He was declared a victim of near success; perhaps, after provocation of the gods. The unusual rehearsal which perhaps precipitated unexpected judgement was unprecedented, and probably portrayed desperation and self-condemnation. It would appear that Lyon saw what other stakeholders did not see; perhaps, did he may get secret spiritual counseling that he will not be in that office; so, he went for an informal preliminary self-inauguration; conducting historical mock swearing in; and provoking the gods of the land into swinging the pendulum of power in Bayelsa State to a mockery court judgement. The misfortune was so unfortunate that Father Mbaka was nowhere to rescue the APC man. Maybe, Lyon and APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, did not see the imperative to consult Mbaka; while the God did not speak to the reverend father this time. The Supreme Court in its seeming unpopular judgement annulled the election of Lyon on allegations of questionable information and doubtful credentials submitted to the INEC by the deputy governor elect, Biobarakuma Degi Eremienyo. A five-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Mary Peter Odili on Thursday annulled the election of Bayelsa State governor elect , David Lyon; ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to the All Progressives Congress candidates as the winners of the November 16 , 2019 governorship election in the state; directed INEC to issue fresh certificates to the candidates of the party with the next highest votes and with the required constitutional spread of votes in the results of the election, which made the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates principal beneficiaries of the controversial judgment. Justice Ejembi Ekwo read the lead judgment of the Supreme Court. The apex court upheld the November 12, 2019 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which disqualified Degi-Eremienyo in the election for submitting forged certificates to INEC. Apparently, the High Court judge indicated that Lyon went into the election without a running mate as required by the constitution. PV: 0 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) Malacanang on Friday reiterated the Philippine government wont shift military alliances to other countries amid concerns about diplomatic relations with the United States following the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Philippines will not forge military alliances with other nations including China as it is about time for the country to rely on its own resources. Hindi shifting alliances, tinatanggal natin yung alliances natin. On our own na nga, sarili na nga eh, Panelo, who also serves as President Rodrigo Dutertes legal counsel, told CNN Philippines The Source. Wala lahat sila, tinanong ko si Presidente, he said when asked if China is included in the list. [Translation: Were not shifting alliances, were cutting them. Were on our own now. All of them, I asked the President.] Earlier, Panelo said the government may consider entering into VFAs with other countries, following the scrapping of the Philippines two-decade military pact with the United States. He noted future agreements will be based on fairness and mutual benefit, adding that some countries, including the United Kingdom, already have standing offers on the table. However, this time around, Panelo said the Philippines should strengthen its military capabilities first from within. It is about time we stand on our own two feet. We cannot be relying on other countries to defend our nation from the enemies of the state We have to strengthen our own resources, Panelo said. The VFA is the first of two agreements between Washington and Manila about the treatment of their troops when they are in the US or the Philippines. Inked in 1998, the deal includes provisions on visa and passport policies for US troops, and rights of US government to retain jurisdiction over military personnel, among others. EXPLAINER: The Visiting Forces Agreement Dutertes threat to junk the VFA came in response to the US' cancellation of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa's US visa. Dela Rosa, 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. Other agreements scrapped? With the formal termination of the VFA on the table, Panelo said other military deals including MDT and EDCA may soon follow suit. Ganoon na rin siguro, maaapektuhan, tatamaan din yun. Which means baka mawala na rin yun, Panelo said of the two agreements. [Translation: Maybe thats what will happen. Those will be affected, which means they may also be scrapped.] Kung yun ang posisyon ni presidente na hindi na niya kailangan ng alliances sa iba. At tumayo na tayo nang sarili natin, talagang mawawala lahat yan, he added. [Translation: If that is the Presidents position, that he doesnt need alliances that we need to stand on our own, then they will be scrapped. RELATED: Other US military deals 'must go' based on Duterte's stance, Panelo says Panelo also acknowledged that future financial grant or aid from the United States may be in peril due to the termination of agreement. He added the government will already start purchasing resources including high-quality weapons to enhance capabilities of the local forces. Senator Julian Francis, Minister of Works, is holding news on the actual location of the asphalt plant close to his bosom. A site has been identified for the location of an aggregate, asphalt and concrete batching plant here, but Senator Julian Francis, whose Ministry of Works has purview over such an operation, insisted that he was not going to disclose that location. "I aint saying where I going to put it, I fraid to say, Francis said in his contribution to the recent 2020 Budget Debate in Parliament. The Senator said, however, that the documents that would seal the deal on use of the location was in the hands of the vendor and their lawyer. The announcement was a welcomed one since it had been established that there was a shortage of aggregate here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and in neighbouring countries, that could adversely affect the completion schedule for a number of projects. But Senator Francis cautioned that there would still be situation of being unable to obtain materials required to carry out various construction work immediately, since, in fact, the local plant may not start producing material until November this year. Consideration has been given to importing aggregate with Senator Francis alluding to a shared arrangement with Barbados, wherein the vessel would offload in Barbados whose need amounts to some 41,000 tons then journey on to SVG. Unfortunately, the vessel cannot be accommodated at any of the ports here, meaning that the aggregate will have to be placed on to a barge and then brought to land and removed. Not only is this a challenge but it is a lengthy process, the Senator warned. Efforts to set up the plant at two locations Yambou and Gibson Corner - created quite a stir among residents of those communities, forcing government to rethink their plans. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday sought response from J&K government on a plea by Sara Abdullah Pilot challenging invoking of Public Safety Act for the continued detention of her brother and former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Omar Abdullah was detained on August 4, 2019, shortly before the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and subsequent bifurcation of the J&K into Union Territories. Issuing notice to the J&K government, a bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Indira Banerjee directed the further hearing of the matter on March 2 even as senior counsel Kapil Sibal urged the court that it was a habeas corpus plea and an early date may be given. Not acceding to the request by Sibal, Justice Mishra said that you are coming after so long after being detained. It is Sara Abdullah the sister of Omar Abdullah who has moved the habeas corpus petition and has challenged the invoking of PSA against former Chief Minister, Sibal told the court. Sibal clarified that the petitioner Sara Abdullah has challenged the further detaining Omar Abdullah under the PSA and prior to the invoking of the Public Safety Act, the former Chief Minister was detained under Section 107 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Section 107 of the CrPC provides for steps to be taken by magistrate for keeping peace. In response to a poser from the court whether any matter relating to Omar Abdullahs detention was pending before the J&K High Court, Sibal said that there was none relating Omar Abdullah. The matter on Friday came before the bench of Justice Mishra and Justice Banerjee as Justice Mohan M. Shantanahoudar who was part of the bench comprising Justice N.V. Ramana and Justice Sanjiv Khanna had earlier recused himself from participating in the matter on Wednesday. Omar Abdullah, his father and former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and other senior Kashmiri leaders are under detention since August 4-5. Sara Abdullah in her petition has contended that there could not be any material for further detaining a person who is already under detention for last six months. She has also sought quashing of the February 5, 2020, order detaining Omar Abdullah under the PSA. Describing detention as illegal, Sara Abdullah in her petition has said, The grounds for the detention order are wholly lacking any material facts or particulars which are imperative for an order of detention. Recounting the public service rendered by Omar Abdullah both in the J&K as Chief Minister and as a Central minister, the petition says, It is rare that those who have served the nation as members of Parliaments, Chief Ministers of state, ministers in the union and have also stood by the national aspirations of India are now perceived as a threat to the state. It further says that It is therefore of the utmost importance and of the utmost urgency that this court protects not only the individuals Right to Life and Liberty but also protects the essence of Article 21 which is the cornerstone of Part III of the Constitution, a violation of which is anathema to all that a democratic nation stands for. 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 claim 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, 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. PHOENIX, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dogtopia, the nation's leading dog daycare, spa, and boarding franchise, in partnership with The Dogtopia Foundation, announced today that it will sponsor screenings of the documentary, To Be of Service, across at least 10 cities in North America. The film, which provides an in-depth look into how service dogs can improve the lives of our veterans, will screen in major markets including Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Jacksonville, New York, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Diego, Seattle and Washington D.C. throughout 2020. Since its inception, The Dogtopia Foundation has enabled dogs to positively change our world through supporting causes centered on youth literacy programs, employment initiatives for adults with autism, and providing service dogs to veterans and first responders. The story told in To Be of Service falls right in line with the Foundation's mission to aid those who have served in the United States military and armed forces. To Be of Service is the latest documentary from Academy Award nominated filmmaker, Josh Aronson. It spotlights veterans with PTSD who, after years of struggle with substance abuse, suicide attempts, therapy and prescription medications, finally have the chance to bond with a highly trained service dog. Through the unconditional acceptance and love of their service dogs, these veterans re-establish their lives and family connections and find a way back to independence, emotion and love. "We could not think of a more perfect film than To Be of Service to align with Dogtopia's charitable efforts to support veterans," said Neil Gill, CEO of Dogtopia. "The movie is extremely compelling in how it creates awareness for our veterans with PTSD and other mental health struggles and the important role of service dogs in their lives." The inaugural Dogtopia-sponsored screening of the documentary will take place on Sunday, February 23 in Phoenix, Arizona at FilmBar. Tickets are available for purchase on FilmBar's website: https://thefilmbarphx.com/movie/to-be-of-service-hosted-by-dogtopia Thereafter, showings will take place in other major markets through September 2020. The Dogtopia Foundation enables dogs to positively change our world through funding programs focused around service dogs for veterans and first responders, youth literacy programs and employment initiatives for adults with autism. The Foundation's aim is to identify needs, fill gaps and integrate knowledge for continuous improvement in the three areas of focus. By connecting dogs with the organizations the Foundation supports, the Foundation will help returning veterans, children and adults with autism reach their full potential. Community screenings are being added all the time. For a list of upcoming dates and markets, visit www.dogtopiafoundation.org. To learn more about To Be of Service, please visit www.tobeofservicefilm.com. About Dogtopia Founded in 2002, Dogtopia is an early pioneer and innovator in the pet services industry, offering an experience focused on quality of care, safety and transparency in the market. With an emphasis on education, exercise and safe socialization for dogs, pet parents have the assurance of leaving their beloved furry family members in the hands of trained professionals in an environment created with the safety of dogs in mind. For more information, visit www.dogtopia.com. Media Contact: Rachel Shaykin, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 847-945-1300 SOURCE Dogtopia Related Links http://www.dogtopia.com New Delhi [India], Feb 14 (ANI): Minister of State for Home Affairs (MoS), G Kishan Reddy, on Friday took to Twitter to pay tribute to the bravehearts who lost their lives in the line of duty in Pulwama terror attack. "My homage to the brave martyrs of Pulwama Attack who lost their lives in the line of duty. We shall never let your sacrifices go in vain. You impel us all in the service of our motherland," G Kishan Reddy tweeted. In another tweet, he has slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and termed him shameless for asking "who benefitted" from the Pulwama attack. "On a day when the whole nation salutes the bravery and valour of 40 CRPF personnel who fell in a cowardly attack abetted by Pakistan, Rahul Gandhi shamelessly asks "who benefitted?" Is he being His Master's voice as he parrots the voice of an adversarial state," he tweeted. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid their homage to the bravehearts of Pulwama attack. On February 14 last year, a Pakistan backed Jaishe-e Mohammad suicide bomber filled with explosives rammed truck with the convoy of 2,500 CRPF personnel, travelling from Jammu to Srinagar. Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed in the ghastly attack near Pulwama. All the political leaders condemned the attack and expressed their anguish towards it. Following the dastardly attack, India Air Force on February 26 carried out multiple strikes at a Jaish-e- terror training camp in Pakistan's Balakot training camp, killing numerous terrorists and destruction of their infrastructure. (ANI) (Newser) The equivalent of France's Academy Awards will be held later this month, and one film in particular has racked up a dozen nominationsand the controversy surrounding that fact has now led to a big move from the board that oversees the honors. The BBC reports that all 21 members on the board of the Association for the Promotion of Cinema, which oversees the Cesar Academy that hands out the awards, have "unanimously decided to resign," per a board statement, "to find calm and ensure that the festival of film remains just that, a festival." What had threatened to disrupt that calm: the 12 nominations that director Roman Polanski had received for J'Accuse (An Officer and a Spy). story continues below Polanski fled the United States in early 1978 after being convicted of raping a 13-year-old girl. The 86-year-old, who has both French and Polish citizenship, has been living in France, which doesn't extradite its own citizens. Per Variety, the Cesar Academy has been under the microscope of late, with hubbub not only directed at the Polanski film but at the organization's lack of diversity and gender parity. While Al Jazeera reports on the pushback the Polanski film and its nominations have been receiving from feminist groups, the Cesar Academy has noted that it shouldn't be taking "moral positions" on films or filmmakers when considering the merits of a particular movie. After the awards ceremony on Feb. 28, a general meeting will be scheduled so that a new board can be elected. (Read more Roman Polanski stories.) Internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik on Friday paid his tribute to the martyrs of Pulwama Attack through his sand art at Puri beach in Odisha. Pattnaik took to Twitter and posted a picture of his sand art and wrote "Jai Hind". On February 14, 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora (near Awantipora) in the Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. Salute our martyrs of #PulwamaAttack My SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha. Jai Hind!! pic.twitter.com/HEROlYu7QA Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) February 14, 2020 PM Modi and Amit Shah pay tribute Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to Twitter on Friday and paid their tributes to the Pulwama martyrs. While PM Modi said India will never forget their martyrdom, the Home Minister said that the country will forever be grateful to the martyrs. Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2020 Read: Sudarsan Pattnaik lauds Telangana police through his sand art in Puri I pay homage to the martyrs of Pulwama attack. India will forever be grateful of our bravehearts and their families who made supreme sacrifice for the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland. Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 14, 2020 Read: As Elections return, sand-artist Sudarsan creates a masterpiece in Puri The Pulwama Attack The Pulwama attack had resulted in the deaths of 40 CRPF personnel and the attacker. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed. The main conspirators of the module have been terminated by the Army since then. Twelve days after the attack, the India Air Force (IAF) hit back and bombed the largest JeM terror base in Pakistan's Balakot across the LoC with precision airstrikes. In retaliation, Pakistan attempted to enter the Indian airspace and engaged in a dogfight, which had led to Army's pilot Wung Commander Abhinandan Varthaman capture. However, he was later released. Read: Sudarsan Pattnaik wishes Republic Day with a beautiful 'I love my India' sand art Read: Odisha sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik's art on Coronavirus gets global appreciation Zelensky at meeting with business circles: Authorities doing everything to make Ukraine attractive to investors President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has assured the business association of being open to cooperation and willingness to listen to all proposals, in particular regarding legislative changes that will improve the business climate and will be aimed at increasing the economy and the well-being of citizens, the Office of the Head of State said. "Every day we do everything to make the country more attractive. More attractive for business. We are doing everything right now - we are doing things that the President and government simply do not do in a modern European country. But now we "clean" Ukraine from all the dirt, and there is too much dirt. However, you can help us by opening new offices and projects," Zelensky said at a meeting with representatives of leading business associations of the country. The head of state noted that Ukraine has great potential for the development, growth and implementation of further reforms, in particular, judicial. "But until it [judicial reform] is not completed, the state is ready to defend investors. My team and I are really ready to fight for each of you, for every penny that you invest in Ukraine," Zelensky said. "Why do we come up with investment programs? To make you feel safe in Ukraine right now, to keep your business secure," the Head of State said. The president also recalled the government program for large investors Investment Nanny" and exemption from income tax for five years for those who will participate in the privatization of objects worth $10 million or more. Zelensky thanked the participants of the meeting for their business activities and active participation in the life of the Ukrainian state and also suggested holding such meetings on a monthly basis. In turn, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine Andy Hunder noted that the meeting was attended by the largest investors who had already raised tens of billions of dollars for the Ukrainian economy and were ready to invest further. "88% of U.S. companies already operating in Ukraine report an increase in their revenues, 65% are ready to continue investing," he said. Hunder also endorsed the president's proposal on regular meetings, as, in his opinion, dialogue is important for fruitful cooperation. "We are optimistic and ready to work together. Only by joining forces will we be able to achieve our common goal," he said. Executive Director of the European Business Association Anna Derevyanko commended the recent steps taken to improve the investment climate, including the launch of the reformed State Customs Service. She also noted the demonopolization of Ukrspyrt, the promotion of land reform, the preservation of the National Bank's independence, the launch of micro-enterprise loans, etc. At the same time, the Executive Director of the European Business Association stressed the need for judicial reform, "so that everyone has a level playing field." Unlike supermarkets in Thailand, Vietnamese ones still heavily rely on plastic packagingPhoto: Le Toan In line with the Thai campaign Every Day Say No to Plastic Bags, the Southeast Asian country kicked off 2020 by banning the items from about 25,000 retail outlets. These include the stores of giants like Central Group, The Mall Group, and Charoen Pokphand Group (C.P Group, the operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores). Under the government and industry initiative, Thailand will also stop using Styrofoam food containers, plastic straws, and plastic cups by the end of 2020. Naphat Thipthanakit, managing director of packaging firm Pack and Save one of the bans 300 sufferers said that its orders have shrunk by about 90 per cent since 2020 began. Accordingly, its partners such as Central Department Store and The Mall Group have stopped handing out single-use plastic bags, according to the Bangkok Post. According to Somchai Techapanichgul, chairman of the Thai Plastic Industries Association (TPIA), the association includes about 400-500 companies, most of which are small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who are strongly dependent on domestic plastic demand. Therefore, the ban would make it difficult for many SMEs to survive. The campaign is hurting the domestic plastic business, especially SMEs. It is damaging SMEs and many companies cannot adjust as they cannot afford new machines to produce environmentally-friendly products, Techapanichgul said. Consequently, seven out of 86 plastic bag manufacturers saw a significant impact within one month of the new regulation coming into force. The production scale has narrowed and the working hours have also been cut. This also resulted in a rising number of people leaving their jobs. The TPIA proposed the Thai government that the ban on single-use plastic bags should be carried out gradually to help companies change their manufacturing activities. The first step should be allowing them to produce thicker and bigger plastic bags that could be reused many times. It is understandable that Thai plastic companies wish to keep manufacturing plastic items and are less than eager to switch to bioplastic products. Hence, in case the Thai government does not approve companies proposal or support these manufacturers in overcoming their hardships, they could very well relocate to other regional markets. It is also reaffirmed that export-manufacturers will not suffer much from the ban. As a result, they may shift to Vietnam an ideal option to replace the Thai market. Vietnams promise Although Vietnam has been carrying out its anti-plastic roadmap towards 2025, the countrys regulations are not the same as in Thailand. Therefore, moving business to Vietnam may be a good choice for Thai plastics manufacturers in the short term. Indeed, plastic consumption in Vietnam has been robust in recent days due to the coronavirus outbreak. With most schools in the country allowing students more time off, it has led to tremendous food consumption in supermarkets, where most products are wrapped in plastic. The epidemic has also increased the medical face-mask output in the market. According to Doximex a local face mask manufacturer its capacity has been raised by as much as 10 times since the outbreak. This has raised the companys plastic demand because each face mask is wrapped in plastic packaging. As Vietnam has not yet issued such a ban like Thailand and the plastic consumption remains high, the market is a promising destination for packaging manufacturers. Bracing themselves for the prohibition, Thailand-based plastic and melamine firm SrithaiSuperware has already invested in Vietnam to reallocate production, according to company chairman Sanan Ungubolkul. Our company would much rather focus on expanding business in Vietnam, where GDP growth is relatively high and the legal framework is favourable, he said. Ungubolkul also said the retail and beer industries are growing fast in Vietnam, creating huge demand for melamine, plastic packaging, and closures. Eco-friendly trend Similar to Thailand, Vietnam has been making moves to cut down plastic use over the next period of time. Thus, packaging manufacturers in Thailand will have to prepare to bring their operations in line with modern standards and sustainable principles if they wish to work in Vietnam for the long term. At the recent G20 Summit, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc reaffirmed that Vietnam has been applying many strong measures to eliminate plastic usage by 2025. Specifically, the first goal for the country is to remove single-use plastic from all stores and supermarkets in urban areas by next year. Assessing the impacts of the Thai ban, Ta Bao Long, communication director of Swedish-backed packaging company Tetra Pak Vietnam, told VIR that the Thai ban does not affect the firms operations in Vietnam because it is completely in line with Tetra Paks eco-friendly shift. Tetra Pak has been piloting paper straws in the EU and expects to launch a new kind of paper box by 2022. The box layers are made by 100-per-cent recycled materials and aluminium, said Long. The product is in line with the anti-plastic roadmaps of most countries. However, he insisted that the shift to manufacturing eco-friendly products cannot be made without a parallel shift in the food and beverage industry, which is still dependent on plastic packaging. I believe this trend is inevitable, but it is hard to say how long it will be until eco-friendly products become our main business line, said Long. Our best hope is that the change will come within the next decade. Thipthanakit from the TPIA added, Without proper production methods including intense heat bioplastics wont degrade within a 180-day time frame as promised. If they end up in the marine environment, these bags will not decompose quickly and can persist for decades. These bio-plastic bags can endanger marine animals too. Thipthanakit warned the mass production of bioplastics could undermine people and animals food supplies because at least 50 per cent of cash crops like cassava and sugarcane would go into feeding the bio-plastic industry. This would raise the demand for agricultural land as well as fertiliser, pesticide, and water, which could worsen the impacts of climate change. To resolve the problem, Nguyen Le Hang, deputy director cum sustainable development director of An Thanh Bicsol - a member of An Phat Holdings, told VIR that environmental taxes should be made stricter for companies manufacturing nylon and single-use plastic products. Besides that, eco-friendly products should be incentivised, just as the South Korean government has been subsidising companies specialised in eco-friendly products, according to Hang. After seeing a movie at Tinseltown in Kenosha, a couple stepped into their car and started it up, and were then startled to hear a loud noise and see a man climb out from under their car. The man had what appeared to be a grinder in his hand. According to a criminal complaint filed in Kenosha County this week, the man walked away and got into a vehicle parked nearby, where a woman was sitting in the passenger seat smoking. The pair then drove away. When police arrived, they found the exhaust system on the movie-watching couples vehicle had been cut through on both sides of the catalytic converter. The theft of catalytic converters is an old story. Its an easily stolen item that has actually gotten easier to steal now with the invention of cordless power tools, said Kenosha Police Lt. Joe Nosalik. Someone could climb under your car and cut off your catalytic converter in two minutes. The systems sell to scrappers for as much as $600 depending on the model, the converters containing several expensive metals including platinum. The attempted theft at Tinseltown, 7101 70th Court, happened on Jan. 27. The same day, catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles parked at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital (St. Catherines), 9555 76th St. Thanks to surveillance video, police were able to track a suspect vehicle to Zion, Ill. That led to the arrest of Joseph Grana, in Lake County, Ill., on Feb. 4. Police linked him to a string of catalytic converter thefts there as well as in Gurnee, Waukegan, Pleasant Prairie and Kenosha. Grana, 32, of Zion, and Darla Townsend, 56, of Zion, were charged in Kenosha County with conspiracy to commit removal of a major part of a vehicle, removal of a major part of a vehicle and criminal damage to property related to the thefts at the hospital and movie theater. According to the criminal complaint, Townsend is alleged to have acted as a lookout while Grana cut out the converters. The complaint states that Grana could do a job in just under three minutes. The complaint states that Grana told police he had been taking the converters partially because of his drug habits and partially because he owed a drug dealer money and that he had been getting death threats because of the debt. Grana is in custody in Lake County, Ill., awaiting prosecution on charges related to the catalytic converter thefts there. Kenosha County has issued a warrant along with the charges here. Townsend, who was not charged in Illinois, is not in custody and is scheduled to appear in court for an initial appearance March 3. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Testriono (The Jakarta Post) Dekalb. Northern Illinois Fri, February 14, 2020 08:55 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2064aa1c4 3 Opinion Indonesia,IS-returnees,Islamic-State,terrorism,radicalism-in-indonesia,deradicalization Free The government has ruled out any possibility of repatriating the more than 600 Indonesians who joined the Islamic State (IS) movement and their families, citing the importance of the safety of 267 million people at home from the threat of terrorism. However, the decision could mean the families of the former IS fighters, women and children, will be left insecure and their lives will turn from bad to worse. The Indonesian fighters are being held at camps and prisons controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a coalition of Kurdish and Arab soldiers backed by the United States, across northeastern Syria. The United Nations has called for the repatriation of thousands of foreign fighters detained in Iraq and Syria to avoid a humanitarian crisis. The governments policy can be understood amid the popular narratives of Indonesians and many citizens in Europe, at least as reflected on social media, who oppose the return of IS fighters. Until recently, European countries repatriated only small numbers of their nationals, mainly children, and excluded the male fighters. Some Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, however, have been repatriating both IS combatants and noncombatants since last June. Several problems may follow the return of Indonesian IS fighters. They may harbor extremist thoughts and propagate them to others. Some of them might be battle-hardened combatants with military and bomb-assembling skills. They could also join terrorist networks at home, such as Jamaah Ansharut Daulah, as the groups have pledged loyalty to IS. Or, they could establish a new IS network with other ex-IS fighters and supporters in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. It may also be hard to prosecute the ex-IS fighters as little evidence directly links them to crimes in Syria and Iraq. They might get minimal sentences from the court and return to streets a few years later. However, the government should not shut the door on women and children who were mostly IS noncombatants. Reports from international organizations say they have been living in destitution in the crowded camps, lacking access to basic sanitation and food supplies. Educational and medical facilities in the camps are inadequate, and trauma is widespread among young children. The UN report in July 2019 confirmed that at least 240 children had died either in or on the way to the camps. A report from the International Crisis Group at the camps for foreign women and children, al-Hol, reveals a picture of squalor, sexual abuse and violence against women and children. The government, therefore, has to repatriate them, albeit in a controlled fashion. Some women simply followed their husbands with an aim of escaping poverty-stricken life at home, or they naively imagined a new life under a promised caliphate. Some may have been sickened by what they saw and experienced, but some others may be highly indoctrinated. Some women might have a record of violence or militarism. Therefore, the government should prosecute them for alleged terrorist crimes. Innocent children should be treated differently from those who were potentially recruited to paramilitary forces and trained to use guns by IS. In addition to receiving trauma healing, the children need rehabilitation and disengagement programs. Although being an IS supporter may be grounds for criminal charges, it does not necessarily eliminate someones nationality and his or her rights to state protection. Citizenship Law No. 12/2006 says that a person can lose his or her citizenship if he or she voluntarily enters the military service of a foreign country or willingly declares loyalty to a foreign country. The problem is that IS is not a state. The government cannot remove a persons citizenship unless the court orders it following a fair trial. We should not be too worried about repatriating the women and children thanks to the countrys adequate infrastructure to counter terrorism. The National Polices counterterrorism squad, Densus 88, has been relatively successful in preventing acts of terrorism, while the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) has a reputation for conducting disengagement and deradicalization programs with support from many civil-society organizations. It will be relatively easy, too, for the police to monitor the children and women after their repatriation to see if they plan to join terrorist groups at home. Furthermore, the government can turn the returnees into an asset by digging up first-hand information about the terrorist groups networks, recruitment and other terrorism-related activities. Such information will be highly valuable for the countrys counterterrorism and deradicalization programs. Despite the complications involved, bringing home the families of Indonesian IS fighters is the most humane option to help prevent the humanitarian crisis that may explode in detention camps in Syria and Iraq. Welcoming them back home means giving them a safe place and second chance to change their lives. Leaving them in the camps, on the contrary, will make them increasingly subject to IS indoctrination. The longer they stay in the camps, the more likely they are to regenerate to IS in the future. _________ Researcher at the Center for the Study of Islam and Society (PPIM), Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN), and PhD candidate in political science at Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, the United States Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) Infrastructure projects funded by China could face further delays, as travel bans due the novel coronavirus outbreak prevent Chinese engineers and laborers from getting the work done. BDO Chief Market Strategist Jonathan Ravelas said the disease, which has infected thousands worldwide, could stall big-ticket projects funded by Chinese loans and grants. "Most likely, the immediate impact that we see could be delays if they will be providing people in the projects. We could see some near-term halt in construction mainly because of exposure, if there will be some people coming from China," Ravelas told CNN Philippines' Business Roundup. A travel ban to and from Hubei province where the novel coronavirus originated, took effect January 31. President Rodrigo Duterte expanded the ban to the rest of mainland China, as well Hong Kong and Macau two days later in a bid to contain the spread of the disease. Among projects funded through official development assistance from China are the Kaliwa Dam, Mindanao Railway, and Chico River Pump Irrigation Project. Some of the loan agreements, however, require bringing in Chinese contractors and experts to do some of the work. Smaller bridge projects have also been funded by Chinese money. READ: Gatchalian on foreign workers for infra projects: Were borrowing but not benefiting The economist noted that this could lead to a slowdown in overall economic growth, but pointed to other sectors which could offset the blow. "The 2020 budget and a portion of 2019 budget still needs to be deployed. Most of these projects are on the local government front," Ravelas said. "Should the government be able to continue with these projcets on the local government units, we could probbly see a much lesser impact in terms of the fallout of this novel coronavirus." The analyst added that strong household and government spending would readily prop up market activity. He said the Philippine economy could easily expand by at least 6 percent to as fast as 6.25 percent this 2020. This would be faster than last year's 5.9 percent expansion, but would miss the 6.5-7.5 percent growth goal set by the government. Initial government estimates pegged potential losses from the virus outbreak equivalent to 0.3 percent of the local economy if the rapid infections last until June, while the reduction could go as high as 0.7 percent if the disease stretches for the entire year. Ravelas also noted that Philippine exports could also hit a snag, as well as importers who source their materials from the mainland. Fitch Ratings said in a separate study that the Philippines looks "more insulated" compared to other Southeast Asian nations from the adverse effects of the outbreak, saying that it has a more diverse market for export items. Meanwhile, Global bank ANZ Research said first quarter growth would likely take a hit from the coronavirus, especcially with tourism taking the biggest blow. Chinese nationals have been leading tourist arrivals in recent years, according to government data. READ: PH tourism to lose 20-B due to novel coronavirus "The impact on full-year growth will depend on how quickly the virus spread can be contained and how quickly infrastructure spending can be pressed into action," ANZ economists Mustafa Arif and Sanjay Mathur said in a market report. If youve got a good thing going, replicate it. Thats what drummer Quentin Baxter is doing with the jazz series he has put together on Kiawah Island. He brings top-drawer musicians to town who perform at Turtle Point Clubhouse for a full ballroom of appreciative listeners. Now hes implementing the idea, and adding an educational component to it, at the Tryon Fine Arts Center in North Carolina, where he will introduce audiences to some of Charlestons best jazz players. The venue is about a 45-minute drive from Greenville or Spartanburg. The first of three concerts in Tryon, featuring the Quentin Baxter Quintet, is set for 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. The quintet consists of Baxter on drums and percussion, Charlton Singleton on trumpet, Mark Sterbank on tenor saxophone, Demetrius Doctor on piano and Rodney Jordan on bass. Baxter and Singleton also are members of the Grammy Award-winning band Ranky Tanky. The Jeremy Wolf Quartet will play at 5 p.m. May 3, and the Mark Sterbank Group will take the stage at 5 p.m. Sept. 13. General admission tickets are $25 each; students pay $15. A three-show ticket package is available for $60. Go to tryonarts.org, or call 828-859-8322. All three family-friendly events include a concert talk at 4 p.m. at which musicians will discuss their roles in the band, their instruments and the intricate musical dynamic that jazz demands. They will take questions from the audience. Baxter said he hopes the programs provide patrons, especially students, a chance to learn more about jazz. The Tryon Fine Arts Center is a nonprofit that manages a 315-seat performance venue and a 150-seat amphitheater, as well as education outreach programs. Baxter's Kiawah series continues at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, with a concert by vocalist Kate McGarry whose trio, featuring Keith Ganz and Gary Versace, was nominated for a 2019 Grammy. The final concert in the series, set for 5 p.m. Sunday, March 15, features Brazilian guitarist and singer Chico Pinheiro, joined by flutest David Heywood, pianist Demetrius Doctor, bassist Kevin Hamilton and Baxter on drums. General admission tickets are $25 and available at baxtermusic.com or by calling 843-766-8814. Chases father, Thad Thompson, also publicly declared that he would offer a $10,000 reward for any information that led to the conviction of the driver. He also urged the driver to come forward, saying the driver would help the family by surrendering to police. Alison Hammond on the This Morning 25th Anniversary in 2013 in London, England. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) This Mornings Alison Hammond has dedicated Valentines Day to her mum, who has lost her battle with liver and lung cancer. The showbiz reporter told her followers on social media that her beautiful, wonderful mother Maria was laid to rest this week. Read more: Alison Hammond reveals weight loss Sharing pictures of the pair together, Hammond, 45, said that she would try to make her mum proud. She wrote: Today I dedicate Valentines Day to my beautiful, wonderful Mother Maria who passed away from liver and lung cancer. Yesterday my family and I celebrated her amazing life and laid her to rest in a beautiful ceremony she would have been proud of. Thank you mummy for giving me the strength to move forward in the knowledge that your ok and with God in Heaven now. I will always remember you and try and make you proud. I love you mum, she added. Read more: Alison Hammond runs from Italian police Hammond shared more pictures of her mum on Twitter and added: "RIP my best friend and Living Angel please come to my dreams." The TV stars moving posts were met with messages of support from fans and fellow celebrities including model and presenter Nicola McLean, who tweeted: Sending love. I am dedicating this Valentines to my beautiful Mother who sadly passed away from liver and lung cancer . My family and I layed mummy to rest yesterday in a beautiful ceremony which I know she would have loved . RIP my best friend and Living Angel please come to my dreams. pic.twitter.com/XxfZJlsvEC Alison Hammond (@AlisonHammond) February 14, 2020 Hammonds ITV colleague Sharon Marshall posted a string of hearts on Twitter, saying: Love you darling Ali. Hammond found fame as a Big Brother housemate in 2002 and has been appearing on This Morning since 2003. On this weeks Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discussed the Democrats after New Hampshire, Trumps emboldened post-impeachment moves, and COVID-19. This transcript of one exchange from their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. David Plotz: It is just a week since the president was acquitted by the Senate, and he is clearly chastened. He has only fired his EU ambassador and sacked and had escorted out of the White House a witness against him, along with the witnesss brother. He has caused an extraordinary intervention in the case of his ally Roger Stone, attacked a federal judge in that case, prompted the entire prosecutorial team at the Justice Department to quit the case, withdrawn the nomination of an official who had helped oversee the Stone case, and had his Justice Department set up a special channel to accept seedy back channel information gathered by Rudy Giuliani. He has certainly learned his lesson, hasnt he, Emily? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emily Bazelon: Hes so contrite, so constrained. Plotz: The machinations around the Stone sentencing were truly shocking. The Roger Stone sentence was recommended at one level by prosecutors, and at the order of someone, but certainly with the support of the president, that recommendation has been slashed, causing the prosecutors to quit. Bazelon: This goes to the heart of the very tricky relationship between the Justice Department and the White House. Since Watergate, we have worried a lot about the independence of prosecutorial investigations that the president cares about. We want to have decisions based on the rule of law, independent principles, not political considerations. This intervention was about lightening a sentence for Roger Stone, but other interventions are about investigating the presidents enemies. In the future we could see greater punishment for the presidents enemies. When you imagine living in a country in which the president can direct prosecutors to go after anyone he doesnt like and change their decisions according to his whims, thats scary. Trump is heading in that direction. Advertisement Advertisement Plotz: John, is this important politically? Is there any constituency that is going to be moved by this, or is this just an insider fight that doesnt spill out into public support or public outrage? Advertisement John Dickerson: Well, the cynical answer is that this will have a strong political effect, and that political effect will accrue to the presidents benefit. Weve seen from the campaign in 2016, when he endorsed the power move of denying Merrick Garland a hearing, then through his presidency, and now in his reaction to his acquittal, weve seen him increasingly take power moves. Each time, one of his power moves has crossed a line that was set up through tradition to protect the office of the presidency. Each time, the line has been erased, and the power move has been applauded. We saw that in the impeachment trial in a number of different ways, not just in the acquittal, but, for example, there was a period when the president said it was fine to receive intelligence information from a foreign country for the purposes of serving your campaign, and a number of Republicans said, no, no, thats wrong. And then during his impeachment trial, his lawyers said, Oh, its fine. And Republicans said, Oh yeah, thats true. So, you saw the norm shift in the space of a few months. Each time the president has made a power move, it has been applauded and signed up for by the party. This is another power move. To listen to the full episode, click the player below or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Most of the people we met who are great at what they do in the tamale game, theyre old and theyve been doing this for decades after their parents and their grandparents, Williams said. Of course theyre not going to tell us their recipes, so we just ate our way through the Delta until we figured out what we were going to do. President Donald Trump slapped back at Bill Barr Friday, asserting the 'legal right' to intervene in criminal cases, just over 12 hours after his attorney general warned him his tweets and comments made it difficult to do his job. Trump's pushback, which he issued publicly on Twitter, capped off a week of extraordinary statements about the criminal case of longtime advisor Roger Stone, who was convicted of witness tampering and lying to Congress about contacts with WikiLeaks. Trump began by quoting from Barr's extraordinary interview with ABC News, where he said: 'The President has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case. Then he added: 'This doesnt mean that I do not have, as President, the legal right to do so, I do, but I have so far chosen not to!' 'I think it's time to stop the tweeting about Department of Justice criminal cases,' Barr had told ABC News on Thursday afternoon. 'I cannot do my job here at the department with a constant background commentary that undercuts me.' President Trump responded to Attorney General William Barr's statements by asserting his 'legal right' to intervene in criminal case President Trump said he had the 'legal right' to intervene in criminal cases 'but I have so far chosen not to!' That was just over 12 hours after Bill Barr told ABC News he wanted the president to 'stop the tweeting' It was rare a rare rebuke for a cabinet official to issue against Trump, although according to the White House, it was not something the president had a problem with. 'The President wasnt bothered by the comments at all and he has the right, just like any American citizen, to publicly offer his opinions,' White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement made before his Friday morning tweet, which suggested the opposite. '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. Trump's defense of his conduct came after a week where he blasted the government's initial sentencing recommendation of nine years for Stone, a move that prompted a swift turnaround by the Justice Department. Trump also went after the judge overseeing the case, as well as the jury fore person, who he accused of bias after it was revealed she ran for Congress as a Democrat in 2012. His comments provoked an uproar, with some Democrats demanding Barr resign or be impeached. It also followed a week where Trump pushed out people who testified against him or acted against his perceived interests during impeachment. The clash comes ahead of the scheduled sentencing next Stone, the former Trump consiglierie who was found guilty of lying to Congress, obstruction and witness tampering. Four federal prosecutors asked had themselves removed from the case after DOJ's turnaround, which followed Trump's tweet blasting the sentencing recommendation for Stone. Investigators were interested Stone's take on any interactions with WikiLeaks as they probed Russia's 2016 election hacking. Roger Stone, former campaign adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, arrives for his criminal trial on charges of lying to Congress, obstructing justice and witness tampering at U.S. District Court in Washington, U.S., November 6, 2019 THE WEEK OF TWEETS WHICH MADE BILL BARR PLEAD FOR THE PRESIDENT TO STOP 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 called the original sentencing recommendation 'horrible' and 'unfair' and a 'miscarriage of justice.' Then the Justice Department quickly changed its posture Barr says he had no contact with Trump before it did the president switched to complimenting his AG. He tweeted 'congratulations' to Barr for 'taking charge' of the case. During later public comments, Trump said he didn't want to talk about a potential pardon. He also tore into the judge, Amy Berman Jackson, who also saw the cases of other figures in the Mueller investigation. Powerful Democrats including Rep. Adam Schiff accusing the president of violating the 'rule of law' by interfering in a system of justice that is meant to be non-political. Barr said 'of course' he was prepared for the consequences of criticizing the president. Trump famously founded his first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, for deciding to recuse himself from the Russia probe. Trump has stated plainly he wants an attorney general who serves as a loyal defender of his interests. David Harbour attends the 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in January 2020 in Los Angeles (Rich Fury/Getty Images) Netflix has confirmed that David Harbours Hopper is alive and will return for the fourth series of Stranger Things. Jim Hopper was presumed dead when the third series of the hit sci-fi horror drama wrapped last year, although fans had guessed that it might not be true. A clip of whats coming up has now confirmed that the chief of police is alive in series four, which has gone into production. Read more: Stranger Things renewed for series four However, all isnt well in Hoppers world as he is being held as a prisoner in Russia. The teaser trailer, entitled From Russia With Love, shows a group of men working on a railway track in a blizzard. One of them pulls off his woolly hat and reveals himself to be Hopper. From Russia with love pic.twitter.com/ZWEMgy63Et Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) February 14, 2020 Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers said in a statement: "We're excited to officially confirm that production on Stranger Things four is now under way - and even more excited to announce the return of Hopper! "Although it's not all good news for our American; he is imprisoned far from home in the snowy wasteland of Kamchatka, where he will face dangers both human... and other. "Meanwhile, back in the States, a new horror is beginning to surface - something long buried, something that connects everything... Read more: David Barbour says he and Millie Bobby Brown argue like father and daughter The pair said the next series was shaping up to be the biggest and most frightening season yet, adding: We cannot wait for everyone to see more. In the meantime pray for the American, they said. From Russia with love, The Duffer Brothers." The 80s-set series starring Winona Ryder and Millie Bobby Brown follows the attempts made by a group of teens and adults as they try to battle an evil monster who comes from the underworld known as the Upside Down. Story continues It debuted in 2016 and became a huge hit. A second series followed in 2017 and the shows third run aired last year. The premiere date of season four has yet to be announced. Tegucigalpa, Honduras: The condition of the world's second-largest coral system, the Mesoamerican Reef stretching from Mexico to Central America, has taken a turn for the worse and faces further threats from climate change, according to a new report. Extending nearly 1000 kilometres from the northern tip of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula towards the Bay Islands in northern Honduras, the Mesoamerican Reef is second in size only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. A turtle in the Cozumel reef in Mexico, part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest coral reef system in the world. Credit:E+ Coral reefs develop over thousands of years and are vital to the survival and prosperity of countless marine species, but many, including the Great Barrier Reef, have been under pressure from global warming, scientists say. The mosaic of coral reefs in the Western Hemisphere, also known as the Great Mayan Reef, experienced its first decline in overall health since 2006, according to a study of 286 coral reef sites in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. Ailin Quinlan asks three couples to share the story of how they met and their secrets to a happy relationship FOR Nick and Kieran Murphy, it was love at first sight in a trendy Cork gay bar. The couples romance, which began in earnest a few days later with dinner lovingly prepared by Kieran, led, within five years, to marriage. Nick, now 30 and working as a parts advisor with a major car dealership in Cork city, was a barman at the time in Chambers Bar when he first laid eyes on Kieran on St Patricks Weekend 2011. I was working there at the time as a barman and I was finishing up that weekend, he recalls. They had a few drinks together and swapped phone numbers, and Kieran, 29, who is a pharmacist with HIQA. He invited me to dinner and the relationship began he made chicken stuffed with black pudding and wrapped in bacon, recalls Nick. The couple became engaged at Christmas 2014, and tied the knot two years later in a civil ceremony at the Triskel Christ Church, smack in the middle of the centenary celebrations of the Easter Rising. The city was decked out in tricolours for the centenary, recalls Nick. The couple, who, he says, are massive GAA fans not only arranged to have their menus printed like match programmes but had the Proclamation printed on the inside. Attended by almost 130 guests, the wedding set them back in the region of 8,500. It officially finished up at 2am, but unofficially continued until after 5am in the hotel residents bar. The next day, the duo flew to Thailand for a three-week honeymoon before settling into life as a married couple. Having a bit of patience goes a long way, and a bit of understanding, says Nick. Listen to one another, he advises, because if you dont you wont know anything. Now living in the suburb of Wilton, he and Kieran are conscious that small things really do matter when it comes to keeping romance alive and a relationship healthy this Valentines Day, for example, Nicks cooking a special meal for a cosy evening in by the fire. Being there for one another when its needed is important. Doing small things for each other like making each others lunches if one person is under pressure, he says, adding that they make the effort to go out together regularly. We go to the pictures now and again, and if the weather is decent on a Sunday well go for a spin or a walk or go jogging. Other favourites are binge-watching a series in front of the fire and taking holidays together. Its time away with each other. We go to the Canaries a lot because the weather is reliable and youre not restricted by the climate or the time of the year. COMMITMENT Pauline and Seamus OBrien continue to enjoy spending time together. A full half-century has passed since the morning that lovebirds Pauline and Seamus OBrien tied the knot on St Valentines Day at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Ballinlough. Pauline a book-keeper, and Seamus, a quality control expert, met at work in car firm Dunlops. We were good friends at first, but we grew close over a period of about two years, says Pauline, who recalls that Seamus proposed in 1969 and they spent about a year organising their wedding. On the day, their guests attended a wedding breakfast, and the day finished up around teatime. The 88 guests at their reception in the Metropole Hotel, Cork, dined on fruit cup Maraschino, a choice of soup, chicken or fish, and a choice of sherry trifle or peach Chartreuse followed by tea or coffee. It cost 22 shilling a head. The bill she has kept the receipt, along with other mementoes of their big day all these years came to 145, 10 shillings and eight pence, and the day finished up around 5pm or 6pm. Seamus and I drove straight to Cork Airport and flew to London for our honeymoon. How times have changed, says the mother of three adult children from Silversprings, Tivoli. Nowadays weddings go on for three days my childrens weddings all involved a day before the wedding itself and a day after, and really, we had about a week of celebrations prior to the big day as well. The key to a successful marriage, Pauline and Seamus believe, is that firstly there has to be give and take in the relationship, and secondly there must be a commitment to never let the sun go down on a difference of opinion or a bad feeling. Its also very important to have interests in common also. We both love socialising and singing and dancing. Were very sociable people and were fairly positive too, and we very much enjoy each others company. That brings you through all the trials and tribulations and sickness in life, says Pauline. The couple, both aged 72, are grandparents to nine grand-children between the ages of four and 19, who they enthusiastically describe as the icing on the cake. They have big plans for this Valentines Day, their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple with renew their wedding vows at a function in the Metropole and enjoy a sit-down meal with nearly 160 guests. We started planning about 18 months ago. WORKMATES Jim and Caroline Burns say a successful marriage is about friendship. Next August Caroline and Jim Burns, both in their early 50s, celebrate 25 years of marriage. The couple, who met at the IT company where they both worked Caroline was a line inspector and Jim was in the testing department were initially just workmates, but gradually, what started out as friendship became something deeper. Jim was more outgoing than me and very chatty person, and he likes a bit of craic. He approached me and we got talking and after a couple of months he asked me out, says Caroline. The relationship deepened, and after some years of saving for their wedding and a deposit on their home in Corks Cathedral Road, the couple got married on August 25, 1995. We got married in St Colemans Church in Macroom where I am from. At the wedding reception, about 120 guests sat down to chicken and mushroom vol au vents, soup, turkey and ham with all the trimmings, followed by Baked Alaska. The whole thing came to about 1,500 and the cost included teas, coffees and sandwiches later on in the day, she says, adding that the dancing and wedding celebrations continued all night. The fun actually went on until the milkman was coming into the hotel the next morning at around 6.30am, she laughs, adding that the couple, who have one son Sean (22), honeymooned in Santa Ponza. Like every other couple weve have had our ups and downs, but for us a successful marriage is about friendship, about liking each other and about sticking together, says Caroline. She also strongly believes that having religion in the home is important. Common interests are important to a successful relationship too. You also have to have things in common. Jim and I both like socialising, and foreign holidays and we try to go abroad twice a year even if its only for a long weekend on the Costa del Sol. We attend concerts together we always go to the Marquee in the summer, as well as concerts in Dublin. Weve seen everyone from Michael Jackson to ACDC and Status Quo to Tina Turner and the Bee Gees! No matter how busy we are, we will make time to go out together. This Valentines Day Im working but were going to Killarney the weekend before, to see the High Kings in the INEC and were really looking forward to it. Because of the quick and deadly outbreak in late December of a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, now known as COVID-19 - infecting tens of thousands and killing hundreds within weeks, while spreading to at least 24 other countries - many governments, including the United States, have banned or significantly restricted travel to and from China. And while travel bans are frequently used to stop the spread of an emerging infectious disease, a new University of Washington and Johns Hopkins University study of published research found that the effectiveness of travel bans is mostly unknown. However, said lead author Nicole Errett, a lecturer in the UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences in the School of Public Health, that's largely due to the fact that very little research into the effectiveness of travel bans exists. "Some of the evidence suggests that a travel ban may delay the arrival of an infectious disease in a country by days or weeks. However, there is very little evidence to suggest that a travel ban eliminates the risk of the disease crossing borders in the long term," said Errett, co-director of the ColLABorative on Extreme Event Resilience, a research lab focused on addressing real-world issues relevant to community resilience. The researchers combed through thousands of published articles in an effort to identify those that directly addressed travel bans used to reduce the geographic impact of the Ebola virus, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and the Zika virus. They did not include studies of influenza viruses, for which travel bans have already been shown to be ineffective in the long term. In the end, the researchers were able to identify just six studies that fit their criteria. Those six were based on models or simulations, not data from actual bans after they were implemented, to assess the effectiveness of travel bans in controlling outbreaks. Consequently, to improve research in this area, the study authors recommend that research questions, partnerships and study protocols be established ahead of the next outbreak so empirical data can be collected and assessed quickly. "Travel bans are one of several legal options that governments have drawn on to mitigate a pandemic," said co-author Lainie Rutkow, a professor of health policy and management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. "As coronavirus spreads, our study raises the importance of understanding the effectiveness of legal and policy responses intended to protect and promote the public's health." "When assessing the need for, and validity of, a travel ban, given the limited evidence, it's important to ask if it is the least restrictive measure that still protects the public's health, and even if it is, we should be asking that question repeatedly, and often," said co-author Lauren Sauer, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine and director of operations with the university's Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response. Consequently, the authors write, additional research is "urgently needed" to inform policy decisions, especially in light of the tremendous social, economic and political impacts of their implementation. ### For more information, contact Errett at nerrett@uw.edu or 206-897-1555. Pronunciations: Nicole Errett - Nic-hole Ehr-ret Lauren Sauer - Law-ren Sow-er Lainie Rutkow - Lay-knee Rutt-kow Alexander Mendoza, a notorious MS-13 figure also known as El Porky, escaped during the attack. About 20 gunmen dressed in military fatigues and police uniforms killed three policemen and wounded two others during an attack to free one of the most senior leaders of Hondurass powerful MS-13 gang, police said. Alexander Mendoza, a notorious MS-13 figure also known as El Porky, escaped during the attack on Thursday in the city of El Progreso, 175 kilometres (108 miles) north of the capital, Tegucigalpa. He was on the way to a trial hearing. The notorious MS-13 crime group was founded by Salvadorans in Los Angeles in the 1980s and spread to El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala as the United States deported waves of migrants. The most important MS-13 leader on the northern city of San Pedro Sula, Mendoza had been captured in 2015 and sentenced to 20 years in jail on charges of illicit association and money laundering. We are going to recapture this man and arrest those who helped him escape, said Deputy Minister of Security Luis Suazo. Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez offered a reward of 2 million lempiras ($80,500) for information that leads to Mendozas recapture. Soldiers carrying the body of a police officer shot dead during gang operation in El Progreso, Honduras [Roberto Amaya/Reuters] Local television showed images of about 20 uniformed men and with their faces covered shooting and then climbing into several vehicles to escape with Mendoza. MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, and its rival Mara 18, are among the most powerful gangs operating in Central America, with most of their activities dedicated to extortion, assassinations and drug trafficking. Honduras had a murder rate of 44 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2019 one of the highest in the world, and partly responsible for the waves of migrants and asylum seekers fleeing towards the US in search of safety. The anti-CAA protesters at Shaheen Bagh have extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come and celebrate Valentines 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 governments claims, the CAA was to award citizenship and not to take away someones 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. 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. The mortal remains of one of the two Indians, who died onboard a tanker off the coast of Sharjah last month, have been repatriated to his native place in Andhra Pradesh, according to a media report. Two Indians died in a fire on board the unloaded vessel MT SAM, 21 miles off the coast of Sharjah on January 29. The two deceased Indians were identified as Shiva Naga Babu from Andhra Pradesh and Basudeb Haldar from West Bengal, the Gulf reported. "Mortal remains of late Shri Shiva Naga Babu, one of the victims of (the) fire accident on the vessel MT SAM has been sent to India this morning. Mortal remains of other identified Indian Shri Basudeb Haldar will also be sent to India shortly," the Consulate General of India, Dubai, tweeted on Thursday. At the time of the fire, there were 12 crew members and 44 technicians on board the vessel, including Indians, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Ethiopians, among other nationalities. Other than Babu and Haldar, two other Indians also died in the fire. However, they were yet to be identified, the report said. As of now, the unidentified Indians are suspected to be Kolangi Thankavel from Tamil Nadu and Mohammad Abbas Ansari from Bihar, the Gulf report said. Earlier, Consul General of India in Dubai Vipul told the newspaper that local authorities would identify the two unidentified Indians using DNA tests. All the victims were technicians hired by a Fujairah-based company for maintenance work in the vessel which was to sail to India, the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A state appeals court upheld $5 million in damages and attorneys fees Thursday to a former San Francisco deputy city attorney who was fired after investigating questionable city payments to plumbing companies. Joanne Hoeper, an 18-year veteran of the office who was then serving as chief trial deputy to City Attorney Dennis Herrera, was removed by Herrera in August 2012 after presenting the findings of her investigation. He transferred her to a temporary position at the district attorneys office, and then dismissed her from that post in January 2014. Hoeper had been alerted in December 2011 to a pattern of rising payments by the city to sewer companies for alleged damage to sewer lines by the roots of city-owned trees. She said she determined that the tree roots were not actually harming the sewer lines, that city payments to the companies had soared from $142,000 a year to $4 million in a decade, and that two city attorney staffers had approved dubious payments. Her report to Herrera said that some plumbing companies were defrauding the city and that San Francisco was paying inflated prices to replace sewers that did not need replacement. Hoeper said she found no evidence of kickbacks or corrupt practices by city employees, but said one staff member was wrongly accepting claims from the plumbing companies rather than the property owners. Hoeper was distraught about her removal from the office and said she told Herrera she had turned down a job offer from then-Attorney General Kamala Harris in 2011 after Herrera assured her she had a future in the office. When she sued over her firing, however, the office denied retaliating against her and said Herrera had decided to replace her years earlier for other reasons,compounded by her exercise of poor judgment in dealing with the investigation. But a Superior Court judge found in March 2017 that the dismissal was retaliatory and had violated Hoepers rights under the state Whistleblower Protection Act. She was awarded $2.63 million in damages and $2.4 million to reimburse her attorneys. In Thursdays ruling, the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco said the evidence amply supports the jurys conclusion that Hoepers sewer investigation was a factor in her firing. The court also said the dismissal and the surrounding circumstances effectively ended Hoepers 30-year legal career, supporting damages for lost income and emotional distress. On another issue, the court rejected the citys argument that much of the evidence Hoeper presented should have been excluded because it involved confidential attorney-client interchanges between Herreras office and the city. San Francisco waived any such confidentiality by releasing parts of its report, including its condemnation of Hoepers performance, to The Chronicle and another publication, the Westside Observer, Justice Peter Siggins said in the 3-0 ruling. 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. This decision supports whistle-blowers who risk their careers to stand up to corruption in government, said Hoepers lawyers, Karl Olson and Therese Cannata. John Cote, a spokesman for Herrera, said the case was simply an employment dispute, and that no court had made any finding of corruption. Sometimes juries get it wrong, and thats what happened here, Cote said in a statement. Its unfortunate the court did not recognize that the city attorney had ample legitimate reasons for terminating Ms. Hoeper. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twittere:@BobEgelko At just 26 and without much political experience except for the occasional gimmick designed to drive the likes of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi nuts, conservative personality Laura Loomer's attempt to unseat a four-term U.S. Congress incumbent is gaining momentum. She understands, Loomer said in an exclusive interview with DailyMailTV, why her attempt to become the youngest member of congress in history was originally dismissed as the longest of long shots. After all, she's running in Florida's District 21, a district overwhelmingly slanted toward the Democratic Party with a heavily Jewish population despite the fact that it is home to Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump's residence away from the White House. Laura Loomer is attempting to unseat four-term Democrat congressional incumbent Lois Frankel for Florida's District 21 Loomer's chances are slim as in the 2016 congressional election, Lois Frankel, 71, won 63 percent against her Republican opponent and in 2018 ran uncontested Loomer herself is a polarizing personality who carries the type of baggage that would make many local voters squirm. Like the time she branded Islam a cancer on society. Or when Lyft and Uber shut down her accounts after she went on a tirade about needing a 'non-Islamic' ride-sharing service. Or like the time she was arrested in New York City's Central Park after storming the stage during a showing of Shakespeare in the Park's Julius Caesar when, in the play, the Roman emperor made up to look like Trump was assassinated. Yet, some of those who dismissed her as little more than a provocateur are re-thinking their stance about her chances to become a U.S. Representative. Slightly more than six months after she announced her candidacy for the U.S. Congress, Loomer has managed to raise almost $400,000 in contributions from more than 7,000 donors who donate an average $56 a feat unequaled by many veteran politicians let alone one as young as Loomer. The loot has placed Loomer far ahead in fundraising among the eight Republicans vying for the party's nomination in August. And none of them can rival with Loomer's name recognition and internet following. If she makes it, Loomer then will face four-term congresswoman Lois Frankel in November's general elections. In the 2016 congressional election Frankel, 71, won 63 percent against her Republican opponent and in 2018 she ran uncontested. 'I will be everybody's congresswoman,' says Loomer when asked about the reasons for her fundraising prowess, 'and I will represent people from all walks of life and political beliefs, unlike Lois, who does absolutely nothing for anyone who's not a part of her base. People are just sick of her. 'I call her Lazy Lois. She's politically lazy and fat.' Frankel's campaign responded with a statement that read: 'Rep. Frankel is focused on serving her constituents and not disrespectful name calling.' The campaign did not address its lackluster fundraising. If she wins, the conservative and controversial personality would become the youngest member in the history of Congress at age 26 Loomer has been banned from several social media platforms for promoting speech labeled as hate speech targeting Muslims and posted for this photo with Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle Loomer is a polarizing personality and took this photo with self-proclaimed 'dirty trickster' and one of the most notorious Republican insiders Roger Stone Yet, Frankel's campaign accounts are fat. And even if Loomer out-raised her two-to-one in the last two quarters of 2019, Frankel is sitting on a $1.1 million war chest thanks to previous campaigns where she ran unopposed. As if to prove her inclusiveness, Loomer held her recent campaign kickoff at a diner in nearby Boca Raton owned by a Muslim woman who immigrated from Pakistan. 'I heard about Laura through a Republican friend who said Laura wanted to have a kickoff here,' said Naheed Khan, 63, owner of diner The Griddle and a staunch supporter of Trump. 'At first, I was wondering why she did some of the things she did. I'm a practicing Muslim, so I didn't want any doubt.' Khan said she and Farha Khan, her pediatrician daughter, invited Loomer for a talk and, says Naheed, she found out Loomer wasn't really as she was made out to be. 'She's anti-radicalism,' said Khan, 'not anti-Muslim. Some of the things she does might be cringe-worthy, but many things we all do are cringe-worthy. So, I told her she could have her kickoff party here.' Said Loomer: 'I think Naheed recognized I'm fighter, just like her. We don't agree on everything, but her loyalties are with the United States and she agrees that people who immigrate here need to assimilate and embrace American values.' Laura Loomer burst onto the conservative stage in 2015 when she, a Jew, was a student at Barry University, a Catholic University run by nuns near Miami. Loomer, one of a few Republican students in an overwhelmingly liberal school, participated in a 'gotcha' video at the urging of Project Veritas, a right-wing group that uses hidden cameras to expose what it sees as Liberal bias in colleges, non-profits and government. As if to prove her inclusiveness, Loomer held her recent campaign kickoff at a diner in nearby Boca Raton owned by Naheed Khan (left), a Muslim woman who immigrated from Pakistan, and her daughter Farha Khan Loomer had a decent turnout at her campaign kickoff at a diner in Boca Raton, Florida Loomer has been shamed for branding Islam a cancer on society, being arrested for storming the stage during a Shakespeare show in protest, and camping on Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's lawn Loomer surreptitiously taped her encounter with school officials during a meeting where she asked permission to set up a new club called Sympathetic Students In Support Of The Islamic State. The footage seemed to indicate school officials were in favor of starting such a club on campus but appeared to suggest she drop the 'Islamic State' from the name. The footage went viral, and school officials suspended Loomer for what they saw as her attempt to embarrass the school. The story made Loomer an instant celebrity in the Alt-Right's cyber-world, but it also launched her anti-Muslim reputation. 'I'm not anti-Muslim,' she said, 'I study Islamic terrorism.' With video cameras in tow and a huge distribution network online, Loomer continued with higher-profile gimmicks to expose what she saw as the Left's corruption. In the summer 2017, she and other conservative activists stopped the Shakespeare play in Central Park. In January 2019, she was back in the news when she got three alleged illegal immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala to set up their tents on the lawn of Speaker of the House Pelosi's Napa Valley home in her home state of California. In time, Loomer and her crew were kicked off Pelosi's lawn by police, and Loomer was handed a warning for trespassing. In January 2019, Loomer got three alleged illegal immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala to set up their tents on the lawn of Speaker of the House Pelosi's Napa Valley home in her home state of California In the summer 2017, Loomer and other conservative activists stopped the Shakespeare play in Central Park. Loomer says her political stance mirrors President Donald Trump's. She's for immigration controls, a strong military and aide to Israel, and against socialism Loomer has also been at war with mainstream social media platforms. One November morning in 2018 in Manhattan, she chained herself to the door of the local Twitter headquarters to protest her banishment from social media for hate speech. At first, Loomer worried the moves by Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and others would make it impossible for her to make a living and raise campaign contributions. Now, Loomer proudly describes herself as The World's Most Censored woman, and she has managed to find other ways to conduct her political agenda and fundraising away from PayPal. She is, for example, active on Parler, where she has 89,000 followers, and Gab, where she has 27,000. Both are conservative platforms that allow a looser definition of free speech and, at times, have been accused of providing a haven for white supremacists and neo-Nazis. As for her campaign cash, most donations come via her campaign website, lauraloomerforcongress.com, mostly from a national base, people who often live thousands of miles away from West Palm Beach. 'I will not bow down to the radical left,' Loomer said about her efforts to do without social media. 'There's a lack of tolerance for the other side and an unwillingness to tolerate the free speech of people with a different opinion. 'I'm running because we need to fix that.' By design, Loomer says, her political stance mirrors Trump's. She's for immigration controls, a strong military and aide to Israel, and against socialism. Florida's District 21 is the district that houses Trump's Mar-a-Lago, yet it still remains overwhelmingly Democratic 'I call her Lazy Lois. She's politically lazy and fat,' Loomer says of her opponent Frankel Sid Dinerstein, a former chairman of the Palm Beach County Republicans, believes Loomer could get swept into office on a 'red wave' carrying dozens of new Republican congressional candidates into office alongside Trump. 'I've always thought we'd never get this district,' Dinerstein said. 'But the demographics are changing. Lois Frankel's core constituents are older Jewish residents. They're dying off and being replaced by younger Hispanics. Guess what? Laura Loomer speaks Spanish, and she's out in the community every day. She has no fear and she has money. She's going to do well.' While she'll talk anybody's ear off when it comes to politics, Loomer is a lot less vocal about her private life. Some say she has no life outside politics. Her campaign's website is totally devoid of personal notes and photos with pets or babies. She doesn't have a significant other, she says, and no visible hobby. She currently lives in a beachfront condo on the south side of Palm Beach. A Democratic Party campaign operative who asked not to be named said there's no way Frankel, a former mayor of West Palm Beach and long-time member of the state legislature, could lose her seat to Loomer. 'The demographics in that district show there's no reason for anyone to believe Lois can lose,' said the source. 'Lois is rising in the ranks and this being Trump's home district, there's no way the party will allow this seat to go. 'Besides, a Republican would have to raise at least $3 million to win this race, and that's not happening.' A group of people arrested for an alleged series of child sex crimes linked to a circus school in the Blue Mountains are feeling "total elation" after the charges were dropped in a Sydney court. Defence lawyer Bryan Wrench says more than 100 charges levelled against seven people were dropped in Penrith Local Court on Friday. Crucial evidence had been overlooked and the police had "no leg to stand on", Mr Wrench told AAP. "It was a total concoction.The whole thing has been heartbreaking and we are considering further applications." Therese Ann Cook (centre), 60, leaves the Silverwater Correctional Facility in August 2018. Source: AAP Mr Wrench said it appeared at least one of the alleged victims made up the stories of abuse. All seven people - including Therese Ann Cook, 60, her brother Paul Christopher Cook, 54, her daughter Yyani Cook-Williams, 31, and 25-year-old Clarissa Meredith - had links to a circus school in the Blue Mountains at the time they were arrested. Three weren't named because they were underage at the time of the alleged offending. Bryan Wrench, a lawyer representing the defence, leaves Penrith Local Court in 2018. Source: AAP It was suggested the group had abused three young boys - all under the age of eight - in a series of sadistic sex acts and blood rituals between 2014 and 2016. Therese Ann Cook said she "did not know what she is accused of" when detectives first arrested her. She owned The Arcade Circus in Katoomba that catered to children with and without disabilities. The alleged victims were not students at the school. Clarissa Meredith (third from the left, dressed in grey) had links to the school during the time of her arrest. Source: AAP NSW Police on Friday said they would review the court's decision. "It remains the strong recommendation of the child abuse and sex crimes squad that the matters proceed before the court and a review has been requested," a spokeswoman said in a statement. But any review would come to the same conclusion that the group was innocent, Mr Wrench said. Yyani Cook-Williams leaves Silverwater jail. Source: AAP Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. Agriculture runs deep in Lauren Mauneys family. Her hard work in raising a steer paid off at the 77th Annual Katy ISD FFA Livestock Show & Katy Rodeo. Since May, the Tompkins High School junior and third-generation FFA (Future Farmers of America) student, has gotten up before dawn each day to get on an ag bus bound for the barns at the Gerald D. Young Agricultural Sciences Center to feed and take care of her steer, Levi, who was named after the jeans. And then there were several more hours each evening. On Thursday, Feb. 13, Levi was judged Best in Class 3. Related: Two $1,500 scholarships available for Katy ISD seniors Lauren comes from a long line of FFA members. Her familys cattle ranch in central Texas has been theirs since 1884. Laurens grandpa William Franklin Mauney was a member of the FFA, and her grandmother Pat was involved in 4-H. Their son Bill Mauney, Laurens father, was also active in FFA, followed by Laurens sister, Ana, who is now a sophomore in college. With all that history, Lauren says it is great to represent her familys heritage. Its like Im competing in something bigger than me, said. She said she was thankful for her familys support and encouragement along the way. For instance, her grandpa would call or text her to check on Levi and ask for photos of him. Related: Katy ISD Special Rodeo serves more than 600 special needs students This was Laurens first year to raise a steer but her third year in the club. As a freshman and sophomore, she raised goats. She said Levi had become like family, so she had already shed a few tears at the idea that he would soon be auctioned off and go to a slaughter house. Jenny Mauney, her mom, said it would be emotional to see him go. Bill, the rancher, had a different perspective and said the steer had done his part, and it was time for the next step. While Lauren also participates in health science theory at Tompkins, she said FFA is my passion. This is my life. It makes me happy. Ive had a lot of friendships. Bill is in the oil business, and the family relocated to the Houston area from Decatur when Lauren was in the fifth grade. We chose Katy because the quality of the school district. And so both daughters, the oldest thats graduated and Lauren, we chose this, to be in Katy, on purpose to give them this experience, said Bill. And of course, we never imagined how fantastic these facilities would be when they got them put together, Bill added, referring to the new ag center that opened last fall. Lauren and Levi were awarded for her countless hours of diligence and effort and his quality. Buying him cost about $2,000, Lauren said, and then there is all the food and care. After auction though, Lauren will get to keep the profits, less taxes. She said it will most likely go into her college fund. Bill said the livestock show is a way to show off all the students long hours at the barns and that all of them deserved kudos. Yeah, its always nice when, you know, when you when you end up a little bit higher up in the class than the bottom, he said. But, you know, all the kids work hard and have done well, and you know, were proud of all of them. Tompkins Ag Instructor David Fleming called Lauren a super kid but also said he was very proud of each of the students. Levis story is coming to close, but Lauren will still be busy. She also has a cow, that happens to be pregnant. She plans to go to college after she graduates next year but is not sure yet what she will study. At any rate, Lauren says her time in FFA will always stay with her. Im definitely looking at nursing, but Im never gonna, like lose this aspect of my life. tracy.maness@hcnonline.com Prince Faisal bin Farhan says no meeting planned in response to media reports about crown prince and Israeli PM. Saudi Arabias foreign minister has denied media reports of a possible meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid speculation about normalising ties between Gulf Arab states and Israel. There is no meeting planned between Saudi Arabia and Israel, Prince Faisal bin Farhan told Saudi-owned Al Arabiya English website on Thursday in response to reports in Israeli media. Saudi Arabias policy has been very clear since the beginning of this conflict. There are no relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, and the Kingdom stands firmly behind Palestine. The two countries interest in containing Iran have increasingly converged with both viewing Tehran as a main threat, but Saudi Arabia maintains that any relations hinge on Israels withdrawal from lands captured in the 1967 Middle East war, territory Palestinians seek for a future state. Netanyahu appeared last month at a White House event where US President Donald Trump offered a plan that proposed creating a Palestinian entity but diverged from a 2002 Saudi initiative. The Palestinian leadership has rejected Trumps plan, saying it heavily favours Israel and will deny them a viable independent state. But some Gulf Arab states welcomed the US efforts in a move viewed as prioritising close ties with Washington vital to countering Iran over historic unswerving support for the Palestinians. 200205074314666 In 2017, an Israeli cabinet minister said the country had covert contacts with Riyadh, and Israel Radio reported that Prince Mohammed had met with officials in Israel, drawing an official Saudi denial. Netanyahu, who faces criminal corruption charges and is seeking re-election next month, has previously pointed to covert cooperation with Arab states, without naming them. The longest-serving Israeli prime minister met Sudans leader last week during a visit to Uganda. Prince Faisal said Saudi Arabia had always shown a willingness to normalise ties with Israel provided there is a just and fair settlement agreed by Israel and the Palestinians. Short of that, Saudi policy will remain steadfast, he added. Regulatory News: SpineGuard (Paris:ALSGD) (FR0011464452 ALSGD), an innovative company that deploys its DSG (Dynamic Surgical Guidance) sensing technology to secure and streamline the placement of bone implants, announced today the initiation of "safeguard" proceedings in France (article L 620-1 of the French "code de commerce") and the concomitant commencement of a voluntary Chapter 11 case for its US subsidiary. Pierre Jerome, co-founder, Chairman and CEO of SpineGuard, said: "The initiation of safeguard proceedings will provide us with favorable economic and legal conditions to implement our innovation strategy. As recently reported, SpineGuard found its operational balance but faces a debt reimbursement challenge requiring financial restructuring. This protective process should allow us to smoothly renegotiate the terms of the reimbursement of our debt. With a revised payment schedule, we will have a more solid ground for successfully deploying our DSG technology and setting-up fruitful strategic partnerships to create shareholder value." Adaptation of company's governance The Board of Directors has appointed Pierre Jerome, its Chairman and co-founder, as CEO of SpineGuard SA. Stephane Bette, the other co-founder, becomes deputy CEO. This governance change reflects the Board of Directors' willingness to concentrate SpineGuard's efforts on the deployment of innovation and the set-up of strategic partnerships with industry players while continuing to improve the financial situation of the company. Stephane Bette, Deputy CEO of SpineGuard, concluded: "Pierre's return to the senior management team is a unanimous decision from the Board. I am delighted to share the lead of the company's operations with him and I look forward to fully dedicate my energy to the development of innovation and creation of value for SpineGuard, while remaining attentive to maintaining operational balance." 2020 PERSPECTIVES For 2020 SpineGuard is working on several opportunities in order to generate growth and solidify its strategic turn. Its new generation of PediGuard products equipped with DSG Connect, which adds a tablet interface with signal visualization and recording, should obtain European regulatory clearance in Q1 2020 subsequent to CE mark filing in late September 2019. The US FDA clearance, ongoing as well, should follow later in 2020. Commercial efforts should yield positive results in the USA and certain high-potential countries where the company was successful in the past: in Brazil, the re-registration of products consecutive to a distributor change will allow for a restart of the business. In the Middle East, a multi annual tender should convert into orders. Turkey could receive a reimbursement decision that would accelerate sales with the addition of the public sector. The collaboration with our industry partner Adin Dental/ ConfiDent on the dental application will intensify in 2020 with the co-development of a next generation DSG embedded product, fruit of the feedback on the first generation tested in 2019. Lastly, the search for strategic alliances with industry players notably for the robotic application continues with the venture bank Healthios Capital Markets, marks of interest have been received. Complementary information on "safeguard" proceedings The "safeguard" proceedings only concern companies which are not in suspension of payments. With the initiation of "safeguard" proceedings in France and the concomitant commencement of the Chapter 11 case for the U.S. subsidiary, debt amortization is temporarily suspended. We are very hopeful that this process will allow SpineGuard to renegotiate on a consensual basis a revised payment schedule in order to insure the sustainability of its business and employments while ensuring the payment of its creditors. The trading halt of SpineGuard's stock on Euronext Growth remains until further notice. About SpineGuard Founded in 2009 in France and the USA by Pierre Jerome and Stephane Bette, SpineGuard is an innovative company deploying its proprietary radiation-free real time sensing technology DSG (Dynamic Surgical Guidance) to secure and streamline the placement of implants in the skeleton. SpineGuard designs, develops and markets medical devices that have been used in over 75,000 surgical procedures worldwide. Fifteen studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals have demonstrated the multiple benefits DSG offers to patients, surgeons, surgical staff and hospitals. Building on these solid fundamentals and several strategic partnerships, SpineGuard has expanded its technology platform in a disruptive innovation: the smart pedicle screw launched late 2017 and is broadening the scope of applications in dental implantology and surgical robotics. DSG was co-invented by Maurice Bourlion, Ph.D., Ciaran Bolger, M.D., Ph.D., and Alain Vanquaethem, Biomedical Engineer. For further information, visit www.spineguard.com Disclaimer The SpineGuard securities may not be offered or sold in the United States as they have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any United States state securities laws, and SpineGuard does not intend to make a public offer of its securities in the United States. This is an announcement and not a prospectus, and the information contained herein does and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities referred to herein in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or exemption from registration. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005785/en/ Contacts: SpineGuard Pierre Jerome President Directeur General Tel.: 01 45 18 45 19 p.jerome@spineguard.com Manuel Lanfossi Directeur Financier m.lanfossi@spineguard.com Europe NewCap Investor Relations Financial Communication Mathilde Bohin Pierre Laurent Tel.: 01 44 71 94 94 spineguard@newcap.eu Photo credit: Dexter Navy From Esquire The No Time To Die cast have kept impressively schtum about Daniel Craigs final film in the franchise. At junkets and on late night TV, they all give off the distinct impression that Barbara Broccoli is hiding in the ceiling panels with a bazooka, trained and ready to fire at the mere hint of a spoiler. Youd have more luck extracting state secrets from James Bond himself, in all honesty. But that doesnt mean we wont keep asking. And in our new profile with Rami Malek, out now in the Esquire Style & Fashion issue, we managed to get the upcoming Bond baddie to address the biggest rumour surrounding his character. Specifically: that his character Safin is actually Dr No himself. Photo credit: Nicole Dove - Universal When we put the suggestion to him, Malek responded: "I heard that. Am I? I mean, isn't that an exciting thing to consider all the way up to the release?... There is a resurgence of an Ian Fleming influence on this film." Which isnt a denial! And thats all we can really hope for during this 007 press run. As we state in the piece, wed eat Oddjobs hat if he doesnt turn out to be the legendary Bond villain, but Rami refused to go into any more detail that that. "I have to be extremely careful. I can't really talk about the character." Dr No was, of course, the first and most iconic Bond villain of them all, and it would be a nice bow to tie onto Daniel Craigs Bond legacy. Rami mentions that more of Ian Flemings influence can be found in Cary Joji Fukunaga's movie, so its probably a good idea to look into Dr Nos original backstory. In the novels, Julius No was born in Peking to a German missionary and a Chinese mother, and moved to Shanghai where he got involved in a mob syndicate. The he crossed over to New York, travels across the US and eventually sets up base in Jamaica, from where he controls his criminal empire. Will that lay the foundation for his character, or are we just getting ahead of ourselves? Story continues As Malek is keen to stress, we'll just have to wait and see. Until then, check out everything we know about No Time To Die so far. Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more delivered straight to your inbox SIGN UP You Might Also Like US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday said he is outraged by the UN'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 UN 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. (Photo credit: AP) New Delhi/IBNS: As one year passed by since the deadly terror attack took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama area, Indian PM Narendra Modi on Friday paid tributes to the Indian security personnel who lost their lives in the incident by saying that country will never forget their martyrdom Paying tribute to the security personnel, Modi said: " Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom." Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2020 Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tried to corner the Centre over the attack and asked who benefitted from the incident. Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? pic.twitter.com/KZLbdOkLK5 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 14, 2020 India and Pakistan, the two nuclear armed nations, almost reached the brink of war following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama area on February 14 which led to the death of 40 Indian paramilitary force personnel. Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group took responsibility for the attack. Blaming the neighbouring nation for the terror attack, India carried out airstrikes on terror camps in Pakistan. The tension between the two nations heightened on Feb 26 when Indian fighter jets moved deep inside Pakistan and bombed JeM terror camps in Balakot. It was for the first time since the 1971 war that the Indian jets entered inside Pakistan to drop bombs. Following this incident, an aerial combat between air forces of the two countries occurred on February 27 when Pakistan jets entered India. On its way to chase Pakistani jets, an Indian Air Force jet crashed in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The injured Indian pilot was captured by Pakistan. But things soon normalised after Pakistan decided to release the Indian pilot-Abhinandan Varthaman. He at once became India's newest hero. A study led by Susan Tsang, a former Fulbright Research Fellow from The City College of New York, reveals dwindling populations and widespread hunting throughout Indonesia and the Philippines of the world's largest bats, known as flying foxes. Unfortunately, hunting not only depletes the flying foxes, which are already rare, but also potentially exposes humans to animal-borne pathogens (a process known as zoonosis). "For instance, the current case of Wuhan Coronavirus is thought to have been spread from wild bats to humans through an intermediate host at a wildlife market," said CCNY biologist and Tsang's mentor David J. Lohman, an entomologist and two-time Fulbright recipient. The CCNY experts found that flying foxes originated in a group of islands in Indonesia called Wallacea. They diversified into different species by flying to other islands that presumably lacked competitors and established themselves. Thus, islands are critical to the evolution and conservation of this large group of around 65 mammal species. "This study provides insight into biodiversity conservation and public health. Islands are frequently home to endemic species found nowhere else," noted Tsang, who earned a PhD in biology from the Graduate Center, CUNY. Unfortunately, island-endemic species are more likely to be endangered or go extinct than continental species. Flying foxes are seed dispersers and pollinators of many ecologically and economically important plants, and forest trees on islands often depend on bats for regeneration. ### Entitled: "Dispersal out of Wallacea spurs diversification of Pteropus flying foxes, the world's largest bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera)," the study is the cover article in the Feb. 14 issue of "Journal of Biogeography." It was co-authored by Y-Lan Nguyen, a 2015 graduate of the Macaulay Honors College at CCNY. Other collaborators included scientists from Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Japan. A second paper on the outcome of a study on bat-borne viruses in Southeast Asia is being drafted. Future work will also examine the environmental impact of flying foxes on plant diversification and terrestrial/marine ecosystem dynamics. By John Geddie, Sangmi Cha and Kate Holton SINGAPORE/SEOUL/LONDON (Reuters) - 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. Story continues 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. 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. (Reporting by John Geddie, Joe Brock and Keith Zhai in Singapore, Sangmi Cha and Josh Smith in Seoul, Kate Holton in London, and Joseph Sipalan in Kuala Lumpur; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) By Trend The contracts recently signed by Azerbaijan, ACWA Power (Saudi Arabia) and Masdar (United Arab Emirates) on renewable energy can attract investments in Azerbaijan by other Gulf Cooperation Council members as well, Mohammed Alrmizan, a researcher at King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (Saudi Arabia), told Trend. According to the agreements signed with Azerbaijans Energy Ministry, pilot projects will be implemented for the construction of wind power plants with a capacity of 240 MW with ACWA Power, and for the construction of solar power plants with a capacity of 200 MW with Masdar. In general, production of about 1.4 billion kWh of electricity on wind and solar energy projects annually is predicted. "ACWA Power, another Saudi company owned by Saudi public and private assets, announced earlier in January the signing of an agreement with Azerbaijans Ministry of Energy for a big investment project. The recent agreement signed between ACWA Power and Azerbaijans Energy Ministry shows how effective the bilateral relations are, not only in political, but also in economic sphere. Saudi companies opening offices, or bringing up business and investments in Azerbaijan should be seen as another layer of cooperation that is needed in both countries bilateral cooperation. Azerbaijan could also attract other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members to come and invest," said the expert. Alrmizan noted that historical and current relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Azerbaijan reflect a good bilateral and cooperative perspective not only between the states, but also between the peoples of both countries. "Saudi Aramco, the Saudi leading global oil company, just opened a representational office in Baku. Saudi Aramcos opening office in Baku should be seen as a strong step for future cooperation between one of the largest oil companies in the world and Azerbaijans state and private entities. It could allow for both countries to exchange experience in business, to look up for further cooperative strategies in oil markets, and to jointly train engineers and technicians. Saudi Arabia seeks to continue build up its cooperation with countries worldwide in all spheres of economy as a producing and consuming country. Azerbaijan is an important oil and gas producing country and has a good strategic position for Saudi Arabia to expand its economic and trade activities," he concluded. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The Madhya Pradesh government has imposed a 50% ceiling on expenditure for February and March, except on essentials such as salaries and scholarships, to meet the revenue shortfall expected after the Centre reduced its share of central taxes by one percentage point, according to a circular. A state government official, who was not willing to be named, said the ceiling imposed was 10% in the previous years. The official gave three reasons behind the state governments directive to curtail expenditure. First, he said, was the revenue shortfall of Rs 14,233 crore after the Centre reduced the states share to 41% as against earlier 42% on interim recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission. The second was the financial constraint as the state implemented the second phase of farm loan waiver (of loan up to Rs 100,000) from December 2018. And the third was the lesser than anticipated revenue generation in the previous budget. The finance department issued an internal fiscal management circular to all the departments on February 11, saying that only half of the unspent money can be used in the last two months of the current financial year. The ceiling can be breached only if the departments have to perform mandatory expenditure on salary, allowances, scholarships and important government schemes. The order also stated that there will be no approval for conducting seminars, workshops and other government programmes in five-star hotels and there would be a ban on payment after seven days of the order if the departments have purchased gadgets and vehicles prior to the order of the finance department. The finance departments circulars on austerity measures and a ban on purchases particularly during the last quarter of every the financial year is nothing new but what is unusual this time is the ceiling put on the expenditure, the official cited above said. The central government had issued a similar austerity measure order for the ministries in December 2018 imposing an expenditure ceiling of 15% for the last quarter of the current financial year with some exemptions. The MP government official quoted above said since economic activities had suffered a lot in the state, revenue too came down considerably. For instance, the revenue collection against stamp duty would be less by about Rs 500 crore due to less number of registry on the sale and purchase of land. Similarly, the government is also expecting a shortfall in excise revenue despite an increase in excise tax in December 2018. The officer said, The desperate measures regarding austerity and ceiling on the expenditure are necessitated to avoid a situation of overdraft. The government is already reeling under debt of about Rs 1.75 lakh crore. In the state budget for 2019-20, the government has pegged the total expenditure to be around Rs 228,888 crore and revenue of Rs 181,979 crore. We will be far behind the revenue target, the official said, without giving the number of the expected shortfall. To further put a check on expenditure, the government has also constituted a committee of secretaries to recommend schemes which could be scrapped in the next budget. The committee has to submit its report within a week after consulting all departments, said a second state government official. The state is facing difficulties on the front of finances due to the central government cutting down on the states share in central taxes by more than Rs 14,000 crore, the state finance minister, Tarun Bhanot, said in Jabalpur. State Congress spokesperson JP Dhanopia said, First the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh left empty coffers for the Congress government and now the central government of the BJP is further causing problems to the state government for political reasons. The Bharatiya Janata Party hit back at the Congress-led government, saying it has indulged in unnecessary spending. The dichotomy in the Congress governments approach is whereas the CM, his ministerial colleagues and other Congress leaders are talking of a financial crisis and blaming the BJP for everything all the time, the government has no problem in spending more than Rs 50 crore for IIFA award function to be held in Indore, the spokesperson of the BJPs state unit, Hitesh Bajpai, said. It has no problem with spending crores of rupees on the renovation of ministers bungalows and it has no problem in massive transfers and postings of the government employees, which caused the financial burden to the government, Bajpai added. (ANSA) - Rome, February 13 - Chinese President Xi Jinping thanked Italian President Sergio Mattarella for his support in a message read out by China's ambassador to Rome, Li Junhua, at a concert at the presidential palace on Thursday. Mattarella last week visited a Roman school frequented by many Chinese children to show support and fight discrimination linked to the coronavirus panic. "Last week you wanted to meet students from an elementary school in an area of Rome where the Chinese community is highly numerous," Xi's message read. "Today you wanted to organize this extraordinary concert by a pianist of Chinese origin. "This is another concrete gesture that shows real friendship is seen in moments of need and I am deeply moved. "The Chinese government has adopted rigorous and precise measures of prevention and control to address the epidemic, acting in a responsible way with regards to the Chinese people and the international community, and now our efforts are gradually producing positive effects. "The Chinese government and the Chinese people are determined and have the capacity to win the battle against the epidemic and safeguard regional and global health security. "Difficulties are temporary, friendship is eternal". Mattarella expressed faith in the measures China is taking to combat the coronavirus emergency. "It is the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and Italy," Mattarella said. "These relations are based on sincere cooperation for the common interest. "Italy expresses confidence in, and support for, China in the epidemic emergency and its commitment to guaranteeing international health security". Amaravati, Feb 14 : Defying Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Chairman once again, the Legislature Secretary on Friday returned the file for constituting a select committee to look into three capital bills. For the second time in a week, Legislature Secretary P. Balakrishnamacharyulu sent back the file to Council Chairman M.A. Shariff stating that the panel cannot be constituted as due procedures were not followed while referring the two bills to the committee. The Chairman had last month referred the AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of all Regions Bill 2020 and Repealing the APCRDA Act Bill, ignoring the strong protest from the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), which wanted him to put the bills to vote. Shariff had earlier taken exception strong exception to in-charge Secretary of AP Legislature returning the file related to select committee to his office. He again sent the file to the Secretary directing to immediately constitute the committee and send him a compliance report. The opposition parties have also slammed the Legislature Secretary for sending back the file to the Chairman. Main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) termed it contempt of the House. The YSRCP argued that that the announcement made by the Chairman referring the bills to the Select Committee became invalid as they were not formed within 14 days. The YSRCP leaders also say that both the bills should be considered passed. The TDP, however, contended that the 14 day period apply to money bills and not general bills. While the opposition parties already sent the names of their representatives for the select committee, the YSRCP, which has just nine members in 58-member Council, ruled out sending the names saying the select committee was announced without following due procedure. The Council Chairman had referred the bills using to select committee using his discretionary powers. Both the bills were passed by State Assembly at its special sitting on January 20. While one bill is aimed at scrapping the special body created to develop Amaravati as the state capital, the second bill provides for development of Visakhapatnam and Kurnool as the two capitals besides Amaravati. The Bills, however, hit a roadblock in the Legislative Council, where the opposition is in majority. Taking serious note of what it called the efforts by the opposition to stall the crucial bills, the YSRCP government moved to abolish the Upper House. The Assembly on January 27 passed a resolution, 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, urged him to expedite the process. Jagan Mohan Reddy told the PM that this decision was taken as the Council had lost its utility and going against the bills passed by the Legislative Assembly. He urged Modi to direct the Union Law Ministry to take necessary action in this regard. --IANS ms/vd A Company Signs New Order Totaling $89,000 CHICO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 14, 2020 / AmeraMex International, Inc. (OTCQB:AMMX), a provider of heavy equipment for logistics companies, infrastructure construction and forestry conservation, announced that it has received orders totaling approximately $89,000. This brings year-to-date sales of $3.3 million. The orders consisted of a mini excavator sold to a commercial farming group in Northern California. Initially, the group signed a one-year rental agreement and, after one month, converted to a purchase. The second order was for a refurbished Taylor Equipment forklift with a new hay squeeze installed. The order will ship at the end of March to a commercial hay grower in California. About AmeraMex International AmeraMex International sells, leases and rents heavy equipment to companies within multiple industries including construction, logistics, mining, and lumber. AmeraMex, with a US and international customer base, has over 30 years of experience in heavy equipment sales and service. Follow AmeraMex on Twitter @ammx_intl and visit the AmeraMex website, www.AMMX.net or www.hamreequipment.com for additional information and equipment videos. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "potential," "continue" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects the Company's current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Investor and Media Relations McCloud Communications, LLC Marty Tullio, Managing Member Office: 949.632.1900 or Marty@McCloudCommunications.com SOURCE: AmeraMex International, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/576477/AmeraMex-International-Reports-Year-to-Date-Sales-Totaling-33-Million The search for the source of the novel has tabbed a new animal candidate: The pangolin, a long-snouted, scaly, ant-eating mammal found in parts of Asia and Africa. Scientists in Guangzhou, China, announced data last week suggesting that the notoriously cute animals, valued as a source of food and as a traditional medicinal ingredient in China, carried viruses that are 99 per cent similar to the virus now named Covid-19. That data has been neither published nor confirmed, but the mere suggestion is turning attention back to Chinas wet markets and the wild animals for sale in many of them. Since December, evidence has strongly suggested that something wild infected humans with the virus at one such market in central Wuhan, leading to the current outbreak. In response, the Chinese government implemented a national crackdown on the trade, especially in places where food is bought and sold. Yet even if this crackdown succeeds, it wont eliminate the public health threat from Chinas demand for wild animals, which will only go underground. Fixing that will require a shift in how governments around the world view the global trade. What was once seen as a conservation and criminal justice issue must now be treated as a global health and security issue, as well. Chinas demand for wild animals to use as food varies from region to region. A 2014 survey of consumers in five Chinese cities found that 83 per cent of respondents in Guangzhou had eaten in the last year; in Shanghai, it was 14 per cent. Overall, demand is in decline, with 52.7 per cent respondents agreeing that wildlife should not be consumed, up from 42.7 per cent in 2004. But those numbers still represent tens of millions of consumers. Meanwhile, traditional Chinese medicine, which utilises wild and domesticated animal products, is a $60 billion global industry, and is growing with the support of the Chinese government (and the World Health Organization). Most governments, including Chinas, have viewed and regulated the wildlife trade as a conservation issue, if its regulated at all. In recent years, public health authorities have started to take an interest in the wildlife trade, too, and for good reason. Wildlife are responsible for 70 per cent of all emerging diseases, including SARS, HIV and the H5N1 influenza commonly known as the bird flu. Not all of those outbreaks happened in China, of course. Nonetheless, is more susceptible than most places. It is the worlds biggest market in a global illegal wildlife trade that could be worth in excess of $20 billion. Last April, Singapore seized 26 tons of pangolin scales worth $77 million sourced from Nigeria. The clandestine nature of such trades, and the difficulty of tracking them, means that public health authorities must struggle to find the source of a zoonotic infection when it emerges. By contrast, public health authorities in the US, the worlds largest importer of legal wildlife, might also struggle to find the source an emerging disease, but at least they have a paper trail. The good news is that the wet markets are turning for the better. As my colleague David Fickling recently noted, Chinas meat supply chain is becoming more secure as companies and consumers transition to shopping in grocery stores. Wild animals, especially illegally caught ones, are unlikely to be found in the butchers case. The bad news is that grocery stores may only serve to drive the wild-animal trade underground, where it becomes even more difficult to track. Authorities in and elsewhere cant be content with simply shutting down the wet markets and other wildlife trade venues. They need to do more. The most important step is to view the wildlife trade as a public health threat, as well as a conservation threat. That requires enforcement and public education. A decade ago, successfully reduced the slaughter of sharks for their fins (used in soup) via a celebrity-led campaign that focused on conservation. A similar campaign that leverages the Chinese publics longstanding concerns over food safety should be just as successful. Once established, the campaign should be extended to the regions from which China sources wildlife, including Southeast Asia and Africa. The World Health Organization, in concert with the United Nations, is ideally positioned to promote it, and public health funding agencies globally should be keen to fund it. At the same time, China and other countries should invest their intelligence resources into uncovering and prosecuting wildlife trafficking rings. Last year, the Financial Action Task Force, an intergovernmental organisation that fights money laundering, agreed to a Chinese government proposal to focus on money laundering linked to the illegal wildlife trade. None of these efforts will reduce the threat of pandemics in the short term. But in time, they should make life safer for humans and pangolins, alike, and reduce the risk of the next plague emerging from a wet market. By PTI THIRUVANTHAPURAM: Kerala police maintained that no rifles were missing, a day after the CAG audit found shortage of 25 INSAS rifles and 12,061 live cartridges from the Special Armed Police Battalion here. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress and BJP slammed the state government on the issue and demanded action against the police chief. "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. ALSO READ| Bullets have been missing since 1994; police had probed 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, MoS 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 Vijayan and DGP Loknath Behera. "Both the Chief Minister and State police chief should resign and face action," he said. He alleged that a CBI probe will not bring out the truth as Behera was close to the Narendra Modi government. Leader of the Opposition 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 a NIA investigation into the missing rifles and cartridges need to be conducted. Meanwhile, Behara also met the Chief Minister at the Secretariat. Police sources said that the DGP is expected to leave for the UK in the first week of March to attend a conference. Armenian News - NEWS.am presents daily digest of top news as of 2020: Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan met Thursday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during his visit to Germany. PM and Angela Merkel made joint statement before the meeting. Major changes are expected in the Armenian legal system, and this isnt an easy process, but we wish you success in the implementation of your actions, said Merkel. PM, in his turn, noted that Germany is one of the strong bridges that links Armenia to the EU, European civilization and culture. The PM also participated in a meeting hosted by Friedrich Ebert Foundation and touched upon the Karabakh issue. Armenia has already said that it will view Azerbaijans attack on Karabakh as an attack on Armenia, PM noted. Touching upon the constitutional referendum, he said that the impartiality of Armenian judges is a mandatory condition. The PM also spoke about immigration and noted that since 2018, the number of citizens of Armenia seeking status in the territory of the EU has decreased more than twice. Six more people have been charged in the criminal case opened against Vahagn Vermishyan, Chairman of the Urban Development Committee of Armenia, on charges of bribe-taking. Based on a court ruling, three of them were arrested for two months. Yerevan State University professor has been apprehended for taking bribes. From 2017 to 2019, a lecturer took bribes ranging between $1,000 and $ 8,000 from a number of people to carry out illegal acts in favor of them, or of those whom they had introduced. And on January 31, this lecturer was apprehended by the NSS officers after taking a $1,000 bribe. The Netherlands notified the General Secretariat of the European Council and the Council of the EU on February 12 about the completion of its internal procedures necessary for the ratification of the Armenia-EU deal, Armenian MFA spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan wrote on her Facebook. The Dutch Senate unanimously ratified the Armenia-EU agreement on December 17. Coronavirus death toll has reached 1,491, 124 deaths have been recorded over the past day, worldmeters reported. One of the patients died in Japan - this is the first death from a coronavirus in this country. According to media reports, this was a woman about 80 years old. A cargo of 950,000 barrels of crude that had been stranded at sea for about a year has finally docked at the port of Jose in Venezuela, Bloomberg reports, adding that the cargo was worth around $50 million at todays prices. The cargo, on the Gerd Knutsen tanker, was loaded in January 2019 but never reached its destination on the U.S. Gulf Coast because of the escalation of U.S. sanctions against Venezuela and the effective takeover of Citgo by Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido with the support of Washington. Gerd Knutsen set sail a day before U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Guaido as interim president of Venezuela and a week before he announced further sanctions on Venezuela, targeting its oil industry. A month later, the opposition-dominated Venezuelan National Assembly picked a new board for Citgo. PDVSA, however, the parent company, refused to allow Gerd Knutsen to set sail for the United States. Since then, it has been a battle for control of the $50-million cargo between Caracas and Citgo. Much of this battle took place in U.S. courts. According to reports at the time, the Maduro-loyal board of Citgo, based in Venezuela, wrote to the captain of Gerd Knutsen to ask that the cargo be released to Citgos parent, PDVSA, in December 2019. The second Citgo board tried to block this release by obtaining a court order, Reuters recalls in a timeline of the events. The court, in Delaware, ruled in favor of the Guaido-affiliated Citgo board, calling Maduros attempt to get the cargo back legally invalid. It told the Citgo board to deliver its ruling to the captain of Gerd Knutsen but it appears Caracas was quicker and the cargo returned to its point of origin. Meanwhile, the Maduro government is ceding control over the countrys oil fields to foreign companies to keep the oil flowing and the economy trudging along amid the U.S. sanctions, the New York Times reported earlier this month. Foreign companies are taking over the day-to-day operation of the fields, managing the exports of crude, and even hiring the security for the fields. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Sara Abdullah Pilot, sister of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, on Friday said all Kashmiris should have the same rights as other citizens of the country. Talking to reporters after hearing on her petition challenging Abdullah's detention under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in the Supreme Court, Sara said she was hopeful of an early hearing as it was "a habeas corpus case and the relief would be sooner." She said that she and her family had full faith in the justice system. "We are here because we want all Kashmiris should have the same rights as the citizens of India and we are waiting for that day," she said and did not take any further questions from journalists. Earlier, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir administration on the plea challenging Abdullah's detention under the Public Safety Act. A bench, comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee, said it would hear the plea on March 2. The petition was filed on Monday saying the PSA order was "manifestly illegal" and there was no question of him being a "threat to the maintenance of public order". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MONROE Firefighters quickly extricated one person after a rollover crash on Hattertown Road Thursday night, according to fire officials. First responders were dispatched to the crash around 7:15 p.m. on Hattertown Road near Guinea Road. On scene, firefighters found a vehicle rolled on its side with an occupant stuck in the car. Units started extrication around 7:20 p.m. Within minutes, the occupant was out. Firefighters very quickly extricated one patient who was alert but trapped in the vehicle, said Kevin Catalano, the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department spokesman. Some units remained on scene until a wrecker showed up to tow the car. THUMB AREA The Thumb Area Community Theatre is presenting "The Addams Family-A Musial Comedy" this weekend at USA schools. Come on out and support the arts in the thumb, said TACT Chairperson Karen Southgate. Based on the book written by Marshall Briskman and Rick Elics, this Broadway original is being brought to life at the Unionville-Sebewaing Area Auditorium. Already having been deemed monstrously funny by participants, it features some of the Thumbs most talented acts. Directed by Catherine Arnett of Caro, with musical direction from Michael Vananti of Sebewaing, this play was developed especially for its local viewers. Cast members come from Vassar, Caro, Cass City, Unionville, Sebewaing and more. The part of Gomez is performed by Tommy Fulcher, Morticia is portrayed by Beth Maurer, everyone's beloved Uncle Fester is played by Matt Deneen, Lerch is acted out by Timothy Vananti, Wednesdays character is played by Bailey Weir and Alexis King takes on the part of Pugsly. Wednesday has grown up and is getting married, Southgate said. She wants to marry a normal boy, so you already know that isnt going to go over well. For those who may have a little drama prince or princess, TACT will be hosting open auditions for the youth production of Disneys "Frozen." These are set to take place at the USA auditorium on Sunday, March 1 and Monday, March 2 from 6-8:30 p.m. Auditions will consist of reading and singing scripts. Grades first through 12th may try out. The play will be directed by Michael Vacanti and Katie Volmering. Southgate has been actively involved in TACT since her college-aged daughter was just 10 years old. She was involved in several programs throughout school. Southgate simply fell in love with the local theatre. Kids need positive experiences and role models, Southgate said. TACT involves kids who dont have anything else to be involved in. Cast members become family. Putting on a show is time intensive and a stressful activity. They are together three days a week over three hours at a time. It develops leadership, trust, and communication. "The Addams Family-A Musial Comedy" performances are scheduled to take place at the USA High School Auditorium. The first was on Friday, Feb. 14 at 7:00 p.m. The next will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and the final production will be on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 2:00 p.m. General admissions prices are $10.00, $8.00 for seniors and $5.00 for students. You may purchase your tickets at the door, Thumb Bank in Pigeon, Chemical Bank in Sebewaing, or online at tactdrama.brownpapertickets.com. Doors will open a half an hour before performance times. For more information visit www.tactdrama.com, or call (989) 977-0626. NEW YORK, NY, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- iQSTEL Inc. (OTC: IQST) is pleased to announce a definitive agreement signed with Labrys Fund extending the terms of the previous promissory note thereby stopping further conversions. Entry into a material definitive agreement 8-K: https://www.otcmarkets.com/filing/html?id=13916162&guid=AHmCUpTtiuq7y3h Mr. Iglesias, the Companys CEO, stated: As of February 13, 2020, the Company had matured and due obligations of $892,626 with Labrys Fund. The terms of the original promissory note allowed for conversions upon maturity. However, the Company has successfully reached a refinancing agreement with Labrys Fund extending the payments for about 16 months. As is typical with convertible promissory notes, a pro-rated share reserve is being set up with the transfer agent as a guarantee to the debt holder, further detailed in the 8-K. This new agreement allows for existing cash flow to meet the payment requirements so as to avoid further dilution or the share reserve being used. With our recent revenue generating SMS asset acquisition and subsequent JV formation, QGlobal SMS, we look forward to 2020 being a strong growth year across all our brands and wish to thank Labrys Fund for working with us to secure this refinance, continued Mr. Iglesias, the Companys CEO. About iQSTEL Inc.: iQSTEL (OTC: IQST) www.iQSTEL.com is a technology company offering a wide array of services to the Telecommunications Industry. These include services to International Long-Distance Telecommunications Operators (ILD Wholesale), Retail and Corporate markets (ILD Retail), Submarine Fiber Optic Network capacity, Satellite Communications services, Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) services, Internet of Things (IoT) technology solutions, Data Center facilities capacity leasing, and Blockchain solutions for the Telecommunications industry. About Etelix.com USA, LLC: Etelix.com USA LLC www.etelix.com is wholly owned subsidiary of iQSTEL Inc. Etelix.com USA, LLC is a Miami, Florida-based international telecom carrier founded in 2008 that provides telecom and technology solutions worldwide, with commercial presence in North America, Latin America and Europe. Enabled by its 214-license granted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Etelix provides International Long-Distance voice services for Telecommunications Operators (ILD Wholesale), and Submarine Fiber Optic Network capacity for internet (4G and 5G). Etelix was founded in 2008 and has been profitable since inception. About SwissLink Carrier AG: SwissLink Carrier AG www.swisslink-carrier.com is a 51% owned subsidiary of iQSTEL Inc. SwissLink Carrier AG is a Switzerland based international Telecommunications Carrier founded in 2015 providing international VoIP connectivity worldwide, with commercial presence in Europe, CIS and Latin America. SwissLink Carrier AG is a Swiss licensed Operator, having a domestic Interconnect with Swisscom, allowing their international Carrier Customers direct terminations via SwissLink into all Switzerland Fix & Mobile Networks. Since the takeover from Swissphone in November 2018 and the rename into SwissLink, they operate on a profitable level. Safe Harbor Statement: Statements in this news release may be "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements relating to our future activities or other future events or conditions. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may, and are likely to, differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release and iQSTEL Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release. iQSTEL Inc. IR US Phone: 646-740-0907, IR Email: investors@iqstel.com Source: iQSTEL Inc. 13 Christian leaders criticize Trump policies they fear will increase poverty Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Thirteen Christian leaders have signed onto a letter speaking out against President Donald Trumps budget proposal and other administration policies that they say will add to the nations poverty and hunger issues. The Circle of Protection, a coalition comprised of leaders from various Christian organizations, published an open letter Tuesday calling out administration actions that affect people in poverty. As leaders from all the families of U.S. Christianity, representing church bodies and networks serving more than 100 million Americans, we are concerned about administration action to cut safety net programs that help low-income people, the letter reads. The gospel of Gods love for all people moves us to speak together on this issue. The coalition is comprised of mostly left-leaning Christian leaders, including Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Sojourners founder Jim Wallis, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and Barbara Williams Skinner of the National African American Clergy Network. Other signatories to the letter include the National Association of Evangelicals President Walter Kim, Gabriel Salguero of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, Jim Winkler of the National Council of Churches and Bread for the World President David Beckmann. We can do better. Jesus taught that the peoples of the world will be judged by what we do for the hungry, the stranger, the sick and the prisoner, the letter explains, citing Matthew 25. Among many things, the letter takes issue with an executive order signed by Trump in April 2018 that instructs government departments to look for ways to impose tougher rules and work requirements for eligibility in means-tested public assistance programs. The agencies were instructed to gauge whether programs are helping individuals and families avoid long-term dependence. The leaders argue that while they support the goal of helping Americans toward financial independence, they fear some of the administrations policy changes and proposed cuts to low-income programs are likely to add to the hunger, poverty and economic insecurity which are already far too widespread in our country. Nearly 40 million people are living in poverty in the U.S., according to Poverty USA. The letter blasts new rules from the Department of Agriculture that some fear will lead to 3.7 million people being stripped of their food stamps through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. There is also concern that proposed changes will lead to 1 million schoolchildren losing automatic eligibility for free school meals. The administration has taken a series of actions to reduce the number of people who get health insurance on the Affordable Health Care exchanges, and the number of people covered by health insurance has dropped by 7 million since the end of 2016, it says. The administration now wants to allow states to impose work requirements on Medicaid. Courts have ruled that this is inconsistent with the law. But Arkansas moved ahead before the courts acted, and 18,000 people lost health insurance. The leaders argue that if work requirements on Medicaid are implemented nationwide, anywhere from 1.4 million to 4 million people may lose their health insurance, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The leaders spoke out against a proposed rule change that would allow states to convert federal funding they receive to expand Medicaid coverage into block grants. However, the letter contends that the block-granting over time will take too many families on the edge of poverty off of health insurance. On housing, they criticized two proposed measures that they believe will increase poverty. The administration submitted a budget proposal that would cut the Department of Housing and Urban Development budget by 15 percent. One [measure] would reduce protection from discrimination against people with disabilities, seniors and people of color, they contend. Another would evict from public housing 100,000 legal immigrants whose families include undocumented people. The administration has proposed changes in how the poverty line is calculated that would, over time, reduce means-tested assistance for millions more people. Courts have ruled that many of these changes are inconsistent with the law. The Christian leaders also call out a Department of Homeland Securitys public charge rule that the U.S. Supreme Court let go into effect last month. The rule altered the way the federal government judges the the public charge ground of inadmissibility for immigrants applying for visas and green cards who rely on government assistance. Even before this rule went into effect, the threat of it was enough to convince millions of people to forego needed assistance with food or health care, the leaders argue. The administration has also restricted opportunities and protection for immigrants, refugees and people of color in other ways, and our nation has neglected humanitarian concerns in other parts of the world. The leaders fear Trumps budget proposal submitted Monday will mean even more massive cuts to low-income programs over the next 10 years. As Congress considers and passes FY21 appropriations bills, we ask them to maintain adequately funded safety net programs that provide help and opportunity for our most vulnerable neighbors, both at home and abroad. Continued growth of the U.S. economy since 2010 has improved job opportunities for many struggling families. But while the stock market has soared, poverty and hunger have declined very gradually. Neither the administration nor Congress has taken any steps to address our ballooning federal debt and deficits in order to preserve our nations long-term economic health. Circle of Protection has asked all 2020 presidential candidates to make short video statements answering the question: What would you do to provide help and opportunity to hungry and poor people around the world. To date, seven 2020 presidential candidates have submitted videos to the Circle of Protection. Show me your budget and I will tell you your values, Wallis said in a statement. Let me be clear: a budget is a moral document and an articulation of priorities. As Christians, we are compelled to protect and uplift the poor in our nation and beyond. The current budget, and continued executive action, has an outsized negative effect on people in poverty. This Valentine's day was pretty crucial for filmmaker Imtiaz Ali and looks like he has failed the litmus test, yet again. 11 years after the original film, Imtiaz Ali decided to refurbish his theme and roped in Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan for the second installment. The film shows love stories of two different eras -the first is set in the late 1980s early nineties and unfolds between Raghu and Leena. The other love story, set in the present time, happens between Veer and Zoe. While Kartik plays Raghu and Veer, Sara Ali Khan has been cast as Zoe and Arushi Sharma plays Leena. Bollywood actor Kartik Aryan once in an interview said that he enjoys playing two distinct characters from different eras in Imtiaz Ali's film Love Aaj Kal was a challenge he enjoyed. "The two roles are distinct, in the way they look, react and relate to people around them. Veer is a modern guy, somewhat geeky and socially awkward. He is sure of what he wants and that sets him apart from the people around him. On the other hand, Raghu represents any teenage boy who has grown up in the nineties. Raghu and Veer are also different when they are in love," said Kartik. Talking about the film, Imtiaz added, "While portraying Veer and Raghu, I did not compare one with the other. When Kartik played Veer, he was not thinking about Raghu and vice versa. Kartik played both the parts with great energy and even the unit felt like they were working with two different actors while shooting with Veer or Raghu!" Well, did the film manage to strike the right chords with the audience? Just like the mixed reactions that the trailer received, nothing much has changed for the film. Fans are deeply disappointed and these tweets are proof! Love Aaj Kal 2 Bombay Velvet ko Takar De Gii.... JON SNOW (@FanClubofSallu) February 14, 2020 #Interval: #LoveAajKal Probably the most DEAD BORING film ever that I'm watching! #KartikAaryan is making me miss Fardeen Khan on screen & looks like he hasn't showered in months! #RandeepHooda is hot as usual, #SaraAliKhan is super fresh & has a good character. #LoveAajKalReview N J (@Nilzrav) February 13, 2020 Theather owners are charging additonal Rs 500 to let the people out of the Audi showing disaster #LoveAajKal ;-) #LoveAajKal2review #LoveAajKalReview pic.twitter.com/U1VkyrzrjO TauPun (@TauTumhare) February 14, 2020 People at Cinema hall watching Love Aaj Kal #LoveAajKalReview pic.twitter.com/xVdjpRuzK5 Labdhi Shah (@honey1925) February 14, 2020 If you think Jab Harry Met Sejal was bad then trust me #LoveAajkal would ensure you lost your senses while watching the film, people with tremendous tolerance can survive it,rest will leave the theater before or after interval. Shocked Kartik and sarw chose to do this film. Ankur Choudhary (@imchoudhryankur) February 14, 2020 Me cancelling tickets of love aaj kal after reading reviews #LoveAajKalReview pic.twitter.com/5qEzvpGDWq FASCISM overloaded (@anonymous91234) February 14, 2020 *10 minutes into love aaj kal 2* Me :#LoveAajKalReview pic.twitter.com/L86iVN3R6K virat shah (@__Ashwathama) February 14, 2020 my valentine day mistake i went to watch love aaj kal first day first show. before interval i in real told to my friends i want to go home. but sara was amazing.#LoveAajKal #LoveLivesEveryday #LoveAajKal2 #LoveAajKalReview #SaraAliKhan #KartikAaryan #ImtiazAli pic.twitter.com/kPaCJ2ia1l Pooja Sharma (@gatsbynoob) February 14, 2020 If you think Jab Harry Met Sejal was bad then trust me #LoveAajkal would ensure you lost your senses while watching the film, people with tremendous tolerance can survive it,rest will leave the theater before or after interval. Shocked Kartik and sarw chose to do this film. Sumit kadel (@SumitkadeI) February 14, 2020 #LoveAajKalReview She:- let go to love aaj Kal movie. He:- pic.twitter.com/MRV3XJhnig Gulshan Laassi (@gulshanlassi) February 14, 2020 Interval for #LOVEAAJKAL: FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIING SHIT! THIS IS SHIT! NOTHING BUT SHIT! THIS IS SHIT RUBBED ON SCRIPT AND THEN PUT ON CAMERA. FUCKI THIS SHIT! EKDAM TATTI. Pramit Chatterjee (@pramitheus) February 13, 2020 People who went to watch Love Aaj Kal after few minutes #LoveAajKalReview pic.twitter.com/NgDswKOiU2 Birch (@greysky000) February 14, 2020 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, boards a plane as he departs on a multi-country trip, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Read more DAKAR, Senegal Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives in Africa this weekend as the first U.S. cabinet official to visit in more than 18 months, and he is certain to face questions about the U.S. militarys future on the continent and new U.S. visa restrictions against millions of Africans. Pompeo is visiting Senegal, Angola and Ethiopia as the Trump administration tries to counter the growing interest of China, Russia and other global powers in Africa and its booming young population of more than 1.2 billion. His visit comes as the U.S. military considers reducing its presence in West Africa's Sahel region while extremists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group expand their reach, killings hundreds of civilians. Pompeo last year said the Sahel should be the next focus of the global coalition against IS outside the group's core region. In one surprising case an al-Qaida-linked group, JNIM, and an IS-linked group, The Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, are cooperating, something the commander of Special Operations Command Africa told reporters he hasn't seen before. It's largely due to personal connections but that's an interesting phenomenon that we're watching, Brig. Gen. Dagvin Anderson said Thursday. Also raising concerns is the Trump administration's announcement last month that it will no longer be issuing immigrant visas to citizens of Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation with an estimated 200 million people and a large, often high-achieving diaspora. New visa restrictions also were imposed on Eritrea, Tanzania and Sudan. This is the challenge Pompeos facing in Africa, explaining the contradictory messages out of Washington," Mike OHanlon, director of the Brookings Africa Security Initiative, said in a briefing this week. Some African leaders have bristled at what they perceive as the Trump administration's us or them narrative around China and Russia, especially after President Donald Trump made derogatory comments about Africa. Other leaders have said competition is welcome if it brings more investment to the continent. O'Hanlon said most African leaders are pragmatic and very keen to work with the U.S. and if offered a White House meeting, they would take it. Pompeo will meet with the countries' leaders and businesspeople. His first stop in long-stable Senegal is aimed at solidifying ties with the one West African Sahel country that has avoided the extremist attacks that target Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The U.S. military this month holds its annual Flintlock exercises in Senegal and neighboring Mauritania to help train regional armies to counter extremism. There are signs, though, that U.S. military interest could be waning. Late last year the U.S. switched to a strategy of merely trying to contain extremist groups in the Sahel instead of weakening them, according to a new report by the Pentagon inspector general. Meanwhile the U.S. has begun replacing some combat troops in Africa with military trainers. Worried French officials have lobbied the U.S. not to reduce its presence in the Sahel, where France's largest overseas military operation leads the fight against extremists and is adding hundreds of troops. A senior State Department official insisted, however, that the military issue is separate from Pompeo's visit. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with department protocol, referred questions to the Pentagon. An awful lot of the security programs that we conduct in the Sahel are actually paid for by U.S. State Department funds, the official said. We absolutely plan to continue those programs." After Senegal, Pompeo will stop next week in Angola, an oil-rich but largely impoverished country where President Joao Lourenco is making strides against corruption, including actions against close relatives of the former leader. Then Pompeo heads to Ethiopia, Africa's second-most populous nation with more than 100 million people and the headquarters of the African Union. Ethiopia, a key U.S. security ally in the Horn of Africa, has undergone dramatic political reforms since Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018. The loosening of repressive measures has been exploited by some with long-held grievances, leading to sometimes violent ethnic tensions that threaten a national election later this year. Even Abiy's close advisers acknowledge the challenges ahead. This election is not just a normal election, its actually a referendum on whether to live together or not, Lencho Bati, a senior foreign policy adviser, told an audience at the United States Institute of Peace on Thursday. He noted that Ethiopia, a country of more than 80 ethnic groups, is a fragmented society and highly politicized," and he called on the opposition to practice civil politics. Ethiopia, I would argue, is the most important country on the continent today," Witney Schneidman, a former deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs, told a Brookings Institution briefing this week. Schneidman views Pompeo's Africa visit as an effort to establish a positive tone on the continent, albeit a belated one. Trump has yet to visit Africa, and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross was his last cabinet official to do so in 2018. Pompeo needs to convey that the continent is a priority for the U.S., and that America remains committed to economic development and security, Schneidman said. If he can cut through and promote those messages clearly, then I think his trip will be successful." Associated Press Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee in Washington and Cara Anna in Johannesburg contributed. On Valentine's Day, students at an all-girls college in Maharashtra were made to take a pledge against the concept of love marriage. Students at the Mahila Arts and Commerce College, Chandur Railway, took the pledge in Marathi that they 'will not love anyone and never have a love affair nor do a love marriage'. Amravati: On Valentine's Day, students at an all-girls college in Maharashtra were made to take a pledge against the concept of love marriage. Students at the Mahila Arts and Commerce College, Chandur Railway, took the pledge in Marathi that they "will not love anyone and never have a love affair nor do a love marriage". "I take an oath that I have complete faith in my parents and I will not fall in love and not do love marriage," the students pledged in an oath that also included that they would not marry anyone who sought dowry. A student, Ritika Rangaari said, "Whoever we love that person should be good for us and should be self-dependent. It is always better to take advice from the family in matters of love." While another student Bhavna Tayde said, "I feel what is the need to do love marriage is? Our parents are sufficient to take a call on these matters. They will see the best of our interests." Woman and Child Development state minister Yashomati Thakur said, "The students must have taken a pledge which is not binding on anyone. The college must have made them take the pledge in the context of alerting them on cases like that in Wardha." In Wardha, a 24-year-old lecturer who was set ablaze by a stalker near Hinganghat in Wardha district succumbed to her injuries on Monday. The lecturer was set ablaze allegedly by a jilted lover in Maharashtra's Wardha district near the Hinganghat area on February 3. The unmarried woman had suffered approximately 40 per cent burn injuries and was treated in a Nagpur-based hospital where she later died. Barely a month ago, then-Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong was sharing a stage with Elon Musk to celebrate the release of Tesla's China-built Model 3 sedans -- the sort of glitzy honor that comes with leading the financial hub of the world's second-largest economy. Now, he's stepping into a more difficult arena. Ying, 62, was appointed Thursday to the top political post in central Hubei province, a region simmering with discontent over his predecessor's failure to contain a coronavirus outbreak that has killed almost 1,400 people across the country. The choice speaks volumes about what President Xi Jinping values as he grapples with the biggest political crisis of his tenure. Ying, a former top judge who previously served under Xi in positions in Zhejiang province, is seen first and foremost as a proven loyalist. "By sending a known ally to Hubei, Xi Jinping is also signaling the personal importance he attaches to Hubei's recovery," said Ken Jarrett, a former U.S. consul general in Shanghai who's now a senior adviser for the Albright Stonebridge Group. "This is intended to reassure the citizens of Hubei that the central government will provide all necessary help as Hubei emerges from this public health crisis." Ying replaced embattled provincial Communist Party chief Jiang Chaoliang, 62, a former bank executive who saw his political career crumble in just two months as a new strain of virus spread from the provincial capital Wuhan around the world. Hubei -- an industrial powerhouse with an economy the size of Sweden's -- remains on lockdown, with its healthcare system stretched to the breaking point. The shakeup indicates increasing unease among China's top leaders with the political fallout from the virus and their desire to regain control of events. Ying's success could have particular consequences for Xi, since he's vested his confidence in the former Shanghai mayor to save the party's prestige at home and abroad. "The assignment shows the party with Xi Jinping at its core highly trusts me," Ying said after he took the post Thursday, with a obligatory nod to Xi's paramount status in the party. He called the new job "a heavy responsibility" and "a major test." Ying's record as a virus-fighter has received mixed reviews, even on China's heavily censored social media, where some complained about what they said was Shanghai's slowness in tracking infected cases compared to other regions. One Weibo user named Little Landlady in Shanghai said the city needed to "detail every confirmed case like Tianjin, disclose their tracks like Anhui and manage those returning to Shanghai like Suzhou." Carlo Diego D'Andrea, vice president of the European Chamber of Commerce in China and chairman of its Shanghai chapter, praised Ying for introducing measures to support small and medium-sized businesses during the virus outbreak. "Shanghai responded very quickly to alleviate business pressures," he said. Ying, who joined the party in 1979, started as an official in the coastal province of Zhejiang, working for the Huangyan county industry bureau and the local police. He then spent much of his career in the province's party-controlled legal system, rising to become president of the Zhejiang Higher People's Court in 2006. There, his career intersected with Xi, who led Zhejiang from 2002 to 2007. Ying later followed Xi to the neighboring metropolis of Shanghai and was appointed to lead the Shanghai Higher People's Court in 2008. Because of his overlapping experience with the future president in Zhejiang, Ying is often classified as a member of the "New Zhijiang Army," a reference to the greater Zhejiang region. It's a well of connections that Xi has repeatedly tapped since taking power in 2012. "His appointment reflects the belief that the Hubei party apparatus has performed poorly and needs a good shakeup," said Trey McArver, a partner at Beijing-based consulting firm Trivium China. "Ying is likely to focus on finding why the system performed poorly, and then taking steps to address the issue." In 2017, Ying was appointed mayor of Shanghai, a city of more than 20 million that has long been a key base of political power. While he maintained a relatively low profile, he nevertheless gained experience managing an economy roughly equal in size to Poland's. Perhaps more importantly, he expressed vocal support for Xi's key agenda items, once describing the most important consideration for reforming China's state-owned enterprises as "maintaining the party's leadership." He also presided over "criticism and self-criticism" sessions in the Shanghai government last year, in line with Xi's Marxist approach to political discipline. Ying's most high-profile moment was unquestionably the launch of the Tesla Model 3s last month, when he shook hands with Musk and congratulated him on the brand's local success. "The cooperation between Tesla and Shanghai is just a beginning and has a promising future," Ying said. It was a rare moment in the limelight for a low-key loyal party operative. But as Xi faces down the greatest challenge of his rule in Hubei, he appears to have decided that quiet loyalty was what he needs most. "Ying Yong's strongest credential is a long affiliation with Xi," Jarrett said. "Xi wants someone he trusts as Hubei gets back on its feet again." FILE PHOTO: A palm oil seed is seen at a plantation in Pulau Carey KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia has not abandoned an option to file a World Trade Organization (WTO) suit against European Union (EU) restrictions on palm oil-based biofuel, the minister in charge of palm oil said on Friday. She was responding to a Reuters story that said the Southeast Asian country no longer planned to file a lawsuit and would instead seek to convince the EU to change its treatment of the crop in a review scheduled for 2021. The European Commission concluded last year that palm oil cultivation results in excessive deforestation and passed a law to phase out its use as transport fuel by 2030. Palm's biggest producer Indonesia challenged the law in December, but second-biggest producer Malaysia is still considering its options, its Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said in a statement. "In fact, our highest level legal team is examining with a fine comb, our potential response to make our petition as watertight as possible," she said. "We have thus always agreed to intervene as a co-complainant and join the likes of Indonesia and other palm oil producers at the opportune juncture at the WTO proceedings." Kok, who earlier said Malaysia would launch a WTO case by November last year, spoke with Reuters in Brussels on Thursday during a trip to explain to European leaders the initiatives taken by the country to grow palm in a sustainable way. "We did have this intention, but we thought that before we come to Europe... we shouldn't file the suit hastily," Kok said. "This is what we told Indonesia too." Kok, who met EU energy commissioner Kadri Simson on Thursday, said Malaysian palm oil was much greener than its critics claim. Forest cover in Malaysia has stayed above 50%, the government says, and the yield for palm oil per hectare far surpasses competing oils, such as from rapeseed or soybeans. EU consumption of palm oil in food has been in steady decline, but its use as a biofuel has increased. Last year, the bloc consumed more than 7 million tonnes, with some 65% for energy. Indonesia and Malaysia, which produce more than 85% of the world's palm oil, and the EU plan to discuss the issue together. Kok said she wanted those discussions to speed up. (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop and Mei Mei Chu, Editing by William Maclean) Yoon Hyung-won, the owner and chocolate maker at Cacaodada, tests finished bean-to-bar chocolate liquor at the Cacaodada factory in Mangwon-dong, western Seoul, Jan. 22. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Bean-to-bar chocolate By Kwon Mee-yoo Chocolate is one of everyone's favorite sweets with its unique and complex taste of sweet, bitter, nutty and even fruity flavors. Chocolate is made from cacao beans, but those who only encounter the final product often forget that the beans come from fruit pods. A new movement in the chocolate world is the rise of craft chocolate makers who make their delicious sweets from scratch. Yoon Hyung-won and Go Yu-rim are the husband-and-wife duo behind Cacaodada, one of the first bean-to-bar chocolate makers in Korea. Go said though the taste of a bean-to-bar chocolate bar might be unfamiliar at first, you won't be able to return to mass-produced chocolate bars once you acquire a taste for craft chocolate. "Chocolate is the best way to consume cacao beans an agricultural product," Go said. The two roast, grind and conch cacao beans to make chocolate every day, all by themselves, introducing a whole new world of craft chocolate to Korea. Yoon Hyung-won, left, and Go Yu-rim speak during an interview with The Korea Times at the Cacaodada factory and shop in Mangwon-dong, western Seoul, Jan. 22. Yoon and Go are the husband-and-wife duo behind Cacaodada, one of the first bean-to-bar chocolate makers in Korea. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Lives of chocolate makers Yoon and Go describe themselves as chocolate makers. Yoon explained this job title in comparison with chocolatier, which is one who makes confectionery products such as bonbons and truffles from chocolate. "The distinction between a chocolate maker and a chocolatier is relatively new, dating back 100 years. As I looked through old documents, chocolatiers of the past made chocolate by themselves from cacao beans, but as food became industrialized, cacao bean processing companies emerged and they became the sole source of chocolate. Chocolatiers evolved to make confectionery from existing chocolate, which is now called couverture chocolate," Yoon said. Yoon, a philosophy major, was fascinated by chocolate and plunged into chocolate making about 10 years ago. He expected to make chocolate, but instead he was introduced to make confectionery with pre-made chocolate. "I was bewildered at first. I went to learn how to make chocolate, but I was provided with ready-made chocolate. Later, I learned about bean-to-bar chocolate and chocolate makers. I was mesmerized by grinding cacao beans into chocolate," Yoon said. Go said Yoon approached chocolate making in a more fundamental way. "Generally, people are too accustomed to the existing chocolate, but Yoon is more interested in the raw material." Though the process is simple, making chocolate had become industrialized and mostly circulated in the form of cacao butter and cacao powder, which are extracted from roasted and ground cacao beans. "Basically the cacao bean is agricultural produce, but large confectionery factories tend to bring out the chocolate flavor in a cheaper, more convenient way, instead of preserving the original taste of the fruit," Yoon said. "Beginning from the late 1990s, artisanal chocolate makers revived the traditional way of chocolate making from cacao bean to bar." Yoon and Go's first attempt of making chocolate from cacao bean started with scant resources. "Back then, there were no chocolate making machines such as roasters and grinders in Korea. We converted a coffee roaster to roast cacao beans and an Indian spice grinder to grind the roasted beans," Yoon said. Yoon Hyung-won, left, and Go Yu-rim speak during an interview with The Korea Times at the Cacaodada factory and shop in Mangwon-dong, western Seoul, Jan. 22. Yoon and Go are the husband-and-wife duo behind Cacaodada, one of the first bean-to-bar chocolate makers in Korea. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Journey from bean to bar Cacaodada aims to present each products' origin and diverse taste. Major cacao countries of origin include Ghana, Madagascar, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. "We all know what a cacao bean looks like as it is often featured on the packaging of chocolate. The beans turn from red and green to yellow and orange as they mature. The beans are dried and then fermented to develop the chocolate flavor we know," Yoon explained. Making of bean-to-bar chocolate can be roughly divided into five stages. First, Cacaodada imports the dried beans and the process begins. "Roasting the dried, fermented cacao beans is the first step. Then we crack and winnow them to remove the outer shells. The shelled and crushed cacao beans are called cacao nibs," he said. Then the cacao nibs are ground finely until they turn into a thick paste referred to as "chocolate liquor," though there is no alcohol involved. "The right pressure and temperature can squeeze cacao butter out of the liquor form. Cacao butter is very important because it is where chocolate holds its flavor," Yoon said. Conching is a relatively new process added to bean-to-bar making, which blows away unwanted flavors and fermented smells by continuously agitating the liquor with heat and air. "This process helps us keep the best of the cacao in the chocolate," he said. Then the chocolate goes through tempering, which aims to change the structure to be in the stable crystal form by repeated warming and cooling. Yoon Hyung-won, the owner and chocolate maker at Cacaodada, cracks cacao beans to separate the nibs from the shell, using old fashioned technique, at the Cacaodada factory in Mangwon-dong, western Seoul, Jan. 22. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Yoon is confident about the quality of Cacaodada's bean-to-bar creations. Cacaodada's major products are single origin chocolate bars. "Anyone can distinguish the unique taste of each of our chocolate bars," he said. Yoon explained that the difference between each origin of cacao bean is influenced by climate as well as preference. "Certain species of cacao trees survived in a region because they became popular. But in general, each region has its unique cacao species and characteristics," he said. Chocolate made from cacao beans of Ghana are bold and full-bodied, and often described as having a typical chocolate flavor. Ecuador is famous for Arriba Nacional cacao, which yields a rich floral aroma. Madagascar cacao beans have a strong fruity flavor, while South American countries such as Dominica produce distinct cacao beans with citrusy and nutty characteristics. "Small-batch craft chocolate makers like us can imbue individuality into our products. Koreans prefer nutty chocolate while they are not used to acidity. So while respecting characteristics of each cacao bean, we try to bring out such flavor in our chocolate and we can reflect our style in it," Go said. Go Yu-rim, the owner and chocolate maker at Cacaodada, wraps a finished chocolate bar at the Cacaodada factory and shop in Mangwon-dong, western Seoul, Jan. 22. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Bombay High Court on Friday rejected the anticipatory bail applications of activist Gautam Navlakha and Anand Teltumbde in the Elgar Parishad case but gave them four weeks time to approach the Supreme Court. Justice Prakash Naik extended the interim protection from arrest granted to both of them for four weeks. Navlakha had approached the high court a day after a special Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) court in Pune rejected his anticipatory bail plea on November 12, 2019. Teltumbde had approached the court for pre-arrest bail in February 2019. Both of them were booked by the Vishrambaug police station in Pune where a case was registered on January 8, 2018, on the basis of a complaint lodged by a local builder, Tushar Damgude. Damgude alleged that members of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and Kabir Kala Manch spread hatred through provocative songs, plays and speeches delivered at Elgar Parishad held at Shaniwar Wada in Pune on December 31, 2017, which led to violence following the incident at Bhima-Koregaon. The police later conducted searches at the residences of various activists and recovered a document, Strategy and Tactics of The Indian Revolution. It allegedly said the motive of the banned terrorist organisation, CPI(Maoist), was to seize political power by organising people into an army and wiping out Indian armed forces through war and establish peoples democratic state. Navlakhas lawyer said there was absolutely no material to link the journalist-writer with the crimes and inadmissible electronic data was being portrayed as evidence. A pre-arrest bail was sought for him claiming that he was against Naxalite activities and was a peace activist. The special court at Pune, however, rejected his anticipatory bail plea noting that the prosecution had sufficient material to show that Navlakha was not only a member of the banned organisation but an active leader. Prima facie, it can be noted that organisation of Elgar Parishad at Pune was part of the larger conspiracy of the banned organisation and the Bhima-Koregaon episode is one of the instances of the execution of the said conspiracy, said the judge. The special court also said the documents seized from the house search of some of the accused revealed a deep-rooted conspiracy of extremely serious repercussions and the applicant (Navlakha) was a party to the said conspiracy. The case relates to the violence on New Years Day in 2018 on the banks of the Bhima river, where thousands of people, mostly 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 motorcycles 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 the event called the Elgar Parishad on December 31, 2017. Police said the event was funded by Maoists, and that the provocative speeches made at the gathering triggered the clashes a day later. In June and August of 2018, police arrested nine prominent activists and raided the homes of many others in Delhi, Mumbai and other cities. Published Feb. 14, 2020 AUSTIN Click play on the grainy, black-and-white image titled simply Houston Time Service on the website of the Texas Archive of the Moving Image and youre treated to a 110-second Houston love story. The film, from the 1940s, is about a phone number Houstonians could call to get the correct time. Ruth McClain Graham owned the service, according to an Oct. 24, 1947, Houston Chronicle story. Two years earlier she had married Shadrack E. Shad Graham, an itinerant filmmaker, who, apparently taken with the proprietor, produced the film promoting the business. But film, like love, can be short-lived, and thats what has driven Caroline Fricks race against time. The role of film preservationists like Frick, an associate professor of film at the University of Texas Moody College of Communication in Austin, becomes ever more crucial as moving images depicting life and history become unplayable. As the years play on, the decay of aging motion picture film accelerates, as does the quality of magnetic tape on which video is recorded. Video projectors and old-format tape machines break, are not repaired and discarded. The race to get these recordings into a digital format - also unlikely to survive forever - becomes more crucial with each passing year. MELTON BARKER: Meet the Texan who made the same movie 300 times This is what we are trying to prevent, says Frick, who founded and is executive director of the Texas Archive of the Moving Image, or TAMI, in 2003, opening a plastic bag filled with what looks at first glance to be beef jerky. Its actually decomposing celluloid, curled and blackened. The smell from the bag is a pungent, vinegary rot, and in TAMIs crowded offices near downtown Austin, you can catch a whiff if you stand next to stacks of boxes filled with 8-, 16- and 35-millimeter film. Another threat is in the shrinking universe of ways to watch these historic movies, a dwindling number of obsolete devices available for playback. Frick points to a Sony reel-to-reel videotape machine on the floor that once was the pride of a television station editing room. It was designed to work with a now-abandoned, 1-inch tape format. We were able to play something once on that after we got it, and then it broke, she says, sighing. Were still looking for parts. A staff of five all part-timers are in the office on this chilly January day. Some work on physical restoration of film, others scan it into computers for digitization. Another crew catalogs and curates, putting context to the images that, ultimately, stream across the internet to computers, phones and tablets. It is a daunting task, hampered by a lack of funding TAMIs annual budget is in the $300,000 range and made overwhelming by the sheer amount of content that flows in. So far, TAMI has digitized about 58 terabytes of film and video, but only 10 percent of that is available for viewing at its website, texasarchive.org. The number one reason for the disconnect between what we have digitized vs. what is streaming is budget - the human labor of researching and contextualizing the content, Frick says. Everyone is excited about what AI will be able to do some day (for automated curation) but, as of yet, nothing is as reliable or useful as the human eye and brain. Mundane to monumental TAMI acquires its film and video in a variety of ways. Some is donated from businesses and institutions. In some instances, Frick and other staffers will hear about a promising cache and track it down. And much of it comes from individuals, often through a program in which TAMI visits Texas towns, calling for donations of film and video. BAYOU CITY HISTORY: Houstons past comes to life on this blog with J.R. Gonzales The Texas Film Roundup, as the field trips are called, is done in conjunction with the Texas Film Commission. At the local events, TAMI offers to take the content, digitize it, then return the original along with a digital copy for free. Frick said that the content must have something to do with Texas, or be about Texas, be about Texans, or even just shot in Texas to qualify. And that means what TAMIs staff gets is wide ranging. There are videos of kids swinging sticks at pinatas at backyard barbecues in South Texas; reels of local short subjects recovered from the projection rooms of long-closed theaters; institutional training films from now-defunct businesses. The Film Commission, which is part of the governors office, is TAMIs biggest source of funding and is a major part of its marketing. The biggest component we have is our reach, says Taylor Hertsenberg, senior marketing specialist at the commission. We cover the entire state, and that lets us emphasize the importance of preservation. Hertsenberg describes TAMI as a unique case in the United States because it seeks to preserve everything from industrial film to home movies to films created by traveling or itinerant filmmakers make it one of a kind. Theyre not just looking for feature films, but also behind-the-scenes videos, Coke commercials, and tons of videos from all over the state, he says. They acknowledge the importance of Texas film heritage by then actually showing it (on the TAMI website). TAMI also crafts lesson plans for teachers who want to use its collections for educational purposes. There are currently 55 lesson plans on the website, which Hertsenberg said are available free to educators. The next roundup is planned for sometime this spring, Frick says, in either San Antonio or Houston. Striking gold Sometimes, Frick and her staff hit a gold mine. Shortly after the archive opened, she got a phone call from the Texas Department of Public Safety. They wanted to know where they could recycle movie film, she recalls. I said, Uh, hold on. Lets start over here. She wound up with a trove of DPS training films from the 1950s and 60s, including one that demonstrates interrogation techniques using department employees as actors. Theres also a film showing the various ways to burglarize a safe including using explosives for which the DPS investigators might eventually need those interrogation skills. As for the Houston Time Service film, it was provided to TAMI by the Houston Public Librarys Metropolitan Research Center. It was among a collection of films and papers donated to the library by Ruth Graham after her husband died in January 1969. Graham had an early career in Hollywood but later worked out of Missouri City as an itinerant filmmaker. He was best known for the Our Home Town, a series of short films made in 250 different U.S. cities, many in Texas. He also captured film of the immediate aftermath of the Texas City refinery explosion in 1947, footage that has been used in subsequent documentaries and news stories on that disaster. Houston Time Service was one of the few reels among those donated that was salvageable, Frick says. Recently added to TAMIs site: A home movie featuring Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong frolicking with his family at a backyard party in Houston, provided by a Houston resident who used to be his neighbor. Release Notes: Get Dwight Silvermans weekly tech newsletter in your inbox each Monday Corinne Poels husband shot the images on 8-mm film sometime in 1969, but shes unsure if it was before or after Armstrong took the first steps on the moon. The film shows Armstrong riding on a small motorized scooter, kids jumping into a pool and adults milling around picnic tables laden with food. Poel, now 85, had not seen the images in 50 years. The old projector is up in the attic, she says. It doesnt work anymore. She gave the film to KPRC-TV (Channel 2), which aired it as part of the Apollo 11 anniversary coverage. Frick saw it, contacted Poel and got a copy. The scenes with Armstrong begin at about the 6:20 mark in the video below. The astronaut is wearing a light blue, short-sleeve shirt. In fact, TAMIs single biggest donation of film and video came from KPRC. The TV stations collection of old film and videos, as well as some playback equipment, was provided to TAMI so it could digitize them. Jerry Martin, vice president and general manager for KPRC, says he wanted to find a home for the collection, which was threatened by a new building project. At a previous station, Grant had been surprised to learn that decades of film and videotape had been thrown out. He didnt want that to happen here. In the TV news business, we are focused on today and the future, were not focused on history, he says. Its not our job to preserve this stuff. After all, there are momentous historical events chronicled there. Theres film of JFK at the Rice Hotel the night before the assassination, LBJ at his ranch a month after he took office, Grant says. And really, when you look at all this footage, you can see how society has changed. Grant says after spending time looking for a suitable foundation to take the collection, he stumbled across TAMI and struck a deal. It was obvious that (TAMI) was where this belonged, he says. They could go out and get some grant money to convert all this footage. Thats been easier said than done. So far, Frick hasnt found someone to fund the KPRC conversion, so her part-time staff works on it between work on film and video donated by way of the Texas Roundup, which gets priority as they are expecting digital copies in exchange for their donations. Even then, its a six-month backlog, Frick says. Race against time Those who work with TAMI say that its amazing how much the non-profit has accomplished so far, given its meager budget. Frick is constantly applying for grants, which may or may not be awarded. A lot of the big money going to preservation is aimed at feature films. Smaller movies and video, which document day-to-day life, just arent as sexy, she says. As she hustles to find resources, Frick is painfully aware of all that has already been lost. Ninety percent of films made before 1927 are gone, she says, much of that having to do with early film stock being made of nitrate, which is highly unstable and, even worse, flammable. Even current film stock degrades relatively quickly, and videotape becomes brittle and can stretch or snap. There are tricks that to making an old videotape playable TAMI has a small oven in its office used to literally bake tape, after which it can be played but only once. And thats if TAMI can find a machine on which to play it. Many TV stations have trashed their out-of-date playback machines as they move to more modern formats. What would she do if her budget suddenly jumped to $1 million dollars? Id jump on eBay and buy as many old videotape machines as I can find, Frick says. Support our journalism Help our journalists uncover the big stories. Subscribe today. Chronicle archivist Joyce Lee contributed to this story Dwight Silverman is the technology editor for the Houston Chronicle. He manages the TechBurger website, he also writes a weekly tech newsletter, Release Notes. He can be reached by email dwight.silverman@chron.com and follow him on Twitter @dsilverman. In pivotal legislative races last year, Chase was the rare suburban Republican who invoked the president, guns and abortion. Most of the GOPs swing-district candidates tried to avoid those topics in a state that Trump lost by six points. She alienated party leadership and was ousted from her local GOP committee after a string of controversies including cursing at a Capitol Police officer over a parking spot, calling the Senate clerk Miss Piggy and declaring rape victims naive and unprepared. February 12, 2020 The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has announced that Canada will host the next ministerial meeting of the Lima Group in Gatineau, Quebec, on February 20, 2020. The members of the Lima Group will meet to discuss the ongoing political, economic and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and express their solidarity with the people of Venezuela. Media representatives who wish to cover the Ministerial must apply for accreditation using the Government of Canada accreditation portal: www.accreditationcanada.gc.ca/lima. The online portal is now open and will close on February 18, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Only accredited media with an identification badge will have access to the Ministerial. There will be no exceptions made to this accreditation requirement. Entry formalities and visas If you are travelling to Canada, please check before arriving to find out whether you need an entry visa. Visa-exempt foreign nationals are expected to have an Electronic Travel Authorization for air travel to Canada. Exemptions include U.S. and Mexican citizens, and travellers with a valid Canadian visa. You may also refer to Travel Canada to find out what documents are needed to enter Canada. Pick-up of media accreditation badges Media representatives who have been approved for accreditation will be provided instructions through email on how, when and where to pick up their badges. Official program details and further information for the media will be made available soon. 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. New York, 1977, and some of the Nazis who fled Germany for America after the Second World War are trying to establish a Fourth Reich by infiltrating the US government. Out to stop them is Holocaust survivor Meyer Offerman, played with relish by screen legend Al Pacino in a rare TV foray, whos assembled a Dirty Dozen-style squad with experts in weapons, espionage and lock-picking to take them out. This is Hunters, a high-octane new ten-part thriller from Amazon Prime, and its a whole lot of fun. There is an originality in this show, its somewhat eccentric, says Al, 79, one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation. Al Pacino, 79, (pictured) reveals what led him to his new role as Holocaust survivor Meyer Offerman in Amazon Prime's ten-part thriller Hunters You never know where you are and I loved the unpredictability of it. 'It reminded me of the old days when I was younger and I would think, What the hell am I doing? Ive never seen anything like it, and thats why I came on board. All the characters are so interesting. I normally do film, but I loved this story. My characters past was interesting and strange and it was something I really wanted to do. It was like making a ten-hour film. 'My memory may not be very good these days, but my memories of this are all good. The series begins with a young Jewish man, Jonah Heidelbaum (Logan Lerman), whose life is torn apart when his grandmother, who raised him and also survived the Holocaust, is brutally murdered in their home. At her funeral he meets her mysterious friend Offerman, and becomes involved in the search for his grandmothers killer. It soon emerges that there are hundreds of Nazis living in America, and a group of them are plotting to instigate a Fourth Reich, aided by a particularly vicious young neo-Nazi named Travis Leich (British actor Greg Austin). But as the Hunters set out on a bloody quest for justice, they soon discover that the conspiracy goes far wider and must race against time to thwart the Nazis new genocidal plans. Hunters was inspired by the grandmother of the shows creator David Weil. David Weil who created the series, revealed he was inspired by stories his grandmother told him of her experiences in the camps. Pictured, Al Pacino in the show She would tell me and my brother about her experiences in the camps, and it felt like the stuff of comic books and superheroes, he recalls. Thats really how I began to see the world. Growing up, I struggled with the notion of birthright and legacy and responsibility. 'With so many survivors no longer with us, its for the next generation to tell the story in a certain way. This is an exploration of my birthright, to shed light on hidden crimes and truths. While the series is obviously far-fetched, it is based on some truth. One of the Nazis in the show has become a top NASA scientist, and its a fact that NASA was willing to overlook the backgrounds of Nazi scientists in order to gain an advantage over the USSR during the Cold War. Operation Paperclip saw 1,600 German scientists and technicians, many of them members of the Nazi party who had used slave labour during the war, moved to the US for government employment after the war had ended. There were also attempts by Holocaust survivors to take violent revenge on the Nazis who had killed their families. Shortly after the war, one group attempted to kill German prisoners of war by poisoning their bread, but they only managed to induce sickness. I wanted to see a Jewish superhero, says David Weil. This story lives on not in black and white, but in the grey world of murky morality. It asks the question, If we hunt these monsters, do we risk becoming monsters ourselves? But ultimately, he says, he only ever wanted to treat victims of the Holocaust with respect by making the show. Its a love letter to my grandma. Hunters launches on Prime Video on Friday. In December 2017, a Portland man knocked at the door of a pub and collapsed, bleeding from a stab wound in his back. In his last few moments, court documents say, the man, Brian Nees, told police officers as they arrived that his son had stabbed him. That son, Tyler Nees, was convicted Thursday of murdering his father. A jury unanimously found Nees guilty on two counts, murder constituting domestic violence and unlawful use of a weapon. KOIN News reported from the courtroom that in closing arguments, Tyler Nees told the judge that his brother killed their father. But documents show that DNA evidence, as well as 911 calls, pointed to Tyler Nees. KOIN also said Nees acted as his own attorney, had previously had several attorneys in the case and threatened to kill one of them. Nees initially fled the scene after the stabbing and was arrested nearly two weeks later. Court documents describe the stabbing, and the actions leading up to it, as the culmination of family conflict. Witnesses saw a man run down the street shouting Child molester! moments after the stabbing, according to court records. Police and the state Department of Human Services reports have documented Tyler Nees history of calling male family members whom he wishes to offend child molester, a statement from prosecutors said. According to a June 2018 court document, Tyler Nees had a conversation with family members in 2009 in which he threatened to kill his father. He accused his father of molesting him and his brother. He burst into the room where his father was sleeping and started punching him. In at least two other incidents, court documents say, Nees reported his brother to the Department of Human Services, saying he had molested his own daughter. Court documents say those reports were false. According to documents, Nees DNA was on the knife handle at the scene of the stabbing, and he left blood all around a friends apartment. In June 2018, before a bail-setting hearing, Tyler Nees defense attorney at the time provided a statement to the court in support of a motion to exclude other acts. Defense attorney Rachel Philips wrote that the DNA samples collected at Nees friends apartment shortly after the stabbing were deemed not to match either Nees or his father. Philips also said the police report from the incident reports that Nees brother Forrest Nees said his brother asked him to slit his wrists, and went into the kitchen and grabbed a knife. But Philips said the state was characterizing Tyler Nees as being hostile and angry. Philips also referenced a fight from 2009, in which Nees had allegedly threatened to kill his father. Phillips said a fight from eight years before Brian Nees death did not constitute a plan, nor a motive on Tyler Nees part. Nees is scheduled to be sentenced in March. Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Washington did reluctantly allow a small number of black soldiers to fight for his army, but it was the white men he met during the revolution who influenced his final act. The Marquis de Lafayette, for example, often wrote him letters proposing different ways he could free his slaves. As far as Washingtons will, one thing is clear: The only enslaved person freed outright was Billy Lee, his valet. The rest of the people he enslaved 123 men, women and children had to wait for Martha to die or for her to set them free during her lifetime. According to Abigail Adams, Martha was moved to do so a year later, because she feared they would try to kill her. When she died soon after, the slaves she owned in her own right, who had married her late husbands and started their own families, were cruelly ripped apart; her grandchildren inherited them. Many never saw each other again. Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnatis announced retirement after this year creates a big hole for the state Senate and, potentially, Gov. Tom Wolf as he enters the last two years of his second term. Not to overstate it - far bigger changes would be felt across state government if, for example, the Democrats were to take control of one of both chambers in the Pennsylvania Legislature in the 2020 election cycle. But Scarnati has, in recent years, positioned his caucus as the lynch-pin to the politically-divided state governments biggest deals. Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, announced Wednesday night that he will not seek re-election this year, bringing an end to his 14-year run as the top leader in the Senate. Scarnati has emerged during the Wolf years as a skilled leader who was - perhaps more than any other leader in the current Republican legislative majorities - able to keep his eye on the big picture and, when necessary, reach a compromise with the Democratic governor. He did that, most famously, with potential tax increases in 2015 and 2017 - both of which would be blocked by House Republicans. And he did it last year with a package to raise the states minimum wage; which is currently sitting in the House awaiting action. Thats what Democrats came to appreciate over time about Scarnati. Joe, along with Senator Corman (the majority leader), understood that in order to get things done you needed to reach a consensus,"said Sen. Jay Costa, D-Allegheny County and the longtime Democratic floor leader in the Senate. Friends and allies say Scarnati could do that in part because of his skillful management of the Senate Republican caucus. Since defeating former Sen. Jeff Piccola, R-Dauphin County, by one vote in a race to succeed the voter-fired Robert Jubelirer as the Senates top officer in 2006, Scarnati has been a master, they said, at understanding where the pulse of his caucus was, and where he could get them to move to, when necessary. Joe was a good listener and a good observer, said Pat Vance, a former Republican state senator from Cumberland County. He could figure it out just by watching people ... and I think thats a real talent. It was that confidence borne of knowing his members, those reached for this story said, that gave him the latitude to try to sell his members on a tax on natural gas produced in the Marcellus Shale, or a boost in the states minimum wage, without the fear that he would be the next victim of some philosophical coup. Its not that Scarnati didnt care about politics, either. Rather, its more that he was a master of it. That could be seen in 2014, when Scarnati went public with his legislative divorce from the then-Senate Majority Leader, Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware County. Joe felt Dominic, being a member from the Southeast which tends to be more moderate and centrist and even sometimes leaning to the left because of their districts, it got to be untenable to have a guy from Delaware County being the leader of a caucus that kept winning all of these seats in very conservative areas," a former top-level legislative staffer said. Joe felt he had no choice. If he sat by any longer the two of them would go down, so he had to cut ties with Pileggi and back Corman to get a more conservative legislator in the leader position, the former staffer said. At the same time, Vance and others credited Scarnati with being very protective of the GOP members who hailed from those swing districts. Sometimes that meant protecting members from having to take meaningless votes on hot-button issues that could cause them troubles at home down the road. And sometimes that meant knowing he had to absorb some no votes. He gave you the respect of you representing your district, and the diversity of opinion that could come with that, said Sen. Robert Tommy Tomlinson, R-Bucks County. He represents part of the Philadelphia suburbs where voters attitudes can be drastically different from more reliably Republican areas. He was not always the first to compromise. There was a time when Scarnati was actually Dr. No in Harrisburg. Ask former Gov. Ed Rendell. There were several times in Rendells second term, as the national economy was weakening, when Rendell wanted tax increases to balance some of his budgets. With the Democratic Party also holding the House, the new Senate leadership team of Scarnati and Pileggi saw themselves as the last line of defense against a tax increase. And they held. It was remarkable change for a caucus that had been shaken to its core by the primary defeats of two longtime leaders the year before, in part because of the notorious 2005 legislative pay raise, but also because of their acquiescence to a 2003 hike in the states personal income tax was seen as violation of core Republican principles. He was very steady in steering the Senate during what was a very challenging and difficult time between those (leadership) changes and the budgets that we faced," said Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne County. "Going into those budget years with that economic downturn, he held the caucus together on the principles of keeping the taxpayers interest in mind, limiting spending and avoiding broad-based tax increases. With the current governor, meanwhile, Scarnati has been - at times - more willing to meet in the middle, if not always successfully. Some say thats due to changed circumstances. The Republicans are bargaining from a position of strength with majorities in both the Senate and the House. But others see the maturation of a leader. "He still wants what he wants and he still thinks what he thinks, but he understands you have to work with others, said one top Democratic staffer who asked not to be named because his normal duties dont include press interviews. He is transactional, and it might be two-for-one because hes in the majority, but at least youre getting something. Scarnati, while never particularly interested in higher office for himself, was also good at electoral politics for the his party. If House Speaker Mike Turzai was the number one legislative fundraiser at the Capitol in recent years, Scarnati has been right in the top tier. His fundraising prowess and candidate recruitment abilities combined to see the GOP caucus grow to a historic 34 members (out of 50 seats) in 2016. He has been comfortable with the tools that come with power, even if he has at times caught flak for that along the way. An investigation last year by PennLives media partner Spotlight PA found that Scarnatis campaign committee, Friends of Joe Scarnati topped the list of lawmakers campaigns whose spending could not be traced to its actual recipient in public filings, with nearly $246,000 in such expenditures between 2016 and 2018. The investigation found that some of that spending included trips to Europe, Las Vegas, Chicago, New York, Florida and Louisville during the Kentucky Derby. In response to the report, Scarnati said that while he is open to discussing reforms to the states campaign finance laws, he met the letter and spirit of existing laws in all of his filings, and that independent audits of his political committees spending determined all expenditures were legally proper and appropriately recorded. It was not hard at the Capitol to hear whispered complaints about the close ties between Scarnati and the Long Nyquist lobbying firm. Scarnatis former staffer Todd Nyquist is a partner in the firm. Casey Long, a son of the firms founder, longtime Senate staffer Michael Long, was Scarnatis legislative and policy director for several years. Megan Crompton, wife of Scarnatis longtime chief of staff Drew Crompton, is vice president of government relations at the firm. Scarnati said Thursday that, while those connections could and did make him a target of criticism, he and his staff always were careful to stay on the right side of state ethics laws. History also shows the Senate leader was never shy about using his clout to help projects near and dear to his heart. As a first-term senator, Scarnati traded a vote for legalizing slot machines - he had opposed slots in 2003 - for an extra subsidy from the states gaming taxes for municipalities in his legislative district because of all the state game lands there. In a more current example, some sources around the Capitol say the main reason that Erie County doesnt have a community college despite its ongoing efforts to gain State Board of Education approval to open one is because Scarnati set-up a regional community college in his district first, and he needs students from Erie to support it. Many Senate colleagues say paying attention to district priorities is just being a good legislator. He does work these things... but he does it from the position of the greater good of the area he represents, and thats what were all supposed to do, Costa, the Democratic leader, said. By most estimates, Scarnati has chosen to leave at pretty near the peak of his power. That could seen in his recent ability to hold his caucus against the legislative opening of a retroactive window for victims of child sexual abuse to file suits against abusers or their employers. Scarnati felt that was unconstitutional, and refused to go along with it despite with overwhelming support from virtually every other arm of state government and withering criticism from abuse survivors. But the Senate GOP held. Some survivors and their advocates are still seething, saying theyve been denied a chance at justice in court for decades and shouldnt need to keep waiting. But Scarnatis colleagues feel the resulting product - which will require a still-pending amendment to the state constitution - is a better one that includes new funding streams for adult and child victims to access publicly-funded counseling. It was moment, many Capitol observers said, that showed that Scarnati still ruled his caucus. Scarnati saw it as part of the job he sought 14 years ago. You take the bullets; and you dont make your members take the bullets, he said in a phone interview Thursday. Thats what a leader is to do. Sen. Mike Regan, R-Cumberland/York counties, said he was impressed by Scarnatis leadership skills and ability to engender loyalty from the caucus. I have a lot of respect for Joe, Regan said. "He has always been decent and fair and our caucus views him very favorably. I know hell be missed by members and staff alike. Its clear that Joe has his priorities in order, as he heads back home to spend time with his family. I wish him all the best in this next chapter. In fact, Scarnati, 58, is taking his own advice in stepping out now. Check this excerpt from an interview he gave with the National Conference of State Legislatures magazine in 2018. When asked what final words hed like to share, Scarnati responded, Its real simple. Go out on top. Dont wait to be pushed out the door. Dont wait for the ballot box to push you out or a subpoena or a coffin. Go out on top. 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. Nigerias military burned down villages and forcibly displaced hundreds of people in its fight against Islamist insurgents in the countrys northeast, rights group Amnesty International alleged on Friday. Nigerias military, which has frequently been accused of human rights abuses in its decade-long fight against Boko Haram and more recently Islamic States West African branch, did not respond to requests for comment. Three residents who were interviewed confirmed Amnestys findings. Previous allegations have sparked investigations by the International Criminal Court in the Hague and hampered Nigerias ability to purchase arms, a source of frustration for its militarys leaders. However, convictions of soldiers have been rare and the military has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. In the latest allegations, Amnesty said Nigerian soldiers destroyed three villages after forcing hundreds of men and women to leave their homes in the northeastern state of Borno in January. Hundreds freed from 'house of torture' in Nigeria Show all 5 1 /5 Hundreds freed from 'house of torture' in Nigeria Hundreds freed from 'house of torture' in Nigeria Nigerian police have rescued more than 300 men and boys, some as young as five, from a "house of torture" in the Rigasa area of the northern city of Kaduna, 27 September, 2019. The detainees were allegedly sexually abused, starved and tortured while they were held captive in shackles. A sign above the building reads: "Imam Ahmad Bun Hambal centre for Islamic studies." REUTERS/Stringer Hundreds freed from 'house of torture' in Nigeria A boy who has injuries on his back is led away by police. REUTERS/Stringer Hundreds freed from 'house of torture' in Nigeria Some people are pictured with visible scars after being rescued from the building. Television Continental/via REUTERS Hundreds freed from 'house of torture' in Nigeria People are pictured with chained ankles and wrists. Television Continental/via REUTERS Hundreds freed from 'house of torture' in Nigeria Television Continental/via REUTERS The human rights group said it interviewed 12 victims and reviewed satellite images that showed several large fires in the area and almost every structure razed. Residents described soldiers going house to house and rounding people up, then making them walk to a main road and board trucks, it said. We saw our houses go into flames, a 70-year-old woman told Amnesty. We all started crying. The trucks took more than 400 people to a camp for people displaced by the conflict in Maiduguri, the main city in the region. These brazen acts of razing entire villages, deliberately destroying civilian homes and forcibly displacing their inhabitants with no imperative military grounds, should be investigated as possible war crimes, said Osai Ojigho, director for Amnesty International Nigeria, in Fridays statement detailing the groups investigation. Soldiers also detained six men, beating some of them, and held them for almost a month before releasing them without charge on 30 January, Amnesty said. It cited Nigerian Army statements from the time that said six Boko Haram suspects had been captured and hundreds of captives freed from the militants. They say they saved us from Boko Haram, but its a lie, said one man, aged 65, according to Amnesty. Boko Haram isnt coming to our village. Three residents from two of the affected villages, now living in Maiduguri, described the same events as in the rights groups report. The soldiers called us Boko Haram and set our houses ablaze, before evacuating all of us, one of the residents said. Amnestys report was published as the military struggles to contain the insurgencies, particularly Islamic State. Last July, troops began to withdraw to larger garrisons, dubbed super camps, from smaller bases that were frequently overrun with heavy loss of lives. That has left the military on the defensive and the insurgents able to roam across large swathes of territory and carry out attacks, often on civilians, with few repercussions. Reuters Flash 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. Iraqi police forces searched the area where the rocket launched from, and found a 12-rocket Katyusha launcher with only one rocket was fired on the base, the source said. The attack came at the anniversary of Arbaeen, or 40 days after the death of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces, who were killed on Jan. 3 by a U.S. drone strike on their convoy at Baghdad airport. Two days after the death of Soleimani and al-Muhandis, the Iraqi parliament passed a resolution requiring the government to end the presence of foreign forces in Iraq. The K1 military base was the target for a rocket barrage late in December 2019, which led to the killing of a U.S. contractor and the wound of others. Military bases housing U.S. troops across Iraq and the heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad have been frequently targeted by insurgents' mortar and rocket attacks. Over 5,000 U.S. troops have been deployed in Iraq to support the Iraqi forces in the battles against Islamic State (IS) militants, mainly providing training and advising to the Iraqi forces. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) will co-organise the international conference Social Media: Challenges and Ways to Promote Freedoms and Protect Activists in Doha, on February 16 and 17. The two-day conference, held in Qatar, is organised by the IFJ together with the European Parliament, The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar (NHRC), the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). Over 300 international organisations, universities, think-tanks, journalist and trade unions, major specialised companies and social networks will attend the sessions. The conference will include speeches from prominent human rights, press freedom advocates, UN Special Rapporteurs, and experts anti-terrorism and international law as well as IFJ unions' leaders. The conference wil involve interactive working groups and a planery debate to address the implications of the digital age on activism and freedom of speech. Follow ifj live tweets: @IFJGlobal Download the full programme in English and Arabic Medical personnel in Wuhan, outfitted in protective suits as they battle the coronavirus outbreak, wear diapers as they work through gruelling shifts, often until skin irritation from their masks leaves bloody marks on their faces, a news briefing was told on Wednesday. "Just in case they must urinate, they [wear a] diaper, and wash up after they're done with their shift," he said. Leaders of medical teams described the difficult working conditions during the daily briefing held by the government of Hubei, the central China province in which Wuhan is located. "Wearing the protective suits is extremely uncomfortable," said Ma Xin, deputy dean of Huashan Hospital in Shanghai. "Sometimes I want to itch, but we absolutely cannot do that, so we just have to bear it. "Our doctors and nurses all have signs of irritation and even bloody marks on the bridges of their noses. These are the conditions of their work." Han said medical staff were working around the clock to care for those in the most critical condition. Nurses were putting in 4-6 hour shifts in intensive care units, while doctors were working from 6-8 hours, though shifts could go even longer, he said. Doctors scan a patient's lungs at Huoshenshan temporary hospital, built for patients diagnosed with coronavirus in Wuhan. Photo: AP alt=Doctors scan a patient's lungs at Huoshenshan temporary hospital, built for patients diagnosed with coronavirus in Wuhan. Photo: AP "Doctors and nurses are wearing their equipment so long you can see the marks on their faces," said Zhou Jun, party secretary of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing. Zhou, who serves at Tongji hospital in Wuhan, said medical staff were doing all they could to save lives, given limited supplies. Advanced equipment brought in from around the nation is playing a critical role in the struggle with the virus, Ma said. "In the absence of specific medicines [for the virus], ventilators and ECMO are of great importance in the treatment," he said. He was referring to ECMO machines, which circulate a patient's blood through an artificial lung, giving the lungs of those in the most critical condition an opportunity to rest and recover. Story continues Respirators, artificial lung machines and other equipment also play a vital role in keeping the death rate from climbing higher. Zhou said his team brought with them 15 million yuan (US$2.15 million) of cutting-edge equipment from Beijing, including not only ECMO machines but ventilators, monitors, bronchoscopes and other devices. "Some of this equipment is very expensive, but plays a critical role in curing patients," Zhou said. "The most important thing is to reduce the death rate, and increase the rate of those cured." The World Health Organisation, seeking to distinguish the virus from the disease it causes, said on Tuesday that it had named the virus SARS-CoV-2, and the disease Covid-19. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2020 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. It is learnt that NTCA will now seek a factual report from the State Forest Department on permissions given for construction of the latest ecotourism attraction. HYDERABAD: The massive ecotourism project taken up by the Tourism department inside Amrabad Tiger Reserve is expected to come under the scanner of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). It may be recalled that the Tourism Department has taken up construction of a glass-bottomed cantilevered walkway at Farbahad Viewpoint inside the tiger reserve. It is learnt that NTCA will now seek a factual report from the State Forest Department on permissions given for construction of the latest ecotourism attraction. The construction on the glass-bottomed walkway, meant to provide a thrill of walking on air over the escarpment at Farhabad Viewpoint, is expected to cost between Rs 1 crore and Rs 1.5 crore. The walkway will extend eight metres from the edge of the rocky ledge at the spot and is designed to be eight feet wide. The walkway is part of a slew of ecotourism initiatives launched by the Tourism department in and around the tiger reserve. The department says that all activities have the go-ahead from State Forest Department. They recently inaugurated a Haritha hotel right at the border of the core area of the reserve near Mannanur village, which marks the beginning of the tiger reserve. The village itself is an enclosure in the reserve, which, according to experts, falls in an eco-sensitive zone of the tiger reserve. However, Supreme Court guidelines for ecotourism activities inside tiger reserves in the country, prohibit any new construction activity inside the reserves. "We are delighted that Chennupati Jagadish has agreed to take the helm of Applied Physics Reviews (APR) as Editor-in-Chief. He's been part of the team that has been shaping APR since it launched to become one of the most influential journals in applied physics. We are excited to continue our journey with him and are sure that he will bring APR to new heights," said Jason Wilde, Ph.D., AIP Publishing's Chief Publishing Officer. Prof. Jagadish commented, "I am honored and excited to step up to the important role of APR's Editor-in-Chief, lead our great team of publishers, editors, advisory board members, reviewers, and authors, and serve the Applied Physics and Materials Science community. We will not be resting on APR's laurels -- we'll build on what has been achieved so far." Among his top priorities are: Making sure APR reviews provide important insights on specific subjects, as well as useful fundamentals for students and scientists approaching new research areas. Publishing research that reports on ideas, discoveries, or tools with the potential to change the accepted understanding of important scientific or engineering concepts or provide pathways to new frontiers. Continuing coverage of topics of high interest to the applied physics community, and expanding to other important areas of research. APR publishes both authoritative review articles and significant original research on important and current topics in experimental or theoretical research in applied physics or applications of physics to other branches of science and engineering. The reviews are either comprehensive treatments of established areas of applied physics, or short pieces on recent advances in established fields or new and emerging areas of applied physics. While APR editors generally invite review articles, unsolicited manuscripts may be accepted if their authors are recognized as experts in the field. In addition, the authors must add an editorial summary that makes a solid case that the material is timely and of interest to APR's wide readership, which includes students, and emerging and experienced scientists in academia and industry. Prof. Jagadish is Distinguished Professor in the Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Australian National University (ANU) Research School of Physics. He also serves as the Director of Australian National Fabrication Facility, ACT node and Convenor of the Australian Nanotechnology Network. His current research interests span nanotechnology, optoelectronics, photovoltaics, materials science, and neurotechnology. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Delhi, India, in 1986. During his career Prof. Jagadish has received numerous accolades and awards, including Australia's highest civilian honor, AC Companion of Order of Australia from the Governor General of Australia. Born and educated in India, he has been fortunate to work in top institutions for most of his career. In an effort to give others the kind of opportunities he has had, Prof. Jagadish has endowed a fund for young researchers from developing countries so they can gain access to world-class facilities, such as those at ANU. APR is the highest impact journal in the AIP Publishing portfolio, which currently consists of 33 journals, including six open access titles, flagship titles 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 Duoye Diri, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 16 Bayelsa governorship election, has waved the olive bra... Duoye Diri, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 16 Bayelsa governorship election, has waved the olive branch to former members of his party who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Diri, who is expected to be sworn in as governor of the state, made the comment following the supreme court sack of David Lyon, his APC rival. According to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Lyon defeated Diri in the march election. He had polled 352,552 votes while the PDP candidate secured 143,172 votes, leaving a margin of 209,382. The PDP and Diri had sought the disqualification of Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, Lyons running mate, over alleged falsification of results. On Thursday, a panel of judges led by Mary Odili affirmed the verdict of a federal high court which disqualified Degi-Eremienyo from the election for submitting forged credentials to INEC. The apex court also said the candidate with the second highest number of votes in the election should be issued a certificate of return. While addressing reporters on Friday, Diri, who polled the second highest votes, pleaded with PDP members who had left the party to return. Asked if his invitation to the opposition party meant he would run an inclusive government, Diri replied in the affirmative. The members of PDP, who out of one thing or the other got angry and left us to APC, Im waving the olive branch, please, come back, Diri said. We have to build Bayelsa state together. Im also calling on my brothers in APC they are Bayelsans, we cannot continue to be in disunity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tribute to the 40 CRPF jawans, who lost their lives in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on February 14 last year, and said that the country will never forget their martyrdom. Modi described the CRPF personnel as 'exceptional individuals' who devoted their lives by serving the country. "Tributes to the brave martyrs who lost their lives in the gruesome Pulwama attack last year. They were exceptional individuals who devoted their lives to serving and protecting our nation. India will never forget their martyrdom," the Prime Minister tweeted. It was around 3:00 pm on this day last year, when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist rammed a vehicle carrying explosives into the Central Reserve Police Force (CPRF) convoy on Srinagar-Jammu highway. Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy was targeted by the suicide bomber of Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pulwama district. Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after the convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2,500 CRPF personnel were traveling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack. Nationwide protests erupted against the dastardly terror attack even as the country bid goodbye to its bravehearts. Leaders across the party lines and civil society condemned the attack and called for an appropriate response. Days after the attack, the Indian Air Force on February 26 carried out multiple aerial strikes at JeM terror camps in Pakistan's Balakot, killing a "large number" of terrorists and destroying their infrastructure. Kolkata, Feb 14 : A day after she was denied permission to address students at Calcutta University, Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union President Aishe Ghosh was not allowed to campaign for the Jadavpur University Student union election. With the JU authorities not allowing her to address the students inside the campus, Ghosh, a Student Federation of India leader, spoke at a meeting outside the university premises. The JU authorities have claimed that outsiders have never been allowed to campaign in the student union elections in the university. The issue came up in the state Assembly, where leader of the Left Front Legislature Party Sujan Chakraborty asked why Ghosh was not allowed to enter the CU campus and address the students. An irritated West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said too much politics was being played over the denial of permission to one person. In an oblique reference to Ghosh, who had sustained a head injury when she was beaten up by masked individuals in the JNU hostel, Banerjee said so much was being said over one blow on the head, and remined Chakraborty how she was beaten up with sticks near her home in south Kolkata's Hazra in 1990. Banerjee had sustained severe head injuries after she was hit on the head multiple times on August 16, 1990, when she was leading a Congress procession in Hazra crossing in support of a bandh called by her party. "Do you remember what you people had done to me?" Banerjee asked Chakraborty. Regarding Chakraborty's allegation that democracy was under threat in the state with the opposition not being allowed to hold its programmes, Banerjee said the highest number of rallies and meetings are held in Kolkata. "We allow all rallies. But still they say there is no democracy in Bengal," said the Chief Minister. Meanwhile, Ghosh led a rally from Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shipbur. She also addressed students at the Presidency University, after the authorities gave her permission. Taking pot shots at the state's ruling Trinamool Congress, Ghosh said the situation in Kolkata was the same as in Delhi. "In Delhi, those opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens exercise are not allowed to voice their opinion and speak. We are seeing a similar situation in Bengal," she said. However, Ghosh said the real fight was with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Bharatiya Janata Party and all those opposing these forces should come together. --IANS ssp/vd A A WASHINGTONIn late September, a plane carrying senior Iranian officials touched down in Abu Dhabi, the gleaming capital of the United Arab Emirates. The Middle East had witnessed a summer of violence, and a meeting with the Iranians was part of a quiet strategy by Emirati leaders to defuse the tension. The small but powerful Persian Gulf nation wanted to broker a separate peace avoiding violence that could shatter its decades-long effort to present itself as a modern, stable oasis in a volatile region. But the meeting set off alarms inside the White House, where officials learned about it only after reading reports from U.S. spy agencies. The Emirati government, a stalwart ally that had long pushed for a hawkish American approach toward Iran, was in secret talks with Iranian officials. National Security Council officials met to discuss the implications: A united front against Iran carefully built by the Trump administration over more than two years seemed to be crumbling. The episode came in the midst of a nine-month period that shook up the United States already combustible relationship with Iran beginning with the Trump administrations escalation of sanctions and culminating with the two powers in a direct military confrontation on the brink of wider and bloodier conflict. The chess match continues, with little evidence that either has a sense of the others next move, but with the prospect of an American president newly constrained on Iran policy. The Senate passed a resolution Thursday requiring congressional sign-off for future military actions against Iran a move President Donald Trump has said he would veto. What happened over the past several months, based on interviews with officials from the United States, Iran and other Middle Eastern countries as well as outside analysts, is a story of miscalculations by both sides and of violence that spilled into nations across the Middle East from Syria to Saudi Arabia to Iraq. The Trump administration escalated a campaign of financial warfare so-called maximum pressure to suffocate Irans economy in hopes of forcing its government back into negotiations over its nuclear program and its military operations throughout the region. Instead, Iran lashed out with brazen attacks on oil installations in the Saudi Arabian desert, tankers docked off the Emirati coast and American forces in Iraq. The decision by Trump to authorize the killing of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Irans most powerful military commander, might ultimately deter future Iranian aggression. Yet a recent CIA analysis concluded that Iran, while struggling to continue funding its military activities under American sanctions, appears no closer to entering direct talks over its nuclear program, according to U.S. officials familiar with the assessment. Israeli intelligence officials have also determined that the escalating tensions have made Iran only more determined to gain a nuclear weapon, and to take concrete steps toward amassing enough nuclear fuel to build one. U.S. officials continue to defend the maximum pressure campaign, as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo did last month during a combative interview with NPR. He said that the United States had raised the cost for Irans military actions around the Middle East. This is beginning to place real choices in front of the Iranian regime, he said. But the fissures in the American-led anti-Iran coalition, exemplified by the secretive Emirati-Iranian talks, have dimmed a vision of a realignment in the Middle East long advocated not only by Trump, but also by the leaders of the Arab states in the Persian Gulf and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. In that vision, Israel and certain Sunni countries gain supremacy over Iran, the worlds largest Shiite-majority state. Iranian officials also miscalculated, believing that after a series of escalatory military operations the tanker attacks, the shooting down of an American drone, the Saudi oil strikes, rocket attacks on bases in Iraq by Iranian-backed militias Trump would refrain from responding consequentially. Instead, he made the startling decision to authorize the killing of Soleimani. There were dueling perceptions both in Tehran and in Washington that the other side was a paper tiger, said Karim Sadjadpour, an Iran expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. A String of Attacks The explosions happened in rapid succession. In the pre-dawn darkness on May 12, mines placed by naval operatives suspected to be members of Irans Revolutionary Guard blew holes in four oil tankers anchored in the Gulf of Oman, not far from the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which 20 per cent of the worlds oil flows. Some Persian Gulf nations were hesitant to publicly finger Iran in the attacks, and Tehran denied playing a role, but the United States, Israel and European nations eventually said they had evidence proving Irans culpability. The attacks came just days after the Trump administration implemented draconian new economic sanctions, which prohibited the five largest buyers of Iranian oil from future imports. When he announced the new sanctions, Pompeo said the goal was to choke off Irans oil exports. Were going to zero across the board, he said. Some inside the Trump administration pushed for even more punishing sanctions, even as the presidents national security adviser at the time, John Bolton, remained firm in his view that nothing short of regime change in Iran was an adequate outcome for security in the region. Not long after, Israels Mossad intelligence service delivered a stark warning to officials in Washington about potential attacks by Iran or Shia militia groups it supports, both on U.S. forces in Iraq and against Arab states hostile to Iran, namely Saudi Arabia and the Emirates. The aim of the latter attacks, according to one person familiar with the Israeli intelligence, was to hike up the price of oil to exert pressure on the United States to ease its economic sanctions on Iran. According to analysts and Western intelligence officials, Irans attacks carried an unmistakable message: If we cannot export oil, then we will not let you do it either. Irans response to the Trump administrations maximum pressure campaign was to enact a pressure campaign of its own. Another prong of the military campaign was an escalation of cyberattacks against the United States and its allies in the Middle East. Beginning in May just after the United States announced the new oil sanctions and continuing through the end of the year, Iran cyberattacks on American entities doubled in comparison to earlier in 2019, according to Lotem Finkelstein, head of cyberthreat intelligence at Check Point, an Israeli cybersecurity company. Iran had devised a strategy with two tracks, though it publicly acknowledged only one: a diplomatic outreach led by its foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, who had gained world attention as the lead Iranian negotiator in the 2015 nuclear deal. The second, led by Soleimani, used Iranian and proxy forces to foment violence across the Middle East and try to exact a cost on supporters of the Trump administrations Iran policy. The two men met once a week for breakfast to co-ordinate, Zarif said during a recent interview with Iranian state television. Before and after every trip to a capital of strategic importance like Moscow, Zarif said, he would meet with the general first to get advice, and later to debrief him. Irans policy toward U.S. has been a combination of hardball military policy mixed with a strategy of softball through the foreign ministry, said Ahmad Dastmalchian, an Iranian diplomat who was the countrys ambassador to Lebanon and Jordan. Other attacks followed, including a missile fired by Revolutionary Guard air force units downing an American spy drone patrolling the Strait of Hormuz in June. Trumps advisers pushed him to order a retaliatory strike which he did but then reversed himself just hours before the strike. Despite the attacks, Trump administration officials still believed that the sanctions were constraining the Iranian economy strongly enough to force a change of thinking in Tehran. Plummeting oil revenues appeared to be prompting Iranian leaders to dial back funding for military operations around the Middle East. Many inside the White House believed that the economic pain was so great that Iran would, by years end, be willing to negotiate over its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Some close U.S. allies disagreed, including the British government, which maintains an embassy in Iran and has long held that economic pressure alone would not bring Iran into negotiations over its nuclear program. Several times last year, Britains ambassador to Iran, Robert Macaire a public critic of the American policy travelled to Washington to meet with U.S. intelligence officials and diplomats to give an assessment of the views of leaders in Iran. Even some former Trump administration officials said that the White Houses position betrayed a misunderstanding of Irans leadership born from a paucity of intelligence and direct contact with Tehran. We dont have a lot of knowledge of Irans decision-making, said Kirsten Fontenrose, who worked on Middle East policy at the National Security Council at the beginning of the Trump administration. The expectation that they would come to the table was not what people who actually talk to Iranians were saying. A Secret Meeting In August, Eshaq Jahangiri, first vice president of Iran, gathered advisers in his office to discuss a new strategy for dealing with the Americans, according to one person who attended the meeting and another with knowledge of it. If Trump was seeking a more comprehensive deal than the nuclear agreement he left in May 2018, the Iranians concluded, they might consider entering discussions as long as Iran extracted a firm guarantee of sanctions relief from the United States. But even as Iran weighed renewed diplomacy, its military provocations persisted. In mid-September, Iran hit Saudi Arabia, a powerful U.S. ally, in a co-ordinated attack of drones and cruise missiles that set two oil-processing facilities ablaze. Both Irans decision to attack Saudi Arabia and the military capabilities on display during the attack surprised Western intelligence officials. Its talking about talks but then stepping back and then putting pressures at different levels, said Ariane M. Tabatabai, an Iran expert at RAND Corp. They are trying to get the U.S. to see the high cost of pressuring Iran, both economically and militarily. In the Saudi attacks, many experts saw a careful Iranian strategy of escalation based on a conclusion that Trump had no stomach for potentially deepening U.S. involvement in the Middle East. The strikes briefly sent oil prices skyrocketing, and once again Iran hard-liners in the White House urged Trump to retaliate militarily. Instead, he chose to deploy thousands more troops to Saudi Arabia and bolster the U.S. military presence elsewhere in the region. The moves were part of a pressure campaign to deprive the Iranian regime of the money that it needs to destabilize the Middle East and to bring Iran to the negotiating table, Brian H. Hook, the State Departments special representative for Iran, said at the time. Wary Allies Such rhetoric was losing its impact in the Middle East, where several allies came to question the Trump administrations commitment to defending them against Iran. The Emiratis began their secret talks with Iran after concluding they could play a unique role lowering temperatures and that they had little confidence in the Trump administrations approach to Iran, according to American and other Western officials. They were also dismayed by the firing of Bolton, a longtime Iran hawk. The Saudis also explored a diplomatic breakthrough with Iran using Iraqi and Pakistani intermediaries. According to several Iranian diplomats and members of the Revolutionary Guard, Soleimani played a behind-the-scenes role setting up discussions in both gulf kingdoms. The anti-Iran alliance that the Trump administration had tried to build was faltering. During a trip to Israel in October, Pompeo went by motorcade to a fortress in north Tel Aviv, the headquarters of the Mossad. There, he received a briefing from Yossi Cohen, the Mossad chief, about the Israeli assessment of the Revolutionary Guards recent military activities. Cohen said that Iran was achieving its primary goal: to break up the anti-Iran alliance, according to one intelligence official in the Middle East. By then, Israel had spent months escalating strikes against Iranian forces and their proxies throughout the Middle East and trying to keep the Trump administration from going wobbly on Iran. In an interview with The Times last year, Netanyahu defended the Israeli operations and expressed no regrets for pressing Trump to back the Israeli escalation. If it is possible to recruit the most powerful country in the world onto our side, why should we fight alone? he asked. If I can harness a world power against Iran which aims to annihilate us why not? The Brink of War The new year brought a confrontational exchange on Twitter Trumps favourite way to communicate. Violence in Iraq had been building for days, leading to the death of an American contractor and fears that Iran-backed protesters would storm the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad. 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, 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, Soleimani was dead killed in a drone strike ordered by Trump. Nine months of escalation, misjudgments and heated rhetoric 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 Sadjadpour, the Iran expert. The killing prompted Iran to take a step it had long avoided: a direct and overt strike against the U.S. military. Four days after Soleimani was killed, Iran fired more than a dozen missiles at two American bases in Iraq. More than 100 U.S. soldiers were injured, but no one was killed, and 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 U.S. bases in Iraq, 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 Irans holy city of Qom, adding that Iran would not rest until it accomplished that goal. Read more about: Travellers, wearing masks as a precautionary measure to avoid contracting coronavirus, are seen at Guarulhos International Airport in Guarulhos (Reuters) - Airlines are suspending flights to China in the wake of the new coronavirus outbreak. Below are details (in alphabetical order): AIRLINES THAT HAVE CANCELLED ALL CHINA FLIGHTS ** American Airlines - extends suspension of China and Hong Kong flights through April 24 from March 27 earlier ** Air France - Said on Feb.6 it would suspend flights to and from mainland China for much of March ** Air Seoul - The South Korean budget carrier suspended China flights from Jan. 28 until further notice. ** Air Tanzania - Tanzania's state-owned carrier, which had planned to begin charter flights to China in February, postponed its maiden flights. ** Air Mauritius - Suspended all flights to China and Hong Kong ** Austrian Airlines - until end-February. ** British Airways - Jan. 29-March 31. ** Delta Airlines - Feb. 2-April 30 ** Egyptair - Feb. 1 until further notice. ** El Al Israel Airlines - Said on Feb. 12 it would suspend its Hong Kong flights until March 20 and reduce its daily flights to Bangkok. It suspended flights to Beijing from Jan. 30 to March 25 following a health ministry directive. ** Finnair - Cancelled all flights to mainland China and decreased the number of flights to Hong Kong until March 28. ** Iberia Airlines - The Spanish carrier extended its suspension of flights from Madrid to Shanghai, its only route, from Feb. 29 until the end of April. ** JejuAir Co Ltd <089590.KS> - Korean airline to suspend all China routes starting March 1 ** Kenya Airways - Jan. 31 until further notice. ** KLM - Will extend its ban up to March 15 ** Lion Air - All of February. ** LOT - Extends flight suspension until March 28 ** Lufthansa - Extended all flight cancellations to mainland China until March 28. ** Oman and Saudia, Saudi Arabia's state airline, both suspended flights on Feb. 2 until further notice. Story continues ** Qatar Airways - Feb. 1 until further notice. ** Rwandair - Jan. 31 until further notice. ** Nordic airline SAS - Extended its suspension of flights to Shanghai and Beijing until March 29. ** Scoot, Singapore Airlines' low-cost carrier - Feb. 8 until further notice. ** United Airlines - Feb. 5-April 23. Service to Hong Kong suspended Feb. 8-April 23. ** Vietjet and Vietnam Airlines - Suspended flights to the mainland as well as Hong Kong and Macau Feb. 1-April 30, in line with its aviation authority's directive. AIRLINES THAT HAVE CANCELLED SOME CHINA FLIGHTS/ROUTES ** Air Canada - Cancelled direct flights to Beijing and Shanghai Jan. 30-Feb 29. ** Air China - Said on Feb. 12 it will cancel flights to Athens, Greece, from Feb. 17 to March 18 ** Air China <601111.SS> <0753.HK> - State carrier said on Feb. 9 it will "adjust" flights between China and the United States. ** Air New Zealand - Suspended Auckland-Shanghai service Feb. 9-March 29. ** ANA Holdings <9202.T> - Suspended routes including Shanghai and Hong Kong from Feb. 10 until further notice. ** Cathay Pacific Airways <0293.HK> - Plans to cut a third of its capacity over the next two months, including 90% of flights to mainland China. It has encouraged its 27,000 employees to take three weeks of unpaid leave in a bid to preserve cash. ** Emirates and Etihad - The United Arab Emirates, a major international transit hub, suspended flights to and from China, except for Beijing. ** Hainan Airlines - Suspended flights between Budapest, Hungary, and Chongqing Feb. 7-March 27. ** Philippine Airlines - Cut the number of flights between Manila and China by over half. ** Qantas Airways - Suspended direct flights to China from Feb. 1. The Australian national carrier halted flights from Sydney to Beijing and Sydney to Shanghai between Feb. 9-March 29. ** Royal Air Maroc - The Moroccan airline suspended direct flights to China Jan. 31-Feb. 29. On Jan. 16, it had launched a direct air route with three flights weekly between its Casablanca hub and Beijing. ** Russia - All Russian airlines, with the exception of national airline Aeroflot , stopped flying to China from Jan. 31. Small airline Ikar will also continue flights between Moscow and China. All planes arriving from China will be sent to a separate terminal in the Moscow Sheremetyevo airport. ** Singapore Airlines - Suspended or cut capacity on flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xiamen and Chongqing, some of which are flown by regional arm SilkAir. ** UPS - Cancelled 22 flights to China because of the virus and normal manufacturing closures due to the Lunar New Year holiday. ** Virgin Atlantic - Extended its suspension of daily operations to Shanghai until March 28. ** Virgin Australia - Said it will withdraw from the Sydney-Hong Kong route from March 2 because it was "no longer a viable commercial route" due to growing concerns over the virus and civil unrest in Hong Kong. (Compiled by Jagoda Darlak, Tommy Lund and Aditya Soni; Editing by Susan Fenton and Tomasz Janowski) 27th January 2020 marked the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of the mass extermination camp at Auschwitz in Poland. World leaders gathered to commemorate this event, but for some of the first inmates of the camp, this was too difficult to watch. One such survivor is Canadian resident, Edith Friedman Grosman. This lively 95-year-old, along with her sister, was on the first transport train to Auschwitz. In an interview with the Washington Post, she said that she was unsure if she would watch the ceremony as it may simply be too much. She has been back to visit the camp on four occasions and feels this is enough. Mrs. Friedman Grosman was born and raised in Hummene, a village in Slovakia. She lived with her parents and her sister Lea. In 1940 Slovakia partnered with the Axis nations, and with that came the start of the persecution of the Jewish people. Mr. Friedman had to sell the glass-cutting business that he owned to a Christian, and his daughters were forced to leave the public high school that they attended. Shortly after, they were told that all the unmarried Jewish women over the age of 15 were to report to the school gymnasium. The message they received was that they had to register and fullfil their patriotic duty to the war effort by working in a shoe factory for three months. When they all arrived, they were strip-searched and loaded into trucks. The girls were mostly teenagers with a few in their twenties and a couple of mothers that took the place of their daughters. Within a few short days, Edith and Lea Grosman were loaded onto a train, and on the 27th March 1942, they arrived at the infamous camp. There is no record as to why just the girls were taken and who ordered this transport but historian, Heather Dune Macadam, who has extensively researched and documented these transports, believes that the Slovak Government in conjunction with Himmler were responsible. Macadam found that Himmler had ordered that 999 German female prisoners were to be transferred from Ravensbruck prison to Auschwitz to serve as guards for the 999 Slovak Jewish girls that were supposed to arrive on the train. Authorities miscounted, and only 997 girls arrived on the train. Initially, Auschwitz was a prison for Polish prisoners, irrespective of ethnicity. It then started taking in Soviet prisoners-of-war, and by 1942 the Nazis had begun gathering up the Jewish people. However, they had not yet started their mass extermination. The girls found that they were not there to make shoes, but to build the camp that would be used to murder thousands of people deemed undesirable by the Nazi authorities. For the next year, the girls undertook the back-breaking task of breaking down the existing buildings and building the barracks needed to house those unfortunate enough to be sent to the camp. The clothing supplied was the blood-soaked uniforms collected from dead Soviet soldiers, and their shoes were thin planks of wood tied onto their feet with thin strips of cloth. In that first year, the death toll amongst the girls was horrendous. Almost all of them died from cold, starvation, brutal treatment, medical experiments, disease, and suicide. Mrs. Friedman Grosman remembers her sister, Lea, lying emaciated from the brutal regime and typhus amongst the filth and the rats. As she was so ill, she was exterminated in a gas chamber. More than 77 years later, Mrs. Friedman Grosman still carries the scars of her grief. As the Jewish prisoners began to flood into Auschwitz, those original inhabitants were given the so-called easy jobs. Tasks such as typing in the offices, sorting through the confiscated luggage and clothing, or the gruesome task of moving the bodies from the gas chambers to the graves. These jobs came with benefits such as extra rations. Still, it also came with the horrors of watching friends and family marched into the gas chambers. The Soviet forces arrived to liberate Auschwitz on the 27th January 1945, but those girls that had survived since the beginning were not there to see the gates opened. They had been force-marched out through the thick snow to other concentration camps in Germany. Mrs. Friedman Grosman was marched to Ravensbruck, and then when this became overcrowded, she was moved on to Retzow. Mrs. Friedman Grosman recalls that at Retzow, it became clear that Germany was losing the war. When the guards dived for cover during bombing raids, the inmates raided the kitchens for food. When spring came, she, along with others, was once again force-marched to another camp. Along the way, she and ten other girls fell behind, and as they had not been noticed by the guards, they hid in a small shelter. The next morning, they found they had hidden in an apiary. Eight long weeks later, Mrs. Friedman Grosman found her way back to her home village of Hummene. There to her astonishment, she discovered her parents had survived as had a young neighbor, Ladislav Grosman. Edith spent the next three years in a Swiss sanatorium suffering from tuberculosis. When she was cleared of the disease, she and Ladislav were married. The couple settled in Prague, and she bore one son. She returned to school and earned a degree in biology. Her husband pursued a successful career as a writer. In the 1960s, the family moved to Israel, and in 1981, with the death of her husband, she joined her son in Toronto, Canada. Many survivors of the Holocaust, especially women, are very reluctant to talk about their experiences. Because of this, the significance of this first transport to Auschwitz has mostly been forgotten. Many female survivors struggled to fall pregnant due to their brutal treatment, and many survivors viewed anyone with a low number tattooed on their arm with deep suspicion. It was felt that if you survived with a low number, you had to have done something unforgivable to have come through alive. Mrs. Friedman Grosmans number was 1970. With the steady growth of the womens movements around the world, interest in the first transport was revived. The Shoah Foundation tracked down 22 women that survived from that first transport and of the 22 Macadam interviewed 20. Of those 20, only six are still alive. Edit Friedman Grosman is well-loved in Slovakia today, and she often returns to talk about her life during the Holocaust. She does have a message for the rest of the world. She implores people not to hate because hate breeds criminality, and hate brings death. She should know as she lived through such hate, criminality, and death. Survivor of Massacre at Lidice Passes Away Aged 97, Now 1 Left Alive Mrs. Friedman Grosman was pleased to see that there would be a memorial on the Anniversary but said that it needs to be repeated on the 100th or 125th anniversaries, so the world does not forget. Announced at an Urban Prep campus during the lead-up to All-Star weekend, students were treated to a panel discussion about the path to success featuring actor/singer Jacob Latimore (Showtime's The Chi), NBA player Kendrick Nunn (Miami Heat) , and Radio Personality Kendra G. (WGCI-FM ). The partnership resonates on a personal level for Bevel Founder and CEO Tristan Walker. Raised by a single mother in Queens, NY, Walker knows firsthand how having access to a great education can set Black boys on the path to becoming successful Black men. "[My Mother] did everything she could to ensure that I was set up for success and had the education that I needed. Through education, I got to see how the other half lived. It completely changed my life. I got to see what success could look likeand it completely changed my worldview." Intimately familiar with the lack of representation within the beauty industry, Walker launched Bevel to create the products and tools that were specifically designed and tailored for textured hair and melanin-enriched skin. Founded in 2013, the company began with a focus on shaving: precise cuts, trims, and lineups without the skin irritation. The brand has since expanded into hair, skin and body, providing head to toe grooming solutions for black men. About Walker & Company Brands Walker & Company Brands, recently acquired by Procter & Gamble, is a family of brands designing health and beauty solutions for people of color. Our vision is to build the world's most consumer-centric health and beauty products company, inspiring unprecedented customer loyalty. Walker & Company launched with the introduction of its first brand, Bevel, in 2013. Bevel provides grooming products for black men, including a full Skin Care regimen, a Shave System, and the Bevel Trimmer, designed to help reduce skin irritation and razor bumps. FORM, the first women's prestige hair care collection to celebrate beauty in all its forms, is now available for order at formbeauty.com. To learn more about Walker & Company Brands, visit www.walkerandcompany.com. About Urban Prep Academies Urban Prep Academies, founded by Tim King and a group of African-American education, business and civic leaders, operates the country's first network of charter public high schools for boys. Since its first graduating class in 2010, 100% of Urban Prep's graduatesall African American males, mostly from low-income familieshave been admitted to college. Urban Prep's three schools in Chicago's Englewood, Near West and Bronzeville communities, as well as Urban Prep's unique Alumni and Fellows Programs, have provided more than 2,500 students with the tools they need to succeed in college and life. To learn more about Urban Prep, visit www.urbanprep.org. SOURCE Bevel by Walker & Company Brands Marian Keyes is in a passion. Not because of any one man in particular - on the contrary, she feels sorry for the expectations loaded on to men as a group. But what's really firing her up is the male-imposed system which privileges men - otherwise known as the patriarchy. And reports of its death are greatly exaggerated. Sexism continues to be an everyday problem, but Keyes has an all-inclusive take on it. "Sexism damages everyone," she says. Men as well as women. Women have been held back by it for centuries and the pace of reform remains slow. As the French thinker and writer Simone de Beauvoir put it in 'The Second Sex': "Her wings are cut and then she is blamed for not knowing how to fly." But Keyes spares a thought for sons, brothers and nephews in today's world. "Men in general may hold on to the money and the power because of the way our society is structured but individual men are really suffering from this very narrow, strict template that they are told to fit themselves inside," she says. "The fact that they are meant to be the breadwinners, that they are meant to be strong, that they can't show fear or self-doubt, depression, any grief or sorrow. "That they have to present as unhurtable, unwoundable - it's no surprise that we have such a high male rate of suicide." Video of the Day The international bestseller is known for writing funny, insightful fiction about what it's like to be a woman in the modern world. She's queen of the witty one-liner and humour comes easily. But sexism is no laughing matter for her. "Women obviously are also very much damaged by sexism but I think maybe if more attention was paid to the fact that men are damaged by it too, it might change general opinion towards it," she says. Her solution? "Educate our sons not to rape rather than educate our daughters not to get raped. Educate our sons in respect." Keyes made the remarks to me during an interview that can only be described as muscular for the monthly 'City of Books' podcast, which I host. She regards society as two-tier and cites period poverty by way of example - women who can barely make their rent each month are obliged somehow to find the money for sanitary protection. "If men got periods, sanitary products would be free," according to Marian. However, she has ideas for overturning sexist attitudes, such as encouraging more men to avail of paternity leave. Some fear they'll lose out on promotion, she says, but recommends safeguards to prevent this. Marian, whose latest novel 'Grown Ups' has just been published, is outspoken on a range of subjects during the podcast, available on the Dublin City Libraries website, Apple, Spotify and other platforms from today. She makes no apologies for her "political choice" to read predominantly women writers: "I just want to support women." And she reflects on why men tend not to read novels by women although women are gender neutral in their choice of reading material. She is critical of the trend whereby male writers are given more prominent reviews and other coverage in the media and stronger support by bookshops. "Novels written by men are automatically given more weight than novels written by women," she says. Keyes, who has sold 35 million books worldwide and been translated into 36 languages, tells how she dutifully read all the so-called greats such as Philip Roth, John Updike, Martin Amis, Julian Barnes and Salman Rushdie. Glowingly reviewed, their work didn't resonate with her. "For me, I didn't find any emotional resonance in them whereas in general [in] books written by women I do." She is well aware she'll be criticised in some quarters for her decision. "I am being sexist because I'm tired of the other kind of sexism," she says. "I read to find out what people are thinking and I don't need to find out what men are thinking - their voices dominate all media. "It's a lot harder to find out what women are thinking and one way of doing it is by reading what they're writing." 'Grown Ups' by Marian Keyes is published by Michael Joseph, an imprint of Penguin. 'City of Books' is sponsored by Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and Dublin City Council in association with MOLI, the Museum of Literature Ireland Altering the altitude of less than 2 per cent of flights may reduce aircraft-linked climate change by 59 per cent, according to a study. Aircraft contrails -- the white streaks aircraft leave in the sky -- could be as bad for the climate as their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the researchers said. The team led by scientists at Imperial College London in the UK found that flight altitude changes of just 2000 feet could lessen their effect. This combined with using cleaner aircraft engines, could reduce contrail-caused harm to the climate by up to 90 per cent, according to the study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. "Changing the altitude of a small number of flights could significantly reduce the climate effects of aviation contrails," said Marc Stettler from Imperial College London. This new method could very quickly reduce the overall climate impact of the aviation industry," Stettler said. When hot exhaust gases from aircraft meet the cold, low-pressure air of the atmosphere, they produce white streaks in the sky called 'condensation trails', or contrails. The contrail fumes include black carbon particles, which provide surfaces on which moisture condenses to form ice particles. Most contrails last only a few minutes, but some spread and mix with other contrails and cirrus clouds, forming 'contrail cirrus' that linger for up to eighteen hours, the researchers said. Previous research suggests that contrails and the clouds they help form have as much of a warming impact on the climate as aviation's cumulative carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, because of an effect known as 'radiative forcing'. This is where the balance is disrupted between radiation coming to the Earth from the Sun and heat emitted from the surface of our planet going out to space, forcing a change in the climate, according to the researchers. The key difference between CO2 and contrails, however, is that while the gas will have an impact in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, the impact of contrails is short-lived, and could therefore quickly be reduced, they said. The researchers have used computer simulations to predict how changing aircraft altitudes might reduce the number of contrails and how long they linger, which would reduce their warming impact. This is because contrails only form and persist in thin layers of the atmosphere that have very high humidity, the researchers explained. Because these layers are thin, small changes to flight altitudes would mean that aircraft could avoid these regions, leading to fewer contrails forming, they said. Using data from Japan's airspace, the team found that just two per cent of flights were responsible for 80 per cent of radiation forcing within the airspace. "A really small proportion of flights are responsible for the vast majority of contrail climate impact, meaning we can focus our attention on them, Stettler said. Taking into account the congestion in the airspace above Japan, the team simulated these planes to fly either 2000 feet higher or lower than their actual flight paths. The researchers found that the contrail climate forcing could be cut by 59 per cent by altering the altitudes of 1.7 per cent of flights. The diversion in flight paths caused less than a tenth of a per cent increase in fuel consumption. However, the researchers said the reduced contrail formation more than offset the CO2 released by the extra fuel. Stettler suggests that their method of targeting only the few flights that cause the most climate forcing is the best way to avoid hikes in CO2 emissions. "We're conscious that any additional CO2 released into the atmosphere will have a climate impact stretching centuries into the future, he said. So we have also calculated that if we only target flights that wouldn't emit extra CO2, we can still achieve a 20 per cent reduction in contrail forcing," Stettler added. The researchers said aircraft engines themselves also play a part in how harmful contrails are. Black carbon particles are produced by incomplete fuel combustion, so new, more efficient engine combustion technology could help to reduce them by around 70 per cent, they said. This, combined with small altitude changes, could help reduce overall contrail harm by around 90 per cent, according to the researchers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Church secretary accused of stealing nearly $600K to pay for car, wedding, thousands of online purchases Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment 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. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court made it clear on Friday that pendency of the Centre's plea, seeking separate execution of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, will not come in the way of trial court's issuing fresh date for their hanging. Since no pleas of the convicts are pending before the apex court and the mercy petitions of three of them have been rejected by the President -- while the fourth one has chosen not file clemency plea yet, the trial court can issue fresh date of execution, it said. A bench of Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and A S Bopanna listed the Centre's plea against the Delhi High Court order, which had refused to set aside the stay on the execution of the four convicts, on February 17. ALSO READ: SC judge who fainted while delivering order on plea in Nirbhaya case stable, undergoing treatment "We make it clear that the pendency of these petitions may not be treated as an impediment for the trial court to consider the matter on its own merits," the bench said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said the trial court on February 13 had adjourned the plea of Tihar authorities seeking fresh date for execution of the convicts for February 17, while noticing the fact that a petition challenging the rejection of the mercy petition of Vinay Sharma is pending in apex court. The bench said Sharma plea has been dismissed today and the trial court can proceed in the matter. Mehta said that three convicts -- Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Vinay Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31) -- have exhausted their constitutional remedy with the filing of mercy petitions. He said the fourth convict Pawan Gupta (25) has till now neither filed a curative petition nor the mercy petition. Mehta said he anticipates that on February 17, when the matter will come up before the trial court, another writ petition will be filed in apex court. To this, the bench said that no one can compel anyone to avail of the remedies. Mehta said, "Article 21 (right to life) is a very valuable right but it cannot be allowed to be used as a weapon to defeat the hands of justice". The bench said that since trial court has listed the matter for February 17, it would be better that this court waits for the outcome. It listed the matter for further hearing on February 20. On February 13, the apex court had appointed senior advocate Anjana Prakash to represent one of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya case who was unrepresented after dropping his earlier lawyer. The top court had asked all the condemned prisoners to file their replies on Centre's plea. 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 top court had earlier 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 had on January 31 stayed "till further orders" execution of the four convicts on the ground that they are yet to avail of all their legal remedies. Two death warrants have been stayed so far in the case. The Delhi High Court has said that all the four convicts in the Nirbhaya case have to hanged together and not separately. 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. Advertisement Missing South Carolina six-year-old Faye Swetlik's body was found in a wooded area near her house before a male neighbor, 30, was found dead in his home. Authorities confirmed on Friday that Faye's body was found in woods between her home in Churchill Heights and a Napa Auto Parts store in Cayce, South Carolina, on Thursday around 11am. Police searching through rubbish trucks found 'a critical piece of evidence' in a trash can belonging to her neighbor Coty Scott Taylor, 30, who lived about 100 yards away from the little girl's home. The body of Coty Scott Taylor (pictured), who is linked to Faye Swetlik's (right) death, was found dead in his house shortly after the remains of the six-year-old were discovered in the woods neighboring both their homes The final moments: An aerial map shows the close proximity between Faye's home, the home of suspected killer Coty Scott Taylor and the wooded area where the little girl's body was found TIMELINE OF FAYE'S DISAPPEARANCE Monday, at 2.45pm Faye Swetlik is seen getting off a school bus after attending first grade at Sprindale Elementary School Monday, between 2.45pm & 3.44pm Faye is last seen playing in front of her Londonderry Square home in Churchill Heights when her mother discovers her missing Monday, 5pm Faye's mother, Selena Collins, reports her missing after a frantic search of the neighborhood. Up to 50 officers canvas the neighborhood. Department of Public Safety's Chief Byron Snellgrove said there did not appear to be any evidence of abduction at the time, and her disappearance doesn't meet the criteria for an Amber Alert Tuesday FBI and SLED helicopter teams join more than 200 law enforcement investigators in the search for Faye. A tip hotline number is set up for the public. Community members gather at Trinity Baptist Church to pray for Faye's safe return Wednesday Cops continue to knock on doors in the neighbourhood, but admit in a press conference not everyone within their search area had been spoken to. Police also search the woods behind the homes. They also make a public appeal for the drivers of an SUV and another car seen in the area to contact them. Only one driver does Thursday morning Cops discover a 'critical' piece of evidence in a trash can belonging to 602 Picadilly Square, where Coty Scott Taylor,30, lives. Police don't reveal what the evidence is, but say leads them to the woods neighboring an autoparts store behind the home Thursday, 11am Cayce Department of Public Safety Chief Byron Snellgrove discovers Faye's body in the woods behind the home of her neighbour, and near her home. Police say her body was moved shortly before she was found, and that she was killed elsewhere Thursday, after 11am Police then head to 602 Picadilly Square where they find the body of Taylor. It is not yet clear how he died Friday Authorities reveal where they discovered Faye's body and confirm that neighbor Coty Scott Taylor is linked to her death. They will not reveal anymore details about their deaths, but said autopsies will be performed on Saturday Advertisement At the time, a search party, led by Cayce Department of Public Safety Chief Byron Snellgrove, had gathered to map out a route to re-canvass the woods behind the home. The evidence 'led' officers to the same area they intended to canvass, and Swetlik's body was discovered shortly after by Snellgrove. Police would not say in what condition her body was found, but that she had been moved to the area shortly before she was discovered. The body of Taylor - who is linked to her death - was then found nearly at his home at 602 Piccadilly Square. Police would not confirm how Faye was killed, or how Taylor died. Taylor, who did not have a criminal record and was not known to police, is not related to the little girl nor is he a friend, authorities confirmed. 'He was merely a neighbor who lived at Churchill Heights,' Sgt Evan Antley, with the Cayce Department of Public Safety, said Friday. He also confirmed that officers had previously spoken to Taylor during the search for the missing girl. Police confirmed the two deaths are connected. Antley assured the community 'that there is no reason to believe there is an active threat in the community'. No arrests had been made and officers are not seeking any other persons of interest. Antley would not comment on the condition of the bodies or the causes of death. Officers had returned to the scene after finding 'critical evidence' in a trash can belonging to the suspected killer on Thursday. Antley said: 'Based on that discovery we narrowed down an area that we felt as an investigative team that we needed to go back to and look for more evidence.' Antley confirmed they had been to the area multiple times prior to the discovery. Officers began a new search and Faye's body was found at around 11 a.m. Based on preliminary investigations from the coroner's officer Faye had not been in that location 'for very long at all', Antley said. Shortly after finding Faye, officers found the body of Taylor at 602 Piccadilly Square, which is around 100 to 150 yards from the little girl's home where she was last seen alive, Antley said. Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher said autopsies will take place on Saturday. Though authorities would not confirm what the 'critical evidence' that led them to the crime scene was, Antley said it 'would have been listed on her missing person flier'. The missing person flier stated that Faye was last seen wearing polka dot rain boots, a pink flowered skirt, and a black T-shirt with the word 'PEACE' written on the front. Antley said he wanted 'everyone to continue to pray for Faye Swetlik'. Authorities also released the harrowing 911 call made by Fayes mother on Monday to report her daughters disappearance. In the call, the distraught mother Selena Marie Collins is heard gasping and sobbing uncontrollably. I cant find my daughter, she tells the dispatcher. She was just right in front of my front porch. Collins describes the clothes Faye was wearing to the operator, who tells her to stay in the yard until officers arrive. In the video, Faye (pictured) is seen getting out of her seat and walking to the front of the bus Footage of Faye getting off the bus on Monday afternoon was release by police on Wednesday Faye (center) is then seen speaking to the bus driver (left) before exiting the bus The Churchill Heights neighborhood where Faye lived continued to be under heavy police presence Friday morning. Footage posted on Twitter showed that police had extended the crime scene to a different set of apartments near Londonderry Lane where Faye lived. WIS-TV reported that several law enforcement officers were coming and going in the apartments and the wooded area surrounding them Friday morning. 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 Yellow police tape was also across the little girl's home. The local community had taken to social media speculating about the identity of the deceased male and his connection to Faye's murder. The latest revelations come as heartbreaking pictures emerged of Valentine's Day cards that the little girl's classmates made for her in the hope she would be returned alive. Some of her friends in the first grade at Springdale Elementary School made the cards for her before the news of her death broke Thursday. Lexington School District Two released a statement Thursday saying the school community was 'heart-broken' by her untimely death. Flowers, balloons and teddy bears are left at the entrance to the Churchill Heights neighborhood for the little girl The heartbroken community has set up a memorial for Faye Swetlik 'We are heart-broken with news of the death of Faye Swetlik, a first-grade student at Springdale Elementary, who went missing earlier this week. When the school community experiences a tragedy like the loss of a child, it deeply affects all of us,' it said. Flowers, balloons and teddy bears had also been left at the entrance to the Churchill Heights neighborhood for the little girl. The search for the missing six-year-old came to an end Thursday when authorities confirmed they had found her body in her South Carolina neighborhood. The body of a deceased adult male was also located in the neighborhood, authorities said. Director of Public Safety for Cayce, Byron Snellgrove announced the news through tears at a Thursday press conference where he spoke for only about a minute and took no questions. 'It's with extremely heavy hearts that we announce we have found the body that the coroner has identified as Faye,' Snellgrove said. Faye's death is being treated as a homicide and no arrests have been made, he added. Authorities did not identify the male or release information about where exactly the bodies were found or whether the two deaths were connected. However, Snellgrove said 'there was no danger to the public'. DailyMail.com requests for comment to the Cayce Department of Public Safety and the Lexington County Coroner haven't been returned. The media was alerted to intensified police activity Thursday morning, with officers and fire crews blocking anyone from entering the neighborhood, even residents. Investigators were also seen searching trash cans. Authorities had given an update on the investigation Thursday morning. At that time, police said they had towed two cars from the home where the child lived. Antley 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'. 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 don't know how to handle it,' said Faye's grandmother Ruth Collins a day after her granddaughter went missing Faye's death is being treated as a homicide and no arrests have been made. 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 officers were seen earlier in the week canvassing the neighborhood near Faye's home The child had been playing in front of her home (pictured) at the time she went missing 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 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 the girl's home. Hundreds of officers in Cayce, along with state police and FBI agents, worked around the clock to try to find the little girl. Searchers knocked multiple times on the doors of every home in the neighborhood. 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.' Antley confirmed Thursday morning that they had identified and spoken to the person driving the Chevrolet Trailblazer, but investigators are still seeking information about the silver sedan. Faye's bereaved grandmother shared a video showing the six-year-old singing 'You Are My Sunshine' on social media in the hours after authorities in South Carolina confirmed she was found dead. Her grandmother, Ruth Collins, had 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. 'He was merely a neighbor who lived at Churchill Heights,' Sgt Evan Antley with the Cayce Department of Public Safety said at Friday's press conference Director of Public Safety for Cayce, Byron Snellgrove (pictured) became emotional as he announced the death of little Faye The row of homes where Coty Scott Taylor lived (pictured) was about 100 to 150 yards from Faye's home Faye was last seen playing in front of the Londonderry Sq 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 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 had all been cooperating with the investigation. Faye's grandmother, Ruth Collins, had been pleading to the public on social media for help with finding her granddaughter. 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 '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. 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.' Sony is gearing up for the eventual launch of the PlayStation 5 later this year but it seems like the company may have hit a roadblock. According to a report by Bloomberg, Sony cant seem to figure out the price of the PlayStation 5 due to expensive and scarce components. The Japanese company is looking to launch the console this holiday season (November/December), however it doesn't seem to be as easy for Sony as we thought. LetsGoDigital Sony typically announces a new console in February and then mass produces the console in spring to be ready for the holiday season. However, for this generation, the company is going for a wait-and-watch approach according to Bloomberg. To put things into perspective, the PlayStation 4 costs $381 and retails for $399, leaving not much room for profit considering other costs such as R&D, distribution and other overheads. However, the expensive price and scarcity of components is also throwing off Sonys plans of arriving at a final price for the console. Supply of DRAM and NAND flats memory (SSDs) will be in high demand by smartphone manufacturers and PC components manufacturers alike. Due to the high demand, Sony might be facing a scarcity of these components which could bring up the price by a huge margin if Sony does not ensure a reliable supply of components. LetsGoDigital Last year, we reported that Sony may sell the PS5 at a loss to stay competitive and earn revenue from services and software. Services such as recurring online subscriptions and game software would be the only way for Sony to turn a profit if the company intends to sell the console at a competitive price. At an earnings briefing earlier this month, Sonys Chief Financial Officer Hiroki Totoki said: We must keep PlayStation 5s bill of materials under our control and we need to make the correct number of units in the initial production. Other components such as the cooling system on the PlayStation 5 is also more expensive than the previous-generation console's component. Bloomberg says Sony opted to lavish more on making sure heat dissipation from the powerful chips housed inside the console isnt an issue. YouTube/Sony Apart from the expensive components, Sony will most probably be also impacted due to the coronavirus. Both Microsoft and Sony may face delays in production due to supply chain issues caused by the epidemic. If you want to know more about the possibility of delays, you can read it in detail here. Just like everyone else, we are eagerly waiting for Sony to unveil the PlayStation 5 and its price in the coming weeks/months. However, Sonys silence about the console and Bloombergs report may just make fans worrisome about the PlayStation 5, its launch availability and its price. WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Syphilis Diagnosis Kit 2020 Global Market Outlook,Research,Trends And Forecast To 2026. Syphilis Diagnosis Kit Market 2020 Description: This report focuses on Syphilis Diagnosis Kit volume and value at global level, regional level and company level. From a global perspective, this report represents overall Syphilis Diagnosis Kit market size by analyzing historical data and future prospect. Regionally, this report focuses on several key regions: North America, Europe, China and Japan. At company level, this report focuses on the production capacity, ex-factory price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer covered in this report. Get a Sample Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/4964135-global-syphilis-diagnosis-kit-market-research-report-2020 For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.com Major Key Players Included are:- Abbott (Alere) Bio-Rad WanTai BioPharm Beckman Coulter BD Kehua Livzon Intec ThermoFisher Biokit Nectar Lifesciences ELITech Group Chembio Diagnostic Systems Trinity Biotech A thorough analysis of the global Syphilis Diagnosis Kit market has been presented in the report. The latest trends that are prevalent in the dynamic industry have been captured along with the key factors that mold the industry performance. The market overview provides a comprehensive definition of the market along with the primary application of the industry offerings in end-user industries. The employed production methods have been critically investigated as they influence the overall performance of the market. A holistic investigation of the Syphilis Diagnosis Kit market has been presented to ascertain its growth potential during the forecasted period of 2020 to 2026. Drivers and Constraints in the market Numerous internal and external elements exist in the Syphilis Diagnosis Kit market that influences the industrys performance to a substantial extent. For comprehending the core dynamics that shape the performance of the industry, the report examines numerous elements such as the impact of rapid technological advancement, the impact of the growing population at the global level and alterations in the demand and supply pattern in the Syphilis Diagnosis Kit industry. Similarly, external factors that impact the industry have been identified and investigated such as the high intensity of competition and government policies. These elements could impact market performance during the forecasted period. Evaluation of geographical segmentation The Syphilis Diagnosis Kit has been categorized based on various elements, including the geographical regions where it has its presence. The geographical segmentation has helped to critically assess the industry at the global level and at the regional level. Some of the key geographical regions that have been thoroughly evaluated in the report include North America, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, and Europe. The thorough assessment has helped to ascertain that varying factors exist in different regional segments that mold the industry performance and profitability. Research method An integrated research method has been adopted in the report so that the Syphilis Diagnosis Kit market can be analyzed in an in-depth manner. Some of the key tools that have been used are Porters Five Force model and SWOT framework. The Five Force model has assisted to evaluate the competitive intensity in the dynamic market setting. The SWOT analysis has shed light on the opportunities and threats that arise in the market It has also helped to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the key market players. Major market players The market players that operate in the Syphilis Diagnosis Kit market play a key role as their performance impacts the ultimate market performance at the global level. The industry players have been identified and the strategies that they employ to survive and sustain in the market have been analyzed in the report. The report focuses on the market players as their role is critical to mold the Syphilis Diagnosis Kit market performance during the forecasted period. Enquiry About Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/4964135-global-syphilis-diagnosis-kit-market-research-report-2020 Table of Contents Major Key Points 1 Syphilis Diagnosis Kit Market Overview 2 Global Syphilis Diagnosis Kit Market Competition by Manufacturers 3 Syphilis Diagnosis Kit Retrospective Market Scenario by Region 4 Global Syphilis Diagnosis Kit Historic Market Analysis by Type 5 Global Syphilis Diagnosis Kit Historic Market Analysis by Application 6 Company Profiles and Key Figures in Syphilis Diagnosis Kit Business 7 Syphilis Diagnosis Kit Manufacturing Cost Analysis 8 Marketing Channel, Distributors and Customers Continued. CONTACT US: NORAH TRENT Partner Relations & Marketing Manager sales@wiseguyreports.com www.wiseguyreports.com Ph: +1-646-845-9349 (US) Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK) ABOUT US: Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories. Boris Johnsons Conservative government went ahead with the deportation of 17 Jamaican nationals Tuesday, in the face of widespread popular opposition. A further 25 men were given a brief reprieve by a last-minute ruling, on the basis that they had not had access to a mobile phone signal to make arrangements for their legal defence. The government is now viciously pursuing their removal, with the help of an extreme right-wing, dog-whistle campaign demonising foreign criminals. The prime ministers spokesperson issued a statement saying, We bitterly regret this decision which prevents the removal from our country of foreign criminals convicted of rape, manslaughter, sexual attacks, violence and drugs crimes which spread misery across our communities. The legal process for removing these offenders, which has included repeated appeals and judicial reviews, has already cost the British public tens of thousands of pounds. The taxpayer will now be left with an even bigger bill and the prospect of convicts who are considered to pose a threat to the UK being granted bail while this matter is resolved. We make no apology whatsoever for seeking to remove serious foreign national offenders and will be urgently appealing. Home Office Immigration Enforcement vehicle The governments rhetoric has been echoed in the right-wing press, with the Daily Mail screaming, A killer, two rapists and seven violent criminals are among the 25 serious offenders barred from being deported to Jamaica by court ruling leaving PM Boris Johnson furious at judicial review procedure. The Times editorialized Wednesday in favour of the governments right to deport. The Daily Telegraph ran an opinion piece titled, Im on [Home Secretary] Priti Patels side in the deportation rowbecause shes on our side. This xenophobic scaremongering seeks to present the deportations as an effort to protect the public from a handful of terrible criminals. It mirrors American President Donald Trumps vitriolic rants about Mexican rapists and animals. As in the United States, this is a lying narrative used to advance a reactionary anti-migrant crackdown. Six of the 17 men deported on Tuesday had served time for offences related to the supply or import of Class A drugsof the kind cabinet minister Michael Gove admitted to taking as a young man. One had been imprisoned for importing Class B drugs and another for unspecified drug offences and intimidating a witness. Another of the deportees had been sentenced for burglary. Of the 25 men still threatened with deportation, 14 are referred to by the press as being simply drugs offenders, with only one specifically labelled a supplier. According to their legal representatives, several were victims of gang grooming and could seek a defence under the Modern Slavery Act. The central fact is that under Britains deeply reactionary UK Borders Act 2007, any offence can serve as a pretext for deportation. Enacted by Gordon Browns Labour government, the bill originally stated that the home secretary must make a deportation order against a foreign national who has been convicted of an offence and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment or more as a resultunless a case can be made, and accepted by a judge, that this violates the individuals rights. In 2012, the Tory government extended the legislation to cover those who had been sentenced to less than 12 months and to make it easier to override concerns about a persons rights. Under the new law, any migrant who served more than four years in prison would be deported unless very compelling circumstances could be argued against it. Anyone who served one to four years would technically have recourse to the rights to private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights. However, these exceptions were qualified to the point of uselessness. Finally, any convicted migrant who served up to a year in prisonor even no prison time at allcould be deported if it was deemed in the public interest. Last year, 21-year old Chevon Brown was deported to Jamaica three years after having spent seven months in prison for a dangerous driving convictionfollowing a speeding incident which harmed no one. The deportation law establishes a form of double jeopardy, whereby someone is punished twice for the same crime. The second punishment of deportation frequently involves ripping an individual out of their livesleaving dependents behindand depriving them of any material support, which is self-evidently disproportionate to the crime committed. One of those deported on Tuesday, Ryan Crawford, moved to the UK to join his British father at the age of 12 and now has a partner and two young children living in Tower Hamlets. He has a disability requiring regular medication and has no one he can go to for help in Jamaica. He was imprisoned for a burglary offence, which his partner says was motivated by the pressures of a gambling addiction. The couple had sought a judicial review of his case but could not afford the costs. His partner told the Metro, They are already punished by going to prison. This is not the way to punish someoneby sending them to a country they dont know, by tearing them away from their family and children. Its so upsetting. I know he will not survive. This has destroyed my life and my childrens life. I dont know what else to say. This cruelty serves definite political aims. The persecution of migrants is a flagship policy for Johnsons Brexit government and its rabidly nationalist programme. It is an attempt to turn the tide on popular hostility to deportations following the Windrush scandal of 2018. Already in June 2019, former director-general of immigration enforcement David Wood was complaining in the Times, Following Windrush there is no appetite for the enforced removal of those illegally in the UK. More fundamentally, the case seeks to establish a precedent for the mass removal of foreign nationals and to normalise the use of Gestapo-type tactics against them. If even the most minor conviction can become a cause for deportation on the grounds that it affects the public interest, then it is only a few steps until migrants can be kicked out of the country for demanding too much of state services or provoking fascist mobs. They can then expect to have their homes raided, be carried off to detention centres, shackled, driven away in the middle of the night and manhandled onto a plane. Chevron Brown explained how he was forced to wear restraints round his wrists and ankles: They chained me like I was a wild animal. Twenty of the men given a reprieve on Monday were driven to Doncaster airport that night, despite the Court of Appeal already having ruled against their deportation, with no details given about what was happening to them. They were taken off the bus by three security guards to every one detainee and left at the airport for four hours, before being taken to nearby detention centres, where conditions are notoriously bad. Bella Sankey, director of Detention Action, called the actions inhumane and explained, There was a huge amount of confusion. People were really scared and worried. Peoples loved ones were getting really mixed communication during that period. There is mass opposition to this fascistic apparatus. Over 131,000 people have now signed the online petition Stop all charter flight deportations to Jamaica and other Commonwealth countries and several demonstrations have been held outside Downing Street. This action must be sustained and carried into every workplace and community. Above all, workers must take up a socialist perspective which recognises that the protection of migrants is the responsibility of the entire working class. Only this immense social force can guarantee the right of all to live and work where they please, free from the threat of persecution. A Victorian Labor activist is facing charges over a dispute with a state MP, as the partys internal factional wars intensify among Melbourne's migrant communities. The case is the latest conflict between Labor figures to end up in the justice system, with charges also possible over an alleged assault at a western suburbs branch meeting that turned ugly on Australia Day. Western suburbs MP Kaushaliya Vaghela with Premier Daniel Andrews Credit:Facebook Factional warlords are recruiting among Melbournes growing migrant community from the Indian subcontinent, leading to splits along national, ethnic and religious fault lines. Metro West Labor Upper House member Kaushaliya Vaghela, an active member of Labor's Right faction, and her husband Dineshkumar Chauhan have sought an intervention order from the courts against Zeeshan Raza, who is aligned with the Socialist Left group within the party. "The Pearl River is expected to crest several feet above the flood stage, and many residents will continue be affected," said Dick Porter, U-Haul Company of Mississippi president. "This type of disaster creates an immediate need for dry, secure facilities where our neighbors can store their belongings. U-Haul is here to help by making select stores available at no cost for one month." U-Haul Company of Mississippi has made six facilities available to offer its disaster relief assistance program. People seeking more information or needing to arrange 30 days free self-storage should contact the nearest participating facility: U-Haul Storage of Jackson 2234 Hwy. 80 W. Jackson, MS 39204 (601) 352-2607 U-Haul Storage of North Jackson 4181 Northview Drive Jackson, MS 39206 (601) 368-9323 U-Haul Storage of West Jackson 1414 Gibralter Drive Jackson, MS 39204 (601) 372-5764 U-Haul Storage at East Pearl 4494 Hwy. 80 E. Pearl, MS 39208 (769) 972-3385 U-Haul Storage at I-20 and Pearson 3001 White Blvd. Pearl, MS 39208 (601) 933-9505 U-Haul Storage of Pearl 2203 Hwy. 80 E. Pearl, MS 39208 (601) 939-4770 U-Haul stores offer needed supplies to help with storm recovery like boxes, tarps, propane and propane tanks. U-Haul urges customers to ensure their tanks are topped off since propane is good to have in the event of long-term power outages. U-Haul is the industry leader in do-it-yourself moving and self-storage with more than 22,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada. In addition to its 30 days free self-storage disaster relief program, U-Haul is proud to be at the forefront of aiding communities in times of need as an official American Red Cross Disaster Responder. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 is revolutionizing the moving industry through its more convenient, more secure way to pick up and return a truck. Since 2017, U-Haul Live Verify technology has allowed customers to conduct transactions entirely on their smartphones at any hour day or night. There are no membership fees. Create an online account at uhaul.com to start skipping the lines and stop worrying about store hours. About U-Haul Since 1945, U-Haul has been the No. 1 choice of do-it-yourself movers, with a network of 22,000 locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 offers secure access to U-Haul trucks every hour of every day through the customer dispatch option on their smartphones and our proprietary Live Verify technology. Our customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to approximately 167,000 trucks, 120,000 trailers and 43,000 towing devices. U-Haul offers nearly 697,000 rooms and 60.7 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry, and is the largest retailer of propane in the U.S. Contact: Andrea Batchelor Jeff Lockridge E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 602-263-6981 Website: uhaul.com SOURCE U-Haul Related Links www.uhaul.com Amidst all the shows, presentations and appointments during NYFW, the fashion flock still managed to squeeze in some time to hit the coolest parties this season. From Billy Porter kicking things off with hosting duties at L'Avenue at Saks Fifth Avenue to Rihanna's highly anticipated appearance at Bergdorf Goodman for her Fenty launch, here were some of the best events that were worth checking out. See below for a complete roundup of the week's party highlights. Dior Celebrate Soho Men's Boutique Opening Dior's new men's boutique in Soho brought out a slew of influencers and friends of the brand like Tanner Reese, Parker Kit Hill and Adam Bartoshesky to celebrate the opening. Guests sipped on cocktails and said goodbye to fashion week as they checked out the new collection by creative director Kim Jones. Miu Miu Women's Tales #19 "Nightwalk" by Malgorzata Szumowska Miu Miu blocked out an entire evening during NYFW to celebrate the latest chapter of its ongoing "Women's Tales" series, which invites female directors from all over the world to create special projects that explore themes of vanity and femininity. The brand tapped Polish director Malgorzata Szumowska to create a dazzling short film called Nightwalk that premiered at the Village East Cinema for hundreds of guests before transporting everyone to Ludlow House a few blocks away for a dinner and afterparty. Olivia Palermo Collection Launch Fashion icon Olivia Palermo has lent her design chops to numerous brands like Banana Republic and Karl Lagerfeld through collaborations, but on the last day of fashion week she finally celebrated the launch of her very own collection. Friends of hers like Alex Assouline, Brian Atwood, Eva Chen, Nicky Hilton Rothschild and Wes Gordon all came out to support Palermo at Chefs Club, including her dashing husband Johannes Huebl, of course. The Blonds FW20 Official Afterparty After The Blonds presented one of the most entertaining runway shows of the week, the brand hosted an equally energetic afterparty at fashion week hotspot The Fleur Room with Motorola and Bombay Sapphire. Designers David and Phillipe Blond held court as guests like Susanne Bartsch, Nikita Dragun, Lion Babe and Ellen von Unwerth came out to celebrate with the duo on their FW20 collection. Fenty Launch at Bergdorf Goodman About half past 10PM, Rihanna made her highly anticipated entrance inside Bergdorf Goodman to celebrate her new Fenty pop-up alongside the retailer's fashion director, Linda Fargo. Guests clamored for a shot of RiRi as she made her way around the store to greet some fans and check out the new space. UGG X Ovadia Capsule Release Party New York menswear label Ovadia celebrated its new collab with UGG at the Jane Hotel on the night before the official start of fashion week. Ovadia founders Shimon and Ariel held court as guests mingled and danced in the intimate space. The capsule consists of reimagined versions of UGG's Classic Mini boot and Tasman slippers rendered in new prints and subtle tweaks. Fendi Solar Dream Party Fendi transformed its Madison Avenue boutique into a playful, sun-drenched paradise to celebrate its men's and women's Spring/Summer 2020 collections, dubbed Solar Dream. The brand's CEO Serge Brunschwig and creative director Silvia Venturini Fendi held court as fans of the house like Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Katie Holmes and Katherine Langford made their way around the store and checked out the digital installations. L'Avenue at Saks Celebrates First Anniversary L'Avenue, the popular new hotspot and restaurant/bar at Saks Fifth Avenue, celebrated its one-year anniversary last week and pulled out all the stops to mark the occasion, including an ear piercing station by Maria Tash. Billy Porter presided as host while other famous names like Gwendoline Christie, Winnie Harlow and Tyler Cameron showed up to join the festivities. Coat Drive Hosted by KROST and Basic Space Conscious clothing brand Krost and its founder Samuel Krost helped launch Basic Space Experiences in New York with a coat drive and celebration of sustainability with family and friends. "We wanted to 'Rethink the Cycle,' so we partnered with One Warm Coat & Basic Space to put on an all-day coat drive, whereby people can drop off coats to be donated and in exchange, receive a tote-bag with the perfect assortment of Valentine's Day gifts." said Krost. When we talk about digital transformation, there are many potential strategies, but there may be nothing better than hearing the story of its own digital transformation from one of the most recognized names in technology. Thats exactly what Kate Matsudaira, Googles (News - Alert) director of tech engineering did when she took the stage for her keynote at ITEXPO 2020, part of the TechSuperShow in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Its a strategy that helped Google grow from 3,000 people in the early 2000s and a focus on search engine results, to more than 85,000 employees in 50 countries with an entire suite of business solutions to help support other businesses transformation efforts. The question, really, was, How do we make our nearly 100,000-person multinational enterprise have the speed and feel of a startup? Matsudaira asked. She explained that, ultimately, it was about bringing people together: We spent a lot of time on remote collaboration and understanding how to empower employees. Video has been touted as the next big thing in business communications for the better part of the past decade without that prognostication really coming to fruition. But, based on what Google has done, that is changing. Matsudaira said video-first meetings have become a critical part of the Google culture and helps create better engagement and increased productivity. It makes sense, considering the distributed nature of Googles global workforce. Virtual whiteboards also have become a critical part of the collaborative culture, driving engagement and highlighting a pervasive video conferencing experience. Employees are able to truly feel productive in their meetings, whether they are sing Googles own technology, or participating on tablets or smartphones. Virtual whiteboards have been a complete game changer, Matsudaira said. There are other things that Google is doing, like using AI for collaboration room utilization. That includes looking at meeting invited declines and understanding when meetings are scheduled for larger rooms than necessary and then automatically re-booking them. It also have created a room efficiency dashboard to show business leaders how well their collaboration facilities are being leveraged. Matsudaira says these features will soon be part of the G-Suite solution which is also part of Googles transformation journey, of course. Ultimately, the idea is to drive usage and collaboration among work groups to facilitate better engagement and results. Thats what every company strives for, and finding the right tools to foster teamwork and efficient workplaces is key to any business success. Not every company will grow to have Google brand recognition but every company can use its successes to fuel their own digital transformation.Edited by Erik Linask (TNS) Health care apps are shaking up medicine by making it easier for people to get care online and drugs on demand.Startup companies like Hims, Nurx, Roman, Keeps, and many others have all launched in recent years using a business model that brings doctors and prescriptions directly to people without the office or pharmacy visit.Their lower costs and ease of use are attractive to the growing base of people that want convenient care and are comfortable getting health care through an app. Many of the brands also market that online visits are a discreet way to get care that patients might not be comfortable going to their doctor for.But some local health care providers told thesome of the complexity of conditions can get lost over the computer and health care can get siloed when people use an app instead of visiting with their provider who knows their chart and history.Hims chief medical officer Dr. Pat Carroll said he worked for 30 years in traditional primary care and saw how patients could struggle with access and how he struggled with having enough time for each patient, who were also increasingly wanting seven-day a week access to health care.He said the new model lets patients get care on their own schedule when they arent busy and get care if they live in an area with a primary care shortage. Patients with high deductibles benefit from Hims affordable and price transparent product, he said.Hims was founded in 2017 and has become one of the fastest growing direct-to-consumer brands in history. The company, which sells hair loss, erectile dysfunction, and skincare medicines, has been catering to Ohio consumers since its inception.Ohio is a really strong market, Carroll said.The demand for their service is clear: the young company is already valued at $1 billion.Hims was granted an Ohio tax incentive toward open a $1.5 million mail-order pharmacy, fulfillment center and customer support center in the Columbus area. The pharmacy will open later this year and Hims has pledged to create 500 jobs.Planned Parenthood has also adopted the health care model as a way to bypass barriers and increase birth control access in Ohio and other states through its Planned Parenthood Direct app. App users can request birth control pills be delivered to their door, get a prescription for UTI treatment sent to a nearby pharmacy, learn about different methods of birth control, or make an appointment at a Planned Parenthood health center.Many commercial ventures have also found business success through this new health model. Ro, the parent firm behind Roman, an erectile dysfunction telehealth venture, raised $85 million from investors and was valued at $500 million, Tech Crunch reported in April. The company also operates Zero, for smoking cessation products, and most recently launched Rory, an online platform with health products aimed at women in or entering menopause.Depending on the company and the states rules, patients either fill out an online questionnaire or chat by phone or video chat, to see if they qualify for a prescription, with common options ranging from hair loss prevention to oral contraception to erectile dysfunctions medication.Dr. Marc Belcastro, Premier Health chief medical officer, said consumers now need and want a more rapid turnaround for all types of services and health care. However, virtual health care and in-person health care are different experiences.A busy person with a family doesnt want to take off work and go to a physician office if they can get the same level of health care service over the phone, and some conditions like a rash can be treated in a high quality and quicker way over the phone.However, he said theres still the question of whether a particular service looks at the patient overall given the complexity of the condition being treated.As the disease process gets potentially more complex, what am I sacrificing in my virtual visit? One of the basic things they teach us in in medicine is the foundation of understanding whats going on with your patient is the history and the physical. You can do a relatively short history virtually, but other than looking at the area thats impacted, say you have an eye infection or a rash, the ability to do a full physical exam is not there, listen to the heart and lungs, Belcastro said.Premier has also been feeling the pull toward convenience thats driving these startups. The health system now has online scheduling and telehealth visits for existing patients.Ted Inman, CEO of Dayton-based PriMed Physicians, said providers with the independent practice want to know what patients are taking from these startups.He said in the example of patients seeking erectile dysfunction medication, there can be different root causes from psychological to heart problems and its important that a doctor performs a physical exam.If they arent laying hands on them, they are probably not doing enough, Inman said.Inman said the practice is being shaped by patient demand for convenience. They are working on online scheduling and are testing patients with reminders so they can text to cancel if needed. He said the changes are a significant investment for the practice and also require changes to their work flow.We understand we have to get more consumer friendly and health care does in general, Inman said.Antonio Ciaccia, with the Ohio Pharmacists Association, said instead of focusing on the venue, it is important that no matter where you are at to ask questions like whether the pharmacy has a good idea of other medications a patient is taking and whether they have a complete idea of whats going on with that patient. He said the pharmacy industry in general, whether online or in person, needs to have a business model that encourages quality and personal care.Im not naive enough to think theres not essentially a fast food mentality in some health care operations, Ciaccia said. I care less about the venue with which health care is delivered. I care more about the standard of care thats being upheld.These health care companies ease access but remain different from over-the-counter medication. Unlike those low-risk and generally cash pay medications, these consumer-facing health care products require a doctor or other providers sign off and patients generally seek to have the products covered by their health insurance.Dr. Tiffany Inglis, with Anthem, which is the largest commercial insurer in the Dayton market, said they generally support and cover consumer-facing health tech, which can remove transportation barriers or stigma, but before covering the products, they are evaluating whether the service meets the same standard as an in-person equivalent.I think the cautionary part that we always talk about is we want to make sure that were removing barriers for evidence-based treatments. And by increasing convenience and simplicity, we want to make sure that just like everything else we look at that its truly evidence based, and that theres health benefits for the person, Inglis said. Mikaela E. Beschler, 21, was arrested about an hour after the Jan. 20 rally near the Capitol grounds when Richmond police asked her to remove a bandanna partially covering her face, news outlets have reported. Her charge of wearing a mask in public was dismissed Wednesday after the state acknowledged it would have been difficult to prove she had criminal intent to conceal her identity, Mackenzie Clements, an attorney for Beschler, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Health Insurance Premiums Continue to Increase. What Can You Do? Your health insurance premium is higher than ever. According to the Kaiser Family Foundations annual employer benefits survey, the average annual health insurance premium for family coverage for employer-sponsored health plans was over $20,000 in 2019. Thats the first time premiums have reached the milestone. Premiums were 5% higher than the year before. Meanwhile, a 2018 report from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners noted that the health insurance industry was continuing its tremendous growth trend, going from a profit margin of 2.4% in 2017 to 3.3% in 2018. The numbers havent come in yet for 2019, but insurers in 2019 have posted record profits, and many individuals and families have experienced climbing health insurance premiums in recent years. Why health insurance premiums are climbing While a number of factors contribute to the rising cost, Melissa Thomasson, department chair and professor of economics at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, has identified two main reasons for rising health insurance premiums: consolidation and billing. Consolidation Thomasson says that the increasing consolidation of health care is the main driver of rising premiums. People can look around, and they see physicians practices being purchased by hospitals. Well, every time that happens, those bills increase, Thomasson says. This is what you likely learned in high school economics class. When competition is lowered, prices go up, Thomasson says. As hospitals merge, they have less competition and more leverage with the insurers, and the discounts get lower. Consolidation forces health care prices to go up. Billing The second factor is surprise billing, Thomasson says. Every health care bill may seem like a surprise, given how you often dont know what youll be charged. But Thomasson says that its becoming more common for consumers to receive extremely large bills for out-of-network care even though they thought they were receiving care within their health insurance network. Story continues It doesnt always occur to you to ask, How much will it cost for somebody to read that X-ray? Thomasson says. What you can do about rising health insurance premiums Often, when you ask experts what can be done about rising insurance premiums, the answer is not much. But there are a few strategies you can use to try to tame your costs. Tinker with your health insurance plan Keep your plan, but talk to your insurance agent or the insurer directly about making changes. Choosing a higher deductible and higher copays will lower your premium, says Matt Oves, an employee benefits account manager at Sahouri Insurance, an independent insurance brokerage located in Tysons Corner, Virginia. If you are healthy and do not anticipate any major health concerns, it may be smart to select a plan with higher deductibles, Oves says. However, it may not be a good idea if you often go to the doctor, or you anticipate needing to see a physician frequently in the near future. If youre paying a smaller monthly premium but youre shelling out higher copays two or three times a month throughout the year, you might wish you had kept your premium as it was. HSA Consider a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) Oves suggests taking advantage of an HSA or FSA if you can. Some people with high-deductible health insurance plans, as defined by the government, qualify for health savings accounts. Each year, you decide how much to contribute to your HSA, and that money is usually not subject to federal income tax. If you dont use the money, it rolls over to the next year. That will help cover out-of-pocket costs. There are also investment options for HSA funds, providing an added bonus to those with high-deductible plans. Flexible spending accounts are similar to HSAs, but the money doesnt roll over to the next year and the account is owned by the employer. FSA contributions are deducted from your salary with pre-tax dollars. The employee usually receives a debit card to use for qualified health expenses. If you qualify for both an HSA and an FSA, youll likely find more flexibility and benefit from an HSA. Look into a short-term health insurance plan Adam Hyers, who owns Hyers and Associates, Inc., an insurance agency in Columbus, Ohio, says that many of his healthy clients have enrolled in short-term insurance plans that can last 12 months or longer. These policies now look much like what insurance plans did pre-ACA and can cover the insured for unknown, catastrophic types of issues. In many cases, premiums for short-term plans can be half as much as ACA-type policies, Hyers says. However, Hyers cautions, short-term plans aren't the solution for everyone as they don't cover preexisting conditions, but they are a good option for those who just want to cover a bigger event that could happen throughout the year. In other words, its a stop-gap solution if you need a health plan while you look for a plan you can afford, youre between jobs or you need coverage in case of an emergency. Stay healthy Eating your fruits and vegetables, exercising and not doing unhealthy activities, like smoking, can help lower your insurance costs today and over time. Obesity and other conditions can increase your costs over time. Using your preventative health insurance every once in a while can help keep your health care costs lower in the future. Get routine checkups to catch health problems early and avoid paying for complex surgeries later, Oves says. Think of your body as a car. If you never change the oil because its expensive, eventually youll destroy your engine and be out far more money. If you dont get an annual physical, you may pay for it later in a big way. Talk to your representatives Call your senator. Call your member of Congress. Thomasson recommends this if youre looking for health care premium relief in the long run. If you feel that the government should be working to bring health care prices to more manageable levels for you and your employer then make your voice heard. Woman handing over paycheck Your wages may be paying for insurance premiums Thomasson notes that if your wages havent risen much lately, it may be due to your employer-provided health plan. If your employer is paying for your higher and higher premiums, then youre receiving compensation for that. And thats the raise that your employer cant give you, Thomasson says. Theres the chicken-and-egg irony in all of this. Your health plan is getting more expensive, which keeps your employer from offering you a higher salary, which makes your health plan even harder to pay for. While it may be challenging to combat rising insurance premiums, knowing your options and taking small actions can help save you money today and in the future. While you may not be able to lower your premium, you can make changes to help offset the costs, or even inspire change in your workplace or community by understanding how insurance premiums work. *Geoff Williams is a freelance writer for MoneyGeek. InterXion Urges Shareholders to Vote "FOR" All Merger-Related Proposals Today InterXion Holding N.V. (NYSE: INXN), a leading European provider of carrier and cloud-neutral colocation data centre services, today announced that leading independent proxy advisory firm, Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS"), recommends that InterXion shareholders vote "FOR" all proposals related to the Company's proposed strategic stock-for-stock combination with Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: DLR) at the Extraordinary General Meeting of InterXion (the "EGM") scheduled for 27 February 2020. At the EGM, InterXion shareholders will consider proposals related to the reorganization of InterXion following completion of Digital Realty's exchange offer for InterXion shares. The exchange offer is the process by which InterXion's shareholders are being offered the opportunity to exchange their shares. The proposals to be voted on at the EGM are in respect of customary Dutch transaction formalities to be taken following the completion of the exchange offer which enable Digital Realty to become the sole owner of all of InterXion's business operations after successfully completing the exchange offer. In recommending that InterXion shareholders vote "FOR all proposals to be presented at the EGM, ISS noted in its report dated 14 February 2020, "Approval of the presented resolutions would allow shareholders to retain the optionality of tendering their shares into the offer"1 David Ruberg, InterXion's Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are pleased that ISS supports the Board's recommendation that shareholders vote "FOR" all proposals to be voted on at the EGM, which, if approved, will enable the process to proceed and InterXion's shareholders to decide about the proposed transaction via the exchange offer. In an evolving data center industry where customers are increasingly demanding partners that provide global scale, we believe this combination will significantly de-risk our future growth prospects while enabling the expansion of our communities of interest strategy across a global customer base. Together with Digital Realty, we will have the global footprint, enhanced scale and financial resources to effectively compete with other leading data center operators, and will generate new revenue and growth opportunities which InterXion could not access as a standalone business. The Board unanimously believes that the proposed combination with Digital Realty provides significant strategic, financial and operational benefits to InterXion and represents the best path forward to unlocking significant value for all stakeholders." Guggenheim Securities is acting as financial advisor and rendered a fairness opinion to InterXion, and Moelis Company also rendered a fairness opinion to InterXion. Debevoise Plimpton LLP and Greenberg Traurig, LLP (Amsterdam) are acting as legal advisors to InterXion. The Extraordinary General Meeting of InterXion is scheduled to take place on 27 February 2020, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Central European Time. The meeting will be held at the Novotel Hotel, Taurusavenue 12, 2132 LS Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. All shareholders of record of InterXion ordinary shares as of the close of business on 30 January 2020 will be entitled to vote their shares either in person or by proxy at the Extraordinary General Meeting. A proxy statement containing the InterXion Board's recommendation that shareholders vote in favor of the proposals to be considered at the Extraordinary General Meeting is available at https://investors.interxion.com/egm. InterXion shareholders who need assistance in completing the proxy card, need additional copies of the proxy materials, or have questions regarding the Extraordinary General Meeting of InterXion may contact InterXion's proxy solicitor: Innisfree M&A Incorporated Phone: (888) 750-5834 (from the U.S. and Canada) Banks Brokers: (212) 750-5833 About InterXion InterXion Holding N.V. (NYSE: INXN) is a leading provider of carrier and cloud-neutral colocation data centre services in Europe, serving a wide range of customers through more than 50 data centres in 11 European countries. InterXion's uniformly designed, energy efficient data centres offer customers extensive security and uptime for their mission-critical applications. With over 700 connectivity providers, 21 European Internet exchanges, and most leading cloud and digital media platforms present across its footprint, InterXion has created connectivity, cloud, content and finance hubs that foster growing customer communities of interest. For more information, please visit www.interxion.com. Additional Information and Where to Find It This communication is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any proxy, vote or approval with respect to the proposed transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. In connection with the proposed transactions, on December 5, 2019, Digital Realty filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), that included a proxy statement of Digital Realty, which also constitutes a prospectus of Digital Realty. The Registration Statement was amended on January 7, 2020 and January 24, 2020 and was declared effective by the SEC on January 27, 2020. On January 29, 2020, Digital Realty caused its subsidiary to file a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (the "Schedule TO") with the SEC and soon thereafter InterXion filed a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (the "Schedule 14D-9") with the SEC. Also, in connection with the exchange offer, on January 29, 2020, Digital Realty mailed a definitive proxy statement/prospectus to shareholders of Digital Realty and InterXion. The solicitation and offer to purchase InterXion's ordinary shares is only being made pursuant to the Schedule TO and related offer to purchase. This material is not a substitute for the proxy statement/prospectus, the Schedule TO, the Schedule 14D-9 or the Registration Statement or for any other document that Digital Realty or InterXion may file with the SEC and send to Digital Realty's or InterXion's shareholders in connection with the proposed transactions. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION OR DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER, WE URGE INVESTORS OF DIGITAL REALTY AND INTERXION TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, SCHEDULE TO (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER OFFER DOCUMENTS) AND SCHEDULE 14D-9, AS EACH MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED BY DIGITAL REALTY AND INTERXION WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DIGITAL REALTY, INTERXION AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS. Investors may obtain free copies of the Registration Statement, proxy statement/prospectus, Schedule TO and Schedule 14D-9, as each may be amended from time to time, and other relevant documents filed by Digital Realty and InterXion with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov, the SEC's website, or free of charge from Digital Realty's website (http://www.digitalrealty.com) or by contacting Digital Realty's Investor Relations Department at (415) 848- 9311. These documents are also available free of charge from InterXion's website (http://www.interxion.com) or by contacting InterXion's Investor Relations Department at (813) 644-9399. Participants in the Solicitation Digital Realty, InterXion and their respective directors and certain of their executive officers and employees may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Digital Realty's and InterXion's shareholders in connection with the proposed transactions. Information regarding the officers and directors of Digital Realty is included in its definitive proxy statement for its 2019 annual meeting filed with the SEC on April 1, 2019. Information regarding the officers and directors of InterXion and their ownership of InterXion ordinary shares is set forth in InterXion's Annual Report on Form 20-F, which was filed with the SEC on April 30, 2019. Additional information regarding the persons who may be deemed participants and their interests are set forth in the Registration Statement and proxy statement/prospectus and other materials filed with SEC in connection with the proposed transactions. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described in the paragraphs above. Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Digital Realty and InterXion caution that statements in this communication that are forward-looking, and provide other than historical information, involve risks, contingencies and uncertainties that may impact actual results of operations of Digital Realty, InterXion and the combined company. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about anticipated satisfaction of closing conditions and completion of the proposed transactions contemplated by the purchase agreement between them. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Those statements are made by using various underlying assumptions and are subject to numerous risks, contingencies and uncertainties, including, among others: the ability of Digital Realty and InterXion to obtain the regulatory and shareholder approvals necessary to complete the anticipated combination, on the anticipated timeline or at all; the risk that a condition to the closing of the anticipated combination may not be satisfied, on the anticipated timeline or at all or that the anticipated combination may fail to close; the outcome of any legal proceedings, regulatory proceedings or enforcement matters that may be instituted relating to the anticipated combination; the costs incurred to consummate the anticipated combination; the possibility that the expected synergies from the anticipated combination will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period; difficulties related to the integration of the two companies; disruption from the anticipated combination making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees, regulators or suppliers; the diversion of management time and attention on the anticipated combination; adverse changes in the markets in which Digital Realty and InterXion operate or credit markets; and changes in the terms, scope or timing of contracts, contract cancellations, and other modifications and actions by customers and other business counterparties of Digital Realty and InterXion. If one or more of these risks materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. You should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. For a more complete discussion of these and other risk factors, please see (i) Digital Realty's filings with the SEC, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and (ii) InterXion's filings with the SEC, including its annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 and subsequent reports on Form 6-K. This communication reflects the views of Digital Realty's and InterXion's management as of the date hereof. Except to the extent required by applicable law, Digital Realty and InterXion undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. 1 Permission to use neither sought nor obtained. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005480/en/ Contacts: Investors Jim Huseby Investor Relations (813) 644-9399 IR@interxion.com Media Matt Sherman Mahmoud Siddig Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher (212) 355-4449 Amid pressure to end Indigenous protest blockades of vital Canadian rail links, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the disruptions must be resolved through dialogue, not by ordering in the police. Trudeau acknowledged the difficulties the blockades have caused for travellers and businesses, but he made it clear Friday the federal government had no plans to make the RCMP dismantle them. We are not the kind of country where politicians get to tell the police what to do in operational matters, Trudeau said in Munich, Germany, where he was attending a global security conference. We are a country that recognizes the right to protest, but we are a country of the rule of law. And we will ensure that everything is done to resolve this through dialogue and constructive outcomes. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said the situation had become ridiculous and called on Trudeau to take swift action. Scheer said the prime minister should tell Public Safety Minister Bill Blair to use his authority under the RCMP Act to end what he called the illegal blockades by Indigenous Peoples at the centre of a dispute over a British Columbia pipeline project. The disruptions are harming the Canadian economy and the livelihoods of farmers and small-business owners, Scheer told reporters in Ottawa. These blockades are illegal, he said. So far, the prime minister has refused to come out and call them that himself. The blockades began last week after the RCMP enforced an injunction against Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs and their supporters, who were blocking construction of the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline, a key part of the $40-billion LNG Canada export project. Coastal GasLink has signed agreements with all 20 elected band councils along the pipeline route. However, Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs assert title to a vast 22,000-square-kilometre area and say band councils only have authority over reserve lands. Scheer said a small number of demonstrators cannot be allowed to hold the economy hostage and threaten thousands of jobs. These activists may have the luxury of spending days at a time at a blockade, but they need to check their privilege, he said. Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau dismissed Scheers remarks as unhelpful. This is a complex situation and I think that that does not indicate an understanding of the situation, he said. Demonstrations continue as political leaders look to negotiate solutions, while business leaders, opposition politicians and members of the public call for immediate action to end the disruptions, which have already resulted in more than 80 arrests. Tensions were expected to heat up on Friday with the threat of activists planning to shut down government offices in British Columbias capital. However, protesters numbered only in the dozens by midday and Victoria police posted on Twitter that the peaceful demonstrations appeared to be wrapping up in the afternoon. Trudeau and B.C. Premier John Horgan spoke Thursday about the need to work together to resolve the disputes that have resulted in solidarity blockades in Ontario, Manitoba and B.C. Indigenous leaders in B.C.s northwest have invited federal and provincial politicians to meetings to find solutions, and said they would ensure a blockade of a Canadian National Railway track near New Hazelton, B.C., would come down during talks. CN spokesman Jonathan Abecassis confirmed Friday morning the New Hazelton blockade had been lifted. The railway said Thursday it was starting a progressive shutdown in the East, while Via Rail cancelled all service on CN tracks in Canada. The Mohawk Nation said its members have agreed to meet with federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller on Saturday morning at a blockade on Tyendinaga Mohawk territory near Belleville, Ont., which is now in its ninth day. The ministers office did not immediately reply to an email seeking confirmation he is attending the meeting, although Miller did request one on Thursday. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney blamed the blockades and subsequent rail shutdown on angry fringe groups ignoring the democratically expressed wishes of First Nations in northern B.C. This is becoming a very serious threat to the entire Canadian economy, Kenney said in Edmonton. This is a commodities-producing country, and we ship those commodities by rail. In eastern Quebec, the president of a railway company said a blockade in the region is costing his company about $15,000 a day in revenue. About five or six people from the Mikmaq community of Listuguj have set up a campsite about a metre from the tracks, said Eric Dube, president of the Gaspesie Railway Society. It seems like they are going to be there a while, he said. They are very determined. Groups including the Grain Growers of Canada, the Forest Products Association of Canada and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters have said rail delays are hurting members and the economy. Teamsters Canada, the countrys largest union in the transportation sector, called on the federal government to intervene. The union warned the impasse could put up to 6,000 employees at CN and other rail companies out of work. Garneau said freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest are among the most cherished of rights, but added he is deeply concerned about the rail disruptions. There is a risk of seeing the stoppages merely as interference with the operations of profit-making companies, yet they affect all Canadians, he told a news conference Friday in Toronto. It is about peoples jobs and livelihoods and about the transport of key supplies like food, propane, heating oil and chemicals for water treatment, agricultural products for export and so many other products. Garneau, who was meeting his provincial and territorial counterparts, as well as representatives of national Indigenous organizations, stressed the desire for peaceful resolutions. Horgan has rejected calls from the Opposition Liberals to seek immediate injunctions to end blockades and protests in B.C. We cant just use force, he said in the legislature. It needs to be dealt with by co-operation, by consultation, by discussion so that we can all move forward. B.C. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson said Horgan was taking an entirely passive approach in the face of implacable protesters who are intent on shutting down constituency services, shutting down the universities, shutting down our transportation arteries. Read more about: By 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. A North Carolina-headquartered credit union is trying to stop the recently merged BB&T and SunTrust from changing their name to Truist. The banks completed their $66 billion merger in December. At that time, they said that the transition to the Truist branding would occur over the next two years. However, Truliant Credit Union, which has locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against the merged banks in US District Court. Truliant has also filed an infringement lawsuit against the banks. The injunction asks the court to prevent BB&T and SunTrust from using the Truist brand name for the duration of the lawsuit. EIR8 Information Filter by Category All Company Announcement - General Additional Listing AIM Admission AIM Notice Base Rate Change Block Listing Interim Review Capital Reorganisation Change of Name Conversion of Securities Drilling/Production Report Final Announcement Released Geographical Distribution Intention to Float Issue of Debt Issue of Equity Joint Venture Net Asset Value Portfolio Update Price Monitoring Extension Product Launch Publication of a Prospectus Publication of Final Terms Research Update Restoration Rights Issue Stabilisation Notice Statement Suspension Tender Offer Trading Statement Treasury Stock All Mergers, Acquisitions and Disposals Acquisition Merger Form 8 (DD) Form 8 (OPD) Form 8.3 Form 8.5 (EPT/NON-RI) Form 8.5 (EPT/RI) Form 8.6 Rule 2.9 Announcement Offer By Offer For Offer Update All Results and Trading Reports 1st Quarter Results 3rd Quarter Results AGM Statement Annual Report Final Results Half-year Report Notice of Results Result of AGM Result of EGM Result of Equity Issue Result of General Meeting Result of Tender Offer Syndicate Results All Dividends Dividend Declaration Dividend Currency Election All Executive Changes Directorate Change Change of Adviser Change of Registered Office All Directors' Dealings Director/PDMR Shareholding All Advance Notice of Results Notice of AGM Notice of GM Notice of EGM Notice of Results All Non-Regulatory News All Transaction in Own Shares All Holding(s) in Company Total Voting Rights Notification of Major Holdings Indonesia wasn't feeling the love for Valentine's Day on Friday as authorities arrested couples in one city, scolded stores over condom displays and warned students they would be reprimanded for amorous activities. Makassar on Sulawesi island doled out some tough love with raids at hotels and guest houses Thursday evening which netted about two dozen unmarried offenders, including a German national. "We caught the German with his Indonesian partner in a motel and they weren't husband and wife so that's why we arrested them," Iman Hud, head of the local public order office, told AFP. The unlucky lovers were quickly released after a lecture about the evils of pre-marital sex, but five sex workers caught in the dragnet would be sent to a rehabilitation centre, he added. "These social illnesses must be prevented. We need to remind the public to uphold our culture and ethics," Hud said. Valentine's Day is controversial in parts of the majority Muslim nation, with many Islamic clerics and conservative Indonesians criticising its Western roots and what they say is its promotion of pre-marital sex. Still, many others practise a moderate form of Islam and celebrate the day with chocolates and flowers for their loved ones, and displays were set up at malls and cafes in the capital Jakarta. Back in Makassar, however, authorities were checking to see if shops had complied with an earlier warning not to sell condoms openly and check identification cards to make sure buyers weren't underaged. "Condoms are for married adults," public order chief Hud said. "They're not supposed to be displayed and sold openly, particularly near snacks for kids like chocolate." Makassar's acting mayor Muhammad Iqbal Samad Suhae insisted the measures were necessary to prevent his city from being paralysed by rampant sex and drug use. "Festivities like Valentine's Day usually attract youth," he added. "That's when they are out of control and doing things which violate our norms and traditions, like consuming drugs and engaging in free sex. "We want to prevent that here." In Depok city near Jakarta, administrators warned students against any Valentine's romance under threat of unspecified sanctions for violators. Across the archipelago in conservative Aceh, the only region in Indonesia that imposes Islamic law, a government circular called for residents not to celebrate the romantic day and to report any violations. The document also told restaurants, cafes and hotels not to provide space for celebrations and asked clerics to deliver speeches on the danger of Valentine's Day. The latest crackdown comes after the national government last year backed off a bill that would have made pre-marital sex illegal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Director Martin Scorsese ended the last decade with "The Irishman," a movie about a World War II veteran whose PTSD inspires the bad choices that dominate his life. And he began it with "Shutter Island," another movie about a WWII veteran whose life is turned inside out by post-traumatic stress. "Shutter Island" has just been reissued in a new 4K UHD steelbook package in honor of the tenth anniversary of its original release. The movie was one of Scorsese's biggest commercial hits and the first film he made after he finally won a Best Director Oscar for "The Departed." Based on a novel by Dennis Lehane, "Shutter Island" follows two U.S. marshals Teddy Daniels (Leonardo Di Caprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) as they investigate the disappearance of a patient at a hospital for the criminally insane located on a remote island in Boston Harbor. Daniels participated in the liberation of a concentration camp at the end of the war and he keeps having flashbacks to his execution of the German officer who ran the camp. Even though the marshals are looking for an escaped patient, Daniels also believes the facility is secretly housing the firebug who burned down his apartment building and killed his wife. War has given Daniels nightmares and made it difficult for him to function in his job as a marshal. In "The Irishman," Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) attributes his own war crimes to orders from his commanding officers, and he's functioned throughout his civilian life by justifying his later murders by ascribing them to his comfort in following orders. "Shutter Island" combines techniques from film noir, horror movies and Alfred Hitchcock thrillers to create a movie that's both incredibly modern and relentlessly devoted to the filmmaking style of the post-war years. It's not one of the director's awards-bait movies, but it's the beginning salvo in a decade that includes some of his most consistently great filmmaking. "Shutter Island" was followed by "Hugo," "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Silence" and "The Irishman." There are few filmmakers who've made that many great movies and it's a true rarity that anyone makes that many in a row. Madison Prewett is a contestant on The Bachelor. For those of us who dont know how the show works (myself included until I did research for this article), a single bachelor meets a pool of eligible women. He then eliminates candidates, culminating in a marriage proposal to his final selection. During the process, a one-on-one date with a candidate is a significant step forward for her. Thus, when Madison secured such a date with Peter Weber (this seasons bachelor) in last Mondays show, she needed things to go well in order to stay in the competition. This is what she told him: Faith is more than just this passed-down thing to me, its literally my whole life and all of who I am. I want, in a marriage, someone who also has that relationship with the Lord and loves that about me and wants to raise a family in that way. Of course, ABC cut out her spiritual confession. In the networks preview for the next episode, Prewett also says she is saving sex for marriage. If he sleeps with anybody else, its gonna be hard for me to continue to move forward, she added. Lets hope Prewett keeps embracing her faith as the show continues. Did Geoffrey Chaucer invent todays holiday? Valentines Day, as everyone knows, is named for St. Valentine. Except were not sure which one. Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni were both early Christians who died for their faith. However, according to legend, St. Valentine of Rome signed a letter from your Valentine to his jailers daughter, whom he had befriended and healed from blindness. Another legend says he defied the emperors orders and secretly married couples to spare husbands from war. In AD 496, Pope Gelasius marked February 14 as a celebration in honor of St. Valentines martyrdom. However, Geoffrey Chaucer may have invented the holiday we know today. In a poem he wrote around 1375, he linked a tradition of courtly love with the celebration of St. Valentines feast dayan association that didnt exist until his poem received widespread attention. Who is most likely to have a very happy marriage? Despite the confusing history of St. Valentines Day, the connection between Christians who died for Christ and lovers who commit themselves to each other is an appropriate theme for today. In a postmodern culture that has redefined marriage and continues to embrace polygamy and polyamory, it takes more courage than ever before to defend what the Bible says about marriage. In a day when sex before marriage is accepted by 70 percent of society, it takes courage to wait until marriage. Of course, Scripture doesnt change with our changing culture. We dont really break Gods wordwe break ourselves on it. Yesterday we explored the devastation in family and society resulting from the postmodern rejection of objective truth and biblical morality. Unsurprisingly, a recent study shows that Americans who have slept only with their spouses are the most likely to report being in a very happy marriage. Conversely, the lowest odds of marital happiness belong to women who have had six to ten sexual partners in their lives. It takes courage to stand for Jesus and live by his word. But such courage leads to his best in this life and the next. And his best is always best for us. Not in my bow do I trust As we celebrate romantic love today, lets turn to the God who is love (1 John 4:8) for help in living and loving according to his will. I was reading Psalm 44 recently and was struck by the psalmists admission, which is just as true of our spiritual salvation as it was of Israels military salvation: Not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them (v. 3). As a result, we should say with the psalmist, Not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me (v. 6). And we should make public our love for the One who loves us: In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever (v. 8). Even when it seems that God has forsaken us (vv. 925), he has not. We can pray, Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love! (v. 26). And he will. We love because he first loved us If youre married, today is a great day to ask your Father to help you love your spouse joyfully, sacrificially, and uniquely. Amy Carmichael was right: You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. If youre not married, today is a great day to ask your Father to help you choose personal purity. Charles Spurgeon testified: To be free from the power of sin, to be made to love holiness, is true happiness. And as our culture celebrates romantic love, lets celebrate the One who gives us every good and perfect gift (James 1:17) and whose Spirit produces the fruit of love (Galatians 5:22) so that we love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Dr. Seuss wrote: A life with love will have some thorns, but a life without love will have no roses. What roses has God given you? NOTE: I wrote the book Empowered to provide biblical, practical steps to the abundant life of Christ. We are meant to be more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37). When we live in the power of the Spirit, every day is Easter. So, how can we experience the power of the Holy Spirit every day? Please request your copy of Empowered now. Publication date: February 14, 2020 Photo courtesy: Engin Akyurt/Pexels For more from the Denison Forum, please visit www.denisonforum.org. The Daily Article Podcast is Here! Click to Listen She vowed that she would return to Australia after she sparked up a romance with Ryan Gallagher on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here Australia. And on Friday, Charlotte Crosby landed in Sydney ready to reunite with her jungle beau - right in time for Valentine's Day. The brunette beauty shared a video on Instagram, showing her plane flying over Sydney and its iconic landmarks - the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. She's back! Charlotte Crosby (right) arrived in Sydney on Valentine's Day after promising to have a 'dream date' with her I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here Australia co-star Ryan Gallagher (left). The pair fell for one another in the jungle She captioned the clip: 'Hello second home,' and added the Australian flag and the waving emoji. The former Geordie Shore star also shared a selfie in which she had glamorous sunglasses on. Later in the evening she enjoyed a glass of red wine with a gal pal, sharing the snap on Instagram along with the caption: 'Happy Valentine's Day.' Hello second home: The brunette beauty shared a video on Instagram, showing her plane flying over Sydney and its iconic landmarks - the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge Glammed up! The former Geordie Shore star also shared a selfie of herself with glamorous sunglasses on Valentine's celebrations: Later in the evening Charlotte enjoyed a glass of red wine with a gal pal, sharing the snap along with the caption: 'Happy Valentine's Day' Charlotte, who flew into Sydney from a work engagement in Dubai, has not yet shared any video of herself meeting up with Ryan. The pair went on a safari date after leaving the I'm A Celebrity camp, and also packed on the PDA at the finale wrap party while still in South Africa. Charlotte told OK! magazine earlier this month that Ryan has a special 'dream date' - whale watching in Port Stephens - organised for the reunion. Kiss, kiss: Charlotte and Ryan first sparked a romance during their time as camp mates Getting cosy: While on the show, the pair spent plenty of time together cuddling up together on each other's beds and locking lips Close! The couple went on a safari date after leaving the I'm A Celebrity camp, and also packed on the PDA at the finale wrap party while still in South Africa (pictured) Charlotte's return down under comes after the reality TV star sparked a romance with Ryan while in the South African jungle on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here Australia. While on the show, the pair spent plenty of time together cuddling up together on each other's beds and locking lips. Ahead of her visit down under, she told The Daily Telegraph that she would use the trip as a way to get to know Ryan better. 'He is what I want in a man so it is exciting to see where this is going to go,' Charlotte told the publication. Amid pressure to end Indigenous protest blockades of vital Canadian rail links, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the disruptions must be resolved through dialogue, not by ordering in the police. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. People stand near the train train tracks on day 8 of the train blockade in Tyendinaga, near Belleville, Ont., on Thursday Feb. 13, 2020, in support of Wet'suwet'en's blockade of a natural gas pipeline in northern B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg Amid pressure to end Indigenous protest blockades of vital Canadian rail links, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the disruptions must be resolved through dialogue, not by ordering in the police. Trudeau acknowledged the difficulties the blockades have caused for travellers and businesses, but he made it clear Friday the federal government had no plans to make the RCMP dismantle them. "We are not the kind of country where politicians get to tell the police what to do in operational matters," Trudeau said in Munich, Germany, where he was attending a global security conference. "We are a country that recognizes the right to protest, but we are a country of the rule of law. And we will ensure that everything is done to resolve this through dialogue and constructive outcomes." Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said the situation had become ridiculous and called on Trudeau to take swift action. Scheer said the prime minister should tell Public Safety Minister Bill Blair to use his authority under the RCMP Act to end what he called the "illegal blockades" by Indigenous Peoples at the centre of a dispute over a British Columbia pipeline project. The disruptions are harming the Canadian economy and the livelihoods of farmers and small-business owners, Scheer told reporters in Ottawa. "These blockades are illegal," he said. "So far, the prime minister has refused to come out and call them that himself." Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer speaks to reporters about rail blockades by activists protesting the Coastal GasLink project, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang The blockades began last week after the RCMP enforced an injunction against Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs and their supporters, who were blocking construction of the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline, a key part of the $40-billion LNG Canada export project. Coastal GasLink has signed agreements with all 20 elected band councils along the pipeline route. However, Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs assert title to a vast 22,000-square-kilometre area and say band councils only have authority over reserve lands. Scheer said a small number of demonstrators cannot be allowed to hold the economy hostage and threaten thousands of jobs. "These activists may have the luxury of spending days at a time at a blockade, but they need to check their privilege," he said. Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau dismissed Scheer's remarks as unhelpful. "This is a complex situation and I think that that does not indicate an understanding of the situation," he said. Demonstrations continue as political leaders look to negotiate solutions, while business leaders, opposition politicians and members of the public call for immediate action to end the disruptions, which have already resulted in more than 80 arrests. Tensions were expected to heat up on Friday with the threat of activists planning to shut down government offices in British Columbia's capital. However, protesters numbered only in the dozens by midday and Victoria police posted on Twitter that the "peaceful" demonstrations appeared to be wrapping up in the afternoon. Trudeau and B.C. Premier John Horgan spoke Thursday about the need to work together to resolve the disputes that have resulted in solidarity blockades in Ontario, Manitoba and B.C. A person walks behind a banner as Wet'suwet'en supporters and Coastal GasLink opponents protest 20 government buildings throughout Victoria, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito Indigenous leaders in B.C.'s northwest have invited federal and provincial politicians to meetings to find solutions, and said they would ensure a blockade of a Canadian National Railway track near New Hazelton, B.C., would come down during talks. CN spokesman Jonathan Abecassis confirmed Friday morning the New Hazelton blockade had been lifted. The railway said Thursday it was starting a progressive shutdown in the East, while Via Rail cancelled all service on CN tracks in Canada. The Mohawk Nation said its members have agreed to meet with federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller on Saturday morning at a blockade on Tyendinaga Mohawk territory near Belleville, Ont., which is now in its ninth day. The minister's office did not immediately reply to an email seeking confirmation he is attending the meeting, although Miller did request one on Thursday. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney blamed the blockades and subsequent rail shutdown on "angry fringe groups" ignoring the democratically expressed wishes of First Nations in northern B.C. "This is becoming a very serious threat to the entire Canadian economy," Kenney said in Edmonton. "This is a commodities-producing country, and we ship those commodities by rail." In eastern Quebec, the president of a railway company said a blockade in the region is costing his company about $15,000 a day in revenue. About five or six people from the Mi'kmaq community of Listuguj have set up a campsite about a metre from the tracks, said Eric Dube, president of the Gaspesie Railway Society. "It seems like they are going to be there a while," he said. "They are very determined." Groups including the Grain Growers of Canada, the Forest Products Association of Canada and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters have said rail delays are hurting members and the economy. Teamsters Canada, the country's largest union in the transportation sector, called on the federal government to intervene. The union warned the impasse could put up to 6,000 employees at CN and other rail companies out of work. Garneau said freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest are among the most cherished of rights, but added he is "deeply concerned" about the rail disruptions. There is a risk of seeing the stoppages merely as interference with the operations of profit-making companies, yet they affect all Canadians, he told a news conference Friday in Toronto. 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. "It is about people's jobs and livelihoods and about the transport of key supplies like food, propane, heating oil and chemicals for water treatment, agricultural products for export and so many other products." Garneau, who was meeting his provincial and territorial counterparts, as well as representatives of national Indigenous organizations, stressed the desire for peaceful resolutions. Horgan has rejected calls from the Opposition Liberals to seek immediate injunctions to end blockades and protests in B.C. "We can't just use force," he said in the legislature. "It needs to be dealt with by co-operation, by consultation, by discussion so that we can all move forward." B.C. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson said Horgan was taking an "entirely passive approach in the face of implacable protesters who are intent on shutting down constituency services, shutting down the universities, shutting down our transportation arteries." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2020. The government of Ukraine is studying a possibility of taking a census in Crimea and Donbas with the help of a satellite. A satellite imagery project is being developed to estimate the population in the occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea, Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Dmytro Dubilet said on air of the Ukrainian Radio, adding that he has discussed the project with representatives of the United Nations Organization. "We have met with UN representatives who will help us with a very challenging satellite imagery project," the minister said. Dubilet also noted that it was difficult to assess the accuracy of satellites or some other tools in the estimation of the population in Crimea and the occupied districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The minister recalled that a similar project was implemented in Afghanistan where a major part of the territory is not controlled by the government. Ukraine's government does not have a consolidated decision regarding the method of taking the census yet, Dubilet said. However, he expressed the hope that a research would be finished within one or two months and it would be possible to make estimations in specific locations. As reported, in January 2020, Dubilet reported the results of the electronic census, according to which the population of Ukraine totaled 37.289 million people as of December 1, 2019. Later, the system which was used to take the census received a lot of criticism. In the spring of last year, Victorias Secret imposed official rules to protect its lingerie models for the first time in its four-decade history. The Harvey Weinstein scandal was at that point almost two years old, and the MeToo movement that would follow was fostering something of a cultural rejection of the underwear makers dated vision of female beauty, accelerating the 75 per cent collapse in the stock price of its parent company L Brands Inc. from a 2015 peak. Management could no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the perils its models faced on the job being alone with photographers or executives who wielded power over their careers, feeling pressure to bare more of their bodies or participate in private photo shoots. The new rules included making sure models have private places to change clothes and that theyre never left alone with a photographer, makeup artist or anyone else. Those guidelines, the backstory of which Bloomberg is reporting for the first time, are part of a wave of self-reflection in the modelling and retail industries about the treatment of people whose faces and bodies help sell the clothes we wear. The question is whether the rules go far enough to make a difference. Sara Ziff, a former model who now leads a group advocating for more protections in the industry, had been hoping to convince the retailer to sign on to a program shes designed to combat harassment by requiring more independent oversight. She chose Victorias Secret because the nations largest lingerie company had come under fresh scrutiny for its treatment of women, in part because of its controlling owners ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Ziff also felt that Victorias Secret could be a force for reform as widespread accusations of assault, rape and sex trafficking of models were being levied against executives across the fashion industry. As models converge on New York, Paris and Milan this month for the springs major fashion shows, the industry is teeming with debate about whether companies like Victorias Secret can sufficiently police themselves to root out abuse. Models have a tough enough time trusting their agencies to look out for their interests much less the clients. Until last year, Victorias Secret didnt have stringent, formal policies on appropriate workplace behaviour during photo shoots, according to a person familiar with the matter. In late 2018, Victorias Secret started reviewing its own policies, developing them internally through legal and compliance teams and rolling them out in May 2019 with training sessions, said the person, who asked not to be identified discussing internal matters. In addition to ensuring models are chaperoned during shoots, Victorias Secrets rules explicitly stated that no one on set could drink or use drugs, or post lewd, offensive or unprofessional images on social media that included L Brands products or sets. Underage models were officially barred. And the policies offered specific guidance on how photographers and models should interact with one another on set. Models would get private dressing spaces that photographers couldnt enter. Before showing up to the workplace, models would be required to receive information about who theyd be working with, the creative plan and the photographers vision for the project. Finally, the lingerie chain said models should not be pressured to expose their bodies more than they are comfortable doing while participating in shoots. Anyone working on the set from the models to photographers to makeup artists and L Brands associates had to acknowledge these guidelines, which extended to the making of videos, fashion shows and commercials for Victorias Secret. If participants felt uncomfortable, they would be advised to tell the L Brands representative on site or call the companys ethics hotline, operated by a third party. The MeToo movement wasnt the only reason L Brands was under pressure to make changes. A sense of urgency had been spreading throughout company headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. Victorias Secrets same-store sales, an important metric in retail, had been negative for three years, margins had been hit by discounting and even its youth-targeted line, Pink, was in need of an overhaul. L Brands, which also owns Bath & Body Works, had lost about $22 billion (U.S.) in market value since 2015. Victorias Secret had also struggled to adapt to competition online, watching as foot traffic in shopping malls began to slow. The brand lost market share to rivals such as American Eagles Aerie and Rihannas Savage X Fenty that catered to women with more varied body types and skin tones. Last year, Victorias Secret cancelled its hypersexualized annual fashion show. Then in July, Jeffrey Epstein was arrested, and all hell broke loose. Federal prosecutors accused the financier of running a sex-trafficking ring, which included girls as young as 14. As Epsteins past and connections came to light, it became clear how closely affiliated he was with Leslie Wexner, L Brands chairman and chief executive officer, serving as his money manager and using his power of attorney. Wexner, 82, denied knowledge of any illegal activity by Epstein, who also backed a modelling agency that worked with Victorias Secret. Epstein, who died by suicide in his jail cell in August, once claimed to an aspiring model that he was a Victorias Secret model scout, according to the New York Times, and used to promise women jobs through his network of powerful men. The same month that Epstein died, Ziffs organization sent a letter to John Mehas, the Victorias Secret CEO, offering a way the company could address its mounting problems. The Model Alliance called on Victorias Secret to join its Respect program, billed as the only existing anti-sexual harassment code of conduct designed by and for models. Retailers that sign the pact agree that employees, agents, vendors and photographers will follow rules not unlike the ones Victorias Secret had already developed. The difference is that under Respect, an independent monitor can access cases where harassment might have taken place, providing a level of oversight outside the company. Victorias Secret has the opportunity to be a leader, to use its power and influence to bring about the changes that are urgently needed in our industry, the Model Alliance said in its letter. This would go a long way in helping our industry chart a new path forward. That same month less than half a year after creating its photo-shoot guidelines Victorias Secret decided to further strengthen protections for models in the policy, according to the person familiar with the matter. The revisions added a requirement for an authorized independent monitor to be present for the entire shoot to provide oversight and ensure compliance with the procedures and raise red flags, if necessary. Fit models workers who try on clothes for designers now also fall under these protections. The revisions werent part of the initial policy because the legal and compliance team continued its work after the rollout in May, looking for other areas where protections could be strengthened, the person said. The team is still researching other areas, such as casting, where it might add to the policy, the person said. The independent monitors at photo shoots are almost all from outside the company. Since theyve been present, one concern has been raised to the company, which is taking action now, the person said. The rules were already in place when Ziff and her attorney visited Victorias Secrets highrise office near the Empire State Building in Manhattan last September. Over the course of about an hour, they spoke with Tammy Roberts Myers, the retailers top public relations executive, and other staff members about working conditions for models, including protection from sexual misconduct. Mehas, to whom the letter was addressed, wasnt present for the meeting. Ziff walked out with Myerss business card and an assurance that the Model Alliance was helping Victorias Secret executives be better listeners. They havent spoken since. Victorias Secret hasnt signed on for the Respect program the Model Alliance proposed, and no other retailer has been announced as a participant. Industry-wide protections for vulnerable employees are hard to implement, but there is precedent. The U.S. hospitality industry, after a barrage of controversy surrounding the mistreatment of cleaning staff, is being forced to take new measures to protect workers. After the MeToo wave began, hotel housekeepers successfully fought for measures in eight major U.S. cities, including Chicago and Miami Beach, requiring businesses to provide panic buttons, hand-held fobs used to summon help should a threat arise. The industrys main trade group resisted the idea at first, saying it wouldnt address the problem, but by late 2018 big hotel chains including Hilton and Marriott agreed to adopt the systems. As the larger names got on board, the smaller ones began to fall in line. The hospitality and modelling industries both largely employ women and have been used as conduits for abuse and sex trafficking. Unlike models, hotel workers have unions to lobby on their behalf. Juliette Gust, president of Ethics Suite, a workplace misconduct and fraud reporting consultancy, said models are more like musicians and actors, largely freelancers who might have more legal recourse if they worked directly for a corporation. This means change may have to come from the top down, said Gust. It is up to these large brands to set the example, she said. That would really help to shake up the industry. This month, the New York Times published an investigation of working conditions at Victorias Secret, including fresh allegations that former L Brands Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek had harassed women and that Wexner had ignored complaints about them. Razek denied the allegations, and Wexner didnt comment to the Times. L Brands is in talks to sell Victorias Secret, and Wexner is considering stepping aside as CEO. In a letter last week to Mehas, the Model Alliance criticized L Brands, saying the company had refused to act since the September meeting. The culture of misogyny, bullying, and harassment at Victorias Secret is even more egregious and more entrenched than previously understood, the group said. Still, Ziff says she wants to find a way. Im genuinely interested in working with Victorias Secret, she said. The company remains open to talks and is considering further steps, the person familiar with the matter said. One unanswered question is what an independent observer from the Respect program would do when a problem arises, the person said. We absolutely share a common goal with Model Alliance to ensure the safety and well-being of models, Myers, the Victorias Secret spokeswoman, said in a statement. When Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry initially announced their intent to step back as senior members of the British royal family, they had hoped to remain part-time working royals. Unfortunately, their radical plans didnt quite fit in with the traditions of the royal family. As a result, the royal couple stepped away from their royal roles altogether taking full and total control of their lives. Though the duo initially said they would be splitting their time between the U.K. and North America, it appears that their visits back across the pond will be few and far between. Markle and Prince Harry have officially closed their Buckingham Palace office, leaving several of their former staffers without jobs. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are no longer required to attend royal events Amid Megxit the Sussexes had been adamant about supporting Queen Elizabeth II and the monarchy. We intend to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen, they said in a statement. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. However, there is no such thing as a part-time royal. Once the duke and duchess attend the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 9 as president and vice-president of the Queens Commonwealth Trust, they will have completed their royal duties for good. Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys Frogmore Cottage staff has been reassigned Though the Sussexes will be paying rent at Frogmore Cottage, which is still their official U.K. residence, their household staff has been reassigned. According to the Sussexes new website, Frogmore Cottage will continue to be the property of Her Majesty the Queen. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will continue to use Frogmore Cottage with the permission of Her Majesty The Queen as their official residence as they continue to support the Monarchy. However, their staff has been reassigned to other royal households. In quiet periods staff are often redeployed elsewhere around the estate, an insider told CNN. No members of staff have been let go. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have closed their Buckingham Palace office Though they still have a U.K. home base, the Sussexes no longer have a royal office. Daily Mail is reporting that the pair have officially let go of the 15 staffers they had. While one or two of them have been reassigned, the majority have been laid off. Among them are recently-appointed private secretary, Fiona Mcilwham and their head of communications Sara Latham. The Palace has made no comments on staffing changes. Given their decision to step back, an office at Buckingham Palace is no longer needed, an alleged insider told Daily Mail. While the details are still being finalised and efforts are being made to redeploy people within the royal household, unfortunately, there will be some redundancies. The team are very loyal to the Sussexes and understand and respect the decision they have taken. They are all close and supporting each other. The team are busy helping to set their Royal Highnesses up for the future and working on a series of final engagements. This is a major hint that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will mostly be living in North America. Mary Lou McDonald said Sinn Fein will have to "figure out" whether its TDs will take ministerial salaries if the party enters government. She was speaking after Sinn Fein held its first parliamentary party meeting of the new Dail term. "Sinn Fein won the election," she said. Speaking before Fianna Fail ruled out a coalition deal with Sinn Fein, Ms McDonald said it would be up to Micheal Martin's party to decide whether they wanted to be part of the change people voted for. A grand coalition of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail would be "a slap in the face to the Irish electorate", she said. The parliamentary party meeting was attended by ex-leader Gerry Adams, but a party spokesman said that all outgoing TDs were invited to the occasion. FAREWELL Another retiree, Caoimhghin O Caolain, said goodbye to colleagues on the plinth after 23 years in Leinster House. He was the first Sinn Fein TD to be elected to the Dail, taking his seat in 1997 - nine years after the party ended its abstentionist policy. Taking questions from the media at lunchtime, Ms McDonald said Sinn Fein TDs would take their salary, make the maximum allowable donation to the party of 2,500 and use the rest to run constituency services, as the existing Oireachtas expenses and allowances do not cover this "expensive business". Asked about whether Sinn Fein would take ministerial salaries, she said "we'll have to figure that out". Sinn Fein's "average industrial wage" policy has been eased in recent years. "There is nobody in Sinn Fein that is elected to any office in it for big careers or big money," Ms McDonald said. She also praised a party political adviser who tweeted on Wednesday: "If Shinners could desist making unnecessary comments that do nothing but sabotage recent and volatile electoral success, that would be great." The now-deleted tweet was praised by Ms McDonald who said: "Bravo, absolutely, absolutely." The tweet is thought to have been a response to David Cullinane's "Up the 'Ra" comments last Sunday, new TD Violet-Anne Wynne's anti-vaccine Facebook posts, and ex-Sinn Fein councillor Enda Fanning's proposal for "a proper monitoring authority" for the media. Seasonal business is rough: Haunted houses pack up on November 1, Irish people are only able to crossover into our dimension on St. Patrick's Day, and you can only run a Christmas shop between September and February. The rest of the year, you've just got a bunch of scary clowns and baby Jesus nativity dolls sitting around uselessly staring at you. That's why the California branch of a haunted house empire decided to put their idle clowns to work delivering Valentines this year. We've all inexplicably seen Joker, so we know what happens when clowns get restless. (They end up making movies like The Joker.) The initial advertisement on the Ranch of Horror Facebook page was supposed to be a joke, but they underestimated the demand for bloody stuffed animals and black roses (which they really offer alongside the standard fare). They were soon so swamped with orders that they had to expand their delivery area, extend their delivery dates, and "call in more clowns," one of the most terrifying four-word phrases in the history of language. Those customers know what love is really about: Playing cruel tricks on your beloved and laughing when they pee. You can get a preview on Facebook if you're interested and/or brave. MUNICH The United States and the Taliban have agreed to a temporary truce that, if successful, would open the way for a deal that would bring American troops home from Afghanistan and end 18 years of war. The peace deal would call for negotiations between Afghans on both sides of the conflict to start next month, an eventual countrywide cease-fire and a commitment from the Taliban not to harbor terrorist groups like al Qaida, while setting a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The truce marks a milestone in efforts to end Americas longest-running conflict and fulfill President Donald Trumps campaign pledge to bring U.S. troops home from foreign conflicts. But prospects for a real and lasting peace remain unclear. Details were provided separately Friday by a senior U.S. official and a Taliban official, who were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The U.S. official said the agreement for a seven-day reduction in violence is very specific and covers the entire country, including Afghan government forces. There were indications a formal announcement could come as early as the weekend. The official said the Taliban had committed to a halt in roadside and suicide bombings as well as rocket attacks. If the Taliban uphold their commitments, a U.S.-Taliban peace agreement would be signed within 10 days. The Taliban official said the signing had been tentatively set for Feb. 29, with the start of the Afghan talks planned for March 10. The official said Germany and Norway have offered to host the talks but there has been no decision on the venue. That Taliban official said the agreement would provide for the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners before the start of the negotiations. Much will depend on the results of the all-Afghan negotiations, if and when they get off the ground. The presence of spoilers those happy with the status quo will remain a threat to peace efforts throughout the process, the U.S. senior official acknowledged. Also uncertain are the gains made for Afghan women and girls since the fall of the Taliban months after the U.S. military response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks ordered by Osama bin Laden from Afghan soil. But, for the Taliban, the proposal represents a way to gain the political legitimacy they never had in the late 1990s when they first came to power. The new developments came as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper met Friday with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of an international security forum in Munich. To make good on its promise to release Taliban prisoners, Washington is going to need the cooperation of Ghani, who has been critical of the way U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has conducted the talks with the Taliban, complaining about being kept in the dark. Ghani has also bickered with his partner in the current Unity Government, Abdullah Abdullah, over who will represent Kabul at the negotiating table. Ghani has insisted he lead the talks, while his political opponents and other prominent Afghans have called for more inclusive representation at the negotiating table. The Taliban and those familiar with the details of the Afghan negotiations say the representatives from Kabul will include government officials but they will sit across from the Taliban as ordinary Afghans and not as government representatives. U.S. officials have not publicly spelled out their timetable for an initial drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, but the expectation is that a reduction from the current total of about 12,000 to approximately 8,600 will begin after the signing of a U.S.-Taliban deal. That initial reduction is likely to stretch out over a period of weeks or months. The Taliban official said the withdrawal of foreign troops would start gradually and be carried out over 18 months. A senior U.S. military officer told a small group of reporters that U.S. counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan against the Islamic State group and al-Qaida will continue, separate from the truce agreement. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive aspects of military operations ahead of an expected announcement of the U.S.-Taliban deal. He also said the United States has sufficient intelligence-gathering assets to be able to determine within the seven-day period whether the Taliban is making a good-faith effort to reduce violence, even if some limited violence persists. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy on Friday called the U.S. agreement a first step in the process. Its going to take several weeks for this to unfold, but its very encouraging that were heading down a path to a political solution, he said in response to a question during remarks at the National Press Club. A truce had been widely anticipated, and Trump agreed in principle to the deal, according to U.S. officials. The final details were hammered out in recent days by Khalilzad and Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar. Khalilzad also was in Munich and attended Pompeo and Espers meeting, as did Gen. Scott Miller, the commander of the U.S.-led international force in Afghanistan. ___ Gannon reported from Islamabad. AP National Security Writer Robert Burns and Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report. Mary Sue Garbulinski, 40, of McHenry, Illiniois was sentenced Feb. 3 to 18 months probation for failure to pay child support. Cynthia Ann Harju-Shirley, 49, of Sebewaing was sentenced Feb. 3 to 270 days in jail with credit for one day for possessing contraband in jail. She must also complete mental health treatment. A restitution hearing is scheduled for March 9 at 11 a.m. in the case. James Randall Huey III, 33, of Harbor Beach was sentenced Feb. 3 to 94 days in jail, credit for 94 days and 24 months probation for maintaining a drug house. He must also complete 20 hours of community service, cannot change addresses, have criminal association or assault behavior, and he must submit to alcohol and drug testing. Norman J. Wallace, 41, of Ruth was sentenced Feb. 3 to 60 days in jail, credit for two days and 18 months probation for attempted failure to register as a sex offender. He must have no care or contact with anyone 17 or younger, must register as a sex offender and he was also sentenced to 20 hours community service. William Gerald Diehl, 26, of Caro was sentenced Feb. 10 to 60 days in jail for a probation violation. Diehl must continue his probation, which was extended to six months. Lisa Jean Partaka, 45, of Harbor Beach was arraigned Feb. 3 on a probation violation. She has a hearing scheduled for March 2 at 10:30 a.m. Michael A. Boyce, 26, of Bad Axe was arraigned Feb. 3 for a probation violation. A continued arraignment was scheduled for Feb. 10, where he pleaded guilty to the charge. He was scheduled for sentencing March 9 at 9 a.m. Melissa Scherret, 29, of Owendale was arraigned Feb. 10 for two probation violations. The case was adjourned to March 2. Paul Anthony Blackburn, 55, of Deltona, Florida pleaded guilty to failing to pay child support during his arraignment Feb. 7. His bond was set at $4,000. A sentencing is scheduled for April 6 at 9 a.m. Richard Anthony Kula, 52, of Kinde pleaded no contest to assault with intent for sexual penetration Feb. 7. A second charge of second degree criminal sexual conduct was dismissed. His sentencing is scheduled for April 6 at 9 a.m. Richard Anthony Kula,5 2, of Kinde pleaded no contest to two counts of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct Feb. 7. A third count was dismissed. The sentencing in this case is also scheduled for April 6 at 9 a.m. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 17:14:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Higher People's Court of Beijing Municipality on Friday upheld the death sentence for Sun Wenbin, who was convicted of killing a doctor in a Beijing hospital where his mother was treated. Wrapping up the second trial, the court said the original ruling was based on clear facts and sufficient evidence. The court will submit the death sentence to the Supreme People's Court for approval. On Jan. 16, Sun was sentenced to death for the crime of intentional homicide by the Third Intermediate People's Court of Beijing. The killing on Dec. 24, 2019 shocked the country. Yang Wen, who was working at an emergency room, was stabbed to death by Sun, who claimed that he was unsatisfied with his mother's treatment. By Abdul Kerimkhanov The Armenian Cabinet of Ministers were disappointed by the agricultural indicators of 2019 as negative indicators of total gross agricultural output were observed in the country throughout the year, according to the data of Statistical Committee of Armenia. The countrys agriculture decreased by 7.4 percent year-on-year in January-June. This indicator continued to fall by 4.8 percent, according to the results of three quarters. Meanwhile, one of the first significant steps of the new Armenian government was the formation of a new cabinet structure, as a result of which 12 ministries were formed from 17. The purpose of this "revolutionary" innovation was to increase the effectiveness of the government. However, the new government turned out to be as ineffective as the previous one. Pashinyan himself admitted this, saying at one of the cabinets last meetings in 2019: We have large ministries with many unemployed people who care about one thing: when the time is right to go home. The structure optimization of the Armenian government was most strongly criticized precisely in terms of the abolition of the Ministry of Agriculture and the transfer of its functions to the Ministry of Economy. Chairman of the Agrarian-Peasant Union of Armenia Hrachya Berberyan believes that the first blow to agriculture was the closure of the Ministry of Agriculture. At the same time, the expert noted that the fall in this area in 2019, according to their estimates, is double the official figures. Armenia exported 56 tons of potatoes 4 years ago, and this year [2019] it began to import it from Belarus and some other countries, Berberyan noted bitterly, seeing the intent to destroy the national economy. Today, the main specialized structural units of the Ministry of Economy include 14 departments, however, department for food safety and agro-consulting, innovation and monitoring still do not have heads. Thus, in such conditions it is difficult to expect effective activity of the Ministry of Economy of Armenia in the agricultural sector. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz With MWC now cancelled, some smartphone launches have been postponed, including the Oppo Find X2 and Xiaomi Mi 10. Realme will, however, launch the X50 Pro on February 24 at an online-only event. Update: Realme has confirmed on its official Twitter page that the Realme X50 Pro will feature 65W SuperDart Charge and a Super AMOLED screen with 90Hz refresh rate. Owing to growing concerns over the spread of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from China, the GSM Association (GSMA) cancelled this years edition of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) trade show in Barcelona. As a result, many smartphone launches have been either postponed or made online-only. In the most recent development of this kind, Oppo and Xiaomi have postponed the launch of the Oppo Find X2 and Mi 10, respectively, while Realme has made the launch of the X50 Pro 5G online-only. It has scheduled the launch for February 24. Xiaomi, which officially launched Mi 10 in China yesterday at an online-only event, originally planned to host a global launch for its latest flagship smartphone on February 23 in Barcelona. In a statement released on Twitter yesterday, the Chinese electronics manufacturer says it will arrange a separate launch event in Europe at a later date. Oppo, too, had plans to launch the Find X2 on February 22 in Barcelona. In its statement sent directly to us over email today, the company says, the event will be rescheduled for March and more information will be shared soon. Realme, on the other hand, hasnt postponed its global smartphone launch. It has, however, announced on Twitter that its launch event will now be online-only. The Chinese phone maker will launch the Realme X50 Pro 5G on February 24 virtually in Madrid. These three smartphone makers are among the many that will now be forced to launch their new offerings in other ways than originally planned. Other major brands expected to showcase new smartphone technology include HMD Global, Sony, LG, and Vivo. Amidst all the confusion caused by this years MWC cancellation, the Oppo Find X2 has popped up on Geekbench. Listed as OPPO CPH2025, the Oppo Find X2 is seen sporting a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chip with 12GB of RAM. Its single-core score is 913, while its multi-core score is 3308. When its finally launched next month, the Oppo Find X2 is expected to feature a 120Hz screen and 65W fast charging, which is the highest rated charging technology weve seen so far. DUBLIN, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Medical Marijuana - Competitive Insight, 2019" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The "Medical Marijuana - Competitive Intelligence Analysis, 2019" report provides comprehensive insights into growth prospects in the Medical Marijuana industry. A detailed picture of the competitive landscape is provided with complete analysis of companies, patents, pipeline products, competitive benchmarking and therapeutic assessment of clinical products. The fast development of cannabis and its expanding appropriation over the therapeutic application has grabbed the eye of a large group of industry verticals running from pharmaceuticals in addition to advisory and consultancy administrations. While cannabis cultivators and producers are the most critical piece of the cannabis ecosystem, revenue comes significantly from pharmaceutical organizations. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine. However, the scientific study of the chemicals in marijuana, called cannabinoids, has led to some FDA-approved medications that contain cannabinoid chemicals in pill form. Continued research may lead to the approval of more medications. Overview of companies in medical marijuana arena The report covers 12+ companies working in this domain, such as GW Pharmaceuticals, Canopy Growth Corporation, Aurora Cannabis, Auxly Cannabis Group and others. GW Pharmaceuticals has two medical marijuana products in the market; Epidiolex and Sativex. Epidiolex (cannabidiol) oral solution is the first FDA-approved drug that contains a purified drug substance derived from marijuana. It is also the first FDA approval of a drug for the treatment of patients with Dravet syndrome. Scope of the Report Key Market Drivers Provides an overview of therapeutic pipeline activity for medical marijuana across the clinical product development cycle including Phase I, Phase II and Phase III stages. Detailed profiles of companies active in medical marijuana arena with key coverage of business overview, products, and latest development activities focusing on collaborations and licensing deals, partnerships and agreements, acquisitions, product launches, awards and grants, and other latest developments. Analysis of medical marijuana pipeline products with key coverage of brief drug description and product profile focusing on molecule type, phase of clinical development, drug developer, indication, and route of administration. Therapeutic assessment of the active pipeline products by stage, indication, and route of administration. Provides information about drivers, barriers and opportunities that are shaping the medical marijuana market. Covers CI analysis consisting of comprehensive SWOT and PESTEL analysis. Provides list of Medical Marijuana patents filed in the last five years. Includes comments of experts and industry updates, product launches, and scientific intelligence. Growing legalization of medical marijuana Rising research and development activities Increasing ageing population Key Highlights With the growing legalization of medical marijuana, more and more companies are investing in clinical trials with marijuana and its extracts to treat variety of indications. The recent USFDA and European Commission Approval of Epidiolex, a plant-derived cannabidiol has contributed to overall growth of the medical marijuana industry. The market is expected to witness a series of new product approvals in the near future. Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 1.1. Marijuana Forms 1.2. Mechanism of Action 1.3. Categories of Marijuana 1.4. Health Benefits of Medical Marijuana 1.5. Cannabinoids as Medicine 1.6. THC vs. CBD 1.7. Therapeutic Applications of Medical Marijuana 1.8. Toxic Effects of Marijuana 2. Legality of Medical Marijuana 3. Market Dynamics 3.1. Market Drivers 3.2. Market Opportunities 3.3. Market Barriers 4. CI Analysis 5. Market Scenario 6. Company Profiling 7. Competitive Benchmarking 8. Therapeutic Assessment: Clinical Products 8.1. Assessment by Stage 8.2. Assessment by Indication 8.3. Assessment by Stage and Indication 8.4. Assessment by Route of Administration 8.5. Assessment by Stage and Route of Administration 9. Pipeline Analysis 9.1. Caumz (PPP011): Tetra Bio-Pharma 9.2. Medical Cannabis: MedReleaf 10. Approved Drugs 10.1. Epidiolex: GW Pharmaceuticals 10.2. Sativex: GW Pharmaceuticals 11. Patent Overview 11.1. Axim Biotechnologies 11.2. India Globalization Capital 12. Latest Updates 13. Expert Comments Companies Mentioned Canopy Growth Corporation Aurora Cannabis Auxly Cannabis Group OrganiGram Holdings Cronos Group GW Pharmaceuticals Aphria Terra Tech Corp Mary's Medicinals Papa & Barkley CannTrust Holdings Stenocare Tilray For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1j1ewz About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), the apex body of the Catholic Church in India is currently holding its plenary assembly in Bengaluru on the theme Dialogue: The Path to Truth and Charity. By Robin Gomes The Church in India has reiterated its commitment to promoting dialogue and social harmony, even in the midst of conflicts or social and political crises. Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay expressed the Churchs commitment on Thursday while inaugurating the biennial plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), taking place in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore). The theme of the 34th assembly at St. Johns Medical College, February 13 to 19, is Dialogue: The Path to Truth and Charity. Dialogue for nation-building Cardinal Gracias, who is CBCI president, recalled that the Church has always been at the service of society", and stressed that need for dialogue which "is the tapestry of different cultures, languages and ethnic diversity". Over the next few days, he said, they will reflect on how the Church would move forward, discuss various programme and papers, and also address the various issues that affect the Church in general. This will include focussing on the task of nation-building through its services in education, healthcare and its outreach programme for the marginalized. The Catholic Church in India, Cardinal Gracias said, would move forward in dialogue with all groups in society, such as civic bodies, government and non-governmental organizations and religious communities, so as to "create a peaceful and harmonious environment for all to live as true citizens of the rich land, India". The CBCI president assured that the Church in India will continue to "live the gospel values of peace, joy and harmony and always work for the whole humankind". Building bridges "I place into the Lords hands this Plenary Assembly and pray that the fruits of the deliberations may inspire us to continue to build bridges, first by understanding the other person and then walking along with him or her, irrespective of his or her caste, creed, colour", he stated. Cardinal Gracias noted that a similar theme had been addressed by the CBCI plenary assembly 20 years ago, but the Indian Church now wants to give new impetus and vitality to this theme, strengthening networks and institutions to improve dialogue. The Church, he said, has always championed the cause of dialogue and peaceful interaction to build the world community, hence the need to break down the walls of separation and build bridges of unity. "The Church in India was a pioneer in education, medical and health services besides social upliftment. It always stood as the light of the world and helped others to witness to the same light and truth. The inauguration of CBCIs plenary assembly included a concelebrated Mass presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to India, Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro, along with the heads of the countrys 3 ritual Churches, other archbishops, bishops, office-bearers and officials of the CBCI. It was also attended by a great number of priests, religious and lay faithful. Representatives of other religions have also been invited to address the participants and share their views on the theme of the assembly. Light of the world In his inaugural address, Archbishop Diquattro reiterated the exhortation of Pope Francis in his Motu Proprio, Vos estis lux mundi (You are the light of the world), on the issue of accountability regarding abuse, harassment and violence in the Church. He said the Pope urges each diocese to strive to shine a light on our wrongdoing before the eyes of the world. He advised the clergy in India to commit themselves to the truth within the Church, even though it is painful. This undertaking goes way beyond the problem of abuse and is ordered towards a substantiated evangelical reform of the church. Archbishop Diquattro said, it is a matter of not betraying the primary evangelical concern of the Church in favour of the last, the marginalised and vulnerable people. This concern, he explained, promotes a spirituality of co-responsibility and of sharing, in order to create among the faithful a climate of openness, coherence and transparency. The Nuncio also stressed that the proclamation of the Good News must be carried out in joyful service. Indias Catholic Church is made up of 3 ritual Churches the Latin, the Syro-Malabar and the Syro-Malankara that together make up the CBCI, the apex body of the Catholic Church in India. The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) is the association of Indias Latin-rite bishops. With 132 dioceses and 189 bishops, the CCBI is the largest bishops conference in Asia. The CBCI, which was instituted in 1944, turned 75 this year. With 170 dioceses and over 200 active bishops, it one of the largest bishops conferences in the world. Lee University will welcome the Unity Dance Troupe for its performance of The Veil: Story of Creation on Feb. 22-23 in the Conn Center. Unity was founded in 2010 by Lee alumna Alexis Burleson as a performing arts touring company and discipleship program. Unitys performances this weekend will be a celebration of its 10th anniversary, in addition to sharing a message about God through dance. Unity's productions have been seen by over 75,000 people around the world, but we are always excited to share our productions in our hometown of Cleveland and with the Lee community, said Katherine Griesemer, assistant director of Unity. Lee University is where Unity began, so it will always hold a special place in who we are. We are excited to share The Veil with returning audience members, as well as students who are new to campus or have not yet seen it. The Veil has had a big impact on the Lee community and has drawn many students to join the troupe after seeing the production. The Veil is a production about creation that shows God as an intimate, joyful Creator, who takes pleasure in His creation of the world, and most of all his delight in forming man in His own image and the lengths He will go in order to show man the unending nature of His redeeming love. This year is actually my first year performing in The Veil, and it has been an eye-opening experience for me when it comes to the love of God, said Hannah Broome, Unity dancer and Lee sophomore education major. The whole premise of the show is that God tore the veil to put us back together. Unity has four productions that explore themes from creation to the heart of God. The group has traveled internationally to Colombia and Belgium. It is also a dance studio that offers classes ranging from beginner to advanced. The studio teaches all style of dance including ballet, lyrical, modern, and acro dance, among others. The Veil, or any performance with Unity, isnt just a performance to me, its an act of worship, thanking the Lord for what He did for me, said Ms. Broome. I adore my troupe, and the honor of getting to worship with them has been the greatest blessing of my being in college. On Saturday and Sunday, the performance will be at 2 p.m. with an additional performance Saturday evening at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at https://www.showclix.com/event/the-veil-story-of-creation. Unity recommends this performance for all ages. For more information about the performance or the troupe, visit https://www.unitydancetroupe.com/. Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state, and Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia south, are among the dignitaries atten... Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state, and Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia south, are among the dignitaries attending the funeral ceremony of Eze Kanu and his wife, king and queen of Afaraukwu in Abia state. Abaribe stood as a surety for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), when he was granted bail by a federal high court in 2017, although the bail has since been revoked. The late parents of Kanu were laid to rest on Friday amid tight security. Most schools in Umuahia, the state capital, were also locked amid fears of a clash between security agencies and IPOB members. IPOB, which had been proscribed and tagged a terrorist organisation, had said its members will attend the burial. But Ene Okon, Abia commissioner of police, said the ceremony will not take place with the presence of IPOB members. An anticipated clash between the police and the group had forced pupils and students to stay away from most primary and secondary schools, according to NAN. Some of the parents said the proprietors had earlier in the week told their children to stay at home on Friday for security reasons. One of the parents identified as Carol Chikwendu said: My children were told on Thursday by their schools not to come to school today Friday for safety reasons. My children were supposed to start their mid-term tests today (Friday), but it has been postponed till Monday. An independent review into the deaths of several babies at a hospital trust has been ordered by ministers. Heartbreaking details of more than ten preventable deaths at East Kent Hospital Trust have emerged, with 26 cases of poor care under investigation. Yesterday, the trust said it wholeheartedly apologised to every one of those families we have let down. Details of more than ten preventable deaths at East Kent Hospital Trust have emerged, with 26 cases of poor care under investigation. Pictured: Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital in Margate, Kent, which is part of the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust Health minister Nadine Dorries (pictured) confirmed the review in the House of Commons and said it will leave no stone unturned East Kent has been in the spotlight since last months inquest into baby Harry Richford who died wholly avoidably seven days after his birth in November 2017. Health minister Nadine Dorries confirmed the review in the House of Commons and said it will leave no stone unturned. It will be led by Dr Bill Kirkup, who chaired the inquiry into Morecambe Bay hospital trust where 11 babies and one mother died between 2004 and 2013. He will also work with Englands chief midwifery officer Jacqueline Duckley-Bent. It comes after the trusts chief executive Susan Acott was accused of downplaying the issue, claiming there had only been six or seven avoidable deaths since 2011 and that things arent always black and white. Mumbai: The sudden demise of fashion designer Wendell Rodricks is an irreparable loss to the Indian fashion industry, said ace couturier Ritu Kumar on Thursday. The veteran designer, who is returning to the runway with her signature line after over a decade with a showcase at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2020, said she was supposed to meet Rodricks at her showcase. "He was a very close friend. I was hoping to see him on today's show as he was one of the firm believers of sustainability. He was a champion and was one of the more rounded persons in the fashion industry,? the designer told PTI here. The Goa-based Rodricks passed away on Wednesday at his residence in Colvale village at the age of 59, reportedly due to heart attack. Rodricks was working on his Moda Goa Museum, dedicated to the history of Goan costumes, and Kumar said she was equally excited to help him on the project. "He had given up designing and started collecting artefacts from various homes in Goa and was putting up a museum. I was supposed to work with him on his museum. "It's sad he has gone before the museum opened. He is gone too soon. I'm still in shock and will miss him,? she said. ORLANDO, Fla. - A Florida man accused of fatally shooting a former Under Armour coworker at a Florida mall has been found dead from an apparent suicide, authorities said. A jogger found Daniel Everetts SUV in Fort Pierce and contacted local police, Orlando police Chief Orlando Rolon said during a news conference. Officers responded and found the body in the vehicle. Fort Pierce is located on Floridas Atlantic coast, about 100 miles (160 kilometres) southeast of Orlando. Everett, 46, likely arrived in Fort Pierce days ago and may have killed himself a short time later, Orlando Detective Teresa Sprague said Friday. Several law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, had been searching for him. Everett was fired Monday morning from an Under Armour store at Orlando International Premium Outlets. Investigators havent said what prompted the firing. Police said he returned that evening and killed store manager Eunice Marie Vazquez, 37. Investigators believe he specifically targeted the woman and may have been planning to kill another employee who was on a break and not in the store, Rolon said. About a dozen customers were in the store at the time of the shooting, and officials said no injuries were reported by anyone else at the mall. After the shooting, detectives learned that Everett created a list of other employees who police believed were potential targets. Rolon said law enforcement immediately contacted those workers to make sure they were safe. They were told to stay at places that werent listed in their personnel files. Under Armour management was working with police, Rolon said. The Baltimore-based company has closed all eight of its Orlando-area stores since the shooting. An Officer and a Spy (Credit: Frenetic Films) The board which oversees the Cesar Academy, which runs the Cesar Awards, the French equivalent of the Oscars or the BAFTAs, has said that it will resign ahead of this year's ceremony. The mass resignation of the 21 members of the Association for the Promotion of Cinema is over Roman Polanski's movie An Officer and A Spy leading the nominations this year, according to Variety. Read more: Outrage over Polanski nominations In a statement, the board said that it was acting 'to honor all those who made [French] cinema in 2019, and to gain back some serenity and ensure that the celebration of cinema remains a celebration'. In all, Polanski's film, which stars Jean Dujardin and Mathieu Amalric and is based on Robert Harris's novel of the same name, has received 12 nominations, including best film, and best director. After the film swept the board in January, Alain Terzian, the head of the Cesars, said that voters should not take moral positions in matters of cinema. Roman Polanski (Credit: AP Photo) Polanski pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977, and fled the US soon after. The director has since been accused by three other women of sexual harassment and sexual assault. The board also criticised the organisers of the awards for recently excluding prominent feminist voices such as director Claire Denis and writer Virginie Despentes from a recent gala event. The group has said that it will resign after this year's ceremony takes place on 28 February, while there has also been talk of boycotts over gender and race disparity within the awards' voting body. The French newspaper Le Monde published a petition earlier this week, signed by 400 people working in the movie industry, including high profile actors like Lea Seydoux and Omar Sy, and directors Michel Hazanavicius and Jacques Audiard, calling for the awards system to have a 'complete overhaul'. An Officer and A Spy With early voting underway for the March 3rd Presidential Primary, the Hamilton County Election Commission is preparing to implement a new process that officials said will revolutionize the way ballots are printed for early voting. Hamilton County Election Administrator Kerry Steelman said this will not happen during the current early voting period; however, plans are underway to roll out the new process with early voting for the August primary. Mr. Steelman said there is a unique ballot for each of the countys 135 voting precincts, and registered voters can cast ballots at any one of the count's four early voting sites. He said that makes it very challenging to cost-effectively approximate the number of ballots needed per precinct at each site. As a result, he said, to mitigate the risk of running low on ballots at any one site, the election office must order a large amount of pre-printed ballots for each of the four early voting locations. He said the new process to be put into place during early voting for August will print a ballot for each voter as they arrive to cast their vote. Plans are to deploy two "certified" mobile ballot printers to each of the early voting sites - as well as two backup printers per site. He noted this new process will only be used during early voting and not on Election Day. Mr. Steelman said over the course of an election year Hamilton County will realize a substantial savings in ballot expense due to reduced ballot printing costs and the elimination of excess ballots. At the same time, the election office is proceeding with plans to upgrade its election maintenance system which serves as the brains of its election infrastructure. Mr. Steelman said, "This update to the system server and server software will ensure the Election Commission maintains the latest standards in security and reliability." West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday took umbrage at not being invited to the inauguration of the East-West Metro corridor, saying that her team had to "shed tears" to get the project sanctioned when she was the railway minister. The first phase of the East-West corridor of the mass rapid transport network was flagged off by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday, but the TMC gave the event a miss after Banerjee's name did not feature in the list of invitees. "We had worked hard for the East-West Metro project. We had to literally shed tears for it (approval). I felt bad, that a small metro route was inaugurated, but I was not even informed about the inauguration," Banerjee said in the state assembly. She was the railway minister from 2009 to 2011 in the UPA-2 government. The first phase of the metro project connects a 4.88- km stretch between Salt Lake Sector V -- the IT hub of the city -- and Salt Lake Stadium. Reacting to Banerjee's comment, Union minister Babul Supriyo said a senior railway official had gone to the state secretariat to invite her. "There is a protocol of railways, whenever the prime minister is the chief guest, the chief minister is also invited. But here it was not the case. A senior official of the railways had gone to invite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. She should not politicise the matter," he said. CPI(M) legislative party leader Sujan Chakraborty said that Banerjee is "just paying for her past sins". "We feel that the chief minister should have been invited. But Mamata Banerjee has no right to speak on the issue. During the Left rule in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee as the railway minister did not invite state ministers on several occasions. So they (TMC) should be the last to talk about courtesy," Chakraborty said. Slamming the Union government, Banerjee said it is deliberately trying to deprive Bengal. She accused the Centre of trying to start the process of the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the garb of the National Population Register (NPR). "We will never allow the NPR in Bengal. It is nothing but a prelude to the NRC. I will also write to other states requesting them not to allow the NPR," Banerjee said. Criticising the opposition parties in the state for spreading "political pollution", the chief minister slammed the CPI(M) and the Congress for "politically surrendering" before the BJP. "The more the Congress inches closer to the CPI(M), the more it will lose its prominence. Wherever regional parties are strong, the Congress literally doesn't have any existence," she said. Banerjee also lashed out at Chakraborty for his comments that several TMC ministers have lost in terms of vote share in the last Lok Sabha polls, and said the CPI(M) should stop lecturing others as they themselves have "transferred votes to the BJP". Speaking on the death of two persons, who were killed in a clash over a protest programme against the CAA in Murshidabad district's Jalangi, Banerjee blamed the opposition parties for calling a strike on the day of Saraswati Puja. "Why did you guys call a strike on the day of Saraswati Puja. This strike was called in order to communalise the issue. We don't support it," she said. Banerjee praised Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar for delivering a "good address" and wished him good health. Referring to the incident of JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh being denied permission for a seminar on the Calcutta University campus, the chief minister said she shouldn't be taught courtesy. "We had condemned the attack on her inside JNU. Don't teach us courtesy. Have you forgotten the way you people (CPI (M)) used to behave with us? How I was beaten up at Hazra crossing?" she asked. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Rasana Gasimova OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desirs hasty reaction to the recent snap parliamentary elections, without properly studying the issue, demonstrates his bias against Azerbaijan, Head of the Presidential Administrations Department of Foreign Policy Affairs Hikmet Hajiyev told local media on February 14. Hajiyev said that Harlem Desir constantly demonstrates a firm anti-Azerbaijani position by deliberately inflating and politicizing the events taking place in the country. Hajiyev was commenting on Desir statement where he claimed that media representatives were mistreated by law-enforcers during the unauthorized rally held on February 11 outside of the Central Election Commission's building in Baku, following the snap parliamentary elections held in the country. The official pointed out to the double standards in Desirs treatment of Azerbaijan. For some reason, the human rights advocate Desir ignores the violation of human rights, the persecutions and arrests in Armenia. Armenias Prime Minister arrests his political rivals one by one, and threatens to raze them to the ground. Journalists in Armenia are being arrested and prosecuted. Last year, opposition politician and journalist Mher Yegizaryan died in prison after a hunger strike. Recently, oppositional VETO blogger Narek Malyan was arrested on charges of illegal weapon possession. We can also note Satik Seyranyan, Armen Tavadyan and other persons. However, we do not see any reaction from Desir regarding this issue. Obviously, Desirs attitude to human rights is determined by geographical locations, Hajiyev said. Furthermore, Hajiyev suggested that Azerbaijan might consider not extending Desirs mandate in June given Desirs abuse of power, immense fanning and politicization of issues. Azerbaijan held early parliamentary elections on February 9 in a bid to speed up economic and personnel reforms within the government. Some 883 international observers from 58 countries and 59 organizations and 77,790 local observers monitored the voting process in the snap parliamentary elections. On February 11, Azerbaijani Interior Ministry reported that police officers stopped an unsanctioned rally outside of the Central Election Committee by removing its participants from the venue of protest. Police also detained one of the protesters and his case is under investigation. It was noted that no protester was injured during the rally. On February 12, President Ilham Aliyev said that only irregularities in the proceedings took place during the election. He noted that existing violations will be seriously investigated, and those who have committed them will be punished. Following this, the Central Election Commission considered the appeals related to the elections in a special meeting held on Feburary 13 and annuled voting results at four constituencies. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Yep, the Tanner family house can now be yours...at a discount! Plus, ICYMI: Matrix 4 is taking over FiDi, SF Flower Market is moving to Potrero Hill, The French Laundry's head farmer gets in the cannabis game, and more local news to consider over mimosas this weekend. From The French Laundry to Cannabis: Aaron Keefer Lands at Sonoma Hills Farm, Forbes Former Thomas Keller Restaurant Group head culinary farmer Aaron Keefer is trading in Michelin stars for marijuana. His new position: vice president of cultivation and production at craft cannabis farm, Sonoma Hills Farm. Read more. Full House Victorian in San Francisco gets $500,000 price cut, Mercury News While a neighboring Painted Lady just sold for $3.5 million (never mind its need of a serious revamp), the Tanner family's residence is move-in readyand on the market for just under $5.5 million. Read more. What you need to know about the 'Matrix 4' filming in San Francisco, Datebook By now you've surely seen those pics of Keanu Reeves licking a Baskin-Robbins ice cream cone in Alameda and know that Matrix 4 filming is underway. Continue keeping tabs on the cast and crewor even shoot your shot and apply to be an extra. Read more. Vegan company Miyoko's Creamery sues California over labeling restrictions, SF Chronicle While for many California residents, plant-based diary alternatives are basically the real deal, the state's Department of Food and Agriculture doesn't exactly agree. After telling Miyoko's it couldn't call their product "butter"or use an image of a cow on their websitethe Sonoma-based company filed a freedom of speech lawsuit against them. Read more. In Potrero Hill, 395 homes pruned for SF Flower Mart instead, Curbed SF Rather than gaining nearly 400 new residencesthe OG plan for a pair of $99 million undeveloped lotsPotrero Hill will become the home of an SF resident since 1924, SF Flower Market. Read more. Coronavirus outbreak only seems to be getting worse with rising mortality rates and detections. The outbreak has affected many aspects of our lives and industries based out of China have been badly hit. Many passengers aboard a cruise ship docked near Japan are reportedly affected by coronavirus. Now Japanese authorities have decided to hand over 2000 iPhones to all the passengers stuck onboard. With the handouts, the authorities claim that every passenger will have an iPhone. This will allow passengers to access the Japanese Ministry of Health app and chat with a doctor. At this point in time, more than 100 passengers on the ship are quarantined and have tested positive for coronavirus. In all likelihood, the iPhones are loaner devices that have to be returned. Meanwhile, it is good to see how technology can come in handy when dealing with deadly outbreaks like coronavirus. Some might argue that it is pointless to handover iPhones presumably since every passenger would already be owning a smartphone. Well, the app in question is restricted to the Japanese app store and passengers with devices registered in other countries will not be able to download the app. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, in cooperation with the Ministry of Private Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, has decided to provide one smartphone (with a total of about 2,000) with the app installed to all the rooms onboard the Diamond Princess (cabins and crew rooms). Has announced that it has been distributed to all rooms. Passengers can use the app by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and reach out to doctors with questions related to medication or any other health-related query. [via Makotakara Shia leaders call for gender separation at anti-government rallies prompts hundreds of women to take to streets. Baghdad, Iraq Defiant chants and combative banners filled Tahrir Square in Iraqs capital Baghdad on Thursday as hundreds of women from all walks of life gathered to demand their rights. The march, spearheaded and organised by women, sought to challenge a Twitter post by Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr which called for gender segregation in the anti-government rallies that have swept across the capital and southern cities. The mercurial Shia leader, who initially backed the protest movement only to later withdraw his support and then reinstate it, had also suggested that demonstrators were making use of drugs and alcohol. We refuse [al-Sadrs] tweet, said 20-year-old protester Ruwayda Khteer. Were protesting for our rights because in Iraq theyve been stolen. Fuelled by long-standing grievances, the popular uprising has seen Iraqis take to the streets to demand basic services, more job opportunities and an end to government corruption and foreign interference in the country and women have been at the forefront of the movement. Both the young and old have played critical roles in securing the continuation of the protests by lending their support, including as first aid responders, artists, cooks and online activists. A new, confident generation One result of women taking on leading roles, protesters say, is that Iraqs often conservative gender dynamics have started to shift as more women carve out a place for themselves in the countrys public sphere. 180517053738881 Society inside the square has changed, said one of the march organisers, 23-year-old Fatama Ramadan. You can see theres a difference [in how women are perceived] between inside and outside [of Tahrir Square]. In Iraq, where gender segregation is often the norm, protesters have challenged the countrys conservative communities by sharing the same living quarters and ensuring the equal participation of both sexes. Taking into consideration that the challenges of violence [are] so great against them, but they have broken down all these tribal norms, the religious fatwa, the hegemony of male mentality against them. This is a new era we are living in, said 74-year-old Hanaa Edwar, an Iraqi civil rights activist. They are very much different from the old generation in this respect, said Edwar, who has been active in womens rights movements for more than 50 years. Edwar praised Iraqs young women for their public expression of anger and confidence in taking on the long-standing patriarchal norms and challenging the recent attempts to exclude them from the countrys popular uprising and the public sphere. This, she went on to say, is unique to todays women of Iraq. These young women, they are very much different from us, she said in reference to her own generation. They express confidence, they express the will and determination to be at the forefront of changing Iraq, she told Al Jazeera. Stop discrimination against women, stop gender segregation, they chanted [Sofia Barbarani/Al Jazeera] Even in the more conservative cities of Najaf, Karbala, Nasiriya and Basra, where women also rallied to march, they got respect from the local public opinion. I feel that the young people will never give up there is nothing to lose, we have nothing to lose. We are ready to die for the change and for our homeland, said Edwar. Wileding large Iraqi flags, the women in Tahrir Square also sang for their country. We will give our soul and blood to Iraq and only Iraq, they chimed in unison. Three women led the multitude: One wore a symbolic gas mask, another donned a black hijab, while the third wore a red and white keffiyeh around her head. Who is [al-Sadr] to say men and women should be separate? remarked Kamal Dabr, one of the people responsible for the security of the march. Beside him, men interlaced fingers in a long human chain set up to ensure the safety of the event. According to Dabr, he and other male protesters had been warned on Wednesday night of a potential attack on the march. Al-Sadrs die-hard supporters have recently attacked women protesters, said Dabr. A number of men also attended to ward off potential intrusions on the march [Sofia Barbarani/Al Jazeera] The men, tasked with keeping the women safe from ill-intentioned onlookers, kept a watchful eye as the women marched. Our voice is not shameful, its the key of the revolution, came the collective response to what they view as al-Sadrs attempt to marginalise them. Stop discrimination against women, stop gender segregation, they chanted. Amid Baghdads crowd of pinks and purples reminiscent of International Womens Day, Shams, a protester wearing oversized sunglasses and an infectious smile brandished a sign that read: Women rule the world. Muqtada al-Sadr said women shouldnt be here but were proving him wrong, said the 21-year-old. Other placards mirrored the anger and frustration of a generation of women yearning for change. I cant believe Im still protesting this s***, read a sign held by a keffiyeh-clad young woman. The woman is no less than the man, the female participants [also] fought in the protests, said 31-year-old journalist Shahad al-Khaleel who left her adoptive home of Jordan in October to join her countrymen and women in the anti-government movement. Over the course of the warm winter morning, celebratory ululations, chants and songs rang out through the heart of the capital. Onlookers perched on either side of the march, curious to get a glimpse of the boisterous women sweeping through Tahrir. Some men responded to the women with chants of their own. Heroes, we come to support you, they sang. Men and women have painted murals in graffiti in the once-neglected areas of Tahrir Square [Sofia Barbarani/Al Jazeera] But not everyone was in agreement with the womens chants. One young man said he supported the women but was quick to add that he agreed with gender segregation. We are a religious country, and Muqtada al-Sadr refuses such contact with women, he said. One elderly woman, disagreeing with the anti-Sadr sentiment of the march, pushed her way out of the crowd, waving her arms and hurling insults at the other women. I was supporting you, but now youre chanting against cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, she yelled, wielding a small Iraqi flag. On Thursday evening, al-Sadr took to Twitter to attack the march, calling it sinful and warning against the countrys moral demise. We shall not be slaves to temptation and the infidel West, he said. In what appeared to be a move to counter Thursdays protest, al-Sadr called on women to join his own march on Friday. Two Dublin men are to be extradited to Northern Ireland for the alleged attempted murder of a PSNI officer, a High Court judge has said. Dublin men Ciaran Maguire (aged 29), of Kippure Park, Finglas South and Sean Paul Farrell (aged 32), of Stannaway Road, Kimmage, are wanted in Northern Ireland for the alleged attempted murder of a police officer and possession of explosive substances with intent to endanger life. Both men face life imprisonment on both counts if found guilty. Today, Mr Justice Donald Binchy told the court that he considered all the arguments made for and against the men's surrender and "having done so, I'm satisfied that the arguments made against the surrender have to be rejected". He did not summarise his judgement, saying it's "long and detailed" and "doesn't lend to a summary". According to the men's European Arrest Warrant, the PSNI officers wife, also a serving PSNI officer, awoke in the early hours of June 18 and looked out her bedroom window and saw a male in the driveway on the ground at the driver's door of her husband's car. The male in the driveway appeared to be working on something underneath the car which was subsequently confirmed to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), according to the warrant. That same night, Mr Maguire and Mr Farrell were arrested in Co Donegal on suspicion of membership of an unlawful organisation, the court heard. 'Right to silence' Before Christmas, Mr Justice Binchy ordered that the Northern Irish authorities be asked if a trial court in Northern Ireland could "draw inferences pursuant to Article 3 and/or Article 4 of the Criminal Evidence [Northern Ireland] Order 1988" in connection with interviews carried out with the men outside Northern Ireland, namely in Millford and Letterkenny Garda Stations in Co Donegal. It followed an earlier hearing in which Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, for Mr Farrell, said his client exercised his right to silence when he was being interviewed in Milford Garda Station. As far as Mr Farrell knew, he was being questioned for the purpose of a prosecution in the Republic, Mr O Lideadha said. The barrister said Mr Farrell was not told, or warned, that if he exercised his right to silence in the garda station, he was liable to be prosecuted in Northern Ireland. There was a lawyer present in the garda station giving him advice on the law in the Republic, but not on the law in Northern Ireland. Mr O Lideadha said the trial process in Northern Ireland allows a judge to call an accused into the witness box and say, in front of a jury, if you dont get into the witness box, it will be permissible to draw adverse inferences against you. That cannot be done here, Mr O Lideadha said, adding that in this jurisdiction, a jury must be told in every case that if an accused does not give evidence, no adverse inferences can be drawn against them. Last month, after the High Court received its response from the Northern Irish authorities, Tony McGillicuddy BL, for the Minister for Justice, said the court asked a clear question" and it got "a clear response - namely that the prosecution would not ask the court to draw inferences. The barrister argued that the response had "effectively demolished the defence teams arguments. Mr McGillicuddy said that the defence teams argument that an adverse inference could still be drawn is entirely speculative and added speculation is never enough. Mr Justice Binchy held off making the extradition orders for the men today, to give them time to consider the judgement and put the matter down for mention on Wednesday, February 26. Education is the key to success, not only for an individual but more so for nations, but if education is provided anyway and anyhow, then the results shall be an obvious destruction for the individual and the nation. The coming into power of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has seen a number of educational interventions especially in the second and tertiary institutions. While the Free Senior High School (FSHS) Policy continue to be enjoyed by the citizenry, so are some tertiary institutions being completed whiles some existing ones are being renamed and others being split into several campuses. Whatever the case is, there is something happening to our education system. In 2017, the government of Ghana introduced the Free SHS Policy with the hope of increasing the literacy rate, and diversifying access to education to the vast majority of underprivileged societies and families. This policy was welcomed with mixtures of feelings, joy, confusion, doubts, and denials. The first batch of students under this educational initiative were admitted in September, 2017 which saw a total of over 400 000 students entering the various senior high schools in Ghana. While the period of education for the second cycle institutions remains three years, it stands to reason that the first batch of the Free SHS students will be completing in 2020. As the case has always been, various Universities and other tertiary institutions have or will be opening their doors of admissions, but the question we should be asking ourselves is are these Universities really ready for these huge number of students especially at the current state of our tertiary education? From the perspective of this write up, universities and various tertiary institutions are not ready for admissions for the 2020/2021 academic year and thus the Minister of Education should call for a suspension of the sales of admissions forms especially for public Universities and other tertiary institutions. This write up will give just five reasons why entrance to public tertiary institutes should be blocked for at least this academic year for the appropriate measures to be put in place. Although this may be a weird suggestion, it may be the best approach to remedying the inefficiencies in our education in Ghana. To begin with, accommodation challenges witnessed in most of the public universities in Ghana is indicative enough of the unpreparedness of admissions for the 2020/2021 academic year. In the 2019/2020 admissions in the various public universities in Ghana, it was monitored and reported of the accommodation challenge being faced by most universities. Daily Graphic reported on the August 30, 2019 that 9,000 students were stranded as a result of accommodation challenge in the University of Ghana, Legon. Similar in that same academic year in the University of Cape Coast, there were serious accommodation challenge which led the reading rooms of some Traditional Halls to be converted into dormitories. According to a news report cited on ucc.edu.gh , the accommodation challenge faced by the school currently is because the University of Cape Coast has traditional halls that can accommodate only 8,000 students out of the total 25,000 students it has. At the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the situation is no different. In spite of this challenge, application forms have been opened for the huge number of students from the Free SHS to apply into the public Universities without any Hall or hostel being built or inaugurated in any of our public universities nor various Colleges. Dear Minister, I humbly appeal that you move to suspend the sales of application forms for at least the public universities for the 2020/2021 academic year, so these universities and university colleges get ample time to prepare for the next decade of our educational life as a nation. Again, admitting students for the 2020/2021 academic year will breed havoc to science and technology education in the country. The framers of Ghanas 1992 Constitution thought it wisely to input article 38 (3) a. which says The State shall, subject to the availability of resources provide equal and balanced access to secondary and other appropriate pre-university, equal access to university or equivalent education, with emphasis on science and technology. The stress is on science and technology. This article was inserted into the constitution to demonstrate the essence of science and technology education to the development of the nation. However, the best is yet to be made from this aspect of our education. Take a tour to the science laboratories of most of the tertiary institutions in Ghana and it would be realized that there is a great lack of most of the equipments needed for science practice. How then will a Minister of State go to a hospital in Ghana when he or she is sick, looking at the quality and standards of science education in the country, and the caliber of people they produce for our various health centers? The general issue is that there is no roadmap for science and technology education in the country. It turns out that our various polytechnics that were converted to technical universities didnt bring any material benefit to the country as no technical university till date has been able to produce a common radio battery for sale in our market. So, instead of spending some good time to resolve the deficiencies and inefficiencies in our science, technology and technical education in the country, we keep admitting students and keep feeding them with the same theoretical chaffs for three or four years, whiles no better results are obtained from the graduates. As we are about to begin a new decade of our national life from 2020 to 2030, lets perform a clean-up exercise in our science, technology and technical education. Hold on with admissions for the 2020/2021 academic year, or produce graduates of nothingness for the next decade. More so, what make education what it is, is not the availability of giant buildings with beautiful paintings and art work, NO! What makes education what it is, is the availability of the academic materials such as books, better internet access for research, writing labs, and others which are needed to make teaching and learning possible. With the culture of introducing new courses almost every now then, it is therefore necessary for there to be the acquisition of more academic materials that could facilitate the learning process in our tertiary institutions. The unfortunate situation is that that is not the case. Take a tour to the libraries of most of the tertiary institutions in Ghana and you will be amazed at how virtually empty some book shelves of some academic programs or courses are. With the unavailability of academic materials and the Poor to almost a no-show internet access in most university campuses being the problem, are Universities and other tertiary institutions still planning of admitting students for the 2020/2021 academic year? Why not use this year to prepare the grounds for a better tertiary educational experience in the next decade? I leave this decision entirely in the hands of scholars who are the touchstone of knowledge and also the managers of these tertiary institutions. In January of this year, the Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Professor Kwesi Yankah, took a tour to some public institutions including the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and the likes, to inspect their preparedness for the 2020/2021 admissions of the first batch of graduates of the free SHS. On the face of things, this could be assessed as a great idea. However, one thing that must be noted is that it is not every high school graduate who would want to enter the University based on their own ambitions and purposes. The question to the minister then is what plans have been or are being put in place for students who wish to enter the various training colleges-teaching, nursing, pharmaceutical, technical, and others? If the Minister would be able to provide us, the stakeholders of education, with plans for these aspects of education, then some of us will have a glimmer of hope that our education is being developed on the whole and not in parts. When such assurances are given, we wont be bothered about the quality of graduates who are produced from these colleges of education, and other training colleges. Drawing a distinction between trained teachers and graduate teachers by the Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh speaks to the facts that there is a gab in the nature of our education, and this needs redress as we set off into a new decade. Until these issues are addressed, admissions for the 2020/2021 academic year should be suspended until all the necessary things are put in place for the next decade of our educational life as a nation. Lastly, what measures are being put in place to bridge students to lecturer ratio in our various Universities and other tertiary institutions in the country? In one of my meetings with a Principal administrator in my Department at the University, a lecturer once walked in to make some complaint about the number of students the lecturer has been assigned for a particular course for the semester. The complaint was not only about the difficulty of teaching the very large class, but the worry was also about how well can one lecturer ensure that students really do understand what the students are taught. This is not the only case I have witnessed. Most lecturers in the public Universities keep complaining about the size of the class they are assigned. Despite the unbalanced students to lecturer ratio in our various universities, application forms are still being opened for more students to troop in whiles more lectures are not being hired to cater for these numbers. According to a citifmonline.com news report in 2017, the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) found that the 2,676-academic staff in all the eight-public universities where inadequate to teach and supervise the academic work of more than 128,326 students. Three years down the line, after this observation, what has government done by far to bridge the gap? Today, the number of public universities have been increased which means more students enrollment in the public universities, but can we say same for the academic staffs? To appreciate the seriousness of the matter, and as stated earlier, over 400 000 students were admitted during the first batch entry into the various Senior High School under the Free Senior High School policy in Ghana during the 2017 school year. In 2020, these students are due to complete. If access to Public universities are not denied in the 2020/2021 academic year, then this means enrollment will shoot up in the various tertiary institutions. The question is are there enough lecturers to take care of these students? This and many other challenges can be anticipated of the 2020/2021 academic year and it is my humble appeal that we as a nation should not be in a haste to increase the burden on ourselves in the name of promoting literacy rate. I am not against mass literacy, but what I am against is the repetitive try and errors we constantly engage in with our education system in this country. It is therefore my hope that from this year, various stakeholders of education sit and begin to analyze the issues in our tertiary education system in other to find a long-lasting solution to it. Malcom X believes that Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. I will rephrase and say, Education is the passport to the future of every nation, for the prosperous future of Ghana is dependent on the strategic and healthy educational policies we make today. Lets not deny our nation of such an opportunity now. This write up is in honor of the 17th UCC Students Parliamentary Council, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Caleb Otabil, Hon. Felicity Sena Dogbatse, Hon. Michael Tene and Hon. Bright Buernor Kpalam. Author: Michael Ofori [email protected] Although it is now an "ex-tropical cyclone," Uesi continues to generate some moderate rainfall, especially in its southern quadrant as it moves toward New Zealand. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission or GPM satellite provided a look at the rainfall rates on Feb. 14 at 2:11 a.m. EST (0716 UTC). GPM found heaviest rainfall south of center and in bands far south of the center falling at rates of 1 inch (25 mm) per hour. Light rain appears around the entire system, falling at less than 0.2 inches (less than 5 millimeters) per hour. On Feb. 13 at 2218 UTC (5:18 p.m. EST), the New Zealand Met Service (NZMS) reported "Ex-Tropical Cyclone Uesi was located near Lord Howe Island this morning, and is moving southwest. The system is expected to gradually recurve towards the southeast and move close to the lower South Island during Sunday [Feb.16]." On Feb. 14, NZMS noted a Heavy Rain Warning is currently in effect for Westland south of Otira. A Heavy Rain Watch is in effect for the remainder of the South Island West Coast and Stewart Island. NZMS said "A heavy rain warning is in effect for the South Island West Coast and Stewart Island on Sunday [Feb.16] and early Monday [Feb. 17]. Former Tropical Cyclone Uesi is forecast to approach the South Island from the north Tasman Sea overnight Saturday and lie to the west of Fiordland on Sunday. It should then move southwest from late Sunday onwards and weaken. This system is expected to bring periods of heavy rain to the west and south of the South Island during Sunday and early Monday. Strong to gale north to northwest winds are also expected in parts of the South Island and the lower North Island during this time." ### 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. By Rob Gutro NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center The new Chancellor is ready to turn on the spending taps, Downing Street indicated yesterday. Attending his first Cabinet meeting in the role, Rishi Sunak repeated the Treasurys demand that departments must cut 5 per cent from their budgets so more cash can be spent on schools and hospitals. The Government appears to be keeping open the possibility of relaxing tough fiscal rules laid down by Mr Sunaks predecessor, Sajid Javid, which limit the amount Ministers can spend. Rishi Sunak, pictured, attended his first Cabinet meeting on Thursday following the shock resignation of his former boss Sajid Javid It is not yet known wehter Mr Sunak, pictured with Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Barclay, will deliver his first budget as planned on March 11 Mr Javid, pictured, handed back the keys to Number 11 after he was ordered to sack his entire team of advisers The new look cabinet sat for the first time on Thursday following the brutal reshuffle The Prime Ministers official spokesman would only say that the Government will continue to have a clear fiscal framework, rather than pledging to stick to the present one. It will add to speculation that the rules could change to enable Boris Johnson to spend billions more on infrastructure. The pound jumped on Thursday as investors bet that the promotion of Mr Sunak to Chancellor would herald the beginning of increased spending. There was also continuing confusion yesterday over whether the Budget will go ahead as scheduled on March 11. Number 10 would only say that extensive preparations have already been carried out and they would continue at pace. Yesterdays Cabinet meeting rubber-stamped Mr Johnsons new points-based immigration scheme designed to reduce the number of low-skilled migrants entering Britain from the start of next year. Ministers vowed it would lead to a reduction in the total number of migrants but were unable to say in what year net migration would actually start to fall. Yesterday Mr Javid wished Boris Johnson a Happy Valentines Day as he left his home a day after his dramatic resignation as Chancellor when he was told he had to sack all his advisers. Friends said that he intends to remain in Parliament rather than leaving to take up a lucrative private sector role. Opening yesterdays Cabinet meeting, Mr Johnson congratulated those present on achieving or retaining their jobs after a wide-ranging shake-up which saw a host of senior figures sacked. We have to repay the trust of people who voted for us in huge numbers in December and who look forward to us delivering, the premier said. Boris Johnson's new-look cabinet 1. Amanda Milling - Tory Chairman and Minister without Portfolio 2. Simon Hart - Secretary of State for Wales 3. Gavin Williamson - Education Secretary 4. Liz Truss - International Trade Secretary, Women and Equalities Minister 5. Matt Hancock - Health Secretary 6. Mark Sedwill - Cabinet Secretary 7. Boris Johnson - Prime Minister 8. Rishi Sunak - Chancellor 9. Therese Coffey - Work and Pensions Secretary 10. Robert Jenrick - Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary 11. Grant Shapps - Transport Secretary 12. Alister Jack - Scottish Secretary 13. Oliver Dowden - Culture Secretary 14. Stephen Barclay - Chief Secretary to the Treasury 15. Mark Spencer - Chief Whip 16. Suella Braverman - Attorney General 17. Jacob Rees-Mogg - Leader of the Commons 18. Anne-Marie Trevelyan - International Development Secretary 19. Baroness Evans - Leader of Lords 20. Alok Sharma - Business Secretary 21. Michael Gove - Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 22. Dominic Raab - Foreign Secretary 23. Priti Patel - Home Secretary 24. Ben Wallace - Defence Secretary 25. Robert Buckland - Justice Secretary 26. George Eustice - Environment Secretary 27. Brandon Lewis - Northern Ireland Secretary Advertisement The PM also engaged in a call-and-response session with his new team, asking them: How many hospitals are we going to build? before they replied in unison: Forty. Mr Johnson also asked the Cabinet how many more police officers would be recruited, to which they replied 20,000. Turning to economic matters, Mr Sunak reminded all Ministers that their departments must find 5 per cent savings so that money can be re-prioritised on other priorities. But, despite this, there were indications that ministers are considering watering down Mr Javids fiscal rules, which say that public sector net investment should not average more than 3 per cent of GDP, and that debt interest should not exceed 6 per cent of revenue. Asked whether these rules which were contained in the Conservative manifesto would continue, the PMs spokesman said: We will continue to have a clear fiscal framework, and that gets confirmed at Budget. The Chancellor is busy getting down to work and that will continue over the weekend as the preparations for the Budget continue. Downing Street said Ministers agreed the implementation of a points-based immigration system from January 1, 2021. The system will be simpler and fairer and will not discriminate between countries and would return democratic control of immigration to the British people, Mr Johnsons spokesman said. The PM stressed that we must demonstrate that the UK is open and welcoming to talent from across the world but the new system would end reliance on importing cheap, low-skilled labour bringing down immigration numbers overall. Mr Javid resigned as Chancellor on Thursday after refusing to bend to Mr Johnsons demand that he get rid of his advisers. The PM wants to set up a joint economic unit comprising of special advisors to both Number 10 and Number 11. It is understood that the new unit is to be headed by Liam Booth-Smith, one of Mr Johnsons special advisers. Have some oil sands companies made significant progress on reducing carbon emissions, as Albertas government has said? It depends how you define significant. Joule Bergerson, a professor in the chemical and petroleum engineering department at the University of Calgary, told me that shes seen reductions in carbon intensity the amount of greenhouse gas emitted per unit of energy extracted in the range of 15 percent to 20 percent. The companies themselves report having made significant reductions. Cenovus told me in a statement that its greenhouse gas intensity had fallen 30 percent in 15 years. Suncor said in a statement that emissions intensity at its oil sands base plant was down more than 60 percent since 1990. But Dr. Bergerson added that reductions on the scale weve seen so far arent necessarily going to change investors minds about quitting the oil sands because they still leave most of those projects well above the global average for carbon intensity. As she put it, those companies are really trying, and putting their money where their mouth is in terms of developing new technologies. Still, she said, it remains unclear whether theyll be able to cut emissions enough to persuade other investors not to leave. How willing were people in the industry and the Canadian financial community to speak with you? I was surprised by how difficult it was to get Canadian investors and oil sands companies to talk to me. Aside from the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, none of the large pension funds agreed to my requests for interviews. The biggest oil sands companies likewise declined my requests for interviews, though some agreed to respond to written questions. When I mentioned that to the people I spoke with, many of whom asked not to be identified, the explanation was that nobody wants to be the next one to get targeted by the premiers office. I would have asked Mr. Kenney about that, but his office declined my request for an interview. New Delhi: Feb 14 : The newly-created Department of Military Affairs (DMA) headed by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Bipin Rawat will look after all promotion and posting of Brigadier-rank officer and above in all the three tri-services, the Navy, Army and the Air Force. The CDS would also look after prioritization of all procurements. This role is part of a proposed structure of newly-created Department of Military Affairs (DMA), which will be headed by CDS. The government has given in principle approval to the proposal of DMA's formal structure. "The proposal has been made looking upon the structure of various bodies and ministries like Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Space Research Organisation and others," Major General Mukesh Agarwal, Defence Advisor to CDS, told IANS. As proposed, there would a DMA Secretariat which will have a Defence Advisor who will directly report of the CDS. The Secretariat would have three Deputy Defence Advisors and they will have various roles. The Secretariat would look after Promotion Board for all the three services of brigadier-rank officer and above. It would also look after posting of the brigadier and above rank officers. The DMA will have two secretaries -- one Secretary DMA and another Secretary (Transformation and Coordination). Secretary DMA would be CDS and Secretary (Transformation and Coordination) would be Chief of Integrated Defence Staff. Secretary (Transformation and Coordination) would also be known as Vice CDS. The DMA would comprise five joint secretary officers; three from services and two from Indian bureaucracy. Each Joint Secretary would have Deputy Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries. One Joint Secretary will be from Army, another from Navy and the third one from Air Force. A Joint Secretary (Army) would look after Indian Army and Territorial Army and a few other responsibilities. Joint Secretary (Navy) would look after Defence Staff (of all the three forces) and Joint Secretary (Air Force) would look after staff duties. Two other Joint Secretaries would be of Joint Secretary (works) and Joint Secretary (Legal & Vigilance and Establishment). These Joint Secretaries would have several deputy secretaries. Like Yovanovitch, he has had plenty of time to ponder the damage. Taylor dedicated his life to service within the vast foreign policy institutions that the United States built following the war. Since his days as an infantry officer in Vietnam, he lived by their rules, which he saw as cumbersome, but thorough, a necessity for a great power whose routine decisions could alter the course of millions of lives in faraway places like Kyiv or Mariupol. Job Opportunity with Standardbred Canada Position: Sales and Stakes Administrator Status: Permanent, Full-Time Department: Member Services Reports To: Member Services Manager & Registrar Our Mission: Standardbred Canada is the national leader that records and communicates information about Standardbred breeding and racing. Our Vision: Standardbred Canada is an essential support for the horse, industry and sport. Our Values: Its about the H.O.R.S.E. of course... Honesty / Integrity, Own It, Respect, Service to Others, Excellence Youre invited to be a part of our fun, dynamic and professional team. We are Standardbred Canada (SC), a non-profit association with over 6,000 members and the National Breed Registry for harness racing in Canada. We maintain and manage pedigree and racing data for Standardbred horses in Canada and promote and support the industry by offering equine news and services for our members and race fans through a national magazine, website and excellent customer service. We have an immediate full-time position available in the Member Services department of Standardbred Canada. Responsibilities (include but are not limited to): Maintain and execute all stake contracts including collection of stake payments, membership fees Add events and maintain stake content on SC Online including stake advertising in TROT Magazine Negotiate Pedigree contracts Develop and execute schedule for completion of Pedigrees Maintenance of the online Horses for Sale Board Provide back up to the other staff of Member Services department Other duties that may be assigned Qualifications: Background knowledge of the Standardbred industry Strong customer focus Intermediate working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel Self-motivated, enthusiastic, resourceful and strong team player Ability to work in fast-paced environment Detail oriented with excellent time management skills Previous experience in Customer Service is an asset but optional Interested applicants are asked to please send your cover letter, and resume to: [email protected] Deadline for application: February 28, 2020 We thank all those who apply but only those applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) on Friday issued maximum temperature warning to Thiruvananthapuram, Alapuzha and Kottayam districts in the state. "The maximum temperature is likely to be above normal by two to four degrees in the above-mentioned districts," said KSDMA. The authority has advised people to follow precautionary measures. "Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur and Sikkim are likely to receive light rainfall or snow during February 14- February 18," India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its All India Forecast Bulletin. Dry very likely to prevail over the rest of the country during the next five days. According to the IMD, Kerala is likely to witness partly cloudy sky for the next week and maximum temperature the maximum temperature that is expected to be recorded at 35 degrees Celcius. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The broader agreement is nearly identical to one negotiated in September that was canceled by President Trump after a Taliban attack that killed a U.S. soldier before it could be signed. The newly negotiated week-long reduction in violence, which is to encompass all of Afghanistan and include Taliban, U.S. and Afghan forces, is designed to show good faith on both sides. BEIRUT - A Syrian military helicopter was shot down Friday by the Turkish military in opposition-held northwestern Syria in the Aleppo province. The two crew members were killed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported the news, noting that the helicopter had crashed in the Qabtan al-Jabal area. The incident is the second of its kind in only there days. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 11:20:49|Editor: zyl Video Player Close CAPE TOWN, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The South African government is working to ensure that all state-owned enterprises (SOEs) fulfil their development mandate and are financially sustainable, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday evening. "In consultation with the Presidential SOE Council, we will undertake a process of rationalisation of our state-owned enterprises and ensure that they serve strategic economic or developmental purposes," Ramaphosa said in his state of the nation address. A number of SOEs in the country have suffered from state capture, corruption and mismanagement for years, the president said. The extent of state capture, corruption and mismanagement in SOEs is best demonstrated at South Africans Airways (SAA), Ramaphosa said. Due to significant financial losses, the national flag carrier was placed in business rescue in December. "The business rescue practitioners are expected to unveil their plans for restructuring the airline in the next few weeks," said Ramaphosa. In the interests of South Africa's aviation industry and the economy, it is essential that a future restructured airline is commercially and operationally sustainable and is not dependent on further government funding, he said. In addition to SAA, several other SOEs are in distress, and the country's public finances are under severe pressure, Ramaphosa said. "It is you, the people of South Africa, who carry this burden, confronted by rising living costs, unable to escape poverty, unable to realize your potential," he said. "This year, we are moving from the stabilization of state-owned enterprises to repurposing these strategic companies to support growth and development," Ramaphosa said. South Africa is facing a stark reality as the economy has not grown at any meaningful rate for over a decade, according to the president. Even as jobs are being created, the rate of unemployment is deepening, Ramaphosa said, vowing to build a capable state and place his country's economy on the path to recovery. Criminal breach of trust, criminal conspiracy, dishonesty and encroachment; these are some of the charges, included under the Forest Act, that Karnatakas newly appointed Forest Minister Anand Singh is facing. A turncoat MLA from Vijayanagara, Anand Singh is said to have forced Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa to give him the forest portfolio, less than 24 hours after he was given the food and civil supplies ministry. Yediyurappas decision received flak from various quarters and it brought the focus back on Anand Singh's erratic past, who has 15 criminal cases pending against his name from 2008-2013, under Karnataka Forest Act and the Mines and Minerals Act. Critics have raised several questions about the propriety of appointing a minister who is being prosecuted by the very officers who will report to him. 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. Also, he played down all the criminal charges and claimed that the cases against him are like "traffic offences". "...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.", he said. The matter is under trial before a special court in Bengaluru, with a hearing posted for February 26. WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Searchers found the body of British hiker Stephanie Simpson on Friday almost a week after she went hiking in a New Zealand national park. Her body was found in the Pyke Creek area of Mount Aspiring National Park near where her backpack and boots were retrieved earlier, police Sgt. Mark Kirkwood said. He said in a statement the search had been extremely challenging because of the rugged terrain. Kirkwood did not indicate there was anything suspicious about the death, which he said would be referred to a coroner. Simpson, 32, went hiking in the park last weekend and was reported missing on Monday. Her family had been desperate for any information. Brother-in-law Sam Hazelton had earlier told the New Zealand Herald that Simpson was an experienced hiker and very fit, having competed in triathlons and running races. Shes an extremely determined, strong-willed person, Hazelton said. Police earlier on Friday had narrowed the search to the Pyke Creek area and were using two dog teams as well as cliff and canyon rescue teams. Mount Aspiring National Park on New Zealands South Island is known for its rugged remoteness, its mountains and its striking river valleys. It is popular with both hikers and mountain climbers. The United Nations team in Ghana has paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah to ascertain the ministrys priorities and aspirations for 2020 and beyond. The said meeting which took place on February 11 at the Ministry had in attendance representatives of the various UN Agencies in Ghana. The UN Resident Coordinator, ad interim for Ghana, Sylvia Lopez Ekra indicated that 2020 is a special year. We have now 10 years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN Secretary-General is very clear that we need to accelerate the pace of delivery of our promises to the people. So he has declared 2020 a decade of action to accelerate the SDGs at the global level. According to her, the various UN agencies in Ghana which have been doing a lot of things with various government counterparts have started series of meetings with their key partners. "This is to enable them share the work that they do together as well as listen to the Ministers to find out their priorities and aspirations going forward for better coordination." In her remark, the Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah stated, With water, we are reviewing the National Water Policy which we normally do every 10 years. We also have as a government vision to establish the National Sanitation Authority which will put to rest, all matters of sanitation that will galvanize our efforts and make sure that funding is embedded in the Authority to take care of sanitation matters. Another area the Ministry is pursuing is proper data collection which she said, We all know what data does for us. It helps us with our developmental processes. She concluded that We will pledge our support to whatever you are doing in this country which is very good and also say that we are your partners as long as our jobs are concerned. (CNN) The amount of oil needed to run the global economy will decline sharply in the first quarter of this year as the coronavirus forces factories to close in China, snarls transportation and hits supply chains. Global oil demand in the first three months of 2020 is expected to drop by 435,000 barrels per day compared to a year earlier, according to the International Energy Agency, the first quarterly decline in more than a decade. The agency also marked down its forecast for oil demand growth for the whole of 2020. It is now expected to increase by just 825,000 barrels per day, the weakest annual pace since 2011. The Paris-based agency said Thursday that the oil market was expected to move towards balance in the second half of 2020 as coordinated production cuts by OPEC and its allies removed excess supply. But the coronavirus has slammed demand, forcing the cartel to consider even deeper reductions in output. The IEA said in its monthly oil report that the impact from the coronavirus was difficult to measure at this stage. "The onset of [the coronavirus] will likely have a large impact on both the world's economy and oil demand," said the agency. "Consequences will vary over time, with the initial economic hit on transportation and services, likely followed by Chinese industry, then eventually exports and the broader economy." Brent crude oil futures have tumbled by more than $16 or roughly 23% from their recent peak on January 8, reflecting fears that the coronavirus could be more damaging to the economy than the outbreak of SARS nearly two decades ago in China. China has become an indispensable part of global business since the 2003. It's grown into the world's factory, churning out products such as the iPhone and driving demand for commodities like oil and copper. The country also boasts hundreds of millions of wealthy consumers who spend big on luxury products, tourism and cars. China's economy accounted for roughly 4% of world GDP in 2003; it now makes up 16% of global output. The country is also the world's largest oil importer and the main engine of global oil demand growth. "There is little doubt that the virus will have a larger impact on the economy and oil demand than did SARS," the IEA said in its report. "While steps taken in China to reduce its spread were adopted earlier than in the SARS crisis and have been far more extensive, the profound transformation of the world economy since 2003 means China's slowdown today is bound to have a stronger global impact," it added. This story was first published on CNN.com, "The coronavirus will cause global oil demand to shrink for the first time in a decade." Mary Lou McDonald was still awaiting her St Valentine's Day letter from Micheal Martin, after her missive to the Fianna Fail leader suggesting they cosy up together for coalition talks. Martin, ever the coy Cork charmer, isn't sending his best wishes this year. The bruised leader won't be beguiled by his Sinn Fein counterpart's advances. Instead, gutted after the election, he looks left with little choice but to befriend his political nemeses, Fine Gael. Politics makes strange bedfellows. We are now witnessing political suitors dancing at the crossroads. Only a week ago today, the electorate went to the polls and demanded change. And in huge numbers. Instead, all suggestions point to a major standoff. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are refusing to work with Sinn Fein, but are leaving the door open to coalescing with each other. Martin said as much yesterday, while Taoiseach Leo Varadkar admitted so twice during the election campaign. Speaking to the Sunday Times, Varadkar said: But as both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have ruled out Sinn Fein if the numbers don't add up [with] Labour, Greens, Social Democrats and Independents, then there's only two possibilities. "Either Fianna Fail and Fine Gael work together or we have a second election. Equally, Martin admitted on RTE that he would be open to talks with Fine Gael and that a second election could not be ruled out. Both camps accept as a coalition this is potentially the best of the worst options. And much more preferable than a second election, where Sinn Fein could likely come back with even stronger numbers. Government negotiations in 2016 took 70 days. Nobody wants that this time. So what similarities or differences are there between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael? A scan of their individual election manifestos reveals a striking correlation between the two centrist parties' election promises, from health to housing to climate change. Any grand coalition involving Martin and Varadkar would need to prioritise housing. Its plans would likely go beyond the estimated 40,000 new homes a year promised by both in their manifestos. Their promised supports for first-time buyers are also not a million miles apart, with Fianna Fail aiming for a 10,000 upfront deposit and the 20,000 help-to-buy scheme while Fine Gael would cap the latter option at 30,000. Both parties promise minimal property tax rises. In health, similar staff and service increases are on the cards. Both promise an extra 2,600 hospital beds this year, while nurse numbers would rise by between 4,000 and 5,000. A key gap between the two parties is Fine Gael's pledge to allocate an extra 3bn more on health than Fianna Fail. But their business supports and public sector pay expectations are similar. Both would maintain the 12.5% low corporate tax rate while public sector pay increases have been budgeted at a cost of between 1.2bn and 2bn over five years. One major difference is Fianna Fail's pledge to reduce capital gains tax to 25%, which Fine Gael has warned is the dumbest tax change ever. On personal taxation, there are important gaps, largely reflected in Fine Gael's plans. Its income tax promises would benefit the average worker by 3,000 and it would increase the rate at which higher income tax is paid from 35,300 to 50,000. Both parties want to reduce USC. On pensions, they are neck and neck and agree there should be a transition payment when claimants reach 66. There are also similarities in commitments to increase carbon taxes to 80 a tonne by 2030, while both want to increase renewable electricity usage to 70% by 2030. So both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are broad churches. They will talk to their members. And the hope at this stage - if there is a super coalition that would involve them and others - is that the two parties could come up smelling of roses, after five successful years in a political marriage of convenience. They may choose to ignore Sinn Fein at their peril, but burying the hatchet on their civil war history could be a lot easier than we think. It just might take time. Partners Mike Adams and John Van Zandt have completed the Beanery restoration portion of their mixed use redevelopment project near the train station in Fredericksburg. Next up, the adjacent condominium project called The Lofts at Frederick Street. The restored 1880 Beanery, so named because of its original use as the JanneyMarshall Kenmore Coffee Co. roastery and warehouse, provides 6,500 square feet of commercial space on three levels. Adams, owner of Jon Properties, a real estate development company in Fredericksburg, said the space will initially serve as the sales and design office for the condominiums, which he expects to be completed this December. After that, the Beanery space will offered to a single or as many as four different tenants. It has built-in flexibility and can be configured with additional bathrooms or a kitchen if needed. Weve restored a piece of city history here, but you would never be able to charge enough rent to pay for it, Adams said during a tour of the building earlier this week. Thats why the condosnew constructionare absolutely necessary to make the project work [financially]. You couldnt do this without the other. Volunteer firefighters were sent to tackle raging blazes with outdated trucks, faulty masks, poor communication equipment and inadequate training. Firefighters across Australia risked their lives for months with 30-year-old trucks that lacked the latest protective materials and had little protection from falling trees. Volunteers from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia were also sent to life-threatening front lines with inadequate equipment. Volunteer firefighters were sent to tackle raging blazes with outdated trucks, faulty masks, poor communication equipment and inadequate training. Pictured: Rural Fire Service firefighters conduct property protection near the town of Sussex Inlet Firefighters across Australia risked their lives for months with 30-year-old trucks that lacked the latest protective materials and had little protection from falling trees As they battled out-of-control fires from September to February, volunteers in rural areas had a lack of resources despite being hit the hardest, according to The Weekend Australian. A funding plea from the NSW Rural Fire Service to upgrade worn and outdated trucks has been untouched by the NSW government for months, the newspaper reported. But now that fires are finally under control for the first time since September, attention is on equipment that needs updating. Volunteer organisations found themselves with little-to-no support and with a lack of resources that were often already being used by paid firefighting services. Crews in New South Wales found themselves with trucks that were not equipped to withstand extreme conditions. Some trucks did not have emergency watering systems to keep tyres from melting in the heat and batteries from failing. Other trucks did not have heat resistant material both for the truck and the firefighters. Joe Arena, the treasurer of Copacabana Rural Fire Brigade turned to crowd funding in December to help buy essential fire fighting masks Volunteers from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia were sent to life-threatening front lines with inadequate equipment. Pictured: Volunteer firefighters in Menai A business case submitted to NSW Emergency Services Minister David Elliott detailed the deficiencies found in the 3,820 trucks in the RFS. Of those trucks many were found to be of poor quality, with some almost 30 years old and had an absence of roll bars. The NSW RFS also raised concerns over the efficacy of P2 masks and a severe shortfall in the number of volunteers. Brian McDonough, president of the NSW Rural Fire Service Association, said with the current funding the old trucks cannot be replaced quickly enough. 'Some of the trucks are over 25 years old and therefore the protection and technology is not the same as the trucks that are less than four or five years old,' he said. As they battled out-of-control fires from September to February, volunteers in rural areas had a lack of resources despite being hit the hardest. Pictured: An RFS volunteer in Sussex Inlet in Decmeber The NSW RFS also raised concerns over the efficacy of P2 masks and a severe shortfall in the number of volunteers Victorian firefighters raised similar concerns with their fleet, which is believed to be the oldest in the country. Many trucks are believed to be more than 30 years old and volunteer numbers are the lowest in history with only 34,380 operational volunteers. The Victorian volunteer firefighting training program has also been deemed inadequate. In South Australia not all trucks have life-saving fire curtains and sprinkler systems to cool down windows in the trucks. Rural Fire Service (RFS) firefighters prepare for property protection near the town of Sussex Inlet on December 31 Of the NSW trucks many were found to be of poor quality, with some almost 30 years old and had an absence of roll bars. Pictured: RFS firefighters in Sussex Inlet The outdated vehicles also cannot be fitted with modern equipment due to budgetary pressures. Volunteer crews also battled fires with sub-par breathing masks, outdated GPS and IT systems and a shortage of helicopters. NSW RFS members received P2 masks while fighting but these were deemed inadequate as they do not keep out gas or smoke. Some crews paid for their own masks or fundraised to get proper breathing apparatus due to their concerns over the efficacy of the masks. Since its inception in 2018, Chinese social networking app TikTok has become widely popular among American users between the ages of 16 and 24. In truth, the apps reach extends beyond China and the U.S. more than 1.5 billion people use TikTok globally. The app, which allows users to create short, comedic clips set to music, has become so popular that celebrities, including Cardi B and the Jonas Brothers, have been vying with one another for followers. Cybersecurity experts and lawmakers, however, have expressed concerns over TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-based technology company ByteDance and has allegedly censored topics considered sensitive by the Chinese Communist Party. In January 2020, Check Point Research revealed several security risks that TikTok says it has since addressed. Those vulnerabilities would have allowed hackers to access accounts, delete videos, upload unauthorized clips and reveal personal information attached to the accounts, according to the cyberthreat research group. The research presented here shows the risks associated with one of the most popular and widely used social apps in the world, Check Point noted in its report. Such risks enforce the essential need for privacy and data security in the cyber world we live in. Data breaches are becoming an epidemic. The unease over TikTok, in fact, dates back to as early as October 2019, when members of the U.S. Congress also issued their warnings over the apps use. That month, Senator Marco Rubio, of Florida, wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, calling for an investigation into TikTok over its censorship practices. The Chinese governments nefarious efforts to censor information inside free societies around the world cannot be accepted and pose serious long-term challenges to the U.S. and our allies, Rubio wrote. Senators Chuck Schumer and Tom Cotton, of New York and Arkansas respectively, later followed up with a letter of their own to then Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, requesting an inquiry into the national security risks that TikTok posed. Story continues TikToks terms of service and privacy policies describe how it collects data from its users and their devices, including user content and communications, IP address, location-related data, device identifiers, cookies, metadata, and other sensitive personal information, the senators wrote. While the company has stated that TikTok does not operate in China and stores U.S. user data in the U.S., ByteDance is still required to adhere to the laws of China. In November 2019, Reuters reported that the U.S. government under pressure from several lawmakers (including those aforementioned in this article) officially launched an investigation into ByteDances billion-dollar acquisition of American social media app Musical.ly, which the tech company later rebranded as TikTok. In an effort to quell concerns at the time, TikTok had repeatedly insisted that China did not have any jurisdiction over the apps content, adding that the app itself did not operate out of China. Yet, TikToks attempt to put authorities at ease was futile the following month (in December 2019), the U.S. Army banned soldiers from using TikTok, citing guidelines the Pentagon rolled out. It is considered a cyber threat, Lt. Col. Robin Ochoa, an Army spokeswoman, explained to Military.com at the time. We do not allow it on government phones. In light of the security flaws and accusations, TikTok has continuously maintained that it has done its due diligence in following U.S. regulations. TikTok has made it clear that we have no higher priority than earning the trust of users and regulators in the US, a TikTok spokesperson told Vox. Part of that includes working with Congress and we are committed to doing so. At the start of 2019 TikTok US brought in a country general manager and a US Head of Trust and Safety who have autonomy over moderation policies. It does not restrict videos based on political content. All of this is to say that users should probably treat TikTok with caution like they would with any other social platform (read: Facebook, Twitter, etc.). Almost all of these platforms are vulnerable to security flaws, and anyone who decides to open a TikTok account should know fully well what they are getting into. While social media is a great tool to connect with friends and strangers alike, it should never be mistaken as a safe space for personal content. By Peter Nurse Investing.com - European stock markets are set to edge higher Friday, helped by gains in Asia overnight and better-than-expected bank earnings in both the U.K. and France. At 02:35 ET (0735 GMT), the DAX futures contract traded 9 points, or 0.1% higher. France's CAC 40 futures were flat, while the FTSE 100 futures contract in the U.K. rose 18 points, or 0.2%. Futures on the pan-eurozone index, the Euro Stoxx 50, gained 2 points, or less than 0.1%. Chinas Hubei province, the region at the epicenter of the coronavirus, reported almost 5,000 new cases, suggesting the surge to nearly 15,000 reported a day earlier was down to a new method for counting infections. The overall death toll in China now comes in at 1,380, while total cases topped 63,000. British banking group RBS (LON:RBS) and France's Credit Agricole both reported earnings significantly above exepectations early Friday, prompting it to announce a special dividend after group net profit soared to 4.2 billion pounds. Across the Channel, France's Credit Agricole (PA:CAGR) also posted strong earnings, bolstered by another good quarterly performance from asset management subsidiary Amundi, Europe's largest fund manager. German payments company Wirecard (DE:WDIG) meanwhile reiterated its guidance for core profits of 1-1.12 billion euros ($1.08-$1.21 billion) this year, implying growth of 34%, after notching another solid rise in earnings and revenue, despite the ongoing controversy over its accounting practices. There was worse news from Renault (PA:RENA), however, which posted an annual loss of 141 million euros ($153 million) - its first in 10 years - cut its dividend for 2019 and warned that auto demand remained volatile. This follows Nissan, of which Renault is a major shareholder, cutting its annual profit forecast and stating it would not pay a dividend in the second half of the year. News surrounding the Covid-19 virus outbreak continues to keep markets on edge, although officials tried to play down a big jump in China's count of patients and victims this week. Story continues The World Health Organization said that 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. Still, doubts remain over the accuracy of these figures, with the White House calling on Beijing to be more transparent over its handling of the coronavirus outbreak. At 2:10 AM ET (0710 GMT), Chinas benchmark Shanghai index traded 0.4% higher, the Hang Seng in Hong Kong up 0.3%, while the KOSPI in South Korea closed 0.5% higher. Japan's Nikkei bucked the trend, as it closed 0.7% lower, not helped by the news of the first coronavirus death in the country. In economic news, growth figures for the eurozone as a whole are scheduled for release Friday, with the fourth-quarter GDP figure due at 5:00 AM ET (1000 GMT). The German release, earlier Thursday, came in flat on the quarter, instead of the 0.1% gain expected, and doesnt bode well for the broader number. Elsewhere, the oil market traded in a calm fashion Friday, with all eyes on Russia to see whether it agrees to go along with the rest of the OPEC bloc and participate in deeper production cuts. AT 2:10 AM ET (0710 GMT), U.S. crude futures traded 0.1% higher at $51.48 a barrel and the international benchmark Brent contract was flat at $56.34. Additionally, gold futures fell 0.1% to $1,578.15/oz while EUR/USD traded at $1.0840, just off the $1.0828 low seen over night, the lowest level since early 2017. Related Articles HSBC, Shell Send Staff Home in H.K., Singapore on Virus Threats Cruise industry gives Asia a wide berth as it seeks to limit coronavirus risks Renault sets lower profit goal in crunch reboot year Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Google is adding a special feature for Valentine's Day that will make the occasion memorable. On Google Assistant-enabled smart devices, just say "Hey Google, turn up the love" to unlock some romantic gestures. Love and relationships can get really smart in the age of technology. Don't believe us? Ask Google! Google is adding a special feature for Valentine's Day that will make the occasion memorable with or without a partner. As the official blog notes, on Google Assistant-enabled smart devices, just say "Hey Google, turn up the love" to unlock some romantic gestures by the smart assistant. The Assistant will play smooth jazz music. If you have colour-changing smart lighting, it will make them glow red and purple tones. You can further use the Assistant to ask for special romantic dinner recipes, learn to say "I love you" in eight different languages, and show you restaurants or florists near you to help plan a perfect day. Tourists are disappearing from major attractions in Vietnam, including the UNESCO-recognized Hoi An Ancient Town in the central province of Quang Nam, as the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread to the countrys 16th patient. Nestled in the central coast of Vietnam, Hoi An is an attraction popular with both domestic and foreign visitors. Since the small town, located in the namesake city in Quang Nam, was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, its popularity has skyrocketed. Hoi An welcomed 5.35 million tourists, three-quarters of whom were foreigners, in 2019, against a permanent population of just over 150,000. However, local people have reported seeing a 'different' Hoi An in the past weeks as the COVID-19 epidemic hits the country. The An Hoi Bridge in Hoi An Ancient Town, located in the central province of Quang Nam, is captured in February 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre The novel coronavirus has killed nearly 1,400 people since it first struck the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019. In Vietnam, 16 people have tested positive for the virus, seven of whom have fully recovered. The Southeast Asian country, which shares its northern border with China, declared COVID-19 a nationwide epidemic on February 1 and banned all flights to and from China. Since the flight ban was put in place, Asian tourists notably Chinese, South Korean, and Japanese have been largely absent from Hoi An while Westerners dominate the number of foreign visitors to the old town. Visitors walk near the Cau Pagoda (Japanese Covered Bridge) in Hoi An Ancient Town, located in the central province of Quang Nam, in February 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre Hoi An is now as calm and quiet as [it was] 10-20 years ago, with the majority of tourists being Westerners, a local resident told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. Nguyen Van Son, vice-chairman of Hoi An, told Tuoi Tre that Asian tour operators dropped the old town from their itineraries, resulting in a decline by 10-20 percent in the number of visitors to the attraction. Nguyen Thi Lan, a local resident on Nguyen Huy Dieu Street, which is less than a ten-minute walk from the center of Hoi An, told Tuoi Tre that she had stopped visiting the downtown area regularly since it became so packed with tourists. But in the past few days, my husband and I would go for a walk to the town center to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere there every afternoon, Lan said. Westerners visit a cafe in Hoi An Ancient Town, located in the central province of Quang Nam, in February 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre The novel coronavirus disease, officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday, has killed 1,383 people and infected over 64,400 globally as of Friday morning, according to the South China Morning Post. Vietnams 16 confirmed cases of the viral infection include 13 Vietnamese, one Vietnamese American, and two Chinese. Eleven of them hail from the northern province of Vinh Phuc, while the other cases were reported in Ho Chi Minh City, Khanh Hoa Province, and Thanh Hoa Province. The Chinese patients are among seven of the 16 cases that have fully recovered. A street in Hoi An Ancient Town, located in the central province of Quang Nam, is captured in February 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre Westerners visit a cafe in Hoi An Ancient Town, located in the central province of Quang Nam, in February 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre A street in Hoi An Ancient Town, located in the central province of Quang Nam, is captured in February 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre Foreigners ride bicycles on a countryside road in Hoi An Ancient Town, located in the central province of Quang Nam, in February 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre A man drives a cyclo on a street in Hoi An Ancient Town, located in the central province of Quang Nam, in February 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre Visitors stand on the bank of the Thu Bon River in Hoi An Ancient Town, located in the central province of Quang Nam, in February 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre The Thu Bon River in Hoi An Ancient Town, located in the central province of Quang Nam, is captured in February 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre Foreigners ride bicycles on a countryside road in Hoi An Ancient Town, located in the central province of Quang Nam, in February 2020. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 01:15:40|Editor: yan Video Player Close JUBA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's President Salva Kiir on Friday rejected any possible reduction in the current number of 32 states after consulting with local leaders in Juba. Kiir said that his government is sticking to its earlier position of maintaining the 32 states or more states after failing to recently agree with Riek Machar, leader of the main-opposition group the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) over the contentious issue in Ethiopia. "What brought us here today is the issue of states, I brought this to you so that you decide, my brother Riek Machar and other non-South Sudanese who are living with the blood of South Sudanese people have different suggestions on the table, the government is saying 32 states plus Abyei," Kiir told local leaders during consultation meeting in Juba. The SPLM-IO favors reverting to between ten states and 23 states. "IGAD(Intergovernmental Authority on Development) and the international community said they need a lean government. We have reached a deadlock, that's why we came back for consultation. We were given six days until tomorrow (Saturday) we will take back what you will decide," said Kiir. He also criticized foreign influence in the ongoing stalemate over the unresolved number of states issue with the opposition, adding some of these foreign players have shown bias during the talks. "I have fought the so-called special envoys. They will tell us here something and go there to their heads of states with different information. There are people who stay with us and who have made South Sudan their own project for food, one day if we reach an agreement they will be jobless and this is what they don't want," said Kiir. Deng Macham, head of South Sudan's council of traditional chiefs, said that South Sudanese people are comfortable with 32 states plus Abyei administrative area or even more. He added that any decision to change the current status quo would unravel nascent peace gains by throwing the country back to conflict. "We as traditional chiefs want to meet with the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and Riek Machar to ask him why he wants to reduce the number of states, and where he is going to take the rest. We even need 37 states to leave alone those 32 people are talking about," said Macham. Kiir on Wednesday said that he had made tactical withdrawal after the failed talks with Machar in Addis Ababa in order to consult with citizens. The former warring parties are expected to return to the negotiating table in Addis Ababa on Feb.15. Meanwhile, Machar has welcomed the East Africa bloc council of ministers recommendations of 10 or 23 states and not 32 as maintained by Kiir. "We welcomed the recommendations of the Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC) of 10 states, the recommendations of the IGAD council of ministers of 10 or 23 plus one state (Abyei) and the outcome of the tripartite summit of the three heads of state and government of 10 states," Machar said in a statement issued in Juba. The IGAD heads of states during the regional body's 34th Extra-ordinary summit last week, accepted Juba's request to undertake further consultation on the number of states. The issue remains the main contentious issue alongside security arrangements, which are delaying the formation of the much-awaited transitional unity government (TGoNU) slated for Saturday. IGAD in its official communique released after the meeting said it recognized that the issue of the number of states and their boundaries is an internal South Sudanese matter and hence, solution should come from the South Sudanese people. South Sudan descended into conflict in December 2013, after President Salva Kiir sacked his deputy Riek Machar leading to fighting between soldiers loyal to the respective leader. The two leaders are currently implementing the 2018 revitalized peace agreement but have twice failed to form the unity government due to disagreement on the outstanding issues. Craig Conover may very well be Southern Charms hopeless romantic. The lawyer turned textile entrepreneur recently revealed he hopes to find his soul mate and seems to be ready to settle down. This is probably not breaking news for Southern Charm fans. Conover was happily nesting with Naomie Olindo for a few years. However, the couple fell into a funk and eventually endured a painful breakup. Conover told Showbiz Cheat Sheet he felt lost after the breakup and ventured down to the Bahamas. Craig Conover| Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Charleston is such a small social circle, he said. After being here like 12 years I felt like I couldnt break out of these walls around me. Plus I just wasnt meeting anyone who wasnt connected to my ex and it just wasnt the best atmosphere to allow me to move on. He certainly got his groove back in the Bahamas and ultimately threw himself into creating and building his company, Sewing Down South. Now Conover is ready to find that perfect person. Hes dating (but not on the show) Conover assembled for a BravoCon panel along with other cast members from Southern Charm, Shahs of Sunset and Vanderpump Rules. Austen Kroll told the audience that Conover needs to go on more dates because he didnt date anyone this season. But Conover pushed back on that statement. On the show! I do my stuff in secret! I took someone to Frozen last week, Conver said. OK, this season I will be dating a lot on the show. Its my year to go out on dates. Reza Farahan from Shahs of Sunset joked that Conover will be doing a three-way with a Housewife. Last season a good portion of the Southern Charm storyline revolved around Krolls infamous three-way. The guys also joked about getting Conover to make out with audience members too. But then Conover says, I would bang Patricia [Altschul]! I would give it to Patricia. He laughs as he knows that would push her son, Whitney Sudler-Smith over the edge. Hes ready to be someones steady Valentine All kidding aside, Conover may be just ready to settle down. He is finally established in a successful career and recently turned 32. A local Charleston nightclub recently shared a text exchange they had with Conover about his Valentines Day plans. Apparently, Conover texted someone from the nightclub about their Valentines Day special evening event. The nightclub, Trio, shared their lineup and Conover ended up sharing the event on his Instagram story. During the text exchange, Conover revealed his weekend plans and the person texting with Conover added that the club will also be holding a fundraiser. Thats when Conover added, Im ready to meet my soulmate. Certainly, Conover will have plenty of dating choices. He received plenty of shout outs from fans who are rooting for him and are in his corner. Happiness looks good on you keep on doing your own thing!! one person commented. Another person simply wrote, Looking handsome. After years of setbacks, medical marijuana advocates in Kentucky gained momentum Wednesday when a House committee overwhelmingly approved a bill to legalize medical cannabis. The House Judiciary Committee advanced the measure on a 17-1 vote. The bill moves to the full House next, and one of its lead sponsors, Rep. Jason Nemes, predicted it will pass by a wide margin. It would still have to pass the Senate, where its prospects are more uncertain. The committee room was filled with advocates who have pressed for years to legalize medical marijuana for people battling chronic pain and debilitating medical conditions. One Kentucky advocate, Eric Crawford, told lawmakers he already uses medical marijuana as an alternative to opioids to deal with pain and muscle spasms. Crawford suffered spinal cord injuries in a vehicle crash more than two decades ago. Im not the only sick person in Kentucky in this predicament, he said in emotional testimony. There are thousands of other sick people in our state that use cannabis medically and are considered lawbreakers. Do you think were all criminals? He urged lawmakers to do the right thing and legalize what they consider a form of medicine. It is your moral duty to help those less fortunate than you, Crawford said. It is your job to enact laws for the betterment of sick Kentuckians. Some committee members pointed to overwhelming support from constituents back home to legalize medical marijuana as they voted for the bill. Advocates say medical marijuana would lessen dependence on pain medications in a state haunted by opioid addiction. Medical marijuana is already legal in 33 states. Smoking medical cannabis would not be permitted under the bill. Consumption could take place through such forms as pills and oils. A regulatory board would determine what conditions would qualify for doctors to prescribe marijuana to patients. The board would consist of eight doctors, four public advocates and a pharmacist. Republican Rep. Kim Moser, who voted against the bill, said more research is needed on the health benefits of medical marijuana. I just want to make sure that seriously ill patients get the appropriate treatment and care that they need and deserve, she said. And I just want to make sure that they are getting the medication that they think theyre getting. Kent Ostrander of The Family Foundation told the committee that the state shouldnt rely on anecdotal-based assumptions about medical marijuana. He acknowledged that there is medicine in the cannabis plant, but added: we just want to make sure that the good in the plant can be extracted and the bad can be removed. But do we fully know whats in the cannabis plant? After the lopsided committee vote for the bill, Crawford who has been a frequent visitor to the state Capitol to promote the cause acknowledged it was only an initial victory. Weve got a lot of work ahead of us, he said. ___ The legislation is House Bill 136. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Cannabis Kentucky The Presbyterian Church has launched an investigation into the leadership of a Dublin church which allowed a man in a same-sex marriage to be an elder, it has been reported. Steven Smyrl (53) lost his position of 12 years with Christ Church in the city's Sandymount area in October after complaints that he was in a same-sex marriage. Mr Smyrl and his partner Roy Stanley, who have been together for 20 years, entered into a civil partnership in 2011 and got married in November 2018. Now the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) has launched in inquiry as to why Christ Church leaders allowed Mr Smyrl to remain in his position for a year after his marraige, the BBC reports. In the wake of his dismissal, Mr Smyrl claimed that the Presbyterian Church commission which investigated his case acted in an "oppressive and vindictive manner" and he felt bullied. After news broke of his dismissal in October, Presbyterians in Dublin staged a protest outside a church meeting over the decision. The Presbyterian Church, however, defended its decision, after initially staying silent on the issue until last month. Rev Jim Stothers, the Church's Deputy Clerk, said much of the criticism was "uninformed". Writing in the Belfast Telegraph, Rev Stothers said that, while no one was denying Mr Smyrl's right to enter into a same-sex relationship, "it shouldn't come as a surprise that it was found to be contrary to the Church's clear and settled position that being in a same-sex marriage is not compatible with being in the ordained leadership of the Church. Jesus teaches that marriage is exclusively between one man and one woman". On February 7, the PCI's judicial commission overturned a previous decision not to take any further action against the minister the church council of Christ Church, Sandymount, and ruled an inquiry should take place. In a statement, a PCI spokesperson said: "Following consideration of matters connected with the congregation of Christ Church Sandymount in Dublin a number of questions remain. "The Presbytery of Dublin and Munster, the body responsible for overseeing congregations in that area, will be putting those questions to the leadership of the congregation. "A representative small group will review the answers provided and then report to the full presbytery for detailed consideration and any necessary decisions." Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 09:24:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SHANGHAI, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Muhammad Mansoor Alam Khan, a 26-year-old from Pakistan, always wows others with his fluent Mandarin. Now, People are more impressed at his choice to stay and become a volunteer in Shanghai during the coronavirus outbreak. Putting on a mask, a pair of goggles and a protective suit, Khan began distributing masks and manuals on epidemic prevention to locals, before heading to a highway checkpoint to help inspect vehicles entering Shanghai. He took body temperatures of drivers and passengers and reminded them to scan a QR code to register their physical conditions. "Few people can tell that I am a foreigner since I'm well-armed. They are astonished and often express their gratitude to me when they find out," Khan said. Khan came to China in 2015 for a master's degree in electric engineering at Xi'an Jiaotong University. After graduation in 2018, he found a job as an engineer in Shanghai and stayed. Nearly 20 foreigners live in the same community as Khan in Waigang Township of Jiading District. The young man has become a coordinator between the community workers and foreign residents. "Some occasionally question me about taking their body temperatures, and I'll explain to them that early detection is the most effective method to prevent further transmission of the virus," Khan said. His presence also motivated local volunteers. "Other volunteers are happy that I joined them. I think my presence makes them feel that they are not alone and that many are standing along with Chinese people to combat the epidemic," said Khan. Data from local authorities showed over 58,000 people have joined volunteer organizations in Shanghai. They are an important force in China's community-based prevention and control, shouldering a range of important tasks. Khan decided to stay in Shanghai after much consideration during the Spring Festival. "It's no big deal. China has given me a good education, job and cozy life. It is the least I can do to pay back," said Khan. "China is my second home and it now needs me." His family also supports his decision. "Both my sisters are doctors, and they always stay in the hospital to take care of patients during festivals," said Khan. "My father always said helping others is the best path to happiness." "I think the Chinese government is doing the best and providing the best solutions available at the moment," said Khan. "We foreign residents should support and stand together with China. Let's knock out this virus together." Looking ahead, Khan said going out for hotpot would be on top of his agenda after the epidemic. "I believe I'll stay in China for the rest of my life." Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday reveiwed the progress in schemes of the state government's ambitious Jal Jeevan Hariyali campaign to combat climate change and environmental degradation, officials said. At the meeting, held at the chief ministers official residence, Kumar said top priority is being accorded to complete the 'Ganga Jal Udvah Yojana' which intends to utilize water from the river through lift irrigation system, they said. He also gave instructions to ensure that land acquisition was completed at the earliest for the purpose. Top officials like the chief secretary Deepak Kumar and development commissioner Arun Kumar Singh were present at the meeting, where presentations were made by various departments about steps being taken to ensure desilting of rivers, reduce power consumption at public places, promoting organic farming and planting of trees, the officials said. Kumar also directed that encroachments on water bodies be removed. Those rendered homeless in such operations should be provided land for building houses or with funds through government schemes for the purpose. He also stressed on the need for renovation of ponds along with digging of new ones and spreading public awareness so that adequate green cover was maintained in the vicinity of water bodies. The people should be told that this would result in better production of fruits, flowers and fisheries which would in turn boost their incomes, Kumar said. The chief minister also called for speedy renovation of wells in urban and rural areas and proper upkeep of hand pumps in localities where the ground water table has plummeted, so that people in these areas faced no shortage of drinking water. He also suggested that regular talks be organized on the theme of at government offices and educational institutions so that people develop a better appreciation of the need for such efforts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Come Valentines Day, some people may wonder to themselves, Is this the only way to find a mate? And the answer is no. There are many ways to find one. But be careful what you wish for. Evolution has produced all manner of surprising interactions that enable reproduction in nature. Compared with these four unusual tales from the animal kingdom, being someones Valentine might sound pretty good. Painted turtles The way that male painted turtles entice females may sound almost romantic. The male faces the female, stretches out his long, dainty claws and strums the sides of her neck, head and face; this courtship gesture has been well documented since the days of Charles Darwin. But scientists recently documented another mating strategy, often deployed by the largest males, that is far less elegant. At Canadas Algonquin Wildlife Research Station, researchers noticed injury marks on the heads and necks of female painted turtles. Year after year, and often during breeding season, the wounds appeared fresh. The marks matched the shape of the spiky front of a male turtles shell and of sharp, toothlike structures on his beak. To the Editor, Governor Pritzker is pushing very hard to institute his so called fair tax of taxing high income earners much higher than lower income earners. Just because Mr. Pritzker calls it a fair tax doesnt mean its is fair, thats his opinion. At the present Illinois income tax rate, a family having taxable income of $50,000 would pay $2,495. A family having a taxable income of $1 million would pay $49,990. Since the higher income family earns 20 times the income, they pay 20 times the taxes as the lower earning family. To me, that seems very fair for both families. If Governor Pritzkers progressive income tax is implemented to the reported rates he desires, the lower earning familys taxes would actually go down $45 per year, while the higher income familys taxes would go up an additional $29,600 for a total of $79,590. This seems unfair to me, pitting one class of citizens against another. Imagine if private businesses could charge customers different prices based on their income; in the real world that would be folly. Politicians cant keep their hands off taxpayers who might have a bigger wallet for their massive spending promises made over the last 40 years. For years Illinois politicians have been very good at spending, promising, and redistributing other peoples money to the point of insolvency; after all, that seems to be their primary job description. Their insatiable appetite to spend more and more every year never ends. Eventually Governor Pritzker, you will run out of other peoples money as they will leave the state and you will be named U Hauls Illinois salesman of the year for years to come. Dave Rathgeb Carlinville Explained: A year since Pulwama and how the Balakot hit was planned India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 14: India has witnessed several attacks, but the one at Pulwama was one of the most deadly. The attack claimed the lives of 40 brave CRPF personnel. While the nation watched with horror and shock, India decided to pay Pakistan back. The Indian agencies zeroed in on the Balakot training facility of the Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pakistan. Let out find out how Balakot was mapped and hit. The strike: Popularly known as the Balakot air strike, this operation was code named "Operation Bandar." The name Bandar which means monkey was taken to maintain utmost secrecy. While there was no specific reason to chose this name, monkeys have had an important place in Indian culture. In the Ramayana, Lord Ram's most trusted lieutenant Lord Hanuman destroys the entire capital of Lanka. Explained: The terror funding case against Lashkar boss Hafiz Saeed Sources tell OneIndia that another reason behind the name was to make it look like a routine and small time affair. Secrecy: One of the key ingredients of this strike was the utmost secrecy that was maintained in the run up to the operation. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEB 14th, 2020 The Indian Air Force (IAF) had done a detailed assessment of both positives and negatives of the Balakot air strike. The report deals with various aspects of the strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist camp at Balakot, despite Pakistan being on very high alert. Strategic surprise: One of the key aspects listed in the report is about the strategic surprise. It says that the strategic surprise was so complete that Pakistan scrambled its jets only after the Mirage-2000s delivered the weapons package and turned back. Another major positive was the accuracy of the intelligence and the target selection. The proficiency and the skill of the pilots' part of the mission has been listed as top class and they would be rewarded for the same. Explained: What the dossiers on Mehbooba, Omar Abdullah mean The officers and their men: The high level of secrecy maintained during the mission also finds a mention. 6,000 men and officers were involved in the operation and there was absolutely no leakage. Speaking more about the element of surprise, the IAF said that the Russian Su-30s flying towards the JeM's headquarters at Bahawalpur forced Pakistan to divert its resources and other capabilities in a separate sector. During the strike, the IAF used Spice 200 precision guided munitions to hit the target. Five of the six designated targets were hit at the Jaish-e-Mohammad training facility in Balakot. PODGORICA, Montenegro - Montenegros prime minister on Friday met with the top Serbian Orthodox Church bishop in the country in a bid to defuse tensions over a contentious law on religious rights. The Serbian Church in Montenegro opposes the law, saying it enables the state to take over its property, including monasteries, churches and other assets. The government has denied it plans to do so. Thousands of people have attended church-led protests, which have been held throughout Montenegro since the law was adopted late last year. Prime Minister Dusko Markovic and Bishop Amfilohije, who heads the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro, held talks at a state villa in the capital, Podgorica. The delegations at the meeting also included other state and church officials. Todays meeting ended in a spirit of mutual respect and with a view that it passed in a constructive and open atmosphere, according to a government statement issued after the meeting. The statement added that the church insisted that the law should be amended, while the government believes its implementation should be based on mutual trust and additional guarantees. The law says religious communities with property need to produce evidence of ownership from before 1918, when Montenegro joined a Serb-led Balkan kingdom and lost its independence. About 30% of Montenegros 620,000 people declare themselves as Serbs. Montenegro split from much larger Serbia in 2006. It joined NATO in 2017 and is now seeking European Union entry. The Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro is recognized by other Orthodox Christian churches, while the self-proclaimed Montenegrin Orthodox Church hasnt been accepted. ___ This story has been corrected to show that it was a law, not a bill, in the second paragraph. The US Navy has reprimanded sailors who wore 'Make Aircrew Great Again' patches on their uniforms while attending an event with President Trump in Japan last year. Officials found they violated Pentagon rules against troops in uniform making political statements. The sailors were spotted aboard the USS Wasp on Memorial Day 2019 with the 'Make America Great Again'-style patches attached to their uniforms. The red patches show a cartoon Trump-like figure pointing in the manner of Navy recruitment posters, with the slogan 'Make Aircrew Great Again'. The patches first appeared in 2017. A spokesperson for the Pacific Fleet said on Thursday that the sailors would be punished as the patches could be viewed as political activity. Active duty personal are required by Department of Defense guidelines to avoid all political activities and are not allowed to wear political statements on their uniform. A US Marine wearing a 'Make Aircrew Great Again' badge as they listen to US President Donald Trump during a Memorial Day event aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp in Japan Donald Trump (R) arrives aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp to participate in a Memorial Day event in Yokosuka on May 28, 2019, holding the Make Aircrew Great Again patch Service members were spotted wearing the patches as they listened to President Trump while he spoke to troops at a Memorial Day event aboard the USS Wasp, on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, in Yokosuka, Japan. Several days after the speech, eighteen sailors and officers assigned to the Guam-based Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron were told that they were suspected of breaking protocol with the patches and an investigation was launched. Nine of those investigated had attended the speech and their officer-in-charge, a lieutenant commander, immediately confiscated their patches after Trump had spoken. Wearing an unofficial patch is a common occurrence on military personnel uniforms although they are prohibited from sharing political messages while in uniform. Instead, patches are sometimes worn with humorous images in an effort to boost morale. It generally falls to the unit commanders to ensure that any unofficial patches do not violate the military regulations or that political messages do not appear. Nine sailors wore the patch to Trump's speech - He is seen here arriving aboard the USS Wasp President Trump spoke to U.S. servicemen at U.S. Navy multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, a speech which resulted in nine attendees being punished over uniform President Trump and first lady Melania Trump took photos with military personnel aboard the USS Wasp, where other sailors were wearing the Make Aircrew Great Again patches The investigation found that the sailors had not intended to make any political statement with the patches but had still broken the rules. 'Though the investigation found the Sailors did not intend to wear the patches as a political statement for or against the President, U.S. Pacific Fleet determined that, because the American public could reasonably view the wearing of the patches on official uniforms as DoD association with President Trump's 2020 campaign, it was in violation of DoDD 1344.10,' Pacific Fleet spokesperson Rachel McMarr said in a statement released Thursday. McMarr added that the 'appropriate administrative measures' would be taken by the Navy to ensure that the sailors and their leaders understood the requirements. She added that they 'give due consideration to the heightened risk that actions by service members in uniform will be perceived as an official DoD position'. Military.com reports that the sailors and officers received nonjudicial punishments which were carried out on a unit level. Punishments of this kind include a formal reprimands, loss in rank and pay, or other restrictions. The sailors could be seen grouped together wearing the red patches during the speech The speech took place last Memorial Day 2019 on the USS Wasp in Japan, pictured here The patches were first spotted in 2017 but have now been ruled to be in breach of the uniform According the the Department of Defense guidelines, 'active duty personnel may not engage in partisan political activities and all military personnel should avoid the inference that their political activities imply or appear to imply DoD sponsorship, approval, or endorsement of a political candidate, campaign, or cause.' Defense Secretary Mark Esper issued a memo to service members and civilians employees last week to remind them of the guidelines. 'All Department of Defense personnel must be steadfast in our commitment to defend the Constitution and our Nation's democratic principles,' he wrote. 'As citizens, we exercise our right to vote and participate in government. 'However, as public servants who have taken an oath to defend these principles, we uphold DoD' s longstanding tradition of remaining apolitical as we carry out our official responsibilities.' BYRON, MI -- A small town in mid-Michigan rallied to create a video submission to be a contender in HGTVs Home Town Takeover contest. Byron in Shiawassee County is one of several Michigan towns that put itself in the running for a makeover from HGTV and Home Town hosts Ben and Erin Napier. The transformation will be captured in a six-episode limited series, Home Town Takeover, set to air on the network in 2021. Towns with populations under 40,000 were eligible for the search. Entries closed earlier this month, and are now under consideration. It is unclear when the winner will be announced. Judges are considering aspects of the towns that make them special, fascinating, historic or unique. The village of Byron has a population of under 600, according to the competition submission video. Originally a farming community, Byron was founded in 1824 before Michigan was a state. Many of the towns original buildings are still intact. Teachers, parents and residents found out about the competition less than a week before a submission video was due, said Michelle Riddell, a freelance essayist and employee of Byron Area Schools. Despite the short timeframe to enter a submission, the group joined forces to produce its video. Riddell wrote a script, Kindergarten Teacher Bekah Vandemark worked on videography. Byron graduate Lauren Stanton, now a newscaster in Saugatuck, came to Byron to be on camera. It really brought us all together as a community, Riddell said. Just being in a room trying to figure out how to feature ourselves we thought -- even if we dont win, this has been a win because positivity breeds positivity." As of Thursday, Feb. 13, the video, posted on Monday, Feb 3, has received over 24,000 views. Byron residents shaken by fire reminisce about the past and voice concern for the future The video addresses the decline of the town following a fire in 2012 that gutted a row of historic downtown buildings. The buildings were over 100 years old and included six ground-level businesses and one vacant unit. After the fire, it was like dominoes falling in slow motion and there wasnt much we could do to stop it, Stanton said in the video. The fewer the retailers, the fewer the pedestrians, the fewer the standard establishments like a bank or a place to eat. The fewer reasons to come to Byron. Its a vicious cycle of hardship which has brought us to where we are now. While making the video, Riddell said the team thought about what it takes for a small town community to survive. For Byron, Riddell said it takes people rallying together in times of hardship. "It brought us together, even just thinking about the nuts and bolts of a small town, not just ours but across America, and seeing why theyre struggling, Riddell said. New Jersey is pushing the federal government to beef up protections for lead in drinking water, after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggested major changes to its rules for the first time in decades. The top law enforcement officers in nine states sent a letter to the agency summarizing their concerns Wednesday, the extended deadline for public comment. The EPAs proposed changes misses the mark, Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement, and fails to adequately address our nations rapidly deteriorating water infrastructure. State Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, who co-signed the letter, argued in a statement that more resources needed to be spent on lower-income communities. Late last year, the EPA proposed several updates to its Lead and Copper Rule. That includes mandating that systems replace certain lead lines and improving the chemical process that prevents lead from breaking off into water. That process is what broke down in Newark. Grewal and other officials support those changes, but want the agency to do more. Among other requests, the letter asked the EPA to tighten standards for how much lead is allowed in drinking water. On the same day the EPA originally filed the proposal, Murphy endorsed a plan that would replace all lead lines in New Jersey over a decade, at a potential cost of more than $2 billion. Blake Nelson can be reached at bnelson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BCunninghamN. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Every choice seemed destined to complicate our lives, making us late to work and more stressed out than we already were. So we bit the bullet and found a nearby family to split the cost of a nanny which was still a lot of money. We kept Everett in his day care. Brad and I agreed we wouldnt cut corners to save money, because high-quality care was important for the kids. And when I say high-quality care, I dont mean we only wanted to hire Mary Poppins (although our nanny, Alicia, came pretty darn close at times) or enroll our youngest in the most expensive Montessori day care with a two-year waiting list and organic food. Research shows all these bells and whistles dont really matter, anyway. Even though most families dont pay as much as mine did, and could not afford to, theres no denying that the annual cost of child care is a huge burden on most American households, where the median income tops out at $63,000. Annual child care costs are higher than the average cost of college tuition and monthly rent, according to the think tank New America. [Kids are expensive: Heres how were managing.] Very few families can actually afford to pay the true cost of child care, Simon Workman, director of early childhood policy at the Center for American Progress, said. For so many families, thats not even a decision. Theyre putting their child in whatever child care they can afford, which doesnt have all of the developmental, high-quality, well-skilled and well-paid teachers, teachers who arent worried about their own economic stress. Its a really fundamental issue in our society right now. Surprisingly, the cost of care in New York isnt even the highest in the nation. Washington, D.C., can claim that honor, with parents paying annual child care costs of $24,243 for one infant, according to the Economic Policy Institute. In New York City, its $15,394 for one infant and $27,752 for two kids annually. In the least expensive state for child care, Mississippi, parents still pay $5,436 a year for one infant. Personalized attention from a nanny costs much more. An informal 2019 survey by Park Slope Parents, a community group in Brooklyn, found the average nanny earns $19.94 per hour to care for two kids; at 50 hours a week, thats $51,844 annually (though, sadly, the majority of the caregivers who lovingly watch our children live in poverty themselves). Researchers of the Hubrecht Institute (KNAW - The Netherlands) and the Max Planck Institute in Munster (Germany) have revealed how an essential protein helps to activate genomic DNA during the conversion of regular adult human cells into stem cells. Their findings are published in the Biophysical Journal. A cell's identity is driven by which DNA is "read" or "not read" at any point in time. Signalling in the cell to start or stop reading DNA happens through proteins called transcription factors. Identity changes happen naturally during development as cells transition from an undesignated cell to a specific cell type. As it turns out, these transitions can also be reversed. In 2012, Japanese researchers were awarded the Nobel prize for being the first to push a regular skin cell backwards to a stem cell. A fuller understanding of molecular processes towards stem cell therapies Until now, it is unknown how the conversion of a skin cell into a stem cell happens exactly, on a molecular scale. "Fully understanding the processes with atomic details is essential if we want to produce such cells for individual patients in the future in a reliable and efficient manner", says research leader Vlad Cojocaru of the Hubrecht Institute. "It is believed that such engineered cell types may in the future be part of the solution to diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, but the production process would have to become more efficient and predictable." Pioneer transcription factor One of the main proteins involved in the stem cell generation is a transcription factor called Oct4. It induces gene expression, or activity, of the proteins that 'reset' the adult cell into a stem cell. Those genes induced are inactive in the adult cells and reside in tightly packed, closed states of chromatin, the structure that stores the DNA in the cell nucleus. Oct4 contributes to the opening of chromatin to allow for the expression of the genes. For this, Oct4 is known as a pioneer transcription factor. The data from Cojocaru and his PhD candidate - and first author of the publication - Jan Huertas show how Oct4 binds to DNA on the so-called nucleosomes, the repetitive nuclear structures in chromatin. Cojocaru: "We modelled Oct4 in different configurations. The molecule consists of two domains, only one of which is able to bind to a specific DNA sequence on the nucleosome in this phase of the process. With our simulations, we discovered which of those configurations are stable and how the dynamics of nucleosomes influence Oct4 binding. The models were validated by experiments performed by our colleagues Caitlin MacCarthy and Hans Scholer in Munster." One step closer to engineered factors This is the first time computer simulations show how a pioneer transcription factor binds to nucleosomes to open chromatin and regulate gene expression. "Our computational approach for obtaining the Oct4 models can also be used to screen other transcription factors and to find out how they bind to nucleosomes", Cojocaru says. Moreover, Cojocaru wants to refine the current Oct4 models to propose a final structure for the Oct4-nucleosome complex. "For already almost 15 years now, we know that Oct4 together with three other pioneer factors transforms adult cells into stem cells. However, we still do not know how they go about. Experimental structure determination for such a system is very costly and time consuming. We aim to obtain one final model for the binding of Oct4 to the nucleosome by combining computer simulations with different lab experiments. Hopefully, our final model will give us the opportunity to engineer pioneer transcription factors for efficient and reliable production of stem cells and other cells needed in regenerative medicine." ### Publication Nucleosomal DNA dynamics mediate Oct4 pioneer factor binding Jan Huertas*, Caitlin M. MacCarthy, Hans R. Scholer, and Vlad Cojocaru* Biophysical Journal, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2019.12.038. * Affiliated with the Hubrecht Institute Vlad Cojocaru is Hubrecht fellow at the Hubrecht Institute. About the Hubrecht Institute The Hubrecht Institute is a research institute focused on developmental and stem cell biology. It encompasses 23 research groups that perform fundamental and multidisciplinary research, both in healthy systems and disease models. The Hubrecht Institute is a research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), situated on Utrecht Science Park. Since 2008, the institute is affiliated with the UMC Utrecht, advancing the translation of research to the clinic. The Hubrecht Institute has a partnership with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). For more information, visit http://www.hubrecht.eu. About the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine The Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine in Munster, Germany, is devoted to basic science aiming at investigating the molecular mechanisms that form the basis of pathophysiological processes leading to disease. In three departments and currently five research groups, the internationally staffed teams use gene technology, molecular biology, electron and laser microscopy and computational approaches to investigate several aspects of the cell biology of the endothelium, developmental biology and cell-renewal, development of the vascular system, and structural biology. The Max Planck Institute in Munster is one of 86 institutes and research facilities in the Max Planck Society. For more information, visit http://www.mpi-muenster.mpg.de. The BJP's new MLA from Delhi's Vishwas Nagar, OP Sharma, has called Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal a 'terrorist' and a 'Pakistan Army spokesperson' On a sunny morning in the early 1990s, an American magazine sent a young model walking down a city's sidewalk, topless. The bizarre experiment was to capture how passersby reacted. The organisers of the spectacle were surprised to find that apart from a few bewildered looks, second looks and the odd catcall, there wasnt much of a hubbub. Encountered out of place and without a context, in full public glare and totally shorn of its mystique, the naked body seemed to have got de-eroticised. It had lost its explosive effect on people. Totally disconnected, but it bears a weird, tangential similarity with what some BJP leaders are doing with words like 'Pakistan' and 'terrorism'. The party's new MLA from Delhi's Vishwas Nagar, OP Sharma, has called Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal a "terrorist" and a "Pakistan Army spokesperson". A few days ago, Delhi BJP leader Parvesh Verma had caused a stir calling Kejriwal a "terrorist" during the Delhi election campaign. State BJP chief Manoj Tiwari topped it by calling for the cleansing of the Hanuman temple that the Delhi chief minister had visited during the campaign. Kejriwal simply took a page out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's playbook, kept quiet and came out a bigger person. Delhi's public noticed and rewarded him. The BJP's error could have been laughed off as facile and childish if it did not have damaging long-term implications. By loosely and callously using these terms about a democratically elected and popular leader whether or not one agrees with his politics, BJP leaders are unwittingly chipping away at the seriousness of Pakistan's culpability, trivialising the terrorism it sponsors. In a nation seventh-most affected globally by terrorism, such levity is unforgivable. Just as the naked body gets de-eroticised by out-of-context exposure, Pakistan's diabolical actions get diluted by such brazen overuse of references to it. People first disbelieve you, then ignore you, and then begin to despise you for cheapening a very grave issue. They stop taking you seriously. Next time even when you rightly flag somebody as a national security threat, it gets the cold, 'crying-wolf' treatment. The Left, for instance, keeps calling its adversaries 'Nazi' and 'fascist' like high-schoolers in a losing debate. The frivolity of comparing a strong-willed or even autocratic leader with the mass-murderers of two million people is lost on no-one. On the Right, from Giriraj Singh to Yogi Adityanath, senior BJP leaders are guilty of using Pakistan as a strawman too frivolously, too often. They have now set a crippling precedent. Then-chief minister Modi had said before the 2002 Gujarat election that if he lost, there would be celebrations in Pakistan. This deeply polarising dog-whistle had an electric effect because the Godhra train burning and Gujarat riots were fresh on the public mind and Pakistan was orchestrating violence around the country almost unchecked. Also, the message was carefully coded, aimed at the heart of a polity steeped in overt Muslim appeasement. It was not a scattershot volley fired at an individual who has returned to power not on the shoulders of one community, but voted by all sections including Hindus. Does Delhi BJP's Sharma mean Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs voted for a Pakistani terrorist? Besides being way over-the-top, Sharma's remark could not have been more ill-timed. It was fine to slam Kejriwal when he had questioned the Indian Army' surgical strikes. But the Kejriwal of 2020 is a lot shrewder, politically supple creature who played to the Hindu nationalism gallery and returned to power with a staggering 53 percent of the votes. Irresponsible allegations will make him stronger and make the BJP look like sore, laughable losers. Ironically, the BJP is mirroring the way its own bitter opponents created the phenomenon called Modi. Francis Chan, the speaker and author of an Evangelical Church in the United States, gave a sermon on Feb. 8 where more than 140,000 young people gathered at the Send conference in Brazil. During the sermon, Francis Chan challenged the crowd to count the cost of preserving your own life instead of giving it to God with all your heart. "We live in an era when too many Christians are obsessed with being alive," Chan said. "My life is worth nothing (without Jesus). I just wanted it to be used to tell others about Jesus.' Chan began his sermon by reading Acts 20. "Paul told the elders of the Ephesians church that he would follow the handouts of the Holy Spirit to Jerusalem, even though he knew he would face "jail and hardship." In verse 24, Paul said to the elders, "I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." Chan said it is a very important phrase for our generation and asked if we could speak like Paul, "Even my life is not considered precious at all." Chan also referenced Jesus' words in Luke 9:24 (also recorded in Matthew 16:25 and Mark 8:35). " For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." "I hope all of you will experience the life given for the gospel. It is difficult to live with this concentration because enemies are constantly trying to distract us with the idea that our best lives are in this world. Even in churches, people will advise you to go in a safe direction. But Jesus didn't say that." Two weeks later, Chan and his family left the United States to do missionary work in Asia. They made the decision after returning from Myanmar's slums six months ago. He and his family spent time moving from huts to huts and talking to people about God. "They've never heard of Jesus," he said. "They were just looking at me and listening. At that moment, I was really at peace in my mind," Chan said. When he and his wife flew back to the United States, he asked her, "What do we do on a normal day that can't be compared to this?" Then he offered to go to Asia, and she replied, "Let's do that." Just two weeks ago, Chan was once again in a village where no one had heard of Jesus' name in Myanmar. He felt a deep peace again and thought in his mind. "I want everyone to feel peace. This is why we humans were created." Chan currently lives in San Francisco. "And people here are picky about enjoying and eating food, so obsessed with eating quality food that they criticize food that doesn't meet their standards," Chan said. This food culture is in stark contrast to what Chan experienced when he visited an African camp that was filled with as many people as the crowd listening to his sermon, he said. When he arrived at the camp, he saw a woman there screaming and acting frantically. Soon Chan found out that she was suffering because her son was starving to death. He looked like a skeleton, and Chan saw that everyone around him was starving, too. "So it was very difficult to go back to San Francisco and eat again," he said. Now the church is full of spiritual foodies, Chan said. What he means is that many people listen to sermon after sermon, criticizing what the speakers say. "On the other hand, there are people in the world who have never heard of Jesus." And the purpose of the Send conference is to require people to calculate the value of life and go to the world. For that very reason, "We ask you to come to die." Chan said his hope is not only for those present at the event to hear a sermon, but also for the Holy Spirit to be at the center of their heart and open people's eyes. Then they will clearly see the value of life, knowing the price that Jesus paid and sharing His name, not just for themselves. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg appears increasingly resigned to the fact that his company will need to fork over billions more in taxes to European governments. Zuckerberg is expected to agree to newly proposed reforms that are likely to result in him paying billions more in taxes to the British government as well as other countries, according to the Times of London. The Facebook founder, 35, is likely to announce his decision at the Munich Security Conference, which begins on Friday. Zuckerberg, the fifth richest man in the world, has an estimated net worth of $78.9billion. President Trump has threatened European governments, including the United Kingdom and France, with tariffs on their imports if they try to impose additional taxes on American tech firms. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (seen above on Capitol Hill in September) is scheduled to appear at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Friday The Trump administration claims that since most tech giants are based in the U.S., any attempt to impose further taxation on those companies is tantamount to discrimination against American firms, thus justifying retaliation. The reforms are being proposed by the Paris-based Organization of Economic Development (OECD), which wants to tax internet giants like Facebook and Google. The European governments say that large multinationals like Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Apple have used complex schemes to avoid paying taxes, like registering their firms in tax havens like Ireland while turning massive profits on the European mainland. The OECD wants companies to pay a tax rate based on the products and services they sell overall rather than on their profits, which companies can register in low-tax jurisdictions like Ireland. That would mean companies would have to pay more in taxes to governments even though they physically are not present in their countries. The Europeans aren't the only ones accusing Facebook of dodging tax. A complex, years-long legal battle between Facebook and the IRS will finally be resolved in court, as the company attempts to fend off tax liability that could cost it some $9billion. The trial will begin this week in US Tax Court, where the IRS will argue that more of Facebook's profits should have been taxed at the higher U.S. rate, rather than in the company's Irish subsidiary, The Wall Street Journal reported. Bertie Thomson, a Facebook spokeswoman, said the company looks forward to presenting its case in court. President Trump (above) has threatened to impose tariffs on European imports, including those of France and the United Kingdom, if they follow through on plans to impose a 'digital tax' on tech giants like Facebook and Google 'This trial is about transactions that took place in 2010, when Facebook had no mobile advertising revenue, its international business was nascent, and its digital advertising products were unproven,' she told the Journal in a statement. 'Our business has had hits and misses but we stand behind the actions taken over a decade ago during a time of great risk and uncertainty for the company.' The government has said in court documents that in 2010 Facebook Inc sold the rights to exploit the Facebook platform outside the United States and Canada to Facebook Ireland Holdings. The price used for the intangible property was determined by Facebook's tax adviser Ernst & Young (E&Y). 'The IRS examination team's preliminary positions suggested that the E&Y valuations of the transferred intangibles were understated by billions of dollars,' the lawsuit said. E&Y was not immediately available for comment. The OECD expects that the reforms will likely net an additional $100billion in revenue from several companies. We want the OECD process to succeed so that we have a stable and reliable system going forward, Zuckerberg will tell the Munich Security Conference on Friday. We accept that may mean we have to pay more tax and pay it in different places. Finance ministers of OECD states have been holding talks for the last two months on the issue. A final deal is expected by the end of the year. If the OECD can agree on a set of unified guidelines, that would spare individual governments from imposing their own digital tax. Last month, the United States raised the prospect of starting a trade war with the UK if the British government goes ahead with plans to impose a tax on US tech giants. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said President Trump will personally heap pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to drop the proposed levy. The British government, however, has insisted it will go ahead with the proposed 2 per cent levy. In 2018, Facebook turned a $2.1billion profit in the United Kingdom, but it paid just $36.5million in taxes, according to the Times of London. Facebook has been accused by numerous governments of using complex legal schemes to avoid paying taxes Facebook has claimed that it has paid all the tax that it legally owes. The company said that in 2018, it paid $3.8billion in corporate tax globally. Savid Javid, who resigned as chancellor of the exchequer on Thursday, said last month the digital services tax will be introduced from April but will only be a temporary measure until an international agreement is in place on how to deal with big online companies like Google and Facebook. Mnuchin was clear the White House remains ardently against the move as he hinted retaliatory tariffs could be imposed on the UK's car industry if the tax is rolled out. The US and France have announced a truce over President Emmanuel Macron's plans to introduce a similar measure after Washington responded with a threat to slap punitive tariffs on products including French cheese and wine. Javid said the tax - a two per cent levy on the revenues of search engines, social media platforms and online marketplaces which derive value from UK users - will be introduced. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last month, the former chancellor said: 'We plan to go ahead with our digital services tax in April. 'It's important - as we said at the time when we first introduced it to Parliament and legislated for it - it is a proportionate tax. 'It is a tax that is deliberately designed as a temporary tax, it will fall away once there is an international solution.' The UK has been urged to hold back on pressing ahead with the levy by the OECD, which called for time to allow the push for an international approach to succeed. Asked whether a post-Brexit US-UK trade deal will be possible if Javid presses ahead with the tax, Mnuchin said 'we will be having some private conversations about that', adding: 'I'm sure this will be worked out.' Appearing alongside Javid on a panel at the Swiss ski resort, Mnuchin said: 'I'm sure the president and Boris will be speaking on it as well, as the president did with Macron.' He argued a digital tax is 'discriminatory in nature' and the US is participating in the OECD process to find a solution. 'If people want to just arbitrarily put taxes on our digital companies, we will consider arbitrarily putting taxes on car companies,' he warned. A thumbs up symbol stands at the entrance to the Facebook Inc. European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland in a file photo. Facebook has used its physical location in low-tax jurisdictions like Ireland to claim lower taxable income, according to critics The U.S. believes the tax is fundamentally unfair because most of the companies which it would apply to are based in North America. But Javid said there has been a growing disconnect between where customers of online firms are based and where they are taxed. 'This does require an international solution and that is something I think we all agree on,' he said. While there is not an international agreement yet, 'this could be the year of change', the former chancellor added. The prospect of a trade war with the US is likely to spark major concerns in the UK's manufacturing sector. Trump has previously not hesitated in taking action against countries he believes are treating the US unfairly on trade. A dispute with China now appears to be cooling but Trump is still displeased with US relations with the EU. He said today he believed the bloc would agree to more favorable trading terms because if it did not then he would impose 'very high tariffs' on European products. 'They are going to make a deal because they have to,' he said. 'They have to. They have no choice.' JOHNSON CITY, NY -- Americas first and only winery producing hemp-infused wines is closing, citing issues with federal regulators. Sovereign Vines, based in Johnson City near Binghamton, may reopen if and when federal regulations make selling across state lines possible, owner Kaelan Castetter said. Sad to say that our journey with Sovereign Vines is coming to end, Castetter posted today on Facebook. The federal government has made it impossible to carry on and because of this, we have made the difficult decision to close the business. We will be back when we can engage in interstate commerce and truly succeed in bringing hemp-infused wine to the world! Sovereign Vines still has a state license and some inventory to sell, but will not produce more. Last year, the company announced plans to open its first tasting room on land overlooking Skaneateles Lake, but that never got off the ground. Castetter and his father, Jim, started Sovereign Vines in 2017. It followed a previous hemp-wine business Jim Castetter had opened in 1997, but which was shut down by federal regulators in 1999. The 2017 re-start came as the federal government was de-regulating hemp, a member of the cannabis family (like marijuana). Billing itself today as Americas only hemp-infused wine producer, Sovereign Vines blends wines produced in the Finger Lakes and elsewhere with terpene, an aromatic and flavorful extract found in the buds of the hemp plant. Terpene does not contain the psychoactive compounds found in marijuana. It is also different from CBD. It (the terpene) creates earthy, woodsy tones and a smooth finish, Kaelan Castetter said in an interview last year. It makes the wines pop. Sovereign Vines wine lineup included a Cayuga White wine sourced from Glenora Vineyards on Seneca Lake, a Harvest Red Blend using California wine and both a sweet and a dry rose. The Castetters started by sourcing their hemp from Colorado, but later used their separate business, CSG Hemp, which grows and processes hemp products. The closing of Sovereign Vines does not affect CSG Hemp, which remains open. CSG is doing well and we have some exciting things to announce in the coming months, Castetter said. Well revisit hemp wine when the time is right and regs are open more. The issue with the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) involved questions over the approval of the formula. Sovereign Vines was producing about 2,500 gallons of wine per year. New York state, meanwhile, has been wrestling with the regulation of CBD, or cannabidiol, which is a popular additive to oils, salves and creams touted for their health benefits. The state approved a law establishing some CBD guidelines last year. But the state, citing TTB guidelines, has not yet approved CBD for use in food or beverages. Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. 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. We flew into New York City, booked a hotel, and then the night before the interview we found out that Rudy backed out and wouldnt reschedule with us, Bogdanich said. Maybe he looked into our film and realized we were covering this topic in more depth than he expected. We were angry when he backed out at the last minute. A new Yahoo News/YouGov poll shows that Sen. Bernie Sanders would defeat each of the other Democratic presidential candidates in a one-on-one race in many instances by double-digit margins. Sanders won the most votes in Iowa and New Hampshire and now leads in national surveys. Yet mainstream Democrats seem to think the democratic socialist from Vermont is a weak frontrunner who would be easily dispatched if only the rest of the party stopped dividing its vote among several candidates and consolidated around a single, more moderate alternative. Sen. Bernie Sanders. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: AP [3], Getty Images) The Yahoo News/YouGov poll suggests they may be wrong. In a series of hypothetical head-to-head matchups, Sanders ran ahead of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg by 15 points (53 percent to 38 percent); ahead of former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg by 17 points (54 percent to 37 percent); and ahead of Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar by 21 points (54 percent to 33 percent). Sanderss closest competitors were former Vice President Joe Biden, who trailed him by 4 points (48 percent to 44 percent) and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who trailed him by 2 (44 percent to 42 percent). Of course, the Democratic primary isnt a two-way race; eight candidates are still competing for the nomination and divvying up the vote in complex ways. But the upcoming primaries are likely to winnow the field, and the poll shows that if and when only two candidates are left standing, more Democrats would side with Sanders than with anyone else no matter who his last remaining rival is. This defies conventional wisdom about the Democratic contest, which has long held that Sanders is a factional candidate with a low ceiling of support and that most Democratic primary voters would prefer a more moderate nominee. In fact, the three moderates who have been rising lately in the polls Bloomberg, Buttigieg and Klobuchar performed the worst in the Yahoo News/YouGov survey. Bloomberg, who has been sitting out the early primaries and caucuses while advertising heavily in the bigger states set to vote on Super Tuesday (March 3), was by far the weakest one-on-one performer, losing to each of his other top Democratic rivals by significant margins as well: Warren by 14 points, Biden by 13 points, Buttigieg by 7 points and Klobuchar by 5 points. If Bloombergs plan is to wait in the wings for whoever survives the early states and then to spend his one remaining rival into oblivion with his $60 billion fortune he may be in for a shock. Story continues Despite early successes in Iowa and New Hampshire, Buttigieg and Klobuchar wouldnt fare much better in a one-on-one contest. Bloomberg is the only candidate Buttigieg would beat; otherwise, he would lose to Biden by 3 points, Klobuchar by 12 points and Warren by 14 points. Klobuchar would edge out Biden by 1 point, but Warren would clobber her by 19. Besides Sanders, Warren would be the hardiest one-on-one performer; the only other candidate who comes within 10 percentage points of her is Biden, who trails her by 8. Given Warrens ideological overlap with Sanders they are the most progressive candidates in the race this further implies that Democratic primary voters are not necessarily in the market for moderation. The poll isnt all good news for Sanders, however. Many progressives seem to believe the Vermont senator would be a shoo-in to defeat Donald Trump if only the Democratic establishment would get out of his way and award him the partys presidential nomination. Yet there may be trouble ahead. Sixty-two percent of Americans and a near-identical 61 percent of independents say that Sanders is a socialist. Only a quarter of Americans (26 percent) have a favorable view of socialism, while almost half (47 percent) have an unfavorable view. Sanders describes himself as a democratic socialist and frames his agenda Medicare for All, free public college, a Green New Deal as a continuation of FDR-style liberalism. But voters dont necessarily grasp the distinction between socialism and democratic socialism. When asked whether the two ideologies are the same or different, 38 percent of Americans said the same and 38 percent said different. Another 24 percent said they werent sure. Regardless, only 35 percent of Americans said they would even consider voting in a general election for a candidate who called himself or herself a democratic socialist. Forty-six percent said no, while another 18 percent said they werent sure. Among independents, those numbers were even less favorable to Sanders: 31 percent yes, 47 percent no and 22 percent not sure. Meanwhile, most Americans (52 percent) said only some or a few of their peers would consider voting for a democratic socialist. In the poll, no other candidate characteristic seemed to have such a strong negative effect on electability. Sixty percent of Americans said they would consider voting for a gay candidate (like Buttigieg). Sixty-seven percent said they would consider voting for a billionaire (like Bloomberg and Tom Steyer and, taking him at his own word, Trump). Fifty-four percent said they would consider voting for a candidate with no prior experience in national government (like Buttigieg, Bloomberg and Steyer). Forty-seven percent said they would consider voting for a candidate over 75 years old (like Sanders, Biden and Bloomberg). Sixty-four percent said they would consider voting for a candidate under 40 years old (like Buttigieg). Eighty-three percent said they would consider voting for a woman (like Warren and Klobuchar). Eighty-four percent said they would consider voting for a Jewish candidate (like Sanders and Bloomberg). And 44 percent said they would vote for a Muslim candidate (there isnt one this year) nearly 10 points more than the number who said they would vote for a democratic socialist. Right now, Sanders tends to beat Trump in head-to-head matchups, performing nearly as well as more moderate Democrats such as Biden and Bloomberg. So if Sanders does win the Democratic nomination, it remains to be seen whether Trump and his Republican allies can defeat him by capitalizing on Americans ambivalence toward democratic socialism. They will certainly try. In the meantime, the Yahoo News/YouGov poll highlights a dilemma at the heart of the Democratic primary. When it comes to the fight for the nomination, Sanders seems to be in the strongest position. But he could head into the general election in November with a bigger weakness than any of his rivals. Read more from Yahoo News: - with reporting from Juno McEnroe and Cianan Brennan Fianna Fail calls for Fine Gael to support it in government from the opposition benches have been dismissed as arrogant and unworkable. Senior figures in Fine Gael have said reversing the confidence and supply deal and facilitating a Fianna Fail-led government from opposition is a non-runner. Following a meeting of the Fianna Fail parliamentary party yesterday, finance spokesman Michael McGrath called on Fine Gael to clarify its position on supporting his party from the opposition benches. It has to be explored. There are no easy options here, Mr McGrath said. Fine Gael ministerial sources hit back, rejecting the idea out of hand. It wont work, said one senior figure last night. Not happening, we couldnt 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. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, sources have backed the idea of a so-called super grand coalition with Fianna Fail and the Green Party in a bid to deny Sinn Fein power. At a four-hour parliamentary party meeting, Fianna Fail ruled out entering government with Sinn Fein but wants Fine Gael to clarify whether it would support Micheal Martin as taoiseach in a reverse confidence and supply agreement. Mr Martin told the 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 weekends 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 that a five-year term is preferable and that something radical and different is needed. There have been suggestions in recent days that Fianna Fail could seek to build a super grand coalition involving Fine Gael and the Greens, a huge majority that would not require others support. There was also no challenge to Mr Martins 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 Fianna Fail TDs told the Irish Examiner of their opposition to a coalition with Sinn Fein. There is also a larger view that Ms McDonalds party should be allowed at it, said sources, after winning the popular vote in the election. At the meeting, 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. [snippet1]977032[/snippet1] 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 Mr McGrath, Thomas Byrne, and Darragh OBrien. Mr Martin was critical of Sinn Fein in his remarks, claiming its economic agenda poses a significant risk to Irelands open economy. Ms McDonald said she has written to Mr Martin seeking a meeting about government formation, but has yet to get a response. Meanwhile, the race to replace Brendan Howlin as leader of the Labour Party could be crowded as new TD Duncan Smith is considering a challenge. TDs Alan Kelly, Aodhan O Riordain, and Ged Nash are all understood to be interested in seeking to lead the party with its newly reconfigured Dail team of six. There are people I respect in the party, in the local organisation, that I want to discuss that with, said Mr Smith. Last month, trade unions and members of the Yellow Vest movement led a raucous crowd to the historic Le Centorial building, where BlackRock has its offices, lighting flares and denouncing what they said was an effort to impose American-style free-market rules on France. There is no evidence that BlackRock influenced Mr. Macron to push retirement savings to it or any other financial giant, although financial firms could get some business from part of the pension overhaul that encourages high earners to invest in stocks. And BlackRock strenuously denies the claims. We deplore the fact that our company continues to be caught up in an unfounded controversy driven by political objectives, it said in a statement. We reiterate that BlackRock has never been involved in the current pension reform project and does not intend to be. Yet BlackRocks role as an adviser to governments and central banks and as a major shareholder in some of the worlds biggest companies has quickly made it a symbol in a country that has long been deeply skeptical of capitalism and the stock market. The social climate here has grown more tense after recent nationwide strikes to protest the pension overhaul. BlackRock has tried to portray itself as an industry leader in responsible investing. The protesters on Monday cited BlackRock investments in the French oil giant Total and the construction company Vinci as running counter to that. American International College will offer a Master of Science in Cannabis Science and Commerce beginning fall semester 2020. American International College is excited to introduce a graduate level program that offers courses focused on developing business acumen in a field that is experiencing a meteoric rise. American International College (AIC) will offer a Master of Science in Cannabis Science and Commerce beginning fall semester 2020, the first of its kind in this region. The 30-credit, hybrid graduate program is designed for individuals interested in a career in the cannabis industry and will provide students with an understanding of the science, business, and legal issues associated with the cannabis industry. The program offers education in the areas of basic science including chemistry, horticulture, cultivation, uses, and delivery systems; business management, marketing, and operations; and federal and state laws and policies. According to a March 2020 jobs report issued by Leafly, the worlds largest cannabis website, over the past four years, legal cannabis supports nearly a quarter of a million jobs. That equates to a 15% annual uptick in employment. The multi-billion dollar cannabis industry continues to be the single greatest job creation engine nationally, growing at a faster rate than any other industry in the same timeframe. AICs Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Mika Nash, EdD, says, American International College is excited to introduce a graduate level program that offers courses focused on developing business acumen in a field that is experiencing a meteoric rise. AIC is positioning itself to be an educational leader in this flourishing industry in order to ensure our students have job opportunities upon graduation. With medical marijuana legal in thirty-three states and Washington DC, and recreational marijuana now legal in eleven states and the nations capital, The U.S. Cannabis Report 2019 Industry Outlook, projects annual sales of medical and recreational cannabis will continue to rise over the next several years, reaching nearly $30 billion by 2025. This rapidly emerging market offers burgeoning employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for the future. For more information regarding the AICs Master of Science in Cannabis Science and Commerce, please visit http://www.aic.edu/cannabis. Young women in Lattakia are living in fear of the regimes shabiha and what they might do if they refuse their marriage proposals writes Brocar Press. Umm Ahmed recently left her city of Lattakia, which is under regime control, and headed towards Turkey accompanied by her three daughters and small son, who is no older than five years old, as well as her husband. But their reasons for leaving their home and work in Lattakia were different from other families, who have left out of fear or their children fleeing military service in the regime forces. Instead, it was out of fear for her daughters, who were asked for their hand in marriage number of times to marry by the armed regime loyalist fighters who run the city and are known as shabiha. The family decided to leave the city and head to Turkey in hope of saving their daughters and to live in security far away from these criminals, according to what Umm Ahmed told Brocar Press. She described the situation inside the city as a jungle, with no one able to deliver them justice and no state for them to submit a complaint to if any one of their daughters was put under pressureor in the event that they refused to marry the shabiha, who could take revenge by killing or arresting them. Therefore they preferred to leave the city to preserve their family, despite the fact that they had to leave a large number of their possessions behind. Describing the situation of residents in regime-controlled areas, she said: Life is full of fear, expecting a disaster to befall the family, especially given that the girls are of marriageable age. There are many stories going around about kidnappings and killings and there is no voice to be raised above the voice of weapons, and no one, no matter what strength he has, dares to refuse one of the shabiha. Threats and fear The situation for the young woman Samar does not differ greatly from that of Umm Ahmeds children. But luck may have played a role in her story. She lives in the city with her mother, father and sister, while her male siblings left to areas under opposition control with the beginning of the revolution, with one of them defecting from the regime army and joining the Free Syrian Army. She received a proposal from a leader of a brigade in the National Defense in Lattakia, and after she refused to marry him, he returned once more and told her father that he knew where his sons were and that he was covering up the matter out of fear for their safety and because he wanted to marry his daughters, and then gave them a deadline of one month to think about it, or we would inform on them. The deadline had hardly passed until they heard news that he had died in battle. Samar said that she had lived her days in fear and thought many times about accepting it out of fear for her father, who refused to leave their home. She also couldnt inform her brothers about the situation out of fear that their father would be forced to leave the city where he was born and wouldnt be able to live far from it. She said that many women live in similar situations and that many are forced to get married as there is nothing forcing any young man with a weapon to stay away from a woman he wants to marry, even if she rejects him multiple times. She continued that media always talks about the murders which happen for these reasons, the latest of which was in the city of Tartous, when a young man shot at his former fiancee and sister and killed them without mercy. The situation also appears to be more difficult in Lattakia city because of the religious differences between those who have weapons who are regime loyalistswho are mostly Alawiteand the women they want to marry, who are from the citys Sunni districts. No solutions There are no solutions to change this situation except to dissolve these militias and put an end to the regimes shabiha, by disarming them and preventing them from threatening and putting pressure on people by force of arms, which have given them power. This is the opposite of what has happened in the city, where the regime has worked to increase the number of armed men and given them major benefits for fighting against rebel groups in areas outside their control without concern for the situation of the cities and families that they have control overand without any accountability for the wrongs that are committed, even if the victims file a complaint against them. This comprises a major factor of fear and pushes many families to leave their homes and to flee the province for one reason, which is their children. But those who stay live in difficult conditions that are reflected in the smallest aspects of life as well as at the mercy of the shabiha. 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. When spin doctors repeatedly assure the media that the prime minister and chancellor are working well together, it is normally a sign that rumours of tensions between them are true. It happened with Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and now with Boris Johnson and Sajid Javid. Although the chancellors resignation shocked Westminster, there were warning signs that all was not well between 10 and 11 Downing Street. Last August, Dominic Cummings, Johnsons most influential aide, summarily sacked Sonia Khan, one of Javids special advisers. There have been persistent rumours that some Johnson allies did not rate Javids performance as chancellor. They talked up his deputy Rishi Sunak, an early backer of Johnson in last years Tory leadership election, when Javid ran against him. Sunak was handed two TV debates in the general election campaign, and Javid none despite his seniority. Rumours swirled that Javid intended to press Johnson to dismiss the controversial Cummings after the election, but backed off when he won a thumping majority. Speaking at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung), Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said everyone in Armenia has concerns about the environmental risks of Amulsar gold mine operation. "I personally, as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, am equally interested and equally not interested in having this mine operated," he said. I am interested if it turns out that the operation of the mine will not cause irreversible environmental damage to Armenia. I am not interested if it turns out that the operation of this mine will cause environmental disasters in Armenia. Not only am I not interested, but also in such a situation, I simply cannot permit to operate that mine. It is another thing that we, because of certain situations, because of public distrust, cannot move forward in getting the answers to these questions. If the environmental risks are found to be manageable, I will support that project; if it turns out they are not manageable, I will not support that project." 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. First anniversary of Pulwama terror attack: To commemorate martyrdom of 40 CPPF jawans who lost their lives in a suicide bomber attack in Pulwama, J&K, on February 14 last year, a memorial will be inaugurated at the district's Lethpora camp on Friday. The memorial will bear the names of all 40 martyrs along with their pictures. The CRPF memorial will also carry the moto of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) -- 'Seva and Nishtha' (Service and Loyalty). Jammu and Kashmir: Tributes being paid to the 40 CRPF jawans who lost their lives in #PulwamaAttack last year, at the memorial at CRPF's Lethpora camp, in Srinagar. pic.twitter.com/9aAxF5cbhE a ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2020 Remembering the martyrs' sacrifice, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said India would forever be grateful of its bravehearts. "I pay homage to the martyrs of Pulwama Attack. India will forever be grateful of our bravehearts and their families who made supreme sacrifice for the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland." It was around 3 pm on this day last year when Jaish-e-Mohammed bomber Adil Ahmed Dar, 20, rammed an SUV loaded with 350 kg explosives in one of the CRPF buses, leaving 40 Central Reserve Police Force jawans dead. The attack on the convoy carrying over 2,500 CRPF jawans in 78 buses had shook the entire nation. One year after the attack, there has been a complete change in the vigil strategy of the security forces. Crucial security measures taken after Pulwama attack Troops' movement is now done in coordination with other security forces and the Army CRPF can carry troops by air to avoid possibility of any such attack Process of bullet-proofing of vehicles carrying troops has been expedited Now many more bunker-type vehicles can seen on roads carrying jawans A flashback After the attack last year, tensions had flared up between India and Pakistan as protests erupted across India, seeking revenge for the dastardly attack. As leaders across the party lines condemned the terror attack and called for a response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told the countrymen he felt the same "fire" in his "heart" that's raging inside people of India. He also said all tears would be "avenged" and gave the Army "full freedom to decide the place, time, intensity and nature of the retaliation". Following the attack, India launched airstrikes on Jaish camps in Balakot in Pakistan's Khber Pakhtunkhwa region on February 26. A day later, IAF had foiled an attempt by Pakistani Air Force to strike at military installations in J&K, which led to a major dogfight and aerial skirmish between IAF and PAF fighters. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was flying MIG-21 Bison fighter aircraft shot down Pakistan's much-advanced F-16. After his own aircraft was hit, he ejected from it and landed in PoK, where he was captured by the Pakistani Army. In just two days, under pressure from India and the international community, Pakistan had to release him, and the IAF pilot was given a hero's welcome back home. As per the Army, all conspirators behind the terror attack in Pulwama have been killed in the past one year, with the last one being Qari Yasir, the self-styled chief of Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group, who was killed last month. Edited by Manoj sharma with agency inputs The verdict in the Behmai massacre case, in which 20 people were killed allegedly by bandit Phoolan Devi's gang in 1981, which was supposed to be delivered on January 6, has been postponed again with the next hearing listed for February 26. The date for pronouncing the verdict on the role of the four surviving accused in the case that shook the country nearly four decades ago could not be fixed on Wednesday in the absence of the original case diary (CD), District Government Counsel (criminal) Raju Porwal said. The court has listed the case on February 26 with strict instructions to the office staff and the police to trace the original CD and place it before the court, Porwal said. It has also made it clear that it will hear the arguments over the missing case diary first before listing the case for pronouncing of judgement. Porwal said the superintendent of police of Kanpur Dehat has made a written request to the special judge (UP dacoity-affected area), seeking more time to present the CD. Considering the request, the judge has given time till February 26 to search for the missing CD and place it before the court, he said. Earlier, special judge Sudhir Kumar had pulled up a court official after noticing the absence of the original CD while delivering the judgement in the case on January 18. The court had expressed disappointment over the matter. It had postponed the case from January 24 to January 30 and then to February 12 as the CD could not be traced. The court has also issued a notice to the session clerk concerned for the missing case diary, Porwal said. The court was expected to pronounce its verdict on the role of the four surviving accused Posha, Bhikha, Vishwanath and Shyambabu. Posha is still in prison, while Bhikha, Vishwanath and Shyambabu are out on bail. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a bid to attract investment and industries to Jammu and Kashmir, the Union territory administration has come up with a plan to send 54 of its top officers to conduct roadshows across the country from February 17. Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam chaired the second apex committee meeting on Friday to review the preparations for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Global Investors Summit 2020, to be held in the capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu. In the run-up to the mega event, roadshows were scheduled from February 17 onwards in major cities across the country, a senior officer said, adding that each roadshow will focus on showcasing specific sectors for seeking investment in Jammu and Kashmir. The roadshows will be held in Bengaluru and Kolkata on February 17, in Mumbai on February 21, in Hyderabad on March 2, in Chennai on March 5 and in Ahmedabad on March 9, officials said. Fifty-four senior officers and dignitaries will preside over the pre-event functions slated during the roadshows, they added. International roadshows were also being planned to attract foreign investment, the officials said. Besides, mini conclaves will be held in Srinagar and Jammu in March, they added. Signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with the interested investors will also form a part of the roadshows and the main summit, the officials said. Reviewing the preparations of various pre-event activities, the chief secretary laid emphasis on ensuring the participation of major industry players for an enhanced awareness among investors to project Jammu and Kashmir as an investment-friendly region. It was decided that the Media and Publicity Committee will finalise the media plan and share it with the Industries department for its implementation. Nodal officers from each department shall be nominated for dissemination of information on the focus sectors. The chief secretary expressed optimism that the summit will prove to be a gala event. "The summit will not only help present business-friendly policies of the government, identify business opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir to the participating trade and industry organisations, but also harmonise Jammu and Kashmir's intrinsic strength and aspirations of development and employment opportunities," he said. The chief secretary asked all the administrative secretaries concerned to re-double their efforts to prepare investment-friendly sectoral polices within a week. He also stressed on the need to synergise the roles and responsibilities of the administrative secretaries, heads of departments and other officers to encourage one-on-one interaction with potential investors in their respective departments and areas so as to make the summit productive and outcome oriented. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lucknow, Feb 14 : Protests against the citizenship laws are continuing in six cities in Uttar Pradesh even as the police have succeeded in forcing protesters to call off their agitation in some districts. In some cities, including Lucknow, protests are being held on multiple locations. Lucknow, for instance, is witnessing a major protest against the citizenship laws at the historic Clock Tower. The protests began on January 17. Taking inspiration from Shaheen Bagh, the women here take turns to sit on protest and ensure that the number of protesters does not shrink at any given time. On Friday, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Pulwama attack, the protesters paid homage to the martyrs and observed a two minute silence. To celebrate Valentine's Day, the protesters have arranged for a 'mushaira' at the protest site in the evening. In Ujariagaon village in Gomti Nagar area in Lucknow, another set of women have been sitting on protest since the past two weeks. "We are continuing our protest against the CAA and have no intentions of calling it off. Our numbers are growing and we will continue to protest till the government agrees to withdraw the citizenship laws," said Saira, a homemaker who has been at the protest site since the past one week. Hindus and Sikhs are holding 'langars' at both the places in Lucknow, providing food to the protesters. Satinderjit Singh, a Sikh businessman, said, "We may not be able to sit on protest because we have our business to take care of but the least we can do is to ensure that the women here get food on time." In Prayagraj, protests are continuing at the Mansoor Ali Park in Roshan Bagh where a large number of women and men are participating. The protesters agreed to cooperate with the local administration during the main bathing days of the Magh Mela but refused to shift or call off their protest. In Aligarh, protests are continuing at two places -- Aligarh Muslim University and Shahjamal Eidgah. The protests have been continuing since December 13. It has been a fortnight since protests began in Moradabad at the Eidgah ground and the number are swelling by the day. Kanpur has also been a witness to anti-CAA protest since the past one month. Attempts made by the police to clear the protest site at Chamanganj area led to considerable tension in the communally sensitive city last week and it was finally decided to allow the protests to continue. In Deoband in Saharanpur, the protests are continuing since the past 11 days. The protest site is the Eidgah ground. Protests have also been held in districts like Rae Bareli, Azamgarh, Varanasi, Etawah but the police managed to drive away protesters before the numbers could increase. Police action on anti-CAA protesters in Azamgarh has already turned into a political controversy with Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi meeting the victims of police action on Wednesday. NORWALK When Angela DeCesare started at Winston Prep School, she was a shy and quiet student who was reluctant to take risks. But something inside her started to change around the time she joined an art program at Winston Prep. It was in art class that DeCesare picked up painting. In our art studio class, we get to express ourselves freely, which is unlike most schools where they give you projects to do. Here, we just get to create our own paths, the Winston Prep senior said. As DeCesare learned to express herself on the canvas, teachers started to see her make strides in other fields. Shes transformed from this quiet student who wouldnt come out of her shell to a very verbal, enthusiastic, engaged and self-confident woman, Winston Prep Principal Beth Sugerman said. Sugerman said the art program at Winston Prep, a school for children with learning disabilities, gives students like DeCesare a chance to find their voices. It gives them a chance to take risks, become creative and be comfortable with self-discovery, Sugerman said. Art is wonderful. It is limitless, there are no mistakes, and it motivates our kids to be inquisitive, to identify themselves and to step outside their boundaries of safety when it comes to skill development. Last week, more than a dozen Winston Prep students from grades six through 12 debuted artwork that they created over the last two months during an exhibition at Norwalk Hospital. The pieces ranged from colorful paintings of city skylines and abstracts to large canvas, intricate mixed-media pieces. At the exhibition, Kaila Rosovsky, a junior at Winston Prep, stood before her piece and reflected on what the art program has meant to her. She said art photography in particular has become an important aspect of her life. I like that Im able to express what Im unable to put into words, Rosovsky said. For her piece, Rosovsky took inspiration from her father, who is a neuroradiologist. Using heavy yarn and molding, she recreated the neuro pathways of the brain using vibrant shades of yellow and red, blue and purple. Laura Dowling, the art teacher at Winston Prep, said she got a sense of how important the exhibition was to students like Rosovsky and DeCesare when they started dropping by the school studio during lunchtime and free periods to work on their pieces. When that happens, you know something good is going on, Dowling said. Converging many favourable conditions with social, cultural, political, and economic advantages, Vietnam has emerged as a thriving and fast-growing market in Southeast Asia and become one of the most-preferred property investment channels among both local and international investors. Nevertheless, huge investment opportunities usually come with high risks, especially in a young and immature market where real estate investors and homebuyers lack a formal, professional, and trustworthy information source with diverse views on investment. Little wonder that the Property Insight programme has received such a warm welcome. Ultimate guidelines from top experts The demand for property investment in Vietnam has increased significantly since 2015 when property ownership was first opened to international investors. The market has been receiving increasing interest from Asian investors taking advantage of the bargain prices in comparison to other Asian countries like Singapore or Thailand. Though the local real estate sector is growing at a satisfying rate, it is still fraught with uncertainties, with more projects now waiting for approval since newly-established property firms soaring. The young and opaque industry with unsystematic and insufficient information, along with the shortage of multifaceted, in-depth analysis have been making purchasing or investment decisions a lot tougher. With the goal of moving the local market towards a transparent real estate business environment where investors and homebuyers would have enough information and research-based data on both micro- and macro-markets, the Property Insight programme was created and has gathered leading professionals and top industry insiders from many sectors to provide ultimate guidelines for accurate and long-term investment. There are two different views of investment, especially in real estate, according to Vo Huynh Tuan Kiet, associate director and head of Housing Project Marketing at CBRE Vietnam. Foreigners from developed countries look at Ho Chi Minh City as a place where they can put their money down. They appreciate the emerging stage of the market because they can see the potential of the city. The value of their investment will increase day by day, year by year, by 20-30 per cent or maybe even double the original investment, Kiet insisted in Episode 3 of Property Insight titled Liveable City. Vo Huynh Tuan Kiet (second from the left) and the panellists On the other hand, local investors also appreciate this citys developing status. Despite some delays and issues, Ho Chi Minh City still has room for investors to double-down on their investment. As long as the city keeps changing, infrastructure is still being developed, residential areas are being planned, and new buildings and commercial sites are rising up, there will always be opportunities for investment, he added. Multi-dimensional views needed for sound investment orientation Many experienced specialists from different episodes of the programme have provided viewers with diverse angles from the property market outlook, potential investment locations, to real estate credit policies or specific housing segments. With the governments tightening policies on real estate credit, Vietnams property mortgage market has been the apple of investors eye and has seen rapid development. This has been driven by associated economic changes taking place, which includes a very high urbanisation rate leading to a huge demand for apartments, especially in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and other major areas, Sanjay Chakrabarty, OCBs deputy CEO and head of Retail Banking, explained in Episode 8 about Mortgage. On the other hand, consumer credit has almost doubled in only a few years, 50 per cent of which has come from the mortgage, he added. Home ownership is a good thing and its the first step to wealth creation. Sanjay Chakrabarty and the panellist (third from the left) Under a property developers perspective, SonKim Lands CEO Andy Han, noted in Episode 8 that around 40-50 per cent of the developers customers are foreigners who are ineligible for loans in Vietnam. However, the rest are locals and only 10 per cent are getting loans from banks. This rate is significantly lower than in South Korea. In fact, CBREs statistics show that buyers in the affordable and low-end segments tend to borrow more than those in the luxury and high-end segments because the latter are mainly investors who do not need to take up loans. Particularly in the shophouse segment, although some said this has been a channel where sales were difficult, Andy saw many customers who owned more than one shophouse in many projects. All shophouses produce pretty decent rental yield, around 6 per cent. I think this is a good investment for those who are looking to invest in different types of real estate assets, he said. Again, it could be really easy for developers to sell or could be a headache depending on the location as well as the customers investment targets, he said in Episode 7 about Shophouse. Andy Han discussing shophouse investment Comparing the value of a shophouse and a residential house, Chinh Tran, leasing manager of Retail Services at CBRE Vietnam, revealed a shophouse could fetch 25-100 per cent more than an upper-end apartment. However, much depends on the location, and a shophouses value is not sky-high from the get-go but rather increases quickly and very high compared to apartments in the later stage of operation. Offering leading experts and top industry insiders expertise in various sectors from economics and culture to real estate consultancy or project development, the audience could glean useful facts and figures as well as learn precious lessons from demonstrated analyses of property investment. The Property Insight programme is also becoming guidance for both local and international investors and homebuyers looking to be confident about their real estate investment decisions. The "Norway Cards Payments: Opportunities and Risks to 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Summary The publisher's 'Norway Cards Payments: Opportunities and Risks to 2023' report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Norwegian cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including cash, cards, credit transfers, direct debits, and cheques during the review-period (2015-19e). The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review-period and over the forecast-period (2019e-23f). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including market shares of issuers and schemes. The report brings together the publisher's research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers detailed regulatory policies and recent changes in regulatory structure. This report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Norwegian cards and payments industry, including: Current and forecast values for each market in the Norwegian cards and payments industry, including debit, credit, and charge cards. Detailed insights into payment instruments including cash, cards, credit transfers, direct debits, and cheques. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments. E-commerce market analysis. Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Norwegian cards and payments industry. Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit, credit, and charge cards. Scope To foster electronic payments in the country and offer instant international fund transfers irrespective of currency, a group of Nordic banks plan to collectively introduce the P27 project in 2020. The project stems from the popularity of mobile payment apps like Swish in Sweden, Vipps in Norway, and MobilePay in Denmark. The P27 project will be based on an open access network and will enable consumers to make domestic and international payments instantly across the Nordic region. In June 2019, Mastercard partnered with P27 Nordic Payments Platform to initiate multicurrency cross-border account-to-account transfers. Transactions will be able to be made in currencies including Swedish krona, Danish krone, Norwegian krone, and euros. Banks that will support this infrastructure include Danske Bank, DNB, Nordea, SEB, Handelsbanken, and Swedbank. American Express terminated its card agreement with DNB in May 2019, after which card holders could no longer use their cards or reward points. All new cards are issued by American Express itself. As part of this move, American Express launched all of its cards (including the Platinum, Gold, Basic, Green, SAS Amex Elite, SAS Amex Premium, and SAS Amex Classic variants) as charge cards rather than credit cards. Contactless technology is gradually on the rise in Norway. According to the central bank, 103 million contactless payments were made at physical merchants in 2018. With banks and scheme providers increasingly promoting this technology, the number of contactless cards is expected to reach 16.2 million by 2022. BankAxept rolled out its own contactless cards in June 2017. By the end of February 2018 banks had issued around 2 million contactless BankAxept cards, and 41 million payments had been made using these cards by the end of 2018. Reasons to buy Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Norwegian cards and payments industry and each market within it. Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Norwegian cards and payments industry. Assess the competitive dynamics in the Norwegian cards and payments industry. Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Norway. Gain insights into key regulations governing the Norwegian cards and payments industry. Key Topics Covered: Table of Contents Market Overview Card-based Payments Merchant Acquiring E-commerce Payments Mobile Proximity Payments P2P Payments Bill Payments Alternative Payments Payment Innovations Payments Infrastructure Regulation Appendix Companies Mentioned DNB Nordea Danske Bank Svenska Handelsbanken SEB EnterCard Santander Elavon Swedbank Bambora Eika Nets BankAxept Visa Mastercard American Express Diners Club PayPal Google Pay Apple Pay Klarna Vipps For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ex5tc8 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200214005352/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 If you're an environmentally conscious consumer, you've probably heard that today's highly efficient dishwashers use less energy and water than traditional hand-washing techniques. While that's true in most cases, there's one manual washing technique -- the two-basin method, in which dishes are soaked and scrubbed in hot water and then rinsed in cold water -- that is associated with fewer greenhouse gas emissions than machine dishwashing. That's one of the surprising findings of a new study from University of Michigan researchers that includes a list of tips for greener dishwashing. The study was published online Feb. 12 in the journal Environmental Research Communications and is the result of a collaboration between U-M researchers and Michigan-based Whirlpool Corp. The study also found that: Avoiding pre-rinsing and deselecting the "heated dry" setting can significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with machine dishwashers. The common "running tap" method of manual dishwashing used more energy and more water than any other dishwashing method tested. advertisement If by-hand dishwashers switched from the running tap to the two-basin method, they could reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions by about two-thirds. "This is the first comprehensive life cycle assessment of manual washing and machine washing, and it provides useful guidance to households on how to improve environmental performance of both methods," said study senior author Greg Keoleian, director of the Center for Sustainable Systems at the U-M School for Environment and Sustainability. The study builds on a SEAS master's thesis by lead author Gabriela Porras. Data were collected at Whirlpool's dishwasher manufacturing plant in Findlay, Ohio, and a small-scale laboratory study was conducted at the company's headquarters in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Whirlpool also provided funding. Several previous studies have concluded that consumers can save time, energy and water by using a machine dishwasher instead of washing by hand. But many of those studies failed to account for real-world behavior -- such as pre-rinsing and varying the cycle selection -- by those who rely on machine dishwashers. And while the earlier studies compared the in-the-kitchen environmental impacts of manual versus machine dishwashing, most of them did not consider lifetime, cradle-to-grave environmental costs, including the manufacture and disposal of dishwashers. advertisement The new U-M-led study took a comprehensive look at the environmental burdens of manual and machine dishwashing, including greenhouse gas emissions, water and energy consumption, solid waste production and cost. The study also compared recommended best practices for hand and machine washing with typical behaviors observed during the Benton Harbor lab study. When typical manual and machine practices were followed, machine dishwashers were associated with less than half the greenhouse gas emissions and used less than half the water. Most of the emissions are tied to the energy used to heat the water. The common "running tap" method of manual dishwashing, which involves washing and rinsing dishes beneath a steady stream of hot water, used more energy and water than any other method tested. The outcome changed dramatically when the less-common two-basin method of manual dishwashing was used. Under that scenario, manual dishwashing produced lower greenhouse gas emissions than any other alternative examined in the study -- 18% lower than machine washing using recommended best practices. Not ready to give up the time-saving convenience of a machine dishwasher? The new study offers several tips to reduce the environmental impact of your appliance, including three key "don'ts": Don't pre-rinse before loading dishes into the dishwasher; don't select the "heat dry" setting; and don't choose the "heavy" cycle over a normal wash, except for tougher loads. In the observational study, 38 Whirlpool employees were asked to load a dishwasher as they typically would at home, to manually wash dishes as they would at home, and to answer survey questions related to their dishwashing behaviors. The testing room at Whirlpool's Benton Harbor campus was designed to replicate a common kitchen sink area in an average household. The study assumed that natural gas is used to heat the water. Lifetime greenhouse gas emissions increase significantly if an electric water heater is used. Porras conducted the study for her master's thesis at the Center for Sustainable Systems at the U-M School for Environment and Sustainability. The other authors are Keoleian, Geoffrey Lewis of the Center for Sustainable Systems and Nagapooja Seeba of Whirlpool Corp. The research was supported by Whirlpool Corp. and U-M's Rackham Graduate School, School for Environment and Sustainability, and Center for Sustainable Systems. On Thursday morning, Anna Mitterling was on site for a Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing. By lunchtime, her seat on the panel was empty. Mitterlings appointment - announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last December - was rejected 20-16 by the state Senate Thursday under the Senates advice and consent process, which allows the chamber to disapprove eligible gubernatorial appointments within 60 days. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake, said the vote came from concerns that Mitterling didnt understand the immensity of the commission. Whitmers spokesperson called it a sexist political move deployed after the governor appointed George Heartwell to chair the commission last week. Regardless of the motivation, critics of the vote said it was uncalled for considering Mitterlings educational and professional experience and could have a chilling effect on future volunteers to serve on the commission that sets seasons and regulations for hunting and fishing in Michigan. We need good people - good, well-qualified people - who volunteer to do that job, said Bryan Burroughs, executive director of Michigan Trout Unlimited. Now they have to ask, Am I willing to be smeared around and used politically?' Watch Anna Mitterlings full hearing before the Senate Advice and Consent Committee: In Michigan, the state Senate has overview power over gubernatorial appointments to most boards and commissions, legally known as advice and consent. The Senate 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, including complaints from Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, and Michigan Advance reporter Allison Donahue. Mitterling, a biology professor at Lansing Community College and former wildlife coordinator with the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, testified at that committee Jan. 30, answering lawmakers questions for more than an hour. Mitterling told lawmakers she attended Spring Arbor University for undergrad and Michigan State University for grad school, where her research focused on how social interactions between hunters, landowners and farmers influenced their deer hunting activities. She said her decisionmaking process on the commission would entail listening to as many perspectives as possible and to review social and biological scientific research on the issues. Making decisions for the common good does not mean making a decision because the loudest voice or the deepest pockets has a view, she said. During the hearing, Mitterling fielded questions about her views on how to best manage chronic wasting disease, how much public land the state should own and maintain, what can be done to address deer overpopulation and more. At the end of the hearing, Lucido said he appreciated Mitterlings honesty and integrity: I can see that you were trying your best to go ahead and weather the storm with the questions that were barraged at you," he told her. By that point, Mitterling had already participated in her first commission meeting, and on Thursday was about to partake in her second. The 60-day window during which senators could disapprove of her appointment was set to end Sunday. Keith Creagh, an NRC commissioner and former director of the Department of Natural Resources, said hes not familiar with Mitterlings background and wasnt in a position to judge her qualifications, but said she handled herself well during the last commission meeting. He also said she brought the perspective of young women involved in the outdoors to the commission, calling that demographic a very specific group were trying to reach. Generally speaking, its a high privilege to be on the commission and the commissioners appreciate their position and their responsibilities on the commission, he said. Related coverage: Michigan Senate rejects Whitmer appointee, governor alleges sexist, partisan games Ahead of the Senate vote to disapprove Mitterling, Whitmer spokesperson Tiffany Brown said Senate Republicans demanded the governor pull her Heartwell appointment 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. Heartwell said Thursday he was disappointed in the Senates vote, calling Mitterling a very capable, qualified individual. Annas advice and consent hearing proved that shes bright, shes knowledgeable, she has a deep history and background, especially on the hunting side, he said. Shirkey declined to comment on whether the rejection had to do with Heartwell, but told reporters its not unusual to negotiate and try to find a middle ground with the governors office as part of the advice and consent process. She looked like she just came across as being a little bit not willing to make tough decisions, quite frankly, he said of Mitterling. In a follow-up statement, Shirkey said Mitterlings committee testimony didnt square with her impressive resume, adding, sometimes what looks good on paper is not good enough. Related coverage: New Michigan NRC chair says hes not anti-gun, despite gun group opposition Legislative Democrats and several environmental groups, including Michigan Trout Unlimited, the Michigan Sierra Club and the Michigan Environmental Council, joined the governors office in condemning the Senate vote. Burroughs said hes been aware of Mitterlings work for years and was happy to hear shed been appointed due to her education and work history. He said news that the Senate might reject her came as a complete surprise. Anna has nothing in her record to have been of concern to people, he said. Both (Mitterling and Heartwell) are good people that dont deserve to be politicized for volunteering for public service. Burroughs said hes frustrated about the politicization of a commission thats designed to take politics out of important decisions for the states environment and hunting and fishing industries. Theres going to be a lot of chaos, he said. Its definitely taken an ordered history of doing this and thrown a lot of disorder into it. Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr., D-East Lansing, sits on the Advice and Consent Committee and dismissed claims that Mitterling wasnt good enough to sit on the commission. He said he didnt think Heartwell should be rejected either, but suggested Republicans are going after Mitterling because its easier. The reality is that George is the former mayor of Grand Rapids, hes got plenty of friends, he said. Theres plenty of reasons why they would politically worry about doing it to George, so instead they decided to do it to Anna, who frankly is just an average constituent. Shes a wildlife biologist who has spent her entire career, promoting hunting and fishing, he continued. If shes not actually qualified for the Natural Resources Commission, who is? St. Stephens Episcopal Church of Ridgefield will host three young artists in a concert honoring Black History Month on Monday, Feb. 24. The concert highlights the contributions of black musicians and composers and will feature rarely heard classical works by such African American composers as Harry Burleigh, Florence Price, Fela Sowande, Samuel-Coleridge Taylor, as well as Rashaan Allwood, a widely acclaimed keyboardist and composer who will be one of the three performers at the St. Stephens concert, according to a news release. Allwood has toured across Europe and was named to the CBC 30 under 30 list of classical musicians in 2017. Allwood is currently the director of music at St. Ansgar Lutheran Church, Toronto where he regularly premieres new works, and organized performances of works by J.S. Bach. He will be featured alongside baritone Caleb Wright, who appeared this past summer at the St. Stephens Jazz Vespers, and Alcee Chriss III, music minister at St. Stephens. The concert is intended to be both a musically and spiritually fulfilling experience, Rev. Whitney Altopp, rector of St. Stelphens, said in a news release. Mr. Allwood and Dr. Chriss are consummate keyboard virtuosos, and Mr. Wrights versatile voice easily transitions between operatic and popular styles. This will be a very exciting evening for people of all ages and backgrounds. The concert will feature a variety of musical styles that are reflected in the African American heritage, including selections from Scott Joplin and Erroll Garner. Organ and piano works will intersperse sacred vocal works and spiritual arrangements, many of which were conceived by living African American composers. In his book, Race Against Time, Mitchell describes how, by the 1990s, suspects and witnesses were increasingly dying off. The easiest case to revive was that against Beckwith: His mistrials did not preclude yet another attempt to convict him of Everss murder, and in early 1994 a new jury did just that. One new witness against Beckwith was his nephew, Reed Massengill, who had just published an invaluable book about his uncle appropriately titled Portrait of a Racist. Everss and Beckwiths lives have been so well-chronicled that Race Against Time covers largely familiar ground, but Mitchell does highlight how a Klan buddy whom Beckwith once called his guiding force, Gordon Lackey, was equally complicit in Everss murder. We drew, and I ended up with the short straw, Beckwith admitted shortly after his conviction. Lackey, however, was never charged; he died in 2007. Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted of firing an illegal gun at Destiny USA on Black Friday made another pitch Friday to get out of jail until trial. Kyree Truax, 21, has remained in jail, with bail set at $100,000 cash or $150,000 bond. His lawyers arguments Friday drew praise from a judge, while getting nowhere in lowering the bail. First, a recap of the case: Truax has successfully claimed that he acted in self-defense the night of Nov. 29, 2019, when he pulled a handgun and fired repeatedly while being jumped by some adversaries near the food court. The gunfire led to pandemonium and closed the mall early on its busiest day of the year. But Truax has no right to possess a handgun at all. Under law, thats a violent felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Thats the punishment that Assistant District Attorney Anthony Mangovski is pushing for. So what happened with bail Friday? First, some history. Until Jan. 1, defense lawyers were allowed one bail argument per case. The only reason to re-argue bail was a change in circumstance, such as exculpatory evidence or stymied prosecutions. But defense lawyer Patrick Hennessy said Friday that the new bail law allows him to argue bail over and over. Dougherty, the judge, didnt stop him. And, the lawyer argued, the new law allowed him to make the absolutely opposite argument: the fact nothing had changed in the case was a reason to lower bail. In other words, Truax was still in jail. That was proof that he didnt have the money to bail out. Clearly, the fact my client is still in custody (shows bail) is far beyond what anyone in the family can afford, Hennessy argued. The fact that bail was unaffordable was an argument for lowering it, the lawyer said. Thats an interesting argument, the fact that nothing has changed, Dougherty mused. Its novel. I appreciate it." Then the judge shot it down: Bail remains the same. Truax returns to court next month for hearings as his case heads toward trial. Its unclear how he plans to defend himself from the charge that he possessed a gun that day -- authorities say the entire shooting was on security camera and Truax has not denied it. But hes still waiting to find out what the judge would sentence him to if he pleaded guilty. If its no lower than the prosecutors maximum offer of 15 years, then Truax may have nothing to lose by going to trial. He does face a second felony, accusing him of tampering with evidence, that could add some additional prison time, if convicted after trial. Truax is also accused of disposing of the gun afterward. More on Destiny USA mall shooting: 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. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has appointed Jerry Moore, director of IT applications, as the states next CIO.In a news release Thursday, Stitt said Moore was selected based on his expertise in the design and management of high-performance, low-cost technology initiatives. Stitt said he believes Moores experience will help modernize services across Oklahomas government.According to his LinkedIn profile , Moore is also a partner at cloud software and hardware vendor SiteTraxx LLC. He served as CIO of the city of Tulsa for a decade, ending in 2009.Moore will replace longtime CIO Bo Reese, who has served in the position since November 2014. Moore has been director of IT applications since 2017.Moore is the newest addition in a shakeup of the states Office of Management and Enterprise Services. Recently, Stitt brought Steven Harpe on board to oversee the department last month and mentioned at that time that the agency was undergoing several changes.Jerry [Moores] more than 20 years of experience in technology leadership in the public and private sectors will serve Oklahomans well as we continue our efforts in becoming a Top Ten state, Harpe said in a prepared statement.Moore will report directly to Harpe in his new role. Large-scale flytipping incidents in England have more than doubled in the last six years, a BBC investigation has revealed. Organised criminal gangs are being blamed for the spike, as councils faced a 12.8m bill to clear more than 36,200 large tips last year. The BBC Shared Data Unit said this accounted for more than a fifth of the overall cost of clearing fly-tips. The NFU said the broadcaster's investigation exposed a 'nightmare' situation that is continuing to 'spiral out of control'. According to the latest National Rural Crime Network, flytipping is now the most common crime experienced by specific rural business owners, mainly farmers. Official government statistics reveal that local authorities in England dealt with just over one million incidents for the year 2018/19. This is an increase of 8% from the 998,000 incidents reported in 2017/18. Looking at flytipping on farmland, figures released last month show these incidents have increased by two thirds in the past seven years as councils warn the crime is getting worse. While the majority of fly-tips takes place on public highways, council land and footpaths, the District Councils Network (DCN) is warning that farms are a growing target. The number of fly-tipping incidents targeting agricultural spots has significantly increased - from 888 in 2012/13 to 1,473 in 2018/19. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Whats up with the piquant peppers and lemon on Pier 76s new pies? St. George restaurant owner Jeremy Pappalardo chuckled and explained his choice of ingredients on zesty winter pizza specials: This neighborhood likes to see seasonal, local...different. Enter the Bay Street parlors kale-on-peppadew pie with roasted garlic slivers and goat cheese crumbles. Sauteed kale lends an earthy flavor on a slice alongside piquant peppadew peppers. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri) We saute the kale in garlic and oil, put it on the cheese. The peppadews have that sweet, tangy taste, said Pappalardo. And then there is the lemon aioli-on-shishito pie topped with shishitos, peppers that are randomly hot and mild. Pappalardo tasted the tender Capsicum at a Long Island restaurant while out with friends. The sampled dish sported zesty flavors tamed by an accompanying creamy dip. The peppery package appealed to his tastebud sentiments. For every about every 10 peppers youre going to get a hot one. Thats why I love the pizza -- you dont know which slice is going to get you a hot one, said Papplardo. To add to the experience on a slice, a juicy pop happens with each creamy, cheesy, slightly citrus bites, an effect that happens from sweating shishitos in a saute pan beforehand. Eating shishito peppers, says Papplardo, are a little bit of a gamble. He says about one in every 10 of the Capsicums yield a burst of heat. Pier 76 came to St. George in November 2009. And Pappalardo hails from the pizza family of Joe & Pats in Castleton Corners. In summer 2017, the restaurant spun a second location, Molo, in Rosebank. The word molo in Italian means pier" and the sibling sit-down eatery featured a similar menu, seafood highlights and with Pier 76s signature, thin-crust delightful pizza. Molo closed about six months ago. Bacon and chicken with cheese pie at Pier 76, St. George. It just wasnt working, said Pappalardo of the three-year venture. I had a decent amount of people when I first opened. Its tough drawing people to that area." He said he believes other entrepreneurs can succeed there -- but there wasnt enough profit in pizza to make his restaurant a go. Theres not enough profit in what Im doing to hang on that long. I rely on volume. Over here [in St. George] I have people coming off the Ferry, coming from the courthouse, going to the St. George Theatre, said the proprietor. Now hes focused on the sole business and relishing in St. George. Recently, Pappalardo added checkered cloths to the tables in his den-like dining room. He likens the Pier 76 neighborhood to his pizzas -- a unique slice of New York City. Pier 76 is located at 76 Bay St., St. George; 718-447-7437, Pier76SI.com. Jeremy Pappalardo enjoys Pier 76's St. George neighborhood and appreciates the traffic from the ferry and courthouse. As a Staten Island native he often sees people in the restaurant from various stages of his life on "The Rock," a six degrees of separation he loves. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri) Pamela Silvestri is Advance food editor and the newspapers food critic. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com. Also follow her travels around the borough highlighting yummy Staten eats on Instagram as @StatenEats. Hyderabad: Several senior leaders of TRS, who were active in the party during 2014 elections and also during the Telangana movement, are maintaining distance from the party in recent times. After K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) became the partys working president importance of youngsters is gradually growing up much to the resentment and discomfort of some seniors, who have since been staying away from active politics. After 2014 elections, TRS boss K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) had given importance to senior leaders Nayani Narasimha Reddy, Madhusudhan Chary, Kadiyam Srihari, Jogu Ramanna and Swamy Goud, who all held important positions during the first tenure of the party. During the 2018 Assembly elections Madhusudhan Chary faced defeat, Nayani and Jogu Ramanna were out of the Cabinet and though there were reports of Swamy Goud likely to contest from Chevella Lok Sabha seat, it never materialized and the reasons are known only to KCR. Tummala Nageswara Rao, who jumped over from and was a Minister in the first Cabinet, has stopped vising Telangana Bhavan since the time he lost the 2018 elections. During the Assembly elections, former speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy, joined the party from Congress as did Mandava Venkateswara Rao from TDP. There was talk in TRS circles that both leaders were promised good positions when they joined the TRS fold. And with regard to Madhusudhan Chary, his influence is on the wane ever since G Venkata Ramana Reddy, Congress MLA from Bhupalpally Assembly segment, a Chary stronghold, joined TRS. The TRS boss has made G Jyothi, wife of Venkata Ramana Reddy as the ZP Chairperson of Jayashankar Bhupalpally district. As there was no sign from the party boss offering them good positions in the future all of them have been staying away from party programmes. In a recent chit chat with the reporters, Nayani Narasimha said that he requested the Chief Minister to nominate him for the Rajya Sabha. But sources in the party disclosed this time many of the senior leaders will not get plum posts as many youngsters are likely to take spotlight in the future. Of the 85 largest metro areas, only three experienced a year-over-year decline in the median sale price: San Jose (-4.3%), Baton Rouge (-4.1%), and Greenville, S.C. (-1.4%). Housing market heats up Home sales nationwide rose 6.7% year over year in January but fell 1.1% month over month on a seasonally-adjusted basis. "Typically, we don't see this many buyers in January, but with mortgage rates at a three-year low, there are plenty of early birds hoping to secure a home and lock in an affordable mortgage payment," Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather said. "Home sellers, on the other hand, see that the market is clearly heating up and have no reason to rush to list their homes or to make price cuts in order to secure a sale. Back in December, it wasn't clear if demand would pick up in the new year, so some sellers were willing to accept lower prices, which borrowed some demand from January and resulted in the slight dip in sales we're seeing now." Moreover, low inventory continued to push prices above asking in many markets across the country, even in the pricey coastal cities. The percentage of homes that sold above list price grew to 18.7% in January, up from 17.6% a year ago. New Delhi [India], Feb 14 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid his homage to the bravehearts of Pulwama attack on Friday. "I pay homage to the martyrs of Pulwama attack. India will forever be grateful of our bravehearts and their families who made supreme sacrifice for the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland," tweeted Amit Shah. It was around 3:00 pm on this day last year when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist rammed a vehicle carrying explosives into the Central Reserve Police Force (CPRF) convoy on Srinagar-Jammu national highway. Around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when their convoy was targeted by the suicide bomber of Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pulwama district. Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after the convoy of 78 buses, in which around 2500 CRPF personnel were traveling from Jammu to Srinagar, came under attack. Nationwide protests erupted against the dastardly terror attack even as the country bid goodbye to its bravehearts. Leaders across the party lines and civil society condemned the attack and called for an appropriate response. (ANI) Newly appointed President's Office Head Andriy Yermak, has commented on the investigation by the program of the U.S.-government funded Radio Free Liberty/Radio Europe (RFE/RL) Schemes: Corruption in Details (Schemes) investigation of President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Oman. "Where is the evidence of specific people? Where is the objective data? Did the audience hear anything other than 'according to our sources?' We seek dialogue and are ready to comment on the facts. The main problem is that nothing to comment on. It's all a lie from beginning to end, and there is not a single objective statement that could become a real, subject for discussion," Yermak said on Facebook. Yermak added that the authorities are ready to answer any questions, are ready to communicate with journalists, adding "But I would like to answer questions based on facts, not assumptions." Yermak said anyone can release a story about someone in which the only evidence will be "according to our sources," with a manipulative script and dramatic music. "Is this acceptable, is it journalism? Is it a professional job? Anyone with critical thinking skills will say no," he said. At the same time, he said the President's Office holds the position that freedom of speech is an important priority, adding that the government is ready for constructive criticism, supported by facts. The investigation (a joint project with UA:Pershy TV channel), aired on February 13, states that the charter plane used by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on January 8 to return to Kyiv from Muscat, Oman, earlier flew to Oman from Moscow, according to "information from public online aircraft tracking services." "According to the source of Schemes, at about 01:00 in the morning on January 8, Russian statesman Nikolai Patrushev (Secretary of Russia's Security Council) flew to Oman from Moscow. Journalists were able to obtain confirmation of this information using another, unrelated source in the database on crossing Russia's border," Schemes said. Schemes cited the comment from the President's Office, which states "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not familiar, has never talked on the phone, never met and, therefore, has not discussed any issues with Patrushev." As reported, on January 5, the President's Office said Zelensky was in Oman, where he and his family departed by scheduled flight at his own expense. The message said visits were planned for the president there. On January 5, Zelensky met with Oman's Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah for reported discussion about investments from Oman. On January 6, during a meeting with the Executive President of the State General Reserve Fund of Oman Abdulsalam Al Murshidi, Zelensky discussed the intensification of investment cooperation between the countries. On the morning of January 8, the President's Office said Zelensky interrupted his visit to Oman and was urgently returning to Ukraine in connection with the crash of the Ukrainian UIA plane in Iran. On the night of January 9, a meeting about the disaster involving the Ukrainian plane in Tehran was held in the President's Office. Each spring, hundreds of thousands of colorful Fiesta medals in a staggering variety of creative designs are shipped to San Antonio, mostly from China. We estimate between 2,800 and 3,000 different medals are made in different amounts. You look at companies like H-E-B. They are doing, like, 25,000. Some small businesses do 250 to 300, said Maggie Ibarra-Jimenez, one of three founders of a collectors group called Fiesta Medals Maniacs. But instead of joy and anticipation as Fiesta approaches, there is a growing dread this year, not only among the maniacs, but among medals designers, suppliers and sellers some of whom use the medals to support good causes. Because of factory shutdowns in China linked to the coronavirus epidemic, no one is certain the precious collectibles will arrive on time. Hundreds of thousands of people attend the parades and other events of Fiesta, which takes place April 16-26 this year. Some maniacs are fearful their big annual pre-Fiesta event, called Medalcon, where hundreds of people come to buy, trade and sell medals, might be affected. I even had two people asking that if their medals come in late, can we have our party afterwards, said Ibarra-Jimenez, who insisted the show will go on, no matter what happens in China. The San Antonio AIDS Foundation, which relies on its Fiesta medals for marketing and fundraising, is facing the real possibility of not having any this year. We ordered 800 with a focus on giving most of them away to our VIP guests and sponsors, and selling the rest, foundation spokesman Ken Slavin said. There wont be any big financial fallout for us if we dont get them, but it will be a huge disappointment. It would be sad not to have a medal presence in the larger Fiesta world this year. According to Fiesta lore, the modern Fiesta medal dates to 1971, when an early King Antonio punched holes in some metal coins and strung them on a ribbon. It caught on, and at some point the custom became a craze and a Fiesta sub-culture. Some collectors now gather hundreds each year. At Monarch Trophy Studio, the largest local supplier, owner Charlie Drago is communicating daily with some of the 30 factories in China he relies on. He said he isnt ready to hit the panic button not yet. A typical medal takes from four to six weeks to be made. So, if we do the math backwards, even if they reopen on March 1, well still get some medals for Fiesta. Another week or two would be alarming, he said. But the dated Fiesta medals are like ripe fruit. They cant be used in subsequent years. Drago said not all of his clients are maintaining their cool. Tons of our customers are calling. Yesterday the panic started. We tell them, Hope for the best, he said. Drago said the manufacturing situation in China was complicated because many workers live at the factories and had gone home during the Lunar New Year vacation. When travel bans were imposed because of the coronavirus, many workers had no way to return to work. Some lucky Monarch customers will not be affected by the coronavirus crisis. The medals dont all come from China. Most do, but we have orders coming in every day from other countries, Drago said. At Celebrate Excellence, another local supplier, owner Brian Posten is busy looking elsewhere for medal manufacturers, from India to Canada but with little luck. The ones that seem to be able to do them are triple to five times what I get them for now. We also have factories in South Korea, but they are pricey, he said. For the guy in the middle, its a very uncomfortable dilemma one completely out of his control. Almost half my earnings for the year come in January, February and March, and the majority of that is Fiesta medals, Posten said. If I cant get the medals in time, Ill have to cancel the orders and refund the money. So the company will suffer. Posten said all he can do is keep his customers informed and hope for good news from China. They may be upset, but I think at the end of the day, they will understand. This is an epidemic. Its not just my company. Its all the companies in San Antonio that deal with these medals, he said. Esther Foster, owner of Foster Design, has been designing Fiesta medals for more than a decade, and just finished the last one she plans for this year. Any orders taken after this time would be completely uncertain. Even though you tell the clients you might not get them in time, they dont understand the reality, she said. She already has taken precautions with some of the 20 or so designs she created this year. I just wrote a client. I told him Im taking the 2020 off the design because Im not sure when were going to get them, and I dont want my client to be stuck with 2020 on the medals if they come in late, she said. Foster said the people she worries about most are those who expect to sell the medals, including for charitable purposes. If they are giving them away as promotions, its not a problem. If they are going to be selling them for profit or as part of a nonprofit effort, they will really be upset, she said. The Fiesta San Antonio Commission advises all participating parties to order their medals in June or July, just to be ahead of things. I just checked with the store, and all our Fiesta medals are in except for one, our Fiesta Fiesta medal, which is for the kickoff event, commission spokeswoman Paige Wolf said. We are still waiting on Monarch for that medal. By PTI NEW DELHI: Supreme Court judge Justice R Banumathi, who fainted in the courtroom on Friday while dictating the order in the Nirbhaya case, is stable and undergoing treatment, sources said. They said she was immediately rushed for the medical attention and is now stable. Justice Banumathi had fainted in courtroom while dictating the order on the Centre' plea seeking separate hanging of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case. The lady judge had soon regained consciousness and was taken to the chamber by other judges of the bench and Supreme Court staff. She was soon taken on a wheel chair for medical treatment at medical facility in the apex court. Justice A S Bopanna, while rising, had said that the order in the matter will be passed in-chamber. Justice Ashok Bhushan was also part of the three-judge bench hearing the matter. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday called upon the scientific community to lay emphasis on enhancing the productivity of small and marginal farmers. "The small and marginal farmers are the most vulnerable and their welfare must be accorded the highest priority," he added. Addressing the 58th convocation of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute here, he lauded the institute's achievements as truly remarkable in the post-green revolution phase, considering the quantum jump in the country's foodgrain production from 50.82 million tonnes in 1950-51 to 283.37 million tonnes in 2018-19. The Vice President asked institutions like IARI to utilise technological advancements to improve the life of a farmer and ensure that their research reaches the farm. He urged them to serve the nation through scientific advancements and innovations in agriculture. Expressing concern over the alarming prevalence of malnutrition and hidden hunger, he pointed out that more than 80 per cent of adolescents in India suffer from hidden hunger. "This problem has to be addressed on a war footing as youth are the backbone of the nation," he added. Hidden hunger is a deficiency of one or more micronutrients such as folate, zinc, iron, Vitamin A and Vitamin B12. Noting that malnutrition was a serious health issue as it increased susceptibility to various diseases, the Vice President referred to the growing problem of non-communicable diseases and advised the youth to shun sedentary lifestyle and junk food. According to an official release, he urged institutions such as IARI to develop high-yielding, disease-resistant and nutrient-rich varieties of crops. He also wanted them to educate people on the dangers of excessive use of pesticides as it was leading to increased instances of diseases like cancer. "A country like India cannot depend on imported food security. We need home-grown, protein-rich food to meet the needs of the burgeoning population," he added. The Vice President lauded the institution for developing several bio-fortified maize hybrids rich in lysine, tryptophan and pro-vitamin A and lentil varieties rich in iron and zinc. He said it was indeed a step in the right direction for making India nutritionally secure. "Combination of appropriate policies, technologies, and institutional arrangements are vital to transform agriculture and make it sustainable and profitable," he added. Calling for efforts to double the income of the farmers in the next few years, the Vice President also stressed the need for diversifying traditional cropping systems as it would reduce economic risk while increasing the scope for higher profitability. "Diversifying traditional cropping systems and taking allied activities would provide resilience to farmers to withstand the vagaries of nature," he said. Talking about the impact of climate change, Naidu observed that the rise in temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns were adversely affecting agriculture. He stressed the urgent need to develop technology for climate-resilient agriculture and enhance the adaptive capacity of farmers. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar was among those present. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Independent Investor: Economic Inequality Becomes Campaign Issue As Bernie Sanders takes the lead in the Democratic primary campaign, investors are beginning to take his socialist leanings to heart. But dire warnings from the opposition and Wall Street seem to have little impact. A look at the present income inequality in America goes a long way in explaining why. Over the years, I have written a number of articles on the growing threat of income inequality and its damage to "the Great Center" the American middle class. According to a new study by the respected Pew Research organization, over the past 50 years, the highest earning 20 percent of U.S. households have garnered a steadily increasing share of America's total income. I have pointed out on numerous occasions that not only is our income inequality the highest of the G7 nations, but (depending on some studies), it is also the highest in the developed economies of the world. If we talk about overall wealth, it should come as no surprise that the gap between America's (richest 1 percent) and poor families has doubled from 1989 to 2016. And middle-class income earnings have grown, but at a much slower rate (49 percent) than upper income families (64 percent), according to the Pew Research study. Given this backdrop, is it any wonder that more and more young Americans worry that capitalism has failed them? Before I get the usual amount of hate mail, let me be clear: not all Americans believe this. Take someone my age. I grew up in a time when communism and socialism were interchangeable. Both were abhorrent political and economic concepts. The USSR, parts of South America, Eastern Europe, and China had either rejected capitalism outright, or were experimenting with different degrees of centralized government control of the economy. We were at war. It was literally us against them. There was no room for compromise. Therefore, no matter how hard we try, even the word "socialism" triggers old prejudices and fears. Younger folk, who were not around for the Cold War, only see what is happening today. They see the increasing disparity in income and wealth. They compare the universal health-care systems around the world and wonder why the richest nation on earth can't afford the same. But it is not just the elderly that shy away from socialism. In the same Pew study, only 41 percent of Republicans and those who lean that way in their political views, think there is too much inequality in this country. That compares with 78 percent among liberals and Democrats. Of course, many people's opinion of income inequality is dictated by their pocketbooks. Twenty-six percent of upper-and middle-income Americans believe there is about the right amount of income inequality in this country. Only 17 percent of lower income adults think that way. Even on the Republican side, lower-incomers believe income inequality is too high compared to upper-income conservatives (48 percent vs. 34 percent). However, over in liberal country the reverse is true. Those making the most income believe there is too much income inequality (93 percent), compared to lower-income Democrats (65 percent). Unfortunately, income inequality has been expanding in this country for the last 30 years under both Democrats and Republicans. In my opinion, as more and more of the middle class slipped into the lower-income category, their stake in the institutions of this country (capitalism and our form of democracy) has weakened. I believe the election of Donald Trump was in response to this trend in income inequality. His promise to "Make America Great Again" was exactly the lifeline the disappearing middle class was praying for. While it has made most Americans somewhat better off, it has done little to reverse the disparity between the haves and have-nots. This has emboldened some of Trump's political rivals to demand and even more radical change in the economy and possibly the entire political system. It remains to be seen how voters will come down on this issue. Ivanka Trump took a break from her White House duties to celebrate her husband Jared Kushner in a gushing Instagram post shared in honor of Valentine's Day. The 38-year-old described her fellow senior White House advisor as 'my love, my champion, my rock, my Valentine' while sharing a black-and-white image of the couple that shows Jared gazing lovingly at his wife. As well as posting the snap on her main Instagram account, Ivanka also posted the picture to her Instagram Stories along with the same caption to ensure maximum exposure. Romance: Ivanka Trump shared a sweet tribute to her husband Jared Kushner in honor of Valentine's Day on Friday, referring to him as her 'rock' and her 'champion' This year's holiday is the 11th Valentine's Day the couple has celebrated together as husband and wife; Ivanka and Jared tied the knot in October 209, and have three children together: Arabella, eight, Joseph, six, and Theodore, three. Sharing the love: The 38-year-old first daughter posted the black-and-white image on her main Instagram account and on her Instagram Stories The post comes at the end of a busy Instagram week for Ivanka, who has been known to go weeks without sharing any updates on social media. However, it seems she has had a lot of things to say to her followers over the past few days, in addition to her sweet Valentine's tribute. On Wednesday, the first daughter celebrated the first anniversary of her women's prosperity initiative, co-hosting an event at the White House with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. There, she proposed new legislation that would make the economic empowerment of women a priority of U.S. foreign policy and ensure that her 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, and has been packed by two bipartisan senators: Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, and Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, as well as Pompeo. Separately, Ivanka announced that the W-GDP initiative has reached 12 million women around the globe in the year since it was launched in February 2019. Celebration! This is the 11th Valentine's Day the couple has celebrated together as husband and wife Memories: Ivanka and Jared, who are pictured together at the White House in January, tied the knot in October 2009 Thankful mom: The couple has three children - Arabella, Theodore (left), and Joseph (right) Ivanka celebrated the one-year anniversary of the initiative by debuting a bold new hairstyle as she left her Washington, D.C. home, showing off some bright blonde highlights as she made her way out of the home she shares with Jared and their three children, before stepping into a waiting SUV. But 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!' Feeling fresh! On Wednesday morning, Ivanka showed off new blonde highlights as she left her Washington, D.C. home New hair, don't care! Ivanka had clearly been to the salon since last stepping out in public, and she happily showed off new chunky blonde highlights Something different: The Senior White House Advisor's hair was styled in much the same way as it was last Monday (right), however the color was markedly different Co-hosts: Ivanka and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo chaired an event held in honor of the anniversary on Wednesday morning at the White House Ivanka was not the only one to mark the first anniversary of the initiative; she and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo co-hosted an event celebrating the milestone at the White House on Wednesday morning, with the pair paying tribute to all that has been achieved thanks to the W-GDP so far. While welcoming guests to the event, Ivanka also announced new bipartisan legislation on W-GDP that will help to empower women economically in emerging countries. It's likely that Ivanka has been working away tirelessly on this legislation behind the scenes; she's kept a rather low profile since last week, when she was last pictured out and about in public. On Monday, Ivanka was seen leaving her D.C. home with colleague Julie Radford before flying to New Hampshire with Vice President Mike Pence. At the time, the first daughter wore a $2,260 black and white checked coat dress by Suzannah over a black turtleneck. She topped off her outfit with a black belt that cinched her waist and a pair of lace-up black boots. Ivanka seemed to be excited to head to New Hampshire on the eve of the primary, and the day before the trip, she took to social media to post throwback photos from when she and her family visited the state in 2016. The first daughter had a bright smile on her face when she left the front gate of her home with her friend Julie on Monday morning. She looked ladylike in her black and white woven frock that was inspired by a vintage hunting coat, according to the London brand's website. The long-sleeve coat dress features a flattering circular skirt that falls right below the knees and black velvet buttons that run down the front. Her hair was not quite as bright as it was on Wednesday after her latest salon session, however the style was very much the same; she wore her poker-straight blonde hair loose around her shoulders and sported smokey eye makeup and a natural-looking lipstick. Ivanka carried a black leather handbag in her hand as she and Julie walked just a few steps to get to the Secret Service vehicle that was parked in front of her home. She returned to Instagram ahead of their flight to post a photo of herself on the tarmac with Julie right before they boarded their flight. 'My amazing friend and colleague Julie Radford is back from maternity leave and ready to roll!' she wrote. 'Her 1st day back and were headed to New Hampshire with @VP! #primaries.' It seems the first daughter enjoyed a relaxing weekend at home with her three children before her travels. On the go: On Monday, Ivanka was seen leaving her Washington, D.C. home with her colleague Julie Radford before she flew to New Hampshire with Vice President Mike Pence All smiles: Ivanka took to Instagram ahead of their flight to share a photo of herself with Julie, revealing it was her friend's first day back to work following her maternity leave Hanging out: On Sunday, Ivanka shared a sweet snapshot of her six-year-old son Joseph gazing at their fluffy white dog, Winter, while lying on his bed in his pajamas She shared a sweet snapshot of her six-year-old son Joseph gazing at their fluffy white dog, Winter, while lying on his bed in his pajamas. 'Puppy Love,' the proud mom captioned the image. Ivanka has been more active on social media in the past few weeks than she usually is, and that may have something to do with her father's acquittal following his Senate impeachment trial. The first daughter joined the president, first lady, and their supporters in the East Room of the White House on Thursday as Trump gave a caustic victory speech in which he thanked his family and called out the 'leakers and liars' he blamed for impeaching him. Ivanka, who was dressed modestly in a black turtleneck and a slate gray pantsuit, stepped on stage to give her father a big hug. Last Wednesday, the Republican-controlled Senate voted to acquit Trump on charges brought by the Democratic-led House of Representatives, only the third time in U.S. history that a president has been impeached. Ivanka celebrated the news by taking to Instagram to post a throwback snapshot of herself giving two thumbs up while wearing a red, white, and blue USA knit hat at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. She wrote '#Mood' and added an American flag emoji while captioning the image. The first daughter shared the snapshot on her Instagram Stories along with a message slamming her father's impeachment trial. 'This factional fever and incoherent, ill-conceived process has finally ended and the President has rightfully been acquitted,' she wrote. 'It is time for our Country to move forward. Together. POTUS has accomplished so much and is just getting started.' She also posted photos of the covers of The New York Times and The Washington Post that announced the president's acquittal. A lawsuit brought on behalf of a man killed in a Casper police shootout is already imperiled by a government argument that the man suing is practicing law without a license, a judge indicated Wednesday. The man suing, Daniel Wolosin, filed suit in November, arguing that the Casper Police Department violated the civil rights of his brother David Wolosin, who in 2018 drew a gun and shot a cop before police returned fire and killed him. The injured police officer, Jacob Carlson, survived following extensive medical treatment and more than a month of hospitalization. He later took a medical retirement. Randi Garrett, the officer who shot and killed Wolosin, remains on the force. Although Daniel Wolosin initially served legal documents signed by a Cheyenne lawyer to the city and the two officers, he later discarded that representation and filed on his own behalf largely similar documents in court. In that lawsuit, he is also named personal representative of the family for legal purposes. Lawyers for the city and the officers asked last month for dismissal of the case, arguing that by acting as a representative for the family and its nine named plaintiffs Wolosins representation goes beyond the scope of allowable self advocacy. In its request, the city insinuates Wolosin is illegally practicing law without a license. Mr. Wolosin may also be violating Wyomings unauthorized practice of law statute, wrote the citys defense lawyers, ...which further complicates his efforts to represent all the claimants in this case. On Thurday morning, Judge Nancy Freudenthal by phone granted Wolosin an extension to mid-March in order to work out his response to the governments and officers filings. Freudenthal began the the quarter-hour conference call by asking Wolosin if he had yet sought legal representation or begun preparing a response to the filings. The litigant, who is acting as his own attorney, told the judge that he was looking for a lawyer but that he did not think the governments response was relevant. He indicated he did not see himself as attorney for the family, which in court filings appears as a named party to the case. I dont see how that has merit, he said. Im not sure what response I need other than my claim. Freudenthal then told Wolosin he was not required to file a response. However, the judge indicated, Wolosins impressions of law would not likely defeat the filings. Your views ... wont be persuasive. You need legal authority, Freudenthal said in reference to specific citations to relevant law typically included with such filings. To decline to respond would be very risky for his case, she told him. Under questioning from the judge, Wolosin requested a 21-day extension to his filing deadline. After government and officers lawyers declined to oppose an extension, Freudenthal granted Wolosin until March 12 to file a response. The judge then suggested Wolosin both seek a lawyer to represent him and work on a response to the requests for dismissal. In addition to illegal practice of law argument, Wolosin also has to grapple with arguments that his complaint against the city does not specify the nature of an alleged failure to properly train officers. The assistant attorney general assigned to represent the officers also argues that the filing does not show a violation of the dead mans civil rights and, even if it did, applicable law would not allow his brother to use such a claim as the basis for a wrongful death lawsuit. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. If one can measure progress by the volume of pollution and traffic congestion, Dhaka must be one of the most progressive cities on earth. In the two years since my last visit the fallout from a boom economy means that everything seems to have grown grimier, more manic, more chaotic. At some stage the construction sites will all be skyscrapers and a new rail system will offer better transport options, but as is so often the case in urban Asia, things have to get worse before they can get better. It's only in Sydney that the more money the government spends on transport the worse things become. Dhaka may not be a high-profile tourist destination but every two years it plays host to one of the world's most innovative art events. The Dhaka Art Summit (DAS) is funded by Nadia and Rajeeb Samdani, who make their money from the food industry, finance, IT and aviation. The Samdanis are among the most world's most prolific collectors of contemporary art, but have never used the Summit as a showcase for their acquisitions. Still from Taloi Havini's video installation Habitat (2018). Credit:Taloi Havini That grandiose display case will come along next year in the form of Srihatta, a new museum being built in the north-eastern city of Sylhet, where the couple were born and raised. The DAS is a very different proposition. Entirely non-commercial, it's not simply an exhibition but a talk-fest in which lectures, seminars and forums play a crucial role. It's a way of putting Bangladesh on the map, attracting artists, intellectuals and museum professionals who would otherwise never dream of visiting the country. Most importantly, it breaks down the walls of provincialism, allowing local artists to see themselves as part of an international art ecosystem. The Samdanis don't just issue invitations. They are personally responsible for flying in hundreds of participants. Of the 500 artists involved in this year's events, there were 15 representatives of artists' collectives, from Asia to Australia, from Latin America to Africa, who were able to connect with each other and with local art collectives. The Australian invitees were Richard Bell (proppaNOW), and Abdul Abdullah (eleven). New Zealand was represented by the Mata Aho collective. The probe into last year's Pulwama terror strike that left 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel dead has virtually reached a dead end, with five persons, who were either conspirators or executers of the ghastly attack, being eliminated by security forces in various encounters. However, the case threw unique challenges for the National Investigation Agency, the anti-terror probe agency formed in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror strikes in 2008, as it there is no solid information about the perpetrators or the mastermind behind the attack. "It was a blind case for us. There were lot of murmurs but everything needs to be established beyond doubt in the court of law," a senior official, who is part of the probe, said in Srinagar. The first challenge was to establish the owner of the car used by suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar. There was nothing available from the vehicle which carried a cocktail of explosives like ammonium nitrate, nitro glycerine and RDX, the official said. But with the help of forensic methods and painstaking investigations, the serial number of the car that was blown into pieces beyond recognition was extracted and within no time the ownership of the vehicle was established -- from the first to the last owner. However, the last owner of the car, Sajjad Bhat of Bijbehara in Anantnag district, had disappeared hours before the February 14 attack and joined the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit. He was subsequently killed in an encounter in June last year. "While it was clear that the suicide attacker was Adil Ahmed Dar but the same had to be established with evidence. After picking up human remains from various spots, it was sent for DNA profiling. "The suicide attacker was identified and confirmed by matching the DNA extracted from the meagre car fragments with that of the DNA of his father," the official, who requested anonymity, said. The role of other conspirators, which included Mudasir Ahmed Khan, Qari Mufti Yasser and Kamran, came to light but all of them were killed in different encounters with security forces. Khan was killed on March 10, Kamran on March 29, Sajjad Bhat on June 18 last year while Qari yasser was shot in an encounter on January 25, this year. After JeM spokesperson Mohd Hassan in a video claimed that his group was responsible for the attack, it was sent for forensic examination and the internet protocol address was traced to a computer based in Pakistan. The official said that during the investigation, the NIA stumbled upon another case of over-ground workers of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, which was subsequently busted. "Eight people have been listed in a charge sheet in this case so far," the official said. Judicial Watch announced today it filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the FBI for all records related to murdered Democratic National Committee (DNC) Voter Expansion Data Director Seth Rich. Rich, 27, was murdered on July 10, 2016, according to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. The DC police reports that Rich was killed at approximately 4:19 a.m. in the 2100 block of Flagler Place NW, Washington, DC. No one has been charged in connection with Richs death. The case has not been closed, and the DC police are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia after the FBI failed to respond to a July 26, 2019, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking all records related to Rich and his murder (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:20-cv-00385)). There is significant public interest in the Seth Rich murder and the FBIs game-playing on document production in this case is inexcusable, said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. In a recent production of Peter Strzok-Lisa Page emails obtained by Judicial Watch, the Seth Rich controversy was the subject of one FBI email exchange. In a heavily redacted August 10, 2016, email exchange Strzok sends Page a forwarded message from unidentified agents from the FBIs Washington Field Office (WFO) discussing Rich. A public affairs official whose name was redacted opens the WFO email chain, writing: Various news outlets are reporting today that Julian Assange suggested during a recent overseas interview that DNC Staffer, Seth Rich was a Wikileaks source, and may have been killed because he leaked the DNC e-mails to his organization, and that Wikileaks was offering $20,000 for information regarding Richs death last month. Based on this news, we anticipate additional press coverage on this matter. I hear that you are in class today; however, when you have a moment, can you please give me a call to discuss what involvement the Bureau has in the investigation. An unidentified WFO agent responds: Im aware of this reporting from earlier this week but not any specific involvement in any related case. An unidentified WFO agent subsequently writes deputy assistant director in the bureaus Counterintelligence Division Jonathan Moffa and Strzok: Just FYSA. I squashed this with [redacted]. Strzok then forwards the email chain to Page. Related Articles: Tuesday, February 4, 2020 - FBI Claims Previously Undisclosed Peter Strzok and Lisa Page Emails on Seth Rich Are Redacted to Protect Investigation They Claim Never Happened! After getting caught lying to the Courts and claiming there were no documents related to Seth Rich, emails between fraudsters Peter Strzok and Lisa Page were uncovered. Friday, September 13, 2019 - 2nd Circuit Rules Fox News Must Face Suit Brought by Seth Rich's Family The Second Circuit Friday revived an infliction of emotional distress suit against Fox News brought by the traumatized parents of murdered Democratic National Committee staffer Seth Rich over the cable networks retracted coverage of a WikiLeaks conspiracy theory. The DNC operative was murdered in the summer of 2016 in Washington DC. His murder was never solved. According to the lawsuit Seth Rich provided WikiLeaks the DNC emails before the 2016 election, not Russia. Monday, August 12, 2019 - Complete List Of Clinton Associates Who Allegedly Died Mysteriously Or Committed Suicide Before Testimony Despite a previous attempt on his life just three weeks ago the prison guards skipped the 30 minute required checks on Epsteins cell last night. Early yesterday morning they found him dead. Jeffrey Epstein is the latest in a long list of Clinton family associates and acquaintances who died mysteriously or committed suicide before their public testimony. Saturday, October 27, 2018 - Confirmed: NSA Has Top Secret Documents on Seth Rich But now there is new information that may corroborate what the human sources quoted in the Fox article claimed about Seths role in getting the DNC documents to Wikileaks. Borne from a FOIA request filed in November 2017 by attorney Ty Clevenger, who requested any information regarding Seth Rich and and Julian Assange. The NSA informed Clevenger in a letter dated 4 October 2018 that Tuesday, August 21, 2018 - Internet Buzzing After Julian Assange's Mother Implicates Seth Rich In DNC Leak The internet is buzzing with theories after Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange's mother, Christine Assange, tweeted - and then deleted - what many believe to be a suggestion that murdered DNC staffer Seth Rich "leaked docs proving corruption." For the past several months, Democrats have based their "Resist 45" movement on unsubstantiated assertions that the Trump campaign coordinated with Russian intelligence officials to undermine the 2016 Presidential Election thereby 'stealing' the White House from Hillary Clinton. Day after day we've all suffered through one anonymously sourced, "shock" story after another from the New York Times and/or The Washington Post with new allegations of the 'wrongdoing'. Thursday, March 22, 2018 - Former Marine Arrested: Tried to Kill Backer of Seth Rich Murder Investigation A former Marine, Kevin Doherty, was charged Monday with Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony and two counts of Malicious Wounding in an attack on a Republican lobbyist who had been investigating the murder of DNC staffer Seth Rich. That near-fatal attack happened on March 13 in Arlington, Virginia. Wednesday, March 14, 2018 - Family of Seth Rich sues Fox News over retracted story The family of slain Democratic National Committee (DNC) staffer Seth Rich filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Fox News and two of its staffers for publishing a story tying Richs death to a conspiracy theory. Sunday, March 4, 2018 - Contradictions In Seth Rich Murder Continue To Challenge Hacking Narrative As rumors swirl that Special Counsel Robert Mueller is preparing a case against Russians who are alleged to have hacked Democrats during the 2016 election - a conclusion based solely on the analysis of cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike, a Friday op-ed in the Washington Times by retired U.S. Navy admiral James A. Lyons, Jr. asks a simple, yet monumentally significant question: Why haven't Congressional Investigators or Special Counsel Robert Mueller addressed the murder of DNC staffer Seth Rich - who multiple people have claimed was Wikileaks' source of emails leaked during the 2016 U.S. presidential election? Tuesday, November 7, 2017 - Donna Brazile Dedicates Book To "Patriot" Seth Rich After a leaked excerpt from her new book Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in the White House revealed that Donna Brazile feared for her life after the murder of former DNC employee Seth Rich, Axios has reported that Brazile provides more grist for what her former political allies have dismissed as right wing conspiracy theories in the books introduction. Nestled among the usual platitudes about thanking friends and family, Brazile dedicates her book to Richs memory, describing him as a close colleague and patriot. Perhaps the most shocking revelation contained in the excerpts from former DNC Chairwoman Donna Braziles book was, unsurprisingly, buried in a Washington Post overview of the various allegations (and frankly, were surprised the Post, given its status as a protector of the Washington establishment, deigned to publish it). It was a day of mourning after India lost 40 sons in a terror attack that took place in Pulwama on 14 February 2019. The attack took place when CRPF convoy of about 78 vehicles was moving from Jammu to Srinagar. More than 2500 jawans were present in the vehicles and more than 40 jawans were present on the bus which was targeted by the militants. The terror attack left the country stunned. The jawans came from all corners of the country and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. The terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed rammed a vehicle carrying 350 kg of explosives into the CRPF bus. Here's a look back at all the martyrs. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Totok Amin Soefijanto (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, February 15 2020 A class apart: South Korean director Bong Joon-ho poses with the Oscars for his movie Parasite. The film exposes sad truths about class struggle in South Korea. (Reuters/Eric Gaillard) Bong Joon-ho was down to earth when he said: I am honored to win this award. Although the film is in Korean, I think the story and nonverbal expression is the universal language. Winning best original screenplay at the 2020 Writers Guild Awards, BAFTA awards and Oscars looked easy for him and co-writer Han Jin-won. It took hard work and, for sure, creativity. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login 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. The G4 nations of Brazil, Germany, Japan and India have asserted that the mandate of the United Nations' Inter-Governmental Negotiations is to achieve the long-pending reforms of the UNSC and not endlessly debate it. The Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) format has long outlived its sell-by date and must be made transparent to ensure progress on the reform discussions, they said. India has been calling for the reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC) along with Brazil, Germany and Japan for long, emphasising that it rightly deserves a place at the UN high table as a permanent member. The G4 nations support each other's bids for permanent seats on the UNSC. Speaking on behalf of the G4 nations, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin called on the UN member states to strive for the progress in IGN negotiations. "We see the discussion in the IGN as intrinsically linked to the outcome to be decided in the General Assembly. These are a continuum. Progress here will inevitably determine the outcome we adopt in the General Assembly," Akbaruddin said Thursday at the informal meeting of the General Assembly on the IGN on Security Council Reform. "Lack of progress not only endangers the legitimacy and credibility of this mechanism but the General Assembly itself. We seek credible progress. However, if this eludes us once more, we are ready to review how we engage on this very important issue," he said. Referring to the adage 'If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old', Akbaruddin underscored that the "mandate of the IGN is to achieve reform, not to endlessly debate it". The G4 also underscored the need for the format of the IGN to replicate processes that are followed in other mechanisms of the General Assembly (GA) with considerable success. "The current format of the IGN has long outlived its sell-by date. As is the case with other GA negotiation formats, the IGN must be transparent and traceable to enhance the possibility of building on successive discussions and avoiding mere repetition of statements," the Indian envoy said. He voiced hope that co-chairs of the IGN process Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the UN Lana Nusseibeh and Ambassador of Poland Joanna Wronecka will steer the UN membership in a manner that leads to the Security Council being fit for purpose, "in what is left of the 21st century". The G4 nations pointed out that there is a "rising sense of urgency and impatience" with a process that is increasingly seen as "impeding progress rather than enabling it," underscoring the need to focus on specifics, rather than on general concepts. The G4 countries said that the current session of the GA should result in a single, inclusive and holistic document as an outcome of the discussions, so that member states can engage in negotiations based on it from the start of the 75th session. In this regard, Akbaruddin said that the G4 nations submit that a technical approach that builds on the past is adopted. With the revised paper of June 2019 being the most recent outcome of discussions among the UN member states, Akbaruddin said an opportunity must be provided to every member to indicate what they want to be addressed as an issue listed for further consideration in this paper. He noted that the vast majority of member states are in favour of expansion in both - permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the Security Council. "Our approach is that every stakeholder's proposal should be listed; none should be left behind," he said, adding that the G4 nations are seeking equal opportunities for everybody to present their proposals for inclusion in a single document. "Such a document will provide clarity to where we stand, what are the options on the table, and who is proposing them," the G4 statement said. Akbaruddin also highlighted that the first iteration of the single, inclusive and holistic document must be produced ahead of the next meeting in this cycle of the IGN to allow maximum time for discussions to refine it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MIDDLETOWN A Middletown High School junior received a standing ovation at Tuesdays Board of Education meeting for saving the life of an endangered crossing guard he came upon late last month. Dylan Sassu, 17, was dropping off a friend at Woodrow Wilson Middle School at about 2:30 p.m. Jan. 22 when he came upon crossing guard Catherine Russo, who had fallen and was lying face down. Sassu was heading to wrestling practice across town. When I saw her, there were a few kids crowding around her. They seemed kind of confused or even scared to take action. Right away, I knew I had to do something. I knew something was wrong, Sassu said. He immediately pulled over and called 911. Fortunately, Sassu had taken two CPR classes, so he acted swiftly to use what he learned. She seemed to be unconscious, and wasnt talking properly, so I asked her a few simple questions, such as her age and birthday. I asked if her back and neck hurt, just to make sure she wouldnt turn over and cause any further injuries. I just made her breathe well again and stuff like that, he added. Russo said she is doing well. She declined to talk further about the incident Thursday afternoon, citing the recent frenzy of media interest in her story. Sassus mother, Jessica Sassu, owner of Jessicas Color Room Salon on Newfield Street, called the incident heartwarming, adding she would expect no less of her humble son. He immediately called her: Mom, mom, mom, I just saved somebodys life, he said excitedly, Jessica Sassu said. He was reluctant, however, for her to make a big deal out of it, she said. Her son never expected so much goodwill after just a good deed at the right moment. It was a little bit overwhelming. It caught me a little bit by surprise, he said. Russo thanked him for his efforts in a phone call later. She let me know she was OK, which is all I was really worried about, he said. The incident lasted about 20 minutes. Dylan Sassu remained there until Russo left in the ambulance for the hospital. Jessica Sassu said her sons quick and mature reaction is characteristic of his personality. He really did the right thing. Hes always been that way for his whole life. Dylan Sassu has two younger brothers at home, both of whom he helps take care of, his mother added. He was honored at Tuesday nights school board meeting by Principal Colleen Weiner, who praised Sassus compassionate and heroic actions. Your action to help a fellow citizen is an inspiration to all people in this community, Weiner said, according to the meeting video. He received a standing ovation and was promised a citation from state Rep. Quentin Phipps, D-Middletown. After the board meeting, many people began congratulating the young man, Jessica Sassu said, including EMS workers. Later in the day, a firefighter who was at the scene reached out to her by phone, saying he couldnt believe how much her son did for the woman. He knew her son by sight because she often posts pictures of him on Facebook. Dylan Sassu was wearing the same jacket that day. Thank you for reminding us all that, during times of crisis, we must always rise to the occasion and help those in need, Weiner told Dylan Sassu. Networking & Wireless WiFi Upgrade Enhances Collaboration at Mitchell Technical Institute South Dakota's Mitchell Technical Institute recently rolled out a new WiFi network to enable collaboration and meet the expectations of students and faculty. The institution turned to network infrastructure from Aruba, including WiFi 6 access points, mobility controllers, access switches, AirWave network management and ClearPass access control. Goals for the implementation included: Performance and reliability to enable classroom applications and software-based learning programs; Integration with the school's Microsoft Teams and Intune systems; The ability to segment and secure devices on the wireless and wired network; and Support for student-owned mobile devices as well as Internet of Things devices such as the school's security cameras and HVAC systems. The new network is "helping MTI enable crucial applications that meet the institution's goals of innovation, collaboration and global workforce preparation," according to a news announcement. For example, in courses on the design, building and repair of engineering automation controls, students learn to remotely manage the controls via the wireless network, and instructors use Microsoft Teams to wirelessly share their screens with student devices. "The Aruba WiFi has delivered this increased performance and quality so instructors and students can collaborate and work together without any of the lag time we experienced previously," explained David Boos, MTI's director of technology, in a statement. In addition, students can now use their mobile devices to log into the MTI's learning management system for coursework and tests, as well as the school's Jenzabar ERP system, the announcement said. The network also provides secure wireless access for campus events such as MTI's VEX robotics tournament. On the back end, integration between Aruba's ClearPass and MTI's Microsoft Intune mobile device management and mobile application management systems is streamlining access control, Boos said: "Combining ClearPass with Microsoft Intune simplified everything for our team, dramatically increasing reliability and gaining better insights on our wireless network." MTI plans to transition its wired network to ClearPass "in the near future." On Thursday, in the morning, at 1 William Street, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC presided at a meeting of the Executive Council. In the afternoon, at Government House, His Excellency received the Deputy Clerk of the Parliament, Mr Michael Ries, for the presentation of two Bills for Assent. In the evening, at QPAC, South Brisbane, His Excellency and Mrs Kaye de Jersey attended the Queensland Theatre's opening night performance of 'Emerald City'. Reach key decision makers with sales-ready leads that shorten your sales process. Move the needle by delivering funnel qualified leads to your sales team. Learn more Motorola on Monday began taking orders for its US$1,499 Razr foldable smartphone. Units are expected to start shipping on Feb. 6. Motorola made its mark on the mobile handset business with the original Razr, introduced in 2004, which ushered in the era of flip phones. The new Razr is a flip phone, too, but with a foldable display. The 6.2-inch OLED screen folds in half to create a compact package that comfortably fits in a shirt pocket. Thats a departure from the recent crop of foldable phones that expand from phones to tablets. A strong point of the Razr is that its actually a folding phone, said Frank E. Gillett, principal analyst at Forrester Research, a market research company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Its a phone that shrinks in size when you fold it, he told TechNewsWorld. Many of the competitors are really folding tablets that shrink to phone size when you fold them. Fragile Screen In addition to its foldable screen, the new Razr, which comes with Android 9 Pie, has a second, 2.7-inch, glass-covered OLED screen on the outside of the phone. That display shows notifications and music controls, and has access to a selfie mode. A concern about foldable phones has been fragility especially after Samsung had to halt shipments of its Galaxy Fold last spring, after reviewers reported issues with its display. Motorola expressed confidence about the Razrs screen, though, asserting it will last for the average lifespan of any smartphone. Nevertheless, it has warned consumers not to get the phone too wet even though it has an internal nano-coating for splash resistance. If it does get wet, it should be dried immediately with a soft cloth. Its not clear why individual users or larger markets will really want the Razr, especially since it will require them to adopt new habits and concerns, mainly related to the foldable display, observed Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT,a technology advisory firm in Hayward, California. A D V E R T I S E M E N T 5G Razr Coming? While the Razrs screen is flagship phone caliber, other components are less so. For example, it runs on a Snapdragon 710 processor, not the top of the line 855, and it has a 16-megapixel camera with neither a zoom or ultra-wide lens. The Razr is not about whats inside, said Jack E. Gold, principal analyst at J.Gold Associates, an IT advisory company in Northborough, Massachusetts. Theyre also not offering a 5G version, which will hurt them a bit, he told TechNewsWorld. If youre spending $1,500 for a phone, you want to keep it for a while, he continued. Two years from now you want it to still be pertinent. However, there are reports that Motorola plans to launch a 5G version later this year. Thats not all thats coming down the foldable pike. Samsung is expected to announce its own flip foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip, on Feb. 11. Samsungs offering is expected to be the first phone to use bendable glass, and to be priced below the Razr with higher-grade components. In Search of Old Glory The Razr is a unique mix of classic and current handset designs that utilizes thoroughly modern materials, Pund-ITs King told TechNewsWorld. It also demonstrates that Motorola isnt afraid to take risks and stand apart from the crowd, he added. One of the challenges facing Motorola is that its not a well-known brand in smartphones, Forresters Gillett pointed out. They arent one of the big brands in phones as they were before the rise of smartphones. Part of the new Razrs appeal is its connection to the old Razr. A D V E R T I S E M E N T Motorola is trying to get to a place where the market is looking at the company as it did in the old days as an innovator, rather than part of a large Chinese commodity phone maker, Gold explained. In the last few years, Motorola has almost been invisible, he continued. They havent had anything that people would write home about. They became like BlackBerry irrelevant in the market place. Playing to Elitists The Razr is likely to appeal to a limited market. Given its premium price, Motorola is going after high-end users who want to be seen using something new and different young urban professionals and wannabees, King said. This isnt for Joe and Jane Smith on Main Street, USA, said Ramon T. Llamas, senior research analyst at IDC, a market research company, in Framingham, Massachusetts. Its for people with high disposable income who embrace technology, are Android users, and are willing to take a chance on being the first to own anything, he told TechNewsWorld. The Razr is not meant to be a mass market device, added Gold. This is for the elites. This is for folks who want to take something out of their pocket or handbag and say, I have something that you dont,' he said. Thats a good strategy for Motorola to reestablish the brand, Gold maintained. Market Impact The new Razr will help advance the foldable phone market. It always helps to advance the market when you have more players entering with their own devices, IDCs Llamas noted. However, this is a new kind of usage paradigm. People have to wrap their brains around it. A change like this is going to take awhile to percolate and to get accepted, he added. This phone is just one of many folding phone experiments in the market right now, said Forresters Gillett. It should help consumers understand that there are really two kinds of folding phones those that are phones and shrink in size when you fold them, and those that are really tablets that shrink to phone size, he added. By joining the foldable fold, Motorola could catch the next big trend in smartphones. If the Razr succeeds, it could signal that larger groups of consumers are ready for something other than slab-of-glass smartphones, King suggested. Thats a high hill to climb, but Motorola deserves kudos for taking a shot. Attorney General Bill Barr has ordered an outside review of the FBI's interview with former White House national security advisor Mike Flynn a process that led Flynn to plead guilty to lying to the FBI. The outside look at the contentious case which has drawn the repeat personal attention of the president comes amid a separate outside look Barr ordered at the origins of the Russia probe. Barr has tasked Jeffrey Jensen, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, to examine Flynn's FBI interview during the first days of the Trump administration. He would later be charged with lying to the FBI for his false statements, which he pleaded guilty for making. Attorney General Bill Barr has ordered an outside review of the FBI's interview with former Donald Trump national security advisor Mike Flynn Jensen will be working alongside the case's lead prosecutor Brandon Van Grack, a move that comes a month after Flynn told the court he wanted to withdraw his guilty plea in former Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. That turnaround came after Flynn had spent months cooperating with prosecutors in Mueller's office. The news of Barr's decision to tap an outside prosecutor on the Flynn case caps an extraordinary week at the Justice Department. On Tuesday, the department lightened its sentencing recommendation for Trump political ally Roger Stone after criticism from the president that an earlier recommendation for seven to nine years in prison was too harsh. The move prompted all four career prosecutors on the case to withdraw and one of them to quit the government entirely. Reports of the second look at the Flynn interview comes amid a flurry of information about Justice Department actions that came out Friday President Trump blasted career prosecutors for seeking a sentence of up to nine years for Roger Stone, who was convicted of lying about his contacts with WikiLeaks News of the look-back at Flynn followed confirmation that the Justice Department will not charge former FBI Director Andrew McCabe following an IG report that found he repeatedly lied about having authorized a subordinate to share information with a newspaper reporter for a 2016 article about an FBI investigation into the Clinton Foundation Barr on Thursday tried to beat back critics' concerns that he was doing the president's political bidding by intervening to help Stone, and said the president's constant tweets on criminal cases were undercutting his ability to do his job. But on Friday, Trump took to twitter to assert his 'legal right' to intervene in criminal cases. He quoted Barr stating that Trump had never asked him to intervene in a criminal case. 'This doesn't mean that I do not have, as President, the legal right to do so, I do, but I have so far chosen not to!' Trump said. The very next day, prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C. revealed they would not be pressing charges against former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, a frequent punching bag of Trump's, over allegations he misled investigators about his communications with the media. According to NBC News, the federal prosecutors working the Flynn case came under 'pressure' from senior Justice Department officials to recommend a lighter sentence which would trace some of the contours of the Roger Stone case. Barr's decision to bring in Jensen on the Flynn case, however, could potentially undercut his efforts to do damage control after Trump's flurry of tweets on the Stone case. The Justice Department official stressed that Jensen's role was not to oversee career prosecutors' work on the Flynn case, but to work alongside them. Jensen is assisting the department and prosecution team 'to get a complete and thorough understanding of the facts and the record in a complicated case,' the person told Reuters, speaking anonymously in order to discuss sensitive personnel matters. Flynn pleaded guilty in late 2017 to lying to the FBI about interactions with Russias ambassador to the United States in the weeks before Trump took office. He was supposed to help cooperate with the government as part of his deal. But he later switched lawyers and tactics, arguing that prosecutors in the case had violated his rights and tricked him into lying about his December 2016 conversations with Sergei Kislyak, then Russias ambassador in Washington. The department has repeatedly denied the allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, and U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan rejected all of Flynn's claims in December and set a sentencing date. Shortly after that, Flynn filed the motion to withdraw his plea. Given all of the allegations that the case was mishandled, Jensen was brought in to help 'review the whole thing, soup to nuts,' the person said. Jensen's involvement in the Flynn case was reported earlier by the New York Times. Michigan organizations are getting grants to combat opioid addiction in the state as part of a $10 million Michigan commitment from Bloomberg Philanthropies, announced Vital Strategies on Friday. Related: Michael Bloombergs charity gives Michigan $10M to combat opioid deaths Vital Strategies is a health organization that works with governments and groups on public health matters. Its channeling funding to governments and community groups to expand access to methadone, distribute naloxone and expand syringe service programs. "Michigan is taking bold steps by adopting a proven, harm reduction approach in its response to the overdose crisis, said Daliah Heller, director of drug use initiatives at Vital Strategies, in a statement. We must put peoples lives, health and dignity at the center of our response, and ensure that a commitment to racial equity guides all aspects of our work. These grants will catalyze services and coordination between state and local agencies, community leaders, hospitals, prisons, and harm reduction organizations. Every community has been touched by overdosethis crisis calls for nothing less than an urgent and comprehensive response. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has made taking opioid addiction one of her priorities as governor. She convened an opioid task force last year and recently announced a plan to reduce opioid overdose deaths in Michigan by 50 percent over the next five years. These projects will be critical in helping those struggling with opioid use disorder access the care they need and get on a path to recovery, Whitmer said in a statement. "Theyre real, meaningful steps to help us fight the opioid epidemic in Michigan, and I look forward to continuing this work in the near future. The money, part of the total $10 million committed to Michigan, funds: - Harm Reduction Michigan will distribute 60,000 kits of Naloxone, a fast-acting drug to reverse opioid overdoses, across Michigan. - NEXT Harm Reduction is an online service that will make Naloxone available to people who use drugs and others. - Grand Rapids Red Project will expand its existing syringe services program and develop community programming. - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan Department of Corrections will partner with Vital Strategies to expand access to methadone and buprenorphine, drugs used to treat opioid addiction, to incarcerated people. - The Detroit Health Department will improve its data to inform local overdose policy and response and support community health organizations providing syringe access. - Vital Strategies will work to reduce stigma and increase support for harm reduction services through media and communications campaigns. Advertisement Boris Johnson's new-look Cabinet today agreed to the Prime Minister's plans to introduce an Australian-style points-based immigration system at the start of 2021. The PM's freshly reshuffled top team met for the first time in Downing Street this morning and rubber-stamped the proposed post-Brexit border control system which the government has guaranteed will result in immigration going down. However, Number 10 was unable to say exactly when overall immigration numbers will start to fall under the new rules. A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: 'Following discussion, Cabinet agreed the implementation of a points-based immigration system from January 1, 2021. 'The system will be simpler and fairer and will not discriminate between countries and would return democratic control of immigration to the British people. 'The PM stressed that we must demonstrate that the UK is open and welcoming to talent from across the world but the new system would end reliance on importing cheap, low-skilled labour - bringing down immigration numbers overall.' The government is expected to publish its immigration plans in full in the coming weeks. The meeting of the Cabinet came after the PM conducted a brutal reshuffle yesterday which saw Sajid Javid forced to resign as Chancellor as Rishi Sunak was promoted to replace him. A beaming Mr Sunak sat next to Mr Johnson at today's meeting as the PM told his senior ministers: 'We are here to deliver for the people of this country who elected us to serve them. 'The people's government has to get on with delivering the people's priorities and in the next few years we must get on with our basic work and you know what it is. 'We are going to cut crime, we are going to cut homelessness, we are going to tackle waiting lists in our NHS and how many hospitals are we going to build?' The Cabinet then replied in unison 'forty' as the PM proceeded to conduct further rounds of call and response on other Tory manifesto pledges with ministers obediently responding with the correct answers. The gathering in Downing Street came after a day of high drama which left Westminster stunned as Mr Javid's unexpected resignation totally disrupted the PM's plans for a smooth reshuffle. Boris Johnson's new-look Cabinet met for the first time today as it agreed to the PM's plans to introduce a points-based immigration system from January 2021 Mr Johnson congratulated ministers on making the cut at the reshuffle as he told them they must now deliver on the 'people's priorities' Mr Johnson yesterday conducted a brutal reshuffle which saw him sack numerous senior ministers and promote a wave of Tory loyalists. 1) Minister without Portfolio Amanda Milling 2) Welsh Secretary Simon Hart 3) Education Secretary Gavin Williamson 4) Trade Secretary Liz Truss 5) Health Secretary Matt Hancock 6) Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill 7) Prime Minister Boris Johnson 8) Chancellor Rishi Sunak 9) Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey 10) Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick 11) Transport Secretary Grant Shapps 12) Scottish Secretary Alister Jack 13) Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden 14) Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay 15) Chief Whip Mark Spencer 16) Attorney General Suella Braverman 17)Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg 18) International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan 19) Leader of the House of Lords Baroness Evans 20) Business Secretary Alok Sharma 21) Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove 22) Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab 23) Home Secretary Priti Patel 24) Defence Secretary Ben Wallace 25) Justice Secretary Robert Buckland 26) Environment Secretary George Eustice 27) Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis Rishi Sunak today addressed Treasury staff as he embarked on his first full day as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak sticks to Sajid Javid's call for ministers to find 5% in savings in first day as Chancellor Rishi Sunak has reiterated a call made by his predecessor as chancellor Sajid Javid for ministers to identify five per cent of budget savings at their respective departments. Mr Sunak is under pressure to loosen the government purse strings after taking over from his old boss. But a drive to ensure taxpayers' money is being spent as effectively as possible will be continued on his watch. The Prime Minister's spokesman said the matter had been raised at this morning's meeting of the reshuffled Cabinet. The Chancellor reminded all ministers that their departments needed to find five per cent of savings so money could be reprioritised on other priorities,' he said. Today marked Mr Sunak's first full day as Chancellor and he addressed Treasury staff to set out his vision for the department. Advertisement Mr Javid chose to walk away from the government rather than accept a demand from Mr Johnson's strategy chief Dominic Cummings to sack all of his aides and replace them with advisers chosen by Number 10. His departure opened the way for Mr Sunak, 39, to be handed the second most powerful job in government having previously served as Mr Javid's deputy as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Mr Javid accused Mr Johnson of setting conditions 'any self-respecting minister' would reject - a thinly veiled swipe at his successor. The move was seen as a power grab by Mr Cummings with Mr Sunak reportedly immediately under pressure from Number 10 to tear up his predecessor's tight spending rules and allow Mr Johnson to splash the cash at the next Budget. But the elevation of Mr Sunak has cast doubt on whether that Budget, currently scheduled for March 11, will go ahead amid speculation it could be delayed. Downing Street refused to guarantee the date with a spokesman saying only that 'extensive preparations have already been carried out for the Budget and they will continue at pace'. Meanwhile, accusations of a power grab were likely to grow after it emerged that Downing Street immediately moved some of its troops into the Treasury last night to help Mr Sunak. The shake-up saw Sajid Javid, pictured leaving his London home this morning, quit the government as he refused a demand from Dominic Cummings to sack all of his aides Mr Cummings appeared to be in good spirits as he was photographed leaving his London home this morning. The PM's top adviser declined to answer questions 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 Bitter Sajid Javid wages war of words against PM Sajid Javid today wished Boris Johnson a 'happy Valentine's Day' as the relationship between the two former allies grew increasingly bitter. Mr Javid resigned as chancellor yesterday after he refused to bow to demands from Dominic Cummings to sack all of his aides and accept a team of Number 10 advisers. Following his bombshell departure from the government, Mr Javid said the terms offered by the Prime Minister could not be accepted by 'any self-respecting minister' - a direct swipe at his successor Rishi Sunak. He also told Mr Johnson in his resignation letter that he believed it was 'important as leaders to have trusted teams that reflect the character and integrity that you would wish to be associated with' - a thinly-veiled attack on Mr Cummings, the PM's top adviser. Mr Javid's war of words with the new look government and the PM continued this morning when he was asked if he had a message for Mr Johnson. Leaving his London home, Mr Javid replied with a smile: 'Happy Valentine's Day.' Advertisement That came ahead of the creation of a 'joint' economic unit in the coming days which will be based across Number 10 and the Treasury and will be tasked with making key decisions, changing a power dynamic in Whitehall which has existed for decades. Numerous other senior figures also left the government yesterday as Mr Johnson wielded the axe. Julian Smith was unceremoniously dumped as Northern Ireland secretary just weeks after brokering a deal which restored the power-sharing administration at Stormont. Andrea Leadsom was sacked as business secretary, Theresa Villiers lost her job as environment secretary and Geoffrey Cox was removed from his post as attorney general. Esther McVey lost her role as housing minister, and the total number of women attending Cabinet fell from eight to seven - while the total number of ministers attending shrank from 32 to 26. But there were a series of promotions for Tory MPs loyal to Mr Johnson. Alok Sharma was promoted from international development to become the new Business Secretary and he will also be minister for the COP26 UN climate summit, which is due to take place in Glasgow in November. Anne-Marie Trevelyan joined the Cabinet as International Development Secretary, having previously been a defence minister. Oliver Dowden became a full Cabinet member as Culture Secretary, having previously attended the meetings as paymaster general, and George Eustice was promoted to Environment Secretary from his previous more junior role in the same department. Brandon Lewis was appointed as Northern Ireland Secretary, while former Brexit minister Suella Braverman returned to the Government as Attorney General. Ex-Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay has replaced Mr Sunak as Treasury Chief Secretary. Amanda Milling was made Conservative Party chairman - a role in which she will attend Cabinet as a minister without portfolio. Former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt returned to government as Paymaster General based in the Cabinet Office. Mr Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel today briefed the Cabinet on the UK's new immigration system as ministers rubberstamped the proposed blueprint. It is thought the new rules could reduce the number of low-skilled migrant workers from European Union countries by up to 90,000 a year. Under existing rules workers from the EU and European Economic Area countries can come to the UK to live or work without a visa. EU freedom of movement to the UK is due to end at the conclusion of the Brexit transition period in December with the new system rolled out at the start of 2021. The new system is expected to close the route for low-skilled migrants though short-term visas will be considered for occupations experiencing shortages. Meanwhile, Mr Javid's war of words with the new look government and the PM continued this morning when he was asked if he had a message for Mr Johnson. Mr Sunak, pictured right arriving in Downing Street this morning, replaced Mr Javid as Chancellor while Stephen Barclay returned to Cabinet as Chief Secretary to the Treasury Suella Braverman, pictured left, and Anne-Marie Trevelyan, pictured right, were both promoted to the Cabinet yesterday Matt Hancock, pictured in Downing Street this morning, and Michael Gove were among a raft of senior ministers who were kept in their existing roles in the Cabinet Ex-Tory Cabinet minister Rory Stewart tweeted a picture of Theresa May's final cabinet and pointed out that the vast majority were no longer in government Leading ally of PM quits government after being asked to give up Northern Powerhouse role Jake Berry, a long-standing ally of Boris Johnson, has left the government after being asked to give up his role as Northern Powerhouse minister. Mr Berry said he had been offered another ministerial position which would have required 'substantial amounts' of foreign travel. But the Tory MP for Rossendale and Darwen has three children under the age of three and declined the offer on the grounds that 'family will always come first'. He will now return to the backbenches. A successor for Mr Berry is yet to be announced by Number 10. Advertisement Leaving his London home, Mr Javid replied with a smile: 'Happy Valentine's Day.' Mr Johnson reportedly moved to bring the Treasury to heel at the reshuffle due to fears that he and Mr Javid could end up like Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. The later years of the New Labour governments were dominated by the fractious relationship between Mr Blair and Mr Brown and Mr Johnson apparently did not want to repeat history. Instead he wants to mimic the more harmonious relationship between David Cameron and George Osborne during their time in power. One Number 10 source told The Telegraph: 'The PM says the model for success is watertight cooperation between Number 10 and 11, like Dave and George, not a Tony and Gordon situation. 'That has long been the belief. It's all about delivery, the best way to deliver on the promises we made to this country.' The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Friday, February 14 took to their official Twitter handle and posted a remembrance tweet on the anniversary of the dreadful Pulwama attacks. In their tweet, which was exactly posted at 12 am, they said that they have not forgiven or forgotten the incident. The also added that they salute the martyrs who have lost their lives in the attack. " , " WE DID NOT FORGET, WE DID NOT FORGIVE: We salute our brothers who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation in Pulwama. Indebted, we stand with the families of our valiant martyrs. pic.twitter.com/GfzzLuTl7R CRPF (@crpfindia) February 13, 2020 Memorial to 40 CRPF jawans killed in Pulwama 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. The names of all the 40 personnel along with their pictures will be part of the memorial. The memorial will also display the motto of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) -- 'Seva and Nishtha' (Service and Loyalty). Read: Four men linked to JeM held from Pulwama district of J&K Pulwama Attacks On 14 February 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora (near Awantipora) in the Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The attack resulted in the deaths of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)personnel and the attacker. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed. Read: Memorial to 40 CRPF jawans killed in Pulwama attack to be inaugurated on Friday Four men linked to JeM held from Pulwama District Police arrested four overground workers of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) from the Awantipora area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 3. The arrested persons were identified as Mohammad Amin, Mohammad Rafiq, Fayaz Lone, residents of Khrew, and Maqbool Dar, a resident of Awantipora. According to police records, the arrested persons were involved in assisting the active JeM terrorists operating in Awantipora. Read: "Indian Army Will Not Stop Until The Menace Is Wiped Out From The Valley," Says Major Gaurav Arya As Forces Gun Down Key Terror Conspirator Whose Vehicle Was Used In The Feb 14 Pulwama Attack Read: MASSIVE WIN: Forces gun down key terror conspirator whose vehicle was used in the horrific Feb 14 Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF Jawans were martyred Wellington: With a condolence motion for late prime minister Mike Moore and a state-of-the- nation speech from Jacinda Ardern, the first parliamentary sitting week in New Zealand should have been a gentle introduction to the election year ahead. Instead, it was marred by scandal and ended with a poll that showed the Ardern government as on the brink of being a one-term wonder. And at the heart of it all was Winston. Under pressure: Winston Peters, NZ Deputy Prime Minister. Credit:AAP Winston Peters, the Deputy Prime Minister and leader of Ardern's coalition partner NZ First, is increasingly being called out on party practices. Minuteman Press in Southampton Aims to Go Beyond Customer Service into Customer Delight PHILADELPHIA and SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. , Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rajiv Raj Yajnik is the new owner of his full-service Minuteman Press marketing and printing franchise in Southampton, PA. Raj brings with him a wealth of business experience to the table as well as a prominent focus on personalized customer service. He says, With proprietary Minuteman Press FLEX software , my staff and my training, I know exactly how to grow this business. I have a shorter learning curve and feel we are right on track to not only complete the new business turnaround but to have a much faster ramp-up that we would on our own. After a successful career as Vice President and CEO, Raj decided to retire from corporate life and become his own boss. The last position Raj held in International Paper in the US, the largest paper company worldwide was Vice President, International Business. He spent a total of 15 years in various positions in Printing and Packaging in the US. He had an opportunity to go to India as the CEO of the largest printing and packaging company there. He led with a clear marketing driven strategy and the company grew 300 percent in the 5 years he was there. When he returned to the United States, Raj retired. However, he became restless and had more to do professionally so his retirement was temporary. Raj has always maintained fierce determination as a professional and used this to do well by International paper with the assignment overseas. He explains, I was running this company as its CEO and then came back to the United States with the intent to retire; but after working so many hours most of my life, I tried retirement for more than a year and decided I just couldnt do it. It was at that point that he decided to beeline for a business opportunity in the printing industry. As he says, I owned an independent printing business in Orlando before selling it to go off to India. I have been connected to paper or printing my whole career, so buying a printing business was logical. This time, however, he wished to bypass the struggles that go along with solo business ventures. He wished to use his prior experience to his advantage, but specifically sought printing franchise opportunities as he was wise to the reality of organic growth without a system or support. I was dealing in paper and print my whole life. When I was with International Paper, I had seven different operations under my management throughout the world and I traveled extensively, so my experience was at a very senior level. To go from that to running my own print and marketing center is very different, but it has been exciting. It would be more stressful if I had to invent my own systems and do it without support. Thats why I looked for a franchise. Raj gets a boost from the Minuteman Press franchise system that benefits his clients in Southampton. Raj knows full well the boost the Minuteman Press brand gives to his Southampton, PA center as a former print shop owner without the famous name. Brand helps tremendously. With Minuteman Press here in Southampton, I already have both and I even have ongoing local support from Regional Vice President Rich Hornberger and Field Representative Rich Hartz and they are excellent. I know, from my due diligence that other franchises may train me and give me software, but then Id be left to sink or swim. Ive only been in business for a few months and I know that the opposite is true as a Minuteman Press owner. In business and in daily meetings, growth is a frequent theme as it is the ultimate goal. Raj feels hes fortunate again to have purchased a franchise, not only for the brand name, but for the jumpstart his earlier hardships have helped him appreciate. When a lot of work comes in, Raj has a solid workflow process in place to ensure a positive customer experience as well as a professional team that includes a customer support person and a designer. He says, It is when things are very busy that you need the structure, system and process in place or you can be in trouble. My whole career has been centered around creating this environment. And the result of structure should be the end product and business owners are the ones tasked with creating it. Since Minuteman Press International has created it for me, this is where the value of my franchise comes in as it provides the system which hard to create. Additionally, Raj wastes none of the time spared to him by his franchisor. I have an AM meeting and a PM meeting to sum up the day and get ready for next day and then I have a trained staff to take care of quotes and move it through design and production, using our proprietary software. Since we are looking to grow rapidly and one of the things I specialized in previously was acquisitions, I am working on small print company acquisitions right now with my Regional Vice President, Rich Hornberger. I would like to grow in this way with support from my franchisor in addition to organic growth. Raj is pleased that organic growth means greater involvement in the Southampton community . He has joined the local BNI and enjoys speaking in front of its members, connecting businesses to one another as a marketing services expert. I build customer relationships and take them to the next level. At BNI, I explained to fellow members what I am doing and that we are here to help each other, the objective of networking and it is helping tremendously. I am aiming to go beyond customer service into customer delight. Minuteman Press in Southampton is actually creating more of a customer obsession because we do not stop at what they ask for, but make it clear we are invested in their end-goals and are committed to getting them there. Raj Yajnik, Minuteman Press franchise owner, Southampton, PA Everything in Rajs professional proximity will be taken beyond face value and into a more meaningful marketing campaign. They may come in and ask for flyers to promote something, but then we steer them towards the focus on what they wish their business to be doing in three years. We show them that flyers are a small part of a bigger approach and then we create a plan just for them, combining products and services like direct mail, wide-format printing and branded apparel, for instance. We address their needs and together we all become successful. Printing is something for which Raj has always had a passion and he his relieved he came out of retirement to enjoy it as owner of Minuteman Press in Southampton. I think the beauty of digital printing is that it takes customization in print to a new level. With packaging, vendors and international production, we are a full-service and one-stop marketing center for all of our clients. This is very exciting. Raj says with a smile, I am glad my wife Renu kicked me out of retirement because we have a good life. We have a daughter who is a biomedical engineer living nearby with our two grandchildren. I am back in business at full force and things are only going to grow bigger and better. Among the businesses imparting trust for essential growth to Minuteman Press in Southampton is a limousine company that is now outfitted with branded EVERYTHING, thanks to Raj and his staff. One day, Raj walked in and visited a limo company that had just established itself within his area and they let him return with freshly printed business cards, but it wasnt a simple order. We needed to recreate the design because they no longer had a clean copy of the file. They were very happy and went on to ask us for placards, so I stopped him and asked a few more questions to see what else was possible. Raj uncovered ways to establish the brand after its owner admitted he wanted to market but really did not know how to do it. We introduced him to USPS Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) services, produced 150 branded shirts for his employees to become brand ambassadors, and 200 pens with his logo. We have also produced 15,000 EDDM postcards for him in 3 months. Rich Hornberger, Minuteman Press International Regional Vice President for Philadelphia, is delighted to have such proactive entrepreneurs such as Raj within his region. He says, Raj combines an incredibly positive attitude coupled with Minuteman Presss vast business services, to satisfy his customers complete marketing and printing needs. He takes the approach of, How can I help you grow your business? Raj realizes the best way to secure a repeat customer is show the value of doing business with Minuteman Press. What better way to illustrate that idea than by helping his customers market and grow their businesses? For Raj, going forward is a matter of what he has done his whole professional career, taking something smaller and making it bigger, and in marketing, nothing could be greater than that aim. For more information about Minuteman Press in Southampton, PA, visit https://southampton-pa.minutemanpress.com . Learn more about Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com . About Minuteman Press International Minuteman Press International is the number one rated business marketing and printing franchise that offers world class training and unparalleled ongoing local support. At Minuteman Press, We Are The Modern Printing Industry providing high quality products and services that meet the needs of today's business professionals and go way beyond ink on paper. Today, our centers offer innovative branding and printing solutions and produce custom graphic designs, promotional products, branded apparel, direct mail campaigns, large format printing including posters, signs and banners, and much more. Prior experience is not necessary to own and operate a successful Minuteman Press franchise. Learn more about Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact: Minuteman Press International Franchise Opportunities, 1-800-645-3006 https://minutemanpressfranchise.com or Media Inquiries: cbiscuiti@mpihq.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6b3a5c31-1f79-48db-b1f2-318b04c0b09e Dubilet gave details about a meeting with UN representatives who shared information about experience of conducting a population census via satellite. Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Dmytro Dubilet has explained the idea of carrying out a population census in Russia-occupied Crimea and Donbas via satellite. Read alsoPopulation count in Ukraine, explained "A news report was spread on the Internet that we are allegedly planning to conduct a population census in the occupied territories via satellite. Let me tell you how it really was. During an interview, a journalist asked me about a meeting with UN representatives that we had held in Kyiv not long before. I said we had discussed the results of our population estimates. Then we switched to the topic of a population census in the occupied territories. UN representatives said they had experience of such evaluation in Afghanistan and other 'hot spots' via satellite and they could help us with such a project for free. We have decided we should study this issue as much as possible," he wrote on Facebook. Dubilet said the news with the headline saying "Dubilet wants to count Ukrainians via satellite" had been spread on the Internet after that. Moreover, people posted the headline alone, without giving the context mentioned above. "Some began to write that we want to spend some crazy budgets on this, some just decided that I was some kind of astronaut. Well, I sometimes lack experience not to say things that may turn into wrong headlines," the minister added. As UNIAN reported earlier, Dubilet mentioned his meeting with UN representatives who shared information about conducting a population census via satellite. "They [UN representatives] tried to understand the approximate number of people via satellite imagery and other layers of information. 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 with some other tools," he said. A Four-Star Destination in The Heart of Dundalk. Originally opened in the 1960s, the former Fairways Hotel held a fond place in the heart of those who visited from near and far. Now rebuilt from the ground up, the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk has made its return with state-of-the-art technology and stylish finishes ensuring that the same cherished warmth for which is was once famed, can be enjoyed by former and first-time guests alike. Come Stay Over! Experience some downtime in Louths latest and most stylish 4-star destination. The hotel, ideally located near Dundalk town, is the perfect base for a relaxing stopover along Irelands Ancient East as it is situated only one hour away from two of our islands most thriving cities of Dublin and Belfast. During your stay, enjoy cocktails or a delicious dinner in The Brasserie. Unwind in one of our sparkling new bedrooms, which feature the most stylish touches, including sustainable cosmetics by BeeKind, and the latest in technology from Chromecast TVs to phone-enabled doors. After a wonderful nights rest, awake to our delicious Breakfast Buffet before exploring Louths rugged coastline taking in Carlingford and the Cooley Peninsula. Make the most of your location by visiting the bustling town of Dundalk. Enjoy its artisan shops, local restaurants or take a stroll through the scenic seafront village of Blackrock before setting your sights on the majestic Dundalk Bay. Kick-start your New Year getaway today with our special introductory offer of Bed & Breakfast from just 45 per person sharing, valid Sunday to Thursday until March 31st 2020. Offer subject to availability, terms and conditions apply. Book now at reservations@fairwayshotel.ie, +353 42 934 3910 or visit www.fairwayshotel.ie. Your Fairways Wedding Tailored Just for You! Have the day you always dreamed of at the Fairways! We know that this day marks the start of the rest of your lives together so our dedicated wedding team will ensure you begin your journey in style. If youre thinking of getting married we can accommodate you, and up to 300 of your closest family and friends in our private pre-reception area and newly refurbished ballroom. From the location and facilities, to the service and food offering, the sparkling new Fairways Hotel, Dundalk is the ideal place for your wedding day. Arrive in style to a red-carpet reception, with bubbles and nibbles for all. Followed by your choice of a 5-course menu as part of one of our packages, or leave the decisions to your guests and opt for A La Carte dining. Whichever you choose, our team will work with you to create a menu tailored to your tastes. All with fresh produce and local delicacies, sourced right here in the Boyne Valley. When the party concludes, your guests can retreat to our 113 beautiful bedrooms with preferential rates. As for the special couple, our magnificent duplex Honeymoon Suite with panoramic views of Dundalk offers a fairytale setting to end your magical day. To book your wedding consultation appointment - please contact the Fairways team by simply emailing meetings@fairwayshotel.ie or visit www.fairwayshotel.ie/weddings/ for more details. Conferences & Events The Fairways Convention Centre is the ideal place for a professional, flexible and memorable meeting or event. It is one of Irelands few purpose-built meeting spaces with capacity for up to 900 conference attendees, and over 500 gala dinner guests. We also offer a number of boardrooms for small business meetings with access to high tech facilities. Find your way to the Fairways Hotel Dundalk, and we will look after the rest. Enquire now at reservations@fairwayshotel.ie, +353 42 934 3910, find us on social #FairwaysMyWay or visit www.fairwayshotel.ie. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan today had a meeting with President of Moldova Igor Dodon on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, reports the news service of the Office of the Prime Minister. Greeting the President of Moldova, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated the following: Im very glad to meet you again. We meet during various events that are held within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union, the CIS and other international organizations, and I believe our economic ties need to be as intense as our meetings are. The major item on our agenda is the development and intensification of our economic relations and the organizing of meetings between our business circles. Im planning to pay an official visit to Moldova this year, and I recently had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Moldova in Almaty. I believe we have many common interests in terms of politics and economy. We cooperate well, but the major issue is the intensification of economic ties. President of Moldova Igor Dodon stated the following: We have managed to have many meetings since we first met last year. Im very glad that we are collaborating within the scope of the CIS. Moldova is an observer in Eurasian Economic Commission. I would like to state that our bilateral agenda is very active, but I fully agree that the economic results dont correspond to the existing potential of our countries. I fully hope we succeed in giving a new impulse to our bilateral ties this year. From February 24 to 25, the President of the Parliament of Moldova will pay an official visit to Armenia. I believe the visit of our parliamentary speaker, the meeting of the co-chairs of the intergovernmental commission, the session of the intergovernmental commission and your official visit will give a new impulse to our relations. Moldova and Armenia have had great relations throughout history. There is an Armenian community in Moldova, and the members of the community hold offices. During the meeting, Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Dodon touched upon the issues to be considered during the upcoming session of the Armenian-Moldovan Intergovernmental Commission and stated that the Commission will prepare the documents that will be considered during the Prime Ministers official visit to Moldova scheduled in the first half of this year. (Newser) An American fugitive sought in her husband's 2002 slaying was arrested in Rome after she checked into a hotel, when an international arrest warrant for her showed up on an online system tied to a police database. The body of Beverley McCallum's husband, Robert Caraballo, was dumped and burned in a blueberry patch in Michigan, NBC reports. The remains of Caraballo, 37, weren't identified until police received a tip in 2015. McCallum, her daughter and a Grand Rapids man faces murder and conspiracy charges in the case. Her daughter already is in custody, and the man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. US officials thought McCallum was living in Pakistan and were trying to win her extradition when she was found in Italy instead. She's being held in a Rome prison, police said Thursday, per the AP. story continues below A detective testified in a 2018 hearing that McCallum took her two young daughters with her to dispose of her husband's body, per the Lansing State Journal. The younger girl later said she remembered hearing a fight in the basement, being put in her mother's van for a long drive, then seeing a fire, the detective said. A large metal box was in the van, and she remembered thinking that night that her father probably was in the box. (Read more fugitive stories.) By Express News Service BHOPAL: In an embarrassment to the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in Madhya Pradesh, ex-union minister and senior party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia has announced taking to streets in the state, if the long pending demand of protesting Atithi Shikshak (guest faculties) isn't met. "I heard your (guest faculties) demand earlier also and supported it. Fulfilment of your demand forms part of our 2018 assembly polls manifesto, just have patience as our manifesto is a sacred book for us. But if the assurances in the manifesto arent fulfilled, I'll join you on the streets for taking up your cause. Always remember I'll be your sword as well as shield if the assurances made in the manifesto aren't fulfilled," said Scindia, while addressing a public gathering in Tikamgarh district on Thursday. A day later in Ashok Nagar district (a part of Guna Lok Sabha seat, which he lost in 2019 Lok Sabha polls) on Friday, Scindia repeated his promise of taking to streets against his own party government if the guest faculties' long-pending demand for regularisation of services isn't fulfilled. Around 5000 Atithi Shikshaks (guest faculties) of colleges in MP have been holding protests in Bhopal for over two months now in support of their demand. Just a few days back, Sanjay Kumar, a guest faculty-cum-sports officer of a government college had hanged self to death under severe stress in Umaria district. Regularising services of guest faculties formed an important part of Congress manifesto for 2018 assembly polls, but hardly anything has been done for it by the Kamal Nath government for more than a year now. Reacting to Scindia's "will take to street" remarks, senior MP cabinet minister Dr Govind Singh (considered close to ex-CM Digvijaya Singh) said "being a senior leader, he (Scindia) needs to talk to CM instead of taking to the street. He needs to understand the financial condition of the state, before making such statements." However, the Opposition was quick to take potshots at the state government. BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said In Indore on Friday, "Scindia has exposed what the Congress government is actually doing to fulfill it's poll promises." On Thursday only, Scindia had also termed Congresss performance in the Delhi Assembly polls as highly disappointing and added there was an urgent need for new thinking, new ideology and new working approach in the party. Meanwhile, sources within the Congress partys state unit confided that the recent statements by Scindia could be a well-thought ploy to pressurize the party leadership in making him the MP Congress chief or sending him to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh in the April elections to the upper house of the Parliament. Scindia is particularly crucial for the party in Gwalior-Chambal region and parts of Malwa-Nimar, especially in light of the fact that by-poll has necessitated to Jaura Assembly seat of Gwalior-Chambal region following the death of sitting Congress MLA Banwari Lal Sharma last month. Greeces economy is the 51st largest in the world and the 7th largest in the European Union. The economy is based on the service and industrial sectors, with agriculture contributing less than 5% of the national economic output. After about a decade of sustained economic growth, Greece went into recession in 2008. In the years following, the countrys economy faced the highest debt deficit in the EU. The debt deficit and increased borrowing shut Greece out of the global financial market, leading to a severe economic crisis. Greeks economy continues to face several problems including high unemployment rate, tax evasion, low global competitiveness, corruption, and inefficiencies in the public sector. Unemployment Levels As a result of the economic crisis in Greece, the countrys industrial production fell significantly. The volumes of building activities and retail sales also declined by wide margins. Before the onset of the economic crisis in 2008, the Greek unemployment rate was a record low at only 7.2%. However, between late 2008 and June 2013, unemployment skyrocketed to 27.9%, resulting in a massive loss of jobs. Youth unemployment hit 64.9% by May 2013. Despite the challenges faced by the country, the unemployment levels have steadily improved after peaking in 2013. In November 2019, the unemployment rate fell to 16.5%, a 0.05% fall from the previous month, and compared to 18.6% in the same month of the previous year. Novembers rate is the lowest unemployment rate since 2011. According to Greek Statistical Authority, which updates the rates monthly, the number of unemployed individuals fell by 8,701 from 781,315 in October 2019 to 772,614 in November 2019 (representing a 1.1% decline) and down by 104,254 from the same month in 2018. The number of employed individuals fell by 0.2% from October 2019 but grew by 2% compared to November 2018. Youths between the ages of 15 and 24 are the most affected by the unemployment problem in the country. Youth unemployment was 39.7% in November 2019 compared to 36.1% in November 2018. The unemployment rate among women was 20% in November while it fell to 13.7% among males. Different unemployment rates were also recorded in different regions. The highest unemployment rate was reported in Epirus-West Macedonia (19.7%) while Crete registered the lowest rate at 12.7%. Although the Greek authorities have tried to reduce the unemployment levels, they still have a lot to do to reduce the unemployment rate to pre-2008 levels. High Debt Levels To Blame For High Unemployment One of the primary causes of unemployment in Greece is the national debt. In 2011, Greece was granted a bailout packed of 109 billion by its European counterparts to manage the ballooning debt levels. Along with the loan, Greece was given a credit rating with a disclaimer that the country was at high risk of default. This credit rating pushed away investors and potential ones from investing in the Greek economy. The lack of investment in the country, combined with the effects of government austerity programs, greatly impacted the growth potential of the economy of Greece. The result was the loss of millions of jobs. The unemployment rate in Greece fell to 16.5% in November 2019, the lowest in the country since April 2011. The number of unemployed individuals was down by about 104,000 in November 2018. Unemployment remains highest among the youths at 39.7%. The rising national debt is to blame for the high unemployment rate. India and Portugal on Friday signed an agreement to jointly develop National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Gujarat's Lothal. The MoU on National Maritime Heritage Complex will pay the way for cooperation between the two countries for showcasing common Maritime Heritage. NMHC will consolidate all diverse and rich artefacts from ancient to modern times. It will provide access to public and make them aware about India's rich Maritime Heritage. The agreement was signed during delegation-level talks between New Delhi and Lisbon. The Indian delegation was headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Portuguese delegation by visiting President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa at the Hyderabad House in the national capital. Prior to the talks, the two leaders had witnessed the exchange of agreements between the two countries. A total of seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed between India and Portugal on the sidelines of Marcelo's visit in the fields of nano-biotechnology, higher education, among other areas, while several other agreements have been exchanged. Marcelo is on a four-day visit to India, accompanied by Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Prof Augusto Santos Silva, Secretary of State for Internationalisation Prof Eurico Brilhante Dias and Secretary of State for National Defense Jorge Seguro Sanche. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CAIRO Sudans transitional government said Thursday it has reached a settlement with families of the victims of the 2000 attack on the U.S. destroyer 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 from Khartoum to end its international pariah status. Earlier this week, Sudans provisional rulers said they had agreed to hand over longtime autocrat Omar el-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, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, earlier this month met in Uganda with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who announced that Israel and Sudan would normalize relations after decades of enmity. Observers and Sudanese officials have said that the settlement with the USS Cole victims was among the last hurdles faced by Sudan on its path to being removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terror. 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. Today, Sudans interim authorities are desperate to have its listing by the U.S. as a state sponsor of terror lifted, in order to receive an injection of badly needed funds from international lending institutions. Sudans justice ministry said that the agreement was signed with the victims families last Friday but its statement gave no details of the settlement. Sudans information minister and interim government spokesman, Faisal Saleh, said the figures could not be disclosed because the Sudanese government is still in negotiations to reach a similar settlements with families of victims of the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. More than 200 people were killed in the attacks and more than 1,000 were wounded. For Sudan, being removed from the U.S. terror list will end the countrys economic 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 el-Bashir and installed the joint civilian-military sovereign council. Noha Elhennawy is an Associated Press writer. MUNICH - Canada is pushing for new international rules to protect civilian airliners flying near conflict zones, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday at an major security conference in Munich, Germany. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/2/2020 (697 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Marcus Wallenberg Global Chairman of Saab (not pictured) at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick MUNICH - Canada is pushing for new international rules to protect civilian airliners flying near conflict zones, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday at an major security conference in Munich, Germany. Five weeks after 176 people were killed, including 57 Canadians, when Iran's military launched two missiles at a Ukrainian jetliner, Trudeau said he is working with the Netherlands and other partners to implement several recommendations to make the world safer for people to fly. "The Netherlands, along with 10 other countries, was struck by a tragedy all too similar six years ago when Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down," Trudeau said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference. "While the loss of life is heartbreaking, the fact that this could happen more than once is appalling." There were 298 people killed in July 2014 when the Malaysian airplane was brought down by a surface-to-air missile fired from a pro-Russian, separatist-controlled territory in Ukraine. Two-thirds of the victims were Dutch nationals. There was one Canadian on board. Trudeau said one of his first calls after the Ukrainian airlines tragedy, was to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who told him there was a list of recommendations developed after the Malaysian crash to try and make the skies less volatile for civilians. Trudeau said "I pledged at that moment with him" to implement those recommendations. Canada created a joint working group of countries who also lost citizens when Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 was shot down in early January, a move that was part of implementing what Trudeau calls the "safer-skies initiative." Trudeau's office has not yet provided further information about the recommendations or how the initiative would work. Champagne is hosting a meeting of the joint working group in Munich on Saturday. The plane was shot down hours after the Iranians launched missiles at Iraqi military bases housing U.S. soldiers, in retaliation for the U.S. killing a top Iranian general in a targeted drone strike in Baghdad the week before. While Iran initially denied a missile brought down the plane, it admitted three days after the crash that its military fired the missiles after thinking the plane was a hostile target. Questions were immediately asked about why the plane was cleared for takeoff while tensions were so high. "Millions of people board a plane every day, and they should not wonder whether they could become inadvertent targets," Trudeau said. Canada continues to push Iran to complete a full investigation of the crash and is losing patience over Iran's reluctance to send the plane's black boxes to France so they can be analyzed. Trudeau stepped into a meeting scheduled between Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Munich Friday, hoping it would help put some more pressure on Iran to admit it doesn't have the equipment to analyze the boxes itself. "I made a promise to families in Canada to do everything I could to make sure that they get answers, that we have a full and complete investigation, that we understand exactly what happened," he said. Trudeau's speech in Munich also delivered a sharp defence of the use of global organizations to solve some of the world's biggest problems. The influence of multilateral organizations like NATO or the United Nations is under some threat, amid a rise of nationalism and protectionism around the world. That defence was made as he continued to campaign for Canada's bid for a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council, one of the world's most powerful multilateral organizations that has also seen its role and influence questioned in recent years. He met with more than 20 world leaders over the last eight days in Ethiopia, Kuwait, Senegal and Germany, including on Friday the leaders of Niger, Albania, and Kazakhstan. After the meeting with Zarif Friday, Champagne said he felt progress had been made to persuade Iran to relinquish the black boxes from the plane. "The discussions we had today was going further," he said. "We were not talking about the why, we were talking about the how." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2020. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal New Mexicans are taking all sorts of measures to protect themselves these days investing in private armed guards, expensive security systems and, of course, guns. But some, especially those in their golden years, may want to keep a keen eye on their cellphone and internet. Federal authorities say residents in the state were bilked out of millions in internet scams last year with no signs of slowing. In fact, the losses more than doubled from 2018. There were 2,037 victims and nearly $18 million in losses in 2019, according to a report by the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3. In 2018, there were more victims 2,127 but only around $8.5 million in losses. Most of those in 2019 came through extortion, defrauding businesses, internet purchases and romance scams. Individuals over 60, at least 24% of victims, took the lions share of the hits, a little more than $13.5 million, or roughly $27,000 per person. Criminals are getting so sophisticated, Donna Gregory, chief of IC3, said in a news release. It is getting harder and harder for victims to spot the red flags and tell real from fake. The results match a national trend, according to the release, as IC3 received a record-breaking 467,000 complaints and $3.5 billion in losses in 2019 with states like California, Texas and New York getting hit the hardest. In 2019, the FBI was able to recover $300,000 of $384,000 of losses in around 1,300 incidents nationwide. The FBI was not able to provide the Journal with numbers on arrests, solve rates or prosecution of cybercriminals. Mark Medley, president of ID Theft Resolutions in Albuquerque, said a majority of the crimes go unpunished and many even go unreported. Its a huge amount, he said. They dont know how to report it, first of all, and theres some embarrassment involved. When you have your information stolen, no matter how its done, its very intrusive. Unfortunately, a large percent of the time, you dont even know who it is, he said. In New Mexico, most residents were scammed through extortion and non-delivery or non-payment scams where an online purchase is never shipped or a seller is never paid for a shipped purchase. Personal data breaches, phishing and related scams, harassment or threats of violence, and confidence or romance fraud were also large contributors. At least 176 victims did not specify a crime type in their complaint. The largest losses in the state by far, $12 million, were incurred through Business Email Compromise and Email Account Compromise. BEC and EAC scams target businesses and individuals performing money transfers by hacking legitimate email accounts and requesting wire transfers to fraudulent locations. Bernalillo County fell victim last year after scammers used the countys website to access business vendors and change accounting information to route nearly $450,000 into a bogus account in Texas. The county has since notified the FBI, thwarted two additional swindles and was working to recoup the loss. Coming in a distant second were romance scams, or confidence fraud, which targets individuals and totaled $1.6 million in losses. These scams involve predominantly older widowed or divorced women targeted by far-flung criminal groups who assume other identities to court the women over the internet with the eventual intent of asking for money. Medley said the evolution of the internet and our reliance on it for everyday tasks such as shopping, banking and communication has opened the door to more opportunities for criminals. You can find out all sorts of information on people and thats a sad reality we live in now, he said. If people try hard enough and long enough, theyre going to find information about other people. Medley goes to senior centers to talk to those most at risk who grew up in an era when people were much more trusting and honest. Some are more receptive than others. He said some tips to protect yourself from cybercrime and identity theft are to keep a close eye on bank statements, scrutinize mail such as utility bills and when it comes to passwords the more difficult, the better. You have to be very vigilant about what you do, Medley said. Keeping your information safe is a full-time job. (TNS) The state of Michigan has ordered a software company to halt work on a massive citizen database for the Michigan State Police, saying the product the company has delivered to date is inoperable, records show.And in a letter disputing a recent $2.6-million invoice from the contractor, Information Builders, the Attorney Generals Office cites among its concerns the companys hiring of the MSP captain who was in charge of information technology and retired to become a vice president for the company, as well as the possible hiring of a second former MSP official.The Free Press first reported in April on a $12.2-million state contract with Information Builders to create a massive data hub that would produce golden records on citizens, combining data from a wide range of sources, along with data and mapping on crime, traffic accidents, and other incidents.The project was controversial from a civil liberties standpoint because future plans included expanding it to include social media and U.S. Department of Homeland Security files which could include immigration status and even to use the data to predict future crime and car crashes, according to the Information Builders website. None of those features had been incorporated as of last April, an MSP spokeswoman said.The Free Press also reported that Capt. David Kelly was retiring from the MSP to work for Information Builders, and that a top MSP civilian working on information technology, Chief Innovation Officer Deepinder Uppal, had resigned April 8 after the company expressed interest in recruiting him. At the time, the MSP said Uppal had several job offers and officials did not know where he planned to work next. Uppal is now a vice president of innovation and technology at Information Builders, according to his LinkedIn page.Unlike some states, Michigan has no "revolving door" policy or law to prevent state officials from going to work for contractors they dealt with in their public payroll jobs.Messages left Wednesday with Information Builders officials in New York City were not returned. Kelly and Uppal did not respond to messages seeking comment, sent Wednesday through LinkedIn.In a Feb. 3 letter, Joe Ernst, a purchasing official with the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, told Information Builders that the state wanted the company to stop all work on the contract Feb. 10 "due to the state's continuing concerns with Information Builders' performance, including ... the inoperable central Data Hub."Ernst said the stop work order also applies to 25 different software licenses because the software in question "can only be used with a fully operational Data Hub," which the company "has not delivered."In a separate Feb. 3 letter to the company's associate general counsel, Assistant Attorney General Suzanne Hassan disputed a $2.6-million invoice Information Builders sent to the state on Dec. 27 and raised the prospect of the state terminating the contract if issues could not be amicably resolved."Due to the failed performance of (Information Builders), the state cannot use the vast majority of licensed products in the manner and for the purpose contemplated by the contract," Hassan wrote."The state will not pay license fees for software that is rendered effectively useless."Hassan also told the company attorney, Thomas Savoth, to preserve a wide range of evidence or potential evidence related to the contract.Among the evidence she said she wanted preserved was records related to the design or creation of Data Hub, the development and creation of the contract and related work, and "the possible employment of former state employees," including Kelly and Uppal.Kelly Rossman-McKinney, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Dana Nessel, would not elaborate Wednesday on why the hiring of state employees was cited as a potential concern in connection with the Information Builders contract.Kelly, the former captain, "has not been affiliated with this contract since his departure from state employment," MSP spokeswoman Shanon Banner said.Most state contracts allow the state to terminate a contract "for convenience," meaning no specific cause or grievance has to be cited. That clause was useful when the state withdrew early from multimillion-dollar prison food contracts and returned the prison food work to state employees in 2018.Hassan said in the letter that Information Builders "insisted" that the standard termination for convenience clause be removed from its contract with the state."This leaves the state in the position of either having to terminate this contract for cause which remains an option or mutually agreeing to reduce the scope of the contract" to cover the limited software functions the state says are working and wants to continue to use, Hassan wrote.A "termination for cause is a drastic step" that could "detrimentally impact ... future bids and contract awards with the state and other government entities, a disadvantage that we would hope to avoid imposing," Hassan wrote.Ernst said the exception to the stop work order is four software licenses used for Mi-Intel Search, which is operating.This feature enables "troopers and detectives to query all the major MSP data sources by person, address and many other variables," according to an article posted on the Information Builders website last year.Hassan said in her letter the state is willing to continue paying $150,000 a year for those applications. WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Lake County Board of Elections on Friday shot down a complaint the Ohio Republican Party filed the previous day with Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, issuing a statement that said Democratic congressional candidate Hillary OConnor Mueri did not cast an absentee ballot in Ohios 2008 Democratic presidential primary. The boards statement is vindication for Mueri, whom the GOP accused of improperly casting a Lake County absentee ballot in Ohios 2008 Democratic primary after voting in Californias 2008 Democratic presidential primary the previous month. The Lake County elections board said it mailed an absentee ballot to Mueri on Feb. 5, 2008, but she did not return it or otherwise vote in Ohios March 4, 2008 presidential primary. The statement said the elections board had a policy in 2008 that granted voter history credit to voters who applied to vote absentee, irrespective of whether the voter returned their ballot. That policy has since been changed, elections board Director R. Ross McDonald said in an interview. Because of the old policy, McDonald said a notarized record of Mueris voting history that Republicans submitted with their complaint shows Mueri voted in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary even though she didnt return the absentee ballot. He said Lake County election officials were able to determine that she didnt return her ballot after searching their records at the request of Mueris campaign manager. He said Lake County election officials werent aware the Ohio Republican Party was going to file a complaint focusing on Mueris absentee ballot, and they were never asked to research the subject by any parties until Friday. This is the voting record the Ohio Republican Party submitted with their complaint to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, which erroneously indicates Mueri voted in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary: Mueri is seeking the congressional seat held by Bainbridge Township Republican Rep. Dave Joyce, which includes all of Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties and parts of Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage and Trumbull counties. As a combat veteran Naval Flight Officer, honor is something I take seriously," said a statement from Mueri. "David Joyce and political cronies have crossed a line. I have put my life on the line to defend our way of life and the free elections we hold so dear. When I decided to continue my service and run for Congress to fight for those in Northeast Ohio that have been forgotten for so long, I knew it would be tough. What I did not expect was to be slandered and have my honor falsely questioned. On behalf of every veteran who tried to cast their vote far from home, I am calling on Congressman Joyce to condemn this slanderous report. The Ohio Republican Party complaint claimed that Mueri illegally voted in two states, which would be a fourth-degree felony. A GOP spokesman said the party obtained Mueris voting history from Lake County through repeated Freedom of Information Act requests, and the information Lake County supplied showed Mueri voted by absentee ballot in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary. He said an assistant Lake County prosecutor told party officials that notations in Mueris voting record showed she voted absentee in the election at issue, and Lake County didnt disclose any alleged policy change when the initial records request was filed, which would have been highly relevant to the records that were requested. The GOP does not seem willing to drop the complaint, despite the elections boards findings. Ohio Republican Party Executive Director Rob Secaur, who filed Thursdays complaint, issued this statement in response to the statement from Lake County: As my complaint states No person shall vote or attempt to vote more than once at the same election by any means. We look forward to the results of the Attorney Generals investigation into this matter. Read more coverage: Heres who says Jim Jordan knew - or didnt know - about sex abuse on OSUs wrestling team Trump budget proposes spending more than $100 million on federal buildings in Cleveland Port of Cleveland gets $11 million federal grant Two Democrats want to oust Rep. Anthony Gonzalez Trump budget would fund new Cleveland FBI building and cut Lordstown loan program Ex-football pro Anthony Gonzalez preps bill to let college athletes make money from their names and images Ohios Jim Jordan picked to become top Republican on House Judiciary Committee House passes legislation to boost Great Lakes cleanup money House passes veterans service dog bill by Ohios Rep. Steve Stivers Rep. Tim Ryan walked out of Trumps State of the Union speech, calling it fake like professional wrestling Ohios U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman defend upcoming impeachment votes (videos) Trumps State of the Union speech: Who are the guests from Ohio? Rep. Jim Jordan is raising big campaign bucks, Rep. Tim Ryan isnt: See what Northeast Ohio Congress members collected Sen. Rob Portman announces hell vote against calling impeachment witnesses Ohio Democrats decry Trump administration Medicaid change Senate should designate PFAS water contaminants hazardous substances, says Sen. Sherrod Brown Canadas business elite and the corporate media are clamouring for the federal Liberal government to authorize a violent police crackdown on anti-pipeline protests that have spread across the country this week. The protests, which include blockades of railway lines in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, and ports on Canadas east and west coasts, were prompted by the RCMPs violent dispersal, beginning last Thursday, of longstanding road blockades in northern BC organized by the Wetsuweten indigenous people. The roadblocks were designed to prevent construction of the Coastal Gas Link pipeline from northeastern British Columbia to Kitimat, a Pacific Coast port. The roadblocks were set up by hereditary chiefs of the Wetsuweten, who claim authority over 22,000 square kilometres of traditional Wetsuweten territory, including lands that will be traversed by the pipeline. The federal Liberal and BC New Democratic Party (NDP) governments have justified their dismissal of the objections of the hereditary chiefs and their supporters by pointing to the agreements that the 20 Canadian government-established elected Wetsuweten band councils have signed with TCE Energy, the company constructing the pipeline, approving the pipeline project in return for economic benefits. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers arrested over a dozen Wetsuweten activists and their supporters and dismantled their camps as part of their enforcement of a court injunction obtained by the company. The police operation was backed to the hilt by the provincial NDP government, which sees the pipeline as critical to a proposed $40 billion project to build a liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal in Kitimat to ship LNG to markets in Asia. Canadas ruling elite views the development and expansion of energy pipelines as essential to realizing its ambitions for Canada to become an energy superpower. This is why the brutal treatment of Wetsuweten protesters, who have been harassed by the RCMP for over a decade, enjoys its full-throated support. By contrast, the images of police officers armed with assault rifles suppressing peaceful protesters has triggered outrage across the country. Tyendinaga Mohawk activists have blocked a section of railway near Belleville in southern Ontario, and Kahnawake Mohawks have taken similar action south of Montreal, Quebec. In BC, chiefs of the Gitxsan First Nation have launched a blockade of the railway into the port of Prince Rupert. Injunctions against the railway blockades have been obtained, but police, fearing an escalation of the protest movement, have yet to enforce them. The railway blockades established in solidarity with the Wetsuweten are largely being manned by indigenous people. But other protests have been led or joined by others angered by the state crackdown and concerned about the impact of increased oil and natural gas extraction and pipelines on climate change. On Monday 43 people were arrested when police broke up a blockade at the Port of Vancouver, Canadas largest. On Wednesday, BC NDP Premier John Horgan launched into a tirade against protesters who had blocked access to the provincial legislature in Victoria on Tuesday, temporarily disrupting the presentation of the governments Throne Speech. Horgan termed the protest unacceptable and said his government now has a plan to ensure it would not be repeated. Peaceful demonstration, declared Horgan, is fundamental to our success as a democracy. 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. In justifying his support for the police action against the Wetsuweten protesters, the NDP premier cynically invoked the poverty, squalor and economic backwardness to which Canadian capitalism has condemned the vast majority of the Native population. Theres 204 Indian Act nations in British Columbia, said Horgan. The vast majority are anxious to have the prosperity that other British Columbians have experienced over the last 150 years. That overwhelming majority is my focus. Exemplifying the unanimous hostility towards the protests among ruling circles, Horgans remarks were essentially no different from those of federal Conservative leadership candidate Erin OToole. He railed against people with a hashtag of Shutdown Canada and signs calling the RCMP apartheid, and those who feel that they can take protests to a stage of actually stopping people from working, stopping court orders. That's very disruptive. In a shrill warning to the Trudeau government, Chamber of Commerce President Perrin Beatty described the anti-pipeline protests as an emergency for the Canadian economy that is damaging our international reputation as a reliable supplier. It is affecting our supply chains around the world." He has been joined by various industry representatives in decrying delays in shipments of consumer goods, grain, coal, lumber, aluminum, propane, and construction materials. Yesterday afternoon, CN Rail CEO J.J. Ruest announced that Canadas largest railway is shutting down virtually its entire network east of Toronto, suspending both freight and Via Rail passenger service. "With over 400 trains cancelled during the last week and new protests that emerged at strategic locations on our mainline, we have decided that a progressive shutdown of our Eastern Canadian operations is the responsible approach, Ruest said in a written statement. The corporate medias response to the protests has become increasingly frantic. The National Post raged that Canada is being turned into a mob city, while the Edmonton Journal declared, Chaos has come to Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has responded by talking out of both sides of his mouth. While urging dialogue with the protesters to resolve the stand-off, he also invoked the iron fist of the rule of law to threaten the ruthless dispersal of protests if this strategy fails. Trudeau has proposed that Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett attend a meeting with BCs Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser and the Wetsuweten and Gitxsan chiefs involved in the blockades to discuss an agreement to end the protests. The offers to negotiate are in keeping with the Liberals phony reconciliation policy towards Canadas indigenous peoples. Reconciliation was initially welcomed by wide sections of the population, Native and non-Native, who viewed it as an attempt to address the injustices visited on the Native peoples as a result of their dispossession and oppression at the hands of Canadian capitalism and its state. In reality, it is aimed at cultivating a thin layer of wealthy Native politicians and businessmen whom the Canadian bourgeoisie can use to provide consent for various resource extraction projects, control the increasingly restive Native population, and, through Native identity politics, divide it from the rest of the working class. Far from seeking to overcome the endemic poverty and misery that is experienced on a daily basis by most Native people on and off reserves, the Liberals and the substantial section of the ruling elite that backs their policy aim to reconcile indigenous people to the Canadian state and capitalist exploitation. However, should negotiations fail, the Liberals have made it more than clear that they are ready to order a ruthless crackdown on protesters. Four years ago, then Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr told a business event in Alberta that the Trudeau government was ready to deploy the military against non-peaceful anti-pipeline protesters to ensure such projects are completed. Given the vast array of anti-democratic measures that have been passed over the last two decades in the name of the war on terror, virtually any protest can be deemed non-peaceful, especially protests deemed to endanger economic or national security. (See: Canadas Liberal government stands by plan to use military against pipeline protests) The RCMP is also more than ready to use lethal force to terrorize protesters, as a recent expose by the British Guardian newspaper revealed. (See: Royal Canadian Mounted Police advocated use of live fire against indigenous pipeline protesters) Trudeaus pledge to uphold the rule of law must be taken as a serious warning by the entire working class. Just last week, Saskatchewans right-wing Premier Scott Moe cited the need to defend the rule of law as he ordered a vicious police assault against locked out Federated Cooperatives Ltd. refinery workers resisting sweeping concession demands. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has repeatedly threatened to pass legislation to criminalize job actions by close to 200,000 teachers who are opposing his savage cuts to public education. Last week, an editorial in the right-wing National Post urged the Ontario provincial government to legislate a permanent ban on teacher strikes. Governments across Canada of all political stripes routinely outlaw strikes, including in recent years, by teachers, railway workers, Quebec construction workers, and university staff. This has ensured that in Canada the rule of law amounts to a virtual ban on working class strikes. The violent suppression of the ongoing anti-pipeline protests on the same grounds would set a dangerous precedent for the use of all-out state violence against any section of workers struggling against capitalist austerity and exploitation. Washington: Federal prosecutors have declined to charge former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, closing an investigation into whether he lied to federal officials about his involvement in a news media disclosure, McCabe's legal team says. The decision resolves a criminal investigation that spanned more than a year and began with a referral from the Justice Department's inspector general, which said McCabe repeatedly lied about having authorised a subordinate to share information with a newspaper reporter for a 2016 article about an FBI investigation into the Clinton Foundation. Former FBI acting director Andrew McCabe won't be charged, his legal team said. Credit:AP McCabe's lawyers said in a statement they were told in a phone call and letter that the case is closed and "no charges will be brought against him based on the facts." McCabe, a frequent target of attacks from President Donald Trump, has denied that he intentionally misled anyone. He has said his 2018 firing - for what the Justice Department called "lack of candour" - was politically motivated. He sued the Justice Department in August, saying officials had used the inspector general's conclusions as a pretext to rid the FBI of leaders Trump perceived as biased against him. German discount supermarket Lidl has announced a 33m (40m) two-year supply deal with Co Kildare-based cooked meats producer O'Brien Fine Foods. The deal will see O'Brien Fine Foods supply Lidl's 201 stores across the island of Ireland, including 39 stores in Northern Ireland. The company will also supply Lidl's 797 stores across Great Britain, all year round. O'Brien Fine Foods products will be exported for sale in 7,438 Lidl stores in 14 countries across Europe twice yearly on a promotional basis. Lidl has also made a further 40,000 (50,000) investment in O'Brien Fine Foods. That deal will involve their Irish beef products being exported to more than 3,000 Lidl stores in Germany as part of their 2020 Christmas offering. The announcement comes as Lidl and O'Brien Fine Foods mark 10 years of their supply partnership in Ireland. Henry Howard, senior buyer for Lidl Ireland, said: "Supporting local Irish producers has always been a core commitment for Lidl. "After 20 years of operating in Ireland, we are proud to say that this commitment continues. In terms of quality and flavour, the O'Brien Fine Foods range of cooked meat products is second to none and we are delighted that our customers in Ireland will continue to enjoy them, and that our international customers will sample the best of Irish produce." The wreckage of the vehicle which veered off the road before hitting a tree, killing two passengers and seriously injuring the driver and another passenger. (Courtesy pic) SITEKI Two Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) women were killed in a horrific car accident on Wednesday afternoon. The driver of the vehicle and another woman are reportedly fighting for their lives in hospital. According to the police, the accident happened at around 4:30pm at Malindza area, along Lonhlupheko-Manzini Public Road, not very far from King Mswati III International Airport. The deceased were aged 26 and 42 years, but their full particulars, including names and occupations, could not be ascertained at the time of compiling this report. Sources close to the police told this publication that the deceased were DRC nationals and had been living in Eswatini. Witnessed A source who spoke to people who witnessed the accident, told this publication that the deceased were travelling in an import motor vehicle (Mazda Verisa). He said there were four people inside the vehicle, including the driver. They were travelling from Siteki town towards Manzini city. They had earlier been to the Good Shepherd Mission Hospital Eye Clinic and they were now going back to their residence at Fairview (Manzini), said the source. According to the source, as the vehicle was passing by Sicusha bus stop, towards the Mbhandlane direction, another vehicle from the opposite direction overtook a truck. In an attempt to avoid a head-on collision, the driver of the vehicle in which the DRC nationals were travelling is said to have swiftly moved the vehicle out of the tarred track. However, witnesses said he lost control of the vehicle thus it skidded towards a roadside bushy area and hit a tree. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said the two passengers (women) in the vehicle were seriously injured and were rushed to Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital in Manzini, where they were certified dead. Injured The driver and another passenger, being a 28-year-old woman of Fairview, were seriously injured and were admitted to Good Shepherd Hospital (in Siteki), said Vilakati, in a press release yesterday. She added that the vehicle was extensively damaged. Vilakati wouldnt say if the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident would face culpable homicide charges once he recovers, but she stated that police were still investigating what caused the accident. Meanwhile, the driver of the vehicle and the other passenger who were seriously injured are said to be in a critical but stable condition in hospital. Families of the deceased could not be reached for comment at the time of compiling this report yesterday afternoon. It is said some relatives of the deceased were spotted at the accident scene immediately after the accident had happened. A source told this publication that the relatives of the deceased were travelling in another vehicle which was ahead of the one which got involved in the accident. In another accident, on Sunday night, two government trucks, which were ferrying members of the Lutsango regiment, skidded off the road and reportedly landed in a shallow trench by the side of the road. The accident happened near KaNkambule bus stop at Maphungwane, about 25 kilometres south-east of Siteki. People who visited the scene said the accident was caused by heavy rains which had caused the road to be slippery. Vilakati, the police mouthpiece, said this was a minor accident, adding that there were no injuries sustained by the passengers. The truck skidded off the road because the road was muddy but nobody was injured, she said. Arrested men set up armed terror organisation with the aim of creating an atmosphere of fear, prosecutors say. German police have arrested 12 men suspected of setting up a far-right organisation with the goal of carrying out attacks against politicians, asylum seekers and Muslims, the Federal Prosecutors Office (GBA) said. Prosecutors said four of the suspects arrested on Friday had set up a terrorist organisation in September last year and regularly met and contacted each other by phone, on online forums and in chat groups. The other eight men were arrested on suspicion of supporting the organisation with money and weapons, the GBA said. The suspects wanted their attacks to create havoc and an atmosphere of fear that resembles a civil war, it added. The goal of the organisation was to shake and eventually destroy the democratic system and social cohesion of the federal republic, the GBA said. For the purpose of creating conditions that resemble a civil war, attacks that were not yet concrete against politicians, asylum seekers and members of the Muslim faith were planned. The German government last year launched a crackdown on right-wing political violence in response to a rise in hate crimes. New measures approved after the killing of a pro-immigration politician and a deadly attack on a synagogue and kebab shop in Halle by an anti-Semitic gunman include tougher rules gun ownership laws and stricter monitoring of hate speech online. The government has said about 90 percent of the 1,800 incidents recorded against Jews last year were committed by individuals espousing far-right views. Germanys domestic intelligence agency estimates there are about 24,100 right-wing extremists in Germany, about half of whom are potentially violent. There are growing concerns about the far rights influence in Germany, following a recent political scandal that saw mainstream parties collaborate with the nationalist Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) in a local election a move Chancellor Angela Merkel called unforgivable. According to the government, there were nearly 9,000 attacks by far-right groups and individuals in the first half of 2019 an increase of nearly 1,000 compared with the same period the year before. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 21:01:46|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A staff member loads supplies in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Feb. 14, 2020. Supplies comprised of 50 tons of yak meat and 169,000 boxes of mineral water were sent to Huanggang and Shiyan of central China's Hubei Province from Lhasa on Friday. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje) This week has brought a flurry of coverage of Michael Bloombergs history and record. The media tycoon and former New York mayor has rarely been reticent about his personal and political opinions, whether speaking to the news media or holding forth at various forums. As the onetime Republican escalates his late-entry campaign for the Democratic nomination, his enthusiasm for racist police tactics, tolerance for sexual misconduct, and genteel authoritarian outlook have cycled back into the news. It would seem to be a damning set of facts, by normal Democratic Party standards: Bloomberg and his organizations have been defendants in almost 40 sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuits. He has cast doubt on the #MeToo movement, saying people should let the legal system decide if someone is guilty of sexual misconduct. In 2008, he said the end of redlining was to blame for the housing crisis. Under his mayoral administration, law enforcement in New York used the citys mosques and public spaces as a laboratory for surveillance and predictive policing technology in counterterrorism, and he has defended this practice in various ways over the years. In 2013, he said that police officers deploying stop and friska tactic that was being used to racially profile and harass Black and brown teens en massewere disproportionately stop[ping] whites too much and minorities too little. The following year, Bloomberg said he hoped the NSA was reading every email. And, the year after that, he defended stop and frisk once more while at the Aspen Institute. 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, he said in a leaked video. They are male, minorities, 16 to 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even as this material resurfaced, a Monday Quinnipiac poll showed that Black voter support for Bloomberg, by measure of this one poll, was within 5 percentage points of former Vice President Joe Bidens. A second poll in Florida showed Bloomberg leading in the state. A further breakdown showed Bloomberg is trailing Biden among Black voters and ahead of him in Hispanic support. The combination of bad news and good polls for Bloomberg has left many progressive pundits and journalists confused. This spawned days of frantic tweet threads and mental gymnastics as folks tried to make sense of it all: How could Black voters support this guy? Is the progressive analytical machine dead? Has it always been wrong? Such bewilderment is par for the course when the mainstream media discusses Black voters. But three Democratic strategists told Slate that this is less indicative of voter values and more a matter of a multibillionaire using his wealth to achieve name recognition within Black communitiesnot the power of persuasion but, maybe more alarmingly, the power of pure saturation. Advertisement Advertisement Name recognition is an old electoral phenomenon, explained Jessica Byrd, the founder of Three Point Strategies. There are long-standing leaders in American politics who lean on name recognition because they have a record that they believe in, she said. But what Bloomberg has done is buy name recognition. Advertisement Bloomberg has spent more than $350 million of his own money on campaign advertisementsincluding television slots and Facebook ads, and paying meme influencers to drop sponsored content on Instagramand has heavily invested in building a huge staff of on-the-ground political operatives. Along with fellow billionaire Tom Steyer, hes the one of two candidates with the resources available to blast the airwaves, and his poll numbers are going to show progress based on that fact, according to Quentin James, a co-founder of the Collective PAC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Appeals to name recognition have historically meant that the national public was familiar or comfortable with a candidate and their record, as was the case with Joe Biden entering the race this time around. But Bloombergs advertisements chiefly send the message that Michael Bloomberg has the financial power to buy a lot of ads. Black voters are concerned, No. 1, with who can beat Donald Trump. And when you look at Michael Bloomberg on his face, hes a candidate who has the resources to go toe to toe, said James. Thats an attractive option for Black voters. Jarrod Loadholt, a Democratic strategist, hears from Black voters and elected officials across the Southincluding North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, and Alabamathat the Bloomberg ads are everywhere. And the themes of the ads appear to resonate in part because the former mayor, one of the two people on television the most, seems to hate Trump the most. Such messaging reflects the pragmatism of many Black voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For most Democratic voters, Id say that beating President Trump takes precedence over everything else, including problematic aspects of a candidates record or the perception that a candidate is buying the election, said Loadholt. Thats not a value judgment; thats an observation based on what Im getting from Black, Southern voters and Black elected officials. I asked my own grandmother, a Black woman in rural North Carolina, how many Bloomberg ads shes seen. I cant count them. He on there all the time, she said. Nana added that she was a fan of the messaging, even though she intends to vote for Biden in the states primary. Youre watching The Haves and the Have Nots, and Michael Bloomberg was just on your television 16 times, added Loadholt. Its that many ads, and after a while, it starts to resonate. Advertisement Advertisement None of this necessarily points to Bloomberg having a sharper strategy or doing better organizing than any other candidate, nor does it say voters know anything about his record outside of what hes capable of putting in front of them. But it does reflect what can be achieved through sheer quantity of political marketing. Advertisement And it allows Bloomberg to skip over the usual primary process. His late entry into the race meant he missed the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, and he will miss Nevada and South Carolina as well. He has not appeared in any debates so faralthough the Democratic National Committees decision to stop using a campaigns number of individual donors as a qualifying requirement means that his self-funded candidacy is now eligible to participate. Advertisement He knows that his money, in this structural electoral system, is more powerful than one person and one vote, said Byrd. Its not that hard to understand, and were watching the rigging happen, and in the postmortems of this election, well all forget that we had a chance to call this what it was and we didnt, and I find that baffling. Skipping primary states is voter suppression; buying an election is voter suppression. I mean, his whole strategy is voter suppression, she added. James elaborated on the distorting effects of billionaires buying their way into political viability. He noted that 2018 was a historic year for candidates of color: The most diverse Congress in history was elected, and two Black gubernatorial candidates came very close to winning their races. Black lieutenant governors took office in Illinois and Wisconsin, as did Black attorneys general in Nevada, Illinois, and New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2020 presidential campaign seemed at first as if it would continue that pattern. But Sens. Cory Booker and Kamala Harris were knocked out before Iowa because of funding issues. They and other early-exiting candidates had spent their money specifically chasing the DNCs polling and donor-number requirements, trying to hold onto their places on the debate stageand now, with Bloomberg advertising his way to a high-polling profile and the DNC changing the donor rules, the self-funded mogul can claim the place they had to vacate. It conveys to Black politicians and voters, James said, that theres still a ceiling that can only be broken if you have the money to do so. What this says to Black people is that unless youre worth, 10, 20, 100 million dollars or even $1 billion, you definitely arent viable to run for president, he said. President Donald Trumps former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn leaves the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse on June 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. Attorney General William Barr has ordered a review by an outside prosecutor of the criminal case against President Donald Trump's first national security advisor, Michael Flynn, who is awaiting sentencing for lying to FBI agents. Barr who has come under fire this week for easing career prosecutors' sentencing recommendation for Trump's friend Roger Stone asked the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, Jeffrey Jensen, to look into Flynn's interview by the FBI, which led to his prosecution in Washington, people familiar with the inquiry told NBC News. The inquiry began within the past month, they said. The New York Times reported earlier Friday that Barr had asked Jensen "to scrutinize" Flynn's case, a move that the newspaper noted was "highly unusual and could trigger more accusations of political interference by top Justice Department officials into the work of career prosecutors." Flynn originally was charged by special counsel Robert Mueller, who was tasked by the Justice Department with investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Mueller has since left that post, and Flynn's case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office for Washington, which is part of the Justice Department. Barr is the department's top official. A Justice Department spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the review of Flynn's case. (@ChaudhryMAli88) There are no Russian private military contractors in Mozambique, and media reports on the matter can only bee seen as fake news, Russian Foreign Ministry's Department of Africa Director Andrei Kemarsky has said in an interview with Sputnik MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th February, 2020) There are no Russian private military contractors in Mozambique, and media reports on the matter can only bee seen as fake news, Russian Foreign Ministry's Department of Africa Director Andrei Kemarsky has said in an interview with Sputnik. In October, Carta de Mocambique reported that five Russian citizens were killed in the north of the country. After that, reports emerged in western media claiming that there were Russian mercenaries in Mozambique. "I would describe these reports as fake news. As for Mozambique, this is not true," Kemarsky said. Police in Germany have carried out raids against a far-right terror group that planned to create a 'civil war' with attacks on politicians, asylum seekers and Muslims. Officers, including heavily armed specialist units, hit 13 locations across six states on Friday targeting the group's five founding members and eight supporters. Twelve of the thirteen suspects, including a police administration worker, were arrested during the raids. Police said the men are aged between 20 and 50. Heavily armed German police swooped on 13 locations across six states on Friday, targeting a far-right terror group planning to cause 'civil war' with attacks on politicians and Muslims (file) Prosecutors said the police worker was immediately suspended and barred from entering police precincts while the investigation is ongoing. Investigators say the group, which they did not name, was founded in September 2019 by the five main suspects after they met online. They planned to create 'a civil-war-like situation via as yet undefined attacks on politicians, asylum seekers and people of Muslim faith,' police said. The group's ultimate aim was 'to shake the state and social order in Germany and in the end to overturn it,' investigators say. Alongside the five prime suspects, the eight supporters 'are believed to have agreed to provide financial support, procure weapons or take part in future attacks,' prosecutors said. The men had established an online chat-room where they discussed their plans and swapped images of weapons they claimed to have manufactured at home. Police say they launched their raids in order to confirm whether the weapons were real, or images that had been faked. Twelve out of 13 suspects, including a police admin worker, were arrested during the raids which were designed to establish whether the group had access to weapons (file) Police did not immediately say whether any weapons were recovered. The raids took place in the states of Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony-Anhalt. The home of a non-suspect was also searched in Bavaria. German authorities have turned increased attention to the country's underground extreme right scene since the murder of conservative local politician Walter Luebcke last June and an October attack on a synagogue in eastern city Halle. Suspects arrested in both cases have ties to the extreme right. Interior minister Horst Seehofer announced in December 600 new posts across the federal police and domestic security services to track far-right extremist threats, citing a growing danger. At the time, federal police said they had identified 48 people on the extreme right as 'dangerous' individuals who could carry out an attack. The Supreme Court has sacked the governor-elect of Bayelsa State, David Lyon and his Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo. This is coming following an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its governorship and deputy governorship candidates, Douye Diri and Lawrence Ewhruojakpo. In the appeal, Lyons running mate, Degi-Eremienyo, was accused of presenting a forged certificate to the the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In a unanimous decision by a five-man panel of Justices led by Justice Mary Odili, on Thursday, the Supreme Court held that the Form CF 001 Degi-Eremieoyo submitted to INEC for the purpose of the November 16, 2019, governorship election in the state, contained false information of fundamental nature. Justice Ejembi Eko who delivered the lead judgement reinstated the November 12, 2019, Judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja that disqualified Degi-Eremieoyo from participating in the governorship poll overvthe fake certificate. The apex court held that since Degi-Eremieoyo shared a joint ticket with the David Lyon, his disqualification invalidated their election. Consequently, it ordered INEC to immediately withdraw the Certificate of Return that was issued to them and issue a fresh one to the party that secured the second highest number of votes and got the required constitutional spread. This essentially means that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, Diri Douye, will become the next Governor of Bayelsa. BEATRICE After deliberating for nearly nine hours, the jury returned Thursday afternoon finding Joshua Keadle guilty of second-degree murder here for the killing of a 19-year-old Peru State student who disappeared early Dec. 3, 2010. Word spread at 2:30 p.m. that jurors had reached a decision in the 2-week-long case, sending attorneys and spectators back to the third-floor courtroom at the Gage County Courthouse. Tyler Thomas' family, some wiping away tears, walked out of the room as the district court clerk polled each of the jurors on the decision. Keadle sat wide-eyed at the defense table. Second-degree murder is an intentional killing without premeditation. A day earlier, prosecutors argued that Keadle was guilty of first-degree murder -- a planned, intentional killing -- for taking Thomas, of Omaha, out to a boat ramp along the river early the morning she disappeared. Her body never was found. Assistant Nebraska Attorney General Doug Warner said Keadle took her there intending to isolate and kill her, then dumped her in the river. He called the defense all "cover-up, lies and deceit. On the other side, defense attorney Matt McDonald had told jurors that the state wanted them to wildly speculate about what happened despite a timeline that didn't fit. Keadle maintained he left Thomas there -- alive -- when she refused to get back in his Ford Explorer because she was angry he wouldn't drive her to Omaha. McDonald said it was more likely that Thomas fell in the river or jumped, given how drunk and out-of-control witnesses said she was that night. After the verdict, another of Keadle's attorneys, Jeff Pickens, said they were disappointed with the decision. Keadle had been nearing the end of a 15-20 year sentence on an unrelated sexual assault in Dodge County, but now will face 20 years to life in prison when Gage County District Judge Rick Schreiner sentences him April 29. If the jury had found him guilty of first-degree murder, he would have gotten an automatic life sentence. Calls to Thomas's parents Thursday afternoon went unanswered. But Vince Powers, who represented them in a wrongful death lawsuit that resulted in a symbolic $2.64 billion judgment against Keadle, called it a great result and said he was happy for the family. "They never quit. They wanted justice, and today they got it," he said. Attorney General Doug Peterson thanked jurors for their diligent deliberations and the members of the Peru State College community and the public who searched for Thomas following her disappearance. He said he also appreciated law enforcement's extraordinary effort in not giving up on this case and the excellent work done by the prosecution team." "While we have never been able to bring Thomas' body home, we are hopeful that todays verdict will bring her family some semblance of closure from their long years of uncertainty and suffering," Peterson said. Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 US President Donald Trump was acquitted in his impeachment trial before the US Senate last week, adding to his already impressive record of achievements US President Donald Trump was acquitted by the Senate in his impeachment trial last week after a perplexing political saga that may have been the most dramatic ever in the history of partisan politics in the US. The American people and, most likely, political commentators across the world, watched the implementation of the US Constitutional article that allows for the impeachment of the president of the republic, as laid down by the founding fathers at the end of the 18th century. The leaders of the Democratic Party in Congress had launched a tremendous campaign to impeach Trump before he was even sworn in and after the traumatic political shock of his win in the 2016 presidential elections. For the last three years of Trumps presidency, he has been labelled in the most hostile terms by his opponents, who have made accusations of treason, abuse of power, lying, and even dictatorship. However, Trump emerged defiant from these accusations and from his impeachment trial, going on to address nearly all the major issues of politics in the local and international arenas. In most, if not all of the tough issues he has had to tackle, or has decided to deal with, Trump has emerged the winner. Maybe that is why the word win has been his most used word on Twitter, Trumps favourite means of communication. His biggest win of not guilty in the Senate impeachment trial was a remarkable event in the present political turmoil in the US. Although the Democrats had lined up to stain Trumps presidency by impeaching him, they failed to challenge his achievements in the economy at large. It was always puzzling that none of the Democrat members of Congress or the anti-Trump media outlets in the US tried to refute the positive economic indicators that had come from the Trump-induced economic boom. The Democrats are not in a strong position to win the next presidential elections as a result, either in the traditionally Republican states or the swing ones. The dismaying showdown of the trial, the overall reactions of the impeachment managers, and the shocking shredding of Trumps State of the Union speech by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week only added to the sense of gloomy defeat among Democrats in the US. The media covering the trial, especially those called the providers of fake news by Trump, were the most frustrated party in the alliance against him. After the resounding defeat of the Democrats in their campaign to bring down Trump over the last three years, they are turning to the challenge of finding a candidate who can defeat Trump in the forthcoming US presidential elections. The traditional process of voting for the partys candidate in the elections, which began in Iowa, has been so chaotic that the contenders cannot help but show their anger. Trumpism, on the pattern of Reaganism in the 1980s, will be a synonym for Trumps presidency, even if he does not win another term. Trump has succeeded in shaking up many of the paradigms relating to major political, economic and social domains on both the national and international stages. All US presidents, Republican or Democrat, before Trump were members of the political establishment in the US. But Trump was almost an outsider and a businessman hardly known to the Washington political community. He was not only looked at as an outsider, but was also received in an unfriendly manner due to his blunt criticisms of the political establishment, calling it a group of do-nothing politicians who simply wasted peoples money. As a result, his initial approach to the Republican Party was not welcome, but when he threatened to stand in the presidential elections as an independent the party yielded. On the international stage, Trump has been adamant about rejecting the very concept of globalisation, articulating his motto America First and pledging to revoke once-hailed political agreements with allies and adversaries alike. On the national stage, he has undertaken measures to apply tax cuts to big business. He has been fortunate that the business community in the US has not let him down, investing more and giving him the economic boosts of more jobs for Americans and a reduction of the US unemployment rate to a record low over the last three decades. In a similar daring confrontation with regional and international economic and trade agreements, Trump has managed to fulfill most of his campaign pledges, particularly with China and US neighbours Canada and Mexico. He has succeeded in reaching positive outcomes for the American economy by restoring power to the negotiations. As for the social domain, Trump has fared extremely well. A conservative and a business tycoon, he appeals to a large segment of the American people. Supported by the evangelical community, the far-right, and above all because of his positive record on the economy, Trump has extended his appeal to ever-larger segments of the American people. His approval rating has reached a record high, even with the impeachment trial ongoing. Finally, some specific characteristics of this president might seem to be contradictory. In his recent State of the Union address, delivered just a few hours before the final vote on the impeachment in the Senate, Trump was so sure of his acquittal and so keen to boast of his achievements over the last three years that he wooed the strong support and encouragement of his partys leaders in Congress regardless of the silent disapproval of the Democrats and the shredding of his speech by Pelosi. I was deeply impressed by the clever presentation of the speech, especially the scenes of the freedom medal, the granting of a scholarship to a young African-American girl, and the sudden appearance of a soldier and his family. But I was even more impressed by Trumps eloquent and proud closing words in describing the current and future state of America. *The writer is a member of the Egyptian European Council. *A version of this article appears in print in the 13 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: BRUSSELSEuropean Union health ministers agreed Thursday to boost preparations and organize a coordinated response to prevent the virus that emerged in China from further spreading across Europe. At an emergency meeting in Brussels, officials from the blocs 27 nations said they need to plan more to avoid any possible shortages of medicine or protective equipment during the outbreak, which the World Health Organization has called a threat to global health. Experts believe the true scope of the epidemic could be much higher due to the unreliability of the figures admitted by Chinese authorities. More people have now died from the new coronavirus than was reported during the 2002-2003 SARS outbreak. No deaths have been recorded in Europe so far, and the continent has only 46 confirmed virus cases. We will remain vigilant, and if the situation changes, we will step up our work, said European health commissioner Stella Kyriakides. Ministers said early detection and uniform prevention measuresnotably at entry points like airportswere vital. Agnes Buzyn, the French minister for health, said the EU should also remain vigilant in case the outbreak hurts the production of pharmaceuticals in China, therefore leading to possible medical shortages. She urged the EU to start up a joint procurement plan for purchasing medical equipment. Fragmentation of effort will make us all collectively more vulnerable. Unity on our part would also support Chinas efforts to contain the virus, and mitigate any further transmission within and into the EU, Kyriakides said. Asked whether the EU could close Europes visa-free Schengen travel area if the epidemic escalates, Croatian Health Minister Vili Beros said the bloc could indeed undertake further action. If that means the closing of borders, we shall discuss it, he said. Kyriakides, however, said the current outbreak does not call for such drastic measures. COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family thats a close cousin to the severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome viruses. The virus outbreak has led the EU to repatriate around 500 of its citizens from China so far. Many countries have implemented travel restrictions on recent visitors to China, but Dutch Health Minister Bruno Bruins encouraged EU members to avoid additional travel and trade restrictions. Dr. Mike Ryan, the executive director of WHOs emergencies program, joined the debate via video link, and insisted on the importance of supporting third countries with less robust health systems to stop the virus. A week ago, only two labs in Africa could make this diagnosis, he said. As I speak, over 30 labs can make this diagnosis. And by the end of the week, we hope all countries in Africa will have the capacity to at least make this diagnosis. Bradley Cooper has been asked by the producers of a film about the Bee Gees to portray Barry Gibb Bradley Cooper has been asked by the producers of a film about the Bee Gees to portray Barry Gibb, the eldest of the three brothers who enjoyed global chart- topping success and flops too. The movie would follow the group Barry and twins Maurice and Robin from the time they arrived in Swinging London from Australia (where they had emigrated from the Isle of Man) and had their first No 1 hit with the song Massachusetts in 1967. They had bouffant coiffures, and even bigger sideburns; gold medallions bedded on chest hair; and trousers so tight they looked as if theyd been sprayed on. Within a couple of years the Bee Gees had lost their fizz. The band unravelled substances, pills and booze were involved. Robin did a solo album, while Barry and Maurice moved, unsuccessfully, into television and made albums that were never released. Then they relocated to Miami and began developing a new sound which incorporated their falsetto harmonies with disco dance rhythms. Bradley Cooper who directed and starred in A Star Is Born (he and Lady Gaga won a best original song Academy Award) has been in informal discussions about portraying Barry, the last surviving Bee Gee. He is pictured above playing Jack, while Lady Gaga plays Ally Barry, the groups rhythm guitarist, was also its key songwriter and he drove the turnaround which resulted in the Main Course album in 1975 with its hit singles Nights On Broadway and Jive Talkin. Barry, the groups rhythm guitarist, was also its key songwriter and he drove the turnaround which resulted in the Main Course album in 1975 with its hit singles Nights On Broadway and Jive Talkin But the brothers Gibb were propelled into another sphere altogether when Robert Stigwood asked them to write the soundtrack to the John Travolta picture Saturday Night Fever, which included How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever, More Than A Woman and If I Cant Have You (written by the Bee Gees but sung on the soundtrack by Yvonne Elliman). It remains the biggest-selling film score in history. The untitled Bee Gees film is being written by Anthony McCarten, who has become much sought after thanks to the success of films such as The Theory Of Everything, Darkest Hour and Bohemian Rhapsody, each of which garnered best acting Oscars for leading men Eddie Redmayne, Gary Oldman and Rami Malek respectively. McCartens most recent film, The Two Popes, achieved Oscar nominations for Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins. Its early days on the production, which does not even have a director yet. But Cooper who directed and starred in A Star Is Born (he and Lady Gaga won a best original song Academy Award) has been in informal discussions about portraying Barry, the last surviving Bee Gee. Cooper can sing, too. But I am told that if he accepts the role, he will receive help in reaching those high notes. On Friday, Bradley's spokesperson clarified the actor was 'not in negotiations at the moment.' Kinshasa, DR Congo (PANA) - The Peoples Republic of China has established a special team to deal with the problems met by Congolese students, particularly foreigners living in Wuhan, a statement issued by the Chinese embassy said here Friday ISTANBUL/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Turkish-backed Syrian rebels shot down a government helicopter west of Aleppo in Syria's northwestern Idlib region, where violence and displacement has spiked in recent weeks, Turkish and Syrian state media said on Friday. A rebel military source and eyewitnesses told Reuters Russian jets had been targeting areas in the countryside west of Aleppo earlier on Friday, but they evacuated back to the city after the helicopter was downed. "One of our military helicopters was hit by an enemy missile in the western countryside of Aleppo...where armed terrorist organizations supported by Turkey are deployed, and this led to the fall of the helicopter and death of its crew," Syrian state news agency SANA cited a military source as saying. Turkey's military has sent additional arms and troops to Idlib, on its southern border, to confront a push by Russia-backed Syrian government forces to retake the country's last major rebel stronghold after nearly nine years of war. The Syrian Observatory war monitor said on Friday that Turkey had deployed around 6,500 soldiers to reinforce existing units in northwest Syria, as well as some 1,900 military vehicles since early February. The helicopter was struck as it flew over the front lines after leaving Aleppo, which is controlled by the government, Turkish state-owned Anadolu news agency said. Rebels downed another government helicopter on Tuesday near the town of Nairab, to the south. Syrian state-run al-Ikhbariya TV meanwhile broadcast what it said was its crew driving for the first time into Aleppo via the M5 international highway that has been a focal point of President Bashar al-Assad's latest military campaign. Ikhbariya said the Damascus to Aleppo roadway that runs through Idlib province was fully under the control of Syria's army. (Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun, Tuvan Gumrukcu and Eric Knecht; Editing by Jonathan Spicer) Paul Krugman rejects the idea that Bernie Sanders is a socialist. Krugman writes: Bernie Sanders isnt actually a socialist in any normal sense of the term. He doesnt want to nationalize our major industries and replace markets with central planning; he has expressed admiration, not for Venezuela, but for Denmark. This made me wonder why Sanders has been calling himself a socialist all these years. Was it a way of attracting women? Kevin Williamson takes down Krugmans defense of Sanders one I havent heard Sanders himself raise. Williamsons first point is similar to my reaction: Bernie Sanders calls himself a socialist. He has for a long time. He has been affiliated with other socialists and socialist institutions over the years. At some point, we should take the man at his word. Paul Krugman says Bernie Sanders is not a socialist. Bernie Sanders says Bernie Sanders is a socialist. Maybe Bernie Sanders has a say in that. What about Krugmans claim that Sanders doesnt want to nationalize our major industries and replace markets with central planning? Williamson responds: Senator Sanders does want to nationalize some major industries, health care prominent among them. He also proposes to enact political controls over other key industries, such as media and banking, that would amount to something close to nationalization. He would subject media companies business decisions to political control and would have the federal government own and operate banks. Not bad for starters. Finally, Krugman has it wrong when it comes to Sanders and Venezuela: Senator Sanders has expressed admiration for Venezuela. It is simply untrue to write, as Professor Krugman does, that he has not. Then-Representative Sanders went as far as to sign a letter of support for Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez in 2003. And the policies that Sanders proposes are not actually very much like Denmarks, while his promise of revolution is familiar stuff from the experience of Venezuela and other similar cases. I believe Sanders sympathizes with communism. This view may be controversial. That Sanders is a socialist shouldnt be. Justice Satyaranjan Dharmadhikari, the senior-most judge of the Bombay high court (HC), has resigned on account of some personal and family reasons. He tendered his resignation on February 11 with effect from Friday. I have resigned for the sake of my family. I am 61 (years old) now and want to be with my family, justice Dharmadhikari told reporters on Friday. His family includes his wife; a son, who is preparing for admission to a three-year law course; and a daughter, who is a graduate in industrial psychology and also has a post-graduate diploma in human resources. On the topic of his elevation to the post of chief justice, justice Dharmadhikari said the discussion has been going on for over four months, since justice Vijaya Kapse Tahilramani resigned as the chief justice of Madras HC in October 2019. Certain developments, which were not known to me, took place in between, because of which I had to make the choice suddenly. I had no choice but to move to Odisha or resign. He said he was offered the post of chief justice of Orissa HC, but his family did not want to move to Odisha. He added that he, too, was reluctant to move to Odisha, primarily in view of the short tenure which is a little less than two years. Justice Dharmadhikari said that one needs at least six to eight months to settle down at a new place. The place is new, people are different, work culture is different, practices are different, he said, adding, Today the situation is different, you (judges) may not remain where you are posted and could be transferred anytime. The justice also said that these days there is too much expectation from the judges, which in turn puts pressure on the judges. Claiming that senior judges were required to handle a lot of administrative work, he said, Till today, I was heading 16 different committees and was part of six more committees, he added. Dharmadhikari said while he did not mind the expectations and work pressure, he felt bad when the expectations were not fulfilled. Speaking about his future plans, the justice said he will continue to live in Mumbai and be associated with law. He may take up arbitration, consultation and teaching as well. The Bombay HC, as an institution, must remain as it is, he said. It stands for the persons who have suffered injustice and it should continue to serve their cause, he said, adding, I hope this institution does not bend before the mighty state, the biggest litigant before it. HIGHLIFE musician Ofori Amponsah has described most Ghanaian Gospel songs as silly adding that his lyrics are better than those in some Gospel tracks. Taking his turn on actor Kwaku Manu's Aggressive Interview series posted on YouTube on February 6, Ofori Amponsah said most Gospel songs have no relevant content. A Gospel song with lyrics such as 'God why have you created me this way?' and 'I am suffering' is such a silly song. If I talk about loving your wife and staying faithful to her I believe I am preaching something better, he said. He explained that the lyrics of his songs have a more positive impact on individuals rather than him shouting Hallelujah when he doesnt mean what he is saying. God is love and there is nothing wrong with singing love songs. I reflected upon all the positive things my love songs have accomplished and decided to come back and continue giving Ghanaians great love songs. The church is full of hypocrites and the men of God are into all sorts of things. If you look at what is going on in the church you will not even go to church or worship God, he said. Talking about his personal life, Ofori Amponsah said it would be wrong for anyone to say that he has backslidden. It is only God who knows the heart and no one can judge me. I know I am very close to God and worship Him wholeheartedly, he said. Known for songs such as Otoolege, Emmanuella, Sardine, Odwo, Cinderella, Alewa, Kwame Ko, Hello Hello, Broken Heart, Obi Boy, Bonwire, Nothing But Love and Abelle, Ofori Amponsah said he was not bothered by what anyone said about him. Negative comments dont move me so far as I know I am doing the right thing. I have grown past letting certain things worry me. Ghanaians should just get ready for me with great songs this year, he said. 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. Featured Video If governments need another reason to settle with Indigenous communities and figure out once and for all who controls what land, they need only look at their own books. Thursdays shutdown of rail service for passengers across Canada and for cargo in half the country is only a sliver of the cost of conflict between the federal government and Indigenous communities. Ottawa has socked away at least $15 billion to deal with legal challenges from Indigenous communities, according to the 2019 public accounts. Thats the amount Ottawa expects to pay out sooner or later for comprehensive and specific land claims, and its an amount that materially affects the governments bottom line. In other words, the federal debt includes $15 billion for land claims that havent been resolved but that the government anticipates having to pay. Accounting within the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations puts the cost of conflict much higher. It has put $20.8 billion on the books to cover off claims as well as pending and threatened litigation. Then theres another $4.7 billion that it didnt put on the books because its not sure how those lawsuits will work out. We could probably add the $10-billion lawsuit launched this week by the Assembly of First Nations against the federal government over child welfare support. And the department says its estimates are most likely too low an understatement, according to some experts close to the file. Given the recent judicial decisions, it is not unreasonable to assume that future mandating values could exceed estimated contingent liabilities, states the departments financial statements for the year ending in March 2018, the most recent accounting published. As authorities and the public wrestle with how to contain the costs of blockades and standoffs with the Wetsuweten chiefs and their sympathizers, and businesses ramp up their outcry over the disruption of their supply chains, the numbers show theres a far broader and ongoing cost to the country at large for opting for superficial solutions to deep problems. For sure, the blockade that has brought a halt in rail traffic in southern Ontario over the past week has left thousands of passengers scrambling to find other ways to travel, and stalled the transport of grains, fuel, construction materials and perishable foods within central and Eastern Canada. But thats only a fraction of the cost to all of us for leaving so many disputes unresolved, as the governments contingent liability figures suggest. The liabilities have mounted sharply in the past few years, and while officials are silent on why, theres actually a glimmer of hope in the fact that the bill has climbed. Just over a year ago now, then-justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould issued a directive to government lawyers spelling out some guidelines on how to deal with Indigenous legal claims. The list of 20 instructions steered the government towards more negotiation with Indigenous communities and less conflict-inducing, brass-knuckle litigation. The department had already been heading in that direction for a while, and the directive formalized and codified the governments belief that prolonging friction with communities over their land or their rights or their benefits was not really serving anyone well. From a fiscal standpoint, the push toward negotiation and settlement instead of litigation has meant more money going out the door with an eye toward a more settled relationship between the Crown and Indigenous communities over the long run. But the growing contingent liabilities squeeze the federal government at a time when its already blown way past earlier fiscal targets and is flirting with missing its most recent target of maintaining a declining debt-to-GDP ratio. Wilson-Raybould, sources say, argued that the cost was well worth it, and she won the day. Reconciliation doesnt come for free. And while none of the federal directives or settlement funds would do much to resolve todays conflict or get rid of the blockades, the conflict is a discomfiting message about the high cost of letting things fester. The protesters signs may have proclaimed reconciliation to be dead. But the national pain caused by unresolved conflict makes it obvious that none of us can afford the death of reconciliation; in fact, its never been more urgent. Read more about: When the Express-News profiled Lynn Knapik in 2012, she lived in one of only 19 residential units at the Pearl. There were plans for hundreds more, of course, and Knapik was excited to have 1,000 new neighbors. Knapik watched from the window of her fourth-floor apartment as those neighbors moved in and the former brewery blossomed into an ever-expanding mixed-use development centered around landmark restaurants like Southerleigh and Botika. The real estate broker still lives in the Culinary Institute of America building. She has little trouble selling clients on the complexs urban village atmosphere. During a trip to Italy, Knapik was struck by the similarities between the Pearl and the Cinque Terre village of Riomaggiore. People roam both areas streets, which are lined with buildings that have shops on the ground floor and housing above. Where I live is like the way people used to live, years and years and centuries ago, Knapik said. I think thats part of what makes Pearl as popular as it is. The success of the development has sparked a construction boom along the Broadway corridor and skyrocketing property taxes. On ExpressNews.com: In fast-changing San Antonio neighborhoods, homeowners flooded with offers from investors Similar leaps in appraised values are occurring south of downtown, but the historic district designation has protected Southtown neighborhoods like King William from cranes overhead. Elizabeth Barrera Lutz of King William Realty, much like Knapik, hasnt found many occasions recently to dust off the sales pitch for her neighborhood. Clients are coming to her already set on the area. Those clients range from Alamo Heights parents downsizing after their kids leave for college to San Antonio natives returning home after stints in cities like Seattle or Washington. Neither group is scared off by the extensive renovations often needed, she said. Barrera Lutz noted there are fewer house flippers operating in King William than there were a few years ago, due to high property prices and the hassle of negotiating the Historic and Design Review Commission. Refurbishments are now being done by owners who intend to live in the homes, she said, and the quality of the renovations reflect that. The Realtor and King William resident her home was built in 1902 believes Southtown is growing in a positive direction. She pointed to the crowds flooding to community events like the King William Fair and strolling the banks of the San Antonio River. You used to see more cats than you did children, Barrera Lutz said of the river. Now you see more kids. Im a mom myself, I have two little girls, so thats really nice to see. READ MORE: Study: Median income in downtown San Antonio increased by 39 percent in 15 years Both the Pearl and Southtown are known for their walkability, wealth of restaurants, and hefty price tags. So what differentiates the two neighborhoods north and south of downtown? Barrera Lutz said her clients are often considering both, but Southtown offers the opportunity to buy instead of rent and the area is more densely gentrified. The only thing is there are still pockets [of the Pearl] that need to be developed, she said. Its still a little bit behind King William in terms of that. Knapik acknowledged Southtowns history provides a different landscape than the brewery site. Youve got a real neighborhood that youre part of over there when youre part of Lavaca and King William, she said. A different feel than being here where this was all industrial. The Realtor also noted that Pearls popularity is not for everyone. It draws people because theres so much going on, but it also scares some people away because theres so much going on, Knapik said. For Knapik, the areas are both part of one big urban neighborhood, connected by the river that flows between them and a bus the No. 11 that does the same. Its Riomaggiore on the Italian coast, with the next village of Manarola four stops away on the VIA bus. Click through the gallery above to see Knapik's apartment, as photographed early in the Pearl development. Although Ms. OBrien did a service to the county in filing the petition she did ... that ended with the order of the court granting parts of the petition, Toomin said. She does not have the standing here today to bring any other action. Popular Catholic conservative commentator Nick Fuentes, a fiery critic of the GOP establishment, was purged on Friday from Google-owned YouTube for unspecified "hate speech." Fuentes was one of the most popular conservative streamers on YouTube and regularly drew thousands of live viewers. As the unofficial leader of the "Groyper Army" which confronted Dan Crenshaw, Charlie Kirk and other prominent conservatives with hard questions about their support for Israel, abandonment of social conservatism and silence on demographic changes, members of Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA, the Zionist Organization of America, Sebastian Gorka, Ben Shapiro and the Times of Israel lobbied for him to be outcast, censored and banned. Fuentes was banned from live streaming earlier this week after getting a second "strike" on his channel and was officially given the ax on Friday morning. "My Youtube channel has been wrongly terminated today for an alleged violation of 'hate speech' policy," Fuentes said Friday afternoon on Twitter. "This is the end result of a concerted effort by leftists, conservative inc gatekeepers, and silicon valley censors to silence my show and the movement it has inspired." My Youtube channel has been wrongly terminated today for an alleged violation of hate speech policy. This is the end result of a concerted effort by leftists, conservative inc gatekeepers, and silicon valley censors to silence my show and the movement it has inspired. pic.twitter.com/arZqPIGbLi Nicholas J. Fuentes (@NickJFuentes) February 14, 2020 "America First will continue on DLive and next week I will unveil a longer term home for my show as well," he said. America First will continue on DLive and next week I will unveil a longer term home for my show as well.https://t.co/QI3ur2TBaJ Nicholas J. Fuentes (@NickJFuentes) February 14, 2020 "Fuentes banned by YouTube after taking on Conservative Inc. and them all calling for his deplatforming. Really makes you think," Paul Joseph Watson said Friday after hearing the news. Fuentes banned by YouTube after taking on Conservative Inc. and them all calling for his deplatforming. Really makes you think. Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) February 14, 2020 "You know Conservatism Inc is cheering YouTube even as they pretend to champion #freespeech," Michelle Malkin said. "They didnt stand w/ #LauraLoomer or #GavinMcInnes. They tried to kill my career over defending Nick Fuentes & #AmericaFirst kids. Theyve done nothing to help Jaden McNeil. #freespeech poseuers!" Ben Shapiro, who gave a Hillary Clinton-style speech attacking Fuentes as a deplorable in the midst of the Groyper Wars late last year, bashed him again on Friday but said "if he was banned for his idiotic, garbage viewpoints rather than for violent threats, YouTube shouldn't be deplatforming him." Nick Fuentes is an absolute disgusting s***show. But if he was banned for his idiotic, garbage viewpoints rather than for violent threats, YouTube shouldn't be deplatforming him. Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) February 14, 2020 "I call bull. You need to sit this one out, son. #coninc #cancelculture #disavowalmafia," Malkin responded. "Banning Nick Fuentes is another act of political censorship by YouTube," said prominent Big Tech critic and Breitbart writer Allum Bokhari. "Lots of conservatives go around college campuses saying they believe even offensive, disagreeable speech shouldn't be censored. I look forward to them all being both vocal and consistent today." "If you believe that some people are too offensive to be allowed a platform, you don't believe in free speech - you believe in political censorship. Very dishonest to pretend you don't!" If you believe that some people are too offensive to be allowed a platform, you don't believe in free speech - you believe in political censorship. Very dishonest to pretend you don't! Allum Bokhari (@LibertarianBlue) February 14, 2020 The move came just days after it was revealed YouTube is going to begin paying The Young Turks "in the mid-six figures range" despite their hosts having said America "deserved" 9/11, bestiality should be legalized in cases where "you are pleasuring the animal" and the Armenian genocide was a myth. After purging popular right-wingers like Alex Jones, @RedIcetv and others, Google is reportedly now going to start funding The Young Turks with "investments" in "the mid-six figures range." TYT's Hasan Piker just months ago said the US "deserved" 9/11. https://t.co/Pg4NOsyZ9i Chris Menahan (@infolibnews) February 12, 2020 You can follow Fuentes through his website and on the YouTube alternative DLive. Follow InformationLiberation on Twitter, Facebook, Gab and Minds As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have always been taught to stand alone when necessary. LDS scripture is full of these stories Abinadi being burned alive after refusing to recall his words exposing the corruption of a king and his court, Nephi being beaten by his brothers for speaking the truth, Abish staying true to her faith even in the midst of an angry crowd, and so many others. In the early days of the LDS church, the pioneers were driven out of place after place because of religious persecution, crossing the country in heat and cold and losing family members in order to be able to find a place to practice their faith. The late prophet President Thomas S. Monson gave a talk called Dare to Stand Alone about serving in the Navy during WWII. His officer sent men to their places of worship. Monson held his ground as more common religions were listed, even though he knew he might be the only member of his faith, but in the end he was not alone. At this point in his talk, Monson invoked a question of moral courage, the same thing that Sen. Mitt Romney has been praised for demonstrating for voting for removing President Donald Trump from office. We may at times find ourselves surrounded by others and yet standing in the minority or even standing alone concerning what is acceptable and what is not, Monson said. Do we have the moral courage to stand firm for our beliefs, even if by so doing we must stand alone? This is the legacy of faith to which Romney is referring; a faith that is often marked by standing alone. And thats what he has done, amid the vitriolic criticisms and condemnations from people who share his faith and his party. While there is a large number of vocal pro-Trump Mormons criticizing Romney, many members across the political spectrum have thanked him for his bravery. Mormon Women for Ethical Government, an organization I am gladly part of but do not speak for, started an open letter of thanks to Romney, with submissions and signatures from members of the church all over the country and the world. Although the majority of the members of the church are Republican, Mormon voters have polled over the years as being split concerning Trumps presidency. During the 2016 Republican primary, Sen. Ted Cruz won the largely Mormon state of Utah with 70 percent of the vote much higher than Trumps 14 percent. A large factor in Trumps steep decline in popularity among members of the Church was the release of Access Hollywood tape. It would appear that, while many agreed with general conservative policy, they did not support Trumps behavior and character. But where then could these people turn once Trump was elected? These people who were struggling to see their values reflected in the conservative party were left with a choice pretty consistent with the choice Romney had to make: go against their own consciences or dare to stand alone. In his solitary vote, I see many of my religious beliefs, like a dedication to the truth, condemning unrighteous abuse of power, receiving answers directly from God about our own circumstances, and choosing the right way instead of the easy way. I was studying at Brigham Young University during the 2016 election. As a liberal intersectional feminist at BYU, there were many times when I was the only person in my class who held the beliefs I did. I stood alone, and I was frequently degraded for it through name-calling or shaming. On a date with a BYU law student who was a Trump supporter, the conversation quickly went south. After saying that he didnt see why it was a big deal that Trump bragged about sexual assault on the Access Hollywood tapes, he said awful things about the LGBTQ+ community and people of color. When I disagreed, he told me that there was no way that I was actually practicing my faith properly as a Godless liberal and that there was no way I could be worthy to enter the Mormon temple if I didnt uphold the President and everything he said and did. Although I was nervous, I stood up, condemned the idea that I was not good enough because my religious beliefs led me in a different direction, rejected the sexist, racist, and homophobic rhetoric that he had already shared, and left. He had driven me there, so I walked home alone in the dark, shaking. It was a small moment. I felt both a rush of pride and then inescapable loneliness and fear. To see Romney stand alone against people of his own party, some of which were of his own faith, and say that his religious beliefs had led him to a different decision; I felt seen. For the first time in a long time, I felt hope. His speech also allowed for both political and religious freedom when he made room for dissent. Rather than insisting that his fellow Republican senators are wrong and enforcing his religious and moral conclusions on his colleagues, he allows them to get their own answers, something encouraged in our faith. I fail to see this graciousness and freedom for dissent in Sen. Mike Lees reaction to Romneys vote, or in Trumps response that Romney "used religion as a crutch. Although the Church has supported legislation (mostly conservative) and largely holds to traditional conservative values, it does not belong to a party and does not dictate how its members vote, only encourages people to be politically active. In his speech, Romney stated that he trusted his fellow Republican senators to vote according to the dictates of their own consciences, alluding to Article of Faith 11, part of a document that states the core beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what the may, it reads. I am no theologian. I am no historian or political expert. Im an average millennial member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But I agree with Sen. Romney when he says, I am profoundly religious. My faith is at the heart of who I am. My interpretation of my faith has led me further and further from the current Republican party. It is why I support refugees and reject family separation. Its why I fight for equality for all people. Many people of my own faith dont agree with me, and there is room for that. My immediate family holds a wide variety of beliefs. While I dont always agree with them, I know that they are trying to follow their moral consciences and be the best people they can be. Our political beliefs divide us, but our religious faith and our faith in each other brings us together. Rollins is a web editor for the Joseph Smith Papers and a freelance journalist and editor based in Utah, where she lives with her husband and their hedgehog, Hermione. Her views are her own and do not represent the views of her employer. BEIJING China cracked down on the sale of exotic species after an outbreak of a new virus in 2002 was linked to markets selling live animals. The germ turned out to be a coronavirus that caused SARS. The ban was later lifted, and the animals reappeared. Now another coronavirus is spreading through China, so far killing 1,380 people and sickening more than 64,000 eight times the number sickened by SARS. The suspected origin? The same type of market. With more than 60 million people under lockdown in more than a dozen Chinese cities, the new outbreak is prompting calls to permanently ban the sale of wildlife, which many say is being fueled by a limited group of wealthy people who consider the animals delicacies. The spreading illness also serves as a grim reminder that how animals are handled anywhere can endanger people everywhere. Theres a vast number of viruses in the animal world that have not spread to humans, and have the potential to do so, said Robert Webster, an expert on influenza viruses at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. SARS and the current outbreak of COVID-19 are not the only diseases in people traced back to animals. The killing and sale of what is known as bushmeat in Africa is thought to be a source for Ebola. Bird flu likely came from chickens at a market in Hong Kong in 1997. Measles is believed to have evolved from a virus that infected cattle. Scientists have not yet determined exactly how the new coronavirus first infected people. Evidence suggests it originated in bats, which infected another animal that spread it to people at a market in the southeastern city of Wuhan. The now-shuttered Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market advertised dozens of species such as giant salamanders, baby crocodiles and raccoon dogs that were often referred to as wildlife, even when they were farmed. Of the 33 samples from the Wuhan market that tested positive for the coronavirus, officials say 31 were from the area where wildlife booths were concentrated. Compared with long domesticated livestock like chickens and pigs, researchers say less is known about the viruses that circulate in wild animals. The Wuhan market was also like many other wet markets in Asia and elsewhere, where animals are tied up or stacked in cages. Activists say its difficult to distinguish between those that were legally farmed and those that may have been illegally hunted. The animals are often killed on site to ensure freshness. The messy mix raises the tiny odds that a new virus will jump to people handling the animals and start to spread, experts say. Youve got live animals, so theres feces everywhere. Theres blood because of people chopping them up, said Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, which works to protect wildlife and public health from emerging diseases. And more frequent global travel and trade means theres greater risk for outbreaks to spread, Daszak said. Chinas taste for wildlife is relatively new, prompted by the countrys economic growth, said Peter Li, who studies Chinese politics at the University of Houston. But with the outbreak upending lives across the country, many on Chinese social media are expressing frustration that rich peoples appetite for wild animals is again endangering everyone else. This is the second time the first is SARS, this time is Wuhan. We dont want a third time, Lai Xinping, a project cost assessor, said by phone from her home in Sichuan. We hate them too, and we are blamed, said Tao Yiwei, a 36-year-old homemaker. She is among those who want the temporary ban on wildlife, enacted to contain the current outbreak, to be permanent. There are signs the Chinese government may make more lasting changes to how exotic species are raised and sold. This month, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said the country should resolutely outlaw and harshly crack down on the illegal wildlife trade because of the public health risks it poses. In the eastern province of Anhui, officials sealed farms breeding species like badgers and bamboo rats. In the port city of Tianjin, authorities say their crackdown on the sale of wildlife caught six traders, including three who were selling pythons and parrots. All told, officials say about 1.5 million markets and online operators nationwide have been inspected since the outbreak began. About 3,700 have been shut down, and around 16,000 breeding sites have been cordoned off. Its not clear how the measures will play out over time. Before the outbreak began, it was legal in China to sell 54 species like pangolins and civets as long as they were raised on farms . That made it difficult to distinguish between legal and illegal wildlife in wet markets, and enforcement was lax, said Jinfeng Zhou of China Biodiversity, Conservation and Green Development Foundation, an environmental group based in Beijing. He pointed to a widely shared image of a Wuhan market advertisement listing 72 species, including peacocks and bullfrogs, as proof that the trade is too lucrative to be stopped by anything less than a total ban on all wildlife. The profit is huge like drugs, Jinfeng said. Others disagree, arguing that banning the wildlife trade is not a realistic way to reduce risk, especially in poorer regions of the world where it can be an important food source. They say improved monitoring, regulation or public education may better control the problem. When wildlife is farmed, for example, it allows for greater surveillance and testing for viruses, said Daszak of EcoHealth Alliance. Even if China successfully regulates or bans it, the wildlife trade is likely to continue elsewhere. Recent visits to wet markets in the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia and in the coastal city of Doula in Cameroon revealed similar conditions to wet markets in China. Vendors were slaughtering and grilling bats, dogs, rats, crocodiles and snakes, and sanitary measures were scant. Ongoing destruction of species habitats will likely bring people into closer contact with animals and their viruses, said Raina Plowright, a Montana State University researcher who studies how diseases spread from wildlife to people. We are inevitably going to be exposed, she said. ___ This story has been corrected to indicate that Raina Plowright is affiliated with Montana State University, not the University of Montana. ___ Associated Press writers Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, Maria Cheng in London, Malcolm Ritter and Kathy Young in New York, and researchers Liu Zheng and Yu Bing in Beijing, and Chen Si in Shanghai contributed to this report. __ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Vodafone Idea faces certain death after SC rejects AGR plea Vodafone Idea faces collapse after SC refuses to give it more time to overdue payments amounting to Rs50,000 crore in adjusted gross revenue (AGR) to the Department of Telecom (DoT). The Supreme Court rejected a plea by mobile carriers seeking more time to settle crore of rupees in revenue share to the government, pushing the loss-hit Indian arm of British telecom major Vodafone Group Plc, further into the deep. A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Arun Mishra said that operators, including Vodafone Idea Ltd and Bharti Airtel Ltd, owing a total of Rs92,000 crore in dues for spectrum and licences and revenue share, must deposit the dues by 17 March. In fact, the apex court asked the telcos whether the court should initiate contempt proceedings against them for failing to comply with its earlier order. Vodafone Idea now is left with few options as it struggles to stem record losses and rein in net debt. Voda Idea owes over Rs50,000 crore to DoT, while Bharti Airtel has to pay over Rs35,500 crore. Tata Teleservices, which sold its mobile services business to Airtel, has dues of nearly Rs14,000 crore. Reliance Jio Infocomm, the least affected by the AGR dispute, paid up its Rs800 crore dues. In its October last year, the Supreme Court upheld the way the government calculated fees payable by the telcos using a formula, which the telecom companies dispute. In January, the SC rejected their petition to reconsider the order. On Friday, the court also initiated contempt proceedings against the firms for failing to comply with its order to pay the dues by 24 January. The setback now leaves Vodafone Idea, which is struggles to stem record losses and rein in net debt that has ballooned to $14 billion, with no options. Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla had in December said the firm may be headed toward insolvency in the absence of any relief. Vodafone has already resigned to fate and has signaled it wont plow any more money into the venture in which it holds 45 per cent. It is for the Indian partner to chart a future course for the teetering operator. It doesnt make sense to put good money after bad, Birla had also said. It was the entry of billionaire Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd in 2016 that pushed others to the edge. Jios free calls and cheap data forced many to pack up while two were left bankrupt and prompted some like Vodafones India unit and Idea to merge. Where more than a dozen operators jostled for a slice of the worlds second-biggest market by subscribers, only two non-state carriers Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea survived the war, while Jio came out on top. A school principal has taken disciplinary action against students after social media posts containing "derogatory" and "vicious" false rumours about staff and pupils appeared online. Elizabeth Armstrong, head teacher of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, revealed on Thursday she was taking action after the discovery of "offensive" messages on Instagram. The PSNI confirmed it was aware of the posts, which have since been removed. Ms Armstrong spoke out after writing a letter to parents saying the school had been alerted to two Instagram accounts containing "highly inappropriate" and "vicious" false statements. Her letter, first reported by the Impartial Reporter, also addressed the arrest of a 16-year-old girl who was cautioned by police following the sale of so-called 'cannabis gummies' -sweets which contain illicit substances - at the school. Enniskillen Royal Grammar, which last year found itself at the centre of an upskirting court case involving a teenage boy who was prosecuted for filming two teachers, suspended four pupils following the discovery of an illegal substance, according to the local newspaper. The letter, also seen by this newspaper, stresses that while the social media accounts have been taken down, screenshots of the material may still exist and may be in the possession of "several pupils". According to the head teacher, the first account, which had around 200 followers, was reported to Instagram and the PSNI and subsequently removed. A copycat account appeared in its place and was also reported and taken down. Ms Armstrong told this newspaper her school was dealing with both "serious matters" in a "robust and open manner". "We are treating both situations with the utmost seriousness and the pupils involved have been and will be sanctioned in line with our school behaviour policy," she said. Ms Armstrong added in a statement that the school was working with the PSNI and other statutory agencies to tackle the problems. "Our young people face many challenges, pressures and choices in our modern society," the principal said. "It is crucial that schools work closely with parents in a spirit of open dialogue and communication in acknowledging this and in supporting our young people in making wise choices in an increasingly complex world where drugs and the misuse of social media are all too prevalent. "It was in this spirit that we wrote to our parents to inform them of two serious issues we have been dealing with in our school community recently. (These) have arisen through pupils making very wrong choices with regard to 'gummies'... and through the posting of offensive memes which are derogatory, inflammatory and highly inappropriate and which include totally untrue statements about pupils and staff. "We have also addressed both issues openly with our pupils in assemblies and in our personal development curriculum." The head teacher stressed that it was crucial to have "ongoing dialogue at all levels, in schools, in our homes... about these serious issues, the dangers they pose and the need for our young people to make the right choices". Justin McCamphill, from the teachers' union NASUWT, said the use of social media to harass or bully its members had been a concern for some time. "Outside public figures, teachers are perhaps the ones who are most affected by this," Mr McCamphill explained. "Schools need to adopt a rigorous approach in tackling the problem and where appropriate report the matter to police. Schools also need to deploy the full range of sanctions available." The PSNI warned young people to think of the consequences of selling drugs or posting abusive material online. "Anyone that gets involved in this kind of behaviour needs to consider the consequences their actions can have," it said in a statement. "Therefore, we would always ask individuals to think about what they are doing. "Don't get caught up in something that could cause concern to others or jeopardise your own future." The police statement also confirmed the investigation into the cannabis gummies was continuing, with the arrested pupil having been interviewed by officers. BERLIN, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2020, the market for conductive inks will be $2.4Bn, according to extensive research by IDTechEx. Of that, 95% of the conductive ink supply by value goes into just three applications - the printed bus bars and fingers on PV solar cells, exterior automotive heating applications (defoggers) and touch screen edge electrodes. However, for years now there has been work on a myriad of new applications for conductive ink which are beginning to come to commercial fruition. These market opportunities will be in the spotlight at Printed Electronics Europe 2020, held in Berlin on 13-14 May 2020, with over 2,500 attendees and over 250 speakers covering the broad range of opportunities. Many exhibit compound annual growth rates (CAGR) of several hundred percent through to 2025. In this article Raghu Das, CEO of IDTechEx assesses some of those opportunities. Material Opportunities for 5G The opportunity: By 2025 the value of 5G connections globally will be worth $303 Billion. The problem: For highest speed data transfer 5G systems will use higher frequencies such as 28Ghz and 39Ghz, significantly higher than the 0.7Ghz - 2.5Ghz frequencies typically used in a cellphone. This results in more potential for electromagnetic interference (EMI) between componentry, so they need to be adequately 'shielded'. Another key trend here is the rise of multi-chip packages in which connectivity as well as other dies sit inside a single package. In such cases, even internal EMI shielding and compartmentalization might be required. The printed electronics solution: Spray-on, coat-on or print-on solutions are in now in testing and early production, which offer uniform coverage of components at higher manufacturing speed and potentially at lower cost. Printed Electronics Europe 2020 features a session on material opportunities for 5G, including EMI shielding advances. Material Opportunities for Power Semiconductors in Electric Vehicles The opportunity: In 2025 126 tonnes of die attach material will be needed for electric vehicles. The problem: The electric vehicle market is expanding. As a consequence, the market for power modules within all manners of electric vehicles is growing, using semiconductor technologies such as SiC and GaN. The trend is towards higher power densities which translates to higher operational temperatures, from 170 Degrees Celsius towards 250 Degrees Celsius. The materials around the power packages need to cope with these higher temperatures. The printed electronics solution: Silver offers high conductivity and a high melting point versus conventional semiconductor attachment materials. Nanoparticle silver is already being used by some EV makers as part of the die attach system. Printed Electronics Europe 2020 features sessions on die attach materials and materials for heat management within electric vehicles. Printed Heaters in Autonomous and/or Electric Vehicles The opportunity: In 2025 148 million electric vehicles will be sold, across land, water and air electric vehicles types. The problems: Cold temperatures impact batteries by increasing their internal resistance and lowering their capacity. For those living in very cold climates, electric vehicle batteries may therefore need assisted heating. LIDAR systems, used to enable autonomy, require clear optical pathways, so any ice or snow on the LIDAR optics needs to be melted away through a heating system. Additionally, without an internal combustion engine, electric vehicles require other ways to produce heat for the occupants. The printed electronics solution: Printed heaters are lightweight, offer relative ease with custom designs and shapes and are typically flexible for easy integration and application of heat where it is needed. Printed Electronics Europe 2020 features presentations and exhibitors covering these aspects including transparent heaters and flexible heaters. 3D Electronics to Improve Human Machines Interfaces The opportunity: The market for 3D printed electronics and Circuit prototyping will be worth over $1 Bn by 2025. The problem: Combining circuit substrates, switches, LEDs and other components and then fitting these to control panels involves a relatively high numbers of components and tooling set up time. Often the final product is not weight efficient and nor is it most cost effective for small batch numbers. The printed electronics solution: Printing the wiring, switches and other components and then molding this as the final structure can overcome the above limitations. The final pieces can be lighter weight. It can be easier to change or customize designs. Differentiation can be provided by having interactive 3D surfaces rather than 2D ones. Printed Electronics Europe 2020 features presentations and exhibitors covering In Mold Electronics, film inserted electronics and 3D printed electronics. These are just four of the opportunities that will be covered, in addition to others including antennas, sensors, e-textiles, electronic skin patches and more. See the evolving speaker list at www.PrintedElectronicsEurope.com and book by 20 February 2020 for the 30% attendee discount. Infographic - ttps://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1090424/Printed_Electronics_Europe_Infographic.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1090423/Printed_Electronics_Europe_Logo.jpg Media Contact: Jessica Abineri Marketing Coordinator press@IDTechEx.com +44(0)1223 812300 We have returned money totaling $105 million to the state budget as a result of the fight against corruption. Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this during his February 13 address at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung) in Berlin. In his speech, Prime Minister Pashinyan touched upon the positive developments in the Armenian economy, government policy in various directions, judicial reforms, and other topics. "Just a year ago I made my first official visit to Germany, and I am glad that our relations are gaining such intensity," the Prime Minister said, in particular. In 2018, there was a nonviolent, velvet people's revolution in Armenia, the key words and content of which are summed up in these words: 'Revolution of love and solidarity.' It is very important to record what has happened in the Republic of Armenia after the revolution in the last one and a half years, and what the results are after the revolution in Armenia. In 2019, the Republic of Armenia has made progress in all the political and human rights rating lists. 2019 was a very significant year in the Republic of Armenia, also economically. The Republic of Armenia really enjoys the fruits it would enjoy after the revolution. By the 2019 results, we expect a 7.9-8% economic growth, and according to the International Monetary Fund, this is the best indicator in the entire European region, including among the former Soviet republics. To us, the corruption of incumbent officials is the same as the corruption of former officials. In 2018-2019, the state budget revenues of the Republic of Armenia increased by over $1 billion. (...). (...) we have seen double-digit growth in tourism for two consecutive years. In 2018, the tourism sector grew by 12%, in 2019by 15%. And I am confident that this process will continue (...). I am convinced that the growth rate of tourists from Germany will not only be maintained, but also increased. High school students at a Chicago suburb welcomed back a classmate who spent four months in an immigrant detention center as she battles possible deportation to Honduras. Students and staff from Crystal Lake Central High School raised over $10,000 on GoFundMe to pay for their classmate Meydi Guzman's release and subsequent legal fees to fight her immigration case. Guzman, 18, a senior, fled Honduras with her father, Fabio Guzman-Reyes, two years ago seeking U.S. asylum after gang members sexually assaulted Guzman, according to her attorneys, Kevin Bruning and Nathan Reyes. Immigration and Customs Enforcement released Guzman from custody on Thursday after Sara Huser, Guzman's school counselor, posted a $2,000 bond. I am really happy and thankful for all the people who helped me, Guzman told reporters outside a federal building in the Chicago area. Huser has taken the teen into her home. "Im truly, truly blessed and so very happy that she is going to come join my family, come back to Crystal Lake, get back to school, back to her life," Huser said at a press conference. Both Guzman and her father made it to the U.S.-Mexico border where they were stopped by border patrol agents in 2018. They were released and expected to show up to their immigration court hearings. The father and daughter missed a Feb. 28, 2019, hearing in Chicago because of a possible mix-up in scheduling paperwork, according to Bruning and Reyes. They appeared in court on Oct. 16, when they were unexpectedly arrested and taken to an immigration detention center in southern Illinois. It was very difficult. The truth was I was not prepared for this, I did not think that turning 18 would take me to be in a prison, Guzman said in Spanish at a press conference . ICE did not respond to NBC News' request for comment. Her release means Guzman will return to school and possibly stay on track to graduate with her classmates in May. However, her father is still in ICE custody at the Kankakee County Jail. The county jail has a contract with ICE to house hundreds of detained immigrants. Story continues Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, D-Ill., conducted a surprise visit to the facility alongside other Latino lawmakers, days before Guzman-Reyes was arrested on Oct. 16, after hearing concerns over the conditions in which detainees were being held, including reports of problems around medical attention. Garcia told NBC News he was shown "a sanitized version of what happens inside." Therefore, it was difficult to "determine if the immigrants had appropriate health care, but we observed that they spent very little time outside and only had access to sunlight by standing under a small skylight in the holding areas." Concerns over detainees' safety have soared since Dec. 2019 when "ICE weakened safety standards for immigrants in detention, further threatening their health and dignity," said Garcia. "ICE must be mandated to consult with medical and mental health experts, congressional committees as well as immigrant and health advocates before implementing any new detention standards, he added. Reyes and Bruning have filed a petition for asylum on Guzmans behalf and asked that a judge dismiss the order for Guzmans deportation, The Associated Press reported. Both attorneys are handling the case pro bono, NBC's affiliate in Chicago WMAQ reported. We took this case on without a second thought. This is about doing whats right for this young woman, Reyes said in a statement. Follow NBC Latino on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Last year, the Lone Star College System adopted the national Safe Zone program to help make LGBTQ+ students feel safer. Now, LSC University Park wants to expand the program to include training for student allies. The Safe Zone program utilizes stickers and pins to tell students that the space they are entering is safe for them or the person they are speaking to is an ally. The program also includes training for faculty and staff on how to be allies and examine prejudice, assumptions, and privilege, according to the Safe Zone Project website. While still in the early stages, the training for student allies will likely be similar. David Gaer, faculty senate president for the LSC University Park campus, presented the idea to the board. Current data, Gaer told the board, estimates that around 10 percent of the population identifies as LGBTQ+. If this estimate is applied to the LSC system, which had 87,656 students as of fall 2019, that means there are approximately 8,765 students in the LGBTQ+ community. Our students need to know that when they are on our campus they are safe, so we will be providing more training, Gaer said. He told the board that there was interest in training from across the system, including LSC Police Chief Paul Willingham for his department. Safe Zone was piloted on the University Park campus but Safe Zone stickers and pins are available with each campus name, and training is not limited to University Park faculty and staff. Since it began 18 months ago, at least one individual on each LSC campus is a certified Safe Zone trainer, Gaer said, and 91 employees have been trained system-wide. Theres unique challenges that that student population faces and our program was designed around addressing that, said Rich Curry, an associate professor of speech at University Park who brought the program to LSC. The certification for the training comes with a door sticker and a lapel pin to heighten visibility on campus. That says to our LGBTQ students on campus I see you, I support you. The student ally program is set to follow a similar path. Eventually, Gaer and Curry want to see the program established at each campus. Like the Safe Zone program, the ally program will include visual cues for fellow students, like a luggage tag that can be attached to a backpack. While doing more research about the effects of programs like Safe Zone, Curry found information about the high numbers of depression and suicidal thoughts in LGBTQ youth. he also found that for those youth contemplating suicide, they are more likely to turn to their peers for help, not staff or faculty, even if those faculty actively support LGBTQ students. Theyre going to turn to their peers, thats going to be their first attempt to reach out for support is going to be through the peer level, Curry said, which is why he decided to start pursuing the idea of a student ally program. Were not asking them to be counselors or to provide any type of counseling or mental health advocacy. What were asking them to do is to just be that point of contact. Allies will be given training on how to respond to people who reach out, and information about resources that those students might utilize. Curry envisions that the identifiers for allies, possibly the luggage tags, could have a list of hotlines on the back, or other resources on campus. While Curry and Gaer cant definitively say that incidents of anti-LGBTQ sentiment have increased within the LSC system, they do recognize a rise recently in people feeling emboldened to share those views. People are feeling much more free to make comments or to bully or belittle people based simply on their preferences and orientation, he said. What we hope is that we can create allies for the students who not only work with LGBTQ students but who work with students who may have issues with that particular group. The student ally pilot program is being funded by a mini-grant from the Lone Star College system and will be run on the University Park campus this semester. Once the program training has been finalized and if the pilot shows success, that template can be applied to other campuses. Its unclear how fast the program could spread across the LSC system, but if the success of the Safe Zone program is any indicator, training on other campuses could begin next year. Gaer said they have already found support for the student ally program on other campuses. jamie.swinnerton@chron.com The city of Bellmead is trying to get rid of some of its noisiest and most destructive residents before they make themselves at home again this spring. Code enforcement officers, police and public works employees scouted out several properties near San Jacinto and Utah streets Thursday morning as a part of an effort to prevent egrets from nesting in Bellmead. Interim City Manager Yost Zakhary said the medium-size migratory birds are expected to start nesting early next month, so the city is taking action now to protect property from the federally protected birds. Ive been told this has been an ongoing problem for several years, and the council directed me to try and extricate these birds, if possible, Zakhary said. Weve coordinated with proper authorities to make sure we are not violating any laws because they are protected and we were told the best time to do this is late January and early February. Egrets, which fly between the United States and Canada, are protected along with many other species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which is intended to ensure wildlife diversity and conservation. The growing demand for thermometer guns and infrared cameras that can detect fevers has caused shortages across the world, from the center of the outbreak in Wuhan to a small supplier in Texas. A host of Chinese companies make thermometer guns, which have become more expensive as demand has increased from both government and private customers like schools and factories. Alicn Medical (Shenzhen), a manufacturer in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, makes 2.5 million thermometer guns a year and is one of only a handful of companies in China that can achieve that level of production, said Mo Yingchun, its general manager. Still, raw material costs have surged and many workers cant get around Chinas outbreak containment efforts to show up for their jobs, meaning the company isnt producing at full capacity. Even the governments are fighting for the products among themselves, Mr. Mo said, noting that prices had climbed to three to five times the usual level. Local governments want to guarantee their own needs first. Typically, he added, the companys thermometers are used indoors to check on babies. The thermometer guns are used only for quick screening and are not as accurate as traditional thermometers, Mr. Mo said. It was a small industry, and if it werent for the outbreak, it will not be put in the spotlight. Thousands of miles from the heart of the outbreak, a small technology supplier in Beaumont, Texas, has also been feeling the crush of demand. The company, Infrared Cameras, makes high-tech imaging equipment as well as infrared thermometers, which cost $25 apiece. In a normal month, the company sells about 100 infrared cameras, according to its chief executive, Gary Strahan. Since January, the company has sold more than 1,000, supplying schools, cruise ships, factories, offices, hospitals and theaters in countries like China and South Korea. Friday, February 14, 2020 Writers Conferences and Confabs are a great place to learn about publishing and writing from agents, publishers, authors and publicists. By Scott Lorenz Westwind Communications If you are a serious writer with high aspirations, then youll want to go to a writers conference. Want to meet authors and exchange ideas, tips and techniques? Then sign up for a writers conference today. A writers conference is a think tank for authors to build on each others ideas and inspire new achievements in their own work. For the cost of lodging and registration, the payoff for attending a writers conference could be tremendous. Attending a writers conference gives you a chance to pitch your book, learn about the various publishing options and meet book editors, agents and book marketing specialists. If your book is six months or a year from being finished, you can talk to people with valuable input on shaping your book. At a writers conference, youll get all sorts of advice to help you wrap up your project when you return home. Of course, you will want to prepare for any writers conference you attend by having a plan of what you want to find out and what you will do while there. I suggest you develop an elevator pitch about your book that you can deliver in 30 seconds. Have a one-pager available with your book cover, author headshot, short 50-word synopsis, short bio, website URL, Twitter handle and your contact information. You never know who youll meet so be prepared for that moment! Here are some upcoming writers conferences in 2020: January 21-26, 2020 StoryCamp (St. George Island, FL) StoryCamp is a womens writing retreat with writing and creativity workshops in a quiet, supporting atmosphere. http://aroundthewriterstable.com/storycamp/ February 13-16, 2020: San Francisco Writers Conference (San Francisco, CA) At this writers conference, you can expect over 100 presenters, which will be editors, literary agents, and bestselling authors. https://www.sfwriters.org/2020-conference/ February 21-23, 2020 Asheville Christian Writers Conference (Asheville, NC) The Asheville Christian Writers Conference will offer one-on-one mentoring, writing workshops, and discussion groups. https://ashevillechristianwritersconference.com/ March 7, 2020: Atlanta Writing Workshop (Atlanta, GA) The title of the Atlanta Writing Workshop is How to Get Published. It focuses on classes and advice intended to help you get your works published. https://atlantawritingworkshop.com/ March 20, 2020: Kentucky Writers Conference (Bowling Green, KY) This writers conference offers workshops put on by the bestselling authors and educators in the SOKY Book Fest. https://sokybookfest.org/programs/ky-writers-conference/ March 28, 2020: Kansas City Writing Workshop (Kansas City, MO) At this writing workshop, you can learn about how to write queries and pitches, what you can do to market yourself and your books, and more. https://kansaswritingworkshop.com/ April 2-4 2020: Las Vegas Writers Conference (Las Vegas, NV) At the Las Vegas Writers Conference, writers can meet and learn from some of the greatest agents, authors, and professionals in publishing. https://lasvegaswritersconference.com/ April 3-5, 2020: The Muse & the Marketplace Writers Conference (Boston, MA) Here youll find over 130 interactive sessions led by authors as well as a happy hour session where you can network with agents, publishers, and authors. https://museandthemarketplace.com/ April 4, 2020: Get Published in Kentucky Workshop (Louisville, KY) The Get Published in Kentucky Workshop is essentially a full day of classes and advice that are designed to help you get your books published. https://kentuckywritingworkshop.com/ April 18, 2020: North Carolina Writers Workshop (Charlotte, NC): At the North Carolina Writers Workshop, you can gain all of the information you need to get your work to the publishing phase. https://carolinawritingworkshops.com/ April 25, 2020: Seattle Writers Conference (Seattle, WA): The Seattle Writers Conference aims to provide participants knowledge that can help them get their books published. https://theseattlewritingworkshop.com/ April 25, 2020: Michigan Writers Conference (Detroit, MI) At this writers conference, participants will enjoy a day of intense instruction on how to get their works published. https://michiganwritingworkshop.com/ April 30-May 2, 2020: Northern Colorado Writers Conference (Fort Collins, CO): The Northern Colorado Writers Conference will hold workshops, sessions, and four-hour master classes to inspire authors. https://northerncoloradowriters.com/Conference May 2, 2020: Missouri Writers Guild (Cape Girardeau, MO) The Missouri Writers Guild offers market information, contests, and networking opportunities for writers. https://missouriwritersguild.org/ May 7-9 2020: Storymakers Conference (Provo, UT): The Storymakers Conference will consist of various classes that cover various topics such as cover design, marketing, creating a writing business, and the nuts and bolts of screenwriting. http://ldstorymakersconference.com/ May 8-9 2020: Washington Writers Conference (North Bethesda, MD): At the Washington Writers Conference, there will be one-on-one pitch sessions with literary agents from New York, Boston, and DC. http://www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/index.php/page/2020-washington-writers-conference May 15-17, 2020: PennWriters Conference (Pittsburgh, PA): The PennWriters Conference offers three days of workshops, panels, networking opportunities for current and aspiring writers. https://pennwriters.org/ June 13, 2020: Tennessee Writers Workshop (Nashville, TN) Writers can learn the ins and outs of getting their works published at this conference. https://tennesseewritingworkshop.com/ June 14-19, 2020: Santa Barbara Writers Conference (Santa Barbara, CA) At the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, writers can enjoy six days and nights of over 30 writing workshops, speakers, and agents. https://www.sbwriters.com/ June 22-28, 2020: Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference (Bemidji, MN) This writing conference is full of workshops, Q&A sessions, panel talks. https://www.northwoodswriters.org/ July 26-July 31, 2020: Napa Valley Writers Conference (St. Helena, CA): At the Napa Valley Writers Conference, writers can participate in small workshops related to poetry, fiction, or translation that meet for two hours daily over a five day period. http://www.napawritersconference.org June 27, 2020: The Writing Workshop of Chicago (Chicago, IL) The Writing Workshop of Chicago gives writers the opportunity to pitch editors and literary agents and get their questions answered. https://chicagowritingworkshop.com/ July 30-August 1: Mendocino Coast Writers Conference (Mendocino, CA): At this conference, writers can participate in morning workshops that related to various genres. http://mcwc.org/ August 19-22, 2020: Killer Nashville Writers Conference (Franklin, TN) Writers who attend the Killer Nashville Writers Conference can expect writing workshops, pitch sessions, panel discussions, author signings, and a book fair. https://www.newpages.com/writing-conferences/killer-nashville October 23-25, 2020: La Jolla Writers Conference (San Diego, CA) At the La Jolla Writers Conference, writers can attend two types of classes: 50-minute lecture sessions or 110-minute workshops. https://lajollawritersconference.com Select a writers conference of interest to you and be prepared to enjoy the benefits of meeting other writers. You may acquire knowledge you can use immediately, find a new market for your book, elevate your professional effectiveness, meet editors, agents and publishers, become inspired and return home energized. The Bottom Line: Take a little working vacation and hit some writers conferences. Make it a priority to sign up for one in the coming weeks and months. Youll be glad you did! About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether its their first book or their 15th book. Hes handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Womans World, & Howard Stern to name a few. Learn more about Westwind Communications book marketing approach at http://www.Book-Marketing-Expert.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090 or fill out the form below. Tell us about your book! Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist A 'Good Samaritan' was stabbed 28 times and battered to death with kitchen pans by a man she had kindly given a roof over his head, a court heard today. The court was told that the body of "vulnerable'' Pauline Kilkenny lay undiscovered for almost a week after Joseph Dolan repeatedly stabbed her to the neck, face, back and chest. Dolan (29), formerly of Cavan Town, in Co Cavan, had originally been charged with the murder of Ms Kilkenny whose body was found in November 2018 at her isolated three-bedroom bungalow on the Cornacully Road in Belcoo, Co Fermanagh. But that charge was withdrawn following medical reports which assessed he was suffering from a personality disorder at the time. Last December Dolan pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the 59-year-old by way of diminished responsibilty as he had taken prescrption drugs before he attacked her as he lay dying, including the drug Lyrica. Dolan further admitted stealing Ms Kilkenny's Fiat Panda car and perverting the course of justice by falsely implicating his former girlfriend in the horrific murder. Members of Ms Kilkenny's family sat dignified in the public allery today as senior prosecution counsel Ciaran Murphy QC told Dungannon Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, that Ms Kilkenny had been living in Belcoo for a number of years and by way of a "Good Samaritan'' had taken in Dolan and he was living in her spare bedroom. He said Ms Kilkenny worked at a shop in Belcoo and on November 7, 2018 she decided to take a few days off and was due to start back a few days later. But when Ms Kilkenny did not show up for work a colleague alerted family members by text messages and one of Ms Kilkenny's sisters went to her isolated bungalow on November 13, 2018. Inside, said Mr Murphy, Ms Kilkenny was found lying under a window, face down in a pool of blood, with blood coming from the back of her head and skull. After the alarm was raised, police attended the scene and found the body of Ms Kilkenny to the right side of the bed surrounded by a lot of blood. As her body was cold to touch, police believed she had been "dead for some time''. The court heard police were on the look out for Ms Kilkenny's Fiat Panda car and when it was spotted later that afternoon, an officer drew his firearm and stopped the vehicle, arresting the driver Dolan for Ms Kilkenny's murder. Dolan's ex-girlfriend told police that on November 7, 2018, he came to her home and she noticed he had cash in ten and 20 pound notes along with a Santander bank card in the name of 'P Kilkenny'. The court heard that Dolan returned to Ms Kilkenny's home on November 8, 2018 and moved her Fiat car from the property. A post mortem examination revealed that Ms Kilkenny sustained 28 stab wounds to the neck, face, back, chest and right arm along with four blunt force trauma injuries to the head after Dolan had battered her with kitchen pans. The senior prosecutor said it was a "vicious, unprovoked attack on an innocent, vulnerable victim" and that she had been stabbed "when she was either dead or close to death''. Mr Murphy read a victim impact statement from one of Ms Kilkenny's nieces who described her aunt as "the epitome of light". "She would brighten up faces, rooms and lives" she said. "Nothing will take away the pain of this loss. "I tell my stories to the sky now when I visit her grave.'' Dolan had 27 previous convictions in the Republic of Ireland, including violent disorder. In 2013, he was sentenced to three years for robbery and for beating a Drogheda pensioner and stabbing a taxi driver. Mr Murphy said the medical reports showed that Dolan was dangerous and posed an indefinite risk of violent offending in the future. But he added that it was up to the court to assess whether he "posed a significant risk of serious harm to the public in the future''. He urged the court to impose an indeterminate sentence so that Parole Commissioners could assess the level of risk to the public Dolan posed once he becomes eligible for release. Describing the killing as a "terrible tragedy'', defence counsel Jim allaher QC told Mr Justice Colton: "At the outset it is appropriate that we, as the defence for the defendant, make it absolutely clear that the deceased was a very good person. "She was a person who was kind and generous to the defendant and indeed she brought him in and put a roof over his head in circumstances where he had few options at the time. "And of course we expressly accept that it makes it all the more dreadful that she died in the circumstances in which she did. "Regrettably, when one looks at the facts of the case she had the greatest misfortune to be present when the defendant was in some disorder of the mind suffering from a mental disorder acting in the way that he did. "We accept completely the generosity and kindness of the deceased in her interactions with the defendant.'' Mr Gallagher told Mr Justice Colton that Dolan was "shocked and distressed when he ultimately realised what he did''. The defence counsel said that when he was admitted to Maghaberry prison he was assessed by the jail's mental health team. It reported that Dolan said that Ms Kilkenny had been "like a mother to him...he feels remorseful about what he has done, was having flashbacks and 'sees her face when he wakes in the morning and before he goes to bed at night'.'' Mr Justice Colton said he had a "lot of material'' he wanted to consider before he passed sentence on Friday, February 28. Can we say with certainty that the pendulum has swung too far and put the public in unnecessary danger? No, but a new Tribune investigation shows that an in-house analysis used by the Cook County courts to justify bail reform is incomplete and conflicted. This is a serious problem. Any time the criminal justice system changes the calculus for who is allowed out of jail, the findings better be accurate so the impact can be understood. Otherwise the public is right to question whether judges are making sound decisions. 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 Miami, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mercury Racing and Sea Ray Boats, both part of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE:BC), have each won an NMMA Innovation Award at the 2020 Miami International Boat Show. Mercury Racing was honored for its 450R engine in the outboard category while Sea Ray won an award for its groundbreaking SLX-R 400e outboard which debuted at CES earlier this year. Brunswick brands have now won three Innovation awards over the past few weeks as Crestliner took home an Innovation award for their AP-X hull design at the Minneapolis Boat Show in January. We pride ourselves on our innovation portfolio and capabilities and winning these prestigious Innovation Awards both in Minneapolis and Miami shows our leadership position in the marine industry, said Dave Foulkes, Brunswick Corporation Chief Executive Officer. I am proud of everyone at Brunswick that played a role in developing these world-class products and we are excited to show them off here in Miami and at boat shows around the world. The SLX-R 400e Outboard features high-powered propulsion, elevated design accents and the orchestrated excellence of the yacht-certified SLX 400. The e in the model name designates a first-of-its-kind boat electrification system Fathom e-Power. The judges applauded Sea Ray for their contemporary design thinking and the advancement in electrification. The system includes a high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack with intuitive power management capable of powering all of the boats accessory systems and providing boaters with a convenient, smart way to enjoy all of the features of the boat, for a longer, quieter and more eco-friendly day on the water. We are excited to once again be recognized for our advancements by NMMA, said Steve Langlais, Sea Ray president. The pioneering SLX-R 400e Outboard offers beauty, unmatched capabilities and an incredible suite of fresh technologies. Being honored for this award supports our commitment to Inspired Design and Effortless Performance as we strive to deliver a luxury sport boating experience unlike any other in the market. Mercury Racing has been awarded a 2020 Innovation Award by the National Marine Manufacturers Association in the Outboard Engine category for its all-new 450R high-performance outboard model. The Mercury Racing 450R was introduced in 2019 and impressed judges from Boating Writers International with its combination of unrelenting performance, technology features and styling, each intended to enhance the performance boating experience. We are honored to win an Innovation Award for our new 450R outboard, said Stuart Halley, Mercury Racing general manager. The team at Mercury Racing has created a new benchmark for outboard performance, one that might have seemed unreachable just a few years ago. Clearly the Innovation Award judges recognized the technological innovation and sophistication built into the 450R. The Innovation Awards program, organized by NMMA and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI), honors manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products for the boating industry to market. The award acknowledges products that best meet criteria including innovative distinction from other products currently being manufactured, benefit to the marine industry and/or Consumer, practicality, and cost-effectiveness. The judging committee is comprised of BWI members who perform product testing throughout the year and have expertise in marine products. About Brunswick Headquartered in Mettawa, Ill., Brunswick Corporations leading consumer brands include Mercury Marine outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard packages; Mercury global parts and accessories including propellers and SmartCraft electronics; Power Products Integrated Solutions; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood, Garelick, and Whale marine parts; Land N Sea, BLA, Paynes Marine, Kellogg Marine, and Lankhorst Taselaar marine parts distribution; Mercury and Quicksilver parts and oils; Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Lowe, Lund, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Thunder Jet and Uttern boats; Boating Services Network, Freedom Boat Club, NAUTIC-ON. For more information, visit https://www.brunswick.com . Attachments Photo credit: Andrew Morales/WWD/Shutterstock From ELLE I was the first in my family to be born in Australia. My parents came from South Sudan as refugees; the South Sudanese Civil War was really hard, and my dad wanted the best for us. He came over first with a few friends, and the rest of the families followed. (My mother was pregnant with me when she left South Sudan.) My grandpa was an English teacher so my dad was fortunate enough to be able to understand the paperwork; not many people in South Sudan could. When I was maybe 5 or 6, more families started coming to Australia from South Sudan. We let many of them live with us so that they could ease into Australian culture. Because my dad spoke English, he could help them with their papers as well. Going from war to such a put-together country is a really difficult transition, and we tried to make that as easy as possible for them. Though we lived in Melbourne, I grew up in a South Sudanese household. I spoke Nuer, the language of my tribe, and I learned English at the same time. I felt disconnected from my familys home country because I didnt know too much about it, but my parents did a lot to keep the culture alive; wed attend community events and classes on Saturday, where wed learn cultural dances, and wed hold traditional wedding ceremonies. Its a very different culture, but its part of who I am. Im grateful for that. My parents didnt want me to lose that side of myself while growing up in Australia. I went to a private school where there werent many people of color. When we were growing up and people started wearing makeup, I could never find a shade for me, which was difficult to deal with. I remember being in a shopping center, and I couldnt find a single person who looked like me on a billboard. That moment made me want to get into fashion. I learned about modeling through my older sister, Nikki, who had signed with a small boutique agency in Melbourne. I would go to set with her, and the more I watched, the more I just loved it. Story continues I was at one of her gigs when I got scouted to do Australias Next Top Model. I was only 15 at the time, so they told me to come back when I was old enough. I was on the show when I was 17 for their eighth cycle. Tyra [Banks] made the show so big in the States, and it was so big in Australia as well, so when they asked me to participate, I was thrilled. But filming was difficult. We had limited access to speak to our families and we werent allowed to go out, and, you know, as teenage girls that is a little bit tough. But I ended up finishing in third place. Photo credit: Peter White - Getty Images After that, I tried to find gigs in Australia, but I didnt get much work, I think due to a mixture of things. I hadnt found my groove yet. When youre not confident in what you want, that plays a huge part in modeling. There was also a lot going on in my life at the time. I was in school studying chemistry (I hated it) and Id just lost one of my seven siblings. When somebody passes in our culture, theres a weeks-long mourning process and that hit me hard. It took a toll on me, and I started to fall behind in school. That experience is what made me decide I was going to give modeling another crack. My mom thought I was crazy, but I already had my visa in my hand; if you want to make it as a model you go to New York. In August 2016, I moved to New York City with $400 in my pocket. At the time, I really underestimated how hard it would be, and I underestimated the consequences of coming with so little. I lived in a models apartment with a bunch of girls, and as soon as I got off the plane, it was running around to what felt like a billion castings. I was very emotional and cried a lotI didnt know if I could do it. Looking back, Im grateful for that experience because it taught me how to toughen up. Two weeks after arriving, I was on my way out of a castingI think for Ralph Laurenwhen a casting director ran out after me. She worked for Kanye Wests team and said, Kayne is in the building, and he would love to see a fresh face. I was freaking out, but I went and met him and saw his collection with Jackie Nicholson. It just so happens that same day I also met Pat McGrath. It all flowed from there: I did Kaynes show that September and started working with Pat right away. Since then, Ive been able to pick who I want to work with, like Tim Walker. I shot his Pirelli Calendar in 2018 as the first black Alice in Wonderland, and Im always going to be proud of that moment. Photo credit: JP Yim - Getty Images My upbringing definitely shaped my modeling career. My dad shared the lessons he learned growing up in Africa and moving to Australia, and that helped in my move to New York. He would always tell me to be stronger and to make my voice heard as a black woman. The beautiful thing about fashion is its an always-changing industry [in terms of diversity]. Were at a point right now, especially the younger generation, where everybody needs our voice and needs us to say what we want the fashion industry to look like in five years. Remember that billboard I couldnt find when I was younger? Today, there are women of color on billboards everywhere. At airports, every shopping center in every country I go to. Its so important and so necessary, and Im so happy that other girls can see themselves now. When it comes to diversity in the industry, Im happy to be a part of that change. My dad used to say, Be true to yourself, and the answers will come. I really try and live by that principle. You Might Also Like OTTAWA A breakthrough could be at hand in the B.C.-based pipeline dispute that has brought traffic to a halt at ports and on rail lines across Canada. Or not. As widespread rail shutdowns cost millions of dollars in cancelled passenger travel and commercial shipping, governments, companies and Indigenous communities are all taking a hard look at their possible next moves. There are growing calls for somebody to do something. One can be forgiven for being confused about who that somebody is, and what that something should be. Heres a look at some options that have been proposed to help resolve the Coastal GasLink pipeline dispute: Meet, talk, meet, talk, repeat There actually was significant movement Thursday in what seems like an intractable dispute. Cooler heads may yet prevail. Thats because the Wetsuweten and Gitxsan hereditary chiefs wrote a letter to request a meeting with representatives of the federal and B.C. governments. The offer to meet was an unexpected opening after previous efforts to find a path forward had stalled. B.C. had reached out to former NDP MP Nathan Cullen to broker a compromise. But the RCMP, which is the contracted provincial police force in B.C., was already on the Wetsuweten territory waiting to enforce an injunction as those talks were attempted, and they faltered. The latest offer to meet comes via a hereditary Gitxsan chief, Norman Stephens, on behalf of both nations. Both levels of government have agreed to send ministerial representatives. More important, perhaps for the longer term, is that the Wetsueweten among whom there are clear differences of opinion over whether the pipeline should proceed are discussing holding an all-clans meeting to discuss the dispute, in what one chief has characterized as an extraordinary once-in-a-generation assembly on an issue such as this. Dont meet until the blockades are lifted Nobody has put conditions on the upcoming talks between the two levels of government and the Indigenous leaders, but implicit in the provincial and federal governments acceptance of the offer to meet is that the blockades need to end. When B.C. Premier John Horgan replied to the invitation to meet, he wrote, I understand that on receipt of his 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. The Trudeau government also agreed to meet, without any explicit condition such as demanding the Wetsueweten call off all the other demonstrations and blockades that have been mounted in solidarity with their cause. In his request to meet with Mohawk leaders, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller asked only that they kindly consider removing the barricade on the train tracks near Belleville, Ont. as soon as practicable. 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, Miller wrote. But its an open question whether the Wetsuweten would even have any control over other protests, which have spiralled out to include climate-change activists and other Indigenous groups that want their own demands met. In a video posted to Democracy Nows Twitter account, Pam Palmater, an associate professor and chair in Indigenous governance at Ryerson University, said, Its often characterized as an anti-pipeline protest; it is for some. But for most of us its about protecting our Indigenous sovereignty and our land rights, which are the two issues that have never been resolved. Send in the police (or, better yet, send in the army) To some, this may seem like a reasonable response to what looks increasingly like a lawless situation. After all, courts have issued injunctions to allow the gas pipeline construction to proceed, to open up the railways but nothings happened. In fact, it would be a profoundly undemocratic response. And it could go very badly an SQ officer died during the 78-day standoff between Mohawk protesters, police and the army at Oka in 1990. It almost always ends badly when governments exert pressure on police to act. The Ontario Provincial Police certainly seem to be acutely aware of history at Ipperwash or Caledonia, and a spokesman said Thursday the force is keeping an eye on the negotiations that are clearly underway. Theres a reason executive branches of government do not tend to order the police around. The police are, in principle, independent of political control and thats the way it should be in a democracy. Governments are not empowered to direct the police to act for their friends or against their enemies. But its confusing when frustrations rise and those in positions of influence like the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, or former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall demand action. Is the country governable or not? Wall fumed on CTV. Can we operate Canada? Not just its economy but its political systems, or not? His successor, Premier Scott Moe, argued that police should clear the roads and rails because of the growing economic cost, telling CTV they need to enforce injunctions that are put there thats why we have law enforcement agencies. But the B.C. and federal governments are steering well clear of even hinting that theyre pressuring police to act. For now. B.C. Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser said thats not the governments job. The role of the RCMP is independent of us as government, he told CTVs Evan Solomon. Of course they have a job to do, and the courts of course we have no role there either, and nor should we as government. So we dont tell the courts what to do, and when injunctions are achieved by a company it is the job of the RCMP, in this case, to enforce. Kill the pipeline project Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs and their supporters may want to see the pipeline killed, but it is clear that others within the Wetsuweten nation and the Gitxsan nation support the project for its potential jobs and economic benefits. Whats less clear is how deep and wide is the support for or opposition to the pipeline within the affected Indigenous communities. Among the 20 elected band councils along the route, there are five Wetsuweten councils that have struck benefit agreements with the company. The Wetsuweten have many traditions that govern how they disagree or agree among themselves, including not publicly airing differences in certain instances, and it is not clear if anyone speaks on behalf of the whole nation. Recognize Wetsuweten jurisdiction over the territory Easier said than done. That would require negotiation or more litigation, which is certain to take years. While the Wetsuweten and the Gitxsan nations have claimed some 58,000 square kilometres of northern B.C. territory, that jurisdiction is not settled, either in law or by treaty. The two nations have never ceded title to the Crown in a treaty. And while some claim that a landmark 1997 Supreme Court of Canada decision known as Delgamuukw recognized their rights, what it actually did was lay out guidance for courts in future decisions about what Indigenous nations need to do to prove their title. University of Victoria professor John Borrows, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law, says the decision did not actually affirm Wetsuweten title to the land. That will take either negotiations to resolve the claim that could lead to a treaty, or another court case to settle the matter. Let the Wetsuweten use their United Nations veto The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) sets out lots of principles of non-discrimination and respect for Indigenous rights, and it declares that Indigenous peoples should receive just and fair redress whenever their lands are exploited without their free and informed consent. But it did not give them a veto over projects like the Coastal GasLink pipeline. It totally is not a veto, said Borrows. In fact, the word veto does not appear in the UN document (which B.C. has passed into legislation, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vows to do federally as well). What UNDRIP does is it provides the principles that should guide parties through the resolution of these issues, said Borrows. The document sets out principles, standards, criteria, signposts, guideposts, and measures to getting at those questions as opposed to its my way or the highway. Rather than be a reason for blockades, Borrows hopes that one day UNDRIP will be seen as an instrument of empowerment for Indigenous people to chart their own economic development. Its a tool to help us talk together in ways that arent just dismissive of one another. Correction - Feb. 14, 2020: This article was edited from a previous version that misspelled John Borrows surname. Visitors to the island are encouraged to adopt the Dominican way of life, which is deeply rooted in caring for the natural environment. The island's ecotourism sector is flourishing as new eco-conscious luxury resorts continue being developed thanks to Dominica's world-leading Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. Hoteliers work with their local communities to provide guests with ethically sourced, fresh produce. Meanwhile, individuals and families from around the world continue to support Dominica's journey towards climate resilience by obtaining its citizenship via the CBI Programme. In 2017, category-five Hurricane Maria hit Dominica and caused damages worth more than twice its GDP, at a time when the island was still recovering from Storm Erika in 2015. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit famously said at the United Nations General Assembly in New York days after Maria made landfall: "72,000 Dominicans lie on the frontline of a war they did not choose with extensive casualties from a war that they did not start [] While the big countries talk, the small island nations suffer. We need action and we need it now." Ever since, the Dominican government has directed hundreds of millions towards economic transition and recovery efforts. Besides major infrastructural rehabilitation and reinforcement, entire dislocated communities have been offered free modern homes, newly built in safer areas, able to withstand the harshest weather disasters. This is known as the 'Housing Revolution' and will comprise 5,000 units across the island. Soon, Dominica's whole population will also be provided with green energy from the geothermal plant currently being developed, with potential to share it with its neighbouring islands. Dominica inches closer to its ambitious goal to become the world's first climate-resilient nation, as pledged by PM Skerrit after 2017's Hurricane Maria. He believes that, as the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, Dominica "must in every way preserve and reflect that designation." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1090463/Go_Green_Dominica.jpg SOURCE Government of Dominica Actor Kareena Kapoors first look from the film Laal Singh Chaddha was revealed on Valentines Day. Aamir Khan, who plays the eponymous role of Laal Singh Chaddha in the film, shared a photo on Instagram on Friday. Sharing a couplet with a photo where Kareena is seen hugging Aamirs character, the actor wrote, #HappyValentinesDay Kareena. I wish I could romance you in every film... comes naturally to me ;-) Love. a. Kareena and Aamir have earlier worked in films such as Three Idiots and Talaash. Laal Singh Chaddha, an official remake of Tom Hanks 1994 classic Forrest Gump, has Kareena reportedly playing the character originally played by Robin Wright. Kareena had famously said that this is the first film for which she gave an audition. A Mid Day report quoted Kareena as saying, I wouldnt have agreed to do this for anyone except Aamir. He is a genius, and he would want to do the best for his film. If he asked me to audition, it is only because he knew I was perfect for the part. But he wanted to be sure of what he was seeing in me. Theres science to that decision. She had also said that Aamir is as transformative as Tom Hanks. The actors have been shooting all across north India for the film. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Forrest Gump won six Oscars, including best director, best picture and best actor for Tom. The film, based on Winston Grooms 1986 novel of the same name, follows Forrest Gump, a man from Alabama, who witnesses and unwittingly influences several historical events in 20th century USA. Laal Singh Chaddha will release on Christmas 2020. A Japanese man who believes in smiling has become the worlds oldest male, Guinness World Records reports. Chitetsu Watanabe was born in Niigata in northern Japan in 1907. He received a certificate recognizing him as the worlds oldest man Wednesday at a healthcare center in the city. It confirmed he was 112 years and 344 days old. The former record holder was Masazo Nonaka, another Japanese, who died last month. The oldest living woman, Kane Tanaka, is also Japanese. She is 117 years old. Until about 10 years ago, Watanabe did bonsai, the Japanese traditional art of growing small sculpted trees. His work appeared at shows. These days, he loves eating desserts, such as sweet custards, Guinness said. Watanabe attended an agricultural school, and completed a study program there. He then moved to Taiwan to work at Dai-Nippon Meiji Sugar. He lived in Taiwan for 18 years. He and his wife Mitsue had five children, Guinness also reported. After the end of World War II, Watanabe returned to Niigata, Japan. He worked for the local government until retirement. He also grew fruit and vegetables on the family farm. Asked about the secret to his long life, Watanabe says: Dont get angry and keep smiling. Im Susan Shand. The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words In This Story certificate n. an official document sculpt v. to form a shape from marble, wood or other product dessert n. sweet food eaten at the end of a meal custard n. a creamy sweet dessert 14.02.2020 LISTEN The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) is seeking an interlocutory injunction at the Supreme Court to halt the National Communications Authority (NCA) from implementing the Conditional Access for Free-to-Air TV broadcast policy. GIBA is already in court over the matter but believes that without the injunction, NCA would go ahead and implement the conditional access control despite the pendency of the case in court. The Association in its motion is praying for an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain the defendants/respondents herein from implementing any system of conditional access that allows the defendants/respondents [NCA], their assigns and any other person authorized by them from encrypting or blocking the media content of Free-To-Air broadcasters in Ghana including members of the plaintiff/association [GIBA], the subject matter of the suit before this Honourable Court, pending the final determination of this suit upon the grounds contained in the accompanying affidavit and for such further orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit. In its original suit, GIBA argued that the Conditional Access for Free-to-Air TV broadcast is a breach of the right to free press enshrined in the 1992 Constitution. It wants any progress in the implementation halted while the case is ongoing. The Association maintains that the encryption of content is not a necessary component of the migration from analogue to digital television hence should not be part of the policy. GIBA argued that if the clause in the policy is not removed, all other operators and in fact the general public would lose the opportunity to broadcast and receive information. In its writ filed at the Supreme Court in January 2020, GIBA argued that the Conditional Access System introduced as a mandatory requirement by the NCA constitutes an unnecessary restraint on the establishment and operation of private media. The Conditional Access System will see media content of Free-To-Air broadcasters blocked by the government unless certain criteria have been met before access to content is granted to the public. GIBA is also seeking a declaration that the blockage of media content of Free-To-Air broadcasters through the use of the Conditional Access System introduced by the NCA is unconstitutional as same constitutes an unreasonable and unnecessary abridgement of the freedom of the media contained in Article 21(a) and 162 (1) of the 1992 Constitution. Another relief also seeks a declaration that the blockage of media content of Free-To-Air broadcasters through the use of the Conditional Access System introduced by the NCA contravenes the spirit and letter of Article 21(f) of the 1992 Constitution since same constitutes an unnecessary abridgement of the right to information guaranteed under the Constitution. The substantive case is expected to be heard on March 11, 2020. Background The Ministry of Communications through the NCA has since 2017 been attempting to implement changes to television broadcast sector with the introduction of systems of control which GIBA frowned upon because of the access concerns. It has over the last three years argued that the policy will take away the public's right to freely access free television programming. After previous misgivings, GIBA welcomed a revised standard on the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and Direct-To-Home (DTH) Receivers by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) after the Conditional Access System was made non-mandatory. But on January 8, GIBA came out with a statement saying the NCA published a document on its website on December 30 that was at odds with the GSA standards agreed upon indicating the Ghana Minimum Technical Specifications for DTT and DTH receivers for Free-to-Air Television Reception. It described the purportedly new document as alarming. ---citinewsroom The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the plea of Vinay Sharma, one of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, challenging the rejection of his mercy petition by the President alleging that it was done in a "mala fide" manner. A bench of Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and A S Bopanna said no ground was made out for judicial review of the rejection of the mercy petition Sharma, one of the four death row convicts in the 2012 case. "The note put up before the President of India is a detailed one and all the relevant materials were placed before the President and upon consideration of same, the mercy petition was rejected," the bench said. "We do not find any ground for exercise of judicial review of the order of the President of India rejecting the petitioner's mercy petition and this writ petition is liable to be dismissed," it said. All material including Sharma's medical report was placed before the President, who did apply his mind in rejection of the mercy plea, it said. The apex court dismissed the contention of Sharma that he is mentally ill, saying the medical report suggests he is stable. 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. Sharma claimed 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". Through his counsel, he 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 had opposed his claim and produced a medical report dated February 12 which said he was fit and had a sound mind. The top court had 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. 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. He said Sharma was kept in solitary confinement and subjected to inhuman treatment against the guidelines of the apex court. Singh argued that there was history of physical assaults on Sharma and his medical records establish that he was taken for psychiatric treatment several times. Mehta opposed the arguments saying all due process of law was followed.The apex court had earlier dismissed a plea filed by Mukesh challenging the rejection of his mercy petition by the President. 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. Also read: Nirbhaya case: President rejects clemency plea of convict Vinay Kumar Sharma Also read: SC rejects Nirbhaya convict Mukesh's petition challenging President's rejection of mercy plea EDWARDSVILLE Several Republican Madison County Board members gathered outside the courthouse Wednesday, joined by Madison County Treasurer Chris Slusser, Wood River Township Trustee Patrick McRae and Appellate Justice John Barberis, after Madison County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler announced he is supporting Appellate Justice David Overstreet in his candidacy for Illinois Supreme Court Fifth Judicial District. Overstreet and Barberis will square off in the March 17 Republican primary, with the winner facing Democrat Judy Cates on Nov. 3 to fill the vacany of Justice Lloyd Karmeier who is retiring. Former Madison County Republican Chairman Jeremy Plank said the party does not endorse candidates in the primary election. But several county board members wanted to make sure people understood that Prenzler was expressing a personal endorsement and not that of the county board or the county party. Republican board members were shocked that Chairman Prenzler would endorse anyone other than Judge Barberis, said Tom McRae, a county board member and a Republican candidate for Madison County Circuit Clerk. Justice Barberis is a true conservative. He is pro-Second Amendment, pro-life and pro-common sense. County board member David Michael of Highland, a Republican candidate for county auditor, said he was proud to endorse Barberis and that the justice has the support of many who consider themselves grassroots conservatives. I am humbled to have so many locally elected officials turn out on a cold rainy day to endorse my candidacy for the Supreme Court, Barberis said. Madison County is where I was born and raised and where Im raising my own family, and I have my judicial chambers in Madison County as well. Barberis was elected to serve on the Fifth District Appellate Court in November 2015 after serving as a circuit court judge in Madison County, the first Republican elected to the circuit court of Madison County in more than 100 years and the first Republican elected to the Fifth District Appellate Court in more than 36 years. He is in the fourth year of his 10-year term. The Honors College at Cleveland State Community College is hosting the 2020 Tennessee Collegiate Honors Council Conference at the George R. Johnson Cultural Heritage Center. Special speakers and honors student from the colleges and universities of Tennessee will be presenting. CSCC President Dr. Bill Seymour and the Dean of The Honors College at Cleveland State Dr. Victoria Bryan will open the events on Saturday. Categories in which honor students from across the state will be presenting include Creative Writing and Oratorical Speech, Education, Natural Sciences, Health and Fitness, History and Classics, Social Responsibility, Health and Biology, Gender and Literature, Travel, Food, Gender-Work-Appearances, Poetry and Drama, Television and Film, Words and Power and Critical Thinking and Pseudoscience in Psychology. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) talks to the media as he leaves after voting in the impeachment trial of the US president on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 31, 2020. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Senators Target Big Banks Denying Services to Federal Contractors Working with ICE A group of senators led by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has announced plans to introduce legislation that would target major banks that deny services to federal contractors working with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Titled the Financial Defense of Industrial Contractors (FDIC) Act (pdf), Sens. Rubio, Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said in a Feb. 13 news release they hope the legislation would combat political discrimination allegedly committed by six big U.S. banks against federal contractors. The banks which the legislation targetsWells Fargo, JP Morgan, Bank of America, BNP Paribas, Barclays, and SunTrusthave said they will no longer provide depository services to federal contractors that work with ICE, citing their opposition to immigration law in the United States. They control over $7 trillion in assets combined. The FDIC Act will remove the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance of major banks with assets over $50 billion if they withhold services to federal contractors. Some of our nations largest banks have decided to cater to the radical lefts woke agenda by abusing their systemic influence in our economy to deprive law-abiding federal contractors of banking services critical to their business, Rubio said in a statement. Banks have a right to deny funds to certain businesses, but they shouldnt enjoy taxpayer-provided guarantees if they are undermining the public policy of the United States. Cruz, meanwhile, said in a statement that it is deeply concerning to see the largest banks in the United States caving to the radical lefts social agenda. Banks should be making decisions that are based on research and facts, not political pressure. I support our ICE agents and the contractors who work for them. They are risking their lives every day to keep this country safe. They deserve better. Major banks in the United States which violate the standards of the legislation will be subject to an FDIC board hearing and a transition phase of up to two years to terminate the insurance. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency employs contractors to help enforce the immigration laws that keep Americans safe, Cotton said. By denying critical financial services to ICE contractors, big banks have hobbled ICEs efforts to protect Americans. These banks shouldnt receive public funding if theyre putting the public at risk. Blackburn added that he thinks it is disgraceful for big banks executives to sacrifice the nations safety for the sake of their political interests. The Epoch Times reached out to the banks targeted by the legislation for comment, but both JP Morgan and Bank of America declined to comment. The NHRC has issued a notice to the Delhi government over reports that some children have to cross the Yamuna river by boat everyday to attend a school, putting their lives to immense danger, officials said on Friday. Reportedly, if the boat is not available on a particular day, the students have to walk additional about 2 km on a "non-motorable road" to reach the school, the rights panel said in a statement. "The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that Chilla Khadar village in Delhi does not have a school due to which the children have to cross the Yamuna river by boat everyday putting their lives to immense danger to attend a school," it said. It is not easy especially for girl students, as they have to walk an hour to reach the school after riding a boat, the statement said. The commission has issued a notice to the chief secretary of Delhi calling for a detailed report within four weeks, officials said. The report must include details of the government schools functional in the area mentioned in the reports, it said. The NHRC has observed that the content of the report, if true, raise serious issue of violation of human rights. "It is indeed surprising that in the national capital, everyday young students are coming across such a nightmare just to attend school for education, which is their fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21A of the Constitution," it said. "The statistics projected by the government of Delhi indicate that the standard of and infrastructure has been remarkably improved but such reports do 'tell a different story'," the statement said. According to the media report, to implement and respect the Right to Act in true sense, the primary school children should not be studying in schools more than a kilometre away while the distance is 3 km for students of upper primary level i.e. 6th to 8th standard, it said. Reportedly, an officer of the department of the Delhi government has said that they are not sure, if there is a school within the 3 km radius of the area. It is also mentioned in the news report that sometimes, the boat topples then it takes more time for the students to reach their school, the rights panel said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) LONDON Nobody does implacable like Lesley Manville. That steely resolve she has so peerlessly embodied onscreen (her Oscar-nominated performance in Phantom Thread) and onstage (her Olivier-winning Mrs. Alving in Ibsens Ghosts) has been polished to a glittering, icy-blue sheen in The Visit, or the Old Lady Comes to Call. Thats the full title of Tony Kushners very protracted adaptation of the Swiss dramatist Friedrich Durrenmatts 1956 classic, which opened on Thursday at the National Theater in London. And while Jeremy Herrins three-and-a-half-hour production suffers from terminal bloat, it is undeniably blessed in its leading old lady, whom Manville shapes as a couture-crafted entity beyond good and evil. When she declares, I am a myth, you arent about to argue with her. Manvilles character, Claire Zachanassian, is afforded this spot at the pinnacle of world-warping amorality because she is the richest woman on the planet. And, really, what good is money if you cant use it to get even with those who have done you wrong? And so Claire, after many years and many husbands, journeys back to the squalid little town called Slurry, in Kushners version that rejected her as a pregnant, unwed 16-year-old. She has come expressly to get a bit of her own back, which means reclaiming, and destroying, one Alfred Ill, the lover who abandoned and denied her all those years ago (played here by a blustery Hugo Weaving). It is a process that lures an entire town into a grisly Faustian bargain. The campaign is a result from the collaborative work of the Oregon Outdoor Recreation Network, comprised of statewide, federal and private partners, including Travel Oregon, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, KEEN, REI and many more. The campaign encourages outdoor recreationists to Take Care Out There, with trip-planning advice, safety tips, preservation guidelines, and encouragement to give back to local communities. The industrious beaver, Oregons official state animal known for its restorative conservation practices, is the campaigns ambassador. "As interest in Oregon's outdoor recreation grows, so does the need to preserve and protect our treasured natural assets," said Cailin O'Brien-Feeney, director of the Oregon Office of Outdoor Recreation. "We're working to build a legacy of respect, ensuring outdoor opportunities for health, connection and joy for many generations to come." The Take Care Out There toolkit encourages visitors to Prepare, Care, Connect, providing thoughtful guidelines that range from packing the right gear, to staying on the trail, to visiting local cultural centers to enrich ones experience. To help share the message, Travel Oregon built a dedicated website, TakeCareOutThere.org, created a tutorial video, and produced educational collateral that is available at Oregons eight welcome centers and select retail establishments, including KEEN and REI. In addition, a sweepstakes on traveloregon.com offers a chance to win a Ten Essentials gear pack and annual passes to Oregon State Parks and National Parks. "This incredible public/private partnership means we're all in this together, working to welcome all visitors eager to embrace the outdoors, while ensuring the safety of both people and ecology, and nurturing a spirit of respect and goodwill," said Travel Oregon CEO Todd Davidson. It's clear that Oregonians and visitors alike value the state's natural wonders, which include eleven national forests, nearly 2,000 miles of Wild and Scenic rivers and spaces; 363 miles of public beaches, 361 state parks, 21 National Wildlife refuges, thousands of miles of trails and Crater Lake National Park. Oregon's bountiful natural resources and public lands are cornerstone to our legacy, our identity and our economy. Every year, more than nine million people enjoy Oregon's outdoor splendor, contributing to the $12.3 billion tourism economy that employs more than 115,000 Oregonians Encouraging and inspiring people to partake in Oregon's tremendous and bountiful outdoor recreation is an incredibly important part of the positive economic impact and job creation that comes when visitors choose to spend their dollars and time in Oregon. And, it's not just visitors enjoying the state's vast public lands. Oregonians also benefit from the scenic splendor. DHM Research found that U.S. residents rate Oregon highest for natural beauty and access to outdoor recreation, making it no surprise that 95% of Oregonians report participating in some form of outdoor recreation each year. About Oregon Outdoor Recreation Network The Oregon Outdoor Recreation Network is a statewide initiative bringing together businesses, agencies, land managers, conservation groups and recreational user groups around the goal of expanding access to outdoor recreation and increasing the economic impact and sustainability of Oregon's outdoor recreation industry. About Travel Oregon The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, works to enhance visitors' experiences by providing information, resources and trip planning tools that inspire travel and consistently convey the exceptional quality of Oregon. The commission aims to improve Oregonians' quality of life by strengthening the economic impacts of the state's $12.3 billion tourism industry that employs more than 115,000 Oregonians. Visit traveloregon.com to learn more. SOURCE Travel Oregon Related Links http://www.traveloregon.com In a novel protest against the "steep" hike in the LPG cylinder prices, the Congress women workers here on Friday descended upon the city's busy market area with various utensils and cooked food on earthen ovens using dung cakes and fire woods. "The LPG cylinders have become unaffordable even for the middle class people like us, that's why we have been forced to cook our meals on earthen ovens using traditional fuel," said a women Congress worker, while trying to stoke oven flames by blowing air into it through a pipe at the busy Holigate market area in the city. Giving the rational for cooking food in the market place, she said with a smoke-induced teary eyes, "We want the whole word to see how the LPG price rise has forced us to resort to archaic methods in (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's modern India." Owing to the unprecedented rise in LPG cylinder price, the Modi Govt is leading us to stone age," snapped Mahanagar Mahila Congress wing chairperson Shalu Agrawal, echoing her party colleague's anger. "They first tricked women into adopting LPG cylinders for cooking in the name of their health and now they are forcing us to buy cylinders at such steep prices," she fumed, adding "It's a good business tactics." Resenting the Union Law Minister Rav Shankar Prasad's alleged assertion that the cylinder prices would not be withdrawn, she said, "It reveals the dictatorial attitude of the government.""The way the Union minister has rejected the demand of withdrawing price hike of LPG cylinders is highly objectionable," said Shalu. The Congress women workers were also accompanied by their male colleagues, helping them running errands in the cooking process. Amid the cooking process, the Congress workers ranted the air with anti-government slogans, ruing "the skyrocketing prices" of various essential commodities. Tanashahi nahin chalegi (dictatorship would not be tolerated), they shouted as bemused onlookers looked at their novel protest. "Had the BJP government raised the price a few days before the Delhi assembly elections, they would have got zeros seats there," she said. Meanwhile, UP Congress legislature party's former leader Pradeep Mathur demanded resignation of Union Minister Smriti Irani, saying "she had raised a save-our-soul (SOS) cry" after the cylinder prices were hiked by Rs 2 during the UPA regime, but is now forced to be a "mute spectator of her government's tyranny". At price hike of merely Rs two during UPA regime Smriti Irani had been crying 'trahi mam trahi mam (save our soul), but she has now turned into "mute spectator of her government's tyranny," he said. "After this three-digit hike of Rs 150 per cylinder, she must be feeling very uncomfortable," he said, adding "the best course for her to overcome her awkward situation is to tender her resignation". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A plane parked at the international terminal is seen through the window of a sky train station at San Francisco International Airport. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) How California Airports Are Adapting to Coronavirus Outbreak Worldwide, people are taking precautions after the novel coronavirus broke out last December in Wuhan, China. Airports are among those taking preventive measures. The Epoch Times contacted some of the major airports in California to see how each is doing so far and what changes they have made. Doug Yakel, a spokesperson for the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), said they are reducing flights between the airport and China. Over 68 percent of all SFO flights to and from China, including Hong Kong, have been suspended. The airport has been working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to screen international passengers. The CDC has been conducting these screenings at SFO since January 18th. The initial focus on the screening was for passengers who had visited the Hubei province, but on February 2nd, the CDC expanded screenings to any passenger who had been in mainland China over the last 14 days. Screenings are being conducted inside the Customs facility at SFO, wrote Yakel in an email. Becca Doten, a Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) spokesperson, said they are continuing to screen passengers for potential signs of the virus. The safety and security of our guests and employees is the top priority at Los Angeles World Airports and we have been taking every precaution to keep travelers and employees safe, including deep cleaning of restroom facilities and other public areas of the terminals, creating informational signage for travelers, installing more than 100 additional hand sanitizer stations throughout the airport and providing resources for CDC health screeners at the airport. The airport continues to work with these agencies and stands ready to take any additional actions they recommend as health experts, Doten wrote. Sabrina LoPiccolo, a spokesperson of the San Diego International Airport (SAN), said that the airport has no direct flights to or from China, but they are still monitoring the situation. SAN is one of 20 airports in the U.S. that [have] a CDC quarantine station nearby. The CDC has informed us that if Customs and Border Protection personnel at our International Arrivals facility encounter an ill passenger, they are to contact the CDC directly for further assessment, LoPiccolo wrote. They also have graphic monitors that inform passengers what to do if they feel sick. Keonnis Taylor, a spokesperson for the Oakland International Airport, said that this airport also does not have direct flights to and from China, but they are in close contact with the CDC and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As a precaution, last week the Airport hosted a joint review of its Infectious Disease Response Plan, in conjunction with the CDC and Oakland Fire Department (OFD), and other first responders. To date, no operational changes have been requiredincluding quarantines, delays, or cancellationsas a result of the coronavirus, wrote Taylor. They all recommend that travelers wash hands frequently, avoid traveling to affected areas, and follow CDC guidance for further ways to prevent the spreading of germs. On Feb. 2, the US Department of State issued a level 4 travel advisory for China. The CDC recommended that travelers avoid going to China if its not essential. If there are people who must go, the website advises them to discuss it with their healthcare provider first, avoid contact with people, and avoid sick people. Every young family Ive talked to has been talking about how excited they are and how their friends are going to move back to Oak Lawn because were going to have this indoor aquatic facility, she continued. Its going to bring the young people in and keep the older people here, because just about everybody loves water. Everybody needs water. SPRINGFIELD A bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers and advocacy groups on Thursday announced an effort in both chambers to overhaul how Illinois legislative districts are drawn. Legislators from throughout Illinois are backing a state constitutional amendment twin measures in the Senate and House that would shift district mapmaking power from politicians to a 17-person commission whose members would be representative of state demographics. Backers said the measure, dubbed the Fair Maps Amendment, is more comprehensive than any other redistricting reform proposals while being equitable, transparent and representative. The amendment is backed by CHANGE Illinois the Coalition for Honest and New Government Ethics which has attempted to reform the redistricting process in the past three elections, As a sprawling federal corruption investigation continues, we should start to end corruption by ending gerrymandering where it begins when maps are drawn, said Madeleine Doubek, the groups executive director. Politicians picking their voters clearly is the epitome of a conflict of interest. Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorn Woods, this is the place we need to start to root out corruption in Illinois. Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, said the current process favors the General Assemblys majority party. Currently, the Legislature is responsible for drawing Illinois legislative and congressional maps. The party holding both chambers has outsized control. Maps are drawn after the U.S. Census every decade, and the Illinois Constitution requires districts to be compact, contiguous and substantially equal in population. If lawmakers do not agree on maps, a group is formed with four legislators from each party with a ninth chosen randomly by the secretary of state from two candidates submitted by the state Supreme Court. That backup scenario is unlikely, however, due to the current makeup of the General Assembly. Under the coalitions proposal, 17 members would be appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court seven registered Democrats, seven registered Republicans and three with different or no party affiliation. Each congressional district could have only one commissioner. The public would be able to comment on any commission proposal and submit their own map proposals. The commission would have to look at all submissions. Doubek said the proposal is a revised version of an amendment previously submitted by CHANGE Illinois. It includes prisoners in population counts and redefines the requirements about who can serve on the commission. Not allowed on the commission are lobbyists; people appointed, running for or elected to a position with the state, federal, or local government; a paid consultant or campaign representative of a political candidate or political action committee; an individual with an ownership interest in an entity with a state, local or federal contract; and appointed or elected officials of a political party. They must not have held those positions in the past five years. People working for them and their immediate families are ineligible as well. The resolutions also attempt to ensure minority communities are able to elect a candidate of their choosing. If there is a neighborhood or community that has a strong minority base but maybe not enough to control the outcome of the election, Doubek said, they need to be kept together so they can have as much influence as possible on choosing who represents them. Both chambers of the Legislature need to approve a constitutional amendment by a three-fifths majority before it can go to voters. That effectively sets the deadline as Sunday, May 3, because six months must pass before an amendment can appear on the general election ballot. Our chances are better than they have ever been, Doubek said. A poll last year by Southern Illinois University found 67 percent of Illinoisans want district maps created by an independent commission rather than the Legislature. A spokesperson for Senate President Don Harmon, a Democrat, said, he has a history of working for redistricting reform and looks forward to reviewing this proposal. When Gov. J.B. Pritzker was running for office, he pledged to veto any unfair map sent to him by the General Assembly. Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, said he has supported former versions of CHANGE Illinois redistricting amendments in the past two years. With everything thats happening in the General Assembly with federal investigators swirling around us, with confidence in our government at an all-time low and corruption at an all-time high a Fair Maps initiative is an essential ingredient to fixing those issues, he said. Elsewhere, Californias 14-member citizen commission drew up that states current maps after the 2010 census. Michigan voters passed a constitutional amendment in 2018 to create an independent commission of 13 citizens to draw political maps. Iowa has a similar citizen-run commission and Missouris system consists of a commission from each legislative chamber made up of equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans. While Illinois is behind on this topic, we are not operating in isolation and I think its important to look at other states, Spain said. It would be really disappointing with everything else thats going on in Illinois if we cant do the same. The proposals are House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 41 and, when it is officially introduced Tuesday, Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 18. In the Wuhan hospitals visited by AFP, people queue up in long lines to see a doctor. The wait is so long that some have brought their own chairs AFP/Hector RETAMAL The commission did not disclose the total number of deaths from the newly identified virus, which stood at 1,310 on Thursday. Of the new deaths, 88 occurred in the provincial capital of Wuhan, where the flu-like virus is believed to have originated late last year. A further 4,823 cases had been detected in Hubei, taking the total in the province to 51,986. Over four-fifths of the province's new cases were in Wuhan. The daily toll rose by a record of more than 240 on Thursday after the commission began counting cases diagnosed through new clinical methods, fuelling concern that the epidemic is far worse than being reported. But the World Health Organization moved to calm fears, saying the new numbers did "not represent a significant change in the trajectory of the outbreak". PHILIPSBURG:--- A 2019 review inspection by the Law Enforcement Council of an earlier report titled The selectivity of the investigation and prosecution policy of the Public Prosecutor's Office in Sint Maarten? An investigation into the rendering of the prosecution monopoly and the opportunity principle has shown that of the ten recommendations made as part of a 2014 inspection, six recommendations have not been followed, three recommendations have been followed partially, and one recommendation has been followed entirely. Of the six recommendations that were not followed, one concerned the Public Prosecutor's Office's personnel policy and another regarded the strengthening of the effectiveness of law enforcement. The remaining four recommendations concerned the National Detectives Agency. In its report following the 2014 inspection, the Council recommended to the Minister of Justice to promote that the Sint Maarten Public Prosecutors Office, in cooperation with the Public Prosecutor's Office in the Netherlands, develops a personnel policy that was specifically geared towards Sint Maarten. The Council concluded that in 2015 there were no fixed procedures concerning recruitment and selection on behalf of Sint Maarten. Although cooperation has been sought with the Public Prosecutor's Office in the Netherlands, no personnel policy has been developed. The Minister of Justice also did not follow the Councils recommendation to strengthen the effectiveness of law enforcement by the Public Prosecutor's Office, the National Detectives Agency and the St. Maarten Police Force (KPSM). No research was carried out into the specific possibilities within Sint Maarten and the Kingdom to bolster the law enforcement capabilities. According to the Council, the effectiveness depended on the strength of the individual organizations and of the justice chain as a whole. The Council stated that a few of the organizations were on the right track (e.g. the KPSM), but that not all organizations (e.g. the National Detectives Agency) functioned at the desired level. This could be achieved by following the four recommendations regarding the policy, capacity, the business process system and the improvement plan of the National Detectives Agency. A general political-administrative policy is lacking and the National Detectives Agency does not have a business process system. Furthermore, the Council noted that the National Detectives Agency remained in a vulnerable position because the capacity of the Agency has not sufficiently grown compared to 2015. Finally, the improvement plan for the National Detectives Agency did not lead to the desired results. The follow-up of the recommendations on the National Detectives Agency should be a high priority, the Council stated. 2014 inspection In 2014, at the request of the then Minister of Justice, the Council carried out an inspection regarding the selectivity of the investigation and prosecution policy of the Public Prosecutor's Office in Sint Maarten. The Council concluded in that report that the reasons for the selectivity were not based on the person of the accused. The cause appeared to lie in the preconditions of the investigation and being able to establish the burden of proof. This situation was of a completely different nature and related to the relatively limited effectiveness of the law enforcement apparatus on Sint Maarten. The report was published in 2015 and contained ten recommendations addressed to the Minister of Justice regarding the Public Prosecution Service (5), the National Detectives Agency (4); and the Public Prosecutor's Office, the National Detectives Agency and the Sint Maarten Police Force jointly (1). In 2019, the Council carried out a review of this report. Partially followed recommendations Three recommendations were identified by the Council as having been partially followed. These concern the business process system with which the Public Prosecutor's Office works (called Priem), the turnaround time of the Public Prosecutor's Office and the communication policy of the Public Prosecutor's Office. The inspection showed that modernizing of management processes system of the Public Prosecutors Office was initiated, but not completed. Through a so-called 'seven weeks consultation', the (re)introducing of the 'Justice as Soon as Possible' trajectory and the steering committee, decisions can be made more quickly and more visibility is created with regards to the turnaround time of cases. In order to better steer the turnaround time, the current limited registration system should be further developed. The Council also noted that the Public Prosecutors Office communicated more proactively and has started to develop a communication policy. Followed recommendation The only recommendation that was entirely followed related to the Public Prosecutor's Office. This recommendation was: Promote that outgoing assistance requests within the Kingdom comply with the set requirements. The Public Prosecutors Office has drafted an assistance processes handbook that includes the requirements. The Council is urging the Minister of Justice to give priority to the follow-up of the Council's recommendations that have not been (entirely) executed as yet. The review report and all other Council reports can be found on the Council's website: www.raadrechtshandhaving.com or http://rrh-sxm.org. Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), on Thursday said Ghanaian nationals in Wuhan city and Hubei Province in China, where the there is an outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), will not be evacuated. The decision he said was in line with advice from the World Health Organization. Evacuation is not on the table for now, Ghanaians outside are safe and we in constant touch with the Chinese Embassy who are taking care of them. We will do so if the need arises, he added. Updating some journalists in Accra today on the virus, Dr Aboagye explained the structures and systems put in place in China were protective, describing evacuation as a national decision. He noted that the Ministry of Health and the GHS would continue to observe the situation in China and if there is the need for evacuation, GHS will advise accordingly. China has reportedly recorded over 60,000 cases of the virus, with the death toll above 1,350 since the outbreak early this year. Dr. Badu Sarkodie, Director of Public Health said systems have been put in place to ensure that Ghanaians were safe as well as ensuring that persons coming into the country were thoroughly screened. He noted that as part of awareness creation, there were a number of stakeholder engagements being held nationwide and GHS was also partnering hoteliers, traditional leaders, schools, churches and mosques in creating awareness. He advised that Ghanaians should adhere to all preventive precautionary measures. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video New Delhi [India], Feb 14 (ANI): India and Portugal on Friday signed an agreement to jointly develop National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Gujarat's Lothal. The MoU on National Maritime Heritage Complex will pay the way for cooperation between the two countries for showcasing common Maritime Heritage. NMHC will consolidate all diverse and rich artefacts from ancient to modern times. It will provide access to public and make them aware about India's rich Maritime Heritage. The agreement was signed during delegation-level talks between New Delhi and Lisbon. The Indian delegation was headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Portuguese delegation by visiting President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa at the Hyderabad House in the national capital. Prior to the talks, the two leaders had witnessed the exchange of agreements between the two countries. A total of seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed between India and Portugal on the sidelines of Marcelo's visit in the fields of nano-biotechnology, higher education, among other areas, while several other agreements have been exchanged. Marcelo is on a four-day visit to India, accompanied by Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Prof Augusto Santos Silva, Secretary of State for Internationalisation Prof Eurico Brilhante Dias and Secretary of State for National Defense Jorge Seguro Sanche. (ANI) Bernhard Seliger at a model afforestation site in North Korea's Sangso-ri village in Taedong County, South Pyongan Province. Courtesy of Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea Office By Ko Dong-hwan German economist Bernhard Seliger, who turned to helping North Korea with ecological improvement and related capacity building, has been monitoring the inter-Korean border region closely. What he has recently witnessed from the region's southern side has been concerning signs of agro-industrial development that destroys natural preservation. Testimony from the director of the Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea Office came from the south side of the civilian control zone (CCZ), a restricted area spanning the border region 10 kilometers within the military demarcation line (MDL) that divides the Korean Peninsula. "People come to the region and they get very disappointed with what they see," Seliger told The Korea Times. "Roads, roads, roads, big concrete drain pipes for rice fields, new pension houses and educational facilities. It's not romantic. It's not real wilderness there, but man-made." Having visited North Korean cities and rural communities many times to survey migratory birds and educate locals on protecting birds and forests, Seliger frequented the isolated state's border regions. Over the course of time, however, he witnessed that the South Korean CCZ was becoming considerably reduced in size and the presence of rural infrastructure starker. "Theoretically you have a large return of infrastructure if you build first, second and third roads, all good for the economy," the economist by training said. "In the CCZ, there was a dirt track with only about a couple of cars a day. Now, it's changed to concrete. Completely unnecessary. Concrete pipes were also previously just open trenches drawing many wild animals. These changes are nice for farmers but devastating for biodiversity. "So you have the importance of biodiversity and, at the same time, development pressure. Until now CCZ was kind of a buffer between the two Koreas because many things couldn't happen inside there. Now the zone is much decreased." Bernhard Seliger at frozen Taedong River in Pyongyang. He has been supporting and internationally promoting Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea Office's environmental recovery works in North Korea since 2002. Courtesy of Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea Office The impact on the CCZ was reflected on migratory birds like brown tiger shrikes and cranes. Seliger found that tiger shrikes, once widely distributed in South Korea, can now be found only in Gangwon Province's Goseong County at the border. Cranes are also hard to spot, except in the rice fields of the province's other border-crossing jurisdiction of Cheorwon County. In a natural preservation sense, not only the demilitarized zone (DMZ) but also its adjacent areas are crucial, according to the German. Rice field wetlands at the Han River estuary in northwestern South Korea and Cheorwon are among a few good examples, providing feeding grounds for birds and breeding biodiversity. "If rice fields are not working well, then DMZ has no more (ecological) functions," Seliger said. "The DMZ has only those functions together with areas that are close to it." Seliger's mission is not limited to ecological expertise of the border region. In fact, preserving nature in the area is a prerequisite to his office's ultimate objective of bringing the two Koreas closer through depoliticized environmental discussions. And his activities open windows of opportunity for the two Koreas within international frameworks. Cranes, for example, were a medium to enable North Korea in 2018 to join the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) following 18 states and 17 non-government organizations. Having prepared for it since 2015, Seliger called the decision "symbolic cooperation." Other birds or animals also brought the two Koreas to the same table at international forums such as spoon-billed sandpipers, only 300 left in the world, which annually visit the border region in the Han River estuary as they migrate from Russia. Relying on international meetings is inevitable for Koreas' reconciliation because a direct conversation with the North Korean authority of environment the Ministry of Land and Environmental Protection (MoLEP) was almost never fruitful. "They know the ecological importance of the DMZ and other border regions, but they have no access because it's a military area," Seliger said. "Meaningful discussion of the region as a naturally protected area is very difficult." Cranes are seen at the civilian control zone in Yeoncheon County, Gangwon Province. Courtesy of Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea Office Studies on birds and forests have been neglected in the hereditary kingdom of Kim Il-sung and his descendants for decades since the Korean War separated the peninsula in 1953. The state isolated itself from outside, cutting off opportunities to learn. But now the state has shifted its political paradigm to join hands with other countries at least in an environmental concern. The change came after uncontrolled harnessing of forests for food and energy had made the state vulnerable to natural disasters and famine about 2 million people died of starvation between 1994 and 1998, while 40 percent of North Korean woods disappeared between 1990 and 2015. Hanns Seidel, a German political foundation founded in 1967 with affinity to the Christian Social Union party in Bavaria, opened its Korean office in Seoul in 1987 to aid the North. The aim is international integration and cooperation in the field of environment. BHUBANESWAR: In December 2019, President Ram Nath Kovind had a pleasant experience while attending the platinum jubilee celebrations of Utkal University in Bhubaneswar. He could recognise his long-time friend Birabhadra Singh sitting quietly in the audience. He asked his officers to arrange a meeting post the celebrations. During the meeting that lasted for 30 minutes, the President had invited Singh to Rashtrapati Bhawan. Kovind kept his word and played host to Singh and family who visited the Rashtrapati Bhawan on February 4. Singhs happiness knew no boundaries when he narrated his feelings to mediapersons here on Thursday about his recent meeting with Kovind which lasted over 30 minutes. Singh said President Kovind told my children that I know your father and recognised him from his Pagdi at Utkal University, Bhubaneswar. I knew him (Singh) by heart since the time we were together. Birabhadra Singh and Kovind were Rajya Sabha members from 2001 to 2005. It was during the valedictory session of Utkal University platinum jubilee celebrations in December last year that the President met Singh after 12 years. Though Singh then had expressed desire to meet Kovind much before his arrival and approached the Presidents security officers to allow him to offer a rose, his request was turned down due to security reasons. However, Singhs dream came true when President himself recognised him sitting in the audience and immediately asked his officers to arrange a meeting. I told him that his decision to meet me was appreciated by media which termed the friendship to be that of Krishna and Sudama, said Singh. Rick Bevins, the chair of the psychology department, said the idea that people and interactions matter is personal to a large swath of UNL's community, from faculty to staff to students to alumni. Giving a tour to a prospective student and their parent, Bevins said he was struck four years later when the graduating senior approached him to say the half-hour he spent with them had made all the difference. "What we do and say is always relevant to someone else," said Bevins, one of four co-chairs on the N2025 committee. The Every Person and Every Interaction Matters plan that resulted was workshopped during dozens of meetings and listening sessions, and reflects input from hundreds within the UNL community, as well as hundreds of man-hours over months. This plan presents a laser focus on moving us to the next level, said Sue Sheridan, the director of the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools. Sheridan, another co-chair, described the document as bold and inclusive, and a road map on how to strategically get from point A to point B. Strategic plan's goals Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will present a special 1-hour ranger-led program on Saturday, Feb. 29, at 2 p.m., discussing the experiences the Cherokee Tribe endured as they made a new life in Indian Territory. This program will take place at the Browns Ferry Federal Road Trail, 707 Moccasin Bend Road. Review for the program: It was a region within the land purchased by the United States from France. The name for this place came from the indigenous peoples forced here from their native lands with the passage of the Indian Removal Act in 1830, this was Indian Territory. The Cherokee had established strong communities in their native lands in the Southeast. When they arrived in Indian Territory, they were determined to reestablish those same type of communities. There would be challenges though. The removed tribes, including the Cherokee, would face pressures in their new home. Hostile confrontations, theft, and tensions were building between the new tribes forced here and the American Indian tribes already established here for centuries. For more information about upcoming programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, please contact the Lookout Mountain Visitor Center at 821-7786, the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at (706) 866-9241, or visit the parks website at www.nps.gov/chch. Internally displaced children stand on snow near tents at a makeshift camp in Azaz, Syria, on Feb. 13, 2020. (Khalil Ashawi/Reuters) Over 800,000 Syrians Flee Assad Offensive: UN AMMANMore than 800,000 Syrians, mostly women and children, have fled their homes during a Syrian military campaign backed by Russia to clear Syrian rebels in northwest Syria since Dec. 1, a senior U.N. spokesperson said on Thursday. The exodus is expected to continue, with thousands of people on the move as whole towns and communities flee to the safety of areas near the Turkish border, David Swanson told Reuters. Tragically, the number of people displacedthe vast majority of them women and childrenhas now surpassed 800,000, Swanson said. The Assad regimes artillery and Russian jets have pounded towns and villages since early December in a renewed assault backed by Russia and pro-Iranian militias aimed at clearing Syrian opposition forces. Residents are fleeing by the thousands in open trucks or by foot; often at night to escape detection despite the bitter cold temperatures, Swanson, the U.N. regional spokesman for Syria, told Reuters. U.N. officials say the region is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. Those on the run in Idlib and adjoining Aleppo province are joining close to 400,000 people who fled earlier bouts of fighting to the safety of camps near the Turkish border. The latest offensive has brought the military campaign closer to heavily populated northern Idlib along the border, where nearly 3 million people are trapped, according to the United Nations. Families fleeing air strikes and advancing troops in Idlib province are sleeping rough in streets and olive groves, and burning toxic bundles of rubbish to stay warm in the biting winter weather, aid workers say. The confrontations between Ankara and Damascus continue the nine-year-old war in which Russia and Iran have backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. By Suleiman Al-Khalidi 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." 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." But the two men took their case to the High Court. And the seven judges, by a majority of four to three, decided that Aboriginal people cannot be "alien" because they have a deeper connection to this land than citizenship can bestow. Loading So the federal government had no authority to deport them, even though they were not citizens. The court's 1992 decision in the Mabo case already recognised that Indigenous Australians had a unique connection, predating British colonisation, to the land and waters of Australia. Now, as one of the majority judges, James Edelman, put it, this connection is an underlying fundamental truth that cannot be altered or deemed not to exist by legislation. Or, as Stan Grant put it to me, "fundamentally they are saying there's a connection to this country that predates British settlement and survives British settlement and continues to constitute a unique status. Indigeneity sits outside the bounds of citizenship." But won't every non-citizen crook now avoid deportation by just claiming to be Aboriginal? Not so fast. The High Court applied the same three-part test as the Mabo judgment did, further entrenching this as the benchmark you have to be the biological descendant of Aboriginal people who lived in Australia before British settlement, you have to identify as Aboriginal, and you have to be recognised by an Aboriginal community and its elders. In the case of the two men before the court this week, the court found that Brendan Thoms, who served jail time for domestic violence, was an Indigenous Australian even though hed been born in New Zealand and is an NZ citizen. It couldnt be satisfied of the Aboriginality of the other, Daniel Love. He was born in Papua New Guinea. He had been jailed for inflicting grievous bodily harm in a separate matter. The High Court sent the question to the Federal Court to decide. But his name has given the whole case its short title the Love case under which both men are bundled. Loading The ruling "makes me feel good to be an Australian", says Stan Grant. But the noted Jesuit jurist and long-time advocate for Aboriginal rights, Father Frank Brennan, had a very different reaction. He said that "my heart sank when I heard the news". How so? "I thought, there goes the Voice to Parliament, there goes anything in the form of constitutional recognition through a referendum." "This now gives conservatives a cause," Brennan tells me. "Conservatives will argue that 'the constitution presently doesn't mention Aborigines, but the High Court has found a way to recognise two types of people, Aborigines and non-Aborigines. If we then add a clause that specifically mentions them, where will it stop?'" And indeed the immediate objection to the Love judgment was that it creates two classes of citizens. One class is subject to all the laws of the Parliament, and the other, by virtue of race, is not. Morgan Begg of the Institute of Public Affairs attacked this as "a total repudiation of racial equality" and "a direct attack on the sovereignty of the Crown". Grant doesn't dispute that the judgment creates two distinct groups: "Yes, there are two classes of Australians. I don't enter Australia through settlement or through immigration. I enter Australia through deep ancestral connection. The courts recognised that earlier through the Mabo judgment on native title, and on the basis of that we have this judgment that starts to flesh out the implications of Mabo." He emphasises that Aboriginal sovereignty was never ceded. Other British offspring, such as the US and NZ, have always recognised two distinct groups by striking early treaties between the colonists and the Indigenous peoples. However flawed those treaties, they established clarity of at least some sovereign rights for their first peoples. Australia is groping its way towards doing the same thing but very incrementally, through political argument and judicial ruling. Frank Brennan's concern is that while this may be all very heartening, it's not very practical. In the world of realpolitik, he fears, the Love judgment could backfire badly. On one level, Brennan, now rector of Newman College at the University of Melbourne, thinks that the decision is really just a matter of common sense "How can you say someone ethnically Aboriginal is an alien simply because they're not born in Australia?" But on another he fears it will provoke a political reaction that kills off any near-term hope of parliamentary progress. The constitutional scholar Anne Twomey, of Sydney University, agrees. "This doesn't give anything practical to Indigenous people, at least that we know of." The only practical beneficiaries are non-citizen Aboriginal people who the government is trying to deport, and this is a mere handful. Loading "Unlike the Voice to Parliament, a way to give well-considered, practical and useful advice to the Parliament on laws that will affect Aboriginal people. So if the outcome of this case is to destroy the prospects of the reform that is the Voice to Parliament, it may have an effect on Aboriginal people that's quite detrimental. This judgment may spook people who therefore decide not to do anything more." And some of the detail and composition of the judgment troubles Twomey and Brennan alike. Twomey points out that the four judges in the majority each wrote a separate judgment: "They got to the same place but through quite different ways. We have no idea what is going to pulled out of this in future cases." Brennan calls the fact of these separate judgments "a sign of potential trouble ahead". So, too, he says, is the fact that the dissenting minority comprises the Chief Justice, Susan Kiefel, and "the two strongest intellectuals on the court", Stephen Gageler and Patrick Keane. Indeed, Gageler objected to the majority's "inference of a race-based constitutional limitation on legislative power, which he called creativity. And this will be at the core of criticism of the Love decision that it is judicial creativity or "activism" rather than a black-letter interpretation of the constitution. The Morrison government's immediate reaction certainly wasn't a happy one. The Attorney-General, Christian Porter, described it as "a pretty novel sort of a decision" and said he was "absolutely" in agreement with the reasoning of the minority. Porter said that while it "might not be a very large group of people" affected, it was nonetheless "a group who will now have to be treated differently from all other persons in the same circumstances". Peter Dutton, responsible for immigration, said the judgment "creates another class of people, which I think is a very bad thing". He said the government would consider "what our options are to legislate where we can and to try and restrict the damage". Porter said that the government would now consider deportations through another head of power. Three could be possible the race power, the immigration power and the nationhood power, according to Twomey. But none might be worth the effort. "The Commonwealth will look at it but I suspect they might decide it doesn't want to poke the court like that." Another blowback from this judgment is that it energises conservatives calling for a more politicised process of High Court appointments, taking Australia closer to an Americanised court. The IPA's Begg points out that two of the four judges in the majority will reach retirement age in the next 13 months, and he urges Morrison to replace them with "explicitly capital-C conservatives". DARBY TOWNSHIP Fire ripped through a township apartment complex Thursday morning, officials said. Fire crews were called to the Greenhill Court Apartments in the 1300 block of Clifton Avenue just before 10 a.m. The fire quickly went to three alarms. The fire was reported on the second floor and heavy fire was also present in the attic space and walls. Tim Boyce, director of emergency services in Delaware County, said all residents safely evacuated and their was no reports of injuries. The multiple alarms were for manpower, Boyce said. A number of the units had just returned from a serious house fire in Darby Borough earlier in the morning. After searching the apartments to make sure everyone was out safely, firefighters attacked the fire which was located in the attic above the second floor. Multiple ladder trucks were used to allow firefighters to cut hole in the roof to allow super heated gas and smoke to escape and to prevent the spread of the flames. Firefighters in the apartments below pulled down ceilings and insulation to extinguish the blaze. Boyce said 12 units were damaged and residents most likely would not be able to return to them until repairs are made. It looked like it started in B building, it took a while before I saw flames, said John DeCarlo, a workman at the complex. The fire was under control by 11 a.m. and the cause is under investigation. The American Red Cross has a team of trained Red Cross disaster workers at the scene of this fire. There is a warming center open for displaced residents at the Darby Township Community Center a block away. The apartment complex is operated by the Delaware County Housing Authority. Traffic in the area was rerouted as hoses blocked off Hook Road. In addition to fire crews from Darby Township, Darby Borough, Collingdale, Tinicum, Leedom, Woodlyn, Glenolden, Norwood, Sharon Hill, Lansdowne, Yeadon, Parkside, Prospect Park and the County Communications truck were on location. The sale of Bombardier's remaining stake in the Airbus A220 passenger jet programme, the wings of which are made in Belfast, has been hailed as a "very good day" for the city. 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. It was confirmed on Thursday that Airbus acquired Bombardier's remaining interest for $591m (453m), raising its stake from 51% to 75%. The remaining 25% is held by the government of Quebec, where Bombardier is based. Almost 700 orders have been made for the jet, with the latest an order of 50 for Green Africa Airways, Nigeria's Lagos-based airline, being announced shortly after the acquisition. Bombardier sold its Belfast operation to US company Spirit AeroSystems last year and a spokesperson for the firm said the "Airbus A220 programme's new ownership structure has no impact on our Belfast site's wing manufacture and assembly for this aircraft". East Belfast DUP MP Gavin Robinson said that it was a "very good day for the A220 programme and more widely for the plant in Belfast". "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," he said. "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." Guillaume Faury, Airbus chief executive, said the agreement with Bombardier and Quebec's government "demonstrates our support and commitment to the A220 and Airbus in Canada". "Furthermore it extends our trustful partnership with the Government of Quebec," he added. "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 restructuring 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. Bombardier was at the centre of a major trading dispute with Boeing which led to the US government threatening to impose duties of almost 300% Boeing argued state intervention meant it had an unfair advantage in the market place, but Bombardier won the case. 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. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid- (A) fibrillation and plaque formation. While more than 50 millions of people are devastated by AD, no treatment is available. Recently, anti-A antibody-based immunotherapy has failed in clinical trials, partially due to the increased cytotoxicity of soluble A oligomers. Therefore, developing a medication for AD treatment becomes an even more grave challenge. In a new research article published in the Beijing-based National Science Review, scientists at the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology in China explored the possibility of treating with gold nanoclusters. As illustrated in Figure 1, Au23(CR)14, a novel gold nanocluster modified with Cys-Arg (CR) dipeptide, functions in multiple stages of the progression from A monomer to A plaques: inhibiting the misfolding and fibrillation of amyloid- (A), fully dissolving the preformed/mature A fibrils and restoring the conformation of A peptides from misfolded -sheets into unfolded monomer state with abolished cytotoxicity, and more importantly, completely dissolving endogenous A plaques in the brain slices from transgenic AD model mice. Furthermore, Au23(CR)14 has good biocompatibility and infiltration ability across the blood brain barrier (BBB). This article not only presents a compelling nanotherapeutic candidate for AD treatment, but also opens a new frontier for developing nanomaterial-based medications for AD treatment. Undoubtedly, more researches studying the basic mechanisms by which gold nanoclusters dissolve A plaques will spur the development of new medications for AD treatment. ### This research received funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21975191, 21805218, 51873168, 81803515, 51533007 and 51521001) and the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province (2018CFA002 and 2018CFB348). See the article: Wenkang Zhang, Guanbin Gao*, Zhongjie Ma, Zhuoying Luo, Meng He, and Taolei Sun* Au23(CR)14 Nanocluster Restores Fibril A's Unfolded State with Abolished Cytotoxicity and Dissolves Endogenous A Plaques Natl Sci Rev Doi:10.1093/nsr/nwz215 https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwz215 The National Science Review is the first comprehensive scholarly journal released in English in China that is aimed at linking the country's rapidly advancing community of scientists with the global frontiers of science and technology. The journal also aims to shine a worldwide spotlight on scientific research advances across China. Naftogaz Ukrainy Executive Officer Yuriy Vitrenko has filed a lawsuit with Kyiv's Pechersky District court over the non-payment of a bonus for the victory in the case heard by the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce against Gazprom. "I demand that Naftogaz fulfill its obligations under the employment contract salary payments. This bonus is part of the salary under Ukrainian law, it is prescribed in my employment contract and therefore should have been automatically paid on December 30 [2019]," he said in the Countdown program on the UA:Pershyi TV channel on Thursday. Vitrenko said that he had previously suggested options for this bonus to the country's leadership, but there was no reaction to them. "I hope that the decision [of the Pechersky District court] will be fair, no one will telephone there," he said. Earlier this week he said that in the middle of January he proposed to the political leaders of the country to give his bonus to all Ukrainians. He said that he considers his bonus to be well-deserved, calling on the authorities to publicly recognize the validity of its payment and thereby demonstrating his commitment to the principle of public justice. The $3.8bn would come from National Guard and weapons programmes, setting the stage for possible clash with Democrats. The United States Defense Department sent Congress a request to shift nearly four billion dollars from the military budget to pay for a wall on the border with Mexico, a central promise of President Donald Trumps campaign for the White House four years ago and bid this year for a second term. Legislators said they received a request on Thursday to reprogramme more than $3.8bn from funding for the National Guard and weapons programmes, setting the stage for a possible confrontation with Democrats. Democratic aides said $1.5bn would come from the National Guard, and the rest from funds for procurement, including the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jet programme, Lockheed C-130 aircraft, Boeing Co P-8 Poseidon aircraft, Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey helicopters and shipbuilding. Congressional Democrats, who opposed Trumps past diversion of billions of dollars in military spending to the border wall project, said the decision was dangerous and misguided. President Trump is once again disrespecting the separation of powers and endangering our security by raiding military resources to pay for his wasteful border wall, said Democratic Representatives Nita Lowey, chairwoman of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, and Pete Visclosky, chairman of the Defense Appropriations subcommittee. The Constitution gives Congress, not the President, the power of the purse. Congress rejected President Trumps full request for wall funding, which is why he is now orchestrating this backdoor mechanism to prop up a political vanity project, they said in a statement. The Trump administration has promised to build at least 640km (400 miles) of wall along the border by November 2020, when Americans will vote for president. In his 2016 campaign, Trump said Mexico would pay for the wall. The Mexican government has consistently refused to do so. Border Wall System update: 119 miles completed 220 miles under construction 237 miles in pre-construction pic.twitter.com/N57pdvlC8A Chief Rodney Scott (@USBPChief) February 10, 2020 Trumps hardline immigration policies, particularly for immigrants who come across the southern border with Mexico, have been a signature of his political campaign and first term in the White House, drawing condemnation from rights groups and immigrant advocates. The Trump administration has built over 160km (100 miles) of border wall, according to US Customs and Border Protection statistics. All of those barriers replaced existing structures, the agency said. DUBLIN (dpa-AFX) - Ingersoll-Rand plc (IR) said Friday that it has set a record date of February 24, 2020 for the proposed spin-off of its Industrial segment. The company expects the spin-off and the previously announced merger to be completed on February 29, 2020, subject to certain remaining conditions including the approval by the stockholders of Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc. (GDI). Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, Ingersoll Rand will distribute all of the shares of common stock of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ingersoll-Rand U.S. HoldCo, Inc., to Ingersoll Rand shareholders as of the record date by means of a pro rata distribution. The company noted that the distribution will not impact the number of shares held by shareholders in Ingersoll-Rand plc, which is expected to change its name to Trane Technologies plc and its ticker symbol to 'TT' following the merger. Immediately after the spin-off, Ingersoll Rand Industrial will merge with a subsidiary of Gardner Denver. In connection with the merger, the Ingersoll Rand Industrial shares would be converted to the right to receive Gardner Denver shares. Upon completion of the merger, shareholders of Ingersoll Rand shareholders are expected to collectively own about 50.1 percent of the shares of Gardner Denver common stock on a fully-diluted basis, while current Gardner Denver stockholders are expected to collectively own the remaining 49.9 percent of the shares on a fully-diluted basis. Ingersoll Rand advised shareholders to take no action to receive their shares of Gardner Denver common stock in the merger. The company added that no fractional shares of Gardner Denver common stock will be issued in the merger, and instead Ingersoll Rand shareholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional share. Further, Ingersoll Rand has been advised by the NYSE that, beginning on or about February 21, 2020 and continuing through the last trading day prior to the closing date of the merger, there will be two markets in ordinary shares of Ingersoll Rand on the NYSE: a 'regular way' market and an 'ex-distribution' market. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de What Does the Bible Say about Loving My Neighbor? The command to love ones neighbor is ever-present in both Testaments, but it is clarified by the Lord Jesus: Jesus answered, The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these (Mark 12:29-31). The way Jesus presents it, loving God is first, loving your neighbor is second. But they are intertwined. When others ask Jesus who should be considered ones neighbor, He shares the story of the Good Samaritan, showing that everyone and anyone should be considered a neighbor. How then should a believer treat others, their neighbors? The Bible addresses this topic in several key verses and passages: Galatians 5:13-15 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. Here, the Bible shows that love is where true freedom is. There are no limitations to the brotherly love one can show, especially through acts of service. Love does not turn against its neighbor, but gives through sacrifice with joy. James 2:8-9 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. In these verses, and the surrounding verses, the epistle writer emphasizes that love does not show partiality to status or wealth. It is for all, and should be shown equally to everyone. If one is kind to the wealthy and powerful, but ignores others, then one is not showing the same love as Jesus. Deuteronomy 10:19 Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. This command in the law reminds the Hebrews that at one point in their history they were strangers in a strange land, and that part of loving like God means loving that person who does not resemble oneself. In context, this command also meant loving those of another faith. A great example of this kind of love towards strangers is the kindness initially shown by Boaz to Ruth when the Moabites come to glean in his fields. Romans 12:9-13 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. This passage from Romans covers several types of love, as well as how it manifests. It is sincere, and wants good things. It is honorable and seeks to serve. It responds to needs, especially the needs of fellow believers. Photo credit: Getty Images/Daisy Dais The relationship between India and the United States the two largest democracies of the world is seen as the most transformational one in the current era, New Delhi's top envoy to the US has said. "Today, the US-India relationship, is being seen, as the most transformational relationship of our times," India's new Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu said in his address to a gathering of American business community at a reception hosted in his honour by US India Business Council (USIBC) on Thursday. "The relationship has enjoyed strong bipartisan support in the United States. This is an affirmation of our shared values, of our common commitment to democracy and pluralism," he said. Sandhu said the economic partnership between the two countries has grown from strength-to-strength over the years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set an ambitious target to make India a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024 and the US is a preferred partner in that endeavour, he added. "Bilateral trade is growing at 10 per cent on a year-to-year basis and has reached USD 160 billion in 2019. Two-way investment between India and US reached USD 60 billion in 2018," he said. "More than 2000 US companies have a presence in India. Over 200 Indian companies have invested USD 18 billion in the US creating more than 100,000 direct jobs," he added. Sandhu said that USIBC under its president Nisha Desai Biswal has become a prominent powerhouse in the India-US policy sphere. "She is a close friend, and true partner for India - one whom I have had the pleasure to have worked closely with from the Hill to Foggy Bottom," he said. Biswal as the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia during the Obama Administration played a key role in strengthening India-US relationship. "She is also, without a doubt, one of the most recognizable faces of the United States in India," he said. "But even as we celebrate the progress we have made, Nisha and I would agree that our task remains unfinished that the business of this extraordinary partnership between India and the United States is very much a work in progress," Sandhu said. Business, industry, academia, think tanks, civil society, and media all play an important role in building India-US relationship, he noted. It is in this context that USIBC is an important player as a strong bridge-builder, and a force multiplier; but most importantly as a mirror that reflects the expectations of the people, he said. USIBC's role remains integral to the success of both governments, the ambassador said. Meanwhile, Biswal said Sandhu has been part of this "US-India story". This is Sandhu's fourth stint in the US as an Indian diplomat, which includes two previous postings in Washington DC and one at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Alice G Wells said: "Ambassador Sandhu is a seasoned veteran of Washington and a true friend of the US-India partnership." Under Biswal, USIBC is playing an indispensable role in building the private sector linkages that are so vital to this relationship, Wells said. Many of the US-India milestones achieved in recent years are due in no small part because of Biswal's efforts, Wells said. When Sandhu was the Deputy Ambassador at the Indian Embassy here, Biswal was the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has met the Cuban Minister of Education Ena Elsa Velazquez Cobiella in Havana, following earlier discussions between the two colleague Ministers. Dr. Prempeh requested the support of Cuba in the area of special Needs Education and Early Grade teaching within the context of the cooperation between the two countries in the education sector. As I said I want the Ghana Embassy in Cuba to immediately engage your office as part of our treaty or cooperation agreement. These two areas are key, bringing Ghanaian teachers to be trained and sending Cubans to train our teachers. In Ghana, we have schools that train teachers and schools that need teachers, he revealed. On her part, Ms. Velazquez said Cuba has improved the training of personnel in the field of Special Needs Education and that her country is ready to assist Ghana in this speciality area. She added that since the teaching and training of Children with Special Needs is important, their system covers such children to age 21. We are ready with a draft and we will be sending it to the Cuban Embassy in Ghana as we continue to work with the delegation from Ghana. We are able to dedicate time to work on this and I assure you that they are in safe hands She said. Dr. Prempeh thanked the Minister and her officials and used the opportunity to brief her of an earlier meeting with the Cuban Higher Education Minister, where they discussed the need to expand the exchanges which is mostly in medicine. Ghanas need now is in the area of Post Graduate medicine such as Radiology, Pathology, Forensic, Post Graduate courses in Lab and Pharmacy amongst others as well as in Technical and Vocational areas. The embassy will start the discussion and let us know what Cuba has to offer. The Minister of Education was in Cuba to attend the 12TH International Congress of Higher Education on behalf of Ghana. He was accompanied by the Executive Secretary of NCTE, Prof. Mohammed Salifu and Director of PBME at the Ministry of Education, Mr. Isaac N. Biney. 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. Featured Video President Donald Trump has said that the United States is "very close" to a peace deal with the Taliban guerrillas in Afghanistan. "I think we're very close. I think there's a good chance that we'll have a deal and we'll see," he told Geraldo Rivera's "Roadkill" radio show. "That doesn't mean we'll have one but we'll know over the next two weeks," he said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said that if required, the government would take more steps beyond the announcements made in the Union Budget 2020-21 New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said that if required, the government would take more steps beyond the announcements made in the Union Budget 2020-21 to boost economic activities. At an interactive session on 'Budget and Beyond' with professionals from asset management, wealth advisory, tax consultancy and other related industries, the minister also said the Budget 2020-21 was a budget where the impact on equity, bond and currency markets was positive. "If more has to be done beyond the Budget 2020, we are willing to do that," Sitharaman said at the session, where the participants made several suggestions to boost economic activities in the country. The government announced a host of steps in the Union Budget, presented on 1 February in Parliament, to expand the economic activities at a time when the country is faced with demand slowdown due to several reasons. The country's GDP growth is estimated to slow to an 11-year low of 5 percent in the current financial year. During the interactive session, participants made suggestions for increasing consumption, giving more money into the hands of consumers, measures required to boost liquidity and hosts of suggestions for the capital markets. Several suggestions were also made on the 'Vivad se Vishwas' scheme to deal with the disputes related to the direct taxes. It was announced in the Budget 2020-21. She said the finance ministry will provide details of the scheme soon. However, Parliament approval will be required before the scheme is implemented. The Union Cabinet has approved certain amendments to the scheme. "In a day or two, we shall be coming with a clear non-paper (on the scheme) because Parliament is yet to pass it," she said. To a suggestion regarding PAN card, the minister said the issuance process would be simplified further. She assured the participants that her ministry would look into the suggestions. The finance minister had similar interactive sessions in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata last week. The meeting was also attended by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar and CEO Amitabh Kant, besides secretaries of the finance ministry. Samsung Electronics' board Chairman Lee Sang-hoon, who was convicted and jailed for sabotaging union activities, has resigned from the South Korean company, it said on Friday. The resignation comes less than two years after Lee's appointment split the chairman and chief executive roles for the first time in an effort to enhance transparency and independence of the world's top memory chip manufacturer in the wake of a corruption scandal involving group heir Jay Y. Lee. "Samsung suffered a major setback to its bid to strengthen its board ... and it would need a fresh face to turn around," said Park Ju-gun, head of research firm CEO Score, adding that the move was widely expected given that Lee Sang-hoon is in prison. Samsung said Lee's successor will be appointed in the near future and could be picked from remaining members of its board, which consists of six external directors and three internal executives. Those include the three CEOs of Samsung's components, mobiles and consumer electronics divisions. The change at the top comes as Jay Y. Lee faces trial on charges that he bribed a friend of former president Park Geun-hye to win government favour over succession planning at the conglomerate. Criticized by a judge overseeing Lee's bribery case for its lack of an effective compliance system, Samsung and some of its key affiliates have recently appointed external experts to a new oversight panel to stamp out criminal conduct. Lee Sang-hoon was given a 1-1/2 year jail sentence in December for sabotaging legitimate union activities. He has appealed against the decision. Samsung's board chairman is not involved in day-to-day business operations but chairs a board meeting to review and approve major business decisions including investment plans. The company is expected to hold a shareholder meeting in March. New Delhi: Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram said on Thursday that if the Supreme Court continues the validity of the Citizenship Amendment Act and Muslims are kept in detention camps, then there should be a large scale agitation in the country. In a program at the Jawaharlal Nehru University on this matter, Chidambaram said that after the exclusion of 19 lakh people from the NRC in Assam, the government brought the CAA so that 12 lakh of them could be given citizenship. UP Budget Session 2020: Opposition started creating ruckus, demands this in assembly A student questioned that if the Supreme Court upholds CAA, then what step can be taken? Then Chidambaram told that, "Only those out of the list will be Muslims, they will try to find them and will be excluded." They (government) will declare that Muslims are not part of the country. If a Muslim is taken out or sent to a detention camp, there should be a mass movement. He also said that the Congress believes that the CAA should be completely abolished. The same should be done at the political level so that the National Population Register can be avoided from 2024 onwards. Chidambaram also said that, "Someday in this government, suddenly JNU can be named Modi or Amit Shah University." He alleged that the performance of Shaheen Bagh is a hoax of the BJP. If we talk, in many countries like Israel, citizenship is being given on the basis of religion, but this may not be possible in India. Our constitution does not give its permission. We cannot support religion based oppression. We do not need to make laws for refugees. SC: Hearing on CBI's application against Lalu Yadav today, will be able to get bail Chidambaram also brought to light the question, "Why does the CAA only mention minorities from 3 countries (Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan)?" Why did we not include Nepal, Bhutan and China in it? Pakistan's Ahmadiyya and Shia, Myanmar's Rohingya and Tamil Hindus also have a lot of persecution cases, so why are they excluded? "Questioning the NRC, the former finance minister said that hardly any in the world Which country will accept those living outside the document? He has said this question targeting the Modi government. Our country is religious and such laws are not possible in the country. After the Supreme Court verdict against the rebel candidates, these people got a shock Hiram Revels is worth remembering as both a pioneer of black political power and a refutation of racist stereotypes. Born free in Fayetteville, N.C., in 1827, he studied at religious seminaries in Indiana and Ohio and at Knox College in Illinois. Ordained as a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1845, he traveled the Midwest as an itinerant missionary and courageously ventured into the upper South to bring religious instruction to slaves. When the Civil War broke out, Revels was working in Baltimore as an A.M.E. minister and the principal of a high school for black students. He came to Union-occupied Mississippi in 1864 and threw himself into educating the former slaves. Revelss political career began in 1868, when Union general Adelbert Ames, the states provisional governor, appointed him as an alderman in Natchez. He was soon elected to the State Senate. Mississippis lawmakers, who included almost three dozen African-Americans, chose Ames for one vacant United States Senate term and Revels for the year that remained of another. In an anticipation of recent efforts to deny the citizenship of Mr. Obama, the Senates small contingent of Democrats challenged Revelss right to take his seat. The Constitution requires a senator to have been a citizen for at least nine years. But black citizenship, Democrats insisted, had only been established by the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868. Some even claimed that the prewar Dred Scott decision, which limited citizenship to whites, remained the law of the land. But by a vote of 48 to 8 the Senate chose to seat Revels. During his year in office, Revels later wrote, I did all I could for the benefit of my needy and much imposed-upon people. He spoke vigorously for the reinstatement of black legislators who had been illegally expelled from Georgias General Assembly. He persuaded Secretary of War William W. Belknap to arrange for black mechanics to be hired for the first time at the Baltimore Navy Yard. When a bill to establish a free public education system in the nations capital came before the Senate, Revels strenuously opposed an amendment to allow racial segregation in school admissions. But the amendment passed, and the District of Columbias school system was not integrated until the mid-1950s. Despite his outspoken statements against racial discrimination, Revels was far more conservative than other Mississippi black political leaders. He believed that the unavoidably poor and ignorant colored people needed moral and religious guidance from well-disposed whites. In 1890, Mississippis constitutional convention stripped the states black population of its right to vote through ostensibly race-neutral requirements, including payment of a poll tax and the ability to explain a portion of the State Constitution. Revelss response was to call on blacks to seek the confidence, respect and protection of those white citizens who have the influence and power to protect them, winning their respect by their industry. This was essentially the political strategy Booker T. Washington would advocate five years later in his celebrated speech at the Atlanta Cotton States Exposition. Indi Design was founded in 2009 by Sudhir Sharma. They are very well known for the Brand design work for Bajaj Auto, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finserv, and Varroc. With partner offices in Shanghai, Sao Paulo, Hanoi and Riyadh, Indi Design has become increasingly involved in management consulting, organizational design and the design of products, services, environments and digital experiences. They also publish India's only design magazine "Pool / Design India" and host "India's Best Design Awards." Sudhir Sharma is a highly reputed thought leader in the Design community. He was on the jury panel of the inaugural Cannes Lions for Design 2008, Adfest, Spikes Asia, Dutch Design Awards, Design Turkey, IXDA New York. He is a member of the India Design Council and is an Alumnus of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Global Council for Design. Commenting on the acquisition, Sudhir said, "When Design and Tech come together, we create new benchmarks in creativity and innovation. Tech is reorganizing Design thinking in ways that were not possible earlier. My whole team and I are very excited about the possibilities this development throws up." Arjun Rao, CEO of ValueLabs said, "Indi Design's approach fits very well with our Digital Flywheel, taking our business strategy and UX offerings to a much higher level, enhancing the overall value proposition we offer our clients. With this world class Design & UX capability, powered by all things Tech in Data & Analytics, Automation and Product Development, we now have a package that not many in the world can offer!" ValueLabs' award-winning in-house UX group has already furthered their position in the Design industry. ValueLabs' clients now get access to Indi Design's offerings of Brand thinking along with a comprehensive Design background. About ValueLabs ValueLabs is a global technology company focused on Product Development, Data Technology and Digital Services. Powered by The Digital Flywheel, ValueLabs provides end-to-end solutions in the fields of Customer Experience, Data & Analytics, Product Development, and Automation. Over the last 22 years, the company has expanded to 30 locations, 5500 associates, 150 clients worldwide, and recorded an industry-leading client Net Promoter Score (NPS) of over 75 in 2019. About Indi Design Indi Design is an international Brand, Design & Innovation consultancy firm. Founded in Pune, India, Indi Design helps create, manage and communicate an organisation's vision for their brand. They have partner offices in Shanghai, Sao Paulo, Hanoi and Riyadh. Indi Design has become increasingly involved in management consulting, organizational design and the design of products, services, environments and digital experiences. About The Digital Flywheel The concept of The Digital Flywheel was developed using the following four elements: Design, Data & Analytics, Automation and Product Development. We have Business Strategy at the core of The Digital Flywheel, to stay aligned with our clients' digital transformation goals. Each element of The Digital Flywheel amplifies the other, creating sustainable business momentum. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1090819/Digital_Flywheel.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1022046/ValueLabs_LLP_Logo.jpg Contact Bhavana Reddy [email protected] SOURCE ValueLabs Related Links https://www.valuelabs.com/ Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 17:03:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's persistent efforts in strengthening its general aviation sector has been paid off in the nationwide fighting against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As of Feb. 12, 105 general aviation companies around the country, including 75 companies in the business of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), had joined the fight in one way or another, according to preliminary statistics from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Various general aviation aircraft have been used to deliver emergency supplies, conduct aerial patrol, spray disinfectant and carry out public education. A total of 558 of various kinds of general aviation vehicles conducted around 1,250 flight hours in 4,648 flights, carrying more than 47 tonnes of medical and other emergency supplies. The general aviation sector is playing unique roles in fighting against the epidemic, thanks to the diversified functions of general aviation vehicles including helicopters, unmanned vehicles and small-and-medium general airplanes. As of Feb. 12, the general aviation sector has completed more than 2,400 incidents of disinfection, and 704 aerial inspections and other aerial operations. China has listed the general aviation industry as one of the strategic emerging industries and taken measures to encourage its development. As a result, the industry has seen surging flight hours and more certified general airports. As of the end of 2019, China had 246 certified general airports. In a statement Thursday, the CAAC said the advantages o general aviation should be put into full use in the fighting against the epidemic and urged local aviation authorities to improve its service to business operators and cut various fees. By Mei Mei Chu and Rajendra Jadhav KUALA LUMPUR/MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's halt on Malaysian palm oil imports has disrupted global edible oil trade flows, with Indonesia diverting supplies to feed India, Malaysia rushing to tap markets left behind by Jakarta, and India substituting palm with other oils. India, the top global palm oil buyer, imposed restrictions on imports of refined palm oil last month, a move sources said was retaliation against Malaysia's criticism of New Delhi's actions in Kashmir and a new citizenship law. Traders had also held off buying crude palm oil from Malaysia. Malaysia's latest palm export data revealed the impact of India's restrictions, with shipments to India in January falling 85% from a year earlier to 46,876 tonnes, the lowest since 2011. India accounted for nearly a quarter of Malaysia's total palm oil exports last year, and has been the biggest buyer of Malaysian palm oil for five years. To compensate, Malaysia dialed up shipments to other destinations, with exports to Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Ghana - markets that have traditionally bought heavily from Indonesia - all increasing in January by more than 100% from the same month in 2019. "A rebalancing is happening in the palm oil market," said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trading firm. "European and price-sensitive Asian buyers are switching to Malaysia from Indonesia due to lower prices." Indonesian prices have climbed to a rare premium to Malaysian levels this year, on expectations of higher Indian purchases. Lee Yeow Chor, chairman of state agency and industry body the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), said lower stockpiles in Malaysia have so far cushioned producers from the full impact of India's drop off. "Right now, the situation for Malaysia is not critical. We are still tight on stocks... (India) may buy more from Indonesia. But that will open up a vacuum somewhere in the market elsewhere," Lee said. Malaysian stockpiles are at a two-year low. Story continues Lee said Malaysia was looking to expand market share in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia. Data from the Malaysia Palm Oil Board shows Malaysia sold 170,802 tonnes of palm oil to Pakistan last month compared to 80,660 tonnes a year earlier. It also sold 12,527 tonnes to Bangladesh, up from 575 tonnes the year before. Indonesia was the biggest supplier to these markets last year. INDIA SHIFTING FROM PALM Benchmark palm oil prices rose by 60% from July to December last year, though they have fallen recently on concerns over Indian demand and the coronavirus outbreak in China. India, a price sensitive market, had slowed palm purchases in the last three months because of the rising prices. A narrowing spread between the price of palm oil and that of other oils has also encouraged substitution. India's imports of palm oil in January fell 27% from a year ago to 594,804 tonnes, while soyoil and sunflower oil imports jumped 40% and 51%, respectively, data from the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) showed. That pushed palm oil's share in India's edible oil import basket to 51% in January, the lowest since June 2018. B.V. Mehta, executive director of the SEA, said Indonesian suppliers could lower prices to retain buyers or India would continue to buy more rival oils. "It can't charge a hefty premium consistently over Malaysian supplies. Whenever a gap between palm oil and soft oils narrows, Indian buyers shift to soft oils," he said. (Reporting by Mei Mei Chu and A. Ananthalakshmi in Kuala Lumpur and Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai; Editing by Gavin Maguire and Christian Schmollinger) A total of 2 kg of gold worth Rs 86 lakh was seized from the passengers at Chennai airport by the Customs department in the past two days under the Customs Act 1962. According to the statement by Commissioner of Customs at Chennai Airport, "On Thursday night, Syed Ansari (27) of Ramnathpuram arrived from Colombo and Hammed Ibrahim (21) of Ramnathpuram arrived from Dubai, Masthan Gani (39) of Chennai and Ahmed Basheer (34) of Ramnathpuram arrived from Colombo were intercepted at the exit." "On personal search, 11 bundles of gold paste were recovered from the rectum. On extraction 1.36 Kg gold was recovered. One gold cut nit weighing 48 grams was recovered from one of them. Total 1.417 kg gold valued at Rs. 59.64 lakh was seized. One person was arrested," it added. In another recovery on the same night, Sekar Gundala (48) belonging to Tirupati arrived from Dubai and was intercepted at the exit. "240 grams gold valued Rs. 10 lakh was recovered and seized from his possession," the statement by Customs department read. Meanwhile, on Friday, an unclaimed pouch wrapped with adhesive tape was recovered from a flower pot in the arrival hall. On further search, 117 grams gold valued at Rs. 5 lakhs was found from it. "On Friday, one pouch wrapped with adhesive tape was recovered from a flower pot in the arrival hall. On extraction, 117 grams gold valued at Rs. 5 lakhs was recovered. As no claimant came forward to claim the gold was seized," the Customs department said. On the same day, the Customs department held Mohamed Sahib (29) of Ramnathpuram arrived from Singapore, in possession with four gold cut bits weighing 267 grams valued Rs. 11.23 lakh was recovered from his pant pocket. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) LAPEER, MI -- At a special board meeting held Wednesday, Feb. 12, the Lapeer Community Schools Board of Education discussed the districts strategic plan including a recommendation to close Mayfield Elementary at the end of the school year. The board will deliberate over the next three weeks before voting on the recommendation at its Wednesday, March 4 regular meeting, according to a Facebook post by the district. The district will host an informational meeting for parents at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Administration Building, 250 2nd St, Lapeer. We understand that there will be questions about this prospective closure and what it might mean for our current families, school officials wrote in the post. The strategic plan presentation shown to the board Wednesday night can be viewed here. The presentation points out that as birth rates in Lapeer decline, so does enrollment, which is the key factor in state funding. In 2008, enrollment was at 6,881. By 2019, enrollment has dropped to 4,940. A slide titled Ongoing Challenges, states that the district has $28 million worth of overdue capital improvements district-wide between Mayfield Elementary and the Lapeer Center for Innovation West Campus. The plan forward could include the closure of Mayfield Elementary, which would be marketed for sale. Turrill would remain year-round school for all elementary students. Voters reject $94.9M Lapeer Schools bond proposal A Lapeer Community Schools $94.9 million bond proposal was shot down by voters in the November election. The bond proposal was part of the districts restructuring plan that would reduce the district from eight buildings to five. It also would have funded the construction of a new high school and bus garage and renovation of multiple district buildings. Without the passage of the bond, construction and renovation plans will not happen, Superintendent Matt Wandrie said in November, but the district will still have to close buildings over coming years. The district will work to close buildings with minimal disruption to students, he added. The Queen is hoping her family will put on a 'united front' when Prince Harry returns to London for Commonwealth day in March, a source has told Us Weekly. Her Majesty reportedly wants Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle to return to the UK for the Commonwealth Day service on 9 March at Westminster Abbey, which will no doubt be attended by Prince William and Kate Middleton. 'The Queen's hoping everyone will put on a united front when Harry returns to London in March even though there's still tension behind closed doors,' the source said. 'It'll be interesting to watch their body language and see how they are together.' The Queen is hoping her family will put on a 'united front' when Prince Harry returns to London for Commonwealth day in March, a source has said. It follows reports that the Duke of Sussex's rift with his older brother Prince William still hasn't heeled following the fallout from Harry's decision to step down as a senior royal last month. They are pictured here at the Centenary of the Armistice with their wives in November 2018 Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 38, are currently living in a 10 million Vancouver Island mansion as they plan their new life outside of The Firm, having stepped back from royal duties in January. But the Queen requested Harry and Meghan attend the annual Commonwealth Service with the rest of the royals next month. Government representatives of the 53 member nations will gather at Westminster Abbey for the one-hour event on the afternoon of March 9. For the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, it will be wrapped into a wider whistle stop schedule which will mark their final duties on the family's frontline. The Queen requested Harry and Meghan attend the annual Commonwealth Service with the rest of the royals next month. She is pictured here visiting the RAF base in Marham, eastern England on February 3 It will be the first public appearance for the brothers since Harry quit royal life to pursue 'financial independence' in Canada with Meghan Markle. The brothers 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. It is believed 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 brothers rift is said to have begun in 2017 when Prince William warned his younger sibling he was 'moving too fast' with Meghan (pictured together in July 2018) While Harry and Meghan initially said they would be splitting their time between the UK and North America, it is now thought the couple and their son Archie will say mostly in Canada. In the latest sign the couple aren't set to return to London, Harry and Meghan are axing 15 staff and closing their Buckingham Palace office, the Daily Mail exclusively revealed today. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex broke the news to their team in person in January. While one or two may be absorbed back into the royal household, most are now negotiating redundancy packages. They are the latest casualties of Harry and Meghan's bombshell decision to move to North America and make their fortunes outside the Royal Family. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 23:15:25|Editor: zh Video Player Close Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Carrie Lam (C) speaks during a press conference in south China's Hong Kong, Feb. 14, 2020. Hong Kong has announced a basket of relief measures for businesses and residents suffering from the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and mulled allocating 25 billion Hong Kong dollars (3.22 billion U.S. dollars) for the fight against the epidemic. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai) HONG KONG, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong has announced a basket of relief measures for businesses and residents suffering from the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and mulled allocating 25 billion Hong Kong dollars (3.22 billion U.S. dollars) for the fight against the epidemic. Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam told a press conference Friday that the government will provide allowances for low-income households and subsidies for businesses including restaurants and travel agencies. To ensure the funds for the relief measures and also quick anti-epidemic response in the future, Lam said she will suggest the Legislative Council hold special meeting next week to earmark no less than 25 billion Hong Kong dollars. In the face of the COVID-19 situation, Lam had promised to set up a 10-billion-HK-dollar fund and extend or ramp up previous stimulus plans earlier this month. According to Friday's scheme, travel agencies will be granted 80,000 Hong Kong dollars each, and large and small restaurants will receive 200,000 and 80,000 dollars respectively. Retailers will be given 80,000 dollars. Property management companies, public or private, will also get 26,000 dollars. Some 200,000 low-income households will be offered 5,000 dollars each, and the allowance of students will be raised from 2,500 dollars to 3,500 dollars. The Hospital Authority, which administers public hospitals and clinics, will be granted additional 4.7 billion dollars. Lam called on lawmakers to pass the scheme as soon as possible to relieve the burden on residents and added that more relief measures in the pipeline will be disclosed in the upcoming budget. At the press conference, Lam also promised that the HKSAR government will strive to help Hong Kong residents in Hubei and on a cruise ship quarantined in Japan return to Hong Kong at an early date. (1 Hong Kong dollar equals 0.13 USD) Merissa Hamilton told lawmakers that, as a survivor of domestic violence, she has to carry a gun to protect herself. But she was working for a member of the Phoenix city council, and that building has a no-guns policy. She described an incident with a homeless person who was acting erratic and having a mental health crisis and attacked me several times. There was no one there to protect me and I had to wait for police to arrive, cowering once again in fear and having to relive the violence that happened to me prior, Hamilton said. Being able to carry a gun saves my life, she said. And if government is going to prohibit that, then they should have to be responsible for keeping me safe. Roxanne Pitones, a lobbyist for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, told lawmakers one problem with the measure is that it makes local governments strictly liable for any injury that occurs to anyone in a public building. She said that goes far beyond existing laws that allow people who believe they were injured to sue, but with a requirement to prove in court that the injury was caused at least in part by the government agencys negligence. While most visitors to Las Vegas very naturally get drawn in by the glitz and glamor of the world of high rollers, there is a very different aspect to the city that most people do not know about. It is a veritable hub of some of the most interesting art galleries and museums that you could experience. Here is a brief snapshot of the art and cultural attractions of Las Vegas that will make your vacation more interesting: Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art A regular host of internationally celebrated works of art and exhibitions, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art delights connoisseurs of art with its sheer diversity of shows. In the past, Bellagio has played host to notable exhibitions like Picasso Ceramics and Claude Monet: Impressions of Light to American Modernism. That Picasso is a favorite with Bellagio is obvious; the casino boasts of a two-Michelin-star restaurant bearing the Spanish maestros name tastefully decorated with ceramic works crafted by Picasso as well as a stunning collection of original works of art bearing the famous signature of one of the worlds most acclaimed artists. The Arts Factory Featuring in virtually every Las Vegas travel guide, The Arts Factory is one of the most famous destinations in the 18b Las Vegas Arts District where art galleries, artist studios, and antique shops sit cheek by jowl. Visitors can get introduced to a vast array of artistic styles and media as well as poetry readings, music concerts, and stage shows that make up its busy schedule. If you are lucky enough to be in town on the first Friday of the month, you can see the place coming alive with an intoxicating and vibrant street carnival. For those wanting a preview the art in peace and quiet, Preview Thursdays are ideal. Marjorie Barrick Museum The Marjorie Barrick Museum offers an interesting and diverse collection of exhibits that both lovers of modern art and history will appreciate. Originally planned to be a natural history museum, it is now an integral part of the University of Nevada Las Vegas complex. The museum houses an awesome collection of ethnographic and pre-Columbian art as well as contemporary art exhibits from the College of Fine Arts. When visiting the campus, do not forget to visit the Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery that features a rapidly changing schedule of local and international art exhibitions. The Mob Museum The Mob Museum or the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, its official name, is a museum with a difference. Set up to promote the understanding of the public regarding the history of organized crime and its impact on American society, the Mob Museum offers an authentic and bold view of organized crime in America. You can explore historical events and real stories of gangster activities though interactive exhibits and artifacts inside a former courthouse and post office building restored in 1933, which according to https://www.thetattooedtravelers.com, is the citys oldest standing building. Conclusion Whenever you want to take a break from rolling the dice in one of Las Vegas many casinos, you can pay a visit to one of the innumerable art galleries and exhibitions for an enthralling close-up with some of the best that the world of art has to offer. It is a guarantee that you will never forget this side of Las Vegas. JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ATP Flight School and Endeavor Air have established a partnership and mutual commitment to the development of professional pilots through designating ATP an Endeavor Air Student To Endeavor Pilot (STEP) Program Academy Partner. ATP Flight School ATP provides students with the most efficient path to a successful airline pilot career through quality airline-oriented flight training, from zero experience through an airline pilot job. Graduates complete the Airline Career Pilot Program in nine months and are guaranteed a flight instructor job to gain the flight experience required to fly as an airline pilot. Students and instructors that sign up for the STEP Program are able to receive one-on-one guidance from Endeavor recruiters and attend professional development presentations. Selected pilots are eligible for the opportunity to complete a First Officer interview 12 months before obtaining ATP minimums. "Our goal with the STEP Program is to help pilots prepare for a successful career in the airline industry," said Ginny Zarras, Director, Talent Acquisition and Development, Endeavor Air. "We are excited to launch STEP at ATP and partner with them to engage, encourage, and educate the next generation of pilots." As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, Endeavor Air offers pilots a defined career path to Delta. Through the Delta Guaranteed Interview (DGI) program, Endeavor pilots are eligible to receive a preferential scoring credit during the Delta panel interview and are not required to complete job knowledge testing. "We are proud to partner with Endeavor on the STEP Program, which expands the opportunity and options ATP graduates have to accelerate their airline pilot career," said Michael Arnold, Director of Marketing, ATP Flight School. "We are strongly committed to the career success of our students and are excited to share with them the professional development and support offered through Endeavor's STEP Program." Press Contact: Michael Arnold Director of Marketing ATP Flight School 904-595-7950 [email protected] Related Images image1.jpg Related Links ATP Flight School Program Information ATP Flight School and Endeavor Air Partnership SOURCE ATP Flight School Related Links https://atpflightschool.com/airlines/endeavor-air-alliance.html FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Getting arrested and needing to find a bail bondsman is not an easy experience to go through. It's equally hard on family members of the person who got arrested who may ultimately need to help post bail for their loved one. For this reason, finding a trusted bail bondsman that isn't going to take advantage of an emotional situation is essential when securing a bond. A Aabbott & Cathy Bail Bonds is based in Fort Lauderdale and has served the Broward, Palm Beach and Dade county area for over 3 decades. They also provide bonds Nationwide. They pride themselves on being the leading bail bondsman. They say that their focus on reliability, customer service and honest work is what garnered them the recognition. Call a trusted Bail Bondsman, A Aabbott & Cathy Bail Bonds at 954-463-6363. One of the most common ways that A Aabbott & Cathy Bail Bonds assists someone who has been arrested is by providing them with a signature bond. This type of bond allows the accused to secure their own bond with only their signature. Typically, a dollar value is assigned to a signature bond but it is not due up front. This helps people who are jailed and in a financially vulnerable position return to work until their court date. The signature on a signature bond is considered to take the place of collateral as the person arrested is assuring the bondsman that they will appear in court. Based solely on the word of the accused, signature bonds provide a particular type of service for low risk people. It gives them a chance to return home and show up to court without having to pay any bail. Signature bonds are also risky. In the event that someone who signed a signature bond fails to appear in court, a bench warrant will be issued and they may be expected to pay the full bail amount. Secure a signature bond in Florida by calling A Aabbott & Cathy at 954-463-6363. A Aabbott & Cathy Bail Bonds is a trusted professional that offers signature bonds and other types of bail bonds. Her team of bail agents are available 365 days a year and can write bails for the entire state of Florida as well as nationwide. They aim to make the bail bonds process as quick and painless as possible for their clients. Those seeking a signature bond and a trusted bail bond agent are advised to call A Aabbott & Cathy Bail Bonds at 954-463-6363 to discuss their options. Related Images broward-county-bail-bondsmen.png Broward County Bail Bondsmen A Aabbott & Cathy know that getting arrested, or having a loved one get arrested, can be a daunting and scary experience. Their bail bond resource section will help guide people through the difficult experience a bit easier. They have bail agents available nationwide! SOURCE A Aabott & Cathy Bail Bonds [February 14, 2020] Eutelsat Communications: First Half 2019-20 Results Regulatory News: The Board of Directors of Eutelsat Communications (Paris:ETL) (ISIN: FR0010221234 - Euronext Paris: ETL), chaired by Dominique D'Hinnin, reviewed the financial results for the half-year ended 31 December 2019. Key Financial Data 6M to Dec. 2018 6M to Dec. 2019 Change P&L Revenues - m 658.1 636.6 -3.3% "Operating Verticals" revenues - m 660.4 635.8 -3.7% "Operating Verticals" revenues at constant currency and perimeter - m 658.7 626.1 -4.9% EBITDA1 - m 518.4 495.5 -4.4% EBITDA margin - % 78.8 77.8 -1.0 pts EBITDA margin at constant currency - % 78.8 77.9 -0.9 pts Group share of net income - m 150.4 140.7 -6.4% Financial structure Discretionary Free-Cash-Flow2 - m 225.3 107.9 -52.1% Discretionary Free-Cash-Flow as per financial objectives - m 236.1 104.5 -55.7% Net debt - m 3,304.3 3,234.8 -69.5m Net debt/EBITDA - X 3.1 3.2 +0.1 pts Backlog - bn 4.6 4.3 -5.7% Commenting on the First Half, Rodolphe Belmer Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat Communications, said: "First Half revenues were in line with our expectations with an improvement in trend in the Second Quarter versus the First and a stabilization in revenues quarter-on-quarter. Despite the revenue decline we delivered an industry-leading level of profitability, with an EBITDA margin of 78%. In recent months we have made strong progress on the development of our future growth levers with the successful launch of EUTELSAT KONNECT, bringing new resources over Africa and Europe and marking a milestone in our Connectivity strategy, as well as the procurement of EUTELSAT 10B with firm commitments on a third of the HTS capacity, highlighting robust demand in the mobility market. Looking ahead, the remainder of the year will benefit from several revenue tailwinds, notably the EGNOS payload on EUTELSAT 5 West B and the availability of incremental capacity on EUTELSAT 7C, leading us to reaffirm our revenue target for FY 2019-20 as a whole. All other elements of the financial outlook are also confirmed, notably our FY 2021-22 cash-flow target providing ample dividend cover. Moreover, by FY 2022-23, the bulk of our capacity renewal cycle will be complete, giving us increased flexibility to support cash generation and attendant shareholder remuneration over the long term." Notes: This press release contains figures from the consolidated half-year accounts prepared under IFRS and subject to a limited review by the Auditors. They were reviewed by the Audit Committee on 12 February 2020 and approved by the Board of Directors on 13 February 2020. EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Net debt / EBITDA ratio, Cash Capex and Discretionary Free-Cash-Flow are considered Alternative Performance Indicators. Their definition and calculation is in appendix 3 of this document. 1 Operating income before depreciation and amortisation, impairments and other operating income/(expenses). 2 Net cash-flow from operating activities - Cash Capex - Interest and Other fees paid net of interests received. KEY EVENTS First Half revenues of the Operating Verticals down 4.9% like-for-like year-on-year, with an improvement in trend in the Second Quarter (-3.7%) versus the First (-6.2%) and a stabilization in revenues quarter-on-quarter. Revenue objectives are confirmed for FY 2019-20. Sustained profitability, with EBITDA margin at 78%, despite revenue decline. Continued focus on Free-Cash-Flow generation H1 Free-Cash-Flow on track: secured cash interest savings of 64m and EUTELSAT 5 West B insurance proceeds to benefit H2; Launch of 'LEAP 2' cost-savings program to generate opex savings of 20-25 million by FY 2021-22; Confirmed objective for Discretionary Free Cash-Flow of circa 500 million in June 2022. Consistent shareholder remuneration with 1.27 per share dividend paid in the First Half and buy-back program to start in the Second. Entry into service of the EUTELSAT 7C satellite which brings incremental capacity over the dynamic Sub-Saharan African market. Progress on future growth levers with: Successful launch of EUTELSAT KONNECT bringing new broadband resources over Africa and Europe and marking a first milestone of our return to growth strategy; Procurement of EUTELSAT 10B with firm commitments from Panasonic and Gogo on a third of the HTS capacity, highlighting robust demand in the mobility market; Foundations laid for IoT strategy, adding a third lever to our Connectivity strategy, with the order of first ELO nanosatellites and the roll-out of the IoT FIRST managed service. ANALYSIS OF REVENUES3 In millions 6 months to Dec. 2018 6 months to Dec. 2019 Change Reported Like-for-like4 Broadcast 394.4 389.4 -1.3% -1.6% Data & Professional Video 103.6 87.8 -15.3% -17.3% Government Services 81.8 78.3 -4.3% -7.8% Fixed Broadband 40.5 39.1 -3.3% -4.4% Mobile Connectivity 40.0 41.2 +3.0% -0.6% Total Operating Verticals 660.4 635.8 -3.7% -4.9% Other Revenues5 (2.3) 0.9 Nm Nm Total 658.1 636.6 -3.3% -4.7% EUR/USD exchange rate 1.16 1.11 Total revenues for the First Half stood at 637 million, down 3.3% on a reported basis and by 4.7% like-for-like. Revenues of the five Operating Verticals (ie, excluding 'Other Revenues') stood at 636 million. They were down by 4.9% on a like-for-like basis excluding a negative perimeter effect of c. 0.3 points (disposal of the stake in EUTELSAT 25B in August 2018) and a positive currency effect of c. 1.5 points. Second Quarter revenues stood at 319 million down 1.2% on a reported basis and by 3.4% like-for-like. Revenues of the five Operating Verticals stood at 319 million, down 3.7% year-on-year and up by 0.4% quarter-on-quarter on a like-for-like basis. 3 The share of each application as a percentage of total revenues is calculated excluding "Other Revenues". 4 Change at constant currency and perimeter. The variation is calculated as follows: i) H1 2019-20 USD revenues are converted at H1 2018-19 rates; ii) H1 2018-19 revenues are restated from the disposal of Eutelsat's interest in Eutelsat 25B which occurred in August 2018. 5 Other revenues include mainly compensation paid on the settlement of business-related litigations, the impact of EUR/USD revenue currency hedging, the provision of various services or consulting/engineering fees and termination fees. Unless otherwise stated, all variations indicated below are on a like-for-like basis, ie, at constant currency and perimeter. Broadcast (61% of revenues) First Half Broadcast revenues were down 1.6% like-for-like to 389 million, reflecting notably the termination of a contract in Sub-Saharan Africa and the effect of the return of a couple of transponders in Russia. Second Quarter revenues stood at 195 million down by 1.5% year-on-year and stable quarter-on-quarter. At 31 December 2019, the total number of channels broadcast by Eutelsat satellites stood at 6,879, down 2.7% year-on-year. HD penetration continued to increase, standing at 1,605 channels versus 1,500 a year earlier (+7%), implying a penetration rate of 23.3% up from 21.2% a year earlier. On the commercial front, in Europe, a multi-year capacity contract was secured at the HOTBIRD neighbourhood to broadcast RTVE free-to-air content, demonstrating the unparalleled reach of HOTBIRD across Europe and MENA. In Africa, two multi-year contracts were signed for capacity at 7East: one with Orao Telecom Congo also including a Eutelsat CIRRUS hybrid satellite/OTT service agreement, and one with AfricaXP encompassing capacity at 16East as well. Second Half revenues will benefit from the entry into service of EUTELSAT 7C at the end of January, bringing incremental capacity to sub-Saharan Africa. Conversely, they will be impacted, as expected, by the loss of capacity on EUTELSAT 5 West B leading to the termination of certain services at 5West. Data & Professional Video (14% of revenues) First Half revenues stood at 88 million, down by 17.3% year-on-year. They continued to reflect the ongoing pricing pressure and highly competitive environment in this application, and were also affected by volume losses in Data in Latin America in the First Quarter. Second Quarter revenues stood at 45 million down 14.9% year-on-year and up by 3.3% quarter-on-quarter with an improvement in volume trends on a sequential basis. The second half should benefit from an easing comparison basis. Government Services (12% of revenues) First Half Government Services revenues stood at 78 million, down by 7.8% like-for-like, reflecting the carry-forward impact of the US Government renewal campaigns of the past 18 months. Second Quarter revenues stood at 39 million, down by 4.6% year-on-year and 1.7% quarter-on-quarter. Second Half revenues will benefit from the contribution of the GEO-3 hosted payload of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS) on EUTELSAT 5 West B and from the relocation of EUTELSAT 7A. Fixed Broadband (6% of revenues) First Half revenues stood at 39 million, down 4.4% like-for-like. In Europe, the PPP (Preferred Partner Programme) is continuing its ramp-up and is gradually being extended to new geographies, but business remain constrained by a lack of capacity in high demand markets and the decline of traditional distributors. In Africa, revenues remain modest at this stage while the emphasis remains on trialling distribution models in a limited number of countries. Second Quarter revenues stood at 19 million, down 5.5% year-on-year and by 3.8% quarter-on-quarter. The entry into service of KONNECT in FY 2020-21 will unlock the potential of African Broadband and provide much-needed incremental capacity in Europe. Mobile Connectivity (6% of revenues) First Half revenues stood at 41 million, down 0.6% like-for-like. The ramp-up of capacity contracts on KA-SAT and maritime business as well as the carry-forward effect of the UnicomAirNet contract on EUTELSAT 172B offset the end of a temporary wide-beam contract that occurred in FY 2018-19. Second Quarter revenues stood at 22 million, including the catch up of a negative one-off of circa 1m in the First Quarter. They were up 7.1% year-on-year and by 8.2% quarter-on-quarter. The second half should benefit from the materialization of pipeline opportunities. In the longer term, the firm commitments from Gogo and Panasonic on the HTS capacity of EUTELSAT 10B reflect robust demand in the mobility market. Other Revenues In the First Half, Other Revenues amounted to 0.9 million versus (2.3) million a year earlier. They included a negative (5.1) million impact from hedging operations versus (7.1) million a year earlier. OPERATIONAL AND UTILIZED TRANSPONDERS The number of operational transponders at 31 December 2019 stood at 1,387, down by 32 units year-on-year, principally reflecting the end of life in stable orbit of EUTELSAT 12 West B. They were unchanged versus end-June 2019. The number of utilized transponders stood at 966, down four units year-on-year, notably reflecting the impact of EUTELSAT 12 West B. Compared to end June, the number of utilized transponders was up by six units. As a result, the fill rate stood at 69.7% compared to 68.3% a year earlier and 69.2% at end-June. 31 Dec. 2018 30 June 2019 31 Dec. 2019 Operational transponders6 1,419 1,387 1,387 Utilized transponders7 970 960 966 Fill rate 68.3% 69.2% 69.7% Note: Based on 36 MHz-equivalent transponders excluding high throughput capacity and satellites in inclined orbit. ORDER BACKLOG The order backlog8 stood at 4.3 billion at 31 December 2019 versus 4.6 billion a year earlier and 4.4 billion at end June 2019. It includes the capacity commitments secured on the recently ordered EUTELSAT 10B satellite. The backlog was equivalent to 3.3 times 2018-19 revenues. Broadcast represented 68% of the backlog. 31 Dec. 2018 30 June 2019 31 Dec. 2019 Value of contracts (in billions of euros) 4.6 4.4 4.3 In years of annual revenues based on previous fiscal year 3.3 3.3 3.3 Share of Broadcast application 74% 72% 68% PROFITABILITY EBITDA stood at 496 million at 31 December 2019 compared with 518 million a year earlier, down by 4.4%. The EBITDA margin stood at 77.8% (77.9% at constant currency) versus 78.8% a year earlier, reflecting lower revenues as well as higher costs associated with Broadband activities which are partially offset by a strong cost discipline on Core business. At this stage, there is no benefit from the 'LEAP 2' cost-savings program which has just been launched and targets savings of 20-25 million by the end of FY 2021-22. Group share of net income stood at 141 million versus 150 million a year earlier, down by 6.4% and representing a margin of 22%. This reflected: A slight increase in depreciation and amortisation ((263) million at 31 December 2019 compared with (258) million a year earlier); ((263) million at 31 December 2019 compared with (258) million a year earlier); Lower 'Other operating income' of (8) million (versus +36 million last year) which included the capital gain on the disposal of the interest in EUTELSAT 25B; of (8) million (versus +36 million last year) which included the capital gain on the disposal of the interest in EUTELSAT 25B; A net financial result of (41) million (versus (53) million a year earlier), mainly reflecting the benefit of last year's debt refinancing; of (41) million (versus (53) million a year earlier), mainly reflecting the benefit of last year's debt refinancing; A tax rate of 18% (versus 35% last year) reflecting the change in tax territoriality treatment in France. 6 Number of transponders on satellites in stable orbit, back-up capacity excluded. 7 Number of transponders utilised on satellites in stable orbit. 8 The backlog represents future revenues from capacity or service agreements and can include contracts for satellites under procurement. CASH FLOW In H1 2019-20, net cash flow from operating activities amounted to 353 million; 25 million lower than a year earlier. This reflected notably the lower EBITDA and an unfavourable comparison basis for change in working capital, which more than offset the benefit of the change in tax treatment. Cash Capex amounted to 189 million versus 130 million last year. Cash capex in the second half will however reflect insurance proceeds in respect of EUTELSAT 5 West B. Interest and other fees paid net of interest received amounted to 57 million versus 24 million last year, reflecting a change in the phasing of coupon payments versus last year following the refinancing of two bonds in FY 2018-19. H2 will see an attendant mechanical 64m year-on-year reduction in coupon payments, leading to a substantial reduction over the full year. Discretionary Free Cash-Flow amounted to 108 million on a reported basis. As per financial outlook definition9 it stood at 105 million, down 132 million or 56%. FINANCIAL STRUCTURE At 31 December 2019 net debt stood at 3,235 million, up 162 million versus end-June. It reflected principally on one hand the 108 million in discretionary free cash-flow generated in H1 and an inflow related to changes in perimeter for 55 million10, and on the other, the dividend payment of 316 million. Other items (mostly export credit financing, financial leases and other bank facilities and changes in the foreign exchange portion of the cross-currency swap) generated a net outflow of 9 million. The net debt to EBITDA ratio stood at 3.2 times, compared to 3.1 times at end-December 2018. As a reminder, December usually represents a peak in the annual net debt profile reflecting the timing of the dividend payment. As a result of the refinancing of two debt maturities in FY 2018-19 both the weighted average maturity of the group's debt (4.2 years versus 2.7 in H1 2018-19) and the average cost of debt after hedging (2.4% versus 2.8% in H1 2018-19) showed improvement. Liquidity remained strong, with undrawn credit lines of 798 million and cash of 373 million. DIVIDEND The Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of 7 November 2019 approved the payment of a dividend of 1.27 per share in respect of the financial year ended 30 June 2019. The dividend was paid on November 25, 2019. FINANCIAL OUTLOOK The improved trend in Operating Vertical revenues in the Second Quarter was in line with expectations, while the remainder of the year will benefit from the contribution of the EGNOS payload on EUTELSAT 5 West B, the relocation of EUTELSAT 7A, further business in the pipeline notably in Mobility and potential business from the availability of incremental capacity on EUTELSAT 7C from the end of January. In this context we continue to expect to land within the range of 1,270 to 1,315 million for FY 2019-2011 as a whole, although we are more likely to be in the low end. This range includes the impact of the 5 to 10 million euros mechanical adjustment communicated in January related to the loss of capacity on EUTELSAT 5 West B. All other elements of the financial outlook are also confirmed: Cash Capex 12 is expected at an average of 400 million per annum for the period July 2019 to June 2022. is expected at an average of 400 million per annum for the period July 2019 to June 2022. LEAP 2 plan aimed at generating 20 to 25 million in savings by June 2022. Discretionary free cash flow of circa 500 million13 in FY 2021-22. Maintain a sound financial structure to support investment grade credit rating with a net debt / EBITDA ratio below 3.0x with a below 3.0x Stable to progressive dividend with at least 100 million shares repurchased by June 202214. 9 constant currency and excluding the impact of the disposal of EUTELSAT 25B in FY 2018-19 10 Second half of the consideration for EUTELSAT 25B net of the acquisition of stake in Broadpeak 11Based on /$ rate of 1.14 and current perimeter 12 Including capital expenditure and payments under existing export credit facilities and other bank facilities financing investments as well as payments related to lease liabilities. 13 Based on a /$ rate assumption of 1.14, excluding hedging impact and based on current perimeter. This outlook is based on the nominal deployment plan outlined hereunder. FLEET DEPLOYMENT Nominal deployment programme Satellite1 Orbital position Estimated launch (calendar year) Main applications Main geographic coverage Physical Transponders/ Spot beams 36 MHz-equivalent transponders / Spot beams Of which expansion EUTELSAT QUANTUM To be confirmed Q3 2020 Government Services Flexible 8 "QUANTUM" beams Not applicable Not applicable KONNECT VHTS To be confirmed H2 2021 Connectivity Europe ~230 Ka spot beams 500 Gbps 500 Gbps EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13F 13 East H2 2021 Video Europe MENA 80 Ku2 73 Ku2 None EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13G 13 East H2 2021 Video Europe MENA 80 Ku2 73 Ku2 None EUTELSAT 10B 10East 2022 Mobile Connectivity EMEA Atlantic & Indian Ocean 12 Ku 10C >100 Ku spot beams 12 Ku 20 C c. 35 Gbps -48 Ku transponders3 c. 35 Gbps 1 EUTELSAT QUANTUM is a chemical propulsion satellite. KONNECT VHTS, EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13F, EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13G, EUTELSAT 10B are electric propulsion satellites. 2 Nominal capacity corresponding to the specifications of the satellites. Total operational capacity at the HOTBIRD orbital position will remain unchanged with 102 physical transponders (95 36 Mhz equivalent transponders) operated, once regulatory, technical and operational constraints are taken into account. 3 36 Mhz equivalent transponders. Furthermore, in the context of the kick-off of the ELO constellation, a first series of five nanosatellites will be launched between 2020 and 2021. Eutelsat 5 West B EUTELSAT 5 West B started operations in January with c.45% of its capacity following the loss of its South solar array. The EGNOS payload entered into service in February EUTELSAT 5 West A now operates in inclined orbit. Other changes in the fleet EUTELSAT 7C started operations on 28 January 2020. EUTELSAT 7A is currently being relocated. KONNECT was launched on 16 January 2020. It is due to enter service in Autumn. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE The Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting of 7 November 2019 renewed the mandate of Ana Garcia Fau and appointed Cynthia Gordon as a Board member. The Board is composed of 10 members, 50% of whom are women and 70% of whom are independent. The Combined General Meeting also approved all the other resolutions, including the accounts, the dividend in respect of FY 2018-19, compensation of corporate officers and compensation policy. 14 Subject to the renewal of the resolution relating to share buybacks at the Annual General Meetings. RECENT EVENTS Acquisition of minority interests in Russian operations On 30 January 2020, Eutelsat acquired the minority interests of its Russian operations for a cash consideration of 34m. They consist of 49% of Eutelsat International and Eutelsat Networks which market capacity on the Express-AT1, Express-AT2 and Eutelsat 36C satellites for a total of 38 Ku-band transponders and 18 Ka-band spotbeams. The transaction carries an earn-out feature to be settled between September 2020 and September 2023. ******* First Half 2019-20 results conference call and webcast A conference call will be held on Friday, 14 February 2020 at 9:00am CET. To connect to the call, please use the following numbers: + 33 (0) 1 76 77 22 57 (France) + 44 (0) 330 336 9411 (UK) + 1 720 543 0214 (USA) Access code: 6494955# The presentation will also be available via webcast by clicking here and on our website at http://www.eutelsat.com/en/investors.html. Recording available from Friday, 14 February 2020, 1:00pm to Friday, 21 February 2020, 1.00pm CET + 33 (0) 1 70 48 00 94 (France) + 44 (0) 207 660 0134 (UK) + 1 719 457 0820 (USA) Access code: 6494955# Documentation Consolidated accounts are available at: https://www.eutelsat.com/en/investors/financial-information.html. Financial calendar The financial calendar below is provided for information purposes only. It is subject to change and will be regularly updated. 14 May 2020: Third Quarter 2019-20 revenues 31 July 2020: Full Year 2019-20 results 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. Eutelsat Communications is listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL). For more about Eutelsat please visit: www.eutelsat.com ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Disclaimer The forward-looking statements included herein are for illustrative purposes only and are based on management's current views and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks. For illustrative purposes only, such risks include but are not limited to: postponement of any ground or in-orbit investments and launches including but not limited to delays of future launches of satellites; impact of financial crisis on customers and suppliers; trends in Fixed Satellite Services markets; development of Digital Terrestrial Television and High Definition television; development of satellite broadband services; Eutelsat Communications' ability to develop and market Value-Added Services and meet market demand; the effects of competing technologies developed and expected intense competition generally in its main markets; profitability of its expansion strategy; partial or total loss of a satellite at launch or in-orbit; supply conditions of satellites and launch systems; satellite or third-party launch failures affecting launch schedules of future satellites; litigation; ability to establish and maintain strategic relationships in its major businesses; and the effect of future acquisitions and investments. Eutelsat Communications expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any projections, forecasts or estimates contained in this presentation to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless so required by applicable law. APPENDICES Appendix 1: Additional financial data Extract from the consolidated income statement (in millions) Six months ended December 31 2018 2019 Change (%) Revenues 658.1 636.6 (3.3%) Operating expenses (139.7) (141.1) +1.0% EBITDA 518.4 495.5 (4.4%) Depreciation and amortisation (257.6) (262.5) +1.9% Other operating income (expenses) 35.7 (7.8) n.a. Operating income 296.6 225.3 (24.0%) Financial result (53.2) (41.4) (22.2%) Income tax expense (85.0) (33.7) (60.4%) Income from associates (1.3) 0.0 n.a. Portion of net income attributable to non-controlling interests (6.8) (9.5) +39.7% Group share of net income 150.4 140.7 (6.4%) Change in net debt ( millions) Half-year ending 31/12/2018 31/12/2019 Net cash flows from operating activities 378.7 353.4 Cash Capex (130.0) (189.1) Interest and Other fees paid net of interests received (23.5) (56.5) Discretionary Free Cash Flow 225.3 107.9 (Acquisitions) / disposals 67.5 54.7 Distributions to shareholders (including non-controlling interests) (310.5) (315.7) Change in foreign exchange portion of the cross-currency swap (11.9) (9.9) IFRS 16 Impact as of 1 July 2018 (43.8) - Other 10.7 1.0 Decrease (increase) in net debt (62.7) (162.0) Appendix 2: Quarterly revenues by application The table below shows quarterly revenues. In millions Q1 2018-19 Q2 2018-19 Q3 2018-19 Q4 2018-19 FY 2018-19 Q1 2019-20 Q2 2019-20 Broadcast 198.3 196.1 198.1 198.4 790.9 194.7 194.7 Data & Professional Video 52.3 51.4 47.7 48.6 199.9 43.0 44.8 Government Services 42.4 39.4 39.9 39.8 161.5 39.3 39.1 Fixed Broadband 20.4 20.1 19.1 20.9 80.4 19.9 19.2 Mobile Connectivity 20.6 19.4 19.8 20.5 80.3 19.7 21.5 Total Operating Verticals 334.0 326.4 324.6 328.1 1,313.1 316.5 319.3 Other Revenues 1.2 (3.5) 12.1 (1.7) 8.0 1.1 (0.2) Total 335.1 322.9 336.7 326.3 1,321.1 317.6 319.1 Appendix 3: Alternative performance indicators In addition to the data published in its accounts, the Group communicates on three alternative performance indicators which it deems relevant for measuring its financial performance: EBITDA, cash capex and Discretionary free cash flow (DFCF). These indicators are the object of reconciliation with the consolidated accounts. EBITDA, EBITDA margin and Net debt / EBITDA ratio EBITDA reflects the profitability of the Group before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization. It is a key indicator in the Fixed Satellite Services Sector. The table below shows the calculation of EBITDA based on the consolidated P&L accounts for H1 2018-19 and H1 2019-20: Six months ended December 31 ( millions) 2018 2019 Operating result 296.6 225.3 + Depreciation and Amortization 257.6 262.5 - Other operating income and expenses (35.7) 7.8 EBITDA 518.4 495.5 The EBITDA margin is the ratio of EBITDA to revenues. It is calculated as follows: Six months ended December 31 ( millions) 2018 2019 EBITDA 518.4 495.5 Revenues 658.1 636.6 EBITDA margin (as a % of revenues) 78.8 77.8 At constant currency, the EBITDA margin stood at 77.9% as of 31 December 2019. The Net debt / EBITDA ratio is the ratio of net debt to last-twelve months EBITDA. It is calculated as follows: Six months ended December 31 ( millions) 2018 2019 Last twelve months EBITDA 1,050.7 1,009.5 Closing net debt 3,304.3 3,234.8 Net debt / EBITDA 3.1 3.2 Cash Capex The Group on occasion operates capacity within the framework of leases, or finances all or part of certain satellite programs under export credit agreements or through other bank facilities, leading to outflows which are not reflected in the item "acquisition of satellites and other tangible or intangible assets". Cash Capex including the outflows related to these elements is published in order to reflect the totality of Capital Expenditures undertaken in any financial year. In addition, in the event of a partial or total loss of satellite, as previously reported cash Capex included investment in assets which are inoperable or partially inoperable, the amount of insurance proceeds is deducted from Cash Capex. Cash Capex therefore covers the acquisition of satellites and other tangible or intangible assets, payments in respect of export credit facilities or other bank facilities financing investments as well as payments related to lease liabilities. If applicable it is netted from the amount of insurance proceeds. The table below shows the calculation of Cash Capex for H1 2018-19 and 2019-20: Six months ended December 31 ( millions) 2018 2019 Acquisitions of satellites, other property and equipment and intangible assets 82.2 151.1 Repayments of ECA loans and lease liabilities15 47.8 38.0 Cash Capex 130.0 189.1 Discretionary free cash flow (DFCF) The Group communicates on Discretionary free cash flow which reflects its ability to generate cash after the payment of interest and taxes. DFCF generally and principally serves the dividend payment and debt reduction. Discretionary free cash flow is defined as Net cash flow from operating activities less Cash Capex as well as interest and other financial costs, net of interest income. The table below shows the calculation of Discretionary free cash flow for H1 2018-19 and 2019-20 and its reconciliation with the cash flow statement: Six months ended December 31 ( millions) 2018 2019 Net cash flows from operating activities 378.7 353.4 Acquisitions of satellites, other property and equipment and intangible assets (82.2) (151.1) Repayment of Export credit facilities16 (11.9) (11.9) Repayment in respect of lease liabilities (35.9) (26.1) Interest and other fees paid net of interest received (23.5) (56.5) Accounting Discretionary Free-Cash Flow 225.3 107.9 Perimeter impact17 Currency impact18 3.8 7.0 - (3.4) Discretionary Free-Cash Flow at constant currency and perimeter 236.1 104.5 15 Included in lines "Repayment of borrowings" and of "Repayment of lease liabilities" of cash-flow statement 16 Included in the line "Repayment of borrowings" of cash-flow statement 17 Impact of the disposal of EUTELSAT 25B satellite. For comparability purposes H1 2018-19 is restated from the contribution of the EUTELSAT 25B to Discretionary Free-Cash-Flow in July 2018 and from the advanced payment made by Es'hailSat for capacity on EUTELSAT 25B (5.5 million) which had to be reimbursed by Eutelsat to Es'hailSat when the asset was sold in August 2018. 18 H1 2019-20 Discretionary Free-Cash Flow has been converted at H1 2018-19 /$ rate and hedging impact has been excluded. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005928/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Deepak Sathish By Express News Service COIMBATORE: This Valentines Day will be special for R Manigandan (25) and Surega (24), a transwoman, who have been striving hard to get their marriage registered because they have won in their battle against all odds. The duo struggled to get their marriage registered ever since they got married on February 14, 2018. It was not that the society wasnt against them. On the contrary, they were accepted by the society. Instead, it was the law, or lack of it, that authorities cited while repeatedly refusing to register their marriage. However, officials from the Registration Department in Coimbatore recently informed Manigandan and Surega that their marriage will be registered under the Tamil Nadu Registration of Marriages Act, 2009. The Inspector General of Registration, Chennai, had sent a notification to all district and sub-registrar offices on January 28 asking them to register marriages of transgender persons. Manigandan and Surega Manigandan and Surega breathed a sigh of relief as the notification brought them double happiness. One, their struggle to register the marriage would end and second, this announcement would enable any transperson across the State to register their marriage. Not wanting to waste any time, the couple communicated to authorities that they wish to register their marriage on Valentines Day. Our family members and friends were so happy, said Surega, adding that their marriage registration would take place at the sub-registrars office in Vadavalli. Manigandan, on the other hand, said the marriage certificate would enable them to adopt a child. When contacted, Coimbatore District Registrar A Suresh Kumar said, It was only recently that we received a communication from Chennai on the matter. The couple can now register their marriage, and added that date of birth in their identity proof caused the confusion. During a discussion entitled Constitutional Security: Challenges and Solutions, member of the Supreme Body of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun political party Artsvik Minasyan said a state crime against justice is being committed in Armenia. It is clear that the political authorities have majority in parliament and the opportunity to adopt a relevant law or amendment to the Constitution, but they are leaving it up to the people. The political authorities, which had placed another package of laws into circulation, realized that they were committing a crime and started speculating the people and introduced the referendum. This is overthrow of constitutional order. The political authorities cant usurp the rights of the judiciary. I would like to remind them that those people will face 10-15 years in prison for this, he stated, adding that this is clearly manipulation. According to him, the claims that the Constitutional Court is standing in the way of reforms are groundless since there are no reforms on table today. Armenians abroad are surprised to see the head of government make such statements, block entrances to and exits from courts, attack a judge and impose street justice on a lawyer. Even Armenians abroad understand that the political authorities behavior will lead the country to perdition, Minasyan said. Google is said to be in talks with publishers about a news product that would pay a licensing fee for content. The move comes as Facebook, Google, and now Amazon maintain their grip on the lions share of digital advertising revenues. Market research company eMarketer predicts that by the end of this year, the big three will account for about 70 percent of all digital advertising dollars in the U.S. In October, Facebook introduced Facebook News to showcase original reporting and to pay for it. But Googles plan may have little effect on U.S. news outlets. The Wall Street Journal reports that most of the publishers that Google is negotiating with are located outside the U.S. ViacomCBS is planning two rounds of layoffs, according to a report in Variety. The cuts are expected to mainly affect employees in the television division of the company, specifically in areas such as marketing, distribution, and consumer products, where there are significant overlaps. In addition, several positions in the companys corporate diversity and inclusion department are expected to be eliminated. Variety says that it has learned from multiple sources that the first round of cuts, projected to affect around 100 people, could take place as early as Feb. 26, with a second set of cuts expected to begin on or around March 31. In August, Viacom and CBS said the merger would yield $500 million in cost savings. ViacomCBS stock has slid 13.4 percent since the merger closed Dec. 4. Dennis Publishing is launching a version of its newsweekly The Week aimed at children from 8 to 14. Headed up by former Prevention editor Andrea Barbalich, The Week Junior, a subscription print magazine, will feature articles, photos, puzzles and activities. Dennis started up a UK version of the kids publication in 2015, which it says has become the countrys fastest-growing print magazine. Since the announcement of The Week Juniors US launch in January, Dennis says that more than 10,000 subscriptions have been purchased. The US edition of The Week, which launched in 2001, currently has over 550,000 paid-for print subscribers, according to Statista. This post has been bouncing around the internet, so you may have seen it. But it is worth noting: After Attending a Trump Rally, I Now Know Democrats Have No Shot in 2020. The author is a member of the knitting communityyes, there is such a thing. You might not think of the knitting world as a particularly political community, but youd be wrong. Many knitters are particularly active in social justice communities and love to discuss the revolutionary role knitters have played in our culture. I started noticing this about a year ago, particularly on Instagram. [I]t was impossible to ignore after roving gangs of online social justice warriors started going after anyone in the knitting community who was not lockstep in their ideology. The author, Karlyn Borysenko, writes that she considered all Trump voters to be racists. But seeing the hate within the left-wing knitting community caused her to question her assumptions: I started to question everything. How many stories had I been sold that werent true? What if my perception of the other side is wrong? How is it possible that half the country is 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 answer to that question, for pretty much every member of the Democratic Party, is Yes. Ultimately, Ms. Borysenkos disquiet led her to attend President Trumps New Hampshire rally the evening before that states primary: In chatting with the folks at the [MSNBC] taping, I casually said that I was thinking about going over to the Trump rally. The first reaction they had was a genuine fear for my safety. I had never seen people I didnt know so passionately urge me to avoid all those people. One woman told me that those people were the lowest of the low. Another man told me that he had gone to one of Trumps rallies in the past and had been the target of harassment by large muscle-bound men. Another woman offered me her pepper spray. I assured them all that I thought I would be fine and that I would get the heck out of dodge if I got nervous. What they didnt know is that they werent the only ones I had heard from who were afraid. Some of my more right-leaning friends online expressed genuine fear at my going, but not because they were afraid of the attendees. They were afraid of people on the left violently attacking attendees. This was one day after a man had run his car through a Republican voter registration tent in Florida, and there was a genuine fear that there would be a repeat, or that antifa would bus people up from Boston for it. Just as I had assured those on the left, I told them I thought I would be fine. She was, of course, fine. What did she see at the Trump rally? As I waited, I chatted with the folks around me. And contrary to all the fears expressed, they were so nice. I was not harassed or intimidated, and I was never in fear of my safety even for a moment. These were average, everyday people. They were veterans, schoolteachers, and small business owners who had come from all over the place for the thrill of attending this rally. They were upbeat and excited. In chatting, I even let it slip that I was a Democrat. The reaction: Good for you! Welcome! Once we got inside, the atmosphere was jubilant. It was more like attending a rock concert than a political rally. People were genuinely enjoying themselves. Some were even dancing to music being played over the loudspeakers. It was so different than any other political event I had ever attended. Even the energy around Barack Obama in 2008 didnt feel like this. I had attended an event with all 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 didnt like and got into 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. That is a pretty good on-the-spot window into American politics, circa February 2020. If the knitting community is starting to wobble, who knows what might happen next? MUNICH Germanys president criticized the U.S. administration at a security conference on Friday for appearing to reject even the idea of an international community. President Frank-Walter Steinmeiers comments were made in an opening speech at the Munich Security Conference, an international gathering of foreign and security policy leaders attended this year by the U.S. secretaries of state and defense. Steinmeier, a former foreign minister, is independent of Chancellor Angela Merkels government but the German president is viewed as a moral authority even though his role is largely ceremonial. Steinmeier lamented an increasingly destructive dynamic in global politics. We are getting further year by year from the aim of international cooperation to create a more peaceful world, he said. The idea of the competition of great powers currently dominates not just the strategy papers of our times, it also marks the new reality around the world. He criticized Russia for making military force and the changing of borders by force a political method again in Europe. And he said that China accepts international law only selectively, when it doesnt go against its own interests. And our closest ally, the United States of America, under the current government rejects even the idea of an international community, Steinmeier said. As if everyone is thought of when everyone only thinks of themselves. Great again, if necessary at the expense of neighbors and partners, at least it appears that way. On the sidelines of the forum, Irans foreign minister criticized the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general in a Jan. 3 drone strike. The death of Gen. Qassem Soleimani was a miscalculation that has had the effect of bolstering support in Iraq for the removal of American troops, a longtime goal of Tehran, said Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, in which Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed, a group of Iraqi lawmakers passed a non-binding resolution to oust U.S. troops and since then, the issue of American troops has monopolized Iraqi politics. The martyr Soleimani is much more effective than Gen. Soleimani, Zarif said. We are seeing that in terms of demonstrations that are taking place in Iraq against the U.S. presence. Zarif reiterated Irans stance that its moves to ramp-up its nuclear program are reversible, providing that Europe takes steps that are meaningful. Broadcaster Gloria Hunniford (79) lives with her husband Stephen Way (80), whom she married in 1998 in Sevenoaks, Kent. She was previously married to Don Keating and had three children: daughter Caron and two sons, Michael and Paul. Portadown-born Gloria clearly remembers the first time she set eyes on Stephen. "I was going into an event at the Lanesborough Hotel in London with a girlfriend and Stephen got out of a taxi and went striding into the hotel... I said to my friend 'I hope he's going to the same event we are'," she laughs. "He and I started to talk, we were chatting for ages and my son Michael came up and said: 'Sorry to interrupt but someone wants to talk to you'. Then he told me: 'You've been with that man all evening and I thought you might need to escape'!" Expand Close Gloria Hunniford & husband Stephen Way / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gloria Hunniford & husband Stephen Way Gloria acknowledges that she wasn't looking for a husband at that stage, however things took a different turn. "Second time around you're looking for different things," she says. "When you are getting married the second time, you're looking for different attributes - humour, of course, and kindness. I wasn't looking for a husband at that point, but I was very open to a relationship with someone to go to things with and do things with. "We were really friends for nearly a year before we went into a proper relationship because I wasn't ready for a full-blown relationship. Then, we were on holiday in Barbados. He was swimming in the pool and invited me to join him. I said 'I can't swim' but I went ahead and did more strokes than I've ever done - which was about seven - and then I sank. He proposed to me in the swimming pool and he said I looked so vulnerable sinking after seven strokes that I looked like I needed somebody to look after me!" Actress Maria Connolly from Carrickfergus, who is starring in the play Dream, Sleep, Connect at The Lyric Theatre next week, has been with her partner Jeff Peters for 18 years. They have two sons, Logan (15) and Ryan (12). Expand Close Maria Connolly and partner Jeff Peters / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Maria Connolly and partner Jeff Peters "I knew Jeff was 'The One' because the night we met he drove me to the 24-hour garage and bought me a massive bar of Dairy Milk, she says. "I knew from that moment he was a keeper. "I'd say that taking Jeff to Venice was the most romantic thing I've done, but according to him, the most romantic thing was cutting his toenails while watching a thunderstorm in Salou. "We will get married one day, most likely in the Kingspan Stadium. That is providing I haven't already died from a heart attack watching our boys play rugby. "I think the secret to a good relationship is laughter. If you can still make each other laugh after 18 years then you know you'll be together forever. "My favourite thing about Jeff is his kindness - he would do absolutely anything for me and the boys." Cool FM presenter Pete Snodden (39) lives in Bangor with his wife Julia (39) and their children Ivana (8) and Elayna (5). Pete says he knew right away that he'd met the right girl. Expand Close Pete and Julia Snodden / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pete and Julia Snodden "We met at university and I just remember saying to my mate when we got together that that would be it," he says. "I just had that feeling, I just knew. When we started going out with each other I said that is it, that was pretty much the deal. "I love her personality, her looks, we share the same love of everything, from going out, to music, even our choice of movies. "We're very similar, and we're both Geminis as well. "When I proposed, I told her we were going to see a showcase of a new band in London and the record label would be looking after us. "She was expecting to see a new band, but we went to the London Eye and I proposed there. She had no idea. I'd gone and had the ring designed, and I spoke to her parents before we went. "After we got off the London Eye I had a Gary Rhodes restaurant booked and we went and had dinner with some of our friends." Musician and broadcaster George Jones (75) and wife Hilary (72) live on the Ards Peninsula, and have two children, Jason and Natalie, and three grandchildren, Sophie, Jessie and Ethan. Expand Close George Jones and his wife / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp George Jones and his wife Naturally, George first spied Hilary when he was working as a musician. "I was playing with the David Glover Showband and we would go once a month to play Caproni's Ballroom in Bangor," he says. "Every time we played there I saw this girl with her boyfriend and she caught my eye. We'd been back and forward to the venue and I never did anything about it. "One Saturday night we played and I saw her with a couple of girls and I decided to make the leap. After we played the last song I called her over and said: 'I hope you don't mind, you wouldn't do me a big favour?' And she said: 'What is it?' And I said 'Would you tell me your name?' "So I asked for her phone number. The next day was a Sunday and I drove up to where she lived and phoned from the call box outside her house. And she said: 'Where are you?' And I was outside the house. She was sitting in the house with her rollers in, but she came for a coffee with me in Belfast and then we agreed to go out." George and Hilary's first date was the beginning of a lifelong love story. "Our first date was at the movies - we saw a movie called Camelot, and that was it," he says. "We kept on finding things we had in common and we've had an amazing 50 years. Because we have a lot of work at home with the horses we might go out for a meal for Valentine's Day. But flowers are the only way I think of expressing it. I'm not a big fan of chocolates because they could be done in one night, but flowers last a little longer. "It's been an amazing 50 years, we've travelled the world and I don't think I could ask for a better partner." Lisburn and Castlereagh City councillor Sorcha Eastwood (34) is married to civil servant Dale Shirlow (37). Expand Close Alliance candidate for West Belfast Sorcha Eastwood casts her vote in the 2017 General Election, with her husband, Dale Shirlow, at a polling station in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, still wearing her wedding dress after they were married earlier in the day. Brian Lawless/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Alliance candidate for West Belfast Sorcha Eastwood casts her vote in the 2017 General Election, with her husband, Dale Shirlow, at a polling station in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, still wearing her wedding dress after they were married earlier in the day. The couple made headlines by having their wedding on the polling day for the snap 2017 general election. "We met at a rock club called The Venue in Belfast," she says. "It was December 22, 2000. I knew pretty much straight away that he was the one. We just sat and talked for ages. I knew from that moment that I wanted to marry him. We went out steady for five years and then we took a break for two-and-a-half years before we got back together again. Then he proposed in 2009. It was a long engagement, we didn't get married until 2017. "Dale drove us to our favourite spot in Mount Stewart where there's a little private cove. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I couldn't believe it. We drove to his parents in Holywood and then to my mum and dad's in Lisburn. It was lovely. What's the most romantic thing that Dale ever did for Sorcha? "We are so sensible and practical," she says. "I see Dale so little these days so when we do see each other we just chill. I suppose there is a romantic story, albeit an old one. I was going to a formal when I was still at school and he was at university. He went to my parents' house and put a corsage on my pillow and a multipack of Toffee Crisp under my pillow. It was really naff, but I loved it." Sorcha says that the secret to a happy relationship is to remain down to earth and share the same values with the one you love. Expand Close Sorcha Eastwood and husband Dale Shirlow / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sorcha Eastwood and husband Dale Shirlow "The secret is to listen to one another," she says. "Make sure to check in with your other half. It's so easy to be so busy with life. Have fun. We don't take anything too seriously. Both Dale and I are very down to earth and are very practical people. The day after we got married, and we were on the front pages of every newspaper casting our vote in our wedding gear, I came home and started scrubbing the shower tray. "We hate anything fancy. I think that whenever you have the same values as the other person it's good. We love getting away from everything, leaving the phone at home and going hiking at Castlewellan or up Divis. Spending time away from everyone else, because you are giving so much of yourself to other people all week long, it's so nice to spend that time together. "Dale's heart is my favourite thing. He is just the kindest, most genuine and loyal guy. We have been through everything - bereavement, traumas, family disasters - and he is just so easygoing and has the biggest heart in the world. Nothing is a bother to him, he takes everything in his stride. "I have a really demanding job and a lot of the time I am not emotionally in the room, I'm sitting beside him but my mind is with the people I have met that day. But he understands and he knows that it is important to me. He also knows I'm a workaholic and he can tell me when to stop. It's that partnership that is just beautiful." Pete Byrne (37) is an SDLP councillor on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. He married his husband Trevor Moore (32), a financial adviser from Dundalk, in 2012. Expand Close Pete Byrne and husband Trevor Moore / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pete Byrne and husband Trevor Moore "Trevor and I met online on a dating website in 2006," he says. "I had just split up with my girlfriend, for obvious reasons. And I met him in July. It was love at first sight, and as soon as I met him I knew he was the one. But I ran away to Australia because I couldn't deal with it. "I was away for 15 months because I thought it was too big a deal. No one knew and I hadn't come out as gay, so I ran away from it. I spoke to Trevor every day on the phone when I was over there. I flew back 15 months later. He was in America at that stage and I went over to meet him. We came back together and we moved in together." Pete says the most romantic thing he has ever done for his beloved was a 12-hour proposal of marriage. "I'm always the one who comes up with the mad romantic ideas," he says. "I gathered lots of photos of us from the last few years and put them together so that they would go all into a collage, a silhouette of a man on his knee proposing. "And everything we did on the day we got engaged spelled out 'Will you marry me?'. "We got married in Cala D'or in Spain in 2012. I didn't want the pressure of maybe some family not going. Some people weren't just as comfortable with it. But in the end the whole family flew over. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding." Officials are also looking to see whether the medical workers were exposed to the virus unknowingly within a clinical environment and whether they were wearing protective equipment at the time, Ryan said. "There are a whole lot of factors we need to look at, and we will be doing that with Chinese authorities." It appears infections among medical workers peaked in mid-January and have "rapidly" decreased since, 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. "This may reflect increased levels of training, increased levels of protection and increased levels of awareness." World health officials are working with Chinese authorities to determine when the 1,716 health workers in the country were infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus, World Health Organization officials said Friday. Earlier in the day, China's National Health Commission said that 1,716 health workers in the country had been infected with the coronavirus and six of them have died. It was the first time China published figures specifically relating to infected medical personnel. Dr. Sylvie Briand, head of WHO's Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness division, told reporters that the health workers may have been fatigued at the time they were infected and weren't taking proper protective measures because they were too tired. China has sent medical professionals from several regions to support those workers, she said. Later Friday, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters on a conference call that the notice from China of the health workers being infected was "concerning." She said there are currently no health workers in the U.S. that have contracted the virus. WHO is asking suppliers of protective gear to prioritize sending the equipment to regions most affected by the virus. Last week, WHO said it sent medical supplies such as masks, gloves, gowns and diagnostic tests around the world. It is discouraging stockpiling of protective gear, saying the limited number of items need to be saved for regions most affected by the virus. The price of protective gear has increased, while availability has decreased, WHO officials said. That could have a "knock-on effect" for other ongoing epidemics such as Ebola, Ryan said last week. On Thursday, world health officials said they were scrambling to determine just how widespread the new coronavirus is as Chinese authorities reported a surge in new cases after changing how they count confirmed infections. "How big is the iceberg?" Ryan said. "We do know, and we all accept, that there is transmission occurring at some level in communities. We've all seen those clusters, we've all seen those super spreading events." The flu-like virus has killed at least 1,380 people and sickened more than 64,000 worldwide as of Friday morning. World health officials have said the respiratory disease is capable of spreading through human-to-human contact, droplets carried through sneezing and coughing and germs left on inanimate objects. The coronavirus produces mild cold symptoms in about 80% of patients, they said. About 15% of the people who contract the virus have ended up with pneumonia, with 3% to 5% of all patients needing intensive care. Ryan said Thursday that officials are working on identifying the virus's natural host. Earlier in the week, WHO officials said the virus, which emerged from a seafood market in Wuhan, likely originated in bats and then jumped to an "intermediate host" before infecting humans. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 17:12:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close FRANKFURT, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The 56th Munich Security Conference (MSC) is scheduled to open in the southern German city of Munich on Friday and run through Sunday. Known as the "Davos" in global security and political issues, this year's MSC will attract more than 500 high-level international decision-makers, including over 35 heads of state or government and some 100 foreign and defense ministers. Since its foundation in the fall of 1963 by German publisher Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist-Schmenzin, the conference has been held in Munich annually except for in the years of 1991 and 1997. For the first decades, the conference was relatively small. Initially, German participants met here with their counterparts from the United States and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states. It was then often dubbed as a "transatlantic family meeting." After the end of the Cold War, founders of the conference started to invite participants from non-Western countries. In 1995, the event saw representatives from Russia for the first time. In 1999, representatives from Central and Eastern European countries as well as China attended the forum for the first time. Over the years, in keeping with a growing understanding of security, participants to the event have grown notably and become more diverse. Last year, the MSC saw a record attendance of over 600 participants. A panel on the topic of "Climate Change and Security" was included in the main program for the first time. The theme this year is "Westlessness," which refers to the loss of the common standing of what it means to be part of the West, according to a security report published ahead of the meeting. Decision-makers and experts from across the world are expected to discuss hotspots from Libya to the Persian Gulf and further to East Asia, trade disputes between the European Union and the United States, and the discord between Germany and the United States over the Russia-Germany gas pipeline project "Nord Stream 2." French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will attend the MSC for the first time. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the conference and co-chair the fifth round of China-Germany strategic dialogue on diplomacy and security with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. Wang will also talk about China's concerted efforts and progress in fighting the novel coronavirus and about advancing international cooperation against the virus. From: Linda Popky - Leverage2Market Associates, Inc. San Francisco , CA Thursday, February 13, 2020 Over 60,000 people have now been diagnosed with the corona virus that is spreading around the globe, with nearly 1400 deaths. New cases are reported by the thousands each day. We don't know yet how bad this epidemic will get. Quarantine has not yet stopped the spread, but quick identification and treatment may allow many, if not most, patients to recover. Beyond the health crisis, the disruption to ordinary life is just starting to be felt. Millions of people throughout Asia are quarantined or told to stay home and not work. This is creating major disruptions to the supply chain--factories throughout Asia, Europe and North America will be impacted. Workers will not be able to do their jobs, get paid, or feed their families--if food is even available. Yesterday, MWC (the Mobile World Congress conference), scheduled for later this month in Barcelona, was cancelled because of the virus. Corona virus is not a health threat in Spain, but MWC attracts 100,000 people, including mobile technology providers and wireless carriers from around the world. Asian exhibitors can't get to the event; attendees were concerned about contagion; the organizers couldn't guarantee that would not occur, so they opted for cancellation. The economic impact of cancelled events, production, and travel is not even estimable at this point. But h ere's what we do know: We are a global society. Regardless of political leanings, most countries are economically interdependent. We need to act in a manner that reflects this. We can't underestimate the severity of global health crises. Viruses know no borders. Preventing infection and treating patients in China saves lives there and around the world, and protects the world economy. There must be contingency plans. Events can be cancelled or rescheduled, but supply chains may be seriously disrupted for months or years. The travel industry will likely be thrown into chaos. How will manufacturers and distributors operate in these conditions? What is Plan B? Is there one? We disregard existing preventive treatments at our peril. There is no vaccine yet for coronavirus, but there is for influenza--which kills thousands of people each year. There are vaccines for mumps, measles, and many other contagious diseases--yet many people choose not to get them. The science is clear: prevention is always more effective than treatment after-the-fact. The life you save may not even be your own, but that of someone whose medical condition makes them less able to fight off an infection. Now's the time to think ahead--while there's still the ability for protective actions to go viral. Subscribe to this newsletter. Contact me to find out how you can get heard above the noise. Check out our marketing leadership podcasts and the video trailer for my book, Marketing Above the Noise: Achieve Strategic Advantage with Marketing that Matters. Download a free chapter now. What are people saying? Buy now Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-15 01:57:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close TUNIS, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Tunisian Islamist party Ennahdha (Renaissance) threatened not to grant confidence to the new government of Elias Fakhfakh, yet to be announced Friday evening. "Ennahdha will not support a government that does not respect the voters' will and representatives in parliament," said Abdelkarim Harouni, Ennahdha consultative assembly chairman, in a statement. Harouni emphasized his party "is working on forming a national unity government." He added that Ennahdha, which has a majority of 54 seats in parliament, rejects Prime Minister-designate Elias Fakhfakh's exclusion of the Heart of Tunisia party, which has 38 seats, from his new government's lineup. Sabino denied culpability at his trial last year, and prosecutors were unable to directly trace his mysterious influxes of cash to Turkkan. Defense attorneys argued that Turkkan was probably spending his cash on strippers or prostitutes, not bribes, and that Sabino was not the only one involved in these contracts. John Kelly and Donald Trump. Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images President Donald Trump lashed out at his former chief of staff John Kelly after news broke that Kelly had criticized the president's handling of a range of issues, from impeachment to the media. "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," Trump tweeted on Thursday morning. Trump added that Kelly "went out with a whimper" and "just can't keep his mouth shut," and he claimed that Kelly's wife promised that her husband would "only speak well" of Trump. On Wednesday night, Kelly, a retired military general, defended Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who testified in Trump's impeachment inquiry, against Trump's attacks. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. President Donald Trump lashed out at his former chief of staff John Kelly in a series of tweets on Thursday after news broke that Kelly had criticized the president's handling of a range of issues, from impeachment to the media. "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," Trump tweeted on Thursday morning. "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." Trump claimed that Kelly's wife, Karen Hernest, promised that her husband would "only speak well" of Trump after he left the White House in December 2018. "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, a retired military general, has repeatedly criticized the president in recent weeks, and on Wednesday night he said Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who testified in Trump's impeachment inquiry, "did exactly what we teach them to do" when he reported Trump's "illegal" pressure campaign in Ukraine. Story continues "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 Atlantic. Kelly also took issue with Trump's intervention in the case of Eddie Gallagher, the Navy SEAL who was ultimately acquitted of war crimes and whose demotion Trump reversed. Kelly said Gallagher, whom Trump has lavishly praised, "was not a guy who represents our military in any way, shape or form." "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," Kelly said. "So the idea that the commander in chief intervened there, in my opinion, was exactly the wrong thing to do." The retired general also went after the president's favorite outlet, Fox News, arguing that the network is politically biased. "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." In a Fox News interview on Thursday, the White House press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, called Kelly's remarks "disingenuous" and said she was "disappointed" with him. "I was in the room with him when he actually backed the president on many of the things he's now saying weren't great," Grisham said. "I thought it was a little disingenuous." Read the original article on Business Insider Kashmir has long been subjected to conflict and instability, an influential American lawmaker said on Friday as he supported the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring back stability in the Valley. Congressman Peter King's remarks came a day after a group of 25 foreign envoys concluded a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to have a first-hand account of the situation over six months after the Indian government ended the regions special status. "The region of Kashmir has long been subjected to conflict and instability. I support Prime Minister Modi in his efforts to bring stability to the region," Congressman King said on the floor of the US House of Representatives. "I rise today to acknowledge the strong strategic partnership between the United States and India. A relationship that is based on shared values of democracy," he said expressing support to India-US relationship. "Our cooperation extends across many sectors including financial, defence and counterterrorism. The region of Kashmir has long been subjected to conflict and instability," King said. After announcing reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir and withdrawal of its special powers on August 5, India 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. Last month, the government took 15 envoys on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The sun had just come up last May 30 when, cops said, they raided Marcus Marreros Tompkinsville home and found a loaded gun and drugs. Marrero, 42, wont see extended daylight for a while after being sentenced Thursday to 30 months in prison stemming from his arrest last spring. A criminal complaint said police, armed with a search warrant, entered the defendants Castleton Avenue apartment around 6:05 a.m. In his bedroom, officers seized a .40-caliber Taurus Millennium handgun with one cartridge in the chamber and nine cartridges in the magazine, said the complaint. A dresser in the bedroom contained two large bags of cocaine, three scales, bags typically used for drug packaging, four containers of diluents commonly used for preparing cocaine and a spoon with cocaine residue, the complaint said. Marrero was indicted on charges of criminal weapon possession, criminal firearm possession, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of drug paraphernalia and ammunition possession. Last month, he pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court, St. George, to a reduced count of attempted second-degree criminal weapon possession to resolve his case. Besides 30 months behind bars, the bespectacled Marrero was sentenced Thursday to two years post-release supervision. Marrero declined to make a statement before Justice Mario F. Mattei imposed sentence. Attorney Scott Schwartz represented the defendant. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Gamberg prosecuted the case. The best love songs are written about a specific person: How could they be truly meaningful otherwise? Theyre a way for artists to peel back a layer of themselves and write about what may actually keep them goingthe relationship with their significant other. As John Cusack once said in High Fidelity, I wanna live with a musician. Shed write songs at home and ask me what I thought of them, and maybe even include one of our little private jokes in the liner notes. And its that level of intimacy, maybe not in the liner notes but in the lyrics themselves, that give the best love songs a sense of authenticity and, despite being specific and filled with personal details, makes them universal. We know these songs arent about us, but for whatever reasonmaybe a cherished memory or a highly applicable lyricthey feel like they are. Its why choosing a first dance song at a wedding is such a big deal to couples: Specific songs have the power to soundtrack our relationships even though weve never met the person who wrote them. Certain tracks can have a profound influence on how we remember first dates, first kisses, first everythings; lyrics make their way into our love letters, most intimate conversations and, in honor of today, our Valentines Day cards. Today, Pastes staffers give us a glimpse into their own lives, writing about the love songs most meaningful to them and why. Its a space to allow ourselves to be as mushy and cliche and personal as the tracks themselveswe owe it to ourselves on Valentines Day, after all. This top-tier Avett Brothers song asks a rather bashful question: What do you do when you love someone, but you dont want to get in the way of all their loveliness? If I pull you in, would I push you out? Seth sings with light accompaniment from Scott. Im at a loss for what to do / But Im drawn to you. Theres that feeling of complete infatuation, but also hesitation, because if you go all in with this person, will it be worth it? Or will it suddenly flicker out like a candle high up on the mantle? Rather than risk extinguishment, the narrator wishes he was any number of inanimate nouns: a sweater, a song, a fireanything that can get him close to her, but not too close. Ultimately, though, hes not any of those thingshes something better. And the overlying message of one of the Brothers best-ever songs (and metaphors) is this: When you confidently seek intimacy, it can be better than you ever imagined. Ellen Johnson God Only Knows isnt just one of the greatest love songs of all time, its one of the best pop songs ever. Pet Sounds was Brian Wilsons babythe recording process was famously an agonizing pursuit of perfection, but it proved to be a fruitful venture. The few dozen session musicians who appeared on God Only Knows had to have known they were making something enduring, even though they probably wanted to strangle Wilson over his insistence on recording as many takes as possible to achieve his vision. Its a fairly complex song, marked by The Beach Boys trademark layered vocals, harpsichord, sleigh bells, French horn and a dramatic pop cacophony to close. Beyond this rousing, flawless baroque pop composition, the lyrics also sit in satisfying contrast to the popular music of the time. Its quite a dark song about a type of love that runs so deep that ending the relationship would result in complete emotional turmoil and a lack of existential purpose. While its a crushingly beautiful ode to someone, its also a stark reminder that without emotional independence, love can become a prison. Lizzie Manno The excellence of Bjorks most intimate single derives from audiencethis song isnt for us, the listeners, but for her lovers ears (the same partner, Matthew Barney, who also spurred inspiration for Bjorks divorce opus Vulnicura). From her frank confessions of coital felicity to her diaristic declaration of Barneys vulnerable sensibility, Bjorks tongue coils around somnambulant, wintery micro-beats creating a cozy love song of refuge. Her defining show at the Royal Opera House is a testament to the songs simple, nuanced grace; we watch as programming duo Matmos, who are a couple themselves, create scratchy domestic sounds through ruffling the others hair, or crinkling the fabric of ones back with a loving strokethe song is aware of the inward nature of love, and through its introversion achieves selfless accord. The most striking element, though, is obviously Bjorks bashful sweet nothings, like shes offering hushed prayers. As she releases these thoughts, she veers to protean signals, smiling and covering her face. We werent meant to hear Cocoonbut thank God we got the opportunity. Austin Jones As far as love songs go, Coldplay might seem like a sappy choice, but I think their reputation as a painfully sentimental band is a little overblown. Lovesick or not, you cant honestly tell me that youve listened to A Rush of Blood to the Head and didnt feel anything. While the album is known for dramatic piano numbers like Clocks, The Scientist and Politik, theres one standout acoustic moment by way of Green Eyes, and its exactly what a love song should besimple but not simple-minded, heartfelt but not schmaltzy and memorable but not tiresome. While the lyrics read as a yearning to a lover, Chris Martin actually wrote the song about his longtime friend and fellow guitarist Jonny Buckland. When Martins voice climbs in the chorus, it takes you back to those sudden realizations in relationships when you realize how indebted you are to that person. Its comforting and scary, but more than anything, theres that ignited feeling of having your vulnerability pay off. There are a lot of great songs named Green Eyes, but as someone with ambiguous eye color, this is the only one that made me decide that I do, in fact, have green eyes. Lizzie Manno I first heard this song in Mike Nichols Closer years agoit plays over the films opening moments, as Jude Law and a pink-haired Natalie Portman meet on the streets of London and lock eyes with each other in a slow-motion, romantic lightning-strike sort of momentand have always associated it with finding someone we need so desperately, were willing to accept whatever trouble may come just to be with them, opening ourselves up to the entire spectrum of loves pleasure and pain. My wife walked down the aisle to this song, and its heartsick strings and Rices repeated insistence that I cant take my eyes off youthe bittersweet single-mindedness love forces upon uswill always remind me of that day, squinting through the sunset at her, wondering which sight was more brilliant. Scott Russell Our story begins on a Sunday afternoon Over a bouncy doo-wop-inspired instrumental, Devendra Banhart tells a touchingand extremely Jewishstory about a young boy meeting and falling deep in love with a rabbis daughter. Its full of vivid descriptions, beginning with a spoken-word intro to set the scene: A young boy, not yet the cock of the walk he would soon become / Was lying on the grass and taking in the sweet and sensuous scent of hibiscus / That languidly lifted along the summer breeze / It was at this precise moment that he saw her. Though our own love stories almost definitely didnt begin in this exact way, that level of extreme detailwhat we were wearing, what we were thinking, hell, what we smelled likegets so baked into our minds that its impossible to ever forget it all. And the rest is history: dancing (or shabopping, if you will) under the banana trees, feeling that fire in the deep end of my heart giving me the Heebie-Jeebies, realizing that this may be heaven on earth (Im ascending tonight with you). And a major part of the memories from those early daysat least for us music obsessivesare the songs that your significant other turned you onto, the ones that inevitably become inextricably tied to the soundtrack of your relationship. This was the first song my girlfriend introduced me to. Steven Edelstone Starlings, the lead track on 2008s The Seldom Seen Kid, is Garveys finest moment as a lyricist. Every line in this song is quotable, and every word is of utmost importance. Describing the feeling of being madly in love with a woman who doesnt necessarily love him back (yet!), Garvey details every thought running through his head when he meets up with her at her office: At the top is stopping by / Your place of work and acting like / I havent dreamed of you and I / And marriage in an orange grove / You are the only thing in any room youre ever in / Im stubborn, selfish and too old. But just talking with her is all he needs (Sit with me awhile and let me listen to you talk about / Your dreams and your obsessions / Ill be quiet and confessional) as he tries to make sense of his thoughts, all while he suffers from low self-esteem (So yes I guess Im asking you to back a horse thats good for glue and nothing else / But find a man thats truer than / Find a man who needs you more than I). The song, which alternates between bursts of energy via a loud-as-hell horn section and downtempo acoustic grooves, resolves in one very lovely verse and string crescendo: The violets explode inside me when I meet your eyes / And Im spinning and Im diving like a cloud of starlings Darling, is this love? Its a lyric so touching, so jaw-droppingly gorgeous, dont be surprised if I someday have a daughter and name her Violet. Steven Edelstone While Holy Shit is the representation of Josh Tillman becoming increasingly okay with exposing the vulnerabilities of his relationship, I Went to the Store One Day is its next logical step. The Father John Misty character is now long gone. This is all Josh Tillman now (or so he wants us to think). Written about the moment Tillman met his future wife Emma outside of the Laurel Canyon Country Store, there is no bullshit hereno witticisms, no sarcasm, no obscure references to random other thingsjust a man dreaming about getting married, having seven daughters and buying a plantation house in the South with a sign that says keep out. I Love You, Honeybear is the story of Tillmans relationship with Emma, an earnest and heartfelt album from a man who is generally not. But by finishing where it all started, the Tillmans tale is given even more sentimental symbolism: The song and the album ends with a simple realization that Tillmans life would be completely different had he not randomly run errands one fateful day. As a result, its final line, Ive seen you around, whats your name? leaves listeners with heart-swelling resolve. I Went to the Store One Day is not just Father John Mistys finest song, its arguably one of the best love songs of this millennium. Steven Edelstone Please, remember me, sings Sam Beam to open this nine-and-a-half-minute track, a request I have never been able to deny. The Trapeze Swinger makes me tear up every time I hear it, not because of any personal associations, but simply because its such a sprawling, yet intimate collection of memories both real and invented, a wistful inventory of timeless moments from a love lost (In the car behind the carnival / My hand between your knees / You turn from me / And said The trapeze act was wonderful / But never meant to last). And its just as beautiful when Beams grand narrative falls away, leaving only his soft nah nah nahs, a wandering piano figure, gentle acoustic guitar and percussion, and all the emotion in the world. Scott Russell During the summer of 2014, I was on tour with Americana band Dead Winter Carpenters, making short videos from the road. When the band was in San Luis Obispo, CA, I had a chance to reconnect with a Norwegian girl Id known in college, and I jumped at the chance. Our first date eventually ended up back at the pool of The Madonna Inn, and we started comparing playlists. Eva had been a fan of Israel Nash for years, and she introduced me to his Laurel Canyon-ish hippie vibe. I had just become familiar with Sturgill Simpson, so I introduced her to his psychedelic country vibe. She showed me Fools Gold by Nash, and I countered with Turtles All the Way by Simpson. Clearly it all went very well, we got married a few years later. Fast forward to last years SXSW, Paste hosted backyard sessions in East Austin. Israel Nash was one of the artists featured, and Eva got to relay our whole origin story to him. Israel Nash is a fairly spiritual/mystical dude, so he received the story in the most gracious way. Brad Wagner Plain and simple, Phone Call is the feeling of realizing youve completely, madly fallen in love with someoneand comprehending that, somehow, someway, they love you backput to music. The gorgeous distorted piano represents your heart fluttering from that realization, light but peppy, just oozing pure happiness. Its strewn along by a dazzling, yet slightly melancholy string part, that notion when you want to live inside this feeling forever, but you know deep down that it will never truly be like this ever again. So just for this moment, this incredible life-changing, paradigm-shifting moment which lasts for precisely one minute and three seconds, nothing else in the world matters. Its the most present youve ever been in your entire life, and you know youll never forget the exact thoughts racing through your mind as long as you live. Its love, unadulterated love, personified in the most perfect possible way. (And yes, this is exactly how I remember the moment my girlfriend and I told each other I love you for the first time. Im also pretty sure this is what was going through Jim Carreys mind when this song plays in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as he leaves Kate Winslets apartment for the first or second or third time.) Steven Edelstone I guess Im just a sucker for songs about people dancing. In truth, I hadnt properly listened to the Magnetic Fields until senior year of college, when my then-boyfriend gifted me a 69 Love Songs CD for Valentines Day (I thought it was very retro to have a boombox in my dorm room: I hate me too). The first CD was my favorite by far, and in particular this spare tune with just Stephin Merritts voice, warm and comfortable like an old pair of jeans, and a ukulele (save for when the other band members join in on the chorus). Nothing Matters When Were Dancing captures one of the best parts of love, that even if youre in an absolute dive and the bartender is playing terrible songs, your person being there automatically makes it the only place for you. Clare Martin Neil Youngs 1992 single was a no-brainer pick for me, as its going to be the first dance at my upcoming wedding. While Im thoroughly looking forward to making that memory, Ive also cherished playing this song in quiet moments with my fiance, rocking back and forth on the subway and splitting earbuds like obnoxious teenagers. The lyrics arent overly mushy (always a red flag for me), but theyre simply about taking a moment to dance in the moonlight with your loved one. Nonetheless, the guitars country twang guitar and Youngs gently yearning voice still bring the romance. Its the type of song I can picture playing in the living room decades from now, when my husband and I can just barely shuffle along in our orthopedic shoes, Because Im still in love with you / I want to see you dance again. Clare Martin For a time before the recording of Souvlaki, Neil Halstead and Rachel Goswell were a couple. Childhood friends, the two took guitar lessons together and later formed their first band The Pumpkin Fairies. Dagger, Souvlakis closing track, is likely an account of the fallout of that relationship, a tale of sustained collaboration and inseparable spirits. If the woman the song addresses is Halsteads sunshine girl, then he is the dull abrade of an old knife, lacking the capacity to be present for someone who deserves such acuity. Despite his failings, shes still there: I didnt really lose you / I just lost it for a while. Its at this point that Goswells voice joins Halsteads in the chorus. The world may be full of inconceivable noise, but theyll sift through it together to find meaning. Austin Jones I put I Believe (When I Fall in Love), the closing track on 1972s Talking Book, on the first mix CD I ever made my wife, Kari, pulling out the big guns from the get-go. Whats so great about it as a love songand the reason we chose it for our first dance at our weddingis that it mixes romantic ballad with joyous funk jam, encompassing both the reverence and the celebration befitting the act of getting married. Its a crazy leap of faith to take, no matter how inseparable you and your partner areyou have to believe. Scott Russell Life can be really hard for puppies who are born with deformities and that can actually make their survival difficult. However, if theyre in proper care they can surely defeat the odds. And this pup experienced something similar. Kuaishou This little pup was born with two strange deformities -- first she had a tiny tail on his forehead and second he was born with a cleft palate. While the former made the adorable pup look like a cute unicorn, the latter was what endangered the little ones life. What is Cleft Palate? Cleft palate is a condition, when the roof of a babys mouth isnt formed properly, leading to a gap in the nasal cavity. Human babies too experience deformities like this at birth which are often fixed with surgery. For the puppy, however, the cleft palate made it difficult for her to consume milk from her mother. This resulted in the pup being smaller than the rest of the litter. The owners noticed this strange different and found the existence of cleft palate. Doctors had already given up stating that the pup had a slim chance of surviving. Many said that the first month for the pup was crucial if she cannot survive her first month, she wont last long. The owners didnt want to give up on her. Kuaishou Feeding the pup every two hours They collected milk from the mother and constantly fed the pup every two hours -- sacrificing sleep among other things for the little one. They started feeding her 5ml of milk, then 10ml drop by drop and the pup was eventually responding well. Complications while feeding However, she was far from complications. With the cleft palate, whenever she would consume milk, it would come out of her nose, making the little one cough relentlessly. Even when she started eating solid food, she wouldnt know how to swallow food and it would often get stuck in the cleft palate, causing her immense discomfort. Yet she didnt give up eating. And gradually, with her and her owners dedication, she managed to survive the first month. Kuaishou Today she is six months old. She is able to consume food like a normal pup and live an active life, all thanks to her human-parents who didn't give up on her. New Purdue Veterinary Hospital Director Welcomed at Reception Veterinary nurses in the Veterinary Teaching Hospitals orthopedic surgery section Marcella Ruhana, LeAnna Sanders, Emily Matson, and Courtney White greeted Dr. Ellen Lowery at the reception welcoming her as the new hospital director. Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff had the opportunity to welcome Dr. Ellen Lowery as the new Veterinary Teaching Hospital director and clinical professor during a reception in her honor February 5 in Lynn Hall. We are just thrilled that you are here and we think that the timing is just perfect, Dean Willie Reed said as he introduced Dr. Lowery at the event. Given where we want to take the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in the future, and with new facilities coming on, this opportunity matches very well with your leadership skills and the career that you had before you came here. Most recently, Dr. Lowery served as professor of practice in the School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Studies at Kansas State Universitys Olathe campus and as ancillary faculty in the College of Veterinary Medicines Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology and the Masters of Public Health program. Before joining the Kansas State University faculty, Dr. Lowery had a distinguished 23-year career at Hills Pet Nutrition and held a number of increasingly important leadership positions, including director of U.S. Professional and Veterinary Affairs. She earned her DVM and PhD degrees at Kansas State University and her MBA degree at the University of Kansas. She also has experience in private veterinary practice and during her graduate program served as the university veterinarian for Kansas State University. Dr. Lowery visited with Dr. Larry Adams, professor and section head of small animal internal medicine, and his wife, Laurie, who serves as continuing lecturer in the Department of Veterinary Administration, during the welcome reception in the Veterinary Medical Library in Lynn Hall. Dr. Lowery brings wonderful business experience, a lot of leadership experience, strategic planning experience, and she capped that off with academic experience, Dean Reed said. And were just thrilled to have her be part of the Purdue Veterinary Medicine family and a member of the Colleges leadership team. Dr. Lowery thanked everyone, including the dean, members of the search committee and everybody she had the opportunity to speak with during the interview process. I am truly so excited to be here, Dr. Lowery said. I was eager to get here as soon as I possibly could to join the team. Everybody I talked to outside of Purdue commented on the strength of the University which solidified my decision. Describing herself as an open and transparent person, Dr. Lowery said she knows she has a steep learning curve ahead. Everybody has been so gracious and I appreciate that youre all willing to help me up that learning curve, Dr. Lowery said. Ill ask a lot of questions. I want your feedback and I want you to ask me a lot of questions as well. I look forward to taking us to the next level. Dr. Lowerys appointment was effective February 1. Veterinary Teaching Hospital clinicians, veterinary nurses, and faculty and staff from across the College attended the reception, which was held in the Veterinary Medical Library. Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu 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." ### STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Staten Island judge on Thursday denied a request for a retrial in the 1994 murder conviction of Foster Thompson at an emotionally-charged hearing in state Supreme Court, St. George, attended by several of Thompsons family members and supporters. My child has missed his children growing up, his grandchildren, and now he has great-grandchildren," said Thompsons mother, at a press conference following the hearing. Thompson, 55, was convicted along with another man in the 1992 shooting death of Cynthia Browning and the attempted murder of reputed drug dealer Alton Staley inside a New Brighton apartment building. Decades later, defense attorney Abe George presented a videotaped interview with man called Jamaican Tony, who he identified as David Clark, who says it was he and another man who carried out the robbery that night. The video was submitted to the courts, however, state Supreme Court Judge Alexander Jeong ruled it doesnt constitute newly-discovered evidence. Based in part, explained Jeong, on the fact Thompsons defense attorney in the 90s was already aware of the suspicion surrounding Clark, and unable to produce him to testify. Additionally, the judge ruled, the defense did not do its due diligence to prove why Clark wasnt able to testify. In 2017, protesters gathered outside the office of Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, who had determined not to re-open the 1994 murder conviction of Foster Thompson. (Staten Island Advance/Kyle Lawson) A spokesman for District Attorney Michael E. McMahon said the office underwent a thorough investigation of the allegations made by Mr. Thompsons lawyer...," and found insufficient credible evidence to support an application to set aside the jurys verdict. Jeong also denied a request for actual innocence" in the case, based on what he deemed inconsistencies in witnesses testimony. CLAIMS OF CORRUPTION Outside of the courthouse, George said he told naysayers he believed Thompsons case would be the first ever conviction to be overturned on Staten Island, despite it being the borough with a historically high conviction rate. Clearly if the judge is going to feel that the confession of a man who purported to commit the murder, and an accomplice who came forward...wasnt good enough for this judge, we werent going to get justice here on Staten Island," said George. Over the course of three trials, and the decades that followed, some witnesses put Thompson at the scene, while others named Clark and his accomplice. Both sides -- which at this point has included multiple prosecutors and defense attorneys -- have questioned the credibility of the others witnesses. George, meanwhile, has pointed to what he calls entrenched politics," during a time in New York City in which multiple convictions involving cases in the 1990s have been overturned by judges in other boroughs. Thompsons supporters pointed to the Eric Garner controversy as an example of law enforcements treatment of black men. I was trying to convince (the family) things have changed, George said. And Im very convinced today that things have not changed. That you cant find justice here unfortunately. Thompsons supporters lamented the judges decision moments after it was announced in the hallway outside the courtroom. The actual killer is roaming the streets, roaming the f------ streets," said one man. Foster Thompson, 55, with his family during a visit at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. As part of the legal defense mounted by Thompsons team, George has accused then-assistant district attorney Mark Macron of offering Staley an implied quid pro quo deal to testify against Thompson to secure the conviction in exchange for dropping gun and drug charges in connection with the same incident. Macron has denied those allegations. Foster Thompson committed this murder and thats the fact," said Macron, in response to the press conference Thursday. BACK TO SING SING -- FOR NOW? Thompsons defense will now head to the appellate courts, in an effort to reverse the ruling. His attorney said he plans to file a notice of appeal in a higher court, and believes Foster Thompson is going to come out one and a half, to two years from now, if that." Thompson was escorted into the courtroom Thursday as about a dozen of his family members and supporters anxiously awaited the judges decision. Dressed in khaki pants, without a belt, and a button-down shirt, Thompson motioned a kiss to his family. His wife had a belt ready for him if the judge had set bail, or released him on his own recognizance. She said she visited him in prison the day before, saying he looked like he was in another world. George said his client, who maintained a modest smile in the courtroom, was brought to tears by the decision. Thompsons wife, Sandra, also wept, now facing a long drive home to North Carolina, where she and their children reside. They, along with Thompsons parents, have visited him over the years upstate on a regular basis. Moments before the hearing, Thompsons father, Foster Sr., said he was hopeful to see his son outside of a prison for the first time in a quarter century, saying his son has been incarcerated too long, for something he didnt do." Australian MPs Andrew Wilkie and George Christensen will visit Julian Assange in a London prison and put pressure on the Morrison government to lobby Britain and the United States for his freedom. Accusing the government of abandoning the WikiLeaks founder, Mr Wilkie, a former intelligence official, said Mr Assange had "almost no political patronage" from Australians despite the issue becoming a high-profile one in the United Kingdom. The unlikely political alliance of the Tasmanian independent MP and Mr Christensen, a conservative Liberal-National Party MP from north Queensland, has grown into a 14-member Parliamentary Friends of Julian Assange group. Apart from Mr Christensen it has no other government members. Both the Coalition and Labor have been reluctant to voice public support for the Australian activist. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said that if required, the government would take more steps beyond the announcements made in the Union Budget 2020-21. At an interactive session on 'Budget and Beyond' with professionals from asset management, wealth advisory, tax consultancy and other related industries, the minister also said the Budget 2020-21 was a budget where the impact on equity, bond and currency markets was positive. "If more has to be done beyond the Budget 2020, we are willing to do that," Sitharaman said at the session, where the participants made several suggestions to boost economic activities in the country. The government announced a host of steps in the Union Budget, presented on February 1 in Parliament, to expand the economic activities at a time when the country is faced with demand slowdown due to several reasons. The country's GDP growth is estimated to slow to an 11-year low of 5 per cent in the current financial year. During the interactive session, participants made suggestions for increasing consumption, giving more money into the hands of consumers, measures required to boost liquidity and hosts of suggestions for the capital markets. Several suggestions were also made on the 'Vivad se Vishwas' scheme to deal with the disputes related to the direct taxes. It was announced in the Budget 2020-21. She said the finance ministry will provide details of the scheme soon. However, Parliament approval will be required before the scheme is implemented. Sitharaman assured the participants that her ministry would look into the suggestions. The finance minister had similar interactive sessions in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata last week. The meeting was also attended by Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar and CEO Amitabh Kant, besides secretaries of the finance ministry. Armenia's National Security Service said that a lecturer at Yerevan State University was apprehended after taking a bribe. Accordingly, from 2017 to 2019, the lecturer took bribes ranging between $1,000 and $ 8,000 from a number of people to carry out illegal acts in favor of them, or of those whom they had introduced. On January 31, this lecturer was apprehended after taking a $1,000 bribe to yet again ensure that the given a student received a positive evaluation the midterm examination, News.am reported. A criminal case has been launched. An investigation is underway. Following are the latest Corporate Social Responsibility news releases and story ideas available from Business Wire. These recaps, curated by Business Wire, provide reporters and bloggers around the globe instant access to the latest news releases, providing relevant and trending content to share with their audiences. Discover more news via Business Wires Hot Topic recaps or create a custom news feed specific to your needs here. This service is provided at no charge to members of the media and financial communities. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005132/en/ NEW YORK -- KKR Names Eco-Innovation Award Winners Source: KKR JACKSON, Miss. -- Molpus Announces Advancements in Its Executive Team Source: The Molpus Woodlands Group, LLC PITTSBURGH -- Alcoa Receives Additional Recognition for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Performance Source: Alcoa Corporation CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Hans Sauter Takes Over Global Sustainability Duties at Fresh Del Monte Produce Source: Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. PITTSBURGH -- AEO Inc. Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainability Source: American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. SEATTLE -- Amazon Announces First-Ever Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year Awards, Awarding Seven All-Star Teachers $25,000 Prize Packages for Exemplar Work with Students Across the Country Source: Amazon ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Ecolab Named to CDP Water Security A List for Sustainable Water Management Source: Ecolab Inc. HOUSTON -- Air Liquide Receives Perfect Score in Human Rights Campaigns 2020 Corporate Equality Index Source: Air Liquide COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Hexion Achieves Responsible Care Recertification Source: Hexion Inc. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Bank of America Surpasses Five-Year Goal to Hire 10,000 Veterans Source: Bank of America TOKYO -- Kao Receives the Highest Evaluation from CDP for Climate Change and Water Security Source: Kao Corporation CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- ONE Banana Certifies Organic Production with FAIRTRADE Standard Source: ONE Banana DALLAS -- Atmos Energy Joins ONE Future, Furthering Commitment to Long-term Sustainability Source: Atmos Energy Corporation ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Ecolab's Water Risk Monetizer Updates Global Water Data to Reflect Current Trends Source: Ecolab Inc. 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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200213005132/en/ While Bitcoin is inarguably one of the most consequential computer science innovations in a generation, ushering in the blockchain revolution, it may be no more than a bit player in this new world of digital money and digital capital. Its not because it has other competitors in homegrown cryptocurrencies. Rather, now that the technology genie is out of the bottle, the state and the private sector are taking notice and kicking into high gear. While these are early days of this revolution, the contours and trajectory are clear and unstoppable. Capital as we know it is being reinvented. Let me explain: In the first era of the internet, software upended media industries like news, music, advertising and television, and ultimately extended to a few others like retail, customer service and education. The second era of the internet will make those changes look quaint. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, which automates decision-making, and blockchain, which programs trust into our economic systems (and displaces middlemen), have already begun to disrupt capital as we know it. Capital has always been narrowly defined as money and other financial assets gold, stocks and cold hard cash. Traditional capital is stored in vaults and banks and requires us all to rely on trusted intermediaries to manage our assets. Every time you buy a coffee, send money to your kids, or make a mortgage payment, you are interacting with a middleman which extracts value from the transaction. Digital capital changes this. Digital capital can be moved, stored and used online in a frictionless, instant and secure way without relying on banks, credit card companies and other intermediaries. More importantly, digital assets are smart and programmable. Lets say youre sending money to your kid studying in college. You can now program the money to only work at certain retailers like Walmart and Whole Foods, rather than the Ontario Cannabis Store or LCBO. By rethinking capital, we can reimagine markets, money and finance. Entire swaths of the financial services industry currently worth trillions of dollars banking, payments and even money itself will be questioned, challenged and upended in the years to come. Money is where this digital transformation is being felt first. Indeed, money as we know it will be radically transformed within the decade, and weve already been offered a glimpse into what that will look like. The newest actor to emerge in the world of money comes in the form of private companies like Facebook, whose Libra cryptocurrency initiative would instantly make it the worlds largest financial institution. While Libra promises to provide access to financial services in countries where Facebook accounts outnumber bank accounts, these companies are not beholden to the public good as are governments in a democracy. No surprise, then, that the Libra announcement has been met with rigid opposition from distrustful policy makers. Regardless of whether Libra launches (and I think it will), other technology giants like Alphabet or Amazon are sure to follow suit with their own corporate currencies. Confronted with this reality, the next steps for policy makers have never been more consequential. In August 2019, central bankers around the world assembled for their annual Jackson Hole symposium. There, outgoing Bank of England Governor Mark Carney endorsed what could be the largest change in the global financial system since the 1944 Bretton Woods agreement. At the symposium, Carney argued for replacing the U.S. dollar as the reserve currency with a new global currency, entirely digital, and backed by a basket of digital currencies from a number of central banks. In Carneys view, this currency would look much like Libras, with select central banks forming a consortium to govern the virtual currency. The global reserve currency would therefore be determined by the Canadian dollar, the Pound Sterling, the Euro, the Greenback and likely more a monumental shift. While central banks have yet to endorse the idea, it does seem that they are taking digital currencies more seriously. Earlier this month, the central banks of Canada, the eurozone, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland formed a group to research and share insights into digital currencies. In Bitcoin and Libra, weve seen two different visions for the future of money laid bare. What our leaders do next, and how quickly they act, will determine whether these Roaring 2020s end not in a crash, but in a new era of prosperity. Alex Tapscott is a best-selling author, speaker, and editor of the recently released Financial Services Revolution , a compendium of research studying blockchains impact on money, markets, and banking, available in Canada and the United States now. Read more about: R. Kelly has been hit with new allegations that he sexually abused another minor for four years beginning in the late 1990s. The bombshell allegation was revealed in an updated federal indictment which was filed Friday against the 53-year-old musician in Chicago. Documents refer to the new accuser as 'Minor 6', but offer scant details about the alleged abuse. Kelly is reported to have met the girl in either 1997 or 1998, when she was 14 or 15-years-old. He is accused of engaging in sexual contact or sexual acts with her when she was under 18. The updated indictment also seeks to forfeit all assets from Kelly's production company, Bass Productions Lt. R. Kelly has been hit with new allegations that he sexually abused another minor for four years beginning in the late 1990s The original 13-count indictment against Kelly was filed in Chicago last July, with claims he sexually abused five minors. It alleges he filmed himself having sex with underage girls and also paid off potential witnesses in his 2008 trial at which he was acquitted in order to get them to change their stories. Friday's updated indictment removes a previous reference to 'Minor 2', meaning that - with the new addition of 'Minor 6' - there are still five accusers involved in the case. It's unclear why 'Minor 2' no longer appears to be on the prosecutors' list of alleged victims. Jeffrey Cramer, a former federal prosecutor, told The Chicago Sun-Times that: 'The presentation of the evidence seems to have been tweaked a little bit, but the overall construction of the case remains the same'. Kelly will be arraigned under the reworked indictment, most likely on March 5, when he already had a court hearing schedules. Kelly is shown in court in Chicago in September. He has been held in custody without bond since July He is currently being held without bond at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago His trial date remains scheduled for April 27, although that will likely be pushed to later this year in light of the updated indictment. Kelly is facing several dozen counts of state and federal sexual misconduct charges in multiple states. In addition to the new, reworked Chicago indictment in Illinois, he is also facing state charges in Chicago alleging 10 counts of sexual abuse, which Illinois prosecutors filed in March last year. Last July, he was also hit with a federal indictment in New York, before he was charged in a fourth case in Minnesota last August for allegedly having sex with an underage prostitute. Kelly has pleaded not guilty across the board and believes he is the victim of a set-up from women looking to be paid. An assistant principal charged with raping a 16-year-old student in Missouri has avoided jail time by accepting an Alford plea, allowing her to assert innocence while acknowledging the evidence proves her guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Elizabeth Giesler, who served as the assistant principal of Ste. Genievieve Middle school in eastern Missouri prior to the indictment, accepted the Alford plea earlier this week, according to court records. Rather than serving jail time, Giesler reportedly agreed to serve two years probation, as well as voluntarily surrender her teachers license. The 39-year-old assistant principal was charged with sexual contact with a student, statutory sodomy and statutory rape in 2018, The Kansas City Star reported. Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff's Office The unidentified student told police about three sexual encounters he had with Giesler, including one reported instance at the assistant principals home when she performed oral sex on the child. His father told local news channel KTV1 that Gielser acted as a mentor in the boys life. She talked to us about my son and stuff like this, he said, what she can do for him through life, you know, give him a better life. He added: She was going to try to make sure he got on the right path. The middle school where Giesler was employed also told the news channel that she had been placed on leave pending the results of the investigation. Ste. Genevieve County prosecuting attorney Wayne Williams defended the Alford plea in a statement to the Daily Journal, saying he considered her lack of a criminal record and how she would no longer be able to work in schools after surrendering her teachers license. Some people might not understand the bargain that was struck in this case unless they really understand what she had to give up voluntarily to get that bargain, Mr Williams said. He added: That was basically her livelihood, and she had to surrender that. Related: HS Assistant Principal Accused of Drugging, Raping Woman Story continues Read more Man exonerated by DNA after serving 25 years for rape By PTI NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police has made elaborate security arrangements and issued a traffic advisory for the oath-taking ceremony of chief minister-elect Arvind Kejriwal at the Ramlila Ground here on February 16, officials said on Friday. Around 2,000 to 3,000 security personnel from Delhi Police and the para military will be stationed in the national capital as part of the security arrangements. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at 10 AM on Sunday at the Ramlila Ground here and traffic regulations will be in place in the area from 8 am to 2 pm, they said. A multi-level security arrangement will be in place on Sunday, with CCTV surveillance of all the routes leading to the venue, the officials said. ALSO READ: President appoints Arvind Kejriwal as next Delhi CM; six ministers to take oath Door frame metal detectors and baggage scanners will also installed in and around the ground. Kejriwal will be sworn in as the chief minister of Delhi on February 16 for the third time. He has taken oath as the chief minister twice before at the same venue. On Sunday, cars will have to be parked at the Civic Centre and behind it. Buses will be parked on Mata Sundri Road, Power House Road, Velodrome Road, Rajghat parking, Shanti Van parking and service roads in Rajghat and Samta Sthal as per requirements, the advisory said. OB vans shall be parked on the footpath along JLN Marg opposite Ramlila Maidan beyond gate number 2 up to the roundabout near Kamla Market, it stated. No commercial vehicles will be allowed from Rajghat chowk and Delhi Gate chowk towards Guru Nanak Dev chowk via JLN Marg, Chatta Rail towards Delhi Gate chowk via Netaji Subhash Marg, Paharganj chowk towards Ajmeri Gate via Desh Bandu Gupta Road, Ram Charan Aggarwal chowk towards Delhi Gate chowk via Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, DDU Minto Road towards Kamla Market chowk via Vivekanand Marg and Barakhamba Tolstoy towards Ranjit Singh flyover, the advisory added. The Aam Aadmi Party swept the Delhi Assembly polls held last week, bagging 62 out of 70 seats. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More ESAF Small Finance Bank is looking to bring big names on board before its IPO hits the markets in the first quarter of next financial year. The Kerala-based bank had filed draft papers in January and plans to raise up to Rs 300 crore in a pre-IPO placement. It is yet to receive regulatory approval for the issue. "We are discussing with some HNIs who are interested to invest with a long-term perspective. If some marquee names show interest, it will be a good sign for other set of investors in the IPO offer," said K Paul Thomas, MD & CEO, ESAF SFB, adding that the discussions are on a preliminary stage and nothing has been finalised as of now. If the bank is successful in getting the pre-IPO funding, the amount will be deducted from the IPO size. ESAF SFB said that the promoter stake is likely to come down by 15-20 percent post-IPO, based on current market trends. The micro-finance lender is also open to acquisition as one of the options in the process going ahead. "We are exploring different options to bring down promoter stake, but nothing is concrete as of now. We also have to take care of some investors in the holding company who wish to exit. We have enough time to think about options and various opportunities are available," said Gireesh CP, chief financial officer, ESAF SFB. While microfinance loans constitute over 96 percent of the bank's advances, it has also started diversifying into housing, auto and agriculture loans. The bank aims to scale up these verticals going ahead. "If a good opportunity comes for inorganic growth at the dilution stage, we may look at it. We are open to evaluating all options," Thomas said. Thomas and other promoters hold 78 percent stake in the bank currently. The bank has time till March 2022 to bring down promoter stake below 40 percent, as per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) norms. Thomas said that the bank is expecting a good response from the markets, on the lines of fund raising by other SFBs like Ujjivan SFB and AU SFB. "The SFB model has been accepted by the markets and regulator from perspective of financial inclusion as well as sustainable business," Thomas said. He added that the success of the model is reflected in the fact that the RBI recently initiated on-tap licensing for SFBs. Spirit to bring more than 240 jobs to Tennessee with nearly 100 more to be added over the next five years 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 (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). Story continues 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 (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. WASHINGTON George T. Conway III has described the work of his wife, Kellyanne Conway, for President Trump in terms usually reserved for hostage situations: brainwashed by a cult, suffering from Stockholm syndrome, an overwhelmed mother protecting a destructive man-child. And if you think its all shtick, some wink-and-nod act by a couple who fights by day and snuggles by night, planning a payday after Mr. Trump leaves the scene, think again, say some people close to Americas oddest political couple. Those who think this is a 14-dimensional chess game are mistaken, said Rick Wilson, who with Mr. Conway and several other Republicans formed the Lincoln Project, an effort to beat Mr. Trump in the 2020 election. Mr. Conway has taken unequivocal and irreversible actions that have established his bona fides as someone who opposes Donald Trump, and shes going to be for Donald Trump until the last dog dies, he said, adding a question that many Americans have asked themselves about the Conways: Who knows the secrets of the human heart? Dr. Bresee said that he empathized with evacuees who want definitive answers about whether they are healthy. Theyre concerned, theyre nervous, and they want to be assured of their safety, he said, adding that the cost of testing was not a factor in the decision not to test everyone. We dont think testing would be helpful, and if we did, we would test them. About 1,000 Americans are believed to live in Wuhan, where the outbreak began. As the number of confirmed cases soared and commercial carriers suspended flights out of the city, the United States began chartering planes to bring home citizens who were stranded there. On the San Diego base, where evacuees have been waiting since last week, not everyone was calling for more testing. John McGory, who is among the group, said some people did not support the petition. Some in the group said fears had been blown out of proportion and that the C.D.C.s approach seemed reasonable. The C.D.C. on Thursday announced the latest confirmed coronavirus case in the United States as having been identified among the evacuees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The person had been under quarantine on the base until symptoms emerged. The person was taken to a hospital and was stable with mild symptoms, the C.D.C. said. In announcing the new case, the C.D.C. said there would likely be more confirmed cases in the coming days. At the San Diego base, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Mr. Wilson and others said that people had to leave their rooms to get breakfast, lunch and dinner from a small room, which is also where their temperatures were taken. People rummaged through boxes of fruit and snacks with their bare hands, he said, and they stood shoulder to shoulder in line waiting to check their temperatures despite being told to stay six feet away from one another. After the petition was circulated, health officials agreed as of Thursday to deliver meals and take temperatures at the room doors of evacuees who preferred it that way. Can't allow every person who thinks of some solution to COVID-19 to file petition: SC SC threatens contempt against Bharti Airtel, Voda over non-payment of dues India oi-PTI New Delhi, Feb 14: The Supreme Court on Friday threatened contempt proceedings against top executives of Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and other telecom firms for failing to comply with its directive to pay an estimated Rs 1.47 lakh crore in past dues, and asked whether there was no law left in the country. In an order which will have a far-reaching implications for the telecom sector, the apex court expressed displeasure at the "temerity" of a desk officer in the Department of Telecom for "scuttling" its order by issuing a written directive to not take any coercive action against firms for not depositing dues by the January 23, 2020, deadline. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra, S Abdul Nazeer and M R Shah said the companies have violated its order "in pith and substance" and asked them to clear dues before the next date of hearing on March 17. "In spite of the dismissal of the review application (filed by the telcos), they have not deposited any amount so far. It appears the way in which things are happening that they have scant respect to the directions issued by this court," they said in the order. Separate petitions filed by non-telecom firms such as gas utility GAIL and power transmission firm PowerGrid, who were slapped with a demand of Rs 2.65 lakh crore by the DoT, were withdrawn by the applicants after the court said they can represent their case at appropriate forms. Following the Supreme Court rap, the Department of Telecom withdrew its January 23, 2020 order that had called for no coercive action against defaulting firms and started issuing notices to telcos asking them to deposit dues before midnight of Friday. While Airtel said it will deposit Rs 10,000 crore out of its dues of about Rs 55,000 crore within a week, there was no word from Vodafone on payment of dues. Expressing displeasure over an order passed by the DoT's desk officer, which virtually stayed the effect of its verdict, the apex court said this is nothing "but a device to scuttle" its judgment and this case projects a "very disturbing scenario". It issued a notice to the officer. The bench noted that the desk officer "has the temerity to pass the order "to the effect of issuing a direction to another constitutional authority, the accountant general, "not to insist for any payment pursuant to the order passed by this court and not to take any coercive steps till further orders." "In the circumstances, we draw contempt proceedings against the desk officer for passing the order and violating the order passed by this court," said the bench. "The managing directors/ directors of the companies also to show cause why we should not initiate contempt proceedings against them for violating the order passed by this court by not depositing the amount, on the next date of hearing. Let the concerned officer, sitting over the order passed by this court, also file reply," it said. The top court made it clear that in case its order is not complied with, the desk officer of the DoT and top executives of these companies "shall remain personally present" before it on March 17. "I am literally shocked. My conscience is shaken the way these things are happening in the country," Justice Mishra said. Hearing the pleas filed by Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel, Tata Teleservices and others seeking more time for payment of dues, the bench expressed serious displeasure and said, "How can a desk officer do this to the Supreme Court's order? Is this the law of the country. Is this the way you treat the courts." "We don't know who is creating this nonsense. Who is generating all this? Is there no law left in the country? I am literally anguished. I feel I should not work in this court and in this system. I am very anguished. I am saying this with a full sense of responsibility," Justice Mishra said. "I don't get angry like this, but I am totally lost how to work in this system and this country," he said, adding, "It is better not to live in this country and rather leave this country". Solicitor General Tushar Mehta tendered an apology before the bench and said the desk officer cannot do this. He urged the court to defer the hearing so that the desk officer could file an explanation. "As the solicitor general of the country, have you asked him (desk officer) to withdraw this? This cannot be tolerated. We cannot function in this fashion. Let us wind up the Supreme Court if your desk officer has this audacity. News reports are being published. Who is sponsoring all this?" the bench asked. "I never bother about myself. You don't understand me, not even an inch. Your desk officer is staying the Supreme Court order. Is he sitting over the Supreme Court? How?," Justice Mishra said, adding, "How he is still on his chair?". "A desk officer is writing to the AG (Accountant General). There is so much money power. Is this not the outcome of money power? Let me speak, I do not bother," Justice Mishra said. "We have to draw contempt against this man (desk officer) and also against these companies. How are they behaving? We had dismissed the review plea and not even a single penny has been deposited yet. The desk officer is staying our order. We are concerned with the health of judiciary, of this country and of this system," the bench said. The bench asked Mehta that the order passed by the desk officer should be withdrawn immediately otherwise "he (desk officer) will be sent to the jail in the evening today". When Mehta repeatedly urged the bench not to pass any order to this effect, Justice Mishra said, "I have passed an order. I will not succumb to all this... This is 100 per cent contempt". "Too much has happened in this country. We will not permit all this. For 30 years, it is going on and we are seeing the worst part today," the bench said and asked Mehta whether the court should also say how everything is "hand in gloves" in this matter. "What kind of applications are being filed? What kind of mentioning is being made? If you want to avoid us, you do it and we will recuse," the bench said. It observed that the companies have violated its order in "pith and substance" and this shows that they have scant respect for the order of the Supreme Court. Referring to the desk officer's letter, the apex court bench said, "This is nothing but a device to oblige the companies. This kind of order could not have been passed by a desk officer." Telecom companies want to negotiate a fresh payment schedule with the DoT, which has issued demand notices to them. The court had on October 24 last year ordered that non-telecom revenues should be included in the Adjusted Gross Revenues (AGR) for calculating statutory dues such as license fee and spectrum charges. CAA Protests: Airtel, Vodafone Idea, Reliance Jio suspended in parts of Delhi-NCR The DoT calculated that Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and others owe as much as Rs 1.47 lakh crore in past dues, including penalties and interest, while non-telecom firms, who had taken some licence from it, owed another Rs 2.65 lakh crore. On January 16, a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra dismissed petitions of telecom firms seeking review of that order saying it did not find any "justifiable reason" to entertain them. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, February 14, 2020, 21:34 [IST] Stella Wedell's mixtape, recorded and then lost in the early 1990s, was found washed up intact on a beach in Fuerteventura almost 25 years later. A woman who lost a mixtape while on holiday has been reunited with the cassette 25 years later, after it was found washed up on a Canary Island beach. Stella Wedell was 12-years-old when she took her tape to listen to on her Walkman while in the Costa Brava and Mallorca in 1993. But the cassette, featuring hits by artists such as Pet Shop Boys, Inner Circle, Bob Marley and Snap, went missing, with Wedell fearing it had been lost forever. But in 2019 she was stunned to spot the mixtape, along with a list of the 20 songs featured, on display at a photography exhibition while on holiday in Stockholm. She saw the mixtape, along with the tracklist, on display at a photography exhibition she visited during a holiday to Stockholm in 2019 after the tape washed up on a beach (PA) It turned out the tape had washed up on a beach in Fuerteventura in 2017 - more than 1,200 miles from where she had last seen it. UK artist Mandy Barker recovered the cassette and sent it to a professional audio restorer, who managed to listen to all the tracks, and it was included in her touring exhibition Sea of Artefacts. It went on display at the Fotografiska in Stockholm between June and August 2019, with Ms Wedell emailing Barker on August 3. Read more from Yahoo News UK: In pictures: Stunning Google Earth View images show our planet at its most spectacular Government says flights from China still allowed as UK cases rise to 9 Sajid Javid quit because he didn't want to 'rock the boat' Wedell said: When I was reading the tracklist, it seemed very familiar to me. So I took a picture of it and compared it with the original CD from 1993, which I still have and it was exactly the same tracklist, but starting with track three. I remember that I didnt like the first two songs on the CD because I felt they were too old so I wouldnt have included them when I recorded the mixtape aged 12. I always made tapes from my CDs at this time to listen to them with my Walkman, especially for holidays, and to think that a tape I could have lost more than 20 years ago had been found was incredible. Wedell was 12 when she took the tape to listen to her favourite songs on her Walkman while in the Costa Brava and Mallorca in 1993. (PA) The tape will continue touring as part of Barkers exhibition but will be returned to Ms Wedell afterwards. Story continues The full tracklist is: Somebody Dance With Me (Radio Mix) DJ Bobo Would I Lie To You? Charles & Eddie The Jungle Book Groove Disney Cast Rock With You Inner Circle Do You See The Light Snap One Love (Radio Version) Dr Alban More And More Captain Hollywood Project Oh Carolina (Radio Version) Shaggy The Key, The Secret (Glamorously Developed Edit) Urban Cookie Collective It Keeps Rainin (Tears From My Eyes) Bitty McLean Summer Summer (Radio Edit) Loft Never Let Her Slip Away Undercover Power Of American Natives Dance 2 Trance Iron Lion Zion (7 Mix) Bob Marley & The Wailers Sweet Harmony The Beloved Give It Up Cut n Move Go West Pet Shop Boys Runaway Train Soul Asylum HarperCollins Childrens Books has announced the first-ever Shelf Stuff tour, a multi-author middle grade program kicking off in March. Launched in fall 2018, Shelf Stuff is the publishers digital platform for middle grade readers. The five-city tour will bring together authors Lisa Greenwald (the TBH series), Peter Lerangis (the Max Tilt and Seven Wonders series), and Janae Marks (From the Desk of Zoe Washington) for interactive events with young readers, hosted by various bookstores and schools. Tour stops will feature book-themed game nights, pizza, drinks, prizes, and more. The authors will also visit local schools in each city. Lerangis, who is touring with his latest series opener, Throwback, told PW, I came to writing from an acting career, so I love touring and talking to kids. But its a pretty solitary experience, so hats off to Harper for this multi-author idea. I cant wait to talk books with Janae and Lisa in some of my favorite places in the U.S. Debut author Marks said, Im so honored to be one of the authors for the very first Shelf Stuff tour! I'm excited to visit schools in each city, and the bookstore game nights are going to be a blast! This will be such a special opportunity to connect with readers, and I cant wait. Greenwald added, I am so excited about the Shelf Stuff tour. I love school visits and the new format for the bookstore events should be amazing. I cant wait to connect with all of the readers, librarians, teachers and booksellers! The tour schedule is as follows: March 9: Blue Willow Bookshop (Houston, Tex.) March 10: Best of Books (Edmond, Okla.) March 11: Andersons Bookshop (LaGrange, Ill.) March 12: The Novel Neighbor (St. Louis, Mo.) March 13: Barnes and Noble (Fairfax, Va.) HarperCollins also plans to use the multi-author format for future Shelf Stuff tours, with the next one taking off in fall 2020. New Jersey State Police have identified the four people arrested Wednesday after three were involved in a shootout and chase with officers in Trenton. The fourth person charged tried to hide guns from investigators, the agency said in a statement. Trenton men Dion Battle, 28, Shaiquan A. Hearns, 20, and Yahonatan Salter, 28, are all facing six charges for the Wednesday incident where they fired at a Hamilton police officer who is part of a New Jersey State Police task force. The officer, in an unmarked car, witnessed a shooting at West State Street and Parkside Avenue after 2 p.m. and tailed a car afterward, police said. They allege Battle, Hearns and Salter were in that car. 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) He followed the car to the Oakland Park Apartments on Coolidge Avenue when at least one of the men opened fire. The shots hit the officers unmarked police cruiser but he was unharmed. Salter was arrested outside the apartments while Battle and Hearns entered the apartment building and a unit where Tameka Flemming, 30, lives. Flemming was arrested when she tried to leave her apartment with two handguns partially concealed in a small backpack, police said. She is charged with weapons offenses, hindering apprehension and obstruction. The men are charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree conspiracy, three weapons offenses -- including possessing a firearm after a conviction -- and hindering apprehension. All four are in the Mercer County Jail awaiting detention hearings. Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said Friday that while he does not recline his seat on flights, he believes people should have the right to do so. "The proper thing to do is, if you're going to recline into somebody, you ask if it's OK first," Bastian said on CNBC's "Squawk Box." "I never recline, because I don't think it's something as CEO I should be doing, and I never say anything if someone reclines into me." The debate on whether people flying economy should be able to recline their seats was reignited this week after an American Airlines passenger filmed a man punching the back of her seat after she leaned back. Tweet "Here's a great jackhole! He was angry that I reclined my seat and punched it about 9 times HARD, at which point I began videoing him, and he resigned to this behavior," Wendi Williams tweeted Saturday. People who weighed in on social media were divided on the question: If someone pays for a seat with a recline button, should they be able to do so? "As annoying as this is ... those seats recline for a reason so that's his problem," one Twitter user said. "With the universal decrease in leg space implemented by airlines, I try to never recline more than a smidge. And I'm 6' 2." It's not wrong to recline. Just sucks to have your space taken," another user added. Airline cabins have become increasingly crowded over the past 40 years, in an attempt by airlines to fit more passengers on board. Seat pitch, or the distance from one seat back to the next, is about 31 inches for economy seats, though some budget airlines only offer 28 inches. At Delta, Bastian said, "We haven't reduced our pitch on our aircraft in years. We're going the other way." Advertisement As the most romantic day of the year comes round, celebrities are naturally out in force to make the biggest and best gestures for their nearest and dearest. Leading the way were stars including Kim Kardashian, Shirley Ballas, Kate Ferdinand, Tamara Ecclestone, Rochelle Humes, the Beckhams, Jacqueline Jossa and Dan Osborne, who pulled out all the stops for the big day. A range of Instagram posts featured the dazzling feats of the creme de la creme of the showbiz world, with flowers, sweets and throwback snaps making sure the day was the best it could possibly be. Wow! As the most romantic day of the year comes round, celebrities are naturally out in force to make the biggest and best gestures for their nearest and dearest, with Tamara Ecclestone being treated to an epic flower display (pictured) The Kardashian-Wests were of course pulling out all the stops, with Kim sharing snaps of her gifts from her sister Khloe - who plastered her wrapping paper with images of her husband Kanye's face. Her sister Kylie Jenner meanwhile, who is rumoured to have been getting close to her ex Travis Scott once more, shared a series of shots of her morning treats - including heart-shaped bagels and cupcakes. Shirking the scandal surrounding their romance, Strictly star Kelvin Fletcher shared a defiant snap with his wife Eliza, following the reveal of images showing him at hotels with his dance partner Oti Mabuse. Never ones to hold back, Jay Rutland treated his wife Tamara to a vast heart made out of roses while surrounded by a host of balloons, included one spelling out the word love. Teehee! The Kardashian-Wests were of course pulling out all the stops, with Kim sharing snaps of her gifts from her sister Khloe - who plastered her wrapping paper with images of her husband Kanye's face Delicious: Her sister Kylie Jenner meanwhile, who is rumoured to have been getting close to her ex Travis Scott once more, shared a series of shots of her morning treats - including heart-shaped bagels and cupcakes Advertisement: Kim also shared a fun Valentine's Day snap of herself to promote her SKIMS collection Oti who? Shirking the scandal surrounding their romance, Strictly star Kelvin Fletcher shared a defiant snap with his wife Eliza, following the reveal of images showing him at hotels with his dance partner Oti Mabuse Happy days: Victoria Beckham was posing up a storm in a white T-shirt, while simply adding a slogan across wishing her followers a happy Valentine's Happy days: Her husband David was also littering social media with snaps, including showing their daughter Harper in front of a balloon reading 'Love' Kate, who married her husband Rio Ferdinand in Turkey in September, shared a sweet snap of single heart balloon sitting alongside her beloved chihuahua Ronnie. Victoria Beckham was posing up a storm in a white T-shirt, while simply adding a slogan across wishing her followers a happy Valentine's. Her husband David was also littering social media with snaps, including showing their daughter Harper in front of a balloon reading 'Love' and strawberries shaped like hearts. Coleen Rooney recovered from her dramas over the past days, as she shared a collage with her husband, dad and sons alongside the caption: 'Happy Valentines Day to my boys. I love you all'. Sweet: David paid tribute to Victoria with a sweet throwback snap Sweet messages: Harper penned a message on headed paper from Victoria's brand, as she penned: 'Happy Valentine's Day = love you so much. You put a smile on my face. Love ?' while Victoria also thanked David for balloons he sent Breakfast is served: Nicole Scherzinger, 41, celebrated her first Valentine's Day with boyfriend Thom Evans, 34, by sharing a very racy Instagram photo Loved-up: Jamie Oliver's wife Jools shared a sweet throwback snap to celebrate the romantic occasion Solitary: Kate, who married her husband Rio Ferdinand in Turkey in September, shared a sweet snap of single heart balloon sitting alongside her beloved chihuahua Ronnie True romance: Catherine Zeta-Jones was engaging in a romantic moment with her beloved husband Michael Douglas Fellow WAG Toni Terry gave a nod to her football ace husband as she penned: 'Happy Valentines to my soulmate. Always making me laugh Mr T x love you so much @johnterry.26', over a bikini picture. Rochelle Humes was feeling sentimental about her husband Marvin, as they cosied up while she posted a caption reading: 'They say behind every man is a strong woman. For me I'm strong because he loves me...( I can't believe how cheesy that was. I'm sorry)'. Sending her best, Shirley, 59, gave a nod to her toyboy beau Daniel Taylor, 47, as she shared a card, in which he had created a collage of sweet images of the pair alongside a rose and card. Love: Love Island's Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury showcased their love with an extravagant display to celebrate Valentine's Day on Friday Sweet: Rochelle Humes was feeling sentimental about her husband Marvin, as they cosied up while she posted a caption reading: 'They say behind every man is a strong woman. For me I'm strong because he loves me...( I can't believe how cheesy that was. I'm sorry)' Happy days: Fellow WAG Toni Terry gave a nod to her football ace husband as she penned: 'Happy Valentines to my soulmate. Always making me laugh Mr T x love you so much @johnterry.26', over a bikini picture Her bliss; Myleene Klass shared a sweet snap while breastfeeding her son Apollo and lying in bed next to her beau Simon Motson Happy days: Coleen Rooney recovered from her dramas over the past days, as she shared a collage with her husband, dad and sons alongside the caption: 'Happy Valentines Day to my boys. I love you all' Family: Ryan Thomas was every inch the doting Father as he cradled his fiance Lucy Mecklenburgh's growing bump in a sweet Instagram snap She added a caption on the shot read: 'My boyfriend is sooo adorable and cute, working hard in #bloodbrothers and extremely busy he still manages to make a collection of photographs of our past few months , a touching card and beautiful rose... 'Our first valentines together. I feel blessed to have met such a beautiful human being who loves life. Very excited to move into 2020 with you @danieltayloresq Im the happiest Ive ever been. #valentines #love #kindness'. Lisa Snowdon shared an incredibly sweet selfie with her beau George Smart, while adding the caption: 'Happy Love Day to my one and only ( sorry if its too mushy'. Sweet: Wayne also paid tribute to his wife as he celebrated their 18 years as a couple Mwah! Emma Willis shared a snap kissing husband Matt, she penned: 'Youre just to good to be true, cant take my eyes off you.... @mattjwillis my valentine ' 'A kiss for a cause!' Cara Delevingne shared a snap kissing girlfriend Ashley Benson to raise money for a cancer charity One kiss! Dua Lipa shared a loved-up snap kissing boyfriend Anwar Hadid, she penned: 'Pls touch wiv ur eyes only. this one is mine. Happy V day lovers' Sizzling: Vicky Pattison, who is dating TOWIE star Ercan Ramadan, was sizzling in red lace lingerie while holding a vast bunch of roses and adding the simple caption: 'Happy Valentines Day Everyone' Happy days: Vicky was treated to a stunning card, flowers and new shoes from Kurt Geiger Cheeky! Dan Osborne and Jacqueline Jossa posed in a cheeky joint jumper, as they proved all is well following cheating allegations surrounding the TOWIE star Happy days: Lisa Snowdon shared an incredibly sweet selfie with her beau George Smart, while adding the caption: 'Happy Love Day to my one and only ( sorry if its too mushy' Sweet display: Petra Ecclestone's fiance Sam Palmer shared a duo of snaps with the pregnant heiress His love: Mark Wright paid tribute to his wife Michelle Keegan Valentine's Day: Peter Andre admitted he made a hilarious Valentine's Day blunder to his wife Emily MacDonagh after he made an error in her card Amanda Holden planted a tender kiss on her husband Chris' cheek, while adding the caption: '#happyvalentinesday to the love of my life #chrispy'. While Dan and Jaqueline have had a tough year amid claims he had a threesome with Celebrity Big Brother co-stars Chloe Ayling and Natalie Nunn in 2018, they proved their marriage is firmly on track as they celebrated Valentine's Day by posing in a cute double jumper on Friday. Millie Mackintosh was feeling nostalgic as she shared a snap from her July 2018 wedding to husband Hugo Taylor. The couple are currently awaiting the arrival of their first child. Paddy McGuinness was also feeling loved-up as he posed with his stunning wife Christine who was clutching balloons and beaming at the camera. Happy days! Paddy McGuinness was also feeling loved-up as he posed with his stunning wife Christine who was clutching balloons and beaming at the camera Locking lips: Amanda Holden planted a tender kiss on her husband Chris' cheek, while adding the caption: '#happyvalentinesday to the love of my life #chrispy' Do it for the kids! Stacey Solomon and Jack Fincham shared posts with their kids to mark the big day, with the Loose Women star posing with her son Rex, eight months, while the Love Island star posed with his newborn daughter Blossom Hot stuff! Olly Murs posed with his stunning girlfriend, female bodybuilder Amelia Tank - nicknamed Tank the Bank Overjoyed: Kate Beckinsale - who was recently linked to Pete Davidson - made her plans well-known as she shared a sweet and hilarious video of her laptop, her cat and a teddy bear and added a caption reading: 'Happy Valentines Day from us dangerous b***hes to you' Sultry: Jesy Nelson, 28, and her boyfriend Chris Hughes, 27, enjoyed a romantic dinner on Friday to celebrate Valentine's Day Kate Beckinsale - who was recently linked to Pete Davidson - made her plans well-known as she shared a sweet and hilarious video of her laptop, her cat and a teddy bear and added a caption reading: 'Happy Valentines Day from us dangerous b***hes to you. Olly Murs posed with his stunning girlfriend, female bodybuilder Amelia Tank - nicknamed Tank the Bank. They posed up a storm in Versace-style swimwear. OIivia Attwood's fiance Bradley Dack shared a throwback snap to their engagement, while adding the caption: 'Happy Valentines Day babe. Love you lots'. His love: OIivia Attwood's fiance Bradley Dack shared a throwback snap to their engagement, while adding the caption: 'Happy Valentines Day babe. Love you lots' Overjoyed: Millie Mackintosh was feeling nostalgic as she shared a snap from her July 2018 wedding to husband Hugo Taylor. The couple are currently awaiting the arrival of their first child and in her caption she revealed they are jetting on their babymoon Adorable: Sending her best, Shirley, 59, gave a nod to her toyboy beau Daniel Taylor, 47, as she shared a card, in which he had created a collage of sweet images of the pair alongside a rose and card Vicky Pattison, who is dating TOWIE star Ercan Ramadan, was sizzling in red lace lingerie while holding a vast bunch of roses and adding the simple caption: 'Happy Valentines Day Everyone.' Stacey Solomon and Jack Fincham shared posts with their kids to mark the big day, with the Loose Women star posing with her son Rex, eight months, while the Love Island star posed with his newborn daughter Blossom. Lingerie model Rhian Sugden gave her fiance Oliver Mellor a treat as she posed in a sizzling lingerie set. Oh my! Lingerie model Rhian Sugden gave her fiance Oliver Mellor a treat as she posed in a sizzling lingerie set Sweet display: England star Harry Maguire posed up a storm with his fiancee Fern Hawkins BLOCKED FROM POSTING LINKS TO THIS VERY NEWS SITE ON FACEBOOK (its executives involved in case since 1996/1997 - far before one even existed... I can certainly sympathize with Kenneth Caban Gonzalez, who moved from Puerto Rico to Georgia only to find that state officials rejected his legitimate identity documents even though he, like fellow residents of the island, is a U.S. citizen [Drivers license snags for Puerto Ricans end, Digest, Feb. 12]. When I moved from Puerto Rico to the District some decades ago, a major bank declined to accept checks drawn on my account at Puerto Ricos largest bank, even though the checks carried the same Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. notice and Federal Reserve routing numbers as checks from other U.S. banks. I was told that this branch did not accept foreign exchange, even though I pointed out that the island is part of the U.S. banking system. Drone Image: Ryan Welch, Beuamont Enterprise / The Enterprise You can bet that officials with Motiva Enterprises really didnt want to negotiate with the Port Arthur Community Action Network after if filed a permit application to expand its operations. Motiva, like other petrochemical plants in the region, undoubtedly wanted to do what other plants did when state or federal permits were needed. That of course would be to deal with state or federal regulators to get those permits approved period. Local groups like the Community Action Network would basically remain on the outside looking in, while the real dialogue took place in Austin or Washington. This time, however, Motiva departed from that script, and the change is welcome. It could even become a model for future petrochemical expansions in Southeast Texas. Islamabad: Notwithstanding India's objection, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday once again raked up the Kashmir issue, vowing that Ankara will support Pakistan's stand as it is a matter of concern to both the countries. Addressing a joint session of Pakistan's Parliament, Erdogan, who arrived here on a two-day visit, announced that Turkey will back Pakistan in its efforts to come out of the Grey List of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which is meeting this week in Paris. "I also want to emphasise that we will give support to Pakistan which is subject to political pressure in the Financial Action Task Force meetings," he said on the upcoming meeting of the anti-terror financing watchdog. Voicing his country's support to Pakistan's stand on the Kashmir issue, he said it can be resolved not through conflict or oppression but on the basis of justice and fairness. "Our Kashmiri brothers and sisters have suffered from inconveniences for decades and these sufferings have become graver due to unilateral steps taken in recent times," Erdogan said, apparently referring to India revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August last year. "Today, the issue of Kashmir is as close to us as it is to you (Pakistanis). "Such a solution (on the basis of justice and fairness) will serve the interests of all parties concerned. Turkey will continue to stand by justice, peace and dialogue in the resolution of the Kashmir issue," the president said. The Turkish President, in his address, likened the "struggle" of the Kashmiris with that of his country in the World War I against foreign domination. Drawing comparison with the battle of Gallipoli which was fought in Turkey between the Allied Powers and the Ottoman Empire in which over two lakh troops were killed on the both sides, Erdogan said "there is no difference between Gallipoli and Kashmir". "Turkey will continue to raise its voice against the oppression," he told Pakistani lawmakers in his address to the National Assembly and Senate, which was his record fourth address to the Pakistani Parliament over the years. In September last year, Erdogan raised the Kashmir issue during his address at the United Nations General Assembly. Reacting to his remarks in the UN, India said it "deeply regrets" the statement of Turkey on the Kashmir issue, and termed it an internal matter. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar called upon Turkey to have a proper understanding of the situation in Kashmir before making further comments. India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5. Reacting to India's move, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties with New Delhi and expelled the Indian High Commissioner. India has always maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is its integral part and ruled out any third party mediation, including either from the UN or the US, saying it is a bilateral issue with Pakistan. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at a news conference after restoring diplomatic ties with Kiribati on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, U.S. September 27, 2019. MUNICH Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to Germany this weekend to discuss the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus, among other national security issues. Wang is slated to give a keynote speech at the annual Munich Security Conference, which begins Friday and runs through Sunday. He is expected to discuss Beijing's efforts to contain the flu-like virus, now named COVID-19. The virus has killed at least 1,384 people and sickened more than 64,453 worldwide. Follow CNBC's live blog on the coronavirus Since the deadly outbreak, Wang is the first Chinese senior official to travel overseas. While the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases are in mainland China, the virus has also been identified in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, India, Singapore, Nepal, Hong Kong, Macao, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Italy, France, Germany, Russia, Spain, Belgium, Finland, Sweden, Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and the United Kingdom. Wang's trip to Munich comes as German auto manufacturers brace for production and sale setbacks from the deadly coronavirus. Cars, the nation's top export, are uniquely affected by the coronavirus since so many German carmakers have established several auto plants throughout China. His trip also comes on the heels of White House officials expressing doubts about the information coming out of China regarding the coronavirus. Researchers are skeptical that the official numbers from China reflect how contagious the virus truly is. China "also continues to rebuff American offers of assistance," a senior administration official told CNBC. Police in Telangana registered a case against four Bajrang Dal activists for attacking film critic Kathi Mahesh, who had earlier made derogatory statements against Hindu gods. "Today (February 14) film critic Kathi Mahesh came to Imax mall to watch a movie while he was returning four Bajrang Dal activists noticed and attacked him. The police personnel who were on duty immediately intervened and rescued Kathi Mahesh and shifted him to the local police station," ACP, Saifabad Venu Gopal told ANI on Friday. The four Bajrang Dal activists were also caught and shifted to the Saifabad police station. A case has been registered against the four activists and notices have been issued against them, according to the police official. Further probe is underway. Telugu film critic Kathi Mahesh had allegedly made derogatory comments against the Hindu gods and religion, for which cases had been registered against him earlier this month. The case against Kathi was lodged by the Hyderabad cyber crime police on February 9. A short video of the speech by Kathi had gone viral. Earlier, Mahesh Kathi was banned from Hyderabad for six months by the Telangana police under the Telangana Prevention of Anti-Social and Hazardous Activities Act, 1980, during a similar controversy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Yellow Wiggle Greg Page had no symptoms and said he was healthier than ever before having a heart attack on stage during a bushfire charity concert. Page went into cardiac arrest during a concert in Sydney performed to raise money for bushfire relief on January 17 before an off-duty nurse saved his life. On Friday he returned to Castle Hill RSL to thank 23-year-old Grace Jones, who was in attendance at the concert and used a defibrillator to save the Wiggle star's life. But Page said before the night of the concert he had not felt any symptoms that he would be suffering from orthostatic intolerance or 'upright intolerance'. 'I had no warning signs or any pre-existing symptoms that there was the potential for anything to go wrong,' he told A Current Affair. Yellow Wiggle Greg Page's (front centre) brush with death has prompted health experts to call for more investment in the defibrillators that saved his life On Friday he returned to Castle Hill RSL to thank 23-year-old Grace Jones, who was in attendance at the concert and used a defibrillator to save the Wiggle star's life 'If anything I was working out harder to prepare for the show - I was walking quicker, going to the gym, making sure I was as fit as I could be not knowing that there was a ticking time bomb in there.' 'It's not necessarily how you look on the outside, it's how you are on the inside.' Greg said he had no warning signs in the lead up to his heart attack, and had even seen a doctor just weeks earlier, who had run him through a series of stress tests. People with orthostatic intolerance have a nervous system that struggles to pump enough blood around the body, which prompted Page's cardiac arrest. The original Wiggles lineup were moments away from performing their final song, Hot Potato, when the incident occurred. Since Page was standing upright for a long period of time, 750ml of blood flowed away from his head and down to his legs, putting immense pressure on his heart. The children's entertainer had allegedly complained of feeling unwell to his band-mates after performing on stage for around an hour. It took three shots of the defibrillator to shock his heart back into rhythm. 'I had no warning signs or any pre-existing symptoms that there was the potential for anything to go wrong,' Page said Paramedic Brian Purcell (right) praised Grace Jones (left) saying that Page was alive due to her quick actions Following his collapse, Page was taken to Westmead Hospital where he had surgery to have a stent inserted into his heart. Experts have said without the public access defibrillator, it is likely Page would have lost his life. Ms Jones bravely swooped in from the audience, performed CPR using the defibrillator along side Steve Pace, the Wiggles drummer and Kimmy Antonelli, a band staff member. The group have been praised for saving Page's life after keeping his heart beating for roughly 20 minutes using the defibrillator three times, until paramedics arrived. Shortly after the incident Ms Jones explained how she had never saved someone's life outside the hospital. The Wiggles posted a picture of Page in hospital giving a thumbs up with the caption: 'Let's raise the roof tonight and do it for Greg whilst raising funds for the Australian Red Cross and WIRES.' Greg said he had no warning signs in the lead up to his heart attack, and had even seen a doctor just weeks earlier, who had run him through a series of stress tests (pictured with the people who helped save his life) She said: 'It's a bit surreal. I do things like that every day at work, I didn't expect to do that without equipment and everything like that.' Page is now urging for the public to be more aware of defibrillators to prevent tragedies from occurring. NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dominic Morgan said more money needed to be spent on the devices. Dr Morgan said defibrillators can be purchased for $1500, saying it was 'sadly uncommon' for paramedics to arrive at a cardiac arrest call and find one at the site. 'Time is of the essence when it comes to treating cardiac arrests' he said. 'Every minute that your heart is stopped the chances of surviving reduce by 7-10 per cent'. Three missing girls from Washington were found along with a California fugitive in Oregon on Thursday, Feb. 13, according to multiple reports. The man is currently facing human trafficking charges, according to the Rosenburg Police Department. In a news release issued by the police department, the Rosenburg Police stated that at around 3:57 a.m. in the morning on Thursday, officers noticed a car parked within the area of the Rosenburg Municipal Airport. At the time, police found it suspicious and approached the vehicle, after which they found a man along with three other minor females in the car. The vehicle was stated to be a rental car, according to the news release. The news release stated that the man was Maurice Pierre Hurth, a 41-year-old from Suisun City, California. Following the discovery of Hurth, authorities discovered that there were several arrest warrants out on the 41-year-old from areas in San Francisco, Fairfield, and Solano, California. Hurth put up some brief resistance before the police were able to arrest him on those arrest warrants, according to the news release. Police conducted an investigation into the situation and found out that the three female minors in the rental along with Hurth were recently reported missing. All three were from a youth group home located in the Seattle, Washington area, the news release stated. The three female minors were taken into protective custody following the incident, and later on, the girls were taken to the Douglas County Juvenile Shelter, according to the news release. As authorities conducted the investigation into the case, the evidence that police were able to uncover enabled the authorities to charge Hurth with the following crimes: Three counts of Trafficking in Persons, three founts of Compelling Prostitution, three counts of Custodial Interference in the First Degree, and one count of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the First Degree. Following Hurths arrest, he was taken to the Douglas County Corrections Center, where he remains as the investigation continues, the release stated. ABC News reported that it is unclear whether Hurth has obtained an attorney to represent him. Remembering the martyrs of Pulwama, a year after the deadly terror attack on February 14, 2019, the Border Security Forces (BSF) on Friday, paid its tribute to the 40 soldiers. Sharing a photo of the soon-to-be inaugurated Pulwama memorial, the BSF shared that it will miss its peers. The CRPF too had lauded the bravery of the martyrs. BSF remembers Pulwama martyrs You ARE soldiers!!! You ARE loved beyond words!!! Your ARE missed beyond measure!!! Remembering our @crpfindia #Bravehearts who laid down their lives during #PulwamaAttack this day in 2019#JaiHind pic.twitter.com/rfEiFw9ivf BSF (@BSF_India) February 14, 2020 'Forever grateful': HM Amit Shah pays homage to the martyrs of Pulwama attack Memorial to 40 CRPF jawans killed in Pulwama 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. The names of all the 40 personnel along with their pictures will be part of the memorial. The memorial will also display the motto of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) -- 'Seva and Nishtha' (Service and Loyalty). Memorial to 40 CRPF jawans killed in Pulwama attack to be inaugurated on Friday Pulwama Attacks On February 14, 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora (near Awantipora) in the Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The attack resulted in the deaths of 40 CRPF personnel and the attacker. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed. The main conspirators of the module have since then been terminated by the Army since then. MASSIVE WIN: Forces gun down key terror conspirator whose vehicle was used in the horrific Feb 14 Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF Jawans were martyred Indian Army responded with Balakot airstrike Twelve days after the heinous attack, the Indian Air Force decimated the largest JeM terror base in Pakistan's Balakot across the LoC with precision air strikes, post which the neighbouring country was forced to initiate a sham 'crackdown' on terrorist groups on its soil. In retaliation, Pakistan attempted to enter the Indian airspace and engaged in a dogfight, which led to Army's pilot Wung Commander Abhinandan Varthaman capture and later release. Abhinanadan was awarded theVir Chakra for his bravery. Four men linked to JeM held from Pulwama district of J&K WASHINGTON>> President Donald Trump says the world is witnessing a great American economic revival that he brought on by reversing course from the Obama years. Yet the economy is not so different from the robust one he inherited and disparages at every turn. Trumps State of the Union speech came packed with assertions tailor-made for his reelection bid, during a week when his acquittal in his Senate impeachment trial emboldened him. He and his White House later glossed over inconvenient facts in asserting that the Russia investigation and impeachment inquiry had turned up nothing against him. The leading Democrats vying to replace him tangled in a debate Friday night before New Hampshire voters try to give shape to a nomination race mangled in Iowa. A sampling of recent rhetoric: ACQUITTAL WHITE HOUSE: Today, the sham impeachment attempt concocted by Democrats ended in the full vindication and exoneration of President Donald J. Trump. statement Wednesday by press secretary Stephanie Grisham. THE FACTS: Trump is not free of the taint of wrongdoing or fully exonerated. Key Republican senators who voted for his swift acquittal indicated the president did act improperly in the Ukraine matter, but that voters should decide whether to remove him from office. The Republican-controlled Senate acquitted Trump last week of charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, after narrowly rejecting Democratic demands to summon witnesses. Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, who cast a pivotal vote against hearing from witnesses and extending the trial, said he believed Democrats had proved their case of wrongdoing. He said ultimately, however, voters should issue the verdict of whether to remove Trump from office this close to a presidential election. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, described Trumps actions as shameful and wrong, but said his fate should be left up to voters. The voters will pronounce a verdict in nine months, and we must trust their judgment, she said. ___ TRUMP: We first went through Russia, Russia, Russia. It was all bulls. remarks Thursday to the nation. THE FACTS: A two-year investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller that produced guilty pleas, convictions or criminal charges against Russian intelligence officers, as well as Trump associates, is demonstrably not a hoax, as the president frequently describes it. All told, Mueller charged 34 people, including the presidents former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and three Russian companies. Twenty-five Russians were indicted on charges related to election interference, accused either of hacking Democratic email accounts during the campaign or of orchestrating a social media campaign that spread disinformation on the internet. Five Trump aides pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with Mueller. A sixth, longtime confidant Roger Stone, was convicted of lying to Congress and witness tampering over his efforts to get inside information about hacked Democratic emails that Wikileaks was releasing in 2016 in an effort to harm the Clinton campaign. Muellers report concluded that Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election was sweeping and systematic. Ultimately, Mueller did not find a criminal conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign. The special counsel didnt render judgment on whether Trump obstructed justice, citing in part Justice Department guidelines that a sitting president cannot be indicted. ___ ECONOMY TRUMP: From the instant I took office, I moved rapidly to revive the U.S. economy slashing a record number of job killing-regulations, enacting historic and record-setting tax cuts, and fighting for fair and reciprocal trade agreements. If we had not reversed the failed economic policies of the previous administration, the world would not now be witness to Americas great economic success. State of the Union address Tuesday. THE FACTS: The U.S. economy indeed is healthy. But gains have largely followed along the same lines of an expansion that started more than a decade ago under President Barack Obama. And Trump never quite managed to achieve the liftoff he promised during the 2016 election. Total economic growth last year was 2.3%. That is roughly in line with the average gains achieved after the Great Recession, and a far cry from growth of as much 3%, 4% or more that Trump told voters he could deliver. The president has also claimed that the U.S. added factories during his presidency after nearly 60,000 manufacturing establishments were shuttered during the previous two administrations. But increases in the number U.S. factories began in 2013, more than four years before the start of Trumps presidency, according to Labor Department figures. The tax cuts did temporarily boost growth in 2018 as deficit spending increased. But the administration claimed its tax plan would increase business investment in ways that could fuel lasting growth. For the past three quarters, business investment has instead declined. Its too soon to judge the impact of the updated trade agreement with Mexico and Canada as well as the pact with China. But Trump premised his economic policy on wiping out the trade gap. Instead, the trade deficit has worsened under Trump. ___ IMMIGRATION TRUMP: Before I came into office, if you showed up illegally on our southern border and were arrested, you were simply released and allowed into our country, never to be seen again. My administration has ended catch-and-release. If you come illegally, you will now be promptly removed. State of the Union. THE FACTS: Not true. Under previous administrations, Mexicans were quickly returned back over the U.S.-Mexico border, while others were held in detention until they were deported. Some migrants from other countries were released into the United States to wait out their immigration cases. Despite Trumps claims that all migrants are now promptly removed, there is a 1 million immigration court case backlog, which means many migrants wait up to three years before a court hearing in front of a judge who will determine whether someone is deported. After a judge rules a migrant deported, travel papers must be obtained, which often leads to further delays. As for ending catch and release, Trump actually expanded that policy last year during a surge in migrants, releasing thousands of migrants who flooded shelters along the border. The surge has since passed, so fewer people are being held and fewer would need to be released. Because an effort by immigration officials to detain children indefinitely was blocked by a judge, children are still released into the country. ___ OIL AND GAS TRUMP: Thanks to our bold regulatory reduction campaign, the United States has become the number one producer of oil and natural gas, anywhere in the world, by far. State of the Union. THE FACTS: Trump is taking credit for a U.S. oil and gas production boom that started under Obama. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the U.S. has been the worlds top natural gas producer since 2009, the top petroleum hydrocarbon producer since 2013, and the top crude oil producer since 2018. Thats owing to a U.S. shale boom that has driven production up since 2011, not to deregulation or any other new effort by the Trump administration. ___ JOBS and TRADE TRUMP: The USMCA will create nearly 100,000 new high-paying American auto jobs, and massively boost exports for our farmers, ranchers and factory workers. State of the Union. THE FACTS: Dont count on that. The U.S. International Trade Commission examined the U.S.-Mexico-Canada deal in an April report. The report estimated that the deal would add only 28,000 auto industry jobs six years after the deal is put in place. Separately, government officials are quoted in the report saying they believe the sector would add 76,000 jobs based on their methodology. Its still not the 100,000 jobs claimed by Trump. ___ TRUMP: In eight years under the last administration, over 300,000 working-age people dropped out of the workforce. In just three years of my administration, 3.5 million working-age people have joined the workforce. State of the Union. THE FACTS: Trump is being misleading with numbers to tarnish his predecessors record. Its not clear what he means by working-age. But the total size of the U.S. labor force shows that the president is wrong. During the eight years of Obamas presidency, the labor force rose by 5.06 million, according to the Labor Department. The improvement reflected a rebounding economy from the Great Recession and population growth. As the unemployment rate has fallen, more people are finding it attractive to work and are joining the labor force. This has enabled the labor force to climb by an impressive 4.86 million in just three years under Trump. ___ DRUG PRICES TRUMP: For the first time in 51 years, the cost of prescription drugs actually went down. State of the Union. THE FACTS: Prices for prescription drugs have edged down, but that is driven by declines for generics. Prices for brand-name medications are still going up, although more moderately. Nonpartisan government experts at the Department of Health and Human Services reported last year that prices for pharmacy prescriptions went down by 1% in 2018, the first such price drop in 45 years. The department said the last time retail prescription drug prices declined was in 1973, when they went down by 0.2%. ___ HEALTH CARE TRUMP: We will always protect patients with preexisting conditions. State of the Union. THE FACTS: Thats a promise, not a guarantee. The Trump administration is backing a lawsuit by conservative-led states that would overturn the entire Obama health law, including the Affordable Care Acts guarantees that people cannot be turned down or charged more for insurance because of preexisting medical problems. Trump and congressional Republicans have pledged they will protect people with preexisting conditions, but they have not specified how they would do that. Estimates of how many people could potentially be affected if the laws protections for preexisting conditions are eliminated range from about 54 million working-age adults, in a study last year from the Kaiser Family Foundation, to as many as 133 million people, according to a 2017 government study that also included children. ___ DEMOCRATIC DEBATE Sen. AMY KLOBUCHAR of Minnesota, on rival Pete Buttigiegs evolution on health care: And Pete, while you have a different plan now, you sent out a tweet just a few years ago that said henceforth, forthwith, indubitably, affirmatively, you are for Medicare for All for the ages. BUTTIGIEG: Just to be clear, the truth is that I have been consistent throughout in my position on delivering health care for every American. THE FACTS: Klobuchar is right. Before he launched his presidential campaign, Buttigieg sounded supportive of Medicare for All. He isnt now. In February 2018, he was involved in a Twitter exchange as liberals were pressing Democratic politicians to back a government health plan. When/where have you ever heard me oppose Medicare for All?' he asked in a Feb. 17, 2018, response to an activists query. A day later, he tweeted out a column he wrote as a Harvard University senior, saying hed been on record on this one since 2004. On the same day, he sent out a separate tweet: Gosh! Okay I, Pete Buttigieg, politician, do henceforth and forthwith declare, most affirmatively and indubitably, unto the ages, that I do favor Medicare for All, as I do favor any measure that would help get all Americans covered. Now, if youll excuse me, potholes await. ___ FORMER VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, saying Obama asked him to get 156,000 troops out of Iraq: I did that. THE FACTS: True, but thats not the end of the story. Obama asked Biden to take the lead in efforts to withdraw troops and coordinate efforts to maintain stability in Baghdad. What Biden did not mention was that some of the troops had to go back. Obama and Biden failed to win agreement from the Iraqi government to keep a limited number of U.S. troops there after December 2011. That was the deadline for a complete U.S. pullout under a deal negotiated by the Bush administration in late 2008. Biden was still vice president when Obama was compelled to return American troops to Iraq in 2014 after the rise of the Islamic State extremist group. ___ ANDREW YANG, tech entrepreneur: We have record high corporate profits in this country right now. THE FACTS: Corporate profits are high, but theyre not at record levels. Companies earned $1.84 trillion in profits in 2018, slightly below the $1.86 trillion earned in 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. But as a share of national income, corporate profits were 6.6% in 2018. Thats down from 7.6% in 2012 and significantly below the peak of 8.9% in 1929. ___ TRUMP ON PELOSI TRUMP, on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., ripping up his State of the Union remarks: I thought it was a terrible thing when she ripped up the speech. First of all, its an official document. Youre not allowed. Its illegal what she did. She broke the law. remarks Friday. THE FACTS: No laws were broken, legal experts say. Thats because it was not an original government document, but Pelosis copy of the speech. Steven Aftergood, a records expert at the private Federation of American Scientists, said: Legally, this is a nonissue. Pelosi was expressing contempt for the presidents speech, and her views are constitutionally protected. He said her torn-up pieces of the speech might themselves be considered a new record of historical value. Laurence Tribe, a constitutional law professor at Harvard University, said Pelosi did not violate 18 U.S. Code Section 2071. Thats the federal law defining the deliberate destruction of an official record that has been filed with a court or other government agency a felony punishable by a prison term and by forfeiture of office. Heidi Kitrosser, a law professor at the University of Minnesota, said: This is not an archival document. This is one of many, many, many copies of President Trumps speech and Nancy Pelosi is free to do with it whatever she will. Kitrosser added that any disagreement with Trumps speech is protected by the First Amendment and in Pelosis case, under the speech and debate clause of the Constitution. A 56-year-old man who died in a river tragedy in Tollymore Forest Park has been named as Arnie Clarke. Mr Clarke was from the Co Antrim area but had been living in France. Antrim GAA club posted about the man they described as their friend on their Facebook page, saying he loved a challenge, never missed training and enjoyed live music after matches. "Even now at 56 Arnie had always looked after himself and could be seen walking his beloved dog when he was home from France," they said. It's believed Mr Clarke was trying to rescue a pet dog when he lost his life on Thursday. A second man was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for treatment following the incident, but his condition is understood not to be life-threatening. A spokesman for the NI Ambulance Service said they had been called to the incident just after 2pm on Thursday afternoon. "We sent two crews to the incident, and the charity air ambulance was also deployed," the spokesman said "but despite our best efforts the man 's life could not be saved." SDLP MLA for South Down, Colin McGrath said he was 'saddened ' by news of Mr Clarke's death in the park. We have been very saddened to hear news today that a gentleman has lost his life in Tollymore Forest Park. he told the Belfast Telegraph "My sincere sympathies and I am sure those of everyone across South Down go out to the bereaved family and friends at this time". Local Mournes councillor Laura Devlin added We are all devastated in the Newcastle area to hear this news this evening. "A day that should have been a happy one with a walk in nature has ended so tragically. It is heartbreaking." the SDLP representative said. The EU countries account for 43% in the structure of Ukraines foreign trade, while trade with China is increasing rapidly without any state support. We have 43% of foreign trade with the EU. This is a phenomenal result for recent years. At the same time, the relations with China also evolve. There is no political dialogue with the People's Republic of China... However, business flourishes. And over the past year, for the first time ever, China has become Ukraine's major trading partner as an individual country, Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said at the meeting with representatives of the Kharkiv office of the European Business Association. This happened without any state support, the enterprises have established relations themselves, Kuleba noted. "That is why I think that Ukraine is the place where Chinese and European capitals should get married," the Vice Prime Minister emphasized. After all, according to Kuleba, having a free trade area with the EU and European standards, "we gain a competitive advantage to conduct business operations with further export or involvement of European capital where it can do business with China in a more liberal environment than in the EU itself. ol Yorkshire Day in Whitby last year ROTHERHAM has been chosen to host the prestigious Yorkshire Day celebrations this year. Mayors, VIPs and civic leaders from across the region will visit for the big August 1 event, which falls in the Yorkshire Societys 40th anniversary year. The day showcasing the best of Gods Own County will include a thanksgiving service and parade. It has provided a boost to visitor numbers and the local economies of other host towns, which have included Whitby last year and Ripon in 2018. Rotherham Council leader Cllr Chris Read said: We are proud to be hosting Yorkshire day this year and flying the flag for the county on August 1. Its a fantastic opportunity for people to come and see what Rotherham has to offer including Clifton Park and Museum, Wentworth Woodhouse, Magna Science and Adventure Park and Gullivers Valley, which is set to open this spring. Wed encourage people from across the borough to look out for ways that they can get involved in the celebrations as I know a number of events are already being planned. The event has been held in different towns and cities across the county since it was first held in 1985. August 1 alludes to the emancipation of slaves in the British Empire in 1834, for which Yorkshire MP William Wilberforce campaigned. The day was already celebrated by the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry as Minden Day, referring to the 1759 Battle of Minden during the Seven Years War. The modern event is the Yorkshire Societys official civic celebration of Yorkshire Day. Society chief executive Philip Bell said: There are core components which every council has to follow, which are a welcome breakfast, a parade, a thanksgiving service and a formal civic lunch. Beyond that, its up to individual councils to embellish the event how they wish. This is the societys 40th anniversary. We reinvented the society two years ago because it had been working quite anonymously and there are not an awful lot of records from the early days. We are now a lot more active as a society, more open and democratic and we welcome anyone who loves the county. The thanksgiving ceremony will be held at Rotherham Minster and the street parade will travel through the town centre. A council spokesman said: The procession promises to be a colourful spectacle with lord mayors, mayors, chairmen of councils and town mayors all in their ceremonial robes, mace bearers, local and national dignitaries and members of the Yorkshire Society taking part. BRIDGEPORT A 57-year-old city man was shot to death on Kossuth Street early Friday morning. By afternoon, police had identified the victim as Philip Ingram. Investigators were seeking camera footage and witnesses after the shooting, which was reported near the intersection of Kossuth and Jane streets about 9 a.m. At 9:03 a.m., police said, Bridgeports 911 call center received a report from a caller who told them a person got into a verbal altercation with the caller and brandished a weapon in the area of Arctic and Jane street. Police said that male party then proceeded to follow the individual with the weapon. As officers were responded to the area, the citys ShotSpotter system was activated at 9:09 a.m., recording gunfire in the 800 block of Kossuth Street. When responding officers got to the scene at 9:10 a.m., they found Ingram critically wounded in the street, police said. Police have not confirmed whether that 911 caller was in fact Ingram. Scott Appleby, the citys director of emergency management/communications and homeland security, said investigators are reviewing video, calls and witnesses. So its (the 911 call) possibly part of the entire puzzle. Ingram was taken to Bridgeport Hospital from the scene by medics. He was pronounced dead at 9:53 a.m. The intersection was blocked off with yellow crime scene tape Friday morning into the afternoon. The neighborhood is a street of multi-family houses and includes a corner store and a church. Friday mornings killing was the citys third homicide of the year, and the first for February. Activist Tony Barr was at the scene about 30 minutes after the shooting and said he was flagged down as he drove by. He said violence in the streets will continue unless more is invested in the community. How come surrounding towns have none of these problems on a daily basis and we have it every other day? Barr questioned. Fridays homicide remains under investigation. Police asked that anyone with information about the shooting call detectives at 203-576-8477. An unknown caller has threatened to kill Congress' Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu and local Congress leader Gursimran Singh Mand. Mand told reporters on Friday that the caller gave the threat in a three-minute long call on Wednesday evening in which the person also used abusive language against late chief minister Beant Singh. Beant Singh was assassinated in August 1995 and Bittu is his grandson. Police has been informed about the threat call, Mand said. Earlier as well, Bittu had been threatened by some radical elements after which his security had been strengthened. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [February 13, 2020] Deccan Rummy Revamps Weekly Leaderboard Contest With Exciting Takeaways CHENNAI, India, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Indian rummy players have something to rejoice as Deccan Rummy has spruced up its weekly leaderboard contest with exciting prizes. Players can win trendy smartphones such as Nokia 9 Pure View, One Plus 7 Pro, Oppo Reno 10X Zoom, Vivo Nex, and other exciting gadgets by participating in the leaderboard. Running every week from Sunday to Saturday, the weekly leaderboard contest has been a feast for the Indian rummy enthusiasts. Launched in the year 2018, the leaderboard contest is one of the most prestigious contests in the Indian rummy circuit. Thousands of card players across the country have won several gadgets by participating in this contest thus far. From Smartphones and mobile accessories to various electronic gadgets, the lists of giveaways were everything a rummy player would dream of. Every Rummy player loves a leaderboard contest. They give a chance for the player to aspire for something bigger, turning regular game playing into a wider and grand narrative. This is what Deccan Rummy's leaderboard contests have been offering to thousands of Rummy Players. The recently concluded New Year leaderboard contest with mindblowing giveaways such as BMW X3, Mercedez Benz, just cemented their position as the undisputed leader among the Indian rummy sites. Weekly Leaderboard Contest Race The Weekly Leaderboard is a concept of ranking players based on the performance in cash tables. To give every player a chance to win, the weekly leaderboard contest is conducted in three levels. Category Buy-in table amount Prizes Diamond Rs. 10-Rs. 400 Nokia 9 Pure View, One Plus 7 Pro, Oppo Reno 10x Zoom, Cash bonuses Platinum Rs. 500 - Rs. 2000 Vivo Nex, Samsung A50s, Redmi Note 8 Pro, Cash Bonuses Gold Greater than Rs. 2000 Sony WH Headphones, Gold Coin, Honor Band, Cash Bonuses The weekly leaderboard will run from every Sunday at 00:00 AM and close on Saturday at 23:59 PM. Players can pick their buy-ins from the above table and start playing cash games. Eventually, they will find a place in the leaderboard. The updated prizes in the leader board contest are all set to take the rummy excitement to a new level altogether. The weekly leaderboard will open the gates to endless fun and awesome prizes for the rummy lovers in the country. "We were thrilled to see the passion and love for rummy in our country. The leaderboard races are usually tight as the field involves players at all levels. Our weekly leaderboard contest has attained a cult status among the Indian rummy audience as it gives them a chance to showcase their skills and get rewarded in a big way. As a company, these leaderboard contests also help us to understand customer's expectations more clearly and do things to meet them," says Naresh Rajaraman, CEO, Deccan Games Pvt Ltd. "This has by far been the best rummy contest in the Industry, and I can't wait for the new race," said an ecstatic Mr. Kuldeep, who won an iPhone 8 in one of the editions of weekly leaderboard. The site is known for its fast gaming interface, safe and secure gaming environment, quick payment process, and most importantly, providing access to all kinds of rummy games and tournaments 24* 7. With the updated prize list of Weekly Leaderboard, it just got better. Players can register in the website for free and start playing. About Deccan Rummy Deccan Rummy is one of India's best online rummy site. Launched in 2016, Deccan Rummy has a userbase of more than 2.5 million. Deccan Rummy enables you to play rummy online with real players anytime in their platform. Built on a secured platform, the site is replete with exquisite features guaranteeing a seamless gaming experience. The hallmark of the site is the periodic high-value promotions and offers, which is heads and shoulders above the other sites in the Industry. Deccan Rummy users can enjoy playing rummy across all platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, and Macs. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1090154/Weekly_Leaderboard.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Vietnam Denies Cruise Ship From Entering Port Over Coronavirus Fears Vietnam announced it has blocked one cruise ship from docking over fears of the new virus that is sweeping through China, according to state media outlets. Officials in Quang Ninh Province refused to allow the AIDAvita cruise ship to disembark on Thursday after it previously docked in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, which are countries where people have coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, according to a Thursday article posted by Vietnamese state media. A local official from Quang Ninh Province said that not allowing passengers on the vessel to visit the shore is one of several temporary solutions to prevent the disease from invading, according to state media. The current action doesnt mean to discriminate against tourists, but simply to protect the community and tourists themselves, the article said, quoting another official. It isnt clear if there are any confirmed cases of COVID-19 onboard the ship. AIDA Cruises, the German owner of the vessel, has not responded to a request for comment. Its a subsidiary of cruise giant Carnival Corp. Marine tracking website Marinetraffic.com said the AIDAVita is docked off the coast of Thailand, near Bangkok, as of Friday. The vessel left the Philippines port of Coron on Feb. 10 and was initially bound for Vietnam. The Norwegian Jade, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, was also denied entry into Vietnam. We have very strict protocols in place, there is no illness on board the ship and no guests or crew members on the ship who hold Chinese, Macau or Hong Kong passports or have visited or transited through any of these areas, captain Frank Juliussen said, reported the South China Morning Post. Juliussen said officials have been unreasonable by not allowing the Jade to dock despite the actions weve taken to accommodate their new protocols. He didnt make a reference to the specific Vietnamese port. It comes after Japan this month implemented a quarantine on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, docked outside of Yokohama, after an elderly Hong Kong man was confirmed to have contracted COVID-19. So far, more than 200 people on the vessel are confirmed to have contracted the virus, according to Japanese health officials. A passenger wearing a mask stands on the desk of the cruise ship Diamond Princess, as the vessels passengers continue to be tested for coronavirus, at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan, on Feb. 13, 2020. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters) Now, certain Diamond Princess passengers will be able to leave the vessel and serve out their weekslong quarantine on land, operator Princess Cruises said in a statement on Thursday. Those passengerswho are mostly elderly or have preexisting health problemswill engage in a voluntary disembarkation over the next several days while being overseen by Japanese health officials, the firm said. Japanese health workers confirmed 44 new cases of COVID-19 on the ship, bringing the total to 218, according to the latest update. The ship entered the Yokohama port on Feb. 3 and was quarantined for a two-week period. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-14 21:07:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has pledged all-out efforts to help Hong Kong compatriots on a cruise ship quarantined in Japan. While meeting HKSAR lawmaker Vincent Cheng Wing-shun on Thursday, Deputy Commissioner Song Ru'an conveyed the message from Commissioner Xie Feng. Song said the office immediately worked with the Immigration Department of the HKSAR government and the Chinese embassy in Japan to provide support for Chinese nationals including Hong Kong compatriots on the coronavirus-hit cruise ship quarantined in Japan after learning of the event on Feb. 5. As some ran out of prescription drugs, the embassy made emergency arrangements to deliver the drugs to them in time, Song said. After the event occurred, the embassy immediately got in contact with compatriots involved and asked the Japanese side to guarantee their rights and interests. Song said the office attaches great significance to the matter and will continue to work with the HKSAR government and the embassy to help Hong Kong compatriots back home safely as soon as possible. The ship named Diamond Princess has been kept in quarantine after the sudden outbreak of the novel coronavirus. According to data from the Chinese embassy, there are more than 300 Chinese passengers on board the cruise ship, including 22 from the mainland, 260 from Hong Kong, five from Macao and 24 from Taiwan. 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. American, United push back 737 MAX return amid new approval delays An American Airlines jet taxis from the new Central Deicing Facility (CDF) at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago By Tracy Rucinski and David Shepardson CHICAGO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - American Airlines Group Inc and United Airlines Holdings Inc are pushing back the return of Boeing 737 MAX flights until August and September, respectively, a fresh delay that comes after sources told Reuters that the timing of a key certification flight may not occur until at least April. American is cancelling 737 MAX flights until Aug. 18 and United until Sept. 4, the two said in separate statements on Friday. The other U.S. 737 MAX operator, Southwest Airlines Co , has extended its flight cancellations until Aug. 10. The new timelines mean that the three carriers will be flying without the 737 MAX for the second straight U.S. summer, an issue that hit their profits during last year's peak travel season. Boeing's 737 MAX was grounded worldwide last March after two crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that killed 346 people. The U.S. planemaker has spent months updating software believed to have played a role in both crashes, but fresh issues have surfaced, complicating regulators' efforts to reapprove the plane. The timing of a certification flight, a key step in the approval process, has been delayed repeatedly. The latest unofficial guidance was for the flight to happen this month, but now it is unlikely to occur while Boeing tries to resolve the new problems, sources said this week. American, Southwest and United had been planning to fly the jets in early June if regulators had approved the plane in the first quarter, but that now looks unlikely. One key issue yet to be resolved is whether Boeing must separate two wiring bundles that may be too close together, which could lead to a short circuit and crash if pilots do not respond appropriately. Boeing has told the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration it does not believe it needs to separate wiring bundles, people familiar with the matter said on Friday. Once regulators approve Boeing's fixes, airlines will still need around 30 days or longer to prepare their fleets and pilots before using the planes for commercial flight. Story continues The longer the 737 MAX is grounded, the more Boeing will ultimately have to compensate its customers. Boeing spent $1.4 billion (1.1 billion) on compensation for 737 MAX customers last year and Chief Financial Officer Greg Smith said this week the company expects "a good portion" of additional settlements to take place this year. Meanwhile, carriers including Delta Air Lines that do not operate the 737 MAX are picking up travel demand that United, Southwest and American have been unable to meet given their reduced fleets. (Reporting by Tracy Rucinski in Chicago and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Matthew Lewis) NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As previously announced, Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC (Brookfield) announced that stockholders of Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc. (NYSE: INF) approved the proposed reorganization of INF into Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. (NYSE: RA) (the Reorganization). Additionally, as previously announced, stockholders of RA previously approved the proposal to issue additional shares of common stock to effect the proposed Reorganization of INF into RA. Brookfield also previously announced that the Reorganization was expected to be completed following the close of the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) on Friday, February 21, 2020. Brookfield, however, has moved the closing date of the Reorganization to Friday, March 6, 2020. The date of the Reorganization will be subject to all applicable regulatory requirements and other customary closing conditions being satisfied. Detailed information on the Reorganization is contained in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus previously filed with the SEC. As a reminder, the Boards of Directors of INF and RA (together, the Funds) previously declared their monthly distributions for February and March 2020 as follows: Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc. Month Record Date Ex Date Payable Date Amount per Share February 2020 February 12, 2020 February 11, 2020 February 20, 2020 $0.0817 March 2020 March 18, 2020 March 17, 2020 March 26, 2020 $0.0817 Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. Month Record Date Ex Date Payable Date Amount per Share February 2020 February 12, 2020 February 11, 2020 February 20, 2020 $0.1990 March 2020 March 18, 2020 March 17, 2020 March 26, 2020 $0.1990 Assuming the Reorganization is consummated following the close of the NYSE on Friday, March 6, 2020, stockholders of INF will receive RAs March 2020 distribution, following receipt of INFs February 2020 monthly distribution discussed above. The Boards of Directors of the Funds do not expect the need to declare any special distributions for the Funds prior to the Reorganization. Shares purchased on or after the ex-distribution date will not receive the distribution discussed above. Please contact your financial advisor with any questions. Distributions may include net investment income, capital gains and/or return of capital. Any portion of a Funds distributions that is a return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Funds investment performance and should not be confused with yield or income. The tax status of distributions will be determined at the end of the taxable year.* Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this news release that are not historical facts are referred to as "forward-looking statements" under the U.S. federal securities laws. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the historical experience of Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC and the Funds managed by Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC and its present expectations or projections. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC and the Funds managed by Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC undertake no responsibility to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements. Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC (PSG) is an SEC-registered investment adviser that represents the Public Securities platform of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., providing global listed real assets strategies including real estate equities, infrastructure equities, energy infrastructure equities, multi-strategy real asset solutions and real asset debt. With more than $19 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2019, PSG manages separate accounts, registered funds and opportunistic strategies for financial institutions, public and private pension plans, insurance companies, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds and individual investors. PSG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., a leading global alternative asset manager with over $540 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2019. For more information, go to www.brookfield.com . Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc. and Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. are managed by Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC. The Funds use their websites as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding the Funds is routinely posted on and accessible at www.brookfield.com . COMPANY CONTACT Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc. Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. Brookfield Place 250 Vesey Street, 15th Floor New York, NY 10281-1023 (855) 777-8001 publicsecurities.enquiries@brookfield.com Investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. *Distributions include all distribution payments regardless of source and may include net income, capital gains, and/or return of capital (ROC). ROC should not be confused with yield or income. Each Fund's Section 19a-1 Notice, if applicable, contains additional distribution composition information and may be obtained by visiting publicsecurities.brookfield.com. Final determination of a distribution's tax character will be made on Form 1099 DIV and sent to shareholders. On a tax basis, as of December 31, 2019, the most recent available figures, the estimated components of the cumulative distributions for the fiscal year to date would include an estimated return of capital of (i) $0.9533 (97.24%) per share for Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc.; and (ii) $1.0898 (45.64%) per share for Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. These amounts are an estimate and the actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes may change upon final determination of tax characteristics and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. A return of capital is not taxable and results in a reduction in the tax basis of a shareholders investment. The final determination regarding the nature of the distributions will be made after the end of a Funds fiscal year when the Fund can determine its earnings and profits. The final tax status of the distributions may differ substantially and will be made available to shareholders after the close of each calendar year. The proportion of distributions that are treated as taxable distributions may also vary and or increase in future years. The Funds invest in master limited partnerships (MLPs), which are generally treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. Distributions from MLPs are estimated as income and return of capital based on information reported by the MLPs and managements estimates of such amounts based on historical information. These estimates are adjusted when the actual source of distributions is disclosed by the MLPs and the actual amounts may differ from the estimated amounts. In setting each Funds distribution policy, we and the Funds Board considers a number of factors, including both expected income and distributions received by the Fund and our expectations regarding potential capital appreciation. From time to time a Fund may be over- or under- distributed when taking into account actual income, distributions and net unrealized gains or losses since actual capital appreciation is variable over time. However, the goal is to have a distribution rate that is stable over the long term. Quasar Distributors, LLC, provides filing administration for Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc. and Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Valentin Bontemps and Pierre Donadieu (Agence France-Presse) Paris Fri, February 14, 2020 13:07 697 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20648486a 2 Lifestyle coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,COVID-19,health Free Cancel, delay or go ahead: the organizers of industry events are faced with a difficult choice as international gatherings of thousands or even of tens of thousands of people pose a risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus. The cancellation of the Mobile World Congress due to have been held in Barcelona later this month shows the event organizers are under intense pressure. The four-day Barcelona gathering is usually a must on the tech calendar, attracting some 110,000 visitors -- including several thousand from China -- and 2,800 firms. The cancellation is a blow to the event sector which employs some 1.3 million people worldwide and generates 137 billion euros ($150 billion) in direct spending according to exhibition industry association UFI, whose members run 32,000 events per year. When it announced it the cancellation late on Wednesday, the GSMA mobile industry trade association said the decision was taken because of "the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event," organizers stated. But organizers acknowledged Thursday that cancellation was the "only option" as major participants had forced its hand by pulling out. By then, Facebook, BT, Cisco, Nokia, Amazon and Sony had all said they were skipping the event. "We looked at the data and yesterday we concluded that the vast majority of those who planned to attend were not going to be there," GSMA chief executive John Hoffman told a press conference in Barcelona on Thursday. Need to be reassured The Barcelona cancellation came after a number of events in Asia, including the Basel festival of contemporary art which Hong Kong had been to host in March and a business aviation symposium slated for Shanghai in April. Elsewhere in Europe, Swatch Group also called off its watch fair in Zurich, and Russia scotched an investment forum in Sochi. Francois-Henri Pinault, CEO of luxury group Kering, noted ahead of the Milan and Paris fashion weeks that "we shall have many less people coming to shows -- Chinese sector professionals and influencers are not going to come." The risk of the new coronavirus now known as COVID-19 by mingling of people at conferences and trade fairs is not hypothetical. A British businessman who became known as a "super-spreader" of COVID-19 picked up the virus at a sales conference in Singapore in January. Moreover, as the virus is believed to be able to spread before those infected show symptoms, heightened security measures may not prove effective. The GSMA had pledged to take extra measures to ensure the health of participants and the Spanish government and local authorities had made repeated assurances that the health risk was low. Yet the conference's major participants pulled out. "For the time being, the priority is to reassure parties concerned," said Fabrice de Laval, head of legal affairs at Unimev, the French trade fair industry association. He said if a virus case ever emerged at an event, "we would move into crisis mode with reinforced precautionary measures," such as limiting access. Challenges ahead "The new coronavirus poses a challenge for the months ahead," said UFI director general Kai Hattendorf, while adding the sector is "resilient". GL Events, which organizes salons in some 20 countries, has cancelled three scheduled for Beijing at the behest of Chinese authorities. "China's presence in international salons is today much larger than during the SARS epidemic" of two decades ago, hence the larger impact, said the company's managing director for events and exhibitions, Philippe Pasquet. "In the end, everything will depend upon the length of the epidemic. For now, we don't think it will go on but we are remaining cautious," said Pasquet, adding he fears "not so much the virus but the psychosis bound up with the epidemic." The cruise ship company that has a vessel quarantined in Yokohama, Japan, has offered a two month paid vacation to the crew aboard the ship for their relentless efforts to manage the coronavirus outbreak. Carnival Cruise Lines, the company that operates the vessel Diamond Princess, which has been docked in Yokohama since Feb. 3, has extended its support and thanks to the 1,045 crew members onboard. The crew has been at the frontline for minimising the spread of the virus, and were thrust the thankless job of coordinating the tasks necessary to sustain the two-week quarantine. I agree that the crew is critical for our success, so we just let them know that they will be given two paid vacation months off following this ordeal, company spokesman Roger Frizzell said, according to CNBC. This is new to everyone, including the Japanese government, Frizzell wrote, but I am starting to see some progress, especially late today, but we have a long way to go, I know. The company figures it will suffer as much as 65 cents per share as a result of the loss of income due to the suspension of all of its Asian Cruises through April, it said in a statement on Wednesday. As a result of Coronavirus, the company believes the impact on its global bookings and canceled voyages will have a material impact on its financial results which was not anticipated in the companys previous 2020 earnings guidance, Carnival said. Japans health ministry also confirmed on Feb. 13 that another 44 people on board the cruise ship had tested positive for the virus, including one crew member, bringing the total number of infections to 218. A statement issued by Princess Cruises last week said it would be refunding the full cruise fare for all guests including air travel, hotel, ground transportation, pre-paid shore excursions, gratuities, and other items, following the extraordinary circumstances onboard. In addition, guests will not be charged for any onboard incidental charges during the additional time onboard. Princess Cruises will also provide guests with a future cruise credit equal to the cruise fare paid for the voyage, which ended on February 4, they said. Epoch Times reporter Katabella Roberts contributed to this report. Emmons, a 27-year-old nonprofit executive from Auburn Gresham, has the right motivation. He says his campaign is about ending gun violence. We need to call out gun violence for what it is: a public health epidemic caused by social and economic instability, he told us in his candidate questionnaire. Emmons says there are violence prevention groups in Chicago neighborhoods that are models for community activism and that deserve more federal support. Hes committed to being more accessible to constituents than Rush, whose low visibility in Chicago communities has long concerned us. I want them to feel that they can touch what were fighting for and who I am, Emmons says. Los Angeles to Dismiss 66,000 Marijuana Convictions: DA About 66,000 marijuana convictions in Los Angeles County will be dismissed, according to the countys district attorney on Thursday. The dismissals include 62,000 felony convictions for marijuana cases dating back to 1961 and around 4,000 misdemeanor cases, District Attorney Jackie Laceys office said in a news release. I am privileged to be part of a system dedicated to finding innovative solutions and implementing meaningful criminal justice reform that gives all people the support they need to build the life they deserve, she said. This is a clear demonstration that automatic record clearance is possible at scale and can help to right the wrongs of the failed war on drugs. Her office said that about 53,000 people will obtain receive conviction relief, saying that 32 percent are black, 20 percent are white, 45 percent are Latino, and 3 percent are unknown. As a result of our actions, these convictions should no longer burden those who have struggled to find a job or a place to live because of their criminal record, Lacey said in a press conference in announcing the move. She added that its the largest mass dismissal of marijuana cases in state history. In 2016, California voters legalized recreational marijuana usage in a referendum. The initiative also made it possible for people who were previously convicted of possessing, growing, selling, or transporting marijuana to get reduced sentences. Her office worked with Code for America, a nonprofit that uses a program to find decades-old cases among court documents. After the latest move, the organization will have helped dismiss more than 85,000 marijuana in California, according to an official in the news release. Lacey is also seeking reelection. An opponent of hers said that she is not doing enough on criminal-justice reform. But a spokesperson for her office told The Wall Street Journal that she began a program that led to the dismissals last year. The facts and the timeline show that this decision was based on seeking justice for all, not politics, the spokeperson said. French defence major plans to expand its presence in India to exploit the huge opportunities expected to flow from the Indian military's ambitious plan to go for theatre commands comprising the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. Pascale Sourisse, senior executive vice president, International Development, Thales, said creation of theatre commands will fuel the need for radars, electronic warfare systems and weapons and the firm is ready to meet the huge demands, including through joint production of military hardware. The first batch of RBE2 air defence radar systems will roll out from the joint venture between and Reliance Defence Limited next month, Sourisse told PTI in an interview. The Nagpur-based manufacturing facility of the joint venture is going to produce SPECTRA electronic warfare systems, which are going to be part of Rafale fighter jets. Initially, the RBE2 radars will be integrated in the facility. The JV was set up to develop Indian capabilities to integrate and maintain radars and manufacture high performance airborne electronics, leveraging Thales' offset commitment as part of a deal to supply 36 Rafale fighter jets to the India plans to reorganise the existing military commands into common theatre commands comprising the Army, Navy and Air Force on the lines of similar structures in leading western powers. Chief of Defence Staff Gen last month announced that work on establishing theatre commands will be completed within three years and that the new model will significantly enhance India's combat capabilities. "The Indian market is a very important market for We are investing in this market considering future growth opportunities," Sourisse said. Thales, a vendor of Dassault Aviation, has already almost tripled its head count in India to 1,150. Sourisse also said Thales will be able to boost technology transfer to India if the Rafale aircraft is chosen by the in its hunt to procure 114 fighter jets at a cost of $18 billion. 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. In 2016, India inked a Euro 7.87 billion (approx Rs 59,000 crore) deal with France for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets. The first four aircraft will arrive in India in May. "Thales is part of the Rafale team. We hope that Dassault Aviation will get the future orders. Our resolve to share critical technologies with India is fully supported by the French government. There is a clear commitment to transfer critical technology to India," Sourisse said. She said Thales has offered to produce F90 assault rifles in India. Thales has also announced joining hands with MKU, an Indian company, to co-develop night vision devices for the armed forces in India and across the world. Sourisse said Thales has also offered Indian armed forces a new generation radio solution which could enhance interoperability among the Air Force, the Navy and the Army in a collaborative combat scenario. Thales, which has been in India since 1953, provides solutions, services and products to customers in the aeronautics, space, transport, digital identity and security, and defence markets in 68 countries. In the last couple of years, Thales has been investing in digital innovations with a focus on big data, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Last year, Thales launched its Global Engineering Competence Centre in Bengaluru with an aim to accelerate innovation and digital transformation to serve the needs of the Indian market and the group's global markets. The has again deferred the last date to March 6, 2020 for selection of auctioneer to pick software developer for the proposed Rs 5.22 trillion This is the second time that the government has shifted the last date. The department has shortlisted C1 India Pvt Ltd based in Harayana, mjunction Services, MSTC Limited based in Kolkata, and e-Procurement Technologies based out of Ahmedabad for technical round, which is now scheduled for February 17. Financial bids of qualified firms will open on February 28 and the auctioneer will be finalised on March 6. Earlier, the DoT had plans to finalise auctioneer by January 26 but deferred it to February 4 and now March 6. The delay is likely to push to July-August this year, according to sources. mjunction and e-Procurement Technologies have experience to design module for While the government is gearing up to conduct spectrum auction, telecom operators have raised alarm on high base price suggested by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). Bharti Airtel has already said that it will not bid for 5G spectrum at the current proposed price of Rs 492 crore per megahertz. Vodafone Idea on the other hand is facing critical situation on its survival in the wake of the Supreme Court order. However, both Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea will need to bid for spectrum in 8 circles where their right to use spectrum is expiring. Bharti Airtel has liability to clear nearly Rs 35,586 crore, including licence fee and spectrum usage charge dues. Vodafone Idea is staring at unpaid statutory dues of Rs 53,038 crore, including Rs 24,729 crore of spectrum dues and Rs 28,309 crore in licence fee. The DoT has already opined against participation of BSNL and MTNL in the spectrum auction. To receive Steve Gutterman's Week In Russia each week via e-mail, subscribe by clicking here. Opinion polls pointed to declining trust in Vladimir Putin at home and abroad, while a less formal survey -- a prank involving a portrait in an elevator -- provided a laugh-inducing lesson on shifting attitudes toward the Russian president. On the darker side, long prison terms for defendants who alleged they were tortured in a trumped-up terrorism case drew comparisons to Stalin's show trials. Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward. No Laughing Matter Like some other phrases, both publishable and much less so, "the emperor has no clothes" sounds more abrupt in Russian: Basically, "Uh -- the king is naked," making clear that anyone who doesn't realize it is deluded or dumb. The term came to mind when a remarkable piece of footage found its way from a state TV studio in Kamchatka to the Internet. The leaked video showed a presenter breaking out into a long, pretty loud fit of laughter as she read a report about a hike in subsidies for certain groups of citizens. Her laughter was apparently provoked by the amounts the report said could now be used by war veterans, radioactive cleanup workers, and others to pay for visits to health resorts (137 rubles, or $2.15) and for "international travel" to such sanatoriums (363 rubles). While it was not shown to viewers on the evening news as the presenter says at one point, "Good thing I'm not live" -- the clip was striking. State TV usually moves in a kind of lopsided lockstep with the Kremlin, making strange sudden movements and overdoing the Kremlin line at times, often in an attempt to please. But it rarely slips up badly or pulls back the curtain, suggesting that what's behind may not be a wizard but an ordinary man with some machinery and a megaphone. The fit of laughter and the social-payment increase that brought it on followed a January 15 state-of-the-nation speech in which President Vladimir Putin promised increased state subsidies and demanded that the government, which he replaced hours after the address, produce "tangible results in attaining worthy living standards that would be clearly perceived by the people." It also came in a month during which opinion polls and far less formal surveys have shown that perceptions of Putin himself are changing -- abroad, in Russia, and in a tiny microcosm of the country: a Moscow apartment-building elevator. Do The Right Thing Poll results published by the Pew Research Center on February 7 showed that a mean of 60 percent of people in 33 countries covered by the survey said they have no confidence in Putin to do the right thing when it comes to world affairs. That number was 79 percent in Poland, 78 percent in Ukraine, and 73 percent in the United States, while the only countries in which more than 50 percent voiced confidence in Putin were Bulgaria, Greece, and the Philippines. In Germany, South Africa, and Indonesia, about 36 percent of respondents said they trusted Putin to do the right thing on the global stage. That's one percentage point more than the proportion of Russians who listed Putin when asked to name five or six Russian politicians they trust the most, according to results published by the independent Levada Center on February 12. The 35 percent figure was the lowest for Putin since 2013 and a sharp decrease from the 59 percent recorded in November 2017. Lev Gudkov, director of the Levada Center, told RFE/RL that the 24-point drop "is really significant," adding: "It reflects an overall trend, showing a loss of trust." Need A Lift? While it may be harder to put one's finger on exactly why, to some the footage from a Moscow apartment-building elevator where a prankster put up a portrait of Putin probably seemed more significant -- and certainly funnier. The reactions caught on camera ranged from amused laughter to obvious anger, and in some cases both. One woman said perhaps jokingly that the former Soviet KGB officer was watching through cameras hidden behind his eyes, another asked where she could lodge a complaint, a third said it was the worst thing to happen to the building since large-scale renovations. A few people cursed in Russian, and one in English, and a small boy stated correctly that it was not a picture of Tchaikovsky. A far darker kind of insight into Russia under Putin came days after the elevator video went viral, when a court in the provincial city of Penza found seven men guilty of plotting terror attacks and sentenced them to prison terms ranging from six to eighteen years despite their claims of torture by members of the Federal Security Service and a judicial process that Kremlin critics likened to show trials under Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. "1937 is back," opposition politician Aleksei Minyaylo said following the sentencing, a reference to the height of Stalin's Great Terror. The defendants, aged 23 to 30, were known to the authorities as "the Network" -- but they contend that such an organization did not even exist, let alone plot terror attacks. Terror And Torture Human Rights Watch said that the case was far from an isolated one, but just one of three trials ending in verdicts since February 5 that were "marred by the prosecution and judges' refusal to rigorously investigate complaints of abuse, and by their reliance on dubious expert analysis and the use of anonymous 'secret witnesses.'" All three were "deeply flawed terrorism cases in which the defendants alleged incommunicado detention, torture, and other ill-treatment to extract confessions," the New York-based group said. Meanwhile, outside Russia, Stanislav Aseyev, a journalist and blogger who spent 962 days as a captive of the Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine before he was released and sent to Kyiv in a prisoner swap in November, described a small portion of the horrors he faced in an excerpt of manuscripts he wrote mainly while held in a makeshift prison in his native city of Donetsk. The excerpt published by RFE/RL addressed the issue of suicide attempts, include one by a man he wrote had been "brought into our cell with severe electrical burns and a bleeding wound on his head" after being tortured together with his son. "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," Aseyev wrote. Later that day, he wrote of the new cellmate, "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." The timing is notable. If the seven-day period begins this weekend or early next week, and it holds for a week, the peace agreement would be ready to sign around the time that President Trump is scheduled to travel to India. That opens the possibility that the president, who previously attempted to bring members of the Taliban to Camp David for a signing, would have the option of traveling to a secure location, like Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, to formalize an agreement. A truce has been widely expected, and Mr. Pompeo and Mr. Esper met on Friday in Munich with Ashraf Ghani, Afghanistans president. But there was no announcement of an imminent deal, and similar efforts have fallen apart. Mr. Trump pulled back on an accord last year after an attack that killed an American soldier and 11 others. The senior official who briefed reporters in Munich said that the agreement would not go into effect until a verified, successful reduction in hostilities, which is far short of a blanket cease-fire. The violence reduction deal, the official said, is highly specific, saying that it would have to be nationwide and include violence against Afghans as well as members of the American-led coalition, and would apply to all the elements of violence that have become familiar in 18 years of war: roadside bombs, suicide bombs and rocket attacks. The pace of an American pullout is the issue of most political importance to Mr. Trump. One of the few issues on which he and the Democratic challengers for president agree is the need for the United States to get out of Afghanistan though many of the candidates said in a survey published by The New York Times last week that they would keep a small counterterrorism force and some intelligence presence. New Delhi: The ruling BJP on Friday (February 14, 2020) hit out at Rahul Gandhi over his ''who benefitted from Pulwama attack'' remarks and said that he is a known sympathiser of banned terror outfits like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. Attacking the Congress MP, the saffron party said that his recent tweet on Pulwama attack is an insult to the 40 CRPF martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation in the line of duty. Slamming Rahul Gandhi, the party said that his remarks will help Pakistan counter India on international platforms. Calling him a 'known sympathiser' of LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed, the BJP said that he chooses to target not just government but the security forces as well which is unfortunate. Several top BJP leaders including Sambit Patra, Kailash Vijayvargiya, Prakash Javadekar, Mahendra Nath Pandey slammed Rahul Gandhi for making an what they called ''insensitive'' tweets on first Pulwama attack anniversary. Rahul Gandhi had on Friday made a stinging attack on the ruling Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre and sought to know from it who benefitted the most from the Pulwama attack on its first anniversary. Taking to Twitter, the Congress MP raised three questions and sought to know from the BJP regime what came out of the inquiry into the February 14, 2019 Pulwama attack. The Gandhi scion finally asked who in the BJP government has been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack?. Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the #PulwamaAttack , let us ask: 1. Who benefitted the most from the attack? 2. What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? 3. Who in the BJP Govt has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? pic.twitter.com/KZLbdOkLK5 Rahul Gandhi's tweet, which is likely to trigger a political storm, came on a day when the entire nation is paying homage to 40 brave Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans, who lost their lives in one of the worst terror attacks in three decades in the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir on this day - February 14, 2019, for their valour and supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Gandhis tweet was in reference to how the BJP had captured the posy-Pulwama political narrative around security and nationalism and how it paid dividends in the Lok Sabha election last year. Before Gandhi, CPI(M) leader Mohammed Salim on Friday said there was no need to build a memorial for the 40 CRPF personnel killed as it only reminds the country of incompetence in failing to stop the attack. A CRPF convoy of 70 vehicles was targeted by an explosives-laden SUV that was being driven by a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber, who was later identified as Adil Ahmad Dar. The vehicle rammed into one of the CRPF buses, killing 40 personnel onboard. The Pulwama terror attack was condemned by PM Narendra Modi in very strongest terms. PM Modi then said that the terrorists had committed a huge mistake and they will pay for it. 13 days later, India avenged the Pulwama attack by bombarding the Jaish terror camps located in Pakistan's Balakot, reportedly killing between 200-300 terrorists. 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. London-Based Wealth Management Firm Continues Expansion with Senior Adviser Appointment LONDON, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GCW Global Customised Wealth, the global investment management firm, announced that Svetlana Bryzgalova has joined the firm as Senior Adviser. Professor Bryzgalova will work with the investment team to apply advanced techniques in empirical finance to investment selection, asset allocation and portfolio construction, as well as advise on risk analysis and valuation issues. GCW, which now has personnel in London, San Francisco and New York, works with international clients and invests globally, offering individuals comprehensive wealth management services. David Bizer, Managing Partner at GCW, commented, "We are excited to enhance our senior leadership team here in London with such a leading expert in finance. Professor Bryzgalova has outstanding expertise that enhances our ability to deliver exceptional investment services to our clients." Professor Bryzgalova is an Assistant Professor of Finance at London Business School. Her research focuses on the quantitative aspects of empirical asset pricing and applies advanced techniques developed in econometrics, machine learning, computer science and data science fields to improve the understanding of financial markets. She earned her Ph.D. in Economics from London School of Economics in 2015, and was Assistant Professor of Finance at the Stanford Graduate School of Business before returning to London in 2018. Professor Bryzgalova added, "I am thrilled to be able to contribute my research on markets to the problem-solving culture at GCW, a firm that shares my passion that the careful study of finance is a continuous improvement project." About GCW Global Customised Wealth GCW Global Customised Wealth provides sophisticated individuals and select institutions with comprehensive investment management solutions. GCW constructs customised portfolios tailored to each client's objectives and needs, taking into consideration all assets and liabilities (including those not managed by GCW), and overlaying optimal currency exposure to correspond with the global lives our clients lead. GCW's clients seek investment opportunities that extend beyond their personal networks, that are transparent and do not suffer from conflicts of interest. GCW works with international clients, invests globally and is headquartered in London with teams in London, New York and the San Francisco area. CARACAS, Venezuela - President Nicolas Maduro said Friday that Venezuelan authorities havent detained opposition leader Juan Guaido because the courts havent ordered it, but he warned: It will come. Maduro made the remark in a meeting with the international press three days after Guaido returned from a tour to the U.S. and Europe, in defiance of a court order prohibiting him from leaving the country. Despite the order, migration officials let Guaido enter when he arrived on a commercial flight at Venezuelas main international airport. Maduro said that the day Venezuelas justice system decides Guaido should be imprisoned for all the crimes hes committed, he will be jailed. Venezuelas judicial system is stacked with pro-Maduro officials who routinely issue decrees in accordance with the presidents viewpoints. That day hasnt come yet, but it will come, the president said in response to a question from The Associated Press. The warning comes as Guaido tries to revive momentum in Venezuela for his flagging opposition movement. Though U.S. President Donald Trump and other world leaders expressed their continued support during Guaidos recent trip abroad, many inside Venezuela have grown wary of the opposition as Maduro remains in the presidency and consolidates his power. Guaido did not respond to Maduros threat Friday. Dressed in a blue suit and seated before a giant portrait of South American independence hero Simon Bolivar, Maduro delivered an angry diatribe against U.S. sanctions that he likened to a sick persecution which he said has forced him to make difficult decisions to keep the economy afloat. Nearly half of the population now makes purchases in U.S. dollars, according to Ecoanalitica, a Caracas-based analysis firm. The dollarization has helped fuel a limited revival of Venezuelas economy in cities like the capital, while also highlighting disparities between those who do and do not have access to dollar bills. Maduro loosened rigid currency controls in place for 16 years last May, allowing banks to buy and sell U.S. dollars at any exchange rate, making it far easier for entrepreneurs to operate in a currency accepted internationally. Having to choose whether to repress or permit, I chose to permit it, he said of the growing dollarization. It was a choice in the middle of a war. And that choice has allowed the economy to breathe. He added that he is conscious of the inequality that arises in this process but we are at war. Maduro has held on to power despite runaway hyperinflation, a massive exodus and shortages of food and medicine and growing international pressure that has left his socialist administration increasingly isolated. In recent years the Trump administration has sanctioned Venezuelas state-owned oil company and empowered the Treasury Department to target businesses and individuals who assist Maduros government. Maduro also suggested forming a group of friendly countries, including Spain, Mexico and Panama, to help create a dialogue toward settling Venezuelas internal differences ahead of legislative elections expected later this year. He said he already asked the leaders of Argentina and Russia to join the group, repeating a call for mediation that critics say is a well-worn delay tactic. A Norway-sponsored dialogue with the opposition floundered last year. ___ Associated Press writer Scott Smith reported this story in Caracas and AP writer Christine Armario reported from Bogota, Colombia. Twenty-three Indian fishermen were apprehended and four boats seized near the international maritime boundary line (IMBL) off Jakhau coast in Kutch district in Gujarat by Pakistan maritime agencies, said a fishermen's outfit functionary. Porbandar Fishermen Boat Association president Jivan Jungi said, of the four boats, two had set sail from Porbandar a few days ago, while one each was registered in Okha and Veraval. "We have learnt that 23 Indian fishermen on four boats have been apprehended mid-sea by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency near the international maritime boundary line (IMBL) in the Arabian sea off Jakhau coast of Kutch district on Friday. The fishermen will be taken to Karachi Port," said Jungi. Indian fishermen are often captured by Pakistan agencies who accuse them of straying into the territorial waters of that country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Burma Police Failed on Victoria Rape Case: New Home Affairs Minister Union Home Affairs Minister Lieutenant General Soe Htut / The Irrawaddy YANGONLieutenant General Soe Htut, Myanmars new home affairs minister, said just after being sworn in on Thursday that the Myanmar Police Force failed to properly build the case regarding the sexual assault against a toddler in a Naypyitaw nursery school. The Police Force is overseen by the Home Affairs Ministry. Speaking of building a case, only a strong beginning will ensure a favorable ending. Building the case properly will ensure a strong beginning, the new Union minister told the reporters. Regardless, no case can be cracked in one sitting. We must work hard, and we will do so. The toddler was allegedly sexually assaulted at the Wisdom Hill Nursery School in Zabuthiri Township on May 16 last year. The victim was less than 3 years old at the time and the case has been in the national spotlight, with masses of Facebook users calling on police to hold the perpetrator accountable. Referring to the victim as Victoria, the Facebook campaign Justice for Victoria grew into a wider call for an end to all sexual violence, especially against children. Police named a driver at the school as the primary suspect and arrested him twice, in May and July, though many observers believe he was used as a scapegoat. In December, Naypyitaws Dekkhinathiri District Court released him due to a lack of evidence and the case was technically closed. Speaking to reporters on Thursday in Naypyitaw, the new Union home affairs minister said that establishing the rule of law is a major challenge for Myanmar. As the home affairs minister, he said that his primary focus will be on promoting the rule of law in the country. He urged the public to cooperate with police in the process. Legal experts have increasingly questioned the capacity of the Myanmar Police Force, citing human rights violations, including deaths during interrogations, corruption and negligence. The Naypyitaw toddler rape case will test the capacity of the new home affairs minister, said Myanmar Media Network chairman and lawyer U Aung Soe. He added that the polices failure to arrest high-profile fugitives such as Aung Win Khine, a suspect in the murder of lawyer U Ko Ni, and U Wirathu, the ultra-nationalist monk, have impacted the publics trust in the police. I hope the home affairs minister is as good as his word on the rule of law. From a legal perspective, my view is that there was a weak beginning for the Victoria case. Now, the tempo has quickened. I welcome his admission that there was a weak beginning. All the people know that there was a weak beginning, said U Aung Soe. As far as Im concerned, the police investigation of the case was poor, said lawyer U Than Zaw Aung. As police hastened to bring the case to court, the case was built incorrectly. U Bo Kyi, joint secretary of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, said that though the Myanmar Police Force is an armed institution, it should be overseen by the civilian government rather than the military, as it needs to engage with the people. According to the 2008 Constitution, the ministers of home affairs, defense and border affairs are all nominated by the chief of the military. [The new home affairs minister] needs to change the mindset among police at lower levels that suspects will only tell the truth when they are beaten, U Bo Kyi told The Irrawaddy. Due to their past experiences, people dont want to cooperate with the police, so there is a need to fix the public perception of the police. Only then will people cooperate for the rule of law. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko This will almost certainly be a record-breaking year for the advance of solar and wind power across the U.S. The additions that are in progress or planned are significant enough to boost hopes for emissions-free electrical grids within a generation if natural gas doesnt get in the way. It just may. Gas is such a bargain that its being viewed less as a bridge fossil fuel, driving the world away from dirtier coal toward a clean-energy future, and more as a hurdle that could slow the trip. Some forecasters predict prices will stay low for years, making it tough for states, cities and utilities to achieve their goals of being zero-carbon in power production by 2050 or earlier. The fact that theres an abundance of it makes the move to complete decarbonizaton much harder, says Ravina Advani, head of energy, natural resources and renewables at BNP Paribas SA. Gas is a tough competitor. Its reliable and its cheap. The flood of inexpensive gas does have a big environmental upside, because its putting increased pressure on struggling coal plants that contribute significantly to global warming. But its also squeezing margins for nuclear reactors, which are the U.S.s biggest source of carbon-free power. And its driving utilities to lay down infrastructure that could ensure gas remains central to the power mix for decades. Solar and wind are certainly winning in many markets on price alone. Without cheap gas, though, the renewables build-out would be faster, says Cody Moore, head of gas and power trading at Mercuria Energy America LLC. Absolutely, 100%. Just look at the largest grid in the U.S., which stretches from Washington to Chicago and serves more than 65 million people: It has been boosting the amount of power generated with gas and drawing in renewables at a slower rate. That grid happens to crisscross a section of the U.S. thats home to some of the worlds most abundant natural gas reserves. A drilling boom there and in the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico is a reason why the U.S. benchmark price for gas is less than $2 per million British thermal units. Thats the least for this time of year since the late 1990s. In Asia, prices fell to a record low of less than $3 this month amid a global supply glut and as the coronavirus began slowing demand from China. In Europe, the benchmark Dutch price hit a decade low. That's not good for the new-energy market, says Jonathan Bell, a business development manager at the risk assessment and quality assurance company DNV GL. It puts a lot of pressure on renewable energy. Rising exports of liquefied natural gas from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Siberia will probably keep prices down and expand developing economies reliance on the fuel. The International Energy Agency expects global gas consumption to climb through 2040."We're using solar and wind more than ever, but until we're very purposeful about trying to subtract some fuels that we're using, history shows us that market forces alone won't successfully push fossil fuels out of the energy mix," says Noah Kaufman, a research scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. None of this is to say that renewable investments in the U.S. havent been on a tear. They went up 28% last year to a record $55.8 billion, according to BloombergNEF. Between now and 2050, renewable power will be the fastest-growing source of electricity, accounting for 38% of generation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That, of course, isnt the percentage envisioned by the likes of the state of California, the city of Pittsburgh and the Minneapolis-based utility Xcel Energy Inc., which are among the governments and power providers that have target dates between 2030 and 2050 for cleaning carbon emissions out of their grids.Whatever the price, natural gas will have to continue to fill the gap for some time because renewable generators need the strength of wind or sun to do their jobs. The battery power-storage technologies that could cut every grids ties to fossil fuels are only slowly being added to systems. Without them, we cannot go 100% renewable, says Tom Rumsey, a senior vice president at Competitive Power Ventures, which builds both gas-fired and renewable plants. There are these moonshot goals, which drive policy behavior. But the reality is, how do you maintain grid reliability without a breakthrough in storage? You are going to need fossil fuels. Theres widespread agreement among forecasters, policymakers and increasingly business leaders that solar and wind will win out in the end. Ultimately, gas plants will meet the same reality as coal, says Jules Kortenhorst, chief executive officer of the Rocky Mountain Institute, a nonprofit focused on delivering a low-carbon future. Its just a question of when. Gas prices may define the answer. The income tax (I-T) department has notified forms for companies to avail the reduced corporate tax rates that were announced in September last year New Delhi: The income tax (I-T) department has notified forms for companies to avail the reduced corporate tax rates that were announced in September last year. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified Forms 10-IC and 10-ID for existing companies that want to avail lower I-T rate and new manufacturing firms, respectively. In September 2019, the government announced a cut in base corporate tax for existing companies to 22 percent from the current 30 percent; and for new manufacturing firms, incorporated after 1 October, 2019, and starting operations before 31 March, 2023, to 15 percent from the current 25 percent. Companies opting for these new tax rates will have to forego all exemptions and incentives. The effective tax rate for existing units, after considering surcharges and cess such as Swachh Bharat cess and education cess -- which are levied on top of the income and corporate tax rates, will be 25.17 percent as compared to 34.94 percent now. For new units, it will be 17.01 percent as against 29.12 percent now. Form 10-IC will have to be filed by the companies that wish to avail the beneficial rate of 22 percent upon relinquishment of the exemptions/incentives offered under the Income Tax Act. The e-Form 10-IC, which has to be furnished either under digital signature or electronic verification code (EVC), seeks general details of the company like name, PAN, registered address, date of incorporation and nature of business activities. The companies will also have to declare that the option once exercised shall not be withdrawn. Besides, these companies will have to withdraw the option to be taxed at the concessional rate of 25 percent under the erstwhile regime. Similarly, Form 10-ID would be filed electronically by new domestic manufacturing companies, incorporated after 1 October, 2019 that wish to be taxed as per the new tax regime, that offers a concessional tax rate of 15 percent, provided all the incentives and exemptions are forgone by the companies. Apart from the general details, the e-form requires the companies to provide the date of commencement of manufacturing operations. Further, the companies shall have to affirm that they fulfil the stipulated conditions for availing the concessional rate and declare that the option once availed shall not be withdrawn. Nangia Andersen Consulting Director Shailesh Kumar said companies desirous of availing the new tax regime shall have to file the forms electronically, before the due date of filing of return for AY 2020-21, i.e 30 September, 2020. "The Forms have been notified in a timely manner and the companies have sufficient time to evaluate their options and file their consent accordingly, Kumar said. Asking Molly Goddard if she likes being part of London Fashion Week is a bit like asking Harry Kane if he likes playing in the Champions League. The 31-year-old fashion designer, whose supersized tulle dresses have become a signature for contemporary cool-girl style, takes no time to answer: I think people get a bit bored of me banging on about it all the time but it really is such an amazing place. We are meeting at her East End studio, a stones throw from Bethnal Green station. But Goddards heart resides at the other end of the Central line. Certainly, the fashion designers childhood stomping ground of Portobello Road remains a perennial source of inspiration. The daughter of a graphic designer and a primary school art teacher, she was raised in the area alongside her sister Alice (now her stylist, and long-term collaborator). My parents were quite cool they knew lots of cool people, she says. Goddard, who has striking strawberry blonde hair and wears a checked dress from her current collection for our meeting, is following in their footsteps. She is stylish without trying to be as well as warm and charismatic. Her latest collection, to be unveiled at London Fashion Week tomorrow, is inspired by a photograph of the designer with her father, taken in the Portobello Road area in the late Nineties and immortalised in a book of street style. Molly Goddard at the British Fashion Awards 2018 / Mike Marsland/Getty Images Im inspired by all the places I grew up around, from Kensington Market to Camden, but Portobello was such a creative place to live. I still think it is, but it was so exciting back then. I have so many memories of walking down to the market and always wanting to get dressed up to go. Undoubtedly, it is Goddards affection for a look thats unmistakably London that underpins her eponymous fashion line and is the reason women from models to school teachers to Rihanna have fallen for its charms. Its about the clashing of things. Something from a charity shop mixed with your mums posh coat, says Goddard. Youve got interesting old clothes that you might have bought and a load of cheap crap but somehow it looks great altogether. This strong sense of identity has won Goddard praise from the industry. At the Fashion Awards in 2016, just two years after launching her label, she was handed the British Emerging Talent Award, and in 2018, she was announced as the recipient of the Vogue Designer Fashion Fund. Her business has also benefited from a host of well-known ambassadors. Among them are west Londoners Edie Campbell who showcased one of Goddards iconic fuchsia gowns when she wore it to the Met Ball last year and model Adwoa Aboah. Both are friends of the designer. Edie Campbell wearing Molly Goddard to the Met Gala / Getty Images for The Met Museum/ We didnt grow up together, says Goddard, who went to state school in Holland Park. Theyre the posh lot. And I wasnt in the posh lot at the time. I infiltrated later in life. The designers international reputation also benefited from a starring role in the wardrobe of super-assassin Villanelle, who wore a frothy pink Goddard creation in the first season of Killing Eve. With all these successes, Im surprised when she tells me that she flunked the MA at Central Saint Martins (alumni include Christopher Kane and John Galliano). I was doing all these extra projects and getting like two hours of sleep a night, she says of her time on the course. It made me nervous and depressed. Goddard took some time out and returned a year later during the same week that Central Saint Martins formidable leader Louise Wilson died from breast cancer to find out she had failed. Assasin Villanelle wearing the now-iconic pink Molly Goddard dress in the first season of Killing Eve / Sid Gentle Films/Robert Viglasky Its here that Goddards own fashion fairytale begins. With nothing to show for three years of work and with support from her boyfriend Tom, she set to work at her kitchen table on a collection of 15 dresses. The plan was to show them off at a party to be held at a town hall in Mayfair, which theyd rented for 150 in the hope that it might help her get a job. I never wanted to do my own thing. I think I always saw it as a bit egotistical, she says. However, in the days after the event, when the phone started ringing with calls from stores including Dover Street Market, which was among the first to stock her designs it became clear that the universe had other plans. With orders to fulfil, Goddard squeezed her pattern-cutting table into her mums spare room and got down to work. Id get there at 8am and leave at midnight, she tells me. It was madness. These days like every other established label she works with factories to create most of the pieces in her collections. But her design ethos remains unchanged. Goddard is not the sort of designer to lurch from trend to trend. Instead her collections, always focused on dresses, are an evolution of what has come before. She tells me she is obsessed with vintage childrens clothes, citing her BA collection, for which she created up-scaled versions of dresses she wore as a child, as one of her favourites. But she is reluctant to describe what she does as nostalgic. I dont like to be put into a bracket, she says. Shes not comfortable with pretty, either. I think pretty is prissy and not that interesting. I think a lot about how our dresses will be worn; even if its the biggest, frilliest dress I want you to be able to run round the park in it. Its not twee. A study of the women who are drawn to her clothes confirms Goddard as a pioneer of a new kind of power dressing, which invites women to be fierce and feminine at the same time. I think our woman is strong and fun and up for a good time. And a sense of humour is important, she says. Clothes should not be made to restrict. I think the only thing that is truly sexy is someone who feels comfortable. Molly Goddard's spring/summer 20 collection Undoubtedly its this quality that has inspired Goddard to be her own best customer. Ive ordered 50 pieces from the last collection, she says. I need to make room for them. Despite the childrens clothes hiding under her desk, Goddard runs a grown-up operation to match her grown-up brand. Its all very proper. Were living-wage accredited and everyone has a contract, she says, aware that this sets her business apart from many of her contemporaries running small fashion brands. Im really proud of that. And yet, despite the professionalism, theres still a sense that this remains the kitchen-table brand. This is precisely how Goddard likes it. I dont want to grow too much, or suddenly start doing shows with 80 looks in them and producing hundreds of clothes. I want to keep doing what were doing and find other areas of growth. Recent collaborations and capsule collections with stores such as MatchesFashion.com and Dover Street Market are fine examples of how this might manifest. When the time is right, Goddard would also like to add a bespoke element to her business. Economists and business leaders agree that innovation is a major force behind economic growth, but many disagree on what is the best way to encourage workers to produce the "think-outside-of-the-box" ideas that create newer and better products and services. New research from the University of California San Diego indicates that competitive "winner-takes-all" pay structures are most effective in getting the creative juices flowing that help fuel economic growth. The findings are based on a study authored by professor of economics Joshua Graff Zivin and assistant professor of management Elizabeth Lyons who partnered with Thermo Fisher Scientific, one of the globe's largest bio tech companies, in creating a contest for the Baja California office. Participants in the competition, which was open to all non-management employees of Thermo Fisher and other tech companies in the region, were asked to design digital solutions to help share medical equipment across small healthcare clinics in the region. The competition was created to test which of two common compensation models produced more novel ideas. Those who signed up were randomly selected to compete in either the "winner-takes-all" category, in which there was one prize of $15,000 awarded to first place, or the "top 10" category, in which the same amount of prize money was spread out among the top 10 entries. "Participants under the winner-takes-all compensation scheme submitted proposals that were significantly more novel than their counterparts in the other scheme," said the authors of National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) working paper, who both hold appointments with the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy. "While the two groups did not statistically differ from one another on their overall scores, the risk taking encouraged by the competition with a single prize resulted in innovators pursuing more creative solutions." They added, "These findings are significant because the 21st century economy is one that prizes novelty. Firms view it as an important source of comparative advantage. It is also an essential ingredient in the development of technological breakthroughs that transform markets with major impacts to consumers and producers." How firms can produce more creative ideas with a limited amount of resources Most modern-day mechanisms created by chief technology officer (CTOs) and management gurus designed to spark innovation often rely on performance-based-pay and hinge on assumptions regarding the ability and ambitions of employees and their risk preferences. However, the results from the NBER paper show that with identical groups of innovators, companies can increase the innovative output of employees just by changing how they pay them. advertisement "Those competing for one big prize had to push further in making their results creative; however what is most surprising is that this is a relatively low-cost way for companies to induce more radical innovation," Lyons noted. Though there was more risk vs. reward in the "winner-takes-all" category, both produced the about the same number of submissions (20 in "top 10" category and 22 in the "winner-takes-all" category), indicating that having less of a chance of winning a monitory award did not have an impact on the amount of work output. The entries were judged by a panel of six experts. Half of the judges were from industry (Thermo Fisher and Teradata) and the other half were from academia (computer sciences professors from local universities in the Baja California region). The novelty of the submissions was evaluated on a scale from one to five, relative to what is currently and/or soon to be available on the market. The lowest possible score of one was given for proposed solutions already on the market and the highest score of five was awarded to submissions in which no one else has thought of a similar idea. Those who entered could work as an individual or in teams. The results of teams vs. individual entries in both categories are consistent with other studies, showing that teams with diversified skill-sets and deepened professional experience produced better entries than that of individuals. However, the team entries in the "winner-takes-all" category were again more novel than the group work in the "top 10" category. advertisement Subsequently, participants in both categories were surveyed on their risk preferences. Not surprisingly, those less averse to risk performed better in the "winner-takes-all" category. The results also revealed that women who submitted entries in the contest performed better than average in both categories of the competition. In conclusion, the authors noted that genius is not created by incentives, but empowered by them. "It is important to recognize that incentives alone are insufficient to spark creativity," they wrote. "More work is required to understand the raw ingredients that shape the relationship between creativity and compensation." New Delhi: The government should bring an ordinance to "rectify" the Supreme Court's recent decision on reservations in jobs for SC-ST communities and all such issues should be included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to insulate them from judicial review, Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Friday. He said the government was also mulling filing a review against the Supreme Court decision and was taking legal opinion on it. "The review petition is there, but the matter will again go to court, it has to be looked at whether it will be successful or not. So, in my opinion, the easiest way is to issue an ordinance and make an amendment in the Constitution," Paswan told PTI in an interview. The Lok Janshakti Party leader's remarks come amidst a political storm after the apex court recently ruled that the states are not bound to provide reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in appointments and there is no fundamental right to claim quota in promotions. "The Supreme Court saying that it is up to the state government for giving reservation in jobs and it is not a fundamental right...This is all part of the Constitution, and the people have this objection that the verdict is against the interests of the SCs and STs," Paswan said. To "rectify" the Supreme Court verdict, an ordinance should be brought and the Constitution should be amended, the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution minister said. An ordinance can be brought when Parliament is not in session. However, if the government still wants to bring one during a break in an ongoing session, one of the two Houses is adjourned sine die (indefinitely), and once the ordinance is signed by the President, the House that was adjourned for the purpose is reconvened, a senior government official said. There have been precedents. The ordinance has a shelf life of six months. Once a session begins it has to be converted into a law within six weeks, or else it lapses. LJP chief Chirag Paswan had also raised the matter in Lok Sabha and demanded that all such matters related with SC/ST be put in the Ninth Schedule, Paswan said. "All issues related to SC/ST should be put in the Ninth Schedule," he said. "Then going to the court will be done away with because what is happening is that state legislatures and Parliament are passing laws (on SC/ST rights), but they get stuck in legal wrangles," Paswan said. Paswan said that about 70 Dalit and tribal MPs, including Union ministers, had met earlier this week at his residence and have put forward two main demands before the government -- an ordinance be passed and then Constitutional amendment made to nullify the Supreme Court verdict on reservation in jobs and also have an Indian Judicial Service to ensure representation of SCs, STs and OBCs in the higher judiciary. The LJP leader also hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for politicising the issue. Gandhi had said that a "big controversy" was underway to erase reservations. Asserting that the government was committed to protect the rights of SC/STs, Paswan listed the Centre's steps such as nullifying the dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and designating places connected with B R Ambedkar as memorials, to state that the rights of the backward classes were a priority. "Rahul Gandhi should tell people that why in Parliament's Central Hall there were so many portraits of people from one family, but Ambedkar's picture was not put up till the VP Singh government came to power," Paswan said. "In the polls that were held recently in Delhi, the Congress lost on all seats and its candidates lost their deposits on nearly all seats. So the message is clear that SC/STs, minorities, nobody voted for them," he said. The Parliament is on the same page on reservation and no government can ever raise questions on the quota issue, he asserted. A huge row broke out both inside and outside Parliament on Monday over the Supreme Court ruling on reservation in jobs for the SC/STs with Congress leader Gandhi alleging that it was "in the DNA of the BJP and the RSS" to try and erase the quota system, while the government said "appropriate steps" will be taken in the matter that was being discussed at the "highest level". Under attack over the issue, the government accused the Congress of "politicising the sensitive issue". Amidst the opposition attack, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot during his statement in both the Houses of Parliament had made it clear that the Centre was not asked to file an affidavit in the matter. Colin P. Clarke has been teaching a course on terrorism and insurgency at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh for four years, and much more of his class these days is devoted to white supremacy than in the past. So Clarke was not one bit surprised when a new report by the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center on Extremism revealed that efforts to spread white supremacy propaganda often through discriminatory fliers, banners and posters more than doubled from 2018 to last year. Moreover, the university is located just a short walk from the Tree of Life synagogue, and Clarke has seen up close the consequences of hateful words turning into violent action. Its concerning because, for all the people who dont move on to become threats of violence, some will, and some will get their start by seeing pieces of propaganda that will alert them to the fact this group exists, Clarke said. The ADL report represents a sobering warning about the reach of white supremacist groups, which can take advantage of the efficiency and anonymity provided by social media to disseminate their ideology with little fear of backlash. Last year the ADL recorded its highest number of propaganda incidents ever with 2,713 cases, compared to 1,214 in 2018. College campuses, full of impressionable young minds open to new ideas, are a favorite target, receiving about one-fourth of the propaganda against minority groups like immigrants, blacks, Jews, Muslims and members of the LGBTQ community. The report also said all states except Hawaii registered instances of this kind of messaging, which is often cloaked in patriotic themes and serves as a recruiting tool. In addition, the ADL said the use of announced white supremacist rallies has given way to flash demonstrations, which are less likely to draw counter-protests and negative media coverage. A menorah at a memorial outside the Tree of Life Synagogue, where Robert Bowers killed worshippers in an Oct. 27 shooting, as people prepare for a celebration service at sundown on the first night of Hanukkah in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. John Cohen, a former counterterrorism coordinator at the Department of Homeland Security and now an adjunct professor at Georgetown Universitys Center for Security Studies, said white supremacists have become more sophisticated in their communication. Story continues Theyve rebranded themselves, Cohen said. In the past they were viewed as racist individuals who were on the fringe or outside of mainstream society. Now their thoughts and ideas and messaging have been incorporated into the mainstream political discourse by a growing number of elected officials. Parental guidance: White supremacy in America: Can parents stop online radicalization? While emphasizing hes not singling out either party, Cohen warned about the danger of normalizing white supremacist ideology. In the runup to the 2018 midterm elections, President Donald Trump often railed against the caravans of migrants from Central America making their way to the U.S. to request asylum. On Oct. 27 of that year, 10 days before the election, accused gunman Robert Bowers burst into the Tree of Life synagogue and killed 11 people in a shooting rampage. In anti-Semitic online comments, Bowers had blamed Jews for aiding caravans of invaders that kill our people. Less than a year later, on Aug. 3, 2019, a shooter who had posted a hateful manifesto decrying a Hispanic invasion of Texas gunned down 22 people at an El Paso Walmart. An additional 24 people were injured in the attack, allegedly perpetrated by 21-year-old Patrick Crusius, whose screed warned about foreigners replacing white people in the U.S. In this file photo taken on August 6, 2019, a makeshift memorial for victims of the shooting that left a total of 22 people dead in a shjooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas. Cohen said political leaders are playing with fire when they promote white supremacist talking points, such as exaggerated claims of the security threat immigrants present and their supposed drain on public resources, to stoke their supporters. By mainstreaming those ideologically beliefs for the purposes of inspiring their political base, they have also inspired disaffected, violence-prone individuals to conduct attacks, Cohen said. Thats one of the reasons were seeing an increase in acts of domestic terrorism in the country. Caught and convicted: White supremacist pleads guilty in plot to bomb synagogue, shoot up Las Vegas LGBT bar Equating immigration with an invasion, as Bowers and Crusius did, has been a common tactic of Trumps campaign. According to research by Media Matters, in January and February 2019 alone his Facebook page ran more than 2,000 ads using that term. The president is far from the only elected leader to make that analogy, but his voice carries the farthest. When you have the person with the biggest bullhorn not only in the country but in the world using this language, doesnt that give cover to other people to use it? said Clarke, who is also a senior research fellow at The Soufan Center, a nonprofit that focuses on global security issues. Both Cohen and Clarke say educating the public is critical to countering white supremacist propaganda, especially getting the word out about the means those groups use, such as radicalizing teenagers online through messages distributed in the gaming community. In a report on the rise of transnational white supremacist extremism, The Soufan Center calls for the U.S. to adopt strong laws to combat domestic terrorism. The evolution of Clarkes class suggests its time to look beyond al-Qaida and the Islamic State as the main sources of terrorism to worry about. He said the more insidious approach taken by white supremacist groups poses a bigger danger in the long term and needs to be acknowledged. Nobody hesitates to slap a terrorist label on any kind of act committed by someone who looks brown. Part of that is the 9/11 effect, undoubtedly, Clarke said. But the other part of it is the fact people still havent woken up to the notion that violent white supremacy poses just as much if not a greater threat to this country than Salafi-jihadism. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: White supremacist ideas seeping into mainstream, leading to violence Using the chronology of a date to break down different stages of consent, the campaign puts a spotlight on how people do (or don't) address consent in their own lives. From sliding into DMs, to buying someone a drink, to sharing a ride to the next destination, we make it clear that Only a Yes to Sex Is a Yes . Because sex without consent is sexual assault. The campaign includes out of home, print, digital and social advertising supported by a roster of influencers and a partnership with RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. "In a recent survey conducted with 21-30 year olds for Absolut by KRC Research, we learned that nine in 10 have talked about consent with their friends and family, and that nearly one-third said they talk about the topic of consent frequently or all the time," said Ann Mukherjee, chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard North America. "Additionally, 61 percent said they believe companies should play a role in tackling this issue. When you pair that data with the startling reality that every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted frequently involving the perpetrator's misuse of alcohol you can understand why we feel compelled to take a stand on the issue of consent." Absolut's partnership with RAINN will help even more survivors of sexual assault each year and continue the organization's vital work to educate the public, prevent sexual violence, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. Importantly, Absolut will work with RAINN to develop and implement new, culturally-relevant campaigns and programs that aim to prevent all people from using alcohol as a tool or excuse to violate consent. "We look forward to working with Absolut to tackle the important issue of consent head-on, and to use this partnership to advance cultural understanding of the problem and create real-world solutions," said Scott Berkowtiz, president of RAINN. "We are excited by the potential for the brand's reach to call attention to this important issue." On Valentine's Day, Absolut will engage consumers via social media. For every share or retweet of our campaign, Absolut will donate $1 to RAINN. Donations from the Valentine's Day engagement will be in addition to an initial donation to support RAINN's work from Absolut. Mukherjee will become a member of RAINN's National Leadership Council on behalf of Absolut. Absolut has also committed to take action in support of responsible drinking and consent by: Listen. First and foremost, we need to listen to understand the challenges real people face as they navigate how to respect, accept and give consent and the role of alcohol in that process so that we can determine the right role for us to play. We gain permission to act by prioritizing listening. First and foremost, we need to listen to understand the challenges real people face as they navigate how to respect, accept and give consent and the role of alcohol in that process so that we can determine the right role for us to play. We gain permission to act by prioritizing listening. Convene. Building on our long history at the cultural vanguard, we can use the power of our brand to convene frank, honest and open conversations about consent. Building on our long history at the cultural vanguard, we can use the power of our brand to convene frank, honest and open conversations about consent. Act in Partnership. Working with expert partners, we will develop and implement new, culturally-relevant campaigns and programs that aim to prevent alcohol from being used as a tool or excuse to violate consent. To learn more about our campaign, visit absolut.com/drinkresponsibly. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence and need to talk, free and confidential support is available 24/7 via RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.4673 and online.rainn.org . ENJOY RESPONSIBLY ABSOLUT. PRODUCT OF SWEDEN. 40% ALC./VOL. 2020. IMPORTED BY ABSOLUT SPIRITS CO., NEW YORK, NY. ABOUT PERNOD RICARD USA Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA., the world's second-largest spirits and wine company. Pernod Ricard employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide, is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI) and is part of the CAC 40 index. Pernod Ricard USA is headquartered in New York, New York, and has more than 800 employees across the country. The company's leading spirits include such prestigious brands as Absolut Vodka, Avion Tequila, Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Kahlua Liqueur, Malibu, Martell Cognac, Olmeca Altos Tequila , Beefeater Gin, Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal, Monkey 47 Gin, Plymouth Gin, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin, Malfy Gin, Hiram Walker Liqueurs, Midleton Irish Whiskey, Powers Irish Whiskey, Redbreast Irish Whiskey, Aberlour Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Lillet; Smithworks Vodka, Jefferson's Bourbon, Smooth Ambler Whiskey, Rabbit Hole Whiskey, Pernod and Ricard; such superior wines as Jacob's Creek, Kenwood Vineyards, Campo Viejo and Brancott Estate; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouet Champagne, G.H. Mumm Champagne and Mumm Napa sparkling wines. As "creators of conviviality," we are committed to sustainable and responsible business practices in service of our customers, consumers, employees and the planet. Our products bring people together and serve a valuable role in society. We encourage responsible consumption of our products and fight alcohol misuse in society by evolving our business and our marketing, taking action on harmful drinking and engaging with our stakeholders for real change. As a founding member of the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.org), we are proud to be a part of the campaigns that have worked to produce a 29% reduction in underage drinking over the past 10 years. ABOUT RAINN RAINN is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org ). RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. SOURCE Pernod Ricard USA Vietnam is monitoring more than 5,000 workers who returned to the Southeast Asian country after the Lunar New Year holiday for signs of coronavirus, state media reported on Feb. 14. On Thursday, Communist-ruled Vietnam quarantined a rural commune of 10,000 people near Hanoi because of fears the coronavirus could spread there. Sixteen people in Vietnam have tested positive for the virus. As of February 11, there are 7,600 Chinese workers who returned to Vietnam after the holiday break, of which 5,112 are being closely monitored, the state-run Tien Phong newspaper said, citing a report by Vietnams labor ministry. They are being isolated in their companies dormitories and local hotels. Suspected infection cases are quarantined at medical facilities, the report added. On Feb. 2, Vietnams labor ministry asked businesses and employers not to let Chinese workers return to work in Vietnam. Vietnam declared a public health emergency over the epidemic on Feb. 1 and has banned all flights to and from China, where nearly 1,400 people have died from the virus. By Phuong Nguyen Oil majors have been pulling out of the North Sea as reserves dwindle (Andrew Milligan/PA) The Royal Bank of Scotland is to stop financing oil majors such as Shell and BP, unless they can satisfy the bank that their businesses are in line with the Paris climate agreement. RBS, which is rebranding as NatWest, said big oil and gas companies have until 2021 to put a credible plan in place, or face losing the banks support. We plan a full phase-out from coal by 2030; also, to stop lending and underwriting to major oil and gas producers unless they have a credible transition plan aligned with the 2015 Paris Agreement in place by the end of 2021, the bank said as new chief executive Alison Rose hopes to shake off the tarnished image it acquired during the financial crisis. It marks a step forward as many businesses have started to recognise the need to make their operations greener. However, several parts of the policy remain unclear. The knock-on effect of the withdrawal of financing is likely to be felt by the smaller providers and others in the supply chain without such deep pocketsEmma Shipp, Hewitsons An RBS spokesman told the PA news agency that the bank is still in the early days of its plans and has yet to set a cut-off point for what constitutes a major oil and gas producer. While some aspects of the banks announcement are welcome, its pledge to only stop funding major oil and gas companies without a credible plan to align their business with the Paris goals is simply too weak. This should apply to all oil and gas companies no matter their size, Stuart McWilliam, climate team leader at NGO Global Witness, said. Many oil companies, including most of the US giants, have started withdrawing their operations from Britains North Sea production. This has left room for smaller firms, many backed by private equity investors, to squeeze the remaining oil out of the dwindling basin. It is not yet clear how many of these smaller companies will still be able to borrow from RBS to fund their operations and how many will be caught by the major oil and gas producer definition. RBS is understood to be reluctant to cut off support for smaller oil and gas producers as the sector supports many jobs, especially in Scotland, the banks home. And it will continue to work with smaller customers to help them make their operations greener. BP plans to make its business emissions neutral by the middle of the century (Stefan Rousseau//PA) It would have been unrealistic to expect some of the smaller producers to meet the 2021 deadline the bank has set for its larger customers, a spokesman said. Emma Shipp, a partner at law firm Hewitsons, said other lenders are likely to follow suit, adding: The knock-on effect of the withdrawal of financing is likely to be felt by the smaller providers and others in the supply chain without such deep pockets. RBS also said it would stop lending to and underwriting firms where more than 15% of their activities are related to thermal and lignite coal, unless they have a Paris plan by the end of 2021. The news comes after BP set out plans on Wednesday to make its business emissions neutral by the middle of the century. Oxfam called RBSs move a wake-up call for fossil fuel companies. By continuing to support fossil fuels, banks and other financial institutions are complicit in the climate emergency that is already pushing the worlds poorest people deeper into poverty and hunger, Oxfam climate policy adviser Kiri Hanks said. Greenpeace called on Barclays to follow suit. Tourists watch the sunset from Kuta beach in Indonesia's resort island of Bali JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia stands to lose $4 billion in earnings from tourism if its worst-case scenario materialises and travel from China is disrupted for the whole year by a virus epidemic, the tourism minister said on Thursday. The main tourist destination, the holiday island of Bali, had already seen around 10,000 cancellations by the end of last month, according to the Bali Tourism Board. "We had two million (Chinese) visitors last year with an average spend of $1,400 per arrival," Wishnutama Kusubandio told a news conference. "With the negative trend seen in tourists from other countries, the loss would be even more significant. We will lose $4 billion." The minister said he was extrapolating numbers for the whole year, despite uncertainties surrounding the virus, because bookings for summer holidays, which have usually started to trickle in by now, have been low. The government has encouraged airlines to discount fares for routes to Bali, the tourist island of Bintan south of Singapore and Manado city in North Sulawesi to attract visitors from outside China, said Adita Irawati, a transport ministry official. Indonesian authorities have said they expect little overall economic impact despite the hit to tourism, pointing to the industry's relatively small contribution to the economy. Travel and tourism accounted for 6% of Indonesia's GDP in 2018, the World Travel and Tourism Council said. Frederico Gil Sander, the World Bank's lead economist for Indonesia, told a forum with foreign correspondents recently that although 10% to 15% of total tourists coming to Indonesia are from China, tourism's share of the economy is small. The coronavirus epidemic has killed 563 people in China and two deaths have been confirmed elsewhere. Though the virus has been found in more than two dozen countries, Indonesia has no confirmed cases of infection. (Reporting by Maikel Jefriando; Writing by Gayatri Suroyo; Editing by Ed Davies and Jacqueline Wong) WAYNE, Pa., Feb. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Judge Consulting, a division of The Judge Group, announces that it has promoted Marizelle Steyn to the role of Chief Architect. In her new role, Marizelle will be responsible for leading a team to execute Judge Consultings architecture practice across their clients technology organizations. Marizelle continues to excel with absolute adeptness and has been instrumental in our growth, said President and Chief Technology Officer of Judge Consulting, John Battaglia. She is a strong leader and is committed to finding ways to drive architectural excellence through innovative and creative methods. Marizelle joined Judge Consulting in January 2014 as a Principal Architect and eventually worked her way up to Managing Principal. Throughout her time with Judge, she has proven to be a highly valuable team member - driving successful outcomes on client projects and acting as a subject matter expert for the team. Prior to her promotion, Marizelle led the application development team and has been instrumental in growing the business implementing major changes in how Judge solutions for their clients. Under Marizelles direction, the companys application development portfolio has grown over 300% while she improved the architecture capabilities and the companys digital reach. It is a very exciting time as business continues to capitalize on new technology, says Marizelle. I am excited to be our Chief Architect and will continue to keep us at the forefront of the technology consulting industry. The Judge Group is headquartered in suburban Philadelphia at 151 South Warner Road, Suite 100, Wayne, PA 19087. They can be reached at 1-800-650-0035 or by visiting www.judge.com. About The Judge Group: The Judge Group, celebrating its 50th anniversary, is a leading professional services firm specializing in technology, learning, and talent solutions. Our services are successfully delivered through a network of more than 30 offices in the United States, Canada, and India. The Judge Group serves more than 50 of the Fortune 100 and is responsible for over 7,000 professionals on assignment annually across a wide range of industries. Working at the crossroads of people and transformative technologies, The Judge Group delivers innovative business solutions powered by top talent to help organizations reach their strategic goals and realize opportunities now and in the future. Press Contact for The Judge Group: Ryan Miller Marketing Manager (610) 667-7700 rmiller@judge.com Britain's worst mother Karen Matthews has been warned by her family to 'dump' her paedophile lover or they will disown her. Matthews, 44, was spotted walking hand in hand with Paul Sanders for a St Valentines's Day stroll earlier today. Matthews had a scarf covering her face while Sanders was wearing a Tottenham Hotspur hat during their stroll. Matthews, 44, initially broke off her engagement to Paul Sanders after she discovered he had been jailed for abusing a vulnerable girl. She was jailed in January 2009 for eight years for the kidnap of her daughter Shannon Matthews. She was released from jail in April 2012. Karen Matthews, pictured right, along with her paedophile boyfriend Paul Sanders, have been photographed hand in hand while going for a romantic St Valentine's Day stroll in a town in the south of England Matthews, pictured in a town in the south of England, was photographed holding hands with her registered sex offender boyfriend who was wearing a Tottenham Hotspur hat Friends of Matthews have claimed she should dump Sanders, pictured left, who was jailed for five years in January 2010 for his abuse of a vulnerable young girl aged between 15 and 17 Karen Matthews, left, is planning to marry paedophile handyman Paul Sanders, right, who was jailed for abusing a vulnerable girl. The pair got engaged over Christmas although they split up briefly in January According to The Sun, Matthews' family have warned her that she should dump her paedophile lover or they will no longer support her. Last month it emerged that Matthews was hoping to raise tens of thousands of pounds in cash by selling the rights to her wedding to Sanders. However, her plan is unlikely to succeed as there are strict laws preventing convicted criminals from receiving cash from the media in order to benefit from their notoriety. Matthews, who faked the kidnapping of her daughter Shannon, has shared details of her plan with friends. Last month, the pair were spotted shopping and going to a fish and chip shop. The pair have had a number of furious rows since their engagement was announced. On one trip to the shops, Matthews was spotted without her 39.99 Princess Diana engagement ring. Matthews, right, staged the kidnap of her daughter, Shannon, left, in order to cash in on a 50,000 reward for her safe return Friends claimed Matthews bought the ring herself but was later reimbursed by Sanders. Although, during the time they had split last month, Matthews had considered trying to sell her Cubic Zirconia cluster ring. Saunders was jailed for five years in January 2010 for his abuse of a vulnerable young girl aged between 15 and 17 who said after his conviction at Oxford Crown Court: 'He makes me sick. He should die. I hate him'. Saunders, targeted the 'vulnerable' girl and made indecent images of her, the court heard as he was jailed for five years placed on the sex offenders' register for life. Matthews was branded the 'Britain's vilest mother' after she staged the kidnap of her daughter Shannon in 2008 in bid to cash in on the 50,000 reward. The youngster was being held in a flat belonging to her then lover. Matthews was jailed for eight years but was released after just four in 2012 - but was ordered to stay clear of her native Dewsbury. Matthews and her ex-boyfriend's uncle Michael Donovan were jailed in 2008 for the plot to stage Shannon's kidnapping and claim the 50,000 reward for 'finding' her. She made a series of tearful TV appeals for help in finding her daughter as West Yorkshire Police launched one of the force's largest ever searches. Shannon was eventually found by detectives in Donovan's flat, around a mile from her home in Dewsbury, 24 days after she disappeared. Prosecutors said the schoolgirl was drugged and probably kept captive on a leash during her incarceration. Police described Matthews as 'pure evil' after she was found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice. Her then-boyfriend, Craig Meehan, was not involved in the kidnapping plot. However, he was separately convicted of possessing 49 indecent images of children on a home computer. She and Donovan were both sentenced to eight years in prison in January 2009 and released in 2012 after serving half their sentences. Shannon was raised by a new family under a new identity and is now an adult. Dolapo Badmus, public relations officer for zone 2 police command, says couples shouldnt be unnecessarily anxious when they find it d... Dolapo Badmus, public relations officer for zone 2 police command, says couples shouldnt be unnecessarily anxious when they find it difficult to reach their partners on Valentines Day. The celebrity police officer took to her Twitter page on Thursday to offer her two cents to Nigerian lovbirds as they join the rest of the world to observe the annual event. According to her, people should avoid reporting case of missing person should their loved ones fail to pick calls or reply WhatsApp messages, noting that they can do so after 24 to 48 hours. Tomorrow 14th, phones maybe unreachable, WhatsApp messages may not be answered! All efforts may seem proved abortive in reaching your partner! Dear people, there might be no course for alarm! kindly wait for 24 to 48hours before reporting case of a missing person. Happy val yall, she wrote. Tomorrow 14th, phones maybe unreachable, watsapp messages may not be answered! All efforts may seem proved abortive in reaching your partner! Dear people, there might be no course for alarm! kindly wait for 24 to 48hours before reporting case of a missing personHappy val y'all. Dolapo Badmos (@Opetodolapo) February 13, 2020 Valentines Day, also called Saint Valentines Day is celebrated annually on February 14 across the world. It originates as a western Christian feast day in honour of Valentinus, one of the early saints. February 14 : Lakme Fashion Week 2020 collaborated with United Nations Environment Programme of design challenge to showcase eco-friendly fashion creations. On Day 2 of the event in Mumbai, the epitome of beauty, Aditi Rao Hydari, walked the ramp for Padma Shree awardee Ritu Kumar. The celebrity designer collaborated with Austrian brand Lenzing Ecoverco and showcased a mesmerising collection. Aditi showcased a striking blue outfit from this collection. The diva looked like a vision to behold in a gorgeous blue and black floral printed long dress. The dress was dominated by an ink blue tone, and was uplifted with the asymmetric hemline, full sleeves and a stylish front design. The Indo-western fusion dress featured Indian prints but the cut of the dress was western. Aditi looked droolworthy in the contrasting combo. Watch the video The Bhoomi actress teamed the beautiful dress with a pair of long black boots. Given that the Ritu Kumar dress didnt need any extra accessory, Aditi went with no-jewellery look. Upping the ante was Aditis makeup. She opted for highlighted makeup with heavy smokey eyes and winged eyeliner. She sculpted her brows and used nude lip colour. The actress left her blow-dried hair loose. Latest updates on Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2020